TEAM ALBION TAKE ON THE WORLD

After an 8 week semi intensive training program Team Albion felt they were ready to take on the world in the over 35’s Master Waterpolo competition. It was a truly international age group with eight teams aiming to be crowned for the world title. This included teams from Australia (2), Croatia (2) Russia, Romania, Germany, and Singapore.

Our first match was against our local Perth rivals the Musketeers who clearly had the match fitness and team principles required to play at this level. Despite our best efforts we went down 21 v 4. The 2nd game involved the first Croatian team and our first experience of playing a European team. It was a tough ask and we hadn’t settled down as a team yet and ended up losing 21 v 1. There were however some encouraging signs in the game of what we could achieve. In addition we also scored some cool Croatian waterpolo gear that the opposition were very keen to swap. By game 3 against the German team we had settled on our team tactics of scoring in every game and by losing by less than 20 goals. We also decided to play a staggered attack allowing our team a chance to defend the counter attacks (of which there were many) This gave the team the focus and unity it needed and we ended up losing 17 v 3.

By game 4 we felt we had progressed enough to challenge the Singaporean team and took the game to them. We were minus our regular goalkeeper so we substituted with on field players. This effected team depth and we ended up losing the game 9 v 4.

By game 5 we had the challenge of facing the mighty Russians, the eventual age group winners. Despite the score line loss of 17 v 2 this game could be described as our finest moment (quote from Bastiaan de Boer). Penalty saves from our goalkeeper, lobbing of their own goalkeeper and general determined play left the team feeling that we left a positive mark on the competition. None of us could speak Russian but their general body language and emotions during the game indicated we had gently rattled them.

By game 6 it would be fair to the say the puff had gone out of our sails. Battle worn we carried on and in game 6 we lost 18 v1 to the Romanians. Not many highlights but not one player gave up or got de motivated.

Our final game against the 2nd Croatian team had us very excited before the start. With only 10 minutes to go to the start there were only 4 of the opposition evident at the pool. The rest of their team did finally show up and we ended up with a very decent game. By this stage Team Albion were showing positive attacking play which resulted in several evictions (“kick outs”) to the opposition. This was further rewarded by our increased ability to convert to goals and we lost the game 13 v 6. A great result against a top Croatian Team.

That same evening the club had its competition wind up at the Albion Hotel. We discussed many things but the stand outs for us all were:

• Seeing 2 of our own players who had never played serious Waterpolo before compete at an international level and show consistent improvement.
• Having the support from Claremont and others to get us through some particularly tough games.
• Having a crack against the best in the world.

We had some unofficial team awards that night which went to Pete Gardner for most improved player and to Gerry MacQuillan for having the dubious joint title of team top goal scorer and most major fouls against (disputed by Gerry).

Here’s to Sweden 2010…

Chris MacQuillan.
Team Manager.

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Features, FINA World Masters 2008