Courtesy: South Bend Tribune


They're shooting for record

Bethel team sets sights on mission while playing futsal

by Joseph Dits

April 11, 2011

MISHAWAKA -- Ryan Needs stretched, drank and did everything he could to avoid a cramp.

But about six hours into his soccer team's stab Sunday at a world record -- with 29 hours to go -- his feet started to feel sore. There were blisters, too.

He didn't expect that.

Of course, the 22-year-old from Wales, majoring in exercise science, said he did bring three pairs of shoes to survive this marathon game.

As he spoke, Bethel College soccer coach Thiago Pinto leaned in and added that these 24 players -- all members Bethel's soccer team -- ultimately are trying to "glorify God."

"On that note, I'm subbing in," Needs said.

They are trying to break the Guinness World Record for the longest game of futsal, which is a form of indoor soccer that the guys use to train in the winter. The record was last set a few years ago in Brazil: a game of 32 hours and 20 minutes.

If the Bethel team succeeds, here in the Wiekamp Athletic Center on campus, they'll finish at 11 p.m. today. The public is encouraged to cheer them on. Admission is free.

But the long game is also a fund-raiser for the mission trip the team wants to take in August to Rio de Janeiro, "to spread the love and hope of God to the underprivileged," Needs said.

The game pace started to sag. The players started at noon playing aggressive, maybe too much. But there were goals to score. These are competitors, after all.

"We haven't found a good rhythm," said Jason Milbrodt, 21 and a junior from Thailand, who had a teammate help him to stretch his tight calves. On Milbrodt's shoulder there's a tattoo of the crucified Jesus Christ and the words "my strength."

Futsal's rules allow 12 players on each team: five in the game at a time and seven on the sidelines. Pinto said they planned to save up the five-minute breaks that they're allowed each hour and use them for a whopping 35-minute break later on.

Fellow students ate homemade tacos, listened to live music and watched the players. After seven hours and 15 minutes, the score hit 114 to 103.

"I'm going to be here the entire time," said Scott Frey, a 21-year-old senior in the bleachers whose short hair and entire upper body were painted in blue and white (Bethel colors).

His chest read: "#1 Ludge." Oops -- it was supposed to say "Judge," but he wrote that with a mirror. But Frey, who paints himself up for a lot of different Bethel sports games, did spell the words on his back correctly.

On the sidelines, Joao Coudo laid on his back as he propped his legs up on a chair "just to keep the blood flowing" and read a novel, "The Big Field," about a kid playing baseball.

"Finals are coming up soon," said Coudo, a 21-year-old from Brazil, who's reading the book for a class.

Sleeping bags were scattered around on the teams' sidelines. The teams were planning their time so that each member could get a few hours of sleep.

Coudo said he's going to avoid sleep, just to add an extra challenge. He plans to get through all of this futsal with rest, water, fruit and "a lot of trust in each other, believing our team can do it."




Courtesy: South Bend Tribune


35-hour futsal game may earn Mishawaka college spot in record book

MISHAWAKA — Some Bethel College student athletes might be headed for the record book.

Members of the college’s men’s soccer team believe they succeeded Monday in breaking the Guinness world record for the longest futsal game.

Futsal is a form of indoor soccer that’s played on a basketball-sized court with a low-bounce ball.

Team members started a game in Wiekamp Athletic Facility at noon Sunday and played until 11 p.m. Monday, a total of 35 hours. Fans showed up throughout that period to cheer on the players.

The previous certified world record for futsal was 32 hours, 20 minutes.

As requested, the college will send an "evidence package" to Guinness’s London office to document the 35-hour game. It should take about six weeks for Guinness to make a decision, according to the college.

The game also was a fundraiser for a mission trip this summer to Brazil.




Courtesy: Bethel Sports College Web Site


20+ Hours and Counting for Men's Soccer World Record Attempt

The Bethel College men’s soccer team is quickly approaching the 24 hour mark in their attempt to break the Guiness TM World Record for the longest continuous Futsal match.

The team will attempt to break the current record of 32 hours, 20 minutes with their effort of a nonstop 35-hour game.

Fans are encouraged to come out to the Wiekamp Center and wear blue to support their efforts at any time throughout the day and be sure to join them from 8-9 p.m. on Monday, when the world record will be broken. Fans present at 8 pm will have the chance of winning great prizes, including a secret grand prize.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com