2006 Italy Trip
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Greyhounds to Italy
January 30, 2006 – 07:55 PM
GREYHOUNDS ARRIVE IN ITALY!
Saturday Morning:
We arrived safely yesterday at the Venice Airport about an hour late, a bit tired but very excited. The real excitement started when there was no bus to meet us and take us to Bassano. Several cell phone calls to the USA and some local calls to the bus operator, by some local airport people who volunteered to help the stranded Greyhounds, and our bus arrived and we were off for the one hour and thirty minute drive north.
When we finally arrived at our Bassano meeting place, about 25 Bassano players and their families were waving to the bus and very happy to see us. The Italian liason, Francisco Gomez, introduced the Italian players to the Greyhound players and matched up each player with the family he was going to visit. There were big smiles all around.
With our late arrival, the players were taken to the School Gym where we will play our game this afternoon, and with several spectators, Coach Hodges took the Greyhounds through a shoot-around, easy practice. Then the boys were off to dinner with their Italian families and a good night's sleep (we hope). The boys are being delivered back to the hotel this morning and we're going to tour this beautiful ancient town at the foot of Mount Grappa. There is a Saturday morning market in the middle of town and a famous bridge that played a central role in a major World War I battle, won by Italy.
There are wonderful pictures to share, but I need a faster internet connection to upload them to this site. Perhaps later today.
So far the weather is fantastic as are the experiences.
Ciao. Mitch
We arrived safely yesterday at the Venice Airport about an hour late, a bit tired but very excited. The real excitement started when there was no bus to meet us and take us to Bassano. Several cell phone calls to the USA and some local calls to the bus operator, by some local airport people who volunteered to help the stranded Greyhounds, and our bus arrived and we were off for the one hour and thirty minute drive north.
When we finally arrived at our Bassano meeting place, about 25 Bassano players and their families were waving to the bus and very happy to see us. The Italian liason, Francisco Gomez, introduced the Italian players to the Greyhound players and matched up each player with the family he was going to visit. There were big smiles all around.
With our late arrival, the players were taken to the School Gym where we will play our game this afternoon, and with several spectators, Coach Hodges took the Greyhounds through a shoot-around, easy practice. Then the boys were off to dinner with their Italian families and a good night's sleep (we hope). The boys are being delivered back to the hotel this morning and we're going to tour this beautiful ancient town at the foot of Mount Grappa. There is a Saturday morning market in the middle of town and a famous bridge that played a central role in a major World War I battle, won by Italy.
There are wonderful pictures to share, but I need a faster internet connection to upload them to this site. Perhaps later today.
So far the weather is fantastic as are the experiences.
Ciao. Mitch
TOURING VENICE!
Monday morning: The internet access was out in the hotel in Bassano, so we have been unable to communicate. We are now in Treviso at an internet cafe. I think posting pictures is not going to be possible. Now to the trip: We were beaten by a very talented and very big Bassano team. Their front line was 6'5", 6'3", 6'3". Wow. We fell behind right away with first game jitters, 16-2, but scored the next 11 to 16-13. But their strength was too much.
The kids all had a wonderful time with the Bassano families who have become friends for life! They treated us like royalty and gave gifts to most of the players.
Yesterday we toured Venice and saw glass blowing in the famous Murano glass works. The Doges Palace was magnificent the boys were impressed. Last night we ate dinner outside in one of the restaurants in a main square (piazza)of the old town of Treviso. The coach of the Treviso team joined us for dinner. He assured us that his team is not as big as Bassano. We play them tonight and then have dinner planned for everyone at a special place. The host team is treating! More later. Everyone is well and having the times of their lives!
The kids all had a wonderful time with the Bassano families who have become friends for life! They treated us like royalty and gave gifts to most of the players.
Yesterday we toured Venice and saw glass blowing in the famous Murano glass works. The Doges Palace was magnificent the boys were impressed. Last night we ate dinner outside in one of the restaurants in a main square (piazza)of the old town of Treviso. The coach of the Treviso team joined us for dinner. He assured us that his team is not as big as Bassano. We play them tonight and then have dinner planned for everyone at a special place. The host team is treating! More later. Everyone is well and having the times of their lives!
TREVISO -- WOW!
The Greyhounds arrived in the beautiful town of Treviso and checked into a lovely hotel -- with a swimming pool. Many spent our day of leisure sunning, but some when to the NBA-sponsored Eurocamp for aspiring pro basketball players. We met and talked with David Blatt, the coach of the best professional team in Italy -- Benneton Treviso. Look for their star 7 footer to be the number 1 pick in the NBA draft on June 28.
