Author: bigdaddc@comcast.net

Long weekend here in our little corner of Switzerland … the Bernese Oberland.

First on Saturday a big 50th birthday party for my friend Martin – held in the Emmental region of the canton of Bern. Just a beautiful area with homes and farmhouses with steeply peaked roofs sometimes almost extending to ground level.

The mountains aren’t as massive here, but I certainly wouldn’t call the rolling green area “hills” either. Many of the homes and farm areas are over two hundred years old. Yeah, and they are built on the tops of some of these “Hills” How did that do that anyway?

It is a big dairy area of Switzerland … my friend Bradley who drove us to the party for Martin told me to think of it as Switzerland’s Breadbasket. Well, if they have dairy farming – guess what they make cheese and chocolate! Both famous from this area.

Well, I survived the party for Martin – made it home at the stroke of midnight. Crashed – slept hard! Only to be woke (no, not that kind of “woke”) to the sound of thunder and the sight of lighting around six in the morning.

Hop in the shower and zip down the Gwatt hillside (very steep hillside I must say) Jump on the #1 bus at Moos. A few stops later I am at the Lachenstadiun getting ready for a full day of football.

Carrying an extra set of clothes and an umbrella in case it rains the entire day

By the way “Family Day” at the Thun Tigers!

Four games in one day … nope, not kidding!

First is a joint U-19 practice and scrimmage with our canton rivals the Bern Grizzlies (coached by my friend John Jordan). It was very well organized and conducted by our head coach Renato.

It was like an NFL joint practice (without the pushing, shoving and fighting). Both teams got a lot of things done. Very productive in my opinion.

Since neither of us has scheduled games for this Saturday morning – why not practice against an opponent – why just practice against your own guys when you have a chance to compete against a different club??

This was followed by a flag football exhibition which included some of our Senior (20 and above) and young players. It was a lot of fun to watch.

OK, then some real game time football as our Thun Tigers took on the Bern Grizzlies in a U-19 game. This was a game with playoff implications written all over it.

After a three-week layoff the Tigers shook off the cobwebs and turned a very competitive game into a big win. With just one game left the Tigers certainly worked their way into a good position in regards to playoff placing.

We were forced to play a few players on both sides of the ball at various times. Now, we have some very talented running backs. They have been backbreakers to our opponents.

At times veryu storng runners – Simone and Alex played in the offensive backfield and also as linebackers for the Tigers. They were excellent on both sides of the ball. (Oh yeah exhausted after the scrimmage as well!)

Couple that with the fact that our talented signal caller Silvano was on fire and throwing the ball all over the field the Grizzlies ran into a buzz-saw today.

Bern is a very good team, but – they have had injuries and just couldn’t keep up today as we won by a pretty big score.

NOW ONTO THE BIG GAME.

Our Erste Mannschaft (“First Team”) takes on the Bienna Jets in the night cap. A lot of excitement and tension will be let loose on the kickoff.

Our “First Team” for the Thun Tigers has been practicing twice a week since January ….but we haven’t had a game in that entire time. Yes eight months!

Think about it … eight months of practce and finally we are coming into a real game. (Well, honestly Bienna is in the same boat.)

To say our guys were jacked up for the game would be an understatement. It took a few plays to settle in and just let al of that pent up energy out!

Now, the Jets are a good team. Really big guys up front and a fearless quarterback. Plus a few imports from France to secure their front.

Early on it was nip and tuck with our well balanced offense allowing us a lead until right before half as the Jets pulled ahead.

 

Tuesday … had a fantastic adventure in my second homeland.  I met my friend Stephan at the Thun Bahnhof at 7:30 (yeah, I was up at 5:30) and we hopped on the train to Bern where we met our pal Michel.

Now there is history between the three of us.  We have been friends since our 2017 success with the Swiss Junior National team in Amsterdam.  Michel was the head coach of the team and Stephan coached with the offense.  I just served as a visiting coach.  It was a blast and we had a lot of fun together.  (More of the history later … let’s get to the story!

Like I said we met Michel in Bern and then took to the rails again and traveled to the beautiful city of Luzern (or Lucern).  From there we took the train for the short trip to Stans.

Now, Stephan and Michel had planned this trip without telling me where we were going.  (Although I know that Michel was going to do something to tease me … he knows that although I am not afraid of heights … I am not going to get near the edge of anything too steep.  Yeah, I know this is Switzerland … I get it –  the Alps …. some majestic mountain peaks!  Still – I am not crazy about staring down from really high places!)

