[WC] SF : Portugal vs France -> France through

Wednesday, 9 PM local time

Portugal - France

Going to be a tough game for Portugal. Deco's presence will help them a lot tho. They lacked creativity and Deco should help Portugal solidify the middle for them.

France is getting better with each game and are looking very solid from the back to front. Zidane is playing very well as is the D. As a Portugal fan, I hope France plays like they did when they started this tourney and not like they've been playing since the knockout stage.

A heart pick: POR 2 FRA 1

I'm picking Portugal for the same reason I picked them against the Netherlands and against England: Felipe Scolari. His team will be ready and he'll find a way to get it done.

France has been the most impressive team thus far to me. France and Brazil were the two best teams I've seen IMO they just happened to meet in the Qtrs.

Of course I know as much about soccer as your average Atlanta resident knows about the Thrashers.

ill be very surprised if there are no scrums during the match.
It seems to be portugal's speciality to be whining, diving, acting out on the pitch on very minor or inexistant fouls.
And then complain when a real foul goes uncalled, giving them a moral free pass to stir sh*t up.

They tend to cry wolf a bit too much and that scares me a lot, because if the ref calls one imaginary PK, we re gone.

I just hate Portugal for their unsportsmanship. they are an absolut disgrace to sport. Every time they play, the match turns sour. It goes beyond the mere concept of coincidence.

I see France losing to them in a very controversial match.
I hope im wrong though

...to be whining, diving, acting out on the pitch on very minor or inexistant fouls.
And then complain when a real foul goes uncalled, giving them a moral free pass on stirring sh*t up.


This could also be attributed to Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda btw...

This could also be attributed to Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda btw...

:shakehead
Malouda is a diver. He falls easily.
But he doesn't whine, doesn't ask for cards, and doesn't act.

Henry was caught once embelishing a clear foul, and he's suddenly among the worst....
:shakehead

:shakehead
Malouda is a diver. He falls easily.
But he doesn't whine, doesn't ask for cards, and doesn't act.

Diving is not acting in your book?


Henry was caught once embelishing a clear foul, and he's suddenly among the worst....
:shakehead

He’s worst because he’s an hypocrite. We all remember the ‘I’m not a woman so I’ll never dive’ spiel and there he goes pulling this stunt (IMO the most embarrassing display of cheating in this WC). And to finish it off he vehemently denies that he embellished the foul when 100 zillion cameras clearly show us otherwise. Unreal.

IMO France has the best and most experienced backfield of the remaining four teams, plus a potentent office. Most of important of all they are on a roll and they have proven winners. I think that France will win.

those are very isolated incidents.
Thoses things have occured for every teams.

ex: Odonkor againt Argentina.
Missing the ball when wanting to shoot it and then goes down as if he had been shot.
The replay shows he had gone untouched.

What do you say there?

You cant single out only one player to discredit an entire team.

But for Portugal, it's an entire different thing. it seems to be a team philosophy, a "way of playing". They've brought it to a level, i have never seen before. A total Disgrace.
It goes on from the first til the last minute of the match.
Even the Italians dont simulate as much now.

No wonder the match against Holland and England turned sour.

those are very isolated incidents.
Thoses things have occured for every teams.

ex: Odonkor againt Argentina.
Missing the ball when wanting to shoot it and then goes down as if he had been shot.
The replay shows he had gone untouched.

What do you say there?

You cant single out only one player to discredit an entire team.

But for Portugal, it's an entire different thing. it seems to be a team philosophy, a "way of playing". They've brought it to a level, i have never seen before. A total Disgrace.
It goes on from the first til the last minute of the match.
Even the Italians dont simulate as much now.

No wonder the match against Holland and England turned sour.

Hate to burst your bubble pal but any unbiased person can see that Holland dove alot more then we did. Hell the ref from that game admitted it. Against England we can't be faulted for what Wayne Rooney does, the ref already stated he though it was an intentional groin shot, I don't agree but im just a fan. He also said that the Portuguese players han no influence on the card

ill be very surprised if there are no scrums during the match.
It seems to be portugal's speciality to be whining, diving, acting out on the pitch on very minor or inexistant fouls.
And then complain when a real foul goes uncalled, giving them a moral free pass to stir sh*t up.

They tend to cry wolf a bit too much and that scares me a lot, because if the ref calls one imaginary PK, we re gone.

I just hate Portugal for their unsportsmanship. they are an absolut disgrace to sport. Every time they play, the match turns sour. It goes beyond the mere concept of coincidence.

I see France losing to them in a very controversial match.
I hope im wrong though


:clap:


and incidently I thought it was established that our beef with the portuguese is not the diving, but rather the fact that every incident, no matter how minor will result in half the team surrounding the ref moaning like little babies. The day another team does it to the extent the portuguese do I will eat my hat

why do you think this happened?

Hollander's surprising lack of fairplay, rooney's stupid antic in such important match...

We could go on with examples...(cisse's headbutting a portugese player in a junior tourney prior to the 2002 WC)

they push other team's player to the limit by behaving very poorly on the pitch and always getting out of it untouched.That makes some players go crazy and act like idiots. I guess that makes Portugese players smart

What about Figo's headbutting against Holland? Nothing, when frings gets suspended for 2 matchs.

Where is the coherence?

Anyway, they will have so much bad karma, they will never win anything.,deservedly so.

why do you think this happened?

Hollander's surprising lack of fairplay, rooney's stupid antic in such important match...

We could go on with examples...(cisse's headbutting a portugese player in a junior tourney prior to the 2002 WC)

they push other team's player to the limit by behaving very poorly on the pitch and always getting out of it untouched.That makes some players go crazy and act like idiots. I guess that makes Portugese players smart

What about Figo's headbutting against Holland? Nothing, when frings gets suspended for 2 matchs.

Where is the coherence?

Anyway, they will have so much bad karma, they will never win anything.,deservedly so.

:biglaugh: So now we should get blamed for other teams players doing stupid ****?. So you wanted Figo suspended for the Van Bommel dive headbutt which probably connected less then that sissy punch by Frings on Cruz?

BTW before that Holland game we had gone 4 years without a red card and many holland players(Van Bommel, Van Persie, Robben big time) were considered world class divers before that match

:clap:


and incidently I thought it was established that our beef with the portuguese is not the diving, but rather the fact that every incident, no matter how minor will result in half the team surrounding the ref moaning like little babies. The day another team does it to the extent the portuguese do I will eat my hat

Yet I saw Aussie players doing the exact same thing in the Brazil game, don't be a hyprocite all teams do it. Why don't you mention how you haven't seen one Portuguese player make a hand motion for a card to be shown to the oppoistion like so many other teams have in this tourney?

why does it often happen against Portugal and not as much against other teams?

why does it often happen against Portugal and not as much against other teams?

It doesn't happen often against us, the Holland/Portugal game has now given everyone free reign on here to attack the winning side in that game. Had Holland won there players would have been trashed on here just as much. Funny how we caught no criticism in the first three games

It doesn't happen often against us, the Holland/Portugal game has now given everyone free reign for posters on here to attack the winning side in that game. Had Holland won there players would have been trashed on here just as much. Funny how we caught no criticism in the first three games


:clap: 'Nuff said.

