Game 3 DOS ’46 4 vs. Amicitia 3
An overcast but dry day dawned in Nijeveen. Herfst (Autumn) is engulfing the Netherlands and we are making regular website visits to Buienradar, the Dutch rain radar. It is certainly opposite to the flourishing spring daffodils and colours in Hagley Park, fortunately we have avoided the insane storms knocking all the trees down.
Piper and Beffen were looking forward to their new assignment at DOS ’46, joining the 4’s on court for the first time. Training through the week had consisted of the usual skills sessions with the 3’s and we had about 45 minutes vak training with the fourth team. I’m sure that it has been a big adjustment, and a bit disruptive, for the 4’s getting used to having these English-speaking Kiwi’s in their midst. Fortunately for us there are some very good English speakers in the team who patiently translate for us.
The afternoon had been spent watching the 1’s and 2’s play at home against DVO. The skill level of these players, particularly their shooting and passing well exceeds what we are used to watching back in the southern hemisphere. We had a late game playing at 5pm following the 1’s close 21-23 loss to DVO. After the quite structured pre-game build ups of the third team, it felt like we were back in NZ with a more relaxed approach from the coach-less 4’s. Further disruption occurred when it became apparent there was no referee for present for our game. Jordy, a player from the 3’s who was meant to be working behind the bar at the club was coerced into fluiten (whistling) the game.
Coops and I both started the game on defence, the first time we had taken to the court in the same vak. That kiwi connection came in handy early on during one of our first attacks. Coops cut in a great feed that allowed me to get free and score from four metres. As the game continued Chris was constantly providing valuable on-court advice to help us gel with our vak mates better. Coops also got on the scorecard early, working well to get free at 4m and scoring from Chris’ feed. Coops, encouraged to shoot more when we had rebound, scored again from seven metres to keep us in touch with Amicitia. Our attack was generally less fluid than it should have been, in part due to the lack of time playing with the fourth team and some errant passing. As the first 35 minutes wore on we got bogged down on attack for a while as the shots would not drop and I got schooled in effective rebounding by a player who was not a great deal taller than me. My opponent also moved effectively in 1v1 attack, twisting me inside out a few times defensively, giving the quads a burning workout! As our teams shooting was not as consistent as it should have been we trailed 6-9 at half time.
The main message at half time for the kiwis was to just relax and not to rush so much. This is a piece of advice we have heard a few times which probably reflects on how we have played our Korfball in Christchurch in the past.
The second half was certainly more settled than the first with fewer errors made but the attacking structure and shooting accuracy was still an area that we need to improve on. As the half progressed on DOS ’46 4 managed to slowly peg back the three-goal difference. Following another great feed, I managed to score once more before being subbed off with three-quarters of the game played. Coops continued running hard on painful legs and soon we managed to draw level at 14-14 despite our team missing a couple of penalties. Unfortunately a few late defensive errors as bodies and brains became weary allowed Amicitia to score three late goals to eventually win 14-17.
It was disappointing to experience another loss, particularly in a game we probably should have won. However the learning does not stop, whether it is from our teammates or the opponents we line up against. Certainly for me I learned even more today how much my speed in a valuable asset but I need to use that speed more effectively when attacking by doing a better job at reading my defender. I also learned that in defence, even when the legs tire from working hard my brain must stay switched on to ensure I get into the right places to help my teammates out.
With two more games in the next seven days, a catch up game on Wednesday night and another home game next Saturday, it will be important for us to continue to lift our performances from game to game to contribute more effectively to the team and satisfy our own desire to improve our Korfball skills.
Lorenzo
An overcast but dry day dawned in Nijeveen. Herfst (Autumn) is engulfing the Netherlands and we are making regular website visits to Buienradar, the Dutch rain radar. It is certainly opposite to the flourishing spring daffodils and colours in Hagley Park, fortunately we have avoided the insane storms knocking all the trees down.
Piper and Beffen were looking forward to their new assignment at DOS ’46, joining the 4’s on court for the first time. Training through the week had consisted of the usual skills sessions with the 3’s and we had about 45 minutes vak training with the fourth team. I’m sure that it has been a big adjustment, and a bit disruptive, for the 4’s getting used to having these English-speaking Kiwi’s in their midst. Fortunately for us there are some very good English speakers in the team who patiently translate for us.
The afternoon had been spent watching the 1’s and 2’s play at home against DVO. The skill level of these players, particularly their shooting and passing well exceeds what we are used to watching back in the southern hemisphere. We had a late game playing at 5pm following the 1’s close 21-23 loss to DVO. After the quite structured pre-game build ups of the third team, it felt like we were back in NZ with a more relaxed approach from the coach-less 4’s. Further disruption occurred when it became apparent there was no referee for present for our game. Jordy, a player from the 3’s who was meant to be working behind the bar at the club was coerced into fluiten (whistling) the game.
Coops and I both started the game on defence, the first time we had taken to the court in the same vak. That kiwi connection came in handy early on during one of our first attacks. Coops cut in a great feed that allowed me to get free and score from four metres. As the game continued Chris was constantly providing valuable on-court advice to help us gel with our vak mates better. Coops also got on the scorecard early, working well to get free at 4m and scoring from Chris’ feed. Coops, encouraged to shoot more when we had rebound, scored again from seven metres to keep us in touch with Amicitia. Our attack was generally less fluid than it should have been, in part due to the lack of time playing with the fourth team and some errant passing. As the first 35 minutes wore on we got bogged down on attack for a while as the shots would not drop and I got schooled in effective rebounding by a player who was not a great deal taller than me. My opponent also moved effectively in 1v1 attack, twisting me inside out a few times defensively, giving the quads a burning workout! As our teams shooting was not as consistent as it should have been we trailed 6-9 at half time.
The main message at half time for the kiwis was to just relax and not to rush so much. This is a piece of advice we have heard a few times which probably reflects on how we have played our Korfball in Christchurch in the past.
The second half was certainly more settled than the first with fewer errors made but the attacking structure and shooting accuracy was still an area that we need to improve on. As the half progressed on DOS ’46 4 managed to slowly peg back the three-goal difference. Following another great feed, I managed to score once more before being subbed off with three-quarters of the game played. Coops continued running hard on painful legs and soon we managed to draw level at 14-14 despite our team missing a couple of penalties. Unfortunately a few late defensive errors as bodies and brains became weary allowed Amicitia to score three late goals to eventually win 14-17.
It was disappointing to experience another loss, particularly in a game we probably should have won. However the learning does not stop, whether it is from our teammates or the opponents we line up against. Certainly for me I learned even more today how much my speed in a valuable asset but I need to use that speed more effectively when attacking by doing a better job at reading my defender. I also learned that in defence, even when the legs tire from working hard my brain must stay switched on to ensure I get into the right places to help my teammates out.
With two more games in the next seven days, a catch up game on Wednesday night and another home game next Saturday, it will be important for us to continue to lift our performances from game to game to contribute more effectively to the team and satisfy our own desire to improve our Korfball skills.
Lorenzo