Sunday 16th July 2000

Richard: "After a night of drinking, it would have been nice to have had a lie in, but unfortunately we were required on poolside for 10am. Eventually we managed to rise, with the help of the alarm, lots of bullying from Karen and a good shower to wake up. Breakfast with Bart and Electra and then down to the pool.

Yesterday we managed to get through to the semi finals: we had only one match, but it was important - against Sicily. A second play-off for semi-finals (Sub Bologna vs Sicily) had been played at 9:00, so everything was on course. Martin gave us a good pep talk: we needed to win in order to get third place. The game itself was very rough: we gave it everything in the first half and were unfortunate to concede a goal. In the second half we came back strongly and levelled the score, but then were soon down again, with no possibility to draw level. We enjoyed the game, played well, and will be satisfied with fourth place.

Then to the final: Nettuno Bologna against Sub Bologna. Martin refereed the match, while Christian filmed it, with Karen providing deckside support as video assistant. It was a good clean game, enjoyed by all, with an expected result of 5-2 to Nettuno.

We came fourth: Nettuno starts the water fight . . .

but loses badly when it comes to their turn on the podium

The presentation ceremony was a high-spirited and joyous occasion. The ladies teams were presented in reverse order, followed by the mixed teams, again in reverse order. Each team received a complementary T-shirt and medal, not to mention a complementary water-soaking from the winning team. Needless to say, when it came to Nettuno's turn to be presented with their T-shirts, medals and the trophy, everyone else was waiting, with water aplenty . . .

Lots of photos were taken of all the squads, with thanks given to the organisers, etc. Thank you very much, all!

Someone takes a swim . . .

Electra wins the "Miss Wet T-shirt" competition

After the prizegiving, there was a no-holds-barred orgy of everyone throwing everyone else into the water, which was then followed by an excellent lunch in the restaurant. All the teams were in festive spirit, with much wine consumed. Sander and Bart were full of witty comments, while the rest of us got down to the serious business of of eating, drinking and enjoying life.

Karen, Martin, Boudwyn, Sander, Christian, Electra, Bart, Richard

Bart plays it cool

Far too soon it was time to say goodbye to our Roma teammates who had a four-hour return journey ahead of them. We helped them with their gear, said our goodbyes and thanks. We made a good team and may try to combine again for Bologna in September.

What to do now? What a question - head for the beach, of course! We settled up our hotel bill because we were going to be leaving stupidly early in the morning, and were rewarded with an excellent insider tip from the guy on reception. We made a quick trip into Bari to find the nearest bank and draw some money, then set off down the coast.

The beach recommended to us was approximately 35km from Bari on the Brindisi road/highway near Monopoli, and it was excellent. The weather was kind - a storm that was threatening to brew held off - and out came the sun. Hooray! The water was glorious, so we swam a lot - Martin and Richard having butterfly swimming races to impress the bikini-clad ladies - and then just chilled out a lot. The girls were first class, and well worth the racing - it is Italy, after all." Karen: "No decent blokes, though!"

Richard: "Back at the hotel we stopped to freshen up - the shower in our room is excellent - before heading down to the restaurant to meet up with Giacomo and Sara, from Nettuno Bologna and Sub Bologna respectively. However, they were both tired after the exertions of the weekend, so we chatted only briefly after dinner before they both retired.

Karen, Martin and I, however, had an excellent meal, then hit the bar. Beer and Bailey's are OK, but Long Island Iced Tea is better! We had fun getting the concoction together - vodka, gin, tequila, Cointreau, coke and lemonade, although Martin and I agreed that instead of coke it should be Angostura Bitters. Anyway, it tasted great! Karen reciprocated with something that we named "The Milano Mind Masher" - Red Bull, Bacardi and port!
A pint of Long Island Iced Tea!

Eventually the bar closed and we headed back to our room. Karen and Martin nattered late into the night; as for me, I just crashed."

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