As you can expect the days begin to run together as you spend time away from home. Sometimes you also fall behind in your writing. Perhaps that is why some people are writers…and others like me are just guys who are truly amateurs. (It takes discipline – something I have always lacked!)
Well on Tuesday the Tigers did not have any practice scheduled so I hopped on a train and zipped over to Lucerne (about an hour away). This was on the invite of my friend Claudio of the Lucerne Lions. Lucerne is a beautiful city (seems like I say that about everywhere in Switzerland) and looked forward to visiting this beautiful spot again.
After the usual picturesque journey I was met by Claudio at the train station. As it turns out this is the final day of “Carnival” in Lucerne. I think it is similar to ”Fat Tuesday” in New Orleans (or even Paczki Tuesday in Michigan for that matter).
If I have my information right this is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (The beginning of Lent??). After a crazy week of merriment and indulgence the crowds settle down for one final great effort.
So, people stuff themselves, drink to excess, generally enjoy themselves – and have an excuse to have one heck of a final party. Trust me from the little I saw with people dressed up, bands marching, people partying Lucerne sure knows how to get it done right!
But, my (ad)venture was to visit with the Claudio and the new Lion head coach – Sebastian Fandert – not to become lost in the insanity about to take place. We jumped on a tram and headed towards a part of Lucerne that I hadn’t been to before.
It was a lot of fun to spend time with Claudio who showed me around the Lions practice several years ago. He was a very gracious host then, and he still is today.
Currently he is the manager of the Lucerne Lions and also the owner of Snap Shop which is one of the few sports shops that cater to American Football in all of Switzerland. He is a very busy young man…plus he is a tired guy as well. His wife gave birth to their first child – a son named Nino a few months ago.
Sebastian the coach of the Lions is a very interesting young man to spend time with as well. He has spent several years coaching throughout Europe and currently is also the head coach of the Czech Senior National Team. He is obviously a man of the world – a guy who knows the ins-and-outs of European (American) Football. And, that does take some getting used to!
We spent the afternoon chatting about football in general and about the difficulties of coaching in Europe. In my short time visiting the continent across the sea I can see the frustrations that a coach faces here.
It is hard to find financing, travel, and build a roster in a land where you are facing populations that understand Soccer and basketball a whole lot better than American football which is alien to them. But, what is evident is the commitment that the players who are involved with the game have. They absolutely love playing and competing.
These guys all pay their own money, buy their own equipment, find their way to practice…..and the Senior (+20) guys all have jobs. They work all day long….then they take a train, drive, bus to the field for a two to three hour practice from 8:00 to 10:30 or so. Insane – right?? But, like I said, they truly are committed.
Later – in the early evening I went to practice with Sebastian and my friend Markus who works with the wide receivers. Man, it was cold at practice….But, we are in Switzerland and it is early March after all! The wind gusting through the practice field didn’t help matters much either.
I helped out with the defensive line and they did have a pretty impressive player playing Defensive Tackle. He was big (6-4 or so) and had some quickness to him. I would guess he would be a dominant player within the SAFV.
Overall it was an interesting practice to observe. Being they were short several players (due to “Carnival” I would guess) it was hard to judge the talent level they had. But, they did have several players who were also nursing injuries – this could be a problem if they do not heal soon. The season opens in about four week’s time.
Sebastian also mentioned they opened with the Bern Grizzlies one of the better teams in the A-League. The Grizzlies had brought on a new QB who happens to be an import player. (Most teams that have imports will bring in a QB – usually an American). Apparently, word has gotten around that he is very fast.
Many QB’s who are imports in Europe (Switzerland) are basically runners first and throwers second. The European coaches are looking for dual threat guys because they put so much stress on already taxed defensive teams. They realize that these types of players are great athletes and offer some real options within the offense – funny you say option I guess.
After practice ended I crashed at the apartment that was used by the three import players that the Lions have. It’s always hanging around young guys in their mid-twenties. (I think I was there once??).
It was already after eleven – I crashed in the fourth bedroom that was unused. This was quite a nice pad for the young men. Although it did not have a living room per say – just a large kitchen – wide hallway, four large bedrooms (really large), two bathrooms and a washer / dryer set up. Actually, perfect for young guys whose main objective was to play football and have a good time.
I could hear them coming and going into the early hours of the morning….had to laugh to myself. There was a time when my life was dedicated to raising hell and having a good time as well.
Waking up in the morning I discovered that the “boys” had neglected to shut the door whenever the last rebel had decided to come home (which I placed at around 4:00 AM or so). Yup, there we were – sleeping in a third floor apartment with the door wide open.
After clearing out through the used frying pans, half empty beer bottles, a wine bottle or two and some “science projects” that appeared to have been left on the table for a week or two – I hit the road.
Had a quick bite with Sebastian – hopped on the train and was back in Bern well before noon!