Paolo and Jeb in France

(Last updated: Days 5-9)

Day 1: Jan 19.
 
The trip started off with a bang! Two hour delay on the flight to Paris meant Paolo, Tim and I could catch up for awhile. We landed in foggy Paris at about 9 in the morning and rode down to Auxerre which is about an hour south. Paolo and I didn’t really know what to expect but when we finally arrived we were blown away. Auxerre is absolutely gorgeous with old villas and first century cathedrals. The narrow streets are full of drivers going 100 mph or about 160 kmh. Imagine driving in a space as wide as your garage everywhere… that is what it is like! The town or “ville’ is out of this world. Little markets and bars are packed in small spaces with condos and apartments lining the narrow streets. The town is located on the banks of a river and buzzes with Vespas left and right! Paolo and I agree, it is the most amazing city we have ever been too. Parfait!
 
When we arrived we headed over the A.J. Auxerre’s training center to meet the team and the coaching staff. Knowing only a little English (and being awake for 24 hours straight), we tried hard to follow along with everything that was being said. It was simply amazing being in a room with some of the biggest coaches in France. Seeing as we just had flown in hours before they told us to do what we wanted too so Tim took us on a little jog/stretch around the complex. The place we are staying at does not have Wi-Fi so we wandered into town to find a café that allowed us to use internet by the minute. I am slowly picking up French and using it here and there, but won’t be sweet talking girls anytime soon lets be honest. Je ne parle pa Francais (I don’t speak French) Wow I cannot tell you how much that phrase comes in handy. Tim, Paolo and I are headed out to dinner now j’ai faim but Paolo and I will keep you updated! J’aime RUSH, J’aime Auxerre!
--Jeb Brovsky
 
 
Day 2: Jan 20.
 
Today we had two sessions with the team. The first session was at 9 30 am. All we did was some agility work and some lifting. Then the Boss, Jeb, and I walked back to our hotel. Though we fought to stay awake, we had to sneak in a little nap in between trainings. We got back to the locker room at 3 30 in time for our 4 o’clock practice. All we did at training was play 8v8 to big goals. It was a blast to be out there playing with all the Auxerre players. It was definitely a productive day and I feel that the trainings helped get our legs back from travel, and also scared some of the nerves away. There is always a lot of nerves and excitement the first time you play in a situation and environment like this, but I felt I did good job keeping it all restrained and channeled into playing a good 40 minutes of football. Now we’re off to the pub to watch the first team play Nice on TV.
 -Paolo DelPiccolo

Day 3: Jan 21

Today we woke up pretty early and grabbed some breakfast which consisted of the staple food here (bread). We dipped it in honey and had some orange juice and got on our way to the fields for our first training of the day. The morning training sessions usually are the technical sessions that don't require much physical work but are demanding on your touch and skill. Today we went indoors and played two fields of soccer tennis 3 v 3. If you are American and you think you are good at soccer tennis right now, believe me there is a whole other level to get to. These players must have been playing this game since 10 years old. Bicycle kicks over the net, double pump spikes, flashy returns and powerful headers all were flying around the game. As the games went on we got more and more competitive and the French DO NOT like to lose at soccer tennis! After the morning session it was off to the Supermarket to get some snacks for the room and lay low until our evening session. Paolo, Tim and I found a small little cafe in the middle of town that served us salami on bread with butter; interesting to say the least but very good.
The evening session consisted of 7 v 7 on a wet pitch that meant a fast pace game with metal studs flying. Paolo and I played well, we both could have finished chances but overall we showed well. The end of the night resulted in a few laughs... Paolo and I were alone for dinner because Tim headed up to Paris to speak to coaches. As Paolo and I are walking down the street we tried to pick out a great place to eat. We ended up in this fancy restaurant (that we probably don't belong in) and order off the menu. What we DIDN'T know is that Entree in French means appetizer and not a meal. Hence, Paolo ordered snails and I ordered a block of goat cheese due to our lack of knowledge on French menus! Live and learn! Now it is off to bed for another day of training! J'aime RUSH! J'aime Auxerre! Au Revoir.
-Jeb Brovsky

