Broccoli Ultimate: Bologna is Back!

Another year, another October and another excellent tournament run by Davide, Matteo and CUSB. It's our second year in a row at the tourny and it was every bit as fun as last year, even though we were severely undermanned!

Day 1:

We started in a 6 team power pool and wondered what we were doing there! In with us were three of the best continental European teams around. That said, we knew we'd a solid line up and were looking forward to the challenge.

Game 1: 4 -13 v Cota Rica (they finished 2nd)
In truth we never really got going in this game. Cota were quick to punish a few sloppy tunrs in the first half and kept us at arms length for the rest of the game. Despite a few long, multiple turnover points in a tight second half we couldn't get back into the game and the team from Rimini won through handsomely.

4-13 v Freespeed (1st)

Another strong team, full of tireless running and sublime break throws, were waiting for us in our second game of the day. Freespeed were clinical on offence and used a stifling zone to get turns on D. We played better than in the first game but were beaten by an opposition playing on a different level to us.

9-4 v Crazy Dogs (8th)

The third game of the day saw us win comfortably in a good game against the Swiss team we'd beaten in Amsterdam earlier in the year. They had some strong handlers but couldn't cope with our running and long game. We brought a zone into the game and used a little more fronting to upset the cutters. It worked well and we ran out 9-4 in the hottest game of the weekend.

9-8 v Bologna (3rd)

Probably our best performance of the two days, we were tight on D and our O clicked. We capitalised on early turns to go 4-1 up before Bologna started tuning in on D, shutting us down more and more effectively as the game pregressed. We weren't going to give up though and a lovely throw from Blonde to Pete for the winning goal gave us a second win from four. With a quarter final spot garaunteed this win gave us a good shot at getting a spot in the semis as if we won vs. Bisc we'd be 3rd seeds...

8-12 v Flying Bisc (4th)
Flying Bisc had 7 men and didn't warm up. As a result we entered the game knowing we were more ready and quickly went 3-1 up. They warmed to the task though and lead by Max and the 'Bald Guy' they made a right dog fight of it. We were frustrated and began to play more edgily than we had since game two. In the end we lost by 3 points but it was anyone's game really. A shame to end on a low note, but 2 out of 5 given we had 10 players and in considerable heat wasn't a bad showing.

Party Time!

Before we got near any party there was the Ireland Italy game to watch. After a first half of faffing and unsure plans we were kindly driven to the pub by Pete. We watched as Ireland took the lead only to throw it away. Wild celebrations were quickly followed by muted head shaking in hands and thoughts of what might of been. A real shame especially given the adventure of finding a pub, buying 1L glasses of booze and tauntng the locals.... Onwards and upwards!

The party took place in a pub on an island in a park. To get there 20 of us piled into Davide's van and had a mini session (when we weren't fearing for our lives). The venue was small, pretty full, served beutifully lethal rum & cokes and played a great mix of party tunes and pure cheese. We danced, SJ was wild, Sam had a nap and Tara kissed a 16 year old. All-in-all a quality night's entertainment.

Day 2:

Quarter Final: 7-11 v Bologna

Despite the late night we awoke feeling ready, warmed up well and faced a smaller Bologna team than the day before. Despite missing a few players they upped their game and looked like a more cohesive unit than on the previous day. Mark (a Yank we nearly picked up) threw well, Davide has a cracker and we made a few too many mistakes. This time they were silly ones, dump tunrovers, miscommunication and a lack of concentration in parts. We fought hard and were never far off the lead but the big point (5-6 down and with the disc) went against us and we never came back.

5/8: 13-7 v Fano (7th)

Next up were Fano, a team of 7 players lead by Panda (an Italian international). His break throws were strong and despite two solid cutters they were never a threat to us. We started well and capitalised on their turns to go well up by half. The start of the second half saw them claw a few back but we drew away again at the end and wrapped up a solid win. At this stage we were dead on our feet, having lost Dave Ferguson a couple of games earlier and with the humidity rising.

5/6: 8-13 v A4 (5th)

Our last game was a slogfest against the A4 team from Parma. They'd a full squad with a decent long game but we felt we could pressure them on D. We played okay but tired legs really began to show, especially on the mark where lots of breaks cost us problems throughout. We never gave up but they had legs and won by 4 in the end. 6th place of 20 though, pretty pleased.

Meanwhile, Deadly Buzz were in a similar position numberswise, only they were even more determined for a physical test with a mere 8 players! They battled in every game and despite the great throws of Laura and Becca, big catches of Jen and a massive MVP display from Sparky, they lost a lot of crunch games by only one or two points due to lack of legs and finished 9th overall. They did dominate the dancefloor though and took advantage of some underage men at the same time... *ahem* Tara *ahem*

Special thanks to Blonde Rob, Dani and Carl for picking up with us. We wouldn't have done nearly as well without the three of you. Much appreciated!

Broccoli MVP: Pete Forde

Broccoli MSP: David Rickard
Broccoli Team: Marko (c), Pete (vc), Sam, Rickard, Matt, Seamus, Duchess Ferguson, Blonde Rob, Daniel Dui, Carl & Darron (in spirit - he had the Swiners).