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Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid 0

The game, the experience, the energy here in Barcelona is CRAZY!  As Paul would say, "It's just Sick!"  It started to rain about two hours before the game, but it didn't slow down the crowd.  In fact, it appeared to have sparked them and made it more exciting.  Josh and I sat together by our selves, Manny and Eddie sat together in another section and Paul and his crew were someone else in the stadium.  It never stopped raining, but we had a great time!  (Life Long Memories)  From the moment the players stepped out unto the field, the crowd went wild.  The chants, songs, phrases sung or said kept the match exciting.  Puyol, Messi, Henry, Marquez, Xavi ...amazing.  Their style of play, the way they keep possession, the way they take a defender 1 vs. 1, their first touch ...  Incredible.  Although we sometimes say, it is much easier to stay at home and watch a game, there is nothing like being in the stands and cheering for Barcelona.  The energy and excitement, the love and pride for Barcelona, the gentleman crying next to me after Messi scored the second goal, speaks for itself.   It pure Passion.

Sitting in our Hotel room watching the city wind down it peaceful.  I'm sitting here thinking of the game and the moments which most stood out, hoping that I never forget this opportunity, knowing I will forever cherish these memories and will remember them every time I step out unto the pitch with our children.  Now that the game has come and gone, I feel as though our trip was complete.  What a way to finish our perfect week!  

I'm worn out and need rest.  We have an important game to watch tomorrow morning!  Zizinho's youngest son Jonathon will be playing (Giovani's brother).  We were supposed to go clubbing with Zizinho after the game, but the rain unfortunately has slowed me down.  It is 2:00 in the morning, so maybe it is a good thing I'm tired.  

Coach Greg

FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

As I have previously stated, everyday here, seems to outdo the next.  Yesterday too was incredible.  We stepped out on the pitch early in the morning to go through a "Tactical" session to better understand the presentations we had previously studied.  It is amazing the training they have provided for us.  Their willingness to show and provide their methods to us proves that FC Barcelona acknowledges us as one of their own, we are "Family" to them.  They truly have rolled out the red carpet for us.  Their coaches have been free to answer and provide explanations  with regards to Barcelona's method and style of play.  Our time on the pitch went by too quickly, as does anything you enjoy.  We couldn't believe we had finished.  

To summarize, we must maintain possession "Keep possession with a Purpose," and "Pass with a Purpose."  For our youth, it shouldn't matter if you win, but "How you win."  In other words, how did you play?  

Carlos Bueno (an Academy Coach) told us, the most important thing we should get and take home with us is, "let the kids have fun."  So many one liners were said during the week to hit home, so I have taken some time to write out those that stood out in my mind:

"Let them be kids, they will only be kids once."

"Coach to play as a team, not as individual players."

"Respect the game."

"Play fairly."

"Quality of play if more important than the final score."

"The most important thing to plan while on defense, how to attack"

"The most important thing to plan while attacking, how to defend."  

and, "The two most important things in the game are the players and the ball, no more."

(Not the Coach, Refs., Parents ...)

Awesome!

We had a private sessions with two of the Academy Coaches, for answering any and all of our questions.  Wow!!!  Great men who respected us and treated us as equals, no matter how crazy our questions were.  Carlos Bueno is well respected here in Barcelona and is a true gentleman. For one and a half hours, they spoke to us one on one.  They teach the classes for the European Licensing Program.  Cool huh?

For dinner we went with our Instructor, Juame, Zizinho and Mazinho.   We went to the hot spot for the all the stars, Casanova Beach Club.  "Umph!!!!"

I'm running late for the game.  We have two more matches for the day to observe.  Barcelona's "B" team and, FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.

I still haven't spoken about today, hopefully, I'll have time later this evening. 

Adios, 

Coach Greg

First Team Practice Session!!!!

Yesterday, as everyday here, was incredible.  We has a classroom presentation on "Fitness" and "Tactical Play."  Both separate ideas.  Both amazing.   We didn't have time to step out unto the field because we had something more to important, like observe the FIRST TEAM'S PRACTICE SESSION.  Yes, it is true, we were privileged enough to have a private viewing of Messi, Xavi, Valdez, Puyol, Henry .... we stood side by side with players and spoke to them in passing, "Hola!"  It was absolutely amazing.  We understand, FC Barcelona does that for no one.  Paul Walker (President of Penya CA) has opened up doors which were sealed shut.  Julio Carlos (Ex-Player on Spain's National Team) "Hooked it up!" and got us in.  We watched their practice session from the moment they stepped unto the field to the moment they stepped off.  An amazing experience, I cannot fully express in words.  Their preparation is for their match against Real Madrid on Saturday, December 13th, their Super Bowl here in Spain.

That was truly the highlight of my Coaching career so far.  As Paul Walker would say, "Sick!"

The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around the Barcelona Mega Store.  You could easily lose your mind in there.  Good thing I have no money!  "Umph!"

This morning we train on the field to cover our "Fitness" and "Tactical" training.  We're ready, but sceptical.   

Coach Greg

Back From a Night Out on the Town

We just had dinner with our crew, Jaume (Director of International Affairs for Barcelona) and Cicinho.  What a great time.  Cicinho was sharing with us his stories of his playing days with America, Santos ...  We had a great time.  It is so hard to believe we are actually meeting and greeting with these Stars recognized throughout the rest of the world as "Heroes."  Fun, fun, fun. 

We have an early day of training once again and of course, watching the First Team's practice session.  Off to bed.  

Once again, I wish my family was here with me to share all this with.  

Coach Greg

Another Amazing Day!!!

