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Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
EVEN WINNERS CAN LOSE - By Rasmus Bonde Stouby
The day off was apparently hard to get over. Perhaps it broke our rhythm or maybe it
reminded people that they were tired. Whatever the reason, Denmark did not play good
lacrosse today and so Latvija walked away with a 7-3 victory. Directed by coach
Stephen Jacobson (If you know who Don Vito from the TV-show Jackass is, this guy is
just like him!) they won their first in the tournament.
Denmark had the A-squad on the field as usual and even though they have played every
match since we met in Detroit it wasn't their legs that seemed tired. It was the
heads. Stuff didn't work. Passes clumsily hit the ground or went out of bounds. Our
best stick handlers dropped the ball repeatedly. Latvija in return, seized the day
by punishing us for our mistakes. By halftime they were up 4-2.
During the break Denmark walked off into the shade and talked the whole thing over
as a team without the coaches. It was decided that we would play to win but
(finally) let our less skilled players get some runs (me for one, in case you hadn't
figured that out), since it is tomorrows Finland-game that is the most important
anyway.
So be it. We huddle up and yelled "ONE LOVE," before going in to what turned out to
be a strange third quarter.
When we quickly reduced Latvijas lead to 4-3 it was as if the happy power almost
kicked us up into that gear we won our previous two matches on. The next goal felt
like one of those decisive that actually settles the match even though there is
plenty of time on the clock. Letvija scored to 5-3 and our happy juice dried out. I,
for once, got a good deal of time in the game, but overly excited I made too many
mistakes so I "chose" to spend my time in the penalty box.
The calls made on me were completely legit, but in the second half the refs threw
their yellow flags around way too much. And always at the Danes it seemed. I even
overheard a Latvijan jokingly apologize for bringing the coaches along from home.
Sometimes when you start getting the calls against you it just wont stop. It's like
a bad circle that can be very tough to break out of. Denmark had 17.5 penalty
minutes at the end of the game!
Oh well, poor excuses aside: Letvija deserved to win that match because they were
the best team on the field today.
On the positive side we got to practice the infamous drop dead play. Coach Cone
dusted it off after years on the shelf and as he yelled "Drop dead, drop dead" from
the sidelines, all our midis and attackmen instantaneously fell to the ground. All
but the ball carrier, who attempted to use the advantage of surprise. He didn't make
it far but it sure looked funny.
I think I spotted a few Finish players checking us out, so unfortunately we wont be
able to use that play against them.
Before the big game tomorrow (Wednesday 12.30) the team made dinner at the dorm and
watched a movie together. All the guys back home have sent us text messages cheering
us on. As a team spirit booster and because Denmark always play well in red (we
played in white today), all of us are wearing a red piece of string around the
wrist.
I wonder if canada will be there to scout the match.
Bo Bennekov (midfield) overheard an Iroquois longstick defenseman talking in the
medic tent before our match. He was talking about how he had dropped his stick twice
when matched up with Kyle Harrison from USA and so he made the reasonable
conclusion:
"Note to self: Don't go one on one with Kyle Harrison again!"
Hehe.. Forget that I say. And go for the gold!
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