National Squash Championship, Oslo, Norway 2014

The draw:

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=B7E1F7B3-F589-4235-A39D-53C3BBCCD550&draw=4

Day 0:

“savory or sweet?” None, I’m only fuelling this high performance machinery with gojis, oatmeal, nuts, fruit, gluten free,  lactose poor friggy diggy super diet. I’m not taking any chances before my nationals. No caffeine after dinner, enough rest, protein shakes with chiaseeds, crampwhooping bananananas. Enough recovery red wine in the evenings. Preperation is key. For a true foodie like me it’s hard to maintain a 100% diet. But for one weekend I’ll pull through.

Squash wise this was a very bizarre year. From playing fulltime in the first half of the year, enjoying my best squash so far, to frustrating myself with technical changes and injuries, to being moneyless, homeless, sponsorless and jobless, to starting up my own company and fysio practice. That was 2013 folks.

Due to the last part there, preperations for the nationals this year has been the worst so far. My top level is better than ever, but I lack the tournament experience and I lack the hours. I played very disciplined in the beginning of the year, reaping the benefits, and towards the end of the year had a bit of a “Fark it” moment where all discipline and technique went out the window and I played better than ever. However, playing like this, I am not consistent. When I maintain this for a game, I can challenge anyone, and chop most people “my level”.

Looking at it from the outside, the recipe I would tell myself is the best one is playing smart and disciplined and bring out the flare at the right time. But then again, I like old Ramy better than new Ramy, But then again, I am not Ramy… but then again, this is not Tournament of champions

Anyway, like last year, the NM is played at Myhrens in Oslo, hosted by Oslo squash club, where the final (and my first) match will be played on the 5 wall glass court. Yeah, you heard me. 5 wall (that means glass floor too) A great venue for big tournaments. We play a 128 draw. 2 matches Friday, 3 Saturday and 2 Sunday. Busy program. But looking forward to a great weekend with some kick ass squash, and hopefully no new champions.

Day 1:

First round match was versus Chris Petter from Bergen. A former top junior player with good racket skills. The last years he has been very busy with family life and has not been training too much. I expected a tougher fight from Chris, but won comfortably 3-0. Always nice to get the first match nerves out of the way

Day 2:

The longest day of the tournament, kicking off at 11am for me versus one of the Bærum top players Dyre Kleive, who used to play in Denmark. A fit and fast player with descent feeling of the racket. The match turned out to be very physical. Not in the traditional sense, but a lot of bumping and pushing left me with bruises all over my right side. Not a nice match to play, but still a comfy 3-0 win on a traditional court.

Next match, back on the glass court again (lucky first seed get to play a lot on the show court) against young hotshot Morten Wold. A very talented youngster who gave me a run for my money. As soon as I lost my length, he was attacking well with a good front court game. In the third game, I played better and took it 3-0 in the end.

Last match of the day was the quarter final  against former Norwegian champion and former no1 Hansi. We played a 3-2 championship match here 3 years ago. The start was very nervy from me, and I barely won it 12-10. After my nerves settled, I started playing well again and controlling the next 2 games for a nice and important 3-0 win

Day 3:

Finals day kicked off with the semi finals at 11.00. I faced team mate and powerhouse Ronny Aasbø. A player who impressed throughout the tournament and demolished all resistance with strong and steady play. Many expected this to be the big match of the tournament, and even with no sleep the night before, I felt focused. I had a game plan ready, and needed to contain my nerves better than my earlier match. This worked well, and I opened up a healthy lead just by playing tight and sticking to gameplan. I know Ronny well, and I knew his strong and weak sides. I stayed relaxed and controlled the match throughout, probably playing my best match to day, winning 3-0 against a strong semi finalist. In the other semi final the number 2 seed Kristian Solhaug beat surprise upset player Ander Engebregtsen 3-1

After a nice lunch with favvy homie Mette and my mum, I felt good before the final.

THE FINAL

Yes, THE.FiNaL! That is what they called it after the match. One of the more thrilling matches seen on Norwegian soil according to spectators who did not even know the players. I talked to people who were still trembling 15 min after the match. So I guess it was a crowd pleaser. I have felt every year when I have played Kristian in the final he gains more and more support. He has played 7 finals and only gotten second place. Every year he gains more support and this time 98% of the crowd was cheering and lifting him on with every point. A great atmosphere and a great crowd. I think Kristian has deserved 2-3 titles already. Most of the time I have been in the way, wearing him out in brutal 100 min semi finals, or taken the title in the final.

