Tourney Report - Belgian Junior Day 2010

Last week a whole bunch of young kids went to Brussels to play the Belgian Junior Day in two divisions: Under18 and Under15 (!!).

A day organised by Ollie from Moon and a day that will be very important for the future of belgian ultimate.

Anybody wanna take a guess on the Belgian Outdoor Champions for 2020 ?? :)

Here are the results and below is a nice report by Ollie himself.

All pictures taken by Pierre-Alain (Mooncatchers)

Final Results:

Open U15
1. Young Moon
2. Babeezzz
3. Mini Moon
4. Mini Sky
Spirit of the game = Draw between Mini Moon and Young Moon

Open U18
1. Mooncatchers 9 points - 4 wins – 1 draw – goal average + 35
2. Diabolic’s 9 points - 4 wins – 1 draw – goal average + 33
3. Freespect 6 points - 3 wins – 2 defeats
4. Trancheuzen 3 points - 1 win – 1 draw - 3 defeats
5. Torpedo’s 2 points – 1 win – 4 defeats
6. Wannabeezzz 1 point – 1 draw – 4 defeats
Spirit of the Game = Diabolic’s

Picture below: Check out this little fellow getting horizontal... !!

"Incredible, amazing ! More than 80 ultimate players, kids between 9 years for the youngest and 17 for the oldest, came to this 7th edition of the Junior Day ! For the 1st time, there was a U15 division in Belgium, with more than 30 players.

For a lot of them, especially in the U15 division, it was the 1st time that they played a junior competition; so they learned all day long and they looked really pleased to have that kind of experience, and also to see that there are other young players in Belgium.

In the U18 division too, we saw a lot of new players, mixed with some more experienced ones. Some people in the Diabolic’s, Freespect and Mooncatchers teams were at the European Young Ultimate Championship in Vienna last summer, so those 3 teams were a step over the 3 others, Trancheuzen, Wannabeezzz and Torpedo’s Gentle.

It was the 1st time that we saw a junior team coming from Gent, congratulations ! A special mention too for Wannabeezzz (with a new generation) and Trancheuzen (totally new players), who had respectively 3 and 5 girls on their team.

About the results, the differences in the scores between the 3 best teams and the 3 more beginner’s teams don’t reflect those games, because we saw a lot of nice actions by the new teams, but they had more difficulties to bring the disc to the end-zone.

Between the 3 best teams we saw really intense and nice games at a good level for that age. The game between Diabolic’s and Mooncatchers was a kind of final, and the score ended 7/7 ! So, the last game of the day between Freespect and Mooncatchers decided the final winner of the tournament in U18. If Freespect won, Diabolic’s was the winner, if Moon won Moon was the winner, because before that last game the total goal average was 33 to 33. With a close win by 2 points against Freespect, after another really nice game by Freespect with only 5 players, the Mooncatchers U18 won the tournament.

But the real winner is junior ultimate, and in a way we can say that both Moons and Diabolic’s won this edition.

In the U15, 2 teams were younger and had more beginners, but it was amazing to see how they learned all day long. The game for the 3rd and 4th place was close and the Mini Moons won 7/4 against the Mini Sky(-walkers) from La Hulpe.

The final was also close and saw he victory of the Young Moons, with 12 enthusiast players, against the Babeezzz, the newest (and talented) generation from Brugge.

The spirit of the game was really great between all the teams, and for sure they are the future of Belgian ultimate and the spirit should stay high in the next years !

Olivier"

More pictures by P-A at http://picasaweb.google.com/padelamin
More pictures by Myriam&Glenn (Freezzzbeezzz) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/7939659@N08/4303618645/in/set-72157623282398142/

Sounds Like a Challenge To Me, Bwoooy !

So. Here you are playing ultimate.

Games, competitions, tourney's and championships all go pretty smooth but not superb.

Then what about your practice ??

This is actually just another one of my thoughts on the game/practice I had this evening.

