SSL Division Two The Rhinos and Knights bounce back from opening day losses and are the only two teams to win on Matchday 2. As it turns out, the draw between Hamburg and St. Paul is a draw between the top two. And Dudley II continues to be both unbeaten and winless. They'll need to pick up some more points to challenge for promotion this season.
SSL Division One Buffalo and Paris are off to the races as they make it back-to-back wins. This is the first place I'm really noticing the increased number of teams in a division. It feels like this is going to be a tough division this season. Teams like Kyoto and Havirov II are still in the picture, and it'd be too early to count out a run of good form from Monte Carlo II.
SSL Championship Half the division on two points?!?! Manaus is off to a slow start, but first to ninth are separated by only two points. Its hard to say anything else right now. Some big matchups next time, and those should really start to sort the table and show us what is to come in the Championship.
SSL Premiership The opening duel of Matchday 2 goes back and forth until Monte Carlo gets a huge round seven victory to beat Nantes. Dudley and Andijan cannot be separated and both teams fall into the lower half of the table with only draws so far. In fact, the two Dudley teams have combined for an 0-4-0 record. Antananarivo finally puts their strength to use and gets in the win column against Havirov. Kuala Lumpur and Sao Paulo also can't be separated. One now sits second, and the other last. Finally Gokyo finds success against the now former division leaders Zagreb.
This now puts Monte Carlo alone at the top with a two point gap to second, and a further three point gap to tenth. Is this a runaway season for the High-Rollers? Monte Carlo vs Antananarivo on Matchday 3 will have a lot to sat.
"Nah, I don't think we can yet be considered as favorites to grab a Championship spot next year, we just took advantage of these two first games against 'predictable' teams ya know. The guys did a great job and we ensured a 6-point comfortable start."
"Now the crucial games are coming, starting with Havirov next week. Of course we're more than happy to be part of the best season starters, but we're still gonna take it up the notch during training sessions to be fully prepared for the next games."
--- Paris Suricats' manager, during the after-game press conference. --- ;)
Reporter: "We're two games into the season. How are the Rockets travelling so far?"
Tom: "Things could be better, but could also be a lot worse. If you had have told me that we'd be in 8th place after 2 games, I'd normally be a bit worried, but given that no one has had a good start, things are ok. We're 2 points from the top, and with 4 other teams on 2 points. There's a lot of season to come.
R: "The Rockets looked like the next big team after your rapid rise through the pyramid, including that crazy season where your team won all league games. What went wrong, and how are you rectifying it?"
T: "I'll be the first to admit that Season 8 was rough for us. We had built a tradition of winning and it was devastating to watch that crumble. If anything we we're doing too well and we rose to the top tier too early. We're back in tier two with the knowledge of what went wrong previously with a burning desire to prove that we are still the team that showed so much promise and potential a few seasons ago."
R: "This week sees you go against the Exiles, who we're beaten 4-2 by league leaders Upington. What are the Rockets doing to prepare and how do you rate your chances?"
T: "Well for obvious reasons I can't go into too much detail on what we've got planned, but we're looking at the footage to identify any weaknesses they have. Upington proved that there is something there which may be able to be exploited, although they will likely be focusing on that in training this week. I hope for the best and am confident of a result, but its a real tossup. Gareth is a good manager, he will be looking for redemption this week."
R: "As for the cup, you've drawn Premiership side Nantes, who've had a rough start to the season with a draw and a win so far. How do you think you'll fare there?"
T: "It will be tough but again we've got a point to prove that we can compete in the Premiership next season. A win there and we likely go against Havirov, who are in a similar situation. If we win in the cup this week, we may be able to make a run deep into the tournament, although some teams do have easier paths."
Journalist : "What do you think about tonight's game ?" Me : "I'm sad" Journalist : "And what do you think about the Canaries' situation ? What is your feeling about your place in the Premiership standings ? Can the club maintain in premiership ?" Me : "Yes" Journalist : "You've gone two without a win, do you accept that kind of run for a club of this size is not good enough? And are the fans assured that you're doing everything that you can to try and turn this around?" Me : "I don't understand your question. Please speak french."
Reporter: "This season has started worse than expected for the Lemurs. How would you comment on that?" Me: "Of course it's been difficult. We're being viewed as favourites by many other teams and we'd like to think that too but these first 2 games have been very tough and we have no room for error." Reporter: "Your next game is against the High-Rollers, a perennial title challenger. What are your expectations for the match and how will you prepare the players for it?" Me: "Monte Carlo is a difficult opponent at any time and no matter what others say, I'd consider them the favourites. But at this moment, winning every game is a necessity for us as we cannot let down our supporters and sponsors. We will be training harder than ever before for this match which could already decide the fate of the title."
Quote ( Richard Robin Paukson @ November 15th 2018,16:21:05 )
Monte Carlo is a difficult opponent at any time and no matter what others say
Well you can do it like I did. I played the same strategy for all of the first 6 games and then in the final game that was against MC I knew he wouls counter my strategy that I used whole season so I countered his counter strategy and somehow, God knows how, I didn't relegate, despite being 2 points below standard. 🤣🤣🤣
Reporter: After three successive seasons of winning your division, you and the Trail Blazers sit middle of the pack ahead of tomorrow's matchup. With two games in, do you think that your reality check is further down the season, or are you focusing on next season.?
C. Batchlor: *sighs and flips off the reporter* No.
Reporter: Is your team planning to relocate after the season?
C. Batchlor: That's nice to know that you people consider such bullcrap to be newsworthy. But your shoes are untied. *punches reporter with an uppercut* Kyoto Trail Blazers will remain in Kyoto. End of....
Yes! You also are the association. We are all the association. Nate is just the one who was voted to be Chairman of the Board because nobody else could be bothered to do it. Best decision ever!
Quote ( Matija Gjurčević @ November 15th 2018,17:14:55 )
Well you can do it like I did. I played the same strategy for all of the first 6 games and then in the final game that was against MC I knew he wouls counter my strategy that I used whole season so I countered his counter strategy and somehow, God knows how, I didn't relegate, despite being 2 points below standard. 🤣🤣🤣