How the world saw Zidane's headbutt

As seen by Germans


As seen by French


As seen by Italians


As seen by Yanks


As seen by the press

Brilliant vid

Hard to believe it has already been 10 years!

Ruud gone, Carrick comes in

Well I am back!!!!!

Anyway, a true legend of Manchester United, his record speaks for itself, 150 goals in 219 games, best goal per game ratio, even better than the King Denis Law. People will always grumble that he is a penalty box player, contributing fuck all except tapping in goals, but they forget that you need anticipation and the calmess to finish a move off, as well as thinking a step ahead of the defender. He had it all, hunger, movement and composure, everything you need in a top striker.

I remember when I first started to watch United regularly, in the 02-03 season, probably his best season for United, 44 goals in total for that year. Many of which were crucial goals that regained our title. He dragged the team to the title, giving magnificent individual performances. His clinical finishes were brilliant, but what stood out was the goal of that season, a weaving run and the terrific finish past Maik Taylor inthe Fulham goal, as well the delicate chip over Stuart Taylor in run in with Arse in the 2-2 draw that gave us the psychological advantage over a crumbling arse. The goal against Basel in the CL was great too, finishing off from a seemingly impossible angle. He was the reason we won the title that season, despite having key injuries that year.

Following seasons failed to be as prolific as that, but his goalscoring record could not be argued against despite it. He seemed to lose a yard of pace after the achilles injury in 2004, and seemed to be a poorer player, more one dimensional than before. Couple of unforgettable memories in that year as well, the 4-3 win over Everton where Everton came back from 3-0 down to equalise at 3-3, but up pops Ruud to complete a hattrick and hand United the win late on in the game. Not to forget he was the top scorer at Christmas with a comfortable lead over Lampard in the top scorer's list, but unforunately he didn't grab as many goals post-Christmas due to being dropped.

However definitely one of United's true legends, and I definitely think he is the best striker I have seen at United thus far, no matter what others say.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: 2001-2006, 219 games, 150 goals, top scorer of Champions League for United.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C0ljoEK9ps&search=ruud%20van

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Just a brief opinion on Carrick, it was to the point where anyone would do but I think he could be a success for United, but anyone who thinks he's the new Keane is a retard. He is proven in the Premiership and I think he could come on leaps and bounds by joining United. Not an out an out defensive midfielder though, which means that Scholes might be restricted a wee bit. Price tag is a question mark but nobody will remember that if he can take over Keano's mantle.

ITALIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

ITALY HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP

5-4 ON PENS ALL THE PENALTIES WERE BVRILLIANT ITALY KEPT THEIR NERVE AND HTEY WON

FAQNTASTIC

It's adieu Zidane but Italy to win

A month of football will finally end today, and it will be either France or Italy who will lift the Jules Rimet trophy. Will it be Cannavaro or Zidane? Who knows, but you lot know who I will be supporting.

Probable starting lineups:



Courtesy of BBC Football

Quick lowdown on Italy:

The Italians have not conceded against the opposition, having only given up their only goal to a comical own goal by Cristian Zaccardo, who thankfully will not be starting today. But it is not only the old catenaccio that are getting Italy through, some of their play has indeed been brilliant. Pirlo is the one that is orchestrating things as the deep lying playmaker, and Totti is the one making incisive runs behind Toni, who will be a threat despite only scoring 2 goals so far. Toni is a robust centre forward, who has the skill to match. I fancy him to score personally, as well as one from a Pirlo free kick. More on predictions later. Their aforementioned defence is rock solid, Buffon is impeccable in goal, proving his worth many times but the standout save was the one from Poldolski against the Germans, finely poised in extra time at 0-0, when the ball left Poldolski goal I didn't bear to watch, but fucking hell did that man come up with the goods. Best defender of the tournament so far as well in Cannavaro, just brilliant, full backs can threaten, they are especially vital as Italy don't play with traditional wingers.

And the man behind all this is of course the brilliant Marcello Lippi. Winners of countless Serie As, a champions league medal, and many other trophies. Great motivator, reads the game like a book, and of course the man who steadied the ship despite the scandal, as well as the Pessotto incident.

Nobody expected Italy to reach the final, especially as the pressure was growing around them, and the players really bonded very well, and the team spirit is absolutely brilliant, likes of Inzaghi and Del Piero might not have seen much action so far, but they have not voiced a single complaint.

