The 2007 Men's Handball Finals Weekend!

Hi guys and girls its me again!

Last weekend something fantastic happened, the guys won the 2007 Handball League!!

Here is a detailed account of what happened according to me.

If this may seem a little biased, an exaggeration of the truth or its not really what you experienced well... Though!

I'm the narrator so I do what I want!

Oh and for those who don't like reading the photos are at the end, scroll down!

It all started with a sound, actually three sounds repeated in sequences :

BEEP BEEP BEEP!          BEEP BEEP BEEP!

It was way too early for me to open my eyes and so I left myself be carried around by the President Kaiser Cai!

When I finally awoke, oh what horror... I was in Matt's car cruising...

Well not actually cruising but rather traveling at the speed of light down the motorway with my head through the window and Magnus' head crushing my body against window. He obviously hadn't realised I was there... Or had he deliberately used me as a pillow!!!

We all met up in Leyton surprisingly no one got lost and we made it with plenty of time to spare... Even Ralf didn't get lost and he actually guided the referees to the sports hall. Hard to believe I know, but true nonetheless.

We then started a very slow warm up, while this was happening I obviously took my favorite seat on the bench and discussed tactics with Magnus. With an hour to go the guys were messing around shooting penalties from 4 metres and Helge repeatedly shot Stuart in the groin... Probably some kind of "mental" preparation for the game, who knows... Goal keepers and Norwegian people are very strange...

Pablo was arranging his pony tail, it actually looked more like a palm tree sticking out from his head...

Then a final team talk was made before the game went underway. Ralf made one of his moral boosting speeches and Magnus told us what to do!

Oxford vs Manchester University, this was the third time this season that our guys met Oxford and so far they had been unable to beat them. But Oxford had never played against the full Manchester squad and today we meant business. It was business time!

The game started with the two teams lining up and shaking hands once that formality was dealt with Manchester started the game and they started well. A good solid defence from the Rock, Thomas and Pablo and some crafty scoring from Luis and Iñigo made sure our team had a comfortable 11-6 lead at half time. The second half saw a Manchester team very much in command of the game. Taking things slow, good team work ensured the goals kept coming and good defence and goal keeping prevented and frustrated somewhat Oxford. The end of the game result was 27-16 for Manchester University and there was much rejoicing.

The second game of the day saw an epic battle between Great Dane and Cambridge. All the ingredients were there for a great show, goals, force, good goalkeeping, violence, at times comedy and romance ok maybe not romance but a great climax!!! I can tell you it was stressful to watch!

The game went into 2 extra times and was finally decided on penalty shoot out. Great Dane having made a good come back in the game made it through on penalties.

That evening Magnus sent out Asier and Luis on a mission to inebriate the Great Dane players which turned out to be a failure as our men returned to the hotel drunk. In some rooms good students were revising others well were how should I put it, well just having lots of fun! Feeling happy at having achieved something great!

The next morning it took some time to convince Jens not to eat at pizza hut just before the match but to go for a much healthier option : the full English breakfast.

We then returned to Leyton to see Cambridge loose to Oxford. Then that was it time for the final!!!

Our players seemed like school children warming up... Everybody scattered everywhere, Luis jogging in his hoody and sun glasses. Pablo streching out complaining about his back, Iñigo with his battered toe was unable to run and the only people sprinting up and down the court were the two goal keepers, Cai and Stuart.

While on the other side Great Dane looked like soldiers on a military parade all wearing their red warm up shirt. All running up in down the court in line and looking possibly twice as tall and as fit as any of us.

The game was a strange one during which I nearly had 3 strokes if that possible for a stuffed animal...

Manchester started the game well with a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes. The rock solid defence made it impossible for Great Dane to get through and the only goals they scored were on penalties. Asier made one of his favorite moves and scored a Basque! And was back in defence even before our players had settled back! But Great Dane after our team conceded a few 2 minutes came back into the game. At half time Manchester University was only leading by 2 goals.

The second half saw one of the best defence our team as ever seen which kept on frustrating Great Dane and they conceded too many two minutes and as frustration grew red cards starting appearing. But during all of this our team kept a cool head and vital goals scored by Rafal and Helge from the wings made sure we stayed in the lead. A few good saves from Stuart continued to frustrate Great Dane and in what was a very stressful last five minutes Manchester University in a great team effort won 22-20!!!!!!

Ralf driving and actually not lost!!	Pablo and his palm tree hair	Seb and Emma,yes I was just taking a nap,long day!	Kaiser Cai praising Iñigo after a hard game!
We Won!!! We are the champions!!	Well done everyone!!	Where is the cup?????	Calm down Thomas, here it is... Why thank you Helge

The Champions 2007	Thomas, Stuart, Me, Magnus, Seb, Jens, Matt, Pablo Luis, Asier, Rafal, Iñigo, Helge, Cai
Enormous thanks to those who were not there for the final but who contributed all through the year in us getting there: Ralf, Piotr, Alan, Mateo, Glad and of course Krasi and all the girls team for their support!!