The players and staff quickly went through the airport procedures before picking up their luggage and heading toward the airport’s exit. Under the guidance of a UEFA official and a few dedicated airport staff, they managed to avoid all the fanfare and media attention. And after only a few minutes, they stepped out of the airport.

By then, only twenty minutes remained to six o’clock, and the sun was about to sink below the horizon in the western skies of Turin. So, the players and coaches didn’t waste time boarding the arranged team bus, especially since they desired to rest after a long day of traveling.

After everyone had taken their seats on the bus, the driver skillfully pulled out of the airport’s parking lot. Before long, he rounded a corner and joined a busy highway in Turin.

The traffic was surprisingly heavy that evening, and the journey took longer than expected. But finally, after fifty minutes of driving, the driver rounded a corner again and pulled up in front of the Grand Hotel Sitea, located in the heart of Risorgimento Turin.

The Rosenborg players and technical staff quickly picked up their luggage and checked into the hotel. They ate dinner about an hour later and attended a team meeting afterward. Then, when the clock hand was just about to point to the nine o’clock mark, the coaches ended the gathering and sent the players back to their rooms to rest.

The following morning, the players woke up at around eight o’clock. They ate breakfast with the coaches before heading to the gym to undergo a light conditioning routine. They completed the fitness training about an hour later and returned to their rooms with the intent to spend the rest of the time before the game resting.

Over the past five days, Coach Johansen had already instilled the game plan for the Europa League final into the players’ minds. He had already gone over all the potential tactics and emphasized the roles of each player countless times. So, he left them to their own devices and let them rest for the entire day.

Zachary, on his part, spent the whole day in his room, playing a brick game on his phone. He’d already pushed all the thoughts about the Europa League final to the back of his mind. So, for hours, he solely focused on shooting down the digital bricks on his phone screen.

The android game was relaxing, and surprisingly, the hours passed by quickly. Lunchtime soon arrived, and Zachary took a small break to eat a light meal before returning to his room. He played the brick game for a few more hours but soon got fed up with the small images on his phone screen. So, after throwing the phone to the side, Zachary jumped into his bed and decided to take a short nap. He slept soundly and soon forgot everything else in the world.

”Knock! Knock! Knock…”

After what seemed like a short time, rapid knocking sounds on the door pushed Zachary out of slumberland. His eyes immediately fluttered open, and he jumped out of bed before stepping forward and pulling open his hotel room door.

”Coach!” Zachary’s eyes widened when he noticed Coach Johansen standing before his door.

”It’s already 6:30 PM,” the coach said, giving him a once over. “Only two hours and fifteen minutes are remaining to kick-off. But I can see that you’re not concerned. You’re even still sleeping.”

”Sorry, coach,” Zachary replied, smiling sheepishly. “I dozed off without setting my alarm. I wasn’t aware of the passing of the hours. But I’m ready to head out at any time.”

Coach Johansen nodded and smiled. “Sleeping is also a good sign. It means that you’re not under any pressure before the final. Let’s hope that your confidence turns into match-winning skills later tonight.”

”Don’t worry, coach,” Zachary said. “I’m ready to do my best in the game today. I’ll give more than a hundred percent to fight for a win in the final.”

Coach Johansen smiled and said, “That puts my heart at ease.”

”Are we about to set off to the stadium?” Zachary hurriedly asked.

”Yes,” the coach replied. “We are supposed to be setting off at 7:15 PM. So, you need to hurry up and eat dinner before joining your teammates in the hotel lobby. I want you fully satiated with food and in your best state during the final.”

”Aye, coach,” Zachary replied. “I’ll quickly prepare and head to the restaurant for dinner. Don’t worry.”

”Good,” Coach Johansen said. “See you at 7:10, then.”

”See you at 7:10.”

—–

At seven o’clock that evening, the Rosenborg players began congregating in the hotel lobby one after the other. They were all in suits, specifically prepared for the finals. They were also much quieter than usual and exuded intense auras, like soldiers about to head out for a life-and-death battle. Their fighting spirit had already soared through the roof, and they were obviously already in the zone. They were probably thinking and dreaming about destroying Sevilla in the Europa League finals.

Zachary, who’d overslept and almost missed out on dinner, arrived last in the lobby. He looked dapper in his all-black suit that emphasized his tall frame. His relaxed afro hairstyle, integrated with a trendy undercut, added a wild charm to his entire persona. He looked intimidating and dauntingly handsome as he stepped into the hotel lobby.

”Okay, okay,” Coach Johansen said, breaking the murmurs in the lobby. “It’s already 7:10 PM. Less than two hours remain before the start of the game. But luckily, everyone, including Zachary, the sleepyhead, has arrived.”

Most of the players in the lobby laughed at that and called Zachary a few more weird names. Zachary, of course, maintained a poker face and ignored them. But on the inside, he was smiling. The coach’s joke seemed to have lightened the mood around the team. As a result, his teammates were more relaxed than before. So, Zachary didn’t have to worry about them crumbling under pressure before the final.

”Okay, guys,” Coach Johansen yelled again. “It’s time for us to head to the Juventus Stadium for the Europa League final. We’re about to face off against Sevilla in what could be the climax, but not the end of the glorious moments of most of our careers. Guys, are you ready?”

”Yes, coach,” the players yelled back in chorus.

”Are you all ready?” The coach asked again.

”Yes, coach.” The players were even louder than before.

”That’s the spirit.” Coach Johansen smiled while nodding. “Let’s step out of the hotel and board the bus immediately. Let’s head out there and play as a team. And let’s hope we return here later in the night with the Europa League Trophy. May all the luck in the world be with us tonight.”

—–