BBC Commentators Advisory Notes

Highlander

BBC World Cup Guidelines for commentary team.

1 -Within 1 minute of kick off in the opening match (Germany v Costa
Rica), the commentator must mention England.

2 - Regardless of what two teams are contesting the final, England have to
be mentioned within the first minute.


3 - The commentator shall refer to the Falkland Isles in passing at some
point in the match if England play Argentina.

4 - Whenever a hat trick is scored, comparisons with Geoff Hurst will be
made within seconds of the third goal hitting the net.

5 - Should England wear their red jerseys, then '1966' should be mentioned
approximately 20 times.

6 - 1966 will be mentioned approximately 10 times a match, or only on 4 or
5 occasions for matches not involving England.

7 - Prior to the captain of the winning team lifting the trophy, the
commentator will mention Bobby Moore. And 1966.

8 - When Germany are playing, they must be referred to as being arrogant by
the commentator on at least 14 occasions.
This must refer to their style, their passing, their haircuts and
their general footballing ability.

9 - Should England play Germany, mentions of Winston Churchill,
Dambusters, The Luftwaffe and Adolf Hitler will be compulsory. And 1966.

10 - All Scottish members of our commentary team must continue to refer to
England as "we" and "us".

11 - We must ensure that nationlistic stereotypes are adhered to.
Of course, the Germans are arrogant.
The Spanish are bottlers,
The Ivory Coast are fast but bad at defending,
The Angolans are disorganised,
The Argentinians are cheats and the French are only good because
their best players play in England.

12 - For matches not involving England, we must only discuss the players
that are playing in England. (eg - Holland v Argentina should be referred
to as Van Nistelroy v Crespo).

13 - The mythical "bulldog spirit" phrase should be used as often as
possible.

14 - Each match involving England should begin with the phrase "England
Expects."

15 - Should any player be involved in an injury that involves the loss of
teeth, then references to Nobby Stiles and 1966 are compulsory.

16 - If in doubt, mention 1966.

17 - Praise all of the stunning new stadiums in Germany but emphasise that
they lack the presence of Wembley, the spiritual home of football since
1966.

18 - Commentators should feel free to imitate the style of Kenneth
Wolstenholme, the hero of 1966.

19 - Should any team feature brothers playing together, then Jackie and
Bobby Charlton should be mentioned.

20 - When England bow out after the first stage, we must emphasise that it
is a massive blow to football and a serious loss to the World Cup.

MrJoeSoap

Very good. Also...

21 - When Steven Gerrard lifts the FA Cup trophy in Cardiff, John Motson must mention something about the possibility of it soon being a World Cup trophy.

jobonar

Its very true! Sad, but true!

how long are thy gonna live off 1966 for!?

mchurl

They have already lived off '66 for too long:D

jobonar

mchurl wrote:

They have already lived off '66 for too long:D

AMEN! but all we gonna get this year is that its the 40th anniversary of 1966 and how it'd be fitting if england won it this year!

1 of the rare occasions where i'd rather listen to the irish commentators!

blu_sonic

Que Irish Commentators:

1. (when The Swiss play) this is the group we'd contest

2. (in the event of a Penno shoot out) memories of Bonner facing down the romians here

3. (if T&T go far) echoing Irelands progress in Italia '90

4. this would have been a fitting way for Roy to bring down the curtain on his international career

5. (when france play) its only a moment of magic from that man there Henry that kept Ireland out of these finals

6. There is a definite lack of colour in germany with the Irish contingent missing

7. Lots of talk about the upcoming Euro Champ qualifiers

8. Tlak of "the premiership" as our home league

9. slight begrudging of the Swiss and French

10. Slight support for the team england are playing

11. the phrase "steve staunton is sitting at home watching this game with interest"

12. The compleate blank out of 1966

MrJoeSoap

13. Mention of Avery John as a former eircom Lague player!

blu_sonic

MrJoeSoap wrote:

13. Mention of Avery John as a former eircom Lague player!

i wonder will they though?

