In an exciting game, marred by one bizarre incident, Italy won the World Cup yesterday, beating France on penalties (not PKs), after the score was tied at 1-1 at full time and again after extra time (not overtime).
France had gone ahead early in the game, through a (heart-stoppingly close) penalty taken by retiring star Zinédine Zidane, but Italy came back strongly and Marco Materazzi scored a wonderfully headed goal (not an offensive strike) within the next ten minutes.
The two goal scorers were involved in a ridiculous incident about twenty minutes before full time, when Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest after exchanging some words. It is unclear what was said, and there have been some claims that a racist remark was made. But the most compelling story I’ve heard so far (apparently backed up by lip-readers) is that, after some shirt pulling, Zidane asked Materazzi if he’d like his shirt, and Materazzi told Zidane that he should keep it for his sister and then called her a prostitute. I guess we’ll find out eventually. In any case, Zidane was sent off and left in disgrace.
For the third World Cup in a row I held a party to watch the game. I’ve mentioned before how international physics is. Combine this with the international appeal of football (not soccer) and you get quite a mixed crowd for a party like that. Unless I’m missing someone, my party was attended by people from (in no particular order)
- The United States.
- England
- Italy
- Brazil
- Argentina
- New Zealand
- Mexico
- Romania
- Japan
There would have been even more nationalities if it wasn’t the summer, when a lot of people travel. It truly is a wonderful perk of being a physicist, to work in such an international community, and we should definitely advertise it to young people considering a career in physics.
We had a great time, celebrated with the six Italians present, drank a lot of wine and beer and ate well.
Almost as importantly, we indulged in another World-Cup related pastime; complaining about the ABC commentators. Just so you don’t feel left out, I’ve involved you in this little game with my italicized comments throughout the text.
Only four years to wait until the next one!
July 10th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
http://buzzflash.com/contributors/06/07/con06302.html
July 10th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
The game would be quite improved if they’d simply make the goals about 20% larger. Or maybe make the players 20% smaller like they were back in the good old days when the dimensions were determined.
Carl
July 10th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
Forza Italia!
July 11th, 2006 at 2:34 am
Carl, that would be like using metal bats in baseball, or making the basket rings larger. I like the game the way it is (aside from the issues with the referees), and so do all the millions involved. We can perfectly enjoy a match that ends 0 – 0 over one that ends 2 – 2 with all four goals having been pretty pretty ugly due to the goal size being too large.
I guess, what I am trying to say is: I don’t like basketball. That doesn’t mean I think the game should change in order to fit my personal, pre-disposed taste of what a game should look like. How would the basketball community react if I told them that the game would improve if they shrink the basket rings, because they are scoring way too much points now?
July 11th, 2006 at 9:04 am
The skills of the players are amazing. I was a really great game!
*click*
July 11th, 2006 at 10:52 am
You was a really great game, Siegfried?
July 11th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Marcelo Balboa says whatever just (obviously) happened in the game as if he had been saying all along that it would happen (and he never has been). And the other guy… well at least is voice is deep.
The Harkes team is good… I hope they becoming the first string commentators.
viva italia
July 11th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Only two years to wait until Euro 2008 and we might see the same countries in the semifinals again!
I was watching the final with an Italian colleague in an Irish pub and then a German student also turned up with his French girlfriend. The German majority in the pub were mainly pro-French, for some ‘mysterious’ reason, sometimes even more partisan than the actual French supporters in the stadium… I think some people learned three words of French just for the one evening.
Even though the Italians won, the guy was not happy because the coach made so many bad decisions – Matterazzi (the ‘butcher’) is a loon, Del Piero is an idiot, De Rossi is not much better. Well, they scored penalties, but the rest of the play was not to a good standard. Then we went and had some expensive grappa.
July 11th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Yeah yeah, complain all you want. Who won? Italia. Yes, Italia. Forza Italia!
As for the European championship coming up in two years, I have two words for you:
Forza Italia!
July 11th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Head butting an opponent??? Too bad these global barbarians can’t play sports in a civilized manner like we do here in the good old U. S. of A.
