So, the toughest game of the season was played at noon in downtown Prague on October 4. It was a Prague 'derby" between Slavia's U14s and their counterparts from Bohemians 1905. Both are tied for first with Sparta, and a win today could've gone a long way to determining the champion.But alas, Slavia couldn't cash in on the numerous chances they had and the game ended 0-0. Son had a stinker of a first half. Very passive. Got chewed out at halftime and came out very strong in second half. Came close to scoring a few times, but the keeper had the answer every time. So, first real test didn't conclude very convincingly....
Six o'clock, Monday evening, and son still not home. Practice was from two thirty to four, showering afterwards.... son should have been here by five. The tram ride from the stadium to our apartment takes about fifteen minutes. But still not here. Then, he shows up at six thirty. Says after practice, coach took them over to the stadium to the video room for a breakdown of the game with Bohemka. Says he came out okay, but coach was merciless on some of the boys, especially the wingers, who pinched in too much, failing to spread the field out. Son was told he should have sprayed some more balls wide, but did well. One more note on the game, it was actually a loss...on penalties, which we did not hang around for. So, team that barely entered our half of the field, let alone get off one shot, actually won. Son was one of two shooters to have his shot saved.....
Sunday afternoon on October 13 on an Indian summer late afternoon, and Slavia's U14s had a showdown with FK Meteor, the only fourth-division side in the top flight Bohemian-wide league. Lots of effort on their part, as they ran, parked the bus, fauled, but the result was never in doubt. Slavia won 7-0. Son had two assists as he played only first half. Now, starts the countdown to Bayern. Less than two weeks and they're off for Bavaria for a friendly with the German giants. Last time two years ago, they tied them 1-1. I'm sure Bayern's lineup will be a lot different now, as is ours, for that matter.
Oct. 20, and need to get to Slavia by eight in the morning for the bus to take the U14s and U15s to next league game against Viktoria Plzen, of Champions League fame. Outside of Sparta and Slavia, Plzen has made a name for themselves in Europe, consistently playing in the Champions League and Europa League over the past seasons, not this one, however. Anyway, it was billed as a hard match, and it was. Slavia won only 4-0. Son had a tough game. Free kick from outside the box, hit the crossbar and bounced out. Another hard shot was stopped by goalie and tucked in by another player for a goal. On another occasion, beat defender, rounded goalie, but saw his shot hit the post and somehow stay out. After match, coach told him he played well, but was extremely unlucky on the day.
Well that Barcelona match must have been a weird mix of feelings, at some point if you are playing well in several big matches it must become less of a moral victory against heavily favored opponent and more just disappointment to not be able to get a result. I would say Viktoria Plzen are one of the more remarkable and relatively unknown growth stories in recent club football that didn't involve takeover by big wealth ownership groups. They were a generally obscure regional club that spent more time battling relegation than anything until 2010, and have since then played in 3 Champions League group stages and never failed to finish top 3 in the league. No idea if it's made them stronger at the youth level since, but definitely made then the 3rd largest club in the country.
The signs ahead of the Bayern game weren't the best. Lots of injuries, and lots of traffic jams getting to Munich on Friday. What should have been a four-hour ride, turned into a seven-hour odyssey. The game at the Bayern campus was played on artificial turf for some reason, although all six or so grass fields were open. On top of that, Bayern used the game to test some top 07s, and a lot of the better 06s just sat it out, so that took a bit of the challenge out of it. In the first half the ball was mostly in the Bayern half. An early penalty kick for us was missed by son. Wanted for goalie to move to his right, kicked it to his left, but it hit the post. Bayern then used one of its few counterattacks to score. A bit later, one of our wingers got free in the box, shot, rebound came to son who put it in. In second half we pushed, but got punished on counters. Final score 5-2 to Bayern, who were skillful and just better at combining and finishing chances....