Benedict XVI

blu_sonic wrote:

Que Irish Commentators:

1. (when The Swiss play) this is the group we'd contest

2. (in the event of a Penno shoot out) memories of Bonner facing down the romians here

3. (if T&T go far) echoing Irelands progress in Italia '90

4. this would have been a fitting way for Roy to bring down the curtain on his international career

5. (when france play) its only a moment of magic from that man there Henry that kept Ireland out of these finals

6. There is a definite lack of colour in germany with the Irish contingent missing

7. Lots of talk about the upcoming Euro Champ qualifiers

8. Tlak of "the premiership" as our home league

9. slight begrudging of the Swiss and French

10. Slight support for the team england are playing

11. the phrase "steve staunton is sitting at home watching this game with interest"

12. The compleate blank out of 1966

Thanks blu_sonic, great post.

We Irish are just as bad as any UK broadcaster when it comes to 'The Boys in Green'
If the Republic of Ireland every even got within 2 games of winning anything the Irish media would never shut up about it.
At least England have actually won something.
In my opinion the BBC are far more 'neutral' in their commentary and analysis that ITV or SKY.

blu_sonic

in fairness to all 3 of those channels they aren't ment to be neutral, they are English and are allowed to be biased. In this world cup we (RTE, TV3) are supposed to be neutral, I wonder will we be?

Töpher

No chance! The same people who present the Premiership each week will be happy at the sight of England failing to reach their potential, or something!

blu_sonic

Einst&#252 wrote: »

No chance! The same people who present the Premiership each week will be happy at the sight of England failing to reach their potential, or something!

exactly so they will be far from neutral

mike65

Highlander I saw that list on 606 mesage boards!

Mike.

MrJoeSoap

Benedict XVI wrote:

In my opinion the BBC are far more 'neutral' in their commentary and analysis that ITV or SKY.

I think the BBC are the worst offenders. John Motson does my nut in (see above quote re: Gerrard on Saturday).

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

mike65 wrote:

Highlander I saw that list on 606 mesage boards!

Mike.

Dear, God no! That's the messgae-baord equivalent of admitting you read the sun!!

Rikand

that list was awesome, i can so see the british commentators using all of those, lol

MrJoeSoap

We'll have to tick them off as it goes along!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Highlander wrote:

BBC World Cup Guidelines for commentary team.

1 -Within 1 minute of kick off in the opening match (Germany v Costa
Rica), the commentator must mention England.
England may well end up playing someone from this group, so a mention would be relevant. If Ireland were playing, RTE should not only do the exact same thing, not only within 1 minute and every 5 minutes afterward.

2 - Regardless of what two teams are contesting the final, England have to
be mentioned within the first minute.
If one of them is England, we shall try not to look too biased.

3 - The commentator shall refer to the Falkland Isles in passing at some
point in the match if England play Argentina.
Don't you mean the sun?

4 - Whenever a hat trick is scored, comparisons with Geoff Hurst will be
made within seconds of the third goal hitting the net.
Whenver a last-minute equaliser is scored, comparisons with Robbie Keane will be made within seconds of the goal hitting the net

5 - Should England wear their red jerseys, then '1966' should be mentioned
approximately 20 times.
Should Germany wear their green jerseys, then 'Ireland' should be mentioned approximately 20 times

6 - 1966 will be mentioned approximately 10 times a match, or only on 4 or
5 occasions for matches not involving England.
Can I please have a link to game where this actually happened?

7 - Prior to the captain of the winning team lifting the trophy, the
commentator will mention Bobby Moore. And 1966.
Ditto Roy Keane

8 - When Germany are playing, they must be referred to as being arrogant by
the commentator on at least 14 occasions.
This must refer to their style, their passing, their haircuts and
their general footballing ability.
See answer to point 6

9 - Should England play Germany, mentions of Winston Churchill,
Dambusters, The Luftwaffe and Adolf Hitler will be compulsory. And 1966.
See point 6

10 - All Scottish members of our commentary team must continue to refer to
England as "we" and "us".
Said Scottish members should, admittedly resign! If Niall Quinn does it... suggestions?

11 - We must ensure that nationlistic stereotypes are adhered to.
Of course, the Germans are arrogant.
The Spanish are bottlers,
The Ivory Coast are fast but bad at defending,
The Angolans are disorganised,
The Argentinians are cheats and the French are only good because
their best players play in England.
The Irish are anti-anglo begrudgers who like to stereotype the medai in order to disguis their outdated hate for the English

12 - For matches not involving England, we must only discuss the players
that are playing in England. (eg - Holland v Argentina should be referred
to as Van Nistelroy v Crespo).
For matches not involving England, we must only discuss the players who are playing for Man United

13 - The mythical "bulldog spirit" phrase should be used as often as
possible.
The mythical "fighting Irish" and "Irish eyes" phase should be used as often as possible. See point 6

14 - Each match involving England should begin with the phrase "England
Expects.
Each match involving Ireland should begin.... oh, ****...

