Dennis

1-2-3-4-5 on the women's 500m, which used to be our worst distance for many years 

First registrations are officially done, so now we really can say that @brunamoura's first races of the Olympic season will be in Muonio! Two weeks earlier than we had planned a few months ago, originally the idea was to start in Italy at the end of November, but the Italy/Germany/Austria route this year (at least pre-Christmas) just doesn't have the right races, surprisingly and unlike previous season. Scandinavia it is then, starting with Muonio next week
 
https://www.skimuonio.fi/ilmoittautuneet2?lang=en
 
If anyone has information on where to watch that (I don't see it in YLE's program), that is obviously very welcome.

Since the 1990s, the Dutch Olympic Committee has treated sport like a business. Funding is directed toward disciplines with real medal potential (sailing, rowing, (track) cycling, hockey) rather than being spread thin across every sport. These sports that receive the most funding also happen to not be among the most popular Olympic sports if you look on a global scale, so less competition.
 
Sports that we’re not particularly good at but where the competition is high, such as badminton and table tennis get no funding, whereas breakdance, darts and freerunning did get some funding this year. 
 
At the same time, I think sports seemed to have become less important in the eyes of the governments of other (mainly Eastern European) countries such the former Soviet countries, Cuba, Romania and Bulgaria. As larger nations such as Russia and Germany restructured their sports systems after the Cold War, the Netherlands really invested in world-class facilities like Papendal and built expertise in these more niche Olympic sports. At Papendal for example, the Netherlands has built strong links between universities, scientists, and sports federations, turning athletes into data-driven projects focused on small gains. 
 
So yes, funding has increased, but mainly for the more niche sports that we have medal chances in. I think the investments in facilities like Papendal and having a lot of the top athletes and talents be centralized at those facilities where they can live, train and go to school, play a much bigger role. 

Since the 1990s, the Dutch Olympic Committee has treated sport like a business. Funding is directed toward disciplines with real medal potential (sailing, rowing, (track) cycling, hockey) rather than being spread thin across every sport. These sports that receive the most funding also happen to not be among the most popular Olympic sports if you look on a global scale, so less competition.
 
Sports that we’re not particularly good at but where the competition is high, such as badminton and table tennis get no funding, whereas breakdance, darts and freerunning did get some funding this year. 
 
At the same time, I think sports seemed to have become less important in the eyes of the governments of other (mainly Eastern European) countries such the former Soviet countries, Cuba, Romania and Bulgaria. As larger nations such as Russia and Germany restructured their sports systems after the Cold War, the Netherlands really invested in world-class facilities like Papendal and built expertise in these more niche Olympic sports. At Papendal for example, the Netherlands has built strong links between universities, scientists, and sports federations, turning athletes into data-driven projects focused on small gains. 
 
So yes, funding has increased, but mainly for the more niche sports that we have medal chances in. I think the investments in facilities like Papendal and having a lot of the top athletes and talents be centralized at those facilities where they can live, train and go to school, play a much bigger role. 

Since the 1990s, the Dutch Olympic Committee has treated sport like a business. Funding is directed toward disciplines with real medal potential (sailing, rowing, (track) cycling, hockey) rather than being spread thin across every sport. These sports that receive the most funding also happen to not be among the most popular Olympic sports if you look on a global scale, so less competition.
 
Sports that we’re not particularly good at but where the competition is high, such as badminton and table tennis get no funding, whereas breakdance, darts and freerunning did get some funding this year. 
 
At the same time, I think sports seemed to have become less important in the eyes of the governments of other (mainly Eastern European) countries such the former Soviet countries, Cuba, Romania and Bulgaria. As larger nations such as Russia and Germany restructured their sports systems after the Cold War, the Netherlands really invested in world-class facilities like Papendal and built expertise in these more niche Olympic sports. At Papendal for example, the Netherlands has built strong links between universities, scientists, and sports federations, turning athletes into data-driven projects focused on small gains. 
 
So yes, funding has increased, but mainly for the more niche sports that we have medal chances in. I think the investments in facilities like Papendal and having a lot of the top athletes and talents be centralized at those facilities where they can live, train and go to school, play a much bigger role. 

Since the 1990s, the Dutch Olympic Committee has treated sport like a business. Funding is directed toward disciplines with real medal potential (sailing, rowing, (track) cycling, hockey) rather than being spread thin across every sport. These sports that receive the most funding also happen to not be among the most popular Olympic sports if you look on a global scale, so less competition.
 
