RESULTS and Comments, European Individual Closed Squash Championships 2013

Draw: http://www.toernooi.nl/sport/draw.aspx?id=C2866472-4AFE-4713-97E5-59ADC7CD538A&draw=1

After a tour around Amsterdam, the Norwegian delegation arrived in Haag to pick me up before we headed to "Casa ter Sluis in Breda, where we were housed for the week. Breda is approximately 1 hour away from Herentals where the tournament was held this year, and Marjolein, Marc and Tessa were great hosts for the vikings the whole week, cooking, cleaning and serving our every need throughout the week ;)

 With 4 people in the attic, and 2 of them running a nightly nasal cavity marathon, there was no sleep to get the first night. After a good start in the morning where Sindre beat his russian opponent in the morning, I was up against Gregoire Marche of France in my first round.

I was unlucky enough, just to drop out of the seedings. This meant I would have to face one of the big guns in my first match. This player is ranked 160 spots over me on the ranking at 30. This is a significant difference, and I really needed to play out of my skin to perform well. My gameplan was set early, and agreed upon by the coach. In the first few games I saw that the gameplan was not working well, as Marche was to quick on the ball. If I am not in control, it is hard to maintain gameplan. So before the third game, me and coach Mark decided on a new gameplan. This one proved more effective, but the difference in level was too great in the end, and I lost 3-0. I was still happy with the way I played in the end, as I can see that I can still play with these boys and make them run for their money. My hitting is more consistent, mental toughness is present and I am starting to move better again.

 Sindre is showing his happy face after the first Norwegian win of the tournament :D

 Lotte also started of with a strong win after a macarena warm up. She beat up and coming Belgian national champion Nele Gilis in a tough 4 setter, setting her up for the quarter finals against the winner of the tournament Camille Serme.


On the second day of play I faced Mark Burke from Belgium. An experienced player with a good reportoar of shots. I found it hard to step up the pace against a player who slowed it down a bit more. This was the only match this tournament I did not play well at all, and my focus was a bit all over the place. The score in the end was 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, and a good sesison to work on playing big points, which Mark (coach) is stressing a lot. A sweaty encounter in 40 degrees heat, running around a squash court makes one tired. So chilling on the grass outside in the shadow is not such a bad idea :))

Sindre played world no18 LJ Anjema is a battle of the giants on court 8. This was a tough, but fun experience for the Norwegian Rolls Royce (Roaldsøy in english), ending in a 3-0 loss.

In my second round of the plate I got a bye (walkover) as the czech player pulled out from the tournament. This set up a meeting with old nemesis Rene Mijs from the Netherlands. We had some hard fought matches is the past, and I knew exactly what he was capable of. I felt a hunger to avenge my poor play the other day, and i came out blazing in the first 2 games. I dont think I ever played better, taking the games 11-6, 11-7 (I think). Then in the next games something happened as I felt all my balls were landing around the middle, and I twitched as I went for quick winners. Mark noticed that my opponent stepped further up on the T, taking away my sense of control in the game. This totally changed the pattern of the game, and probably experience from Rene's side, as he took the next 2 games. We were tied at 2-2. In the fifth game, I had a terrible start as the referees gave away 5 quick points in strokes and no lets I did not agree with. Then my opponent hit the joint between the front wall and side wall twice, making the ball die and drop dead on the spot. This was 7 points....of 11!!! Even if I played well and hung in as well as I could, it was not enough, and I lost 11-6. :(((((

With Sindres heavy legs he was not able to pull another win in the tournament, but gaining xp points like a rookie dwarf in WOW.

Lotte was unlucky to lose a tough 4 setter against Czech no1 Lucie Fialova but redeemed herself, chopping down Frenchie Maud Duplomb 3 games to 0 ending on a strong 7th place.

In my last match I was set up against Marc ter Sluis. Good friend, training partner, and room mate for the week. During training, we always play for coffee. The loser has to pay. This was no exception and so the loser had to pay the winner a coffee of choice at the place of choice. The contract was signed and sealed, and the trash talk began as usual on twitter 24 hrs before the match.

