Such a shame. Zidane was the best of his generation. I wish he played for Everton, unlike Materazzi, who did for a season.

Here's a prediction: The USA will reach the last eight of next year's tournament, or the last four if they get drawn against England.

Another prediction: no-one in the Fighting Forum will notice the USA becoming a world sporting power.


edit: Italy didn't deserve to win that World Cup because no-one did. The 1982 team were something else, though, and the game against a very good Brazil team is still thought of as one of the best ever. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a good quality video.


Italy won the final that year, and Tardelli's celebration is still played today - he really meant it.

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We'll shine like stars in the summer night. We'll shine like stars in the winter light. One heart. One hope. One love.

I didn't know a thing about soccer then; a shame too, since I was stationed in Sicily at that time. I do remember the Italians on base glued to a little TV, and all the horn honking and celebrating that took place outside my apartment on the day they won.

My middle son watches all those old soccer games on youtube. His dream job would is to be a commentator for soccer games. He'd do a fine job too; he has a great memory for past plays, AND he is very good at pronouncing all the different players names.

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"Every life is complicated, every mind a kingdom of unmapped mysteries."

Dean Koontz

Yeah. I could never decide between Milan and Internazionale. Then I went to the Stadio Olimpico and saw Roma beat Ascoli. Now I'm the biggest Roma fan in Hereford.

I'd love to do what your son would love to do. My own son has a similar occupation - he watches Brazilian and Argentine football for a living. You can't beat that.

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We'll shine like stars in the summer night. We'll shine like stars in the winter light. One heart. One hope. One love.

Duncan, how did your son prepare for that job? Schooling, degree, internship, etc....?

I watch Juventus: first, because my son does; and second, because I love to see Gianluigi Buffon play. He's a talented, beautiful to look at man. Also, he seems to be like an encouraging older brother to his team mates.

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"Every life is complicated, every mind a kingdom of unmapped mysteries."

Dean Koontz

Buffon is probably the best goalkeeper in the world. Casillas and Cech are his real only rivals but I'd still go for Buffon. I remember when he started at Parma as understudy to Luca Bucci. He looked good even then, as a teenager. Did you know that Juventus is the only word in Italian that starts with a "J"? Fair play to Alessandro del Piero for sticking with them when they went down. That kind of loyalty I thought had died out.

Both my sons are sports nuts. I used to be but I just don't have the time any more. My younger son has almost finished university. Again, like me, he loves America. His degree is in American studies, with emphasis on American literature. Sadly, he is an Aston Villa supporter, but like me, he follows the fortunes of the New Orleans Saints, even though the Villa owner also owns the Cleveland Browns.

My older boy only likes sport and nothing else. He finished school and got a qualification in physical education, then he took a took a degree in sports development, which includes a lot of psychology and philosophy - not ideal, but that was the best fit he could get for his interests. On leaving university, he ignored all that and got a job working in sports betting. Because of tax reasons he had to move abroad and he hasn't lived in the UK since graduating three years ago. His company sent him to Barbados as they needed someone to concentrate on South American matches, and Barbados is in the same time zone. He follows Manchester United and the New York Giants. He loves the US too and has visited three times in the last year.

The rewards are huge. Already, at 24, he gets paid $80,000 per year and his accommodation - in a "gated community" - and services are free. Good work if you can get it.






Note that in no way am I endorsing gambling on sports events. The odds are set that on average, the gamblers lose. As they say, it is a mug's game.

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We'll shine like stars in the summer night. We'll shine like stars in the winter light. One heart. One hope. One love.

No point having a separate thread for this, as it'll be ignored.

The US have got England in the first game in World Cup group stages - first time since 1950, I think. They have also managed to avoid North Korea.

Everton have no current England players and the US goalkeeper, so it's USA! USA!

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We'll shine like stars in the summer night. We'll shine like stars in the winter light. One heart. One hope. One love.

US vs. USSR hockey game hands down.

My neighbor's grandson was a player on the team.

I stayed up until the very end, cheering my lungs out!

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