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As the largest yooyuball sports coverage site, Yooyuball Planet brings you all the latest news on special events around Neopia. Our reporters are the best in the business so we'll keep you up to date with all of the latest news. To start reading some articles, click on
one of the categories below.
Note: All articles related to special events will be posted here. Even if it's an interview, for example, the article will be posted here instead of in the regular Interview section.
Brightvale's brightest?
Lexrevived as proven himself to be a major threat as his team looked unstoppable. Fishing their game with a 15-0 victory over the practice team, the Brightvale squad were absolutely flawless. "I'm a huge fan of Lexrevived's playing style," says AC international and BV native, "Squeaky" Tressif. "He's playing like a true Brightvale yooyuballer. He's got great pacing, perfect timing, and deadly accuracy. It won't be long before we all see him representing Brightvale in the Altador Cup!"
The dark horse?
Over on the other side of Maraqua, well-known DC player Roddy1999 was also starting his matches. As a veteran WAM CC competitor from last year, Roddy1999 carries the hopes of many DC citizens on his shoulders. One Darigan Citadel fan said, "we came so close in last year's Altador Cup and a few of us are still hurting. We're all looking at Roddy to make things right and I know we can count on him to bring a trophy home to the Citadel".
A home favourite gives the crowd something to cheer for
Cdrex22 has no problem winning the crowd's affections as Maraquans came out in full force to cheer on their team. Representing Maraqua, Cdrex was dominant in his matches, never giving the opposing team time to take a breath. Critics are already labelling Cdrex's team as "the one to beat" thanks to his spectacular scoring abilities and experience. Maraquan native, Oten Runeu, was more than impressed. "The kid's got a lot of spunk and he showed that in his 14-0 victory today. He's a scoring machine, no doubt about it."
Stay tuned for more action from the qualification round!
The day has finally come and The WAM Celebration Cup is upon us! Fans from around Neopia are flocking to Maraqua as the opening ceremony takes place along with an exhibition match featuring last year's top two finishers, Icedolfin and 1337revenge. This year promises to be even better as the top athletes from around Neopia go head-to-head in yooyuball battles. Let's take a look at some of the highlights from tonight:
Opening ceremony
Last year's MQ ambassador was Elon Hughlis and this year the honour goes to Arkmite Attacker's center defender, Barit Jowes. In the ceremony, Jowes is the first to take to the stage as the techo opens up the ceremony,
Fans, athletes, reporters, officials – I would like to take this moment to welcome each and every one of you to Maraqua! It's going to be an exciting tournament and just like last year, I can promise you drama, suspense, and best of all, exciting yooyuball action. With the group stages starting up, top tier players from around the world will be meeting each other on the field and battling to move to the next round. Cheer for your representatives and cheer loud! And with that, I declare the 2011 Wam Celebration Cup officially open!
The speech was short and sweet and when he finished, the crowd erupted into a sea of cheers. The atmosphere is absolutely electric and it's definitely going to be a great tournament.
Exhibition match
In the spirit of friendly competition and yooyuball excellence, a fun exhibition match was held for the audience as two all-star teams take the center field. Team Icedolfin consisted of Tonie Plessix, Oten Runeu, Skylon Jim and Ubatron Metrodora. Team 1337revenge had Barit Jowes, Elon Hughlis, Filo Desenz, and Rowena Skirly. The fun match was a game to see which team would get to 15 goals first. While 1337revenge's team boasted a highly technical squad with focus on strategic play, Icedolfin played a dominant game with emphasis on controlling the pace of the match. Icedolfin opened up the scoring with a well timed pass to his teammate, Rowena, who managed to sneak the fire yooyu past Tonie Plessix. From there, the goals went back and forth as the teams were neck-in-neck.
The final score was... 1337revenge 15 – 14 Icedolfin! What a close game! It just goes to show how evenly matched these two spectacular players are.
Maraquan festivities
Like last year, the crowed was entertained with some of Maraqua's best cultural offerings. Making their first debut, new rock band The Arctic Myncis opened up the set with an energetic piece. Next, were The Maractites, playing their hit songs "All You Need Is Yooyuball", "Maractite Submarine", and "A Hard Day's Game".
Venues
This year, matches for the tournament will be held in numerous stadiums around Maraqua. Here's a list of areas where games will take plce:
The main venue will be Field of Arkmites, the home stadium of Arkmite Attackers. Seating over 15,000 spectators, the stadium underwent heavy construction in order to prepare for the event. Club officials boast that their cafeteria serves authentic cuisine from all over Neopia "We've got head chefs from Lost Desert, Mystery Island, Faerieland – you name it! Our hope is to cater to all of the fans so that they feel more at home here."
Sea of Kelp will act as the secondary stadium and will house matches for the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the finals. As one of Maraqua's largest stadium, expect all 18,000 tickets to be sold out for these matches!
Matches for all group stages are scheduled to take place at Maractite Field, a stadium that seats 10,000 people.
To learn more about the venues and their history, you can check out Maraqua's club page.
It seems like yesterday our reporters were covering the final match of the 2010 WAM Celebration Cup where Terror Mountain's Icedolfin took home the trophy after a lengthy battle with Krawk Island's 1337revenge. In just a week's time, the WAMCC will start up once again and Yooyuball Planet has been invited to cover the event once again.
What will the 2011 competition bring? More great match-ups? More insane yooyuball fans? Here's our short preview of what you can expect.
Yooyuball Planet will be adding to the winner's prize...
In addition to the trophy, the winner will be given the chance to create and fully customize their own character that will join the 2011-2012 national league competition. So, just how will you be creating a character? After the 1st place finisher is announced, they will be contacted by me (tloef) and they'll fill out the following form.
Name:
Position: (defender, forward, or goalkeeper)
Gender: (this will be the same as the 1st place winner)
Species: (techo, aisha, pteri, Krawk, etc.)
Place of Origin: (this will be the same as the 1st place winner)
Paint Color: (pirate, disco, Halloween, etc.)
Strengths: (up to three)
Weaknesses: (up to three)
Here's some more information on the prize:
Exclusive interviews with participants
Just like last year, our reporters will be behind-the-scenes at the event, talking with the participants in the tournament. Get inside the minds of today's best athletes as we ask them about their playing style, their hopes for the championship, and much more!
All the latest match reports
Again, we'll be writing up match reports detailing all of the major games of the day. Suspense, drama, action – you'll get it here! We've still got last year's articles up so you can check out what happened last year. All interviews and match reports will be posted here in the Special Events category.
Important links to bookmark:
The official WAM Celebration Cup page
Yooyuball Planet (home page)
Yooyuball Planet (WAMCC articles and interviews will be posted here in the Special Events page)
Icedolfin (TM) - 1337revenge (KI)
It's the WAM Celebration Cup match that everyone was waiting for – the finals! Tickets for the match were completely sold out within minutes and there wasn't an empty seat in the stadium. Taking center stage were the two teams: Terror Mountain's Icedolfin and Krawk Island's Revenge. Both squads have played multiple tiebreaking matches, so they're standing on even ground in terms of fitness level. Who will be the one to hoist the Hughlis Celebration Cup into the air? Will it be the aggressive and tenacious Krawk Islanders, led by one of this tournaments top scorer, Revenge? Or will Icedolfin's all-around team freeze the pirates' chances of winning? Let's find out...
The match started with a bang and both teams were playing a high tempo game. There would be no safe tactics here – both sides wanted the win and were playing for it. To the surprise of many fans, Revenge would be using a 3 + 1 formation, leaving little room for defending. He's hoping that with 3 forwards, the score line will be in his favour. Icedolfin wasn't panicking and kept his cool, even as he began to slip behind. At halftime, Revenge was leading with a resounding score of 170 – 109. Things looked grim for the Terror Mountain side, so at the break, Icedolfin gave his team an empowering pep talk. Heading into the second half, he switched to a defensive 1 + 3 formation which immediately worked to his benefit. Revenge's 3 forwards were being cancelled out by the 3 defenders and Icedolfin quickly began to catch up. The lone Krawk Island defender was inexperienced and lacked the pace that Icedolfin employed and the Terror Mountain team were slowly but surely getting back into the game. The minutes dragged on and each second must have seemed like an eternity to the players on the field, but time was running out. Each side was being pushed to their limits and then the referee signalled that the match was over.
And the winner of the 2010 WAM Celebration Cup is...
Icedolfin (TM) 300 – 300 Revenge (KI)! What's that? The score is a draw? Well, as the ref blew the final whistle, we didn't play extra matches, but went straight to the penalty shootout. Revenge may have the upper hand here since every single one of his teammates can score, even the defenders. However, Icedolfin's goalkeeper is no pushover. Playing for the TM club, The Snowager Squad, "Wizkid" Faber is one of the best young keepers in Terror Mountain. So, the stage is set. All penalty shots will be taken with a normal yooyu. Each team has ten shots and whoever scores the most, will win. Revenge would step up first for the pirates and he made absolutely no mistake, putting the yooyu easily into the top left corner of the net. The Terror Mountain fans are hoping that their young keeper won't get too discouraged. The next few shots were all easily netted, and the current score was tied at 9 – 9. Taking the last shot for the pirates was Revenge's trusty defender, who's scored her fair share of goals. Steadying her hands, she catapulted the yooyu towards the TM keeper...but it's a complete miss! Just inches wide of the net and the visiting pirates let out a groan of frustration as they have no penalty shots left to take. Stepping up to take the final shot, Icedolfin has the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders as TM fans look on anxiously. Looking cool and composed as ever, he makes his run towards the net, swings his arm...and scores! The fans erupt into cheers as Icedolfin makes it a perfect 5 for 5.
The final score for penalty shots: Icedolfin (TM) 10 - 9 Revenge (KI)!
With his teammates surrounding him, Icedolfin becomes the first Terror Mountain captain to lift the Hughlis Celebration Cup trophy. Making his way around the stadium for a victory lap, all of the spectators were on their feet as they congratulated this talented team. At the beginning of the tournament, no one would have thought that Icedolfin would have what it takes to make it all the way to the finals, but with each match, his confidence grew and he surprised both his critics and his fans. Both teams today have put in their all, but it was the unlikely TM squad that will be staying into the late hours of the morning celebrating.
Thank you!
And that concludes Commentator Corner. Congratulations to each and every one of the participants in the WAMCC! You've made your fellow AC teammates proud! Thanks to Francineh who made the competition more interesting with his live broadcasts. Last but not least, be sure to send a huge thank you to Grantauy who kept this competition running smoothly. Though he dealt with multiple database crashes along the way, his efforts at TDN made the WAMCC even better. I invite you all to spam his inbox with love, hugs, and high fives. :3
Nikitha51 (LD) vs. Lucyliu94 (TM)
Though both squads might have preferred playing in the other finals match for the cup, they'll have to make do with the consolation game for third place. So, just how did things shape up? As many have speculated, this game had it all – drama, flair, and it was a crowd-pleaser till the very end. Since neither side had anything to lose, they played pure yooyuball until the final whistle. Hoping to have two Terror Mountain teams in the top three, Lucy will be looking to keep the pressure on as she utilizes her scoring talents. Meanwhile, Nikitha is staying composed and wants to finish strong for her nation, Lost Desert.
Getting off to a great start was Lucy, who opened the scoring minutes into the match after receiving a well-played pass from one of her defenders. Both sides were sticking to the same strategy that got them this far. You probably don't need any reminders that Lucy's a scoring machine, while Nikitha employs a highly technical style of play. Giving 110%, each team wanted to finish the WAM Celebration Cup with a win. Though Lucy pulled ahead midway through the first half, the second half was dominated by the Lost Desert side as they inched closer and closer. With minutes left on the clock, the match was dead even at 145 – 145. It was time for some last-minute heroics, but which team delivered the last strike? The referee blew the final whistle and the crowd erupted into a massive wave of cheers as the team taking third place was...
Nikitha (LD) 148 – 146 Lucy (TM)! Oh boy, what a match! It was a close one to the very end but the Lost Desert side used every advantage they had and managed to edge out their opponents. All of the players gave the spectators quite a show, and it was a fitting display of yooyuball to end their campaign as both teams should be proud of their accomplishments! Congratulations to Nikitha for finishing 3rd in the tournament and to Lucy for showing Neopia that TM is a major yooyuball contender!
That's the match for third place...but how did the finals end?
Lucyliu94 (TM) - Icedolfin (TM)
It was a chilly match between these Terror Mountain squads as the semi-finals kicked off with sold-out tickets and yooyuball fans all over Neopia tuning in to watch. Lucy's road thus far has been tough, but she's proven herself to be a contender for the cup. Meanwhile, Icedolfin is playing some of the best yooyuball ever as he looks to perform the perfect game. The fans were absolutely roaring as the match started. Lucy opened up the scoring in just 30 seconds after some nice one-two plays between her and her fellow forward. Icedolfin managed to tie it up though, and right away the fans knew they were in for a close match. The two traded goals and neither side managed to control the game. At half-time, the score was dead even at 70 – 70. The second half would be a challenge for Lucy, after both of her defenders picked up injuries from the first half. Icedolfin knew her defensive line would be heavily weakened and this was his chance. Although Lucy managed to keep up her scoring, her inexperienced and youthful substitutes were no match for Icedolfin's determined squad. The winner is...
Lucyliu94 (TM) 139 – 150 Icedolfin (TM)
Icedolfin manages one of the biggest upsets in the tournament and moves on to the finals as he overthrows Lucy's domination of the WAM Celebration Cup. Though TM fans are happy that they now have one of their teams in the finals, many were upset that Lucy would be walking home empty handed. However, if Icedolfin plays just as he did today, then there's no doubt who will be hoisting the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Nikitha51 (LD) - 1337revenge (KI)
It was two powerhouses colliding as Lost Desert meets Krawk Island. Having a fairly easy time getting to the semis, Nikitha is a squad that is fit and ready to play. On the other side of the pitch, Revenge has wreaked destruction on some top players and easily won all of his matches so far. The game was underway and it would be a match of contrasting styles - Nikitha, with her focus on technique and strategy, while Revenge focussed on scoring. The Lost Desert side was the more experienced of the two with a few veterans that have played for the national clubs. However, they lacked the stamina and energy that the pirates showed. Revenge's side was scrappy but they were held the majority of the possession. At half-time, Revenge was leading 85 – 79. Both teams started the second half strong, but Revenge switched from a 2 + 2 formation, to an all-attacking 3 + 1 set-up. It looks like his strategy was to ditch defending altogether and focus only on goals. Nikitha stuck to her tactics and held her line. The winner is...
Nikitha51 (LD) 147 – 149 1337revenge (KI)
Though the Krawk Island defence was heavily outclassed by The Lost Desert side, Revenge pulled off a close win and he heads to the next round. Fans are a little bit worried since he'll be up against Icedolfin who not only has talented forwards, but an equally strong defence and goalkeeper, something that the Krawk island team lacks. Will Revenge change his strategy for the finals? I guess we'll just have to wait and see!
So, the finals are set! Terror Mountain's Icedolfin faces off against Krawk island's Revenge. A new champion will be crowned – who will be be?
Latest news: DQs, and more DQs! (And no, we don't mean the ice cream shop)...
Though Kiko Lake's Twilight_King64 finished the group stage with an impressive 6 points, he and his team are nowhere to be found. Likewise, Moltaran fans are wondering where Shetawolfthe12th has been. Neither teams have shown up for their matches, nor have been spotted on the training pitches either.
That means in the match-up between Twilight_king and Lost Desert's Nikitha, she automatically moves on (103:7). On the other hand, last year's champ, Luckynorris, is having a bit of a lucky break. He moves on as his Moltaran opponent fails to show up (100:7). Though the Maraquan hopes to win back-to-back titles, many critics are wondering whether he's got it in him, or if he's doing to be left in the dust by other big powerhouses this year. Sources close to the MQ captain say that he's feeling confident that he can reclaim the trophy and that his teammates are looking sharp and focussed.
As the round of 16 comes to a close...
...all eyes are on the final eight teams. To get to this stage is quite an accomplishment, but do they have what it takes to go any farther? Here are your match-ups:
Lucyliu94 (TM) - 20catz01 (AL)
Francineh (MQ) - Nikitha51 (LD)
Icedolfin (TM) - Luckynorris123 (MQ)
1337revenge (KI) – Thelunaticofthegrass (AL)
Some very interesting clashes indeed, as we see Terror Mountain, Altador, and of course, Maraqua all heavily represented. Who will win and get one step closer to the coveted trophy? Who will crash and burn, leaving the tournament empty handed? Be sure to stay tuned!
Icedolfin (TM) vs. __Questions__ (MI)
The rivalry between Terror Mountain and Mystery Island is renewed after Cooldude's defeat yesterday at the hands of Lucy. Today, Icedolfin and Questions continue their quest as they face each other in another tiebreaking match. Icedolfin hopes to join his fellow TMer in the next round. Meanwhile, Questions is looking for redemption and is aiming to put Mystery Island on the road to success.
Match commentaries:
After a lengthy break, both squads were now refreshed and ready to play. Questions had the first goal and was in control of the match. Dictating the speed of the game, the Mystery Island squad had more yooyu possession, but lacked the final touch that could have led to goals. In the second half, Icedolfin's game was much better. He created more scoring opportunities and his defensive line was strong.
And the winner is....
Icedolfin 330 – 329 vs. Questions! Finally, this epic match comes to an end as Terror Mountain's Icedolfin takes the win! It was a close one in the end, but the TM side proved to be the better team as Icedolfin scored a last-second goal.
Match highlights:
1337revenge (KI) vs. Cdrex22 (MQ)
In this tiebreaker, Revenge would once again be focussing on his attacking powers. The Krawk Island captain was said to be heading into this match feeling confident. The Maraquan side looked a bit tense during warm-ups, but let's see if they managed to put aside their anxiety. The match got off to a great start as the crowd were treated to more of the same from both squads. Revenge was using every bit of the field to his advantage, trying to open the Maraquan defence. Cdrex and his fellow forward looked confident and tested the Krawk Island goalkeeper numerous times.
And the winner is...
1337revenge 75 - 73 Cdrex22! It was another close one – we almost had another tie! However, The Krawk Island forwards were a cut above the rest and managed to score crucial goals in the last few minutes, while also doubling back to defend. As more Maraquan teams are falling out of the title race, fans will be holding their breath and counting on the remaining squads, such as Luckynorris.
Francineh (MQ) vs. Chi_chi1548286 (KI)
After showing up late for his group stage matches, we didn't have any match commentaries to write about Maraqua's Francineh. This time around he showed up late again (much to the chagrin of the referee), but since the round of 16 is being prolonged, it didn't really matter. Chi_chi will be hoping that her team stays fit throughout the game as they've been quite injury prone in the past. Let's see how this match turned out.
