Venezulea
                                

Universidad Tecnologica del Centro
Valencia, Venezuela
http://www.unitec.edu.ve

Team USA embarks to South America-

Team USA will complete its World Tour in Venezuela over the Labor Day weekend. This will be the sixth country Team USA has played in this year. Canada, France, Italy, Mexico and
Switzerland have all hosted Team USA on the 2001 World Tour. The goal of the tour is to promote the 2002 World Cup in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Feb 20-24th at the Miami Dolphins training
facility and Bamford Sports Complex. Nearly 20 countries have registered to date, to compete in the 2002 World Cup Tournament.   

Team USA will arrive on Thursday, and will attend a welcome party. On Friday at the Universidad Technologica del Central College, Team USA will perform a flag football clinic, and on Saturday, 5 teams will play in a double elimination 9man contact tournament. On Sunday the tournament will move to Morrocoy Beach, where the teams should have an opportunity to enjoy the sand and ocean, while they finish the tournament.


Team USA Roster

1. Adam Desanctis-Boston,MA- RB- Keg Runners
2. Steve Wiggin-Marshfield,MA-DE-Damiens
3. Dave Yoder-Boston,MA-OL-Generals
4. Billy Madden-Manchester,NH-OL-Chargers
5. Jim Wilson-Tampa,FL-WR-Mr Steer
6. Jim Zimolka-Londonderry,NH-QB-FlagMag.com
7. Todd Jones-Ft Lauderdale,FL-WR-
8.  Mark Nations-Atlanta,GA-



Thursday-
Welcome Party- 10pm- 3am-Drink'n Party bar

Friday
2-4pm-Flag Football Clinic-Universidad Tecnologica del Centro
5pm -4 on 4 CoRec games.
10pm-3am-SPOONERS

Saturday-
9am-9pm-Centro Cortuges Venezolano


Sunday-
Flag Football at the beach
Morrocoy Beach
Beach Web site
http://www.venezuelatuya.com/morrocoy/eng.htm

Teams Registered-
OMEGA, GARGOLAS, ATLAS, SABLES,USA

City of Valencia Web Site
http://www.venezuelatuya.com/centro/valencia.htm

Some Facts


Official Name Republic of Venezuela

Capital City Caracas

Languages Spanish (official)

Official Currency Bolivar

Religions Catholic, others

Population 23,595,000

Land Area 882,050 sq km (340,560 sq miles)

Venezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations which are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Venezuela is comprised of four distinct geographical regions: the highlands, the lowlands, the tropical grassland, and the mountains. The country is interlaced with six navigable rivers and thousands of streams. Its major river is the Orinoco.

Venezuela is rich in petroleum, natural gas, bauxite, gold, iron ore, copper, zinc, lead, and diamonds. They have important forests. The government has also been developing the manufacturing sector of the economy. The major center for the development is Ciudad Guayana. Only about ten percent of the workforce of Venezuela is involved in agriculture.

Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:
total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

Coastline: 2,800 km

Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

Administrative divisions-23 states (estados, singular - estado),1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia
note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain)

President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999);








