EHBPC – Registration details

...I meant vindicated in that other people are now realising that there's a very real chance that they may not end up playing which sucks in many ways...

Yea, when I proposed that cap, It kinda hurt, knowing that it slimmed the possibility of me playing in this tourney I'm spending so much time on. And it really, really sucks knowing I may not even be playing in the tourney that Roxy is working so hard on. I don't even have a girlfriend anymore, I have a person I live with that is always on the phone, on email, having to make the best decision knowing it will make some people very unhappy, having to chase people, taking abuse from people for chasing them etc. etc. and then constantly knackered...
Believe me, I can't wait til this thing is over!

...However, I still think that as we're trying to attract public spectators as well, fpor the purposes of getting polo recognised by the masses, that we should also have been aiming to have the highest standard of polo possible...

I think it's pretty conceited to think that just because a few London teams aren't playing means the standard will be lowered. Again, because this is the first time around and so many unknown variables we couldn't force all other cities to do qualifiers. And what about cities that only bring 1 or 2 teams because that's all they can bring? Should they be excluded?

...Logistically it is difficult to make everyone happy but that's the way of life. I'm not in any way claiming that London has done a poor job of organising the Euros, quite the contrary it's a huge achievement and proves the dedication to the sport by the people who are putting in all of the work...

Absolutely, this has definitely shown the level of dedication in certain individuals. It has also shown the necessity of working together, in both directions not just from the top, down.
It's not finished though. Most of the hard work is just starting and it's just gonna get harder. In my opinion, Roxy and Iain shouldn't have to pay for a pint for the rest of the summer and that would be just a small token of appreciation.

;689806'] I know Berlin have two different areas that they play and I think Munich as well.

we have one spot for the rainy and snowy days and two for the summer months. we're also playing not in fixed teams like you do in london, so we've mixed the teams for each game, in training just as in tournaments

we're also playing not in fixed teams like you do in london, so we've mixed the teams for each game, in training just as in tournaments

We do the same, I've barely played polo with my fixed team in the past few months. Most of our games are random throw-ins.

;689868']I think it's pretty conceited to think that just because a few London teams aren't playing means the standard will be lowered. Again, because this is the first time around and so many unknown variables we couldn't force all other cities to do qualifiers. And what about cities that only bring 1 or 2 teams because that's all they can bring? Should they be excluded?
Please dont think that I am pissed off that London is capped, that's not where I'm coming from. My point of thinking isn't that Londoncentric. There are plenty of other cities that could bring more than 4 amazing teams.

The biting point for me is that we capped all cities at 4 teams and some of the newer communities then viewed that as the number that they should bring, rather than as an upward limit.

When it comes to self regulation of course everyone would like to come and play but for example (not getting at you guys) Manchester and Rouen who are newer to the sport and not as tecnically developed are both bringing 3 teams each.

I'm not saying that those 6 teams are less important than additional London/Berlin/Munich/Paris teams but from my experience their level of play is not the same.

Feel free to flame away.

@mike: i thought that you've all playing in fixed teams regarding to the league.

another point of view: not all good or best players of each city/country had time/money to get to london

i'd agree em, even coming from manchester. i think our main team will contend, and our second team will deserve to be there. but i don't think a third should have been registered.

I'm not saying that those 6 teams are less important than additional London/Berlin/Munich/Paris teams but from my experience their level of play is not the same.

but only tournaments show them their current experience level and bringing them forward! each one teach one!

@mike: i thought that you've all playing in fixed teams regarding to the league.

another point of view: not all good or best players of each city/country had time/money to get to london

The league's inaugural season has been finished since March. The next season should start up shortly after the EHBPC. In the meantime there have been a lot of teams splitting and new teams forming for tournaments and the next season. We've been trying to get a weekly team night going but it hasn't happened yet.

but only tournaments show them their current experience level and bringing them forward! each one teach one!

This is the level of thought that the EHBPC was based on!

but only tournaments show them their current experience level and bringing them forward! each one teach one!
I personally believe that the proof is in the name, European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships.

I agree with what you said above that not everyone would be able to afford to turn up but so you're never going to have all of the continents best players in one space.

But if a team has not already played with other cities in tournaments (or throwins) and do not already have some idea of their skill level compared to other cities/countries then I personally think it would be fair to expect then to rectify this before entering 3+teams.

I hate likening polo to anything else but how many other sports have a european championship where anyone can enter without some form of qualifier?

When it comes to self regulation of course everyone would like to come and play but for example (not getting at you guys) Manchester and Rouen who are newer to the sport and not as tecnically developed are both bringing 3 teams each.

I'm not saying that those 6 teams are less important than additional London/Berlin/Munich/Paris teams but from my experience their level of play is not the same.

Feel free to flame away.

Em, if you make it through...

I MUST BREAK YOU

Ha, yea we're going about it ass first. Making a championship first that is open, then hoping that it will unite the community enough that for next year there will be more qualifying. In the spirit of bike polo I do feel that there should always be open spots though.

And there has been a qualifying tourney in both Barcelona and Sicily. Mainly to raise money to send a team. That's dedication!

Em, if you make it through...

I MUST BREAK YOU
Ooooh, are you going to have your hair cut like that too?

;689948']Ha, yea we're going about it ass first. Making a championship first that is open, then hoping that it will unite the community enough that for next year there will be more qualifying
Point taken, I guess my whole argument is based on the fact that I believe we should have done it this way for the first Euros as then it's a more stable base for next years Euros. In having it as an open (with capped cities) we've effectively set a precedent for future years and organisers to follow.

And there has been a qualifying tourney in both Barcelona and Sicily. Mainly to raise money to send a team. That's dedication!
Now that's what I'm talking about. Nice work.

Ooooh, are you going to have your hair cut like that too?

Only if you grow yours like this

Haha, where did you dredge that old photo of me from?

When it comes to self regulation of course everyone would like to come and play but for example (not getting at you guys) Manchester and Rouen who are newer to the sport and not as tecnically developed are both bringing 3 teams each.

We were meant to be only registering 2, thoguth that was all we could really contend with, but wires got crossed and now it is done...

Hey wooodrow,

I'm not having a go at you guys, I only used you as an example becuase I knew the numbers. I'm sure it's the case for other cities too.

It all comes down to the way that we organised things VS my personal wants regarding having a perfect Euros first time round. I'm really impatient and apparently an idealist.

These are all my personal opinions by the way which have bearing on less than fuck all as I've been unable to attend a large number of the organisational meetings due to other commitments.

Yeah, it's a shame, because London could field six world-class teams. I was thinking about talking to MCR and Rouen to let them know that London has 13 teams in it's qualifying tourney for the Euros, and ask them if they think they have three competitive teams or weather they might consider giving up a space for a London team.

But either way, it's pretty exciting that it's full at 40 teams.