We had a very good&hard practice tonight (one that made me look for my breath) and tonight I was thinking about CHALLENGES.

Having a regular practice like you can have one or two a week isn't anything amazing. It's your motivation that will make the difference.

And on practice level, your motivational friend is called 'challenge'.

What I'm actually talking about is the fact that you should find a challenge for yourself.

Mostly in a person of which you think he/she is quite in your league concerning running,cutting,throwing,defending or attacking the disc.

In other words: if you go out playing defense on someone you know you can handle, you're beyond the point of learning.

To me it feels great if I know I need to prevent this person from getting to the disc and I know this pushes me to the limit. It's good knowing that you need to give it all you got even though you are just at your own practice, playing with the same people you play every week. Because when it really comes down to it, when you are on the edge of winning a very important point or game and you've been lazy at practice all season long, you won't find that extra dimension you need.

Find your challenge, and if you can't find a person who matches this, put yourself up to some challenges.

Whatever challenges you to be a better player and thus be a better part of the team is good.

And don't think I don't play ultimate for fun, but I like to know I'm tring my best to get better and proving to be a good part of a good team, trying to make a little difference.

Isn't life about challenging yourself ?

So far for my random ultimate thoughts for tonight.

Random Pictures - Only In Ultimate.....

Check this picture (click on it for a bigger view) I found somewhere in my documents.
It's taken at Talampaya 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland.
(Ludo from Gentle saluting a player from Monkey Foo from France if I'm not mistaken..I forgot his name, he also plays with Friselis and is one of the organisers of Open de Touraine ?...damn..?)
This really makes me long for all the good times you know are coming to us again this year.
Outside it's pretty cold nowadays again but the anticipation of great times like this gives me a warm feeling.
Cause if you think about it, in how many sports would an image like the one above be possible ?
None, in my opinion, except for ultimate.
Right on !

Keep Up To Date with Get Horizontal by RSS-feed !

As from today, you are able to subscribe to this blog's site-feed through RSS.

For those of you who don't know what this is (like me up until about half an hour ago) here's the deal :

The name comes from 'Rich Site Summary' or 'Really Simple Syndication'; this is a tool for you to easily subscribe to all posts that are being posted on any particular website.

I prefer to play ultimate instead of figuring out what all of this is, but since I'm hosting this blog I should try to keep you all happy.

So, in short : if you'd like to get notified whenever I post something new on this blog, just subscribe by clicking the RSS logo on the left hand side.http://feeds.feedburner.com/GetHorizontal

And for those of you who couldn't care less about this item, just come back to your favourite online belgian ultimate magazine at the well known adress or just become a fan on Facebook and you'll also get all updates.

Cheers !

PART II - We Grow Old Because We Stop Playing

Here's a lesson to remember : you're as young as you feel...

"No need to stretch, I warmed up in the Seventies...!!!"

PS: Cool stuff David, where did you find this ?

Random Ultimate Thoughts

Not that this had anything to do with ultimate (I can't even remember where I found/saw it a few weeks ago) but it kind of made me think this could be applied to playing ultimate.
Think of it what you like, this is my goodnight call.
It's been a good day, and a good (Gentle Rockets) practice tonight.
Practice number 5 in 9 days. You know what they say: Practice makes perfect !
Keep on reading, I've got stuff coming up in the next few days and a little update on tuesday night.

TT2010 : Ragnarok Out, JetSet In !

Ragnarok may have been my prediction on winning the tournament, I truly don't mind them being replaced by my all time buddies from Leuven, JetSet !

Okay, I do feel a little (or maybe a lot) disappointed because I would have loved to see the Danish superteam play our beloved TOM'S TOURNEY but hey.. I'll probably get to see a lot of high level ultimate this year and the next ones..

So, Check Michel to JetSet and a reminder for Ragnarok to definitely come next year !

