BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Winner's Bracket, Round 1

Shana def. Rin Tosaka by >100
Over/Under: 4300
Over

Kyou Fujibayashi def. Suigintou by <100>150
Over/Under: 4400
Under

Haruhi Suzumiya def. Yuki Nagato by >100
Over/Under: 4300
Over


Tomoyo Sakagami def. Hinagiku Katasura by >100
Over/Under: 4400
Over

ISML 2009: Shana rolls on in Tiara Preliminary Round of Judgment

ISML 2009: Shana rolls on in Tiara Preliminary Round of Judgment


September 29, 2009

The 2009 International Saimoe League postseason went into full swing today with the Tiara Preliminary Round of Judgment and Relegation Round 1.

The Top 16 competitors at the end of the ISML 2009 Regular Season began their fight for the Tiara by being teleported to eight points far away from Planet Earth.

At Point Alpha, located 0.35 light years from Earth, top see Shana won a surprisingly close battle with Horo, 1981-1932. "I didn't expect the Wise Wolf of Yoitsu to be a tough cookie," she said in an interview, "but you have to give her credit for making this a match. The important thing is that I got the job done."

Point Beta is located 0.70 light years away. Here, #2 seeded Haruhi Suzumiya delivered a decisive 2125-1887 victory over Shinku. "I came into this phase facing a buzzsaw," Shinku said after the contest. "And she was ready."

Standing 1.05 light years away is Point Gamma, where #3 seed Tomoyo Sakagami pummeled Nanoha Takamachi 2095-1640. "Well, that's one less enemy to worry about," said Sakagami, "but I have a long ways yet to go, as do the rest of the others today."

Point Delta, located 1.40 light years away, a close match between Kyou Fujibayashi and Suiseiseki saw the Clannad #4 seed win 2003-1983. "She didn't sweep in 2006 without a reason," Fujibayashi said, "but this is 2009. Times change. Tastes change. And I defeated someone that allowed me to bring it."

Point Epsilon is located 1.75 light years away, and Suigintou was more successful in her preliminary round battle, defeating Mikuru Asahina 2265-1789. "If anyone thought that the weakest link of the so-called 'SOS Brigade' was going to make an impact," Suigintou said after the match, "they were in for a big surprise today. A REALLY big surprise."

At Point Zeta, located 2.10 light years away from Earth, Hinagiku Katsura took her anger out from being eliminated in the Anizone and 2chan tournaments by making Fate Testarossa Harlaown's title defense that much difficult in a 1949-1768 victory. "There will be a new champion," proclaimed Katsura. "Whether it will be me, we'll just have to find out. But I am moving in the right direction. And I did have to take the bad taste out of my mouth from my performance in Japan and Korea."

At Point Eta, located 2.45 light years away, Yuki Nagato prevailed 2053-1814 over Taiga Aisaka. "She was going to be a tough cookie," Aisaka admitted after the match. "I want to get my revenge if I face her in the semis or the final, assuming both of us make it that far."

At Point Theta, located 2.80 light years away, Rin Tosaka cruised past Kagami Hiiragi 1989-1772. "This was a great effort," Tosaka said after the match. "To defeat one of the strongest from Lucky Star is no small task. I want to keep the momentum going."

In other action, the relegation rounds took place at a number of the major cities. Mai Kawasumi defeated Mikoto Misaka 1774-1589 in Tokyo, Sayuri Kurata defeated Reimu Hakurei 1684-1572 in New york, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeatred Chii 1861-1626 in Buenos Aires, Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Nayuki Minase 1608-1576 in Cairo, Misuzu Kamio defeated Vita 1723-1545 in Moscow, Hayate Yagami defeated Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1673-1501 in London and Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Index L. Prohibitorum 1789-1529 in Sydney.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Double Elimination and ISML Relegation, Day 1

Tiara Double Elimination, Preliminary Round

ARENA 01: [Shana] Holo

ARENA 02: Hiiragi Kagami [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 03: [Suigintou] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 04: Suiseiseki [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 05: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 06: [Katsura Hinagiku] Fate Testarossa

ARENA 07: Shinku [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 08: Nagato Yuki [Aisaka Taiga]

ISML Relegation, Round 1

ARENA 09: [Kawasumi Mai] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 10: Kurata Sayuri [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 11: [Louise Vallière] Chii

ARENA 12: [Minase Nayuki] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 13: [Kamio Misuzu] Vita

ARENA 14: [Yagami Hayate] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 15: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Index Prohibitorum

Quick hits, September 20, 2009

Today is my father's and sister's birthdays, respectively. As if I fucking care...my dad took away the FiOS modem. He doesn't need any presents from me.

