Channel 4 and SPORT - it used to be a bit of a joke with things like that Indian version of British Bulldogs, but over the last five years or so, the channel has rightly been given a lot of credit for the improvements it has managed to make and some of the scoops they have had and the undisputed ... Read review
Advantages: Great teams, great players, great weather Disadvantages: Some naff clubs
Channel 4 and SPORT - it used to be a bit of a joke with things like that Indian version of British Bulldogs, but over the last five years or so, the channel has rightly been given a lot of credit for the improvements it has managed to make and some of the scoops they have had and the undisputed jewel in 4's sports crown is Sunday's Football Italia selection.
The Serie A, Italy's equivalent to our own premiership, is one of the most ... ...a presentation to achieve and Channel 4 have really come up with the goods. The programme is anchored by the marvellous James Richards and he is usually joined by an old time British player who made it big in Italy, such as Luther Blissett (well, quite big) and Joe Jordan and the coverage is always first rate.
4 would undoubtedly struggle to make Southampton versus Coventry City a highlight, and Sky are out on their own as far as regular ... more
Channel 4 and SPORT - it used to be a bit of a joke with things like that Indian version of British Bulldogs, but over the last five years or so, the channel has rightly been given a lot of credit for the improvements it has managed to make and some of the scoops they have had and the undisputed jewel in 4's sports crown is Sunday's Football Italia selection.
The Serie A, Italy's equivalent to our own premiership, is one of the most exciting league tournaments in the world and for many years the 'money no object' approach of the richer Italian clubs has led to the world's greatest players gracing the field in the warm and pleasant clime.
The Premiership came late on the scene and has probably now overtaken Serie A as big business, but has had to pour money in to do so, and Spain's La Liga is probably now even more impressive, but the Italian game is still right up there with the very best. The massive presence of Brazilians and Argentinians, many on very dubious passports, undoubtedly makes a significant contribution to the quality of the football, but you would have to be blind or extremely prejudiced to deny the Italian competition its eminence near the top of the tree.
Spain has Rivaldo and Luis Figo, and England has Vieira and Anelka, but Italy has Davids, Zidane, Cafu, Veron and many, many more.
So the raw product is certainly there in startling abundance, but there's still a presentation to achieve and Channel 4 have really come up with the goods. The programme is anchored by the marvellous James Richards and he is usually joined by an old time British player who made it big in Italy, such as Luther Blissett (well, quite big) and Joe Jordan and the coverage is always first rate.
4 would undoubtedly struggle to make Southampton versus Coventry City a highlight, and Sky are out on their own as far as regular and varied soccer coverage are concerned, but 4 has certainly acquitted itself well with the big matches in Italy, rising regularly to the occasion.
When they have to compete with Sky's Sunday coverage, they will usually lose out if Sky has a BIG match, but the general standard of Italian clubs is probably still better than our own and you are normally guaranteed a high quality, skilful game, although some of the lustre has gone out of Serie A over the last couple of years as their clubs have consistently struggled to live up to their reps in European competition. The football, however, has thoroughly shaken off its old defensive mindset which was ever present in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties and is far more attractive and exciting for that.
The recent triumph of Roma in securing the title indicates that the sort of dominance as currently exerted in England by United is unlikely to return over there for some time and it's a far more appealing situation as a result.
Channel 4 normally represents good value on a Sunday and the weather is certainly more conducive to top class football than our own drearily unpredictable climate.
Advantages: Very well presented, Looks like alot of time has been spent on it. Disadvantages: Italian football itself can be boring sometimes
...the presentation of it on Channel 4.
I regularly watch the live matches, but they have had some bad luck, including Inter - Brescia, one of the most boring games i have ever seen, but the really great thing about Football Italia is the weekly highlights/ magazine program, Gazetta, on Saturday mornings.
James Richardson presents it very well, and it is very well structured, involving highlights, all the goals from the previous week, plus a round ... ...incredibly good Italian) and previews of the Sunday live match. The progress of each of the Italian Serie A clubs is well documented, with not that much favouritism to the big clubs like Juventus, Lazio, Milan, Inter, Roma, which makes a welcome change, and the newspaper report always has some funny stories, as well as the big ones.
The commentating is better than BBC, ITV or Sky because theres very little mindless facts and information - its just ...
Yeahmate 17.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4 - Football Italia
Advantages: Very well presented Disadvantages: Scheduling of Gazzetta programme
C4’s football programme concentrates on the action from the Italian Serie A which is the equivalent of England’s Premier league. A full match is broadcast live each Sunday but even better is the magazine style programme called Gazzetta which is broadcast on a Saturday morning.
The Gazzetta programme is presented by James Richardson who is easily the best presenter of a football related programme on British TV. Richardson is knowledgeable and enthusiastic ... ...the patronising way BBC and to a lesser extent ITV presenters are. Fluent in Italian, Richardson has football interviews with players and managers which avoid cliches and the usual drivel which passes for comment on for example Football Focus on Grandstand at Saturday lunchtime.
He reviews the Italian football press, it too far ahead of anything we publish in the UK, and often presents from a location in the heart of the beautiful cities of Italy. ...
polydeuces 12.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4 - Football Italia
Advantages: See opinion Disadvantages: See opinion
...ten years ago and is Channel Fours only football coverage. It is helmed by James Richardson, one of the unsung heroes of sports broadcasting and is an erstwhile Roma supporter so he is enjoying this season very much indeed. He has a dry delivery of his lines and at times makes the show hilarious with his range of sexual innuendo and sarcastic jibes. His trademark is the paper review where he takes a look at the weeks events and transfer speculation.
... ...Overall the pluses are more than the minuses and if I had my way then all fotball coverage would be handled by Channel Four so I wouldnt have to put up with the intensely patriotic Des Lynham on ITV or Alan Hansen who loves the sound of his own voice. ...
Gavin6 12.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Channel 4 - Football Italia
Advantages: The best league in the world - for free! Disadvantages: None
...premiership some eight years ago, Channel four pulled off something of a coup by bringing in this Serie A program. James Richardson makes a very good host and presents the program in a stylish manner, often in some swanky italian coffee shop. Commentary is always good, with a few famous names in there as well. I bet it didn't cost Channel four that much either, and we get the chance to see the best players in the world (except from a few in Spain). ...
northers 04.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Channel 4 - Football Italia
Advantages: Great show Disadvantages: none that I have found
Channel $ Football Italia is an excellent programme which is well presented and gives you a comprehensive round up of Italian football. It's really a programme of 2 halfs - on the saturday you get the previous weeks round up and latest footie gossip and then on sunday it gives you a live match. It makes match of the day pale into insignifucance in more ways then one. This programme is excellent viewing - I'm not a true footie fan but I watch this ...
jo1l 24.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Channel 4 - Football Italia
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