July 10 round up

So gang, we are cutting towards the money shot arn't we.

The 'other' nations are playing for their lower rankings and the top four are playing for the gold.

So what happened today?

First up unlucky Blue Div nation Japan played second placed Red Div nation Scotland for 7th place. In a game I did not actually see, Scotland, despite an early lead, was put away 15 to 9 by Japan who finally clocked up a win for the week.

The bad news is that Japan, who have long held a 'Blue Div' ranking in international lacrosse have had a bad week and finished a fair bit lower then they would have liked. The good news is that the top Red Div teams are starting to push the Blues which can only be good for the standard of the sport.

So next up we have Australia v Germany for 5th place.

Now like I have said earlier Germany (a Red Div) has finished higher and Australia (who rates ourself as top 4), has finished lower. So mixed bag of emotions and report cards coming into this game.

So, as per normal lets go to the game notes...

1/4 time 7 nil up. Better looking game this. Germany does look slightly flat but we are moving more then yesterdays game and look like we are prepared to have a sharp, skillful game to showcase our talents to close the championship.

1/2 time 13 nil. Not as sharp but still some nice plays. Germany is a little outclassed to be honest but as our final show in the sun we are taking advantage to shine.

Final score was 24 to 2 for a good solid closing win to the week. Disappointment at not making the medal games goes without saying so I will not go into that. Still the game allowed the boys to showcase the the refined skills they have managed to develop as players over the week and finish with a win. Germany will be largely respected for finishing above their pool and for their generally fun and friendly outlook to the championship - and their Aumpa Aumpa Aumpa La chant and dance combo they like preforming for the entertainment of the supporters and fans.

Next up in playing order with have England and USA, 4th and 1st in Blue Div, playing off for a shot in the Gold medal game.

Now England is another team having a good week, this time largely at Australian expense after they defeated us by 1 and penciled in a top 4 finish for the pool games.

So did anyone actually expect England to knock off powerhouse USA? Well... no... Hope? Well yes maybe but I also hope that me and that hot chick from .... ummm... lets not go there.

Personally I had been calling the game as a 8 to 5 half time followed by the USA winning 19 to 6. Instead the US never really let off on the pressure and scored constantly through the game to win 25 to 5.

Checking the notes...

1/4 time USA 5 Eng 2. Interesting and entertaining. Eng are pushing hard and are still with them but when the USA attacks - normally off a break - they attack hard. Eventually the constant pressure is going to be too much this game is going to blow out.

Good standard and entertaining.

Later...

1/2 time USA 11 Eng 3. That constant pressure starting to kick in.

So there you go. England lost and no one was surprised. However England never really fell apart and I feel their goal keep had a very impressive game. USA however put in a constant pressure game which meant that slowly they were going to walk away with the game. England probably deserved a bit more on the scoreboard for their efforts but the player level friendship and respect between the two teams seems pretty high. I for one from a 'good of the sport' point of view are glad that 'traditional' nation England are preforming well (even if at our expense) and are also looking forward to 2010.

Which brings us to the fizzer game for the night, Iroquois v Canada.

Again the big Canadian flag at one end of the field and again the big Canadian scoring at both. This is from the game most fans - myself included - were tipping (hoping?) would be a to the wire nail bitter.

Instead Canada came out and scored in the first minute and then continued to stamp their name over the game for the first quarter. I myself can remember sitting behind goal at the south end of the field thinking that the game was so one sided that if Iroquois did not score in the first quarter then I might as well leave early. Canada completely looked like a team who had sat down and built a new game plan and Iroquois looked like the kids who were refusing to embrace broadband and sticking to their safe dialup.

Again to the notes...

Can 8 to 2 up at 1/4 time. Canada is completely dominating. Without a big step upfrom Iroquois 2nd Q they are not coming back from here. Canada will NOT blow a 7 goal lead again this calender month that's for sure.

History will show a 23 to 12 'non blow' win for Canada. However the cynical observers will look at Canada's last quarter and cast their worried minds back to the USA comeback win on the Sunday. Canada tonight had a large lead in the last quarter. Iroquois put the pressure on and managed to string some goals together. Canada countered but seemingly putting themselves under pressure and for reasons that didn't seem completely clear to some of the watching fans, handled their possession of the ball by doing panic looking random attacks on goal.

Does this imply Canada have a problem with defending a lead? Traditional theory implies when holding both a lead and the ball in the last quarter you slow the game and force the other team to take the ball off of you - leading of course in a prefect world where the trailing team give fouls and allow you to run the time down while man up.

Canada v USA on Sunday had a seven goal lead going into the last quarter. Five minutes for full time they had a 5 goal lead and looked for all purposes like they were shitting themselves. Tonight, despite holding a lead that back in Adelaide club level games I would pay bribes to have, Canada showed signs of for want of a better word I would call panic.

Canada play USA on Saturday for the big one. If Canada cannot learn to calming defend a lead in the last quarter then local gamblers should start to think about backing the US.


Rest day Friday. Seeya in 48.