15 - Should any player be involved in an injury that involves the loss of
teeth, then references to Nobby Stiles and 1966 are compulsory.
Should any player do a somersault after scoring, then references to Robbie Keane are compulsory

16 - If in doubt, mention 1966.
Ditto 1988.

17 - Praise all of the stunning new stadiums in Germany but emphasise that
they lack the presence of Wembley, the spiritual home of football since
1966.
Ditto Dalymount Park

18 - Commentators should feel free to imitate the style of Kenneth
Wolstenholme, the hero of 1966.
Ditto Jimmy McGee "Dat's reel Roy a'da Rovers stuff!"

19 - Should any team feature brothers playing together, then Jackie and
Bobby Charlton should be mentioned.
Em... they aren't any...

20 - When England bow out after the first stage, we must emphasise that it
is a massive blow to football and a serious loss to the World Cup.[/QUOTE]
See point 14

eirebhoy

Ikky Poo2 / blu_sonic - Would you to go back over to After Hours and continue your love affair with the English media. You have about a 10 pager going over there. If you actually seen this forum when Nial Quinn commentates on an Ireland match you'll know that we find so much bias towards Ireland cringeworthy too.

"The Irish are anti-anglo begrudgers who like to stereotype the medai in order to disguis their outdated hate for the English "

I don't know where that list in the OP came from but I'd wager that it was a Scot. They're worse than the Irish when it comes to slagging off the English media as they have no choice but to watch it.

CorkMan

Should a player be sent off, it is compulsory that David Beckham is mentioned, and that the fouled individual has an argentinian grand mother.

blu_sonic

eirebhoy wrote:

Ikky Poo2 / blu_sonic - Would you to go back over to After Hours and continue your love affair with the English media. You have about a 10 pager going over there. If you actually seen this forum when Nial Quinn commentates on an Ireland match you'll know that we find so much bias towards Ireland cringeworthy too.

"The Irish are anti-anglo begrudgers who like to stereotype the medai in order to disguis their outdated hate for the English "

I don't know where that list in the OP came from but I'd wager that it was a Scot. They're worse than the Irish when it comes to slagging off the English media as they have no choice but to watch it.

jesus chill out, its a comedy thread, i was adding to the fun, easy there or you'll do yourself a mischeif.

oh and i didn't think this thread was brit bashing, i thought it was just funny.
Why can't the national station of England and english run channels refer to their sporting achievments?

And by the way "love affair with the English media"??? cop on EL doesn't get any english media coverage does it? well what use is it to me. oh and PS i was defending you in that thread :roll eyes:

What are you expecting? oh and if you notice i post in here a lot, so don't go telling me what goes on in here, and don't tell me where to post.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

blu_sonic

well Based in England with regionalised verions ie UTV=IT ulster. H4=CH4 wales. BBCNI=BBC northern Ireland. The actual BBC/ITV/Sky Sports are english, we an just pick em up. either way that muppet Grey thinks he's english.

Your a scot are they regionalised up there?

TBH I can't blame them hyping it up nor do I blame us hyping ourselves up its the nature of the game I'm guessing here but would ITV and BBC's viewers be mostly English? They are playing to the crowd, just like RTE/TV3 does.

Hagar

Does everything have to go through this over analysis?
When someone posts a funny either laugh or don't. That's about it really.
If you want to post a funny from the other side, great we all get two funnies for the price of one.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

eirebhoy

blu_sonic wrote:

jesus chill out, its a comedy thread, i was adding to the fun, easy there or you'll do yourself a mischeif.

I didn't see any appropriate places to put smilies but I didn't mean it to come across as an angry post. The English are on another level to any other countries media imo. Watch the link I posted in the After Hours thread. It's a bunch of Scots complaining about the England media. One lady says "I try to support England but the commentators always turn me against them". Another: "It's the media we hate, that's basically it, get it rammed down their throat". I don't see why you and Ikky Poo2 think it's a uniqely Irish thing. The Scottish in that video can sarcastically say "F**k England" without being accused of being a bigot.

