July 6th/7th

The last day was nice. The weather was excellent. We let the boys sleep in to get ready for the Epic Travel we had before us (now we are home) on the 7th. Scrimmage in the morning vs. a mix of 16u Jadran and Golden State Club from Norcal. The 18u team has national championships in Zagreb this weekend so Coach Dino decided to give the boys the day off which I can respect. We then headed to another mall for some last minute shopping, then we headed to the beach where there was a million people, literally. It looked like the 4th of July on steroids. We had an evening scrimmage, said our goodbyes to all of our guests, and then prepared for the long journey.

The travel back went with out hick-ups, as we returned a full team safely to HB.

July 5th

Today was a long day but good. We had a good 4 quarter scrimmage vs. moranor which is the other split club. We did well considering there was one ref. We missed some shots, they missed some shots, but overall it was great training because we were playing 30m. We then went to a local mall to do a little shopping, then after we had lunch. After a short break we were off the Maritime Museum which was actually pretty cool chronicling the history of Croatian and Split Naval development. Lots of artifacts and information. The Museum used to be a fort which was created in the 16th century, and then modernized in the 1850s.

In the evening we did a 6x5 scrimmage vs. Jadaran 18u, and we did well on both O and D figuring out a few of their rotations, and getting some key field blocks from our bottom line defense.

July 4th

Happy fourth of july everyone, I hope you are all doing well, and having a safe holiday! We over here are lighting some fireworks, but it was more of us getting lit up today. We were able to go and scrimmage against another Split club who won the Winter Cup for the 18u Croatian League. The coach was a former member of the Croatian National Team, and he demanded results from his players and it showed with their structured ability to read and attack. Also, they were all 6'4 200 pounds. The starting line up would have been the staring defense for the HB Football team. One player was an 18u and he is 6'8. But it really did not matter because of our ability to move and force the bigger players to play defense.

After scrimmage we climbed the Tower, and then had some time to shop around and the kids bought a ton of little gifts and trinkets.

After the Tower we scrimmaged again, and we looked a little out of it until the end. We definitely have a lot to work on. The best part about this training is that it is making us ready for JO's (potentially playing 3 games a day!). This type of heat with training, resting, will prepare us perfectly for that environment.

Check out these pictures!!!!

July 3rd

We woke from the communist hotel and went to the grocery store real quick. Then following the boys played a little concrete soccer. Then we went to the National Championships for 16u. It was pretty cool the way they had another 50m pool right by the ocean and there was a little restaurant right on the side. there was also another little mini soccer court, but this time grass. Kids were able to buy some Turbo gear while we were there. We then came back to our original hotel and shot for a bit. Then we headed off to the city of Trogir, which was very beautiful. Following this, a scrimmage vs. a Norcal team called Golden State, and then dinner. A little bit laid back of a day, but the 4th is supposed to be pretty busy. I hope everyone else is doing well, and have a safe and happy fourth of july.

July 2nd Part II

Today was great. We went to Krka National Park and Forrest, and it is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen in my entire life. Just look at the pictures. The guys really enjoyed the visit after the scrimmage. Croatia continues to unveil itself as one of the most beautiful countries I know. We are currently staying in the most communist hotel I could have ever imagined. I recently spoke with the head coach of Mladost (sp?) a croatian club playing in the youth championship tomorrow July 3rd. He said they are all like this, and I like this experience because the kids get to see what they really have compared to other nations and kids.

Jul2nd Part I

We did a little beach activity besides weight training to warm-up and get loose. I will post some pictures pretty soon. Then we scrimmaged and actually did very well, even though their best player was out, or they were just missing their shots today. After lunch, we are head to Krka National Park. If you can, google image the location, its supposed to be amazing!!!

I will post something later today!

July 1??

Today's training got better after a few hundred yards of butterfly. Then we did alot better communicating. After the scrimmage we went to the beach and hung around for a bit, came home rested, and then did an all 6x5 scrimmage which was good for us to what weaknesses we have in our man down defense. However, these shooters here are a million times better than the ones we see in the states, by far. Here are a few pictures from the beach.

June 30th Part II

Jadran Coach had a good idea for the night scrimmage. We had the captains pick interwoven teams. They had to choose one HB kids and then a Jadran kid. You could see the disdain in the Jadran team when they were required to pick hb kids!! But it was good in how the boys played together and discusses certain things and made some new friends. Apparently, some of our players who were fighting each other became good team mates. Pictures from that to come.