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Lowdown on France:

Who else but Zidane for France? The aging star has been the focal point of the French, making quick and incisive passes, gliding past players effortlessly and rolling back the years. He has able support in Onree and Ribery, who will threaten the Italians. France's trump card might be set pieces, most of their goals have come from set pieces, and the Italians who are not the greatest in the air will have to be wary, which is why I think De Rossi who returns from suspension will feature at some point. In goal they have the ever eccentric Fabien Barthez who so nearly cost them a goal against Portugal, you never know what you will get with Barthez, as I got to know first hand being a United supporter, but he can repel anything on his day. Central defence has been solid, Gallas unflappable, and Thuram rolling back the years. Camronesi will have to test Abidal who is suspect at left back, while Sagnol is ever so solid at right back. Makelele and Vieira have been great central midfield protecting the back four, Vieira seems to have regained some of the mobility that was lacking last season. Ribery has been the revelation of the World Cup, Malouda isn't the best but he's part of the team job. Onree has yet to prove his billing on the biggest stage, but this might be his time.

And unlike Lippi, Domenech isn't respected by the press or the players, and it seems that the senior players, rather than him are making the main decisions. His only trophy won as a manager was a second division title, back in 1989.

France were expected to flop as well, but they have proved their doubters wrong, but imo they have not been overly impressive. But it's a remarkable achievement that such an aging team managed to galvanise themselves one last time to reach the final, and possibly their crowning moment?

Adieu Zidane it will be as well, as it his swansong, and a fitting stage in the World Cup final for the best player of his generation, he will have to come up with something special to penetrate the Italian defence.

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Prediction: Italy to win 3-1. Toni Pirlo and Del Piero scoring, with France getting one back with Onree.

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Results so far:

Group stages:
Italy 2-0 Ghana
Italy 1-1 USA
Italy 2-0 Czech Republic

France 0-0 Switzerland
France 1-1 South Korea
France 2-0 Togo

Knockouts:
Italy 1-0 Australia
France 3-1 Spain

Italy 3-0 Ukraine
France 1-0 Brazil

Italy 2-0 Germany AET
France 1-0 Portugal

Final
Italy v France

Referee: Horacio Elizondo (the Rooney ref)

Ball:

Special Golden Ball for the final, winners get to use it for the next 4 years.

ITALY


Squad

1 BUFFON Gianluigi (GK)
2 ZACCARDO Cristian
3 GROSSO Fabio
4 DE ROSSI Daniele
5 CANNAVARO Fabio
6 BARZAGLI Andrea
7 DEL PIERO Alessandro
8 GATTUSO Gennaro
9 TONI Luca
10 TOTTI Francesco
11 GILARDINO Alberto
12 PERUZZI Angelo (GK)
13 NESTA Alessandro
14 AMELIA Marco (GK)
15 IAQUINTA Vincenzo
16 CAMORANESI Mauro
17 BARONE Simone
18 INZAGHI Filippo
19 ZAMBROTTA Gianluca
20 PERROTTA Simone
21 PIRLO Andrea
22 ODDO Massimo
23 MATERAZZI Marco

FRANCE


Squad

1 LANDREAU Mickael (GK)
2 BOUMSONG Jean-Alain
3 ABIDAL Eric
4 VIEIRA Patrick
5 GALLAS William
6 MAKELELE Claude
7 MALOUDA Florent
8 DHORASOO Vikash
9 GOVOU Sidney
10 ZIDANE Zinedine
11 WILTORD Sylvain
12 HENRY Thierry
13 SILVESTRE Mikael
14 SAHA Louis
15 THURAM Lilian
16 BARTHEZ Fabien (GK)
17 GIVET Gael
18 DIARRA Alou
19 SAGNOL Willy
20 TREZEGUET David
21 CHIMBONDA Pascal
22 RIBERY Frank
23 COUPET Gregory (GK)

From soccer 24-7.

Forza Azzurri

ITALY ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL OF THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!!!

BRILLIANT

Ze Germans were beaten at the Westfalenstadion, finally after 14 wins and 1 draw.

Fantastic

Grosso's goal was a peach, Del Piero's was a slick counter started by the best defender at the World Cup so far, FABIO CANNAVARO.

Fantastic

Predictions were spot on

Perhaps I could be the next Nostramadus since the idiot predicted Spain to win, well kind of.

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England Portugal was the typical way that England would go out. There was a scapegoat in the form of Ronaldo, who actions were downright retarded, a hero in Hargreaves, a man sent of in Rooney, and finally even the damn dog knows it, England to go out on penalties.

First half started quite well, but it went into a lull. Portugal's frontmen were toothless to be honest, and England were not creating anything with that stupid 4-5-1 formation of Sven. Second half a flashpoint, as Rooney imo, accidentally stamped on Carvalho, and that twat Ronaldo who I think should fuck off to Real Madrid asap, asked the ref to give a card to Rooney, which he did. A red one at that. And note it was for the push on Ronaldo, not the fucking stamp, which is stupid.

After that England brought on Crouch and immediately looked better, alongside Lennon who replaced the injured Beckham. They provided a threat and it proves Sven wrong in his tactics again and that Crouch should have started up alongside Rooney.

After a goaless 120 minutes, it was down to penalties again. 5 minutes before the penalties there was an interesting sub, Carragher on for Lennon which I could not understand at all unless Carragher was an unknown penalty specialist. Or maybe Sven wants as many scousers on the pitch as possible in a penalty shootout.

