Dads in fine form as excitement builds up for Chelsea-hosted Master Game

It’s again time for Master Game, the epic battle between Dads and Kids that serves an annual reminder of the true spirit of this Club. The 7th ever Master Game (MG7) will be played next Saturday 19th June at 2pm. Yes, next Saturday!

The breaking news arrived to the players with an unexpected “save-the-date” email yesterday afternoon, while everyone was pretending to be working while secretly watching epic Nadal-Djokovic match and foresincally studying the Euro 2020 calendar. In minutes, the news spread globally generating enthusiasm and a certain surprise, as the MG7 was widely expected to be played later in the year. Many wondered what caused the anticipation and what was actually the venue of the event, something the email was a bit vague about it.

What was already a palpable excitement became a total astonishment this morning, when the players present at the Pond were revealed the location of the MG7: nothing less than the Chelsea FC Training Center in Cobham, secured by the Club thanks to the fine diplomacy and networking skills of our own Andrè.  The idea of playing such a prestigious ground, where the European Champions train on daily basis, sent shivers through the spines of Dads and Kids, that will finally be able to showcase their talent on the finest of grass (and without having to carry bags of soil to fill holes).

With just a week to go, the players decided they had enough with the inter-generational mix of the recent games.  Teams were therefore assembled putting Kids (bibbed) on one side and Dads on the other, although the two senior Italians (Francesco and Giancarlo) had to play with the Kids for the teams to be the same number.

When Dads play against Kids the question is always the same: does experience count more than youthful exuberance? Today the answer was clear. Dads “still have it”, as you could say. Solid in defence, brilliant in midfield, but most importantly, prolific in attack, as the final score (6-1) certifies.

After suffering a first goal the Kids found their way to level (1-1), when Marco scored from close range on a precise assist by Francesco. But despite countless efforts, that remained their only goal of the day, while the Dads netted the goal five more times, with Khaled Alg and Jeremy T both scoring a brace.

Throughout the game there were occasional moments of frustration, controversy and some tension, something not normally seen on our matches. The Club President (Hossam) was quick to issue a reprimand to the players involved, reminding them that we adhere to a strict code of conduct that demands fair play and doesn’t allow any dangerous tackle or poor sportsmanship. We are sure they got the message.

After the match, there was time to chill out and perform some team-building activities. Victor offered free rides on his new electric scooter and entertained the players with his surf stories (from the Atlantic Ocean to… ehm… Bristol). Paride once again provided every player a perfectly ripe banana (something that has now become a much coveted tradition).

But today’s match is already vanishing in the memory, as all the attention turns to the upcoming MG7.

After their performance at the Pond, Dads arrive at the MG7 as favourites. But as we say in Rome, you can enter the Conclave as Pope and get out as a Cardinal. It would be foolish to write off the Kids, and if there is something that the previous six Master Game have taught us is how balanced and dramatic this contest always is.

Besides, many things can happen in the space of seven days. There are already reports of unofficial meetings involving few Dads and the soon-to-be-appointed referee (you might wonder which topics are in the agenda), while Minerva Labs has started producing a new secret blend of Gold Collagen aimed to reinforce ligaments of over-50s.

The Kids will probably look at boosting their team introducing new players and there are already talks of them trying to convince some of best Dads to play with them. Don’t be surprised, between Dads and Kids there is always a grey area where the rules are bent like on the edge of a black hole (we are still not sure how they managed to have Yasin on their team in a past MG).  Also, compared to today, Giancarlo and Francesco will be back with the Dads, and then alone might make the difference, in a way or another….

DADS v KIDS 6-1

GOALS

DADS: Julien, Khaled  Alg (2), Jeremy T (2), Khaled Alk.

KIDS: Marco

TEAMS:

DADS: Hannes, Hossam, Chetan, Julien, Yassin, Andre’, Khaled Alg, Jeremy T, Khaled Alq

KIDS: Paride, Giancarlo, Sara, Francesco, Giacomo, Antonio, Cedric, Leo, Andrea, Marco, Johannes, Francesco