Thoughts from the Worlds
TopJLax has joined thousands of other lacrosse fans from around the World in attending the World Championships this week @ The Armitage Centre. We've been treated to some great lax games, and have enjoyed many a pint hanging out in the village. Here are some of our thoughts to note so far on the tournament:
TopJLax has joined thousands of other lacrosse fans from around the World in attending the World Championships this week @ The Armitage Centre. We've been treated to some great lax games, and have enjoyed many a pint hanging out in the village. Here are some of our thoughts to note so far on the tournament:
England rate highly on the pimp-o-meter
Whoever was officially in charge of the Team England uniforms gets a TopJLax gold star. Seriously, well played team. From matching New Balance white cleats (with the luminous green Headstrong foundation laces) to the white Nike Socks with the black tick (Todd Baxter, no 11. doubling these up too), Six Nations Nike jerseys, and the Brine Team England helmets and gloves, these guys look fly. We like the way England warm up in grey shooting shirts, with reversibles for offense/defense drills, and then returning to the dressing room to pull the jersey on and emerge as a team behind the flag. Intimidation through unification – matching identical players is one way to build confidence.
Whoever was officially in charge of the Team England uniforms gets a TopJLax gold star. Seriously, well played team. From matching New Balance white cleats (with the luminous green Headstrong foundation laces) to the white Nike Socks with the black tick (Todd Baxter, no 11. doubling these up too), Six Nations Nike jerseys, and the Brine Team England helmets and gloves, these guys look fly. We like the way England warm up in grey shooting shirts, with reversibles for offense/defense drills, and then returning to the dressing room to pull the jersey on and emerge as a team behind the flag. Intimidation through unification – matching identical players is one way to build confidence.
Emerging nations that are hot at lacrosse
TopJ were hugely impressed with the Japanese team (who took down Australia 11-9). They play with flair, speed, and great stick skills that compensate for their smaller physical size. They have an up-tempo style of lacrosse with numerous fast breaks, combined with a great team ethic (they had multiple minute long possessions against Australia’s zone defense when 2 goals up, forcing the Australians to switch to man on man and then come out and play them – at which point Japan immediately pressed to the goal and scored) were very fan friendly. Many commented in the stands that they were impressed with the team – especially since all they players are home grown, and many started at the university age. That’s dedication.
Also impressive were Germany, who were handed a blue division spot at the expense of the Iroquois team still stuck at the departure gate. Although there were a few players with overseas influence (Hendrik Du Bois-Raymond won a Div II NCAA Championship @ NYIT, Dave Campbell played at Div III Middlebury, and Jordan West-Pratt is of Canadian origin) the team have stepped up and are competing in the Blue group with a lot of home grown talent. They pushed Japan until the final quarter (they led for most of the game and ended up losing 15-9) and have an impressive young goaltender in Philipp Maas of Dusseldorfer SC who at 18 years of age made numerous saves against the sharp shooting Americans.
Is the gap in quality narrowing?
Although results would suggest that the gap in standard of many of the Blue division teams is reducing, with the likes of Japan, Australia, England and Germany having some very tight games in the group stages, it has yet to be seen whether some of the "contender" teams such as Wales, Finland, Netherlands and Scotland can mix it with the big boys. However the placing games beginning in the next few days will tell us more.
It also appears that the gap to Canada and the US is as large as ever (possibly even larger). Both teams have beaten everyone convincly (21 - 5 being a typical score) with the only close game they have played being against each other (10-9 to Canada). This will probably not change in the foreseeable future until countries other than those in North America have players training intensively every day.
TopJ were hugely impressed with the Japanese team (who took down Australia 11-9). They play with flair, speed, and great stick skills that compensate for their smaller physical size. They have an up-tempo style of lacrosse with numerous fast breaks, combined with a great team ethic (they had multiple minute long possessions against Australia’s zone defense when 2 goals up, forcing the Australians to switch to man on man and then come out and play them – at which point Japan immediately pressed to the goal and scored) were very fan friendly. Many commented in the stands that they were impressed with the team – especially since all they players are home grown, and many started at the university age. That’s dedication.
Also impressive were Germany, who were handed a blue division spot at the expense of the Iroquois team still stuck at the departure gate. Although there were a few players with overseas influence (Hendrik Du Bois-Raymond won a Div II NCAA Championship @ NYIT, Dave Campbell played at Div III Middlebury, and Jordan West-Pratt is of Canadian origin) the team have stepped up and are competing in the Blue group with a lot of home grown talent. They pushed Japan until the final quarter (they led for most of the game and ended up losing 15-9) and have an impressive young goaltender in Philipp Maas of Dusseldorfer SC who at 18 years of age made numerous saves against the sharp shooting Americans.
Is the gap in quality narrowing?
Although results would suggest that the gap in standard of many of the Blue division teams is reducing, with the likes of Japan, Australia, England and Germany having some very tight games in the group stages, it has yet to be seen whether some of the "contender" teams such as Wales, Finland, Netherlands and Scotland can mix it with the big boys. However the placing games beginning in the next few days will tell us more.
