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posted on July 11, 2006 11:48
A is for Azzuri
Congratulations to the Italians. See Andy, defence can win titles! Only two goals (one a penalty and the other an own-goal) conceded at the tournament.
B is Beckham
The Beckham captaincy era is over for England. Why doesn't McClaren just give John Terry the armband right now? Unless of course he's looking to get Yakubu naturalised at use him instead.
C is for Cristiano
Is there a more tortured genius in world football than Portugal’s Ronaldo? Well, Jim McCormick aside of course…
D is for dismal
The attitude of most coaches in the second phase. With the stakes raised, teams – and more accurately, coaches – reverted to a cautious approach designed not to lose. Celebration of football, methinks not. More like a celebration of packing the midfield and playing one up top.
E is for eliminate
Penalty shootouts. Love ‘em.
F is for France
Reports of their death turned out to be greatly exaggerated. Well, until Zidane killed them.
G is for Grosso
Jens Lehmann stood no chance with that wonderfully curled finish. During the last World Cup Fabio was playing amateur football. See, there is still hope. I can still make it. It's not over...
H is for hack
How many opinions, columns, side bars, blogs, articles, sound bites, tv cameos, live stand-ups, discussion panels, internet forums, live web-casts and live chats have you waded through in the past month? Just think, all the time you spent watching/listening to the likes of Tommy Smith with a Y and reading average pieces like this one….that is time you can’t get back. EVER.
I is for imperious
While the World Cup has been going on you might have missed Roger Federer carving out his legacy at Wimbledon. A shame if you missed it. If you get the chance, watch this guy. The man is the perfect combination of unrivalled exellence and simple grace.
J is for Jockeys
Gennaro Gattuso didn't mind celebrating before the world in his Y-fronts.
K is for Klinsmann
Congratulations to Jurgen for adding some spark to the structured German style. They may not have won it, but they were one of the better teams to watch.
L is for Lahm
Philipp, the German left back, introduced himself to the world in fine style.
M is for Maniche
The Portugal midfielder again excelled at a major tournament. Now he goes back into obscurity until Euro 2008.
N is for narcolepsy
I reckon it’ll take about a week to get my sleeping pattern back into working order. If you see me in a queue somewhere taking a nap, blame 1am kick-offs, not me.
O is for overwhelming
Is it possible to even try to fathom just how many people around the world were watching the final? I"m betting if aliens ever invade our planet, it'll be during a Brazil v England World Cup final. At which point we'll find out that the Brazilian lads REALLY ARE from another planet - the ultimate Trojan horse.
P is for Portugal
If they just worried about playing football they'd be almost unstoppable. In full flow there are few better sides. We didn't get to see that in the second phase.
Q is for quality
Stand up defenders Fabio Cannavaro and Lillian Thuram.
R is for Roberto
Mr Roberto Carlos. Nice marking job on Thierry Henry.
S is for Shaun
Mr Wright-Phillips. He must be at home thinking..."But I was Aaron Lennon before anyone had heard of Aaron Lennon!"
T is for Trezeguet
David went from French Euro 2000 hero to 2006 World Cup bit-part and scapegoat. Ouch.
V is for vivid
Lasting memories of the tournament: Maxi Rodriguez v Mexico, Lucas Neil looking like he had just found out his dog had died and Zidane walking passed the World Cup trophy, down the stairs and out of football.
W is for Wright
Former England footballer Ian Wright on his management prospects: "I've got the passion but no idea of tactics - I'd be like a black Kevin Keegan."
X is for xylocarp
My Oxford dictionary says it's a hard woody fruit.
Y is for yawn
Most of the second phase matches were a snooze-fest. Shame really, after the first round it seemed we were set for the best ever tournament. Can we petition FIFA to let at least three African teams into the second round next time no matter their results?
Z is for Zidane
Goodbye Zizou. You certainly left your mark...on Marco Matterazi's chest.