LISC U14 Boys European Tour

Well, we have made it to Aalborg at least and are waiting on our 6:30 flight. I'm sitting in a small internet access room with 4 computers. The boys have been checking out their team blog of their exploits and instant messaging their friends back home. Ironically, they are also using the opportunity to instant message each other from across the room and to tease one another. The boys are looking forward to the Danish League game and to get back to playing soccer. It's raining steadily, so we were lucky on the weather as we never had to play or really walk through the rain. On to Copenhagen tonight, where we will visit Tivoli Gardens.

best

Robert

When I said we took over the Italian restaurant, I meant it:

http://guava.cites.uiuc.edu/r-baird/letsgoillini.mpg

The boys took a bus out to where the parents are staying and visted the beach. We walked into town, took over a little Italian restaurant all to ourselves, saw the docks and boats, walked along the beach, explored old German bunkers from WWII, found rocks on the beach, played capture the flag, and had a bareque. This is a bit rushed as we are preparing to catch a bus and plane that will take us on to Copenhagen. This morning, after the beach, we went into the stadium and saw 3 championship games, including the match for our age group: U15s. All are having fun and, while sad to say goodbye to Hjorring, are looking forward to the next stages of the trip. Sad to say that neither TriStar from Ireland nor the London Tigers made it to the championships, although we did watch our Aussie girls play today and take runnerup to a Norwegian team.

best

Robert

Although there were a few tears and choice words following their loss to the German boys, the LISC players are currently comforting themselves at the disco, which this reporter can hear thumping away from this very Press Office. When last I left the players they seemed to have renewed energy and a hop in their step, as they left to go to the disco/carnival. If you had anything of the view we've had this week of atheletic and beautiful young women at the Dana Cup, from Norway, Denmark, Sweden and beyond, you would shed no tears for our boys, but, instead, try to recall those nights when you were once young and anything was possible.

best

Robert

Dear LISC Faithful, here are a number of photo albums brought to you by our faithful photographer Erich Adickes:

http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum52.html

http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum53.html


http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum54.html



http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum55.html

For LISC, playing Eckernforder was reminiscent of games from their youngest years, for Eckernforder’s offense consisted of kicking or heading or punting the ball in a haphazard but aggressive manner as far as possible to their single, dangerous player, a big, fast forward who would clean up those cannonades and get off a few good cracks each half. While dominating the possession and certainly playing the most complete game, LISC was unable to finish on their chances and lost to the German side 1 to 0. Highlights of the game included Tim Parks leaving the match in the 2nd half on a red card offense from a near goal-scoring opportunity that left the LISC fans wondering what the calls was, after watching what appeared to be a simple attempt by the LISC striker to chest the ball forward, in a sequence where the goalie never came into possession of the ball. (At the game’s conclusion the referee held that the LISC forward had intentionally kicked the goalie, a view that neither fans nor video tape nor logic would support given the nature of the attempt.)

Playing a man down LISC continued to exhibit wonderful ball control and combination play, and were given a number of corner kicks, although none were successful. Late in the second half a Eckernforder hand ball in the box lead to an LISC penalty kick, that Stefan Wingo took, stricking the left post hard, ever so slightly off the mark. In a number of furious last-minute attempts LISC was unable to convert a chance and fell to the German side. After a game of opposite styles, players from both sides rode the bus back to their dormitories together, sharing club patches and German candies (some of which were Jalapeño spiced), their off-the-pitch differences not as great as their styles of play.

Robert

Your ever-faithful reporter always delievers on this promises. Here for your very eyes is one of those 1970s Bad News Bears Boys from Sweden. This shot was captured while on the busser. Imagine an entire team of these boys--one could take over the fashion world!

