EMU 2022
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EMU 2022
This is the official thread for the 2022 EMU Championships, which will take place in Phinbella between July 30th and August 13th.
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Castilona
Normark
Nouvelle Alexandrie
Phinbella
Group B
Mercury
Osktrava
Talenore
The Hexarchy
Teams have until Wednesday July 27th to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), lest they be chosen for them by the FMF Executives after that deadline!
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Castilona
Normark
Nouvelle Alexandrie
Phinbella
Group B
Mercury
Osktrava
Talenore
The Hexarchy
Teams have until Wednesday July 27th to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), lest they be chosen for them by the FMF Executives after that deadline!
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Re: EMU 2022
Fixtures
30th July
A: Phinbella vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
A: Castilona vs. Normark
B: Mercury vs. Talenore
B: The Hexarchy vs. Osktrava
3rd August
A: Normark vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
A: Phinbella vs. Castilona
B: Osktrava vs. Talenore
B: Mercury vs. The Hexarchy
7th August
A: Normark vs. Phinbella
A: Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. Castilona
B: Osktrava vs. Mercury
B: Talenore vs. The Hexarchy
10th August
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
13th August
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
30th July
A: Phinbella vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
A: Castilona vs. Normark
B: Mercury vs. Talenore
B: The Hexarchy vs. Osktrava
3rd August
A: Normark vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
A: Phinbella vs. Castilona
B: Osktrava vs. Talenore
B: Mercury vs. The Hexarchy
7th August
A: Normark vs. Phinbella
A: Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. Castilona
B: Osktrava vs. Mercury
B: Talenore vs. The Hexarchy
10th August
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
13th August
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
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Re: EMU 2022
*Played 30th July*
Group A
Phinbella vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
Group B
Mercury vs. Talenore
Group A
Phinbella vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
Castilona vs. NormarkHosts Phinbella opened the tenth EMU Championships after a colourful opening ceremony that featured performances from a number of PP-pop stars with a match against a highly-fancied Nouvelle Alexandrie side. A packed Negara Awan Galaxy Stadium overflowed with atmosphere and excitement, and the Phinbellan players thrived off it, to the extent that they took an unexpected lead. With less than 15 minutes on the clock, Frosty Flynn burst through a mistimed tackle and found space before dinking the ball inside for striker Ri Kae-hwan to peel away from his marker an volley home an impressive first goal of the tournament from the left side of the area. The "smash and grab" tactic may have been part of the Phinbellan plan, given the immediacy of the defensive display that followed the goal, but sitting back served the hosts well thereafter. Despite the pressure of Micrasian stars such as Modrem, Miller and d'Oliviera, the Phinbellan back line held firm for an increasing amount of time to frustrate the New Alexandrians. Action down the opposite end of the pitch wasn't entirely absent, either, with Ri pining to doubled his tally but to no avail. However, at the death, the barricade was breached; Álexis Carrasco was taken down by a Nicodemou challenge to set-up Marius Henry to strike a pinpoint free-kick into the postage stamp from around twenty yards out. An unfortunate end to the game for the home side, who had otherwise looked to be on for a famous victory, but an opening draw is more than a credible result and gives them points on the board as the games now become statistically easier for them. Nouvelle Alexandrie, on the other hand, will need to find a more devastating offence in their coming fixtures to increase their chances of progressing.Spoiler!
Castilona set an impressive record by just setting foot on the pitch in Group A's other match, as they featured in a third different confederation's finals tournament, following appearances in the Copa Apollonia and CiboTap in their previous official guise as North Antarctica, while Normark ended a decade's hiatus from the EMU Championships after their last as the Nordic Union in 2012. A potentially evenly-matched encounter soon gave way to being one-way Castilonan traffic for the majority of the first half, with Martin Vanderkaay and Andrew Young running rings around their opposing full-backs down the wings to forge attempts for Jonathan Fiorentino in the centre. If not for a good display from Julian Engelstad, there could have been multiple goals before half time, but there was ultimately just the one, with Vanderkaay making the difference midway through the half, confidently finishing off a Fiorentino pass on the overlap into the 'keeper's near bottom corner. Normark were improved in the second half, with veteran Lars Gjære influencing the midfield more, but he could have done nothing to affect the goal that doubled Castilona's lead after the hour. Substitute striker Narcís Xifré worked with namesake Narcís Fargas down the right before the former swung a deep cross for Fiorentino to find with his forehead, as he beat Erpenssen in the air, to direct it back across the goalie and inside the far stick. Normark had opportunities to change the scoreline before the game was drawn to a close, but Kristian Langerud, whose chance was the best they created, could only loop a shot under pressure onto the roof of the net. Castilona take a surprise lead on the group after the opening round, boosting their chance to advance, while Normark will need to be on top form against Nouvelle Alexandrie in a few days' time to keep their dream alive.Spoiler!
