World Cup 2006 Blog

Henry is a good player, but DESERVES to win the world cup? ZZ has been a brilliant player and dragged France passed a stuttering brazil.

However the fantastic thing about sport is that you don't always get what you deserve.
The best team doesn't always win. That's why we watch surely?

I'm just hoping for as much drama and entrtainment as we had last night.

French players should win the game first and only after slander the portuguese players!It's not nice to see the way football is done these days...

Why the hatred for an appearance by the Portuguese in the Final? At least it won't be England stinking up the biggest showpiece game in world football!

Portugal have played decent football in the competition (they have certainly been no less compelling than France - up until the Brazil game at least).

I'd like to see Portugal win the tournament for the sake of seeing a new name on the trophy. And there's a lot of talk about it being "fitting" for Zidane to go out on top with another World Cup win - How about Luis Figo? Doesn't a player of his incredible ability deserve a similar honour?

wouldn't mind scolari as england manager though..fun and games and put the wind RIGHT up the FA!

Portugal are unbeaten in 17 competitive matches. The greatest achievement of their coach is the one of creating a very confident team, believing in their next 18th successive win, against the strong French team...

@Marc:

"Oh, please english persons, forget that you dislike us and support us against the tricky, cheating portuguese!!!"

LOL. This is great stuff. No-one can exactly pin where exactly did Portugal won any game by cheating, or what exactly are the "cheats", but that's irrelevant, it's a "feeling", they "dive" and, er, something like that. So utterly *pathetic* that it makes me all warm and fuzzy.

Never have I felt better in a Cup really, being the "enfant terrible" for squads that thought that they had it in their belly and faced with an outsider can't really do better than to resort to vilification campagins based on, ummm, nothing. It's especially interesting when the ones whinning a lot have a history of winning Cups through grotesque refereing errors and out of match gamemanship (hi England '66, hello there France... pick a year, really). Still, no moaning from me for that, not even for the Euro champions Greece, that deserved to win Euro 2004. That's only because I'm not a cry-baby moaner that needs to rally other countries in my aid for a quite possible defeat in a couple of hours.

But please, do go one with it. As long as it lasts I will know that we might have a shot at the Cup. And you know what? I have a feeling that Italy will be the one to deny us of that, not France which lacks in fiber what it has in talk. Either way, keep on moaning.

I feel we almost getting in .come on france.

@Brian Spence

You must have missed the memo: somehow Portugal have "cheated", since that's really the only way to win every match, especially against England and Holland. Even though no refereing decision has beneficted Portugal.

Read my earlier post, it's all so utterly pathetic that it's quite funny.

Got to go for the French on this (even though it's against my religion) as I think it will make the final a stunner of a match.

I was all for Germany last night until one of the bloggers mentioned Andy Moeller's strutting which suddenly bought out the Italian supporter in me. Italy have been stunning since they found their feet and they have an inspirational captain.

GO FRANCE (I feel sick) lol

Repply to messages # 3 &5, Mark & Belifante:

As I see it if any justice had to be donne in Portugal VS england had to be the Portuguese Victory.
Why?

1)England wasnt convincing all the Tournament.

2)Games shouldnt be played on sensationalist tabloids with content as disresoect before the actual game, I my view if anybody provoked it was the English side.

3) Portugal won with a large list of
absences and potential absences.

4) Portugal commited less fouls and had less booking than England

5) Portugal had more shots on target than England in ANY game.

5)Portugal had already beaten mexico hands down with the B team in one of the most enjoyable games of this tournament.

6) Portugal was the only team of the game who had efectively players injured out of the game after foul play. I particulary think that was well deserved after all the English support given to the dutch.

7) English fans were freely hand picking Portugal players to be absent for to make it easy for England win.

8)Theatrics and diving used as excuse for Englands lack of perfomance even after 1 of the English players tried to rip off a penalty after a clean intercepet on the box.

I dont want to make generalizations here but Im tired to see this or that team cheated. I regret to have read in other BLOG's that all latin teams cheats only to read here, now that the Italians or the french should win.
How consistent of an argument is that?!

I have a petition to FIFA to get Englands WC star increased in size every 4 years. We may only have 1 star on our shirt but it will be ever so slightly bigger than everyone elses.

Message # 14, Fred:

You clearly didn even see the game and just rant over here.
The goal achieved against the dutch was early in the game much bofore incidents. Infact the First half of the game was pretty much enjoyable.

Do I have to remind you who lost players after man hunts in the game or wich coach ordered his team to attack after a player had been replaced and without the referee's clearence to continue the game?

I cant see nothing eve if theinge were right in front of you.
Get over your radicalism and Englands defeat. We have been consisten in defeating England for the last 3 tournamets, onw wich we turned arround a result of 2-0 to 2-3.

France tonight, Italy for the World Cup. Lovely to watch last night, with their pre-sweat-stained Armani shirts, and their long hair, and their pretty patterns in midfield. If only Totti had a bit more oomph, and a shot. So Italy to win the cup. That's best for England, the old guard, it leaves our (ancient) achievement on some sort of vestigial pedestal, or that's the way I look at it.

England-wise: how about we hire in referees from abroad. Maybe the Mexican referee from last night? Offer them a good wage, I imagine the Premiership would agree. That way we can enjoy greater skill and consistency, and we can entirely familiarise ourselves with the way the world game is refereed. I'm becoming entirely fed-up with bleating commentators implying those fancy continentals, they don't like a bit of honest-to-goodness tackling. How many times do we need to have a player sent off for what we regard as a bit of honest afters or argy-bargy before we realise we're the little islanders, no one else tolerates our style of physical football? Do we want to win the World Cup or not (I think probably not, not if it means changing the national type - look at the venom towards Sven, dressed up as football criticism)? Having said that I thought we did surprisingly well on the card front; although in future I think we should be prepared. Before the game I felt we had a good chance of going through, but I thought we'd be likely to be lining up for the semi-final with several suspensions. Scolari practises games with 10 men to prepare for sendings-off. England should go into every major championship with the expectation that we'll get at least one red card. I don't how we can use that knowledge though, we're already masters at the backs-to-the-walls, courageous, surprisingly good performance with 10 men. Maybe we should start that way?

English referees could be sent abroad to learn their skills, which would hopefully eventually raise the standard of refereeing in the domestic game.

I'm also fed up with the bleating about diving. Make sure the rules are watertight (maybe the punishment for faking needs to be increased - red cards in extremis?), then let people interpret them how they like. If players want to take a chance with faking, then so be it, let the referee decide, and punish if necessary. Football may be a sport, but why should we rely on players to be sporting. That's what rules are for isn't it? For me that is one reason why I love football, it's so much bigger than a game, it's like politics, only better; aesthetically pleasing, with a big game twice a week.

If Zidane and France can play the next two matches the way they did against Brazil, I'd like to see a France win as well...

how the french surprise even themselve. Now it wld be hard to stop them cos they are just playing without any pressure. I see a french italian final. Let the team with the luck carry the day

@Pilotasso #17

I think you got the wrong name there pal, I agree with everything you said. Portugal wins have been consistent and unquestionable, even if unimpressive until now and. Holland seems to get away with their large share on the incidents in the Holland v Portugal game mainly because they are out and the need to make up excuses against Portugal. It's revisionism at its best.

If we see Zidane lifting the World Cup itself, not only will I be crying tears of joy (and im not even French) but the "greatest of them all" question afflicting every school playground and pub discussion from here to Vladivostok will no longer revolve only around Maradona and Pele, a footballing trinity shall be born!

I hope it's France against Italy in the final. Italy really impressed me with their discipline. And a team that has Zidane on it's roster - you just have to love it !
Also, I wanna play Portugal in Stuttgart on Saturday. I wanna take revenge for England !!!!

Do you know, what celphone brand as the top sell in england??
It's Sorry Erickson.

Portugal to beat the French.

As for cheating - you English really are blinkered in your views.

1) Who was it that actually pulled a players hair to score a goal against T&T ?
2) Joe Cole is constantly diving, but as usual there in no mention of that.
3) Gary Neville is always the first to rush upto the ref to complain about a tackle or decision.

England are out, because you were not good enough...stop looking for excuses.

By all means criticise...but use your so called brains when you do so, and assess things objectively.

Nr. 25:

Sad but true........

