ISML 2009: Suigintou continues her lead through Emerald 4

ISML 2009: Suigintou continues her lead through Emerald 4

June 30, 2009

As the first half of the year passes, four match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League Emerald stage pass.

And Suigintou stays at the top of the table, while Haruhi remains unbeaten yet again.

Suigintou defeated Hanyuu furude 1889-1192 in New York City, while Suzumiya routed Yuuhi Katagiri in Mexico City to keep her clean sheet.

Meanwhile, defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown had no problems brushing off Remilia Scarlet 1787-982 in Madrid. Scarlet is now eliminated from returning to the competition automatically next season.

In other action, Kagami Hiiragi defeated Amu Hinamori 1650-1032 in Tokyo, Ami Kawashima took out Tamaki Kawazoe 1670-1112 in Mumbai, Sao Paulo saw Mei Sunohara prevail over Hayate Yagami 1631-1264, Mikoto Misaka crushed Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1658-932 in Shanghai and Vita cruised past Nagi 1439-1034 in Lagos.

Horo gobbled up Sayuri Kurata 1717-1144 in Los Angeles (where Anime Expo 2009 will commence on Thursday through Sunday this week), Rena Ryuuguu whipped past Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1536-1355 in Buenos Aires, Nagisa Furukawa ran over Ayu tsukimiya 1737-1115 in Seoul and Shana burned past Minori Kushieda 2105-1011 in Karachi.

Dhaka witnessed Konata Izumi take down Fuuko Ibuki 1403-1246, Chii prevailed over Shiki Ryogi 1504-1160 in Manila, Cairo witnessed c.C. level Kirino Chiba 1823-995, Rin Tosaka wiped out Akari Mizunashi 1972-862 in Jakarta and Suiseiseki tore down Nayuki Minase 1807-1121 in Paris.

Shinku confirmed a Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls sweep with a 1810-1083 victory over Anya Earlstreim 1810-1083 in Istanbul, Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Misuzu Kamio 1512-1358 in London, Lima witnessed Hinagikyu Katsura slice and dice Patchouli Knowledge 1994-830, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) scored a surprising 1524-1462 upset over Tsukasa Hiiragi in Tehran and Nagi Sanzen'in pulled an upset of her own by defeated Saber in a 1517-1499 Bangkok thriller.

Nanoha Takamachi busted Evangeline McDowell 1665-1074 in Bogota, Rika Furude chalked up a 1508-1386 decision over Maria in Santiago, Kyou Fujibayashi had an easy 1668-826 win over Makoto Sawatari in Kinshasa, Toronto saw Mai Kawasumi tally a 1500-1080 victory over Sakura Kinomoto in Toronto and Index Prohibitorum scored a thrilling 1260-1253 victory in Algiers.

Wrapping up the day's action...Yuki Nagato was rarely challenged by Aya Shameimaru in a 1848-788 mismatch in Milan, Mikuru Asahina confirmed a SOS Brigade sweep with a 1574-1487 defeat of Kotomi Ichinose in Sydney, Santo Domingo witnessed tomoyo Sakagami prevail over Taiga Aisaka 1680-1421 in Santo Domingo and Alice Carroll escaped Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1316-1233 in Katowice.

Despite Carroll's victory, she is eliminated from the tournament, along with Vita and Nagi.

--

NOTE: I will not be able to make any more ISML updates until July 5.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Emerald Match Day 4

ARENA 01: Hinamori Amu [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 02: Katagiri Yūhi [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 03: Kawazoe Tamaki [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 04: [Sunohara Mei] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 05: [Suigintou] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 06: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 07: [Vita] Nagi

ARENA 08: [Holo] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 09: Louise Vallière [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 10: [Furukawa Nagisa] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 11: Kushieda Minori [Shana]

ARENA 12: Ibuki Fūko [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 13: Ryōgi Shiki [Chii]

ARENA 14: [C.C.] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 15: Mizunashi Akari [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 16: Minase Nayuki [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 17: [Shinku] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 18: [Misaka Shiori] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 19: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 20: Patchouli Knowledge [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 21: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 22: Sanzen'in Nagi [Saber]

ARENA 23: Evangeline McDowell [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 24: [Furude Rika] Maria

