Undeniably, this World Cup has been one of defenses. Here is what tips you off–it was the second lowest scoring cup on record, second to 1990; moreover, Germany 2006 now has the record for the most cards ever shown in a World Cup.

This means that the team that sports the best defense would come out on top. In this instance, Italy gave up only two goals in Germany. Irrespective of how many they scored, which was upwards of twelve, success came their way.

There is no argument to deny that Italy is equipped to win this type of Cup. My question is, “Why would teams like France and Brazil, who are more equipped to win cups, geared toward offensive movement, allow them to get suckered into playing defensive soccer?”

A few of the great coaches of the world were hypnotized into thinking that this was the way to go–horrible miscalculations to think that you can walk into a spider’s web and fight the spider.

I rarely agree with Tommy Smyth, ESPN pundit, and all around old geezer, but when he made the inflammatory statement, “The Greeks killed football,” I can see that success for the Cinderella Greeks in Euro 2004–reeling off 1-0 defensive wins one after the other, all the way to the finals–would make any coach reconsider his game plan.

So, we are left with the best defensive team in the world and everyone else trying to match their goal strangling prowess. Normally you would drink champagne from this Cup, but this year they should fill it with gruel.

Class work for the Italians. For the other teams of the Cup, leave the web spinning to spiders, and if you are a cheetah, take your fights to the open plains.

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
www.4skills.com

Italy defeated France via penalties 1-1 [5-3] in an explosive World Cup Final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. France felt the brunt of Italian will in the opening minutes when French striker, Thierry Henry was felled after a heavy collision with Italian defender, Fabio Cannavaro, leaving Henry needing smelling salts to reawaken his composure.

Italian fouls continued as Zambrotta received a yellow card in the 5th min. The physical approach of the Italians back fired though in the 7th min. when the Argentine referee, Horacio Elizondo pointed to the penalty spot, as Italy’s 2nd choice defender, Materazzi, playing for the injured Nesta, was perceived to have fouled French winger, Malouda in the penalty area. Zidane again stepped up and finished the penalty, as his cheeky chip wrong-footed Buffon, teasing the Italian faithful, with the ball deflecting off the crossbar and caroming over the goal line.

The drama of the match had been set by the early goal, and it was now questions of how would the Italians respond. Materazzi then proved heroic for Italy, scoring his second goal in the tournament for the Azzurri, bringing the scores level with a header in the 19th min. off a corner kick. With the scores tied, the Italians looked in control though locked into defensive mode, soaking up France’s pressure, attack-after-attack to move the game into the extra-time period. Buffon had another busy game for the Italians coming up big with six saves on the day.

The game, however, exploded to life again in the dying minutes of extra-time, with an off-the-ball incident between the game’s two goal scorers. Zidane, uncharacteristically, received a red card for rushing and head-butting Materazzi in the 110th min. Whatever the cause–the pressure, the Italian goading, or fatigue–Zidane let his emotions get the better of him, slighting his last match before retirement and damaging his team’s morale going into the penalties.

The Italians then outscored the French in the penalty shoot-out as all five Italian spot kickers converted their penalties–Pirlo, Materazzi, De Rossi, Del Piero, and Grosso–finally putting to rest Italy’s past World Cup penalty heartaches. Trezeguet was the scapegoat for France this time, as he missed, his shot crashing off the crossbar. And though Wiltord, Abidal, and Sagnol converted for France, the Italians, with one penalty to give, became the World Champions of Germany 2006.

Germany rolled to a bronze victory in the World Cup Third Place Match, riding high on the goals from twenty-two year old, Bastain Schweinsteiger. Both Klinsmann and Scolari tinkered with their squads in this one–both Ballack (injured) and Figo (coach’s decision) out of the sides. Still, the only team, of the final 4 teams, to play with two strikers, Germany pushed forward looking for goals. Portugal had to revert to several cynical professional fouls to keep Germany from getting behind their defensive back line.

The recalled German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn was tested by Portugal throughout the 1st half, but he proved sure-handed and helped keep the game goalless at half-time. The match, played in Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion in front of 52,000, looked destined to be the first Third Place Match in recent Cup history to go without four goals–until Schweinsteiger opened the scoring in the 56th min. with an incredible strike from distance that knuckled and swiveled just past the saving efforts of Ricardo. Schweinsteiger then had his foot in on Germany’s second goal in the 61st min. when his fiercely hit free kick was deflected in for an own-goal by Portugal midfielder, Petit.

Matters went from bad to worse for Portugal, as Schweinsteiger popped up once again in the 78th min. with another unbelievable swerving drive from distance. Portugal scored a consolation goal in the 88th min. with a diving header from the substitute, Nuno Gomes, who finished off fellow substitute, Luis Figo’s cross at the back post.

