Zidane made a great start to the game, scoring a penalty by mimicking Totti's "cucciaio" to the perfection. Though, his performance seemed to degenerate minute by minute throughout the game. This could be attributed to two factors: Cannavaro's and Gattuso's ferocious interventions which are better suited for Rugby or American Football; and fatigue. At one point he even asked to be substituted partly due to assumed exhaustednes s and definitely due to getting his shoulder injured after being slammed down to earth by Cannavaro in an aerial intervention for the ball.

Zidane's game did not end when the 90 minutes expired. The teams were at level 1 - 1 so the game went into extra time. I was watching the game on television, and at one point the referee stopped play. The camera was now pointed on Buffon who was calling the referee's attention and then on Materazzi who was on the ground. I did not know what happened so I thought that it was one of the many mimicks the Italians are internationally famous for. Then replays of what had really happened were displayed on screen and the next thing everyone knew was that Zidane, winner of the adidas Golden Ball, was shown the red card. Surely not the way Zidane was expecting to end his career.

The video of Zidane's action that led to his sending off was being repeatedly shown day after day on every channel which broadcasted news or sports programmes. One can clearly see how foolish Zidane had been to enter Materazzi's trap. Materazzi was clearly seen saying something to Zidane not once, neither twice but three times. Materazzi must have either thought that Zidane was a bit deaf so he needed to repeat his message three times, or he wanted to hammer his message into Zidane to intimadate or provoke him. The latter option seems the more realistic.

As already said, Zidane was foolish to get at him in the open. Instead he should have revenged himself in a situation where his actions would have been very difficult to spot by both linesman and referee, such as in a corner or freekick when many jump at the same time to try and reach the ball or in a dribbling attempt hitting the opponent from beneath. Such situations are very hard to get caught in one's act and be sent off.

Anyway, they were both summoned by FIFA. Zidane was given a 3 day ban on internation matches while Materazzi was awarded 2. Since Zidane has now retired from football, he has decided to do some community work to repay his unserved ban. Both were also fined, which amount is negligible compared to their high income.

Now what do you think? Leave your comments about the matter ...

Not even a week has passed since Italy were crowned World Cup Champions, when 4 Italian Top Clubs have been punished for being found guilty of corruption in the previous two seasons. This will surely make the race for Lo Scudetto duller. The four penalised clubs are Juventus, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina.

Juventus have been relegated to Serie B and will start next season with a negative 30 points. They have also been ripped off the last two season champions titles. Lazio have also been relegated in Serie B with a negative 7 points, just like Fiorentina who will instead be penalised with an initial of 12 points. Unlike the previous 3, Milan will still play in Serie A next season but with a penalty of 15 points. Milan have also been penalised a total of 44 points from last season so that they finished outside a European Cup place. Seeing the outcome, Inter will be topped as favourite of winning the next Serie A championship title.

This means that next season, the 4 clubs who will be participating in the Champions League will be Inter, Roma, Chievo and Palermo, while that Livorno, Parma and Empoli will be participating in the UEFA Cup. From this outcome one will surely see a drop-down in the level of quality which will be displayed by the Italian Clubs in European Competitions.

Before the trial, Berlusconi left the following comments:

"The eventual punishments shouldn't hit players or penalise fans who have no responsibility whatsoever. I am against relegation and I don't speak just as president of Milan. Should Juve be relegated it would hinder other clubs that would lose the revenue they take when they play against a team like Juventus. One also has to think of the damage this would create to sponsors and television companies that have signed contracts with these clubs."

Most of which comments make sense, whereas the real victims will be the players and fans. Now is the time to test for the players' and fans' loyalty to their team. Will the players still be willing to play in a lower division and the fans cheer for a lower division team, in the case of Juve probably more than one season, considering most of which have just been crowned World Champions?

The biggest headache for the penalized clubs is that of keeping their players under contract. I don't think that most players, especially the ones who are ageing, are relishing to play in lower divisions. Thus, they could be loaned out for a year to top division clubs, not necessarily Italian, so that they return back and find a normal situation the next season. This situation will only add transfer rumours and make the market look more interesting.

Guilty punished:

Juventus Relegated to Serie B. Must start next season with a 30-point deficit. Stripped of last two league titles

Fiorentina Relegated to Serie B with a 12-point deficit

Lazio Relegated to Serie B with seven-point deficit

Milan Begin next season in Serie A with a 15-point deficit. Docked 44 points from last season's total

Luciano Moggi ex-Juventus general manager banned for five years

Andrea Della Valle president of Juventus banned for four years

Claudio Lotito Lazio president, banned for three years

Adriano Galliani Milan's vice-president, one-year ban

Italy's Champions League entrants Internazionale, Roma, Chievo and Palermo

Uefa Cup entrants Livorno, Parma and Empoli

Italy have done it. They can't even believe it themselves since they knew themselves that they surely were not the best team in the tournament. They only met the first good side in a drammatic semi-final against Germany, which they should have lost. Otherwise, they would have never even reached the semi-finals, let alone the final.

One could already see the dirty play of the Italians as in the first five minutes Captain Cannavaro punched Henry on his chest during his run for the ball. Later on in the game, Cannavaro literally slammed down Zidane as they jumped for the ball, seriously hurting him. I would suggest Cannavaro to the WWF staff, since he's really fitter for wrestling rather than soccer. One must note that later on Materazzi provoked Zidane to his sending off. What a shameful way to end a career, letting a dirty Italian provoking you with his poisonous mouth ...

As regards to the final, France lost a match which they should have easily won. Despite themselves being awarded a penalty in the first half, taken successfully by Zidane, they should have been awarded another one in the second half as Malouda was once again evidently tripped in the Penalty Area with a clear chance of goal. The Italians scored from a corner which goal the referee could have easily cancelled as Materazzi jumped unfairly with Thuram to header it past Barthezz. The French had at least three chances of goal at the beginning of the second half. They kept dominating the second half but failed to finish their moves. The match went to extra-time during which Zidane, as already said, was sent off after foolishly headbutting Materazzi. I am curious what Materazzi told Zidane in order to infuriate him. Anyway, the French were the better team but could not bring themselves to finish off any of their moves.

Penalties ... it's only a lottery ... it was obvious who would win ... the most fortunate ... Italy. It's a pity that the World Cup had to finish in dirty Italy. So I conclude by saying: ITALIA: CAMPIONE DELLA CORRUZZIONE.

Anyway, they must now wait 12 years for another World Cup Final, and 24 years to win it again.

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Here are my Awards:

Best "Cascatore":

 Fabio Grosso vs Australia (with which move stole away the win from Australia's mouth)

Best "Floppy":

 Frank Lampard, who never ever got going in this World Cup

Best Young Player:

 Cristiano Ronaldo who managed to play as good as experienced team mate Luis Figo

Revelation Player:

 Frank Ribery is already 22 years of age, yet he has never managed to create awe till now despite being technically World Class.

Best Goalkeeper:

 Gianliugi Buffon - the Italians should stand at his foot and lick his boots since without him they would have arrived nowhere.

Best Defenders:

 Philip Lahm - I was in doubt whether to define him as a defender since  he occuppied all the touchline area, scoring even a goal and providing some assists.

 Fabio Cannavaro - is needed by the Italian team since he commits a lot of hidden fouls especially in aerial challenges.

 Fernando Meira - although never been linked with the top clubs, if he can produce the performances he produced during this tournament he could earn a first team place with one.

 Willy Sagnol - very few players managed to constantly produce the solid performances he produced along the right touchline, providing accurate crosses.

Best Midfielders:

 Cristiano Ronaldo - shows flair when he is in possession of the ball and can carry it until he is deep in the opponent's half.

 Riquelme - although not the fastest of players he can act as the metronome for the team, and when in possession he shields the ball so well that he makes it difficult for the opponent to dipossess him.

 Steven Gerrard - the only player in the English team who lived up to his name providing outbursts of cr eative football in the midfield.

 Bastian Schweinsteiger - although he was not consistent during all the tournament, he certainly taught the spectators some real football.

Best Attackers:

 Miroslav Klose - quite a physical player who is not only good in aerial challenges but also technically and is quite a cynical finisher.

 Carlos Tevez - a rediscovered star showing the whole world what an explosive striker he can be.

The Dirty Italians have reached the World Cup finals after being granted a place in the Semi-finals by their usual lucky urn pickings. After being drawn into one of the easier groups they immediately showed that they did not have a team worth a place in the top four as they struggled against minor teams. Yet, they not only arrived with the top four but have arrived to the final. How did this happen? Easy no ... when Lady Luck smiles at you?

Their first match was against Ghana, a team which showed potential but lacked finishing. The Italians played their usual unattractive play, staying behind the ball and then using the counter-attack. Against the Americans, the Italians drew - showing much lackings and weaknesses. They were so nerved by the way the Americans were equalling in them in terms of play that DeRossi hit hardly on McBride's face. Against the Czech Republic, the Italians had to be 3 - 0 under in the first 20 minutes had it not been for their keeper Buffon - their saviour.  Anyway, they finished at the top of the group with great suffering.

