Montreal - Yet Again

The AkiSphere 2010, presented by AKIQ

Thanks Aki Quebec!  I stole a link to your flash vid to liven up my post and I can’t figure a way yet to link it from the embedded flash itself .

Now for the post…

I’ve said it many times before.  Probably every time I’ve attended a Montreal tournament and lived to write about it.  But don’t simply expect to get out alive.  If the competition doesn’t get you then the city just might.

Make no mistake though, it will be worth it.

If you consider yourself a net player then you must attend the Montreal summer event.  If not every summer then every other.  Figure out a way to make it happen and then make it happen again.

This year was the 2nd installment of the The AkiSphere, officially titled The AkiSphere 2010, presented by AKIQ.  However, Yves Archambault and his partner in crime of the time, Martin Cote, started this whole Quebec summer tournament scene some 20 years ago.  It’s not a grand stage.  It’s a simple venue.  Basically, invite some friends who happen to be kick ass net players, setup some nets in Parc La Fontaine, deliberate over the seeding (and basically get it right), draw up the brackets, and GO!

Of course, come finals day - line a center court, bring in a sound system and some banners, organize a staff of judges and downtime entertainment, and then let the players set, yet again, a new standard for quality of play in this no budget yet highly competitive sport!

4 of the 13 teams had a legitimate shot to win the doubles event.  From the semi final matches through to the championship and including the bronze metal match, all of them were highly entertaining if not epic!

First up on Championship Sunday was the #2 seeded Gilles Demers and Francois Depatie-Pelletier against the #3 seeded Team Chemistry - Ben Rochon and Jean Francios Lemeaux!  Gilles and Frank won in straight sets 15-12, 15-12 but the match was a bit closer than the score.

Next up, it was the no. 1 seeded Chaos #3, PT Lovern, and Montreal/Chaos #27, Emmanuel Bouchard VS the number 4 seeded Chaos #2, Jack Harris, and Chaos #25, Jeremy Mirken.  Most of the crowd expected a lop-sided result for PT and Manu.  They were heavily favored.  However, Jack and Jeremy showed everyone they well deserved the stage come showtime and they pushed the defending champions to 12 in both sets.  Most notably, jumping out to a 7-1 lead in game two only to relinquish it to the 2008 and 2009 Montreal champions.

Hence, the stage was set for a highly anticipated title match between the no. 1 and 2 seeded teams.  The rally of the day was won by PT and Manu in game 3 with two incredible digs followed by an total kill.  First Manu got under a murderous sweep from Franky and then PT did the same from the same.  Each dig was a perfect 5’ high bump, followed by a juicy set, and while the first impressive answer from Manu was dug (seemingly effortlessly), PT saw a picture perfect set from Manu to which he could do nothing if not absolutely murder it… sunback… boo ya!  The war, however, went to Gilles and Franky in 3 sets - 15-13, 13-15, 15-13.  There were many amazing rallies including several side out duels that seemed to go on forever.  GThe crowd grew and stayed for the entire match. Why not?  How could you leave once you caught a glimpse and dared to sit and watch.  It was simply epic.

Somehow, following the doubles final Franky managed to challenge JF in the singles final.  Well, I’m not quite sure if that’s the best way to describe it.  JF took game one 15-1 and it looked like the long hot intense weekend had taken from Franky any motivation for a fight.  Then, he answered JF in game two, um, 15-1… wha?!?!  Yes, seriously!  In the end JF’s experience was the difference and he finished off the doubles champion 15-12 in game 3.

For the bronze metal - CHAOS!  Our boyz, Jack and Jer, yes… Chaos #2 to the twoFive, notched perhaps their biggest victory yet while defeating the current Green Cup champions, Ben Rochon and JF Lemieax, in straight sets 16-14, 15-12.  Jack and Jer jumped out to a… 2-11 deficit in game one?  Yes, but only to come back and win that.  I mean no disrespect to Team Chemistry.  Chaos’s jubilation is a result of how this highly this team is regarded.

On behalf of all Team Chaos I thank Gilles Demers, Luc Legault, Martin Cote, and the entire staff of the AkiSphere!  You were great hosts and ran a solid event.  We’ll never forget it and will surely return.

Before then, we’ll see you at The 2010 Green Cup, presented by Chaos, and The 2010 World Footbag Championships!

Ciao

Here’s a link to an interview Gilles took part in on some Montreal News affiliate…
http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/rdi_week_end/2009-2010/Entrevue.asp?idDoc=114315&autoPlay=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radio-canada.ca%2FMedianet%2F2010%2FRDI2%2FRDIEnDirectMatinWeekend201007040800_3.asx

Black Monday: Phoenix 2010

Chaos Domination Tour

Chaos #25 and his loot from the fiery Phoenix

Once again Amy hosted a great net event in Arizona (Thanks Amy!).  The field was small but deep, with players from Memphis, Oakland, San Francisco and Portland.  While the rest of the country was deluged with rain and snow, a patch of sun opened up over Phoenix for the season’s first throw-down.

Sunday was an exhausting day of doubles competition: Pools, Quarters and Semis.  The first semi-final was a re-match of last year’s finalists.  This time Chaos prevailed over Chaos/NPR in 2 sets.  The second semi-final was a Chaos vs. Memphis matchup.  Memphis surprised everyone, dragging Chaos’ finest into a 3rd set.  As the sun set over the arid desert, PT and Eric pulled down their blast shields and forced their way to victory.

Thus the doubles final was a repeat of last week’s tourney in Oakland:  Jeremy Mirken and Jack Harris vs. PT Lovern and Eric Wulff.  In a shocking coincidence, all four players showed up Monday wearing the same outfit, a variation on the ‘little black cocktail dress’.  PT and Eric pulled to an early lead in the first game, but Jack and Jeremy fought their way back, ultimately defeating the #1 seed in 2 sets.

In singles Chris Siebert and Jeremy Mirken battled it out in 3 sets.  Jeremy took the first set, but Chris dug in and ultimately prevailed.  Grueling, brutal, exhausting.  Need I say more?  Chaos is pushing for rally scoring (no side-outs) for singles only at tournaments.  Think about it.

Doubles Results:
Jack Harris / Jeremy Mirken
PT Lovern / Eric Wulff
Chris Siebert / Tuan Vu
Walt Houston / Ben Alston

Singles Results:
Chris Siebert
Jeremy Mirken
Walt Houston
Jack Harris

For complete results, check footbag.org.

Other Highlights:
Walt and Ben are on the verge of cracking the top ranks.  In pool play they took Jeremy and Jack to 3 sets, then repeated that feat in their semi-final against PT and Eric.

Sucky Brad has arrived on the singles scene (look out ladies!).  Mr. Williams pulled an upset in his pool, and later defeated Ben Alston in the first consolation round.  Max points were once again awarded to our very own boy toy.

Despite all the hype, their was no nipple exchange between Walt and Jeremy.  Jeremy was rebuffed on a technicality, and the Suckremony’s MC Sucky Brad was left holding the mic.

For The Green Cup - You Tube Playlist

Thanks to Tuan - Chaos #7 - Vu, the entire match ‘For The Green Cup’ is now on youtube.  Since youtube limits the size of each clip, there are several for each game.  Each clip is also separately linked from this blog or you can view the playlist linked here.  Enjoy!

For The Green Cup - 2008 - YouTube

For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1A

Patick Schrickel, Chaos #8, and Florian Goetze VS PT Lovern, Chaos #3, and Emmanuel Bouchard.  One of the great all time matches.  Especially game one.  Enjoy!

Thanks to Tuan Vu, Chaos #7, for processing the video asap!  Now, For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1A

For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1B

Patick Schrickel, Chaos #8, and Florian Goetze VS PT Lovern, Chaos #3, and Emmanuel Bouchard.  One of the great all time matches.  Especially game one.  Enjoy!

Thanks to Tuan Vu, Chaos #7, for processing the video asap!  Now, For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1B

For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1C

Patick Schrickel, Chaos #8, and Florian Goetze VS PT Lovern, Chaos #3, and Emmanuel Bouchard.  One of the great all time matches.  Especially game one.  Enjoy!

Thanks to Tuan Vu, Chaos #7, for processing the video asap!  Now, For The Green Cup - 2008 - Game 1C