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having just watched the Portugal/France game I was totally astonished with the comment of Gary Lineker and co.
Yes France won and there is no argument how ever was that a lucky penalty or not? yes, why not say. Who played the better football Portugal, did they comment ? no, why because Portugal knocked England out of the competition. Who was player of the match, Ronaldo, did they mention that? no, why? because of the Rooney saga. What did Ronaldo have to do with Rooney being sent off? nothing. Rooney has a lot to learn before his skills equal those of Ronaldo and as for is temper, he has a long way to go. England are bad sportsmen and even worse losers be are biase and racist and unfortunaltely this comes from commentators and persons in respected positions hence this rflects on our supporters, hence the problems we face where ever we go. I think we need to learn what is sport and what is sportsmanship and this will will enhance our sportsmen, commentators and fans. Any game is sport and may the best man win however skill and talent should be recognised and this should be free of all biase. Gary Lineker and co are looked up to therefore they should be the pinacle of sportsmanship and non biase remarks
and I hope these remarks are passed on to them

I tried to get into football with this world cup...i really did,and for a while i actually thought it was an ok sport...but i just as quickly began to dislike it.What a game for primadonnas! where do half these teams get their coaching? guliard? a sport that is won on convincing the referees with fantastic audacious acting especially in the form of writhing in a short stint of false agony after having been lightly brushed on the thigh by an opponant is no sport...i think these teams need to be introduced to a real sport...rugby. i have bared witness to many matches where men have been crunched by numerous others in one moment and still got up maybe with a slight grimace,thats a sport,or cricket,where taking a 161 Kilometer per hour hard ball on the fingers is a work hazard rather than a bookable offence. ill say it again,i did try to accept football as a sport,but now i can never,unless the rules with regards to fouls and penalties etc are seriously changed.
The beautiful game? i think not...a rather ugly one to be quite honest.

I would also like to complain about the incredible anti Portugal bias on MOTD tonight. I was totally sickened by the comments and I hope someone is held to account.

Also, I find it hilarious that, after England are knocked out playing the worst football of the tournamant, the pundits STILL think they are better than the teams that are in the Semis.
As for Shearer saying that only 4 of the semi final players would get in the England team????????????.............mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, who would I rather have in my team, Robinson or Buffon or Lehman, thats a tricky one. Could you ask Alan which 7 Italians he would drop???

C'mon Linda, that was a dead cert penalty, Henry had ridden the slide tackle and gone by Carvalho, who stuck his trailing leg out to trip him up and then pretended that it was an accident. And for your information, accident or otherwise he brought him down and never touched the ball, that according to the rules is a foul. I do agree that on the day Portugal were the better team, but what does that say about Englands performance Saturday? England were the better team with 10 players and lost. So being the better team doesn't guarantee you a win. And Portugal are cheats and fakers, everytime they got in the area they took a dive, the ref should have booked them but I'm sure the directive from FIFA was not to so that players didn't miss the final. Need proof that Portugal are cheats, well here's one for you, they got the most red and yellow cards in the tournament, somewhere in the region of 22. England by contrast had about 7.
Not sure where your accusation of racism comes in, bias maybe, but not racism, everytime someone argues the point with or about a foreigner doesn't mean they are racist. Maybe Lineker and Co should see your message so they can sue you for libel. And last I knew good sportsmanship doesn't include, waving imaginary cards at the ref, falling over blades of grass like you've been shot and then jumping up as soon as the ref calls for the stretcher and diving to get freekicks or penalties. All of which I've seen way too much of this World Cup, and the worse offenders have been the Portuguese. I don't recall to many, if any incidents like that from English players, or for that matter the Italians, French or Germans. And before you tag me as being a bitter England fan, well I'm not, I live in the USA.

Lol, when I heard Alan Shearer saying that only three or four players from the semifinalists would get a game for England I almost wet myself.
Zidane, Henry, Ballack, Gattuso, Buffon, Lehman, Zambrotta, Klose, Figo, Maniche, Deco, Viera, Ribery, Cannavaro, Thuram, Makelele, Totti, Trezeguet..........
I could go on but Shearer's claim was ludicrous.

Anderson; Impressive line-up but your lack of Theo Walcott is shocking!

Really pleased you guys have taken a visit to Kreuzberg to see the Street Football 06. I was there during the period you filmed . A good friend from Norway who is responsable for the Norwegian team website took me along and I chatted with a few of the teams. The quality of football and trickery on display along with the commitment to fair play is hugely refreshing after watching the professionals for the last four weeks.

Can the world cup daily only be viewed in England? I know the Norwegian team would be interested to see what the match of the day team have to say.

