ronmanager
Meej's Sister's Turtle
ceci n'est pas une belgian
Jumpers for goalposts
Posts: 121
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Post by ronmanager on Jul 6, 2006 13:51:20 GMT
The FIFA have nominated the following players for the Golden Ball, trophy for the best player of the tournament:
Andrea Pirlo Fabio Cannavaro Gianluigi Buffon Gianluca Zambrotta Zinédine Zidane Patrick Vieira Thierry Henry Michael Ballack Miroslav Klose Maniche My vote would be:
1. Zambrotta 2. Cannavaro 3. Pirlo/Klose
But I'm a bit biased, having supported Italy from the beginning.
There's also a FIFA trophy for the best young player:
Tranquillo Barnetta Cesc Fabregas Lukas Podolski
That's a bit crap, isn't it? Podolski then, just because Fabregas didn't get far enough and played enough to shine.
And for the fans it's:
Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Luis Valencia
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Post by Moo on Jul 6, 2006 13:54:53 GMT
Cannavaro for me too, to be honest. Klose has done well, Pirlo, Maniche all fine.
But why do I sense that Zizou is going to get it as a retirement present? If he scores in the final, he's a deffo.
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Post by Narcizo on Jul 6, 2006 13:56:12 GMT
Looking at that again and again, I don't even think you can say Henry dived. Um, again. He trod on Carvalho's ankle and tripped on it.
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Post by Narcizo on Jul 6, 2006 13:57:39 GMT
Bollock? He's been shit.
Thuram. He rules. France have only let in, what?, two goals with a total buffoon in goal. Must be good.
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Post by DC on Jul 6, 2006 13:58:08 GMT
Ronaldo has been the best young player of the championship. Admittedly it's infuriating that he dives so much, is a greedy bostord and an annoying cock. But when all's said and done he's one of the few star players who have lived up to their billing. Why shouldn't he win the vote? English people are just soooo bitter. Sometimes when he's running down the wing it's like 1994 Giggs/McManaman reborn. Then he does 90 million step overs and slashes a 200mph shot over the bar. S'like the bastard child of Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs.
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ronmanager
Meej's Sister's Turtle
ceci n'est pas une belgian
Jumpers for goalposts
Posts: 121
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Post by ronmanager on Jul 6, 2006 13:58:59 GMT
I was thinking that. After the Brazil game (where he played good, but not brilliant), he suddenly is a star player again and not the old git that should retire. One good game isn't enough to deserve it, IMO. Whereas Zambrotta, Cannavaro and Buffon (who I forgot) only conceded one goal in the whole tournament, and that was a comedy capers-like own goal.
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Post by DC on Jul 6, 2006 14:01:29 GMT
Looking at that again and again, I don't even think you can say Henry dived. Um, again. He trod on Carvalho's ankle and tripped on it. He probably could have regained his momentum, and tries when his shin gets 'tapped out' but then he brings his foot down on top of Carvalho's ankle (stamping on him no less) and can't get his other leg over (aye aye) resulting in him then deciding to make the most of it and stop fighting, going down like the Hindenburg. Convincingly ungraceful.
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Post by DC on Jul 6, 2006 14:03:06 GMT
I was thinking that. After the Brazil game (where he played good, but not brilliant), he suddenly is a star player again and not the old git that should retire. One good game isn't enough to deserve it, IMO. Whereas Zambrotta, Cannavaro and Buffon (who I forgot) only conceded one goal in the whole tournament, and that was a comedy capers-like own goal. Zambrotta has been immense, and he's not my favourite player by a country mile (not since he left Bari) so I can't possibly be biased. Cannavaro though has been the quietly performing rock and should nab it.
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Post by Mr Bismarck's Electric Donkey on Jul 6, 2006 14:06:37 GMT
Sometimes when he's running down the wing it's like 1994 Giggs/McManaman reborn. Then he does 90 million step overs and slashes a 200mph shot over the bar. S'like the bastard child of Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs Lee Sharpe.
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Post by Boony on Jul 6, 2006 14:20:50 GMT
You sexist, Nark. She's a woman.
Oh, and Ribery > Ronaldo.
Um, that'll be from the last post on the last page. Stupid forum.
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Post by floplexter on Jul 6, 2006 14:22:31 GMT
Cannavaro has been different class.
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Post by floplexter on Jul 6, 2006 14:24:48 GMT
Haven't seen it again and again, narkle. I'll bow to your magnification. Complete class. I have, truthfully, starting referring to mildly grumpy people as narkles.
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Post by DC on Jul 6, 2006 14:57:46 GMT
Haven't seen it again and again, narkle. I'll bow to your magnification. For your benefit Pops:
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Post by floplexter on Jul 6, 2006 15:40:38 GMT
Ah, I see. I thought it was some NSFW content that I couldn't do without sound.
I see "ROONEY REF" has got the Final. I thought he was good, though the Mexican on Tuesday was better. Only thing he got wrong was that "foul" (not even close) by Cannavaro in the box that led to a German fk outside the box.
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Post by floplexter on Jul 6, 2006 15:50:45 GMT
Nah, he's still a cheating twat. He should be fucking embarrassed. Nearly broke his neck trying to see what the ref was doing, the fanny. Looked liked Carvalho had managed to remove all his bones and turn him into super Rubber Henry.
Fanny.
