Curse

LordDeArnise · Jul 05, 2006, 12:18 AM // 00:18

PREDICTION FOR THE OTHER SEMIFINAL MATCH TO FIND ITALIA AN OPPONENT IN BERLIN

FRANCE V. PORTUGAL in Munich (or Munchen)

Both teams are playing sharply, although you have to wonder if Portugal will employ more diving tactics. Zidane hopes to play one last game in Berlin alongside Thierry Henry, Fabian Barthez, Patrick Viera, Sylvain Wiltord, et al. Portugal will get Deco back after his red card suspension, and like France, have plenty of attacking power. It will come down to which side has the better defense and attacking tactics. Like in the other semifinal, it can go either way.

My prediction: France 2, Portugal 1 in extra time.

Winner faces Italy in the Sunday final in Berlin
Loser faces Germany in the Saturday Third Place match in Stuttgart

Fabius Cunctator · Jul 05, 2006, 02:15 AM // 02:15

Amazing game, best so far, that was an excellent goal by Grosso thanks to an excellent pass by Pirlo (who played amazingly well), and I'm glad Del Piero scored, that shuts up so many comments been made about him.

In the defense Cannavaro shines the most as always, he's such an amazing tackler and is always where he's needed.

Excellent stop by Buffon too, best goalkeeper in the world!

Forza Azzurra! Only thing I didn't like about that game was Camoranesi, that argentinian pisses me off.

Was a pretty game too, Ballack and Cannavaro greeting eachother in that way, and when Gattuso got a cramp Klose was there helping him, and a few other ocassions that I forgot. Great game.

Malice Black · Jul 05, 2006, 02:53 AM // 02:53

its a shame 1 team had to lose, great battle between 2 ppl i never expected to get this far...

come on france....

Fabius Cunctator · Jul 05, 2006, 03:00 AM // 03:00

My estimate is that it goes 1 - 0 in France's favor in the normal 90 minutes. But then again I suck at guessing :P

trecca · Jul 05, 2006, 07:45 AM // 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabius Cunctator

Forza Azzurra!

Forza Azzurri

kias · Jul 05, 2006, 12:15 PM // 12:15

I'm Portuguese, I'm not a huge football fan, but of course I would be very happy to see Portugal in the final (and even happier if they won), but I have to say I'm not liking the football the team is playing.

They have a running campaign here in Portugal themed: 'Joga bonito' (Play Nice/Well) but their game is not nice. We may have got quite far but the games weren´t great games, they´re playing efficiently but they're lacking fun and flair.

I just hope the game vs France later today to be a well-played game, and that both teams could be proud of it, wherever the result.

And to finish: FORÇA PORTUGAL!

Draxx · Jul 05, 2006, 01:28 PM // 13:28

*still crying about england*

...

*sigh*

LordDeArnise · Jul 05, 2006, 04:20 PM // 16:20

Hey, Trecca, how did you and your family and friends celebrated Italia's win over Germania?

My prediction still stands: France beats Portugal in extra time to set up a final between them and Italy.

linh · Jul 05, 2006, 04:33 PM // 16:33

Italy played very well. Buffon no doubt will get the Best Goalkeeper of WC, unless he makes some hard fault in the Final. Cannavaro is one of best Defender in the world atm. Unfortunately Nesta got an injury but Materazzi plays good, too.
German has lots of young and good players, so they have less experience in WC, but they will come back more powerful in Euro 2008.
About 2nd Semi-final :
Both teams are not my favourite teams, but I want Portugal to win because France won Brazil *sigh* and I don't expect an Euro 2000 Final again.

Fabius Cunctator · Jul 05, 2006, 10:48 PM // 22:48

Well, Italy - France, not nearly the same as Euro 2000 since the players have changed for both sides quite a bit :P

How many times did Pauleta throw himself to the floor in today's match? Jeez, and some others did the same too.

Gonna be a good game sunday, both sides will be able to play with all their players too (assuming Nesta recovers from his injury) since De Rossi was banned for 4 matches (though I don't think he'll go in, unless they put him in for Camoranesi or something).

