The Big Match

The second phase of the Champions League has a familiar look about it. As the weaker teams are thanked very much for taking part before being shown the door, the top 16 club sides in Europe prepare to do battle for the biggest prize in European Club football. To say that the first stage had a few surprises would be an understatement. Most notible by their absence are the thrice champions Liverpool, who were bundled out in the group stage by Swiss no-hopers FC Basle. To rub salt in the wound, Basel are managed by the man laughed out of White Hart Lane, Christian Gross. One can only imagine how much he enjoyed that. While Liverpool have the ...  Read the complete review

'Hmmmmm...Football...Marvellous, isn't it?' Which reminds me, where would we be today without football clichés? The obvious answer is that we would actually be much better off without them. However, Ron Atkinson, in his role as bumbling co-commentator for ITV's Big Match football coverage, now seems to have become the worst perpetrator of tired footballing clichés. In fact, it's now official - a study from Leeds University found that although clichés were rife in the world of the football commentator, Ron Atkinson was indeed the most consistent offender. Perhaps this man, more than any other, is the main reason why ITV's coverage ...  Read the complete review

"The Big Match" on ITV is killing football. It's absolutely terrible. I hate it almost as much as I despise Carole Smiley, which is really saying something! The commentators are easily the worst I have ever heard in almost 30 years on this planet. What Ron Atkinson knows about football you could write in one corner of a postage stamp and still have room to fit in a lifesize drawing of his brain. But by FAR the worst is David Pleat - oh my god - whoever let this man near a microphone needs to be shot. His boring comments, ridiculous observations & monotone voice (he says EVERY sentence in EXACTLY the same way) make me want to puke. ...  Read the complete review

Being an Arsenal fan, I always like to keep track of European matches. The Big Match offers coverage of almost all of the Gunners' matches in Europe, and any matches not shown live are shown on a highlights program later on at night. The Big Match offers good coverage with good commentary, good analysis from Des Lynam or Bob Wilson with a guest, often a former England manager, and the matches shown always seem to be great matches. I give the show 5 out of 5 and as long as Arsenal are playing, I never miss it. ...  Read the complete review

I really enjoy watching the big match every wednesday or every two Wednesday's. it is presented by Des Lynham, recently moved from BBC, and I think he is much better at doing it than Bob Wilson. He usually has some guest- last time it was Terry Venables, and it is very well presented by them and the commentary is extremely good and very informative. the atmosphere in the matches they show is very good, and i would go as far to say they almost bring the stadium into your living room. It is usually for European ties, and I particularly enjoy watching Man Utd who play very good football when featured- get them on more often!! No seriosuly it is a great problem ...  Read the complete review