Day 4: Jan 22

Today was actually a pretty chill day which was good because i woke up this morning with aches and pains from all the tackles from practice last night. We went to training at 9 30 this morning and just did some running, ball work, and more soccer tennis. I was on a team with two big guys that I had played with on the first day. To no ones surprise we cleaned up our opponents in a 3 game series. We got the afternoon off in order to rest for the 11v11 that we will play at practice tomorrow. I am very excited to play with these Auxerre players on a full size field.
-Paolo DelPiccolo

Day 5: Jan 23
 
Finally a Game Day! The morning was off because the entire Auxerre club basically had games today. Paolo and I were put in the same 11 for a scrimmage that we had at night (kickoff was set for 6 pm). This was the first time Paolo and I were actually on the same team in anything since we've been here. Paolo was slotted at the #3 spot (left back) and I was put in the #7 role (right outside mid). The game started off and right away our team had the upper hand. At the end of the day Paolo finished with a goal and an assist and I notched 2 goals and an assist. Great day for the Rush boys! After the game some downtime was needed so Paolo and I headed to town and grabbed our new favorite meal (a baguette of french bread filled with butter and salami). Tomorrow looks like a relaxing day! Au Revoir!
-Jeb Brovsky
 
Day 6: Jan 24

Today was our day off. We woke up late and went to breakfast. Then Jeb, Tim, and I went to the Auxerre training center to play some soccer tennis by ourselves. To no one's surprise Tim was the best player out there. He hasn't lost a step since his glory days with the St. Louis Steamers. Overall it was a chill day.
-Paolo DelPiccolo
 
Day 7: Jan 25
 
After a nice day off we had another relaxed easy day of futbol. Before we went to practice we were approached by Tim who said that a reporter from town was writing a story on us and needed to do an interview. The interview went well, simple questions and the guy really seemed to know his futbol. We had a morning session with the team but this time to warm up we got on our sneakers and ran up and down the river lining the city. The run was amazing, we passed several old villa homes and ancient buildings that look like they were about to crumble any minute. When we finally returned to the field we figured out that training today was a five vs. five cage match. Paolo and I ended up on the same team but unfortunately we lost! (Which seems to escape Paolo's blogs) ANYWAYS we ended there and then it was off to see the first team play in the French Cup against a small second division team. The game was a muddy one and attendance was lacking because of the frigid weather and the weak opponent. The match ended up in a 1-1 draw and had to be decided in penalty kicks. The first three takers for the 2nd division team all missed and that was that. Auxerre wins! Au Revoir!
-Jeb Brovsky

Day 8: Jan 26

Today was a good day filled with a lot of soccer. We had 2 sessions today. In the morning session we actually had to do some fitness with the reserve team and then we played possesion on a really muddy field. The afternoon session was just a round robin tournament between 3 teams of 5 players. To no one surprise my team won. Haha it was a fun soccer day.
-Paolo DelPiccolo
 
Day 9: Jan 27
 
Crawling out of bed at 8 and grabbing our staple BREAD breakfast, Paolo and I made it to the fields about 9 and went straight to lift with the reserves. After thousands of hurdle jumps and 4 sets of every lift we were off to relax before what would turn out to be my best showing yet. In the afternoon we played a scrimmage and Paolo was once again slotted out at left back and I was put on the other team but this time as a left mid. The game started out fast and before I knew it I had two goals under my belt... then the second half started and before I knew it I had another two goals! As time was tickin away, I took a cross down with one touch and half volleyed it on my second and the ball skipped perfectly upper corner. 5 Goals on the day for me was a great day at the office and to no one's surprise Paolo's team LOST! I am completely sympathetic when I say that. Au Revoir!
-Jeb Brovsky