This way to the stars

Aftermath of the World Cup

I think Italy deserved their win. Really. They showed that they were a strong team in both the group and final stages. It's impressive how they won despite the match-fixing scandals threatening to demote the top football clubs in their country. But I hoped France would win if only to send Zidane's career off on a high note (it'd also be my indirect revenge to Italy coz they painfully beat Germany in the semis).

Alas, there was the Headbutt from Hell. I guess the whole world is now obsessed with what exactly Materazzi said to Zidane to make him react so violently. Hell, I've even read somewhere that the media people are employing expert lip-readers to decipher the headbutt footage. Anyway, the headbutt will really cost him a lot; far from ending a brilliant career on a high note (a loss, but a dignified one), his headbutting will live on in infamy.

Then again, that's one way to make a legend. Already the French people consider Zidane a myth, and their loyalty to him has only been reinforced by the headbutt scandal.

A lot of football luminaries said their goodbyes after the World Cup ended. Other than Zidane, there's Thuram (France), Luis Figo and Pauleta (Portugal), Oliver Kahn (Germany). Coaches of more than half the teams, including Lippi of Italy and Klinsmann of Germany, are also retiring.

Anyway, after all is said and done, Germany 2006 was a great show (haha, take that, Brazil!). I can't wait for South Africa 2010!

I posted Germany pictures on my Multiply: http://stephiedoo.multiply.com/photos/album/9.

-----

Courtesy of our newly-bought broadband router (linksys, Php3500), I am now connected wirelessly to the net. Yahooooooo! :D

posted by steph @ 4:03 PM