We squeezed so much into these past 9 days, which would not have been possible without the work of so many people. Thank you everyone for helping to make this such a successful trip! It will be a lifetime memory for these girls (and for us adults too.)
We still have many more photos to share, which we upload once we start to catch up a bit....so check back in a few days.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
At the Schipol airport
Sad to leave but looking forward to seeing family and home again. We are doing our last shopping and eating in the Netherlands.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Our last day
This morning we woke up bright and early and headed into downtown Amsterdam to visit the Anne Frank House, venture out on a canal ride and tour the city.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday morning we woke up to weather that was a bit more typical of the Netherlands, moist with rainbearing clouds moving in. By the end of the first training, the girls were soaked, but in good spirits. They presented Ber with a present, and bid him goodbye. Later in the day, I heard discussions of Ber amongst the girls...he is so well like by them ...his accent, the way he gets excited when they do something right, his expressions. It has been such a special opportunity for them to train with him these last few days!
After a quick lunch we all got into the bus, where we rejoined the boys team and headed into Einhoven to the PSV Fan shop and stadium, and then continued toward Amsterdam, across the "new lands," the land that has been reclaimed over the last hundred years from the sea.
The next match, for both the boys and the girls, was against a team in Almere. The weather was a bit rainy and very damp and cold, but the excitement was high. The game was a real pleasure to watch! The possession game finally really clicked, and the girls "built from the back..Ber's words" over and over again. Every player on the field was involved, and there was shot after shot on goal. Unfortunately it was one of those days were the goal frame is for the other team! Amber was especially keen to score, and had 8 beautiful shots on goal, three hitting the framework. The Dutch girls were strong and fast to the ball, so they presented challenge after challenge to our girls...which the defenders were able to thwart, with their effective overlapping runs, and their good speed. Sarah talked, encouraged and rallied the girls and stopped some excellent shots by the other team.
At halftime the score was 0 to 0, and everyone felt like it was one of the best 35 min of soccer the team had played (except for not having a goal). The second half was just as demanding, and the girls rose to the challenge, but fatigue became a bit more evident, and in the end Far Post fell 0-2. However, the linesman next to us offered that he felt like Far Post was the better team, and he really enjoyed seeing the passing they were doing. We were just a bit unlucky with the score that evening.
Everyone was treated to some food and drink at the Kantine, and the mingling was spirited as always.... the Dutch girls even ran along the bus as we drove out...cheering and waving until the very last minute.
About twenty minutes later, we pulled into the Stay Okay in Zeeburg (Amsterdam) began the long round of showers, and attempted to get bedtime by midnight...whew! Its really hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of activities on this trip.....
Note: We are having technical difficulties with photo uploading, and will post them as soon as we can...
After a quick lunch we all got into the bus, where we rejoined the boys team and headed into Einhoven to the PSV Fan shop and stadium, and then continued toward Amsterdam, across the "new lands," the land that has been reclaimed over the last hundred years from the sea.
The next match, for both the boys and the girls, was against a team in Almere. The weather was a bit rainy and very damp and cold, but the excitement was high. The game was a real pleasure to watch! The possession game finally really clicked, and the girls "built from the back..Ber's words" over and over again. Every player on the field was involved, and there was shot after shot on goal. Unfortunately it was one of those days were the goal frame is for the other team! Amber was especially keen to score, and had 8 beautiful shots on goal, three hitting the framework. The Dutch girls were strong and fast to the ball, so they presented challenge after challenge to our girls...which the defenders were able to thwart, with their effective overlapping runs, and their good speed. Sarah talked, encouraged and rallied the girls and stopped some excellent shots by the other team.
At halftime the score was 0 to 0, and everyone felt like it was one of the best 35 min of soccer the team had played (except for not having a goal). The second half was just as demanding, and the girls rose to the challenge, but fatigue became a bit more evident, and in the end Far Post fell 0-2. However, the linesman next to us offered that he felt like Far Post was the better team, and he really enjoyed seeing the passing they were doing. We were just a bit unlucky with the score that evening.
Everyone was treated to some food and drink at the Kantine, and the mingling was spirited as always.... the Dutch girls even ran along the bus as we drove out...cheering and waving until the very last minute.
