The Final Chapter of the FIFA Master 25th Edition
June began with a bang and a banger of a goal! Our final month of classes kicked off with a match against FIFA at their headquarters in Zurich. A competitive game and one absolute screamer from our very own Olympic gold medallist, Phil. We won the match 3-0. We’re not saying FIFA should sign us, but we’re also not not saying that.
Still riding the high of that match, we headed to FIBA where we did our moot court simulation. Some sharp comebacks and cheeky comments, but no friendships lost, at least none that we know of.
We also made time for a little Swiss sunshine. Some of us explored Lausanne’s vineyards during the Vaud Open Wine Cellars weekend, enjoying the lake and the wine, before the finishing stretch: our last exams and the final push on our research projects.
For this, we fell into a comfortable summer routine: working in the classroom, Wimbledon, WAFCON, and the Women’s EUROs on in the background, then heading to the lake for a swim and sunset drinks.
As Marco put it, “I wish I could bottle the feeling of camaraderie in the last few weeks. We still found time for swimming, dinners, and well-deserved drinks in the warm summer evenings after long days of work.”
Blandina echoed this vibe: “We were all in class working on the final project with Wimbledon or football in the background. It felt really special.”
The night before our final project submission took many forms. In Jay’s words, “We were so strangely calm, it actually made me nervous.” Simon’s group was exhausted but relaxed (possibly thanks to some wine). Julian said they were simply relaxed, while Rudolf called it “almost surreal.” Some stayed up in the classroom all night, as other groups gradually submitted and left for home and bed. By sunrise, only a few were left, running on fumes and caffeine.
And then it was over. Families arrived. We presented our research. We graduated. Gianni Infantino, our Patron, handed over our diplomas. Arsène Wenger was also there. It was an honour we won’t forget.
The sense of finality hit everyone differently. “The last few goodbyes at our flat, around 4am,” Jay recalled. “Sadness slowly gave way to pure exhaustion.” For Vitor, it came the moment he saw his family after the final presentation. For Tristan, it came earlier, during the final weeks, when a few of us went up to the castle for Marco’s birthday. “It just really felt like finality and a closing of a chapter with a close group of friends.” And for a few, it still hasn’t quite sunk in.
We’re walking away with new perspectives and friendships that will last far beyond Neuchâtel. This wonderfully chaotic, curious, passionate (and yes, even rigorous) group made this year what it was.
And now we scatter again, ready to take on whatever comes next in the world of sport.
Here’s to the lake swims, the late nights, the group chats, and everything in between. Thank you, FIFA Master 25th edition. It’s been unforgettable.
By Lace Hallendorff
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 12 times by SportBusiness.
FIFA Master - 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education - organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
