Saturday 15th July 2000

Richard: "We all slept reasonably well, although Karen and I did have to bash Martin a couple of times to keep the snoring level down. A good shower sorted us all out, then to a continental breakfast and general chat with the tournament organisers. We discussed the Electra phenomenon and hoped that she would not let us down with the five players promised for the CTDC / Racing Roma team.

The captains' meeting was scheduled for twelve, so we filled in the time getting familiar with our surroundings. Martin attended the captains' meeting to get all the necessary information, find our how many teams are competing, tournament format, etc. There were eight teams split into two sets of four, and since our players from Roma had not yet arrived, Martin asked if our first game could be the last of the first set of four games, in order to give them the maximum length of time to get here. We then tried to give Christian a call on his mobile to find out their progress, but with no success. However, no sooner had we sat down in the hotel lobby to chat among ourselves than they arrived. Hooray!

Instead of Christina (a lady) we got Boudwyn (a man), and he, Electra, Bart, Christian and Sander made up the Roma five. Martin, Karen and Richard had some lunch while the others checked in, and then it was onto the poolside. For Martin, however, it was onto the poolside halfway through his lunch, as Electra was playing for a ladies team in the first game and wanted to talk positions and tactics for our team, prior to the start of her first game. However, the minds didn't quite meet on who should play where, and the tactical discussion dragged on somewhat. Before the final details had been ironed out, the restaurant staff had decided that Martin wasn't coming back for his big juicy steak and whipped it away. Martin was not pleased when he came back to an empty plate!

We had a brief window for a practice swim, check depth of water and movements of puck (hang on, Richard, isn't this a bit technical for a drinking team?) before the games began. I helped to set up the underwater camera system, and while other teams played we watched from the spectators' benches at poolside. Electra was being very helpful, training the young ladies' team that were playing for the first time in a tournament.

It was then our turn for the team talk: we had a brief chat outside to discuss positioning and tactics, and everyone seemed satisfied with what they were doing. The proof will be in the pool as a team - come on Chesham/Roma!

Our first match, against a new team, Victoria College, was a success: we played well and our subbing was good, but we didn't work as a "team" very well, although as a scratch team this was not surprising. We needed to close up more and support each other. Our second game was against Ipinima, the ladies team that Electra had been coaching just before the start of the tournament, so we worked on our pacing game and won easily. The third and fourth games were really a different kettle of fish altogether. Against Sub Bologna, or rather "Sub Bologna plus Sub Munich" ("Munich" being Andy Schulz, an old friend of CTDC), we were unlucky to go down, and the 1-4 scoreline really did not reflect the closeness of the game.

Losing this game put us into second place in our group and pitched us against Nettuno Bologna, the winners of the other group. Whereas we had been asked to bring "women and beginners", the Nettuno team included five members of the Italian national team, so from the outset this game was going to be an uphill struggle." Martin: "Richard got a bit angry about this, saying that they should have brought a weaker team, more in keeping with the level of the tournament, but I pointed out that the sport has only been going in Italy for about two and a half years, so maybe they didn't have any other players. Or maybe they just wanted to win..."

Electra in control in the water

Richard: "In the game itself we again worked well as a team and pulled together, but the opposition was too strong, and the 6-0 scoreline against us was a fair result for the disparity between the teams.

And on to the party. After a good shower was had by all - one at a time, that is :-) - we all met in the restaurant for a typical Italian meal with vino. Most enjoyable, with photos taken of the team, while we chatted generally on Octopush, tactics, etc. Bart was in good spirits, explaining the ins and outs of Italian men and their mothers (are we writing something libellous here?).

After dinner we all met up for a drink in the bar, and then proceeded in convoy into Bari to take in the nightlife. Oh boy, was it busy! Lots of people, glorious weather, and Martin commandeering the town square to initiate everyone into pint snorkelling!

Donatella represents the ladies

Some good photos were taken of Martin, Electra and Christian from our team and also numerous others from Sicily and the various Bologna teams. Most snorkellers managed to down at least half a pint, while Giacomo, the captain of Nettuno, did the whole pint - three cheers! The event really drew the crowds, but no takers from outside the Octopush group came forward to give it a try.

After the snorkelling we took in a bit of historical Bari under Bart's excellent guidance, and then made our way back to the hotel. Christian, Sander and Boudwyn kept on drinking into the early hours and got a taxi back.

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