Aan P: schrap dit maar "I can't wait to not go"

Random Pictures - Women's Day 2010

Some more pictures of last week's women's day in Brussels.
All pics below made by Pierre-Alain from Mooncatchers (merci pour le link !).

For more pictures click here : http://picasaweb.google.be/padelamin/WomenSDay#

Here's some more info by Ollivier (second picture from above) on this day, and why it wasn't the official BWUIC (Belgian Women Ultimate Indoor Championship) :

"Last year, because all the Belgian Ladies teams were present, and because there was no official Belgian Women Indoor Championship, it was logical in a way to say after that the winner was “Belgian Women Indoor Champ”. This year, we had to change the date of the BWUIC because a clash with the BUIC, and so some teams could not be there (Bobeezz or Hasselt ), and some other were not there with all they players because of exams and the Tsunamixte tourney too (Xelles).

That is why we invited some foreign teams....
...The most important in my opinion is that this day happened although we had to change the date, and that some Belgian women had another opportunity to play in a Women division.

We will try to organise the “Women’s Day” or BWUIC(up) in the begin of February next year, so hopefully that we will have again all the Belgian women teams. "

Keep on reading, I should be able to make some more time for blogging this week (cause last week was reallllly busy, a lot of which was playing and talking about ultimate actually :) )

Tourney Report - Indoor Women's Day 2010

Yesterday about 50-60 ladies played the Women's Indoor Day 2010.

As I mentioned in the previous post this was no longer an all-belgian-championship; and this resulted in two strong teams from abroad playing a really sweet final.

The one day tournament was won by the Irish Ladies, who also won the Spirit of the Game award, after a thrilling final won with 10-9 after a universe point in the cap.

9-9 is a score that shows that both teams were worthy of eachother, but the Irish girls, only having 5 players took home the trophy and most importantly the honour.

But not to forget our very own belgian ladies; who may have not been in the final but each and every one of them showed great skills and even more enthousiasm for this version of ultimate.

Supported by all teams, Patricia from Moon who organised this day told everybody present that they should keep on supporting the growth of women ultimate.

And I agree with her on the point that for women it's important to have days like these where there's no battle of the sexes. But (!) importantly, don't get me wrong and go think that I mean women should always play women's only ! I'm a big fan of coed ultimate and also believe that in certain situations women should be allowed to play in the open division (why it is actually called OPEN division; open to anyone who's up for it!)

So, I saw a lot of smiling faces yesterday and I believe everyone really enjoyed this day, as did the supporters !

Here's the final ranking and there's some more pictures below (all pics by Amaury from XL, except the two black and white ones and the Gentle teampic by me)

1.Irish Ladies
2.Frizzly Bears
3.Gentle
4.Mooncatgirls
5.Jet Set
6.National Junior Team
7.Freespect
8.Xelles

Oh, and did I mention that off the record Gentle-ladies became Belgian Champs ? yes, that's right, the same girls who won the BWUOC ! At least some Gentley's know how, haha !

Picture below: I can imagine much worse sundays than this: having a beer while watching women play ultimate.

What a great combination !

Another congrats to the Irish girls who showed a great game and a lot of motivation!

Go Ladies !

More pictures by Amaury can be found by clicking right HERE.

(Belgian?) Women's Indoor Day - TOMORROW !

Tomorrow Uccle will host the Women's Indoor Day 2010.
Last year it was officially called BWUIC (Belgian Women Ultimate Indoor Championship) but this year Patricia (Mooncatchers) and her fellow organisers chose for a little expansion and added some international women's teams to spice things up a bit.

