A friendly football game between European and Vietnamese diplomats was organized in Hanoi on Saturday to give support to the 2016 UEFA European Championship, or Euro 2016 for short.
Officials from the Embassies of the European Union member states in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in a football friendly at Xuan La Stadium in the afternoon.
The game was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam as an activity to embrace Euro 2016, taking place in France, a member of the EU.
Despite the intense heat in Hanoi, all players from both teams arrived at the venue very early and showed great enthusiasm.
Staff members from the Embassies of the European Union member states in Vietnam are seen among the spectators of the friendly football game in Hanoi on June 11, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
In his 50s, Bruno Angelet, Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, expressed great excitement prior to the competition.
Playing as a defender and captain of the EU team, the diplomat revealed that he had not touched a ball for nearly 30 years.
As an ambassador of the EU, Angelet stated that he could not give support to any specific team playing at Euro 2016, which lasts from June 10 to July 10.
However, as a Belgian citizen, the diplomat expressed his love for Belgium and hope that his country would win this year’s championship.
Bruno Angelet (R), Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, shakes hands with Le Hai Binh, Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, before the exhibition game. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Playing as captain of the Vietnamese team during the friendly match, Le Hai Binh, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, has a strong passion for football, just like any other Vietnamese.
Binh roots for France at the European tournament and believes that the team will win the title.
Competing alongside the diplomats of the two teams were retired Vietnamese football players Thach Bao Khanh, Nguyen Duc Thang, Luu Danh Minh, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cham.
The game ended with a 2-1 victory for the EU team.
Bruno Angelet, Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, shakes hands with Le Hai Binh, Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, before the exhibition game. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Players compete for the ball in the friendly match in Hanoi on June 11, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
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