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.

birds of my neighborhood

Spring is definitely here. We played our first soccer game - if we were keeping score, which we never do, we would have recorded a 12-1 win! Ask any of the girls. The girls played very well. We challenged in the midfield so well that the other team rarely got into our half. Our attacks were fast and involved plenty of passing and even a give-and-go once. I think everyone on the team either scored or had a shot on goal. It was exciting enough that the parents didn't mind the freezing winds blowing across the pitch and the 40 degree weather.
To round out the day I took the dogs for a walk in the foothills just before sunset. It had warmed up to the high 40's by then and the brisk pace kept me comfortable. We took the "owl's roost" trail which goes through a small stand of oaks. A pair of owls actually do roost in the trees but we were probably too early to see them today. I stood still for some moments listening to the birds sing and call to one another. I heard the raucous call of red wing black birds, the chirp of sparrows or perhaps finches, the songs of robins, the soulful cooing of mourning doves and a few other chirps I can't name. It was as if every bird on the wing were announcing that spring has sprung at last.

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!

the beautiful game

The grass is getting green and it's just above 32 degrees in the morning so it must be soccer season here in Boise. In a few weeks all the parks in Boise will be overrun with packs of children kicking at a ball, each other, blades of grass.... ah, the beautiful game is on! I coach my daughters team of U7 girls. What a blast! We've managed to hold together a neighborhood team of eight girls for a couple seasons now and it's fun to see these youngsters enjoying the game and their friendships. The parents are low key which makes it a pleasure to coach. No screaming and ranting from the sidelines from our parents.
We play four on four on a small field and small goals - no goal keepers. It gives each girl the chance to play the ball. We're still working on passing so most of our goals are scored by one player sprinting all the way down the pitch with the ball. There are times when we play perfectly - goal of the week highlight reel stuff. Then again there are times when we let the other team walk the ball into our net. Still, there's never a dull moment and seeing the beaming smile on a seven year old's face as she runs to the sideline for a goal scoring celebratory hug from Mom and Dad - I love it!