Late nights, gambling and a high called football

BANGKOK: From snowy Himalayan valleys to steaming tropical cities, Asians are losing a lot of sleep – and money – as Euro 2004 fever infects a continent where soccer is passionately followed if not always brilliantly played. 

Given time differences, Asian workers, and sometimes their bosses, are arriving at offices in a groggy state, or not at all, after watching games into the early hours. Family quarrels over Euro 2004 viewing are also being reported.