We wander around for a few minutes in Stanns and then board a train which is a “fornicular railway system.” Yeah, I know … thank God (hope I don’t get canceled for mentioning God) for Wikepedia to find out these things.  From what I gather as one car goes up it is balanced by another going down??? Well maybe not – no one said I was smart.

From the “Train” we get on a cable car … I thought of it as more of a gondola … however technicalities abound.  Cable car, gondola – tomato – tomatoe – who cares.

Anyway we got on this funky little train going up a steep grade (VERY steep grade) – eventually got off and boarded this pretty cool enclosed car (with an open observation deck above).  We cabled up to a large lodge with a revolving restaurant.

Pretty damn cool!

Sat around had breakfast … well also a beer.

The three of us hiked around the Stanserhorn for 45 minutes or so.  Just wandering and shooting the breeze.  I stayed well to the inside of the fenced in paths – Stephan and Michel were much more adventurous looking out over the fencing.  They were trying to see the sights through the clouds while I was checking to see if my parachute was packed properly.

Too bad we were enclosed by clouds because I am sure the views of the surrounding peaks are amazing.

We hiked to the top of the peak which is nearly 1900 meters as per the plaque at the top.  Now – we did make it to the highest point and I assure you this was a pretty reasonable hike – but it was not mountain climbing.

We three walked back down to the “lodge” sat around and had another beer.  We plotted our strategy for the remaining part of the afternoon.  Pretty simple.

Back down the mountainside in reverse order of the climb then train back to Luzern (Lucerne) where we would grab a beer and then take the train around Lake Luzern to Interlaken.  Stephan suggested this route for our way back home because of its beauty.

***You see we football coaches have a sensitive side too!***

Although we dropped the “having a beer idea in Luzern” pretty quickly when we sat down at a table along the river and discovered the beer cost almost 9 swiss francs.  We did the next best thing … went back to the train station and grabbed a hot pretzel and a six pack of Quollfrisch.

Stephan was right about the train around the lake.  Absolutely fantastic views as we made our way to Interlaken.

Wow, a breathtaking trip to the southern part of Switzerland.  Decided to go and see Zermatt – a little more than a two-hour train ride from my hometown of Thun.

Started off reading a book as the train left the station at the Thun Bahnhof.  Changed trains in Visp … kept reading and relaxing.  Then, looked out the window and saw a fantastic waterfall blasting out from the middle of a mountain.

Realized that I was a dumbass and should be looking out the window and not into a book about college football and recruiting.  So … glad that I started observing the scenery along the way up into the canton of Valais.

Amazing views as you climb higher into the Swiss Alps towards the Italian border.  Friends of mine told me this was a “Must see” area of my second homeland.  So, glad I listened to them.

After this pretty ride we arrived at the train station in Zermatt.  What a wonderful town of less than 6,000 people.  Another post card for the collection.  Just beautiful.

Since this basically is after the tourist season here in Switzerland the streets were not packed.  Yeah there were a lot of people – but not overrun like it might have been a few months ago!  Just right for a backpacker like me.

The town of Zermatt is famous for mountain climbing (think Matterhorn) and also the skiing in this resort area.  When you see the entire region you will get it.

The whole of Zermatt is pretty much surrounded by the Pennine Alps which has the famous mountain peak –  the Matterhorn.  However, the largest mountain in Switzerland – Monte Rosa overlooks the area as well.

Soon after you arrive to wander around you will realize that there are no cars here.  Everything is basically electric or battery-operated vehicles.  No gas combustion engines allowed.  So –  trams, taxis, hotel service rides are the norm and environmentally good.

Pretty much you can easily get everywhere by “shoe leather express” (Come on … you know walking!) Or jumping a waiting tram.

What a beautiful place   … spent the better part of an hour at an outdoor pizzeria looking at the Matterhorn and waiting for a damn cloud to move so I could get a shot of the whole peak.  Never happened – great pizza but the cloud kept “shooting me the ghost” by moving back and forth.

One way or another what a great day hear in my second homeland!

                                                                                              

Well, things don’t always go as planned …. The Thun Tigers fell today in the First Round of the Swiss playoffs.  Well, today the better team won.  The Bern Grizzlies just made more plays than we did and were able to pull away after a 20-20 first half tie.

