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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 20, 2006 22:41:24 GMT -5
What do you think of players playing for another country? In Argentina we have 3, Camoranesi for Italy, Pernia for Spain and Guille Franco for Mexico I forgot Trezeguet for France, he played in a club ten blocks from my house. It kind of offends me, altough I realize it is an over-reaction since football is only a game, but I would like to see them stripped of their argentine nationality and badly injured I see (in world tennis) that it doesnt bother Riley, he cheers for the poles who play for Germany. An article about Camoranesi from espn : The reluctant Italian Roberto Gotta Walk the streets of Buenos Aires, Rosario or any Argentinian city and ask passers-by their name. Chances are six out of ten will have an Italian-sounding surname. Millions of Argentinians share this ancestry and this has always provided Serie A clubs with a chance to import the so-called oriundi (foreigners whose parents or grandparents had left Italy in search of work abroad), some of them have graced the national team and have actually played a great part in its best moments. Raimondo 'Mumo' Orsi, an Argentinian, scored one of Italy's two goals in the 1934 World Cup final win in Rome, and that team also included other Argentinian oriundi such as Luisito Monti (who'd played in the 1930 World Cup final for Argentina!) and Enrico Guaita, which made a mockery of the 1927 Mussolini-inspired decision by the Italian Football Federation to bar access to the Serie A to players coming from foreign leagues. Things soon started looking bleak for Italian teams, who had a hard time finding talent, so an exception was soon made for the oriundi. But not since 1963, when Brasil-born Angelo Benedetto Sormani donned the Azzurri shirt fot the seventh and last time, had a player actually found himself having to choose between nationalities in the fashion Juventus winger Mauro German Serra Camoranesi did a couple of months ago. Talk about being spoiled for choices. Camoranesi could have waited (perhaps forever, but that's another matter) for an invitation to play for his native Argentina or put his name in the hat for Giovanni Trapattoni's call-ups for the February 12 friendly against Portugal in Genoa. With his grandparents having left Porto Potenza Picena on Italy's Adriatic coast a few decades ago and having never renounced their Italian citizenship, Camoranesi had officially acquired the same status in late 2002, thus becoming eligible to play for Italy, as he'd never represented Argentina at any level. After struggling with his decision for a few weeks, Camoranesi chose to represent Italy and this set off a small storm among Italian and Argentinian players alike. His earlier protestations ('I'm not a traitor, I still feel one hundred per cent Argentinian and have done nothing to find myself in this situation. It's only a football matter, nothing else') dissolved into controversy and Camoranesi made his international debut against the Portuguese with a good solid game on his favourite right side of midfield, where his low centre of gravity, ball control and acceleration have served him well. Never mind that Gabriel Batistuta had voiced his disapproval to Mauro's decision and Lazio stalwart (and one-time Beckham nemesis) Diego Simeone had told him that the white-and-light blue striped shirt has an 'unmeasurable value' and donning it is a 'sacred task'. But as Mauro said, Argentina had never called him up and that was it. And besides, he's never really played a big role in Argentinian football, a fact that may have made his decision easier. The February 12 game was probably the climax of a whirlwind few years for Camoranesi, who at 26 is not exactly a fresh flower in a football world which recycles its icons very quickly. His checkered professional history is such that his decision not to represent Argentina should have been so surprising: having been born in Tandil, he joined local team Gimnasia y Esgrima at 12, then at 16 moved on to Third Division Aldovisi in Mar del Plata before following a scout's recommendation in 1996 and signing for Mexican club Santos Laguna in Torreon, half a continent away and an unorthodox move for a young Argentinian. He returned to his home country in 1997 after a three-month spell with Uruguayan side Wanderers, joining Second Division Banfield, but failed to make an impression despite scoring 16 times in 38 games and