Game 1 of Nordic Championship in Sweden vs Falkenberg

We are currently in Sweden playing in the Nordic Championship. This is the final tournament for the tourni we started playing in Norway. There are 4 teams (Marienlyst [Top team in Denmark], Falkenberg [Top team in Sweden], Nyborg [Top team in Norway], and us). After all the injuries, it was a good chance for us to get tested with 3 good matches. The way this tourni works is everyone plays everyone and the team with the best record wins the tournament.

Our first match was against the home team Falkenberg. This is the team that knocked out Middelfart last year from the Nordic Championships and in the first round beat Gentofte 3-0. They are a very big and physical team that serves very aggressive. Their six starters all had spin serves.

The first set was very close where both teams traded points til about 20-20 until they served a pair of aces and we couldn't side out and lost the set 25-22. The next 2 sets were very much the same close kinds of sets however we improved out passing and won 27-25 and 25-21.

The fourth set we started serving tougher and putting their outside hitters into trouble. We also stepped up our defence making it difficult forthem to score. We got out to a 20-14 lead and could taste the victory. However Falkenberg is the top Swedish team for a reason, A couple aces and blocks and they had cut the lead to 21-17. We continued pushing through and won the set 25-21.

George played fantastic. I think he had about 16 points. Alot of them at key times against 3 man blocks Matt was also a really strong leader and touched a lot of blocks. We didn't have too many blocks to the floor as they covered their hitters very well, but we recycled alot of balls with our defence.
This is me, after the game. I was awarded Player of the Match


Close up of the trophy!

A little celebration after the match

My dinner!



That's all for now, We played Marienlyst tomorrow at 1430. Should be a fun match!

live stats of Nordic Championship

here you can keep up to date with what we're doing in Sweden
http://www.volleyboll.se/hotline/p8.aspx?x=2009-01-30170122

The Injury Bug makes its way to Middelfart

On every team, a coach always fears that injuries can sneak up at any time. Even with the most elite training fluke injuries do happen that can leave players injured for some time. I felt that frustration as a coach this weekend when my star setter rolled her ankle during our second match of 7. The bug has been especially evident on our team as well. Scott pulled a muscle and hasn't been training 100% for weeks now; Bo and Soren both injured their arm; Matt rolled his ankle and hasn't been practicing for a few days; and i've had jumpers knee which hasn't kept me out of practice, but has been pretty painful.
With these injuries, there is much more pressure on the remaining players to perform in a situation where they feel less comfortable. With my girls team this weekend, after losing our setter, they were able to pull of 4 wins and 1 loss with only 5 players and adapting to an old style of volleyball with every setting and hitting. For our professional team, I don't think we will have to resort to going back to everyone setting, but dynamics do change. Even once injured players return it often takes them time to re-establish themselves since they have lost some training. However, If we can persevere and get through these injuries with all the players returning, it will make us a stronger and better team- not just for overcoming the injury but also to challenge our depth and to place guys in different roles. We have 3 matches this weekend in Sweden for the Nordic Championship. With a completely healthy team it would be a difficult weekend. With a team that is a little banged up, it just seems like the perfect opportunity to shine!

Back on track

On January 18th, we played Ikast (1-10) which was a chance to get back on track. Scott still had his injury with a pulled muscle and again Brage got the start. A hard week of aggressive practice prepared us to play a better match than the week prior against Gentofte. We on the game 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-19). We weren't really tested too hard and the game wasn't really a display of the greatest volleyball but it was an important two points to get for the win. With this game in the bag, we have a weekend off as it is Pokal Cup weekend.

Not so sweet start to the second half

We started the 2009 year with an away match against Gentofte (7-3). During an exhibition match on Thursday Jan. 8th against Marienlyst, Scott pulled a muscle in his leg and could not play in the match against Gentofte. This was a chance for Brage to fill the setting role. We got out to a pretty good start and won the first set 25-20 with some aggressive serving and limiting our errors. The second set saw Gentofte raise their level of play and a few inconsistencies on our side attackign the ball either gave them too many transition opportunities or we just gave them points with errors. The next set followed in the same kind of way with us continually giving away too many points. The 4th set we started to play more consisten side out volleyball with each team trading points. A block at 24-23 for them sealed the game however.
The loss puts us at 5-5 and tied for the 4th and final playoff spot. Our team passing has gotten a lot better but we need to start being more effective on offense. Oh well, we get to play another day!

The Fivb has recently made some changes to rules for 2009. Some are small and will not have much significant change on the game, such as a smaller coaching area and the ability to have two liberos. However there is a new net rule that says that it is not a fault to touch the net unless it is in the top 80 cm's and the player is in the act of playing the ball.
Here is a video of what is allowed and what is not, you may be surprised!

Leah's Trip to Denmark -November 2008

Ok I know it's a little late but Leah came to visit me from November 14th til the 20th. It was really a fantastic trip (well for me- she had to do all the traveling)! It was a very short trip for her as she had to finish her soccer season, and has school and ringette. But for anyone who has spent months apart from their loved one they know how much a short visit means!
Anyways, she was able to see one match against Holte, which we unfortunately lost. But got to take some exciting game shots!!




We also caught a handball match. Handball is Denmark's national sport and its kinda equivalent to Canadian in hockey -although they haven't won 5 jr championships in a row ;). However they make a big deal out of it! Our gym was packed wall to wall with fans and the place was going crazy. I'd been wanting to catch a match since i'd gotten here. Basically, it's like soccer that you try and score on nets but you can use your hands and its full contact!!!
Leah is also a fully certified climbing instructor so we planned before that she would take my girls teams climbing. The girls were pretty excited, but when we got to the facilities they were lets just say not as safety conscience as Canadian climbing gyms. They supplied harnesses but not much else- good thing Leah knew how to tie some special knot so the girls were able to climb. All in all it was tonnes of fun!







In all the trip was waay to short, but good to have her over for a little bit. She says she'll come back again so i couldn't have treated her too badly!