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Speaker: KICK IT! The Highest Mountain, and an Ode to Robert Green

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  • Steve Curtis,

    I thought the Iliad was the Desperate Housewives of its day-

    Patroclus can stand to watch no longer, and begs Achilles to be allowed to defend the ships. Achilles relents, and lends Patroclus his armor, but sends him off with a stern admonition to not pursue the Trojans, lest he take Achilles's glory. Patroclus leads the Myrmidons to battle and arrives as the Trojans set fire to the first ships. The Trojans are routed by the sudden onslaught. Patroclus, ignoring Achilles's command, pursues and reaches the gates of Troy, where Apollo himself stops him. Patroclus is set upon by Apollo and Euphorbos, and is finally killed by Hector

    To be continued....
    Wikipedia
    The plot summary leaves out the Dactylic hexameters..

    I myself prefer the Broadway musical version The Golden Apple

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    A win for the All Whites against Italy tonight in the second round of World Cup group play would be like the Netherlands beating the All Blacks in pool play at the Rugby World Cup -- it isn't going to happen.?

    Oh, no, there is a far greater likelihood of the All Whites beating Italy in this or any other world cup draw than there is of the Netherlands beating the All Blacks. There's no comparison, really. And I honestly think they have a shot. Killen, Fallon and Smelz are ideally suited to bother Italy on attack. Were I Lippi, in fact, I would counter that with three defenders, inserting Bonucci for Criscito - that's how I worried I would be.

    Of course at the other end of the park you have to worry about Lochhead going against Pepe, Camoranesi or Zambrotta, or Paston being peppered from outside the box. It could turn ugly, especially if Italy score early. But don't write the All Whites off - the Italian press isn't for sure.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    But don't write the All Whites off - the Italian press isn't for sure

    If you can translate some of the before-and-after coverage for us, I'll fix it so you win some o' that Toi Toi wine ;-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    the king of the fake tanned fucktards

    now *that's* poetry

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    If you can translate some of the before-and-after coverage for us, I'll fix it so you win some o' that Toi Toi wine ;-)

    I can try a little summary. The report by Gazzetta dello Sport on the game against Slovakia was very positive on the All Whites', much lauded for their personality if not for their technical skills. Some harsh words for Paston, and the observations that Paraguay and Italy ought to win against both teams, but praise for the All Whites' application and intelligent approach to the game. In yesterday's press conference De Rossi declared that Italy 'must win every time against New Zealand', but it sounded more like he was trying to rally the troops than belittle the opposition. Coach Lippi stated the obvious, warning against the threat posed by the physical stature of the All Whites, as has Nicola Cecere for La Gazzetta ("Italy, watch out, these Kiwis are giants"), who remarked also that Fallon's and Killen's propensity not to retreat behind the midfield would have Criscito and Zambrotta at right and left back licking their chops. But watch out for Vicelich, Nelsen, Reid on set pieces besides the tall lads up front.

    Cecere also thinks that Brown ("the Kiwi Pirlo") will play. That would be a major upgrade.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Another factor to remember tonight. By my count at least 4 matches so far have been on the issuing of a red card.

    That's quite a high proportion really.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • vangam,

    Another factor to remember tonight. By my count at least 4 matches so far have been on the issuing of a red card.

    the problem is, it is likely to be a kiwi on the receiving end...or not. Come to think of it, those excitable latins are capable of losing-their-rag when the heat is on, so ya never know.

    Isn't the football improving now that elimnation looms?

    GO THE ALL WHITES!

    Rangiora • Since Jun 2007 • 103 posts Report Reply

  • Yamis,

    I'd say it would be more like Argentina beating the ABs at a Rugby World Cup. Very unlikely but you could kind of see how it could happen if all the stars and planets aligned just right (or wrong depending on your allegiances).

    I think Italy will probably get about half a dozen good goalscoring chances and we might get one, two max. We need to take our chance(s) and hope that Italy hit the post, crossbar, shoot straight at the keeper and butcher a couple of sitters. Playing against ten men would also help.

    I'm picking 2-0 or 3-0 to Italy depending on if they have their shooting boots on.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report Reply

  • BlairMacca,

    I think football is far more setup for a major upset than Rugby. In saying that GO ALL WHITES!!
    My prediction though it 2-0 Italy. I just hope we don;t get done by more than Aussie did against Germany. Us kiwis have a perverse way of thinking don't we? :)

    Wellington • Since Apr 2007 • 208 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    By my count at least 4 matches so far have been on the issuing of a red card.