Really there are many things that we can point to that lead to our demise.  But, I’d rather concentrate on the effort our Tigers put forth.  There was no shortage of “want to” in our guys.  They did play their asses off … no one can complain about that.

But, we just made too many miscues and untimely penalties and the well-coached Bern team just took advantage of every one of them.  That is the separation in games played by pretty much equally talented teams.

On defense you could see the Tigers hustle to the ball … guys jumping over opponents and trying to get in on a play only to have someone miss a tackle allowing a large gain.  Then, we would have a chance of a tackle in the backfield only to slip and “Wiff” on hitting the running back.

Plus, they are a well-organized team with talent at every position.  So, you miss a tackle and the Grizzlies were going to take advantage of it.  From the sidelines we would harp on keeping contain on the QB on passing downs.  Then we would have someone make a great pass rush move only to see the QB scramble away to the opposite side … yeah you guessed it – we lost contain.

On offense our always powerful running game behind Simone, Sidney and Alex ran behind Isaac and his mates up front.  They certainly controlled the line of scrimmage and our ball carriers were fabulous reeling of big run after big run.

Again, this is no disrespect to our opponents.  The Grizzlies have a bunch of talent all over the field.  They made plays to take advantage of our
missteps.  But, that is the way of playoff football – it’s winner move on and loser – you go home.

They move on due to their better game day performance and we have to now retire to the sidelines as our season comes to an end.

I spent some time at the famous and popular Thun Tigers’ Grill after the game.  Meeting and greeting our team, friends and families, the referees (who did a great job), and our opponents.

***These grills hosted by the home teams here in Switzerland are just a great idea.  Think of a concession stand in the US but one that stays open well after the game to make sure the opponents are able to buy hamburgers and beer before they trek home.***

I was also able to visit with the coaches of the winning team and some of their players as well.  As hard a fought game as the teams played there was a lot of very positive interaction between everyone.  It was fun to see John Jordan (the Grizzlies’ head coach) and his staff members.

The cool thing about these interactions is you can compare notes and share thoughts about the game.  This is a really neat thing about the barbeque set up (and the beer of course) after the games in Switzerland.

You can eat, drink and just unwind by reliving the game with an opponent … but in a productive manner that can be helpful to both sides.

As the season is now over for the U19 team … I can turn my focus to the U16 team and the “Erste Mannschaft” for the remaining time I have here in Switzerland.

Our “First Team” is undefeated and leading our side of the table.  (Tomorrow we play in Geneva against the Whoppers).  The U16 are also undefeated and preparing to play in another week (The Geneva Seahawks on the road).

Just wanted to take a second and thank all of the U19 players … the coaches and friends who have made this (mis)adventure of mine a great one.  Can’t say enough about how lucky I have bee to work with the football staff lead by Arne as head coach, Chris “Chief” Warzecha (MD), Stefan, Peter, Andy, Bradley, Martin, Alain and Alano.

The players … well thanks for helping me along the way.  Also thanks for sharing all of your stories with me and forgiving me for my lack of Swiss German!

Well, I have never been to Geneva on the French side of Switzerland.  Sunday, my first trip as our First Team (Erste Mannschaft) of the Thun Tigers takes the long journey.   Unfortunately, the Tigers make the cruise on a rainy day.  Two and a half or three hours to contemplate playing on a soggy day.

A win locks up the division championship.
Following today’s contest with the Whoppers there is only one game left in the regular season – at home against the Fribourg Cardinals.

To this point Stephan and his rock-solid coaching staff has guided the talented Tiger team to a perfect record.  But, a wet field and a slick ball can always lead to some problems.  However, as my friend and longtime NFL head coach Steve Mariucci used to stay “If you are scared … don’t show up!”

The Tigers are going to show up!

As we zipped along Switzerland’s version of the Autobahn in our double decker bus (pretty cool transport … holds as many as 75 people … plus it has a beer larder for after the game) plenty of time for reflection.

It seems like a lifetime ago but the rainy drive reminds me of the bus ride from Appleton, Wisconsin to Green Bay when you play the Packers.  Once a year for a very long time I would make that trip by bus with a different football team than today.  Often in the rain!  A little shorter – 45 minutes to an hour – but again plenty of time to think about the upcoming game.

Most teams (maybe all) that travel to play the Packers stay in the small college town of Appleton because there just aren’t any hotels right there in Green Bay.   Since the home team uses the biggest one in town for their pregame meetings well –  we all have to find other places to stay.

