Bryce Purcell, 11-year-old grandson of Jack and Peggy Purcell of Annandale, was chosen this past summer to play on an elite soccer team named XL National and traveled to Barcelona, Spain.
Bryce entered in to the Donosti Cup, an international soccer tournament for 11 to 14 year olds. The tournament included 581 teams from 26 different countries, 49 of which were from the United States. Only two teams from Orlando made the cut. One of those teams was Bryce’s.
Bryce’s parents, Craig and Teneille Purcell, knew that the trip would be a once in a lifetime trip and made the decision to book the family a flight to Spain.
Craig is a 1996 Annandale High School graduate. He and his family have spent several years in Central Florida, where Craig is a production engineer for Control Micro Systems.
The opening ceremonies took place in San Sebastian in true Olympic style. The torch was lit and each team was introduced to the crowd. They marched out on the field, proudly carrying their country’s flag.
Over several days in early July, Bryce and his team played a total of six matches against some very tough competition. Some of Bryce’s highlights included winning against a South African team and advancing to the quarterfinals.
All good things must come to an end, however, but it was a wonderful experience for Bryce and his team to be a part of something so monumental.
Bryce’s parents and sister Jaidyn traveled with him and were able to take in the some of the sights while there for 10 days.
They were joined by additional family members Terri Purcell Birnbaum and her children, Evelyn, Max and Lydia, of Plymouth. Terri is Jack and Peggy’s daughter as well.
While together, they visited Park Guell, with the famous Gaudi mosaic, and the and beautiful, Basilica La Segrada Familia in Barcelona. They had fun trying new foods like tapas and paella, and experiencing the local culture.
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