Games 505-508 (VEXILLIUM CUP NUROPIA 300 QUARTERFINALS) 01-30-301 and 01-31-301:

IVEFA proudly presents the results from the QUARTERFINALS played in the Vexillium Cup
Nuropia'300 on January 30 and 31, 301:

Game 505: Westria - Armatirion:

QUARTERFINAL 1:

The Technical Information

Final score: WESTRIA 1 - ARMATIRION 1, in overtime (5-4 in penalty shoot-out)
Played at: Casino Palace, Montroy, Westria
Attendance: 111,000
Referee: Jeanfranc (DAV)
Goals: Cunliffe (ARM, 96.), Salamanta (WES, 110.)
Penalty sequence: Vraseydenhout (WES - scored), Latta (ARM - scored), Dülingen (WES -
scored), Virr (ARM - scored), Hasenpfeffer (WES - scored), Cunliffe (ARM - scored),
Theunissen (WES - scored), Milward (ARM - scored), Salamanta (WES - scored), Bell (ARM -
held by Hasenpfeffer)
Yellow cards: Schilla (WES, 20.), Gillick (ARM, 33.), Creighton (WES, 36.), Kelso (ARM,
56.), Zimroe (WES, 73.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Dunlop for Dodds (ARM, 78.), Yoghurt for Zimroe (WES, 79.), Dülingen for
Creighton (WES, 93.), Galt for Boyle (ARM, 100.)
MVP: Hasenpfeffer (WES)

EPIC BATTLE OF THE FOOTBALLING TITANS!

Like most other games and indeed, life, today, the very much anticipated match between the
football titans Armatirion and Westria stood deeply in the shadows of the Christianan
plane crash.  The Westrian side surprised everyone with a moving gesture, they were all
wearing special black kits (image attached) in honor of the crash victims... as an added
honor, as the Westrian flag was hoisted to half-mast, instead of the Westrian anthem, they
played the sentimental Westrian folk hymn "Vir Vern Oych Nycht Fargesten" (We will not
forget you).

After the emotional opening, attentions rather quickly turned towards the match, however,
and it became clear from the very start that both teams were playing cautiously, and with
conservative strategies against an opponent which they had a tremendous mutual respect
for.   With both teams aiming not to make a mistake, the going was rather slow, with the
occasional, very controlled surge to attack, but with both teams playing with a heavy own
half, little developed into actual goal opportunities.  Parker had the best chance for
Armatirion with a free kick from just 20 metres, overshooting the wall with a tricky spin,
but Westrian goalie legend Hasenpfeffer made one of his many amazing saves today,
deflecting left of the goal, with the corner not yielding much.  Westria had two good
chances, once Galaga didn't catch the ball right, spinning it wayward from short distance,
the second time having Vraseydenhout kick the ball directly into 'Tirion keeper Fern's
arms!

Thus, despite the hype, the match was tied scoreless at halftime, with the air already
thick enough with tension to be cut with a knife!  More of the same really happened in the
second half, as the match became more and more of a nailbiter, with neither team able to
score the delivering first goal, or to work up a clear sort of advantage or control of the
game...  The exchange of blows became more frequent now, however, as both teams realized
that they would have to score soon to avoid overtime or even the nerve-wrecker of a
penalty shootout.  Ironically, it would come exactly opposite!

The most notable moments in the second half saw a near miss by Nadeschney, a post-hit from
Salamanta, a near self-goal from Zimroe, and a save inches before the line by Hasenpfeffer
on the Westrian side, and
a succesful offsides trap for Galaga, a number of good corner opportunities, and a great
solo from Cunliffe on the Armatirion side, but alas, all without effect, and so the match
incredibly ended 0-0 after regulation, even with fresh legs subbed in for both sides!

Thus, into overtime they went, this time there was a clear change of strategy - first in
would probably win, so both teams began taking uncharacteristic risks, accentuated by
their incresing fatigue.  Armatirion got what they wanted first, and already looked like
the likely winners as Cunliffe FINALLY scored a goal in the 96. minute, with his team
immediately reformatting to protect this narrowest of leads.  With the pressure cooker
almost boilig over, Westria now had only minutes left to save their skins, and they did so
beautifully, and to the immense relief of the incredulous home crowds, none of which had
ANY fingernails left by that time!  Salamanta was the hero this time, with the Armatirion
defense anticipating a pass from Theunissen to Vraseydenhout, but the midfielder instead
lobbing cross-pitch to the free standing Salamanta, who made short work of the only
somewhat distant defender near him, and left Fern no chance from mid-range.

