Greetings, compatriots!
It’s TTV with a second part of interview with our FA CEO Torben Mortensen. You can see first part here.
T.R.: Let's get back to the question of how "our" part of the Wonders Cup will be played. And please add some details about formula of the Cup itself.
T.M.: As you already know, the tournament is held in several countries, in three stages, in each country there are four teams playing with each other, first the semi-finals, then the final matches and games for the third place. Each team will play at least six matches in any case. One of the groups of the third stage will play its four games in Trolleborg, and we were lucky to play at home, teams like TJUN-ia, StrayaRoss, Cordia and Sarzonia will play their rounds away, altought their countries also hosts a groups. Our opponents are all familiar faces, TJUN-ia, Sarzonia and Indusse - however, two former send not their first teams: the "young jaguars" from TJUN-ia, the women's team from Sarzonia. Right now we consider themselves ready to host. Most of the obvious problems usually found by arriving fans is already out of the way – like, for example, currency exchange. In Trolleborg you will not neded to have all the problems usually associated with that, we accept almost every possible currency with our state-of-art tourist-helping AI system Keith. And a new expansion of her capabilities is currently being tested.
T.R.: Tell us more about it for our guests convenience. We are already accustomed to the fact that not so many fans arrive with visiting teams, so it is unlikely that everything is well known abroad.
T.M.: Well, AI Keith was launched just before the first world cup in which our team participated, and since then it has been constantly improving. Initially, she knew how to converse in all known languages, exchange any currency for florins, select individual tours to taste and wallet, plan transport and give advice on a certain range of issues. This is definitely not a small list, but now she has understood a huge number of cultural norms and phenomena, can give you advice up to that what food to try with your health and habits, and what kinds of city parts are most suitable for your psychological type. For those wishing to prepare in advance, we can always give advice.
T.R.: What else do foreigners need to know?
T.M.: Well, first of all, you need to be aware that nothing at all in Trolleborg can threaten guests. More serious, anyway, than the obsessive interest of the general public. Secondly, we will be glad if the guests of the country pick up the custom of walking along the main alley of the park surrounding the stadium on December 1 before the games, chanting and singing. Thirdly, we are open to cultural exchange. If you have something that you want to show the world, some kinds of art, customs, traditions, dishes, we will find a large enough area that you can use for this. And if you want to partake of our culture, just on the days of the championship near the capital, twenty minutes from the center by the fast train, there will be a large festival dedicated to the events of the medieval history of Trolleborg. In Belnegau, at a feast with a local ruler, one could just see how such things look in our country: minstrels, knights' tournament, fireworks, plus traditional cuisine, trades, crafts, competitions in various arts...
T.R.: Yes, after Belnegau, there has been an increased interest in this period.
T.M.: And this is very encouraging. But what is not encouraging that in order to increase interest in our own history we had to go across three seas. In my opinion, we in Trolleborg should turn to the roots more often.
T.R.: By the way, everone was seen that you wear the traditional costume at Belnegau grand reception in a very dignified way and it’s fitting due way on you.
T.M.: Thank you. By the way, this is my personal one costume, not rented, it is kept in my boardroom at home. For a few first minutes it was difficult to go without a tail, but you have to respect local beliefs - maybe you don't know, but in Belnegau the tail is considered a sign of the local evil deity. All in all, it was an interesting experience, unusual. I hope that we will learn some things from the practice of organizing tournaments at the international level.
T.R.: And maybe something from the Wonder Cup?
T.M.: I can't say anything here yet. So far we have seen only one country and did not even have time to form an impression about it, we had to play almost after the flight, and there is not so much information available about what else it has to offer, besides changing rooms and mowed grass at the stadium. The results of the matches at the tournament look a little strange, the impression is that many teams that could count on something, either did not get together, or are not sufficiently motivated. Anticipating the future, I will not answer the question of which of the two categories our team belongs to.
T.R.: So well, thank you for the interesting conversation and we hope to have another conversation before the World Cup!
T.M.: You're welcome! Until next time, compatriots!
Atheara 1–
