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WILC 2015 Nation Preview: Germany
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WILC 2015 Nation Preview: Germany

The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship 2015 takes over the Onondaga Nation next month and in preparation for the historic event we will be taking a deeper look into each of the 13 nations that will be competing for the gold September 18th-27th, 2015!
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National Germany box lacrosse teamGermany

Box Lacrosse Founded: 2002
Governing Body: DLaxV
Previous WILC Finish: N/A
Website: www.dlaxv.de
FB:GermanIndoorLacrosseNationalTeam
Twitter: @dlaxv

Preparations for the WILC 2015

What are some of your biggest concerns when traveling with German National Team to the United States and the Onondaga Nation?

Well first of all, it’s a long trip for us. Coordinating travel and accommodation for 36 guys is a challenge but nothing we can’t handle. We are thankful for the support from the tournament organizers, especially tournament organizer Scott Neiss, who was very helpful.

What other obstacles are still in the way of Germany having the ideal trip to the WILC?

I hope players manage to book their flights on time! Other than that, I expect good transportation in Syracuse to the tournament site and no big obstacles.

German Lacrosse History

When was lacrosse founded in Germany and by whom?

Lacrosse was founded in early 90’s by German students in Berlin and a little later in Munich by students studying from abroad. There is mostly field lacrosse in Germany with tournament records going back to 1994.

How long has box lacrosse been played in Germany?

deutschland_adler_lacrosse_club
Deutschland Adler 2012

There is still no organized league system for box lacrosse in Germany. I think the first German teams to play box lacrosse at tournaments like the AHM in Radotin participated in 2002. Deutschland Adler is a German club has seen a great deal of success in the European Lacrosse league.

There are two major box lacrosse tournaments in Germany; IsarBox in Munich and Lax in the Box in Dresden.

What events has the German National Team competed in internationally?

This is the very first WILC for Germany as a nation. We’ve competed in the World Lacrosse Championships for field lacrosse since 1998 and a couple of European Championships.

2015 Players and Staff

WILC 2015 Nation Preview: Germany

In general, how would you describe the players on the German National Team? What are the guys like off the field?

We have a bunch of athletes that do everything to improve on the field but also are a great bunch of guys with great chemistry off the field. Most players come from a field lacrosse background and they originate from a variety of clubs.

Which key individuals from your country should lacrosse enthusiasts look toward as an ambassador of the game? Why?

Well currently the president, Andreas Rossband, is putting a lot of effort in making lacrosse more professional but also growing the game.

Ake Hübner is doing a fantastic job running the women’s lacrosse section. Gerold Frede took over the university lacrosse program and grows the game like no other.

Overall there are a lot of volunteers investing a great amount of time in growing lacrosse in Germany. On our way to the WILC we only gathered true support even though this program is still in infancy. If someone is looking to get involved in Germany lacrosse send an email to a club near by or simply write the DLaxV!

Who are the team’s most experienced players for the WILC?

Offense: Jamie Plunkett played his junior lacrosse in Peterborough, Burnaby, and Victoria. Then Plunkett competed in the NLL with the Arizona Sting and seniors with the Ajax Rock before moving to the Europe. Plunkett played with the Czech Republic at the WILC 2011 and the 2012 European Lacrosse Championships. He then moved on to establish the Deutschland Adler club, coaching and playing lacrosse in Germany

Transition: Canadian-born Brian Tyacke has put in his time with Deutschland Adler and other box lacrosse clubs around the globe after completing his junior years as a New Westminster Salmonbellie.

WILC 2015 Nation Preview: Germany

Defense: Maximilian Bieber has experience playing field lacrosse internationally for Germany and has years of European Lacrosse League floor time under his belt.

Goalie: Kitchener, ON, based goaltender Tyler Glebe was the 52nd overall draft pick in the 2012 NLL draft by the Toronto Rock after having a successful junior career in the BCJALL and the OJALL. He will bring years of competitive box lacrosse experience to the defense.

WILC 2015 Nation Preview: GermanyWho is your coaching staff, what is their experience?

Both head coach Jesse Cracknell and his assistant Scott Stapleford have coached at almost all levels of lacrosse. Scott has experience as professional box lacrosse player in the NLL and is a great addition to the staff.

The team’s other assistant coach, Adam Marshall, is one of the most skilled coaches in Germany and the local end of the coaching staff.

All three take great care in implementing our system and getting the players to compete at a higher level. Team chemistry is very important, as well as implementing some of our strength from the field game into the box.

What is the team’s ratio of German to North American born players?

Of our entire 24-man roster, we have only 4 non-German passport holders. Out of those 4, 3 of the athletes are longtime German residents.

Is there anything else you would like the worldwide lacrosse community to know about Germany or the team?

We are excited to come over to the US and Six Nations and play in the area where the game we all love originated. We will be competitive and a great addition to the international box lacrosse scene. Ultimately we are looking forward to the opportunity to play the best teams and players in the world.

We also want to thank our sponsors, supporters, the DLaxV and members of the staff! Follow the team by giving us a like on Facebook!

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Thanks to Coach and Organizer Simon Krause for taking the time for this interview.