Week 13: Personal (07/05/2012 - 13/05/2012

Euro 2012 mascot

This week, our team were competing in the Euro 2012 amateur tournament. You had to be grouped with other members of your country to enter, however, seeing as there are no other Irish people in Poznan; I was an honouree member of ‘Team Romania.’ We were playing against teams made up of people based all over Poland including teams from Portugal, Turkey, Spain and Poland. Again, like the other tournaments we have competed in, this was organised really professionally and included more guest speakers, the official Euro 2012 mascots and professional Polish footballers. There were also local television and radio crews in attendance as well as newspaper journalists.

Another medal and trophy

We had a successful tournament again and were defeated in the final on a penalty shootout. Although we lost, our team received individual awards of the most entertaining team, most valuable player and I won goalkeeper of the tournament. I am slightly worried about the weight of my suitcase, because that is 4 medals and two trophies that I have to squeeze into it to take home with me…. (If that sounds like I’m showing off, then good, because I am!)





Podium finish

As well as having fun playing football, this tournament also gave me the opportunity to meet people from other cultures and allowed me to get their views on everything from football to their education in Poland. I was discussing with a group of Turkish boys about their accommodation in their halls as they attended a different university. I was shocked to hear that they had 3 in a room which sounded smaller than my room, plus they had to share one toilet and shower with their 3 neighbours. The more stories I hear about these types of accommodation makes me feel like I’m a king living in my big single room!

After the tournament, all the players were treated to some traditional polish food. I asked in vain what it was because it didn’t look the most appetising. However, it was delicious! This is a big thing I have learned from being here, and if anyone is reading this that is coming here next year, I advise not to judge the food by how it looks, as the majority of the time, it is really tasty!

Unfortunately, this is probably our last football tournament as I don’t think are there any more organised! This is a shame, as these tournaments have given me great opportunities to meet so many new people and discover their views on different areas of life in Poland.



Team Romania