The atmosphere of sporting competition dominated the Baltic Barracks during the second Indoor Soccer Tournament that took place on 3rd April 2008.
Multi-national and "multi-institutional" teamsÂ
Eight teams that took part in this year’s Indoor Soccer Tournament represented 12th Mechanised Brigade, 5th Engineering Regiment, Military Police, Szczecin Border Guard, 12th Recce Battalion, Orchestra of Szczecin Garrison, Szczecin District Police Department, and obviously the host - Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE).Â
The matches started in the early morning with the opening remarks made by the Chief of Staff HQ MNC NE Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs. The teams were divided into two groups setting the schedule for games. Match after match, with foreheads covered with perspiration, the leadership was gradually being shaped. Even though everyone wanted to win the cup, having real fun and feeling the thrill of emotions appeared to be the most important.Â
Eventually, the cup was won by the team from Szczecin District Police Department, just like two years ago when the first Indoor Soccer Tournament was organised. Also players from Szczecin Border Guard and 12th Mechanised Brigade climbed the podium having won – respectively – the second and the third place.
The fact that the home team did not win the whole competition can be treated as a proof of the Corps’ hospitality. And it is more than certain that the Soccer Branch HQ MNC NE will try to organise similar events in the future promoting rules of fair play and cooperation between the uniformed, also in the area of sport. The activeness of the Soccer Branch has been visible not only in Szczecin environment, though. Also during the mission in Afghanistan the MNC NE personnel were the ones who initiated Soccer League over there.
