Day 6 - To Tel Aviv for the Opening Ceremonies

After a short morning training session to clear our minds of the tough loss to Israel and prepare for the game on Wednesday against the Brits, we headed to Tel Aviv for the Opening Ceremonies at the Ramat Gan National Stadium. There were 35,ooo spectators and 10,000 athletes and delegates.

Throughout the opening ceremonies, this sign for the 18th (Chai) Maccabiah was projected on a screen. You can see the bands instruments on the stage.

Many young Israeli men and women holding flags to guide the delegations into position on the stadium infield.

The lit torch following the ceremonies. The torch was carried in by Olympic Gold medal swimmer Jason Lesak who is competing in these games.

Wiz and Don getting a photo op with some young Israeli ladies.

The four Plonkers from left to right with the Israeli flag bearers. Fish, Indy, Mummy and Wiz. We're the four British subjects on the team. The other foreigners on the team are Abe from Bolivia and Simon from Costa Rica. Scott is American but lives in Bejing.

Gathering in our area with the rest of team USA.

One of the several stages in the infield of the stadium. The screens in the background projected many different images throughout the night.

Marching into the stadium with all of the spectators in the stands.

Walking behind the stadium to get to the entrance. The excitement was building as we neared the entrance. We also know that the Opening Ceremonies were being filmed live in Israel and the United States.

A few of the US Women's Tennis team, some of which were acquaintances of teammates in New Jersey and New York.

Other nations marching into the stadium before us.

As it got darker, we know the moment that we would march into the stadium was drawing nearer. It was cooling down nicely and we were more comfortable in spite of standing for three hours so far.

More group photos with my teammates.

The crazy Brits celebrating with their large contingent.

Mingling with athletes from all of the sports and from all of the participating nations. What an awesome collection of people from many countries.

Me and David Alhadef.

Me and David Bannick, the goalkeeper on the O-35 team and fellow participant in the Pan Am Games in Argentina 2007. This guy is one amazing soccer goalie and athlete.

Posing with our friends south of the border. Somehow, DKNY always seems to get in the pictures. He is the oldest player on our team at fifty something. Still pretty darn good and a great teammate.

More group pictures. If this doesn't get you stoked for competition, what will?

Milling around in the staging area behind the stadium.

There was a lot of security in and around the stadium. Me and Z, our goalie with the guards at the gates. Notice the machine guns. Here's a shout out to you Lorrie. Looking foward to meeting you some day. Enjoy the blog.

One the bus rolling towards Tel Aviv. Cap'n Jim looking a little concerned that I'm sitting beside him. Glance and Wiz off in the distance.

Boarded the bus and ready to roll to Tel Aviv.

Boys arriving in the hotel lobby and looking good with the Team USA stuff on. Most of them, will come back in other nations wear having traded their own in this massive clothing bazaar.

Indy and Wiz, two of the strikers on the team.