we visited the training facility of Coritiba Football Club which, they claim, is the most successful of the three professional teams in Curitiba. They play in the Campeonata Brasileiro Série A, which is the top club league in Brazil.
The staff at Coritiba were unbelievable. They gave us access to everything, including the weight training facilities, physio therapy (while players were being treated), sport science facilities, and we were invited to watch a training session where the team were working on defending set pieces. I could not imagine getting that kind of welcome and access to a professional soccer club in the UK, or a hockey club in Canada.
Coritiba Training Ground Sign: "We Build" - which seems to refer to the idea that the club builds players... And then basically must sell them in order to finance the operation.
Students looking around the fitness centre and asking intelligent questions:
Nicely organized equipment room, making good use of shopping baskets from grocery store. They have $400,000 worth of gear - enough for 37 players for what basically amounts to an 11-month season (80 games last year).
My favourite: Coca-Cola is one of the sponsors, but the signs are in black because the other team in Curitiba (Atletico) play in red.
Team Photo: Our team with the some of the players
Other Stuff
I hurt my ankle in the gym, which is super because I have to walk everywhere. On the more positive, it's a nice sunny day (first day I have not been cold) and here's a nice shot from my balcony. You might not be able to make it out, but there is a real mix of the old and the new in Curitiban architecture.
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