July 31st
After departure from New Orleans we were notified that our flight to Amsterdam was delayed for 4 hours.
We occupied ourselves during this delay by sitting in BROOKSTONE the entire time. When we finally arrived
in Amsterdam we were greeted by coach Faizel and Hans. After a long bus ride we finally arrived at De Dijk.
We were eager to finally get on the soccer field. So a few of us played a little pick up game. After the games
we went into town and that is where we spent the rest of the night. At 9 we came back and quickly went to bed.
Overall today was an exhausting day.
Hunter Leblanc
In the meanwhile Jeff and David had their first training at Excelsior led by coach Marco van Lochem. As you can understand, the two had a difficult start because of the language problem and also with the pace of the training. For the first time they felt the difference between amateur and professional soccer. But after a while you could see they made progress and almost became equal to the others, who are one or two years older then they are. Tomorrow Jeff and David play their first game with Excelsior vs The Hague, which will be a real test game tot them.
Hans
Aug. 1st
Today was very cool we went to town and saw some really awesome things. We saw many girls and stores, we also saw Mat Saviao almost get hit by a bus. We also saw David Martin and Jeff Bertel play with a Dutch team, they played very well and got lots of playing time. The food that the parents made was shockingly good. We play are first soccer game as a team tomorrow against FC Den Bosch. I'm hoping we do very well so wish us luck!!!
Dimitris
Jeff and David had their first game with Excelsior vs. ADO The Hague. They played well and coach Marco was satisfied with their performance. The game ended in a draw (0-0). I will ask them to write about their experience.
Hans
Aug. 2nd
Today we played FC Den Bosch. All together we did not play good we lost 6-1even though Justin made a nice goal we could have played better but considering it was the first game I don’t think it was that bad. The bus ride there was an hour and a half of nothing to do the when we arrived at the game we were ready to play it was a disappointing lost and on the way back the ride was quit. I learned we need to play better as a team.
Stephen Turner
Aug. 3rd
Today we woke up at seven thirty, and then we ate some breakfast. We then went and trained for about an hour and a half with Coach Faizel, and reviewed what ha happened at our previous game. After practice, we had red beans and rice for lunch, and then about half the team went to town for a couple of hours. After everyone came back at around three o’clock, whoever was hungry ate sloppy joe’s. Zack Jones had set the record of seven sloppy joe’s last year, and he broke it by eating eight this year. After everyone was finished eating, we had about an hour and a half until we had to leave for our second game, which we all hoped to do better then we had on the last game.
When we arrived at the fields, we saw the Slakey family in the parking lot. We then went and changed into our warm-up uniforms, and warmed up for the game. After a brief talk from Faizel, we change into our game uniforms, which everyone had remembered to bring this time, we were ready to play. Since Bryce was injured, we used a keeper from the other team who Faizel knew, and who as also really good. The first half of the game went scoreless, with a few nice shots on both sides, and everybody played very well. We started strong the second half, and within ten minutes Luis had pulled some nice moves and scored. The rest of the game was very good, and we were able to hold the off until the very last part of the second half, when they scored of a rebound from a fast break down the left side. Although the rest of the game was very hard and physical, neither team was able to score a goal, and the final score was 1-1. We watched the beginning of “White Chicks” on the bus ride back, and now everyone is eating, playing Fouche and video games, and getting ready to go to bed.
Marc Friedlander
Aug. 4th
Today was a off day. We hung out at De Dijk in the morning and then went into town. Then at around 5:00 to the Ajax stadium and saw two games. The first game was between F.C. Porto, and Manchester United after to quick goals by Manchester, they were at a stand still for a while then Manchester scored another goal. Porto scored one goal at the ending of the game. Then Ajax and Inter Milan. There was a quick goal from Inter Milan, and then at the very end Ajax scored the answering goal. The whole stadium erupted with cheers. After we finished watching White Chicks in the bus. We got in late and went straight to bed.
Zach Oliver
Aug. 5th
Today, Saturday, we started the day with practice. After, we went to the opening day for Sparta.
There we walked around and took a tour of the facility. Then, we came home to rest for an hour or so before we left to go to Zandvoort, Faizal’s home town. On the way we ate at the Palace, which was over the interstate. In Zandvoort a Jazz Festival was going on, so we were lucky. There was live food, music and dancing. We stayed there until it started calming down around 12:30. Then we came home to get a nice, long sleep.
Troy
Aug. 6th
Today we started by going to see Feyenoord vs Middlebrough at 1:00pm.Then after the game we came back to De Dijk to rest. Then for dinner we went to the Pancake House that was 15 minute walk for De Dijk. After dinner we came back to hang out and get ready for bed.
Bryce
Aug. 7
This morning we played soccer tennis and basically just relaxed until we had to leave. When we got to the fields it had a mix of cool and breezy weather combined with a slight drizzle. I thought I played alright, probably better than in the beginning games .The showers at the fields where either cold or hot, it depended on when you got in. After the game we just chilled at the store next to the fields and ordered fries or got something to drink. Then, we waited until it was time to leave. When we got back to the house we where going to order pizza, but they where closed. Instead of pizza, we made sandwiches and ate crackers. Now that we’re here, we’re just trying to keep ourselves entertained by either playing foose ball or mario cart.
