CiboTap 2020
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CiboTap 2020
This is the official thread for the 2020 CiboTap Championships, which will take place in Zandarijn between July 11th and July 25th.
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Natopia
Passio-Corum
Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Zandariijn
Group B
Birgeshir
Etourney
Helderbourgh
North Antarctica
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Wednesday July 8th to avoid FMF player selection!
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Natopia
Passio-Corum
Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Zandariijn
Group B
Birgeshir
Etourney
Helderbourgh
North Antarctica
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Wednesday July 8th to avoid FMF player selection!
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- FMS Staff
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Re: CiboTap 2020
Fixtures
11th July
A: Zandarijn vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
A: Natopia vs. Passio-Corum
B: Birgeshir vs. Etourney
B: North Antarctica vs. Helderbourgh
15th July
A: Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq vs. Passio-Corum
A: Zandarijn vs. Natopia
B: Etourney vs. Helderbourgh
B: Birgeshir vs. North Antarctica
19th July
A: Natopia vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
A: Passio-Corum vs. Zandarijn
B: North Antarctica vs. Etourney
B: Helderbourgh vs. Birgeshir
22nd July
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
25th July
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
11th July
A: Zandarijn vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
A: Natopia vs. Passio-Corum
B: Birgeshir vs. Etourney
B: North Antarctica vs. Helderbourgh
15th July
A: Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq vs. Passio-Corum
A: Zandarijn vs. Natopia
B: Etourney vs. Helderbourgh
B: Birgeshir vs. North Antarctica
19th July
A: Natopia vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
A: Passio-Corum vs. Zandarijn
B: North Antarctica vs. Etourney
B: Helderbourgh vs. Birgeshir
22nd July
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
25th July
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
Re: CiboTap 2020
Group A
Zandarijn vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Birgeshir vs. Etourney
Zandarijn vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Natopia vs. Passio-CorumHosts Zandarijn went into their opening match against debutantes Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq expected to win, but the host nation seemed up to the task. Taking control of the game from the early stages, they needed less than a quarter-of-an-hour to find the opener, with Bastiaan van Meijner's cross headed home at the near post by Dieter Maritzburg to put the hosts infront. It was attack against defence for most of the first half, with Nanoq Amagoalik pulling off some good saves to keep Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq in the match. However, he was foiled just after the half-hour mark when Maritzburg's strike partner Tom de Zyla was afforded space inside the penalty area, hitting a left footed effort into the bottom left corner from close range as the defence failed to cope with an overload of Zandt strikers in the penalty area.
The second half saw largely a repeat of the first, and Zandarijn netted a third when Aqqalunnguaq Omilgoitok's weak headed clearence fell to Zenden, who passed the ball into the box for Daniël Lavan-Olsen to thump home. The scoring was completed late on, with substitute Lister Janssen adding his name to scoresheet after heading home from a corner. The result will be seen as a marker of intent from Zandarijn, who will come up against much harder opponents in this tournament, whilst Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq may need to work on their defending to ensure that this tournament doesn't become an embarrassment for them.
Spoiler!
Group BNatopia began the stronger side in Nieuw Rotterdam with Passio-Corum starting poorly and took the lead after just 17 minutes with Jimmy Cole playing in young striker Watson Tempest, who dinked the goalkeeper to put the Tapfer side infront. Although Aa Siagi managed to pull off a shot that required a sprawling save from Natopian keeper Wesley Burbridge, Tempest put the game to bed moments later, once again using his pace to get past the Passian defence, before slotting low into the bottom right corner past an onrushing Joa Oo to double Natopia's lead. Passio-Corum were able to re-organise, beginning to man-mark Tempest that effectively shut him out of the game. This was until the 65th minute, when Renae Ha bundled over Christopher Carlton in the penalty area, giving Tempest a chance to seal a hat-trick. However, his penalty was saved by Oo in the Passian goal, but the rebound fell to teammate Cedric Alexander, who lashed the ball into the top right to seal the win for Natopia.
Spoiler!
