Paga: Monday, finally, the last day

After the terrible weather on Saturday, waking up to the sun on Monday was quite a blessing. It was our last day of play, one game, and the weather looked great. We would be pairing up against the American Gladiators again. We had beaten them pretty easily the first time, but we knew that it wouldn't be that easy. Our team was pretty much ready to go, we were clearly tired, but maybe it was the good weather that energized us. The game started out like most of our other games, they were able to get about four points on us at some point. There was part of me that thought, well, I guess this is it, again. At one point, the score was 9:5, them. We then scored the next point, and the two point cap came on, so game to 11. And then, we seemed to get into a rhythm. We weren't playing to win the game, we were playing to win the point, which ever one it was. That was a big difference, at least with me, just fight right now, and then we will worry about the next point. We then found ourselves up 9:10, the American Gladiators then scored another point. And there we were, universe point, who ever scored the next point would go home feeling like winners. There were probably a few turn overs in that game, but then there was a beautiful put to the back of the end zone, and Mike was there, layed out, dragged the line, and caught the most beautiful disc I think I have ever seen. Best Paga ever!

They were pretty bummed to lose the game, but we were still able to have a great post game chat and played a few games. Brendan led them in a common Irish cheer, and then the played Cowboy, princess, spoon with us. If you know mix and mingle, then you know this game. If not, when someone shouts out cowboy, you get into a pair, one player gets on all fours, and the other is the cowboy. For princess, it is partners again, and one of the players picks up the other (like you are carrying them over the threshold). And spoon is for three people, and you have to lay on the ground and spoon with two other people. As the game started, a player on the other team made eye contact with me, and we then were the first in the cowboy position. You are supposed to mingle with everyone, but the two of us stayed close by each other. After a while, both teams caught on as people were getting eliminated, and tried to keep up separated, but he would just rush over and we would end up not getting eliminated. At the end, there were three of us, two American Gladiators and me. They called out princess, and the other girl was shocked that he still threw me into his arms. For the win they wanted to play pokey, but I knew that I could never win at that, so I suggested that we play slap, where you try to hit the other person's bottom before they hit yours. I ended up losing, but then one of my players took him out, so I feel like it was victory in the end.

The rest of the day was quite restful. The nice weather didn't stay that much longer. The Austrian junior team won the juniors group, and it was a team that I got to play a few games with back in September in Erlangen, which was so fun to cheer them on at Paga! Huck Finn (and American team) won the mixed section, Bliss won women's (for like the 8th year, out of 10) and Scandal won open! Scandal is a team mostly based out of Chicago, and I met their captain last time I played Paga, and that was so great to cheer them on!

It got cold and rainy, and the shower was greatly appreciated. We had to say good-bye to our duke that night, went out for dinner, had to walk a few kilometers in the rain and wind, but the place we at ate was pretty wonderful and not touristy. They gave us real portions for what seemed like a bargain compared to what we were used to paying at the beach. Then it was time for the last party. But the last party was actually a bit lame. Maybe we were all just tired and didn't really want to mingle, but it was kinda quiet. The teams I had been hanging out with (besides my own) had all left. Around midnight, a player I had met the first night was going to the British pub in town, where all the British teams end up. Yeah, not only do they see each other all the time in the UK, but they decide to have their own party at a british pub? But hey, that turned out to be more fun than where we were. Five of us headed down there. I got to chat a bit with Russ, and then I looked around. Yeah, a whole bunch of people who already know each other, that's not intimidating or anything. But I was determined to mingle, went to the bar, got my beer, and noticed a cute looking guy in cast at the bar, hmm, easy conversation starter. Well, what started as a simple story (he broke his arm a week before Paga, so sad!) turned into an eight hour conversation! We even got kicked out of the bar, then watched the sunrise over the Adriatic. Perfect way to end Paga '08? Yes.
Bottom Row: Holly
Second Row (from left): Maria, Mike (Chunk), Jan, Bojan, Choi, Chelsea, Thierry
Top Row: Simon, Anna, Brendan, Michael, Bob, Ines, Andy, Lori, Martin, Emily