World Cup

Germany 2006

Washington Post staff writer Jason La Canfora was online -- live from Germany -- Friday, July 7, at noon ET to examine this year's World Cup .

Post Coverage: World Cup 2006

Post Blog: World Cup Journal

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Jason La Canfora's discussion is being delayed. Please stay with us.

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washingtonpost.com: Due to a bad storm in Berlin, the discussion has been delayed. We will advise when it is possible to begin. Please check Live Online schedule on the homepage.

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Jason La Canfora: Hello all. So sorry about the delay. We're having some big storms in Berlin and it knocked me off line for a while. Thanks for hanging in there with me. Let's git r going.

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Columbus, Ohio: What can the Italian midfield do to frustrate and wear out Zidane? It seems that Brazil and Portugal gave him too much space.

Jason La Canfora: I think Zizou will be drinking a big glass of Gattuso pilsner Sunday afternoon. Gennaro will do his best to frustrate Zidane and close him down. Should be interesting to watch, because Makalele and Vieira have been so great in France's midfield doing the same thing to the likes of Brazil and Spain.

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Richmond, Va.: Am I the only one disappointed by this World Cup? So few goals and all the red cards and diving. Is there any discussion of doing like the NHL and going to two refs?

Jason La Canfora: I wouldn't say I am disappointed in it. There were a lot of goals through two rounds, but when the stakes are so high and the margin for error so low, you are going to see tight games in the latter rounds. The refs have blown it at times as well, but there has been an abundance of world class goals, and some teams playing very attractive football, like Italy and Germany, that in the past have not always done so.

I'd say it's provided a pretty high entertainment value, and, if nothing else, given us plenty to talk about with the controversy and all.

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Herndon, Va.: Hi! I really hope you take my question. I was wondering, what do players who are retiring from international soccer do afterwards? Particularly, do you know of Zidane's future plans? Thanks!

Jason La Canfora: I think Zizou is going to open a hair salon in Detroit ...

Actually, he'll probable get into coaching at some point, or broadcasting. He clearly loves the game and I'm not sure he'll be able to make a clean break.

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Stop the Flop!: Can nothing be done to stop the Italians from falling at the slightest contact? Don't they (or their supporters) feel any shame about their behavior?

Jason La Canfora: I'm thinking maybe electric dog collars that zap them in the neck when they flop, kind of like when Fido strays too far in the back lawn.

To me with Italy, it's not always the initial fall, but the writhing and rolling on the ground and the time wasting with the lead. Mama mia.

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Baltimore, Md.: Should we expect a big exodus of stars from Juventus and AC Milan if they are relegated? I've read rumblings that many Juventus stars want to follow Fabio Capello to Real Madrid. Also heard Kaka to Real Madrid rumors.

Jason La Canfora: I'd think so. If they get relegated the TV money is way less in Serie B, as are all revenues. No way they can keep all of those stars on the payroll.

If it happens, expects Real and Chelsea to be linked to just about everyone.

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Diving and racism: Jason,

Thanks for all the great coverage. I'm not defending dives, but do you think that certain teams get tagged with the diving label? It seems everyone "knows" the Italians and Portuguese dive, while the northerners (Germany, France, England) play a more "honest" game.

In the semifinal, I think the Portuguese players dove and flopped more than the French, but Henry put on quite an opera to get that penalty kick.

Jason La Canfora: I think sometimes it becomes part of the stereotypes that get pegged on teams: Germans are efficient, Italians are dramatic, Spanish always choke (well, that one a truism at this point, eh), Dutch play total football. Not sure it's racist, perhaps, but the flopping does seem to be accepted a bit more in South America and with some Latin countries. Camille Powell is doing a piece looking at the culture of diving for the paper this weekend, should be a great read.

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D.C.: Will you now give Italy some credit?

Jason La Canfora: The Azzuri have been great the last few rounds, and I actually thought they would. Going to pat myself on the back for a second time here (I did it on the blog the other day) and point out I predicted a 3-0 thrashing of Ukraine and thought they would give Germany a game as well. I predict 1-0 Italy for the final, and if they win they will be worthy champs. Of course, plenty of people will still talk about the quirky PK against Australia and all of the red cards, and the fact they did not have nearly as tough a road to the final as France did, but you can just tell all of them to, "Go to Venice." Or, "Have another canoli." Or something like that.

