Tolstoy Cup
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The Tolstoy Cup is a biannual or annual football competition contested by the 'Peace Studies' department of Bradford University and the 'War Studies' department of King's College London. The term 'Tolstoy Cup' takes it's name from Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece, War and Peace.
The competition became a regular fixture in 2007. Previously the last game between the departments was played in 1996, when Bradford University's 'Peace Studies' won 15–0.[1]
The current holders of the Tolstoy Cup are Bradford University who beat King's College London in a penalty shootout in 2008. Although winning the second leg of the 2007 match, War Studies are yet to hold the Tolstoy Cup.
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[edit] Rivalry
Arguably one of the biggest rivalries in sporting events occurs between 'Peace Studies' and 'War Studies'. This is a football, a university and a departmental rivalry. Although it does not match the history or tradition of university rivalries such as the Cambridge University and Oxford University Varsity match, the cup competition is still widely covered by various media including the BBC,[2] The Independent and Bradford's Telegraph and Argus[3]. The second leg of the 2007 match played at Bradford City's Valley Parade attracted over 200 spectators.[4] The cup also has an ideological rivalry in depicting "war" versus "peace". King's College itself has a bigger and more established rivalry with University College London, particularly involving rugby union.
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.[5]
[edit] Trophy
The "trophy" for the Tolstoy Cup is a framed picture 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.
[edit] Results
| Year | Score | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 15–0 | Peace Studies |
| 2007 | 1–1 (4–3 on penalties) | Peace Studies |
| 2008 | 1–1 (4–2 on penalties) | Peace Studies |
[edit] References
- ^ War vs Peace - On the Field of Dreams University of Bradford, Press Release, 26 February 2007
- ^ BBC Article Covering First Match BBC, 1 May 2007
- ^ It's War and Peace on the Pitch Telegraph and Argus article including interviews with Peace Studies team, 26 April 2007
- ^ Peace Defeats War in Soccer Clash BBC West Yorkshire, 7 May 2007
- ^ Series of photos on Youtube showing War Studies support
[edit] External links
- Photoset of War vs Peace Second Leg Flickr photoset of second-leg 2007 game. Photography by Oliver Collinge
- Winning Penalty + Celebrations of Peace Victory Youtube
- Photos of War vs Peace First Leg Series of photos on Youtube
- King's College London, Department of War Studies
- Bradford University, Department of Peace Studies
