World Cup 2006

[Liam]

The funniest thing about people saying that the Czech's shouldn't be 2nd are that they do it based purely on them not being a "name" team. Since like...1996, the Czech's (although winning nothing) have been one of the most consistent European sides going, if not the most (thus why they are second). They may not be player for player better than some of the others, but as a team they have done better than a lot, twould seem.

[Clawson]

So I read the Argie is reffing the final on wikipedia. Any other sources of confirmation?

[Liam]

Its on BBC's website as well

[Guest Ringo Hates Divers]

The funniest thing about people saying that the Czech's shouldn't be 2nd are that they do it based purely on them not being a "name" team. Since like...1996, the Czech's (although winning nothing) have been one of the most consistent European sides going, if not the most (thus why they are second). They may not be player for player better than some of the others, but as a team they have done better than a lot, twould seem.

[Liam]

The funniest thing about people saying that the Czech's shouldn't be 2nd are that they do it based purely on them not being a "name" team. Since like...1996, the Czech's (although winning nothing) have been one of the most consistent European sides going, if not the most (thus why they are second). They may not be player for player better than some of the others, but as a team they have done better than a lot, twould seem.

How are they one the most consistent European sides? They didn't make it to the WC in 98, they didn't make it out of the group stage in Euro 00 and they didn't make it to the WC in 02. They've been good since 03-04, but I really wouldn't call their performance that consistent. They're a strong and solid team, but that's it.

I was thinking that they got to the final in Euro 96 and they got to the Euro semi's in 2004 (IIRC)...I admittedly couldn't fill in the blanks....

[gunnar hendershow]

I'm glad to hear they're finally redoing the ranking system. I expect Brazil to stay number one though.

[TheArsenal]

Germany striker Lukas Podolski has won the Fifa young player of the World Cup award after a series of fine displays.

The 20-year-old has scored three goals in Germany's six matches so far.

Podolski said: "I would have liked to have taken home the World Cup - but this is a great honour and is a great motivation to become more successful."

Podolski beat off competition from Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Valencia and Tranquilo Barnetta to win the coveted prize.

No England players were shortlisted for the award.

Podolski scored in the final group game against Ecuador and bagged a brace in the 2-0 second round victory over Sweden.

Holger Osieck, head of the Fifa technical study group, said: "He not only scored three goals, he was a key element in Germany's attack.

"He showed a great understanding with Miroslav Klose and the two players formed a very effective partnership."

There was a concerted email campaign by England fans to stop Portugal winger Ronaldo from winning the award.

The Portuguese winger, pilloried for his part in the sending off of Wayne Rooney, was leading the Fifa website vote by a huge margin.

But an email urging fans to vote for Ecuador's Luis Valencia instead led to an incredible 24-hour turnaround.

The hate campaign started after the quarter-final between England and Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, when Ronaldo was pushed by Manchester United team-mate Rooney, just before the England striker received a red card.

Ronaldo was caught on camera apparently winking at the bench after Rooney's dismissal, infuriating England fans.

Podolski won the prize because Fifa had the final say, chosen by a 14-man panel.

[John Stones' Paint Trophy]

ahahaha

This is the best hate campaign ever.

[NobBe Nobbs]

Excellent. Fuck you, everyone, ENGLAND POWAH~!

[fineintent]

What would everybody's team of the tournament be? Any formation you want:

GK: Lehmann

DR: Sagnol

DL: Lahm

DC: Thuram

DC: Cannavaro

MR: Ronaldo (Ugh...)

ML/Anywhere he fucking wants: Zidane

MC: Ballack

MC: Gattuso

FC: Klose

FC: Podolski

Honourary mentions go to Kingston, Grosso (despite the dive), Joe Cole, Fabregas, Torres, Riquelme, Ayala and Appiah.

[TheArsenal]

I don't know how the fuck you could put Ronaldo in there. The only notable things he has done is dive and get Rooney sent off.

[fineintent]

I don't know how the fuck you could put Ronaldo in there. The only notable things he has done is dive and get Rooney sent off.

[TheArsenal]

Tomas Rosicky can play on the right wing. Stick him in there for those two amazing goals he got against USA.

And he doesn't dive like that ugly little pig fucker.

[Guest Ringo Hates Divers]

Tomas Rosicky can play on the right wing. Stick him in there for those two amazing goals he got against USA.

And he doesn't dive like that ugly little pig fucker.

Edited July 7, 2006 by Ringo Hates Divers

[The Kraig]

I don't know how the fuck you could put Ronaldo in there. The only notable things he has done is dive and get Rooney sent off.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Goalie:

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (JPN) - a genius, albeit flawed, like geniuses tend to be.

Defenders:

Ashley Cole (ENG) - hit form and was brilliant.

Fabio Cannavaro (ITA)- supreme all the way through.

Rio Ferdinand (ENG) - Dominant, massive in the air and frightening for attackers.

William Gallas (FRA) - Does exactly what he says on the tin.

Midfielders:

Owen Hargreaves (ENG) - kudos to the guy. While I fear him in defence due to dodgy tackling, put him in midfield and he did Lampard and Gerrard's jobs too....

Alex (JPN) - In all three games he terrorised the opposition right backs superbly.

Zinedine Zidane (FRA) - Rolled back the year with his genius.

Tim Cahill (AUS) - Gave his all, was dynamite on the pitch and embodied the Aussie attitude without the violence

Attackers:

Mirislav Klose (GER) - Showed the rest of us why he's actually rated

Lukas Podolski (GER) - The two of them together were the best strike force. Goals, assists, movement....Brilliant.

[TheArsenal]

I don't know how the fuck you could put Ronaldo in there. The only notable things he has done is dive and get Rooney sent off.

Were you even watching?

[evertonfan]

Buffon

Zambrotta Ferdinand Cannavaro Lahm

Pirlo

C. Ronaldo Ballack Zidane

Klose Totti

Whether Ronaldo will be remembered for diving or not, he's still had a good tournament, Portugal's best player by far for me.

EDIT: Why can't you set out your team in a proper formation? It look's great here.

Edited July 7, 2006 by evertonfan

[figos]

Ricardo

Miguel Cannavaro Thuram Zambrotta

M. Rodriguez Pirlo J.Cole

C. Ronaldo

Zidane

Klose

[Big Red Fury]

Luis Valencia deserves a mention, he was basically the spearhead of the Ecuador offense.