Game On for USA MU19!

Today was the launch of the Men's U19 pre-World Floorball Championships training camp in Helsingborg (Sweden). The 17 players who have been selected for the 9th Men's Under 19 World Floorball Championships have convened for an action-packed three-day training camp full of floorball practices, team-building and a scrimmage game.

The initial day of the camp started off with a team meeting, followed by some team-building activities. A USA Floorball camp is never complete without the classic "speed dating" activity, where the players get to sit down and get to know each other. Apparently, 90% of the players like to put ham on their sandwiches. Who would have known?

Next up was the team's practice at Helsingborg Arena where the guys got to dust off their sticks and getting to know their peers on the court. Despite a few floorball sticks being misplaced by a renowned airline, today was certainly a positive start to the intense week to come.

11 of the 17 players are brand new to the team this year. Although already having played on the Men's team, defender Patrick Olsen is ready to take on his first U19 WFC. Olsen agreed that it was a good start to the week. "It was a productive day and everyone seemed really positive so I'm really excited," Olsen said.

According to Head Coach Joel Olofsson, the team is much stronger this time around. "We definitely have more experienced players this year with a handful of players who have both played for the Men's team as well as the U19."

An activity that will help prepare the guys for what's to come is Monday's scrimmage game. Team USA will take on FC Helsingborg's Under 16 Team in a friendly game that will truly put USA to the test. FC Helsingborg U16 is one of the top-ranking U16 teams in Sweden. "We know that this game is going to be a difficult one tomorrow, but if we can handle ourselves against FCH then we have a great shot at succeeding during the tournament."

In 2015, team USA finished in 15^th place in its first ever U19 WFC. The question is…how far will Team USA go this time around?

All of Team USA's games can be live-streamed on YouTube.

Hungary vs. USA - Wednesday, May 3^rd at 15:30 CET (9:30 am EST).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-dHnDOu4eI

Germany vs. USA - Thursday, May 4^th at 15:30 CET (9:30 am EST).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHffoo06AlY

USA vs. Australia - Friday, May 5^th at 15:30 CET (9:30 am EST).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNgcCrzqFk