Too bad! Really enjoyed the Polocatepetl Tournament.
Thanks, we did, too.
I read somewhere that Paris was considering hosting the Euros for 2012?
I know. Hope they still want to do it.
EHBPC 2012 - Free for bidding now
Dear European Polo Community,
it was the summer of 2011 that we, the Munich polo community, announced our interest in hosting the Euros 2012. After the test run tournament "Polocatepetl" at the Bike Expo things looked good and people were getting excited about the Euros 2012 taking place in Munich. But after many weeks of negotiations with the Bike Expo about the courts we had to take a decision today. We're more than sad to announce that we have to withdraw our (until now unofficial) bid. Despite our efforts to come up with top-notch courts we couldn't work out a reasonable solution, both payable and playable. To our mind, courts are the most important criteria for a tournament, especially for such a big one like the Euros. We hope you can see our point and understand our decision.
We think we should let you know this so the community can now start the discussion about next year's Euros.
Soooo, if there are other cities interested in hosting the Euros 2012, let the Polo World know!
Thank you for your attention,
Angie
PS: Don't be too sad, you can still come and play on our riverside court next summer. We're thinking about having another Munich Open Session Week, just like 2010...
October 30, 2011 - 3:58pm
#3
SAD !! but good to know now!
October 31, 2011 - 8:59am
#4
Thanks for letting us know!
Greg now is your time to back that big mouth of yours.
November 12, 2011 - 5:50am
#5
Thx Alejandro, I think your last sentence will help A LOT everybody in the organisation of this bid.
October 31, 2011 - 6:01pm
#8
Shit. I was really looking forward to this one!
November 1, 2011 - 3:43pm
#11
how about Hannover?!
-only 2, but perfect, courts
-games on 4 days
-max 48 teams
everybody champing at the courts. easy.
(maybe one should ask them before getting too excited)
November 1, 2011 - 6:19pm
#13
2 courts is not enough moe. I would say 3 minimum, 4 ideal.
November 2, 2011 - 10:53am
#14
2 courts is not enough moe. I would say 3 minimum, 4 ideal.
with max. 48 teams and games from thursday to sunday it is!
as Angie says, the courts are the most important. unfortunantely european communities cant provide good ready-made courts yet. also, we seldomly find big areas to put up courts (like public tenniscourts as in the US) I think we have to arange important tournaments aournd good courts, even if that means to have only 2 courts. the location is just perfect. If you split the groups intelligently, every team gets two days of groupgames (10 games/team) and you take the best 20 for double-elim on sunday!
November 2, 2011 - 1:19pm
#15
40-48 teams is plenty enough, 3 courts as well. No need to make this harder to host.
I think Hannover could be a good idea, maybe a bit hard for everyone to attend on 4 days but doable
November 2, 2011 - 1:32pm
#16
I agree. look at NAHBPC 2011 in Calgary. Only 2 courts, but they were great (if a bit too big for some). This tournament shouldn't be about the most polo, it should be about the best polo, and that requires the best courts. Only problem is that it will create more drama at the qualifying level.
November 3, 2011 - 2:07pm
#17
This tournament shouldn't be about the most polo, it should be about the best polo, and that requires the best courts.
exactly!
Only problem is that it will create more drama at the qualifying level.
a clear annual procedure will let no space for lots of discussion
December 5, 2011 - 5:52pm
#18
Mo, it'd be good to see a proposal for Hannover 2012 from you? Are you game?
I'd be up for having even more than 4 days of polo/camping/fun for the Euros next year? Sometimes everything feels a little stressful and rushed with additional courts and teams, so it might be nice to try a slightly different approach?
November 2, 2011 - 5:45am
#19
Sad.
ri-ver-side tu-tu-tum!!
November 6, 2011 - 2:57pm
#20
what about the communities that allready hosted great tournaments like Berlin, London etc?