Match commentaries:
It was a relatively calm game throughout, as both teams were testing the waters. Focussing on the defensive side of things, the players were content on just passing the yooyu with no real threat to the opposing side. However, Francineh decided to shake things up and launched an all-out attack, leading to the first goal of the match. The pace of the game definitely picked up, but goals were in short supply. It's strange that a Krawk Island team would rely so heavily on defending to win the game, but perhaps Chi_chi had a few tricks up her sleeve. The home fans were delighted whenever Francineh had the yooyu in his hands and urged him to try and score. This was a match where it seemed the goalkeeper and defenders had more of the yooyu than the actual forwards!
And the winner is....
Francineh 99 – 93 Chi_chi1548286! The home fans let out a collective sigh of relief as Francineh heads into the next round. His defensive game proved to be too strong and Chi_chi couldn't find a way through, but many critics are wondering whether the MQ team can make it out alive next time around. With some of the lowest scores so far, it'll be easy pickings for other squads unless Francineh starts focussing on attacking.
Match highlights:
| Francineh | Chi_chi | |
| Goals scored | 99 | 93 |
| Shots attempted | 107 | 100 |
| Shots on goal | 103 | 95 |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 7 |
| Cautions | 4 | 3 |
| Yooyu possession | 60% | 40% |
| Own goals | 5 | 2 |
| Offsides | 1 | 4 |
Lucyliu94 (TM) vs. _Ccooldudecool_ (MI)
The group stage was a breeze for Lucy as she sat comfortably at the top of the table. As one of Terror Mountain's best, supporters came out in full force to cheer on their team. Today, her team is fit, relaxed, and ready to destroy the competition. On the other side, Mystery Island's Cooldude has had the tougher road so far, drawing two games and winning one. Though relatively inexperienced and young, will this team pull off the upset? Or will the MI team get snowed in?
Match commentaries:
With Lucy the favourite to win this match, all the pressure was on her squad to perform. The referee blew the whistle and the yooyuball match starts! Right away, the crowd knew this would be an entertaining game as both sides were focussing on scoring in high numbers. As predicted, Lucy was the first to score after sending a blistering shot from the half-way line with the fire yooyu. Though Lucy managed to pull ahead early in the game, Cooldude was playing inspired yooyuball and began to make his move. Charging back in the scoreline, the game was close and as they traded goals, the fans were hoping that someone would take control of the match. The Mystery Island side was playing the game at a higher tempo, pushing Lucy's squad to their limits. Hoping to tire them out, Cooldude looked to his speed to win the day. Was there a winner in this match, or was this going to be another draw?
And the winner is....
Lucyliu94 (TM) 103 – 101 _Ccooldudecool_ (MI)! It was a close match but in the end, Terror Mountain comes away with the victory and moves on to the next round. Cooldude's lapse in defence in the last 10 minutes of the match was his ultimate downfall. Though both squads focussed on attacking and scoring, Lucy had the better all-around team.
Match highlights:
| Lucyliu94 | _Ccooldudecool_ | |
| Goals scored | 103 | 101 |
| Shots attempted | 120 | 149 |
| Shots on goal | 105 | 133 |
| Fouls Committed | 5 | 5 |
| Cautions | 3 | 2 |
| Yooyu possession | 40% | 60% |
| Own goals | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 7 | 6 |
Revenge (KI) vs. Cdrex (MQ)
The early morning tie-breaking match between KI's 1337revenge and MQ's cdrex22 resulted in a predictable draw as both squads scored 75 goals apiece. It was a tentative game throughout and it seemed that both sides were playing more cautiously than yesterday. Once again, they headed into another tie-breaking match, but even the second game failed to produce a winner as the score now stands at 150 – 150.
Injury forces one squad to call it quits!
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Brightvale squad led by Kyky1771 has been forced to withdraw from the tournament, after both goalkeepers were injured in their match against Altador's Catz. It was a critical blow to their cup chances after their second goalie was injured just before half-time. Kyky had one of his defenders take over the position, but it was no use. Catz was scoring goals by the second and Kyky made it clear to the referee that he and his team would be heading back home to Brightvale. With Kyky's forfeit, Catz automatically moves on to the next round. It'll get a lot tougher for this Altadorian squad, however, as they lack the scoring power seen in other powerhouses.
20catz01 (AL) 97 – 7 Kyky1771 (BV)
1337revenge (KI) vs. Cdrex22 (MQ)
Cdrex has the entire nation of Maraqua behind him as he clashes with Krawk Island powerhouse, Revenge. Though he didn't finish at the top of his group, Revenge scored the same amount of goals that Cdrex did. Still, many feel that Cdrex has the advantage since his group was probably the easiest one of all, with two teams failing to show up to Maraqua for the event, and an inexperienced Mystery Island squad. He'll be more relaxed heading into this match-up.
Match commentaries:
The game proved to be an eventful one, as both sides were going for the win right in the very first second. Revenge was using his attacking strategies and Cdrex was forced to defend. It wasn't a problem for the Maraquan side, as their defensive line is well held by their experienced players and veteran goalkeeper. Though Revenge was on the attack, Cdrex was the first to open the score after a fumble by the Krawk Island team led to a quick counter strike. The match was close, and fans in the stadium were on the edge of their seats as both squads were scoring goals left and right. There weren't any substitutions or injuries to report, which was probably for the best since both teams have poor quality back-up players. At the end of the marathon...
The winner was....
No one, as Revenge and Drex draw with 105 – 105! In the highest scoring match so far, these two powerhouses are going at each other with everything they have. The question is, did they save enough gas in the tank for round 2? Or have they tired each other out?
Match highlights:
| 1337revenge | Cdrex22 | |
| Goals scored | 105 | 105 |
| Shots attempted | 160 | 158 |
| Shots on goal | 110 | 108 |
| Fouls Committed | 16 | 7 |
| Cautions | 4 | 1 |
| Yooyu possession | 50% | 50% |
| Own goals | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 11 | 9 |
Roddy1999 (DC) vs. Thelunaticofthegrass (AL)
On paper, Lunatic has the advantage after being one of the only teams to finish the group stage with all 3 wins. Showing consistency and tenacity, this Altadorian team has a mixture of youth and experience on their side. On the other hand, Roddy's no slouch either. With two wins and a loss, Roddy can score goals and he can score in big numbers. His problem is with his defensive line and lack of discipline. Will this be his downfall? Or can he pull off an amazing upset?
Match commentaries:
Knowing that he needed his defenders at the top of their games, Roddy switched to a defensive 1 + 3 formation for this game. Having an extra defender against two Altadorian forwards, the game seemed to be evenly matched. Roddy's forwards were scrappy but determined. On the hand, Lunatic and her fellow forward was having a difficult time finding the net, with many attempts going just wide of the net. Halfway through the marathon, it was dead even at 60 goals apiece. The second half saw the Darigan Citadel team make numerous fouls, leading to cautions by the referee and penalties awarded for the Altador team. Not known for their clean game, Roddy was having problems keep his teams' temper in check. Lunatic took advantage of every opportunity she got, and propelled her team forward.
And the winner is....
Roddy (DC) 94 – 100 Lunaticofthegrass (AL)
This Altadorian team showed people why they have what it takes to win the entire tournament, with a strong defence, a wicked fast attack force and an experienced goalkeeper.
Match highlights:
| Roddy | Lunaticofthegrass | |
| Goals scored | 94 | 100 |
| Shots attempted | 151 | 137 |
| Shots on goal | 100 | 105 |
| Fouls Committed | 19 | 5 |
| Cautions | 5 | 1 |
| Yooyu possession | 55% | 45% |
| Own goals | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 5 | 8 |
Icedolfin (TM) vs. Questions (MI)
Yesterday's thrilling yooyuball contest between Terror Mountain's Icedolfin and Mystery Island's Questions ended in an epic 103 – 103 draw. Today, they played additional games to determine the winner, so let's recap all of the action, shall we? The first yooyu scored went to Questions as he looked like a stronger team, playing with much more technique and strategy. Meanwhile, Icedolfin seems to be taking a more defensive approach. The matches were close, just as it was before. It looked as though Questions played a more flowing and dominant yooyuball game, but he just couldn't match the experience of the Terror Mountain side. At the end of this tie-breaker match, the winner was...
No one! The tie-breaker ended in another draw! Questions (MI) 75-75 Icedolfin (TM). With this tie-breaker ending in a another tie, they'll be playing yet another marathon to determine the winner. My word, these two teams are extremely close and it looks like they'll be heading into another tie-breaker. They'll need to keep up their energy if they want to move on.
Icedolfin (TM) vs. Questions (MI): Tiebreak round 2!
In their second tie-breaking marathon, both teams were starting to look exhausted. No wonder, since they've been playing for hours already! The match got off to a tentative start, as both teams knew this was getting serious. To lose now would be such a waste as they've gone so far. Questions was no longer playing with the speed he had earlier, just hoping that he can make it through the match. Icedolfin was playing even slower than usual, playing the yooyu around the field at a pedestrian pace. Halfway through, the action did pick up, after some nice Mystery Island back-to-back goals. Both teams were now playing for the win and though you could still tell they were tired, they were giving it their all. At the end of it all, the winner was...
No one! Again! Another draw! 75 – 75! Even more suspense! And more exclamation marks! So at the end of two tie-breaking rounds, we have Questions (MI) 150 – 150 Icedolfin (TM). Looks like this is heading into over-over-over time?
Icedolfin (TM) vs. Questions (MI): Another one?!
These two teams have been pushed to their limits, both mentally and physically. Playing at an even slower pace, the crowd were wondering if we'd ever see a victor between these two. The referee, sympathetic to both squads, gave them extra breaks so that they could catch their breath. Icedolfin's strong attackers kept up their scoring plays, while Questions was using each counter-attack to his advantage. At the end of it all, the winner was...
By now, I assume you know the trend. No one won, since they tied their tie-breaker again! We're now at Icedolfin (TM) 225 – 225 Questions (MI).
Icedolfin (TM) vs. __Questions__ (MI)
In this round, each team will be playing their opponents in a 3-hour (3-match) marathon, with a 15-minute break in between. The first completed game of the round of 16 was between Terror Mountain's Icedolfin and Mystery Island's Questions. As one of the two representatives from Mystery Island, Questions has been prepared for all of his matches. Cool, calm, and collected, this is one team that has it all. The team's strength is with their reliable goalkeeper, who's known for her penalty-stopping abilities. Make no mistake – Questions is here to win. However, he'll have to get through one of the remaining Terror Mountain teams. Both may have finished the group stage with 7 points, but Icedolfin's skill is with his attack force, something that gives him the clear advantage. Capable of scoring in high numbers and destroying the opponent's defence, Terror Mountain fans will be looking for a win.
Match commentaries:
At the beginning of the game, both teams looked evenly matched. Icedolfin had yet to break through Questions' defensive line, while the MI team had a poor time getting any scoring chances. The first break was for the Mystery Islanders, who managed to slip through a clever yooyu past the TM defence, leading to the opening goal of the match. From then on, it was a "give and take" game, as one side would score, but the other would be close behind. Both teams looked fit, though Questions was playing with a quicker pace than the TM side, hoping that it would wear them down. Whenever Icedolfin had the yooyu in his possession, the tempo of the match slowed down and he was able to dictate the speed of the game. Each match ended with either a draw, or a close win. With the 3-match marathon nearing its end, Icedolfin was leading by one goal. However, in an extremely controversial decision, the referee awarded the Mystery Island team with a penalty after what looked like a clumsy challenge made by one of Icedolfin's defenders. Questions stepped up with the fire yooyu and made no mistake, easily putting it away in the top corner of the net. Replays shown in the stadium suggested that Questions tripped over his own feet and that the TM defender made no contact whatsoever. This will definitely be one of the most discussed decisions so far.
And the winner is....
With each team scoring 103 goals, this match-up would be forced into extra time, which will be played tomorrow. Bet you didn't expect this much drama in the first game, huh?
Questions (MI) 103 – 103 Icedolfin (TM)
Match highlights:
| Icedolfin | __Questions__ | |
| Goals scored | 103 | 103 |
| Shots attempted | 125 | 141 |
| Shots on goal | 104 | 120 |
| Fouls Committed | 15 | 20 |
| Cautions | 3 | 5 |
| Yooyu possession | 51% | 49% |
| Own goals | 0 | 1 |
| Offsides | 10 | 5 |
lucyliu94 : _ccooldudecool_
For this match, I have to say that the odds show clearly with Lucyliu94. Stats show that she had a higher GPG during the cup, and played all the way to allstar. Beyond that, she placed first in the qualifying round, while _Ccooldudecool_ placed 30th; although both ended with 88 for the first group sets. Both contenders had respectable scores for each game, however, and as always with YYB, luck is involved. :3
francineh : chi_chi1548286
This matchup will probably be a little closer. During the cup, Francineh had a slightly higher GPG, and while they both played to allstar, he also played further along. Chi_chi, on the other hand, placed higher during the qualifying round, an 11th place to Franc's 29th. During the first group stage, however, Franc managed an 86 to Chi_chi's 84. In the long run, I'm going to go with Chi_chi, because her qualifying was quite consistent as well as impressive, whereas Franc's was a little more spread out, making him a bit... unpredictable? :) I think that Chi_chi might just have a bit more stamina to make it through these next seven games.
20catz01 : kyky1771
This is an incredibly close match! The GPGs are both amazingly close; 13.2 to 13.1, with 20catz01 an inch ahead. The qualifying round places these two quite close. Also, 20catz01 again slightly ahead, with 19th place to Kyky1771's 23rd. If you look at the matches, you can see that each game was close, and there's no clear winner here. I suppose that I will go with 20catz01 on this one. Having played more games during the actual cup, I can guess that she will be more likely to stay consistent with playing style. She also made a much bigger showing during the first group stage.
twilight_king64 : nikitha51
Whoa! This match has the makings for a high-profile showdown. Twilight_king64 and Nikitha51 place 10th and 4th in the qualifiers respectively and their GPGs are very close, just 0.2 off. Their qualifying matches also show that both can score high-dollar games left and right. So, who to pick? Nikitha51 might seem the better choice, because she played to allstar while Twilight_king64 did not. As always with real players, though, it's very hard to tell what's luck and what's skill. Each player could suddenly come down with straight mutant yooyus the whole match, or perhaps all fire. If I had to take a guess, and I do, I would put my np on Nikitha51, who had a slightly better showing during the first round.
icedolfin : __questions__
An amazingly, and slightly infuriatingly, close match. Both have exceptionally high GPGs, and placed well in the qualifiers, both part of a rather large tie for 13th, I believe. Both played to allstar; and, incredibly, icedolfin played 1820 games of YYB while __questions__ played 1818. Jeez! This leaves GPG and the first round as the deciding factors. The GPG leans to __questions__, with a lovely, even, 14. The first round, however, goes to icedolfin, with an astonishing perfect 90! I suppose that this leaner will have to go to... icedolfin. :)
1337revenge : cdrex22
This match is a tough one to predict. Cdrex22 has a higher GPG during the cup, but for the qualifiers, 1337revenge showed quite clearly that it doesn't mean much, by placing 2nd (to cdrex22's 5th). Both stiff contenders scored a staggering 89 for the first stage; so, how do I pick? 1337revenge seems to do a bit better under pressure, but cdrex22 has a better long-term record. I'm going to take a shot in the dark, and put 1337revenge on top this time around.
luckynorris123 : shetawolfthe12th
This match seems to be pretty clear. Luckynorris123 has a better overall track record, through GPG, games played, qualifying, and first round; while Shetawolfthe12th had a nice improvement in GPG during the qualifiers as opposed to during the cup, I don't think that she has the ability to take on a seasoned veteran, unless she can improve again.
roddy1999 : thelunaticofthegrass
This match looks like another fairly clear one- thelunaticofthegrass enjoys a higher GPG and games played, a pleasant qualifying placing of 6th compared to 25th, and a respectable first round score of 87 next to 76. Both contenders are quite good YYBers; unfortunately, one is just a cut above.
Posted By: guest reporter Volcanic
Group B: Chi_chi1548286 (KI) 27 – 26.1 12mercury (FL)
Needing only a draw, many people thought that Chi_chi would be focussing on her defensive game today. Meanwhile, Mercury has earned 1 point in 2 games. In order to move onto the next round, she not only needed to win, but win big. The game kicked off to quite a surprise as Chi_chi employed her usual all-out attacking style of play. With little focus on defending, will her team slip up? Throughout the entire game, it was a close battle between these two squads as they were always neck-in-neck. With just a minute left on the clock, a nasty challenge made by one of Mercury's defenders, sending Chi_chi's fellow forward down to the ground. The referee penalized the Faerieland team by 0.9 goals, which ended up determining the winner. Though Faerieland fans in the crowd didn't like his call, it was the right decision by the experience ref. Chi_chi is now safely in the round of 16, finishing at the top of her group with 7 points.
Group C: Zulz (LD) 25 – 26 20catz01 (AL)
The Lost Desert side would only be playing for the glory as they have no chance of advancing. However, this is an interesting match-up. Catz is safe into the round of 16, but in what position? Would she be first in her group or second? Twilight_king has 6 points from 3 games, while Catz has 6 points in 2. If she wants to finish her group at the top, she'll need at least a draw. The game got off to a tentative start from Catz, who looked shaky at times. Making uncharacteristic mistakes, Zulz was able to capitalize and took an early lead. However, Catz regained her confidence after half-time and began to make a comeback. Late in the second half, she took the slim lead and managed to hang on as she wins Group C.
Group E: 1337revenge (KI) 30 – 28 Mrpanda1 (LD)
Icedolfin is safely through and now it comes down to this match to see who will move on. Revenge either needs a win or a draw (which will then go down to goal difference). For The Lost Desert team, they need a simple draw or a win. The game kicked off to a roaring start as neither side was holding back. Yooyus were scored in large amounts by both teams as they know the round of 16 is within their sights. The first half ended with a 16 – 16 draw, so the second half would be crucial. In the second period, Mrpanda took control but was always thwarted by the Krawk Island defenders. With 10 minutes remaining, Mrpanda switched his strategy and decided to defend for the rest of the game. If he successfully held on to his 28 – 28 draw, he'd be in the next round. Revenge wasn't going to let this happen and launched attack after attack. With minutes left, Revenge took the lead and would finish second in Group E.
Group D: Kyky1771 (BV) 29 – 24 Weirdo1234455 (KI)
In Group D, both Nikitha and Kyky have already confirmed their advancement to the round of 16, so this match had little consequence to Kyky, other than to determine who finishes at the top of the table on goal differences. For Weirdo, he has nothing to lose so this last match would be sort of like a victory lap for him in the WAM Celebration Cup. The game started with Kyky playing a fairly defensive and relaxed game, as he didn't want any teammates picking up necessary injuries. Weirdo was playing some of his best yooyuball this tournament, but was it enough? At half-time, he held the small 16 – 15 lead. The second half started much like the first, with Kyky focussing on defending while launching counter-attacks whenever he managed to get the yooyu away from Weirdo. Unfortunately for the Krawk Islanders, they gave up too many fouls and penalty shots, leading to an easy win for the Brightvale team.
Group G: Gbraing (MQ) 28 – 26 Kalhana (DC)
Last year's champ, Luckynorris, finishes Group G at the top of the table with 9 points. Accompanying him to the round of 16 is Roddy of Darigan Citadel, who ended the group stage with 6 points. In today's match-up against Gbraing and Kalhana, the only thing they'd be playing for is themselves as neither team has won so far. Gbraing wants to end this tournament with a Maraquan win so he started the match off with quick pace. Kalhana's scrappy young team was also turning up the heat, as they played entertaining yooyuball throughout the entire game. There was nothing to lose, so instead of playing reserved and carefully, both squads pulled out their best and it truly seemed like they were all enjoying their final game. In the end, it was the home side that took the win as Gbraing finally gets his first win of the tournament.
Other late matches were played today as well and though we don't have match commentaries, here are the results:
Group A
Lucyliu94 (TM) 30 - 30 Francineh (MQ)
Eevee133239 (TM) 27 - 27 Francineh (MQ)
Neoaniluver (TM) 27 - 29 Francineh (MQ)
Be sure to head on over to TDN's official WAMCC results page to see who will be moving on to the round of 16. Huge congratulations to all of those who participated in the group stage!
Group C: Twilight_king64 (KL) 29 – 25 Superred623 (MQ)
As Kiko Lake's only participant, Twilight_king was eager to win this match. Losing his first game might not have been the best thing for his confidence, but he'll need to concentrate today as he takes on Superred who has only just begun getting ready for his WAM Celebration Cup campaign. The atmosphere was loud for the home favourite, Superred, as he led his Maraquan squadron onto the pitch. Both teams focus on similar things: speed and their ability to reclaim the yooyu. They played at a blistering pace for the entire game, and players were racing down the field with more speed than the fans thought possible. However, Twilight_king proved that his squad not only had speed, but stamina as well. Late in the second half, Superred's team was noticeably sluggish, and it was clear that they didn't have any fuel left in the tank. The Kiko Lakers easily cleaned up the Maraquan side, taking the win. Now with one loss and a win, Twilight_king will have to be ready for his next match which will decide whether he moves on to the round of 16.
Group C: 20catz01 (AL) 26 – 21 Superred623 (MQ)
Superred wouldn't have much time to think about his loss as he heads straight into another match with one of yesterday's winner. Catz is off to a great start and she knows that another win will almost guarantee a spot in the round of 16. On the other hand, Superred suspects that using his speed won't bother Catz at all. If he wants to win, he'll need to think of a way to get past her sturdy and experienced defenders. The match kicked off with an unusual display from Superred's team. They weren't playing with the same pace as they were earlier, but that's not to say that they're exhausted. It was an interesting strategy on his part to shift the focus away from his best skill, but who knows? Maybe a little shake-up will be a good thing. By the end of the first half, the Altadorians were leading 11 – 8. Though the first half seemed like a close contest between these two, Superred started to fall behind as his team began to feel the effects of playing two matches back-to-back. Catz managed to pull ahead early in the second half and she never looked back. After losing his two opening matches, it's almost certain that Superred won't be moving out of the group stages.
Group C: Zulz (LD) 25 – 25 Superred623 (MQ)
With his chances of advancing slim to none, Superred is now playing for glory. For the first time in the history of WAM Celebration Cup, a participant has all three of their matches on the same day. While Maraquan fans are sad that they won't be seeing Superred in the next round, that didn't stop them from coming out to support him. On the other side of things, Zulz is just beginning and in his first match he'll be hoping for the big three points. The match started off and it was an interesting battle between Zulz's emphasis on technique and style versus Superred's agility. As the game continued, Superred was pulling out everything he had in his bag of tricks, and it was truly a spectacle for the crowd who enjoyed every single minute of it. The Lost Desert side may have been the veterans, but they seemed shaky at times and weren't fully concentrating. Though Superred only managed a draw, he put up a hard battle and demonstrated why he's one of Maraqua's best squads.
Group C: Twilight_king64 (KL) 28 – 26 Zulz (LD)
Today was full of group C action as Twilight_king plays his second match of the day. After having a few hours to rest and catch his breath, his squad looks ready as they take on Zulz. With three points from two games, Twilight_king will have to do everything he can for a win. Zulz, already finished with his earlier match, wants to add more points to his name as the round of 16 looms closer. The game was underway and it seemed that Twilight_king was the better of the two, having had more time to recover from the previous match. Zulz, on the other hand, tried to make the best of his situation, but exhaustion was settling in. Still, experience does count for something as The Lost Desert club pulled ahead, much to the delight of the visiting LD fans. Late in the second half, things began to get exciting as Twilight_king took the slim lead. With just seconds left on the clock, he managed to score another yooyu, cementing his victory.
Group C: Twilight_king64 (KL) 28 – 29 20catz01 (AL)
In the first match of group C, Kiko Lake's Twilight_king faces off against Altador's Catz. As the lone representative of Kiko Lake, he'll be hoping to go as far as he can in the tournament. First things first, he'll need earn enough points to get out of the group stage. Looking to win her first match and maybe cause a few upsets, Catz is determined and is playing some of her best yooyuball so far. She and her team suffer from inconsistency, but if they manage to stay on top of their game and focus, then they'll have no trouble in this game. The match started off with Twilight_king using his quick pace to his advantage. With some of the fastest forwards in the tournament, it was rumoured that they could outrun even the fire yooyu itself, meaning Catz's defenders will have to keep vigilant. Though Twilight_king had the ovious speed advantage, Catz was the first to score, and the visiting Altador fans cheered for their side. At half-time, however, things were close as it was a 15 – 15 draw. Ignoring the fact that his forwards were being closed down at every opportunity, Twilight_king wouldn't be giving up in the second half. His players may lack the technique that other veterans have, but his tough team weren't showing any signs of fatigue. He managed to pull some distance ahead, with a score of 25 – 20 in the middle of the second period. Nonetheless, Catz fought back. She may lack the speed that the Kiko Lake team has, but she has more experience under her belt. With just five minutes remaining on the clock, she managed to score just enough to win the full three points.
Group H: Thelunaticofthegrass (AL) 29 – 17 Shetawolfthe12th (MT)
Eager to emulate Catz's earlier victory was fellow Altadorian, Lunaticofthegrass, as she squares off against yesterday's winner, Sheta. There would be bad news for the Moltaran side, since Sheta's fellow forward would be on the bench after a hard tackle from their previous match. Worried about the defences, Sheta would be using a 1 + 3 formation in today's game, making her the only forward for the team. Would this be enough to defeat Lunatic's team? The game started after a brief delay, during which a group of mutant yooyus had gotten loose and were terrorizing the fans in the stadium. When it finally did start, it was clear that this would be a one-sided match, as Lunatic scored the first seven yooyus of the game. The Moltaran fans could see that their team was losing hope, so they turned up the volume and made some noise. Sheta was definitely encouraged by her supporters, and her squad responded equally as well. They were now playing to win and eventually scored some yooyus. At half-time, Lunatic was leading 15 to 8. The second half was underway, and while Sheta tried her best to make a comeback, Lunatic's forwards were just too much to handle. There was also the fact that Sheta couldn't get many decent chances on goal being the lone forward. In the end, Lunatic won easily and now has a full 6 points from two games.
In another late decision, yet another score for a match has been changed by the head referees. Yesterday's match between Moltarans Ub3r_g00b3r and Shetawolfthe12th stirred up quite the controversy, specifically the goal by Ub3r late in the second half and the "no goal" by Sheta just moments before. Here's what the officials had to say during this morning's press conference...
As you may have heard, there was a lot of debate regarding the game between Ub3r and Sheta. The replays have been reviewed multiple times and we concluded that there will be a change in the final score. First, there is the issue of Ub3r's last goal in the second half, which was ultimately the game-winning goal. We have reviewed this goal and have found that the goal scorer was in an offside position when he received the yooyu. Thus, Ub3r's goal will not stand and he finishes with 22 goals scored. Moments before this happened, Sheta had received a pass from one of her teammates and had a breakaway, which led to her scoring a goal. However, the assistant referee had raised her flag, indicating that Sheta was offside. Re-examining the replays, we found that this was not the case, and the goal Sheta scored was legitimate. Therefore, she finishes the game with 23 goals."
Another interesting decision by the WAM referees. So, what does this mean for Ub3r and Sheta? Yesterday, the match ended with a 23-22 win for Ub3r, but the official scores have been changed given the circumstances. Sheta now earns the full three points with a 23-22 victory.
Group B: Niddyz (KD) 29 -27.1 12mercury (FL)
Kreludor's Niddyz has no chance of making it through to the next round with two losses on hand, so the important thing now is for him to finish off the tournament with his best effort. On the side, Mercury begins with her first match and has the advantage of knowing the scores from most of the other matches in her group, meaning she can put her strategies to work. Though she hopes to start her tournament off with a win, the Faerieland team has been plagued with injuries, as her back-up goalkeeper hurt her arm during training, while her other defender was suffering from Sneezles. The game kicked off with louad cheering from the Kreludor fans as they tried to raise the spirits of their team. Though there weren't that many Faerieland fans in the stadium, they did their best to make their voices heard as well. Niddyz opened up the scoring in the third minute of play as seemed to be in control of the match. Make no doubt about it, Niddyz was here to win and play entertaining yooyuball at the same time. Mercury's style focussed on her all-around team, and while her forwards were sufficient in scoring, they were inexperienced and lacked depth. The first half ended with Niddyz leading 15 – 9. The second half started with even more substitutions on Mercury's side, as her other left defender would now be sitting out. However, it wasn't all bad news. The Faerieland team began to pull back and soon, they drew even at 20 – 20. In the middle of the second half, Mercury's goalkeeper collided with one of Niddyz's forwards as he tried to save the Darigan yooyu. Unfortunately, the Faerieland goalkeeper would be too injured to continue. With no back-up goalkeeper, Mercury had to put one of her defenders in the net. The referee of the match decided to award Mercury with 0.1 goals for the situation, which has rarely happened in the sport's history. Strange rulings aside, Niddyz would have won the match anyways, as he manages to pull off a win at the end of his WAM Celebration Cup journey.
12mercury (FL) 29 – 29 _ccooldudecool_ (MI)
Sitting on 4 points, Cooldude's spot in the round of 16 was not yet guaranteed. He knows that his margin of advancing has gotten a lot tougher now that Mercury has arrived in Maraqua and started her matches. The Faerieland team barely had a chance to catch their breath and after a disappointing loss on their first day, fans are hoping that they can turn their game around and make a recovery. The majority of her squad was back to full health, and her top defender was well again. The referee blew the opening whistle and the match was underway. Immediately, Faerieland fans began to see the difference in their squad as they played like an entirely different team. The majority of the game was played in Cooldude's half as his defenders had their work cut out for them. Not know for their attacking plays, Mercury surprised everyone as her team took the early 7 – 0 lead. It looks like a healthy Faerieland team would be hard to beat. Cooldude was forced to help his defenders out and with few chances on goal, things didn't look so well for the Mystery Islander. The first half ended with Mercury leading, 14 – 3. However, as the referee began the second half, the tides had turned. Mercury's defender, who was previously out with the Sneezles, had picked up a minor arm strain, meaning that he would miss the remainder of the match. Bringing on a youthful and far less experienced player, Mercury decided to switch to a defensive 1 + 3 formation and try to protect their lead. Cooldude took this time and did what he does best: score. It was the complete opposite of the first half, and Cooldude was now dictating the play as he managed to catch up to his opponents. As the lone forward, Mercury scored the rest of her team's goals in the second half. However, the Faerieland side wouldn't be able to hang on to their previous lead and the match ended in a draw.
Group H: Ub3r_g00b3r (MT) 23 – 22 Shetawolfthe12th (MT)
With one Moltaran player unable to move on, fans are hoping that something can happen in Group H, which features two Moltaran players. Not a lot of matches have been played in group H, so these two sides will be looking to take control and assert themselves. The match was underway and Ub3r got the first goal after some clever plays between him and his defenders as they pulled off some tricky passes. Sheta was determined, however, to start her tournament off with a win. This game was very close, as both sides traded leads. At one moment, it could be Ub3r leading, the next, it would be Sheta. At the end of the first half, the score was dead even at 13 – 13. The majority of fans in the stadium were Moltarans and with both teams representing them, they didn't seem to care who won. Nonetheless, the ambiance in the arena was on fire as fans cheered on both squads. The second half kicked off, this time with Sheta making the first move as she skilfully scored on her first attempt with the sneaky mutant yooyu. She pulled away from Ub3r and led for some time, leading 22 – 18 but in the final few moments of the match, her opponents mustered up some last-minute efforts. It was a wild finish as Ub3r managed to take the lead in the last minute of play.
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Eevee133239: Hello! My name is Jeff and I'm one of the few sane players left on Terror Mountain. We have a long history of attracting the crazies to the mountain. Some come to be with their own kind and others see a mountain in their mashed potatoes. I don't ask questions, I just smile and do an occasional scream when I see lemon jelly... to fit in. I'm not really sure why I chose to play for TM way back in ACI but all the great people I met on the boards before AC2 is what has kept me coming back.
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
E: Amazing! Near the end of the first round I thought people were too worried about maintaining out Shootout Showdown streak and would ignore the other games but we pulled together to make a few late upsets and made it into the 3rd tier. When we beat Haunted Woods in the first round of the finals I knew we could win our tier and next year I think we can compete for the Championship.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
E: It feels great being able to show everyone that we aren't all just ShoSho masters on the mountain and that we can compete with some of the best Yooyuballers in all of Neopia.
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
E: I like to spend a little time in the Battledome fighting with the Snowager before every match. I know if I can beat him I can beat anyone at anything. Then I put my hands in the snow so I can handle the snow yooyu a bit easier.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
E: Hmmm... Well I guess one of my strengths is that I have great accuracy. I know some other people miss with the fire yooyu and when it bounces off the wall the other team just tosses it across the field and into the net. If the other team never gets the yooyu they can never score. A weakness I guess is that I like to let everyone on the field get a few goals each game. I'd rather win 13-0 and let my defence get some goals than win 15-0 with only one player doing all the scoring.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
E: The mutant yooyu definitely gives me the most trouble. It refuses to cooperate with me at the end of matches. Sometimes I think about taking it back to the ToTM boards and letting Carly play with it for a while, maybe then it will do what I want it to. :P My favorite is probably the clockwork yooyu. Sometimes I need a little explosion to keep me awake on those long marathons.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
E: Well I don't really know how many fans I have out there but I guess I can say a few words. Thank you, everybody, for your support. I'm sure you're all busy during the offseason. All the sane people have left ToTM to continue on with their normal activities and all that is left are the sanity-impaired players that enjoy throwing homemade yellow snowballs at each other and tie everything to... everything. But having you applaud my victories, those of you that don't have their hands tied to their chest with those trendy long sleeved jackets, and give me a pat on the back when I lose, even though you usually put a big sign on my back that says 'LOSER' except Carly who puts honey on my back then releases bears, puts a smile on my face. :-)
T: Homemade...yellow snowballs. o.O Well, Jeff, thanks for the interview and best of luck for the rest of the WAMCC! Enjoy the tournament.
We've only got two match results today! Be sure to play your games as soon as possible because the group stages are ending soon.
Group A: Lucyliu94 (TM) 28 – 23 Neoaniluver (TM)
They fought alongside each other during the Altador Cup, but when it's time to meet face to face, all friendships are put on hold. In this classic Terror Mountain match-up, Lucy hopes to secure another 3 points and cement her place at the top of Group A. Meanwhile, Neo's putting her previous match behind her as she looks to put her campaign back on track. Both teams were heading onto the field, but which one would leave better off in the group standings? Dominating the first half of the game, Lucy was at the front of the attack force, scoring yooyu after yooyu. Though Neo's team was more defence-oriented, they had trouble holding the back line and every time they made a mistake, Lucy and her team were there to clean up. At half-time, Lucy was leading, 12 – 7. The second half started with a tactical substitution on Neo's team, as she subbed her starting goalie off in exchange for a goalkeeper that had far more experience, but lacked stamina and energy. Though the switch aided her team on the defensive side, they still had to catch up as Lucy and her fellow forwards kept scoring. As one of the only teams in the tournament using a pure attacking 3 + 1 formation, it looks like no one can stop Lucy's attackers. In the end, Neo's defensive team couldn't catch up on the scoring front as she loses her second match to a fellow TMer.
Group D: Weirdo12344555 (KI) 26 – 27 Lexrevived (BV)
For one side, their WAM Celebration Cup campaign is on the brink. For the other team, their journey is already over. As he starts his second match, Weirdo knows that anything less than a win could put him out of the tournament. After losing this first match to Nikitha, he'll need to capture the full 3 points if he wants to keep close to the current second place holder in their group, Kyky1771. Meanwhile, Lexrevived's WAM Celebration Cup has come to a close, as he will be exiting the tournament in the group stage, regardless of the outcome. While many fans believed that his team wouldn't play their best, his goalkeeper assures them that this isn't the case. They'll be giving it their best effort and even though they won't be moving on, it'll be one last hurrah for Brightvale. The match got off to a shaky start after one of the Krawk Island defenders made a poor tackle on Lexrevived, for which the referee awarded the Brightvale team with a penalty. Stepping up to take it was none other than the captain himself, as Lexrevived opened up the scoring, making no mistakes with that penalty. From then on, the match was neck in neck, as both teams had equal opportunities. At half-time, the score was 14 – 14. The second half started with even more emotion than the first, as Brightvale fans were now chanting and singing for their side, staying on their feet for their beloved team. Weirdo took the early goal after Lexrevived's defender mishandled the yooyu. Like the first half, neither side had any advantage with the score was always tied. With mere seconds left on the clock, Lexrevived made a spectacular shot, one that would be the game-winning goal. With all 3 of his matches played, he leaves the tournament as a hero for Brightvale fans across Neopia.
