10 Reasons Why America Should Watch Euro 2008

Euro 2008 will be the first European Championships ever broadcast in the United States, which makes it a big deal. So if you’re American and sitting on the fence about watching this fine tournament, or if you’re in need of convincing arguments to get a friend or family member interested, here are ten of them…

1. It’s like the World Cup for European teams. And all four 2006 World Cup semi-finalists will be present.

2. No scrubs. There are only 16 teams in the tournament, and any of those teams can win it. See Greece in 2004, Denmark (who weren’t supposed to be there) in 1992.

3. ESPN are taking it seriously. OK, ESPN2. But the schedule is ready for your perusal, and the commercials are aimed at football fans rather than semi-curious couch potatoes.

4. You can play the Cristiano Ronaldo step-over drinking game. Every time he does one, you drink. Probably NSFW.

5. You can reconnect with any European heritage you’ve got and support the land of you ancestors. Unless your ancestors were English.

6. Learn some funny new names. How can you not love a tournament featuring Niclas Alexandersson (Sweden), Dario Knezevic (Croatia) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Netherlands)?

7. You can sing-a-long with Slaven Bilic. The guitar-wielding Croatia coach has recorded a fan anthem titled Fiery Madness.

8. Been looking for an excuse to go to the bar at 9:30 in the morning (on the west coast)? Here it is.

9. Watching makes you more European. If you watch all the games you’ll probably get free health care.

10. What, you’d rather watch MLS?

Any more reasons to watch? Let us know…