Eurochic

I couldn't resist a picture of the rooms at the Copenhagen Island Hotel, typical of the economic but stylish strain that pervades Scandanavian design and fashion. Notice the water through the balcony window. After crossing a bridge to enter the main lobby, one realizes the hotel actually is an island!

The bridge

The Danish are justifiably proud of this engineering marvel, the world's second longest (by 2 yards!) bridge that connects the middle island of Funen to the eastern peninsula of Zealand, on which one can find Copenhagen. It is 18 kilometers long and took us about 15 minutes to cross!

Velje

A typical Danish port town on the Jutland peninsula (the westernmost of Denmark's three land masses) that we passed on the way to Copenhagen.

Sunset at our beach hotel

Parade Picture

Here are the girls taking their righful place immediately behind the American flag as the team chosen to lead their country in the Dana Cup opening parade.

Coach's Report - Game 12

There was not much time to celebrate the work done in the Floya game. We had about 3 hours before we had to travel to Bjerby for the quarterfinal game. We had been so disappointed in Sweden losing out at precisely this stage; another win would have meant gaining at least a bronze medal. We were determined to come away from this tournament with the hardware we had just lost out on the week before.

The girls are on the point of physical and emotional exhaustion. We have tried throughout to strike a balance between competition and fun, but they were now clearly intent on devoting their remaining resources towards one goal. Asked what they wanted to do before their quarterfinal, they had no hesitation: let's go back to the school, eat some snacks and rest. I find myself struggling to stay awake during these recuperative sessions, between the girls and Stefan's games, I'm probably walking about 10 miles a day and sleeping 5 hours or so at most. But once I see their cohesion and purposefulness at times like this, I feel like we can find a way to go on forever.

By the time we reached the game site, we didn't even know who we would play. No one had had time to check the website. The rest had achieved its purpose. We looked like we had 'our tails up' as the British say during warmups, despite the battering we had taken earlier in the day. The games become increasingly intense during these playoffs. Red cards were now a frequent occurrence, and a bench-clearing brawl highlighted the u19 boys game just before ours.

The weather was the same: raw, windy, drizzling and yet at times sunny. I was getting a pretty good workout just removing then replacing layers of clothes. I can remember some tournament games in the past when all I would hear from the girls was how cold and wet their feet were, how tired and hungry they were, how in essence their minds were in a million places other than where they should be - on the task at hand.

Today, I heard nothing but positive, soccer-specific chatter. This was an opportunity we intended to be fully prepared for. We have taken to the habit of visualization before the games. For 3-5 minutes I have the girls look out at he field, then try to imagine with all their senses what it will feel like when they make a great play during the game. I want their minds to be primed to hear, see, smell, feel and even taste success when the chance for it comes. I emphasized that we needed to heighten our anticipation; to be ready to jump all over any mistakes our opponents made.

That opponent turned out to be KeSO of Finland, the sixth different country we have played during this tour. By winning their 5 team group, they had the benefit of a bye into the quarterfinals. They were well-rested and fully expecting to advance.

We started slowly again, conceding two corners in the first 7 minutes from which KeSO could not create a real chance. But while they tried to play in the physical Scandanavian style, this team clearly did not have enough to intimidate us. We felt we had already survived a tougher test earlier in the day, and gradually settled into our comfortable rhythm.

Amanda and Jen got us started, both missing wide after initially receiving balls on the flank. Our 3-4-3 system has proven very resilient. With minor adjustments here and there, we have always been able to find a way to outflank our opponents, and our delivery into those areas has steadily improved. We won two corners of our own, but disappointed with our service on both. Another effort by Jen on minute 26 was wide.

This was a different 0-0 at halftime than the Floya game. We were already having success offensively. No adjustments were necessary other than being more poised in our finishing, and reminding ourselves of our intent on anticipating and capitalizing on mistakes, many of which our opponents had already made.

We quickly had two chances to begin the second half, Beth first being saved by the KeSO keeper in a 1v1 situation, then later shooting wide after a good through ball from Amanda. I did not want to drag this out; I didn't want to contemplate overtimes and penalty shootouts. We were playing like the better team, dealing with the elements and the occasion better than KeSO. We had to find a way to make our superiority tell, and we had to do it soon.

A composed sequence was started on a ball thrown out by Jordan. We worked the ball along our back three before switching the ball through Mac in the central midfield. Jen on the left now found Shanna in a more advanced central position, and her alert layoff to Sadie was met superbly, the resulting right-footed drive swerving over the keeper into the far-side netting. It was the sort of sequence we had practiced many times in training; to bring it off in a game of this magnitude was an indescribable joy.

After holding out against our pressure for so long, KeSO now were stunned. I didn't feel we should try to hold the lead. We kept looking to attack, and Beth finally gave a great example of the opportunistic anticipation that was our theme for this game. After pressure from our forwards forced a rushed back pass to the KeSO keeper, Beth pounced on her errant first touch and calmly slotted home the gift. 2-0 LISC! We could have added more, Kaylie going just wide on a cross from Jen then Kaylie again being saved just as time expired. The semifinals were ours!

Another event of note took place in this game: the playing debut of Brittany Brady. An ankle ligament injury sustained just before our departure had seemingly and tragically put Brittany on the shelf for this trip. It is to our great benefit that Brittany has still come along. She has helped in every way she could, cheering the girls on and cheering the girls up, reminding them constantly of their good fortune in being able to play in these extraordinary circumstances. At the same time, she has been diligently working with Thomas Jensen, the son of our tour guide Sven-Erik. A word must be said about Thomas. He is a wonderfully humble and generous, always engaging and helpful. He is a former soccer player, but now specializes in track, being good enough to run in the 4x400m relay team on the Danish national squad. He is also studying physical therapy, and has worked with Brittany every day of the trip. This is the sort of extraordinary effort we have come to expect from our hosts. Today, Thomas declared Brittany improved enough to warm-up with us, and she felt well enough to play 6 or 7 minutes at forward in the second half, aggressively attacking a cross from Jen that I'm sure everyone on our team was hoping she might score on. While that was not to be, her presence on the field and her joy at being finally able to participate was a huge boost for our squad.

We were now in the final four! We are the only semifinalist that is not a part of a fully professional club playing at the very highest levels in their respective countries. AC Horsens of Denmark (whose men's team plays in the Danish first division) is scheduled to play Reading FC (last year's success story in the English Premiership). We, on the other hand, are set to play Chelsea FC! Yes, you heard me right, Chelsea FC, one of the 'big four' clubs in all England, twice winners of the Premiership in the last three years, financed by the seemingly unlimited resources of Russian multi-billionaire Roman Abramovich. Unbelievable! We have survived with three of the biggest clubs in Europe, an Illinois minnow left in a sea of some of the soccer world's biggest sharks. It just doesn't get any better than this.

LISC 2 KeSO 0

Shots: LISC 10 KeSO 6

Shots on target: LISC 5 KeSO 2

Goals: Somers, Walther

Assist: Hutchison

Coach's Report - Game 11

Our group win put us up next against Floya of Norway, who finished second in a tough group that included Reading FC of England. We were scheduled to play at the main site. This may be hard to believe, but Hjorring actually has 4 full-time soccer or sports clubs that flourish in spite of its relatively small population: Fortuna Hjorring, Hjorring Idraetsforening (or Hjorring IF), FREM, and FC Hjorring. The main site is comprised of the fields for the first three clubs listed above, which actually lie immediately adjacent to one another, separated only by rows of hedges and trees. Within each enclosure are anywhere from 2 to 5 fields, and each set of fields leads invitingly to a generous clubhouse complete with restaurant, changing rooms, and club offices.