In a press conference last night, the head referee for the WAM Celebration Cup spoke to reporters about two recent matches that were played. After looking at tapes and replays from the two games in question, they came to a unanimous decision. Here's what he had to say:
As some of you know, there has been some controversy lately over two matches in Group B, specifically _ccooldudecool_ (MI) vs. Niddyz (KD), and _ccooldudecool_ (MI) vs. chi_chi1548286 (KI). After reviewing the matches, the other referees and I have come to a conclusion. We will begin with the match between Cooldude and Niddyz. As you may know, the controversy regarding this match came in the last minute of play, with Cooldude's shot on net with the fire yooyu. The KD goalkeeper appeared to have saved it, but after checking the replays, the fire yooyu was clearly over the line. Therefore, Cooldude will be awarded with the goal. This means that the draw between Niddyz and Cooldude no longer stands and the score has been changed to 30 – 29. Cooldude will be awarded with the full three points. The second match that needed reviewing was between Cooldude and Chi_chi. Again, this concerns the ruling of a goal late in the game. The score was 29 – 29 when Cooldude managed to score the game winning yooyu, giving him a score of 30. However, though it was ruled as a goal at the time by the assistant referee, reviews of the goal showed that this is not the case. In order to be considered a goal, the entire yooyu must pass the line at the bottom of the net, which it did not. So, in this case, the goal awarded to Cooldude will not stand. Therefore, the final score is Chi_chi 29 – 29 Cooldude.
There were a lot of gasps and shock around the room as people wondered why the official referees would wait so long to announce such an important decision. The official score is Cooldude 30 – 29 Niddyz, meaning that the KD side has no points from two games. On the other hand, Chi_chi had now been awarded with a point from the draw. Catching up with the head referee after the press conference, we ask him about these decisions.
We review each and every match, so that's part of the reason why it took a longer period of time to call out. This goal line technology is very new", he says, "we're still trying to see whether or not it's effective and can be worked into the game. I believe it's a tremendous help to the referees but only time will tell. Without this technology, Chi_chi would have been robbed of a point from her match with Cooldude.
So, what does this mean for Group B? Well, Chi_chi and Cooldude now lead the table with 4 points each. Niddyz has yet to register any points and the last member of the group 12mercury, well, no one's quite sure whether or not she's arrived in Maraqua for the event yet.
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Kalhana: Hi I'm Kal. *waves* I'm a DC Minion. I've been playing for the minions two years now. The reason I chose my team wasn't based on anything other than the fact of their colors. I have never been one for bright colors. I actually knew nothing about the AC at all when I joined. After joining DC, then I got to know my teammates, and now I don't think I could ever leave them. Once you get past DC's bad reputation, my team mates are a great group of people.
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
K: My team's performance this year was awesome! We all worked together and pulled really hard for the team. We each set a goal of how much to do each day, and it seemed to work out well. *holds up our third place trophy* It may not be a top trophy, but we are the first team to get every spot.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
K: To me, representing my team in the WAM cup was just for fun. I knew I would never get very far, but I love playing YYB and this kept me interested enough so I would watch the results of everyone else.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
K: My strengths would have been the amount I could play. I am a very consistent player, after getting used to things again at the beginning of the AC I would almost always score 12 goals and above. But my weakness has always been I cannot seem to get 15 goals. No matter how fast I go, I never have enough time for that extra goal.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
K: My favorite YYB has got to be the Fire YYB. I find that one the easiest to score with, just run up along the goal posts, and Bam! Goal! Now, I just wish I could do that with the snow and mutant YYBs. The other team always seem to turn into Super Goalie for the Snows on me, and the Mutants love to become Dagiran balls on me, unless I plan for them to be Dagiran balls. *laughs*
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
K: *waves to any fans* I would tell my fans thanks, it was fun. But please continue cheering for the other players as I am.
T: Thanks for the interview Kal, and enjoy the rest of the tournament!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Icedolfin: Well hello there, thanks for having me. I'm dyl0n or Pickle or Dylon, the dude with the loony ESKIMO ducks or basically whatever you feel like calling me. I am a member of Team Terror Mountain and have been since the very first Altador Cup. I wish I could say I joined the team for the colors but seeing as I am colorblind I can't make that claim. Instead it is mainly the fact that TOTM couldn't live without me. xD I told them this most recent AC that I wasn't going to be able to play due to work and school and I had Carly curled up in a ball crying and a few others NMing me constantly telling me that I had to play, so wish I saved those NMs, so I decided to make time to play and I am glad I did. Oh, and for the record, the only seemingly sane TMer is Jeff so you might get a normal interview out of him. Also, I feel it should be known that Carly and Lucy are attached at Carly's right index finger and Lucy's left ring finger. Plus, they are both playing from a nice padded cell in the TOTM basement.
T: O.o ...I...uh... Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
I: Well first off, I am impressed. The way we were able to organize the team and make sure we gave our all everyday was amazing. I wish I could say I helped with the SOSD streak but I hate the game so I focused on other stuff. Either way, we kept the streak alive for a while and even when losing the streak, we didn't fall apart and just worked harder than ever to win the rest of our matches with quite a few successful days in the end.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
I: If I could have I would have played for TY or AL. Actually, it is exciting. I joined last year and had so much fun with it that I knew once it started that I would be joining again. I am glad though that I was able to get Lucy and Carly to try their luck in qualifying and now we are all playing in the round of 32. Sadly, only 3 of us can possibly move on at this point. :/
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
I: Well, first I have to make sure that Carly and Lucy have not killed each other and that Carly gets her daily plate of pizza and Lucy gets her daily plate of jello. I also find it soothing to slap Carly with my Frozen Battle Spork, poke Lucy's arm, and wave hello to Jeff, if he is ever around. xD Other than that, I do nothing because no matter how much I can practice, who is to say that the results from practicing will carry over into my actual games...
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
I: Carly wishes she could say her strengths are that she was awesome and hilarious. Everyone knows that I am the awesome one of TM and Phil is the Hilarious one. Ummmm...My GPG is pretty decent so that tends to help out but I get bored quickly sometimes, depending on if I was able to get a full 3 hours of sleep or not. Plus, each game score matters more in the WAM Cup than in the AC so the need to get perfect games gets me frustrated sometimes.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
I: Fire is ebil. If I happen to miss then I have run around trying to catch it and there are those times where I can't get it quick enough and I get scored on... Mutant has to be one of my favorites because everything else is predictable and easy to score but when it comes to the Mutant it goes all over the place and it just adds some excitement to my games. However, Snow is my favorite simply because of my team and because its slow movement reminds me of how slow some of my teammates can be. *cough* Carly *cough*
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
I: Yes, yes I do. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WASTE YOUR TIME CHEERING FOR ME???? You have even better people to cheer for like Rusty, Jeff, and Chaud. Those guys are epic so why go "fanstalker" on me? Also, Carly is a letdown and Lucy is just strange so you don't have to bother cheering for them.
T: I'd have to say that was one of the most...interesting interviews I've had. Good luck to you and the TM team!
Group D: Nikitha51 (LD) 28 – 23 Weirdo12344555 (KI)
With one win and a draw, Nikitha enters this match knowing that the round of 16 is just on the other side of the horizon. On the other hand, Weirdo may be ranked 21st coming into the group stage, but as we saw yesterday, anything can happen and upsets are part of the game. Starting things off, Nikitha's squad returned to full force as one of her defenders made a full recovery. For the Krawk Islanders, the game started off a little nervously as this was their first match of the tournament. They focussed on defending and keeping the yooyu out of their half of the field. Nikitha and her squad were constantly attacking Weirdo's defensive line, scoring multiple goals at the same time. By the end of the first half, the score was 15 – 3 in favour of Nikitha. The KI fans were hoping for a stronger showing by their team, as the second half started. Their wishes were answered when Weirdo managed to make a clever move and wormed his way through the LD defence. Though his team was definitely stronger now, he failed to catch up as Nikitha demonstrated why she's a major threat. Perhaps the KI team played a bit too cautious, as they fell to the Lost Desert side, 28 – 23.
Group B: Niddyz (KD) 29 – 29 _ccooldudecool_ (MI)
It was a tale of redemption for Niddyz, after losing his opening game. As the only Kreludor representative, the weight of an entire planet is on his shoulders. On the other side, winning his opening match was just the beginning as Cooldude looks forward to the round of 16. For these determined players, how will their story end? The competition between these two was sure to be a firecracker as Niddyz is famous around Neopia for his strong defenders, while Cooldude has some of the best forwards in the business. A clash of two distinct styles, it seemed that neither team had any huge advantage over the other. Cooldude opened the scoring, but soon found himself backpedalling as the KD squad launched a skilful attack. By the end of the first half, score was tied at 14 – 14. Both captains decided to stick to their gameplan as the second half showed more of the same. Though Cooldude's forwards had the technique and were more creative with the yooyu, Niddyz' defence was just too good. Making no mistakes whatsoever, they were also an essential part of the attack force as well. The KD team had fewer scoring chances than the MI squad, but whenever they were given the opportunity, Niddyz was sure to score. In the end, this match ended in a draw.
Group A: Lucyliu94 (TM) 30 – 28 Eevee133239 (TM)
As the top qualifier, all eyes were on this Terror Mountain match-up as Lucy begins her WAM Celebration Cup matches. Though she came down with a severe case of Neogitus, she recovered in time to play her fellow TMer, Eevee. Having the all-around team, Lucy has what it takes to make it all the way to the top. However, Eevee's not letting his competition scare him. The match started off with a Terror Mountain goal. From Lucy, of course. Early in the game, she began to pull away as she livened up the tempo, forcing Eevee to play catch-up. At the end of the first half, the score was 16 – 8 in favour of Lucy. Starting the second half with a new formation, Eevee decided to switch things up to a defensive 1 + 3 line-up. Will this make any different though? The answer? Definitely yes. From then on, Lucy had difficulty scoring as Eevee's three defenders stood their ground. The message was clear. No one was getting past them. As the lone forward, the goals would have to come from Eevee and though he was alone up front, he managed to keep within distance of Lucy. However, her lead at the end of the first half would keep her safe, and she takes the close win.
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Chi_chi1548286: Hey, thanks for having me :) I'm chi_chi1548286, or, easily known as Chi_Chi for short. I play for Krawk Island and their fans all across Neopia, including the fans in Kreludor and Virtupets Space Station (you know who you are). I have been playing for Krawk Island since the beginning of time (ok, since the beginning of the ACI), and have been with them since then. My main reason for joining? To try and get close to Garven Hale. Just something about a big, strong Bori that makes a girl shiver. Oh, what? He is already taken? *shifts eyes* NEXT QUESTION!!
T: Hmm, wonder what Garven's thinking when he reads this. *chuckles* Anyways, let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
C: I think we did a tremendous job with what we were up against. We were up against some powerhouse teams like KD and LD, and let's not forget about MQ or DC. But the biggest thing that we were up against, the 2nd year curse. We tried so hard to get into that first tier and take first place again, and be the first team to win two years in a row. But I think that curse got the best of us, and we faltered on some matches we should have clearly won.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
C: It means the world to me. It's an honor to be standing here, in front of everyone that is watching the Cup. Although, some days it's a little nerve wracking, knowing that everyone is watching your every move, since we are playing mano-a-mano.
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
C: I will be studying everyone's games. Seeing what their weaknesses are, what their strengths, how they play their games, ect. I'll also do a bit of practicing in between, but come on, I'm from Krawk Island, and we don't need to practice, because we are just THAT good. As for pre-match routines, Dasher Soley and I always go onto the field early in the morning and he and I play one on one. It's sad that he might be retiring, but I'm sure he legacy will live on.
T: True, he might be retiring from international play and the Altador Cup, but don't worry! He's still playing for his club. I don't think he'll ever retire from yooyuball completely! Moving on, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
C: My strength is experience. Playing in the AC for five years in a row with the same time is quite a feat. As for a weakness, Pirates don't have weaknesses...ok, we do. As you seen in my 2nd match against _ccooldudecool_, at the last few seconds of the game, I scored, but the ref didn't count it. I got in his face. I think anger is my weakness. I play to win, and will fight to win!
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
C: Mutant and Darigan yooyu's give me the most troubles. Favorite, fire, because it's hot like me!
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
C: Arrr! I be gettin' the WAM Cup and brigin' it home on thee Black Pawkeet for yarr to see! Yo ho ho and a bottle of grog! CHEERS!!!!
T: Spoken like a true pirate. Good luck and enjoy the rest of the WAMCC!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Neoaniluver: No problem. =3 Well, I'm Carly, and I will start by clearing some things up; I don't run after people with boxes and tape. That is /not/ cool. I actually entice people with chocolate in a box, and then shut it on top of them. =D Haha, just kidding. I may be slightly crazy, but not as crazy as Lucy wants everyone to believe. =K She's just trying to mess up my game, I say! Well, I support Terror Mountain, obviously, because my favorite color is blue. Prytariel our team captain is adorable, and if I didn't join, the whole team would be lost without me. :* I'm kidding again, but I stick around every year because of the people there. They're like my family, and I love them. No matter how much I try to have a life, my separation anxiety gets the best of me and I always end up coming back. D= In all honesty, how could I leave my delusional and slightly insane penguins, even if I wanted to? ^o^
T: *laughs* This Terror Mountain team just keeps getting more interesting by the interview! Anyways, let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
N: Overall, I think Terror Mountain did great, especially with our previous record. We went into ACV expecting to just do our best, not really caring how we finished, and everyone else seemed to think we would finish around 12th. Honestly, I think we even shocked ourselves when not only did we have the longest lasting streak of ACV and the longest lasting Altador Cup streak OF ALL TIME, but we also came in 9th to boot, which was a personal best for the team. We did our best for sure, and not only have we shown other teams not to underestimate us, but we've also learned not to underestimate ourselves. I think we're truly capable of anything at this point. =)
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
N: It's really an honor, actually. I didn't think I would care so much; I just went into it thinking "Hey, I might as well do this because it looks fun," but now, seeing how well my teammates are doing, I've actually gotten pretty competitive. I want to do my best for the awesome team I'm lucky enough to be a part of, but I'll certainly be cheering for Dyl0n, Lucy and Jeff as well. Just after I get the Fire Yooyus onto my side and burn Lucy's pajamas. )=3
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
N: Well, I really just practice a lot and try to calm my vigorously shaking arms. That's about it, though I may post something like "GOODLUCK DYLON, LUCY AND JEFF, WE'RE GOING TO DO AWESOME~" on the TOTM board when I actually mean "Lucy and Jeff, FAILFAILFAIL. But Dyl0n, you can go and beat everyone in your group." -nod- All right, I'm just kidding again. =P I really just practice and try not to completely bomb it.
T: Moving on, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
N: My strengths are that I'm awesome, hilarious, and everyone loves me. I have no weaknesses. B) Except for the fact that I get really nervous and am horrible under pressure, and that I get confused whenever I play against the Terror Mountain team. ^-^ And maybe the fact that I don't have much of a life either...But that's probably a strength when it comes to the WAMCC, right? ;P
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
N: I like the fire yooyus and normals, of course, because I can usually actually score with those. What I have trouble with? All of the others. =P Particularly the mutants, though. I'm convinced that Lucy has turned them against me. ;_;
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
N: KEEP ROOTING HARD, I WON'T LET YOU DOWN hopefully. =P Haha, just teasing. I'm going to try my best, no matter how bad at Yooyuball I am. ^-^ Also, Lucy is a compulsive liar and has pajamas with mutant yooyus on them. Don't ask me how I know this. -shifty eyes- Lastly, good luck to everyone, but especially my fellow penguins. =3
T: Interviews with TMers - it's insanity! I believe we've learned a lot today, Carly, ahahaha. Good luck for the rest of the cup!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
_Ccooldudecool_: Hey there, I'm Chaud and I want the cup badly! I broke all my other drinking cups. This is my second WAM cup I've played in which last time I made top 4 getting 2nd, but the field of competitors was much smaller and easier. I play on Mystery Island. Been with them for like...forever. I love surfing so that lead to me picking MI. They're like family to me and I know quite a few of them well.
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
C: We were horrible. Which I'm glad. I hate being the winner that everyone freeloads on and expects to win. Being the underdog is an amazing feeling going into next cup. I'm so ecstatic that we did so bad!
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
C: It means that underdogs can win a cup that is ran by fish. I mean I live over the fish, eat the fish, I breath the fish...okay not really, but you get the idea. We, no I, can win the cup easily (NOT).
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
C: I spend a few games (like 10 per competitor ) just practicing their techniques and using it against them. Like they say, practice makes perfect. Nobody is perfect. Therefore I'm nobody. I also listen to a lot of music while playing, usually rock.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
C: My strength has to be my speed and stealing ability. I am the fastest yooyuballer EVER which helps me intercept passes. My weaknesses consist of talking too much, which can sometimes distract me while yooyuballing. Along
with bad aim...I usually make all my shots by lucking out.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
C: Whoo. I have so much trouble with any yooyu. I gotta say the mutant gives me the hardest time. Whenever I run towards the goal it just stares blank into my eyes...evilly...causing me to throw it randomly and run away. The snow and fire yooyu are my favorites. The snow bonds with my coolness and often slides right into the goal. The fire shows my
burning passion for the game and burns through the defenders.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
C: THEY ARE WHO I THOUGHT THEY WERE! And keep rooting for me. I'll sign autographs once the cup is over ^_^ yooyuball on
T: You heard it here folks – Chaud will be hosting an autograph session! *laughs* Good luck in the cup!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Shetawolfthe12th: Well, as I said before, my name is Sheta. I am 13 years young. On Neopets I like to collect avatars and collect neopoints. I enjoy music, volleyball, basketball, and watching highschool football. I chose team Moltara because I thought they could do well this cup, being the first year kind of team. I believe I will stay with them next year even because of their loss this year.
T: Anyways, let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
S: Our team's performance wasn't the best that we could be. We could have done much better if we had dedicated ourselves more to the game. Now, I only got up to rank two, but I would say I tried my best. I played every day as much as I could, but tried not to be too obsessive with the game to spend too long on the computer. Coming in last this year will only propel our spirit to win next year!
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
S: It means a lot that I got to represent GEARS and Moltara this year. I hope I can make it far this year. It would be great to get past the second round. Erm, I guess this is the first round and we are going for the second round...I was surprised I made it past the qualification, but I am glad and now will try my best to make it to the top for good ole' team Moltara!
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
S: Well, to tell you the truth, I will most likely only be playing on the games needed. I get enough practice redoing the games that I get Darigan yooyus in, since I just turn and shoot them in my own goal to save time...I may get into practicing if I ever get the time!
T: An interesting strategy! Moving on, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
S: I would say all my strengths and weaknesses are focused on the other teams formation. If they are 2-2, I am all good. Otherwise, I have a hard time with faerie balls and sometimes mutant. I won't restart a game because they are not in 2-2 formation, but it helps. Now, my weaknesses are certainly with the yooyus. The Darigan yooyus are the worst for me! As said before, I just turn around after snatching it and put it in my net. After I learned that points in my net go against me, I had to redo it, which I have failed to do so. After I write this, I will most likely go do it.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
S: As said before, the Darigan is the worst for me! I can never get it right when I shoot it and end up spending a whole minute or more on that one yooyu! I found it easier to just put it in my own goal and get over with it. I do, however, like the Faerie yooyu. I have learned how to manoeuvre it to hit the goal and to go to my team mates again if I miss.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
S: If there are any there, I say thanks x3
T: I'm sure you have a lot of people rooting for you, especially the Moltarans! Good luck!
