Well today the boys began the day meeting the KVNB master coach “Leo”.  Leo provides immediate feedback, but does so in such a way that the boys were smiling.  He developed a few special relationships and a few players earned nicknames our “Goalie”, Brenden Hinman and “Captain” Thomas Pierce.  This must be said with the right Dutch accent and vigor to really have the proper effect on the boys, but it was wonderful to watch.

The boys thrived in the intense trainings, but were also drained after 3-4 hours of work.  But there was not much time to rest as the team was playing at league champion Valkenswaard.

The team ate an early dinner and attempted a little rest before the match.  They began like a team possessed.  They took it to the home team the whole of the first half.  Far Post led 2-0 with goals by “Captain” Thomas Pierce and Teddy Turnau.

Unfortunately the physical and more prominently the mental fatigue took a hold in the second half after an odd goal, brought the home team within a goal.  And the boys began to allow the tiredness to govern their play.   They ended up losing the match 4-2.

And then they responded in the clubhouse with a respect and openness that should make all the parents proud.  They integrated into conversations mixing in among the opposing team and even made enough of an impression with their new friends that a few offered to try to make the Far Post game in the neighboring town tomorrow.

The below picture outside the Valkenswaard clubhouse.