Some interruption? SOME interruption? During ITV's HD coverage of England's first match of World Cup 2010, some bright spark decided it would be a good idea to transmit an advert at exactly the same time as Stephen Gerrard scored his country's opening goal of the tournament. They didn't transmit the advert at the same time as Rob Green let a ball slip through his hands and into the back of the net for the USA's equalizer, oh no, the whole world had to see that. No, it had to be during Steven Gerrard's goal. No mention of this was made by either commentator for the entire match, it was up to Adrian Chiles, irritating at the best of times, to come up with ITV's apology at half time: "Apologies for those watching in HD, I believe there was some interruption in your coverage."
Twitter and ITV.com were immediately deluged with complaints about the coverage, yet even now there is no form of an apology on the ITV website. The chairman of ITV Michael Grade has however apologised for the "inexcusable glitch".
As for the match, just as South Africa opened their World Cup with a goal that will be remembered forever, so England, as is their wont, contrived to open theirs with a goalkeeping blunder that will never be forgotten. No sooner had Fabio Capello placed his confidence in Rob Green than his judgment was mocked by the sort of bungle no professional footballer can comfortably watch, an unforced error that allowed the United States back into a game on which England appeared to have a comfortable grip after Steven Gerrard's early goal.
England's problems worsened at half-time when King failed to appear for the second half, meaning a second of Capello's judgment calls may have gone wrong. The defender has an abductor problem and will not be fit for Algeria on Friday. At least Capello was brave enough to leave Green on, though at the rate his players were dropping out he probably wished to keep a substitute in reserve. The coach must hardly have been able to watch when Carragher was booked after thirteen minutes on the pitch for catching Findley late, closely followed by Gerrard for a foul on Dempsey.
The best part of the World Cup is always the glorious wave of unifying optimism before a ball is kicked. Back to reality - England stagger into phase one, part two.
Twitter and ITV.com were immediately deluged with complaints about the coverage, yet even now there is no form of an apology on the ITV website. The chairman of ITV Michael Grade has however apologised for the "inexcusable glitch".
As for the match, just as South Africa opened their World Cup with a goal that will be remembered forever, so England, as is their wont, contrived to open theirs with a goalkeeping blunder that will never be forgotten. No sooner had Fabio Capello placed his confidence in Rob Green than his judgment was mocked by the sort of bungle no professional footballer can comfortably watch, an unforced error that allowed the United States back into a game on which England appeared to have a comfortable grip after Steven Gerrard's early goal.
England's problems worsened at half-time when King failed to appear for the second half, meaning a second of Capello's judgment calls may have gone wrong. The defender has an abductor problem and will not be fit for Algeria on Friday. At least Capello was brave enough to leave Green on, though at the rate his players were dropping out he probably wished to keep a substitute in reserve. The coach must hardly have been able to watch when Carragher was booked after thirteen minutes on the pitch for catching Findley late, closely followed by Gerrard for a foul on Dempsey.
The best part of the World Cup is always the glorious wave of unifying optimism before a ball is kicked. Back to reality - England stagger into phase one, part two.
