WJUC Finals Heibronn, Germany

Aug 7, 2010: WJUC Finals Heibronn, Germany

David Aka Captain Canada (photo Karalee Greer)

We have come to Heilbronn, Germany to watch our son Kevin Greer play for Team Canada in the World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championships. It has been an awesome five days as we watched the Team Canada Men's team win every game they played. We started today with the quarter final game against Germany. The sun is shining from a blue sky as Canada and Germany step out onto stadium field two.

We have made friends with the other Canada families who made the trip to Heilbronn. We watch together as Canada beats Germany to put them into the evening championship final. David has been nicknamed "Captain Canada" ever since the second day when he took to wearing a Canadian flag as a cape and running around the field after every victory. This morning, David runs around the field with another parent, both of them showing off Canada's colors.

We take a long break, resting, shopping, and making our last visit to Heilbronn. After almost a week here we have come to know the city. David walks into the center of the old town and church square. He stops at Starbucks for a brewed coffee and experiences one of those shifts of perspective. While the Starbucks looks just like the ones back in Canada, the juxtaposition of the Starbucks cup, table, and logo seems incongruous against Saint Kilian's Church. The modern day example of 21C branding set against a 16C church is not an experience we can have in Western Canada.

David walks through the shopping district towards Gotz Tower. Only a few nights ago we sat outside with other Canadian parents under Gotz Tower eating dinner. It has been a regular landmark as we have walked to the tournament stadium. Our regular route has taken us along a beautiful pedestrian and bike walkway along the River Neckar and past a weeping willow whose branches hang down just touching the water.

We watch the end of the Woman's championship final where Canada faced Columbia. In an incredibly close finish, Columbia beat Canada. Players, coaches, and parents from all countries fill the stands, screaming as the woman's final finishes and Team Canada and Team USA are introduced in the Men's championship final. Neither Canada nor USA has lost a game all tournament.

USA plays superbly. Team Canada plays valiantly, showing some incredible defensive plays. In the end, they are not able to overcome the sheer skill and coordinated play of the American team. The tournament ends USA 17 and Canada 7. The championship game is followed by the closing ceremonies, entertainment, and the awarding of all of the trophies and medals to all the top teams in the tournament.

Team Canada gathers around. While disappointed the players have had a great tournament. All the parents snap pictures while the players exchange a few more jerseys. Afterwards, all the Canadian parents take the Team Canada players to an outdoor food fair next to the stadium and treat the team to dinner. The players head off for their final tournament party as we say goodbye to all of the parents and families we have got to know over the week.

We have extensive photo and video coverage of the Team Canada Men playing at David's World Junior Ultimate Frisbee 2010 Championship web page.

Rosa Newman and Kristine Mussell