World Cup: It's Italy after Zidane disgraces himself
The Italians are the 2006 World Cup champions, Gli Azzurri's fourth title in their sixth final. The game stood at 1-1 after 2 x 15 minutes extra time, and went to penalty shoot out. The Italians put all their penalty kicks past Barthez, but Trezeguet missed his for France, and that was that: 5-3 to Italy.It was really good game, probably one of the best WC finals ever until 109 minutes when Zidane disgraced himself by headbutting Materazzi in the chest. Zidane came close to heading in 2-1 to France earlier, but lost in in extra time and got sent out. What the hell was he thinking? The last game of his career, a crucial moment for France and Zidane, the captain, commits a stupid act of aggression - Materazzi clung on to him and maybe provoked Zidane, but there was no excuse. The red card was well deserved. Zidane was a certain candidate for the player of the tournament but... not now. What an incredibly foolish thing to do. He could not have ended his career in a worse manner had he tried.
With Zidane off the pitch, a ten-man France had nothing more to offer. Henry, Vieria, and Ribery had all been substituted and their replacements just weren't up to it. In fact, Diarra got a yellow card soon after coming on and looked like a candidate for second plus a sending off after playing too rough.
It's a real shame that the final ended this way. The Italians ended up as the worthy winners, moreso because they didn't lose their cool and played as a team until the end. Del Piero tried a bit of diving though but didn't get anywhere - ref Elizondo from Argentina was very good overall. Terrible shame though that the final, which had pretty clean, turned so ugly at the last moment.
Bravo Italia. There will be major parties all over the country tonight... should go and look at Symonds St to see if the Italian contingent in Auckland is celebrating the title over at Gina's. The Italian players and the spectators in Berlin stadium are ecstatic.
Update: Small picture gallery over at the New Zealand Herald (site may be slow to load of non-NZ viewers though).
Update II: Clip of Zidane's headbutt:
and an odd tribute to Materazzi:
Zidane's penalty conversion
Materazzi's equaliser
Update III Time Europe has an interesting take on what happened. I was thinking earlier that Zizou must headbutt like a bull to be able to knock down Materazzi like that, but Time says that's not quite what happened. Still, Zidane's fault for handing it to Materazzi like that.
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Comment by Matt, on 10-JUL-2006 08:33
This game will be remembered by the Head Butt.
As the author said, Italy played their game and were deserved winners. I was barracking for France, but such poor sportsmanship is an embarrassment to behold.
Comment by ыв, on 10-JUL-2006 08:33
you are deadly wrong.
italians are bad guys, don't you see it??
Comment by jez b, on 10-JUL-2006 08:34
Zidane just proved that he's as much of a thug as Rooney. All we got on the ITV commentary here in the UK during the match was 'Zidane is wonderful' 'Zidane - the master' 'Oooh what a touch by Zidane' etc etc etc. The guy's an overrated thug and it was sweet retribution to see him found out, sent off and disgraced forever. Bravo Italia.
Comment by sameer, on 10-JUL-2006 08:35
No matter what happened in the field there, but Zizo is the great footballer! RESPECT
Comment by Roopz, on 10-JUL-2006 08:35
I cant believe it. France played so much better than Italy did during the second half and 90% of extra time until Zidane lost his head. I had so much respect for whom I regarded as the best player in the world. The Italians did not deserve their win afforded to them by poor substitution and Zinedine madness, they were bog standard for 70% of the game, I wonder what Materazzi said to Zidane......
Comment by Manny, on 10-JUL-2006 08:39
I don't know. I don't think Zidane does foolish things like that. I think Matarazzi must have said something to provoke Zidane to drive his head down Matarazzi's chest. But again, I agree that Zidane should have kept his cool. I'm not sure what words were exchanged but I'm disappointed in Zidane.
