Stop staring at my Assens!

A bad joke to make up for all the missed time in the last few months...

But clearly, it has been a revelation to be back in sunny Denmark. Whenever I leave the beach with bright red, sunburned skin instead of a heavy winter jacket and rain pants, I am a happy man. And everyone is predicting that this weekend will be even better. So, thank you to the weather gods, perhaps all of the bad summers over the last couple of years are being repaid right now.

Obviously some changes have been made out on tour. The switch to Nestea as the main sponsor seems to be going okay. A little weird to see white and blue instead of orange all over the courts, but nothing too dramatic. I realize also that Nestea isn't supplying the same amount of money that Fanta was before, and there isn't much to do about it, as having a tour is better than not having a tour. But it would be nice if the prize money was still the same. It hurts that there is no money for anyone past third place. Makes that long drive to Løkken or Ishoj just a little bit more expensive. I'm not here to complain about money though!

I want to say that I think the Danish volleyball tour has always done a good job. I've always felt that the organization is good and the tournaments are run well. No real wasted time, no unnecessary problems, etc.. It's great that everything will continue. Further, it seemed to me that there have been some absolutely positive changes this year. Most significantly, it seems like the hand setting rule has been examined and tweaked a little bit to more closely resemble the international standard. I think it's great. I claim before every tournament that I will begin hand setting in that tournament but somehow I never do. Nevertheless, to me, it is a positive change and I'm glad that the referees are willing to go in that direction.

As far as my tournament in Feddet, I don't want to say much more than to compliment Martin for playing some really good volleyball, it's not easy playing with a partner who contributes about 20% of what he should. I'm not sure if I have ever been as tired as I was in our match on Sunday morning but I guess I should expect that after a month and a half laying on the couch...

Assens looks like it is going to be a great tournament. If for nothing else, the weather should be spectacular, and really, that's enough to make the weekend worthwhile. After seeing them play last weekend, it will be interesting to see if anyone can threaten Bo and Anders in this tournament. They certainly look sharp. It will also be interesting to see Martin and Teis and what they can do. Teis doesn't really jump ever anyway so his stomach shouldn't really be an issue (: I guess that means that Martin will be playing two weekends in a row with someone who can't jump or move... Look forward to seeing everyone on the beach!