11/05/24
July 06, 2006
Tears of a Clown: A after being roundly booed every time he touched the ball in the World Cup semi-final, Ronaldo may find himself second best again, this time in FIFA's Young Player of the Tournament award, thanks to an email from England fans bitter at their team's Quarter-final exit.
The ten finalists for the Golden Ball, Player of the Tournament award have also been announced.
posted by Mr Bismarck to soccer at 07:43 AM - 13 comments
I love the the fact that Scottish fans were voting for Ronaldo to further piss of the English! Henry gets the Golden Ball. He was responsible for France's last two goals, which put them in over Brasil and Portugal. In addition to his great play, his constant battle against racism in FIFA has really earned my respect
posted by sportsdot at 08:43 AM on July 06, 2006
How about an award for the Golden Goat to the player whose untimely blunder and/or play cost his team the most? My vote goes to Wayne Rooney, but you could also make a case for Torsten Frings, whose little nudge (barely a punch) at an Argentine player got him disqualified for the semifinal vs. Italy. His physical presence at the back, might have made a difference in stopping the Grosso goal at the end.
posted by psmealey at 09:35 AM on July 06, 2006
How about an award for the Golden Goat to the player whose untimely blunder and/or play cost his team the most? Rooney, for sure, of the games I watched. I would also like to welcome the new, um, guy, I guess, who has now made two intelligent comments. The web site is not bad, either.
posted by Amateur at 09:57 AM on July 06, 2006
My Golden Goat goes to Claudio Reyna for getting the ball taken right off his feet 30 yards from goal to give up the first goal to Ghana. That undoubtedly led to the USA's early ouster.
posted by rgchappell at 10:33 AM on July 06, 2006
The Golden Goat could easily be split into thirds for England, to be shared by their three strikers: Rooney, for his Nutcracker audition; Michael Owen, for only being able to salvage his disaster of a performance by getting himself injured; and Eric Crouch, for apparently missing his flight to Germany. Landon Donovan and Reyna similarly deserve a piece. And definitely Valentin Ivanov. I think Henry might have his award cinched up. Zizou wouldn't be a surprise either, even if The Blues fall to The Blue.
posted by nicotine winning patch at 12:08 PM on July 06, 2006
The Golden Goat could easily be split into thirds for England, to be shared by their three strikers: Rooney, for his Nutcracker audition; Michael Owen, for only being able to salvage his disaster of a performance by getting himself injured; and Eric Crouch, for apparently missing his flight to Germany. Eric Crouch? Is he Peter Crouch's brother? That must explain Eric's poor performance for England.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:24 PM on July 06, 2006
My Golden Goat goes to Claudio Reyna for getting the ball taken right off his feet 30 yards from goal to give up the first goal to Ghana. That undoubtedly led to the USA's early ouster. I think the USA's early ouster has more to do with the fact that the team is shit. But yeah, that probably contributed to it..
posted by blarp at 01:43 PM on July 06, 2006
Cannavaro - Player of the Tournament, no doubt. Does Frank Ribery qualify for Young Player? He's been around a bit, but has been a revelation. And Golden Goat to Rooney. Hands up if you couldn't see it coming.
posted by owlhouse at 05:32 PM on July 06, 2006
What has Ronaldo done other than a lot of stepovers and looked like Portugal's most potent threat (which is like being called the most flamable glass of water)? I enjoyed his contribution to Rooney's dismisal as much as any other Irishman, but it was hardly the basis for an award. I also think that any prolific diver shouldn't be allowed to win one - which would certainly rule out skinny Ronaldo and Henry (who I think has been pretty anonymous all tournament). For my money (and I did miss a few days towards the end of the group stages), Podolski should win the junior one and Cannavaro should win the big one - although my choice of the latter is largely based on his incredible performance on Tuesday night.
posted by JJ at 05:32 PM on July 06, 2006
I'd go with Podolski for Young and, depending on who wins Sunday, Cannavaro or Zidane for the senior award. Ribery is a couple of years too old, IIRC, though with his playing I don't get his history of bouncing around clubs. Here's a question for you all: Did Davy O'Brien get his job because he sounds like Al Michaels' voice twin with just enough sport knowledge to seem credible?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:23 AM on July 07, 2006
Team of the WC so far (4-5-1 as everyone seems to be playing it except Germany): Buffon (ITA) Grosso (ITA) Cannavaro (ITA) Terry (ENG) Neill (AUS) Makalele (FRA) Ribery (FRA) Riquelme (ARG) Kaka (BRA) Pirlo (ITA) Podolski (GER)
posted by owlhouse at 12:36 AM on July 07, 2006
Podolski has won the young player award. Off the top of my head, I'll stick out this 11. (4-4-2) 9. Torres 10. Klose 11. Ronaldo* 7. Kaka 8. Pirlo 4. Maniche 6. Cannavaro 5. Thuram 3. Lahm 2. Zambrotta 1. Buffon *Ronaldo's in on the understanding that if he does more than five stepovers a game, I get the other Ronaldo to sit on him.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 05:36 AM on July 07, 2006
With two games to go, my award would go to Pirlo who has been, (almost), quietly running Italy's midfield. I have my fingers crossed that Podolski grabs a brace in the third place laugh-off, so he can, (undeservedly), steal the young player award off of Ronaldo.