Here is the schedule of the games: Friday 26th 6:30 p.m. Saturday 27th 6:30 p.m. Sunday 28th 8:00 a.m. All games will take place in the Melcher Gym -UH
FIREHAWKS SHINES WITH SILVER AFTER THE 2009 USATH NATIONALS
After an overall amazing performance of its captain Alexander Voronov, 2009 USATH Nationals Most Valuable Goalie, the Firehawks accomplished its main goal by bringing the silver medals to Houston.
With a full roster, Adnan Selak, Aleksandr Jeremic, Aleksandr Voronov, Arturo Rosas, Boban Zivovic, Bojan Ikonic, Carson Leung, Henning Stensrud, Ivan Paz, Jose Garcia, Milan Ciric, Octavio Hernandez, Oscar Grisales, Raphael Renault, Rodrigo Palacio, and Sebastian Arango, the Firehaks left Elgin with only one court defeat. On the bench, Oscar Grisales, Jose Suarez and Lourdes Martinez directed the team.
Out team tied Cal Heat during the first match on Friday morning. A penalty shootout decided to give the points to Cal Heat. Our first victory came by facing Polish Folklore during the second game. Defeating New England Freeze allowed us to get into the second group pool play. Friday was a very busy day with three games, but we were making progress as planned.
The first game on Saturday brought a very aggressive ATH United, but our defensive disciple paid off leading us to the victory. We were surprised by the speed of the Army team next. Only our experience and use of our deep bench made possible to grab win over the "guys in black". At this point, Los Angeles THC and the FireHawks were tied with two wins each. The direct match between the 2 teams was going to decide the finalist. Our first half lead disappeared and only until the end of the game we were able to tie the game by scoring an agonizing penalty shot. We were in the final due to the better overall goal difference.
A nine goal lead was not enough to defeat NYC THC in the final. Losing our only left handed back court player before the game hurt badly. In addition, red cards to other two back court players didn’t allow us to fluently move the ball which is one of our strengths. An increase in the intensity and concentration of the defense of NYC THC resulted in our defeat.
After seven games, the Firehawks hammer Rodrigo Palacio was nominated Top Scorer of the tournament.
Men's Final Results: 1. NYC THC 2. Houston Firehawks 3. NYAC 4. Los Angeles THC 5. ATH United 6. Cal Heat 7. Condors 8. Army 9. Chicago Inter Red 10. New England Freeze 11. Florida Hurricanes 12. Knight Air 13. Chicago Inter Blue 14. NYC THC II 15. Carolina THC 16. Seattle Speed 17. LA Team Handball II 18. Polish Folklore 19. Minnesota Team Handball 20. Victorious Secret
On the women’s side, the Firehawks was well represented by the girls from Nuevo Leon. With a very young team nine teenagers brought the bronze medal to Houston.
Women's final results: 1. Chicago Inter 2. Lady Condors 3. Houston Firehawks 4. New England Freeze 5. Carolina THC 6. Smurfs 7. Army
OscaronFriday 15 May 2009 - 18:16:24 Comments are turned off for this item
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH TEAM HANDBALL IN HOUSTON?
With our participation in Nationals around the corner with two teams (28 players and 3 officers), I aksed Boban Zivovic USATH Reginal Coach to tell me what was new about team handball in Houston.
"BOBAN- Oscar, Here are some of the things we accomplished so far and more to come in the future: 1) "Houston Firehawks" will represent Houston and Texas in Elite Division with the highest goals ever - one of the medals ! 2) "White Star Lions" U23 Men's team is about to be formed in West Houston,result of 3 tryout sessions we organized within 3 months.First young team Handball team in Houston,TX ever !!! 3) Houston Cougars are reregistered which provide an opportunity to recruit more players, to use U of H facilities and to set up another tryout for men and women. 4) Lone Star College THC is missing only one thing in order to be registered - a full faculty member-sponsor... Me myself,Marinko and Dean are working on it. 5) ROTC (club?) at U of H - we will try again at fall !
OSCAR- what is next?
BOBAN- 1) CFISD presentation in August 2009 in front of 130 PE teachers 2) HISD has been re contacted and is interested to work with us. We need to meet again soon to set up the guidance for the future cooperation. 3) I am waiting on YMCA response from 2 weeks ago proposition. 4) Girls scouts are interested to play team handball as part of their recreational activities
OSCAR- What is the goal in the future?
BOBAN- The goal in the near future is: to establish the mentioned clubs, raise the membership number, pull girls/women clubs along, to have one more tryout, to start with the after school programs at CFISD and HISD, YMCA, rivate schools...
OSCAR- What is your conclusion?
BOBAN- Since we have a limited resources and time the main focus should be on existing and/or new clubs. Without the club network who will welcome new players that will come from schools or tryouts? Accent should be on schools as we try to promote team handball as UIL sport, but without the clubs which will provide regular practice,a coach, a referee, the equipment... etc we cannot succeed. Also, clubs should operate based on yearly membership to offset cost of the gyms...etc
Oscar and all Firehawks, thank you for all your help so far !"
On our end, after Nationals we will start a development program in 4 middle schools in the Great Houston Area.
We are confident that working together our sport will grow and take the place that it deserves in America.
We know that in other places of Texas many exciting things are happening like Austin and College Station.
USATH Regional Coach Boban Zivovic will be directing Camps and tryouts for the National Team in Houston.
Feb.28, 2009 5-8 PM :"Play Today" -OPEN TO ALL (players 18-and-under $5.00 and $10.00 adults over 18 years of age.) On line registration and waiver release... Visit: link Mar.21, 2009 5-8 PM TRYOUTS FOR NATIONAL TEAM U23 W/M- NEED TO REGISTER ON LINE link Apr.04,2009 5-8 PM TRYOUTS FOR NATIONAL TEAM U23 W/M-NEED TO REGISTER ON LINE link Where ? West Houston Indoor Soccer,17115,Clay Rd. Houston,TX 77084 281-858-8080 Firehawks are welcome to come to demonstrate the game to new players.
Last Sunday we had a blast in Austin. The poeple were very nice, played good handball on a fantastic court. Riyo and her group of people are doing a great job and we wish them the best. We are looking forward to being back soon. Here is a link with awsome pictures from the event "Courtesy of Geries Simon": link
After an outstanding performance at West Point, Firehawks places as the second best American team at the West Point tournament.
RANK TEAM 1 Neusser 2 NYC 3 Montreal 4 Firehawks THC 5 Chadiere 6 Champlain 7 NYAC 8 West Point 9 Sherbrooke 10 Chicago 11 Air Force 12 ATH 13 UNC 14 NE Freeze
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