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 Sheffield EN BREF
FINALS DAY
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the English Open ... |
HAVE A DRINK…
I have, among others, a big handicap… I do not drink… And that, my friend,
is a big mistake in certain circles… like with the Pontefract four.
“What do you mean, a Diet Coke, come on, have a real drink, you’re
depressing me, girl…”
And as if it wasn’t enough, Alan Moody, title sponsor of the event, advised
me to have a good drink… “You won’t feel your knee anymore, and you’ll be
walking no problem…”
Let me tell you that you need to be a saint to resist to such logical
arguments…
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WAITING FOR
THE SHUTTLE…
Yep, this photo was taken right outside the Hilton…
Like I keep telling you, it’s all happening in the Sheffield Hilton…
THANKS TIM…
 What
I can say… Last year, I had a whole team of Rugby players just for me, just
in front of my window…
And this year, the lovely Eventis team arranged for the EO to coincide with
an Athletics Meeting…
Men, men, men EVERYWHERE… And all young, fit…
So many men, so little time… |
ANGUS’ TRAINING…
Has Angus Kirkland decided to ally business with pleasure, and do his
dumbbells training while working on an event…
Naaaa…
But come on, it was a funny one…
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WHERE ARE
LOOS????
 After
the first ladies semi final, I had a chat with Alison, and by the time I
finished talking about her impressions about the match, Jenny had
disappeared!
Looked everywhere, asked a few people, even tried the changing room (yes,
the ladies one, I’m allowed) … Nowhere to be found…
So, changed my mind, and decided to go to the loo. And guess who was there,
about to take her shower? Miss Duncalf herself. So we started the interview,
and of course, who comes next? Alison.
So if you want to mix with the stars, forget the bars, forget the fancy
hotels, head for the ladies room… |
New season,
new fashion…
Last year, we were having the “Long Hair Style”, well, if one can call that
“style”, but then again, don’t mind me, I’m French, what do I know about
it...
But this year, it’s all cut cut cut.
Yes, talking about hair, obviously. We had the ones that were already short
from short, Peter Barker. But now David Palmer went for short
as well…
And we cannot not talk about the long overdue Boss’ hair cut… THANK
GOD FOR THAT! He looks so trim, so young, so proper, he looks 22 if a day,
totally transformed he is.
Same difference for Birthday Boy James Willstrop, who now looks his
age, cute as a fresh flower button he does…
But like I said when I discovered Lee’s hair cut, like the Yellow
Pages Advert where the mother discovers the haircut that her daughter has
been given by her uncle: “What happened??????!”
“No, Lee, no”. “Yes, Fram, Yes”, insisted the proud Yorkshireman with a
great big smile. “I assure you no”. “And the more you say no, the more I
know that it’s good”, he laughed… “And it’s going to get even worse”, he
added…
Can’t wait for the next event…
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ALL MY APOLOGIES, PSA…
 As
you may well remember, I was not a “new scoring” supporter whatsoever.
Well, I’ve now changed my mind.
I think that the PAR up to 11, with the tie-break two clear points has made
the squash circuit a better and more exciting place.
So, although I still fancy the traditional scoring, I really didn’t like the
up to 15, and this new scoring works. It really really does work.
Well done PSA… A bit late, I know but then again, as I keep repeating, I’m
blond, French AND a woman, what do you expect… |
WHY SO MUCH
HATE…
 I
often tell you about the friendship that reigns on the circuit between the
players, and how amazing it is how the players can be fighting for their
life on court, and a few minutes, both getting a drink and chatting about
how they are going to spend their evening together…
Well, today, we had another example: in the third game of the match between
Alison Walters and Jenny Duncalf, at 4/5 Alison to serve, the girls were
playing a great rally when suddenly they bumped into each other.
