WXV Round 17 - Berlin/Beijing hold the keys to the 8, while 10 teams say goodbye

[ossie85]

Round 17
(AFL Round 19)

Cape Town Cobras       v       Pacific Islanders       Newlands Cricket Ground
Mexico City Suns       v       Sao Paulo Pumas       Fireball Stadium, Mexico City
New York Revolution       v       Buenos Aires Armadillos       Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, USA
Paris Nice Lyon Reindeers       v       Wellington Warriors       State de France
Dublin Destroyers       v       Toronto Wolves       Crooke Park
Tokyo Samurai       v       Moscow Spetsnaz       National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Beijing Thunder v       Berlin Brewers       Beijing Olympic Park
Cairo Sands       v       London Royals       Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt
New Delhi Tigers       v       Seoul Magpies       Tata Stadium, New Delhi

Highlights:

Cape Town v Pacific

The Cobras basically can't make the top 4 barring a percentage miracle, and definately can't miss the 8, but a win against Pacific will guarantee them a home final - a match they should win! But they should have won against Beijing also! The Islanders are still in danger of the wooden spoon - but unless Wellington upset PNL, they should have enough percentage to avoid it.

Mexico City v Sao Paulo

I'll admit it - I scheduled this match last hoping it would be the decider for the minor premiership. But Mexico City had other ideas! The Suns are in an interesting quandry, defeat the Pumas this week, and they are every chance of having to play them again in the first week of the finals! Lose, and they'll probably play Moscow. The Pumas won't want to play the Suns in the first week, so they'll be going all out also. A win might not be enough to secure a home qualifying final! With Buenos Aires only marginally behind on percentage.

New York v Buenos Aires

New York are still a mathematical chance of making the finals - but need Berlin, London and Dublin to all lose and they need to make up a bucket load of percentage. It ain't gonna happen, but they can finish the year with a positive ledger (9-8) which is a massive improvement for the team that came 2nd last in 2012. Buenos Aires have assembled a best 15 and again look very threatening, they will need to thrash New York to make sure they get enough percentage to pass Sao Paulo if the Pumas win - and a loss could see them drop to fourth and head to Mexico City in week 1.

PNL v Wellington

Realistically, a win can only save Wellington from the spoon. But surely PNL's luck won't be that bad?

Dublin v Toronto

If Dublin win, and Berlin and London win, Toronto will miss the finals in all likelihood! Incredible for a team that was pushing top 4 not long ago. I still think they'll make the finals though. While Dublin has been in stunning form, the highest scoring team in 3 of the last 4 weeks, they need Berlin and London to lose for them to make the finals. Unfortunate, as they looked to shake the finals up!

Tokyo v Moscow

Finally some joy for Tokyo and some pain for Buenos Aires.... The Samurai had one of the upsets of the year scoring a mammoth 158, and will be looking to do the same against Moscow. But Moscow have also hit form again! A loss for Moscow could see them drop out of the four, a win could theoritcally see them finish 2nd!

Beijing v Berlin

Where the hell did that come from? A massive score of 147 - having previously not cracked 130 this season - just about guaranteed the Thunder will avoid the spoon (which looked a certainty not long ago). Berlin will be nervous - a win, and they will make the finals (barring a percentage miracle from London), lose and they could be out (well, unless London and Dublin lose).

Cairo v London

Cairo could make the top 4 if Moscow is upset by Tokyo, and will probably host elimination final anyway if they lose (unless a percentage miracle from Toronto). The likelihood is they will finish 5th or 6th. London need to win, and they need to win well, and hope Berlin have a shocker against Beijing. London's destiny is not in its own hand.

New Delhi v Seoul

The consequences of this game will be massively inconsequential.

[Maca24]

Mexico City Suns:

Def: B.Goddard (VC), C.Enright, J.Adcock, B.Lake.
Mids: S.Sidebottom, B.Ebert, L.Hodge, B.Vince.
Rucks: I.Maric.
Frwds: J.Bartel (C), N.Riewoldt, J.Lewis, D.Merrett.
Bench: A.Sandilands, S.Thompson.
Emg: M.Baguley, M.Blicavs, D.Addison.

We need Hurn back but doubt it's going to happen :/
Waite, Goodes and Lecras still miss while Riewoldt under a huge cloud.
NRoo could potentially have season ending surgery, very concerning stuff.
Ins: Bartel, Crameri. Out: Addison, Merrett.

[elephants]

New Delhi v Seoul

The consequences of this game will be massively inconsequential.

Ah, good :P

[Holz]

While Dublin has been in stunning form, the highest scoring team in 3 of the last 4 weeks, they need Berlin and London to lose for them to make the finals.

or simply just beat the wolves by 40 points.

[CrowsFan]

While Dublin has been in stunning form, the highest scoring team in 3 of the last 4 weeks, they need Berlin and London to lose for them to make the finals.

or simply just beat the wolves by 40 points.

You would still need one of the other teams to lose though to get in to the 8.

[ossie85]

While Dublin has been in stunning form, the highest scoring team in 3 of the last 4 weeks, they need Berlin and London to lose for them to make the finals.

or simply just beat the wolves by 40 points.

Tough though, with Toronto's lowest score this year 125 and your highest score this year 166. Both are recent though

[Jukes]

But Moscow have also hit form again and potentially have star midfielder Jobe Watson returning.

I wish we had Watson :P maybe you meant star backman Jack Hombsch?

[ossie85]

lol, I'm getting tired late in the season :P

[CrowsFan]

lol, I'm getting tired late in the season :P

Just like the Pumas... :(

[Holz]

I assume all the top teams will be cheering on the wolves this week.

[Nige]

I assume all the top teams will be cheering on the wolves this week.

I'd like a draw, mainly for the lulz.  :P

[Purple 77]

Come on Toronto and Cairo, if you guys win, I'll probably make the finals even if I lose to Beijing! That would make London and Dublin furious I reckon  :P

[roo boys!]

I assume all the teams will be cheering on the wolves this week.

As they do, or at least should, every week!

I assume all the top teams will be cheering on the wolves this week.

I'd like a draw, mainly for the lulz.  :P

I'd take that!

[Nige]

Come on Toronto and Cairo, if you guys win, I'll probably make the finals even if I lose to Beijing! That would make London and Dublin furious I reckon  :P

All you had to do was ask. ;)

Toronto, you do your bit.

#antidublin

[Holz]

Come on Toronto and Cairo, if you guys win, I'll probably make the finals even if I lose to Beijing! That would make London and Dublin furious I reckon  :P

cant believe my finals chances hinge on beijing winning a game.