Group B
Mercury vs. Talenore
The Hexarchy vs. OsktravaThat one of the EMU 2022 openers would be a replay of the 2020 final was serendipitous, as reigning champions Mercury yet again took on Talenore. Last edition's final was a low-scoring encounter, as many finals are, but offered plenty of entertainment and this fixture was no different in regards to the latter. A strike straight after the game began set the tone, with usual suspect Joe Foxon hitting a trademark effort from outside the box after being played in by Fresnel, powering the ball past Tolâso's right side as he tried to save. The quick start led to an equaliser for Talenore less than a quarter-hour later, through a patient attack that saw Vernon Cristaldo pick out Kali Kalani before he touched the ball backwards for Peder Xvarts' soft sidefoot to guide the ball in off the base of the post from the middle of the box. The level score couldn't last until the break, however, as Mercury went ahead again, with their other striking threat opening his tournament account. A corner was won through a strong palm behind by Tolâso, and Wilmont Fizeau-Blake's delivery was met by Addey Hanbury at the near post, who flicked a header from close range between the stopper's arms as he was unable to react in time. The goal before the break disheartened Talenore but Mercury didn't run away with it in the second half, as they struggled to really establish a dominance in possession, and were fortunate that Kalani got the ball stuck under his feet slightly when in a critical spot, gaining the ball in the six-yard box unmarked but being tackled before finding a shot. The final ten minutes put the result beyond doubt, however, with another Mercurian goal being tapped in by Ben Shearer, who was first to reach the rebound after Tolâso pushed a strong Hanbury shot upwards but not out, leaving the midfielder just needing to touch the ball over from less than a yard out as it dropped back down. A good start for the holders, who are aiming to win a record fourth EMU title, while a defeat for Talenore may not have been outside of expectation, but the extra goal conceded that was rather avoidable in hindsight could be a key factor is goal difference comes into play after the three rounds of games are concluded.Spoiler!
Two EMU débutants faced each other in their opening game, with Osktrava taking on The Hexarchy, whose performances in the World Cup last year impressed many a pundit despite their group-stage elimination. A tense first 45 was only given a memorable moment right before the whistle blew for the interval, after a prolonged period of midfield stagnancy was ended by Pavol Havel as the Osktravan forward capitalised on a loose ball to collect it in the area and scuff it home past U-Marduk's outstretched leg. After the break, The Hexarchy brought their A-game as the match's intensity rose, with the goal before the break clear fuel for a resurgence. Before the hour mark, the scores had been levelled, with Nahum Baqqanum being a perfect muse to star man Balshazzar Bel-Dagon, with the latter linking-up with a dainty touch over a high back line to let the former run through one-on-one with the 'keeper Koreň before rounding him and rolling the ball into the empty net. The turnaround was completed quarter of an hour later through an unexpected source as the eldest player in the squad, defender Shoshenq Arad-Kadesh, was on hand to divert a corner into the goal with a header after he overpowered a handful of defenders with a high leap and got the decisive touch to put it into the net via a bounce. Osktrava were devoid any counter argument to try and bring the game level again before full time, and a Hexarchian win was sealed on the ninety. The ideal result to start the tournament for The Hexarchy, who may look at the first half as a guide of do-nots for their upcoming fixture against Mercury, but will now like their chances of progressing, though a poor end to what could have been a better day for the Osktravans, who will want to make amends against Talenore next.Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2022
*Played 3rd August*
Group A
Normark vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
Group B
Osktrava vs. Talenore
Group A
Normark vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
Phinbella vs. CastilonaAfter two less-than-desired results in their opening matches, Normark and the New Alexandrians met with the aim of turning their fortunes around to help their chances of advancing. After a quiet first half, Nouvelle Alexandrie ultimately took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break, with "Miller the Thriller" breaking the deadlock with a trademark towering header to bullet home a Henry delivery from a deep free-kick. Although the Norse created a few chances, the best fell to Yngve Eikeland, who rashly volleyed against the outside of the post but only after Javier de la Fuente had made the score 2-0 with a cut inside and curled a finish into the bottom-right corner to put the result beyond Normark. A comfortable win to put Nouvelle Alexandrie to the top of the group, while a second successive defeat eliminates Normark with a game to spare.Spoiler!