# 21 Fred:
My apoligies, Somehow I rushed that message, and the previous post also have wrong message numbers because I think they changed (???)

why this temporary feeling for france to win the world cup ?
why so anti portugal ? lets get on with things and not linger with bitterness because we lost on penalties again in a very dramatic game ,let the best team win and not choose because we are still hurting.enjoy the last few games

"They will use every trick to provoke the French team and I am afraid some players will fall into that!"

Six of the french players already have a yellow card, which mean that if one of them get another one tonite, and that the team pass to final, they won't be able to play the final! crap!

One of the countless stupid rules from the FIFA mafia.

"Got to go for the French on this (even though it's against my religion)"
"GO FRANCE (I feel sick) lol"

Is your religion the one with the "French-hating" dogma? ^^

Is it the strange part of this insular mentallity that some "sheep of panurge" have, conditioned by england's pathetic "news-papers"? ;P

I just want the portuguese to win because it's really fun to see all the english sooooo pissed off. Caledonia forever!

This is phenomenal content...
where was it that portugal won by cheating? Cheating against England??? where??? Against Holland??? Where is the cheating? It's so much easier for England fans to say that it's Ronaldo's fault that Rooney was sent off. It's so much easier to say that England lost against cheats, as they did in Mexico 86, as they did in Belgium 2000 and as they did in Portugal 2004. Don't you think that explains why you will not win a cup in the foreseeable future? It's just because your intrinsic xenophobic feelings prevent you from realising that actually you might have to improve if you want to compete with other - better teams. Just get over it... you lost... again. Enjoy tonight's match on tele.

I agree with comment 7. Zidane has had many trophies in the past and he certainly isn't ending his international career in disgrace as Beckham. Figo has yet to raise a cup for his country, and if we forget World Cup 2002 which was disastrous (terrible coach at the time), since the year 2000, Portugal and most of its players have been in every big semi-final or final of almost every football competitions.

Most of the players are playing in some of the greatest european teams at the highest level of competition. Can the english brag like the portuguese that three of their team players had won the Champion's League 2 years ago at Gelsenkirchen under Mourinho's leadership?

It's only fair that Portugal earns a trophy that symbolizes all these achievements, a culmination of their hard work and talent. It's easy to acuse them of cheating but in the end all that matters are the facts. And the facts speak for themselves.

By the way, that press conference was hilarious.

Portugal ...........who??

Sad to see Portuguese fans feel the need to masquerade as English fans throughout this blog. Also I can't help but feel all these retorts about the cheating are a result of sourness at now not being recognised by your (fairly decent, if defensive) play but instead being remembered for your diving and simulation that has sullied your achievements.

As for today I think France have the class to go through. With Pauleta up there on his own I can't see Portgual scoring.

Please let France beat the portuguese and let Ronaldo commit a really innocuous foul and be randomly dismissed.i had such respect for Ronaldo with all the abuse he gets from fans when playing at united but now he is a disgrace, France are class that have been off top form but Portugal? theyre rubbish and got lucky. France all the way and as much as i wanted to see them beat Germany in the Final, Beating Italy will be just as sweet.

I'll be backing the French. There a better team and it'll make a better final. Its only your president I dont like.

I would say it would be fitting for Figo to crown his career with another winners' medal - a World Cup medal and for the World Cup to have a new winner.

After fancying Holland through the group stage, and then seeing them go out in an unedifying bloodbath to Portugal; supporting England (in spite of it all) to their death (in another unappetising dogfight vs Portugal) I decided I wanted to see Klinsmann's dynamic young German squad winning this WC...

Clearly, my support is the kiss of death.

Given this situation, I now say unreservedly, 'Go, Portugal!'

Lets see if that 'warrior spirit' can succeed in destroying a side with real class and some sublime talent that has finally hit its stride. Maybe it will happen - after all, as big Phil keeps telling us, some sides that play beautiful football are on the plane home...

Here's the truth: England played a crappy world cup and were lucky in most of their matches. They played such ugly football, it was scary. Portugal had to win. They deserved it.
Now playing France is a different story. Portugal is not better than France and will lose to France.

There is so much talk about cheating and diving and that Portugal are cheats. Unfortunately I do not agree that Portugal are cheats, they play the same way as any other team. Had the role been reversed and had Pauleta stomped Rio's jewels, there would no doubt be out cries of Portugal and Pauleta being cheats for stomping.

I love the way that because Rooney is Englands golden boy he hasn't been mentioned once as the reason for his own sending off, afterall Deco was sent off for hadeling the ball - far from stomping...

It would be great to see a new name on the trophy.

The Azzurri are playing well, but that first half against Team USA, made a lot people think this may not be a happy tournament for Italy.

Turns out, the USA was VERY gritty, the only team to get a point against them, but Italy has the heart of champions, and it's showing now.

East Africa is on your side .... go go Portugal. The cup is waiting for you. The England striker, .... I don't know why he stood on the players' "private part" and pushed his manchester friend Ronaldo.

France should surely beat the Portuguese but then again England should have too, but weren’t good enough!!! In fact they couldn't beat their way out a wet paper bag!!!

go france go! I think france is more physicaly fit that portugal.

Every single soul in this blue Planet must know that English people believe themselves to be the most polite and educated in the world (not to say a word and then drink until a coma is NOT being polite). But I did not know that they are such a bad losers. Now I know! It is very ugly the fashion in which they reacted to the Portuguese victory. If at least they could understand that Scolari knows how to make a family - a TEAM - from a bunch of men full of idiosyncrasies (to have big stars is not enough to make a team - look at Real Madrid!). But to understand this, for such an rational and superior country, would imply to look a bit further than their bellies...

@Luke #38.

You honestly think that anyone gives a damn on how you will "remember" Portugal? That's rich, eheheh. Especially from a country that brags about the "spirit of '66".

As for masquerading, that's wishful thinking from someone who can't handle differences of opinions.

As for gameplay, Portugal has yet to play a convincing match, granted. The fact that it still in the semis says more of the lack of ability of the oposition so far than anything else.

I'll not take further time from you since you must have a 1PM moaning seasing coming up, the dutch and the french are already starting and I don't want you to feel left out :)

Oh, and a sincere adivice: go watch the full games of Portugal so far and get a grip with reality. Unconvincing, yes, quite possibly, but the "cheating" and "diving" is in this case firmly on the eye of the beholder. Or the eye of the loser.

'BA' and 'koolricky'.....which World Cup team do you both follow?

Why does Henry deserve to win the world cup?

Sure he's been great in the premier league, scoring prolifically against inferior teams, but he has rarely if ever produced a big performance on the biggest of stages.

As stated by others..one point to bear in mind: when did England actually ever PLAY well? Yes,they may have had a good squad of players - but you need to play the game - I hope that the English team and journos were watching the game last night-that's how you PLAY football - take note - entertaining, skillful, enthralling - on the edge of your seat stuff. Commentators were saying the match against Portugal was gripping(!!!!???) - if England hadn't been playing I would have switched off and watched paint dry instead. I'm glad Portugal won - now we can actually watch the WC without the jingoistic/biased rubbish that commentators splurt out when England are in the running. Come on Italy!! PS I'm all for Patriotism and all that being British - but IS there any country out there who is NOT an enemy???!! LOL!

It makes me sick to read all this hate and envy towards our team...i don't know if we will win but, it's a shame that english fans are really sore losers, you should get used to it, THREE TIMES you were beaten by portugal in the last 4 major competitions, so stop complaining!

#43 Alice:

Your jinx will not work because you realy dont mean it. hehe :D

Fred: In case you didnt read I apologise to you. I have rushed the message I wrote previosly. Cheers!

Brazil and England were not as we expected. They were in the competition to full fill the fifa quota. Rooney and Ronaldinho are the worest players ever seen in the world cup while they were expected to play at least their minimum. I have been pleased by portugal performance. I want to watch football, not names. Portugal must win the cup.

The French are far too strong at the moment,
beating Brasil was amazing for us over here in French Brittany...

They deserve to win the World Cup,

excuse my French but they have a'je ne sais quoi'that others team lack and that is 'beau jeu'

I'd like Italy to win it now just on the basis of how enthralled and entertained I was by them last night. It was a world cup winning worthy
performance in itself.

Sven could learn from Lippi what a mobile midfield with ovelapping full backs which all supports the front man can do for your passing game. More to the points so could Mclaren.

I have to say, Joao's right... England lost. Maybe not completely fair or completely square, but they lost - they didn't look like beating Ricardo before Rooney went anyway. Stop the hating.... ;-)

I think when portugal see franck ribery's (kane from WWE) ugly face steaming towards them, they will be unable to do anything but let him score.

