Football: WORLD CUP 06 and close season/transfer discussion.

[Flabio]

What I meant was, if they're taking teams out of the competition (and there's at least one, cause the Greeks are definitely banned this year) then the extra places have to come from somewhere...

[No Name]

What a way to end a fantastic career! Everyone on the BBC is going on about how they can't understand why he did it, how he must be feeling, and so on. But the guy's a maverick. And that was one of the best headbutts I've ever seen: I don't think Materazzi was feigning agony.

Glad Italy won, but it wasn't a patch on their semi against Germany.

[Dio]

I'd have thought they'd rearrange to promote more places out of the existing qualifying, myself...

[Dio]

And that was one of the best headbutts I've ever seen: I don't think Materazzi was feigning agony.

A little high for the solar plexus, so I think a chunk of it on the floor was faked, but the straight knock-down was quite real I think.

[GeeZa]

I thoroughly enjoyed this tournament, and I think Italy deserve to be Champions. Cannavaro may well be the best captain I have seen in years, what a player. A total disaster for Zidane, a miserable way to say goodbye to world football. I kinda feel sorry for him, a moment of madness at the worst possible time. My fave team were still probably Ghana.

Now at least we can get back to talking about Magilton in charge of Ipswich. 1-1 against Boston United this week wasn't great though was it?

[Dio]

So, that's the world cup all over.

InterToto cup game Saturday then . And this year my season ticket will finally be in my own name!

[No Name]

And that was one of the best headbutts I've ever seen: I don't think Materazzi was feigning agony.

A little high for the solar plexus, so I think a chunk of it on the floor was faked, but the straight knock-down was quite real I think.

But the power and timing of it! It was incredible. He was like a bull. Honestly, I think that's a great way to go: Up yours, FIFA! I'm retiring, I've been a genius, and you can fuck off.

Probably not what went through his head at the time, mind.

[fog]

So, that's the world cup all over.

InterToto cup game Saturday then .

And the season begins with exactly the same question as last year. Who the hell is going to play up front for us?

Unlike last year though things are so bad I'd even be happy to see Ameobi put in an appearance

[PaulEMoz]

But the power and timing of it! It was incredible. He was like a bull. Honestly, I think that's a great way to go: Up yours, FIFA! I'm retiring, I've been a genius, and you can fuck off.

Never thought about it like that. Fucking brilliant.

On the other hand, it was also utterly mental. Who'd have thought that the best player of this generation was really just a higher-class Duncan Ferguson?

Anyway, looking back on it, I've enjoyed this World Cup, by and large. The standard of play dropped a bit once the knockout stages arrived, but I've still been enthralled pretty much every step of the way.

Now, let the transfer talk begin!

[aureole]

He almost, almost got away with it too- I think he ran off and scoped it out, then thought "fuck it".

Yay for Italy though.

[No Name]

On the other hand, it was also utterly mental. Who'd have thought that the best player of this generation was really just a higher-class Duncan Ferguson?

Football is a wonderful game.

[Dio]

Honestly, I think that's a great way to go: Up yours, FIFA! I'm retiring, I've been a genius, and you can fuck off.

Actually you've got a point there. And it seems to me it's a tremendously French way to go.

[Dio]

Now, let the transfer talk begin!

I think it's time for this thread to move on to the archives. I'm talking about the InterToto and feeling like it's next season starting already....

[PaulEMoz]

Hurray!

[goldfish]

So what do we think Materazzi said?

Simon