This will probably be a day worth watching since these teams are on the list :
Frizzly Bears (Aachen) – Irish ladies - National Junior -20 (Belgium) –Jet Set (Leuven) – Gentle (Gent) - Xelles (Brussels) - Freespect (Mechelen) - Mooncatgirls (Brussels)

The bar/buffet will serve croque-monsieurs, sandwiches, fruit, snacks and drinks at low prices all day long.
There will be a special prize for the best supporters’ team ! With the bar overlooking the hall, it’s a great place to bring your fans and friends, and to take pictures.
Here's the adress : Complexe Sportif de Neerstalle – 29, rue Zwartebeek – 1180 Brussels

Pool A: Irish Ladies - National Junior Team - Xelles - Mooncatgirls

Pool B: Frizzly Bears - Jet Set – Gentle – Freespect


1) 09h15 : Xelles - Mooncatgirls
2) 09h40 : Irish Ladies – National Junior Team
3) 10h05 : Frizzly Bears - Jet Set
4) 10h30 : Freespect - Gentle
5) 10h55 : Xelles - Irish Ladies
6) 11h20 : National Junior Team - Mooncatgirls
7) 11h45 : Frizzly Bears– Freespect
8) 12h10 : Jet Set - Gentle
9) 12h35 : Xelles - National Junior Team
10) 13h00 : Irish Ladies - Mooncatgirls
11) 13h25 : Freespect – Jet Set
12) 13h50 : Gentle - Frizzly Bears
13) 14h15 : A3 – B4 (or B3 – A4)
14) 14h40 : B3 – A4 (or A3 – B4)
15) 15h05 : A1 – B2
16) 15h30 : B1 – A2
17) 15h55 : L13 – L14 (7th – 8th place)
18) 16h20 : W12 – W13 (5th – 6th place)
19) 16h45 : L 15 – L16 (3rd - 4th place)
20) 17h15 : FINAL

17h50 : Prize Ceremony

Last year showed a great final where Slijpwijven managed to beat the Gentleladies.

Click HERE for some results and pictures of last year.

Curious to see who will be the best ladies tomorrow ..

See you there ?

Tom's Tourney 2010 - Open Teams Preview !!

That Tom's Tourney is one of the coolest tournaments around I don't need to tell you again.

That Tom's Tourney is one of the biggest tournaments around I don't need to tell you either.

What I do need to tell you, is that in open division 1 things are looking heavy.

I've gotta feeling that this edition will be legendary.

Call it the clash of the titans if you must.

Here's why :

CUSB LA FOTTA: TT Winners 2007,2008,2009.

COTARICA GRANDES: TT Winners 2006; 5th position in 2008; Italian Champion 2008

FREESPEED: 2nd position in 2009; Winners of Windmill Windup Open 2009

IZNOGOOD: TT Winners 2000&2003; 3d position in 2007

RAGNAROK: Danish Champion 2009; 8th position at xEUCF 2009; 3d position at EUCF2008

RED LIGHTS: TT Winners 1996,1999,2000,2001 !!

FELDRENNER: German Champion 2008&2009

FRUEHSPORT: TT Winners 2004; 2nd position in 2008; 4th position in 2009

JACKSUNS: French Champion 2009; 8th position in 2009

GENTLE: Belgian Champion 2006&2007; 4th position in 2008

FRISELIS: 5th position in 2006; 6th position in 2009

MOONCATCHERS: Belgian Champion 2008&2009; 12th position in 2008

UFO: 2nd position in 2006; 3d position in 2009; 4th position in 2007; Dutch Champion 2008

ULTIMATE VIBRATION: TT Winners 2005; 2nd position in 2002; 3d position in 2008; 7th position in 2009

GUAYOTA: 5th position in 2009; Spanish Champion 2008&2009

BROCCOLI: Winners of Cork Open 2009; Dub Summer League Champs 2009; 18th position in 2009

PATATAS BRAVAS

TEAM SHARK (Oxford)

COPENHAGEN SPINNERS: Winners Mixed Division at MartiniCup 2009

COBRA KAI (South East UK)

Clash of the titans; this is Glenn and Freezzzbeezzz' promise to all of us that we'll get to play and see some wicked ultimate.

If anyobody has something to add, feel free to mail me or leave a comment.

If anybody wants to guess who will win this edition, be my guest and leave a comment.

