Published in the October 21, 2015 editioninternational_soccer_web

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

LYNNFIELD — Once again, the town will play host to a world-renowned international soccer club.

F.C. Bayern Munich will compete against the Boston Braves F.C. at Lynnfield High School’s Pioneer Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 31 at 11:30 a.m.

Lynnfield resident Spiros Tourkakis, president of the Boston Braves F.C., is once again responsible for arranging this exchange with the professional veterans. Last June, Tourkakis arranged for the veterans of the European Champion F.C. Barcelona team to compete against the Boston Braves at Pioneer Stadium. It was the first time a European Champion football club was hosted by an American high school.

F.C. Bayern Munich has won World, European and German championships and according to Tourkakis, these two games hosted by Lynnfield mark the first time the club is sending its veterans to America.

“It is not a common thing for former world class soccer players to come to a small town,” Tourkakis said, adding that hosting F.C. Bayern Munich is the result of “two years of work, negotiations, deliberations and planning. … For us, it is a matter of pride and of satisfaction. Because this benefits our school and youth sports system, it exposes our facilities and shows what we can do as Lynnfield residents. It is a tall task for the Braves but I feel it will be executed successfully.”

The Boston Braves will also select two Lynnfield High School soccer players and two adult players from the Lynnfield F.C. and give them the opportunity to play soccer, socialize and be photographed with the Bayern Munich players during their visit here.

Admission to the game is free and will include the traditional pre-game ceremony and welcoming of the visiting team by their host town.