15th July 2022

July 15th - big day today as both Boys 18 and Girls play advancement games.

Boys 18 first and play the host Danish club, FFI.  We score early and control the game but a lapse early in the 2nd half give our opponents a PK and they bury it.  We cannot score and tie 1-1.  Again we need to trek over the PK area and take another shot at pks.  The crowd grows with several hundred players and fans all lined around the penalty box.  you need to see the social media to get a grasp of these pks.  

I need to tell you that in 35 years, we have ended most of our cup runs in pks, go figure.  We just cannot handle the pressure.   Today was no different as again we drop the game losing 5-4 on pks.  We have taken 2 rounds of pks, 8 kicks total, and have missed 4 of them.  Guess what we are practicing in Sweden on Sunday.  Boys are devastated but lessons are learned.

Girls play a semi final game vs a team from Norway.  We go up 1-0 and get a good start but we are tired.  Legs heavy from long week and we give up a goal before halftime and its tied 1-1.  We continue to fight but the play is sloppy and then late in the game, we create a chance and a ball is slated to back post where Leanne scores and the girls and the chanting boys go crazy.  Boys chanted the entire game and at the whistle, they rush the field, surround the girls, and continue to chant and cheer.  Really cool experience for all.  

That leaves a final for the girls on Saturday morning.  Off to dinner and we need to really chill.  Swedish meat balls tonight and mashed potatoes so that was awesome.  Not too many kids get a chance to play in an European Cup final tomorrow so that is going to be fun.  wish us much luck please and we try and bring home some hardware.  Ciao, Ed