Sparks and Slushies Fly as Top Tier Contenders Battle It Out

[antiaircraft]

Obligatory 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).

 

The countdown to the end of the round robin has begun - quite literally, as a group of enthusiastic fans have gone and erected a giant countdown timer right next to the Colosseum's entrance. But colossal clocks aside, it is indeed time for the Cup's tiers to start locking into place, meaning that any teams close to the margins between brackets have definitely been stepping up their game. The clock is ticking (ack, I really can't get out of this can I?) for these teams to rake in the last few critical match points they need to make the jump to the tier ahead.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/krawkisland_2.gif" alt="Ealyn Hawkshanks" style="float:left;margin:5px;" /> For team Darigan Citadel, currently ranked in fifth place and barely a day's play away from fourth, the pressure that had built up over the course of the season finally exploded in a twisted melee of Yooyuball play as the Minions fought their toughest battle in the staple sport to date, crossing guards with the Krawk Island Pirates, who are currently the tournament's top-seated Yooyuball team. Despite the Citadel maintaining its usual standard of hard-hitting, virtually unstoppable offensive play, the Pirates were able to prove their worth on the field once again, keeping their cool and working their way gradually ahead with a slow, but steady stream of goals. The Citadel's fans weren't about to give a single sliver of ground elsewhere however, cheering fanatically to victory in Make Some Noise, and storming ahead in Slushie Slinger as well. Completing their side game set with a win in Shootout Showdown, Team Darigan Citadel were able to keep themselves within reach of tier one, and they'll be counting on a decisive victory in coming days to help them cross the final divide. Krawk Island, meanwhile, are still fairly comfortable in third place, and they don't look like they'll be giving up their first tier spot any time soon.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/maraqua_0.gif" alt="Tonie Plessix" style="float:right;margin:5px;" /> Trailing behind the Citadel by a fraction of a point were Team Maraqua, who pitted their hardened defensive line against Meridell's well honed three-forward strike formation to great success. The Knights simply weren't able to break through Maraqua's defence on enough occasions to even out the score, allowing Maraqua to scoot ahead and take the win. Every goal from Elon Hughlis was greeted with raucous support from the stands, which was enough to edge the Maraquans ahead in Make Some Noise as well. Meridell's fans managed to counter that push with a resounding victory in Slushie Slinger, but the teams' results were too close to call when it came to the penalty shootouts, leaving Maraqua with a decisive overall win.

 

"Well, I can't say it wasn't about time my team spent most of a match on our half of the field," remarked Meridellian captain "Wizard" Windelle, in good humour as always, "but I have to say I liked the other half better - we'll hang around there next time."

 

Lagging a little more behind in the standings was Team Tyrannia, who began their match against Team Virtupets to plenty of fanfare - at least from curious analysts, who were interested to see which of these two fledgeling powerhouses would emerge in better shape from their second clash. As it turns out, the Robots were able to gain and hold the upper hand convincingly, masterfully outplaying the Tyrannian Fossils in Yooyuball while also staying ahead in Make Some Noise and Slushie Slinger. When it came to Shootout Showdown however, prehistoric strength, speed, and instinct triumphed over futuristic sharpshooting techniques, allowing the Fossils to wrap up the match with at least one game in their favour. Despite the win, Team Tyrannia still remains beneath an ever-widening gap between sixth and seventh place, with doubts over their first tier chances running rampant.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/tyrannia_1.gif" alt="Loryche" style="float:left;margin:5px;" /> "I won't deny it. Tier one is a long shot for us right now," admitted Tyrannian Team Captain Loryche, "but the moment we give up hope, we lose everything we've been working for. A long shot is still a shot. We're down when we're down, and not a moment before."

 

That same spirit of perseverance shone through in Altador, Faerieland, and the Lost Desert yesterday, as all three teams fought uphill battles against their respective opponents. Team Altador was able to claim both a Slushie Slinger win and a Make Some Noise draw from the Brightvale Wizards, while the Faeries also emerged the victors in Slushie Slinger, and managed to swipe Shootout Showdown from Roo Island in the process. Team Lost Desert made a particularly impressive showing against top tier contender Team Kreludor, taking wins in Slushie Slinger and Make Some Noise, flying in the face of most analysts' sweep projections. Kreludor's clear victories in the Yooyu sports notwithstanding, Lost Desert forward Vonde Cayle remained largely optimistic in the post-match press conference, praising the energy and dedication of his team's fan base. After several encounters with clockwork Yooyus and other explosive objects, the Wocky did have one minor complaint to make however.

 

"There's just this one thing though - if I'm ever sitting on top of, oh I don't know, a bomb, please just wait until everyone's clear before asking for an autograph. Getting blown up is bad for your health."

