15 crazy moments from the 2006 World Cup: Zidane, Rooney, Poll...
The 2006 FIFA World Cup may not have been the best edition in the history of the competition, but it provided enough crazy moments to entertain the world.
Germany hosted the month-long jamboree and proved to be a splendid host; the combination of beer and bratwurst was always likely to win over football fans; while Italy lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout win over France in the final.
The tournament was a disappointment for some. Only 2.29 goals per game were scored - the third lowest in World Cup history - while upsets and classic matches were rare.
But the 2006 edition more than made up for it with some iconic shitty moments and some of the best goals ever scored in the Copa Mundial.
We've rounded up 15 of the craziest moments from Germany 2006, from the best known to the most obscure.
The opening gameThe opening games were once tight and tense before Germany and Costa Rica took a brave break from convention.
Six goals were scored as Germany were down 4-2 winners, including that absolute ripsnorter from Torsten Frings.
Andrew FlintoffFlintoff was a national treasure in 2006 after helping England return to the Ashes the summer before.
So naturally the BBC included an interview with the cricketer star ahead of England's opener against Paraguay.
It quickly became clear, despite some strategic sunglasses, that Flintoff had somewhat abused Frankfurt's tap water.
The result was a glorious three minutes of Freddie chatting to a puzzled Ray Stubbs.
Peter CrouchHaving captured the nation's imagination with the robot dance and, more importantly, having been invited to David Beckham's birthday party, Crouch started the World Cup as the only England striker in full swing. form.
And, after England huffed and puffed for 80 minutes against Trinidad and Tobago, the Liverpool striker broke the deadlock with an imposing header to relieve all the tension.
On the second viewing, Crouch had given himself a head start by tugging on Brent Sancho's dreadlocks. VAR would never have allowed it.
Esteban CambiassoOne of the best goals ever scored. Sit back and enjoy.
GhanaGhana were one of eight World Cup debutants in 2006 and their all-out attacking style was a breath of fresh air in Germany.
Their 2-0 win against a Czech Republic side of Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech was one of the messiest matches in World Cup history.
The game in Cologne had it all: goals, end-to-end chances, red cards, the sight of a rarely agitated Cech screaming at his defense as the latest Ghanaian wave crumbled and commentators on 'ITV were failing miserably not to call Ghana 'naive'.
That sums up what makes World Cups so special; two non-box office sides hammer and pinch each other and delight watching neutrals. Splendid stuff.
Daniele De Rossi and his deadly elbowItaly's group game against USA saw three red cards, a comedic own goal from Cristian Zaccardo and USA coach Bruce Arena standing on the sideline with an ultra-serene look of someone who has gone mad.
Daniele De Rossi has also revamped Brian McBride's facial structure for free. What man.
Graham PollOh, Graham…
Maxi RodriguezBow down, son. Make a fucking bow.
Battle of NurembergPortugal's last-16 victory over the Netherlands has fallen into World Cup infamy for being filthy, filthy and absolutely brilliant.
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The 2006 FIFA World Cup may not have been the best edition in the history of the competition, but it provided enough crazy moments to entertain the world.
Germany hosted the month-long jamboree and proved to be a splendid host; the combination of beer and bratwurst was always likely to win over football fans; while Italy lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout win over France in the final.
The tournament was a disappointment for some. Only 2.29 goals per game were scored - the third lowest in World Cup history - while upsets and classic matches were rare.
But the 2006 edition more than made up for it with some iconic shitty moments and some of the best goals ever scored in the Copa Mundial.
We've rounded up 15 of the craziest moments from Germany 2006, from the best known to the most obscure.
The opening gameThe opening games were once tight and tense before Germany and Costa Rica took a brave break from convention.
Six goals were scored as Germany were down 4-2 winners, including that absolute ripsnorter from Torsten Frings.
Andrew FlintoffFlintoff was a national treasure in 2006 after helping England return to the Ashes the summer before.
So naturally the BBC included an interview with the cricketer star ahead of England's opener against Paraguay.
It quickly became clear, despite some strategic sunglasses, that Flintoff had somewhat abused Frankfurt's tap water.
The result was a glorious three minutes of Freddie chatting to a puzzled Ray Stubbs.
Peter CrouchHaving captured the nation's imagination with the robot dance and, more importantly, having been invited to David Beckham's birthday party, Crouch started the World Cup as the only England striker in full swing. form.
And, after England huffed and puffed for 80 minutes against Trinidad and Tobago, the Liverpool striker broke the deadlock with an imposing header to relieve all the tension.
On the second viewing, Crouch had given himself a head start by tugging on Brent Sancho's dreadlocks. VAR would never have allowed it.
Esteban CambiassoOne of the best goals ever scored. Sit back and enjoy.
GhanaGhana were one of eight World Cup debutants in 2006 and their all-out attacking style was a breath of fresh air in Germany.
Their 2-0 win against a Czech Republic side of Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech was one of the messiest matches in World Cup history.
The game in Cologne had it all: goals, end-to-end chances, red cards, the sight of a rarely agitated Cech screaming at his defense as the latest Ghanaian wave crumbled and commentators on 'ITV were failing miserably not to call Ghana 'naive'.
That sums up what makes World Cups so special; two non-box office sides hammer and pinch each other and delight watching neutrals. Splendid stuff.
Daniele De Rossi and his deadly elbowItaly's group game against USA saw three red cards, a comedic own goal from Cristian Zaccardo and USA coach Bruce Arena standing on the sideline with an ultra-serene look of someone who has gone mad.
Daniele De Rossi has also revamped Brian McBride's facial structure for free. What man.
Graham PollOh, Graham…
Maxi RodriguezBow down, son. Make a fucking bow.
Battle of NurembergPortugal's last-16 victory over the Netherlands has fallen into World Cup infamy for being filthy, filthy and absolutely brilliant.
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