Exhilarating end of World Cup '06
I was among the approximately 1 billion viewers who tuned into the World Cup Final (presented by Adidas of course not Landscapes by George) between France and Italy.
Weeks before I had written that these 2 sides should go home mainly because they were aged players. Typically writing off an aging squad is fairly accurate. Costa Rica and perhaps Croatia were in those categories although I had them go through to knock out. Pity me for knocking the French and the Italians. They definitely proved that things do get better with age (that is if you were good before).
The French and Italians were at for 90 minutes and 30 minutes of overtime. The French squad looked good going into the overtime period with the score deadlocked at a goal apiece. The Italians were clearly tired but France failed to connect with the back of the net- Buffon remained impenetrable.
Then came the head butt that sent France's chances down the tubes. It was an unlikely move for the usually sedate Zindane. It was sad to see his career end so ignobly. It reminded me of another Frenchman, Eric Cantona. The Les Bleus sorely needed him when the match went into a penalty shoot out. The French could have used Cisse too but that is old news. Nevertheless, Zindane leaves Germany with a golden ball being voted player of the tournament just moments prior to the butting.
Zindane showers as a crafty Italian side wins the shoot out and celebrates in a flurry of white paper and embracing one another. One player even removed his pants.
In the end it was not necessarily skill that wins it but guile and throw in an excellent defense. The Italians were one foxy team.
Weeks before I had written that these 2 sides should go home mainly because they were aged players. Typically writing off an aging squad is fairly accurate. Costa Rica and perhaps Croatia were in those categories although I had them go through to knock out. Pity me for knocking the French and the Italians. They definitely proved that things do get better with age (that is if you were good before).
The French and Italians were at for 90 minutes and 30 minutes of overtime. The French squad looked good going into the overtime period with the score deadlocked at a goal apiece. The Italians were clearly tired but France failed to connect with the back of the net- Buffon remained impenetrable.
Then came the head butt that sent France's chances down the tubes. It was an unlikely move for the usually sedate Zindane. It was sad to see his career end so ignobly. It reminded me of another Frenchman, Eric Cantona. The Les Bleus sorely needed him when the match went into a penalty shoot out. The French could have used Cisse too but that is old news. Nevertheless, Zindane leaves Germany with a golden ball being voted player of the tournament just moments prior to the butting.
Zindane showers as a crafty Italian side wins the shoot out and celebrates in a flurry of white paper and embracing one another. One player even removed his pants.
In the end it was not necessarily skill that wins it but guile and throw in an excellent defense. The Italians were one foxy team.
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