Majatran Cup XI - 3234

[Hugh Green]

This appears to be my job now... so, let's get on with it! Thirteen teams will take part in the 3234 Majatran Cup, having signed the treaty. The format will be the same as last time, but one of the groups will now have four teams to accommodate the extra entrant (welcome IWR Kalopia!). The games will be held in Deltaria - who have only once made it past the first round.

The draw will be made in early 3234, using these three pots (sorted by performance rankings), from which four groups will be drawn.

Pot 1
Zardugal (4th) - 3228 Champions
Deltaria (=10th) - Hosts
Kafuristan (1st)
Cobura (2nd)

Pot 2
Selucia (3rd)
Barmenia (5th)
Solentia (6th)
Badara (7th)

Pot 3
RI Quanzar (8th)
Cildania (9th)
UK Beiteynu & Jutridan (=10th)
Jelbania (=10th)
IWR Kalopia (13th)

[Hugh Green]

Group A
Deltaria
Barmenia
IWR Kalopia

Group B
Cobura
Solentia
UK Beiteynu & Jutridan
Cildania

Group C
Zardugal
Badara
RI Quanzar

Group D
Kafuristan
Selucia
Jelbania

Results will be generated by www.random.org, with a mechanism used to allow for draws. Each team will play their group opponents twice, except in Group B where they will play each other once. The two top teams from each group will progress to the Quarter-Finals, and from thereon the Semi-Finals and the Final. Draws in the knockout stage will be determined by extra-time and, failing that, penalties.

A big thank you to the nation of Deltaria for hosting this years cup. It will be interesting to see if they can improve on previous performances in front of a home audience!

[zlopado]

OOC: I'm glad you're taking the time to do this. Thanks.

[Hugh Green]

(Day 1) 1 - Deltaria Vs. Barmenia - 4
(Day 4) 1 - Barmenia Vs. IWR Kalopia - 1
(Day 7) 0 - IWR Kalopia Vs. Deltaria - 4
(Day 10) 3 - Barmenia Vs. Deltaria - 3
Barmenia are more or less guaranteed qualification following that match. Anything but a loss against the Wantuni Republic of Kalopia in 3 days times will confirm that.

(Day 13) 0 - IWR Kalopia Vs. Barmenia - 2
In order to beat hosts Deltaria to the 2nd spot, Kalopia will now need to beat them, and by a considerable goal margin (6!). It would be nigh impossible a task to achieve, and the rumours are that the team will aim to end their cup run with a respectable performance on Day 16.

(Day 16) 3 - Deltaria Vs. IWR Kalopia - 2

Team -- Points ; W - D - L
Barmenia -- 8 ; 2-2-0
Deltaria -- 7 ; 2-1-1
IWR Kalopia -- 1 ; 0-1-3

In the end the points difference between the sides was substantial. With just one point, IWR Kalopia exit the first Majatran Cup into which they have entered.

[Hugh Green]

(Day 1) 3 - Cobura Vs. UK Beiteynu & Jutridan - 0
(Day 4) 0 - Solentia Vs. Cildania - 0
Early though it is, Cobura will guarantee qualification if they win against Solentia on Day 7.

(Day 7) 2 - Cobura Vs. Solentia - 0
(Day 10) 2 - UK Beiteynu & Jutridan Vs. Cildania - 0
Solentia will now have to beat UK Beiteynu & Jutridan in order to remain in the competition. However, even if the match is a draw, the UK might not be safe from Cildania, should they beat Cobura.

(Day 13) 2 - Solentia Vs. UK Beiteynu & Jutridan - 2
If Cildania beat Cobura by two goals, they will go through. Anything less and UK Beiteynu & Jutridan will keep their qualifying space.

(Day 16) 1 - Cildania Vs. Cobura - 1

Team -- Points ; W - D - L
Cobura -- 7 ; 2 - 1 - 0
UK Beiteynu & Jutridan -- 4 ; 1 - 1 - 1
Solentia -- 2 ; 0 - 2 - 1 (Goal Difference: -2, Goals Scored: 2)
Cildania -- 2 ; 0 - 2 - 1 (Goal Difference: -2, Goals Scored: 1)

[Hugh Green]

Group C includes the champions of the 3238 Majatran Cup, Zardugal.

(Day 2) 1 - Zardugal Vs. Badara - 1
(Day 5) 0 - Badara Vs. RI Quanzar - 0
(Day 8) 1 - RI Quanzar Vs. Zardugal - 1
With two points each mid-way through, this group looks to be very tough for the competitors.

(Day 11) 4 - Badara Vs. Zardugal - 3
(Day 14) 4 - RI Quanzar Vs. Badara - 2
(Day 17) 4 - Zardugal Vs. RI Quanzar - 0
Incredible! With all the teams level on points it comes down to goal difference!

Team -- Points ; W - D - L
Zardugal -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1 (Goal Difference: +3)
Badara -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1 (Goal Difference: -1)
RI Quanzar -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1 (Goal Difference: -2)

The Republicca Istaliana thus lose out because of one goal difference! Unlucky! Badara will thus face Group B winners Cobura on Day 20, while Zardugal will face-off against the runners-up of that group, UK Beiteynu & Jutridan, the day after.

[Hugh Green]

(Day 2) 1 Kafuristan Vs. Selucia 1
(Day 5) 4 Selucia Vs. Jelbania 2
(Day 8) 4 Jelbania Vs. Kafuristan 3
(Day 11) 0 Selucia Vs. Kafuristan 4
(Day 14) 1 Jelbania Vs. Selucia 1
(Day 17) 0 Kafuristan Vs. Jelbania 3

Top seeds Kafuristan go out, and bottom-seeded Jelbania come out as winners!

Team -- Points ; W - D - L
Jelbania -- 7 ; 2 - 1 - 1
Selucia -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1
Kafuristan --4 ; 1 - 1 - 2

Full Quarter Finals Draw

(Day 20) Barmenia Vs. Selucia
(Day 20) Cobura Vs. Badara
(Day 21) Zardugal Vs. UK Beiteynu & Jutridan
(Day 21) Jelbania Vs. Deltaria

[Hugh Green]

Quarter-Finals

(Day 20) 0 - Barmenia Vs. Selucia - 1

(Day 20) 4 - Cobura Vs. Badara - 1

(Day 21) 4 - Zardugal Vs. UK Beiteynu & Jutridan - 2

(Day 21) 0 - Jelbania Vs. Deltaria - 2

This marks the furthest Deltaria have ever got in the Majatran Cup! The host advantage must be doing them some good! Odds-on favourites to win would be Zardugal or Cobura going by past results.

Semi-Finals

(Day 24) 0 - Selucia Vs. Cobura - 0*
*Cobura win 4-3 on Penalties.

(Day 25) 1 - Zardugal Vs. Deltaria - 2

The hosts pip the holders to the post and Cobura inch their way through to the Final with Penalties - which have traditionally been the downfall of Coburan Soccer teams.

Third-Place Play-Off

(Day 29) 3 - Selucia Vs. Zardugal - 3*
*Zardugal win 4-3 on Penalties.

The Grand Final

(Day 30) Cobura Vs. Deltaria

[Hugh Green]

Cobura - 4
Deltaria - 1

As a proud Coburan, this makes me an even prouder Coburan! Deltaria miss out on a home championship but they have done far better than in any previous run in getting to the final! Perhaps we should expect great things from them in the future...

Until then.

*ahem*

WAHEY!! Cobura Win!!

*ahem*