One thing a lot of the Irish and Scottish have in common is that we don't like to see England do well. It seems it's a sin for an Irishman to do it though. Anyway, back to the sarcastic topic of the thread.

Highlander

mike65 wrote:

Highlander I saw that list on 606 mesage boards!

Mike.

Never go near that site, got this on e-mail, just thought I'd pass it along

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Would you to go back over to After Hours and continue your love affair with the English media.

What, it's not a free country, any more...?

eirebhoy wrote:

I didn't see any appropriate places to put smilies but I didn't mean it to come across as an angry post. The English are on another level to any other countries media imo. Watch the link I posted in the After Hours thread. It's a bunch of Scots complaining about the England media. One lady says "I try to support England but the commentators always turn me against them". Another: "It's the media we hate, that's basically it, get it rammed down their throat". I don't see why you and Ikky Poo2 think it's a uniqely Irish thing. The Scottish in that video can sarcastically say "F**k England" without being accused of being a bigot.

One thing a lot of the Irish and Scottish have in common is that we don't like to see England do well. It seems it's a sin for an Irishman to do it though. Anyway, back to the sarcastic topic of the thread.

Can't view the link at the present mo, am at work and have no sound! Secondly, the point I have been making, in order to clarift (AGAIN) is that the English media are just as bad as the Irish media when it comes to international football coverage, and not a fair basis on which to wish misfortune (and you'll notice I didn't use the word 'indifferance).

I DID NOT SAY
1) The English media are unbiased
2) The Irish media are unbiased
3) It's a "uniquely Irish thing"
4) The English, comapred to other countries coverage is acceptable (I've no idea)
5) The English, compaed to other countries coverage is unacceptable (again -I've no idea)

Sorry to rant a bit, but I don't like having words put into my mouth...

mike65

I can't wait for the actual world cup if this threads a taster...

Mike.

blu_sonic

eirebhoy wrote:

I didn't see any appropriate places to put smilies but I didn't mean it to come across as an angry post. The English are on another level to any other countries media imo. Watch the link I posted in the After Hours thread. It's a bunch of Scots complaining about the England media. One lady says "I try to support England but the commentators always turn me against them". Another: "It's the media we hate, that's basically it, get it rammed down their throat". I don't see why you and Ikky Poo2 think it's a uniqely Irish thing. The Scottish in that video can sarcastically say "F**k England" without being accused of being a bigot.

One thing a lot of the Irish and Scottish have in common is that we don't like to see England do well. It seems it's a sin for an Irishman to do it though. Anyway, back to the sarcastic topic of the thread.

man I'm not by an strech of the imagination pro english but Im not ati english either I'm kind f nutral, I just though the Irish commentry thing would be funny, i didn't realish it would piss people off, it really wasn't intended to, I mean I don' even support an English club (well i like barne and maybe leeds a bit) but Most poster with an "anti-English, Pro-Irish" agenda support an English club only.

I'm not trying o take the moral high road or anyhing just posting what i find funny please atleast admit some of myu "irish comentry" post will happen and quite rightly so and georgie Hammo will ham up the lack of Ireland and relly the cliché will be funny, Not wrong it will be on Irish tv more power to "suping up" Ireland. But I don't blame the english/brittish media doing the same.

ps. Im glad not do be a jock cuz all the pro English ****e stuffed down youre throut would do my head in big style

el rabitos

Operation: Just give England the damn world cup in the hope that they can stop bitching about 'football coming home' for at least 8 years should be implimented by the FIFA's higher powers with immediate effect...

A Dub in Glasgo

A lot of people I know here in Glasgow (even of the blue variety) hate the way England football team/league get such fawning on the national platform. This is the main reason why they like any other team playing England in football.

Absolutely nothing wrong with not supporting England and wanting them to get beaten at every opportunity

Revelation Joe

Just a short note to say:
a) Hi
b) I'm English...and I thought it was hilarious!

Del

WhiteWashMan

eirebhoy wrote:

Ikky Poo2 / blu_sonic - Would you to go back over to After Hours and continue your love affair with the English media. You have about a 10 pager going over there. If you actually seen this forum when Nial Quinn commentates on an Ireland match you'll know that we find so much bias towards Ireland cringeworthy too.

