Roller Coasters

Worlds has been amazing, as I'm sure it always is and always will be.
We ended up drawing to Cuba last week when we played them. We were pretty disappointed as we'd wanted a win but had to just take it in our stride. The funny thing is that, Italy and Hungary (the other 2 teams in our pool) also drew. So for the first time in Worlds history, we had 2 draws in a pool. So that made for interesting games everone just trying to score as much as we could so we'd go through to the top 12 at least. For Italy and Hungary they were fighting it out for 1st place in our pool to go straight through to the top 8. We lost 17-7 to Hungary, which, although sounds bad and granted, is bad, shows a big improvement of NZ since the beginning of our program a few years ago when we lost 18-1 at the Olympic Qualifiers in 2004. We even scored the first goal and were even after the 1st quarter (gotta claim all we can). So anyways, we also lost by 12 goals to Italy. But the thing is, because this never happened before, no one really knew who should go through as number 1 in our pool - first they said it would be determined by their results with number 3 (us) - so Italy would have gone through, or with their overall goal difference - which would make Hungary go through because they beat Cuba by like 15 goals. They ended up deciding on over all goal difference and it was the strangest sight to see pool side. NZ was happy because we were in the top 12, and Italy, who had just won by 12 goals, were crying and yelling at eachother and kicking signs over, they even smashed a window on the bus. Needless to say it was an emotional night.
So yesterday we played Greece and for the first time I think we were pretty disappointed with our game. We just didn't play the way we have been playing, with the same heart or sight. We went down 6-0 in the first half, and clawed our way back in the 2nd half to bring the final score to 9-5. One good thing though, was for the first time this tournament I wasn't on 2 in the first quarter so got to play a lot of the game, and I didn't even get majored. So I was happy about that anyway.
In other events, I have been watching a bit of diving, There was a kid here who goes to UH diving for sweden so we watched him as much as we could. He's one cool cat. I have so much admiration for divers, they must need so so so much patience to get to even competition level let alone international level. There is something quite fascinating about bodies flying and twisting and turning through the air I must say. And we also got to watch the groups final of the synchronised swimming so that was awesome! they were like throwing people through the air and climbing over eachother and the russians even got a tower of 2 people high out of the water - and in synchro you're not allowed to touch the bottom so they were holding them up doing egg beater. Amazing.
Tomorrow we play Brasil to decide whether we play off for 9th or 11th. I hope we win, Brasil is one of those teams that never gives up and is really emotional and passionate so even though I definitely think we're a better team, we will really have to work hard for it.
It's crazy that we've nearly been here for 2 whole weeks and we'll only play 6 games, but it's so fun. I thought before we came that this might be my last worlds but now I really want another one...getting a bit far ahead of myself I think. It's a wee way away.

In other exciting news! One of my bestest friends Coralee just got engaged last weekend to the most amazing boy who adores her. I'm so happy for them, and they are getting married over my winter holidays, and ALSO one of my other most closest childhood friends Michelle is getting married on my birthday! I'm so excited, it's going to be the best xmas, new years and bday ever!