I missed most of the first half and sounds like that's where a lot of the action was (apparently every game has started at 2:00 pm but they decide to change it for the finals). I thought it was a compelling game with plenty of tense moments. As I was watching, I thought France was the better team, and seemed to be playing to win, they just couldn't find the back of the net. I've said this a hundred times recently, but in soccer the "better" team doesn't always win. Think about the U.S. effort versus Italy. I think most would agree that we out played them even with a man down. Anyway, I hope there will be more coverage of tournaments, qualifying, European games, etc between now and 2010.
A couple of thoughts, as someone who played I can appreciate many of the strategies that are employed in soccer. However, as a fan, I do feel that something needs to be done to get more opportunities on goal. I'm not saying that more goals are necessarily needed, but I'd like to see at least double digit shots on goal from each side. It's just too easy in soccer to "pack it in" and play defense. No matter how good the offense is, there's only so much space to work with. I've been on both ends of the spectrum. The only comparison I can think of is basketball before the no goal tending rule. You'd get a 7 footer and tell him to never leave the front of the basket. I don't think that doing away with offsides should happen, but maybe have a red line or something that would allow offenders to push up some. Also, I heard a discussion yesterday about how coaches have little impact once the game starts. Sure they make some decisions about the 3 subs, but that's about it. I'd like to see them adjust the substitution rule, allowing two re-entries per game and one more in OT. We had a version like this in college and it prevents free substitution like hockey, but it allows for a little more strategy, resting players, talking things over with them, etc. Am I not being a purist??
As for Zidane, reading about his history, it doesn't sound surprising. There was definitely no excuse so I'm not trying to defend him here, but soccer just has a different passion to it, especially at that level. I've seen much worse, obviously not in that kind of spot, but I've played with a lot of foreigners who've done things that would make Ron Artest look like a choir boy. Still, Zidane is the captain and arguabley the best player in the world over the last 8 years. He put himself before his team, and country for that matter. Now there saying that Maturazzi said something awful that provoked Zidane to retaliate like that. Again, no excuse. People are so sensitive. I mean, you guys have made some comments about my mom that could have led me to crack you in the squirrel pack but I kept my cool and was the bigger man.
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It is interesting to see that given the same set of playing rules for many many years, most teams have evolved to playing a 4-5-1 formation, leaving a single striker up top. It shows that defense and a hard pressing midfield play (i.e. counter-attack) wins games. James, a question to you, what would you change about the game to encourage more offense? I think I would remove offsides once the ball is in the 18 box.
I definitely don't think offsides should be done away with, but I think that would be the easiest thing to modify to increase attacking. Like I said, I don't need more goals, I'd just like to see more opportunities. As a keeper, you're probably thinking there's enough shots at high speed coming at you. I believe my other suggestion, modifying the substitution rule, would help as well. Some of those guys just looked spent.
I believe I just like the fact James used the term Squirrel Pack on the blog.
France was definitely the best team once the round of 16 began. They played an agressive style of play, pushing the action at all times. Zidane should be ashamed of himself for the head butt. Everyone in Europe, the fans, all talked afterwards about how everyone knows the Italians are the poorest sports on the continent and how they go over the line all the time with their comments. How on earth do you let yourself get suckered in like that...with five minutes left in the World Cup final...when the game is tied...and it's your LAST GAME EVER??????????? He had played so brilliantly in every match I saw, I absolutely hated it for him. But he most certainly deserved the red card.
James, I wish I could meet you at the beach man...the town we're in right now, Brno in the Czech Republic, sucks balls. We're off to Vienna tomorrow morning and then Denmark after that. Some news from Atlanta - looks like we sold the condo. We have accepted an offer and it is just pending the inspection. Closing will be one week to the day after we get back to the US. Crazy huh. Welcome home...now find a job and a place to live and move all your crap out of the house. Yikes. But it's definitely better to get rid of the joint. Now we can move it on up, to a deluxe three bedroom house in the burbs. Peace out.
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