Marc has improved a lot lately and just the week before he beat me in a training match. He has cut down his error rate and starting to structure his squash better. I knew I had to play my best to win it. All games were hard fought, and neither of us did much wrong as we had long testing rallies up and down the walls. At the very end it seemed like Marc slightly ran out of juice as I could maintain the tempo for a little longer. This kept me ahead on the points and I rushed to the service box after every ball. I took the last game to deserve my coffee, but it was a good battle. #cappucinosquash

After the last match of the day we had a small dinner at the club (not allowed to take big portions, as there was not enough food) me and Marc had to prepare for a new tournament in Zoetermeer Netherlands. This is a 1 day tournament where you play up to 4 matches in one day. I was 1. seed and drew in the quarter finals the Dutch no1 who ended 7th in the EICC. Losing 3-1 after maintaining my good play, and missed out on good PSA points and next weeks food money :P

European championship preview

From the 4^th until the 7^th of September this year the European Individual Championships will be held just around the corner from me, in Herentals Belgium. This is approximately a 90 minute drive from my current location, so after some brilliant logistics from our Sport Manager and coach Mark Hornby, we arranged a rental car for transport and local accommodation at friends of mine. This helped keep the costs down for all of us.

The Norwegian representatives this year consist of Sindre Roaldsøy, myself and giant killer Lotte Eriksen. They will be flying in Tuesday, pick me up in den Haag to race down to Breda where we will be staying with 2 of the Dutch players, Tessa and Marc ter Sluis. We really appreciate you helping us out guys J

The draw can be seen above. Lotte has a bye on her first day, due to a good seeding, and might be playing on of the most talented junior players on the second day of play Tinne Gilis from Belgium. Sindre has to play a Russian player in his first match on Wednesday at 2pm. If he succeeds he will be playing Dutch no1 and world top 20 player Laurens Jan Anjema. This would be a great experience… for LJ. Because Sindre is a force to be reckoned with.

I will be playing top 50 world player Gregoire Marche from France. He is known for his fitness, athletic abilities and has made a name for himself in the top of the squash world. What he probably will not remember is that I was the head referee when he won his U19 European individual gold medal in Stavanger, Norway. However, I will not be in the same good mood when we meet on court Wednesday at 1800.

New Job

So... Since last time I had to get a job to fund my squash player life. There is at the moment a drought in sponsors and funding, forcing me to use my crazy talented skills in coaching and fitness.

I started my own company called Complete FysioFitness. I am basically self employed, offering my services to companies or individuals after demand. I offer Physiotherapy, Personal Training and Squash coaching. It is only in the start phase so far, but I have already established contact with the major fitness chain Sportcity. Sportcity is to be found all over Netherlands and offer Gym, Spinning, Group lessons, Personal Training and Squash to mention a small part of it.

I am the new official squash coach of Sportcity Den Haag, starting from next week, while I still offer PT and PT services in den Haag as well as in Haarlem.

On the 29th of September we launch a big Kick off at Sportcity den Haag, where there will be events, coaching, squash introduction and exhibition matches. This is for both members and non members to come by, have a look at the place, feel the atmosphere and enjoy the thrill, fun and fitness of squash. It will also be a great opportunity for me to introduce myself for local squash players, new squashplayers and new colleagues.

If you are in the neighbourhood, swing by:

Sportcity den Haag, Verheeskade 105, 2521 DD den Haag
tlf: 070 330 0400

Squash memories pt4(?): My first kings Trophy (National individual gold)

Around 4 years ago it struck me that I was tired of being the nations no2 squash player, a status that had stuck with me for a longer period of time.  The problem was that I was in this period also happy with it, as I did better than I expected up until this point. I regularly played finals in the Norwegian cup, but never seemed to pull through and win. The no1 at the time was Kristian Solhaug from the same club as me in Stavanger, Norway.

It all turned before one of the bigger norwegian cup tournaments (NC) where a reporter called me and asked for my prediction in the final the next day (I was playing Kristian). I told her straight out, in the same cocky manner as Kristian would have said it: "Me". Easy as that. I needed to believe it myself before actually doing it. The final the next day went to 5 games and I believe I was 6-10 down or so in the decider. I managed to pull back point after point and in the end I think I won 13-11. It was a great win for me, underlined by the many positive messages from near and far in the coming days.

