As Stuart leaves for Europe, he is entering a continent nearly overcome with excitement about the upcoming European Championship, which commences this weekend and lasts through early July. The highlight of the weekend will undoubtedly be England versus France, pitting the Three Lions' so-called Golden Generation (Beckham, the Nevilles, Scholes, Butt, Owen, and Campbell, who have all played together since the 1998 World Cup) against the French masters, two of whom, Zidane and Henry, may be among the top footballers ever to play the game. Continuing coverage of the tournament may be found at ESPN's soccer website and Fox Sports World.
While the passion and pageantry, not to mention quality of play, will be on display in Europe, news elsewhere in the soccer world is salient. Iraq, starting its 2006 World Cup qualifying, won its first game 6-1 against Taiwan. What a story it would be should they continue on with success. And, in Argentina, tonight boasts the latest "superclassico" between Boca Juniors and River Plate as a part of the Copa Libertadores. The game at Boca's La Bombonera may be less frenzied than in the past due to the fact that visiting River fans will not be allowed in the stadium as a security precaution. Boca, the team of Buenos Aries' working class and of Diego Maradona, and River, cheered on by the elites of Argentina's capitol city, have a long history of violence between fans at games. Articles on Iraq's team and Boca v. River may be found here and here, respectively.