Another early morning, however, today was different, it started with rain.   It didn't stop us from training on the pitch!  We had a "Tactical" presentation in the classroom before stepping out in the field this morning, and it was cold.  What an experince, walking through a tactical session with an Academy Coach.  Incredible!  The thoughts and the ideas behind the development of our children blow our minds as coaches, they are simple.  "Possession with a purpose,"  and "How you win, matters," are thoughts presented to us this morning.  How they produce, is what was shown this morning.  Tomorrow morning we will work on "Technical."

We have experienced so much in so little time.  The players we have met, like Hristof Stoichkov, Cichinho ... just amazing.  Although everyday brings a new experience, every experience seems to outdo the next.  Tomorrow, we will have a chance to observe the FIRST TEAM's practice session up close.  We have been instructed that this happens for no one.  We must be someone?  Unreal!  We did not believe it when we were told, but it is true.  

Late for dinner.  More to come.

Coach Greg 

Barcelona vs. Shakhtar

This afternoon we were allowed the opportunity to observe a full training session of U15 -- U17 Academy players before heading to the game.  Amazing!  Our teams at home better be ready, we are coming back to push and develop our players, and are excited. These young Academy players were amazing.  Their intensity during their session is unheard of at home.  Their first touch, decision making and finishing, blew us away.  We also had the privilege of meeting Macinho (Brazilian Player from the 1984 World Cup Team), as well as his good friend, Cicinho and his son Jonathan.  Currently, Cicinho is better known as the father of Giovani.  Both were gentlemen and most importantly, proud fathers.  

Our experiences today have already made the trip worthwhile.  The greatest part, it has only just begun!  Tomorrow we train early and we are too excited to sleep once again.  Although Barcelona lost 2 - 3, the game was indescribable.  Better than I had ever imagined.   What we have been told, tonight's game doesn't even compare to what we will experience on Saturday evening, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.  We'll be ready.  

 

Day Three

Bright and early, first day with at the Barcelona facility.  Again, amazing.  We met with the overall Director of the Academy, along with his assistant.  What a presentation.  We learned about the Philosophy of FCB, the Style of Play (For All Teams), and how we as Coaches are responsible for translating and teaching our players.  If they (our players) are not successful, then we as coaches are not successful. 

We are off to lunch quickly and then to observe training for Barcelona's 12 year old players. 

Later tonight our first game. 

Coach Greg

Day 2

My day began about 12:oo p.m. (local time).  I felt as though I had wasted a full day of touring the city.  As luck has it, I was the second person to awake in our group and was well ahead of the curve.  Things here are so different.  The sun doesn't rise until 8:30 or so, people don't eat dinner until 9:00 ... very different, and hard to adjust.  It is obvious, we are tourists. 

Today we experienced Barcelona as a resident.  We rode the "Metro" (underground Subway) to the Segrada Familia.  INCREDIBLE!!!!  It is unreal to see the design and detail placed in the construction of this Temple, dedicated to our Savior.  Unreal!  We rode an elevator (over 100 meters up) to the very top, and could see the City in all directions.  Talk about making your knees week.  Although are lives would have been much safer to simply take the elevator down, we couldn't see ourselves doing so.  Manny, Josh, Eddie and I walked all the way down a spiral staircase (without a center handrail), probably not to code in our world, but we did it.  Talk about nerve racking!  "Umph!"  (New word we've learned already on the trip.)

We had dinner at a local resturant across from the stadium and were the only patrons in the place.  We thought the food must be horrible, but realized later, people in Barcelona, just don't eat before 9:00 p.m.  Again, we look like tourists, so different. 

It is amazing the way we are noticed, wearing our Barca gear around town.  We are generally asked were we are from and they seem to be interested in our logo which is obviously different from theirs (identifying the United States Flag.)  People are very friendly with us (they think we are players!)

Tomorrow is a new day.  It is our first day with FCB and their Academy, and I can't sleep with anticipation.  We are all too excited!   Not to mention our first Game watching Barcelona play. We meet tomorrow for two toastes and juice, so lights out. 

Coach Greg

Wow!!!!

We finished up our evening late last night downtown watching AC Milan play Seville in an Irish Pub.  What an experience!  Singing, chanting ...  it doesn't get any better.  

Although Manny was with us, we managed to get home before 12:30 a.m.  (Not bad!)  

We have a long week ahead of us, so we better pace ourselves.  

Coach Greg

We finally made it!

We finally arrived after a long challenging trip.  Yes, rumors are true, we missed our flight in Texas to add a little excitement to our adventure.  Nevertheless, we made it to JFK by the grace of God in time to embark on our trip to Spain.  

We arrived locally around 9:00 a.m.  and were ready to roll.  Our rooms were not quite ready for us yet, so the stadium was calling us.  50 meters away is the Camp Nuo.  What an amazing site.  There is an atmosphere here I can't quite explain.  There is nothing but true excitement and anticipation of what this week will bring.  The weather is beautiful, cool and overcast (I love it.)

While at the stadium, we were already able to catch of glimpse of Valdes, Marquez, Puyol, Henry ... practicing out on their practice field.  We first caught a glimpse of their nice rides pulling into their parking garage (Yes, we were like children looking for their hero!  No, I wasn't screaming like a little girl.)  Lot's of excitement already, and it only has just begun.  

We are planning on going down town this evening to see the sites.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stay awake.  

Already I miss my family and wish they too could be here with me enjoying this trip.  

Coach Greg

COUNTDOWN to Barcelona!!

In less than 18 hours I will board the plane to embark on a once in a lifetime trip to Barcelona, Spain...