---

Hawaii's defensive secondary is crap, and our receivers have just as crappy hands of butter. Nuff said after choking 34-33 to UNLV.

---

Long Beach State's women's soccer team fails to impress today against San Diego State. Ugh. It seems my favorite teams are choking against the Mountain West. But they weren't the only ones who disappointed.

USC football...lost.
Cal Poly football...lost.
Harvard football...lost.
AFC Wimbledon...drew with a red.
Long Beach City College football...blown apart.

Some good things did happen.

Melbourne Victory...won.
LA Galaxy...won.
Quebec Capitales (one of the few Canadian baseball teams I follow)...won the Can-Am League.
Long Beach State women's volleyball...defeated UCLA. Not very often that happens.
My high school...defeated Mayfair fair and square. See some of my deviations for that action.
The Angels rebounded today after losing yesterday.
And Azusa Nakano and Ui Hirasawa qualified for the ISML after advancing to the quarters of Anizone Saimoe.

Still though...Hawaii's defense is crap. The onus is them to prove me otherwise. The wanks...

---

I never want to talk about yesterday. That day sucked.

---

I am bored. And hungry. Thank god for the Beach.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Double Elimination, Preliminary Round


Shana def. Horo by 200+
Over/Under = 2500
Over

Rin Tosaka def. Kagami Hiiragi by 100+
Over/Under = 2200
Under

Suigintou def. Mikuru Asahina by <100
Over/Under = 2300
Under

Kyou Fujibayashi def. Suiseiseki by 200+
Over/Under = 2300
Over

Tomoyo Sakagami def. Nanoha Takamachi by 150+
Over/Under = 2300
Under

Hinagiku Katsura def. Fate Testarossa Harlaown by <100
Over/Under = 2100
Under

Haruhi Suzumiya def. Shinku by 200+
Over/Under = 2500
Over

Taiga Aisaka def. Yuki Nagato by <100
Over/Under = 2100
Under

USC Steals Ohio State's Soul

USC Steals Ohio State's Soul

Stafon Johnson
The embattled Ohio State football program -- losers of five straight against elite programs -- made its stand. Saturday night was going to be the place where they bucked history and reclaimed some former glory in toppling No. 3 USC. Over 106,000 fans, most in Ohio Stadium history, made life hell for the visitors from sunny California. The Buckeye defense made stop after stop, harassing the Trojan run game and freshman quarterback Matt Barkley over four solid quarters. They made their stand, but in soul-crushing fashion, they once again failed.

Trailing 15-10 and looking ready to wilt, USC mounted a 14-play, 86-yard, six minute touchdown drive to go ahead 18-15 with just over a minute left. Same. Old. Story. Not enough.

The anatomy of a marque game between national powers:

Tressel Ball -- Ohio State played Tressel Ball to perfection, locking USC and its freshman quarterback in bad field position literally the entire evening. Chris Galippo's early interception aside, here was USC's starting position the rest of the game

USC 22
USC 20
USC 18
USC 14
USC 20
USC 20
USC 10
USC 21
USC 14
USC 18

Long fields every time out, absolutely amazing. From there Ohio State didn't relent, its defensive line neutralizing USC's offensive line, shutting things down on first down and forcing all kinds of punts.

Pryor's early interception was the Buckeyes' only turnover.

Classic Tressel Ball

Terrelle Pryor -- His numbers on Saturday weren't great, but make no doubt about it he's arrived. USC's defense was lights out nearly the entire night but had to play incredibly sharp to keep Pryor contained. He still snuck in several long passes totaling 177 yards on the night.