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
Roddy1999: I thought we did great, I wish we could have played LD in the finals though.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
R: It feels awesome, I'm having a blast!
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
R: I think my strength is offense; I go all out against the defending team.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble?
R: The mutant, it once acted like a Darigan 6 times in a row.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
R: I'm taking the cup to the Citadel.
T: Good luck Roddy and enjoy the rest of the cup!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Weirdo12344555: I am one of my school's best basketball players and enjoy being it. I chose my team in ACI because I liked pirates. My team, Krawk Island, is tied for the best record overall. We are a group of hardworking players.
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
W: My team's performance wasn't as good as normal but we did tie the average for the winners curse.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
W: It means that I get to try and help my team win another cup!
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
W: I have no pre-match routines, just play and score goals.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
W: My strengths are strategies and speed. My weakness is patience.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
W: The yooyu that gives me the most trouble is snow, because I am impatient and fail when it comes to big goalies. The yooyu that is my favorite is mutant. I may not excel with it but I enjoy it because it is like me; random!
T: Nice! Not a lot of people like the mutant yooyu. Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
W: To my fans rooting for me, I enjoy representing you guys, but if I don't succeed at least I tried!
T: Thanks for the interview! Best of luck for the rest of the cup!
Tloef: Thanks for joining us! Start off by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and why you chose to play for them.
Disciple_fan_1: Well, my name is Jake and I played for Haunted Woods in ACV. Haunted Woods is a great team to play for. They have amazing sportsmanship. I have played for HW since ACI *on a different account of course* and haven't left since.
T: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
D: We started out the season absolutely horrible, getting only two wins in our first nine games, without one win in YYB. After that, we went on what is probably the most amazing streak of the season for any team. We even had near sweeps of both KD and LD, the two teams in the championship match. We had a very disappointing match against MQ, which ended up sealing our fate as a tier 3 team. This may have been our worst final placement ever, but we played the best we have since ACI.
T: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
D: I feel honored to be able to represent Haunted Woods. Being the only HWer in the cup, I know I have plenty of people rooting for me. :D
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
D: No, not really any pre-match routines, but there are a few things I do while I am playing. I always have a cup of mountain dew by my side, Disciple blasting on the speakers, and usually something to munch on.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
D: My strength is that I have the ability to play a perfect game every game. My weakness is that I am much too inconsistent to do it. There were times during the Altador cup were I would get ten 15-0 games in a row, and there were also times when I would get ten 10-0 games in a row. It is very frustrating, and kept my GPG this year at around 12.
T: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
D: Here are two that I just absolutely hate. The mutant Yooyu is, of course, the worst. I can't believe that anybody didn't say that for this question. The snow yooyu during late game is probably just as annoying, and much more frustrating because of how easy it is to score with it early game. My favorite Yooyu would probably be Faerie, as I find it the easiest to score with.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
D: I would like to thank my fans from both OHWD and from BoB. I have a lot of BVers rooting for me in this cup along with my Haunties, and I hope to make them all proud! :D
T: Thanks for the interview! Good luck for the rest of the tournament!
Group D: Nikitha51 (LD) 30 - 30 Kyky1771 (BV)
Can Nikitha make it 2 for 2? Or will Kyky avenge his fellow Brightvaler, Lexrevived, after yesterday's defeat? Let's get these match reports started, shall we? First off, Nikitha's team was hit with an injury as one of her top defenders was forced to sit out. No problem though, because the replacement was just as experienced so it didn't make any difference at all. Kyky, at the forefront of the Brightvale attack force, decided to shake things up a bit, switching from a defensive 1 + 3 formation, to a balanced 2 + 2 formation. The match was spectacular, as both teams were relying on their technique and passing skills to win the day. Nikitha, known for striking early, had a close chance to open up the scoring but was foiled by Kyky's reliable goalkeeper. On the counter-attacker, Kyky managed to put the snow yooyu into the net. At half-time, the score was 16 - 14 in his favour. The second half began with yet another substitution as Nikitha's fellow forward picked up a sprained ankle. Deep into the game, Kyky lost his lead after Nikitha scored a handful of yooyus in the space of just 5 minutes. However, the Brightvaler fought back and forced a draw. Both teams take home one point and are still undefeated in the group stage.
Group E: 1337revenge (KI) 30 - 29 Frogfrog109 (MT)
Frogfrog needs a win, and she needs it desperately if she wants a chance at progressing from the group stage. In her final match of the group stage, she faces the infamous Revenge, known for being a tough talking, rough hitting, no nonsense KI pirate. The cards are definitely stacked against her, but how will she do? The match was underway and Frogfrog was the first to score, but every time that she did, it seemed Revenge was right there, launching a counter-attack. The Moltarans had the speed and energy, but the Krawk Islanders had strength and experience. At half-time, the match was dead even with a score of 15 - 15. The second-half showed a lot of promise as Revenge's team began to falter, making uncharacteristic mistakes that led to Frogfrog being able to pull ahead. However, Revenge got his team into shape and they were solid for the rest of the match. With the score at 30 - 29 and the KI team leader, Frogfrog had once last chance to score a goal. The Moltarans went on the attack, and as the seconds ticked down she threw the mutant yooyu into the net...but it acted like a Faerie yooyu instead! It had the goalkeeper beaten but ended up hitting the crossbar! Yet again, the Moltara team lost with the exact same score line. It was extremely disappointing for Frogfrog, who played her very best yooyuball in this match. Though she lacked the experience others have, she makes up for it with determination, a willingness to learn, and a tremendous passion for the game. This Moltara youngster may not have picked up any points in the tournament, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see her on Moltara's team roster in the future, playing alongside the likes of Beign and ABS.
Group E: 1337revenge (KI) 29 - 30 Icedolfin (TM)
It was another interesting match-up, this time featuring a Krawk Islander and a Terror Mountain player. Revenge hopes that he can continue his WAM Celebration Cup with more wins, while on the other side of the field, Icedolfin was said to be entering the match feeling confident and relaxed for his last match. The match kicked off to a slightly dull start, as both sides were content on defending. Playing the yooyu around the field at pedestrian pace, it looked like this would end in a 0 – 0 draw! However, Revenge made the first move with a sneaky pass to his fellow teammate which opened up Icedolfin's defence. Revenge moved within striking distance and when he got the fire yooyu, he scored with ease. The game definitely got more exciting and the pace of the game picked up. At half-time, the score was a draw, 10 – 10. Though the crowd was worried the second half would start slowly, they were in for a treat as both sides were now playing for the win. Considered to be an upcoming yooyuball star, Icedolfin dominated the second half and showed people why he could be a major contender for the trophy. Technique, style, grace, and the determination to boot, Icedolfin was a scoring machine, one that Revenge couldn't turn off. The match ended with a close win for Icedolfin , as he takes the 3 points.
Group G: Gbraing (MQ) 24 - 27 Roddy1999 (DC)
With a win and a loss under his belt, Roddy knows that the time to act is now. As he goes up against the 9th place qualifyer, all Darigan fans are hoping for victory. At the other end of the field is a crowd favourite, Gbraing, who heads into this tournament for the first time. He's a seasoned veteran, having played for the Maraquan club, Kelp United, in his early days and leading them to various trophies. Barely a minute into the match and already the crowd was treated to a Maraquan goal with Gbraing putting the yooyu into the net. Both teams looked shaky, and weren't scoring in huge numbers. At half-time, the score was 8 - 4 in favour of the home team. It seemed that both of these captains gave their team some pep talks during the break as the second half was much more exciting. Five minutes in and Roddy was now leading after Gbraing's side made numerous tactical mistakes. The DC team was now capitalizing on every little error made, while Gbraing's defenders kept on getting their strategies mixed up. Though Gbraing tried to fight back, Roddy delivered the final blow and pulled ahead with only minutes remaining, ensuring a Darigan Citadel win and Maraquan heartbreak.
Group B: chi_chi1548286 (KI) 29 – 30 _Ccooldudecool_ (MI)
It was a battle between the islands as Chi_chi looks for another win, while Cooldude is hoping to start off his WAM Celebration Cup campaign with a 3-point win. Though many previous matches have been hit with injury woes, both of these teams were fit and ready to play. The first to score was Cooldude, after he tore up the opposition's defence. Both teams are known for their attacking expertise with little focus on defending, so the crowd was in for a high-scoring match. Midway through the first half, Chi_chi had gained the lead after she was given a penalty. Though she had the mutant yooyu in her hand, luck was on her side as it behaved like a fire yooyu. The second-half began with a score of 15 – 9, favouring the pirates. The question was, could Cooldude fight back? Though both sides were sticking to their game plans, Cooldude and his team showed that they had the better all-around team. He managed to claw his way back and within minutes of the end, scored a crucial goal to put him ahead.
Group G: Gbraing (MQ) 27 - 28 Luckynorris123 (MQ)
It was a battle between two Maraquan players as WAMCC newcomer Gbraing takes on the previous champ, Luckynorris. Coming off his defeat to Roddy, Gbraing knows he has to keep his focus. It would seem that Gbraing had the upper hand, as he was seeded 9th while Luckynorris was 13th, but in the game of yooyuball, the only numbers that matter is the final score line. The game got off to a great start for Gbraing, who obviously kept his composure. Playing like an entirely different team, he opened the scoring after netting the clockwork yooyu just in time. Luckynorris, however, took full advantage of Gbraing's inexperienced defenders, and pulled off some spectacular goals. It looked like it was coming down to Gbraing's superior scoring talents and Luckynorris' talented defence. The half-time whistle blew and the score was 13 - 10, in favour of Gbraing. The second half was underway and Gbraing's defence seemed to have gotten worse. Luckynorris's defender intercepted a poorly played fire yooyu, and before you know it, they were on the attack. Handing the yooyu off to Luckynorris, he made an absolutely brilliant goal from the halfway line, which is sure to be on the highlight reels tonight. In the end, Gbraing came so close, but couldn't hold on to a draw as Luckynorris gets one step closer to defending his title. Though Gbraing's forwards were scoring their fair share of goals, it was the defensive line that proved to be his ultimate downfall as he fails to register any points in his second match.
Phil: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
Gbraing: Maraqua did awesome, most of the time! We pulled out some really big wins when we needed to and matched our great performance from last year.
P: Is this your first time competing in the WAM Celebration Cup?
G: Yes, it is, and I'm really excited!
P: Which Neopet on your team is your favorite?
G:Many people are Elon fans, but Dorina was my top scorer.
P: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
G:It makes me very proud to represent Maraqua along with many of my other teammates. We do host it, after all!
P: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
G: I'd love to win it, of course! I won't feel bad about losing if I do my best.
P: Which formations do you like using? Which opponent formations do you prefer?
G: I like using the 3+1 formation because it gives me lots of offensive strength. I prefer to face the 2+2 formation because Dorina can go right up the middle and score without having to dodge multiple defenders.
P: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
G: I score lots of goals on a consistent basis, leading to a high overall GPG, but I probably have more trouble getting 15-0 after 15-0 than some of the other competitors.
P: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
G: Don't even THINK about rooting for anybody else. Remember, the Meepits are watching! ;D
Posted By: special guest reporter Phil (poooop675567)
Phil: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
Luckynorris123: Maraqua worked extremely hard this year and I am proud although next year we need to aim for the top spot.
P: Is this your first time competing in the WAM Celebration Cup?
L: I competed last year and won.
P: Which Neopet on your team is your favorite?
L: Elon.
P: Who do you think will be your biggest competition?
L: I don't really know. Everyone is equal competition.
P: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
L: Mutant; Fire.
P: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
L: It means everything to represent Maraqua, after all it's called the WAMCC for a reason.
P: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
L: My goal for this tournament is to try my very best at all times. I want to go all the way and be the champion for the second year in a row.
P: Which formations do you like using? Which opponent formations do you prefer?
L: 1+3 and 2+2.
P: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
L: I have a weakness with the Mutant yooyu, haha.
P: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
L: For all of my fans, I promise not to let you down as I try to become the champion this year again and bring the cup back to MARAQUA. (MARAQUA FTW!!! )
Posted By: special guest reporter Phil (poooop675567)
Group B: Chi_chi1548286 (KI) 28 – 26 Niddyz (KD)
It was a case of two powerhouses colliding as Chi_chi squared off against Niddyz. Not only that, there were a number of familiar faces in the crowd, like Kreludor's Derlyn Fonnet. Krawk Island star, "Dasher" Soley also gave us some pre-match predictions. "Yarr, this day belongs to the pirates! I predict a win for Chi_chi and her crew." Like many players in the KI league, Chi_chi's gameplan was simple: overwhelm the opponent with a ton of goals. Niddyz's game relied on his tough defenders holding the line, while assisting the forwards on their attack. At half-time, Chi_chi proved to have the better forwards as the score was 15 – 9 in her favour. However, the second half kicked off with an embarrassing mistake by one of the KI defenders, after they made a weak pass that was easily intercepted by Niddyz. He used his speed and got an early goal, but the tides were always in Krawk Island's favour, as the match was dominated by Chi_chi who kept scoring yooyu after yooyu. At the end, Niddyz came close, but just couldn't catch up.
Group F: Cdrex22 (MQ) 30 – 30 __questions__ (MI)
Any match featuring a Maraquan player is sure to be loud and the roar of the crowd was firmly behind Cdrex as he was hoping to emulate Luckynorris's success and win the match. On the other hand, Questions wasn't taking his opponent lightly, scheduling extra workout sessions with his team and made orders of island food to be sent to his training camp. One of his teammates said, "Questions' pouring everything he's got into this game. He's trying to stay injury-free and healthy." The game started off with a bang as both sides took every chance they had, stealing the yooyu from their opponent and trying to create scoring opportunities. Questions took an early 5 – 0 lead, and maintained his margin well into the first half. Cdrex's team was losing hope, but he managed to rally his players and scored the next 8 goals in quick succession. After that, neither team showed any true advantage. This was the first match so far to end in a draw, so both players earn 1 point.
Group D : Nikitha51 (LD) 30 – 27 Lexrevived (BV)
Speaking with members of Lex's entourage, they said that the Brightvaler was confident and was shaking off his earlier loss. On the other hand, Nikitha hopes to add another victory for The Lost Desert. As for the game, many called it one of the most controversial matches so far, complaining about the poor refereeing and his decision to award numerous penalty shots. The game started off with Lex employing his familiar strategy, keeping possession of the yooyu for as long as possible. Many wondered why he was sticking to the same strategy that failed in him the first match, but the BV player kept his composure. Late in the first half, one of Lex's defenders tripped Nikitha inside the goalkeeper's box, and the referee awarded a penalty to the LD player. Nikitha stepped up and successfully converted the shot. At half-time, the score was 19 – 22, with BV leading. Yet another dubious penalty was given to the LD team early in the second half of the match, and once again, Nikitha easily put the Faerie yooyu in the net. The BV defenders were clearly shaken and lacked any real presence. In the end, LD won the match by 3 goals. Brightvale fans are furious at the fact that their team were also fouled many times but weren't given any penalties for it. This is one match that many will be talking about in days to come.
Group G: Luckynorris123 (MQ) 27 – 25 Kalhana (DC)
Home favourite Luckynorris was looking to continue his winning streak and make it out of the group stages. Kalhana was hoping to register her first points for the tournament. The game got off to a fierce start, as Kalhana's team employed the usual highly physical style of play, with rough tackles that left her opponents with bruises. Luckynorris was ready for this, and instructed his team to try and create space on the field, limiting Kalhana's options. The Maraquan took the lead, and at half-time the score was in his favour, 10 – 3. Unlike last time, Kalhana had a much better second half as her team manage to take the lead just ten minutes into the game and she was now leading, 18 – 11. Seeing their team falling behind, the home crowd turned up the volume and Luckynorris was spurred on, scoring easily with every yooyu he had, whether it was Darigan, Faerie, or mutant. It was a close one for the previous champ, but he eventually regained the lead and never looked back.
Group E : Frogfrog109 (MT) 29 – 30 Icedolfin (TM)
Hoping to rebound from her first match loss, Frogfrog reached out to one of Moltara's yooyuball stars for guidance: Aldric Beign. He made the journey to Maraqua to assist Frogfrog with her strategies, though he was a little worried at first. "There's a bit too much water here," the MT captain said, "I guess I should probably stay inside!" Her opponent is one of the four TM players in the Cup and though he was ranked 15th in the qualifying round, Frogfrog wasn't taking any chances. The match started off with Frogfrog using her tremendous speed to seize the yooyu before her opponent, but what was different was the fact that her defenders were assisting the forwards on the attack. It's an extremely risky move, as they could be vulnerable to a counterattack from Icedolfin. On many occasions, they were. Icedolfin's known for his superb challenges and whenever he stole the yooyu, Frogfrog's defenders had to rush back to assist the goalkeeper. At half-time, the score was 15 – 8 in Frogfrog's favour. The second half started with a substitution as Frogfrog's goalkeeper was injured and they were forced to bring on someone with far less experience. Icedolfin and his team focused on one-touch passing and it proved to be too fast for the scrappy Moltarans. MT's young goalkeeper was by far the weakest link, as Icedolfin and his team fought their way back. Failing to register any points, Frogfrog unfortunately loses with the same score line again, 29 to 30.
Group E: Mrpanda1 (LD) 30 – 30 Icedolfin (TM)
As both of them won their opening match, it looked like it was going to be a close contest between these two players. Many felt that Icedolfin would be tired from his earlier match, but the word was that he's feeling better than ever. After yesterday's close win, Mrpanda knows that the round of 16 is just within his grasp. The fixture started off with a Lost Desert goal as Mrpanda converted a well-intercepted pass from one of his defenders. Though Icedolfin and his team were clearly exhausted, they played the game with a lot of heart and always kept Mrpanda on alert. At half-time, Mrpanda was leading, 16 – 9. Though it was clear that Mrpanda's team had more stamina and energy, he lacked the technique and experience of Icedolfin. The second half proved to be a thrilling showdown as Icedolfin managed to claw his way back. The Lost Desert team was leading 30 to 29, but Icedolfin wasn't about to let victory escape him. He launched one final attack and in the final seconds of the game, managed to score.
Tloef: Thanks for joining us for an interview! Let's get things started by telling us a bit about yourself, what team you joined, and why you joined them.
Ecology: The team I joined was KI or Krawk Island. This year I joined Krawk Island because this was my third year with them and they're the only AC team I have ever supported. I originally joined them in AC 3 because I liked the colors and the logo and well, pirates are pretty cool aren't they? I like turtles.
