On my cable box it says "live HD" for the games on the 11th and 12th, I've googled it to see if this is accurate but couldn't find anything out, I'm not sure why they would show the last game of the group stages (which are meaningless) when they could wait for the knockout stage to broadcast in HD....(Not complaining, just don't understand the logic) and if they are in HD , what was the problem with the entire group stage being in HD?......I'm hoping this isn't a mess up...


On a side note, does anybody know why the World Cup games in HD looked so pristine on ESPN and why the MLS broadcasts looked so dull and average...
Also, will the Champions League games look like those from the World Cup?

Bad guide data...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espntv/espnGuide

No HD flag for either day

On my cable box it says "live HD" for the games on the 11th and 12th, I've googled it to see if this is accurate but couldn't find anything out, I'm not sure why they would show the last game of the group stages (which are meaningless) when they could wait for the knockout stage to broadcast in HD....(Not complaining, just don't understand the logic) and if they are in HD , what was the problem with the entire group stage being in HD?......I'm hoping this isn't a mess up...


On a side note, does anybody know why the World Cup games in HD looked so pristine on ESPN and why the MLS broadcasts looked so dull and average...
Also, will the Champions League games look like those from the World Cup?


Bad guide data. No HD.

The 2006 Final was shown in HD, but I didn't have an HDTV or ESPN2HD at the time, so I missed out.

The 2005 Final was the first UCL match shown in HD. A German broadcaster did that one and it was only available in Germany. Sky Sports HD does the UCL games that are in England in HD, but whoever is ESPNs feed supplier doesn't have HD feeds (or so ESPN has claimed in e-mails).

I was very disappointed when last years final wasn't in HD, then my Reds lost the game anyways.

I really hope that your guide data is correct and the ESPn site is wrong, but I'm not getting my hopes up

The 2006 Final was shown in HD, but I didn't have an HDTV or ESPN2HD at the time, so I missed out.

The 2005 Final was the first UCL match shown in HD. A German broadcaster did that one and it was only available in Germany. Sky Sports HD does the UCL games that are in England in HD, but whoever is ESPNs feed supplier doesn't have HD feeds (or so ESPN has claimed in e-mails).

I was very disappointed when last years final wasn't in HD, then my Reds lost the game anyways.

I really hope that your guide data is correct and the ESPn site is wrong, but I'm not getting my hopes up

I watched the 06 game in HD. It was one of the first HD soccer broadcasts I had ever seen. It was pretty nice. I thought they did that at the time as a test for the upcoming 06 world cup that was all in HD.

I was disappointed too by the step backwards last year in not having the Champions league final in HD. I alway hear conflicting things about European soccer as to whether it's even produced in HD in the first place. I assume it is because the Brits have a HD sky channel but that might only show HD for EPL matches...

Thanks for the responses evrybody, well this sucks, hopefully my box is right.... Either way ESPN needs to get it's act together with this Champions League coverage, you'd think the "world wide leader in sports" could produce an HD feed ....:rolleyes:


I just checked my box again and it says that on the 11th they are showing the Lazio vs. Real Madrid match, and on the link above from jaefbal99 it says they are showing the Marsielle vs. Liverpool game..... Weird.

I was very disappointed when last years final wasn't in HD, then my Reds lost the game anyways.



I urge everyone to send e-mail or contact ESPN to let them know about this. I did send an e-mail to John Skipper about last year's final. He said he would look into the situation for this year's broadcast. Please let him know that you do watch UEFA soccer broadcasts on ESPN and do care about the broadcast quality. I got the impression that he really appreciated the feedback.

Here's his e-mail address: John.skipper@espn.com

I happen to know that John Skipper is a pretty pro-soccer guy, unlike most at ESPN. I don't think he's witholding the HD just to be a dick. There is surely a reason why they can't easily do it.

John's the one primarily responsible for expanded MLS coverage and HD coverage of MLS matches.

Those games won't be in HD on ESPN2. Marseille vs. Liverpool on Tuesday will be played in France, so it may not even be produced in HD. On Wednesday, Rangers vs. Lyon will be in HD on Sky in the UK: http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/template.PAGE/menuitem.a56d5c1f4ec8beb1ab47931050a041a0/?javax.portlet.tpst=5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_filter=&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_action=re nder-listingschannelview&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_channelid =4081&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_channelOp tion=g%3Asport&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_programSh owing=4081-778-S10871082&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_viewport= 4097-1-90-10-0-10-1197441000000-90-sport-1&javax.portlet.prp_5ba6123624e7c93f260cd4e9c0b041a0_date=1197 441000000&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

There is a couple of reasons why UEFA Champions League isn't in HD on ESPN2, yet. One is that ESPN gets all their feeds from a company in Europe (probably in London) contracted by UEFA and those feeds are all SD 4:3, as it is. The final is provided in 16:9 HD by UEFA, though. Reason two is that it costs more to haul an HD feed from Europe. ESPN will probably have HD for the final this year from Moscow, as they would probably like a test before the Euro 2008 broadcasts.

