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England Hockey finals preview with Henry Croft · Lets Stick Together

• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: Right, we're here for a little let's stick together special episode.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: We're doing uh the English League Finals are in a couple of days' time, and we're gonna do a little special.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: I'm joined as as is the new studio in my house on the kitchen table with Henry Croft um to to come and give his he's doing a wave because now we're now on YouTube again.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks to Jack.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Henry, it's lovely to have you here.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_03: How are we doing, guys?
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_03: You alright?
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: You're right, food.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: I'm good, man.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: I'm good.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we've talked a lot about you on this on this pod.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: You're gonna be like a bit of a co-host, as we've had.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Have you been listening back?
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I've been uh I've been quite enjoying it.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_03: Um I seem to sort of listen away, I start laughing, and then I hear a sort of comment about me in either a good way or uh I don't know, semi-bad way, but it's understanding.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_03: So there we are.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: You've got to be used to it though, like you have a very unique style of playing hockey compared to most with the big celebrations.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Do you like a bit of rough housing?
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: You like to get stuck into people.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: Like, is that just so normal to you?
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I think I like to play the game um in a way that people want to, you know, keep watching, something a little bit different.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_03: And I think my mum loves the fact that you keep talking about me, Phil.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_03: I'm gonna be completely honest.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_03: She uh she's a big listener of the podcast.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_03: Um, she sits on her sofa with her finger in her ear and listens away.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_03: Hi mum, you're right.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um but yeah, making clips, keeping the hockey entertaining, it's fun, isn't it?
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm actually so with you.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's a I think it's an unbelievable thing for hockey.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: I would say that this is, I mean, we're adding to we've got a lot of parents who listen to the podcast.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: I know the the Albries, Tim Albury's a big fan.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: I know uh Will Callan's dad is a big fan.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: I've now heard that that you are.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Uh my parents, my mum gave me a compliment for the first time in ages.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: She said that she she listens, didn't even know for a while.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: But anyway, we are on to the um the English league final.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: So basically, like the the biggest, yeah, the biggest weekend in the in the domestic kind of um silverware on the line.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: Well, and we've got some pretty good matchups, I'd say.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I would start off with the the absentees who are not at the league final.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: So, if anyone, I'm not gonna bother doing the normal thing where we've got you know the very complicated league phase, we've got phase one, two, and three.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: Phase three is just finished, and we're just gonna tell you who missed out and who's actually there.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: So the teams are the women's teams.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um are I'm gonna test myself and just go off memory.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Is Durham University, Serbiton, Wimbledon, and Hampstead.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: So Durham are a very surprised addition.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Um with the the people who aren't there, the last year's champions, Reading women and East Grinstead, both like I mean, big shocks.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: Would you would you agree with that, Croft?
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I mean, as well.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_03: I think pretty surprising the way they went out.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_03: I think E.G.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_03: came third um and then didn't win one game, which is I don't know, you could potentially say a good advert for phase three, quite entertaining.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_03: But yeah, it wasn't uh wasn't something I would have predicted before before phase three started, that's for sure.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, they got a they got a hell of a lot of uh internationals at EG, and I think what you mean by that is we have to probably explain it, is that they came third in the league, so phase one and two combined, they came third in the league, were looking pretty strong.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Then they go into the the the T the table of four, which is phase three, and they lost every single game.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um and you actually wrote down about the uh the the uh last game they had against Durham, was it Durham?
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_03: I mean it was a hell of a pull B for the women.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think so.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_03: I think E.G.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_03: originally lost their first game, just get it right here, one second.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think it was to where are we here, Philip?
