Canoe Polo World Championships Milan 2010

A Gold and Two Bronze Medals for Derbyshire Canoeists

From the Canoe Polo World Championships in Milan

Claire Mitchell and brothers Gallin and Ross Montgomery all from the Viking Canoe Polo Club based in Derby, have returned triumphant from the recent World Championships held in Milan from 1^st - 5^th September.

In total, 25 Countries took part in a fiercely contested World Championship tournament where the British team had representation in all four categories; Men, Women, Under 21 Men and Under 21 Women.

In the Men’s Under 21 category, brothers Gallin and Ross Montgomery contributed to the team to give solid performances against Australia, Japan and Switzerland in the first round, topping the group with 21 goals for and with only 1 against.

In the second round, the U21 Men’s team beat the Netherlands 3-2, Spain 4-1 and narrowly lost to Germany 3-2 in a closely fought game. This put the young British side into the semi-finals against the highly favoured French team.

The team played their best polo yet but eventually lost 3–1 in a game that could have gone either way. This meant the gold medal was out of reach, but the bronze medal would be contested in the 3^rd-4^th play off against the Italians, a team with massive home and National TV support.

At full time, the score was 2–2; both teams having led the game before the end of normal time. The match went into a nail biting Golden Goal phase where the teams would play continuous 5 minute periods until one team scored. After one minute, both teams had come close to securing the bronze medal but the Great British team ended any doubts with a stunning final shot from behind the half-way line that caught the Italian defenders and goal keeper stranded.

Germany ran out eventual winners against France and the under 21 Men’s team, though elated with the Bronze, were left to reflect on how close they had come to a Gold.

In the Senior Women’s category, local paddler Claire Mitchell brought home a well deserved Gold Medal. As reigning World, European and World Games Champions the Great British team had a lot of expectation to perform and retain the title.

The team finished top of their group in the preliminary round with convincing wins over Denmark, Iran, Singapore and Italy securing 38 goals for and 2 against. Great Britain finished top of the second group, beating the Dutch 8-1, New Zealand 5-4 and Spain 7-1.

The women faced the French in their semi-final, the biggest threat to the team so far. Nerves were high, as it was the game that decided whether they could reach the final to try to retain the World Championship title. The final result, 6–2 to Great Britain.

The team were to face Germany in the final, a team that Great Britain had not played in any training tournament all season. Great Britain took control early in the game and ran out eventual winners 5-3, retaining the World Championship title.

A further five members from Viking Canoe Polo Club represented Great Britain in the Senior Men’s category and finished 9^th overall which was a little disheartening for the team. However, all five members represent Vikings A team and are enthusiastic about coming home victorious at the European Club Championships, in Germany.