And you know what happened…? They both said “Sorry”…
I just love squash players… |
A NEW FACE…
 And
quite a pretty one, you must admit…
Paul Walters is a man of many talents, we all know that. And as with all
successful men, he needed some help with day to day affairs with his many
businesses…
It just happened that Rachel Pullen, a fervent squash player both at
a junior and senior level, who represented her county, team captain, in
other words, a woman of my heart, had always been involved in sports, thanks
to her mum, a squash player herself, and her dad, a cricketer…
Well, noboby’s perfect I guess…
Rachel had spent several years working as a PR Marketing Assistant for
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Nottingham Forest Football Club, and
was in a period of her life where she was reassessing her life, her career…
Paul approached her, and proposed her to work at his side. The opportunity,
the style of environment seemed interesting enough, and since June this
year, the pretty lady has been the new face at ISQUASHmarketing.
And when I asked Rachel to describe her boss, she didn’t have to think long
to say "Determined to succeed, Focused and Successful…"
What a program…
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LIKE FATHER
LIKE SON
from Steve
Cubbins
 “It’s
about time you got a phone, Dad,” Peter told Pat Nicol earlier this
year, “I just can’t get in touch with you.”
”Well now you know what it’s been like for me all these years,” retorted the
father of the world’s most successful squash player of the last decade.
So Pat held out for a while, but on his arrival here in Sheffield decided it
probably was about time he got himself a mobile, after all. Off he went to
the shops, and came out with a state-of-the-art Motorola Razr.
“Blimey, that’s a flash one,” I said to Pat as he took it out of his shirt
pocket behind stage at the Crucible. “Oh, it’s just a phone, he replied, “as
long as I can make and receive calls, that’s all I’m interested in.”
“I think you'll find it’s a bit more than just a basic phone,” I said.
”Funny you should say that,” said Pat, “when I showed it to Peter he decided
he had to have one too, so he went straight out and bought one the same.”
Like father, like son … |
 THE
FUTURE OF SQUASH...
The crowd at Squash Events is always filled with squash fans of all ages,
and behind me (yes, the awfullman had left quickly...) I had two juniors
who were playing in the English Open Junior Event under 15, Michael
(just turned 13) and Sammy (just turned 14).
"Did you enjoy the tournament, Sammy?". "No, I lost in the semis.... I
should have won. We were 2/2, and I got tired..."
Oh dear...
But still it was his first participation to the event, and that was pretty
good, don't you think? |
I SAVED
JAMES’ LIFE…
 Yesterday,
I was waiting for the shuttle to go from the hotel to the Crucible, and as
during the qualifications, I missed one when I thought I was perfectly on
time, I was there 15 minutes before…
And here I was in the car, chatting with the lovely Alan Murray, whose
DVDs you’ll have the chance to buy soon on SquashSite, in particular last
year’s Classic White/Willstrop, when the driver started his engine…
“But it’s not 4.30 yet,” I said. “Well, it is on the Van’s clock”. “Maybe
on the van’s clock, but not on my mobile”. “You’re right, it’s 2 minutes
early actually”, said the driver checking his own mobile ... which of
course explains why we had a problem with a shuttle 'leaving early' ...
And, at that precise minute, James Willstrop made his appearance… If I
hadn’t stopped the van, he would have been slightly in trouble…
What can I say, that boy needs me… |
HALLAMSHIRE
VOLUNTEERS...
 Nick
had two supporters from his own club near
near him...
No, I do not mean Hedley and Sue Matthew, but Rob, who plays tennis
and Niaill, who plays racket ball, who were the court attendants...
They were cheering and supporting the Home Player, and their "Come On
Nick" were exactly what the doctor ordered...
And who knows, maybe this event will give them a little taste of squash,
and they may want to try it out... |
GOODBYE
SHEFFIELD…
 I
can’t believe this…
Here I was, all settled to spend the weekend in Sheffield, a hotel room
booked at the Hilton and all, and zoom, here I am in a car back to
Pontefract…
Not happy my dad is… Well, I have to start training him again, now, haven't
I… Don’t know what’s wrong with him… Oh well, I blame it all on his coach,
because like all the dads in the world, my dad is PERFECT!
