Author: fir

New for 2018 is the Champion’s League second division, which will feature 4 teams who will play each other twice, once in Sweden and once in Germany. Due to player constraints, the format has been modified, each squad features 4 players, 3 men and 1 lady, with a fixture constituting 2 x Men’s singles, 1 x Mixed doubles, 1 x Men’s Doubles and 1 x Ladies singles. All four franchises selected their squads back in January after the conclusion of the Division 1 draft. Here we will introduce you to the new teams in this division, their squads and their captain’s opinions on all things Division 2.

 

iPro London 2 – Captain: Johnny Bispham (b)

Squad: Jordan Dainty (s), Frank Kleiber (g), Lindsay Johnson-Farge (b)

Few know more on the statistical likelihoods of results in Racketlon than Johnny Bispham, who favours cold hard mathematics over gut feeling. Having aided iPro London captain Duncan Stahl ahead of the draft in 2017, he was the logical choice to captain iPro London 2 in 2018. Johnny’s draft strategy was to select the strongest players available for each leg ahead of picking players who could play both events his desire for detail evening seeing him run a “mock” draft, during which he correctly selected 11 of the 12 players drafted and placed 9 of those 11 players in their correct sides.

Looking ahead to the competition and Johnny was very happy with how it all went, he expects Berlin to be the toughest challenge in Sweden while Malta will come to the fore in Germany. However, Johnny is not daunted. He fully expects iPro London 2 to win Division 2 winning “5 matches out of 6”. Should Johnny be so confident (or should we say cocky?). In this authors view, looking at his squad, his male line up in Sweden looks very strong, it was a surprise to some that Jordan Dainty wasn’t snapped up by a Division 1 side for Sweden, while Frank Kleiber makes for a great replacement in Germany. Much may depend on Lindsay Johnson-Farge, who faces a tough job against Jenny Schmitz and Dara Ladner, but if she can steal a few vital points, that could be all iPro London 2 need.

 

Berlin Berghain Boasters 2 – Captain: Jenny Schmitz (b)

Squad: Jean Michot (b), Tobias Hausen (g), Christofer Hellberg (s)

The Triple B2’s enter this event fully confident that they will dominate the fifth discipline or ‘the bar’ as it is known in common parlance (Surely these crack athletes are all responsible adults and therefore teetotal???? – Ed). However, they are a side who are not just here to make up the numbers. While she missed out on picking her dream squad in the draft, captain Jenny was able to secure the services of one player from her wish-list and is overall very happy with the team she has. In agreement with the assessment of her rival, Johnny Bispham, she expects to be a comparatively stronger side in Sweden, but has pleasantly heard that Tobias Hausen is practising hard and will be in great shape come the German leg. Jenny is however keeping her cards close to her chest, and while she concedes that she expects the Triple B2’s to be competing, she is unwilling to declare an overall winner of Division 2.

In this authors view, it is clear that the Swedish leg is vital for the Triple B2’s, the likely singles rubber between Dainty and Hellberg in the London vs Berlin fixture may well decide who leads after the first leg. Perhaps the crucial factor will be the form and fitness of their captain Jenny Schmitz. Rumours abound of recent injury troubles hindering her preparations for Sweden, and that will be massive for the Triple B2’s, as a fully fit Jenny is by far and away the dominate lady in Division 2.

 

Malta Magic 2 – Captain: Michael Skytte Pedersen (b)

Squad: Thomas Olsen (b), Heli Makela/Tanya Omlin (s/g), Hans Van Daele (g)

Captain Michael had the advantage but also pressure of first pick in the draft and certainly that position had weighed on his mind in the days running up to the first pick. It was a surprise to some (certainly Mr Bispham), that he opted for Thomas Olsen as his opening pick. For Michael this was entirely tactical: “On drafting day I changed my mind, from Heli Makela/Tanya Omlin, and instead picked Thomas Olsson. I knew this would leave Jenny and Dara in a very tough position, since they both had to pick a male player to play both events.”. Having seized some initiative away from his competitors, Michael feels that he had a very good draft, “I blocked Jenny & Dara’s first pick and as a bonus confused Johnny”. Looking ahead to his chances, Michael is very frank, “We are clearly comparatively stronger in Germany, especially when compared to London and Berlin teams for Sweden”. As a result, Michael goes to Sweden with low expectations, confident that his team can turn it on in the second leg in Germany. As for the final result, well Michael is backing only one winner, Malta Magic 2, however he does reserve praise for rival Dara Ladner from the Swiss Army Knives 2 “Dara had a really good, and clever draft, picking Fredrik Tor Groth for Sweden, Markus Klement for Germany and Graham King to play both events – I think she and her team will perform really well and come in second, to Malta Magic 2 of course!”