In the evening we played a good Rucker Treviso team. We played extremely well and came away with a 74-44 win, evening our Italian record at 1-1. But the game paled in comparison to the wonderul dinner we had outdoors at a historic restaurant hosted by the team's sponsor -- Rico displays. We all ate very well, and made more new friends for life. There are no finer people in the world than the ones we had as our hosts.
Today we bussed to the Ferrari Museum and tonight we checked into the hotel in Montecatini and road the cable car up to the upper portion of this beautiful and historic town.
Tomorrow we have choices during the day -- tour Florence, or the town of Luca, or stay close to the hotel and pool. Then tomorrow night we play the Pino Dragons of Florence and all go out to dinner with them.
ciao. MITCH
In the evening we played a good Rucker Treviso team. We played extremely well and came away with a 74-44 win, evening our Italian record at 1-1. But the game paled in comparison to the wonderul dinner we had outdoors at a historic restaurant hosted by the team's sponsor -- Rico displays. We all ate very well, and made more new friends for life. There are no finer people in the world than the ones we had as our hosts.
Today we bussed to the Ferrari Museum and tonight we checked into the hotel in Montecatini and road the cable car up to the upper portion of this beautiful and historic town.
Tomorrow we have choices during the day -- tour Florence, or the town of Luca, or stay close to the hotel and pool. Then tomorrow night we play the Pino Dragons of Florence and all go out to dinner with them.
ciao. MITCH
MONTECATINI -- SPA TOWN
Early Wednesday Morning -- It looks like another beautiful day in Italy. I am waiting for the Hotel restaurant to open to begin eating our free breakfast. Most breakfasts include meat and cheese -- a staple of the Italian diet in this region. Note to LeShay and Scott: Josh is eating very well. Last night I took a picture of him with a slice of pizza in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other!
So far I have been unable to upload pictures to our website, but I promise to share all the pictures with all the parents when we return. We will break up into smaller groups today and sightsee (or catch up on sleep). Dinner here begins at about 8 pm and the boys have been staying up to 11 or midnight most nights.
Tonight is game 3 on our tour. I spoke with the coach of Florence's Pino Dragons and he told me that the game and dinner afterwards is all arranged. Now if our bus picks us up on time we are all set. Transportation has been an adventure!
Until next time.
Ciao. Mitch
So far I have been unable to upload pictures to our website, but I promise to share all the pictures with all the parents when we return. We will break up into smaller groups today and sightsee (or catch up on sleep). Dinner here begins at about 8 pm and the boys have been staying up to 11 or midnight most nights.
Tonight is game 3 on our tour. I spoke with the coach of Florence's Pino Dragons and he told me that the game and dinner afterwards is all arranged. Now if our bus picks us up on time we are all set. Transportation has been an adventure!
Until next time.
Ciao. Mitch
THE GAME IN FLORENCE
Thursday morning. Last night we traveled from Montecatini to Firenze (Florence) for our game with the Pino Dragons. The Greyhounds jumped out to an early 10 point lead and held that lead into halftime. But the Dragons came out pressing in the second half and switched to a zone defense. The Dragons pulled to within 1 point at 63-62 with five minutes to play, but the Greyhounds got some great play down the stretch from several players and won the game 77-66. After the game we all went to dinner and celebrated a wonderful evening.
Today we are off early to Florence for a tour of the ancient city, including a visit to Michelangelo's statue of David, perhaps the most famous sculpture in the entire world. We also will see the Duomo of Florence, a magnificent and astonishly large church. Then we continue to Rome...
Ciao for now...Mitch
Today we are off early to Florence for a tour of the ancient city, including a visit to Michelangelo's statue of David, perhaps the most famous sculpture in the entire world. We also will see the Duomo of Florence, a magnificent and astonishly large church. Then we continue to Rome...
Ciao for now...Mitch
ROMA FINALE!
Late Saturday night...but not too late by Italian standards. What a day and night. We toured Rome's incredible sights..the Colliseum the Piazza Navona, Vatican, and Pantheon...and every Gelato store we passed. Then earlier tonight we played Stella Azzuna (Blue Star) the Roman Basketball Club where Benneton Treviso star Bengani got his start. They brought in two 1990 players who were big, very big. But the Greyhounds pressed most of the game. At halftime we were up 32-31, but fell behind by 9 in the third quarter. We turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter and won 68-62!! Then we were off to a Roman bar/restaurant to watch the World Cup match with the wonderful Italian fans. That game ended in a 1-1 tie and everyone went home safely! One more Gelato stop and the evening was over.
Tomorrow it's back home....I think everyone had a spectacular trip. See you all on Sunday...happy father's day.
Mitch
Tomorrow it's back home....I think everyone had a spectacular trip. See you all on Sunday...happy father's day.
Mitch