ARENA 25: Sawatari Makoto [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 26: [Kawasumi Mai] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 27: Hakurei Reimu [Index Prohibitorum]

ARENA 28: [Nagato Yuki] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 29: [Fate Testarossa] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 30: [Asahina Mikuru] Ichinose Kotomi

ARENA 31: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Aisaka Taiga

ARENA 32: [Alice Carroll] Kōzuki Kallen

ISML 2009: Suigintou takes the lead in Emerald phase, Haruhi trounces Nanoha

ISML 2009: Suigintou takes the lead in Emerald phase, Haruhi trounces Nanoha


June 27, 2009

As the world mourned the loss of Michael Jackson, the International Saimoe League dedicated this round to his passing. Each candidate expressed her condolences and fondest wishes to the family and survivors and fans of the King of Pop.

And then it was back to business.

After three days of fighting in the 2009 International Saimoe League Emerald necklace phase, Suigintou took the lead with a 1553-1455 victory over Hinagiku Katsura in Seoul.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown defeated Rena Ryuuguu 1681-1122 in Sydney, but her partner-in-crime Nanoha Takamachi wasn't so lucky.

She lost 1316-1700 to Haruhi Suzumiya in Istanbul. Suzumiya not remains undefeated through 39 match days.

The Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls also had another solid outing. Shinku shaded Aya Shameimaru 1776-635 in Bangkok while Suiseiseki prevailed over Nagi Sanzen'in 1460-1252 in Santiago.

The SOS Brigade had another successful day. Yuki Nagato defeated Sakura Kinomoto 1523-1102 in Bogota while Mikuru Asahina trounced Chii 1833-1056 in Lima.

Also claiming a sweep were the Fate/Stay Night girls. Saber slashed past Reimu Hakurei 1720-1044 in Moscow, Rin Tosaka rolled past Tsukasa Hiiragi 1667-1294 in Lagos and Illyasviel von Einzbern flattened Remilia Scarlet 1656-963 in Shanghai.

In other action...Mei Sunohara chalked up a 1440-1282 win over Ayu Tsukimiya in Tokyo, Nagisa Furukawa scored a thrilling 1379-1356 victory in Mexico City, Misuzu Kamio routed Akari Mizunashi 1594-1002 in Mumbai, Sayuri Kurata defeated Yuuhi Katagiri 1398-1230 in Sao Paolo and Index L. Prohibitorum defeated Patchouli Knowledge 1427-1028 in Neew York City.

Alice Carroll ran down Kirino Chiba 1178-898 in Los Angeles, Kyou Fujibayashi shook off Rika Furude 1512-1175 in Buenos Aires, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) chalked up a comprehensive 1561-871 drubbing of Tamaki Kawazoe in Karachi and Hayate Yagami prevailed over Makoto Sawatari 1408-1183 in Dhaka.

Maria blew apart Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1914-790 in Manila, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Mikoto Misaka 1446-1201 in Cairo, Jakarta witnessed Fuuko Ibuki take down Nagi 1767-993 in Paris, Nayuki Minase defeated Anya Earlstreim 1463-1000 in London and Mai Kawasumi was all business in a 1634-1031 dissection of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Tehran.

Tomoyo Sakagami sent Konata Izumi sky-high 1570-1016 in Kinshasa, Evangeline McDowell defeated Marisa Kirisame 1243-1066 in Toronto, Shana torched Horo 1651-1320 in Algiers, and Kagami Hiiragi estomped C.C. 1626-1317 in Milan.

Wrapping up the day's action, Ami Kawashima prevailed over Minori Kushieda 1337-1135 in Madrid (after the contest, Kawashima was said to have labeled the victory as a "leet-result =D "), Taiga Aisaka roared pase Shiori Misaka 1764-1048 in Santo Domingo and in the closest race of the day, Amu Hinamori won a thrilling 1225-1223 pillow fight against Shiki Ryogi in Katowice.

