Canadian BMO National Championship 2009

[nutmegs]

Still gutted about not winning the 2009 Indoor National Championship but so proud of my fellow Surrey Girls. Wish we could've won it for Geri Donnelly in her last competitive game but give us 90 and we win that tourney. Anyways off to drown my sorrows. More reports later...

[two-nine]

unlucky megs, you girls did awesome and only came up one pk short. Win BC's again next year and go full circle back to PEI. Here is my complete and very long version of events that took place all week as i did not post from Saskatoon.

As for the men's BC team, I am very proud to be apart of that team with everyone from the entourage to the players being first class all the way. Our coaching staff was a different level as Bob Sloman, Andy Bramley, and Dave Fiorvento being top notch throughout the trip. These three guys care so much about WVFC and the game of soccer in general that they used their own cash to make sure that we were taken care of to basically pro status. I will never forget how they did this for us.

As for the games themselves, we didn't do what we should have done. The tournament started with us playing on a grass pitch that was awesome. Two of the nicest side by side pitches that i have ever played on. I actually shook the hand of the head field maintenance guy. The 40-60 km winds were brutal and it made anything in the air coming at the goal dangerous. Ontario scored first then we got two late goals, one by Giezen the second almost identical by Jinky to the goal he scored against Columbus in the Imperial final again in injury time.

The second game was the snow bowl game were we played Manitoba. It was crazy that we were even playing as the snow on the field was 1-2 inches at least. When you kicked the ball on the ground it actually made a snow ball. They brought out a snow plow four wheeler to do the lines at the start of the game and ten minutes in you couldn't see them again. We were against the wind for the first half and we had more possession and chances than they did for sure. Manitoba did not like the cold at all. Drew Gelley had the best chance as it just went wide past the post. Mike Dodd (aka snowman) was a man possessed during the half we played in the snow. I don't know if he's played in those conditions before or he's just that good in elements like that (probably the latter). At half time they called the game as we were about to have the wind with us and destroy Manitoba. They told us that the games were done for the day and they would let us know what the schedule would be as they were meeting to decide what would happen to the national championships. No contingency plan for a club nationals in Saskatoon in October. Now i'm sorry but that is crap. Later in the day as we were going down to the hotel bar i ran into the Manitoba coach who said that our game was being played that night in the indoor facility at 10:30 pm. The previous 45 min was wiped away and we were now playing two 30 min halves with a five min half time. Are you kidding me. That was the new contingency plan. That's GARBAGE. We played that night (past some of our vet's bed time) and lost on a shite goal that just went over nick's hand on a deflection.

All the games were then moved indoors with 30 min halves and a five min half time. 8 games in a day, why not give 2 hour time slots and start the first game at 8am. That would mean that the last game would start at 10 and end by 11:45 or so just like our game against Manitoba. Apparently the volunteers ( who did a good job keeping everything going and getting us to games) didn't want to get up early and stay late.

The third game was against the Callies and we were ready for them. Unfortunately, the Callies were hungry too as they needed a win as well. They got the first goal on what looked to be offside but wasn't called and the guy slotted it home from the 8 yard line. I should have gone right through him. We then tied it up i think by a Desi break away but I could be wrong. This is where it gets interesting. When the ball in the indoor facility (pics to follow for everyone except 6-5) the rule we played against Manitoba and every other game we saw was that the team who hits the roof gets a drop ball from the ref and kicks it down the field to the other team. So there is a scramble in the 6 yard box and one of our players tries to clear it, shanks it and it goes straight up hits the roof and goes behind the net. The ref comes over (must have not reffed a game yet or watched any of the other games or talked to any other official as to the rule when it hits the roof) comes over and says that he is there for a drop ball on the 4 yard line. WTF. Are you kidding me. I calmly mentioned in a low toned voice, like i usually do to refs, how we and all the other games have been playing. He tells me that all the refs are playing the rule off the roof differently. WHAT? Playing a rule in a national tournament differently. It doesn't even make sense as I am writing this. He then decides to give us two options. One of the two options was a drop ball right there and the other was a the sportsman like thing to do (according to him) and kick it out for a corner. We kicked it out for a corner and of course they score their second goal on a nice header upper 90. Thanks ref. We tried to equalize but in thirty min halves once you go up you can defend and win the game (just ask Manitoba). There got there third goal very late when we were pressing on a two on 0 breakaway. I played it right and gave the guy no space and what does he do trips and falls as i'm going down to make the save, the ball goes off of his leg to the other guy on the breakaway and he slots it home. That loss basically took us out of the running for first.

