The Official World Cup Thread

[Mark Priors Calves]

Here's what wikipedia says about the history of "caps".

 

"That all players taking part for England in future international matches be presented with a white silk cap with red rose embroidered on the front. These to be termed International Caps."

[lowest]

concerning the adu situation, sunil gulati has been quoted (at the beginning of july) as saying that its up to adu to choose who he plays for.

 

"It's Freddy's decision. At 17, he's a very impressionable young man and that's all part of maturing," Gulati said.

 

"I'd be surprised if he changed and would find it a pretty extraordinary decision.

 

"He's played in three World Youth Championships for us and a senior game, although not a senior official game."

 

http://wc2006.telegraph.co.uk/Document.aspx?id=4303F6BB-B5E7-4D1F-8AD4-43A250D36904

[USSoccer]

concerning the adu situation, sunil gulati has been quoted (at the beginning of july) as saying that its up to adu to choose who he plays for.

 

"It's Freddy's decision. At 17, he's a very impressionable young man and that's all part of maturing," Gulati said.

 

"I'd be surprised if he changed and would find it a pretty extraordinary decision.

 

"He's played in three World Youth Championships for us and a senior game, although not a senior official game."

 

http://wc2006.telegraph.co.uk/Document.aspx?id=4303F6BB-B5E7-4D1F-8AD4-43A250D36904

 

According to the FIFA rule I posted last page, Gulati is wrong. He appeared for the senior National Team against Canada. Friendlies count as caps in FIFA's eyes, so this appearance makes him ineligible to play for Ghana. At least that's how I'm reading it.

[lowest]

unless im also missing something, i think it says that it has to be an official FIFA match. FIFA might see friendlies as caps, but not official games. or something.

 

but i really dont understand all of this either.

[TruffleShuffle]

Let the fun continue!

 

So, earlier in the match, Zidane injured his leftshoulder/pectoral muscle. Apparently, Materazzi was getting cheap shots in on it from that point on, trying to take Zidane out. The final straw came when this happened.

 

That's right. Materazzi gave Zidane a purple nurple.

 

Turns out, Materazzi's a known cheapshot artist.

delightful video has a good number of clips on the guy, although the music accompanying it is NSFW. I wouldn't be surprised if the two have a history with one another.

 

So, it turns out the Barrett/AJP comparison might well be a better one than I originally was aware.

 

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

 

So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great.

[wolf stansson]

FWIW, during the US v Ghana game, the announcers said Ghana extended an invitation to Adu to play on this year's cup team but he declined. Sounds like he was still eligible. The invitation was probably Ghana's attempt to get him now since the US didn't offer.

[USSoccer]

FWIW, during the US v Ghana game, the announcers said Ghana extended an invitation to Adu to play on this year's cup team but he declined. Sounds like he was still eligible. The invitation was probably Ghana's attempt to get him now since the US didn't offer.

 

That was probably before the roster deadline for the World Cup, which wasn't all that long after the US v Canada game that Adu appeared in. Timing, in that case, may have had more to do with it than anything.

 

EDIT:

 

Adu appeared January 22nd. The roster deadline was late April or early May. Maybe Ghana offered after it became clear Adu would be left off the US roster, but after the Canada game?

[1908]

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

 

So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great.

That is a really nice straw man.

[USSoccer]

Let the fun continue!

 

So, earlier in the match, Zidane injured his leftshoulder/pectoral muscle. Apparently, Materazzi was getting cheap shots in on it from that point on, trying to take Zidane out. The final straw came when this happened.

 

That's right. Materazzi gave Zidane a purple nurple.

 

Turns out, Materazzi's a known cheapshot artist.

delightful video has a good number of clips on the guy, although the music accompanying it is NSFW. I wouldn't be surprised if the two have a history with one another.

 

So, it turns out the Barrett/AJP comparison might well be a better one than I originally was aware.

 

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

 

So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great.

 

Truff, when you're the captain of your team in OT of the final, you don't lose your composure like that, no matter what was said or done. You have to rise above. I think even Zidane would say he should have kept his head about it.

[TruffleShuffle]

Let the fun continue!

 

So, earlier in the match, Zidane injured his leftshoulder/pectoral muscle. Apparently, Materazzi was getting cheap shots in on it from that point on, trying to take Zidane out. The final straw came when this happened.

 

That's right. Materazzi gave Zidane a purple nurple.

