We have played 3 games and lost 2 of them. Each game has been very close and our 2 losses were ones that we definitely could have won. But the great part about this season is that we play each team 3 times. Then comes the playoffs. It's a refreshing break from the incredible pressure on each Ivy game. A loss sucks, but it's not the end of the world here and we look for ways to improve upon them and get better for the next time we meet them.
Our first game we played in Aalborg, or the "land of the gypsies" as Mads would say. It was a 5 and a half hour train ride for us so it was a longgg lonnng day. Our train left at 8-we arrived at the gym by 2, played the game at 3, and took the train back. We ended up getting back around 1am. For you Ivy fans, its about the same as driving to Dartmouth-playing-then driving back. For you geography majors, Aalborg is on Jutland whereas Copenhagen is on Sealand. Aalborg is located up north and the train ride took us across a massive bridge and through lots of farmland. The game was a lot of fun; it was the league opener and they had a good crowd come in. It was pretty even throughout the game but we broke it open in the 3rd quarter and didn't let up until 5 minutes left in the game. We turned the ball over 5 out of 8 possessions or something like that and our lead dwindled quick. Soon we were up by 2 with 2 minutes left. Axel hit a big 3 for us and Wire iced the game with some free throws and we ended up winning by 3. A great feeling to get the first professional win.
The next game was our home opener against Falcon. Our club did a great job bringing packing the small gym and the atmosphere was terrific. Falcon was a very aggressive, hard playing team with a lot of Danes that had played together for awhile. It was close throughout, it seemed like we were always down 5 points and whenever we got closer,one of their guys hit a clutch, tough shot. It was a tough loss to swallow but just extra motivation for next time.
Our third game was in Aabyhoj, 3 hours away. Another frustrating loss. They came out to a hot start and wire and i got into some pretty bad foul trouble but we turned it on in the second half. Aabyhoj has 2 American forwards as well and they were pretty good. One of them was hitting ridiculous fade away 3's with the shot clock expiring - shots we would love him to take. We were right there again and ended up losing by 4 but im confident that next time will be much more successful for us.
It has been a lot of fun playing these games but winning would make it 10x better. We are still adjusting to the style of play and the refs. Refereeing over here is hit and miss. Sometimes they call the ticky tack stuff, sometimes they dont. You never know what you're gonna get. We have a "cup" game tomorrow against SISU so hopefully we turn around this small losing streak.
My mom's friend Karen is in Copenhagen and she took Adam and I out to a terrific lunch and walk along the canal. My mom was supposed to come too but some family illness has delayed her adventure out here. Nonetheless, we had a great Danish lunch consisting off pickled herring, a fish called fraise, roastbeef, chicken salad and bacon, and cheese and grapes. All of that with dark rye bread and butter and topped with a cold Carlsberg beer. This was the first real Danish food we've had and it was pretty good. We were both worried about the pickled herring but with the rye bread it was great. We also walked along the canal and up to the "Little Mermaid". Apparently the creator of the tale was a Dane and there is a small mermaid in his honor. Not very big but "very sweet" as Karen told us.
It's hard to believe it has been a month already but it has been a lot of fun and we have already experienced so much. And we've done it without having a fully functional bathroom. Well Adam's girlfriend Alex gets in tomorrow for a visit so i better help him clean. Until next time!
Skál,
aro
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