[ltr]Hello Israel from Poland!!!
It's been a crazy couple of days. We arrived after a plane flight to Prague and bus ride through the Czech and Polish countryside. Apparently there are very few toilets in rural Poland...
Our first day at the tournament site we were the only country there. All three teams had great practices on lush green grassy fields. The stuff we only dream of in Israel. And then it started raining, really raining. Players were confused about rain in the middle of August. It may have dampened our clothes, but not our spirits.
Monday we had a relaxed practice day in the morning, and the opening ceremony in the evening. After some serious cheering, where Team Israel rocked out, we were treated to Polish acrobats. Lots of standing on each others shoulders.
The opening game of the tournament was host Poland against our Junior Open team. The under20 boys were pumped, and jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Poland scored. The energy in the stands was electric with the girls and under 17 cheering the entire game. While the game was never really in doubt, emotions went up and down all game. Visan and Kessel both hurt wrists on the artificial surface and Eran injured his leg. Ofek continued his run from EUC, recording 7 assists and a goal. Nadav (6 and 3) and Yuvkis (4 and 2) were also productive.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1034Today the rest of the teams started their play. Everybody played twice.
The U17 team's first game was against the Czech Republic. The Czechs started strong, building up a 5-1 lead, but Israel pulled it back to 5-3 at the half. Czech pushed their lead back to 4 before Team Israel caught their groove and tied it up at 9. The Czechs were able to put across the last two points to finish 11-9. A touch loss, but with a good comeback. Elad led the way with 5 assists.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1100The U17's second game was against Britain. While the game ended 12-5 (according to the internet, but 11-6 is what people are telling me...) , the feeling on the sideline was of a much closer score. Everyone was throwing themselves around, snatching D's and laying out. Definitely a game to be proud of.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1086Tomorrow they have France and Germany.
Our Girls opened up against the German U17 team. There are only three Girls U17 teams, so they are playing 'warm-up' games against U20 teams. Games that don't count in the standings. If we had enough players for two teams, half our Girls team would play U17, so it didn't really feel too lopsided. That said Team Israel jumped out to a solid 6-2 lead at the half and a 9-4 final. Noy scored 4 goals, and Ofir assisted on 4.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1114Everyone has been talking about last years Britain-Israel game here. Everyone remembers how our Girls nearly upset the British, before they were able to come back and win. This year the game wasn't as close (16-6) but the intensity, effort, emotion, and spirit was as high as last year. The two teams stretched out their spirit circle and post game games as long as they could. We have developed quite the rivalry. So much of what happened isn't on the score sheet, you should have been there.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1068Tomorrow the girls play France in the morning, and the Finish U17 girls in the afternoon.
The Open boys took to the field this morning for a tough game against a very good German team. There isn't much to say after a 17-2 game. The guys played hard, and played well, but sometimes things just don't work out.
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1017Game two today was against Austria. It was a streaky game with each team going on scoring runs. The Austrians, to our dismay, had the first and last runs. Ofek and Nadav were each responsible for 6 points (3 of each for Ofek; 4 assists and two goals for Nadav)
http://eyuc2011.frisbee.pl/?view=gameplay&Game=1028Tomorrow is Sweden in the morning, and the European team in the afternoon.
It's been a long day with a lot of ups and downs. Hopefully tomorrow will add more ups with fewer downs.
Go Teams Israel!!
Abe[/ltr]