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Seattle, Wash.: Jason,

I agree with Blatter's assessment that it's been a great WC, but there's a need for more goal scoring. Do you see any improvements?Also, how is South Africa's national team? I remember them attending the US WC. Will they be viable hosts in 2010?

Thanks

Jason La Canfora: South Africa has been a power on its continent but has kind of been between generations of players, with Quinton Fortune hurt a lot recently and former captain Lucas Radabe (who used to rock the house for my boys, Leeds United) is gone off to retirement, opening hair salons in Dundalk, I think.

Anyway, they will qualify as hosts in 2010, and I hope all of the African teams play to their best then, because we didn't get to see nearly enough of Ghana and Ivory Coast, for instance, in this Cup. They deserved better.

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Baltimore, Md.: What do you think of all the ignorant blathering about more goals needed to make the game exciting? France vs. Brazil and Germany vs. Italy were far more exciting than Italy vs. Ukraine or Germany vs. Sweden. It's the quality of players on the field and their willingness to attack that make a game exciting, not goals.

Jason La Canfora: Absolutely. To me it's about, flow, tempo, intent and, of course, some of the individual and collective brilliance that makes World Cup soccer so great. If teams are willing to put players in striking position (multiple players, please!), run down the wings, go to goal and play to win (and not to draw, or win on a penalty, or hope for something on a corner or set piece), it makes for compelling drama. When two teams play 10 behind the ball, or a team just sits on a lead, it can get pretty boring. Goals are great, but I agree, that Italy-Germany game was textbook for why the number of goals does not directly translate into the quality of the match.

And, I just want to point out that B-more is crushing the rest of the world in this chat. Highlandtown is in the house.

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Bethesda, Md.: The Italian team doesn't really have any offensive superstars like Zidane or Henry. Do you find their very defensive play to be somewhat boring? I think the two finalists are very lucky to be there only because of the misfortunes or poor play of the two true best teams, Argentina and Brazil.

Jason La Canfora: I think Pirlo and Totti are capable of some pretty amazing things with the ball at their feet, and Luca Toni is finally confident playing in this his first World Cup, and he brings a pretty potent mix of size, strength and skill as well. They have nice attacking options off the bench, but I would like to see Lippi, the coach, go back to a two-striker system. After that win over Germany, though, not sure he will. He's getting better results with this style than when they had two or even three players in a forward position earlier in the tourney.

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Fairfax, Va.: Am curious as to how you compared the respective fans' reaction, English and German, after each of their losses. Besides disappointment, were there any unique facets of behavior that stood out that contrasted one set of fans from the other?

Jason La Canfora: Actually, the English fans were far more civilized in defeat than they were in victory. They seemed more deflated than anything else. Both fans showed a lot of pride and patriotism, but while the Germans were peaceful and polite, the English - at least some mobs of idiots - took to chanting about World War II, throwing things through windows, taunting police. It's all pretty lame.

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Fairfax Station, Va.: What happened to Spain? Will they ever get it all together.

Jason La Canfora: Those jokers suckered me in. Watching them destroy Ukraine in the opening match, I was ready to see them in the semis. They really can't find that next level when they need it, and I still question some of what Arragones was up to. I thought he needed to make Cesc and Reyes more the focal points in that midfield. Oh well, there's always Euro 2008, when they can crash out again.

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Chicago, Ill.: You make light of it, but diving is going to prevent soccer from ever becoming more than a niche sport (however popular to that niche) in the U.S. If people are cool with that, then hey enjoy yourselves. But the sport will always be held in contempt by mainstream American sports fans so long as international soccer players not only dive and fake injuries, but exhibit no apparent shame in pretending to be weaker, more fragile and more easily hurt than they really are.

Oh, and allez France!

Jason La Canfora: I don't think I ever made light of it. I hate it and have gone off about it in stories and on the blog (you should see the emails I get from Europe telling me how stupid I am and how I make too much of it). I agree, it runs contrary to the ethos in so many American sports. I covered the NHL for like 9 years and would see guys routinely survive things in the course of play that were serious life-threatening, and they would not leave the ice on a stretcher for anything. In soccer, you roll around like a 6-year old brat, get carried off, splash a little water on your boo-boo, and, Hocus-Pocus, back in the game.

