National Championships 2015

#squash4food is back

meaning I cant afford to go to play the nationals. But I still went. Problem is its gonna be bloody difficult to win it this year. Even if I was fit, 7 of the 9 best players are on my side of the draw.

I need to win to cover my expenses. Right now Im tapped out on my savings. You dont want to know where this money comes from, but no, I did not prostitute myself. And I have to work hard to pay it back.

In December last year I got hit with the seasonal bug. badly. It seems to get more and more people every year. It also seem to hit harder every year. I could not train for 2 weeks before the holidays. After 2 weeks at home in Trondheim, Norway with some good rest, I started training again in Amsterdam, only to get the worst cold I ever had. Another week gone. Now 2 weeks of training before the nationals is hardly enough.

Like I told my team mates earlier today. I am here to enjoy playing. If I can get through the weekend completing that goal, I have to be satisfyed. With that I can build on it and hopefully keep up some good training and come back stronger next year.

There is really no money for me to play any tournaments anymore. With good help from Frank and Cigany in Amsterdam I have been able to train at least, and I am very appreciative of that help. If not it would have been no squash at all.

I put no pressure on myself this year, and that is a lovely feeling to have. Its so much worse to know you are the best player and "have" to win it. This time Im hiding behind 3 or 4 other quality players.

I am actually getting excited to getting started in a few hours. Seeing good friends, smacking some balls and doing what I love <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

positives this year is that the glass court is gone. I hate that court.haha. Its too bad for the show, but for me personally I can stay clear of those dreadful results I have had on that court. Plus, my physical foundation is still good and I recover quite fast. I am struggling with match fitness, but there is not much residual stiffness after a match.


Update 1:

I am in the semi final!!!!! And very happy to be there. I knew it would be a tough run to get here, and the form is really not there. I was lucky to scrape through my matches, all 3-0. If I ever have a chance of the title this year it has to be like this. This morning my physique failed, in the afternoon my game failed. But absolutely stoked to get this far. Tomorrow I play Norwegian/Canadian Adrian Ostbye PSA 240 in a battle of the titans. Really looking forward to it :)

Update 2:

And a battle of the titans it proved to be. Poor jetlagged Adrian went to bed at 18.30 to prepare for the 10am match. I think he needed it. A very nervy start still proved to be close as I snuk the 2 first games 11-9, 12-10 being 2 game balls down in the second game. Amazed I was still able to compete, I felt relaxed and confident I could win it for once in the tournament. I did not feel as bad as the day before. It required a lot more concentration than usual to put the balls where I wanted them, but it worked.....this far. I think I remember correctly when I say I played well in the start of the third game. It was close all the way until around 7-7. I had a small drop in concentration and 3 bad calls against me, and all of a sudden the game was lost 7-11. In the fourth game, Mark told me the deciding factor was  my tactical choices. This makes sense, naturally, as I lack squash time. Im focussing so hard on hitting the ball in my targets that I am not aware of my opponents movement or court awareness. I though I fought well and played the right game in the 5th, but he found his targets better than me. As the legs were starting to fail, I let more balls go into the back corners. That messed the scoreboard up. And I messed my ankle up. Almost the exact same scenario as our 3-2 battle last year, when I won. Then he tweaked his ankle/achilles in the 5th. I believe we are now completely equal in points overall.

'

The bronze final became a tired affair between two old heroes of squash. Norwegian pakistani Shahab Hussein has been top 3 in Norway for many years and has already won this title before. After his 3-1 tussle with reigning champion Solhaug, it was a matter of will....and tins. I was 2-1 down and was able to sneak it 3-2 :)

The final become a tired affair as well, as Adrian had no gas left in the tank. The man had battled through 4 of the toughest players in Norway and spent almost double the court time of his opponent. He still proved to be a true professional and battled it out through the end. Kristian did the job, and played some great counter play to rack up some lovely points as well as squeezing Adrians tired legs around the court to secure his 2nd consecutive national title.

Congratulations to the winners Lotte Eriksen (legend)

and Kristian Solhaug

Moss squash club, Brian Phillips

Myhrens sportssenter

all sponsors

Norwegian squash federation and 

all volunteers 

Reflections of a mediocre squash player

Once closing in on the end of ones carreer I guess its normal to reflect over what you have achieved and experienced over this significant period in ones life.

I have been fortunate enough to get trained by legends of the sport like Geoff Hunt (need no introduction), Liz Irving (Australian hall of fame, world champion and coach of legend Nicol David) and Mark Hornby (Nick Matthews coach for many years)

I moved to the Netherlands where I got to train amongst great players like Nicol David, Cameron Pilley, Laurens Jan Anjema, Sebastiaan Weenink, Piedro Schweertman, Aisling Blake, Steve Finitsis, Line Hansen and Paul Coll to mention a few.

I fought my way up to the top in Norwegian squash, and went undefeated for 4 year, capping 4 individual national titles. With 6 national team titles it makes a total of 10 national championchips.

I represented Norway for 8 years, 6 of them as no1, junior and senior. As a team we got 2 European medals. One bronze and one silver (in 3d division). I ended 19 in the European championship 3 years in a  row, so I guess that is nothing but stable.