With the UCL broadcast rights up for renewal for 2009-2012, UEFA may start providing HD feeds for matches when possible next season.

^^^^ Thanks for the info, I was hoping my box was corrcet but atleast the Euro's will be in HD, glad to hear that...

Almost any game is available in HD. Through Europe almost every country have their teams in HD. I know about Germany cause I travel between USA and Germany very often and have grandparents there. They show Tuesday and Wednesday one game every day in HD, at the moment local games with german teams. Two of three teams could reach the knockout round by winning their last game, so I guess both teams will be in HD if these teams going on. Last year after all german teams were out they had various games in HD. They show the Final since 2005 in HD and regular games since 2006 Season.


Doug

I happen to know that John Skipper is a pretty pro-soccer guy, unlike most at ESPN. I don't think he's witholding the HD just to be a dick. There is surely a reason why they can't easily do it.

John's the one primarily responsible for expanded MLS coverage and HD coverage of MLS matches.

Agreed. While Sportscenter rarely shows soccer any love ESPN as a whole has improved a lot since the 2002 WC.

Almost any game is available in HD. Through Europe almost every country have their teams in HD. I know about Germany cause I travel between USA and Germany very often and have grandparents there. They show Tuesday and Wednesday one game every day in HD, at the moment local games with german teams. Two of three teams could reach the knockout round by winning their last game, so I guess both teams will be in HD if these teams going on. Last year after all german teams were out they had various games in HD. They show the Final since 2005 in HD and regular games since 2006 Season.


Doug
That seems to depend on which country the game is played in, and then which stadium. For example, I've heard of Real Madrid home games being HD in Europe, but no Barcelona games. England, Italy and Germany have the only HD soccer in Europe so far, but maybe France and Spain and other countries are catching up.

That seems to depend on which country the game is played in, and then which stadium. For example, I've heard of Real Madrid home games being HD in Europe, but no Barcelona games. England, Italy and Germany have the only HD soccer in Europe so far, but maybe France and Spain and other countries are catching up.


The TV rights in Spain are a huge mess. I think teams have been making their own rights deals. This is why Worldsport has had so much trouble getting broadcasts on the air this year. I'm not 100% on the details.

That seems to depend on which country the game is played in, and then which stadium. For example, I've heard of Real Madrid home games being HD in Europe, but no Barcelona games. England, Italy and Germany have the only HD soccer in Europe so far, but maybe France and Spain and other countries are catching up.

I know about Italy, Germany, England and Spain showing Champions League games in HD. I`m not sure about France, but as I remind right they also showing local games. Well, Germany shows the UEFA-Cup live in HD too since the biggest Club in Germany, Bayern Munich, had a bad regular season last year and just started in the UEFA-Cup instead of the UEFA Champions League.

It`s all about where the rights are. In Germany the right holder is Pay TV Provider PREMIERE. They showing HD Content, so the chance is bigger that they show CL games in HD. They also have a big contract with the UEFA and showing every CL game in SD since day 1 in September. As I know so far with the knockout round every game will be available in HD. That doesn`t mean that every game will broadcast in HD, but the chance is even bigger for local teams.

With blu-ray and HD-DVD coming to Europe the same time like here in the US the impact of HD becomes even bigger and faster. What the NBA and NFL in HD are in the US is soccer in Europe. ...and every big event in Europe, like the World Cup 2006 let it grow. I guess after the European Cup and the Olympics in the 2008 Summer they`ll come very close and as more and more events produced in HD it will grow more and more worldwide.

Doug

Is there any news on ESPN showing the final or other knockout round games in HD?
The final is May 21.

Is there any news on ESPN showing the final or other knockout round games in HD?
The final is May 21.

Nothing yet

I was in the Netherlands this past week. The place where I was did not have the HD boxes. What I can say, thought, is that ALL matches were shown letterboxed, like, for instance, Mythbusters is shown here in the US in the Discovery SD channel. That to me would indicate that, if the equipment was available, the games would have been in HD.

side note: SO COOL to have ALL games available at the same time!!! And what a GREAT match, the one that the Turkish team beat Sevilla on PKs.

What I can say, thought, is that ALL matches were shown letterboxed, like, for instance, Mythbusters is shown here in the US in the Discovery SD channel. That to me would indicate that, if the equipment was available, the games would have been in HD.Not necessarily.

Much of the programming in Europe is 16:9 SD.

Thanks for the clarification Ken.

