World Lacrosse Championships 39- Everything (FINAL Posted)

[Banija]

Dominant first quarter sees Banija lead from wire to wire against Cassadaigua, and clinch tough knockout stage tilt with Ranoria

HERZEGOVINA CITY, MORAVICA REGION- Undefeated group stage. Before we get into the details of the match, let's appreciate this accomplishment. The roster had a ton of turn over. 9 members of the starting X were turned over from WLC 38. The Lacrosse Division of the Olympic Committee of Banija nearly melted down over the AOLCs, forcing the Olympic Committee to make a hugely embarrassing decision to cancel the Atlantian Oceania Lacrosse Classic, failing to put on the tournament in any sort of capacity. Everything chaotic. Sadness from their brutal loss at the hands of Sarzonia just three years ago, when many believed that Banija had sent their best ever team to the WLCs, and they had performed in dominating fashion- until they were similarly dominated by the very best of the best, the Sarzonia Stars.

They went all-in on WLC 38- and failed. And now, this tournament was supposed to be transitory. And it still may appear that way. But somehow, they have finished 6-0. Somehow, the Banijans have managed to put it all together in the face of difficulties, to get out there and win this group, to reach the quarterfinals. The group has been a struggle, with the team consistently getting off to slow starts, and finding ways to pull the rabbit out of a hat late in the game. Everybody knew that this was not a sustainable way to win games deep into a tournament at this level, and many considered the Cassadagans the favorites entering their Matchday 6 tilt in Herzegovina City. It was clear- something needed to change for Banija to have that early game intensity. Was it focus? Energy? Whatever it was, Jessica Crockett's squad was simply too good, and too deep, to allow the Banijans to get off to another slow start and survive yet again.

Fortunately for the Banijans, that is not what happened. "We rained down on them in a way that they simply didn't see coming." Said the team captain, Birta Tiyana. "It finally all came together." And together it did. It took just 37 seconds for the Banijans to score the first goal of the opening period, marking the only game out of six so far at this tournament where the Banijans actually opened the scoring. It was the veteran attacker, Kadi Uster, who scored the opening goal for the team. And that first period of play, that first quarter, was easily the most dominant quarter the Banijans had put together all tournament- and probably the strongest for quite a while beyond that, especially when you consider the quality of opponent. Uster scored again to make it 2-0. Tiyana scored to make it 3-0. Bai Bah scored to make it 4-0, and it would be Laity Dibba who scored, just before the end of the quarter, to make the score a stunning 5-0. The roaring crowd was shocked into voice, and the Dagans simply didn't have a chance to try and mount a comeback. The closest they would ever close the deficit to is three goals, as the Banijans ended up winning by a score of 12-7.

"The victory today is good for Banijan lacrosse, is good for this team." Head Coach Allen Budaye said. "Going undefeated in group play, getting that first round bye, it's important for us. It sends a message- despite our struggles, we are still Banija. At minimum, we're going to give whoever we play all sorts of hell, and going to be a tough out. We're underdogs in this tournament, and that's all that matters. I'm not worried about the grander implications, about everything around us, about what people have to say. What matters, is that we are going to get healthy, get to Cassadaigua safely, and focus all of our efforts on taking down the Krauts." The Banijans will take on Ranoria in the quarterfinals, as a win over Ranoria will grant the Banijans their 4th consecutive ever trip to the WLC semifinals, their fifth in the last 6 editions of this tournament, and their 9th overall in 18 editions- which would be a great accomplishment on its own. Especially since this team has never won the sport's grandest prize of all.

It is a rivalry of course, that is fierce in gridiron, and that exists but is far more cordial in both baseball and soccer. But we'll talk about the potential for fireworks in tomorrow's preview. But for now? It's one and done against Ranoria for the right to play in the semifinals. Does it get any bigger than that?

[Sarzonia]

The parallels to the last two World Lacrosse Championships are there for the two-time defending champion Sarzonian national lacrosse team.

Sarzonia wrapped up the group stage with a dominant performance and throttled Hannasea 18-6, the same scoreline they dropped on Quebec and Shingoryeo in the final group stage match of WLC 37. The result gives Sarzonia the No. 2 overall seed, which was the same seeding Sarzonia had for WLC 38.

This result extended Sarzonia's streak to 25 consecutive victories in WLC competition. Even with that, manager Jordan Helms is not satisfied.

"We had a couple of tight matches against Bollonich," he pointed out, including an overtime match. Cordia held us to five goals. We could be playing a lot better right now."

That thought might be scary for other teams in the competition, but Sarzonia and No. 1 overall seeds Baker Park still await word of their quarterfinals opponents. They will find out whom that will be after the preliminary matches. Helms said he would give the Stars a rest until they learn their quarterfinals opponent.

"It doesn't make sense for us to train for a specific opponent," he said. "We want to be focused and ready for what we hope is the long haul."

A long haul including another championship?

Helms answered that question with a look.

[Cassadaigua]

Preliminary Round:

@ Qusmair Stadium, New Lakeland

The Cordian Isles 7–9 Abanhfleft

@ Cassgo Stadium, Victoriaville

Kriegiersien 10–7 Natanians and Nosts


Quarterfinals:

(1) Baker Park vs (10) Abanhfleft @ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro

(2) Sarzonia vs (8) Kriegiersien @ Peak'n'Break Stadium, Grande Mountain

(3) HUElavia vs (6) Cassadaigua @ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights

(4) Banija vs (5) Ranoria @ Cocoa-bo Stadium, Starksville

[Kriegiersien]

Psychic News

Sport:

Kriegiersien loses in quarter-finals in Lacrosse again.

As our Medium for Sport and weather, Miranda Marble, could tell after looking into her crystal ball, Kriegiersien will have lost in the Quarterfinal of the WLC 39.

"I saw 4 goals and a shouting coach. Furthermore a brutal foul from Warok Bonecrusher on the goalkeeper from Sarzonia. The Xvart players left the Peak'n'Break Stadium with hanging heads, singing a mournfull song of their people. It snowed all the time. But that may be because I had to use my snow globe, because I can't find my crystal ball anymore."

Lottery Numbers:

Will be successfully drawn again. The number 7 will be your lucky number in the next 10 drawings. But avoid it at the wrong time.

Horoscope:

If you are born under the sign of the weasel, the day will bring you big news. Be prepared to be surprised.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

BP Lax to face Fleftics in QF
by Jeff Wallace, Sports Desk
The Western Observer

Brattleboro, Cassadaigua--Shannon Fries tuned in to watch the ceremony from Concord Heights celebrating Jessica Crockett--the Dagan National Team legend turned Head Coach--along with her coaching staff while in her hotel room ahead of the Baker Park Lacrosse Team's matchday 5 contest against Melbergia.

"You all know I held her to just four goals at the Olympics, right?"
The first year NT boss took a sip of her tea while the others roared with laughter. "I'll bet she still remembers it to this day." Another eruption of mirth follows, and Fries leaves the commentary there, content that her self-deprecating 'boast' has lightened the mood during the impromptu break of the final staff meeting ahead of the next day.

Shannon Fries has been such a ubiquitous presence on the bench of the National Lacrosse Team over the last seven WLC cycles that it's hard to come to terms with the fact that she made only 9 appearances as a player--all as a starter, including the first international lacrosse game in the nation's history, a 6-5 defeat to Wrexwic at WLC 29 in Razenthuria--and that 10-9 defeat to Crockett's Dagan team in Republica was her penultimate game in the sport she'd played since age 11.

As a three year letterwinner and team captain for Brittany Franklin at the University of Endborough, Fries was seen as a key element for the WLC29 squad, but the differences in domestic vs international rules exposed both of her weaknesses--lack of footspeed and physical presence. She also had the unfortunate experience of playing both of her worst games for Franklin's national team due to issues she kept hidden from her favorite coach--against Qasden in the playoff in Busukuma, she had severe menstrual cramping during the warmup and tried to play through it, eventually telling Franklin at halftime she should be benched, then keeping her pregnancy a secret during the group stage in the Free Republics, culminating in the Cassadaigua debacle where she hesitated for moment, allowing Crockett the space to score the winning goal late in the 4th Quarter.

Her personal road to redeeming those two afternoons in her 20's has led her through a long stint as an assistant for the National Team, and being the architect of the transformation of the National Lacrosse program from an all-female squad to a mixed gender team that has risen to the top tier in the sport; a system built around disciplined, physical defense providing quick transitions to a lethal offense--the Elks go into the quarterfinals with the best goal difference (+50) based on the stingiest defense and most prolific offense in the tournament--has been the foundation for her ascent to the top job in the BPLA coaching hierarchy.

The game against Abanhfleft at the Five Star Mobile Stadium here in Brattleboro will be one of the most important in NT history based on the stakes and circumstances; although Baker Park have qualified for the quarterfinals in every WLC they've played since that debut experience, they have just a 2-7 record, and they have never been the top seed in the knockout rounds before this edition. Fries knows that this is the time for her squad to step up and justify their ranking and reputation.

[Sarzonia]

It's not very often that a team riding a 25-World Lacrosse Championships match winning streak will feel like it dodged a bullet. As the No. 2 seeds, two-time defending champion Sarzonia potentially could have faced a longtime rival in the quarterfinals after last night's playoff matches.

Fortunately for goalkeeper Matt Henning and the Sarzonian national lacrosse team, they will not face Abanhfleft in the quarterfinals. That honour will go to top seeded Baker Park after the Fleftics defeated Cordia 9-7 to send the North Stars packing.

"Abanhfleft are a quality team," Henning said. "There's a reason they have six world championships. You're facing history as much as you're facing a particular opponent."

Attack Colin Grassley shrugged when asked about the Fleftics pulling the 10 v. 7 upset in the playoff round.

"The seeding doesn't really matter," he said. "That team's been too good for too long."

Manager Jordan Helms quickly reminded observers what happened the last time a team was going for its third consecutive title. Abanhfleft were winners of two straight Championships going into the WLC 37 final in Baker Park. They were seeking to put some distance between themselves and Sarzonia for the most titles in history. Sarzonia were stuck on five championships whilst the Fleftics were gunning for their seventh.

Sarzonia put a quick and brutal end to Abanhfleft's title aspirations with a 27-10 romp that some believe was the biggest rout in WLC Final history. It kept Abanhfleft on six titles and gave Sarzonia their first in 21 cycles.

"We can't afford to rest on our laurels or we'll be the next team to get a smackdown," he said. "Kriegiersien are not a team we can afford to take for granted."

When defensive coordinator Makeeyah Brantley learned that Kriegiersien media have already conceded the quarterfinals match to the Stars, she shook her head.

"Nobody here thinks like that," she said. To the perceived hit on Henning, she said the Stars would be ready.

"We don't fire first, but we do fire last," she said.

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Lacrosse Lamentations
with Aisling Keane

The Amazons live to fight another day. I don’t know how, but they live to fight another day. Boy, they really must want to have that seventh World Lacrosse Championship that much, huh? That’s the only real explanation that I can come up with regards to how these Amazons have managed to turn this whole campaign around after such a rotten start. Did the girls really just pull off one of the biggest acts of bullshittery the sport of lacrosse has ever seen? Well, given that we’re still only in the quarterfinals, it’s still too early to tell, but if they can pull it off, it will have been a most epic act of bamboozling. They really managed to fool us with the whole “losing the first three games” act, but now they look like they’ve turned things around and sneaked their way into the quarterfinals after a monumental clash with the Cordian Isles.

By this point, Jenelle Eure had all but officially passed on the mantle of leadership to Reagan Lucero. Both women had been overwhelmed in the initial stages of the 39th WLC owing to a combination of rustiness and perhaps nerves given how things went down in South Jeolorina, but as the tournament went on, they both got back into their groove and started leading the troops by example. Well, at first it was Jenelle leading by example, but as the tournament (and the bumps from opposition players) took its toll on her, she saw it fit to put Reagan into more and more positions of influence and responsibility, and it all finally came to a head in the prelims against the Cordian Isles. For the first time in a long time, Jenelle Eure was not listed among the starters for the Amazons, instead giving up her place on the left of midfield to Dennis Koizumi and her captaincy to Reagan Lucero. For Reagan, I'm sure that that moment would have been the culmination of everything that she had been through for her whole career up to that point. It seemed like only yesterday that she was coming off of the bench to play her first ever game of lacrosse for the Amazons, and now here she was about to lead them into the field of battle.

The game itself really wasn't anything to write home about though. It was a very close and tight affair where neither team really looked like they had the upper hand for much of the game. Abanhfleft took an early lead but the Cordian Isles were quick to peg them back to level terms. Scoring chances were few and far between, hence probably why on the rare occasions that chances did open up, both teams really took advantage as much as they possibly could. The challenges were hard but fair. At the very least there was actually some meaning to the challenges aside from "hurr durr opponent go splat when pushed." The first three quarters ended with both sides on level terms, and it wouldn't be until the fourth quarter when the Cordian resistance was finally broken and they had no more response to Abanhfleft's two goals, one each from Reagan Lucero and Vanessa Kim. They've both been on the score sheet a fair few times this particular WLC, and for the moment, it is their two goals which are keeping the Fleftic dream of a seventh lacrosse title a reality.

But the dreams might have to wait a bit longer seeing as Abanhfleft will have to play against the Commonwealth of Baker Park in the quarterfinals of the 39th World Lacrosse Championships. I'm not sure when was the last time Abanhfleft and Baker Park had met in lacrosse, but despite what might appear to be contradictory to all common sense, Abanhfleft might well be the very slight favorite in this particular matchup. The Amazons may have barely sneaked their way into the competition but they're still six-time lacrosse champions, while I believe Baker Park has never made it beyond the quarters after their very first WLC appearance. But let's not fool ourselves here. If Baker Park really wants to advance into the semis then they will have to beat us. And they do look like they're very capable of beating us. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

[Ranoria]

In the locker room, before the game against Banija…

Virgo Grayson stood at the doorway leading to the playing field, and surveyed a team that, after all their preparation, looked nervous.

He took a deep breath, and when he spoke, his voice boomed.

“Krauts! I can see in you the same nerves and trepidation that would shake the will of lesser men and women. I feel it myself, who wouldn’t? We’re about to face off against an unbeaten team hailing from one of international sport’s premier nations..

But I beg you to steel yourselves! There will be a day where we hang up our cleats and call it a career, perhaps even a day we play a team that is beyond our capacity to beat, but it is not this day! No, this game is only one more step towards our ascension in this tournament! So fight with everything you have, punch them in the mouth with unparalleled ferocity, and leave everything you have on the field, for everyone dear to you, everyone you love, show them your heart! And win or lose, we can leave this place with heads held high!

So again I beg you, representatives of our beautiful nation, banish your fear and fight!”

It was an odd speech, perhaps a little cringe, but coming from such a respected leader, it got the message a(la)crosse. So with a collective roar - and an exasperated coach who’d had little sleep preparing for this match - the Ranorian Krauts charged onto the field for likely their last match of the season.

[Cassadaigua]

Crockett Enjoying Coaching,
By Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

While there would be no denying that the Cassadagan Lacrosse Association could have awarded the head coaching job of the national team to a more tenured professional coach in the country, they may not have had the same kind of impact as Jessica Crockett. By now, you have heard me talk about her playing days enough, which also include the Olympics, while representing the country. We all know what she has done, and that may have made her the perfect candidate to be the head coach of the squad, especially with a lot of turnover in the roster. “I definitely looked up to Jessica as a youngster,” 25-year old Courtney Schulz, the leading scorer of the team said (due to all of the assists that the midfielder is racking up), “I would have been thrilled to have played for anyone, but playing for Jessica really is special. I want her to succeed.” Fellow 25-year old, Jenna Matthews, the leading goal scorer agreed, “We did not do well last time. Not many people knew who we were in the last Championships because the host never linked our roster (that’s a big deal, I am told, for player recognition), but we were there, and we could have been known more if it had been, I suppose. Jessica went out in a disappointing manner, and we let her down. Now, we get a second chance and I couldn’t be happier.”

If you talk to Jessica Crockett about all the attention that she is getting during this tournament as the new head coach of the team, she seems to be soaking it all in. If you know Jessica, you know that she is one to be aware of her achievements and won’t give a company line that she didn’t know what you were talking about. That’s not in an arrogant way, although at times she did show that side of her. She has been asked if being a head coach now would make her regret things she said during the first year of Sarah Cortez’s coaching tenure here, but Jessica brushed that aside. If you wanted an apology, you would have been disappointed, though Crockett turned that question around to say that her and Cortez rectified their differences just fine, so there was no need to reflect on anything. Many could call Jessica’s first year successful, but not Crockett. “We’re Four-and Banija,” she replied before adding, “Banija’s in the knockouts, the others aren’t. We haven’t beaten a top team yet.” She is right after all. Up to this point, Cassadaigua has not beaten anyone with a better rank.

At Concord Heights, they will get a chance to do so when they take on Group 5’s winner, HUElavia. Some could call this a good draw for the Fillies, saying that they don’t think HUElavia is as impressive this year, but that is certainly silly, given their 6-0 record. A win over them would be a big step to getting us back to where we need to be in the World Lacrosse Championships. Crockett has been a finalist, so she knows what it takes. That’s why she knows that up to this point, the team really hasn’t done much to be excited about yet. That can change now with nothing but good opposition ahead. The Fillies hope they have three games left at home, and not only one. Now, it’s time to show something.

[Cassadaigua]

Quarterfinals:

@ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro
Baker Park 10–14 Abanhfleft

@ Peak'n'Break Stadium, Grande Mountain
Sarzonia 15–11 Kriegiersien

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights (3rd Party scorination provided by Quebec)
HUElavia 11-19 Cassadaigua

@ Cocoa-bo Stadium, Starksville
Banija 14–13 Ranoria

Semifinals:

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights
(2) Sarzonia vs (6) Cassadaigua

@ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro
(4) Banija vs (10) Abanhfleft

[Sarzonia]

It's tempting for teams to look ahead at knockout round time during a tournament, especially when the potential exists for history.

That's something the Sarzonian national lacrosse team is up against after taking care of business with a workmanlike 15-11 victory over Kriegiersien at Peak'n'Break Stadium in Grande Mountain.

Abanhfleft, 10th seeded Abanhfleft, a team that just defeated Cordia 9-7 to set up a date for what a bunch of Fleftic bloggers would describe as their team's slaughter. Instead, it was top seeded and previously undefeated Baker Park who were led to slaughter as the "underdog" team with six world championships to their credit rose to the occasion.

Banija held up their end of the bargain with a hard-fought 14-13 win over Ranoria, but hosts Cassadaigua provided the other upset of the quarterfinals with a 19-11 rout of HUELavia. Thus, the other side of the bracket features two of Sarzonia's most bitter rivals in the sport.

However, Jordan Helms was quick to point out that Cassadaigua are a foe to respect.

"They're a championship-calibre side over there with a likely WLC Hall of Famer in Jessica Crockett on the sidelines," he said. "She probably means as much to Dagan lacrosse as Carter Whitlock means to Sarzonia. And if she's able to lead the Fillies to championships, she may also be their Harold Price.

Price guided the Stars to their first four WLC titles whilst Whitlock played on five title winning teams. Needless to say, Helms is very familiar with the history at stake. Sarzonia aren't just gunning for their third consecutive championship, which would be the first time in WLC history that a team accomplished that goal, it would mark Sarzonia's eighth title, further separating the Stars from other WLC countries as the most all time.

Right now, however, Helms is focused squarely on facing Cassadaigua. He warned that playing at Dagan Airways Stadium in Concord Heights would provide the hosts a "decided" home field advantage.

"We're fully expecting it to be a hostile environment for our players and our team," he said. It's going to be like having an 11th player on the pitch. We have to be ready."

[Banija]

Banijan Head Coach Allen Budaye during Banija's WLC quarterfinal against Ranoria

For so much of this tournament, the Banijans had been struggling to get off to good starts. They had to play from behind in so many games, including their first trip to Cassadaigua, in the group stages, to take on the host nations themselves. And yet, time and time again, the Banijans have survived by the skin of their teeth- a combination of skill, talent, and a bit of good luck. Being able to really ease into the game, and ensure that those early deficits did not get so large, so large to the point where the Banijans could no longer compete. On Matchday 6, however, things changed in their final home game of the WLCs, against Cassadaigua. They were finally able to get off to the strong start that they so strongly desired, against Jessica Crockett's ladies.

They jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the end of one quarter and never looked back from there, earning a confidence inspiring 12-7 win to not only win the group, but give the team some momentum heading into the quarterfinals. The Banijans had been through a strange group stage- either having to come back going down big early, or getting a big lead early and simply smothering it until the end of the game. But none of those 6 matchups would give the Banijans quite the same challenge that the Krauts were giving them. This, of course, made sense on some level- those were the group stages, and this- the quarterfinals. This was a Ranorian WLC team that was looking to climb the ladder in the sport, like how HUElavia stunned the sport at WLC 34 all those years ago, to win the World Lacrosse Championships in their debut tournament.

And then the stakes- just a spot in the semifinals on the line. The line for Banija was -2.5 goals against the Krauts, although Budaye told reporters before the game that it was quite likely the game would be closer than that. And Budaye was quite right. For the entirety of the first half, it wasn't as if one team really got to get ahead of another. It was a physical battle, between the teams for the entirety of the game. As soon as a team would get one or two goals, the other side would get a couple of goals themselves to be able to respond. And this was a big match for everybody involved. A Banijan team that has not been highly heralded all tournament, undefeated and yet unloved, trying to prove themselves to a skeptical lacrosse public that has seen themselves hurt before. And then the Ranorians, who would love nothing better than to beat yet another Banijan NT on their way to the top.

That brings us to the current moment. Banija leading, by a score of 13-11, with just 3 minutes to go. The game as tight as ever. Budaye, in front of his bench, pacing nearly frantically up and down the sideline. Both coaches were yelling instructions onto the field as the tension built. And suddenly, the Banijans, who had possesion, gave up possesion. The Ranorians sprinted down the field .And then, as they did, the referee blew the whistle. "OFFSIDES- DEFENSE. 30 SECOND POWER PLAY TO RANORIA."

"COME ON!" Budaye yelled onto the pitch. Israel Mesfin, who was making his national team debut at this tournament, had crossed back into the defensive zone. So the Ranorians had an extra man, while still down 2. "You've GOT to do fucking better than that, Israel." Budaye said. They, of course, were going to make this work. It only took 17 seconds for Reoul Schmidt to basically bully his way physically to the area right in front of goal, and then flip the ball back-handed into the net. The penalty was ended early because of that, and naturally, the score was then 13-12. "C'mon guys- let's get this done." Budaye nearly whispered to nobody but himself. "We can't be out here collapsing against Ranoria- or may God help us all."

And yet, that is exactly what happened. With just 57 seconds left in the quarter, the Krauts were able to tie the game. A long-range shot by the 35 year old veteran, William Corey, simply made its way through the defense at a point where our goalkeeper could not keep his eyes on the ball, and the ball landed in the back of the net. Now, 13-13. And Budaye calling his timeout, where his whole team jogged over. Everybody looked dejected, and stunned, at the recent turn of events. "Hey guys." Budaye told them. "This game may be teetering- but this is in no way lost. We've got to regain control. We've got to regain our mental composure. We're capable of this! We are capable of more than this. But we have got to finish out this game. We need to dig deep, and find a way."

Budaye made a risky substitution, for the last minute of the game to at least try and get to overtime. Off came Bai Bah, in came the 21 year old central midfielder, Kairaba Condé. And while it was a gamble- it was a gamble that paid off. Not that long later, Kairaba Condé got the interception that put the game-winning play in motion. Condé was able to get the ball and get it to Kadi Uster on the outside. She, on the transition play, was able to find a cutting Daba Sesay, who was making a diagonal run towards goal. The pass was perfect- Sesay caught the ball and was able to quickly flip it into the goal.

"YESSSSSSSSS!" Budaye yelled as Sesay scored the match winner with just 13.5 seconds left. The scenes, at least among the Banijans, were pandemonium. The entire team poured onto the field to celebrate the game-winner, as everybody else waited. The coaching staff was going crazy. Budaye was hugging his assistants. He saw one of his trainers leaping into the stands to celebrate with the travelling Banijan fan support. There was nearly a tear in Budaye's eye. He had thought for sure, the way the roster was assembled, that there would be no way that they could get this far- and yet, here they were.

"Sports are incredible! This team should be believed in!" Allen Budaye told an on-field reporter after the game. "Wow, that was one hell of a game. They took us all the way to the end, and I understand why they have that gut punch kind of feeling. Hats off to the Krauts, and to their head coach, Valentino Samuel, who put together one hell of a gameplan. But this is about this team. Backs against the wall. That's called mental toughness. That's called mental fortitude. That- is called strength. It cannot be taught. We've shown today, like we showed on Matchday 3(aka referencing their overtime win over Cassadaigua in group play), that we have the ability to make a deep run. One hell of a win."

When told the Banijan opponent for the semifinal would be Abanhfleft, Budaye, naturally, sounded frustrated. "Obviously, they've beaten us a ton of times at the WLCs over the years. They are not the ideal draw." Budaye said. "But you've got to give them credit. Every time you think that you've gotten them down and out, that somebody's going to KO them early- they always seem to find a way. They've got that pedigree that you'd expect of a team that are 6 time world champions. You see how dominant Baker Park has been all tournament? Utterly dominated everybody they played. And yet- still tossed aside here in the quarterfinals. I've never seen anything like it. But our history doesn't effect this match. While they may seem like Gods, these are humans, like us. Considering their history and pedigree, they must be considered the favorites- but we will be ready. There's a spot in the Final on the line, and damnit, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to earn that spot."

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Lacrosse Lamentations
with Aisling Keane

And then there were four. Four nations left in the fight for the title of World Lacrosse Champion. And perhaps it should thus be fitting that the four nations remaining are four pillars of the sport itself. Four nations remain, and quite possibly they are the first four nations that would come to the mind of the man on the street when asked the question, “Which nations do you think are the powerhouses of lacrosse?” Sarzonia are expected to be up there since they are the defending champions after all, and also the nation with the most championships. Cassadaigua, although they have surprisingly never won a single title in the entire history of the competition, are considered among the stalwarts of the sport due to their longevity and numerous contributions. Banija, while in the same boat as Cassadaigua at least in terms of not having won a single World Lacrosse Championship, is perhaps the one nation that could be described as being “absolutely obsessed” with lacrosse, and the passion of both their fanbase and their national team reflects it.

And then there’s Abanhfleft. Six-time champions and, until very recently, underperforming to all expectations. But frankly, Abanhfleft was never supposed to be in this position in the first place. We weren’t supposed to be anywhere near Cassadaigua at all, not after we started WLC 39 with three consecutive losses. And yet here we are. But how much of it is down to the skill of both the sum and of the individual parts? How much of it is because the Amazons are actually good at lacrosse, and how much of it is down to sheer luck? And is ripperonin, that ever-controversial substance, playing a secret role in the resurgence of the Amazons once again? These are definitely questions that I feel that a lot of people would want to ask, but they don’t ask it because they’re not sure if they’re ready or willing to hear the answer.

But seriously now, who would have thought that the Amazons would be in the semifinals of the World Lacrosse Championships after that pitiful start to the tournament? They dropped all three games in the first half of the group stage, for crying out loud! There should have been no timeline in which this particular Amazons team could have made it all the way to the semifinals, and yet here we are anyway. Even the most optimistic of lacrosse fans were already writing off this tournament and looking ahead to WLC 40, but now you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t hoping for the girls to snag a bronze medal at the very least. That’s how stunning this particular turn of events has been. It’s almost the textbook definition of “snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.” I mean, technically, we haven’t snatched anything yet because there’s still the semifinal and either the final or the third place playoff to play, and even though the Amazons have been racking up wins left and right after that shaky initial period, nothing is still guaranteed in this sport. But the sheer fact that they did this after starting off 0-3 though…

The quest for a seventh world championship for the Amazons continues, but the road that they had to take to even get here in the first place was not the easiest one, I can tell you that much. First we had to beat the teams that had beaten us in the first go-around, and then we had to beat a team in the preliminary round to get into the quarterfinals, and then we had to beat Baker Park in the quarterfinals themselves. I mean, it could be worse. We may have been drawn against Sarzonia or Banija or Cassadaigua in the quarters, but instead we got Baker Park. Not that it should have made much of a difference because Baker Park is still the top seed in this tournament. Went absolutely undefeated through the group stage, looked like they were absolutely untouchable. And the Amazons had the unenviable task of being the ones who had to beat Baker Park if they wanted to keep gunning for that seventh title. But they did. To coin a phrase that my cousin Dara Keane loves to use: by Jove, they did it. Reagan Lucero has well and truly come into her own as a capable team leader for the Amazons, undoubtedly helped by her being under the tutelage of Jenelle Eure, who herself was mentored by Pearline Cordes, who was inspired into taking up lacrosse by Menan Alrisheb. You can see the line of continuity between the eras of Fleftic lacrosse in that, can’t you? If the rumors of Jenelle's retirement from international lacrosse are true, then at the very least she laid the groundwork for a smooth transition of leadership from one generation to another. The future, the far future at least, looks very bright for the Amazons of Abanhfleft.

As for the near future, well, let's just say that it's not as bright. We are up against a very familiar foe in the semifinals in the form of Banija. History suggests that this is probably the best semifinals matchup that the Amazons could have asked for because Banija is a side that they have beaten multiple times, especially in games where nothing but victory matters. But really now. We can't be relying on history forever. The day will come when Banija will finally have our number, and that day could very well be today. But after all that adversity that our Amazons had gone through, it would seem almost foolish to bet against them one more time. They've already gone through all the effort of forcing their way into the semifinals after a 3-3 record in the group stage, so why should they stop now? One thing's for sure though: this is definitely going to be the most explosive Abanhfleft versus Banija lacrosse match yet.

[Sarzonia]

Jonathan Price had a few phone calls to make.

The complex that was being built on the outskirts of Franz Braddock Stadium was nearing completion. The hall that would feature busts, plaques and other mementoes for the various players, coaches and other contributors to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame was nearing completion. He inspected the first wing that would feature displays for early contributors. Two of the members who would be part of the inaugural World Lacrosse Championships Hall of Fame class already had displays ready. They were hidden behind curtains because their identities would not be formally announced until the official opening of the Hall of Fame, but it was a poorly kept secret who those two people were.

The WLC Council hadn't officially voted on the establishment of the Hall of Fame, so that was part of the reason for Price calling up the respective heads of international lacrosse federations to find out whom they were deciding to honour in the Hall. His first call was going to be the Olympic Committee of Banija. Other calls for that day would be to his Delaclav counterpart, the person in charge at Cassadaigua, and the person responsible for Baker Park's choices. If he had time before the close of day, he would call his Fleftic counterpart.

The coming days would see other nations given the opportunity to select their nominees for the Hall of Fame, but Price wanted to start with some of the nations who contributed to the sport past and present. In any event, he had the phone calls planned for the two Sarzonians whose identities were a given for joining the hall. One of the calls would go to Kevin Price, Harold's son, of distant relation to Jonathan. Unfortunately, Harold was suffering from dementia and was in hospice care, so he wouldn't be able to be part of the ceremony. As for Carter Whitlock, he was fired as Sarzonia's national team manager after failing to win a WLC title after his illustrious playing career brought five such titles to Sarzonia.

The call to Whitlock went swimmingly, much more so than Jonathan Price had any right to expect. By now, Whitlock had let go of any resentment he might have felt at being dismissed from his job as manager. He realised the goal in Woodstock was to win championships and, except for the Champions Challenge Cup title, he fell short of that goal as a manager. He'd done yeoman's work in helping quickly rebuild the programme to be a contender in very short order, but the lack of a title was glaring as one of only six managers in Sarzonia history (five if you include Harold Price's two tenures) and one of only two without a championship title.

As for the call to Kevin Price, he was visiting Harold Price at the hospice facility, and fortunately, it was a good day for Harold. Harold, his wife Helen, and Kevin Price all cried tears of joy at being selected to the Hall of Fame as the first two Sarzonian members. The Incorporated Lacrosse Federation would still have to work out other members of the Hall and the final eligibility criteria, but a Lacrosse Hall of Fame without either Harold Price or Carter Whitlock was not deserving of the name.

As Jonathan Price was getting ready to review the candidates before making the call to the Olympic Committee of Banija, he glanced down at a piece of paper looking for proposed names for the Banijan entrants. Right in front of him was one name, but it was Dagan. Jessica Crockett was not just scribbled in. It was typed in. She was essentially going to be a confirmed part of the inaugural Hall of Fame Class.

[Banija]

OOC Note: The views by this author are strictly IC only, and do not necessarily represent the OOC views of the user

The Coulibaly Corner: Your one stop shop for everything college football!

Hey guys! Welcome back to my corner of the internet for everything college football! I, of course, usually cover the NSCF, especially the two Banijan schools, as well as domestic college football here in Banija. But I've been known to venture out to other sports time and time again!

And now is one of those time. The World Lacrosse Championships! Many of you may not know, but my brother was actually a lacrosse player at the University of Moravica. That's right- my brother, a Golden Bear! So I've always been an avid follower of the sport, even if my own skill level simply paled in comparison to those around me. There's obviously no way I could've played D1 college sports.

But I like following this tournament. It's always a fun one, even if lately, it seems as if there are only two nations that are capable of winning it- Sarzonia and Abanhfleft. Those two, of course, have won the last four editions of this tournament. The Fleftics triumphing in WLC 35 and 36, while the Sarzonians triumphed at 37 and 38. Ironically, at WLC 36, Abanhfleft eliminated us in the semifinals, while Sarzonia eliminated us at both the WLC 37 Semifinals and the WLC 38 Final.

Some would say there's a big 3 in international lacrosse right now. Probably much more accurately described as a Big 2, plus the red-headed stepchild that is Banija.

We were expected to face Baker Park after our thrilling, last second win over Ranoria in the quarterfinal. But Abanhfleft stunned what had been the best team of the tournament so far, in Baker Park, winning by four goals to reach yet another semifinal. Abanhfleft v. Banija, in the knockout stages, again. And they have won every single time this has happened.

Exaggerating? Not at all. They're our bogeyman. And the fear associated with them- WLCs 22 and 36, particularly, are etched in the minds of Banijans- elite teams that we thought were title bound, that were quickly proven to be the opposite of. Let's dive in, shall we?

How to Break a Sports Curse?

Step #1- Acknowledging the Curse

You can't defeat something that you don't acknowledge as real, right? Let's take a deep dive at these numbers.

WLC 22- They beat us twice in Banija during the group stages. While we beat them once in Abanhfleft during group play, they destroy us in the semifinal, beating us 19-8 en route to their first ever world title.
WLC 25- A 9-7 fourth quarter lead for Banija evaporates, as The Fleftics score five unanswered to down us in the semifinals en route to winning their third WLC in four tournaments.
WLC 29- We actually beat them on home soil in group play. But they got the last laugh- we went just 2-2 in a five team group, and were eliminated in the group stages. Out of 18 editions of the WLCs that we have competed in, WLC 29 was the only one where we were ever eliminated in the group stages- widely considered "the absolute low point in the history of Banijan lacrosse."
WLC 35- They smacked us, 18-2, in the group stages. One of the worst losses in WLC history for Banija.
WLC 36- We beat them in the group stages, in a game where people thought that we had finally buried Abanhfleft mentally. However, they came back around, against a high-flying Banijan lacrosse team who looked ready to take on the world, and put this team down in the semifinals.

So that puts Banija at 0-3 against Abanhfleft in the knockout stages of the World Lacrosse Championships- with all three of those losses coming in the semifinals. With Banija holding a WLC record five bronze medals from this tournament, it is obviously safe to say that Abanhfleft is the reason that we have been sent to a majority of those third place matches. It is an interesting pattern, is it not? A coincidence, maybe. We've played them three times in the semifinals before- all three times, Abanhfleft won in convincing and dominant fashion. And furthermore, after all those games, Banija went on to win the third place match- we are a shocking 5-0 in WLC bronze medal matches. What a joy, right?

We should also mention- exactly half of Abanhfleft's championship wins came after defeating us in the semifinals of this tournament. Pure and utter dominance. They beat us, and then they go and win a title. We beat them, and then we go and win third place. What does that mean? Does that mean anything at all? Is there simply a mental roadblock whenever we play Abanhfleft in a big game?

Step #2- Identify the Root Cause

Let's go back, then, to what started this mess. How did Abanhfleft become our bogey team- and remain so over the long-term? WLC 22 was, as anyone can tell you, a long freaking time ago. But the seeds were laid in that tournament. Let's take a trip down memory lane, ok? WLC 21 was the first time a Banijan NT entered a world championship event- of any kind. Before the World Cup, before a World Bowl, before the NSCF, before the IBCs, before any sort of competition that we're famous for now, we were in the WLCs.

Call it a quirk of the calendar. We've played in 18 of these. But WLC 21. One of the most magical runs for a Banijan sports team that you have ever seen. First world championship sporting tournament ever. And then, our team- big country, but showing up, as literally an unknown nation, with 0 expectations- not expected to have much more than a good time. But then, that's not what happened. We won our first two group stage games, shocking everybody by even making the knockout stages. We lost to a then dominant Nassau-Hessen in group play, of course, but that didn't matter- right? We were happy to be here, and the fact that we advanced was a job well done. Plus, Nassau-Hessen was the #2 nation in the multiverse at the time.

But then- it kept going. We played historic lacrosse power West Guiana in the Round of 16- stunned then, by a score of 8 to 4, to reach the quarters. Got Nassau-Hessen again, and in the rematch, we beat them, 13-11. Lacrosse in Banija has never been bigger than it was on that day. And then, we got the hosts, the STar United States in the semifinals, right? It would surely be a great run. How many cinderella stunning runs end in the semifinals, when the big teams finally exert themselves. Right?

Wrong. We smoked the Star United States, 13-4, in probably what remains the biggest upset in the history of Banijan lacrosse. That put us into the WLC 21 Final, out of nowhere. While we lost that final to Cosumar(who would be winning their second WLC in a row), it put expectations through the roof. We made it to the final in our first international competition ever? We had a right to success! This was our moment, our chance!

Wrong again. We didn't get back to the Final until WLC 34. But the very next tournament, WLC 22, we thought we could build upon our final run- and make a run to the title! It wasn't a long-awaited title at that point, although it certainly is now. Abanhfleft was the nation who brought us down to Earth. We played them four times in WLC 22- they beat us twice in group play, and then we got a chance for revenge in the semifinals, they smashed us again. That kind of embarrassment started the Banijan obsession with beating Abanhfleft in this sport.

And then, WLC 25. Our first semifinal since WLC 22. A chance to excise our Fleftic demons, right? Not a chance. They whipped us again. That put the idea of a curse in line. Our WLC 29 win didn't even matter- since that coincided with our worst ever WLC to date. We thought we excised those demons with our group win at 36, but of course, the Fleftics came roaring back with a vengeance in the semis. Everyone around Banijan lacrosse- from coaches, to player, to the coffee runner, understands that we seem somehow cursed against the Fleftics.

Step #3- Build the Mental Strength to Leave it in the past

There was an interesting quote in a pre-game press conference from Allen Budaye, the Banijan Head Coach. "We can't change the past." He told reporters. "Abanhfleft, obviously, is one of the two standard bearers for the sport, alongside Sarzonia. We desperately, desperately, want to be the best, and if we want to be the best- we have to beat the best. And Abanhfleft showed, in what was an impressive upset win over Baker Park, that they are indeed the best. These are the type of games that we want to play, and we want to win."

Don't run from it. Don't talk about not wanting to face Abanhleft- embrace it. There was another interesting quote, from the veteran attacker, Kadi Uster, on the upcoming game. "Look- we understand what our national team's history is against Abanhfleft. We obviously aren't going to bury our heads in the sand." Kadi Uster said. "But those past games, do not effect this game. The only thing that is going to effect our semifinal against Abanhfleft is how we prepare for this matchup, and how we are, mentally. If we are thinking of how we lost to these guys in the past, or how we haven't done this before- well, the moment will grow too big, the pressure too large, and we shall fall as well. We just have to focus on the X's and O's, and most importantly, doing your job. The rest shall fall into place."

Step #4- Unwavering belief that this streak will be left in the past

In a game like this, with such large stakes, the pressure of the moment can get to players. When you have a well known curse like this one, it gives you an additional challenge- not only executing the gameplan, but of course, maintaining your confidence. It's easy to maintain your confidence early on in a game. But if you are playing like everything has to go absolutely perfectly to beat the opponent- well, that's simply not going to happen against a team as talented as Abanhfleft.

The Fleftics have the hearts of warriors. They started 0-3, and yet- here they stand. Just throw your hands up in the air, right? You can't deny that kind of championship degree. They are the perfect example of never giving up, never losing faith or hope. Things got bad for them- and they simply put their heads down and did what they needed to do. They started so poorly, and yet, they find themselves rounding nicely into form just at the right time. The 6-time world champions, in a weird, twisted way, are super likeable underdogs.

If anyone thinks our path to finally beating these guys in a semifinal is blasting through them, then they haven't paid very much attention. All we've done is play close games all tournament long- and we've never blown the doors off of Abanhfleft. That certainly won't happen tomorrow night. We're going to have to battle with everything we got, like we did against Ranoria. The ups and downs. We're going to have to create some runs of our own. They are going to have runs of their own.

Here's the question that can only be answered when we watch the game. When they get runs, when they have momentum-shifting plays- how do we respond? If we get down on ourselves, or allow frustration to consume us, then those runs can snowball quickly into an avalanche, that will send us competing for our record-sixth bronze medal. But if we can focus through those, and dig deep to wrestle things back our way- well, then anything can happen.

We're going to need that quiet confidence, that deep-seated belief. Without it, we don't stand a chance. We'll see if this team is prepared to do all of that during our semifinal.

[Cassadaigua]

The Old Fillies are Back!
By Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

World Lacrosse Championships 38 just was not for us. There were problems that happened, problems that we do not need to discuss anymore, but what they did was give us a ranking of #10. That may have made some feel as though Cassadaigua was no longer a lacrosse powerhouse. Sure, we have never won a title, but neither has Banija. They get respect, and we used to as well. Sarzonia and Abanhfleft, the other two remaining semifinalists are powerhouses to a different level. They are legendary programs. New nations to the competition this year probably never saw Cassadaigua as a powerhouse, not knowing that #38 really was an aberration for us. Still, in order to write that one off, the Fillies had to step up and have a great #39.

There was a lot of turnover before #38, and some more following it. But slowly, you had to feel as though things were coming back into place for the Fillies. First off, the Queen would bid for the tournament, and ultimately Caassadaigua would be named the host of #39. There was no way, then, that the nation would not follow the tournament closely, no way that our team would not get recognition by the hosts on their list of squads despite a list being given to them, and no way that team would fail to be motivated to perform. Then, they would get another piece, and that was the anticipated retirement of Jessica Crockett. However, she would not be leaving the team and was given a coaching position. If there was ever a way to generate more interest in this tournament at home, it was all falling into place. Furthermore, there would be the proposal of a World Lacrosse Championships Hall of Fame, which would be in Sarzonia, and that would continue to add to the legacy of Crockett as she would be immortalized amongst the other legends of the sport. More, and more, you got the feeling that the Cassadaigua that most people remember in this tournament, maybe not a champion, but as a team that would go on a successful run and represent themselves well, would be back.

This did not come easy, with Cassadaigua being placed in a tough group featuring Banija and Tropicorp. It seemed as though Tropicorp would be a stronger opponent, as we know them well, but they never really did fulfill expectations. The Fillies picked up two wins over them, as well as two others against winless Pius Desurongcrandis. However, they lost both games to Banija, keeping people from getting too excited. At home, they took the Banijans to overtime before falling, but on the road on the final matchday, they fell behind early and never really made a game of it. So, there was some skepticism about this team. Did they just beat up on the lower teams to get where they were, or are they a legitimate contender?

Playing at Dagan Airways Stadium against #5 HUElavia, that question was answered in emphatic fashion as the Fillies played their best game of the tournament, routing the formerly undefeated side, 19-11. This was the opposite of the second Banija game where they dug themselves too deep of a hole early. This time, they dug the hole for the opponent, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after seven minutes of play. If the HUElavians had a game plan of shutting us down early to get the crowd out of the game, well that game plan failed miserably. By jumping out to the quick lead, the fans were able to begin realizing that the Fillies were indeed a legitimate contender. Cassadaigua jumped out to a 12-4 lead at the intermission, and 17-7 after three. Jessica Crockett and company took their foot off the throat of the HUElavians in the fourth quarter and gave some playing time to those who have not seen as much of it.

“That was our best game in quite some time,” 31-year old captain Hannah Tromblay said afterwards, “it was great to see it all come back together like that and get a big result. Now, we are back in the semifinals, and bringing Cassadagan lacrosse to a spot that it is familiar with.” Tromblay would speak from experience, as she has been a part of those close calls, such as the runner up performances in #33 and #36. Maybe we do our best work every three editions of this tournament, but she will be glad to be back at this point with a younger cast of characters. Courtney Schulz, who added eight more assists (and one goal), continues to impress with her overall vision of the field. Gabby Kempster ended up being the leading goal scorer on the day with four. Jenna Matthews and Christina Phillips each scored three. All eight of Schulz’s assists were on goals by those three.

Up next, is Sarzonia. There is no one better in this sport, and why when they proposed that the World Lacrosse Championships Hall of Fame be held in their homeland, there was no one in Cassadaigua (or anywhere else) who made a counter proposal. If you like watching a dominant team with a storied history continue to feast on their opposition, then the Stars have not disappointed, winning every game that they have played during #39. Of course, this is not where their streak began as they will be looking to win their 27th consecutive game. Man, that’s impressive, isn’t it? Of course, I was quickly reminded that the #27 is nationally seen as lucky number in Cassadaigua. It’s the number that adorns the vehicle of NSSCRA legend Stacie Houston, as well. Maybe it would fitting then if Cassadaigua stopped the Sarzonian streak on home turf before it could hit #27? At any rate, the Fillies are back, but the Stars never left. There is not a bigger test in the world of Lacrosse than playing this team.

[Cassadaigua]

Semifinals:

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights (3rd Party scorinated by Quebec)
Sarzonia 10-7 Cassadaigua

@ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro
Banija 15-12 Abanhfleft

Third Place- Thursday

@ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro
Cassadaigua vs Abanhfleft

WLC 39 CHAMPIONSHIP- Friday

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights
Sarzonia vs Banija

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

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Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Lacrosse Lamentations
with Aisling Keane

In a sense, it’s almost a relief that Banija have finally managed to win a game against us when it matters most to them. It seems very strange to be saying these words, and I’m pretty sure that I will be feeling a lot of backlash from the part of the fandom that really puts the rest of us to shame, but if no one else will say it then who actually will? It certainly won’t be the aforementioned section of the fandom that gives the rest of us a bad name, that’s for sure. In any case, it’s finally happened. Someone has finally found a way to stop the Fleftic juggernaut. The Amazons were not actually “inevitable,” just like a certain bald purple man with multiple chins claimed. There was a limit to what they could actually achieve given the circumstances. And, in a weird way, I’m actually just perfectly fine with it. I mean, if you think about it, to make it all the way to the semifinals after losing three of our first six games is a very credible achievement indeed. And we’re still in with a chance to salvage a bronze medal out of this whole thing after that, but before we can do that, there’s still the matter of beating the hosts Cassadaigua at their home turf first, but that’s something that we can talk about later. Right now, let’s talk about the ramifications of our first ever playoff loss to Banija.

In the grand scheme of things, the loss means a lot to the Amazons, but it also doesn’t mean a lot at all. Sure, the Amazons will have to delay the quest for a seventh championship for another tournament once again, but it was still a massive turnaround from what had seemed like an unsalvageable situation after three consecutive losses to the Taxonomic Kingdoms, Ranoria, and Delaclava. To even have had the chance to challenge and maybe even once again play spoilsport to the Banijans was a right miracle for this Amazons team indeed, and while in the end they couldn’t spoil the party, they still kept themselves in the fight for much of the game. Reagan Lucero was practically given a baptism of fire as her leadership skills were put to the test, and while the end result was not one that she nor her team would have desired, she still gave a pretty good accounting of herself under such trying circumstances. I will once again reiterate my statement that the future of the Amazons is in good hands now that Reagan Lucero is in position to succeed Jenelle Eure to the captaincy.

Speaking of which, Jenelle Eure had just confirmed in the post-match interview that she will indeed be retiring from international lacrosse at the end of the 39th World Lacrosse Championships. It had been a long and exciting career for Eure in representing the blue, orange, and green to the rest of the multiverse, a career spanning nine tournaments and three championships, not to mention all of the goals and assists that she had scored. And that’s not to mention her domestic career, which although not as illustrious as her international career is still nothing to scoff at. The Riuwiee Nighthawks and the Mykorrigan Flyers may not have attained much success during her respective tenures with them but Jenelle will still be fondly remembered in those circles for her contributions to those two teams. And while Jenelle might not be able to close out her international career with a fourth title, she still has the opportunity to claim a third place medal for herself and the team. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, yes, until you look at the Amazons’ opponents and see that they are actually the Fillies of Cassadaigua, the home team themselves.

As far as rivalries, there isn’t really one between Abanhfleft and Cassadaigua. Not in lacrosse, and frankly not in a lot of other sports. We may have encountered each other a few times in youth football, but most games between the Young Revolutionaries and the Fillies have been quite respectful to say the least. Meetings in lacrosse have been quite rare as well, but in those few meetings both teams also had a deep respect for each other. I’m pretty sure that the respect will still be there when the Amazons and the Fillies come out to play for the right to be called the third best lacrosse team in WLC 39, but there should also be an undercurrent of tension for both teams. The Fillies will surely want to impress their home fans and win the next best thing there is to a championship, while the Amazons will surely want to send off the departing Jenelle Eure with one more victory under all of their belts. Both teams will want to do right by their fans and by their teammates, but only one team can succeed in that. Will it be the Fillies? Will it be the Amazons? I can’t say. I’m not a fortune teller. I’m just an Irish-Hungarian girl with a blog who posts on said blog because her cousins said so.

[Banija]

Banijan Head Coach Allen Budaye at the end of Banija's WLC Semifinal against Abanhfleft

The Head Coach was roaming the sideline, with his team up, 14 goals to 12, in the final minute of the game. As each second ticked off the clock, a comeback seemed more and more unlikely- simply not enough time for Abanhfleft to get the goals required, just two. But the Banijan nerves were still fraying. They probably wouldn't be fraying if it was any other opponent- but this rivalry ran deep. Abanhfleft was basically a personal kryptonite for the Banijans over the years, time and time again tripping up Banijan national teams who were on quest for their first world championship. But when Kadi Uster scored with 37 seconds left, on a counter-attack, to make the score 15-12 and give the Banijans a lead that was unsurmountable- well, you felt the energy in the stadium.

As the Fleftic fans continued to file out, the remaining voices of the Banijan fans were booming and filling all the sound in the stadium. Budaye's name was being chanted. A smattering of fans were attempting to taunt Abanhfleft, as is expected after a win in a big rivalry. "Do you hear the Fleftics sing? Nooo, Nooo!" Was echoing in the background. But it was the scene on the field, when Uster scored to essentially end the game(although they were 37 seconds left) and put Banija into its second consecutive WLC Final, the scenes were great. The Banijans simply held possesion to run down the last 30 seconds, as the Fleftic players, honorable as they were, congratulated the Banijans on their accomplishment.

When the clock hit triple zeroes, the celebration began. The Gatorade poured over Coach Budaye. "My heavens, guys!" As he gave his captain a big-time hug. This was one hell of a moment. He walked across the field to shake the hand of his Fleftic counterpart. While he didn't reveal what the coach said to him, he told reporters that they were honorable and gracious in defeat. "This has been something we'd been wanting to do for a long time- for generations both past and present of Banijan lacrosse, who have seen us fall repeatedly, at this stage, to this team specifically." There were near tears in his eyes as long-suffering Banijan lacrosse fans were simply soaking in the moment as he talked to reporters after the game, and hugged player after player.

The lacrosse community in Banija was something. Small, yet growing, yet highly passionate. To finally beat the one team that connected all generations of Banijan lacrosse in a shared sense of pain, it was a universally joyful moment. Which takes us to those celebrating the feat at home...

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Former Banijan NT lacrosse superstar Arsa Bobbicevic, hosting a watch party for his family for this semifinal

Arsa Bobbicevic was one of those players for whom the sport of lacrosse ran through his veins. Both with him, and with his children and grandchildren. He was a starter for the national team for their first four cycles- including an appearance in the WLC 21 Final, and their run to the WLC 22 Semifinals, where they lost to Abanhfleft. Bobbicevic had experienced, firsthand, the very beginning of what was deemed "the Fleftic curse" among Banijan lacrosse circles- the national team's perpetual inability to beat Abanhfleft in the biggest games.

Bobbicevic, of course, knew that the sport ran through his veins. While he was a starter from WLCs 21-24, his grandson came onto the scene at WLC 33. His grandson became a star and a leader in his own right, playing for the national team for six cycles, two more than his grandfather's four. Arsa Bobbicevic III played from WLC 33 to 38, appearing in two WLC Finals(34 and 38), as well as earning two third place medals(36 and 37). Bobbicevic III had a decorated lacrosse career, probably even more decorated than his grandfather.

Just before the game started, his grandson had gotten the call from the Olympic Committee of Banija. Arsa Bobbicevic III would be the first Banijan player to be inducted into the inaugural WLC Hall of Fame class, at the sport's hall of fame that was being constructed in Woodstock, Sarzonia. There would be a second nominee, one that was unknown to Arsa Bobbicevic at this point, but one that, according to the Olympic Committee anyways, would be revealed "in due time."

Bobbicevic III had done the same thing as his grandfather, that had united them to ensure that the whole Bobbicevic clan would gather at the granddad's house to watch this game. They had both lost heartwrenching semifinals to Abanhfleft. Bobbicevic III at WLC 36, and the grandfather at WLC 22. 14 WLCs to seperate them, and yet- still the same pain. That's why they watched this game with such intensity. With such care. The conversation when Bobbicevic III arrived, with Bobbicevic's great-grandchild, simply put their feelings about this game in plain view.

"We're gonna win this game, grandpa." Said Bobbicevic III.

"Yes we are." The eldest Bobbicevic replied. "Belief. Faith. Confidence." They were both wearing their own jerseys. The eldest Bobbicevic, wearing such an old style of jersey, what they wore at WLC 21. "The Fleftics simply cannot keep beating us forever until the end of time. Now is the moment. Now is the time."

And they watched, with children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the host, all present in attendance. Truth be told, much of the family did not enjoy watching with these two former national teamers- their intensity, even just when watching on television, was intense. You had the eldest Bobbicevic, one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet, swearing like a sailor at the television. But as the game went on, their belief was slowly growing.

And when Kadi Uster scored the final goal, of course, the house erupted into celebration. The eldest Bobbicevic actually threw his cane, so one of his grandchildren had to retrive that. Bobbicevic III went to hug his grandfather in a long embrace. "We did it. We fucking did it. This team beat the freaking Fleftics!" Bobbicevic said. The eldest Bobbicevic, with a manly tear running down his right cheek, started calling some other members of the old team who were still alive. A moment that would be cherished forever.

[Sarzonia]

[OOC: I don't think I need to say this, but any objections to Quebec scorinating are purely IC. I have and had no OOC qualms about his scorinating a match involving Sarzonia.]

Woodstock Daily Mail

Threepeat dream still alive for Stars

By Noelle Langham
Special to The Daily Mail

CONCORD HEIGHTS -- The match went very much the way Sarzonian national lacrosse team manager Jordan Helms expected it to. Sarzonia were facing host nation Cassadaigua at Dagan Airways Stadium in a hostile environment. The fact that Quebecois referees were officiating didn't mean anything to the players, the coaching staff or anyone involved with Sarzonia lacrosse. But for a few conspiracy theory-spouting Stars faithful with an eye on the geopolitical situation, the choice by Cassadagan Lacrosse Association WLC organisers to employ referees from Quebec and Shingoryeo was an obvious attempt to grab even more of an unfair advantage considering the ongoing fallout of the Anaian region's secession from Atlantian Oceania.

Protestors took to the streets outside the Cassadagan embassy in Embassy Cove when the Incorporated Lacrosse Federation announced it would not object to CLASS choosing Quebecois referees for the match. Riot police reported the protest was mostly orderly, although there were reports of two people being arrested for attempting to cross protest lines to enter the Dagan compound. The two men, one of whom wore a parka emblazoned with a Male Equality Now logo, were processed at the local precinct and released on their own recognizance. They are expected to appear in court on 20th January.

As for the match itself, the Stars led the entire way, although the Dagans made a late run that turned a 6-2 halftime deficit into a 7-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. However, the Stars countered that rally with one of their own, scoring four goals without reply to qualify for their third consecutive finals appearance with a 10-7 victory over Cassadaigua. The result extends the Stars winning streak to 27 games and consigns the Fillies to the third place playoff against Abanhfleft, which fell 15-12 to Banija. Therefore, the WLC 39 final is a rematch of WLC 38. It again pits two teams that were unbeaten going into the final, as both teams are 8-0 after earning a bye directly into the quarterfinals. The Stars entered this tournament the No. 2 seed as they did in WLC 38, but this time, instead of the No. 1 overall seed, Banija are the No. 3 seeds.

For his part, Helms said it didn't matter where the two teams are seeded.

"It's going to be Sarzonia-Banija," he said. "That's a potential instant classic regardless of sport." Especially with Sarzonia routing arguably the best team in Banijan WLC history 13-6 in the previous final, the Banijans are likely itching for revenge against the Navy and Silver.

Attack Colin Grassley isn't buying it.

"The team we're facing is essentially an all new Banijan side," he said. "They've certainly got the pedigree to be great no matter who dons a Banija kit, but they're not the same players we faced last time."

Even so, the fact that Banija knocked off Abanhfleft for the first time after the Fleftics became their bogey team wasn't lost on goalkeeper Matt Henning.

"The Fleftics were our bogey team before the WLC 37 final (which saw Sarzonia rout Abanhfleft 27-10), so the fact that they've beaten a bogey team and they probably see us as one is something we've got to be concerned about," he said. "They're going to come into the final with a lot of energy and we have to match their intensity and focus or we're going to be in trouble."

Notes: World Lacrosse Hall of Fame Chief Curator Jonathan Price has announced the first five members of an expected 10-member initial Hall of Fame Class.

The first five members confirmed by the Hall of Fame Committee are as follows:

SARZONIA: Carter Marshall (midfielder, WLC 3-16; five WLC titles as a player) and Harold Price (manager, WLC 3-8, 11, 13; four WLC titles)
CASSADAIGUA: Jessica Crockett (attack)
BANIJA: BANIJA: Arsa Bobbicevic III (midfielder, WLC 33-38) and Marko Babic (attack, WLC 21-23)

---

Daily Mail Staff Writer Mick Abrams contributed to this report from Embassy Cove.

[Cassadaigua]

Third Place Game:

@ Five Star Mobile Stadium, Brattleboro (3rd party scorination provided by Delaclava)
Cassadaigua 5–13 Abanhfleft


WLC 39 CHAMPIONSHIP- Friday

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights
Sarzonia vs Banija

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Lacrosse Lamentations
with Aisling Keane

As far as Abanhfleft is concerned, the 39th World Lacrosse Championships is finally over. They’ve come back from the brink of elimination and forced their way back into contention, and while their chase for a seventh lacrosse title was ended by none other than Banija, the hope still remained for a potential bronze medal finish, even if the Amazons would have to fight against the Fillies of Cassadaigua on their own turf to get it. And they did get it in the end, in perhaps Abanhfleft’s most dominant match in this particular WLC. After every other match involving the Amazons was decided by a margin no greater than four goals, the fact that the Fleftic team was able to finally pull away from the hosts 13-5 was a surprise to say the least, but it was a welcome one nonetheless. Both teams conducted themselves professionally, and even in the moments of the game when it was becoming obvious that the Amazons had become unstoppable, the Fillies never gave up in the face of the onslaught, and they also didn’t stoop to committing professional fouls on the opposition. I can’t claim to say that the Amazons wouldn’t have done the same had the situations been reversed, but we don’t live in the timeline where that happened so I won’t delve more into it.

Jenelle Eure’s tears couldn’t be contained as she went to accept her bronze medal from the tournament organizers, and it’s hard not to cry along with her. She had come so close to having her international career end in a very ignominious way, but the team rallied around her and her designated successor Reagan Lucero and made sure that she would get to end her time with the Amazons with a bang and not a whimper. And while a third place victory is certainly no substitute to lifting the World Lacrosse Championship trophy for a fourth time, at the very least Jenelle got to win her last game with the blue, orange, and green, and it’s the next best thing actually winning the title. But there would turn out to be one final twist to the tale of the Amazons in WLC 39, as at the end of the game, it was also announced that Blaine Mailloux would be parting ways with the national team with mutual consent. And it would appear that the split was indeed conducted with mutual consent as the Samahang Lakros ng Abanhfleft (SLA) not only sent their well wishes to Mailloux on their official twii.tur account but they also posted a farewell video showing Mailloux’s achievements and thanking him for his service across nine tournaments. I mean, with three championships under his belt, you can’t deny that he’s done his part in maintaining Abanhfleft’s status as a lacrosse powerhouse. It’s definitely enough to net him a guaranteed spot in the Fleftic lacrosse’s hall of fame, and probably even the international one.

Speaking of an international lacrosse hall of fame, apparently work is already underway in Sarzonia for one such hall of fame. Banija and Cassadaigua have already submitted their candidates for nomination, and the SLA had been approached for their own nominees due to Abanhfleft’s history of success in this sport. Of course, the SLA is keeping their mouths shut about their nominees, but it’s fair to say that there are a few candidates. The most obvious one is of course Luzviminda Lozima. She was the coach of the national lacrosse team when Abanhfleft first entered the competition, and it was under her tenure that we cemented our reputation for being a lacrosse powerhouse, winning back to back titles in WLCs 22 and 23 as well as the landmark WLC 25 tournament. She probably won’t be able to make the ceremony herself given that she’s already in her eighties, but I’m sure that she can have a relative represent her.

As for the second nominee, odds are very good that it will be none other than Menan Alrisheb. She’s only the highest scoring player for the Amazons during her time, with over 150 goals to her name, maybe even more. And she was clearly instrumental in those title-winning teams, scoring the lion’s share of the goals and providing assists as needed. If I were the head of the SLA and I was asked whom I would nominate to a hypothetical international lacrosse hall of fame, Luzviminda Lozima and Menan Alrisheb would be my first two candidates. And should the hall of fame ask for more nominees for Abanhfleft, I can always throw in the likes of Blaine Mailloux, Fatima Alsambis, Cecilia Cuvimi, Pearline Cordes, and Armando Lachance. But that’s only if I am the head of the SLA, and if I am asked for more nominees. As things stand, Lozima and Alrisheb would be perfect to open up Abanhfleft’s representation in the international lacrosse hall of fame.

Thus closes another chapter in the story of the Amazons of Abanhfleft. When the new chapter starts for the 40th World Lacrosse Championships, I’m almost certain that we will be seeing new faces, especially that of the one who will be coaching this team to what everyone hopes to be future success. As to what roles these new faces will play in the future of the Amazons, I don’t know. But it would be a fun journey to embark on once again.

[Sarzonia]

History will be on the line tonight at Dagan Airways Stadium in Concord Heights.

The World Lacrosse Championships final will pit Sarzonia against Banija for the third consecutive World Lacrosse Championships. The Stars beat Banija 15-8 in the semifinals of WLC 37 en route to their first title since WLC 16 against Delaclava, then demolished Banija 13-6 in the finals of WLC 38 to capture both their second straight title and their seventh crown of all time. In so doing, the Stars became the fourth team to successfully repeat as champions in the 38-cycle history of the WLC. If Sarzonia defeat Banija again in the WLC 39 finals, they will become the first nation to win three consecutive titles. They will be the first nation to win eight titles overall, separating themselves further from Abanhfleft's six championships for the most in the history of the sport.

For Banija, a victory would give them their first-ever WLC title after four runners up and four third place finishes. It would give them no small measure of revenge for their title match loss to the Stars in WLC 38. But more importantly, it would give the Banjians more of a feeling of legitimately being part of a Big Three in the sport rather than what Banijan media have described as a Big Two plus themselves as red-headed stepchildren.

Stars manager Jordan Helms said he wasn't thinking about the history, at least not yet. He said his team's focus is on the match at hand.

"Right now, I'm focusing on one thing, and that's the Banija team we're facing at Dagan Airwas Stadium tonight," he said. "I know of the history, and it'll be nice to talk about history when everything's said and done. But in the present, we've got a job to do." Helms scoffed when he was asked about the prospects of being named to the newly-formed WLC Hall of Fame that was being dedicated in a complex adjacent to Franz Braddock Stadium in Woodstock.

"Hey, I'm thrilled for Carter [Whitlock, Sarzonia's soon-to-be Hall of Fame midfielder] and Harold [Price, the four-time championship manager of the Stars]. Maybe when my career's over, it's something to look forward to, but not right now. Right now, I've got work to do to prepare this team for the match against Banija."

As for defensive coordinator Makeeyah Brantley, she said she was concentrating on her tasks to stifle the Banijan attack, but she hoped to see Helms inducted sooner rather than later.

"The man has managed this team to 27 consecutive WLC victories," she said. "That's got to be some kind of record." A victory over Banija would extend that streak to 28 straight, but Brantley is taking nothing for granted.

"We're going to have a tough fight, not just because Banija are an outstanding programme in their own right, but because this is such a fierce rivalry across a great many sports," she said. "Sarzonia vs. Delaclava or Sarzonia vs. Banija in literally any sport. Sarzonia vs. Abanhfleft in lacrosse, you throw out the record books and strap in. It's bound to be an instant classic."

[Banija]

OOC Note: The views by this author are strictly IC only, and do not necessarily represent the OOC views of the user

The Coulibaly Corner: Your one stop shop for everything college football!

Hey guys! Welcome back to my corner of the internet for everything college football! I, of course, usually cover the NSCF, especially the two Banijan schools, as well as domestic college football here in Banija. But I've been known to venture out to other sports time and time again!

First, let's pour one out for Loyola-Istria. Woodstock City College of Sarzonia just did the rarest of things- beating both Banijan schools, in Banija, in road games. This is an incredibly rare feat. How rare? This is the 11th NSCF season where both schools are in the competition- and only the second time that both have lost home games to the same team in the same season. What was the other time? The infamous NSCF 22, where the Salamantic Universities of Ko-oren not only did that, but went a combined 4-0 in conference play against both teams to win their first, and still only, Celestia Conference title.

But now is not the time to discuss that. Now is time, once again, for The World Lacrosse Championships! Seems like Allen Budaye actually read my last article and took my advice! The lacrosse community in Banija is pretty small, yet passionate. There is not a lacrosse fan in the country that wasn't weeping for joy after that Abanhfleft game.

But we've gotta focus up. This is the big one. Banija. Sarzonia. Sarzonia is certainly the class of the sport right now- and they broke our hearts both in the semifinals of WLC 37, and the Final of WLC 38. They are the two-time defending champions, in the midst of a 27 game winning streak in this competition. That makes them the favorites- the dynasty.

Last time we wrote about lacrosse, we wrote the guide on how to break a sports curse. But the challenge here is different, yet possible. This challenge? How to slay a sports dynasty.

The layman's guide on How to Slay a Dynasty

Step #1- How good really is this Dynasty?

The answer of course, is Sarzonia's case, is very good. They are seven-time world champions- when you combine them with Abanhfleft's 6, you have over one third of all of the trophies this tournament has ever awarded going to just two nations. And Sarzonia, of course, has the most with seven. And it is not like they are just on a hot streak either. Their success is inter-generational. Sarzonia won their first five world titles before they left the world of international sport, when, like many nations, they decided to take a break from sending their athletes all the way across the multiverse and back. But when they got back- they stepped up right back to where they belonged- at the top of the sport.

It took them some time, of course. They returned at WLC 29- as many of you may remember, coincidentally the last World Lacrosse Championships to be held on home soil. Co-hosted with Razenthuria, known as the low point of Banijan lacrosse- the first and only WLCs where we were eliminated on home soil. While that is what Banijans remember that for, Stars fan remember it differently. They remember it as the end of their exile, and the beginning of their return to the sport. Like we said, it took them some time- and Banijan paths have intersected with Sarzonian, although more on that below. But after knocking on the door for several tournaments, WLC 37 was the time. They went undefeated and won a trophy. They went undefeated again and won a trophy at WLC 38. And here they are- unbeaten again.

This is their fourth consecutive WLC Final. They haven't lost a game at this tournament since the WLC 36 Final, when Abanhfleft won a title to merely delay the inevitability of Sarzonia. 27 WLC matches in a row. So yes- these mother-[redacted] can ball.

Step #2- Where has this Dynasty Beat you?

Now, of course, Sarzonian paths and Banijan paths have intersected many times in this sport. Most famously, the semifinals of WLC 34, where we beat Sarzonia en route to our second ever WLC Final(where we lost to lacrosse debutants HUElavia), and then AOLC 4, where we won a regional championship at the now site of the WLC Hall of Fame, in Woodstock, by beating Sarzonia. Two great moments in Banijan lacrosse history, two very important wins for our squad. But we've got to define the terms of this dynasty, right?

Let's start at where they have beaten us. Let's look at the two times they've beaten us during their WLC winning streak. We, unfortunately, did not meet at the AOLympics, as Sarzonia lost in the semifinals to Milchama- and then we did the same, one round later, in the gold medal match. The first place we're going to look at, is WLC 37. Located in Baker Park. There was, surrounding the match, a 'political thaw' between Banija and Sarzonia at the game, as Omugabe Ttembo most famously met with Senior Vice President Conway. Of course, there was a match ongoing, as well. And the meeting, naturally, was hosted at the match, by Prime Minister Schoenlein- forever a friend of the Kingdom. But as political alliances drew closer, on the field, it was not all that close. The gap between Sarzonia, and Banija, even though we had beaten them in the AOLCs not that long ago, was large. Final score: 15-8, in favor of the Stars.

And then, let's go to the next tournament. WLC 38 Final. We're on a roll going into the game. Basically dominating much of the competition at the tournament. We've got a veteran team, some may say aging- but an experienced squad, as the Olympic Committee decides to go "all-in" to win WLC 38. Forget bringing up new talent- win now and deal with the future later. It was a bold, ambitious approach, that saw the Banijans snag a #1 seed and mow down opponent after opponent on our way to the WLC Final. But it would be Sarzonia who would rear their heads again- and once again, a dominating performance. A brilliant Banijan attack throughout the whole tournament was brought down to a whimper, as Banija scored less than half of their average goals per game, as we lost 13-6 and the Stars won yet another world title.

So yes- not only are Sarzonia clearly the best team in the world, we are intimately familiar with exactly how good they really are. Are they a bogey team? Not in the same way as Abanhfleft. Abanhfleft, we seemed to constantly lose to simply because of the opponent. But we've beaten Sarzonia in big games before. But in recent years, we cannot- not because they are a team that we simply have trouble against, but because they are far and away the best team in international lacrosse.

Step #3- Identify What is at Stake?

This isn't really a question. What is at stake here? A world championship. We know what is at stake for them. If they are able to win three in a row, it will validate this team, this generation of Sarzonians, as probably the greatest to ever play the sport. Not just in Sarzonia, either- but the greatest to play the sport in general. Winning three championships in a row is a feat that is near impossible. Winning every single game at three consecutive major tournaments? Imagine doing that in sports. Not even Banija's basketball team, currently on an insane run of four straight championships, has gone unbeaten at three IBCs in a row.

Helms could consider himself their greatest coach of all-time. This generation of players- greatest to ever play. They'd also increase the gap between them and the Fleftics for the most world titles. That's what's at stake for them.

What about us? Obviously, it's a Final. So that much is obvious. But it's so much more. 18th edition, 9 appearances in the semifinals- and yet, no rings. That desperate chase for a ring in this sport, when we have come so close so many times, is different in the World Lacrosse Championships than it is in other sports. And now is the time, right? We have to vanquish both of our bitter rivals- Abanhfleft and Sarzonia, to truly be kings of this sport. We've vanquished one. Can we vanquish the other? Nobody can seem to touch Sarzonia- but can we be the ones to do it?

Step #4- Play with abandon- understand that they are men like us, and take the proper risks

Like when you are trying to beat a sports curse, the mental aspect is something that has to be focused in on. Obviously, you have to remember the gameplan and all of that. But the fear that they can strike into you- is yet another advantage. They bring with them a sense of inevitability, a different kind of confidence, the confidence that only a seven-time world champion in the midst of a 27 game winning streak can bring.

Playing a team as elite as this one, players and fans alike can have the ability to put them on a pedestal. It's hard to do, yes, but make them out to be better than they actually are- and they are already insanely good, with an argument to be considered the greatest lacrosse team of all time. Our own head coach, Allen Budaye, probably said it best. "One of the great advantages of going on a run such as the one they have gone on, is that you are so far ahead in the mental aspect of this game. They feel as if they are inevitable. But one of the things that we will preach to our players, that we must preach to our players, that our players must believe in their bones- is that the Stars are not Gods. They are humans. Just like us. We breathe the same air, we drink the same water, they bleed the same way we do. They are not the Gods of Athens and Sparta- we need to have that self-belief that we are on their level. And I truly believe that we are."

Allen Budaye also had a good quote about whether or not there was a talent gap between the two teams, considering Sarzonia's beatdowns of Banija at the last two WLCs. "Look- I'm sure Jordan Helms would agree with us. But our past matchups against them, particularly at WLC 37 and 38, are fairly irrelevant going into this one. Now, they're not totally irrelevant- we are very familiar with each other's gameplans. We obviously have had a lot of roster turnover between 38 and 39, so I wouldn't say they are as intimately familiar with this group of players as you'd expect. Of course, that goes the same for our boys- how many of our team has never even played against Saroznia? But even those two beatdowns- while Sarzonia beat us fair and square both times, I strongly believe that there is not such a huge talent gap between Banija and Sarzonia. I'm not sure if it was as large as the scores showed before- but that's another question. Right now? I firmly believe we're evenly matched. We showed, in that semifinal against Abanhfleft, that we can indeed compete here at the highest levels, that we can take on and even beat a team as historically elite as this modern-day Sarzonia squad, and we intend to showcase that in Concord Heights."

That's the type of confidence that you need. And we must emulate that confidence on the field. If you play scared against a team like the Stars, if you play with a "play not to lose" mentality against the Stars, then you are going to do just that- lose. We have got to take risks. We have got to go out and play to win the game. Grab the game by the horns, and do whatever it takes. Of course, taking risks isn't easy. Just listen to the newly inducted WLC Hall of Famer, Arsa Bobbicevic III. "Look- generations of Banijan lacrosse players can tell you this- You never know when you'll have another opportunity like this. And as somebody who is retired, I can say this- you'll never have regrets if you overturned every stone, did everything in your power to win. But if you're too cautious, play with fear? You'll never sleep properly again for the rest of your life."

There you have it. Banija v. Sarzonia. Winner-take-all. Who will triumph at Dagan Airways Stadium?

[Cassadaigua]

WLC 39 CHAMPIONSHIP

@ Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights

Sarzonia 13-10 Banija

And with that, I would like to thank everyone for their participation! Hopefully we will see most if not all of you back for the 40th edition!