Spending 2 months in the States working with volleyball I was looking forward to a calm yet exciting start on the Danish season, with a new team and in a new club. However, once you're in town and at practise with a lot of girls who're all there to get better, you quickly realize that taking it slow wont get you anywhere.
This article is a small view into the last week or so, which has been full of new experiences with both womens AND mens volleyball.
On tour with Bring it...
I arrived in Odense Sunday and started practise on Monday and everything was going according to plan - until Wednesday arround 22.00. I recieved a call from Martin Olafsen who is the headcoach of Örkelljunga mens team in Sweden. Martin was in Holland with the "Bring it" exposure tour for men, and they where in bad need for a coach to help running practises and matches for 30 hopefull players all looking for try outs with a team in Europe.
It didn't take me long to decide that I wanted to go. I felt it would be a great chance to further develope as a coach, but also the fact that Martin called me for because they needed extra hands.
I drove all night and arrived in Holland Thursday at 12.00 or so and the 30 guys just finished their morning practise. Martin and the Bring it agent Jonathan Walsh chose 12 players of the 30 to play a match the same evening and 1 hour later they took off heading for Belgium. That left me back with close to 20 players which I had to run a practise for in the evening, so I had a few hours to get settled at the hostel and had smaller chats with some of the guys.
over the next 4 days we ran practise every morning and evening, and every day 12 guys where given the chance at a match to show that they where the ones to be given a try out next time one came up. I got to coach 1 match while I was there, and it was against the U21 Dutch team. That whole experience was just fantastic. Being in charge of a hungry group of guys, playing against some of the biggest talents in Holland was just a great opportunity, and I want to thank both Marting and Jonathan for inviting me there.
All in all it was a group of super motivated guys who all wanted a great experience and dreamed of getting signed with a team in Europe.
Coaching these guys where not a difficult task since they where all looking for ANY advise I could give to get them that step closer to a try out. And eventhough there is a difference between coaching women and men, the level of engagement from the players made me want to give out tips left and right, and to stay after practise to run one or two more drills.
Being with the tour and seeing the amount of players who are looking for a job, really puts in perspektive how many many many players are out there looking for a team to play for, and it makes you think if we in Denmark actually get out enough to see what is out there..!
I know that Jens Bang has been in Slovenia this summer to watch the womens exposure tour, and Jens found 2 players he felt would make his team better. But comparing to other years, being at the tour really gave Jens a chance to see what different type of players there where, and that fact makes me sure that the 2 new players in Brøndby are exactly what they need.
After my trip to Holland I have decided that I want to do that extra work every season to go see the tour or start having players for try out before signing them. It gives you a way better idea of what you can get and what you are missing out on by not doing it.
Hamburg in Odense - a lesson to be learned...
During my trip in Holland I have to admit I felt I was missing out on my own teams pre-season, so I was very excited to get back and get started for real.
This Friday came our first real test, and it was against none less that number 4 in Germany, VT Aurubis Hamburg. We played 10 games(sæt) against them and we averaged 13 points in each game. Hamburg playes volleyball about 15 centimeters higher above the net than what we see in Denmark, so we got what we asked for.. ;0)
They simply hit harder and higher, serve tougher and play faster than we do, so it came as no surprise to us that we were struggling with the Hamburg team.
On top of that we played without Juliane, Julie, Saori and Jeanette due to injuries/beachvolley, so when we are going to Hamburg next weekend for a rematch, we expect to bring a full team and thereby more a taste of what our level really is.
Playing games against teams at that level gives the players a great chance to see how good they can get with more practise and physical improvement, and I personally think it is the best possible preparation for the up-coming season because we get to play so many games at a higher tempo, and it demands so much more of us all compared to the matches we play in the Danish league.
Looking at our own side of the net, passing against Hamburg's serves was very hard, but we did better as each game was played, and it was also obvious that we need better timing between Dorthe and our middle players. I am proud of the way my players handled the games, they kept a high spirit all the time and where actually looking like a team, communicating all the time, helping eachother out and smiling a lot... All while they where trying their hardest to compete with Hamburg.