I hear from people every year “so this will be your … title”, “It will be easy” etcetc. I try every year to tell them, “No, it gets mentally tougher every year, when everyone wants you to loose, you’re the top dog and everyone expects you to win. The top players in Norway are not bad players. It can easily happen that I lose games and matches because they play good squash and train hard as well. Last time in Stavanger I got chopped by both Ronny and Sindre. It’s never easy folks.

First game:

 I followed my game plan, was in a good flow and won 11-3/4 comfortably.

Second game:

 I took the foot off the gas slightly and allowed my length to come off just a little off the wall. Kristian didn’t have to be asked twice and took advantage. Up until 6-6 it was close, and I started to get nervy. This happens a lot if I don’t play many competitive matches, and leads to all the wrong shots. After a few unforced, silly errors I gave up the game, as I was so tense I needed to get off court to re focus. I lost it 6-11

Third game: Length length length length.  Just don’t open up the court like I did in the last game. Keep it straight and take it from there. It worked well and I walked away with it. I won the game with 11-4 or something like that.

Fourth game:

 Kristian came out with a good gameplan and played well. He volleyed everything and if I hit it tight he chose a line through me to get the ball to end in a let. This frustrated me more and more, and at some point I also started receiving “no lets” for safety lets and strokes. Not helping with the tension. Battling my opponent, the crowd, the referee and myself became progressively harder. Its all part of the game, and my opponent handled it better than me. Feeling I had to do something with the ball, I put the ball in the front to soon to avoid the referee decisions, which would lose me the game anyway, Kristian was quick on it and played his famous drop shots. I was nowhere near it. 8-8 fourth game. Try to refocus, no mistakes keep it straight. What I didn’t notice, was that I focused so much on where to hit the ball, I lost my flow which has been why Ive been playing so well at times, for example in the semi finals. When I can stand on the balls of my feet, time the ball carefully and control it where I want it. Flow went out the window and I went into survival mode. After many lets I guess the straight drive from Kristian, standing right behind him with my racket ready the entire time, waiting for him to clear, but I cant play my winning shot. A “no let” is given. I tell them, at least give me a safety let, as I do not want anyone to get injured. But as you all know, one cant overrule a referee decision like that. 8-9 down. Long rally. I stroke him after a shot down the middle. I think it went too fast for the referee. After this I remember taking a long walk around the court and then I don’t remember much more from the game. I lost my head and the game.

Fifth game:

 All the emotions and attitude from the previous games are now piled up in my head. No one in my corner, so I need to try to coach myself. According to Kristian I was 6-1 up before he started clawing his way back. He played well, referee did his thing, I was out of my zone, and in the end I lost 11-8.

The aftermath:

It always sucks to lose, and especially the most important tournament of the year. I really looked forward to a great time with family and friends in Oslo this weekend, and it most definitely was. The preparation before the tournament was far from the best as my focus has been elsewhere the last 6 months, so I put my shoulders down and enjoyed it more than the previous years. I did not put as much pressure on myself as previous years. Still I felt I showed something out there, and when I play well, I play really well. Not having the hours or experience of training/matching as previous years might have made a difference.

Kristian played out of his skin on the day. Tactically masterclass, and showing mental strength and a winning will out of this world. Qualities that are often underrated in this massively complex sport and something for all youngsters to really take notice of. A player of great importance to his club, Squash Norway and his many fans. Its great to see an entire squash nation getting behind a player to lift him and support him all the way through, and after watching the replay of the last point and the crowds reaction, it was clear it meant a lot to many more people than just Kristian. All credit to the champion, who has now been teased for 7 years due to his silver medals. Well deserved. He taught me, helped me and pushed me to become the player I am today and still gave me a lesson.

In April we will be going to Italy for the European Championships, and I am glad to see we come with a strong team. We are now better than ever and I am excited to see how well we can do it. I am smelling upsets and reaching new heights.

Thanks to all my friends and family for the support. Especially mum, Kristoff, FreddysrehabcentreOslo, Salila, my buddies in Netherlands, Cigany, Mette, Sylvi, Elisabet, Arve and eeeeveryone else

Day 4:

“Savory or sweet……. Oh wait. We only have sweet” ……dammit