EUROPE - Who Will Win 2015?

[ossie85]

The Contenders

Berlin Brewers
Finished: 5th, 5th, 5th
Record: 3-9
Comment: I think this demonstrates how tough this competition is! Berlin was a Top 4 team in 2013, and still finished last in this comp. Berlin are an eclectic bunch, when they are on they are on, but they can also look very ordinary when Melbourne get flogged. But what's the likelihood of that?

Dublin Destroyers
Finished: 4th, 2nd, 2nd
Record: 6-6
Comment: They dominated 2014 overall, but only managed the 2 wins in Europe. Missed on percentage in 2013, and had a horrible season in 2012 but managed not to finish last. 2015 is Dublin's for the taking, and I'm sure they'd love this title in its trophy cabinet. London has been a constant thorn, with the Royals having them beat 3 times from 3 to maintain an iron grip on the British Isles Cup.

London Royals
Finished: 3rd, 1st, 4th
Record: 7-5
Comment: Took out the comp in 2013 in a bit of an upset (though they had an underrated season), and have proved stiff competition to all 4 of its fellow Europeans. With the strength of the teams from Dublin, PNL and Moscow, it is hard to see them adding a 2nd title though.

Moscow Spetsnaz
Finished: 1st, 3rd, 3rd
Record: 8-4
Comment: Moscow have been World Finalists in all 3 years, and were deserving winners in 2012 (by 2 wins!). They probably feel they should have another title, but it wasn't to be - and with Dublin and PNL proving stiff competition, it will take a good effort to win this. But they are a genuine shot.

PNL Reindeers
Finished: 2nd, 4th, 1st
Record: 6-6
Comment: PNL took out last year, holding off strong competition in Dublin and Moscow, despite scoring less points then them! Makes up for some back luck in the past (top point scorer in 2012 for instance). The Reindeers are solid across the board, and are a shot at winning this.


Fixture
R   Team 1   W   v   Team 2   L   Ground
2   Moscow Spetsnaz   1   v   London Royals   2   Luzhniki Stadium
4   Berlin Brewers   1   v   Moscow Spetsnaz   3   Berlin Olympic Stadium
5   London Royals   0   v   PNL Reindeers   3   London Royals Olympic Stadium
6   Berlin Brewers   2   v   PNL Reindeers   1   Berlin Olympic Stadium
8   Dublin Destroyers   0   v   London Royals   3   Crooke Park
9   Dublin Destroyers   3   v   Berlin Brewers   0   Crooke Park
13   Dublin Destroyers   1   v   PNL Reindeers   2   Crooke Park
14   PNL Reindeers   0   v   Moscow Spetsnaz   3   Stade du Ray
15   London Royals   2   v   Berlin Brewers   1   Neutral, Bellerive
15   Moscow Spetsnaz   1   v   Dublin Destroyers   2   Luzhniki Stadium

Prediction

1st - Dublin. They can't be denied
2nd - PNL. The Reindeers do have the strength to upset Dublin on its day
3rd - Moscow - still have strength to challenge anyone
4th - Berlin - Think can avoid the spoon
5th - London - Feel they've lost a bit


History

2012
Position   Name   Score   Scored Against   Wins   Loses   Percentage
1   Moscow Spetsnaz   541   509   4   0   106.29
2   Paris Nice Lyon Reindeers   575   534   2   2   107.68
3   London Royals   487   490   2   2   99.39
4   Dublin Destroyers   491   522   1   3   94.06
5   Berlin Brewers   461   500   1   3   92.20

The Spetsnaz, as the only finalist from Europe, won 4 from 4, but interesting to note that PNL was the highest scoring team, while Dublin avoided the spoon despite finishing last overall.

2013
Position   Name   Score   Scored Against   Wins   Loses   Percentage
1   London Royals   545   516   3   1   105.62
2   Dublin Destroyers   573   566   3   1   101.24
3   Moscow Spetsnaz   553   535   2   2   103.36
4   Paris Nice Lyon Reindeers   527   552   1   3   95.47
5   Berlin Brewers   517   546   1   3   94.69

Well done to London! They missed out the overall finals, but took out the European Premiership. Moscow slip to 3rd, despite finishing top 4 in the overall, while Berlin - the team that would go onto make a preliminary final - had back to back spoons.

