World Cup '06 part 3

First bit.
It was slow. Henry's injury in the game's first 30 seconds held off play till the 3rd minute. Then the game got even slower -some how. Both teams failing to put together credible attacks from the mid-field meant that only the defense of both teams were really playing. Seven minutes in and France is up 1 nil on a dive call? Ah Brilliant. France is going to kick around the rest of the game. But it inspired Italy in the 19th minute to make a great corner (one of the best I've seen) and equalized so that was good.

Middle bit
Defense vs. Defense, except a truely great header attempt by Zinedine Zidane. I was wondering where the hell Italy was on that play? Nobody marked ZZ? Great push on the golden ball by Buffon to save it. Truely a world class shot and save. Now let's have more of that...things are heating up I told myself. The teams are finding rhythm. OK great, another European Corona (Heineken) for the last part of the match my friend Scott says.

Final bit
Anyone for a sub? ZZ's arm needed freezing so he sat on the pitch 45 seconds? Bloody hell. After playing the entire cup these two teams were wiped out. If earlier subs were called in someone could have won it in regulation. But the two defensive teams/coaches were ok with playing for a draw. They didn't want to lose but didn't play to win. This is exactly what people thought when they realized these two teams were in the final. True, it's what defensive teams do and it carried them to the final. But it makes for boring ping-pong-passing minute after minute. Zinedine Zidane added a bit of flare in the wrong way and went from being my pick for golden ball to my pick for worst career ending ever. Neither team won this match. So a little more standing around and off to PK's... It was almost as bad, dare-I-say, as baseball. This was one of the worst matches in the cup. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed watching it. In fact, I wish I was there. Because I'd get to yell at them in person and get it all out of my system.

Maybe we should do away with penalty kicks. Make teams play. At least that way they can't play for a shoot out. Deeper benches on both sides, add two subs for another 30 minute go.

I look forward to South Africa in 2010. I hope to attend the games next time. It's a great excuse to visit Africa. And the official logo of the 2010 cup is better than the faces from this world cup. So they're off to a faster start and hopefully finish than these games.

World Cup '06 part 2

2 games left in the world cup. I think I only missed watching 3 games total this entire cup. Here are some random thoughts:

World Cup
May the best actors lose.

Golden Ball
Zinedine Zidane (I just like to type his name).

France
I think France deserves a shot at the title after beating Brazil. Advancing past Portugal from a penalty kick didn't make me feel good. That call wasn't worthy and if they didn't just send Brazil packing I would be much more upset. Henry please play the beautiful game. If you win the Golden Ball I hope you deserve it for your play not your acting.

Italy
I guess you could say they play well together (that's the time they aren't in 'pain' rolling on the pitch with a hand up after the lightest touch). So Italy made it in? I say let it be France (sorry Antonio). It's so pathetic to watch these professional football players act like figure skaters with a bad lace up job.

Brazil vs Japan
For me, the best game was Brazil vs. Japan. That was fun. One thing I noticed in the game was even though Japan had just put their only shot in the back of the net, Brazil played the same afterwards. I.E. no major rush. Each well disciplined.

Ghana
Ghana was fun. Hope to see them in person for the 2010 cup in South Africa.

England
England needs more free kicks. Wait is the cup over for them? Just when they were going to really get good at taking free kicks darn....back to dancing?