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_03: Here, here we go.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_03: So they lost four 3-2 to Birmingham, um, which was a tight affair, um, and then they also lost um 3-2 to Durham.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_03: Um and in that game, there was a yellow, uh, a green, and then a red card for East Grinstead, which I don't think I've ever seen a red card in a game ever.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_03: Um, never mind in a Premier League game and in phase three in a potential game that could knock them out of the tournament.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean, it's a huge shock, and I think you've probably got to be looking at yourself.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: The the card was for their head coach, so I assume it says on 70 minutes.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: So Theo Dows on 70 minutes is clearly he's had a head loss, he's gone at the umpires, he's gone at something, and he's got himself a red card, which fair play to you.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: You know, when there's when the season's gone, you might as well just have a go.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: Go for it.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but yeah, I I would say with the East Gren East Greenstead women, they've got a hell of a lot of talent in that group, you know.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: Even just thinking off the top of my head, they've got Ellie Rea, they've got um Tess Howard, they've got Lily Walker, um Grace Balsden, Amy Thompson, really, really some solid, solid, good international players.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: And to lose twice to university teams is is something that I think you could be.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, I don't want to judge too hard here, but you've got to be looking at yourself there and and seeing what what actually went wrong.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: I have I you know I haven't watched the games, but yeah, that is a huge loss.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: And then Reading, obviously, last year's champions to come fifth, and you know, they they've had a tough time.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: They went to the EHL and struggled there, and then they've they've they've also not quite made the cut.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: I guess it's showing also, though, the the quality on the women's side, maybe it's slightly more balanced.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_03: I think, yeah, it is interesting.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_03: You know, last year's champions not getting through.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_03: I would actually say it's a bit of an advocate for the game because I think a lot of the time at the moment, especially with the men's side, you know, you know a lot of the games, how they're gonna go, who's probably gonna win.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_03: Whereas it's quite refreshing actually having some games where it's a lot more competitive, you know, different sides have got through and shows that actually if you do have a bit of you know tactical now, so you've got a chance.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_03: Um, which is a as a forest fan, it's pretty important to me because if the big teams won all the time, we'd have no chance.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_03: But um, yeah, I think it's probably good for the game.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: Agreed.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: I was wondering how long it would take you to bring up Nottingham Forest.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: Crofty is a huge Nottingham Forest fan.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: I actually can't believe this.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: I haven't actually done my research on you on your international career or anything.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: I normally do an introduction, but I mean, yeah, screw it, we won't do that today.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_00: I might do a do an extra one, but um I guess the notable absentees for on the men's side is probably Holcombe and Oxted were Oxted were in the semi-finals last year as a kind of surprise package.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: They haven't made it this year, and Holcomb lost the kind of big matchup with Hampstead and Westminster um in phase three to mean that they didn't they didn't make it.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Are you surprised about that?
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_03: Um I don't think I'm surprised.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think what I would say is potentially the way the fixtures fell this year might have um caused an issue for them because I think last year it would be uh it would have been Hampstead and Holcomb on that first game, as opposed to the second.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_03: So the way it works is we have a double header, um, you play uh obviously a team on the Saturday, a team on the Sunday, and the way it would have worked last year is Hampstead would have played Holcomb on the Saturday, which may have suited them more due to their man-to-man play.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, but I think once they played Serbiton on that day, probably knackered, and then have to go and play Hampstead.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_03: I think it probably fell into Hampstead's hands a little bit more.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: And you know, I think they're still a very young team, Holcombe.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um, my opinion on them is that like it, you know, it it might come good for them in the next couple of years because they've got a lot of you know, um, GB development players, they've got a lot of young international players, and you know, it takes sometimes a little bit of time to break through.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_00: This was probably similar to Serbiton a few years ago, where they were constantly knocking at the door, had a load of young guys but couldn't quite break through, and then suddenly just just now just absolutely um all over it this year.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, we move on to I guess both Serbiton teams uh heavy favourites, both have gone completely unbeaten this year with Serbiton men winning every single game in the in the league this year.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, EHL was slightly different, but um it's hard to look past them um this year, but at the same time, our very own OGs had the same season last season where we went unbeaten the whole year, and then you know the final came down to a to a very tight-knit affair.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: What's um what's your take?
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_00: Have you got any any different take to that?
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_03: Um I don't know really.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_03: I think you know, on both the women's and the men's side, you know, they're building something really cool.
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_03: Um, they're playing some great hockey.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_03: Uh as you say, they are probably the heavy favourites, but that is the beauty of a one-off game, you know.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_03: Um we played them obviously in the season, we lost 2-0.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_03: We then got them in the HL, we managed to win on shuffles, so I think it's you know it's set up for uh for a pretty a pretty good final.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_03: And as shown last year with the women, anything can happen.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_03: I think Serbiton, I can't remember completely, but I think they had a pretty good year as well on that side, and then obviously Reading picked them in the final.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_03: Um so yeah, who knows?