Robert

In what was their best offensive performance so far in the Dana Cup, LISC beat Kongahalla IK 2 to 1 to move on to play tonight at 7:10. The opening half saw LISC moving forward confidently, seeming to score in the opening 5 minutes when AJ Sikorski connected with Tim Parks for a header. When the referee blew his whistle and indicated a foul, the LISC sidelines thought a penalty kick was in order, but the referee called off the goal and held that Tim had pushed the keeper. Although they were outsized by Kongahalla IK, LISC fought bravely and had the much better technical control of the ball. Midway through the 1st half LISC scored on a well-placed long ball from Dean Adickes to Tim Parks, who scored on a breakaway. LISC continued to battle furiously on offense and were rewarded with another goal when a Michael DeLucia shot was rebounded and Billy Regan charged the goal and hit the net. Kongahalla attempted to stage a return in the closing minutes of the first half, but time soon ended. In the second half Kongahalla did begin a strong challenge of LISC, who showed some signs of the furious pace of the 1st half. Goalie Mark Pataky made a number of good saves. Around the 12-minute mark, Kongahalla broke down the tiring LISC defense and earned their goal off a nicely struck ball from the top of the box. The next 10 minutes turned into a battle for midfield and control of the ball, and, although winded, LISC mounted counter attacks and began earning crosses and corner kicks, which kept Kongahalla from devoting all their attention to the equalizer. In the final minutes, Kongahalla earned a free kick from the top of the box, LISC setting up a 5 man wall, their fans tensely awaiting the outcome: a well-struck, curving ball that cleared the top post and sailed into the nearby pines. Shortly thereafter the referee blew his whistle and LISC had their first victory in the knock-out round of the A division.

A nice touch during the game was to find Etne IL of Norway, whom LISC had beaten in group play, attending the match and cheering LISC with the familiar: Let's Go Illini, Let's Go, Let's Go Illini, Let's Go. Our diligent host, Sven-Erik noted as well that this was the best he has ever seen LISC play.

This morning as LISC waited for their 1:20 game, they watched the Brazilian team Pequeneos, who frequently win the entire tournament. For your viewing and soccer pleasure, a video clip of one of the 15+ goals they scored in their first game today:

http://guava.cites.uiuc.edu/r-baird/brazilstyle.mpg

http://guava.cites.uiuc.edu/r-baird/brazil_style2.mpg




Robert

In a close, and hard faught match exhibiting excellent technical skills, LISC tied Forus/Gausel of Norway 0 - 0. With a win and 2 ties, LISC moves into the A bracket of knock-out play, and will face Kongahalla IK of Sweden tomorrow at 1:20. Both teams had a number of chances, with LISC again failing to find the net on a number of long runs and well-flighted balls. The story of the match, though, was the effort and intensity LISC had to exhibit on defense to keep a fast and aggresive Forus/Gausel from scoring. As is the style of play at Dana Cup, the referee seldom halted the game with penalties, and moreover let many late, and some flagrant, challenges pass without comment. To their credit, LISC showed great poise under the pressure and aggresive play and continued to challenge and respond. After the match the coach of Forus/Gausel identified LISC as the strongest team they had played, even surpassing Sport BK2, who had beat Forus 2 - 1 in earlier play. This reporter, in chats with a mother of a Forus defender, found the LISC squad very technically gifted and enjoyable to watch. With about 150 appreciative fans in attendance, the game was both entertaining and a credit to the game.

Robert Baird

It's with some jealousy that your faithful reporter gives a byline to Kaleb Walker, Photographer, who here provides us with just 2 pictures he has taken that are quite good. I'll try to post more later. He has a nice camera he paid for by saving up from a babysitting gig. (Advice to parents: get him a subscription to National Geographic--very good tradition of photography--and explore the Chicago art and design schools)!

Robert

In a previous post I'd mentioned the support of the London Tigers during the LISC game vs. Etne or Norway. Here the boys are mugging for the camera after the victory.

I'd mentioned the boys who traveled from Siberia to the Dana Cup, taking 5 days. Well, on the bus ride to the game this morning we met them. Apparently they have been traveling to the Dana Cup for 11 years, although language difficulties made it impossible to convey the joke that, we hope, this particular U12 team had not been traveling to the Dana Cup since infancy. But, who knows, perhaps they are very good indeed.