Our fourth game was against the host team who were a good side. It was a fairly even match with us maybe having a slight edge on possession and scoring chances. I think Desi scored here as well on some good work by a few different guys with him slotting it home on a partial breakaway. Nick made a huge stop for us to give us the win. There were two Sask players that were very dangerous but were contained by our guys.

Not sure when it was decided, but the games for first and second and third and fourth were to be played as 30 min halves no OT and straight to pk's. What a joke for a national competition. For all of the seeding games for next year the actual games were cancelled and it was decided that we would go straight to pk's. So the same night as we beat Sask we had to go back to the indoor field and do pk's against the Newfies. Their keeper made one stop and i made two (should have been three) and we took home fifth place.

This tournament was a joke at best. I would love to play all of those teams outside in the elements and have a real national champion, not one with a huge asterix (sp) beside it. Even just to play 90 min games inside would have been huge. Fitness was a non issue as even i could play a 60 min game playing out. Good teams run other teams into the ground and do damage in those dying moments.

WVFC team mvp's in my opinion were not produced on the pitch but off the pitch. Once we were out of the national indoor tournament, it was game on and there was no holding back. Award for most mangled coach was a tie between Bramley and Fiorvento. Some classic stuff from both of them in room 1920. Most mangled player award went to Sean Taylor who took everything to the next level pretty much every night. He also gets the award for most money won at a Saskatoon casino, second place goes to J. Fets in the casino category. Most mangled entourage member was Keelo by far. He also gets most mangled person in Saskatoon award as well. Most mangled person who didn't come with BC but spent a lot of time with us goes to Larsson. He kicked it up a notch for sure this week.

From what i saw off the pitch, this is how the top four of the non-sanctioned men's national championships went down. First place was BC by far with no questions asked. Second place goes to the Callies who are a great bunch of guys and it was a pleasure meeting them (a couple of them didn't even make it to the bronze medal game). PEI comes in third place with a good bash in there room one of the nights. Fourth place goes to Ontario who are really good guys who really like to party as well.
On the girls side, i think that the Newfies took first place in the partying and also first place in hottest accents. They almost had it locked up on our bye day when a few of us were have rum and cokes in the bar and they were slamming drinks after their game at 12:00pm. They locked it up on the last night when they had to use a luggage dolley to bring their booze up to their rooms. Second place went to Manitoba followed by one of the Nova Scotia teams.

This was a great experience for all of us and we obviously wish that things worked out differently. Hopefully we can get back to nationals again and play to our potential in 90 min games with environmental elements playing a factor. As stated before photos will follow of the facility which would be awesome to have here, just with a higher roof and more room for throws and corner kicks on the sides.

To our four vet's: Jinky, Nico, Shorty, and Doddy, you guys are unreal. Yours hearts are huge and i only hope that some of our players can even take a fraction of what you guys bring to every game home with them. It was an honor and a pleasure to play at nationals with you guys and i wish that we could have done better for you guys. Hopefully we can win BC's again this year and give you guys one more kick at the tan, i mean can.

29

[whataboutbob]

For all of you wishing BC would take the reins and host the Nationals, be careful what you wish for. BC can't do any better.

2006 was a complete shite-show as well. Great weather, terribly organized at NAP. Going back and remembering how the grass was a patchy, 8 inches long, and referees worrying more about how they looked than how they reffed. CSA officials making up rules and fines about changing room time allotments. And BC soccer not giving any support to run a dinner for all the teams - it was basically left to Sapp to do something.

My lasting impression of the nationals are the same as WV's and many other teams out in BC. You can't help wonder how these terrible teams - and they really are bad teams - from the prairies and Atlantic provinces find a way to beat you due to terrible refs, brutal fields, and just plain crappy soccer and fluke bounces.

Well if I ever go again I would expect all that and more. It's a crappy tournament held 9-out-of-10-times out of town by organizers who only care about how they benefit from being apart of this tournament. Enjoy the fact that you went to a place you would never-ever go to and just got kicked in the nuts - what a wonderful experience.

[whataboutbob]

Manitoba Hellas are the best team in Canada.

The results never lie.

[Dude]

Wab...I remember that grass, and thinking how bad it was that our home province / city / hosting club (Surrey FC, not Sap) couldn't bloody well do something to make sure the facility was top notch. Maybe it was a Surrey thing, I don't know.