Yet I saw Aussie players doing the exact same thing in the Brazil game, don't be a hyprocite all teams do it. Why don't you mention how you haven't seen one Portuguese player make a hand motion for a card to be shown to the oppoistion like so many other teams have in this tourney?

besides kewell, name one example.

just because it happens once with another team does not mean that your team is not scum when they do it every single time. as a matter of fact, if i see a whistle tomorrow that does NOT result in a crowd of portuguese around the ref i will be very surprise. i am sick to death of the only defense from you guys being to point out 1 other incident per team as justification for your team doing it on a constant basis.

and i held back saying it after the holland game but im going to go ahead now. IMO Holland got dragged down to portugal's level in that game. i thought so at the time and the other **** im seeing from them just reaffirms it in my view. for god sake, look at what these threads are being dragged down to, with your team involved. i dont recall game threads that got this rediculous

besides kewell, name one example.

just because it happens once with another team does not mean that your team is not scum when they do it every single time. as a matter of fact, if i see a whistle tomorrow that does NOT result in a crowd of portuguese around the ref i will be very surprise. i am sick to death of the only defense from you guys being to point out 1 other incident per team as justification for your team doing it on a constant basis.

and i held back saying it after the holland game but im going to go ahead now. IMO Holland got dragged down to portugal's level in that game. i thought so at the time and the other **** im seeing from them just reaffirms it in my view. for god sake, look at what these threads are being dragged down to, with your team involved. i dont recall game threads that got this rediculous

:biglaugh: how about Viduka's confrontation with the ref?. So Dutch divers such as Arjen Robben, Kuyt and Van Persie were diving in the penalty area based on us. Did you see us dive in that game in the penalty area? that's right you didn''t because it didn't happen. The dutch players went down 4 times alone in the penalty area. Van Bommel was the worst diver in the game by far!!!!.

Your hate for the Portuguese makes you distort facts. These threads are being dragged down because all the same garbage keeps getting spewed by the same people. The Portuguese are cheaters,divers,whiners blah blah more garbage. I just hope to god tommorow they play clean tommorow win or lose so that some of you guys shut up but I know that will never happen. We could beat France tommorow and then everyone on the board will bring up a minor incident and blow it out of proportion just to tarnish a Portuguese victory.It's like they are walking on egg shells for you people, I hope they prove you all wrong

Diving is not acting in your book?




He’s worst because he’s an hypocrite. We all remember the ‘I’m not a woman so I’ll never dive’ spiel and there he goes pulling this stunt (IMO the most embarrassing display of cheating in this WC). And to finish it off he vehemently denies that he embellished the foul when 100 zillion cameras clearly show us otherwise. Unreal.

Nope, acting is not necessarily diving.
Acting can be Van Bommel in his Figo stunt.

As for Henry, his incident is not even CLOSE to being one of the worst, and it's IMO even incredible to make such a statement.
We've seen dozens and dozens of diving and acting with NO FOUL on these plays.
Henry at least was fouled.

:biglaugh: how about Viduka's confrontation with the ref?. So Dutch divers such as Arjen Robben, Kuyt and Van Persie were diving in the penalty area based on us. Did you see us dive in that game in the penalty area? that's right you didn''t because it didn't happen. The dutch players went down 4 times alone in the penalty area. Van Bommel was the worst diver in the game by far!!!!.



Viduka is the captain and therefore entitled to question the ref. As is Figo. Anyone not wearing that armband can **** off.

1 last time, from the mountain tops:

WHO GIVES A **** IF YOU DIVE IN THE PENALTY AREA OR OUTSIDE. IF YOU DIVE, YOU ARE NOT PLAYING BY THE RULES AND YOU ARE SCUM. JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT DIVE IN THE PENALTY AREA BUT RATHER MOAN AT THE REF AND GET PLAYERS SENT OFF DOES NOT GIVE YOU ANY SORT OF HIGH MORAL GROUND.

Jesus. that is the worst argument I have ever heard to justify what your team does. Just because it doesn't happen in the area it's ok?

Viduka is the captain and therefore entitled to question the ref. As is Figo. Anyone not wearing that armband can **** off.

1 last time, from the mountain tops:

WHO GIVES A **** IF YOU DIVE IN THE PENALTY AREA OR OUTSIDE. IF YOU DIVE, YOU ARE NOT PLAYING BY THE RULES AND YOU ARE SCUM. JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT DIVE IN THE PENALTY AREA BUT RATHER MOAN AT THE REF AND GET PLAYERS SENT OFF DOES NOT GIVE YOU ANY SORT OF HIGH MORAL GROUND.

Jesus. that is the worst argument I have ever heard to justify what your team does. Just because it doesn't happen in the area it's ok?

It's not ok but saying Holland was stuping to our level is just plain ignorant as even the ref has pointed out and let me bold this for you " The Portuguese were rude and volatile but the Dutch initated everything with their dirty tactics. So you actually believe a 21 year old player was able to persaude a seasoned ref to get a player red carded? Have you not read the articles where the ref for that clearly stated that he sent Rooney off because he considerd the Carvalho incident a dangerous play by Rooney. "I gave no credence to the Portuguese players, I thought it was a dangerous play"

Under your rulings every team in the competition is scum as can you state one team that hasn't had someone dive in the tourney?

I can't even understand how some people can think France has acted and dived in this WC.
Makelele is an actor.
Vieira is a diver.
Maouda is a diver.
Henry is an actor.
Yet all these guys have performed without these diving and acting all though tournament.
But just because of Henry's embellishment, France is seen as a diving team.
Incredible.

I can't even understand how some people can think France has acted and dived in this WC.
Makelele is an actor.
Vieira is a diver.
Maouda is a diver.
Henry is an actor.
Yet all these guys have performed without these diving and acting all though tournament.
But just because of Henry's embellishment, France is seen as a diving team.
Incredible.

I can't commentate on they other guys but that henry incident has become famous in the tourney. Totti just pulled a similar play and the commentators went straight to the Henry example"Henry went down like he had been hit with a cannon".

I can't commentate on they other guys but that henry incident has become famous in the tourney. Totti just pulled a similar play and the commentators went straight to the Henry example"Henry went down like he had been hit with a cannon".
Which is completely stupid.

and i held back saying it after the holland game but im going to go ahead now. IMO Holland got dragged down to portugal's level in that game. i thought so at the time and the other **** im seeing from them just reaffirms it in my view. for god sake, look at what these threads are being dragged down to, with your team involved. i dont recall game threads that got this rediculous

Xalcyx, with all due respect, I do think the catalyst for that particular game getting out of hand was Ronaldo getting karate kicked in the thigh.

No excuse for why the game turned out the way it did, but if u have ever played soccer, if that happens (along with many other things that happened in that game, against Holland too) then it sends the wrong signal to the other team and slowly but surely numbers have to be taken.

I really believe thats what happened, and it just got worse from there. As a national team, Portugal aren't the villains or cheaters that you and others are making it out to be, they had some bad and unfortunate games. They are a talented squad and are a treat to watch. It is very disturbing to me that they are viewed in this manner. One really bad game along with really bad officiating shouldn't describe a team.

I have seen a lot of cheating, diving and poor fair play in this WC period. And yes, Portugal is a part of it and trust me, I don't like it anymore than you do.

I hope France and Portugal put the crap aside and play a great semi final as did Italy and Germany. I also hope Portugal can showcase what they really are, a very talented and great team to watch.

I'm really looking forward to this game, even got myself an appropriate avatar ;) My only hope is that the game doesn't turn ugly.

Interesting article about Pauleta's poor stats in these WC in L'Equipe today.
They have studied the way Figo, Deco and Ronaldo play around Pauleta, and how they always shoot rather than pass.
For instance, Pauleta has shot 8 times (5 on target) while Ronaldo has shot 14 times (8 on target).
Lacombe : "the little Ronaldo, after his 25 dekes, when he gives you the ball, it's a tennis ball, even though Pauleta makes tons of calls".

Unless Barthez makes a boo boo which he is quite capable of I dont think Portugual have enough .Frances midfield & defence are very very solid.Just the 2 goals conceded a penalty & an awful hash in the box v Korea.