To all you pathetic people that are supporting France because Portugal knocked you out of the world cup- What does it feel like supporting different countries in every single championship?

That is what you do is it not? You never actually support one single team do you? Why? Because England Suck!

How sad!

Seeing as England are never going to win anything ever again, you might as weel just support some other team right from the start of these major championships and cut out the middle man! It would save you time for drinking and abusing people from other countries (the latter being the one you're best at).

Bukowski:
I support Caledonia. I know they are not in the world cup but is your team there? Furthermore, better not to be in the WC than to be there and give the sad image that England did. Oh well, I like Portugal because if they want they can play beautiful football but now they are sick of playing beautifully to lose games. They are in a different mood and no doubt Scolari has been the masterminder of that. As a Portuguese manager that you might love says "Some teams play football. Some teams play to win." Portugal is playing to win.

Hey Fred,

'If' Portugal win against France and then Italy, I'm afraid that whilst you will have some respect for what would be a great achievement I'm afraid people will look back to the last two matches you played, and I'm afraid the 'simulation' image will remain, and it will be a tarnished victory. You may not care, and it's probably better that you don't.

Sure every team has players that are guilty of it; some teams are more guilty than others. The bitterness from the media and fans over here is mostly at our poor play, some idiots blame Ronaldo, but the bitterness from Portuguese fans on this blog is just as childish, and at least we're not hiding it. For fans accused of having an air of superiority by a ludicrous post by 'fernanda', we in fact are much more critical of our own than you people appear to be. In fact that argument is better suited vice versa.

You completely ignored my comment about masquerading. This is my second post on here, on this issue, so 'cannot handle a difference of opinions' is something that applies to you much more judging by the number of times I have seen your name with the same arguments, casually ignoring the most pertinent points by trying to switch the focus.

And stop putting a smiley face next to your comments that you mean to be insults. You don't fool anyone.

"Questa o quella per me pari sono"
-- Verdi, Rigoletto

Both teams are great, and I expect another awesome game tonight. Let the best side win :)

Looking forward to tonight's game after the brilliant match last night. Feel sorry for the Germans who were excellent but Italy deserved to win on the night. Very controlled and cultured; every man did a good job.

I do feel that tonight's game may be more nervy with both teams worried about losing rather than focussed on winning. France look the more attractive team and the stars are beginning to shine. The Portugese will perhaps be more tight as a team and if the French falter they will take advantage. Hope it doesn't go to penalties.

Viva Portugal… I hope today Portugal will win and all English will explode from envy. Rooney stop crying…you failed and acknowledge it and stop blaming others for that.

Ha ha cheating protugese I love it Ronaldo has more passion pace and the balls to do things on the pitch than any English player other tham maybe Rooney how many portugese players did you see standing on thier oponents nutts???? Go Portugal at least if they win it they will have one it as many times as Engerland put all your we should win we are the best in you place I supported Engerland in this world cup but my gosh Boring Boring Boring Boring we got what we deserved !!!! If you cant play a few nice close touch passes then what hopes do we have Portugal Italy final may the best team win

France have been going from strength to strength, and if they grab an early goal the game will be really interesting. Portugal would have to come out and attack, leaving them vulnerable to Henry on the break.

France wins this game, but Italy takes World cup.
Final Rankings:
1. Italy (the champs)
2. USA (the only team to trouble the champs)
3. France (Beat defending champs)
4. Brazil (they're still BRAZIL)
5. Germany (Impressive throughout)
6. England (BAD LUCK follows them)
7. Spain (Great team, no big game credentials)
8. Argentina (lost heartbreaker to hosts)
9. Portugal (cheating will get you in the top 10 at least)
10. Toss a coin (too many to choose)

Sorry but its not just in England that Portugal will be remembered for being a sly cheating team....alot of countries have said it and not just the teams that have lost to them.Spanish speaking countries have reported the same as have Aussie and American newspapers.

It appears that most of the participants in this forum have drunk the cool-aid! how unfortunate that a so called civilized country(England)is such a bad loser! the media has sold this concept that all latin countries are cheats,and the public at large(sheep),to satisfy all their frustations,have bought it, line weight and sink.How convenient to attack a little country such as Portugal and label them as cheats, when history proves exactly the opposite to be the case.They have received no favors and only hard work and team spirit has brought them to where they are.The French "purists", conveniently, are singing the same tune! Well,once again,we just may have to prove them wrong.
Go Portugal!prove all your detractors wrong.

There would be nothing more fitting than Portugal getting kicked out and Ronaldo having to go back to Man U to receive the absolute kicking he deserves from Rooney. Lying, cheating, winking little git. I'm not even a supporter of England but felt sick at the lack of sportsmanship and professionalism Ronaldo has. I would love 5 minutes in a room with him that's for sure.

oh dear, we have got rather polarised here haven't we..??

many english displaying anti-portuguese sentiments, because of the perceivced gamesmanship of the portuguese, are now being branded bad losers... I think the argentinians were the bad losers eh..??

portuguese fans coming on here displaying a "holier than thou" attitude a) because they won and b) because rooney got himself sent off..

come on..!! see the middle ground.. both sides are as blinkered as each other... Portugal have the "cheating" reputation from games like the holland one (not freeing the dutch from their share of the game either) and the porto vs celtic final a few years ago... of course, they don't always cheat, but there's no smoke without fire.. I used to respect Figo as a player - before his unpunished head butt.. ronaldo's wink..?? not as bad of course as rooney's stamp, but a very provocative gesture...

face it.. few players are perfect.. last nights game was much better.. england have been below par all the tournament, and portugal, couldn't score against 10 men for over an hour.. england can't do penalties..

neither of those sides are what I would call top 4 material.. france produced their best against brazil.. do that again and portugal won;t stand a chance...

Italy to win..

Funny, how different peoples have different perspectives on events. Whenever Portugal loses in a Championship, we always want the team that beat us to win the trophy (so that we can say that we lost only to the champions). The English want us to loose out of revenge.
Different cultures - that's what makes the world an interesting place.

How pathetic is it to read the comments towards Portugal cheating....more like talent and beating the odds...digging deap to win and persevere...May the best team win and I hope that is Portugal.

No evidence for Portugal cheating? Figo's head-butt was obviously a trick of the light, and falling away clutching his face from what was an innocuous challenge also, an effect brought on by my xenophobia. Before you jump in again Fred, Rooney was correctly sent off, no, England didn't deserve to win thanks to the management teams tactical ineptitude, and aside from that slightly dubious wink, and the usual simulation that all players, whatever nationality, sadly now practice, Portugal didn't cheat to get past us. But don't pretend please that Deco didn't deserve to see straight red for his first booking against Holland. Big Phil's plea of innocence doesn't stand up to close inspection.

OK, let's say that Portugal will get a place in heaven for achieving such an impossible feat: to get the English pretending they like the French. Extraordinary, INDEED!!!

I think Steve P just covered it.

alcidia..

that's the same "talent" that couldn't score in 2 hours of football..??

england were just as bad..

face facts.. both sides were poor on the night.. why do you think so much attention is focussed on rooney's indiscipline and ronaldo's gamesmanship..?? because the match was lacking in decent football.. sure, england showed endeavour after rooney's sending off - they had no other choice..

england fans are mainly upset because we performed worse than we know we can.. and not just against portugal, but in all the games... no one minds (so much) losing if you've played as well as you can - look at germany - but we were crap... be honest, portugal were no better...

I want France to win. Not because I hate Portugal, but because:

a) I was very impressed with their win over Brazil, especially as they had been written off as "too old". 34 (Zidane) is too old? What rubbish.

b) I was very unimpressed with Portugal. I would have respected them if they had won in regular time or in extra time. But they needed to go to penalties to win it, despite having a man advantage. Germany, Italy, or France would have had England for breakfast in that situation. Portugal could not and did not take advantage. Thus, they are the inferior side going into tonight's game.

To all those complete morons who posted comments such as portugal have a 'warrior spirit' and that england cheat as much as any other team, i'd like to ask one question:do you people actually watch these football matches. In the portugal v holland game, the dutch for once were worse than you, but lets not forget decos ridiculous first tack that arguably should of been a straight red, or figos headbutt, or the diving. against england your players were constantly trying to wind rooney up, did u see how ronaldo was winding him up just before the match started? No of course you somehow forgot that little incident. did u see how ronaldo winked at the bench, as if to say, 'job done rooneys lost it'. There is no one incident that portugal cheated to win the game, but you didnt win the game in open play anyway, we looked the better side. ronaldo and co were constantly diving, clutching their faces like they'd been shot. And yes, english players do dive, but its so rare that whenever it does happen everyone harps on about it. had rooney gone down when he was being pulled by carvalho for what seemed forever he would of got a freekick and who knows how the game would turn out, but no, he doesnt go down he carries on with that warrior spirit you so pathetically claim to have and he ultimately gets punished.

