WINTERSTOP.

hey everyone.

the rabo hoofdklasse is now enjoying its annual winter break with the comp set to resume on the 11th April.  CT09, which began over the weekend in Melbourne and the World Cup, in India at the beginning of March have forced the long break. There has certainly been plenty of discussion in Holland about the planning of International and Domestic competition as the long break is far from ideal. To fill in the gap this year the KNHB has setup an interim competition with prizemoney of €2500 for the winners. This competition, known as the ‘talent competition’ is being used by many teams as an opportunity to train and prepare for the second half of the season, as well as give young players an opportunity to experience what its like at the highest domestic level. One of the interesting parts of the comp is that there has to be  3 players under the age of 21 on the field at all times. I think the competition is a good initiative and if exploited well could see some young players make some big steps over the coming months.

Anyway, after missing selection for CT09 I’ve taken the opportunity to get back home to Aus and enjoy the sun. But I thought I’d let you know how the hoofdklasse panned out and where everyone stands after 13 rounds. To many peoples suprise HGC are leading the way and have opened up a 5 point gap at the top of the table. Their 32 points is well deserved and after suffering a 4-0 defeat at home to them I know what they are capable of. With Guus Vogels (NL), Rodrigo Garza (ESP), Ashley Jackson (ENG), Barry Middleton (ENG) and Rob Short (CAN) leading the way they have set the standard throughout the first half of the comp. Trailing HGC and making up the top 4 are Bloemendaal (27), Amsterdam (23) and Kampong (21). Rotterdam are in 5th on goal difference (21) and Laren are in 6th on 19 points. After experiencing a pretty difficult first half of the year my team OZ is in 7th place with 17 points. The last 3 weeks of the comp saw us lose away to Kampong (2-3), beat Rotterdam at home (4-3) and lose to Bloemendaal away (3-2).  The changes in the playing squad had a bit more of an impact than i think anyone expected but we are happy to still be in touch. It leaves us with plenty of work to do but still a chance to make the playoffs. We were also informed a couple of weeks ago that our coaches are leaving at the end of the season so everyone is eagerly awaiting to find out who will be leading us next year. I guess its always good to know what direction you’re going in. After beating Hurley on the last day Pinoke have moved up to 8th place (17) followed by Den Bosch (15) and Tilburg (12). SCHC who haven’t won a game yet are on 7 points and Hurley are the current holders of the wooden spoon on 6 points. As you can see the competition is very close and its safe to say that anything can still happen. It will be interesting to see how each team returns  from such a long break.

While watching the opening weekend of the Champions Trophy a couple of things also caught my eye. I look forward to dropping in again soon to share my thoughts with you. Until then enjoy the Champions Trophy action and catch you all later.

Cheers,

Lucas.

ROB HAMMOND x CTT09 x MY TAKE

Hi All,

Well I’m two games into this 2009 Champions Trophy and so far me and my team are doing ok. We’re two from two and hitting a heap of goals as a team. Importantly we’re scoring from the field which is the way we like to play as Australians. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got a lethal PC battery but for the hockey purist that I am there’s nothing better than well worked field goals and I think all of you out there would agree.

This tournament is one of the best I’ve seen in Australia. The facilities for both the players and spectators are awesome and the stadium, with a 7000 seat capacity, is a great cauldron for us players to do what we do well in front of a fantastic crowd.

Home tournaments are always interesting. It is so good to play in Australia and the support is incredible. We have a really appreciative and vocal crowd down here who don’t get enough world class hockey tournaments. The biggest difference when playing at home are the demands on our time away from the games. The media, fans and sponsor’s all want a bit of you but I think when managed well it needn’t be a distraction. As elite hockey players we have a huge responsibility to give back to this great game outside of the sidelines and if the fans are gonna come down and cheer, support and ride the up’s and down’s of our games then I’m more than happy to hang out after the games and swap stories, share some laughs and sign till my hand hurts.

My sponsors Gryphon have a great set-up here at the tournament and this is where you’ll find me after the games. The guys and girls from Gryphon are all great friends of mine who took me in when I was only 17 yo and had to relocate from my family to the other side of the country to chase my hockey dreams. Its relaxing to catch up with them and talk some smack after a long day in prep and playing and it’ll be interesting to see if they are all still standing come the last Sunday of the tournament, as they look like they are having a great time partying as hard at night as they are during the day! I might have to turn the camera on them and document their week of festivities and how things are done the “Gryphon” way!

This is my 6th Champions Trophy (should be my 8th however we boycotted 2004 and I shattered my collar bone weeks before the 2005 edition) and as far as the quality of the hockey goes at this season’s biggest major, I’d have to say from what I’ve seen its some of the best hockey to date. All teams have a heap of new players after the clean-out from last years Olympics and there are some live-wire players to watch in all teams. As for predictions, well, if we play to our level then hopefully we’ll be there or there abouts come Sunday, but I’d have to say I’m impressed by England’s continued improvement so they are my dark horse. Its only early days here but as the Trophy’s format is round robin, if you drop points early you can quickly lose momentum and come reliant on other teams and their results to get you through. I’d much rather be in control of my own destiny so the first game is just as important as the last to me.

