see the html version of GBW at http:\\www.geocities.com\haymande\gbw.html OPENING NIGHT REVIEW
Ahh yes, it's time, grubball fans, for another exciting season in the Arangothian Grubball League! We were all sorely disappointed by the abrupt ending of both the International Grubball Association season in 470 and the AGL in 471, but casual and hardcore grubball fans alike seem to be flocking toward their favorite teams in this the ultimate showdown for the Arlok Cup. We have been promised an IGA season, the first since its collapse in 470, but it is unclear whether or not the IGA will have a familiar face later this year or not. Teams such as Sevule, Secca, Leturia, and Aslar have all claimed that they will not sign contracts with the new IGA unless there is to be a noninterference pact with all respective governments, but namely the Arangothian King Arlok. "The fact that we were able to get all of the involved nations to agree upon forming the IGA back in 398 was a miracle in itself," stated former IGA President Branth ul-Branth Lurinthmali, "and I think it will take another miracle to get them to do it again." The two most important questions on the minds of Arangothian and Mystonian grubball fans are as follows: 1) If Mysthaven wins the Arlok Cup would they then be representing Arangoth in the IGA? and 2) If Mysthaven loses the Arlok Cup race would they still be allowed to send a representative team to the IGA? However, even with the IGA's future in the dark it did not affect opening day attendance figures. In fact, Hornath-ul-Marfed, Drache, Tralazir, Sivriana, and Mysthaven all reached record opening day attendance numbers. Opening Night Scores: Galanor 1, Angelsin 0 Hornath-ul-Mafed 4, Arankeep 0 Bralk Lakrath 4, Millabratel 1 Sresar Vale 2, Gessihorna 0 Mhernettla 3, Perlatok Valley 1 Ruthmarna United 5, Tralazir 0 Drache 3, Sivriana 0 MystHaven 5, Tagrana Memorial 2 GBW's Picks: Prediction of the 472 season standings 1. Sresar Vale United 2:1 Things are looking up in the Vale, there is no question about that. The team is budding with vital and talented but not-too-young players who have shown to be team players in the past. At hinterplodder, the SVU hero Dalt the Common has always been dependable, and now is teamed up with rookie Len the Grey, who could prove to be SVU's ace in the hole should there be injuries in SVU's centerfield. SVU has an excellent midfield composed of Aegis of the Vale, who proved himself quite worthy of his praise last season; Erdrek Gulsvere, the half-ellurian son of Brons Gulsvere, who lead Transdarania to the Cup back in 460; and Marnuth, Gerald the Unpopular, and Vincent the Farmer form a great three-man rotation that should keep SVU's midfield revitalized throughout the season. The SVU backf ield is nothing short of brilliant, lead by Calvin Inexhaustible and Grog, both of whom are widely considered to be among the top young backfielders in the AGL. Forschbowler Lor the Inbred, at age 35, should provide excellent defensive leadership as he always has and as a bonus he seems to be completely healthy this year. Look for Lor to be among the leaders in kills this season. The main problem SVU has had historically is their lack of equipment and training staff due to the team's desperately low budget. However, SVU has received a sizable anonymous grant which should remedy at least some of those problems. Look for SVU to take an early lead and cruise on into cup series. 2. Hornath-ul-Marfed 2:1 *Predicted to win the Arlok Cup The reasons behind Hornath-ul-Marfed's success over the past 4 seasons is no secret. That reason's name is Kylus of the North, arguably the best hinterplodder in the game and the record holder for most points scored in a season. However, "the King's Team" isn't so much a one-man show these days. Hornath has a suprisingly balanced midfield and backfield, lead by such heroes as MF Ren Oblaslor, MF Daric Vincelta, and BF Nesktessa the Tall. Possibly the only questionable player on the roster is forschbowler Yarnot, who, despite being in the top 20 in kills over the past 3 seasons, has grown a reputation for choking during big games. However, it takes more than one player to lose or win a game, and it seems that Hornath is arguably tops in the AGL in talent. Look for Hornath-ul-Marfed to squeak into the cup series and come out victorious. 3. Drache 3:1 In terms of balance, leadership, and determination, there is no team that can top Drache. The team has a 5 (!) man hinterplodder rotation composed of Sir Den Bedwyre, Den Horsehead, Urcelon, Magni the Bull and Huixon the Brave, all of whom could be starters for any team in the league. At midfield, Mort the Evil is quite possibly the most underrated player in the game, followed closely by veteran Mutry and newcomer Abraxas Caros. The Drachean backfield is somewhat lacking but is competent. At forschbowler is the young star Kota the Wolf, who should start in the North vs. South game if he is healthy. All and all Drache has many of the tools of a winner but look for them to fall a bit short this season. 4. Millabratel 3.5:1 Millabratel's roster seems to be very inconsistent. There are a few exceptional players: HP Valknandra the Fair, MF Brab Hady, and FB Dorn Orgod are all in their prime and have good chances of making the North vs. South roster this season. However, the rest of the team is mediocre at best. The team has tried to remedy this by signing numerous foreigners including Teo Gonall, Edmund Bralst, Kel Eldridge, Lafe von Stein, and Kyle Maynuth, but this has only raised more questions with not enough answers. Expect to see Milly's slivers of talent carry her a ways but don't count them into the cup series this year. 5. MystHaven 4.5:1 If you could bottle up youth and enthusiasm and sell it, the players on the MystHaven team would make a fortune. This team is lead by player/coach HP Gorben the Smooth, who, at 39, is ancient compared to the rest of his team, which averages a whopping 23.5 years of age. This team does have some great prospects, some of which MystHaven may be able to capitalize on this year; HP Arving Brons, HP Anika the Goddess, MF Rue Denali, and BF Akel the Ellurian all had positive showings last year, but the majory of MystHaven's talent has yet to mature enough to the point where they can win games decisively. Look for a handfull of players to help MystHaven claw to the top, only to have them fall back down again due to injury and inexperience. 6. Mhernettla 5:1 The Korthai aren't counted out this year, technically, but they have all of the enthusiasm but none of the tools. They'll coast along the waters of mediocrity with maybe a strong drive into the upper half of the standings toward the end of the season. 7. Gessihorna 7:1 Gessihorna has a great offensive team but that's about all they have. Look for them to start out strong and flop. 8. Sivriana 13:1 Forschbowler Tavin Kellek will no doubt be in the top 5 in both kills and points allowed as he is every year. Expect to see the AGL's highest paid team do nothing again this year. 9. Galanor 24:1 Galanor has a sprinkling of young talent, but not enough to make much differance. 10. Tagrana Memorial 30:1 Tagrana Memorial hasn't won since Tagrana was still standing and there are reasons for that. 11. Ruthmarna United 35:1 Ruthmarna has a 50/50 chance of losing more games than they'll win this year, depending on how bad everyone else is. 12. Arankeep 39:1 Arankeep's primary focus this year is avoiding bankruptcy rather than accumulating wins. 13. Bralk Lakrath 49:1 Bralk Lakrath's team averages the oldest in the league. More players were removed from their roster in 471 due to injury than were from Drache, Mysthaven, Gesssihorna, and Millabratel combined. 14. Perlatok Valley 100:1 Look for Perlatok Valley to be in the race for next-to-last place this season. 15. Angelsin 105:1 Angelsin has gone far from the team that won the Raven Cup in 468. Expect them to be next-to-nowhere this year. 16. Tralizir 350:1 Tralazir should fill the void left by Goat Island. THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE 3-27-472 Angelsin @ Peraltok Valley -- Perlatok favored 3:1 Galanor @ Arankeep -- Galanor favored 4:1 Bralk Lakrath @ Ruthmarna United -- RU favored 3:1 Drache @ MystHaven -- MystHaven favored 2:1 Sivriana @ Gessihorna -- Gessihorna favored 2:1 Hornath-ul-Marfed @ Tralazir -- Hornath favored 10:1 Millabratel @ Mhernettla -- Mhernettla favored 2:1 Tagrana Memorial @ Sresar Vale United -- SVU favored 7:1 3-31-472 Hornath-ul-Marfed @ Angelsin -- Hornath favored 10:1 Arankeep @ Millabratel -- Millabratel favored 5:1 Bralk Lakrath @ Drache -- Drache favored 8:1 Galanor @ Peraltok Valley -- Galanor favored 3:1 Gessihorna @ Mhernettla -- Mhernettla favored 3:1 Tralazir @ MystHaven -- MystHaven favored 9:1 Ruthmarna United @ Tagrana Memorial -- Tagrana favored 3:1 Sivriana @ Sresar Vale United -- SVU favored 6:1 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! 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