Day 32: Aftermath

BERLIN

Ageism: 67 Mundial years added to my life, so yes it’s past the point of retirement
Pallor: Coming back
Forecast: Who the hell cares? We’re done. Sun is shining and the weather is sweet, ya

Well that was a crazy finish last night. Going to wrap this up not with some weepy or hokey retrospective but some readings, because it’s time to go out and play tourist. I’ll check in on the blog, but apart from something truly bizarre – like perhaps, a head-butt to the chest of the first leather-shorted local who gives me a nipple tweak – this is it.
Let’s start off where we always start off. Yes, it’s the Ray Skyrme Show:

(PK 5-3) 1 ITA v FRA 1

MARTIN MEISSNER/AP

Zidane wins Golden Boot. "I got my award," says Fabio Cannavaro (pictured). "That's it right here."

Malouda downed, seven minutes gone!
Zizou’s change-up bamboozles Buffon!
Materazzi heads in!
An incredible din!
Twenty-five minutes played—the game’s on!

Score still 1-1 as extra time starts.
France control well the midfield ramparts.
(But Zidane’s head-butt card
Leaves this Cup Final scarred!)
Swell with pride all Italian hearts!

Vince Italia!

Yuppers. Thanks as always, Ray.

Big story here remains Zidane’s head butt on Materazzi, and what might have caused it -- French teammate William Gallas thought there had to be provocation. Richard Williams in the Guardian has a fine piece crafted on deadline – a real art, that, and Mr. Williams gets it – about Zidane:

Footballers generally operate a law of omerta on such matters, and Zidane is a reluctant talker at the best of times, so we may never be really sure what Materazzi did or said that provoked him into one of the acts of retaliatory violence that have studded his otherwise brilliant passage through the game. Whatever the cause, however, after 108 matches and 31 goals for France it was saddening to watch the great man leave the pitch, and football, in such an unsatisfactory manner.

Zidane has neverthless won the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player. I voted for Cannavaro, who was runner-up.

Overall on the tournament, Star colleague Cathal Kelly blames globalization for what was, in sum, a blah soccer tournament hinging on defence:

Four decades ago, the clash between English soccer and Brazilian soccer was an unpredictable mixing of styles and tactics. The results were combustible and exciting. Today, the world's biggest stars play in the same leagues and play the same way. They see each other every weekend, rather than once every four years. There are no more surprises. The result — a turgid stalemate — was often on display in Germany.

Michel Platini says it's been the Coaches' World Cup:

"I'm not saying the football is poor, it just depends more than ever on what the coaches come up with. And in this tournament, you have to admit the formations have been rather defensive. In terms of the football, I don't think Germany 2006 will go down in the annals."

That's it from here. Skimpy way to end it, I know. But the rest is up to you -- did Zidane deserve the Golden Ball? Should FIFA adopt some form of video replay, which appeared to play a role in Sunday's pivotal moment (even if FIFA seems bound and determined to deny the possibility)? How does this Italy side rank with previous champions?

Like I said up top, i'm well past retirement age so I'm signing off with a severe case of laptopis rigoris. Many thanks to Spencer back at the home office for making this thing look so good, and to Cathal for his work here in Germany and from Toronto. Thanks to the Globe's Stephen Brunt -- on his way home as I type -- for being such a fine Oscar Madison to my Oscar Madison at the Frankfurt home base. And thanks, of course, to everyone who stopped by and even dropped in a comment. It's been fun. It's been tiring. And best of all, God willing, we only have to wait four years to do it all over again.

Comments

[Ken]

Chris, thanks for keeping this blog updated. It's been a delight to read - enough to overcome my jealousy at not having been there myself! Really emphasised the communal aspect that is vital to a World Cup.

Great call on Cannavaro ahead of Zidane. There is no way Zidane outshone Cannavaro the entire tournament; his strength in defence was superb, and he cleared up very time Italy looked in danger throughout. A real shame he was not rewarded more.

[Uhclem]

Enjoyed you from beginning to end, and you're dead on about Cannavaro. You sure missed a good party in little Italy last night.

From the Guardian's fine tournament summary by their minute by minute boys and girls: (http://tinyurl.com/orsaw)

Biggest joy The dignity and class with which Owen Hargreaves handled and then overturned the ridiculous abuse to which he was subjected. You can tell he wasn't brought up in England.

England's performance in one word: Ikea

Biggest joy Mascherano - Rodrigruez - Riquelme - Sorin - Riquelme - Sorin - Mascherano - Rodriguez - Ayala - Cambiasso - Mascherano - Rodriguez - Sorin - Rodriguez - Cambiasso - Riquelme - Mascherano - Sorin - Saviola - Riquelme - Saviola - Cambiasso - Crespo - Cambiasso - GOAL!

Best quote "Italy will pay for this chaos at the World Cup" - Franz Beckenbauer's astute prediction before the Azzurri's first match against Ghana.

England's performance in one word: Wink

etc, etc, etc....

[chad inglis]

thanks a lot! this blog not only added to my enjoyment of the Cup, but also gave me a glimpse at life in germany while it was on. and isn't that what reporting should be about anyway?

in return, thought i'd share a final 'japanese soccer anecdote'

i have to host this little party of bored and aimless japanese housewives called 'chat time' at my english school. it's often brutal but always entertaining. last week we got talking about soccer, and one of the ladies started on about how beautiful christiano ronaldo is and how much she loves him. i responded by saying 'oh he's a little whiny baby', and proceeded to illustrate what i meant by giving a demonstration of him crying and holding his shin. she got angry, said 'no! no!' and literally hit me with her japanese fan (yes, they actually use them!)

thanks again,
stay peace,
c.

[James Mirtle]

Nice work along the way Chris... definitely complemented what you did in the paper.

[Jose Lourenco]

The game needs reform! Stop clock, video replay (coaches to have the right for play review, twice per game), subs allowed to re-enter after a breather. Wishfull thinking??

[Carla]

Just a warning for WC fans...

'If you still have questions about Zinedine Zidane's World Cup head butt, be careful where you look for answers on the Web.

Miscreants are using the incident in the final of the soccer World Cup as bait to install malicious code onto the PCs of unwitting sports fans, Websense Security Labs warned on Friday.'

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6095215.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

[Kent MacDonald]

That month in Germany must have been exhausting for you. We really appreciate the great coverage that you gave, it was truly unique!

I know I speak for many people when I say that we can't wait to have you back blogging again! And if this helps speed up your return, then so be it - TAG! You're it now!

follow the link to see how... http://sportsguynorth.blogspot.com/2006/08/five-weird-things-about-sgn.html