The Team of the Tournament Thus Far
The BBC has taken player ratings as submitted by viewers and put together a Team of the Tournament. They limit the team to players who are still left in the competition and who have made at least three appearances. The results are quite interesting.
The Beeb readers see it this way:
Shovkovskiy (Ukr)
Ayala (Arg), Carvahlo (Por), Cannavaro (Ita), Lahm (Ger)
Kalinichenko (Ukr), Ballack (Ger), Riquelme (Arg), Figo (Por)
Shevchenko (Ukr), Klose (Ger)
Noticeably absent from this team are any players from England, Brazil and France. Off the top of my head, I would say Hernan Crespo, Kaka, Joe Cole, and Maniche all probably deserve a spot on this team.
Using the same criteria with just players that are left in the World Cup, what would be your team of the tournament?
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 37 comments.
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By Matt | June 29th, 2006 at 9:20 pm 
Maniche is a solid pick, but so would any one of a number of center mids in this tourney. I can’t remember there ever being so many excellent performances in the center of the park: Frings, Alonso, Mascherano, Vieira…so many good ones. But still not one from the best center mid in the world, Lampard. Maybe this weekend…
Posted from 
United States
By Matt | June 29th, 2006 at 9:21 pm For more World Cup talk, check this out:
http://worldsoccerblogger.blogspot.com
Posted from United States
By Jewish guy | June 29th, 2006 at 10:48 pm Brazilian renowned journalist Juca Kfouri tells to ARG and BRZ to be careful
Brazilian renowned journalist Juca kfouri says that FIFA is very affraid of seeing Brazil lifting their sixth trophy
He says that FIFAґs president Joseph Blatter fears that this would give even more power to the president of Brazilian confederation Ricardo Teixeira who wants to bid for Blatterґs place in 2007 FIFAґs elections
In a conversation in “off” with a journalist, Blatter said he feels he was betrayed by Teixeira and started to mention that there are other options for 2014 WC, a Cup that was pretty much assured for Brazil.
Both barely talk to each other in the World Cup Groupґs drawing.
He also says that FIFA is affraid of Brazil winning a sixth title in Germany would make them favorites to win a seventh title in South Africa 2010 (Brazil is the only country to win Cups outside of their continent) and then a HUGE favorite to win a eighth title in Brazil 2014 which would ruin FIFA biggest product. .the World Cup, who could becomea predictable and boring competition like Formula 1 after Schumacher dominated for some years.. and that FIFA DOESNT want a southamerican team winning the cup in Europe, because it would diminish the interest of european people (FIFAґs main market) in the competition…
He says that both Brazil and Argentina now should pay attention to bad calls.. because until now, FIFA had no interest in former champions to went down (seeing how the 2002 WC was lame), but now is a different scenario and for FIFA, a France vs Germany or Germany vs England final is so much interesting (economically, politically and for the good of World Cup) then an Argentina vs Brazil final.
And after refereeґs scandals in Germany 2004, Brazil 2005 and Italy 2006, we shouldnt be so cetic about corruption in football.. he confirms he has his reasons and confidencials informations to believe in this.
Posted from United States
By Frank Lupini | June 29th, 2006 at 11:05 pm Brazil has never won in Europe and never will
Posted from United States
By Frank Lupini | June 29th, 2006 at 11:09 pm Regarding, referees:
I believe to make the sport more credible- they must utilize to a limited amount video replay - otherwise, the officiating can always be of suspect when there is so much money and interest involved.
Posted from United States
By Frank Lupini | June 29th, 2006 at 11:18 pm Note: How no one is talking about Italy. This is how they prefer it. But notice also, that they will be in the semi-finals against Argentina or Germany and note also that no one has scored a goal against them in this world cup.
Remember that in the last three of the four World Cups Italy was eliminated not on the field during official game time- regular time and overtime-, but they were eliminated only on kickoffs. This applies for in ITALY 1990 semifinals with Argentina, in USA 1994 Final against Brazil, in France 1998 Quarter finals against France.
Italy has the worlds best Defense - all they need to do is score one goal and they move on, because no one can score against them.
Watch for Italy in the Final - Brazil will like be eliminated before then.
Posted from United States
By Zé | June 29th, 2006 at 11:44 pm Frank Lupini: so your side of the universe skipped 1958? Funny, because mine didn’t, and Brazil ended up being the World Champions on Sweden.
Posted from 
Brazil
By gino | June 29th, 2006 at 11:55 pm argentina will win tomorrow. the media is overlooking argentina and saying germany will win
Posted from United States
By Alex | June 29th, 2006 at 11:58 pm Jewish Guy:
Ha! Looks like Brazil are making excuses before they even step on the pitch! Incredible.
Posted from United States
By Chu | June 30th, 2006 at 12:16 am How about Sagnol at the back? He played a fantastic game against Spain and if you want a back that plays back then he would have to be considered for the team of the tourney. We will have to see how he handles the Brazilians though!
Posted from 
Australia
By O Grande Trinco | June 30th, 2006 at 12:27 am Good poll, I’d move Figo to right (I mean he has played on right, on left and even in the middle for Portugal) and pick Joe Cole for my left. I’d also throw Miguel at right-back as he has been faboulous on both ends of pitch.
Ronaldinho and Kaka have yet to dominate like they can, lookout France.
