IT'S OVER!

The Salzburg U15 men travelled out to Wels/Gmunden for the last match of the regular season. As far as the team rankings were concerned... the match was meaningless, neither team could gain any higher position with a victory.  But SHV was hoping to prove that they could beat these guys, who had player earlier in Salzburg, and had managed to squeak out a 4 goal victory.

But it was not to be. ZLATANOVSKI's 11 goals were the deciding factor.  SHV went into the locker room at halftime down by 7, knowing that they had to make some serious adjustments, if they were going to have a chance at a comeback.  Top priority, containing Wels/Gmunden's  2 main goal scorers (SEIFERT ended up scoring 10 goals)... next priority, find some other ways to score goals. The defense was  keeping SHV from getting close, and the outside shooting was not working.  Once again, SHV needed to use those wings, the center, and the set plays from training.

Unfortunately, the second half progressed much the same as the first half, and the 7 goal difference turned into an 11 goal difference. 

In summary, a meaningless match, with four yellow cards, seven 2 minute penalties, some clumsy and rough play... not a great end to an otherwise respectable season.

SHV ended up winning 6 matches and losing 9... not bad, but also room to improve.

HADZIC 8, FESSMANN 4, HIRSCH 4, UNTERSTEINER 4, DUREGGER 2, SISTOV 2, SCHMIED 1, FISH, KLETTNER (Goalie)

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What does "Good Sportsmanship" mean??

This season, no team looked forward to travelling out to Linz to play against the Neue Heimat team.  This match was no exception.

In such situations, when one team is completely in control of the match, and has built up a substantial lead... it would be wonderful for the stronger team to simply adjust their strategy... and perhaps work on some ball control, or other special plays.  This would show good sportsmanship, keep the stress levels on the court down, and help to minimize injuries.

But perhaps I am missing something here... I just remember my many years of playing competitive team sports... and my coaches had taught us differently, regarding how to play with respect... even against a weaker team. 

Anyway... congratulations to SG Linz/Neue Heimat for their strong season... but NOT for setting a great example in sportsmanship.

HADZIC 5, UNTERSTEINER 4, SCHMIED 2, SISTOV 2, FISH 1, FRAUENSCHUH 1, BODIROGIC 1, BÜRGSCHWENDTNER, FORSTNER, KLETTNER (Goalie)

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Three in a Row!

"Edelweiss.... Edelweiss...." 

Ok, ok... I won't sing it. Only 7 players from the Union Edelweiss team, came out on this sunny April afternoon,  to visit the Sound of Music city. Hopefully, they were able to enjoy the scenery on their bus ride through the beautiful lake district, because in the Riedenburghalle... there was very little for them to enjoy.

HIRSCH 8, DUREGGER 6, UNTERSTEINER 6, SCHMIED 5, SISTOV 3, FESSMANN 3, BÜRGSCHWENDTNER 1, FRAUENSCHUH 1, FISH 1, HADZIC 1, FORSTNER, THONET, KLETTNER (Goalie)

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"So we meet again..."

Last week the SHV U15 men defeated Urfahr in Linz... and this week, Urfahr came to visit Salzburg.  The Salzburg team took control of the match right from the first whistle, building up a 4:0 lead, which would never be compromised.  Salzburg was able to score from all over the court, easily penetrating Urfahr's defense.  With only one HABLE (6 goals) this time, SHV was able to shut down Urfahr's offense almost completely.

The SHV men played with an energy and lightness, that resulted  in numerous elegant scoring opportunities, and passing combinations. By the time the first half ended, HIRSCH had already scored 6 goals, and FESSMAN had 4.  Goalie KLETTNER was outstanding, blocking almost any shot that tried to make it into the net!  With a 21:10 lead, SHV could afford to relax and have some fun in the second half.

Urfahr did not give up... and kept trying to find a way to get the ball into the goal, with very little success.  Perhaps the best effort from Urfahr, came from YEBOAH (6) who scored 5 of Urfahr's 7 goals in the second half.   SHV may have proven to themselves, with these 2 consecutive wins, that they have a solid team... and with a bit more concentration, and team playing, can hold their own against any opponent.

SHV goal scorers were HIRSCH (10), FESSMAN (7), THONET (6), UNTERSTEINER (5), HADZIC (4), BODIROGIC and FISH (2), SISTOV (1). 

Congratulations to both teams for a well played and fair match!

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Turning things around

After struggling with 2 straight losses, the Salzburg U15 team headed off to Linz, with a dangerously small group of players.  The Salzburgers were not discouraged though, and went into the match knowing full well, that they could go home with a victory... but it would not be easy.

Salzburg kept pace with Urfahr throughout the first half, trading goals, and staying close.  They went into the locker room behind by 3 goals (17:14). 

The second half went quite well for Salzburg, as they began to wear down Urfahr.  Slowly, they began to cut down the lead, and during the last few minutes, Salzburg managed to take the lead, and never looked back.

