Ref allows Germany to bow out in style
Posted by DavidM in Germany, World Cup | 5 July 2006
What a great semi-final last night between two top-class teams. The game was exciting, hard fought and played in a great spirit.
It's a shame Germany are out as the final would have had a fantatic atmosphere with the host nation playing. It's also a shame either team had to lose last night, but that's the way it is.
The 2-0 scoreline was flattering to Italy but I wasn't surprised they scored a second - Germany had to push forward hard in the dying minutes and there were a lot of very tired legs trying to track back. Ballack looked like he could hardly walk and the Italian defence was strolling.
What made the game special though was the style in which it was played. It was one of the rare times in this tournament when the referee allowed play to continue wherever possible, he kept his cards in his pocket unless a genuinely serious foul was committed and he told players to get up and get on with it when they remained on the ground too long.
The change in the players was noticeable. Once they realised this was the way the ref was going to manage the game they responded. Diving was rare in the match, fouled players got to their feet quickly and there seemed to be more respect between the players.
The quality of refereeing has risen in the quarter-finals and beyond, and consequently so has the quality of the football.
It was a disappointing night for the German national side but a very good night for football. And Italy are going to prove very tough competition for either France or Portugal on Sunday.
