xEUCF 2013: Mixed and Masters.

David Pryce briefly previews xEUCF 2013 for the extended divisions: Mixed and Masters.

The last month after Nationals has been a flurry of activity, booking flights, last minute throwing and even first time training for some teams!?! In the calm before the storm, I will briefly discuss the UK's prospect in the Mixed and Masters divisions.

Mixed
Going in number 1 seed Bear Cavalry have already made a statement at Nationals, in all fairness I can't see many other teams challenging them. With their superstars of Joe Thompson and Dave Tyler we can expect big things.

Cambridge Ultimate are one of the teams I think could challenge Bear Cavalry, but they have to play their best and step up from Nationals. Let's hope the fire has been stirred in their bellies and they will come out and take the challenge on!

DED broke into xEUCF by beating strong Scottish contingent Black Eagles but have picked up some added quality in Rich Gale (GB Open and World Games), exciting right? I think this team can really cause some upsets and get into the top half.  They have also been tweeting us some interesting facts - here are two of my favourites:

#xeucf2013 @TheShowGame Non Ultimate related talents include fluent french and spanish speaking, campanology and police helicopter fishing
— DED Ultimate (@DEDUltimate) September 23, 2013

#xeucf2013 @TheShowGame Hopefully the entire team will make it to Euros but players have had problems before at customs. Ask Hannah Brew
— DED Ultimate (@DEDUltimate) September 23, 2013

Finally the lucky call ups: Thundering Herd. After a drop out and strength calculation the UK got another spot and the London team were lucky enough to get the call. With little time to prepare and get players to France it is hard to predict how well this team will do, but they will as always be looking to take some European scalps. The one thing you can count on is that they will be easily spotted in their trademark friesian!



Masters
As the smallest division (7 teams) of the tournament anything could happen in Bordeaux. From the UK we have Zimmer and Blue Arsed Flies. The first is essentially the GB Beach Masters team who successfully took on Europe once this year already at ECBU, honestly I cannot see them faltering here. BAF take a very strong squad with the likes of Jason DeCicco, Merrick Cardew and Wayne Retter to name a few; could we see an all-UK final?

Cannot wait to get over there, remember to follow the hashtag #xeucf2013 for social media updates and watch the stream provided by Playo.tv. DP @ tSG.