Your Weekend Soccer Fix

Yeah, I know, you didn't think you needed it, right? Too bad, here it comes.

First up, the European Championship (aka Euro 08) kicks off this weekend in Switzerland and Austria. It's the biggest national team tournament outside of the World Cup and is somewhat less predictable, IMHO. In 1992, Denmark was brought in as a last minute replacement for Yugoslavia (then undergoing civil war) and walked away with the title. Last time out, in 2004, Greece stunned everyone by winning the title, beating hosts Portugal in the final (for the second time). This tournament has created a little controversy due to co-host Austria's automatic bid in light of their pathetic footballing history:

For all those fans seemingly delighted to be staging the event there are plenty more naysayers anguishing about the right of Austria, 92nd in the Fifa rankings, to stage the tournament.

An online petition has even urged Austria's national side to withdraw from the tournament, arguing that 'it cannot be denied: the performance of the Austrian team is an insult to your sense of aesthetics as well as to what you expect from this sport'.

Austrian graphic designer Stefanie Schoeffmann has also produced a range of clothing bearing the slogan 'hosted by losers', a less than upbeat take on the official "hosted by friends" tournament theme.

The Goal blog at the New York Times is on the case, with previews of each of the four groups: A (including Portugal and the Czech Republic), B (friendly neighbors Germany and Poland - again), C (the "Group of Death," including Holland, France, and World Cup holders Italy), and D (Spain and Greece). TV coverage on the ABC/EPSN family in the United States, starting Saturday morning.

Secondly, a heartwarming tale (also from the New York Times) about a kid living his dream in MLS. Jorge Flores won a Spanish-language TV contest that gave him a tryout with MLS side Chivas USA. Not only did he win the contest, he won a spot on the club roster and has become a fixture in the US's youth international sides. He'd scored goals in three straight games before last night's shutout against Red Bull NY. Given our lack of attacking flair at this point, I hope Flores's Cinderella story continues for a long time.