The Winter Solstice has arrived here in the Northern Hemisphere. While it may be the shortest day and longest night, the temperatures are still comfortable (by winter standards). I am told that the real fun with cold weather happens in the Netherlands during January and February. Fingers crossed for some natural ice so I can practice my flailing and falling skills while attempting the typically Dutch experience of skating on natural ice. I also think while stationed in Europe over winter I need to make the most of the opportunity to experience some typically European winter activities. I’m thinking Northern Lights, dog sledding, a mid-winter plunge in the North Sea etc. If anyone has any suggestions then please send me a message!
As you will have seen in one of my previous reports, DOS ’46 has had a bad run when it comes to injuries this year, particularly in the female ranks. Unfortunately as winter has arrived, the skies are not the only thing that has darkened. The injury cloud hovering over De Eendracht became a few shades more bleak this week. More injuries to females in the A-selection meant another team reshuffle. Consequently, all the females playing for the second team this week were originally members of DOS ’46 3 when the indoor season started. Through much effort during the week, teams further down the ranks were shuffled to accommodate. Those who were not injured were moved up to fill the ranks leaving both DOS ’46 A2 and my DOS ’46 4 team without enough females to field a team and the matches were postponed. One of my teammates from the fourth team said in the 20 years he has been with DOS ’46, he has never seen such a problem before. To add to the conundrum, it was an away game weekend for all of the senior sides at the club meaning players could not fill in for other teams as easily as during a home game weekend.
With no game this week, the final round before a two week Christmas break, I decided to travel with DOS ’46 3 to their away game against Nieuwerkerk 2 at De Kleine Vink Hal (which translates to playing Later Church 2 at The Little Finch Hall!). DOS ’46 3 have also drawn the tough travel draw this season with all of the other teams in the pool coming from areas about two hours drive from Nijeveen.
This was going to be a tough ask for a team playing with one female carrying an injury, another stepping up from the fourth team and two from A2, without any ‘dames wissels te zitten op de bank’ (female substitutes to sit on the bench). An energetic home team began strongly in front of the Nieuwerkerk crowd, scoring from all ranges to burst out to a 12-2 lead and a 15-6 score at ruststand. A much-improved shooting performance in the second half meant more goals and more prolonged attacks from DOS ’46. While there was never much chance of overcoming the initial onslaught from the home side, the game was more competitive in the second half. Final score 28-17
The journey home began with the customary stop at the first golden arches and catching up on other results from the club. Elsewhere DOS had a mixed bag of results. DOS ’46 1 losing 21-20 to Unitas, DOS ’46 2 winning 21-22 at BEP and DOS ’46 A1 drawing 22-22 at Deetos-Snel.
As the days begin to lengthen, hopefully the two week break gives time for the injured bodies to recover at DOS ’46 and start to the new year is a bright one for the club.
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Lorenzo
As you will have seen in one of my previous reports, DOS ’46 has had a bad run when it comes to injuries this year, particularly in the female ranks. Unfortunately as winter has arrived, the skies are not the only thing that has darkened. The injury cloud hovering over De Eendracht became a few shades more bleak this week. More injuries to females in the A-selection meant another team reshuffle. Consequently, all the females playing for the second team this week were originally members of DOS ’46 3 when the indoor season started. Through much effort during the week, teams further down the ranks were shuffled to accommodate. Those who were not injured were moved up to fill the ranks leaving both DOS ’46 A2 and my DOS ’46 4 team without enough females to field a team and the matches were postponed. One of my teammates from the fourth team said in the 20 years he has been with DOS ’46, he has never seen such a problem before. To add to the conundrum, it was an away game weekend for all of the senior sides at the club meaning players could not fill in for other teams as easily as during a home game weekend.
With no game this week, the final round before a two week Christmas break, I decided to travel with DOS ’46 3 to their away game against Nieuwerkerk 2 at De Kleine Vink Hal (which translates to playing Later Church 2 at The Little Finch Hall!). DOS ’46 3 have also drawn the tough travel draw this season with all of the other teams in the pool coming from areas about two hours drive from Nijeveen.
This was going to be a tough ask for a team playing with one female carrying an injury, another stepping up from the fourth team and two from A2, without any ‘dames wissels te zitten op de bank’ (female substitutes to sit on the bench). An energetic home team began strongly in front of the Nieuwerkerk crowd, scoring from all ranges to burst out to a 12-2 lead and a 15-6 score at ruststand. A much-improved shooting performance in the second half meant more goals and more prolonged attacks from DOS ’46. While there was never much chance of overcoming the initial onslaught from the home side, the game was more competitive in the second half. Final score 28-17
The journey home began with the customary stop at the first golden arches and catching up on other results from the club. Elsewhere DOS had a mixed bag of results. DOS ’46 1 losing 21-20 to Unitas, DOS ’46 2 winning 21-22 at BEP and DOS ’46 A1 drawing 22-22 at Deetos-Snel.
As the days begin to lengthen, hopefully the two week break gives time for the injured bodies to recover at DOS ’46 and start to the new year is a bright one for the club.
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Lorenzo