It is a different captaincy style to that of Johnny Bispham, but to this author it is apparent that Michael has put a lot of thought into his draft picks and his strategy. While they are not the favourite for the Sweden leg, they could pose a real danger in leg 2 in Germany. However, I do fear that they will be leaving themselves too much to do, unless they can grab an underdog victory in Sweden against either Berlin or London.

 

Swiss Army Knives 2 – Captain: Dara Ladner (b)

Squad: Markus Klement (g), Frederik Tor Groth (s), Graham King (b)

It was not such an advantage for Dara Ladner, as by her own admission, the first two picks almost destroyed her whole plan. However for the Swiss it still ended up ok, Dara admitting “I was surprised I was able to get Markus Klement, but in the end I got three players who were high up on my list”. Dara like her fellow captains is aware of the differences between the teams across each leg is really looking forward to playing everyone twice. Much like Malta Magic 2, Dara considers herself to be stronger in the second leg in Germany, however she reserves the right to be positive for the opening leg in Sweden, “Fredrik Groth has had some good results and will be good for us Sweden and of course no one should underestimate Graham King”.

Much like their Maltese counterparts, the Swiss Army Knives 2 look better set up for the second leg in Germany. Much will ride on the performance of Frederik Groth in Sweden, but also Dara herself, in particular her matchup against Berlin captain Jenny Schmitz. While this author does not see the Swiss winning Division 2, they are certainly going to cause a few headaches and I can see them dealing the decisive blow to either Berlin or London’s title charge in the second leg in Germany.

 

Now, the talking is all over and the action shifts to the courts in Sweden, this Friday, 23rd February. A new division, a modified format, which team will adjust best and get themselves ahead during Leg 1? To see how it is going keep an eye on the FIR Facebook page for updates throughout the day of competition and on Racketlon.net for a report on events next week.

 

James Pope
UK Racketlon

The 2018 Champion’s League kicks off with a vengeance this Friday (23rd February) at the Swedish Open, but what can we expect in the 2018 edition? iPro London begin as the reigning champions, but they face seven rival teams eager to end their run.  Before the fixtures were revealed, I spoke to all the captains, to get their views on what they have learned since 2017, their squads and who they think will be the champions in 2018.

Learning from Experience

“You need plans A, B, C and also D, that is what I have learned” says iPro London captain Duncan Stahl when he considers the draft.  In fact, among our returning captains there was agreement that they have learned the experience of the 2017 draft, but mainly the experience of the Champion’s League itself.  Copenhagen captain, Morten Jaksland identifies that the draft is only half of a captain’s job, “There are many “surprise” results in this format, but I think that many of these surprises are actually good captaincy, selecting the right line up”.  For Lukas Windischberger, captain of the C&C Racketlonshop Austria side, it is the playing that is crucial.  “It is really physical to play these team matches, 3 or even 4 in a day, so I see having a substitute as crucial to a good line up”.  It was a similar idea for Malta Magic captain, Kresten Hougaard, who went into the draw with a focus on Germany, “I wanted and got a strong team in Germany, so long as we sneak points in Sweden, we can be title contenders”.  It isn’t just the experience of captaincy that is helping our returning captains, but also their support networks, Amke Fischer delighted that older members of the Berlin Berghain Boasters family were on hand to lend their views.  “It is so much easier for a captain now that we have a support compared to last year, Thorsten (Lentfer), Conny (Rademacher) and Jack (Bishop), instead of being on my own!”.  For another captain, the focus was simply on building the team in the right image, King of Rackets captain, Lieselot de Bleeckere was focussed on her key idea, team spirit.  “I only looked for players who would ‘fit’ in our side and its attitude”.  Obviously, two of our captains, Anna-Klara Ahlmer of the Swedish Vikings and Benny Hampl of the Swiss Army Knives, had no prior experience coming into the draft.  Despite this neither captain was just guessing, both had plans, Benny focussing on stamina and a Racketlon specific quality, “the love of Racketlon, and therefore that ability to keeping fighting no matter what”.

 

Making their Picks!

