Sunday, September 25, 2022
After three glorious days in Paris, it was time to head two hours south to Lyon via an Italian bullet train, the Frecciarossa.
Laurie and I lived in Lyon during the 2012-13 American football season while I was coaching the Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons. It was a magical year for us that saw the Falcons win the French DIII National Championship while recording a perfect 12-0 record.
More importantly for us, we had the opportunity to rekindle several fond friendships over the next couple of days.
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At the Paris Gare-de-Lyon
If you've ever seen the 2001 French movie Amélie, then you would smile as much as we did seeing this sign on a photomaton machine.
We resisted buying any more macarons
Our train awaited us
Two of the happiest travelers
that you will ever see
When we arrived in Lyon, we were met at the train station by one of the best people that it has been my pleasure to meet during all of my EuroBall experiences, Julien Urgenti, who was the Falcons' extremely successful General Manager for many years.
We were all invited to his house for what turned out to be an amazing four hour lunch.
Brian, Julien, Chrystel,
Koreen and Laurie
With the entire Urgenti family
Jeanne, Chrystel and Julien
Jeanne is ten years old as is our grandson Jacob. The two of them have been penpals for several months now.
After saying our heartfelt goodbyes, hugs and the mandatory, under the Napoleonic Code of Law, air kisses, we were off to check-in at our Air BnB.
On the way to the Metro stop
we ran into a parade
Ok, where to now?
Brian had the GPS duty at this point to get us to our newest home.
Lyon is filled with
magnificent old buildings
Who doesn't love seeing
an old knocker?
Lyon's River Saône
The Cathedral St Jean Baptiste in the foreground with La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière up the hill
Much happier campers
after dropping off our luggage
King Louis XIV in Place Bellecour
We were headed to a new spot for us, Heat Lyon in the Confluence area of Lyon, to meet up with some more vintage Falcons.
I liked the Heat Lyon immediately
The fact that former starting Right Guard David Fion was the manager of this food and drink oasis helped too.
Some of the 2012-13 Falcons
Left to Right: Matt (LB), Brice (RB),
Chris (WR), Julien (GM), Pierre (RT), Armand (DB), George (HC), David (RG) and Sam (LB)
Seeing the fabulous art and architecture in France has been good.
Seeing these great young men again after nearly a decade was fantastic!
A big hug and merci to Julien for organizing this mini-reunion.
Speaking of football . . .
The Vienna Vikings (13-1) beat the Hamburg Sea Devils (12-2) to win the 2022 European League of Football Championship
played the Santa Barbara Saints (3-0)
had a great day blocking
Unfortunately, the Saints prevailed 22-8.
Gold Coast Youth Football League
Freshman Division, American Conference
Results for Saturday, September 24, 2022
Santa Barbara Saints (4-0) 22 - Camarillo Stingers (3-2)
LA City Ducks(4-1) 42 - Oxnard Knights (1-4) 0
805 Warhawks (2-2) 22 - Fillmore Raiders (0-5) 0
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Santa Barbaras Saints 4-0
LA City Ducks 4-1
Camarillo Stingers 3-2
805 Warhawks 2-2
Oxnard Knights 1-4
Fillmore Raiders 0-5
GAMES SCHEDULED FOR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022
805 Warhawks (2-2) at Camarillo Stingers (3-2)
Santa Barbara Saints (4-0) at Oxnard Knights (1-4)
BYES
LA City Ducks (4-1)
Fillmore Raiders (0-5)
Physical Fitness is still our
#1 priority!
Seeing all of these friends today made the trip today ever so memorable!
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