Not to say the Lions are better than regular people … but, NFL teams do not stay in the Red Roof Inn.  Please … honestly we are not better than anyone else … I have spent many nights in the RRI and liked it.

But traveling pro football teams need major meeting rooms, large dining facilities, longer beds – for bigger men (6 foot 6 inch men who weigh 320 pounds or more) etc.  ***Please my Swiss friends … not going to figure this out in meters and kilos.***

Plus, you need a hotel area that you can block off for security reasons… sorry Red Roof, Holiday Inn Express etc.  Just different requirements.

Looking out of the rain streaked window of our supersized transport and seeing the vivid greens of Switzerland just kind of takes me back to a different time in what seems like an altogether different life.  It really does rekindle some of those emotions (unfortunately it doesn’t change my hair from grey to the once dark locks I had!  Hah!)

Trust me, this game in Geneva is just as important to the Thun Tigers today as it was to the Detroit Lions when we traveled to Lambeau Field to play against the Packers.  Different times … but same football game.  Fortunately, my mortgage payment doesn’t depend on the result anymore!

These rides also allow you to take a nap as well … accomplished that!

Well, we arrive at the expansive Cherpines Sports Center outside of Geneva in Plan-les-Oates.  The complex has several soccer pitches (one is synthetic), practice areas, a rugby pitch, locker areas and a bar – restaurant (notice I said BAR – restaurant … yup the BAR part goes first, they sell beer here.)

It’s a fantastic area for all kinds of sports.  Actually, behind the area is a tennis complex that is covered by a portable dome.  Our setup in Thun is really great … the Cherpines Sports Center is certainly top notch.

The Swiss know how to do things right!

The game starts out in a mist that changes to light rain and then back to mist.  A scenario that trends back and forth throughout the game.  However, like every “pitch” in the country the grass is so well maintained that the wet weather isn’t much of a factor.

From the outset it is pretty evident that we have a superior team.  Our leader and QB Nic guides an offense that is paced by a very physical and athletic offense line.

To have a quarterback who is unselfish and is an extension of the offensive coordinator (Stephan) is such an advantage.  Their ability to work and think in unison gives the Tigers such an advantage.  We are always a step ahead of our opponents.

Behind SIMON and his mates up front our balanced corps of well coached (Daniel) running backs to exploit several big gaps in the Geneva defense.  Having my friend SIMON leading the charge is so much fun to watch.

Nic continues to be pinpoint when throwing the ball to our gifted receivers.  Honestly, had most of these guys grown up in the states they would have been standout football players there.

The Whopper offense is completely shut down thanks to Albin’s creative defensive schemes.  Johnny and Chuck lead the overpowering charge upfront on defense and the undermanned Geneva team has little if any success.

Midway into the second quarter it is a foregone conclusion that the Tigers would prevail.  The only thing that had to be settled was the final score.

It is a shame that the Whoppers are short-handed.  The guys who played … they busted their asses the whole game.  Many are talented, but with a short bench and not a full complement of coaches … well, it is going to be hard.

It is pretty well known that the best players in the Geneva area want to play for the Seahawks who also represent the city (In the “A” league).  But this city has the second largest population in the country – there are many more athletes here than in other Swiss cities playing football.  Theyn should  be playing for the Whoppers!

Eventually with the players here and the facilities … well I am guessing the Whoppers will become a top-flight club.

Most US coaches like me would have so many ideas on how get the job done in Geneva.  But, as I have learned over my time in Switzerland – you really don’t know the inherent problems each club has.

Trust me, after coming here for several years – the football clubs here are doing the best they can with the things they have. As US guys we can help … but, honestly the Swiss have a great handle on things.  I’ve learned the hard way to keep my mouth shut and just help where you are wanted!

Like I tell my coaching friends back home … don’t be the ugly American and think we have all the ideas.  Just lend a hand where needed.

Congrats to the Tigers!  You have an awesome team.  Not just on the field … but your kinship off the field is very important as well.  We have other important things to do together.  Let’s stay zeroed in!

We have the Fribourg Cardinals coming into our home grounds next week.  Let’s accomplish our second of three goals.  First goal – win the championship!  Second – go undefeated in the regular season, third win the Swiss Championship!

Let’s get the second goal crossed off this weekend!

GO TIGERS!

