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Post by GuyF on Jul 27, 2021 9:20:35 GMT -5
One thing to remember about these games. Recently MAAC teams have gone to Canada and played vs Canadian college teams. While one of them was pretty good and beat some D1 teams, they were MAAC level talent at best. These 5 games vs Greek pro teams are an entirely different level, much higher than MAAC level. They will be competing against men who get paid to play and in some cases have played years together. No need to worry about wins and losses or the rules. Great experience for the team to build chemistry as well as measure their skill sets vs great competition. I also believe they will also be allowed an extra 10 days on top of the 8 weeks of practice already allowed to prep for the trip. Hopefully, there will be some type of live stream. I know the games in Canada were able to be viewed Exactly. If we have a chance to win even 2 of these 5 games, we did well.
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Post by GuyF on Jul 27, 2021 9:24:34 GMT -5
Last year's records of the 4 Greek teams Iona will be playing against: Panathinaikos 20-2, defending champ Lavrio 17-5, finished 2nd to Pan Peristeri 11-11, finished 6th; Iona plays them twice Ionikos Nikaias 8-14, finished tied for 7th Have to figure we'll lose by a lot against the top 2 teams. Perhaps a chance to split against Peristeri, and a chance to win against Nikaias. So, at best we go 2-3, but 0-5 is on the table--these are veteran, professional teams playing in established systems, we are college kids learning a new system in full playing a bajillion miles from home.
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Post by Cjb on Jul 27, 2021 12:56:39 GMT -5
My expectation is a teachable, humbling experience.
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Post by St. Louis Gael on Jul 27, 2021 14:03:41 GMT -5
In addition to the talent upgrade, this team will come back from Greece with at least three significant advantages over prior Iona OOC teams. 1. They will come into November with several games under their belts. 2. They will be better prepared for the physical games of our "up" opponents. 3 While maybe not a finished product, they will have worked through many of the early chemistry issues of TC teams which was also caused by a heavy annual influx of talent.
While we may not see it in results, this team will return from Greece knowing its strengths and knowing what it needs to work on before The Crimson Tide and others.
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Post by gael4life on Jul 27, 2021 14:24:37 GMT -5
OD Anosike plays for Lavrio.
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Post by Cjb on Jul 27, 2021 15:20:16 GMT -5
Last year's records of the 4 Greek teams Iona will be playing against: Panathinaikos 20-2, defending champ Lavrio 17-5, finished 2nd to Pan Peristeri 11-11, finished 6th; Iona plays them twice Ionikos Nikaias 8-14, finished tied for 7th So they play only 22 games per year?
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Post by sigael on Jul 27, 2021 15:34:21 GMT -5
COVID?
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Post by GuyF on Jul 27, 2021 16:04:21 GMT -5
That was my guess too, COVID-shortened season.
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Post by Super on Aug 2, 2021 15:43:45 GMT -5
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added 16 destinations to its very high Covid-19 risk level on Monday, including Greece, Ireland, and the US Virgin Islands.
CNN 8/2/21
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Post by ic59 on Aug 3, 2021 12:47:20 GMT -5
The Iona Athletic Department has just announced a BB/Bon Voyage scrimmage /party for Sunday, August 15th at 2PM. Details are on the Iona official site.
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Post by gregcrow on Aug 3, 2021 13:29:16 GMT -5
OK, roll call. Who else is going?
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Post by ic59 on Aug 3, 2021 14:25:37 GMT -5
OK, roll call. Who else is going? I hope to be there.
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Post by GuyF on Aug 3, 2021 16:04:54 GMT -5
I'm guessing this golf event is how they're paying for it?
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Post by saracena1 on Aug 3, 2021 21:13:27 GMT -5
OK, roll call. Who else is going?
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Post by saracena1 on Aug 3, 2021 21:13:52 GMT -5
OK, roll call. Who else is going?
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