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Wow, sorry for the delayed posts...just kind of got caught up in everything Borlange has to offer (bike rides, lakes, fotboll) and of course the WORLD CUP.

OK...let me update you on a few of our games. Last three games = ties...we haven't lost in 5 games, but we also haven't won any lately either, which is good and bad I guess. We're still undefeated at home...again, more ties than we would like, but not losing at home is an accomplishment nonetheless. For some reason our team likes to let the opposing team score in the last 5 minutes of a game...definitely not good, and that is something we need to work on for the next half of the season. We sit fourth on the table with a game behind some teams, so we're still in a good position to do some serious damage, we just have to focus and mentally prepare ourselves for the tough games ahead!

WORLD CUP...my two teams are of course the USA and Denmark. Both have do-or-die games coming up in the next few days. The US is playing Algeria and Denmark is playing Japan. Like most games this world cup, anything can happen, so I'm just hoping my boys pull out some wins this week!

My pick to win...I'm going to say Argentina

Life in Borlange has been pretty good...the next two weeks are going to be a lot of fun. We have a HUGE game on Wednesday against Gustafs, our rival. This weekend is Midsummer, the biggest holiday in Sweden, where everyone dances around a pole, sings swedish songs, and eats a lot of food. After that, the Peace and Love festival is coming to Borlange. Artists like Jay-Z, Lily Allen, John Fogerty, Alice in Chains, Vampire Weekend, etc. etc. are coming to our little town in Sweden to play at the biggest music festival in the country... I CAN'T WAIT to see it :)

I'll post some pictures shortly...again sorry for the delay :(

Peace and Love

Moles

Tjena allihop...

This past weekend was one of the best so far here in Borlange :). We won our game 4-0...came out strong from the beginning and connected on 4 great opportunities. It feels good to score that many goals because we've been struggling with finishing lately! 

After the game we had our first KIK "lagfest" (team party). We went over to Bengan's (our captain) house for a barbeque and then went out on the town for a couple of hours. Let me tell you, my legs have never been more sore, and that was just from dancing!!

This past week we just finished up volunteering at a local HS. It was interesting to see the differences between American high-schools and Swedish ones...one of the girls we talked to said she only had lessons for 2-3 hours a day, pretty nice compared to the 8am-3pm schedule of most schools in the US.

No games this weekend...Chelsea and I might venture to Stockholm to check out some Swedish sights, but that's only if the weather holds up :).

Check out some pictures below from our hiking trip last Thursday. We were able to borrow some row-boats and took them out on the lake for a few minutes...(just don't ask chelsea to row you in)! Probably not a good idea to hike for 2 1/2 hours before training, but thats what happens when you get lost in the swedish wilderness :)...

HARLIGT!! 

We beat Sundsvall this weekend 1-0...a perfect way to end a good week of training.

Marie Sallander, our other center back, placed a free kick into the lower left corner of the net about 15 minutes into the match...that's all we needed to solidify the win and pick up 3 more points :).

This week we have another tough match against Bollstanas, who currently sit fourth in the standings. If we can pull out a win then we can potentially move up to 2nd or 3rd! The table is so close this year, and every team has the potential to move up or drop down significantly every week.

Weather update...we had 2 BEAUTIFUL days here in Sweden this past week...almost 75 F (like a heat wave here). Thankfully, the weather is starting to get pretty warm - which is highly appreciated :). 

On Wednesday my roommates and I are finally getting the chance to help out in an English class at one of the local high schools. The students we're interacting with are pretty good at English, and the teachers want us there so they can ask us questions about America, our experiences in Sweden, etc. It should be pretty fun, and it feels good to give back to the community since they have been so helpful to us Americans!

Nothing else is new...just living the dream in Sverige day by day :)

Hej da

Moles

Well, we lost our game against Pitea :(.

We actually came out pretty strong considering our long day of traveling. Our team had heart and determination, but we couldn't quite connect like we should have, and we didn't convert on our scoring opportunities in front of the goal. I think what our team needs to work on the most is keeping possession in the final third, and connecting more passes all over the field. If we can figure that out, and convert on our scoring opportunities, we will be a hard team to beat in the coming weeks :)!

Next Sunday we have another long day of traveling to Sundsvall and back...a 5 hour drive one way!

The weather is starting to get pretty nice here in Sweden...its still a bit cold for my liking, but you can't deny how beautiful the scenery is in this country. Below is a picture of one of many lakes around Borlange.

Not only is the weather starting to get nice, the sun is staying out much longer than it does in the US. Right now the sun sets around 10pm, but soon it won't set until 1 or 2am, and it rises again around 4am...CRAZY I KNOW!

HEJ DA

MOLES

Hejsan...

Well, we had a tough 2-0 loss to Djurgarden on Wednesday. We came out scared in the first half and they were able to put 2 goals in before the half-time whistle. In my opinion, we had most of the play in the 2nd half, but we couldn't connect on any of our chances...that's it for our Swedish cup run this year :(.

On Sunday we travel to Pitea to play one of our toughest games of the season. It will be a long day of traveling, but if we come out focused, I think we will give them a tough game!

Today is an off day for us, so the roommates and I will probably go to a friend's house to cook some dinner :).

Check out this link below, its a beautiful story about the U-17 Haitian women's soccer team and how they battled their way through adversity to play in the CONCACAF Qualifiers...its truly inspirational, and makes you wonder how a simple sport can bring people together...enjoy!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5140800&categoryid=null

Hej da

Moles