I found this on si.com:

Buffon leads bitter Italian chorus

GUIMARAES, Portugal (Reuters) -- Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said he was bitter about his team's early Euro 2004 exit, and suggested Denmark and Sweden should be ashamed.

"Someone should be ashamed and it is not us. I'm very bitter, I really didn't believe (this would happen) with two peoples who are proud of their spirit of fair play," Buffon said.

The 2-2 result between Denmark and Sweden ensured Italy's departure from the tournament despite their 2-1 victory over Bulgaria, a scenario many in the Italian camp had feared.

"When you talk for days about a result, a 2-2 result not just a draw, and then it comes out like this, well I'm very surprised," said Buffon.

"It was said that they need to give an example of football in front of everyone and then this happens," he added.

"All those who talk about fair play and sporting values should open their eyes," he added.

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I bet he hadn't even seen the match when he made these comments. At least they make him seem like a fool: The Italians are solely responsible for not getting any further in the turnament. They played badly against Denmark, and seemed content to win be a measly 1-0 against Sweden. Fortunately the Swedes punished this behaviour.

On an entirely different subject: The Danish consulate in Milan found its door plastered with eggs this morning, and has recieved foreboding phone calls, where mad Italians have threatened to puncture the tires of their cars (?).
What's most funny about this, is that it is probably an Italian cleaning lady who's going to clean up the eggs.

makes me laugh how two teams can fix a match at 2-2

especially with a goal like that from Thomasson

Italians just looking for a scapegoat

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quote:

Originally posted by Frase makes me laugh how two teams can fix a match at 2-2 especially with a goal like that from Thomasson Italians just looking for a scapegoat

Exactly, it's just an excuse to deflect attention from their appalling selections and plays

It would actually have been very easy to draw a match 2-2.

1) take the lead

2) Give away a needless penalty to bring it level.

3) Take the lead for the 2nd time in the match.

4) Drop the ball at the strikers feet in the last minute of the match to bring it back level.

Not that this happened or anything.

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Originally posted by chesco It would actually have been very easy to draw a match 2-2. 1) take the lead 2) Give away a needless penalty to bring it level. 3) Take the lead for the 2nd time in the match. 4) Drop the ball at the strikers feet in the last minute of the match to bring it back level. Not that this happened or anything.

Would make for good conspiracy reading except if you saw the game you would have to admit that there was nothing fixed about the Danish goals. One spectacular and the other off random shots after a corner. Added to that; the tackles that were flying in. As for "dropping the ball at the striker's feet" well I see James doing that all the time, no one's screaming of a conspiracy there. Besides, it was pouring down and the ball was coming in fast. Bottom line- every little error that any of the teams did on the field was going to be fuel for the Italian paranoia machine.

Actually, we forget that Italy HAD to win their game. Maybe Sweden and Denmark should be complaining that Bulgaria let them win in the final min to have a chance of going through.

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Originally posted by chesco Not that this happened or anything.

HULLO

i clearly said that it never happened.

if they had played better and won more games they have never been depended on other teams results.. but hey.. easy to complain when they are so freakin bad loosers..

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Originally posted by chesco HULLO i clearly said that it never happened.

ok i thought the "rolleyes" meant you were sarcastic...my bad

something has to be done about referying... its shameful

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Originally posted by malek something has to be done about referying... its shameful

Really? I have been quite content with the refereeing so far. I mean, they are not robots and won't get all the calls (and I for sure as hell do not want replay calls) but if you watch a lot of soccer week in week out, you'd know that the standard of refereeing has been ok so far.

WC 2002 was the real low point in my opinion.

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Originally posted by razmataz Really? I have been quite content with the refereeing so far. I mean, they are not robots and won't get all the calls (and I for sure as hell do not want replay calls) but if you watch a lot of soccer week in week out, you'd know that the standard of refereeing has been ok so far. WC 2002 was the real low point in my opinion.

how about 2 referies at once??

I haven't seen all the euro games (fucking work) but the poorest calls (or lack off) were during the french against Croatia (that hand by Trezeguet) and the two hands in the goalie area today in the german-czech game...

bah anyways... I'm loosing intrest in the sport

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