Games 331 through 340 (VexGames Liston 300), 07-03-300 and 07-04-300:

Game 331, Lombriga - Niokolo Koba; 07-03-300:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LOMBRIGA 0 - NIOKOLO KOBA 3
Played at: Black Road, North Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 25,100
Referee: Niklas Bruzburger (SCK)
Goals: Edwahi (NIO, 22.), Dourane (NIO, 31.), Bachir (NIO, 56.)
Yellow cards: Ndiaye (NIO, 35.), Sana (NIO, 58.), Kutsch (LOM, 69.)
Substitutions:  Saingalla for Gore (LOM, 45.), Modopé-Fadopé for Edwahi
(NIO, 57.), Abdou for Diouf (NIO, 59.), Lezande for Hrendy (LOM, 64.)

NK SCORES IMPRESSIVE WIN, MUST FACE DRAGONS NEXT!

Niokolo Koba continues to climb the hill after their less than
impressive debut matches on the international arena.  Lombriga was
clearly outplayed today, with the new NK attack stealing the show.  All
three strikers managed to score, and the Warrior's win was never really
in doubt.  Lombriga's best moments came before the break, but their
momentum could not carry over to the second half.  Imre Saingalla missed

a penalty shot to at least cosmetically improve the result in the 80.
minute.  From there, both teams were running out the clock.
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The Technical Information:

Final score: BABEN BAY 3 - UDAN-WOO 0
Played at: Suspension Park, Bridgeway, Brolecia
Attendance: 22,600
Referee: Adam Lova (Lombriga)
Goals: Nudzmanshvili (BOB, 44.), Nudzmanshvili (BOB, 69., penalty),
Wadroblis (BOB, 76.)
Yellow cards: Igles (BOB, 21.), Roggenwekkerl (BOB, 47.)
Substitutions: Porkalari for Apuatim (WOO, 70.), Obogladze for
Nudzmanshvili (BOB, 79.), Tregikuan for Zoezue (WOO, 79.)

THINGS GO BABEN BAY'S WAY BIG TIME!

Udan-Woo came into the VexGames hopeful after their 3-3 draw away
against Kalesthesia, the Wallabies were looking to pry themselves off
the bottom of the IVEFA Rankings.  Playing a newcomer team in Baben Bay,

their chances to do so were rather good.  Unfortunately, the opposite
happened...  Baben Bay, who had already received some accolades for
holding world-class Westria to a mere 1-0 win, proved that their
respectable showing there was no fluke, and they defeated the veteran
Woo team clearly, albeit aided by a penalty given due to handplay in the

box by Zoezue.  Star of the match was Nudzmanshvili, one of a few
players of Kasvree/Savaree descent on the Baben Bay team.  He ran
circles around the Woo defense, and eventually left the match with much
applause, exhausted after a sterling performance which included a great
deal of leg work.
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The Technical Information:

Final score: UNITED TERRITORIES 4 - UTANIA 0
Played at: National Bank Stadium, Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 31,100
Referee: Greg Stoneley (Whitlam)
Goals: Macghileagh (UNT, 31.), Whitby (UNT, 50.), Bryce (UNT, 53.),
Lampwick (UNT, 81.)
Yellow cards: Hicks (UNT, 11.), Whitby (UNT, 15.), Bennett (UTA, 19.),
Cook (UNT, 21.), Boyle (UNT, 41.), O'Connor (UNT, 49.), Blackmore (UNT, 61.)
Red cards: Bennett (UTA, 49.)
Substitutions: Kendol for Tosu (UTA, 55.), Lampwick for Macghileagh
(UNT, 60.), McMillian for Boyle (UNT, 60.)

NO TROUBLES FOR UNITED TERRITORIES!

The Lions have been called the "most consistently underachieving team"
by their critics and fans alike... despite their obvious skill and
physical condition, unlucky draws seemed to always pitch them against
difficult opponents, and they supposedly never had a real chance to
shine because of it.  Well, today, there was none of that.  Utania was
the opponent, themselves playing their first ever international bout
since its independence, and the Territories handled the task
masterfully.

Utanians came out with much enthusiasm, eager to play their first match,
and motivated to beat the world.  Soon , though, they were greeted with
the realities of the today accentuatedly physical play by the Lions, who
combined for six yellows.  Nevertheless, Utanians kept trying to stick
to their game plan, though it was difficult with a rather disruptive
style from their opponents.  Macghileagh's goal in the 31. minute was no
surprise, but the game stayed closely matched throughout the first
half.  The first physical differences became obvious later in the half,
though, as the Utanian players were not quite up to speed compared to
their better conditioned counterparts, and they seemed quite happy to go
into the break to regain their strengths.