"The Irish are anti-anglo begrudgers who like to stereotype the medai in order to disguis their outdated hate for the English "

I don't know where that list in the OP came from but I'd wager that it was a Scot. They're worse than the Irish when it comes to slagging off the English media as they have no choice but to watch it.

oh ho....

its the eirbhoy english media rant again.....

get the pillow and duvet out. its time to go asleep again.

eirebhoy

blu_sonic wrote:

man I'm not by an strech of the imagination pro english but Im not ati english either I'm kind f nutral, I just though the Irish commentry thing would be funny, i didn't realish it would piss people off, it really wasn't intended to, I mean I don' even support an English club (well i like barne and maybe leeds a bit) but Most poster with an "anti-English, Pro-Irish" agenda support an English club only.

You posted it because you want to show that it's not a unique thing with the British media and that the Irish are just as bad. That's not true. Most of things on the list in the OP will probably be said.

WhiteWashMan wrote:

oh ho....

its the eirbhoy english media rant again.....

get the pillow and duvet out. its time to go asleep again.

When was my first English media rant? Ikky Poo2 is accusing me of knowing nothing about Scottish football just because I'm an Irish Celtic supporter. He also seems to think that the Irish people that wish England to fail are bigots. This was all in the After Hours thread so has nothing to do with this thread, I apologise, his comments over there just annoyed me.

WhiteWashMan

*snore*

Benedict XVI

eirebhoy wrote:

You posted it because you want to show that it's not a unique thing with the British media and that the Irish are just as bad. That's not true. Most of things on the list in the OP will probably be said.

I have just spent the last hour or so listening to Michael Chorchran on Radio 1 commentating on the rugby cup final with Munster in it.
I have to say I have never in my life heard as biased a commentator.
10 minutes in he said "It's bad enough that they have to beat Birazits (sp) but they have to beat Chris Whte (the ref) also"
And that was just one exaple - this guy is a disgrace.

So there, it happens with Irish media as well.
Most things blu_sonic said will probably be said by the Irish media.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Benedict XVI wrote:

I have just spent the last hour or so listening to Michael Chorchran on Radio 1 commentating on the rugby cup final with Munster in it.
I have to say I have never in my life heard as biased a commentator.
10 minutes in he said "It's bad enough that they have to beat Birazits (sp) but they have to beat Chris Whte (the ref) also"
And that was just one exaple - this guy is a disgrace.

So there, it happens with Irish media as well.
Most things blu_sonic said will probably be said by the Irish media.

Damn you beat me to it! Eirebuoy, I hope your listening to this... The damn gob****e (EDIT: This was the commentating on the telly, not the radio, might have been Ryle Nugent) actually mentioned Delaney, Treacy and Carruth after the final whistle went. At least 1966 was a worthy achievement - Delaney is a good ten years further back and Treacy didn't even bloody win!

I've said it again and I'll say it again: THE IRISH MEDIA IS JUST AS BAD AS THE ENGLISH MEDIA WHEN IT COMES TO GOING OVER THE TOP.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

eirebhoy

eh, Munster had just won Europe's biggest competition. If England win the World cup they could do what they like but I couldn't bare to watch it. I watched the Munster match and everything I heard them say was the truth. They noticed that the French player had crossed the line for their try but that was it, they didn't mention it again. ffs, Cambell's disallowed goal went on for weeks and the ref got death threats.

tbh, I'm not the right person to be in a debate with a load of people about the British media. I couldn't give a crap tbh but there's no denying that they are the worst I've ever heard by a long way.

county

eirebhoy wrote:

Cambell's disallowed goal went on for weeks and the ref got death threats.

and the british media had a roll in that i suppose:rolleyes:

eirebhoy

county wrote:

and the british media had a roll in that i suppose:rolleyes:

hehe.:D

http://football.guardian.co.uk/euro2004/story/0,14577,1250808,00.html

I can imagine if it actually was a genuine goal.:eek:

A Dub in Glasgo

county wrote:

and the british media had a roll in that i suppose:rolleyes:

They certainly did, the scummier side of the press lead a campaign against the ref pleading with all their readers that they should make their displeasure known by contacting the ref. They then published his details

WhiteWashMan

and yet we have a thread on here asking us to show our displeasure wiuth sky sports?

im confused? so youre saying one thing is good, another thing is bad, but really at the end of the day, you just take the side of whatever is anti-enlgish.

someday i hope there will be more consistancy in the things you say on here. but more importantly, i hope that someday you can reconcile with yourself the fact that these things happen, and you should just be more tolerant.

personally, i find these discussions boring. the same people argue the same points time after time. for me, thats the definition of stupidity.
i'll let you good people on with your revolving dance of pointlessness.

eirebhoy

WhiteWashMan wrote:

and yet we have a thread on here asking us to show our displeasure wiuth sky sports?

im confused? so youre saying one thing is good, another thing is bad, but really at the end of the day, you just take the side of whatever is anti-enlgish.

