Day 13 - From cell block 436

We're officailly on lockdown... If we didn't feel like we were in prison camp before, we do now.  Not allowed to leave the hotel all day and it sounds like that will be enforced through our final game on Saturday.  Today we had practice followed by a scouting report classroom session on Finland.  We currently have an hour for dinner and then have to meet again for more film sessions and a success period.  Lights out at 10:45.  I'm having 5th grade flashbacks...

They're trying to keep us focused on why we're here.  We can't overlook anybody.  Finland beat Austria 50-16 yesterday and following the game, their QB told our coach, "hopefully we win USA too".  There may be a language barrier there, but we got the point.  They think they can beat us and our mission for the game is to leave no doubt.  The pressure is on the DBs to hold them scoreless.  I don't want to find out what happens if we get scored on.  And if we can keep them from scoring, we win.

We are guaranteed at least 4th place at this point because both Sweden and Austria have lost twice.  They will play for 5th place on Saturday.

Mom, Dad and Holly are on a dinner cruise as I type this.  That sounds nice...  like a good use of PTO.  Mom and Dad were out all day yesterday while Holly and I watched the other teams play.  They went to the Absolute Ice Bar where everything is made out of ice.  You get a parka with gloves and a fur lined hood when you walk in because the temperature is about 30 degrees inside.  The glasses are blocks of ice with holes drilled into them.  You have to hold the glasses with gloves.  They said that all the ice was cut out of lakes up north.  I'll post some pictures if I ever get out off the compound.

Today I took a shower with my practice gear because there is one washer and dryer in all of Stockholm.  The line for 45 players to wash clothes is about 30 players long, so I problem solved.  Let's hope everything dries in our hot and humid room before our walk-thru tomorrow. Hmmmm.  I also washed some clothes in my parent's sink this morning.  Have I mentioned that this is the best vacation of all time?  This makes fishing feel like an all-inclusive pamperfest.

Gold medal.  Gold medal.  Gold medal.  It will all be worth it.  World Champions.  Representing our country.  Growing the sport.  One team, one mission.  And repeat...