The tense crowds could finally breathe again, and erupted into huge sigh of relief, only
to whip on their team to try to score the winner in the remaining few minutes.  Both teams
were trying hard, and it was at this time mostly thanks to their respective goalies that
no further goals were scored.  Especially Hasenpfeffer bailed out his heavily and somewhat
carelessly attacking colleagues several times, when Armatirian counters got too close for
comfort!  But the overtime ended 1-1, and it was time for the first penalty shoot-out of
this 300 Vexillium Cup... usually a real treat for the spectators, but this crowd
certainly would have preferred to spare themselves the nerve-wrecking experience of seeing
their beloved home team go through this lottery!

The first four shots taken were standard penalty goals, as Vraseydenhout, Latta, Dülingen,
and Virr all converted with ease, the crowds getting more uneasy by the second!  In an
interesting duel, it was keeper versus keeper, with Hasenpfeffer getting to take the third
penalty for Westria, and tricking Fern into the wrong corner to score.  Back in the goal
himself seconds later, he darn near deflected a shot from Cunliffe over the goal, but the
ball hit the underside of the horizontal goal post, and went in for the 3-3.  Theunissen
and Milward then had no trouble to make it 4-4.  Nobody in the stadium could sit still at
this point, nor could the estimated 2 billion TV spectators!  Salamanta was up next for
Westria, scoring although Fern guessed the right corner, and then it was Bell's turn to
even out once again.  But the Armatirion midfielder did not catch the ball as sqare as he
would have liked, and with Hansenpfeffer having guessed the right corner, the ball
travling at 75% speed was no trouble... Hasenpfeffer HELD the shot!!  The stadium
immediately erupted into an immense roar, Bell sank to the ground, biting the turf, and
the Westrian players and bench streamed onto the field, taking their hero goalkeeper onto
their shoulders, tossing him into the air several times, before taking a victory lap,
keeper still aloft!  One might have thought that the Diamonds already won the Cup from the
commotion in the stadium!  The stunned and tired Armatirion players were mostly sitting
still where ever they had collapsed on the pitch, watching the goings-on for some time,
before the final handshakes and exchanges of jerseys - especially significant this time
due to the black memorial jerseys worn by the Diamonds.

Westria thus narrowly avoids disaster... anything could have happened in this match, and
Armatirion clearly showed today that the Westrians are definitely not unbeatable, even at
home... in fact, Armatirion was the first team to tie Westria at home after regulation.
What a thriller this match was!

QUARTERFINAL 2:

The Technical Information

Final score: BOWDANI 6 - ISLANDIA 0
Played at: Arena of the Tribes, Dianamalary, Niokolo Koba
Attendance: 61,100
Referee: Astnehmer (WES)
Goals: Killehal (BOW, 7.), Hund (BOW, 19.), Hund (BOW, 40.), Hund (BOW, 65.), Deacon (BOW,
79.), Moran (BOW, 81.)
Yellow cards: Marn (BOW, 31.), Tordarsson (ISL, 67.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Deacon for Coleman (BOW, 32.), Williamsson for Jonsson (ISL, 56.), Bassen
for Killehal (BOW, 75.)
MVP: Hund (BOW)

PENGUIN STEAKS, IT IS!!

The Bowdanian team no doubt is one of the most effected by the tragic events surrounding
the crash of the plane carrying the Christianan team, as coaches Hetleker and Snyder are
very close friends... the Bowdanian team was thus wearing especially made patches on their
uniform, and both teams joined in a moment of silemce before the match, as their national
flags were only hoisted at half-mast.

Obviously though, the Bowdanians seemed determined as ever, perhaps wanting to win this
one even more, for their unfortunate colleagues and for coach Snyder, and indeed, their
own coach, who suffered from the possible loss of a close friend.  The new Bowdanian
"Cover Ride Zone" strategy was a full success, as the Islandian defense was indeed
struggling a lot to duel with the powerful head-play and jump superiority of the Bowdanian
offensive players.  The solid defense of the Penguins had a heck of a time today, and
Bowdani took full advantage, without mercy.  The only downer for Bowdani was the loss of
defensive starter Coleman to a cramped hamstring, but "Cover Ride Zone inventor" Deacon
took his place, and in fact played excellently.

The Bowdanian strategy worked so well, the press releases after the match had coined a new
nickname for the hitherto "nickname-less" Bowdanian national team: the "Greenriders"!
This match was somewhat reminiscent of Bowdani's 6-0 slaughter of Niokolo Koba just days
ago - in fact, the parallels between the two matches, in terms of ball possession and
control of the match, were startling.  Even the result was almost the same.  The
difference was, in Islandia Bowdani defeated a much higher-caliber opponent, but seemingly
with the same ease... if Bowdani can keep this form, and further effectively use the new
CRZ strategy, they might just be the team to end Westria's romp towards the VexCup on home
soil!

Islandia had a few good chances, but even if they had scored, it was clear that this was
Bowdani's day from pretty early on.  The Penguins simply could not cope defensively.
Although it held together well in previous matches, the Islandian defense is definitely
the weak point of this team, which has several true superstar offensive and midfield
players, but lacks the depth of talent in the back.  Fabiansson, on top of that, today did
little to diminish the Bowdanian victory margin, as he allowed at least two goals that may
have been holdable.

Bowdani thus goes through in MOST impresive fashion... after the final whistle, they
unrolled a large green and blue banner reading "For Coach Snyder and the Knights" -
despite their great win, their victory celebrations were muted.  Islandia on the other
hand had nothing but lament today - after some great performances in this Cup, they
somewhat gracelessly exit with a shocking 0-6.  But against Bowdani today (and their last
match, for that matter), perhaps no team could have beaten them!  Let's hope they did not
already peak, at the wrong time!  Cause they'll have to face WESTRIA next!!

QUARTERFINAL 3:

The Technical Information

Final score: EASTERN ZARTANIA 1 - DAVENPORT 4
Played at: Estadio de Resistance, Sansoheil, Deucoland
Attendance: 65,600
Referee: Speaks (BOW)
Goals: Gaspe (DAV, 21.), Nurytch (KTZ, 24.), Harbour (DAV, 60.), Harbour (DAV, 69.),
Worthington (DAV, 87.)
Yellow cards: Kelder (KTZ, 21.), Coughlan (DAV, 24.), du Cron (KTZ, 55.), Vaudroy (DAV,
62.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Worthington for Ozon (DAV, 52.), J. Darena for Springer (DAV, 72.),
Henrickson for Miyer (KTZ, 73.), Juriniq for Ayress (KTZ, 73.)
MVP: Gaspe (DAV)

MEN IN ROYAL STEAL THUNDER & LIGHTNING'S THUNDER!

Another fantastic match-up between two supreme soccer nations ended with another
surprisingly decisive victory... and this extremely difficult match to predict went to the
Men in Royal, who played themselves into a frenzy to inflict a bitter loss to the Red
Machine of Eastern Zartania!  As with the other matches, this one started with a brief
ceremony of rememberance for the Christianan team thought to be lost in a plane crash.
The Davenport side was wearing special Christianan flag patches on their sleeves when they
took the field, with the inscription "I remember - je me souviens" underneath.

"Thunder and Lightning", the very mighty abd very popular 5-man offensive line of the
Zartanians today found their match... namely the 4-man defensive line of Crowley,
Coughlan, & Co. - now "almost officially" the best defensive lineup of Vexillium!  Scotty
Springer took the important role of fallback midfielder, and did an increible amount of
running in this match, keeping up with Faulkner and his attacking cronies.  Incredibly,
the powerful Zartanian offense did little to leave a mark on the very cleverly positioned
Men in Royal.  Nurytch scored the only goal for the Reds, and as Davenport began to take a
little more risk in the second half, it was Gaspe who took the key role in the match,
building the essential bridge between fallback-Springer and the somewhat "under-busy"
forwards, who were eager to receive passes and take their shots.  Harbour's fatal accuracy
once again proved crucial to Davenport's success, as their top striker scored a decisive
1-2 blow, both after assists from Gaspe, to put the Zartanians with their backs against
the wall.  Unable to sacrifice any more backfielders for additional attack, the Reds could
only hope for fresh legs bringing the needed spark to rekindle their challenge, but
Davenport played the same game, and even opted to return Aron Worthington to the pitch,
who seemed finally to have gotten over his annoying nagging injury - in fact, it was
Worthington who celebrated his comeback with an astounding goal off a very long throw-in
by Cadbry, which he received and connected to the goal in a very acute angle, lobbing over
Jenkins, who looked rather bad in the whole incident.