Comment by Sam Crawford, on 10-JUL-2006 08:39
You forget that the Italians played better pound for pound throughout the tournament. The French were not the right team for the final, and as for Zidane, there are previous instances of bad sportsmanship. What could a professional footballer - over ten years of competitive play -- possibly hear that he has not already heard in some prior game. No excuse.
Also, Italy scored a second goal that was annulled for an offside that wasn't there in the replay.
Comment by julien, on 10-JUL-2006 08:44
At the level of competition, trash talking like Materazzi did is not fairplay at all. Sometimes words can be more harmful than acts. I go with Zidane, it is not excusable, but no one should be trash talking at this level of competition.
Comment by Danny, on 10-JUL-2006 08:45
How could you all say italians are scum? Or that they did not deserve to win? you are all extremely wrong and france gets lucky. Players like veteran Del Piero DESERVED the world cup right there. Your all dumb and say that italians are bad people.. alright so tell me why France was helping iraq out with weapons against the US?.. hmm?
Italy came out over a big favored team such as germany and a lot of people were going with france. So all of you who say italians are bad or they didnt deserve it... FORGET ALL OF YOU CAUSE ITALY WON ANYWAYS HAHAHAHHAHA!!
FROGS!
Comment by Walter Stasiuk, on 10-JUL-2006 08:45
Before you judge Zidane, ask Materazzi what he said to provoke the head butt. Bet it wasn't good luck in the penalty shoot out. Gamesmanship and trash talking at its best. Even the best can succomb to it. FIFA should investigate the incident for the good of the game.
Comment by I.used.to.like.zidane, on 10-JUL-2006 08:46
What on earth was he thinking? I had so much respect for Zidane, and that moment just destroyed me. What Materazzi said to him must have been extravagantly brutal. At first i was conviced that it wasnt anything to do with the words, because Zidane probably doesnt know Italian, but then I remembered his stint at Juventus. I'm looking forward to hearing an explanation from both Materazzi and Zidane. Poor France...
Comment by Emanuele, on 10-JUL-2006 08:51
Hey Juha,
are the comments moderated? How could you let through messages like "Italians are racist", "Italians are the bad guys".
I feel offended, it pushes me away from this thread.
Comment by Danny, on 10-JUL-2006 08:51
How dare all of you say bad stuff about italians such as they are bad people and did not deserve it. YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVEDS FOR SAYING SUCH THINGS!!! France has helped iraq giving them weapons against the U.S.? That is terrible if you ask me. Italy deserved that and players such as Del Piero an amazing veteran deserved the world cup. As for zidane.. that is extremely unacceptable. That is low class and he is a good player and should know better.I cannot stand france and im italian so im really glad to see they won.
HA HA TO ALL OF YOU WHO SAID GERMANY OR BRAZIL WERE GONNA WIN IT ALL!!!!!
Comment by marco deluca, on 10-JUL-2006 08:52
obviously, marco must have said some pretty injurious remarks out of jealousy for zidanes fame. In fact it is known that marco has made racial slurs in the past , and the fact that he grabbed and pinched his chest shows how the italians win their game. After Zidane has brought italians professional soccer clubs to a new level for 5 years when he played for them, it is obvious that i am ashamed at how italians won the cup this year.
Comment by What really happened?, on 10-JUL-2006 08:58
It takes more than just a comment or two to get Zidane angry enough to attack someone. In the replay I watched it looked like Materazzi had tweaked Zidane's nipple before they got into the exchanging of words. I don't know if that actually happened or if it just looked like it, but that could have been part of what fueled Zidane's fury.
Comment by Ahmad, on 10-JUL-2006 09:02
I wanted to see Zidane as one of the best in soccer history even if he looses, but ashamed now from what he has done. Never take words into action.