Only Spain have troubled the defence in the first half with sheer pace.Portugual though are superb at keeping the ball.Its the last hurrah (again) for the golden generation so I expect a very tight midfield contest much as in Euro 2004 where Neptune was unlucky to concede that penalty.

It would be nice to see a new nation in the final as well.Scolaris record is superb 12 wins out of 12 WC games so its quite possible.

I should think for technical ability & thoughtful play this semi should exceed the one yesterday.

Well it's game day, this will be a tough game no doubt as I believe the teams are about equal with Portugal perhaps with the hotter goalie and France with the hotter striker. Win or lose today, im proud of these guys, they showed the world that we are a top club that can beat anyone when were on. I hope for a good fair played game and may the best team win.

Gallas quote from yesterday:

I expect Portugal to use every trick in the book to try and win today was obviously not received well. I just hope it's a quality game, and all the ******** gets left aside, though I doubt it.

France will win because Zinedine Zidane won't let them lose.

This is going to be very interesting, I hope France can play as well as they did in the last game, their defense was almost perfect.

I have to cheer for France to win the whole thing, now.

Never thought I'd ever have to do that...

I'm going to cheer for the winner of this game to win it all.

I'm going to go with Portugal though. I think the final will be more exiting that way.

Italy vs France will be an interesting final, a replay of 2000. Says a lot when i have to resort to cheering on the Ities :(

I'm rating this game a tossup. I fully expect it to go to penalties. Hopefully both teams can stay out of card trouble, because whoever wins will be the team I'm pulling for in the final. May the best team win:clap:

I expect a very tight game. Both teams play with five man midfields with two defensive midfielders. This game will be decided by who conquers midfield. Slight edge to France though. More experience and slightly more offensive quality.

Wouldn't be surprised to see this end with 0-0.

Italy vs France will be an interesting final, a replay of 2000. Says a lot when i have to resort to cheering on the Ities :(

Me too and France today. :eek:

I dont want to see the cheaters win it although it would be funny to see them choke in another final.

Wild prediction: If Maniche doesn't score today, Portugal doesn't go through.

And I have to agree about Portugal embellishing. I have never seen a team where pretty much every dives and fakes injuries. It makes me sick.

Pretty much every time the opponent has a chance of counter attacking you can bet a portugese player is laying on the grass and everyone demands the other team play the ball over the side line. It is absurd and a disgrace.

It is made even worse by the fact that Portugal have so many wonderfully talented players. They shouldn't have to pull this crap.

And yes, players from other countries also do this. But not everyone. Far from it.

But just because of Henry's embellishment, France is seen as a diving team.
Incredible.
Not by anyone who's not biased.

I have to cheer for France to win the whole thing, now.

Never thought I'd ever have to do that...
If France doesn't win, I'll be stuck rooting for Italy. Sheesh. :shakehead

I'm going with a 2-0 France victory, in regular time.

And I have to agree about Portugal embellishing. I have never seen a team where pretty much every dives and fakes injuries. It makes me sick.

Pretty much every time the opponent has a chance of counter attacking you can bet a portugese player is laying on the grass and everyone demands the other team play the ball over the side line. It is absurd and a disgrace.

It is made even worse by the fact that Portugal have so many wonderfully talented players. They shouldn't have to pull this crap.

And yes, players from other countries also do this. But not everyone. Far from it.

:biglaugh: Im surprised that any team gets a shot if we keep falling down everywhere on every attack :shakehead .

Me too and France today. :eek:

I dont want to see the cheaters win it although it would be funny to see them choke in another final.

Better choke in the final then in the quarter finals ;)

:biglaugh: Im surprised that any team gets a shot if we keep falling down everywhere on every attack :shakehead .

Not all refs blow the whistle.

What really got Holland-Portugal out of hand was that Holland got so sick and tired of Portugals faking of injuries that they decided not to play the ball to Portugal after the ref dropped the ball after a whistle but instead attack. And they were entirely correct in doing so.

Anyway, I am not going to change anyones mind. If homers want to believe Portugal is no worse than anyone else they are free to do so. The rest of the footballing world seems to disagree with that view though.

Not all refs blow the whistle.

What really got Holland-Portugal out of hand was that Holland got so sick and tired of Portugals faking of injuries that they decided not to play the ball to Portugal but instead attack. And they were entirely correct in doing so.

:biglaugh: So Ricardo Carvalho who threw himself in front of a shot and went down awkwardly was faking :biglaugh: . The Dutch team diving the whole game is never mentioned here I wonder why. So under your assumption if Barthez is hurt today we should play on and put it in the empty net:shakehead .

:biglaugh: So Ricardo Carvalho who threw himself in front of a shot and went down awkwardly was faking :biglaugh: . The Dutch team diving the whole game is never mentioned here I wonder why. So under your assumption if Barthez is hurt today we should play on and put it in the empty net:shakehead .

If the ref sees a goalie down he calls.

If on the other hand a portugese player goes down pretending to be injured there is no reason to stop the play for the other team. They use it as a tactic and have done so extensively. It is up to the ref to call. You can't cry wolf forever.

If the ref sees a goalie down he calls.

If on the other hand a portugese player goes down pretending to be injured there is no reason to stop the play for the other team. They use it as a tactic and have done so extensively. It is up to the ref to call. You can't cry wolf forever.

And we had the ball on attack with Deco when the ref blew the whistle because Carvalho was hurt. Why should Holland get possesion again :dunno: ?

What really got Holland-Portugal out of hand was that Holland got so sick and tired of Portugals faking of injuries that they decided not to play the ball to Portugal after the ref dropped the ball after a whistle but instead attack. And they were entirely correct in doing so.

No, what got that game out of hand was a Holland player purposefully taking Ronaldo out of the game and not getting red carded.

All I want from people here is if by some chance we do beat France today and do it with clean goals, I want all the *****ing to stop. Especially from the whiner England fans who couldn't get the job done

Maybe this is just me getting frustrated or tired of it, but can we just stop talking about the Portugal-Holland game for a while? I'm honestly just tired of reading the same arguments over and over again.

I think we can all agree that both teams dove a whole lot and that both are probably two of the worst diving teams in the tournament.

I think we can all agree that both teams dove a whole lot and that both are probably two of the worst diving teams in the tournament.
I don't think the Portugal fans are willing to stipulate to that. And that's part of the problem.

The reason nobody's talking about Holland is because Holland lost. Portugal has yet to get what's coming to them. Hopefully France will deliver today.

Please win this game France, don't want to see those Portuguese in the final!

ForÇa Portugal!

I won't get to watch the second half :cry:

I won't get to watch the second half :cry:


:(

Why not?

Zidane!!!!
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllllll lllllllllllll!

LES GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!



ZIDANE!!!


Note to Portugal: You live by the sword, you die by the sword :yo:

Vive la France!

Allez les Bleus!

(yes I do feel dirty for saying that)

No, what got that game out of hand was a Holland player purposefully taking Ronaldo out of the game and not getting red carded.Well we can hear what everyone thinks of Ronaldo at the game so lets hope he gets taken out again :handclap:

With diving like that, its hardly surprising everyone hates him.

:(

Why not?

work:madfire: :madfire: :madfire: :madfire:

Portugal has been the best team. France isn't moving as much in the last two games and they struggle a bit.

Henry surely embellished in the penalty situation but there was some contact. Ronaldo definately embellished when he tried to get a penalty.

work:madfire: :madfire: :madfire: :madfire:

Quit. The WC is more important than a job.;)

work:madfire: :madfire: :madfire: :madfire:

Watch it at work then: http://www.myp2p.eu/WorldCup/Match1.htm

Ronaldo :biglaugh:


Maybe if you stay on your feet, you might get even more chances



Seriously, how can anyone play with this guy, he is a disgrace :biglaugh:

LES GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!

