University of North Carolina Athletics
Travel Blog
"I'm most excited about being able to grow and connect further as a team while having the opportunity to learn about many different cultures that we may not directly experience in the United States. Everyone is ready to fully appreciate the opportunity this amazing trip brings, and use our soccer and team personality to bring recognition to UNC men's soccer globally."Riley Thomas, rising senior defender
Tar Heel Travel Blog
The players detailed firsthand accounts of training sessions, match days and fun adventures while abroad!
Entry #1
So far, we have gotten to bus around the city and train at a couple of the training fields in Bratislava, Slovakia. It’s very cool embracing our environment here and learning more about their culture with the team. I’m excited to go to a match today and explore the city more to see everything they have to offer here. I could not ask for a better group to come on this trip with!
– Andrew Czech, rising junior
Entry #2
The day started off with a early morning breakfast before we had the opportunity to train at SV Hundsheim in the high mountains of Austria. It was a unique experience. Shortly after, we were very nicely offered to be served at a local restaurant where they catered us food which was amazing. After lunch we took a bus ride to catch Rapid Vienna vs. LASK, which was an Austrian first league game. We sat right next to the away fans, which showed us the levels of loyalty in European football. The game was awesome as it ended in a 1-1 draw. After the game we hopped on a bus and traveled to Vienna. We got to sightsee, try different foods and even practice some German with the locals. It was a very unique place to be, and none of us wanted to leave.
– Maclovio Swett, incoming freshman
Entry #3
We had our first game today! The day started out with a great hotel breakfast outside on the sunny terrace. After, we headed up to Bratislava Castle for a short history lesson, greats views of the city and a small walk through the gardens. We kicked off our game at 5 p.m. and were happy to get our first win of the road trip with a 2-0 victory over SK Slovan Bratislava’s reserve team. I have really enjoyed the experience so far, and hope we can improve in our next match.
– Daniel Kutsch, rising junior
Entry #4
We began the day with yet another amazing breakfast, followed by a training session in Piestany. It’s fascinating to see the different soccer facilities around the country and train there together as a team. After training, we went to Spa Island for recovery. We took part in a couple relaxing sessions, including a mud bath which we all thoroughly embraced. It was a new and enjoyable experience! More so, it better prepared our bodies for the coming days and we are looking forward to competing again.
– John McDowell, incoming freshman
Entry #5
We kicked off the day with another great breakfast, followed by a training session in beautiful Bratislava. We then had lunch and took the bus up to Vienna, where we got a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace. Finally, we topped off the day with Veal Schnitzel at a traditional Czech/Slovak restaurant. Thus far, the trip has been an amazing experience and we are all so grateful to be here together.
– Kai Tamashiro, incoming freshman
Entry #6
Match #2 today! We woke up and had a relaxing breakfast and walked around the hotel grounds before packing up and heading over the border to Czechia. We played FC Slovacko in a sweet little stadium and moved to 2-0 on the trip, keeping a shutout in our second straight game. Grad transfer Davíd Bercedo had 3 assists in our 3-0 victory. We then hopped back on the bus and made the trek through the countryside to Prague. When we got there, we went up this crazy funicular elevator to check in to our hotel which sounds underwhelming but was actually super cool. Pumped to explore this city the next few days.
– Collin Travasos, graduate student
Entry #7
Walking around Prague as a German with my team from Chapel Hill was a surreal feeling that shows how soccer connects people that would have otherwise never met and how blessed we are. Similarly, it was very cool to observe the shared passion for the game from the fans when watching Sparta Prag vs. Viktoria Pilzen. I was also very impressed by the city of Prague’s history, architecture, and culture that has accumulated over centuries.
– Til Zinnhardt, graduate student
Entry #8
We started the day with an early breakfast and headed straight to our final match in playing FC Ùstì. We ended with a good win, allowing us to conclude the trip 3-0. After the game, we had lunch with the opposing team and then headed to Kutna Hora. The little town in Central Bohemia gave us a glimpse into history of the Czech Republic around the 15th century, especially through the architecture of the buildings. One church was made up of mostly bones from soldiers of that time, which caused an eerie – but nonetheless one of a kind – experience. Upon arrival to the hotel, we spent our last couple hours enjoying our final dinner as a team and played some competitive beach volleyball to wrap up the night. Overall, the trip was a once in a lifetime experience and we are all so grateful for the time we got to spend here in Europe!
