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Last Years Tornadoes where finalists at the Regionals and so play against other European teams is Essen, Germany this weekend.

The trip in the coach, went through the Eurotunnel smoothly enough, then we got stuck on the Antwerp ring road. It would of been quicker to walk. Two hours to get round Antwerp! Any way, we got to the Hotel safely enough, even though all parts of Essen look identical to every where else - all modern concrete and grey buildings daubed in graffiti.

Tomorrow would not be too early a start.

Round 1 - Saturday 24th June 2006 - Bezirkssportanlage Raumerstraße, Essen, Germany
1 09:00 Bissendorf Panther -5 v -2 Borehamwood Saracens
2 09:50 SHC La Baroche 1- v - 6 Moskitos Essen
3 10:40 IHC La Broye -5 v 1- CSC Krefeld Bears

This was our first game , and from the start we dominated the play. We had possession, we had scoring oportunities, we had every thing. Every thing except finishing ability and defensive play! When they broke through, they scored, we didn't. To rub salt in the wound, Tiger let in the most pea-rollering of a pea roller that none of could believe just went straight through(?) his stick, between his legs and in. We did not play badly, we where the better team, but we ended the game an embarrasing 3:2 down.

5 12:20 CSC Krefeld Bears - 4 v -5 Bissendorf Panther
6 13:10 IHC Sayaluca Lugano -0 v -3 Moskitos Essen
7 14:00 Borehamwood Saracens -4 v -2 IHC La Broye

This game would have to restore our pride. But pretty soon we let a couple of goals in and where 3:2 down. Finally our luck returned to us and we started putting some goals away. First equalising and then finishing the game 8:5.

9 15:40 CSC Krefeld Bears -10 v -5 Borehamwood Saracens
10 16:30 IHC Sayaluca Lugano -4 v -1 SHC La Baroche
11 17:20 Bissendorf Panther -5 v -4 IHC La Broye
The panthers where the stronger team, but La Broye didnt seem to understand that. The game got very rough, and amidst a series of penalties, yellow and Red cards, the two teams where four all. All this while we waited patiently to have our game.Finally, the panthers pulled one ahead and won 5:4.

The moskitos are our hosts for the tournament. Although they dont train regularly at the rink, they are much more used to its size than we are, and we looked a bit weak in comparison to them. We managed to get three goals to their seven. But they had only conceded one goal in there previous matches, so not such a bad score really.

This puts us third in our group. We seem to have the stronger group, so although will be playing the second placed team in the other group, we should have a good chance of beating them. Unfortunately, if we do win and Essen stay true to form, we will meet Essen again in the semi-finals. Could we see them off second time around? Tomorrow will tell.

In another tournament going on in Germany (the football world cup), Germany beat Sweden 2:0. This made alot of Germans very excitable. On the way back to our Hotel, every other car had German flags and cheering occupants. So, of course, the Tornadoes had to waive the England flag back at them, which caused further merriment! The atmosphere here was really great. We had also found an amazing Italian restaurant just down the road, that was friendly, great food and not expensive - and packed full of Plasma screens! Italian food is such great Hockey Fuel!

Early to bed 'cause tomorrow we've got to beat La Broye who put up such a spirited play against the panthers! We should be able to beat them - but this is hockey. Anything could happen!