The second Italian Open ("Firenze Cup") has been last Saturday 2 June 2007 in Florence.
BUWH took proudly part to this fantastic competition. BUWH was represented by Sophie, Fanny B., Karin, Romain, Sébastien, Frédéric, Bennie, Phillip, Gaetan, Ly and Florent.
16 teams were registered for this event. The level of this competition was high as many international (CMAS medalists) players were presents.
The AMAZON team from the Netherlands (Sandor, Tania, Julian, amongst other) has won the final against Ljubljana who was assisted by the great Eryl Adams from London. Slough (London) won the third place defeating a great Team mixing the best Slovenian players from Kranj and two very skillful Scottish players from ORKNEY VIKINGS Club. BUWH lost (1-3) the game for the 5th row against a rebuild Spanish team (which seems to have learned a lot since its memorable defeat against the Belgian National Team in Sheffield).
We may also mention: the first participation of a team from Switzerland (Welcome into the great UWH world Switzerland !), the progression of the German team and the last place of the French Team from Pontoise (that was registered but finally did never showed up).
After a nice party, we have finished the night in a park boarding the Arno before reaching (very late) our accommodation nearby Piazza Michelangelo.
We had a wonderful Sunday in the wonderful City of Florence: Piazza della Signoria, Corso, Cathedral, Repubblica, Casa di Dante, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo and a beautiful lost “piazza” where we had a fantastic meal on a terrace. (Stendhal’s syndrome was not far for some of us…)
Once again our trip to Florence was a wonderful moment.
Thank again to the entire Parma Team (http://www.parmasub.it/hsducale/firenze.htm)for its great organization.
We really look forward to come back in Italy as soon as possible.
Romain
From what I remember the final ranking was:
1. Amazone-team (Dutch)
2. Ljubljana (Slovenia)
3. Slough UWH (U.K.)
4. Kranj-Orkney (Slovenia, Scotland)
5. Spain Male (Spain)
6. Buwh(Belgium)
7. Pirana (Hungary)
8. H2BO (Italy)
9. Dordrecht (Nederland)
10. H.S. Ducale (Italy)
11. Budapest (Hungary)
12.Schlickteufel Elmshorn (Germany)
13. Sub Cagliari (Italy)
14. Sangria (Spain + other girls)
15. H.S. Cirie
16. Pontoise-Cergy(France) (never showed up)
[NOTES: Orkney is an Island on the North of Scotland. Landscapes are amazing and you may find there incredible the first human building from the Stone Age. Inhabitants have two passions Highland Park Whisky and… UnderWaterHockey! UWH is compulsory at school and everybody plays there. Sebastien and I were really lucky to go there with our Aberdeen Uni Team in 2003. Orkney players are really good and we strongly recommend to everyone to attend their next tournament in August [hyperlink invitation]
Stendhal’s syndrome : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stendhal_syndrome ]
