|
Viking take on the World In the build up to the Canoe Polo World Championship, Viking have been doing some of their own preparations to get the 5 Viking members of the men’s GB team ready for Milan.
First up was the London International Tournament, where there were some top club teams, several National teams and a so called 'European Dream Team' competing. Viking were up against some top teams in a competition they had traditionally done well in; winning in the previous year. The group stages went smoothly with a convincing win over British rivals Meridian C, however, a nervy draw with St Omer forced Viking to buck their ideas up in the later stages of the group. Success in the group stages put Viking into the semi final, a tough game against German side Liblar, who are currently top of the German league. Viking had to put this to the back of their minds and with less than a minute gone Viking were 2-0 up. With some excellent defending and explosive play from Viking, Liblar ran out of ideas. The final score was 8-1, a more than convincing score line against one of the top club teams in the World.
Conde, playing as the ‘European Dream Team’, won in the other semi-final of the day, a French club team made up of two of the national Dutch men’s team, one of the Italian men’s team and three of the French. It was therefore set to be a tough final. Viking thought they did not stand much of a chance, but on the water they had other ideas as they took a 1-0 lead. This couldn’t be held though, a sloppy first half with the ball given away far too cheaply by both teams meant neither team could take charge of the game. Conde were too strong in the second half and ran out as winners, beating Viking 4-2.. This wasn’t the result Viking were looking for but they had had a great tournament and played some fantastic polo.
A week later and Viking were off to Belgium to try and go one better. This time the De Paddel International in Ieper. There was a definite step up in class from London, as several of the top international teams were there, as well as New Zealand and Australia there were also Canada, South Africa and the French, current World Games Champions, attending.
Viking would have to raise their game even further if they were go one better than a week earlier. And raise it they did, they flew through the group stage with the most goals scored in the competition. This sent them through to the complicated second round; having topped the group, a ladder system meant they could afford to lose a game in the second round and still climb back up to play in the final.
The next game was against France U21’s, the hot favourites to win the U21’s World Championships. After a slow start, Viking took control, eventually winning 6-1. A convincing victory against a quick, well-organised side. Next up was Agen, a French club team with a fantastic record, they are one of the most experienced and disciplined, teams in the game. After taking the lead, Viking missed several chances and let Agen back in the game. Several more missed opportunities from Viking and Agen taking all of theirs meant a 4-2 win for Agen. Disappointment again, more at the missed chances than the result. The loss meant Agen went straight into the final, Viking would have to play the French Men’s team, and the winner would then progress to the final to play Agen.
The French are seen as one of the teams with a chance of winning gold at the World Championships. This made no difference to Viking as they pressed with their usual flowing game and defended hard giving the French nothing. The French managed to break Viking’s concentration for a split second to score. The 1-0 score line made little difference to Viking, they kept probing, knowing they could win the game using the whole 20 minutes if necessary. 20 minutes weren’t needed and Viking pulled level early in the second half, a no look shot from the right hand side flew in. With little time on the clock Viking were awarded a penalty. 6m between us and the final. GOAL, then the final whistle. Another final, this time with the chance to gain revenge on Agen.
The final was a very different game to the earlier match, Viking took control early in the match with a 2-0 lead. Though they let Agen back in with a sniff who pulled the score back to 2-1 but Viking were resilient, even when they had a player sent off for 2 minutes, the back 3 held firm, not conceding in the power play. Back to 5 men and Viking were back on the attack, running out 5-1 winners. A great win for a Club team against some of the Worlds top international teams.
This season has put Viking well and truly on the International map and in great spirits in the run up to the European Club Championships which are held two weeks after the Worlds.
Before then five of the Viking A team are going to the World Championships to play for the senior men; Nick Archer, Martyn Williamson, James Bowers, Tom Baston and George Murfin. Claire Mitchell also from Viking will play for the senior women; Gallin and Ross Montgomery from Viking B will represent GB Under 21’s.
Good luck to all those playing for GB at the World Championships in Milan.
Words by Martyn Williamson. (Posted on the 27th Aug 2010 by timb) |
RSS 2.0