PARIS, France -- The Capital University men's basketball team departed on their 2026 Europe trip taking on France and Portugal. The team will provide a blog of their travels as the week progresses. Check back here for more updates!
DAY EIGHT
The day started at 8:30am, when Sean and I woke up and checked in at breakfast. We then went outside and walked around the shops beside the hotel. After that we decided to drop our purchases off and took a long walk to an old castle and saw some nice scenery. We then went and got some shrimp at a seafood restaurant, went back to the hotel and took a nap. The night finished with some good dinner and ice cream.
Today was our last day on the trip and our itinerary was free. We started the day with team breakfast in the hotel later in the morning then most days. Then, the rest of the day was up to you. Some people traveled to Lisbon to get food and shop while others stayed in Cascais. I got last minute souvenirs for the people back home. We finished the night with dinner and ice cream.
Sean Spicer and
Colton Bruny
DAY SEVEN
We started the day with our first morning in Lisbon and went downstairs for breakfast to get ready for going to the sail ship. I got the opportunity to sail the ship for 75% of the ride which ended up being really fun and surprisingly easy. After we went there we went to lunch where we got some good food. Then we went to our game which was against a u23 team in Lisbon in a very cool stadium. We started the game off a little slow down five 5 at halftime. Then we turned it up and ended up winning the game by double digits. After the game a few of the guys went to their team shop to get some souvenirs. We then went back to the hotel and had the rest of our evening free. Me and a few of the guys went to a steakhouse for dinner which ended up being my favorite meal of the whole trip and it was very good. After that we got ice cream and headed back to the hotel for the night. Overall the day was a success and was very enjoyable.
Braden West
Yesterday we went on a sailboat tour. It was a lot of fun and we saw a lot of cool parts of the city. We got lunch at a cool spot along the water and I got some pizza. Later in the day we had a game and we won. The arena was really nice. At night we went to a steakhouse. Really fun day.
Logan Woloshan
DAY SIX
The day started early with breakfast at 6:30 a.m. before heading to the airport to start our day to Portugal. After boarding the plane at 10 a.m., the trip continued with a landing in Lisbon at noon. From there, a bus ride into downtown Lisbon gave the first glimpse of the city and its atmosphere. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe provided a chance to relax before beginning to explore more of what Lisbon had to offer.
Later in the day, we got to experience a tuk tuk tour around the city and time spent sightseeing around Lisbon. After checking into the hotel, our day continued with dinner at Restaurant Kaffeine, followed by ice cream to end the night.
Julian Mitchell
DAY FIVE
We started off the day by going to look at the Eiffel Tower and go on a River Boat Cruise around the city to look at all the historic architecture and landscapes of Paris. We identified and learned a lot about such artifacts, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the burial site of Napoleon, and a lot of built structures during the French Revolution. After the Boat tour, we went to the shops around Paris, and got to find some exclusive clothes and items to help remember the trip to Paris.
Towards the end of the shopping spree, we went to the Palace of Versailles. Built by King Louie, this was located 30 minutes west of Paris. It was the original place where King Louie and his family had ruled for years and was filled in a small little town, full of cool gift shops and churches in the nearby areas. We spent a few hours there before ultimately heading back to Paris, where we ended with a fantastic dinner and got some gelato ice cream afterward.
The last day in Paris was a success and was filled with multiple learning experiences and fun times with friends.
DAY FOUR
Today we had an early morning and woke up at 6:30am to eat breakfast at the hotel and leave for the Bayeux, Normandy, and D-day experience. We started at a museum where we saw an abundance of artifacts and displays from WWII. It was really cool to learn about specifics of a few of the operations. We then went to the Commonwealth war graves which is where all the non-American soldiers are buried. From there we went to Pont de huc and Omaha beaches, in which both are very important places for WWII. Then the last thing we did before we headed back to the hotel was saw the American flag lowering ceremony. Once we got back to the hotel, we got some food and relaxed for the rest of the night.
Brody Gowen and Se'ron Calloway-White
DAY THREE
Yesterday was one of the most exciting days of my trip in Paris. Earlier in the day, I went on a bike ride around the city and got to experience the beauty and culture of Paris up close. Riding through the streets let me see famous buildings, busy cafés, and the energy of the people all around me. The city had such a lively feeling, and everywhere I looked there was something interesting to see. It felt amazing being able to explore Paris in a way that made me feel connected to the city and its history.
Later that night, I played in one of the craziest basketball games I have ever been a part of. The game went into double overtime and ended with a huge win for our team. The crowd was unbelievable the entire game. The fans were constantly cheering, banging drums, and bringing so much energy that it honestly felt like there were over a thousand people in the gym. The passion from the French fans really showed how much pride they have for their city and their teams. The atmosphere made the game even more intense and exciting, and it is a moment I will never forget from this trip.
We went to the Louvre Museum. The largest national museum in France. The Glass pyramid is the first piece of Art work and most notable attraction for the museum than the buildings surrounding it. This was the last stop on the bike tour and arguable one of my favorites.
DAY TWO
Our basketball team had a great experience visiting famous places in Paris while also getting the chance to play a game. As a group, we visited Notre-Dame Cathedral and saw the amazing design and history of the cathedral. We also visited the Pantheon, where we learned about important people from France and got to experience more of the city's culture. Another fun part of the trip was spending time by the Seine River, where we enjoyed the views of Paris and spent time together as a team.
We also had the opportunity to play a basketball game against ES Nanterre. Playing against a team from another country was exciting and helped us learn more about different styles of basketball. Overall, we had a great experience that allowed us to enjoy basketball, learn about a new culture, and make a lot of memories together.
Coach Gholson and McKane Finkenbine
DAY ONE
After an overnight journey from Columbus to Paris, the excitement of finally arriving in France made the long travel day completely worthwhile. Once we got settled, the squad set out on a walking tour through the streets and many flights of stairs of Montmartre, where artists painted along the sidewalks and the city's history seemed to come alive around every corner. Climbing the winding streets toward the Sacré-Cœur Basilica was unforgettable, especially with the breathtaking panoramic views of Paris waiting at the top. Along the way, there were several stops in cafés and small local shops filled with pastries, souvenirs, and the unmistakable charm of Parisian culture. The relaxed pace of the afternoon allowed everyone to soak in the atmosphere, and take a couple of naps, while adjusting to the excitement of being in a new country. That evening, the group gathered for a wonderful welcome dinner where conversations, laughter, and delicious French cuisine made everyone feel instantly connected. Despite the jet lag, the combination of sightseeing, beautiful scenery, and shared experiences kicked off the beginning of our amazing journey abroad!
Coach Coan and Aden
