Bangkok 2009

The Duracelts were formed just 5 weeks before the Asian Cup 2009 with many members never having played the sport before. However they made it to the final and only lost narrowly after captain and star player Marion was stretchered off with a twisted ankle....

Of course I'd like to talk about every single girl who came to BKK, because we played as a team, and none of this would have happened if one of us wouldn't have come. We were able to win two games and present a very strong opposition to Singapore, Thailand and Japan thanks to a very great job of our backs. It's hard to be a defender : being far away for the goals, fighting for every ball, for all the team. It's hard to "shine" as a defender but we all know this is the hardest position to play, and I would like to send a HUGE thanks to Angelika, Hannah and Lana who did an incredible job as full time Backs, especially against the very strong Japanese girls, you did an incredible job. Lana we missed you on sunday, and I will never thank you enough for your help for the logistics, along with Angelika, Claire and Elisa.

Some of our players were also outstanding in different positions, showing great adaptation from backs to forwards. Claire scored a beautiful goal and her motivation and will to fight spread on all the team (and she should be our strategy officer for KL), Claudia ran everywhere for the ball, as a back and as a forward - never giving up, Helen fought on both positions as well, taking the best from her 3 (!) training sessions.

The Forwards were amazing as well, giving a hard time to any defense we had to fight against. Sarah just jumped on each single ball, showing great skills, impressive fitness and a very strong mind; Thuy scored an awesome point against Malaysian girls twice as big as her. Our goal keepers dive in the mud, swam in the water, jumped in the air. Our 14 year old soccer player Nhung has a huge potential for Gaelic football : she stopped very powerful kicks without any fear. Thu impressed everybody with outstanding Kick outs, tired every other team as a midfield, broke her shoes, kicked asses of course ! Elisa showed impressive skills and speed on every position on the field and scored an amount of goals and points, and we're very happy that the Paris Gaels agreed to transfer her to the Viet Celts ! I think she definitely should have recieved this All star trophy thing, but I think they included the "biulding up the team and logistics part" in the choice.

Anyway, we came as a team, played as a team, fought as a team, danced and drank as a team and everybody was absolutely awesome and valuable on the pitch - and off the pitch as well !

Marion Labatut