Experience and planning are all very well, however, there are 7 other unpredictable factors in the draw, namely your fellow captains! With captains also able to retain players from 2017, the balance of what was required by each team was different in comparison to the 2017 draft.  Perhaps the main headache for captains was the availability of their retained players, the Swiss Army Knives and KoR both needed players available for both legs and that impacted on their draw choices.  Benny Hampl was however pleased with what he came out with, “Selecting Ed (Harvey) and Stine (Jacobson) means I have achieved my aims of a strong player for both events and an excellent lady for Sweden”.  It was easier for KoR captain Lieselot, she stuck close to home and went in for her brother, Pieter.  “I was happy I could select my brother for our home town team, and he is pleased to, not that he will admit it!”.  For most of our captains however, it was simply a case of selecting the best players they could for each leg, however some were posed with some new problems, Morten retained the services of Zuzka Severinova for Copenhagen, however with her unavailable in Sweden, he did face the new headache of selecting a lady for Sweden, “thankfully, I had the possibility to select Jo Shelley”.  Across our captains, none comes across as more pleased with his or her work than Lukas, delighted to have his squad of fellow Austrians, “I get to see these players regularly and we can build a real team spirit”.  Lukas was also the captain who has maybe gambled on the form of the returning Thorsten Deck, “I’ve known Thorsten a long time and I am delighted to see him back in Racketlon and in my side”.  For Malta Magic, Kresten was the cat who got the cream, “(Jörn) Sültrop was an absolute steal in the draft, especially as I was picking seventh, a mistake from some of my fellow captains”.  Beyond his German pick, the Malta based Dane is taking a very Danish side to Sweden, and is very confident with it.  Amke left delighted with her picks, principally opening pick Elmar Schaub, “Elmar was my favourite choice, great racket skills and a team player who fits perfectly into the BBB family”.  With her blank slate, Anna-Klara is setting a tone for the Swedish Vikings, “I focussed on creating a team with young and upcoming players”.  Finally, the ever sanguine, iPro London captain, Duncan simply mused “We are going to be a nightmare to play against”.

 

But who is going to win?

No captain felt they had missed out in the draw, but with what they had assembled where did they see their team finishing? Despite them all being pleased with their draft work, none of them are able to suggest anything other than an iPro London victory and a successful title defence in 2018.  But can iPro London handle this pressure?  More intriguingly, 5 captains (Amke, Kresten, Lieselot, Lukas and Morten) all see their side being strong enough to finish on the podium.  Given they all see iPro London winning, that leaves 5 teams scrapping for 2 spots in what could be incredible for this season’s Champion’s League and the second leg in Germany.  In the Most Valued Player competition, few captains can see past Natalie Paul also retaining her title from 2017, although Lieselot expects her brother to perform “or he is out again for next year”.  There is pressure everywhere you look at the 2018 Champion’s League!

Now, the talking is all over and the action shifts to the courts in Sweden, this Friday, 23rd February.  Will iPro London get off to the flying start they need to defend their title or will they be left clutching at thin air? To see how it is going keep an eye on the FIR Facebook page for updates throughout the day of competition and on Racketlon.net for a report on events next week.

 

James Pope
UK Racketlon

The Champion’s League returns for 2018 and following on with the same format as in 2017, Division 1 will feature 8 teams playing over two legs, the first at the Swedish Open (23 rd February) and the second at the German Open (3 rd August). Each team plays 7 matches, 3 in Sweden and 4 in Germany, playing each side once. In 2017, a full draft was undertaken, with each side selecting 5 players, however for 2018 each team captain could retain two players (plus themselves as captain) from their 2017 side before three picks were made. As a reminder, each squad requires a minimum of 3 men and 1 lady in both Sweden and Germany.

While we review the final picks for each team below, anyone who wishes, can re-watch the Live Draft Show, hosted by Dave Ridout, Jack Bishop and Alex Du Noyer from their secret London studio. But without further ado, let’s meet our 2018 teams, starting with defending champions, iPro London.

iPro London – Captain: Duncan Stahl (b) – 2017 Position: 1 st

Retained: Natalie Paul (b), Christian Wiessner (b)
Drafted: Rene Lindberg (s), Steffen Neumann (g), Max Plettenberg (g)

Overview

It was no surprise that 2017 champions iPro London retained the services of Natalie Paul, after she topped the MVP (Most Valuable Player) listings for the 2017 event, winning 83% of available singles points and 89% of available doubles points. With their second retained player Christian Wiessner also able to play both events, iPro London entered the draft in the luxurious position of needing just a man for Sweden and Germany. Duncan opted for Rene Lindberg who will be available in Sweden, considered by our expert panel to be the strongest man available for only Sweden, while in Germany they will add the talents of Steffen Neumann and Max Plettenberg to the squad. Duncan has used his retained players duel-leg availability to ensure he has cover for the tougher second weekend, an edge on many of the teams.

