- Tolstoy Cup
The Tolstoy Cup is an annual football competition between the Department of War Studies of
King's College London and the Department of Peace Studies of theUniversity of Bradford , in West Yorkshire. The name 'Tolstoy Cup' was adopted in honour ofLeo Tolstoy 's literary masterpiece, "War and Peace ".Rivalry
The rivalry between 'Peace Studies' and 'War Studies' is arguably one of the greatest of all British sporting rivalries. It is not only about football but is also an academic, ideological and regional rivalry. Although it does not match the history or tradition of university rivalries such as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race or rugby "
Varsity Match ", the Tolstoy Cup competition is still widely covered by the national media including theBBC , [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6611631.stm BBC Article Covering First Match] BBC, 1 May 2007] "The Independent " andBradford 's "Telegraph and Argus ". [ [http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1357872.0.0.php It's War and Peace on the Pitch] Telegraph and Argus article including interviews with Peace Studies team, 26 April 2007] The second leg of the 2007 match played at Bradford City'sValley Parade attracted over 200 spectators. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/6631449.stm Peace Defeats War in Soccer Clash] BBC West Yorkshire, 7 May 2007] King's College itself has a longer standing rivalry with University College London, particularly involving rugby union.History
1996
The game between the departments was first played in 1996 in Bradford, when Bradford University's 'Peace Studies' won 15–0. [ [http://www.bradford.ac.uk/admin/pr/pressreleases/2007/war-peace.php War vs Peace - On the Field of Dreams] University of Bradford, Press Release, 26 February 2007] Many of the goals from the match were reported live by
John Inverdale onBBC Radio 5 .2007
The competition was revived on 26 February 2007 with the London leg of the two leg match being held in New Malden. Peace Studies won 1-0 with the away goal, a long shot by Baird, separating the teams. The Bradford leg, watched by a large crowd at Valley Parade, the home of
Bradford City FC, was won 1-0 by War Studies, another long shot by ?? deceiving the Peace Studies goalkeeper. The match being drawn over the two legs penalties were the method used to decide the outcome, with Peace Studies prevailing 4-3. The trophy was received by Peace Studies captain, Dan Gudgeon.2008
The current holders of the Tolstoy Cup are
Bradford University who beatKing's College London in another penalty shootout after the match was drawn 1-1 after 90 minutes, in London on 23 May 2008, Gudgeon again receiving the trophy on behalf of Peace Studies.ymbolism
Symbolically, War Studies adopt a red and black strip, whilst Peace Studies typically play in light blue colours. Rather than their own, Peace Studies play with the names of famous peace activists, such as "Dalai Lama" and "Gandhi" on their shirts. War Studies' fans have been known to bring large Union Jack flags to games in support of their team. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XRx4jMpsso Series of photos on Youtube showing War Studies support] ]
Trophy
The "trophy" for the Tolstoy Cup is a framed copy of Leo Tolstoy's book "War and Peace". The trophy first came into use in 2007. It is kept by the department of the current winners.
Results
References
External links
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/olcol/sets/72157600187088148/ Photoset of War vs Peace Second Leg] Flickr photoset of second-leg 2007 game. Photography by Oliver Collinge
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO9H3EbZgNw&feature=related Winning Penalty + Celebrations of Peace Victory] Youtube
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XRx4jMpsso Photos of War vs Peace First Leg] Series of photos on Youtube
* [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/warstudies King's College London, Department of War Studies]
* [http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/peace/ Bradford University, Department of Peace Studies]
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