soon headed back to Mexico, signing for Cruz Azul, where he played 78 games and scored 32 goals between 1998 and 2000. Verona brought him to Italy that summer and he played two good seasons for them, earning himself a move to Juventus, who bought half of his contract for 7,5 million euros plus the rights to striker Max Vieri, Christian's brother. Camoranesi has been starring for Juventus ever since, with none other than Alessandro Del Piero calling for his promotion to the starting XI after a few stellar pre-season performances. Camoranesi has been a starter for most of the season, but his unexpected success has brough up some awkward thoughts for Juventus' renowned management 'Triade' of Antonio Giraudo, Roberto Bettega and calciomercato guru (though most people use less flattering terms when referring to him) Luciano Moggi. The Bianconeri had bought him initially as cover for Gianluca Zambrotta or Pavel Nedved, but Camoranesi beat out the Italian international, who's had to be happy with a berth on the left side in defence. Camoranesi's performances have meant Juventus must make a decision on him soon. Mauro's agent has been making the predictable and slightly annoying noises about his client being underpaid - which may be true by other Juve players' standards as he earns about 600,000 euros a year, which didn't prevent him from unsuccessfully bidding 15,000 euros for a pair of Diego Maradona's boots. Juve now find themselves in the position of having to make up their mind on Camoranesi. Will they sign all of him - which they did not do last summer, when they probably had reservations about his ability to perform consistently for a big club - and buy the remaining half of his contract, or will they allow him to go back to Verona and sign for another club, perhaps Real Madrid who could then add another sticker to their 'Football Stars of the World' 2003 collection? It appears Juve have already made a move towards the future by taking out an option on another Argentinian midfielder, Palermo's 21-year-old Mario Alberto Santana, whom some see - after some grooming - as a possible replacement for Camoranesi, just like Italian Under 21 star Andrea Gasbarroni who's on loan at Sampdoria. Despite some of their more delusional fans' pretensions of 'nobility' and 'style', Juventus have stood out in recent years among top Italian football clubs for their (successful) ruthlessness in business dealings, and if they believe Camoranesi, although one of the stars of the season, is not worth breaking the bank for as he's not as versatile as Zambrotta and other Bianconeri, we may be in for some surprises in the next few days. And leaving might not break Camoranesi's heart after all. Apart from a soft spot for Maradona which is perhaps written by law in every Argentinian's birth certificate, he recently stated he'd first followed Italian football by supporting the Gullit and Van Basten vintage AC Milan side which dominated Italian and European football in the late Eighties. Perhaps his future lies at the San Siro.
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 21, 2006 15:39:54 GMT -5
Sapa will be happy: Riquelme comes off for Aimar.
Argie should so be leading by a couple of goals.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 21, 2006 16:07:53 GMT -5
We play mexico this saturday,
Saviola said the players prefered to play mexico
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 21, 2006 16:09:37 GMT -5
Poor aimar, he played 30 seconds in the first match, and 11 in the third match
anyway, riquelme seems to be playing well
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 21, 2006 18:56:28 GMT -5
By the way, we have a traitor too -- Owen Hargreaves of England.
Nobody wants to assassinate him because:
a) Few people care b) Those who do care understand him not wanting to waste his time playing with Team Canada!
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Post by shenaynay on Jun 21, 2006 20:27:25 GMT -5
Gogo Ghana!!!
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Post by janie on Jun 22, 2006 10:59:33 GMT -5
Congrats to Ghana! Well done: "One of the great stories of this World Cup". Sorry, US guys. Come on home and go to a baseball game to cheer you up.
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Post by shenaynay on Jun 22, 2006 15:49:15 GMT -5
Ooh, Ghana makes the 2nd round, also. Too bad they're stuck with Brazil. And yay for the US losing. Let's cheer for Togo, so the US can finish 30th instead of 29th.
