Bamberg wins Imcom-Europe title

***image1***Like any soccer-playing teenager, Nick Cuevas doesn’t like being stuck in goal. “It’s boring,” said Bamberg’s back-up keeper. “You just stand there.”

Boring was the last word to describe his play at the finals of this year’s Installation Management Command Europe under-15 soccer championship, held earlier this month in Stuttgart. Cuevas tallied 15 saves and blocked a first-half penalty kick to help Bamberg blank tourney host Stuttgart 5-0. Chase Milhorn carded two goals, and Sean Cuevas, Daniel Seamrin and Tesos Dones each found the back of the net.

Despite a 3-0 deficit at half, Stuttgart kept up pressure in the second as forwards peppered Bamberg’s goal with shot attempts.

Weather conditions during weekend play didn’t make Cuevas’ work any easier either. Snow flurries dampened fields on Friday.

By Saturday, temperatures had risen from 35 degrees to about 45, leaving many passes stuck in the mud. During the two-day tourney, Bamberg recorded wins over Mannheim, 4-2, and Landstuhl, 3-2, but dropped its opening round game to Stuttgart 4-2. The team also lost starting keeper, Aaron Mumford, to a broken finger when he blocked an incoming shot. Athatansios Dones, Bamberg’s coach, had no choice but to tap Cuevas. “He gripes about it all the time,” said Dones, “but it’s the best he’s played all season. And look, we are champs.” Seven Child and Youth Services teams took part in the annual tourney representing U.S. Army garrisons throughout Europe.