These fields are treasured by the community; theyare a focal point of their daily existence. The great care taken to prepare these fields this year has been thwarted by the weather. Europe is having a summer whose weather extremes are of historic proportions. In southern Europe, a heat wave and drought have set off a series of wildfires in resort towns in both Italy and Greece that have claimed the lives of several vacationers. In northern Europe and the British Isles, by contrast, rain has been perpetual, with the Thames rising to a level higher than any recorded in over 240 years! The flooding in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire has forced the government to mobilize the military to deliver drinkable water to the region. These stories have made the headlines every day since arriving in Denmark. We have not encountered those extremes ourselves, but every day has had periods of heavy drizzle or blustery rain interrupted by bright sunlight. There has been more rain here in the first three days than I can remember in all my three prior trips combined. Despite the groundskeepers best efforts, the fields have become torn and bumpy, but are still a measure above what we practice on! Another challenge we have to overcome, but in this case one where we may have an advantage over some of our more pampered opponents.

Pampered is probably not an adjective that would apply to Floya however. They arrived in a very determined and serious mood, singing and chanting throughout their entire 30 minute warm-up. It was a spectacle whose precision would make some armies seem amateurish. They were big, and clearly prided themselves on their fitness, teamwork and physicality. Our girls were clearly distracted, if not shaken by what they saw. I tried to remind them that these games weren't won by singing, but by playing. I was willing to concede Floya the talent competition; I wanted to be sure we were ready to win the soccer competition.

But the start of the game quickly showed that Floya's intimidation tactics had had their desired effect. We were buffetted by the wind and by Floya from one side of the field to the other. These Norwegians surely looked like the toughest team we had played since arriving in Europe. We had by now, however, developed a bit of grit ourselves. We have learned again and again the value of a reliable defense. We are confident of keeping ourselves in a game long enough to figure out some way to win. This game was a prime example of how our character and self-belief has grown during this tour.

Floya earned two dangerous corners within the first ten minutes, and a free kick saved by Jordan in minute 21. Aside from those chances though, and despite us being unable to answer offensively, we kept Floya at bay. They held a significant shot advantage at halftime; adjustments definitely had to be made.

We decided to squeeze our midfield centrally, and gain our width instead from our outside forwards. Our objective now was to try to win the challenges in the central midfield, then quickly combine there in search of a way to play someone in immediately behind their outside backs, against whom I though we had an advantage in speed. Erin, Mac and Shanna would be critical to the success of this plan, we needed desperately to bring the central midfield battle over to our side.

The early results looked promising. We earned an indirect free kick in their penalty area after Liz was obstructed while competing for one of those penetrating passes we now were keyed to make. The ensuing kick was blocked away, and Floya showed they were not done yet by forcing Anna to clear a ball off our line just minutes later. But gradually our adjustments shifted the battle. We were now getting chances regularly. A cross from Jen in minute 6 narrowly failed to connect; we won two corners but could not convert. Erin shot over from distance, Kaylie and Jen were both saved by the Floya keeper. Another great cross from Jen gave Beth a chance, but her effort too was saved. It was Floya who were now short of a reply. We were pushing and pushing, until finally the fortress was breached in the final minute! After a now typical midfield combination gave her time, Shanna struck a low shot toward the far post from just outside the box. The keeper reached the skidding ball well, but could not secure it. It spilled into the path of Jen, who decided to see how slowly she could redirect the ball over the goal line. Stefan and I choked each other into unconsciousness during the time it took the ball to cross the line just ahead of a Floya defender's effort to clear it. When we were later revived, Jen assured us she knew it was in the whole time. There was now time added on, but only another near miss from Jen was notable in the final minutes. We had advanced to the quarterfinals for the second international tournament in a row!

Floya were devastated. This was not a pretty win. It was a real grind. It was also the biggest heart we've ever shown. It was our tenacity and committment to each other that won the day. I don't know that the girls have ever had a greater sense of accomplishment after a game.

LISC 1 Floya 0

Shots: LISC 8 Floya 7

Shots on target: LISC 6 Floya 4

Goal: Guy

Assists: Hutchison

Coach's Report - Game 10

Pressure comes in many forms, and is not always unwelcome. Sometimes it's just what is needed to overcome the blisters, bumps and bruises accumulated over more than a week's tough competition. Having become favorites to do well in Denmark after our Swedish success, we were now faced with the prospect of having to tie or beat a tough squad from Goteburg known as Qviding. Our reputation preceding us: Qviding had let us know good-naturedly the day before that we should expect a tough match. We took them at their word.

The support staff otherwise known as the mothers recommended a drastic change in protocol to try to inspire us to yet greater efforts. We brought the girls to the hotel Tuesday to enjoy a barbecue, then allowed them to stay the night. The comforts of a real bed and a private shower were universally touted to assure renewed vigor and enthusiasm among our heroines. We were also unwilling to ignore any of the latest soccer management techniques to gain that necessary competitive edge. Here you see us using the latest mind-melding technology to transfer all the positive thoughts and energies from Shanna's brain to Jen's during the bus ride to the game. Amazingly, this solitary treatment was the only one Jen would require for the remainder of the day.

We played Qviding in a complex in west Hjorring, a short bus ride from the main site. This was typical of the venues we play at: the field is circumscribed by wooden boardings with advertisements, and the entire complex is guarded by tall trees or hedges which protect the players from wind, and isolate the setting acoustically. Every strike of the ball or shout of the fans echoes within the enclosed space. The drama of the game is heightened, all the senses are more focussed on what is being created on stage by the players.

Qviding started well. We were eager, but took a while to settle. Qviding put us on notice with a couple of half chances in the first few minutes, but Jen finally got us going with a shot over the crossbar in minute 5. A short time later, Amanda forced a save from close range after a nice through pass from Beth, and now the control of the game slowly but decisively turned in our favor.

Jen was having things her own way along the left flank, and it was her cross in the 15th minute that found Beth in front of goal. For the second game in a row, Beth finished confidently and we had that all-important first goal. Five minutes later, Kaylie showed great strength in resisting a Qviding defender long enough to flick a touch onto Sadie, who volleyed home with her right foot to put us well ahead 2-0.

Needing only a draw, we played a very professional 2nd half, not risking losing our shape, but still generating enough offensive pressure to wear Qviding down. Liz narrowly shot over after a through ball from Amanda, Jen was also high in her effort from a free kick taken by Shanna, and our last best chance came when Kaylie's shot was saved after being put through by Beth. We had a few more corners, kept the ball in the Qviding end, and never looked threatened.

The girls returned to the beach hotel for a few hours before returning to their school. We were relieved to have made it into the "A" playoffs for the second week in a row, and were looking to find what group winner we would be playing when we heard the incredible news that Fortuna Hjorring had only managed a draw against Donn FK. The cheers reverberated throughout the Fyrklit hotel: we were group winners! Aside from the small trophy that comes with winning the group, this gave us theoretically an easier path through the playoffs. It was time to really get down to business.

LISC 2 Qviding 0

Shots: LISC 8 Qviding 4

Shots on target: LISC 4 Qviding 3

Goals: Walther, Somers

Assists: Guy, Henson

Congrats from LISC President John Flodstrom

Congratulations to the U16 girls on your great performance in Sweden and Denmark. Your fellow LISC club members have enjoyed following your exploits on the blog. From the descriptions on the blog, you have risen to the challenge in each game you have played. It is a credit to the team and Coach Wingo that you are well prepared and competing at such a high level. The LISC family is proud of the way you have represented our fine club. Best wishes and have a safe return trip.

