Games 527-534 (The III.rd Games of the Vexilliad Lynne/Myo Beach 301) - First Round Matches:

IVEFA proudly presents the results from the 301 VexGames in Lamb's Cove:

Game 527: Westria - IWK (8-20-301):

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTRIA 6 - IWK 3
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 21,700
Referee: Ainsley Biggles (SOM)
Goals: Gramiller (WES, 25.), Zeschgl (WES, 42.), Geigy (IWK, 45.), Salamanta (WES, 56.), Zimroe (WES, 78., penalty), Helfershelfer (IWK, 80.), Salamanta (WES, 83.),
Knapheyde (WES, 88.), Bonbeto (IWK, 92.)
Yellow cards: Voyden (WES, 20.), Amletito (IWK, 25.), Nyddenva (WES, 50.), Zeter (IWK, 78.), Alabaster (IWK, 83.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Salamanta for Zeschgl (WES, 45.), Zimroe for Nyddenva (WES, 53.), Helfershelfer for Sturmann (IWK, 66.), Alon for Zeter (IWK, 80.)

ENTERTAINING MATCH, NINE GOALS, WESTRIA TAKES WIN AS EXPECTED!

In the match of the two first independent Westrian states on Vexillium, Westria ended up taking home the expected win, but not without putting on a nice soccer
show together with their Kukurian colleagues.  The Westrians playing with their so-called second formation played openly and almost a little careless, giving
their lesser-ranked opponents ample chances to attack and take shots.  Ultimately this resulted in a very entertaining match that saw IWK attack freely, Westria
rebutting their attack through their own defensive skills, and then countering with some spectacular but low-percentage shots.  Ultimately nine goals fell, the
crowds loved it, and Westria moves on, but soccer itself really was the winner in this one!

The Technical Information:

Final score: SOMERY 4 - DJERIGA 3, IN OVERTIME
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 21,500
Referee: Tomas Reutter (SNX)
Goals: Olinheb (DJR, 19.), Nafudd (DJR, 39.), Herthen (SOM, 60.), Kirther (SOM, 69.), Ahladdin (DJR, 89.), Herthen (SOM, 91.), Mulvern (SOM, 119.)
Yellow cards: Al-Fhuli (DJR, 31.), Scowell (SOM, 62.), Kikbath (DJR, 112.), Mard (SOM, 117.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Kirther for Pidgers (SOM, 45.), Hadjanna for Zairul (DJR, 57.), Wennough for Scowell (SOM, 65.), Azizabad for Arararat (DJR, 82.)

IF THE DJERIGANS COULD ONLY STICK TO SOCCER!

Once again, the Djerigan team's hijinx would end up costing them the match!  Djeriga was playing very well today, coming up with a solid 2-0 lead in the first
half, as they seemed disciplined and focused more than ever, returning to the international football scene after their boycott of the Nuropia 300 VexCup.  Coach
Kapek, apparently fully recovered from his nerveous breakdown episode, had prepared his team well.  However, at the end of the match, the coach may well have
been ready for his next breakdown!

Somery fought back valiantly in the second half, turning the 0-2 into a 2-2 through pure sweat and tears, really grinding it out against the disciplined and
more experienced Djerigans.  When Djeriga scored again in the 89. minute to go 3-2 up, things looked dire for the Somerish.  However, convinced that they had just
done with Moun's grace what was necessary to win the match, the Djerigans now began to 'rub it in', i.e. preaching to the Somerish players about Moun's glory,
and how he had brought about the victory they were about to partake.  Inevitably distracting themselves through taking their mind off soccer, the Djerigans made a
fatal miscalculation, namely, that there were still 2 minutes to go in injury overtime!  Two minutes was all Somery needed, as they caught on as to what was
happening, and with plenty of serendipity managed to score a for the Djerigans shocking goal, just seconds before the final whistle, to make it 3-3 and force
overtime.  Shocked from this sudden turn of fortunes, the Djerigans were too shaken to threaten seriously in the overtime play, and seemed to comtempt
themselves with defending.  With their focus gone, and their win shockingly having been taken away from them despite their convictions that Moun had already
guaranteed their success, the Seagulls seemed in a daze, and Somery had an easy time to score the goal they needed to win.  Another bizarre match with the
Djerigans... the many thousands who stayed on after the Westria-IWK match were not disappointed... the stadium was almost full with people who wanted to see
something to talk about from the Djerigans, and they sure got their money's worth again!