 

King of Rackets – Captain: Lieselot de Bleeckere (b) – 2017 Position: 2nd

Retained: Jesper Hougaard (s), Jörg Kanonenberg (g)
Drafted: Pieter de Bleeckere (b), Markus Borg (b), Jussi Nevanlinna (s)

Overview

It was to some mild amusement that captain Lieselot left brother Pieter untouched in the 2017 draft, due to him being unavailable in Sweden. Pieter instead ended up at iPro London part of the team that pipped his sister to the title. For 2018, Lieselot dived straight in for her brother as the first draft pick and secured the services of a highly versatile player. With her retained players Jesper Hougaard and Jörg Kanonenberg split between Sweden and Germany, Lieselot opted to draft players who were available for both weekends to secure her team, Markus Borg joining her first pick Pieter in the side. Her final pick, Jussi Nevanlinna means she has bucked the trend of many captains and opted to strengthen her side in Sweden. In 2017, KoR were behind iPro London from the start, so it is fair to assume that in 2018, Lieselot wants options in Sweden to try and get her nose in front from the beginning.

 

C&C Racketlonshop Union Austria – Captain: Lukas Windischberger (b) – 2017 Position: 3 rd

Retained: Hans Sherpa (b), Julia Pabisch (b)
Drafted: Thorsten Deck (g), Roland Pichler (b), Graham Cain (s)

Overview

As in 2017, Lukas has stuck with an Austrian core to the side, the world number 1 will be joined by compatriots Roland Pichler, Julia Pabisch and the rapidly improving Hans Sherpa in both Sweden and Germany. In the build up to hosting the 2017 European Championships, the Austrians trained hard and that showed at the recent Vienna Classics, perhaps driving Lukas’ strategy. Joining them in Sweden will be Graham Cain whilst in Germany the team will be joined by Thorsten Deck, returning to the sport after a few years away. There was intrigue around which captain would gamble on his form and fitness on the return, and it was Lukas, looking to add a potential big gun to his side for the crucial Germany leg. Lukas will be on the only captain with the luxury of a spare player in both Sweden and Germany, thanks to the availability of his Austrian core at both legs of the Champion’s League. In such a close event, could that be crucial?

 

Copenhagen – Captain: Morten Jaksland (b) – 2017 Position: 4 th

Retained: Loic Cencig (b), Zuzka Severinova (g)
Drafted: Dan Busby (g), Jo Shelley (s), Jacob Steinmetz (s)

Overview

With a team able to win 3388 points across the Champion’s League, it was gutting for Copenhagen to fall short of the podium by 4 points in 2017, Morten himself just 5 points short of being the MVP. For 2018 the Copenhagen side will be looking to go a step or two better. Copenhagen’s retained players, Loic Cencig and Zuzka Severinova will also be keen to set their 2017 record straight. Into the draft and Morten quickly went in for Dan Bubsy, who will miss Sweden, but will come in for Germany, hoping the Brit can keep his recent good form going and do some damage in the crucial second leg. Morten also swooped in for another Brit, Jo Shelley as his lady for Sweden and completes his line up with Jacob Steinmetz in Sweden. With his picks, there will be minimal flexibility for Morten, availability meaning that his team will be well known in advance for opposing captains.

 

Malta Magic – Captain: Kresten Hougaard (b) – 2017 Position: 5 th

Retained: Christian Wall (b), Hannah Boden (g)
Drafted: Jörn Sültrup (g), Michael Sorenson (s), Stine Krogsoe (b)

Overview

In 2017, President Hougaard went for youth in the shape of Piers Boden and Alistair Prades before leading from the front, himself. No player won more singles points, than Kresten’s 264 (86%) in the 2017 edition. Kresten has retained the services of Hannah Boden, as he sticks to trend of favouring the rising stars of the sport. However, more importantly, the retention of Christian Wall for both events will enable Kresten to rely on a strong core to the side. Stine Krogsoe comes in as his lady for Sweden, although her availability for both events gives Kresten some cover and options. The team will be completed by Jörn Sültrup in Germany and Michael Sorenson in Sweden. Malta were the “best of the rest” in 2017 finishing in fifth, however they were also the only side to defeat champions iPro London. Kresten will be exceptionally keen to go further in 2018, certainly they look in excellent shape for the second leg in Germany.

 

Berlin Berghain Boasters – Captain: Amke Fischer (b) – 2017 Position: 6 th

Retained: Thorsten Lentfer (b), Cornelius Rademacher (b)
Drafted: Elmar Schaub (g), Kristian Jorgensen (s), Jimmy Tay (s)

Overview

The “Triple B’s” were off the pace in 2017, and one can only imagine in 2018 that captain Amke will be keen for a stronger showing. With Thorsten Lentfer and Cornelius Rademacher retained for both events, Amke darted in for her first draft pick, Elmar Schaub. Elmar, available in Germany, was something of an unknown pick to our expert panel, bar some inside knowledge provided by the ever-verbose Callum Reid: “Yeah, he’s good”. Thanks for that Callum…. With Elmar secured, Amke needed men for Sweden and she pitched for Kristian Jorgensen and Jimmy Tay. Similar to KoR, Amke has more options in Sweden, but with three players in the side for both events, there should be stability for the Triple B’s.