Makes me sick.

I think FIFA is getting the picture. They need to give more cards for it and really call out the players who get carried away and repeatedly dive and embellish.

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Baltimore, Md.: Two nearly impeccable defenses meet Sunday. What is your prediction as to the final score, the winner, the important match ups?

Jason La Canfora: That's pretty weird that you wrote that first sentence. I swear to God I used that exact phrase in a Thierry Henry story I filed this afternoon for Sunday's paper. Are you really watching from across the ZahringerStrasse in Berlin here, reading my story on binocs? The window has been open ...

Seriously, I think it's going to be tight, not a lot of room in the midfield. I actually think the match-up of Grosso on Ribery could be intriguing. Ribery does a lot of running down the right side, and Grosso likes to push up from the left back spot. Just a hunch than one of them is involved in a turning-point in the match.

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Washington, DC: SGE as the next manager of the US Men's National Team. Discuss.

Jason La Canfora: Yikes, no thanks. I think he falls in love with his favorites way too much, and the US team already has too many sacred cows. Klinsi, baby. Klinsi. Keep your fingers crossed.

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Washington, D.C.: So with the World Cup ending, I guess I have to get back to work. Is it too early to play hooky for Euro 2008 and who are the favorites with all the imminent retirements?

Jason La Canfora: I believe Kzakhstan, led by a goal-scoring binge from Borat, will be the team to beat in Euro 2008.

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Fells Point, Baltimore, Md.: Hi Jason, Great idea -- Camille's forthcoming article on diving and its culture. Have her look at Dave Eggar's essay on how much Americans detest diving, it's in the new book "The Thinking Fans Guide to the World Cup" (by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey).

Jason La Canfora: Fells Pointer, have a coupla a pints at The Cat's Eye for me.

That book is great, and I'm pretty sure she's read it. I devoured that collection of essays before coming over here. Good stuff, indeed.

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Baltimore, Md. (Fells Point, not Highlandtown): They are loud, very loud rumblings that South Africa will not get its act together to host the World Cup in 2010 and it will be speedily moved to the USA. My husband says this is European hand-wringing and South Africa will indeed host the Cup.

What's your take?

Jason La Canfora: Another Fells Point question. Guess I'm huge in my hometown.

I think your hubby is on to something. Ask me again in a year, but I've already gone on record a bunch of times this month saying it would be no surprise to have the next World Cup in the US. It's something that's come up a decent amount over here. I hope SA gets the stadiums and infrastructure taken care of, but from what I hear that is hardly a certainty.

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Arlington, Va.: How much has Rooney hurt Man U. by starting a personal vendetta against Cristiano Ronaldo? Beyond losing one of the best young strikers in soccer, will the knowledge that he all but has to be moved lose them leverage in terms of compensation?

Jason La Canfora: I don't think Wayne's too concerned about any of that. It's clear he wants Ronaldo out, and Wayne's certainly not going anywhere, so he's doing what he wants to get his way. It's an impossible situation to be that young and gifted in that country with all of the tabloid, so I feel for Wayne to a certain degree, but watching his act up close in so many games in this tournament - scream at refs, throwing his shoes, punching the walls, stepping on people's, ahem, privates, it's getting old. His temper is getting out of control and his maturity is a major issue when it comes to this kind of stage.

But, in the end, Ronaldo will probably be shipped out (the Real Madrid rumors are pretty big over here), to keep Rooney happy.

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Washington, D.C.: You can't condemn the sport just because of the diving IMO. Part of the reason they dive and lay on the ground is because they're dead tired. Soccer players run non stop all game up and down the field. I don't think any other sport requires the same level of fitness.

Jason La Canfora: Try playing hockey, mate. I agree about the fitness, but a weak collision in the 10th minute, and all the flailing around - that's not fatigue.

I'm not condemning the sport, but the play acting runs counter to what a lot of American fans want to see, and I think it does hold back the progress of the game here.

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Normal, Ill.: How much do you think teams practice diving or make it part of their training and preparation? Are there teams that make diving a conscientious strategy, or is it more a matter of the individual player?