As relatively good as things had looked in the first half for the
debutants, Utania's fate turned bad in the second:  ironically, with all
the UNT physical play, it was Utania who collected a red card, after
Bennett, who had a yellow in the first half, shoved O'Connor, who had
just received a yellow for a hard foul on Bennett himself.  Bennett's
retaliation shove sadly for the Utanians meant his ejection.
Thankfully, veteran referee Stoneley could diffuse a potentially
explosive situation, as some tempers were flaring up at that time.  But
no additional cards resulted, and the match resumed with 21 players.
UNT took full advantage of their numerical superiority.  The deathblow
for Utania came with two goals in short time in the 50. and 53. minutes,
giving the Lions a 3-0 lead.  With just 10 players and fading legs,
Utania could not mount a serious challenge for the comeback win.
Lampwick came in to preserve star striker Macghileagh, and scored the
final goal to give UNT a very tasty 4-0 victory.  Tough debut for
Utania, but they can certainly draw from their experience, and their
good showing in the first half.  Once they catch up in the physical
department, they should make a very decent team.  UNT now goes on to
face an underdog in the next round, and may face Whitlam yet again in
the quarterfinals!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: SANX 4 - OOST-OTAGO 3
Played at: Black Road, North Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 26,100
Referee: Gert Montoya (Deucoland)
Goals: Milchweiß (OOO, 30.), Koorkfjord (SNX, 34.), Enevold (SNX, 49.),
Kimmeltirk (OOO, 54.), Milchweiß (OOO, 78.), Sixt (SNX, 83.),
Kvagenbengt (SNX, 91.)
Yellow cards: Brexx (SNX, 30.), Hoffnig (OOO, 49.), Dugnomijs (SNX,
54.), Sibbel (OOO, 66.)
Substitutions: Wastwald for Hoffnig (OOO, 70.), Kiersche for Brexx (SNX,72.)

EXCITING SEE-SAW MATCH DECIDED IN INJURY TIME!

This one was a real cliffhanger... every time a team seemed to surge
ahead with a breakthrough goal, the other countered right back, evening
the match once more!  Sanx and Oost-Otago each took the lead in this
match twice, and only the lateness of Sanx' last goal could provide for
them to rescue their slim lead til the end!  Oost-Otago simply ran out
of time.  The last-minute goal by Kvagenbengt did it, but it could have
gone either way.  These two opponents were perfectly matched in skill
and stamina.  Too bad one of them had to lose!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: EXTREMO 5 - GUWIMITH 1
Played at: Suspension Park, Bridgeway, Brolecia
Attendance: 40,600
Referee: Jose Miguel O'Gorman McGurk (SPA)
Goals: R. Pôlycìenëntesà (EXT, 3., penalty), Qyllüsða (EXT, 15.),
Kraichin (GUW, 21.), R. Pôlycìenëntesà (EXT, 30.), R. Pôlycìenëntesà
(EXT, 55., penalty), Qürt Tîlliqàratnë (EXT, 88.)
Yellow cards: Kobylets (GUW, 3.), Prostokisha (GUW, 3.), Pÿqa (EXT,
44.), Vaboska (GUW, 55.)
Substitutions:  Wienczyslawa for Kobylets (GUW, 56.), Polonovsk for
Ostaf'i (GUW, 62.)

EXTREMO BURY GUWIMITH!

Near-home advantage, and a sympathetic referee allowed upstart Extremo
to hand an embarrassing loss to the team from the island Zimbar.  Things

got off to a bad start when the San Patrician referee gave a
questionable penalty in only the 3. minute, after what appeared to be a
rather theatrical fall by Qyllüsða.  Complaining Guwimith players
received two yellow cards on top of that, and the penalty of course led
to the lead for Extremo.  Guwimith was very disgruntled from then on,
and things just turned worse from there on.  It did not help them at all

either that thousands and thousands of Extreman fans had turned up,
making the short trip accross the border to support their team, in what
amounted to a home match for Extremo.  They pulled ahead 2-0 in the 15.
minute.  A glimmer of hope for Guwimith in the 21. minute as Kraichin
closed the gap, but that was as good as it got for Guwimith.  In front
of a strongly partisan crowd, Extremo played it up.  Some say that the
San Pat referee was clearly biased in favor of the Melanians... Guwimith

