With the 2011 Eurovoetbal tournament only one day away, the Dynamo Academy U-17s took to the training ground this morning for the penultimate training session before tomorrow night's match against PSV Eindhoven. Assistant coach John DeWitt put the players through a series of fitness drills to work on their movement and loosen up the muscles after yesterday's day off. Afterward, the players did some crossing and finishing drills, sending a flurry of shots on net and testing the squad's two goalkeepers.
Although the Dynamo Academy was not able to see the Amsterdam ArenA on Thursday, the squad took the opportunity today to visit FC Groningen's stadium, Euroborg, located only a five-minute bus ride away from the hotel. As the players walked into the lobby of the building, they were greeted by a picture of a young Arjen Robben. According to a member of the FC Groningen youth academy's staff, Robben's transfer from Groningen to PSV Eindhoven single-handedly saved the club and allowed it to keep its doors open. Robben, who then played for Chelsea and Real Madrid and now plays for Bayern Munich, is not the only player of note to have called Euroborg home. Luis Suarez, the Uruguyan international who made a name for himself at Ajax and in the 2010 World Cup and now plies his trade for Liverpool, scored 15 goals in 37 appearances for the Dutch club between 2006-07.
It was a tremendous experience for the players, as they were given the chance to not only walk around the stadium, but also to walk onto the field and sit on the team's benches. After a busy day and the busy week that preceded it, the Dynamo players went back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation before tonight's pool session. The Dynamo kick off tomorrow at 7 p.m. local time (12 noon CT) against PSV. Recaps, photos, and highlights can be found following the match on HoustonDynamo.com
