Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Match report: Italy 3 - Ukraine 0 (Quarterfinal 2006 World Cup)

  • Goals scored: Zambrotta 6', Toni 59', Toni 69'
  • What happened: Italy defeated Ukraine in the quarterfinals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They advanced to the semifinals against Germany.
  • Players who appeared in the match and who had played at AC Milan during the previous season: Gattuso, Pirlo, Shevchenko
  • Players who appeared in the match and who would later play for AC Milan: Zambrotta, Oddo
  • Players who were on the bench for this match and who had played at AC Milan during the previous season: Inzaghi, Gilardino, Nesta
  • Players who were on the bench for this match and who would later play for AC Milan: None
  • Players who played in the match and who I wish played for Milan: Fabio Cannavaro
  • Players whose brothers played in this match and who I wish played for Milan: Paolo Cannavaro
  • Questions raised by this match: Was this Gianluca Zambrotta's greatest career moment?
  • Who did I root for the first time I saw this match? Ukraine
  • Things the ESPN announcers did that were annoying: Mispronounce many names ( "Zambratto," "Purrlo," "Cam-rone-a-nay-see," probably almost all of the Ukraine players' names)
  • Injured former players/Juventus staff members whose recent scandal-related suicide attempts were frequently mentioned during the broadcast: Gianluca Pessotto
  • Relatively amusing injuries to Italy players: Gattuso 14' (kneed in back), Gattuso 26' (wrist stomped on), Cannavaro 47' (hit in groin by ball after Ukraine player missed header), Buffon 50' (bumped head on goalpost making save)
  • Words to describe most of the Ukraine players' hair: long, blond, stringy, Owen Wilson-like
  • What this match teaches us: Why AC Milan insisted on acquiring Zambrotta (pictured at top) from Barcelona
Below: Ukraine captain and former Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko

Video highlights are below:

1 comment:

  1. Reminds us to have more respect for some formerly good players?

    And this reader is in agreement about the Cannavaro Brothers!

    ReplyDelete