 

Turns out, Materazzi's a known cheapshot artist.

delightful video has a good number of clips on the guy, although the music accompanying it is NSFW. I wouldn't be surprised if the two have a history with one another.

 

So, it turns out the Barrett/AJP comparison might well be a better one than I originally was aware.

 

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

 

So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great.

 

Truff, when you're the captain of your team in OT of the final, you don't lose your composure like that, no matter what was said or done. You have to rise above. I think even Zidane would say he should have kept his head about it.

 

There are very few things that, if said to me, would set me off. But, I expect that those few things that shouldn't be said will not be said. Everyone is focusing on the reaction, but nobody seems to mind that the Italian player might have said something really offensive. I guess it's a good move if it gets the other player to lose his mind, but I'd like to think that there is still a little sportsmanship left in the world.

[wolf stansson]

Truff, when you're the captain of your team in OT of the final, you don't lose your composure like that, no matter what was said or done.

No matter WHAT. This head butt is not only the difference between France getting 2 out of the last 3 cups in addition to an Euro Cup, but this could be the difference from Zidane being mantioned in the same breath as Beckenbauer, Pele, Maradona, etc.

[jaydee]

It is pretty apalling the way people are trying to make Materazzi look like the bad guy. Even more sad is Zidane getting the award for best player. The guy had one good game (against brazil) other than that he was an average player. Seems like the media and fans will do anything to prop this guy up

[Jon]

The game is currently being replayed on ESPN2. It's in the 80th minute.

[Jon]

This quote is from an AFP article published a few weeks ago:

"I have not played an international FIFA-sanctioned friendly for any country yet," he said. "I guess whoever comes along and offers me that chance, you know, in the near future, I'll think about it and we'll see what happens."

[TruffleShuffle]

It is pretty apalling the way people are trying to make Materazzi look like the bad guy.

 

I'm not trying to make him out to be the bad guy. I think it's pretty sad that people are just giving him a free pass, even if he uttered a racial slur.

[Butterscup1679666578]

This is fun: http://tonaz.altervista.org/zidane.html

[USSoccer]

This quote is from an AFP article published a few weeks ago:

"I have not played an international FIFA-sanctioned friendly for any country yet," he said. "I guess whoever comes along and offers me that chance, you know, in the near future, I'll think about it and we'll see what happens."

 

That doesn't make any sense to me. It was a friendly, and not a closed door one like we had with Angola in Germany. The rule says "appearance". It doesn't specify friendly, qualifier, tournament, or whatever.

 

A Player may exercise this right to change Associations only if he has not played at “A” international level for his current Association and if, at the time of his first full or partial appearance in an international match in an official competition of any other category, he already had such nationalities

 

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_280665.html

 

"I was very excited, I wasn't nervous," said Adu, who has now played international matches with three men’s national teams (U-17, U-20 and MNT). "I just got out there and played my game. The guys have been awesome to me the last three weeks. I got out there and just tried to help the team out. We didn't pull out the win, but it's a good first step. We know where we stand now and are going to go back and work hard to try to get ready for Norway."

 

So either he's gravely mistaken, or I guess there's a gray area that he can use, since it seems that he and others think there's a way for him to play for Ghana. The USSF and he would be absolutely insane to allow it to happen, though.

 

Maybe that's another reason Gulati won't bring Arena back. He has been pretty caustic about Adu in the past, albeit mostly in response to idiotic questions from the foreign press.

[1908]

So either he's gravely mistaken, or I guess there's a gray area that he can use, since it seems that he and others think there's a way for him to play for Ghana.

In addition to Adu, the PTI fact-checker(s) would be in the gravely mistaken group. Certainly possible, but I'd like to think the people who write the questions for a national sports show do their homework.

[soccer10k]

Let the fun continue!

 

So, earlier in the match, Zidane injured his leftshoulder/pectoral muscle. Apparently, Materazzi was getting cheap shots in on it from that point on, trying to take Zidane out. The final straw came when this happened.

 

That's right. Materazzi gave Zidane a purple nurple.

 

Turns out, Materazzi's a known cheapshot artist.

delightful video has a good number of clips on the guy, although the music accompanying it is NSFW. I wouldn't be surprised if the two have a history with one another.

 

So, it turns out the Barrett/AJP comparison might well be a better one than I originally was aware.

 

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

 

So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great.

