Games 349 through 352 (VexGames Liston 300), 07-09-300 thru 07-11-300:

Game 349, Whitlam - United Territories; 07-09-300:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WHITLAM 3 - UNITED TERRITORIES 2, in overtime
Played at: Black Road, North Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 41,100
Referee: Gert Montoya (DEU)
Goals: Armstark (FRW, 11.), Whitby (UNT, 22.), Armstark (FRW, 40.), Macghileagh (UNT, 80.), Parkin (FRW, 101.)
Yellow cards: Blackmore (UNT, 31.)
Substitutions: Lampwick for McKimmie (UNT, 70.), Appleyard for Boyle (UNT, 90.), Sinisterfoot for Blacklock (FRW, 90.), McGaw for Armstark (FRW, 90.)

WHITLAM PREVAILS IN OVERTIME!

This was a close one.  Although Whitlam was clearly in charge most of
the first half, the Territories kept the damage to a minimum, and fought
back particularly in the second half.  The Lions could not seem to
gather that last bit of luck, though, to score, despite their efforts,
until Macghileagh relieved them by scoring the equalizer that would take
them into overtime.  With some fresher legs and a good bit of skill and
serendipity, however, the VexCup champions did what they had to do to
defeat the feisty Lions, Parkin scoring the decisive goal in the 101.
minute to see the Dragons though to the semifinals.

------

The Technical Information:

Final score: BROLECIA 5 - NAMURIA 0
Played at: National Bank Stadium, Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 99,700
Referee: Greg Stoneley (Whitlam)
Goals: Rhodes (BRO, 21.), Maarouf (BRO, 35.), Horunard (BRO, 49.), D. Ozi (BRO, 52.), Horunard (BRO, 73.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Purin for Salasarien (NAM, 6.), Howard for Rhodes (BRO, 55.), Ebropa for Jaar (NAM, 55.)

BROLECIA EMBARRASSES NAMURIA!

A shocker came in this match, where we saw perhaps the best ever
performance of the Brolecian team... playing in the hopelessly outsold
National Bank Stadium, and whipped on by almost 100,000 of their
fanatical home fans, the Brolecians took full advantage of the low
motivation and injury bad luck for the Namurians.  For the Golden
Eagles, this tourney was never as important as the the Vexillium Cup, so
their motivation was not where it may have been.  On top of that,
captain-superstar Salasarien was taken out of action with a twisted
ankle in the early going, leaving the Namurians without their
all-important matchleader.

Namuria really never quite seemed to get into the thick of things,
meanwhile, Brolecia was turning up the volume and ended up with a very
strong 5-0 success.  A black day for Namuria, but today, Brolecia simply
played perfect.  They will now get a shot at the Vexillium Champions,
Whitlam in the semifinals in what may well be the biggest match in the
VexGames this year!

------

The Technical Information:

Final score: EASTERN DELGAMIA 3 - LENDOSA 0
Played at: Suspension Park, Bridgeway, Brolecia
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Ingemar Hatt (Brolecia)
Goals: Beijocudabaca (EDE, 60.), Testodasertan (EDE, 77.), Abeiradela (EDE, 93.)
Yellow cards: Boubem (EDE, 21.), Candene (LEN, 53.)
Substitutions: Testodasertan for Beijocudabaca (EDE, 70.)

LONG WIDE-OPEN MATCH ENDS IN WINNING FLURRY FOR EASTERN DELGAMIA!

This was a rather unusual outcome that hardly anyone could have guessed
even halfway through the second half!  Lendosa and Eastern Delgamia both
approached the match rather cautiously, without either side wanting to
stick their head out taking too many risks.  As the pace picked up in
the late first half, both teams remained about equal, but without too
many goal chances.

Things changed in the second half, as both turned up the heat on each
other, and the match became a thriller, with see-saw attacks and near
misses.  Lendosa seemed to have a slight edge, and could have pulled off
another surprise.  However, the Islanders probably suffered in the later
going from their fatigue from their clash with rivals Westermarc
earlier... in any event, Eastern Delgamia managed to take control of the
match, and made short work of their previously equal opponents, scoring
no less than three times until the end for a clear, if not totally
deserved, victory margin.

-----

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTRIA 4 - SAN PATRICIO 0
Played at: National Bank Stadium, Liston, Brolecia
Attendance: 99,000
Referee: Vaghel Faltuunhe (EDE)
Goals: Theunissen (WES, 10.), Vraseydenhout (WES, 22.), Vraseydenhout
(WES, 55.), Zeschgl (WES, 69.)
Yellow cards: Schilla (WES, 31.), Fernandez (SPA, 54.), Almirante (SPA,
70.)
Substitutions: McGillicuddy for Pecs (SPA, 45.), Szembathy for McSweeney
(SPA, 60.)

WESTRIA LEAVES NO DOUBTS!

San Patricio, after their drainingly sensational match against Djeriga,
had to return to the real world today... after their last match, this
was certainly not only anti-climactic, but also a bit of a letdown.  The
Flying Saints seemed to have trouble getting refocussed on their next
task after the bizarre events from a few days ago.  It also didn't help
that they decided not to play Khaled, who was suffering from exhaustion
and dehydration after the Djeriga match, and he was missed in the
midfield.

Westria took full advantage.  They had come with their strongest team,
and never slowed down.  The famous Theunissen-Vraseydenhout express was
at its best today, with these two accounting for 3 of the 4 goals.  In
this form, the Westrians will be facing their old VexGames nemesis,
Eastern Delgamia next, in what promises to become a memorable rematch!