The increasing frantic attempts by the Zartanians at grabbing back control of the match
did not succeed against the unyielding Davenport defense, and Gaspe ensured that the
Zartanians could never comfortably pull all their men forward, as there was always the
threat of a quick counter that would leave their goal well-exposed.  The Zartanians looked
distraught at the end of the match - they knew that Davenport would be a tough nut to
crack, but they surely did not expect a 1-4 "thrashing"... another disappointment for
them, after their shocking loss to Namuria, playing at home in last year's Vexillium Cup
Whitlam-Zartania'99!  After their awesome showing in their previous 3 matches, with a
combined goal total of 12-0, many fans around the Zartanian Empire, and indeed around
Vexillium will be very disappointed.  Here in Westria, however, before almost evenly split
purple and red stands, the popular Davenport team had one of its finest hours, and goes on
to the semifinals for the first time since the inception of the IVEFA-sanctioned Vexillium
Cup.  With their momentum building, they are looking strong as ever.  For Eastern Zartania
remains little consolation in that they have equaled their best VexCup finish from 298,
when they lost to Westria in the quarterfinals.

After the match, it became known that unidentifed fans had sprayed the Freedom Column
ornament in the Junele square in Sansoheil purple!  Reports of similar "vandalism" all
throughout the venue cities had already started to roll in throughout the past week.

QUARTERFINAL 4:

The Technical Information

Final score: NAMURIA 4 - ALTLAND 0
Played at: Cirque des Crowns, Cronenbourgh, Westria
Attendance: 75,900
Referee: Whistler (CHR)
Goals: Aldai (NAM, 5.), Salasarien (NAM, 19.), Aldai (NAM, 50.), Ebropa (NAM, 79.)
Yellow cards: Aydrer (NAM, 27.), R. Nevil (ALT, 45.), Aldaral (NAM, 70.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Purin for Salasarien (NAM, 45.), Ebropa for Muthras (NAM, 45.), Desuz for
Cost (ALT, 45.), Peltmon for Lorts (ALT, 62.)
MVP: Ebropa (NAM)

NAMURIA THE CLEAR WINNER IN "BATTLE OF THE NEIGHBORS"

Due to the tragic events surrounding the Christianan team, the Namurian prank they were
planning (to wear hats during the national anthems in a poke at the "bowler incident"
surrounding the controversy between Altland and Namuria regarding the Fort Capital region)
had been called off... instead, the match began with a somber moment of rememberance, like
all the other quarterfinals.

The much-hyped battle between the Meridic Ocean neighbors Altland and Namuria really
failed to live up to the high expectations, as Namuria quickly asserted itself, taking
control with two early goals, and did not give Altland a real chance to get back into the
game sufficiently to be dangerous.  Aldai surprised Kolhaker & Co. already in the 5.
minute after somewhat of a fluke pass from Jaar happened to hook awkwardly around Aur, and
found the star forward, who took a volley attempt which actually left Castellan beaten - a
bit of a lucky goal, but certainly an omen as to how the match was going to go!

Grand master Salasarien himself extended Namuria's lead to 2-0, scoring off a ball in play
from a corner he had kicked himself!  Salasarien's corner found Muthras, who could not
control the ball, it was bunted away by Rikart Nevil, but passed back by Jaar, deflected
by Aldai to Salasarien, who stopped by chest, and took a direct shot between Kolhaker and
Castellan, who had just recovered off the ground, having thought Aldai was going to shoot
instead of hand off.

Altland had its moments, but Tomas Nevil could not keep up the brilliant form from
previous games, obviously somewhat burnt out, and Gui Santan has had better days.  Bottom
line is, Namuria was up 2-0 at halftime, and made good on their "threat" to take out their
key players Salasarien and Muthras to rest them, as they were up by 2 and well in control
of the match.

The second half then stood completely in the sign of Ebropa, who had come in for
Muthras... playing with fire in his stomach, the former stalwart starter for Namuria, who
had been reportedly steaming over losing his starter position, played like the devil, and
almost single-handedly inflicted most of the damage Altland had to sustain in the second
half.  Kolhaker, Rikart & Co. were so busy containing Ebropa, that their team did not
manage to mount much of a significant comeback in the second half, despite bringing in
fresh legs.  Instead, Ebropa caused havoc together with Aldai up front, Purin proved a
worthy successor to Salasarien, and Namuria never looked in danger.  At times, Altland had
trouble leaving their own half.  To top things off, Ebropa scored the last goal of the
match, for what was to be Namuria's impressive 4-0 win in a match where they clearly
controlled a very strong opponent as if it was the most natural thing to do... it is true,
Namuria seems to be growing in the tournament... going into the Semifinals, they can
already smell the Cup!  But, an equally impressive winner today, Davenport, waits to face
the Golden Eagles next!