“The scoreline is a little deceiving, as this was a pretty close game, which realy could have gone either way untill turn 7 in the second half.

In advance I realy didn't fully believe in my chances, because of the big difference in TS and the fact that I lost my two best black orx last game (had to freeboot a third black orc for this game...)

Handicaps:
Virus, which eleminated one of his throwers, and an 'It wasn't me', which sadly went to his freebooted lino.
Third handy was bad press, which was of no use cos I already had a very big FF advantage. Not very good handis thus, but could have been a lot worse as well.

First half:
Nandorins started on the attack and could score easily in two turns. I did not do a lot to stop them, but made certain they could not stall.
On my drive I was very afraid of the wizard and took long turns to make certain my cage was not open to a fireball. I managed to do a little damage and move my cage up his field. Then he came in with his leaping blitzer and got my ballcarrier down on a one die, but also catched the ball with him, so the ball could not be moved with him. I got the ball back and formed a wizard free cage again. But he managed to dodge his way through with his AG5 guard for an assist and could still reach my ballcarrier with his leaping blitzer. He failed on one of the dodges on his way though, so I made the 1-1.

Second half:
Nandorins could only field 10 players, so I started to believe in my chances a bit, especialy when I his one of his players ko on the first turn. However, my second and last DP only fouled a stun and got sent off at the first foul. Big blow for the orx. But, I started to get lucky on the casualties and ko's and diminished the Nandorins to 7 players. The game was going more and more my way. But, as we know, 7 elves can easily still win the game.
Crucial point in the game:
when I played one turn a bit faster and without as much attention as before turns, I made a crucial error with my cage and gave my opponent a good wizard chance (had given one less good wizard chance away two turns before, so I should have payed more attention). Thrower went down on a 2 die and leaping AG5 blitzer picked up the ball in two tackle zones, handed off to thrower and he threw the pass to the deep catcher. He could not stall next turn, but was 2-1 up, leaving me two turns to score the equalizer.
Because he was only able to field 8 (or was it 9) players on defence, and my orx have a very good thrower, I still had a big chance to equalize and take it to overtime where I could have caged regulary without being afraid of the wizard.
Second crucial point (and decisive one) of the game: I accidently swapped two black orx and thus had to make an early block with my freebooted black orc. He rolled double block dice, rerolled two double skulls. Gone scoring chance, gone chance to win the game (and the tournament).
Next turn I was that pissed at the dice that I used my last turn to foul his remaining catcher without trying anything of stopping him or getting players close to the ball. 3-1


So, although I only had a small chance of winning in advance, I came way closer than I had ever thought (which of course makes the defeat way more bitter). One badly formed cage, a succesfull wizard, and extremly badly timed block dice decided the game, just when it was going my way.
I still blame myself for the bad cage, and the misplaced black orc, but the dice also went to Kfoged on those critical moments (if he had failed to get the ball after the wizard for example, game would probably have been mine). I also remain wondering what I could have done with my full orc squad. If,if, if, ...

Anyway, well played of Kfoged, he played well during the whole game as usual. Importantly, he didn't panick when his team got deminished, and waited for the right time to use his wizard, and made beatifull effect of it.
Nandorins move to the semis to defend their title.


Grats, gg, c ya round and good luck for the rest of the tourney.


”