Sports GSB

["Harold Fox" <hfox@>]

This summer is turning into a fine season for spectator sports. Last night,
the Boston Celtics kicked off what promises to be a historic NBA Finals with
a dramatic 98-88 win over the LA Lakers. Two storied rivals, the Red Sox and
Yankees of basketball, back in the ring with a new generation of superstars.
Later this summer will see the much-hyped Beijing Olympics featuring
exciting new events like tank dodging, Molotov cocktail hurling, the 100m
tear-gas free-style, and the police baton relay race.

But above all these stands the sporting event of the year, Euro 2008, the
biggest football (ahem, soccer) event outside the World Cup. Those who think
US sports reflect fierce regional rivalries have no idea what they're
missing. Boston vs. LA? Come on! About the only thing we differ on is their
contempt for us putting sour cream on tacos and our horror at them putting
soy sauce on a pizza. Cool, classy Boston has gay marriage, a Frank Gehry
building, and a top-notch technology institute. Flashy, superficial LA
has... gay marriage, a Frank Gehry building, and a top-notch technology
institute.

Compare that to Poland vs. Russia...Greece vs. Turkey...Germany vs. just
about anybody else. In Italy, soccer security carry machine guns. In
England, competing fans are separated by 30-foot high, razor-wire topped,
concrete retaining walls. Not to endorse violent, ethnic nationalism, but
there's something stirring about players competing not out of mercenary
greed for the highest bidder, but solely for the glory of the country of
their birth and cultural heritage. Mighty England was already knocked out of
qualification by feisty Croatia. They can buy the Champions League and they
can buy their opponent country's beach-front property, but they can't buy
heart and courage.

So pull out your geneology charts and find a European country to root for.
Maybe you have ancestors from France. Maybe you went to a conference in
Portugal one time. Maybe you like Italian salad dressing. About seven teams
have a good chance of winning it all with no clear favorite. Let the games
begin!

           +-                                                  -+
             girl scout benefit -+-  5:30 pm  -+- 32-G9 lounge
           +-                                                  -+

              For those coming from elsewhere: Building 32 is
               <http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=32>
          Once you are in 32, just take the G-elevator to the 9th
      floor and we will be in the lounge that you will be looking at
                    <http://projects.csail.mit.edu/gsb>

_______________________________________________
Csail-related mailing list
Csail-related@
https://lists.csail.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/csail-related