World Cup 2006 quarter finals and beyond

[calamityman]

a france win last night was definitely something unexpected though welcomed all the same. they showed how much they wanted it and they deserved to win, unlike england.

in fact, like ninja pointed out, one thing all the semi finalists have in common is the hunger.

so it seems the mathematical prediction i mentioned earlier is true after all. this year's winner IS going to be european!

[Italy]

Why boring?

All European semi final?

Isn't France somewhere in Africa? No? Well you coulda fooled me!

[ninja]

You know, it's funny. The way football is being played at this World Cup reminds me a lot about how field hockey has changed in the past 20 years. Prior to that, the Indians and Pakistanis could waltz into any hockey tournament and on the basis of their flair alone, could doggy bag the title. What's happened since then, is that the Europeans (Germany and Holland especially) and to some extent, Australia, have been able to walk all over them. The difference appears to be a more technical approach to the game.

The football played by Germany and France in particular is strikingly similar... very precise, purposeful in terms of keeping "shape" on the field and fast/physical when it counts. The Brazilians have always been terrific to watch, just brilliant footballers. But if they don't watch it, they could end up being like the Indian and Pakistani hockey teams.

I've got a sneaky suspicion that the Portuguese will be in the final.

[calamityman]

it's a tough call. all the teams in the semis are serious about winning the world cup.

[Don Corleone]

of course it is a tough call.
At this stage you have the 3 best teams in the world . I say 3 because Argentina should be there. I still believe Argentina was one of the best.
Portugal on the other hand does not deserve a place in the semi. I hope France will just blow them away and that arrogant ronaldo sent packing.
Tomorrow we play Germany. Tomorrow another great classic.
FORZA ITALIA!!!

[calamityman]

i'm definitely not with you there. sorry myte. i have to admire your enthusiasm and undying loyalty though.

[calamityman]

germany vs italy

as mentioned above, it will be a fight to the finish.

italy wants to prove the 4-1 win four months ago wasn't a fluke.

germany wants to erase that "debacle in florence" from their hard disk.

i'm predicting eight yellow cards in total and at least one red card. oh the score? i don't care as long as italy doesn't win.

go italy, go home!

[calamityman]

what a breath-takingly gripping match.

i don't know if i've seen a more exciting match in this world cup and it's only the first half. even the referee was excited.

there should at least have been six or seven yellow cards out there and yet there's only one to tim borowski.

schneider is lucky to still be on the pitch.

1) tried to foul totti while tussling for the ball, missed.
2) blatantly tripped totti at the resulting throw in, clipped totti's ankles when he got the ball
3) later on he committed a studs up two footed challenge on matterazzi in the italian box

wow.

totti himself deserved a card for blatant diving with no intention to win the ball around the 40th min. conveniently jumped on ballack's back and fell down like a sack of potatoes.

aw man.

[calamityman]

down to the wire stuff.

very little separates the two but in the end, italy just had that little bit extra.

i hate to say this, but i think don is right. they ARE going to win the world cup. gasp!

c'mon france, portugal, anybody!

[MC Donalds]

What a match it was last night! Was really expecting Germany to win the tournament but obviously Italians disagreed. As much as I wanted to see Italy go packing after the disgraceful Aus match, I think they played an excellent match and deserved the win. Germans played well, too, but Italians - as someone already pointed out - had that extra bit that made the difference.

I also have to agreee with D.Corleone. It's going to be a tough job to stop Italy now, I don't think France or Portugal will be up to the task if Italy can keep up the spirit.

France-Portugal is a hard job guessing. Portugal is my favorite but given their attitude and temper, I'm afraid we'll see yet another fiasco with cards and they'll blow their chances by idiotic tricks. Somebody should also give that Christiano kid a call and tell him that football can also be played as a team sport.

Why isn't Nuno Gomez playing?

France should have enough experience to make it to the final but can always hope for the opposite. Then Italy can beat them in the final and Germany can beat Portugal in the bronze match.

[marmite]

Agreed - definitely a match worth waking up for. I didn't really care which way it went, though the Italian diving and playacting was starting to get on my nerves. I wish they could have got an early yellow warning against the diving. If they could just cut that out - they had great skills and technique and dazzling passes which should be enough. And those two superb last minute goals! The Grosso one was particularly good. What a tough way to leave for Germany.

I'd love to see an Italy-Portugal final...but like McD's I'm not sure if Portugal is going to make it tonight.

[ninja]

Missed all the excitement... was in bed zzzzzzz.

Just hope ALL footballers cut out the diving and dramatics on the field. It's just not on.

[andrea pirlo]

Italy's dazzling attacking football was the result of Pirlo, Grosso, Totti, Cannavaro and Zambrotta. The rest were just taking up space on the pitch. Luca Toni was lousy, Gilardino non-existent. The rest - forgettable. Camoranesi should be taken out of the squad: lousy technique, no vision, only has speed.

Pirlo is the danger man for Italy, not Totti. Look at all his passes! Beautiful! He plays so elegantly and sublimly that nobody noticed. In truth, without Pirlo, Italy will lack imagination.

[Don Corleone]

umbelievable
we did it
auf wiedersehen germany
Italy uber alles
Amazing game of skills.
Italy all the way
YahooOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOO

[MC Donalds]

marmite said:

I'd love to see an Italy-Portugal final...but like McD's I'm not sure if Portugal is going to make it tonight.

Certainly not with the referee giving France penalty kicks for free!

[MC Donalds]

What a boring match - not worth staying awake! Hope the French will be a bit more enthusiastic in the final or we'll be heading for the ultimate yawning marathon.

[calamityman]

france vs portugal

it was a highly tactical match. france couldn't go all out as they had to be alert at the back of their minds that the portuguese will fall at every slight touch and disrupt their own progress.

it seemed that both teams were playing on broken glass last night. it was bizzare with flashes of brilliance every now and then. a total contrast from the other match the night before.

i just want to add that i, along with 7325548902.836 others, have been a right thingy for writing the french off in this competition. they absolutely proved us wrong, especially zidane who still have life in him yet.

so now it's going to be an all-blues final eh? the azzurri vs les bleus, how exciting.

GO BLUES!

[Don Corleone]

Calamity man, I am sure you prefer the lighter shade of it!

[calamityman]

i can change my mind if you make me an offer i can't refuse.

[Don Corleone]

do you like horses?