Espn and The Euros [Archive] - Page 10

marighand

19 Jun 2008, 09:47 PM

Since when did number 2 and 3 take over from the Olympics??? :confused:

Overall the Olympics aren't a single tournament. More like a bunch of tournaments. I'd say it is falling hard and fast though. Nobody cares about that crap anymore. Being in China will only make them less meaningful. Also the Americans are going to pull an Epic Fail because it is half way around the world. China and probably Russian athletes are going to dominate the competitions.

Beckham7

19 Jun 2008, 09:58 PM

Less biased?

If Tommy Smyth were any more biased in his adoration of Celtic and Manchester United, he would...he would...I don't even have anything because he couldn't be. Add that onto his constant lauding of certain players when they are obviously playing like crap ("Puyol is the rock in the back!") and his inability to admit when he is wrong (Panucci mugging Niculae in the box for the penalty call) and he can be insufferable!
.
After watching the Champions League final, it seems Tommy Smyth hates Manchester United.

usasoccerhooligan

19 Jun 2008, 10:13 PM

Overall the Olympics aren't a single tournament. More like a bunch of tournaments. I'd say it is falling hard and fast though. Nobody cares about that crap anymore. Being in China will only make them less meaningful. Also the Americans are going to pull an Epic Fail because it is half way around the world. China and probably Russian athletes are going to dominate the competitions.

yep, i mean just look at what happened in 2000 in Sydney. total failure by American athletes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Summer_Olympics#Medal_count

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 United States 37 24 31 92

oh wait...

Shibby13

19 Jun 2008, 10:56 PM

After watching the Champions League final, it seems Tommy Smyth hates Manchester United.

Are you having a laugh? I dislike Tommy Smyth even though he is a Celtic supporter but his Man Utd homerism is flat out absurd.

Add to the fact he knows nothing about the sport, doesn't know the offsides rule still, and is a complete waste of space on broadcasts

Shibby13

19 Jun 2008, 11:03 PM

Jay510

19 Jun 2008, 11:08 PM

And as for my overall opinion of the presentation on the ESPN networks, I think they have done a great job. At least they have learned they can't throw on clowns like Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa who are completely clueless about anything. As much as I don't like Smyth I'd take him in a heartbeat over the whole WC 2006 crew. Gray has done an outstanding job IMO. A shame they couldn't get Martin Tyler as well because Tyler and Gray are the best in the world for big matches.

dont worry, JPD and John Harkes will be the crew sent to South Africa. They may have some of the other commentators they used in the Euro, but if USA is there, those will be the top 2 commentators.

However, JP Dellacamera is probably the best commentator the USA has had since Bob Ley stopped in 1998.

Shibby13

19 Jun 2008, 11:42 PM

Definitely agree JP is the best the US has and I think Shep Messing is an entertaining color man...it just feels weird when an American is calling the big game it still doesn't seem right to me but hopefully ESPN realizes the majority of us would rather listen to Rae, Healy, etc.

I think Euro 2008 has been magnificent so far and I don't have too many complaints besides Smyth so hopefully ESPN takes the clue and gives us these guys

seadondo

20 Jun 2008, 12:45 AM

Max Bretos on Fox Soccer Channel is the best.

Amsteldam

20 Jun 2008, 09:53 AM

Overall the Olympics aren't a single tournament. More like a bunch of tournaments. I'd say it is falling hard and fast though. Nobody cares about that crap anymore. Being in China will only make them less meaningful. Also the Americans are going to pull an Epic Fail because it is half way around the world. China and probably Russian athletes are going to dominate the competitions.
I dont watch Olympics much anymore either, they saturated the event with way too many sports.
I only watch the 100M sprint, the 200M and some other track events, but thats it.

Also did you see how many spectators there were in Athens 2000????
Very few, they had to give away tickets

Visca...

20 Jun 2008, 09:57 AM

Overall the Olympics aren't a single tournament. More like a bunch of tournaments. I'd say it is falling hard and fast though. I don't care about that crap anymore.
fixed yer post.

Visca...

20 Jun 2008, 09:59 AM

Max Bretos on Fox Soccer Channel is the best.
you forgot to add a smiley explaining it was sarcasm :D

Makandal

20 Jun 2008, 10:31 AM

Overall the Olympics aren't a single tournament. More like a bunch of tournaments. I'd say it is falling hard and fast though. Nobody cares about that crap anymore. Being in China will only make them less meaningful. Also the Americans are going to pull an Epic Fail because it is half way around the world. China and probably Russian athletes are going to dominate the competitions.

Speak for yourself. Interest in the Olympics may have not been as much as the FIFA World Cup, but The Euro Cup and the Champions League do not draw as much interest around the world as the Olympics does.

Amsteldam

20 Jun 2008, 10:39 AM

MasterShake29

20 Jun 2008, 12:04 PM

dont worry, JPD and John Harkes will be the crew sent to South Africa. They may have some of the other commentators they used in the Euro, but if USA is there, those will be the top 2 commentators.

However, JP Dellacamera is probably the best commentator the USA has had since Bob Ley stopped in 1998.

As I recall, ESPN didn't put Derek Rae on WC 2006. I don't think they'll make the same mistake for 2010. Rae should be in the top 3 for certain (with Healey and Dellacamera, whom I also like).

ironduke2010

20 Jun 2008, 12:19 PM

so, people like JP Dellacamera? i'd listen to JPD over guys like dave o'brien any day, but i gotta say, i find him kinda droll. i know a pbp guy just calls "the play", but JPD's calls seem kinda flat somehow. maybe he just hasn't found the right partner, but i'd rather listen to derek rae anyday.

jacknzoe

20 Jun 2008, 08:19 PM

This guys commentary truelly takes away from the game. He is positively aweful. I've thoroughly enjoyed Adrian Healy, Andy Gray and Derek Rae, but Smyth is a disaster. You can almost hear the disdain in Derek Rae's silence in response to some of the absolute buffoonery coming from Smyth. Drop Smyth and let him take Foudy with him.

Nicodemus145

20 Jun 2008, 11:45 PM

Speak for yourself. Interest in the Olympics may have not been as much as the FIFA World Cup, but The Euro Cup and the Champions League do not draw as much interest around the world as the Olympics does.

Around here I only know a handful of people who actually watch soccer, but I don't know anybody who gives a flip about the olympics. Especially not the gymnastics that they broadcast incessantly. It's too political and too staged. All most people get out of it is a raised eyebrow when they hear about a gold medal on the news.

Cant speak for the rest of the world though.

zippy85

21 Jun 2008, 06:13 AM

Hockey, Swimming and the Athletics in the stadium are all i like during the Olympics.

benztown

21 Jun 2008, 07:01 AM

Hockey, Swimming and the Athletics in the stadium are all i like during the Olympics.

On the one hand, I like that the Olympics are a platform for sports that usually don't get that much attention. On the other hand, especially the individial sports like track and field, cycling or swimming are only a matter of who's taking the best steroids.

If I'll watch anything, it's going to be handball, possibly hockey. But I just don't care anymore for the rest. I have a soft spot for the Winter Olympics though. Downhill skiing is awesome.

Amsteldam

21 Jun 2008, 08:58 AM

the individial sports like track and field, cycling or swimming are only a matter of who's taking the best steroids.

Not sure if you're into NFL football, but I can assure there are very few players also that arent taking steroids.

You dont get to be 350 lbs, with a 500 lb bench press and run a 4.5 40 yards on wheaties alone