| | | |
Soccer World Fun Cup 2008 Honolulu - Hawaii May 2008 Update & Results CONGRATULATIONS TO SAN DIEGO KICKERS FROM AMERICA 2008 WORLD FUN CUP CHAMPIONS |
 |
San Diego Kickers team Leader Gunter proudly holding the coveted World Fun Cup Trophy |
What an absolute terrific Tournament our 8th World Fun Cup in Honolulu - Hawaii turned out to be. Teams from 8 Countries representing 4 Continents competed in the Oldie Soccer World Championship of 2008. The Football was of the highest quality despite the difficult conditions with strong Trade winds buffeting the not so perfect fields. Following our usual tradition all Teams Marched into the main Arena of the Waipio Sports Complex located outside Honolulu. It was a colourful event and family affair. Players, wife's, grandparents, friends and children marched in and proudly displayed their Club Colours. All of which created a real carnival atmosphere. |
| 
|
Teams Entering the Waipio Sports Complex | Aussies and Germans getting ready for March Past |
 |
Shelly Beach Fossils from Australia a Picture of Fun and Fellowship Ready for the March Past |
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
| Participants were welcomed by the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Mufi Hannemann. |
Following the Official Opening by Herb everyone was eagerly awaiting the Celebrity Match between the World Eleven - Managed by Gunter Enz Team Leader of San Diego Kickers and Vic Peters - Manager of the Hawaiian All Stars Rep Team. |
The game started cautiously with both sides feeling each other out. The World Eleven established a good rhythm early on. Not bad considering that they have never met, let alone played together. An early chance was missed by the All Stars which spurred the World Eleven on. One of the highlights was the introduction of 83 year old Fred Jensen for the World Eleven. In the end the game finished 1 : 1 which was a fair result all round. |
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
Photo's to Remember the Good Times |
Welcome Party Everybody was ready to Rock 'n' Roll at the Opening Function at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel on the famous Waikiki Beach. Guests were treated to a Floor Show by the Keiki Hula Halau Dancers. |
| 
|
This wonderful young group of Artists delighted our Party. |
After a sumptuous Buffet amply lubricated by fine Californian Wine and very good Budweiser Beer the now famous Golden Shorts were presented. |
|
Keep your balance Frank | You look great John | You finally got one Gunter |
|
Our Golden Boys |
As regulars of our event will know this is a gesture of respect and recognition by SOS International for people who are still active in our Sport at 60 or over and have devoted many years to the game. Once again it was a hilarious affair with lots of laughs, humor and good will. |
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
|
The Party lasted well into the night |
| Matters took on a more serious note on Monday & Tuesday with Football on the Agenda. Whilst some of the Ladies went shopping, going to the beach or sightseeing the "Oldies" strutted their stuff on the Park. Considering the conditions games were played at a fast pace with lots of talent on display. |
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
One could tell that many of our Oldies were former Pro's and knew how to play the game although the pace was a bit slower. |
The Karaoke & Talent night on Tuesday evening brought a welcome break after two days of hard Football. Our now well known IN-HOUSE compare Lofty from Glenmore Park Australia got the evening going with a superb rendition of Sweet Caroline. |
|
| 
|
| 
|
As you can see everybody enjoyed the show |
There was no time to catch your breath as we were off on our Fun Day scheduled for Wednesday. A visit to the famous Polynesian Cultural Center was a unique experience for many of our group. The day ended with a spectacular Floor Show under a Star Lit night. |
| |
 |
| Football |
ACTION SHOTS DURING THE WEEK |
|
Thursday & Friday was all action on the Park. At the end of Thursday it became apparent that several teams could end up with equal points which meant goal difference would determine the finalists. As Fridays games concluded we had the following situation: Over 45's Ukraine 20 Points San Diego Kickers 18 Points SPK Moscow 14 Points Calgary Rangers FC 14 Points FC Dabas Old Boys 14 Points The Over 45's finalists are clear cut Ukraine v San Diego Kickers The 3rd - 4th & 5th places came down to goal difference: Place Team For Against 3rd Place FC Dabas Old Boys 9 1 4th Place SPK Moscow 9 3 5th Place Calgary Rangers FC 7 3 Over 35's Calgary United Traveling FC 16 Points Old Boys Ost Thüringen 14 Points Vaiete Hawaii Over 35 14 Points The second finalist was determined by goal difference as follows: Team For Against Old Boys Ost Thüringen 5 2 Vaiete Hawaii Over 35 3 1 The Over 35's finals were between Calgary United Traveling FC v Old Boys Ost Thüringen 
FINALS FOOTBALL OVER 45'S Ukraine v San Diego Kickers Whilst the favorites were the Ukrainians, it was the San Diego Kickers who started with a flurry of attacks on the opposition goal. The action was fast and furious and shortly before halftime the Ukrainians netted home for the first time. |
|
| 
|
San Diego Kickers | Ukraine |
In the end the Ukrainians superior fitness and skill told the story and the game finished 3 : 0 in their favor. All in all it was a great game of Football with some lovely touches on both sides. |
Congratulations and well done to our Finalists San Diego Kickers and the new Over 45's Oldie World Champions 2008 Ukraine |
|
OVER 35'S |
