Category: Uncategorized

Well as most know I have had some adventures here in the land of the Alps – and then I have had a few (mis)adventures – you know like falling off the train in Bern a month or so ago.

On Thursday I inadvertently added to the list of (mis)adventures on my trip to visit my friend Delmus in Luzern on.  It was an honest mistake that will be forever remembered as “The Tunnel to Nowhere” in his household.

It started off fine as I boarded the 8:35 train to Luzern at the Thun Bahnhof from Platz (Place) 3 outside the station.  No problems switching trains in Bern (Nope, did not fall off this time!) and climbing on for the last leg of the journey to the beautiful city of Luzern.

A note or two about Luzern.  First another beautiful Swiss city set alongside a lake and ringed by magnificent mountains.  It is a city of about 82,000 people in central Switzerland and located off the shores of Lake Lucerne.  The waters of the River Reuss leave the lake and flow through Luzern (also known as Lucerne by the way).

This picturesque area has several great landmarks like the Mounts Pilatus and Rigi (Swiss Alps) and the famous covered wooden Chapel Bridge (oldest covered bridge in Europe) which cuts across the Reuss at an angle.  Part of the bridge is the 115-foot tall Wasserturm or water tower.

The bridge was part of the city’s fortifications and was built in 1365 (Think – USA Declaration of Independence was in 1776 – unless we have cancelled that out).  This place is old folks!  In fact, this bridge – the Kapelibrucke) is the oldest truss bridge in the world.  Don’t ask me what a “truss” bridge is – I have no clue!

“Old Town” is nestled (how about “nestled” for a college word??) along the river and the restaurants there are a very good place to dine outdoors and visit with friends or have a coffee (well beer) and just observe the crowds wandering around.    The shops, towers, and architecture along the cobblestone streets are extremely attractive to the many tourists wandering through.

Honestly, Luzern is one of the most attractive places you can find anywhere in the world.

****Oh yeah back to my (mis)adventure or “The Tunnel to Nowhere” episode.****

I get off the train it Platz (Place) 3 and trail some fellow passengers to the exit way and down the ramp to meet my friend Delmus.  I get to the bottom of the ramp – hang a right back to where the Luzern train station is.  I get about 20 meters (I use meters become I am becoming Swiss).  Well there is a big bike storage area for thousands of bikes to my left and a cement wall right in front of me.

Not getting to the Bahnhof that way.  So, I reverse my direction and go back the way I came.  Continue past the ramp I came down and in another 25 meters find a stairway out.  Well, OK – Up I go and find myself on a busy street.  But, not in the train station.

Now folks I have been in the Luzern Bahnhof many times over the years.  It is a magnificent steel and glass building with several stores and shops located inside of it.  This busy strasse is not cutting it.  Get a message from Delmus … “Where the Hell are you … I am a gate 3 where are you?”

I call him and say I got off at gate three went down the ramp and outside standing on a street looking at the Lucerne college of Science or something like that..??  I tell him I will return to my starting point and try again.

Back down the steps … 25 meters later… up the ramp to the tracks.  Looks the same as when I got off the train.  Look around – see no other alternative.  Back to the ramp – well maybe I am missing something … turn right (again) go 20 meters seeing the bicycle storage and the same cement wall over again.  SHIT!  Turn around go all the way to the end and climb up the steps and am back out on the street.  SHIT!  (I guess I should say “Scheisse” since that is SHIT in German).

Now I am beginning to wonder if maybe I got off at the wrong stop and this might not ever be Luzern!  A minute or so after I get to the street again – Delmus texts me.  “Don’t move – I know where you are!”  A few minutes later I hear my name being called and here comes my friend walking up the sidewalk towards me.

He explains to me he realized what I had done.  Instead of going right when I got off the train I followed some people left to the ramp.  Unlike all the other ramps in the train stations that have two ways to go this one only had an exit.  So, there was no way I could get to the Bahnhof once I went down the ramp.

Delmus told me the same thing had happened to him and his family at some point when they had visited the city many years ago.  Therefore, he realized what I had done.  Another lesson learned on a (mis)adventure in Switzerland.

Anyway, this was a tremendous visit with Delmus and his wife Nadine and daughters Neomie and Louana (please excuse the spelling because it is probably wrong).  Also met Neomie’s significant other Phillip.  Plus – their two dogs and two kittens.

Nadine is the perfect hostess and they have a beautiful apartment.  Great evening of eating, drinking and talking with my friends.  We stayed up too late watching football highlight videos with Phil (who plays football here in Switzerland).

