Elimination of England saves singer's wife from being a soccer widow

It seems neither a new wife nor a new baby can keep Hacken Lee Hak-kan from his passion for soccer. The singer became a father in October to a boy named Ryan, but dad still seems more concerned with European football than babysitting.

Lee joined three local pros at the New Town Plaza on Monday as Adidas unveiled the official ball for next summer's Euro 2008 tournament. Fortunately for Lee's wife, Emily Lo Suk-yi, now that England is out she won't be a complete football widow.

'I was thinking about flying over to watch the finals, but since my team is no longer competing, I guess I won't be going,' Lee, a long-time supporter of the English side, sighed.

'I am very disappointed, but I will still be watching the games.'

More analytical about the sport was three-time Hong Kong Footballer of the Year Lee Kin-wo, who predicted more and more goals as the game's technology improves.

'In the old days, the footballs we played with were not even as round as this new one. With improved technology, manufacturing and better material giving more surface friction, players have better control.