<p>One question. WHAT PROMPTED ZIDANE TO DO IT?!?!?</p>
<p>I took a much needed bathroom break, and when I come back, I see him headbutting players. WHAT?!??!?!?!?</p>
<p>Yeah, Zizou headbutted the stupid Italian guy…there must have been some provocation there which is why I’m wondering why they don’t give fouls for verbal abuse. It’s like you used to say in kindergarden…“sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”…yeah, right. but it was stupid to take the bait, and I think france could’ve won if he had stayed in. </p>
<p>“they should have an AMNESTY and forget about the fixed games and all that S.IT”</p>
<p>right…they won the world cup and now should be let off for cheating and other crimes…sureeee</p>
<p>Why did Domenech put Henry and Ribery on the bench? Didn’t he have another sub? Gahh…</p>
<p>I totally agree with War Chant and columbia2007…</p>
<p>“Heh, I was going for France but Italy winning only makes the US feel better.”</p>
<p>DEFINITELY. LOL. We tied with the World Champions! Woot woot! We scored one of the only two (?) goals that Italy let past them! WE ROCK! (note the sarcasm.)</p>
<p>"At least the Italians all have to go on trial when they get back home. There’s consolation in that.</p>
<p>-A Germany fan hoping for vicarious revenge via France"</p>
<p>Also a Germany fan and those are my sentiments exactly…and their teams get stripped of their league titles, demoted, and they get split up and passed around…yay!</p>
<p>are you seriously defending zidane? no matter what was said, he is retardedfor doing what he did. he knew the consequences and tried to hope no one woulud see. For one of the worlds best players and a captain, thats just unacceptable. RED CARD! Btw, the PK zidane scored on was a terrible call (the other one that wasnt called should have been though)</p>
<p>Im just glad italy won. They had the best team in the world I think. Theyre also like a family, definitely one of the more deserving teams.</p>
<p>hmmmmm…</p>
<p>they only punish verbal abuse when u offend the referee. other than that its permitted. zidane’s red card just shows that the italians were smarter mentally as well. of course materazzi provoked zidane!!! i can imagine the many things he must have said to zidane. a player must always show self control in a heated game.</p>
<p>oh by the way, Buffon played like a champion. I love that guy. That save against Zidane (probably starting his frustration) was possibly the most crucial save of the entire tournament</p>
<p>f*** the azzuri.</p>
<p>I actually don’t think that Buffon is that great of a goalie. During the PK at the end, it was clear his instincts weren’t on the ball.</p>
<p>Though I agree that Zidane is a wonderful player and truly one of the best in the world, there is nothing that should have provoked that sort of action from him. Which is why I am so confused as to why the hell he did it, especially knowing the consequences.</p>
<p><a href=“Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News”>Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News;
<p>UBS predicted the winner correctly.</p>
<p>i agree that buffon’s PK ability was not so great, but nevertheless, in game he strikes me as one of the best. Actually, he gave up 0 goals in regular gameplay int he world cup. Only let in 2 officially: 1 own goal vs. USA and one PK vs. France</p>
<p><a href=“http://youtube.com/watch?v=NBV52GPhNjw&feature=Recent&page=6&t=t&f=b[/url]”>http://youtube.com/watch?v=NBV52GPhNjw&feature=Recent&page=6&t=t&f=b</a></p>
<p>Zidane was an idiot there. Man, after France completely dominated the second half and beginning of OT. Henry was wonderful in this game, one of the few times this cup he’s been on form, but Buffon and Cannavaro denied the French attack so many times. Italy deserves to win this cup, probably the most impressive team throughout the cup.</p>
<p>Some are saying that the Italians were constantly calling Zidane a “terrorist” and other slurs against his ethnicity. Perhaps in exhaustion and frustration, Materazzi said something that sent him over the edge. Given Zidane’s usually calm temperament and the Italians’ propensity for prejudice, this doesn’t seem like a far-fetched scenario. </p>
<p>I’ve only seen two World Cups (2002 and 2006), and I liked the last one better. More uncertainty, better storylines, and more goals! Perhaps it’s a fitting end to a tournament of diving that a team full of those who are about to be indicted win the Criminal Cup of 06.</p>
<p>
Hm. I didn’t consider that. But truth be told, I believe that the Italian defense has a lot more to do with that than Buffon.</p>
<p>
I’m not saying that he didn’t have a reason to be mad. As an athlete, he just should have more self control than that, especially in a situation such as the World Cup finals, second OT.</p>
<p>
actually none of the italian players are about to be indicted on the match-fixing scandal. its all the big businessmen in Serie A</p>
<p>nbachris> I have to agree with you.</p>
<p>“FOXSports.com’s Jamie Trecker reports that French players told French media members that Materazzi used a racial slur which prompted the headbutt.”</p>
<p>“actually none of the italian players are about to be indicted on the match-fixing scandal. its all the big businessmen in Serie A”</p>
<p>actually players are also being prosecuted because of betting on fixed matches, one of these being buffon.</p>
<p>silly italians can go and play in serie D now…haha…</p>
<p>I was also under the impression that the Italian players are being prosecuted.</p>
<p>buffon is being investigated but i was under the impression tha they werent going to be able to prosecute himn</p>
<p>AC Milan and Juventes are being relegated so who cares about prosecution…I think it’s kinda funny that they’re going down to Serie D. W/e all of the good players are gonna ditch and play elsewhere.</p>