Antalya compound men’s team finals to feature Netherlands–USA rematch

After pipping the USA trio to the top seed during qualification, the Netherlands cruised through the brackets, shooting tighter and tighter groups on the target each phase. Peter ELZINGA, Mike SCHLOESSER and Ruben BLEYENDAAL only dropped four points in their semifinal match against Italy.

“They’ve got a great team. With Peter and Mike and Ruben: that’s a solid team,” professed Reo WILDE, whose USA squad had an equally impressive morning: “We fell behind the Koreans in the first end, but other than that we led every match.”

It took some time for the Netherlands to settle in during the two teams’ Medellin final, and if the States get off to a strong start again it will be difficult for the Dutch to recover.

If that happens, and the USA picks up yet another World Cup stage team gold, it will be three of three so far on the year.

“It’s not really on my mind,” said a relaxed Reo. “For the longest time I hadn’t even lost a team match. The first one for ages was El Salvador [in 2006], when it rained really badly.”

“We’ve had some really long stretches before. So it’s just where we’re at, and the way we’re rolling.”

What with ELZINGA’s individual win in Medellin, SCHLOESSER becoming the first European Las Vegas Shoot champion and the Dutch team silver last stage, the Netherlands seems to be rolling, too.

Shooting order and tactics play a large role in team success: “Mike’s up front, then Ruben, then me. We tested a couple of things but went with that set-up in Colombia and it seems to be working.”

The more they get on the field together, the better the Dutch are getting. The USA, meanwhile, have been dominant for a long time.

“I can’t count the medals. I have 10 or 11 world championship team gold medals,” said Reo. “With me and Braden [GELLENTHIEN] on most of those teams.”

Call it a chance for revenge for the Netherlands, for the USA to extend another impressive win streak, a second bout or just a plain great final between two of the most impressive compound teams on the circuit in recent memory.

Reo reckons his team has a good chance: “We’ve been very successful – and though Bridger [DEATON]’s our least experienced, he hasn’t been on an adult team that’s lost yet.”

“We’d like to keep it that way.”

Competition at the third 2014 Archery World Cup stage in Antalya runs from 11-15 June. Check scores, event news and visit World Archery’s Facebook page and @worldarchery on Twitter for coverage.