June 16th 2024.
Laura Woods plays a crucial role in ITV's coverage of Euro 2024. As England fights to advance to the final stages of the tournament, viewers can expect to see plenty of Woods on their screens, just as much as they see the Three Lions players on the field. Woods has become a staple on our TV and airwaves in recent years and is considered one of the top names on ITV's team sheet for the extensive coverage of close to 50 games this summer. However, despite her prominent position, Woods humbly admits that she doesn't see herself as a key component.
In an interview with The Agency before Friday's opening match between the host country Germany and Scotland, Woods shared her excitement for the tournament and the buzz she gets as a fan, regardless of her role as a presenter or reporter. She also expressed relief that the build-up to this European Championship has been focused on football rather than controversial political decisions or the impact of the global pandemic, which disrupted the previous Euro 2020.
Woods was also inadvertently involved in one of the most memorable moments of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when pundits Graeme Souness and Roy Keane had a heated debate on the merits of FIFA's decision to award the tournament to the Gulf State. Despite being caught in the crossfire, Woods recalls the moment fondly, stating that it was one of her favorite moments of the entire World Cup. She also enjoys working with strong personalities like Keane and Souness, who never hold back their opinions and often spark lively discussions.
With a diverse team of pundits and presenters, Woods is excited to work alongside Ange Postegcoglou, whom she admires despite his ties to rival team Tottenham. She also speaks highly of Keane, who she believes is a brilliant pundit and holds the utmost respect for those in his field. With the evolution of punditry and presenting in recent years, Woods acknowledges the growth in variety and depth of analysis available to viewers. However, she believes that UK broadcasters should be cautious about following in the footsteps of American networks like CBS, as the tribal fan bases in the UK demand a certain level of analysis.
As the European Championship kicks off, Woods and her team at ITV are ready to bring viewers comprehensive coverage of the tournament. And while she may not consider herself a key component, it's clear that Woods plays a vital role in ensuring the success of ITV's Euro 2024 team.
Laura Woods is an essential part of ITV's team for Euro 2024. As England sets out to make history in Germany over the next month, it's safe to say that you'll be seeing a lot of her on your TV screens. She has been a constant presence on our airwaves and screens for the last few years, and just like how Harry Kane is a vital player for Gareth Southgate's team, Woods is a key member of ITV's squad for covering close to 50 games this summer. However, despite her significant role, she doesn't see herself as a crucial component. In fact, she still gets the same excitement and enthusiasm as any other football fan when it comes to a big tournament.
Thankfully, the focus leading up to this European Championship has been mostly on the football and the teams competing, rather than controversial decisions or geopolitical issues. Woods was even seen bonding with the Scottish fans before their game against Germany, which ultimately ended in a disappointing defeat for Scotland. In comparison, the narratives leading up to the previous two World Cups were dominated by the controversial decisions to select Russia and Qatar as hosts, while Euro 2020 was disrupted by the global pandemic.
When asked if the absence of these weighty issues has made the build-up more enjoyable, Woods agreed and mentioned that the fact that the tournament is being held in Germany, a more accessible location, also adds to the excitement. As a football presenter, she has experienced many memorable moments, including being caught in the middle of a heated argument between Graeme Souness and Roy Keane during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But she admits that she enjoys these moments as it adds to the excitement and entertainment for viewers.
ITV has put together a diverse team of pundits and presenters for their coverage of the tournament, and Woods is looking forward to working alongside Ange Postegcoglous, who will be making his punditry debut. She also mentions her admiration for Roy Keane, who she describes as brilliant and someone who demands the utmost respect from everyone he works with.
In recent years, punditry and presenting have evolved rapidly, with viewers now having access to a variety of opinions and in-depth analysis. This is in stark contrast to the past when tactical analysis was given little attention. With the rise of different platforms for consuming content, Woods acknowledges that Sky's Monday Night Football is the gold standard, but she also mentions the success of CBS Sport's more conversational style during their Champions League coverage. However, she believes that it would be challenging for UK broadcasters to adopt a similar style as the audience here is more tribal and demands a different level of analysis, especially for games involving their favorite teams.
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