Finals Preview
by Omarldinho
2008-09 Warrior Nation/SW.Net Fantasy Football Knockout Cup Finals
This is it and here we are.
After 161 days of grueling competition between 144 teams, a combined total of 143 transfers and 3466 hard earned points between the finalists, countless hours of ponderous tinkering, prophetic decision making and immeasurable frustration, the finals of the 2008-2009 Warrior Nation Fantasy Football Cup is here.
With both teams having guaranteed a share of the prize of the most sought after Soca Warriors jersey on the planet, Red Fire FC and BESBRAHN will battle it out for bragging rights for the season.
Semi-Final Recap
Red Fire FC vs Manuvelona
Red Fire FC blazed a trail to the finals by emerging victorious from a thrilling 3 round semi-final bout with Manuvelona. After ending the first leg almost even, Red Fire FC opened up a 21 point gap on his rival with a 79 point 2nd leg performance earned on the back of a 4 goal performance by Andrey Arshavin and a shrewd transfer for Danny Collins of Sunderland.
Not to be outdone, Manuvelona came roaring back in the 3rd leg with a 74 point performance. This was spurred on by a truly remarkable move for West Brom’s Fortune up front, and captain Ronaldo as he repaid his faith with a 2 goal/assist/bonus output that left his rival sweating bullets ahead of Monday’s last gameweek fixture. It was not enough though as Arshavin was once again the difference maker.
BESBRAHN vs Hell_Boy_AC
BESBRAHN cruised into the finals by dominating his semi-final matchup with a unanimous victory over Hell_Boy_AC. The tie could have been a foregone conclusion after the first leg had BESBRAHN not made the cardinal mistake of selling the prolific Arshavin for the profligate Peter Crouch, losing 21 points in the process. Nevertheless, solid performances by the likes of Fabregas, Matt Taylor and Glen Johnson over the 3 legs made for an easy path to the final.
Hell_Boy_AC on the other hand decided to take the conservative route, making only 2 transfers over the 3 legs of the semi-final. Despite consistent returns from the likes of Ireland, Lampard and Geovanni, he lives to rue the injury to Steven Gerrard and the Arsenal surge over the last few weeks that has been a thorn in side of many a fantasy football manager over the past couple weeks. Hell_Boy_AC can look back with pride on an excellent Cup run and will look ahead to his 3rd place encounter with Manuvelona with the last remaining Warrior Nation jersey/Membership Renewal at stake.
Who will triumph at the final hurdle and don the coveted jersey? Who will falter?
Tune in as these teams battle it out for the title over the next 3 Gameweeks!!