It was an international tournament, with teams from Marseilles, Paris, Thun, Zürich, Geneva, Schaffhausen and Lausanne. The men and women players ranged from 12 to 55 years old. Fans were enthusiastic but polite, often rooting for the underdog.
Yesterday afternoon the Third Annual Churches of Christ Indoor Football (soccer) Tournament ended with a first place finish by Team Paris.
Though we live in Switzerland, we know our French brethren much better than the German-speaking Swiss Christians. Two years ago, the Shaffhouse Church decided to host this tournament to encourage better relations between Christians on either side of the language barrier. Geneva participated that year and the following, and several of their members decided to host this year’s event. 6 players from Geneva made Lausanne’s contingency of 5 complete. Those who stayed the entire weekend slept in the nearby nuclear bomb shelter.
The toughest part of the tournament was when Lausanne, with Son 2 (goalie) and Daughter, played Marseilles and Son 1 (goalie). Wife and I cheered for both goalies and for Daughter whenever she dribbled the ball.
A church sports’ league may sound commonplace to you, but for Europeans it is a unique experience providing opportunity for cross-language communion and worship.
It was an international tournament, with teams from Marseilles, Paris, Thun, Zürich, Geneva, Schaffhausen and Lausanne. The men and women players ranged from 12 to 55 years old. Fans were enthusiastic but polite, often rooting for the underdog.
Yesterday afternoon the Third Annual Churches of Christ Indoor Football (soccer) Tournament ended with a first place finish by Team Paris.
Though we live in Switzerland, we know our French brethren much better than the German-speaking Swiss Christians. Two years ago, the Shaffhouse Church decided to host this tournament to encourage better relations between Christians on either side of the language barrier. Geneva participated that year and the following, and several of their members decided to host this year’s event. 6 players from Geneva made Lausanne’s contingency of 5 complete. Those who stayed the entire weekend slept in the nearby nuclear bomb shelter.
The toughest part of the tournament was when Lausanne, with Son 2 (goalie) and Daughter, played Marseilles and Son 1 (goalie). Wife and I cheered for both goalies and for Daughter whenever she dribbled the ball.
A church sports’ league may sound commonplace to you, but for Europeans it is a unique experience providing opportunity for cross-language communion and worship. 