2014
Europe   Name   Score   Scored Against   Wins   Losses   Percentage
1   Paris Nice Lyon Reindeers   549   548   3   1   100.18
2   Dublin Destroyers   606   574   2   2   105.57
3   Moscow Spetsnaz   584   586   2   2   99.66
4   London Royals   533   541   2   2   98.52
5   Berlin Brewers   515   538   1   3   95.72

3 years, 3 different winners, and none of them Dublin! PNL stands strong in a tight competition, with Berlin winning a 3rd spoon.

[Holz]

Basically as tough to win this division as the overall comp. The best region in worlds is filled with quality teams and anyone could win here.

3 games at home, I'm almost invincible at Crooke park so looking like this might be my year. Got to finally beat London.

[Purple 77]

Berlin Brewers
Finished: 5th, 5th, 5th
Record: 3-9

This comp its stupid, almost as stupid as your stupid face  >:(

[JBs-Hawks]

Well we know Berlin wont win :P

[Nige]

Suns have to be favourite here

Oss pls.  :P

PNL for me, I think they've gotten better over the offseason and can defend their crown.

[ossie85]

Suns have to be favourite here

Oss pls.  :P

PNL for me, I think they've gotten better over the offseason and can defend their crown.

Copy and paste fail

[Holz]

Suns have to be favourite here

Oss pls.  :P

PNL for me, I think they've gotten better over the offseason and can defend their crown.

very surprised your going against Dublin.

[kilbluff1985]

Dublin suck

#notjealous

[Ringo]

London is rebuilding so not expecting to set the world on fire but beware of upsets. can not believe i have the wood on Dublin.
Last year injuries in rucks killed me but with the recruitment of Giles to complement Bellchambers things will be better.

Just some facts for London Team Structure
Defenders Av Age 23.6 pulled up by Brent Reilly and Tom Lonergan bothe over 30
Mids: Average Age 22 with a couple getting on but not yet 30
Rucks: Average Age 23.8
Fwds: Average Age 24.5 with both Brent Staker and Jason Winderlich over 30
Overall Team Average 23.3
So watch out in coming years.

[Jroo]

Suns have to be favourite here

Oss pls.  :P

PNL for me, I think they've gotten better over the offseason and can defend their crown.

We're that good we'll win Americas and Europe!

Nah Dublin should be too strong here

[Holz]

London is rebuilding so not expecting to set the world on fire but beware of upsets. can not believe i have the wood on Dublin.
Last year injuries in rucks killed me but with the recruitment of Giles to complement Bellchambers things will be better.

Just some facts for London Team Structure
Defenders Av Age 23.6 pulled up by Brent Reilly and Tom Lonergan bothe over 30
Mids: Average Age 22 with a couple getting on but not yet 30
Rucks: Average Age 23.8
Fwds: Average Age 24.5 with both Brent Staker and Jason Winderlich over 30
Overall Team Average 23.3
So watch out in coming years.

is this your starting squad ages or the whole line?

[Ringo]

Whole squad ages Holz will post my best 15 when I do some more work on the team. Now that british Drafts are completed been working on what Royals need going forward and what we have.

Keeping an eye what is available trade wise as well.

[Holz]

Whole squad ages Holz will post my best 15 when I do some more work on the team. Now that british Drafts are completed been working on what Royals need going forward and what we have.

Keeping an eye what is available trade wise as well.

will do my ages tomorrow, I actually have a really young list too.

[Hellopplz]

Berlin Brewers
Finished: 5th, 5th, 5th
Record: 3-9

This comp its stupid, almost as stupid as your stupid face  >:(

;D ;D. Nice come back Purps :P. But Berlin have also scored the lowest out of all the teams for the past three seasons, so no wonder 5th always!

Very tough division to win, as pretty close and upsets are a bound as the highest scoring team in Europe has never won the prize!!

Also noticed when it comes to 3-0: Moscow > PNL > London > Dublin > Berlin

[Purple 77]

Really? The lowest?  :( I'll take your word for it.

Uhhh... I guess now I have to make ANOTHER spreadsheet to record these rivalries  ::)

I complain, but I secretly love it.