Finally, I get to see Christiano Ronaldo make other players look silly in HD

Finally, I get to see Christiano Ronaldo make other players look silly in HD

When would that be? This thread does not confirm any Champions League HD broadcasts.

Finally, I get to see Christiano Ronaldo make other players look silly in HD

Or you'll get to see the gust of wind that knocks him over in the box as he tries to cheat his way to victory, yet again.

sounds alot like crying lol

UCL games in England, Italy, and Germany are produced in HD by Sky or Premiere. A 16:9 SD feed is then made available. Sometimes Sky or Premiere will produce a game in HD in another country if the stadium has the infrastructure. For example, recently, Real Madrid vs Roma was available in HD in the countries mentioned above.

ESPN gets their feeds from a broadcast center in Europe and the picture fed outside Europe is 4:3 SD, so we don't even get 16:9 here. During the final, UEFA makes an HD feed available to all broadcasters that request it.

I received an email from John Skipper and David Berson with ESPN who confirmed that this seasons Champions League final and all of EURO 2008 finals will be in HD on ESPN/ESPN2/ABC :)

I received an email from John Skipper and David Berson with ESPN who confirmed that this seasons Champions League final and all of EURO 2008 finals will be in HD on ESPN/ESPN2/ABC :)
The current guide data has an HD tag on it.

I want revenge from a couple of weeks ago!!!

Hooray!

I'm pretty sure all of the EURO games will be in HD, not just the finals.

All the World Cup group games were in HD.

I just looked at the schedule for this summer's Euro2008 and see that there are quite a few games on ESPN Classic. How can they (ESPN) say ALL the games will be in HD if they are planning to air some on Classic?

I just looked at the schedule for this summer's Euro2008 and see that there are quite a few games on ESPN Classic. How can they (ESPN) say ALL the games will be in HD if they are planning to air some on Classic?

There is another topic for Euro 2008. This thread is for Champions League games.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1025990

during the NBA game last night, they promoted quite a few times and it clearly indicated the game will indeed be in HD on ESPN2HD!!!

this appears to be great news. United for the Double

3-0 to the champions

I'm hoping a plane to California this morning and flying back on Wednesday, DVR is set to record, along with the next 90 minutes incase of Extra Time and Penalities.

Too bad my Reds didn't make it through, I would love to see Liverpool destroy Man U's double. Now I have to root for Man U as I despise Chelsea more than Man U.

I'm hoping a plane to California this morning and flying back on Wednesday, DVR is set to record, along with the next 90 minutes incase of Extra Time and Penalities.

Too bad my Reds didn't make it through, I would love to see Liverpool destroy Man U's double. Now I have to root for Man U as I despise Chelsea more than Man U.

And we need to hear from the other 5,999,999,999 residents of the planet on whether they are watching this or not. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

PS And did you have toast, cereal or eggs for breakfast Jeff ? Obviously we all need to know that.

this appears to be great news. United for the Double

3-0 to the champions
Wow, 3-0. I'd be ecstatic with that scoreline. As long as we don't give Chelsae a pk I think we'd be ok. They seem to need those in big games to win recently.

I'm hoping a plane to California this morning and flying back on Wednesday, DVR is set to record, along with the next 90 minutes incase of Extra Time and Penalities.

Too bad my Reds didn't make it through, I would love to see Liverpool destroy Man U's double. Now I have to root for Man U as I despise Chelsea more than Man U.
I think it was a few years ago that I forgot to pad my recording and didn't see the ending. :mad: 90 minutes sounds like a good number.

Reminder: No score talk for those who have taped the match. You can discuss quality issues etc as this game will be in HD.

I'm pretty sure all of the EURO games will be in HD, not just the finals.

All the World Cup group games were in HD.

This whole tournament is called "The Finals." The entrance to this tournament was called "The Qualifications" or "Qualifiers." The world cup is the same way. The last game is called the "final" but officially the entire tournament is is called the "World Cup Finals."

The tournament consists of two parts, the qualification phase and the final phase (officially called the World Cup Finals). The qualification phase, which currently take place over the three years preceding the Finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the Finals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup

Reminder: No score talk for those who have taped the match. You can discuss quality issues etc as this game will be in HD.
Ummmm, at what point can the score be talked about??? I'm tivoing the game but I am smart enough to not come to this thread, or any sports website, until after I watch it.

I am so effing excited! This will be my first time to catch a ManU game in HD as I'm sure it will with a lot of others here in the states. Been watching 'em on fsc and setanta for years now. Not looking forward seeing Ballack's gross face in HD. :) Come on you Red Devils!

Ummmm, at what point can the score be talked about??? I'm tivoing the game but I am smart enough to not come to this thread, or any sports website, until after I watch it.

