Men’s April Exposure Tour 2005, “Kniff’s Mini-Tour”
Written in full by Dave Kniffin
(Not edited by anyone, hopefully this turns out to not be an oversight)
Sunday April 3, 2005
Paris, France
(Day “’0” was written before the tour started)
You can read the journals. You can talk to the guys who have been here before. You could even spend a week on the Summer Exposure Tour. At some point along the way, you might think that you understand it. I’ll tell you right now…you don’t. Euro volley is like nothing I have experienced before—the coaches, the club presidents, the training sessions, the press, and everything else that goes with it. It has more ups and downs than a college dormitory. But there are those of us who have lived it, and for some reason or another, want to keep on living it. That’s why we’re here.
The idea behind a spring exposure has been around for some time now. The simple truth is that the April/May period is the best time to sign. However, with so many guys ready to jet home at the end of the season, the potential for signing American players in this period has been relatively untapped. So with seasons ending and teams looking ahead to next year, BIP has launched a “Mini Tour” to explore the possibilities. The team that meets in Paris will be as follows…
Matt SHUBIN (USA) zone 2/3 Played in Greece (Ethnikos)
Josh STANHISER (USA) zone 3 Played in Germany (TV Beuhl)
Amad MASAJEDI (IRN) zone 2/4 Played in Belgium (Shanks Guiber)
Nik WEST (AUS) zone 4 Played for Australian Selection
Jeff TAYLOR (USA) zone 4 Played for CSU Northridge
Lee J. MONTGOMERY (CAN) zone 4 Played in Holland (Lycrungus)
Nick PTASCHINSKI (USA) setter Played in Holland (Lycrungus)
David KNIFFIN setter Played in Spain (CAI Teruel)
During the ten days to follow, this group will be playing its way from Paris to Madrid in the hopes of signing for the 2005-2006 European season. With Pro B, N1, and N2 competition in France (SuperLiga and FEV competition in Spain) players will compete in front of regional agents, coaches, and club managers. At this point it’s hard to say what will come of the tour. One thing is for sure, you can’t ask for better looks than this.
Day 1, Monday April 4, 2005
Paris, France
Meeting for a tour is always a story in itself. On the Summer Tour, getting to the chosen location is as much of a prerequisite as anything. With six of the eight-member crew being veterans, we arrived in Villebon (near Paris) for our first training session with little difficulty.
Villebon is home to the top-ranked women’s team of “RC Villebon 91.” The team, captained by Ms. Jo Fielder, competes in France’s top league and will play for the League Championship in the following weeks. Jo is one of about 180 players represented by BIP in Europe, Indonesia and South America this year. While most players only give a small percentage of their earnings to “The Empire”, Jo proudly gives more, as she became intimately associated with Tim some three years ago.
After a standard training session at le Grand Dome (“Merci” to Mauricio Paes!), we loaded up and headed the BIP French Base Camp (AKA. Jo’s Pad). I can’t lie. The French attempt at a German specialty, grilled sausage over an open flame, wasn’t the greatest thing I’ve ever eaten, but it was an experience. And props to the “Tour Bitches” for a job well done on the rest of the feast and subsequent clean-up.
First ever BIP BBQ
Thanks Ladies!
Unlike the Summer Tour, the guys here know what they’re getting into. Tomorrow we have our first match. Calming the nerves with French wine or German beer, we headed out.
Day 2, Tuesday April 5, 2005
Cambrai (Paris), France
View from atop the Eiffel Tower
Cambrai is about two hours to the North of Paris—essentially on the Belgium border—and home to a Pro B team that wears the same name. Our match that night would be one of our toughest scheduled. But as most Americans are unfamiliar with the plethora of European leagues and can not gauge their strength, having the title “Pro B” didn’t signify all that much. On the drive, those riding with Tim or myself learned some interesting (and inspiring) facts about the French volleyball leagues.
France is a volley country. There are over four leagues that offer contracts to foreign players. Compared with a country like Spain, where only the top league and the top half of the second division are able to offer anything resembling a real contract, all pro French teams must pay their players the minimum wage with a working visa and full benefits. With this, among other interesting facts in mind, we arrived in the city center to meet Samuel Boutin, TK’s French partner.
The game itself proved typical of a first match. We showed our strengths in moments, and improved as the game progressed. Winning against a team like this would have been awesome. Word travels fast in the Volley World, and to have a group of Americans knock off a Pro B team their first day would have spread like wildfire. Still, the overall impression was solid.