November 7, 2011 - 2:46pm
#21
Berlin should find another location in my opinion, only one court was really good, the three other one was really hard to play on and really diferents one from each other.
For me two good courts is enough for 48 teams on 3 or 4 days.
November 15, 2011 - 10:38am
#22
quality of courts are truly importants, specially the height of the boards, two maybe is ok, but if we dont have the third for practice is too sad
we have a perfect two courts place in Padova, but we are not ready for doing a good job for 2012.
Italians are in discussion to put our candidature to host euros in 2013.
maybe close to the beach.. Venice is one of a candidate..
Hannover 2012 can be a good bid
January 8, 2012 - 5:48pm
#24
Euros 2013 by the beach FTW!
January 10, 2012 - 3:48pm
#25
Well, to be honest, the 2 courts of Hannover, we played the German Masters on in 2011, are perfect. Great concrete, high walls, like icehockey and a clubhouse, with bar, toilett and places to sit. camping arround is perfect and possible. So let´s talk to them...
January 16, 2012 - 11:44am
#26
2 courts, 4 days? That would be great!
January 16, 2012 - 1:12pm
#27
Mo, Philip and I were talking about Hannover this weekend in London. Essentially if the Euro association (or some volunteers) look after sourcing sponsors, team qualification, paperwork, rules and scheduling, then Hannover will be able to provide the camping space, courts and spend some of the (sourced) funds on anything else they may need.
I think a camping polo-retreat style Euros would be awesome and the hardest part (the courts) would be sorted already..?
January 17, 2012 - 3:23am
#28
The courts are the most important thing. 2 good courts, decent size, decent surface & decent boards is enough, as long as the organisers don't try to get too many teams into the time.
January 17, 2012 - 6:38pm
#30
2 courts, 4 days, and 48ish teams would be a nice recipe for the euros
January 17, 2012 - 7:01pm
#31
I'm not directly concerned, but i think if you ask anyone who attended NAHBPC 2011 in Calgary, 3 days is plenty enough polo for 48 teams on two courts. Everyone got 5 games Friday/Saturday. Adding the 4th day will make it harder for some people because of work or other commitments...
January 18, 2012 - 4:44am
#32
+1
January 18, 2012 - 5:12am
#33
Wildcard first day
Two days of qualification
Final day elimintation
4 days total, 3 days for most?
January 19, 2012 - 4:01pm
#36
Depends on how you manage your days, but calgary was really really really too long for not enough games, the full swiss round day was boring.
I think you can make something good with 2 courts and 3 days, but not with full swiss round, some 2hours or more waiting during games is not serious.
January 19, 2012 - 4:23pm
#37
Depends on how you manage your days, but calgary was really really really too long for not enough games, the full swiss round day was boring.
I think you can make something good with 2 courts and 3 days, but not with full swiss round, some 2hours or more waiting during games is not serious.
It's a conversation for another place, but I agree that Swiss is a pain, both for players and refs. I like Barcelona, cos I played & reffed in mornings only, and then could goof off getting drunk in the afternoons... :-)
January 19, 2012 - 6:54pm
#38
yea, i agree with bill on this one, barcalona was great for having your reffing/playing etc grouped into sections, and each group seemed pretty fair. waiting around for an entire day with a game every 2-3 hours is just bullshit. consolidate those groups and it'll make people more happy. one problem with polo tournaments is being shackled to the court waiting for hours on end, meaning you can't actually see the city you've travelled to.
January 19, 2012 - 10:09pm
#39
In Calgary, Friday (day 1) was divided into two groups, so you played Morning or afternoon. Saturday there were some waits, which were sometimes as long as two hours (but not 3). If this was a problem, it was because it was in suburban calgary, which is is like a black hole, so there wasn't much you could do during that 1.5 hour wait. (That said, if i'm travelling across the continent for polo, i'm there to play/see polo for the weekend. Sight-seeing can happen before or after the tournament...). But it was nice in Seattle for WHBPC, where you could go swimming between games....