England played poor until the second half of the portugal game. But, we displayed a sense of sportsmanship and fairplay that you cannot even claim to come close to.

If portugal are so much better than england, why couldnt you beat us in open play on the last two occaisons when we didnt have our main striker?

England could only draw with Sweden (even Trinidad and Tobago managed that - and with only 10 players during the second half!). Rooney had already shown signs of things to come when he reacted to his substitution during that game by hurling his boots around like a spoilt child.

Consider the following, Rooney was sent off aginst Birmingham in 2002, earned 5 bookings in just the first two months of the 2003 season, had to be substituted against Spain in 2004 to avoid a seemingly inevitable red card, received a three match ban from the FA in 2004, was sent off for showing dissent(against Villarreal)in 2005 and has now been red-carded for 'accidently' stamping on Carvalho.

Funny how it is Portugal and especially Ronaldo (coincidently the scorer of the winning penalty against us) who are branded 'cheats'.

The record suggests Rooney to be a childish thug who surely deserves no place within England's overpaid and under-achieving excuse for a football team, or then again...?

People seem to have short memories. Was it really only 10 days ago France were being castigated for the way they were playing and only just squeezed through to the last 16. And now, such praise bestowed on them - primarily it seems because people have taken the huff at Portugal who had the temerity to beat an England team which quite frankly could not have played its way out of a paper bag. Portugal against Italy would make an excellent final. For those of you complaining about Ronaldo - do you remember the Oscar winning performance by Thierry Henry against Spain. Tell me, Thierry, just why are you lying on the ground clutching your face?? Not because it is a bit of gamesmanship by any chance?? Surely not, not you. You wouldn't do that. Go to it big Phil - let's despatch the ageing French team home tonight. Come on Portugal!!

all i read is portuguese cheats. you have been brainwashed by the british media. who stamped on another man's nuts, greatest crime of all time. teh english lost because the team is not good enough, if england were in the Italy or Argetina group tehy would not have made the knock out stage. face it, its like Alan Hansen said, your players are overcoached from a tender age and have no skill, Hargreaves was teh only one beating his opponent, then you want to win the World Cup, get outta here, not gonna happen. Gerrard and the Hooligan are probably the only world class players in the whole team but nowhere near the Ballacks, Vieras, Kakas, Decos. Now get over it.

Hey, guys, let's not forget something: if Scolari were to be the English coach there would be a totally different reaction to exactly the same facts. So this is a twofold revenge for the brits: first of all they do not forgive Big Phil for saying no (spoiled babies react like this to NO's). That's fine, you know. Let them stop crying and then they'll get to sleep.

You say Portugal cheats but never say when or where. Who tries to cheat is Rooney, that kicks R. Carvalho's balls, but luckly justice was made.

Portuguese play with spirit. what a joke!! they shouldn't be singled out though becuase this WC has been thoroughly spoiled by divers, play acting, players trying to influence the referee. its pathetic, disgusting and very bad for the game. If FIFA weren't such a bunch of jokers (like all football federations) they could easily sort this out. Look at rugby league. If you so much as frown to the ref about a decision you go back 10 yards. If a player is seen on TV to have clearly dived (like the Dutch guy against Portugal) then it should be a 3-match ban. simple as that. They'd soon stop doing it. If a player waves a card at the ref, he should wave a red card back - simple as.. Then maybe we can start enjoying watching the football and not the theatre. And if you're wondering why English fans are so bitter it's because we have had the pleasure of watching our golden generation (we probably have 5 or 6 of the top 20 players in the world) being thoroughly wasted by a moron who has no passion, plan, ideas and then to be told he walks away with an impressive record. Remember the only teams we have got past in KO stages in the last 3 tournaments are Denmark and Ecuador. Very impressive

To all those complaining about Portugal. They are in the semi-final because 1) England could not score against them and win the game due to Sven's tactics, 2) Rooney can't keep his temper/emotions in check and 3) Gerrard, Lampard and Carragher can't score from the spot. Portugal is not a team of stars and premadonnas but is a team that sticks together and fights to the end. They are in the semi-final because they deserve to be. Hopefully the team will make history for Scolari by going on and lifting the trophy come Sunday.

fernanda..

some of us are trying to ahve a reasoned debate on here..

"spoiled babies" and "crying" does nowt to promote that...

most english lay blame at the manager for not picking a strong enough strike force, not ronaldo..

we're out because we were rubbish... you're still there because you played us, not because you were the better side... that's not sour grapes or being a bad loser - I couldn't give a damn if truth be told about international football, I'm more concerned with the health and welfare of my kids - it's just an honest opinion.. if portugal beat france by playing the better football then I will congratulate them in due course.. however I can't see either side beating italy..

all i read is portuguese cheats. you have been brainwashed by the british media. who stamped on another man's nuts, greatest crime of all time. teh english lost because the team is not good enough, if england were in the Italy or Argetina group tehy would not have made the knock out stage. face it, its like Alan Hansen said, your players are overcoached from a tender age and have no skill, Hargreaves was teh only one beating his opponent, then you want to win the World Cup, get outta here, not gonna happen. Gerrard and the Hooligan are probably the only world class players in the whole team but nowhere near the Ballacks, Vieras, Kakas, Decos. Now get over it.

I have no problem with Portugal - hey, I hear England sometimes win playing poorly. What's more, we actually claim that winning is the priority. Just imagine for a moment that Portugal and England swap places ...How the English (prompted by the Sun) would have made heroes of all the players after their noble victory on Saturday and praised the bulldog spirit of our Ronaldo.

Sorry, all debates seem to lead to the same topic - all these proud, often disolusioned englishmen like me, overflowing with opinion.

Now, tonight ... I have seen play France 5 times since 1998 and (sadly) each performance was more composed and more skillful than anything I have seen from England in the same time.

So I will be supporting them for the brand of football I associate with them, as well as their performancer in the Brazil game (rather than the Korea or Switzerland games).

Last night I dearly wanted the Germans to win just becuase I have grown to like them more and more over the last 6 weeks. I felt that Italy had played 2 relatively easy games in the knockouts to get to the semis. Well, over the course of the match I became completely neutral and in the end was genuinely thrilled at Italy's deserved vitory. I feel I wil be as happy tonight if my preconceptions go out of the window and we see a great game with a deseerved winner - whoever that may be.

Football fans = the most fickle species on the planet.

#63 - Koolricky,
from one scot to another, you're a disgrace!
Clive Woodward was fond of saying that his England Rugby squad were so disliked because they were prepared to "Win Ugly". The Scots ranted about that approach, and rightly so.
As Brazil, Argentina, France and even Italy have shown in the past, it is entirely possible to "Win beautiful", and Scolari's cynicism (he's also the only manager on record as saying he tells his team to commit fouls if necessary) is not doing Portugal, or this world cup, any favours.

84. At 02:41 PM on 05 Jul 2006, Portugal wrote:
You say Portugal cheats but never say when or where. Who tries to cheat is Rooney, that kicks R. Carvalho's balls, but luckly justice was made.

when & where.. Portugal vs holland..

Deco's assault tackle and Figo's headbutt to name but two..

garmon.. it wasn't us who said the conferences were to have an english section... why do you think english is so prevalent around the world as a second language..?? that of business, and of travel..??

it ain't because of england or britain I can tell you.. clues are hollywood, macdonalds, and coca cola..!!

Everyone here knows France will win its written in history. Italy vs France is the ultimate Finale to The World Cup. Im sorry to say to the Portugese but i dont think they have what it takes, they have no decent forwards, i means Pauleta has hardly touched the ball all tournament, Gomes hasnt has a sniff of a game, Postiga is a joke and Ronaldo cannot play up front. France are on fire they realise this is the last one for all the old school greats, Zidane, Thuram, maybe Viera/Makelele. Bring on a spectacle

andrew shenton -

England have lost every competitive match with Portugal since 1966. (84, 00, 04, 06)

I really think people interpret games poorly because they're usually watching the players they support. Portugal has been brilliant in midfield, poor in attack, but "the important thing is to win," as England fans say.

