Italy doesnt deserve a place in the finals at the World cup?

Question

I'm sorry to say but they wouldnt even have been there if it wasnt for that dive that Grosso took against Australia...they deserve Oscars for their great acting though.......

To j_smith_7

I dont think you have the right to criticise me, when you obviously know less about soccer than i do. Ignorant people like you really annoy me.

Firstly Australia has won the Oceania Cup FOUR times in 1980, 1996, 2000, and 2004 so soccer is not "NEW" in Australia. The Aussie fans that travelled to Germany were more than any other country. We have excellent players who play fair and dont cheat you obviously know very little about soccer otherwise you would know this. The last time we were in the World cup was 32 years ago only because FIFA appointed us average coaches. So yes it was a big deal for the whole nation we are only upset because we were robbed if it had been the reverse Italy would've probably declared war against FIFA.
Secondly I'm not Australian but have lived in Australia all my life and i know FAIR when i see it unlike pathetic men who follow their wives' team. And bout Italy sufferng the past 6 years CRY ME A RIVER cos i really dont care.

Answer 1

No, Italy definately doesnt deserve a place in the finals, austrlai a does. Australia has over half of their team playing in europe, for example, Viduku, Kewell(liverpool), Schwarzer (middlesborough) and they are all starters, not benchwarmers. Everyone wants our players now. Lucas Neill has been offered a place with Barcelona, and several other players have signed on with otherEuropean teams. They have several world class players. They have a good coach... They had so many things for them except for... The european people and other soccer nations do not like underdogs and so they punish them in the reffings. I think that australia should be where italy is. They could have gotten to the final and it would have been much more honorable than Italy, cheating in every game to get to where they are. OK, I would not have been angry if the Italians had not cheated against australia. BUT>>>> that was a lame dive and a lame call... I do not respect Italy for that style of play. They just can't help diving or playing injured. It disrupts the flow of the game. The aussies, on the other hand, are very fit and they don't pretend to be injured, instead, they are always going for the ball. Sure, they play physically, but they are a good, strong team and they deserve to be farther than they got. So, you cannot say that the australians dont have anything for them and aren't noticed and admired. All of the coaches know of the aussies feats. This was in response to that other really long answer baggng out the aussies, just so you knwo.

Answer 2

Well, maybe Italy did underestimate your team. That's why they didn't outplay the Socceroos, like they did today with Germany. Traditionally, Italy play according to their opponent's skills.
But honestly, even with 10 men, they didn't let Australia score against them.
I agree the penalty kick was a very harsh call on Australia, but... what if they had played the extra time and Italy found a way to score at the very end, like they did today?
Why are Australia so sure they deserved to go the quarterfinals?
I think the Aussie fans are taking this too far. You are happy because the Socceroos were on the World Cup and weren't doing that bad. But the fact that Italy hadn't scored against them in about 90 minutes doesn't mean that Italy is such a lousy team. They didn't score against Germany during regulation time either. But look at what they did in the extra time!!! Come on, get over it, it's about time!

Answer 3

I don't think it's fair to say that Italy doesn't deserve their place in the finals.

I may agree that the penalty against the Aussies was undeserved, but the point really isn't whether they deserve to be there. They are there, and not much's going to change that. Even without that penalty against the Aussies, it would probably been a draw at full time, gone into penalties anyway, and in that case, I highly doubt the Italians would have lost.

But I do think that after the semi-final that I watched just 12 hours ago, I think that they played excellently, tight defense with a strong attack, for all of the 120+ minutes that it took. For me, it was really world-class soccer.

Answer 4

Look I am Italian and I will admit that the PK against the Aussies was not justified. However before accusing a team of cheating and taking a dive you should also look at the Aussie player that took a dive and left Italy with 10 men. that was also unjustified. So these things happen in football. We played a great game today and won fare and square.

Answer 5

Australia played really well in this World Cup... and were very hard done by in the Italy game. A dive and penalty at that time is the worst way to go, and let's not mince words... it was a dive.

Italy we're not playing to their potential and they knew it... which is why they took the opportunity to go down for a pen. Australia had been on the attack for most of the game, barely out of the Italian half, and whilst the Aussies we're lacking a little in 'finishing off' they would have popped one in eventually if it had gone to extra time.

