Today saw me on a Group A 2:30pm game, this time USA v Japan. Having seen Japan yesterday, in a high scoring affair with the Australians, I was ready for lots of running again today, and once again I wasn't disappointed.

Throughout the tournament we are seeing teams rattle in the goals, sometimes on apparently mismatched games, although the teams are already in groups, but sometimes teams simply like to battle it out, fairly, to the end and the winner will be the one with most goals. The crowds here are certainly getting their monies worth in entertainment.

Whilst praising the attackers for their flair, stick handling skills and a keen eye, it is important to remember the goalkeepers to. Back home in Ontario, my own senior team is lucky enough to have a good goalie between the posts in Freyah, she has been a key member of the team that is so far unbeaten. My 13 year old niece Torie has also taken up the role on our U15 Field team. Her Box Lacrosse stick skills are coming in very useful as she gets used to playing behind her defence. She is also doing a great job. The umpiring team here is blessed with ex goalies: Cheryl, Karen and Wendy all represented their countries at a World Cup as a goalkeeper. Anne K one of our TD's has suited up too. So for all the goalies out there, once you've had enough of being shot at, why not switch to the calm world of umpiring!

The goalkeepers here in Prague are a mix of World Cup first timers and returnees, and all are key to the success of their teams. When the goalie plays well, her team is far more likely to succeed, so long as her teammates are sticking the ball in the opponents net to. Some of the best games I've umpired are when both goalkeepers are literally standing on their heads, stopping everything, because then, the attackers need to work especially hard to create the opportunity that the goalie cannot save. I take my hat off to all the goalkeepers here, it is a job that I would never want and is certainly one that is far more difficult than mine.

So back to my day. Yesterday was the massage, today was the hands, a one hour manicure. My hands now feel like my daughters all soft and new. Nails are short, cuticles cleaned up and hands all scrubbed and rubbed. Heaven.

On today's game, I umpired with Mara (2009 NCAA D1 Final Official), Tomoko (2007 U19 Bronze Game Official) and Madge (my accountant). Simply put... the teams allowed us to officiate a great game. They came out with one thing on their minds, winning the game by playing it in a style and manner that entertained and that was clean. As an umpiring team we let them play. We stepped in when they asked us to and stepped away when they didn't need our help.

My thanks go to both coaching staff, the players and my team mates, that will be a game to recall long after the tournament is over.

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