This may not be the post to reply to, but I have to agree with the comments about last nights MoTD. In fact, all of MoTD for this World Cup.

I hate to say it, but it's been 1-0 to ITV. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ pundits have been pretty poor and far too chummy and self-congratulatory. I was dubious about Steve Rider doing the football on ITV but at least he is a journalist and can anchor a programme in a non-biased way.

The problem with last night was the pundits were not at the stadium. Their distance from the action was apparent and the bitterness which was extended to Portugal embarassing (especially from the incredibly dull Alan Shearer). Sure, the Portuguese employed conning tactics, but praise the ref as he did an excellent job, don't harp on. Henry was kicked, but he wasn't necessarily tripped and made the most of his dive to equally con the ref.

I'm glad Portugal went out but only because last night they didn't offer anything that showed they deserved to be in the final.

Ronaldo has been made a scapegoat for the poor performance by England. He was excellent last night, despite the dives. His actions for the Rooney sending off were not alone and if the referee had been strong enough - as there is no way in my mind he was going to send him off before he stupidly reacted to Ronaldo - then we may have stood a chance of going through. But would we have deserved it? And it's gone, so let it go.

The pundits last night sat there like the grumpy old ex-players they are (none of whom have been in a World Cup final incidently). And that's not what you want for a professional, impartial review of the semi-final of the World Cup. The only part that was interesting was Adrian Chiles in the stadium with two World Cup winners.

Linda, whether you like it or not the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ will always broadcast from an English point of view because their primary audience will be English/British viewers. Perhaps if you want don’t want to hear the so called ‘racist’ remarks on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ you should turn off the sound. I also doubt that any racist remarks have come from the England team and more likely this is the independent press and that any person with common sense will take with a pinch of salt. The fact of the matter is that any cheating/diving/simulation is wrong and although I cannot think of a team that hasn’t done it at some point during the WC, Portugal have been by far the worst culprits and deserve any criticism and bad reputation they get.

As for the street soccer it's fantastic. I think the teams competing could show the pros a thing or two!

Portuguese Fan here.

Cant believe that there are still people arround, going after the mythical Portugal excuse for all their evils when of all the 3 teams left last night only 1 didnt win at the expense of a theatrical penalty dive.

Portugal faced Mexico Holland, England and france, of wich, the last 3 searched for penalties in dives.
And they were real oposition not like Englands early dropouts oposition.

Portugal dived, so what? Its bad for the spectacle but its a minor evil considering that even in england its a common tactic on certain premiere league teams. Its interesting that England lost and suddenly among everybody the Portuguese are made the villains. I also cant believe every time a new game is discussed, these boards swich back to England-was-cheated-and-Portugal-is-a-disgrace mode.

Maybe those who go for that argument want to take note of Portuguese Fan sportivism by accepting the defeat even considering that we were the ones to have fallen victims of "gravitational distortion" on the box.

Real men take it in the chest. Ohters just complain all day long and behave like spoiled children.

Oh and by the way we will still play VS germany. Looking forward to it.

#4 Neil:

Henry was already falling when he was challenged. Too bad he was eventualy touched on the foot, he would have been booked.

Lawrence: To be honest I don't think either ITV or the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ have particularly shone in their coverage, but if I had to choose I'd say that anything trumps David Pleat in the commentary box.

Though I didn't see Shearer making the comments that everyone seems so shocked by, I think that it's easy to see the point he's making. Whereas Shearer would obviously recognise that the Semis are littered with top-class players, there'd only be room for 4 of them in the England side.. A. Cole, J. Cole, W. Rooney, R. Ferdinand, J. Terry, S. Gerrard, D. Beckham (or on recent form O. Hargreaves..) would make 7 .. w. space left in the dressing room for Buffon, Zidane, Henry and Zambrotta.. an improved side maybe but still only 4 of the semi-finalists ousting their hypothetical England squad members.

Re comments from Linda Withall (post 1):

Yes Ronaldo was the best player on the pitch but he was also the biggest culprit of diving and simultion in the match as well. I know that the commentators are supposed to be neutral (not easy to be objective as a former captain of your country)but to call them racist is a little over the top. I am sure that the commentators and pundits of other countries are equally as biased towards there own countries but you would not call them racist would you?