Well seeing as this isn't a sports forum I hope this thread really wouldn't talk ever about the score at all. Just in case though once kickoff time approaches I am gonna avoid the internet all together.

To finally have this FINAL in HD is a blessing. Hopefully ESPN gets an above average viewership rating, which can spur ESPN to give us(US) more European matches in HD!!!

Well seeing as this isn't a sports forum I hope this thread really wouldn't talk ever about the score at all. Just in case though once kickoff time approaches I am gonna avoid the internet all together.

I will shut my computer down completely in a little while to avoid any match results floating around!

To finally have this FINAL in HD is a blessing. Hopefully ESPN gets an above average viewership rating, which can spur ESPN to give us(US) more European matches in HD!!!
Arsenal/Barca was in HD in 2006. I don't remember if it was a transmission issue but the chalk lines around the field were jagged.

I believe I read somewhere that UEFA is the one that is making the Champions League Final available in HD, to anyone who wants to pick it up.

Have my DVR all set up to record this in (hopefully) glorious HD, to watch it later after work.

i hope this SD pre-match show is not a bad omen

:eek:

so far no hd???

im going to freckikng cry if this not in hd

espn2hd listing dosent show the pregame in hd. it says the hd starts at 225 est. so we should know if 18 minutes

looks like were fuskded

I still don't see no darn HD, screw this I ain't watching if it isn't HD. ESPN is full of sh!te if this match isn't HD by kickoff.

i hate you espn2 hd

:mad:

r u kidding me? so I've set my DvR for naught?

Please keep us posted, otherwise, I'll start watching via ESPN360....:mad:

Reminder: No score talk for those who have taped the match. You can discuss quality issues etc as this game will be in HD.

I'll bet you $1,000 that no matter how many times "no spoilers" is stated, that some moron posts spoilers...

i hate you espn2 hd

:mad:

with you on that mate. Its ludicrous if they dont get it sorted its on their own website with the hd logo next to it. This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and espn has dropped the ball again.


hopefully it will change by game time but i sort of doubt it.

i hate you espn2 hd

:mad:

This sucks, What a let down!! They are really cutting corners if only HD begins when the game begins. Hopefully! Come on ESPN can't even get the pregame in HD? If no HD at all then YES ESPN I hate you!


Wait Hold on? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glorious HD!

Hd Yesssssssssssssss

there, finally! someone woke up !

its in HD!!!

up in HD here.....2:42 ET

Thanks to all of you that let me know game's in HD - Just closed my ESPn360.com browser, I'll watch it as soon as I get home tonight :)

Yes quality looks great. Woohoo

I can tell ESPN is in charge of the cameras. Why they ever cut away from the main pitchside one during play? Im watching a stream online so at least I can follow play. Glad to read they actually got the HD going.

I watch about one or two soccer matches every four years (World Cup, lol) but I saw ESPN's ad for this game so I've got it DVRed at home. Glad it's in HD!

tommy smyth needs to go. clueless and senile.

hilarious to see replays in slow mo as he narrates over them with clearly wrong comments like the rooney-teves pass where he claims teves didn't even touch it (as it clinks off the bottom of his cleats)

tommy smyth needs to go. clueless and senile.

hilarious to see replays in slow mo as he narrates over them with clearly wrong comments like the rooney-teves pass where he claims teves didn't even touch it (as it clinks off the bottom of his cleats)

Lost the HD feed after United won the game wth?

I can tell ESPN is in charge of the cameras. Why they ever cut away from the main pitchside one during play? Im watching a stream online so at least I can follow play. Glad to read they actually got the HD going.

Actually I think this was a pool feed that ESPN was augmenting with their own graphics.

Actually I think this was a pool feed that ESPN was augmenting with their own graphics.I agree. If ESPN was running the cameras, why did we get those periodic UEFA graphics indicating the time and score?

Glad the game was HD. A game like that deserves HD!

I agree. If ESPN was running the cameras, why did we get those periodic UEFA graphics indicating the time and score?

This is customary for international events, especially the big soccer tournaments as there are so many broadcasting entities to appease. The World Cup is generally handled this way.

Lost the HD feed after (edited) SOME TEAM (edited) won the game wth?

did you not see people in the thread asking for the result not to be revealed? please edit your post.

I agree. If ESPN was running the cameras, why did we get those periodic UEFA graphics indicating the time and score?

ESPN wasn't running the cameras. they were just taking the international HD feed.

If anyone can make me an HD copy (DVHS,HDDVD or Bluray) I would love you forever as my HR10-250 seized up 10 minutes into the game and I didnt find out till tonight after the replay. To tell you how much I wanted to see this game I almost signed up for Comcast cable just so I could record it on DVHS. Now I wish I had. Somebody PLEASE email or PM PLEASE. I'm a huge MANU fan. PLEASE!!!!!!

So again I ask, now that the game is over 6 hours ago, can we talk about the score? I'm going to say something anyways, but if you don't want to see the result don't read below the next comments.

PQ was really good. A few times the pq seemed to stutter for a few seconds, but overall I was pleased. A major positive thing to take away from this game, NO DAVE OBRIEN!!!!!! Now the negative, the score bar was way too far into the picture. The area with the clock was nearly as long as the area with the team name, and score. Cut that thing in half. I hope it's not going ot be like that for the Euro's.

Now on to the game.......WOW, what a game. That ref had very little control of the game. I thoroughly enjoyed it. All I have left to say is "Glory Glory Man United"

So again I ask, now that the game is over 6 hours ago, can we talk about the score? I'm going to say something anyways, but if you don't want to see the result don't read below the next comments.

PQ was really good. A few times the pq seemed to stutter for a few seconds, but overall I was pleased. A major positive thing to take away from this game, NO DAVE OBRIEN!!!!!! Now the negative, the score bar was way too far into the picture. The area with the clock was nearly as long as the area with the team name, and score. Cut that thing in half. I hope it's not going ot be like that for the Euro's.

Now on to the game.......WOW, what a game. That ref had very little control of the game. I thoroughly enjoyed it. All I have left to say is "Glory Glory Man United"

I saw the stutters too, but I was very pleasantly surprised to see the game in HD. I hope the EURO games look that nice.

And, as far as the game goes, I really didn't care which way it went, but United were pretty lucky that they have Van Der Sar in goal. Chelsea seemed to want it more towards the end and I thought they were going to pull it out, but luck was not on their side. Entertaining game though!

Haha sorry mx. I would say any embargo ends around midnight PT on the day of game.

What an epic battle that was! Thank you ESPN for broadcasting that in HD! It started as usual 4:3 "HD" and then... boom! I couldn't believe my eyes for a moment, i thought that was some kind of technical glitch:D

Thanks again ESPN, i wouldn't mind to watch the entire 2008-09 season like this!

Too bad they couldn't waive the BottomLine.

Thanks again ESPN, i wouldn't mind to watch the entire 2008-09 season like this!
The HD feed is not produced by ESPN. If UEFA provides the HD feed, ESPN will show it.

Too bad they couldn't waive the BottomLine.
oooo, I forgot to add that to my "bad things" post.

If anyone can make me an HD copy (DVHS,HDDVD or Bluray) I would love you forever as my HR10-250 seized up 10 minutes into the game and I didnt find out till tonight after the replay. To tell you how much I wanted to see this game I almost signed up for Comcast cable just so I could record it on DVHS. Now I wish I had. Somebody PLEASE email or PM PLEASE. I'm a huge MANU fan. PLEASE!!!!!!
There should be a torrent of an HD feed from Europe going around the net.

Yep, I totally forgot about that.

ESPN: WHO CARES THAT THE YANKEES WILL PLAY AT 7:00pm ET!!! TAKE THAT DAMN THING OUT OF MY SCREEN DURING THE EURO! Yep, great posting, it's time to drop yet another e-mail to these Bozos in CT to stop this!

I'll bet you $1,000 that no matter how many times "no spoilers" is stated, that some moron posts spoilers...

Is anyone going to pay up now ? :D

So, does anybody know if the 2009 Champions League final from Rome will be in HD? ESPN hasn't promoted it as such in any slides that I've seen. I could see them not doing it in HD this year unless they're contractually obligated, since the relationship is such a lame duck at this point.

¡Visca Barca!

So, does anybody know if the 2009 Champions League final from Rome will be in HD? ESPN hasn't promoted it as such in any slides that I've seen. I could see them not doing it in HD this year unless they're contractually obligated, since the relationship is such a lame duck at this point.

¡Visca Barca!

It better be; I can't believe the semis (or all the ESPN coverage) wasn't in HD. Thank GOD Chelsea isn't going to the finals. What a bunch of floppers, especially Drogba. And while I have to acknowledge how great Man U is, I really hope Barcelona wins the championship -- this coming from a disgruntled Liverpool fan.

It better be; I can't believe the semis (or all the ESPN coverage) wasn't in HD. Thank GOD Chelsea isn't going to the finals. What a bunch of floppers, especially Drogba. And while I have to acknowledge how great Man U is, I really hope Barcelona wins the championship -- this coming from a disgruntled Liverpool fan.

Fellow disgruntled Liverpool fan here too. I hope Barca wins...and I hope this damn thing is in HD unlike the rest of the games.

Man U !

Man U !

I completely agree! :D And I do hope that espn will get their act together and broadcast it in HD, since Skysports will be broadcasting it in HD.

Is it Skysports whose on screen graphics we sometimes see in these Champions league games?