T: What a coincidence! I like turtles as well! Moving on, what does it mean for you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
E: It means a lot for me to represent my team in the WAMCC and that is because we didn't beat the winner's curse this year so if I win this cup for us it would be the next best thing.
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
E: I will be preparing for my next few games by practicing yyb 24/7...well maybe just a few games a day, but yeah I will be practicing. (: Hmmmm, well I make sure I have no distractions while I play, but that's about it.
T: As they say, practice makes perfect. So, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
E: My strengths are my determination and experience. My weaknesses or weakness, shall I say, is the fact that I get easily frustrated.
T: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
E: My goals for this tournament are to win and that is how far I want to go. That is all.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
E: I have fans? If so, thank you and I will bring the cup home.
T: Don't worry – I'm sure you have plenty of supporters backing you up! Thanks for the interview and best of luck. Win one for Ol' Dash, eh?
As the WAM Celebration Cup kicks off, fans travelled in droves to cheer on their respective representatives. From the cheerful Mystery Islanders to the pirates of Krawk Island, supporters are in no short supply here. Starting off the opening ceremony was WAM official, Francineh, who delivered a stirring speech to the spectators on behalf of the participants. International MQ star, Elon Hughlis, was also on hand to welcome each and every player to Maraqua. It was a truly festive event, with musical performances by The WAMmer Quartet and DJ Kelp. All matches will be taking place at Maraqua Sports Arena, which is the home stadium of the successful yooyuball club, Maraquan Marauders. Without further adieu, let's get the yooyuball action started!
Group H : Ub3r_g00b3r (MT) 28 – 29 Thelunaticofthegrass (AL)
It was a close match-up between these two players as neither side wanted to start their WAMCC campaign with a loss. Fuelled with the determination to strike early, Ub3r_g00b3r took to the field knowing that all of Moltara's hopes are placed on him. On the other side, Thelunaticofthegrass comes into the tournament with a long history of yooyuballing talent, training with the likes of Timu and Lyvon Cibaire. The match got off to a great start, with Ub3r_g00b3r receiving a well-timed pass from his teammate, opening the scoring just seconds into the game. Thelunaticofthegrass held her composure, and with cheers from the visiting Altadorian supporters, she fought her way back and scored the next handful of goals in quick succession. The score was tied at 28-28, but with just seconds left on the clock, she managed to put the tricky mutant yooyu in the back of the net, securing the full 3 points.
Group E: Frogfrog109 (MT) 29 - 30 Mrpanda1 (LD)
In group E, it was another Moltaran heartbreak as the second MT participant fails to register any points. With her speedy tracking, Frogfrog109 had the advantage in terms of yooyu possession, with over 60%. Stealing the yooyu out of her opponent's paws with finesse, she also had the majority of chances on goal, but was unable to capitalize when it counted most. Mrpanda1 was patient throughout the match, and used a combination of high technical plays and deadly accuracy to claim the win.
Group G: Roddy1999 (DC) 27 – 23 Kalhana (DC)
It was a hard-hitting, physical match to the very end as two of Darigan Citadel's best clashed in the opening game. Rough challenges, elbows flying into the opponents, you name it! Kalhana took the early lead as she ran circles around Roddy1999's defence, tearing it to shreds. Eventually, they got their act together and stopped letting her get through them so easily. By halftime, Roddy1999 gained the upper hand, having been awarded with two penalty shots, both of which he scored with no trouble. Unfortunately, Kalhana's team took a nosedive in the second half, as they were unable to get any shots on goal, leaving Roddy1999 and his teammates to clean up and take the win.
Group A: Eevee133239 (TM) 29 – 27 Neoaniluver (TM)
Though Terror Mountain were able to enter four of their top yooyuballers, it was unfortunate that three of them landed in the same group. "I can't believe it," one TM fan said, "that means only a few of them will move on. I hope that we get as many people through as possible." The match between these two TMers kicked off with Eevee133239 employing his familiar defensive strategy, while Neoaniluver focussed on attacking. It was a clash of styles, but in the end, it seems a good defence makes a great offence. Whenever the yooyu was snatched from Neoaniluver, her team was so deep in the opponent's half that they couldn't get back to properly defend, leaving Eevee133239 and his teammates with clear shots on goal.
Group G: Luckynorris123 (MQ) 28 - 22 Roddy1999 (DC)
Barely having time to catch his breath, Roddy1999 went up against some more tough competition with the likes of Luckynorris123, who has already won this tournament before. With the home side advantage and the majority of fans cheering for him, Luckynorris123 cruised to an easy victory. Many familiar faces were in the crowd, including MQ star, Dorina Hals. "He's a natural," she said after the match, "Watching him play was amazing because he's got so much skill." Though it was the DC player that opened the scoring, chances for him came far and few in between in the second half of the match. However, Roddy1999's talent with the Darigan yooyu is something to be admired, as he always scores in his first shot. His defenders have been criticized as they often leave the defensive line in order to join their teammates up front.
Group D: kyky1771 (BV) 28 – 27 Lexrevived (BV)
With Brightvale players, you know you're in for a treat. It was a battle of two strategic masterminds, each hoping to outsmart the other. So, how did it end? Well, let's get the good stuff out of the way first! Kyky1771 is known throughout Brightvale for his technique, making quick passes to teammates and using a combination of accurate throws and speedy footwork. On the other hand, Lexrevived is described by fans as being the 'old-school Brightvaler'. He stays patient and his team tries to keep as much possession of the yooyu as possible so that they can dictate the speed of the game. It's no surprise then that this match was very close. The score was always tied for the majority of the match as neither side had any advantage. Hoping to avoid a draw, Kyky1771 took a gamble and instructed his teammates to ditch their defending and go on the attack. It proved to be the smart move as he takes the narrow victory and gains the full 3 points.
Tloef: Thanks for sitting down with us for an interview. Let's start things off by talking about your team. Who do you play for and why did you choose them?
Lucyliu94: Terror Mountain. There really wasn't a choice involved. Carly duck taped me into a cardboard box at the beginning of the season and told me to play. During those 38 days of competition, the team organized mini competitions, challenges, races, and marathons to keep everyone motivated. I would never have played half as much if it wasn't for them. The fact that Carly taped my hands to the mouse helped as well, I guess. *unsure*
T: Looking back at the ACV, what were your favourite moments?
L: Escaping from Carly's cardboard box. Unfortunately I was too late. I had already fallen under the hypnosis of TM's team dedication. I found myself abusing the *clap* smilie as everyone continued to drop impressive hoards on the board (watching like 5 people post +1,441,200 ShoSho in a row is really quite something). Whether it was plotting where to divide our focus for the day, or learning to tolerate…and even laugh at the Kate jokes, I had a lot of fun throughout the AC. But my very favorite is probably the days that we decided to do YYB focuses, and surprised even ourselves with what our limited number of players was capable of pulling off.
T: I knew there was a subliminal message behind the *clap* smiliey! *shifty eyes* Anyways, why did you join the WAM Celebration Cup?
L: Who wouldn't want to join an event involving celebration for eating Maraqua ? :P What do you mean this isn't the 'We Ate Maraqua celebration'? :/ A YYB competition…I guess this could be an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite common belief, TM's YYB skill is not "very low."
T: *nods* With 4 participants in the Cup, TM's showing everyone that they're just as strong in YYB as they are in Shootout Showdown. In regards to how you play yooyuball, describe your style in three words.
L: Click. Spacebar. Spacebar.
T: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
L: The original goal was to have all 4 TMers that participated go as far as possible. Unfortunately, 3 of us ended up in the same group. *cry* New plan: OAD 0:-) *sprays Jeff, Carly, and dyl0n with mutant repellent* Good luck guys!! :D
T: Yes, I noticed a lot of TMers in the Cup. Looks like a Terror Mountain invasion! Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
L: To everyone in general: If you ever see Carly with duck tape and a cardboard box…RUN AWAAAY!! One last thing. A giant thank you to Franc, Grant, the judges, the interviewers, and everyone else that spent time putting this event together. ^.^
T: Thanks for the interview...and the warning! *laughs*:P
Phil: How would you describe your team's performance?
Cdrex22: As I expected. There were some ups and downs, but overall I would have been happy at the start of the cup with holding our fifth place spot, and that's what we did, even though we nearly fell out of the second tier in getting there.
P: Who do you think will be your biggest competition?
C: There are so many great players in this cup that it would be silly to think anyone here isn't big competition. But based purely on stats, I have to go with the top four seeds (the only ones to beat me in Round 1) as well as last year's champ Luckynorris.
P: Is this your first time competing in the WAM Celebration Cup?
C: My first full WAM Cup performance. I took part in the Ribbon Cup last year, but it was cancelled before finishing.
P: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
C: Mutant has to be my toughest ball to play with, because simply put, there is no way to score with it on every shot. It removes the chance of perfection from the equation, if you will. My favorite has to be simply the normal ball. Easy to score with, and easier than the fire yooyu to track down if you miss.
P: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
C: It means a lot, because I know that all the people who were rooting for one another and for me during the AC will be pulling for me and the other Maraquans now.
P: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
C: I'm an efficient player time-wise, and experienced after pouring in 110,000+ goals over my many years with Maraqua. I have terrible luck, though.
P: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
C: Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. You know, I just... do things!
Posted By: special guest reporter Phil (poooop675567)
Phil: Let's talk briefly about the ACV for a moment. How would you describe your team's performance?
Ub3r_g00b3r: Losing every match except 2 of the 4 finals matches wasn't that great, but the people of GEARS and COGS tried all they could to make up for the loss of interest a lot of other players had after the first few losses of the cup. There's only so much a small group of people can do, though. Maybe next year...
P: Which neopet on your team is your favorite?
U: Mor Gollog. ABS is the best! :3 (Even if TNT drew him kind of puny in size...)
P: Who do you think will be your biggest competition?
U: Any of the players from Lost Desert. They won the cup this year, so they have to be good, right? Especially nikitha51... She's hot on my tail at 4th place!
P: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
U: I hate the mutant yooyu the most. As many times as I try to fire it one way and it doesn't work, I try a different method and it switches back. So frustrating! The snow yooyu can be a pain sometimes too. Obviously, my favorite is the fire yooyu with the regular yooyu coming in a close second.
P: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
U: It means another chance for Moltaran victory! Coming in last place, we had our hopes on SeñorMalo to take the staff tournament, but alas, him and his awesome head of hair were defeated by Twitterpate.
P: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
U: It would be awesome to make it into the top 4, or even win the cup, but I'll be happy just to make it past this first round. I guess my goal is just to play as hard as I can and hope that I win!
Posted By: special guest reporter Phil (poooop675567)
Phil: How would you describe your team's performance?
Francineh: A fantastic performance. Even though the placing was not ultimately improved, our record was, and I'm very pleased with the great effort all MQers put forth.
P: Is this your first time competing in the WAM Celebration Cup?
F: Nope, 2nd time, but I went out early in the first one too. Being drawn in the Group of Death is not helpful.
P: Which Neopet on your team is your favorite?
F: The Acara, Elon Hughlis!
P: Who do you think will be your biggest competition?
F: Everbody! I am going in with a poor seed, and have an entire world to face to escape...it'll be tough.
P: Which yooyu gives you the most trouble?
F: Mutant.
P: Which one's your favourite?
F: Fire!
P: What does it mean to you to represent your team in the WAM Celebration Cup?
F: It's fantastic! I love being able to show that MQ pride and prowess in YYB!
P: What are your goals for this tournament?
F: Top 16 would make me happy.
P: How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
F: Finals of course, but that is going to be a slog!
P: Which formations do you like using?
F: All of them!
P: Which opponent formations do you prefer?
F: 2+2
Posted By: special guest reporter Phil (poooop675567)
Tloef: Thanks for sitting down with us for an interview! Let's start off by introducing yourself, which team you play for, and tell us a bit about why you chose that team.
Thelunaticofthegrass: Alrighty! My name is Amanda, and I am a proud member of Team Altador. I initially joined because I love the land and colors, but the people are, without a doubt, the best part of this team. I'd be lost without them, haha.
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
L: Practice, practice, practice, because goodness knows I need a ton of it. Music and caffeinated beverages never hurt anything, either.
T: *hands Amanda some Neocola* Anyways, which yooyu gives you the most trouble? Which one's your favourite?
L: Mutant! I can't stand them, gah. My favorites are fire and clockwork, the first for obvious reasons and the latter because it's cute and you actually feel like you've accomplished something if you're able to score with it.
T: *laughs* No love for the mutant yooyu, I see. Moving on, how important is it for you to represent your team in the WAMCC?
L: Well, I think there are several people more qualified to represent this team than I am (-cough- all of them -cough-), but I suppose the only thing I can do now is try my hardest and see what happens.
T: That's the fighting spirit that Altadorians are most famous for! What are your goals for the tournament? How far do you want to go?
L: I'm just planning to play as well I can and see where that gets me. Winning would be ideal, but really, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to play YBB competitively again, however brief it might prove to be. xD
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
L: THIS ONE'S FOR SKIPPER. -brandishes sword and shield whilst flailing about like a madwoman-
T: *jumps out of the way* Oh my, this is one energetic yooyuballer! The rest of her group better watch out!
Tloef: Welcome and thanks for joining us. First of all, please introduce yourself and tell us what team you're representing.
Lexrevived: Thanks for having me Tloef. Anyway, my name is Rusty, and I'm representing Team Brightvale.
T: How long have you been with your team and why did you choose them?
L: This was my first year on the team. Pretty much, for the first 3 years of the Altador Cup, I was on Haunted Woods. However, after ACIII, I decided it was time for a change. In ACIV I joined Shenkuu, and it wasn't really for me. So this year I was looking for a new team to join, and Brightvale won me over.
T: How will you be preparing for your upcoming games?
L: Just mentally preparing, staying relaxed, and playing a few practice games.
T: I see, focus is pretty important for you. Do you have any pre-match routines?
L: Not that I know of.
T: What are your goals for this tournament? How far do you want to go in the WAMCC?
L: Well, really, everyone's main goal is to win. That being said, I'll also be happy if I just do respectably in the group rounds and not get totally crushed. I didn't really come into this with high expectations, so really any sort of success would be awesome.
T: *laughs* I'm sure you won't get crushed. This year, it looks like BV's yooyuball contingent is exceptionally strong. In regards to how you play yooyuball, describe your style in three words.
L: Umm.... Music, Focus, Counting.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
L: Well, I want to thank them, and tell them that their support is going to help me stay confident throughout the WAMCC. I'll do my best to win for you all.
T: And there you have it! Thanks for joining us Rusty and good luck in the group stage.
Tloef: Thanks for sitting down with us for an interview. Let's get things started by telling us a bit about yourself and the team you play for.
Kyky1771: Well, my name is Kyle and I play for Brightvale. I'm a fun guy, I guess. Pretty easy to get along with, but I'm also very competitive.
T: In your opinion, why is yooyuball so popular in Neopia?
K: The competition is what makes me a fan. Friends also play a big role in the AC so those would be the main two for me.
T: Hmm, very good answers. I definitely agree. Moving on, which formations do you like using? Which opponent formations do you prefer?
K: I prefer the 1+3 formation because it put BV's main scorer in the front, and I prefer playing against the 2+2 for obvious reasons, haha.
T: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
K: Strengths would be confidence and consistency. Weaknesses would be lag and in-cooperative Mutant Yooyus.
T: Ah, those pesky mutant yooyus. I'm sure they're not winning a lot of fans with their randomness. Anyways, how will you be preparing for your upcoming games? Do you have any pre-match routines?
K: I've run a few practices against each team, but other than that I just turn on my favorite music and get down to business.
T: Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
K: Wish me luck? (:
T: I'm sure Brightvale fans all over Neopia will be sending you their good luck wishes!
Tloef: Hey, and welcome! Thanks for joining us for an interview. Starting things off, tell us a bit about yourself, what team do you play for, how long you've been with them, things like that.
__questions__: I'm Danny and I've played for Mystery Island for 3 years. I freeloaded on Brightvale in AC2 (sorry guys xD) 'cause I was a noob then, but in AC3 I finally began understanding the concept of the Altador Cup and I thought the idea of a site-wide user team vs. user team competition was interesting. I had no idea which team to join so asking the Quiz Quiggle, it made me join MI and I've stayed hooked with MI since.
T: Let's look back at the ACV. How do you feel about your team's performance?
Q: We could have done ALOT better xD. 6th place team last year to 14th place? I'm still proud of my team for our accomplishments, including defeating the winner like we also did last year, but we just didn't get enough support, which ultimately made us drop. We still stayed unpredictable though, so that's all that matters to us loyal MI'ers, really.
T: Looking forward to the WAMCC, what are your goals?
Q: To win Simple as that. :P
T: Good answer! Moving on, which formations do you like using? Which opponent formations do you prefer?
Q: I like to use 1+3 for the increased offense and increased scoring/passing opportunities and I find playing against 3+1 easiest since after you get past the 3 at the front (which is easy), it's really a breeze to the goal.
T: In your group, who do you think will be your biggest competition and why?
Q: Definitely cdrex22. He looks like has all that Altador Cup experience from the previous years (I mean, All-star in AC2? Not very many people did that). He also has the highest GPG in my group other than myself, but I AM very inconsistent under pressure to do good, so I'm hoping that I don't falter like I did in my qualifications.
T: I'm sure you'll pull it together when it matters most and get the win! Last but not least, do you have any words for your fans that are rooting for you?
Q: TWITTERPATE DID IT FOR MYSTERY ISLAND, AND I WILL DO IT AGAIN FOR Y'ALL!
T: *laughs* Well, I'm sure they heard you over in Mystery Island. Good luck!
Heading into the finals, Altadorian Heroics was one of the pre-tournament favourites. They stayed fairly consistent in each of their games, and always seemed to score in big numbers. On the side of the field, Peasant Peoples United has reached The A.N.C. finals for the first time in the club's history. As many figured before the match, both goalkeepers would be kept busy today. The Heroics' Salayne Ritad and United's Ol' Reliable" George are both solid keepers, but when it comes down to it, Ritad showed more confidence. Scoring the first goal of the match was the home team, as Brian "Stale Bread" Johnson tore down the field with determination. Much to the delight of the home fans, their squad was showing courage and was pushing for the win. Altadorian Heroics never backed down, and always stayed one step behind their opponents. Both teams were playing well, but I'd give the edge to Heroics for the first half. Their defenders, especially Lyvon Cibaire, were playing impressively.
As the final minutes ticked down, fans of both sides looked on anxiously. Who would win? The famous Altadorian Heroics, with their illustrious history? They've won The A.N.C. multiple times already and want to add more silverware to their collection. Or will Peasant Peoples United pull of yet another amazing upset? They've already defeated the likes of Brightvalers and other powerhouses. The members of the team have each said that they enter this match, not playing for themselves, but for their nation of Meridell. Of course, in the end, only one club will lift the trophy and claim this year's title of "best club in Neopia".