    Speaking of which, wasn't Kewell just adorable after his goalline save against Ghana? What did he reckon Rosetti would have done if he had in fact looked up at the replay on the big screen - send him off twice?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I just hope we don;t get done by more than Aussie did against Germany.

    Aw, shuddup!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Bennett,

    In soccer, a team's skill and dominance in a game is far less likely to translate into points than in other games, for example, basketball or rugby. This is because it is so much harder to score a goal than to score a point in these other sports. And if the less dominant and skillful team can get a few set piece or 'speculative cross towards the tall timber' chances down the other end, they might just fly in. That's how we almost beat Italy in our previous meeting.

    So I would say that on paper (team ranking, ability) it is like Netherlands v All Blacks, but on the night it is more like Argentina v All Blacks.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 18 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington,

    I can try a little summary...

    That's brilliant Gio, thanks for that! Brown the Kiwi Pirlo eh? Awesome.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Yes, I thought he might want to clip that one. He's not going to start though, unless Herbert is double bluffing. Can't wait for the game. Divided loyalties, here I come!

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • andin,

    Aw, shuddup!

    s'ok, it dint hex ...........the first half anyway.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    FARK!!!
    Translation. Italy nahnananana.:))))
    Penalty didn't hardly count.
    whose ya mama!
    Gawd DEFEND NZ

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    Divided loyalties, here I come!

    Well, that worked out for you, didn't it? :)

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • ChrisW,

    Football was the winner on the night.

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report Reply

  • tussock,

    I thought perhaps football didn't do too well out of it, but the All Whites sure did.

    But really, they couldn't afford a loss, so they couldn't risk putting enough men up to break the wall of eight. And great tactic to throw everyone forward when we got a penalty anywhere near their half.

    Huzzah! Ugly game, but damn it, we got another 1-1. 8]

    Since Nov 2006 • 611 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    HEADLINES IN BRITISH PAPERS: BRITISH EMPIRE 1 ITALY 1

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    First para of The Guardian's liveblog of the match:

    Preamble Afternoon. Italy may traditionally be the suave sophisticates of world football, bestriding the scene with an imperious elegance and in a suit so sharp that it should be illegal, yet when it comes to the World Cup they have a peculiar habit of creating a huge wet patch around the business area of their £4000 cotton slacks.

    Further down:

    23 min "AFC Wimbledon 1 Italy 0," says Charlie Talbot. "First the Surrey Senior Cup final, now this. What a career for Shane Smeltz."

    And:

    87 min All the New Zealand fans have got their tops off and are waving them above their head. There are moobs on show everywhere, and not one of them could care less. This would be an astonishing result. Meanwhile, the referee has booked Nelsen for timewasting while he was limping off the pitch with cramp! That's extraordinary.

    And finally:

    Full time: Italy 1-1 New Zealand It's the feelgood hit of the summer: New Zealand have held the world champions Italy. Extraordinary stuff. They put in such a resourceful display, and were led sensationally by the brilliant Ryan Nelsen. Italy's World Cup minnowphobia continues, and they will need to get at least a draw against Slovakia on Thursday to qualify. But today is all about New Zealand, who have infused this World Cup with the sort of innocent, everyman charm that was seemingly lost to top-level football. After two games, they are on behind Italy on alphabetical order. Congratulations to them. Thanks for your emails. I'll leave the last word to Nick Proctor: "You Absolute Bloody Beauty! Sent from my iPhone."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    We've made one commentators top ten World Cup Upsets of all time! Of. All. Time!*

    Our 8 year old summed up the Italian game nicely I thought. 'Drama queens!'

    *Note it is the only draw on the list.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    And great tactic to throw everyone forward when we got a penalty anywhere near their half.

    I love it when rugby heads talk about soccer :-)

    After two games, they are on behind Italy on alphabetical order.

    What a line! And what a game! It was great to see New Zealand do it with smarts. If there's a team that does more with what it's got - including playing with three strikers because they're amongst the best eleven players available - I have yet to find it. Well done all, but especially Herbert. Take a bow.

    (Love to talk more, so long as nobody mentions the Brazil result for I don't get to see it till later.)

    If anybody's keen to hear the Italian reaction, could they go either here or here and copy the links for what look to be the game reports? Just so I don't find out about Brazil - none of my Italian friends are online right now.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Jake Pollock,

    Raumati South • Since Nov 2006 • 489 posts Report Reply

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