We take on England on Wednesday, first time we’ve played them since drawing 3-3 in the Olympics of ’08, so I’ve got some unfinished business there and will be giving them my full respect and attention over the next 24hrs as I prepare for this very important game.

There’s a heap more I want to chat about like the new rules, video referrals, how sweet my custom 2010 Blue Steel’s are feeling (which I only took delivery of last week!) and how my soon to be wife is on edge about me getting any hits to the face as we are getting married a week after this tournament, so I’ll write again on Thursday, our next rest day. Now if you’re in Melbourne, get down while you can as its been 10 years since the Men’s CTT was last down under, and if you are not, enjoy the TV coverage and stay tuned right here for more posts!

Cheers, Rob

Photos Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CTT09 x DAY2 x WELLS VIDEO

Gryphon Legend, past Olympic Gold medal winner, CTT08 gold medallist and now QIS Coach, Matthew Wells was at hand today for Australia’s win over Holland.

CTT09 x DAY2 x HAMMOND VIDEO

After today’s crucial win over Holland, Australia’s Rob Hammond came by the Gryphon tent to have a few words.

CTT09 x DAY 2 x DISCO VIDEO

After today’s game I caught up with Brent “Disco” Dancer about the win over Holland and his first goal in Champion’s Trophy.  It places Australia firmly on top of the standings after the first weekend. Here’s the skinny…

CTT09 x DAY2 x ENG v SPN

The final game of the week, and going into a rest day here in Melbourne, the last two teams to play were England and Spain.  Both teams lost yesterday and a loss to either would severely  dent any chances for a top two playoff.

Intensity was not lacking. A great feature of these games here in Melbourne. Also not lacking are goals. Game one today netted 8, game two have 9 and tonight saw 6 goals go in.  Something to do with the new rules?  Your call on that one…

Gryphon Gun, James Tindall squarely threw England’s intentions out there in the 2nd minute of the game with Short variation putting Spain on the back foot. The thing is, they didn’t stay there too long and the Spanish jumped forward 6 minutes later and popped in their own PC making it one all at the eight minute mark. Ribas again scored from another Short in the 16th and Spain were looking dangerous.  They attacks were not as frequent but it was evident that the English defence was unable to cope totally and conceding Shorts was all too common.

In a battle of goal scoring Tindall again grabbed himself another glorious goal to tie the game.  England were on the attack and barely 2 minutes later the English captain took his team into the lead for the half time break.

In the second, the game was like a ship rocking in stormy weather with each team turbulent in attack each way. Not to say not much happened as players went flying, umpires were shouted at and in turn players were put on that little chair for all to see off the pitch.

England started to look the more tired of the two and the Spanish attack lead by Eddie Tabau kept their legs to mount breaking attack after attack until the in 66th minute a well executed play with Amat netted Tabau the equaliser goal. The final six minutes saw Spain having more chances but unable to secure the win leaving them in a draw.

Gryphon Gun James Tindall ended up with two vital goals for England taking him to equal top goal scorer of the tournament with 3.

The final placings after the today look like this.

AUS (6pts – 11f, 2a) | GER (3pts – 6f, 7a) | KOR (3pts – 5f, 7a) | HOL (3pts – 5f, 9a) | SPN (1pt – 5f, 6a) | ENG (1pt – 5f, 6a)

Tomorrow is a rest day for the teams, but don’t be surprised if you see more from me.

DC to the bar!

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CTT09 x DAY 2 x AUS v HOL

From the host nation’s point of view and one of traditional rivalry, today’s match between Holland and Australia had a lot riding on it.  Both teams are experimenting with new talent and systems. They are both in the top four in the world rankings. Holland played four games in Australia earlier this year after the Olympics and didn’t take away any wins. Today will show which team is a true contender.

It didn’t disappoint nor take long for the Dutch to show some force. 3 minutes in, TT scored the first goal of the match from a short which silenced the capacity crowd now bathed in sun. All of 5 minutes later the Aussies had thrown themselves into attack where a goal was disallowed but instead a Penalty Stroke was awarded to the Kookas after a reply. Grant Shubert calmly took the stroke and scored to tie the match.

From that point on it was one, and one way only traffic for the half where the Australian’s just applied more and more pressure on the cracking Dutch defence.  In the 19th minute GT scored one over the keeper, and only three minutes later young Gryphon gun Brent “Disco” Dancer scored from his first ever short in his CT career.  By the 22nd minute mark it was 3 goals to 1 and the crowd was being treated to a great display.