 

Been a great week of high (and I mean HIGH as in altitude) adventure here in the Bernese Alps.  My pal Ruedi took me along to the beautiful Kandersteg area upon the invitation of our friend Evelyne.

The day started off with Evelyne meeting us with her friend Tessie and both of their dogs!  Oh boy.  After about a thirty or forty minute-drive we arrived at a wonderfully scenic area behind the mountains I see every day.  These mountains are just as beautiful from the backside as they are from the front.  (OK so maybe that didn’t come out right … but these are some awesome views.)

We take a short train ride to an elevated station and then travel upwards on a cable car on this beautiful clear day.  We all pile out with our two rambunctious pups … I can see Evelyne will have her hands full with her powerful young dog.

As we untangle ourselves from leashes, coats and backpacks Evelyne explains that this area is where she had grown up and also worked in the various restaurants and shops on this mountaintop.

Our plan was to hike down from Kandersteg to the bottom where her brother and his wife operate a restaurant on the beautiful mountain lake Oeschinen.  Piece of cake right.

Well, I am figuring on a nice 15-minute descent with some pleasant conversation among picture perfect scenery.  Well, I got the scenery part right …. However more like 40 minutes and Evelyne’s dog trying to eat e very blade of grass and stick (among other things) along the way.  Tessie’s little dog was perfectly behaved.

Now, the plan was to sit down and eat at Evelyne’s brother’s restaurant.  Truly, it is an amazing place – right on the lake with a number of beautiful rooms to rent in a great location right next to the restaurant.  Absolutely perfect!

Well, as you know walking down a steep incline for forty-minutes is going to be much more difficult and time consuming going up.  So, I am figuring a quick bite to eat … maybe just a beer and an ice cream – then back up to the top again.

Nah, not so fast Lone Ranger.  After a few beers and a home-made pasta dish for me … some Schnitzel for Ruedi and meals for the others.  We are now completely stuffed – this was one of those heavy meals I was going to regret.  Meanwhile, I am thinking about going back up that damn mountain.

Well, up we went after some doubts about our heavy caloric intake.  Well, it was a tough slog uphill but we made it back to the top.  I know I was pretty much shot by the time we finished.  Evelyne had to contend with her ever curious dog and I am sure Ruedi and Tessie had to feel like I did.

We regroup and then stumble onto the cable car … travel down the impressive mountainside … slip onto the train and then make it back to our cars.

After making it back home Ruedi and I both agree it was a fabulous day … but, it was going to be early to bed for both of us!

So, on Tuesday I decide I am going to take a trip to see the Eiger.

Well, for those of you as old as me you remember there was a Clint Eastwood movie called the “Eiger Sanction.”

It was made in the early 70’s with Clint as an Art professor (Huh??? yeah) who was a retired assassin (more like it!)…. and a mountaineer on top of that! (Book written by Trevanian).

Anyway it was filmed on location at the Eiger (a mountain by the way) and Zurich as well.

Heck I want to see the Eiger.

So, I get out my trusty train schedule and plot a trip from the Thun Bahnhof to the Eiger. Looks pretty straight forward.

But, as many of you have learned nothing that has to do with travel is ever really that easy with Donny the C!

Somehow, I get the journey screwed up. Everything looks fine until the train makes a final stop … yes they announced a “Final Stop” and everyone off.

Well, “hells bells” – this isn’t the Eiger!

Nope the village of Lauterbrunner.

But, wait a minute – it is an absolutely beautiful backdrop between cliffs.

Plus there are mountains up ahead. What the heck … it ain’t the Eiger. But, it is Switzerland! And everything in Switzerland is from a post card.

So off I go hiking around and checking the place out – it is pretty damn pretty here!

Then I find out they filmed part of the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” here in Lauterbrunner (I am just a font of knowledge! Hah!)

So I trade in Clint Eastwood for “Bond…James Bond!” Not too bad!

                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Hey, congrats to the Thun Tigers U-16 team.  After traveling to Geneva on the long bus ride to face the Seahawks we come away with an important win!

It was a great day for the entire club as our guys outplayed a powerful Seahawk team.  Our “troops” were tough.  Although things did not go our way from the
defensive perspective the persistence eventually payed off.

We remain undefeated … but have our canton rival – Bern Grizzlies –  coming up in a few weeks.   We will need to be on our top game to have a chance to win against them.  But, I can assure you this football team will be ready.

