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Thursday, July 6, 2006
City unveils World Cup final viewing party
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

When asked if he would be cheering for Italy or France when the two countries face off in Sunday’s World Cup final, Boston’s first Italian-American mayor gave a politically-savvy answer.

“I will make that choice at game time,” a grinning Mayor Thomas M. Menino said as representatives from the French and Italian consulates looked on.

Menino announced at a press conference this afternoon that the city will set up a big television screen on City Hall Plaza, which has the capacity for 50,000 fans, for the soccer match.

“Boston is an international city,” he said. “Nothing has illustrated that more than the excitement of the World Cup.”

Menino was joined at the press conference by Clint Dempsey, a New England Revolution star who also was on the US national team that was knocked out in the first round of the tournament.

Dempsey presented the mayor with a Revolution jersey that had Menino on the back with the number 1.

Sunday’s outdoor event will take place rain or shine and will begin at noon. Fans will have the opportunity to meet New England Revolution coaches and players, Patriots cheerleaders and the two team's mascots, Pat Patriot and Slyde.

Several soccer stations will be set up, as well as face painting and sign making tables. Fans will also have an opportunity to win autographed soccer merchandise, tickets to Revolution matches and various other raffle items. All interactive soccer activities will end at 2:00 p.m., when the 90-minute match is scheduled to begin.

Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation to and from the celebration, as parking bans will be in effect on several surrounding streets for the duration of the event.


Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk at 03:22 PM