Big Question: Which would be the Better Final?

the france one of course

france. WC2002 both team isqualified at 1st round. They deserve to play in the final this year. Both have similarity : they didn’t show good game at earlier match but now they play so well.

It doesnt matter who italy will face in the final, cause who ever it is they are going to win regardless, after beating the home team , no one can stop italy right now, only italy can beat italy now. FORZA AZZURRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Hmmm,

remind me about what Portugal have done to deserve to be in the Final, and I’ll get back to you.

Mind you, I would enjoy C. Ronaldo crying more when he’d lost a WC Final than I will when I see the same v Germany for third-place. Also, maybe “home-town” refereeing will see Figo sent off if he head-butts someone.

MLK-”I have a Dream”

Italy versus France for sure! Both teams have a long rivalry on the continent both in the WC and Euro Championships. Both teams have progressed over time in the tournament, and both deserve to be there more so than any other team right now. Portugal plays dirty and shouldn’t be rewarded for foul play. France vs Italy 2006!!! With hopefully Zidane and the whole French team bringing it home one more time…

Portugal, of course. It has the younger team and isn’t it amazing that a 10 million country should produce a team equivalent to 60 million countries?

Wow. The Portuguese play rough? They don’t play fair? Portugal has a long standing record of fair play and good sportsmanship. Anyone who has followed the Portuguese in recent years knows this. The recent Netherlands vs Portugal match may have spoiled that a bit, but let’s not forget who started the drama (the Netherlands). Portugal has never won a cup and it’s the first time they make it to the semi-finals since 1966. Portugal plays with heart and they deserve to win as much as the Italians or the French. To dismiss them believing, falsely, that they play unfair and/or cheat is just wrong.

For those of us who enjoy watching free flowing football played with true skill, there is only one choice : France vs Italy. Would be the fitting end to what has otherwise been a not so memorable tournament.

Portugal are not in the semis by fluke, they most definately have a good team, one which could possibly upset France tomorrow. I would not however be surpised to see them fall over everywhere looking for cards, free kicks and penalties. I hope I am proved wrong tomorrow. If not, well I hope for the good of the game that France show them the door.

Any of the two teams would put up a good fight. France will have a chance if they get pass Portugal without producing any suspension or escape injury. If Portugal goes through, the final will be unbelievably brutal and physical. At this point my prediction is a total guess so I won’t call it

Italy vs France for sure and I bet France will win this WC!

Italy vs Portugal would be an interesting final – the winner is the team that finishes with the most dives and resulting free kicks/penalties!!! Whoever Italy plays, I hope they lose miserably because there is no way they deserve to win the final. Sure they have played some good football in parts, but i will never get over that penalty vs. Australia – that was just the biggest act of desperation and “foul play” i have witnessed in this World Cup so far.

Who Italy meets, it doesn’t matter. The winner of the finals will either be France or Portugal anyway. The way Italy ACTS in leaping, falling and getting tripped when a finger touches them, they are all going to get groin injuries in no time practising these skills during training in the lead up to the finals and eventually lose in the finals anyway.

This is a stupid thread. Both France and Portugal are great teams. It’ll be a difficult final, but eventually Italy will pull it off, because they have one day of rest more than the other team.

Many are underestimating Portugal, but no doubt I would love to see an Italy-Portugal final.

It’s time for a new champion anyway.

France of course. And they are going to beat Italy in the final, unless POrtugal kills couple of french players, and gets couple more disqualified with their dishonest footbal.

Portugal 2006 is a real shame to footbal. They should be barred to play footbal, at least C. Rinaldo.

CC – I mean Portugal 2006, not earlier teams, because you are right Portugal played a fair footbal before. I dont know what happened with this team. Perhaps Scholari? Did he make them watch too many tapes of Italian teams with their dirty tactics?

ANyway, France please teach them a lesson, and they do the same with Italians. VIVA FAIR FOOTBALL!

France deserves to win it all.

Those French players all became great in Italy. Nobody knew them when they were playing in the amatorial French championship.

But the Italian master never teaches all the tricks of the profession to anybody, :).

Yeah, right! It is such a pleasure to play in your screwed up league. French and others (normal players) all suffer there. They really shine when they get out.

You mean Italian “masters” dont teach all their tricks, like diving, actoring, screaming, begging referree for a card, right?

I am hoping to see Italy-Portugal. Lots of off-sides and pretty faces. Forca Cristiano!

Final WC 2006 : ITALY vs PORTUGAL

I can’t believe I am rooting for France, but Italian fans have been such bad winners, there is no other choice.