Pryor is so good that even when contained by a top five defense having a great night, he moved the ball and dominated in a role that has me calling him the Human Field Position Machine. In the absence of many touchdowns, he taxed the USC defense and played right into the hands of Tressel Ball in never offering USC a chance for a short field. When it clicks this guy might be better than Vince Young, capable of completely controlling all but the best defenses.

Matt Barkley -- USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley came into the game beaming, convinced he would not get distracted by the setting and the raucous crowd. In a postgame news conference he admitted to his ears still buzzing minutes later.

For most of the night he did little to help move USC's offense, but was a maestro at the end of both halves in guiding USC to a field goal and then what will go down this year as The Drive among USC fandom. Running back Joe McKnight did most of the heavy lifting on The Drive, but Barkley stayed poised in completing several third down passes and converting a fourth down run. Like Pryor he, too, has arrived after the 195 yard effort.

Of some interest, Barkley admitted that a fourth quarter hit 'jacked up' his shoulder and he was shown grimacing through the rest of the game but refused to be replaced. Its that kind of toughness that screams leadership and poise.

The Numbers -- Ohio State's defense deserves enormous credit Saturday, shutting USC's offense down for long stretches and embarrassing its vaunted offensive line. That said, USC's offense still outplayed Ohio State's. USC gained 18 first downs to 10, and had a 47 yard edge, 313 to 266. USC's defense allowed just 89 rushing yards, the Trojans themselves netting a modest 118.

The star for me was USC linebacker Chris Galippo. Even without his first quarter interception, Galippo was stellar, routinely displaying uncanny instincts arriving at several plays before they could materialize. Even in coverage where he was beat, he made two tremendous plays on perfectly thrown balls that otherwise would have gone incomplete. The guy deserves All America mention after his showing the last two weeks.

The Drive -- After the game, Barkley reportedly said of The Drive "We're Trojans, that's what we do." Sounds about right. On a night USC certainly should have lost and had shown little offensive life in the second half where they normally come to life, something clicked.

The clock read 7:29, ball on their own 14. It would be either their last or second to last possession, assuming they could even acquire a rare first down before giving the ball back to Pryor to grind more clock away while set up in great field position with a five point lead. The Trojans set about on a long drive, draining clock despite a five point deficit and unsure returns. Risky, and inevitably right.

Somewhere they summoned that uncanny poise the program's becoming famous for, a freshman leading the charge. It started off like much of the game, with a Barkley sack. Adding insult to injury, Barkley was tagged with a five-yard delay of game penalty, setting up second and 19. Joe McKnight took over from there, rushing for 11 yards and then beating a linebacker on third and eight for a 21-yard weaving reception.
Latest College Football Photos
Ohio State's Etienne Sabino (6) stops Southern California's C.J. Gable (2) on a kick off return in the first

Quick hits, September 13, 2009

58 percent of you fuckers on the Anizone Saimoe are bloody idiots. IDIOTS, I say. You just had to let Yuki Nagato through. AGAIN. The second season of Haruhi isn't gaining as much steam as before, and you just confirmed your idiocy. Goddamn you all!!!

More on this on the next edition of the Lunch Hour (via transcript). I am not too happy about this. Any of you turds who thought that Haruhiism was dead...apparently there are some voters in need of being persecuted.

---

Good riddance, Ohio State. You sucked last night. And so did you, Lane Kiffin. You should have just kept your ass in Oakland, you traitor!

---

The Galaxy need a lesson in consistency. A 6-3 defeat to FC Dallas is fucking unforgivable.

