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2001 Europeans - The Scotland Ladies Report
by Libby Porteus
The Scotland Ladies 2001 European Team for Yugoslavia:-
Libby Porteous-Captain, Glasgow
Sandra Carruthers-Vise Captain, Scotland
Debbie white, Finance manager, Edinburgh
Mhairi Mckay, Glasgow
Shona Douglas, Inverness
Tracey Ross, Orkney
Amy Goodill, Scotland
June Johnson, Orkney
Julie Davis, Edinburgh
Christina Uwins, Aberdeen uni
Louise Reed, Aberdeen uni
Team Photos
Commiserations to Claire Strang who was forced to pull out after losing an argument with a landrover.
The team worked hard through the season and covered many miles in search of good tournaments. The tournament we will all hold dear was Cardiff Home Internationals. The story I suspect will be recited for years to come. The feelings associated with it make me very proud to have lead this team and bring a huge smile to my face. This tournament marked a turning point in our game raising it to an all time high. That’s when we knew we could do it, we were truly a team to be reckoned with but we had work to do.
The majority of the team had never competed at International level so this was a real eye opener. A classic moment from one player sums it up. As she stood with a horrified look on her face at the side of the pool on the 1st day and said “I’ve never seen anything as fast in my life”. I suspect she wasn’t the only one who thought it, she was just the only one to express it. By the end of the tournament she like others had raised her game and realized that she could play like that too.
The most important aim of the tournament for us was to beat the GB development team. Development does not do them justice for they included a number of very experienced masters players. On paper it was always going to be the toughest match. We were relieved when the draw with them was favourable, 1st match 2nd day, time enough to prepare but not to tire.
The night before the match we met for the team briefing. I had prepared with great care a plan, a plan that I believed would lead us to victory. On paper they were better than us but I knew we could do it, we had to believe in ourselves and play our game plan 100% no holding back. I thought back to my GB team managers chant “If you want to do something you will find a way and if you don’t you will find an excuse”. I wasn’t going to be making any excuses and nor were the team.
The morning of the game we went through our normal warm up, all knowing the true meaning of this game was far from normal. At this point I am at a loss, things went by in such a blur, but one thing was clear, we were stronger and we could do it. I think the whole team sensed it. At half time the score was 2:1 to us, not a comfortable margin by any means. Everyone remained focused the mood was tense but calm. The second half started and we went from strength to strength. Luck was on our side but then sometimes you create your own luck and so we did. They never gave up but neither did we. The final score was 6:1 to Scotland and 11 very happy Scottish Ladies.
I have to say that as a team we played a better standard of game against the Yugoslavia Ladies in the knock out section. That should replace the cries of “Cardiff” but some how it didn’t mean as much as either Cardiff or the GB development.
As a team we were very well behaved and didn’t do too many bad things, she smiles. Over that we will draw a veil and let your imagination rule. Suffice to say we had fun and after all isn’t that what its all about.
So, things change as they always do and if you want a piece of the action contact me. We are always on the lookout for new players, whatever standard. We are a team and we can teach you, if you’re willing to listen and learn!
Team Photos
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