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World Cup 2006

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Are you going to follow the FIFA World Cup 2006 games?

  • Yes, I'm a real soccer fanatic.

    Votes: 39 43.3%

  • Yes, As long as the US is still playing.

    Votes: 23 25.6%

  • No, I like soccer, but I'm more interested in the NBA, NHL, and/or MLB.

    Votes: 7 7.8%

  • No, The only football I'm interested in is one played with a ball that has pointed ends.

    Votes: 21 23.3%
  • Total voters
    90
  • Poll closed .
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Deservedly winning - Ricardo was in the PK taker's heads 3 out of 4.
(And England no longer scrapes through by the skin of their teeth).

A Semi between a (near) full strength Portugal and EITHER France or Brazil will be a much more entertaining spectacle than this match.

EDIT -- Whoever gets the head coach job (if the current caretaker is viewed as temporary) should be asked to eliminate any formation that has a single striker, and take a balanced squad.
 
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Might have missed it on earlier posts but IMO you need another choice with your poll. "Yes, but I'm more interested in..." I'm not even close to a fanatic but enjoy watching the World Cup. Crouch looked like he would be a nightmare to guard as in all elbows.
 
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How about them Frogs? Brazil was just kind of lagging along, everyone basically assuming they were always going to win. I admit, I didn't think the aging frogs had it in them, but that was a great win.


4 semi spots, 4 European teams...a rarity indeed.
 
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(b)End it Like Beckham

The World Cup always comes with a slew of firings, resignations and other career moves.

This was Beckham's

Beckham quits as England captain
David Beckham has decided to step down as England captain after holding the role for six years. But the Real Madrid star does want to continue his international career.
Beckham revealed his decision at England's final news conference in Germany in the wake of their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal.
The 31-year-old midfielder said: "I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under new coach Steve McClaren."


<!--Savinline--> News conference: David Beckham <!--Eavinline--><!--Savinline--> News conference: Sven-Goran Eriksson <!--Eavinline--><!--Savinline--> Highlights: England 0-0 Portugal (Port win on pens) <!--Eavinline--> It was England caretaker manager Peter Taylor who made Beckham captain in 2000.
And Beckham was keen to thank the now Crystal Palace manager when he read from his prepared statement in Baden Baden on Sunday.
With tears in his eyes, the former Manchester United player said: "On 15 November 2000 Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me the captain of England, fulfilling my childhood dream.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can."


<table> <tbody><tr> <td width="5">
</td> <td class="fact"> <!--Smva--> I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful
<!--Emva--> <!--Smva--> <!--Smva--> David Beckham <!--Emva--> <!--Emva--> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Beckham was forced to leave the pitch against Portugal in the 52nd minute with a leg injury. That England went on to lose the game on penalties made Beckham's announcement even more emotional.
He said: "I came to this decision some time ago but I had hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly that wasn't to be.
"This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me I feel the time is right.
"Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realise.


"I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain, as well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches.
"I would also like to thank the press and, of course, all the England supporters who have both been great to me and my team-mates. I want them to know for me it has been an absolute honour.
"Finally, I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful."
Beckham was an important link between the players at this year's World Cup and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.


<table> <tbody><tr> <td width="5"> </td></tr></tbody></table>
And he led by example against Greece in 2001 when his curling last-gasp free-kick sent England to the 2002 World Cup finals, where they were beaten by Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Eriksson said of Beckham's decision: "He's been a very good captain and very proud to do the job.
"I was a bit surprised when he told me but you have to respect his decision.
"It is now Steve McClaren's job to decide on Beckham's successor. He has a lot of choices that are more than capable of doing the job. It is very much up to him."


Story from BBC SPORT:
Click to expand...
 
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grosso01p.jpg


Legend.
 
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It was a great game...I think Germany (not to mention the assclowns on TV) were all assuming they were headed to penalty kicks...still, what a great service on that first goal, and congrats to Italia.
 
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Italy more than deserved this game. Seemingly the ouster of Frings put the team into a different shape, one that was far less adventurous, less willing to test Buffon from distance.

The number of offsides in which Italy was trapped in regular time, plus the large disparity in corners throughout the game are very revealing. Clearly, Italy was more of a mind to be positive and get a clear result. Without Lehmann's terrific performance for most of the game this would have been over, early and often.
Germany Italy
<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Corner Kicks</td> <td>4</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" align="right"> <td align="left">Offsides</td> <td>1</td> <td>11</td></tr></tbody></table>
Click to expand...
There was insufficient penetration by Germany for most of the game. In extra time the home side was working at a lower rate than the visitors - back-to-back overtime games taking their toll? Conversely, Italy lived up their reputation as the stingiest defense of the Cup, and in OT they closed the deal showing signs of wanting to conclude it more so than their hosts.

This was a fascinating game from so many perspectives, with a plethora of streaks up for grabs to end or extend. Thankfully the referee was, for the most part, willing to look sideways at the diving, and let the game be decided by effort on the field, rather than theatrics in the hay.
 
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France plays solid defense once again, and gets a PK from Zidane to down Portugal 1-0. It was too bad the only goal came on a PK call, made when Henry was changing direction just inside the top of the box and the defender caught the ankle of his back leg.

France and Italy in the final. The odds of that happening had to be incredibly high after they won 1 of their first 4 combined games in the tournament.

The old adage for sports will hold true in this World Cup - defense wins championships.
 
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