The GB squads are having a open invitation on the 8th/9th December at Hatfield water park, near Doncaster for anyone that has aspirations to paddle, coach or generally help out with the National teams. Please fill in the attached form and return by November 23rd if you are interested.
Day 5 Summary:
Played 3, won 1!
| GB team | Opponents | Score (GB first) |
| GB Men | Switzerland | 2-7 |
| GB Women | New Zealand | 4-3 (Semi Final) |
| GB Women | Germany | 1-4 ( Final) |
Scorching today, blue skies, gentle breezes, and quiet waters.
So we come to the final day of competition, with a few games, closing speeches, and a lot of hand shaking!
So, to the matches...
Day 4 Summary:
Played 7, won 2!
| GB team | Opponents | Score (GB first) |
| GB Men | Germany | 1-6 |
| GB Men | Spain | 2-4 |
| GB U21 Women | Germany | 3-6 (Semi Final) |
| GB U21 Men | Germany | 3-2 (Semi Final) |
| GB Men | Poland | 9-7 |
| GB U21 Women | New Zealand | 3-6 (3/4 playoff) |
| GB U21 Men | France | 3-4 (Final) |
The BBC weather folks promised a cloudy morning and sunshine for the afternoon. They got it so right, both on the weather for the day and for GB polo! Your bloggers ended the day rather hoarse, even after lubrication, and very tired. We could all have played in the days highlighted games!
So, to the matches...
Day 3 Summary:
Played 10, won 6
| GB team | Opponents | Score (GB first) |
| GB Women | Poland | 5-2 |
| GB U21 Men | Denmark | 6-4 |
| GB Men | Denmark | 3-4 |
| GB Women | Netherlands | 9-3 |
| GB U21 Women | Japan | 25-0 |
| GB U21 Men | France | 4-6 |
| GB Women | Australia | 4-0 (GB in semi on Sunday – NZ) |
| GB U21 Men | Italy | 6-4 (GB in semi v Germany) |
| GB Men | France | 3-8 |
| GB U21 Women | France | 1-2 |
Wet and windy today, but not quite so cold. Understand that its warm and sunny in the UK – c’est la vie, as they say in Poland.
So, to the matches.
GB Women played Poland early this morning, 8.00am start. The Old Bloggers were up with the larks, courtesy of a fire alarm in the hotel – it was a false alarm!
The match was very close in the first half – the first goal being scored by an Aimee / Ginny break after 8 minutes. The second was scored five seconds before the half time whistle by Ginny – no pressure. Another Ginny goal early in the second half, from the half way line killed off the Poles, and GB finished 5-2 winners.
The match against the Netherlands saw the first swimmer (to a chorus of U21 lads singing “you’re not paddling any more”). Goals from Alison, Kathryn and Chaz plus an Aimee hat-trick, helped GB to a 9-3 win.
The third game for the Women was against Australia, always going to be close (two undefeated teams at this stage). 7 minutes to open the scoring by GB, and 1-0 at half time. Full time was 4-0, Charlotte and Zoe scoring.
Safely through to the semis, to meet New Zealand on Sunday, following a day off tomorrow.
GB Men opened the day with a match against Denmark. In a really close game, the Men forced themselves into a 3-2 lead, but the Danes came back to equalise and took a winner late on. Final score 3-4.
The French match was always going to be a tough call, but credit to the GB team for sticking to their task and at times forcing the play, especially the new members Matt and Gallin. Goals from Bowers, Junior and Captain Ginge were not enough to avoid defeat by 8 goals to 3.
Tomorrow, there are more group games for the Men (Germany, Spain and Poland).
GB U21 Women played their first game of the day against a young and inexperienced Japanese team. The final score was 25-0, and the crowd were willing the Japanese to attack and score, but it never happened. Despite the scoreline, the Japanese girls continued to smile and remain optimistic for the future.
The next (and final game of the day at a very late and cold hour) was against France………. and a close final score. GB were narrowly defeated 1-2, by the French team.
GB U21 men must have thought they were playing tennis, with scores of 6-4; 4-6 and 6-4 during the day.
The first match was against Denmark, which was spoilt by a poor refereeing (two yellows and two penalties, and numerous referee huddles) which slowed the match and ruined the flow of the game.
Held France to 3-3 at half time, but let it slip in the second half, with France scoring a further 3 with only one in reply.
The final match was a crunch game to reach the semi finals. The match against Italy started a bit edgy, but goals from Ross, Nipper (3), Pete and Jamie ensured a win, and a semi final place against Germany tomorrow.
What a birthday treat for Pete “Joey” Neal, birthday cake, crowd singing to him, and he scored in every match today – Happy Birthday Pete!
Don’t forget to check the live feed from the tournament – which is available at:
http://www.kayakpl.com/2012/POLO
Could be good stuff tomorrow!
