October 26, 2010 CSL--story on Brampton Galaxy and Walter Gretzky (from CSL website)
THE GRETZKY TOUCH - EVEN IN SOCCER
2010-10-26
When seven members of the Brantford Galaxy team were invited to Walter Gretzky's home the day the CSL playoffs got underway, the visit and explanation of Wayne's trophies were clearly inspirational. The seven players were all brought from Europe this year to ensure the team's competitiveness in the tough CSL.
The Galaxy struggled mid-table most of the season and only just managed a playoff berth, but they went on to eliminate the powerful Serbian White Eagles - second in the table and a finalist each of their four years in the CSL. They then knocked out a well-drilled Portugal FC in the semifinal, a team tipped to go all the way.
Brantford Galaxy will meet neighboring FC Hamilton Croatia in the CSL Championship Final at Centennial Stadium this Sunday.
"The time with Walter Gretzky was very moving," said the Galaxy's Andrew Pilkington, who accompanied the players on the visit. "To see what's behind those trophies had an effect on all of us", said Pilkington. Walter Gretzky attended the first playoff game.
FC Hamilton Croatia, also an inaugural year team in the CSL, fared much better in the regular season campaign to finish third in the standings. They defeated the young, swift, TFC Academy team in the quarterfinals, then on Sunday scored an impressive 2-0 victory over Toronto Croatia, a strong side always and a club with such a long and storied history in Canadian soccer going back some 55 years.
There's a natural soccer rivalry between Hamilton and neighboring Brantford. Their applications in 2009 to join the CSL posed a problem for the league, yet they both put forward compelling reasons for being accepted.
"It is hard to believe that less than a year ago the CSL was debating the merits of accepting both the Hamilton and Brantford applications in the same year due to the close proximity of the communities. Both have been model expansion clubs, and a great source of pride to their communities and the CSL," said CSL commissioner Domenic Di Gironimo at the end of Sunday's win at Brian Timmis Stadium.
CSL Championship and Annual Awards Centennial Stadium, Etobicoke FC Hamilton Croatia vs. Brantford Galaxy Sunday, October 31, starting with the awards at 2.15 pm to be followed by the kickoff Tickets Adult - Advance Purchase $20 Adult - at the ground $25 17 and under $10 6 and under Free Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) $50 VIP Package (Preferred seating, food and beverage) $35 Call 905 564-2297 or any CSL club. Purchase online: www.canadiansoccerleague.com Who were the seven players ?: Miodrag Andjelkovic, Zvonko Bakula, Nenad Begovic, Ante Domjanovic, Haris Fazlagic Dragan Oluic and Stanko Karacic
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