Renato does a great job leading the team as the head coach and defensive coordinator.  He is assisted on defense by Daniel who like Renato play safety on our
Senior team.  Nic directs the offense as the coordinator and he is our QB for the Seniors – he is helped by my friends Simon and Lukas who are also Senior players.

These guys do a fantastic job coaching the young players.  They really are great teachers and are
contributing so much to the
entire club.  Both as players and in developing the young talent for the future of the Thun Tigers.

I have the easy job of acting as head cheerleader, water boy and supplying the Ric Flair “Whooo” when things are going well!  (Oh yeah – I was in charge of bringing the beer for the coaches on our bus ride home!)

Check out the bus we have for traveling.  Yup … that’s a double decker!

What a great day for football in Switzerland – XXXV Swiss Bowl (If my Roman Numeral knowledge serves me correctly that is 35 … thanks to my second-grade teacher Sister Anna Maria at St. Ann’s of Newark, NJ!)

Yes, football has been alive and well in Europe and Switzerland in particular for a long time!

The weather was just beautiful for a fine double header of football at Basel’s great Sports Complex!  Sunny and warm October afternoon just perfect to watch the top teams in the U19 division and Senior A-League division square off to see who are the best!

The Basel Gladiators and the Calanda Broncos played in the Junior final and that was followed by the Big Game – which pitted the Bern Grizzlies against the Calanda Broncos.  The Broncos had both of their teams playing on this Championship Saturday.

Many of the teams in the SAFV (Swiss American Football Verband) are well managed clubs.  The Broncos, Gladiators and Grizzlies certainly fall into that grouping.  Very good players supported by solid coaches and thoughtful administrative personnel.

Personally, I feel the Thun Tigers also fall into this category as well.  Our first year president Nadia took over a sound group from Dan Frey and she continues to strengthen the board and develop our core with innovative ideas and common sense!

The future is bright for our team located in the beautiful city of Thun on the Thunersee at the mouth of the River Aare!  Great things are being achieved right now and there is much more to come!

My friend Stephan (the Tiger Senior team coach) drove Nadia (Madame President) and me from our town to the city of Basel for the game.  Driving along the highway I was looking out at the sun drenched (Hey I was an English major I need to put some of the Muhlenberg education to work … plus I always wanted to write “sun drenched” hah!) countryside.  Although I rarely reflect too much … I had to think …If you would have told me five years ago I would be living in Switzerland and coaching football – well I would never have even considered it possible!

But here I am … having an experience of a lifetime while waking up every single day in a post card! Continually making new friends and being able to coach and learn more about football than I ever thought possible.  Yup DNP (“Damn Near Perfect”).

Both games were exciting and the teams battled like you would expect top teams would.  Many people expected the Broncos from Chur to prevail in the Senior game and they did.  Their Junior team was undefeated and although Basel gave them all they could handle the Broncos one that one as well.

There was a very good crowd and it truly was a festive atmosphere throughout.  A  great grill and plenty of beer to be had — but still have to say the Thun Tiger Grill Masters are the best.

My friend Mike had his merchandising area set up (more about “swag” later).  Just an excellent arrangement!  Anything you could want from Swiss football available.  T-shirts, footballs, trinkets, souvenirs and everything else.

Another friend Claudio is the President of the SAFV and he had to be proud of this special day in Switzerland.  His ability to pull off such an impressive event is certainly a feather in his cap and will undoubtedly draw some more attention to our steadily growing niche of football.

In the four short years I have been privledged to be part of football in Switzerland it is so impressive to see the improvement in the game.  The number of players continues to grow dramatically and the level of play is markedly better.  This is due to many factors, but much credit goes to the coaching fraternity that is beginning to flourish here.

Again, you also have to credit the clubs as well.  With presidents like we have in Nadia, my friend Olaf of the Zurich Renegades, Fulgenzio with the Midland Bouncers and so many others.  There are even greater things ahead for the SAFV and the players within its ranks.

Like I said the two games were great as the teams fought it out on the sun dappled field (always wanted to say “sun dappled” as well – thanks to being that Muhlenberg English major!)  What a great afternoon!

For me – another great part of the day and evening was catching up with so many friends I have met here in Switzerland.  Toi say that football is a small community … well yeah to some degree.  I enjoyed sitting in the stands with Stephan and Nadia.  Joined by my “Paul Bunyan-like” friend Renato (St. Gallen’s Bears) and former Swiss national coach Michel.

