Page 10 - Eagle Eye Autumn 2022

RAF Wyton
FC Prague
Tour 2022
by AS1 Liam Parker
On 23rd June 2022, 14 personnel from RAF Wyton set off in the early hours of the morning destined for Prague, Czech Republic to compete in the Prague Barrels Football Tournament. The seven-a-side tournament is spread across two days and has been held every year, except for 2020 and 2021. Wyton participated in the first of three tournaments being held in 2022 and found themselves facing 19 other teams hailing from countries across Europe such as Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden and Norway. There was also a team from Israel and a team made up of Europeans who had met whilst working in China!
The tournament had a truly international feel to it, something which many in the team had not experienced before, and without doubt was a perfect way to return to pre- COVID normality. For many of the 14 service personnel who travelled to Prague, the tournament represented their first experience of force development and all the benefits that it brings. This was immediately evident upon arrival in Prague when, after arriving at the Hotel, the team were taken on a walking tour of the Old City by their host Alina. Sights taken in included; the Národní Muzeum, which is the Czech national museum; Wenceslas Square and the famous statue of Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia and Patron Saint of Czechia; the third-oldest astronomical clock in existence, the Prague Orloj located in Old Town Square; and finally, Charles Bridge, which for centuries was the sole method of crossing the Vltava River between Old Town and Prague Castle.
The evening saw the team arrive at Municipal House which houses Smetana Hall, a world-famous classical music concert hall. Fans of Australian rock band INXS may also recognise the building from the video to their 1987 hit ‘New Sensation.’ Sat in a classic
Czech food hall in the basement of Municipal House, a traditional meal of Hovězí Guláš was served, washed down with some extremely satisfying Pilsner Urquell. With spirits high and an exchanging of football chants from various countries - the draw was ready to commence. AS1 Jack Benham was chosen to represent the team and made his way up to the stage where he would help place Wyton FC into a group. It was decided that Wyton would be in a group with Happy Crazy Pivo Molde from Norway, Altherren Mieders from Austria and Olympique MTS from France. And so, with the teams socialising and the Belgian voices in full swing the opening ceremony came to an end.
The first day of football would see each team play three games consisting of two halves of 20 minutes with the winner of each group automatically progressing to the quarterfinals alongside the three best second-placed teams. The four worst fourth-
placed teams would be placed into a ‘wooden spoon’ group with the remainder of teams being placed into a second-tier knockout stage. The intention being that regardless of group-stage position each team would still have three games to play on the second and final day of the tournament with all teams eventually being ranked from 1 to 20.
With the sun shining and no cloud in sight, Wyton’s first game against Happy Crazy Pivo Molde kicked off just after 0900. Their opposition from Norway were making their 30th appearance at a Prague Barrel Tournament and quickly became everyone’s favourite team as they embodied the essence of the tournament – celebrating football, friendship and having a good time. The Norwegian team eventually finished last in the tournament and, at the hands of Wyton FC, suffered an 18-1 loss which tournament organisers later said was the largest score line in the history of the tournament. Nonetheless,
10 eagleye