No, those are UEFA graphics from the international feed.

Just saw an advertisement for the championship, and it had the ESPNHD logo. Looks like it'll be in HD :)

Still think Chelsea should be playing United buuuuttttt that is another argument

How have Champions League games been ratings wise in the States?

Still think Chelsea should be playing United buuuuttttt that is another argument

How have Champions League games been ratings wise in the States?

Chelsea will be lucky to beat Everton in the FA Cup final. Barcelona is a better team and deserved the win, and, will be ManU in the final -- you heard it hear first! Chelsea played way too conservatively, hoping to win instead of earning the win. The right team moved on. In my opinion.

hoping to win instead of earning the win.

You call it hoping to win, most call it great defense.

Those who lambast Chelsea for their style against Barc are the same ones who would be calling it a great defensive effort if their own team had done it.

I am a Liverpool supporter saying this too. I got nothing FOR the Blue

You call it hoping to win, most call it great defense.

Those who lambast Chelsea for their style against Barc are the same ones who would be calling it a great defensive effort if their own team had done it.

I am a Liverpool supporter saying this too. I got nothing FOR the Blue

Well, I think the announcer on GOL, that great Scottish guy whose name I cannot remember, said it best when he called Chelsea's performance in leg one cowardly. You need a good effort on "both sides of the ball" to use an American football term; a great defense can sometimes save a bad offense, but if the team only concentrates on one aspect of the game, they are doomed to fail; Chelsea is a perfect example of this. Like you, I am a Liverpool fan, but of all the teams in the Premiere league, I hate Chelsea the most -- what a bunch of floppers.

I don't disagree with you that their O can vanish but their only shot of beating Barc was to play D 100% of the time and it almost worked to absolute perfection, imo.

You know as well as I do that Messi would have BEAT THEM DOWN if Chelsea had tried to play an attack mode. Barc's biggest asset is beating those small holes in open defenses which would have come open had Chelsea not stayed back

Hiddick played it brilliantly, imo

You call it brilliant. I call it ugly. Watching Chelsea play is like watching the old Pistons, Knicks, or Heat from the 90's. Chelsea's strategy is just to kick the other team to disrupt any flow to the game. UEFA needs to look at a few rules changes to discourage fouling and packing 10 guys in at the back.

It is beautiful to watch Barcelona play soccer and the final will be much better with Barcelona instead of Chelsea. I don't expect Manchester to use the same strategy as Chelsea and there will be a better flow to the game and it will be much more entertaining. Chelsea would have used the same ugly fouling tactics in the final and it would have been painful.

Yeah, at least with Barca, it's going to be a close game against the U.

You call it brilliant. I call it ugly.

You play to win the game

Chelsea's only way to win was to do what they did. If Barc needed to sit back and play strictly D (I know they wouldn't but if they had for whatever reason) and it succeeded, you would be glad.

When coaching my team, I do what needs to be done to win. Whether that is ugly, beautiful, or whatever is incredibly irrelevant to me. Playing ugly/beautiful is different to everyone anyway.

The bottom line is whether it worked.

For Chelsea, it did for the most part

It didn't work out, the UEFA Champions league final is Barcelona vs. Manchester Untied.

It didn't work out, the UEFA Champions league final is Barcelona vs. Manchester Untied.

No, it didn't but it gave them the best chance possible and it came down to a 92nd minute goal to do them in.

Had Guus gone any other way to beat Barc, they would have gotten clobbered by several total goals.

It was a brilliant coaching strategy with the little offense Chelsea brought to the table

I don't disagree with you that their O can vanish but their only shot of beating Barc was to play D 100% of the time and it almost worked to absolute perfection, imo.

You know as well as I do that Messi would have BEAT THEM DOWN if Chelsea had tried to play an attack mode. Barc's biggest asset is beating those small holes in open defenses which would have come open had Chelsea not stayed back

Hiddick played it brilliantly, imo

It's like in tennis, when the inferior player resorts to using moon-ball lobs and dink shots to try to disrupt the better player. It's not sporting. Maybe a new manager at Chelsea will correct this flawed strategy.

It's like in tennis, when the inferior player resorts to using moon-ball lobs and dink shots to try to disrupt the better player.
How do we know the "better player" is better if he can't return those shots? If someone moonballed lobs/dinks, I would think the better player would smash those down and win the points.

If I am playing against someone and I know they can't return a dink/dunk, I am doing it until he returns it successfully.

Being smart is in fact the point of playing a sport.

How do we know the "better player" is better if he can't return those shots? If someone moonballed lobs/dinks, I would think the better player would smash those down and win the points.

If I am playing against someone and I know they can't return a dink/dunk, I am doing it until he returns it successfully.

