WHAT. A. Week. Of. Televisual. Sport. A Lions Test match, the first week of Wimbledon, the start of the Tour de France, football Championship action at Croke Park, midweek bonus hurling from the Leinster U21 Championship, the Irish Open golf. And the Confederations Cup. It was all going so well until we reached the Confederations Cup. Even if Gary Lineker declared the competition "nothing short of spectacular" ahead of Wednesday night's first semi-final between Brazil and Uruguay, it hasn't been anything close to spectacular. It can't be spectacular, it's the Confederations Cup.
That's part of what made the wailing and gnashing of teeth over Tahiti's participation so ridiculous. Apparently the OFC Nations Cup winners being there "devalued" the tournament. It can't be devalued, it's the Confederations Cup. That said, it's a nice diversion that whets the appetite (a little) ahead of the real international football tournament Brazil is hosting next summer. Hopefully the Beeb will keep Kevin Kilbane (right) in a pundit's chair for the 2014 World Cup. Providing a welcome break from Alan "how could I have known anything about Tahiti when I don't know anything about Mexico, Nigeria or Japan" Shearer, the Irish legend was able to dip his toe into some geopolitical economic chat, talking about the protests he witnessed when he was out in Brazil. Next stop Newsnight for Killer.
Alan Hansen stuck to the action on pitch, and he has been loving it.
There's been "a freedom to the play", he said. "Will they be this relaxed next summer?" countered Kilbane. effectively saying: "calm down Alan, it's the Confederations Cup."
By half-time, Hansen wasn't so enthusiastic, with BBC
Three's break for the news deemed more exciting than what was going on on the pitch, where Brazil led 1-0 thanks to a shinned effort from Fred, and Julio Cesar saving Diego Forlan's penalty. Thankfully for all concerned (except Uruguay, who lost 2-1) things picked up a bit towards the end of the match, with the hosts grabbing a late winner. Don't tell the Brazilian players, management and supporters that this is "only the Confederations Cup". They were loving it. "You wonder what it will be like in 12 months time," asked Gary, who had obviously gained a little perspective over the previous couple of hours.