The Technical Information:

Final score: EASTERN DELGAMIA 4 - BABEN BAY 0
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 20,800
Referee: John Phillipps (UTA)
Goals: Beijocudabaca (EDE 22.), Dragunhe (EDE, 38.), Beijocudabaca (EDE, 64.), Testodasertan (EDE, 72.)
Yellow cards: Z. Numseinum (EDE, 14.), Igles (BOB, 22.), Wadroblis (BOB, 31.), Roggenwekkerl (BOB, 52.), Obogladze (BOB, 69.), Frytzeplek (BOB, 72.), Abeiradela
(EDE, 50.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Shmusman for Hethz (BOB, 45.), Obogladze for Igles (BOB, 60.), Testodasertan for Beijocudabaca (EDE, 70.)

TOP FAVORITES: EASTERN DELGAMIA??

Eastern Delgamia has been called the best prepared team for this tournament, and even the top-favorite to win the gold by some, and they certainly lived up to that
billing today.  Never really giving qualifier Baben Bay a chance to get into the game, all the Sentries could do was damage control to try to keep their loss to a
minimum.  Despite Baben Bay's best efforts, they still ended up losing 0-4 to a very impressive Eastern Delgamian side - with their track record in the VexGames
and their current form high, who would not believe that the small nation can go all the way this time!

The Technical Information:

Final score: CHRISTIANA 5 - SANX 0
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 20,400
Referee: Riuin Ointoingami (WOO)
Goals: Yale (CHR, 8.), Monaigh (CHR, 24.), Westphal (CHR, 40.), Thayer (CHR, 59.), Harrison (CHR, 73.)
Yellow cards: Brexx (SNX, 8.), Sumner (CHR, 29.), Mertz (SNX, 48.), Decker (CHR, 50.), Sullivan (CHR, 67.), Dugnomijs (SNX, 79.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Hollingsworth for Monaigh (CHR, 60.), Driscoll for Bolton (CHR, 60.), Engelsplaas for Kraz (SNX, 66.)

CHRISTIANA RISES FROM THE DEAD - LITERALLY!!

After the horrendous tragedy that befell the Christianan soccer world when a plane crash took out most of their world championship team on their return trip from the
Nuropia 300 VexCup, today's 5-0 victory by the "new" Knights seemed like the dead had risen again!  With only a few surviving members of the original team (namely
those who play in foreign leagues and were not on the plane back to Christiana - Brigidson, O'Kenny, Sullivan, Padraig, Bolton, Harrison and Monaigh), the new team
members picked up the pieces beautifully.  Playing in special black uniforms to commemorate their late comrades, team Christiana was always in control against
their admittedly inferior opponents.  Nevertheless, the Knights impressed with their team cohesion, while several of the new faces already left lasting
impressions, the stars of the future for this team which has endured just about all the highs and lows a team can experience!  Special ceremonies before and after
the match were held to commemorate the dead... in the after-match ceremony, the moods were considerably better - banners were held up reading "This one's for you,
guys!", with many Christiana players gesticulating towards the heavens, as tears of joy and sorrow both flowed freely.

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 3 - OOST-OTAGO 1
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 12,900
Referee: W.C. Benzhin (WMC)
Goals: Eckin (LEX, 15.), Dibris (LEX, 34.), Filentoz (LEX, 40.), Milchweiß (OOO, 75., penalty)
Yellow cards: Hoffnig (OOO, 15.), Russ (OOO, 25.), Estonarios (LEX, 32.), Kelehey (OOO, 60.), Filentoz (LEX, 75.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Flenthz for Zipf (OOO, 69.)

LEXICON ISLANDS DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO!