ISML 2009: Top 16 after Regular Season















TOP 16 AFTER ISML 2009 REGULAR SEASON:

1. Shana (SAP) 186 pts
2. Haruhi Suzumiya 177 pts
3. Tomoyo Sakagami (AQ) 174 pts
4. Kyou Fujibayashi 171 pts
5. Suigintou (AM) 168 pts
6. Fate Testarossa Harlaown (C) 165 pts
7. Yuki Nagato (TOP) 159 pts
8. Rin Tosaka 159 pts
9. Kagami Hiiragi 156 pts
10. Taiga Aisaka 156 pts
11. Hinagiku Katsura (RUB) 153 pts
12. Mikuru Asahina 150 pts
13. Suiseiseki (EM) 147 pts
14. Nanoha Takamachi 147 pts
15. Shinku (DIA) 147 pts
16. Horo 141 pts

(C) Defending ISML Champion
(AQ) Aquamarine Necklace winner
(TOP) Topaz Necklace winner
(AM) Amethyst Necklace winner
(SAP) Sapphire Necklace winner
(EM) Emerald Necklace winner
(RUB) Ruby Necklace winner
(DIA) Diamond Necklace winner

ISML 2009: Shinku gets the Diamond


ISML 2009: Shinku gets the Diamond

By Bongaboi
September 5, 2009

As the 2009 International Saimoe League drew to a close, the fate of the final necklace, the Diamond, was determined.

And the unexpected of all competitors in contention, Shinku, won it. A comprehensive 1967-1167 victory over Mai Kawasumi in New York City

"Well, I was not expecting this," said the Pure Ruby herself at a victory rally by the Rockefeller Center, who was surrounded by Suigintou (who defeated Kotomi Ichinose 1850-1496 in London), Suiseiseki (who wrapped up another Rozen Maiden sweep with a 1707-1585 victory over Horo in Paris), Jun and Nori Sakurada, Kanaria, Kirakishou, Souseiseki, Hina-Ichigo, and Tomoe Kashiwaba. "I wanted to get the Ruby necklace, but I'll take Diamond any old day."

Banners in the air read: "It's the year of the Alice Doll!", "We love you Shinku!", "Screw 2chan and Anizone; we got the best moe here in New York" and "NY<3RM", that is, New York lover Rozen Maiden.

"Well, I guess you should be happy that you got your first necklace," said a bemused Suigintou.
"Now that each of us got a necklace, I have a question for all of you here desu," asked Suiseiseki. "Raise your hands if you think this will be the year one of us takes the Tiara away from that fugly wench Testarossa desu!"
Everybody did.
"That's what I'm talking about desu! Now raise your hands if it's going to be me that takes it desu! Ohohohoho..." Nobody did. "Ehhh!? To hell with you all desu! I'm outta here desu!" She quickly exited the stage before being dragged back by Jun. "Hanase desu! Mou desu!"
"How many of you think it's going to be me, the embodiment of perfection?" asked Suigintou.
Half of the hands were raised.
"And yours truly?" Shinku asked, quietly sipping another cup. The other half were raised. "There's your answer, you piece of junk."
"Oh Shinku, you didn't have to rub it in that way, you fool," she responded with an evil, vain laugh.
"Anyway desu, thank you all for supporting us this year desu! Wish us all luck desu!" appealed Suiseiseki to the crowd, who chanted "Rozen Maiden!" while the strains of Kinjareta Asobi and Seishouji Ryouiki wafted through the Manhattan Skyline.

Meanwhile, a victory rally was held for Shana in Tokyo. "Our job is not finished yet," she said, surrounded by Yuji Sekai, Kazumi Yoshida, Margery Daw and Hecate. "We have a ways yet to go before we get the job done. Thank you for your support during this International Saimoe League regular season. Now the tough part begins."
"Give props to Shana," said a disappointed Hinagiku Katsura, who lost to the overall regular season champion 1438-2107. "She might be the one that wins this one."
At another victory rally, Mikuru Asahina celebrated her perfect run with a 2444-690 against winless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Istanbul. "Um...thank you for helping me finish this campaign without a defeat."
"I love you!" said a Mikuru supporter with an apparent nosebleed.
"I love you too," she said, blowing a kiss. The supporter had to be sent to a hospital. He is recovering with blinding speed that he left the hospital without his clothes on. He is currently on the run.

"Fuuko may not have made the cut," said a disappointed Fuuko Ibuki after defeating Hayate Yagami 1956-1092 in Sao Paulo, "but Fuuko will be back next year and become stronger. Fuuko thanks her supporters for their support." She waved to the crowd as star-shapped gold confetti rained down in the Brazilian city, where chanting, drumming and singing of Mag Mell took place.

