II European Festival EVRA, Esztergom, Hungary 20-24.06.2013
Hungarian - Slovak Euro Festival
It was the nature that „caused“ that this EVRA Festival had been held in two neighbouring countries, Hungary and Slovakia. The immense flood begin June, just twenty days before the Festival start, dangered this prestigious European veteran rugby event. Some teams cancelled the “last minute” their participation, what caused further problems to the organisers.
But in only ten days with enormous efforts of Esztergomi Vitezek RFC, their members and friends the Club Sports Centre, situated only 50 meters from the river Danube, was ready to receive veterans from 12 European countries on June 20th 2013.
As only one Festival field remained unplayable the Organisers decided to “move” over the Danube Bridge to Sturovo (Slovakia) to the excellent soccer pitch where the Festival games had been played too. Festival director Sandor Féher, Gabor Stiglmayer together with Péter Novak, both responsible for the Games Schedule, took care that the whole event ran smoothly and in real veteran rugby spirit.
Also Europe - EVRA Select XV team took part, this time with 40 players from 14 European countries.
Welcome Cocktail Drink was at the picturesque old Town Castle, while the Festival Farewell Dinner took place at the Club´s Sports Centre, with live music and plenty of beer. Pleasant atmosphere, “interrupted” with Awarding ceremony, lasted until late in the night.
Two presidents Tomás Espinosa (EVRA) and András Neuzer (LOC) awarded following teams and individuals:
Jeff Butterfield Trophy - the most precious Festival award - went to Le Coyotes, Old Rugby Cernusco (Milano, Italy) for at most shown Spirit of EVRA European Festival on- and off the pitchThe
More the Merrier Award - for the team that brought the most number of Festival participants - went to Juromenha RC Oldies (Portugal)
I would Walk 500 Miles Award - to the delegation that travelled farer went to - Évora RC Veteranos/ Porto Old Greens (Portugal), they travelled 2.967 Km to take part at this European Festival.
At the end of the Awarding Ceremony EVRA President Tomás Espinosa (Spain) announced the host of the 2015 EVRA European Festival, presenting the “Festival Flag” (made especially for this occasion by Galicia Old Boys) to the Festival organiser Paul Brooker, Farnham RUFC (Surrey, England). Paul thanked for the confidence of the European veterans “giving” them EVRA Festival to be held during the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.
Photo Gallery [click of the link]