For the top teams and for spectators, swiss rounds is better because many of the games on Saturday feature the top 10 teams going up against each other, including often some previews of the podium games, which improves the quality of the games Sunday afternoon.
January 20, 2012 - 5:05am
#40
i thinking of mananging something between SR and group games. make a macro SR on micro group games. You play in a random group the first day, round robin, then, the second day, you play in a round with a more accurate level, same as the third day, every day a new group, always round robin.
Even if it was suburb' in calgary, and cool to swim in seattle, waiting 2 hours for a game is really too long, you can't stay in a good shape with this kind of rythm.
(i miss Toronto and the whole crew!)
January 19, 2012 - 10:28pm
#41
i miss the days when your english really sucked
January 20, 2012 - 7:22am
#43
Hi guys, it's been a while. Paris Bike Polo is now working on making the EHBPC 2012 happen in Paris.
It's now official, we are part of the Bid for the organisation of the 2012 EHBPC !!!!
The place we chose is a mutli-sport complex (stadium?) called le TEP Pailleron wich should allow us to built minimum 3 courts (20x40) and we'll problably have an additional inside ice skating rink court with 300 seat bleechers (gradins).
We already have an option on the 19-20 & 21st of July. (Thusrday-Friday & Saturday). The idea about fiinishing that Saturday comes from our firends from Geneva and was confirmed this WE in London. As you know, When you finish a tournament you want to share some good times with your polo buddies. But most of the time you have to leave. But if we finish on saturday, we can make a big party on Saturday NIght. (May be in the ice rink!)
For those who know about the Tout de France. The EHBPC finals will take place, the day before the arrival of the Tour (July 22nd). Which means a big number of spectators, and, for those who want, they can go see the spectacular arrival on the Champs Elysées !!!
We'll soon come back to you, probably next week, to give you more details : The format, number of teams, slots by country and everything we planned for this tournament if it happens in Paris.
Schuss
The Paris Bike Polo Team.
January 20, 2012 - 7:28am
#44
Nice one Greg (and Paris) for stepping up!
January 20, 2012 - 7:34am
#45
Sounds brilliant.
January 20, 2012 - 8:04am
#46
YES
January 20, 2012 - 9:39am
#47
Finally! You see, Greg, you were too pessimistic.. ;)
Thanks Paris, sounds good (except the dates for those who will qualify for worlds, if they'll happen less than one month later in Geneva, it's really short for booking, etc), anyway, can't wait for more details!
More generally, good to have some competition here too and to choose between different propositions..if Hannover will really bid after this one, wait and see.
January 20, 2012 - 10:05am
#48
super méga top
January 20, 2012 - 1:26pm
#50
The EHBPC finals will take place, the day before the arrival of the Tour (July 22nd). Which means a big number of spectators, and, for those who want, they can go see the spectacular arrival on the Champs Elysées !!!
Sounds great in principle, but I imagine that's not going to be the cheapest weekend to travel to Paris? Just saying, for the same reason we want to avoid the Olympics for the LO.
But i imagine you have reasons for doing it that weekend, so good luck with that, and see you there.
John, the Tour De France is kind of a minor event in terms of crowds in Paris. I doubt that a huge number of people would fly or take the train to see the final sprints. The spectators are usually the tourists already present in Paris, mixed with a few hardcore fans.
January 20, 2012 - 4:36pm
#51
i agree, with the exception of the three or four years where there were fucking Texas flags flying everywhere.
January 20, 2012 - 8:04am
#53
About time!
Location looks great.
Any idea on the format of the tourney? How many teams, etc.....
January 20, 2012 - 10:06am
#54
We'll soon come back to you, probably next week, to give you more details : The format, number of teams, slots by country and everything we planned for this tournament if it happens in Paris.
January 20, 2012 - 10:43am
#56
The end of July?! oh merda!
;-)
Nice for Paris!