With Kawasumi's loss, Kanon is effectively out of contention from returning automatically to the 2010 International Saimoe League. This means that there will be 30 open slots for next year's competition.

Minori Kushieda has been the surprise story of the phase. Although she ends her Diamond run with a 6-3 record, her string of victories-which was capped with a 1789-1042 blasting of Anya Earlstreim in Sydney-ensures that all the characters from Toradora! are slated to return next season due to the .500 rule.

In addition to Rozen Maiden, Fate/Stay Night also earned a sweep. Saber slashed past Yuuhi Katagiri 1979-990 in Buenos Aires, Rin Tosaka prevailed over Konata Izumi 1896-1514 in Bogota and Illyasviel von Einzbern easily flattened Kirino Chiba 1850-887 in Seoul.

In other action...Chii clobbered Patchouli Knowledge 1568-898 in Mexico City, Sayuri Kurata torched Index L. Prohibitorum 1741-1083 in Mumbai, Haruhi Suzumiya finally figured out Yuki Nagato in a 1752-1415 victory in Shanghai, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La valliere pulverized Shiki Ryogi 1934-975 in Lagos and Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) took out Akari Mizunashi 1544-1102.

Kyou Fujibayashi got her revenge for her defeat to Tomoyo Sakagami last year with a 1868-1352 victory in Karachi, Kagami Hiiragi upended defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown 1948-1317 in Dhaka, Nanoha Takamachi busted Rena Ryuuguu 1814-1401 in Manila, Nagi Sanzen'in took out C.C. 1955-1457 in Cairo, Reimu Hakurei ended her season with a 1209-115 victory over Amu Hinamori in Jakarta and Mikoto Misaka whipped past Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1597-1065 in Moscow.

Sakura Kinomoto scored an impressive 1728-1578 victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi in Lima to wrap up her ISML season, Hanyuu Furude finished on a high note with 1576-1523 thriller over Ami Kawashima in Tehran, Nayuki Minase tore down Alice Carroll 1652-946 in bangkok, Taiga Aisaka roared pase Misuzu Kamio 1927-1334 in Santiago and Konjiki no Yami never broke a sweat in dismissing Nagi 2110-834 in Kinshasa.

Wrapping up the 2009 International Saimoe League Regular Season...Tamaki Kawazoe ended her dismal year on a winning note with a 1048-1018 nailbiter in Toronto, Nagisa Furukawa laid the dango on Rika Furude 1739-1536 in Algiers, Marisa Kirisame outpaced Remilia Scarlet 1319-1195 in Milan, Maria dusted off Shiori Misaka 2193-889 in Madrid, Mei Sunohara ensured of her return for next season with a 1861-870 drubbing of Makoto Sawatari in Santo Domingo and Vita ended her ISML run with a 1528-1362 win over Ayu Tsukimiya in Katowice.

TOP 16 AFTER ISML 2009 REGULAR SEASON:

1. Shana (SAP) 186 pts
2. Haruhi Suzumiya 177 pts
3. Tomoyo Sakagami (AQ) 174 pts
4. Kyou Fujibayashi 171 pts
5. Suigintou (AM) 168 pts
6. Fate Testarossa Harlaown (C) 165 pts
7. Yuki Nagato (TOP) 159 pts
8. Rin Tosaka 159 pts
9. Kagami Hiiragi 156 pts
10. Taiga Aisaka 156 pts
11. Hinagiku Katsura (RUB) 153 pts
12. Mikuru Asahina 150 pts
13. Suiseiseki (EM) 147 pts
14. Nanoha Takamachi 147 pts
15. Shinku (DIA) 147 pts
16. Horo 141 pts

(C) Defending ISML Champion
(AQ) Aquamarine Necklace winner
(TOP) Topaz Necklace winner
(AM) Amethyst Necklace winner
(SAP) Sapphire Necklace winner
(EM) Emerald Necklace winner
(RUB) Ruby Necklace winner
(DIA) Diamond Necklace winner

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 9

ARENA 01: [Katsura Hinagiku] Shana

ARENA 02: [Chii] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 03: Index Prohibitorum [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 04: Yagami Hayate [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 05: Kawasumi Mai [Shinku]