If you people care more about watching the games rather than simply reading headlines, you would know Portugal is the most balanced team in this Championship only lacking a litle bit of firepower in the front. Portugal always had a strong tradition of having powerfull offensive midfielders, wich always score lots of goals, apart from being abble to create excelent footbal (Rui Costa, Figo, Deco, Maniche, Simão, Cristiano Ronaldo,…). Now to add for that, Portugal as one of the best defensive set of players in the world with Ricardo Carvalho (for those who think Portugal cheats, just go and check the stats for this player)and Paulo Ferreira (chelsea) Jorge Andrade (deportivo), Meira (Stughard), Nuno Valente (Everton). And of course that guy that cheats a lot every time he can save a penalty against england. Please be rational, while your team is already out!

And as I was saying before loosing my temper, the balance is betwen the freshness of the youth of Cristiano (seen by his Man U teammates as one of the next possible fifa best player) and the experience for all the Champion Leagues won by Figo (2 or 3, not sure), Deco (2), maniche, Carvalho, Ferreira, costinha, valente (1). By the way, all of them are playing tomorrow :P

Italian are masters of soccer.

Who talks about diving, must be either American, English, or Australian, i.e. soccer-ignorant.

Pedro – wait till tomorrow. Your most “balanced” and cheating team will be shown the real footbal from France.

I also cannot believe I am rooting for France, but they showed such a beatifull footbal against Spain and Brazil, while Portugal and Italy have been disgusting throughout the tournament consistently.

Hope Portugal will behave tomorrow, and there will be no more winks, and theatrical dives, and begging referres for cards.

Zidane, Henry, Riberi, Vierra – show these losers how to play real footbal!

Americans like sports where you have to wear a helmet.

How can you understand anything about soccer, when you watch it once every four years?

To finish… Portugal Italy! We’ll beat italy without needing to be pumped up for strenght as we seen Italian Players doing tonight. Besides from Totti, nobody was tired tonight. wasn’t that a litle weird? After seeing cannavaro being given shots of “something” by his team doctor, in some hotel “home-made” video, and still being alowed to play a semi-final, I can believe anything.

I am not an american :)
You sound more like american, using “soccer” insteaf of footbal

well, thats because of EA Sports ;)

Yea Pedro, you are right to be concerned. Italy has the same dirty tactis as your team, but I guess it all comes down at the end, whose bag is bigger with dirty tricks.

But you dont need to worry, Portugal won’t survive against real time tomorrow. You know why? Because you will have no Argentinian referee as in a match against England.

Portugal will provide a much better opponent to Italy. If we are honest we will agree that Portugal has played each game according to the opponent’s strenghts and weaknesses; each game has been very different. Portugal has shown to be a team that is prepared for any team. By the way of all the teams at the semi-finals Portugal is the one that got the the European final 2 years ago.

well I hope the lack of winks doesn’t mean that ronaldo shall loose a leg in some agressive tackle and nobody argues about it. I know that sometimes its just hard to stop beautifull plays.

Pedro – if Portugal makes it to the final then you need to be concerned about Ronaldo. I dont think you have to worry about tackles against French. From ITaly you can expect anything when referee is not watching — you know that dirty tactics is their invention, right?

Anyway, if miracle happens and Portugal is in the final, I will support Portugal, at least they dont have a history of playing dirty (only this World Cup) while Italy does this all the time.

And let us not forguet were did the final four came from -> LATIN Europe ;) (yes this is for you you English-Bone-Head-Football-Fan)

Ooops you are actually complimenting us now. Sooo soorry :D

YEAH, LATINS RULE!

I guess your idol is Maradona?or perhaps Hugo Chavez? Maybe Fidel Castro?

I see joy and beauty in Cristiano Ronaldo’s play. Just like I saw in Paolo Rossi (when I was 10) and Baggio. Let the beautiful game continue!

Instinct said it’s Italy vs. France in a thrilling final, with Les Bleus winning… But fate may intervene, saying Italy is due for the cycle again… Twelve years cycle, 1970 final: loss;1982: win; 1994: loss; 2006: win.

Personally, I’d like France to win, giving Zidane a swell finale to his career. But again, fate may get in the way, hehe…

yeap your right in all of those you chose… I would add for those Che Guevara, Trotsky, and Salvador Allende! Wake up mate, The witch hunt ended some years ago!

whats the name of the guy from Colombia by the way?

and do stop reading only headlines :D

Italy v France would be ideal.
Allez Zizou!!

Dirk, what constitutes a “bad winner”? I don’t get it.

I have to say that, being Italian, coaching youth soccer here in the States, I wasn’t at all thrilled at the way this World Cup started for Italy (see De Rossi). But then, I saw the way the international press was making HUGE generalizations, stereotyping ALL Italians, etc., that I say WELL DONE AZZURRI!

Cannavaro and co. (the “pizza-eating”, “whining”, “cheating”, “diving” Italians) outran and domineered over the untouchable Germans. That means, my dear Dirk, lots of hours of running, of playing, of studying techniques, schemes, etc., because you can’t make up that stuff on the field.

Everybody else raises their nose at the Italians, like we are “different”. Watch carefully Dirk… same crap all the world over!

