GB Side News

Poland Blog Day 3

Day 3 Summary:

Played 10, won 6 

GB team Opponents Score (GB first)
GB Women Poland 5-2
GB U21 Men Denmark 6-4
GB Men Denmark 3-4
GB Women Netherlands 9-3
GB U21 Women Japan 25-0
GB U21 Men France 4-6
GB Women Australia 4-0 (GB in semi on Sunday – NZ)
GB U21 Men Italy 6-4 (GB in semi v Germany)
GB Men France 3-8
GB U21 Women France 1-2

Wet and windy today, but not quite so cold. Understand that its warm and sunny in the UK – c’est la vie, as they say in Poland.

So, to the matches. 

GB Women played Poland early this morning, 8.00am start. The Old Bloggers were up with the larks, courtesy of a fire alarm in the hotel – it was a false alarm!

The match was very close in the first half – the first goal being scored by an Aimee / Ginny break after 8 minutes. The second was scored five seconds before the half time whistle by Ginny – no pressure. Another Ginny goal early in the second half, from the half way line killed off the Poles, and GB finished 5-2 winners.

The match against the Netherlands saw the first swimmer (to a chorus of U21 lads singing “you’re not paddling any more”). Goals from Alison, Kathryn and Chaz plus an Aimee hat-trick, helped GB to a 9-3 win.

The third game for the Women was against Australia, always going to be close (two undefeated teams at this stage). 7 minutes to open the scoring by GB, and 1-0 at half time. Full time was 4-0, Charlotte and Zoe scoring.

Safely through to the semis, to meet New Zealand on Sunday, following a day off tomorrow.

GB Men opened the day with a match against Denmark. In a really close game, the Men forced themselves into a 3-2 lead, but the Danes came back to equalise and took a winner late on. Final score 3-4.

The French match was always going to be a tough call, but credit to the GB team for sticking to their task and at times forcing the play, especially the new members Matt and Gallin. Goals from Bowers, Junior and Captain Ginge were not enough to avoid defeat by 8 goals to 3. 

Tomorrow, there are more group games for the Men (Germany, Spain and Poland).

GB U21 Women played their first game of the day against a young and inexperienced Japanese team. The final score was 25-0, and the crowd were willing the Japanese to attack and score, but it never happened. Despite the scoreline, the Japanese girls continued to smile and remain optimistic for the future.

The next (and final game of the day at a very late and cold hour) was against France………. and a close final score. GB were narrowly defeated 1-2, by the French team.

GB U21 men must have thought they were playing tennis, with scores of 6-4; 4-6 and 6-4 during the day.

The first match was against Denmark, which was spoilt by a poor refereeing (two yellows and two penalties, and numerous referee huddles) which slowed the match and ruined the flow of the game.

Held France to 3-3 at half time, but let it slip in the second half, with France scoring a further 3 with only one in reply.

The final match was a crunch game to reach the semi finals. The match against Italy started a bit edgy, but goals from Ross, Nipper (3), Pete and Jamie ensured a win, and a semi final place against Germany tomorrow.

What a birthday treat for Pete “Joey” Neal, birthday cake, crowd singing to him, and he scored in every match today – Happy Birthday Pete!

Don’t forget to check the live feed from the tournament – which is available at:

http://www.kayakpl.com/2012/POLO 

Could be good stuff tomorrow!

The Bloggers

———–

Pozer’s Blog

Bit of a grim day on and off the pitch. Felt I had to get the crowd going with a few motivating moves. I am quite happy in the drizzle, but this lot get badly affected. 

Here they are, before and after my motivational speech.

The MC was very kind, and let me have a go on his microphone. I have been told that I made as much sense as he did (quack quack).

The pitch action was so busy with all teams vying for semi-final places I was taking a bit of a back seat, although Aimee did let me on the camel ride between her “played 3, won 3” schedule.

This crowd spent so much time fiddling with brollies and drinking coffee I have been quite duckstrated, but my team quack obviously did the trick, and they really did put on a good performance for the Men’s last match against France – quacktastic!

Need plenty of beauty sleep for the big matches tomorrow.

Happy birthday Pete (please shave next time!).

GO team GB!!

Pozer xx

 

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