Day 67 - New Delhi
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday 14th October
Day 11 - Commonwealth Games
The day we had all been waiting for was here - the Gold Medal play-off (yes, I do consider that a proper noun!) I awoke very early and set off for Khan Market for breakfast as usual. Only problem was, it was a public holiday in Delhi (for the closing ceremony), and so everything was closed in Delhi. Even McDonalds was closed!
There was no point in hanging around Khan Market, and even though I was extraordinarily early I headed off for the stadium. I had the tuk-tuk driver drop me off a few blocks early, and I spent half an hour walking the nearby streets to fill in time. The first match was at 11:30 and the stadium opened at 10am, but it was still only 9:15am when I arrived. A Kiwi supporter arrived at 9:30am and I politely tolerated him (just kidding!), and then Ash turned up (the crazily dressed radio host from Tuesday). This time, he was dressed in a full pink catsuit, including ears and tail, this time toting his large Aussie flag that he'd lost the previous day. He'd had so much fun on Tuesday he'd decided to return for the final, and was meeting his 'scalper' at the stadium to score a ticket (the match was sold-out, which didn't really mean much). He asked me to save him a seat inside, whilst he went off with his scalper and I went and spoke with my friends from the military, to ensure I was first in the gate.
The older Army woman was so sweet - she gave me a hug and told me "I was her friend" ( the only English she could speak) when I said it was sad this was the final day. Then at 9:59am, they allowed me to enter the stadium to score my perfect seats. Denise had a superstition that she had to sit in row 6, in the seat exactly behind the centre circle, so I secured that seat and the surrounding 6 for our 'crew' (Kila, Ash, myself, and any other Aussies who wanted to join us, of which Mark ended up doing). I'd brought yellow and green ribbons in my bag, and distributed them to little Indian girls around us, to encourage them to support the Aussies. Ash arrived, having scored his ticket for free from a random passer-by, and Denise arrived late after having to return to her guesthouse due to forgetting her ticket!
The first match up was between England Jamaica for the bronze medal, and the English supporters were out in force. The match was fairly scrappy - the first quarter was tight, but then the Jamaicans fell apart. I remember commenting at the time it seemed like 'the longest match in history' (I obviously didn't know what was to come!) with so many injuries and time-outs. The English were ecstatic to win the bronze - I guess it goes to show the difference between New Zealand and Australia and the next group of teams.
1pm, and it was time for the Gold Medal match. I wasn't game to go outside for a drink or something to eat in case I missed a minute. The stands were fairly full (although still not full, with several hundred seats still remaining - a far improvement from last week though!) A large Aussie contingent was present, although not a massive athlete presence - Kiwi athletes dominated on the opposite site of the stadium. Ash started an 'Aussie Aussie Aussie', and the match commenced.
As I'm sure you all know, it turned out to be the best match in the history of netball, going down to extra time and then double extra time. Our goal circle wasn't working at all, with Sharelle having a shocker - "We need Cath (Cox) on!", I remarked, and finally Norma responded. The last quarter, trailing by 7 goals, saw her make several changes, bringing Cath on as GS and Sharelle out to GA, and Kim on as WA. "I think I'm going to be sick," said Denise, worried for her daughter. It was an interesting move, given Lauren had been playing brilliantly at WA, but I guess she combined better with Cath due to their Swifts' relationship.
The Aussies were on the back foot at numerous times in the match, always seeming to be the ones having to catch-up. Cath did have several opportunities to win us the match, but despite her near flawless shooting she just couldn't convert the ones that mattered, and the Kiwis finally held their nerve to win the match. It was utter jubilation, with the girls jumping on top of each other and rolling on the floor. In dire opposites, the Aussie girls were despondent and in tears, slowly trudging off the court.
The three teams returned for the medal ceremony, and for the Aussies it was as if someone had died. They just could not be consoled, with Sharelle being the worse. Throughout the national anthem she kept looking at the exit, and at its conclusion she yanked off her sash and marched off the stage. No handshakes for them, as sporting etiquette dictates - whilst the Kiwi girls did the haka and the English thanked their fans, the Aussie girls were straight off the court again.