Did you watch the other semi final last night? Now is suppose your going to tell me there was no diving or stimulation in that game either? The only reason Portugal have got so far is the manner in which they play the game which appauls me. They did well in the groups playing against no hopers but as soon as they come up against quality opponents they have to resort to these tactics, as they know ability wise they are not good enough to beat them, first of all the dirtiest world cup game ever against the dutch, secondly the childish mind games or ronaldo against England, and finally (thank god) numerous falling over against France. I would like to praise the referee, on a fine display, he kept his cool throught the game, the only negative was that numerous portugal players should have been booked for blatent dives. They know they have a good defence and a good midfield but are also well aware they are not dangerous one bit up front, so to beat a quality team they have to try and con the ref into giving freekicks/penalties. It was good to see ronaldo getting a reception for 90 minutes that he deserved. The fact they could not take defeat graciously highlights their attitude. Mr Scolari was going mental at the referee after the game. Then in the press confence after he was very chilled. Obviously he mush have looked at the highlights before going into the press confrence. As for Mr Mronaldo complaining about the ref he should think himself very lucky for staying on the pitch.

RE POST 8

none of the players have actully been at a world cup??? No like liniker never scored at Italy 90, Shearer took no part in France 98? As with Lee dixon??

Do your homework first.

Ha ha, after the media in portugal attempted to fix the best young player of the world cup (ronaldo). He has been so hated an email which has spread across the globe made luis valencia the player of the cup. Its good to see that karma does exist in the world.
Maybe he had played with his heart instead of his childish boy like head he may have picked up the awatrd he deserves.

I agree totally with Lawrence...what a poor performance by England! And why are we blaming Ronaldo, look what Rooney actually did!!! Dont you think if Ronaldo had done that to an England player Rooney would have done the same? We the english are too quick to blame others. Lets face it the team just didnt have the confidence or the willingness or the hunger to win! maybe if they concentrated more on the game rather than than making money things would be different! Why does everything have to revolve around England! The commentating and the Pundits were all reminiscing as to what could have been.....get over it England are OUT!

I think the commentators last night were rather deluded. Lineker really needs to open his eyes and accept England were poor and deserved nothing more than they achieved and in reality had they not been so lucky against Sweden would have found themselves ousted by Germany in the second round. Hansen and O'Neill aren't even English but were on the bandwagon and although the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ is for an English or British viewing public I understand how some people could be insulted but those people just don't understand the arrogance that comes with English football! It is a shame the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ put uneducated ex footballers in a place of power. I have recently arrived home from Germany and without exception every other nationality avoided us English, hardly surprising when our "unbiased" commentary teams instill such ridiculous belief in our own footballing ability. We haven't done anything on a footballing pitch of any note for a long time and we believe we have a God given right to the trophy. Pathetic! At least the majority of fans gave a decent performance.

As for Shearer's comments, which English players would get in to Italy's team? The French team may only take Ashley Cole as nobody else would get in to any other position and Portugal showed that with poorer players they have a better team!

Time we stopped kidding ourselves! And if Mr Hansen really thinks the tournament has gone negative I would like him to justify this comment!

Good luck Italy and well done for putting the outdated stereotype of defensive football to bed.

RE POST 16 (RE POST 8)

"none of whom have been in a World Cup final incidently"

World Cup final, not finals.

Do YOUR homework first. The implication might be harsh, but I just can't stand the smug comments, especially when they say the last 16 games onwards have been boring. Anything but IMHO. Tense and nervy yes, but the pudits bang on as if of course if they were playing it would be REALLY different, and as if when they played it was any other way. Nonsense.

No one in the press or fan group should have the last word about wich team should take the blaim for all common evils of football.

And by no means no press entity should apeal to violent reprisals torwads this or that player.

Its particulary serious that fans of oposing teams have to be evacuated to be safe from other hyped up fans.

And lets be honest with each other, there shouldnt be that much hypocrisy condemning players for doing things that are comonly donne back home or the teams supported by the fans, and then turned a blind eye.

I must add to my earlier comment that Italy finished the game against Germany playing a sort or 4-2-4 formation! That truly is typical Italian defensive formation Mr Hansen? Lippi has never been a defensive manager, at Juventus his philosophy was always pass the ball forward. If this couldn't be done pass it sideways and only back as a last resort. If Sven was managing Italy would he have brought Iaquinta and Del Piero on in place of Camoranesi and Pirlo? I think not and how many other managers would have? Negative tournament Mr Hansen, perhaps your expertise would be better suited managing Scotland, Lineker and Shearer to manage England and perhaps then we will see the type of free flowing attack minded football you all rave about. This tournament is about winning and playing to your strengths. Shame tiddlywinks isn't the national sport, perhaps then England would have a real chance of winning a major tournament!

I'd just like to point out something about the MOTD pundits for last nights semi-final. How many World Cups have they won???? Oh, yes NONE.

