A Fitting End?

Apparently, it takes more than defense to win championships, as the old credo goes.
Unfortunately for Switzerland, keeping the opponents scoreless this World Cup couldn't prevent the red and white from being eliminated in the quarterfinals. The Swiss failed to make any of their penalty kicks during a 3-0 shootout loss to Ukraine - just like they didn't allow a goal in four matches - after the two sides played to a lackluster 120 minutes of scoreless action.
The result capped a day that will be remembered for penalty kicks after Italy ousted Australia, 1-0. The first match ended in a most regrettable way, when Italy was awarded a penalty kick in extra time of the second half on a closish call. Watching it live, I would have thought the referee would let the tackle go, considering Fabio Grosso - the player who drew the penalty - sold the foul with a bit of acting. It was a poor way to end a match that featured good excitement at both ends.
It's now been a few days since I returned to the States, which means I'm getting my first taste of consistent World Cup coverage on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. As of now, I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I find the commentary very bland a lot of the time and I'm sick of hearing them spend five minutes a match promoting upcoming games, telling everyone how all matches are available in HD or letting us know SportsCenter is next. I didn't hear this type of self-promotion on the BBC's feed overseas, and although I couldn't understand the commentators in German, French or Czech, I'm sure they were more concerned with the soccer than anything else.
Also, listening to the words of JP Dellacamera - he's the one paired with one of my favorite players growing up, John Harkes - became increasingly annoying during certain situations. In today's Swiss-Ukraine match, just as he did when Mexico played Argentina, I got sick of him constantly letting us know that overtime would come should the tie remain. What else was going to come? If ESPN and ABC want soccer to work and want to develop an intelligent audience, then stopping treating us like fools.