About twenty minutes later, we pulled into the Stay Okay in Zeeburg (Amsterdam) began the long round of showers, and attempted to get bedtime by midnight...whew! Its really hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of activities on this trip.....
Note: We are having technical difficulties with photo uploading, and will post them as soon as we can...
 |
| "Without Respect, no Football" |
Thursday, April 25, 2013
V V Valks
We were so lucky to have the perfect weather this evening ...mild, not windy, and a mixture of sun and clouds. The team was working on possession play and building from the back, but they also saw some opportunities to score pretty quickly. The score was 3-0 by the half, with Nesta scoring from a corner (Ellie's head too??) after 6 minutes, Sierra at about 10m and Nesta from another corner at 17 m. Abigail Feeney also had some beautiful shots on goal, and both the defense and mid field worked on some great consecutive passing series. All the girls got a chance to work on the concepts they had discussed with Ber.
After the half, Sierra put a beautiful shot to the Far Post for another goal, and Sam finished off the scoring .... 5 goals. There were many corners and another great shot on goal by Marisa. Signy held her own at the wing position working well in the passing sequences and getting very close to scoring as well. Our spitfire held tough (Bri) and Ellie and Maggie worked tirelessly in the midfield. Anna and Haley rounded out the action on the field.
Biking to the match today
Thursday: the girls had another busy, busy day, with two trainings session here at the Valkensvaard sports complex with Ber, and then a game against the local girls team of this town. In fact the game was so close by that we travelled the way most Dutch people do ...by bike, that is by big 50 lb, 3 speed bike! We cruised the luxurious bike pathways that are conveniently sandwiched betweeen the auto roads and the pedestrian walkways for about 20 minutes and arrived at the sports fields and cantina of the VV Valks.
Working on tanning our legs
 |
| An unexpectedly warm and sunny day....the girls on break between training sessions with Ber |
Our first night in Valkenswaard
All the girls are happy and healthy. Not much discussion about anything back home except why their friends haven't been returning their text messages when it is lunch time here. I have to keep reminding them that it is only 6:00 am back home.
 |
| Watching soccer: Real Madrid vs Dortmund Borussia (Europa semi Final) in the lobby |
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Shopping in Maastricht
Guess what store Bri found?
Can't decide what sunglasses look best?
Some very YUMMY ice cream.
Can't decide what sunglasses look best?
Some very YUMMY ice cream.
 |
Wednesday was a different sort of day for us .... A rest day from "football" but every bit an adventure! We woke up early, packed up all of our things from the last three days, had breakfast and headed to the Kazematten. These are the fortifications that were built in the 1500's (and improved many times over the years) and completely surround the city of Maastricht for a total of over 23 kilometers.
Our tour guides took us into the subterranean tunnels, and things got off to a very scary start with a COMPLETELY dark tunnel with a handrail. This is meant to sort out those who probably shouldn't continue, and although many of us felt very uncomfortable, we all continued. After that we generally had access to some light, and followed hints, clues and colored beads to find our way from point A to point B. Things weren't always easy though, especially with the (stuffed) rodents, mummies and cobweb nets in the doorways. The screams were pretty loud a few times! I didn't realize how much of a "haunted house) atmosphere we would be dealing with. Also, the tunnels were not spacious by any means ....they were built with bricks in an arch shaped ceiling, usually just under 6 ft and sometimes only 4 feet tall ...which meant a lot of crouched walking...and we were subterrainean creatures for over 2 hours! A bit challenging....
Anyway, I am glad to report that everyone made it out alive and many girls were proud of their achievement. ( oh and chaperones too!)
After lunch back at the hostel...which today was out on the deck over the river Maas because we were all enjoying the nicest day of weather that the Netherlands has seen so far this spring, we took a quick drive up to the American Cemetery. This is a beautiful landscaped memorial to all the people who sacrificed their lives while fighting to liberate Europe from the Nazi forces.
We ended the afternoon with a walk through Maastricht...enjoying the most outrageous ice cream and shopping. Life was good!
Then we boarded the bus again and headed toward Einhoven to the Stay Okay hostel at Valkenswaard. This hostel is in a municipal recreation complex with a swimming pool, golf course, playing fields, walking paths and all kinds of games like ping pong and volleyball. We had our master Bar- B-Q chefs, Wendy S. and Mendy work their magic, and we all ate heartily after the long day.
