Monday, July 30, 2007 - Boston, MA

GFC Players Return from Iceland. Three players from the Grasshopper Football Club rising-gu12 team returned today from Iceland. The girls, Nina, Emma and Lea, participated in a 10-day/8-night soccer tour organized by GFC director, Tom Mitch. The travel party included 8 players from the Boston area, as well as a group of 14 supporters. Based in Reykjavík, Iceland's capital city, the group participated in a variety of soccer and touristic activities.

The players participated in four training sessions, competed in three 7-aside friendly matches against local club sides, and attended three matches of the UEFA women's u19 championship. The training was taken at the training center for Iceland's reigning national champions on both the men's and women's side, Valur. The 7-aside matches were a great lesson in the high quality of the Icelandic football culture, as the US girls were defeated by a very strong team from Valur (9-0 for the host), as well as strong team from Leiknir (4-0 for the host). The visiting side improved over the course of the visit with some organization and as some naiveté was lost, competing well against the side from the oldest and biggest club in Iceland, KR (0-1 for the visitors).

Neatly, the trip coincided with UEFA's European championship for u19 women's national teams. The US group attend a group stage match (Spain 0 - England 1), a semi-final match (Germany 4-France 2 in OT), and the final match (Germany 2-England 0 in OT). The level was very high with some of the world's best female footballers competing, as well as quite tactical with differing styles evident.

The group took full advantage of the touristic activities in Reykjavík and the surrounding areas, a particular favorite being the geothermal spas, one just a short walk from the hotel, and the other the world-famous Blue Lagoon. The group took formal tours of the capital city, and the Golden Circle which includes a number of awe-inspiring natural wonders such as an impressive section of the continental divide at Þingvellir National Park, the waterfall at Gullfoss, and the geyser at the birthplace of the name, Geysir. Members of the group also went horseback riding & hiking, took a boat tour to see puffins, rented bicycles, and various other fun activities.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Grasshopper Football, Grasshopper FC, Grasshopper Academy, and GFC Academy are trademarks or service marks, or registered trademarks or service marks for Grasshopper Football Club.