We got back at 1:25 and lunch was supposed to be at 1:30. as we headed into the dining area they told us lunch was at 1:30 and to come back in 15 minutes. We said it is almost 1:30. They said no, it was 1:15. Spanish time is an interesting thing. As one of our girls who plays professionally here said everything in Spain is Manyana meaning tomorrow.
So we settle down for lunch and it starts with a nice pasta with 2 sauces. A nice tomato sauce with meat you add in yourself or a nice carbonara sauce. I was the only one who opted for Carbonara and I definitely WON. Fantastic. That is all I can say. Next was salad and bread. I was shocked at the next thing. Basically a half a chicken with vegetables. Not a chance I could finish it. I did save a little room expecting fruit again but they came out with Creme Caramel. JACKPOT. It was Muy Bueno. We watched some film immediately after lunch to help us get ready for Spain.
Game time was 6pm but we didn't leave for the game until 5:05 today. Hot out and hot in the gym so we got there in time to do a pre warmup, meet and then do the game warmup. Spain is one of the better teams in the world and finished 3rd at the last world championships. I was a tad worried as they are big and skilled. We lost the jumpball but got a defensive stop and then we scored. We started playing well and led after the 1st quarter. WE kept playing well throughout the 2nd and managed to lead by 6 at half. The crowd was quiet and spain was frustrated. We continued to play pretty good throughout the 3rd and held a 4 point lead after 3. THe game was a battle. Both teams played hard. We slipped to start the 4th quarter and Spain took their first lead of the game with 4:30 left. From there it was back and forth. They managed to go on a little run to go up 4. We had a few bad bounces and had to foul late in the game to stop the clock and we ended up losing 66-59. We battled so hard and our defense was IMPRESSIVE. We had them frustrated all night. Our offense looked much better as well and they struggled with it. They had to change defenses 3 times before they slowed us down.
So back to the hotel after the game. We were supposed to eat right away but our meal was disrupted. A slight delay. By what you might ask. That's right. Dance Class. They had cleared all the tables out of the dining area and were giving dance lessons. So we had to delay a little. Once we got settled we had a nice veggie soup to start and then it went downhill. Some kind of tomato, egg and olive salad with fish oil and tuna on top. Then they brought out artichokes and a flat cut of beef which tasted like it should have been purchased out of the back of a '72 Plymouth Fury Station Wagon. Dessert was nice though so they saved the meal.
After supper the coaches watched some video on Japan that I had prepared. We have breakfast at 9AM and then hit the road at 9:30 for Madrid. We check into our hotel around 11, go for a meal, watch some film and then play Japan at 4:45. A long day of travel.
My night will finish with a whirlwind of packing as I leave Madrid at 7AM the next morning for the long trip back. It has been an interesting journey which I will sum up tomorrow. A little work to be done before bed.
Until Tomorrow
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