Jason La Canfora: I probably shouldn't be saying this out loud, but I snuck into a Portugal training session a few weeks back, and they actually had a pool near the pitch, with Ronadlo showing the rest of the boys the most effective ways to dive and get fouls called.

It really was something to see.

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Capitol Hill: Sorry to throw a hockey question in here, but how do the Caps not keep Jeff Halpern?

Jason La Canfora: Isn't that pretty lame? They seem to have lost the plot over there. Good question for you: What happens first - Caps win a playoff series or the US wins the World Cup?

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Washington, D.C.: Is Klinsmann really the guy to take the U.S. to the next level? Sure, it was an impressive run for Germany, but is he a world class coach with so little experience? What about Scolari?

Jason La Canfora: Compare his international playing and coaching experience to that of Sampson or Arena. You can't. There is no comparison. He knows out athletes and systems. He loved America. He has a passion for the game in our country. He espouses attacking football. I like it.

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College Park, Ga.:

After watching this year's World Cup I am hooked. I don't think I will be attending any MLS matches anytime soon, but I will seriously consider a trip to South Africa in 2010! Oddly enough, my interest started with a video game (FIFA 2006). I play with Argentina, and found myself rooting for them throughout the tournament. Needless to say, I was crushed when they lost. Hopefully, Messi and Maxi will lead them to glory in four years.

Vamos Argentina!

Jason La Canfora: No need to apologize for how you come to the game. It's all good with us.

One thing, though. If you get a chance, go to an MLS game. It's not World Cup quality, but it's good soccer, its affordable and there are a lot of bright young players there who hopefully will continue to help the game succeed in the US.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Jason, Just wanted to send a positive comment about the way that Germany has hosted the Cup. I was lucky enough to be in Berlin for some of the games, and I felt that the Fan Mile and city in general were well prepared for the mobs of people and the hooligans as well. A job well done, Germany! Now go win the 3rd place game, ok?

Jason La Canfora: Just wanted to post this. I agree completely.

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Vancouver, Wash.: What is the name of the tune (song) that is played at the conclusion of every match in the World Cup? (Yes, I know it's an odd question, but I've got to know!)

Thanks

Jason La Canfora: They play a few religiously. The only one that I like is "Football's Come Home" (or "Three Lions"). It's a song for the English team 10 years ago by The Lightning Seed, that holds up well. They also play a bunch of Euro-techno crap before and after games as well as the Liverpool song, "You'll Never Walk Alone." Hope that helps.

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Washington, D.C.: First, thank you for your excellent World Cup coverage. I feel lucky to be in DC, because the international community here is so vibrant that most people have a country/team they support and the Washington Post newspaper to support their interest.

Onto my soccer question -- tangentially related to World Cup. A friend said that U.S. television stations don't show a lot of soccer, because soccer needs to be shown for 45+ minutes intervals without commercial interruption. She said that U.S. stations don't want to miss out on the advertising dollars. Is she right, or is it that there is not enough viewer ship to generate the advertising [dollars] to compensate for the reduced number of ads? Or is it something else that explains why we don't get a lot of soccer/football on TV here? Hopefully this will change! Thanks.

Jason La Canfora: I think the ads have something to do with it, but I also think the rating dictate a lot, and the higher ratings and complaints for more sophisticated announcers and producers have been heard at ESPN. Also, ESPN is going to be paying for rights to MLS games for the first time - before MLS bought the time and sold the ads - so that should lead to better coverage as well.

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Towson, Md.: Jason;

Safe trip back to the states! Anyway, regarding the U.S. team and the future.... I would love to see the more creative players, maybe less skilled in terms of touch, but the dangerously offensive ones make the team and play in the WC 2010.

Players like Twellman, Eskandarian, etc. I feel our game was too slow and not enough shots. We seemed to try to pick and dink our way into the box to get a shot off. With this new ball we need people who can strike it from deep... I know there is a young midfielder I am missing here?

Jason La Canfora: I would love to see that as well. Not sure Twellman is up to this level, and I love Esky's passion, but not sure he has the size and overall game to be a World Cup striker. I also hope they both prove me wrong, because the US needs as many legit options as possible at that position.

