Getting work done here in Germany at the training camp
by Jordan Fithian / May 06, 2010
Hello to those Stateside,
We are getting work done here in Germany. After only 3 days we are making vast improvements. I know that we would become a very, very good team giving a few missing pieces and time to play together and figure each other out. A few of us have played together before but only sporadically and you can tell. We are starting to mesh but one can only integrate himself to other's styles so much in such a short time.
Coach W (nobody can pronounce his last name so we gave up) is doing a hell of a job teaching and leading. He knows we have not played together and works with our strengths. He is very patient and knowledgeable and seems to understand what we need, where we lack and ways to improve. Every time we get together it seems like everybody has continually improved. The experience gained by practicing and playing weekly over here has improved guys tenfold. It is fun to watch people learn and grow and to know that given court time together as a team we would be one hell of a squad.
On a sad note, we learned today that Keith Fine tore his ACL and is done for the week and for the foreseeable future. His spirits are very good and he has turned into a good fan for the club and a good coach for Johnny Hie.
On the positive side, we won this evening by 9 goals. Coach was able to cycle everybody into the game and saw some guys make plays that I think surprised him. We are a relatively deep team, everybody has been able to contribute in one way or another. We played fast and aggressive tonight. Scored many goals on fast breaks and played stellar defense. Mark has done an excellent job of leading our team and his passion is on full display when he is playing and helping others get better during games and at practice.
We dropped a tough one last night to TV Korchenbroich, a second league team. We were more athletic than them and given 2 weeks together practicing and playing the score would have been much closer. I would hedge my bets that given 9 months together as they have had it wouldn't even be close. We are as good as them, throw in a few missing pieces and time together and there is no doubt in my mind we beat them handily. Only having 3 practices before playing them we were at a distinct disadvantage but we hung tough for most of the game and never quit.
The hotel has been great and the owner has been more than accommodating. Our breakfast has been ready to go every morning and he has gone out of his way to make sure we feel welcome and at home. We celebrated a birthday this evening, Chris Koerner, a German-American who turned 20 and Olaf, the owner, helped us secure a cake and candles to celebrate. Good times, the cake tasted that much better after getting a win.
We have lots more work to take care of this week. We practice again tomorrow morning and than play another 4th league team tomorrow. I believe were rather excited to go get another win tomorrow night. Things are starting to click together and guys are becoming comfortable and accustomed to how everybody plays.
We have been pleasently surprised by the guys who did not grow up in America but have American citizenship. Martin from Sweden is playing right back, a position he is unaccustomed to and is playing great. Hans Self, Chris Koerner and Jojo (pronounced Yoyo) are Germans who have a complete skill set and are excited to play with the USA. They have been great this week helping to teach others specific skills and they come in handy when we need a translator. Jacob, our young Swede shows signs of being very skilled. He is young and will continue to grow and improve. Michael, who left us Tuesday night has a complete skill set and was very fun to play with. He is currently trying to lead his Junior team to a second straight German title. The aforementioned Johnny Hie has shown great willingness to learn in between the posts and improves daily.
All and all things are very good here. I know we would all like another chance to play Korchenbroich after a few more practices and games together. We know we can be very good giving time and opportunity.
It's past my bedtime over here, breakfast is at 8 sharp which doesn't seem early until you're awoken by pounding on your door at 730. I think it's a good thing there is a door between the wake up guy and the sleepers, otherwise there would be other pounding going on.
Hope all is well back home. Will hopefully have time and energy to write again soon.
Jordan Fithian
We are getting work done here in Germany. After only 3 days we are making vast improvements. I know that we would become a very, very good team giving a few missing pieces and time to play together and figure each other out. A few of us have played together before but only sporadically and you can tell. We are starting to mesh but one can only integrate himself to other's styles so much in such a short time.
Coach W (nobody can pronounce his last name so we gave up) is doing a hell of a job teaching and leading. He knows we have not played together and works with our strengths. He is very patient and knowledgeable and seems to understand what we need, where we lack and ways to improve. Every time we get together it seems like everybody has continually improved. The experience gained by practicing and playing weekly over here has improved guys tenfold. It is fun to watch people learn and grow and to know that given court time together as a team we would be one hell of a squad.
On a sad note, we learned today that Keith Fine tore his ACL and is done for the week and for the foreseeable future. His spirits are very good and he has turned into a good fan for the club and a good coach for Johnny Hie.
On the positive side, we won this evening by 9 goals. Coach was able to cycle everybody into the game and saw some guys make plays that I think surprised him. We are a relatively deep team, everybody has been able to contribute in one way or another. We played fast and aggressive tonight. Scored many goals on fast breaks and played stellar defense. Mark has done an excellent job of leading our team and his passion is on full display when he is playing and helping others get better during games and at practice.
We dropped a tough one last night to TV Korchenbroich, a second league team. We were more athletic than them and given 2 weeks together practicing and playing the score would have been much closer. I would hedge my bets that given 9 months together as they have had it wouldn't even be close. We are as good as them, throw in a few missing pieces and time together and there is no doubt in my mind we beat them handily. Only having 3 practices before playing them we were at a distinct disadvantage but we hung tough for most of the game and never quit.
The hotel has been great and the owner has been more than accommodating. Our breakfast has been ready to go every morning and he has gone out of his way to make sure we feel welcome and at home. We celebrated a birthday this evening, Chris Koerner, a German-American who turned 20 and Olaf, the owner, helped us secure a cake and candles to celebrate. Good times, the cake tasted that much better after getting a win.
We have lots more work to take care of this week. We practice again tomorrow morning and than play another 4th league team tomorrow. I believe were rather excited to go get another win tomorrow night. Things are starting to click together and guys are becoming comfortable and accustomed to how everybody plays.
We have been pleasently surprised by the guys who did not grow up in America but have American citizenship. Martin from Sweden is playing right back, a position he is unaccustomed to and is playing great. Hans Self, Chris Koerner and Jojo (pronounced Yoyo) are Germans who have a complete skill set and are excited to play with the USA. They have been great this week helping to teach others specific skills and they come in handy when we need a translator. Jacob, our young Swede shows signs of being very skilled. He is young and will continue to grow and improve. Michael, who left us Tuesday night has a complete skill set and was very fun to play with. He is currently trying to lead his Junior team to a second straight German title. The aforementioned Johnny Hie has shown great willingness to learn in between the posts and improves daily.
All and all things are very good here. I know we would all like another chance to play Korchenbroich after a few more practices and games together. We know we can be very good giving time and opportunity.
It's past my bedtime over here, breakfast is at 8 sharp which doesn't seem early until you're awoken by pounding on your door at 730. I think it's a good thing there is a door between the wake up guy and the sleepers, otherwise there would be other pounding going on.
Hope all is well back home. Will hopefully have time and energy to write again soon.
Jordan Fithian
Go back to Jordan & Jen: Live from Germany
Blog Description
Follow engaged couple Jordan Fithian and Jen Haubrich as they train and play handball in Germany.
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