Bocce is a precision sport closely related to bowls and petanque. The ancestry of bocce as it's played today can be traced back to the Roman Empire.
Unlike bowls, bocce is played on dirt courts approximately 20-30 meters long, 2.5-4 meters wide and surrounded by a wooden frame. Bocce balls can be made of brass, compressed wood or plastic.
Bocce developed into it's present form in Italy and spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world by Italian immigrants. Bocce is now played in countries as far away from Italy as the U.S. and Canada, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.
As well as the traditional game, there are several variations that are essentially solo accuracy contests of bowling and throwing. Italian Umberto Granaglia is considered to be the greatest bocce ball player of all time. Granaglia excelled in volo, the most technically skilled form of bocce.
In honor of it's Roman roots, bocce is best played in the warm summer sun - but make sure to take all the proper precautions! Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen to prevent dehydration and sunburn!
The Nordic Greens are trailing the Reds of the West on the board. To even things out, adjust their score as follows:
- Greens: add the 3rd number from the bottom on their side
- Reds: substract the 4th number from the bottom on their side.
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