Robert

At 10pm Danish time, your ever-faithful 43-year-old journalist attempted to gain access to the Dana Cup Disco, but was temporarily denied access by security guards due to excessive age; only by showing an official Dana Cup Press Pass was this, your faithful journalist, given access to the interior of the Disco tent. The mere entrance of your faithful, singular journalist resulted in a statistically different demographic of the entirely teenaged crowd inside the disco tent. Conditions in the disco were thumpingly loud, with stroboscopic light assaults, mechanical fog banks, and blatantly obvious stares of teenage "attitude." Perhaps the most obvious breech of decorum was the "DJs" (disc jockeys) who ran the music and light shows; these Danish youth screamed loudly to the crowd, inciting them to dance and bob, using with precision only the English four-letter-words, having mastered especially the longer terms that deal with amorous relations with those females who have successfully achieved the maternal stage of development familiar to the human species. While the disco will continue for two more nights here at the Dana Cup, your faithful journalist has requested from management, and using the unhealthy working conditions clause of his contract, to bypass these last assignments, and to be reassigned to coverage of a local story regarding Danish gardening strategies of the surrounding area.

Robert Baird

Associated Press; Hjorring, Denmark: With the assistance of the Hjorring Health Department and a court order from a Danish judge, parents and followers of the Little Illini Soccer Club gained access to their players' living facilities in order to inspect conditions and verify or dispel rumors that their boys were "living hard." Upon inspection parents found the conditions "acceptable." Although some parents, used to aromatherapy, scented candles, and potpourri, objected to the smell, others pointed out the large windows and proper ventilation. Neither Dana Cup authorities nor Hjorring Health officials would comment on the visit.

Playing on a windy plateau with beautiful views of the surrounding Danish landscape, LISC and Sport BK2 of Sweden played to a scoreless draw. With both teams likely best in their group, the competition was evenly matched, with LISC having a few better chances and, at times, greater intensity. With the wind blowing strong into the eastern goal mouth, LISC defended it well in the 1st half, and BK2 in the second. By end of match, LISC had failed to capitalize on at least 2 very good chances, in one case sending the ball just wide of the goal. With a tight pitch closely surrounded by pines, fans of both teams crowded the northern edge of the field. In the best chance for BK2, goalie Mark Pataky made a one-handed save. In the second half LISC won a number of corner kicks, but failed to capitalize on very good balls into the box. While the teams tied, the clear winner of the day was the surrounding countryside.

Robert Baird

Hey sports fans, today saw parents and siblings walk into Hirtshals for sightseeing, and the team's first game against Etne IL, one of the teams from Norway.

Robert has already given you the low down on the game against Norway. But see more pictures here.

http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum50.html


And check out Hirtshals here.

http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum51.html


Thanks for your support, :-)

Erich

Associated Press; Hjorring, Denmark: In one of the few instances of fan(aticism) at the generally staid Dana Cup Parade, LISC supporters entered the parade route yelling excessively just shortly after their beloved team had entered the main town square. Danish police are still investigating how security was breached. Preliminary investigations suggest that LISC fans had "very good lagers" at the parade-side cafe where they had been awaiting their team. Anonymous sources have come forth with information supporting the idea that LISC fan behavior has been excessively exuberant of late due to the influences of the London Tigers, themselves long time perpetrators of excessive football exuberance, and recent football-going companions.

As the parade wound down and we waited to enter the stadium our supporters had shrunk! The cheers had quieted and we were down to only 2 fans. They did the best they could; although not very vocal they had energy and massive flags, at least a foot and half wide and 12 inches tall.

I've noticed that some of the countries and clubs over here have a greater appreciation for their older coaches, like these folk:

How many times have you seen it? The Moldavians show up and everybody else is underdressed!

In a country that plays about every sport known to bipeds, Denmark apparently doesn't play basketball during the cold parts of the year. Instead, they play Badmitton. This is a big Badmitton hall near our schools, with a clubhouse on the top floor--imagine the pizza kitchen at Skateland, the food at Olde Orchard Bowling Alley, and booze in the style of Knights of Columbus.