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_00: And moving on to the um to the actual semi-final matchups, you've got Serbiton are playing Wimbledon in a in on the men's side with a uh, you know, it's a derby, it's a decent matchup, it's a repeat of last year's semi-final.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: Do you see any way that Wimbledon can can top them, or is there what would you do if you were Carl Stagno, the Wimbledon coach?
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, fine.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_03: Um Do I see a way they can top them?
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_03: There's always a way, obviously, when you've got Super Hooper who does do his S and C.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think I'm parking the bus.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_03: I'm telling the lads to get the left hand on the floor.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I'm playing a bit like Gantoir, I think, and then you know, send Harper on his on his merry way, few balls over the top, get the fast lads running in behind, win the odd corner, let Hoops do his thing, and then you just never know.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_03: But I would say they're probably up against it in complete reality.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: I love that.
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_00: I love that tactical now.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: So you just sound like a Premier League manager.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then the other men's semi-final is is us OGs versus Hampstead.
• 10:42
  SPEAKER_00: You know, we have um we beat them in phase two, four-one, but we also lost them in phase one, two-nil.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um, they had a really weird phase three where Hampstead have been pretty solid all year.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: I would say they've got a really good flicker, pretty solid team, good coach.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but the last phase three game, they played Serbiton in a little in a in who would become first and second in that group, and they lost 10-nil, um, which is just absolutely mental.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: Wouldn't would not have, you know, Serbiton have been good, but Hamstead have also been, you know, the the the third, fourth best team in the in the league this year.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: What were you what was your thoughts when you saw that?
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, my first thought was Blimey.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_03: That is an absolute pasting.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_03: That's pretty tough for the boys.
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_03: But then I also thought maybe like after three, they sort of accepted, right, we're not gonna win this game.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_03: Um, let's make sure nobody gets injured, because they do have a few boys that you know are a little bit more injury prone.
• 11:42
  SPEAKER_03: So that could have been it, might be making excuses, may have just got panned.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_03: Well, they did get panned.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but yeah, maybe that isn't amazing for us because they're probably gonna look at it now, tighten things up.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but yeah, was pretty shocking.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, and and like I say, I think that will be a good game.
• 11:59
  SPEAKER_00: Hamstead are you know, dangerous.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: I think we're obviously um we're hitting a little bit of form in the last couple of a couple of weeks.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: We've had some big wins, we managed to uh beat Oxted a uh 10 10-nil.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_00: We beat EG 5-1 and then we beat Wimbledon on the weekend 4-1 um to put ourselves in a nice in a nice position in the semi-final.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: 5-1, 4-1?
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_00: Was it 5-1?
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, 5-1.
• 12:25
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so yeah, that will I think that will be a pretty exciting final.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: In terms of the men and players to watch, Croft.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, who have you uh who are you watching out for?
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: Like what what are you thinking about?
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_00: I guess if you're looking at from a fan perspective.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_00: Fine.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_03: Um okay, fan perspective, probably gonna have to look at Phil Roper.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_03: Um what no, fine.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_03: Uh I'm probably looking at Masarella in goal.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_03: He's gonna be massive for uh well say for us, even though I'm uh suppose I'm a fan at the minute.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_03: Um probably looking for a big celebration out of craft.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_03: Um that's normally quite funny.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_03: Uh Banders, he's been on fire, hasn't he?
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_03: So can't really look past him, and then always your drug clickers.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_03: You're probably looking at Hooper, Furlong, Wardy.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_03: Um, Wardy also in general play, he's pretty hilarious.
• 13:16
  SPEAKER_03: Stefans, yeah.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I think I think they're the guys, and then also um, you know, your difference makers that you don't necessarily always see in the limelight, like David Ames, um Stu, people like that in the midfield, Jammer.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_03: Um, yeah.
• 13:32
  SPEAKER_03: I've made some good players, aren't I?
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_03: There, come on.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, if you want people to watch, they're your list, aren't they?