The Bloggers
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Pozer’s Blog
Bit of a grim day on and off the pitch. Felt I had to get the crowd going with a few motivating moves. I am quite happy in the drizzle, but this lot get badly affected.
Here they are, before and after my motivational speech.
The MC was very kind, and let me have a go on his microphone. I have been told that I made as much sense as he did (quack quack).
The pitch action was so busy with all teams vying for semi-final places I was taking a bit of a back seat, although Aimee did let me on the camel ride between her “played 3, won 3” schedule.
This crowd spent so much time fiddling with brollies and drinking coffee I have been quite duckstrated, but my team quack obviously did the trick, and they really did put on a good performance for the Men’s last match against France – quacktastic!
Need plenty of beauty sleep for the big matches tomorrow.
Happy birthday Pete (please shave next time!).
GO team GB!!
Pozer xx
Day 2 Summary
| GB team | Opponents | Score (GB first) |
| GB Women | Japan | 12-0 |
| GB Men | South Africa | 9-0 |
| GB U21 Women | New Zealand | 2-6 |
| GB Women | Singapore | 22-1 |
| GB Men | Australia | 4-5 |
| GB U21 Men | Canada | 16-1 |
| GB U21 Women | Germany | 1-8 |
| GB Women | Italy | 3-0 |
| GB U21 Women | Canada | 14-2 |
Very chilly here at the lake today, the wind is blowing from the west, down the length of the rowing lake, and it is brass monkeys! The weather forecast for the remainder of the tournament is uncertain, with a mixture of sun and other stuff. For you geographers, my phone tells me that the latitude here is 52.39986 North, 16.98403 East!
The squads:
GB Men: Martyn Williamson (capt); Dan Robson; Matt Fletcher; Gallin Montgomery; James Bowers; James (Junior) Longley; Ed Feltham.
GB Ladies: Kathryn Moffit (capt); Ginny (much retired) Coyles; Chaz Cheung; Alison Brown; Aimee Robson; Zoe Anthony; Claire Mitchell; Charlotte Lister.
GB U21 Men: Olly Thomson (capt); Jack Robson; Ross Montgomery; Lewis McVey; Jamie Thomson; Ross Martin; Pete Neal.
GB U21 Ladies: Nicole Brain (capt); Beth Barratt; Louise Saxon; Jamie Grover; Liz Ponting; Dani Brain.
So, to the matches.
GB Women started the day with a paddle against the Japanese. After a bit of an iffy start, the ladies ran out (or should it be paddled out) 12-0 winners (Aimee scored 8 of these). Overheard at this match, from an otherwise placid, mild mannered northern gentleman, “Go on Charlotte, bin ‘er…….. well done”!
The 12 o’clock match against Singapore, which the Bloggers had bets on, finished (at) 22-1 (no, not the time).
At 4 o’clock, an unusually tight game against Italy. It was 8 minutes in before Ginny scored the first goal, and the match finished 3-0 to GB.
The Women finished top of their group, and are rewarded with a very early match tomorrow morning against the hosts, Poland.
GB Men’s first match of the day was against South Africa (starring Clive Whitton). GB were comfortable winners 9-0.
Next came the match against Australia, both teams having lost to France, this would decide the route to the finals in the next round. GB were playing catch-up all match. 4-4 with just over 1 minute to go, then the Aussies poached a winner (that damned Koala!).
This result left GB Men in 3rd place (very creditable) putting them in the hardest group in the next round. Their next match is against Denmark.
GB U21 Women started their day with a match against the BIG NZ girls (all that sunshine, fresh air, and mint sauce!). The Kiwis were too tough, and won the match by 6 goals to 2. A shame, there was a lot of promise in the second half. This match was covered on the live-feed from the tournament. Watched from home by Jamie Grover’s dad Mark, he is reported as saying “despite my shouting at her, she is not doing what I say” – get a life, Mark!
The greater speed, strength and accuracy of the Germans pulled the team apart in their second match today, beating the U21 team 8-1.
As the sun set, out came the creatures of the night, a swarm of whirling paddlers on a mission (pardon the adjectives – not mine)! They gave the Canadians a lesson in fast(ish) breaks, scoring 14 to their 2. And the sun set during this game.
And a note for Bethan; we are all missing you and your voice! The girls are giving a great account of themselves and are only being beaten by the physically stronger teams. Hope this lifts your spirits – get well soon – your country (not Wales, but GB) needs you!
GB U21 men only had one game today, against the Canadian sub-aqua team. Never have there been so many boats binned in one match – we were starting to think the Canadians were in training to become sub-mariners! Slightly one-sided, this match finished 16-1 to GB.
Finishing top of their group, their first match in the morning will also be against Denmark.
Finally, don’t forget to check the live feed from the tournament – which is available at:
http://www.kayakpl.com/2012/POLO
More tomorrow.