Our tour guides took us into the subterranean tunnels, and things got off to a very scary start with a COMPLETELY dark tunnel with a handrail. This is meant to sort out those who probably shouldn't continue, and although many of us felt very uncomfortable, we all continued. After that we generally had access to some light, and followed hints, clues and colored beads to find our way from point A to point B. Things weren't always easy though, especially with the (stuffed) rodents, mummies and cobweb nets in the doorways. The screams were pretty loud a few times! I didn't realize how much of a "haunted house) atmosphere we would be dealing with. Also, the tunnels were not spacious by any means ....they were built with bricks in an arch shaped ceiling, usually just under 6 ft and sometimes only 4 feet tall ...which meant a lot of crouched walking...and we were subterrainean creatures for over 2 hours! A bit challenging....
 |
| Team One |
 |
| Team Two |
 |
| Team Three |
Anyway, I am glad to report that everyone made it out alive and many girls were proud of their achievement. ( oh and chaperones too!)
After lunch back at the hostel...which today was out on the deck over the river Maas because we were all enjoying the nicest day of weather that the Netherlands has seen so far this spring, we took a quick drive up to the American Cemetery. This is a beautiful landscaped memorial to all the people who sacrificed their lives while fighting to liberate Europe from the Nazi forces.
We ended the afternoon with a walk through Maastricht...enjoying the most outrageous ice cream and shopping. Life was good!
Then we boarded the bus again and headed toward Einhoven to the Stay Okay hostel at Valkenswaard. This hostel is in a municipal recreation complex with a swimming pool, golf course, playing fields, walking paths and all kinds of games like ping pong and volleyball. We had our master Bar- B-Q chefs, Wendy S. and Mendy work their magic, and we all ate heartily after the long day.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
A match in Belgium
Here we are the sports complex for Standard de Liege of Belgium. The folks here speak French and all the players greet each other with the traditional French peck on the cheek. The fields are turf and over them stands another well supplied bar, meeting room and locker room facility.
The game became offensive quickly with a lot of pressure up front, Including some plays that almost brought the ball to goal. Far Post posted the first score when Sam put the ball into the net. A hand ball in the box resulted in a penalty shot and goal for the Belgian team. A whistle blew at the 20 minute mark and we learned that the game would consist of four 20 minute quarters.
Maggie dribbled to a favorable spot and sent a great goal shot earning a goal for Far Post. Shortly, the Belgians earned a goal with a one touch foot shot from a corner into the net. The Far Posters worked hard, and Sierra brought the ball down the side where Sam kept it moving and Nesta finished past the goalie. The action never slowed! Sarah kept up the good work in goal with many shots coming toward her. (We needed Deb to keep count) Amber had a tough job containing her very aggressive winger but was up to the task.
The action continued until the last minute with excellent defensive work and more offensive teamwork ... another couple goal scoring opportunities...the final score was 5 to 3 and the game was a great success for everyone.
 |
| Not sure why a high kick wasn't called... |
 |
| Sierra and Stefanie (the Standard Liege Player who spoke English, because she moved here from Virginia) |
 |
| Celebrating Nesta's Goal |
The game became offensive quickly with a lot of pressure up front, Including some plays that almost brought the ball to goal. Far Post posted the first score when Sam put the ball into the net. A hand ball in the box resulted in a penalty shot and goal for the Belgian team. A whistle blew at the 20 minute mark and we learned that the game would consist of four 20 minute quarters.
Maggie dribbled to a favorable spot and sent a great goal shot earning a goal for Far Post. Shortly, the Belgians earned a goal with a one touch foot shot from a corner into the net. The Far Posters worked hard, and Sierra brought the ball down the side where Sam kept it moving and Nesta finished past the goalie. The action never slowed! Sarah kept up the good work in goal with many shots coming toward her. (We needed Deb to keep count) Amber had a tough job containing her very aggressive winger but was up to the task.
The action continued until the last minute with excellent defensive work and more offensive teamwork ... another couple goal scoring opportunities...the final score was 5 to 3 and the game was a great success for everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)