Come on guys. Italy didn't win because of diving and cheating. They have won because they had the best defense and because they were so goddamn lucky. That's all. If you keep your goal safe, you just need one lucky situation and you win. That' what they did for 6 and half games. It's ugly, but successfull. And it is sad, because they can play much more entertaining and do not need to do so.

I agree with you

Italy was the fair winner.

Traditionally, Itally plays Catenaccio and are very very lucky. This year at least they haven't played Catenaccio and it must be said. Well done Italy. They had luck but you can't do anything about it. They keep scoring in the last minutes, on penañties or with ref mistakes, but after all, they played a great football in my opinion.

[Edited by Big Jono - English only please]

Mouahahaha !

Italy's World Champion 2006.....




GRAZIE, DAVID!!!!!

what is really sad and dirty is definitely what nearly all other country supporters are saying about italy winning the world cup!!! that's all envy!!!! let's have a look of all the matches... good and bad for everyone.. no team was really the king!!! what about england? they think the're great but something never works... !!! brazil could play better but.. have u all seen??? france played very well with a dead brazil.. france started really badly.. and it was playing last night the final... spain started very well but it's was pretty early out... and germany.. was the one playing at home and badly lost last match with italy!!!
always.. doing everything in this life there's a bit of luck turning around so what now? it was italian time.. why not???
they had a couple of really good match (germany.. ukraine..) and this final wasn't the best match... but france didn't do much more last night.. the penalty was a gift... for france and the first half italy played much better... the second.. FRANCE was superior.. but didn't work out.. Extra time was good/bad for both teams and this is the very first time that italy wins something so important as world cup on penalty.. so because of their history.. always losing.. they definitely didn't do it on purpose!!!!!
now materazzi is guilty and poor little zidane?? r u all joking?? we don't know what players say to each other when playing so ... let's just be honest all of us admitting the words fly... action stay there and zidane was wrong full stop ( it's actually the second time in zidane career that he does something like this)... i never take the side of violence.. he has vocal cords.. he could just answer as bad as he felt offended by the italian player!!!
Just another 2 little things... italy.. just got 2 goals through the all competition ".. one it was is own and the other last night on penalty.. there was the best defence in between the teams .. and the played against very good strikers as SHEVCHENKO, BULLOK, KOHLE, ZIDANE!!!
Second thing i want to say.. italy had a very unexperienced team.. some of them the never played in an important competition as world cup.. and they've done.. beating pillars of football!!! Last night some of them were too nervous and anxious to play perfectly.. an example.. Grosso from Palermo to the World Cup Final...
SO PLEASE.. LET ITALIANS BE PROUD AND HAPPY FOR THIS UNEXPECTED AND FANTASTIC RESULT AND STOP BEING SO CRITIC...
... IN THE OTHER SIDE.. THANX FOR ALL OTHER COUNTRIES SUPPORTERS THAT DIDN'T THROW [beep!] ON ITALY.. TO CLEAN UP THE ANGER FOR THEIR TEAM LOSS ... AND FOR BEING CLEAN AND HONEST NOT SAYING THE ZIDANE IS THE VICTIM.... AND NO WORDS FOR SOS RACISM STORY.. I STEAL LISBON LADY OPINION Hilarious, like if the SOS Racism have any credit.Funny how that organization always seems to be quiet when white people are physically attacked by africans or are verbally disrespected but they always make a big fuss when it's the other way around.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only funny here is Materazzi, who has said that he doesn't know the meaning of terrorism

I saw one like that.."a gift"...when Italy beat Australia in the 95th minute to qualify for the Quarters.
Words fly, but if Materazzi said things that were racist then he is certainly not innocent. I don't condone what Zizou did, but he did walk away a couple of times before he turned and headbutted Materazzi. AND he could have headbutted him in the head or face, but chose to go for his midriff. Least damage I suppose? Then he'd be just as bad a Materazzi.... since you don't know what was said you don't know if he could have retaliated verbally.
Some of them? Australia played in its first World Cup in 32 years so I think it's safe to say not many of the Australians had played in many "important competition" such as the World Cup, but the only way Italy could beat Australia was with a doubtful penalty...Italy were far more experienced than you allow.

