<p>Unless I clicked on the wrong video, the link posted by Soccerguy points to the commentaries of Ray Hudson. Although often heard on the US channels, I do not think he is your typical EPL commentator heard on the BBC or Sky. I mostly hear Ray Hudson covering the Champions League and mostly the Spanish games. He is entertaining but his overuse of bizarre metaphors and screams can be distracting and … annoying. </p>
<p>I prefer the analytical and extremely knowledgeable people who bring us the EPL. I might be biased for having had to listen way too often to the maniacal, clueless, and chauvinistic reporters that cover the Latin American games with plain silly cheerleading. I guess that the Spanish broadcasters appear entertaining as long as you do not understand or pay attention to what they actually scream. :)</p>
<p>Fwiw, except for the Mexico games, the coverage of this WC has been excellent. </p>
<p>On the late night ESPN program Alexi Lalas and Michael Ballack had an interesting exchange. It got a little heated at one point. Lalas doesn’t like Klinsmann and Ballack defends his fellow countryman.</p>
<p>Looking forward to hopefully 2 good games today. I may skip the Ecuador/Honduras game.</p>
<p>I like watching Manchester United EPL games and agree about the quality of the announcers. Is England going downhill in the World Cup because the EPL is signing many foreign players rather than local talent?</p>
<p>TonyK, I think England actually looked pretty good this World Cup… better than they have when they went farther recently.</p>
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<p>Lalas is an idiot. Ballack was trying to compliment the U.S. for playing a disciplined style and moving as a team without the ball while on defense. Lalas got offended over nothing and went on a rant about how “the U.S. always works hard!!!”</p>
<p>Am curious if any of you have noticed WC car flags where you live. Here in Toronto, there are fans of every team there and all over the city this week, about half of all cars on the road have a WC flag attached to their car windows.</p>
<p>Where I am, it’s a bit bigger than car flags. I’ve seen trucks who had bolted 6’ feet flags onto their bed. It’s a beautiful sight. They generally have flags of varying countries. </p>
<p>Niquii, yes, I wasn’t saying that the car flags were it. They definitely are not. Every neighbourhood in the city, every bar and cafe, every sidewalk patio, and many, many homes and businesses are adorned with the colors of their favorite /home team. :)</p>
<p>Got to feel for Iran. They had the best chances and got robbed on the penalty not given. Iran strategy was similar to Algeria’s but they created more clear chances. Iran deserved at least one point, and probably the full three. Their goalie saved Argentina. The good news for Argentina is that few teams will be that defensive against them. Yet, Argentina looks inefficient in attack and surprisingly weak and nervous in the back. </p>
<p>OK. Ds2’s strategy is to cede first to Germany to improve our chances of advancing. He wants Germany to win and win big. I see his point. Do y’all agree?</p>