I am routing for the French. The Portuguese have been a disgrace to the game both in defeating the Dutch and the English and I can't believe that FIFA are investigating Rooney's incident which they have no way of prooving was deliberate, but aren't investigating Figo's blatent head butt! I also hope that the referee from the Italy v Germany game makes the final. He showed what controlling a football match was all about. Up until last night I thought Italy were a bunch a divers but the ref prooved if you don't buy it in the beginning, the players will soon learn. Thanks Italy for proving that you can play football bad luck for the Germans. You deserved a final. France to win it and lets hope they put those triple pike double flip con artists to shame

PORTUGAL IS INVENCIBLE NOW, don't you get it?? Whatever happens tonight, we have already won for getting where we are. This is an attitude that - along with FADO and the so-called SAUDADE - some people will never understand (first of all because it is "written" in Portuguese). Too bad for them.

So Portugal never cheat, it must have been someone else other than Figo that headbutted a Dutch player and failed to get sent off for and then fained injury when he got a slight elbow in the face and got a Dutch player sent off.

To be fair the Dutch were far worse in that game.

And what about cry baby Ronaldo, he never dives, it must have been someone else that dived about 5 times versus England. And then ensured he got Rooney sent off and what about his head butt before the game on Rooney and the wink and the shush he sent to the bench after Rooney got sent off. No he doesnt cheat!

Yes England are guilty of it but no way to the same level as other nations such as Italy (who I dont think dived once last night).

I think FIFA should punish ALL cheats (diving or anyone that tries to get someone booked or sent off) after the match if it is not picked up during the game or if it wasnt dealt with properly. Give players 1 match bans that will soon stop the cheating.

One final point yes England have been crap all WC but we were better than Portugal in that game, I have to say I am quite relived Erikson never won the WC with England as he is a c*** manager and should not be seen in the same light as Sir Alf.

France to win tonight and Italy to win WC. It pains me to have to say both but Portugal dont deserve it, I just wish the Germans had won last night.

Why all this talk of cheating? In poker it's bluffing and every one thinks it's cool. And press comments about diving being imported to England with the influx of overseas players. In 1972 ish I saw george Best go down clutching his leg and howling like a dog on the touchline about a yard away from me at Craven Cottage... When no one paid attention he was up and sprinting down the pitch... I turned to my dad in amazement and he just said theyr'e all cheating long-haired winkers, son... or words to that effect.

Remember too John McEnroe's remark..' 'Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser' paraphrase that for all you English and Argentinian and countless others. Show me a bad loser, and the world will only remember the winner.

Strange that Holland game Still comes to everyones mind to sumarize the whole Portuguese Campaign.

Strange that they say the worst team won when the dutch lost out precisely because they did more theatrics and fouls than Portugal did (because there WAS Im not going to deny it)

Strange that Figo gets bashed for a a headbutt that didnt have any real consequence on the dutch player.

Strange that of all players that got red card on the game, all the others who derserved it (on BOTH sides) are not even mentioned.

Strange that the game wasnt reduced to 8 players on either side.

Strange that the Dutch coach didnt even blamed portugal for it, giving the blame for the referee alone.

Strange that theatrics and divings on the part of Portugals oponents are ignored. And the portuguese side is viewed as cheats.

Strange that C Ronaldo was almost put of of the championship for good and they complain he sent of Rooney when the man himself admits that was not the case.

Strange that the Dutch coach Ordered an all out attack after not returning the ball after an injury break and the referee had not yet cleared the game to continue. Its strange this gets repeatedly ignored, and Holand gets the prefererence of at least 50% of the English fans.

Strange that every time England had lost on a championship somehow it was robbed.

Strange that for all this, Im censored for defending my team (within reasonable principles)

Even more strange is that Portuguese fans are accused of being bitter on this Blog at the same time the myth we cheated persists.

Im just happy that Fat Ronaldo got his 3 goals and has established himself as the greatest WC goal scorer of all time.

Henry who?

#97:
If you had your face sweled by a kick in the mexico game and had an elbow on the other cheek I wonder how you would cope with it.

Not excusing Figos loss of temper but frankly this is becoming a vastly overrated incident when the press delibeatly ignored other for more serious incidents like Van der Saar's kick on Simão when the game was interrupted.

Wooooh! a portugese/'caledonia' alliance on this blog to diss the english, valiant defence by worthy few english bloggers, down to 10 men again so to speak..sounds familiar, the sour and the paranoid combining forces. The damage has been done, newspapers all over the world are commenting on the portugese's propensity for diving, simulation and generally unsportsmanlike behaviour. You could even (which i fervently hope not) win the cup and there would be a smell about it,something unclean. This has nothing to do with the english media and more to do with the fact that the world has EYES, can see for itself and make its own judgements. Fair Play and what remains of honesty in the game lies in the dust. Thanks, portugal. But remember, what goes around, comes around. Caledonia? wheres that? a province of england or some far flung corner of the blogosphere that will remain forever green with envy? Complain to your UN ambassador..oh, sorry. I'm with reuben jenkins @ 79

Let me add something else to post #99

I also find strange that everytime a blog opens up, Portugals gets bashed even if the blog has litle to do with it.

I keep reading radicals bashing on other matches blog's. Annoying.

#102:

But as you say it doesnt excuse his loss of temper.

My real point here is FIFA are to blame you cant blame Portugal, Italy for cheating if they know they will get away with it. (That does not stop me from not liking it! I think its a travesty that the game has got so bad)

FIFA act so inconsistently, Figo should have been suspended as Frings was but they have no clue.

It was a pleasure to watch the Italy game last night, I couldnt believe the way they played and didnt cheat, thats all I want a fair game. The dutch should have been done for playing on against the spirit of the game.

But there is no way I and most of this country can support a team that has cheated to get us out of the tournament (even though we didnt deserve to be there)

take your blinkers off pilotasso...

that post-injury incident vs holland..

the ref stopped the game - his restart is a drop-ball contested by both sides... why should the dutch give it back..?? sure, had the portuguese (or the dutch) kicked the ball out then the other team would (although not legally bound) usually return it via the throw.. when a ref stops a game you don't restart and give it back to the ref, do you..??

we're not ignoring the antics of the dutch - but they're gone - history they're not part of this conversation..

so what if figo's headbutt didn't seriously harm the dutch player.. the intent was there..!!

we weren't robbed.. we played poorly and failed at the shoot-out again..

portugal did cheat, yes they weren't the only ones, but they did so all the same..

anyway, if they were cleaner than clean, why all this debate now..??

Thanks to all those who will support France. You say it is difficult for you, I thought it was impossible.
I hope it won't make us loose ;)

ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!

It won't sit well with the pro-Portugal posters and others, but Portugal are one reason why football doesn't find wider acceptance in the US.

What many South Americans and Europeans see as part of the game - theatrics accompanying every foul, incessant shirt pulling, holding on set pieces and corners, gamesmanship with injuries - is seen as cheating in the US. Trying much of what passes as "professional" play in my daughter's U16 league would make you less popular than someone with a contagious skin condition. Trying to interest a non-playing American in the WC requires enduring the embarrassment of watching players writhe in faux agony after trivial fouls. It strikes few people here as either particularly athletic or heroic, just pathetic.

Comments like the ones above that rely on whether the referee has flagged each and every infraction, or that the opponents cheat in more or less equal measure, miss the point. Small nation or large, what each team gets is the same pitch, ball, rules, and 11 players. Until that's enough, international football will be second class in the US and sadly, deservedly so.

If there is such a thing as a neutral, here at least they'll be pulling for France. Let's hope we don't have to swallow hard to do so. At its best football is brilliant, but in this WC, not often enough.

#107:

Yes us supporting you is not a good thing, I was supporting Germany (I really wanted them to win the WC) and look what happened to them, I did think about supporting Portugal last night but there is no chance of that, not with cheating scum like Ronaldo in there team.

Besides Henry is an amazing player (yes I know he dives as well but his talent is something else) so if I just say I am supporting him it wont feel quite so bad. Wish he was English, cant believe he gets so much stick when in a French shirt.

Where is the typical English Fair Play now, Old Chaps?
You lost against Portugal as you did in all major games you played with us in recent years - Euro 2004, Euro 2002 ...
As far as Rooney is concerned, it was a pity that the silly boy stamped Ricardo Carvalho, because playing normally we would have scored two or three. After the red card, well even before that, England was playing like the Italians all defending.

