Thursday Feb 2nd - Last day of group stage
Stark awake at 05:45 after only four hours sleep, so today's exploits may be a bit shorter. Due not only to my current sleepy condition, but lack of notes from my black book, and a full day of bandy referee duty, and the massive game to end the group stage in the A-pool - Sweden vs Russia to determine the #1 seed for the Semi-Finals.
I'm up working on compiling verbage to improve the english version of the bandy rule book - using soccer parlance from the laws of the game to clarify much of the sentence structure and intent to follow the spirit of the rules according to the Internatonal Bandy Federation. It is no small task, indeed.
Kevin and Eric are working together this morning at Central stadium, and their police escorted transport van departed at 08:00, so I head to my room to prepare my gear bag for my 10:00 departure for the game that will determine the winner of the B-Pool, Canada vs Belarus. My duty for this game is to be the Fourth Official: positioned at midfield between the two team benches; monitor the substitutes and team leaders in the technical area; take full notes for the match including all penalties, goals, team warnings, and extra time added. I really enjoy this position, for it is a chance to interact with the players and coaches in a much less intense situation - where we can all let our personalities carry the day, while administering the rules to maintain control of the game. It is by no means an easy job, this. Speaking english can certainly help in this international competition where English is the main language for the tournament (Kazakh and Russian are also broadcast over the PA system).
All I can say, is that our crew was put to the test both on and off the field, and we had a successful game at the end of the day.
My plan had been to return to the hotel after this game for a quick bite to eat before returning for the afternoon fixture, skating as Assistant Referee #1 (again on the team bench side). However, the time began to run short, so I say at the stadium and watch some of the USA vs Norway game on TV from the Medeo stadium in the mountain valley high above the city. This game is to determine who will be relegated to the B-Pool, so it has great importance, and has been the focus for the American players for the last several months. I get to watch the last twenty minutes of the first half, then go out to the rink to watch Hungaria vs Netherlands.
For the second half, Kevin, Eric and I head to the opposite side where all the supporters are cheering their sides. It is an amazing experience, much like the World Cup of Soccer, but with everyone bundled up in full parkas, and with their scarves actually providing their function.
The temperature is -3C (27F) with a strong wind coming straight down the valley, funneled by the sheer walls thru the stadium from one goal to the other.
The game is interesting, for neither team want to show their whole hand (strategy), but they both sincerely want to win. The result is 6-2, with incredible goals and skill sets on display for both sides.
After the game, it's back on a mini-bus for a crazy ride down the valley back to Almaty. I carry on a great conversation, which keeps us from paying too much attention to our drive, who is racing the Volkswagon ten-passenger TDI down the winding valley road. Almost all referees were at the game, so the banquet hall is full for dinner at 21:30 before our end of the day meeting to review and recieve assignments. I recieve very high marks for my work as 4th official in the first game, and no problems noted for my second as assistant. After all games are reviewed, we recieve our assignment. A much smaller number of games remain each day, so the anticipation is growing for the Sunday games. Kevin gets the Group C2 (Japan) vs C3 (Kirgystan), with me as the 4th, so I will have seen both teams twice in the last few days. An added bonus is that the game will be shown live on Japanese TV on Saturday (morning, Japan time). So, if anyone knows how to record a P2P video stream, please do so, for it would be a great keepsake from this tournament. I promise to wear my valenki, which will certainly get some face time from the Kazakh TV production.
Photos tomorrow, I'm zonked.
Stark awake at 05:45 after only four hours sleep, so today's exploits may be a bit shorter. Due not only to my current sleepy condition, but lack of notes from my black book, and a full day of bandy referee duty, and the massive game to end the group stage in the A-pool - Sweden vs Russia to determine the #1 seed for the Semi-Finals.
I'm up working on compiling verbage to improve the english version of the bandy rule book - using soccer parlance from the laws of the game to clarify much of the sentence structure and intent to follow the spirit of the rules according to the Internatonal Bandy Federation. It is no small task, indeed.