I don’t actually mind that much, I’ve got my toys waiting for me at
home, and I’ve got my sister to play with, she’s great my sister, she plays
with me all the time, she takes care of me… Just a gem she is…
 And
if anything, it means I won’t have that Mad French Woman chasing me all over
the venue with her funny flashing light machine…
Weird, that woman, I tell you.
So, I’m blowing you a little kiss, and I’m on my way… see you soon guys…
Ben Beachill |
FOUL LANGUAGE…
You know me, it’s extremely unusual for me to have something really bad to
say about somebody. Well, today is the day…
You may remember that, during my first ever tournament coverage, the UK
Nationals 2004, I had a “funny meeting” with a man who was sitting in a
Press seat with a kid next to him.
It did happen that we had our name written on the seat, and that his was for
Ian Mckenzie, and that his kid was in mine.
“I’m sorry sir, but I’m afraid you are sitting in the Press seats,” I dared
telling him, although his large figure and unsmiling face didn’t encourage
you to bring him flowers…
“Unless your name is Mckenzie, you’re NOT getting this seat” he replied…
Charming…
Cut to yesterday’s first match of the day. And guess who is sitting yet
again behind me? Oh yes. And of course, in a seat he’s got nothing to do
with, as usual ...
And the minute the match starts, he starts a very loud conversation with the
player sitting next to him.
“Do you mind guys,” once again I dare say to the same impressive welsh man.
“What did you say,” he literally barks at me. “I said do you mind?”. “Just
mind your own business,” he snaps. So, with a charming smile, I tell him
“You are as charming as ever”.
“F… off, just F…off.” was his answer.
I cannot believe that anybody would be as rude, as badly mannered as that,
especially a Welshman. It’s the first time I ever had any trouble with a
Welsh… What, the country that gave us rugby, Robert Edwards and Adrian
Davies, producing such an unpleasant character? Unbelievable.
The sponsor of the event was not impressed, and neither was I…
NB:
the culprit is NOT on
any of these photos |
OUPS…
You may have realised that we are the official site for the tournament,
which includes writing reports, upgrading the site as the matches are
happening, the live score board, etc…
Which implies that we need a phone line (at least, broadband is better
but…). Before now, Steve could connect with no trouble whatsoever. But
today, catastrophe, at 5.23pm, 7 minutes before the start of the matches,
the line was not working…
Well it would seem that a BT bill never arrived to the Crucible accounts
Department, and quite logically, was therefore never paid. And even though
the Crucible had paid BT £7,000 last week, the line was cut because of an
unpaid £45 bill!
But thank God, very quickly, everything came back to normal, and Steve was
able to connect again and pass on to you what was happening in Sheffield…
But trust me, the poor man has shed a few heavy drops of sweat…
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BENNY HILL ATMOSPHERE…
When Alan Moody, from Mamut, introduced me to Mr Nicol Senior, the dear man
didn’t have a clue as to who I was…
As the very well educated man he is, he was extremely polite to me, but
still, was looking at me thinking “Who the heck is she, and why is she
insisting on taking my picture???”…
Cut to this morning, after breakfast, where I was having a chat on the
Hilton terrace with Mr John White about his new life in America, when
suddenly my eye caught the funniest sight ever…
From where I was sitting, Pat Nicol appeared to have no clothes on, and
hiding his birthday suit behind a newspaper…
“Do you have any clothes on?”, shouted John towards Pat?
“No, I’m hiding behind my newspaper!” replied he, laughing away…
“Well, that’s what it looks like from here” John added…
And when I asked Steve if I should write this “en bref” or not, Steve said
calmly, “well, if you do, next time, you’ll be sure he knows who you are”…
And another one who will NEVER speak to me again…
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HAPPY
FAMILIES….