Birgeshir vs. Etourney
North Antarctica vs. HelderbourghBirgeshir began the game sharp and were infront after just six minutes when Etourney failed to clear their lines properly, before presenting the ball to Çengiz Tahir inside the box, with the Cook Island striker happy to thump the ball home into the net. Etourney, who were massive underdogs, soon fell apart, with Sarapou Lahar moving the ball quickly past three Etourney defenders before thumping his effort low across the face of goal into the bottom left corner, before Lahar squared the ball to Nofre-Ka-U Pabasojk to tap home an easy third. Tahir made it 4-0 before half-time with a bullet header from a Toktæm Özalan cross. Etourney continued their defensive woes into the second period, with Tahir claiming a hat-trick before the hour mark once again with a powerful strike from inside the box, before coming off for Amam Karadeniz, who scored with his first attempt of the game, tucking home a rebound after Pabasojk hit the post with a curling effort. Pabasojk himself rounded off the scoring late on, stroking home a shot from 12 yards out after a tidy attacking move. Etourney were never really in the game but the result is perhaps much worse than they would have hoped, requiring a big step up in performance if they are going to challenge for even a point in this tournament, as they were completely exposed in this game by a Birgeshir side going for one final hurrah.
Spoiler!
Jonathan Gonzales opened the scoring for North Antarctica at the 2020 CiboTap with a goal of high quality. The 34-year-old midfielder may be entering the latter stages of his career, but he was still able to pull off a wonderful strike from 30-yards to put his side infront midway through the first half. The second also saw a Napian goal, with Jonathan Fiorentino breaking into the box before firing low past Stefan Sommer to double his side's advantage. FC Fiorecittà's Karl-Jacob Streller pulled a goal back on the hour mark with good strike from just inside the box, but ultimately Helderbourgh just couldn't find a way to beat Quentin Markhams to pull off an equaliser.
Spoiler!
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Re: CiboTap 2020
Group A
Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq vs. Passio-Corum
Etourney vs. Helderbourgh
Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq vs. Passio-Corum
Zandarijn vs. NatopiaWith both teams having suffered heavy defeats on the opening day, it was imperitive for both sides to find a positive result today to maintain their already feint hopes of making the semi-finals intact.
Passio-Corum made the brighter start, and almost found a goal within the first five minutes, with Om Eo and Gata Ev combining down the right flank before Eo whipped a ball into Aa Siagi, but the Heart of Lucien forward saw his header tipped over the bar by Nanoq Amagoalik in the Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq goal. Another good chance went begging soon after when Siagi found space at the edge of the box and his low drive was deflected by Erneeraq Angutingurniq into the path of Bo Aapoo, who promptly leathered his shot over the crossbar from roughly 12 yards out. But their perseverance paid off just before the break, with Ev whipping a ball into the area which Aapoo got a slight flick on, and despite trying to clear the ball away as it went wide of the back post, Qulutannguaq Ningiuruvik couldn't sort out his feet quick enough with the ball diverting off his shins and into the bottom corner past the keeper.
That goal blew the stuffing out of Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq, and Passio-Corum came out for the second half hungry to add to their scoresheet, Ev missed a goalden chance to double his side's lead when he put too much on a back post finish after the ball came to him from a corner, but the real advantage came on the hour mark, when defender Aqqalunnguaq Omilgoitok was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pass Voa, having already received one in the first half for a similar tackle on Siagi. Passio-Corum didn't take long to take this advantage, with Voa finding space on the edge of the box, playing a one-two with Siagi to get in one-on-one with the keeper, before dinking the ball over Amagoalik as he dived towards the ground. And within 5 minutes, they made it three, with Siagi rounding off a man of the match performance with a glorious curling strike from outside the box after some wonderful work from substitute Oun Lehe down the left hand side. Their opponents were perhaps unlucky not to score down the other end when Kipokaktoak Ittimangnaq could only divert a Sorlannguaq Arnauyumayuq cross onto the bar from close range, but in the end the scoreline was one that did not flatter Passio-Corum, whilst Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq are now mathematically eliminated from the tournament.
Spoiler!
Group BBoth teams went into this game in the knowledge that a win would all-but secure them passage to the semi-finals, and both teams started with a must-win attitude, as both sides peppered the goals with efforts. Wesley Burbridge was forced into a fine save early on to deny Tom de Zyla from scoring, before Cedric Alexander had a header tipped over the crossbar by Robert Demel. The hosts edged the first half in good chances, Daniël Lavan-Olsen hitting the crossbar with an audacious attempt from 30-yards, before Dieter Maritzburg forced Burbridge into a double save with two close range efforts inside the penalty area.
Natopia held on though to a clean-sheet at half-time and came out stronger in the second half. Watson Tempest, who had impressed in their win over Passio-Corum, had an effort spectacularly cleared off the line by Pieter Burgemeester having tried to dink the goalkeeper, before strike partner Ilyas Chowdhury's low drive hit the side netting from a tight angle. Late on substitute Ward Helton had a header saved before Zandarijn almost snatched the game at the death with only a late flag by the linesman denying Lister Janssen from a goal after Jón Dannehl was found to be marginally offside in the build up to the goal.
In the end, the score reflected how even the game was, with both sides now looking to rack up the goal differential in their final group games to see who will finish top.
Spoiler!
Etourney vs. Helderbourgh
Birgeshir vs. North AntarcticaBoth Etourney and Helderbourgh went into this game with the knowledge that anything other than a win would likely not be good enough if they wanted to advance to the semi-finals. But this clash between two of the tournament's more unfancied sides soon turned into a classic.
Helderbourgh started brightly, with Karl-Jacob Streller causing problems for Etourney by making himself some good positions early on, before playing in Marco Vuleta, whose effort required a good save from Jérémy Pélissier. But despite Helderbourgh's good start, and despite having been thrashed by Birgeshir 7-0 in their opener, Etourney shocked Micras by taking the lead. Tom Scott found himself with space on the edge of the box, whipped the ball in towards the back post, where Hector Dembélé was able to greet it with a bullet header across goal that beat Stefan Sommer. Helderbourgh were stunned, and almost fell further behind Julien Bain's effort from the edge of the 'D' hit the crossbar. But Helderbourgh were quick into a response, with Humbert Schellscheidt's long ball forward chased by Streller into the box, who cut inside and beat Jacob Newman for both pace and strength, before finding the bottom left corner with a lovely strike despite being under pressure from the defender. Etourney once again retreated into a deeply defensive minded tactic, but they were successful in keeping Helderbourgh from scoring any more goals in the first half.
When the second period came, Helderbourgh once again came with the fire power. FC Volksburg's Alex Schär was brought on as a substitute, and was able to cause the Etourney back line further problems. His first attempt, an acrobatic scissor kick hit the post, before he slid the ball into the path of Streller after holding off two defenders into the box, which the FC Fiorecittà forward was able to convert at the near post to give his side the lead. Helderbourgh were causing all sorts of problems, and added to their lead midway through the second half when Eike Fischler's cross was turned home at the back post by Schär. Etourney looked down and out, but with one of their few half-chances, they were able to pull themselves back into the match. A slip from Mannes Rutenfrans at the back allowed Dembélé to run in on goal one-on-one before squaring the ball for Lucrèce Vasseur, who slotted the ball into an empty net. But as they started to attack in search of an equaliser, heart break came, with Helderbourgh hitting them on the counter, with a three-on-one situation quickly occurring as Schär unselfishly played in Streller to tap home past the keeper to seal both a hat-trick and a win for Helderbourgh.
Spoiler!
Despite leaving Micras, Birgeshir looked in the mood to build upon their thrashing of Etourney against a good North Antarctica side. But immediately it was obvious that this would not be the same free-scoring encounter we had seen in their opener as North Antarctica started brilliantly defensively, closing down the Birgesh players and not allowing them space to work themselves into. Johny Dreco in particular was in good form, sniffing out half chances and cutting out a lot of balls as they approached the North Antarctic box. However, despite their resolute performance defensively, they weren't able to muster out any real chances themselves as the first half threatened to peter out to a boring nil-nil at the break. But about 10 minutes before half time, the deadlock was broken. North Antarctica went to sleep at a corner, with Çengiz Tahir heading the ball down as Zadkhiau Kæhræmæn, who was up from the back for the corner, stuck a leg out which was enough to divert the ball goalwards and into the back of the net.
North Antarctica came out for the second half with a bit of oomph, but after William Maynard's strike sailed wide and Jonathan Smalling's shot was deflected onto the post, Birgeshir restored their dominance. However, not needing to add to the scoreline, the game petered out once again, with North Antarctica seemingly losing their energy as Birgeshir held on for the win.
Spoiler!
Re: CiboTap 2020
Group A
Natopia vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
North Antarctica vs. Etourney
Natopia vs. Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Passio-Corum vs. ZandarijnNatopia went into their final group game against an already eliminated Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq knowing that so long as they avoided defeat they would progress to the semi-finals, however if they wanted to finish first, they would have to run up the score in order to better Zandarijn's goal differential.
However, their opponents, who were missing defender Aqqalunnguaq Omilgoitok through suspension, began well, and almost took a shock lead, with Pilutaq Akulukjuk sliding the ball through for Kipokaktoak Ittimangnaq, but the Ranheim Rensdyr striker saw his effort tipped round the post by Wesley Burbridge. Natopia took a while to get going but were able to control possession, with Jimmy Cole seeing an early effort of his hit the crossbar before Watson Tempest could only divert a mean Cedric Alexander cross narrowly wide after gambling with his run in the box. Natopia were looking good, and took the lead through Tempest shortly before the half-hour mark, with a lapse of concentration from Erneeraq Angutingurniq allowing Christopher Carlton space to run into down the right, cutting inside to cross for the young Tasneemia City Bulls striker to fire home on the half volley. The Natopians were dominating, and doubled their advantage before the break, once again as Carlton ran down the flank, crossing in again, but this time Jimmy Cole beat his man to head home at the near post.
After half-time, the Natopian's plan switched from simply winning the game to trying to increase that goal differential, and whilst their opponents once again began well, that all caved in after a 4 minute spell in which the Natopians scored twice. First, Cedric Alexander whipped in a free-kick from the flank which took a touch on its way to the back post, where Chowdhury was lurking to tuck home, before substitute Christophe von Bagelberry turned his man in the penalty area, before squaring the ball to Tempest in the middle of the goal, with the striker almost unable to miss, firing with aplomb into the left side of the net. With Natopia in complete control, they grabbed a fifth, with Alexander pulling off a Cruyff turn to beat Nukappiannguaq Tigullagaq, before crossing in for Chowdhury to head home his second of the game, before a late corner was taken short to Alexander, whose cross was deflected up at the near post thanks to a touch from Tigullagaq, with the ball looping to the back post, where sub Ward Helton was lurking to nod home an easy header to round off the scoring, as Natopia can now look forward to the semi-finals.
Spoiler!
Group BMuch like Natopia, Zandarijn found themselves looking to race the Tapfer side for goal difference in order to win the group, whilst knowing that a draw would also be good enough for them to progress. However, Passio-Corum, thanks to their 3-0 win last time out against Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq knew that they could send the hosts out and themselves through with a victory.
Yet despite their status as favourites, Zandarijn began the game badly. Aa Siagi almost put Passio-Corum infront inside the first five minutes after beating the offside trap, only to slot his finish narrowly wide of the far post, before both Pass Voa and Ei Ebla hit the post with shots from the edge of the penalty area. Zandarijn did grow back into the match, but with Dieter Maritzburg seemingly being closed down anytime he got the ball by the Passian defence and a Jón Dannehl free-kick forcing Joa Oo into a sprawling save, Zandarijn were struggling in the game. And disaster struck the hosts narrowly before the break. Voa hit a shot from the edge of the box which Robert Demel could only spill into the path of Aa Siagi, who squared the ball back across for Gata Ev to bundle over the line after Om Eo's shot was deflected towards the back post by a last-ditch tackle from Joris Leeuwenhaarlem.
Zandarijn became desperate for an equaliser, but Passio-Corum came out for the second half in full defensive mode, restricting the Zandts to passing play outside the box and not allowing them to create any space. However, despite a successful twenty-five minute period in which the hosts became increasingly frustrated, a corner kick allowed the Zandts their way back into the game, with substitute Aaron van Cruyningen's first touch being to head the ball down at the back post and into the back of the net to draw his side level. This forced Passio-Corum to go forwards, and suddenly a bore of a first half had turned into a free-flowing and open game, with both sides pushing for a winner. Bo Aapoo hit the bar with a header before strike partner Siagi missed a sitter from 10 yards out, whilst Maritzburg hit the woodwork himself with a close range effort. But the game was won in its final moments with a wonderful striker. 25-yards-out, Bastiaan van Meijner controlled a headed pass from Freddie ten Brinckelen on his chest, flicking the ball to his right, before unleashing a thunderous volley that looped over the Passian goalie and into the top left corner, sending Prins Haven into raptures as Zandarijn stole all three points in what had been a wonderfully entertaining and close game.
Spoiler!
North Antarctica vs. Etourney
Helderbourgh vs. BirgeshirBoth sides went into this game needing a win to progress through to the knock-out phases, though Etourney would also need to overturn a goal differential gap of 10 to make the semis.
North Antarctica began strongly, and took the lead within the first quarter-hour with a tidy run from Andrew Young through the Etourney defence, before slotting the ball between the keeper's legs to put his side infront. The North Antarcticans kept their momentum, and doubled their lead 18 minutes later, with defender Hugo Gomes heading home unmarked from a corner. However, after this, the North Antarcticans began to take their foot off the gas, as it already looked as if they were heading through.
The second half saw the Napians extend their lead, this time ageing forward Ishmael Kazenaghi slotted home from close range after Jérémy Pélissier spilled a long range drive from Young, but at this point the Etournians were already defeated. Both teams took the last half an hour easy, with the contest visibly over, as the North Antarcticans progressed to the semi-finals of their final ever CiboTap.
Spoiler!
Despite a slow start to the game, Birgeshir took the lead halfway through the first half, with Sarapou Lahar playing a one-two with Nofre-Ka-U Pabasojk to get into the penalty area, before squaring the ball for Toktæm Özalan to finish and put his side in the lead. Despite a Marco Vuleta effort hitting the bar, Birgeshir doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, with Özalan turning provider, crossing the ball in for Har-Im-Hotep Aktöjk to head home. Birgeshir were perhaps unlucky not to add to their lead in the second half, but will be happy after defeating their opponents and securing their passage to yet another tournament semi-finals.
Spoiler!
Re: CiboTap 2020
Semi-finals
Natopia vs. North Antarctica
Natopia vs. North Antarctica
Birgeshir vs. ZandarijnNatopia and North Anatarctica went into this semi-final both believing that they had a realistic chance of going all the way, and the atmosphere inside the PrinsArena was electric prior to kick off, but almost nobody would have been prepared for what would surely go down as one of the most memorable CiboTap encounters ever.
Both teams looked to start quickly, with youngster Watson Tempest curling an early effort just wide of the upright before Jonathan Fiorentino dragged an shot wide from just inside the penalty area. However, it was Fiorentino's side that made the early breakthrough, with Jonathan Gonzales dribbling past two Natopian players, playing the ball into the feet of Ishmael Kazenaghi just inside the box, who laid the ball back for Ezeo Maartens to drill a low strike across the face of goal into the bottom left corner to give North Antarctica the advantage. This seemed to strike confidence into the North Antarcticans, who doubled their lead just 12 minutes later, this time Jordan Maxime made an adventurous run down the right flank before crossing the ball in low, which Andrew Young gambled on to poke home at the near post. North Antarctica were in complete control, but within another 12 minutes, the game would change again. Firstly, with Natopia on a rare attack, Tempest was to have a shot on goal fly past the keeper but blocked on the line by Johny Dreco. Although it initially looked as if it came off of his thigh, the referee was in no doubt that the ball hit his arm, which fans watching on television could confirm by seeing a slow-motion replay, awarding the Natopians a penalty. Cedric Alexander stepped up confidently, slamming the spot kick into the top right corner to bring his side back into contention.
With both a goal on the score sheet and a man advantage, the Natopians had a new life brought into them, and although they couldn't find an equaliser before the break, they were level just after the hour mark, with an in-swinging corner being met by the head of Orvin Astley, who nodded home to bring the scores level. However, it seemed that the Napians weren't going down without a fight, and within 10 minutes, they re-took the lead, with some sloppy Natopian defending allowing Kazenaghi to turn in the box, before squaring the ball for Fiorentino, who tidily took his pot shot beneath the goalkeeper. But any chance of a North Antarctican win was soon dented by a moment of madness. Andrew Young and Rhys Miller vied for a header with one another, with Young seemingly hitting the deck as Miller rose from behind him to head ball away from danger. But as the players got up with the ball moving back down the other end of the pitch, the referee halted play as he saw his assistant's flag go up as several players ran into surround the pair. As it happened, after a couple of words were exchanged between the two, Young had thrown a punch at Miller, and the referee, after consulting with his linesman, had no option but to send the Craitish-based winger off. With Natopia being given a way back into the match, they took full advantage, with the constant pressure against 9-men, they soon found an equaliser, with the Napians failing to clear a cross into the box, and a rebounded ball falling kindly into the path of Ilyas Chowdhury, who thumped the ball into the net from close range to draw them level. And then with the game heading towards extra time, the Tapfer side found a winner in stoppage time, with yet another defensive failure to clear, Bram DeMien slotted home a loose ball to send Natopia through to the final of the CiboTap, with a despondent North Antarctica outfit now having to try and re-group for the third place play-off.