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Post by Maeby Fünke on Jun 22, 2006 16:08:36 GMT -5
Croatia. :cry:
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Post by DBBN on Jun 22, 2006 16:55:06 GMT -5
At least the Czechs are going home too
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Post by DBBN on Jun 22, 2006 16:55:27 GMT -5
I second that. Fuckin' Aussies
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 22, 2006 18:13:21 GMT -5
Eastern Europeans kinda sucked this world cup, Ukraine is the last hope.
Points must be awarded tomorrow, the first round will be finally over methinks
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 23, 2006 13:42:44 GMT -5
Czechs, Poles, Croats sukked, Russia didn't even make it and the Ukes were damned lucky to be in a soft group. Eastern Euros blew!
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Post by Maeby Fünke on Jun 23, 2006 14:51:02 GMT -5
Gogo Togo.
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 23, 2006 15:14:21 GMT -5
France with a nice goal to go up on the brave Togolais
Likewise 1-0 for Federer country vs Lee! Hyung! Taik! country
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Post by shenaynay on Jun 23, 2006 17:01:30 GMT -5
Fucking Togo.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 23, 2006 20:49:00 GMT -5
Saturday, 24 June 2006 Germany vs Sweden Argentina vs Mexico
Sunday, 25 June 2006 England vs Ecuador Netherlands vs Portugal
Monday, 26 June 2006 Italy vs Australia Switzerland vs Ukraine
Tuesday, 27 June 2006 Brazil vs Ghana Spain vs France
predict fast!!
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 23, 2006 20:59:17 GMT -5
If every correct prediction means 1 point then I have 12 points, Brin yi 11, Hurley 11 and Leena 10
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 23, 2006 21:00:30 GMT -5
If every correct prediction means 1 point then I have 12 points, Brin yi 11, Hurley 11 and Leena 10
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 23, 2006 21:01:13 GMT -5
Germany vs Sweden -Germany- Argentina vs Mexico -Argentina-
England vs Ecuador-england Netherlands vs Portugal-netherlands-
Italy vs Australia-italy- Switzerland vs Ukraine-ukraine-
Brazil vs Ghana-brazil Spain vs France-france
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 23, 2006 21:01:54 GMT -5
GER ARG ENG NED ITA UKR BRA ESP
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Post by shenaynay on Jun 23, 2006 21:03:46 GMT -5
SWE ARG END NED ITA SUI BRA ESP.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 23, 2006 21:24:27 GMT -5
I dread the idea of playing the netherlands for a second time
Argh, I am worried
I actually think sweden will beat germany, but read an article by a jew who says according to the torah Argentina will win the world cup and beat germany in the way because the captian of Argentina (sorin) is a jew and the coach pekerman is a jew too, so, I picked germany
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Post by shenaynay on Jun 23, 2006 21:42:51 GMT -5
USA finished 26th. Boo.
I'm cheering for Brazil to win, and England to lose in embarassing fashion. An own goal 1-0 loss to Ecuador would be quite fitting.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 23, 2006 22:04:07 GMT -5
By the way, the loss to italy was probably the last match in his career of pavel nedved
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Post by Maeby Fünke on Jun 24, 2006 6:26:57 GMT -5
USA finished 26th. Boo. I'm cheering for Brazil to win, and England to lose in embarassing fashion. An own goal 1-0 loss to Ecuador would be quite fitting. Thats like cheering for the sun to come up in the morning.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 24, 2006 22:15:20 GMT -5
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 24, 2006 22:19:08 GMT -5
Didn't Maxi also score a golazo in one of the group matches?
