tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26767346.post115007483181418253..comments2023-10-30T05:49:37.224-04:00Comments on a pretty move: World Cup Spotlight: Mexico; Mexico vs. Iran 3-1derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265788252814527062noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26767346.post-1150140785042637042006-06-12T15:33:00.000-04:002006-06-12T15:33:00.000-04:00chigger christ said: "For the Sweden/Trinidad & To...chigger christ said: "For the Sweden/Trinidad & Tobago game, the ABC commentators (of which Mustberger was not a part, thank Christ) focused exclusively on the two teams on hand, which i found shocking and refreshing. This is not a golden era for sportscasting of any stripe."<BR/><BR/>Well that's good. I actually missed that game and only watched a portion of it on tape later that night. And whatever happened to the play-by-play guy? One thing I've noticed, especially today for the US/Czech match, was that both announcers just pour out a bunch of triva and don't really discuss what's happening down on the pitch. Weird. I just want a balance is all.derekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265788252814527062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26767346.post-1150140420722674102006-06-12T15:27:00.000-04:002006-06-12T15:27:00.000-04:00neil said: "I'm amazed to hear that the big networ...neil said: "I'm amazed to hear that the big networks are broadcasting the games this year. I fondly remember our tour of Florida in 2002 in which our itinerary was selected according to which hotels we could find that had ESPN2."<BR/><BR/>Well, of the big networks, only ABC is showing games--though only a few. ESPN2 is showing games everyday. Unfortunately, neither channel is showing repeats, though I heard that some of the U.S. games will air twice. ESPN will gladly air paint ball championships and anything to do with poker, but the World Cup . . . . <BR/><BR/>Having bitched about all that, I really am happy that the cup is being shown at all. And that's good to know, I guess, that the commentary is just as poor in the UK. Luckily I can just switch over to the Spanish channel and watch the game ignoring the commentary (I don't speak Spanish). The Spanish channel also shows the pre-game footage of the players walking out of the tunnel, national anthems, and all that. ABC and ESPN do not show any of that, though ESPN did show the U.S. and Czech teams coming out onto the pitch, and the U.S. national anthem, of course. But the broadcast cut to a commercial right before the Czech anthem! No respect. <BR/><BR/>I don't know why the announcers can't treat the WC more like the Olympics. Sure, your respective broadcasters are going to focus on the home country more--fine. But can't they show some respect for the other clubs and showcase some of their players, etc? If anything, it would simply make the game more dramatic and enjoyable, especially for soccer novices. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the kind words about the blog as well.derekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265788252814527062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26767346.post-1150107945562417952006-06-12T06:25:00.000-04:002006-06-12T06:25:00.000-04:00>I'm not sure whether the inability to do so is st...>I'm not sure whether the inability to do so is strictly an American broadcasting irritation or a virtual pandemic plaguing all countries that have teams in the cup--but I digress.<BR/><BR/>Just been turned on to this blog by Lynda (via the TTA boards), and am really enjoying it.<BR/><BR/>On the above point, I think it's pretty global to be honest, but it's especially prevalent here in the UK where the pre-match, half-time, and post-match analyisis is limited to a few minutes on the game in question, before attention is switched to England, England, England. <BR/><BR/>Okay, so they are the UK's only representative this year. And okay, I am Scottish, and therefore hypersensitive. But I'd like to see a bit more respect played to the other countries. <BR/><BR/>I'm amazed to hear that the big networks are broadcasting the games this year. I fondly remember our tour of Florida in 2002 in which our itinerary was selected according to which hotels we could find that had ESPN2. Happy days!<BR/><BR/>Keep up the blogging.<BR/><BR/>neilneil williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862608353690447412noreply@blogger.com