It's a net bloq. So, sue me.
I pondered for long wether to write one or not. I'm bored at work, so I thought I'd give it a try.
My footbag history
I started in 1999, when I was 19 years old. My first competition was the Finnish Footbag Chamionships in '99. I played intermediate singles and doubles net, my partner was Jyri Ryyppö. We lost almost all of our matches. So, it was fun to drink beer in a crappy hostel and to give an orange RBS Möhkäle (our club back then) shirt to Justin Sexton.
In January 2000 I went in the army. We must in Finland. I served in Turku (I lived in near-by town called Naantali) and our garrison had an reputation as a really easy place. I went to talk to our sport officer or something and asked if I could get extended vacations because I "played footbag at national level". Luckily, our sport officer was a sport nut, and he asked a proof. So, I e-mailed Justin, and he wrote me a recommendation. That shirt paid off. 2000 pretty much went with the army. When I had vacations, I cared about everything but footbag. If I remember correctly, in 2000 I played in open for the first time. In Finnish footbag Champs I played with Jarno Terho, I think. Again, we lost almost all of our matches.
In 2001 I started practising again. I was working as a security guard in a liquer store. That was such whoring. Standing still A LOT kind of killed my back and made playing painful form time to time. I was over-weight back then. I still am, but not nearly as much as then. 2001 was the first year playing open for me. In Finnish Champs I played with Tapio Karhunen. I was fifth in open doubles as well as in open singles. I also went to my first tournament abroad. In Estonia there was a one-day event. I placed fourth with Oskari Forstén, who still is my net partner.
In 2002, I decided to try to make it to the top. First to the top of Finland, and after that, to the top of the World. I'm still trying the first. We started practising more and atleast I took it more seriously. We co-organized the Finnish Champs in Turku, where I had just moved. I played doubles with Oskari, and we took fourth place. I was fourth in singles as well. We also went to Euros in Budapest, Hungary. That was a blast; partywise, not gamewise. Two guys, who I had never heard of, P.T. Lovern and John Leys, beat the crap out of us.
More later.
Tales from the net court
Tales from the net court
Last edited by mohkale on 26 Mar 2006 09:32, edited 7 times in total.
Matti Pohjola
In 2003 I played a lot. I also lived abroad for 4 months. Me and Oskari won Turku Open and finished second in Finnsta CityJam. In the Finnish Champs we got bronze medals in doubles and I lost to Oskari in quarter-finals in singles. I finished sixth. We went to Prague and got our asses handed to us. We had a tough pool. That's always the excuse, but we really had. Manu & Yves (who won the Worlds) and Jake & Andre (who got second that year). In singles I somehow managed to win Flo Götze (2004 European singles champion) and I advanced to the round of 16. I then played Manu next. Lost hands down, of course. I was eleventh in total. I thought that was pretty good. I co-organized the Finnish Champs again, even though I was studying in Sweden.
2004. First competition was Russian Footbag League / Stage 1 in St. Petersburg. Me and Oskari won. Next up was JFK Net Battle in Jyväskylä. We lost the final to Tuomas and Olli. In singles I won my pool but played Olli next and lost. Then it was our annual event, Turku Open. This time we lost the final to Tuomas and jEkke. Then Euros; we played well in the pool of death, but didn't advance. I sucked in singles as well. Worlds in Montreal was fun though we didn't (again) advance in doubles. In singles I defeated Olli on the match for the 19th place.
That's about it, until now.
2004. First competition was Russian Footbag League / Stage 1 in St. Petersburg. Me and Oskari won. Next up was JFK Net Battle in Jyväskylä. We lost the final to Tuomas and Olli. In singles I won my pool but played Olli next and lost. Then it was our annual event, Turku Open. This time we lost the final to Tuomas and jEkke. Then Euros; we played well in the pool of death, but didn't advance. I sucked in singles as well. Worlds in Montreal was fun though we didn't (again) advance in doubles. In singles I defeated Olli on the match for the 19th place.
That's about it, until now.
Matti Pohjola
Played three times this week. I wanted to play more, but I didn't have time.
On tuesday, I played with Osku and Jaska, who seems to be making yet another comeback. He's playing with Jarpo at the Finnish Open, Sep. 24-25 in Helsinki. On a sidenote, I think Vasik is also coming. I didn't play very well. All in all, it was a pretty sucky session.
Thursday. Me and Osku played singles. If I remember right, he won one match and I won one. Or he won both, I'm not sure. We played quite late in the evening, so it was slippery.
I went to Helsinki on saturday and I wanted to play with some guys from Helsinki. I wanted to play doubles, but only one guy was up for it, so I didn't play.
On sunday, me and Osku played. For some reason, we often play on sundays. Just the two of us. I had a hangover, he didn't. Even so, I played really well, he didn't. I won the three first matches, each in two games. Then he won one match in three games. Then we played one more match, one game to 15. I got tired, and he played well winning me 15-1. To sum it up, it was a good session.
