OFFICIAL WORLD CUP 2006

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm still new at this, but I think the rule is designed to keep one guy from hanging around down by the opposite goal, taking the long pass and taking cheap shots with no help for the goalie. Kinda like if in basketball one guy always stood by the basket.

But the offsides rule could be modified. You could still prevent people from hanging-out in the penalty box. Limit how far ahead a pass could be made to an offsides person, in some fashion similar to hockey.

[Deputy Nutz]

Italy WINS>>>>>>>

My God was that exciting.

What am I going to do for the next 4 years?????

[MJZiggy]

Can you believe Zidane's exit???? What was he thinking???

What would have happened if they tied? Just wondering?

[Fosco33]

Can you believe Zidane's exit???? What was he thinking???

What would have happened if they tied? Just wondering?

That was amazing. I wonder if the fans at the stadium knew what occurred - they sure booed the Italians enough afterwards.

Imagine Favre getting ejected during the Superbowl - how insane was that??

And yes, what would happen if they were tied 4-4 at the end of the PKs - would they do another 5 or go one for one? Harv/No Mo???

[MJZiggy]

Not just getting ejected during the Superbowl, but knowing he was going to retire at the end of the game and getting tossed out because he lost his head!! I wonder if the fans in the stadium got to see the replay that we saw at home. What do you think of the offsides on Italy's second goal? Is offsides only in relation to the player the ball was passed to? I didn't think he was offsides, but whoever was running next to him was--barely.

[Fosco33]

Not just getting ejected during the Superbowl, but knowing he was going to retire at the end of the game and getting tossed out because he lost his head!! I wonder if the fans in the stadium got to see the replay that we saw at home. What do you think of the offsides on Italy's second goal? Is offsides only in relation to the player the ball was passed to? I didn't think he was offsides, but whoever was running next to him was--barely.

True (on Brett) - but I'd be willing to bet that if we're fortunate enough to go to the Superbowl this year that it would be Brett's last game...

The offsides was close. The way I understand it (after watching like 10-15 games this Cup) is that it is based off the last defender's position at the point of the pass. Either way, I'm glad Italy won - especially after a weak initial goal by France, the offside call, Zadine's action - oh, and Italy is one of my home countries

[HarveyWallbangers]

Shootout goes to one kick at a time after the first five. The offsides call against Italy was a good one. Two players were offsides--including the guy who got the ball. They changed the rule, so that a player can be offsides, but only if he has no affect on the play. The non-goal by American DeMarcus Beasley against the Italians used to be an automatic offsides, but now it would have been allowed if McBride hadn't interfered with the goalie. Funny that the USA tied and outplayed the champs. Most of these teams are so close that every game could go either way. It's hard to overcome two bad red card calls (USA vs. Italy) and a bad penalty kick call (USA vs. Ghana). There was a really bad foul early in this game on Italy. It was MUCH worse than the two fouls by the Americans that drew red cards vs. Italy. The Italian only got a yellow card--which was the right call. I got tired of non-American fans act like the red cards the USA got were legit--when you see worse fouls in every game not get carded.

[BallHawk]

Actually, I believe that if it is tied after Pk's they go into golden goal, sudden death.

Thoughts from the Match

(1) What the **** was Zidadane thnking? Did he think he'd get away with it? What'd the Italian player say, "You're Mom's a whore?" and you get flustered up and get ejected when your team needs you. He owes the team and the fans more than that. It's sad that such a great player will go out on such a rotten play.

(2) The offsides by Italy was an offsides. France was fouled once in the box and it wasn't called.

(3) France outplayed Italy in that game. Now, Penalty Shootout is very exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it needs to go. It's a guessing game. You can whine all you want about how they can read the direction, and other bullshit. It's a guessing game. It would be in the NBA, in a tie game, the team's shoot three pointers to see who wins. And you could see Italy was playing for PK's. It is exciting, but it needs to go.

[MJZiggy]

Italy WINS>>>>>>>

My God was that exciting.

What am I going to do for the next 4 years?????

When do the women play?

[BallHawk]

When do the women play?

September 10-30, 2007 in China. It was originaly going to be held in China in 2003, but was moved because of the SARS outbreak.

[MJZiggy]

Thanks.

[Harlan Huckleby]

When do the women play?

when their husbands are away.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Actually, I believe that if it is tied after Pk's they go into golden goal, sudden death.

There is no golden goal anymore. They replaced it with a 30 minute OT where they play all 30 minutes (e.g. first goal doesn't automatically win it). Then they go to a shootout where each team gets 5 kicks. If it's still tied, they go one kick at a time.

They should bring back the golden goal. This new way is bunk.

[Fosco33]

Actually, I believe that if it is tied after Pk's they go into golden goal, sudden death.

There is no golden goal anymore. They replaced it with a 30 minute OT where they play all 30 minutes (e.g. first goal doesn't automatically win it). Then they go to a shootout where each team gets 5 kicks. If it's still tied, they go one kick at a time.

They should bring back the golden goal. This new way is bunk.

It'd be like 5 field goals at 30 yards to decide the Superbowl.

[MJZiggy]

They should alter the sub rules for overtime, then. These guys looked ready to die out there tonight.