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PLAYERS/SUPPORTERS/EVENTS
DURING THE FLYING HOPPERS’ TOUR
(BY THE UNOFFICIAL SCRIBE AKA
“THE TRANSLATOR” WITH MAIN FOCUS
ON MELBOURNE)
1.
THE WEATHER
When one does not really know what to say, one traditionally talks about
the WEATHER. This is an easy job in this particular case:
After the predictably hot/humid experience of Singapore, the
weather in less predictable Australia did shape-up as follows:
SYDNEY:
Warm and SUNNY throughout
MELBOURNE: Cool and SUNNY throughout
We
could not have asked for any better, really.
RATING: SENSATIONAL
WEATHER
2.
THE WORLD MASTERS GAMES EXPERIENCE
Being
part of 25’000 (!!) participants in an opening ceremony in a world
famous stadium in front of about 20’000 spectators must certainly rate
high-up in the “event” category. Our “Repräsentativ” dress-code contrasted nicely with
the surroundings – maybe seen as a bit of “tossers” by some Aussies?!
Winning the SILVER MEDAL after a penalty shootout certainly was THE
HIGHLIGHT of this whole tour – unforgettable for all the participants
for sure!!
3.
THE COACH
Throughout
the tour, ROLLIE kept things very nicely under control – not an easy
task but one very well performed by him.
Thanks, indeed, ROLLIE!
4.
THE TENNIS PLAYER
Whilst
Rollie did still calculations and we were scratching our heads if we might
get into the small or big final, our MARION could stroll about on Thursday
night with a SILVER MEDAL around her neck.
Well done, Marion.
We all
supported her in her final, which brings me right to the issue of:
5.
THE SUPPORTERS
After
playing very well in both Singapore and Sydney, BUSI (for age-reasons)
could only help out as a valuable supporter/helper in Melbourne.
Thanks BUSI for keeping an eye on our valuables!
The shouts of TOTOHO (without PRAHA following) were heard throughout our
games thanks to VLADINA and IRENA. Irena
also proved to be a communications queen, SMS-ing left/right and center.
Thanks for keeping everybody informed and also for being able to
change the old man’s booking at short notice.
A)
THE GUEST PLAYERS
The
Flying Hoppers heartily adopted 3 Aussies for the Melbourne experience:
6.
MARK HARVEY
I
personally think that neither Mark’s forehand or backhand are his
biggest asset, but his wife JUDY! Take that, MATE!!
7.
GRAEME GUY
Asked
about the highlight of his experiences with the FLYING HOPPERS, Graeme
swiftly commented: “getting
pissed with Carlos”.
8.
ANDY (ANDREW) MCDONALD
Andy
brought to my attention that we all had strayed onto HOLY GROUND by
walking on the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) during the Opening Ceremony.
B)
THE HOPPERS’ “REGULAR SUSPECTS”
9.
THE GOALIE
Traditionally
– at least in my view – goalies come in two categories:
The show-man type/noisy ones and the rock-solid ones.
No need to guess where MICHAEL fits in:
Calm & solid sums it up nicely.
RATING: Very good
performance. His great saves
kept the draw result during the regular time in the FINAL.
10.
THE DOCTOR OPERATES CLINICALLY AT THE BACK
No,
WILLY has not changed jobs and does cosmetic surgery on bums!
The heading refers to his capability as a great sweeper.
I hardly every saw a mistake in all the games.
RATING: Great
performance.
11.
THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMBER
Not
only did FEDOR successfully conquer that Sydney landmark, but he also
proved to be very positively active with all sorts of organizing (Wine-tour
etc. etc.). Many thanks
indeed, FEDOR!
Almost forgot: A very good
performance on the field in spite of an injury collected in Singapore.
One highlight: Endless
passing of the ball with Carlos in the first game against Kew.
12.
THE ORACLE MAN
Unfortunately,
MARTIN could only play short intervals in Melbourne after a great
performance in Sydney.
Baffling experience: Finding a fellow FLYING HOPPER sleeping in the lobby of the
De Vere Hotel upon arrival in Sydney.
13.
THE INJURY-PRONE RUNNING MACHINE
MARKUS
(RUCKLI) did hear so much abuse from Sydney to Singapore that nothing
needs to be repeated here…. By the time we reached Singapore, even the SIA
stewardesses started to insult RUCKLI with gusto!
14.
THE OFFICIAL SCRIBE AND GOALGETTER FROM LUCERNE
Well
I asked him but heard no significant comments from PETER.
Hopefully, we shall hear a lot more from him in his function as the
official travel-reporter.
15.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
A
photo says more than a 1000 words. And
REINHARD must have taken about (at least) 500 photos.
Now go figure that one….
16.
THE ONE HALF OF THE BASLER-ATTACK REMAINING AFTER SINGAPORE
The
Basle-attack was feared very much in Singapore (secret weapon) but even
without BRUNO, CARLOS proved to be a mean fighting-machine.
And he was one the “Melbourne tigers” that got the caption:
“They are so cute”!!
RATING: Very high,
especially in night games.
17.
THE SASH
A
whole lot could be reported about one of our two superstar-players, SACHA;
AKA (also known as ) SASH.
Main communicator with the ever-growing fan-club. Great performance
throughout.
RATING: Too much
energy.
18.
THE OTHER FLYING DUTCHMAN
COEN
(in his first outing with the FLYING HOPPERS) was a great asset and he
also seemed to enjoy the experience.
RATING: Has exclusive
rights to the future movie hit: “When
Coen Met Sally”?!
19.
THE SUPERSTAR
Last
but not least, the brain and chief organizer behind the FLYING HOPPERS
himself, STEFAN.
Simply stunning hockey-skills on show throughout.
Thanks to both SASH and STEFAN for organizing this great hockey tour so
perfectly.
20.
CLOSING REMARKS
Before
stumbling off the plane at Singapore, RUCKLI requested that the
following should be added as important P.S. points:
-
Nirgendwo TOTOHO?
-
Ayers Rock = Eierstock?!
-
Definition of TOTOHO: Total Tote Hosen??!
-
Forza Canutt???
A very happy translator and a.k.a.
Chocolate Man is looking forward to the 2005 TOUR.
And has one last point to make:
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