Being smart is in fact the point of playing a sport.

Well, if you follow tennis, you know that this strategy does not ever result in wins, only in prolonging the inevitable. It's unsporting, unprofessional, and just plain wrong.

Well, if you follow tennis, you know that this strategy does not ever result in wins, only in prolonging the inevitable.

I follow it weekly and see strategy resulting in wins every week on the ATP.

It's unsporting, unprofessional, and just plain wrong.Of course it is. It is only sporting, professional, and right when your team is able to completely conquer it. If you can't, well by gone....it is just plain wrong!

I follow it weekly and see strategy resulting in wins every week on the ATP.

Of course it is. It is only sporting, professional, and right when your team is able to completely conquer it. If you can't, well by gone....it is just plain wrong!

So you're saying that the moon-ball lob strategy has worked? Give me an example. It's used by poor players who only are trying to prolong the inevitable. Chelsea performed cowardly and are out of the championship game because of it. Had they played all out they just might have won the game. And now Drogba and others may get kicked out of the UEFA Champions league because of their unsportsmans-like conduct following the game -- typical of Chelsea. S'funny; you don't sound like a Liverpool fan; you sound like a Chelsea fan.

So you're saying that the moon-ball lob strategy has worked?

If you got that from my statement, you may need a 2nd try at what I said.

Chelsea performed cowardly and are out of the championship game because of it.
Why? You still haven't told me WHY it was cowardly? Because they played actual defense against a team that felt they could roam the field as free as could be?

Are Barc fans now mad that other team get physical with them?

Welcome to the world of defense my friends.

S'funny; you don't sound like a Liverpool fan; you sound like a Chelsea fan.

I know but you roam other Red forums and you will see how many of us are laughing at Barc fans who seem to think defense should be banned from the sport

If there are any cowards, it is the Barc players/fans who expect teams to politely ask them for the ball when playing rather than actually taking it from them.

So you're saying that the moon-ball lob strategy has worked? Give me an example.

Andrea Jaeger who used it to get to the finals of several major tennis tournaments and to a number 2 ranking in the world.

And don't forget Michael Chang lobbing his way to victory (including an underhand serve) over Yvan Lendl at the French open one year.

It does work for some, but I would agree that the better player usually wins.

SMK

RoyGBiv - I was just about to say Michael Chang. But many of the French Open matches are played that way to tire out the competition. See Rafael Nadal and most of the clay-court specialists when they get into these 4 hour duels.

Chelsea's problem wasn't with the first game, which IMHO, was a brilliant strategy. And this is coming from a Liverpool fan. The reason why they lost is because they didn't go for the win in the 2nd leg at home. They knew one away goal would do them in, and after Chelsea scored the first goal, they needed to go for the jugular. Hiddink played not to lose and Iniesta bit him in the behind at the end.

Chelsea's problem wasn't with the first game, which IMHO, was a brilliant strategy. And this is coming from a Liverpool fan. The reason why they lost is because they didn't go for the win in the 2nd leg at home. They knew one away goal would do them in, and after Chelsea scored the first goal, they needed to go for the jugular. Hiddink played not to lose and Iniesta bit him in the behind at the end.

What? You sound like a Chelsea fan! :rolleyes:

No, No...I completely agree.

Okay, I'll buy that: Chelsea is the Andrea Jaeger of the Premier League. Enough said.

i totally agree that hiddink played a masterful tactic over barca, but also agree that it was "ugly". you have to also agree that this is a spectator sport which earns the players their mega-salaries. and playing like that will totally turn off viewers. why do u think the premiere league is the most attractive league? it's because of the pace and the attitude of teams to go for a goal, if not a win. i admit it's a huge stake in major competitions and i agree with barca1 that UEFA should consider changing some rules... similarly, i don't watch the nba anymore because it's gone "soft": too many fouls and free-throw shooting. ugh!
deep inside though i kinda wanted chelsea to win just 'coz i like hiddink and it would be nice to have a rematch from last year. that would also be another kick to platini's nuts. haha.

just to go back to topic is the match going to be in HD or not?

Commercial says HD

Pre-game is in standard def on TSN in Canada (they're using the ESPN broadcast). We'll see what happens when the game starts.

First live shots are HD on ESPN. American announcers are there live.

It's in HD now on TSN-HD.

It's in HD now on TSN-HD.

It certainly fills the screen, ESPN2 ticker bar being covered by the TSN ticker bar. On a closer look, is this really HD or some sort of 576p or 720p upconvert??

Let's keep results talk on hold until tomorrow for those who have this game on the DVR.

How about avoiding this thread? Is it that hard?

The game aired live in the US, on all coasts, and is the biggest yearly European match in the world. To expect others not to talk about it just because someone has it on DVR is ridiculous.

