Official Game Statements:

Games 158, 159, 160, and 161 (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99) 06-05-299

IVEFA Announces the results for the first round matches played today, in
two Double-headers in Snaeffellstadir and Bjargeyar, respectively:

Game 158: Armatirion - Bowdani  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99)
 
MATCH 1:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ARMATIRION 1 - BOWDANI 0
Played in: Myri Stadium, Bjargeyar, Islandia
Attendance: 51,220
Referee: Johnny Whistler (Christiana)
Goals: Parker (ARM, 30.)
Yellow cards: Marn (BOW, 38.), Gillick (ARM, 55.), Coleman (BOW, 62.)
Substitutions: Rusten for J. Moran (BOW, 45.), Latta for Boyle (ARM,
45.), Arridge for Dodds (ARM, 59.), Bassen for Marn (BOW, 59.)

Match commentary:

Armatirion prevails, beats Bowdani again:

Bowdani, a little shaken up after their unexpected loss to Brolecia in
their very own stadium, were looking to overcome the sheer underdog's
labels and make good for the fans who voted them into this tournament as
a stand-in for Dascunya.  Although the general consensus was that
nothing was expected from Bowdani, the by far lowest-ranking team of the
tourney, Armatirion began play notably cautious, while Bowdani seemed
unimpressed, and were trying hard to gain their revenge for the 0-3 loss
they had suffered to Armatirion in the Vexillium Cup, although they were
essentially a different team back then.  Bowdani clearly dominated the
first half hour, and it took a somewhat unexpected counter goal from
Parker to take the wind out of their sails.  From after the goal in the
30. minute, Armatirion seemed to gain more confidence, and bagan their
feared ball-control game, cleverly showing why they are one of the best
sides of the tournament.

Both teams took full advantage of their substitution allowances for the
second half, and although Bowdani tried hard, Armatirion was able to
keep their bursts in check, and control the game increasingly
defensively, as Bowdani took more and more chances offensively.  In a
resulting counter, another goal by Parker was disallowed due to offsides
in the 75. minute.  Armatirion held on rather safely, winning 1-0.

<TECH>The odds favored ARM, and the numbers were about even</TECH>



Game 159: Westria - Christiana  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99)

MATCH 2:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTRIA 1 - CHRISTIANA 0
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 64,490
Referee: Ulf-Ingar Kundur (Islandia)
Goals: Guydenvaldt (48.)
Yellow cards: O'Kenney (CHR, 21.), M. Johanssen (CHR, 30.), Voyden (WES,
44.)
Red card: O'Kenney (CHR, 53.)
Substitutions: Monaigh for Andersen (CHR, 45.), Vergrimmelt for
Salamanta (WES, 54.), Yoghurt for Dülingen (WES, 70.), Mortensen for
Marin (CHR, 72.)

Match commentary:

Westria claims clash of the giants as Christiana ails with ten men!

Ranking-wise, this was the BIG one:  The reigning Vexillium Cup Champion
and Vex number 2 Christiana, against the reigning Copa Vexanova Champion
and Vex number 1 Westria!!  Christiana was coming off their win at the
Smallwick Shootout earlier this year, and Westria of course last played
when they won the Copa O'99... so both were coming off great wins, but
today, there had to be a loser.  Christiana immediately began to push
for a goal, but Westria was on their toes, and did not allow the Knights
to surprise them.  Subsequently, they began setting their own offensie
impulses, and seemed well-coordinated despite the two rookies playing.
Christiana eventually eased up on the pressure, after a couple defensive
blunders almost cost them two goals, only averted with luck and the
skill of goalie Jorgensen.  After that, they collected themselves, and
seemed to revise their strategy.

After the break, it was rather even, but rookie Guydenvaldt had a career
breakthrough day, and managed to slip by the otherwise solide defense
orchestrated by Padraig, one of Vexillium's best defenders...
Guydenvaldt unleashed a bomb that was unstoppable, and actually just
made it into the goal, hitting the crossbar's lower edge!

The game would take an unfortunate turn for Christiana, as O'Kenney
received his second yellow, and was ejected in the 53. minute.  From
then on, with a man short, Christiana was struggling to keep up against
the Diamonds, who took full advantage of their bonus man on the field.
All the Knights could do was to prevent further scores, and Westria thus
ended up winning 1-0.



