World Cup Final - Reflections
We went 24 of 31 for the tournament and 11 of 15 from the quarters on.
A glance at shots on goal 5-3 and corners 7-5 shows the French ahead. However, the Italians led in all categories until the last 25 minutes and overtime.
This was when the double overtime against Germany in the semis caught up with Italy. The "Azzurri" (Blues) still managed to dominate with ball control, time of possesion was 68% to 32% early in the 2nd half, closing at 55% to 45% for Italy.
The Italian defense went the entire tournament without allowing an opponent to score a goal from the field. The USA goal was scored by the Italian defense (own goal), France's goal was a charitable gift from the officials. (Much like the victorious penalty kick awarded against Portugal in the Semis.)
The FIFA officials did try their hardest to give the cup to France. Instant replay clearly showed: On Frances goal by penalty kick, the French player was untouched and took a dive in the box.
On the disallowed Italian goal, there was no offsides committed. The final result should have been Italy 2-0 in regulation. However, justice still prevailed as the better team won, more on the officials later.
For the darkhorse Italians, the "tour di vendetta" is complete:
1. Gus Hiddink - Australian coach - coached Korea in 2002, they beat Italy in 02 quarters with very suspect officiating.
2. Oleg Blokhin - Ukraine coach - played on Russian team that eliminated Italy in Euro 1988 semis.
3. Germany - played for a tie against Italy in Euro 1996, the tie eliminated Italy.
4. France - Penalty shootout win in 1998 cup. Then, the famous 2000 Euro final where the French scored 6 MINUTES into recouperation time, winning on a golden goal in overtime.
An interesting observation: 1970 Final Italy loses to Brazil; 1982 Final Italy beats Germany; 1994 Final Italy loses on penalty shootout to Brazil; 2006 Final Italy wins on penalty shootout vs France.
Seems every 12 years Italy gets to the final, with alternating win & loss results. Next final for Italy 2018 - they lose, 2030 they win.... lets wait and see.
Regarding Butthead, or Zidane: Zidane played 4 years for Juventus in Serie A and is fluent in Italian.
Its no doubt that the Italian fullback Materassi said something very rude to Zidane in Italian. The question is not what he said, but why did Zidane lose his cool??
Anyone who has played the beautiful game knows that racial, ethnic, religious and familial taunts are commonplace amongst competitors. Materassi could not possibly have said anything that Zidane has not already heard.
Despite Zidane's outburst he was awarded the golden ball as best player in the tournament. The award should have gone to Italy's Cannavaro, but Zidane's retirement tipped the press voting scales.
More ridiculous FIFA antics... After winning the WORLD CUP, the Italians moved up 11 places in the FIFA rankings from #13 to #2.
That's right #2, not #1. And you thought that being the CHAMPION, meant you were NUMBER ONE. Guess who is still ranked #1 despite a lackluster performance and hasty quarterfinal exit from the tournament???
You guessed right, FIFA's favorite sons - Da Overrated Boyz from Brazil. Apparently winning the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP does NOT make you NUMBER ONE in FIFA's eyes. What else would one expect from an adoring father???
The ranking nepotism and yellow card officiating scandal in this cup have made FIFA's credibility laughable at best and put a major black eye on the sport.
It's fairly obvious that most of the FIFA officials have bad judgement and are possibly quite corrupt. Please refer to our comments Part I & II for further details.
Benito Archundia from Mexico was excellent in calling the Germany-Italy semi, he should have called the final as well.
FIFA has 2 linesman, but needs a 2nd official on the field along with a 3rd official in the booth to review instant replay on game turning plays.
This would eliminate questionable penalty kicks, goals and disallowed goals through offsides and player acting.
Unfortunately, such a system would require the officials and sanctioning body to be somewhat honest, so with FIFA it probably will never happen.
Here are the links to our complete coverage of World Cup 2006:
Update Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Comments Part I
Part II
A glance at shots on goal 5-3 and corners 7-5 shows the French ahead. However, the Italians led in all categories until the last 25 minutes and overtime.
This was when the double overtime against Germany in the semis caught up with Italy. The "Azzurri" (Blues) still managed to dominate with ball control, time of possesion was 68% to 32% early in the 2nd half, closing at 55% to 45% for Italy.
The Italian defense went the entire tournament without allowing an opponent to score a goal from the field. The USA goal was scored by the Italian defense (own goal), France's goal was a charitable gift from the officials. (Much like the victorious penalty kick awarded against Portugal in the Semis.)
The FIFA officials did try their hardest to give the cup to France. Instant replay clearly showed: On Frances goal by penalty kick, the French player was untouched and took a dive in the box.
On the disallowed Italian goal, there was no offsides committed. The final result should have been Italy 2-0 in regulation. However, justice still prevailed as the better team won, more on the officials later.
For the darkhorse Italians, the "tour di vendetta" is complete:
1. Gus Hiddink - Australian coach - coached Korea in 2002, they beat Italy in 02 quarters with very suspect officiating.
2. Oleg Blokhin - Ukraine coach - played on Russian team that eliminated Italy in Euro 1988 semis.
3. Germany - played for a tie against Italy in Euro 1996, the tie eliminated Italy.
4. France - Penalty shootout win in 1998 cup. Then, the famous 2000 Euro final where the French scored 6 MINUTES into recouperation time, winning on a golden goal in overtime.
An interesting observation: 1970 Final Italy loses to Brazil; 1982 Final Italy beats Germany; 1994 Final Italy loses on penalty shootout to Brazil; 2006 Final Italy wins on penalty shootout vs France.
Seems every 12 years Italy gets to the final, with alternating win & loss results. Next final for Italy 2018 - they lose, 2030 they win.... lets wait and see.
Regarding Butthead, or Zidane: Zidane played 4 years for Juventus in Serie A and is fluent in Italian.
Its no doubt that the Italian fullback Materassi said something very rude to Zidane in Italian. The question is not what he said, but why did Zidane lose his cool??
Anyone who has played the beautiful game knows that racial, ethnic, religious and familial taunts are commonplace amongst competitors. Materassi could not possibly have said anything that Zidane has not already heard.
Despite Zidane's outburst he was awarded the golden ball as best player in the tournament. The award should have gone to Italy's Cannavaro, but Zidane's retirement tipped the press voting scales.
More ridiculous FIFA antics... After winning the WORLD CUP, the Italians moved up 11 places in the FIFA rankings from #13 to #2.
That's right #2, not #1. And you thought that being the CHAMPION, meant you were NUMBER ONE. Guess who is still ranked #1 despite a lackluster performance and hasty quarterfinal exit from the tournament???
You guessed right, FIFA's favorite sons - Da Overrated Boyz from Brazil. Apparently winning the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP does NOT make you NUMBER ONE in FIFA's eyes. What else would one expect from an adoring father???
The ranking nepotism and yellow card officiating scandal in this cup have made FIFA's credibility laughable at best and put a major black eye on the sport.
It's fairly obvious that most of the FIFA officials have bad judgement and are possibly quite corrupt. Please refer to our comments Part I & II for further details.
Benito Archundia from Mexico was excellent in calling the Germany-Italy semi, he should have called the final as well.
FIFA has 2 linesman, but needs a 2nd official on the field along with a 3rd official in the booth to review instant replay on game turning plays.
This would eliminate questionable penalty kicks, goals and disallowed goals through offsides and player acting.
Unfortunately, such a system would require the officials and sanctioning body to be somewhat honest, so with FIFA it probably will never happen.
Here are the links to our complete coverage of World Cup 2006:
Update Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Comments Part I
Part II
Comments