If the Italian reputation was choking on PK's (see Jon's pre-game comment), it's redeemed now. Interesting it was not an Italian save but a French choke that did it. (But credit the Italian keeper for that over-the-top save in 1st OT).

Amazing that France kept the game at the Italian end even a man down. Team Italia was just worn out. But hard to feel bad about the result after one of the most flagrant, well-deserved red cards ever. One almost wishes there had been a French victory, only to see Zidane kept off the podium ....

The French played better (dominated the overtime especially), but lost. But not on a good play, instead on a PK choke. Kind of an unsatisfying end.

Zidane sees red. Totti sucks. The Italians get victimized by what could have been a dive (never was satisfied with the TV angles) -- fortunately balanced out by a goal and a later missed call. Game was interesting, but that was all.

I wonder if we will ever learn the story behind Zidane's headbutt. The Guardian's liveblog says replays show Materazzi 'tweaked' Zidane's nipple. Personally, I suspect something racial was said.

The French players on the field refused to take the captain's armband away from Zizou as he left the field.

Sad way to end a brilliant career. Maybe it's not the end. Maybe he'll go down even more ignominously, as a member of the New York Red Bulls!

Sheesh.

Calling Trezeguet's miss by mere centimeters a choke is lame. It's a choke if you shoot three feet wide, not if you hit the bottom of the crossbar. Better players than Trezeguet have missed worse. When it came down to penalites, anyone who knows the game knows Italy had the advantage despite Baggio's legendary miss (now you could call that one a choke). Buffon is a great keeper, Barthez is well past his prime, or at least he's played like it. The evidence? Buffon stopped Zidane's near point blank header in OT, Barthez let a similar ball fly past him.

The buzz is starting that Domenich made some poor decisions in the match, however I think the formation he used was the poorest off all. Henri was worn out from being alone up top. I suppose if Cisse' had been able to play things would have been much different, but would Zidane have come back if Cisse was fit? Would France have even made it to the finals?

What it came down to was on the pitch today. France dominated play but couldn't finish, and Italy made the save when it counted. Forget the PKs.

We all wondered when Domenech was going to pay for picking Bartez over Coupet. I guess now we know when. Bartez was slow after the header on which the Italians scored. but he is also too short as a keeper. all the Italians had to do was put the ball in the corner. there is no way the 5'8 keeper was going to get it.

i also agree with Gandalff above. i was praying that Domenech will move away from his 4-5-1 formation against Italy. How are you expecting to score goals against the best defense in the tournament? PK all the way? Trezeguet should have been on top with Henry. or at least keep Henry in the game with Trezeguet. I think Henry was having success picking the defense apart. but he just needed that extra forward to dump the ball to to finish it. too bad.

Sad what happened to ZZ. I am angry at him for loosing his cool in his last game, a championship game, when your team and country is counting on you. I don't care what the guy say to him. he deserved the red card. but then again it is easy to judge when you are not put in that situation.

I stop believing in France right about that time. But i want to believe that a racist comment was what triggered it all. that is about the only thing that may rescue ZZ reputation and legacy.

I too wonder whether something "racial" was said to Zidane that made him lose it. Throughout the tournament he seemed so relaxed and to be having a good time, then he snapped. Perhaps we'll never know....

Well, look at the bright side: we won't have to listen to the Italians whining and complaining for the next 4 years! Can you imagine if they had not won? We'd have never heard the end of it.

Plus the US was the only team in the tournament to get a result with Italy.

Yay! The hotter team won. Forza Azzuri!

http://www.adpunch.org/entry/football-stars-strip-for-dolce-gabbana/

I dont think Italy deserved to win the cup, regardless of their victory. Throughout the whole tournament Italy was taking dives, crying for handballs when tv shows cleary "not even close", and they where probably the team leading in cards as well.

But I guess its the end result and not how they got there.

I dont think Italy deserved to win the cup, regardless of their victory. Throughout the whole tournament Italy was taking dives, crying for handballs when tv shows cleary "not even close", and they where probably the team leading in cards as well.

But I guess its the end result and not how they got there.

What is the basis for even speculating that the comment was racial? Have you heard an audio take of what he said? Has the Italian player EVER been quoted as saying something racial? Before you impugn a man's good name, I think you need more evidence than wild speculation.

And why is no one talking about ZZ's brutality? First, he STOMPS on a Saudi player in the 1998 World Cup, then he HEADBUTTS another player in league play a few years later. Now, he HEADBUTTS another player in a game. And what are people talking about--"I wonder if the Italian guy made a racial comment?"

Pathetic. Just pathetic.

CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE
AND ZIDANE IS A FILTHY ANIMAL FOR WHAT HE DID... ITALIA ****

TANT PIS LE FRANCAIS

Im French and I am ashamed of Zidane.

