51.  Nowitzki is a quicker version of Toni Kukoc and has a better shooting eye than Detlef Schrempf, two European players who have made it big in the NBA.

52.  One criticism of European players in the NHL is that they pass the puck too much and shoot it too little.

53.  One explanation says that American orchestra musicians are blend- and ensemble-conscious, while European players tend to be competitive and thus upwardly strident.

54.  Palffy never gets credit for a being a leader, but quietly he has been instrumental in the often difficult transition of young European players to the NHL.

55.  Only two European players, Colin Montgomerie and Jesper Parnevik, survived the cut.

56.  Seattle brought eight former European players to camp this year, including the MVPs of the past two World Bowls, Jim Arellanes and Kitna.

57.  Such a move by the Atlanta-based telecom company could stymie a bid by one big European player and set up BellSouth as de facto ally to another.

58.  The Colorado Avalanche signed right wing Jari Kurri, the highest scoring European player in National Hockey League history, to a free agent contract.

59.  The European players among them certainly respect the competition.

60.  The European players should be flattered.