report sotb 2001

from: Ciaran (cdobroin@excite.com)
subject: Rostock, Germany beach tourney report
newsgroup: rec.sport.disc
date: 2001-08-20 04:40:57 PST

I was fortunate enough to attend the Rostock Son of a Beach Ultimate tournament in Germany on August 18-19th. For those of you who do not know, this was the 7th year the tournament has been held. I have been to a lot of tournaments in my time, but this one stands out as one of the best organized, most fun tournaments I have played in. Anyone considering a world ultimate tour should add this one to your list.

http://www.ultimate-frisbee.de/endzonis/index.htm

There were 32 teams from Germany, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and the Netherlands. OJDA from Goteborg, Sweden, beat Woodies from Saurlach, Germany, in an exciting, hard fought finals 13-10. The format was great: 8 pools of 4, 5 on 5 (loosely coed), 30 minute games, no time outs. 6 games the first day. You played the three teams in your pool, the top two from each pool went to the four winners pools, and the bottom two to the losers pools, and the process was repeated. Quarter finals were held on Sunday. Each team played 9 games.

Highlights:

Great location on the beach. Rostock is a tourist destination in the former East Germany, on the Baltic Sea.

The beer race. It involved running, digging for hidden beer bottles, chugging, and more running.

Free beer and snacks.

Watching a 10 or 11 year old and his father play on the same team. The kid threw one for goal, caught a goal, and even made a layout bid in the end zone.

The European tradition of gathering in a circle after each game: good spirit.

The very funny tourney Emcee who kept us all laughing. He was a great sport after getting pied in the face by the Swedes after awarding them the first prize.

Congratulations to the Endzonis of Rostock for a great tournament.

Ciaran