On tuesday, I played with Osku and Jaska, who seems to be making yet another comeback. He's playing with Jarpo at the Finnish Open, Sep. 24-25 in Helsinki. On a sidenote, I think Vasik is also coming. I didn't play very well. All in all, it was a pretty sucky session.
Thursday. Me and Osku played singles. If I remember right, he won one match and I won one. Or he won both, I'm not sure. We played quite late in the evening, so it was slippery.
I went to Helsinki on saturday and I wanted to play with some guys from Helsinki. I wanted to play doubles, but only one guy was up for it, so I didn't play.
On sunday, me and Osku played. For some reason, we often play on sundays. Just the two of us. I had a hangover, he didn't. Even so, I played really well, he didn't. I won the three first matches, each in two games. Then he won one match in three games. Then we played one more match, one game to 15. I got tired, and he played well winning me 15-1. To sum it up, it was a good session.
Matti Pohjola
Before I started this bloq, I had played 81 times this year. A goal I set for myself in January is:
- to play 144 times this year (12 times a month)
- go to Worlds and Euros
- improve the doubles bronze in Finnish open
So, now I've played 86 times and 4 times this week, so its 90 all together. I guess I'm a bit behind on the 12 time a month thingy.
This week
Tuesday: Played doubles with Osku, Tapio and Jaska. I came straight from work, and it was late aleady, so I sucked.
Wednesday: Doubles with the same guys.
Friday: Doubles again with the same guys. We played for 3½ hours. That's too much. I ruled. I had some incredibly massive digs and nasty spikes as well. I won almost all my matches. Jaska is really improving and showing un-Jaska-like good training morale. I had no work on friday so I had all day free. I think that helped.
Saturday: Threesome with Osku and Tapio. I sucked like a teethless whore. How can my game vary that much over night. Yes, my muscles were sore and all but I can't stand it, when my game falls in to pieces like that. The other guys sucked a well.
I'm really looking forward on the Finnish Champs on Sep 24-25.
- to play 144 times this year (12 times a month)
- go to Worlds and Euros
- improve the doubles bronze in Finnish open
So, now I've played 86 times and 4 times this week, so its 90 all together. I guess I'm a bit behind on the 12 time a month thingy.
This week
Tuesday: Played doubles with Osku, Tapio and Jaska. I came straight from work, and it was late aleady, so I sucked.
Wednesday: Doubles with the same guys.
Friday: Doubles again with the same guys. We played for 3½ hours. That's too much. I ruled. I had some incredibly massive digs and nasty spikes as well. I won almost all my matches. Jaska is really improving and showing un-Jaska-like good training morale. I had no work on friday so I had all day free. I think that helped.
Saturday: Threesome with Osku and Tapio. I sucked like a teethless whore. How can my game vary that much over night. Yes, my muscles were sore and all but I can't stand it, when my game falls in to pieces like that. The other guys sucked a well.
I'm really looking forward on the Finnish Champs on Sep 24-25.
Matti Pohjola
Righty-o, played three times this week.
On monday, played doubles with, Osku, Jarpo and Jaska. It had rained so the court was somewhat wet. I didn't play well, more like quite badly.
On tuesday we played doubles again with Osku, Tapsa and Jaska. The court was dry and everything should've been fine, but somehow I and the orhers as well played like shit.
On sunday we played doubles again with Osku, Jarpo and Jaska. I played surprisingly well, though I started really really crappy. I felt like I had a 3-day hangover, which I didn't have.
The weather here recently sucks. We would've played like 5 times if it hadn't rained. Luckily, we get to play inside (if we need to) from tomorrow. 4 times a week for free, that's not too bad.
What else, the Finnish Footbag Open seems to come out as the biggest event in Finland ever, and definately one of the biggest events in Europe this year.
On monday, played doubles with, Osku, Jarpo and Jaska. It had rained so the court was somewhat wet. I didn't play well, more like quite badly.
On tuesday we played doubles again with Osku, Tapsa and Jaska. The court was dry and everything should've been fine, but somehow I and the orhers as well played like shit.
On sunday we played doubles again with Osku, Jarpo and Jaska. I played surprisingly well, though I started really really crappy. I felt like I had a 3-day hangover, which I didn't have.
The weather here recently sucks. We would've played like 5 times if it hadn't rained. Luckily, we get to play inside (if we need to) from tomorrow. 4 times a week for free, that's not too bad.
What else, the Finnish Footbag Open seems to come out as the biggest event in Finland ever, and definately one of the biggest events in Europe this year.
Matti Pohjola
I'm pissed off 'cause I wrote an entry for 25 minutes and then somehow deleted it. I'd be more pissed off though, hadn't I played so well throughout the week. I played a total of 6 times, and believe you me, that's a whole lot of net. Our regular indoor practise sessions started this week, so we mostly played in a sports hall in Naantali.
On monday, like everytime this week, I played doubles. It's really great to get so much practise in doubles since they'll only run doubles in Footbag Finnish Open. My game was okay, considering it was the first time indoors this "winter". It's always a bit hard with the artificial lights during the first couple of times.
On wednesday as well as on monday I played with Osku, Tapio, Jarpo and Jaska and was feeling really good about my game. Perhaps my body was already anticipating what was about to come in the weekend. Janne from Helsinki came over to Turku this weekend. He's playing with Tapio in Finnish Open and they are a fierce couple when their game starts to roll.
On friday when Janne came and we were already on our way to Naantali Osku called and told our indoor practise was called off. That felt somewhat embarrassing, since Janne had come here for this. Luckily, it hadn't rained, so we played outdoors for 1½ hours before it became too dark to play.
On saturday we played twice. First we were in this small fair in Naantali showing what we got. We decided to take it easy and just try to keep the bag alive. That plan went to hell. You just can't let a good set go to waste, you have to spike and hammer. That we did. After 2½ hours we left shopping for team jerseys for FFO. Me and Osku bought two nice pairs of nasty shirts. It just looks soooo much more professional and organized when the teams have maching outfits. After that we had our regular session for 2½ hours, and boy was I on fire or what. My legs felt more agile and faster than ever. I digged pretty much everything diggable and some undiggables as well. I was really psyched up about my solidity and happy since we went to Osku's parents' place to sauna and a 12-pack. We watched videos from Euros and watched the World Cup match between the Finns and the gay Swedes.
When I woke up on sunday my legs were totally sore, but my head was worse. I hesitated wheter to call Osku that I'll pass today's session but decided to wait a little before doing it. I started feeling better really soon and I rubbed some tiger balm to my legs. It helped and we played for 1½ hours before Janne had to leave. I was even better than on saturday. I was in the zone for a while. My god, that gives me so much more motivation, feeling the zone in me once again. That's without a shadow of a doubt the best feeling in the Wolrd. This time I digged, spiked and smashed everything and my service is becoming a real killer as well. I've always had a mediocre serve, but now it's really powerful.
I'm having hard time going to sleep right now, 'cause I'm feeling so enthusiasticly about footbag. I feel like after smoking crack, which I've never done, though. Can't wait for FFO and can't wait for tomorrow for more net action.
On monday, like everytime this week, I played doubles. It's really great to get so much practise in doubles since they'll only run doubles in Footbag Finnish Open. My game was okay, considering it was the first time indoors this "winter". It's always a bit hard with the artificial lights during the first couple of times.
On wednesday as well as on monday I played with Osku, Tapio, Jarpo and Jaska and was feeling really good about my game. Perhaps my body was already anticipating what was about to come in the weekend. Janne from Helsinki came over to Turku this weekend. He's playing with Tapio in Finnish Open and they are a fierce couple when their game starts to roll.
On friday when Janne came and we were already on our way to Naantali Osku called and told our indoor practise was called off. That felt somewhat embarrassing, since Janne had come here for this. Luckily, it hadn't rained, so we played outdoors for 1½ hours before it became too dark to play.
On saturday we played twice. First we were in this small fair in Naantali showing what we got. We decided to take it easy and just try to keep the bag alive. That plan went to hell. You just can't let a good set go to waste, you have to spike and hammer. That we did. After 2½ hours we left shopping for team jerseys for FFO. Me and Osku bought two nice pairs of nasty shirts. It just looks soooo much more professional and organized when the teams have maching outfits. After that we had our regular session for 2½ hours, and boy was I on fire or what. My legs felt more agile and faster than ever. I digged pretty much everything diggable and some undiggables as well. I was really psyched up about my solidity and happy since we went to Osku's parents' place to sauna and a 12-pack. We watched videos from Euros and watched the World Cup match between the Finns and the gay Swedes.
When I woke up on sunday my legs were totally sore, but my head was worse. I hesitated wheter to call Osku that I'll pass today's session but decided to wait a little before doing it. I started feeling better really soon and I rubbed some tiger balm to my legs. It helped and we played for 1½ hours before Janne had to leave. I was even better than on saturday. I was in the zone for a while. My god, that gives me so much more motivation, feeling the zone in me once again. That's without a shadow of a doubt the best feeling in the Wolrd. This time I digged, spiked and smashed everything and my service is becoming a real killer as well. I've always had a mediocre serve, but now it's really powerful.
I'm having hard time going to sleep right now, 'cause I'm feeling so enthusiasticly about footbag. I feel like after smoking crack, which I've never done, though. Can't wait for FFO and can't wait for tomorrow for more net action.
Matti Pohjola
Another hard week behind and less than two weeks to the FFO. I'm having footbag dreams now occasionally, I'm not sure I really like that. Perhaps footbag is playing too big a part in my life at the moment. Anyway, I played six times this week, my legs are telling me it was too much.
On monday, I played with our normal crew; Jarpo, Osku, Tapsa and Jaska (written as "normal crew" from now on). My game was still surrealisticly amazing. I spiked, smashed and dug (sp?) like a robot.