ZIDANE!!!

Note to Portugal: You live by the sword, you die by the sword :yo:

Two wrongs dont make a right.Henry is a cheat evilo. :shakehead

I'm sure if this had been England all the Portugual haters would be berating Henry etc etc.And to german girl dont be so sanctimonious.Your coach cheated often & hes coached the team well in this.

Portugal has been the best team. France isn't moving as much in the last two games and they struggle a bit.

Henry surely embellished in the penalty situation but there was some contact. Ronaldo definately embellished when he tried to get a penalty.

Not possible. the portuguese dont dive for penalties, ESPECIALLY Ronaldo :biglaugh:

Two wrongs dont make a right.Henry is a cheat evilo. :shakehead

I'm sure if this had been England all the Portugual haters would be berating Henry etc etc.And to german girl dont be so sanctimonious.Your coach cheated often & hes coached the team well in this.

Henry did the right thing for his team. He was fouled and imbellished to get the ref's attention. Because of his work his team leads. It's called smarts.

Two wrongs dont make a right.Henry is a cheat evilo. :shakehead


Someone should tell that to the other team

Someone should tell that to the other team

why, they would chalk up 10 rights a game ;)

:clap: Henry, he isn't a diver :shakehead . Well it's 2000 all over again and we are gonna get ****ed

Portugal needs to get Deco involved more. He was largely invisible.

Ronaldo is an amazing player. Great technique and fantastic speed with the ball. Shame about the constant diving.

Henry did the right thing for his team. He was fouled and imbellished to get the ref's attention. Because of his work his team leads. It's called smarts.

Exactly. It's not diving if you actually got fouled. It's called embellishing.

God I hate Ronaldo

Not possible. the portuguese dont dive for penalties, ESPECIALLY Ronaldo :biglaugh:

Funny thing is the first dive of the game came from Ribery followed by Henry's great job in the area

:clap: Henry, he isn't a diver :shakehead . Well it's 2000 all over again and we are gonna get ****ed

And if you do, it will be well deserved.

:clap: Henry, he isn't a diver :shakehead . Well it's 2000 all over again and we are gonna get ****ed

You must be joking. Henry definitely was fouled, anyone could see that. He definitely embellished, but it was a foul. Reminds me a bit of the Thuram foul on Pablo.

I can't believe I'm reading a Portuguese complaining about another team diving especially with Ronaldo. One gigantic dive in front of Domenech and then the dive in the penalty area. Nice little fake injury moment from Figo as well, I'm not sure why he decided to carry on when it was clear that Vieira wasn't going to be carded.

Exactly. It's not diving if you actually got fouled. It's called embellishing.

:biglaugh: So under that assumption, Ronaldo did the right thing since he was getting his jersey tugged by Sagnol :shakehead . That's a freakin dive, had that been a Portuguese player you would have been :cry: all over the place

You must be joking. Henry definitely was fouled, anyone could see that. He definitely embellished, but it was a foul. Reminds me a bit of the Thuram foul on Pablo.

I can't believe I'm reading a Portuguese complaining about another team diving especially with Ronaldo. One gigantic dive in front of Domenech and then the dive in the penalty area. Nice little fake injury moment from Figo as well, I'm not sure why he decided to carry on when it was clear that Vieira wasn't going to be carded.

:biglaugh: So getting run over by Viera and landing on your head is faking now. What did he have to gain from that? :shakehead more idiocy. So Henry could have stayed on his feet yet choose to go down and he isn't play acting give me a break

:biglaugh: So under that assumption, Ronaldo did the right thing since he was getting his jersey tugged by Sagnol :shakehead . That's a freakin dive, had that been a Portuguese player you would have been :cry: all over the place

Of course Ronaldo did the right thing. You do everything in your power to give your team an edge. People ripping him are just a bunch of hypocrites. It would be all fine and dandy if their player did it. I'd be more upset if my players weren't doing everything in their power to win.

I cant wait to see the second half and see pro diver Christiano Ronaldo back in action.

While someones at it, get a pacifier for the Portuguese coach.

:biglaugh: So getting run over by Viera and landing on your head is faking now. What did he have to gain from that? :shakehead more idiocy. So Henry could have stayed on his feet yet choose to go down and he isn't play acting give me a break

Then explain how he magically got back on the field even before the restart of the game. And besides, his leg ran into Vieira. All of us have fallen on our heads before, most of us have the b**ls to get up and continue.

And answer this. Did Carvalho foul Henry or not? Sure Henry dived a bit. But was it a foul? Yes.

Of course Ronaldo did the right thing. You do everything in your power to give your team an edge. People ripping him are just a bunch of hypocrites. It would be all fine and dandy if their player did it. I'd be more upset if my players weren't doing everything in their power to win.

If it was him that had embellished that penalty they would be popping off like crazy. But since it is Saint Henry he can't be guilty

Of course Ronaldo did the right thing. You do everything in your power to give your team an edge. People ripping him are just a bunch of hypocrites. It would be all fine and dandy if their player did it. I'd be more upset if my players weren't doing everything in their power to win.

Like Henry for example.....:teach:

Like Henry for example.....:teach:

Exactly. Read my earlier post.

"Henry did the right thing for his team. He was fouled and imbellished to get the ref's attention. Because of his work his team leads. It's called smarts."

Then explain how he magically got back on the field even before the restart of the game. And besides, his leg ran into Vieira. All of us have fallen on our heads before, most of us have the b**ls to get up and continue.

And answer this. Did Carvalho foul Henry or not? Sure Henry dived a bit. But was it a foul? Yes.

So he's shooting the ball and his leg runs into Viera:biglaugh: . Sure there was contact but could Henry have stayed on his feet? Yes, Did he dive: Yes

If it was him that had embellished that penalty they would be popping off like crazy. But since it is Saint Henry he can't be guilty

Not all of us are biased like you. Name me an example where a Portuguese has embellished a foul that we've bashed. Most of the time we bash the Portuguese is when there is no foul or contact, but they still pretend that there was.

Allthough Henry`s fall was like something out of some old Jerry Lewis movie it was still clear case.

Penaltyshot was right decission.

Not all of us are biased like you. Name me an example where a Portuguese has embellished a foul that we've bashed. Most of the time we bash the Portuguese is when there is no foul or contact, but they still pretend that there was.

Figo getting elbowed in the Holland game.

So he's shooting the ball and his leg runs into Viera:biglaugh: . Sure there was contact but could Henry have stayed on his feet? Yes, Did he dive: Yes

His follow-through ran into Vieira, Vieira was trying to block the shot. No way that was a foul.

As for the 2nd part of your post, how about learning to like your own medicine?

Figo getting elbowed in the Holland game.

Because he held his face when the elbow was in the chest. Just like Henry and Puyol. Both players should be bashed for that.

His follow-through ran into Vieira, Vieira was trying to block the shot. No way that was a foul.

The issue was somebody claiming Figo faked. Obviously it wasn't a foul. It was just as obvious that Figo wasn't faking.

The issue was somebody claiming Figo faked. Obviously it wasn't a foul. It was just as obvious that Figo wasn't faking.

Then how did he magically get better and appear back on the pitch even before the game started?

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/afp/20060705/i/636395578.jpg

Because he held his face when the elbow was in the chest. Just like Henry and Puyol. Both players should be bashed for that.

Then how did Figo get the welt on his face, that wasn't there before the incident?

So he's shooting the ball and his leg runs into Viera:biglaugh: . Sure there was contact but could Henry have stayed on his feet? Yes, Did he dive: Yes

So did pro diver Christiano Ronaldo...

His follow-through ran into Vieira, Vieira was trying to block the shot. No way that was a foul.

