LOL I was on my period. But nice of you to contextualise it with what else was going on in that thread.
Back to the game I did not see the replay. Was Greece offside on the goal that was just called back??
Then you didn't see the Spain Korea QF in 2002, which is why you keep neglecting to respond to it. Don't tell me that there is no fixing in major tournaments, because when you can seriously justify what the refs did to Spain in that QF, then I will agree, but there just is no justification. The refs simply did as much as they could to push the hosts through to the semifinals. and to get all defensive when I described your hatred for Italian soccer and then I read wpgfishfan's post that he got form the previous message board: This is why I don't try and debate Boomer about Italian soccer. This is one of his FinHeaven posts from the World Cup Originally Posted by Boomer Easy to see why the entire Italian squad play in Serie A. It's the only major league gay enough for such a bunch of whining pansies to survive in. Most people hate that Italian side more than any other. Dirty cheating cowardly, hateful *****. I sincerely hope they are eliminated in true comedy style once again. Ahn scoring in Korea was a moment of genuine world unity as everyone laughed at the diving *****. We need more of that spirit. May they have an aircrash whilst heading home. And this comment here proves that when discussing Italian soccer, YOU, are the one with no credibility. Now tell me who's lost their mind. Now... I will no longer respond to or acknowledge anything you say further on the subject of Italian soccer. You've proven that you simply don't watch or discuss objectively.
He went on a crazy walkabout. Glad Greece are out. Those spoiler tactics in the Sweden game after 25 minutes were a disgrace.
You keep believing the "it's all a fix" nonsense and let the adults get on with the game. 3 points about your nonsense: 1. Congratulations for CONTINUING to ignore facts. 2. Congratulations for CONTINUING to assume that people the whole world hates Italy and are fixing for them to lose and yada yada yada and if you criticise you must be anti Italian/American, etc. (delete as appropriate) 3. FLMAO @ the Spain/South Korea thing. Did the ref make Joaquin miss his penalty? Did the ref make Iker Casillas not save any of the penalties or was he in on the fix as well? As far as I can remember, Helguero's goal was disallowed because he was all over the defender pulling his shirt. Or was Helguero AND the shirt in on the fix? And I seem to remember that when Morientes scored, Joaquin had allowed the ball to run out. Or was the BALL in on the fix? And when Morientes hit the post in extra time, did that mean that the POST was in on the fix? Utter, utter nonsense.
Looked tight but I think he was half a yard off, both when the original ball was played and when it was flicked on. And to be fair, the whistle had gone and most of the Russians had stopped playing when he scored. Greece going through would have been a travesty. 9 behind the ball and play the spoiler? Hideous.
First of all, I have continually replied to your countless posts stating that there was NO FIX against Italy. I've responded now about 3 times stating that the ref screwed up the call and it may cost Italy from Qualifying. Now, will I have to repost this again because you fail to read and acknowledge my statements? And to respond to your 2nd point: Me stating that you are anti Italian soccer is not an assumption. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Your post that wgpfishfan posted PROVES THAT and so do your posts in the past 10 pages. I'm not claiming the people of the world are against Italy. I'm claiming, YOU are against Italy, and you have proven it. And I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with rooting against a team. I root against Inter, Roma, Real Madrid, Man Utd. etc. all the time and I won't hide that. But I try not to let my hatred or disgust for those teams blur my vision of the games. We all root against the Jets, Pats and Bills, that's just the way it is. I don't deny it, but I try to watch and observe their games objectively. And in regards to the Spain South Korea game: I don't know what more I can say. If you think he's all over his shirt, here's the video to prove you are wrong. no foul whatsoever! http://youtube.com/watch?v=zbeY7tVr0vo Oh and BTW watch the ensuing phantom foul on Puyol and the phantom offsides call when. This video is all the proof anyone needs. To state that the refs weren't helping out S. Korea is Utter, Utter Nonsense.
Listen dude, why ruin a good thread? You think one thing, I think another. Lets leave it at that and enjoy the games. But do me 1 favour.........leave the "oh it must be a fix" stuff because it has no place in this thread. Best wishes, Simon
Agreed, let's move on. And if I remember correctly you're a liverpool supporter and the times I've seen Xabi Alonso I was impressed. Now a move to Juventus looks official any day now. what are you thoughts on him? I like the pairing of him and Sissoko in the middle for Juve. A lot of ball winning and control in the midfield. And, to me, he looks a little like Marky Mark Whalberg.