June 30th

Today was good. I asked their Coach how our team can improve and what he thinks. He believed that we are not that deep and we lack aggressiveness and decision making. Too many turn-overs. Erik and I were hoping for a little more feedback from him, but oh well, he is showing the "Croatian Style." For some reason their 5x6 defense is terrible. The coach says that this is their weak point so we have been getting able to do alot of 6x5 offense vs. big field blockers. However, I believe the way they set their defense is wrong, as there is many holes in it which is picked apart by our shooters. Their center defender is ineffective and blocks the goalie. I thought about saying something but feared recourse as an "American Pig Dog."

After our scrimmage, we went to a local hill top mountain, which I enjoyed while the team bitched and moaned. Once we got to the top we could see both sides of Split and the boys say that the ends justified the means. We got a few pictures of the scenery and even could see our hotel and pool really well. It was amazing. Evening scrimmage and then sleep later.

June 29th

The days are more and more similar, buts its fine because we are getting much out of it. The Croatian style is very interesting. They are very serious, but in a joking mannor. The lifestyle here is different, in that things are less time oriented, and things just happen when they happen. I asked about this and its just the "Croatian" way according to several people. The Head Coach of the entire club is done for the summer, but for the next three weeks he comes to younger boys practices, and stresses the importance of individual fundamentals and works with the kids individually during practices. He commands the utmost respect from the children, as he routinely corrects them on their technique.

We followed the same routine as yesterday, the club we play against is a little chippy and they think they are really good, but they finished 4th out of 8th for their age in the Croatian League. We got a bit tussled this morning by their center, and the coach made him run stairs for the remainder of the practice. He is supposed to train with the national team, but the only thing holding him back is attitude according to the coach. There is also a lefty here who trains with the national team, but will not advance unless he gets his "head on straight" according to his coach. So it seems these players are here all the time, but because of the "Croatian Style" they are not reaching their full potential. These guys are very talented and see things very well, its the way Americans should treat polo minus the attitude component.

We went into the city to visit the palace that was set up during the times that Rome ruled the area of Croatia. Our tour guide gave us some info about the country, and apparently this is where the tie really took off. The Croatian soldiers in the 16th/17th century wore ties into battles, and the French really caught onto the idea.

We had an evening scrimmage and team talk in the afternoon and a good dinner. Tomorrow should be much of the same.

Stay tunned...

Dinner June 28th

We scrimmaged again and the travel finally set in a little bit. The guys looked tired and stagnant, and their team look warmed up. Its like playing CIF champions 2x a day at their home pool with their own hired refs. Anyone that does not think this experience is worth it is crazy. There are not 50m pools lying around in the states, with high school athletes who are 6'2 180 or bigger across the board that you get to scrimmage 2x a day right next the ocean.

This is the ultimate experience. Future varsity players, start planning now....

Tomorrow should be some what the same with a litte sight seeing and plenty of water polo.

Kim, the boys are taking care of themselves....

More Pictures from Day 1 June 28th

First Day June 28

Woke up at 8am to similar style brakfast that we experience in Hungary. Guys surprisingly did not feel very bad. At 9:30am we were able to weight train in the little bit outdated weight room they have in the hotel. Like I said before, the facility is for training, so it was very nice the way they set it up. The pool is always in use and around the corner there is a little mini soccer court. Kids are at the pool all day, as they have difference ages coming in all day long and swim teams at various hours. According to the coach, when the kids are out of school, they train double days with no exceptions, and if the kids miss they are not allowed to do any trips or they cannot play any games. Kids are expected to be the most committed, and if they do not want to, then they cannot play, end of story. They have a dead period much similar to ours...... thats the "only way," according to the experienced staff. Wow.... hmmmm

The team we are training against will be playing in a Croatian championship later this week, so they are happy to be able to play against a new opponent. After the weight training we were in the water for scrimmage. We did for about 1hr and 15 minutes. We held our own but our offense was some what stagnant against their powerful press foul defense. As similar in hungary, that style is allowed. If one fouled like they do in the states, we would be ejected for "over physicality." So we quickly got used to it and acclimated. Afterwards we had lunch. Next money exchange and a little walk around the village/city, back to the hotel for some rest, and then we scrimmage again tonight at 630pm. Kids are doing well and Ill post after dinner.