My June pasttime

I admit it. I'm a convert. I have been converted to a soccer fan. And yes it all started when the World Cup was playing in the US back in 1994. I bring this up because this summer is the Euro Cup and I have found myself rooting for Portugal and watching replays of games at night while following games on my computer during the afternoon.

The interesting thing is that there is something missing when looking at Gamecast on my computer. Many call soccer "The Beautiful Game" and I'm starting to understand why. There is something peaceful and relaxing about watching a soccer match on a lazy summer afternoon. I know that often nobody scores and there are lots of ties but that isn't what the game is about to me.

I reminds me a hockey in some way in that because there are so few scores when a goal comes it is a very exciting event and the entire team erupts. There is an underlying tension in every match that the slightest mistake could put you down 1-0 (or one nil as soccer fans will say) and that is often enough of a goal cushion to attain victory. But at the same time there is a definite flow to the game that makes it fun to watch. Unlike all most other sports, the game is only interrupted by injury and halftime. That clock is constantly moving when the ball goes out of bounds, when a goal is scored, or when a foul is committed. There is no time for flipping channels. When I watch football, I am often able to watch two entire games at once without missing a single big play because of the breaks in action after every play. With soccer. for two 45 minutes periods I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy. In the summertime, often with a cool drink in one hand a book in the other. June is the month of Euro 2008. Here's to the "beautiful game".