• BLOG POST #5 (Aug. 11): Touring the city of Madrid
     • BLOG POST #4 (Aug. 10): Visit to Historic Bernabéu Stadium
     • BLOG POST #3 (Aug. 9): Opening with a Victory
     • BLOG POST #2 (Aug. 8): Watching a La Liga Match
     • BLOG POST #1 (Aug. 7): Traveling from Seattle to Madrid
     • VIDEO: Shamele Battan (trip preview)    
     • SPU Visits Spain preview story

DAY SEVEN:  Tight game vs. top opponent
August 12, 2015

Wednesday we went to the Real Madrid training complex. The complex was beautiful. It had 11 fields, plus a larger field for the Real Madrid senior reserve team.
 
The campus was elaborately decorated with various flowers and trees. Lavender seemed to be the plant of choice though, due to it being everywhere.
 
During our visit of the campus we had the opportunity to watch the Real Madrid U-16 team play a competitive match against a U-16 team from Argentina. The Argentinians were technically and athletically outclassed. I believe the final score was 5-0.
 
After the match we headed back to la Ciudad del Fútbol, had lunch and rested until our game in the evening. We played the Rayo Vallevano FC U-19 men's team.
 
We took the lead initially but ended up losing on a 90th-minute bicycle kick that was buried at the far post. We played a fantastic game and ended up with an unlucky result.
 
Considering that the U-19 Rayo Vallecano team had beaten the Real Madrid U-19 team for the league title, this was no loss to hang our heads over.
 
It was fantastic to see our team play against a team with such class. Slowly but surely we are finding our stride.
 
Thanks for reading my blog about the trip and I will post another entry later tonight,
 
-- Shamele