Tuesday 30.04.2013
This morning I woke up early to go through my preperations for my first match, the exact way I would do it the next day. This way my body gets used to the daily rythm, I will sleep better tonight, and limit the amounts of surprises that may occur.
By now I know my warm up routine, what food and drinks that work better for me and the timing of it all. This normally gets disturbed as you travel all around the world, but I will take full advantage of my "home soil"
I had a look at the stadium and had a hit. The centre is coming along nicely with live streaming from the centre court and live scoring updates on all courts. It is a big centre with many possibilities. Many of these possibilities are already being covered. The live score and stream can be found here:
http://www.squash.nl/calendarevent/18080/European-Team-Championships-2013
I am mentally prepared, physically strong, hitting the ball well, and hungrier than ever before. Tomorrow is game time and Israel will be receiving some good ol viking fury.
Wednesday 01.05.2013
First match up today against Israel was as hard as expected. We tied at 2-2 in matches, 10-10 in games and 142-144 in points in favour Israel. We then claimed 1 point each for the tie. Myself and Ronny Aasbø on the 4th spot took the wins home, while Kristian and Hansi were ever so close to taking the last deciding game we needed.
I played Ido Avron in my first match, who was top 150 in the world last year. A very powerful and skilled player. I started off quite steady with a good basic game, and he produced many errors to give me the first game comfortably. Even though he came closer in the second game, it was basically the same story as in the first. In the third game, he found some good angles, shots and caught me a bit off guard. I lost my way a bit and had to let the game go. In the fourth game, I regained focus and startet pressuring my opponent to making mistakes. 3-1 for me.
Although I got away with this match, I need to step it up tomorrow, where a stronger opponent awaits. I did not feel 100% comfortable with my hitting today, but I had a hit in the evening, where I found my groove again. Hopefully it will stick until tomorrow. Go team NORWAY!!
Thursday 02.05.2013
The crucial last group match against Sloveniawas set to be a thriller as our group was still open. I was on first playing the experienced Martin Mosnik. I began playing steady squash in the first game and a half and found myself 1-0 up and 10-8 up. however, the Slovenian used his experience to claw back and take the game on a tie break. 1-1. I upped my game again in the third, taking it 11-6, before losing a close 4th 9-11. This match by now already lasted 75 minutes and this took its toll on the opponent, who couldnt match the "Northug fitness" from Trøndelag. I ran away with the 5th and was 9-1 up, before closing the game comfortably. The opponent was empty..... I had no idea what happened on the other courts, but apparently they already played 2 matches, where Hansi won his match, while Kristian had to see a tough 5 setter go. The ever so steady Ronny took the last match comfortably, giving us the much important 1st spot in the group and setting up the quarter finals against Luxembourg.
We played Luxembourg at 4pm. We beat them last year twice, when they ended up 4th. However, this year, they lacked their number 1 player. We decided to rest Kristian, to give Sindre his debut match this year. Sindre did what he had to do, and breezed through his match 3-0. So did the rest of us, except Ronny who dropped a game. Norway-Luxembourg: 4-0. Next up: Malta in the semi finals, where I play top 60 player Bradley Hindle who is making his comeback after a nasty hip injury.
Friday 03.05.2013
Our Finals spot in this years European Championship was secured after a solid 3-1 win over Malta who did great to battle their way into the semis, which is their best ever in this tournament. They have a strong number 1 and a promising no2 player. There is a bit of a dip down to their number 3 and 4 player, while we have a quite evenly solid team throughout the ranks.
I had to see myself beaten by a better and more experienced player player today. Although progress has been good for me, this accuracy and tempo level is still a bit above me at the moment. Luckily my boys came through for me, winning comfortably 3-0 in their matches. The crucial one was the 2nd string match, where Kristian kept his cool and played well to win a match that could be a thriller. I am glad to see that the boys are playing better and better and I am confident we can all do well in tomorrows final against Israel. They also have an overall strong team, but we want this more!!!!!
Saturday 04.05.2013
FINALS DAY! D-DAY! JUDGEMENT DAY!
You choose!
After a week of hard work and good efforts from the entire Norwegian team, we reached the finals of the 3d division european squash championships 2013 in Amsterdam. A re-match of our first match against Israel who also played with a strong team this year.
Myself and Kristian were on first, which was crucial as I won my first meeting with the Israeli no1, and Kristian was ever so close to beating their no2. I had to keep up my good work, and Kristian had to step it up, something I had full confidence in, as I had followed his games from day 1.
In my first game, it was a close affair as the Israeli clinched it 11-9, both working out some nerves. A crucial game it proved to be. In the second game, I found myself 5-10 down, when I started lifting the ball more, proving to have a good effect on the smaller opponent who was not as secure on the high volleys. This lead to a nice run of points and a mental advantage as I won the game 12-10. I continued my tactics in the 3d, which awarded me the game 11-7. In the 4th game I was caught off guard as my opponent suddenly changed his tactics as well, giving himself more time to play his attacking shots. He won the game 11-3, not allowing me to enter the game at all. In the 5th game it was neck and neck all the way, but he went for his shots, and compared to our first match, this time, they went in. The 5th game was lost 7-11.
I had no idea what the score was on the other courts, but it turned out Kristian lost 3-1, and that gave us a tough, but not impossible task. However, our no3 string did not have a good day on the job and lost 3-0. An ever so steady Ronny on no4, was not really there on the day and halfway through his match we realized we had already lost the match.
It was not meant to be this time as we lost to a better team. At least we moved up one division to play with the great players in 2nd division next year in Italy.
To everyone that followed us, cheered us on, flew in with flags to support and watched the livescores. A big thank you from me and the whole norwegian squash team :)))
