The Official World Cup Thread

[E.J.]

I'm having a good time watching all these games. However I'm getting sick and friggin' tired of every time a player gets slightly brushed againts, he goes down screaming in pain as if shot with a large-caliber gun.

 

Could you imagine American Football with this sort of dramatics?

 

Has anyone been given a yellow card for diving yet?

 

I've seen one guy get a card for diving inside the box. I think that's the only way you can get a card for a dive, by being inside the penalty box when you do it. Not sure though.

 

Agree on the diving though. I don't watch that much soccer, but have really been into these games. But it drives me insane watching players flopping all over the place.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So I've heard a lot of complaining about ESPN's soccer broadcast, but I don't know what the complaints are. Anybody want to explain the problem?

 

Much like baseball, analysts who have no idea what they're talking about. Oh, and some people aren't happy with some of the PBP guys(O'Brien especially) because they haven't done much/any soccer before, and it shows.

[goonys evil twin]

So I've heard a lot of complaining about ESPN's soccer broadcast, but I don't know what the complaints are. Anybody want to explain the problem?

 

Much like baseball, analysts who have no idea what they're talking about. Oh, and some people aren't happy with some of the PBP guys(O'Brien especially) because they haven't done much/any soccer before, and it shows.

 

Seems rather petty, considering their main job is getting the rest of America to pay any sort of attention to the sport. What is their other option, to hire a bunch of premier league guys whom Americans won't understand? There isn't exactly a rich supply of American soccer broadcasters.

[sethuel1]

So I've heard a lot of complaining about ESPN's soccer broadcast, but I don't know what the complaints are. Anybody want to explain the problem?

 

Much like baseball, analysts who have no idea what they're talking about. Oh, and some people aren't happy with some of the PBP guys(O'Brien especially) because they haven't done much/any soccer before, and it shows.

 

Seems rather petty, considering their main job is getting the rest of America to pay any sort of attention to the sport. What is their other option, to hire a bunch of premier league guys whom Americans won't understand? There isn't exactly a rich supply of American soccer broadcasters.

 

Here's a good article about why it sucks

[Big Fergie J]

So I've heard a lot of complaining about ESPN's soccer broadcast, but I don't know what the complaints are. Anybody want to explain the problem?

 

I will make a small coment....who exactly cares what middle America thinks about soccer ?......the world is only slighty bigger than middle America (sic).....The World Cup had been incredibly entertaining.....who exactly cares if middle America is watching b/c the rest of the world is watching.........get a slight grip on reality and maybe the myopic attitude is desimmate. Thanks. Thats all.

[Jon]

I was under the impression that ESPN had no control over the camera shots and that it was strictly the world feed (replays included). Is that correct?

 

Covering up the guy with the ball with large graphics while stuff is happening isn't a good idea. And the half-time and post-game shows, while getting a bit better, have really been disappointing.

Edited July 6, 2006 by Jon

[Butterscup1679666578]

Which of these lesser of two evils do I root for?

 

Italy, I guess. :-\

[soccer10k]

they actually gave the ref from the U.S.-Italy match another one? Unbelievable. Its the semi-final, not some group game.

 

Yeah, and the very vet. ref who accidentally allowed the guy to have 3 yellows retired after the mistake, a mistake that really didn't effect the outcome of the game, but this jerk is still around.

 

It doesn't matter if it affects the outcome of the game or not. Allowing a player to continue to be on the field after receiving two yellow cards is a big time mistake. Maybe the USA ties Italy anyway if those two red cards aren't handed out. Fact is, nobody knows what would have happened in that match. Giving a player three yellow cards in one game is just as bad, if not worse than the two red cards because there is no debate. He got two yellows and should have been out of the match. While I don't agree with the calls, I can see how Mastroeni's tackle could have been misinterpreted and been red card worthy as was Pope's second yellow card. Again, I don't agree with the cards, but I see how they could happen. Three yellows to one player in one game is completely uncalled for. That's why FIFA made that decision.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I was under the impression that ESPN had no control over the camera shots and that it was strictly the world feed (replays included). Is that correct?

I thought this was true as well. I've flipped between ESPN and Univision during moments of the match and the feed is exactly the same.

[soccer10k]

I can't bring myself to pull for France so I'm going for Italy. It should be a great game as both are very talented defensively.

[sethuel1]

I was under the impression that ESPN had no control over the camera shots and that it was strictly the world feed (replays included). Is that correct?

I thought this was true as well. I've flipped between ESPN and Univision during moments of the match and the feed is exactly the same.

 

Not true. A friend of mine has been in Costa Rica for the last week or so, and he's seen other feeds simultaneously, because apparently Costa Rican TV apparently loves to use multiple split frame TV. Apparently (he looked into this), there are three feeds sent out, and networks can choose between any of them.

[Balsa]

Anyone else think the game for the third place team will be better than the one for first place?

[Jazz]

Anyone else think the game for the third place team will be better than the one for first place?

 

Do You even remember EuroCup 2000??

[goonys evil twin]

So I've heard a lot of complaining about ESPN's soccer broadcast, but I don't know what the complaints are. Anybody want to explain the problem?

 

I will make a small coment....who exactly cares what middle America thinks about soccer ?......the world is only slighty bigger than middle America (sic).....The World Cup had been incredibly entertaining.....who exactly cares if middle America is watching b/c the rest of the world is watching.........get a slight grip on reality and maybe the myopic attitude is desimmate. Thanks. Thats all.

 

Uh, ESPN cares. People involved with US soccer care. The rest of the world watch on their own channels. They aren't watching ESPN. People watching ESPN are mainly people who've heard about this World Cup thing, are interested in this World Cup thing, don't know a heck a lot about this World Cup thing, but are willing to give it a chance.

 

 

And there isn't anything more pathetic than the tired old American bashing revolving around the lack of interest in the World Cup. 99% of the thoughts of 99% of the people in the world revolve around their own very local issues. Get over it.

[soccer10k]

Anyone else think the game for the third place team will be better than the one for first place?

 

Maybe, but only if Portugal plays like the game means something to them. You know Germany is going to come out firing because they're playing at home and will get ripped if they don't play hard. But we don't know which Portugal team will show up.

 

I really like the France-Italy final. I think it's going to be an excellent game.

[Jon]

Portugal will be lucky to go in tied.

[Jon]

I'm disappointed that dive didn't get a yellow card. And then he had the nerve to whine about it to the ref.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Wow! What a shot by Schweinsteiger

[Jon]

Great shot.

[Jon]

Portugal deserved that one.

[Outshined_One]

Funniest. Goal. Ever.

[Butterscup1679666578]

What a game for Schweinsteiger!

[Jon]

That thing exploded towards the far post.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Damn, there goes the shutout.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Great showing by Germany this World Cup. Surprised a lot of people, I'm sure.