Nebraska Soccer: Europe Blog (May 2011)

Sophomore forward Maddie Hanssler and the Nebraska soccer team is on a 2-week trip overseas. The Huskers will be scrimmaging against some of the top women's teams in Europe, and will also attend EPL games while finding themselves immersed in a soccer-based culture unlike anywhere else in the world. During the trip, Hanssler will blog about their experiences. Check back daily for updates.

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Finally, the internet is back up and running - if it's not one thing, it's another. First it was blogger letting me down - this time it was the lack of internet connection inhibiting my blogging, but now that it has been saved I can fill you all in on what NEBZ has been up to.

These past two days we have been watching soccer futbol non-stop. Ok, so non-stop is a bit of an exaggeration but it seems like it when the main event of a day is once again a game. I'm not complaining though...it's an experience I could never imagine. On Friday, we attended the FA Women's Final - Bristol vs. Arsenal - 

P.S. We played Bristol and could have/should have beat them

The game was rather uneventful but it was an experience. There even happened to be some fan interaction...and by that, I mean a clothed streaker...yes, he was completely clothed so not really a streaker at all...but what do you really call someone who runs across the field at a game without streaking? hmmmm....  

I finally snagged a picture of the cows it only took me a week and a half but I did it

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool - This game was not only much warmer but it was much more eventful. Although there was only one goal and no "streakers" present, the atmosphere and speed of play was at a higher level than the previous game. Merrill even snagged ten pounds from the fans located in the balcony level above us. Unfortunately it was a very important ten pounds, they came and retrieved it 15 minutes later...bummer.
We return back to the states tomorrow so the rest of the day is filled with packing and cleaning before our game tonight - one last hoorah before dispersing to our homes for a short (week long) summer break. It has been such a great trip and we have definitely improved our way of play as a team. The high intensity that all of the teams play with here will hopefully carry over to our play in back in good old Lincoln, Neb.

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 20, 2011

A trip to Wales - That's what today held for the Nebraska Soccer team. We hopped in the cans at 8 a.m., and started our journey across countries (that sounds a lot farther/cooler than it actually was). The coast was beautiful and of course, it was just as green (and rainy) as England has been all week. When we arrived we started our travels at the Caernarfon Castle, which at one point in time, happened to belong to the Prince of Wales. Not only was it massive, but it was just as equally beautiful. As we strolled inside the castle walls we found ourselves taking millions of pictures. It's what girls do - I even fantasized about what it would have looked like in its earlier years. It's surprising how long it has been able to withstand time. After our princess fantasies had been tamed we were given time to shop before heading to a breathtaking lake. The scenery today was unreal and pictures once again didn't do it justice but, I always try to capture the moment...

 

Yes, the apple juice is "safe for vegetarians"

Titanic anyone? Yes, thats exactly what we did turned on the infamous movie and ate birthday cake for Blair and Molly. They seem old when you're only 18. We still have a few days before heading to the States :)

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 18, 2011

Another round of switching up cans (ya know, the car/vans I mentioned earlier) and we were off to Chester. That's about as much as any of us knew (including Marty). If you asked him where we were headed, he'd specifically say "Chester" although he drove right through it without even knowing, but a little 20-minute detour got him right back on track with the rest of the cans. Good thing it wasn't any longer because today's trip was a nice way to shake out our legs before our game. A part of the usual architecture was a magnificent little candy shop something right from a Harry Potter movie (if you didn't already know, I am obsessed with HP).

 

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 17, 2011

Yesterday before our game against Bristol you could find the Nebraska Soccer team  cuddled up in Beckett Cottage watching The Lion King 1, and well, half of 2. Maybe it's the weather that brings on the overwhelming feeling of lazy days by the fire watching movies, or the fact that there is nothing better to do than watch the classics with your best friends (in Europe if I might add/brag). Either way, that's exactly what we did and I have to admit, It was one of the nicest, laziest days I've ever had...Not to mention we've been going and going and going since we stepped foot in England so it was very nice to just relax.

Tuesday we took a lovely little trip into Manchester, where of course, the architecture still ceases to amaze me. It's absolutely beautiful and all of the pictures in the World wouldn't do it justice but...since this is a blog about our travels the pictures will have to do...  

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 15, 2011

For the past two days, May 14th and 15th, we've headed out and watched two professional matches. Not only was it the coolest thing in America  (well I guess Europe), but it was a great experience to have people appreciate the sport we play. There was no one commenting on boys being "field fairies" for playing soccer - or 'futbol' as it's called in England.

Manchester United vs. Blackburn

 

 

Manchester United-1 Blackburn-1
The tie greeted Man U with their 19th total league title

Birmingham vs. Fulham

Fulham 2, Birmingham 0
Successful two days I'd say!

Oh and game of our own today... unfortunately that one ended with a disappointing loss of 2-1, but the Lady Skers worked hard can't wait for our game tomorrow :)

 

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 14, 2011

Today we took a trip into London! After driving for three hours in the can (car/van) (it's not quite a car but it's not quite a van) and a 45-minute ride on the tube (the subway in England) we arrived in London to take a wonderful tour by our very own Peter Underwood. He sure knows his facts! Then we were let on our own to roam, as opposed to Rome, which we quickly remembered we were not in...and so our adventure begins.

   

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 13, 2011

Of course yesterday while I was trying to post blog numero dos the blogging network crashed... So, today I am blogging about everything that happened yesterday! (unfortunately I only have time for one)
1. We strolled around the Combermere grounds
2. We took a trip into the town of Nantwich
3. We played Coventry in our first match and Nebraska takes the win nine-nill (that sounds British doesn't it?)
Here is our day in pictures...

 
   

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Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 11, 2011

A whole 26 hour ago we left the states... starting in Nebraska, we drove 3 1/2 hours to Kansas City, where we caught our first flight into Chicago. From Chicago, we boarded flight L54 to Manchester, England! Once we landed we picked up the rental cars and started on our way to the beautiful Combermere Abbey  The trip went a little something like this...

12 days left...

 

 

 

Posted by: Maddie Hanssler
Date: May 23, 2011