The second half was deadlocked until Jotuheim’s Camiel Van De Neucker was able to even the score on a great set piece. Two minutes later, the Zombies took the lead back when veteran midfielder Xabier Illarradi scored on a rebound from Cengizhan Birdal’s header that was superbly blocked by Figueiroa. Then in the 67th min, Olli Multanen was able to move up from the ranks of defender and increase Downtown’s lead. Downtown’s head coach appeared to be content with this lead, however the players did not appear to be content and later scored in the 73rd min, again by Xabier Illarradi. The game ended with Downtown on top 5-2. The manager of Downtown advised that he was ecstatic with the win due to their long time rivalry.

This is a huge win for our boys and our fans. We couldn’t have asked for more from this team. They are proving their worth. Granted we are truly happy to have played and beat this great team (Wanderers), we still have a very big challenge against Springfield. All teams in this tourney are great, but each one brings at least one great concept to the game. What worked tonight may not work tomorrow. We just have to make sure we show up to play. A lot of futbol left to play.

Downtown will play Springfield Tenderfeet on Friday. The Tenderfeet are lead by inner midfielders  Nexhat Sallauka and Ed Laughlin. Downtown has won one game in eight matches played against Springfield and have six loses. Downtown will be hoping to prove their worth and get one step closer to lifting the Cheesehead Cup trophy once again.

AP

AP

Now the next season of the 2011 Tourneys are set to begin. The Premier Series will start with the two time reigning champion Paignton Dynamos led by Arnis Grints in the back field; along with Schobbeschlotzer who is led by Henrik Lindhin in the midfield;  AFC Oud-West led by Herwarth Rodeck in the midfield; and returning Ahrens Offspring who is led by striker Allan “Ginger” Schlosser.

The Championship Series will start with recently relegated Vendsyssel FK who is led by winger Johan Seeweg. Joining the likes of Vendsyssel is F.C. Seman who is led by striker Samoila Bercean; recently promoted Torshavn United who is led by keeper Stefano Arcais; and two time runner up of the Championship Series Downtown Imprints who is led by striker Cengizhan Birdal.

The 2011 Second Division will start with recently relegated TeamRichmen who is led by the versatile Leonardo Rubén Masi. Joining the ranks of the Second Division is Friuli Sempre led by winger Watze Daemen; Shipley Rams who is led by all-star midfielder Benny Just; and recently promoted _Israel_ who is led by young defender Victor ‘Figor’ Kleindienst.

The 2011 Third Division is set with TheMagicalsGrunn who is led by wing back Augusto Candia; De Røde Pølsemænd who is led by midfielder Gerhard Schnabl; Go Gbasa who is led by star midfielder Olav Jørgensen; and recently relegated Jotunheim Wanderers who is led by central defender 郭 (Guo) 昌佳 (Changjia).

The recently added 2011 Fifth division is set with the ranks of Brage FF who is led by inner midfielder Johannes Fagerling; F.C. South Peninsula who is led by central defender Sammuel Lagrou; Springfield Tenderfoots who is led by inner midfielder Nexhat Sallauka; and RBS Lübeck who is led by keeper Bernhard Svatunek.

One thing can be said about the 2011 Tourney’s is that it is jam packed with great teams and unwavering players. The past two seasons of the Tourneys have been filled with upsets and close games.

The favored teams to win their Series is  Paignton Dynamos for the Premier Series, Vendsyssel FK for the Championship Series, Friuli Sempre in the Second Division, Go Gbasa in the Third Division, and the Fifth Division is a tie between Springfield Tenderfeet and Brage FF.

Men will be made and Boys will cry this season of 2011 Tourneys. With every match being important, Managers will face the tough task of keeping their players focused and injury free, players will face the tough task of playing to their ability and keeping card free; and fans will have the tough task of keeping their teams in high spirits and cheering them on.

Stay tuned for updates and scores…

–AP–

In Downtown’s league play are currently third with a record of 2-0-1 with 6 points and 17 goals. Downtown had a surprising victory in their opening match and then easily defeated FC Puget Sound. Downtown will look to take on Illinois Fighting Illini in their next league match. Downtown look to take on several of the top notch teams in the series and may look at dropping in the league standings.

Downtown also released news that Grzegorz Grzeskowiak has been sold to The Jellies for approximately 600 000. Downtown maybe regretting the decision with Birdal being sidelined. Downtown has since acquired two new forwards. Young upcoming star Marco Antonio Fluvia and seasoned passing expert Dimitrije Radisavljevic. Downtown’s coach praised Dimitrije for being versatile in winger and scoring. Fans may look to see Dimitrije all over the field in many different positions. Downtown has also acquired veteran brilliant playmaker Gerard Jaszczolt. Gerard appears to be lacking in his conditioning, but Downtown assistant coaches look to remedy that problem very soon. Jaszczolt has been sharing time with longtime Downtown player Alfred Kuranowski. Additionally, Rudd Malcorps was sold for a little of 70 000. Downtown has replaced with with youngster Elpidio Fabbroni. Only seventeen years old, Fabbroni has already shown excellent potential and will look to take over the number 1 position as top goalkeeper, giving Luka Gatterburg a run for his money.

