Yuh notice they put up Lalas Resume, like that suppose to convince yuh on the shyte he talking. Why did they not put up Ballack Resume? They would have had to cut away from studio and run a highlight reel.
They need to put up Ballack resume every time they show him on-screen?
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Aside from that, saying that ESPN looking for "wild and exciteable" analysts is as nonsensical as calling Barkley and Kenny Smith "wild and exciteable". Barkley is in the TNT studio because he's funny and to an extent unpredictable. He's a great quote machine and has always been throughout his career. He's no different from Ray Hudson in that regard so to draw up some dichotomy of approach between supposedly "American tastes" and "our" footballing tastes on that point is simply dishonest.
ESPN appears to go after former US players who are "accomplished" and who have personality. In that regard Lalas fits the bill in his own limited way, perhaps moreso than any other US player current or retired. The problem with the ESPN approach is that they seem to be treating him (or allowing him to see himself) as some kinda expert, which he isn't. His resume pales in comparison to most of the other guests they employ (except he lacks the humility to recognize this... or otherwise thinks it insignificant), yet he opines in such a manner as to suggest that he is their equal or better.
All that said, I didn't think the exchange was as significant as men was making it out to be.
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All this talk, and the respective scorelines aside... we are seeing some real quality football at this tournament. Selassie was good in the first game for the Czech Republic... but he was brilliant tonight. Same for Jiracek or whatever the first goal scorer name is. For Greece, Samaras leave everything on the pitch tonight.
