Game 172 (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99) 06-20-299

Game 172: Eastern Zartania - Whitlam  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99 FINAL)

IVEFA presents the result from today's FINAL in the IVEFA
Masters, played in Islandia:

The Technical Information:

Final score: Eastern Zartania 2 - Whitlam 1, in overtime
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 69,500
Referee: Ulf-Ingar Kundur (ISL)
Goals: Fouberg (KTZ, 31.), Blacklock (WHI, 43.), Ayress (KTZ, 110.)
Yellow cards: Shelton (KTZ, 11.), du Cron (KTZ, 39.), Franklin (WHI, 73.), Ayress
(KTZ, 103.)
Substitutions: Mohr for Walford (WHI, 24.), Wystr for Shelton (KTZ, 45.), Al-Dhabi
for Ouagadougu (WHI, 45.), Utz for Cross (94.)

Match commentary:

A much anticipated final matchup between the two Old Continent giants, and great
local rivals Eastern Zartania and Whitlam, which had been hyped up a lot in both
their media... Whitlam was looking for redemption after their early-round loss to
the very KTZ team they were now facing in the finals once more.   They were as
eager to settle the score as KTZ was to prove that their first win over a weeka
ago was not just a fluke, but because they are the better team...

Much mystery surrounded the arrival of a "special guest" which had been rumored
for a while, although nobody knew who this would be... security had been at the
highest level ever seen at a soccer match in Islandia, with Islandian security and
paramilitary units surrounding the stadium, and all persons entering the
facilities had to undergo extensive metal detector screening... a major task,
considering the newly expanded Sandur Giant Stadium was for the first time
completely sold out, with a capacity crowd of 69,500 spectators attending!

45 minutes before the game, paramilitary began to clear several 50 meter wide
entryways through the masses of people, one on each side of the stadium - this was
apparently another security precaution, not disclosing the final entry point of
the "special guest"... soon thereafter a convoy of 8 heavily armored vehicles
arrived on the south entrance amongst heavy guard, disappearing into the stadium's
interior, without any indication as to who was on board.  Seven vehicles emerged
back out after a few minutes.

Finally it was time to kick off, and after the national anthems were played, it
was time for the announcement of the special guest:  the stadium annuncer spoke:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a rare and special privilege to welcome in Sandur
Giant today, the most distinguished visitors of our sporting arena ever, His
Majesty King Bruno II vun Q'Leist, Monarch of Eastern Zartania, accompanied by Her
Majesty the Queen, and assorted members of the Eastern Zartanian Royal Family, a
royal welcome to all of you, and enjoy the match..."  Just then, members of the
Royal family could be seen in the uppermost skybox for a second, waving to the
surprised crowds from above!  This was certainly a big surprise, but the King had
broken royal tradition before by leaving the country to attend
the independence day celebrations in Whitlam last month.  Still, nobody had
expected him, and especially not the entire royal family to show!

In any event, the game finally kicked off, and the tension that had built up all
this time finally could find some relief!  Whitlam was strong right off the bat,
playing up two nice chances in the early going, but Jenkins was on the mark.
Without Wystr, it seemed, the KTZ backfield wasn't just as effective as they had
been in the first match between the two, although Gottmik lived up to the
expectations in every respect.  Seemingly having the temporary field advantage,
and the momentum going for them, all of a sudden, in the 22. minute, disaster
struck the Dragons:  their stalwart, offensive coordinator, and team captain Ricky
Walford inadvertently mis-stepped in the heat of man-to-man battle, and caught a
real bad angle landing, twisting his ankle!  He tried to play on after some ice
spray had been applied, but it was clear that he could not keep up, as the pain
was too great, and in order to avoid permanent damage, he had to be removed, and
was replaced by Clinton Mohr...  Whitlam's dynamic trio thus was missing its most
dynamic center.  Mohr did his best to fill the shoes of Walford, but obviously the
loss of their captain was considerable to the Dragons, and the momentum changed in
favor of KTZ.