As for the 2nd part of your post, how about learning to like your own medicine?

I never said anything about a foul. So I should be happy we got a dive penalty called against us? Did we win a game with a dive= NO

Then how did he magically get better and appear back on the pitch even before the game started?

You obviously never had a charley horse. To doubt that he was hit very hard in a very awkward position is beyond assinine.

Then how did he magically get better and appear back on the pitch even before the game started?

That's the first player you have seen recover from a knock that quick? Palyers do taht all teh time, the game was stopped for a good minute

I never said anything about a foul. So I should be happy we got a dive penalty called against us? Did we win a game with a dive= NO

Hypocrisy at its finest.

Portugal's constant diving has me cheering against them in this game, it's gotten pretty pathetic, and it sticks out alot more on their end than it does on any other country.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

The only hypocrisy around here is from the Portugal haters.

Poor Portugal, losing because of diving. Couldnt happen to a nicer team :shakehead

(:handclap:)

The only hypocrisy around here is from the Portugal haters.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

The only hypocrisy around here is from the Portugal haters.


+1

So typical. Pretending to be injured when France is about to counter attack.

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
The Portuguese player jars his knee completely on his own and falls over and all the players surround the ref demanding a free kick.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Talk about clueless.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
The Portuguese player jars his knee completely on his own and falls over and all the players surround the ref demanding a free kick.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Talk about clueless.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

http://www.airraidsirens.com/ebay/h8s4.mp3

DIVE!!! DIVE!!! DIVE!!!

So typical. Pretending to be injured when France is about to counter attack. Wanna bet he is back instantly?

Is that why he's out of the game? What a load a crap this board has become.

If Portugal wins this game then I am not watching a single second of the final match. Italy won in the round of 16 on a BS penalty kick call over Austraila and didnt really earn that win. If they didnt win on a garbage call then I would have no problem with Italy.

I bet alot of people wouldnt watch the game either if Portugal won. I mean a Football team against an Olympic diving team, it would be boring...a total blowout.

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
The Portuguese player jars his knee completely on his own and falls over and all the players surround the ref demanding a free kick.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Talk about clueless.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

The kid twisted a knee the Portuguese players thought he got fouled so did you probably

If Portugal wins this game then I am not watching a single second of the final match. Italy won in the orund of 16 on a BS penalty kick call over Austraila and I would hate to see Portugal win this game.

I bet alot of people wouldnt watch the game either if Portugal won. I mean a Football team against an Olympic diving team, it would be boring...a total blowout.

So the French win on a BS penalty call and then you will watch :biglaugh: now that's hypocrisy

The kid twisted a knee the Portuguese players thought he got fouled so did you probably
No, my 1st thought (just like any non Portuguese fan) is that it was a dive.

Is that why he's out of the game? What a load a crap this board has become.

So he had a freak injury without being touched. Every other time the player has faked it.

Posting stuff in hindsight doesn't make you bright you know.

Is that why he's out of the game? What a load a crap this board has become.

It's the France: Kiss my *** club in here

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Did I read any comments regarding the French player who went down for a minute because he got hit in the head with a ball? No.

Miguel is truly hurt, and he's accused of faking. Yeah, there's no bias here:sarcasm:

No, my 1st thought (just like any non Portuguese fan) is that it was a dive.

ENGLAND!!!! ENGLAND!!!!! oh wait there back in England

is all the hate coming from an england loss???

So the French win on a BS penalty call and then you will watch :biglaugh: now that's hypocrisy

Im not really sure if that French guy dived. It looked like he did at first, but then another angle showed some contact, so Im not really sure.

Look just take Ronaldo's approach. If things arent going your way, pretend like your always falling off a cliff.

And I have to agree about Portugal embellishing. I have never seen a team where pretty much every dives and fakes injuries. It makes me sick.

Pretty much every time the opponent has a chance of counter attacking you can bet a portugese player is laying on the grass and everyone demands the other team play the ball over the side line. It is absurd and a disgrace.

It is made even worse by the fact that Portugal have so many wonderfully talented players. They shouldn't have to pull this crap.

And yes, players from other countries also do this. But not everyone. Far from it.I couldn't have said it any better myself.


What really got Holland-Portugal out of hand was that Holland got so sick and tired of Portugals faking of injuries that they decided not to play the ball to Portugal after the ref dropped the ball after a whistle but instead attack. And they were entirely correct in doing so.You're absolutely in good shape now. :thumbs up:

Tonight it might have been worse but this Portugal has been disgusting to watch, including the coach who is a right fit with this team. Yesterday he didn't even serve the foreign journalists with the press conference. He just walked away !

It's the France: Kiss my *** club in here
:biglaugh:
Do you know just what it takes for a bunch of Englishmen and Americans to become France supporters? The antics of the Portuguese players in this World Cup, that's what. :teach:

is all the hate coming from an england loss???

Pretty much, :biglaugh: Barthez should have been yellowed already for time wasting

No, my 1st thought (just like any non Portuguese fan) is that it was a dive.

You're just angry because England is Portugal's b*tch. You lost, again. Get over it.

is all the hate coming from an england loss???

No, it's coming from Portugal being diving scum.

is all the hate coming from an england loss???

No I dont like England and their baby Rooney. Im not bitter that the USA got knocked out early. I was pulling for most of the underdog teams. Now that all the " big guns " are left, Im cheering for the team I hate the least- France.

Did I read any comments regarding the French player who went down for a minute because he got hit in the head with a ball? No.

Miguel is truly hurt, and he's accused of faking. Yeah, there's no bias here:sarcasm:
Sure there's a bias, but it didn't come out of nowhere.

Did I read any comments regarding the French player who went down for a minute because he got hit in the head with a ball? No.

Miguel is truly hurt, and he's accused of faking. Yeah, there's no bias here:sarcasm:

Duh. He wasn't touched. Are we supposed to assume everyone who just lies down tears something?

At least we saw the french player get hit in the head.

:biglaugh:
Do you know just what it takes for a bunch of Englishmen and Americans to become France supporters? The antics of the Portuguese players in this World Cup, that's what. :teach:

The English cheer against us because we beat them you Americans probably think Zidane and Henry are gods on your ESPN soccer coverage

The English cheer against us because we beat them you Americans probably think Zidane and Henry are gods on your ESPN soccer coverage

Basic rules of flame wars

1. If your team isnt winning, dont flame, it only makes you look worse.

and henry didnt dive? that scum!!!!!!!
but jokes aside i expect better of henry then to dive like that, and he did.

The English cheer against us because we beat them you Americans probably think Zidane and Henry are gods on your ESPN soccer coverage

What about Figo and Ronaldo? They are hyped up too...

Henry embellish? Henry dive? No, that would never happen. He's not a woman! :shakehead

We all better hope France win the whole damn thing because Henry will moan for a week if they don't.

At least my team is here, the Americans have been at home for almost a month now

I wasnt expecting the Americans to make it farther then the Round of 16 so Im not that disappointed. This thread is starting to drift off topic, lets get it back on track.

man this would suck for this game to end on that crap PK.

Another thing, there's still a difference between a player diving and rolling like he has been shot dead and somebody who immediately gets up.

Yet, of course this was no penalty.

I wasnt expecting the Americans to make it farther then the Round of 16 so Im not that disappointed. This thread is starting to drift off topic, lets get it back on track.

Good idea. Figo and Deco have had likely the worst group of corners I have ever seen from them. They have absolutely set up nothing that could be considered a good scoring opportunity.

I wasnt expecting the Americans to make it farther then the Round of 16 so Im not that disappointed. This thread is starting to drift off topic, lets get it back on track.
Why bother when we can talk about Portugal beating England, Holland being a bunch of divers just like Portugal, or the fact that the Americans have already been sent home?

