A three-events series with international Squash players showcasing the sport on a glass court at amazing settings in Italy. The first leg is held in the beautiful town of Treviso near Venice from 10 June.
Thursday 10 June – Day 1
After a 12-minute walk and 40 minutes on the train, I was at Schiphol well in time to check in for my flight to Treviso. There was hardly a queue and soon I was through to the lounge after clearing security. In 90 minutes I was in Treviso and walked out of the airport with my monster of a Squash bag on my back into a beautiful sunny afternoon. I was picked up by Luca and taken to my nice and comfortable room at the hotel where I will be staying for the next four nights.
I was drawn against none other than our host Luca Mastro. Its always hard to play your game against the skilful Italian but I managed to sneak a 3-0 win to set up a clash with the Hungarian Champion Mark Krajscak. It will be a tough one against Mark's fit and solid playing style. The match is scheduled for 10pm.
Friday 11 June - Day 2
It was another lovely day and we were treated by excellent Italian hospitality. We have been well taken care of and usually eat at a very nice restaurant owned by a member at the local Squash club. At lunch I had a good chat with the other players. Aqeel has driven from Salzburg, Andre Hasker from near Frankfurt, Domagoj from Zagreb and Krajscak from Budapest. We were talking about Squash in there countries amongst other things. Davide Bianchetti was in top form entertaining us all with his humour.
After a long wait, it was finally match time at 9:30pm. It started well even though the conditions were hard for both of us with the floor being a bit slippery and the glass taking time to adjust to. I sneaked the first 11-9 and was looking good for the rest of the match. He came back strong in the second to level the match. It was the third that was crucial and I lost a close game 11-8, mostly due to my errors. At 2-1 down it was always going to be hard. I played well and stayed in there but so did he and he won a close 4th 11-8 to take the match. Its disappointing to lose as always but I am happy to get a good match and look forward to third place playoff tomorrow against Aqeel Rehman of Austria.
Saturday 12 June - Day 3
Another lovely day here in Treviso. Last night's loss was fresh in the mind and if I have learnt anything so far is to not get disappointed like I used to and analyse to hopefully improve in the future. I have noted a few things that I need to be aware of in the next match but otherwise things were mostly good - apart from the result obviously.
I also got inspired to write about something. The pen was simply flowing and it took no time and effort at all. After breakfast I had a good chat to Aqeel about Squash and in general and it was very relaxing. After replying to a few emails if was soon lunch time with the boys. Andre is here with his wife and lovely 15 month old girl Maylene. They joined us for lunch and it was great food as always. We discussed languages and their familiarities across regions. Its rest time now and another long wait for the 3rd place playoff against Aqeel.
I also got inspired to write once again. The pen was simply flowing and it took no time and effort at all. After breakfast I had a good chat to Aqeel about Squash and in general and it was very relaxing. After replying to a few emails if was soon lunch time with the boys. Andre is here with his wife and lovely 15 month old girl Maylene. They joined us for lunch and it was great food as always. We discussed languages and their familiarities across regions. Its rest time now and another long wait for the 3rd place playoff against Aqeel.
In the evening the stage was set for the finals. The glass court looked beautiful in the square and the atmosphere was buzzing with more people watching tonight. It felt good to be a Squash player and be a part of the event. I took on Aqeel after an exhibition game. I played well mostly and controlled the play. Lucky to get through after a close fourth against the fit and determined Austrian to take the 3rd place in the event. We watched the final afterwards which was a good match with Mark Krajscak winning in four against the local favourite Davide Bianchetti. The mayor was present for the prizegiving and later on it was dinner time. I am going to have a day off tomorrow and will have a walk in Venice which is half an hour away.
Ciao for now.
After a 12-minute walk and 40 minutes on the train, I was at Schiphol well in time to check in for my flight to Treviso. There was hardly a queue and soon I was through to the lounge after clearing security. In 90 minutes I was in Treviso and walked out of the airport with my monster of a Squash bag on my back into a beautiful sunny afternoon. I was picked up by Luca and taken to my nice and comfortable room at the hotel where I will be staying for the next four nights.
I was drawn against none other than our host Luca Mastro. Its always hard to play your game against the skilful Italian but I managed to sneak a 3-0 win to set up a clash with the Hungarian Champion Mark Krajscak. It will be a tough one against Mark's fit and solid playing style. The match is scheduled for 10pm.
Friday 11 June - Day 2
It was another lovely day and we were treated by excellent Italian hospitality. We have been well taken care of and usually eat at a very nice restaurant owned by a member at the local Squash club. At lunch I had a good chat with the other players. Aqeel has driven from Salzburg, Andre Hasker from near Frankfurt, Domagoj from Zagreb and Krajscak from Budapest. We were talking about Squash in there countries amongst other things. Davide Bianchetti was in top form entertaining us all with his humour.
After a long wait, it was finally match time at 9:30pm. It started well even though the conditions were hard for both of us with the floor being a bit slippery and the glass taking time to adjust to. I sneaked the first 11-9 and was looking good for the rest of the match. He came back strong in the second to level the match. It was the third that was crucial and I lost a close game 11-8, mostly due to my errors. At 2-1 down it was always going to be hard. I played well and stayed in there but so did he and he won a close 4th 11-8 to take the match. Its disappointing to lose as always but I am happy to get a good match and look forward to third place playoff tomorrow against Aqeel Rehman of Austria.
Saturday 12 June - Day 3
Another lovely day here in Treviso. Last night's loss was fresh in the mind and if I have learnt anything so far is to not get disappointed like I used to and analyse to hopefully improve in the future. I have noted a few things that I need to be aware of in the next match but otherwise things were mostly good - apart from the result obviously.
I also got inspired to write about something. The pen was simply flowing and it took no time and effort at all. After breakfast I had a good chat to Aqeel about Squash and in general and it was very relaxing. After replying to a few emails if was soon lunch time with the boys. Andre is here with his wife and lovely 15 month old girl Maylene. They joined us for lunch and it was great food as always. We discussed languages and their familiarities across regions. Its rest time now and another long wait for the 3rd place playoff against Aqeel.
I also got inspired to write once again. The pen was simply flowing and it took no time and effort at all. After breakfast I had a good chat to Aqeel about Squash and in general and it was very relaxing. After replying to a few emails if was soon lunch time with the boys. Andre is here with his wife and lovely 15 month old girl Maylene. They joined us for lunch and it was great food as always. We discussed languages and their familiarities across regions. Its rest time now and another long wait for the 3rd place playoff against Aqeel.
In the evening the stage was set for the finals. The glass court looked beautiful in the square and the atmosphere was buzzing with more people watching tonight. It felt good to be a Squash player and be a part of the event. I took on Aqeel after an exhibition game. I played well mostly and controlled the play. Lucky to get through after a close fourth against the fit and determined Austrian to take the 3rd place in the event. We watched the final afterwards which was a good match with Mark Krajscak winning in four against the local favourite Davide Bianchetti. The mayor was present for the prizegiving and later on it was dinner time. I am going to have a day off tomorrow and will have a walk in Venice which is half an hour away.
Ciao for now.
.JPG)
