Most people on this board who watch soccer know what the Italian squad is all about. Obviously you are looking at the team at a biased point of view. I have no reason to hate on Italy, however I've seen every game they have played, and I've noticed in each one that the Italians have pulled out the acting card whenever it seemed convenient. Appears as if they have actually practiced getting fouled (cause they do it soo damn well!!! )
How good would the US team be if we actually had good athletes playing soccer in this country? The US sends B-grade talent to play since any kind of athlete growing up here would play basketball, football or baseball 10 times out of 10 before playing soccer. Soccer players in high schools are the guys who can't make the other teams. That's why they're considered weaklings or sissies, and hence the reason people look down upon soccer in this country. Can you imagine if somebody like Reggie Bush played soccer? Game over.
Keeping better track of the time that is wasted would solve part of the problem, but it still wouldn't stop players from flopping to stop a counter attack or break the other teams momentum. Continuing play when a player is down is the simplest solution but I still think divers should be punished somehow. And you may not want to admit it but the Italian team is one of the, if not the worst when it comes to flopping and taking dives. I'm not saying they are the only ones that do it, but you can't deny that they're bad about it. And no, I don't have anything against Italy or Italians and will be hoping that they win tomorrow. But they do dive. A lot.
Sorry italian rocket, I think I am guilty of spreading the hoax here... Well, don't take the critics here too serious. Enjoy the finals my friend.
First off quit whining. Second the Italians flop more than any team in the World Cup. Third GO FRANCE!
Actually i would have to put Portugal above Italy on this one....also about the 5 minutes off thing, that is a good idea..something like in Football if you come off the field becuase of a supposed injury you have to sit a series or something like that before you can go in. They definitley need to address the problem becuase right now players do exploit the fair play rules when they go down and do it way to often. On that note i like both Italy and France but I have to take France in this years world cup. As far as 3rd place...Germany should take this even with Ballack and Lehmenn out.
Wow, getting kind of heated in here. In all fairness, Italy flops alot more than the average WC teams and Portugal is right behind them. I was so happy to see France knock those guys out, especially Figo and Ronaldo. I used to like Figo alot but lost mad respect for him in this WC. The guy has lost a step and has resorted to theatrics to make up for it rather than suck it up and take his game to the next level like the great Zizou (although I gained back some respect for him after the nice gesture between him and Zizou after the match). That's the beauty of soccer; These players truly appreciate their fans, respect and honor the opportunity to play/represent their countries. You NEVER see that in most other sports, almost never do you see pro players stay after a game and walk around the court/field and clap in appreciation of the fans. I am not all that excited for the 3rd place match. I've never been a big fan of it but I'll tape it and watch later. Can't wait for tomorrow where Zizou will cement his place among the greatest ever. Zizou! Zizou! Zizou!
As much as I really don't want to, I'm rooting for Italy in this game. Apparently, my 93 year-old great grandmother in-law is really into the WC this year and she's full-blooded Italian. So yeah.
I agree with u that continuing to play when a player is down is a solution and i guess with moviola you can punish diver almost instantly and eventually get them out of the game. I must be an idiot to not admit our players flop. Obviously they do. Hey I do not have a rank of which teams flop more but i did watch almost every game of this WC and(believe me i speak without bias) i cannot really see our players flopping more than the other. That's just my point. I think here in europe we treat flopping almost like a bad part of the game we almost accepted. Maybe in USA u feel like it is a really really bad disrespect of the game. And you are right! But please don't be obsessed by the flopping or u end up not speaking at all about soccer like in this thread. Italy plays 2 fantastic games against Germany and Ukraine really deserving the finals. Anyone which doesn't admit that is just a fool but if u guys just want to continue to complain and speak only about flopping ignoring italian team merits let's do it. That said i'm no more gonna talk about this argument, it has really tired me. If you instead wanna talk about soccer i'm here...about this finals i have a really bad feeling we are gonna lose this one. I have had the opportunity to follow Zizou Zidane when he was playing here in Turin for Juventus and I definitely know how high is his hunger to win, he wants really to end up his career in a fantastic way and will be really hard to stop him. I will definitely enjoy and believe me i'm not taking it too serious...btw i know we really deserve the finals and that it's all envy because ur team wasn't even able to pass first round Ciao everyone and FORZA AZZURRI!
The Italians are known floppers, all around the world. They play great defense and counter attack well, but their brand of futbol is ugly and non entertaining, unless you like flopping. Portugal also flops like crazy, and yes, European teams flop more than others. I think it is sickening, and disrespectful. Instant replay would root it out, referees could look at the replay and decide if it is a flop, and an automatic yellow card for flopping, maybe a red in the penalty area. There is no sportsmanship in the flop. And Italy did concede a goal, it was scored by Demarcus Beasley of the USA, and was disallowed because Brian McBride lifted his leg..... VIVA LA FRANCE !!! DD
I understand you support your country. But why did you say that to piss off everyone here? That's childish. By the way, don't forget to send a thank you card to the referee in the USA game. He is a major reason why you guys are still undefeated in this WC.
Come on DD we need to get past that one If that was the case a lot of teams would have conceded more goals because there were offisides every game....if we reviewed it every team had it happen to them
No no, not complaining, just pointing out that someone did score on them, and McBride was not involved in the play, but was in passive offside position. The Italians have gotten here by grit, they deserve it, I just hate the style they play, especially with the flopping. Stack, also, did you see where the USA and Iran tied for 25th? So we are indeed equal.... DD
Come one man, it was just a joke. I had great expectations for the USA team in this WC but it u guys have to admit it was a bit disappointing, wasn't it?
This post, unlike any of your others in your entire tenure on the BBS, is tripe. Soccer players in high schools are the guys who want to play soccer in high school.