Kevin and Eric are working together this morning at Central stadium, and their police escorted transport van departed at 08:00, so I head to my room to prepare my gear bag for my 10:00 departure for the game that will determine the winner of the B-Pool, Canada vs Belarus. My duty for this game is to be the Fourth Official: positioned at midfield between the two team benches; monitor the substitutes and team leaders in the technical area; take full notes for the match including all penalties, goals, team warnings, and extra time added. I really enjoy this position, for it is a chance to interact with the players and coaches in a much less intense situation - where we can all let our personalities carry the day, while administering the rules to maintain control of the game. It is by no means an easy job, this. Speaking english can certainly help in this international competition where English is the main language for the tournament (Kazakh and Russian are also broadcast over the PA system).
All I can say, is that our crew was put to the test both on and off the field, and we had a successful game at the end of the day.
(l to r: myself, Fredrik (NOR), Grigory (RUS), Per-Erik (SWE) and Vilsson (SWE). Note my valenki, Russian felt boots.
My plan had been to return to the hotel after this game for a quick bite to eat before returning for the afternoon fixture, skating as Assistant Referee #1 (again on the team bench side). However, the time began to run short, so I say at the stadium and watch some of the USA vs Norway game on TV from the Medeo stadium in the mountain valley high above the city. This game is to determine who will be relegated to the B-Pool, so it has great importance, and has been the focus for the American players for the last several months. I get to watch the last twenty minutes of the first half, then go out to the rink to watch Hungaria vs Netherlands.
I (finally) take one of the bags of loli-pops, to distribute to the ball kids - always a great hit, and something that I really enjoy doing to establish a rapport with them. The rest of my crew arrive, and we begin our pre-game activities with just about an hour before the start time for the second match of Group C between Japan and Kirgystan.
After the game, we immediately change out of our game gear and into dry clothes for we will take transport up to Medeo. It is now 18:00, and I have only had a granola bar, a few small pieces of bread with slice of sausage, plus my energy bar before the game.
We do not encounter any significant traffic (luckily) and we arrive to the Medeo, where the stadium lighting has lit up the entire valley floor and the walls enclosing the venue.
The game (SWE vs RUS) is an amazing display of the sport, played by the absolute best professionals in the world. Truely, professional, for they are all paid handsomely for their service to their local clubs.
Russian breaking out of end with Swede attempting to take the ball away
For the second half, Kevin, Eric and I head to the opposite side where all the supporters are cheering their sides. It is an amazing experience, much like the World Cup of Soccer, but with everyone bundled up in full parkas, and with their scarves actually providing their function.
Felt wool wrap to ward off the frigid temperatures - Kemorovo fans
The game is interesting, for neither team want to show their whole hand (strategy), but they both sincerely want to win. The result is 6-2, with incredible goals and skill sets on display for both sides.
Seconds remaining in the match
After the game, it's back on a mini-bus for a crazy ride down the valley back to Almaty. I carry on a great conversation, which keeps us from paying too much attention to our drive, who is racing the Volkswagon ten-passenger TDI down the winding valley road. Almost all referees were at the game, so the banquet hall is full for dinner at 21:30 before our end of the day meeting to review and recieve assignments. I recieve very high marks for my work as 4th official in the first game, and no problems noted for my second as assistant. After all games are reviewed, we recieve our assignment. A much smaller number of games remain each day, so the anticipation is growing for the Sunday games. Kevin gets the Group C2 (Japan) vs C3 (Kirgystan), with me as the 4th, so I will have seen both teams twice in the last few days. An added bonus is that the game will be shown live on Japanese TV on Saturday (morning, Japan time). So, if anyone knows how to record a P2P video stream, please do so, for it would be a great keepsake from this tournament. I promise to wear my valenki, which will certainly get some face time from the Kazakh TV production.
Photos tomorrow, I'm zonked.
No comments:
Post a Comment