Sports that we’re not particularly good at but where the competition is high, such as badminton and table tennis get no funding, whereas breakdance, darts and freerunning did get some funding this year. 
 
At the same time, I think sports seemed to have become less important in the eyes of the governments of other (mainly Eastern European) countries such the former Soviet countries, Cuba, Romania and Bulgaria. As larger nations such as Russia and Germany restructured their sports systems after the Cold War, the Netherlands really invested in world-class facilities like Papendal and built expertise in these more niche Olympic sports. At Papendal for example, the Netherlands has built strong links between universities, scientists, and sports federations, turning athletes into data-driven projects focused on small gains. 
 
So yes, funding has increased, but mainly for the more niche sports that we have medal chances in. I think the investments in facilities like Papendal and having a lot of the top athletes and talents be centralized at those facilities where they can live, train and go to school, play a much bigger role. 

If you would have told me this morning that the Dutch team would come so close to the SF, I would have doubted your sanity.
 
Given the number of players missing, this was a most surprising performance.

3-2  

Oh wow, that world title for Steenbergen is a lot more valuable than the one of last year  
 
Van Wijk of all people being this close to a medal  

Final Results:
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Group Stage:
 
Group A:
 
1st - () / 34-2  ; 19-15  ; 15-6  
2nd - () / 14-9  ; 32-5  
3rd - () / 22-7
4th - ()
 
Group B:
 
1st - () / 15-7  ; 11-9  ; 26-3
2nd - () / 25-6  ; 13-7  
3rd - () / 29-9
4th - ()
 
Group C:
 
1st - () / 10-9  ; 33-13  ; 22-6  
2nd - () / 31-7  ; 25-15  
3rd - () / 25-12
4th - ()
 
Group D:
 
1st - () / 23-4  ; 23-6  ; 16-7  
2nd - () / 12-9  ; 12-3  
3rd - () / 13-6  
4th - ()
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
13-16th Place Semifinals and Positions:
 18-9  
 16-6  
 
15th Place Game:  8-4  
13th Place Game:  12-12 (4-2)  
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Playoffs:
 13-11  
 14-9
 23-9
 23-10  
 
9-12th Place Semifinals and Positions:
 18-6
 20-12  
 
11th Place Game:  14-9  
9th Place Game:  10-6  
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Quarterfinals:
 8-7  
 26-8
 12-9
 11-11 (4-2)  
 
5-8th Place Semifinals and Positions:
 21-17
 16-13  
 
7th Place Game:  20-15 
5th Place Game:  13-11 
 
Semifinals:
 14-10 
 15-9 
 
Third Place Game:  13-12 
 
FINAL:  12-9 
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Statistics and Awards:
 
Statistics:
 
Top Goalscorers:
 
1st - Foteini Tricha  / 25
2nd - Yumi Arima  / 23
3rd - Chiara Ranalli  / 21
 
Awards:
 
All-Star Team:
 
Goalkeeper: Ioanna Stamatopoulou 
Field Players: Yumi Arima  / Emily Ausmus  / Agnese Cocchiere  / Rita Keszthelyi  / Foteini Tricha  / Morgan McDowall  
 
MVP: Rita Keszthelyi
Best Goalkeeper: Ioanna Stamatopoulou  
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Podium Teams:
 
Greece  : Ioanna Stamatopoulou ; Eleftheria Plevritou ; Foteini Tricha ; Stefania Santa ; Athina Giannopoulou ; Eleni Xenaki ; Maria Patra ; Christina Siouti ; Vasiliki Plevritou ; Sofia Tornarou ; Maria Myriokefalitaki ; Alexia Evgenia Tzourka ; Dionysia Koureta ; Nefeli Anna Krassa
 
Hungary  : Boglarka Neszmely ; Vanda Valyi ; Eszter Varro ; Kinga Peresztegi-Nagy ; Nora Sumegi ; Dalma Domsodi ; Rita Keszthelyi ; Dora Leimeter ; Natasa Rybanska ; Kamilla Farago ; Krisztina Garda ; Luca Torma ; Panna Tiba ; Kata Hajdu
 
Spain  : Mariona Terre Marti ; Ariadna Ruiz ; Anni Espar ; Beatriz Ortiz ; Nona Perez ; Paula Crespi ; Elena Ruiz ; Paula Prats Rodriguez ; Daniela Moreno Perez ; Paula Camus ; Irene Gonzalez ; Paula Leiton ; Martina Terre ; Carlota Peñalver Granero
 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Extensive Results

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

Hell freezes over as Nico Hulkenberg has finished on the podium!