Pretty much the expected happened in this match, a never in danger win whilst not really having to dig too deep.  Oost-Otago played with heart, but were no true
match for the Lexicans.  Oost-Otago's only goal came from a penalty shot which was converted by Milchweiß, other than that, the Desert Rats could not build on their
momentum gained in their qualification win over Lombriga, and had only a handful of real chances against the masterfully directed defense by Kilaffis.  Lexicon
through easily, they will face Lendosa next.
 

The Technical Information:

Final score: LAMB'S COVE 0 - BOWDANI 2
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 22,500
Referee: Niklas Bruzburger (SCK)
Goals: Hund (BOW, 59.), Killehal (BOW, 69.)
Yellow cards: Ellison (LCP, 32.), Punneratau (BOW, 64.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Bausher for R. Greene (LCP, 72.)

LAMB'S COVE VALIANT, BUT BOWDANI PREVAILS!

The home heroes knew they had a tough assignment at hand with Bowdani, one of the most impressive teams at the last Vexillium Cup.  The Covians, however, cheered
along by their enthused fans in yet another sellout stadium, managed to keep pace with their migthy opponents, and keep the match scoreless well into the second
half while playing up a few good chances for themselves.  Ultimately, the Bowdanians got to take advantage of their physical superiority and their constant
pressure on their opponent, as they finally scored in the 59. minute, and then again in the 69. to finalize the score at 0-2.  The cowds were rather pleased with
their guys, despite the loss - it had been a jolly good show and the match had remained open for a while.  They got a nice send-off, and the Bowdanians earned a
respectful applause.  The Green ones will now face Caboteniasa next in a Smalik showdown!

The Technical Information:

Final score: WHITLAM 0 - SOLANCHATKA 1
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 19,700
Referee: Rasputin Chekobyl (BOB)
Goals: Traidignon (SCK, 76.)
Yellow cards: none
Red cards: none
Substitutions: Dabeng for Tuchitt (SCK, 78.), Rizzezoul for Vrupiz (SCK, 78.), Sinisterfoot for Biafra (FRW, 80.)

IS WHITLAM IN A CRISIS?

After their surprising early exit from the Vexillium Cup Nuropia 300, in which they were the defending champions, former World Champions Whitlam today had to
face their next unexpected exit, namely a shocking 0-1 defeat against qualifier Solanchatka.  While Whitlam apparently underestimated their opponents, Solanchatka
had a clear game plan, which was to defend vigorously, and take their chances only with the occasional counter attack.  Whitlam's dynamic three
Armstark-Walford-Blacklock were somewhat diffused through the relentless wall-building by the Strikers, and goalie Baezellius certainly also did his part
keeping the net clean... When Traidignon scored the surprising winning goal in the 76. minute, few could believe it.  Solanchatka then managed to stand up to the
immense pressure of the heavily attacking Whitlamites, pulling off the great upset win through strategy and luck alone, even though Whitlam were clearly the better
team.

The Technical Information:

Final score: NAMURIA 1 - DEUCOLAND 0, IN OVERTIME
Played in: Scandlon Field, Wyannoch University, Lamb's Cove
Attendance: 22,900
Referee: Sergei Sakhov (GUW)
Goals: Salasarien (NAM, 119.)
Yellow cards: Jaar (NAM, 31.), Sandoz (DEU, 40.), Elke (DEU, 89.)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: LLaga for Salvator (DEU, 45.), Ebropa for Aldai (NAM, 70.), Druvolan for Gandarro (NAM, 101.), Ordonez for Jungfrau (DEU, 101.)

Deucoland was rather impressive in this bout, perhaps continuing their upwards trend they showed in the 3-0 against Afrazure in qualifying... Namuria had to
sweat it out quite a few times, especially as the match drew to a close, and finally once again had to rely on their superstar captain Salasarien to bring them
their match-winning goal when it mattered the most.  Only in the 119. minute Salasarien relieved millions of Namurian fans watching on television, with a solo
goal that could well be one of the best of the year.  The Deucos were rather crushed at the defeat after keeping their strong opponents at bay and scoreless
for such a long time - they were hoping for the roulette of a penalty shoot-out, but the Namurians were able to prevent from going through that ordeal, which may
have well ended in a win for the Deucos!  Namuria thus moves on with difficulty, and will face the very motivated Albio-Merite team next!