LordDeArnise · Jul 05, 2006, 11:24 PM // 23:24

I don't know, but at least a few times. Unlike the Italy-USA match, the Uruguayan referee did a nice job, although France will not have Saha for the final. It was a good game on both sides with plenty of scoring chances, but the foul in the box that Zidane cashed in was costly for the Portugese side.

Man of the match: French midfielder #10...Zinedine Zidane

Both the third place match and the final will be very good.

* Early predictions *

Third Place: Germany over Portugal
Winner: Italy - their defense should contain the French attack and they have plenty of attack power. If that's the case, then Italy will win their fourth World Cup.

Fabius Cunctator · Jul 05, 2006, 11:45 PM // 23:45

Ah yeah forgot about Saha's yellow card in today's game.
The magician Zizou was excellent this game too, took that penalty nicely. Barthez was just sad though, the sub (Coupet) can't be as bad as him, another of Domenechs misteries.

Some little facts:

Italy has reached the finals every 12 years since 1970, losing in 1970 to Brazil, winning in 1982 against germany, losing in 1994 versus Brazil, and this year.
The last time a final was disputed between european teams was in 1982, Italy won that year.
1990 World Cup hosted in Italy, Germany won, it would be appropiate that we won since Germany hosted it this year eh

Oh this is Italy's 6th final.

I pwnd U · Jul 06, 2006, 01:20 AM // 01:20

I know this is a little late but...

OMG ITALY FREAKING WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so anyways, That was an amazing game to watch! Grosso finally broke through in the 119th minute! Del Piros goal was just due to the shock to the Germans. It was honestly an amazing game. I was just amazed at how well both side played. I was really scared when it was getting towards the end of the 2nd OT. Italys PK record is not good at all. (0-3) Thank goodness Grosso broke through. I was yelling at the guy who passed it too him for not shooting. But thats why i dont play pro soccer.

Great game. Hope Italy wins it all.

Didnt see the France game. Was it pretty good?

Fabius Cunctator · Jul 06, 2006, 01:33 AM // 01:33

Was alright, not as good as Italy's game though, Germany - Italy was the best game of this World Cup at the least if you ask me, and it wasn't as friendly either.

I'm amazed Grosso even managed that, curling shot to the far post, and Pirlo is one hell of a smart dude leaving it for him to shoot, amazing play.

Del Piero's goal was very well taken, of course it was a surprise to the germans who were all looking for the equalizer (hell nearly Lehmann went up to try and score it (like Ricardo today, heh)).

Not sure who would have come out on top in a penalty shoot out, you have to consider that we have the best goalkeeper in the tournament (Gianluigi Buffon, no goals against from an opposing player yet), and we had some good players who could take the penalties and score them (Gilardino, Iaquinta, Del Piero, Totti, Pirlo).

Looks like all Italy - Germany games in the semifinals are great (1970, Game of the Century

)

I pwnd U · Jul 06, 2006, 01:37 AM // 01:37

Appears so. I am guessing Germany gets third this year and i think Italy takes it. They are just playing to well for France to pose a threat for them. Lets go Italy!!

Guillaume De Sonoma · Jul 06, 2006, 04:22 AM // 04:22

France FTW

TRicciardi · Jul 06, 2006, 08:18 AM // 08:18

Go Italy..

bah.. Portugal really needs a decent striker.. a proper finisher..
We can play well on the midfield.. but then there's no1 to score..
We could have beaten france.. we had enough oportunities..

sigh

So forza squadra azzurra! Smash those french :P

Elrond Afil · Jul 06, 2006, 11:20 AM // 11:20

france will win

I pwnd U · Jul 07, 2006, 12:34 AM // 00:34

I think Italy will win. They have too many weapons and are just playing amazing. Everything seems to be working for them at the moment. They have great strikers and their defense still hasnt given up a goal to an opponent. (only goal was an own goal) I just dont see France breaking past the Italian defense. Frances offense has not been top notch lately and has had problems scoring. I just cant see them getting past Italys defense. Even if they do get a decent chance Italy has probably the best goalie in the world. I just dont see anyway France should win.

Malice Black · Jul 07, 2006, 07:07 PM // 19:07

im going with italy to win a close fought match

italy 2 france 1