bookrebus Chapter 733: Lucky? Unlucky? The New and Old Kings’ Performance Prologue
Chapter 733: Lucky? Unlucky? The New and Old Kings’ Performance Prologue
A few days ago, there was still a hint of summer warmth in the air.
The sun shines through the clouds onto the training base where the Swiss U-17 national team lives.
The lush green lawn sparkled in the sunlight, and when the breeze blew, the grass leaves swayed gently, as if silently cheering for the upcoming competition.
The Swiss U-17 team has packed up and set off for the main stadium in Germany with their equipment and confidence.
They were riding in a low-key and practical black bus with the windows half open. A few gusts of wind blew into the car, bringing with it a hint of exotic and fresh air.
The atmosphere in the carriage was quiet. Some people closed their eyes to rest, some talked in low voices, and some leaned back in their seats, staring out the window at the rapidly receding scenery in a daze.
Beichuan sat by the window, holding a lollipop in his hand, but his eyes kept glancing at his teammates beside him, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, as if he was thinking about something, or simply enjoying this rare tranquility.
As for today, they will conduct the pre-match draw and a series of matters.
Outside the German main stadium in the early morning, the sky was not yet fully bright, there was a hint of coolness in the air, and the sky in the distance was a light gray-blue.
The entire stadium looked exceptionally solemn in the morning light. The huge venue lay quietly in place like a sleeping beast, waiting for the influx of crowds and noise.
As the team slowly entered the main venue, the surrounding environment gradually became lively.
The wide corridor is flanked by tall glass curtain walls, with sunlight slanting in through the gaps, casting mottled light and shadows on the floor.
The sound of people's footsteps, whispers, and the "click" of metal doors opening intertwined together, forming a silent prelude.
The Swiss U-17 team's steps were neat and powerful. Their sneakers made a slight echo on the smooth floor tiles, as if responding to the palace-like building.
At this moment, the U-17 World Cup exhibition match draw site is already filled with national team players from all over the world.
The lighting inside the hall is soft but not glaring. National flags of various countries are hung around, with red, yellow, blue and green colors interwoven, creating a silent visual feast.
Each team sat neatly in their seats according to their numbers, and the atmosphere was calm and solemn.
No one was talking loudly, only the occasional sound of flipping papers and faint whispers lingered in the air.
Everyone's eyes were invariably drawn to the front row of seats - that was where the seeded teams of this tournament were located.
The German U-17 team was sitting there, wearing uniform black uniforms, with stern expressions and sharp eyes.
Their presence seemed to carry a sense of oppression, causing many of the surrounding national teams to involuntarily shrink their necks and even dare not look directly at them.
There was very little sound of conversation, replaced by the sounds of breathing and heartbeats.
In this oppressive silence, time seems to become slow and heavy.
A moment later, a broadcast sounded at the U-17 World Cup exhibition match draw site. The voice was low and clear, like a bell breaking the silence.
"The draw for the pre-tournament exhibition matches of the U-17 World Cup will be held soon."
"The next national team whose name is called, please come up to the stage to draw lots."
Then the national teams were announced one after another.
Every time a name was read out, a representative stood up and walked to the center of the stage, took the signature slip from the staff, then looked down at it, with different expressions of joy or worry on his face.
Some people looked relaxed, obviously having drawn a good lot; others frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with the result.
After 10 minutes, a voice came on the radio again.
"Next, please invite the representative of the Swiss U-17 team to come on stage to draw lots."
After hearing this voice, Beichuan turned around and glanced gently at everyone in the Swiss U-17 team.
He was wearing a simple grey jacket with his cuffs slightly rolled up, revealing a watch on his wrist, the hands of which read eleven and seven.
He had his usual calm smile on his face, as if all this was just a small episode in his daily training.
"Who wants to go on stage to draw lots?" he asked softly, his tone relaxed and a little teasing.
Compared to this incident, the Swiss U-17 team as a whole is in a relatively calm state.
Whether they were high school or junior high school students, they all behaved indifferently.
Some people lowered their heads to continue organizing documents, some simply took a nap on the table, and some took out their phones to browse social media, seemingly not caring about the draw at all.
Kitagawa looked around and finally set his sights on Akutsu.
Akutsu was sitting in the corner, holding a pen in his hand, doodling on paper out of boredom. When he saw Kitagawa's gaze, he was slightly stunned, scratched his head, then stood up and walked forward.
His steps were steady, but a hint of shyness appeared on his face. His originally sharp eyes were now a little evasive, like a little actor standing on the stage facing the audience for the first time.
This scene also made everyone slightly dazed.
"I didn't expect that this white-haired guy could be shy sometimes." Someone whispered.
"The world is really that big and full of wonders." Another person echoed, his eyes full of surprise.
Soon, under the guidance of the staff, Akutsu finally completed the drawing.
He carefully opened the note in his hand, and there was a number written on it - No. 7.
Unfortunately, number 7 corresponds to the German U-17 team.
At that moment, all the players from other national teams in the entire auditorium showed expressions of gloating.
Some people were chuckling, some were exchanging glances, and some were even starting to talk in low voices.
"I really don't know whether the Swiss U-17 team was lucky or unlucky to be drawn against the German U-17 team."
"The nine-time U-17 World Cup champion faces the even stronger second-place team. Even with a master-level team, I'm still not optimistic. After all, there are masters out there."
"That's not certain. If the German U-17 team doesn't have a master player, or if they have hidden strengths, who knows, the Swiss U-17 team might win this exhibition match."
"If the German U-17 national team suffers a heavy defeat before the U-17 World Cup, perhaps the established situation this year will undergo another major change."
……