After an opening draw that showed good intent from the hosts, Castilona were up next following their victory that put them top of the group coming into the match. Phinbella's game management was the key factor to this match-up, with their approach treating them better than in the first game, as they avoided conceding a late goal. However, they also failed to breach the Castilonan defence themselves, and the match ended goalless to keep both side's unbeaten beginning, but with the risk that potentially only one of them may now reach the semi-finals depending on the last round of fixtures.Spoiler!
Group B
Osktrava vs. Talenore
Mercury vs. The HexarchyA defeat apiece in the last round put the onus on both teams to try and get a result in Bandar Baru Fatin. Osktrava started best, with last match's goalscorer Pavol Havel causing trouble, but it was young midfielder Viktor Pokorný who had the killer touch just after the half-hour. Following a corner that was cleared by a defender's head, Pokorný gained possession before steadying himself and unleashing a shot from the edge of the box that flew through the crowd and past Tolâso, who got little more than a fingertip on it and not enough to stop it from finding the back of the net. As in their previous match, however, the Osktravans were unable to hold onto their advantage, with an accidental handball in the area from Sklenár being penalised and the resulting spot kick being guided home by Kali Kalani a matter of minutes later. The second 45 saw a turnaround completed, both in dominating the match and on the scoreboard; Talenore sub Samual Montferrat burying the best chance of the half to settle the tie. A Xvarts ball into space was chased down by the pacy Montferrat, who also overpowered Oliver Komár with his run, and the striker turned the ball between the legs of the 'keeper to score. A handy win for Talenore, which keeps them in contention, while Osktrava sit on no points still after squandering leads twice and are now mathematically out of the running.Spoiler!
A confident win for the holders in the first match was matched by their Hexarchian opponents' comeback victory, leading to a buoyed feeling all round at the Samjil Stadium. The Hexarchy's fans' optimism was slightly killed early doors as Mercury nabbed a lead through Samson Yatesby, who gathered up the ball after Joe Foxon had won a tackle on a lackadaisical Uzimiya, and tucked it down the stopper's left and inside the post. The Hexarchy weren't disheartened though and struck back soon after, after Balshazzar Bel-Dagon shrugged off his marker to control a ball forward and expertly directed it past Foster's leap to his right. The entertaining first half ended with Mercury restoring their lead, with Joe Foxon spearheading a quick attack forward and finishing with a sliding kick after Ben Shearer had found a gap between the goalie and last defender to play it square across the six-yard box. Despite being down again, The Hexarchy started the second half the brightest and once again drew level after ten minutes' play through Nahum Baqqanum's second strike of the tournament, with the forward lurking well at the far post to scruffily divert Bel-Dagon's hopeful chip over the line as the captain had held up play near the bye-line before playing it into the danger area over Foster. As was typical for this encounter, the score failed to stay the same for long, and Mercury went ahead for the third time halfway through the 45. Foxon proved lethal as he has done time and time again, being awarded far too much free time near the "D" to touch the ball inside and rifle a shot with his right that swerved into the top-left corner of the goal before U-Marduk could attempt to spring across to keep it out. A sixth goal for the match came mere minutes later, but to Mercury's delight it was not another equaliser and their lead had been doubled for the first time. Coming on in the aftermath of the previous goal, Zachariah Stoker was thrown straight into the action and tidied up a loose ball with what may have even been his first touch. Addey Hanbury was played through but was unable to best U-Marduk, who closed down superbly to win the ball, which deflected off his chest and was picked up by Stoker before any of the defence could reach it, and the midfielder took two touches to bring himself closer to the goal before lacing it over the unguarded line and in. As much as they tried, The Hexarchy failed to find any further goals in their locker and had to settle for a defeat despite a fantastic performance and a desire to not give-up. Mercury showed why they are consistently ranked as one of Micras' best teams, overcoming a challenging opponent, and secured their semi-final spot by virtue of the final round of fixtures seeing The Hexarchy take on Talenore, meaning both cannot overtake them. That very game will be the decider for the Hexarchians, with their fate in their own hands as a draw would be enough to take them through thanks to their tally of goals scored so far.Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2022
*Played 7th August*
Group A
Normark vs. Phinbella
Group B
Osktrava vs. Mercury
Group A
Normark vs. Phinbella
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. CastilonaHosts Phinbella needed a win and to hope that the group's other final round match didn't end in a draw, or if it did that goal difference swung in their favour, to advance to a knock-out stage for the very first time, with already-eliminated Normark standing in their way. A close game saw both teams' defences take the plaudits, but the decisive moment came as the second half progressed, as Phinbella's Park Ji-cho was able to tuck home a finish from close range after a game of pinball in the box to take the lead. The result, exactly what the host nation needed, was confirmed in injury time with a magnificent goal-line clearance from L'Esperance-O'Kirwan that simultaneously left the Norse going home without finding a goal all tournament. Phinbellan eyes were then all on the other match to see if they had progressed...Spoiler!
