Freshman Florentina Terra checks in with today's post in the final full day in Barcelona for the Big Green before departing Spain on Tuesday, Mar. 21. Here's what Florentina had to say: Columbus Monument, Barcelona
We kick-started our last day in Barcelona with a beautiful tour of the city. We had amazing views of what was the industrial part of the city and the beach, under a bright blue sky, while our guide explained some of Barcelona’s history. After the tour, we eagerly walked to lunch where a fantastic three-course meal awaited us.
After being delighted by Italian food, we had some free time during which we were able to relax, explore and hit some of the stores on the city’s main avenues. Before going back to the hotel, I decided to try some of Spain’s most famous ‘snacks’: “churros con chocolate”, which tasted amazing and were the perfect pregame snack, as I was not going to be playing.
We then set off for our last game of the trip at Pau Negre. Tired, yet excited about getting a final attempt to show what we’ve been working on, we warmed up by the field. The game was incredible. Filled with goals of different kinds scored by many of the girls. As we focused on refining the details of the things we’ve been working on the trip, we played some beautiful hockey, which resembled what we had seen yesterday at Camp Nou.
Eight goals were scored in our final game in Barcelona Monday 🤯 and we have all of them here for you, along with mic’ed up commentary from Payton Altman and Florentina Terra. The Big Green kept Payton busy, who was also on our Instagram takeover that day.#DCFHBarcelona2023pic.twitter.com/R3bQAPTAuW
After a VERY quick shower, we headed to our last stop of the day: dinner at the top of what used to be a Plaza de Toros. Gorgeous views and excellent Spanish food made for the cherry on top of what has been an amazing trip.
Coming to Barcelona impacted our team in more ways than I can think of. Developing our game, learning from tactics different from those used in the U.S. and practicing against challenging opponents are just some of them. But the true highlight has been getting closer as a group, both with the rest of the girls and the coaching stuff. When we go back to the U.S., we’re going to be filled with new hockey tactics, but most importantly, with memories and experiences that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Gallery: (3-19-2023) Mar. 20, 2023 FH in Barcelona Day 6
Day 5: March 19 Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia, FC Barclona vs. Real Madrid in "El Clasico"
Freshman Olivia Galiotos checks in with today's post! Here's what she had to say:
Today was a busy day for DFH!! After breakfast, we started the day off walking around Park Güell. While exploring the beautiful area of nature with gardens and amazing views, everyone made sure to take some pictures by the famous benches made of split ceramics.
After a quick hike at Park Güell, we loaded the bus to head to La Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Led by a tour guide, we looked at the facades and learned about details of the cathedral. Inside, we loved looking at all the colorful windows. Its construction began in the late 1800s, and it’s still not complete. So, our tour guide encouraged us to come back in a few years!
DFH rallied to finish our day at the packed Spotify Camp Nu for the El Classico. Real Madrid scored early to put Barcelona down 1-0, but right before halftime, Barcelona evened it out. When a Real Madrid goal was called back, Barca fans eagerly chanted and mocked the Madrid fans. During stoppage time of the second half, Barca scored and the stadium erupted. (Click here for video from the night.)
Senior Meg Barnes checks in with today's post! Here's what she had to say:
After two full days of gathering our bearings, we were presented with the opportunity to explore Barcelona in small groups on our own this morning. Many of us took advantage of sleeping in longer after a delicious dinner graciously hosted by the junior parents the night before. However, by mid-morning, everyone was fueled up and headed out the door to walk around the city in search of coffee (a staple on our team!) and some of the nearby sights Barcelona has to offer.
After reconvening as a whole group for lunch (see photo to the right), we set off on our next adventure: a walking tour of the inner city of Barcelona. Our tour guides showed us around the parts of the city that existed when it was a Roman colony called Barcino. I really enjoyed the walking tour for two reasons. First, even though we inevitably stood out compared to locals in our all green outfits, it felt like we were a part of the hustle and bustle of the city as were learning about it. Secondly, our tour guides were amazing and knowledgeable, peppering us with facts as we strolled through the old Roman streets.
Our afternoon winded down as we watched a field hockey match between Real Polo Field Hockey Club and a team from Madrid. The game was fast-paced and exciting to watch as the skills were high from both teams and the goals were amazing. I can speak for the team when I say I took away a lot from just being a spectator and hope to implement some of the skills into my own game.
Today, we watched RC Polo in a women’s Spanish Top Division match. Lila Browne and Boau-Lilly Shepherd shared some takeaways and learning opportunities for the Big Green!#DCFHBarcelona2023 | #GoBigGreenpic.twitter.com/b6G9Ug7bdO
All in all, it was another great day in Barcelona and I’m excited to see what Day 4 brings!
- Meg
Gallery: (3-18-2023) Mar. 18, 2023 FH in Barcelona Day 4
Day 3: March 17 Visit to Montjuïc Medevil Castle, Cable Cars, Practice, Training Session with Catalonia Hockey+ Team
Sophomore Emilia Callahan checks in with today's post! Here's what she had to say:
Our second full day in Barcelona (and also my second favorite holiday… St. Patrick’s Day) started off early with breakfast at the hotel before we got going to the Montjuïc Castle. It was great to see the castle and learn about its history. Fun fact! It used to be a military prison. Our resident history majors, Payton Altman, Piper Edwards, and Hatley Post, were definitely in their element. In addition to walking around the castle grounds, we also got to go on the roof and see a great view of the city, too.