Being the final day (it felt like the last day of school!), we'd had high hopes of getting photos with the players and the commentators, but it wasn't to be - Luke and Liz left shortly after the match (Liz giving the players a hug in consolation), whilst the players were inconsolable in the dressing rooms. Denise, Mark and I decided to return the Denise's guesthouse to 'drown our sorrows', after farewelling the other supporters in the crowd (Mark and I were offered closing ceremony tickets from Pam, the president of Netball Australia, but we decided were to upset to celebrate).
Denise spoke to Kim on the phone, trying to console her, but she was unable to. She'd never heard her so upset - it was just unfathomable that they hadn't won the gold. Hopefully, looking back in the future without the emotion, they will realise that they were part of the best match in history that just unhappened to go their way, but time will tell. It was unfortunate that the girls weren't allowed out of the village AND weren't unable to drink - they all really needed to get out into the open, and share their feelings with friends and family over a few drinks (and some chocolate!)
Denise's guesthouse was amazing. Atul, the owner, who I had met before, welcomed us with smiles (and a hug, for Denise), and immediately ordered for some sandwiches and drinks whilst we considered our plans. We sat around talking for an hour or so before retiring to the rooftop and watching the sunset (the Delhi sunsets are so gorgeous). We ordered Indian food to share between the three of us, although when the food arrived we could have shared it with the whole Aussie netball team, as we barely made a dint in it! We were joined by a couple of American women who were fascinated by netball, after having attended the match that day. They couldn't believe how 'gymnastic' the game was, and how good of friends all of the players were.
As the sun set, our stomachs were filled, and the drinks stopped flowing, Mark and I eventually bade farewell to Denise and journeyed to our respective homes on the Metro, still wearing our Aussie t-shirts. As Mark wasn't leaving 'til Saturday morning (and me, Saturday night), we arranged to meet up the following day to wander through the Janpath markets.
I reflected on the day when I returned to my room. I'd said when I'd booked my tickets to India that I wanted the gold medal match to be a repeat of the 2002 gold medal match, when Australia edged out New Zealand in overtime - I hadn't realised how close my prediction had come.
Day 11 - Commonwealth Games
The day we had all been waiting for was here - the Gold Medal play-off (yes, I do consider that a proper noun!) I awoke very early and set off for Khan Market for breakfast as usual. Only problem was, it was a public holiday in Delhi (for the closing ceremony), and so everything was closed in Delhi. Even McDonalds was closed!
There was no point in hanging around Khan Market, and even though I was extraordinarily early I headed off for the stadium. I had the tuk-tuk driver drop me off a few blocks early, and I spent half an hour walking the nearby streets to fill in time. The first match was at 11:30 and the stadium opened at 10am, but it was still only 9:15am when I arrived. A Kiwi supporter arrived at 9:30am and I politely tolerated him (just kidding!), and then Ash turned up (the crazily dressed radio host from Tuesday). This time, he was dressed in a full pink catsuit, including ears and tail, this time toting his large Aussie flag that he'd lost the previous day. He'd had so much fun on Tuesday he'd decided to return for the final, and was meeting his 'scalper' at the stadium to score a ticket (the match was sold-out, which didn't really mean much). He asked me to save him a seat inside, whilst he went off with his scalper and I went and spoke with my friends from the military, to ensure I was first in the gate.
The older Army woman was so sweet - she gave me a hug and told me "I was her friend" ( the only English she could speak) when I said it was sad this was the final day. Then at 9:59am, they allowed me to enter the stadium to score my perfect seats. Denise had a superstition that she had to sit in row 6, in the seat exactly behind the centre circle, so I secured that seat and the surrounding 6 for our 'crew' (Kila, Ash, myself, and any other Aussies who wanted to join us, of which Mark ended up doing). I'd brought yellow and green ribbons in my bag, and distributed them to little Indian girls around us, to encourage them to support the Aussies. Ash arrived, having scored his ticket for free from a random passer-by, and Denise arrived late after having to return to her guesthouse due to forgetting her ticket!
