What a GREAT Day for American Football in Europe!!!

Saturday, 4 June, 2016:

It was indeed a good day for American football in Europe.

Murcia Cobras

Undefeated 2016 Spanish Serie B

National Champions!!!

I am so happy for this great group of players who today defeated Barcelona's L'Hospitalet Pioners 10-8 to claim the National title and move up to Spain's top league, Serie A, for the 2017 season.

The Cobras won the game with tremendous courage as it turns out!

Trailing the Pioners 7-8, the Cobras won the title on an 80 yard drive that started with 44 seconds left in the game. The Cobras then won the contest on a field goal by Alberto del Cerro with 6 seconds left in the game to become the National Champions!

Here is a link to what Murrains now simply call "The Drive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl00T0pxeoI&feature=youtu.be

ENHORABUENA COBRAS!!! 

Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons

Undefeated 2016 French Division II

Finalists!!!

The Falcons won their National DII Semi-Final game over the Nîmes Centurions by a score of 48-27.

As I understand it, this victory automatically moves the Falcons into Frances's top league, Division I, in 2017.

The Falcons will play the Rouen Leopards in two weeks for the National Championship of DII in France.

Meanwhile, in Hässleholm, Sweden . . .

It was time to see my old team,

the Hassleholm Hurricanes play

I coached the 'Canes in 2010 and was looking forward to visiting some old friends.

Livestream?

Things have definitely improved in the last six years!

Uh-oh, storm front moving into the

greater Hassleholm megalopolis

You could smell the tropical monsoon in the air, but there was no way of knowing how fierce this weather front promised to be.

Rain/Lightning Delay

With 1:20 left to play in the First Quarter and Ystad Riockets leading 7-6, the game was wisely halted as the lightning was simply too close for safety.

The referees would halt the game for 30 minutes and then re-evaluate the situation.

Uffe Palmbrink and Rasmus Griph

These former players were manning the grill.

I loved all three of the hot dogs that I ate solely to lend some financial support to the club of course.

Part of the crowd looking

for cover from the elements

 Frank Hilgers re-evaluating

the worsening weather at the

30 minute mark

It was as bad a rain/lightning storm as I have ever seen. The difference today was how long the intensity of this front continued.

It was extremely fierce!

The refs opted to give the game a second 30 minute delay.

We are starting to flood

in the Snack Bar area

I don't think that the umbrella

is helping all that much

Frank Hilgers eating a hot dog

as he makes his final assessment

After an hour of hiding/cowering from the inclement weather, the referees made the right call in postponing the game to a later date that will be determined in the future.

Still, Johan Persson declared

"HURRICANE WEATHER!!!"

  

 Lucas Griph

"Weather, what weather?"

 Linus Jonsson

"It's not my baby, I'm just holding it for a friend."

Once back at the Cordiero family manor where I am staying, Katarina went to work baking one of her world famous Kladd Chocolate Cakes.

Can you say,

FIKA TIME?

The chocolate in the middle of the Kladd Cake was as gooey as I remembered it.

And it was so good for me too!

Taco Friday on a Saturday

In the evening, I accepted an invitation for dinner at the Palmbrink home for their renowned Taco Friday feast even if it was Saturday.

We were joined by the Hammarqvist family for a long, enjoyable evening sitting around the dinner table renewing our friendships.

The Taco Friday Feast was even better than I remembered!

Johan and Karolin Hammarqvist

and their three kids

Elin and Uffe Palmbrink

and their three kids

GOOD TIMES INDEED!!! 

You know, when you think about it, my life is really pretty darn GREAT!