England lost to Ukraine yesterday, thus sullying Fabio Capello’s 100 percent World Cup qualifying campaign record. While I understand that CrunchGear is quite popular in England—we get so much fan mail from Stoke!—I also understand that many of our American readers have no idea what I’m talking about, much less do they care. Au contraire, mes amis, for there is something that might interest you: the result of the online-only broadcast experiment. A toast, then, to the 500,000 or so people who watched the game.
You’ll recall that no “traditional” broadcaster wanted the show the game because, well, to be honest, it was a rather pointless one, seeing as though England has already qualified for next year’s World Cup. Why bother paying through the nose for a game that means nothing, and that not too many fans would bother watching? That’s the logic, at least. So in stepped Perform, which specializes in Streaming Stuff.
Perform itself said there were “no issues” with the broadcast, but you’ll have trouble convincing someone that watching a stream on your laptop can replicate the experience of watching on your big screen TV, or at the pub, or, well, at the game itself!
So yeah, if you consider ~500,000 people a success, then it was one. If not, just enjoy your Sunday.
In other World Cup news, man alive was that Argentina-Peru match dramatic! And yes: I watched it on an illegal P2P stream. Oh noes!
Too disappointing that Peru lost at the last second. I would love not to see Argentina on the World Cup. They think they are the best, especially Maradona.
The last game Brazil played with Argentina, the players said that Brazil was scared of playing against than. Well, Brazil won of course. 3 x 1.
=D
I watched the Argentina vs Peru game via illegal p2p stream as well. This is the worst state I have ever seen Argentina in. There is absolutely no cohesion. They were so lucky to come out the victors in that game. It’s sad that they have to try so hard to beat a team like Peru (no offense) at home. I’m an Argentina fan so I’m definitely worried for that game in Uruguay. All we need is one point though…In other news, USA beat Honduras in Honduras to qualify! Even though they got a bit of help from Pavon…
I also watched the game via justin tv while I was at work. What a nail bitter match it was. But I have to agree that a team like Argentina which is usually one of the top teams in the world isn’t looking very well right now.
I mean… seriously… if Peru give you a challenge then there is a problem because they are a horrible team.
But I am in no way writing Argentina off. I am nervous about the Uruguay match but I think they can pull through that then there is plenty of time to turn the team around before 2010… we just have to make it there.
Brazil just lost to Bolivia :(
After 16 months undefeated.
My heart is in pieces :(
Yeah, but Brazil looks a lot better than Argentina does, so you guys are fine. And as happy as you guys in Brazil are about Argentina, I think the World Cup, simply as an event, needs both Brazil and Argentina in there.
I’m pretty sure that any of us could coach Argentina as badly as Maradona does. The team looks terrible, like it has no idea what sport it’s playing.
I live on the East side (of the Pond) and you know it irks me that after subscribing ~ $125 a month for Sky Sports and ESPN soccer – to be hit up for another $10 bucks to see the national team play a non-game!
Curious Nicholas – do you support a particular English team or are you just a Braca / Sevilla fan?
No, I don’t support any particular English team even though I do watch the EPL all the time (it’s on all the time here). There’s a few teams I don’t like (primarily because their fans are jerks online), but I don’t have any favorites. I would like to see someone outside of the big four make a go if it this year, that’s for sure!
But yeah, I’m primarily a Barça guy (I lived there for a while), but I also like Sevilla’s playing style.