Urfahr's two HABLEs were responsible for 21 of their teams 29 goals.  Salzburg's HIRSCH had a great match, putting 12 goals into the  net, followed by HADZIC (8),   UNTERSTEINER (5), GOLD and BODIROGIC (4), SISTOV (2) and SCHMIED (1).  Strong team work, especially on defense, made this victory possible. 

SHV goalie, KLETTNER, was another key to this win, turning away several well placed shots from Urfahr, and leading the team for the entire 50 minutes, even when they were behind!

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Close... but no cigar.

This one was a really tough match to lose. It could have easily gone either way... but the SHV U15 men, couldn't pull things together in time... and were handed a painful defeat. 

SG Wels/Gmunden arrived with only 8 players, compared to SHV's 12. Much of the match seemed to be played in slow motion... there were few fireworks.  This was a defensive battle, with only 17 goals being scored in the first half.  Neither team seemed particularily hungry for victory, as both teams traded goals back and forth for the entire match.

SHV scored 4 less goals than their opponent, and lost their second straight league match. 

Goals scorers for SHV were FESSMAN and THONET (4), UNTERSTEINER (2), SCHMIED, FORSTNER, BODIROGIC and HADZIC (1).  KLETTER once again, played goalie for the entire match.

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Pre Game:

Neue Heimat needs to be stopped!

Match begins at 18:30 in the Riedenburghalle.

A MATCH TO FORGET 

This match report is going to be more of a lesson, than an actual  description of the match.

Why?

Well, first of all... The match against Neue Heimat was no fun. It was uncomfortable, and painful... and it lasted far too long.  In life, these types of experiences, we prefer to forget about, to hide from... or to simply pretend they never happened.  Done.  Forgotten.

BUT, (and this is a BIG BUT) if we cannot learn from these difficult times, then we will not be able to grow, improve ourselves, and eventually... hopefully.... keep these traumatic situations, from happening again in the future.  So, here goes:

Ancient Chinese wisdom indicates that, "If you go into a handball match thinking that you are going to lose... then you probably WILL lose". Well, OK,  maybe it was not Confucious, who said this... but it is nonetheless true.  In English, this is known as a "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy" (German: "Selbsterfüllende Prophezeiung").  This kind of thinking can also be refered to as "Defeatism" (Defätismus).  In sport, we most often think about training in terms of physical training. For example, building muscle, running faster, throwing more accurately. Most athletes underestimate the importance, and POWER of mental training.  It is quite common, that teams who may not have the most talented, or gifted players, can consistently win, against teams comprised of better players.  How can this be?

By playing smarter, knowing and using better strategies, reacting correctly in stressful situations, communication between team members, having confidence on the field, and maintaining a POSITIVE attitude throughout the match... regardless of the score.  These are the factors which secure victory.  And these are all aspects of sport, which have nothing to do with a player's physical abilities.  This stuff is all in your head!

One of the most important lessons to learn in sport, is that ANY team, on ANY day, can win a match against ANY oponent.  Seriously... it's true.  Young athletes have a difficult time understanding this, or accepting this, because they have not yet experienced it for themselves.  But we have all seen it on TV.  Those matches where everybody "knew" that the one team would win... but by some crazy miracle, the other team pulled off a surprise victory. (like the USA hockey team beating USSR for the gold medal in the 1980 olympics!).

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Pre Game:

Based on the results of the last time these two teams met... this should be a close match!

Game starts at 13:00 in Linz

A WILD ROLLER COASTER RIDE THROUGH LINZ!! (by R.S. Fish)

As predicted, this match was, indeed,  as close as they come.

It took the SHV U15 men about 10 minutes, to get warmed up for their match against Union Edelweiss... Unfortunately, the match had  already begun... and SHV was having a tough time, getting into the game.  Thanks to ECKER'S three early goals, Union Edelweiss managed a 6:3 advantage, before SHV finally decided to start playing serious handball.  But, once they did... they proceeded to blast 7 unanswered goals into the net, on route to a 10:7 lead going into the locker room at the half. Three 7-meter goals by SISTOV, a pair of goals from HIRSCH, and single goals from DUREGGER, UNTERSTEINER, HADZIC and THONET provided the offense, while the SHV defense only allowed one single goal, during the final 14 minutes of the first half.  Respect!!

However, Union Edelweiss was not going to give up, especially while playing on their own home court.  3 quick goals erased the SHV lead, and with the score tied at 10:10... the roller coaster ride was about to begin.  The score would be tied again at 11:11, 14:14, 15:15, 16:16, 17:17, and 18:18 with many exciting plays in between.  Salzburg goalie, KLETTNER, managed to keep several goals from scoring, even though the sun, coming through the window, was blinding him for the entire second half!