And I have to say it here and say it for good: I have not seen other teams in this World Cup control the ball like Italy. They are AMAZING! As a team, not just one or two players, the WHOLE TEAM.

The other team who played like Italy was France vs. Brasil the other day, and then, going back, Turkey.

Yes, I still dream of Turkey, which blew my mind in the last World Cup… Where are they?

Same thing goes to greece ;)

GianLuca, some people simply are meatheads, racist and envious. They watch the first matches and they think that’s how it’s gonna go. But the world cup is a marathon and the true matches start from the 8ths of finals.

You have a great point about Italy and Turkey. Turkey was thrown out by Suiss (in a very dirty manner) at the preliminaries.

Italy had fantastic team play, won most of the one-on-ones in all matches, kept enthousiasm high, didn’t despair, and prepared the matches as to whom they were playing. Rotation of the men was outstanding by Lippi (so far everybody has played).

In the final I think De Rossi will substitute Camoranesi, and I think the youth will come handy in the midfield and the headers.

It seems like Italy will have the 4th World Cup in its 6th final, but again it’s a 50-50% chance. Both France and Portugal are excellent teams.

germany x portugal

you know what does it means ?

go home porto !!!!

Dont know. What I know is that in the last 5 years all the games between Portuguese-French Clubs I remember watching, portuguese won. If you take out Zidane and Vieira, I dont see the chances the other 9 alone could even had…

Porto Monaco 03/04 1 win
Porto Lyon 03/04 2 wins
Porto Marseille 03/04 2 wins
Porto Lens 02/03 2 wins
Benfica PSG 05/06 1 win
Benfica Bordeaux

Gian Luca, I am not talking about the team behavior, but rather that of the fans on here. I believe the Italian team played very well tonight, but I have to say that the reaction of Italian fans to comments on the blogs has been something of a shock. I think if you read most comments you get from germany fans after the game, they were rather complimentary as to the game and the Italian team. By contrast, the magnitutde of Italian comments saying suck this, suck that, German nazis and beasts has been something astounding. Hm, if that is the reaction when Italians win, god forbid we should see what it’s like when they lose. Anyway, it really doesn’t matter; everybody can draw their own conclusions. The best team will win on the 9th and that will be the end of it. I am glad Italy and its fans will be going home on the 9th, regardless of the result.

FORZA ITALY

Italy won by the own way of brave hearts. Don’t care who will be on the opposite side at the final, but to Portugal, I think it’s better to get the 4th WC for Arruzzi.

By the way, speaking on misrepresenting Italy:

Before the Italy-Germany game, on our local Spanish-tongue channel, they showed the ACTUAL video of Frings puching Cruz on the chin, not the one showed ON THIS BLOG (from uTube), which shows Frings lightly slapping Cruz.

As a consequence of viewing that video, bloggers here once more blamed Italian media for over-sensationalizing the scuffle between the two players.

As I said before, Italian newspapers don’t work for FIFA and don’t make FIFA rules, so FIFA must have had their good reasons for suspending Frings.

Allez les bleus! Allez les bleus!
Down with the diving Italians!!!

Sorry, Dirk, I didn’t understand. Yes, there are some idiots on these blogs.

On the other hand, to quote those that come to mind, there was a guy named BARBAR the other day, from Germany, who was making some ignorant remarks on Italians. Not to mention the English fans Phooey and LiverpoolFC on the Australian pages, insulting Italians.

Oh, and I wouldn’t assume all people that post here are necessarily Italian…

Going nanna…

why aren’t any comments on italy’s dopping history, and the fact they dont get tired. Are they Super-men?

Well, not to excuse anyone’s behavior, but I would hope winners could be a litle more magnanimous. I will say, I found most Aussies to be among the fairest and even in their comments of all, even after they lost. In any event, like,I said, it really doesn’t matter. We’ll each take whatever memories we have from this cup (good, bad and neutral).

Italy-France, of course! I mean, come on, what could be better than Zidane vs. Catennacio???

Portugal – Italy will be on match.

Portugal win with score 1-0

Bravo ITALIA.
Justice has DONE for Argentina!!!

ITALIA VS FRANCE FINAL. 1 -0 ITALIA WORLD CUP CHAMPS

hey i got an idea dirk and pedro…how about we stop talking. all you two are doing are throwing more fuel to the fire. Ok you’ll be happy once it’s over so italians can go home. Ok fine good, but we’re proud after a few people have put a stigma on italian soccer that those 23 lads have mad us proud.

i think nesta said it best :

Another member of the Italian squad, Milan defender Alessandro Nesta said when asked about the offending article: “They criticise us for how we are but then they want to dress and eat like us. There is a bit of envy.”

fromt his article

http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=84499

no wonder some “italian” are mad

Hey, foot-ball fan, which kind of idiot are you? Take your hate and envy for Latin people somewhere else !! Where are you from but away? You say you are not American but you write from USA so let us know, if you have any balls at all, what is your nationality and also explain us why you have such hate for the most creative and solar people in the world. And, also, watch Italy win again in the final !!!

giovanni – yes, the most creative liars and cheaters.

