Chelsea's World Cup Chat
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essien will be leading ghana against the brazilian in the second round.
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Sorry....he cannot cos 2 yellow cards and he is out of the Brazil game.Originally posted by dragg:essien will be leading ghana against the brazilian in the second round. -
The Azzurri are in the finals!
I think I've lost all my finger nails!
Does anyone think it'll be the French joining them in Berlin? -
ITALY LATE SHOW BREAKS GERMAN HEARTS
Clinical goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero ended Germany's World Cup dreams in the semi-finals, with Italy winning 2-0.
The two teams arguably put on the game of the tournament in Dortmund, where fans saw 90 minutes of adventurous, chance-filled football which ended 0-0 so went to extra-time.
Lukas Podolski wasted a fine headed opportunity in the extra period before Gianluigi Buffon's stunning save denied him.
And that laid the platform for Italy's stunning late salvo, which saw Grosso break the deadlock with a stunning curled shot before Del Piero sidefooted home in the last minute to ensure there would be no penalty shootout drama.
Italy settled into the game more quickly than the hosts, and Jens Lehmann had to be alert to save Francesco Totti's long-range drive.
Germany were soon also into their stride, though, and Michael Ballack fired high and wide after some fine build-up play on eight minutes.
Lehmann was again called into action on 16 when Totti's throughball released Simone Perrotta, whose touch was too heavy and allowed the Arsenal keeper to rush out and block his shot.
Andrea Pirlo was providing high-quality delivery from free-kicks and after Marco Materazzi and Totti wasted two set-pieces, Mauro Camoranesi sent a glancing header narrowly over the crossbar.
The best chance of the half fell to the Germans, though, when fine combination work between Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski set up Bernd Schneider in the box, from where he drilled a shot inches over.
Jurgen Klinsmann's troops carried that momentum into the second half and dominated the early stages, with Klose's jinking run only ended by a brave save from the impressive Gianluigi Buffon on 50 minutes.
It was then Podolski's turn to go close, sharply turning to create an opening on 62 but again being denied by a fine Buffon parry before Arne Friedrich blazed the rebound into the crowd.
Heading into the last 20 minutes of normal time both coaches rang the changes, with Bastian Schweinsteiger and David Odonkor coming on for the Germans and Alberto Gilardino replacing Italy's Luca Toni up front.
But it was Perrotta who found himself bearing down on Lehmann five minutes from time, only to see the Gunners star punch the ball clear before also stopping the Roma man's charge in brutal fashion.
The pace of the game visibly dropped in the dying stages as both teams reserved their energy for an extra 30 minutes of pulsating football.
And in the first three minutes of extra-time Italy twice struck the woodwork, with Gilardino cutting in from the byline and hitting the upright before Gianluca Zambrotta's fierce half-volley skimmed the crossbar.
Italy were dominating possession but a swift German counter-attack on 105 minutes saw Odonkor's cross find Podolski free in the box - and he somehow steered his effort wide of the target despite being unmarked.
That lifted the Germans for the final 15 minutes and Podolski was again the dangerman, seeing a left-footed drive superbly tipped over by Buffon.
But a game of such high drama and quality did not deserve to be settled by a penalty shootout - and Grosso and Del Piero ensured it wouldn't.
Pirlo's stinging shot was parried by Lehmann on 118 minutes - but the keeper was beaten twice in the last two minutes, first by a delicous left-footed curler by Grosso and then by a clinical right-footed finish from Juventus star Del Piero, who sent the Italians marching into the final.
- credit: Sportinglife, 5 July 2006 -
Reading signed seol ki hyun woohoo!!
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CHELSEA NAMES IN PICK OF THE WORLD CUP
Four Chelsea players have been named in FIFAÂ’s All-Star squad from the World Cup tournament.
John Terry is the sole English representative in the 23-man list. He is joined by Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Hernán Crespo.
The players were selected by FIFA's Technical Study Group.
The full squad is:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal)
Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
Midfielders: Ze Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinedine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal)
Strikers: Hernán Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luca Toni (Italy)
- credit: Paul Mason, 7 July 2006, The Official Chelsea FC Website -
GALLAS AND MAKELELE TO PLAY ON THE BIGGEST STAGE
William Gallas and Claude Makelele are set to follow in the footsteps of Frank Leboeuf and Marcel Desailly as Chelsea players who have performed in a World Cup Final.
The current pairÂ’s chance is the result of a 1-0 win over Portugal in the second semi-final on Wednesday night. Both enjoyed typically solid performances in a game of few clear-cut chances. France have conceded just two goals in the tournament so far and Portugal rarely looked like adding to that total.
For Ricardo Carvalho in the opposing defence it was most definitely a night to forget. For the second game running he was involved in a key incident following his innocent role in RooneyÂ’s sending-off on Saturday.
Against France his boot made contact with HenryÂ’s leg in the area and the Arsenal striker seized the opportunity to go down. A penalty was awarded from which Zidane scored the winner in the 33rd minute.
In the 82nd minute, Carvalho was booked for a late tackle on substitute Wiltord, a caution that would have ruled him out of the Final had Portugal made it. Instead he will miss SaturdayÂ’s third/fourth place play-off. By that stage of the semi-final Portugal were looking a beaten side anyway.
There was minor consolation for Paulo Ferreira in that he at least got some minutes on the pitch to add to his half-hour against Mexico. He was a 63rd minute sub for injured Miguel. Former Chelsea player Tiago remained on the bench having lost his quarter-final place to the returning Deco. Maniche played the full match.
The World Cup Final between France and Italy takes place in Berlin on Sunday, kick-off 7pm UK time.