The thing I hate most in this world is regret. How about you? Regret makes you feel like you should have done it, and now it is too late. Frustrating, right? I do my best to avoid that feeling as much as possible.

You know the World Cup is almost over. Do you have anything to remember it by? A shirt, a bag, how about a poster? If not, click here and put all that regret to rest.

Yes, the World Cup is only every 4 years. Each one is unique and different. Remember this one the right way, with no regret!

All Smiles on the Field,

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
www.4skills.com 

The motto for this year’s World Cup has been “Time to make friends.” Now with the Finals set, anyone in the world would agree that playtime and friendship is over.

To be the Champion of the World, you must be the strongest, the best, and the most skilled. Wouldn’t you agree?

So, can we toss the smiles and handshakes out the window? Can France and Italy line up in the Thunder-dome with the motto, “Two will enter; only one will leave?” Hey we are about to crown the best players in the world. I don’t think we are going too far. People have gone to jail or worse for less.

Please Zidane and Buffon, on Sunday, when it is do or die, please no extra long hand shakes before the game because there is really something at stake. That is not being unsportsmanlike, just serious and focused.

So let’s squint your eyes and grit your teeth because only one can go beyond Thunder-dome.

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
www.4skills.com

Watching soccer, and being around soccer, in the US is night and day when compared to Europe. When you watch and enjoy soccer in the US, you are different, you are an outcast, even weird would be a great description for you. When you watch soccer in Europe, you are in, you are studly, and you are the center of life as we know it.

What mixed messages, what pain if you are a soccer fan! King in one world, village idiot in another.

Well, are you an idiot? You must be one like me because we watch soccer, and in a crowd, voices go silent when you scream for foul or goal. I feel for you, you champions of the World’s sport. You are the World Sport. You are the beginning of reality for this country.

I was there in Gelsenkirchen with the thousands that got stuck on the trains. You were there when McBride took an Italian elbow to the face.

Blow-for-blow, you and I will be there, and to make matters better, I will be helping the next-starts who will own the pitch in 2014 and beyond.

For more information, go to www.4skills.com. I will help you get to 2014 and make you a King in the Soccer World.

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary

Figo you were thinking about exchanging jerseys with Zidane in the 89th min. even though the game went to the 94th.

Your career ended two years ago. It wasn’t enough to waste Inter Milan’s money, but you now have equaled a farce during the World Cup. Only Henry and Ronaldinho have been more criminal in the use of their teams as vessels, to secure plane tickets to Germany.

Zidane you have scored the goal that Henry dived for. Enjoy because Italy has more luck then you!

Meditations from the Mongoose

Yes, if Cristiano Ronaldo would have had a game like he had against France, in the Premiership, then they would have lambasted him.

He played like a dirty little monkey. I know a few dirty monkeys, and they don’t do anything on or off the field.

Cristiano shed a tear at least, like you did when you thought your Cup was over against the Netherlands. Yes, the thigh-high tackle was nasty, and tears were warranted, but today you could have done much better and you didn’t.

That is why you are not of age, and for that matter, neither is Holland’s Van Persie. Both of you need to stay up in the trees for 2 more years until the European Cup comes out to play–that is when your monkey business will work.

Meditations from the Mongoose
www.savagesoccer.com

France defeated Portugal 1-0 to reach the Finals of Germany 2006. Even though both teams employed the lone striker, both teams still pushed forward looking to score.

Portugal started the stronger and created a few chances in the early minutes of the game. Once France settled down, they were able to nullify Portugal’s midfield, especially the creative influence of Deco, who rarely got a touch on the ball.

Thierry Henry proved instrumental in the 33rd min. when he went down in the penalty area after the lightest of touches from Portugal defender, Ricardo Carvalho. Zidane then converted the spot kick against Ricardo, who guessed right, but could not keep the ball out. France continued to hold out defensively, and now find themselves one match away from World Cup glory.

Italy defeated Germany 2-0 in extra-time to claim a place in the Final of Germany 2006. In a match that looked destined for penalties, the Italians spoiled Germany’s hopes with two goals coming in the dying minutes of play. With both teams playing a conservative style, the game was very slow and meticulous in its build-up with very few chances.

Germany’s Bernd Schneider had the only chance in the 1st half just missing narrowly, with a right-footed drive, over Buffon and the bar. In the 2nd half, Germany’s Podolski was foiled by Buffon, who pushed his shot over the bar with a one-handed save. The Italians also carved out two chances in the 2nd half as both Gilardino and Zambrotta beat German keeper, Jens Lehmann, only to be denied by the post.

Much of the same reserved play dominated the extra-time period; however, with penalties pushing closer and closer, the Italians finished off a patient build-up to devastating effect as Grosso finished off a neat passing play in the 119th min, with a bending shot that curled past the out-stretched Lehmann into the back post. Del Piero added the 2nd in the 120th min, finishing off another passing move through the dejected German defense.