Day 6 - Redlands train for the first time in Madrid before their third international game!

After breakfast, the players have their first training session in Madrid with Spanish coach Sergio Leon. Sergio works with many young players in Madrid through a soccer academy, EDUKICK MADRID.

The boys had to adapt to the winter weather that they are not used to!

The players quickly get into a small possession game to warm up in the freezing cold conditions!

Sergio gives the boys advice on awareness when in possession of the ball and their movement off the ball.

Lachy Brien shoots at goal!

The players play possession before a 7v7 game.

After training, the group head into the city to see some of the famous sights of Madrid.

The boys at Puerta Del Sol, here is the centre point of Spain!

The Famous Plaza Mayor

Wayne and Dean pose for photos with an 'out of shape' Spiderman!

Wayne and Spidey compare their physique!

The players pose with Spidey!

A view of the city.

Redlands warm up for their third international game against COLMENAR. Another good test for the players as they face the youth side of this Spanish third division club.

Fyffy preps the team and tries to motivate them to follow on from their last two good performances.

The game kicks off at a rapid pace and Colmenar have three shots in the first 30 seconds. Jarod Taylor makes three superb early saves!

As the game settles, Redlands start to take control and are playing some excellent football. Jarrod Vlaanderen is causing the left back all sorts of problems with his skills and dangerous crosses.

Some patient play after a well delivered free kick saw Lachy Gorry hit the bottom left corner to put Redlands into a well deserved lead!

A fantastic game with lots of action that finished
COLMENAR 1 - 1 REDLANDS UNITED

The best performance so far by the Redlands saw them concede late on to snatch victory from them.

Lots of positives to take from the game with some top class performances.

Lachy presents the Man of the Match to the Colmenar player who had an outstanding game.

Redlands head back to the Hotel for a post match meal and time to wind down after the game.

A celebration is also in order as we say Happy 40th (oops, sorry 29th) Birthday to Graham!



Day 5 - Redlands prepare to transfer to Madrid!

The final day in Barcelona and the group have some time in the morning to pack bags and prepare to depart for Spain's capital.

Some of the boys were keen to visit a sports shop before they left so the group travelled to one of the biggest football sports shops in Spain. Here the boys had a 3v3 tournament on a pitch that was in the middle of the sports shop!

Although unofficial, the team of Fyffy, Steve and Marc Ventura ran out winners!

The group arrive at the airport ready to travel to the second part of their European tour.

The group at the boarding gate to Madrid!

Arriving at Madrid airport, the group are transferred to Hotel Residencia, Ciudad Del Futbol in Las Rozas village.

This is the Spanish National Team Training Camp. Spain's National Team use the facility to prepare for all Major Championships! The Redlands players will train and play at the same facility as some of the world's best players such as Iniesta, Xavi, Torres, Puyol and many more.

A truly unrivalled experience for the players and parents.

Day 4: Redlands tour the Nou Camp Stadium before their second International game.

The group had time to relax in the morning after a long day yesterday. They departed for the Nou Camp for a closer look at the stadium before heading into the Club Megastore for Souvenirs!

After the Nou Camp tour and lunch the group returned to the Alimara Hotel to prepare for the second international friendly.

The second fixture is against a well respected youth club in Barcelona, Mercantil. Many players have graduated to the professional game from this club including many players to Espanyol and FC Barcelona.

It will be a great test for the players.

Rob and Graham warm up the team. 

Both teams walk out on to the pitch.

Brodie and the rest of the Redlands defence were up against a strong front line!

Kieran delivers a great free kick into the box!

The crowd gathered as the game went on.

A truly great experience for the boys with the score finishing

Mercantil 5 - 0 Redlands United.

Although the game ended in defeat for the players, they performed well against one of the stronger sides in Barcelona and should be proud of themselves with the way they played.

Lachy Gorry presents the Man of the Match award to the Mercantil midfielder.

After the match, the group transferred to a restaurant in the city for the end of Barcelona presentation.

AMsportstours representative, Steve, expressed his delight at how the group performed in Barcelona and how the players conducted themselves in the city. Each player was a credit to the team.

The Man of the Match for the game vs. CE Jupiter - Tom Ashcroft

The Man of the Match for the game vs. Mercantil - Brodie Belden

The Barcelona street outside the restaurant is lit up with Christmas lights.