soccer10k

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.

Zidane still won the golden ball for the tournament's best player. Which is crap. He shouldn't have won it anyway even if he didn't get the red card. Link

Actually, Premiership starts on 08/19. Even in England, that is still summer. 8) That's a lie. Everyone knows there is no summer in England. It just rains all the time. :)

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.

Were you trying to be sarcastic?

Do the Cubs play today? Rational, I have a question- who do you cheer for in the N.L. Central? My point is, how can any White Sox fan act incredulous when Cub fans cheer for someone other than the Sox in the A.L. Central? I mean, you do know Cubs fans and Sox fans generally dislike the other team, right? The Cubs play the Brewers, by the way. Who you pullin' for? :D The Red Sox are my 2nd-favorite AL team. My favorite AL team is anyone playing and/or making havoc for the White Sox. Right now, that would be the Tigers, Twins, and Indians And he proves everyone right yet again.

Really going out on a limb there aren't you? Considering the Mets are seemingly the only lock to make the playoffs, I would say there is a very good chance this will happen. I predict that somebody from either the AL or NL will win the World Series.

I would be ticked too if I was Scott. I wouldn't want to answer constant questions about my coach. Don't you think all of Bonds's teammates got tired of answering steroid questions about Bonds? I guarantee they did. Who cares if Eyre says this about Baker. It didn't even sound like he was completely defending Dusty. The "if something happens, it happens" part definately doesn't sound like he's defending him. Eyre is repeating what Hendry has said, which is what you should be doing as an employee. And I agree with Bruno and saying "Eyre took time out from eating hohos and injuring Derrek Lee" is flat out uncalled for. First, Furcal injured Lee, not Eyre. HE'S BEEN OUR BEST RELIEVER THIS YEAR!! Why are you insulting a guy with a 2.41 ERA? Everyone overreacting about this needs to just can it. Insult Rusch and Neifi if you want to. But if Z said these quotes, would you be ripping into him as well? Didn't think so.

Especially after the Cubs take 2 of 3 from the Mets after the ASB. You know it will happen. Then management won't trade anybody away.

Don't count out the Angels and Dodgers seeing as both have been known to shell out big money for free agents (re: Vlad, Furcalholic) in the past. I realize that Boras is Zito's agent but he might take a little less from a West Coast team to stay in the warm weather. As much as I would like to have Zito, I don't think the Cubs should pay him what he is going to command.

Somehow I think the former will be true even though I wish the latter was true.

Goalkeepers can play effectively into their mid 30's quite easily. Defenders can play effectively into their low 30's and sometimes mid 30's if they are a star. It is rare for midfielders to play effectively past 31, 32 with the exception of a bigtime star (re: Zidane, Figo, etc.). Once forwards hit 30 they are likely done (Ronaldo is 29 right now). Obviously this isn't a rule and there are exceptions but it is a trend. All of this is for the national teams, not club teams.

I believe that all of the players on all of the teams will basically become free agents if they are relegated. I'm pretty sure this would be the case if Juventus is relegated to Serie C but not completely sure for the other three (Lazio, Fiorentina, AC Milan) if they are relegated to Serie B. We'll just have to see how this plays out. Should be interesting.

COBS WIN!!! Amazing.

Kevin Youkilis....the Greek god of walks has 4 walks today and he is 0-3. His walks have accounted for 2 runs scored......some notify the Cubs. He also has a stolen base :shock: Yeah, but the Red Sox have 10 walks and the White Sox only have 2 yet they both have 5 runs. So this clearly means walks don't matter. :roll:

Agreed. Every thread CBB seems to go into he manages to get an anti-Sox comment in there.

I'm not ready to give up on Ronny either and think he'll come around.

I would like to be the first of hopefully many to apologize to Tommy Smyth for thinking he was crazy for picking Italy to win the World Cup. Tommy, you are a brilliant man and I will never doubt you again.

No kidding, he calls the PK on the dive but not on the one that actually deserved the PK. Oh well, at least Italy fans can't bitch about the call in the first half now, since that one really evened it up. I wouldn't have called either one as penalty kicks. Was there contact? Sure. But when isn't there contact in soccer? Never. Neither one of those was bad enough to be called a penalty. Bad call on the first foul but a good no call on the second.

I wouldn't say that his headbutt invalidates their WC victory in '98 or their Euro Cup victory in '00. It was stupid, and hurt them in this game. That's all. But it will be tarnished, heavily, Zidane will be remembered for having the most antiheroic end to a career in the history of sports. His accomplishments will never outweight this. And to think i use to love the guy 8 years ago. I still love the guy. He made a stupid mistake, but I have no doubt that the Italian player said something totally out-of-line to make Zidane lose his mind and do something something so out of character. Zidane's legacy will be heavily tarnished and I don't care what the Italian player said to Zidane because there is absolutely no reason for him to react like that in a 1-1 game in overtime. If France was about to lose then i could understand it a little more. Not excusing it though. Just think if Jordan would have punched a Jazz player in 1998 in game 6, got tossed out and suspended for game 7 and the Bulls lost the series. Are you telling me that everytime Jordan's legacy was brought up that people wouldn't mention that occurance? Zidane is a bum and any simpathy I had for the guy went right out the window. No more feel good stories about him retiring. Good bye Zinadine. You had a great career but you are a colossal idiot.

Are you kidding me? Italy totally outplayed France in the first half. They had all the good chances. I'll give you the second half and overtime, but not the first half.

I thought this was going to be about Baker cutting Rusch off from the buffet before the game.

I hope not. I hope it's just a "we don't want to pitch him so we're going to throw out a bogus injury excuse" sort of thing. Please don't be seriously hurt Mark.

It is a situational thing. The situation is that it was the fourth inning. No reason to be bunting in the fourth inning. None at all. And you have the lead too. Just let them hit.

Definately. There is no good reason why he shouldn't be up here. He was given one shot at the beginning of the year, which shouldn't really be called that since he only pitched 3.2 innings, and hasn't received another chance since.