Andorra squash event

website: http://www.squash.cat/blog/andorra-squash-event/


In a weeks time, from the 10-16th of March a delegation from Norway will be playing the Invitational Andorra Squash Event. The tournament organizor is sponsoring everything for us this week, and suspicion is that smaller nations are invited so that the catalanians have a fair chance of kicking some ass.

The Norwegian team is almost complete, but miss the absence of newly crowned national champ Kristian Solhaug. It is still good to see that we have enough depth in the team to show up strong with HSK champ Ronny Aasbø on the number 2 spot and big killer PSA pro Sindre Roaldsøy on the number 3 spot.

Initially we will be playing the team event, where biggest competitors will be France and Scotland (I think) with PSA professionals Douglas Kempsell and Geoffrey Dumont leading the campaign. It will also be a great test for the Norwegian players to take on Portugal as they are one of the teams we need to beat in second division this year to stay in (which is the big goal)

Plus... Its ALWAYS! AWESOME! to BEAT! SWEDEN! in ANY SPORT!!! I'll beat a Swede in bowling and gloat forever. Singstar? Never lost to a Swede. European Club Championships Squash in Prague. Jea... we beat Sweden.

We're so lucky to have coach Mark with us on the journey to make sure everything goes according to plan. Unfortunatelly Ronny has pressing commitments at home so he can not play the individual tournament, but myself and Sindre will defend the honor of the Reds.

On a personal note, I am still riding the rollercoaster of life, that will hopefully go into a less loopy patch from after April. Theres a lot more squash coming up in the next part of the year if life only lets me. Im reeeeeaally keen on getting back into training now and this event will be a great motivation for me. I know its all still in me, and on a good day I can still play well. Fingers crossed for awesome squash in all my future matches

peace out

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

Pride

No. not gay pride. squash pride.


Or both if you like-------->



I was asked to describe squash in one word. I needed to think a long time on it. I can use half a day to talk about why squash is the greatest sport in the world, and why the people I meet in my path are the greatest people... but to put it all in one word. Thats difficult.

But it occured to me. Pride

I am proud of the sport. It especially hit me when thinking of how an entire sports community can come together as one, like during "BacktheBid2020" to get squash into the 2020 Olympics. I normally regard myself as a reflected person who would say "well the other sports worked hard too", or "we dont really know how much work they put into it"
But really, no other sport has stood together as one, worked and cared so much as a synchronized entity as the squash community did in the period leading up to the biased, predetermined IOC meeting in Buenos Aires. Win or lose, our boys put up a hell of a fight.

In the British junior open this year, which is the unofficial World Championships for juniors, we saw a kid from Peru playing a kid from Jordan in the final in the most prestigious U19 class. In what other sports do you see Peru and Jordan compete on the highest level in any sport? It is so great to see the sport grow in the countries where you would normally not expect it. Jordan has several premium players, Israel needs to be mentioned, Diego from Peru is a rear case, more eastern european countries are putting together more tournaments and junior programmes, in the world championships we saw a flag from Zimbabwe, Argentinians, caribbeans.... the list goes on.

There are those people around that gives it their all for squash. Former players, professionals, coaches or those who just love the sport. I call them the firesouls. Their soul burns (not like in hell..no.. It means like.. dedicated. get it?) for the sport and they do everything in their power to raise the sport to a new level. The difference between a firesoul and a general manager of a gym is that the manager will tear the squash courts down to make more money out of a gym facility. The firesoul works his butt off to arrange lessons for school classes in the day, social evenings, ladders, tournaments and league. Maybe there is less dollars, but they are not in this for the dollar.

In the USA they have squash training for kids to get them off the streets.

The Egyptians have all had a bloody tough time over the last years with the political situation, but the quality of squash remains. The players are heroes in their own country and shine a light of positivity into an unfortunate, and hopefully temporary situation.

In Pakistan, a country with long squash traditions (for men) a brave soul Maria Toorpakay, trained and competed as a boy in an area controlled by taliban. A female in such a sport was looked upon as "un-islamic" and when her gender became common knowledge, she was harassed and bullied. Did she lay down and cry? She pursuied her dream, moved to Canada and is now top 50 in the world.




Our world champions are graceful in victory as they are in defeat. They are approachable and totally free of any cocky behaviour.

You have to be bloody tough to be a squash player, you have to be driven to be a squash coach, you have to be motivated to run a squash club, you have to be plain stupid not to vote squash into the Olympics and you have to be crazy not to be able to enjoy a good squash match.







(Note to Thomas and Cigany: I write freely from the top of my head with no reviewing, so excuse my french but this is an attempt of english. TypeOs and bad structured sentences are the privelige of blogging and how I enjoy writing. As long as my message comes across.)

I know I know: BadLY structured sentences, bessevissers

Logo

After some work from myself, Steve (Wonder) Finitsis the artist and Anna Ragnhild Røynstrand my squash player logo is now done and ready for the rest of the season. Now it will go under the printer to be put on my shirts. then I will look

SUPAFLY!!!

MOvember squash

The Norwegian team is ready to get fit during national team training this weekend in Sola, Stavanger. Squash capital of Norway. As usual the training is lead my Mark "Onefoot" Hornby and the lunch made by the lovely Reidun Ribesen. Bedsheets are handwashed by Sindres mom ;)

Participants are old farts and young farts. I am looking forward to see the younger talent group as I am not playing too much in Norway anymore.

