World Football Thread XIV - Italy: Hail to the Champions

[Colon™]

Originally posted by Victor Galis


No. He started moving towards the action where the ref was, when he was confident the ref was paying more attention to the ball, he turned around and headbutted Materazzi. That's why there was a delay between the provocation and the headbutt.

There was something Materazzi said after Zidane moved away from him big genius.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by LordShiva


"Ooh, boo hoo, Materazzi said this, Materazzi pinched his nipple, boo hoo"

He freaking threw himself headfirst into another player in front of 70,000 spectators and 1 billion TV viewers in the freaking World Cup Final. He's no martyr.

Nobody is going boo hoo, babe. However, it's bull**** to suggest (as a lot of press and some fans have done) that Materazzi didn't have it coming.

[Harovan]

I'm beginning to believe, that Zidanes mishap yealded him even more sympathy than he would have gotten with a honorable leave.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Colon™


There was something Materazzi said after Zidane moved away from him big genius.

Thats my reading of it as well. The initial contact passed without incident, then Materazzi said something to Zidane.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
it's bull**** to suggest (as a lot of press and some fans have done) that Materazzi didn't have it coming.

Nobody has something like that "coming," whatever he said.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Not really - he still should have kept his cool and been there for the penalty kicks (if it had got that far). Either way, he's a great player and great competitor on his way out, no matter what happened. I think the a lot of the press and commentary has been over the top, especially any portrayal of Materazzi as a victim, like the quote from his daddy. Maybe the press would also get a quote from Zizou's mom?

[Colon™]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
I'm beginning to believe, that Zidanes mishap yealded him even more sympathy than he would have gotten with a honorable leave.

If Materazzi would have behaved like a man and hadn't done such a cartoonish fall-over act, I probably wouldn't bother defending Zidane either. He just got a butt on his chest for chrissake, and that's described as a "beating" or "brutal"?

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by LordShiva


Nobody has something like that "coming," whatever he said.

It's a physical game. If you hold or foul someone, or keep running your mouth repeatedly when the other guy is walking away, then things happen. It's not like he was killed or had the slightest long-term injury, other than being shut up.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Colon™


If Materazzi would have behaved like a man and hadn't done such a cartoonish fall-over act, I probably wouldn't bother defending Zidane either. He just got a butt on his chest for chrissake, and that's described as a "beating" or "brutal"?

There's no doubt that a human sternum is thicker than Zizou's head, not to mention the musculature. It's not like he took a head butt on the bridge of his nose.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
It's a physical game. If you hold or foul someone, or keep running your mouth repeatedly when the other guy is walking away, then things happen. It's not like he was killed or had the slightest long-term injury, other than being shut up.

It's a physical and mental game. Being held, fouled, called names, etc. happens all the time, especially for Zidane who played in Italy for years. Things like that shouldn't make "things happen."

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
There's no doubt that a human sternum is thicker than Zizou's head, not to mention the musculature. It's not like he took a head butt on the bridge of his nose.

I take it you've never been punched in the chest, or even belly flopped into a swimming pool from a high diving board.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by LordShiva
Nobody has something like that "coming," whatever he said.

Materazzi sure did. He's done much worse to other players in his career.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by Gangerolf
arabs and their temper tantrums

Arab?

Zizou is born in France in a family of Berber origin. Berber are as different from Arabs than Japaneses from Afghans.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by DAVOUT


Arab?

Zizou is born in France in a family of Berber origin. Berber are as different from Arabs than Japaneses from Afghans.

I can feel a 'poly tangent coming on. Let resist it, eh chaps?

[DAVOUT]

I dont resist to worlds improperly used : arab does not have the same meaning as Berber, consequently their temper tantrums are likely different and of no interest in the case of Zidane.