Canucks open training in Larissa

Canada’s national team took part in its first team training session today in Larissa, Greece. The national team traveled to Alkazar Stadium where it trained under the watchful eye of national head coach Stephen Hart. The team is preparing for the Men’s International Friendly match this Wednesday 9 February 2011 against Greece.



The Canadian match will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet One at 10.00 ET / 07.00 PT (17.00 local kick off in Larissa, Greece). The match will be preceded by a 30-minute season preview commencing at 09.30 ET / 06.30 PT. Fans will also be able to follow the match live on www.twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN.



Coach Hart said that he was pleased with the session, citing that the players showed good speed. Hart had 16 players at the training session today with one more player to arrive before the next session on Tuesday. Players have arrived in camp from the professional club teams in Europe and North America.



Of note, the Canadian men were wearing their new Umbro training kits in practice. The men will debut the Canadian Umbro kit on Wednesday in the match against Greece.



The Canada-Greece match will be the first of Canada’s 2011 international season. It is also the first 2011 date on the FIFA International Calendar. Canada’s next match is scheduled for 29 March, with the opponent and European location yet to be announced. From 5-25 June, Canada will participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the biennial competition that takes place in 13 cities across USA. The 2011 confederation champion qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.