Our team was also supplemented by Jacques M’Bala and Jonathan Walsh. Jacques (AKA “Jack Black”) is a 196cm quick hitter from Cameroon. It’s always a great learning experience to play with pros from places other than North America—and this guy was as entertaining as his handle implies. Jon Walsh is TK’s Canadian partner. He’s a 198cm quick hitter/opposite who jumped on the BIP bandwagon as a player and has been placing players in Europe and Indonesia over the past two seasons. Jon currently lives in Belgium.
Day 3, Wednesday April 6, 2005
Boulogne (Paris), France
Amad, Jeff, and Nick in front of Notre Dame
The morning was fine. Most of us went into the city. But now it’s a crappy looking rainy day that would make Tony Robbins stutter to say something positive. I suppose that every tour needs a day like this. We played against the city’s N1 level team and the match started out pretty mild. We ended up taking the match in five. It’s nice to win, but for a bunch of guys looking to making an impression, I felt like we walked out a little disappointed. Well, at least we get to ride the Metro home…
Riding home on the Metro
Days 4-5, Thursday and Friday
April 7 and 8, 2005
Poitiers, France
After picking up a van in the city, hitting a little traffic, and then surviving a less than legal turn, we made it to Poitiers (three hours south of Paris). This is Samuel’s territory and we were fully in his hands. In less than 48 hours in Poitiers, the (now nine) players of the Mini Tour trained with a top French coach, played solid ball in a very famous hall, and sampled what nightlife the city had to offer. Thanks for everything Samuel (and Philip)!
The highlight of our time in Poitiers proved to be spent within the Volleyball Hall. Fifteen minutes after pulling our bags out of the car, we found ourselves training with one of France’s most well known coaches, Marc Francastel. Mr. Francastel has worked with the French National Team and many top programs throughout the country. For my part, it was one of the best training sessions I have even heard of since I arrived in Europe. Anyone can come over to play volleyball, but to train with a coach of that caliber is truly an honor, and a great way to gain exposure. Merci Marc!
Before our match the first night, we were provided with the opportunity to observe Poitier’s Pro A team practice. When you see a Canadian National Team member and NCAA All-American (Fred Winters) riding the bench, you start to get a feel for the level of play that can be achieved over here…
During the next two nights, we played good ball in front of a number of coaches from various levels. We sampled traditional French fare and experienced what Samuel dubbed “Thursday Night Fever.” The AFS hit a whole new level. Without amplifying any possible French-American tensions, the AFS (or Adjusted French Scale) was developed as a way of evening the playing field for the females of this fine country. It’s at moments like this that you realize how much you really miss home.
…And for the record, it’s gives them about a two-point handicap.
This is why you shouldn’t drink during the time out…
Clear for take off…
Nick at the service line
After the match with the BIP boys, Samuel, and some of the Poitier players
Day 6, Saturday 10, 2005
Ales, France
Ask most people in France, and they’ll tell you that Ales is about five to six hours driving from Poitiers. I’m proud to say that we did it in just over ten. Awesome. Only in France will they charge you a toll to use a freeway that isn’t completed and close roads to send you through speed traps. Passing through the mountains we were even delayed by snow. This did prove to be entertaining as Nik West (our Australian) had never see snow before. We initiated him in style.
Aussie initiation
By the time we arrived to the gym we had missed our scheduled training time, burned our warm up time, and found ourselves in serve receive with legs still stiff from the drive. Then it happened. The guys went off. Shubin blocked balls, Lee J passed nails, and Jeff hit clean over the opposite to name a few outstanding accomplishments. For the forty-five minutes we were allowed to play, it was a BIP bangdown.
After the game I spoke with the club president, manager, and coach. We had definitely made an impression. After showering up, we had a round with the coach of the Pro B team and the guys had a chance to gain further insight to the French volleyball system. Then it was off to dinner and back into the car. Tomorrow we have a day off. Even better though, tomorrow we head to Spain…
Day 7, Sunday April 10, 2005
Girona, Spain (Catalunya)
Interesting little thing you learn when you cross the border into Spain from southern France: “Catalunya is not Spain”. At least, that’s what the huge banner draped over the sign at the border says. Having lived in Spain for the past seven months, I can say that although the entire country is about the size of Texas, “Spanish Culture” is an elusive beast to get a handle on. It’s more than the white washed houses of the south and the bullfights of Ronda. Spain is VERY regional. There are five official languages in Spain (Catalan being the one of this region). Some of the provinces have even turned violent in their quest to be recognized in their own light. Enough with the lesson though. I just wanted to point out that when you play pro volley in Europe, you’re still a student-athlete… but in a broader sense than you ever imagined possible. With that we pulled off the road for lunch (3pm in Spain—right on schedule).
Nothing bonds a team together like packing tape and cardboard. This is one of those stories where the pictures will have to do the talking. We’re not exactly sure what happened. However, when the police arrived, they did give validity to Jeff’s theory.