John Flodstrom
LISC President

Parents' update from Denmark

Hello everyone! Sorry, it's been so long since we've had an update. Access to the internet is not as easy in Denmark. In fact, I waited 45 minutes to get to this machine.

All is well with everyone. The games have been tough for the girls. I've lost count of the games, but I think that 10-11 high intensity games over the past 7-13 days is wearing their bodies down. They continue to give it all that they have at the time and although, sometimes, it may not be pretty, they are winning!!!! It's great to see them working together. One may be down a game or two and the others pick up for them. They encourage eachother after the games. They have become very close and I think, you'll see a tremendous level of teamwork when you watch the games this fall.

It is right before the semi-final game. And I'm sure it will be another nail biter for the parents. We continue to cheer them on in a truly American way, so we're looking forward to a championship game.

The girls got a chance to stay at the hotel one night this week and I think it was very good for them. They got a chance to eat a fantastic barbecue meal and a chance to unwind in their own ways. The beach is beautiful. They were most impressed with the many World War II bunkers around the hotel. They explored many of them and took several pictures that we'll be able to share when we get home.

The tour of Skagen and standing in 2 seas at once was also a highlight. Although the water was very cold, even the parents kicked off their shoes to also experience the once in a lifetime chance.

We continue to find small shopping excursions and the girls are trying a variety of new foods and shopping methods ( a little bargaining doesn't hurt anyone.) I have to tell you that their shopping intentions center around finding presents for everyone back home, so you are definately in the forefront of their minds. They are very good about translating the different currencies we're using into American money, so they are still looking for those great deals for everyone.

The weather has not been cooperating this week. It is the coldest July that I have ever experienced. It's good soccer weather for the girls, nice and cool. We fight the rain now and then. It's good that the girls play regularly in the wind, because the past couple of days have been windy. The fields seem to shelter most of the wind, so it's not as bad as in the middle of the cornfields back home.

Again, no worries from here. We're very pleased to see the hard work over the past years really pay off. This trip will definately be the highlight of the girls' soccer experiences for their entire lives. Everyone thanks you for sending your girls' and giving us all a lifetime experience!

Take care!

Tracy

Coach's Report - Game 9

The rain that had been forecast arrived unwelcomingly for our game against Fortuna Hjorring. This is the all girls club in this town of about 20,000. If you walk inside their clubhouse, you cannot help but be impressed by their trophy case and the pictures of over 30 full-time training staff they employ! They are one of Denmark's feel-good sports stories. After hiring famed coach Odd Fossum two year's ago, this small provincial side have steadily risen to the top of the women's game in Denmark, and now have significant representation on the Danish national squad.
We have already learned what to expect from Scandanavin teams: a relentless work-rate, punishing tackles, and the tenacious determination to play the ball forward whenever possible. But this was more than just your typical Scandanavian team, these girls were polished and used to being in the limelight, full of as much technical skill as sheer brawn.
They had us on our heels from the start. The first half was spent defending, and defending only. We had not one shot on goal, yet were constantly retreating to our box to clear Fortuna crosses that seemed driven from every imagineable direction. Lexi, Anna and Emily were resolute; no easy chances were conceded, and when Fortuna lashed out at a half-chance, Jordan was up to the challenge, making two great saves and getting help from the crossbar to keep things scoreless at halftime.
I could think of nothing tactically that might change things. It seemed to me we were just giving them too much respect. We had to find a way to make them do their share of defending. It didn't take us long in the second half to do so. Three minutes in, Beth and Liz worked a nice combination, Beth running onto the final through ball and striking it past the keeper for her first goal of the tournament. 1-0 LISC! I could hardly believe that, after defending constantly for more than 25 minutes, we were ahead on our first effort on goal.
Fortuna reacted as expected, pushing more players forward, driving in crosses at every opportunity. We had difficulty defending our flanks, we simply don't see too many teams that can drive the ball into the corners with such accuracy and consistency. We looked to counter, keeping our forwards advanced, but pulling our midfielders back to cover our flanks. We nearly sealed the deal 5 minutes from time, Beth being sprung on the counter only to see her rasping shot unluckily strike the crossbar.
The last 5 minutes were measured by a sandglass. One Fortuna attack after another was repelled, until, on the very last kick of the game, a ball driven from deep along our left flank eluded Jordan and bounced into the far side netting.
It was hard to know how to feel after the game. We probably did not deserve to draw, never mind win, but after holding the lead for so long, we couldn't help but be disappointed to get only 1 point. The Fortuna coach was very gracious, complimenting our team and apologizing for their 'luck' in gaining a draw. In general, the attitude and demeanour of the coaches here should stand as an exemplar to those who call themselves coaches back home; rarely have I felt as respected, as grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this great sport, as I feel talking with these great teachers after our games.
With Qviding's 3-0 win over Donn FK, Fortuna and we sit atop Group 1 with 4 points, only 1 ahead of Qviding. Winning the group seems unlikely, as Fortuna have the better goal differential and are yet to play group basement-dwellers Donn. Instead, we need to make sure of a win or draw against Qviding if we want to advance to the winner's bracket.
Wish us luck.


LISC 1 Fortuna Hjorring 1

Shots: LISC 3 Fortuna HJorring 9
Shots on target: LISC 3 Fortuna Hjorring 6

Goal: Walther
Assist: Ficek

Coach's Report - Game 8

Stefan and I met the girls early Tuesday at their school, the Privat Realskole. As you can see, this lovely school resembled a small medieval village more than a place of learning, with an expansive central square bordered by stately buildings and even a clock tower. The weather was intermittently sunny, but rain was in the forecast. We opted to eat early, and have our official tournament photo taken while the sun was out, and well ahead of our scheduled game. The girls also took the time to make some new friends, pictured in the middle picture above with a team from Sweden.

Our host, Sven-Erik, had been half-seriously picking us as the tournament favorites ever since our performance in Sweden, and also predicted that Fortuna Hjorring in our group might be our main rival for the title. If true, this made our first game key. Knowing we had to play Fortuna in the afternoon, we could not afford any mistakes against Donn FK of Norway (pictured above with us after the game).

We started well, but played a bit too predictably or, at times, seemed satisfied with just possessing the ball without really attempting to penetrate toward or threaten the opposing goal. We looked assured, but perhaps too much so. The first 15 minutes passed without notable event. Jen shot high off another trademark cross from Sadie; Beth's first-time effort of a corner was blocked down. The impasse was broken finally two minutes later. On another great run on the right flank, Sadie delivered a well-driven cross. With Beth streaking toward the near post, the Donn keeper had to respect the threat, but misjudged her angle and was caught out too far as the cross went over her outstretched reach into the goal. 1-0 LISC!

We tried to quickly seize the momentum for good. Erin Sage came close twice, shooting over the bar from distance and missing with a header off a corner. Just before half, the lead was increased. A corner from Emily Hahn found its way through the Donn penalty box, and was duly met by Kaylie Henson at the far post. She made no mistake finishing the right-footed volley.

Despite the 2-0 lead, I couldn't be entirely pleased at halftime. We were too often happy to take our first passing option whether or not it was really on; we weren't composed enough to select the best from the full array of options we were trying to create. Believe it or not, despite remaining scoreless, we played much better in the second half. We began to reenact the movement off the ball we had developed in Sweden. Shanna, Beth and Mac repeatedly forced great saves from the Donn keeper, and we never looked in trouble.

The team has matured. They believe in themselves and in each other. It seems a new hero or key player steps up every game. This was a big win to get us started in Denmark, but a bigger one lies ahead this afternoon, the home team, the giants of Danish women's football, Fortuna Hjorring!

