International Soccer Viewing

Much of Europe is transfixed with the UEFA European Football Championships currently talking place in Austria and Switzerland. D.C.'s soccer bars and restaurants have been reporting packed houses to watch midday matches, which start at noon and 2 p.m. our time, and ESPN is showing all the games. But D.C. is a truly international city, and you should really take advantage of the embassies and cultural groups arranging screenings across town; so far this week, you could have watched Sweden thump Greece at the House of Sweden or participated in a soccer festival at the Swiss Embassy before the host side was narrowly defeated 1-0 by the Czech Republic.

Sunday, for example, Switzerland takes on a very strong Portuguese side at 2:30. Forget about the comfort of your couch and head for the Embassy of Switzerland, where you can take in a truly international atmosphere while seeing the game on large projection screens. If it's crowded, you'll wind up sitting on the floor, but that might beat getting squished into the corner of your local sports bar. Reservations are required; e-mail was.events@eda.admin.ch or call 202-745-7979.

On Monday, Germany faces co-hosts Austria, and passions should be running high for this match. Take a long lunch or schedule a doctor's appointment for 2:45, then head for the Goethe-Institut, where the game will be on big screens in the gallery. RSVP on the Goethe-Institut Web site, and bring your own snacks.

The final is on June 29, and the Embassy of Austria is hosting an open house for the occasion, serving food and drinks and showing the game on a big screen. There's no charge, but you do have to RSVP on austria.org

Finally, during yesterday's Got Plans? discussion, someone asked where Spanish fans would be going to watch the game. After the chat ended, I received this message from an embassy employee: "Some of us will be at Lucky Bar. Others at Churreria Madrid, others at Summers."

As we hear of more international viewing opportunities, we'll add them to this page.

-- Fritz