• 13:37
  SPEAKER_03: You know, write it down.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_03: There you go.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna try and like condense that a little bit.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_00: So, so Nick Bandrag, top goal scorer this year.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_00: I think he scored 32 goals.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: Pretty pretty impressive.
• 13:51
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of goals.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um, someone that uh I know Serbon have kind of based their attack around.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: They know that getting the ball today is gonna be a is gonna be a danger.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_00: Um I would say, yeah, that the flickers, I think you're I think you're you're you're you're you're right with them.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_00: I would say, you know, naming a couple of extra ones who maybe go under the radar, Connor Williamson for Serbiton is just the guy who runs everything for them at the back and has just become a you know a world-class player.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_00: Um at the same time, I'm gonna call out Tim Cross, who plays right back for Hampstead, um, is an incredibly dangerous player and someone we're gonna have to definitely look after on the weekend um because he's a really exciting, exciting right half.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: And then yeah, we'll move on quickly to the to the women's semi-finals.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_00: So Hampstead are playing Wimbledon in a kind of second-third matchup.
• 14:40
  SPEAKER_00: They've been, you know, looking both looking strong, both with heaps of international talent on display.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then Serbiton versus Durham, which I think should be an absolute roll over unless an absolute miracle happens.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: Surbiton have been incredibly strong on the women's side, and they have they have some top players.
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um what's your take on on them two games?
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_00: Who who are you thinking is the women's final?
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_00: I uh sorry, before we go, I think you'd be heavy set to say it's a a repeat of last year's final on the men's side.
• 15:13
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, but on the women's side, it's it's it's open.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_00: I think that Hampstead Wimbledon game is pretty exciting.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I mean, I was just looking at sort of the games before we uh we started the podcast, and to be fair, the Wimbledon and Hampstead games throughout the season, they're they're both pretty solid.
• 15:29
  SPEAKER_03: Um, so that is pretty pretty hard to call.
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um who is gonna go through?
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think I'm gonna back Hampstead because I think they did win all of their games um in phase three.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_03: Um, they've been scoring goals, keeping it out of the back, and I think they've just got a little bit more bit more firepower.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and let's go on to watch without naming 32 names.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: Do you reckon you can do that?
• 15:56
  SPEAKER_00: I'll I'll start, I'll say um ones to watch.
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_00: I know Darcy Bourne's been one of the top goalscorers this year.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_00: I I'm always a huge fan of watching um Katie Curtis play for Serbon.
• 16:09
  SPEAKER_00: I think she's a she's a fantastic player, as well as Amy Costello.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: Um, in some of the teams, got a name, Anna Turman, captain of uh Camden Wimbledon, fantastic uh player.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_00: I think always such a such a consistent player for them.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_00: And then Hampstead, Holly Hunt, I know has been on very good form, so definitely someone to watch.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_03: Uh yeah, a couple of players to look out for.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I think we're gonna go with a couple of goalkeepers, Jess Buchanan and Aisha McFerrin.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I think if those guys play well, that'll be huge for them getting into the final and in the final potentially getting over the line, especially if it does go to shuffles.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and then also um I was looking at Hamstead's top goal scorer in pool B.
• 16:49
  SPEAKER_03: We've got Catherine Ledesma.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_03: Um, two reasons, three goals uh in that phase three, but also I just think what a name that's a prime Barclays name.
• 16:59
  SPEAKER_03: If you had, you know, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Catherine Ledesma.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_03: Sounds like it all fits, so yeah, I reckon that's someone to watch.
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_03: Jesus, right.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_01: Nice, nice crafty.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_01: You know what I was wondering, Philip?
• 17:15
  SPEAKER_01: Is there finals in England hockey?
• 17:18
  SPEAKER_00: This year there is, you tickets are now on sale for the EHL Premier Division finals on the 2nd and 3rd of May at Serbiton Hockey Club.
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_00: Adults can get tickets from£22, under 16s from£11, or if you want the whole weekend, you can get weekend passes starting at£16.50 for under-16s and£36.50 for adults.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_00: It is an action-packed weekend of hockey, and there is a whole abundance of stuff going on that weekend, not just the high quality hockey.
• 17:46
  SPEAKER_00: There's food stands, there's other stuff to do.
