Finally.

First full day in Gouda and it felt like our trip had finally started. We did a competition pool stretcher this morning and prepped for game day. We played Canada this evening and won. It was close until we ended with a 7-1 4th quarter. Great to see the team play a real game again, see the team in game day gear, game day moods etc. Then there's the line up, and national anthem. Nothing like looking at the team, hand over their hearts listening to the Star-Spangled Banner.

The venue is very cool. It was opened in April so it is really new. It's hot in the pool area and for sure hotter where I sit to film. Nothing will be worse than Shanghai. Well, let me check out the Barcelona pool and I'll get back to you.

Thumbs up to game days. Go USA!!

Photo 1: lunch area and the line of hungry athletes. I took this from the spiral staircase, 1st floor
Photo 2: team posing out front of the pool, game day swag.
Photo 3: the pool area is warm but it's not bad. Seriously, it's a great facility.
Photo 4: the pool has a bar. The flat screen TVs all show a different section of one of the many pools. The best part, the parents are not allowed on deck. But they sit and watch the screen for the moment their kid is done with their swim lessons.
Photo 5: railroad bridge built over the canals. I'm assuming the structure of the bridge is the draw part so boats can get around. I would love to see it work but it looks pretty good just like this.