I will watch France beating you badly with Zidane, Henry, Vierra showing you how to play beatiful footbal, not the kind you are used to play as a team, and in Italian cheaters league

And also Dirk, you seem so wise and polite, but really you have so little understanding of Italian culture, courage, pride, history and mastery of soccer (football or whatever you want to call it), calcio (the Italian name for it). We invented the game for God’s sake. How many of you know that?
A form of calcio was played in Florence since the Renaissance of even before that.
Dirk you are not aware of our frustrations and why we identify so much in these victories. Yes Germans have shown very good sportmanship, but I can assure you, there is not more generous, loving people than Italians. It is our right to take this moment and be proud of it.
Look how much hate there is above and in other blogs (and I don’t know why when Italian brought beauty, love and light all around the world) and even in soccer we can simply show elegance, but also strength and yes, even some street smart experience. Soccer is made of that too. So why the hate?

Talking about cheaters, football fan, where are you from ? No balls, how I predicted, to tell us?

Yeah, you invented footbal, right. And you are most creative, courageous, proud nation on earth. VIVA ITALIA!

I would partly agree with some of this, if we separate Northern Italy from southern part. Then, maybe. Otherwise, you have too many things to be ashamed of

And to show even more of your ignorance, football fan, do you know how many french players are playing in the Italian cheaters league, as you call it?

separate north from south…what are you, part of la Lega Nord?

And he’s right about the renaissance game but i wouldn’t go as far as saying that we created it but, what ever i’m done. opinions won’t change and most of you will hate…i’m going to bed with a HUGE smile on my face…ciao

giovanni – yes, I know. I also know how many of them are really successful there. Remember Zidane, Henry? Now Vierra? Compare what they have doen for Arsenal, Real, and how they were doing in Juventus.

I also know culture in Italian footbal league… Disgusting…

Be ashamed of what? The Mafia? There is more Mafia in the USA than in Italy. There is Mafia of all kind. Lawyers, Doctors, Lobbiest…In USA nothing is done without buying somebody…
So many of our poets, artists, movie makers, singers, scientists, famous recepies like Pizza are from the south. Please, I beg you, football fan, stop the hate, for your own sake, and read some books.

Knowledge = Love
Ignorance = Hate

hey footbal-fan and dirk diggler

RELAX, it’s just a simple question. We don’t want to hear your biased views on teams you don’t like and why they make you mad.

Just answer Italy-France or Italy-Portugal and end it.

Anyone who gets this bent out of shape over a simple question has a few screws loose.

That said, Italy-France final

I agree, if what they did in the Italian football league is true, it is pretty disgusting. But first of all I think it is the stupid managers that did that. Not the people or the players. Second, do you think that in other countries, there is nothing like that going on? It is just probably because somebody messed up with some of the wrong people that this is coming up. It is just the point of Iceberg of something that probably is going on all over the world. Do you know that the referee that directed Italy Korea few years ago (in Korea, when Italy lost to the host country) got strangely enough, all of the sudden, a beautiful large house just after the game? And he was a not wealthy person at all in his country? This is very well documented.
I’m sure I can find you so many other examples….

Pietro – I am not from Lega Nord, but do you think it is such a bad idea?

Anyway, dont get me wrong, I dont hate Italians. I have many friends Italians. I just hate cheaters and divers and unfortunately all Italian teams that I remember (except maybe from 1978) were full of them.

I am not saying other teams are not doing the same (just look at Argentina, Portugal 2006), but you seem to be teachers of all :). They probably watched old tapes of yours and learned.

Lots of ennemies, lots of glory, :).

VIVA L’ITALIA

By the way! befor we go to final i just want to say goodby to French, thank you for reaching semi-final.

Good on you, empty tins.

You should have win but because of you noise, i better send you home.

jo

I didn’t see any diving at all today. I saw instead German players (that I believe they played a strong game, mostly phyisical, though) hit us continuosly. I hope we were hitting back, but I didn’t see much of that either. Our goals,expecially the one by Grosso, were amazing. He dived, yes, to hit the ball in one of the most beautiful goals of this World Cup and maybe of the any World Cup ever. Ok, enough said, I go to sleep. Let the people envy us how much they want: there are two kind of people Italians and the one that dreams to be Italians (and hate us because they are not).
Ciao (and support us in the final and you can be, even just for a night Italian too, we accept everybody, if you have good intentions). Buona Notte e sogni d’oro a tutti.

Italy v Portugal.

Dumbest question I’ve ever heard!

Italy vs France, of course!

