Euro 2016 Qualifiers + Int'l Friendlies - Sept. 3-9, 2014 - US TV info

(All times US Eastern)

EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS - MATCHDAY #1


Sunday, September 7th:
ESPN:
12:00pm Denmark v Armenia (ESPN Deportes & ESPN3)
12:00pm Georgia v Rep. Ireland (ESPN3)
2:45pm Portugal v Albania (ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes)
2:45pm Greece v Romania (ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes on Monday, 4:45pm)
2:45pm Faroe Islands v Finland (ESPN3)

FOX:
12:00pm Hungary v No. Ireland (FoxSports-2 + Fox Deportes)
2:45pm Germany v Scotland (FoxSports-1 + Fox Deportes)
2:45pm Gibraltar v Poland (FoxSoccer-Plus)



Monday, September 8th:
ESPN:
2:45pm Spain v Macedonia (ESPN Deportes & Espn3)
2:45pm Austria v Sweden (ESPN3/ ESPN Deportes on Tuesday, 4:45pm)
2:45pm Estonia v Slovenia (ESPN3)
2:45pm Montenegro v Moldova (ESPN3)

FOX:
12:00pm Russia v Liechtenstein (FoxSports-1)
2:45pm Switzerland v England (FoxSports-1)
2:45pm Ukraine v Slovakia (FoxSports-2)
2:45pm Luxembourg v Belarus (FoxSoccer-Plus)



Tuesday, September 9th:
ESPN:
12:00pm Azerbaijan v Bulgaria (ESPN Deportes & Espn3)
2:45pm Czech Rep. v Netherlands (ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes)
2:45pm Croatia v Malta (ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes on Wednesday at 4:00am)
2:45pm Iceland v Turkey (ESPN3)

FOX:
12:00pm Kazakhstan v Latvia (FoxSports-1)
2:45pm Norway v Italy (FoxSports-1)
2:45pm Andorra v Wales (FoxSports-2)
2:45pm Bosnia-Herzegovina v Cyprus (FoxSoccer-Plus)



Televised International Friendlies:

Wednesday, September 3rd:
2:15pm Czech Rep. v USA (NBCSN, UniMas & Univision Deportes)
2:45pm Germany v Argentina (ESPNews & ESPN Deportes)
3:00pm England v Norway (FoxSports-2 & Fox Deportes)

Thursday, September 4th:
3:00pm France v Spain (ESPN Deportes & ESPN3)

Friday, September 5th:
6:20am Japan v Uruguay (ESPN Deportes + ESPN3)
9:00pm Brazil v Colombia (in Miami) (beINSports-1 & ñ)

Saturday, September 6th:
10:00pm Mexico v Chile (in Santa Clara) (UniMas, Univision Deportes & ESPN3)

Sunday, September 7th:
2:45pm Serbia v France (FoxSports-2)

Tuesday, September 9th:
6:20am Japan v Venezuela (ESPN3)
8:30pm Brazil v Ecuador (in NY) (beINSports-1 & ñ)
10:00pm Mexico v Bolivia (in Colorado) (ESPN2, UniMas & Univision Deportes)


SA
www.soccertvblog.com

 

All qualifiers are now at 1800 and 2045 CET. The rounds are now referred to as "matchdays". Does it sound familiar?

UEFA are emulating their winning Champions League formula. When I first heard this announced I thought "this sucks". As you stated, gone is the all-day coverage due to staggered kickoffs. The truth is, there were so many kickoff times overlapping with each other, we got stuck with more delayed broadcasts than live games. On top of that, each Association sold its own rights so games were all over the place. Looking at the schedule for this first Matchday, I have to say that I think we will all get use to this very quickly. Having two broadcast channels with multiple outlets each kinda works. I'm use to having 3-4 TVs on at the same time but I think that for those who DVR matches, it will be OK as long as they cover the damn ticker and avoid the halftime/fulltime shows. Also, a quick glance at the future schedule, there are very few big matches going head-to-head with each other. Seems like every day there is a big match to watch live and a bunch of "ok" matches to DVR that hopefully won't get spoiled.

SA
www.soccertvblog.com

 

No matter how many pictures I have taken during games, the always come out crappy because of the lighting. Here is a picture I just snapped without the TVs on to give you an idea:




This is a 101" projection screen flanked by two 42" flatscreens. I have my desk with 2 computer monitors to the left so I can actually run 5 games at once but in reality, I usually limit myself to the 3 pictured.

The 3 screens above are hooked up to the whole-house system as 3 separate outlets so I can put any source (satellite1, satellite2, DVD, computer) to any TV independent of the others. I also hooked up the recently purchased Roku-3 to the back of the "left" TV into the HDMI-2 input (HDMI-1 being for the main system). A typical Champions League game this season will be my first choice game on the projector screen (satellite receiver #1/audio thru house system); left screen ESPN3 game via Roku3 (audio thru TV directly); right screen 2nd choice game (satellite receiver #2/ audio usually off - 2 games of audio is great. 3 is annoying). One programmed remote controls everything (Roku has its own remote).


For those toying with the idea of 2 or 3 Tv's I strongly encourage it. You may think its too hard to enjoy the games but you'll be surprised how quickly you adjust (and then can't live without it). If you have DirecTV, for example, you can go with 1 HD/DVR + 1 HD (no DVR). I know there is the Genie and I may upgrade myself one day but I think having the receiver and the small unit next to each other would really complicate things when using the remote (I actually used electrical tape to cover one of my receiver's remote sensor so it can only be changed via the home system). Just use the HDMI output from each receiver to its own TV. That way each TV has its own dedicated receiver. Also, make sure one of the TVs has 2 HDMI inputs so you can hook up a Roku3 as a second input and (if you have access to ESPN3 via your internet provider) you get incredible HD quality for all the stuff on ESPN3. Of course, you can also hook up your computer directly to the TV for those beINSport matches on their streaming service.

SA
www.soccertvblog.com

 

Same angle . Projector screen is electric and rolls up
into ceiling unit. TV's "folded" to the sides.


There is one piece of very important "equipment" I forgot to mention - a very understanding wife (or girlfriend - or both)

SA

 

Final picture. In action....

SA

PS. Those 42" screens look so small.....

 

It is on RAI but no other channels....

SA
www.soccertvblog.com

 

Your recollections of Univision Deportes are all correct. I don't know what is happening to the rights of friendlies. Perhaps there isn't much interest from the rights buyers in these friendlies since the meaningful matches (qualifiers) can no longer be bundled with them due to UEFA centralizing the process (and making themselves extremely rich in the process).

SA
www.soccertvblog.com

 

Just noticed on my guide that ESPN Classic will be showing some of the matches (on delay) that are only available on espn3 starting with Georgia v Ireland on Monday @ 8pm ET. Not in HD but thought I would throw it out there for those who may want to catch some of these games....

SA
www.soccertvblog.com