LISC 2 Donn FK 0

Shots: LISC 16 Donn FK 1

Shots on target: LISC 10 Donn FK 0

Goals: Somers, Henson

Assists: Hahn

Intermezzo III

Monday morning began with a training session with the Fortuna Hjorring coaching staff. We were hoping to meet head coach Odd Fossum, who has turned the club into a Danish national powerhouse, (with 5 players expected to play for Denmark in the Women's World Cup later this summer), and is rumoured to be the next head coach of the Norwegian national women's team. He unfortunately was not available, but we had a lively session with his assistant Lasse Stensgaard. The parents all came to watch, and the girls quickly worked off the rust accumulated from a couple day's inactivity. Lasse put us through our paces with a lot of ball work, foot skills, turning techniques, followed by 1v1 and 2v2. The girls enjoyed it thoroughly and impressed Lasse with their attentiveness and zeal. They presented him with an LISC tee shirt signed by the players and coaching staff. Look for him at the Women's World Cup on the Danish staff - maybe some orange and blue will be peeking out from beneath his maroon Danish track suit!

The economy of his training session was impressive: so much was done in such little time using such a small space. I wanted to impress upon the girls how hard they had worked, and how comfortable they were with the skills Lasse was trying to bring out, but when I asked them if they felt that anything was really different between how they train in Europe and how they've been trained back home, they responded enthusiastically "Yes, this was much more fun. We never knew how much having a good-looking coach with a sexy accent could motivate us!"

Fortunately, we still had a few minutes left on the training pitch with which to repair my now-battered ego, so I put them through a few shooting drills which gave me a chance to contort my face, wrinkle my brow (further), and cackle criticisms in my mundane American drawl. At the same time, it gave Jordan a chance (as you can see above) to pull off some of the great saves we have come to rely on her for over the past two weeks.

After the session, we acclimated ourselves with the tournament set-up and shuttle bus system, had a meal, shopped (I will from this point on assume you know this to be a continuous activity no longer worthy of mentioning) and prepared for the opening parade. We marched proudly throughout Hjorring just behind the American flag. I have no pictures of this event myself, but others do and will be adding them to the blog in due time. The girls enjoyed the festivities greatly, and remarked how different the atmosphere seemed from the Gothia Cup the week before. This was a more personal and intimate celebration, and they made many new friends along the way.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) it's back to business.

Intermezzo II

The ferry taking us to Fredrickshaven was enormous, with 8 decks and over 500 cars and buses loaded in the hull. The 3 hour crossing was smooth, although a few of our land-locked offspring had a little trouble finding their sea legs. There was no shortage of activities available. The boat was equipped with casinos, cinema, cafes, restaurants, and observation decks. We arrived late at night, the girls going separately to their new school in Hjorring, while the parents arrived at the Fyrklit resort on the coast of Denmark.

The next day, Sunday, was a wonderful day spent in Skagen, despite the dampening and blustery weather. Skagen is at the northernmost tip of the western peninsula of Denmark, and is one of the northernmost points of continental Europe. It is noted for its handcrafts, especially glass-making and pottery, and it used to house one of the most famous artist colonies in Europe, drawn to this area by the unique atmospheric and lighting effects that are created by the North and Baltic Seas coming together at this point.

To reach this very tip of Europe, you have to be driven by a “Sandormen”(see photo 4 as I still haven't mastered the visual functions of blogger), or sand worm, which, as you can see above, is basically a tractor pulling a bus through 1-2 miles of sand. I’m unable to capture Dave’s disappointment in finding that the tractors used were not made by Caterpillar, but we were eventually able to force him onto the vehicle.

This is the most popular activity at Skagen’s point (see photo 3): trying to simultaneously dip one foot into the North Sea, while having the other in the Baltic Sea, all while ignoring the ice in the water and the 50 degree temperatures. It was with great difficulty that we were able to entice our band of 16 bathing beauties into the water, Anna Lenart being the only one willing to expose the diaphanous white skin of her right shoulder in these harsh conditions behind Amanda, in what is sure to become a rare collector’s item as her celebrity grows.


No one, it seems, is immune from the shopping frenzy that has infected our team. Here Stefan shows what he was ‘forced’ to buy by the girls during his night along the avenue in Sweden (see photo 2). No doubt Centennial High School will now become the U.S. hub of the ‘urban guerrilla’ look that has already swept Europe.

After literally getting our toes wet, we next went into Skagen. This scene is typical (see photo 1): tidy yellow homes, topped with roofs made from curved slate tiles from which the snow can easily slide in the winter. Some of the girls remarked that this looked a lot like Illinois: except for the absence of corn, the presence of debris-free streets and crowded bicycle paths paralleling every street, and wind-swept dunes lined with gorse and heather, I guess I can see their point. While here, some went shopping, some visited museums, others ate. Stefan and I were of the latter inclination, choosing a fresh lobster soup prepared at the Hotel Clausen. If you are ever in Skagen, we can recommend that dish without any reservation.

Intermezzo I

INTERMEZZO I

The girls spent their last night in Sweden shopping along the Kungsportsallee, the main avenue in central Goteburg, a typically European combination of specialty shops, cafes, and pedestrian-only streets where you can easily idle away a day eating, shopping or just people-watching. Stefan then took the group to the Liseberg, Scandanavia’s largest amusement park. Reports have been forwarded to me that many were frightened, all were thrilled, and everyone returned to school safely wishing they had had more time to offer people money to try to make them sick.
After repacking Friday night, the girls spent Saturday morning evacuating and cleaning their school room. They shattered the previous LISC best time in doing so, but if you had seen the slovenly boys that I accompanied on prior trips, you would soon realize that such a record is hardly worth claiming, never mind being proud of. We were able to attend the final match in our age group at the Ullevi, Bergen’s Best losing 1-0 to Tolo IF on a 30 yard free kick. It was a good illustration of how hard it is to win a tournament like this: Bergen looked a shell of the physical, indefatigable team that played us. They had been worn down, and had to play without their regular keeper, who had fallen ill the night before. It was great to watch the presentation of the awards, and to realize we had fallen only one game short of receiving a bronze medal for 3rd place in this prestigious event.
Now on to Denmark by ferry, with a very late arrival. We plan on sleeping in, then touring together on Sunday to the resort town of Skagen.

Congrats from LISC and DOC Mike Kobylinski

U16 Girls,

I just wanted to say congratulations again on your impressive week and wish you the best of luck for what lies ahead for you all. It was a pleasure to see your results every time you played and the reports that were given along with the support from the team parents and the club.

I have already heard that you have won your first game at the Dana Cup 2-0 so I assume you are already off and running. Keep soaking up the culture and the experience as it will be one that you will remember forever. Way to go ladies and I wish you the best of luck. Safe travels and all the best!