History, rivalry, neighbors – what more can you ask for?

Italy better lose the final they don’t deserve to be there.

Its been really a disgraceful exit for Brazil from the World Cup.It was really a slap on their arrogance and the defensive tactics of their coach.There is no point in blaming the great Ronaldinho,as he had set up many passes for others including Ronaldo(”the best striker”?),but no one was able to convert.It was certainly not his fault that he didnt play for himself.He tried to pass the ball on whenever he got a chance.One could certainly feel that the charm and elegance of Brazil are gradually disappearing,except for a few displays of brilliance from Ronaldinho.It also made one to think that the goal scoring prowess of Ronaldo were just a flash in the pan.Thierry Henry showed why he is the best striker in the world,with that sublime finishing,even though he is awfully distant from his Arsenal form.The fitting final could be between Italy(Oh boy,i couldnt do anything about that) and France (Old is sometimes gold).

Italian guys are real men, they wear pink with pride! I loved the fashions I saw the men wearing when I visited Italy… they might influence fashion a great deal, but a lot of stuff I saw, boys wouldn’t be caught dead in, just about anywhere else.
Anyway, the Italianos were very good… but if les Vieux can hold out and do what they did with Brazil, la squadra azzura hasn’t a chance. Of course, they need to not screw up against Portugal, but I really think the stepover pretty boy is going to find a tough time with a real defense. I think Deco is great, but Figo is tired and Pauletta isn’t enough.
That said, their jersey is my favorite!
Anyway, you guys all talk a lot of trash!!

poopinman do you want a tissue?
Italy only has 1 goal against and thats an own goal. they have gotten better every game even with the scandels/home crowd on their back.
FORZA AZZURRI!! and portugal! FORCA

I would like to see Italy vs France in the final! the french have a more complete game & that make for a better match up for Italy who has proven again that defense is the best offense. Didn’t Brazil make it to the finals before the games started? Oops! that was only their bank accounts going to the world cup finals…better luck in 2010!

Italy vs. Portugal…may the biggest cheater win. Have Ivanov ref it too…pure chaos baby! FORCA CORRUPTION

I mean Nike vs. Puma

I have dreamed Brazil would win the champion again, but probably i will have to see Italy laugh at the end after a match against France.

Argentina supports Italy all the way, after all a lot of our grandpas are Italian!
Forza Azurri!

Forse non sará un canzone
a cambiare le regole del gioco
ma voglio viverla cosi quest’ avventura
senza frontiere e con il cuore in gola
é il mondo in una giostra di colori
e il vento acarezza le bandiere
arriva un brivi e ti trascina via
e scigli in un abbraccio la foglia

notti magiche
inseguendo un goal
sotto il celo
di un state germana
e negi occhi tuoi
voglia di vincere
un’ state
un’ avventura in piu

(From WC 1990, the best World cup song ever)

Italy-France
Italy 3 France 2

The best of the finals would have been Argentina versus Brasil,,,but unfortunately both the teams are out…..Thanks to the stupid spanish refree for not letting it happen…….. for the currebt situation .. i’d say italy vursus france would be the better one….italy are on..lets hope for france as well…….and ya..ITALY will surely win the WORLDCUP

molti nemeci molto onore

I hope Italy-France…
BTW, what about not dropping these comments AFTER the final, and see what all those bragging “I-know-better-than-you” foreseers have to say when they’re actually wrong… I mean, come on, it’s just sports, there’ll be a winner and a looser but it’ll surely be very very close, so there’s NO WAY to be SURE of the outcome… :-S Why don’t you simply enjoy the game ?!

I dont think the teams which criticse portugal and italy for play acting are not saints. Its that they didnt get a chance to act.
Mostly, these suppose to be acting teams are physically weaker than than the suppose to be saints and the latter usually has physical game and it just kills football

Ofcource its going to be Italy vs Portugal.

Now Italy looks very very strong after they beat Germany in semifinal.
———————————
Itly vs Portugal will be more exciting , being full of young players and talents …

Final:Berlin:9thJuly.19:00BST:

cheers,
Raj.

It doesnt matter if France or Portugal, as long as one of those teams wins the Cup.

I dont know why the Englands still blame C. Ronaldo for the red card that Rooney got. Watch the Italian players, those are the real unfair losers. And therefore they must not win the title!

As of right now, I no longer have any of the teams I was rooting for (Brazil). What it comes down to for me now is who plays the game most cleanly. So I reviewed the tapes, saw who got the most cards, fouls, flops, time wasting, and just dirty playing in general.

The results show, I’m rooting for France against Portugal and then rooting for France against Italy.

Joga Bonito

Cheating, diving, lying Italians eh? Sorry, what game were you people watching?! Surely the compliments of Klinsman for the great and fair game that Italy played can not be ignored? And the words of Shevchenko after the Italy-Ukraine game too? These men know a lot more about football than any of us, and they, despite losses to Italy, have praised our football. To all you whiners out there, you are the real losers here; for not enjoying the fine football on show, for not appreciating the sportsmanship displayed by the losing team (hats off – they played a great game) and for that big damned chip on your collective shoulders!

