World Cup Wrap-Up

So the World Cup's over, and a few points want to be made

• It was there for the taking - all sides had major flaws, and it just goes to show that teams can peak too early (or not at all)
• The formation fad was to play with one striker on his own, and the tournament was overly negative and dull as a consequence. For me this World Cup (on the pitch) was characterised by strikers who were either unfit (Ronaldo, Owen), shit (Pauleta, Toni) or left up on their tod utterly exposed (Henry, Rooney, Shevchenko)
• But events on the pitch become insignificant compared to the true tale of the tournament - bad refereeing and bad sportsmanship. Graham Poll takes the biscuit for his complete disintegration, and Christiano Ronaldo's diving last night hit a new low.
• At least though we can have a break from the press. The standard of commentary and journalism has been abysmal, culminating in today's Sunday Times

Why didn't he do that at Everton? Marco Materazzi
Why doesn't he do that at Everton? Nuno Valente

If they're talking about being erratic, he was. If they're talking about being modest and capable, he is. Muppets.

• On to Zidane, and the incident that will inevitably be remembered as the talking point of the final. Regardless of whatever Materazzi did or said, mental strength is as much part of the game as physical abilty. If it's ok for a team to target a goalkeepers aerial fallibility by sending in lots of crosses, it's ok to sledge. Sledging is great, and should never be punished.
• Cannavaro lifted the World Cup. He deserved to. I was impartial for the final but as a football fan I wanted him to be the winning captain. He was awesome throughout.
• But forget the football - it's been disappointing. Just over-paid and over-hyped knobheads under-achieving. The most valuable part of this World Cup has been the fashion parade performed by the BBC pundits. Every night i've rejoiced in how Linekar, Hansen, Wright, O'Neil, Leonardo, Desailly, Chiles, Dixon, Shearer et al have cemented a contemporary sense of style. They - as a team - have stumbled emphatically upon the hallowed middle ground between business suit and smart-casual. A sublime teaming of smart (yet comfortable) trouser with an open-neck, neutral, vertically striped shirt. Note that these aren't simply office shirts worn without a tie. The collar is designed to be open neck, the colour is understated but the cut is modest yet stylish. All very Daniel Hechter, and perfectly appropriate for someone seeking a blend between academia and business school - just add a cardy!

Comments

[dearieme]

But surely you were pleased to see the outcome of Big Dunc's secret coaching of the French team?

[Andrew Mellor]

I too have been disapointed by this world cup. I'm no football expert, but suffice it to say that I just don't think there have been enough gripping games. But I'm not complaining. Why? Because it's the most enjoyable 'free' event that exists, and the BBC coverage is enough to make you want a souvenir video. I'm going to miss that shot of the two-sided glass-walled studio overlooking the pale stone of Berlin's most exclusive hotel and the formidable silhouette of the Brandenburg gate, with Gary and the boys taking you through the days events with the perfect seasoning of humour - enough to make the BBC Breakfast team look like ill-talented amateurs. And then there's the fans, the anthems, the characters, the allegations and the excuse to go to different parts of London because tehre's a Dutch bar or a Mexican bar there, and more than that, the 'sorry, I can't make that performance - it's Saudi Arabia versus Ukraine tonight'.

[SL]

With the help of Italian lip-reader Arturo Belladini, we can reveal what drove Zidane to self destruct:

Materazzi was seen to hold Zidane's shirt on the edge of the penalty box in extra-time at which point Zidane said

"if you want my shirt so bad you can have it"

Materazzi responded

"I dont want your shirt you m***** f*****. you're a f****** old man"

As they jog away Zidane is seen to laugh at this and it is unclear how he responded due to him having his back to the TV camera

Materazzi then hit a volley of abuse

"you should've quit 2 years ago, you're a f****** has-been"

"m***** f*****! your mum is a f****** muslim terrorist and you are too ,

f*** your old man f*** you"

"old man, this arena is not for you anymore m***** f*****"

Zidane carries on jogging away

"you are only good enough for Everton now"

[AJE]

The real story is much better:

Materazzi told Gazzetta dello Sport that Zidane's sister was the subject.

He said: "I was tugging his shirt, he said to me 'if you want my shirt so much I'll give it to you afterwards,' I answered that I'd prefer his sister."