The Hindu : Sport / Football : Even Bush can't resist watching it

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 17, 2006

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Even Bush can't resist watching it

BRUSSELS: The White House and European leaders are preoccupied with a very grave matter these days.

What's going on at the World Cup?

Televisions at the U.S. presidential residence have been tuned to the World Cup, while the British and Swedish prime ministers tried to catch glimpses of the games during a European Union summit Thursday. Of the 32 World Cup teams, 10 are from EU nations.

``The president follows sports,'' White House press secretary Tony Snow said. ``And obviously, soccer's more popular in other countries than it is in the United States. But it's got a pretty good constituency.''

Bush called the U.S. team on Monday to wish it luck before its first game against the Czech Republic.

Presidential props

Ecuador President Alfredo Palacio called the Ecuadoran national team after its 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on Thursday and congratulated the players, telling them there will be ``popular celebrations with bands'' in Quito, Guayaquil and El Chota. — AP

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