Sven's choices of penalty takers were questionable I think, giving one to Lamptard who missed 25 shots in the tournament was stupid. Gerrard did not look like scoring on his penno and Carragher the penalty 'specialist' missed unsurprisingly. Only England's best player scored, Owen Hargreaves who was a colossus in midfield for them, proving his critics wrong. Ricardo definitely has something over England tho, same in Euro 2004, the England players didn't really look like scoring.

So all in all Sven will be off to pastures new, thanks for the 24m from the FA, and his record reads out in all 3 tournaments in the quarter finals.

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Well well well, Brazil are out and dare I say it, it is NO surprise giving how they have played so far. They have failed to light up the tournament at all, and they have not attacked as well as they should have.

Yesterday France, and in particularly Zidane, showed why he is still such a masterclass over the rest, absolutely heads and shoulders abvoe any Brazilian, and that includes you Ronaldinho, who looked like a dick with his 'R' headband.

The magic square was something that Parreira had worked on, and it didn't work, probably because the two support midfielders sitting there could not afford any attacking intent as they needed to protect the defense, and the full backs, Roberto Carlos and Cafu I am sad to say just doesn't have the legs anymore to do it.

Not to forget Ronaldo is overweight and lost a yard of pace, Ronaldinho hasn't shown himself in this World Cup, Kaka has shown some glimpses but he couldn't do much on his own, and the less said about Adriano the better.

And of course they have a pragmatic coach in Parreira, who was in charge of Brazil when they bored their way to the 1994 World Cup victory. He is adept in working with a bad defense but not a bad attack I think, and his decision to play Ze Roberto, a winger in central midfield baffles me.

All in all this World Cup has been a terrible disappointment for Brazil after being such overwhelming favourites at the start, but they have hardly sparkled in the way that they should have.

Well done to the French tho, overcoming their previous squabbles to reach the semis, and I fancy them to go all the way to the final, overcoming Portugal. I think Italy will prove too strong for Germany as well, with their counter attacking style that will catch the Germans napping at the back, and Klose and Poldolski haven't met their match in the twin rocks in the Italian defence, the outstanding defender of the tournament so far, Cannavaro, and the returning Nesta.

Final: Italy v France in a repeat of the Euro 2000 final, mark my words.

Germany v Italy in the semis

Should be a terrific game, despite all the cynics, Germany with their high tempo and Italy with the counter attacking style.

Germany Argentina was not a particularly good match to be truthful, and the two teams cancelled each other out, but with Argentina dominating the posession.

What ultimately lost Argentina the match was Pekerman's subs, as he correctly took off Riquelme who proved why he won't survive in the Premier League, but replaced him with Cambiasso. Thus that meant that Argentina were playing with 3 defensive midfielders without having much creativity. The second sub was a forced one with Abbondanzieri unable to carry on which is a shame as he is an expert at penalties. What killed the game was the useless Cruz coming on for Crespo, a subsitution that I cannot fathom. Crespo was their only direct striker on the pitch and the bring on a player not good enough for the biggest stage, and it led to the Germans goal.

Good subs by Klinsmann though, Odonkor provided pace, and Borowski was terrific coming in, and his flick on led to Klose's first headed goal of the tournament which is surprising as all five of his goals in the last World Cup came from headers.

And it as it all came down to penalties, a touching moment for Lemon as Kahn went over to give him some encouragement. Bit surprising, but Kahn has came out and said that he has matured a lot and thinks more about the team now, as well as being a mentor to the younger players. Good on him, and it probably spurred Lemon on to save 2 Argie penalties to send the Krauts through.

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Italty dominated their match, as Ukraine didn't show up at all for the first half. Italy took an early lead after the Shovkovsky made an absolute pig's ear of Zambrotta's shot, and it squirmed over the line. Zambrotta was magnificent in the match for troubled Italy, as they were affected by their close friend Pessotto who attempted suicide earlier.

Ukraine did better after the restart, but Gigi Buffon showed why he was the best keeper in the world, coming to Italy's rescue twice. But they hit them again, with a classic sucker punch, with Luca Toni grabbing his first two goals of the World Cup. Might still be a good bet for the Golden Boot.

Only penalties or golden goals have beaten Italy since 1986 in the World Cup, and I certainly fancy them to go all the way.

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Of today's matches, I fancy Scolari to work his magic again against England, and to knock a distinctly unimpressive England. If Frank Lampard plays then it gives Portugal a big favour as he will shoot on sight and pose absolutely zero danger.

France v Brazil will be tight unlike what most people think, and I think France might sneak victory after extra time or even penalties. Brazil haven't been too impressive so far, and might find their match against France. Zidane must have a good game for them to be able to knock out Brazil, and hope that Onree doesn't choke again.