With all to play for in Group A, the group's top two played with the risk of being knocked-out to counteract the possibility of either winning the group. Both could still advance, dependant on the other game's result, but it was no surprise that the pair went for the jugular as the spoils were up for grabs. However, the encounter would ultimately end as a convincing New Alexandrian victory as their star-studded side had just too much for the newer blood of the Castilonan squad. Andrew Miller found two first-half finishes in relatively quick succession to really set the tone; his first-time half-volley from near the penalty spot that flew into the top-right was followed by a header from a corner that rebounded off Esparraguera in goal before being headed for a second time over the stranded 'keeper as the ball looped up nicely for the ethnically-Hammish striker. Castilona made the scoreline look more respectable before the break, as Narcís Fargas ran clear of a sliding tackle before touching the ball to the stopper's right and in, though very much against the general run of play. Nouvelle Alexandrie controlled the second half as well but failed to extend their lead, despite a number of opportunities to do so, until the depth of injury time, where sub Álexis Carrasco turned the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box after a De la Fuente delivery. After being beaten comfortably, Castilona had to rely on Normark to progress, but the news that Phinbella had snatched a victory seeped through and the hosts followed Nouvelle Alexandrie into the semi-finals.Spoiler!
Group B
Osktrava vs. Mercury
Talenore vs. The HexarchyGuaranteed-to-progress Mercury played guaranteed-to-not Osktrava with little more than final group position to be decided. As the previous two rounds of games may have suggested, it was Mercury that had the last laugh as Osktrava's last foray in EMU 2022 saw them fail to score, breaking their streak of taking the lead in their matches. Addey Hanbury's diving header was the most notable feature of the first half, with the forward finding impressive contact to divert a Joe Foxon lob inside into the net just inside the post. The second 45 was much a repetition of the first, with Hanbury's second goal being the stand-out moment of an otherwise tame period; this time the striker was fed by Foxon again, albeit along the ground to set up a first-time bullet hit from the "D" that Koreň couldn't reach with his dive leftward. A leisurely win for Mercury, who confirmed their place as group winners, and a subdued goodbye for the Osktravans whose defensive misfortunes may well improve as their setup matures. The group's remaining match would be the one to decide the last team to reach the knock-outs...Spoiler!
Group B's decisive fixture brought Talenore and The Hexarchy together with the narrowest margin of goals scored separating them before kick-off and the knowledge that the winner would secure a semi-final spot. The Hexarchy, playing in their début EMU finals, held that minor advantage over 2020 runners-up Talenore, but they are not the kind of team to rest on their laurels and burst out of the blocks. Within ten minutes of kick-off, they'd given their chances a huge boost thanks to captain Bel-Dagon, who blasted home from a matter of yards out to give Tolâso no chance to save, after a squared pass from Baqqanum after he had jinked past Petro Gjanocca. A save from U-Marduk retained the Hexarchian lead when Kalani looked likely to hit the back of the net five minutes later, but the half worked its way towards a second goal right before the whistle was blown. Bel-Dagon turned provider as he cut inside before rolling the ball backwards to Sargon Arad-Nuzi for a low strike that avoided a deflection and skidded inside the base of the right post. The Hexarchy attempted to consolidate after half time, holding Talenore at bay and frustrating them as time ran-out. The frustration was almost subsided near the death, as a speculative Peder Xvarts long-range shot eventually found its way into the net, but there were no more opportunities for an equaliser, let alone another goal to turn their fortunes around completely, and Talenore had to face the prospect of an early exit as the Hexarchians celebrated a semi-final berth for the first time.Spoiler!