Mike K.
Director of Coaching
Little Illini Soccer Club
www.liscsoccer.com

Coach's Report - Game 7

I've just awakened from a long afternoon nap that somehow stretched into late evening. After the adrenaline rush that was this week, my body suddenly realized how sleep-deprived I'd become. We lost today, but that didn't prevent my dreams from being filled with so many pleasant sensations of what we'd accomplished along the way.
Our game was held at the main stadium field of BK Hacken, one of the professional clubs in Gothenburg and main hosts to the Gothia Cup. It was a unique atmosphere to say the least. A huge pitch, finely manicured and surrounded by a running track, dressing rooms and the club's fitness and training center. There were covered stands on either side of the field, the corrugated roofs providing acoustic magnification for the persistent chanting provided by both sets of fans. Yes, the girls have acquired a their own base of travelling fans, primarily composed of a London Boys team they have befriended at their school.
There is not much to say about the game itself. It seemed to play itself out as if predetermined. Whether because of sheer fatigue, or because we were perhaps too satisfied with how far we had come, Bergen's Best of New Jersey found us very flat, and were only too happy to take advantage of the opportunity we offered. We seemed able to muster an effort only when near the ball, but off the ball we were slow to react and hesitant to get involved. Bergen scored on three well taken drives, two coming off misplaced clearances and another only after a slip by Emily White while defending in the box. Jordan made several great saves to give us some chance, but we never really generated much of a threat offensively. Bergen were deserving winners, and now have advanced to tomorrow's finals, where we hope to cheer them on to victory at the Ullevi.
The girls obviously have been fantastic, and are determined to do well again next week. After 7 games in 5 days, the next few days off will be welcome. They got in some shopping and a visit to the Liseberg amusement park today, and are looking forward to their ferry ride to Denmark tomorrow. They have matured and become much closer as a team. They understand better than ever before how much needs to be sacrificed individually, how the interests of their teammates has to be prioritized ahead of their own, in order to achieve as a group. They are eager for challenges, because they now know it is the only way to measure how far they have come, and because they now know they can eventually overcome whatever they must face as long as they combine their stengths in the effort. The results from this week have been great. A trophy or a medal would have been really nice. But these lessons will last much longer and serve them much better no matter what they choose to do in life.
On behalf of the team, please accept our profound gratitude for the chance you've given us to show our best on this international stage, and for the support that has been palpable here while we've competed. These girls have become wonderful ambassadors for you, for our club and for our country. That, in fact, has been their finest accomplishment. Thank you for making it possible.

LISC 0 Bergen's Best 3

Shots: LISC 4 Bergen's Best 13
Shots on target: LISC 2 Bergen's Best 8

Postcard from Sweden - More Game Photos

Here are some photos from the games the past couple of days.

Coach's Report - Game 6

It is about 11:00 pm here, and the sun is just setting. As I look out from our hotel window, there is a swirl of fluffy clouds now darkening against the red and blue sky, a kind of massive conch shell suspended above the port of Gothenburg and the statue of Neptune holding a smaller version that resides there. When things are going well, there is a tendency to find favorable omens wherever you look, and right now its hard for any of us to look around anywhere without a smile on our faces.
This is my third time at the Gothia Cup, the World Youth Cup held in this wonderful city, and never before have I seen so little of Gothenburg's sites. There has simply been no time to sightsee, the girl's games and their preparation for them are all we have time for. But I'm happy to report that sightseeing will have to wait one more day at least: we are going to play on Friday!
This evening's game presented Northern California Soccer Academy as our challenge, felt by many of the tournament officials to be the favorites to win our group before the tournament began. Such was their reputation, that they had been privileged to be one of the showcase teams on display at the Heden Center during each of their games of the tournament, including tonight's.
Let me try to describe the Heden Center. It takes up the entirety of a large park in the center of the city. It is home to four full-sized artificial fields, each surrounded by stands for spectators. The four fields are bisected by a long avenue lined with tall poles adorned by a flag from every participating nation. This is the tournament's hub, the most central of the 28 sites the tournament uses. It houses the press center, multiple food and souvenir stands, fun activities for the players, the sports and souvenir store and an elevated building from the balcony of which coach's and scouts are allowed to view all the fields simultaneously. By this time of the week, it is not only coaches and players from the 1600 teams who throng the Heden Center; many locals and Swedes from surrounding communities are now commuting or walking to spend the day at Heden, assured of seeing one quality international youth game after another on any given field. It is, if not the largest, undoubtedly the most international of settings that you could ever imagine playing or seeing a youth soccer game.
Tonight was brisk and occasionally breezy. As we neared Heden, our excitement grew with nearly every step. The place was packed, despite a UEFA Cup game being played just down the street at the Ullevi Stadium. A public address announcer was providing updates from every field, a complex symphony of languages from all parts of the world frequently drowned him out, and all around the tension was visible on the faces of the fans and players hoping to get through to the next round.
It seemed suddenly absurd to be the least bit unsettled by the circumstances. I told the girls it simply could not get any better than this! What a stage on which to express yourself! What was there possibly to do but enjoy it, and enjoy it to the fullest. We vowed to have no worries, and to make sure we finished the game with no regrets. I asked the girls to watch part of the preceding game, to imagine what it would be like to cause a cheer to rise up above the crowd, to score in front of these afficianados of the sport, to take their rightful place among the best the world's sport has to offer. I wanted nothing from them but the certainty that they were ready to experience, to live, the next 60 minutes to their absolute fullest.
Our game began just past 7:00 pm, with the sun already lying low in the sky. The tone of the game was set early, NorCal receiving a yellow card in the first minute. Both teams were trying to establish their short passing rhythm through their midfields, but finding it hard to provide a meaningful service at the end of long passing sequences. NorCal were being denied the space on the flanks near the byline they repeatedly were trying to get to, but on minute three they settled for a cross from a much deeper position. This was struck, however, from the flank where the sun was setting, and the resulting lob proved difficult for Jordan to track against the blinding background, and the ball found its way just over her head and under the crossbar. It was the stuff of nightmares: we were down 0-1 on a fluke!
Another comeback was certainly too much to ask, especially against NorCal. But the girls again dug deep, and found a way to regain the game's momentum, although without translating that momentum into any meaningful chances. The game continued to be played primarily in the midfield, until Amanda was played in, and struck a well-placed first-time shot that NorCal's keeper was only able to parry just wide. On minute 19, Beth had a similar chance, again saved dramatically by the keeper. Jordan returned the favor three minutes later, keeping us in the game by corraling a long-range NorCal effort. Sadie delivered then one of her signature driven crosses, which found Shanna's head, only to be directed just wide. We earned a corner just before half, but Mac's effort was saved again.
Another halftime, another sense of being unjustly behind. The NorCal goal was dispiriting, but it was only one goal. We reminded ourselves that we were always going to have to score at least once to win, so the task now was really no different than it had been at the start. We had begun to look threatening at the end of the first half, we had to believe that we could eventually convert one of those threats.
The second half began with us showing how much we still believed. A fine cross from Liz within the first three minutes found Amanda on the move in the box, but the NorCal keeper again was up to the task of saving it. NorCal were now largely limited to long-range efforts, and one such went wide on minute 5, before the game again settled into the pattern of counterbalancing midfield play that marked so much of the first half.
It was time to try to stir things up, to try to ask some new questions of NorCal. Playing with three forwards themselves, NorCal had forced our wide midfielders to help out defensively to such a degree that we were not able to involve them in our attacks as much as we might like. Emily Hahn was brought in to hold the fort defensively on the left flank, which she did admirably. This allowed us to move Jen forward, where her speed would, at the very least, require NorCal to adjust their defensive coverage. To complement this, I planned to move Emily White up front, but just as I was about to make that change, the game was turned on its head, and in a direction quite the opposite from what most everyone assumed at the time.
It was minute 14, and a fortuitous deflection had found its way to a NorCal forward just outside the box with Emily White out of position to the outside of her opponent. The challenge Emily had to try to make came in just late after a touch had been made into the box, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. The changes I had been contemplating might become moot if we were to go behind by two goals. Instead, with the crowd hushed, Jordan produced a brilliant save to her right on the spot kick, silence turned to jubilation, and a real sense of hope was renewed. What had first appeared to be a dagger blow had become instead a needed boost for us, and one which proved to last for the remainder of the game.
The first time I saw Heden in 2001, I imagined what it might be like to be associated with a showcase team, and I felt genuinely privileged to be sitting on the bench for this team today. I never imagined I might be privileged to witness one of the better goals I or Heden could ever see while sitting there. With Emily White now moved forward, we found ourselves successfully getting Jen down the left flank with regularity, but as yet with no profit. In minute 21, however, thunder struck just blocks from Odin's Street (that's really its name). Jen again easily beat their right back, and this time delivered a swerving left-footed cross to a streaking Emily about 16 yards from goal. Despite pressure from a defender to her right, and without breaking stride, Emily managed to strike a first-time volley with the outside of her right foot that bent into the top right corner before the keeper knew much about it. A world-class strike in a world-class setting. We had equalized!
We continued to battle, hopeful of avoiding the dreaded penalty shootout. A corner won by us did not produce a shot, a ball laid off to Kaylie was struck well but high. Jordan made another routine save, and the final whistle blew.
The tight schedule at this competition means there is no time for overtime; in the event of a tie, the match goes immediately to penalty kicks. Anyone who knows me, knows my aversion to this method of deciding games, an aversion that no doubt in part at least stems from the preponderance of such lotteries I've been on the losing end of. Yet strangely, a hint of confidence made its way uneasily into my mood. I had a feeling that Jordan's penalty save in the second half might still be in NorCal's mind; it might make them either hesitant or feeling they needed something better than average to beat our keeper.
At this point, the PA announcer conveyed the result, and the news of a penalty shootout spreads quickly and is sure to attract interest. Fans from the other games made their way over. I've never seen so many people moving in such silence, at least not at Heden.
We won the toss and decided to kick first. Emily looked calm in stroking her shot unstoppably into the left upper corner. NorCal's first attempt went high, adding credence to my suspicion of longer term ramifications from Jordan's earlier heroics. Shanna was next, and also looked assured in beating the keeper easily. NorCal's 2nd attempt brushed the left post, but stayed out. 2-0 LISC. Sadie stepped up next, and tried to go low to the left, but NorCal's keeper showed the saves she'd made during the game were no fluke as she dove well to save. NorCal finally tallied as Jordan touched, but could not save a shot to her right. Beth was more than eager and ready next, quickly striking after the whistle past the keeper still glued to the ground. NorCal now needed to score to have any chance, but Jordan got down well to her right to smother their 4th attempt. Shootout over: LISC 3- NorCal 1.
The silence now turned to hysteria. The players, and I confess myself included, mobbed Jordan and tried to set a record for a sustained group hug. We are actually through to the final 8! We have actually advanced further than 92 other teams from around the world in our division! We are the only remaining American team in our division! Next up is UNAM of Mexico, the first team we've played that's likely to adopt the South American style of play diametrically different from the Scandanavian style we have adapted to since arriving. Tomorrow's a new day: new challenges, new rewards. Wish us luck,


