What the hell was Zidane thinking!

[via Zidane Sent Off in Extra Time for Headbutt [2]]:

BERLIN -- To the very end of his career, Zinedine Zidane could dictate the flow of play with rare skill and elegant control of the ball. In the World Cup final, Zidane lost control of his temper.

The parting image for the France captain will forever be him rearing back in anger, lowering his head and launching his bald crown into the chest of Italy defender Marco Materazzi after the two exchanged words while walking down the field in extra time Sunday.

The game was tied 1-1 when Zidane was given a red card in the 110th minute. Without their sharpshooting captain, the French couldn't unlock Italy's defense and went on to lose in a shootout, 5-3.

"Zidane being sent off changed everything," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "Even in extra time the Italian team was waiting for only one thing, and that was penalties."

Domenech said he did not know what Materazzi said to Zidane.

"It's regrettable," Domenech said. "We regret it, he regrets it."

The strike to the center of Materazzi's chest was clearly intentional, and referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina briefly consulted with his assistants before showing Zidane the 28th red card of the tournament, a World Cup record. The previous record of 22 red cards, set in 1998, was broken before the quarterfinals round began.

"I have not seen the replays, but if it's voluntary then there's nothing you can say," Domenech said. "But it's a shame. It's sad."

Head bowed, Zidane walked past Domenech but did not look at him. As he exited into the tunnel, his head still bent to the ground, he strode past the golden World Cup trophy and disappeared.

I am complete flabbergasted with Zidane's behaviour. Mind you, I am still pissed at France for eliminating both Brasil and Portugal, but grock flugging damnit, if a team like that can kick Brasil's ass, especially with a goalie like Barthez (the bastard stopped each penatly kick during the semi-finals), I would have thought they would be able to kick Italy's ass.

Mais nooooon.

Not only did Italy play a tight defensive game, France just could not control the ball, no matter how much Abidal and Makele tried with their work on the side. And when it came time to deal with the penalty kicks, with Zidane gone from the field, Trezeguet could not stand up to the task. And whatever happened to the unstoppable Barthez?

A pity indeed.

I really hated France for eliminating my favorite team in the world and Portugal (which proved the former empire has learned more than a trick or two from it's long lost colonial jewel). But shit, to loose like this?!

It was absolutely devasting to watch France loose like that.

Geezus.

Four years of Italians gloating.

Urgh.

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