Jacob Boone
Aug. 8
We got to sleep in fairly late today. A bunch of the guys and I went into town in the afternoon, but because I had to search for my sandals I ended up without a bike and had to walk the whole way there. We found the others at the bakery where they usually hang out, then we went down to the sport shop. I didn’t see anything that I really wanted but they did have a huge sale on shoes, buy one get a 2nd pair for 1 euro, so I think I will go back again soon.
We walked over to the other sport shop afterwards and I bought a nice black Kappa sweatshirt for 20 euros that was on sale. On the way to town Mr. Mark passed us in the car and told us to be home for 12:30. I was with Matt in the store and neither of us had a watch, but when we finally found out the time it was 12:45! We hustled back to de dijk worrying about being in trouble, but we saw some other people still in town so we felt a little more relieved.
We ate jumbalaya for lunch and just relaxed at De Dijk until game time. We were up against Feijenoord today. We played pretty well but at halftime it was 2-0. Coach gave us a speech about not underestimating the other team because they were smaller than us and we all got pumped up for the 2nd half. The game ended 2-1 with a beautiful goal scored by Zach O. Coach was pretty pleased but gave us a 10:00 pm curfew for the night to rest up for training with Gerrie Muhren. It felt kind of weird going to sleep that early because it was still a little bit light outside but eventually we all fell asleep without coach getting too mad.
Zack Jones
Jeffrey and David played with U18 of Excelsior vs. CKC (senior team) 5-0 win. The boys did very well and showed progress like never before. Hopefully they will improve their skills back in New Orleans and bring other players to a higher standard. Together with coach Faizel this must be possible and who knows where this will lead to.
Hans
Aug. 9
Today we had to wake up at 8.00a.m to attend a practice with Gerrie Muhren A soccer player that won the championship league three times in a row. We trained at the Excelsior complex on there turf field. During the training we did shooting drills, 4v4 games, and practiced a lot of foot skills. There were tree challenges played throughout the practice Luis won the juggling, Stephen B. won the penalty kicks, and Hunter won the heading game. There was an M.V.P of the whole practice given to David Marin.
After resting from practice we played a game in the evening. We worked well together and were physical dominate over the younger team. After many chances on goal our efforts were finally shown on the score bored, with a goal from Hunter and Stephen B. in the final minutes of the game putting us ahead 2 - 0. The rest of the day was spent eating a feast prepared by our coach’s parents.
Stephen B.
Results of the Gerrie Muhren practice
David 50 points
Luis, Stephen B, Hunter, Jeffrey 46
Stephen Turner 45
Troy 42
Shane (despite injury) 41
All others 40
Aug. 10
On Thursday August 10th we went to Leiden and Amsterdam. In Leiden we were supposed to go in row boats but it rained. We got to Amsterdam around 1:30 p.m. When we got of the bus we went straight to play Dutch laser tag. After laser tag we went to the Red Light District. While there we saw interesting sites and a church. Then we went into what was like downtown Amsterdam and we split into small groups A bunch of us went to souvenir shops. We got home around 7p.m. and separated all the clean clothes that we brought to the cleaners earlier in the morning. When all that was done we had the night to our selves.
Justin
Aug. 11
Day off, so we hang around, played some games. A lot of rain.
Aug. 12
Early this morning we had a special wake up call, Mr. Stephen came into the rooms banging a spoon against a pot. That was the quickest we ever woke up in the morning. After we were fed we got on the bus to go to a tournament. We arrived at the club and played four 25 minute games. The first game was against Excelsior, we tied them 0-0. Then we had an hour break and played Velo who we tied 1-1. After the second break we played Sparta, in which we won 3-1. Then we played Quick, and won 3-1. We came in second place in the tournament. When we got back to De Dijk we cleaned, packed, and ordered pizza before resting for the plane ride in the morning.
Shane
Two weeks at Excelsior.
We arrived in Amsterdam Friday morning and were brought to Hans’house by coach Faizel. During the 3 days at Hans’house, we prepared for the 2 weeks ahead by jogging, sleeping, + juggling. Before the first practice at Excelsior, we were nervous but also eager to play with our new team. As soon as we arrived we were introduced to the team. Everyone at Excelsior was very friendly, we immediately felt welcome. The first practice was filled with new techniques of training and some of the most skilled players in Holland. In the beginning of the trip we struggled with the intense speed of play and to keep up with the rest of the team. Eventually we began to progress and became more comfortable with the team. It was first noticeable in our game on Saturday against CKC. We continued to progress in practice throughout the following week. The final weekend we played with Excelsior at the Spartaan’20 tournament. We performed well in the 2nd game, resulting in a 3-0 victory. Before the final game we were informed that we were going to get to wear their captain’s armband, since it was our last game with the team. However, that game was cancelled due to bad weather and ended our stay with Excelsior. We learned so much from Excelsior and realised it was an experience of a lifetime.
We would like to thank everyone who gave us the opportunity to train with Excelsior, especially Hans, Marco and the team. Thanks for everything,
David and Jeffrey
Epilogue
I am pleased to tell you that this trip was very successful, not only for the results, more for the way the boys presented themselves. It is always very busy to me during these weeks, but with all the fun and help from the boys, the chaperones and Faizel, it was piece of cake.
Parents, thank you all for your confidence and see you next year NOSA !!!
Hans
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