LISC 1 NorCal 1 (LISC advances 3-1 on pk's)

Shots: LISC 9 NorCal 8
Shots on target: LISC 7 NorCal 6
Goal: White
Assist: Guy

Coach's Report - Game 5

Just being able to report on a Game 5 fills me with a joy that is hard to describe. Knowing how hard these girls have worked, in the past and especially the last three weeks in preparation for this event, makes me desperate to see them rewarded. They are growing in confidence, and growing too is the trust they have in each other. That trust will be tested more severely as we advance further, and with every test we pass, we will be that much stronger a unit. An indication of their growing maturity and seriousness was their decision last night to forego the disco or any other 'celebration', instead requesting a nice meal together which we all enjoyed thoroughly at the Central Train Station.
Today's match was against IFK Lidingo FK of Sweden (http://www.lidingofotboll.org/), winners of Group 14. We played today at a new venue, the Guldheden Sodra, sitting atop a 300 foot cliff with high rise apartment buildings competing with pines for space throughout the span of our view. The field was made of the new C3 astroturf, recently approved by FIFA for use in international contests, the only artificial surface given that honor. It represented the third different surface the girls have played on. It proved to be very soft and pliant, without the unusually high bounces one usually expects of artificial surfaces.
On our arrival, an unbelievably high-standard game was on display in the boys u16 division. ACCB of Paris, one of the Academy squads designed by Arsene Wenger before becoming manager of Arsenal, were facing the youth team of Club America of Mexico. The skills on display by both teams were exquisite, and the French especially showed the value of a great and reliable first touch, as well as of a commitment to move without the ball to constantly create options. Their 3-0 win was well-deserved, and the girls were reminded by me that this was the level, the quality of soccer that their play had earned them a chance to demonstrate and that the assembled fans now expected.
We started very brightly indeed, and did not take long to firmly get the bit between our teeth. Three corners won in the first 15 minutes, including one narrowly directed wide by Amanda, had Lidingo scrambling. But with our team progressively pushing up in search of that important first goal, we were finally caught out too far for the first time in the tournament. A seemingly harmless ball played over the top after a confused clearance from our back line found us too flat in our formation and just cleared Emily White's head. A Lidingo forward gained possession just outside the area before Jordan could come out, and her well-placed low shot was slotted home. Completely against the run of play, we found ourselves down for the first time this week in minute 16. How would we react?
We remained positive and aggressive. Another of our increasingly effective through balls found Kaylie at the penalty spot, but her effort was knocked down by a courageous Lidingo player. Beth shot wide, still at minute 17, and a further free kick and corner kick came to nothing. Sadie Somers continues to deliver intelligent, quality service from the right flank, and she twice found Mackenzie Olson just before the half, but one effort was driven directly at the keeper and the other sailed over the crossbar.
Down 0-1 at half, we could feel hard done by. We were dominating in shots 8-1, and the Lidingo goal represented their only meaningful possession in our end of the field. Yet we knew we were the better, more technically capable team. We reaffirmed our resolve to maintain the pressure, maintain a positive outlook, and just apply that added effort to get on the end of the great service that was being provided primarily by Sadie, Jen and Shanna.
Within the first 5 minutes, we had created several chances. Lidingo looked to be tiring from all their defensive work, their backs perfectly happy to concede throw ins and corners just to get a moment's rest. Liz found herself at the end of two of those chances, but her first strike from 3 yards out hit the crossbar, and the second was headed just over at the far post from a yard out. But, like any good forward, she did not shy away from another chance. Her equalizer came on minute 5, off of a flick-on from Mac.
At 1-1, visions of a penalty shoot-out began to flicker through my feeble mind. I couldn't bear the thought of enduring such a lottery in a game we were dominating this much. I urged the girls to not let up. In minute 11, Beth was off target on a great cross delivered by Jen. Jen herself, and then Shanna missed narrowly in minute 14.
Lidingo had no reply, and could not get out of their own end, but the score was still 1-1, and they were perfectly happy frustrating us and playing for a shootout. Happily, that was not to be. In minute 19, Erin Sage won possession in midfield and drove a 20 yard shot into the upper left corner. 2-1 LISC! For the second time in as many games, we had scored on a difficult long-range effort, while squandering many closer range opportunities. I guess you can't argue with success, but this is one habit I wouldn't mind reversing.
We now had about 11 minutes to hang on, and I didn't want to play them defensively. We continued to press, feeling their defenders really had hit the wall. Beth was wide from a severe angle on minute 21, but found the net on a set piece a short time later, only to be controversially ruled offside. We continued to create chances: Mac and Shanna shot over the crossbar on balls nicely laid back to them by Kaylie, and Amanda struck the crossbar (again!) from close range. Kaylie delivered a great cross that we just failed to get on the end of, and Beth was unable to convert a 1v1 chance with their keeper near the edge of the area. Still, through the relentless midfield defensive work of Mac and Shanna, Lidingo were able to muster only one shot in the second half, and when their first and final corner went out, the final whistle was blown.
We are now in the final 16! More impressively, we will play our next game at the Heden Center, the main tournament site near the Ullevi Stadium were crowds of thousands regulary attend! Our opponents are one of the pre-tournament favorites: Northern California Soccer Academy, 5-3 winners over a team from Nice, France. We are one of only three American teams remaining in our age division, and even our group winners Colchester United were knocked out 3-2 by a Swedish team in this round. We're doing our best to make you all proud, and cherish all the gestures of support that we've received.