Comment by marco deluca, on 10-JUL-2006 09:03
we clearly dont deserve it
Comment by marco deluca, on 10-JUL-2006 09:07
france clearly deserved to win even though i am italian, they dominated the secon and final half we were bad with out theatrics thru out the world cup and even with marco poor sportsmanship, and as one blog did say italians (as i can attest because i am italian ) are cheap winners and sore loosers, thats why they are fantastic mobsters, no honor
Comment by marco deluca, on 10-JUL-2006 09:16
yes Zidane was clearly pinched and in addition look at mmezzarazi exchange of words with him before he takes a dive from the headbutt to his chest and then holds his face, what a looser, if anything zidane should ahve been given a yellow and marco a red for again disgracing the italians with their theatrics and dives , and prejudiced remarks, Zizou will forever remain one of the best. He probably should be given the golden boot just to fight "head to chest" the prejudiced remarks that we as a nation as so far fought with little success. I feel ashamed of my country and in fact i am glad that i am only partly italian
Comment by Kadir, on 10-JUL-2006 09:24
Hello!
I am a Turkish man and just watched the game in germany. And for your Info, the match commentator said that Zidane knows Italian speech. I always remember Zidane as a fair and excellent football player, so I think that the Italian player was the fool. Well it's a very shame for Zidane. I think this will follow him for the rest of his life. My favs where the Italians. I don't really like them, but France's team had 7 non-france nation players playing - that's too much in my eyes.
Greetings to NZ
(New Zealand??)
00:30 local time
Comment by framartino, on 10-JUL-2006 10:48
Sorry but I am Italian too and I happen to have a different opinion.
Aside from ugly racial stereotypes_ the fact that they are self-inflicted does not make them less ugly, "deserving" to win or not is not the point. You do not deserve to win a match if, for example the referee is blatantly in favor of one team and against the other. However, in this particular match, the referee was fairly balanced, although he annulled a perfectly good goal at the 62nd by Toni(it was the "offside" one).
Yes, France was better for a good part of the time, but Italy managed a good defence and then they were just lucky with the penalty kicks.
Also, about the Zidnane "incident". We will probably never know what horrible, horrible words were pronouced against him, what strikes me most is his complete lack of responsibility, to himself, his country, the moment, the sportmanship, but most of all his own team. He is (was) the captain, the one who least should engage in such acts and he betrayed them. Certainly he greatly harmed his team's chances by removing himself from the penalty kicks roster. Not to mention forcing his team to play outnumbered at such a critical time.
Unfortunately Italy's victory (deserved or not...) will be remembered along with a very bad moment in the history of one irresponsible, spectacular player.
>Comment by marco deluca, on 10-JUL-2006 10:07
>france clearly deserved to win even though i am >italian, they dominated the secon and final half >we were bad with out theatrics thru out the world >cup and even with marco poor sportsmanship, and >as one blog did say italians (as i can attest >because i am italian ) are cheap winners and sore >loosers, thats why they are fantastic mobsters, >no honor
Comment by Mario Carpinteri, on 10-JUL-2006 11:35
Viva Italia ! After losing the World Cup in 1994, they deserve to win this one. And unlike France they played sportsman like. France came came off rather cocky into the World Cup and the prevailed under the pressure. Italy had a strategy that if they would make it to the Penalty Kicks, they would win cool, calm and collective as a team.
Comment by maciej sniegocki, on 10-JUL-2006 13:38
trash talking is part of the game. accept it! at least he didn't do anything like he used to do in the other games. michal jordan is famous for the shit talk he did on the court whenever he played.
i hear u cry fairplay. grow up bitches. its world cup. that means its either do or die.
Comment by jeff, on 10-JUL-2006 14:21
FORZA ITALIA, Its about time we showed the world that we are true champions with class. everyone counted us out. it was destiny and ZIDANE SUCKS AND IS A SORE LOSER>
Comment by bruce, on 10-JUL-2006 19:33
First, Materazzi is a racist pig, based on the facts from his earlier bad behavior. The French government should hold a full investigation and find out what Materazzi said--and then take the appropriate legal action.