January 21, 2012 - 7:00am
#57
sounds great. now to just wait and see how the spots are distributed. exciting times.
January 25, 2012 - 11:08am
#58
Paris bid looks Awesome.
February 2, 2012 - 11:46am
#60
yay for paris!
February 9, 2012 - 6:49pm
#61
Ok Guys, sorry about the lack of communication those last days.
First thing, is do we need to make a vote between Hannover and Paris to be fixed.
Concerning the Paris situation we already gave you our dates 19-20 & 21st of July, and our spot (chek my previous post).
Now concerning the slots, we want to organise a tournament with 40 to 48 teams, not sure yet about the numbers of teams. We want those Euros to be a competitive tournament, so we will contact players in the different scenes to have a better idea about how compatitive is a scene.
We already know who to contact in :
UK
Germany
Spain
Switerland
Italy
Beneligue
Ireland
If your country is not on this list, can you please contact me via lobp or FB.
There will be a 20 teams wildcard tournament. It will be in Rouen (probably the best court in Europe), 1h by train to Paris the days before the Euros. The 3 first teams from the wildcard tournament will be qualified for the Euros.
We will give slots for the wild card tournament by scene.
So basicaly, in 2 weeks we will announce for each scene the number of slots you got for the Euros and for the wildcards, then it'll be up to you to choose the teams qualified.
February 9, 2012 - 8:04pm
#62
Awesome. Thanks Greg
February 9, 2012 - 8:09pm
#63
Greg! Good stuff... if you want the Euro database of polo players, just shout. (Clement is formulating a list too so may help you with contacting everyone.)
Some folks don't check LOBP, etc.
jon [at] lhbpa [dot] org
February 10, 2012 - 5:25am
#65
Bigup gregoui
February 10, 2012 - 6:49am
#66
Merci Greg.
Waiting for Hannover now.
February 14, 2012 - 3:45am
#67
Ok, still waiting for an answer from Hannover.
In case of Euro's in Paris, the only countries wich could received spots by now are :
UK
Germany
Spain
Switerland
Italy
Beneligue
Ireland
Poland
Austria
So if you know anyone from any community thinking about playing at the Euros and not regularily checking this thread let him/her knows.
February 14, 2012 - 5:31am
#68
No France? Hah.
I'll go spam the other countries contacts with an email now (directing them here).... the majority don't check LOBP very often.
February 14, 2012 - 7:22am
#69
Hungary?
How else am I going to put to use my newfound boxing skills :D?
DODI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 14, 2012 - 7:57am
#71
easy boys, easy! :) Dodi will be there. And we also. And tonight we'll write here.
February 13, 2012 - 6:50am
#72
Hi Greg,
I am writing to you on the behalf of the Polish Bike Polo Community.
We are very happy about the Euros being held in Paris! :) Great city and the courts are looking swell.
For contact with the Polish side you can contact me or Agata. I persume you guys know her. :)
This is the email to contact: info@polishbikepolo.pl and my name is Sabrina Staniewska
Last year we recieved 1 spot. This year we would like to ask for two spots if possible. I know that the places are limited but i would like to say that we are interested in showing our skills and are ready to fight in the game of Bike Polo at the euros :)
cheers.
Sabicat.
February 14, 2012 - 9:35am
#74
I just sent our contacts to Greg.
So Czech republic will be happy to be part of EHBPC this year in any form (qualification/main tournament).
See you
Martin
February 14, 2012 - 1:42pm
#75
twice. sry.
February 14, 2012 - 5:31pm
#76
Hi Greg,
we'd like to join euro 2012. from Hungary we would like to get 2 slots , if possible.
cheers,
wackor
and the contact: wackor74 at gmail dot com
February 10, 2012 - 4:52am
#77
thanks for the info.
February 14, 2012 - 8:15am
#78
Greg, is there any chance of a larger wild card tournament? Two days in Rouen? Two courts somewhere else? A wild card tournament in both Paris and Rouen? Less games for more teams, knock-out style?