 In
the Garner Family, we have a new cute enough to eat addition called
Thomas…
Yop. Andrea and Jeremy Garner are the proud parents of a gorgeous
boy 5 weeks old, born on the 9th July, 7lb 4oz, and who had the kindness
to appear in the world at the decent time of 10.45pm, and not like some
who chose to make their entrance in the middle of the night…
So, this year, the tournament office does look slightly unusual, I must
say… A pram near the desk gives it a little air of joy, of youth, of hope
I guess…
Anyway, whatever it is, I like it. Makes me feel good…
So, congratulations Mr and Mrs Garner, and I can’t to make Thomas as
famous as I did with Mr Ben Beachill…
By the way, where is Ben…???? |
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MISS HOLMES IS IN TOWN…
Here I was, having my cornflakes, trying to make sense of it all, not
doing so well, I must say, when I noticed a teenager, dressed in a rather
revealing lycra shorts, going to have some breakfast.
“Oh”, I thought, “must be one of the athletes for the event this weekend”.
Yes, you can say that again…
www8.epochtimes.com
It was THE athlete, the Pearl of the British Athletics, Miss Kelly
Holmes herself, who is so petite, so cute, so discrete… And with a
figure, like I mentioned earlier, of a teenager…
In other words, girls, your perfect nightmare…
Like I said, Hilton is the place to be… |
FAR, FAR AWAY…
Eventis events seem to attract Squash Fans from all over the world, you
know… At Canary Wharf, we had that David Loite, who came all the
way from Norway to enjoy the show…
 But
today, we have a winner for the English Open, well, two actually,
Ernesto Uzcategui, a young player from Venezuela, who came from
Caracas with his squash coach Jose Vasquez to watch and learn
about the world class players…
“Ernesto doesn’t speak very good English, but he is learning, as he wants
to go on the circuit…”
And what is Ernesto’s ambition???
Oh yes, the young man wants to be number one… Well, as Howard Hughes said,
“if you must dream, dream big…” |
QUALIFIERS, THE REAL STARS OF THE SHOW…
Some people do not pay any attention to the qualifiers, waiting for the
'main' tournament to turn up.
 Fools
I say…
Very often, that’s when the most disputed matches occur, as the players
are desperate to get in the draw, and when one knows the income of a
squash player, desperate literally…. And as a fervent spectator, that’s
the matches you do not want to miss…
Also, too often, press coverage starts on the first day of the event,
somehow “ignoring” the pre-tournament, leaving those players who travel on
their own money, paying for all their
 expenses,
working their shoes off with absolutely no certainty of any reward, either
money, audience or recognition, without any spotlight…
 That’s
why, as much as I can, I make a point of going to the qualifier draw of
all the major tournaments, and treat those matches with the same interest
and time that I would in the real tournament. If anything, although the
top 20 players need press attention, OBVIOUSLY, the next 50 deserve it as
much as their colleagues…
And you know, I’m enjoying every minute of it…
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FROM GARDENING TO DRIVING…
One of the great advantages of reporting is that you come to meet people
you would have never had the chance to encounter had you stayed at home
watching TV…
And that’s the case with David, one of volunteers of the
Sheffield Council, who “used to stay away from sports in school and yet
my life keeps getting involved in it for some reason!”…
Semi-retired, the man used to be a mechanic, and now works as a gardener
in some of the beautiful properties not too far from the Abbeydale club.
“It’s funny, each year, gardening gets harder and harder”, he laughs.
“You have the break of the winter, and then spring comes, and reminds
you that the break was not such a great idea in the first place!”…
“I still live in the same house where I was born, and I live 15m walk
through the park from Hallamshire Squash Club, so, it’s really handy for
me…”
David, like Ann and so many others, will drive the players around this
week, and thanks to people like him, the English Open will be, this year
again, a great success…
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TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL…
Long day Monday was… First, as I cannot drive at the moment, I was lucky
to get a lift from West Hampstead with Ben Garner, brother of, and
wild card in the tournament.
