Parte Dos - "The Return to Madrid"
Worldwide premier 1st/2nd May 2009, Madrid, Spain

Starring...

Game #1: TASIS Lacrosse 0 - 3 Los Guapos

The scheduling could of been kinder to the kids of TASIS, facing Los Guapos in their first game. Each Los Guapos player was more experienced and about twice the size and weight of the TASIS kids. However they did get stuck in and competed for the ball but some of the clinical Los Guapos defending did leave its mark.

The reason for only scoring three goals (actually we counted four but it does not matter) was two-fold. First the TASIS goalie was one of their coaches and had played at a high level in the USA. He stopped all direct shots so we had to move the ball better to keep him guessing. The second reason was we were very rusty. Some were suffering hangovers from the night before. Others were playing out of position and not in any rhythm during this first game. Goals came from Spencer's Chris Elia and Chris Collison from the Walcountain Blus club.

Game #2: Los Guapos 7 - 0 The Goldmembers

The second game was a much better team performance. Passing and organisation had improved. Andrew, Louis and Rob in attack worked well as a trio. Rob, normally Spencer 2nds defenseman, was playing with an existing leg injury which hampered his already limited athletic ability. Coupled with the regular 2nds pairing of Andrew and Louis, Los Guapos had a steady and effective attacking combination. Chris Elia again was dominant but now others were getting in on the scoring action.

Game #3: Los Toros 5 - 6 Los Guapos

Our final game on the Friday was against our Spanish hosts. We had seen them score at will against Goldmembers and France and were no mugs. This game was a nervous affair for Los Guapos. We were all physically tiring - at one point only four players had the energy to move into the attacking half. The Spanish were excellent on the fast break and scored most of their goals at pace. In settled play, Los Guapos had the edge.

As the game clock ticked down; all games were 2 x 15 mins, Spencer's Phil Ginsberg playing long stick midfield still had energy to chase and hassle. The other long sticks including our guest players, Matt Schlegel from Purley and Chris Duffy from Walcountain Blues, kept Los Toros at bay. At the other end, Spencer's Mike Kline was getting on the scoresheet and we held on to our single goal advantage.

Game #4: France Lacrosse 2 - 7 Los Guapos

Saturday morning saw our final round robin game against the old enemy, the French. It must be noted that some of the Los Guapos squad did not make it to bed Friday night, including defender Glen Gardener, but we all had new energies and quickly put away seven goals without reply. Rob Gooch scored two and assisted three, including a dynamic sorte up-field from Spencer's defensive man-mountain, Mike Goodman, who collected a precise pass from Gooch and just got his shot away before being bundled into the crease.

Joining Los Guapos on the Saturday was Spencer 3rds Sam Horowitz. He got into the mix playing attack during the latter stages of this game, then followed up by playing midfield with the TASIS kids against Los Toros (together with MattB &AntD).

SEMI-FINAL: Los Guapos 6 - 0 The Goldmembers

The knockout phase saw a new look for Los Guapos with Spencer's versatile Matt Blom playing goalie, allowing Chris Collison to beef up our midfield. The game was always heading the way of Los Guapos but the Germans were more resolute in defense than Friday's encounter allowing only six goals to breach their back line.

FINAL: Los Guapos 8 - 0 Los Toros

The final was a re-match against the Spanish who started the game the stronger and peppered the Los Guapos goal only to find Matt Blom in sensational form. Los Guapos then turned up the heat and dominated the final. The scheduling meant Los Toros played back-to-back semi and final games which soon took its toll and they visibly tired as the minutes ticked by.

Ant Dawson won nearly every face, as he did throughout most of the tournament, and was helped in midfield by Stevie Schumacher and Stephen Greszczyszyn who both ran hard all weekend. Andrew Mottershead top scored with three goals. Both Louis and Chris Elia gave us some Hollywood moments including diving shots from behind goal worthy of any NLL highlights reel. Mike Kline iced the game by finding himself alone on the crease just needing Rob Gooch to lob the keeper from behind the goal to find him unattended.

Playoffs

Round Robin

Results Los Toros 9 - 1 The Goldmembers TASIS Lacrosse 0 - 3 Los Guapos France Lacrosse 5 - 7 Los Toros Los Guapos 7 - 0 The Goldmembers TASIS Lacrosse 6 - 11 France Lacrosse Los Toros 5 - 6 Los Guapos The Goldmembers 8 - 3 TASIS Lacrosse France Lacrosse 2 - 7 Los Guapos TASIS Lacrosse 1 - 7 Los Toros The Goldmembers 4 - 5 France Lacrosse

Placings Rank Team Won Lost F A Diff #1 Los Guapos 4 0 23 7 +16 #2 Los Toros 3 1 28 13 +15 #3 France Lacrosse 2 2 23 24 -1 #4 The Goldmembers 1 3 13 24 -11 #5 TASIS Lacrosse 0 4 10 29 -19

Los Guapos were (left to right);

Andrew Mottershead - Attack
Matt Schlegel (Purley) - Defence
Stephen Greszczyszyn - Midfield
Chris Elia - Midfield
Glen Gardener - Defence
Chris Collison (Walcountain Blues) - Midfield & Goal
Matt Blom - Goal & Midfield
Rob Gooch - Attack
Ant Dawson - Face-off
Stevie Schumacher - Midfield
Chris Duffy (Walcountain Blues) - Defence
Phil Ginsberg - Long Stick Midfield
Mike Kline - Midfield
Mike Goodman - Defence
Louis Villard - Attack
Sam Horowitz - Midfield & Attack

All players from Spencer Lacrosse unless otherwise listed.

Related Links;