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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Dubai was where it all started for this referee and, fittingly, Dubai is where it all ended
The Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai 2018 has finally come to an end. Old enemies clashed, giants were slain and past victors returned to claim the Intercontinental throne once more…
But the event represented something quite different for someone who is often centre stage, but not necessarily in the limelight.
Christian Zimmerman, one of beach soccer’s longest serving referees has, after thirteen years, finally tossed his last coin, brandished his last card and blown his last whistle.
We couldn’t just let him slip away without getting a few words from him first, so, amongst the relative chaos of the closing moments of the event in Dubai, Christian took few moments to share some fond memories with Beach Soccer Worldwide, as well as his sentiments on leaving the sport…
Sadly, this is your last event. How does it feel to be refereeing beach soccer games for the last time?
Well, I have been in international tournaments for ten years now and I’ve had a great time. I feel that each tournament was special.
How did you get into beach soccer? How and when did beach soccer knock on your door?
Well, I was refereeing eleven-aside football in Switzerland. Not in the top division but close to the top division. And then, in 2005, Swiss beach soccer wanted to push the sport in Switzerland and they were searching for some referees who weren’t in the top divisions but not far off. I went to take part in a course and from the first minute I was – how can I put it – “hooked” on beach soccer.
Tell us, what your first beach soccer games were like? Was it more difficult than you thought? Maybe you thought it was too quick?
Well the first games were interesting. On my first day I refereed a friendly game, Switzerland against Germany, and it was very difficult because of course the rules were still quite new to me and the game was very quick, very fast. But yes, even though it wasn’t so easy I loved it.
You have taken part in three FIFA World Cups: Dubai (UAE), Ravenna (Italy) and Tahiti. Which one was the most special for you?
The most special for me was definitely Tahiti. For many reasons. The players, the place, the people, the atmosphere. Of course, I also refereed the final so it was just great in every way.
Not including the World Cups, tell us another place that was particularly special to you….
Oh, there are many different places. I remember the African World Cup qualifier in 2011 in Casablanca. It was so fun and so special. For me it was the first time I had been to Africa and it was very different to Europe and the World Cup. But special in a unique way.
What will Christian Zimmerman be doing as of next week?
Haha – good question. Next week it’s back to work! I will remain in the world of beach soccer, instructing and training new referees. I will help and push the young referees to get to the same level I have got to.
I think that in beach soccer we also need to push the referees more to get to a higher level and this is what I will work towards. This is my new project for the future.
You said you were going back to work – what is your current occupation?
I am a project manager in a gas company, so dealing with construction. It very different to refereeing.
And apart from beach soccer, do you have any hobbies? Painting, dancing, singing..?
Yes, I like going into nature and being in the mountains. Of course, Switzerland is full of them, so I’m in the right place.
I go hiking, I go snowboarding and now, in the winter, I will spend a lot more time in the mountains doing skiing as well.
Where are you based in Switzerland?
In Luzern. It is in the centre of Switzerland.
If I’m not wrong, your first beach soccer event was the FIFA World Cup here in Dubai, and now your beach soccer journey ends here in Dubai.
That’s correct yes. Like a circle, right? I started in Dubai and now I’m saying goodbye in Dubai – what more could you ask for?!
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All that remains is to wish Christian the very best of luck for the future and to say thank you for the devotion to beach soccer and doing excellent job – you will be missed!