In the Czech Republic, the local derby between Slavia and Sparta, the 'Prague S' game, is the most hyped game around, even at the youth level. For Slavia's U14s today's game has extra importance: lose and lose the chance of winning the title. Going into the game, the U15s gave an underwelling performance, going down deservedly 2-0 to Sparta. However, our guys started well, pressing forward. Son, had a freekick early, short side that the Sparta goalie got a hand to. As the half winded down, Sparta got a free kick on the right side. Their guy shot a pass/shot goalward, which one of their players ran into, deflecting it into the net for the first goal. In the second half, Sparta should have put the game away, with their top scorer essentially missing an empty net. With time running down, Alex got free inside the box, beat his defender to the ball, and poked it pass the onrushing Sparta keeper. Five minutes later, a Slavia player got the ball at the top of the box and lofted it into the far right side of the net for the winner, 2-1. Suddenly the title race is wide open again with Sparta now on one loss with us, although our defeat was on penalties. Alex now has 12 goals in nine games. Not too bad...
Park the bus, and mark tightly. That best sums up the strategy FK Pardubice decided on for their Oct. 9 match with Slavia's U14s. With the temperatures in the low forties, wind blowing, and rain falling, the game was played on a soggy pitch. The Pardubice boys never really threatened, but closed down our boys well, who scored on one of the few breaks, and really only shot of the game to win 1-0. Son played first half before being subbed out. Coach told him his movement with and without the ball was very good. Said he needed to get in other boys to up the minute tally. Now, two more league games before off on Sunday to Heerenveen! Reporting there on Monday for a tour of the stadium before practice with the U15s.
Cold and rainy on Wednesday Oct. 13 for the penultimate game of the first half of the season. Kid got taken out of class at ten so he could take on FK Teplice at noon at Eden in downtown Prague. Alex came out determined and scored a nice goal to opening the scoring in the 16th minute. Assisted on third, sending winger in on goal alone. The half ended 3-0 and a few minutes into the second he was subbed again. Coach told him he'd get more minutes in the final game against Liberec on Saturday. 13 goals in 11 games. Top scorer on team.
Boys headed some 70 miles north to Liberec (which played Liverpool back in 2000 in the EUFA Cup) for the 13th and final game of the first half of the Czech National U14 League. Another one-sided affair with Slavia winning 7-1. Alex had two goals and two assists. His 15 goals put him fifth in the league scoring table. Now, a few months of friendlies and such, including a game in February against Red Bull Salzburg. Now in rainy, cold Heerenveen for a week of training. Beautiful town not far from the North Sea. Off to tour the stadium with the head scout in a few...
Liberec is the 4th most successful club in league history, and the only team outside the Big 3 to win a title in the last 15 years. Most famous recent (relatively) players were Theo Gebre Selassie and Borek Dockal. Don't think they really develop players, just good at getting some of the best young players that other teams consider surplus (both the above examples went there from Slavia).
Under a huge banner of Epke Zonderland, hometown gold medalist on the high bar, Alex was ordered up on the balance beam. Bobbing back and forth a bit, one of the trainers tossed him a ball and told him to juggle. The first few tries ended tragically, but after a bit he started to kick it up and down. One time he juggled it about ten times with his left; another time he actually switched it to the other foot. On the third day of the trial/camp at Heerenveen, he was in a huge gymnastics gym, tested on his strength and endurance. Another test had him donning boxing gloves and pummeling a padded block over and over again. Another test had him on a trampoline, jumping as high as he could before coming to a complete stop on the way down. Highlight was probably working with an 18-year-old genuine trialist from Sweden, whose juggling was not better than my 13-year-old son. On Monday, the first day, he took to the field with Heerenveen's U14s and U15s, who play together as one team. Did well in the passing, trapping, and dribbling drills, but was a bit lost in the short-sided games, failing to grasp the orders barked out in Dutch, with few of the boys helping him out in English. On the second day, they headed into a huge gym next to the team's stadium, that serves as a multi-discipline sports center. Really nice. Futsal was something the Heerenveen boys play lots of, and my kid not so much. Here, he was a bit weak. Overall, I think he did well. Head scout said they'd get back to us about another camp. At 13-and-a-half, still far away from any possible move, if at all. Heerenveen, being a small, modest club, really seems motivated to develop talent with lots of focus on technical development and overall athletic ability. Really liked it.
