Yes, there is a Women's World Cup. Chris and I went to the Rose Bowl in '99 to see the US team play the final against China--a fabulous game with great teams.

Sure, there's commercialization, and all kinds of other imperfections. That's true for the Tour de France, and any event that generates money, especially sporting events. But when they play, it is often still a remarkably beautiful game. I'd just as soon appreciate the good along with trying to do something about the bad.

Maybe the Socceroos will do it--you never know. Upsets happen. Don't think anyone expected France to do what they did in 98.

Rugby is THE thing in Wales too--even more than football. We had a long discussion with our hosts in Usk about why there is so much fan violence in football but so little in rugby. The theory was two fold: a) in rugby the violence happens on the field; b) they score more so fans are less frustrated. They said the atmosphere at rugby matches was totally different, much more family friendly, than at football matches, so if we go again in rugby season they'll take us to a game.