Last night Italy we're lucky against the Germans, but at least they we're playing more competantly... most of tournament for them has been against so-say 'easier' teams and they havn't really had any great challenge except Australia and Gemany.

but hey, Good luck to them... I think they'll have to play their socks of against Zidane... just a shame the Aussies have had to learn the World Cup lesson most of us have had to deal with for decades... 'a lot of teams value cheating to win above sportsmanship'...

Answer 6

Ah, there's a football genius amongst us. What joy. Now, let's see, remind me again how many times has Australia won the world cup before? Oh yes, never. How many international competitions between the continents have they won? Oh yes, none. How many world class players do they have...none. The list goes on, but no doubt someone so clearly aware of the sport as you gets the idea, I am sure.

There's no point in repeating all the results/statistics others have posted here since they speak for themselves. But, I would like to add one thing: you assume that football is all to do with the players on the pitch. You are wrong. It is centred on and FOR the fans, the real fans. Australia has its fans for sure, but, they are (as a group) very few, since soccer is a relatively 'new' game in Australia. Plus, if you are a real fan of the sport (and I would say from your narrow-minded comments, you are not), then you would know it is the spirit that lives in the hearts of REAL fans that help teams achieve their victories.

I hope you are NOT indicative of the opinion of those in Australia who are interested in this sport, because, if you and your bitter and pointless complaining are anything to go by, fans in Australia will never know what it is to see your national team beating the cup favourites on thir home territory and making it to the final of the World Cup.

Final point: I am an Irishman, and my national team never qualifies for the World Cup (we are only 4 million people, so, this is not a surprise), but I am married to an Italian. The country of Italy has suffered greatly these past 6 years or so (and if you do not know what I am talking about, shame on you!), and I recall saying to my wife before the competition began. 'I wish for Italy or Argentina to win, because, after all their sufferings, their countries deserve something good to happen'.

Last night, the streets all around our house (we live near the Swiss/Italian border) were full of wonderful people, embracing, kissing, shouting with joy until 2am. The first really good thing to happen to this country for years and years. I ask only this of you Miss, please do not let your inability to deal with your own losses take away from this joy.

I wish you well.

Answer 7

Oh I so agree! I couldn't believe how many time they acted as if they were just so hurt trying to get fouls for the Germans. I watched the game in downtown Bamberg, Germany last night and let me just tell you when they got that first goal it looked as if the entire city was going to cry, the second goal game and that was it, people just started leaving! It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen! The Germans had such spirit and pride and I'm so pissed that Italy won. They are saying on the radio that the Germans already had their mind set to go to the 11 meter shots (penalty kicks). Whatever happened, I don't care if it's France or Portugal that wins tonight! I just hope that someone kicks Italy's butt!!!

Answer 8

Italy of course!! Italy dominated the first half and France got lucky with that penalty. If the penalty wouldn't have existed, Italy would have won with its REAL goal. Even if France dominated the second half, they couldn't get through Italy's excellent defense and Buffon did great saves. So even though France played really good, if they couldn't score it means that in some point Italy was also superior. And in the shootouts it was luck, and also the shooters for Italy were all really really good and unfortunately France had lost most of its great shooters....

Answer 9

Guys, guys, don't be such haters! Why is it that little yuppie girls (you know the type: they're liberal, they go to NYU.....) are always in favor of every weird country on the map, except Italy? Why are you fiery little snobs always singing the praises of such downtrodden nations such as Argentina, Mexico, Peru, yet you hate Italy so much? I don't hear anyone complaining about the bad referee decision that sent Italy home against South Korea in 2002. So get over it, Italy has, at least, a second place position (but hopefully first) in World Cup 2006. Live with it.

Answer 10

I agree with you, that decision against the Aussies was totally harsh, but last night they showed why are the have been world cup winners, I mean they really outplayed the Germans in the first half and to still be attacking after 90 minutes, well credit to them! Sure they didn't deserve being there, but they have taken their chances! And to be honest if the Aus-Italy went to penalties, well I would put my money on Italy anyway.