SALZBURG, DAY TWO

After a good night’s sleep (see photo of training at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg above) to start to overcome the inevitable jetlag, the team went over to Red Bull Salzburg’s training facility for morning training. Red Bulls Reader followed along a little later on a bit cold and overcast, but still magnificent, Austrian morning.

Having rented a mini-van (or the European equivalent – a boxy van that dwarfed the average Austrian car) we headed over to the facility in Taxham, and, of course, were not sure exactly where it was, other than “near the stadium”. But, as has been the case in all instances so far this trip, the people of Salzburg in general, and the Red Bull Salzburg staff in particular, have been exceedingly courteous and helpful (maybe RBR is just a little too accustomed to northeast “hospitality”, and after asking a few staff members (with limited English speaking abilities), one gentleman was happy to hop on his scooter and lead us through a beautiful residential area of Salzburg to the facility.

First impressions of the training grounds: if this is what we should expect from the Red Bull Training Grounds (and from what I have heard we should), consider RBR impressed. The team trained on one of the many grass fields, adjacent to the training offices and on the field next to Red Bull Salzburg.

After a productive session, the team headed back to the hotel.

After the afternoon session, the team attended the Red Bull Salzburg/Cashpoint SCR Altach match at Red Bull Arena. Red Bull Salzburg, the defending league champ, is one point out of first as the club recently began the second half of its season. Red Bull Salzburg easily dispatched Altach, 4-0, to maintain its spot in the upper echelon of its league.

The match-day experience was awesome, the team was recognized by the crowd, and the guys enjoyed a convincing win for the home team.

On the agenda for tomorrow is more training, as well as a playoff hockey game for the Red Bull Salzburg hockey club against rival Vienna. Let's hope Red Bull New York can bring luck to the hockey team as well.

Until tomorrow...