July 2nd – Well, we have begun.  Great parent and player meeting tonight followed by handing out gear, taking some pics, and then a quick light session. Kids are excited and ready to go.  Once the uniforms are on it feels real and some nerves might show.  We even had some of our returners teach the group our Stars ‘n Stripes chant.  Not great, but it will be.  Training on Friday so that will get all going more.  

Ciao, 

Ed

July 3rd – Welcome to our 1st real day as we have morning training.  Its hot, kids in Navy and we train and work on knowing each other.  Kids are now informed about knowing all names on tour, every name that is not memorized by Monday night dinner will be 1000 sit ups per name.  So the scrambling has begun.  This is important as we will be a tight group over the next 3 weeks.  Training is better, song is better, and now the kids can relax, last minute packing, last meal, etc.  Flight tomorrow so need to rest up. 

Ciao,

Ed

July 4th – tour departure is finally here and July 4th is a great day to travel.  However, Air Canada is not a great airline to travel on as we had issues with our carry on bags as 1 agent insisted that they are too large, which was ridiculous.  Nonetheless, we had to check these bags so the kids have no access to their personal belongings for the entire trip to Toronto and then to Paris. Not too happy with this.  Now I am guessing we will lose bags, its inevitable.  To make matters worse, we have a 3 hour delay in DFW and now our connection in Toronto is at risk. Not a great way to start.  Flight was good but we land extremely tight with our connection and the flight attendants ask that all stay seated so the SnS group can make their flight.  Nothing like running through Toronto airport with 37 people but we did it and made the connection, barely.  Good flight to Paris so hopefully no bags are lost.  More tomorrow, 

Ciao,

Ed

July 5th – Good morning from Paris, we land and as expected we are missing 1 bag. I knew this would happen and its a carryon bag as well.  As it turns out the overhead space was more than enough space for our carryons and Air Canada will be getting some communication when we return.  Flight was good, some kids slept and others are too excited.  We find our Paris World Games contact and walk a long way to our bus and then fight Paris traffic before we finally get to our accomodations.  Its a Hostel but really nice and great location, just south of downtown Paris.  Kids are in rooms of 2-4 with 1 party room of 8, lol.  We unpack and then go on a jog through town to sweat out the trip, do some abs and push ups, and stretch.  We have our 1st meal in town and prepare for the week ahead.  Speaking of  sit ups, yes we have numerous for various  reasons.  Not saying our number when we line up, not paying attention when coaches chat, not wearing the right gear, all lessons will be learned and remembered.  All in all,  a great start as we have some great kids.  Tomorrow will provide some training and sightseeing.

Ciao

Ed 

July 6th – Bonjour from Paris.  Breakfast club training at 7 am as we find a field and have a really good training session.  After training, breakfast and its really good. Usual European breakfast but still very good.  After breakfast, its off to see the sights.  Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc De Triumph, etc, and we walk over 20,000 steps through Hot Paris, and I mean hot.  There is a heat wave in Europe and we are in the middle of it and its hot.  We had a few situps  but no one was lost and we have some great pics too.  Long day of walking, back to hostel, dinner in town and then the kids have a parking lot kick around as they are excited. Games start tomorrow so lets go.

Wish us luck

Ciao,

Ed

July 7th – let the games begin.  Time to play and did I mention how hot it is, and we are on turf so it is hotter.  Tough day for the boys B, who accidentally are placed in the U17 as we are U16 team, its a mistake that falls on no one as confusion regarding U16 versus birthyear.  Nonetheless, we move on and play.  Better to play and be challenged as well.  We are playing teams from Mexico and Italy and France and all good games.  Boys B lost both games, Boys A lost game 1 and won game 2 and the girls won their only game.  Opening Ceremonies are tonight and what a night.  We had a huge boat and we took an hour cruise on the Siene River and saw all of the sights.  Eiffel Tower at night is awesome and kids had their  phones so they loved this night.  Just spectacular experience and hope they don’t forget this one.  

Not a bad 1st day but lots of nerves on the field as expected.  Meals are pretty good as breakfast at our hostel and lunch and dinner at the university and the quality is good. Our main issue is trying to watch World Cup games as they are on so late here.  Some of the boys stayed up to watch the US game and we as a staff tried as well but it was tough trying to stay awake to watch that performance at 3 am.  Rooms are hot, no AC here so lots of showers throughout the day.  Better success tomorrow on the field we hope.

Ciao

Ed 

July 8th – Wednesday in Paris and another hot day.  Early games today so we need to get early breakfast.  Boys B still struggling to find the right combination and positions and we are in every game until late which is frustrating.  They are improving but need some chemistry.  Spirits are good but goals are scarce, so we need a shot in the arm.  Boys A playing very well but lost both games after having over 80% possession.  1st gm was just ridiculous as we just could not score and game 2 saw us leading 1-0 with 7 minutes to go only to give up 3 goals late to lose.  The girls played an American team and had a great day, but gave up late goal to lose 1-0 but they are playing well.  With the heat the tournament has decreased the game lengths and had all games end by 3 pm.  Back to hostel, team naps and room cleaning.  Dinner at the university and after our nightly meeting, Coach Lu and myself do room checks.  I gotta be honest with you, they are in pretty good shape, surprised us.  Clean, organized, etc, but wonder if they were that way if we did a surprise check, lol.  Kids are great so far and tomorrow is starting playoffs.  We are approaching this Cup as preseason in preparation for Gothia and Dana Cups but still good to play and we want to win, and the kids want to win.  Big day tomorrow so wish us luck.

Ciao

Ed

July 9th – Survive and Advance is the day for us.  Girls are in the semis and decided to have their worst game of the cup and lose 4-0.  They are not happy but lessons learned.  Boys B finally show up for their 1st game and play the best game on the cup, winning 1-0.  A quick break and then they play again and just nothing in the tank, losing 8-0, disappointing end but again lessons learned.  Boys A win 3-0 and advance to the finals on Friday. very excited and very deserving.  They are upset at not getting better results and have to play in the consolation final but still get to play a final which is always a good habit.  Dinner together and then in bed by 10, so hot here and still no cooling temps in site, makes it tough to sleep. That and the Italians up all night clowning around.  We let the kids watch France beat Morrocco which as really enjoyable.  Finals for the boys A tomorrow so wish us luck.  

Ciao,

Ed

July 10th – last day in Paris and its a final.  Team breakfast at 9 and then we have to check out early as we depart tonight.  Boys A play in the final at 1 pm and they are ready.  We play a French team, go up 1-0, tie 1-1, go up 2-1 with game in hand and give up a late goal before we win in Penalty Kicks. We were the better team and kids are excited.  Time to chill along the Champs De Llysee, spelling, which is always good.  Loading the bus as we speak for a long bus ride to Denmark so wish us lots of patience. 

Ciao

Ed

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