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What Next? Future for the national team after semifinal loss to Abanhfleft
Aleksa Bibic walks off the field after 19-8 semifinal loss against Abanhfleft
ST.JOHNS- Banija, for the third and final time of this tournament, has fallen to Abanhfleft, this time losing 19-8 against the tournament's #1 team. Abanhfleft has been steamrolling through the tournament, and not only did they go 2-0 in Istria in the group stages, they were able to beat them for a 3rd time in the tournament semifinals, with Banija bowing out of the semifinal 19-8 against Abanhfleft. While many expected a close game, especially since this was the 4th matchup between the two teams at the WLCs, this turned out to be more of the same. Abanhfleft has been steadily improving during the entire tournament, and they have been flat-out dominating teams as of late. They go to the final against hosts New West Guiana as the early favorite, despite the home field advantage of playing a final at home.
After knocking on the door twice in a row, but not getting the tournament trophy, the question must be asked. What's next for Banijan lacrosse? But that question can't be answered without the story of Banijan lacrosse.
In their first ever tournament in the 21st WLCs in the Star United States, the team took the nation and the world by the storm, and they shocked lacrosse observers all over when they reached the final. They did get a favorable group draw, and they used that to their advantage, getting maximum points in their first two games and, despite a loss to then world #2 Nassau-Hessen, were able to get to the knockout stages. That's where the team turned from surprise upstart team to get out of the tournament's weakest group, to the tournament's "Cinderella team", trying to win the entire thing.
They beat New West Guiana, the hosts of this year's tournament, in the Round of 16. Then, they faced their rematch against Nassau-Hessen. Even though they lost the first one, the team was able to regroup, and used their momentum from the New West Guiana game to power themselves through to the tournament semifinals. There, they played tournament hosts, the Star United States. They played probably their best lacrosse game ever in that semifinal, taking the game by the horns and dominating the entirety of the matchup from start to finish, winning that game 13-4 and reaching the final. Even though they lost the final to world #1 Cosumar, who was not going to be denied their 2nd straight title, things were bright for Banijan lacrosse.
Many Banijan sports commentators and fans believed that this was Banija's time to win the title. They had the players, they had everybody they needed, and then with the announcement of the tournament schedule, Banija would have more than a fighting chance of winning it all. Banija would get to host home games in the tournament, and they came out on the favorable side of an unbalanced schedule- they would get 5 home games, while group rivals Electrum and Abanhfleft both only had 4. They had the advantage in the group schedule, and with most of the team coming back, they would be able to get back.
The sirens were on after the tournament's first game. They lost their home opener to Electrum, a shocker to Banijan fans. It was supposed to be the kickoff celebration night of Banijan lacrosse. The captain of the 21st WLC team, Xavier Grobbel, was having his jersey retired in front of the fans, and even His Majesty King Matthias was there in support of the team. The 10-7 loss surprised many observers, but when they beat Patistan in game 2, many believed that the game was a one-off. The first game was far too big a spectacle, and Banija would be able to recover. The sirens were sounding very loud however, after Abanhfleft beat them 12-8 on their own field. It was their 2nd straight loss, and the Banijan team would struggle mightily throughout the tournament.
Then, Banija was able to go on a 5 game winning streak in the group stage, their longest winning streak in lacrosse ever. Banija started it with a dominating road win against Electrum, and followed it with victories home to Patistan, away to Abanhfleft, home to Electrum, and then away to Patistan. However, while they won 5 games in a row, it was not a dominating streak, nowhere close to the dominance that the Abanhfleft lacrosse team is showing the world right now. While they beat Patistan three times, they struggled to victory in all 3 games against Patistan, including their 9-7 home victory and their 9-8 OT victory on the road against them. It was not the kind of showing that champions give against teams like Patistan, and people were blinded because they still found ways to win.
They were brought down to Earth by none other than Abanhfleft, who embarrassed them 24-12 on their own field. No matter what Banija seemed to do, they found ways to win against other opponents, but they couldn't do anything right against the ladies of Abanhfleft. Banija was able to get strong victories against Kaboomlandia and San Llera in the knockout stages, 13-3 and 13-6 respectively, but once again, it came down to their game against Abanhfleft, and Abanhfleft did not pull out a tight game. For the 2nd time in a row against Banija, Abanhfleft dominated the game from start to finish, and Banijan title dreams were lost after the first quarter of this one.
The question is, what's next for Banijan lacrosse?
Well, the tournament isn't technically over. Even though Banijan championship dreams have been dashed by Abanhfleft, who has been the most dominant team at a WLC tournament in recently memory, they still have one more game against Vangaziland, for 3rd place. They have already traveled to Rock City for that game Head Coach Dejan Polek will have to find a way to get his players motivated for that game, and while he said that he plans to use players who haven't seen much playing time, he still made clear that he had full intention of winning that bronze medal.
In the future, next summer, Banijan lacrosse is registered for the Multiverse Games in Electrum. It will be a familiar place for Banija to travel to, as they went once in this very tournament to Electrum, and won 13-3 against that team. It is an Olympic-style event with non-Olympic sports, and Dejan Polek's contract has been renewed through that tournament. Many people are wondering whether it is time for him to retire, after his team arguably did not improve, and could not get over the hump called Abanhfleft, who not only beat Banija 3 times, but dominated the two most important games against Banija. One at home with the group on the line, and the other in the semifinals, with a Final berth on the line.
He will be looking for players to play in that tournament. While players from this team will be in that tournament, it is unknown who will play there. Players like Kerryzovic and starting goalie Van Pierce are retiring, and it is unclear whether star player Marko Babic will indeed be playing in that tournament, as all those minutes between the domestic league and the international setting have to be taking some sort of wear & tear on his legs.
This game against Vangaziland will be an important determiner in how Banija moves forward from this loss, especially in the Multiverse Games, where the team will be fighting for a gold medal. Banija is a slight favorite, but Vangaziland is a team like Banija, making its first entry to this tournament and almost winning the gold. Banija, of all teams, should know not to underestimate newcomers, and we'll see if Banija can get over its crushing loss and be motivated enough to play well, and ultimately defeat, Vangaziland and secure itself 3rd place at this tournament.
