2018 Finnish Youth International – Daniel

Daniel Mcmillan – October 2018 Finnish Youth International

FZ Forza 2018 Finnish Youth International write up by Daniel McMillan:

Daniel and Joseph on the podium – Finnish Youth International

Over October half-term I attended the FZ Forza 2018 Finnish Youth International in Espoo, Finland. Day 1 (Friday 26^th Oct) started off unpleasantly as I began my tournament with an uneasy start losing my first singles game in 3 sets and not playing to my best. I slowly recovered my form as the tournament progressed. After my second game in my singles group I was through to the second day of the tournament in one event, besides doubles starting on the second day. I then had an interesting mixed game with an unknown partner from the Netherlands as I had put partner wanted. The first game we played wasn’t too tough, but it was useful so that we could use it as a way of getting to know each others playing styles. Because of that first mixed game we were through into the second day. So I was through in all three, which was nice.

On the second day (Sat 27^th Oct) I started out the same as the first with a not so pleasant singles game against one of my fellow Englishman, which he deservedly won, although I did pick up an unwanted pain in my left calf. I prayed that it would not hinder my performances for my partners later. Thankfully it didn’t. Although I did not progress any further in the mixed, after a good game against another English pair, I was happy with my performance in that mixed game. The English pair we had played ended up losing in a very close game in the final, so maybe that would have been us. Later in the day doubles began, my favourite event. We were a bit nervous but came away winning 21-15, 21-12 against 2 Finnish boys. I then had my third encounter with an English pair, the game wasn’t very entertaining in the first set which we won 21-11 but had an interesting turn in the second end. One of our opponents, Liam Purton, has a reputation for not giving up and getting almost everything back. He proved this in the second set and that is where we lost most of our points as we thought that the rally was finished but it was only just starting. We fought on to win that game 21-17 and make it through to finals day.

Sunday 28^th October was finals day and in our boys semi-final we had to play a Dutch pair who were both a year younger than myself and Joe, but they had taken out one 3/4^th seeded English pair in a close three sets and one of them, Noah Haase, had just gotten silver in the U17 singles! The other semi final was between the 2^nd seeded English pair and a Swedish pair who had also just taken out the other 3/4^th seeded English pair in another close three sets. When the semi came rolling around, I felt the pang of nerves in the pit of my stomach, but they instantly went away when we started our knock up. The game was quite short compared to what we expected it to be, and we won 21-10 21-11. I was beaming afterwards as I was through into my first international final with my English partner Joseph Scott. We had come close to a final before in Olve but unfortunately Joe had acquired an untimely injury in another semi-final so we had to withdraw from our boys semi-final. After we had finished our match, we watched the last few rallies in the other semi-final and we ended up being drawn with the pair from Sweden after they beat the 2^nd seeded English boys in a very long three setter.

Daniel and Joseph in front of the cameras – October 2018 Finnish Youth International

As we were called on to play the final, the situation we were in didn’t really make sense in my head, I hadn’t expected us to do so well even though we had been seeded No.1. The game was 2 sets 21-10 21-16. The second set got a bit close near the end as they started to get a roll of points but we took the game. I could not stop smiling, I felt so pleased with my performance and our performance as a pair, we had continued to improve throughout the tournament, coaching ourselves with only our mum’s support. After the medal ceremony there was an unexpected interview that I can’t say I handled too well, Joe did most of the talking and in the end it worked out. I couldn’t have done it without the support from our parents and FORZAWM. It was an amazing tournament but most importantly an eventful and educating experience.

HERES what they said about the

2018 Finnish Youth International.