After WUCC
WUCC is done. A long period of dedicated training with highs and lows culminated with several really great games in Prague and an overall 12th place. We should and must be proud of our achievement. At periods our game reached exactly the level where it should be. The level where we can beat the really good teams and wipe out the pretty good teams.
Highs were the games against Absolut, Flying Angels and Phoenix. Three good teams. Both offense and defense delivered the high and necessary level. That level, which we know we have, but which requires each player’s full support and commitment in order to achieve it. When just one player runs around doing 90%, then we miss our level.
Another and significant highlight was our Spirit-score. One of our goals was to improve our spirit. It requires respect for opposing players, respect for fellow players and the ability to use negative energy in a constructive way. We succeeded in virtually the entire tournament doing just those three things. It was in many ways excellent and gave us an overall fifth place after many close matches.
Lows were the defeat against Chevron, MUC and the matches last day. This illustrated three different errors that we must not commit. Towards Chevron we failed towards the end. After a strong struggle we missed opportunities in particular offense but also defense to win in the end.
Against MUC our attitude was lousy. Just because we won an important victory over a Canadian team, we played as if we’re able to moonwalk past a pretty good German team. We can’t. The lesson is simple. The last day satisfaction and mental fatigue sets in. Completely unnecessary and the lousiest way to end a World Cup. In the future, we must take everything possible. Also a 9th place or a possible medal at EUCF next time. Those last matches are 100% about attitude and will. The opposing team is always at least as physically tired as us.
Overall, it was so cool. Especially the week in Prague on and off the pitch. Enjoy the pictures and the good memories, but now focus is on the next target. We have improved significantly and now it’s time to show the rest of Europe in Nürnberg and Barcelona.
Team coaches
The four person Group of coaches has made a great effort and after the ups and downs players and coaches were rewarded with a sweet 12th place and a good week in Prague. After WUCC changes has happened within the group of coaches. Bille has, after several years of tremendous efforts as coach and organizer chosen to stop. Bille has been coach since 2006 and has a huge stake in all of Ragnarok’s medals at the European Championships in recent years and especially this year the 12th place at the World Cup. Ragnarok owes Bille a big thanks for his effort, commitment and results. Bille will continue as a player, but this autumn will focus on a well-deserved break and injury rehabilitation.
Vilsøe was hit by a complicated shoulder injury during our match against Chevron in Prague. There are several fractures in the shoulder and after surgery he’ll go through four to six months of rehabilitation. During autumn Vilsøe will take a break as a coach and focus on rehabilitation and getting optimally through the process. Vilsøe have made a great effort on and off the field this season toward the World Cup and he has been a major part of our success in Prague. Thor and Daniel continues as coaches during the autumn towards the EUCS.
Prior to EUCS
EUCS is this autumn’s big goal. In the EUC-Regionals we’re competing against in particular MUC, Inside Rakete, Feldrenner, Woodies, Silence and Big EZ for one of four spots at the EUC-Finals. These are teams that we beat if we reach our level, but we’ll loose to most or all if we play at 80 %.
The strong Ragnarok squad going to EUC-Regionals consists of 16 players who all played at WUCC.
Beyond
Ragnarok is going to USA next year! At least we’re working on it. We would love to play Labor Day in Santa Cruz, Boston Invite, Texas Shootout or the Emerald City Classic. This is how we can improve significantly and nothing would be cooler than playing a bunch of really good American teams. Stay tuned for more info.