Then running across Claudio (SAFV president), Mo Boller (Calanda assistant)  Danny (Calanda), Olaf and Alonso (Zurich), John (Bern) and so many others.  Just a great day for reminiscing and visiting.  There are so many others I saw as well.

One highlight was catching up with my good friend Walti from Calanda.  He has so many championship rings his fingers are stretched.  We had a fantastic time having a few beers and reliving our times one the Swiss national staff.

Just a wonderful day of football for a broken down old coach.

I have to mention my friends who are referees as well.  As football expands anywhere you need great people stepping up to officiate the games.  Guess what without refs – there are no games.  I visited with many of these men and women before the game … so proud of them as they also build and get better.  Special recognition to my old friend Jenns who has always been supportive of the Swiss football community – but also of my adventures here.

Then, there is my friend Sergio who is one of the best sports photographers in Europe.  He was taking photos of the game and we had several laughs about our friendship and the state of football in Switzerland.  The guy has an amazing way of capturing the game in pictures.

Last, but not least my friend Mike.  He runs an outstanding merchandizing enterprise in my second homeland.  I turned over a Michigan State hoodie and I made out even better.  A hat, Swiss national football jersey with my old college number (31) and my name emblazoned on the back.  How can you beat that.  I owe him some more stuff from the US after that.

Trust me … an exhausting – but wonderful sun splashed (hah … another English major phrase) day here in the Alps!

 

A great way to open up the Playoff season for the Thun Tigers as they defeated the visitors from Lugano by a big score.  The visitors had to come four hours by bus to take on the purple clad Tigers on their home pitch at Lachenstadion on the banks of Lake Thun.

The Tigers were just too much for the tired Rebels from the canton of Ticino.  The defense stopped the opening drive and forced a short punt giving the Tigers good field position to start.  It only took a few plays and Thun had jumped out to a lead.

This pattern continued throughout the first half as the outmanned Rebels were unable to mount any serious attack on the Thun defense.  The visitors also found out that there was little they could do to stop the versatile and well balanced Tiger offense.

Nic continued with his outstanding season under center with his accurate throwing and timely scrambles – pushing the home team to a big halftime lead.  Lugano just had no answer for the three-headed monster that is the Tiger running game.  Timeo, Noah and Luca were just unstoppable carving out huge chunks of yardage everywhere on the field.

The receivers were also very active with everyone chipping in catches and key blocks everywhere.  To say the offensive line was good would be understating the power they show on the field.  Mathieu and Marcel have coached these guys to play at a high level and they do.

Defensively the Tigers were just stifling … Albin’s crew completely closed off a pretty good offensive group that did a good job of utilizing formations to try and confuse our defense.  But that just wasn’t going to happen with our two experienced safeties – Renato and Daniel making adjustments and insuring that we were aligned correctly throughout the game.

Albin has great support with his defensive coaches – Toni and Rolph.  They help their positions throughout the game and free him up to concentrate on calling the game.

Really the Tiger defense chipped in with several big plays – interceptions, sacks, fumbles and solid tackling.  Plus, a blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown.

Honestly, just a very solid team win from beginning to end!

***

A really neat thing about coaching football is you make friends everywhere.    A few years ago I assisted coaching the Swiss Junior National Team in the European regional championships in The Netherlands.  It was a tremendous experience.

Now, on the Lugano team there were two players who played for the Swiss Junior National team and they contributed to a big win against the Dutch in Amsterdam!  After the game we had a great visit.  Also reconnected with one of the talented Rebel receivers (who by the way is a plastic surgeon in his real life)!

It was fun to see our players on the Tigers who also played on that Junior National team of Switzerland see their old friends who played for Lugano.  We may be opponents on the field – but there is no doubt about our close friendship we developed a few years ago!

***

Although I am scheduled to leave before the next playoff game a week from now – this team is destined to continue on their march forward.  They play with great passion and have a great sense of togetherness as a team.  This community can certainly be proud of the Tigers.

I have learned so much from the entire Tiger organization – the club management, coaches and players of the U16, U19 and the big guys of the “Erste Mannschaft!”  Just been a great experience!

As Ric Flair would exclaim “Whoooo!”

A few more days in my second homeland and it will be time to start some new (mis)adventures.  As the late great Jerry Jeff Walker had said … “Just keep on for keepin on!”  No doubt that that is going to happen!

Just “Keep On!”