Having said that, I thought it was a great game. Italy won fair and square. Materazzi's header to equalise was brilliant. I wish Zizou's header had gone in and Italy equalised again. Because I think Zizou has been brilliant at least the last few games. He was a great leader of his team too.

I don't know what caused Zizou to take such extreme retaliation, but it must have been something pretty bad for him to turn around after walking away twice, and headbutt Materazzi. It's a sad way to end such a brilliant career, but I, for one, won't judge Zizou on one action. I mean De Rossi was playing after suspension for an elbow to the American. Any other manager would have sent him home.

I thought italy played more attacking than i expected for the most part.
It was great to see Henry actually step up in the big match and run at those guy's,where was that all tournament?I think over all Italy would do anything the could to win that game
and France would not and that was the difference.People talk about how great
the Italian defence was,but they had huge problems with France's attack,it was only the lack of
chemistry between the French players that held them back.I don't think Domenech
is a good coach,as he didn't play Saha as a major player.I know he couldn't play in the final
because of the red card,but Domenech failed to recognize the dimension of Saha's
jumping ability that was so blatantly missing in attack.

Funny how us Brits react to zidane's headbutt to the chest and Rooney's stomp on the N*ts.
Which would you prefer?
it's a complete double standard,and zidane didn't cost England a place in the semi's!
the constant excuses made for Rooney's actions made me feel sick.

The best team didn't win the world cup yesterday,but the more focused one did.

By the way,Henry has been my favourite player for ages now but i think he bottled it in the final.
How could't he hold on when it was obvious the game was going to penalties?

This is not the Beautiful Game,

It is sick to use the illness of a close relative to gain an advantage.

I wanted football from the world cup.

When I was seven England won it.

Now my son is seven and was he thrilled like I was? Nope. Dont think he'll bother with football club this summer - he wasnt really interested anyway. And why should I encourage him when the world cup ends like that!!

Footballers from opposing teams have no need to talk.

Make talking to the opposition a bookable offence.

Then I will watch football again.

Simon From Edinburgh

Have to say something different.

Compared to the overjoy of many people here in Italy and all over this forum I must say I couldn't tell myself it was a satisfying final.

To me Italy team found itself in the opposite situation compared to the Ita-Ger semifinals, that is an overhyping of the team by the national press and supporters and an underestimation of the opponents. Of course there hasn't been anything of the coarse humour of some mass-targeted German newspaper (mind: the newspapers, as I can't tell a single bad thing about my German knowledges ) as it was against Italy before the semifinals but the feeling here was sort of "Let's come and take the cup with an easy game on those oldies!"...frankly I realised that my team didn't expect that the "old lions" were still alive and roaring....different causes also played a role, like it was the very first WC ever for the majority of the team , or at least the first final for the 90% of them , a load of stress, players lacking condition etc.

So I can easily say we won with a kiss of luck and with a bit steadier nerves , there's no shame to admit it . Luck and nerves can let a team to win even if the opponents had better chances, this is why we all love football.

I won't talk about dives or cheats there, they have always been part of the game and everybody can number at least one in the play of their teams so , please, no lessons in morality there. And I won't fall in that stupid game about "We're best at this you're worse at that" and all the [beep!] around it. Chauvinism and Nationalism are miles away from me. ( you can see, on my previous post I just talk-and smile- about the bad luck of Trezeguet, after all he owed one to Italy after Euro 2000 )

I just have to say that I've been left breathless by the episode Zidane-Materazzi. I couldn't beleive my eyes. Zidane was to me what football is all about. It was a stupid, stupid , stupid moment. Materazzi could refrain his tongue , he's been a big time sucker but I'd never thought, ever , to see such a reaction( even if ZZ wasn't new at these things) on a WC final , to see the game suspended and ZZ sent out. Sure, they both had a childish behaviour , they both deserved a red.
And it was sad to hear that Domenech insulted the Italian bench after the red...

I would have greatly preferred to get the cup with ZZ on the field so this episode stole me half of the joy for getting the 4th star.