• 17:48
  SPEAKER_00: It's a great club, Serbiton.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: You want to check them out.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_01: That sounds like an absolute bargain, Philip.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_01: Go watch and go to the SEALs.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_00: There we go.
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_00: You heard it here first, EHL Premier Division Finals, 2nd and 3rd of May.
• 18:04
  SPEAKER_00: Get your tickets to englandhockey.co.uk forward slash competitions and events.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, what about I mean, let's go into a little bit of badger stuff.
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_00: Like, what about the the tactic tactics on show?
• 18:18
  SPEAKER_00: Like, I guess we're gonna speak men here.
• 18:20
  SPEAKER_00: Like, I don't think it's pretty tough for us when we're playing to follow the women's game, but like in terms of the different styles on show, um what are we looking for if you were coming, if you were watching on the on the live stream, if you're gonna go down and watch what type of style are you gonna see from the teams?
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I I think you know that you know when you watch Serbiton, you're gonna get um man to man, they're gonna go for it.
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_03: I think you know they like to counterattack, but they'd also like to control the ball.
• 18:49
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I think the interesting ones will be to be honest, will be Hampstead and Wimbledon, um, how they go about playing because I think you know both of them have it in them to try and go toe-to-toe against us and Serberton.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but they also could go the other way in terms of you know low blocks, potentially a bit more counter-attacking.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_03: And I think it'll be quite an interesting watch.
• 19:11
  SPEAKER_03: Um, yeah, because they they're gonna have to do something different to change the results that you know have gone in the season.
• 19:17
  SPEAKER_03: And yeah, I think I think those two will be will be one to look out for.
• 19:21
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think Wimbledon, especially with with I know with Carl, Carl Stagner, their coach, he's he's always drawing up his X's and O's, and he'll he'll definitely have a plan that he thinks we'll be able to make it really difficult for Surbiton.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: So it'll be interesting to see how they come out and and and attack Serbiton.
• 19:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um obviously we're a little bit more, you know, we've got we haven't got age on our side.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_00: Croft is our youngest guy by about 15 years, so it'll be interesting to see um, you know, how we how we tackle the the first semi-final to then give us the legs for for last year.
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_00: I think interesting looking back on last year was you know we we were a bit depleted, we had a couple of injuries going into that final, so made it made it pretty difficult against a very fresh Serberton team.
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um but I I think it could be a really exciting weekend.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_00: Um I guess what are your what are your predictions then?
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_00: If we're gonna go for let's go for a which teams are gonna be in the final for both men and women, and then let's go for a correct score for both.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_03: And I reckon whoever wins gets a schwama from the other person.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_03: You happy with that?
• 20:40
  SPEAKER_03: Fantastic.
• 20:41
  SPEAKER_03: Um okay, fine.
• 20:42
  SPEAKER_03: Where where are we kicking it off?
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_03: Should we do should we do our game first?
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_03: Okay, I think we are going to win our semi-final five two.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_00: I'll go with a repeat and I'll go for four-one.
• 21:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'll just kick us off with the Surbiton Wimbledon game, and I'm gonna go for a six-two to Serbiton.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_03: Wow.
• 21:11
  SPEAKER_03: Okay, see I I I can see a tighter affair, and I think they are gonna do um my sort of can I swear on this podcast?
• 21:20
  SPEAKER_03: Shit house tactics.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_03: I think they're gonna put the left hand on the floor, and uh they've got a lot of fire power off the top, which I think is gonna cause I think they're still not gonna quite get over the line, but I think they're gonna lose four two, but it's gonna be it's gonna be tight all the way, and then maybe concede the fourth to an open goal.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_03: Uh next game.
• 21:39
  SPEAKER_03: What's next game?
• 21:42
  SPEAKER_03: Fine, Hamstead Wimbledon.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_03: Ooh, that is a tough one.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_03: I think this will be tight.
• 21:46
  SPEAKER_03: I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with the Desmond.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_03: Two two with Wimbledon to go through on shuffles.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um I'm also gonna say it's a very low scoring affair, but I'm gonna go with one nil Wimbledon.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_00: And then Surbiton versus Durham.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_00: I think Durham are gonna come out hot.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: I think they're gonna stay with Surbiton for the first quarter, maybe two quarters, and then Serbiton are gonna run away with it and win five nil.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, this does have a makings of a toasting, doesn't it?
