The Official 2006 World Cup in Germany Thread

I think I used walcott to the same purpose. Then you have him sit out. You still have a valid team, but no oppurtunity to substitute. Unfortunately there's loads less choice now, and I think managers are almost in a position to make a big difference, altho of course captains will as well.... (I've been making bad choices for mine since the second week :/ Like, yknow, I had multiple players last week earning 12 points a shot, and my captain? what? 2. Disgraceful.)

amazing to see HOW many of those annoying little england flags are still flying from cars.....................as in hardly any



www.ihateronaldo.com

You said about the captains, Nuno Valente got me 24 points in one game!!! The points (maybe for all players, but possibly just the captains) are all doubled at the moment, and seeing as he was my captains anyway on double points, it quadrupled!

Oh boo hiss!

After the Argentinans (if that's the right word) started hitting the Germans after the quarter final, the Italians have now dug out a scene that looks like Frings hit an Argentinan, too.

Now Frings said he didn't. The ARGENTINAN on the video said he didn't (and it would've been so easy for him to say he did to get back on Germany winning). But still Frings is not allowed to play in the semi.

Who would you believe, the Argentinan that thinks Frings didn't even touch him, the referee that stood like 2 steps away, or the Italian team that'll have one less good player against them?

O.O How did that HAPPEN????

I mean, seriously, how is that allowed?

My educated guess would be that it's allowed in the same way that Juventus Turin won the last 2 championships, and Italy got the penalty against Australia

Seriously though, I think it's mostly due to the over-correctness of the FIFA. Still... not good

hehehe... nice Pepsi ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h32vCueIQo

Well, it's a BIT stereotypical, but at least in the end Ronaldinho gets a proper hairstyle

I am disappointed by the overbearing influence that the refs have had in this series. Again, maybe that's just my lack of experience with Soccer.

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I am disappointed by the overbearing influence that the refs have had in this series.

In this Frings case, which CAN decide the semis, it wasnt even a ref decision. The ref stood 1 meter behind Frings during the row started by Argentinian players after loosing. One Argentinian player got a red card for this, the ref decided not to punish Frings (neither other involved Argentinian player). Normally this means no sanction. But here, the old guys in grey suit sat down at the green table to influence the football.

Italian media had cooked this up, provided FIFA with ultra slomo visuals and the headlines were all like Nazi crimes again ...
What unselfish, fair sportsmen these Italians are, has anyone see the slomo footage of the Oz dive ?

But it was clear that after the very ugly scenes in Turkey qualifier, FIFA has to come down hard on unfair player who start to beat and push after the game is lost.
It is just utterly ironic how they do this - both incidents were clearley started by Turkish and Arentinian player after loosing - the big punishment goes to the self-defending side by system: German player Frings being disqualified for a WC semi final, a Swiss player has received a 7 ordinary games ban: That came down to the 4 games Switzerland played this WC and the 3 = full openig round of the next EC in Switzerland ... this actually takes this player out of his National team for 2 years - and he responded after being attacked ...

The refs have made mistakes, especially on offsides and penalties. Also they have given too many cards stopping the game. However, it is an imrpovement vs WC 02 where bad decisions have sent teams go home ... there will always be a human element, who wants a cyber-ref ?

ANYONE with a bit of sence KNOW portugal are cheating dirty greasy pretty boy twats!!!! love the video of rooney stamping that muppets nads

hmmm yeah. 2002 that Turkish guy got a red after Rivaldo pretended he was dying from NOTHING, before that Maradona scored with his hand etc... won't ever be perfect. But if you can't avoid wrong decisions DURING the match, why make them afterwards when it's not necessary?

wouuuh it's gonna be a great match tonight (or today depens )

germany / italiaaa

two, three times world champion !!!!!
I hope Italy's going to win ..and in a good way, then nobody will doubt that they're a great team!!!

Well done italy great game, by the end both sides deserved it I think

yeah, brilliant game, one of the best in the tournament!

The 2:0 was a bit unnecessary, but then that happens when you send everyone to the front to equalise!

I'd rather we lost in a good match than won after playing awfully, so congrats to Italy, and GO GERMANY for #3!!

I missed it

Stupid work + holiday

I'll miss tomorrows as well tho maybe not all of it.

And I'm lonely to boot. I want a hug so bad its interfereing with my like, existence.

Congratulations Italy.

The game was a real thiller, it was obvious that the first lucky shot or mistake would decide, and Italy pulled a cleaver play out of its hat last minute.

Germany was playing well, but the danger in front of the goal was missing, as was Frings (Schneider missed the best chance, had it been another player for this shot ...). Was very surprised that Klinsmann exchanged Borowski for Schweinsteiger weakening our left offense and only very late changed Schneider for Odonkor as the right offense was our weak spot and opportunity with right defense Italian weak spot too. Spilled milk ...

We're up to a exciting semi Portugal-France tonight. Will be equally tight match I guess.

My heart is now with France who found back to playing creative offensive football. Hope they will make it all the way, even though there will be some irony as neither Farnce nor Portugal or Italy have played very good in first round. Apparently, its all about the finish ... unlike Poi.

awwww Kyri! Have an electronic one !!

I'll miss the final, how annoying's that! But I might get someone to record it for me

hahahahhahahahaha... sorry Germany but Italy.... nice.

they deserved to win...

:P

What's worse, I lost 2 pounds and probably the lead in the fantasy football league