Thanks to all of those people who read and shared my last blog post! Your comments and positive reactions have been a further sign of the strength and passion you all have for DOS ’46.
The Winter Olympics has started. I have been glued to the TV watching amazing physical feats with champions being crowned and athletes achieving their own personal goals. If you haven’t seen the video of the Indian luger who fell off his sled and miraculously flipped back on it while still sliding down the track, you have to check it out! For anyone lacking motivation in their own sport, there is endless inspiration from the athletes’ strengths being broadcast from Sochi right now.
This weekend DOS ’46 went head to head with SKF. It was the turn of DOS 1, 2 and A1 to travel to Veenendaal with all team expecting tough matches from strong opposition. Despite SKF A1 being at the bottom of the pool they are known as a tough team who keep on fighting, meaning the game is never won until the final whistle. Despite the technical superiority of DOS A1, we were never able to create a convincing lead over the home side. Anytime a small lead was built, SKF would fight back to always keep the pressure on. Eventually the class and strength of the team from DOS shone through with some important shots and clinical penalty conversion towards the end of the game, winning 16-18, and scoring the first two points of the day for DOS ’46. This also means DOS A1 continue to challenge for top spot in the pool which will be important come time for the cross over matches.
With some changes to the line ups from the first and second teams, today would be a good test for the A-selection from DOS ’46. Both teams facing opponents who were placed two positions higher in the current standings of the pools. Could DOS ’46 rebound from a tough start to the year and show the strength the club is renowned for? Early on in the game between the second teams it became clear the changes to the line-ups were having a positive impact. As the first half wore on DOS 2 were able to gradually build a lead, much to the frustration of their more favoured opponents. DOS 2 would never let their guard down, not giving SKF a chance to force their way back into the match, eventually winning 19-24, scoring another two points for the Nijeveeneers. By this time the members of DOS 3 had also joined the supporters of DOS after their match had to be postponed because the shot clock wouldn’t work. Two hours is a long way to drive to not play a game due to a technical malfunction!
The vocal DOS supporters helped to spur on DOS 1. Neither team was able to create a lead through the first half but early in the second half the Dossers began showing some ascendancy, building a six goal lead with 15 minutes left in the game. At 19-25, DOS was looking a good chance to break their winless streak but sometimes when a team is struggling, knowing just how to win can be difficult. SKF came storming back and the game was tied at 26-26 when Marcel Koelma was substituted in. With 90 seconds left on the clock Marcel scored the game winner from distance and the final whistle then brought about some relieved celebrations for the DOS ’46 selection. The game was one heck of an arm wrestle but to fight hard and prove the strength in the DOS ’46 name once again was immensely satisfying for everyone involved. DOS ’46 = 6 points, SKF = 0 points!
I joined a happy team on the bus back to Nijeveen, everyone celebrating with a few beers and some spontaneous karaoke. The success of the weekend will no doubt provide great inspiration for the last games of the hall season ahead.
Sunday provided another chance to watch DOS KIDs and continue to learn more about training young korfball players. Then on Sunday afternoon I traveled with the DOS ’46 business club to LDODK to watch their Korfball League match against the winless Nic. Despite both teams being in the lower part of the Korfball League, the skill of the players was still incredible to watch, especially the Zwart brothers from LDODK. They once again proved their value to the club, scoring the majority of the goals for the home team in a 26-22 win over their opposition, leaving Nic at risk of being the first team to not score any points during a Korfball League season.
Now I’m off on a mini-break to the northern Dutch city of Groningen, staying with some former DOS ’46 players who now are the trainers at Parabol.
Tot Volgende Week
Lorenzo
The Winter Olympics has started. I have been glued to the TV watching amazing physical feats with champions being crowned and athletes achieving their own personal goals. If you haven’t seen the video of the Indian luger who fell off his sled and miraculously flipped back on it while still sliding down the track, you have to check it out! For anyone lacking motivation in their own sport, there is endless inspiration from the athletes’ strengths being broadcast from Sochi right now.
This weekend DOS ’46 went head to head with SKF. It was the turn of DOS 1, 2 and A1 to travel to Veenendaal with all team expecting tough matches from strong opposition. Despite SKF A1 being at the bottom of the pool they are known as a tough team who keep on fighting, meaning the game is never won until the final whistle. Despite the technical superiority of DOS A1, we were never able to create a convincing lead over the home side. Anytime a small lead was built, SKF would fight back to always keep the pressure on. Eventually the class and strength of the team from DOS shone through with some important shots and clinical penalty conversion towards the end of the game, winning 16-18, and scoring the first two points of the day for DOS ’46. This also means DOS A1 continue to challenge for top spot in the pool which will be important come time for the cross over matches.
With some changes to the line ups from the first and second teams, today would be a good test for the A-selection from DOS ’46. Both teams facing opponents who were placed two positions higher in the current standings of the pools. Could DOS ’46 rebound from a tough start to the year and show the strength the club is renowned for? Early on in the game between the second teams it became clear the changes to the line-ups were having a positive impact. As the first half wore on DOS 2 were able to gradually build a lead, much to the frustration of their more favoured opponents. DOS 2 would never let their guard down, not giving SKF a chance to force their way back into the match, eventually winning 19-24, scoring another two points for the Nijeveeneers. By this time the members of DOS 3 had also joined the supporters of DOS after their match had to be postponed because the shot clock wouldn’t work. Two hours is a long way to drive to not play a game due to a technical malfunction!
The vocal DOS supporters helped to spur on DOS 1. Neither team was able to create a lead through the first half but early in the second half the Dossers began showing some ascendancy, building a six goal lead with 15 minutes left in the game. At 19-25, DOS was looking a good chance to break their winless streak but sometimes when a team is struggling, knowing just how to win can be difficult. SKF came storming back and the game was tied at 26-26 when Marcel Koelma was substituted in. With 90 seconds left on the clock Marcel scored the game winner from distance and the final whistle then brought about some relieved celebrations for the DOS ’46 selection. The game was one heck of an arm wrestle but to fight hard and prove the strength in the DOS ’46 name once again was immensely satisfying for everyone involved. DOS ’46 = 6 points, SKF = 0 points!
I joined a happy team on the bus back to Nijeveen, everyone celebrating with a few beers and some spontaneous karaoke. The success of the weekend will no doubt provide great inspiration for the last games of the hall season ahead.
Sunday provided another chance to watch DOS KIDs and continue to learn more about training young korfball players. Then on Sunday afternoon I traveled with the DOS ’46 business club to LDODK to watch their Korfball League match against the winless Nic. Despite both teams being in the lower part of the Korfball League, the skill of the players was still incredible to watch, especially the Zwart brothers from LDODK. They once again proved their value to the club, scoring the majority of the goals for the home team in a 26-22 win over their opposition, leaving Nic at risk of being the first team to not score any points during a Korfball League season.
Now I’m off on a mini-break to the northern Dutch city of Groningen, staying with some former DOS ’46 players who now are the trainers at Parabol.
Tot Volgende Week
Lorenzo