I have been away for awhile. Sorry to all my loyal readers who are used to reading my blogs about places I love to eat. However, as I have said before my other passion is sports. Anyway, if you are home during the day (June 7-June 28), have tivo, or are able to watch a match on tape delay I highly recommend watching as much of the EURO 2008 tourney as possible. Remember it is played once every four years, and the current title holders are the Greeks.

Here are 7 things to watch for in this years tourney (7 for Ronaldo's Jersey number):

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): The commercials say it all. Get ready to dance with the Portuguese. This man was unquestionably the best player in the world for the past year (Manchester Utd). If you haven't seen him play he is absolutely mind-boggling. He has speed that can only be compared to someone like Devin Hester. I'm serious. From 0-60 faster than any player I have ever seen in soccer. If you think I'm kidding check it out. He has the dribbling ability of Isaih Thomas, the passing ability of Steve Nash, and the scoring ability of Kobe Bryant meaning he can score in a variety of ways. It is possible that he is the most entertaining soccer player to watch of all-time bar none (Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, KaKa etc.) (Key Match: Portugal v Czech Republic). Also, his girlfriend, Gemma Atkinson, a british tabloid star, and actress is pretty good-looking.

2. The Sleepers (The Dutch) 12/1: Sitting sixth on the odds list behind (Germany 3/1, Spain 11/2, Italy 7/1, Portugal 15/2, France 17/2), they are chalk full of fantastic players. This is a team that has goal scorers from top to bottom. They have four strikers that can score in the blink of an eye in (Kuyt, Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, and Vennegoor of Hesselink). One of their brightest young stars Ryan Babel will not be on the squad due to injury, but if I were betting on a sleeper I would take the Dutch. The biggest thing standing in their way is they are a member of the group of death with France and Italy. Keep an eye on Arjen Robben the left winger, when healthy he is one of the fastest and fiercest left footed players in the world. (Key matches v. Italy, and v France.

3. Zee Germans (Favorites).  Not having won a trophy since 1992 when they won the Euro '92 title they are hungrier than ever. With German Futball legend Franz Beckenbauer constantly running his mouth as the Director of football, he creates an atmosphere that could only be created in Wisconsin if Brett Favre became the GM of the Pack. 5'9" forward Lukas Podolski is the bulldog, pacey, forward who lead the team in scoring during qualifying. He is something like Steve Smith of The Carolina Panthers, he is small, but if you blink it's points for the other team, and probably a little dance on the end. Part of the reason they are the favorites is because they have the easiest round-robin group. (Key Match: V. Croatia)

4. Derek Rae. If you don't know who Derek Rae is by name, or face, you might by voice. He is the play-by-play part of ESPNs number one squad with the ever-chatty Tommy Smyth doing color. Smyth known for his John Madden like knowledge of the game, and his quirky delivery of said knowledge (The Irish guy who sounds ridiculous and yells "into the old onion bag"). Rae however is beyond poetic. His voice perhaps the perfect pitch and tone for announcing a sport, his descriptive phrases flow from him like he is reading a Faulkner novel, and his love and knowledge of the game are unparallelled. If I were to pick one voice to hear when I get to the pearly gates (big assumption), it would be his. BEST ANNOUNCER IN ANY SPORT.

5. The Freedoms. If you think that the Phoenix Suns play basketball the way it should be played, with a fluidity and pace that never is dull, check out the French. With recently much maligned striker Thierry Henry likely out to prove that his skills were under utilized at Barcelona this year, look for fireworks from the French. If I had to pick a player to score the most amazing goal of the tourney it would be Mr. Henry. (Key Match, v. Netherlands, v. Italy).

6. The Azzuri: The Italians are the defending World Cup champions, and can't be happy drawing the Dutch, and the French in the group-stage with only two teams advancing. They are the San Antonio Spurs of soccer. They win with hard nosed defensive play, strength, and consistent flashes of brilliance from their "Big Three" on offense: The aging stalwart Alessandro Del Piero, The Marksman Andrea Pirlo, and the Cold-Blooded goal scoring of massive forward Luca Toni. However, with Captain Fabio Cannavaro out with injury, and the Italian squads ever present legend Pipo Inzaghi not on the final roster, look for a possible let-down from the mighty Azzuri. If you could bet against a team to not win I would bet against the Italians.

7. This Years Greece: I'm going to go with the Turks. I don't think that Turkey can win the tourney, but at 50/1 it might be worth 10 bucks. They have a chance to get out of their group if they can out-duel the Czechs, and co-hosts Switzerland, not an easy task. I can see them advancing behind the likes of Mehmet Aurelio (M, Fenerbache, Turkey), the mini-mite Emre (M, Newcastle, Eng.), Tuncay Sanli (F, Middlesborough, Eng.), and Hamit Altintop (M, Bayern Munich, Germany). Altintop is questionable, but if he can play this is a talented team.

Check it out whether you are a fan or not. It is extremely important to a large portion of the world. The TV ratings will dwarf any American sporting event except the Super Bowl (Depending on the final match-up it will likely receive more viewers than the Super Bowl). If you aren't a fan tune in to watch Portugal and France, they play the most attractive soccer.

Pictured (R-L, also my guesses for top three goal scorers R-L)

Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, and Lukas Podolski.