Game 160: Lexicon Islands - Eastern Zartania (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99)

MATCH 3:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 1 - EASTERN ZARTANIA 5
Played in: Myri Stadium, Bjargeyar, Islandia
Attendance: 50,670
Referee: Giodo Vavan (Dascunya)
Goals: Fouberg (KTZ, 6.), Racine (KTZ, 16.), Siliston (LEX, 30.),
Fouberg (KTZ, penalty, 44.), du Cron (KTZ, 68.), Fouberg (KTZ, 90.)
Yellow cards: Duvall (KTZ, 11.), Kilaffis (LEX, 16.), Shelton (KTZ, 56.)
Substitutions: Eckin for Dibris (LEX, 45.), Canonn for Liller (LEX, 70.)

Match commentary:

Eastern Zartania is back better than ever, obliterate Lexicon Islands!

In all fairness to the Lexicon Islands, they just had a terrible day...
especially on the offensive side, nothing seemed to work, whatsoever.
Heralded strikers Raxxon, Fotonaro, and Dibris did not seem dangerous
all game long, and even as LEX brought in additional forwards in a
desperate attempt to compensate for the goals behind, simply nothing
happened.  This is also seen by that the only goal for their side was
scored by a defender!

Eastern Zartania, on the other hand, were playing like the aces of old.
Having dropped their quirky 4-2-5 or 5-1-5 formations used in the past,
new coach Delvana had his men in top form - with the recent curfews and
matrial law, and the subsequent postponement of the national league, the
national team had plenty of time to prepare their new coach's
strategies, and it paid off in full.  A very disciplined and focused KTZ
team showed no mercy for the struggles Lexicon was fighting today, and
cooly took the field under their full control, serving dire notice that
they are back with a vengeance, and going for the title, taking no
prisoners!  Racine once again was outstanding, and Fouberg scored a nice
hattrick, furhter adding to his record total in national team goals!
One of them was a handplay-penalty given, the third came shortly before
the end, as Lexicon was obviously only wanting to get the heck off the
field, and paid little attention any more.  Impressive for Eastern
Zartania, disappoinment for Lexicon, but surely the Vikings will sort
out their offensive problems, and strike back with their stars, Raxxon
and Fotonaro!
 



Game 161: Davenport - Whitlam  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99)

MATCH 4:

The Technical Information:

Final score: DAVENPORT 4 - WHITLAM 5, in overtime
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 61,800
Referee: Alexi Verbatim (Northern Gronk)
Goals: Gaspe (DAV, 9.), Harbour (DAV, 27.), Walford (WHI, 34.), Mohran
(DAV, 43.), Blacklock (WHI, 47.), Worthington (DAV, 60.), Wolff (WHI,
78.), Armstark (WHI, 94.), Biafra (WHI, 111.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Martin for Vaudroy (DAV, 45.), Ibanez for Blacklock (WHI,
69.), Al-Dhabi for Parkin (WHI, 95.), Renard for Robichaux (DAV, 95.)

Match commentary:

Thrilling catch-up-match sees Whitlam through!

By far the most exciting match of the day, the second game of the double
header in Sandur Giant was a classic that will be shown on sports
channels for many years!  In a fast game with many twists, Whitlam
showed one of their best performances ever to come from behind, and win
this match in overtime!

Davenport was quick out of the blocks, and was up 2-0 after just 16
minutes, as everything seemed to fall their way in the beginning, and
they ceased their chances well.  But both teams were always even on the
field it seemed, and exchanged blows mutually.  Still, Davenport had the
better luck with scoring and was up after the first half.

The match never slowed down after the break either, and more excitement
followed.  The crowds were about evenly split as well, so the atmosphere
was perfect, as Whitlam started their push to catch up from two down!
Sticking to mostly their veterans, a wise move in hindsight, the Dragons
played very concentrated, and it took all their skill to be able to pull
even with a team of Davenport's caliber.  The thrilling buzzer-beater
goal by Armstark in injury time meant that they were tied 4-4, and going
into overtime!  Whitlam kept their momentum going, and defender Biafra
became the hero of the day as he converted a long flank from the right
by head to score the winner at 5-4, after an incredible match.  The
Dragons held on, and were ecstatic.  The fans were most pleased with
this great game!

<TECH>A close one for which I had to roll the di twice... could just as
well have gone the other way, DESPITE Whitlam's odds being much better -
Davenport pulled .982 as their number - unbelieveable!  But still not
enough... </TECH>
 

The matchups that will follow in the second round of winners are
Armatirion-Westria, in what promises to ba a thriller as well, and the
local super matchup Eastern Zartania-Whitlam, with both teams at their
best at the moment!

The losers will play Bowdani-Christiana and Lexicon Islands-Davenport:
who ever loses here will exit the tournament.  The winners will get
another shot against the loser of the winner's second round matches (see
brackets).

IVEFA



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