Over the summer I has involved in running a National event in Langley for one of my kid's sports, and the Twonship bent over backwards to see that we got what we needed that fell under their jurisdiction.

I'm still shocked at how bad BC Soccer / CSA / City of Surrey bottle that one. Mind boggling.

[eagles]

Sorry guys for not being there!! Sounded like there was alot of BS going on.

[knvb]

Wab...I remember that grass, and thinking how bad it was that our home province / city / hosting club (Surrey FC, not Sap) couldn't bloody well do something to make sure the facility was top notch. Maybe it was a Surrey thing, I don't know.

Over the summer I has involved in running a National event in Langley for one of my kid's sports, and the Twonship bent over backwards to see that we got what we needed that fell under their jurisdiction.

I'm still shocked at how bad BC Soccer / CSA / City of Surrey bottle that one. Mind boggling.

Not that it matters much now and not to throw anyone under the bus, but it was the club (Surrey FC) who won the bid and was hosting and organizing the event. I remember well that they had beat out Surrey United because SFC had just hosted a U16 tourney 2 years before and SU hadn't hosted a CSA event.

Good choice, eh?

Also, in 03' Quebec were FANTASTIC hosts. Hotel, parks and events were all top class. It all depends of who hosts the event and who they get to support it.

[Dude]

You're less diplomatic than I was. I'll pull the fence-post out...

At the end of the day, Surrey FC should have done it's damndest to make sure everything was top class. On top of that, BC Soccer should have a hand in. I do know this: efforts of the hosting CLUB typically make or break events like this.

[eagles]

PEI was an excellent event in 2004!! Peg boys had a blast at the Velvet Underground!!

[larsson]

Manitoba Hellas are the best team in Canada.

The results never lie.

Sometimes teams get lucky bounces and breaks ......And yes WAB Hellas are the best team in Canada right now!!!!FCUK there shite.

Two-Nine it was great seeing all the old faces and new faces what a week (still recovering) Make sure you guys make it next year so we can go round 2.

[larsson]

Not that it matters much now and not to throw anyone under the bus, but it was the club (Surrey FC) who won the bid and was hosting and organizing the event. I remember well that they had beat out Surrey United because SFC had just hosted a U16 tourney 2 years before and SU hadn't hosted a CSA event.

Good choice, eh?

Also, in 03' Quebec were FANTASTIC hosts. Hotel, parks and events were all top class. It all depends of who hosts the event and who they get to support it.

Knob that was you only time you will ever go to Nationals you Plumber!!!! or if you decide to be a Water Biotch for the ladies team ....

[knvb]

Right and you last went and played was in what, 98? You've got way more “water biotching” experience than me. Along with 140lbs.

[larsson]

Right and you last went and played was in what, 98? You've got way more “water biotching” experience than me. Along with 140lbs.

no need to get upset MUPPET that i pointed out your one time Soccer Fame. By the way did you even see the pitch in '03 hahahahah. If we had to rate the WORST players who talk shite on here you would be in the running for first place for sure. KNOB the old 60 year old bald guy in glasses for HELLAS is a better player then you. He even had a jersey on with no number , i guess that is kinda like you but with a number on.....

[ghouse]

Hey Larsson...I can only dream of one day being at the Nationals as a waterboy.
I say good on ya. Since the Majority of my guys are under 23 I hope to be that guy in a few years.

[larsson]

Hey Larsson...I can only dream of one day being at the Nationals as a waterboy.
I say good on ya. Since the Majority of my guys are under 23 I hope to be that guy in a few years.

Ghouse well said except you wanna add in the coaching part which KNOB would have no idea about since he will never go to NATIONALS and witness it. KNOB don't come to CALGARY they do not like GAY redheads who look like a guy on crack.

POLSKA - this lardass could still run circles around KNOB

[bergamascho]

Yes and he isn't even the first Polska!!!

[knvb]

Well, you’ve certainly beaten me down, don't I just feel like a dog at Michael Vicks house. Thanks for point out my one time soccer fame, I suppose you'll thank me for pointing out yours now too?

And at least the bald geezer from Hellas HAD a jersey which is more than you can say.

Cling-on.

[ghouse]

Polsaka..Berg...Fukcin Awsome...havent laughed so hard on here in a while...Grate come backs...Even Larsson has to be peeing himself after that...Priceless!