Ultimate Cup 4: Everything Thread

[Yttribia]

Well, our first cut-off in the later part of the window, hell this is past the window. Time to see who moves on to the quarter-finals.

Yttribia                17 
Macquarrie              12 

first match scorinated by Northern Sunrise Islands

Vettrera                13
Equestrian States       17

Match-ups for Quarter-Finals
Menukten v. Yttribia @ Stadia Suprema
Gregoryisgodistan v. Equestrian States @ Casino Peak
Cosumar v. Electrum @ Fontvieille Park
Britonisea v. Anditia @ Harrison Field

Third party scorinator needed for the Yttribia/Menukten matchup

[Electrum]

Sports Section - Centralis Herald - Jane McNamara

Quarterfinals action at the Ultimate Cup 4

With the group round and playoff matches finally over, the quarterfinal matchups are now finally known. As expected, Electrum was drawn with Cosumar, as Cosumar was ranked third of all of the group winners, and Electrum coming in as sixth seed. Although we do think that Cosumar is a good team, it is important to note that they have the same record as Electrum, going into the quarterfinals with 4 wins and 2 losses. It was just pure misfortune for Electrum to be allocated in a group with Menukten, but I think it's important to note that in any other group, Electrum would have certainly made first group.

We have reached the tailend of the competition with the competition culminating in a knock-out finals series. Teams were first ranked 1-8, with the top 5 group winners reserving 1-5 and the best placed winner, Electrum, gaining 6 and the two playoff winners grabbing 7 and 8. Then, the teams were paired up and we have our quarterfinals! The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals, then the finals were three matches will be played to determine the ultimate victor. Anyways, let the previews commence!

In the first half of the draw, we see Menukten against Yttribia and Gregoryisgodistan against Equestrian States at Casino Peak. In what promises to be an action-packed quarterfinals, group winners Menukten will face playoff qualifier and host, Yttribia. Fireworks will go off in this match as it is the typical David vs. Goliath matchup with the best ranked Menukten going up against Yttribia. Menukten is a team that is not to be underestimated, as we've seen with their matches against Electrum. They are a powerhouse in the Ultimate Frisbee scene, with a fantastically huge Ultimate competition which lasts for two years, called Discaligwa. Although they are very, very good at their frisbee, an expected hometown support for Yttribia in Stadia Suprema will be sure to make the match very close. Although it's a nailbiter, I'm going to have to go with Menukten on this one. We've seen how powerful they were against Electrum and they are a force to be reckoned with. They may even make the finals too, but don't discount Yttribia just yet.

In the other quarterfinals, Gregoryisgodistan, a peculiar nation who worships a monarch/deity called Gregory, is facing a country made of ponies. Although both countries are a bit strange with their customs and whatnot, this seems to be an interesting match with Equestrian States qualifying via the playoffs in a terrific match against Vettrera. Their cutters are very handy in catching the frisbee, but their handlers are very lacking. On the other hand, Gregoryisgodistan, an ultra repressive country, is composed of a strange team, but a team that is nonetheless very good in getting the job done. We can only assume the eternal energy that Youth 128SXBBCBA and Youth OOO818AHHZBXB always seem to draw when they play, and also we must not forget how good Spy [Redacted] is catching frisbees. Maybe he has been taught to catch bullets as part of his training? Nonetheless, Spy [Redacted] is one of the most formidable handlers in the entire competition, and in just the right circumstances, can gain a few sneaky points. It's probably certain that Gregoryisgodistan will advance.

In the other half, we have Cosumar against Electrum in Fontvieille Park and Britonisea against Anditia in Harrison Field. Cosumar is a strong team, but has one of the weakest records, having a 4-2 win record. Their losses against Jeckland were significantly harmful to their points, but at the end of the day, they still managed to edge out the competition and advance through. Luckily for them, Jeckland did not advance, something the team will be happy about. On the other hand, the Dibbly-Dos have an identical record, but came in second behind Menukten. Although Electrum came second, they were the best performing team that was second, so they were granted automatic qualification. As half of the team is made of rugby players, you can assume that there will be an absolute dog fight for what's at stake -- a semifinals berth. We feel that Electrum will once again, come up on top.

