28 July 2023

July 28th - Championship Friday at Dana Cup

What a day, what a day, what a day????  its finals today and 7:30 am breakfast for the B16s 7v7 as they have a final in the stadium at 10 am.  Kids excited as we walk over to the stadium, get our own locker room and just prepare mentally and physically for the final in the A bracket, a great accomplishment but we are not done yet as the boys want the Trophy.

Gorgeous sunny day, temp around 70, no wind, other Stars "n Stripes kids in the stands all geared up to provide some spirit, etc.

Game is against a team from England and we are both by far the 2 best teams in the Cup so fitting we meet in the final.  

Great walkout, national anthems played and the whistle blows and we are off.  Game starts slow, similar to 2 boxers feeling each other out.  Not much attacking as we are a bit nervous and play very cautious.  Something we have not done all week.  Halftime ends 0-0.  Coach Eddie fires up the boys and emphasizes attacking so we go out the 2nd half with a more renewed mindset.  And as luck would have it, we give up the 1st goal, go figure.  That actually seemed to settle us down as now we know we have to attack and in comes Ryan Weaver as he explodes on the field and scores the next 3 goals, all brilliant to give us the title 3-1.  Final whistle blows and all of the kids rush the field, it was awesome.  Nice podium celebration and photos after, etc. and kids are in heaven.

After the game we head back to the rooms, change, shower, and then take a train to Skagen, about an hour away.  Its a small little town at the tip of Denmark and you can acually go and stand in the sea and take pics, etc, where the 2 seas meet.  Pretty cool and the staff and I take advantage of this by renting bikes and adventuring.  The kids shop, eat, and some venture off to the sea but its a well deserved day of rest after a great final.  

We return home to plan tomorrow as we have to pack and rest up for our departure.  

Some much needed down time tomorrow, yes!!!!

POD - Boys B16 Final - Ryan Weaver

more tomorrow, 

Ciao, Ed