The Schuman Trophy: blood, sweat and tears

On 7-9th and 14-15th May, the 15^th annual Schuman Trophy took place - the ultimate, world famous football tournament of the European institutions. This year the event brought together 26 teams, representing Directorates General and services of the European Commission, as well as the Council, the European Parliament, the stagiaires, the UN and other international organisations, all locked in a fierce battle to become number one.

Contrary to what people think, the Schuman Trophy is not just about football. The competition is also a charity event aimed at raising money for children in need and financing projects in Belgium and abroad (more than 500,000 euros in over 100 projects since 1997). Over the two weekends, some 4,000 people went to Overijse to attend the event, raising several tens of thousands of euros.

Even though the organisers claim that the Schuman Trophy is above all a charity initiative, we all know that the most important thing - and the real philosophy of the tournament - is to be the best DG, break legs and demonstrate impressive football skills in front of the other jealous players… This year saw some good examples of this fair-play spirit, with tackles to the knee and insults. Nurses at the emergency service of St Luc Hospital had two busy weekends in a row…

But this would be football as usual if it weren't for the intimidation and corruption of referees and even goals scored with the hand (I won't tell you the nationality of the scorer - I don't want to increase national prejudices). Worst of all, I even witnessed an arrangement between two teams in order to eliminate a third one… Schuman must be rolling in his grave.

Fortunately the weekend ended without serious injuries - I mean dead players - and real fights. The barbecue stand and lots of beers (the first round of beers was served at 9:15am) distracted the most aggressive players from fighting. In the end, history will remember that the SCIC team won the final against PMO 1-0 and that the stagiaires finished second in the tournament for non-DG teams, losing in the final against the Council.

Kim Fredericq Evangelista,

DG ELARG

Final ranking:

1	SCIC
2	PMO
3	DGT
4	DEVCO
5	RELAS
6	RIF/REA
7	ECFIN
8	OIB
9	SANCO
10	ERCEA
11	BUDG
12	SG
13	COMP
14	ENV
15	AGRI
16	HR/IAS
17	EMPL
18	OLAF
19	TAXUD/MARE/EACI
20	EACEAC
21	MARKT/SOLVIT
22	TREN/MOVE/ENER
23	REGIO
24	ENTR
25	INFSO
26	SJ