With a new tournament, new league, and several new players on the Downtown squad excitement will abound and lots of soccer will be played. I’m sure the fans are wishing their boys luck.

–AP–

The second match of Group A brought the Springfield Tenderfeet against the Downtown Imprints. These two teams are quite familiar with each other having just played in the Cheesehead Cup where the Tenderfeet dominated Downtown by a score of 5-0. Downtown appeared to be determined not to let that happen again showing a new tactical formation. Springfield seemed to know this and took a more defensive stance hoping to quiet the attack of Downtown. It didn’t quiet Downtown’s attack at all. Brugiotti scored in the 8th min on a crushing head ball that the Springfield goalkeeper just barely got a fingertip to, but was unable to push it over the crossbar. Downtown were playing their socks off and Popescu scored in the 19th min with a well placed hard strike. Downtown was up 2-0. The lead was halfed with Springfield’s Schratter scored off a well played free kick. Springfield evened the score in the 58th min when Schratter scored again when he struck a hard shot and it took a deflection off a defender leaving the goalie helpless to make a save. Downtown would go up again when Kuranowski scored in the 65th min. Downtown hoped to keep this lead, but were devastated when Springfield’s Leone evened the score once again, 3-3. The game ended in a draw. Springfield held on to the ball almost 60 percent of the game, but Downtown’s attack was on the ball in the game.

The first game of Group B pitted Blein Bowlers, of Norway, against Inems of USA; two fairly new teams. Inems appeared to dominate the game in a mix up by the Bowlers only starting 9 field players. Inems enjoyed nearly 70 percent of the possession during the game. The game didn’t see its first goal till the 58th min when Oakley of Inems scored by losing his defender; 1-0. Justmann of the Bowlers tied the game in the 69th min with a beautiful curling shot from distance. Ugo Boi of Inems had different plans and scored the game winner in the 89th min with a hard shot that the keeper just missed. The score ended 2-1 in favor of Inems. A good showing from Inems and hopefully the Bowlers will start a full team in their next match.

The second game in Group B had the Jotunheim Wanderers of USA taking on Aethelwuf Huskarls of Wales; two well matched teams. Huskarls showed to possess the ball for nearly 60 percent of the game. The Wanderers scored the first goal in the 19th min when Bjorkell shot from an awkward position, but was able to put the ball on net and did not disappoint; 1-0. The Huskarls’ Kapelyushnikov found a hole in the impressive Wanderers defense and scored the equalizer in the 37th min;1-1. The seasoned veteran of Jotunheim, Neglia, scored what proved to be the game winner in the 42nd min by losing his mark and putting the ball in the back of the net. The entire second half showed few scoring chances and neither team were able to advance to the goal. Two of the better teams showing how hard all the teams are going to fight to win the first Larkspur Invitational.

In the next week match Group A will see Sheephead United take on Springfield Tenderfeet and Apple Shampoo take on Downtown Imprints. Sheephead United lead with three points. Springfield and Downtown are tied with a point a piece and Apple Shampoo look at add their first point.

Group B will pit Glein Bolwers versus The Jotunheim Wanderers and Inems taking on Aethelwuf Huskarls. Inems and Jotunheim are tired for the lead both having three points and the same goal differential. Glein Bowlers are also tied with zero points and the same goal differential of -1.

More news and as it comes in…

–AP–

In the other match that had no bearing on the tournament, The Halestorm took on the reigning champs the Downtown Imprints. Vasile Popescu was ineligible to play due to a red card that was given in the game against the Wanderers. In a high scoring and action packed game, The Halestorm surprised everyone by beating the reigning champs 6-3. The Halestorm came out fired up and put away nearly all of their opportunities. Downtown controlled the tempo of the game, but was only able to score three goals against the strong newcomers. Some critics are saying that Popescu, the team leader, would have made an impact on the game and changed the tempo of the game. Hard to imagine that one player could have changed the games outcome. The coaches of the Halestorm were very pleased in the game. Giaimo and Radu were the two players in the locker room getting everyone pumped up. Giaimo and Radu played their hearts out and we couldn’t be more pleased with their play. The coaches of Downtown were displeased and continually apologized for their play and promised their fans a win in their series and a better showing in the Larkspur Invitational. The defense and midfield appeared to have trouble against strong teams. The scouts and managers should see this and work on these areas in practice and may even look into getting some new players. I can’t see the Zombie fans following their team if they are unable to have good showings in big games. Only time will tell.

