Bosseln 2014 - The Final Rollover

There was a major sporting event this weekend. Teams faced off, athletes gave their all, crowds cheered, victors celebrated and the defeated hung their heads. No, it was not Superbowl 48. It was Bosseln 2014.

If you've been reading this blog for a while you might remember that Bosseln is a game played by old men on frozen paths in the north of Germany during the winter. It's the kind of thing you do in a cold place so you don't go crazy during the winter. You might also recall that our friends Kaska and Thorsten have a tradition of hosting a Bosseln game every year. It has moved around Germany with them - it started when they were in University in Osnabruck, then moved on to Kiel, then followed them to Hannover. This year's tournament was the third in the series of Hannover Bosseln games. Don't let the title fool you - it surely won't be the last.

Rather than me explaining the game, I'd like you to watch this film that Thorsten made from last year's event. You will notice that Brian, playing Captain America, features prominently. It's only 2 minutes long. Just click on the link above.

First time players are understandably concerned about knowing the rules of Bosseln. So are about four of the 35 other people playing. For the rest of us, we just throw the ball as far as possible, and obediently take a shot of some awful grain alcohol (ambitiously called 'schnapps') when we are told. This happens when your team's throw is too short, or when you pass a statue in the woods, or when you come across an intersecting path. There is a way to score points, but don't ask me how. I am not one of the people who care.

Here are a couple of photos:

Me and the Polish girls - Kaska and Charlotta

Patrick (Germany/UK), Kaska, Thorsten (Germany), Ed (USA), Taras (Ukraine) in front

Brian starred this year as Captain Polska, in honor of Kaska and the other players representing Poland:

After the game ended we walked our cold, wet selves to a restaurant called Schweinehaus. Only in Germany do you go out to a place called 'pig house'.  At the house of pigs we ate Grünkohl, which consists of sausage, smoked pork, ham, kale and potatoes (which I am pretty sure are cooked in bacon fat). This is a traditional north German meal. I am all for trying the regional dish, but have decided is ok to eat only Grünkohl once a year. Your arteries would agree.

In a spirit of unity and sportsmanship, the winners, the losers, the fans, the referees and those who didn't care which category they fell in ate large amounts of pork and potatoes together. And that was it. With Captain Polska around, who needs a halftime show anyway?