10 July 2024
Playoff day at Paris World Games
we have some tired legs as we have walked miles and miles, taken metros, trains, buses and these transfers can be long
Paris has 2 million residents in the city limits and 11 million in the suburbs, so imagine the congestion and the organization of the public transportation system. pretty impressive but long nonetheless when we are traveling all over Paris to play.
Boys E - our 2011/12 boys have a forfeit in the morning and play their last game of the cup in the afternoon, Lose 5-0, tough cup for these young boys but gaining invaluable experience.
Boys B - our 200809 boys play a good game but lose 1-0, even game and Coach Greg pretty happy with their performance.
Boys D - our 2010 boys Blue team play a great morning game and won 4-0 and advance to the semi finals.
Boys C - our 2010 boys Red team play probably the best opponent in the cup and go down 2-0 but with 3 minutes to play they score 2 goals and tie on the last kick of the game 2-2. Our Boys E and blue team all support each other and go crazy when the whistle ends. We actually get all 3 teams together before the Red game and do our SnS chant at midfield and its pretty impressive.
Girls play a local French team and play really well, winning 4-0 to advance to the semi finals.
4 teams advance to the semi finals;
2010 boys blue - lose 7-0 to a very good French team
2010 boys red - lose to a team from Mexico in penalty kicks, after tying 0-0 in regulation, kicking themselves for letting this one get away
Girls - lost 2-1 to a Spanish team, good game but slow start was too much to overcome but wild ending saw us almost tie it up.
2006/07 boys - played an English team and are down 1-0 but Koen scores as time expires to tie the game and send u to PKs. Another stressful PK shootout see us go to 10 rounds before we lose on the 10th shooter and our long day ends.
We take a long train ride home and eat at 10:15 and watch the 2nd half of the England vs Netherlands Semi final. Long day but still fun.
But wait, its not over!!
kids are kids and some forget our rules so Coach Ed has to drop the hammer regarding curfew, room keys, eathing all of our food, eating the proper food, etc. To summarize, lots of kids doing late night push ups and team sit ups in order in the morning. We will not relax on our discipline, regardless of the fatigue or the circumstances. You that know me, know exactly what I mean.
all teams are now out and Thursday will see us go back into Paris to sightsee and chill on our last day.
Wish us a good rest as we need to recover to prepare for our next phase, Denmark.
Ciao, Ed