Then, we were supposed to take a break on tuesday, but... There are four new guys in Turku who play every once in a while. One of them, Eric, e-mailed me about playing on tuesday. I called Tapio and we went to play with them for just over an hour. They had improved quite a lot since the last time I saw them. Me and Tapio tried to lure them to go to FFO, but I'm not sure yet if they'll make it.
On wednesday it was back to reality. Me, Osku, Tapio and Jaska played like shit and it was sooooo frustrating. Just knowing how good you can play, and then playing like that... that got on my nerves. I'd decided before that I'm not going to play on thursday, and playing like I did only made me feel like my decision was wise.
On friday, we had visitors from Helsinki. Janne, who is playing with Tapio came over again. This time he brought Jani Markkanen with him. Playing with (other) good players (almost) always brings up the best in me. I played exceptionally well, though I had some unforced errors in the beginning. In the evening we all (part from Osku) went to Jarpo's place to party. We went to a bar before the BIG GAME. We saw what is propably the greatest victory in Team Finland's history. We beat the almighty Team USA in the semi-finals in World Cup of Hockey. I was so happy, and tired when I got home after 5 am.
Next morning I had a hangover but we had a practice (sp?) session from 1-5 pm. Jani and Janne were still playing with us and once again the level of my play was enormous. If me and Osku just play as good as we can, there's no stopping us at the FFO. We're definately going for the gold, that's our only aim. In the evening me, Jarpo, Tapio and a couple of my other friends came over to our place and we drank a bunch of beers and went to a bar.
On sunday, Tapio came to pick me up with my car
to the grand opening of Pansio (suburb in Turku) Sport park. We were "hired" to play there. Osku, Felix and Anssi (ana_ali) were also there. We got 120€ for setting up the net. Then we took it really easily for 3 hours. The opening sucked like a seventeen year-old. The sport park was created to persuade the youth in Pansio to do sports. There was harmonica 
music, politicians (we're having our community elections soon) and folk songs. And shooting for blinded people!!! How do you call that a youth event 
Almost no one was interested in our net game, Felix performed his routine there and had some 20 people watching him. I really didn't want to go, since I had a hunch it would suck. We took one for the team promoting footbag. We decided to buy a new, better boomblaster for us with the money.
By the way, if someone is reading this, please tell me if (when) there are mistakes in my spelling or grammar. I want to improve my english. Thanks.
On monday, I played with our normal crew; Jarpo, Osku, Tapsa and Jaska (written as "normal crew" from now on). My game was still surrealisticly amazing. I spiked, smashed and dug (sp?) like a robot.
Then, we were supposed to take a break on tuesday, but... There are four new guys in Turku who play every once in a while. One of them, Eric, e-mailed me about playing on tuesday. I called Tapio and we went to play with them for just over an hour. They had improved quite a lot since the last time I saw them. Me and Tapio tried to lure them to go to FFO, but I'm not sure yet if they'll make it.
On wednesday it was back to reality. Me, Osku, Tapio and Jaska played like shit and it was sooooo frustrating. Just knowing how good you can play, and then playing like that... that got on my nerves. I'd decided before that I'm not going to play on thursday, and playing like I did only made me feel like my decision was wise.
On friday, we had visitors from Helsinki. Janne, who is playing with Tapio came over again. This time he brought Jani Markkanen with him. Playing with (other) good players (almost) always brings up the best in me. I played exceptionally well, though I had some unforced errors in the beginning. In the evening we all (part from Osku) went to Jarpo's place to party. We went to a bar before the BIG GAME. We saw what is propably the greatest victory in Team Finland's history. We beat the almighty Team USA in the semi-finals in World Cup of Hockey. I was so happy, and tired when I got home after 5 am.
Next morning I had a hangover but we had a practice (sp?) session from 1-5 pm. Jani and Janne were still playing with us and once again the level of my play was enormous. If me and Osku just play as good as we can, there's no stopping us at the FFO. We're definately going for the gold, that's our only aim. In the evening me, Jarpo, Tapio and a couple of my other friends came over to our place and we drank a bunch of beers and went to a bar.
On sunday, Tapio came to pick me up with my car
to the grand opening of Pansio (suburb in Turku) Sport park. We were "hired" to play there. Osku, Felix and Anssi (ana_ali) were also there. We got 120€ for setting up the net. Then we took it really easily for 3 hours. The opening sucked like a seventeen year-old. The sport park was created to persuade the youth in Pansio to do sports. There was harmonica music, politicians (we're having our community elections soon) and folk songs. And shooting for blinded people!!! How do you call that a youth event Almost no one was interested in our net game, Felix performed his routine there and had some 20 people watching him. I really didn't want to go, since I had a hunch it would suck. We took one for the team promoting footbag. We decided to buy a new, better boomblaster for us with the money.
By the way, if someone is reading this, please tell me if (when) there are mistakes in my spelling or grammar. I want to improve my english. Thanks.
