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We couldn't have wished for better conditions on this first Saturday in July. The blue sky and a slight breeze over the green fields at Sachtlebenstraße provided the perfect setting for our annual summer fest and the 2nd edition of the Vanda Bilson Cup. Over 150 children and parents came together and celebrated the end of a very successful season with chorizo and tortilla (Euro 2008 winners theme) grilled sausages (Euro 08 runners up theme) and a few fizzy and not so fizzy drinks (everybody else's theme). It was also time to say good bye to a few members who are now leaving the shores of Berlin to move back to Japan (Shodai), Israel (Ray), Cambodia (Konstantin) and the USA (John, David & Lea and Joanna). Of course, no EFCB party is complete without a few footballs being kicked. For the second year running, our club was trusted to host the Vanda Bilson Cup in memory of Vanda, Louis', Ralphy's and Carlas' mum. This year, we were joined by the JFK players and both clubs competed in four different age groups for the popular trophies. 'Vanda would have been proud to see all the happy children here today and would have really enjoyed the fest, just as much as all of you today' said Chris Bilson at the trophy presentations. Just like the year before, Chris donated all the proceeds from a collection at work as well as from the afternoons' food and book sales to the club. This is a great gesture, and it is an honour for the club to be involved in a competition like this, and to have such wonderful members. Thanks again to all the parents for their help in running the cake and refreshment tables, as well as for all their contributions. Thanks also to the John-F-Kennedy sports club for joining us. We look forward to the next Vanda Bilson Cup in 2009.

Without a doubt, this years' Youth Cup was one of the best competitions we ever had. With plenty of sunshine and a total of 30 teams competing in 5 different age groups, the 5th edition of the event was a big success. All major international schools, including the British School, the Berlin International and the JFK, had sent their teams and competed alongside international clubs such as Stern 1900, FC Internationale and Türkiyemspor Berlin. The team that had travelled furthest to participate was the US Youth Soccer team from Kaiserslautern. The US boys played in the U12 section of the tournament and finished with a respectable 3rd place. The tournament was played on a high standard and all teams displayed a great deal of fair play. In the end, Fredi Bobic, former German international player and club parent, happily handed over the trophies to the following winners:

U8       Charles Dickens School FC                U10     Türkiyemspor Berlin
U12     Türkiyemspor Berlin                             U11     Nelson Mandela School FC
Girls     FC Internationale

As for the EFCB teams, all our players adapted well and represented our club in the best possible way. Both our U12 and U11 league teams finished 2nd, the Girls came 3rd, the U10 team finished 5th and the two U8 groups shared 5th and 6th place. A big thank you has to go to all the helpers, the mums and dads who assisted with the snacks and t-shirt tables, and hats off to the EFCB coaches who put in an extra shift to coach and referee throughout the blazing hot day.   Well done everyone!

As most of you are aware of, every Saturday after the U8 training, our U100 veterans have a kick around. The team consists of coaches, parents and friends of the EFCB and has been in existence for nearly two years now. Although the players' fitness levels, age and nationalities differ, they have two things in common: they love football and they are unbeaten ever since they've started to play as a team. Games against the British Lions, the Trautmann Foundation, the American Embassy and a veterans team from Manchester all ended with a positive result.

In September 2005 our EFCB veterans entertained two teams from Wales. Despite the physical and technical dominance of the guests from Great Britain, the EFCB oldies put on a good fight. With a masterful defensive performance, in a match now referred to as "The Battle of Lankwitz", our club maintained its unbeaten record.

Earlier in the month, in a five-a-side tournament organised by the British Council, the EFCB finished second. The tournament kicked off a week of football-related events at the Council's "House of Football". The U100 unbeaten record was under severe threat when the EFCB played a mini-tournament in October involving a team of television sports producers from London, and a very fit team of organisers of the Street Football World Cup 2006. Due to all sorts of commitments on the previous night, the EFCB veterans looked very tired - but once again bounced back. It's almost unreal, but the success story continues.

Our club's U12 team came out on top at a tournament organised by the US Olympic Development Program Europe (ODP). The Michael Brendel Memorial Tournament was held at Robinson Barracks in Stuttgart and showcased various ODP district selections from Würzburg, Kaiserslautern, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Stuttgart and Vilseck. The EFCB team represented Berlin and won all six games in style. Adding to the impressive performance, Jason Victor picked up the Best Goalie Award whilst striker John Brooks was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament. All players have been asked back to join the next ODP event, which could ultimately lead to an invitation to train with one of the US Olympic or National youth teams in the States. The EFCB will continue to work with the ODP Program and will soon organise camps here.