I might put my money on Ragnarok, but I'm not so sure about that.

Told you 2010 was gonna be big !

More info at www.tomstourney.be

G Spot 2010 !

Announcing the 5th edition of Gentle's Supreme Party Oh-yeah Tournament !
Check out the first info below (official invitation coming soon) :


Gentle's Supreme Party O-YEAH Tournament aka G-SPOT, edition 2010 is coming to get you !
Offering playtime with sexy, sporty people on virgin fields and precious partytime like you can only experience in Ghent.
Targetting high level mixed ultimate with 12-16 teams on 15-16/05/2010 in the beautiful Mariakerke, Ghent, Belgium.
(More information: gspot_2010@yahoo.com. Registration before the end of February.)

G Spot ? We'll Help You Find Yours !

PS: this is the 5th edition of G Spot, second time at the great new location of Mariakerke with mixxxed/coed format. Expect the unexpectable !

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION BY MAIL : GSPOT_2010@YAHOO.COM

Ice Ice Baby !

It's cold outside, but here's a oneliner for you to remember :

"Dedication never takes a day off."

I haven't been playing too many ultimate myself lately (team winter break,moving time,being sick,..) but still tonight it felt so damn good to be out there on the snowy field.

I'm thinking that the new season started today. Even though we've been practising for a few months now, this is the time where you know winter holidays have ended, you've done all the partying you could and now it's time to find your focus again.

I'm up for the new season, I believe it's gonna be huge.

2010, Deux Mille Disc, I gotta feeling.....
Check back in the next few days for updates or previews on U23 Worlds,TT, and BUOC !

PS: for those of you who haven't been reading this blog since the early days here's a post from last year about winter ultimate in Russia: http://gethorizontal.blogspot.com/2008/11/lets-go-indoors.html

If you don't remember what was so funny about is, it was this (click the link): TOP 10 ADVANTAGES OF PLAYING SNOW ULTIMATE.....

Anno 2010 - Goodbye 2009 !

Deux Mille Disc, Two Thousand and Ten.
My feeling tells me this is going to be another amazing year of Ultimate Frisbee.
The level in Belgium is rising, more and more players are joining our fantastic sport and most definitely 2009 showed us that a whole new generation is on the edge of taking over the lead.
Counting another year is good for several reasons, but most importantly: realising another year has passed makes you look back to what has happened and next to that it makes you think about what is going to come.
So, take a little moment to reflect: what has been your most memorable moment in 2009 (ultimate related that is) ?
Check out my YEAR-LIST OF 2009 below (click on item to see the review) :
Even me myself I'm amazed by this archive.It's way cool to see what has been going on in 2009... !!!!

BWUIC
OBJECTIF MOON
DEVIL'S HEAVEN
BUIC
LLORET DE MAR/COSTA BRAVA
PAGANELLO
BUOC
TOM'S TOURNEY
G SPOT
YES BUT NAU_NANTES
TALAMPAYA_GENEVE
WINDMILL WINDUP_AMSTERDAM
OPEN DE TOURAINE
BRUSSELS ULTIMATE BEACH
DISCONNECTED
REDEMPTION_VENICE
8 NATIONS CUP_GIRONA
SMACK THE BEACH UP
XL HAT
EYUC_VIENNA
ADAM HAT
EUCR_LONDEN
MONSTERBALL
BELGIAN BEACH CUP
BUWOC
BURLA BEACH CUP_VIAREGGIO
XEUCF_LONDON
DUTCH COED CHAMPIONSHIPS
SCHREEUW VAN DE MEEUW
CORK OPEN_IRELAND

What a year ! I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring !
PS: My favourite (ultimate) moments of 2009 were Team Too @ Viareggio, Gentle @ BUOC,TT&Windmill, Team ChiOuiOui @ Open de Touraine , Belgium @ 8Nations , XL Hat and watching the BBC final (won by JetSet).
How bout yours ??????? Comment below....