That was exciting. This World Cup had quite the finish. Italy vs. France. An early score on a penalty kick that should have never happened. A great header as a response. Each team dominating one half the match. Then a red card, for a flagrant and pointless act. Yes we had a bit of everything. Even penalty kicks for the win. And for me the best part is that Italy won.
I’m no fan of France, but I will say that they definitely brought their A game to the match. They got lucky on a call for the early score. There was no foul, and were there contact I doubt if it would have been worth a penalty kick. France tried to keep the ball and attack the whole 2nd half. Yet they could not capitalize on this or other opportunities.
The biggest mar for France was the ridiculous actions of Zidane. A headbutt is no response to the exchange of words that was going on. A mature and experienced player knows that in the finals, and in overtime, some things just should not be done. I don’t feel bad for Zidane in being ejected. Nor does the fact that his moment, retiring after having made it to the finals again, actually ends on his ejection and his nation’s loss. Not exactly a feather in your cap and I’m sure it feels a bit bitter in the mouth, but that’s what he did to himself. And retiring after the [I would expect at least 2 games restriction due to the flagrant nature of the head-butt] suspension is anti-climatic. I don’t know that France would have played any better, nor would they have won, but Zidane can’t know that they wouldn’t have.
Italy did rather well. After some early confusion they took a strong possession of the ball and scored. Where Totti was during this I don’t know. Caramanesi was all over the ball, as was Pirlo. The header off the corner kick was excellent. A real picture perfect execution. The removal of Totti in the 2nd half made all the sense in the world, but if he had done something - some effort - then Italy would have had one more substitute, possible making all the difference in the overtime effort. Actually if Totti put the effort in then it might not have needed to go that long. Perhaps he was hurt, like Vieria, but I was unaware of it. American announcers may not be very good (to say the least) but they can let me know when a player is injured. Beyond that, and a great effort on the second goal [I thought it was on-side, but I was a bit inebriated during the replays after the match] that would not count, there isn’t much to say. Other that hello to the new number one in the world. [doesn’t hurt that I won a couple of small bets too]
And as for Germany which takes 3rd in this World Cup, I think the coach did a great job. They played quite well. And the nay-sayers should keep an eye out there, this is a team that can go the distance. I may have got it wrong at the start of this Cup, but the fact they finished 3rd isn’t that far off. And my thoughts on what happened are already known.
I’m already planning for the next Cup. With all good timing I will be able to be at the games. Now that would be grand. Any suggestions on how I get a month off? Business is good and side projects don’t hurt, but 30 days is quite a lot. Especially away from home. This assumes that by that time my main work continues to grow and expand. It does not factor if I hire a staff, or if these blogs become more successful and sales of the various inscribed goods (like the polo shirts, the ladies journal, the baseball cap - yes a shameless plug) pick up. Even so, how do you plan it out? I don’t even know how to plan a vacation. [I may take one of those this year, should be interesting] Well let me know.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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