The first match up was between England Jamaica for the bronze medal, and the English supporters were out in force. The match was fairly scrappy - the first quarter was tight, but then the Jamaicans fell apart. I remember commenting at the time it seemed like 'the longest match in history' (I obviously didn't know what was to come!) with so many injuries and time-outs. The English were ecstatic to win the bronze - I guess it goes to show the difference between New Zealand and Australia and the next group of teams.
As I'm sure you all know, it turned out to be the best match in the history of netball, going down to extra time and then double extra time. Our goal circle wasn't working at all, with Sharelle having a shocker - "We need Cath (Cox) on!", I remarked, and finally Norma responded. The last quarter, trailing by 7 goals, saw her make several changes, bringing Cath on as GS and Sharelle out to GA, and Kim on as WA. "I think I'm going to be sick," said Denise, worried for her daughter. It was an interesting move, given Lauren had been playing brilliantly at WA, but I guess she combined better with Cath due to their Swifts' relationship.
The Aussies were on the back foot at numerous times in the match, always seeming to be the ones having to catch-up. Cath did have several opportunities to win us the match, but despite her near flawless shooting she just couldn't convert the ones that mattered, and the Kiwis finally held their nerve to win the match. It was utter jubilation, with the girls jumping on top of each other and rolling on the floor. In dire opposites, the Aussie girls were despondent and in tears, slowly trudging off the court.
The three teams returned for the medal ceremony, and for the Aussies it was as if someone had died. They just could not be consoled, with Sharelle being the worse. Throughout the national anthem she kept looking at the exit, and at its conclusion she yanked off her sash and marched off the stage. No handshakes for them, as sporting etiquette dictates - whilst the Kiwi girls did the haka and the English thanked their fans, the Aussie girls were straight off the court again.
Being the final day (it felt like the last day of school!), we'd had high hopes of getting photos with the players and the commentators, but it wasn't to be - Luke and Liz left shortly after the match (Liz giving the players a hug in consolation), whilst the players were inconsolable in the dressing rooms. Denise, Mark and I decided to return the Denise's guesthouse to 'drown our sorrows', after farewelling the other supporters in the crowd (Mark and I were offered closing ceremony tickets from Pam, the president of Netball Australia, but we decided were to upset to celebrate).
Denise spoke to Kim on the phone, trying to console her, but she was unable to. She'd never heard her so upset - it was just unfathomable that they hadn't won the gold. Hopefully, looking back in the future without the emotion, they will realise that they were part of the best match in history that just unhappened to go their way, but time will tell. It was unfortunate that the girls weren't allowed out of the village AND weren't unable to drink - they all really needed to get out into the open, and share their feelings with friends and family over a few drinks (and some chocolate!)
Denise's guesthouse was amazing. Atul, the owner, who I had met before, welcomed us with smiles (and a hug, for Denise), and immediately ordered for some sandwiches and drinks whilst we considered our plans. We sat around talking for an hour or so before retiring to the rooftop and watching the sunset (the Delhi sunsets are so gorgeous). We ordered Indian food to share between the three of us, although when the food arrived we could have shared it with the whole Aussie netball team, as we barely made a dint in it! We were joined by a couple of American women who were fascinated by netball, after having attended the match that day. They couldn't believe how 'gymnastic' the game was, and how good of friends all of the players were.
As the sun set, our stomachs were filled, and the drinks stopped flowing, Mark and I eventually bade farewell to Denise and journeyed to our respective homes on the Metro, still wearing our Aussie t-shirts. As Mark wasn't leaving 'til Saturday morning (and me, Saturday night), we arranged to meet up the following day to wander through the Janpath markets.
I reflected on the day when I returned to my room. I'd said when I'd booked my tickets to India that I wanted the gold medal match to be a repeat of the 2002 gold medal match, when Australia edged out New Zealand in overtime - I hadn't realised how close my prediction had come.
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