World Cup 2010

Oh my -yesterday felt like we might have well of traveled all the way home and back. It was a 14 hour day of travel. We were up at 4:30 am and finally arrived in Oradea, Romania at 6:30 pm. We flew from Catania, Italy to Rome (only about an hour flight), then were delayed for over 2 hours before we flew to Budapest, Hungary. By the time the luggage ordeal had ended - yes once again 3 people lost their luggage- we had spent another hour in the airport in Budapest. Then we boarded a bus and headed for Romania. No one had really eaten so we made a quick pit stop for some Hungarian fast food. Guslaz and Guslaz Hungarian fast food. No lie - That is what the name of the restaurant. Actually, either we were all very Hungary (get it) and it was pretty good. Grilled meat and other stuff... We then boarded back on the bus for the rest of the 3 and 1/2 hour bus ride to Oradea. Oh yeah, I forgot our little border dilemma. After they took our passports - they did not want to give them back until we gave them a signed water polo ball. Wow - what a day.

Needless to say, the guys were a little burned out. We had dinner and then a short meeting. Unfortunately for me - we had to break the news to the three guys who are traveling with us but did not make the final thirteen for the Fina Cup. Not fun. Something that I thought about long and hard and talked to Ryan and Robert about for the past two days before finally telling the team. It was not as bad as making the final Olympic cuts but I had that same knot in my stomach that I get when I have to make cuts. Anyway, Brian Alexander, Shea Buckner and JW Krumpholz did not make it this time. It was rough and after making the announcement the coaches spent the next hour or so talking with the three players that we cut.

Today we had to get ourselves up early for our pre-game swim at 8 am. Oh - I forgot to mention that we moved time zones and we lost another hour so we are now 10 hours ahead of back home and we all got one less hour sleep. We also drew the first game of the tournament against China at 3 pm. So we had a short day to prepare and get our selves ready to play. I can tell you as the coach - I was tired when game time rolled around - it had been a rough day of travel and the body felt a little weary.

The guys actual played pretty well considering. We jumped on Chine early and cruised to a 10 - 6 win. In the other game in our bracket Croatia beat Serbia tonight 10 - 7. We play Serbia tomorrow at 6:30 pm. It will be a good test to see where we are at. Time to get some rest and prepare for tomorrow.

See you at the pool.

Coach