ARENA 06: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Nagato Yuki

ARENA 07: Ryōgi Shiki [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 08: Kōzuki Kallen [Mizunashi Akari]

ARENA 09: [Saber] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 10: Chiba Kirino [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 11: Fujibayashi Kyō [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 12: Hiiragi Kagami [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 13: Ryūgū Rena [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 14: C.C. [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 15: Hinamori Amu [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 16: [Suiseiseki] Holo

ARENA 17: [Asahina Mikuru] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 18: Misaka Mikoto [Evangeline McDowell]

ARENA 19: [Ichinose Kotomi] Suigintou

ARENA 20: Kinomoto Sakura [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 21: Furude Hanyū [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 22: Alice Carroll [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 23: [Tōsaka Rin] Izumi Konata

ARENA 24: Kamio Misuzu [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 25: Nagi [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 26: Shameimaru Aya [Kawazoe Tamaki]

ARENA 27: [Furukawa Nagisa] Furude Rika

ARENA 28: Remilia Scarlet [Kirisame Marisa]

ARENA 29: [Maria] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 30: Anya Alstreim [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 31: [Sunohara Mei] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 32: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Vita

ISML 2009: Hinagiku, Shana close in on Diamond necklace

ISML 2009: Hinagiku, Shana close in on Diamond necklace

September 3, 2009

With the American football season now in full swing, the 2009 International Saimoe League is starting to draw to a close, as one regular season match day remains.

The battle between Hinagiku Katsura and Shana in Tokyo is slated be the marquee match that will potentially determine the fate of the Diamond necklace. Katsura defeated Ami Kawashima, 1634-1007 in Mexico City. A win over regular season champion Shana will make Katsura the first since Haruhi Suzumiya to win both the Ruby and Diamond necklaces in succession.

Suzumiya herseld had no problems defeating Makoto Sawatari 1718-719 in Mumbai.

Shana, meanwhile, had an easy time defeating Index L. Prohibitorum 1804-640 in Dhaka. However, a victory over Katsura will not guarantee that she will earn the necklace.

Mikuru Asahina should have an easy day defeating destined-to-be-winless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, who lost to Nagisa Furukawa 1695-552 in Milan. Asahina defeated Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere 1572-1050 in Tehran.

Shinku and Fuuko Ibuki may have the lowest chance of winning the Diamond necklace, but all prospects of an unbeaten Diamond run hang in the balance.

Shinku defeated a slumping Yuki Nagato 1338-1222 in Jakarta. She wraps up her Diamond campaign against Mai Kawasumi, an opponent that should not give her much trouble in New York City. Kawasumi lost a 1100-1107 heartbreaker to Nayuki Minase in Buenos Aires, meaning that a victory by the Pure Ruby herself will effectively shut Kanon out of returning automatically to next year's ISML.

Ibuki clobbered Ayu Tsukimiya 1611-776 in Bogota and finishes her ISML run against Hayate Yagami in Sao Paulo. Yagami got manhandled by Tomoyo Sakagami 1647-749 in Karachi.

The Hayate, Lucky Star and Rozen Maiden teams all claimed sweeps again.

On the Hayate the Combat Butler front, Maria defeated Evangeline MCDowell 1628-782 in Lagos and Nagi Sanzen'in routed Alice Carroll 1635-608 in Sydney.

Konata Izumi edged Misuzu Kamio 1228-1079 in Madrid, Kagami Hiiragi prevailed over Illyasviel von Einbern 1283-1190 in Sao Paulo and Tsukasa Hiiragi defeated Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1563-750 in Santiago.

In addition to Shinku's win for the Alice Dolls, Suigintou tore apart Chii 1599-860 in Moscow and Suiseiseki whipped past Yuuhi Katagiri 1536-914 in Bangkok.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown never broke a sweat in dismembering Shiki Ryogi 1582-657 in Katowice.