–AP–

The Halestorm is showing a modest play in the Cheesehead Cup. This is the Halestorm’s first appearance in the tournament. The Halestorm have progressed in the two games so far nearly tying the game against the Springfield Tenderfoots late in the game. The Halestorm’s purchase of Rahi is apparent to the need of a better defense. The Halestorm may also look to Rahi to bring some direction to the team. I will be very interested and anxious to see the first time Rahi and Smolders playing in the center midfield together. Downtown and The Halestorm are set to play against each other next in the Cheesehead Cup. Both of these new purchases will be ineligible to play in that match. On paper, Downtown is a dominating force, but so far in the tournament play, Downtown has only scored 2 goals, whereas The Halestorm have scored 4 goals. The two teams did play early on in the life of The Halestorm and were defeated by the Zombies 7-1. I know The Halestorm are looking for rematch to prove themselves worthy.

The two powerhouses of the tournament will play in the other match; The Tenderfeet and The Wanderers are set to face off. Both teams have had little problem defeating their opponents thus far in the tournament. Experts predicted seeing these two teams in the finals and it appears that it will work that way. As long as the coaches and managers of the Tenderfeet can keep their players off of the booze and away from the ladies of the night, it will be an epic game that everyone will be paying attention to.

–AP–

We are very embarrassed her at Downtown. The lost to Springfield was totally unexpected. We attempted a new formation to combat Springfield’s midfield domination, but were unsuccessful. We are truly sorry to our fans and are doing everything in our power to give a better showing for the rest of the tournament. We understand that this is a huge set back and we expect nothing but an up hill battle against Jotunheim. We are hoping that we can squeeze out a win and have Jarmo help us out for the rest of the tournament.

Downtown will face Jotunheim who is coming off a 5-1 win of the new comer Halestorm. Jotunheim showed a dominating offense at their opener. Downtown will certainly have a hard time with Jotunheim’s astounding defense and strong offense. Things are not looking good for Downtown and their Zombie followers. Only time will tell what the future holds for them.

–AP–

Jotunheim took on The Halestorm in the tournament opener. By the end of the first half the score was 2-1 in favor of Jotunheim, however the Halestorm had possessed the ball over 55 percent of the half. In the second half, the Wanderers unleashed their forward Mario Neglia who scored a tournament first hattrick. The scorers from the Wanderers were Neglia, Madsen, Rokeberg. The lone scorer was Dias Paes of the Halestrom. The Wanderers showed the new comer The Halestorm that they will need to be much more prepared if they want to be competitive in this tournament. The Jotunheim Wanderers will play last year’s champions, The Downtown Imprints. The Imprints are coming off a lost to The Springfield Tenderfeet.

The Springfield Tenderfeet blew past the reigning champs, the Downtown Imprints 5-0. The Tenderfeet proved very impressive by keeping the mighty attack of the Imprints scorless. The Imprints tried a new tactic to control the midfield against the Tenderfeet, but in the end back fired on them. The Imprints tried a new formation that focused more on attack, which left their defense open to the strong attack of the Tenderfeet. The Tenderfeet possessed the ball for over 60 percent of the entire game. The scorers for the Tenderfeet were Barranger, Mackenzie, Rolfi, Vigneron. Vigneron scored twice against the small Imprints defense. The Tenderfeet appear to be determined to bring the Cheesehead Cup back to Springfield. If they are able to keep this scoring trend, they may just be able to do it. The Tenderfeet will take on the new comer, The Halestorm in the second round of the tournament.

Stay tuned for more news to come.

–AP–

The Tenderfoot’s purchased a new German defender, Mario Mersdorf. Mersdorf was bought from a Welsh league where the 26 year old German did not have a good showing. The Tenderfoot’s are taking a chance purchasing the German while injured. It looks as if the Tenderfoot’s are attempting to add to the already well balanced team. The Tenderfoot’s have fairly big risk with a grand amount of money, Mersdorf will look to be ready by the Cheesehead Cup.

The other game will pit Jotunheim Wanderer’s against the newly added Halestorm. The Halestorm look to show themselves worthy of being added to this tournament. The Halestorm are a young team and may have trouble with the seasoned Wanderer’s. The Wanderer’s have a nearly impenetrable defense led by Sergio Costa Rocha. The Wanderer’s have shown some missteps in the previous Cheesehead Cup’s. They have always played well, but not well enough to bring home the trophy. Manager S. Ragnarsson is hoping to change that this time around. The Halestorm’s spokesperson stated in a press conference that The Halestorm are looking to be competitive in their first appearance.

We understand that the other teams have more experience in tournament play and have been around a little longer than us. We hope to prove as a worth opponent and use the experience to better our team. We will go in for a win and do not look to get defeated easy. We play to win.

Their is a lot riding on this tournament and will be exciting. Better look to get your tickets now before all of the games are sold out.

–AP–