GERMAN LACROSSE REPORT
By Ken Galluccio
The German Men's Lacrosse Playoffs were held this year in lemgo, near Bielefeld, and hosted by the Bielefeld Hawks. The organization of this event was first class. There were two playing fields for the round-robin 8 team tournament, and everything from ball boys and girls at every corner of the fields to a media stand for filming all the games between the pitches.
The two top teams from each German league - NDLL, ODLL, SDLL, WDLL - were expected to make a showing, but unfortunately, the 2nd place team from the SDLL Passau was unable to attend.
Thus the 3rd place NDLL team, Hannover, stepped right up to fill the spot.... and away we went!
The competing teams were
NDLL
1. Hamburg Warriors (HH)
2. Bielefeld Hawks (BI)
3. Hannover Dragons (H)
ODLL
1. Berlin Lacrosse Club (BLAX)
2. Verein fuer Koerperkultur (VfK) "The Body Culture Club"
SDLL
1. Munich (M)
WDLL
1. Frankfurt Cosmos (F)
2. Aachen Eagles (AC)
Defending Champions BLAX made a strong showing despite not having their goalie Henrik Naims along. They took turns putting star attack players in the net. Alex Daskalow started off the show, then player-coach Marten Schnitzler did a spell, and finally the starting attack completed their curcuit with Leo von Bismark going between the pipes. BLAX did not lose during the playoffs and draws the 2nd place finishers from the other group, VfK.
Frankfurt, this year's WDLL Champions and perennial contender had also been playoff perfect going into the final game of the tournament against BLAX. Behind player coach Bob Scheider, Frankfurt jumped out to an early lead. Playing well as a unit up to the third quarter, they unfortunately got their heads down over a series of penalties when the game got rough and tumble and a bit of chaos spread out from the table and bench area. At the end of the day, BLAX came out on top, and Frankfurt has now drawn the strong Hamburg side in the semi-finals.
Hamburg went undefeated all season, and has carried their perfect record into and through the play-offs. Coach Jeremy Mattoon has been doing a serious bit of program building in Hamburg, the likes of which German Lacrosse has not yet known. The discipline and team play his players exhibit reflect his solid and determined approach to teaching the game. Their captain Mathew Medjeral is one of the most important movers in German Lacrosse - concentrating first and foremost on his own club, but also busy behind the scenes on a national level. Hamburg had already made a strong showing in last year's German finals losing to BLAX, but oh what a difference a year can make... Keep your eyes on Hamburg for the future of German Lacrosse!
Rounding out the field is the three time former German Champs, VfK.
Hampered the past few years by depth problems, the club has started to focus more and more on developing their youth program... and the effort is starting to pay dividends. Behind old German workhorse, and first German Goal Scorer Ingo Hess, the Body Culture Club was able to secure the fouth spot in a battle against another up and comer from the west, Aachen. VfK's Torben Ahlborn, Germany's National Team Goalie, had an outstanding tournament coming up with major saves and heads-up outlet play.
Aachen was the other big surprise of the playoffs, sending home six-time German Champs Munich in the very first game of the series. For some this is no surprise at all, as Aachen was indeed one of the very first German teams to establish and develop a youth program. In the deciding game against Vfk, Aachen played some strong individual attack, but was a bit down in defense as one long pole was out to injury, and another key defensive starter had to sit a one game ban for a game ejection incurred against Hamburg the game before. As the team continues to play together and gains a bit more game experience (that is, gets a bit less excitable) look for Aachen in the West in years to come.
Munich rallied in a strong showing against Hamburg, giving them a run for their money, but in the end came up short. Hannover and Bielefeld, the hosts, played well all year to get them this far in Germnay's toughest league by far. With Hamburg playing so well, the real fight is this battle for second in the NDLL, and there's no love lost between these two contenders for that position. This year, Bielefeld came out on top in the league, and they demonstrated their right to second place in the NDLL by defeating Hannover in the other last game of the playoffs. Both these teams have potential and can only gain from their tough competition.
The referees for the event were an all-star cast. As always with grace and charm, Mr. Phil Long and Mr. Tony Pugh of England, agreed to come over in the 11th hour to assist and were very much appreciated. To this field we add Matthias Lockemann, German Lacrosse Director of Officials Training, and Michael von Falkenhausen... the only good thing to come of Passau's non-attendance. Ken Galluccio (that's me), now freelance European Referee and former Chief German Official, was also present for the festivities. In addition, each playing club picked up some ref duties along the way.
Again special thanks to the Bielefeld organisers, especially Andreas Rossband (Rossi - now German Chief Official) who went above and beyond the call, as usual. To Chi-Hsiang Huang who supplied transport and all the duck the refs could eat (and those who know me know i can eat a lot of duck...), and to the very best scorer/timer ever Lara.
The German Championships are being held on the last weekend of May in Frankfurt.
So, For the men it's BLAX vs VfK in semi 1 and Hamburg vs Frankfurt in semi 2.
The German Women's Championships will also be held then, with the ladies from BLAX, Munich, and a team to be named from the NDLL - either Goettingen or Hamburg! Also qualifying in their first year of play are the COSMIC GIRLS from Frankfurt/Heidelberg. Congratulations!
