| BengaBenga said: From BBC.co.uk: But what looked a desperately poor decision was, in fact, a brilliant piece of officiating, according to the chairman of Austria's refereeing commission Gerhard Kapl. Kapl said Van Nistelrooy was played onside by Italy's Christian Panucci, who had been injured seconds earlier and was lying behind the goal when the Dutch striker scored. He said the goal was "100% correct, without any doubt", quoting article 11.4.1. of the refereeing code that states "an opposing player cannot be offside when one of the last two defenders has left the field of play" - as in the case of Panucci. |
It should be added that Panucci had enough time to make it back into the field.
As for my predictions, I was way off (or better, predicted the exact opposite of what happened - I predicted a 3-0 victory for France, and a 1-1 tie for Netherlands-Italy.) I have never been more happy to be wrong. And you know what I find more compelling then this victory? The fact that the UEFA finally had a match worthy of watching. I could hardly finish any of the games I saw but this one was thrilling, is my guess, even to outsiders.
I do want to blow my own horn on one previous thing I mentioned though: Attractive, offensive football should always prevail over the defensive style of the mediterrean country's. The effect has been seen.
As for today, I'm going out on a limb here but I predict Russia to win over Spain. Russia lost two of it's best strikers but the fuck.. Hiddink is coaching them! The guy got the frigging South Korean team to the semi finals of WC '02. And managed to get the Australians to finally play a decent football match.
Will still be a more boring match kinda like Romania-France with a lot of defense from the Russian side and a lot of offense from the Spannish. Gimme a 1-0 to Russia please.
Greece - Sweden: I like the Swedes more, and reject lightning hitting twice in the same spot. 2-0.
The Doctor will see you now
Promoting Lesbianism --> 