It also appears that the gap to Canada and the US is as large as ever (possibly even larger). Both teams have beaten everyone convincly (21 - 5 being a typical score) with the only close game they have played being against each other (10-9 to Canada). This will probably not change in the foreseeable future until countries other than those in North America have players training intensively every day.
The Venue is mint
Hats off to the team who sorted the venue out, it is top notch. The marquee with the bar and retailers takes centre stage, with pitches surrounding the chill out/picnic area. Although there is a lot of debate about how there is a lack of general gear (Warrior, Brine and STX) on show, there is a lot of awesome apparel which makes up for it in part. We particularly liked the Peru Lax stash and the US gear is massively bid, so get there early when supplies com in. There are your general burger/fish and chips vans (avoid during main breaks from Stadium play as the queues are huge) and also sandwiches and snacks on sale in the marquee. In short the fan is well catered for, although I can imagine the 50 odd porter loos are no longer gleaming.
Hats off to the team who sorted the venue out, it is top notch. The marquee with the bar and retailers takes centre stage, with pitches surrounding the chill out/picnic area. Although there is a lot of debate about how there is a lack of general gear (Warrior, Brine and STX) on show, there is a lot of awesome apparel which makes up for it in part. We particularly liked the Peru Lax stash and the US gear is massively bid, so get there early when supplies com in. There are your general burger/fish and chips vans (avoid during main breaks from Stadium play as the queues are huge) and also sandwiches and snacks on sale in the marquee. In short the fan is well catered for, although I can imagine the 50 odd porter loos are no longer gleaming.
Imagine if every game in the UK had a stadium/music/announcer [delete as appropriate]
Seriously, this is literally the best thing since sliced bread. A 5,000 seat stadium, often packed to the brim with enthusiastic lax fans, pump up tunes playing in the warm-up and after every goal on the PA system, and a “could he be any more textbook American” announcer declaring “Arrrreee yoouuuu readdddy Lacrosse fans!” and commenting on plays and goals. Taking a leaf out of our US cousins books and turning a “game” into an “event” is the way to go. Oh and it’s all on UK soil, represent.
Seriously, this is literally the best thing since sliced bread. A 5,000 seat stadium, often packed to the brim with enthusiastic lax fans, pump up tunes playing in the warm-up and after every goal on the PA system, and a “could he be any more textbook American” announcer declaring “Arrrreee yoouuuu readdddy Lacrosse fans!” and commenting on plays and goals. Taking a leaf out of our US cousins books and turning a “game” into an “event” is the way to go. Oh and it’s all on UK soil, represent.
Manchester weather is rubbish
It didn’t dent the enthusiasm of the crowd, who were hopping between shorts and t-shirts and coats and ponchos’ (although how these were sold out already on Day2 we don’t know) but the phrase “Cloudy with a chance of rain” was particularly applicable. TopJLax has still somehow managed to get burnt faces through the clouds though.
The Warrior Trojan helmet is basically a Cascade in disguise
While admiring the Gin n Juice Stash sported by the teams entering the festival we noticed how similar the Warrior Trojan is to a Cascade. Obvious competitive rulings aside, the helmet is far less expensive than a Cascade lid, and since it is now modelled on the above now provides a legitimate alternative (sorry Warrior but previous incarnations of lids have been rubbish, and everyone knows the only real “hip” alternative is a Brine lid). Gin n Juice were rocking the checkerboard decals on the peak, with a number on one side and the new Juice logo on the other, very cool, especially when combined with the custom gloves. For sure James Synowiez (Manhattan [38G,11A]) looked rad wearing the gear while scoring numerous behind the back goals in the festival games.
We'll update you with more thoughts from the games when we have them. But seriously, get yourself up to Manchester in the few days we have left, there are still tickets available for the Finals this Saturday which promises to be a bumper day of Lacrosse. Also keep checking in to see the official photos from the games!
It didn’t dent the enthusiasm of the crowd, who were hopping between shorts and t-shirts and coats and ponchos’ (although how these were sold out already on Day2 we don’t know) but the phrase “Cloudy with a chance of rain” was particularly applicable. TopJLax has still somehow managed to get burnt faces through the clouds though.
The Warrior Trojan helmet is basically a Cascade in disguise
While admiring the Gin n Juice Stash sported by the teams entering the festival we noticed how similar the Warrior Trojan is to a Cascade. Obvious competitive rulings aside, the helmet is far less expensive than a Cascade lid, and since it is now modelled on the above now provides a legitimate alternative (sorry Warrior but previous incarnations of lids have been rubbish, and everyone knows the only real “hip” alternative is a Brine lid). Gin n Juice were rocking the checkerboard decals on the peak, with a number on one side and the new Juice logo on the other, very cool, especially when combined with the custom gloves. For sure James Synowiez (Manhattan [38G,11A]) looked rad wearing the gear while scoring numerous behind the back goals in the festival games.
We'll update you with more thoughts from the games when we have them. But seriously, get yourself up to Manchester in the few days we have left, there are still tickets available for the Finals this Saturday which promises to be a bumper day of Lacrosse. Also keep checking in to see the official photos from the games!