For their match in the last 16 they met Australia who were without their best two men: Brett Emerton, who was suspended, and Harry Kewell, who was sick. Yet, the Italians managed to steal a win with an inexistent penalty in the last 4 seconds of the match. Through this match one could clearly see how dirty and corruptuous the Italians are, not only in administration but also on the pitch, as Grosso kicked the ball in front of him and as it was out of his range threw himself into one of the opponent's legs. He managed to bribe the referee into giving the Italians a penalty. One must note that Materazzi was previously sent off as he fouled from behind one of the Australian players who had a clear chance of goal.

In the Quarter Finals, they met Ukraine who were without their playmaker Andriy Voronin. What more could the Italians ask from Lady Luck? Ah yes, that their next opponents would exhaust each other out ... their wish was again granted. Italy vs Ukraine was a match without story. The score 3 - 0 surely did not reflect their encounter and again Italy should kneel infront of its saviour Buffon. With a keeper like that anyone would reach the finals.

In the Semi-Finals, the Italians meet the first World-Class team, Germany. Though, the FIFA managed to previously condition the game in favour of the Italians as it suspended Germany's best defensive midfielder Thorsten Frings. A video was submitted by the Italian SKY showing Frings punching Argentine Cruz. What the Italians did not show was that it was the Argentinians who started everything when they tried to baffle Martesacker before taking his penalty. Then in comes Lippi who says that none of the Italian contingent made any move towards the suspension. Oh my God ... you should promote this idiot ... aw sorry ... this angel to heaven. Anyway, the 1st half was balanced between the two teams, but the 2nd half was dominated by Germany. Then in comes the effect of Germany's extra half played against Argentina, as tiredness can be observed in the German players. The Italians scored in the last few minutes of the second half of the extra time. An undeserved win for Italy surely. And yet, there they are in the finals.

Now we wait for final, the match between Portugal and France is yet to be played since it will start in one hour's time as I am finishing this article. Knowing the luck of the Italians the weaker team will win. Yet, I still hope that the Italians lose next Sunday in the Final. The World Cup does not deserve to finish in a country whose top football has been proven to be scandalous.

England vs Protugal, a Quarter Final in which England were put as favourites not just because they are technically better but also due to the fact that Portugal were without two of their best man since they got showed off in the previous match: Deco, their playmaker, and Costinha, who destroys opposition play. There are many factors to which the loss against Portugal may be attributed. Though, such a loss surely did not arrive due to England's latest trend of losing to Scolari's team.

First of all, one cannot fully blame neither Sven-Goran Eriksson on his decisions, nor Wayne Rooney's sending off for the loss. Starting from Rooney's sending off, I start by saying that the FIFA should have thought better then to choose an Argentinian referee whose brother had been killed in the Falkirk Battles. Secondly, Rooney had been fouled before committing a foul himself. Thus, the referee should have instantely whistled and gave the English a free-kick in their favour. Thirdly, I have never seen a player being showed the red card just for pushing a player in a tense situation. Even Figo in the match against Holland had been showed the yellow card when he headbutted intentionally his opponent.

Coming to Sven-Goran Eriksson, he has surely been over-criticised, mainly about the choice of players. Theo Walcott was a bet which Eriksson lost. Anyway, let's face it. There are too many foreigners playing in the English Premiership. Starting from the goalkeeper - Robinson was never convincing. This could be seen from the insecurity of the back four where they did all they could to prevent the ball from arriving to him. Taking a look at the top four Premiership clubs, we can see that they all have four foreign first choice goalkeepers:

Arsenal: Jens Lehmann

Chelsea: Petr Cech

Liverpool: Pepe Reina

Manchester United: Edwin Van Der Sar

Neither had Eriksson a great difficulty in choosing the four attackers to take with him to Germany. Taking another look at the top four clubs' attackers:

Arsenal: Fredrik Ljungberg, Jose Antonio Reyes, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott, Arturo Lupoli.

Chelsea: Charlton Cole, Hernan Crespo, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben.

Liverpool: Djibril Cisse, Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch, Neil Mellor, Fernando Morientes.

Manchester United: Wayne Rooney, Luois Saha, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, David Bellion.

We can obviously see that apart from Charlton Cole and Neil Mellor who still have to make an outbreak, they are all either not eligible to play for England or have been called up. Theo Walcott who like Charlton Cole and Neil Mellor has not yet made his outbreak has still been called up by Eriksson - a personal bet which failed. He should have used that place to call up a more guaranteable (if this word exists) player, such as Defoe.

From this analysis, only one conclusion can be made: there are too many foreign players in the English FA. Eriksson's two main errors where therefore the mentioned call-up of Theo Walcott and his persistence in playing Frank Lampard although he produced below-standard performances match after match.

Anyway, one must note that even though it is emphasized by the many that the Bundesliga is not of the Italian or English League standards, it was Hargreaves who plays in the same Bundesliga that won the Best Man on the Pitch Award.