Second Match: 22. 06. 05, 17.00 Hours at Casino, Hohensyburg, Dortmund
Result: 3 : 0 in favour of India
Prakash Gaikwad defeated Peter Boecker 25 :3 and 25 : 06
M. Nataraj defeated Dirk Polchow 25 : 0 and 25 : 05
R.M.Shankara defeated Stefan Besser 25 : 0 and 25 : 01

Third Match: 23. 06. 05, 17.00 Hours at Auslandsgesellschaft NRW, Dortmund
Result: 3 : 0 in favour of India
R.M.Shankara defeated Peter Boecker 25 : 0 and 25 : 07
M. Nataraj defeated Robert Hauke 25 : 0 and 25 : 0
Prakash Gaikwad defeated Dirk Polchow 25 : 0 and 25 : 0

The occasion was also utilized for friendly matches between Holland and India and between France and India.

Results: India defeated Holland 3 : 0
M. Nataraj defeated Pim Scheer 25 : 0 and 25 : 0
R.M. Shankara defeated Jelle Arts 25 : 0 and 25 : 06
Prakash Gaikwad defeated Laura 25 : 0 and 25 : 0

India defeated France 2 : 0
R.M. Shankara defeated P. Dubois 25 : 01 and 25 : 0
M. Nataraj defeated Steve 25 : 0 and 25 : 8

Highlights:

Berlin
The Indian team led by Mr. S.K.Sharma, General Secretary of the All India carrom Federation and Secretary General of the ICF and Mrs. Kamna Yadav (Manager) arrived Berlin by train from Frankfurt on 16th June.

The team was brought to hotel "Generator" for overnight stay. Next day the Indian team shifted to the Guest House of the Indian Embassy in Berlin. Prior to the Test match on 17th June the Indian and German players and officials of the federations were invited by the Indian Ambassador Mr. TCA Rangachari for talks at his office in the embassy. The players of the two countries also joined a lunch hosted by the Ambassador in honour of the two teams and representatives of the big industries of the two countries.

The test match was inaugurated Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, First Secretary , incharge of the Cultural wing of the embassy. Another First Secretary, Concul, Mr.R.K.Puri and other officials of the Embassy were also present. Speaking on behalf of the German Carrom Federation and Carrom Sportsverein Berlin Arif Naqvi welcomed the guests and stressed that the Test Series is being conducted to promote good relations between the players of the two countrie and to strengthen friendly relations between India and Germany. He thanked Indian Embassy for the support. Mr. S.K. Sharma General Secretary of the All India Carrom Federation and the Secretary General of the ICF praised the progress of Carrom in Germany and offered every possible cooperation from AICF. Speaking on behalf of the Indian Embassy First Secretary Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, said that he was highly impressed from the development of Carrom in Germany and the role it was playing to bring the people of the two countries closer. After the Prize Distribution and exchages of the mementos a Cocktail was served by the Embassy in honour of the two teams. It was also joined by the Deputy Chief of the Embassy Mr. Amit Dasgupta. The trophy for the Test Match was donated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

On 18th June the teams of the two countries played friendly Carrom at one of the biggest shopping store of Berlin "Lafayette" in the city centre. Later the Indian team was received at the summer festival of the Indian Womens Association Berlin. Apart from the sight seeing and boat journey on 19th June the Indian players enjoyed playing against the members of the Carrom Association berlin. On 20th June the six member Indian team had a six hour car journey to Dortmund. Arif Naqvi, Dirk Polchow and Peter Boecker accompanied them.

Dortmund
In Dortmund the Indian team was given a cordial welcome at "Carrom Camp" Burg Husen, where they were brought to a big house in the beautiful surroundings.

On 21st June the Indian players M. Nataraj, RM Shankara, P.Gaikwad and D. Khedekar were taken for sight seeing and a visit to Open air museum at Hagen and later to the training centre of the RCD, while SK Sharma, Mrs. Kamna Yadav and Arif Naqvi were received at the Deutsche Welle, Bonn for interviews.

A most bussiest day was 22nd. June. Right in the morning at 10 A.M. a friendly Test Match between India and Holland took place at the guest house in Burghausen followed by a luch at Thai restaurant and a training match between the players from Darmstadt and India.

The higfhlight of the day was the 2nd Match of the Indo-German Test Series 2005 at the Casino Hohensyburg. It was relayed life on TV. Welcomming the guests Michael Luening President of the RCD and Joerg Kijanski President of the German Carrom Federation appreciated the close ties between the two federations and hoped that the cooperation will be strengthened in future. Arif Naqvi President of the ICF and ECC conveyed the greetings of the international bodies. S.K.Sharma, General Secretary of the AICF and Secy.General of the ICF thanked RCD and GCF for excellent hospitality and praised the progress of Carrom in Germany. He extended invitation to G.C.F. for next Test Match Series in India in 2006 and to provide free coaching facilities in India and Germany.

The third and final test match of the series was held on 23rd. June at the building of the "Auslandsgesellschaft NRW" in the city centre of Dortmund. Prior to that a friendly match between Indian team and the team of Bergisch Gladbach took place at the guest house. It was a great opportunity for the players of Bergisch Gladbach to practice with the top players of the world.

The closing match which was almost one sided, was also conducted in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. Michel Luening and Arif Naqvi welcomed the Indian team on behalf of the RCD and GCF and assured further coperation. While the authorities of the Auslandsgesellschaft appreciated the role of Carrom as a promoting instrument for friendship between nations. Mr. S.K.Sharma thanked for excellent hospitality in Germany and once again assured full cooperation for the promotion of Carrom in Germany and Europe. Extending the invitation for next Indo-German Test Series in India and coaching facilities in India, he said AISF will provide free lodging and food. The mementos were exchanged between the two teams on the occasion.

The next two days were utilized by the Indian team for friendly games with the local players and sightseeing.

On 26th June the six member Indian team was taken in cars by Peter, Ulrich and Arif to Frankfurt for departure to India. From Frankfurt I had a six hour drive to Berlin.

The Indo-German carrom Test Series 2005 was no dout very successful. But the pains the local associations the RCD and CSV have taken to organise these events are commendable and deserve support from all sides. Very few people know that the visit of the Indian team had become doubtful. The visa applications of most of the players including the two managers of the team were rejected by the German consulates and embassy in India. It was only after the intervention from the Indian Embassy in Berlin that the members of the team got visas. Still India No.2 M.Singh from Manipur could not get visa nad had to be substituted by R.M.Shankara. Certain important functions planned for Indian team in Berlin had to be cancelled due to uncertainty. It was only after hearing the voice of Mr. S.K.Sharma from Frankfurt on 16th June (the team was suppoed to come on 15th June) I had a breat in peace. But perhaps this added to my happiness and enthusiasm.

In spite of such unpleasant circumstances, the Indian team enjoyed its stay fully and has left very good memories behind. The players and the managers were extremely disciplined, modest and friendly and cooperative. Even in their games with junior players they never posed their superiority. At the same time they have taken very good impressions with them, which reflect in the mail of Mr. S.K.Sharma, which he wrote to me immediately after reaching Delhi, mentioning his satisfaction and conveying thanks for "wonderful hospitality."

I am sure that in comming years more and more countries, particularly in Europe, will conduct such Test Match Series. Which will help in bringing their players and people closer and also raise the standard of Carrom in Europe.