Matti Pohjola
Time for my weekly update. I can't believe that there are going to be 13!!! players from Turku in FFO. 9 net players and 4 shredders. There are these four new young guys, who just started to play net in the summer and they're already competing in intermediate in FFO. That kind of reminds me of when I competed in intermediate back in '99 after just a month or so of playing. But these guys are a lot better than I was then.
Lets see, on monday me, Osku, Tapio and Jarpo played. My game was like it was throughout the entire week, bad. I feel like I should always be able to play as well as I play at my best. No massive digs, no huge spikes. I know I can do them but where are they? I hope I find them in FFO. I'm thinking about the FFO as often as a teen boy thinks about sex. That may not be a good thing.
Then me, Osku, Tapio and Jaska played on wednesday. I was dead-tired, due the World Cup final where the Canadian bastards beat Finns 3-2. But did you see Tuomo Ruutu's goal?!?
On friday me, Osku, Tapio and the four new guys I was talking about played. It wasn't really any use for us, but it was fun. We let them play a lot more than we did, because they don't have any regular practise times. And I don't think they are going to pay for playing anywhere so it was good they played more than we did. And we invented this footbag-pingis or footbag-table tennis as you might know it. We had a really big "matress" (sp?), about 40 cm (1.5 feet) high and we kicked the bag on it trying to get it out of the opponent's end. It was fun and tiring, but useless like all footbag
On saturday me and Tapio bought us a b00mblastah with money our club had from city of Naantali, organizing Turku Open and doing shows etc. It has the phattest sounds and the illuminated center cap blinks with the rhythm of the music So we had to put it to a test and so me, Osku and Tapio played on saturday for a coulpe of hours. I think the new player raised the level a little. Another good thing about is you can attach a mini-disc or an iPod to it. No more piles of CDs and using iPod takes a lot less batteries as well. I hope we find reasonable priced rechargable batteries to it though.
5 days to FFO...
Lets see, on monday me, Osku, Tapio and Jarpo played. My game was like it was throughout the entire week, bad. I feel like I should always be able to play as well as I play at my best. No massive digs, no huge spikes. I know I can do them but where are they? I hope I find them in FFO. I'm thinking about the FFO as often as a teen boy thinks about sex. That may not be a good thing.
Then me, Osku, Tapio and Jaska played on wednesday. I was dead-tired, due the World Cup final where the Canadian bastards beat Finns 3-2. But did you see Tuomo Ruutu's goal?!?
On friday me, Osku, Tapio and the four new guys I was talking about played. It wasn't really any use for us, but it was fun. We let them play a lot more than we did, because they don't have any regular practise times. And I don't think they are going to pay for playing anywhere so it was good they played more than we did. And we invented this footbag-pingis or footbag-table tennis as you might know it. We had a really big "matress" (sp?), about 40 cm (1.5 feet) high and we kicked the bag on it trying to get it out of the opponent's end. It was fun and tiring, but useless like all footbag
On saturday me and Tapio bought us a b00mblastah with money our club had from city of Naantali, organizing Turku Open and doing shows etc. It has the phattest sounds and the illuminated center cap blinks with the rhythm of the music So we had to put it to a test and so me, Osku and Tapio played on saturday for a coulpe of hours. I think the new player raised the level a little. Another good thing about is you can attach a mini-disc or an iPod to it. No more piles of CDs and using iPod takes a lot less batteries as well. I hope we find reasonable priced rechargable batteries to it though. 5 days to FFO...
Matti Pohjola
I really respect net players, cause they don't get it when they deserve it. It's so fun to play net, but trust me, its one of the hardest things to get good at. Took me an hour straight to not shank it off and actually hit it straight up.
Good luck at FFO!
And why is there not a net forum here on modified Jeremy?
Good luck at FFO!
And why is there not a net forum here on modified Jeremy?
James Randall
Hey thanks for your replies guys. Net sure was/is hard to learn, I guess the hardness in the beginning is one of the reasons there are so little net players.
And what goes to having a net forum on Modified, I don't need a whole subforum for myself, if you know what I mean. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there was a net forum here some years ago. I didn't know about Modified back then, but that's what I've heard. I think having one net forum (.org) is enough since it's not that active either. There just is more to talk about in freestyle than in net.
Even though I only play net, I still like to read about freestyle, because I love footbag. I also have good freestyling friends, and I appreciate freestyle a great bit. Its really funny to tell Felix to hit some new move he hasn't even heard about Me and Felix had an agreement at last FFO that if he competes in intermediate net, I'll compete in intermediate freestyle. Felix got third place in intermediate doubles net, but I was unable to compete in freestyle due to open net games. I would've "busted" stuff like butterfly, mirage, legover, pickup and PIXIE LEGOVER
And what goes to having a net forum on Modified, I don't need a whole subforum for myself, if you know what I mean. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there was a net forum here some years ago. I didn't know about Modified back then, but that's what I've heard. I think having one net forum (.org) is enough since it's not that active either. There just is more to talk about in freestyle than in net.
Even though I only play net, I still like to read about freestyle, because I love footbag. I also have good freestyling friends, and I appreciate freestyle a great bit. Its really funny to tell Felix to hit some new move he hasn't even heard about
Me and Felix had an agreement at last FFO that if he competes in intermediate net, I'll compete in intermediate freestyle. Felix got third place in intermediate doubles net, but I was unable to compete in freestyle due to open net games. I would've "busted" stuff like butterfly, mirage, legover, pickup and PIXIE LEGOVER Matti Pohjola
It was the week of Footbag Finnish Open, finally I must say. I played on monday, tuesday and wednesday and kept thursday off just to get my legs ready for the tournament. We had qualifications on friday and the big finals on saturday.
We left to Helsinki on friday at 7 a.m. I had slept really badly the night before so I was tired. We went with my car, but luckily I didn't have to drive. Tapio did, and he knew where the qualification site was, so we got there no problem. Once we got there, there were a few friends in the lobby getting the entry fees. We paid them and went to warm up. My legs felt tired and I didn't have the game feeling I usually have on tournaments.
The first match in our pool was against Janne Villikka and Timo Vorne. They told us they hadn't practised that much and to be honest, you could tell. We won them relatively easily. Next we played against Jarpo and Jaska. For some reason we were extremely nervous but we still managed to win them. Our pool wasn't really that tough, since we had number two seed.
Next match we played was the quarter final against Jesse Ruotsalainen and Aleksi Öhman, two guys who have been around since the early days of footbag in Finland. We played really, really well and won them in two games. We were supposed to have the semi-finals on saturday at the finals. Jukka Peltola, organizer of the FFO told us he had just received a phone call that we wont be getting the finals place until 3-4 hours later than we were supposed to. Apparently, the sinfony orchestra which owns the place had decided to take 3 hours of our time to have a practise. That was such bullshit. Well, we got the place for free so I don't know if we can complain.
So we had to play semi-finals on friday as well. Me and Oskari played against Jani Markkanen and Jukka Peltola (silver in Euros 2004, gold in Euros 2003 and 6th in Worlds 2003). First game was our, easily. Second was their, also easily. We got in to an early lead in third game, 9-1 was the score when we choked. Then all of a sudden it was 12-12. Games were played to 15 points. Then we got our shit together again and won 15-12. Yippee, first time in FFO final for us. Then we went to sauna and pizza and a few beers in the Finnish Footbag Association meeting. Then nervous sleeping.
Final day. First it was freestyle semi-finals. Nothing spectaculour there. Vasik, Ales, Felix, Jere L, Jere V, Mikko, Tuukka and Juho got to finals. Then it was the net bronze match. Tapio and Janne Uusitalo played against Jani and Jukka. I was afraid Tapio might choke under the pressure of playing in front of loud audience. Luckily, I was wrong. That match went in three games and Tapio and Janne won the tie-breaker 12-10 winning Finnish bronze. First time for them. Tapio ended the thriller in a really powerful sunback spike, it was just beatiful.
Then it was our final. We played against Olli Savolainen and Tuomas Kärki. They won last year and Tuomas has won doubles and singles everytime he has played in the history of FFOs. This is the 8th edition so he has won 13 finnish titles so far. Last year he was sick when we had singles so he didn't play. Talk about dominance, entering 13 times in FFO coming out with 13 gold medals!!! We cared little of his history. First game was all about us ruling on the court. I set really good spots for Oskari who didn't think twice. A lot of powerful spikes and nice dinks. In second game we lost to Tuomas and Olli's experience and things lookes bad for us. In the beginning of the third game, after like 5 minutes it was still 0-0. Then they got 4 points straight but we came back to 4-4. Then both teams took one point at the time until 7-7. Then we got in to 9-7 lead but they got one more pioint making it 9-8. Then we got a point making it 10-8 and a match point situation. They saved the first one and got a point after that making in 10-9. Then we won one but they saved the second match bag. Then on the third match bag we finally WON the match and the finnish title. We were and still are so happy about it. We got a lot of people telling us we deserved it and stuff. I really think we did deserve it.
After net, the stage was set for freestyle and Vasik. Yes he won shred 30 and routines. Hands down, of course. Felix took second place in routines making him the finnish champion, two in a row for him. More later, maybe.
We left to Helsinki on friday at 7 a.m. I had slept really badly the night before so I was tired. We went with my car, but luckily I didn't have to drive. Tapio did, and he knew where the qualification site was, so we got there no problem. Once we got there, there were a few friends in the lobby getting the entry fees. We paid them and went to warm up. My legs felt tired and I didn't have the game feeling I usually have on tournaments.
The first match in our pool was against Janne Villikka and Timo Vorne. They told us they hadn't practised that much and to be honest, you could tell. We won them relatively easily. Next we played against Jarpo and Jaska. For some reason we were extremely nervous but we still managed to win them. Our pool wasn't really that tough, since we had number two seed.
Next match we played was the quarter final against Jesse Ruotsalainen and Aleksi Öhman, two guys who have been around since the early days of footbag in Finland. We played really, really well and won them in two games. We were supposed to have the semi-finals on saturday at the finals. Jukka Peltola, organizer of the FFO told us he had just received a phone call that we wont be getting the finals place until 3-4 hours later than we were supposed to. Apparently, the sinfony orchestra which owns the place had decided to take 3 hours of our time to have a practise. That was such bullshit. Well, we got the place for free so I don't know if we can complain.
So we had to play semi-finals on friday as well. Me and Oskari played against Jani Markkanen and Jukka Peltola (silver in Euros 2004, gold in Euros 2003 and 6th in Worlds 2003). First game was our, easily. Second was their, also easily. We got in to an early lead in third game, 9-1 was the score when we choked. Then all of a sudden it was 12-12. Games were played to 15 points. Then we got our shit together again and won 15-12. Yippee, first time in FFO final for us. Then we went to sauna and pizza and a few beers in the Finnish Footbag Association meeting. Then nervous sleeping.
Final day. First it was freestyle semi-finals. Nothing spectaculour there. Vasik, Ales, Felix, Jere L, Jere V, Mikko, Tuukka and Juho got to finals. Then it was the net bronze match. Tapio and Janne Uusitalo played against Jani and Jukka. I was afraid Tapio might choke under the pressure of playing in front of loud audience. Luckily, I was wrong. That match went in three games and Tapio and Janne won the tie-breaker 12-10 winning Finnish bronze. First time for them. Tapio ended the thriller in a really powerful sunback spike, it was just beatiful.
Then it was our final. We played against Olli Savolainen and Tuomas Kärki. They won last year and Tuomas has won doubles and singles everytime he has played in the history of FFOs. This is the 8th edition so he has won 13 finnish titles so far. Last year he was sick when we had singles so he didn't play. Talk about dominance, entering 13 times in FFO coming out with 13 gold medals!!! We cared little of his history. First game was all about us ruling on the court. I set really good spots for Oskari who didn't think twice. A lot of powerful spikes and nice dinks. In second game we lost to Tuomas and Olli's experience and things lookes bad for us. In the beginning of the third game, after like 5 minutes it was still 0-0. Then they got 4 points straight but we came back to 4-4. Then both teams took one point at the time until 7-7. Then we got in to 9-7 lead but they got one more pioint making it 9-8. Then we got a point making it 10-8 and a match point situation. They saved the first one and got a point after that making in 10-9. Then we won one but they saved the second match bag. Then on the third match bag we finally WON the match and the finnish title. We were and still are so happy about it. We got a lot of people telling us we deserved it and stuff. I really think we did deserve it.
After net, the stage was set for freestyle and Vasik. Yes he won shred 30 and routines. Hands down, of course. Felix took second place in routines making him the finnish champion, two in a row for him. More later, maybe.
Matti Pohjola
3 weeks since last entry. For some reason I've been feeling a little irritated towards footbag forums lately.
The week after FFO I played only once. I'd decided, I wouldn't play at all for a week just to get back the enthusiasm I usually have. Its hard to keep the spirit up when I didn't even know when the next tournamnet will be. Now I know, its Dec, 4-5. in Naantali and my club is organizing it.
Week after that I played three times. One of them was in Helsinki. There were ca. 12 guys playing and we did some partner-swapping. I sucked but didn't really care.
Last week I also played three times and started skooling my left side (flipside if you will) pulldown. Its looking pretty good already. Yesterday I went to Helsinki again. There was a TV crew shooting us while we played. They interviewed me for I guess 5 minutes. That was my first time on TV interview, and I was quite nervous.
The week after FFO I played only once. I'd decided, I wouldn't play at all for a week just to get back the enthusiasm I usually have. Its hard to keep the spirit up when I didn't even know when the next tournamnet will be. Now I know, its Dec, 4-5. in Naantali and my club is organizing it.
Week after that I played three times. One of them was in Helsinki. There were ca. 12 guys playing and we did some partner-swapping. I sucked but didn't really care.
Last week I also played three times and started skooling my left side (flipside if you will) pulldown. Its looking pretty good already. Yesterday I went to Helsinki again. There was a TV crew shooting us while we played. They interviewed me for I guess 5 minutes. That was my first time on TV interview, and I was quite nervous.
Matti Pohjola
I love footbag. That seems to be the only thing I have enough motivation at the moment. I'm skipping a lot more lectures in school now than I usually do. I hardly ever go to school before noon. I would gladly give some of my footbag-drive to school.
Last week I only played twice, on wednesday and on saturday. A good friend of mine, jEkke from Helsinki came to play with us on saturday. Its so refreshing to play with someone you don't usually play with. This week I've played twice already. Yesterday I had my second bloq ever. And it was a flipside bloq, I was so happy. And it was in singles match so it was even better.
