Natives Take Lost Desert Down in Yooyuball

[antiaircraft]

<p>Disclaimer: This news report was written to inform you all of the latest Altador Cup results in as entertaining a manner as possible. The rest of its content is largely fictional, composed from various fan comments and the whims of our imagination in an attempt to inspire a sense of realism through our reporting. While we do our best to keep things reasonably neutral, this report is in no way intended to be a completely bias-free listing of the day's results, nor does it claim to provide critical analysis of past and potential outcomes from qualified Altador Cup experts. Please note that the opinions formulated in this report are from a full team of different reporters, and in no way represent the views of only a single faction. If you're looking for 100% unbiased performance data, take a look at our standings page. If professional analysis tickles your fancy, you want our predictions pages (global/daily).

 

 

I'm reporting direct from the Colosseum, where there's still plenty of buzz among spectators and analysts after yesterday's results were released - to a massive collective gasp from observers. After ten days of unstoppable play, during which they blazed right past almost every opposing team that came their way, the Desert Marauders have finally tasted defeat at the hands of none other than the Mystery Island Natives! In a spectacular last minute display, Mystery Island team captain Volgoth scored a series of goals to equalize and ultimately win the Yooyuball match, nudging the outcome in the Natives' favor despite being outdone in all the side games. Reports are coming in of a truly gargantuan festival being held by the islanders to commemorate their victory. Unfortunately, all of Mystery Island's ports have been closed so that the docklands can join the festivities, so we're presently unable to bring you an on-location report.

 

The mood is a tad dour on the Marauder's side, but team captain Leera Heggle wasn't about to let his team's dampened spirits affect their game play. "It was a well played match, and those Natives taught us a thing or two about Yooyuball, that's for sure. Come the next round, we'll only be playing harder, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes. But for now, we have a match to play, and I can tell you that a sulking team definitely isn't going to beat Darigan Citadel."

 

On a totally unrelated note, Leera also briefly addressed a series of rumours that have been bouncing around the Lost Desert and Mystery Island camps concerning his relationship with the Natives' centre forward. "Me and Bertie...well, let's just say we have a special connection." he stated, declining to elaborate further.

 

Curiously enough, the Lost Desert's defeat means that not a single one of this year's contenders still boasts an unbroken Yooyuball streak (unless you count Team Moltara, but that's a matter of debate).

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/head_shots/maraqua_2.gif" style="float:right;margin:5px;">In a slightly more vengeful match-up, the old enemies from Team Maraqua and the Krawk Island Pirates faced each other on the field. The Maraquans have never been strong enough to give the Pirates much pause before, but with the Mermaids' renewed determination and the Pirates' drop in the standings, this year's contest sees the two teams a little more balanced. And what could be better evidence of that than the Mermaids taking the match? Elon Hughlis and his squad cruised easily ahead in Yooyuball, while Maraqua's supporters revamped the layout of their slushie stands to almost double their efficiency, pulling even with Krawk Island's frenzied slinging. Make Some Noise and Shootout Showdown were taken by the Pirates, but it wasn't enough to stop the Maraquans from swimming away with a firm victory. We have Xepha from the Maraquan supporter group 'We Are Maraqua!' to provide her comments on their triumph:

 

"Mmhmm... Problem with the RSS feeds on the 16th floor... Add links on the webbie... Not enough people on support line... Zzzz..."

 

Oops, it appears that she's still asleep. We'll get back to her if we can.

 

Things didn't go quite as swimmingly for this year's tournament underdogs. Altador, Moltara, and Faerieland went down to clean sweeps from the Citadel, Team Tyrannia, and the Haunted Woods' Balloon Zombies respectively, while the Kiko Lakers barely managed to avoid a similar fate by pulling off a Slushie Slinger draw against Kreludor. Team Terror Mountain had a slightly better day against Meridell, winning Slushie Slinger and (naturally) holding up their perfect Shootout Showdown record, although the Knights took the other two games and the match overall.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/head_shots/rooisland_1.gif" style="float:left;margin:5px;">Team Virtupets still doesn't seem to have recovered from yesterday's loss to Meridell, leaving an opening for the Roos to throw together and execute a sharp game plan - which they did. Roo Island trumped the Robots soundly in Shootout Showdown and Yooyuball, leaving the Robots with a draw in Slushie Slinger, a win in Make Some Noise, and a stinging overall defeat. The Brightvale Wizards were hit with a similar result, losing Yooyuball and Shootout Showdown, drawing Make Some Noise, and winning Slushie Slinger against the Ninjas. Uncertainty over Team Shenkuu's capacity to perform still lingers, but it was doused significantly by their gameplay yesterday, and the squad looks set to banish it altogether.

 

The Ninjas will have to push hard to keep up their momentum today however, as their opponents are the morale-charged Mystery Island Natives. Some Mystery Island fans have expressed scepticism over their ability to pull off a decisive win for two days in a row (in between complaints about sand from the Lost Desert), but most have no such doubts. "Inconsistency is a major weakness for both of these teams, so it'll all come down to focus and hard work." was how one analyst put it.

 

Another match to watch today is between the Darigan Citadel and the Desert Marauders. Despite yesterday's startling loss, the Lost Desert remains at the top of the leaderboard and unquestionably one of the strongest teams in the tournament. However, the Citadel has been pushing hard this season. They're formidable opponents across the board, with a record to match. In the words of a Darigan Citadel fan, "LD [Team Lost Desert] might rally, but we'll rally harder!"

 

That concludes our Altador Cup news for today. This is AA, reporting for The Daily Neopets, signing off. Good luck to you all!</p>

[SheChameleon]

Great report!

 

Too bad that Mystery Island broke LD's streak of winning YYB, very well played MI!

Looking forward to the match with DC today :yes:

 

And I never knew that there was romance in the air between Leera and Bertie, gotta love those details :wub_anim:

[tempdisplay]

Wow LD, wow. I'm impressed. it gives me confidence that Maraqua could possibly take the cup! I though LD has it in the bag and we can make 2nd or 3rd; anything can happen! Great report, very, very informative and the flair :yes:

 

Leera and Bertie?

[lovedwallflower]

<3 Leera and Bertie <3 Too bad those darn islanders took our streak away :/ we'll be playing our backsides off against DC though, you can count on that!

[Secre]

Well done Mystery Island! That was well won victory! Shows that no matter how well anyone is doing no one can get cocky!

[:)Doc]

wow... way to go Mystery Island! :laughingsmiley:

And a congrats to my team Maraqua.. we finally beat Krawk Island :king:

Now lets see if we can manage Faerieland :cough: :cough: :eh:

[CAV of Gang Green]

I'm shocked that LD lost to MI, and that we were able to beat KI. Well, if LD was to finally lose in YYB, let it be to a team worthy of doing so, and that's exactly what happened.

 

FL, this will be a cake walk...

[Tyler.]

What, no mention of how we beat the wizards? D:

I'm actually pretty confident about this

[ΩCCΩ]

If I learned something in my years in the AC is that you should NEVER underestimate ANY team.

[voteforpedro333]

Well, if LD was to finally lose in YYB, let it be to a team worthy of doing so, and that's exactly what happened.

 

Exactly my thoughts. I blame the fact that I was more worried about the Rolland Garros than playing YYB. And Soderling still lost to Rafa... <_<

 

But back on topic, DC ain't gettin' nothin'! I need to play a lot today since tomorrow I start summer school. Luckily we've left the most tame teams for last just in case.

[-Ryan]

Well, LD hasn't beaten MI since AC2. Just saying...

 

And i'm really not that suprised about MQ winning. KI is a bit of a dirty team and they waste time thinking of what to try to pull over at the KILL boards...

[Wembly]

Yay for the Roos! We're moving back up in the world! I guess we've got to keep it up today again against Meridell.

[-Ryan]

RI has really suprised me, I must say. Good job Rooligans. ^^

 

 

[tempdisplay]

Curiously enough, the Lost Desert's defeat means that not a single one of this year's contenders still boasts an unbroken Yooyuball streak (unless you count Team Moltara, but that's a matter of debate).

I'm still laughing! I'm so sleeping well tonight xD

[Person335]

I'm still laughing! I'm so sleeping well tonight xD

Hey, there's a Moltara supporter scouting these forums! :angry:

 

Besides, I bet we can end this curse by the second round.

(don't make us crack it on your team)

[Piximon]

baha, great report. Love the unbroken YYB streak you mentioned xD

 

Not surprising MI won YYB... They always seem to get LD when they least expect it, wish it was someone else who ended the streak though.

 

And I don't care what and KIer says, we worked our butts off yesterday to get that win, we got our highest YYB numbers yesterday than we have this whole cup!

 

*patpat* V I know you work hard (:

[flyingeevee]

Never underestimate any team fer sure :D

 

GO MYSTERY ISLAND GO =D

[antiaircraft]

What, no mention of how we beat the wizards? D:

I'm actually pretty confident about this

The Brightvale Wizards were hit with a similar result, losing Yooyuball and Shootout Showdown, drawing Make Some Noise, and winning Slushie Slinger against the Ninjas. Uncertainty over Team Shenkuu's capacity to perform still lingers, but it was doused significantly by their gameplay yesterday, and the squad looks set to banish it altogether.

 

The Ninjas will have to push hard to keep up their momentum today however, as their opponents are the morale-charged Mystery Island Natives. Some Mystery Island fans have expressed scepticism over their ability to pull off a decisive win for two days in a row (in between complaints about sand from the Lost Desert), but most have no such doubts. "Inconsistency is a major weakness for both of these teams, so it'll all come down to focus and hard work." was how one analyst put it.

It sometimes pays to slow down a bit when you read news reports. ;)

 

Hey, there's a Moltara supporter scouting these forums! :angry:

 

Besides, I bet we can end this curse by the second round.

(don't make us crack it on your team)

Good luck to you - if there's one thing you definitely have by now, it's the element of surprise, and that's an advantage that's often under-accounted for. :yes: