Viking Invasion
Date: 2002-09-09
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"Even the City’s greybeards had trouble recalling the last time the Scandinavians pulled such a stunt: 842, perhaps, when Viking long-ships sailed up the Thames."

The quote is from The Economist, August 31st 2000, published shortly after the 15 year old Swedish company OM had launched a hostile bid on the 200-year old London Stock Exchange. But replace "City's" with "Racket Sport" and the quote could almost be applied to circumstances surrounding the first ever English Open in Racketlon to be played in London 5th-6th of October. All top three of the Swedish Racketlon Elite have confirmed that they will join the tournament. Add another three top ranked players that have announced interest and it seems as if no less than 6 of the Swedish top 10 will take part. From the perspective of the present World Ranking it looks like this - bold will attend:

1. Mikko Kärkkäinen (FIN)
2. Magnus Eliasson (SWE)
3. Roland Helle (SWE)
4. Toni Kemppinen (FIN)
5. Ari-Matti Koskinen (FIN)
6. Mats Källberg (SWE)
7. Stefan Larsson (SWE)
8. Harri Suutarinen (FIN)
9. Daniel Brodén (SWE)
10. Mika Hasmats (SWE)

Question is thus: How will an old and proud(?) racket nation like the UK respond to this challenge? Will they stand up to face it? Or will the vikings get their way without a proper fight just like in 842? Does that Englishman at all exist that could challenge Magnus Eliasson for his position as #2 on the World Ranking or indeed any of the top ten Swedes? Most Swedes doubt that. The best racket players in the world come from Scandinavia.

A formal invitation to English Open is bound to show up shortly here on Racketlon.com. Meanwhile, here is some preliminary information:

• Applications can be sent to e-mail address: English_Racketlon@Hotmail.com (enter your name, e-mail address, street address and telephone number)
• Application deadline: Monday 23rd September (Applicants may withdraw their application until Friday 27th September at the latest)
• The venue will be a David Lloyd Sport Center in Heston outside central London.
• Results among English participants will be used as a trial for the English national team that will take part in Gothenburg Racketlon World Open (see the invitation under EVENTS on the Racketlon.com startpage)
• Expected fee is approximately £20

More details about English Open within a few days. Check for the invitation under EVENTS on the startpage.

For an extensive introduction to Racketlon see this article .

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