Gonna stop there? Nup. No Chance.  Grant Shubert got onto the end of a cracker of a pass from Gryphon Great Rob Hammond to net his second, and then followed it up one minute later with a strike from the middle of the circle. He went into the half time break with a Hat-trick and a 5 goal to 1 lead.

The second wasn’t as up-tempo as the first but the Aussies were not letting the game just slide by. Attack after attack kept pushing into the ball into the danger areas and the Dutch looked rattled. Des Abbott created a PC chance in the 51st minute which local boy Luke Doerner slotted home. Ten minutes later Jamie Dwyer showed the crowd some magic from a falling thoma from the edge of the circle to beat the Dutch Keeper (Stockmann) and take the Aussies to an unassailable lead of 7 goals to 1. Two minutes before full time the Dutch counter-attacked from an Aussie PC miss and scored with speed to achieve a final score of 7 goals to 2.

An incredible treat of a game with some great highlights. It firmly places Australia in the place of favourites for the tournament with these convincing goals having amassed 11 goals for and 2 against in two games, with Shubert on top of the scorer’s leaderboard.

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CTT09 x DAY2 x KOR v GER

Opening game of day two pits Germany (world rank 1) v Korea (world rank 6), total spectrums in this six team tournament. Germany outplayed England yesterday and Australia controlled the game against Korea. On paper and in theory the outcome of this game should have been routine.

Within the first four minutes, Korea had other ideas scoring very quickly through a FG from You.  From that point the game was a great tussle and a spectacle including an incredible triple save by the Korean Keeper. We had to wait until for minutes from half time to see another goal. Half time break the teams were tied.

It wasn’t long until Germany, through Montag, scored again in the second half from a Short to take the lead and look like they will take control and run away with the game. All but that scenario happened. Korea lifted their game in all respects taking the game to the Germans with run and skill.

Revolving around a strong counter attack and speed Korea ran through their star striker, Seo up the field over and over. In the 52nd min Seo scored a field goal to bring to game to level pegging.  That was just the start of it. Five minutes later Nam for Korea slotted in a Short and they were away again and still full of run and vigour. It was from this run that found the German keeper one on one with a player and his mis-timed slide tackle took the player. A referral couldn’t stop the Stroke being awarded and Korea skipped away to a 4 goal to 2 lead.

They weren’t done embarrassing the world’s best ranked team yet, within one more minute of the last goal Seo again scored a knock in from a powerful hit into the circle to take the game 5 goals to 2.  Even till the last Korea looked for more and more as they gathered energy from their position.

In the dying embers of the game Germany salved a last goal through Montag’s second succussful short to finish the match out.

Korea 5, Germany 3.

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CTT09 x DAY1 x HOL v SPN

Holland have brought a younger, more inexperienced side to this tournament than that played in European Championships and in turn may not have attracted the positive attention they could have. Spain look to have brought close to their top team, so this match up is hard to predict.

Holland started out the blocks very quickly with a short corner conversion from TT and then moments later DeNoijer rammed home a field goal. From there the Spanish worked very hard and very much so controlled the game with very dangerous attacking runs from the usual suspects like Eddie Tabau, but no goals.

In the second it was still all Spain but in a predictable fashion Holland took another goal from a short corner. It looked like the game was all over. Not so.

What came next was some heavy rain and dark clouds, along with the Spain onslaught. They continued their hard work which had been laid down throughout the game and other teams may have given up. With around 12 mins to go in the game Pol Amat scored what could be described as the best goal to date (in a short period admittedly). Diving on the reverse hand, along the baseline he was able to squeeze the ball between the keeper and the bar to score. It was only three minutes later Spain scored again from a short to be one goal behind with 9 to go.

Sadly the Spanish were unable to score anything further even though they had many more circle penetrations.

Holland 3, Spain 2

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CTT09 x DAY1 x AUS v KOR

Australia has started strongly in their title defense of the Champions Trophy. First up they played Korea who could arguably be the quickest team here.

From the outset the Aussies pushed hard using the wings and centre well going forward. Being to break from central tackles enabled the first goal to come from Des Abbott who took the Korean keeper to his diving left and then just popped it over his head.

The second goal, Gryphon Great Rob Hammond took a pass from Des using a strike from the top circle to go into half time 2 goals to 1.

In the second much more of the same occurred but with the difference of some great chances on goal by the Koreans. Known for their speed and awesome striking power they had three brilliant shots which were more than matched by Bazeley. Korea also took toe first Short of the game which as again thwarted by the Kookaburras.

At the other end of the pitch green and gold kept pushing and applying pressure with a mountain of passes going into the circle and were unlucky to only take two more goals for a 4 to 0 win. The two that resulted in a close to capacity roar in the rain soaked stadium were form Jamie Dwyer’s field goal strike and a great tap in by Eddie Ockenden.

The only injury concern would be for Mark Knowles who scored a ball to the knee.

AUSTRALIA 4, KOREA 0

Goals: D Abbott, R Hammond, J Dwyer, E Ockenden.

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

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