May 15, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The NCAA Champion women's basketball team will cross the Atlantic Ocean and tour four European countries from May 23-June 3, 2006. The Terps, who visit Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic and France, are scheduled to play four games against top European club women's basketball teams.
"This will be one of the best learning experiences for these players, both on and off the court," said Maryland head coach Brenda Frese. "To be able to play some of the top international competition is one of the best ways to prepare for the rigors of the season. But the biggest learning experience will be off the court. To have the opportunity to visit some of the most historical places in the world will be a learning experience all of its own. What an exciting way to cap a successful season."
The championship squad have games scheduled vs. Herozenberg BBC on May 28 in Vienna, Austria, May 30 vs. Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, and two games vs. Insep on the first and second days of June in Paris, France. Insep is also the former team of current Terrapin Aurelie Noirez, a native of Vandoeuvre, France.
Maryland, who won its first NCAA Championship title in April with a thrilling overtime victory over Duke in Boston, enjoyed its first official practice on Monday. The Terps ran through shooting drills and offensive sets before wrapping things up with some conditioning runs. The team is allowed 10 days of official practice before heading out on its European tour.
The Terrapins' first stop will be in the heart of central Europe in Budapest. While in the city, the team will visit the famous Great Market Hall, Matyas Church, the beautiful steam baths along the Danube River and the Zeneakaademia concert hall.
The next stop for the Terps will be in Vienna. The players, coaches and staff will see St. Stephen's Cathedral which dates back to the 13th century, The Hofburg, the residence of the Hapsburg Family until their abduction in 1918, and Prater, an amusement park which features one of Vienna's most famous landmarks, the Giant Ferris Wheel. Before leaving Vienna, the Terps will travel outside the city to the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camps, one of the largest labor camp complexes during the German-occupied Europe during World War II.
A bus trip to Prague in the Czech Republic takes the Terps to the Old Town Square, Old Town Bridge Tower and the Observation Tower for the best view of the city.
And, finally, on their last stop, the team will fly to Paris. While there, the Terrapins will visit the world famous Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Musee D'Orsay, located in the heart of Paris. Other sightseeing and walking tours will take the Terps to the Sacre-Coeur, Bateaux Mouche and the Galleries Lafayette.
Follow the national champion Terps on their tour with video postcards and photo galleries on www.umterps.com.
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