[Originally published 09/08/09 for tlntv.com]
On August 6th Real Madrid held an open practice for the fans in Toronto at a mere 15 bucks per ticket!
Although it was pretty much just a stretching affair with a brief scrimmage between the team, I think it was a wonderful idea. This was an excellent chance for kids & aspiring soccer players to get a chance to see the best of the best practice their craft. The next night’s crowd would certainly be more corporate (and it was). * HEY LEAFS, TAKE NOTICE!
I'm gonna pee - this is so cool!
First off, I hit the Real press conference headlined by Real’s new coach Manuel Pellegrini (yes a new one again) with Guti & Iker Casillas (both vice-captains on Real). I didn’t have a chance to ask any actual questions as the room was packed with reporters. I just wanted to ask Iker if he was worried he’d get really lonely in net this year. Given Real’s super stacked team, it’s unlikely he’ll see much action way in the back … Alas, only a handful of questions were asked, some interesting ones too but they were all met with the usual answers athletes are trained to give: “we are focused to win”, “we’re in it as a team” blah blah blah…
For once I’d like to hear “I’m scared sh**less to play in this town, I heard the fans here are nuts!” or “I hope the ref isn’t smoking something this time because he usually sucks”…*sigh*…I miss John McEnroe.
So, onto the pitch I went…
The practice started.
This orange makes them look a little fat, no?
After I cheered with unbridled glee (I’m sorry I scared you with my cheers of love Kaka), I bent down to touch this “real grass”. Ooooh real grass! Funny, when I see grass, which is pretty much everywhere I look in everyday life, I couldn’t care less BUT when grass features at an outdoor stadium in Toronto, I and other journalists marvel at it – “It’s sooo pretty”.
It’s true, putting in that grass cost the city approximately a quarter of a million dollars and bringing in the club itself cost another million in appearance fees, but I think it was worth it. I am a die hard soccer fan to be fair but this Real line-up is stacked man! And besides I’ve never met a sports fan who was actually pro-artificial turf anyway.
So, the players came out, did a couple of laps and stretched. Casillas, Jerzy Dudek and the other back up keepers did drills right in front of me! Having been a goalie my whole life, this was the equivalent of being an amateur musician that was getting to watch U2’s Edge or AC/DC’s Angus Young practice new riffs in their dressing room. It was awesome!
Jerzey Dudek (goalie) waves to Kaka - Even he's a fan 
As the team were running their second lap, a fan ran out on the field, tried to hug Ronaldo, who dashed out of the way (maybe he thought it was Paris Hilton trying to rekindle the magic) and hugged Guti instead. Security & the police were on him like white on rice.
Then Real partook (is that a real word?) in a fun little scrimmage. I think the score was 11 – 5 for Kaka’s orange pinnied team. I don’t think Casillas felt like diving, maybe he was more interested in the cute ladies yelling his name behind his net. Look out Ronaldo, Iker’s got groupies too
Ahem.
So, that was that. The kids loved it. Cheers to Real Madrid and the organizers for putting on an in-expensive show for the ‘people’.
Thanks for reading & please check out my game night report.
GB