In other action...Horo chomped up Anya Earlstreim 1678-709 in Tokyo, Kirino Chiba scored a rare 1150-781 victory over Akari Mizunashi 1150-781 in New York City, Rika Furude defeated Mei Sunohara 1393-1118 in Shanghai, Nanoha Takamachi busted Mikoto Misaka 1468-793 in Los Angeles and Sakura Kinomoto easily roughhoused Tamaki Kawazoe 1426-677 in Seoul.

Rena Ryuuguu chopped down Marisa Kirisame 1402-686 in Manila, Rin Tosaka electrocuted Nagi 1711-650 in Cairo, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) scored an impressive 1463-963 winner over Hanyuu Furude in London, Minori Kushieda remains alive with a 1487-631 defeat of Aya Shameimaru in Istanbul, Taiga Aisaka roared past Remilia Scarlet 1625-615 in Lima and Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Vita 1576-714 in Kinshasa.

Wrapping up action...Saber slashed past Sayuri Kurata 1450-1047 in Toronto, Kyou Fujibayashi dismissed Shiori Misaka 1724-567 in Algiers and C.C. defeated Reimu Hakurei 1390-+1023 in Santo Domingo.

Josh Wicks, the almighty hand crusher!?




Apparently Vegeta and Nappa were surprised to find out that Josh Wicks's level went over 9,000 when he stomped Freddy Montero's foot.

Seattle Sounders beat DC United 2-1 to take US Open Cup

WASHINGTON — Freddy Montero and Roger Levesque scored to lead Seattle to a 2-1 victory over D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday night, giving the expansion Sounders their first trophy.

Montero smashed in a rebound in the 67th minute and Levesque scored in the 85th as Seattle joined Chicago (1998) as the only teams to win the Open Cup in their inaugural season.

Clyde Simms scored for D.C. in the 89th minute.

The win was especially satisfying for the Sounders, who felt slighted after the United won the right to host the final from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

A media war of words between Seattle general manager Adrian Hanauer and United president Kevin Payne followed that decision, and the 17,329 who came to RFK Stadium more than doubled the attendance for D.C.'s Open Cup-winning victory over second-division Charleston (S.C.) last year.

Before the trophy presentation, the Sounders trotted to the stadium's northwest corner and applauded approximately 100 green-clad fans in the upper deck who made the trip from the Pacific Northwest.

Montero thundered the ball into a gaping net to put Seattle up 1-0 after Freddie Llundberg reached Steve Zakuani's cross, only to be denied by a diving Josh Wicks.

Wicks lunged but couldn't beat Montero. The D.C. goalkeeper was then ejected in the aftermath of the goal for apparently stepping on Montero, who was sprawled on the ground after scoring.

As United struggled to cope a man down, Levesque made it 2-0 when he tapped into an empty net after Sebastien Le Toux's cross beat substitute goalkeeper Milos Kocic.

Simms also scored into an empty net after reaching a deflected free kick. United pressured through five minutes of stoppage time, but could do no more than force a clearing punch from Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller with a late corner kick.

The U.S. Open Cup, which began in 1914, is open to all levels of professional and amateur teams associated with the USSF.



BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 8

ARENA 01: Anya Alstreim [Holo]

ARENA 02: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 03: Sawatari Makoto [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 04: [Hiiragi Kagami] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 05: Chiba Kirino [Mizunashi Akari]

ARENA 06: [Sunohara Mei] Furude Rika

ARENA 07: [Maria] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 08: Misaka Mikoto [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 09: [Kawasumi Mai] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 10: [Kinomoto Sakura] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 11: Yagami Hayate [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 12: Index Prohibitorum [Shana]

ARENA 13: [Ryūgū Rena] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 14: [Tōsaka Rin] Nagi

ARENA 15: [Nagato Yuki] Shinku

ARENA 16: [Hinamori Amu] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 17: Shameimaru Aya [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 18: Chii [Suigintou]

ARENA 19: Furude Hanyū [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 20: Remilia Scarlet [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 21: [Asahina Mikuru] Louise Vallière

ARENA 22: [Suiseiseki] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 23: Tsukimiya Ayu [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 24: Kōzuki Kallen [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 25: [Ichinose Kotomi] Vita

ARENA 26: [Saber] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 27: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 28: [Furukawa Nagisa] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 29: Kamio Misuzu [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 30: Alice Carroll [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 31: [C.C.] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 32: Ryōgi Shiki [Fate Testarossa]

ISML 2009: Shana clinches the top seed on Diamond 7

ISML 2009: Shana clinches the top seed on Diamond 7


September 1, 2009

As Earth, Wind & Fire's "September" played at Shana victory headquarters in the Colombian capital of Bogota, the girl with the fire in her eyes sat on the rooftop by herself, with her sword lying next to her and Yuji Sakai by her side.