Spoiler!
Birgeshir came into their semi-final against the host nation still hoping for one final chance to win a major tournament.
And the men from Southern Cibola started brightly, with Bebi Bælhara dropping a brilliant ball over the top of the defence for Çengiz Tahir, who beat the offside trap to slot past the goalie into the bottom far corner, despite the flailing efforts of the Zandt defenders to get back to try and make a goalmouth clearance. Zandarijn though were certainly not discouraged by that though, and almost hit back immediately, though Dieter Maritzburg pulled his first effort of the day just wide. Maritzburg proved to be the central figure in the Zandt attack, holding up balls and getting shots off, but nothing that was too much trouble for Iu-Senb Ercanojk in the Birgesh goal, with half-time bringing about no further change in the scoreline.
Birgeshir regained their mojo at the break, and were virtually able to kill the tie off just 10 minutes into the second period. Nofre-Ka-U Pabasojk did well to wriggle free of his marker before sliding the ball through for Lahar, who slotted calmly past the goalkeeper to double his side's advantage. Lahar's goal this time round broke the Zandt spirit, and it could have been three not long after had Tahir kept a header from point-blank range down. In the end, Birgeshir were able to see the game out, and they will go out for one last hurrah in the CiboTap Championships, whilst Zandarijn will attempt to salvage some respect by aiming for a third place finish.
Spoiler!
Re: CiboTap 2020
Third place play-off
North Antarctica vs. Zandarijn
Natopia vs. Birgeshir
North Antarctica vs. Zandarijn
FINALZandarijn headed into the third place play-off in a home tournament in an odd place; whilst they had missed out on a final which they would have been so desperate for, they had also played well and had only been denied a spot in that coveted game by a very good Birgeshir side. Conversely, this would be North Antarctica's final ever game, as they would be renamed Castilona and join the EMUFA upon completion of this match. As a result, both sides were hoping to find some consolation in this game and end the tournament on a positive note.
The hosts started quicker out of the blocks, with Tom de Zyla flashing an early effort narrowly wide of the post, with Pavel Zenden attempting an ambitious volley from outside the box that hit the angle of post and bar. North Antarctica's early pace was poor, but despite missing Johny Dreco in defence due to suspension, his replacement, Efrain Azacuelpa, was doing a sterling job of keeping the Zandt forwards in check, limiting the chances the hosts could get on goal. North Antarctica did eventually grow into the game, but Jonathan Fiorentino missed their best chance, glancing a header over from close range after Ezeo Maartens had done so well to cover significant ground down the flank.
However, the game would be won just five minutes after the restart. Jón Dannehl did well to hold off a challenge from Jonathan Smalling, before playing the ball wide to Bastiaan van Meijner, whose brilliant cross was flicked on by Tom de Zyla, with Dieter Maritzburg following in at the back post to bundle the ball over the line. The goal sent the Zandt crowd into raptures, but also seemingly knocked the stuffing out of North Antarctica. Missing the creativity of Andrew Young in the midfield, they struggled to muster a response, and the game was killed off with 15 minutes to go when Zandarijn were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box halfway between the 'D' and the left side of the penalty area. Whilst several players stood over the ball, substitute Freddie ten Brinckelen was the one who took it, striking a sweet dipping effort over the wall and into the top-left corner, well beyond the reaches of the flailing Quentin Markhams. The North Antarcticans were able to create one final chance, but William Maynard's last minute effort crashed off the post and out for a goalkick.
Whilst not the trophy they would have craved, Zandarijn can be pleased to take home a bronze medal, after a thoroughly professional performance and a series of solid displays throughout this tournament.
Spoiler!
