Souren Mouradian Games, Paris 2006
Homenetmen London Men's Basketball team wins
the runner up trophy at the Paris Games
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Executive summary 
Players: 4 Lorees Arakelian, 5 Vahe Altounian, 6 Edik DerAvanesian, 8 Harout Atanosian, 9 Andre Dadayan, 12 Serjek Apelian, 13 Garo Karabeyekian, 15 Shiraz Vartanian and coach Sevan Artin The preparation: Our team intensified its training regime prior to the tournament by 4 weeks where considerable and equal attention was paid to rapid fitness, shooting and tactical plans. Regarding fitness, our team is fit to its age but lacks acceleration. Regarding shooting, we have some of the best shooters in the league but consistency is a factor. As for tactical plans, we have simple but effective plays that we go through but turnovers make the plans difficult to implement. This team had a very fragmented season last year when most players had on-off periods due to injuries, work and domestic obligations. For any coach to go through routinely planned exercise sessions, it could become a very laborious task because it is hard to gather our players, who predominantly are mature 30+ years young and heading families. Our and the executive's equidistant tri-pivotal aims were, first to participate, second to win and be the best and third to infiltrate the young blood and youth with the seniors. We all had a genuine hunger to go there and win a trophy despite our difficulties, but to come back with three, was a sweet napoleon. 
The team and the trophies The Trip: The trip started with the regular team gathering at Heathrow airport. After landing in Paris, a familiar shout is heard in the terminal foyer, which sirens, "'Osen, 'osen, Londontsinereh", as if we were lost and we were found (followed by typical cheek kissing Pari Kaloosd). We then headed to the hotel and to our athletic custom, we were hungry, again. We were taken to downtown Paris to have a memorable couple of Shawarma sandwiches, in which the quantity of garlic to meat was disproportionate, big time. The second morning, surprisingly everyone was bang on time for breakfast (Who needs an alarm clock when you eat at midnight Sikhtorov Shawarma and not Shawarma Sikhtorov?). The games: Game 1: Saturday 14:00. Our first game was against France B, who supposedly is the team of seniors, but it was actually marinated by a couple of hot chili turbo charged players who made us run the extra mile. Although the game was tight and neck-to-neck, we were comfortable with the pace of the game until the beginning of the second half where we built a 10-point deficit. To preserve our energy for the following matches, Sevan instructed us to keep zone defence. Man-to-man was not an option since it involved more leg power. Our long throws and solid rebounding were the match winners at the end by more than 10 points. At this match we witnessed the introduction of our youngest player Harout who showed good signs of ball handling and passing which earned him a longer part in the subsequent games. Our unexpected tiredness was apparent in the ballet room. 
In the ballet room Game 2: Saturday 16:00. To play against France A, the second best Armenian team in Europe who came fourth in the Last Homenetmen World Armenian games in Athens after USA West, Iran and Greece, it was going to be a tough game indeed. Again, it was a good day for us long ball throwers and we had a good ratio of scoring. Our Gherkin towers kept the opposition's damaging Eiffel towers out of reach most of the time and at some stage we were trailing by three points only, until we got to the last quarter, where the warm hall, our exhausted legs and shaky arms betrayed our skills. A couple of missed shots, unforced turnovers and unsecured rebounds took the score difference to about 15 points till the end of the game. Basically, our tired legs couldn't keep up with their fast breaks. For sure, the score sheet did not reflect the performance of our team, who made France A work overtime for their win in a sense that they played us man-to-man for almost half the game. After this game we headed to the hotel to rest and in the evening we hit the town for a dose of carbohydrate in an outdoor Italian restaurant, followed by a three-scoop ice cream feast on the move. It was midnight and everyone was tired from walking and wanted to head back, but once we reached the beautiful Champs Elysees, suddenly we became born again Hayer. Our players' behaviour was top class by consuming moderate alcohol, a good choice of food and looking after their bodies and energy very well. 
The team in town (picture taken by Vanessa, Canadian visiting Paris, 22 years, non-smoker, Taurus, likes techno, vegetarian, sister lives in Athens. Ask Harout for more details) Game 3: Sunday 12:00. Same schedule to the previous day but teams were re-shuffled. We started the game badly. A couple of our players were supposed to rest and not play but eventually they were dragged into the game to assist. Halfway, and we were trailing by 15 points and that was due to turnovers. We had to win this game if we wanted to come second. In the second half we played with shorter, more accurate passes. We took the ball to the zone and scored from shorter range. Gradually the game turned in our favour and we won by about 15 points. It was a tiring game and the strategy worked thanks to collective effort. Game 4: Sunday 14:00. This was the last game of the tournament to be followed by the closing ceremony. Most of us were bandaged or anaesthetised toe to shoulder. We started extremely well and we were equal at least in the first quarter but at times, our shrinking muscles and dysfunctional joints only had enough lubrication in them to shift us to the halfway line. Our mileage was coming to an end and we did our best to stay on court and play a good solid game thanks to our Parisian fans who supported us to the end. We were beaten by a big margin predominantly because of their late fast breaks and our lack of substitution. The absence of our senior players was very notable and their presence would have made a difference. It became apparent that playing 4 games in two days was just asking too much from our splinting shins & straining calves. 
Teams in action 
Paris & London teams The closing ceremony. It was a typical ceremony marched to the sound of our beloved patriotic anthems and in front of the home and visiting crowds. All teams were cheered and supported equally and loudly. Based on our results, we came second, and our captain, Edik, received the trophy presented by committee member Hrach Sisserian. I was chosen as the Fair Player of the tournament. As for our beloved Charle Malas, who voluntarily came with us to the tournament as a retiring referee to assist the refereeing crew, he received an Honorary lifetime achievement trophy for his long contribution to the community and refereeing profession. At night we were invited to the dinner gala where we had lots of fun and the best of times, accompanied by our trophy. In the end, we achieved our aims. I will take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to the organising committee and friends in Paris for their organisational hard work and hospitality. A big thank you to our London committee, for finding the resources and for their continual support to this mature team. Thank you also to all our supporters, families and club members for their endless support. And last but not least, thank you to all the geezers in the team for keeping fit, conscious and raising the sprit of "Partsratseer, Partsratsoor". 
At the closing ceremony 
Hrach & Edik exchanging trophy & goodwill emblem 
Lorees receiving Fair Player award for Basketball 
Charle receiving lifetime achievement award 
The Lads, The Cup, and The Smirnoff Source: Lorees Arakelian... Until we report from Yerevan from the Pan Armenian Games 2007, take care. |