She was smiling, but had a cautious expression as the crowd cheered her name, with banners reading: "Fire it up, Shana!", "Our hearts burn for you!" and "On top of the world!" and "We are on your side, Shana" into the Colombian sky.

Shana clinched the overall top seed in the 2009 International Saimoe League with a 1510-970 victory over Saber. She trails a pack of five candidates vying for the Diamond necklace.

Hinagiku Katsura's hopes of winning the Ruby and Diamond continue for one more day, as she defeated Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1200-1083 in Bangkok.

Mikuru Asahina rose to the top of the leaderboard with a 1418-1027 victory over defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown 1418-1027 in Cairo.

Shinku and Fuuko Ibuki also remain unbeaten heading into the final two Diamond match days. Shinku pulled off a 1228-1138 upset victory over Haruhi Suzumiya in Kinshasa, while Ibuki scored a 1110-1077 thriller over Kotomi Ichinose in Santiago.

After a match day that saw no shows claim a sweep, four groups of competitors went through Diamond 7 without a single defeat.

On the Rozen Maiden side, Suigintou blasted Amu Hinamori 1552-552 in London and Suiseiseki trounced Sayuri Kurata 1419-900 in Mexico City.

Toradora!'s power trio rolled on Monday. Taiga Aisaka roared past Rena Ryuuguu 1286-1099 in Katowice, Minori Kushieda prevailed over Sakura Kinomoto 1356-912 in Manila and Ami Kawashima cruised to a 1336-704 victory over Index L. Prohibitorum in Lagos.

KUshieda's victory means that she is still in contention to be back next season. The match with Aya Shameimaru on September 3rd should be winnable, which means the season finale against Anya Earlstreim will decide whether all of Toradora!'s girls stay in 2010.

Lucky Star got lucky on August 30. Konata Izumi defeated Remilia Scarlet 1215-866 in Lima, Kagami Hiiragi roasted Akari Mizunashi 1357-635 in Karachi and Tsukasa Hiiragi flattened Kirino Chiba 1468-591 in Madrid.

Hayate the Combat Butler!!'s team also scored a clean sheet. Maria pulled off an impressive 1439-868 victory over Nanoha Takamachi in Los Angeles and Nagi Sanzen'in whipped past Mai Kawasumi 1300-1002 in Algiers.

In other action...Horo chomped up Aya Shameimaru 1679-586 in Tokyo, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1353-668 in Sao Paulo, Hayate Yagami won a 868-852 nailbiter over Shiori Misaka in New York, Tomoyo Sakagami ripped apart Ayu Tsukimiya 1487-653 in Shanghai and Misuzu Kamio defeated Nagi 1183-803 in Buenos Aires.

Yuki Nagato whipped past Nayuki Minase 1371-679 in Seoul, Mei Sunohara kept Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga on her path to a winless season with a 1531-537 beatdown in Dhaka, Tamaki Kawazoe scored an 863-821 thriller over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Jakarta, Rin Tosaka fried Hanyuu Furude to a crisp 1387-907 in Paris, C.C. laid the holy smackdown on Patchouli Knowledge 1553-570 and Rika Furude easily pounced on Makoto Sawatari 1407-617 in Moscow.

Wrapping up action...Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Anya Earlstreim 961-780 in Tehran, Illyasviel von Einzbern was too much for Shiki Ryogi in a 1295-652 washout in Toronto, Reimu Hakurei took out Alice Carroll 834-723 in Milan, Nagisa Furukawa laid the dango on Louise Francoise LE Blanc De La Valliere 1327-1002 in Sydney and Chii chalked up a 928-849 win over Vita in Santo Domingo.