Day 7-9 Updates

 

Local time 12:10 am –

 

I apologize for the infrequent and sporadic updates.  Late nights and changing countries makes for busy nights and mornings.

 

Sat. 7/14

Up early for 3.5 hr bus ride to Venice.  Spent the entire day in the amazing city before leaving around 7 pm.  Went on a 2 hour walking guided tour, everyone rode in a gondola around the canals and had time to shop, soak up the atmosphere and take lots of pictures.

 

Sun. 7/15

Boys decided they wanted to get up early for a visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.  Checked out of hotel by 9:30 am and hit the road again.  Rough day for Thor who we think must have had some shellfish mixed in with his pasta dinner on the last night.  He spent the night, without telling me :( throwing up as a result of an allergic reaction.  We took good care of him Sunday.  Poor guy vomited all day including both flights to Sweden.  Happy to report the situation has passed and he was 100% back to normal today.

 

Arrived at school in Sweden about 12:30 am earlier today after our bus got lost picking us up at the airport.  Lost Thor and Ian's bags, but KLM delivered today.  To bed by 2:00 am after checking in at the school.   This was after a fair bit a drama in the classroom.  Boys freaked out about some silverfish spotted in the corners of the room and on their sleeping pad/bedding.  After we calmed the nerves we all settled in for some indoor camping...complete with sleeping on the floor and with bugs :).

 

Up early today for a 10:00 am match, which we arrived 5 min. before the start of the match.  Commute time a bit longer than expected...tram and walk.  No one stressed out ;).  However, the soccer Gods were back in our camp.  They boys went out and dominated the Swedish team scoring 2 goals in the second half.  Oh what a relief....happy Velocity back again.

 

 Goal #1 - Chris from Nick's free kick, headed on goal by Evan and cleaned up by Chris

 Goal #2 - Eduardo with a laser left into the right side netting assisted by Michael

 

This afternoon we unpacked, got new/fresh bedding and the Gothia staff sprayed the room while we were at the match.  All is good now....except for Traci's accommodations.  They didn't have a separate room for her...so she is having the pleasure of rooming with 16 guys.  She is being a good sport and managing through it while I try to get her a separate room.  Lunch at the school this afternoon was surprisingly good (Chicken curry over rice).  Full stomachs we came back after lunch and I tricked the boys into 30 minutes of quiet time in the room with the shades pulled.  Voila 2 hours later everyone well rested and down time away from each other much needed. 

 

Opening ceremony tonight at the main profession stadium packed to the max.  Parade of countries and live entertainment capped with fireworks.  A ceremony 100x better than the San Marino Cup...so said the boys.  Quite a spectacle.  Boys showing the US pride tonight (finally) coming up with chants and leading other US teams on the tram to the event.  US flags draped over their backs they marched through the streets of Gothenburg showing their colors proudly. 

 

Time for sleeping pad...now 12:30 am local.  Boys in bed an hour ago.  Up at 6 am and off to the match versus Brazil at 9:00 am.  Make sure to follow our progress at http://results.gothiacup.se/2012/division/826560.

 

Cheers!

 

Coach Curr