A great start for the Men's Lacrosse Champions Cup

07.10.2008

The first ever European Lacrosse Federation Men's Lacrosse Champions Cup took place in Germany over the weekend of Friday 3rd October through to Sunday 5th October. Host Club Hamburg Warriors provided an excellent venue for the event. As was to be expected the arrangements in place were first class.

The President was unable to attend the games but had sent his good wishes to all. He was delighted that the event had finally come into existence due in no small part to the efforts of Ken Galluccio. Ken a staunch supporter of European lacrosse, welcomed all the participants on behalf of the President of the European Lacrosse Federation Mr Peter Mundy.

Despite very inclement weather the event ran very smoothly and all who participated and attended were very pleased at the organisation and the welcome they received. Hamburg Warriors upheld their tradition as tremendous hosts.

The eventual winners, Wilmslow, applauded their opponents and stated that it was good to see that the gap in the game which had previously existed had diminished considerably, as the standard of play was of a very high standard. It was clear that European competition really has evened out.

The score of the round robin game and the final between Wilmslow and Mesto, 7-7 and 15-12, respectively, are testament to this fact.

The weather was a bit spiteful on Sunday, when the teams only played one game than on Saturday when they played 3-4 games with wet gear on, wet gear off, wet gear on again. Despite the stormy weather everyone played on and their enjoyment was the sunshine of the event.

The results were:

1st - Wilmslow LC (England - N)

2nd - LC Jizni Mesto (Czech Republic)

3rd - Hampstead LC (England - S)

4th - HTHC Hamburg Warriors (Germany)

5th - Rotterdam Jaguars (Netherlands)

At the closing of this first event, it was noted that the European Lacrosse Federation were overjoyed that it had been so successful. It was also as fantastic to see the Czechs in the final.

There can be little doubt that this significant and superb first ever Men's Lacrosse Champions Cup provided a great springboard for the future of this event. It is to be anticipated that it be a firm fixture in the ELF calendar for the future.

The European Lacrosse Federation, wish to express their thanks to Ken Galluccio, Hamburg Warriors, the referees, officials and volunteers without whom the event would not have occurred in such a well ordered fashion. Very well done to all concerned for delivering an outstanding event.

Photos: Meike Henningsen and Ken Galluccio

Report: Gordon Shumack