League Dronten vs Den Haag

This wednesday I had to play league for Flevoparq Dronten as they had home advantage and took on Den Haag. Flevoparq has had a strike of bad luck since the beginning of the season and needed every point in every game of every match to have hope on keeping their spot in the top division in Holland. This round was no exeption as their streak of bad luck continued with our number one Mark Kraijcak having to stand this round out as his car broke down in Luxemburg. Because of this we rented in local hitman Niels Hoevenaars, and myself was moved up to the number 2 spot. Niels pulled off a magical performance saving gameballs and matchballs on one leg in what seemed to be bread and butter for Niels. he won 3-2 at last, and after Sebastian Weenink of Den Haag won 3-0 over Flevoparqs Glenn Keenan it was up to me in the last match against Neeraj Aggarwal.
I lost the first game, as I felt tense and not relaxed at all as Neeraj played much better length than me. He was patient, kept it tight and did not do too much wrong. As the match progressed, I relaxed a bit more, hit a bit better, and found some more juice in the tank to win the next 3 games, even though they were very close. My opponent did not move that well into the front in the last games and I took full advantage of this, even though I felt I did not play well this match at all. Loose or short lengths and TO!MANY!FKKIN!!BOASTS!! This as well as I am changing rackets 2 times a day at the moment makes me a fun opponent to play as half of the time I do not know where the ball is going myself.
But on a day like this it is the result that matters and not necessarily the way I played. The atmosphere was great and Thony and his crew is doing a great job at Flevoparq Dronten. It was enjoyable to play and in front of a lively crowd who seemed to enjoy the matches.

For TV and newspaper coverage see:
http://www.omroepflevoland.nl/Sport/85969/flevoparq-squash-boekt-tweede-winst

PSA McWil - Vitarade Gdansk Open 2011

My next tournament is in Gdansk in Poland and lasts from Thursday 27th of November until Saturday the 29th of November. I am in the main draw where I am facing a well known training compatriot Bart Ravelli. He is the fourth seed in this tournament and is ranked no132 in the world at the moment.
I have never beaten Bart in a tournament before, and since we are training partners we kow each others games quite well. His most dangerous aspect is his ability to come back no matter how many points you are ahead. he is a very lethal and physically strong player not to be taken as an easy task. However, I know he has been struggling with a hamstring tear over the last period, but I must not let this make me drop my shoulders.

Concerning myself I am now back in training after a pause after the World Open. I will be ready for the tournament in Gdansk, even though the matchform is not 100% at the moment. Along with myself and Bart Ravelli, also Sebastian Weenink will be travelling from the Netherlands with us. He is also a good training partner with me here in the Netherlands, and it is always good for the atmosphere travelling with good friends.

It is important for me at the moment to improve my ranking as I have dropped from 173 to 233!!!!! during the last months. This due to lack of funds which leads to lack of tournaments, money and points. A big reason is also that my world ranking points from my first national win came off as well as good performances in smaller PSA tournament, this time last year.