One lesson Salzburg learned today, was how quickly a match can change, if enough players are sitting in the penalty box together, watching from the sidelines.  SHV had fought hard, to gain a 14:11 lead, when at near the 11 minute mark, of the second half, HADZIC was sent out.  About 30 seconds later, HIRSCH was ordered to join him... and the two teammates watched Union Edelweiss, once again, erase all that hard work, and take a 15:14 lead.

Both teams played quick, but often sloppy offense, and exchanged goals evenly, until the final minute.  With Salzburg leading 20:19, and controlling the ball... it was obvious what had to be done... 60 seconds... keep control, let the time run off the clock, and definately, score a goal.  If SHV plays it right... they earn the win... if not, Edelweiss easily steals a tie, or even a victory. With the pressure rising, and the defense shutting down SHV's outside shooting, HIRSCH fed the ball to the FISH, who pounded the game winning goal off the floor, and into the top of the net!  Salzburg managed to hang on for the 21:20 victory, but it was not easy.

Congratulations to BOTH teams for an exciting match!

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Pre-game:

The top three goal scorers on the Pastl Traum team have combined for 105 goals in 5 matches.

Salzburg's defense will need to come up big on Saturday!

But, based on the pattern of the last 5 games (lose, win, lose, win, lose)... and the fact that Salzburg has the home court advantage... well... Just come out to the Riedenburghalle, and see for yourself what happens!!

HOME...  NOT SO SWEET, HOME (by R.S. Fish)

Salzburg's hopes of gaining an upset victory, on their home court, against the high scoring Pastl Traun team, were put to rest early.  The Salzburg U15 men,  got off to a slow start, falling behind 5-1 within the first minutes of play. Pastl Traun's lead scorer, PREINFALK, was able to hit easily, from outside the 9 meter line,  jumping high above the Salzburg defenders.  Pastl Traun also managed to penetrate through to the middle, with simple "fake to the right, run to the left" moves.  Salzburg goalie KLETTNER, was not getting much help from his defense, and was visibly frustrated.

It seemed that Salzburg had begun to adjust their defense to manage the powerful onslaught of Pastl Traun, and were able to pull to within 5 goals at the 20:00 minute mark... But the visiting team had more tricks up their sleeve, and managed to gain an 18:9 lead at the half.

Salzburg however, did not give up. In the second half, they played tough, managed to get past Pastl Traun's defense, and had many powerful and acrobatic shots. Unfortunately, most of their attempts deflected off of various body parts of the Pastl Traun's second string goalie, instead of finding their way to the back of the net.

While goals from the field were few, and far between... Salzburg's HIRSCH made scoring 7 meter penalties, look easy, skillfully guiding 6 of the 7 attempts past Pastl Traun's goalies, further extending his lead, as the top 7 meter scorer in the league.  Particularly strong play by FESSMANN, UNTERSTEINER, and DUREGGER, helped Salzburg.... along with some solid play by the entire team... however, using the wings, and the center effectively, will need to be worked on in training. 

All in all, a good match, where the Salzburg men can be proud that they didn't give up, AND that they played a clean match, receiving no cards or penalty minutes! 

Respect to Pastl Traun... We'll get you NEXT TIME!

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Spielbericht in Arbeit ...

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DOWN TO THE WIRE (by R.S. Fish)

Ahhh.... Victory!  Sweet Victory!

Coming off  a demoralizing 44:14 loss against a strong team from Linz, the Salzburg U15 men, were facing yet another team from Linz... but this time, on their own home court.

Both teams began the match playing cautiously, trying to find the other team's strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, for the Salzburg team,  Urfahr's HABLE, easily took control of those early minutes, by sending several of his 11 goals, into the Salzburg net.  Was this going to be another disappointment for Salzburg?

In an attempt to neutralize HABLE, Salzburg had UNTERSTEINER play tight man-on-man coverage.... sticking to HABLE like glue. This forced Urfahr to get the ball to their other players, who seemed lost, and somewhat confused,  without their lead scorer.  Salzburg continued trying to find their groove, but were not getting the ball into the center, nor using their wings effectively. The first half ended 9:10, and Salzburg went into the locker room hoping that they could come back and regain the lead.

The second half of the match was like a roller coaster ride.  The lead changed often, and both teams battled to get the ball into the net.  Urfahr had many more shots on goal, but luckily, Salzburg goalkeeper, KLETTNER saw to it that more shots were turned away, than ended up on the scoreboard.  Salzburg kept the pressure on, and played well as a team.  HADZIC, HIRSCH, and FORSTNER combined for 15 goals, while THONET hit all 3 of Salzburg's 7 meter shots. As the match was coming to a close, it looked as if Urfahr was ready to take the lead and go home with a victory. But a desperate foul committed by HABLE, resulted in Salzburg taking the lead for good.  HABLE could only watch from the sidelines, as the last two minutes ticked off of the clock, and 21:19 showed on the scoreboard.

Congratulations to both teams for such a close, fair, and well fought, battle.

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