Super Series Finals - 2005

• Complete version of the event’s best 10 matches on crisp DVD images and Surround Sound 5.1.
• Captured using 4 HD broadcast cameras for the first time ever in tour events.
• Fully edited using tight close-ups & multiple dramatic slow motions
• DVD menu navigation from game to game & best rallies features
• Alan Thatcher teamed up with Charles DeSainte-Marie throughout to provide play-by-play expert commentating and key interviews. Expect plenty of humour and a clever complicity between these two which adds to the entertainment.
• Invited guests James Willstrop and tournament promoter and Harvard University head coach Satinder Bajwa also joined the team on occasion.

MATCHES AVAILABLE:

Never in a single major tournament will you have witnessed in such undisputable fashion how close the level of play is currently at the top of the men's game, and this even without the presence in it of other great players such as White, Gauthier and Darwish who are also realistically well within reach of any event's top honours. Until this SSF 05, the most "best matches" we ever selected from any one event was 7 (from the SSF03). Incredibly, we had no choice but to select 10 from this PSA most prized event or we most certainly would have left out valuable treasures from it. While only 4 players (Hunt, Jahangir, Jansher and Nicol) took away most titles in their respective eras from the early seventies until last year, any of the top 12 ranked players in the world can now do so at any event. What a treat for us all squash addicts!

1. Power vs Palmer
J. Power, the most deceptive player there is and a racquet maestro of sort at the pinnacle of his career Vs D. Palmer, the strongest player on tour and as well one of its best tactician, both confined a to glass arena seemingly reduced in dimension for the SSF 05 occasion. Indeed, why is it that the court appears to be half its size when these two compete on it together? Is it that they read each other's game so well that their paths to and from striking zones invariably cross more often than not? Or is it a strategy that, consciously or not, they use to avoid the likely punishment they will have to endure if their opponent ever makes it cleanly to their loosely struck balls? Leaving these questions for referees to sort out and for experts to debate, this match delivers some of the best squash played on tour at the moment.

A true "Power-Palmer vintage" clash that included tackles, flaring emotions and 'vocals' everyone heard miles around London City center...all & all one great squash war you don't want to miss.

2. Lincou vs Beachill
#1 Vs #2 ranked players on tour at the time of this match; they hardly come any better technically, strategically and for so much more. Rarely in any world class match will you have seen as many balls cling to side walls as they did in this one. In addition, this encounter was one of the most dramatic we've had the privilege to capture on film over the years. One's desire to win was so intensely vivid it was almost palpable. Some called what they saw at the most crucial moment of the match "desperation play", but others called it the gutsiest squash they had ever witnessed. Both players certainly deserve the highest praise for their extreme efforts but one competitor will certainly take some time to recover from a 'nightmare' in which he failed to close off a match that was his to win. Seven match balls indeed came and went his way, and all faded away in turn along with his spirit.
Awesome and inspirational to watch just prior to a competitive match of your own as there's no better reminder that the battle is never to be over until it is.

3. Willstrop vs Palmer
orld Junior Champion James was in his first Super Series Finals appearance, World Open David won this event already in 2002; so while one had no fear and nothing to lose, expectations were far greater on the other. They each owned a victory over the other in pro tour encounters at the start of the match, the stage was set. Similarly to Jonathon, James constantly looks for ways to send his opponents in unexpected directions; his mind is in perpetual motion as he seeks openings that will let him express his seemingly boundless creativity. How entertaining for us, but how painful must it be for his opponents on which inflicts relentless knees and back breaking jerking attacks? David has seen his share of that style of play from Jonathon over the years so he'd surely be able to draw on his experience to neutralize the young man's onslaught. Or would he come short?
This was an absolutely extraordinary match that kept the Broadgate arena crowd hot from excitement throughout a very cold London moment.