Now the kids and the stupids ( some from my country ) will laugh or write something-ditto-stupid about my words, ain't caring a cow's ass about it , while the others may fill their replies with arguments.

Thx for reading.
M

AGREED! That's what I was going to write : if it is "unsportsmanlike" to dive and to commit a foul, why is it not unsportsmanlike to taunt and trash-talk on the field? That isn't football - or any other game. In fact (and I hate to say this because I really DON'T condone violence and am devastated that Zizou couldn't hold it in) I really would rather see a player lose it physically in a physical match than needle and push buttons and say revolting things simply for effect. DIving doesn't even compare to this - it isn't nasty and malicious and sly.

Trash talking should be bookable - make it a brown card for s**t disturbing!

Oh and re. the query on ZZ and the tranqs: there was a picture in the news of him leaving the Elysee palace today having flown back with the team to lunch with Chirac. So he is walking about, whatever he may have done (or thought of doing) in the dark hours before the dawn.

This incident cannot tarnish his accomplishments or his character as far as I am concerned. I relished that headbutt even as I was horrified by it. Good on you Zizou - you remain a man of integrity and honesty. Never sly, never mean, never vanquished!

How can people say there horrified it was only a headbutt its not like he stabbed him or anything.

It's pretty sad that people get so clouded by sport and power that they defend racism and cruelty. Anyone who loves the game respects Zidane. To be taunted during a game should DEFINITELY be punished. It's unsportsmanlike, uncivil and quite honestly nauseating behavior.
Zidane is amazing he is pure class. For everyone sitting on their pedestal saying "shame on him" and "What shocking behavior from such a player" have you completely forgotten that these players are human? How would you react to such a reprehensible statement against your dying mother or the other rumor of sickening racism? I am glad Zidane stook up for himself because I don't want to love a sport where you win a cup for being the best at name calling.
France I loved your players but never was a follower but your team has totally charmed me, you are amazing footballers!
All the good luck in the world one of the best players in the world and ever! Maybe Zidanes actions will bring a change to the game for the better, I really hope Fifa looks at this again and doesn't allow such predjudice in such a world event.

Come on, you gotte be kidding. No matter what Materazzi said, it was the 110th minute of the World Cup Final 1-1, close to PSO ... when Materazzi made jokes about his "dying mother" or whatever, he is a *beep* (maybe he is anyway), but if i was Zidane, i would have "discussed" that afterwards.
Like some people already said, what should millions of kids in the world think about such a behaviour?

No you're right no child should brought up believing "headbutting" is appropriate behavior. They also shouldn't be brought up thinking that you can win by taunting and racism. It's the same thing. How can you defend Materazzi nastiness just because he didn't do something physically violent but was completely disrepectful and an embarressment to the game. He deserves punishment.

Yes, he does. It should be inspected and he should probably get banned for the next few matches. (He is a lunatic anyway, that should be suspended for lifetime, but more for his fouls).
I am not defending his behaviour, but i think that Zidane was stupid to react like that. (Especially in a World Cup Final) And Trash talk isn't nice, but it is part of the game. If it is getting really private or something, it is not ok and should be punished.

Agreed Mr. Z I just don't know how to let go now that it's over!! Whats next....

Completely unrealistic and unenforceable!!

You would have patrols of officials walking up and down the lines, watching for players lips to move????

"Ref! Ref! He SPOKE to me! Make him stooooppp!!!!

"No I didn't. I was singing my own national anthem/giving myself a pep talk/trying to remember the words of the latest James Blunt single."

or

"Ref! I kicked the ball out and he didn't even say thank-you!"

"Ref, tell the other player thank-you as I'm not allowed to speak to him."

or

"Ref, he called me a stupid @ss.."

"No I didn't, I told my team-mate he'd just played a stupid pass..."

Ya see? It won't work.

It'd make more sense if highly paid and respected players learnt to control their tempers better when in public....

Ok Carrie obviously that is not what was meant at all. Some of the calls are blatant and everyone knows that when as act becomes punishable it will happen less because the players will be more careful of what they say. Right now they can say anything they want which isn't right. I think you missed the point all together.
And by the way this was a blatant verbal attack that everyone saw and is easy to reaccess.