The Bloggers
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Pozer’s Blog
Had a tricky morning trying to establish tactics with the Aussie coaches – seemed that they were planning “a one-out” offensive” instead of five-out in the critical match against the GB men, which was somewhat confusing, but Alan Vessey explained to me later what it meant!!
Had a light lunch with Mr Fletcher and met up with colleagues for the afternoon.
I have a nouveau ami – the French drummer, and plucked up courage to chat with the Dutch lion – “Duck a l’orange”? (please).
Really enjoyed the U21 men’s match against the Canadian sub-aqua squad and was allowed to join the team in the 16-1 celebrations.
Minor difficulties with security, who wanted to see my accreditation (Alan, where’s my pass?). Anyway, had a short chat to George (U21 coach), and finished the day watching the Women’s game against Italy.
Totally Kweem Kwackered after a long day. More tomorrow ducks,
GO team GB!!
Pozer xx
The 2012 World Champs kick off tomorrow morning with GB Men vs Russia at 10:30am. Follow all of the teams on the BCU CPC Facebook page (link a the top of this page) or check here for a daily summary from our supporters out in Poland. Best of luck to all 4 GB teams out there!
A schedule of all games is available here
World Canoe Polo Championships 2012, Poland
Pozdrowienia z Polski
Day 1 Summary:
Played 6, won 5!
| GB team | Opponents | Score (GB first) |
| Men | France | 0-5 |
| Men | Russia | 7-3 |
| U21 Women | Poland | 5-4 |
| U21 Men | Japan | 7-4 |
| Women | Russia | 5-1 |
| U21 Men | Netherlands | 5-3 |
An excellent day at the windy end of the rowing lake (Lake Malta) here in Poznan. Once again, the old Bloggers are intending to send the results and a daily summary to you all to keep you in touch.
The venue:
Poznan Malta lake is a purpose built rowing lake, over 2km long, and has held several major championships (European, etc), but this week it is hosting the Canoe Polo World Championships 2012.
The polo tournament is being held at the “finishing” end of the lake, with huge grandstands for us spectators. Apart from the Poles, it seems as if the GB supporters club is the largest here (perhaps we should have a badge).
This year we will be introducing a new member of the “Bloggers” team, Pozer the duck. He will have his own column, and will be interviewing other celebrities at this event.
This is the 10th World Championships, and (we are reliably informed), the best attended.
The opening ceremony was held this evening, and (thank goodness), the speeches were short, the entertainment was stunning, and the fireworks spectacular.
So, to the matches.
GB Men started well, beating Russia 7-3, and despite arriving late yesterday, and having a nasty ear infection, Bowers managed a hat-trick (or more) in this match. A really good team display, following the recent spate of injuries and necessary team changes.
This afternoon, the men played one of the favourites, France, and were holding them in the first half until the final minute, when the French scored. 1-0 at half time, the lads finally lost 5-0, but the future looks bright.
GB Ladies only had one game today, saving themselves for the efforts to come. They quietly demolished the Russian ladies 15-1. Can’t report the scorers, we’ll leave that to your imagination.
GB U21 Men started off shakily against Japan. 3-0 up, the lead was eliminated by half time by the Japanese, and it was 3-3 at half time. Better in the second half, with Lewis McVey scoring his first competitive goal on a big stage for GB. The final score was 7-4.
Just a note: number 1 for the Japanese team must have been watching Jack Robson videos, shimmying, feints and scoring goals!
They then played the Netherlands, taking a 3-1 lead at half time, with goals from from Lewis, Jack and Pete. GB then proceeded to allow the Dutch into the game, but Ross (Nipper) and Jamie scored to secure the win 5-3.
GB U21 Women only had one game today against the hosts, Poland. A very slow start by GB with lots of missed opportunities (accurate if they were aiming for the goal frames). Deep into the second half the score was 3-1 to the Poles, but a spirited rush of blood brought scores level with a couple of minutes to go. The 4-3 to GB, 4-4, and finally a winner from Nicole secured a 5-4 win. We have no idea where that came from!
More tomorrow.
The Bloggers
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Pozer’s Blog
Had a very profitable morning spent networking with fellow mascots. I was particularly impressed by Spike, the Aussie Koala – a 23 year old veteran supporter who is actually fully accredited and sporting his own Aussie kit!
Also met Kev the inflatable Kiwi, who I don’t think will make it to the end of the tournament.
Spent the afternoon sharing a few paddling tips with some of the squad members.
We are greatly missing Glen Summerbell at these Champs, and thought I might help out with the photos, and then finished my hectic day sharing waffles with teammates and hitching a ride home with Brian and Jane. Looking forward to interviewing the Pol(o)land organisers tomorrow and meeting some local talent.
GO team GB!!
Pozer
Held at St Omer, France 19th - 20th May 2012
Women
Men
U21 Men
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