In a very even match that was tied 1-1 after regular play and 2-2 after overtime Zola drew the long straw in the penalty shoot out, where they held a 2 RR advantage. Thus Zola goes on to the quaterfinal with a 2-3 win.
The weather was fine as 108.000 fans (64 vs 44 k) showed up. But for some reason the top star from DD Eata Corpus dis not feel like joining the team. (Missed niggling). However, the vampire Count Luthor and Orc Star Varag had joined the two teams.
Hence DD could show a line of ST 5, 5 and 6 vs Zola’s ST 6 and 7 ST 4 players.
The ref had heard of the fouling from DD, and had his eye on them all the time. (ie. no fouls made in regular time).
DD recives and quick snaps down Zolas pitch. Already in turn 3, the Vampire runs free and is well covered down pitch, when The Green Ghost passes to him. But WHAT, he fails to catch on double 1. An opening is made for Daringonast who manages to pick up the ball next to the vampire, but then as he tries to pass it down pitch, he is intercepted by The Green Ghost. The Ghoul then runs far down the pitch, and seems out of reach. But suddenly he is surrounded by two ST 4 orcs, who manages lots of go for its and dodges to do so. Nevertheless, he manages to blitz free, one dice with the help of guard wight S. Finxter, and then procedes to score in turn 5: 1-0.
In the next drive Zola also quick snaps down field, and in the process Swarzer kills Geleb Reanimated and Daringonast KOs the Vampire. But when Varag has to dodge to run for the tieing TD he falls over, and first half ends 1-0.
In the half time, Necromancer Kynde must look on in disbelief as neither the kill regenerates or the Vampire awakes. Much weakened, but still with 11 players, DD has to kick-off to a full Orc team. However, the DD fans do not like this, and a rock hits the Troll Dumbwhaat BHing him. So only one ST 6 player on pitch now. And later he fails to regenerate for the overtime.
Zola do answer back quickly and soon Zepelin kills Brill and Varag BH Guard S. Finxter. Along with a few KOs DD has not much to do with, and has almost no chance of stopping Zola. Hence in turn 8 Dvorbaz ties the match 1-1 and takes it into overtime.
Before this Zola recives a very important briliant coaching RR to take with them into overtime, but after that Ra SI Daringonast who, due to some bad coaching?, had been placed in a very bad position for this last turn of regular time.
For the overtime the Vampire becomes ready again, but sadly the second kill DD player also failed to regenerate. But at least the BH guard wight made it back on the pitch.
Zola came blitzing out after they kicked it to DD, but failed to reach the ball, and hence they more or less opened up their own pitch. Zola’s apo had to run to the pitch to save Swarzer when he in the nex turn is killed by Ra, who thus learned Stand Firm. Then the Vampire runs down pitch and in turn two the way is opened up for The Green Ghost who passes the ball to the Vampire (thus learning Strip Ball). The Vamp then runs out of reach, but before he manges to score Mean Midget falls on a dodge and is BH. But then the Vampire took the match to 2-1.
DD only had 10 players to the next kick-off, but had no problems holding of the orcs for the two remaining turns., so it all came down for the second half of overtime. If the orcs could tie they might have a 3 RR advantage for the penalty shoot out. But if not, then DD would go on directly.
DD’s fans did not fancy that the ref had been after their team all the time, so they killed him in between the two half, and finally DD could begin to foul. But it was to late. Argos did, however, manage to dodge and in two tries foul Waffer MNG. It was also in these last turns that the two only double skulls came up (one for each), and some RR were spendt.
In the end, however, it only took a dodge by Zepelin to get into the EZ in the last turn, and then a long bomb (4+) came sailing in from super thrower Dvorbaz and was easily caught for the equalizer: 2-2.
Nevertheless the fans were chearing for DD while Mad Max made a last turn completion (to obtain ST 4) thus giving DD a single RR vs Zola’s 3. It was alas not enough, although Zola’s coach did not like his odds after DD roled a 4. He could have lost it on a 1, and they would have to roll again on 2. But finally he threw the dice and it was a 5, so Zola got a free TD and the 2-3 win.
The MVPs went for Swarzer for his kill, and to Lex Liche who thus increased his AG to 4!
Of course DD lost fans to Zola, and the high gate gave 60 vs 70 k. Zola will, however, not be able to field Varag for their quaterfinal match. (Just 5 k short)
It was a very tight match, but the pre match favourite got the better of DD in the end grinding them slowly down. But nothing was ever given until the final dice in the shoot out. An exciting match! :)
