Our weekend date on September 1 was attending the Euro-American Challenge
(an American Football Game) at the Warsaw Stadium with some of Mark's co-workers.
Since our arrival to Warsaw, we have seen this structure being built in the distance...it was completed for this summer's 2012 Euro Cup...and now we were getting to attend an event here ourselves.
We arrived early...in time to eat and enjoy being outside together. Ticket holders were not allowed into the stadium until 4pm....so we had over an hour to explore and eat.
Mark in front of the Warsaw Stadium
Just like in the US...there were plenty of activities to keep families entertained...buying and eating food, children crawling on top of sports cars...
children sliding down big blow up slides...
and people throwing baseballs or softballs...which is something we do not see or hear often here in Poland. We think they were advertising a soft ball league group. Mark shared that they were all throwing the balls like girls!
We were attending the "Euro-American Challenge"...an American Football Game. The two opposing teams: America vs Europe
Prior to the game starting....we saw what reminded us of high school football pre-game or half time entertainment....a band...a drill team...and baton twirlers. They were marching to American songs and did a great job entertaining!
We smiled as we remembered our own children marching in so many high school events...
The football teams ran out...
And...We got to stand and to sing the US National Anthem...the first time we have done this in Poland! It was emotional for me...and it felt good to sing this familiar powerful song here!
This flag is the European Union flag...
Prior to the game beginning... Lech Wałęsa came out and said a few encouraging words to the crowd...like beat the Americans!
Pan (Mr.) Wałęsa is the gentleman with the white hair and wearing a suit.
Earlier in the summer Mark and I had visited Gdańsk...home to Lech Wałęsa and now we were seeing and hearing him here in Warsaw.
At the half the scores were tied 7-7...but by the end of the game America was ahead....34-7.
It was a little hard to watch...as the American team had much more experience playing American football than the European team...
The Wave...Something that is done in Europe as well...
We smiled...and Mark snapped a few pictures...little did we know this was an international activity!
The stadium is really quite nice inside...it has a covered retractable roof...but not like the one in Houston. Food can be purchased around the stadium also...we enjoyed popcorn and ice cream. The stands sell all of the same kinds of foods though...not different food restaurants like in the US.
We rode to and from the stadium on a tram...and enjoyed being at the game with some of Mark's Marathon co-workers. We had great seats...and enjoyed an American past time...here in Warsaw.
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