June 25, 2015
Posted By Mike Folkers (team manager)

Just a few quotes

1. These strawberries are amazing - Adam Howarth

2. It will only take 45 minutes to get there - Daniel Knop

3. If you drive faster you get there quicker - Vicki Folkers

4.  What is it with this country and carbonation?! - Adam Howarth

5.  Spa..get....teee.....Spa...get....teeee....... - Helmut Wender

6.  So What your saying is.......  - Adam Howarth

7.  CAR!!!!  - Mike Folkers

Any more I should add?  Let me know

June 25, 2015
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)

The final morning at campus was difficult as some families departed from the rest to continue on their journeys in Europe.  We wished safe travels to, The Adams, The Sutos, The Magnonis, The Mitkas and the Trevelings  as they left the group from either Treuchtlingen or traveled to Nuremburg and left from there.  After saying goodbye we traveled to Nuremburg to the Holiday Inn.  For those that stayed with the group it was a joyous time when walking into the hotel lobby and found they had AN ICE MACHINE!!! It's hard for those not on the trip to realize what a pure luxury this was.   After getting checked in we spent the rest of the day exploring the city.  Groups split up but some of my highlights included finding a quaint little street near the castle with beautiful German building on either side,  the fanciest Dunkin Donuts I've ever seen and visiting the adidas store which had some of the past world cup balls on display.

 Back at the Hotel while Adam was relaxing in the lobby; in walks Wolfgang from SV Weinburg!!!  he stopped by to drop of a disc containing over 400 images from the time we spent there!  What a wonderful surprise.  

The rest of the night included hanging out in the lobby having pizza we ordered and watching some photos from the trip on the computer.  What a great last night in Germany. 

June 22, 2015 9:16am
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)

After the monastery we were off to one of the most anticipated events for many of the girls, Summer Tobaganing.    There was some question if the place would be open due to the rain but Max called ahead and said that they would open for us.  We ended up arriving before the owner arrived which made everyone nervous that he wouldn’t show up but a quick call reasured us that he was on his way.  Once situated the girls ran to the sleds and were off.  It was raining a bit but most didn’t even notice.  The sleds moved up the hill pulled by a cable.  Once at the top you were cut loose with only the track and the brake that the rider controlled.  Some people rode the brake to have a nice relaxing ride down the hill, while some didn’t touch the break and flew down the hill like a roller coaster.  I think if allowed the girls would have done this all day, but due to the rain and cold we were done after about an hour.  I must say it was a great time and a very cool experience you don’t find in the states.

June 21, 2015 9:20pm
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)
Our final stop for the day gave everyone a choice of either going to BMW world or explore the Olympic village.  I choose the Olympic village, I hope another brave sole will blog about the BMW world (hint hint).  The Olympic park was great, a few of us walked around and quickly found a place that sold Nutella Crepes which from the looks on some faces might have been a highlight of the day.   We proceeded to walk around the great buildings from the 1972 Munich summer olympics.  The swimming pool is still being used and had some swimmers in the water as we walked passed and peered in.   Then we went to the Olympic Stadium, we learned at the Allianz tour that Bayern Munich used to player there but when they wanted to renovate they wouldn't allow Bayern to do so, therefore they built Allianz Arena.  It was quite sad to see such a historic stadium sitting mostly empty.  They do a few concerts here and there but nothing steady, and for the most part it just sits there.   The park outside the stadium was beautiful full of people waking and jogging and just having a great time.  I was impressed at the architecture,  although it was 43 years old it didn't show.   I was also happy to see the park being used so much.  

June 21, 2015 8:30pm
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)

This morning we started off with an early breakfast at 7:00am.  We were on the bus on our way to Munich at 8:00am.  The ride was very quiet as almost everyone was sleeping.  Our first stop was a highlight for some,  The Allianz arena, the home stadium of Bayern Munich.  Although this was our second stadium tour this was quite different.  With Hoffenheim we were the only tourists and got the place basically to our selves,  with Allianz there were multiple big groups having tours at the same time due to its popularity.  The tour started off talking about the outside of the stadium, and how the lights changed colors and how the stadium glows signifies who is playing on that particular day.  After learning about the stadium's short history we moved inside the stadium.  Once inside we sat on one side of the stadium and heard, among other things,  how they maintain the grass.  We were also told about the acoustics in the stadium to create a great atmosphere, then the girls did there cheer to hear how they could fill the stadium with sound.  Went out to the concession area and learnt about all the sausages they sell each game. Also we learnt that the beer they sell depends on who is playing and in what competition:  Bayern Munich- Paulaner ; 1860 Munich hacker pschorr; any champions league game - nonalcoholic heineken.  After this we went back into the stadium to more expensive seats and were able to get a different perspective of the field.  We exited the field through the media exit.  We learned this hall was painted orange for psychological purposes, to help put the media personnel in a better mood so they write more favorable about the game they saw.  We then went to the press conference room.  Our tour guide talked about sponsorship and if they have a champions league game ir similar they go through the stadium and cover up all the logos of companies that do not sponsor the event. This was the case when we visited the room, it was quite plain.  We then made our way to the locker room.  It was awesome to be in the locker room of such great players as Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and Neuer to name a few.  After a few great pictures the team lined up in twos like Bayern would before a game.  Then they walked out to the field as the champions league theme played I had chills!  Although they were not allowed on the field the did get to go through the "trap door" that lead to the field. To close out the tour we visited the massive fan shop.  There quite a few souvenirs bought!  
Once we all reconvened on the bus we were off to our next stop of our very long day.
 