LISC 2 IFK Lidingo FK 1

Shots: LISC 22 IFK Lidingo 2
Shots on target: LISC 13 Lidingo 1
Goals: Ficek, Sage
Assists: Olson

Coach's Report - Game 4

It has been a long, but very rewarding day. Starting in a division with 100 teams from all over the world, LISC are now in the final 32! It's now about 1:00 am locally, and I sincerely hope the girls have been more successful at overcoming their excitement to find some much-needed rest than I have.
We returned to our school immediately after this morning's great effort against Colchester. We had to feel good about how we were 'growing' into this competition, how our performances were improving with each game. The girls ate quickly, and I actually managed to eventually get them all off to sleep for about 2-hr nap. We travelled to a new location for our next game: Kviberg, a long sloping complex of over 20 fields.
Our competition was well-credentialed: NASA had not only dominated their preliminary group, but had won their age division in a Denmark tournament the week before this event. The weather had turned blustery, and we had the advantage of the wind in the first half. Things, however, did not start well. NASA were completely in charge for the first 6 minutes. We didn't make two consecutive touches on the ball during that whole time, and looked increasingly disinterested in putting up any individual or collective resistance. But gradually we began to ask NASA some questions of our own. Amanda shot wide and high off of another great cross from Jen overlapping on the left flank. Our speed now advertised, NASA began looking a little less assured. Three minutes later, we had a free kick in a good position, but two good strikes at the ball driven into the area were both knocked down by sprawling defenders.
Our defense, which has been outstanding, had conceded no clear chances despite NASA's superiority in possession, but now two corner kicks conceded were shot narrowly wide, then high. We continued to fight back, Beth shooting wide on a well-taken 1st-time strike off a poor NASA clearance in minute 20. Just one minute later, one of many great services by Sadie Somers just failed to connect with our forward at the far post. We now had assumed control, and on minute 28, Jen Guy was to make that control count, striking a first time laser into the upper 90 off a pass from Beth Walther that found her in stride just outside the left corner of the penalty area.
The second half was a polished demonstration of how to hold a lead. Our midfielders were now able to help defend our flanks without the need to push forward in search of goals, and the back three of Lexi Sokol, Anna Lenart, and Emily sealed the center of the field in the confident manner we have come to expect of them. Kaylie Henson was doing the yeoman's work of holding the ball for us whenever we were able to play the ball out, and her efforts were rewarded by a corner and a free kick taken by Sadie Somers that she was very unlucky not to have finished by someone. As NASA pushed forward, two misses by Mac Olson in minute 26 and Beth Walther in minute 27 just failed to seal the victory. We were forced to watch the last three minutes on our watches for what seemed like days before celebrating the final whistle. To have come this far in the tournament has been incredible, to do so without conceding a goal is simply outstanding. We play Group 14 winners IFK Lidingö FK of Sweden tomorrow at 12:50 pm. Parents, fans, club members and club coaches should be very proud of the courageous and attractive soccer display these girls are showing on the world's biggest youth soccer stage. Thanks for all your support.


LISC 1 NASA 0

Shots: LISC 7 NASA 9
Shots on target: LISC 3 NASA 4
Goals: Guy
Assists: Walther

Coach's Report - Game 3

This was the game I had been looking forward to most since the tournament draw was first announced. Colchester United Female Academy (http://www.culfc.com/) is one of England's earliest and most successful efforts to apply the successful academy model to the increasingly popular women's side of the game. These are players that school together and train together every day of the week under the tutelage of coaches supervised by the national team coaching staff. The intent is to identify and develop players capable of playing at the highest level and, to date, the Colchester Academy has produced 6 players for the English women's national team. This clearly was always going to be a big challenge for us.
Adding to our anticipation was the fact that this game had significant meaning for our tournament hopes. A win, and we would win the group with an easier entry into the playoffs; anything less and we would be faced with having to beat a group winner to advance into Thursday's play.
The game turned out to be a testament to the truth that this is a 'funny old game', as the score would never suggest that this was, by far, the best game our team had played to date, and yet it was. That was certainly a source of pride, but it was dampened by the disappointment of failing to take the chances to grab the win we felt we deserved.
Colchester began smartly, relying on 1 and 2-touch passing sequences to play calmly through our midfield. Our back line, which has become a real strength, kept them at bay and allowed no penetration, but at the cost of conceding the flank areas. Colchester crosses were being served often, and while they did not always find their intended targets, we were doing a poor job of clearing the balls falling into our penalty area. The Colchester midfield were emboldened by our passivity, and were now running onto the expected poor clearances with intimidating aggressiveness. We had little of the play offensively, and only a great top-hand save by Jordan Becker while diving to her left just before the half kept the game scoreless.
At half-time, we stressed that we could no longer play from our heels. We felt we had an advantage in speed in the matchup between our forwards and their backs, but our poor off-the-ball movement in the first half had effectively negated that advantage. I wanted us to strive to play balls to our front three that found the receiver already on the move, and to support that initial penetration aggressively from the midfield.
The girl's executed this plan with vigor, and the second half saw the game's momentum shift dramatically. We were now not only dominant, but rampant in the attack. Minutes from the resumption of play, Amanda Greco was played in by a flick-on, and her effort was only narrowly wide. Just moments later, a through ball found Liz Ficek in stride and alone against the keeper, but again the shot went wide. Amanda had two further chances, forcing a save from the Colchester keeper after being played in by Liz, and then shooting wide after a fine cross from Jen Guy overlapping from her wide midfield position. A Beth Walther effort was saved by the keeper after another flick-on and, this time being on the serving end, Amanda delivered a cross that Shanna Hutchison volleyed well but over the crossbar. The quality and variety of attacking schemes now on display was better than any displayed by us this week, and we were unfortunate not to finish at least one of the great chances we created.
At the same time, Colchester's threats were now being limited to corner kicks and free kicks. Several of these were well-driven indeed, but invariably turned away by the courageous heading of Emily White, who repeatedly provided the assured clearances we could not accomplish in the first half. Added To Erin Sage's matching Colchester's midfield aggression, Jordan in our goal now really had little to do for most of the half, and Colchester were obviously relieved to have escaped without a loss by the final whistle.
A truly great effort from our girls; another performance of world-class standard. We are disappointed and unlucky not to have won the group. On the other hand, had anyone predicted that we could survive such a strong group as this without a loss and without a goal conceded, such a person's credentials as a soccer pundit would have been seriously questioned. This was a hard-earned, tremendous accomplishment. We now must dust off our shorts, salve our bruises, and go on later today to face the North American Soccer Academy (NASA), runaway winners of Group 6. Wish us luck,

LISC 0 Colchester United Female Academy 0

Shots: LISC 8 Colchester United 6
Shots on target: LISC 3 Colchester United 4

Support from Friends and Family!!!