complained that one of the Extreman attackers was clearly offsides when
the 3-1 was scored.  And yet another penalty that did not HAVE to be
given in Extremo's favor, in many's opinion, brought the "home team" up
a basically insurmountable margin of 4-1.  The 5-1 was just a bonus
against a broken and disinterested opponent, who wanted nothing more
than just to get on the plane back home!  Glorious win for Extremo,
whose numerous fans celebrated loudly til late in the wee hours.
Extremo will now have to face Brolecia in a most intriguing matchup in
the second round!  You can bet that the crowds will not be quite as
supportive, but will instead be firmly in the Brolecian corner!!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: SOLANCHATKA 0 - IWK 4
Played at: National Bank Stadium, Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 42,300
Referee: Delmar Nuava (Achenar)
Goals: Geigy (IWK, 51.), Geigy (IWK, 60, penalty), Bonbeto (IWK, 79.),
Geigy (IWK, 86.)
Yellow cards: Iglesia (IWK, 21.), Dabeng (SCK, 31.), Placidy (SCK, 59.)
Red cards: Dabeng (SCK, 60.)
Substitutions:  Vrupiz for Shashana (SCK, 65.), Duran for Tuchitt (SCK,
80.), Seufthz for Issel (IWK, 81.), Helfershelfer for Dagobert (IWK,
82.)

AMAZING WIN FOR BANANA WARRIORS!

The Banana Warriors had their finest hour today, as they readily
defeated Solanchatka 4-0.  Of course they got some help in that the
Strikers were cut down to ten men after Murray Dabeng saw red for his
second yellow foul in the 60. minute, which also resulted in a penalty
for IWK, Geigy doing the honors to put IWK up by two at the time.
Solanchatka had been playing well in the first half, for portions even
controlling their opponents, with a scoreless tie at the break.  In the
second half things would all go IWK's way though, with Geigy the man of
the match with an incredible hattrick.  A bit of a raw deal for
Solanchatka, but deserved triumph for IWK, who were really on the mark
in the second half.  With this form, IWK can perhaps even threaten
Eastern Delgamia, who they face next!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: LENDOSA 4 - KALESTHESIA 2
Played at: Black Road, North Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 31,100
Referee: Hëñrï Psÿðäquë (Extremo)
Goals: Qarza (KAL, 9.), Cassarica (LEN. 18.), Funchzal (KAL, 41.),
Candene (LEN, 62.), Cassarica (LEN, 75.), Kalin (LEN, 84.)
Yellow cards: Ix (KAL, 61.)
Substitutions:  Agundes for Dogge (KAL, 66.), Grooph for Soverastin
(KAL, 77.)

LENDOSA BATTLES TO THE WIN FROM BEHIND!

Kalesthesia blew a good opportunity to advance themselves, as they could

not hold on to save their game lead against a determined Lendosan team
today.  After solid play, Kalesthesia was up 2-1 gong into the break,
and could have been even higher, was it not for the reflexes of Lendosan

goalie Vabestolio.  Things looked good for the Melanians, who had been
in control for much of the first half, but the islanders came back from
the break determined to succeed, and their quest succeeded most
impressively, as they won the second half 3-0 to take a deserved win.
Cassarica was the key, the Kalesthesian defenders had real trouble
containing him, and he scored twice himself, and assisted both other
goals.  KAL tried hard to turn the match around once more with subs and
extra effort, but Lendosa was a real class act today, and they
prevailed, to set themselves up with an interesting match against
Westermarc in the second round... a score to be settled there, with the
Serpents still soar from their loss to Lendosa in the Smallick Shootout
II '99!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: SAN PATRICIO 4 - KONGREN REPUBLIC 0
Played at: National Bank Stadium, Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 71,300
Referee: Gus Nalinzal (KAL)
Goals: Khaled (SPA, 7.), O'Brien-Escartefigues (SPA, 20.), Madyarbanya
(SPA, 30.), O'Brien-Escartefigues (SPA, 41.)
Yellow cards: G'Rie (KON, 12.), G'Negg (KON, 20.), Sprewell (SPA, 31.),
G'Rudolai (KON, 68.)
Substitutions:  Juarez for Almirante (SPA, 45.), Verano for McGillicuddy

(SPA, 45.), G'Naag for G'Rie (KON, 45.), G'Nappal for G'Negg (KON, 45.)

NEVER A DOUBT FOR FLYING SAINTS!

The Kongren Republic Geckos were playing their first international game,

and they had better picked an easier opponent.  The Kongren were clearly

out of their league against the resurgent San Patricians, who zoomed
ahead 4-0 in the first half, and just fooled around in the second,
saving their strength for the next match.  San Pat essentially had the
ball in their control almost the entire match.  Kongren managed only 9
shots on goal, 2 of which had a chance of going in.  But moments when
the Geckos crossed the middle line were rare, and many of their
maneuvers were desperation shots or passes forward where no one of their

own was to be found.  All in all, the Kongren had to be happy to be let
off with "just" a four-goal loss.  Hopefully they will have learned from

this bout, and will do better next time.  San Pat is looking good
recently - could they go all the way??
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The Technical Information:

Final score: DJERIGA 4 - ACHENAR 3
Played at: Suspension Park, Bridgeway, Brolecia
Attendance: 40,700
Referee: Gilad Sutrau (Utania)
Goals: Olinheb, (DJR, 5.), Ahladdin (DJR, 39.), Sunata (ACH, 43.),
Xensen (ACH, 55.), Shirazhoud (DJR, 69.), Shirazhoud (DJR, 77.),
Enricona (ACH, 92.)
Yellow cards: Norenenal (ACH, 20.), Vestibasa (ACH, 30.), Olinheb (DJR,
66.)
Substitutions:  none

DJERIGA WINS QUIRKLESS MATCH AGAINST SHAKY ACHENAR!