This result did not mean that I was the new no1 player in the nation. But I had the confidence now to know that I could beat them all. I lost a few finals after this, and won a few.

The Norwegian Nationals this season was held in our home club in Stavanger. It houses 8 wooden wall courts and has produced most of Norways squash champions throughout the days. I remember having a tough 3-1 win over Patrick Hansen in the quarters that took a lot out of me. In the semis I played national team player Ronny Aasbø, winning 3-0, but mentally tough as he had a big crowd behind him.

In the finals they displayed the filmed finale on court 1, while there was a packed crowd behind court 8, where we were playing. I remember a lot of support for Kristian (as it is his hometown), but one of my best buds Linn showed up w the Killingberg flag after having lunch with me before to calm my nerves. That was very much appreciated :)

I recall being very nervous from the start, and even at 1-1 in the first game, I got a bad call against me, and I was screaming. Kristian screamed back so i think he was a bit tense too. He had lost the last 2 national champ finals, so he was hungry as ever for the gold. I won the first Game on what Kristian called "lucky", the following game I must have lost. I remember seeing our team mate Ronny going to coach Kristian and my other team mate Thomas coaching me eventually. The following 2 games were split. I won the 3d game 11-3 or something, and after a total meltdown in the 4th I lost it with the same cifers. After that game I felt t.o.t.a.l.l.y. f***d. I was so tired, dizzy and though this was it for me. Thomas told me:"Just play lengths and you will win, just play your lengths, thats where you're winning" Sure, might as well i thought. "He is more tired than you" Thomas said. That was hard to believe, but after a few rallies just that was exposed, as Kristian had no juice left in the old juice box. I ran away with the game in some tense moments, before feeling the greatest joy and relief I had felt for a....ever.

After I was speechless with grave stomach pain and tired mentally and physically like no time before, cramping front, back over and under, I could celebrate my first Kings trophy, which is the greatest honor in Norwegian sports

Summer!!!!

After ending the season 12/13 in style in Australia, it didnt turn out ranking wise the way I would hoped, but in the end that does not matter too much, as my personal plan is on route.

5 days after returning from Australia and just as I barely got time to adjust to the European time again, I took off to USA with a good friend from Norway, driving the east coast from New York to Miami.

Living big city life in New York, running stairs like Rocky in Philly, witnessing big fat gypsy weddings in south carolina, visiting Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, and ending up partying like a pro in Miami. A great 2 weeks spent with very little training. I did, however enjoy the casual hit with local coach John at Princeton in New York, and some chin ups at muscle beach, Ocean drive, Miami beach ;)

Now it is back to training. Summer training that is. This means normally a world of pain in my case. This year, for 2 months I will tag along my friend Rob Grants marathon running training programme. In the beginning, I will follow his schedule as much as possible. Slowly I must adjust it towards the physical requirements of squash. This means after a month or so, I will do more 300 and 400 meter sprints, interval training and more court stuff.

The next tournaments coming up are the european individual championships in Herentals Belgium, a local closed sattelite tournament, and the european club champs in Riccione, Italy in September.In October is the World Open in Manchester.

South Australian Open 2013

 Just 90 minutes away from the grand Barossa valley wine districts, is Adelaide, more specifically, in our case, Adelaide north, where the tournament is being played.

This is the last tournament in my Australian tour this year,that so far has been successful squashwise, but I have missed out on the points.

Let's see how I made it in my toughest draw so far.

In my first round match I faced Jean Pierre Brits from South Africa. My trusted roomie in Malaysia and last week in Barossa valley. A great personality and a strong and fair player. he  is fitter than most, the worlds most annoying retriever and possess good racketskills and a boast of Borja Golan. He chopped me in Malaysia a few months ago 3-0. I was veryvery hungry for revenge.