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 24, 2006 22:37:40 GMT -5
Maxi-Golazo Lifts Argentina 24/06/06 Argentina emerged triumphant from a match of the highest quality thanks to a truly stunning extra-time goal from Maxi Rodriguez to claim a place in the quarterfinals against hosts Germany. Mexico had mounted a brave and ambitious challenge but were beaten by a strike from the Argentina midfielder that is unlikely to be matched by anyone this World Cup.Rafael Marquez had rocked the tournament favourites with an early goal for Mexico only for Jared Borgetti's own goal, under pressure from Hernan Crespo, to hand Argentina a way back into the match. What a contest this was. With Argentina's magnificent, flag-twirling fans in full cry, it was the sort of spectacle that captured the uniqueness of the World Cup. Argentina's build-up play was something to savour. Their movement off the ball and incisive passing through midfield triangles - the qualities that grabbed the attention in their first two group matches especially - once more stood out. Mexico were more direct but extremely effective nonetheless, and they made it an uncomfortable night in particular for Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze, playing at centre-back. With Argentina rated so highly, few would have imagined them falling behind, fewer still with less than six minutes on the clock. Pavel Pardo's free-kick from the right touchline was flicked on by Mario Mendez and with Heinze caught sleeping Barcelona defender Marquez arrived at the far post to slam the ball past Roberto Abbondanzieri. No one scored more goals in qualifying than Mexico's Borgetti - 14 all told - and the Bolton striker constantly menaced Argentina, but it was he who inadvertently handed the initiative back. Crespo claimed it as his but it was Borgetti, trying to challenge the Chelsea player, who met Juan Roman Riquelme's corner with a bullet header into the top corner of his own net. Riquelme, so strong on the ball that he just brushes off attempted challengers, had another impressive game while Esteban Cambiasso produced a couple of exquisite passes that might have led to goals. His first was to Crespo who shot on the turn but Mexico captain Marquez had anticipated brilliantly and blocked him out. An even better pass then freed Crespo again but, one on one with Oswaldo Sanchez, he lifted the ball over the Mexican keeper only to see it bounce wide of the far post. Mexico were not to be outdone though and Borgetti was unlucky not to score from 25 yards, his piledriver heading for the top corner before Abbondanzieri tipped it over. Heinze, perhaps rusty from his season-long injury lay-off, made another elementary error and took his eye off a pass from his keeper. Jose Fonseca nipped in and was felled 25 yards from goal with Heinze fortunate that Roberto Ayala was close enough to allow Swiss referee Massimo Busacca to produce a yellow instead of red. After a tremendous first half there was a more cautious feel to the second but Mexico's tactics continued to create problems for their opponents. Borgetti, six yards out, brought a long ball down and hit a snap-shot but somehow Abbondanzieri managed to parry his strike. His forward partner Fonseca then had an excellent chance after Gonzalo Pineda nutmegged Lionel Scaloni but could only head wide. Riquelme, using his strength to good effect, released Javier Saviola on goal but his effort with the outside of his right foot was turned aside by Sanchez. Mexico's hard work continued to frustrate Argentina and Jose Pekerman, seeking a decisive thrust, sent on Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Pablo Aimar - not a bad trio of substitutes. Messi, on his 19th birthday, did put the ball in the net in normal time only for assistant referee Matthias Arnet to raise his flag for offside - a poor decision as television replays confirmed. Such a game deserved a winning goal of the very highest quality and there could have been few better than the one Rodriguez produced eight minutes into injury time. Juan Sorin sent a cross-field pass to the right-hand corner of the penalty area and the Atletico Madrid midfielder took the ball on his chest before sending a left-foot volley that soared past Sanchez into the net. This had been some test for Argentina, but what a way to come up with the answer.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jun 24, 2006 23:00:24 GMT -5
Riquelme didnt play well, first article I read mentioning him playing well some scores by newspapers and fans Riquelme J. 6: gioca a sprazzi, nel primo tempo gioca per Crespo e Saviola, poi si perde in dribbling inutili e perde anche qualche pallone di troppo. Ritorna a farsi vedere nel supplementare, quando serve Riquelme - 5.5 Riquelme - 4 (Snails would have been faster than him today) Valderrama said riqueleme didnt play well, and because of that Argentina had a tight game the commentators were discussing that pekerman cant imagine the team without riquelme, even if it is a riquelme which just stands there. ---------------- But football is a very subjective game, for me cambiasso played well and for others he sucked.
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