The following are some brief notes that I’ve edited from an email I recently received from Tom Fitzgerald.

USA-Mexico Match: Tom indicated that Team USA had an extremely poor shooting performance with several shots hitting the post. With 1:52 remaining in the match the US was actually down 28-24. A foul on a wing shot resulted in a penalty goal and a two minute penalty. The US then repeatedly stopped Mexico on defense and rattled off 3 straight points in the time remaining. As described this is a remarkable comeback which salvaged the USA’s prospects.

USA-Puerto Rico Match: The US led the whole game and at one time pulled ahead 20-12. Puerto Rico got within 3 goals at the end and the US also had the luxury of getting some inexperienced players more playing time.

USA-Argentina: The USA was outmatched vs. an Agentina squad with 9 players playing in Europe and 2 in Brazil. As the outcome of the match was somewhat meaningless, the US started some of it younger player to get some of the starters some rest. At one time the score was whittled down to 22-15, but Argentina finished strong and ended up winning 38-20

USA-Brazil: No illusions here and Tom indicated that this will be a tough match for the US. The Brazilian has been training for the past 10 months and has a roster full of professional players.

USA-Greenland: This likely showdown for 3rd place should be interesting. The US and Greenland played a friendly match last Sunday and the US pulled out a 31-25 victory. In was during this match, however, that John Kelly, who had been playing very well for the US got hurt.

Player Performances: Tom indicated that Danny Caparelli and Gary Hines are playing exceptionally well and that Troy Steffen and Divine Jackson have been pleasant surprises. To win the match against Greenland they will definitely need some of the younger players to play well.

Coach Martinez: Tom noted that from his perspective Coach Martinez has been a good teacher and that the team is responding well to

From the Brazilian Federation Website: http://www.brasilhandebol.com.br/

Translation was done using Babel Fish: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr

United States WIN the FIRST One In the PAN-AMERICANO OF IN ARACAJU

The United States had had work to win Rich Port in the first game of the second round of the Championship Pan-American of Masculine Adult Handebol. Placar was closed in 28 the 25 (10 the 8 in the first time). This was the first victory of the Americans in the competition. After that, Chile defeated Uruguay, for 27 the 26 (16 the 11). Brazil enters in squares this night against Greenland, to 20h, while, at this moment, Argentina faces Mexico, in the game that started to 18hs. Rich port started better and with more speed. To the few, the team of the United States if made right in the attack and passed to the front. In second time, the American team grew still more and went off in placar. Still with a reaction sketched for the Puerto Ricans, the teams of the North America guaranteed the victory. The American shipowner Tone Fitzgerald praised the performance of the adversary. "It is a fast team very young e. They run very and kick fort. In second time, our teams changed the game and, as they were tired, us we obtain the advantage." Chile made a game with sped up rhythm and was to the front in placar for almost all the confrontation. Exactly fighting, Uruguay did not obtain to pierce the Chilean blockade and lost many balls. Almost in the end of the departure, the climate esquentou when Uruguay leaned in the marker, but Chile obtained to remain itself in the front and closed the confrontation. "It was a very satisfactory departure. We could have strained more placar. Tomorrow, we wait to earn of Brazil ", commented the technician of the Chilean team, Rodrigo Bown. United States: Danny, Milan (2), Jeff (1), Tone (4), Gil (3), Gary (5) and Troy (8), beyond Muris (4), Divine (1) and Mark. Rich Port: Rafael, Omar, Isael (2), Joseph (2), Juan Cepeda (8), Freddie and Hector (3), beyond Dennis (3), Rafael Cepeda (1), Alberto (5), Jose (1) and Elvis. Chile: René, Landmark (5), Patrician (6), Emil (9), Philip Maurin (5), Guillermo (2) and Nicolas, beyond Alfredo, Landmarks, Jimmy, Fields, Rodrigo, Pablo and Philip Miholovic. Uruguay: Sebastian, Javier (2), Pablo Mounts (2), Diego (3), Pablo Marrochi (8), Maximiliano (3) and Expensive Pablo, beyond Mario, Gonzalo (1), Sebastian Noveri, Diego Viscava (4), Cristian, Gabriel (2), Hermann (1) and Nicolas.

The USA Women’s Team is in the midst of their 3 week European tour. They will be playing club teams in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. I saw 2 of their 3 matches in a local tournament in Issy-le-Moulineaux, just outside of Paris. They defeated an England based team 24-22, lost to Israel, and lost to Paris Select team 25-21.

I've posted a short 4 minute interview that I had with Coach Christian Latulippe at the handballusa Yahoo Group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/handballusa/files/

More information is also available at the Women's Team's sites:
Press Release: http://www.usateamhandballwomen.com/News/May23_06.html
European Trip Blog: http://wnteuropetour2006.blogspot.com/