 

Elsewhere on the pitch, Teams Kiko Lake and Moltara spent most of their match in a defensive posture, neither team willing to leave any openings after an early goal from Kiko Lake forward Holbie Pinnock. As the match progressed into its final quarter, the Moltarans suddenly switched up to a wildly different, highly aggressive style of play, rapidly equalising the score and assuming a commanding position with regard to ball control. With mere seconds remaining, it was one final clutch goal from Holbie Pinnock that decided the match in Kiko Lake's favour, while enthusiastic support and some swift reflexes allowed the Kikos to claim the remaining three games for a sweep. Regardless, most analysts agree that the relatively successful mid-game strategy switch was an important milestone in Moltara's development, and will likely serve them well in the future.

 

Shenkuu fans also have some improving performance to look forward to, as not only were they able to claim their first Slushie Slinger win of the season (against side-gaming powerhouse Terror Mountain, no less), but Mirsha Grelinek and her squad were also able to edge ahead of the Chillers in Yooyuball, turning the match decisively in their favour. Terror Mountain hit back in Make Some Noise and Shootout Showdown, taking both games with ease, but the match did leave them a few points under par as far as first tier contention is concerned, leading many committed fans to double their pace going into the team's next match. Shenkuu, meanwhile, is among a number of teams setting their sights on a spot in the hotly contested third tier, with today's results elevating them within striking distance of their goal.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/mysteryisland/logo.png" alt="Mystery Island Logo" style="float:right;margin:5px;" /> Last up for today's report, but certainly not least, the Mystery Island Natives once again charged out onto the field in top form, smashing through the Haunted Woods' normally solid defence with their notorious mix of agile passes and sheer forward momentum, a strategy which many observers have begun to nickname 'The Juggernaut'. Whatever you choose to call it, the results of the Natives' offensive play are clear, with Mystery Island finishing the day with a decisive Yooyuball victory and a win in Shootout Showdown. The Haunted Woods' supporters nevertheless kept the stands highly charged, claiming Slushie Slinger and Make Some Noise for their team, with most opting to skip the usual break between matches and go straight on into the next game.

 

"This is our final run," declared one Haunted Woods fan, "and you know what happens in final runs. You keep going and you don't stop for anything."

 

As they move on to today's games, the teams aiming for tier one will definitely be working to keep up their momentum - but some might have a tougher time with that than others, as Virtupets and Krawk Island, both currently ranked in tier one, will have to face off against each other. Kreludor and Tyrannia have also been matched up against each other, and the Tyrannian Fossils definitely can't afford to give a centimetre in this game. Meanwhile, Mystery Island and Brightvale, two low-ranked teams that have displayed absolutely astounding Yooyuball potential, will also be crossing guards.

 

Good luck to all teams! This is AA, reporting from Altador, signing off.

[Angeló]

We beat Terror Mountain at their own game ... I'm really happy :king:

[Sakabato]

Aww yeah, we finally got our first win at Slushie Slinger! Not only that, but we also defeated Terror Mountain at Yooyuball too, making us the winners. :D

 

This has been a good day for me in Neopets so far, first, my Searex was zapped into a 300k petpet, and then Shenkuu defeated Terror Mountain!

 

Now let's try and defeat team Altador at their own game as well! (also Slushie Slinger)

[jonathanjoseph99]

Oh Yeah! Shenkuu is in it for TIER 3! :D Hahaha.

 

So happy we finally got a SS win. against no other than TERROR MOUNTAIN?!!?!

 

The YYB match was also in our favor. :) GO SHENKUU!

 

Since we proved ourselves to have SS potential (maybe.?) Hahaha.

 

Maybe we have a 50% chance of sweeping Altador? Let's work hard Shenkuu. We need to match points real bad.

[-Ryan]

D.A.N.G.I.T

We needed that win. KI is our biggest hope for getting into tier one considering they still have almost all the powerhouses to face.

Now we have to hope the other teams can pick up where we left off and get us into 4th or 3rd.

 

How I think the DRR will end -

1. VP

2. KD

3. MD

4. DC

-

5th. MQ

6th. KI

7th. TY

8th. HW

-

9th. TM

10th. RI

11th. KL

12. LD

-

13th. SK

14th. MI

15th. BV

16th. FL

-

17th. MT

18th. AL

[livvy]

*giggles* You referenced our Vonde-saving challenge, Theo? :laughingsmiley: Poor Vonde. Everyone played for the autograph. No one even attempted a spectacular rescue...

 

Also, super proud of Shenkuu for their first SLS win - and against Terror Mountain no less! Way to go, ninjas!

[Piximon]

D.A.N.G.I.T

We needed that win. KI is our biggest hope for getting into tier one considering they still have almost all the powerhouses to face.