Sept 4th,2001
Valencia,Venezuela

Can you say paradise???  That's what every member of  Team USA was saying this past weekend as the Venezuelan Challenge turned out to be much more of a bargain than anticipated. The event was so successful that the players didn't want to leave."This was the first country we have visited where all the players wanted to stay a few extra days" stated Flagmag president Jim Zimolka.
      At the request of Venezuelan IFFF member Miguel Riera, team USA players stayed at the homes of the Venezuelan players. This was an excellent idea as the players had the opportunity to learn true culture of Venezuela. The Venezuelan's were extremely hospitable,as  they opened their homes, transported Team USA everywhere and even bought food & Beverages. All of the Team USA players were amazed at how inexpensive the trip was. When there is free lodging and beer is only 50 cents how much can you spend??
    Team USA was greeted at the airport where they were taken 2 hours west to the town of Valencia. Once in Valencia the team went to the Drink & Party bar where there was a welcome party. The next day Team USA went sightseeing  at a local shopping mall where many heads were turned."I cant believe how many attractive women are here" stated Team USA's Adam Desanctis. The team then went to the Universidad Tecnologica del Centro for a 4man clinic. After the clinic it was party time as everyone went to the Dance Club-SPOONERS!!! A great place to visit when the women to men ratio is 3-1 and  every women wants to dance with a gringo!!! The next day the games began, around 1pm and ended around 9pm. A good crowd gathered at the Centro Cortuges Venezuelan field. Many where there to watch the Americans play. Team USA started off a little shaky not completing a pass in its first 3 downs and on 4th down and 15, Q.B. Jim Zimolka connected with Todd Jones on a 60 yard bomb to ease the tension for  the American's. From there Team USA won 30-0 and rolled the rest of the tournament, winning 40-0 Vs Sables and 30-0 Vs Atlas in the Championship of the double elimination 5 Team tournament (The Venezuelan national team divided its players onto  four different teams)After the conclusion of the tournament team USA was taken to Morrocoy Beach. This is where Team USA performed a 4man clinic for the Venezuelan Women's National Team. The women created a great deal of interest from people at the beach and team USA players had the tough task of teaching the game to the beautiful women.Once the clinic was performed team USA traveled back to Valencia to the Drink & Party Bar for a farewell party. The team went straight to the airport  after the party to conclude the weekend where  not many had much sleep. In all the tournament was a major success for both the Venezuelans and Americans, as the Venezuelans learned American football  and the Americans learned Venezuelan culture.
    Team USA had a strong impact on the Venezuelan teams, as they learned a great deal of American Flag Football and vastly improved over the weekend. Many new friends were made this past trip and all Team USA players agreed they would return in December  to help Venezuela prepare for this years World Cup!!! Muchos Gracias amigos de Venezuela!!!

Memorable Moments-
Stuck in the Elevator-(Team USA was stuck in an elevator for 20 minutes as the door had to be pried open, the sign said max 6 people, we had 7. Very Scary)

Hey, who turned off the TV??? We cant see..

JZ-"Dave are you doing what i think your doing?" Dave-"Si"

Grossaro,Grossaro- I think she just called me a dog???

Yoders Name in Spanish (Joder)-Not a nice word

Sleep- a total of 10 hours in 4 days.

How far is the beach?? 20 minutes, everything is 20 minutes....

Morrocoy Beach-Dont pinch me, let me enjoy this dream.(can you get any luckier?)

Rice Man at the Beach!!! Steve dont talk to him, he'll never leave..

The Man with yellow speedos!!

The Spider in JZ's room??  a green tarantula!! thats one big spider.

Beer for only 50cents a bottle!!! Heaven.

Injured player- Ricardo Martinez of Atlas dislocated his knee and was unable to move. It took the ambulance 1 hour to arrive, ouch..

There are no patrol cars enforcing traffic violations.

the car hitting the bicycle on the wasy home from the beach!!  Why is the bike on the high way?

the 4Man Clinic at the School

Pepsi Commerical- Todd Jones will be on a pepsi commerical in Venezulea. He catches a pass and says juga mas!!

Jose's House-Simply amazing!!

Que pasa Senorita Veja???

Women to Men- 3-1, who didnt like those odds.

Spooners- Everyone wants to dance with a gringo.

Senorita Cabrona,will you dance with me?? "No, yo quiero bailar con el otro gringo!!!"

How do you say mosquito in Spanish? Mosquito!!

Red Ducks!!!

"Ricco" "Ricco"- That must be one hell of a massage!!

Venezuelan Hospitality-Muchos gracias amigos??

Drinking Party Bar- The farewell party was amazing!!!

Who dances worse, Jim or Steve??  Jim of course!!


Championship
USA 30 Atlas 0

Winners Bracket Championship
USA 40 Sables 0

USA 30 Omega 0
Sables 9 Omega 7
Sables 3 Gargolas 0

Losers Bracket-Championship
Atlas 7 Omega 0

Losers Bracket
Atlas 3 Gargolas 0


The Venezuelan  Womens national Team takes a break from a Team USA clinic at Morrocoy Beach  and posses for a picture. Dayana, Carolina,   Joyse,Andrea,Margaret,Venessa,
Jessica,Debora,Patty,Corina, and Gret with Pedro and Mark holding the FlagMag banner.


Team USA

More Photos