- credit: Paul Mason, 6 July 2006, The Official Chelsea FC Website -
BALLACK IN CONTENTION FOR GOLDEN BALL
Michael Ballack is the one Chelsea player from the 16 that have competed in the World Cup to make the shortlist for the tournamentÂ’s best player.
FIFA announced on Thursday afternoon the ten candidates for the 2006 adidas Golden Ball, the award presented at each World Cup to the outstanding player.
The shortlist has been drawn up by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). Only players who reached the semi-finals are eligible for selection. The winner will be selected by representatives of the media.
Maniche, who played the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea also makes the elite ten. The full list comprises of three French players, two Germans, four Italians and one Portuguese:
Thierry Henry
Patrick Vieira
Zinedine Zidane
Michael Ballack
Miroslav Klose
Gianluigi Buffon
Fabio Cannavaro
Andrea Pirlo
Gianluca Zambrotta
Maniche
Past winners include Oliver Kahn (2002), Romario (1994) and Diego Maradona (1986).
- credit: The Official Chelsea Website
Bias aside, I think one of the Italians should win this! -
THE AZZURRI are CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD 2006 !!!
3Dflags.com
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we should buy zambrotta, pirlo also..
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Yah, yah! I second thatOriginally posted by stellazio:we should buy zambrotta, pirlo also.. 
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ITALY 1-1 FRANCE: Italy triumph as Zizou explodes
Italy won the World Cup on penalties as Zinedine Zidane ended his wonderful career with a red card for a shameful headbutt.
Fabio Grosso smashed the winning kick past Fabien Barthez as the Azzurri claimed their first world title since 1982.
It is their first ever win on penalties in the World Cup and heals the scars of their shoot-off defeat in the 1994 final to Brazil.
France's David Trezeguet was the only player to miss, firing his shot against the crossbar, and Italy skipper Fabio Cannavaro then lifted the World Cup to celebrate his 100th cap for his country.
It was a wonderful moment to mark a brilliant tournament by Juventus skipper Cannavaro.
But the final will be remembered for many years for Zidane's moment of madness on his last game before retirement.
He charged at Italy defender Marco Materazzi and butted him in the chest in the second period of extra-time.
Horacio Elizondo, who sent off Wayne Rooney the quarter-final, reached for the red card after consulting with a linesman. Zidane made his way slowly down the tunnel in tears.
He will not be back as he always planned to retire from football after the final.
Sadly the enduring image of one of the greatest footballers of his generation will be of him ramming his bald head into Materazzi.
The Italian defender fell to the floor and his team-mates reacted furiously.
Both players had been involved in a tussle and Zidane's temper seemed to snap after something Materazzi said.
At first, Elizondo seemed to have missed the incident but after talking to his assistant, he pulled out his red card.
Zidane and Materazzi had been the key actors in the drama all night.
France went ahead through Zidane in the seventh minute when Materazzi was adjudged to have fouled Florent Malouda as he made a clumsy challenge inside the area.
The France skipper stepped up and copied Peter Crouch's cheekily chipped penalty - with one vital difference.
Where Crouch landed his kick in Old Trafford's Stretford End against Jamaica, Zidane's made it into the goal - just. His dink hit the underside of the bar, bounced down a yard over the line and spun out.
Argentinian ref Elizondo and his linesman were on the ball and gave the goal.
Zidane jogged away with an arm raised as he joined Pele, Vava and Paul Breitner as the only players to score in two World Cup finals.
It was a breathless start and Materazzi made amends for conceding the penalty when he climbed above Patrick Vieira to level the scores.
The former Everton centre-back, in the team because of an injury to Alessandro Nesta, met Andrea Pirlo's out-swinging corner and headed in his second goal of the tournament.
Luca Toni then hung in the air and rattled the bar with a header before the break as France struggled to cope from corner kicks.
Again it was Pirlo's expert delivery which caused the problem and Barthez was relieved to have the woodwork on his side.
France opened the second-half well.
A typical burst of Thierry Henry's pace and power down the inside left channel sliced open Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta.
The striker opened up his body for a right-foot shot but struck it tamely, straight at Gianluigi Buffon.
Zambrotta then hacked clear from Henry in front of goal and the Arsenal captain dithered over a chance moments later.
France lost Vieira in the 55th minute. He limped off holding his hamstring and was replaced by Alou Diarra.
Marcello Lippi made two changes on the hour, removing playmaker Francesco Totti and English-born Simone Perrotta, in a bid to halt the French charge.
Within seconds, Toni found the net with a header from a Pirlo free-kick but one of his team-mates had drifted offside and it was ruled out.
Pirlo shaved the post with a curling free-kick and Lippi played his final card in the 86th minute when he sent on Alessandro del Piero.
Just like the Euro 2000 final between the countries, extra-time was needed.
Trezeguet, who scored the golden goal in Rotterdam six years ago, came on but this time he would be the villain not the hero.
Buffon made a fingertip save to keep out a powerful header from Zidane in extra-time before the France captain did more damage by sinking his head into Materazzi.
Henry, who was knocked out in a first-minute clash with Cannavaro, limped out of the final in extra-time.
Italy had trusted in fate all the way to Berlin.
The Azzurri have reached the World Cup final every 12 years since 1970.
And their domestic football is in the midst of a corruption scandal, just as it was when they last conquered the world, 24 years ago.
In the stadium where Jesse Owens won four gold Olympic gold medals, Italy won the World Cup for the fourth time.
- credit: ESPNsoccernet, 10 July 2006 -
Italy captain, Fabio Cannavaro, deservedly lifting the World Cup trophy
Grosso's penalty wins Italy the World Cup 5-3!
Zidane's shameful headbutt
Materazzi scores the equaliser
Foul that led to the French penalty
- credit: photos from BBC Sport