I have had good success with tactics so far on the tour, and my gameplan was ready. However, over the last days, I have not been hitting the ball well, and moving too great for some reason. My will to win had to overcome this somehow

In the first game I put together the rallies the way I wanted to, although, since i did not hit the ball well, it was not of the accuracy level I wanted. I still stuck to the game plan, made no errors and managed to clinch more points than my opponent on concistency. 11-5 for me

Second game started off badly as my shots did not penetrate and I was stuck in the back for most of the game not feeling the good flow in my hitting. 4-11 loss

At 1-1 in games, I really tried to stay focus on placing the ball, not on hitting it perfectly. Basically the same story as the first as I took it 11-5

And as the second game the 4th took the same line of events as the second game. I lost it 2-11 as everything was presented on a silver platter for my opponent to put away in the nick... and he did.

In the fifth game I noticed I needed to relax my wrist a bit more. This made wonder for my length and general hitting, tightening up my game and finding those corners again. I still struggling with a slippery floor and on 2 important points I completely lose my footing, faceplanting, and losing important points. on 2 other points I get nervy in the front, stroking myself, losing another 2 unnecessary points. In a game that ends 9-11, those points hurt you baaaaadly.

So again...so close, but still cant pull through.

That has been the story of this tour. Players that chopped me left and right 2 months ago are really struggling to beat me now. My squash has taken leaps which has motivated me strongly to keep pushing. However, the results are what counts on paper, and there we have no change. So should I be happy or not? I am very happy, as I have overcome barriers in my own head, opening up the world of squash even further than before. I know the results will come and that I have earned a respect among the other players I have not had before.

I must still draw a line between my thoughts now and what I felt 4 years ago, when I was happy with being no2 in Norway for a long time. At some point I have to get over that I am happy with my performance even though I lose. At some point I have to step up and put my foot down. Telling myself only a win is good enough.

On this tour I have shown that I am in it to compete, I have performed well under great mental, tactical and enduring challenges. I have competed under difficult circumstances and bad days. I have dealt with unfair players, my own head, top players and unexperienced referees. I have proven a lot to myself, as this tour has so far been the most valuable  trip I have ever made. What I have learned here will be of great use in my future squash career.

Now it is back to the wifey in Holland for a few days, before a well deserved holiday in the U S and A!!!! whoooopiee!!!

Barossa Valley Toyota Open 2013

05.05.2013, 1.10pm

After driving through endless vineyards yesterday evening, we finally arrive at our Motor Lodge in Tanunda, a small town in the middle of one of Australias biggest wine districts. With the charm and qualities of a small town, I feel right at home (:P) Hoping for less exploding taxis than in Kalgoorlie (my fb friends knows about my near death experience)

The qualification draw starts tomorrow, and I will be playing Tom de Mulder of Belgium in the main draw Friday. We used to train a bit together in Amsterdam a while ago, and I know him quite well. A quality attacking player, that will set up a quality challenge for me first round.

07.05.2013, 21.23 pm

It was 6 lets on 0-0. That set the standards for the rest of the match that lasted 60 minutes. I did enough running maybe worth 1 game. The referee did his best, but did not, unfortunatelly, understand some of the more complicated concepts of the professional game. I did the best I could and still played well when there was balls to play, but sadly there were not many. I felt in control the entire match, and winning points by putting together good rallies. my length could be better in the beginning, but that resolved quickly. My opponent did not score many points, but was awarded a lot of points from the referee, as I was given no lets as my line to the ball was prevented time and time again.

I saw from the beginning what sort of match this turned out to be, so I kept my calm as best possible, as I saw the referee did not catch up on what was going on. I was amazed how close the games were still, and I even got a game. It only shows how well I played really, and the fact that I was able to keep my cool throughout the match is a very positive thing I need to bring with me.

I lost in 4, but very happy with my mental strength and squash performance. In 10 years, a match has been given away like this against me, so hopefully it will not happen again in a while. A little bitter to miss out on good ranking points, but in the end the squsah is what matters.

In my next tournament, I will play JP Brits of South Africa, who is a good and fair player. I am really looking forward to playing some good matches in my last tournament of the Aussie tour, that so far has been very successful.