Soccer Fan Club

Well guys, the earlier post was about the latest head butt scene from a Serie-A match. Now lets take a glimpse of the actual Zidane head butt from World Cup’06, shown in different angles by different communities of the world. And oops, the victim is the same Marco Materazzi!!

Spectators’ view:

Frenchs’ view:

Italians’ view:

Americans’ view:

Gosshhh Press!!! Just boasted the fact as usual:

Match Summary:
Yeah, after 24 yrs. of long wait Italy won the 2006 World Cup defeating France 5-3 on penalties after the teams had battled to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes of absorbing football.In 6th minute France earned a Penalty and Zidane did not make any mistake to convert it. But the lead did not last for long. Azzuri got a corner and Pirlo sent an out-swinging ball towards the penalty spot and Materazzi jumped above Vieira to equalize the scores.

In 2nd half both the teams were in attacking mode. But France looked more dangerous and Italy was forced onto the backfoot. Once again Pirlo’s had taken free kick and Toni headed the ball into France net but referee gave offside. France dominated the game but failed to break the Italy’s defense wall.

And referee ended the full 90 mins. game with final whistle. Till full time score was draw (1-1).

In extra time’s 2nd part Zidane’s career came to an ugly end when he thrusted his head into the midsection of Materazzi, Referee Elizondo, who didn’t notice the incident but after consulting with his assistant - was obliged to send Zidane off.

Also extra time came to end with 1-1, and decided for Penalty Shoot out as the soccer rules. Penalties result was :

Italy				France
		Penalties
	5	-	3
Pirlo	(Scored)		(Scored)	Wiltord
Materazzi	(Scored)		(Crossbar)	Trezeguet
De Rossi	(Scored)		(Scored)	Abidal
Del Pierro	(Scored)		(Scored)	Sagnol
Grosso	(Scored)		-	-

Match Summary:

The World Cup’2006 2nd Semi-Final between France and Portugal Started at 21:00 hrs as per Germany’s timing.

1^st Half :
France attacked in the very 1^st minute of the match and Florent Malouda’s shot went far away from the far post. There was long range shot from Maniche but gone over the bar. France was in under pressure because Purtuguese attacking frequently. In 34 mins. of the match France got a penalty as Ricardo Carvalho brings down Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane did not make any mistake to score it.
1^st half finished with 1-0, whereas ball possession was 50-50.

2^nd Half :
In 47 mins. a superb shot from Frank Ribery but wonderfully saved by Ricardo. Portugal was good in the midfield but France was not allowing them to enter near 30 yards area. There was a shot by Pauleta which hit the side net. In 82 mins. Portuguese earned a free kick but no result.

And this way 2^nd half also came to an end with match result of 1-0 (France vs. Portugal).

–

The FIFA World Cup’06 final match is scheduled to take place at Berlin Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) on July 9.

It was originally built between 1934-1936 and was designed by an architect Werner March for 1936 Olympic Games. It has 76,000 seating capacity (Germany’s second largest arena, second to Signal Iduna Park). In 1998 the Berlin Senate agreed for a complete renovation of the stadium, but instructed that the historical character of the structure should not be damaged. It took 4 years to renovate the stadium fully. The design of the stadium is one of the real beauties and attracts visitors as one of the sights of historical Berlin.

World Cup Final’2006
Date
9 Jul’06		France	1	vs.	1		Italy “PS”-(Fra 3-5 Ity)

!

Match for 3rd Place
8 Jul’06		Germany	3	vs.	1		Portugal

The 2006 World Cup 1^st Semi-Final between Germany and Italy Started at 21:00 hrs as per Germany’s timing.

1^st Half -
In just 3 minutes of kick-off Totti took a long range free-kick but Lehman (German Goalie) saved the ball. There was a great opportunity for Simone Perrota but he could not be able to convert it. Lucas Podolski attempted a volley in 20 mins. but gone over the bar. Again Totti’s created a problem with his well worked free-kick but blocked again.

Bernd Schneider got a golden chance but his shot gone over the bar. A miss he might later regret.

1st half end with goalless. Germany have had 42% of possession, Italy 58%. Yeah, A yellow card was show to Tim Borowski as he tackled from behind on Totti.

2^nd Half –

In just 56 mins. a yellow card shown to Christoph Metzelder as he late tackle on Luca Toni. Podolski blastoff a shot in the box but Buffon punches the ball away. In 82 mins. Germany got a free kick in a dangerous position but Ballack kicked the ball over the bar. It was Lehman again, who did a spectacular acrobatic save from Simone Perrotta in 86 mins.

And this way none of the team could score in 2^nd half as well.

Extra time (1^st part) –

Italy bring on striker Vincenzo Iaquinta. Mauro Camoranesi comes off.

Within just 3 mins. Lehman saved twice. But in 92 mins. Italy cleared a dangerous free kick of Germany. In 102 mins. Striker Alessandro Del Piero of Italy replaced Simone Perrotta.1^st part of extra time was over with 0-0.

2nd part -

Extra time 2nd half started with Podolski’s thunderous shot but Buffon saved brilliantly. Only 2 mins. left to end of 2^nd part. But there was a goal for Italy. An unstoppable smash shot from Fabio Grosso. Again Alessandro Del Piero added another to completely decide the match.

And this way 2^nd half of extra time came to an end with a result of 2-0 (Italy vs. Germany).

–

Quarter Final matches of World Cup 2006
Sl/no.	Date	Grp								Grp
I-9	30 Jun’06	I-1		Germany	1	vs.	1		Argentina “PS”-(Ger 4-2 Arg)	I-2
I-10	30 Jun’06	I-5		Italy	3	vs.	0		Ukraine	I-6
I-11	1 Jul’06	I-3		England	0	vs.	0		Portugal “PS”-(Eng 1-3 Por)	I-4
I-12	1 Jul’06	I-7		Brazil	0	vs.	1		France	I-8

Note:- “PS” = Penalty Shootout.

Round of 16
Sl/no.	Date	Grp		Winner					Runner	Grp
I-1	24 Jun’06	A		Germany	2	vs.	0		Sweden	B
I-2	24 Jun’06	C		Argentina	2	vs.	1		Mexico	D
I-3	25 Jun’06	B		England	1	vs.	0		Ecuador	A
I-4	25 Jun’06	D		Portugal	1	vs.	0		Netherlands	C
I-5	26 Jun’06	E		Italy	1	vs.	0		Australia	F
I-6	26 Jun’06	G		Switzerland	0	vs.	0		Ukraine “PS”-(swz 0- 3 ukr)	H
I-7	27 Jun’06	F		Brazil	3	vs.	0		Ghana	E
I-8	27 Jun’06	H		Spain	1	vs.	3		France	G

Note:- (PS) = Penalty Shootout.

Did you know?
Two years before the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup in 1930, French sculptor Abel Lafleurwas assigned the task of sculpting a new trophy? But unfortunately the little Cup had a hazardous existence. The Italian Vice President of FIFA, Ottorino Barassi, hid it in a shoebox under his bed throughout the World War II to protect it, from occupying troops. But the cup disappeared in 1966 and was found buried under a tree by a little dog called “Pickles”. In 1983 it was stolen in Rio de Janeiro! Today’s cup is only a replica of the real trophy.