The hockey teams and football teams swapped places in the Olympic Village today. The womens hockey team departed for four days in France with a practice match mixed in with some relaxation before they return for Games action. They were replaced by the mens hockey team who arrived from their training base in Belgium. The team trained in from Europe and responded vigorously to the welcome challenge from the support staff team here in the village. Their spine-tingling haka brought tremendous interest from a number of neighbouring teams as well as volunteers, no doubt envious of the tremendous kiwi spirit. The mens football team departed this morning as they headed to Australia via Germany for their final shakedown match against the UAE before a swift return to Coventry to prepare for their first match against Belarus. Replacing them in the Village is the womens Football Ferns who arrived from Switzerland. They will be based in the village until they head away for their opening match against Great Britain at Cardiff. The match next Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium is the first sporting contest of the London Olympics. They responded to their welcome challenge with their own special haka which attracted around 100 onlookers. The Equestrian Eventing Team also headed out of the village for a few days for their magnificent training base in Berkshire. They host the New Zealand media today and will return to the village before the opening ceremony.
Tweet Share