The dinner we had needs to addressed … we had Raclette.  An amazing Swiss dish where you heat cheese, scraping it off over potatoes and then placing any of the various toppings you cook at the same time.  Think onions, bacon, sausage, beef, peppers, veggies … hell anything you can think of you can make!

It was a wonderful meal with great conversation – renewed friendships and well it was just a great time.

Also, Delmus got out his rifle and pistol to show me.  Delmus was US military – married Nadine (a Swiss citizen) and now a dual citizen.  He was allowed to keep his weapons because almost every man in Switzerland is armed.  Switzerland is neutral, but all men pretty much serve in the Military for a year.  Then, when they are done with their requirement they leave the army.

But, when they do it is they must take their weapons home with them.  You might think that is  dangerous but Switzerland has almost no crime.  (Go ahead – look it up!??!)

Switzerland may be neutral but it is probably the most armed country in the world!

Anyway here is Luzern!

 

 

 

 

There are Cranes everywhere!

Other than myself, friend Bruce Altrichter and my late friends John Holland and our Muhlenberg College professor Dr. John Trainer few people know this.  There are only two Cranes native to the United States.

I mean birds guys … birds.  Yes, the Whooping Crane and the Sandhill Crane are the only Cranes here in North America!  Hey, I can’t make this stuff up.  It has to be true it is on Wikipedia.  Yeah how about this – the Whooping Crane is like the giraffe of birds (hmmm the giraffe of birds – maybe not the best analogy there.)  Well, OK it is the tallest bird in the US!

Actually, I feel privledged to have seen both kinds.  Believe it or not the Sandhill Crane will zip through Arizona (where I saw them) as they migrate.  Amazing!

Anyway, these are some big birds – very impressive when you see them.  Go on – look them up!

OK!  Back to my original statement – referring to Switzerland however.  There are Cranes everywhere.  But now I am referring to the Cranes used for construction.  Several years ago when I first came to Switzerland I noticed that they had these construction towers everywhere.  I am not kidding you – everywhere!

Most are orange – and yes, they are extremely tall.  They often come in pairs and trios and sometimes more! (Personally, I think they are pretty damn cool!) But literally you cannot go a few miles (sorry …  kilometers) without seeing one.

I must confess after talking to several other friends they are all over Europe.  You might say “commonplace.”  But think about the US – where do we see them?  (mostly in large cities that are building UPWARD!)

Trust me, not like this.  They are like rabbits  “(Crane Rabbits”) multiplying everywhere over here throughout the Alps.

But, OK let’s think about Switzerland for a minute.  It is mountain upon mountain – and not talking about those midgets like the Blue Mountains or Appalachians.  They are pretty big.  So, if you want to build a house or apartment you are pretty much on the side of a pretty steep incline.

What do you do – you bring in the Cranes … nope, not the Whooping of Sandhill type.  But, these guys!

Then you level everything of and drop in all the equipment needed, the cement, steel, pipes, windows, nuts and bolts and whatever else you need to create your project.  Simply amazing!  Honestly – amazing to see!

Take a look at a few of them …  I am not kidding you – this is a small collection that I have.  It has become an obsession of mine.  Call it “The Cranes of Switzerland!”

OK … so Reudi (my landlord – theoretically … well, we are pals – so actually we are friends – hard to consider him my landlord since he buys me beer!) grabbed me and asked me if I wanted to go on a tramp (walk) (hike) with our friend Ulrich through Faulensee on Friday!  Well why not!!??

Let’s go!!

****We have pretty much one day of nice weather paired with a day of rainy weather here in our part of Switzerland.  Well is that so terrible?  I have a day of wet beer balanced with a day of dry beer – how bad is that?****

Wake up Friday to a beautiful Swiss sunny day.  Reudi and I hop in his car and rip down the highway and through Spiez to Faulensee where Ulrich and his wife Edda live.  (Actually, looks like there are few restaurants in Spiez worth visiting!!?  We will see!)

Ulrich leads us on an hour walk (seemed like an hour and a half!) up and down the hills (mountains) around his town of Faulensee.  Then down around the beautiful views around the Thunersee.  Such a beautiful picture-perfect place.

Both Ulrich and Reudi are such brilliant guys – the lives they have lived.  Living all over the world and the people they have worked with and around.  Seriously it is fun just listening to them.

OK – Ulrich is good with English.  Reudi and I are like two old guys lost on a desert island trying to understand each other.  But, who cares we are buds!  We figure it out.

I actually looked at an apartment in this town because it is such a beautiful area.  There is no doubt I could live in Switzerland.  Such great people and well – it always looks like a post card.  I could live here easily.