A proud Italian

I’m sure that when Cannavaro first saw that German article, he was so surprised that he fell on the ground, covered his face, and rolled around. Then when the ref came over and told him to get up, he yelled at him for not calling anything.

Marco I agree Italy was great. They deserved to win. I’m just tired of the flopping and whining. If the team didnt do that, I’d support them.

@Eric: Yeah that’s right! Italy really doesnt deserve to win. They played the most boring games, were the badest actors (just let me say Totti) i’ve ever seen, and unfair (de Rossi). And I really cant understand why so many here are supporting them. Just open your eyes and watch the way they play.

France will win the Cup, because Zizou will dominate the midfield, what Ballack missed yesterday. :(

hi sebastian

its sheer class man! Italy is class and they can show whenever at their will!

A real football lover would bear to see all the other things for some few magical moments in field. Like brazil, arg italian has that.. that pedigree!

Quote from M.Ballack “It is very bitter for us to get eliminated like this, one minute from time. It is bitter but not undeserved” … Thats sporting! The Italians could easily be bitter about coverage in a certain segment of the german press, that branded us as “parasites of europe” and promised to serve us “Pizza Arrivederci” but most of us are smart enough to know that there will always be an ignorant minority that spout such offensive, biased and frankly ludicrous sh*te. Infact, many of them seem to post here, eh poopinman, footbal-fan, dirk et all ;-) We proved our class by ignoring the provocations of the single-digit IQ faction, and made our point on the pitch. And for the record most of the germans reacted with similar class and complimented us for our win. I partied hard into the night with many German friends – no animosity just mutual respect and recognition. Grazie Germania x il vostro spirito sportivo ed un belissimo mondiale, e Forza Azzurri!!!!

A proud Italian

Bob, A few weeks ago (before the competition began),you asked the big question regarding the two teams who’d be on the final. I replied that Italy will beat Portugal in the final.

So I hope Portugal get to the final. I’m dying to say “I told you so” :)

“Oranje (06)” and “Justice” are a contradiction in terms…

Contra os francius marchar, marchar!!! FORCA PORTUGAL!!! :-)

Congratulations to ITALY (also to GERMANY for an excellent team and a performance that recently nobody would have believed in – also for the record of not missing a penalty since 1982) and sincerelly hope to meet ITA in the Final…!

azzuri

pedro please get a cluo about soccer, portugal is the most overrated team out their, they are nothing but a dirty team.
did anybody notice the stats about fouls commited, yellow cards, and red cards. SO i ask you mr pedro who was on the top of that list? wait i will answer that for you PORTUGAL!!!!!
So before you think of giving your wisdom on the teams and football get a clue
Well there is one thing portugal can teach the rest of the world,and that is poor sportsmanship and dirty play (figos headbut) good luck to france, go home portugal

PORTUGAL vs ITALIA !!!

let’s eat some croissants today in the Portugal vs France!!!!!! :)

Contra os avecs marchar marchar!!!

FORÇA PORTUGAL!!!

lg, please!! you don’t know nothing about Portugual… so shut up!!

lg, if portugal are so overrated why are they even in the final four. The reason we got that many yellow cards and fouls as from the netherlands game and guess how it all started? from a foul on cristiano ronaldo!!!! Yeah, plus the ref was just a little nuts.

It’s was one game, get over it. We are now called cheaters cause of ONE lousy game that was played with both teams being aggressive. The english game, england committed 21 fouls, Portugal???? 10

Maradona and Messi support Portugal . Maybe because they know a bit about football :)

Portugal-Italy could be a great match. But only if the Italians don’t score first, otherwise they will defend until the last minute and that will ruin the game.
But whoever wins will deserve it, so good luck for ALL TEAMS now, may the best win, and let’s enjoy the last bits of the 20006 Cup!!!

Ig, sounds like you and many of your Canadian friends have a problem with portugal. Why the racial attack. Is it possible to support your team without demeaning others? May the best team win, and if that’s Portugal, so be it. The other teams have had their glory; would it be so horrible to see us get it? I think it would be well deserved. If not, I hope Italy wins so you haters will be silenced. French arrogance and ignorance will undoubtedly be your downfall!!!

The subject of this blog was what would make the better final, Italy-Portugal or Italy-France, instead it has degerated in a name calling frenzy, especially aimed at Italians, Italians are cheaters, Italians are dopers, Italians take dives..blah, blah, blah. Grow up people, if you can’t address the subject keep your ignorant comments to yourselves, because ultimately the game will be decided on the field and the Italian won’t give a shit what each of you think.

