ESPN Ads Aim to Lure Americans into Watching Euro 2008

By: Laurie | May 14th, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_7fKzasYjA

ESPN has unveiled its new ad campaign for Euro 2008, and I like it.

They currently shine the spotlight on five teams: Portugal (pictured),Greece, Italy, Spain and Germany. And while I am personally quite offended that there is no France ad, I have to admit that I appreciate what they’re trying to do, which is to highlight the beauty of the different teams’ styles.

One interesting thing about these ads is that they seem to be aimed at American soccer fans, as opposed to the MLB and NFL Bubbas, who probably wouldn’t be watching anyway.

The other ads can be seen at our Euro 2008 page. And while you’re there, bookmark our main Euro page. You’re going to want to be spending a lot of time there over the next six or so weeks. Trust me on this.

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Category: Europe

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Juliet

The Italy ad was quite funny -- they do whine, but then they win. The German one was lame -- they could've made it far more interesting or sinister (heh!). I wish they would've put up a French ad, too.

The Greek ad, while it didn't show the football, will probably be the most intriguing non-soccer people -- it's like "Look at their pride, look at their love -- see what you're missing."
Elisa

Honestly, I look forward to watching the Euros on ESPN Deportes. Who will be doing the punditry in English?
tenaciouslee

I'm sold. I think I'm easily won over, though. Slightly unrelated - is there an RSS feed for the main Euro page, or do I have to agonize over which countries' RSS feeds I need?
Tommy Wong

wow Derek - ((The Italian ad just makes them look like a bunch of whingers (which isn’t far from the truth, I guess)))

Is someone bitter that they don't have 4 stars on their Jersey?
Laurie

The one I thought was the most entertaining was the Italy one. The one that got me most excited about the tournament was the Portugal one.

I agree that they missed the chance by not showin goals (preferably followed by the goal celebrations.) It will be interesting to see how Euros come off in the US.
derek

Hilarious that Greece shows no football whatsoever. Only their fans. I wonder what they would have come up with for England if they'd managed to qualify. 'All surrender to Spain's red fury'?? More like 'Will Spain choke..AGAIN?'

The ads don't exactly get me excited for Euro 2008. What gets the hairs standing up on the back of your neck are great goals or special moments, perhaps with local commentary that's so colourful. The Italian ad just makes them look like a bunch of whingers (which isn't far from the truth, I guess), not exactly doing the sport any favours for any non-football fans catching the ads on ESPN.
Laurie

I want France to win it, but on the off-chance that that's not going to happen I'd love to see a dark horse like Turkey or Romania.
Babyshoes

Yes, but are the Portuguese ready to dance with the Turks?