Finally, the last match will be Britonisea against Anditia, and will be the one that is the most closest. Why? Because these two nations are also group winners. This is the only matchup where there are two first-ranked teams fighting it out for one spot. Going in to the finals series, both teams have an identical win record so far (4-2), with Britonisea losing to Yttribia twice and Anditia losing to Macquarrie and Hutt River. What's surprising is that Anditia was that they were on the brink of defeat on MD3, with two losses and one win, they were sitting dead last. Just three days and three matches after, they managed a surprise comeback, winning all three of their next three matches and gaining direct qualification. Meanwhile, Britonisea could just not break their hoodoo against Yttribia, but luckily for them, the hosts are on the other side of the draw, so they will only meet when it really counts -- the grand final or the third place final. We think that Anditia will come up on top.

PREDICTION SUMMARY
QF
Menukten def. Yttribia
Gregoryisgodistan def. Vettrera
Electrum def. Cosumar
Anditia def. Britonisea
----
SF
Menukten def. Gregoryisgodistan
Electrum def. Anditia
----

We're going to leave the finals up to your imagination, but under our model, Electrum will once again face Menukten. Will they be able to defeat them?

[Menukten]

Menukten unveils secret weapon for the Quarterfinals

Coach Hinutet ock Namaeshanne confirmed today that a long rumored "secret weapon" in the Menukten Mutterers Ultimate arsenal will be unveiled tonight in the quarterfinal game against Yttribia.

So far the team has been able to keep their most potent weapon under wraps, using secret training sessions and a hush-hush policy to prevent opponents from learning the details, though rumors, of course, have been generous in filling the gaps. The Mutterers purportedly have been saving this secret weapon for the knockout rounds, completing the group stage undefeated without revealing their best cards.

But all that changed today as coach Hinutet confirmed that the secret tactics will be used against Yttribia. While he didn't go into detail as to what the tactics were, so as to not steal his own thunder, he did leave reporters with a name: Elinachka.

Elinachka is squonk for "both-hands", so we can reasonably surmise that the technique involves ambidextrism, or the ability to use both hands with equal facility. Such a technique would be fearsome on the field; markers feeling reasonably safe blocking the flight of the disk from a handler's throwing arm could easily be foiled with a quick switch of the disk to the other hand and an equally swift hammer or blade to a waiting cutter. If Menukten has mastered ambidextrous disc play, it is likely to turn the powerhouse into a superpower.

Coach Hinutet and members of the team would not comment on the popular rumors as to the nature of elinachka.

"You'll just have to see," Hinutet smiled.

Tonight will see the undefeated Menukten face the 4-2 Yttribian hosts at Stadia Suprema. The Ytrribian teams shares Menukten's fondness for Mother Marijuana, but stoner comradery will not help the Yttribian hosts in the coming match. Menukten fans widely expect a win, however many also expect the Yttribians to put up quite a fight, Starters Jacquelyn Agresta and Roderic Geier certainly are cutters to be feared; underestimating them might cost Menukten the game.

[Yttribia]

Cut-off for the quarter-finals. Results to come in now.

Ultimate Cup 4 - Casino Peak
Gregoryisgodistan       17
Equestrian States       11

Ultimate Cup 4 - Fontvieille Park
Cosumar                 17
Electrum                 9

Ultimate Cup 4 - Harrison Field
Britonisea              17
Andiatia                15

Ultimate Cup 4 - Stadia Suprema (scorinated by Northern Sunrise Islands)
Menukten              17
Yttribia                 13

Semi-final match-ups
Gregoryisgodistan v. Menukten @ Stadia Suprema
Cosumar v. Britonisea @ Fontvieille Park

[Yttribia]

Your host's cut-off? Super late.

Your nation's destiny? Right here.

Ultimate Cup 4 - Stadia Suprema
Gregoryisgodistan       14
Menukten                17

Ultimate Cup 4 - Fontvieille Park
Cosumar                 12
Britonisea              17

Finals: Menukten v. Britonisea
3PPO: Gregoryisgodistan v. Cosumar

[Yttribia]

And, here's cutoff for the final/3PPO.

Here are results.

Ultimate Cup 4 - Championship Series
Menukten                17
Britonisea               9


Ultimate Cup 4 - Third Place Play-Off
Cosumar                  9
Gregoryisgodistan       17

Menukten leads the series 1-0
Gregoryisgodistan leads the series 1-0

[Yttribia]

Well, cutoff is here.

Ultimate Cup 4 - Championship Series
Menukten 17
Britonisea 10


Ultimate Cup 4 - Third Place Play-Off
Cosumar 11
Gregoryisgodistan 17

Congratulations to Gregoryisgodistan for winning third place.