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The boys gathered in the lobby at 7:50 so they could all go to breakfast together as a group. All were dressed in their Tour 2010 t-shirts and stripped shorts. The morning routine includes parents checking in with each boy (how are they feeling, did they sleep well, etc.) and offering of Emergen-C or the "sting stick" if they suffered a mosquito bite.
After 30 minutes, the boy headed up to the conference room for film review. Coach has the video projected on a screen, pausing frequently to point out positioning, game flow, etc. with a laser pointer.
The first scrimmage of the day started at 10:00 am against the Eger 16 & unders. Coach mixed up the lines and both controlled the games in convincing fashion.
Now, when we arrived at the pool, we were greeted with the most delicious aroma. Behind the bleachers, Linda's father Imre was starting a fresh pot of goulash. Bacon was sizzling in the large pot over the wood fire.
Onions were chopped (and added to the pot) and Imre was busy peeling potatoes, getting some assistance from the Newport parents. The pot will simmer all day and be ready for the post game meal around 6:00 pm tonight.
After the scrimmage, the boys wanted to take the first of many team pictures. Today's would be underwater in the old Eger pool. The team gathered together and prepared to take the plunge while Coach took the picture with Luke's camera. I can't wait to see that shot!
Lunch was at our usual restaurant. We sat outside under a collection of large, square umbrellas.
The meal started with a cold fruit soup containing pineapple, pears, grapes and coconut milk. This was followed by a plate of rice and fried cheese patties. Parents shared their plates with the team so the boys could get their fill of hot food.
After lunch, we headed to the main park in Eger.
At the center of the park is a large fountain that originally stood at the Eger pool. When the communists took control of the country, the fountain was knocked down (to be replaced by bleachers years later). Once the communists fell from power, the fountain was rebuilt in the park. This was the perfect setting for a team picture.
The park is beautiful and on a sunny Saturday in July, we found multiple brides taking pictures before their weddings - we counted about 10 different brides. Now, the water polo team stands out amongst the students of Newport Harbor High School. You can imagine how much they stand out in a town like Eger. Sure enough, one of the brides approached us and asked for a picture with the boys. They were more than willing to comply.
The Eger Candy Museum was our next stop of the day. The museum featured the work of Gyorgy Kepes, a world famous artist and ten-time gold medal winner at the Culinary Olympics in Berlin. The museum featured a wide variety of pieces, all made with different forms of confectionery.
While this might not have captured the interests of all the boys, the candy shop next door certainly did. Our tour ended at 2:00 pm and the boys had 90 minutes to rest before the next games.
The boys returned to the pool at 3:30 for warm up. At 4:00 pm, it was time for the final match in Eger. City and National pride was on the line for the Newport Harbor v. Eger Water Polo Club match. Both team came out with guns blazing. It was a very physical match with aggressive (and clean) play. When time ran out, the scoreboard read 14-14. The teams played to a well-fought draw.
After a cool down, the boys changed and it was time for another team picture (at the request of Imre). This was immediately followed by the special treat of the day - a delicious bowl of Imre's goulash. Many of the boys went back for seconds of the flavorful, somewhat spicy pork soup.
The parents were also in for a treat with a wine tasting in a cave in the hills of Eger. Our host and her family owned and operated a winery, so we had a wonderful experience.
While the parents were away, Coach Cory was watching over the boys for their last full night in Eger. Another beautiful day in Eger.
After 30 minutes, the boy headed up to the conference room for film review. Coach has the video projected on a screen, pausing frequently to point out positioning, game flow, etc. with a laser pointer.
The first scrimmage of the day started at 10:00 am against the Eger 16 & unders. Coach mixed up the lines and both controlled the games in convincing fashion.
Now, when we arrived at the pool, we were greeted with the most delicious aroma. Behind the bleachers, Linda's father Imre was starting a fresh pot of goulash. Bacon was sizzling in the large pot over the wood fire.
Onions were chopped (and added to the pot) and Imre was busy peeling potatoes, getting some assistance from the Newport parents. The pot will simmer all day and be ready for the post game meal around 6:00 pm tonight.
After the scrimmage, the boys wanted to take the first of many team pictures. Today's would be underwater in the old Eger pool. The team gathered together and prepared to take the plunge while Coach took the picture with Luke's camera. I can't wait to see that shot!
Lunch was at our usual restaurant. We sat outside under a collection of large, square umbrellas.
The meal started with a cold fruit soup containing pineapple, pears, grapes and coconut milk. This was followed by a plate of rice and fried cheese patties. Parents shared their plates with the team so the boys could get their fill of hot food.
After lunch, we headed to the main park in Eger.
At the center of the park is a large fountain that originally stood at the Eger pool. When the communists took control of the country, the fountain was knocked down (to be replaced by bleachers years later). Once the communists fell from power, the fountain was rebuilt in the park. This was the perfect setting for a team picture.
The park is beautiful and on a sunny Saturday in July, we found multiple brides taking pictures before their weddings - we counted about 10 different brides. Now, the water polo team stands out amongst the students of Newport Harbor High School. You can imagine how much they stand out in a town like Eger. Sure enough, one of the brides approached us and asked for a picture with the boys. They were more than willing to comply.
The Eger Candy Museum was our next stop of the day. The museum featured the work of Gyorgy Kepes, a world famous artist and ten-time gold medal winner at the Culinary Olympics in Berlin. The museum featured a wide variety of pieces, all made with different forms of confectionery.
While this might not have captured the interests of all the boys, the candy shop next door certainly did. Our tour ended at 2:00 pm and the boys had 90 minutes to rest before the next games.
The boys returned to the pool at 3:30 for warm up. At 4:00 pm, it was time for the final match in Eger. City and National pride was on the line for the Newport Harbor v. Eger Water Polo Club match. Both team came out with guns blazing. It was a very physical match with aggressive (and clean) play. When time ran out, the scoreboard read 14-14. The teams played to a well-fought draw.
After a cool down, the boys changed and it was time for another team picture (at the request of Imre). This was immediately followed by the special treat of the day - a delicious bowl of Imre's goulash. Many of the boys went back for seconds of the flavorful, somewhat spicy pork soup.
The parents were also in for a treat with a wine tasting in a cave in the hills of Eger. Our host and her family owned and operated a winery, so we had a wonderful experience.
While the parents were away, Coach Cory was watching over the boys for their last full night in Eger. Another beautiful day in Eger.