Please don't comment on something you have never experienced.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ can we please have World Cup WINNERS for South Africa 2010 pundits.

Say what you like about the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ commentators, Shearer's joke about only four players from any of the semi-finalists getting into the England team was the funniest thing I've heard this year. And the brilliant deadpan delivery too - for a few seconds I thought he was actually serious.

I think the bias in the commentary is one of the reasons you would be hard pushed to find one of Englands Neighbouring countries supporting them in the absence of their own team.
Here's hoping Northen Ireland qualify for 2010. It costs too much money having to buy all the Shirts of the English opposition.

Re anonymous #16 - Lawrence in comment 8 was stating a fact. None of the players mentioned have appeared in a World Cup final. Think back - England haven't been in the World Cup Final for oooh... how long is it? something like 40 years I think. It was apparent that he was comparing their ill-informed view with that of the World Cup winners interviewed by Adrian Chiles who actually might know what they're talking about on the subject, having been in a World Cup final.
Try to understand the comments first.

I thought yesterday's match was pretty disappointing for several reasons, and not all of them had to do with the quality of play.

Let's start with the Ronaldo booing bit - did anyone else think this was childish and pathetic? Granted, Ronaldo is hardly an ambassador for fair play, and I'm as irked as anybody else with his efforts at winding up Rooney, the head butt before the game started, the winking and the obvious diving. I still don't think that's any reason for the spectators to give him or any other player the equivalent of a public lynching. It was an ugly display more akin to the 1936 Olympics than the 2006 World cup! It didn't stop him being the best portugese player on the pitch anyway.

Then there was all the diving, which reached epic proportions yesterday, but has been present in just about every match. I disagree with anyone who calls this 'trivial' or 'part of the game'. It is only so because as things stand players are likely to get away with it. It HAS to be stamped out for the good of the game and the only way to do this is to to bring video replays into the rules, one way or another.

The game itself: I thought France were the slightly better side because they seemed to have players with at least a remote chance of scoring, unlike Portugal. However their 2nd half tactic of piling bodies into their own half and abandoning ball possession hardly made for impressive play, and unless they step up several gears I believe the Italians will make very short work of them on Sunday.

And finally on to MOTD: like many of you I found the comments to be incredibly daft and Ian Wright wasn't even there! What was that nonsense about the last 16 matches being poor, just after we'd seen the Germany Italy match? Shearer's bit about how many semifinal players would have made it to the England team had me in fits! That they're still talking about the 'golden generation' of English football makes me think that the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ pundits did not see the Germany Italy game because it was on ITV!

I agree that television football punditry has reached an all-time low this world cup, but to say none of the bbc pundits have never won a world cup is just wrong - desailly has, for example...

A tremendous amount of angst being spilled here. I'll be brief--I picked Germany and Brazil to play in the final.

England bored me with their internal frustrations, Portugal amused me with their hysterical reactions, Italy finally impressed me with some artistry and creativity on attack and France surpised me with composure. That's life...let it go...hope it's a great final. Forza Italia

Just a quick observation, 'How many ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ pundits have won the World Cup?'.

Well, there's Desailly and Leonardo....

I'm no Portugal hater, (I firmly believe Rooney would have been sent off without Ronaldo's intervention) but the one thing Alan Shearer did get right was the fact that they could have played for several hours more and still not scored, despite the fact that Barthez was awful (again). Insufficient cutting edge when it mattered. It's why Greece beat them in Euro 2004.

First of all, try to watch again the game of Portugal against Holland! You’ll see who started the violence in the game! Then, and after the red cards, try to imagine a competitive game with 9 players in both teams without fouling...in my opinion is impossible! Then, Ronaldo had no fault in Rooney's red card…You can only blame Rooney! Oh, and by the way, cheating in FIFA's best young player just to kick Ronaldo's ass is so so low! I never thought English people were like that!
And against France, well I think that Henry was already falling when Ricardo Carvalho touched him...but that doesn't matter anymore! We lost, and that is ok for Portuguese people! We are proud of our team. Not because they reached the semi-finals but because they tried to honour our country. And they made it!
I'm just sad because Figo will not get the trophy he certainly deserves for his entire career. Oh and mad because of those who put the Portuguese football with "bad name". Portuguese are not savage, violent (as people and as soccer players) or other things that you say! And we can handle with any team. If we lose, well then we lost! And you should think the same way...

So glad we're all taking about the World Cup Daily on this thread...
Anyway, I see that the street tournament you featured had no referee. How on earth did the Italians ever cope with that? Surely that's akin to an actor on stage in front of an empty theatre...

On another note, can we expect to see some outtakes in your final edition of WCD Glen?