Training Camp Report: Day1

Heading south through the Brenner Pass from Innsbruck to Italy we passed handfuls of castles like this one, perched majestically on a hill.

On Thursday the Raiders packed up "the army" and headed south for training camp in Cervia, Italy, which is located on the Adriatic Sea near Rimini on the Eastern Riviera. We will be in the land of the dolce vita for 4 days, practicing once on Thursday, twice on Friday & Saturday, and a morning of team building on Sunday. For Matt and myself, it feels like a homecoming of sorts to be in the country where we played last season. For the Raiders, it promises to be a chance for our team to come together, and polish everything with our first game only a week away.

One of the many vineyards that we passed with the stone wall and old roof.

After 7 hours, two smoke breaks, a pair of AutoGrill stops, 845 vineyards, and three movies (Jungle Book, Run Fat Boy Run, and Super Bad respectively) we arrived at our destination. Yes, I did say Jungle Book, but only up until the 'Bear Necessities.' At first glance, the town of Cervia appeared like a deserted Fort Lauderdale, with geometric concrete buildings and wide boulevards. I do emphasize the word deserted, as Italians judge a location by the calendar and not the weather, and therefore will not start trickling into such a resort destination until mid June.

Slot Receiver Andy Proller (aka Jesus) was all smiles on the way into the hotel.


Our new home away from home, the Hotel Paris.

One of 37 CLOSED gelato shops in town. Believe me, I counted.

After checking in, we immediately headed one block to the beach. The weather was only about 60 degrees, but it felt awesome to be back on the sand before practice.

Matt imagining he's back in Catania...


... and loving the pastries. Viva cornetto!

Of course, it wasn't enough to just look at the beach, so after a great two hour workout, we grabbed our suits and jumped in. I made the unfortunate mistake of going with our center, Philip Helm (aka Philhelm), who has a passion for tossing QBs into freezing water. I chalked up the icy experience as team bonding.

The waves weren't big enough to surf but I practiced my form anyways.

Philhelm is currently in the running for a few different nicknames.

As far as the football goes, I am excited the way our team is coming together. Offensively, we have a number of weapons at the skill positions, including a talented receiving corps & EuroBowl MVP running back Florein Grein. After practice we had a productive film session. It was all in English, and if I closed my eyes, I would have a hard time feeling I wasn't back at good ol' Camp Cochise getting ready for another season at the University of Arizona.

~ J. Twice