 

Swiss Army Knives – Captain: Benny Hampl (b) – 2017 Position 8 th

Retained: Alex Du Noyer (s), Korbinian Heim (g), Silke Altmann (g)
Drafted: Ed Harvey (b), Stine Jacobson (s)

Overview

Benny Hampl comes in as captain for the Swiss Army Knives replacing Nicole Eisler & Astrid Reimer-Kern. As a result of the duel-captains from last year, the Knives were allowed to retain 3 players, but would only get to pick in the first two rounds of the draft. Having downloaded the results of the last 2 years from FIR Tournament Software (with help from UK Racketlon rankings officer, Richard Boreham), Benny opted to retain Alex Du Noyer for Sweden while in Germany he can call on the services of Korbinian Heim and Silke Altmann. With only two picks, Benny snaffled Ed Harvey for his first pick in the Champions League. Ed, the “Nugget” as he is known in UK circles, is available for both events therefore he confirmed Benny’s male line up. His final pick was for Stine Jacobson, who will be his lady for Sweden, and the Knives join the ranks of the teams whose team selections are known in advance for both events. The Knives claimed the wooden spoon in 2017, but for them the only way is up (surely?)

 

Swedish Vikings – Captain: Anna-Klara Ahlmer (g) – New Franchise

Retained: Luka Pentinnen (b), Malte Thyegod (b)
Drafted: Cedric Junillon (g), Jesper Vangkilde (s), Dianne Baker (s)

Overview

A new captain, Anna-Klara Ahlmer, for a new franchise, the Swedish Vikings replacing the Helsinki Hawks for 2018. Anna-Klara opted to retain the services of Luka Pentinnen and Malta Thyegod with both gents available for both events she entered the draft with a strong core of players. She quickly plundered the services of Cedric Junillon for Germany, while Jesper Vangkilde and Dianne Baker will complete the team in Sweden. Anna-Klara herself, will be in the captain’s chair for both events, but will not be fully fit in time to lead her team in the home leg. While the Vikings may start at home, you have to feel that their side will be stronger pillaging on foreign soil in the second leg in Germany.

 

Expert Review

There are lots of names and a few idle theories from myself, but for a more detailed assessment of the implications of this draft, we turn to Johnny Bispham. “I make iPro London the strong favourites and fully expect them to retain their title. With Stahl, Paul and Wiessner available for both weekends, they have a strong spine to their team. I don’t expect it to be entirely plain sailing, there are in my eyes two strong challengers to iPro London for the 2018 title, Copenhagen and C&C Racketlonshop Union Austria. The Austrian’s have in their captain, Lukas, the best player in the competition, plus with Hans Sherpa’s improvement over the past 12 months they have a good core for both legs. Perhaps crucial for the Austrian’s is the performance of Thorsten Deck in Germany, if he is the player he was a few years ago, the Austrian’s will be certainly in the hunt. As a team however, only Copenhagen appear to have the firepower to stop iPro London, particularly in Germany with a Jaksland, Busby and Cencig male line up supported by the ever improving Severinova.

At the other end of the table, I sadly see it as a long season for two teams, the Swiss Army Knives and debutants, the Swedish Vikings. A lot rides on the Vikings young star, Luka Pentinnen who will lead the side in Sweden. While Cedric Junillon will strengthen the side in Germany, the key question will be on the form of captain Anna-Klara Ahlmer also in Germany as she recovers from injury. They will be aiming at the Swiss Army Knives to avoid the wooden spoon. The knives lost the majority of their stars from 2017 and face an uphill struggle in 2018, the first leg in Sweden will be crucial for their final placing.”

There you have the teams for Division 1 of the 2018 Champion’s League. With few players available for both legs this season, a number of teams will be reliant on two separate squads and that clearly impacted on the retention and draft choices. The trend seems to be for teams stacking their decks for Germany, only KoR and the Triple B’s have bucked that trend. New for 2018 will be Division 2, with a likely format of 4 teams playing each other twice (once at each leg). The draft for these teams will occur later this week and Racketlon.net and the Racketlon Facebook page will bring you all you need to know on those teams.

 

James Pope
UK Racketlon