"The World Cup is over and once again, we've seen how cruel the game of soccer can be. But at the same time, Sunday's final between Italy and France showed how just it can be.Unfortunately, this game seems destined to live in infamy when many were hoping - and perhaps expecting - an apotheosis occasion to mark France's Zinedine Zidane's farewell match. And how he started what seemed to be a triumphant march to the Parthenon of the soccer gods. A seventh-minute "cheeky" PK goal was converted by Zidane for a rather needless, if not infantile, foul by Marco Materazzi. That put the French ahead early - maybe too early. Justice would be served soon after as Materazzi would make amends for his foul by heading home a corner kick goal.
Before the game, French legend Michel Platini had remarked that the game was "truly a 50-50 affair." But he also noted France could not win unless Zidane and Henry delivered something special. That never happened and if the frustration of that situation was eventually part of Zidane's violent reaction in the form of a head butt into the chest of Materazzi, only Zidane knows. A player of his caliber, experience, even temperament should not have allowed it to happen - no matter what the Italian might have said to him in the preceding moments. It will be interesting to see how the French will judge Zizou. When it is all said and done, they need to be kind. He has done so much for that nation's team.
So, a last word from me. It has been fun and I hope I have shed a little light on what a World Cup means to some of us "soccer junkies." The countdown to South Africa 2010 has begun and I have to assume I will complete my own "Team of Cups" by making it 11 straight. See you then."
Read Marcos' full report at the Tampa Tribune >>
