It is that time of the year again in Istanbul, time to end the season with a great event. TSV Handshuhsheim Rubgy Oldies (Heidelberg, Germany) traveled to Istanbul for the EVRA Istanbul Challenge Game 2013.
Visitors enjoyed sightseeing and boat trips on the Bosphorus for a few days prior to the match.
Istanbul Challenge Game offered a great surprise for the visitors who were booked in a hotel in a historic district on the European side of town, but the game itself took place in Bozhane village on the Asian side of town, thus most visitors traveled to "Asia Minor" for the first time to attend the match, something we Istanbulites take for granted every day.
Bozhane village provided the necessary setting for the match; grass field, surrounding green hills, hospitality. And the teams provided the rugby spirit. It was a "hard fought" match as expected, which made it more memorable.
After the match, teams headed to a nearby eatery for the 3rd half activities, which included exchange of gifts and plaques between two teams, along with a farewell presentation to Ottomans player Gilles Montnach. Ottomans wish Gilles all the best in his future endeavors, and expect to see him in Istanbul for the next year's veteran match.
Ozer Onkal
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