I LOVE Xabi. And it will be a dark day when he leaves Anfield. He's struggled for form the past 12 months because of injury, but he controls games. You'll see him come short all the time, pick the ball up off the back 4 and his range of passing is as good as there is in world football. When he's on form, it's metronomic. Consistent spraying of 40 and 50 yard balls; his vision is exemplerary. What he doesn't do is score very often. But he's a wonderful, wonderful player who is adored at Anfield. This is what he's like game in and game out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDZA6tCPyXY&feature=related And he's done this twice whilst with us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly16uvQF-BU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx317Vdl_ao
That first video is quite impressive. And those are the qualities I did notice when watching him. His long ball ability is great for stretching a defense especially in Serie A when the smaller teams pack inside to play for draws against the bigger clubs. Those long passes will stretch the field and create more space in the middle of the field. His tackling and work ethic also have me excited. With Sissoko really becoming a consistent DM/ holding midfielder the second half of last season, this could be a pairing that could help Juve compete for the Scudetto and possibly reach the QF of the CL. I think these are the types of players that win teams scudettos....Depth in the middle of the field. It looks like it's official tomorrow: http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/33268/Xabi+Alonso+alla+Juve:+è+fatta http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=735992 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/14/2274908.htm?section=sport Which brings me to my next question for you: Why did Liverpool give up Momo Sissoko so easily to Juventus? 23 years old, but he covers a lot of ground out there. He was extremely consistent for Juve, except he would have an exceptional game where he would dissappear and the times where he would just make horrendous, uneccessary tackles that resulted in Yellow cards. I just feel like Defensive midfielders like him are so hard to come by. Hopefully he becomes the next Patrick Vieira, although i don't think he has the skills on the ball to become the next Vieira, but I could dream.
What will work in Juve's favour is that there isn't a great deal of shutting players down in their own third of the pitch. Xabi will be able to come short, pick the ball up and spray balls around left, right and centre. Not only should his tackling and work ethic excite you, but he is hugely intelligent and a brilliant team player. That article has been responded to in the Liverpool Echo with quotes from Anfield saying that Juventus are still no closer to matching our valuation and we are more than happy to keep him. Frankly, until Liverpool have Gareth Barry signed, I would be surprised to see Xabi go. As for why we let Sissoko go......first season he was something of a cult hero. After his eye injury in the Champions League, he came back and was awful. He can't pass. We're avery patient fan base, but his inability to complete passes, especially in big games, made him a liability. When we signed Javier Mascherano, it made essentially put Sissoko on the bench. Liverpool also have a French kid in the reserves, Damien Plessis who they really like who can hold. Mascher was always going to play in the big games and it was a good time to cash in on Momo. I don't think he'll ever be close to Patrick Vieira, but he can be a decent player if you can cover his limitations.
Man I woke up today around 10:45, turned the TV on expecting a match on. Forgot that they start at the same time since its the final game of the group stage lol.
So up here in Canada this tourney is on TSN (like ESPN) and Sportsnet. So today with 2 games being played at the same time. I figure 1 on each channel TSN is showing the US Open (fair enough I guess) Sportsnet is showing the frickin Portugal game!!!!!!! The same Portugal team that is resting 8 starters today If I buy the West coast feed of Sportsnet they will show the match everyone wants to see Turkey-Czech
I am still at a loss as to what happens if Italy-France tie with regards to Romania If Romania lose 1-0 due they get the final spot?
Someone came to their senses they changed the games Turkey-Czech here we go This should be a great game. Remember if it is tied. No extra time straight to penalty kicks
Yeah I think Romania goes in. In the Italy-France matchup, if there isn't a winner, then Romania is in I believe.
LOL keeper got a red because he did the same thing Schweinstiger did vs Croatia. He intentionally pushed Jan Koller down. HOLY ****, TALK ABOUT A MELTDOWN.
Second goal Cech field a center pass and it slipped through his hands and Kahveci put in. 3rd goal can't remeber who looked to play a shot on goal but slipped in behind the back line to Kahveci again and he booted the winner in over Cech.
Damn, didn't think it would ever happen to Cech. The two best keepers in the world are struggling (Buffon and Cech).
Glad they played as I thought they would pre-tournament. They deserved the win, and will be a tough draw for Croatia or Germany. I'm not sure I've seen a better personal performance to date than the one Hamit Alltintop put up from the 75th minute and onwards. Thought he absolutely took over, and I don't usually use those terms lightly, spraying the ball left and right. He was surgical, while Nihat was clinical. Istanbul must be going bananas right now with that finish. I was with two friends, none of whom have any affiliation to Turkey, and we were jumping up and down like kids.
If Italy and France tied with goals, Italy will go ahead. If Italy and France tied 0-0 Romania needs to lose 3-0 for Italy to go ahead.
Bentley wants to quit the Rovers http://soccernet.espn.go.com/?&cc=5901&redirect=false Good player. Wonder where he winds up.