With the temps dipping below the freezing point, the boys played their last game of the fall/winter part of the season on December 1. FK Poprad's U15s were the opponent. Being a year older, the side from Slovakia were a bit stronger, bigger, and faster than normal opposition. Game was tight. Son had good moments, including ringing a free kick off the crossbar. Game ended 1-0 for us, on a breakaway goal from one of our quick winners. Some light training this week, before a break until early January. Son needs it. Knee is starting to act up. Will meet coach later this month for his assessment on how he's doing so far. Rumblings about who is on the way out, and who could be coming in. Never a moment's rest in soccer.
That's exciting stuff! I'm glad you and your son were able to finally make it to Heerenveen. How do you think the boys at Heerenveen compared to the ones at Slavia? From reading all of your posts about how competitive and how hard your son trains at Slavia, I can't imagine the boys at Heerenveen are any better. But curious as to your opinion. How were the facilities in comparison? Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Hey, @ChicagoVT, thanks for the interest and the questions. I think going in to Heerenveen, we thought it would be a bit lighter than what he's used to at Slavia. Thing to remember was that at Heerenveen they put the U14s and U15s together. So, I think strictly among the U14s, he was definitely one of the best players. They had one boy who was very good, creative on the ball, a bit different than my kid. Some of the U15s were just a lot bigger than him, and more physically mature. He really only practiced twice with the team, once outside and once inside. We didn't take futsal boots with us, so scrambled to buy some there. That practice inside was a bit weak for him, although he did fine in all the drills. In the games, he was a bit lost with all the instructions, players, speaking Dutch, naturally. I think in a series of games against Heerenveen, Slavia's U14s would win. But we play a more direct, high pressure game. The head scout at Heerenveen stressed that technique is paramount to what they do. I really got a sense there that they are trying to really prepare players for the pro game so the club can ultimately cash in on a juicy transfer. One U15 is already playing up with the U17s, and the scout there said Man. City, Man. United and Chelsea had all sent scouts to check him out. Facilities were modest but impressive. The club shares a ten-field complex with another local side or two. Seems the city owes the site. There's a humble club house there. What was interesting was the dozens of volunteers -- many retirees -- serve as drivers, picking up the younger players from school, getting them to practice then taking them home. Would love to have something like that at Slavia! The indoor site was at a larger complex shared by basketball and gymnastics teams. That was topnotch. The strength training with a focus on balancing and endurance was unique. That would be good to do more often. Overall, a good experience. I hope to have him go back. The scout there said he would be in touch with our folks about how to proceed. Happy Holidays to you as well!
With the Christmas break upon us, the season is roughly at the halfway point. Had meeting with coach, who gave good assessment of Alex, adding, he think he could be even better if he were to push himself more. Says he's a "very, very interesting, potential prospect" for Slavia. Says he has all the tools for the game. Up to him now how much he wants it.... Happy holidays to all!
Very cool, and congrats! I've always assumed that the guy who's an even better player than Messi is out tilling a field somewhere, or dropped the game after he realized he really, really loved studying mollusks. Hopefully your kid still enjoys it as the pressure and commitment ratchet up but if not, so be it; it's a good experience either way. Really enjoying the updates, thank you. Happy holidays!
After a nearly month-long break, an eternity in kiddie soccer, Alex is back at Slavia training this week. No more training in the bubble in the winter months. Now it's all outside. Wednesday, was a busy day. Gymnastics in the morning, then training in the afternoon, which was capped by an intra-squad match. Kid showed a lot of jump, winning balls, strong dribble, plus bagging three as his team won 7-2 over the other side. Always say those games probably give them more than playing about half the clubs in the top league. Will have the weekend off to rest the Osgood-Schlatter leg. Don't regret it though. Ten boys are heading at the crack of dawn on Saturday for Graz in Austria for a tourney: four on four in nine-minute games. Don't really think he'll miss out there with that. Next weekend first 'friendly." League starts up again at the very start of March....