After the day's results, 14 contestants remain in contention for the necklace, while Sawatari, Kozuki, Ryogi, Vita, Nagi and Caroll are eliminated from the tournament. Scarlet could also be eliminated by the next match day if her slump continues.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Emerald Match Day 3

ARENA 01: Sunohara Mei [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 02: [Furukawa Nagisa] Ichinose Kotomi

ARENA 03: Mizunashi Akari [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 04: Katagiri Yūhi [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 05: Patchouli Knowledge [Index Prohibitorum]

ARENA 06: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 07: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 08: [Alice Carroll] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 09: Furude Rika [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 10: [Suigintou] Katsura Hinagiku

ARENA 11: Kawazoe Tamaki [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 12: Sawatari Makoto [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 13: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Maria]

ARENA 14: [Louise Vallière] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 15: Vita [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 16: [Ibuki Fūko] Nagi

ARENA 17: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 18: Hakurei Reimu [Saber]

ARENA 19: [Minase Nayuki] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 20: [Asahina Mikuru] Chii

ARENA 21: [Kawasumi Mai] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 22: [Shinku] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 23: [Nagato Yuki] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 24: Sanzen'in Nagi [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 25: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Izumi Konata

ARENA 26: [Evangeline McDowell] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 27: Holo [Shana]

ARENA 28: C.C. [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 29: Kushieda Minori [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 30: [Fate Testarossa] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 31: Misaka Shiori [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 32: [Ryōgi Shiki] Hinamori Amu

ISML 2009: The beat goes on as Horo takes command

ISML 2009: The beat goes on as Horo takes command


June 25, 2009

On a day where the King of Pop was silenced, the 2009 International Saimoe League season continued to trundle along, keeping its melody and beat going.

Horo took the lead in the Emerald necklace phase with a 1391-959 victory over Ami Kawashima in New York City in match day 2 of action.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown rolled past Mikoto Misaka 1464-912 in Bogota, while Haruhi Suzumiya kept her unbeaten run going with an easy 1684-963 victory over Sayuri Kurata in Mumbai.

In other action...Ayu Tsukimiya routed Makoto Sawatari 1379-700 in Tokyo, Kyou Fujibayashi had no problems whipping Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1504-660 in Mexico City, Illyasviel von Einzbern edged Rena Ryuuguu 1250-1181 in Sao Paulo, Konata Izumi bounced Shiori Misaka 1253-941 Shanghai and Tomoyo Sakagami scalped Nagi 1725-770 in Lagos.

Maria took down Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1403-921 in Los Angeles, Suigintou slashed Idex L. Prohibitorum to shreds 1686-672 in Seoul, Nagi Sanzen'in chalked up a 1572-860 victory in Karachi, Dhaka witnessed Nayuki MInase shake off Aya Shameimaru 1333-768, and Suiseiseki easily picked apart Reimu Hakurei 1555-749 in Manila.

Kagami Hiiragi burned Alice Carroll 1366-820 in Cairo, Jakarta saw Akari Mizunashi and Remilia Scarlet achieved the first overtime period in the 2009 ISML season with the score tied 989-989, C.C. easily defeated Shiki Ryogi 1505-810 in Paris, and Nanoha Takamachi busted Marisa Kirisame 1440-840 in Istanbul.

Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Mei Sunohara 1359-928 in a Moscow battle of CLANNAD contestants, Shinku defeated Sakura Kinomoto 1298-1024 in London to complete another Rozen Maiden Alice Doll sweep, Mai Kawasumi had no problems against Kirino Chiba in a 1398-756 rout in Tehran, Hinagiku Katsura sent Vita in the atmosphere 1517-848 in Bangkok and Saber Sliced and diced Patchouli Knowledge 1635-702 in Santiago.

Hanyuu Furude prevailed over Fuuko Ibuki 1258-1134 in Kinshasa, Mikuru Asahina stomped Amu Hinamori 1684-797 in Toronto, Yuki Nagato sealed an SOS Brigade sweep with a 1512-777 pasting of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Algiers, and Shana torched Yuuhi Katagiri 1758-802 in Milan.

Wrapping up the day's action...Taiga Aisaka bounced back to rip apart Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1546-881 in Madrid, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) edged Minori Kushieda 1288-1075 in Sydney, Tsukasa Hiiragi sealed a Lucky Star sweep with a 1451-1022 victory over Misuzu Kamio in Santo Domingo, and Nagisa Furukawa trounced Chii 1537-934 in Katowice.

And this is just heaven.