June 21, 2015 11:27pm 
Posted By Mike Folkers (team manager)

Last night the girls played their final game in Germany.   From Nuremberg it was about a 2 hour bus ride to the Crailsheim, during the trip we drove through quite a few rainy spots so there was a bit of a question how the weather would be.  However when we arrived it looked as though we were through the worst of it. We were running late and arrived only 15 minutes prior to game time, when Adam asked if they could push the game back 15 minutes, Daniel our tour guide already had called them and pushed it back 30 minutes, what a great tour guide.  As the bus pulled in the team was in awe as they saw a large stadium with the word "CRAILSHEIM" in the seats.   The bus stopped and we were shown the locker room (one of many it seemed like) and showers.  This one was decorated in pictures of the Crailsheim woman's team over the years, it was a very nice touch to usually blan locker rooms.  After the girls got changed Adam gave them some instructions and reminded them of what we had been working on the during the past week and we went to the stadium for warm-ups, the temperature had dropped and it was getting a bit cold out.  
Once we had completed warm-ups the girls lined up with the Crailsheim team and they walked out to the Pirates of the Caribian song (good choice).  They then played the national anthem, I know it may be cliché but everytime the Star Spangled Banner played through out the trip it gave me goose bumps.   I can’t help but to realize, and this may sound dumb, but the girls were the reason that the United States National Anthem was played in Germany.  It’s hard to explain as to why that moves me but I have never been so close or been involved with the Star Spangled banner being played in another country.  After the national anthems they lined up for a pregame picture and the captains met to exchange banners and for the coin flip.  
Once the game started it was evident that this was the toughest team we had encountered in Germany.  Right away they put pressure on the Green White back four.   Their midfield pushed up which caused some disorganization and defensive shape issues for Green White.   It didn’t take long for Crailsheim to split the defense giving them a 1v1 with Sarah our keeper (kenzie was sitting the bench due to a foot injury) the ball was placed neatly in the corner, no chance for Sarah.  Crailsheim led 1-0.  
This did not deter the ladies, they out on an attack and soon Ashley welk played a give and go to Ashley Adams which resulted in a great chance that sailed over the cross bar.  Soon after Maddie was able to beat her defender and go a decent look only to have the ball again slightly go over the cross bar.  Crailsheim again was on the attack and they worked their way to the 6 yard box, although the Green White defense was able to stop some of the attack, one shot was deflected to the penalty spot  where an awaiting Crailsheim player put the ball in the back of the net: Crailsheim 2 – Green White 0.  The half ended with Crailsheim scoring again making it 3-0 going into halftime.  
The first half was difficult for the girls, they continued to be confused about the Crailsheim formation and how to stay organized in the back.  Adam quickly put their minds at easy and got down to what they needed to get this sorted out.  This was obviously one of the best teams the girls had ever faced in Germany or the United States.  With the new direction and new sense of will, the girls took the field.
The second half started much better than the first.   Green White took it to the Crailsheim defense.  Once Crailsheim got an offense going with the new direction and discussion at half time the Green White defense did not let in any shots.  Then Kristen was able to put a nice through ball to a running Ashley Adams who slotted the ball into the net: 3-1.  The half continued to be all green white with GW hitting the post twice, once from Lexi and once from Ashley.  Although Green White dominated the second half it was not enough to overcome the deficit from the first half.  Green White lost for a final record in Germany of 2-2 with 10 goals for and only 5 goals against.  I couldn’t be more proud of them.  
After the game Crailsheim hosted a wonderful pasta dinner in their amazing clubhouse.  The food was amazing but the girls were more interested in talking to the German players and making friends.  Soon after dinner the girls all got up and exclaimed that they are going out side to teach the Crailsheim girls how to play one of their favorite games “world cup”.  The night was cut short as the bus needed to leave at 10 but not before the girls all wanted pictures with their new friends.

June 21, 2015 12:05 am 
Poseted by Mike Folkers (team manager)

They call Santa "Weihnachtsmann" in Germany which means "Christmas man".  The girls might not have seen Weihnachtsmann last night but they came close.  Last night after an unfullfilling dinner of traditional German food the girls were hungry.  Dominic took it upon himself to have the taxi drop him off at a pizza place on the way back.  While there he was only able to communicate in Italian with them as they were not able to communicate in English or German.  He had the taxi driver pick him up with a stack of pizza's to deliver to the unsuspecting hungry girls.  I've never seen such excitement over pizza in my life.