– Ahmad Al-Qaq, rising senior
Day 2 - Friday, May 19
The Tar Heels arrived in style! The team left Raleigh on May 18 and arrived in Vienna, Austria, on May 19 before bussing to Bratislava, Slovakia. They had their first training session at NSK Bratislava in the evening before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3 - Saturday, May 20
The Tar Heels had another training session at NSK Bratislava in the morning. The team then attended the Slovak Super Liga playoff Group A match between SK Slovan Bratislava and FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova. Podbrezova won, 1-0.
Day 4 - Sunday, May 21
In the morning, the Tar Heels trained at SV Hundsheim in Austria in preparation of their first game on Monday. After eating lunch in Hainburg, the team attended the Austrian First League playoff Group A match between LASK and SK Rapid Wien, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The team was then able to sightsee in Vienna.
Day 5 - Monday, May 22
In the morning, the team visited Bratislava Castle where they received a brief history lesson and had the opportunity to walk through the gardens and see great views of the city. The Tar Heels then had their first match during their trip that evening. UNC posted a 2-0 win over the SK Slovan Bratislava reserve team, with Quenzi Huerman and Ahmad Al-Qaq scoring in the second half.
Day 6 - Tuesday, May 23
The team had a training session this morning in Pieštany. A big thank you to PFK Pieštany for letting us use their facility! After practice, the guys enjoyed a relaxing day at Spa Island. There, they took a mud bath and participated in several relaxation sessions in order to recover and prepare themselves for their next training session and match day.
Day 7 - Wednesday, May 24
The team had another training session in the morning at NSK Bratislava (thanks to them for letting us make this place our training spot this week!). After, they had lunch in Vienna and visited Austria's capital city. While in Vienna, the guys visited the Schönbrunn Palace and spent time on Mariahilfer Strasse (Vienna's biggest shopping street).
Day 8 - Thursday, May 25
Today was another game day! After eating breakfast at the hotel, the team headed across the border to the Czech Republic. The Tar Heels took on FC Slovacko, remaining undefeated during their trip after posting a 3-0 victory. Graduate transfer David Bercedo assisted all three goals. After the game, the guys made their way to Prague.
Day 9 - Friday, May 26
UNC spent its first full day in Prague today. After a regenerative training session at the hotel, the Tar Heels spent the rest of the day exploring Prague and sightseeing. The guys visited Strahov Monastery, Prague Castle and Terezín, also spending time in Prague's Old Town.
Day 10 - Saturday, May 27
After a training session in the morning, the team had lunch in Prague. They then attended the Czech First League championship round match between Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzen. Viktoria Plzen won, 1-0.
Day 11 - Sunday, May 28
An early breakfast led the team into its final match day while abroad. The Tar Heels took on FC Ùstì nad Labem, a Czech club in the Bohemian Football League. UNC was victorious, concluding the trip at 3-0, and had lunch with the opposing team following the game. The team then explored Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic's Central Bohemia Region. The guys then went back to the hotel, playing beach volleyball and enjoying their last dinner together before heading back to Chapel Hill.
Holy Schnitzel!
Safe to say there was no shortage of delicious food during the trip. The guys even took time to review their apricot dessert!
Dakujem / Dekuji / Thank you.
No matter how you say it, we're extremely thankful for everyone who made our trip possible.
A big thank you to Hotel Lindner Bratislava, NŠK 1922 Bratislava, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, SV Hundsheim, FC Slovácko, FK Ústí nad Labem and NH Collection Prague for hosting us and your hospitality.
And a huge shoutout to our organizational team: Eric, Slaven, Tomas, Zoran and Justin!
Thanks for following along!
Big things to come for this group in 2023. Stay tuned for the season schedule, ticket information and more!