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

Thank you for noticing. I used the results from the European Athletics website, but I noticed they adjusted the results.
 
I've updated the table to reflect the final results.

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

Congrats to Italy! 
 
Good tournament for , winning 8 events, but definitely lacking in the field events compared to the top 3 countries, making it impossible to finish on the podium.
 
Some breakdowns, showing that Italy is the deserved winner as the most allround country during these championships. It also shows that the top 3 countries dominated the field events, whereas the track events were much closer.
 
Country Total Points Track Events Field Events Men Women 431.5 252 [1] 179.5 [1] 207 [1] 209.5 [1] 405.5 237 [5] 168.5 [3] 185 [5] 204.5 [2] 397 220 [6] 177 [2] 192 [4] 195 [4] 384.5 242 [2] 142.5 [6] 176 [6] 197.5 [3] 381 239 [=3] 142 [7] 195 [2] 172 [=6] 378 239 [=3] 139 [9] 193 [3] 172 [=6] 354.5 210 [7] 144.5 [5] 169 [7] 173.5 [5] 300 174 [9] 126 [12] 143 [=9] 157 [8] 288.5 150 [10] 138.5 [10] 137.5 [11] 143 [10] 286 193 [8] 93 [16] 136 [12] 150 [9] 283 142 [12] 141 [8] 159.5 [8] 120.5 [12] 253 115 [14] 138 [11] 105.5 [14] 142.5 [11] 244.5 143 [11] 101.5 [13] 118.5 [13] 117 [13] 231 83 [15] 148 [4] 143 [=9] 82 [16] 220.5 131 [13] 89.5 [16] 103 [15] 110.5 [14] 178.5 79 [16] 99.5 [14] 75 [16] 99.5 [15]  

is a bit of a surprise,  was never in doubt
 

Thursday April 17th, 2025 -
Round-Robin Day 4 Results (GMT +8)
 
13:00  Denmark  2 - 0  Slovakia
16:30  Austria  OT3 - 2  Netherlands
20:00  France  PSO3 - 2  China
 
Provisional Standing After Day 4:
 
1.    11  Promoted to Women´s World Championship 2026
2.   8
------------------
3.   6
4.   6
5.   4
------------------
6.   1  Relegated to Women´s Division I Group B WCh 2026

After 3 days, i can connect to internet, my city Bahia Blanca has the worst rain stom of its history, in the friday rained 400 mm of water (in the year is aproximate 500 mm), in our case we dont have to regret material or human loses but is not the general case, the city is destroy.
 
some images: https://www.facebook.com/lanuevacom/posts/pfbid0fVEVUnxw35cNuJY1KH3dQzeTvHaBTAR4b94mkNUSmJgoFgxWzz4JWpdszint49mjl

Parallel Slalom
 
Men
Gold-  Tervel Zamfirov
Silver-  Arvid Auner
Bronze-  Aaron March
 
Women
Gold-  Miki Tsubaki
Silver-  Ester Ledecka
Bronze-  Michelle Dekker
 
Full Final Results Here

Amazing achievement for us to cap off a remarkable winter sport season    After 3 Junior World titles and a breakthrough World Cup season, everyone here knew Tervel Zamfirov is a big name for the future, but to actually end the season with a senior World Championship Gold medal is something else.  I am not sure, but this could actually be our first senior WCH title in any snow sport!

ISU World Short Track Championships 2025 -  Beijing
 
Mixed 2.000m Relay:
 
01.  (Kim Boutin, Florence Brunelle, William Dandjinou, Steven Dubois)
02.  (Chiara Betti, Gloria Ioriatti, Thomas Nadalini, Pietro Sighel)
03.  (Natalia Maliszewska, Michal Niewinski, Diane Sellier, Kamila Stormowska)
 
Women's 1.500m:
 
01.  Choi Minjeong
02.  Courtney Sarault
03.  Kim Gilli
 
Men's 1.000m:
 
01.  Steven Dubois
02.  William Dandjinou
03.  Pietro Sighel
 
Women's 500m:
 
01.  Xandra Velzeboer
02.  Rikki Doak
03.  Natalia Maliszewska
 
Men's 5.000m Relay:
 
01.  (William Dandjinou, Steven Dubois, Maxime Laoun, Felix Roussel)
02.  (Li Wenlong, Liu Guanyi, Liu Shaoang, Sun Long)
03.  (Jang Sungwoo, Kim Gun Woo, Lee Jung Su, Park Jiwon)

The Dutch commentators said that the Polish team filed a protest