Day 3: More Victory!

Game 5:
Won 18 - 17 v Slovakia

Earlier results in the pool warned us that Slovakia weren't to be taken lightly despite their seeding. Pete and Buggy had done some research, i.e. checked the stats, and it seemed that they were reliant on a small number of players. About half the squad got up early to watch their game against Belgium and immediately noted that they wanted to throw hucks from every part of the pitch. They relied on a pretty loose zone to disrupt the Belgians which delighted me! The biggest warning to us came from a late surge they made to draw very close to Belgium.

This was the hottest day so far and the warm up was exremely tough. High twenties plus humidity is nobodies friend. I had gotten a knee in the quad in the Germany game which had been seizing up ever since and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play at all. After a lot of stretching I got some flexibility back in it and was pretty certain the adrenaline of the game would get me through it.

The game started great for us: clouds rolled over, the Solvakians were tired from their exertions earlier, our offence was flowing nicely and our defence was converting their turns. We quickly took a three point lead and kept it all the way until 8 - 5 when we added another break to take half at 9 - 5.
By this point the clouds had gone and our energy was starting to drain. We were determined to stay focused, anticipating a late surge from Slovakia like the one we had seen against Belgium. At about 12 - 9 they started to creep back into the game as our minds tired and mistakes crept into our offence. They were snatching breaks now and at 16 - 14 they took two in a row to level the game. Time was called and the cap set at 18. A calm offence point put us 17 - 16 up but Slovakia responded and took the game to 17 - 17. Sudden death point: calm, fast offence until a travel called on me at the halfway line. Play stops. I get the disc back, check it in, fake a forehand to James. Disaster as the disc slips from my grip and is pushed to the ground by my marker. Both teams were in a frenzy as superb desperation defence kept the Slovakians pinned back. After a succession of passes with no progress an attempted break floats a bit to high for a cutter and James knocks it to the ground. A quick pick up and pop for me to throw an adrenaline fuelled huck to Pete for the win.

A massive victory for us and gives us a fighting chance to take 3rd in the group if we beat Switzerland and other results go our way.