How can the English be called xenophobic for blasting the Portuguese football team, when the Portuguese are blasting the entire English population?

I hope the England team & management watched the game last night - they could learn a lot. There is nothing to learn from watching Portugal, unless you're thinking of becoming a stuntman or a movie extra.

France will win tonight because they are a better team, & unlike England they are mature enough not to react to provocation. Then Portugal will lose again on Saturday to Germany. Good.

# 105 *******Out:
Your comparing a full blown punch with an intimidation atempt?

#106 Ian:

If Figo intent was that he would have donne it and gotten a well deserved straight red. Dont come to me saying what would have happened if hes intentions were to be hypotheticaly manisfested phisicaly, because then no one would distinguish angry players with those who break the red line to act.

Fogo acted ugly but he didnt hit the dutch player. I can esely see the game being suspended after all the other welld eserved red cards were not shown, instead of Figos.

Rooneys was also very mad but did he get a red for an intention that he didnt manifest? And Im not talking about the groin stuff.

Why the double standards here?

Its PortugalOut, just making sure you read it right. Thats right bye bye.

Ummm, I'm comparing a punch to Figo's headbutt.

Sincerely, I don't quite understand why do all of you have such a bad time everytime you loose with the country that allowed you to go through in the 66 world cup at home. You might not remember that at that time British organisation went over all rules of sport and even diplomacy to change the location of the game and facilitated a much undeserved win against Portugal.

Anyway, the past is the past and you should try to understand that it was Rooney who messed up and he is the only responsible for his behaviour. Why do you choose to criticise allways the portuguese instead of saying that if your superiority was so evident you should have played to win from the first minute...

Well, I guess that's a problem with the Brits. They allways criticise the outside instead of looking at the inside.

It is also interesting how much you are influenced by the media and by the simplifications they make. Things are either black or white, teams are either angels or deamons... Wake up from this media coercion and try to think for yourselves!

#112:

Its PortugalOut, just making sure you read it right.

Ummm, I'm comparing a punch to Figo's headbutt.

# 101

you're right, English should have a capital E....
Its your attitude that worries me

get over yourself Portugal. You seem surprised at the negative tone with regards your team. You play the game without honour and with disregard for the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. I don't care what McEnroe says - I would prefer to lose with dignity with head held high than play like a bunch of spoilt, cynical cheats who only succeed in demeaning this great game. Shame on you

From an unbiased observer.
Its hard to believe the rubbish coming from both sides here.
The people calling for ronaldo's head should take a step back and listen to themselves. His protest over Rooneys stamp is being blown out of all proportions,if you could even call it a protest. In the premiership week in,week out you will see the ref surrounded by players, typically by players like john terry and gary neville to name a few. And these are people being touted as the next english captain. If all english supporters out there are so against what ronaldo did then i hope to see them all speaking out against their own players when the exact same situation arises for their teams in the premiership.
Lets not forget that rooney deserved a red card and he shouldn't of let his frustration boil over despite being played out of postion.
As far as the dutch game goes, i think portugal gave as good as they got.Although i'm not a ronaldo fan at all i was disgusted by the way the dutch set out to target ronaldo.
For the portugeese fans out there building up their teams footballing credentials,ye have been average at best and if the dutch hadn't turned the game into a dog-fight your team wouldn't still be in this position.The quarter final against england was always going to be down to penalties with two badly performing teams cancelling each other out.
Italy,the only consistently good team to win

@bobbylebonfire # 103.

Surprised by the "alliance"? Dunno why, Scotland always supports any team that beats England. Surprising is the sudden friendliness between you and the French, now that's "gobsmaking", to use the words of a certain thug that played for a while in this WC, example of fair-play.

As for the rest of your message, nothing new. Just a bunch of general "everyone knows" garbage that doesn't cover the ill-disguised lack of knowing how to lose. That Portugal has been singled out in this whole mess is, and I must stress this again, pathetic and hilariating at the same time. Since you can't actually reference any direct refereing decision that beneficted Portugal - since, and unlike others, there was *none* - you just spout general nonsense to see if it sticks.

@the103 #108

No offense mate, but the acceptance of football in the US is of secondary importance to me, for all that I care you can watch WWE all year long and be happy.

But anyway, since you brought that up, care to explain why you have mentioned Portugal especially? Any particular incident? Anything that, say, Germany, Italy, England, Argentina, Holland didn't do? Apart from stamping on people you will find that if you truely *watch* the games they are all the bloody same in that regard. Portugal has one of the cleaniest records in the disciplinary department, at least until the Holland game that was abnormal in many regards. But that's secondary, what does a little truth mean in the midst of all this.

The amount of rewriting going on in unbelievable, all of a sudden the "cheating" as been going on for - as I read in another blog - the last 10 years! I'm awaiting to hear withour surprise that Carvalho was the one that tried to break poor Rooney's foot with his balls, dirty little portuguese that he is.

Facts: your overhyped bunch of underachievers are more interested in doing comercials that to play. But by all means, blame the "diving". At least in the excuses department you bunch of whinnersare WC class.

And BTW: I have absolutly nothing against the english or the english team. Actually, if you care to take a closer look, the only country that perhaps doesn't consider you a bunch of holligan cretings on Ritalin is ours. As far as I am concerned this idiotic seeking of an escape-goat for your shortcomings does nothing to alter that. Just try harder next time, I'm sure you can pull a title with a bit more work.

Its very easy for england supporters to support france because no matter what the historical rivalry, we've got some fantastic players in EPL, henry, makalele and until recently, viera who play with flair and precision,week in and week out for their clubs. The french play fair and exciting football, exciting to watch when they're firing on all cylinders. Eng-France is another matter but if it's a choice between France-Port, then it's France hands down, because THEY'RE GREAT TO WATCH!
Also apart from henry the other day they don't go down like shot rabbits, rolling over and over. I think he did that after the barcelona game because he got frustrated with how he's treated by refs if he plays fair. english fans will not support trapaceiros, cheaters, who bring the game into disrepute and i have a lot of sympathy for the 103, american above because it's hard to explain the appeal of the game when people see what they see and when portugal play it's not pretty at all. You may be happy until tonight in portugal, but unfortunately your reputation has already disappeared. Look no further than your tactics and 'style' of play, if style it is.

It is a bit said to see that, on the whole, my fellow Portuguese are prooving as uncapable of grasping reality as the English.

Indeed, Portugal was not the best team playing in this WC, although, it may well be stronger than many people gave them credit for.

My own opinion is that we got where we are now due both to the relative incompetence of the opposition, and to our own merits.

We are a useful team with some very talented individuals, who can give their best under a competent
leader. That is no mean achievment.

As in other fields, we are making visible progress.

It does not help our cause, however, to pretend not to see our own shortcomings, because, ultimatelly, such attitude will only hinder further progress.

That would indeed be a shame, since we are now starting to get to a stage where we can give other bigger nations a run for their money.

So lets help the good work by keeping our feet firmly on the ground.
To keep improving, it is essential both to hold our ground, and listen to fair criticism at the same time.

It is not our problem if Rooney got a red card, which may have contributed to England´s defeat.

The Dutch were no saints either, judging from the way they tried (and succeded) in kicking Cristiano Ronaldo out of the match.
That was very disheartning and may have contributed to the farse that followed. Scolari is right in pointing out that in the last 17 odd games our team played, it only picked 2 red cards, both of them in that Portugal-Holland game. So much for those that think our team is violent.

Having said that, it would be foolish to try and deny that, comparatively, players from certain nations do have more of a tendency to, at times, make the most of some situations.

I believe this, regretably, stil aplies to some of our players. You only have to watch some of our domestic matches to verify it.

However, as the social and economical background of these players gradually improves, these shortcomings will eventually diffuse.

Supporters, mostly from northern countries, that think only players from certain other nations are intrinsically prone to foul play, are only falling victims of prejudice, or chauvinistic feelings of superiority.

It is fundamental that we acknowledge these relativelly minor problems if we are to get even better.

There is no point in igoring our own shortcomings. Let the English do that for once.

Footballers, especially, must be confronted with their responsabilities, if they are to improve colectivelly. For one, they earn to much money to be spared the inconvenience.

So lets go out tonight and give the French a lesson that is worth remembering.

@JC #118

Just to answer shortly: no-one that I know has built up out credentials. Actually, if you read my post in particular, I said it many times that Portugal has still to make a genuine good match. Let's hope that, for better or worse, the one with France will lend itself to a good performance on both parts. All this discussion is not about the relative merits or lack of them of the portuguese squad. And let's not forget that there are two games mroe in this WC, and so the final judgement on each team play is still reserved (e.g. Italy, until the splendid performance yesterday, had been mediocre at best).

