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

UKU Mixed Nationals 2013

David Pryce previews this years UKU Mixed Nationals and qualifier for xEUCF 2013 in Bordeaux.

Last year saw the first Mixed Nationals being held over the same weekend as Open and Women's Nationals at the perennial Southampton venue. The division saw great success with 8 teams attending and Bear Cavalry coming out champs and not really being pushed at any point (The Brown getting closest 10-15). We could attribute this to most players choosing their Open and Women's teams over Mixed for the opportunity to go to Euros in Frankfurt. A stat to note is that there were still 6 Women's teams competing last year.

Looking to this years tournament we yet again have 8 teams but with even more top end tour teams that will provide truly exciting Mixed games:

• Cambridge go in top seed after a great season pushing the World Games and RGS throughout, and poaching the likes of