2006 WORLD CUP -- Semifinals start -- Germany v. Italy

MLSnet.com ^ | 7-3-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The Germans and Italians meet in Dortmund on Tuesday (2:55 p.m. ET, ESPN) to play for the right to go to the World Cup Final on Sunday. The loser will play in the third-place game Saturday against the losing team of the other semifinal to be held Wednesday.

[UKRaddell]

Isn't it a horrible thought?
Lippi, the world is counting on you.

[Tanniker Smith]

It sounds like marching bands passing by my house!

In reality, it's lines of cars on the avenues and up and down the streets, honking horns, waving flags. Some of them are standing up through the sun roofs. But seriously, I don't know where the percussion is coming from.

(Good thing I didn't tape the game. There's no way I could have watched it tape-delayed and NOT know the outcome in advance.)

[wolf78]

There were one or two fouls against the German team that the ref overlooked, maybe they were referring to that. After the horrible performance of some other refs, I got the impression that the commentators were at least happy that he let the teams play. They (the commentators) at least weren't crying foul all the time.

P.S.: 853x480 is widescreen NTSC, if I recall correctly. Standard NTSC is 640x480.

[romanesq]

Well Italy will be there. Would not write off a solid Portugal side though.

Oh how I love the World Cup on the 4th of July.

[UKRaddell]

Congratulations my friend and hope you're having a great day over there.
As the Brit officer in "The Great Escape" would say "how are you getting on without us?"
I believe McQueen's reply was "Just fine sir, just fine".
Too true!

[romanesq]

Thank you and wish you were joining us for a grand finale.
We stand with our fine allies, always and forever!

[UKRaddell]

"We stand with our fine allies, always and forever!"

Beautiful!
I had great fun with this moonbat in the pub during the US/Italy game. There were only two of us supporing the US and this girl launches into a broadside about US imperialism, George Bush, Tony Blair and all the usual stuff.
"How can you support the US" asks she.
"Well, you see, it doesn't really matter who wins" I said. "This is not a real World Cup game; its a friendly between members of the coalition".
Then her jaw hit the floor.
Surprisingly, this moonbat has left me alone since that night!

[cartan]

I've been watching in Berlin, too, amidst a big crowd at the Siegessäule. They were showing the ZDF commentary there, and I don't recall anybody claiming that the ref did anything wrong, at least nothing terrible. In fact, after Germany lost, people didn't even seem to be particularly upset. The Italians played a bit better. Not much, but a little. And there is simply no reason to complain about anything, least of all the ref. When I got home, I went to the Döner shop around the corner to buy two Weißbiers. Inside the shop, I stood next to an elderly Italian. He shook my hand. I said “Good game.” He said “Yes, good game indeed.” Let's leave it at that.

[OldFriend]

Ah, my daughter was at that last game at Giants Stadium.

She said the raw emotion in the stadium was like nothing she could have imagined.

Yes, there were tears streaming down the faces of both teams' fans.

It was a shocking upset for sure. I do hope Italy wins it all this time.

We have also seen Pele play an exhibition game at Giants Stadium in the 80s.

Hadn't realized he made demeaning comments.......shame on him.

[OldFriend]

Sour grapes from the Germans, for sure. This was the best ref in the entire competition. He allowed them to play the game. They're grown men and not hollywood wannabe's.

PLAY ON!!!

[OldFriend]

LOLOL......best comeback.....a friendly between members of the coaltion!!! LOL

[lasereye]

I thought the first 90 minutes and first overtime period were pretty even with maybe a slight edge to Germany. Without Italy's goaltender Buffon playing the game he did Germany would probably have won. That's the conclusion of the summaries I've read as well.

In the final period (before Italy scored) the announcer noted Germany seemed exhausted possibly because their previous game against Argentina went through 2 overtimes as well. Italy's quarterfinal opponent Ukraine was far easier than Argentina.

[UKRaddell]

I have to say I thought Germany would win. But, over the whole thing, I couldn't argue with the outcome.
Spoke to my dad at half-time; "this will be 2-0 to Italy son".
I should listen to him more often!

[Gaetano]

my posting made two weeks ago:

It is in fact a better side than any seen since the 1994 WC.

I ask, compared to the US or for that matter the world:

Is there a better central defensive team than Nesta and Cannavaro ?

Is there a more dangerous striker than Luca Toni ?

Is there a more creative and dangerous trequartista than Totti ?

Is there a better defensive midfielder than Gattuso ?

Is there a better goalkeeper than Buffon ?

Is there a better coach tactician than Lippi ?



48 posted on 06/15/2006 10:10:29 AM EDT by Gaetano

[romanesq]

Now that's some funny shite.

[romanesq]

You Sir are correct!
Forza!

[ElPatriota]

(FROM some website)Klinsmann lives in Newport Beach, an easy drive to the federation's national training facility at The Home Depot Center complex in Carson. He has lived in the States since 1998 and is good friends with Arena, often attending practice or talking tactics with him. Klinsmann took much of what he learned in the States and controversially applied it to the German national team, everything from fitness workouts to overall organizational philosophies.

My my what a small world... Who would have known we had such a proven great player and good couch as of lateJuergen Klinsmann, living in the US since 1998!! according to this article... And I am DELIGHTED to hear the US soccer federation is thinking of getting to couch the US. This is *** FANTASTIC *** News.

For some reason... I wanted Italy to win today, and when they did I could not help feel sorry for the Germans....I feel your pain friends... so close yet gone!... sad for them I am sure, as it was to the US... or the Argentineans... or Brazilians... or Australians... or Japensee or Koreans... or everyone who had real expectations of doing great... sad indeed. There is no next year, but 4 painful years to think of the failures and get another chance at it. As France goes, darn!...I hate that they have such a great team... Zidane!... what a PLAYER... and Henri!.... BUT, considering they way they embarrassed Brazil, they deserve to win. Actually they played beautiful, efficient yet artistic soccer...almost perfect soccer, a mixture of latin and fast vertical European soccer... the way I hope US will play some day. So even though I dislike you France, I hope you win. But I also like Portugal!... so, let the best team win :).. how about that? Go JUERGEN KLINSMANN!!!!!!!! GO U.S.A!!!!!!!!

[romanesq]

Bruno is avenged.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0,,1806304,00.html

[Marcaurelio]

"Hadn't realized he made demeaning comments.......shame on him."

Yes, he (Pele) made comments in the stadium and to the press immediately after the final (Italy-Germany 3-1)to the effect that Italy did not deserve to win.

The occasion at Giant stadium was a football match between world-against-someone, or one similar match.

I'd really love to hear what he has to say about this semi-final and, God forbid, if Italy wins the final.

[Rummenigge]

Congratulations,

after 118 minutes your guys just did it. Earned - fair.

Now they shouldn't dare loosing the last one - or we rename Pizza in Freiheitskuchen.