Where to see the game on TV? (With thanks!)

03 April 2008

Yes, we all know that the FA Cup semi-final is being broadcast live on BBC1 via terrestrial, Freeview and satellite, and on the BBC HD channel - but what do you do if you're not in range?

It seems that our slightly unexpected progress in the competition has caught one or two people out; webmaster Finbarr's very understanding other half has agreed to rearrange a weekend away (at a price, probably!) - but these two aren't quite so lucky:

"I am an Albion fan currently in Sydney getting married! Can you let me know where the semi is being being televised over here and on what channel?"

 - Mick Cassidy

"I'm a long suffering Baggie and just to top it off it's my wedding anniversary this weekend and I've arranged to take my wife to Paris (booked back in Jan when a semi-final berth was mere fantasy!) I've checked the web for bars in Paris that might show the game, but the only one I've found (Le Frog and Rosbif) is apparently showing Liverpool V Arsenal in the prem, on at the same time!! Is there any ex-pat Baggies in Paris that might know where I can get to see the game? I know its a long shot but I'm desperate!"

 - Malcolm Nye (Macclesfield Baggie)

If you know anything that might help, or have any advice for Baggies similarly stuck elsewhere in the world, please Contact Us!!

This site: liveonsat.com lists the satellite channels that say they will be showing the game. It probably won't be of much use to any fans who are looking to just stroll into a bar whereever they happen to be though. For those with access to their own dish, one noteworthy channel which is listed as showing it is "DSF Sport" - it's unencrytped on the Astra 1 satellite, and so will be available to most satellite viewers in Germany, Holland, France, Spain and Eastern Europe.

 - Stan

In Asia it's live on STAR Sports. Any Baggies in Bangkok on Saturday can join the Thai Baggies at the Cross Bar. The match kicks off at 6.15pm Thai time, but we'll meet from 5pm so that anyone who wishes to eat before the game can do so. The venue will be the Cross Bar in the next cut through north parallel to Soi Cowboy between Sukhumvit Soi 21 and 23. If you are not sure how to get there (the nearest Skytrain/Metro stations are called Asoke) check the website at www.thecrossbarbangkok.com or call me on 081-993-0055.

 - Adam

Hi, for those of you (if any) stuck in central America, then ESPN2 are showing the game. The kick off time makes it a bit early for a bar, so stock the fridge. In Panama with Cable Onda its on Channel 31 and in Costa Rica its Channel 9.

 - Marcus

Baggies fan in Los Angeles..... Game on Direct TV on channel 121 on PPV. It's at my house if anyone's interested. I live in Chatsworth. 4am here local PST.... email me at usbaggies@yahoo.com

BOING BOING !!!!!!!!!! COME ON YOU BAGGIES.... ITS LIKE XMAS as a kid ;)

 - Gareth

Re: the poor Baggie whose missus is dragging him to Paris on Saturday... I live in Paris quite close to the Frog & Rosbif, and I think there is a solution not far from there. Try McBrides Irish pub on Rue St Denis (nearest metro station Chatelet, or Chatelet Les Halles on the RER). It's now got two levels following a recent refurbishment, which means they often show different games simultaneously. I'd be gutted if they weren't showing the semi. Other option would be the Auld Alliance pub in the Marais (close to St Paul metro station).

Good luck. The right result would at least make the anniversary go with a bang, as it were.

 - John

For anyone based in Sydney - The Sydney contingent of the OzBaggies will be at Cheers Bar, George Street, Sydney from 9.00pm. See www.cheersbar.com.au/Sports.htm

All welcome - Colours a necessity. Please call Graham on 0420 603073 for more info.

 - Tim

Any US Baggies going to be in Florida? We're getting together at the Lion & Eagle in Boca Raton to watch it on Setanta live at 7am.

 - Charles

If you're stuck in Germany you can see the game live on DSF, starting at 13:10 local time.

 - Pete

Despite earlier reports, the Cup game is live on the box in New Zealand. ESPN are showing it which is good news for us living here with Sky Digital.

 - Kiwibaggie (Dunedin)

Brittany Bar in Huelgoat will show English footy and has BBC on cable (as most ex-pats do). Huelgoat is in Finnistere, Brittany.

 - Baggie Dave

In Paris, the match will be on in The Great Canadian. They have about 15 screens there (including small ones over the urinals!) and they are prepared to show umpteen different sports and games at once on different screens. They have Sky, astra etc so BBC1 is transmitted via the sky box. If it's not on, just ask behind the bar, they will put it on on one of the screens for you. The House lager is ok, Draft Guinness available and excellent bar staff. I can recommend the All Day Brunch too. I spent most of September last year in Paris watching the Rugby world cup and the place became my local. The link for the place is here: www.tgcparis.com/en/index.html

The Great Canadian is on the corner of the Quai des Grands Augustins and rue Git-le-Coeur. The nearest Metro station is St-Michel (Ligne 4) (the exit marked ?St-Andr?-des-Arts? is the nearest to the pub). RER station St-Michel Notre Dame (RER B) is also just minutes away from the pub (take the exit marked ?Notre Dame?).

Come on you Baggies!!

 - Andy

"I just wanted to thank those who offered advice on where to watch the semi-final whilst I was in Paris at the weekend. Andy's suggestion came a little too late and although John's suggestion, (McBrides) wasn't showing our boys performance, a nearby establishment, (The Thistle), was very accommodating to me and one pompey fan! This Scottish bar was packed with kilt wearing ex-pat Scots on the Friday evening with a slightly, wobbly 'in-house' piper providing music! They had access to BBC scotland which fortunately screened the game. (Great landlord and staff here).

It wasn't the result we were hoping for (or deserved for that matter), but what always impresses is me is the way baggies folk always help each other out. One brilliant fan, John, who I occasionally meet before home games, at the Waggon and Horses in Sandwell & Dudley, took time out to text me from Wembley 15 mins before kick off offering to text me goal updates if I hadn't found a place to watch the game in Paris!

These are all REAL fans of a great club who deserve to go UP! So, Keep the faith and COME ON YOU BAGGIES!"

 - Malcolm Nye (Macclesfield Baggie)

Previous Stories:

  30 March 2008:  Supporters Club News

  10 March 2008:  FA Cup: Dates and Information

  28 February 2008:  Season ticket prices reduced again!

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