Natopia vs. Birgeshir
Natopia and Birgeshir met in Hamstadt to contest a highly anticipated final of the CiboTap Championships. Both sides were in impressive scoring form, with Natopia having set a record win during the group stage over Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq and netting 13 times in 4 games en route to a first tournament finals in eight years, whilst Birgeshir had yet to conceded in this tournament. With Birgeshir leaving Micras after this game, they also had the added pressure of a distinct possibility of leaving Micras with the Unofficial Micras Football World Championships, and claiming a third CiboTap triumph in the process, whilst Natopia would we hoping to repeat their shock win in 2012 and find a way to add their name to that trophy for a second time.
As many finals do, the game started tensely, but Birgeshir were the side looking on top, controlling much of the possession in midfield. The early exchanges mainly saw the teams try to pass their way through the midfield, with few players looking like they wanted to risk a killer pass in fear of gifting the opposition possession. The game though did eventually open up, with Birgeshir providing the best of the chances. The first of these fell to Sarapou Lahar, who after receiving the ball from Nofre-Ka-U Pabasojk after some tidy build-up play from Bebi Bælhara could only spoon a tame effort over the bar, before Toktæm Özalan unleashed a strike from distanced, that crashed off the crossbar, on the line, and away from harm's way, failing to cross the line itself in the process. But the deadlock would eventually be opened just after the half hour mark. Har-Im-Hotep Aktöjk managed to play a ball over the top of the defence for Pabasojk to chase onto, and once in the box and one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he unselfishly played the ball across for Çengiz Tahir, who thumped the tap-in into the roof of the net. Whilst the Birgesh fans went into raptures, the Natopians needed to find a way back into it, but unfortunately for them, half-time just couldn't come quickly enough, and they were perhaps lucky to have only conceded once by the interval, with Tahir, Pabasojk and Lahar all missing guilt edge opportunities to extend Birgeshir's lead.
However, the half-time break did the trick. Natopia came out like a different team, energised and refreshed, and immediately set about the task of finding an equaliser. Bram DeMien had their first real chance of the final, with the ball coming to him just inside the penalty box, but after shifting the ball onto his right foot, he failed to make a clean connection with his strike, with the ball ballooning high and wide into the stands. Cedric Alexander was also unlucky not to find the equaliser, with his effort inside the box forcing Iu-Senb Ercanojk into a good save. But the Natopians would eventually get their deserved equaliser. Halfway through the second period, Alexander slid a ball from the midfield into the box for Ilyas Chowdhury to chase. He cut back inside to beat his man, played the ball square for Christopher Carlton, who in turn passed the ball to Watson Tempest, who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner from close range to put Natopia on level terms once again. But just as the half-time break provided impetus for Natopia, this goal provided the motivation for Birgeshir to get back into the game. But despite Tahir and Lahar both getting in behind the Natopian defence and forcing the goalkeeper into some seriously good saves, Birgeshir couldn't find a goal, and the game went into extra time.
Birgeshir continued to cause problems and threw on both Pnei-Hor Türanojk and Amam Karadeniz in search of a winner. Türanojk was particularly close to scoring just minutes after coming on too, shifting the ball past the defence before his low drive across the face of goal required Wesley Burbridge to expertly tip the ball around the post. But instead of finding a winner, Birgeshir fell behind just before half-time in extra time. Natopia, who had largely been on the back foot, first saw Jonjo Mawar hack the ball clear of the defence, before Jimmy Cole chased onto the loose ball, he ran to the edge of the box, before laying the ball off to Tempest, who thumped a curling effort from the edge of the box into the top-right corner to send the Natopian fans into pandemonium. The young Tasneemia City Bulls, who had been something of a breakout with his goalscoring exploits this tournament, wheeled away in celebration as the Birgesh defenders wondered what had just happened.
The second half of extra time now saw Birgeshir need to find an equaliser, but despite an almost constant assault on the Natopian box, the defence refused to yield, and with the last kick of the game, they sealed the win. The Birgesh keeper went up for a last minute corner, but Sigismund Cowfefe headed the ball clear, with the ball finding DeMien, who launched the ball instinctively towards the unguarded net in the opposite half. The ball though was running wide by the six yard box, but Tempest, who had burst his gut to meet it, was on hand to slot the ball into the empty net, sealing both a hat-trick for himself, and the win for his country
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