SHEARER RAISES THE UGLY, AGAIN.

Alan Shearer would not be surprised if Rooney layed one on Ronaldo. CLASSY.

Red card bad boys Rooney and Beckham (98), get killed whilst Shearer can cause a perfectly good goal to be disallowed v Arg in (98) for, what can only be described as a disgraceful elbow to the head of the Argentinian goalkeeper.

Alan unlike the thug that you were on the pitch Ronaldo did not raise his hand. It would be to your great benefit if you were to leave the old ugly Shearer back in the past and out of the living rooms.

OK. "Why does everyone jump on Portugal for cheating?" You really wanna know? It's because, for instance, against Holland, in the second half where they were clearly out-played and out-possesed, the portuguese side saw fit to slide, fake, and complain their way to letting the dutch have no more than 25 minutes of actual playing time. For god's sake, Figo got hit in the face and called for a streacher. Surely his nose isn't big enough that he could use it to walk. I'm totally on France/Italy for the finale. ALLEZ LES BLEUS (E AVANTI AZZURRI!)

[b]I agree wholeheartedly with with 'the103' (post #103) that the game has become something other than the best athletes, best coach, best fitness etc... It has degenerated to this sneaky, cheating crud and NOT A SINGLE AMERICAN (and I have relatives there) will ever like it or respect it. BUT, FIFA needs America. Regardless they've shown themselves to be the second best FOOTBALL TEAM:

France beats the Portugueses, but Italy takes the World cup.

Final Rankings:
1. Italy (the champs)
2. USA (the only team to trouble the champs)
3. France (Beat defending champs)
4. Brazil (they're still BRAZIL)
5. Germany (Impressive throughout)
6. England (BAD LUCK follows them)
7. Spain (Great team, no big game credentials)
8. Argentina (lost heartbreaker to hosts)
9. Portugal (cheating will get you in the top 10 at least)
10. Toss a coin (too many to choose)

Portugal are still being crucified for their "dramatics". So many English fans are supporting France tonight because Portugal are believed to be cheats. As English fans you would just be hypocritical in doing so. Let's not forget Henry's little "face clutching" incident that caused so much controversy.

Because this didn't affect England directly - it's not an issue and it's easily forgotten.

It's worrying that so many people suffer from selective memory.

portugal will win surly.

Can't we desist with this idea that Portugal are cheats? I grew up playing football in Britain and many of the 'tricks'(shirt pulling/standing on toes at corners/winding up opponents) are drummed into children from a young age.

Isn't Rooney responsible for his actions? Ok, a couple of the Portuguese players (Pauleta, Ronaldo) appeared to target him. Why did they target him? Because they know he'll react. When Rooney grows up and shows a bit more maturity players won't find him such an easy target.

It's all theatricals like so-called wrestling...If Figo had meant that London Kiss the Dutch geezer would still be in orthodontic surgery and if Rooligan had meant the stomp it 'd be bye bye babies bye bye for balls of oak Carvalho.
Wake up! The best team will win cheating or not because it means they will have cheated, or played a bit better than the others...The last hundred or so messages seem to think it's only ever the other guy.... The venom and spleen is very cathartic, It will all be over soon and you'll be lying on sunny Portuguese beaches eating Frankfurters and drinking French and Italian wine

In response to your question regarding Italy.Although the majority of people (including myself I hasten to add) , believed that Germany, being the host nation were the favourites to win, but I think the real winner in this instance ,for the neutral football fan, was the game itself . I think up to now - it was by far the best game and would have made a wonderful and memorable final. I hope France beat Portugal as Portugal were not very impressive against England.Surely France , who beat Spain and Brazil , and Italy who beat the hosts, would make a great final.Both teams deserve to win the World Cup.

Why are the English supporting France? Because they get beaten everytime they face Portugal! English can't admit Portugal are better and even without the two most important players in midfield Portugal can win against England. Mexico 86:Portugal 1-England 0 Euro 2000 England 2 - portugal 3 Euro 2004 and WC 2006 won after penalty shoot-out. Portugal has more technique than England. Even Ricardo Carvalho has better ball control than your midfielders! Your league has lost interest because a Portuguese Manager decided to go to England. You need foreign managers and foreign players to win trophies! How many English players are in Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Utd starting eleven?
Grow up and admit that there is still a long way to go before England are considered a big team like Argentina (you can't win against them either!), Brasil or Italy.

@bobbylebonfire #120

I would transcribe the messages of english fans about the french "fair-play and exciting football" *before* your game against Portugal: they were labeled as boring, diving, old, third rate, had-beens, no enthusiasm, below average, lucky, not a single good team in their way, awful, the worst french team of all times. So, basicaly, the tipical moaning that you see so adept at. English fans will support any little thug that gives them victories, in that department they are actually the most influenced by media hype; go watch the simulations and acting of the english teams in the CL - with *direct* consequences in the final result. Go and read the permanent accusation that the same english teams fo when the inevitable defeat comes to *every* team they lose to: it wasn't our fault! They are cheaters! We are pure!.

You sudden alligance with the french doesn't need you hollow explanations: you lost, yet again, and need to vent it out. Go right ahead.

Again. you seem to dwell in the illusion that anybody actually *cares* about the "reputation" of the portuguese squad as perceived by a crying bunch of moaners. I couldn't actually be less concerned about that, I would actually be feeling left out if after reaching the semis you bunch of whinners had nice things to say. That nobody in this thread as actually said anything concrete is hardly surprising. I just hope that we can maintain this level of attention for a long time, since that that would mean that the has-beens of the football world still feel treatened.

Looking forward to a good match to-night, and if we lose be certain of one thing: you won't find me bitching in despair against the french team like a four-year-old that as dropped his candy and needs to make up a story to cover that up by blamming the neighbour.

I never, ever thought i would want the French to win a World Cup football match, but after Saturdays Oscar Winning performances by Portugal...come on France!

#'S 79 & 103, couldn't agree more!

Italians for the Trophy!

Hi everyone!

I'm portuguese, yes! And i just want to thank the people that are supporting portugal and tell the others that you have not been fair to us. When you say bad things about the portuguese players, you say bad things about the portuguese in general. We are proud, very very proud of our team, and whatever happens tonight, we will still be proud of them and not blame the others because we were out of the final. What you english (against portugal) don't realise is that we won because we were better than you. Your penalties were not good enough. Your players were not good enough. Our goal keeper was the hero and did something that your goal keeper didn't do and none of the others did during this tournament. He defended 3 penalties which is something dificult to achieve. There are violent players everywhere, on every team, in every country. Can't blame the all team because of one element. SO, what if Cristiano Ronaldo asked the referie to give a red card to Rooney? So what? Isn't the referie old enough and professional enough to make is own decisions? Did you actually see what Rooney did to Ricardo Carvalho? Or did you get blind by the english media and the fact that you were coming home earlier? It happened exactly the same on the last euro 2004. You lost the game and you blamed us!
Did you watch the match between portugal and holland? Too many cards, yes, I agree. But I also saw two players pushing two portuguese players for no reason. They were nervouse (yes, just like the english, they always loose against portugal), the dutch team were violent and they have pissed off (excuse my french!) the portuguese players after some stupid things done on the field.
Anyway, I could say many things that are running through my head at the moment, but i'm not gonna say. I know the english very well. I work in a resort where 90% of the clients are english. Many of them are still wearing the english shirt BUT, many are also wearing the portuguese shirt. But who needs the support from the english when we have the Scottish, the Irish (who hates the english) and the brazilian and many countries in africa, the spanish, the indians, argentine, venezuela... all over the world, people are supporting portugal. So, once again, who ever is supporting portugal and is clear-headed enough, a BIG THANK YOU and for the others, well, let them talk. As we say in portugal "É so dor de cotovelo". Translation: It's only a pain on the elbow". Doesn't make sense? Well, it surely makes sense to us. VIVA PORTUGAL!

yes, very surly, the portugese

Personally I think the entire world with very few exemptions will be backing France and most of all Zidane tonite!

Just a tip on why are English fans so furious with Portugal:
- Mourinho rules!
- C Ronaldo rules!
- Eliminated 3 times!
- Nelly Furtado N1 in charts is Portuguese!

Yes, we are a smaller country with less resources, but just don´t try to label us as cheaters.
Go and see quarter finals foul stats.

