<p>Nothing will make France feel better coolweather. France is going to investigate the team and ban several players and coaches from ever representing for the national team. </p>
<p>Cardinal Fang, in 2006, France had a healthy Zidane. Any team with a healthy Zidane will do well. The man is the best football player since Maradona and one of the top three players of all time.</p>
<p>ctyankee- thanks for the Jon Stewart link–that is an hilarious clip!</p>
<p>Also, France never would’ve been in in the first place if not for the handball against Ireland. you can bet the Irish enjoyed the way things turned out!</p>
<p>Actually garland, I do not thing that is true. France and Ireland ended the regular qualification round tied and had to a two-game series (one in Ireland and one in France) to decide who would go to the World Cup. France one the first game in Ireland. It was in the second game that Henry cheated to tie the game. </p>
<p>The fact is, we do not know what would have happended had Henry not cheated. France could have scored fair and square and still qualified there and then. Had France not scored in overtime, the two teams would have had to resort to penalty shootout to determine who goes and who stays.</p>
<p>Either way, Henry’s cheating was obviously unacceptable. However, had he not cheated, France could still have qualified as easily as the Irish.</p>
<p>I just came to post the Jon Stewart clip - ha -CC’ers you beat me! My H watched it and shared it with me. Funny stuff.</p>
<p>Alexandre–true, but, it was fun hearng the announcers make frequent “well, this will make the Irish happy” comments as the French match wound down.</p>
<p>Besides, I’m Irish (well, at least by marriage). Motto: never let the facts get in the way of a good story.</p>
<p>It’s all about “the story” at the end of the day.</p>
<p>I do not believe Zidane can be considered the third best ever player. You can’t have forgotten DiStefano or Kruyff. And now the French have in some circles become known as Beavis (this team) and Butthead (Zidane). Anyone who hasn’t seen it can google his wonderful move from 2006.</p>
<p>Japan looked really good today. Their match v Paraguay ought to be entertaining.</p>
<p>I can’t post the link because it’s a You Tube link, but there’s a really funny video of the US crowd reaction to the winning goal in a bar. Watch the big manly guys on the right side of the screen getting all huggy with each other.</p>
<p>The title is:</p>
<p>Slow Motion Landon Donovan Goal vs Algeria at American Outlaws HQ, Lincoln Nebraska</p>
<p>France out, Italy out. Japan looked good today especially that third goal. Argentina is probably the strongest team.</p>
<p>We cleared out our schedule for Saturday’s game. Son is thinking of skipping a graduation party so he can watch the game.</p>
<p>GO USA</p>
<p>Corretion to my post #368, those players are Alfredo di St</p>
<p>gloworm, Zidane is not the third best, he is among the top three. Many believe he is the best ever, some say second, others third. Maradona, Pele and Zidane have no peers. Those players have the ability to singlehandedly alter the course of an entire tournament. Zidane was healthy in two world cups, and in both, France made it to the finals. His ball-handling and play-making abilities were unrivaled.</p>
<p>Zidane: the greatest player ever, hands down.</p>
<p>Zidane is certainly one of the best players in the history of the game, but I don’t think he’s the greatest. Personally, I think Pel</p>
<p>Harambee, I don’t disagree with you. There is no DEFINITE best player ever. But Zidane makes as strong a case as any player. It is hard to compare Pele and Zidane because they played in completely different eras. Zidane was born after Pele retired. I have followed the game closely since 1980. In the last 30 years, Maradona and Zidane are the best players I have ever seen…by far. I prefer Zidane because of his humility and his style, but Maradona had a wealth of talent too.</p>
<p>^I agree. It truly is hard to compare great players from different eras. IMO, I think Pel</p>
<p>Alexandre, check out Johan cruijff best goals on YouTube.</p>
<p>Cruyff is definitely one of the best players of all time. There is no way…of knowing for sure who is the best.</p>
<p>But to me there is no top 3. </p>
<p>Cruyff is up there with anybody.</p>
<p>Here are the best player records:</p>
<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d’Or[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d’Or</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Player_of_the_Year[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Player_of_the_Year</a></p>
<p>The US has many best female players.</p>
<p>Harambee, I think Zidane was as much a team player as Pele, and in time, I feel he will become one of its great ambassadors. And unlike Pele, should someone step out of line…well, just ask Materazzi! ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Corretion to my post #368, those players are Alfredo di St</p>