2012 DWNT Day 19

Well like the rest, Day 19 flew by.

Game day. Woke up ready to go. Wanted to play right away. Had breakfast first though. Same as before. Eggs, bacon, sausages (different today and much better) toast, OJ.

After breakfast we had a little bit of time so I put together the practice plan. we headed to the gym at 11:30 for a 12noon practice. We were told we could practice from 12-1:30 but that can never happen because the bus driver always says to be on the bus as soon as we end practice. So we had what I thought was a decent practice from 12-1:20 and then scrambled to the bus.

Lunch was at 1:45 so we ate as soon as we arrived. Today it was rice and curried chicken. Very tasty. Also some veggies, meats and cheese at every meal. They also had a tuna salad in a glass like a shot glass over a half a peach. Very interesting mix but very tasty. A nice custardy type dessert to finish the meal and we were off and running. Well not really. I went back to my room and laid down for a bit. This is the first day I have felt a bit tired so I had a quick 45 minute nap.

Woke up, showered up and we were ready for the 5:30 departure with game time at 7. The gym is a nice gym in a sport school/community centre. I wish there were more like this one back in Canada.

We meet before the game and talk about what we wish to emphasize. I thought the girls looked ready to go. Game starts and it is your typical feeling out process. Both teams trying to see what the other is doing. Belgium is average size with a few big girls but are very athletic across the board. We were executing well and took control of the game halfway through the quarter. We made a few miscues and ended up leading by around 5 after 1 quarter.

In the 2nd quarter we decided that we would become individuals and we started taking bad shots and making bad decisions. They started on a 6-0 run to start the 2nd quarter. We made a number of mistakes and were down but luckily not big at the half.

At halftime we discussed some adjustments and I pleaded with them to play team basketball. We were better in the 3rd and it was close at the quarter break. Sorry but I don't remember the score. 4th quarter they jumped on us a little bit and had it to 10 points. We cut it to 7 and then it hung around there for a few minutes. In the last few minutes we made our comeback. We got a few stops on defense and a few key steals and buckets to tie it at 66 with less than 30 sec. left. We turned it over and they would get the last shot. Their coach called timeout so I rolled the dice. We switched from man to man defense to zone and it flustered them a little. They turned it over and we called timeout. I drew up a play for man and discussed what we would do if it was zone. They were in a zone and we got the ball to one of our best players. We had a miscue and we turned it back over and they got a quick half court heave. 66-66. Overtime. Well not always in international basketball. They said the game was over because it was a friendly game. It might have been because there was a men's game right after us but not so sure. They are so nice to us here and we are playing two more time so we figured it was OK. I am fairly competitive though so I wanted to play on. So that was the game. I was pleased with efforts in some areas but not so pleased in others. More work to be done.

We had a few minutes to wait for the bus outside so we chatted about the game. I think the more we talked the more ticked off I became at the little things. This game is so reliant on details especially at this level. We need to really pay attention to the details tomorrow.

On the way back we could see the stadium lights across the street from our hotel. The place was very busy as Belgium was playing Montenegro. I am on the backside of the hotel and it almost sounds like a beehive outside and when crowd roars it sounds like a massive wave. Extremely loud. Would love to be over there at the game. This city is busy with lots of things going on. There was a professional bike race here when we arrived, this soccer game, there is a professional tennis tourney going on, a jazz marathon downtown for 3-4 days and Brusselicious is about to start which is a huge food festival.

Supper was immediately upon our return and it was potatoes and beef stroganoff. I had a little bit to eat and grabbed a yogurt and left. Didn't want to discuss the game anymore, just wanted to watch the film which is what I am about to do. This is my favourite part. Analyzing to try and defeat the other coach. Guess we will see what happens tomorrow.......