One of my biggest goals was to beat the best Swedish player (because they're Swedish). A far fetched goal was to beat the entire Swedish team, because they were always several levels above us. Still, in Prague for the European Club Championships I/We ticked those two boxes off. With a 3-1 win over the Swedish no1 and national champ Romain Tenant (PSA 60), it was the deciding match in our victory as we lost 2 matches 2-3 and won the last one 3-2.

I got to travel the world an play all over Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA. I've played countless European championships, 3 individual World Championships (Manchester, Doha and Rotterdam) and even played squash in Tromsø :P

I've played the greats like Peter Barker, Simon Parke, Daryl Selby, Derek Ryan and Simon Røsner (lost them all. Got 1 game in total. hohoho ;)

I have filled up my facebook friend list by 300%

Geoff Hunt knocked my teeth out in Qatar

I was almost killed by an aboriginal in Kalgoorlie Australia

Ive messed up my teeth, left ankle, right ring finger, right knee, right low back, right shoulder and left wrist because of this great sport

I regret nothing

Spoiled

In the end... you have to do it for yourself

After a year of diminished support and funding. A reality check. Adult life lurks in the shades. A blow in the gut as squash2020 was tossed and a personal blow to one testicle after the other.
Motivation sank to an all time low.
¨

My 2 biggest financial supporters were struggling financially. They were there in heart as always, but sponsoring got difficult.

There were pebbles in the cogwheels with the other sponsors as well and a big mess with contracts. The contents and the delivery of it. My contract was cut in 2 with my biggest provider of squash gear, costing me more money than before to maintain my kit.

I caught myself complaining to myself about others working less and getting more. I saw the direct consequence of the lack of funds and my motivation sank because of this.

I was thinking of how to manage travelling to training. Getting around to hit with better players. Developing my game. Affording coached sessions. Playing PSAs.

When being undefeated in Norway for 4 straight years, you are far from the talent anymore. It comes with the game. The pressure of always delivering. And the fact that the crowd will always cheer for the other guy. The under dog.

This sounds petty and it is.

I was getting spoiled. 

I had a great sponsorship deal, good funding from the federation and good friends and family in my back. When friends and family expected me to always win and sponsors and federation cut their sponsoring I found myself back at the start. Like a whiney little b***h I didnt feel like playing squash anymore. And to complete the circle I quit squash. I didnt play at all.

Being away felt good for a while. I could eat and drink what I wanted, needed less sleep, partied a lot. Had a lot of fun. Long story short. I found out that training and a healthy lifestyle is a part of my identity. Its who I am. An occational party is something I enjoy. But it cant get too much. In this phase I also saw what I enjoyed about squash. It was never about the winning (believe it or not). It was never about the money (obviously). I loved the fast paced game. I loved the competing. I loved improving and working towards a goal. I loved the travelling and seeing and experiencing squash events. I loved the physical element and the joy it brings. Squash is actually fun.

When I found the initial reason for me starting to play squash I saw how far I had drifted away from it. I was more busy with handling the pressure, complaining about other athletes or worrying about money and my ranking.

Seeing this I started fresh again. No one else to rely on. Play squash to have fun. Run your lungs out. Give it your all. Compete.

Theres no money to play squash every day so when you can, you have to enjoy it. I am actually lucky to be healthy and fit enough to play at all. Maybe I need to get my own gear, pay my own flights, but in the end, thats what normal people do isnt it?

Now I play squash when I want to. If I dont feel like it. I dont play. I am me and will never be an unfair player. Some want me to be more cynical on court. But its not me. When I get mad on court, I play like shit. I need to be happy. When I am happy, I play well.

In 1 month my nationals are coming up. This was always the worst tournament for me to play. But also the most important one. I still have a few demons to battle, but from now on I want to enjoy myself out there. Then the results will come.

I have to find within myself the reason for playing and competing. Its not in the amount of money, the number of cheerleaders behind my back or the trophys on the wall.

In the end... you have to do it for yourself..... and a little bit for the cheerleaders <3

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

Squash for food

After returning from Australia, it has been quiet at work, and so I have had no other choice but to train. As a result of this, amazingly enough, I have improved. I still dont train as a professional, but I give it my all when I am on court, and actually I feel like Im hitting the ball better than in a long time.

The Norwegian squash federation told me they would organize 4 PSA closed sattelite tournaments in Norway for me to improve my ranking. They wondered if I wanted to play them. Or rather. They asked if I was going to play them. If not, there would be no point in putting them together.
With everything going on lately, I had to consider this, but in the spur of the moment I said Yes. Now, if I have to play 4 tournaments in Norway, I want to win them. I smelled a little bit of motivation coming back. I was undefeated in Norway for 4 years straight. I can claw my way back there. At the same time a sponsor agreement came through at the very last moment, which naturally helped massively. You cant play squash without rackets.

Problem is. I can not afford the trips to Norway. Because I run my own bussiness here in Holland, my income is performance based. Meaning, if I dont work, I dont make money. So the 3 weeks in Australia hurt, and now I have no money. In another spur of the moment desicion, I spent my money (my food budget) on plane tickets to Norway to play these tournaments. That means I have to win the money back to be able to eat the following month. In exactly one year I will be back on top financially again (If all go well) Until then...I hustle...and win tournaments.

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Stud