Italy’s World Cup Exit Leaves CCTV Commentator Sobbing On Set

Liu Yixi cries after Italy loss

We’re not sure whether Liu Yuxi is a certified reporter, but she’s been assigned to CCTV studio commentary for this year’s World Cup, and judging by her Sina Weibo account, she appears to be a huge homer for front-runners and generally popular teams such as Portugal, Brazil, and Argentina (Messi, specifically). But Ms. Liu saves her true passion for Italy, which we know because — donning the Azzurri blue — she broke down and sobbed on live television tonight following Italy’s 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

Italy is out of the World Cup while Luis Suarez’s team advances. Yeah, yeah, it hardly seems fair. Still, sports journalism has surely seen better moments:

Liu Yixi cries after Italy loss 2 Liu Yixi cries after Italy loss 3

Unlike English football fans, we take no particular joy in watching the suffering of others. We’re just shocked that Liu’s sports-watching heart hasn’t already been hardened to the cycle of hope and heartbreak that is sports in general and soccer in particular.

The worst part about the above segment, by the way, was her male colleague attributing her emotional outburst to being a “female.” I don’t have the exact quote at this moment, but he said something along the lines of, “That’s the female disposition for you.”

Hopefully we can update with video when it becomes available.

UPDATE, 12:43 pm: Video is below. That music, by the way, was not added by some cheeky uploader; CCTV cued it up mere minutes after the game ended. It featured lots of violins.

We should point out that the Chinese — and much of Asia, actually — have a long history of rooting for Italy, likely attributed to how well many Serie A club teams have marketed themselves in this market.

And eight years ago, we saw a similar incident of a Chinese journalist openly rooting for Italy in the World Cup. Here’s Jeremy Goldkorn writing in Danwei in 2006:

During last night’s live broadcast of the Italy – Australia football World Cup game, CCTV’s announcer Huang Jianxiang (黄健翔) got rather excited, and took sides with the Italians, saying things like “Don’t give the Australians any chances!” and after Italy won, “Long live Italy!”

There’s a video of that, too.

Today Chinese blogs are castigating Huang, accusing him of gravely insulting Australia and being a disgrace to Chinese football fans.

We wonder if fans will be more forgiving to Liu Yuxi because, you know, of the female disposition and all.


    6 Responses to “Italy’s World Cup Exit Leaves CCTV Commentator Sobbing On Set”

    1. Chinese Netizen

      Probably tapped by many an Italian lad whilst touring about in their country taking selfies and food pics with her iPhone gold…

      Reply
    2. jdmartinsen

      CCTV’s got a thing for Italy. Calling the ’06 Cup, Huang Jianxiang turned into a crazed fan in the late stages of an Italian victory over Australia.

      Reply
      • Chinese Netizen

        They overly gesticulate, can’t drive worth crap, have a “cha bu duo” attitude about almost everything and worship corrupt billionaires and organized crime.
        Seems like China and Italy were made for each other…

        Reply
        • Claus Rasmussen

          Gesticulate ? I would say its the opposite.

          Anyway, the rest of your comparison is spot on. I’ve never thought of it that way but it seems obvious now.

          Reply

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