First, I just have to say it, the Bulgarians were ROBBED!!! They were fantastic...in fact, I thought they had won the bronze...I only discovered that it was the Ukranians this morning...very disappointing. Sorry, but the Uks were boring in comparison.

Second, I found Dick Button and the woman commentator tedious...they kept saying the same things about everyone, and my friend thought it was weird that quite often the judges ruled opposite to what Dick and the gal said. Interesting to learn that they are well regarded. Oh well. Gawd they got on my nerves...I liked it better when they let people skate, then talked later.

Third, I did learn a lot from the announcers, despite their tedium and obnoxiousness...its like watching American football or baseball...if you get a good announcer you can learn a lot about the "inside game". I did. Overall, a lot of the routines bored me, for the most part, but some really grabbed me. Belbin and Agosto were spot on perfect the second night...really great and impressive (I'm always impressed to see someone really perform well under pressure, when they really have to come through with a big performance). But the fact they did so well on the second night, really worried me for the last night...could they pull that off again? Not quite, but they almost did...and they were having fun! And the Russians were technically and artistically a shade better, overall, even though they seemed stifled the last night, despite their technical proficiency. So it made sense that Russians won and Belbin/Agosto were second...that seemed right to me, even though I did wonder if the judges were basing their decisions on something more than this series. And the Bulgarians really should have won the Bronze. Seriously, they wre robbed...they were full of life.

Then there was the whole Italian team drama. I felt bad for the guy, because he WAS the one who messed up and caused them to fall. But, wow, did she make him pay for it. So much for being a team. (In the news today, she actually denied giving him death looks...or even being aware that she did. That's scary! Wonder what she's like when she KNOWS she's pissed...) And I too was worried about what was going to happen on the ice...so it was pretty much a miracle that they did so well. Then to see him crying afterwards...that was hard...I don't know what went on, but I wondering if he was crucifying himself for costing them a shot at the medal. And I thought this would probably be the last time they would have anything to do with each other. Tough stuff, those big egos...

Anyway...izzy, thank you for drawing my attention to this...I love your writing on this (and it is accurate too!), and I enjoyed seeing a new sport (for me) with innocent eyes! Cheers!

Yes, the World Championships will be interesting...I hope the Bulgarians are there and win something this time! (Keep us informed, please!)

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