Published in the June 17, 2015 edition
BARCELONA and Boston Braves players and game officials stand at attention with their youth soccer escorts during the performance of the National Anthem by the Pioneer Singers prior to their historic game at LHS.(Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — The first-ever appearance of a European Champion soccer club’s veteran team, F.C. Barcelona, to be hosted by an American high school proved to be an exciting experience for hundreds of soccer fans at Pioneer Stadium last Thursday.
THE F.C. BARCELONA veteran players made each child feel special with one-on-one time prior to the game played against the Boston Braves F.C. Among the kids meeting players were, from left, Emily Storer, 11, George Nikolakopoulos, 12, Talia Bisbe, 8 and Liana Bisbe, 5. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
F.C. Barcelona veterans took on the Lynnfield-based Boston Braves Football Club amid the traditional pomp, circumstance and pageantry afforded this sport at venues worldwide but not often seen state-side.
PLAYERS from the visiting F.C. Barcelona team (striped jerseys) held hands with local youth soccer players who served as their escorts as they entered Pioneer Stadium with their Boston Braves counterparts (white jerseys) at Thursday’s game. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Dozens of local boys and girls affiliated with the Lynnfield Youth Soccer Club received gifts of T-shirts and autographs from the players along with the opportunity to practice on the field with them and pose for photos prior to the pre-game ceremony.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Jane Tremblay welcomed team captains Doug Prouty (left) of the Boston Braves and Jose Antonio Ramos Huete, known as Pepito, of F.C Barcelona, as they exchanged team flags prior to their soccer game at LHS. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Each boy and girl was then matched with Barcelona or Boston Braves team members to serve as their escorts as they entered Pioneer stadium for the pre-game ceremonies.
The children remained alongside the players during the performance of the National Anthem by the Lynnfield Middle School Pioneer Singers as well as the ceremonial coin toss by Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay and the exchange of gifts between the players.
Just last week, the current F.C. Barcelona team won the European title in Berlin.
“In a wonderful atmosphere under the admiring eyes of hundreds of spectators, the Braves made history by being the first team ever to host in the USA a European (World actually) champion team in Lynnfield, Mass.,” commented Boston Braves F.C. President Spiros Tourkakis of Lynnfield.
“On the field performance, the Braves kept it close on the first half and at times were very competitive, but it was a difficult task. Barcelona proved why they are the world’s best. The mentors and predecessors of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Macherano, etc. were like ‘designers,’ so to speak, on the field at times,” Tourkakis added.
Barcelona scored first and ultimately won the game 6-2. Tourkakis said Barcelona’s victory was “a showcase of their incredible talent and skill.”
“Overall, it was an once-in-a-lifetime event that fulfilled long-time dreams of all participants,” he added.