Hradec Kralove, about 70 miles or so east of Prague, was the site of the first pre-season/friendly game of 2020. With temps hovering around freezing under grey skies, the boys bussed out from the Slavia training center at 8 on Saturday, (Dec. 18) for the game against a side with a reputation of having a pretty decent academy of its own. In years past, these games were tough for the boys, and a win against Hradec was usually hard fought. Now, the team has slipped a bit. Some of the better boys may have slipped on the development continuum, or may have moved on to other clubs, maybe Sparta, Plzen or Slavia, although no one from the 2006s is here now. Alex got the team on the scoreboard, volleying in from about 18 yards after a corner. Also centered to the defender who headed in for a 2-0 halftime lead. Hradec scored one, and we got a late goal to end it 3-1. A good result given the injury bug that's hit the team. Slavia took only 11 players to the game. So no subs, plus lots of players shuffled around on the field to fill holes. Incredible to see the injuries at this age. Groins, hamstrings, back strain, you name it. Most likely from overdoing it. Plus some are facing serious stunted growth issues. In the past, probably would've been out with son, practicing during the winter with various drills and such. This time, he rested, and grew. Now, about five nine, and is again one of the biggest on the team. A physio he saw for his Osgood Schlatter's gave us good advise: train properly now, but don't over do it. Let your body develop and grow. Then, at 15, you can put more into it. Very good advise that any parent with a soccer kid should heed.
Boys against giants might sum up best the January 25 'friendly' between Slavia's U14 and MSK Zilina, a top side from neighboring Slovakia. Height-wise, Zilina had lots of players pushing six feet. All athletically strong and sound on the ball, with a few really standing out. We are still suffering from injuries and illnesses, so only had a total of 13 players suited up to play. Zilina cashed in on defensive lapses to take a 4-1 halftime lead. Second half was better from Slavia and game ended 5-5. A good game, physical, fast and demanding. Son played as a number ten and did well. Scored one and set up another. Only fault him for not shooting more. Has a good shot with his left, but seems a bit hesitant to use it. Seems coach keeps drumming into him that he needs to spray passes and focus more on that...Next weekend another Slovak side, Slovan Bratislav is in Prague for the next game.
Sad news from SC Heerenveen. Their youth coach Chris de Wagt died at the too young age of 34 after twice fighting cancer.
Another weekend, another team from Slovakia. But unlike Zilina, Slovan Bratislava, was not much of a challenge although they fought hard in the first half. Son opened the scoring with an opportune goal, scoring off a cross that lofted into the far corner of the goal. Was subbed for the first 20 minutes of the second half, and team scored one with him off. Back on the team scored four more, one for him, after a nice passing combination, and had a secondary assist, after taking the ball down the wing. Lot of buzz today about one of the boys, a big defender, getting a quick call-up to the Czech U15 team, which needed a defender in a pinch to replace an injured player. Team is now in Spain for a tournament. Good player, but son has done well against him in practice. We'll see what happens next year at the national training camps....
After testing themselves against two teams from Slovakia, Slavia Prague's U14 head to Germany for a pretty darn good tournament. In Erlensee, northeast of Frankfurt they will face six good German sides: RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, FSV Mainz O5, TSG Hoffenheim, and VFB Stuggart. Erlensee, will be fielding their U15s, as is usually the case in these things. Games are twenty minutes, round-robin format. Busing out this afternoon for what should be a 10-hour or so drive, depending on traffic, which gets pretty hairy around Frankfurt near rush hour, when they should be getting there. Staying with families as well, which isn't something that thrills my son!