Your bias against other Germans is disturbing. How come you don't post highlight of other Germans who scored and claim that they lead Germany to finals? Why does only Ballack get that honor? Unless you are claiming that no one else on that team scored a goal in this torunament.....
As I said, you are arguing semantics - and you are being an ass about it. I don't even think we disagree in our assessment of his performance, you are just obsessing about the definition of "leading a team". I don't know if you realize how much of a fool you are making of yourself. This thread was all good soccer talk and fun and most everyone was respecting everyone else's opinions and cheering for their own country until you decided you needed to turn it into a discussion of semantics of what "leading a team" means.
Your response to Rivaldo... My short response to that one line... You should have just left it at semantics then, if that's how you perceived it.... It is rather interesting how you couldn't make similar argument for another German player. Not surprised at all by your personal attack, instead, either. I am still talking soccer, Germans, Ballack, and the thread is still fun to me, Mr. Contradiction. Maybe you need to relax a little instead of getting all antsy just because others can be critical of certain players or team that you like?
I don't even like Ballack that much. You are not talking soccer anymore, you are just being an ass. It's pretty obvious that you are trolling now. Note that you are not getting any applause for it, as you apparently expected, even from people who don't even like the German team at all. Just let it go.
Frankly, I wasn't interested in whether you like Ballack or not. That should not matter. One can be critical of a player without letting their feelings interfere. So why even bring that up? I am still talking soccer. I am not expecting any applause from anyone and especially not from people who don't like Germany. You have too many preconceived notions in your head. Stop being so paranoid that people are out to get the German soccer team...
Actually I am, and I am still looking for your answer on this question, which you have avoided time and time again. I will break it down nicely this time.... Podolski scored a number of goals for Germany in the tournament. Lahm actually scored the winning goal in the semi finals against Turkey. Why does Ballack get the nod for leading his team because he scored the goal against Portugal, and he scored one against Austria, but Lahm and Podolski don't? Based on your definition of leading, isn't Lahm the more deserving one for this title since he specifically scored the goal that took his team to the Finals?
Ballack is the captain of the team. He is older and more experienced than the two players you named. The other players do look up to him. If you look at body language on the field, he barks out orders to other players and gets on their case if they are out of position. I think Lahm is on his way to becoming a leader, but he is still much younger. Podolski only leads the celebrations after a victory, his whole demeanor on the pitch is not that of a leader. Ballack's goal against Austria was like an exclamation point. It's just what leaders do. He didn't do anything like that in the games against Turkey and Spain and "failed" as a leader in that regard. Since you are so obsessed with this "leadership discussion", you may want to read it from the horse's mouth, here is the link from fifa.com. Austria-Germany: The leadership of stoic captain Michael Ballack proved the turning point for Germany in their slim win. Even before a ball was kicked in anger on Monday, news of the German 'players-only' meeting convened by Ballack to call his mates to task had reached the press. After the coaches of both Austria (Josef Hickersberger) and Germany (Joachim Low) were sent to the stands in the 40th minute, Ballack took on the role of leader and stretched it to match-winner, stepping up and hammering home a thunderous free kick to settle the affair. http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=805694.html And now let it go.
Finally! Now we are getting somewhere! I agree on his leadership qualities. He has them and he has displayed them in the past. But it was certainly lacking in this torunament. I also have absolutely no problem with people seeing him as leading his team against Austria. But by your own admission, he didn't do anything against Turkey. Isn't that what I had originally said to make a counterpoint to your argument? So, if you and I both agree that he was a non-factor in the Semi-Final game, how is possible that he "lead" his team to the Finals? And as you said, he duplicated that performance in the Finals. BTW, after looking at the Lahm and Podolski examples I gave, I hope you can see why the goals scored is not a certain criteria for measuring leadership, which was the argument you used initially. If we are talking articles and headings.... Here's one from Germany's win in quarter finals against Portugal. You used the game to claim that Ballack lead his team against Portugal yet heading says... Schweinsteiger leads Germany into semis Read on... http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=115362&sid=7&fid=2 So if Schweinsteiger lead Germany into the Semi Finals, and Ballack disappeared in the Semi Finals....
I think you are showing up in the wrong thread...this is yours: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=150549
I saw what I saw. If this is the case, then there might be a shortage of top quality left backs in the world right now. Yes, he had a nice goal in the Turkey game that got them to the final, despite being terribly out worked. What I saw was a back that got beaten repeatedly off the dribble in 2 important games. Maybe he was tired from the long club season. I don't watch the Bundesliga often. In my opinion, the first job of an outside back (a position I have played for the better part of the last 10 years out of the 27 that I've played and coached the game) is to contain your man and your space...2 things that he did not do well. Bear in mind that this was also the opinion of people I was watching the games with. These aren't novices either. They're teammates of mine who have played and coached at high levels for most of their lives.
I mean come on.....a moment of silence for this thing of beauty.........HOLY COW is she smoking hot. And she is getting her man a beer............(sniff sniff) brings a tear to a guys eye. DD
Psst, Jackie, do you remember about 4 years ago when you "quoted and reported" me saying you look like a "giant *******"? Check posts 99 and 100 in this thead for a quick refresher if necessary. I was just curious if you really view these insults in a different light or if you have somehow become dis-enlightened in the last few years.
No, from personal experience, his M.O. is still to obsess over people, follow them around the BBS, pick a fight, and then immediately revert to the "Report Post to Moderator" function as soon as any real or imagined slight is uttered.
