Found this report from MatchAngler.com….
Welcome to the 2014 European Championship
Pommeroeul/Bernissart, Belgium
Saturday Report: After heavy overnight rain, the venue seemed to have a slightly increased color content, but this was very very marginal. The week’s’s practice sessions where mixed for many with the early boxes producing the most fish (bream). This was due to the close proximity of the large basin at the top of the venue, which was full of weed and spawning fish!
England had been having some reasonable returns, as were the French, Dutch and Belgians. What we did not see was the Czech Republic creeping up on everyone, as Saturday’s dramatic result showed.
The main tactic was the slider, but the more unfortunate ended up having to fish with short and long poles for small (tiny…tiny) perch, popes or bullheads. We saw a situation on Saturday where one peg would produce 16 kilos while next door only saw 1,2kgs weighed. This was not an isolated case and between different class competitors, but something that happened throughout the match length… “if you where on them, you caught them”.
With further rain falling after the match and more forecast for Sunday, we may see some turnaround in Saturdays result.
From a relative impartial observation, I would expect any of the top seven teams from Saturday to lift the coveted European Championship trophy. If, on the other hand, we see a repeat of the Saturday returns and the irregular distribution of bream, then anything could happen between all those teams.
From their first day showing, France looked impressive, and seem to have laid their past indiscretions to rest. Performances from three of their highly rated players have given them a sound platform to go better than last years fourth place. If the Czech’s hold it together on the final day, then they must surely take some form of podium position. Italy, although not managing to take any place higher than a 4th in section, produce a highly creditable third place, only 7pts behind the leaders and could still figure tomorrow. Holland and England tied on 4th place points, with the Dutch taking a weight advantage into the final day. Tactics were hastily arranged for England with a couple of hours left, which helped them tuck in behind the Orangemen. Unfortunate Lee Kerry was the recipient of the above mentioned bream imbalance and was in no way a reflection of this up and coming young and highly talented anglers ability. A future podium contender in my humble opinion. Both Russia and home side Belgium are still within striking range, if any in front falter. In fact, it would be rather irrational to discount any of these two quality teams.
As for the rest, it seems highly unlikely that any below Belgium will get a sniff of the podium! But who can really tell…fish swim and bream can be the most infuriating of species to catch!
I hope to bring you a further written report tomorrow evening after the presentation ceremony, in some way to make up for the lack of video diaries. These will at least be upload at a later date, so don’t miss out on them next week.
Points: Czech Rep., 27pts, France 29pts, Italy 35pts, Netherlands 36pts (higher weight), England 36pts, Russia 39pts (higher weight), Belgium 39pts, Luxembourg 47pts, Belarus 51pts, Hungary 54pts.
TF_geepster.
