2003 World Footbag Championships Net videos and results – July 28-August 3   Freestyle

2003 World Footbag Championships – Footbag Net Collection from Pro Kicker

The 2003 World Footbag Championships marked a very important moment in the evolution of the sport of Footbag. It was the first time that a Worlds was held in Europe, also the first time out of North America.

It was hot in all the senses of the word. A super heathwave was sweeping through Europe and the Czech Republic was not spared. The level of play was also hot and steamy 😉

Here’s a recap of the matches featured in this video collection

2003 IFPA WORLD FOOTBAG CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 28-August 3, 2003
Prague, Czech Republic

Open doubles net finals

Yves Archambault / Manu Bouchard, Montréal, Québec representing Pro Kicker vs Jake Leong / Andre Lemaire from Vancouver, Bc. of Kitsilano Footbag
Pro Kicker: 15-13 15-5

The doubles finals match in Prague was charged with electricity, it was all new to Europe, and the fans were on fire. It featured two canadian teams, and I think that it was only the second occurence, for such a meet at the Championships (Also 1998).

The first game was very tight and too close for comfort, I know, I was playing in it.
In the second game, the team from Quebec took a solid lead and crushed the opposition. Manu Bouchard hit 9 Roll Sweeps in that match. You can see them all in succession at the end of the video trailer.
Yves Archambault and Manu Bouchard over Jake Leong and Andre Lemaire.
15-13 15-5

Open doubles semi finals B

Yves Archambault / Manu Bouchard, Montréal, Québec representing Pro Kicker vs John Leys / PT Lovern, Bay Area, California of The Chaos Footbag Club
Pro Kicker: 15-5 11-15 15-12

The second semi finals was probably the finals before the finals. Unfortunately, the two best teams (on paper) were on a collision course to meet before the finals. The flamboyant players from the Chaos Footbag californian club were on the rise, and they were meeting two veterans from Montreal, Quebec representing Pro Kicker. The match went to three games as Chaos came back from a 15-5 spanking in the first game. They bounced back with a 15-11 win in the second part of the duel. In the 3rd installment, the Pro Kicker players, Yves Archambault and Manu Bouchard took an early lead. In games to 15 points, the teams change sides at 8 and at this moment everything looked bright for Montreal with a comfortable 8-1 lead. Things can change rapidly in any sport, footbag included, and the Chaos players threw a desperate fight on the Prague central court. With tight scores like 10-9 and 14-12 the frenchies held the fort to a short 15-12 victory.

To summarize, it was an exciting match, where I had chance to play in front of a bunch of new players from many parts of Europe. Lots of good action from the 2 main spikers, Bouchard and Lovern, while John Leys and I did our jobs too. It felt great to win for sure! The energy level was so high as this was in the beginnings of the rise of Europe as a footbag net force. New people, with a lot of passion, kicking their asses off to try to kick ours. Nice!

Yves Archambault and Manu Bouchard over PT Lovern and John Leys.
15-5 11-15 15-12

See the complete matchs

1. 2003 World Footbag Championships Doubles Finals Game 1 – 14:04

2. 2003 World Footbag Championships Doubles Finals Game 2 – 10:52

3. 2003 World Footbag Championships Doubles – semi finals B – game 1 – 12:01

4. 2003 World Footbag Championships Doubles – semi finals B – game 2 – 11:42

5. 2003 World Footbag Championships Doubles – semi finals B – game 3 – 10:16

6. 2003 World Footbag Championships – Hot shots of  Net – 02:17