Calgary United Traveling FC v Old Boys Ost Thüringen The Final between these two teams lived up to everybody's expectations. Despite the heat both sides put up a great fight and played some of the best Football seen all week. Both keepers had some early fumbles but got away with it. Just before half time the Canadians scored a great goal which seemed to unnerve the Germans for a while. In the second half we saw some spectacular saves by both keepers and it looked like the Canadians had the game won. However, shortly before full time the Germans launched an attack down the flank and scored a brilliant equalizer. Now we had a game on and both teams tried their best to finish the other off. The final whistle blew and extra time was to decide who would be the 2008 Over 35 World Champion. The game seesawed back and forth and both sides had several opportunities to settle the game. However, it was not to be and the dreaded penalty shootout was to decide this encounter. |
|
| 
|
It was David Fried Captain of the Canadian team who placed the ball into the right hand corner for a well deserved victory. After the penalty shoot out the game ended 2 : 1 for the Canadians. Congratulations and well done to our Finalists Old Boys Ost Thüringen and the new Over 35's Oldie World Champions 2008 Calgary United Traveling FC |
| 
|
Old Boys Ost Thüringen | Calgary United Traveling FC |
|
WFC 2008 Trophies and Medals |
Farewell Party After an action packed week it was time to say goodbye. Our Closing Function lived up to previous occasions and many a tear was shed. Naturally this was the time to say thank you and pay tribute to some outstanding performances. |
| 
|
Our Referee's did a great job all week Commemorative Officials Medals of our World Fun Cup 2008 were presented. A special thanks to Nancy Alota and Lofty O'Connor who did a magnificent job in helping out when most needed. |
Many thanks to our great Photographers James and Sophia, they did a marvelous job and got some magic shots of our Tournament. You can see it all on www.8photofx.com Click on Gallery |
We cannot forget our Leisure Wear crew of Alan and Kalani, thanks for doing a great job. |
Thanks also to Jim and Joey Foti for getting the trophies and medals ready on time. |
| Thanks also to Vic, Sergio, Tom, Mark, Vatzy and Emily and all the other people who assisted to make this Tournament a success. Thanks also to Judy Matsumoto, Lena Yi, Tina Park, Peter Yi, Sun Park, Carey Ann Moors and especially Jenny Woo from the Waikiki Resort Hotel who went out of her way to make our Farewell Party such a success. |
On behalf of all Participants we would like to give special thanks to Mayor Mufi Hannemann for his generosity in giving his valuable time and meeting with our Oldies and posing for many photographs. |
If we forgot anyone, sorry but our thoughts are with you. |
| |
 |  |
Yvonne SOS Marketing Director presented the Best Keeper Trophy to John Hendrix from Calgary United who is 72 years young, well done John. | Matthias Jacob from Old Boys Ost Thüringen was voted Best & Fairest Player by his peers. |
| Next came the Oldest Player of the Tournament - One of the most Prestigious Awards handed out by SOS |
 |
| The honor went to Fred Jensen of San Diego Kickers. At 83 years of age - Fred played in every game outpacing some players half his age. Needless to say Fred received a standing ovation lasting several Minutes. The room was charged with affection and admiration for Fred. Some of you may remember what Fred said in Hungary in 2006. " God willing I'll be in Hawaii for the next World Fun Cup in 2008 " Well fellow Oldies Fred did and the Almighty obliged. A truly moving and memorable experience for all present. |
| |
| Championship Trophies & Medals |
| Over 45's |
| 
|
FC Dabas Old Boys 3rd Place WFC 2008 | San Diego Kickers 2nd Place WFC 2008 |
|
Ukraine 1st Place and Oldie World Champions 2008 |
Over 35's |
Vaiete Hawaii Over 35 3rd Place WFC 2008 |
|
Old Boys Ost Thüringen 2nd Place WFC 2008 |
| | |
|
Calgary United Traveling FC 1st Place and Oldie World Champions 2008 |
|
| The tension rose as the only items left on the table were the World Fun Cup Champions Trophy and Champion Medals. To be declared World Fun Cup Champions the Team must play good Football, but more important participate in all the other activities like, March Past, Karaoke & Talent night. Have the right attitude towards our Philosophy of Fun & Fellowship and in general embrace our motto that at our age Participation is more important then Winning. There were a number of Teams in the running, but in the final analysis the winner and World Fun Cup Champions for 2008 was San Diego Kickers - USA Congratulations to San Diego Kickers well deserved and well done. |
 |
Winners are Grinners - How True |
Although the Official Medals and Trophies found their just homes there were no losers at this event. Every Team was a winner in their own right for example Calgary United from Canada who say "never die " the combined age of this wonderful Team of Champions was over 1000 years. There isn't a Trophy big enough for such effort and achievement. |
|
Calgary United - The Golden Team |
There are the Budgewoi Cobwebs from Australia with their great attitude towards our philosophy of Fun & Fellowship. How about the Old Boys Ost Thüringen from Germany, this was their first visit to one of our World Fun Cups. They sure like to party and play some great Football. To all other Teams and Participants not mentioned here we thank you for a great Tournament. Once again a wonderful event came to a close. Many new friendships were established and old ones renewed. One could feel the spirit of Fun and Fellowship which epitomizes the Brotherhood of Supa Oldies around the World. |
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
The festivities lasted well past midnight with good cheer and comradeship. All eyes are now on the next World Fun Cup in beautiful Vancouver - Canada in 2010. To all Participants thank you for everything, but most of all thanks for your Friendship. Herb & Yvonne |
| TOP | | | |