USA upsets Spain to make Confed Cup football final

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) — The United States shocked Spain 2-0 on Wednesday to book a place in the Confederations Cup final and end the European champions record-breaking win streak.

A first half strike from Villarreal's Jozy Altidore and another 16 minutes from time by Fulham's Clint Dempsey did the damage in what will go down as one of the biggest victories in US football history.

They also had a flawless performance by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and a commendable defensive display to thank for earning them a shot at the trophy on Sunday against either Brazil or hosts South Africa.

Their only black mark was having Michael Bradley - son of the coach Bob - sent off for a lunging tackle with four minutes left, meaning he will miss the final.

It was a remarkable upset on a freezing night that not only ended Spain's record of 15 consecutive wins but also prevented them from surpassing Brazil's 35-match unbeaten run.

Spain will have to be content with going into the history books level with the South Americans after their first loss since November 15 2006.

After resting several players for their last match against South Africa, they were back at full strength with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila and Xabi Alonso returning to action.

The United States welcomed back captain and ex-Fulham player Carlos Bocanegra while Howard returned to goal.

Spain had won all three previous encounters but the United States' miracle run to the last four, qualifying on goals scored after finishing level with Italy on goal difference, showed they could not be understimated.

They had the first chance of the match with Howard forced to turn a dangerous Cesc Fabregas cross-cum-shot over the bar in the third minute.

But the US weren't sitting back and Charlie Davies sent a spectacular bicycle kick flashing just wide then wasted a free header minutes later.

With Dempsey firing a long range drive close soon after it was clear they meant business.

At the other end Fabregas sent a cross in from the left which Fernando Torres volleyed just past the post from six yards.

They combined superbly again shortly after with the Liverpool striker forcing a fine one-handed save from his Merseyside rival Howard.

But in a major shock the US took the lead on 27 minutes when the powerful Altidore muscled past Capdevila and Carles Puyol with Casillas unable to prevent his shot finding the back of the net.

It was only the third goal Spain had conceded in 16 games.

Spain were in trouble but bounced back with a hatful of chances with Torres and Ramos in the thick of it only for heroic defending to deny them time and again.

They went to the break losing 1-0 and in need of something special.

David Villa almost provided it soon after the restart when he let rip from just inside the box but Howard turned it round the post.

Spain had a penalty appeal turned down before Albert Riera tugged a shot just wide as they ramped up the pressure.

They threw all they had at the Americans but Bocanegra and his defensive partners held firm and against the run of play the underdogs scored a second.

LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan sent the ball in from the right and defensive errors by Gerald Pique and Ramos allowed Dempsey to hustle the ball over the line for a famous victory.

Brazil and South Africa play their semi-final on Thursday.

Now this is just garbage...

Killing a head football coach who is a hero in his home town...I'm thinking, death penalty. In fact, the killer should not be able to see the light of day. AT ALL.
Iowa football coach fatally shot in high school

PARKERSBURG, Iowa (AP) — A gunman shot and killed a prominent Iowa high school football coach in the school's weight room early Wednesday and was taken into custody shortly afterward, authorities said.

The gunman shot Aplington-Parkersburg High School coach Ed Thomas at about 8 a.m. with about 50 students in the school, including several in the weight room at the time. School was not in session, and no one else was injured in the attack.

Thomas, the 2005 NFL high school football coach of the year, was airlifted to a hospital and died, his family said in a statement. He was 58.

Holly Fokkena, a spokeswoman for Butler County, said an adult male suspect has been taken into custody and was at the Butler County jail. She did not say if the gunman was a student at the school. But school district board secretary Sue Miller said she had heard he was not.

The district's superintendent and a guidance counselor were meeting with students who were in the weight room at the time of the shooting.

"No kids were hurt, we're thankful for that," Superintendent Jon Thompson told KOEL radio. "They did witness this and so we have counselors at the site to talk with the kids."

The school is in Parkersburg, about 80 miles northeast of Des Moines.

Thomas compiled a career record of 292-84 in 37 seasons as a head coach, 34 of them at Aplington-Parkersburg, and was one of the most well-known high school football coaches in Iowa. He was honored as the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2005, and four of his former players are in the NFL: Green Bay's Aaron Kampman, Jacksonville's Brad Meester, Detroit's Jared DeVries and Denver's Casey Wiegmann.