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Fairfax, Va.: Have you heard much talk about any other potential big names coming to MLS? -Is- there any talk about MLS on the big stage? Surely they have to realize that if the U.S. and its dollars get behind soccer, then the astronomical salaries they see now can only go up (see: Red Bulls and Ronaldo).

Jason La Canfora: Besides the Ronaldo rumblings before the tourney, not much. It seems pretty certain, though, that by 2008 at the latest - assuming Beckham plays for England in the next Euro - Becks and Posh will be in NYC or LA.

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Columbia, Md.: Two questions actually. Do you really think that the aged, French strikers will be able to get through one of the most impressive defenses the world has ever seen? And how do you see the match up of Pirlo v. Zidane in the middle fanning out?

Jason La Canfora: I don't see Henry as aging. He's in his prime and if he plays close to how he does most weekends in the EPL, Italy will have something to fear.

I'm not sure Pirlo and Zizou will really be a true match-up - I think defensive MFs like Vieira and Gattuso will be watching them - but having those two masters on the same pitch can never be a bad thing.

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Hockeytown: Watching the World Cup has been good therapy after seeing Steve Y. hang up the skates after so many wonderful years with the Wings.

I'm looking forward to the game this weekend, and already sincerely missing this wonderful WashPost football coverage.

De Grasse et France! Toujours audace!

And thank you all there in Germany. GREAT reporting.

Jason La Canfora: Thank you Hockeytown. I have a friend from Detroit here who does a lot of work for the team, and we were talking the other day about he was definately coming back, then fired up the laptop and saw that he had just retired. Knowing Stevie pretty well, if he thinks it's time to go, then it definitely is. That dude is a warrior.

Thanks so much for reading our soccer coverage. It's been a dream come true to be able to report on this World Cup for you.

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Elland Road: A big Leeds supporter here. What do you think of their chance next season to rejoin the premiership?

Jason La Canfora: It's about time, eh? I really liked their chances against Watford and thought Preston would be tough to get through given how Leeds finished the season. But hey, an American scored the winning goal for Watford, so I can't get too mad. They need to open up the wallet again.

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Tel Aviv, Israel: Portugal-Germany match - what's the prediction? Can the Portuguese get it together enough to make a goal or two?

Jason La Canfora: Wow, hadn't thought about it much, but I think German pride will take over. They won't want to lose two in a row at home in a World Cup. And Klinsi will have them going for goal. I like them for third place.

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Towson, Md.: Mick the Stick's colleague here. In the last 2 WCs, we saw upstarts in the 3rd/4th place game like Turkey, South Korea and Croatia, happy to be there. Do you think Germany or Portugal will give it 100 percent tomorrow?

Jason La Canfora: Mick The Stick ... So you're the dude who was writing those questions for him. I knew it wasn't him.

I think Germany goes for broke, not sure that Portugal will be all that motivated.

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Not Enough Goals: Sepp B. is concerned that not enough goals are being scored this WC. He's going to convene a big 'symposium' after the WC to seek ways to increase scoring. One item of discussion will be the offside rule. Good. I say "off with its head." Don't modify it. Eliminate it. If teams want to plant forwards permanently in front of the other team's goal, let the defense deal with it. They'll figure it out. Doing away with that one rule will open up the game and scoring will increase.

Jason La Canfora: That would be a major change to the game, one that would make the records of today incompatible with the past to a certain degree. I'm definitely open to ideas, though.

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Better Way?: Hey Jason,

There has to be a better way to break a tie than the PK shootout. Doesn't seem right to end a game that way. Somehow I don't ever envision the NBA ending ties with a free throw contest, which is sort of synonymous with the PK shootout. Why not just implement the golden goal (either immediately or after the first 30 minutes of OT) and keep playing until one team scores? Eventually fatigue will factor in and one team will score. I'd rather see the game decided by playing the game and not by the funky PK shootout.

Jason La Canfora: A few weeks ago we talked about an extra sub in extra time, and then maybe using another one every 30 minutes until it ends. PKs are pretty unfair.

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Metro Center, D.C.: Would you agree that the Italians have had a pretty easy draw since the 1st round in the contest and really aren't all THAT great? Australia and Ukraine aren't exactly powerhouses, and Germany was mostly playing above their capabilities because they are the host nation. Had Italy played Argentina, Holland, Brazil, or even Portugal in the knockout rounds I think they would be home by now.

