IDF in Luzern

Did it ever happen to you that you were sitting at a basketball game, and you were the only fan cheering for the team?

Though as a child I enjoyed watching and playing basketball a lot, I have never gone to watch a real game until last Friday.

Location: Nottwil, near Luzern. Team: Disabled IDF veterans from the Haifa club against a polish team.

Quite a few times we were able to assist groups of disabled IDF soldiers on their visits to Luzern, but this time it was very different. They had come for this basketball tournament and were staying for Shabbat.

We offered to help with getting them the things they needed for Shabbat. And so, when I arrived to Nottwil with the Shabbat bags, filled with wine and Challot, shortly before the start of the game on Friday, I noticed that there was not even one fan sitting there to cheer them on.

I decided to stay.

What an amazing game it was. I had come to cheer them up and encourage them, and I left completely inspired and uplifted. 

The players, in their wheelchairs, played in an unbelievably professional manner and showed amazing fitness abilities which many people without disabilities would not be able to do.

It was amazing to see, how much strong will and belief can achieve.

The Israeli team won the game quite impressively with 64-30.

My fan cheering stuck out to the opposition, who were envious of the game outcome, and the polish asked me if I was free to cheer THEM on at their next game :-)

A Souvenir photo from a pleasant encounter: