World Bowl XXV - Everything Thread

[Equestrian States]

QUARTERFINALS RESULTS

Equestrian States 11-0 Holy Republican Empire
at Sun Stadium in Ponyville
(Scorinated by Yttribia)

Taeshan 16-0 Nassau Hessen
at Royal Coliseum in Canterlot

Cosumar 0-6 Saintland
at Lightning Grounds in Manehattan

Allamunnic States 13-0 Gregoryisgodistan
at Fireball Field in Everfree

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SEMIFINALS

#1 Equestrian States vs. #4 Taeshan
at Lightning Grounds in Manehattan

#6 Allamunnic States vs. #7 Saintland
at Wanderer Field in Whitetail

[Allamunnic States]

Allamunnic States Daily
Sports - World Bowl XXV Coverage

Regulars Shut-Down Grid Slaves
13-0 win sees Allamunnae to semifinal match against Saintland

Sanctii and Gregoryisgodistani pundits alike were predicting a heated match-up between the Sanctii and Grid Slaves in the semifinals. However, in relishing the predictions of a big rivalry game, both nation's sportscasters failed to take into account the four-time champion Regulars, who spoiled the hopes for such a match-up by shutting down the Grid Slaves in one of four different quarterfinal shut-outs.

Although Allamunnic Sporting Commissioner Hadley Thornburger's request for a Federal Army security contingent to be present was denied, the Equestrian States' government was generous enough to provide tight security to ensure that no harm came to either side during the game, allowing a good, clean contest between the sides.

The game was a defensive struggle, for the most part, although the Regulars had managed to take a 7-0 lead going into half time after the teams had spent most of the first half trading punts. The loan touchdown came on a 53-yard touchdown run by Daanyl Wyndhorst late in the first quarter. The Regulars were able to force three turnovers to keep Gregoryisgodistan out of the end zone (one interception by Junn Tanner, two fumbles, one forced by Maarkus Staalhelm and recovered by Baeryk Skarrsunn, one forced by Waaldr Baersvylk and recovered by Kyl Waalturs.

Meanwhile, in the second half, the Regulars were able to get close enough to have Justyn Kynyks knock in two field goals, from 31 and 36 yards out, in the third and fourth quarters respectively. The extra scores gave the Regulars enough breathing room that they could continue playing fast and loose, battering the Grid Slaves and running the clock whenever they had the ball. Ultimately, Leif Eriksunn took a knee to end the shut-out victory.

"It felt good to prove that we aren't to be looked past," tailback Daanyl Wyndhorst told reporters after the game. "It was kind of insulting the way Sanctii and Greggy reporters took our defeat as a foregone conclusion. I don't think they'll make that mistake again any time soon, though," he added. Wyndhorst led Regulars' rushers with 14 rushes for 92 yards and a touchdown, complemented by Graagur Baaltrsunn's 16 rushes for 72 yards.

The win sets up a big game between the 6th-seeded Regulars and the 7th-seeded Sanctii. The Saintland national side has seen something of a shift in philosophy this year. The two teams last met in the championship game of the 23rd World Bowl, where the Regulars defeated a much more offensively-oriented Sancii squad. Saintland went on to win the championship against Ko-oren the following year, and are the current defending champions after defending world champions.

"It's absolutely going to be a tough game. We haven't faced them like this before," head coach Baeryk Vaalburger told reporters in the post-game press-conference. "Saintland has a fantastic team. Although it's ridiculous when they say that "God" is on their side," he added with a laugh. "Everyone knows there's more than one, and they're on our side," he continued with a sly chuckle and a wink to the reporters.

Conspicuously-absent from Saintland's team is their King Petrus, who famously led numerous big comebacks during his time with the time, although most Allamunnae probably remember seeing him getting battered by Maarkus Staalhelm and Honorius Waalturs during the World Bowl XXIII championship game. However, one injury against the Equestrians apparently left the soft King paranoid, and once the Equestrian States were selected as hosts, Petrus apparently decided to bow out for the year. This has not exactly left him respected by the Allamunnic roster.

"I mean, he really shouldn't get offended about people thinking he's soft," Maarkus Staalhelm said when asked of his opinion of Saintland's once-and-former quarterback. "Considering how much he whines about getting injured against the Equestrian States, it's not that much of a surprise. Most quarterbacks can get over getting injured once, no matter how much it sucked," he said.

The Regulars will face the Sanctii in Whitetail in the Equestrian States in a rematch of the World Bowl XXIII Championship.

[Taeshan]

One More Game

http://chirb.it/wKezEw

[Equestrian States]

Fire Ponies Return to Semifinals, Perfect Record Intact

MANEHATTAN - For the second straight year, the Equestrian States national gridiron team has arrived at the semifinals of the World Bowl with a perfect record through the group stages and previous playoff games. Last time around, this is where that perfect run ended as the Fire Ponies were beaten by their fierce rivals, the Sanctii, in an extremely disappointing game which even a victory in the third place playoff failed to soften the blow of. Hungry for a chance at revenge and determined to finally go all the way, the core players of the Equestrian team that were intending to retire after the last World Bowl vowed to go out on a high note and returned for one last hurrah.

Fourteen games and fourteen wins later, here we are again.

After effortlessly cruising through both group stages, the Fire Ponies' defense giving up just a solitary touchdown prior to the knockouts, it was clear that despite the team's age they still had something left to offer and were still capable of dominating opponents. Facing Timbermunich in the round of sixteen, the Equestrians faced their most daunting challenge yet in the tournament against an explosive offense that would put the Fire Ponies' legendary defense to the test. On the first possession of the game, Timbermunich marched down the field and into the end zone, causing the nearly 100,000 fans at Royal Equestria Stadium concern that the Equestrians were in for a beating. However, the Fire Ponies promptly blocked the extra point attempt, and returned the kickoff for a touchdown to take a one-point lead.

From there, they never looked back, winning 13-6 and advancing to the quarterfinals.

In a rematch of a group stage game from last year's tournament, the Equestrian States and the Holy Republican Empire faced off in Ponyville's Sun Stadium. With the crowd at their back, the Fire Ponies showed their arrogant opponents no mercy, twice sacking Republican quarterback Drasko Pecar in the end zone for safeties en route to an extremely comfortable 11-0 victory in which the Equestrians never seemed to break a sweat.

Just two games now stand between the Equestrians and a first-ever World Bowl title.

However, despite the Fire Ponies having won all their games thus far and only a semifinal defeat against Saintland marring their record over the past two years, there remain some who question their chances of winning it all. Over the course of this year's World Bowl, the Equestrians have yet to face a single top twenty team and haven't really come up against any lower-ranked teams which offered a challenge close to that which a top five or ten side would pose. This will, of course, change in the semifinals as the Fire Ponies take on seventh-ranked (and fourth-seeded) Taeshan here in Manehattan.

Stunned at home in their tournament opener by Super-Llamaland, the Taeshanis have since rallied and won their last thirteen games to reach the World Bowl semifinals. A relatively balanced team, the Fitin' Falcons are similar to the Fire Ponies in terms of overall talent and are themselves no strangers to the multiverse's premier gridiron tournament, taking part in the so-called World Bowl 0. Though the Equestrians may hold a slight edge in overall skill, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, the Fire Ponies will face a team determined to duplicate the achievements of their predecessors and have the potential to do so.

In the end, it may come down to the advantage given to the Equestrian States by their home fans at Lightning Grounds, and if it does the Fire Ponies will play in the World Bowl championship game for the first time in team history next week, possibly against the widely-reviled team which inspired the Equestrian veterans to return for one last shot at the trophy: the Sanctii.

[Equestrian States]

SEMIFINALS RESULTS

Equestrian States 14–3 Taeshan
at Lightning Grounds in Manehattan
(Scorinated by Valanora)

Allamunnic States 10–0 Saintland
at Wanderer Field in Whitetail

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THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF

#4 Taeshan vs. #7 Saintland
at the Royal Coliseum in Canterlot

---

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

#1 Equestrian States vs. #6 Allamunnic States
at Royal Equestria Stadium in Canterlot

---

Host Note: A friendly reminder that the 3PPO will be scorinated in approximately 24 hours and the Championship Game in 48 hours.

[Allamunnic States]

Allamunnic States Daily
Sports - World Bowl XXV Coverage

Slugging the Sanctii
A 10-0 win over Saintland puts the Regulars in the finals

God was not on the side of Saintland. And they will not get their much-desired chance to beat the Equestrian States, after they made the mistake of looking past the Regulars.

Saintland's gridiron team had shifted strategy considerably since the last time they had faced the Allamunnic team. Despite that, when the Regulars and Sanctii faced off in Whitetail, the result was no different. The Sanctii fancied themselves a hard-nosed, physical gridiron team, until the Regulars showed them why they've done it better than almost anyone over nearly two decades.

The Saintland team won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick-off. Justyn Kynyks knocked the ball into the end zone, and Nicolaus Lusius was driven to the turf at the 19 after making the ill-advised decision to run. On the first play from scrimmage, Maarkus Staalhelm continued his reign of terror, knocking the ball loose with a well-placed helmet as he took Tuccius down behind the line. Alf Vaalhulmsunn dove on the ball, recovering it at the Saintland 17. To be fair, Saintland's defense came up big, stopping the Regulars at the 5, forcing them to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Justyn Kynyks, giving them a 3-0 lead early in the first.

The remainder of the first half was scoreless, but far from boring. On the contrary, the game was a slug-fest, with players on both sides dealing and taking hard hits. Neither team was able to get much going, and the teams had only combined for about 180 yards between them by the end of the half. Danley Vicious tallied two sacks and Maarkus Staalhelm had four tackles for loss in the half alone, and Waldr Baersvylk saw to it that the Sanctii never gained a single yard behind their interior line.

The second half was only a little different. The Regulars got the opening kick-off for the half, but they never got anything going, being forced to punt not too long afterward. The teams traded punts for about six minutes of game time. However, on a promising Sanctii drive, the Regulars got a break.

As the Sanctii marched to the 50, they made use of both run and pass to keep the Regulars guessing, despite constant pressure on the line, quarterback, and running backs. However, the pressure worked its magic, and as the Sanctii tried to cross the fifty, Paulus Salvius was smacked by Vaalhulmsunn as he threw. Rikard Theodur reached up and swatted the ball, sending it careening off his outstretched fingers and back behind him. Spotting the falling ball, Staalhelm dove for the ball, catching it before it hit the ball. He managed to get up and run almost ten yards before he was tackled by Marcus Nigrius at the Sanctii 42.

The Sanctii had had Daanyl Wyndhorst well contained for the first half, so the Regulars put the ball in Graagur Baaltrsunn's hands, placing him behind Junn Kaiser and letting the offensive line take over. Sure enough, they began finding offensive success with momentum on their side, punching down the field, five yards at a time to reach the opposing goal-line. Baaltrsunn punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to widen the Regulars' lead to 10-0 as the third quarter ended.

The final quarter of the game was scoreless as well, although the Sanctii tried their best to even up the score. However, another promising drive ended at the Allamunnic 35 when Belle Margusunn picked off Salvius, and the Regulars were able to run out the clock on the victory.

"Maybe this will teach them not to look past opponents," Staalhelm said after the game. "They seemed too ready to take on the Equestrian States that they didn't prepare for us, and it bit them." Staalhelm had a magnificent defensive performance, forcing a fumble, catching an interception, recording a sack, and amassing sixteen tackles, seven of which were for loss.

Victory over Saintland not only provides a satisfying counterpoint to Sanctii braggadocio, it also puts the Regulars into an unprecedented sixth finals berth, this time facing top-seeded and 5th-ranked Equestrian States, the host team, who are the only undefeated team standing. Going simply by the numbers, the Regulars are the clear underdog. However, taking into account the last several games, how the Regulars have played of late, and the skill of the personnel on both teams, it seems clear that the World Bowl XXV Final will be a fantastic match-up between two great, smashmouth teams.

"You absolutely have to admire what they've done over the last few years, and this year especially," head coach Baeryk Vaalburger told reporters at the post-game press conference. "Going undefeated is no mean feat, even more so than simply making the finals. And to do so in the dominant fashion that the Fire Ponies have is extremely impressive. That said, we are not intimidated. At this level, anything can happen. They are more than capable of beating us, and we are more than capable of beating them. The championship game will come down to which team executes better."

Saintland, meanwhile, will face the Fitin' Falcons of Taeshan in the third-place game while the Fire Ponies fight for what they consider a long-overdue championship, while the Regulars will look to extend their record number of championships to five. The two teams have both won with smashmouth, defense-first approaches, and the game should be a defensive slug-fest similar to the ones fans have watched throughout the World Bowl from both teams.

[Equestrian States]

THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF RESULT

Taeshan 3-7 Saintland
at the Royal Coliseum in Canterlot

[Equestrian States]

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Equestrian States 7-10 Allamunnic States
at Royal Equestria Stadium in Canterlot
(Scorinated by Gloriax)

[Allamunnic States]

Royal Equestria Stadium, Canterlot, Equestrian States
Fourth Quarter, 3:57 remaining, World Bowl XXV Championship Game
#1 Equestrian States 7 - 3 #6 Allamunnic States

Spotting a weakness in the defensive configuration, Score called an audible, having to shout several times to be heard by his team over the roaring crowd. Finally getting set with only 10 seconds left on the play clock, he noticed, too late, that the defense was adjusting. Hoping to catch the Allamunnae off balance all the same, he called for the snap, and took the ball. A quick hand-off, and Treetop was running off-tackle, toward the strong-side, with a lead-blocker. Seeing Graphite get jammed at the line by Alf Vaalhulmsunn, he bounced further outside, hoping to outrun the defenders on the perimeter.

He never even saw Maarkus Staalhelm streak toward him, a big, bearded bolt of battery, and slam into the surprised tailback. Trying to cling to the ball as he fell, Treetop was dismayed to see the ball come bouncing out as Staalhelm ripped it out with a massive paw for a hand. Showing surprising agility, the Allamunnic linebacker disentangled himself from the Equestrian running back and ran to the ball, scooping it up. The blue-and-gray part of the crowd erupted in cheers as Staalhelm thundered down the field, taking an agonizingly-long time to cover five yards. Suddenly, Equestrian States' tacklers began draping themselves on the sturdy linebacker, and he began to fall, greeted by cheers of the host crowd and shouts of dismay from the visiting Allamunnae.

But he twisted as he fell, turning to look back as his feet started to go out from under him. At the last possible second, just before his knee scraped the ground, he freed an arm and lobbed the ball back in a blind toss of faith.

His faith was rewarded; maybe the gods really were on the Allamunnae's side, or maybe Belle Margusunn was just a canny veteran who knew when to be in the right place. The awkward, wobbling toss arced through the air, neatly into Belle's hands, and she caught the ball in stride. Looking back, only a few of the Fire Ponies had realized what had just happened, and had changed course to intercept the diminutive safety.

It was not for nothing that she had once been a kick-off returner, however, and Belle was able to hit an extra gear and take off, streaking down the side line, with enough of a lead that even those Fire Ponies fast enough to catch her could not reach her in time. Untouched, she soared into the end zone, all alone. Screaming her defiance in front of the crowd, in a rush of adrenaline, Margusunn slammed the ball to the ground.

Faintly, as the Allamunnic sideline erupted and Margusunn was mobbed with her teammates, they could hear the announcers in the stadium shouting "I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

-----~~~~~=====~~~~~-----

Allamunnic States Daily
Sports - World Bowl XXV Coverage

The Dynasty Continues
Regulars win defensive struggle against Fire Ponies

With five championships in six finals berths over ten years, the Regulars have finally solidified their claim to being the single greatest dynasty the World Bowl has ever seen. The team secured their fifth championship win after Maarkus Staalhelm forced perhaps his single most-crucial fumble of a campaign of terror to give the Regulars the decisive score.

Before that, it looked like the Fire Ponies defense would do what Saintland and Gregoryisgodistan's units had failed to do, stopping the Regulars when it mattered most. The teams had been almost scoreless during the first half, with neither offense generating much movement. The Allamunnic squad started with the ball after the Fire Ponies' captains elected to defer when they won the opening coin toss. From the opening whistle, Graagur Baaltrsunn and Daanyl Wyndhorst had to struggle through hits behind the line, and Leif Eriksunn found himself under siege. The only thing that saved the Allamunnic squad was that their defense put in a similar effort when they were on the field, keeping the Fire Ponies from taking advantage of good field position, more often than not.

The Allamunnae actually took the lead after they managed to get the last possession of the first half, driving to the Equestrian 19 before some fantastic defensive effort from Iron Claw, Star Sparkle, and Al stifled the running attack, forcing the Regulars to settle for Justyn Kynyks' 36-yard field goal, giving them the 3-0 lead.

That did not last too long, however. The Fire Ponies capitalized on getting the opening kick-off of the second half by driving down the field, powering through the Allamunnic defense several times. The drive reached its peak when Lightning Bolt broke a 18-yard run into the end zone, giving the Equestrian States the 7-3 lead after the PAT.

Showing some of the first signs of life it had in the entire game, the Allamunnic offense almost answered, driving down to the Equestrian States' 1 over the next eleven plays. However, more tight defense denied Baaltrsunn and Tormundsunn on three-straight attempts. Finally, trying to mix it up on fourth down, the Regulars tried to put it over the defense with Eriksunn's arm. Instead, Eriksunn threw his first interception of the tournament, as Zachary Kim caught a batted pass intended for Godwyn Braanur in the end zone, killing the Regulars' chance and giving the Fire Ponies the ball back.

The Fire Ponies nearly extended their lead twice. The first time, midway through the third quarter, Waldr Baersvylk erupted through the line to fall on a 35-yard field goal attempt. The second time, Belle Margusunn stepped in front of a deep pass on second down intended for Mochaccino, returning it to the Allamunnic 40. However, the Allamunnae never managed to get anything going on either attempt, leaving the defense to bail them out again once they punted.

With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, it seemed the Regulars were on the cusp of finally retaking the lead when disaster struck. The normally sure-handed Graagur Baaltrsunn lost his first fumble of the World Bowl, the ball knocked loose by a jarring hit from Baritone at the Allamunnic 48. The ball spilled to the turf and was recovered by Candy Mane, who had a short return before being brought down at the Allamunnic 44.

With time running down, the Equestrian States drove to the Allamunnic 18, trying to both drive down the clock and widen their lead by at least a field goal. In the clutch, though, the Allamunnic defense delivered one more huge play.

Taking the hand-off and running off-tackle, Treetop was met just behind the line by a speeding Maarkus Staalhelm. As he had done to numerous tailbacks throughout the tournament, Staalhelm ripped the ball loose, diving on it as he leaped from the falling Treetop. With nobody immediately near him, he scooped the ball up and started running, the rest of the defense running after him trying to block for him.

However, as hard-hitting as Staalhelm is, he is no speed demon, and quicker members of the Equestrian offense started over-taking him. Within a second or two, the linebacker was draped in tacklers, and started to fall, twisting as he went. Somehow, though, Staalhelm got an arm free, and, looking back, made a throw of faith, lateraling the ball, hoping that any team-mate might catch it.

His trust paid off, as Belle Margusunn caught the awkward lob in stride, and turned on her famous quickness, streaking down the field away from their opponents, returning the ball the rest of the way for a 76-yard touchdown return. Kynyks knocked in the PAT easily, giving the Regulars a 10-7 lead.

But the Fire Ponies would not be a championship team if they had simply folded and given up. Instead, they began mounting another impressive drive, pushing down to the Allamunnic 17 over the course of 6 big plays as time expired, hoping to knock in the tying field-goal. But once again, Maarkus Staalhelm saved the day, with the grizzly defender leaping over the line to catch the kick directly in the face mask. The ball ricocheted and was dove on by Junn Tanner, giving the Regulars the chance to take a knee and end the game, running out the clock on their unprecedented fifth championship win.

"It feels really good," linebacker Maarkus Staalhelm said after the game, after being named MVP for making two huge game-changing plays in particular. "It really feels fantastic to bring another championship home. It felt like we got doubted a lot this time around, and being able to silence the critics is just amazing."

Staalhelm finished the game with 15 tackles, including six for loss, a sack, a forced-and-recovered fumble, and a blocked field-goal to key a fantastic defensive effort.

"Absolutely I'm proud of them," head coach Baeryk Vaalburger said, after getting to hoist his second World Bowl trophy. "This team battled through adversity, refused to quit when a frankly amazing team had them on the ropes, and they managed to take a huge win for all the marbles. I have never been more proud of this team."

Many will likely question how the Regulars can continue their run of dominance. And the answer is simple. When they return home, as always, it will be back to work.