4. Ricketts vs Lincou
9th in point earnings last season, 1st player on the SSF standby list in case one from the select group of 8 would get injured; Anthony squeezed in the event as a result of Peter Nicol cutting his racquet hand while diving for a ball in his match Vs Power the night before. Winner of the Tournament of Champions 2005 where he defeated in succession Willstrop, Nicol, Shabana then world #1 Lincou in the Final, Ricketts has truly proven that he belongs here. Thierry "the surgeon" Lincou Vs Anthony "the ball hunter" Ricketts, this match wasn't a single percentage point less than 100% on the intensity scale. Case and point, there were more than 2 handfuls of match balls before heading into the deciding 5th.
Two amazing athletes at the top of their games in a breathtaking masterpiece.

5. Palmer vs Beachill
It's not likely that David and Lee will be nominated to a smiling contest any time soon however, so focused they are on their career ambitions and the job at hand, you can count on them to make the short list of every squash contest there is. Lee is the most subtlety deceptive player there is, trying to guess whether he'll go short or deep in his front court attacks is virtually impossible. As a result, David would have to remain absolutely still prior to Lee's strikes, not committing one way or another or he'd risk losing precious fractions of seconds starting off the block/T that would send him in an inescapable defensive spin. If David lost this match then Lee's training partner James Willstrop would pulled through to the semis, figuratively speaking then David was fighting for his life, and what fight it was.
Best games on record between these two, enjoy their every grinding effort from start to end.

6. Power vs Lincou
Power seeks to re-capture the top spot in the world this year before hanging his racquet for good, so what better measure on his chances to make it then to beat the man who holds that position now? But don't count on Thierry to have any consideration for JP or his goal as he is on a mission of his own, that of remaining the uninterrupted leader of the pack for the years to come. This was the opening match of the event, and as it turned out it was also the longest. It had been fairly cold all day in London so the air inside the Broadgate Marquis had not yet been warmed up sufficiently by the crowd by the time the match started. As a result, the ball was too cold for Jonathon to use his trademark deception flicks with any efficiency, so he then had to fall back on his game plan B (i.e. full strokes tight and straight.) However, Jonathon knew only too well that this just happens to be Thierry's own plan A, and favourite game, ouch!
But true champions are the greatest adapting to all conditions, and Jonathon did just that in a match that ended up being one of their best to date close behind their Canadian Classic 04 final encounter.

7. Matthew vs Willstrop
Having played one another throughout their junior years in the UK, Nick and James know each other's game inside out. They are evenly matched and are at one victory a piece in PSA tour encounters. Along with J. White, Nick is one of the hardest hitting players in the world; he has beaten top players such as Nicol, Palmer, Power, Shabana and Lincou in recent times. His good nature and friendly personality makes him one of the most pleasant guys to be around off the court; but watch out once he gets on it as he's a true force to be reckoned with. James also is one the nicest young man you can meet at any event; warm, generous of his time and low keyed off as well as on court. Let's just say that if he is Jonathon's heir apparent in terms of creative skills, James is certainly viewed as heir to Peter Nicol as squash's next best ambassador. Enough with the flowers now and back to the description of this match in a nutshell; it was so relentlessly offensive, and the retrieving by both players was so extraordinary that it takes the SSF 05 palm in those two areas. No sooner did an incredible rally ended that another even better followed right after; all to the crowd's delight.
Extraordinarily entertaining 5 star match that gets a solid two thumbs up review.

8. Shabana vs Lincou
Amr is one of the most naturally talented players on tour; his brilliance has rarely been expressed more evidently than it was in the first 2 games of this match. He was striking balls further up the T than anyone can imagine possible, and volleying them in dead nicks or in the deepest part of the court through a seemingly identical motion. Thierry appeared baffled and helpless; no one could possibly to that to the world #1, but he's not known to fold easily in moments of adversity as he rather thrives on them. Ask the few top players against whom he staged major comebacks in recent times, they'll either tell you the stories or they'll hit you just for reminding them, so be prepared.
Considering that Amr knew how tough Thierry is when cornered then he would only have to stay absolutely focused for just another 10 minutes before heading to the locker room victory in hand.

9. Beachill vs Matthew
This was a match that went the limit during which both players traded shots for shots and points for points for the best part of an hour. Nick and Lee played to their strengths in relentless fashion, Lee using deception and the tightest lengths and Nick his trademark power strikes to the court's extremities. The English crowd was cheering for both their players alternately, although the applauses may have been slightly louder when the underdog won his points.
Nick clearly had the momentum on his side heading in the final game tiebreaker. and only by replaying the match a few times will you be able to sort out exactly what happened next.

10. Nicol vs Shabana
This match being ranked 10th is by no mean an indication that it was anything less than awesome for the most part. Event opening match for the players, both understood how important it was to start the week with a victory just to have a small chance to make it out of their select pool and into the high profile/paying semis. But they'd also have to contend with Power & Lincou who had their eyes on the same objective. They came out firing up on all cylinders for a good 40 minutes of the highest intensity; the Egyptian magician Shabana made balls disappear almost at will, and Nicol hanging by the seat of his pants retrieved the few that Amr would let out of the hat. The court was cold and the rallies were short and brutal as dictated by the mercurial Shabana, as a result the ball hardly ever warmed up enough throughout making it even more difficult for players to get it behind them. Consequently, and to our delight from the spectacle standpoint, this forced more play to the front part of the court where the most exciting and offensive squash is generated from.
Sadly, this was Nicol's only completed match of the SSF 05 as he injured himself the next day in his opening game Vs Power which caused him to withdraw.

No one know for certain whether Peter will make it back next year for his 4th SSF title given the late stage of his illustrious career, so if this was to be his Super Series Finals swan song, then what an impressive way to go.

Cost: $49 plus GST and Shipping - Single Matches

         $139 plus GST and Shipping - Top 3 Matches

         $196 plus GST and Shipping - Top 5 Matches

         $274 plus GST and Shipping - Top 8 Matches

         $324 plus GST and Shipping - All 10 Matches

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Telephone: (416) 426-7201
Email: gjohnson@squashontario.com

Super Series Finals - 2004

• First official tournament ever using the best of 5 games to 11 points PAR scoring system delivering the highest intensity ever from the very first point of every match.
• Complete version of the event's best 5 matches in crisp DVD images and Surround Sound 5.1. See every point from start to finish.
• Captured using 4 digital broadcast cameras to cover every possible angles of play.
• Fully edited using multiple dramatic slow motions, explosive sound transitions and special effects.
• DVD menu navigation from game to game and special features (best rallies from various events and matches)
• Expert commentators Martin Heath, Charles De Sainte-Marie and Alan Thatcher.

MATCHES AVAILABLE:

1. John White vs Joe Kneipp
While John can generate more power striking balls than anyone on the tour, Joe on the other hand can counter-punch with flawless technique. Joe is in a class of his own and textbook perfect when it come to stroke execution, no wonder he.s made it into this select group of the world.s best performers on the tour in 2003. Joe and John have played each other since their junior years at age 7; unbelievably they are just about even in head to head matches, though Joe leads 4 to 3 in tour victories over John since 2000. Selected as the event.s best, this match will keep you on edge from start to its unbelievable conclusion.

2. Thierry Lincou vs Lee Beachill
Lincou and Beachill both aspire to dominate the men.s pro tour as Nicol and Power did since 1998. Thierry started 2004 in the top spot but Lee took it away from him towards the latter part of the year. Strangely, there are similarities of styles between the two pairs - Thierry is an amazing athlete; steady on his feet, he keeps his center of gravity lower than that of any other professional. Similarly to Peter, his ability to focus for the longest period of time without making errors is remarkable. Lee on the other hand is one of the most .deceptive. player there is, although maybe not in as flamboyant a style as Jonathon. It is practically impossible to predict whether he will play short or deep from an identical racquet preparation, especially on the backhand side, and what to say about his devastating forehand volley nics? Awesome. Thierry would need all of his attributes to resist Lee.s attacks on that night, and an unexpected element that came into play 3 days earlier would make this match a memorable one for Lee, and for everyone else present within Broadgate Arena and DVD viewers as well.

3. Amr Shabana vs Lee Beachill
"Shabana is the most skilful & accurate player on the tour today." These are Jonathon Power.s own word when talking about World Open Champion titleholder Amr Shabana. When he is on, he can strike at least 23 out of 25 balls from the back court area to dead roll nics near the front part of the court. Indeed Amr is an extraordinary player; surely he.s not your orthodox professional in the way he holds the racquet or in his shot selection, but his speed to the balls and flashes of brilliance in executions are flabbergasting. Lee was left shaking his head in disbelief and he was flat footed countless times on the night this match was played, but would it be enough for Amr?? Pure talent Vs formidable dexterity - entertainment at its best.

4. Joe Kneipp vs Thierry Lincou
Arguably the tour.s best 2 technicians faced one another in this classic confrontation; there isn.t a player around, whether pro or amateur, that can.t learn something from watching it. When talking about the kind of high percentage squash that can help you win matches often and consistently, this is the one to model after. Both players moved each other around the court from left to right - front to back in text book perfect patterns; little or no risk, but how efficient. A must for any serious students of the game.

5. Thierry Lincou vs Amr Shabana
World # 1 Vs World Open Championship title holder, both stepped on court to prove something to all those present that evening, and to each other of course .they were both there to make a statement that sounded much like the following given the intensity and speed at which the match was played . I AM THE BETTER PLAYER. Beat the World Champion -therefore you are (in a way), or beat world #1 and therefore worthy of that ranking position. Contrast of style to study, copy, or simply admire.

Cost: $42 plus GST and Shipping - Single Matches

         $45 plus GST and Shipping - John White vs. Joe Kneipp Match

         $189 plus GST and Shipping - All 5 Matches

Purchase by VISA or MasterCard Only:

Telephone: (416) 426-7201
Email: gjohnson@squashontario.com

• Complete version of the event's best 7 matches on High Definition DVDs and Surround Sound 5.1. See every point of every game from start to finish.
• Captured using 4 digital broadcast cameras to cover every possible angles of play.
• Fully edited using multiple dramatic slow motions, explosive sound transitions and special effects.
• In depth game analysis - graphic game statistics, rules information ++.
• Expert lead commentator Alan Thatcher.
• Color commentators - Martin Heath, John White, Tim Garner and many more.
• All DVDs include features and in depth interviews with the game's top players, coaches, psychologist, fitness experts, Hockey star Dominic Hasek, etc. + best rallies of 2002 and 2003 to date.
• Also included in the special features of each DVD of the event- Instructional segments with world # 1 Peter Nicol, world # 1 junior James Willstrop, Anthony Ricketts, Simon Parke and Joe Kneips.
  

Here as follow is the listing and description of the men's matches available from the best (1) to (7).
DVD's

Mens' Matches
1. Jonathon Power Vs Peter Nicol
Unquestionably the best match ever between these two giants of the sport, and most likely the best of all this last decade. Even topping their incredible YMG 01 Final encounter. Incredibly, only 15 points separated Jonathon and Peter in all of their 32 encounters to date on the PSA circuit since 1994. Each had won 16 matches and 58 games against the other before this historical match began. Jonathon had never won this event and Peter was hoping to capture his fourth SSF title within the Broadgate Arena. This edge-of-your-seat match has it all, explosiveness, controversies, humor, drama and more, live and relive the experience over, and over, and o… . Seeing this historical match for the first time on high definition DVD, and hearing it all through Dolby Surround Sound 5.1 is an experience you don't want to miss.

2. John White Vs Anthony Ricketts
White's ability to generate power through a unique arm motion combined to a compact hip and weight transfer is awesome. Ricketts' remarkable display of match play intensity is quickly becoming the standard to follow by all PSA touring pros. Many of the qualities of Anthony's coach -*the great champion of the 80s Rodney Martin are evidently rubbing off on this extraordinary athlete. This was the first match of the week for both players and they were fresh and eager to start their pool match with a win. Fire power and nics galore Vs explosive energy and speed best describes this fantastic match.

3. Peter Nicol Vs Lee Beachill
Runner-up to Peter in the UK Nationals just prior to the ToC 03 event, Lee was determined to take the throne away from the king of squash himself. He had come so close so many times before, but tonight was going to be different, he was rested and healthy. This was their first match of the week in Broadgate Arena, squash enthusiast had come from all over the kingdom in anticipation…. One cut the other to pieces for the first 2 games, but the other did the same to him for the next two, both started the fifth firing away at the other. Observe squash surgery at its best being performed by the best two technicians of the sport in the world, but do not expect controversies or blood splattering, these guys are the cleanest in the business.

4. Ong Beng Hee Vs John White
Winner of the British and World Championships as a junior not too long ago, Ong was the youngest participant of this year's SSF event. Now training with Peter Nicol under the guidance of Neil Harvey, he is well on his way to prove to all that he has what it takes to dominate the senior tour as he had the junior. He had never beaten John as he stepped on court this cool Tuesday night in May, but he was ready for everything John would throw his way. They split the first two games, John took the lead taking the third but Ong fought back to force a fifth. How does one neutralize a power hitter as tricky as John? Staying cool will help, but also by watching plenty of slow motion replays of John in action to figure out where the openings, if any, are likely to come from. One for the records for Ong, one closer to the Qatar Masters title for John the following week.

5. Thierry Lincou Vs Peter Nicol
A re-match of the. Thierry was looking forward to claiming victory over the last player ranked higher than him on the tour that he hadn't beaten in recent times. Although you may have seen Peter at work several times in the last decade, we can assure you that you have never seen him play 2 more perfect squash games than the first two he played against Thierry that memorable Tuesday night in London. He was hitting the ball earlier than ever and with such deadly accuracy at the front of the court that Thierry rarely could get to any of them before they had bounced 3-4 times. Thierry stepped up the pace and turned the table on Peter early in the third, and the real match began. There aren't too many players with more flair than Thierry on the tour, and he displayed it all until the very end in the fifth game against Peter. A match to experience and to study for it has many lessons to teach.

6. Peter Nicol Vs Martin Heath
Heath is not only the greatest squash color commentator there is, he is also one of the smoothest player on the tour. The manner in which he strikes the ball and moves around the court effortlessly is an absolute pleasure to watch. You will have listen to Martin brilliantly co-commentating many of the ToC and SSF 03 matches, now you must see him push World number #1, his Scottish junior teammate down to the wire. Martin had beaten Peter playing flawless squash, but Peter had leveled the score 2 years later in the Pakistan Open, one would pull ahead of the other tonight.

7. Jonathon Power Vs John White
Undoubtedly the two most creative players of the modern era at their best, and going at each other one mind-boggling rally after another. This match should have been ranked up there amongst the best of the event, but with all others going to the 3-2 limit and this one not, we had to push it to the lucky 7 position. Having lost to John in Qatar and in the British Open the previous year, Jonathon was determined to stop the sequence and make a statement, and what a statement he made. John must have picked up a tip or two from it as he went on to beat Peter and Thierry respectively in the Semi and Final to capture the title of the Qatar Masters event the following week. A classic to own on DVD.

Cost: $49 plus GST and Shipping - Jonathon Power vs. Peter Nicol Match

         $45 plus GST and Shipping - John White vs. Anthony Ricketts Match

         $45 plus GST and Shipping - Peter Nicol vs. Lee Beachill Match

         $45 plus GST and Shipping - John White vs. Ong Beng Hee Match

         $42 plus GST and Shipping - Peter Nicol vs. Thierry Lincou Match

         $42 plus GST and Shipping - Peter Nicol vs. Martin Heath Match

         $39 plus GST and Shipping - Jonathon Power vs. John White Match

         $125 plus GST and Shipping - Event's Best 3 Matches (1 to 3)

         $189 plus GST and Shipping - Event's Best 5 Matches (1 to 5)

         $219 plus GST and Shipping - All 7 Matches (1 to 7)

Purchase by VISA or MasterCard Only:

Telephone: (416) 426-7201
Email: gjohnson@squashontario.com

• Complete digital broadcast production
• Every point of the event's 15 was recorded, but only the best 5 matches were selected for distribution
• The best 3 are made available on DVD format
• Multi Camera shoot, programs fully edited and commentated professionally
• Game statistics and Super Slow motion effects between points and games for learning and coaching purposes

The 5 cameras used for the event were positioned strategically, they were rotated around the glass court during the matches thus giving viewers the impression that 10 cameras were rolling simultaneously to seize every exiting moment of the event.
Highlights of this event were broadcast around the world and received the highest praise ever from the squash community, Jean De Lierre's unique producing style may help explain these great reviews.
Alan Thatcher was our expert commentator. Chris Walker, Stewart Boswell, Rodney Durbach, Tim Garner were among the top players who accompanied Alan in the commentary box.

