World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[Pastiche]

Watched the ESPN feed in Cooperstown today. Didn't like the feed, too much slow mo. Fair amount of people in the pub but very little soccer knowledge.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I watched the ABC/ESPN feed today and thought it was brutal. How many slow-motion replays of nothing do you have to play? Really interrupted the flow of the game.

CBC is like that too. A billion super slo-mo reactions of the coach. They at least have some good slo-mo replays of tackles though.

[GirlySports]

I kind of like the close-up replays. That's what all this HD technology is for. It's not like we're missing anything important, usually just a goal kick in the air or teams setting up free kicks or the ball boys retrieving the ball.

[nik-]

What makes me like the slo-mo is them showing all the footwork that you really just can't make out at normal speed from 100 yards.

[ipuckedyourmom]

Originally Posted by nik-

CBC is like that too. A billion super slo-mo reactions of the coach. They at least have some good slo-mo replays of tackles though.

CBC and ESPN get the same feed. It's just the commentating and perhaps maybe the quality that's different.

I think ESPN is doing a really good job. You can tell they went all out to make it the best they could especially by hiring top British broadcasters such as Martin Tyler and Adrian Healey.

[NBC]

rube, I don't hate Lennon, I just question, like so many do with Walcott, his quality and the intangibles he brings. He can run teams ragged but he is often let down by his final ball and has probably less finishing abilities than the much-maligned Emile Heskey.

I don't know what the answer is. Unfortunately none of Lennon, SWP or Walcott did anything to stamp their authority on that right side of midfield. Right now, he is probably the best option on that side, even though I think he would ideally be suited to a second half Jermain Defoe-style super-sub. But like diane said, if there were 2 up front that could actually score, Lennon's inability to score would be minimized.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by ipuckedyourmom

CBC and ESPN get the same feed. It's just the commentating and perhaps maybe the quality that's different.

I think ESPN is doing a really good job. You can tell they went all out to make it the best they could especially by hiring top British broadcasters such as Martin Tyler and Adrian Healey.

ESPN spent money on recognizable studio guys too with Lalas, Gullit and McManaman. CBC had Lenarduzzi :P

----

Slovenia wins 1-0. Awful mistake by the Algerian keeper.

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

ESPN spent money on recognizable studio guys too with Lalas, Gullit and McManaman. CBC had Lenarduzzi :P

----

Slovenia wins 1-0. Awful mistake by the Algerian keeper.

Even worse mistake by that guy on the handball. I'm so pumped up right now.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

Even worse mistake by that guy on the handball. I'm so pumped up right now.

Yup that was so stupid.
Weird that both red cards so far in the tournament have been against substitutes. Both got two yellow cards minutes after coming on.

[Kybosh]

Way to go Serbia. Clap Clap.

[GirlySports]

This has not been a good world cup for subs

[HotHotHeat]

Dammit, 2 hours before the next game. What to do what to do.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Dammit, 2 hours before the next game. What to do what to do.

Nap or go for brunch.

[Locke]

Serbia cant be happy, but the PK was the right call. Next time, that guy wont be flapping his arms in the air while the ball goes over his head.

[The Goon]

[Locke]

Further proof (as though it was needed) in regards to the wild and unchecked incompetence of the Vancouver Canucks organization:

FIFA has issued a statement after a laser pen was pointed onto the pitch during Argentina's 1-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday.

"Security perimeters are essential for any big competition and are important for the smooth process of security," FIFA's head of media Nicolas Maingot said. "That is functioning well. The laser was stopped immediately, it was used once during the game and we didn't see it any longer. We informed the relevant people in charge at the game and it was very quickly stopped."

Capacities:

GM Place, Vancouver BC, Canada - 18,810
Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa - 55,686

The Canucks staff couldnt find a laser pointer in a crowd less than a third of the size in the better part of 3 hours, but the South African staff cleared it up immediately despite having about half the time, and triple the number of people.

Yes, the Vancouver Canucks really do suck that hard.

[d_phaneuf]

They are thinking about banning the Vuvuzela's, please do

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...10/8737455.stm

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by NBC

rube, I don't hate Lennon, I just question, like so many do with Walcott, his quality and the intangibles he brings. He can run teams ragged but he is often let down by his final ball and has probably less finishing abilities than the much-maligned Emile Heskey.

I thought his final ball improved by miles this year, as did his finishing. Heskey doesn't get that golden opportunity to fire straight into Howard's chest if Lennon doesn't create the space and make the pass. The cross to Rooney would've been perfect had Rooney not been too deep. He played another good ball to Lampard that Lampard scuffed wide.

I don't know what the answer is. Unfortunately none of Lennon, SWP or Walcott did anything to stamp their authority on that right side of midfield. Right now, he is probably the best option on that side, even though I think he would ideally be suited to a second half Jermain Defoe-style super-sub. But like diane said, if there were 2 up front that could actually score, Lennon's inability to score would be minimized.

But based on England's style of play, it seems like Lennon's job isn't to score but to get the ball into the box or to the open man in the middle. I thought he performed that job quite adequately yesterday. The only play I really faulted him for yesterday was when he got open inside the box and tried to cross instead of taking the shot.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Yeah Heskey absolutely blew that chance and I was not impressed by the play of SWP. England had a fair number of chances in the last 25 minutes but was unable to capitalize.

[Freeway]

Overslept, missed first two games - sounds like I didn't miss much.

Very excited for Germany/Australia, though.