World Cup fever!

Parent Cafe
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<p>dstark, I am familiar with Cruijff. He was obviously one oft he best soccer players ever, certainly up there with the likes of Pele, Maradona and Zidane. I think what separates him from the other three is that he never won the big one (the World Cup or the European Cup). Maradona, Pele and Zidane were instrumental in securing tournament wins. With Zidane, France won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Cup in 2000…and he was the reason for the team’s success. Holland never won a major tournament with Cruijff, although they made it to the finals of the World Cup in 1974 and 1978. </p>

<p>What I love about Zidane is that speed and scoring were not his defining traits. Ball-handling, balance, vision and play-making are what make him unique. </p>

<p>Below are some clips of Zidane. </p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikjynTWQj4&feature=related]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikjynTWQj4&feature=related]YouTube</a> - Best Player Ever Zin</p>

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<p>I like Zidane too…</p>

<p>As far as championships go…it’s a team game…</p>

<p>I think there were some personality issues with Cryuff and the national team in 1978. Cruyff didn’t play in the 1978 World Cup.</p>

<p>I’ll check out the video because I do like Zidane too.</p>

<p>Edit: Great video of Zidane.</p>

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<p>dstark, I agree that winning championships requires a team effort, but legendary players make all the difference. Look at the Bulls with and without MJ. Look at the Patriots with and without Brady. Look at the 49ers with and without Montana and Young. Look at France without Zidane. France did not have Zidane this year and had a very unhealthy Zidane in 2002. The result was clear…the team did not make it to the round of 16. With Zidane, they won the World Cup in 1998 and could easily have won the World Cup in 2006. </p>

<p>And look at Dan Marino. arguably one of the best passers ever. Without a Superbowl ring, can he be considered one of the top 3 QBs ever? </p>

<p>At any rate, I agree that Cryuff is amazing.</p>

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<p>So Barry Bonds isn’t one of the best baseball players ever?</p>

<p>Germany had a pretty good player in 1974 too.</p>

<p>I think Messi is the best player in the world right now…whether Argentina wins the world cup or not.</p>

<p>But it is just my opinion. I could be wrong.
There is nothing wrong with measuring players by World Cup victories…</p>

<p>That was a great goal by Zidane at 8:42. </p>

<p>One of the things I like about Zidane was he was a real two footed player…along with all the other positives he had.</p>

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<p>Agreed dstark. For example, Barry Sanders is arguably the greatest RB ever, but he never won a Superbowl. </p>

<p>About that goal by Zidane, Magic Johnson was present at the game and that’s what he said about Zidane:</p>

<p>"After Zidane’s fabulous goal and performance, here’s what Magic had to say:“An incredible action, realized with a magnificient coordination between the eyes and the feet. Zidane is like Jordan and I put together. I have seen some matches on TV, but live, in the stadium that’s another thing. It’s an experience to live for everyone.”</p>

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<p>Did you ever get to see Zidane play in person?</p>

<p>Soccer is better live. It’s hard to see the teamwork on tv.</p>

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<p>I saw him live in the 1998 World Cup, against Italy, Croatia and Brazil. I worked for Lehman Brothers at the time and they got us excellent seats!</p>

<p>The star ofthe Croatia game was Thuram, not zidane, but Zidane made up for it against Brazil.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljHm_DgzWgg[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljHm_DgzWgg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>That is so great…</p>

<p>And the game that was highlighted…what a great game…</p>

<p>(Much better than I have seen this year).</p>

<p>1998 was a great World Cup and France had a great team that was fun to watch. I liked watching Barthez too.</p>

<p>That World Cup had Michael Owen’s great goal and Dennis Bergkamp’s great goal (one of my favorite players), and Ronaldo…and of course…Zidane.</p>

<p>Great run by Zidane around 3:55 in your clip.</p>

<p>Just great that you saw the games live in 1998. Very nice perk.</p>

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<p>Didn’t Zidane actually miss some of the 1998 WC due to being the first French player ever to get red carded in a WC? His 2006 rc was not his first in WC.</p>

<p>I never got to see Di St</p>

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<p>In 1998, Zidane missed the games against Saudi Arabia (where he got red carded) and Paraguay. Paraguay was a very tough game.</p>

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<p>Breathing a huge sigh of relief. Lots of whistling heard from the stands, and I think it was warranted.</p>

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<p>I want the South Korea team to advance to meet the USA team next week.</p>

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<p>So does ds2. ^^^^^</p>

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<p>I was hoping for SK, too, but I hope it’s USA meeting Ghana. May we score enough to win, not have any annulled, and come out healthy.</p>

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<p>Poor D she has to work today - however- where she works has TVs, but she works outside in garden dept. I told her I will text her when to take a bathroom break :wink: Go Black Stars !</p>

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<p>It is too bad for SK. They played a good game. Just not their day.</p>

<p>Almost kick off for USA and Ghana. I am so nervous now.</p>

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<p>Come on, guys, not a good way to start the game off.</p>

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<p>Naaah–we got 'em just where we want them!</p>

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<p>Ghana played very well in the first half. US seems uncoordinated and needs to communicate better. It needs to get itself together after half-time to stay competitive in this game</p>

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<p>Why can’t USA just have a simple win and not always make it so dramatic! Why always try to dig out of a hole!</p>