Yesterday we suffered our first reverse against Israel. They started dreadfully in the event but have recovered to be in a qualifying place. They beat us 17-13 and played well. We then played the auld enemy and narrowly triumphed and beat Estonia in the last match. We still lead by 5v.p.s from Turkey. France are 12 back but did some recovering yesterday and still represent a threat.
Today we have two teams in the middle: Austria who have a lot of experience and then Bulgaria who are a young team who are very up and down and it is wise to set a field with plenty of slips and gullies.
Tomorrow is a whole day off before returning for the last 4 key matches. In our case one of those is a bye and at this stage getting 18 for this is no bad thing as the nerves start to jangle.
As a final aside the programme says that two women held the record for 19 European appearances until this championship when Nicola is playing her 20th, more than anyone else and a tremendous record which includes Gold Medals in 1975, 1979, 1981, 1997, 1999 and 2001(the first 5 as Great Britain and the last as England)
Isn't it wonderful to be such a great sportsman/woman that you only count you Gold medals! Nicola and Steve Redgrave and few others. Nicola also has one Silver and three Bronze medals in European Championships, a haul that mere mortals would be proud of.
ReplyDelete