Is Jay Helfert rooting for Europe?

I'm sure that Jay is rooting for the highest possible level of play, regardless of who produces it. That, as we all know, is what makes Jay tick.
 
I think he has been very fair in his announcing, but even if he had a favorite and did pull for them, would it really matter? As long as he does nothing to influence the math, who cares. You can bet your a** if I was there, and announcing you would definately know I was pulling for the USA. I think it would be great, to have two announcers, each pulling for the opposite team, and going back and forth at each other once in a while.
 
irock said:
I think he has been very fair in his announcing, but even if he had a favorite and did pull for them, would it really matter? As long as he does nothing to influence the math, who cares. You can bet your a** if I was there, and announcing you would definately know I was pulling for the USA. I think it would be great, to have two announcers, each pulling for the opposite team, and going back and forth at each other once in a while.
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Our "Presenter" Andy Goldstein is British and he clearly favors Team Europe. He takes some kidding for that, but he is a real pro who always knows who and what is going on, and how to best express it. Andy works harder than anyone else on the commentary team and rightfully so is the NUMBER ONE man! He's young, he's sharp (great clothes and hair!) and guess what? He plays good too!

P.S. I love working with both Jim and Jerry, two of the best in my book. Good clear voices, excellent knowledge of the game and know when to talk and when to just observe. That's important, believe me. I've seen far too many "commentators" gabbing away when they should be watching and listening instead.
 
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Jay and the rest of the announcers are doing an awesome job commentating. I think the OP forgets that SKYsports and Matchroom have the target market to be broadcast in Europe and not in the states.

Regardless the guys in the booth are doing an amazing job keeping perspective neutral and pattern play precise as well as vocalizing the development of each match. Good job.

. If only they could replace the commentators for the billiard club network and Accustats. Then I'd be a happy customer.
 
jay helfert said:
To answer the first question, I'm not betting on either team. But as I said earlier I have made a small wager on the "over". If the final match result is 11-8 or closer I win this bet. It doesn't matter which team wins.

I do have friends (all of them) on both teams, and I have no favorite that I want to see win. I want the best team, who handles the immense pressure of this event and performs the best to win, as it should be.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the great pool and the fantastic matches we've seen so far. If I get a little more emotional sometimes, it's because of something that's happening during the course of the match. This could happen while either team is at the table.

I will admit I like the unbounded enthusiasm of Team Europe, and feel it's my job to report on that. And the vociferous crowd is unlike anything I've ever seen at any pool tournament, and I likewise feel the need to talk about that. By the same token, when members of Team USA have supported their partners I have mentioned that as well. This is a very difficult atmosphere for the members of Team USA to perform under, but they have been fighting hard all three days to hold onto the Cup. I've felt all along if they fall behind they will be in trouble. Being behind 8-6 going into the final day puts them in a big hole imo.

A couple of other things that could have made the OP feel that I'm leaning toward Team Europe. I've talked about Dennis Hatch voluntarily playing the "villain" role for Team USA. But he seems to relish this role, and he and the fans are having fun with it. If you watch carefully, you will see the same guys who are booing Dennis, giving him high fives when he comes out to play. This is kind of the "English" way of having fun, similar to what goes on at many football (soccer) matches over here. Believe me these fans respect Dennis and his ability and his willingness to mix it up with them when he shouts right back at them.

This is a country where the most rugged athletes (rugby players, footballers, boxers) are the most admired. Dennis is their kind of guy, a fighter and a warrior. He would be the first guy they invite to the pub after it is all over!
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Sorry I bought from you Jay, your like a fish on a grill.......go USA .......
 
irock said:
I think he has been very fair in his announcing, but even if he had a favorite and did pull for them, would it really matter? As long as he does nothing to influence the math, who cares. You can bet your a** if I was there, and announcing you would definately know I was pulling for the USA. I think it would be great, to have two announcers, each pulling for the opposite team, and going back and forth at each other once in a while.
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I couldn't agree more!
 
mrinsatiable said:
Jay and the rest of the announcers are doing an awesome job commentating. I think the OP forgets that SKYsports and Matchroom have the target market to be broadcast in Europe and not in the states.
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Only that you all over here in the US will know it - Barry Hearn, the matchroom man,
and sky sports and not televising these events for europe.

You all have to know that all SKY SPORTS CHANNELS are only allowed to run in the UK.
If you are not living in the UK with an UK adress you will not be able to get SKY SPORTS.

