5 - 8 Playoff Day
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New Zealand 2 - Germany 1

(1) Paul Coll vs Rudi Rohlmuller
Lose 3/2

(3) Michael Sunderland vs Simon Vaclahovsky
Win 3/1

(2) Lance Beddoes vs Sven Lemmerman
Win 3/1

Today we took out 9th seeded Germany in the 5-8 playoffs to prove that New Zealand's run through to the quarter finals was not simply a lucky draw or a lucky win in pool play - we showed what we are here to do!

It was inspiring stuff, a 2pm game to decide whether we play off for 5th and 6th, or 7th and 8th. We decided as a team that we could do it - and of course we would rather come 5th or 6th than 7th and 8th!!!

Grabbed some lunch and caught a 12:30 bus, a little story about the buses now. We have started to have a police escort - so we have a little friend on a motorbike (policia) that goes ahead and stops traffic at lights and stuff so we don't need to worry about lights, we just get a clean run through! Today this was especially good coz traffic was terrible and it makes for a pretty uncomfortable, hot journey in the bus if we are always stopped! But yeah, it's pretty cool being able to dodge in and out of traffic however we want to get there fast!!

From left: Johannes Thurauf, Valentin Rapp, Coach, Rudi Rohlmuller (1), Sven Lemmerman (2), Simon Vaclahovsky (3), Michael, Paul, Lance, Anthony (sure you got those ones...)

Had a hit around to get used to the court like we always do with the 3 that are playing - then it was Paul up first again vs 4th seeded from individuals Rudi Rohlmuller - a big guy that has a really aggressive style of play. Started off playing alright but went down in the first two games, before making a huge comeback to bring it back to 2 all - playing amazingly taking the next two games 11 - 1, 11 - 2! Unfortunately a big 5th proved the German still had some fight in him!

I was up next against Simon Vaclahovsky - a tough match but one I knew I could win if I played well. Went on and started solid getting a good lead and maintaining it, getting the first game. Did the same thing in the second, playing really good, solid squash. Unfortunately in the 3rd I was starting to get a bit tired, and couldn't quite hold on to take it in the 3rd even though I had a slight lead - worked hard in the 4th though and pushed through the tiredness to come back from 10 - 8 down (the support crew was getting a bit stressed!!!) to take the match 12 - 10 in the 4th - I'm thankful for that much!

Lance was up next vs Sven Lemmerman - and I must tell you all, sitting there watching is probably THE most nerve wracking part - playing is the easy part and playing is still pretty darn nerve wracking! Our thoughts go out to Anthony (all the stress we put him through, losing the 3rd to make it a 4th set and then going game ball down!!) we're probably going to turn him grey really shortly! As you can see in the picture though technical zone is a pretty tense place - a lot of nerves in those 3 chairs!!!

Lance worked Sven hard in the first set and came out with a commanding lead - although he went back on in the second a little more relaxed and Sven came at him twice as hard sending him straight back out to Anthony for some stirring up... He went back on in the 3rd and 4th and played really well, pushed the German boy hard and forced him to make mistakes - was well played from Lance and gave New Zealand the win over another higher seeded team - and a technical zone that was really thankful for the stress to be over!!!

Pretty good feeling for the guys - just would like to say that the last time we were in a 5th and 6th play off was in 1992 - and we came 6th. In 1990 we came 5th - although there were less teams in these days! So either way tomorrow, we are going to do the best we have done in 18 or 20 years! A pretty amazing effort and we were all feeling pretty proud to be New Zealanders!

If I could also quickly pay tribute to a couple of our biggest supporters over here in Ecuador that are due a mention - the Koteka family (Walter Koteka is a member of the Australian team) that were originally from Tokoroa if I'm right, have been at almost all of our games cheering for us and helping us through. Though we would get a photo of them to put on the blog to show our appreciation!

BUT, it's not over yet. We have a 10am game tomorrow vs India - who beat France today 2 - 1 in the other 5-8 match, and we want to do our best in this game and get on the plane on Sunday as champions! Either way we have done amazing but our campaign at the 2010 World Juniors isn't quite over, we are going to give it our 100% best shot - there's no reason we can't keep our streak going :).

Thanks guys - I look forward to bringing good news to you all tomorrow!