My Post-Sabbatical Year(s) in Asia (or wherever): Moteno and the Worlds Ultimate Tournament

Molteno, site of the Worlds Ultimate Tournament, 30 minutes south of Lecco by train

July 24th:

Natan

The US team has been doing very well. They are now done with pool play, where the US went undefeated and will be seeded #1 in the "knock-out" rounds. In the pool with the US were Israel, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria. On 7/21 the US began the tournament against Israel. The US team was not sharp, beating Israel 17-9.

US and Israel teams after the game in a "Spirit Circle"

But that was the first game they ever played together (the US team is made up of 24 players from across the nation, meeting in NY for 4 training days before flying to Italy last Friday). Each game they have improved as a team, and now look very strong, as if they have been playing together for years. At the end of day one, the US beat Finland 17-1. On 7/22 the US beat Spain 17-1, then later in the day beat Switzerland 17-6. On the morning of 7/23, the US had their toughest competition against undefeated Austria, beating them handily 17-7.

There are 4 undefeated teams going into the knock-out rounds, one from each pool: USA, Canada, Germany, and Italy. Before the tournament began, the US was ranked #1 and Canada #3, so the US played Canada in the afternoon, just to determine who would be ranked #1 for the knock-out rounds. The US was beating Canada 9-6 before the game was called due to lightning.

Anyway, that is it for now. This afternoon the US will play the #8 seed, to be determined this morning. Natan has been having a great tournament. He is playing so well, but more importantly, he is such a thoughtful and supportive team leader, embodying all that one would hope for. I am so proud of the young man he has become.

July 25th:

US boys' and girls' teams are both in the finals today. Both teams have been dominating their competition. The boys beat Columbia in the quarterfinals 17-6 on Thursday. We expected a much closer game, as Columbia was ranked 2nd in the world behind the US team (the US team beat Columbia in the finals two years ago in Dublin). Then yesterday the US boys beat Italy 17-6 in one of the semi-final matches.

Natan with his hand up, telling Colombia they are ready to receive the disk

US and Colombia teams after their quarter final match

The finals should be much more competitive. Both the boys' and girls' teams face Canada. The Canadian boys beat Germany yesterday 17-9. Germany was undefeated, so Canada really stepped up their game. Natan is a little worried about his team, since they haven't really been challenged yet, and Canada is a really good team. Cross your fingers.

Natan with the US and Colombia teams after the quarter final match.

July 26th:

I have bad news. After a very hard fought game in strong wind a rain, the US boys team lost to Canada 17-16. I feel so badly for Natan, and I am sure it will take some time for Natan to make closure with this loss, but he played extremely well and has much to be proud of.

the US Junior Worlds Team

The US team did not play badly, but it was not one of their better games. They made too many mistakes. They turned the disk over 24 times, as compared to 7 turnovers in the semi-final game against Italy, and 8 turnovers in the quarter-finals against Columbia. Canada also struggled with the weather conditions. They also had 24 turnovers. The 7 boys on the US Offensive squad (Natan's squad) played the best of either team, scoring without a turnover 9 times out of 16 possessions (Canada's offensive team scored 5 times without a turnover out of 16 possessions). But still, the offense turned it over 9 times and had 5 breaks (a break is when you turn it over, then the defensive team scores), compared to 4 turnovers and 1 break against Italy in the semi-finals, or two turnovers and one break against Columbia. The US defensive squads forced 19 Canadian turnovers, but could only score 5 times, turning it back over themselves 15 times. Anyway, we are so proud of Natan. He played very well and showed great leadership after the game, supporting his teammates. And, of course, we are very proud of the US team, playing their hearts out.

Natan receiving his silver medal

Natan and Eli in the front, two of the captains, watching the Canadian team receive their gold medals

On a brighter note, the US women won the gold medal with a convincing win over the Canadian women 17-9. Two of my former students from Evergreen School played on the US women's team, so it was great watching them play. By the way, there were two former Evergreen students on the boy's team as well. 4 Evergreen students making the US national teams is a pretty impressive statement for the state of Ultimate Frisbee at Evergreen.