KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010 / SPORTS
WORLD CUP
21
Soccer, Skype connect Free State to German pub
BY COREY THIBODEAUX cthibodeaux@kansan.com
The Free State Brewing Co. and St. Michaelis Brauhaus in Eutin, Germany — about 4,600 miles apart — came together for the duration of the World Cup match up between the United States and England Saturday.
The two breweries, which already had an existing relationship, were able to connect before the game and during halftime with the help of Skype.
Andrew Toth, a senior from Colby, helped set up the event and thought a group of Lawrence natives currently in Eutin would enjoy experiencing the game with their fellow Americans.
UPCOMING WORLD CUP GAMES
"The people on their side thought it would be nice to give Americans a place to watch the game." Toth said. "And since we're here watching it, it's a good opportunity to go ahead and get connected with them."
"That was the first effort to make a connection between the two breweries." Baron said.
About 30 high school and college students are currently in Eutin, a sister city of Lawrence. About 10 KU students and 10 Lawrence High students will spend six weeks in Eutin for language camp. Ten other Kansas students will intern for six weeks.
Frank Baron, a professor of German languages and literatures, has a close connection to Eutin and St. Brauhaus from taking students there on trips. In 1993, he said, the Eutin brewery sent 13 glasses to Free State Brewing Co. to establish a sort of partnership.
Wednesday
■ 6:30 a.m.
Honduras vs. Chile
■ 9:00 a.m.
Spain vs. Switzerland
■ 1:30 p.m.
South Africa vs. Uruguay
The connections go even further than just sister cities. Mat Luck, a KU graduate, met his wife, Fran, at his host family's house in Eutin in 2000.
Thursday
6:30 a.m.
Argentina vs. Korea Republic
9:00 a.m.
Greece vs. Nigeria
1:30 p.m.
France vs. Mexico
Customers watch the United States and England play soccer in the World Cup Saturday. Free State Brewery communicated with a brewery in Lawrence's sister city Eutin, Germany, using Skype.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
The couple was at the Skype event Saturday hoping to see Fran's family, who was at St. Michaelis during the game. The limited time viewing was a bit of a disappointment for her.
"Someone should tell them to keep the call on the whole time," Luck said. "I barely got to see my mom."
The view from Eutin's call was a long table full of the American visitors, ecstatic after the United States tied the game in the first half.
Toth said the World Cup's global appeal made it the perfect occasion to connect with his peers. Since all the Lawrence affiliates gathered, it was a fitting way to watch the game for both breweries.
"On that side and this side as well, the program is pretty tight knit," he said. "If something like this is going on in town, most likely they're all going to be there."
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