Besides, media coverage is pretty hard to avoid. Barca winning 2-0 is all over the place.

United was dominated from start to finish

Their D was as weak as I have ever seen it and Barca took advantage of it

United was dominated from start to finish

Their D was as weak as I have ever seen it and Barca took advantage of it

Almost; those first 10 minutes I didn't think Barca stood a chance; ManU was putting on the pressure big-time. But after the goal by Barca, ManU seemed to fall apart. Now THAT was soccer/futbol; hope Chelsea was taking notes.

Now THAT was soccer/futbol

Absolutely. Real football must include Barca being successful on offense. Otherwise, what is the point in playing?

I was disappointed by the result. It was looking like United vs Arsenal all over again. That goal sucked. Then Messi's goal sucked even more. Oh well, it was still a great season.

Loved it how ESPN kept calling it the "Superbowl of soccer". :rolleyes:

Loved it how ESPN kept calling it the "Superbowl of soccer". :rolleyes:

I don't think that's completely wrong, I was in Switzerland last year and watched the final, it was a very Super Bowl like atmosphere, all the bars had drink specials and were packed with people watching the game. I think a more accurate description would be "Super Bowl of Europe" though as the World Cup is the biggest soccer event in anyone's mind.

Loved it how ESPN kept calling it the "Superbowl of soccer". :rolleyes:

To many, it is

I was disappointed by the result. It was looking like United vs Arsenal all over again. That goal sucked. Then Messi's goal sucked even more. Oh well, it was still a great season.

Loved it how ESPN kept calling it the "Superbowl of soccer". :rolleyes:

Ha, ha, first your Titans jinx themselves by stomping on the Terrible Towel and then ManU bites the big one on world-wide television, choke, choke. Both goals were sensational; the ones that should have been made but weren't by ManU are the ones that sucked. It easily could have been 2-0 ManU within the first 10 minutes but the finishes were poor and as a result, they lost.

Next year it's Liverpool's turn!

It easily could have been 2-0 ManU within the first 10 minutes but the finishes were poor and as a result, they lost.
None of their chances were even close to easy

If those were easy, we might as well give Barca 2-3 more "easy" goals to their already 2

None of their chances were even close to easy

If those were easy, we might as well give Barca 2-3 more "easy" goals to their already 2

Wow, the more you comment, the less it seems you know about soccer. Rinaldo's shot was poor; he could have easily scored with a better finish, and Park (sp?) was right in front of the goal; if not for a last second foot in by Barca, it would have been an easy goal. As for Barca's goals, honestly, I can't see how you call them easy. ManU is a much taller team; for Messi to score with a header, having to contort his body to get to it, is an amazing goal. As for the first goal, what a fine display of footwork (and poor display of defense) to get in position for the goal, and then to get it past such a fine goal-keeper was an amazing thing. And yes, there should have been more Barca goals, the one of the post for instance, very nearly made it 3-nil, so I guess no one is perfect

Sour grapes is one thing, but ignorance is another. Honestly, if you are a Liverpool fan, here's hoping you'll switch to another club.

Wow, the more you comment, the less it seems you know about soccer. Rinaldo's shot was poor; he could have easily scored with a better finish,

Sour grapes is one thing, but ignorance is another.
Ronaldo. His attempt wasn't poor, it forced the keeper into a save. Poor woulda been Giggs attempt minutes later that went over the crossbar.

Wow, the more you comment, the less it seems you know about soccer.

I think everyone saw that you never played the sport when you called DEFENSE coward soccer. Either that or you are a young kid who can't accept Barca being shut down offensively with smart football.

he could have easily scored with a better finish

Really? Where would the ball have gone differently? He couldn't park it to the right nor right over the goalie (due to his hand) so his only option was up and to the right which the distance was closed off by the goalie.

Sour grapes is one thing, but ignorance is another.

And judging by how little you understand by soccer, I take it you know everything about such a statement.

The fact that you never could give me any legitimate answer as to why Chelsea's D was cowardly is completely laughable. Your only excuse was that it just "was" and you used a tennis analogy that failed miserably. Saying it just is because you think it is....I mean, is that it?

Chelsea's only chance of even remotely beating Barca was to shut them down as best they could and they did just that. In the end it didn't work....who is arguing that? Nobody is. Yet when it is brought up that doing such a strategy was the ONLY WAY they could have a fighting chance, you never actually respond to that.

Whether professional, amateur, or just a walk-on, I would think every person who plays football knows the value of a good defensive shutdown strategy....except for you apparently.

Whether it is you trying to change subjects with a different sport, or talking Liverpool, or just acting like a teenager, you have yet to actually make any point that can be taken seriously.

Anyone who likes Chelsea is a wanker. Lol, you're fun to play with. See you next year!