Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: very helpful
This review received a counterstatement by a party concernedRead Comment
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.
Ah...the great Blissett...i saw him play for Watford when i were a youngster. Been dying to say... kabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadi (going purple)...ahhhhhhhhhhh. Is that what you meant by Indian version of B.B? Great op. Tom.
26.06.2001 03:01
Ah...the great Blissett...i saw him play for Watford when i were a youngster. Been dying to say... kabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadikabadi (going purple)...ahhhhhhhhhhh. Is that what you meant by Indian version of B.B? Great op. Tom.