Southsea make splash on international scene

Southsea gave the sport of octopush to the world and now they have brought it back '“ well Europe's share of it any way.
Southsea Octopush club celebrate after being crowned Underwater Hockey European Club Championship winners for the first timeSouthsea Octopush club celebrate after being crowned Underwater Hockey European Club Championship winners for the first time
Southsea Octopush club celebrate after being crowned Underwater Hockey European Club Championship winners for the first time

That’s after Dave Bailey’s men became the first British side to lift the coveted Underwater Hockey European Club Championship trophy in Coimbra, Portugal earlier this month.

Having been three-time losing finalists in recent years, Southsea finally achieved what they had been threatening and laid their hands on the trophy.

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An entertaining and hard-fought 3-1 victory over French side Pontoise, who had twice beaten them in finals – in 2010 and 2012 – clinched the title.

It marks the end of a 16-year search for Europe’s top prize, although Southsea’s involvement in the sport dates back to its formation in 1954 when Southsea’s Alan Blake wrote the first set of rules.

Bailey, a former player who has two sons in the side – Dan and Anthony – reflected on an emotional triumph.

He said: ‘Southsea is the birthplace of octopush – the first set of rules and bits of kit were made up in 1954 here by a guy called Alan Blake.

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‘But despite having invented the game, this is the first time we have won the European title.

‘I am massively proud to say I am the coach of the first British team to win it.

‘This tournament has been going for 16 years now and we have been trying our hardest to get our hands on the trophy.

‘We have been British champions on numerous occasions but had never quite conquered Europe.

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‘We had been to the final three times and lost all three – two of which were in extra-time on golden goals.

‘As you can imagine, there were some good celebrations when we won it!’

Southsea faced a familiar foe in the final as French champions Pontoise looked to complete a hat-trick of European Cup triumphs over their English counterparts.

Bailey’s side, though, were not to be denied.

James Finnimore proved the difference, although he had to wait until the final minute of an absorbing contest to put the seal on Southsea’s win.

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His double, alongside a joint-effort from Dan Bailey and Matt Willis who both drove the puck into the goal at the same time, completed an historic 3-1 win.

But only after nerves had been frayed on the sidelines.

Bailey said: ‘We went 1-0 up then they equalised but we responded to lead 2-1.

‘Then at the end we probably went a little bit too defensive and found ourselves under a lot of pressure, which was to be expected.

‘With 30 seconds left, they had a free puck right in front of our goal but we managed to defend it.

‘And where they had committed all of their men forward James nicked it and swam the length to score a breakaway goal.

‘It was brilliant.’

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