This coming weekend 3-4 guys from Helsinki are gonna come to Naantali to play with us. We've got 10 hours of indoor footbag training sessions in three days. Can't wait.
I can't decide wether to go to school now and not do anything in computer class or not to go and feel bad afterwards. School feels like such bs, some classes are just too easy and boring and others require too much work for me to even have the self-discipline to start working on them.
Last week I only played twice, on wednesday and on saturday. A good friend of mine, jEkke from Helsinki came to play with us on saturday. Its so refreshing to play with someone you don't usually play with. This week I've played twice already. Yesterday I had my second bloq ever. And it was a flipside bloq, I was so happy. And it was in singles match so it was even better.
This coming weekend 3-4 guys from Helsinki are gonna come to Naantali to play with us. We've got 10 hours of indoor footbag training sessions in three days. Can't wait.
I can't decide wether to go to school now and not do anything in computer class or not to go and feel bad afterwards. School feels like such bs, some classes are just too easy and boring and others require too much work for me to even have the self-discipline to start working on them.
Matti Pohjola
As I mentioned we had our first training camp last weekend. Opa, Jani, Janne, Jukka and Toni came to play with us. Though Toni doesn't play net and only played a bit of freestyle and Jukka had something like a VD or a flu that kept him from playing.
The Helsinki gangstas came on saturday so we didn't play on friday. Though, I played badminton with Jarno. It was my first time in a year, and on saturday my ass felt like something I'm not going to mention here. We did play for 7 hours on sat and sun. I even stayed strong and didn't drink on saturday night. I'm known for my lack of mental strenght when it comes to drinking. Known by whom? Perhaps I was subconsciously afraid to drink, because I know what Jukka would've done to me if I had passed out. Jukka and Opa stayed over at my place and we had a nice slumber party with pillow fights and all. My god, did I say that out loud
It was all good until in the end of our sunday session Oskari (my doubles partner) said his toe(s) hurt(s). I thought it was nothing, but he phoned me later in the evening saying his toe is all black and he feels like its broken. I sure hope its not.
The Finnish singles net champioships are in a month and I've a feeling we should start organizing them soon, or should've already. Its going to be an low-profile event so there aren't too much to organize, but still.
The Helsinki gangstas came on saturday so we didn't play on friday. Though, I played badminton with Jarno. It was my first time in a year, and on saturday my ass felt like something I'm not going to mention here. We did play for 7 hours on sat and sun. I even stayed strong and didn't drink on saturday night. I'm known for my lack of mental strenght when it comes to drinking. Known by whom? Perhaps I was subconsciously afraid to drink, because I know what Jukka would've done to me if I had passed out. Jukka and Opa stayed over at my place and we had a nice slumber party with pillow fights and all. My god, did I say that out loud
It was all good until in the end of our sunday session Oskari (my doubles partner) said his toe(s) hurt(s). I thought it was nothing, but he phoned me later in the evening saying his toe is all black and he feels like its broken. I sure hope its not.
The Finnish singles net champioships are in a month and I've a feeling we should start organizing them soon, or should've already. Its going to be an low-profile event so there aren't too much to organize, but still.
Matti Pohjola
Hmm, if I remember correctly I played twice this week. First singles with Tapio and Jarpo. I found myself struggling with a problem I've had ever since I started; I can't play singles against tennis players. I lost to Jarpo hands down when he was just banging the bag back to my side.
Yesterday we had doubles with our normal crew. Even Oskari played though he broke his toe just 6 days before. Before our session he said he can't spike because of his toe. He lied. My ankle was hurting due to rolling it playing badminton on thursday.
Then for no reason what so ever I drank way too much yesterday. I promised myself I wouldn't do that anymore. I puked in the evening and again in the morning. That plus all the symptoms of a hang over sure don't give me any more motivation to study for my exam tomorrow. Its a 9 ECTS point class so I need a good grade on it. Or do I? Yeah, I do. Fuck it, no I don't.
Yesterday we had doubles with our normal crew. Even Oskari played though he broke his toe just 6 days before. Before our session he said he can't spike because of his toe. He lied. My ankle was hurting due to rolling it playing badminton on thursday.
Then for no reason what so ever I drank way too much yesterday. I promised myself I wouldn't do that anymore. I puked in the evening and again in the morning. That plus all the symptoms of a hang over sure don't give me any more motivation to study for my exam tomorrow. Its a 9 ECTS point class so I need a good grade on it. Or do I? Yeah, I do. Fuck it, no I don't.
Matti Pohjola
Completely useless and non-footbag related post
I did the obvious and only studied for an hour. I thought the test was hard and I wasn't previously familiar with the subject. Still I aced the test getting a whopping 260 out of possible 260 points! My tip to all of you is: be a natural talent (like me) or study hard kids (like you).
Why don't I just process useless stuff like this in my little head instead of writing it on a public forum?
I have no life
Why don't I just process useless stuff like this in my little head instead of writing it on a public forum?
I have no life
Matti Pohjola