From what the French players are saying, ZZ reacted to a racial slur:
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5760742

Materazzi has a horrible reputation. No "good name" to impugn. Besides no one asserted he said anything-- just speculation as to what could have set ZZ off.

BTW- we all should be aware of the nipple twist by now. If not go to youtube.com

Like he hasn't heard every insult imaginable countless times - a billion people watching, his team and country need him in his final national team game, and he pulls a stunt like that.

French radios are saying that ZZ reacted to being called an "arab terrorist".

I guess it'll be easy to criticize him when you've never been the target of that type of comments.

Can I retract a blog post from eight days ago?

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/worldcup/2006/07/how_to_be_a_superstar_and_how.html

A racial comment on the great Zisou from Matterazzi, (a player who himself once punched another player and got banned for a couple months I believe), and all he does is headbutt him in the chest..........

Should have gone for the face if you ask me.........

All this match showed me was that Italian's are lowlife cheats that cannot play a clean game.

@impartial: Read your statistics (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/stats/detail.html?section=tdc) before posting nonsense like that and spreading stupid rumors.

To all those who try to defend Zidane's action by saying it was a racist comment. So far there's no proof at all for that. But no matter what has been said to Zidane, a player who plays professional soccer as long as he does has to stay cool. And if he can't, well, he deserved the red. Period. This was a disgrace to this sport and a shame that he ended his career like that. And people saying he should have gone for the face or defending his actions in other ways are just plain stupid and immature and are hopefully never allowed to play any kind of sport because they are a danger to the other people on the field.

http://the-soccer-locker.blogspot.com

Sorry i made a comment error post above I meant to say that Italy played a great game and I was impressed by both sides.

The game was overshadowed by the Zidane header though!

For more worldcup news or just soccer realted stuff visit my blog at: http://the-soccer-locker.blogspot.com

I put alot of work into it, I hope you like it!

While I think the French were the better team yesterday, Italy are certainly deserving of the Cup. Either team would have been deserving.
This idea that Zidane's legacy and reputation could be thrown away because of the red card is ridiculous. This man has brought so much to the game and has been one of the best players in the clutch. If he had done something that was a violation of the law (see Maradona) or beat his wife, or was caught with performance inhancing drugs, then you could state that it was all for nothing.
But instead, he lost his cool for whatever reason, and got tossed in the waining minutes of his last game. That's it. Nothing more.
I cannot pretend to be as righteous to say I am ashamed of Zidane for his actions, and no one here can either. Without him France does not qualify, make it past Brazil, or get to the final. This is football. He had a moment in front of 1 billion people. When you come back and realize that Zidane is human and a football player I hope you will be less attacking and more appreciative of what he has given, especially over the last ten years.

To bring in an entirely American reference, is Zidane's action like Scottie Pippen's refusal to enter a game? An entire career forgotten due to one foolish mistake?

"Should have gone for the face if you ask me"
That's right, justify violence with more violence. And the way you speculate without evidence mmmmmmmm. So many good qualities! Let us not for get how you label a whole country as cheats. What a catch, can I get your number?

It's so sad to see Zidane walk of the the field like that. I am sure it was racial especially the northern italians who are very racist and make racial comments on the southern Italians all the time.

Italy team the worst team I've ever seen. The did not desrved the cup. The French did better on the field.

As far the Zidane's reaction, shame on you those who dare to criticize him. He is a "grande" as we in Argentina call to the best players. Matterazzi did what he always did: provoke. He is well known by his dirty actions in the Italian tournament. He is a butcher. He represents the anti-futbol. I'm sure those who follow the Italian League understand my point. Zidane is bay far one of the most elegant players I've ever seen and believe me I saw many in Argentina. He remind me another great player: Enzo Francescoli, "el principe". I'm really thankful for your virtuous play. I'll miss you.... fortunately, I saved some videos.
ABC's commentators sucks!!!.They don't know what they are talking about. The narration is so lethargic and lacks of real analysis: only anecdotes that do not fit on a final WC match (Jesse Owens' triumph in Berlin 36'.. who cares that is that moment!!! Save that for the Olympics Games or references to golf, baseball...to much for my taste!!!) or report meaningless statistics that in Futbol nobody pay attention because the inherent randomness of the game. Please hire new commentators for the next WC. All the big networks hire the best plus players that won something important in their career.

DC the guy has a point. On the italian team, 13 of the players are being named in the italian match fixing scandal. I personally was embarrassed to be a italian fan with all the diving they where doing. Are they lowlife cheats?, maybe most of them, but lets talk about Materazzi. The guy is a well known italian racist. He probably had it coming, given how many times he has got away with it during Serie A play. I am an italian myself and I agree what the guy said....should have gone for the face of matterazi. Maybe he would shut up for good then. God knows he would have deserved it.