About today´s game, i´m not that confident, yet I think it´s possible. We are strong in spirit, but I have to say we have some positions that are much weaker than others. That´s my worry, just compare Pauleta to Henry, Gilardino, Toni or Klose...

Let´s see if Deco, Figo or CR can invent a goal and Ricardo, Miguel and Carvalho won´t conceed.

I feel sorry for the English fans, because of low standard Press they've got in the country, where they are allowable to publish all kind of rubbish without consequences,First building their team as World Champions and later finding stupid excuses for their nonsense, not to mention The Sun newspaper where it goes as far as calling for violence (Rooney on Ronaldo).
After exiting the WORLD CUP without glory, this time around the Press have decided not to aim at they own team and went for the Team that kicked them out. Probably trying to disguise that have been con for the last 5 year's (25 Million) by a swedish.

Just to finalise, I believe the English need to be watch more foreigner Football on TV, so are able to have realistic expectations for any tournament.
Because they have a good team, but no better than the Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Italy.

Well, for tonight I am going to put money on the Portuguese.

GO PORTUGAL

So much resentment...sorry but I have to say that you are bad losers...I find it quite funny that all of the sudden English people are supporting the French...Cheating Portuguese? Cheating for what? You are all just jealous...just admit that Portugal is not to blame for your world cup knockout...you were just not good enough...as simple as that...but I guess it must feel better blaming someone else...
MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN TONIGHT

I think I'm sure to be one of the oldest posters here on this forum, who has been watching World Cups since the 1962 games, so it's clear to me that all the posters so far have missed the most salient points in these arguments.

Teams, if their coaches are earning their stipend, play differently against different teams. The concensus here seems to think that the way a team plays in one game, you can then base the way it will play against other teams in future games.

Teams can be comprised of the most talented individual players, but all this doesn't come together as a winning combination without the aid of a good coach who can use good strategy tailored to their opponents.

Despite all this, everything comes to nought when it all comes up to the officiating of the game when the two opponents face off.

I have for many years maintained that the officiating absolutely ruins the World Cup competition for me and I am convinced that the standard of officiating doesn't come anywhere near matching the high calibre of play of most, but not all, of the players.

You can deliberate with all of your might for as long as you like about the pros and cons of diving, feigning injury, purposely tripping over opponents, shirt pulling, head butting, purposely using your arms to obstruct your opponent (knowing full well he will retaliate), but it will all come to no conclusion if the official either by incompetence or design does not recognise them all as infractions.

The inconsistency shown by the officials at the WC 2006, as in all previous WCs, detracts from the biggest spectacle in sport. I quite frankly do not see how the players tolerate such incompetence on the part of the officials. I'm now beginning to think that the headsets the officials were wearing were not for communicating with their fellow officials but were for receiving instructions from the FIFA orchestrators.

Can anyone tell me what Ronaldo actually did wrong? Rooney should have had a free kick leading up to the incident but this doesn't condone stamping on someones nackers!

I'd run over and complain to the ref if someone did this to one of my team mates. I don't give a monkey's if he and Rooney play in the same club team or not. And that's all he did. He didn't wave an imaginary card at the ref or ask for the sending off.

Unfortunately all teams display an element of diving. Some more so than others with the biggest culprit being Portugal. But England also have their share - Joe Cole, Gerrard, Beckham, Owen so the English shouldn't throw stones in glass houses and dry your eyes.

Why is it that only the English can't see that they just aren't very good?

Although France is something like our enemy in football, I hope to see them win this time (actually the first time in my life...). Italy and Portugal are divers and cheaters and do not deserve to win the cup, if there is something like a football god...
But finally, other things than football skills may decide it...bribery, wrong decisions of refs, as 1930, 1934, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986,...
But anyway, hope dies last.

I am tiered of hearing this new enemity between England fans and portuguese. If England fails to tame very well some of its international players then sit and watch. Bravo Port.

To #68 - sonny:
If you did even a slight bit of investigation (i.e. not believe everything that crap "news"papers like The Sun feed you), you would've figured out (I don't think that'd possible though, for people with abnormally low IQ levels) that almost all of the articles putting down portugal and ronaldo were directly linked to those such newspapers as The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, etc. And it's pathetic that even espnsoccernet and foxsports linked their articles to these sources.
And if you believe these gossip newspapers, you'd have to be a pathetic fool for it, which is evident from your posting that you are!
BBC sport, however, didn't do this... I guess that's what you get for RESPONSIBLE journalism!
!!!FORÇA PORTUGAL!!!

dear grant finlayson, you are right england were fairly average and didnt really manage to get out of the wet paper bag of which you speak. But they did do better than any of the other english speaking nations in the finals. O and they were also the only team from the islands of britain and ireland to get to the finals. ps if i was any good at football i would be eligble to play for england ,scotland or ireland and sorry everyone, but an england cap would be a greater acheivment.

#133, the England game was not exactly on who was better, because England dragged Portugal into a somwhat impaired game with such tight defense. What I think that ultimatly led to the Englands demise was a mixture of uncanning tactics and the pressure felt after the media circus arround this whole Portugal-England issue.

I is evident to me that the English players nerves just snapped during the penalties. That, and Ricardos Penaltied saving record. This summarized the whole game result.

And if the french resort to that (Im hearing on the news they are) they already have nailed a few on their own coffin. The Spanish did the same in 2004 and look what happened to them.

Its a statistics record that we have defeated every team whose noise in a psicological was is the loudest.
This motivates the team alot and would be another good factor to stop reading nonsense as we have untill now.

Seriously... get over it england.. you qualified for the world cup got an easy group... talk yourselves up to be something great...but never turned up... Every game you played, involved that long ball rubbish game... not a decent pass not a good shot... rubbish. Sir Beckham can't tackle can't run at a player... just kicks a couple of good balls in, so overall he contributes about 45 seconds to a game. Rubbish... ferdinand is actually a practical joke... someone please show Utd the punch line...one word...Cannavaro.. Crouch... ha... crouch... and poor old rooney ....great player, i will say, but left on his own by a completely useless manager.. who looked like he'd just woke up every time the camera turned to him. Anyway, I would support England if i thought that they where worthy of Winning... but face it didn't... Not now anyway.. The worst part is the pundits refusal to actually admit when england are bad... Poor old Ronaldo.. you love em when he's playing for UTD but hate em when he play's against ya... ah well... sour grapes...!!... Anyway, it's a pity that according to 5 Live the dream final didn't happen ... that's England and Germany just in case your wondering... !!.. I don't know whose dream that is .. but it sounds more like a nightmare to me.... Anyway.. lets face it England put themselves outta the world cup as soon as they met a team with a bit of talent... (missing deco i might add)... So get over it... and better luck next time... Let's hope Mr. McClaren doesn't have any Skeletons in his closet... cos they may soon come out to haunt him..!! ViVa LE England...

The original question asked who do you want to win the cup and why -

unfortunately such is the ill feeling around this tournament it's more a case of who would we least dislike to win it. That's not an English thing - had Brazil beaten France or a plucky Australia or bright attacking Germany made it then they would have my vote for their own merits. However it's left to sifting through the names with a turned up nose and a broader agenda of not wanting the game soiled further than it already is if not for my own sake then for children experiencing their first taste of World Cup football.

France - Henry's behaviour was disgraceful but was an individuals decision based I suspect on his previous meeting with Puyol, so France as a collective have little to be ashamed of.

Italy - They still use too much exaggeration in their falls and often resort to cynical challenges when in danger of being opened up to make them very likeable but they have displayed more attacking ambition than in previous years.

Portugal - It would be sickening if the ploy of continuous exaggeration and simulation worked out for them. Ronaldo is his own man, his actions should not be used to label the whole squad, like Henry's incident it was one man's deeply unpleasant choice of behaviour. However as a group they display jaw dropping levels of simulation that would be funny if it were not so frustrating. A hand on their shoulder results in them clutching their face and Ronaldo himself spends so much time on his backside gesturing at referees you expect to see his name come up when the referee's assistants are announced. He cons fellow professionals, match officials, fans who have paid for a ticket to see a football match not a farse and sticks two fingers up to every one who's ever played or coached the game honestly. It's such a shame as his dribbling ability could be entertaining for the game if only he learnt that tackling is also an art form and that sometimes - however good you are, you are tackled fair and square. If they win it it will be a dark day for the morality of the game.

So I'd like it to be France via beautiful play from Zidane or at a push (resulting in an inevitable