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*Played 10th August*
Semi-finals
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. The Hexarchy
Semi-finals
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. The Hexarchy
Mercury vs. PhinbellaThe first EMU 2022 semi saw two teams play in their first ever knock-out fixture, although with very different historical circumstances; while the Hexarchians have little prior tournament experience, the New Alexandrians had plenty of players with the expertise of numerous winners' medals from Hammish and Alexandrian appearances. However, The Hexarchy started the match the brighter of the two, catching Nouvelle Alexandrie off-guard with their attacking play that has earned them a number of new fans this summer, and a lead was found just after 15 minutes' play. Captain Bel-Dagon caused his markers plenty of troubles up top and was fed by a lobbed ball forward from Arad-Nuzi, which the striker cushioned down to find Raameses Arad-Bau running forward. The 26-year-old controlled the ball with the outside of his right boot before pulling the trigger with the same boot from outside the box, which flew to the right of 'keeper Foucault, who was unable to react with a dive in time to make contact to save the shot, and the net rippled as the ball landed just inside the netting inside the post. The Hexarchy's aforementioned desire to attack has on occasion left them vulnerable at the opposite end of the pitch and, coupled with Nouvelle Alexandrie's new desire to get back into the game, their lead was on shaky ground well before half time came along. Andrew Miller, who has been in fine form this tournament, scored in a third game on the bounce after rounding off a swift counter-attack; Javier de la Fuente sprung past Arad-Kadesh before measuring a cross in towards Miller, whose intelligent movement brought him in front of Uzimiya to glance a header before the defender could get to the ball, which instead bounced inside the far post with U-Marduk scrambling to no avail. After equalising, the game was taken well into the New Alexandrian chokehold, and momentum in the second half went fully their way. Miller was denied a brace shortly after the restart, with U-Marduk's fingertips diverting a long-range shot over the bar, and Tamer Modrem's own lengthy effort could only ping the outside of the post as the chances built. A decisive effort eventually gave the lead to Nouvelle Alexandrie as they came back through Juan Martínez's finish. De la Fuente was involved as with the first goal, as another player having a solid championships, with a touch inside taking him past two defenders before playing a pass through the legs of another which was met by a marauding Martínez in a lot of space. The midfielder needed just one touch to convert, striking low across the turf into the bottom-right corner of the goal from just inside the area. The Hexarchy failed to create an opportunity for an equaliser before the final whistle, in fact being fortunate that the game didn't end 3-1 as U-Marduk kept out Miller again in injury time, leaving Nouvelle Alexandrie to advance to the final on Saturday as the Hexarchians play for bronze earlier the same day.Spoiler!
Hosts played holders in the second semi in Kéijō, with many Phinbellan fans really liking their chances of pulling-off an upset to make the showpiece match. Mercury came into the game in free-scoring form and with a perfect record in the group stage, while Phinbella's defence has been their main feature so far this summer, keeping two clean sheets in three games, but with a lack of goals at the other end a potential downfall. The encounter was buoyed by an electric home atmosphere, as has been commonplace at Phinbellan matches, but the action on the pitch was ultimately not to the same raucous levels. Mercury dominated the first 45, but were wayward in their shooting in the few chances they did create, contrary to past form, with Hanbury the most guilty as he spurned a chance from close range. After the interval, the action was more even, with Phinbella challenging Foster a couple of times, but the Mercurian stopper had firm hands to keep the ball away. At the other end, Gopal Kumar performed well to deny Joe Foxon a fourth goal of these finals at the death to send the game to extra time. The additional thirty minutes was more akin to the first half, with Mercury dominant again, but with struggles finding the decisive pass as Phinbella's back line held firm even if their offence was unable to create anything in the opposite half. The full 120 minutes drew to a close goalless and penalties gave the hosts a fantastic opportunity to complete the upset, but after one miss apiece in the first nine shots, Jonathan Foster was the hero of the evening as he palmed Polycarpos Nicodemou's spot kick around the base of his left-hand post. Mercury advance to a fifth EMU final, and third in a row, with Nouvelle Alexandrie waiting, while hosts Phinbella will be aiming for a win to end their tournament with to relieve the sorrow of missing a home final.Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2022
*Played 13th August*
Third-place play-off
The Hexarchy vs. Phinbella
Final
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. Mercury
Third-place play-off
The Hexarchy vs. Phinbella
After two unfortunately narrow semi-final defeats, hosts Phinbella and the Hexarchians had the unenviable task of fighting out for the tournament's bronze medal. With both sides guaranteed to secure their best ever finals finish regardless of result, the pressure was slightly off the pair as they lined-up on the Samjil Stadium turf. The goal-hungry Hexarchy side scored first, in the first half, through Nahum Baqqanum's third goal of the competition, after the striker was played in by his partner up top Balshazzar Bel-Dagon and tapped the ball home first time past the rushing 'keeper. While the score remained consistent for the vast majority of the remainder of the game, it didn't tell the full story of the action on the pitch as The Hexarchy's one-goal cushion was not convincingly defended. A trio of Phinbellan attackers was denied by U-Marduk's acrobatics in goal in the second half before an equaliser was ultimately found near the end of the game. A corner delivered by Mat Phineas Flynn was dropped deep into the area and defender Pieter Van Der Vyver was available to meet it after shrugging his marker and leaned forward to touch a header over the line from near the back stick. However, extra time was avoided by the The Hexarchy, who stole the third place finish away in time added on. A long ball forward was touched forward by Tiger Bel-Karnak, to land at the feet of Bel-Dagon and the Hexarchian captain's second assist of the evening was converted by sub Sirius Uruhani, who calmly put the ball to Kumar's left side with a powerful sidefoot from near the penalty spot after a nutmegged ball square. With no time to return the favour, Phinbella had to settle for a defeat in their last match in front of their home tournament crowd, while The Hexarchy's bronze-medal finish gives them a huge improvement from last summer's World Cup showing and puts them in very good stead ahead of next year's edition.Spoiler!