Yep 8 of the starting 11 for Italy are part of the investigation. Zidane has promised to speak in the next few days. Anyone with any common sense knows that there was provocation from mazeratti whether it was an arab slur or some comment on "monkeys". everyone, who watches European football religiously knows that besides Spain, italy is the worst when it comes to racism. How ironic that the W.C. which was a celebration of fighting racism ends on a racist provocation.
by the by, it was the italians who invented "diving" in the first place. How fitting that Grosso, who scammed the ref and Australia with the most ridiculus of all dives should be the one to hit the winning penalty. very fitting.

Furthermore, that was some nice "pick" on Henry from Cannavaro in the first minute. Of course that was accidental?

Materazzi himself has not spoken publicly about the incident except to deny a claim by Paris-based anti-racism group SOS Racism, made on Monday, that he had called Zidane "a dirty terrorist".

"It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means," the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Materazzi as saying after the Italian team returned to Rome.

And then this bit of nonsense - Materazzi refused to answer questions afterwards, though Materazzi's agent Claudio Vigorelli said: "I've known Marco for a long time and I don't think he is capable of provoking a player. He is a good boy."

Followed by this - Materazzi's father believed his son was the real victim in the incident.

"I spoke to my son briefly after the game," said Giuseppe Materazzi.

"Marco had told me he had been provoked. It's as though they have something against him each time.

"In the past two years, Marco has only been on the receiving end and the injuries he has sustained are proof of this.

"I don't want to be controversial, but there are things that have to be said instead of just pointing the finger and putting a black mark against someone."

He doesn't know what the word terrorist means????? I guess he wasn't around when the Red Brigade was having their little bit of fun back in the day. What a liar.

Go to youtube.com and search Materazzi to see what a scumbag this guy has been in the past.

OK--let's assume for the sake of arguing that Materazzi called ZZ whatever the most horrible thing you can possible imagine. Anything. Use your imagination. Be creative. Got it?-Ok. Now--in what universe does that justify assaulting another person? Tell me...Please! I'd love to hear under what theory you can justify trying to put a hole in a man's chest because of what he said to you.

How about this similar thought experiment? When is it OK to step on a man's genitals? Because ZZ did that too (see World Cup, 1998). Maybe that was OK too because the Saudi player hurt his feelings.

Go ahead, you brutes. Keep justifying violence. I'm sure you'll say that the Holocaust was justified because someone Jewish once told Hitler he was a meanie.

I'm sickened by you.

Forza, you remind me of one of those people in high school that instead of confronting the bully, ran into a corner and cried.
Leave it to italian fans to rally behind a racist.

I'm not justifying what Zidane did, but think about it for a second. You reap what you sow.

In that match, it was Materazzi's turn to reap, and what happened to him was inevitable. Even his own teammates on Inter Milan think badly of him. If not the world cup then by someone else during regular Serie A play. The guy truly had it coming. During Italy's game against Germany, I believe even Ballack was considering decking Materazzi at one point in the game.
He was deliberately trying to pick fights with the best players on every team.

Secondly you wanna talk about justifying violence?...well try justifying Materazzi's conduct throughout his career first. Then justify Italy's diving and scamming thoughout the whole tournament. Their conduct isn't deserving of a world cup.

At least Italy will be shutting up this year instead of their usual whining.

Forzo Itlaia and all like you.

So what Italy won....even amongst non French, like me...we can see that Italians do not play a fair game, but resort to questionable tactics: body check against Henri in the first minute, fighting words to get Zidane out, dives, crying about handballs, fake injuries....from what we all saw, even with France's 2 top players out, you only managed to win on PKs. Don't be too happy, it was not glorious.

you just poor envious of us..we are the most beautiful country in the world with the most beautiful natioanal team! I'm really sorry for all of you.you never can image what a day was today! And your negative comments just make us even more happy....if that is possible!
Shut up your mouth and relax.........we are the campions....we are the champions..Viva Italia number 1 forever!!!!!!!!!!

Finally I'm proud to be italian!!!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1934!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1938!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1982!
E Campioni del Mondo nel 2006!!!

Finally I'm proud to be italian!!!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1934!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1938!
Campioni del Mondo nel 1982!
Campioni del Mondo nel 2006!!!
A big big kiss from the winners!

impartial speaks for God now.
You can confront a bully without head-butting them.
Your primative solutions scare me.
Calling a whole country racist is by the way racist. Oh and I don't support the way Matterazzi has played at times either. But when does it end? Do you think one day enough people will get punched in the mouth or head-butted and then there will be peace on earth? I befriended the bully he he stopped being a bully. But that's just how I feel.