There they go again :biglaugh:

Helder Postiga +1 :biglaugh:

It's the France: Kiss my *** club in here

No, its just that everyone hates the Portuguese.

Postiga with a dive, I admit it

And the bench is complaining too !

Ohh..Portugal so close

man barthez is a moron, haha

Figo is not going to sleep tonight.

You're just angry because England is Portugal's b*tch. You lost, again. Get over it.I am over it already. Whats your excuse for all the other nationalities hating Portugal? :dunce:

You dont realise that this is the 1st time in my life that Ive wanted France to win anything.

Can't blame Figo on that one, Postiga came out of no where and screwed up the chance

Bathez...this isn't volleyball :biglaugh:

Barthez :biglaugh:

No, it's coming from Portugal being diving scum.

Just as I read that, Postiga does a dying swan act trying to get a penalty. :biglaugh:

Portugal is really a disgrace. How can their fans possibly be proud of this team?

You dont realise that this is the 1st time in my life that Ive wanted France to win anything.Same here. :D

Just this game though..

I am over it already. Whats your excuse for all the other nationalities hating Portugal? :dunce:

You dont realise that this is the 1st time in my life that Ive wanted France to win anything.

Sorry about that. Let's just watch the game and quit this sad back and forth.

Just as I read that, Postiga does a dying swan act trying to get a penalty. :biglaugh:

Not in the box my friend, Ronaldo did embellish that situation though

Portugal is really a disgrace. How can their fans possibly be proud of this team?

So is Henry, but it's OK if he does it right? :shakehead

So is Henry, but it's OK if he does it right? :shakehead
no henry is "smart" lets be proud of him!!!!

So is Henry, but it's OK if he does it right? :shakehead

Henry doesn't go down every times someone goes near him like Ronaldo does.

That should have been red. Didn't have any intention to play the ball.

So is Henry, but it's OK if he does it right? :shakehead

That's always the response isn't it? "Other teams do it!"

Yes, other teams do it. But for most other teams, diving isn't an ingrained part of the soccer culture like it is in Portugal. Henry is one player who dove, and when he did, people were shocked because he's usually classier than that. When Ronaldo does it, people roll their eyes and say "same old Portugal...".

Henry doesn't go down every times someone goes near him like Ronaldo does.

:biglaugh: Your right it's ok to just do it sometimes :shakehead

Ouch, nasty tackle by Carvalho

That should have been red. Didn't have any intention to play the ball.It wasnt that bad but he still misses the next game.

That's always the response isn't it? "Other teams do it!"

Yes, other teams do it. But for most other teams, diving isn't an ingrained part of the soccer culture like it is in Portugal. Henry is one player who dove, and when he did, people were shocked because he's usually classier than that. When Ronaldo does it, people roll their eyes and say "same old Portugal...".

Portugal supporters don't understand this.

That's always the response isn't it? "Other teams do it!"

Yes, other teams do it. But for most other teams, diving isn't an ingrained part of the soccer culture like it is in Portugal. Henry is one player who dove, and when he did, people were shocked because he's usually classier than that. When Ronaldo does it, people roll their eyes and say "same old Portugal...".

We have scored all our goals legit, we weren't given penalties on dives

no henry is "smart" lets be proud of him!!!!

Continuing the trend of trying to attack the winning team.

That's always the response isn't it? "Other teams do it!"

Yes, other teams do it. But for most other teams, diving isn't an engrained part of the soccer culture like it is in Portugal. Henry is one player who dove, and when he did, people were shocked because he's usually classier than that. When Ronaldo does it, people roll their eyes and say "same old Portugal...".

He's usually classier than that? He embellishes all the time. He also complains to the ref all the time too. If you're going to call Portugal out, then make sure you're calling everybody out.

Engrained part of the soccer culture? Well for starters when you have a player who is constantly fouled, then he is more apt to go down with the slightest bit of contact. I'm not condoning Portugal's diving when they are indeed diving, but you shouldn't be calling out one side and then ignoring another.

We have scored all our goals legit, we weren't given penalties

lol

We have scored all our goals legit, we weren't given penalties

That's the sad thing, isn't it? Portugal produces quality players, yet they still feel the need to resort to blatant cheating.

That's the sad thing, isn't it? Portugal produces quality players, yet they still feel the need to resort to blatant cheating.

So it's sad that we scored legitmately :biglaugh:

Prestigo dont do that in front of all the children!

Continuing the trend of trying to attack the winning team.
youre gonna tell me france should win on a crap PK, and then sitting back?? yeah ill attack them, i want to see a semi-final game end with a legit goal.

:biglaugh: Your right it's ok to just do it sometimes :shakehead

Sometimes is better than all the time like some teams do

So it's sad that we scored legitmately :biglaugh:

Can you read?

So it's sad that we scored legitmately :biglaugh:

Yes, that's exactly what I said. :sarcasm:

youre gonna tell me france should win on a crap PK, and then sitting back?? yeah ill attack them, i want to see a semi-final game end with a legit goal.

Or at the very least some exciting football. Can't wait to see Barça play again.

Prestigo dont do that in front of all the children!

who?

ahh crap!!

France wins :clap:

Yay! Portugal lost!

So France has deserved to win this game in all your opinions?

Good luck to France

For anyone living in the US listening to the ESPN broadcasts, John Harkes is an absolute joke in commentary.

Quite poor game offensively from both teams. Poor movement and no one that make enough forward runs. Too much simple sideways passes.

I think the penalty was correctly called, even if Henry embellished. It still was a foul.

yes finally the biggest divers of the tournament are out.

I actually liked them after the group stages but they've played disgracefully in their last 3 games.

Now to watch Ronaldo cry

:biglaugh:

Yay! Portugal lost!

The people in the US go crazy

Did you see what Henry said to Figo?

"Is my diving as good as yours now?"

bad game, i hope italy kicks the crap out of france

Did you see what Henry said to Figo?

"Is my diving as good as yours now?"
Seriously???

yes finally the biggest divers of the tournament are out.

I actually liked them after the group stages but they've played disgracefully in their last 3 games.

Now to watch Ronaldo cry

:biglaugh:

Yeah, but Henry is still playing so there is plenty of playacting yet to be had.

GREAT avatar btw.

So France has deserved to win this game in all your opinions?
Honestly, I don't care if France deserved to win or not. I'm just glad Portugal didn't.

Did you see what Henry said to Figo?

"Is my diving as good as yours now?"

I hope your kidding

:eek: Everytime Barthez touched that ball, I almost died.

Rock on Zizou :yo: Does he really have to wear Figo's jersey?

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Congrats to France and good luck in the Final. I'll be cheering for them. No shame in losing to a class act like Zidane:bow:

Did you see what Henry said to Figo?

"Is my diving as good as yours now?"

I hope your kidding, classless from Henry

For anyone living in the US listening to the ESPN broadcasts, John Harkes is an absolute joke in commentary.

All the commentators on the U.S. coverage suck. I guess it's an ESPN thing.

bad game, i hope italy kicks the crap out of france

Agreed.

Seriously???

:sarcasm:

All the commentators on the U.S. coverage suck. I guess it's an ESPN thing.

It is, because Tommy Smyth isn't American and he sucks big time.

If only Portugal could cut back on the constant cheating then people would love them. They could be the Brazil of europe. They played good attacking football all through the tournament and IMO were the best team.

If only Portugal could cut back on the constant cheating then people would love them. They could be the Brazil of europe. They played good attacking football all through the tournament and IMO were the best team.

Indeed. I'm pretty sure I won't always hate the Portuguese national team, but man do I hate this one:

Cristiano Ronaldo - :thumbd:
Figo - :thumbd:
Prestiga - :thumbd:

They were disgraceful the last 3 games and took part in the worst soccer match I've ever watched (vs. Holland). Everybody usually gets what's coming to them.