Second, the Italian team comes from a corrupt, point-shaving "soccer league." The players are involved in point fixing--the Italian prosecutors say--so they shouldn't have been allowed to play in the World CUp to begin with.
Let's not forget the dirty elbow the Italian "player" gave the American player, which caused an injury.
The World Cup's greatness has been tainted. If I were an Italian team supporter, I certainly wouldn't be out dancing in the street. In fact, I would be ashamed.
Comment by Kadir, on 11-JUL-2006 08:40
Hello! It's me again. I found this interesting video. I think this will show enough about "Materazzi the Butcher":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlaqsOPlt-0&mode=related&search=m
Well Italy has won. Congrats and see you in EC 2008 Austria/Switzerland
Comment by v.p.damodar, on 11-JUL-2006 17:26
If Materazzi has said something as despicable and derogatory as what has been reported, then he definitely needs to be head-butted. He should be severely punished for starting the whole incident. He, not Zidane, has not only disgraced himself but has destroyed the spirit of the game also.
Comment by Appoloin, on 11-JUL-2006 20:12
http://worldcup.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=91061
Comment by Catherine, on 12-JUL-2006 02:17
Zidane is the greastest of all and is still your MAESTRO italia!
Violence has no place on the field... RIGHT. But nor does RACISM! if Materazzi insulted him with racists comments as we all suspect, then it was an understandable reaction! Not excusable, but understandable... as Domenech rightly said!
And italy not racist... where are your black players?
I was the only French with 40 italians friends to watch the match in their home and I heard a lot of nasty things that were shameful.
Here is my version of the events:
Materazzi pulled Zidane's shirt and twisted his nipple.
Zidane answered: If you want my shirt, I'll give it to you later!
To what Materazzi maybe said:
It's not even YOUR shirt and you have no right to play for France in the first place!
Then Headbutt!
I heard Italians say Zidane shouldnt be allowed to play for France or people saying the French team is full of foreigners!
OUR team is the reflection of our country, and I AM PROUD OF IT!!
I AM STILL PROUD OF ZIZOU, even if I wished he didnt do it.
This final was dirty and sad.
Comment by Seth Hesse, on 12-JUL-2006 04:31
I am still a fond fun of Zidane certainly he was provoked by metarrazzi or what ever the name happens to be, in any case what are the worlds jornalist saying I HAVE NOT READ ALL THE COMMENTS but I still believe we as a world should be updated as to what really transperred between them what what was said so we really get to know the real zidane. ZIOZOU FOREVER TILL PROVEN GUILTY WITHOUT CONSCIENCE.
Comment by Eddie Winslow, on 12-JUL-2006 18:50
To digress little, l do not know what is going on these days. What is afoul and whats is not,... l remember when traveling was illegal in ball, i remember when one could not nudge another football player with his shoulder. now all there is on the field is players pushuing each othetr with their hands to get space. this is noit correct football, just because it isdone by all does not mean it is legal, this trash talking has to be stopped, among the other blatabnt fouls before iyt is out of hand, the ref have to take good control before it becames de facto law, if not, oneday mild head butts may be legal during a game
Comment by nages, on 12-JUL-2006 23:05
Materazzi should consider a career as a Mafia hitman once his football career ends. He is one of the most violent football players of our time. I wish Zidane would come out and tell everyone what Materazzi said. It is time to put an end to tolerating arrogant, rude and violent behaviour on the football field.
Comment by Adriana, on 13-JUL-2006 12:59
I totally agree that racist comments are uncalled for and ignorant. Being politically incorrect however, is up for grabs. Not everyone is nice, people are going to anger you and try and provoke you. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" Zidane should have taken a deep breath and reviewed this saying when Materazzi insulted him. Materazzi is absolutely not off the hook, whatever he said was obviously terrible. What I would like to know is, why are people cancelling out Zidane's uncalled for act of violence? You are blaming his actions on Materazzi's trash talking on the field? I think you are in denial and unrightfully defending someone who is 100% at fault for their action, as Zidane even owns up to himself.
