Day 1
5:30 pm – All dressed in identical tracksuits the lads look very professional as they eagerly wait for check in to open to start their football tour to Lisbon.
6:30 pm – Passport? Check. Boarding pass? Check. It’s time to go through Security. Waving goodbye to parents, the boys are very excited and cannot wait to arrive in Portugal.
7:55 pm – A quick check that all the lads have their passports and boarding cards and we’re ready to board the plane.
8:55 pm – Take-off. Next stop Lisbon!
12:00 am – It’s midnight and the boys are still very energetic, we board our coach for the 20 minute journey to the hotel. The group are checked in and everyone is starting to tire. A short briefing on tomorrow’s plan, then it’s straight to bed for a busy day ahead.
Day 2
8:00 am – Everyone is awake and excited to find out what the day entails.But first, it’s breakfast. Sausage, egg, ham and bread rolls… the perfect start to any day, especially a sport filled one!
9:00 am – First training session of the tour at the fantastic Sporting Lisbon Academy. The facilities were first class, making it the perfect start to a sports tours.
12:15 pm – After training, the boys ate like true professionals. Lunch at Sporting Lisbon Academy… very healthy! (Sporting Lisbon U18’s were also there training)
1:00 pm – After a filling lunch we toured Sporting Lisbon Academy, where Cristiano Ronaldo stayed and trained when he was playing for the prestigious club.
1:45 pm – Once we completed the Sporting Lisbon Academy tour weboarded our coach to Benfica for a stadium tour. Not only did we see the changing rooms and media facilities, it was great to see the famous Benfica eagle!
4 pm – A great afternoon spent at two fantastic sporting venues, there’s only one thing left to complete the day…game time! First fixture against SG Sacavenenses.
5 pm – Kick off. A tough match against a skilful opposition but team spirits are high.
8:30 pm – Back at the hotel for dinner after a long but enjoyable first day on tour.
An early bed for another jam packed day tomorrow!
Day 3
7am – A nice early start for the boys as they prepare for a morning beach run.
9am – The boys are all in good spirits after their early exercise and they couldn’t wait for breakfast. All the food demolished and time for another training session before game number 2!
10am – A short walk to the training facilities, the coaches put the boys through their paces.
12:15 – It’s lunch time… at a fantastic beach bar restaurant, Lorosae. Great food, great location, great scenery… a truly fantastic afternoon.
A nice walk on the beach back to the hotel to get ready for fixture 2.
4:00pm – Game 2 v CAC Pontinha – a close, competitive game. The boys thoroughly enjoyed playing in new conditions against new opposition. A very entertaining game that went narrowly in the hosts’ favour by two goals.
7:30pm – Final dinner of the tour; a relaxed atmosphere reflecting on both fixtures and training sessions
8:30pm – Boys do football quiz and sort out teams for beach football tomorrow.
Day 4
Final day of a great tour and there’s only one thing left to do in this beautiful weather… beach football!
Beach football over, it’s time to head back to the hotel for lunch, a quick freshen up and depart for the airport.
4:45pm – Boys all checked in and sad to leave the warm climate of Portugal.
8:30pm – The team are reunited with their parents as they reflect on a fun, enjoyable and competitive football tour.