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meej
Spider Monkey
Posts: 907
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Post by meej on Jul 6, 2006 16:01:49 GMT
I have, truthfully, starting referring to mildly grumpy people as narkles. ¿"Mildly"? For someone who frequently goes on the record about how much they hate diving you seem curiously reluctant to comment on the multiple Portuguese efforts commenting solely on Henry's alleged dive. (where at least contact was made and even Scolari has accepted it was a penalty). Erm, that would be to Pops. Cut the man some slack. The Portuguese are a bunch of greasy divers and should be kicked in; the Italians are a bunch of oily divers and should be kicked in; the English are a bunch of self-righteous divers and should be kicked in; the German don't dive but remain Germans hence some kind of kicking would be in order; the Brazilians are a bunch of fat divers and should be kicked in; the Argentineans are a bunch of long-haired divers and should be kicked in; even half the Scots are Celtic fans hence cheating buggers that really need some kicking action. The only non-divers are countries like Ghana or Spain, probably because they can't manage to get anywhere near the box (or, in the case of Spain, make their diving impact the competition). Are you aware of the kind of workload it means?
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Post by Narcizo on Jul 6, 2006 18:51:56 GMT
I remain somewhat mystified about all this "France were great against Brazil but pony against Portugal" business as well. In my eyes they played pretty much the same but for some key differences a) Portugal got 10 men behind the ball while Brazil had to make do with 5 men. This meant that the 4 man French attack had more chance against Brazil than the geese, especially when the Brazilians went behind. b) France scored earlier against the Gooses and could, consequently, start playing the all-out defensive game they are clearly happiest with earlier.
Given the Italians' own safety first philosophy I don't think that it bodes too well for a great final, afraid to say.
Oh and against Spaia they were somewhat abetted by an offside trap that was staggeringly ill-conceived. "Hmm.. the Frenchies have a couple of really quick players and Zidane but won't get more than 3 players into the box. Ever. I know. Let's play a high offside trap." I honestly think old whatsisname thought it was Opposite Day or something. "Yes I want you all to 'push up' really 'high'"
Except in Spaiash.
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Post by DC on Jul 6, 2006 23:33:41 GMT
"Eth eth eth eth puth upedata field, scooorchio!"
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Post by elth on Jul 7, 2006 5:41:24 GMT
Sorry, let me get this straight in my head. You think France are cheats, so you want, um, ITALY to win? Shome mishtake, shurely? Cheats who've played well > cheats who have played shit.
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Post by elth on Jul 7, 2006 5:45:02 GMT
I don't recall ever seeing Zizou take such obvious action. No, he's a subtle diver. He did take a bit of a tumble over a Geese challenge in the second half, cutting in from the flank. Kicked the ball too far ahead, Geese player stepped across - minimal contact, tumble roll. I only counted two genuine dives from Ronaldo, incidently - the superman impression and the double kick of the heels after the Froggie right back missed with a swipe at his ankles. The rest of the time there was genuine contact so according to the Henry rule he's entitled to dive, even if it was minimal.
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Post by elth on Jul 7, 2006 5:56:36 GMT
I remain somewhat mystified about all this "France were great against Brazil but pony against Portugal" business as well. I rate France 8/10 for Brasil and 7/10 for the Geese. Basically the Brasil thing is people thinking Brasil are some amazing team who it takes an outstanding performance to stop, instead of a bunch of talented prima donnas who won't give each other the ball. Combine that with a great performance from a sentimental favourite who'd been pretty rubbish up until that point and suddenly France are OMGWTFBBQ best team eva!!!!!! I'm pissed France made it, not becase Portugal are better - because they played shite the whole tournament - but because France played one very good game, two half decent ones and were shite otherwise - and they played almost no quality attacking football and made the final, whilst the Argies and Spain went home early. Add in a healthy dose of Henry theatrics, the spunking of loads over Zidane playing one great game and being crap to average the rest of the time, my natural hatred of any team playing two defensive midfielders in a 4-5-1 and, well, the fact that they're French and you get a frothing at the mouth Italian supporter in the final. Plus I love Gattuso, Zambrotta, Cannvaro, Buffon and Toni.
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Post by Moo on Jul 7, 2006 8:32:36 GMT
I love Cannavaro and Gattuso too , but not in the same way you do, I reckon.
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Post by floplexter on Jul 7, 2006 8:57:35 GMT
If I'm the only one who thought there was a genuine attitude difference between the French v Brazil and the French v Portugal, I really need to stop opining and keep my football eye to myself. And I don't mean after the goal, or the opponents, I mean from the kickoff. The French were pants v Switzerland, dire v Korea, functional v Togo, mildly better v Spain, fluid v Brazil and edgy v Portugal. I have enjoyed watching Italy more than any other team in the tournament, bar none. After bemoaning the loss of the art of tackling early on, I then saw them professionally dispose of the Czechs, defend like titans against Australia after an incorrect red card decision left them a man down, pretty much surgically remove Ukraine and then play what is probably some of the best football of the competition against Germany. But I am increasingly coming to the conclusion I do watch different coverage, so I maybe should keep my rants to myself.
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ronmanager
Meej's Sister's Turtle
ceci n'est pas une belgian
Jumpers for goalposts
Posts: 121
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Post by ronmanager on Jul 7, 2006 9:01:34 GMT
You're absolutel right about Italy and very much so about France.
But the Portuguese are cheating, diving scum. I hated Flatley with passion even before the tournament began. Skilfull? Possibly? Effective? Like fuck. Plus he cries.
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Post by Moo on Jul 7, 2006 9:32:43 GMT
Very well put, Ron. I can't really disagree with Pops either about his summaries of France and Italy. I must be getting old, I don't want to argue any more.
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