Believe it or not, this photo doesn't do justice to the size of the Vendiahallen where we eat our meals. Also, I took this shot at the end of lunch, so it's not full and the lines are not backed up. Amazingly, they have 2 other halls for feeding the players and coaches, as well as a tent for feeding the workers and referees. The boys are eating well--for dinner just an hour ago, spaghetti with a tasty Danish meatsauce, not to be confused with an Italian meatsause mind you.

best

Robert

In their first match that counts, and with support coming from their new friends the London Tigers, faithful parents, and the stray Danish fan or two, LISC beat Etne of Norway 2 to nil. Working confidently and attacking the ball more forcefully, LISC scored with a good build up off a nicely placed ball by Kadeem Bridgewater. The second half led to another goal from Victor Martinez, a perfectly floated high ball that fell just beyond the goalie and into the net, taking advantage of the gusty wind.




Etne had it's chances, but the backline was strong throughout and the midfield played well supporting the defense. It was obvious that the boys were up for their first game, but having the London Tigers, with bullhorn blasting and "Three Cheers for the USA" coming throughout the match, led to furious levels of momentum and exuberant play.

In the last 10 minutes Martin Musurana and Kaleb Walker began to combine for a number of chances up top, and although they never scored, Etne had their hands full defending and were given very little time or chance to score at the other end.

One important difference between this match and one in the States involves the tightness of the field to the fans. With fields spaced very closely to one another, and fans allowed to stand very near the field, if not on it, and fans circling the field, a carnival atmosphere ensues. If you include the most boisterous team at the tournament in your fan base--The London Tigers--then you are talking about a full tilt 3-ring circus. It is highly unlikely that the boys will ever play a game that crazy, outside, perhaps, of a Centennial vs. Central, or Urbana vs. Central high school playoff.

best

Robert







Post-Game Photo With the Good Sportsmen of Etne

Hey Folks,

We have pictures from the parade and opening ceremonies here at this link:

http://homepage.mac.com/erichadickes/PhotoAlbum48.html

or click on the link to the left for Erich's web page for game photos.

Sorry to be brief with this post, but the next game starts in 25 minutes. I'll post more after the game.

Ta Ta for now,

Erich

Part 1: The Staging

Given the large number of teams, the parade is so long that they have a big parade and a smaller parade. We were in the bigger parade and because somebody a long time ago had the bright idea of calling us the United States of America, instead of just America, or, better, AAAmerica, we were literally the last team in the parade, although the Xtreme US team, who had no banner, kind of hid behind us in the parade. Of course our placement in the parade did not stop us during staging from being front and center. Indeed, the staging, which took place in a long field lined by trees and set against the main information building and cafeteria, about 6 or 7 acres, was probably the highlight of the parade. A number of teams sat back and watched the festivities as teams came into the grounds and lined up. It took almost a full hour just to get everyone into the grounds and then another 30 minutes to march out. Before that, though, during the assembly stage, the teams had time to meet and move around a bit, and that's when I introduced the boys to the Australian girls soccer team. Being cool and standoffish, they were waiting patiently as the teams assembled

(this little story, if you don't see the end coming, is about the weakening and near obliteration of social inhibitions). Since Australia is my favorite country I've never visited I just had to go say high to the Australian girls, who had a big inflated kagaroo. They asked if I was going to ask if they "rode kangaroos," but I said of course I knew better, and that I knew "each of you has a pet kangaroo and you've taught him to rike a bike."

I asked the girls if I could formally introduce them to the boys from Illinois. They said yes, the boys coming over, AJ not shy, others having to be pulled, and so the Great Midwestern Thaw began. The boys chatted with the Aussie girls for a bit and were getting along well when our London Tiger friends literally ran onto the scene, one with a bullhorn shouting a cheer for each of the teams or countries he ran across. Soon, they saw us and the Aussie girls and joined up for a photo:


At this point, the London boys were the center of the party and the Illinois crew was quite happy to join the vortex of what became a dance circle with the Burkina Fasa boys and then a rap showdown.

If you ever want to throw a real party, invite the boys from London, Burkina Fasa, the Aussie girls and the boys from Illinois.

Although we couldn't persuade any of our boys to take the rapper's challenge, nearly all the boys danced, with Victor, Miguel, Kadeem, and Martin defending our national heritage (we did invent blues, rock n roll, and jazz didn't we?).



End of Part 1: The Staging

production notes: the video was taken with my Sony Cybershot, which is essentially a still camera; the video is mpeg and should play on most computers; if you have problems with it over the Internet we'll have to view it in another format when we get back to the States.

best

Robert