The selection: Lotte Eriksen, Alvilde Sønju , Kim Are Killingberg, Kristian Solhaug, Ronny Aasbø, Edvard Hegbom, Hans Olav Torgersen, Sindre Roaldsøy, Lars Klæning, Niclas Østerhus, Patrik Hansen, Thomas Gjerde, Trym Aasness Åckerstrøm, Jonas Karlsen, Bjørn Rune Østerhus, Daniel Hjartland and Daniel Pinto.

Since this is the end of November I am expecting Stash, tush and trønderbart factor to be high.

New New New Job

How many jobs can a man have you might ask. Well, 2 went down the drain as massive miscommunication but me between a rock and a hard place. Hence the new coaching job at Overhout, which is going great and we just finished a great kick off event before the squash season :)

However, it is not enough to support my living and my squash career. In my squash team in Alphen aan de  Rijn is a man who owns 2 of the best gyms in Holland, Fitness 365. One located in Alphen, and one in Amsterdam. After a league match, we talked, and he heard I was looking for a job. He said he had a physiotherapist working in his gym, and this guy was looking for qualified personel.

I later forgot about it, as I for months now have been applying a lot and asking a lot without much success. A few weeks later I get a phonecall from another Jeroen. He is the house physiotherapist at Fitness 365 and looking to expand. We meet up and find a good tone. Turns out, my friend from school Andrea Marcussen is also working here. The more we talk, the more we agree on how we want to do things, and we share a similar passion for the profession and view on the finesses of the trade.

It helped having Andrea already working there so I had an extra assurance about the people and the place.

Contract, some time to think, some things to discuss, 3-2-1 GO! Day 1 patients, day 2 learn the computer system, day 3, welcome to your own clinic, You are now taking over full time. Thank you and goodbye ;)



The gym is a physiotherapists dream. I have physio specific equipment and standard gym equipment from A to Z. segway treadmills, Eccentric driven training machines, and own crossfit area, a qualified staff and a nice atmosphere. I started already with 25 patients, and looking to build on this to expand further. I am the physiotherapist at 365 Alphen aand de Rijn, which is, as mentioned the clinic in the same city as I play league in.

I work closely with chiropractors, as I did in Klinikk for Alle in Stavanger, Norway. This suits me excellent, as I know how well this works. I also have a great team of fitness trainers with various specialties that help send me patients, and take over patients from me when they are well enough. Symbiosis.

Have a look at the Fitness 365 website: http://www.fitness365.nl/ Its impressive stuff
Physio30 website: http://physio30.nl/

Oh, and I got myself an appartment in Haarlem with the woman and a cat(!)

Squash? not too good :/ First get life settled. Then whoop ass on court.

AJ Bell World Championships Manchester 2013

 
One year ago at this exact moment I suffered a nasty ankle injury on my left ankle, only 10 days before the World Open in Qatar. I still pushed through and played it, losing out 3-0 to the world no60 Oliver Pett.

This year one month ago, I suffered a deja vu as the same ankle injured on the same place. After a descent start of the season in Herentals, the injury affected me strongly during the euro club champs in Italy and I continued rehabilitating for 3 weeks after my return to Holland. The injury gave me a good chance to do some solo hits and apply the final touch on my technique that has been a bit of a project over the last years. The last touch still requires a while to get automatized, and I still didnt feel 100% comfortable with it. I managed to get 3 hits on court with a partner before taking off to Manchester. Preperations were far from optimal.

However, talking it over with coach Mark Hornby, we thought it still would be a great experience and learning arena no matter the result. If it didnt go the right way in the tournament, we could still use the time we had to work on my game a bit.

On matchday I had a good preperation with a good hit on the glass court with Shahier Razik, the number 1 Canadian player, as well as  a chat w Nick Matthew and some movement/activation drills at Northern squash club, also in Manchester. The body felt good and ready for a fight. The racket handling was not as good as it has to be.

I drew the no5 seed in qualifying and PSA ranked 39 in the world, Karim Ali Fathi. A fast player with good racket skills, liking hard hitting and a fast pace. After a good warm up, I felt ready to run down every ball and die out there if necessary. I had to, as I had little confidence in my technique.

The first 3 balls played hit all the nicks in the back, and the rest hit all the nicks in the front. Typical egyptian style squash was enforced by a dead court with huge nicks. 11-2 loss

I was told to step up the court, volley more, close down the court, run everything down, while I had to try to hit the ball properly. I could only do one thing at once ( I am but only a man), and then the other parts were not completed very well. I still managed to sneak a few extra points in the second game by keeping the length and width better and slowing the ball down more, pinning him into the back. Still the difference in ranking shone through as I lost 11-5.

In the third game I snatched a bit too much, focusing more on running than hitting, making a lot of tactical blunders to lose it 11-2

Even though it was the quickest loss in the first round qualifying, I cant beat myself up about it, thinking of what I have been through the last months. But naturally one always want to perform better on a stage like this.

All the things missing at the moment has been working well for me at one time or another lately. I just need to get them all in at once. I know I am almost there. I just need a good year of training now to put the pieces of the puzzle together. It will be hard, as I now support myself with working, but it is not impossible. Hopefully I will better myself until next year and come back to the tour stronger than ever.