We are very excited to go there the coming Friday, and I look forward to see our further progress in our level of game.
Mini
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Fortuna 2009/2010 Squad presentation
First of all let me just say that I from now on will be writing my volleyball comments in English. The fact that my girlfriend and several of the players on my team can't read Danish and the coaches and families in the States who has sent their players to Denmark will now also have a chance to follow our season.
It is time to present the squard for the season 2009/2010 in Fortuna. At this moment the squad is 17 players deep, and the following 2 weeks or so will be spend on cutting it down to 14. 12 players in the match squad and 2 spots for talents.
Setters:
- Dorthe Windeleff is with her many years of elite volleyball and national team experience the obvious 1. setter on our team. I feel extremly blessed as a 27 year old coach to have had the chance to work with 2 of the best setters in Denmark. Dorthe is one of those setters, and I am excited to see what she can bring the team.
Dorthe is a transfer from DHG.
- Sophie Jørgensen is our young talent on the setter position. Sophie comes from the clubs own youth team and has a promissing future in volleyball. Sophie is to practise with the 1st team but will play the main part of her matches on the clubs 2nd and youth team.
- Saori Mizuno has due to backproblems been forced to cut back on her practise hours this season. She will therefore be playing backup setter and middleblocker, which are the two positions that she is able to play at the moment.
With her high level of integrity and skill she will be a dominating player as middleblocker I am sure, and she is more than competent to step in as setter if needed. Saori has played for the Japanese national team earlier.
Middleblockers:
- Saori Mizuno is one of our aces on this position and I have already talked about her abilities on court.
- Juliane Daugaard played her first full season as an elitedivision player last year and did really well. Her game has developed a lot and she is a sure starter on our national team. If Juliane can keep her momentum going and stay focussed this could be the year where she brakes through as the amazing middle her talent gives promisses of. Working with the 1st setter Dorthe, I feel confident that Juliane will develope her game even more.
- Jane Diederichsen is a transfer from DHG. With her experience from many years of division volleyball she will fully be capable of competing for a starting position as a middleblocker.
- Mie Maimann Møller is another of the young talents on the squad this year. Mie as been called up for national team matches this season, and even though she still has a long way to go, Mie is one of the very promissing middleblockers in the country. Mie will be practising with the 1st team, but will play the main part of her matches for the 2nd and youth team.
Outside hitters:
- Katherine Whitney was MVP last season in both the cup final and was awarded the same titel by the other players in the league as the most valuable player in the elitedivision. Katherine is expected to be a leader on the team this year. With her experience from playing 2 years in Denmark and 1 year in Croatia on top of her many years of volleyball in the States, Katherine will be a very valuable addition to the squad this coming season. Katherine is a tranfer from Holte IF.
- Kristen Karlik is a new American player in Denmark. Kristen played club volleyball and college volleyball with Katherine back in the States. She was a dominating libero in "The Big 12" conferrence in the States when she played, and she played outside hitter in club. Her main forces is obviously her passing and defence, but we are very set to bring back her hitting skills as the season progresses. Kristen is coming to Fortuna after a year and a half break from volleyball due to a back injury.
- Julie Pedersen was on the team last year. She another one of the young players in the squad whos strongest side is her dangerous serving. This year is to make her develop even more as an outside hitter, and with Katherine and Kristen to look up to I feel this is an opportune season to take the next step. Julie will inspite of her young age be in the match squad.
- Emilie Louise Holk has decided to stay in Denmark to study and will therefore also stay on the team. Mille, as she goes by, is one of the most dedicated players in the entire league. She a fantastic player to have as a coach because with Mille you always know what you get, she has been with the team for several years, and everyone that has played Fortuna can tell that she is always good for a point or 2 with her strong serving and superb defence.
Rightside hitters:
- Eva Vennekilde is returning to the team after having given birth to a baby boy. Eva brings back a lot of experience to the team and will be competing for a starting position as the season progresses, but the first step is for her to get comfortable with the game again.
- Lise Lindø is yet another one of the young talents in the squad. Lise has played both outside and middle as a youth player here in Odense, and she looks to take the next step in to becoming one of the next dominating Danish players on the rightside position. Lise will be practising with the 1st team but will play the main part of her matches with the 2nd team.
Libero:
- Jeanette Ellekjær Hansen has returned to Odense after 2 years of not playing volleyball. The whole club is very excited to have Jeanette back who in her prime time was around the national team. With her consistant passing and fast defence, Jeanette will be able to lift this vital part of the team, and she is very dedicated to get back to her former level. However there might be some issues conserning her job, so Jeanette is still not 100% sure she will be able to play.
To complete our squad there is still 1 or 2 signings to be completed, but since these are under progress I will wait with the names for now. All I can say is that with this material, I truely feel that the sky is the limit. We have the foundation to go all the way this year, but it will take a lot of hours in the gym, and we know that the other teams are strong as well.
The team has good ball controllers, experienced and skillful setters, young talents to push themselves and their teammates, valuable experience with the returning players and powerhitters to score points on attack and serving.
To sum it all up - "I want to win gold this season"
I am as coach of this team extremly exited for the season to begin. We will be hosting Hamburg Volleyball Club on august 28th and 29th for a small tournament in Odense.
The weekend after we are going to Hamburg to play them, a Polish team, and Italian team and a French team.
Finally we are going to a tournament in France on september 16th to 20th playing against top teams from all of Europe.
That schould make us ready for the first game of the season which will be against none less that the reigning champions from Holte on september 26th. A match full of internal rivalry and with player transfers both ways over the summer it promisses to be intense.
Mini
"In time we shall overcome, with time we come to win and by time our fate is decided"
It is time to present the squard for the season 2009/2010 in Fortuna. At this moment the squad is 17 players deep, and the following 2 weeks or so will be spend on cutting it down to 14. 12 players in the match squad and 2 spots for talents.
Setters:
- Dorthe Windeleff is with her many years of elite volleyball and national team experience the obvious 1. setter on our team. I feel extremly blessed as a 27 year old coach to have had the chance to work with 2 of the best setters in Denmark. Dorthe is one of those setters, and I am excited to see what she can bring the team.
Dorthe is a transfer from DHG.
- Sophie Jørgensen is our young talent on the setter position. Sophie comes from the clubs own youth team and has a promissing future in volleyball. Sophie is to practise with the 1st team but will play the main part of her matches on the clubs 2nd and youth team.
- Saori Mizuno has due to backproblems been forced to cut back on her practise hours this season. She will therefore be playing backup setter and middleblocker, which are the two positions that she is able to play at the moment.
With her high level of integrity and skill she will be a dominating player as middleblocker I am sure, and she is more than competent to step in as setter if needed. Saori has played for the Japanese national team earlier.
Middleblockers:
- Saori Mizuno is one of our aces on this position and I have already talked about her abilities on court.
- Juliane Daugaard played her first full season as an elitedivision player last year and did really well. Her game has developed a lot and she is a sure starter on our national team. If Juliane can keep her momentum going and stay focussed this could be the year where she brakes through as the amazing middle her talent gives promisses of. Working with the 1st setter Dorthe, I feel confident that Juliane will develope her game even more.
- Jane Diederichsen is a transfer from DHG. With her experience from many years of division volleyball she will fully be capable of competing for a starting position as a middleblocker.
- Mie Maimann Møller is another of the young talents on the squad this year. Mie as been called up for national team matches this season, and even though she still has a long way to go, Mie is one of the very promissing middleblockers in the country. Mie will be practising with the 1st team, but will play the main part of her matches for the 2nd and youth team.
Outside hitters:
- Katherine Whitney was MVP last season in both the cup final and was awarded the same titel by the other players in the league as the most valuable player in the elitedivision. Katherine is expected to be a leader on the team this year. With her experience from playing 2 years in Denmark and 1 year in Croatia on top of her many years of volleyball in the States, Katherine will be a very valuable addition to the squad this coming season. Katherine is a tranfer from Holte IF.
- Kristen Karlik is a new American player in Denmark. Kristen played club volleyball and college volleyball with Katherine back in the States. She was a dominating libero in "The Big 12" conferrence in the States when she played, and she played outside hitter in club. Her main forces is obviously her passing and defence, but we are very set to bring back her hitting skills as the season progresses. Kristen is coming to Fortuna after a year and a half break from volleyball due to a back injury.
- Julie Pedersen was on the team last year. She another one of the young players in the squad whos strongest side is her dangerous serving. This year is to make her develop even more as an outside hitter, and with Katherine and Kristen to look up to I feel this is an opportune season to take the next step. Julie will inspite of her young age be in the match squad.
- Emilie Louise Holk has decided to stay in Denmark to study and will therefore also stay on the team. Mille, as she goes by, is one of the most dedicated players in the entire league. She a fantastic player to have as a coach because with Mille you always know what you get, she has been with the team for several years, and everyone that has played Fortuna can tell that she is always good for a point or 2 with her strong serving and superb defence.
Rightside hitters:
- Eva Vennekilde is returning to the team after having given birth to a baby boy. Eva brings back a lot of experience to the team and will be competing for a starting position as the season progresses, but the first step is for her to get comfortable with the game again.
- Lise Lindø is yet another one of the young talents in the squad. Lise has played both outside and middle as a youth player here in Odense, and she looks to take the next step in to becoming one of the next dominating Danish players on the rightside position. Lise will be practising with the 1st team but will play the main part of her matches with the 2nd team.
Libero:
- Jeanette Ellekjær Hansen has returned to Odense after 2 years of not playing volleyball. The whole club is very excited to have Jeanette back who in her prime time was around the national team. With her consistant passing and fast defence, Jeanette will be able to lift this vital part of the team, and she is very dedicated to get back to her former level. However there might be some issues conserning her job, so Jeanette is still not 100% sure she will be able to play.
To complete our squad there is still 1 or 2 signings to be completed, but since these are under progress I will wait with the names for now. All I can say is that with this material, I truely feel that the sky is the limit. We have the foundation to go all the way this year, but it will take a lot of hours in the gym, and we know that the other teams are strong as well.
The team has good ball controllers, experienced and skillful setters, young talents to push themselves and their teammates, valuable experience with the returning players and powerhitters to score points on attack and serving.
To sum it all up - "I want to win gold this season"
I am as coach of this team extremly exited for the season to begin. We will be hosting Hamburg Volleyball Club on august 28th and 29th for a small tournament in Odense.
The weekend after we are going to Hamburg to play them, a Polish team, and Italian team and a French team.
Finally we are going to a tournament in France on september 16th to 20th playing against top teams from all of Europe.
That schould make us ready for the first game of the season which will be against none less that the reigning champions from Holte on september 26th. A match full of internal rivalry and with player transfers both ways over the summer it promisses to be intense.
Mini
"In time we shall overcome, with time we come to win and by time our fate is decided"
Monday, August 3, 2009
August, snarlig hjemkomst og Fynsk sensommer
Så er det snart 2 måneder siden der sidst var lyd på bloggen. Jeg har været/og er i USA med Katherine hvor vi arbejde med forskellige volleycamps. Trætheden overfor 13-16 årige Amerikanske highschool piger er begyndt at melde sig, men lærerigt har det bestemt været.. ;0)
2 måneder væk fra Dansk volley er formentlig det længste jeg har prøvet i mere end 10 år, men det har bestemt ikke betydet at tingene i Fortuna har ligget stille. Første del af min ferie gik med at Meli og Karen skiftede til Holte, hvilket naturligvis efterlod et par huller at fylde, og som det så ud var der ikke eftertagere i klubbens talentfulde ungdom til lige at springe ind i en start 6'er. Det har betydet at vi har kigget udenlandsk for at finde forstærkninger, og det ser ud som om vi er ved at være på plads, jeg vil dog undlade at komme med det endelige hold til min hjemkomst 15. august. Der mangler lige de sidste småting omkring et par spillere men det kommer.
Vi lander kl. 14.30 d. 15. august i Kastrup, skal pakke hele min lejlighed på 3 timer, tilbage til lufthavnen efter en hemmelighed..:0) derefter til fødselsdag for til slut at køre hele redeligheden til Odense til den nye lejlighed. Alt sammen en lynstart på det hele for sæsonen starter for mit vedkommende 17. august med spillermøde og træning. Mizuno har dog haft holdet i træning ugen forinden, så det er kun os der er lidt forsinket.
Beachvolley
Jeg har forsøgt mit bedste for at følge lidt med online, og jeg er glad for at mit bud på at det bliver til Guld for Pia og Mette stadig er inden for rækkevidde. Men mon ikke Karin&Majken, Sanne&Dyhr og Stine&Lotte har andre ideer.. :0) og en lille outsider i Krøyer&Roe som ser ud til at have fundet formen på det rette tidspunkt.
Herresiden har set lidt kedelig ud synes jeg. Jeg har dog ikke set kampene hvor jeg altid har nydt at se Lyø'erne, Martens, Mayland, Siig og Teis. Men det ser ud som om Anders og Bo sidder tykt på den trone. Og hvor er det fantastisk at følge deres resultater internationalt. Godt gået gutter...
Jeg lover en holdpræsentation inden 20. august, og jeg garanterer et par overraskelser..
Fortsat god sommer.. "There is no I in team, but there is more than one T in I am gonna take it to spiketown.."
2 måneder væk fra Dansk volley er formentlig det længste jeg har prøvet i mere end 10 år, men det har bestemt ikke betydet at tingene i Fortuna har ligget stille. Første del af min ferie gik med at Meli og Karen skiftede til Holte, hvilket naturligvis efterlod et par huller at fylde, og som det så ud var der ikke eftertagere i klubbens talentfulde ungdom til lige at springe ind i en start 6'er. Det har betydet at vi har kigget udenlandsk for at finde forstærkninger, og det ser ud som om vi er ved at være på plads, jeg vil dog undlade at komme med det endelige hold til min hjemkomst 15. august. Der mangler lige de sidste småting omkring et par spillere men det kommer.
Vi lander kl. 14.30 d. 15. august i Kastrup, skal pakke hele min lejlighed på 3 timer, tilbage til lufthavnen efter en hemmelighed..:0) derefter til fødselsdag for til slut at køre hele redeligheden til Odense til den nye lejlighed. Alt sammen en lynstart på det hele for sæsonen starter for mit vedkommende 17. august med spillermøde og træning. Mizuno har dog haft holdet i træning ugen forinden, så det er kun os der er lidt forsinket.
Beachvolley
Jeg har forsøgt mit bedste for at følge lidt med online, og jeg er glad for at mit bud på at det bliver til Guld for Pia og Mette stadig er inden for rækkevidde. Men mon ikke Karin&Majken, Sanne&Dyhr og Stine&Lotte har andre ideer.. :0) og en lille outsider i Krøyer&Roe som ser ud til at have fundet formen på det rette tidspunkt.
Herresiden har set lidt kedelig ud synes jeg. Jeg har dog ikke set kampene hvor jeg altid har nydt at se Lyø'erne, Martens, Mayland, Siig og Teis. Men det ser ud som om Anders og Bo sidder tykt på den trone. Og hvor er det fantastisk at følge deres resultater internationalt. Godt gået gutter...
Jeg lover en holdpræsentation inden 20. august, og jeg garanterer et par overraskelser..
Fortsat god sommer.. "There is no I in team, but there is more than one T in I am gonna take it to spiketown.."
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