I did find that "notams" in the USA means something else to "notams" in Europe. A 800nm leg past Italy and Greece digs out about 200 non-functioning lights on Italian lamp-posts, and reams of Greek v. Turkish airspace dispute stuff further down.
I can really imagine the WX-BRIEF briefer reading out all that stuff
Whereas a 300nm trip across a bit of the USA turned up just one temp restricted spot.
A telephone breifing would never work in Europe; too much dross, and weather services so disjointed few people use them.