Woo yeah, go Portugal! I can already see MSN names in my list expressing either cheers or frustration.

I can actually understand Rooney's anger, considering how aside from playing good football, Portugal's players tend to roll on the grass screaming without having as much as a scratch inflicted upon them. The self-proclaimed foul on Maniche was of particular oddity: the English player touched Maniche's shoulder for a split moment, after which Maniche threw himself on the ground and started rolling on the grass, all the while screaming and holding onto his face. :D

The commentators said something a la:"Well apparently he has a wacky nerve on his shoulder." I'd sure like to know how the English commentators commented on that.

All in all, I'm happy about the outcome. It is amusing to follow Portugal's team: in addition to seeing smooth playing, we also get to see something else, call it pettiness or a theatrical approach or whatnot. :D


France - Brazil coming up, oy-oy-oy!

Funny thing is the ref seems not to have noticed this, and sent him off for the push for Cristiano Ronaldo, in that respect it was a bit harsh, but for what he did before he did deserve it.

Portugal didn't seem to have the best sports manship, like you said diving and always little niggiling fouls pushing, little kicks, not that bad in themselves, but persistant.

As for penalties, great keeping from Ricardo, althoug a couple of the shots weren't the best.

Trivia:

What have Italy and Saudi Arabia teams got in common (that none of the other participating teams have)?

I give up.

Hint: the answer can be found on wikipedia

Haven't found anything.

Kudos to the froggies. Thank goodness we don't have to listen to that samba crap anymore. They have celebrated enough, time for a new champion.

Only European teams left now. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Arse, I'd drawn Brazil in a sweep stake, both the teams I had an interest in knocked out in one day :( Could have won £50 quid too...

My friend from Brazil threatened my life if I ever brought up the word France. It was a great game, though the Brazilian defense didn't patch all the open areas, it was a matter of time the French scored. You're dead on johnny, it is past time to pass on the torch. I hope the French win the cup.

[ 07-01-2006, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: Sythe ]

Rooney was red carded for pushing Cristiano Ronaldo no? The ref didn't do anything until he pushed him. I don't understand why he should pushed his own ManU teammate. I reckon they'll never talk to each other again once they are back in Old Trafford. Like the commentetor said, 50 days of cubicle healing and a minute of madness ended England's hope.

Why did Beckham cried when he was substituted? Didn't he know that it was a bad omen to cry before the macth ends? Oh well..

And ahem! Football god is not a Brazillian. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Nobody stood up to be counted for Brazil when it came down to the crunch - nobody took a leadership role and took it upon himself to stamp his authority on the match. In 1982 Italy had Paolo Rossi who singlehandedly refused to let Italy lose, in 1986 Argentina had Maradona, in 1990 West Germany had their libero Lothar Matthaus, in 1994 Brazil had Dunga in midfield, in 1998 there was of course Zizou for France, in 2002 Brazil had Ronaldo in form.

At this end of the tournament, you need to have that special player who takes a leadership role and makes everyone else around him better, makes everyone else around him more confident. There was nobody to do that for Brazil - their Magic Quartet was anonymous. Anything can happen, but I wouldn't bet against Zizou leading Les Frogs to victory one more time.