Jackpot, AGAIN! Red Bull's Street Soccer Championship

For two weekends in a row, we have hit the jackpot when it comes to really NEAT things to do with a teenager in tow! Our two older boys are away at college, and the idea of going out on our weekly date night--which, by the way, is an incredibly important commitment to make to your spouse during those years when children and work and church and school projects would much rather push the idea out into oblivion!!-- just doesn't sit as well when we turn to say "see you later" to one thirteen year old. Does he mind? PROBABLY NOT! But I do. So, we are squeezing in dates as we can, and are taking advantage of the neat things that "just happen" to come our way. Thank you, Lord!

Thus, you have the history behind hot air balloons one weekend and a soccer championship the next!

Now, about these photos: Red Bull sponsored a national competition for street soccer--you are familiar with break dancing? Well, add a soccer ball and you have street soccer! :D The competitors were paired off; then Player A would do his thing until time was called; then after a quick pass, Player B . This continued until time was up; then judges would decide the winner. On to the next round!

After each round was completed, a break dance team from Nashville spelled the soccer players for a bit so as to give them time to recover. Great combination, frankly! Hubby, son and mom were all thoroughly entertained, so much so that it was a letdown for the evening to end. Kudos, Red Bull!

Some of the neatest things about this were:
--intimate atmosphere--only a couple of hundred, at the max, all circled up around the court on the ninth floor of the new Icon condo building in downtown Nashville
--got to satiate my curiosity--well, almost!--about this new condo called the Icon
--fantastic ball handling--can I say WOW?! Can I say it again?! WOW!! The photos do not do justice to the skill and speed of these athletes!
--and, from Andrew's corner, FREE Red Bull--I think he ended up drinking eight. EIGHT. Yes, I DID say eight, ocho, huite. I dunno how he ever went to sleep, honestly...silly fellow!
--and from my corner, I got to give my new 70-200mm, f/2.8 a good workout, and by bumping up the ISO, did NOT use flash. IF I'd been the official photographer--there's always next year!!--I'd probably have done both as the images you get have a different feel when it is natural light verses flash.

All in all, a lovely ending to a wonderful Saturday. Wonder what next weekend will bring our way--we'll have two more mouths to feed for Fall break.... Who knows?! Well, anyway, enjoy!

The view from Icon's ninth floor pool deck--beautiful! Okay, so this flashy yalmuke/yarmulke-wearing Binny (it was probably spelled Benny, as in Benjamin, but everyone in good Nashville-ese called him "Binny") was our favorite--just for sheer energy and pizzazz with everything he did!! Love to see him in a game....
Frank--came in third and like many things in life, he got better as the evening wore on.




Not even ten years old! What a future this kid has, eh?!
First place and on his way to Brazil to represent the USA! Quiet and calm, his strength was being so very in control of the ball.