Hello to all who have read and will hopefully continue to read this BLOG.

As a parent, I can't begin to tell you how thankful the girls are for all of the support they have received, not only from their own families, but all of the people within and outside our community to make this trip possible.

I have been in contact with my wife and daughter on a couple of occasions and I've continually kept up with the BLOG. The girls are having a fantastic time playing a sport they love while experiencing a different country and culture.

Thanks again for your support!!! Please continue to log on to the the BLOG to follow them as they continue on their journey. I'm sure you will hear more from them.

Thanks.

Mr. White

Coach's Report - Game 2

The benefit of a day's acclimitization was apparent today. The 9:00 am game time meant that we had to be started well before 7:00 am. My assistant coach (Stefan) and I were pleased to find the team fully dressed under the expert tutelage of Mrs. White and Mrs. Hutchison by our arrival at 6:50. While the adjectives eager, or even awake, may not yet have been applicable, the players were nevertheless able to get themselves fed and to the field in less than half the time required just the day before. On the way, we met an Italian and Mexican team, to add to our list of Brazilian, English, Scottish, Argentinian, Swedish and Romanian acquaintances already made.

And what a sight we arrived to! Gunnilse's beautiful stadium field was still kept unused as a precaution, but we were today assigned to their "second" field which, as you can see from the pictures below, does not suffer in comparison to the first. The girls were able to see the effort and dedication required to maintain such facilities: two crew members were diligently working on the grounds as we arrived. We were warmly greeted by one who was mowing perfect horizontal rows to a length almost imperciptibly shorter than it had grown to the day before, and by the second gentleman who was following with a large 'stamping' device to smooth out the divots left untouched by the mower. They wished us well, and we were unable unfortunately to express just how honoured we were to be able to play on the results of their labours. This field sits atop a hill just above the stadium field, and from the team's sideline one could view the surrounding tree-lined mountains in all directions. It was, in a word, breath-taking.

We had begun our warm-ups as our merry and faithful band of supporters arrived. The exclamations of "oh my" that regularly arrived across the field to our side confirmed that they were equally impressed by the conditions.

After game day 1, we found ourselves atop our division on the basis of a 1-goal better goal differential over Colchester United. Therefore, a win today would assure us passage into the winner's bracket. But we knew it was no easy task ahead of us. Tyreso FF (http://www.tyresoff.se/fsm/index.asp) are from Stockholm, and are one of the better women's clubs in Sweden. Their top team, a professional women's squad, recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the Swedish Cup, where they were narrowly eliminated by perennial powerhouse Orebro. The girls we would play today would be their top prospects being groomed to play at that level.

We had talked the night before about the Scandanavian style of play. We expected a game emphasizing physical fitness and intimidation. We were not disappointed. The Swedes were large, aggressive to the ball and indefatigable. We expected, and got, a very direct style of play. The Swedish midfield, anchored by the tall #13, were fearless in the tackle and dominant in the air. They were not interested much in playing with the ball for too long. Along with their back four, they looked immediately and ceaselessly to play the ball as directly to their three front runners as they could, confident that they could physically challenge to win the second ball if their forwards couldn't control the first. Their first four possessions were typical: 30-40 yd passes play brashly right into the heart of our defense. But this proved to be a different LISC defense than the hesitant group of the day before. Helped by the positive play of Lexi Sokol and Anna Lenart, who probably were asked to win more headers in the first half than they had been in the last month, sweeper Emily White was freed to orchestrate our shape and win any balls played beyond the opposing forwards, and she did so without putting a wrong foot anywhere. With Sadie Somers and Jen Guy defending the flanks with equal assurance, Tyreso found themselves limited to only to a few very speculative long-range efforts.

The chances were not much more frequent at the other end however. While the playing conditions should have suited well our quick passing style, we found ourselves unable to impose our style nor our tempo for long periods of the half. Too often, we resigned ourselves to replying to their bombs with bombs of our own. On those occasions were we did play through all the gears in our engine, we failed to produce the final ball necessary in a timely enough manner to really threaten. Still, the better chances had been created by us, and their keeper's concession of 2 rebounds off of shots taken by us gave us hope for the second half.

With the score 0-0 at the half, the logic of the game had become clear. When the ball was in the air, they were the better team; when played along the ground with variety and intelligence, we were superior. When all parts of the field were used, especially the flanks, we looked dangerous; when the ball remained only central, where their most physically imposing players made up their 'spine', we looked defensive. We spoke of our technical advantage over their back line. We felt that if we could deliver dangerous balls early behind their back four at every opportunity, we could put those backs under pressure to make a good play with their feet that they were not comfortable making.

The second half began with the same intensity of the first. A match was there to be won by both sides, and both sides knew a win was required if survival in the tournament was to be had. Hard challenges could now be seen in all parts of the field: good, hard, physical play competently managed by the excellent Swedish and FIFA official. Ten minutes into the half, a Swedish forward was injured after falling awkwardly in a failed effort to challenge Emily White in the air. She required lengthy attention. The question now running through my mind was: how would we react to this interruption of momentum? Our players remained huddled throughout the delay, they remained focused. On resumption of play, the intensity level was ratcheted up a notch or two. The Swedish pressure looked as though it might finally cause a breech in our defense; after doing an excellent job in avoiding giving up free kicks near our goal, the Swedes now had such a chance just outside the right corner of our penalty area. A well-driven ball directed at their three tallest players was instead met by goalkeeper Jordan Becker's fists, and the ball was punched clear to safety. A short time later, The Swedes for the first time were able to find the head of one of their forwards in our box, but sandwiched by Jordan and Emily White, she was pressured to head wide and high.

Now it was our turn to react. Building up the play calmly out of the back from the ensuing goal kick, we found a short passing combination in the midfield that gave us to time to play Amanda Greco in behind their back four on the right flank. Amanda delivered the early ball we had talked about, driven precisely between the retreating central defender and oncoming Swedish goalkeeper. Under pressure from Beth Walther, the central defender had to attempt to clear the ball left-footed while sprinting toward her own goal, but misplayed it past her own keeper, who watched dejectedly as the ball rolled slowly against the far post netting. 1-0 LISC!

There were now only 5 minutes left. It was "all hands to the pump" time. The Swedes now pushed midfielders and forwards into our box, and relentlessly drove balls at them from all points on the field. But the defense remained resolute, and shots remained limited to long-range efforts only. It was an exhausted, bruised but very grateful team that celebrated the final whistle.

In many ways, today was a great, if not ideal, opportunity. A beautiful, cool, sun-drenched day in an idyllic setting, and most importantly, a chance to measure ourselves against a truly world-class opponent. This is what we train for, this is what we sacrifice for, this is the only way to know how good we are and how good we might become. Today, we proved ourselves to be world-class.

Tomorrow's 9:40 am game remains important. Colchester United, last year's tournament finalists, defeated Kungalvs FF 6-0, and now head the group on goal differential. We will need a win to take 1st place back. A first place finish will have us playing a 2nd place finisher later in the afternoon. If we finish 2nd, we would have a more difficult afternoon match against a group winner. Wish us luck, and thank you for all your messages of support.

The girls are currently celebrating at the Goteburg disco, faced with another, although hopefully equally enjoyable challenge: what to wear, what languages to attempt, what parts of the prized US cultural landscape to share with the deprived masses from around the world. May the dream of diplomacy survive the night!

LISC 1 Tyreso FF 0

Shots: LISC 5 Tyreso FF 6

Shots on Goal: LISC 3 Tyreso FF 1

Goals: Tyreso FF (own goal)