Oggetto: National Cup

It doesn’t get much attention in the forums, but I rather like the NC so I thought I’d start a thread to follow the ups and downs, the giant-killers and the underdogs, as we get through to the last 32 this season. Please feel free to add your thoughts, argue with mine, or smack talk your next opponents in the thread below.

SEASON 4: THE LAST 32

Dallas Mavericks (I.1) vs Zdenek Bulls (I.1)
Runners up last season, the Mavericks take on the Bulls in one of this round’s biggest headline matchups. The Bulls are struggling in 8th place in their conference, though it is definitely the tougher of the two in I.1. The Mavs are fourth in the same conference, and with home advantage your money has to be on the Dallas side.
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Lincoln Canadiens (I.1) vs Islington Bulls (III.5)
The Canadiens from the East coast are last season’s I.1 runners up and placed 3rd in the NC a couple of seasons ago, but will the demands of the top flight and the champion’s league be taking their toll on the squad’s energy? The young Islington hopefuls from III.5 will be hoping so, and they’ll be looking to establish their own giant-killing credentials with a surprise win on the road.
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BK Mila (I.1) vs Warrington Corvus (III.4)
Another I.1 vs III.div matchup, but the Corvus certainly won’t be a pushover. Expect these experienced North-Westerners to take BK Mila right down to the wire.
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Alma Airs (I.1) vs Silver Sentinels (I.1)
The only other matchup between two I.1 teams, and this should be a corker. The Sentinels lead Conference A and are looking very convincing in their first season in the top flight. But the Airs are sitting 7th in the tougher Conference B, and they’ve been NC quarter-finalists twice before so don’t underestimate these experienced veterans on their home court.
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Ultimate zebras (II.1) vs Cannon Fodder (I.1)
Cannon Fodder were right at the top of I.1 in the first two seasons of Basketball, and though their league performance last time out was disappointing while the squad rebuilt, they still came through to a semi-final appearance in the NC and ended the campaign ranked fourth in the competition. Their number 2 seeding is well deserved. However the Ultimate Zebras lead II.1 and have a wealth of experience themselves, so they’ll give as good as they get. Should be a game worth watching, this one.
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Glasgow Gladiators (II.1) vs Tulse Hill Eagles (II.2)
Once the most feared UK team in PPM Hockey, the Glasgow Gladiators haven’t made the top flight in Basketball yet but their reputation precedes them. They lead their conference in II.1, but the Tulse Hill boys are a close second in their conference in II.2, so this should be a tight contest. However it’s a long journey from South London to the banks of the Clyde, so my money is on the home team.
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Nasty Mumps BC (II.1) vs Bolton Basket (II.3)
The 3rd placed team in II.1 Conference B take on the 3rd placed team in II.3 Conference B. Too close to call, this one. The Mumps have some form, having been in the NC quarter-finals in both of the last two seasons, so the odds would probably favour the home team. But never bet against the boys from Bolton.
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Inter Lincoln BC (II.3) vs Newry Lions (I.1)
Newry Lions are having some success in their first season in the top flight and they’ve been to the NC Semi-finals before in season 2, but Inter Lincoln BC are unbeaten since dropping down to II.3 so they’ll be having a go at this one for the win.
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Spam Egg Bacon and Spam (II.2) vs Basket SNV (II.3)
Another tight matchup between two II.div teams who are third in their respective conferences.
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Club 77 (II.2) vs Midland Gallions (III.4)
The 77’s have to be favourites here, they are in the higher league and have been to the NC Semi-finals before in Season 1 - but the Gallions will be giving it everything to cause an upset and progress to the next round.
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Cavendish (II.3) vs C.I. Seagulls (I.1)
NC Runners-up in Season 2, the Channel Islanders will be hoping to go deep in the competition again this year and are seeded 5th. Cavendish will sure put up a tough fight at home but it will be a battle to the final whistle for them.
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Galileo (II.2) vs BK Trakie Āži (I.1)
Last season’s NC champions and recently promoted to I.div, Trakie Azi have to be the favourites here, but they certainly won’t get a warm welcome when they travel to II.2 mid-table Galileo. Will they go home seeing stars? (Sorry, I promise that’s the most tenuous joke on this thread)
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LA Wild Lions (II.2) vs BC Handcross (II.1)
Another too-close-to-call II.div matchup, this time between two teams sitting fourth in their respective conferences.
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Koseca (III.4) vs Aberdeen Oilers (II.2)
The Oilers put out a bullish press release at the start of the season and after making it to the Quarter-finals last year they will be looking to progress into the final rounds of the NC if they want to live up to it. Koseca will put up a fight, but their visitors from the West of Scotland arrive as favourites here.
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BC Waltham Forest (III.3) vs ABC DEPO (III.1)
ABC DEPO pulled off probably the most startling result of the cup so far when they knocked out I.1 leaders the Toronto Blue Jays in the last round. The Blue Jays are undefeated in the league this season but badly underestimated their opponents. Will The DEPO keep it up when they travel to Waltham Forest to take on their fellow III.div hopefuls?
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BT TNDN (III.3) vs Whitefall Dragons (I.1)
The Dragons placed 3rd in the NC last season and won the top flight, but they have struggled a little so far this season whilst adjusting to the demands of the champions league and integrating younger players in the squad. The number-one seeds will be looking for the win, but BT TNDN will be fighting hard and looking to cause a huge upset when their visitors hit the court. But the most important question of the day… what on earth does BT TNDN stand for?!

Great write up ! Really like this

Tomorrow is going to be tricky to say the least for my lot - Alma Airs away and then Toronto away-

So far we are doing really well - Lots of very close games and tbh we could Have lost a few of tHose

- Tonight were against old rivals Newry Lions and it will be rough - They are a lot tougher now than they were - Amazing Centre they have -

Thanks again m8 ! I Hope we can get to the 'sweet 16' for the next write up !!

Best Wishes

Nige

Great idea and fantastic write up - i was thinking of starting a NC thread too

There are some juicy draws in here as you point out. Two in particular

Alma vs Sentinels should be epic. The Alma boys really know how to play defence, have a solid starting 5 (Shaka Shaka Shaka!) and have home court advantage too ... ...
But the Sentinels have more depth and it player are well rounded (skill wise, not chubby!).

Mavs vs Bulls - Bulls can't be underestimated, but the Mavs are one of those teams that can beat any other on a good day. They should win unless their players get complacent or lose focus.

As for my game? I'm going to make a swoop over the Cavendish camp to see what cunningly genius line up and tactics are required to get our sandy beaks into the last 16...

Yikes they have Greek NT Centre Kosmas Mentis !. Where is the setting to put all 5 of my players on him ?!

Excellent write up. I enjoyed reading that. Especially the kind words for my match-up.

I like your team, you have some nice juniors in development. cant wait to see how they turn out

Well - I walked into the Sentinel's office early this afternoon and was immediately hit with the news that 'The General' - 'The Master Blaster' himself, Mr 50% from beyond the arc; Nikolay Lapikov had fractured his ankle on an awkward land this morning in early shoot-arounds.

So upsteps Borislav Kucan his understudy into the fierce battle that was the away fixture against the Alma Airs.

When our perimeter shooting went 0/8 I admit I was a bit concerned.

But there was no need to be: Tyler 'Skipper' Bickley rallied his troops terrifically well and on the captain's advice - he let the throttle go a bit and the team pulled with him. Alma Airs good team; it was a good test for us and it was a good game. It was our day today.

On we go to the sixteen

As far as Toronto goes this evening this will be one of the toughest games so far for us. We are working on a strategy to counter the counter play of the Blue Jays !!!

Nigel

(GM; Silver Sentinels)

Glad to see people are enjoying this - the result of a VERY slow Friday afternoon in my office, I have to admit.

Looks like there weren't too many surprises this afternoon although I've not checked all the scores yet... more to follow

Well, the results are in and the big news is that reigning champions BK Trakie Azi have gone out in a shock 78:79 defeat at the hands of 43rd seed Galileo from II.2. Some incredibly close games in the last round, four matches were won by three points or less!

The draw is coming up today or tomorrow I think, but here are your last sixteen this season. Half are from I.1, with a further seven from II.div leagues and our infamous giant killers ABC DEPO the sole remaining third-tier club in the competition.

Here’s the last-sixteen lineup by order of seeding:

1. Whitefall Dragons (I.1)
2. Cannon Fodder (I.1)
3. Dallas Mavericks (I.1)
4. Lincoln Canadiens (I.1)
5. C.I. Seagulls (I.1)
11. Silver Sentinels (I.1)
12. BK Mila (I.1)
15. Newry Lions (I.1)
18. Aberdeen Oilers (II.2)
22. Glasgow Gladiators (II.1)
23. BC Handcross (II.1)
25. Nasty Mumps BC (II.1)
27. Spam Egg Bacon and Spam (II.2)
31. Club 77 (II.2)
43. Galileo (II.2)
65. ABC DEPO (III.1)

SEASON 4: LAST SIXTEEN
Better late than never… here are your matchups for the last 16 today:
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Whitefall Dragons (I.1) vs BC Handcross (II.1)
BC Handcross will have a tough game away from home, but they’ll be hoping to pull off an upset here.
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Silver Sentinels (I.1) vs Cannon Fodder (I.1)
The Sentinels just can’t catch a break in the draw this year, and they are lining up against yet another I.1 rival in Cannon Fodder. These two top contenders met in the league a few days ago with the result going in favour of the Sentinels, but with a very tight 83-78 scoreline the balance could easily tip the other way this afternoon.
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Newry Lions (I.1) vs Club 77 (II.2)
The Lions look like pre-match favourites at home, but Club 77 have already knocked out I.1’s TYSKIE New Malden in the earlier rounds and will be hoping to chalk up another win against a top-flight team today.
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Aberdeen Oilers (II.2) vs Dallas Mavericks (I.1)
The Mavericks are a tough team in any competition and will be hoping to improve on last season when they were NC runners-up, losing by only 5 points in the final. The Oilers though have put it all on the table, they want to go all the way to the finals and they will go all-out for the win here.
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Glasgow Gladiators (II.1) vs C.I. Seagulls (I.1)
This should be a highlight of the round, the Seagulls are a strong presence in I.1 but the Gladiators know what it takes to progress to the Quarters.
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Nasty Mumps BC (II.1) vs Galileo (II.2)
Surprisingly the only all-II.div matchup. Nasty Mumps have the form when it comes to going deep in the NC, but Galileo pulled off a stunning victory over last season’s champs BK Trakie Azi in the last round and they’ll be hoping to keep that run of form going today.
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Spam Egg Bacon and Spam (II.2) vs Lincoln Canadiens (I.1)
The Canadiens are looking like favourites here, but the Monty Python-inspired Spam fans will be gunning for an upset in this one, who knows what might happen?
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ABC DEPO (III.1) vs BK Mila (I.1)
ABC DEPO have already taken down I.1 leaders the Toronto Blue Jays in this competition, and the only remaining III.div team will be fancying another scalp at home today. But BK Mila have beaten some tough opponents themselves to get here, and they won’t go home without a fight. Should be a great one to watch.

What a great cup competition this is

What I would not give to be in the finals NC, instead I was 2 in the league

Woot woot i can't get ABC Depo!

I know, those guys are crazy over-achieving this season! Here's hoping the Mavs draw them