All eyes were once again in the Djerigans, who after their "miraculous"
tie against IWK were facing an opponent somewhat in turmoil today:  the
Achenari team was shaken badly by their former coach's accidentally
broadcast remarks, in which he gave his team no chance for success, and
disclosed that he had gambled against Achenar, a grave offense which
brings a lifetime ban from IVEFA coaching with it.  So the Achenar team
wasn't quite themelves in this match, and considering that, they did a
very respectable job.  Djeriga went up 2-0 though goals by Olinheb and
Ahladdin, but Achenar battled back and was able to even the score early
in the second half, after a few defensive blunders by Djeriga squandered
their lead.  Djeriga was the more focused team.  Coach Kapek's hard work
to iron out the religious and superstitious quirks seems to have paid
off... at least in this match, there was nothing too bizarre to report
on the Djerigan's behavior, except the usual Ode To Moun before the
match, and the prayers of thanks by the players when ever they scored a
goal.  Under the watchful eye of the Djerigan Seagull, which seemed to
have put on some weight since it's last public appearance, the Disciples
sealed their victory with two impressive goals by Shirazhoud, who is
clearly the jewel of the team, setting major impulses, and having scored
more goals than any other Djerigan.  The most bizarre moment came in the
92. minute (injury time), when the whistle from a fireworks rocket
released by a fan was mistaken as the final whistle by most players on
the pitch, both, Djerigan and Achenari alike.  The Djerigans fell to the
ground in their post-game victory prayer of thanks, but the referee
indicated that there was still half a minute to play... Some Achenari
players had the quick presence of mind, and while the Djerigans were
getting up, befuddled from their interrupted prayer, and with coach
Kapek having a near heart attack, shouting like mad on the sidelines...
Xensen and Enricona started towards the Djerigan goal, and coolly lobbed
the leather over Muthannak, who was just getting up, and could not reach
the ball sailing well above him... 3-4 for Achenar, but despite this
late bizarre goal, Djeriga took a deserved win... THEN, after the real
final whistle, they repeated their prayer of thanks, and once again the
match ball was confiscated by the Disciples to be brought home to the
island as a trophy and symbol of Moun's glory...

After the match, Djerigan players credited Moun with the victory.
Defender Al-Fhuli said: "We thank MOUN for his interventions!  Moun
brought about the fall of the Achenari coach, it was MOUN's doing that
these remarks were broadcast, which resulted in our opponents, the lowly
non-believers, playing in confusion and distraction, without their
coach!  MOUN BE PRAISED!  MOUN'S GLORY HAS BROUGHT US VICTORY!  IT IS
MOUN'S WILL THAT WE WIN THE GOLD, AND MOUN'S WILL BE DONE!!"

Interestingly, Djeriga will now have to face San Patricio, featuring
Khaled!!!  This should be a memorable match, no matter what!  That match
has been moved to the National Bank Stadium to respond to the many
thousands of additional ticket requests... everybody wants to see the
duel of Djeriga vs. Khaled, the sequel!!
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The Technical Information:

Final score: RAS LANARCH 0 - DEUCOLAND 3
Played at: Suspension Park, Bridgeway, Brolecia
Attendance: 38,600
Referee: Alfredo Hugo (Lendosa)
Goals: Evangelista (DEU, 8.), Sandoz (DEU, 42.), Evangelista (DEU, 74.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Allbright for Kellers (RAS, 45.), Elke for Furrara (DEU,
76.), Dschurayeffnig for Hainey (RAS, 78.)

DEUCOLAND CONTINUE THEIR CLIMB FROM THE HOLE!

A very professional showing from Deucoland, who continue to rebuild
their confidence after their disastrous opening matches.  After beating
Oost-Otago in a friendly days ago, they made easy work of Ras Lanarch,
as they never looked seriously in danger of not winning the match
outright.  Ras Lanarch, who has never been the same after their star
striker Zeschgl decided to leave the team to play for Westria, did not
have any answers to the very strong offensive lineup by Deucoland,
featuring Evangelista, Furrara and Sandoz, who put on a great show, and
give hope for the future of the Deuco team.  Finally, the players who
have been stars in the Schnysna Superiorship are living up to their
promise with a clear win.  Now, however, Deucoland faces their sternest
test: they must play Westria next for a berth in the quarterfinals!
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