Instead of the World Cup, they should bring home an Oscar!

Whatever DC.

I said I wasn't calling the whole country rascist, just some the northern italian fans. Watch a italian game and you will see what I mean. Racism goes unpunished most of the times, and at least if that is what happened, Zidane didnt let Materazzi get away with it. Fifa if anything would have given Materazzi a $5000 euro fine. At least with all the public attention it recieved Materazzi might turn a page finally. If thats justification for a simple headbutt to the chest I dont know what is. At least he didn't give Materazzi a kick to the groin or a haymaker.

You must be the only one who cannot forgive Zidane for did what he did. Didnt he win the golden ball award of the tournament, despite the headbutt?..... http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060710/1/8rik.html

For someone who calls a headbutt in soccer violent, I wonder how you feel about a game of Football or Hockey. They make violence in soccer look like a joke.

Matterazi is a dirty bastard. But there's not penalty for being one in the soccer world, I guess. The Italian team is so classless.

You make so many assumptions impartial. Go look at the stats before you say Italy was "leading in cards" I can assure you that was not the case. Go ahead go look it up, and post it.

As far as the Golden ball. I thought Zidane had a couple of brilliant games in the WC, I love watching him move its poetic at times. But you should know that the majority of the journalist voted on that before the final game. So the outcome may have been different if they waited until after. And who said anything about forgiveness? I don't have to forgive him, he didn't head butt me in the chest. I just will not condone that behavior under any circumstance. I have seen Materazzi play like an ass and I don't like either. I was angry that they played De Rossi after what he did. I just don't support violence under any circumstance. Why am I (and "people like us") the bad guys. If you are seriously sickened by that behavior, don't support it period, not even if you think it is in retaliation. You act like it bothers you so much but you support. Wouldn't you be happier if Zidane did not go nuts and instead Materazzi was fined? Zidane holds on to his good name? If they find Materazzi said something racist I hope that FIFA rules hard on him, but that is their job to enforce the rules not the players.

Football and Hockey are made contact sports. They wear protective equipment. I feel fine about those sports. Thanks for asking.

Only one T in Materazzi Impartial American

"But there's not penalty for being one in the soccer world, I guess." Well, that's almost a sentence.
Also, you might want to learn the proper use of the word classless before making a poor attempt to insult the Italian team.

Since when have soccer fans been particularly academic? In any case,
I have to agree with the "Impartial" American. Materazzi's evasiveness indicates he is guilty of some sort of very poor, unsportsman-like behavior. I hope he is at least booed by the crowd for his next few appearances.

Materazzi admits to insulting Zidane

Denies calling the French star a `terrorist'

MILAN : Marco Materazzi admits he insulted Zinedine Zidane before the France captain head-butted him in the World Cup final. But denies calling him a "terrorist."

"I did insult him, it's true," Materazzi said in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I categorically did not call him a terrorist. I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is."

"My only terrorist is her," he said pointing to his 10-month-old daughter who was sleeping next to him on the plane that took the Italian team back to Italy.

Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time of Sunday's final in Berlin. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy won the game in a penalty shootout.

"I held his shirt for a few seconds only, then he turned round and spoke to me, sneering," the Italian defender said. "He looked me up and down, arrogantly and said: `If you really want my shirt, I'll give it to you afterwards."'

Common swearing

The 32-year-old Inter Milan player did not elaborate exactly on what he said to Zidane.

"It was one of those insults you're told tens of times and that always fly around the pitch," he said.

Media reports, based on interpretations by lip-readers, had suggested that Materazzi called Zidane a terrorist or insulted his mother or sister. Materazzi denies these claims, too. "For me, the mother is sacred, you know that," Materazzi told the newspaper.

Zidane's agent had said on Monday that the French skipper's assault was provoked by a "very serious" comment made by the Italian defender. Zidane has not given his account of the incident yet.

Father to son's sup

Well, I hope we find out soon if Zidane rammed his head into his Materazzi's chest. Oh wait, that is the only thing we do know for sure. His agents are doing a great job making him out to be the poor victim.

Although Zidane flew off the handle this time, he has a whole career of showing a quiet competence. That's something France can be proud of.

Materazzi comes off like a street thug. You almost expect that if he wasn't playing dirty soccery he would be pick-pocketing the wallets of American tourists in Rome or something. Italy ought to be ashamed.

Turns out Zidane has publically admitted that Materazzi insulted both his mother and sister. Enough to deserve a headbutt to the chest IMO, but if he did a glasgow kiss (headbutt to face) on Materazzi then maybe Zidane would have gone too far.

I can forgive him easily for this.

Rightly said Impartial