As for France, they only recently turned, it up, Viera comes close to being on my team but Riquelme and Ballack is probably fair.
England has had moments of brilliance but only J. Cole has been good throughout and plus his goal was quite the cracker!
Posted from 
Canada
By Eric Phillips | June 30th, 2006 at 12:42 am Frank Lupini,
_Italy_ can score against Italy.
Posted from United States
By Kiko | June 30th, 2006 at 1:24 am Shovkovskyi
Ayala- Cannavaro-Carvalho-Miguel
Figo-Ballack-Maniche-Joe Cole
Klose- Henry
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By leo | June 30th, 2006 at 1:45 am People don’t see the true talent! This kid Schweitseiger is amazingly good, but they put Lahm??? And to leave Kaká out… he’s an exquisite, hard working player. For someone like Figo, why not?… it’s arguable, but I think they are trying to honor Figo’s glorious yet unfortunate past. Ballack tries to be classy. He’s okay at it. But all of the Brazilian players are 100 times better. Robinho, Zé Roberto, Gilberto, even Ricardinho and of course Kaká. Dissing Brazil is as ditsy as hoping England wins (for people who aren’t British). It’s ridiculous. They walk on the field and win by a landslide. They are just waiting for someone to push their buttons. I don’t know if anyone can… hopefully, cause that will show us a true Brazil. Argentina has amazing talent, but is playing way too cautious for me to respect it yet. Brazil on the other hand is the complete opposite. It has to be somewhere in the middle, I hope both these teams figure that out in these important rounds. The final, if there is a Football God, should be BRA-ARG. Italy, like always, has some wonderful people on their team… but play far below their true capacity. Schevchenko is the only thing close to a good player on the starting team of Ukraine. But Mr. Milevskyi could easily become his successor. I’d like to see more of Milevskyi, man, he’s good. And more of Messi! Come on, Pekerman. Qué te pasa!
Posted from 
France
By leo | June 30th, 2006 at 1:49 am oh yeah… and for France, Zizou. That’s about it. Well no… Zizou and Thuram. My two favorite French players of this dying era, by far. Ribery runs a lot. It’s nice to see. Viera is an elegant player. I like him too, but he’s a little easy to fluster. Henry has some fine qualities, but in my opinion he should stick to playing in the English league where defenses are weak. He also lacks a real knack for team play . I think France is more dangerous without him or placing him in a more ambivalent position. As an only forward, he doesn’t do the job.
Posted from France
By Mahdi | June 30th, 2006 at 2:04 am No Arjen Robben or Fernando Torres?
By Fed | June 30th, 2006 at 2:51 am Mahdi,
the team has to be of players who are still in the tournament, both robben and torres’ teams got eliminated. i think they both wouldve made it though.
my team:
abbondanzieri
cannavaro, ayala, lahm, cafu
vieira, mascherano, maxi, riquelme
messi crespo
Posted from United States
By Fed | June 30th, 2006 at 2:57 am on second thought:
burdisso, ayala, heinze, sorin
mascherano,aimar,riquelme,maxi
messi crespo
that’s what i would have atleast. and i wish tevez could play as well, too many good players
Posted from United States
By Luis Paulo | June 30th, 2006 at 3:33 am you gotta be kidding Bob… these Ukr guys sucks.
Buffon
Miguel, Canavarro, Ayala and Lahm
Figo, Beckham, Zé Roberto and Riquelme
Klose and Robinho
By Observer | June 30th, 2006 at 4:30 am Shovkovskiy in goal? Perhaps as a back up to Buffon or Dida.
-Brazil is overhyped and have only succeeded in winning their last 2 World Cups due to a huge helping hand from the FIFA officials who have allowed Brazil offside goals, awarded them undue PKs, like for tackles outside the box, called off good goals by the opposition, allowed Brazil’s goalkeepers to come off the line early, the list goes on. No other team has benefitted from bias/corrupt officating than Brazil. People are singling out Italy these days for that unfair PK they got againt Australia. It is doubtful that all this attention and criticism of that PK is due to the circumstances under which it was given but rather because it was awarded to rather than against Italy. Where were these same people when Italy were legitimate goals back in World Cup 2002 which resulted in Italy “losing.” They were probably busy cheering Italy’s departure. Hypocrites.
Posted from Canada
By ErikJStrand | June 30th, 2006 at 4:59 am “Brazil has never won in Europe and never will”
…except Stockholm 1958.
Posted from United States
By dirk | June 30th, 2006 at 5:48 am If Italy should make it to the finals, it would be a shame for beautiful soccer. Argentina, Brazil and Germany play soccer as a game to be enjoyed. Italy only knows how to play defense.
Posted from United States
By John | June 30th, 2006 at 6:00 am Hey, great defense is beautiful to behold! Nothing is more annoying than watching a team like Ghana (who I like and hope to see in 2010) explode down the field after winning a ball or on the counter-attack, only to hit shot after shot too high or wide. It’s like buying a delicious double-dip ice cream cone and dropping it on the sidewalk as you bend your head down for the first lick. ARGH!
By muzza79 | June 30th, 2006 at 7:55 am Lucas Neill (Centre-back) for Australia deserves a mention
Posted from Australia
By Sonny | July 4th, 2006 at 4:41 pm WHERE THE HELL IS ZIDANE?
Posted from 
Uzbekistan
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