Off topic, but I hope someone is watching this College World Series:

1) Mike: "Do people who paint their faces get hot?"
2) (after showing an old pic of Orel with some trucker glasses on from his college days) Mike: "Spend a lot of Saturday nights alone did we?"

Sure? I got Healey-Gray for Portugal vs. Germany and for Wednesday semi-final.

Derek Rae and Andy Gray were phenominal during Turkey-Czech Republic. I would like to see those two together more.

All of the announcers have been superb, in my opinion in what has been a superb tournament. The Turkey-Czech Republic game was one of the greatest soccer games I have ever seen.

Even though it probably won't top yesterday's dramatics, I can't wait to see tomorrow's France-Italy rematch from the World Cup.

Now if they would only get rid of Julie Foudy...

Irony: Jim Rome Is Burning is pre-empted all week by Euro 2008.

Tommy Smyth is the worst soccer announcer I have ever heard. Doesn't know anything and his attempts at jokes are just brutal. Get this guy off the air ASAP and leave it to Healey and Gray the rest of the way.

Healy and Gray have 0 chemistry. While I like Healy's voice and delivery, I've also found him far less insightful than Derek Rae. Derek Rae has done a far better job creating a strong European mood, adding atmosphere to the broadcasts. For Healy, it seems he announces in a vaccum, making nearly no extraneous comments whatsoever, limited to strict name-calling play by play. I find this too understated for an event of this magnitude. It also makes him seem distant, disinterested and disconnected since this style prevents conversation, indeed any interaction, with Gray. Tommy Smythe has come out of his shell to be much better than in the Champs league coverage too. I'm surprised they seem to be giving the better of the two games of the day to Gray and Healy and am glad to see Rae and Smythe continuing for the knockout rounds.

And yes... Julie Foudy is intolerable in the booth. Awkward, meek and totally ignorant as to European National Club Soccer. Sad business since Reece Davis clearly isn't a big time expert either.

To the anonymous person who said that Tommy Smyth was the worst soccer announcer: Find a tape (if any exist) of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and listen to Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa announce. They were the worst soccer announcers of all time.

Adrian Healey, in my opinion, has a much better chemistry with Tommy Smyth whom he worked with in the aforementioned World Cup.

Derek Rae and Andy Gray have been awesome all tournament (the Turkey-Czech Republic game that they did together was magic).

Go back to 2002 and all the horrible play-calling by Jack Edwards. Now THAT was horrible.
I like Rae. A lot. He's been great. But you've got to put him with Andy Gray.

Rae and Gray gelled well. They're both old hands, know how the job's done, and don't feel too much of a need to cleave to the usual demands of ESPN soccer announcing.

(I'm sure Gray has a swear box for when he gets back home, involving a sizeable donation whenever he says 'soccer'.)

Turkey-Czech Rep had a second half that I'll remember for a long time, not least for Gray's 'where have you been?' to people switching over from the Portugal match. I also think he's been a catalyst for Smyth.

It's a pity that the Bristol-based commentary means the HT and FT talk for the four group-decider days is being left to bloody Foudy, who shows the real weakness of ESPN, even now. The need for 10m of commercials limits what can be said at HT, but having someone who can call up replays -- and backroom staff ready to illustrate tactical points -- really will show that ESPN can do the job.

Some analysis will doubtless come back for the QFs, if Gray sticks around for the knockout stage. And you have to hope he does.

Fantastic tournament so far.

Here's what i think of the announcers.

Gray: Knowledgeable, and speaks well. Bumbles a bit at times, but overall B+

Smyth: He gives little insight into the game. His catch lines have become tiresome. I seriously doubt he has ever played football/soccer at any competitive level in his life. He is slightly better in the studio when he has time to think about what he's going to say. Also, he is rarely funny. D-

To the person talking about Balboa, i remember, it was painful, but he still had some insight.

This goes way back, but do any of you guys remember Ty Keo??? He was by far the worst soccer announcer of all time.

"Go back to 2002 and all the horrible play-calling by Jack Edwards. Now THAT was horrible."

It's still not as bad as what we suffered through four years later. As long as ESPN keeps O'Brien out of the booth two years from now in South Africa, I'll be happy. I was so worried that he would be doing games during Euro. I love listening to Derek and Andy.