July 11th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
yes yes physics is a wonderfully international field to be working in.
Did you know that Iranians always support Italy?
Our poor French masters student had sympathy and gentle teasing coming from all parts of the globe at coffee time this morning.
July 11th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
In honor of Italy’s win, for cosmicvariance, some Paolo Conte
(http://www.last.fm/music/Paolo+Conte)
Happy Feet!
(lyrics) http://www.uppercutmusic.com/artist_p/paolo_conte_lyrics/happy_feet_musica_per_i_vogstri_piedi_madame_lyrics.html
(music) http://inconcluso.castpost.com/508871.html
Even Happier Feet for Amara in two weeks… http://www.veronaticket.com/reserve-ticket-arena/arena-verona-e.cfm?Opera=Paolo%20Conte%20-%20Frascati%20(Rm)&IDS=237
Ciao!
July 11th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
And I thought my party was pretty impressive with representation from France, Taiwan, Scotland, and the USA. But hey, high school isn’t exactly an international institution.
I love how Zidane received the Golden Ball despite the headbutt. It gives hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll be remembered for his ability as a football player instead of just this one nasty incident.
July 11th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
I have never watched a world cup tourney before. And oh man what I have been missing. This past month has been pretty freaking exciting, and that final game was just amazing! and that zidane thing was funny, though i agree, i hope thats not what he is remembered for.
July 12th, 2006 at 6:03 am
Actually France has already forgiven him and as the truth gradually surfaces (Zidane is scheduled to spill his guts on the matter soon), the world may too.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:01 am
The commentating throughout the tournament was horrid. I was particularly displeased to hear Balboa and O’Brien doing the final game (I had actually watched an earlier game they did where I turned off the sound). I also sometimes wondered whether they were simply watching the game on a TV, just the way I was….
July 12th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
The final was OK. But for a draw in the final, rather than penalties, FIFA should establish the following scheme: drop a play from each team every 5th minute after the extra time. The field will open and one team will eventually score.
I was most impressed by the Argentinian and the English fans in New York City. When these fans take center stage, it is a booming blast of support, cheer, dancing, booing and support!
England was lucky! And entertaining! Must have been thrilling watching the team reach that far.
Italy and France were both not on my list of potential finalists which was solely composed of Brazil and Argentina! Brazil played terrible football! Ghana should have whopped them in shame! And luck was an important element to the progress of both sides. Glad that France did not win!
Zizou and Ricardo(Por) were the cutest players in the cup!
July 13th, 2006 at 5:34 am
Sorry, you are american!
July 13th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Hey, it wasn’t me criticizing Italy, it was the Italian. Victory is not enough, you have to look good while you are doing it!
As for “The Truth” – Zidane has always had a problem controlling himself. Now he is blaming Materrazzi for ‘provocation’. In his interview he throws the entire responsibility on Materrazzi, as if he had no choice but to make the headbutt. “If there is no provocation, there is no need to react.” This kind of argument is unworthy of a teenager.
“Zidane emerged as France’s inspiration after a two-match ban for stamping on Saudi Arabia skipper Fuad Amin in the group stages.” (BBC) … and the guy has been sent off more than a dozen times in his career.
Anyway. For light relief, see this cartoon (How Americans view soccer):
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/uclickcomics/20060711/cx_po_uc/po20060711
July 13th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Uncle Enzo – sorry, but I deleted your last comment. It doesn’t help the discussion just to repeat that one again and again (even if it is in jest). Hope you understand.
July 13th, 2006 at 10:25 am
Is ok, Mark. Uncle Enzo capeesh. Uncle Enzo is just a bit over-excited about Italia and the world cup. Sorry.
July 13th, 2006 at 10:52 am
The young French graduate student in our group told us (Italian planetary astronomy group) of a joke going around, which is the new greeting from a French person to an Italian person: A quasi head-butt, which is something like the Japanese bow, but with a small thrust of their head. You have to see it demonstrated to see how funny it looks. And since he was laughing, it seems that this particular World Cup incident has taken a lighter tone.