France is going to win the world cup for Zidane.

Zidane :handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

If only Portugal could cut back on the constant cheating then people would love them. They could be the Brazil of europe. They played good attacking football all through the tournament and IMO were the best team.
I thought they werent even a top 8 team and they were horrible today.

They were disgraceful the last 3 games and took part in the worst soccer match I've ever watched (vs. Holland). Everybody usually gets what's coming to them.

I loved that game. It was emotion and a war. Most of the cards in that game were fully deserved also.

Just some thoughts.

- Everyone who supports Portugal is moaning about Henry. There is no denying that he dived. However, it was a penalty. Carvalho clearly missed the ball and his trailing leg went straight into Henry's. Definite penalty IMO.

- Malouda has been really bad in every game I've seen, don't France have another option on the left?

- I was impressed with Portugal's actual football. If Ronaldo learns how to cross and pass a bit better, he will become the best winger in the game. Both Abidal and Sagnol are great players, but he was giving them a lot of problems.

- I felt really sorry for Pauleta, he got no service and he's a better finisher than the likes of Maniche, Deco, Ronaldo, and Figo.

- Figo can't head the ball to save his life. :D

- I think France tried to play counterattacking football in the 2nd half, but it really didn't work and they didn't have any opportunities outside of the Henry chance and the Ribery chance.

Bottom line: Portugal probably deserved at least a draw after 90 minutes. They played some good attacking football and had a few really good chances. However, I won't deny that I am very glad to see them go.

I thought they werent even a top 8 team and they were horrible today.

If we weren't top 8 you weren't top 16

Just some thoughts.

- Everyone who supports Portugal is moaning about Henry. There is no denying that he dived. However, it was a penalty. Carvalho clearly missed the ball and his trailing leg went straight into Henry's. Definite penalty IMO.

- Malouda has been really bad in every game I've seen, don't France have another option on the left?

- I was impressed with Portugal's actual football. If Ronaldo learns how to cross and pass a bit better, he will become the best winger in the game. Both Abidal and Sagnol are great players, but he was giving them a lot of problems.

- I felt really sorry for Pauleta, he got no service and he's a better finisher than the likes of Maniche, Deco, Ronaldo, and Figo.

- Figo can't head the ball to save his life. :D

- I think France tried to play counterattacking football in the 2nd half, but it really didn't work and they didn't have any opportunities outside of the Henry chance and the Ribery chance.

Bottom line: Portugal probably deserved at least a draw after 90 minutes. They played some good attacking football and had a few really good chances. However, I won't deny that I am very glad to see them go.

So he dived and it was a definite penalty how is that logical?

So he dived and it was a definite penalty how is that logical?

Did you read Egil's post on the 2 types of diving? I think we had a Type I incident here. There was a definite foul, but Henry did his best to embellish it. I should have used the word 'dive' in my post. I still understand why he could have gone down though. He was just planting to make a turn and then he had his leg taken out.

Did you read Egil's post on the 2 types of diving? I think we had a Type I incident here. There was a definite foul, but Henry did his best to embellish it. I should have used the word 'dive' in my post. I still understand why he could have gone down though. He was just planting to make a turn and then he had his leg taken out.

Looked like a swan dive to me

Looked like a swan dive to me

It wasn't.

It wasn't.
please if he wanted to he could have stayed on his feet. he threw himself. it was more of a tap then a sweep.

If we weren't top 8 you weren't top 16

Yeah but my toy car's bigger than yours. :p:

Thank God Portugal is out, what a bunch of whiners and divers
Even Pauleta dived today, i thought he had the most class of all those portugese players but not anymore


And Alexander the Great please dont forget the Figo dive against Iran that resulted in a penalty. So think twice before you proclaim that all your goals are legit

Bathez...this isn't volleyball:biglaugh:

that's the very reason France won't win the World Cup

I can only hope Henry doesn't pull the same ugly theatrics in the finals vs. Italy.....:shakehead

please if he wanted to he could have stayed on his feet. he threw himself. it was more of a tap then a sweep.

It was more of a blow than a tap because he did have a lot of momentum. He caught Henry at the vulnerable point in his turn and I can understand why Henry went down.

I would have bet my life that this game would go to at least extra time.

please if he wanted to he could have stayed on his feet. he threw himself. it was more of a tap then a sweep.

You have no way of knowing it. From the way it looked the "tap" was enough to make him lose balance.

Thank God Portugal is out, what a bunch of whiners and divers
Even Pauleta dived today, i thought he had the most class of all those portugese players but not anymore


And Alexander the Great please dont forget the Figo dive against Iran that resulted in a penalty. So think twice before you proclaim that all your goals are legit

lol, Are you serious? Figo got under cut there

wow at the end portugal really did go into full diving/complaining/moaning mode. embarassing...

Well it went as predicted.Portugual didnt have enough to crack the solid French defensive unit .Barthez nearly did make an almighty booboo which might have brought a smile to Coupets face.

On the balance of play a draw at 90 minutes would have been fair.And having looked at the penalty incident I agree with FlyHigh.It was a penalty Caravalho did catch him almost reflexively but it was an overly exaggerated dive from Henry.

It has to be the end of the road for the golden generation.Time for Figo to join the likes of Rui Costa on the sidelines.

Just a quote from Eurosport which should be pretty unbiased.

"That was a definite penalty... Carvalho's leg definitely caught Henry's trailing leg... no doubts this time..."

http://eurosport.com/football/worldcup/2006/livefullpage_mtc110921.shtml

- I was impressed with Portugal's actual football. If Ronaldo learns how to cross and pass a bit better, he will become the best winger in the game. Both Abidal and Sagnol are great players, but he was giving them a lot of problems.

- Figo can't head the ball to save his life. :D

Bottom line: Portugal probably deserved at least a draw after 90 minutes. They played some good attacking football and had a few really good chances. However, I won't deny that I am very glad to see them go.

Agreed. As Ville said, Portugal can play some classy entertaining football. Unfortunately they just spend more trying to cheat than doing so.

Cant really agree Portugal deserved a draw. France looked very comfortable indeed. The main difference is that they have genuinely threatening strikers - Henry, Trezeguet, Saha. Put any of them on Portugal and maybe they had a chance. Pauleta has always struggled on his own against good defenders and Portugal ended up not wanting to cross because there was nothing there.

If we weren't top 8 you weren't top 16

Of course lets not forget Portugal didnt actually manage to beat England in regular or extra time either here or in Euro 04.:sarcasm:

Two wrongs dont make a right.Henry is a cheat evilo. :shakehead

:clap: Henry, he isn't a diver :shakehead . Well it's 2000 all over again and we are gonna get ****ed

Funny thing is the first dive of the game came from Ribery followed by Henry's great job in the area
So the French win on a BS penalty call and then you will watch :biglaugh: now that's hypocrisy

and henry didnt dive? that scum!!!!!!!
but jokes aside i expect better of henry then to dive like that, and he did.

Did you see what Henry said to Figo?

"Is my diving as good as yours now?"

Looked like a swan dive to me

I'm absolutely amazed than ANYONE could say it wasn't a penalty and that it was a dive. Henry had nobody in front and it was a goal without the foul. No defenseman, all alone, only the keeper to beat. He has a better chance at scoring than the penalty. He went down embellishing, but the foul was crystal clear.

Great work by the ref, awful diving by the portugese.
I loved it when they cried foul when Miguel injured himself.
Poor Miguel wasn't asking for anything, but was probably embarassed by his teammates acd coach.

France played rather poorly in the middle this time, and I didn't like the fact we had the ball and Portugal was counter-attacking in the first half.
No rythm in this game, a very boring game overall.
It was back to France 98 here, and hardly France 2000.