Ana, I’m hoping for an Italian Portuguese final, that way if Italy can’t win it will be Portugual. It will be nice to have a first time winner, but don’t be mad if I root for Italy.

I want to apologize about the “Canadian” generalization I made. I went back and realized that many of you spoke well about Portugal. So the comments are for you Ig!

no anna i have no problem with the portuguese, my wife is portuguese.
the only problem i have with the portuguese is their constant excuses when they loose games
LIKE ( they paid off the ref in the euro cup, and every body else getting paid off)why not just admit to the obvious that the other teams are better.
MARIO do you know anything about portugal NO so get rid of the mental block.
Natalie you got there because luck was on your side hol. clearly outplayed portugal
as for the eng. game being a man down eng still out played portugal, i would have like to see the outcome if player count was even as c rinaldo he is nothing but a slobbering baby he should have been decked by rooney

go france!!!!

Can we leave out the usual derogatory references to other comments, y’all? (YOU ALL)

For Portugal:
Gostaria ver o Portugal jogar na final. Eles ainda nâo tem chegado até aí. Boa sorte.

to every body that thinks i am attacking the portuguese, i am not .I am making the comments that i am because being aruond portuguese people i hear the excuses over and over, it becoming anoying, and yes it would be nice to see a new winner for a change. but that is highly unlikely

@LG: Do you know just how many times POR outbeated teams and lost at the end due to the same reason as Spain (only attacking and being naive against more solid temas)? Or, like the dutch, being 1-0 down, attacking like crazys and not scoring? People only remember who wins.

The dutch were 1-0 down. It was their duty to come with everything and score. Not something they should be especially praised for. But sure, van Persie impressed me. Kinda reminded me of Figo, some 10 years ago… Let’s see how far he goes in life… Kuyt is said to go to Arsenal. Let’s see how good he is.

We’re kinda fed up of playing well and loosing. Now we have a coach that managed to solidify the teams defensive manouevers, cos, nowadays it’s how a WC is won. Still, of the last 4, only GER attacked more and were beaten fair by Italy who, for a change, did attack and very well, I must say.

Excuses…? For what? Beating an actually stronger ENG team who, at the end, created less goal chances? Were again over defensive and affraid? For not letting the dirty game the dutch tried to impose, hoping the ref would buy it? At the end both teams lost, in that one.

Truth must be said, it was the first time I saw the dutch being dirty.

Excuses…? Man, get a grip…

So POR bought the ref in 04? That’s why we lost, surelly… And what about the GER vs SWE match and the sending off of the swedish player…? Or Rooney’s stamping Carvalho and then blaming CRonaldo for the card… This says it all, doesn’t it? The way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised to read the FA expects an oficial appologise from Carvalho, for putting his testicles under Rooney’s foot, in a clear attempt of sending him off…

i hope portugal meets italy in the finals, it`ll be one hell of a match! either team deserves to win i cant hate on either forca evropa per sempre:)

If Portugal wins today, I could not be happier. I just can’t respect a team with little if any homegrown talent (France). People can say what they want about Italy, but they have a proud tradition, they play their style, and they WIN. The German media should show the class and grace in defeat that their players did. With Portugal and Italy in the final, I can live with the result.

I have noticed that the German players, even when fouled, got up much quicker. Better physique, better conditioning, or just not meant to be cry babies?

Pedro P, at least you gave me something to laugh about this morning. If the Cup at all refs like the guy from Mexico, I think we’d all be much happier. Since the ref from Mexico probably has many children, perhaps he can train the for the next cup. I am just kidding… I love the way this guy ref’d and I’d like to see a lot more that.

I do not understand why most of the world calls Italians divers and the Italians point fingers to others. Even countries or people that are neutral point out the diving… I guess the Anglos must be tougher by nature and shake of a fall as part of the game. Some people like drama more than football. So it really comes down to: Wanna see some theater, or wanna watch soccer? Well, this year it was theater with an extra encore from Argentina. The needed the curtain lifted one more time… starting a fight after the game is about the worst sportsmanship I have ever witnessed. Even boxers stop after the whistle.

i hope it is France Italy sees in the final. France beat the “proclaimed winners” of the world cup and deserve to make it to the finals. Plus, Portugal has just played dirty football. Nowhere along the lines has there been flat out GOOD soccer played from the Portugal team. Every game there is tons of contraversial calls and what not. that is not football that is lets pretend he did this and he did that so he gets kicked off the field. But it truly doesn’t matter who wins in France vs. Portugal because Italy will easily beat whoever.