I don't see your point at all. If Sky Sports was Irish I might understand what you're talking about but right now I'm lost. I admitted many a time I'm anti-English to a certain extent. It's bred into me, nothing I can do about that.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

eirebhoy wrote:

eh, Munster had just won Europe's biggest competition. If England win the World cup they could do what they like but I couldn't bare to watch it. I watched the Munster match and everything I heard them say was the truth. They noticed that the French player had crossed the line for their try but that was it, they didn't mention it again. ffs, Cambell's disallowed goal went on for weeks and the ref got death threats.

So, it's acceptable for the Irish media to harp on about past sporting achievemnets, but not the English. Didn;t see the try, can't comment. But if you're referring to Brittish tabloids re the Campbell goal, I can't blame you for being annoyed, but it is your own fault IF YOU KEEP READING THEM. It';s similar to the staunch catholics who'll watch an entire series of Father TEd and phone in to complain!

tbh, I'm not the right person to be in a debate with a load of people about the British media. I couldn't give a crap tbh but there's no denying that they are the worst I've ever heard by a long way.

Too bloody right you're not with blinkered views like that.

A Dub in Glasgo

WhiteWashMan wrote:

and yet we have a thread on here asking us to show our displeasure wiuth sky sports?

Actually it is about a send up of how the BBC deals with England in the WC. Originated in Scotland btw.

Shaque attack

originally posted by highlander

BBC World Cup Guidelines for commentary team.

1 -Within 1 minute of kick off in the opening match (Germany v Costa
Rica), the commentator must mention England.....

.....20 - When England bow out after the first stage, we must emphasise that it
is a massive blow to football and a serious loss to the World Cup.

originally posted by blue sonic

Que Irish Commentators:

1. (when The Swiss play) this is the group we'd contest...

.....12. The complete blank out of 1966

two quality posts.

I've no problem with national media being biased towards their team that is in the world cup, its only natural as has been pointed out here. And anyone quoting the tabloids to back up their argument that the english media are so biased needs their head examined. There's a reason they're called rags, the sooner the better people stop reading their crap.
[rant] What really grinds my gears is when you hear Motson commentating on premiership or cup games. He can't go five minutes without making some reference to the english team whether or not there are even any english players playing! Look at the FA Cup last week. Gerrard scores a cracker to draw it level. que motson: thats great news for england. I would have thought it was primarily great news for liverpool tbh. I don't understand how he can't just commentate on the match being played. Occasional refences to england et al are fine but turning everything that happens into England v The rest of the world is rediculous. [/rant]

eirebhoy

Ikky Poo2 wrote:

So, it's acceptable for the Irish media to harp on about past sporting achievemnets, but not the English.

You seem to be getting other people's hatred for the British media mixed up with mine...

but it is your own fault IF YOU KEEP READING THEM

No I don't.

As I said, I couldn't care about the British media. Debate it with someone who does.

Necronomicon

WhiteWashMan wrote:

and yet we have a thread on here asking us to show our displeasure wiuth sky sports?

Actually the title says BBC
I agree with your post though, this thread has gotten out of hand for something that was supposed to be a light-hearted joke.

Ruskie4Rent

Ikky Poo2 wrote:

the English media are just as bad as the Irish media when it comes to international football coverage, and not a fair basis on which to wish misfortune (and you'll notice I didn't use the word 'indifferance).
/QUOTE]
But if you look at days like the home game against Israel, where the goalie acted the maggot and o'brien got sent off for nothing, the main topic of conversation was how Ireland played and not how much of an injustice it was. Compare that to Euro 04 where the english media ruined the career of one of europes best refs. The reason we wish them misfortune is that they believe they have a right to win the thing, and I judge them on how their fans behave at other countries and the lack of coverage that gets along with it. Instead we get headlines like "can roo believe it" and "wayne is the roo pele".