World Cup Diary: Feast of football but US just ain’t that bothered

It may be the best World Cup in recent memory but America ain’t that bothered. The absence of the stars and stripes has caused a big viewership drop for tournament telecasts.

The 48 group stage telecasts on Fox and FS1 averaged 2,069,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

That is down 42% from the 3.54m average on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC four years ago and down 15% from the 2,429,000 average on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC eight years ago.

Excluding games involving the US in previous World Cups, the average declined 28% from the 2014 tournament in Brazil and was up 1% from the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Timing is critical of course. Most group-stage kickoff times this year were starting as early as 6 am, and the latest matches began at 2 pm.

Nawalka to step down after Polish disappointment

Adam Nawalka will leave his position as Poland manager following a disappointing World Cup campaign. He steps down at the end of the month after five years in charge.

“I am very sorry but I am optimistic about the future of Polish football and my coaching as a coach,” said Nawalka.

“Of course, I feel responsible that at the championships we have not met expectations and ambitions, our own and fans’. I take full responsibility, because it’s always the role of a trainer and I do not run away from it”

Adam Nawalka

Zbigniew Boniek, president of the Polish Football Association, said Nawalka had failed to meet expectations at the tournament.

“We were hoping that we would offer our fans, all Poles a greater adventure and definitely more emotions,” said Boniek.

“Unfortunately, it failed. There are victories in sport, but there are also failures. Although we all tried to prepare the best for the tournament in terms of sport and logistics, it turned out that these football championships did not quite work out. That is why the time has come for analysis.”

Hosts draw home comfort to reach quarter-finals at least

Russia’s progress to the last eight is less surprising than some observers think. In 20 prior stagings of the World Cup, only three host nations have failed to reach the quarter-finals (USA 1994, co-hosts Japan 2002, and South Africa 2010).

Five home teams bowed out in the last eight (France 1938, Switzerland 1954, Mexico 1970 & 1986, and Spain 1982).

Six went on to lift the trophy (Uruguay 1930, Italy 1934, England 1966, West Germany 1974, Argentina 1978, and France 1998). The other six finished either as runners-up (Brazil 1950, Sweden 1958), in third place (Chile 1962, Italy 1990, Germany 2006) or fourth (co-hosts South Korea 2002, and Brazil 2014).

Russians guaranteed to toast one piece of silverware

Win or lose Saturday, the Russians will be toasting one piece of silverware. Native son Alex Ovechkin has confirmed he’s bringing hockey’s Stanley Cup to the World Cup.

Fresh off winning the NHL title, the Washington Capitals forward is continuing his summer-long victory tour by taking the trophy to Moscow on Saturday, where it will be exhibited at a “fan fest” public viewing site ahead of Russia’s quarter-final against Croatia.

Hierro, right, was only appointed as coach on the eve of the World Cup (AP)

Iniesta: Now is the time to step aside

Andres Iniesta has confirmed his international retirement by saying “now is the time to step aside” after Spain were knocked out of the World Cup.

The 34-year-old ended his trophy-laden spell at Barcelona at the end of the season and will now represent Vissel Kobe in the J-League.

“It’s not an easy decision, on the contrary, I’ve been thinking about it a lot during the past months,” he said.

“It was the dream of my life to defend the colours of my country,” Iniesta wrote.

“It was something very special, not just a dream but a great responsibility. During all these years I’ve tried to make myself conscious of what it means and give always my best, to make yourselves (sic) proud.”

He added: “The future is thrilling, with a great group of unbelievable players.”