the world's game

On the other side of the country from home I sat and watched Italy play Spain in Austria (or was it Switzerland?) with two gentlemen from England. What a funny little world it is. The two gentlemen were my father's age. We chatted freely about Manchester where I was born, about soccer, about anything in between hold your breath moments when the ball was arched across the goal mouth with a forward stretching full length just to get a touch on it.... but no one did and it went harmlessly by and over the end line for a goal kick. pretty soon we had most of the staff and a few others gathered around watching too. Most of them weren't into soccer and more than a few didn't know who was playing but watching a live sporting event always generates a camaraderie, superficial though it may be. It was a good game with chances for both teams. It ended 0-0 and the crowd broke up predicting the two overtimes would end without a goal and the winner would be decided by penalty kicks (which is what happened). I bid goodbye to the English gents and wished them a pleasant remainder of their vacation. They did the same. The wait staff and bartender thanked everyone and out to the streets we went, each heading their separate way. It's a funny little world how a soccer game half a world away can bring strangers together for a pleasant afternoon.

You're not going to Euro 2008?

England did not qualify for Euro 2008. The pigeons of Soho Square who fired Eriksson and hired McClaren have had their chickens come home to roost. McClaren's out and Capello's in. He didn't do so well against France in the friendly this week. Still, since England aren't busy this summer with Euro 2008, he'll have plenty of time to prepare for the 2010 World Cup.
So what's an American England fan to do in June? The USA are not invited (How rude! We won the last world war over there and rebuilt the place... and this is thanks we get?) Oh well, I guess new Europe is a lot like old Europe when it comes to football. Now if you're like me you can temporarily switch allegiances and root for some one else. We have Italian friends we met here in Boise two summers ago so maybe the Azzurri will win my backing. Then again, my friend Steve has lived in Romania so that's an option. I had some friends from Switzerland ten years ago and my friend Chad lived in Germany for a couple years. 6 degrees of separation and I could cheer on any team for Euro 2008... except France. I just can't bring myself to cheer on the French. For the rest of you who don't understand what the beautiful game has to offer... Euroball is here!