June 20, 2015, 8:23am local time
Posted by Mike Folkers (Team Manager)

After getting situated at campus, the team took the long trek down the hill, through town and through a park to get to a socca5 and beach soccer area.  The girls started a warm up in the Socca5 (think of it as a small indoor soccer field usually played by 5 players a side) area.  Once Adam split up the girls into 3 teams the beach soccer tournament was on.  The girls played a round robin style tournament and the "Grun Apfels" came out victorious. After the tournament the girls had a chance to play nucome ball at the beach volleyball court. Although the girls were having a great time we needed to cut it short due to the dark storm clouds peering over the mountains.  The girls made it back up the hill with only a few drops.  Then they retreated to their rooms to freshen up and change for breakfast. 

June 20th, 2015 8:23am local time
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)
 

Since we first got our itinerary everyone was a bit concerned about the campus stay.  We were told it was a university type dorm and everyone has single rooms.  I think this was the biggest worry for most; What would it be like?  Single rooms?  Dorm rooms?!  Well I can honestly say it is fantastic here at Adventure Campus Treuchtlingen.  The dorms are new clean and nice, everyone has their own bathroom and shower.  Down stairs there is a pool table, dart board, bowling ally, ping pong table and other games.  The staff here is wonderful and is extremely helpful.  This will be a great stay!

After breakfast we bid farewell to Hotel Wender and Weinberg and head off to our next destination, Treuchtlingen (don't feel bad I'm still trying to pronounce it as well).  On the way we stopped at Weißenburg (pronounced veiss-en-berg), here we toured some old Rome empire ruins and had time to explore the city and have lunch.  It was great to have some free time and stretch out our legs.  After lunch we got back in the bus to go to Treuchtlingen.

June 19, 2015 8:55am
Posted by Mike Folkers (team manager)

As was mentioned in previous posts and could be seen in the jogging video it had been raining all day, which made the walk to the fields seem a bit longer than usual.  Once there,  the team got ready in the locker room and Adam talked to them about our game plan today.  After everyone was ready we walked out to the training field for warm up.  As with their main field the training pitch was extremely nice and would be the envy of any team in near Chicago. During warm ups the rain started coming down a bit harder and soaked everything.   A few minutes before game time the team went back to the locker room to relax and get some last minute instructions from Adam.  The team then lined up next to Weinberg and walked out in pairs to midfield.  As the last game both national anthems played and the starters took their positions.

The game started with both teams trading possession.  Then from a Green White Goal kick the ball was slotted to Ashley Welk who passed a perfect ball to split the defense and find a streaking Ashley Adams who netted the ball to put Green White up 1-0.  Then, 4 minutes later a shot from Ashley Welk was deflected and dropped to Ashley Adams who shot the ball inside the 6 yard box to put Green White up 2-0.  Weinberg was not detered they brought some energy and was determind not to let the older and bigger Green White team get the best of them, and only 2 minutes later #10 on Weinberg found a clear shot outside the 18 yard box and hit a high ball catching Green White Goal Keeper Mackenzie Folkers a bit off her line to drop behind her, putting Weinberg back in the game at 2-1.  This goal gave weinberg some momentum, a few minutes later weinberg had another shot that was an easy save for Mackenzie. Then a hard shot was stopped by Mackenzie which she was not able to hold on to and the ball bounced near the penalty spot, a Weinberg player streaked in but not before Mackenzie was able to dive on the ball and smother it.   However in the process Mackenzie's already aching foot was twisted and she was not able to get up.  After tending to her she was able to leave the field, and would not return to the game.  Sarah Magnoni took her spot.  The half ended 2-1 in favor of Green White.  

With Isabelle Suto in goal and a fired up Green White the second half started much different as Green White took control of the possession.  Just into the second half Ashley Welk shot a hard ball that was saved by the Keeper but Ashley Adams got the rebound and was able to finish off her Hat Trick with a goal.   Shortly after Lauryn Schneider had a nice shot the was tip to the cross bar by the keeper however Ashley Welk was able to put it away, putting Green White ahead 4-1.   Later in the second half Ashley Welk was able to get passed the defense and finished off her brace by slotting in her second goal making the score 5-1.    Then towards the end of the second half Sarah (normally a center back) was playing striker and was able to dribble around a defender and was able to slip the ball past the keeper for the last goal of the game.  Green White won 6-1, Although the score did not show SV Weinberg did extremely well against the older Green White team and would be among some of the better U13 teams back in the states.  The team ended with smiles and handshakes from both sides and some sadness from the Green White players knowing that this was our last game at SV Weinberg. 

After the game Wolfgang from SV Weinberg gave a heartfelt speech thanking everyone that put these games together, Adam Wambach, Adam Howarth,  and Cindy Kaempfer.   Wolfgang then presented the club with a flag, SV Weinberg keychains for the players and Hats for the coaches and helpers.   Green White then thanked for the great hospitality and presented SV weinberg a signed jersey and and other Chicago related gifts. 

Following the speachless the teams got together for a dinner of schnitzel and potato salad.  A great way to end our stay in Weinberg.  

Tomorrow we are off to Weissenburg and then off to the campus in Treuchtlingen.