And that my friends is the BIGGEST MISTAKE of the whole Mosconi Cup :frown:
Only wanted to clarify for all of you, that only UK people are able to watch it - thanks to matchroom :(

Eric"h" ------ thinks all the comantators are doing a fantastic job
 
jay helfert said:
...This is a country where the most rugged athletes (rugby players, footballers, boxers) are the most admired. Dennis is their kind of guy, a fighter and a warrior. He would be the first guy they invite to the pub after it is all over!
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Jay has nailed the Brit sports fan.
 
screw um and their loud fans... I'd like to see Americans kick the s**t outa those Limey's....... GO USA!
 
jay helfert said:
If you watch carefully, you will see the same guys who are booing Dennis, giving him high fives when he comes out to play. This is kind of the "English" way of having fun, similar to what goes on at many football (soccer) matches over here. Believe me these fans respect Dennis and his ability and his willingness to mix it up with them when he shouts right back at them.

This is a country where the most rugged athletes (rugby players, footballers, boxers) are the most admired. Dennis is their kind of guy, a fighter and a warrior. He would be the first guy they invite to the pub after it is all over!
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Jay, as an Englishman living in the US for the last 5 years, I am amazed at how perceptive you are. You have 100% nailed it here. We love to hate the villain, but also respect anyone that puts their heart on the line for their country.
 
[/QUOTE]
This is a country where the most rugged athletes (rugby players, footballers, boxers) are the most admired. Dennis is their kind of guy, a fighter and a warrior. He would be the first guy they invite to the pub after it is all over![/QUOTE]



Hit the nail on the head right there Jay. I post on a English music board and their attitude or (Taking the piss) posts are fun and bratty. Mostly i enjoy the banter. If you're easy to offend than this type of humor (banter) is not for you.

Great post Jay :thumbup:
 
arcticmonkey said:
Jay, as an Englishman living in the US for the last 5 years, I am amazed at how perceptive you are. You have 100% nailed it here. We love to hate the villain, but also respect anyone that puts their heart on the line for their country.
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:cool::cool::cool:
 
jay helfert said:
To answer the first question, I'm not betting on either team. But as I said earlier I have made a small wager on the "over". If the final match result is 11-8 or closer I win this bet. It doesn't matter which team wins.

I do have friends (all of them) on both teams, and I have no favorite that I want to see win. I want the best team, who handles the immense pressure of this event and performs the best to win, as it should be.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the great pool and the fantastic matches we've seen so far. If I get a little more emotional sometimes, it's because of something that's happening during the course of the match. This could happen while either team is at the table.

I will admit I like the unbounded enthusiasm of Team Europe, and feel it's my job to report on that. And the vociferous crowd is unlike anything I've ever seen at any pool tournament, and I likewise feel the need to talk about that. By the same token, when members of Team USA have supported their partners I have mentioned that as well. This is a very difficult atmosphere for the members of Team USA to perform under, but they have been fighting hard all three days to hold onto the Cup. I've felt all along if they fall behind they will be in trouble. Being behind 8-6 going into the final day puts them in a big hole imo.

A couple of other things that could have made the OP feel that I'm leaning toward Team Europe. I've talked about Dennis Hatch voluntarily playing the "villain" role for Team USA. But he seems to relish this role, and he and the fans are having fun with it. If you watch carefully, you will see the same guys who are booing Dennis, giving him high fives when he comes out to play. This is kind of the "English" way of having fun, similar to what goes on at many football (soccer) matches over here. Believe me these fans respect Dennis and his ability and his willingness to mix it up with them when he shouts right back at them.

This is a country where the most rugged athletes (rugby players, footballers, boxers) are the most admired. Dennis is their kind of guy, a fighter and a warrior. He would be the first guy they invite to the pub after it is all over!
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Jay,

AZ will not allow me to "rep" you for this great post. Thanks so much for your love of the game of pool. Regardless of which flag is flying overhead.

Lyn
 
Its true!!!! I found out the truth. An anonymous source informed me that Jay was actually born in Belarus and has dual citizenship in Amsterdam. So now you can all vilify with just cause now. Damn you Jay, how could you have deceived us for so long?!!
 
I know Jimmy must have been so sick of hearing "The Europeans are playing not to lose" last year that he couldn't wait to use it this year about the Americans.
 
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