Whilst it is disappointing, for the semi finals we did get a 30 minute build up.

Was Grandstand still on in 2005?

I think the demise of Grandstand cocks us up a touch on things like cup final day. It used to come on at 12.15ish, and they would be based at Wembley, with features and chat in between all the other sports. Overall, the build up used to be much more than 20-30mins, however now it needs to be scheduled in as a programme in itself the coverage is shorter.

I know, I checked

I was referring to the complete ineptitude of the BBC and their lack of interest in RL

The FA Cup final i swear is getting on to around 3 hours build up, how can they talk about a single game for that long?

Setanta Sports started it's coverage of the 2009 final at 9am.

Says it all really.

yeah but don't worry our friends at the beeb will still give us a full afternoon of the boat race,a smidgeon of racing and golf and some of the five nations,that licence fee isn't worth a toss if you are a follower of sport in general,give the challenge cup to sky (but with jiffy commentating)

Do you reckon they will have it on a live feed on BBC i-player?

Was the semi final shown via a live feed?
If so then I don't see why not.

I imagine so. The semi was shown live on BBC sport website.

Yes, with highlights on same link 24 hours afterwards.

Yes, it was on Grandstand, after footbal focus - I still have 2005 on tape. The whole of Grandstand was more or less dedicated to the final.

Axeing Grandstand is still a terrible move, as you had lots of build up in the later years

i wonder why ray french isnt doing the commentary

Hasn't Ray French now retired? It must have been all the negative comments on this forum that drove him to it!
And, if Saints aren't in the final, it's not worth him going really.

Scheduling is a problem for the beeb, as we can't miss Miss Marple now can we?