But as I live South London, I first had to get to the North… Train, you
would think… Yes, sounds easy and logical, but not when you can hardly
climb stairs, as the heavy luggage a week away imposes… not an option…
So, taxi… Well, the adventure started there… A cool from cool Jamaican
driver, yellow/green/red hat hiding locks and all, bless him, came to pick
me up… He was soooo slow in his speech, in his movement, I had to remind
him that I had to be in West Hampstead at 10am.
“OK, no problem” he smiled “as long as you don’t mind a bit of speeding”…
“At the speed you move, mate,” I thought, “I don’t risk much…”
OH. MY. GOD.
I honestly thought this was my last hour. Something I never ever do, I
actually closed my eyes to lower my fear level, praying, “Please God, I
don’t mind dying, but don’t let me be disabled.”
We left Streatham at 9.15am, and were at Ben’s door at West Hampstead at
9.50. For those of you who know London, you can close your mouth now…
Then, probably a bit worried to have to travel on his own with me for
three hours, Ben had begged John White to share the ride… This was
going to be a looooong journey…
 With
the Australia v England cricket in the background, we chatted away,
had a few good laughs, they kept on pulling my leg, bullying me, you know
the “boys will be boys” kind of chat, how can ANYBODY want to bully an
angel like me, that’s beyond any logic really… We talked about a lot of
things, but as John constantly kept reminding me “You can’t repeat
anything, it was all off the record”…
Blast!
Then in Sheffield, had to do a bit of work, then took a taxi to
Hallamshire, witnessed the draws that went live on SquashSite, chatted
with a few players, had to chose between the two programs, decided on the
lower draw one (as in Abbeydale), took a shuttle to there, and after all
the matches were finished, Ben had the kindness to take me back to the
Hilton…
My last travel was to the restaurant on the first floor, a quick bite with
the Boys, and off to work in my room…
Like I say, travel, travel, travel…
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CRICKET DOOMED…
I do not understand ANYTHING about cricket…. Sue me.
 Well,
not my culture, not my education, and really, other things in my life to
do than to learn about a sport which is, you have to admit, a bit
“hermetic” to say the least for common mortals.
First, Ben (England) and John (Australia) HAD to listen to the
development of the game during our travel from London to Sheffield.
Then, the taxi driver from the Hilton to Hallamshire Squash was of
course listening to it. At the club itself the players waiting to get on
court were watching it on TV, Pakistani, English, Australian…
But the worse of all, as I was slaving away, sending texts to my
webmaster for the first match to keep him informed of the progress, Mr
Cubbins himself had switched his interest from Squash to Cricket,
ignoring the site totally for a whole 30 minutes…
What? Did I allow him to have a life? I would say not… ”You are not
having fun while I’m working, Steve”… “Ok” he said.
 And
he dropped the TV to listen to the radio again… Bless his sweet little
cotton socks…(well, literally, actually).
And that was Steve’s holiday this year….
Cricket more important than squash? Ca va pas non??? (Have you lost your
mind…)
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NOT ENOUGH EFFORT…
 “How
can ANYBODY playing a squash match make ‘not enough effort’ to get to the
ball”!
Davide Bianchetti, the feisty Italian, is quite passionate about
his game. Famous for his “slightly over the top” discussions with some
referees, this expression really pushes his buttons.
“Not enough effort”.
“No, it really drives me mad… What do you mean, I didn’t make enough
effort… The ball was THERE, I’m ON IT, it bounced THAT HIGH… And you are
telling me that I couldn’t get it ???”
 “And
then, if you make “the effort”, you get blamed for “too much physical
contact”, “no need for that, Mr Bianchetti”, and so on… It’s so difficult
to draw the line, when you are in a match, when you are trying so hard to
win, when you are 11/11, and giving everything you have…”
“Moreover, when English is not your first language, it’s more difficult to
stay calm, because you are getting frustrated, you cannot express yourself
the way you want. If I am able to explain myself in Italian, I’m much
calmer, much more measured. But on the court, when I have to speak
English, I always speak a bit louder, with more emphasis than I would use
in my own language”…
Don’t I know the feeling, and my heart goes out to you, Davide…
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