If someone calls you "Oiled up and greasy" or a "parasitical form of life" and you stab them because they strike a nerve, do we then blame the German journalist for such physical act of violence? I think not. Bah!
Comment by Tupa jb, on 13-JUL-2006 16:55
What i can say is zizu did a stupid thing as an experience player i didnt expecting that, and he should had to remember, that was not a street game it was a world cup final 2006 n must be respected, we cant say anythin to marco materazzi cause no body know what was goin on between them but what we saw is headbeat, but all in all let zizu be the best player 2006 n FIFA dont takeout that medal to him cause he did a lot of good things before. Tupa jb Tz
Comment by B De Gregorio, on 13-JUL-2006 22:54
My prior attempt to inject some reason into the conversation has, as expected, been friutless.
So, how's this perspective which I think is as valid as many of the points some of you are making: Zidane did NOT head butt Materazzi!! The video clearly shows Materazzi chest butting Zidanes head.
Good luck in 2010.
Comment by jasper kan, on 13-JUL-2006 23:14
Italy certainly did not deserve to win the world cup.
Just look at the match against australia where they should have lost and.........
I am very suspiscious about the refs descision to give a penalty against australia in the last 10 seconds.
But it seems to be the norm to rig games in italy, plus they are very good at insulting other players or act to win.
However they should be nominated for an oscar as they are the best in acting.
If you are an italian or if i was an italian i would not be happy or proud to win this world cup
This is not soccer as it was ment to be.
If you can't win by playing well then don't try to rig, payout or use abuse to get there.
Ityaly played like shit and should have never won this world cup.
p.s I AM NOT AN AUSSIE JUST VERY ANNOYED AT FIFA'S UNPROFFESSIONALISM.
Comment by Bridget Kerr, on 14-JUL-2006 00:33
Hey Marco: A few suggestions to help you in your obviously miserable existance:
1 Stop calling yourself Italian. You'll hate yourself less.
2 Stop watching sports, they obviously unbalance you and aggrevate anyone who listens to you.
3 Learn some history. If all you think of is the mafia when you hear of Italy, you need to stop watching the Sopranos and read a bit more.
4 Get a dictionary.
Comment by hey, on 14-JUL-2006 08:38
i never really liked zidane..but after d head butt, i was scandalized.and all of u ppl out der.didnt d italians deserve 2 win??wat about 4 yrs ago wen dey played against korea and no matter how many goals dey scored, the ref did not accept dem?i am not an italian its just dat i think dat d french deserved wat dey got and d italians did too.ALL OF U OUT DER SAYIN THAT ITALY DIDNT DESERVE IT ARE JUST JEALOUS OF THE AMAZING TALENT WHICH PLAYERS LIKE CANNAVARO,TOTTI,DEL PIERO AND TONI AMONGST SOOOO MANY OTHERS OFFER!!!!!(EVEN PIRLO AND GILARDINO..OOOHHH DER R SO MANY!!!)
Comment by Hans Bruckman, on 28-JUN-2007 14:47
In my opinion, Italy deserved the win against France.
I am not Italian or French.
The reason I say this is because Italy actually scored 2 goals (1 ruled offside but the replay shows otherwise) and hit the woodwork once, France scored from a marginal penalty.
Italy had to beat the hosts, Germany to reach the final. (the best game of the tournament)
France played well but looked very tired and frustrated towards the end of the final.
France had alot trouble with Italian corners and set plays. The Italian defence was too solid for the French.
Zidane may of been provoked but no one can deny that what he did was amazingly stupid & selfish, he clearly lost control of himself, he's a great player but as captain of France in the World Cup Final, it's inexcusable. France will bounce back, they are a quality side.
Italy are a great footballing nation with 4 world cups, congratulations to them.
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Comment by saraa, on 10-JUL-2006 08:28
Zidane still the best player in the world and Italy didn't deserve to win