I think Portugal is more or less the underdog here, and so was Germany before the cup started. Things can turn around so quickly when it comes to elimination and nobody knows what could happen, from injuries, to bad reffing, to bad hair day (Italy). In my opinion, France deserves to win the rest because they have been reserved in their public attitudes and quietly play a pretty game of football. So, I am saying. France all the way.

pedro if rooney being sent off was for the testicle incedent, then he deserves it, i cant stand rooney he is a bully a probably one of the dirtiest players around, but rinaldo running in there as if the foul happened to him that shows poor sportsmanship, and he will be run out of man united next season

Alvaro:

“If Portugal wins today, I could not be happier. I just can’t respect a team with little if any homegrown talent (France). ”

Shows how much you know about French football and its players mate.

Rico, I know plenty about France’s team. Although I love the international flavor of France and in particular Paris, I think it takes away from the teams tradition and reputation when so many of its players are at the most, one generation removed from another country. Italy is a great example. Love their football or not, it is authentically Italian, mate.

All the French players are French or they would not be playing… Anybody who complains about what generation French is only envious of their great team.

Suzie Q,
Amazing. Based on one expressed opinion, nothing else, you have been able to come up with an “envy” diagnosis and a blanket statement.

Envious of the French? Hell no, I’m Italian, there’s nothing to be evious of.

What is there to envy about French football? They only won the World Cup once. That’s a major accomplishment, the obvious thing would be to envy Brazil, Italy and Germany in that order based upon World Cups won.

France 1 Portugal 0, Half Time

Alvaro is an ignoramus, why all the negative energy?Who cares about where the french players come from? they are french enough for the French people, so why does it bother you? Quit bashing on Suzie Q, who’s very objective in her assesments.
My predictions:
Both Italy and France are dark horses who did not benefit from all the pre-world cup hype. The best two teams are in the finals and its going to come down to the wire. I’d love to see Zidane go out ontop but I know my man Buffon isn’t having none of that.

Italy is the deeper team, they can bring in Del Piero and Inzaghi off the bench. They have the most solid defense and play very tough. They also have the best goalie in the tournament. Italy also has exceeded expectations, so they will be playing loose. Barthez is going to have a tough day at the office and will be severely tested by Totti, del Piero, and Inzaghi(if he gets to play).France plays with more heart and they have better team chemistry, plus play maker extaodinaire, my man Zinedine Zidane and the game’s best striker in ‘enry. Based on X’s and O’s Italy wins the cup, defense wins championships in any sport on any day. But this is soccer, everybody has a chance on any given day, the Azzuri want this really bad and know that this is their best shot in a longtime. The french on the other hand are going to be super inspired in their last at bat with Zidane, I predict the french will win prevail
2-1 , in a thriler, both goals being scored by ‘enry and this is going to be a coming out party for my boy from Arsenal and he will officially be declared the baddest man on the planet!

P.S I love my Italian people, if Italy wins I am going to be equally thrilled.

Finally all roads are heading to Berlin for the grand finale.

France: Team work is missing out and the mid field should be more attacking. Ribery.. playing excellent needs support. Henry you need to support Ribery and Zidane, just standing and watching will not do.
In Semi Final France were just lucky to get away with a penalty, which was not supposed to be. Makelele, stop arguing with your own team member(s), in the middle of the match.

Italy: Had excellent attacking game plan in semi final and striking two goals in a matter of 3 minutes.. wow. Just stick on to the same game plan and you will be the champions against the not-so-energetic France team.

France: A Tired Team
Italy: A Aggresive Team

Italy: Winners of FIFA World Cup 2006

I think the best final would of been U.S.A. vs. Ivory Coast, that would of been sweet, i love Drogba, and Clint Dempsey of the U.S. is grand.

I LOVE ENGLAND!!!!

@LG: Of course Rooney’s sendig off was about the stamping. And what is everybody saying about the Ronaldo thing…? He showed little loyalty to his club, becuase he told the ref “it’s a faul”…? I’m sorry, he was wearing a Portugal shirt. Not a Man Utd… I don’t see it as wrong. Maybe I’d keep my mouth shut, cos there’s no chance in the world is gonna make a decision based on what a player says, and he didn’t really need to exposeslef. But OK…

He still has some 3 WC’s in his legs more… ;-)

Abut the diving…? Well… I can only say Portugal is guilty of not knowing how to do it… Henry did dive in the penalty against Portugal (there WAS contact, though), also dived against Spain and also dived yesterday against Italy… Germany also dived, Italy also, etc…

Nobody talked about it, cos they went home a long time ago, but to those interested, check out the match against The Netherlands, and check out the dutch players, during the entire 90 mins…

If only Portugal had one or two first class strikers… We’d have won it… :-) With or without penalty in the semi against France, POR made enough chances. Just couldn’t score… Can’t complaint. If you can’t score in such a moment… Maybe you have no place in the final…

But Por was a stronger side than France, overall. Not because we dominated the 2nd half (FRA sit back and defended). I am sure if we’d score, after 80 minutes, the French wouldn’t have legs for us and in extyra time we’d win…

It’s a portuguese thing to loose to the french, on a semi final of something… It’s the 4th time in a rough, over the past 22 years…