The English cheer against us because we beat them you Americans probably think Zidane and Henry are gods on your ESPN soccer coverage

Well, they are.
And the boos you heard all game when Ronaldo touched the ball were fully deserved as well.
He's an embarassment to the game.

Agreed. As Ville said, Portugal can play some classy entertaining football. Unfortunately they just spend more trying to cheat than doing so.

Cant really agree Portugal deserved a draw. France looked very comfortable indeed. The main difference is that they have genuinely threatening strikers - Henry, Trezeguet, Saha. Put any of them on Portugal and maybe they had a chance. Pauleta has always struggled on his own against good defenders and Portugal ended up not wanting to cross because there was nothing there.

I'm not so sure about France looking comfortable, Portugal put in a couple very dangerous-looking crosses. I think Pauleta would be a lot better for Portugal if he got more service, but they seem content to let Maniche shoot from long range instead of trying to get the ball to him.

Of course lets not forget Portugal didnt actually manage to beat England in regular or extra time either here or in Euro 04.:sarcasm:

With England being the favourities

Just a quote from Eurosport which should be pretty unbiased.

"That was a definite penalty... Carvalho's leg definitely caught Henry's trailing leg... no doubts this time..."

http://eurosport.com/football/worldcup/2006/livefullpage_mtc110921.shtml


No one is doubting the penalty from what I've seen. Just because it was a PK doesn't mean Henry didn't dive though.

No one is doubting the penalty from what I've seen. Just because it was a PK doesn't mean Henry didn't dive though.
How can you dive when there's a foul?
You mean embellishing perhaps?

Cmon do you guys really think Italy can win when they had to use a BS penalty kick to win over Austrialia?

Prestiga was humping a French player for a foul late in the game.

I actually feel bad for Ronaldo. Someone give the poor guy a damn Speedo.

No one is doubting the penalty from what I've seen. Just because it was a PK doesn't mean Henry didn't dive though.

Think again.


So the French win on a BS penalty call and then you will watch now that's hypocrisy

Cmon do you guys really think Italy can win when they had to use a BS penalty kick to win over Austrialia?

Prestiga was humping a French player for a foul late in the game.

I actually feel bad for Ronaldo. Someone give the poor guy a damn Speedo.

POSTIGA for crying out loud. P-O-S-T-I-G-A. Get it?

Cmon do you guys really think Italy can win when they had to use a BS penalty kick to win over Austrialia?

Prestiga was humping a French player for a foul late in the game.

I actually feel bad for Ronaldo. Someone give the poor guy a damn Speedo.

So the Italian PK was BS yey Henry's was not :biglaugh:.Hypocrits lol and btw it's Postiga

POSTIGA for crying out loud. P-O-S-T-I-G-A. Get it?

I kind of think Prestiga sounds better myself. :D

How can you dive when there's a foul?
You mean embellishing perhaps?

The big question is could Henry have stayed on his feet from that tap the answer is yes. It was a dive plain and simple, it kills me here how people here went crazy after figo dived from that elbow in Holland game and he is seen as a cheat and now Henry gets praised for embellsihing a foul that was no where near as bad as he made it out to be. In reality, Henry should have been yellow carded for theatrics. That's two in my book, Spain knows what im talking about.

If everyone went down like a mad man a shirt pull in the area which is a foul there would be 20 penalties a game. Henry is cheat and I find this hialrious considering Gallas comments

Funny that everybody seem to forget how Zidane made a blatant dive in the first half and Henry of course going down easier than a hooker at the Reperbahn in the penalty area. Thats two times in two games he has used his acting skills to get France a goal. Doesn`t really matter though does it? I mean...its not like he`s from Portugal or something....

The big question is could Henry have satyed on his feet from that tap the answer is yes. It was a dive plain and simple, it kills me here how people here went crazy after figo dived from that elbow in Holland game and he is seen as a cheat and now Henry gets praised for embellsihing a foul that was no where near as bad as he made it out to be. In reality, Henry should have been yellow carded for theatrics. That's two in my book, Spain knows what im talking about.

If everyone went down like a mad man a shirt pull in the area which is a foul there would be 20 penalties a game. Henry is cheat and I find this hialrious considering Gallas comments

There's no way you know that. If you've been caught on a turn before, you know how hard it can be to keep your balance. Most neutral sources agree that it was a penalty.

And if Henry should have been yellowed, I think the entire Portuguese team besides Miguel, Carvalho, Pauleta, and Meira should have been suspended by this time.

Funny that everybody seem to forget how Zidane made a blatant dive in the first half and Henry of course going down easier than a hooker at the Reperbahn in the penalty area. Thats two times in two games he has used his acting skills to get France a goal. Doesn`t really matter though does it? I mean...its not like he`s from Portugal or something....

Of course it doesn't, Portugal have scored a ton of winning goals off dives in this world cup :sarcasm:

The big question is why guys like Ronaldo weren't yellow carded for dives?

well, it's a great feeling to be in the final, but that being said, I'm really disappointed by tonight's game. there's not much to celebrate.

There's no way you know that. If you've been caught on a turn before, you know how hard it can be to keep your balance. Most neutral sources agree that it was a penalty.
And if Henry should have been yellowed, I think the entire Portuguese team besides Miguel, Carvalho, Pauleta, and Meira should have been suspended by this time.

I have a never flayed my hands up like a chicken, in reality had would have gone down on his side not frontward the way Carvalho hit him

I have a never flayed my hands up like a chicken, in reality had would have gone down on his side not frontward the way Carvalho hit him

Nobody is denying that he fell very theatrically, but I think he would have fallen anyways.

The big question is why guys like Ronaldo weren't yellow carded for dives?

Then yellow card him, Zidane, Ribery and Henry all dived tonight along with Postiga Ronaldo and Pauleta

And if Henry should have been yellowed, I think the entire Portuguese team besides Miguel, Carvalho, Pauleta, and Meira should have been suspended by this time.:clap:

The Portuguee were diving all over the field, it was embarrassing. I think it's a bit ironic and hypocritical for them of all people to complain about the opposition diving.

I see a lot of people complaining about the penalty shot. seriously, it was as obvious as the call against France in the match vs. Spain.

oh and Ronaldo should be banned from International soccer. this guy is a pro diver. I've never seen a player dive so often. he's a machine.

Then yellow card him, Zidane, Ribery and Henry all dived tonight along with Postiga Ronaldo and Pauleta

Henry was fouled before he embellished. The play was dead and it was a penalty. Portugal had three clear dives in Frances penalty area. Guess they thought the referee would be pressured to call a penalty. They thought wrong.

:clap:

The Portuguee were diving all over the field, it was embarrassing. I think it's a bit ironic and hypocritical for them of all people to complain about the opposition diving.

Funny thing is though I want to someone to mention all our dives before the Henry goal? please name some instances. I bet you won't find any, why? Because before that the game was clean except for a Ribery dive when fighting for a ball. I guess under some people's provisions the Portuguese stooped to the French's game

Funny thing is though I want to someone to mention all our dives before the Henry goal? please name some instances. I bet you won't find any, why? Because before that the game was clean except for a Ribery dive when fighting for a ball. I guess under some people's provisions the Portuguese stooped to the French's game

The Ronaldo dive right in front of the French bench.

Then yellow card him, Zidane, Ribery and Henry all dived tonight along with Postiga Ronaldo and Pauleta

I don't call what Henry did a dive, maybe an embelishment, so don't compare. Ronaldo stands alone because he dives for a living, as in "launches himself into air without being touched". I don't mind for the ref to card all those your mentioned if that's the way he sees it, but question stands, why noone was called at all??