Nevertheless, Whitlam kept up very well, but in the 31. minute, a long free kick
from Faulkner hit the crossbar, and Fouberg was nearby to head it in to bring KTZ
up 1-0.  After a short regrouping, it was soon again Whitlam who was making more
steam, as the KTZ defense still seemed a little sluggish.  So shortly before the
break, Blacklock scored the psychologically important equalizer, and things were
wide open once more!

A significant event happened in the break:  KTZ brought in Wystr, in an effort to
tighten up the backfield.  As they began play in the second half, it was
immediately apparent that it helped them out, and Whitlam's offense was much
better under control after the substitution.  The second half was a little less
action-packed... both teams seemed to be concerned about taking too many risks
which may open themselves up for a quick counter-goal, and thus, not too much
happened.  Finally, in the last 10 minutes and during injury time, the pace picked
up again, but neither team managed to score from these last minute offensives.  It
was time for overtime!!

In a surprise move, KTZ brought in Krist Utz, but this time not as goalie, but as
forward.  The allrounder was for the first time playing in this position for the
national side.  Whitlam had already used its subs, a fact which maybe proved
significant later, with KTZ having a pair of fresher legs.

Utz set some great impulses, partially because he was fresh, but also because he
wanted to make the most of his opportunity, showing his stuff.  He proved to be of
crucial value for KTZ in the overtime period, sending the ball forward himself a
lot, more taking the role of playmaker than striker, to help out his fatigued
comrades.  Meanwhile Wystr and Co. were keeping Armstark and Blacklock in check,
and Mohr was not a threat of the same caliber anyways.  Slowly but surely, KTZ got
the upper hand, and in the 110. minute, Ayress was the hero, scoring from long
range, while Zaytseva's view was blocked by Utz!  The royal family could be seen
briefly jumping up and down in a most un-royal manner, if you looked closely  into
the skybox, before they returned to their royal seats!

Whitlam once again had to scramble, but this time, they could not pull it off.
Without Walford and against Wystr, and with Utz lurking dangerously, they finally
ran out of time, and had to take another disappointing and oh-so-close loss
against Eastern Zartania, who not only went up 2-0 in wins against the Dragons,
but also took the Championship, and are the FIRST OFFICIAL IVEFA CHAMPIONSHIP
TITLE HOLDERS!  After the usual on-field celebrations, it was time for the
presentations.  The Dragons received silver medals, and then, IVEFA President
Kickins presented the Championship Belt to KTZ captain Faulkner, who then passed
it around.  After that, the players were summoned to the skybox, where they
promptly went to meet with their King and royal family, who were all seen moments
later hoisting the belt over their heads near the large glass front of the
skybox!  A triumphant moment for Eastern Zartania, who had rushed through the
entire tourney without a loss, the shortest possible route to the title.
Disappointment for Whitlam, who clawed their way back with a chance to avenge in
spectacular fashion, but with Walford's injury, it wasn't meant to be.  His ankle
is expected to heal quickly, by the way.

Afterwards, elaborate security was once again implemented to get the KTZ royals
back out of the stadium, and home.  This time, however, they were accompanied by
their football team, AND by the IVEFA Championship Belt!

This concludes the first ever IVEFA Masters, with the first Champion crowned.  KTZ
now can put up their title against any team which wishes to challenge.  Should the
challenger win the match, they will be the new  Champions.  Draws mean that the
Champions retain the Title.  Both, challenger and Holder must agree on the terms
of the match, i.e. its date and location.  Titleholders must accept challenges at
a minimum rate of one every 60 days in order to retain the title.  If this is not
done, another mini-tournament will determine a new holder.

Goodbye from Islandia!  Thanks to our gracious hosts for a most exciting and
pleasing tournament!

Baldriarch K. "Goooooal" Kickins, President IVEFA
from Sandur Giant Stadium