So...who proved to be the best?
The final score is....
Altadorian Heroics (AL) 6 – 4 Peasant Peoples United (MD)!
What a close match and a thrilling finale to a tournament that has been one of the best I've seen in years. It looked like the Altadorian team really needed to come up with some last-minute heroics in order to win and they did just that! Scoring what ultimately proved to be the game winning goal, Kayn Hireck showed himself to be an invaluable part of his team. Let's not forget the home side however. During the medal presentation for the second place team, even the visiting Altador fans gave Peasant Peoples United a standing ovation. They are underdogs no more as they shined in the spotlight and look to be major contenders in the MD league this upcoming season. Millions of yooyuball fans tuned in to watch this game. As the closing ceremonies come to an end and the fireworks burst around the stadium, I'm sure that this is one moment that the players of Altadorian Heroics will never forget as they lift the golden trophy into the air.
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) 0 – 1 Peasant Peoples United (MD)
It was one of the most memorable moments of the tournament so far. "Farmer" Joe had scored for United in the first half, but since then, the Judgement defence stepped it up and scoring chances came far and few in between. Likewise, the United defence had its work cut out for them. With minutes left on the clock, the United players knew they just had to hold on. The Judgement players were getting desperate, and delivered one final wave of attack. Led by Ato Valah, the players rushed towards the United defence. "Hold the line," goalkeeper George screamed at the top of his lungs, "hold the line!" And they held the line. The three defenders fought back the Judgement attack and the clock wound down. Eventually, the referee blew the final whistle and the home fans cheered as they realized what was happening before their eyes. For the first time in United's club history, they would be heading to the All-Neopia finals.
And there you have it. After a lengthy delay due to field problems and weather conditions, The All-Neopia Championships are back! Heading into the finals is the heavy favourite, Altadorian Heroics. However, their opponent, Peasant Peoples United, shouldn't be overlooked. They have defeated a large number of popular teams, and they're also the home crowd. Check out the finals on August 22!
Brightvalers (BV) 6 – 7 Peasant Peoples United (MD)
In one of this year's most shocking outcome, Peasant Peoples United overcame all odds to take down BV's most popular team, and also one of the pre-tournament favourites. Even the Jukes twins couldn't get past the defensive line, held strong by the likes of Brian "Stale Bread" Johnson, Pato "Sweet Water" Malory, and Noa. The United's goalkeeper, "Ol' Reliable" George, was at the top of his game. In a press conference, Brightvalers' right defender Sybil Deni had this to say, "it wasn't our day. We weren't in sync with each other, our passes didn't connect, and our lack of communication was our downfall."
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) 4 – 1 Scarblade Society (KI)
Though many had pegged a win for the pirates, it was the Faerieland squad that will be moving on to the semis. Palia Alback led her team to victory, scoring three times, and was also a major presence at midfield. Easily using her speed to take possession of the yooyu, she played a role in defending as well. Society goalkeeper, Jenson Thaden, was harshly criticized for his lack of command. Many spectators felt that the Shoyru just didn't exude enough confidence and the opponents used this to their advantage.
Black Sail Pirates (KI) 3 – 3 (penalties: 11 – 12) Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK)
As these two powerhouses met, no one could predict the outcome as both were equally favoured to head to the next round. At the end of the first half, the Pirates were leading with a score of 2-0, but the Warriors fought back in the second half. The Pirates' forward, Diveen Sydermine, managed to score a last-minute equalizer, giving her team one last shot in the penalty shootouts. So, the stage was set. Garven Hale of Black Sail Pirates versus Xana Dilanche of Shenkuu Warriors Unite. Fans in the crowd held their breath as shot after shot was taken from both sides. In the end, it was Shenkuu's very own Mirsha Grelinek that faltered, sending the Pirates home empty-handed.
Some interesting results from the quarters, as you can see. In one fell swoop, both Krawk Island clubs are eliminated. The match-ups have now been posted and the semi-finals will be held on August 12.
Altadorian Heroics (AL) vs. Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK)
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) vs. Peasant Peoples United (MD)
Round three of the All-Neopia Championships will begin on Sunday, August 8th and with only 8 teams remaining, things are getting down to the wire as teams make their preparations for the quarterfinals. As always, clubs have now been randomly matched with another team from a different land. Here's the list of match-ups...
August 8:
Golden Pharaohs (LD) vs. Altadorian Heroics (AL)
Brightvalers (BV) vs. Peasant Peoples United (MD)
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) vs. Scarblade Society (KI)
Black Sail Pirates (KI) vs. Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK)
The A.N.C is much like the Altador Cup, except at club level. Each year, there's always a lot of great yooyuball action, and shocking twists and turns. This year was no different. Heading into the competition, there are a handful of favourites, from AL's Altadorian Heroics to LD's Golden Pharaohs. At the same time, some clubs have come into the spotlight and showed that they too deserve a chance. FL's Jhudora's Judgement is playing inspired yooyuball and as the team heads into the quarterfinals, they'll be looking to their AC veterans to lead the way. The host nation, Meridell, also has a lot to cheer for with Peasant Peoples United in the fray. This year, Krawk Island teams are dominating the competition as both clubs are still in the running. Is an all-pirate finals written in the future?
The Geraptiku Giants (MI) 2 – 6 Brightvalers (BV)
Sometimes having a strong defence doesn't mean a strong offense, as the Giants found out the hard way after being eliminated by the BV powerhouse. With three goals apiece, the Jukes twins are a force to be reckoned with. As one of the most feared attacking duo, these Techo brothers instilled fear into the Giant's defensive line, causing chaos among them. Though Volgoth managed to score two goals early in the second half, the damage had already been done. The Giants lack a strong attacking force, and Volgoth may be one of the best attackers in MI, but he couldn't handle it by himself.
Cosmo Supers (VP) 0 – 5 Golden Pharaohs (LD)
It was another match and another clean sheet for the Pharaohs' goalkeeper, Leera Heggle. He had relatively little to do as the majority of the game was played out in the Supers' half of the field. Leading the Golden attack force was Layton Vickles, with three goals and two assists. The Supers' center defender (and only defender) Rinok Fitel had just too much on his hands. Goalkeeper Lavender Mirkeet was also lacking consistency, and had inaccurate passing.
Altadorian Heroics (AL) 6 – 5 Stealth of Shenkuu (SK)
It was a clash of the titans as these two powerhouses met on the field to decide who would move on to the next round. Both of them were favourites before the tournament, so many were keeping their eyes and ears on this showdown. Leading things off was Heroics' Keeyo Nets, a young forward from Neopia Central, netting the yooyu four times for her team. Stealth had admirable defence, with Lost Desert players "Dirty" Navers and Luvea Trivon playing impressively, though both had numerous mistimed passes that led to the Heroics regaining posses.
Kelp United (MQ) 2 – 10 Jhudora's Judgement (FL)
It was the end of the road for the last of the Maraquan clubs as Kelp United experienced a heavy defeat at the hands of Jhudora's Judgement. United's only forward, Pellis Silvakuras, just couldn't figure out a way to break the Judgement defence and easily lost the yooyu many times. Judgement defender Tormo "The Terror" Frein was a key figure for his side, not only bolstering the defence but also helping the forwards out with their job. At the end of the match, he finished with one goal and four assists.
Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK) 5 – 2 Mystery Tombola (MI)
Mystery Tombola just couldn't get into the game, as the Warriors dominated possession. Relegating their opponents to just 32% of possession, the Warriors were in the driver seat, using the open spaces to their advantage. "Scrap" Taggert played a pivotal role, creating multiple chances for his forwards, and snuffed out any attacking options that the Tombola side might take.
Peasant Peoples United (MD) 2 – 1 Kiko Crew (KL)
Again, Peasant Peoples United has shown Neopia that just because they lack world-famous players, that doesn't mean they should be counted out. It was another victory by a slim margin for these yooyuballers, one that they'll gladly take. The whole land of Meridell is now firmly rooting for the United, with many describing the team as "relentlessly optimistic" and "honourable and brave". They play as a team, I think more so than any other club at this year's A.N.C.
Scarblade Society (KI) 9 – 5 Menace of the Sky (DC)
This time around, it was Ealyn Hawkshanks doing most of the work, scoring six times for Scarblade Society. A resounding win over the DC squad has given the entire team a heightened sense of expectation. "Now that we're moving on to the next round, I think the pressure is on," says defender Lamelle Turow, "people expect us to win and we need to deliver". Meanwhile, Menace of the Sky players have been in the spotlight as well – for all the wrong reasons. Giving away two penalties and having committed so many fouls, critics say that the Darigan clubs may have stood a chance if they played a cleaner game.
Kreludan Adventurers (KD) 0 – 4 Black Sail Pirates (KI)
It was Krawk Island's day as another KI team heads into the next round. Though they didn't score as many goals as their rivals, the Pirates managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to the hard-working goalkeeper, Garven Hale. Leading the attacking force was Zo Junior, with two goals and one assist. Though he is the only defender, Wyett Tuggins made a strong showing, stopping the Adventurers' forwards, Salazar Monetara and Konstance Ventner, from having any good chances.
Earlier today, playoffs were held to determine the 16th and final spot for the next round. Here's what happened...
Happy Happy Valley Citizens 2 – 3 Peasant Peoples United
It was a brutal match for both teams as the fought for the chance to move on to the next round. As the two lowest ranking teams in the tournament, the Citizens and United knew the next stage was within their grasp. The Citizen's all-attacking formation clashed against the United's defence, but at the end of the day, it was the home team that took the win thanks to a well-timed challenge by "Farmer" Joe that led to the United gaining possession of the yooyu deep within the Citizens' half. Brian "Stale Bread" Johnson then converted a spectacular pass from Joe and put his team ahead. The final whistle blew. For one team, cheers of delight, but for the other, they'll be heading home empty handed.
Now that the final 16 teams were decided, they were randomly matched up with another team for stage two. Here are the match-ups and the date as to when the teams will play.
August 2:
Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK) vs. Mystery Tombola (MI)
Peasant Peoples United (MD) vs. Kiko Crew (KL)
Scarblade Society (KI) vs. Menace of the Sky (DC)
Kreludan Adventurers (KD) vs. Black Sail Pirates (KI)
August 4:
The Geraptiku Giants (MI) vs. Brightvalers (BV)
Cosmo Supers (VP) vs. Golden Pharaohs (LD)
Altadorian Heroics (AL) vs. Stealth of Shenkuu (SK)
Kelp United (MQ) vs. Jhudora's Judgement (FL)
Sakhmet Union (LD) 8 – 10 Altadorian Heroics (AL)
Though Vonde Cayle won the Altador Cup just weeks ago, this is one trophy he won't be able to lift, as his side falls to the heavily favoured Heroics. The Heroics' defenders, Kayn Hireck and Lyvon Cibaire, held the line impressively against Cayle and Lady Kendraik, stopping the LD attack time and time again. Keeyo Nets, right forward for Heroics, enjoyed the moment but cautions his teammates. "We wasted too many chances," she said, "we can't be wasteful and we need to score everytime we get a chance because from here on out, the teams are going to give their 100% best effort."
Kelp United (MQ) 4 – 1 Hagan Supreme (BV)
Tonie Plessix more than earned his status as Maraqua's 1st choice goalkeeper. The giant made big saves and accurate passes, leading to a victory for Kelp United. His only flaw? Penalty saves. After being tripped, Supreme's Soodoh Kazo (CF) earned her side a penalty and blasted the yooyu past Koi goalkeeper. His weakness is his lack of speed, which other teams will probably exploit.
Mystery Tombola (MI) 7 - 3 Stars of Space (VP)
Though somewhat unpredicted, Mystery Tombola came away with a win, eliminating Stars of Space from the A.N.C. On paper, the VP side seemed stronger, with star players like Keetra Deile and Xl Striker 3.8. However, take a closer look at Tombola's line-up and you'll see some Tyrannians on their team. As I said before, Tyrannia's known for producing world-class defenders and even the Tombala's forward, Wila Benne, knows a thing or two about defence.
Stealth of Shenkuu (SK) 11 – 0 Blumaroos of the Isle (RI)
It was an embarrassing defeat for the Isle as they were routed in a one-sided match. Making uncharacteristic errors, Isle's goalkeeper Roocardo lost all of his confidence by half-time, where his team was losing 5-0. Stealth held a clean sheet, thanks to goalkeeper Lor Benneveldt who was quite the opposite of Roocardo. Lor was confident, quick, and he didn't panic whenever the yooyu was near him.
Happy Happy Valley Citizens (TM) 6 – 2 Symol United (MD)
Though they had the home turf advantage, Symol United will not be joining the other MD team into the next round. It was another upset as one of the lowest ranking teams defeated one of the highest ranking squads of the tournament. The MD squad has since come under fire, especially goalkeeper Yoris Obbles, who let in early goals and failed to clear the yooyu properly. However, teammate and defender, Ilsa Ellits, stood up for the Jubjub, arguing, "the little guy's still pretty tired from the Altador Cup. I don't blame him for making mistakes, because at the end of the day, everyone's going to make mistakes. Let's not blame our loss on one person."
Kiko Crew (KL) 1 – 0 Kreludor Meteorites (KD)
In a surprising upset, Kiko Crew managed to put in a last-second goal to take them to the next round. A breakdown of communication between defender Weldar Xupenfarb and goalkeeper Pluto Aight let Holbie Pinnock (LF) steal the yooyu and score an easy goal. The entire match though was dull at best, with both teams focusing too much on defending, and creating no chances for scoring. In fact, I saw a couple people doze off during the game, only to be woken up by the loud cheering at the end.
Northwood Were-Pets (HW) 0 - 4 Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK)
All HW teams are now eliminated, after Were-Pets lost to the Warriors. Keeping a clean sheet, Xana Dilanche is back on form for her club, making big saves and dazzling the crowd with her spectacular style and grace. Many critics have pointed to left defender, Serot Van Ripmeer, for being the downfall of the Were-Pets. "He just couldn't focus," one fan said, "it was like he didn't even want to be playing. I mean, Krell was trying so hard and he was basically doing everything, from defending to trying to score as well. Here's to hoping that Ripmeer gets traded this summer." Ouch.
Peasant Peoples United (MD) 4 – 2 Maraquan Marauders (MQ)
It was a jaw dropping, shocking, and utterly unexpected result that will surely make headlines around Neopia. It was a case of lowly peasants battling it out against yooyuball 'royalty'. The Marauders' side had names like Elon Hughlis, and Ditan Colb, while the United were virtually unknown. The difference between these two teams? The United side plays more fluidly, making more passes to each other and are unselfish. Elon Hughlis has been criticized (once again) for his lack of passing to right forward, Ubatron Metrodora. When asked why he thought his team lost, Elon replied, "...it wasn't my fault, I know that much."
Scarblade Society (KI) 10 – 1 Ice Cream Screamers (TM)
There were no surprises here as Society took an easy win, as many predicted they would. Scoring 5 goals, Foltaggio was a key player for the KI team. Though they took a heavy loss, don't expect the members of the Screamers to be feeling down. Goalkeeper "Chocolate" Carson said, "boy, it was amazing playin' against those guys! I mean, Hawkshanks, Turow, Thaden! They're my heroes! I learned a new thing or two today."
Kreludan Adventurers (KD) 5 – 5 (penalties: 5-3) Faeries of Faerieland (FL)
As the final whistle blew, the score was a draw at 5-5, so we moved into penalties. Mae "The Maestro" stepped up to take the penalty shot for the Faeries, but ended up hitting the crossbar instead. The young Kougra burst into tears, and had to be consoled by her teammates. "It's hard winning on penalties," said the Adventurers' Montecito, "I don't feel like we've actually won, or deserved it like this. I hate penalties, because a part of it is luck, when it should be about skill."
The Von Roo Squad (RI) 0 – 3 The Geraptiku Giants (MI)
It was a classic match-up between the Von Roos' attacking (3 + 1) formation and the Giants' defensive (1 + 3) formation. Scoring all of the Giants' goals was Volgoth, who not only did his fair share of scoring, but also assisted his teammates in defending as well. The Squad's goalkeeper, Zimbay Von Hayday, made fine saves but in the end, it wasn't enough as their defensive strategies were called into question by fans and critics.
The Plateau Peoples (TY) 0 – 0 (penalties: 8 – 9) Cosmo Supers (VP)
Yet another match that ended in a draw, so again, we move to penalties. This one was quite a nail-biter, as we had almost 20 shots taken. Not a lot of people were surprised that it went to penalties, because TY teams are known for their staunch defending. However, the Supers were expected to win penalties, since at the same time, TY isn't known for their great forwards. I was actually surprised that it went on as long as it did.
Siyana's Elite (AL) 7 – 9 Menace of the Sky (DC)
In any match-up between two teams using a pure attacking (3 + 1) formation, goals are in no short supply. Siyana's Elite opened up the scoring in the 3rd minute, with an excellent pass from Minister Duke (CF) to Kymarod Senders (LF). The DC side quickly regrouped, and scored their next three goals in quick succession which sent the Elite defence into panic-mode. Menace's goalkeeper, Harry "Horrid" Rigs, stepped up his game and made crucial saves that earned his team the victory.
Brightvalers (BV) 5 – 1 Front Shore United (KL)
Brightvalers made a bright start to their A.N.C. campaign, with a decisive victory over KL powerhouses Front Shore United. It was a disappointing loss for the United, with the likes of Erli Quinnock and "Poke" Cellers in their line-up. It's interesting to note that both teams each have a pair of siblings on their roster. Brightvalers with Techo twins Jukes C. and Jukes V., while United has the Shenkuu brother-sister duo, Kivo and Kivu.
Darigan Doom Club (DC) 0 – 7 Golden Pharaohs (LD)
Hoping to join the other DC club in the next round was Darigan Doom Club, however, things definitely didn't go their way as the Pharaohs decimated the Doom Club's defence. Doom Club's goalkeeper, Robbin Gorson, had his confidence shattered and began to make more and more mistakes. Leading the score sheet was veteran "Dasher" Soley with 4 goals, Layton Vickles with 2 goals, and "Rocksy" Navers with 1 goal. Larcy Phy should be commended however, with 5 assists.
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) 6 – 5 Southeast Vampires (HW)
Judgement goalkeeper, Fanetti, was once again the hero for his team as he made an important penalty save in the dying minutes of the game. The Vampires are understandably upset, having come so close. Miyashudu Dayu (CF) of the Vampires scored all 5 of his side's goals. After the match, he spoke candidly with HW reporters, saying, "there are times when we must lose. I know and acknowledge this. However, it still stings to go out in the first round. I know a lot of our fans are saddened and I can only say that we will try harder next time."
Omelette Omegas (TY) 2 - 9 Black Sail Pirates (KI)
The Pirates made quick work of the Omelettes, defeating them with flair and talent. After a disappointing season with her club, and an even more disappointing Altador Cup run, Mirsha Grelinek seems to be a whole new player. Scoring five times, and having 2 assists, this Gnorbu was at the top of her game. The Omegas seemed to be lacking communication, especially between the two forwards, Evrem Guilako and Loryche. Some have speculated that there is some tension between these two players, since Guilako made the switch to TM in the AC.
The All-Neopia Championship, or A.N.C., is a special yooyuball competition where the top two teams in each league compete against one another. There are no group stages or rematches – the eliminations start immediately, putting the pressure on the squads as soon as they arrive. This year, Meridell has been chosen as the host, so all matches will be played in the five stadiums there. The press conference has ended just minutes ago, and we have all of the match-ups ready for you as well as the day they will be taking place.
July 26:
Siyana's Elite (AL) vs. Menace of the Sky (DC)
Brightvalers (BV) vs. Front Shore United (KL)
Darigan Doom Club (DC) vs. Golden Pharaohs (LD)
Jhudora's Judgement (FL) vs. Southeast Vampires (HW)
Omelette Omegas (TY) vs. Black Sail Pirates (KI)
July 28:
Northwood Were-Pets (HW) vs. Shenkuu Warriors Unite (SK)
Kiko Crew (KL) vs. Kreludor Meteorites (KD)
Peasant Peoples United (MD) vs. Maraquan Marauders (MQ)
Scarblade Society (KI) vs. Ice Cream Screamers (TM)
Kreludan Adventurers (KD) vs. Faeries of Faerieland (FL)
The Plateau Peoples (TY) vs. Cosmo Supers (VP)
July 30:
Sakhmet Union (LD) vs. Altadorian Heroics (AL)
Kelp United (MQ) vs. Hagan Supreme (BV)
Mystery Tombola (MI) vs. Stars of Space (VP)
The Von Roo Squad (RI) vs. The Geraptiku Giants (MI)
Stealth of Shenkuu (SK) vs. Blumaroos of the Isle (RI)
Happy Happy Valley Citizens (TM) vs. Symol United (MD)
Some shocking news was also delivered during the press conference. This will be the last year where the top two clubs advance to the A.N.C. With the addition of Moltara this upcoming season, the 2011 A.N.C. will only be open to the top club in each land. So, how does the A.N.C. work? Well, 34 of the top clubs around Neopia will be coming to Meridell to compete against each other. Each team will be paired randomly with another team, provided that they aren't from the same land. The winner of the match moves on to the next round, where again, they will be randomly matched with another team from a different land. Now, since there will be technically 17 teams moving on, the two clubs with the lowest N.I.F.T.Y. ranking will have to play against each other to see who moves on to the next round. At the end of round one and the play-off, we'll have 16 teams. We'll be covering each of the matches, so stay tuned for more information!
Written by special guest reporter: eats_shoots_leaves72
As the rage over the new Yooyuball slowly dies down, more questions come into play, such as, 'Who will win?', 'Will the new YYB have an effect on the outcome of the tournament?', and 'Who am I going to play on the first day?'
Let's start with that last one. A knowledgeable Neopian on the boards suggested the possibility that the teams that had their team profiles released on the same day were to face each other on the first day. This could happen, but it probably won't. My hopes are for surprise-worthy match-ups, like BV vs. DC was last year.
Onto to whether or not the new Yooyuball will have an effect on the Altador Cup. Personally, I think it will. It's not the biggest surprise, but many people are rage quitting the whole cup, or just diverting to side games. This may be a bias opinion, but I think that small teams like Brightvale are adapting to it faster, and this could let a huge upset into the game, turning the whole cup upside down!
Who will win? That's a great question, and there is only one answer: Nobody knows! Especially with the new YYB, it would take immense luck to predict the exact outcome of the cup, let alone the winner! And supplying reasons for your predictions just became even harder! I think the winner this year will definitely be a dark horse, meaning a team that comes from the lower ranks and surprises everybody! Like VP last year, but to a larger extent. I'm really looking forward to this AC. I think the new Yooyuball will spice it up, and I can't wait for the fun of being on the boards during the AC! It's my first year on the boards, and they have inspired me to go for Rank 10 this year! As Nike's slogan says, and as I'm telling you as advice for this AC: Just Do It!
It's the most wonderful time of the year as the Altador Cup championship is starting up once again. This annual competition is watched by billions of Neopians as international yooyuball teams take center stage in the biggest sporting event in history. The official start to the Altador Cup is still a few days away, but there's already a lot to report on. Let's start the weekly round-up!
An unhappy parting? Many fans around Neopia were shocked to hear that Lost Desert's defender, Lamelle Turow, would be replaced in the ACVI. There were no indications that the kiko had any intentions to leave the national team so the news not only surprised fans and critics, but also his ex-teammates. "I was stunned when I heard the news," says captain and goalkeeper Leera Heggle. "I thought I heard something wrong, or I was dreaming. But it turned out to be real". Though the defender from last year's championship winning team won't be joining his Lost Desert compatriots, Turow will still be playing in the ACVI with Maraqua. The change-up in the MQ roster is leaving some people with a bitter taste in their mouth as the some teammates felt that losing one of their best players wasn't the best choice. Tonie Plessix, for one, is not happy. "There was no reason for Dorina to leave. She had a strong showing in the latest Maraquan league with her team, Underwater Revolution. I was surprised she wasn't called up to represent Maraqua again. This change was unnecessary." His teammate, Elon Hughlis, had this to say. "I don't care who's defending as long as we win and I get to hold the gold trophy at the end.
There have been rumours circulating on why the kiko would leave his trophy-winning team since he and his agent didn't hold a press conference to answer questions. Some people are speculating that he believes in the "cup curse" and doesn't feel that Lost Desert is strong enough to survive it. Other rumours are a bit darker. A source close to the ex-LD defender says, "he didn't leave Lost Desert because it's too dry. That's just what he wants people to think. He told me that he wants to be the first yooyuball player to win two Altador Cup trophies back to back. I know, right? He's so selfish!
Looking for loyalty? Ex-TM (and ex-TY) player, Elbin Kroe, has made quite a name for himself as this year he joins the Faerieland team. Nicknamed "The Defector" in the press, the shoyru has made no qualms about his feelings of loyalty. "Look, I'm just here to win trophies." Still, Tyrannian fans are furious. One fan said, "it was bad enough that he left Terror Mountain to join Tyrannia. He didn't win a lot of TY people over by ditching his old squad. Now he leaves again? Unbelievable!" Tyrannian team captain, Loryche, was also less than pleased at the news. "Please, don't even talk to me about that...shoyru. I can understand moving to a new nation once, but twice? Where's he going next year? Haunted Woods? Kreludor?" Goalkeeper Harlis Neyhbol explains why Tyrannians are so big on national loyalty. "Our Tyrannian league is known for its world-class defenders. A part of this is being able to trust your teammates. We're not big on the yooyuball circuit, but we don't want to be seen as one of those teams that trade players just because they want to win. Loyalty is a big issue."
Newcomer, "Spikes" Barmie, just might be the right fit. Recently graduated from Tyrannian Yooyuballing School, the rookie says that he's dreamt of representing his nation ever since he was a little krawk. "I couldn't believe it when I got the call from the TY manager, asking me to attend this year's tryouts. I mean, I just graduated from the yooyuball academy, so I thought they'd give the position to one of the more experiences player." Chosen in part for his unwavering loyalty to his homeland, Barmie understands the importance of playing as a team and that when tough times are ahead, the squad moves forward as one. "Just because we don't get the result we want, doesn't mean we just throw out players and bring in new ones. We work together because that's the Tyrannian way. We don't leave people behind." Though his parents were born in Krawk Island, Barmie was born and raised in Tyrannia. The young krawk says, "there was never any doubt in my mind which nation I'd represent. I'm Tyrannian and this is my home."
Well, that's your Altador Cup Weekly Round-up! Be sure to tune in next week for another edition filled with all the latest news and gossip!
Though the Altador Cup is still in the distance, controversy is already stirring. While many thought Faerieland would not enter a team for this year's tournament, the nation surprised many people by not only entering for their sixth time, but by changing up their roster, team uniform and drastically changing their logo. Many fans and critics have voiced their opinions on these hot issues.
The Faeries march will march to Altador
Since Faerieland's national league was cancelled this year, many were surprised to see a team entered in the Altador Cup. FL's official yooyuball managers said that they had every intention of entering the AC and at a press conference last night, he answered many questions put forward by the reporters:
The thought of missing the Altador Cup never crossed my mind," said head official, Aerie Flanders. "We need to show Neopia that we're strong and that we've dealt with the recent tragedies and are moving forward. Our yooyuball team know that they have a lot on their shoulders but I think this is the right choice. The main reason our national league was cancelled was because of the construction needed for the damaged stadiums."
A change in personnel and uniform
Roster changes happen, but this year's change stirred quite a debate. When the official roster of Faerieland's team was announced, Babolino, long-time player for FL and fan favourite was not on the list. The argument isn't so much over the fact that Babolino was replaced but rather who the new player entering the team was. Taking his place was ex-Terror Mountain and ex-Tyrannian player, Elbin Kroe, the shoyru fans are dubbing "The Defector". Though Elbin hasn't applied for FL national citizenship yet, some older yooyuball fans are saying "don't bother".
He's not known for team loyalty and I hate seeing him on the FL team," says Dennis Ghile, a yooyuball fan. "I've lived in Faerieland for over 40 years now, and I've followed the FL yooyuball league for that long too. When people described the FL team, they always say loyalty ranks high. Where's the loyalty here when we admit a team jumper like Krow?" Many fans were disheartened when they learned the kacheek was not chosen to represent Faerieland this year. Many felt that he was one of the few FL players that embodied the spirit of the "old Faerieland yooyuballers", one that's a team player and one that put the goals of the squad ahead of himself.
On the other hand, many people are defending the shoyru, saying he joined the team because he's simply an athlete who wants to play. Yooyuball reporter, Jenitson Leno said, "I don't believe the backlash is warranted at all! He knew that if he stayed in the Tyrannian league, they weren't going to pick him. He went where he was needed."
The controversy here is that the head coaches and managers of the FL team had to bend the rules to let the shoyru on their squad since only athletes born in a nation or holding a citizenship can be chosen. Since Elbin Kroe is neither, it does raise some eyebrows. Our reporters were unable to reach Elbin for comments, though his agent did say that they are currently trying to obtain an FL citizenship. So, that means the shoyru won't just have dual citizenship, but triple citizenship?
Changing Faerieland's principles?
Last but not least, the thing most people are talking about is the logo change. Let's take a look at the new logo (the green one) and compare it with the old logo.
At the unveiling of their logo, the FL coach stated,
The new logo reflects Faerieland's new location and the new direction the team is heading. We wanted to reflect a changing Faerieland team, and our changing goals and lifestyle. Be prepared for a better and stronger squad!"
Even with her reassurance that the FL team still stands on the same principles, some fans of the team are worried over the new changes. "It's all too much and too fast," said a long-time fan and resident of Faerieland. "Many people feel that the new logo doesn't reflect the true Faerieland and what we stood for."
Regardless of what side you're on, these debates will definitely continue even after the Altador Cup finishes.
A new strength in the yooyuball world
Sure, we've got the usual suspects for the so-called "powerhouses" like Darigan Citadel, but this time, new teams and great heroes have emerged from the crowd. Such teams include Meridell, Maraqua, and Virtupets, all finishing with impressive yooyuball records. Although not common household names in the yooyuaball world, these fine groups of players have the determination and drive to take their game to the next level. In the years to come, I think we can expect to see a new power take hold of the Altador Cup – one that creeps up slowly and takes us all by surprise.
Event organizers make an embarrassing mistake...
It seems to be a recurring trend that each AC finals will develop some sort of problem. As you probably remember, last year's finals were hit by severe weather that led to major damage on all of the yooyuball fields in Altador, meaning that no teams could play until the pitches were repaired. This year, organizers for the four-day finals made an embarrassing mistake – some teams were sent to the wrong stadiums for their final matches! The Lost Desert team was supposed to play Darigan Citadel, but who showed up instead? Mystery Island. On the other hand, Darigan Citadel's team was sent to the wrong stadium and found the Brightvale team waiting for them. The majority of the teams, however, did take part in some light training to keep themselves fit for the real matches, which came hours later as the organizers scrambled to get the squads back to their proper stadiums.
The Lost Desert wins their long-deserved goLD
They've been in the spotlight for a long time, but the gold was always too far from their grasp. Not this time. This time, The Lost Desert squad went all the way, defeating Darigan Citadel in the first finals match-up and then Kreludor in the epic two-day finale. "It's amazing," says fan-favourite Vonde Cayle, "there are no words to describe it. Sure, I've won trophies with my club, but this is different." The closing ceremonies were held at Altadorian Heroics' stadium, Home of the Heroes, a fitting atmosphere for these new yooyuball champions. There wasn't a dry eye in the room as Lamelle Turow and Derbi Azar both delivered tear jerking speeches, thanking the AC volunteers, the other teams, and most of all, the fans for another stellar year. Hoisting the trophy high into the air, Captain Leera Heggle and his team were enveloped by an explosion of cheers from the crowd. I'm sure this is one moment that they, and their fans, will never forget. It seems the desert just got a little more golden.
New friends, new rivals, the same old game of yooyuball
The Altador Cup is the highest standard in the yooyuballing world, a test of skill and strength. As the best of the best converge in Altador for this annual contest, fans of the sport also gather together to celebrate Neopia's beautiful game. It's not only a time to show your talents, but also to meet new people and make new friends. Exchanging Neomails and good luck wishes, fans have become just as involved in the game as the players. Here's to everyone who met a new face and cheered on their team!
Shenkuu's fall from grace
No other team suffered as many demoralizing headlines as Shenkuu, who were heavy pre-tournament favourites. The first sign of weakness came no later than the first day, when they lost to lowly Kiko Lake. Though many shrugged off the shocking defeat, it became apparent that this SK team no longer resembled the one that came in 2nd last year. By the time they found their form, it seems that they couldn't overcome any of the powerhouses like The Lost Desert or Roo Island. In the finals when they faced Tyrannia (whom they had defeated twice before), Shenkuu failed to make an impact, losing both matches and were relegated to an even lower position on the table. However, it's my belief that from failure, we'll see a stronger Shenkuu. The coach has already come under heavy fire, and with talks swirling around that he's going to be fired, perhaps fans will have something to cheer for in 2011.
Ol' Dash and his victory lap
As the old Krawk legend hoisted the gold trophy last year, he bid a fond farewell to international yooyuball to focus on his club career with Golden Pharaohs. His retirement would be put on hold since his replacement, Feldon "Dinksy" Collibridge, injured herself just days leading up to the tournament. Ol'Dash decided to help out his team and come back for one last hurrah. In a press conference he stated, "yarr, I'd be a mean pirate if I let my teammates flounder like a ship that's got holes in it. I be comin' back to the KI team, just fer one more year. A true pirate helps his crew out – he helps the ship sail, or he goes down with it and with everyone else. There be no abandoning ship for me."
I thought I'd take some time to write a brief little end-of-the-AC blog about my experiences in this year's tournament. This is definitely one of the biggest events on Neopets, and is hands down, my favourite. Perhaps the main reason for this is the fact that I enjoy watching sports outside of Neopets, and my love for the AC is what fuelled me to create Yooyuball Planet, even though it seemed like a daunting task at first. The Altador Cup means different things to different people – some enjoy, as I point out, the sports atmosphere. Others enjoy chatting on the ACV boards, running into old friends that they met last AC, or making new friends on their team.
It seems like yesterday that the fifth annual Altador Cup tournament was just beginning. In the weeks leading up to the big event, numerous "What team should I join" and "Who do you think is going to win" boards began popping up, much to the annoyance of AC veterans. Then, TNT released the ACV board, and as the supporter groups moved there, the regular faces of the Virtupets board let out a sigh of relief, "no more pesky AC chatters cluttering things up." Given time though, some did mention that the VP board felt a little empty without those SoLiDs, MIYPs, TOGAs, and other groups (if you're a VP regular, admit it, you missed us!). As we enjoy our final days on the ACV board, the majority of AC chatters can look to the VPers once again as they give us a temporary home until the next AC.
Of course, the Altador Cup isn't without its fair share of negativity, from freeloaders to trolls, TNT glitches to drama llamas. It's something we can all relate to, whether it's the Rank:1 player telling their team to "try harder", freeloaders complaining why they're losing, or general attitudes and comments that was as far from sportsmanship as you can go. At the end of the day, what are you going to remember? That one time that one troll came to your board to tell you "UR teamz goin 2 lose!!1!!! Lolz!!!" or the many new friends you met or the goals that you achieved? As always, the finals were hit by yet another meltdown, a recurring trend in the AC tournaments, but by now, those experienced in the AC will almost expect a glitch. But again, it was much better than last year, where we couldn't even play for hours on end.
Looking at the big picture, I'd say this year was a success. For one, it's proven that the previous year's #2 team wasn't going to automatically win the next year. It gives us so much more to play for, now that technically "anyone can win it". Wouldn't it nice to see teams like Terror Mountain and Brightvale be described as powerhouses one day? Even as a player of one such "powerhouse", I would gladly relinquish that title if it meant a hard-working team like Tyrannia took over that mantle.
I don't know about you, but I've spent a lot of time ACing for the past 38 days, maxing out SOSD everyday and trying to get in as many of the other games as possible. For some of us, we're going to be heading back to *gulp* real life, something that some of us have put on hold for the time being. For me, the end of the AC means I'll be virtually disappearing from the boards altogether, and the only time I'll be on Neopets is to update this site. I'll admit that I'm one of those people that welcomed the end, if only because I was tired (and yes, you can get tired from sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Just ask those office workers you know). However, I also say this: bring on the ACVI! I'm ready when you are.
So, you're interested in reading some articles, huh? Well, look no further! Yooyuball Planet has the largest collection of sports news around and our reporters are the best in the business. We've got everything from transfer rumours, and club updates, to interviews with all of today's best and brightest yooyuball players. Click one of the categories below to get started.
Transfer rumours, club negotiations, match reports, Live Reactions, and much more! Check this section out if you're looking for any articles related to the national leagues.
From KI's "Dasher" Soley to VP's Lavender Mirkeet, Yooyuball Planet has interviews with some of the best yooyuballers in history. Not only do we get to talk with these exciting atheletes, we also catch up with club managers, sports officials, and other people in the world of yooyuball.
These history lessons are anything but boring! Ever wonder how a club began? Maybe how a certain player gor their nickname? History Lessons is a series where we take you to the past to uncover interesting secrets that not many people know.
Altador Cup. The All-Neopia Championships. The WAM Celebration Cup. All articles relating to these special events and more will be placed here.
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