MATCHES AVAILABLE:

1. DAVID PALMER vs JOHN WHITE
   David had his back to the wall, it was do or die for him on that day.Unless he won this match Mark Chaloner, the player who had beaten himin the opening round, would move forward to semis and he would beeliminated from the event. John White came out all guns firing.As the hardest hitting player on the tour and arguably the game'sbest shot maker since Brett Martin, John came out confident from hisrecent British Open win against Jonathon Power, he felt he could takeon his old rival and training partner. This epic battle went down to thewire, John was on form, he was hitting one dead nick after another andmixing the trickiest front court attacks with devastating dying lengths.David fended John's bullet-like attacks as long as he could and waitedfor John to let up a little, when that happened David seized the momentthen launched counter-attack volleys of his own. The most incredible displayof racquets skills and power you will ever see. De Lierre's cameras capturedthe court actions in the usual close-up manner then later in the editingstudio he slowed down the best of the best action shots no human eye couldpossibly picked up in real action time. A must see classic battle betweenthese 2 giants of the sport.
2. DAVID PALMER vs PETER NICOL
   Having had the best overall results on the PSA tour in 2001, well one may wonder how that came to be since Peter was up 3-1 in head-to-head matches in 2001, David Palmer had been seeded ahead of current world #1 for this Super Series Finals. Peter wasn't too happy about this so he stepped on court that night to set the record straight and prove the tournament seeding wrong, David came out also but to prove it right, what a battle it was. David played within himself that night, somehow he found a way to neutralize Peter's attacks. Who was going to cut the other one's reaction time best on that evening? Peter has the reputation of having the game's best volleys, well on that night he was David's student. A rare feast, and a pure delight to watch and learn from.
3. DAVID PALMER vs THIERRY LINCOU
   Lincou, Titi as his entourage affectionately calls him, was all over Palmer on this final evening. Few players have him figured out yet and David was no exception. Titi hides his shots very well, which make it very difficult for his opponents guess which direction he will strike the ball. Titi's technique is the standard to follow, nothing complicated really, he strikes the ball either short or long but in the same manner, hence why he is so difficult to read. Late bloomer in the game, Lincou finds himself playing in the most prestigious event final of his career. Along with Boswell, Ong Beng Hee and Beachill, Thierry undoubtedly proved that he is part of the select group of elite players destined to one day reach the top spot once the years begin taking their tolls on Power and Nicol. This memorable match was extremely physical and Thierry resisted David's charges as best he could and for as long as Jonathon Power did just one year earlier. The squash played on this final night was impeccable, it lasted close to 2 hours and concluded in a classic tiebreaker you will not want to miss.

Cost: $34.00 plus GST and Shipping - Single Matches

         $89 plus GST and Shipping - All 3 Matches

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Telephone: (416) 426-7201
Email: gjohnson@squashontario.com

Super Series Finals - 2002

• The best players in the World going at each other from the very first round
• Only the best 8 of the 15 matches of the event were selected
• Multi Camera shoot, programs fully edited and commentated professionally
• In-Game statistics for each player
• Super Slow motion effects between games for learning/coaching purposes
• Complete matches from the first to the last point

MATCHES AVAILABLE:

1. PETER NICOL vs SIMON PARKE
   One of the best matches of the last decade, the desire to win, will power, emotions, roaring crowds kept on the edge of their seats for close to 2 hours, best squash commentators combination on the planet (i.e. Alan Thatcher, Martin Heath - a collector's must).

Cost: $34.00 plus GST and Shipping - Nicol vs. Parke Match

Purchase by VISA or MasterCard Only:

Telephone: (416) 426-7201
Email: gjohnson@squashontario.com