After a lively and heated dinner and discussion about their favorite teams, the prince being himself an amateur of beautiful game, the two young men were heading to the Imperial Stadium for what promised to be the match of the year.
After checking their invitations, which Ivan had retrieved at the stadium shop like every time he wanted to attend a game, a hostess brought them to their respective places in the middle of the official stand.

The stadium, adorned with a thousand colors, was packed. After explaining to Albus the rudiment of the rules and some remarkable gestures, the two friends attended the teams' arrival.
Natarnia Tigers, dressed in their usual orange and black tunic returned under the ovation from their fans. Then there was silence and a golden eagle appeared on the field. The raptor made several times around the stadium, before resting on his perch while supporters took up the anthem of their team that Ivan sang his lungs, to the astonishment of his friend. At the end of the song, the Capitol Eagles, adorned with blue and gold, made their entry into the cheers and applause of the public.

The match was highly contested. The thirty-two players were waging a fierce battle and Ivan had great difficulty describing what was happening on the lawn, while players multiplied feints and precise passes.

Then, thanks to a time off, the speaker took the microphone and gave an announcement that surprised the 90000 spectators:

-  Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to announce that Prince Ivan has done us the honor of attending our meeting.
Ivan, confused, rose and all the supporters began to applaud and to chant his name.
- I did not know you were so popular, Albus said when the prince returned to his seat.
- Let's say I'm lucky to be young and healthy.
- Tell me, I feel that some people called you by a nickname, right?
- Let's say I played in university league during my youth. I even almost turned pro, but my father opposed it.

What Albus did not know was that Ivan was a top three-quarter wing of his generation and could very well play for the national team if he was a man like any other. But that did not prevent him from continuing to train and practice this art on amateur when he had the time, which was increasingly rare.

What for? This would have allowed you to have an honest job and be in contact with the people, right?

Yes, you are right. But this sport, despite the training hours and all protections worn by the players remains extremely violent and Father does not want me to spend my life running the roads, said Ivan, looking up to heaven. Instead, I pursued a military career and have traveled all over the Galaxy.

- I did not know you did the army. I thought your rank was honorary.

- I am three-star General and head of the Prince's Army. My position as Commander of the Administration is only a facade.

- You led battles?

- More than you imagine but let us focus instead on the game we will have plenty of time to talk of that

The game resumed and Albus spent a memorable evening without worrying about what was coming to happen thousands of light years away.