Now we have to hope the other teams can pick up where we left off and get us into 4th or 3rd.

 

I find it funny that everyone is forgetting about VP just because they are in 1st x)

 

Why do you think they are in first? Because they are just now playing KI today, and they need to play MQ, MD, and DC to come... out of the top 5, they've only played KD lol...

 

 

 

Anywho, I hope you're upset that you used the MQ vs DC game as the headline 2 days ago Theo...

I knew it was a bad idea when I saw it x)

MQ was definitely going to get better than a WLLD :P and I was proven correctly against MD :D

[voteforpedro333]

How I think the DRR will end -

1. VP

2. KD

3. MD

4. DC

-

5th. MQ

6th. KI

7th. TY

8th. HW

-

9th. TM

10th. RI

11th. KL

12. LD

-

13th. SK

14th. MI

15th. BV

16th. FL

-

17th. MT

18th. AL

 

Right there with you on that prediction. Saying that, I also have to say I've never seen a harder fight for 11th-14th before. Lost Desert can and should be able to (and better) get the 11th spot, and I think Brightvale has fought hard enough to get the 12th spot. The Kikos have been tough too...We'll see!

[-Ryan]

I find it funny that everyone is forgetting about VP just because they are in 1st x)

 

Why do you think they are in first? Because they are just now playing KI today, and they need to play MQ, MD, and DC to come... out of the top 5, they've only played KD lol...

 

 

 

Anywho, I hope you're upset that you used the MQ vs DC game as the headline 2 days ago Theo...

I knew it was a bad idea when I saw it x)

MQ was definitely going to get better than a WLLD :P and I was proven correctly against MD :D

 

Yes but VP is a tough team. KI isnt fully recovered from the winners curse.

And yeah, I guess they could fall as well and let MQ in, but I dont see it happening.

[antiaircraft]

*giggles* You referenced our Vonde-saving challenge, Theo? :laughingsmiley: Poor Vonde. Everyone played for the autograph. No one even attempted a spectacular rescue...

Well, I don't think I could seriously have passed up a chance to mention that. :P

 

Anywho, I hope you're upset that you used the MQ vs DC game as the headline 2 days ago Theo...

I knew it was a bad idea when I saw it x)

MQ was definitely going to get better than a WLLD :P and I was proven correctly against MD :D

Heh, I have no qualms about headlining teams for two or more days in a row (headlines are really about what happened today after all (yesterday if you want to get all technical about it)). For this report however, I think there were more than enough top-tier clashes to warrant a more general spotlight. :)

 

That and it seems people would rather I didn't bother with headlines at all. :(

[Lydia Trebond]

That and it seems people would rather I didn't bother with headlines at all. :(

:sad02: They're better than my headlines, at any rate. I think people are just peeved that they're not doing as well as they had thought they would have.

 

 

Go Roo Island! :king:

[Piximon]

Heh, I have no qualms about headlining teams for two or more days in a row (headlines are really about what happened today after all (yesterday if you want to get all technical about it)). For this report however, I think there were more than enough top-tier clashes to warrant a more general spotlight. :)

 

That and it seems people would rather I didn't bother with headlines at all. :(

 

I love your headlines~

 

I remember always getting excited when MQ was headlined ACIV x)

I was like :woot: :P

 

and yeah, I agree that its about what happened that day, but sometimes I feel like the big match of the day wasn't highlighted. that's probably a perspective thing though...

 

Yes but VP is a tough team. KI isnt fully recovered from the winners curse.

And yeah, I guess they could fall as well and let MQ in, but I dont see it happening.

 

While I agree that KI isn't as strong as they were when they won the cup, VP almost got shut out by HW... I don't think that results in them being a tough team...

 

 

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[antiaircraft]

I love your headlines~

 

I remember always getting excited when MQ was headlined ACIV x)

I was like :woot: :P

 

and yeah, I agree that its about what happened that day, but sometimes I feel like the big match of the day wasn't highlighted. that's probably a perspective thing though...

Thanks. :) And yeah, there are plenty of days when I wish I could put more than one headline in (well, we can fit in two actually xD ).

[:)Doc]

And yet, even though Maraqua has bested Meridell (#1 team at the time) and Darigan Citadel (#5 team at the time), we still can't move out of 6th place! :grrr:

[antiaircraft]

And yet, even though Maraqua has bested Meridell (#1 team at the time) and Darigan Citadel (#5 team at the time), we still can't move out of 6th place! :grrr:

That is indeed the case - slacking off early in the second round cost Maraqua a lot of points, and while they have a better chance of making tier one than in previous years, it will still take them a lot of work to make the jump. :yes: