Elite Eight

Quarterfinals today. Last meaningful games. All the winners qualify and the losers are done until 2016. Hungary had an easy game, that's 1. Hungary had a ton of fans and they were awesome. Wasn't a close game but they were loud and crazy the whole time. After the game, the Hungarian players swam over to take a bow and thank the fans. The fans cheered to a roar as the girls bowed and they soaked it up by holding it for a few extra seconds. So cool to see the appreciation (Rumor was that the fans were actually there for a 1st division hockey game in Slovenia which is right next door and came by for the polo after. Regardless, they were awesome).

Canada lost to Russia in a great game. Canada kind of got hosed by the Romanian ref. That's 2.

Spain beat Greece and that means the defending world champs are out. Spain is definitely up and coming. Really talented and one of my favorite teams to watch here. That's 3.

Italy beat the Netherlands and that was kind of a shame. Holland was better but we're in Italy. Holland is good and their players are really well coached. That means the defending gold medalists are also out of the Olympics. That's 4 and with the USA, Australia, China and England, we have our Olympic field. So tough to see the highs an lows today. Total joy for the winners and total agony in the defeat suffered by the losers. What a crazy day. I am stoked for the teams that qualified but really feel for the teams that came up short.

After the games we went back to Peperino with Adam, Giuseppe, Greg and Ryan (Australian coaches) and had a great dinner to end the trip. I'm off in the morning with a long trip ahead. Trieste->Munich->London->San Francisco->LAX. Wish me luck, see you soon.

Thumbs up Trieste. Here's to the next step.... London! Less than 100 days....

Photo 1: reflection of the pool building in the glass next door
Photo 2: Hungary being cheered on and congratulated by their huge fan base after the game.
Photo 3: the piazza at night
Photos 4&5: dinner. Loved it

Almost there

Big day today. Woke up to the awesome news that My Hens beat CMS on Senior Night. So proud of the team and stoked for Annie and Perri that they came up so big in their last game at Haldeman.

Prelims finished today with some interesting and surprising results. Winners of the following quarterfinal games will each earn a spot in the Olympics. No pressure. Hungary v Kazakhstan (basically guaranteeing Hungary a spot in the Olympics), Italy v The Netherlands, Russia v Canada and Greece v Spain. Anything can happen. Looking forward to some intense games tomorrow.

Had a good dinner tonight. Met up with the coaches from Australia. They're good people and it's been good to get to know them.

That's it tonight. One more day of games for me then marathon flight plan home Saturday.

Thumbs up for the Sagehens and amazing seniors Annie and Perri.

Photo: pizza from dinner. Prosciutto, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, tomatoes. Pretty good.

Meat and Potatoes

Pretty big day for the tournament. Russia beat Spain on a last second direct shot to win the first game and pretty high energy but also kind of crazy game between Italy and Hungary which Italy won. That makes a 4-way tie in group A. Tomorrow will decide it all. Then quarter finals Friday. Should be exciting to see how it all shapes up.

After, we went to dinner with Aaron, a friend of Kelly Rulon's who grew up in Trieste and now plays polo there. Went to a German style beer pub. The food was incredible, sausage, pork, potato dumplings, good beer.... Was a nice change of pace from the pasta and pizza, not that I'm complaining.

Thumbs up for meat and potatoes.

Photo 1: cool deco on one of the local buildings. Not to mention the guy with the accordion.
Photo 2: the competition pool.
Photo 3: dinner
Photo 4: beer
Photo 5: local regulars get to keep their mug on tap at the restaurant. Locked up until you need that beer after a long day or even to jump start your day.

Anything can happen

Sorry no pics today. The games were not what I was expecting at all. Greece beat Canada 10-2. Canada missed a ton of shots but they also fell apart when Greece got a couple calls. Hungary kept up with Russia's counter and outshot them in the end to win. Italy lost to Spain which I didn't think was possible in Italy. Italy had their chances but couldn't convert and the NZL ref made a huge call at the end that cost Italy a chance to tie in the last 30 secs. The Dutch coach who is Italian was joking that the NZL ref didn't understand the program, delete him from the lists haha.

Had a great dinner with Adam and Giuseppe. Straight up Italian (or at least what I would expect) with a mozzarella tomato & greens salad. Everything was really fresh and of course tasted great. The pasta and the wine were good. Love the food here.

Quick day, couple more big games tomorrow, Italy v Hungary and Spain v Russia. If Italy and Russia win, there will be a 4 way tie for first in the group. Could make for an interesting finish.

Thumbs up for fresh mozzarella and thumbs up for upsets.

Piazzas and Pizza

Solid first day. Good breakfast at the hotel. Three large glasses of OJ. Walked the area around the hotel, it's a beautiful city right on the water.

Walke to the pool for the second day of games, first important game of the tournament ended in a 11-11 tie between Canada and the Netherlands.

Walked back from the pool and went to dinner at a place called Peperino owned by a former water polo player. Great food.

Three big games tomorrow. Thumbs up for Piazzas and Pizzas.

Photo 1: view of the city from the pier
Photo 2: man killing it with the muscles on the pier. Mmm muscles.
Photo 3: the pool
Photo 4: the main Piazza Unità D'Italia
Photo 5: view of the water from the Piazza.
Photo 6: at Peperino I saw this USAWP flag which was signed by our Women's Junior National Team when they played at Junior Worlds last summer. So cool to see that.

Trieste

First trip to Italy. Was quite the trip. Ontario to SF on a tiny little plane. 11hr flight from SF to Munich. Middle seat of course. Got into a pretty epic arm rest war with the guy in the aisle seat. Wasn't about to give that up if I had to sit bitch for half a day. Took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, driver was nuts but incredibly efficient. Must be a retired F1 driver. Man can move in that minivan. The hotel is great, right off one of the piazzas off the water. Old building but newly renovated interior, glass stairs (Apple Store) and artwork all over like an art studio.

Thumbs up from The Boot (even though Trieste isn't in the boot at all)

Photo 1: first stamp in the new passport
Photo 2: guess what's in the bag? A baby! Cool design but not so sure about safety....
Photos 3&4: prop plane from Munich to Trieste. Tiny, loud. Not too bad but if you hate flying it would be really tough (Westcott)