Valencia Spain - Foreign Trip

Trip Report

Twyford travelled to Spain by ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao and quite enjoyed the mini cruise. Upon arrival in Bilbao after 36 hours Twyford proceeded for an overnight stop in Madrid where they had guided tours of both Real and Athletico Madrid ’s grounds and a late night visit to the centre of Madrid . They then travelled on the next day to Valencia to take part in the Valencia Cup. The cup takes place at Valencia ’s training ground and at times when we were playing matches Valencia ’s full first team squad was training on the next pitch. Staying in the America Cup apartments less than 50yds from the sea. In the first match Twyford struggled to cope with the 40º heat and lost 2-1 to a team from Valencia with Callum Old scoring a late consolation. On the second day of the tournament Twyford acclimatised to defeat a Portuguese side 5-0 goalscorer’s Callum Old 2, Michael Sandiford 2 and Ed Frankland. Twyford needed to win on the last day of the group stages to qualify for the knock out. Beginning to sound more and more like an England World Cup campaign. Twyford went behind only for Callum Old to equalise and then also to score a late winner to send them through. The next morning in the quarter final against another Spanish side Twyford went behind and as time went on looked to be going out before Callum Old provided two quick goals to look like sending us into the semis before the Spanish scored with the last kick of the game. With no extra time it was straight to penalties, twice the Spanish side could have won and twice Twyford could have won before the eleventh kick for each side, the Spanish player missed and Jack Smith the last available player scored to send Twyford through to the semis and to be mobbed by his team mates. After playing this match in the soaring heat Twyford could have done without playing the semi final on the same day. In between the matches Twyford had their free tour of the Valencia Stadium and were part of a demonstration against the Spanish Clubs President. The second match of the day once again took place in 40º heat with some of Twyford’s best players playing with knocks because if they won the final was a once in a life time of playing on Valencia’s Mistella Stadium. Twyford went behind early but had already missed a relatively easy chance, as the game wore on Twyford threw caution to the wind and several chances went begging before their excellent opponents finished the game with a second goal. After this enjoyable tournament Twyford moved on to Salou for a week’s holiday including a visit to Barcelona ’s ground and the sites of a very beautiful city. They then travelled home with an overnight stop in Bilbao before travelling back to England on the mini cruise ferry. Thanks must go to driver Russell Kingdom for his excellent driving and everybody enjoyed the trip despite catching a German cold. Twyford Squad for the trip was Liam Hill, Jack Smith, Aiden Moyle, Andrew Goff, Sam Butler, Grant Milton, Daniel Copp, Andy Milton, Lewis Scarff, Charlie Martin, Mark Sampson, Sheridan Wilkinson, Callum Old, Michael Sandiford and Ed Frankland.

Itinerary:

Date	Event	Additional Information
Friday 18th July 2008 at 2pm	Depart Kingdom's Garage at 2pm	Packed food required to last till Sunday morning breakfast. We are travelling from Portsmouth to Bilbao and the crossing takes 35 hours and cabin will be provided. There are cafes and restaurants on the boat but we assume these will be quite expensive.
Sunday 20th July 2008	Bilbao, Spain	We will arrive in Bilbao at 8am and proceed to Madrid where we will have a tour of Real Madrid's ground at 4pm and we will also visit the centre of Madrid at night. The hotel we will be staying at Mirasierra Suites Hotel and Spa.
Monday 21st July 2008	Proceed to Valencia	5 Nights - Football Tournament Visit to Valencia's ground and Barcelona's ground. We are staying in the Americas Cup Sailing Apartments
Saturday 26th July 2008	Salou, Spain	Best San Francisco Hotel for 5 Nights This is the beach and holiday part of the trip.
Thursday 31st July 2008	Bilbao, Spain	On the way to Bilbao we will have a half way stop in Zaragoza for hopefully a tour of their ground. The hotel in Bilbao is called Petit Palace Arana Hotel
Friday 1st August 2008	Bilbao, Spain	After breakfast and a possible tour of Athletico Bilbao's ground we will board the boat for a 1.15pm departure.
Saturday 2nd August 2008	Kingdom's Garage, Tiverton	The boat docks at Portsmouth at 5.15pm and we will then depart to Tiverton.