Panthers' European TourAug. 22, 2003
UWM's second full day in Belgium found the Panthers licking their wounds from a loss Wednesday night to Division II champion Sayco Huy and looking forward to an opportunity for redemption that night against Leuven, a Division I team. But first, there was plenty more for the Panthers to see. Out of the hotel and on the bus by 11:30 a.m. local time, the Panthers headed north toward Antwerp, making a stop at Fort Breendonk, a transit and torture camp for Belgian jews during World War II. The nearly two-hour tour of the facility, which housed some 3500 prisoners its time, included a history of the Nazis reign of terror throughout Europe and the striking realization that, much like Anne Frank and family in Holland, 56,000 Belgian jews had to live in fear they would be arrested, taken to a camp like Breendonk, and then eventually sent to a concentration camp like Auschwitz. The tour wound through the barracks used by the prisoners, where the captives slept 48 to a room on tri-level bunk beds made for six people apiece. Many of the camp's prisoners were also subject to torture by Nazis guards. The team and travel party also saw the torture chamber where men and women alike were subject to unspeakable acts, the gallows and firing squad areas located near the back of the prison, and a variety of stories of both prisoners, guards and war criminals alike. The team boarded the bus again, this time for a surprisingly short journey and a chance to become a local citizen for a few brief moments. Growing hungry after breakfast but not quite in time for a pregame meal, the team unloaded at a local Aldi grocery store, and quickly gathered up a variety of fruit and other local products including ribble paprika chips, Belgian chocolates and wafers, Majorette cookies, Kwakies cereal and Golden Power energy drink. It was then on to Antwerp, where the Panthers got in plenty of walking in their two hours in this Belgian city. The two sites to see were the Cathedral of Notre Dame and Diamond Land. Antwerp is known as the diamond capital of the world, and while many of the stones on display were out of the price range of anyone in the travel party, the team did get to see the production process involved in making the perfect diamond and see some examples of some of the world's most expensive jewelry. Among the pieces on display in the showroom was a diamond ring priced at 30,000 Euro and a number of other pieces ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Euro. As is often the case when traveling with large groups in foreign lands, time runs short to get everything done and get everyone everywhere, so the team split up to grab a quick meal and reboard the bus for the trip to Leuven. One of the fast food chains some chose to eat their meal at was Hector Chicken. Featuring typical chicken fare like nuggets, wings, tenders, and rotissaire chicken, the menu looked a lot like an American chicken restaurant. The only noticeable difference - besides the lack of grease on the chips (fries) - was the selection of sauces. Patrons could choose from a hot sauce or a garlic sauce to dip or top their chicken. The trip to Leuven was uneventful and the Panthers again found themselves in the midst of small-town Belgium for their game. One step into the arena and the players and coaches knew they were in for something special. The gymnasium - a facility not used by the Leuven team for games during the regular season - was located on the second floor of a building. The floor was a few meters shy of regulation on the ends and the sidelines, and the benches weren't nearly big enough to hold the team. But, with a cozy 400 seats situated on three sides of the floor and those seats full by the time the game started, the atmosphere was one the Panthers would struggle to replicate in many road games this season. The Leuven fans took to the UWM style of play immediately, appreciated the running, pressing tempo and enjoyed the entertaining contest. And while the home team lost, it didn't stop most of the fans from sticking around and meeting with their local players over a few beers. For the Panthers, though, it was off to a local restaurant for a postgame meal, courtesy of BC Leuven. And what a meal it was, as the team dined on a starter plate of ham, melon, cabbage salad and rolls before enjoying a main course of chicken, two kinds of sauces and fries. Friday was a day off from playing for the Panthers, but that meant an opportunity to hit the road and see more of the Belgium. First stop, the battle site of Waterloo, where Napolean's move across Europe ended. After a one-hour bus ride outside of Brussels, the team climbed the steep stair path to the top of the Lion Mound, getting a picturesque view of the Belgian countryside and the battle site. From there it was on to Brugge, a city of canals. For the first time in the trip, some rain fell as the team wound through the tiny streets, avoiding bikes and the occasional cars and buses. But soon the weather cleared and the team split up to eat and see the sites of this quaint town. Brugge was established between the 7th and 9th Century. Among the sites in the city are the Market Place, or Grand Place, the most important square in town. The Provincial Palace is also located on the square. The town hall in Brugge was built in 1376 and shows off some of the gothic-style architecture in the city. One of the other more famous sites in the Church of Our Lady, home to the Michelangelo masterpiece "Our Lady and the Infant." The team then loaded back on the bus and headed for one more stop - Gent. But this stop was for one very good reason to cap off a long day - the Panthers were heading to the Amadeus restaurant for their well-known all-you-can-eat spare ribs. The team and the rest of the travel party was not disappointed. Servers brought out rack-after-rack of the meaty, nicely-seasoned ribs, rubbed with just enough of a sweet sauce. The meal came with a baked potato that included a spicy butter sauce and a cabbage salad. Clearly the meal put the Panthers in a great mood, as the team sang its way through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Gent and back to the team bus. Taking after some of the foreign soccer fans who strolled down the streets of Brussels Wednesday singing and dancing in anticipation of a Belgium/Holland soccer match that night, the team sang American songs, laughed and drew appreciative attention from onlookers.
The bus ride back to Brussels was a relatively short one, as the team returned
to the hotel by 11:30 p.m. local time. Some of the team retired to the rooms
while others took time to head to the streets of Brussels, where some concerts
and other performances were taking place late into the evening. Late Saturday
morning it is off to Cologne, where the Panthers will play Saturday night and
spend three evenings in Germany.
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