Spanish Conquest: ABC Earns 3.1 Overnight For Euro 2008 Finals

ABC Earns 3.1 Overnight Rating For Spain-Germany Euro 08 Final

REPORT CARD: In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich writes TSN for yesterday's game used John Helm as the sole announcer, while ABC used Adrian Healey and Andy Gray, and TSN "came out way ahead." The "obvious edge is that, based on most laws of nature, one announcer will talk less than two." Helm "provided commentary with the kind of flair rarely heard in these parts," while Gray's "thick Scottish accent begged for either subtitles or a secondary audio feed" (TORONTO STAR, 6/30).

EVENT A SUCCESS: European soccer associations Saturday approved an expansion of the Euro Cup's field from 16 teams to 24, effective with the event in 2016. UEFA President Michel Platini said of the expansion, "Today teams like England, Denmark, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Serbia, Ukraine are not here." In London, Steve Tongue wrote it is "not difficult to predict what a majority" of the soccer associations would like to see, as UEFA General Secretary David Taylor Saturday indicated that revenue from Euro 2008 is up 56% from Euro 2004. Tongue wrote the organization of host countries of Austria and Switzerland was "excellent, with hooliganism minimal and fanzones again a huge success," but it was disappointing that only stadiums in Basel and Vienna "could hold more than 30,000 fans." Platini wants capacity "increased to a minimum of 35,000 for future tournaments." Tongue: "Wherever the next one is staged, we will all be fortunate if it is as enjoyable as Euro 2008" (London INDEPENDENT, 6/29). Also in London, Charles Carrick writes the decision to award Euro 2008 to Austria and Switzerland "attracted some criticism, based on the two countries' relative lack of profile as footballing nations." But Austrian Football Association President Friedrich Stickler and Swiss Football Association President Ralph Zloczower yesterday prior to the final said that the "performance of the home sides and some bad weather had been the tournament's only negative points" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/30).

2012 IN TROUBLE? Platini said that Euro 2012 would not be held in Poland and Ukraine as scheduled if "stadiums in their capital cities were not ready." Platini this week will lead a 12-member delegation to the countries to "examine the progress being made." Platini: "We will do everything we can to hold it in Poland and Ukraine. The only thing that will make me decide not to go is if there are no stadiums in the capitals of Warsaw and Kiev. If there are no stadiums, there will be no tournament" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/30).

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