Slept in and then headed to watch the 9s play followed by Jack's last training. Squeezed in 11k with 10 strides in the spiritual 74 stadium running the lengths on each side. The stadium is steeped in history and made sure I partly ran on the grass. It's surreal as the stadium steps are still there but overall the ground is dilapidated. The grass is still though 'Wembley' standard immaculate.
The great Jairzihno scored here for Brazil in that world cup and Yugoslavia put 9 past Zaire. Cruyff also scored that famous double versus Argentina with the Dutch playing their infamous 'Total football'. Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and the Stones have all played at the stadium as well. The stadium has real presence and I could sense it.
The first 4 pics below are of the famous Parkstadium. Pics then of the run around the Gelsenkirchen countryside (there is Schalke graffiti everywhere), the Schalke pitch which is rolled out of the stadium after every game, the VW front page news re their diesel fiasco and then the final training session.
After the final training with Sam we made our way to the airport with Jack kitted out in his Schalke tracksuit.
Whatever happens from here with his footie he will never forget the experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment