[PenultimateManStanding]

I saw that last match today. The ending was odd. It almost came down to the luck of a coin toss. It would have come down to who got to do the Penalty Kick first if France's team didn't miss one of them then Italy would have won by virtue of going first in the sudden death round after the five kicks. Clearly the goalies are at a big disadvantage, having a slim chance of stopping the kicker's shot. The element of luck is heavy in that game. I think American Football is much more weighed to skill than luck. But hey, it was a lot of fun for a lot of people, and kudos to the Italians. Enjoy it. I have a feeling the mood will be very different four years from now.

[whatpeak]

So why did Zidane head butt the Italian player?

[SoothSayer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('whatpeak', 'S')o why did Zidane head butt the Italian player?

[Anthrobus]

my theory about Zidane's foul:

Zidane suddenly realized that as a hero and world cup winner he just had to visit endlessly boring TV-Shows, perform hundreds of sucking interviews, behave constantly as a naive good example for stupid youngsters etc.

And so he chose by a supreme instinct to free himself and become a self-determined individual again. All the burdens of success should fall off and the cowardly sycophants would be kept away forever. He would live maybe hated and despised but free ever after.

Materazzi was informed in advance by him and asked him if they should do it now and if he shoud keep his breath. They agreed too, that it shoud look sufficiently mean to provoke a red card.

Te referee, who was a very clever and sober man, after all realized the plot immediately and showed Zidane the red card for the one and right reason: a faked foul.

And so the loosers in blue thought they won something important but all they won was a great illusion and a great waste of time ...

[PenultimateManStanding]

his is what happened:

PARIS, July 10 (Reuters) - France captain Zinedine Zidane was apparently called a "dirty terrorist" by Marco Materazzi before he head-butted the Italy defender in Sunday's World Cup final, the anti-racism group SOS Racism said on Monday.

"According to several very well informed sources from the world of football, it would seem that the Italian player Marco Materazzi called Zinedine Zidane a 'dirty terrorist'," SOS Racism said in a statement.

Zidane, the son of Algerian immigrants, was shown a red card after the incident and Italy went on to win on penalties after the match was tied 1-1 following extra time.