Some Sunday Soccer Thoughts

A rare Sunday post to report that my wife and I are utterly worn out after watching the World Cup final with 250 other folks at a public party at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.  We went with my wife's best friend, who is entirely of Calabrian descent and a passionate Italy fan, and so we all rooted for the Azzurri. 

It was not a beautiful match, but a watchable one nonetheless.   Unlike many football fans, I've always accepted that penalty kicks are part and parcel of the game; perhaps it comes from my love of American football, where games are frequently settled by field goals.   On the whole, the better team won -- France did not deserve to be awarded the penalty that they were given in the opening minutes, and Italy's goal was a splendid and fair one.  The play of the entire Italian defense was sublime. On the other hand, Thierry Henry positively sparkled and the Italian offense disappeared in the last hour of the match. 

I will say that this was the first time since 1982 (when Germany beat France in the semis) that a World Cup penalty shootout has gone my way.   England's exits via shootout in 1998 and 2006 were both heartbreaking, and I wept for Roberto Baggio when he famously missed his penalty here in Pasadena in the 1994 final.  Today it seems that the footie deities have issued divine compensation.  Early prediction: England beats Argentina on penalties in the 2010 WC final in South Africa.  One can hope.

I've been a sports fan since childhood, and in thirty years of watching every imaginable athletic activity (this was the seventh World Cup final I've seen on TV), I cannot think of any incident as shocking as Zinedine Zidane's mindless, inexcusably violent head-butt in the latter stages of today's match.  It's as if in the midst of their last Super Bowl appearances, Joe Montana or John Elway were to have viciously kicked a poor defensive lineman in the groin.  I've never seen an athlete of such caliber completely lose his head in circumstances as vital and important as these.  It strikes me as one of the most self-destructive moments I've ever seen in sport.  No words -- no matter how ugly or vicious -- could have justified the violence and thoughtlessness of Zidane's reaction.  I'm sad for how this will forever color his legacy.

Another thought: I think the USA ought to remind everyone that they were the only team in Germany 2006 not to lose to Italy.  I have no great love for American soccer, but in hindsight, the American heroics on June 17, where they drew the Italians despite being down to only nine players, were indeed impressive.

My heart is already turning towards another Premiership season (with my heart firmly at St James' Park) and Euro 2008.  Here's to Wales and Scotland both qualifying, and to England pulling out a famous victory.

It's been a hell of a month.  When this World Cup began on June 9, my father and my Matilde were still alive; in the thirty days since this tournament began, I've lost them both.  I've watched a lot of soccer through my tears these past few weeks, and in years to come, thoughts of Germany 2006 will always be tinged with the memory of great loss.

Comments

[Mac]

I watched this game mainly because I wanted to see Zidane's final game. He had made so many contributions to the sport and was respected for his play and leadership. I was stunned to see his actions that led to his dismissal. I wonder how the game would have ended if he was still playing for the last 10 minutes or for the penalty shoot-out.

[David Thompson]

Another thought: I think the USA ought to remind everyone that they were the only team in Germany 2006 not to lose to Italy.

Why? Displaying a minimal level of competence isn't something to boast about.

[Douglas, Friend of Osho]

So that was Zidane's swan song? Well, I'll look at the bright side: no more football field-sized billobards bearing his likeness, ruining the walls of Marseilles' old town. Glad to see adversity hasn't had too much of an effect on your writing, old Padre. Cheers from the old Breaker.

[Delurking for a minute]

Hey the only reason USA "didn't lose" to Italy was because Italy scored a goal for them, remember? It was an italian who scored against his own team.

I heard that Matteratzi tweaked Zidane's nipple as he muttered something in his ear. There's some Youtube footage floating around showing him do that.

[Joy]

It's speculated that Zidane was verbally provoked, probably by a racial slur, since he is of Moroccan descent.

However, I don't think him being there for the penalty shoot-out would have changed the outcome. They would have still missed that one penalty..

I just feel sad because that's a horrible way to end a career. He couldn't even come on the field and accept his silver medal..

[Hugo]

I'm the last person to defend a racial slur, but as every athlete knows, "trash-talking" is part of the game. How often over his career must Zidane have heard the same nasty remarks? It still is bewildering to me.

[kate.d.]

hugo, that's what i'm wondering as well. i'm sure zidane has heard filth and slander the likes of which we can't even imagine - he couldn't have tolerated it for another 20 minutes before the end of his career?

i said on sunday that maybe he was exhausted to the point of delusion or something. there's just no rational explanation for it.

[bmmg39]

"Unlike many football fans, I've always accepted that penalty kicks are part and parcel of the game; perhaps it comes from my love of American football, where games are frequently settled by field goals."

I like field goals; I like penalty kicks. But I can't stand shootouts. I hate them in field hockey; I hate them in ice hockey; I hate them in soccer. It's the equivalent of holding a slam-dunk contest in lieu of a basketball overtime.

[Zoka]

Hello All,

What do you think, if Zidane was not to hit Materazzi in that finals game would the outcome be different? Would the French have enough strength to actualy score?

I believe that nothing would have changed!

Cheers

Zoka

Zidane Game