20 teams seems a little low (if bike polo in Europe has continued to grow since last year)? In the past no-one has had to register/fight to be included in wild card tournaments?
February 14, 2012 - 8:22am
#79
jono, i'd be more concerned with the amount of places available to wildcard teams. it's currently 20 with 3 going through. if you make it 32 teams or so for the wildcard, and still only have the top three going through, i don't think it'll be better. 32 team wilcard and 6 slots seems to be proportionally better.
February 14, 2012 - 9:24am
#80
The idea of wild card tournaments is to give every team a route to the finals without needing to qualify (some teams may not be able to attend their regional qualifier for example).
Usually more spots open up for wild card tournaments as some of the qualified teams have to drop out/can't attend, so I wouldn't worry too much about that...
Agreed, that 3 spots isn't a lot to fight for, but the main thing for me is that everyone has a chance to prove their worth/reach the final.
February 14, 2012 - 11:03am
#82
Agreed, some people find it difficult to attend the regional qualifiers though.
Many middle-ability teams will have their heart set on attending the Euros/playing the wild card no matter what. Capping the wild card is likely to turn away lots of teams... this also means the main event will have less spectators (and friends) in attendance, etc.
February 14, 2012 - 6:51pm
#83
So at this point the list is :
France
UK
Germany
Spain
Switerland
Italy
Beneligue
Ireland
Poland
Austria
Hugary
Czech republic
From what I know mainly Danemark is missing, right ?
Concerning the wildcard, it's almost impossible to make it in Paris, for a reason that you guys will understand easily. People involved in the organisation will have to take some days off to prepare this. So organising a proper wildcard tournament means asking those people to take 2 more days off, wich is a lot. Jono I got your point and we'll think about it with the guys, but at the moment we stay on 1 tournament for 20 teams.
I know the scene is growing more and more, we think it's now important to consider Nationals championship as a major event and Euros and Worlds as bonus for the teams who deserve it.
February 14, 2012 - 7:12pm
#84
Current Euro polo countries:
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russia (by proximity)
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
February 16, 2012 - 11:17am
#85
From what I know mainly Danemark is missing, right ?
About Denmark and other scandinavian countries, here's Jacob's comment:
http://leagueofbikepolo.com/forum/organizing-polo/2011/01/07/european-po...
February 15, 2012 - 8:39am
#87
greece plays I think
February 15, 2012 - 12:43pm
#88
Hello everybody,
Sorry that it took me so long to answer but I'm pretty busy at the moment.
Concerning the Euros:
I can't really speak for all the players in Hannover but since I see a pretty advanced prep for the Euros by the Paris community I would say go for it.
It is true, we have 2 very prefessional courts here and place to camp and (at least in the summer months) nice weather but the number of players that are willing to put a lot of work into organizing such a big event is pretty small. Apart from that the club we (and the courts) are part of is ... complicated (fuckin German correctness, fuck it!).
So thank you, Paris, for organizing it. There might be an international tourney in Hannover as well this year or again the German championships, but not the Euros.
greets, Flo
February 15, 2012 - 7:05pm
#89
Hannover polo retreat instead? More laid back vibe, perfect first tournament?
Your courts are the stuff of legend already...
February 16, 2012 - 7:11am
#90
define: "polo retreat" (never been to one)
February 16, 2012 - 7:33am
#91
http://leagueofbikepolo.com/polo-retreat
(Thanks for the clear answer, Flo, and let's hope for a polo retreat in Hannover this year, not only for german championship..)
February 16, 2012 - 10:18am
#92
Ok, guys, thanks to the community for trusting in Paris Bike Polo, to make it.
We'll give you, some infos soon, the first informations should be the repartition of the spots.
Too bad! Really enjoyed the Polocatepetl Tournament.
I read somewhere that Paris was considering hosting the Euros for 2012?