Anyway – here are some shots of this picturesque little area near my hometown of Gwatt.

                                 

I don’t know … but many of you don’t know that I do have a soft side to me – especially when it comes to flowers.  I have always been fascinated by the different types and shapes of these beautiful plants.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t resulted in a “Green Thumb” for me and my success in growing them has often resulted in failure.

However, I have always been aware on how flowers can give people such a lift.  It’s amazing how a simple bunch of blossoms can brighten a day for someone down in the dumps.

Well, if you are someone who can appreciate these jewels that pop out of the ground Switzerland is the place for you.  Flowers of every sort are everywhere and all over the Alps.  Honestly every color and shape you can think of – they are here.

Having a garden is almost a prerequisite in Switzerland.  One friend told me he spent over a hundred thousand Swiss Francs getting his garden right.  Yes, you read that number correctly. 100,000 Swiss Francs!

I saw pictures of it … truly magnificent.  A few small ponds, benches, bushes, flowers – it was stunning!

Over the years I have learned that there is a “color wheel” that you should use when planting your garden.  At our house in Michigan I tried … sometimes got it right … sometimes not.  But, here I share you many shots as I wandered around this “post card” country.

 

 

 

So … big weekend coming up here for the Thun Tigers.  Sunday the 22^nd will be a great day (FAMILY DAY) at the Lachenstadion here in Thun!  Everyone who is in the area should really stop by for a beer (or five) and a hamburger and watch our teams play.  Will be great!

 

But, I am going to target my friends in the states who have some corporate jets at their fingertips.  Trust me, they know who they are.

Come on Dave D and John C … you have them. Spool them up!

Listen – think about a great weekend in the Alps … including football, burgers and beer.

     

Thun Tiger Flaggies!

 

Get your pilot … grab some family and friends … hop on that jet and fly to Zurich.  (Well, have a beer or two on the way across the Atlantic as well).  Land at the airport (which is beautiful by the way) have another beer as you wait for the train which is right there in the airport.

Hop on that train … take the two-hour ride to Thun.  Our limo meets you at the Bahnhof and takes you to our “Four SeasonsLIKE” resort at Strattlighugel 46 in Gwatt, Switzerland.

Come on … why not?

We all sit around with our host Ruiedi and have a few drinks and talk about old times – you hit the sack due to jetlag.  We go out to get more beer (for ourselves of course!)

So, Saturday’s itinerary.  Breakfast at a fabulous Bakery (Backerei) – Steinman’s – you know croissants with butter or chocolate, maybe some rolls with fruit.  Come on you get it … something that goes well with champagne!

Next, we (you) slip onto the boat that cruises along the “Thunersee.”  Everyone relaxes – order your third drink and close your eyes behind your sunglasses.  Next stop is Interlaken.

This area is a wonderful place … but, it truly is a tourist trap.  Don’t buy anything here.  Also, do not eat at the Hooters that is in Interlaken.  ***I am someone who has been in many Hooters over the years so I know.***   The wings are not very good at all in Interlaken.  They need to close down and start over again.

I know the guys who started Hooters in Clearwater – they would be very disappointed in this location.  The food is just – well honestly it is bad!  You don’t need to eat in Interlaken anyway – you can hold off and find great places everywhere back in Thun.

Back to the boat to Thun!  Well, actually we could take the train – it is faster.  But, your call!

The boat drops you off at the limo stand and your driver whips you back to the Mountaintop.  Maybe shower – or drink a beer then off to a great dinner of Pizza, pasta and well OK another beer or three.

Fully stuffed….back home for a Cigar and something like a cognac to put you to bed.

In the morning you are kissed by the sun as it peeks over the beautiful mountains (Bernese Alps) that surround the “Thunersee!”.  Your limo awaits!  Ralph the driver offers you the choice –  A straightway cruise down the mountainside to the stadium or – he can drop you off at the Gwatt Deltapark bus station for Bus #1 to take you to the field.

My friends take the Limo – well it does have champagne and Mimosas.  I take the bus because I do have to stay alcohol free until the day is over.  Indeed it will be a long day – first part of day is at 10:00 AM and the last game is over perhaps at seven or eight in the evening!   (Hell, it is going to be a long day!)

                             

Thun Tigers Senior team!

One way another a great day of football!

My pals all head back to the Gwatt Four Seasons – have another beer or whatever.  Hit the sack.

Then … back on the limo to Zurich – hop on their private jets back to the US!

Wow … what a whirlwind weekend!  But, well worth it when you see how beautiful this area is!

                                                                                                                                       

 

 

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!