“Maybe the wind picked up a rock…”
--Trying to explain Jeff’s theory to the police
Another BIP first?
So with the AFS thrown out the window, we arrived in Girona. It was Sunday. If God indeed rested on this day, he did it here, seated in a bar watching soccer. And to be honest, unless you were indeed God, it would have been impossible to grab a seat at the time we arrived to watch the Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona match. People spilled into the streets from every open bar with a television. After every goal or bad call we saw the windows reverberate. You could taste the beer on the breath of the guy shouting next to you. Old ladies waved fists at the referee as if the giant plasma screen were some sort of personal transmitter. I can’t define Spain. I just know I love it.
After a little Turkish kebab and a little more Catalonian beer, we took the remains of the castle wall by storm. Great night…
Day 8, Monday April 11, 2005
Zaragoza, Spain
Zaragoza is one of the strongest teams in the FEV. They missed the chance to enter Spain’s first division by a pair of games this past season and will definitely be one of the favorites in the coming year. Off the court, it was probably the best turnout we had. In the stands were three coaches from the SuperLiga (division 1), three more from the FEV (division 2), three club presidents, a few fans, and even a guy from the University of Zaragoza’s newspaper. Due to time constraints, we had to cut the match off at a tie, but we again made a solid impression.
At dinner the patatas bravas, calamares, jamon y queso, acietunas, and pan just kept coming. Mixed with half liters of cerveza and conversations in broken English with a few players from the other team, we passed the evening in true Spanish style. Tomorrow we head to Soria to play one of the top teams in Spain.
Shubin versus the baby octopus…
Warning: Translations are not always as they appear
Day 9, Tuesday April 12, 2005
Soria, Spain
Currently the third-ranked team in Spain’s Division of Honor, CD Numancia has a long history of excellence in volleyball. In the past decade, the team has not finished below the top five in the rankings. It has been a Champion’s League team, won the National Title, been home to several American volleyballers, and recently beat top ranked Son Amar (who is favored to win the league this year). Five of their seven starters also start for their respective National Teams. With a population of just over 30,000, Soria is as much of a volleyball town as one is likely to come by in Spain. In a country plagued by “futbol”, it was nice to see that such a place existed, nay, thrived.
Playing in Soria is a lot like playing in any other really nice gym, if you’re not aware of the history behind it all. The city itself is pretty cool. It’s tucked up into the mountains about two hours northeast of Madrid. Though normally one of the colder locations in Spain, we were fortunate enough to be greeted by sunshine and a calm mountain breeze. This time of year, everything is beautiful here.
We were also greeted by Jimmy Pelzel. Jimmy signed with the team in January of this season. While onboard, the team ascended to the finals of the Copa del Rey and achieved their current status of number three in the rankings. A UC Irvine alumni, Jimmy was a First Team All-American, trained with the US National Team, and is looking to continue his career in Europe in the following season.
The volleyball in Soria passed quickly for a five game match. We didn’t win. But every guy there came away with something. For example, how often in your life do you get to stuff the captain of the Portuguese National Team? And when it was all said and done, they were very happy to have had us there. The club director, Jose Miguel Serrato, is a long time friend of Bring It Promotions and has helped with the placements of a number of players throughout Spain. Muchas gracias de nuevo Jose Miguel!
Jeff Taylor and Jimmy Pelzel…Reunited again
Day 10, Wednesday April 13, 2005
Guadalajara, Spain
Not a bad way to go out. Reyal Voley (Guadalajara) is currently playing in the Fase de Ascenso, or play-offs, and remains the favorite team in the battle to move up to the first division. The foreigner rule in Spain states that any team in the FEV may only carry two (non EU) foreigners. However, all first division teams may carry up to six (non EU) foreigners on their roster. Backed by solid sponsors, and aspirations of permanency in the first division, playing against this team proved to be an outstanding opportunity.
With Amad having left the tour for a tryout in A2 Italy, Jon Walsh back in Belgium, and Jack Black going after some teams in France, we were initially a little shorthanded for the game. Luckily, we were joined by Jose Vicente Cocolina (a Spanish veteran—with four years of experience in the first division), who helped us significantly in the middle. He now plays for CAI Voleibol Teruel.
We had time for only four sets during the two-hour window. The scores favored our side of the net, though we split the match at two games apiece. After the match we spent much of the evening conversing with the teams manager about Spanish volleyball and the hopes of their club.
That night we passed our final hours in the hotel, surrounded by various “teachers of English” from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria (to name a few). Once again, the AFS was out the window. The morning came quickly and we went on our own ways…
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