This is apparently going nuts on the web: China's CCTV official broadcaster's call of last Monday's crazy Italy-Australia finale, with the foul and penalty that decided it.
The next day, broadcaster Huang Jianxiang apologized, according to this China Broadcast story:
Huang, working with national broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), dumped his normal objectivity as he shouted "Long Live Italy" and "I don't like Australia" when Italy knocked out Australia on a last-minute penalty shot to reach the quarter-finals.
"In the last minutes of the Italy-Australia game last night, I added too much personal emotion to my comments," said Huang's apology letter which was read out by World Cup host Zhang Bin Tuesday night.
And one more bit:
The 38-year-old Huang screamed "Penalty! Penalty! Penalty!" as Italian defender Fabio Grosso tumbled over Lucas Neill's challenge in the Australian box.
"Grosso made it! He made it! Don't give Australia any chance! Great Italian left back. Grosso alone represents the long history and traditions of Italian soccer. He is not fighting alone," he shouted.
"Totti! He is about to take the shot. He shoulders the expectations of the whole world.
"It's a goal! Game over! ... Italy didn't fall to (Guus) Hiddink's team this time (Hiddink had led South Korea to oust Italy in the 2002 World Cup). Happy birthday to Paolo Maldini (born on July 26)! Long Live Italy!"
Huang then turned to the Socceroos: "Go home! But they don't need to fly back as far as to Australia because most of them live in Europe. Bye-bye."
Thanks to colleague Cathal Kelly for the links from back in TO.
The Chinese call of the penalty did perhaps lack an expected standard of journalistic objectivity. However, as long as it's an isolated event, I found it more hilarious than objectionable. People do seem to get worked up about their soccer.
I wonder how people in other parts of the world view our announcers. I'm thinking specifically of the Maple Leaf cheerleading team of Bob Cole, Harry Neale and Don Cherry, with Ron McLean in a supporting role. What is the name of that show they're on? Oh yes, now I remember, it's "Hockey Night in Toronto".
Posted by: Mark Thomas | July 03, 2006 at 03:42 AM
Man, how do bitter anti-Leafs fans manage to turn everything into a rant against Toronto?
Get over yourselves!
Posted by: Julian | July 03, 2006 at 11:55 AM
I like when an anouncer are for the home teams. And when you think about it, most anouncers are very biased, they have their favourite team, usually the one they watch the most. As far as the Chinese guy he got carried away a bit but soccer fans are very emotional as everyone knows. I knew how the Brazil fans felt like after the loss because i feel the same when Canada loses in hockey. It's about the passion.
Posted by: grant rankin | July 03, 2006 at 02:01 PM
I think Mark should lighten up a bit. Hell, I am a Leafs fan, and I can't deny the pro Leafs commentating by Neale, Bob Cole and Don Cherry. I wish they wouldnt cos it is just more fuel in the anti Toronto fire, but we cannot pretend that they are not biased.
Personally, I was not too impressed with the anti Aussie comments by the Chinese commentator, a bit over the top, and verging on racist.
Keep up the good work CY
Posted by: Jim | July 03, 2006 at 07:52 PM