Netherlands

This past week was spent in The Hague , Netherlands for the end of season International School Girls Soccer Tournament. The tournament lasted for 4 days and involved 12 teams from around Europe including: London (4 teams), Cario, Munich, Brussels (2 teams), Paris, The Hauge, Geneva, and Frankfurt.

The top 10 teams from the tournament stay in the current division, which is the top in Europe, and the 2 teams that placed at the bottom were relegated to the next division below. We played 5 games over 3 days and ended up with a record of 0-4-1. Although the results were not what we had hoped for, the girls did play against very good competition. We placed 12/12 teams and were one of the teams relegated. The girls were disappointed which was to be expected. We are a "young" team and had only 3 returning players. I think it will be good for the girls to gain some confidence back next season in a division that is more suitable to their ability level.

We were not able to field a JV team for the fall season due to low numbers. I was suppose to coach the JV girls teams and as a result ended up being the Varisty assistant coach. The one real "shocker" for me coaching this season has been the contrast between girls soccer in Europe and the US. Wow!! It is really empowering to come from a system where the sport is promoted and supported to the degree that is at home. Here, the more popular sports for girls are field hockey in the fall.

Overall, it was a positive season. I look forward to more free time in the evenings to see more of Brussels!

Costa Del Sol

So it has been some time since I have been around salt water! In the first picture it took me by suprise ;)

Here is another evening image of the beach. Apparently, the stretch is endless..... I loved walking along the boardwalk and connecting to the peacefulness of the water.

Carisa has met a great group of friends in Madrid and has discovered a new "someone" in her life. This "someone" happens to be a futbol team, Athletico Madrid! She has been able to watch the soccer games for free and sitting anywhere by passing out game brochures before the game. She was able to get me on the brochure list and here is a picture of the seats and the group!

Soccer has been so much apart of my life and I love to witness the passion Europe has for the game. It is incredible!! Thanks for the tickets sis :)

Viva la Spain!

My first trip to Spain did definately did not disappoint! What an experience to see Carisa for a few days and see first hand the fun she is having. Madrid was the arrival and departing point of my trip with time in between to Malaga and Seville.

Being in another landlocked setting (Brussels) the beach was calling! Luckily, the weather held out and made my way to the Spanish coast and went for 2 swims in the Mediterranean Sea. Some people are on the beach were in sweaters and some were in swimming costumes (thank you to Carisa's friend Pete for that term!). The water temperature was warm and I have DEFINATELY swam in colder waters. There is an easiness and sense of tranquility about being near the water that is hard to describe...

Seville is the 4th largest city in Spain and much larger than I anticipated. It has a neat flavor to it and a river runs through some of the main arteries. Seville is famous for a divese history especially reflected in their architecture from the Romans, Moors, and Christians.

People do not sleep in Spain either. I caught a cab at 4:30 am and there was a traffic jam on the way out. When I returned to Brussels near 10 the next morning, there were fewer people on the streets than Madrid hours earlier! What a night life....

Some special parts of the trip included two Spanish League soccer games. I due owe Carisa much gratitude for the tickets and the processes she went through to get them! We attended Read Madrid and an Athletico Madrid Game. Both teams were victorious and we had incredible seats for each game.

Here are some pictures!