 

Truff, when you're the captain of your team in OT of the final, you don't lose your composure like that, no matter what was said or done. You have to rise above. I think even Zidane would say he should have kept his head about it.

 

There are very few things that, if said to me, would set me off. But, I expect that those few things that shouldn't be said will not be said. Everyone is focusing on the reaction, but nobody seems to mind that the Italian player might have said something really offensive. I guess it's a good move if it gets the other player to lose his mind, but I'd like to think that there is still a little sportsmanship left in the world.

 

I am in no way condoning what Materazzi said and did. But USSoccer hit it right on the head. It is one thing if you are just another player on your team. But you have to factor in that this was the World Cup final, Zidane was the captain and one of the best players of our generation. You don't think he's had nasty things said to him before? These things go on all the time. As a defender you want the offensive player focused on you as a defender and not on the goal. Obviously Materazzi succeeded in distracting Zidane. Trash talk happens in every single sport. Don't you think that cornerbacks say inappropriate things to wide receivers? I guarantee they do. Fact is, Zidane lost his cool and I wouldn't let him off the hook if he was just another player. But he isn't. Again, not condoning what Materazzi said, but Zidane has to be bigger than that.

[Mark Priors Calves]

So either he's gravely mistaken, or I guess there's a gray area that he can use, since it seems that he and others think there's a way for him to play for Ghana.

In addition to Adu, the PTI fact-checker(s) would be in the gravely mistaken group. Certainly possible, but I'd like to think the people who write the questions for a national sports show do their homework.

 

I hope you're not questioning Stat Boy.

[wolf stansson]

It is pretty apalling the way people are trying to make Materazzi look like the bad guy. Even more sad is Zidane getting the award for best player. The guy had one good game (against brazil) other than that he was an average player. Seems like the media and fans will do anything to prop this guy up

I think Zidane was the best player in the tournament between the two finalist teams.

[soccer10k]

It is pretty apalling the way people are trying to make Materazzi look like the bad guy. Even more sad is Zidane getting the award for best player. The guy had one good game (against brazil) other than that he was an average player. Seems like the media and fans will do anything to prop this guy up

I think Zidane was the best player in the tournament between the two finalist teams.

 

Zidane didn't even play in their last group stage game against Togo because he received yellow cards in the first two group stage games. IMO either Cannavaro or Buffon should have won the Golden Ball award. Italy didn't allow their opponents to score a goal during the flow of play during the tournament. The two they let in were an own goal and Zidane's penalty kick. I don't see how it's possible to not give the award to either their captain and central defender or their goalie. It's ludicrous to think that a guy that didn't play well until the elimination round of the tournament be given the MVP award.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'll just say I agree with Truffle and I hope Materazzi meets a real terrorist.

[soccer10k]

I think Truffle is on the right track on this one...I've been called " terrorist" a couple of times, and believe me, that goes well beyond trash talking, especially to someone who's brown-skinned or Muslim. I don't care if you're the captain and its the final, there are some things that are over the line and this was one of them.

 

I hope Materazzi meets a real terrorist.

 

I don't know if he's Muslim or not but he sure isn't brown-skinned.

 

Again, I'm not condoning what Materazzi said or did and am not saying he's a good person. But under no circumstances should you get a red card in a tie game in overtime OF THE WORLD CUP FINAL especially if you are the captain of your team. I could care less what Materazzi called Zidane. You can't lose your cool like that.

 

I gave the same analogy earlier but I'll state it again. What if Jordan was called a derogatory name for a black person by Greg Ostertag during the fourth quarter of Game 6. Then Jordan headbutts Ostertag and gets ejected from the game and suspended for Game 7. The Bulls lose the series. The only difference is the NBA Finals happen every year and a good player will have 15 seasons to win. Realistically in soccer you will only have 3 or 4 chances to win.

[goonys evil twin]

I think Truffle is on the right track on this one...I've been called " terrorist" a couple of times, and believe me, that goes well beyond trash talking, especially to someone who's brown-skinned or Muslim. I don't care if you're the captain and its the final, there are some things that are over the line and this was one of them.

 

I hope Materazzi meets a real terrorist.

 

I don't know if he's Muslim or not but he sure isn't brown-skinned..

 

He's Algerian. Given the recent conflicts arrising from african descended youth in France, I could see how such a slight would send him off.

 

You can't do what he did, but you can understand why if the guy said the right thing.