THIS JUST IN: The Frankfurt Cosmos Lacrosse Club will host the 2004 Men's and Women's German Lacrosse Championships from 29 to 30 May at Sportclub 1880 Frankfurt. Frankfurt will play Hamburg at 1500 on Saturday. Although Hamburg is undefeated this year, the Cosmos gave them their closest game of the season with a 9 to 11 loss in April. The Cosmos have also run off a string of 19 straight home voctories, dating to October 2001. Berlin rivals BLAX (2003 champions) and VfK will faceoff at 1700. In the women's semifinals, NDLL Champion BLAX will play Munich of the SWDLL at 1500 and SWDLL Champion Frankfurt/Heidelberg will play either Hamburg or Goettingen of the NDLL.
The women's third place game will be played at 1100 on Sunday, with the finals at 1430. The men's third place game will be at 1230 and the finals at 1600. There will be a lacrosse party in the Sportclub 1880 Clubhaus at 2300, immediately following the plaer's banquet.
Check back with E-Lacrosse for the results!
mit freundlichen Gruessen!
Here the results....
Saturday
Field A
09.30 - 12.00 Uhr Munich - Aachen 10:11
12.00 - 14.30 Uhr Frankfurt - Bielefeld 16:10 14.30 - 17.00 Uhr
München - VFK 1:15 17.00 - 19.30 Uhr Frankfurt - Hannover 16:2
Field B
09.30 - 12.00 Uhr Hamburg - VFK 14:4
12.00 - 14.30 Uhr Blax - Hannover 18:2
14.30 - 17.00 Uhr Hamburg - Aachen 10:5
17.00 - 19.30 Uhr Blax - Bielefeld 18:3
Sunday:
Field A
10.00 - 12.30 Uhr Munich - Hamburg 8:12
12.30 - 15.00 Uhr Frankfurt - Blax 5:8
Field B
10.00 - 12.30 Uhr Aachen - VFK 6:11
12.30 - 15.00 Uhr Bielefeld - Hannover 9:4
Red Group
| Place | Team | Points | Goals | Difference
|
|---|
| 1. | Hamburg | 9 | 36:17 | +19
|
| 2. | VFK | 6 | 30:21 | +9
|
| 3. | Aachen | 3 | 22:31 | -9
|
| 4. | München | 0 | 9:38 | -29 |
Blue Group
| Place | Team | Points | Goals | Difference
|
|---|
| 1. | Blax | 9 | 44:10 | +34
|
| 2. | Frankfurt | 6 | 37:20 | +17
|
| 3. | Bielefeld | 3 | 22:38 | -16
|
| 4. | Hannover | 0 | 8:43 | -35 |
CZECH LACROSSE REPORT
From April 23-25, TJ Sokol Radotin hosted the 11th annual international boxlacrosse tournament, the HBA Cup-Ales Hrebesky Memorial. The tourney is annually one of Europe's premier lacrosse events, and had a record number of 12 participants: Rebels (USA), US Team Philadelphia (USA), BLAX (Berlin), VFK Berlin, LC Passau (GER), from abroad,and local teams LC Jizni Mesto (Cz), TJ Malesice, and host club LCC Radotin forming Group 1. Group 2 consisted of LC Kromerice (CZ), LC Pardubice (Cz), Tricksters Bratislava (Slo), and the Mix Team featuring U-19 Czech Team players plus several players from the Vienna Monarchs.
2004 HBA CUP CHAMPION REBELSBack Row: Scott Joyner, Kevin Finneran, Larry Fila, Bill Curtis, Mike Ladoucer, Vic Minoglio,
Cort Sandstrom, Scott Burnam, Kneeling: Mark Burnam, Haley, Colman Devlin
The debut performance of the Slovakian team and the Austrian players is evidence of the growing borders of the game and lacrosse's steady drive to take over the globe. Further evidence of the game's explosion here in Europe is the Euro Championship slated for July 24-31 in Prague, which has twice as many countries participating (18) than the last Euros which were held in Cardiff, Wales just three years ago.
HBA Hi-Scorer Scott Joyner drives on Jizni Mesto's Ales Vesely
For the third consecutive year, Rebels took home the cup posting an exciting 7-6 win in the semi against TJ Malesice, and outclassing LC Jizni Mesto in a hard fought title match 6-4. Radotin and Malesice share third place, with US Team (Philadelphia), BLAX, VFK, and LC Passau rounding out the order of finish. Perrenial HBA participants LC Pardubice held off the Mix Team to take bragging rights of the second group with LC Kromerice and Tricksters Bratislava rounding out the standings.
Hi-Point Scorer: Mike Ladoucer (Rebels)
The tournament again hit a fever pitch Saturday night starting with the third annual All-Star game held under the lights, pitting the Czech All-Stars against the International All-Stars. Despite a steady rain, 1,500 fans enjoyed a well-played and dramatic game which ended 6-6 and was decided by a shoot out. The Czech Stars prevailed but there were no losers on or off the pitch as all witnessed an awesome fireworks display before heading to the Tournament party.
Goalie MVP: Tomas Riha
LCC Sokol Radotin would like to thank all players, fans, boosters, and especially its sponsors for making the 11th annual HBA Cup/Ales Hrebesky Memorial an event to remember!
World Indoor Lacrosse Championship 2003 Medal Round Preview - May 2003
2003 German Preview - May 2003
Italian Report - Spring 2003
German Report - Winter 2002/2003
Latvian Report and Germany Report - Fall 2002
Germany Report and World Indoor Championships - Late Summer 2002
International Report - Summer 2002
Czech Lax Report - April 2002
Dutch Lax Report - Summer 2002
