Squash for food: Hafsfjord cup

14-16 November is the always prestigious HSK cup. A big norwegian cup for juniors and seniors. This tournament was the first time I beat the former no1 player in Norway, and climbed the throne myself. its also the club where I worked and played for 3 years to improve my game.

I was given a brutal draw, as I played last weekends finalist in the first match, then national team prospect Lars Klæning 2nd round, seeded to play Norway no3 Ronny Aasbø in the semi final, and Norway ranked 1 and current national champ Kristian Solhaug in the final.

I was keen as ever and waltzed over my first and second round opponent both in 3 games, trying my best to keep focus and not show weakness.

The surprise came in the semi final as former Norway no1 and national champ Hansi saw off a recently ill Ronny in 5 tough games. I remember having to push for 5 hard games against Hansi in my 2nd national title. Its never easy against a never-say-die opponent with the capacity of a duracell bunny on steroids.

Focus was good in 3 games, and dropped for 1 game.... ergo. 3-1 win after a well played and entertaining match.

In the final, after an impressing dispatch of Sindre in the semis, with great pressure play, was nemesis, Kristian AKA Kissa AKA Norways driest humour. The player I battled with for 5-6 years over the no1 spot in Norway. He had it when I took it, and after 4 consecutive years, he took it back.

I had my game plan ready since last year after I lost my title to him. And it went exactly as expected. I knew I had the skill and capacity to beat him. But I knew i could not show weakness, or let him in at any moment. My coach told me after the nationals that the moment I took my foot of the gas, he sniffed a weakness and took full advantage. That could not happen again. Feeling mentally a lot healthier this time, my game plan held up. But it was still a tough battle. He is a master in pulling the most out of his last 5%, and even though he can barely move, he still keeps retrieving and can apply pressure at any time. I kept my calm and kpet squeezing, squeezing, applying more and more pressure until he cracked. it took forever, but it worked.

now I have money to survive the month...I think. And get a haircut

Squash for food: Moss open 2014

Most of you don't believe me when I say I am broke. "But you travel a lot, do fun things and get sponsorship gear" Yes. The travels are making me broke. Plus, starting your own bussiness is NOT CHEAP. Lisences, insurances, taxes, cheaters taking your money, unexpected fines, programs and services you had no idea was necessary. I need courses to maintain my physio license that costs me 2000 euros all of a sudden. My student loan is around 50 000 euros. When I started working that had to come off.

I used to have 3 accounts. My norwegian account (just in case ) My norwegian insurance account, and my Dutch one. My insurance account was stopped after the last payment because I now work in a foreign country. So no insurance. And no money there. My norwegian account has been empty for a while. I checked it today. There was 300 NOK there. (Mum transferred 2000 so I could book my flight home for christmas, but I did not have money for food last month. So I borrowed it :/ Sorry mum)

The federation needed 300 for the licence to play the tournament.

In my Dutch account is 112 euros. My bike broke down, and transport 1 week is 60 euros. Bike fixing is 50. No more food.

So.

No joke.

Im broke.

And after talking to the tournament organizor, its now clear that I dont only have to win it to stay alive, but I might end up owing them money in the end. A new rule state that even in a PSA closed sattelite, you have to pay entry fee. So either I win. Or Im screwed

note to self: Ur an idiot

A good start when I had to pay 50 euros for the bus ticket to the squash centre. Upon my arrival awaits my gift package of a few rackets balls and a squash bag from my sponsor plus 300NOK in pocketmoney for bananas throughout the weekend from the tournament organizor. He also lets me wait to pay the entry fee until after the tournament ends to see if I can pay it back or not :/

My first match, starting with 5-0 down, ends with a 3-0 victory. Slowly getting used to the plate walls again. The next morning I face Marwan el Shorbagy.........s room mate Håkon Standal. Another Bristol player from Hadrian Stiffs crew. After being 25 min late due to roadblocks, I end up losing my first game 11-3, before I get warmed up and take a close 2nd game... and 2 consecutive not so close ones.                                            Semi final is the expected final against Sindre Roaldsøy from Stavanger. The 2nd highest PSA ranked Norwegian. After a brutal battle and a broken wrist at 12-12 in the 4th game, I pull away the victory in 4 games. playing slowly better every match.                                                                            The surprise on the other side of the draw is the top junior in Norway beating the first seed of the tournament 3-0. That left me the left-overs of a tired junior in the final. The fight was short and one sided. Not that I mind. That means I won in 3 and had enough money to get home and get my bike fixed.

After the following week, I fixed my bike, bought a ticket for the next tournament, got some food. now I have 12 euros left :/ Leaving for Stavanger next weekend, where once again... I have to win to survive.

Note to self: you're still an idiot