Saturday, April 7, 2012

BOYS ODP

Day 7

The boys teams took the metro to shop in the morning (hopefully picking up gifts for their parents). After the 223 boutique shopping experience they traveled to the Parisian based AS Brondy club to play back to back games at their hosts training facility.
[Metro in Paris]

The 98's took to the field first and lost to a very skillful group 2-0. The Brondy club was fast and very technical but the boys played well, made individual adjustments and tied the second half 0-0. We observed big improvements in the players as they now became more aware of the French systems and styles of play. Our hosts provided the players with drinks and finger food after as they graciously thanked us for the match.

The 97's lost their match 1-0 as they too had a much better effort. They battled their quick and skillfull opponents. And grew in confidence and stature as the match progressed into the chilly Paris evening. The # 3 for Brondy had already been identified by Tottenham Hotspurs and will play in England next year. His speed and skill was something to behold as the boys battled to stay with the young pro and learn from his playing ability.

Day 8

On their off day the boys took the metro to the heart of Paris. They went though the Louvre, walked the Champs Élysées, took pictures up close of the Arc de Triumphe and strolled underneath the Eiffel Tower. A busy but very productive day as the 65 degree and sunny weather cooperated with the group through their Parisian excursion.
[Guess what we are looking at?]
Tomorrow is a game day so a healthy dinner followed by a 10:30 curfew will bring the group back on track for the final task ahead.
Bonsoir.

We would also like let you know that we had a female player who had contracted a staph infection while here in France. The player was taken to the hospital where she had the issue addressed and was subsequently kept over night for observation. The hospital determined that the strain was not contagious and she was released to her mother.