That Was Even Uglier Still

Before anyone starts to blame the fact that penalty kicks decided this championship, let's look at where the problem really lies and to do so, we have to look to the past, specifically 68 years ago to 1938 when the World Cup was played in France for the first time. If you look at the results, pay special attention to the quarter-finals. On June 12 Brazil played Czechoslovakia to a 1-1 tie after extra time. Two days later, the match was replayed in its entirety and Brazil won, 2-1.

So what's the difference between then and now? The influence of money from television. It would rile television networks to promote the event, only to have to run it again (on a Tuesday, no less) two days later. Money is at the root of this evil and I really don't know of a better way to resolve it. Play until players drop dead of exhaustion? Allow completely open substitutions and let them play for another two hours without a goal scored?

As for the game itself, I was whipsawed in various directions by my emotions during the game. I started the game pulling for France. Then, when that very dodgy penalty was called, I pulled for Italy to at least equalize, which they did. France clearly played a better game in the second half, but could not finish their chances. I thought Zidane showed great courage when he continued to play after hurting his shoulder.

Then when Zidane headbutted Materazzi, I started pulling for Italy again. I could not in good conscience pull for France any longer. Whatever provocation Zidane may have received, it didn't merit the response. In his last match as a professional, Zidane disgraced himself. I am interested in hearing what led to his reaction, however. This may provide some clues (hat tip to James Hupp):

One of the theories about Zidane as a player is that he is driven by an inner rage. His football is elegant and masterful, charged with technique and vision. But he can still erupt into shocking violence that is as sudden as it is inexplicable. The most famous examples of this include head butting Jochen Kientz of Hamburg during a Champions League match, when he was at Juventus in 2000 (an action that cost him a five match suspension) and his stomping on the hapless Faoud Amin of Saudi Arabia during the 1998 World Cup finals (this latter action was, strangely enough, widely applauded in the Berber community as Zidane's revenge on hated Arab 'extremists').

Zidane's first coaches at AS Cannes noticed quickly that he was raw and sensitive, eager to attack spectators who insulted his race or family. The priority of his first coach, Jean Varraud, was to get him to channel his anger and focus more on his game. According to Varraud, Zidane's first weeks at Cannes were spent mainly on cleaning duty as a punishment for punching an opponent who had mocked his ghetto origins.

This video makes it appear that perhaps Materazzi tweaked Zidane's nipple (hat tip to Henry Farrell)?!? Whatever it was, Zidane should know that the retaliator usually pays the heavier price.

Worth noting, by the way, that Italy lost its chance for the tetra campionato on penalty kicks and eventaully won the tetra campionato on penalty kicks.

As for me, I'm somewhat footballed out now. I've enjoyed watching the games, but I would like to see somewhat of a changing of the guard. I believe that will be a long time coming, but I'll still love the game, even if I have to watch the usual suspects. At least I have the Euro 2008 Championship and the Copa America to look forward to.

Comments

[bcgreene]

So I guess it is back to politics, heh? Your commentary has been great.

I watched the final with my uncle, who is Algerian. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), he hates France and was rooting pretty heavily for Italy. He does like Zidane, to some degree, but said the head butt didn't surprise him at all.... we were only wondering what Materazzi said to him. It couldn't have been very nice.