Jason La Canfora: I might have pointed that out earlier, but I agree, they have not faced the road France faced.

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Takoma Park, Md.: I'm not a lip reader, but in many if not most of the games I have watched, it seems that the officials use English to communicate with players on the field even when English is not the language of the countries playing. I would think Spanish would be the most common, or at least a close second. What has been your observation?Thanks for your great work!

Jason La Canfora: I think it may depend on the team involved as well as the ref group working the game. Many of the refs speak more than one language, but English, particularly for cursing, is universal.

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Del Mar, Calif.: What do you make of Luca Toni's performance at the World Cup? Although he showed some brilliant play, he has not been as dominant. Also, he has been substituted out in most games.

Jason La Canfora: He wasted a lot of chances early on. he was great against Ghana in the opener, but his confidence fell from lack of finishing and he was getting killed in the papers back home. When he finally bagged those two goals, I think he got back to being close to himself. He's a late bloomer and pretty old for his first World Cup at that position, but with a big game Sunday, he'd be a legend.

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Mt. Pleasant, D.C.: If Italy wins, do you think there's any chance Cannavaro could get the golden ball? Or do you think it's just impossible for a non-flashy defensive player to be recognized like that? (Or has it already been monogrammed ZZ even if France loses?) It seems like central defenders never get to be man of the match in the same way the kickers never get to be NFL MVPs (yes, I'm thinking of that Vinatieri kick years ago.)

Jason La Canfora: He's certainly on the Best XI, and I think given the way this tourney has gone, he would be a nice selection.

If France wins, though, it'll be Zizou, I agree.

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Alexandria, Va.: How long until MLS is considered an elite, world-class football league? I thought they were making strides over the past few years, but after seeing how the European-seasoned players have performed in the WC, and the speed of the international game, I have to think the MLS is still a long way from being a credible league.

Jason La Canfora: It's going to be a while. They are 100 years behind some of these other teams and leagues. I'd say at least 2-3 more World Cup cycles.

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Arlington, Va.: Were will Ribery wind up after the World Cup? Reports have him playing for Lyon but his exploits certainly have the potential to carry him to more prestigious clubs in Europe.

Jason La Canfora: DC United?

Actually, I could see a lot of teams lining up bids. Chelsea already has 4-5 great wingers, why not one more?

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Arlington, Va.: I understand that I'm biased, being Portuguese, but why all the negative coverage? At the end of your article you said "It may not have been fair, but it was over." Are you kidding? England is a soccer super-power, Portugal is not. This is as far as Portugal has ever advanced! What about mentioning how spectacular Ricardo was in stopping 3 shots! Portugal wasn't the only team "flopping" in that game, and if I remember correctly it was Rooney who stomped on Carvalho's area. So anyway, what does the world have against this tiny, not to mention poor, nation?

Jason La Canfora: I guess I expected more out of Portugal when they faced a 10-man England. They were horrid in the final third, did not play as a team, had no direction in the attack and the tactics - Ronaldo runs at people and does 1 on 1 stuff; everyone else shoot from 25-out or more - and subs - Big Phil was so conservative - left me wanting more. I'm not trying to pick on anyone, but when its the 1/4 finals and you're up a man and playing with no urgency and writhing around on the ground time after time it gets old.

They had a great Euro, were so good early in the tourney and, for the last time, had players like Figo and Ronaldo on the same pitch, linking those two generations. And they seemed complacent and distracted, happy to have made it that far. England were playing weak in this tourney, and what a statement could have been made by going for goal and putting them away. I think they could have done it, but had no intent.

I have nothing against them. I actually have a lot of respect for their players and game, and I guess expected a little more than going over 210 minutes without scoring, or even coming all that close. I wish them luck down the road and love to watch Ronaldo play, even with the antics. Deco is a master and I wish he could have been in every game and not suspended.

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Jason La Canfora: Well guys, looks like my time is up. Thanks for hanging int here while I could not get on the Internet, and thanks again for all of the interest and for everyone following our stuff in the paper and online. It's been an honor getting to do this. As always, feel free to email me anytime - lacanforaj@washpost.com - and please have a great weekend and enjoy the final. Hope we get one to really remember.

Cheers.

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