FIFA worldcup 2006 !!!So finally the world cup fever in Germany is over and life is coming to normal. I am not sure if it is awareness but the Hockey world cup is starting from next month and India is also participating! It’s been really a great pleasure to be in Germany during Soccer world cup 06. The whole atmosphere was vibrating; other than the stadiums, there were ‘Fan Fest’ in many places. There were live performances from many famous bands, before and after the matches, with big screen installed all over the places and it’s was really a pretty party time. Other than that, I really think it gave a substantial boost in Germany’s confidence. Now the people of Germany do not feel awkward calling themselves German and it was a good moral support for them. There were Germany flags all over the places and the patriotism flowed everywhere and they able to achieve the lost pride from past.
About matches; there were some really good games and the results were also quite surprising. Brazil came with strongest team ever but all the good players were unable to perform as a team which again proved that they are the good but individually! Argentina, was also a strong contender but unfortunately it was bad luck for them; same like previous world cup. Germany went till semi finals and managed to secure the third position and England got loosed in the way. Somehow I had a strong feeling about France because of Zidane and Henry and they did prove good after lethargic start in the world cup and managed to reach to the finals. This world cup will be remembered as Zidane’s famous Head-butt. I think the shear pressure on Zidane’s and considering that this was his last international match; he was quite forced to perform well. He did but lost his control during last 2 minutes of extra 30 minutes time and showed his short tempered nature. Terry Henry was also out of the ground because of injuries and this all let the France moral down. The end product was Italy won the world cup. Honestly to my opinion Italy does not supposed to win the world cup since during quarterfinal matches it luckily got penalty kick against Australia during last 30 seconds for completely false reasons; they showed it on television many times!
Being the big fan of Zidana; I felt really bad. I still remembered his games verses Brazil in 1998 world cup and current world cup and he is legend. I really hope this would not be the send off he deserved! Zidane is a true legend not only of football but throughout the entire cross section of sports all around the world occupying the pedestal with the likes of Mohd. Ali, Pele and dhyan Chand. He is grace personified and no amount of Red cards could ever topple this icon from almost an idolatrous status he enjoys. Still the images of Semi Final match between France and Portugal are very fresh, where Zizou displayed the ultimate Sporting spirit by heartily hugging Figo a former team-mate as mark of respect to latter’s illustrious career coming to an end . He did not stop there.. He wore Figo's Maroon shirt soiled in litres of Perspiration ( something I have rarely seen any player doing). Now in final the same gentleman Zizou(Zidane’s pet name!) was provoked to intolerable level by Matterazzi. Italian football has always been plagued by all sort of mean charges including match fixing , bribery and very sharp Racist mentality. But it could touch so low I never believed before .The red card shown to zizou was offcourse technically wrong on part of referee as any football fan will testify to. In fact a detailed Investigation should be conducted in to this verbal exchange between two players which led to fateful expulsion of Zidane. The dirty comments made by Matterazzi deserved Zidane's head butt, if someone calls a man son of terrorist Prostitute then I think the offender deserves a full scale team beating. I'm sure Matterazzi would have got this had the modest and gentlemanly zidane would have broken his silence on the Ground itself. Art and Passion are true hall Marks of any Great Artist and legendry sportsmen, otherwise why we would cherish Latin American Football? which has a reputation of being played by passionate hearts and finest display of the Art?
But most of all; Zidane was granted the Best world cup player with Gold Boot and this did give him the honor he deserved! All kudos to the great player!!!
