Pupils' Spanish football tour!

8:17am Sunday 11th May 2008

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EARLIER this month 32 Barry Comprehensive School pupils chosen from years 7, 8 and 9 travelled to northern Spain for the schools' fourth annual football tour of Barcelona.

Leaving Barry at the unearthly hour of 2am, did little to dampen the spirits on the way to the airport, and by the time the group arrived in Barcelona itself, the level of anticipation had reached fever pitch!

The boys had the treat of staying in the picturesque surroundings of Club Aire Libre, where the boys had the opportunity to relax between fixtures with a variety of activities including golf, basketball, swimming and table tennis.

In addition to this the boys tested their nerve by attempting the death defying assault course which involved walking across the tight rope, clinging to the firemans' pole and scaling the wall of doom!

Aside from all the activity and excitement, the boys had training every morning on a superb pitch as well as fixtures against three of the regions top sides in FC Tossa, FC Salt and FC Llangostera.

In the first match the Year 7 boys managed to secure an excellent win over their hosts.

In game two FC Salt fielded a strong side, which our combined Year 8 and 9 team dispatched in a highly competitive fixture.

In match three all of the squad were involved against a very experienced club side in FC Llangostera.

On a poor pitch, with the sun beating down and a swirling wind, Barry Comprehensive's flowing passing game was disrupted and the boys struggled to come to terms with conditions they have rarely encountered in this country.

They eventually succumbed to defeat against their jubilant hosts. In all games a sense of fair play and unity was evident and all players embraced friendship, with some even trying to speak a little of the local language!

On the final day the group were extremely excited for their visit to the Nou Camp, home of FC Barca.

A fantastic tour of the stadium including a visit to the changing rooms, trophy room and a chance to see first hand, the expansive Nou Camp playing surface, ended with a chance to buy Barcelona merchandise in the club megastore.

So another successful tour and a fabulous experience for the boys, some of whom swear that they saw Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho at the Nou Camp.

Maybe they did, maybe they didn't - but one thing is for sure, we'll keep looking next year!