Lacrosse has been around for centuries, in one form or another, but still there are many people who have not even heard of this fantastic sport. It has its roots in north America but has since spread to many other countries, especially Britain and Australia. The most recent men's world championships saw 21 countries taking part, many of them recent European converts. A guide to European countries which play lacrosse can be found at europeanlacrosse.org.
So what is lacrosse? If you've never seen a game, you're in for a treat. Firstly, some explanation may be necessary. Like field hockey, it involves two teams, two goals, one ball and one stick per player. Unlike field hockey, the ball doesn't roll on the ground but can be picked up in the pocket of the stick, and thrown and caught. Yes, you can run with the ball, yes there are goalkeepers, and no, it's not that dangerous. There are both men's and women's versions of the game, and you can check out more in lacrosse basics.
The next events are:
2008: the Men's European Championships - Lahti, Finland
2009: the Women's World Championships, Czech Republic
2010 : the 2010 Men's World Championships, Manchester, England
In May 2007, the Men's 2007 World Indoor Championships were held in Canada. This followed on from the 2003 championships with this time eight nations taking part.
The latest World Championship was the 2006 Men's World Championship in July 2006 in London, Ontario, Canada. Canada ended USA's 6-championship-winning run, beating them 15-10.
In June/July 2005, the Women's World Cup was held in Maryland, USA. Australia came away winners over the US squad, with England taking 3rd place ahead of Canada.
New in 2003, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships took place in Ontario, Canada, with 6 nations taking part. Quite different from the outdoor game, this exciting tournament looks to have been a great success. Another indoor event was the 2004 Heritage Cup in October between the USA and Canada, with Canada this time triumphing clearly 17-8.
Also in 2003, the Under-19 World Championships was held from 26th June-5th July 2003 in Maryland, USA. With 9 men's teams and 7 women's teams, both competitions were won by the USA, both of whose teams remained unbeaten throughout.
The World Championships of Men's Lacrosse take place every four years, with the most recent one taking place in Perth, Australia, from 5th to 14th July 2002. On that occasion there were no fewer than 15 teams taking part, in three divisions. The World Cup 02 page has match results, standings and reports from the 2002 World Championships.
In July 2001, England hosted the Women's World Cup, in which the USA won yet another title. EnglishLacrosse had a write-up online but seems to have disappeared.
The 1998 Men's World Championships took place in July in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information see the World Cup 98 page.
The European championships provide a great spectacle of friendly and competitive lacrosse, bringing together men's and women's teams from all over Europe. The 2004 championships ended with victories for the England men's team and the Welsh women's team.
For match results and reports from recent men's and women's European Championships, see the following:
A mainstay of the European calendar for many years, Berlin hosts their huge amateur "Berlin Open" tournament annually, providing a great meeting-point for men and women lacrosse players from all over Europe. The whole experience is highly recommended, unlike the self-appointed 'official' tour operator who are decidedly less than impressive (just organise your own travel and hotel if you're thinking of going). There's a great write-up of the 2003 trip by the Reading wildcats, in their Berlin 2003 Diary and another of the Berlin 2001 Diary.
2003 saw several other international tournaments apart from Berlin, including the Prague Cup in the Czech Republic in July, and the Madrid tournament in Spain in August. The London Tournament is becoming a regular August fixture, drawing the crowds both in 2004 and 2005, and the Amsterdam tournament in August 2003 and 2004.
In indoor lacrosse, October 2005 saw the first Harbour laXTC box lacrosse tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which they hope will be become a regular international fixture (old link).