After settling in at the Cologne sports school the Virginia ODP teams hit the road running. The boy '96's played in a unique tournament where they played 3 20 minute games tying 2 and losing 1. This memorial tournament was an honor for us to compete in as we were the only foreign team in the competition.
The '97 boys got out to a quick 2-0 lead before giving it right back to their JFS Koln host and eventually hanging on for a 3-2 victory. The professional training center provided the backdrop for their first ever match on European soil.
Wolfgang Puck has nothing on our sports school chef Uli who prepared a traditional German meal for the elated group. After the culinary delight we all took the subway to downtown Cologne for a little sightseeing and shopping.
Due to the games, jet lag and busy schedule,it was no problem for the players to find their beds.
Everyone is healthy and eating fine.
Off to Holland tomorrow where we will take in the sights and sounds of the old historical city of Maastricht.
Later that afternoon we walked the 300 meters to the famous FC Koln stadium where a sold out crowd of 45,000 provided an atmosphere that none in the group had ever witnessed before. Vfb Stuttgart upset the hosts 3-1 much to the delight of of their unison singing fans who we were a mere 15 meters from the wide eyed group.The '97 girls took the field against the strong Bayer Leverkusen club and succumbed to their hosts 5-2. The '96 girls, straight after, were able to beat the Bayer girls 5-1. The girls mixed with their host after and fun and quality photos were had by all. The field complexes and lockerooms were first rate and the teams were treated with outstanding class and hospitality.
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