Then, I conquered (sort of) my fear of heights and took TWO cable cars down to lunch! I hear there were great views from the cable car…
Lunch was delicious and then we went to the beach for some relaxation time. It was good to hang out and calm down with my friends and we even found some super cool rocks on the beach!
Then, we headed to the practice facility to do a short practice followed by a coaching session for the Catalonia Hockey+ team. Getting the opportunity to meet new people and work through the language barrier was such a great experience and I loved making these new friends. Unfortunately, our brave translator Florentina took a hit to the eye, but luckily her language skills remained intact.
We closed out the night with a fabulous dinner hosted by the parents that traveled to Spain with us. It was so fun to spend time with the parents and have great food (the meal was three courses!).
I’ve had a great time in Spain thus far and I can’t wait to see what the next days bring!
- Emilia
P.S. Stay tuned to the DFH Instagram for my takeover tomorrow.
Gallery: (3-17-2023) Mar. 17, 2023 FH in Barcelona Day 3
Day 2: March 16 Visit to Monterrat and Played Game #2
Senior Hatley Posts checks in with today's post! Here's what she had to say:
Our first full day in Barcelona began with a lovely sleep in and breakfast at the hotel after a hectic travel day yesterday. I love American breakfast food, but it has nothing on the meat and cheese platters with cappuccinos offered in Europe. Stomachs full, we boarded the bus and began our drive to Monstserrat Monastery. The hour-long drive took us to Montserrat and up a winding road that would put even seasoned road trippers on edge. Upon reaching the monastery, we walked to a panoramic vista point overlooking The Valley below. To say this took my breath away would be an understatement as an entirely new world spread out beneath us.
Following this, we returned to the cafeteria for a lunch of ham and tomato on a crispy baguette before splitting into groups of four to explore the monastery. Ornately decorated with geometric design and intricate artwork, incense carriers hanging from the ceiling, the main chapel of the monastery was worth the drive up the mountain alone.
Exiting the chapel, a plaza loud with the happy screams of the children’s school filled our ears as we relaxed in the sun. For our journey down the mountain, we were once again treated with mountainside views from the windows of the train carved into the rock.
Our faces, all a little redder, we climbed into the bus and made our way to a Spanish supermarket where we stocked up on snacks before heading to Atletic Terasso for this evening’s game. We played a strong match ending in a 2-2 tie and then had the chance to have dinner with the opposing team.
✌️ more goals today for the Big Green, scored by Meg Barnes and Olivia Galiotos - both off corners. Check them out, and get special commentary from Piper Edwards who was mic’ed up for the game!#DCFHBarcelona2023 | #GoBigGreenpic.twitter.com/ulCJCVV9J5
Over a meal of croquetas, ham sandwiches, and other tapas, we had a chance to meet with Spanish players in their 20s. This was a truly wonderful experience to learn about different life experiences and Spanish field hockey.
All sleepy after a hard game, we boarded the bus for the hotel.
Gallery: (3-16-2023) Mar. 16, 2023 FH in Barcelona Day 2
Day 1: March 15 Made it to Barcelona and Played Game #1
What a long, but rewarding few days it has been! After a long couple days of traveling, the Dartmouth field hockey team is in Spain. The Big Green played their first of three games (over the course of a week) Wednesday night against RC Polo Barcelona.
The Big Green were forced to leave campus on Monday night, due to the snowstorm on Tuesday. Their flight to Barcelona early Wednesday morning was then delayed almost two hours, meaning the team arrived at the hotel around 5:40 p.m. locally, needing to be at the field by around 7:30 p.m. for the 8:45 game.
But the Big Green took it in stride and put forth a stellar effort, winning 2-0 in the (planned) 30-minute game with Lila Browne and Caroline Carr scoring the goals.
“For us to be able to arrive and get into the flow of things like we did so quickly was really exciting,” said Dartmouth head coach Mark Egner. “It’s been a surreal 24 hours. I turned around during the game and thought, ‘We’re in Spain here.’ It’s a cool experience that we’re getting and to be able to put a pretty good showing out was a good strong start, but there’s definitely some work to do on the things we’re focusing on with this trip.
Carr and Browne were two of Dartmouth’s five juniors who joined the team for this trip after being away on their off terms (due to the traditional Dartmouth path, which includes being on campus during sophomore summers).
“I’m just excited to play more games and hang out with the team since I’ve missed them a lot,” said Carr. “Attacking the circle hard and being on the goalie’s pads for tips was where we found a lot of success today. It’s something we definitely want to continue to work on.”
Browne opened the scoring off a penalty corner, and she commented on the different type of play that RC Polo Barcelona brought.
“They were fast and they were also really tall, which was something I wasn’t super used to,” she said. “Coming off of the fall season three months ago, it was nice to get back into an 11 v 11 game.”
We caught up with the goal scorers, Caroline Carr and Lila Browne, after today's win to talk about the game, this experience and more!#TheWoods🌲 | #GoBigGreenpic.twitter.com/iVpP8c59LI
Dartmouth’s second game (and first full 60-minute game) on this trip is scheduled for tomorrow night with some sight-seeing during the day.
Hope you enjoy these daily updates, and be sure to check out the images and videos embedded! As the week progresses, some student-athletes will be checking in with some comments as well.
Talk to everyone tomorrow!
Gallery: (3-15-2023) Mar. 15, 2023 FH vs. RC Polo Barcelona
