Ho Kwok Pui Zhen/HK Giants

Sunday 20^th was the 2^nd game of the 2^nd part of the season. We were playing Ho Kwok Pui Zhen, team never played before. Direct concurrent for an accession to the top 5, it was a must win game. And with 3 training sessions in the past week, we were ready to rock.

Once decided the 14 players, and few minutes to sweat, it was time to take our place on the pitch and warm up the keeper.

A few minutes later, we were starting in defense. The game plan was clear, strong defense and easy combinations in attack, sure passing. And the beginning of the game followed it perfectly. On their first attacks, our opponents can’t find any way through us and were getting closed to be punished for the time. Hopefully for them and despite our goalies’ amazing stops (penalty shoot, 9 and 6 meters shoots, we kept doing some little mistakes that helped them to score, mainly from the wings.

On the other side of the pitch, we played well, no fancy stuff or silly passing which brought us to lead by 3 goals after 15 minutes. A few substitutions later, and with a strong flopping from our opponents, we got two times 2 minutes penalty in 3 minutes. Good chance for them to get back on track and score 2 goals to be only 1 goal behind.

We spent the last 5 minutes playing easy and reach the half time on the score of 11-9. A few recommendations later, motivated to win our 4^th game of the season, we were back on the pitch. 2^nd halves are usually for us quite messy, and it’s when we lose our games.

But trainings start to show some results, and we definitely keep the game in hand, defense very strong and basic but efficient attack. After 8 minutes, we scored a 3-0 to definitely take the lead and try to kill all their hopes.  They replied by another 3-0 a few minutes later, which made us doubt. And, for the first game, we didn’t lose focus and directly scored a 5-0. It was too much for them and the last 7 minutes, despite their aggressive defense on the whole pitch, we kept our 6 goals lead until the final whistle.

We for sure, showed some nice things during this game, in attack and defense. Refereeing was a bit strange sometimes, but we are use to it and we must try to stop talking or complaining. Once again, only trainings can make us better and give us a chance to win stronger team.

Highlights of the game: for his last game with the Giants, Stefan scored 6 goals (best scorer). Our goalies Tim and Angus who stopped many shoots, Fabien who played very well despite his hole in the foot. The team spirit and the beers at the end. Thanks also to Kamil, who due to the number, couldn’t play the game but stayed and cheered for us. And Florian, who had to go out the pitch after 1 minute because he was not wearing his froggy green short!

A few trainings are planned, we need to come over and play together, improve the combinations and we can definitely win a few more games!

See you all on the pitch very soon.

HK Giants/I.ROBOT

This Sunday 13^th January was the first game of 2013 as well as the first game of the second part of the season which will see us playing one more team once again.

With a one month break without handball, a few kilos due to Christmas and New Year and the opposition to I.ROBOT, the team trusting the 1^st position (no games lost during 1^st part of the season), the task was difficult. The first time we played them; we lost by 4 goals and played a correct 1^st half to finally mess up the 2^nd one.

13 players on the game sheet and a few shots on the keeper later, it was time to start. The word was same as usual; hit them hard on the first defense to scare them. Hopefully for us, they were physically about the same size as us, so we didn’t have too many troubles with a strong defense (except the few simulations that they should be ashamed of).

Unfortunately and recurrent problem with us, the attack is not good and when we finally get to have some open shoots, the lack of accuracy does not permit us to score. And after 15 minutes, the score was already 8-4 for them. Not dramatic, but we could see the lack of trainings.

Other main problem was the passing. Too many fancy passes, not assured or no solutions for the ball carrier meant we offered them too many fast breaks, which bring them to score a 6-1 in the last 15 minutes, and reach the half time on the score of 14-5 for them.

For the 2^nd half, we decided to try to take it as luxury training and don’t give them too many chances to score. A few sip of water later, it was time to start over.

The first minutes of the 2^nd half were not better, letting them score a 4-0. We scored our first goal only 7 minutes later. The rest of the 2^nd half time saw them score 2 goals each time we scored 1. We were also unlucky, when we hit 7 times in a row the frame…

The final whistle stopped the hemorrhage on the score of 25-12.

The lack of training and the one month break are the explanation. Though we saw some nice combinations in attack which need to be practiced, I.ROBOT was definitely too strong for us and for our actual level of performance.

A few highlights, Paul, best scorer of the day with 4 goals, Tim, who played on the field and scored a nice goal from the wing and the team, who didn’t get angry or didn’t lose focus during the 2^nd half, when we usually start to mess up.

Same as usual, only training can help us improve. Working on basics, passing, shooting accuracy and defense are the main points for us.

A few trainings are coming, and the next game will be against our direct opponent in the ranking, so we need to win and make sure we stay in 1^st division!

See you all on the pitch very soon.

Happy New Year

The redaction of the blog gather to wish to all of you a great and fastuous year 2013.

Best wishes for personal and professional side, as well as handball side!

Just talking about handball, the 2nd part of the season is starting, which will see us play one more time every team.
Great chance to do better than 1st part and end ud with more wins than lost.

Stay tuned for the news!