Game in Toulouse against Airbus team

Schumann meeting Ovalion

On 9 April this year, in the rugby citadel of Toulouse, the EPXV team secured a stunning victory over our hosts, the Airbus XV team—a triumph that will be remembered in the team’s annals for years to come.

After a keenly contested match that combined touch rugby and full-contact phases, the EPXV team emerged as winners by four tries to two. Thanks to a deserved Man of the Match performance by Señor Nacho, a solid, tireless display by the forwards, and the speed and agility of our backs, EPXV was a sight to behold. We overcame an extremely brave and smart opponent on their home turf.

But it didn’t end on the pitch. After the ritual post-match handshakes and hugs, with cameras flashing, there was the traditional troisième mi-temps lunch. Following such a hard-fought contest, this was most welcome—delicious local food and wine, short speeches, and traditional music and singing. Our Airbus hosts clearly won the troisième mi-temps!

While it was essentially a two-day trip to the beautiful city of Toulouse, EPXV managed to pack in a lot of experiences. Highlights included a gastronomic lunch at the Victor Hugo market in the city centre, attending Mass at the ancient Saint-Sernin Cathedral, a stroll along the majestic Garonne River, and a walk to and from the Toulouse Stadium to watch mighty Toulouse defeat a gallant Sale Sharks team. We even became experts in the fine art of parachuting—at least in theory!

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a guided tour by our teammate and local girl, Lise, who led us through the lesser-known streets of the city—showing us sights that most tourists might overlook. We then returned to the market district, where we met for a buffet dinner with our opponents for the next day. A convivial evening that threatened to slip into an early third half! Above all, it was an excellent opportunity to chat with former Stade Toulousain stars before heading back to our shared rooms.

Sunday morning, game day!

In the locker room, tension was palpable, despite a few jokes. The traditional warm-up and team announcement followed, and then a moment of silence to pause for thought and remember one of the Airbus players, who is currently in a coma following an accident.

The match lived up to all expectations. The ball flew back and forth across the field, with both teams scoring six tries each. The final result: 10-20 in our favour. After this memorable duel, we gathered for an equally memorable third half. A hearty and delicious lunch awaited us, accompanied by local songs, magnificently sung by our hosts—enough to give you goosebumps!

It was the perfect way to get into the mood for the afternoon match: Toulouse versus Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup. The stadium, packed to the rafters, was in high spirits. The pre-match session had a few surprises in store, including an unexpected and dramatic moment when a parachutist’s canopy became entangled on the stadium roof! The military paratrooper, suspended more than 15 meters above the grandstands by a thin piece of canopy, miraculously escaped after being rescued by firefighters—what drama before the game! Despite a tight first half, Stade Toulousain shifted into high gear in the second half, leaving no chance for the visitors. To cap off this crazy day, Nacho triumphantly carried our mascot, Schuman, to the edge of the pitch, taking a selfie with the Stade Toulousain mascot in front of a delighted crowd—clearly honoured to have Schuman as a fellow spectator.

The third half continued in style on the bus back to the hotel. The 5am wake-up call the next day was certainly a challenge for our return to Brussels. As we landed at Zaventem, we had to head straight back to our respective offices. But let us bet that we all continued to bask in the glow of this wonderful victory—a reward for the hard work and dedication of everyone: coaches, sponsors, players, communicators, and members of the board. Thank you all for this enchanting interlude! And last but not least, a special thanks to Toulouse and Airbus for their wonderful hospitality.

There is one aspect on which we all agreed—leaving your hotel at 5am for an early Monday morning flight is invigorating and good for the soul!