Green in Italy: Five observations on traveling Celtics

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Updated: October 10, 2007, 2:27 PM ET

When in Rome, the Celtics have shown an interest in soccer and other continental specialties, Ian Whittell writes.

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By Ian Whittell
Special to ESPN.com

ROME -- Five observations of note as the Boston Celtics train in Europe ...

1. Esteban Batista wore the biggest grin over the opening couple of days of training camp after getting the opportunity to meet Italian soccer legend Alessandro del Piero, a personal hero for the 6-10 center from the soccer-mad nation of Uruguay. Batista revealed that he had been an able soccer goalkeeper before quitting the sport at the age of 16 after being introduced to basketball.

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