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um if you stop it there.
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_02: 9-0.
• 22:32
  SPEAKER_02: It's gonna be a bad one.
• 22:33
  SPEAKER_02: It's gonna be a really bad one.
• 22:37
  SPEAKER_00: Right, so that means I think we've both come with the same finals, which is a Wimbledon Serbiton on the women's side and an OG's Serbiton on the men's side.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_00: I I think we're in a tricky spot here because we're obviously biased.
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_00: We're obviously gonna call ourselves, we're gonna back ourselves, so which makes it a little bit tricky.
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_00: But um yeah, I mean, I'm gonna just kick us off with a I'll do both 3-2 win for OGs and oh no, actually, I'm gonna change it.
• 23:08
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna say a two-all, and we win our shootout because we've got Mighty Mazzarello, and then I'm gonna go with uh a four-one win for Serbiton on the women's side.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_03: Um yeah, the Mazman is massive, isn't it?
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_03: What a guy, what a player.
• 23:28
  unknown: Hmm.
• 23:29
  SPEAKER_03: I'm gonna say we win 3-1 in the final.
• 23:32
  SPEAKER_03: I think Maz plays out of his skin.
• 23:35
  SPEAKER_03: Um women, I think we'd be closer than that.
• 23:38
  SPEAKER_03: I'm gonna go with a 2-1 win to Serberton.
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_03: Um, yeah, last minute sort of sort of winner from a corner.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_03: That'd be great, great for the game.
• 23:49
  SPEAKER_00: And I guess we haven't spoken about it very much, which is um it's at Serbiton Hockey Club, as you've heard in the in the advert.
• 23:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um they've done a they've done a pretty top job of their clubhouse, the setup.
• 24:00
  SPEAKER_00: It was there, the finals were there two years ago.
• 24:03
  SPEAKER_00: It was actually a really, really good setup.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, if you if you are in the facinity, if you're listening in London, if you're free this weekend, I would urge you to go and get yourself a ticket, come down, watch it.
• 24:13
  SPEAKER_00: Some there's some unbelievable kind of players.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_00: There should be some really, really good games on on show.
• 24:18
  SPEAKER_00: Hopefully, they're you know, the food stats will ever goes up.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_00: But this is what we've talked about a lot on Let's Stick Together, where it's you know, we're trying to improve the domestic game, and this is one way of doing it, you know, this is the biggest weekend of the year.
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_00: But what really makes it is the fans, what makes it is the people who are passionate about teams winning or just good hockey.
• 24:38
  SPEAKER_00: Um, how much of a difference do you think that makes, Croft?
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, massive.
• 24:42
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, it's one of the reasons you know, we love to play, it's one of the reasons I love to play.
• 24:46
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I've haven't been able to play in the finals since I was 17.
• 24:51
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and ever since then, I've really wanted to get back just because it's an amazing weekend.
• 24:55
  SPEAKER_03: Um, the vibes around it are really cool, and playing in front of people that love the game as much as you love playing it is is always pretty special.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_03: So, yeah, if you do have a free weekend, want to get down, um, maybe bring some people that don't even know about hockey, try and grow the game as well, you know?
• 25:09
  SPEAKER_03: That'd be great.
• 25:11
  SPEAKER_00: What an advert you are.
• 25:13
  SPEAKER_00: What an advert.
• 25:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um I would say I was gonna wrap it up here because this has been uh you know just a short we did this last year, just a little little preview of the England Hockey League finals.
• 25:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um I'm very I'm very glad uh that you've been been here with me today, Croft.
• 25:30
  SPEAKER_00: You've got a great voice, great face for the radio.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_00: Um but no, we're definitely gonna have you back on.
• 25:42
  SPEAKER_00: You need to uh you and Yupe need to clear the air after your run-ins and get you back on here, but thank you very much, mate.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_03: No, thanks for having me, it's been really fun.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_00: Right, this has been Let's Stick Together special episode.
• 25:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh Mini League Party.
• 25:59
  SPEAKER_00: See you.