Final
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. Mercury
The EMU 2022 final kicked-off to close an intriguing tournament after Phinbella had played its part as an exemplary host nation, with the tournament's two highest-ranked teams fighting it out for the title. Mercury came into the match as no strangers to the EMUFA's pinnacle, having won three times, while Nouvelle Alexandrie's players have plenty of medals individually despite this being the team's first ever tournament. The New Alexandrians were under the cosh from the beginning, with the usually-prolific Mercurian partnership of Foxon and Hanbury causing problems for their defence, who were fortunate that a couple of rushed shots were put wide of the post. Nouvelle Alexandrie worked their way back into the possession stakes as the half progressed, forging chances of their own after Mercury's threats quietened down; Javier de la Fuente was lethal down the wing on occasion but found his deliveries in fail to be rewarded as Miller couldn't best the Mercurian back line. That narrative shifted right before the break, however, as the Hammish-born forward found the back of the net right before the whistle was blown. Marius Henry was the killer factor, darting down the opposite wing, before chipping the ball over two defenders for Miller to tower a header over a Craig Bean caught on the back foot and down past Foster's dive to his left. After the restart, the second half began in a similar vein to the first, with Mercury on top and keeping hold of the ball, though with no real penetration to the defence. An attack against the run of play midway through the half created a moment of brilliance for the game's second goal, with a counter run and ball through from Tamer Modrem cutting Mercury apart. However, some intelligent 'keeping from Foster intercepted what looked like an inevitable ball for Miller to score again and the goalie released it downfield with a huge throw to find Foxon. The striker's first touch brought it through the legs of his marker Peter O'Reilly, who was sat back as his teammates had run forward, leaving Foxon one-on-one with Foucault. That first touch was slightly heavy, and Foucault almost claimed it but Foxon made contact first to knock the ball into the centre of the box, where veteran Stephen Rydberg was the first player following up and was able to slot it into the unguarded net. After level-pegging was resumed, the last spells of the ninety were tense as both sides looked for a winner, but none could be found, leading to extra time for Mercury for the second time this tournament. The additional half-hour was more favourable for Nouvelle Alexandrie, with Foster taking the brunt of a couple of dangerous attacks, palming efforts from Miller and sub Álexis Carrasco around the post and over the bar in quick succession, respectively. Mercury's final attempt of the additional periods was one that found the net from the right boot of Joe Foxon, but the striker was flagged offside and play was brought back to discredit the strike and the match ended all level, taking the sides to penalties. Despite his productivity in open play, Andrew Miller's initial miss from the first penalty swung momentum to Mercury, though Addey Hanbury's weak shot being saved by Foucault a few kicks later levelled the scores. Following a handful of consecutive conversions, Samson Yatesby had his attempted chip flicked up against the bar by the stopper, leaving Jean-Pierre d'Oliviera to blast his effort into the top corner to put the shoot-out out of Mercury's grasp. The most unfortunate way to miss-out on winning three EMU titles in a row for Mercury, especially after winning their semi-final against the hosts in the same manner, was the means by which Nouvelle Alexandrie's super-team lifted their first ever trophy, with celebrations lasting well into the night and beyond.Spoiler!