Commemorating WWI moments: Pakistan Army XI team in key faceoff
Players stood side-by-side before kick-off to pose for a photograph in memory of the British and German soldiers
ISLAMABAD:
An International XI football team, consisting of British, German, French and Pakistani players, teamed up on Saturday to play against Pakistan Army XI to commemorate one of the most iconic moments of First World War - the 1914 Christmas Truce Football Match. Players stood side-by-side before kick-off to pose for a photograph in memory of the British and German soldiers who participated in an unofficial ceasefire to play football together in December 1914, says a press statement by the British High Commission. The famous truce began when German soldiers started to sing Christmas carols in their trenches. British troops responded. Gradually both sets of soldiers moved out of their trenches and met in ‘No Man’s Land’ near Armentieres, France. After exchanging stories and gifts, several games of football began between English and German soldiers. After the matches the unofficial truce ended and the fighting eventually resumed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2014.
An International XI football team, consisting of British, German, French and Pakistani players, teamed up on Saturday to play against Pakistan Army XI to commemorate one of the most iconic moments of First World War - the 1914 Christmas Truce Football Match. Players stood side-by-side before kick-off to pose for a photograph in memory of the British and German soldiers who participated in an unofficial ceasefire to play football together in December 1914, says a press statement by the British High Commission. The famous truce began when German soldiers started to sing Christmas carols in their trenches. British troops responded. Gradually both sets of soldiers moved out of their trenches and met in ‘No Man’s Land’ near Armentieres, France. After exchanging stories and gifts, several games of football began between English and German soldiers. After the matches the unofficial truce ended and the fighting eventually resumed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2014.