The opening day of the championship is always a manic one with squeezing opening ceremony protocols around our usual training and match routines.
Following breakfast the day began with out morning team meeting which included an integral part of our team processes in Hong Kong. Each day our mascot Koru is passed from one player to the next, awarded to someone who has done something positive for the team during the previous day. Carl, the recipient on day two, awarded Koru to Spencer for his typically heart-filled performance in the training game against Australia. Today it becomes Spencer's job to take care of our most special little team member.
Training at lunch time was a chance to blow out a few more cobwebs and get into the playing rhythm we had built back in New Zealand. Training, like most things in Hong Kong, was a hot and sweaty experience for all as we came off the court covered in moisture.
After rushing back to the hotel for a quick shower and scoffing down lunch, we adorned ourselves in our dress shirts for the opening ceremony. Trust us, long pants and high humidity are not a great mix! The opening ceremony was full of the usual formalities and speeches, not to mention a fair bit of photobombing from the kiwi crew.
Returning to the hotel, coach led us in a session of relaxation to calm some of the tension that was building, especially for those about to experience their first international match.
The starting team for the Korus today was: Bevan (c), Carl, Bateup and Loralee in attack, Simon, Mikey, Rosa and Kelsey in defence.
For those of you out there that don't know Korfball's pre-match rituals, it goes as follows:
- After the warm-up teams return to the bench,
- Teams will then line up in front of their bench for the introduction of the starting line ups.
- Each player is called and runs around their post, lining up in the middle of the court.
- Once both teams are introduced, the officials will also be announced and walk on court.
- National anthems are played (This is a pretty special experience, especially when you are able to do it shoulder to shoulder with friends that you have worked so hard with to get to this time),
- The teams then shake hands, exchange gifts and prepare to start the game!
The whistle blew and almost immediately we found ourselves behind with Japan scoring early. The strength and ability of our female players began to show as they each shared a goal, leaving the scores level at 4-4 after ten minutes play. Japan then scored again through their leading goal scorer to take a 4-5 lead at our NZ side looked very unsettled on court and not managing to gain the rhythm that we had prior to the tournament. Really this was a welcome to international korfball for us, playing against an unpredictable team who played with the passion and intensity one might expect from a nation with nothing to lose.The last minutes of the half were not as productive on the scoreboard but important for us we finished with three goals, one each to Bevan, Simon and Mikey to take a 7-5 lead into the break.
After some spirited words from Coach at half time, the first four goals were shared evenly between the teams. A 9-7 scoreline meaning that we were always under pressure and not able to gain comfortable ascendency at any time during the game. Spencer substituted Carl seven minutes into the half. Two missed penalties from our side also meant the unsettled feeling on court remained throughout the game. Japan twice closed within one goal over the final stages of the game but key goals to Bateup and Simon allowed the Korus and secure a scrappy and hard fought 11-9 win.
The result, while important and satisfying to have won our first match of the tournament, was far from the performance we craved. We will have to put our thinking caps on to find a solution and overcome the mental barrier that prevented us from playing at our potential.
Onwards and upwards tomorrow with another must win game against Korea. A win will confirm our place in the top six but this is by no means a certainty.
Finally, thanks for all the wonderful messages of support and congratulations from around the world. We love that many of you are watching us live and cheering at your screens for us. Keep the support coming, it truly inspires us.
Till next time, keep smiling :-)
Following breakfast the day began with out morning team meeting which included an integral part of our team processes in Hong Kong. Each day our mascot Koru is passed from one player to the next, awarded to someone who has done something positive for the team during the previous day. Carl, the recipient on day two, awarded Koru to Spencer for his typically heart-filled performance in the training game against Australia. Today it becomes Spencer's job to take care of our most special little team member.
Training at lunch time was a chance to blow out a few more cobwebs and get into the playing rhythm we had built back in New Zealand. Training, like most things in Hong Kong, was a hot and sweaty experience for all as we came off the court covered in moisture.
After rushing back to the hotel for a quick shower and scoffing down lunch, we adorned ourselves in our dress shirts for the opening ceremony. Trust us, long pants and high humidity are not a great mix! The opening ceremony was full of the usual formalities and speeches, not to mention a fair bit of photobombing from the kiwi crew.
Returning to the hotel, coach led us in a session of relaxation to calm some of the tension that was building, especially for those about to experience their first international match.
The starting team for the Korus today was: Bevan (c), Carl, Bateup and Loralee in attack, Simon, Mikey, Rosa and Kelsey in defence.
For those of you out there that don't know Korfball's pre-match rituals, it goes as follows:
- After the warm-up teams return to the bench,
- Teams will then line up in front of their bench for the introduction of the starting line ups.
- Each player is called and runs around their post, lining up in the middle of the court.
- Once both teams are introduced, the officials will also be announced and walk on court.
- National anthems are played (This is a pretty special experience, especially when you are able to do it shoulder to shoulder with friends that you have worked so hard with to get to this time),
- The teams then shake hands, exchange gifts and prepare to start the game!
The whistle blew and almost immediately we found ourselves behind with Japan scoring early. The strength and ability of our female players began to show as they each shared a goal, leaving the scores level at 4-4 after ten minutes play. Japan then scored again through their leading goal scorer to take a 4-5 lead at our NZ side looked very unsettled on court and not managing to gain the rhythm that we had prior to the tournament. Really this was a welcome to international korfball for us, playing against an unpredictable team who played with the passion and intensity one might expect from a nation with nothing to lose.The last minutes of the half were not as productive on the scoreboard but important for us we finished with three goals, one each to Bevan, Simon and Mikey to take a 7-5 lead into the break.
After some spirited words from Coach at half time, the first four goals were shared evenly between the teams. A 9-7 scoreline meaning that we were always under pressure and not able to gain comfortable ascendency at any time during the game. Spencer substituted Carl seven minutes into the half. Two missed penalties from our side also meant the unsettled feeling on court remained throughout the game. Japan twice closed within one goal over the final stages of the game but key goals to Bateup and Simon allowed the Korus and secure a scrappy and hard fought 11-9 win.
The result, while important and satisfying to have won our first match of the tournament, was far from the performance we craved. We will have to put our thinking caps on to find a solution and overcome the mental barrier that prevented us from playing at our potential.
Onwards and upwards tomorrow with another must win game against Korea. A win will confirm our place in the top six but this is by no means a certainty.
Finally, thanks for all the wonderful messages of support and congratulations from around the world. We love that many of you are watching us live and cheering at your screens for us. Keep the support coming, it truly inspires us.
Till next time, keep smiling :-)