DeVries, a defensive end with the Lions, walked off the practice field in Allen Park, Mich. toward the end of its morning practice, apparently shaken.

Team officials said DeVries was not immediately available for comment.

Thomas made national headlines last year when he insisted that the high school's football field, named in his honor, be rebuilt as a way to help restore community pride in Parkersburg after it was hit by a powerful tornado in May 2008 that killed six people and destroyed the high school.

"A lot of people know coach Thomas for his success as a football coach, but a lot of people here locally know him as a person, as a dad and grandfather, and that's where our thoughts are right now, with coach Thomas," said Superintendent Thompson.

Gov. Chet Culver, who was once a high school teacher and coach in Des Moines, said he was stunned by the shooting.

"As a former high school football coach, I've always had great admiration and respect for Coach Thomas," Culver said in a statement. "The state and national coaching fraternity has suffered a devastating loss. As we mourn the passing of Coach Thomas, it is my hope we can all continue to learn from his example."

Paul Rhoads, Iowa State's new football coach, said in a statement that Thomas was one of the first people to call him when he accepted the Cyclones job last December. Rhoads said Thomas was an Iowa coaching legend and "the best of people."

"His leadership set an example for us and his legacy will live on in the thousands of people he has touched in and out of the classroom and on and off the field," Rhoads said.

Toby Lorenzen, head coach at Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids in northwest Iowa, said the killing was a shock to people in high school football programs throughout Iowa.

"He was one of the most down to earth, well respected coaches around."

Richard Wulkow, executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, said in a statement that Thomas embodied what a coach should be.

"He will be forever remembered not so much for his many wins on the field, but for the exemplary manner in which he coached kids and led the Aplington-Parkersburg community and school. This was especially true last spring and summer as they rebuilt from a devastating tornado."

In 2005, a Texas high school football coach was shot by an angry parent who walked into the school fieldhouse and fired a single bullet into Gary Joe Kinne's stomach. The gunman's son played on the Canton High School football team with Kinne's son, who was the star quarterback.

Kinne survived. The shooter, Jeff Doyal Robertson, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Murder-capital murder-written all over it.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Emerald Match Day 2

ARENA 01: Sawatari Makoto [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 02: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 03: Kurata Sayuri [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 04: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 05: [Holo] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 06: Misaka Shiori [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 07: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Nagi

ARENA 08: Louise Vallière [Maria]

ARENA 09: Kawazoe Tamaki [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 10: [Suigintou] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 11: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 12: [Minase Nayuki] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 13: Hakurei Reimu [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 14: Alice Carroll [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 15: [Mizunashi Akari] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 16: [C.C.] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 17: [Takamachi Nanoha] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 18: Sunohara Mei [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 19: [Shinku] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 20: [Kawasumi Mai] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 21: [Furude Rika] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 22: Vita [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 23: [Fate Testarossa] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 24: Patchouli Knowledge [Saber]

ARENA 25: [Ibuki Fūko] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 26: [Asahina Mikuru] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 27: [Nagato Yuki] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 28: Katagiri Yūhi [Shana]

ARENA 29: Evangeline McDowell [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 30: [Kushieda Minori] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 31: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 32: [Furukawa Nagisa] Chii

ISML 2009: Emerald stage kicks off

ISML 2009: Emerald stage kicks off


June 23, 2009

With four necklace stages completed and the final 16 for the Tiara looking clearer, the 2009 International Saimoe League season soldiered on with the Emerald necklace phase.

Defending ISML champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown faced a stiff test from Maria in Istanbul, Turkey, but won 1728-1720, Kagami Hiiragi, the defending necklace champion, had a slightly easier time against Mai Kawasumi in Santiago, Chile, winning 1475-1233.

Suiseiseki took the early lead in the race with a 2038-642 blowout of Patchouli Knowledge in Toronto, Canada. Haruhi Suzuimiya kept her unbeated ISML season intact with an easy 2134-1035 pasting of Marisa Kirisame in Kinshasa, Congo DR.

In other action...Yuki Nagato bombed Kirino Chiba 1861-975 in Tokyo, Japan; Holo swallowed up Konjiki no Yami 1996-1368 in Mexico City, Mexico; Mumbai, India saw Nanoha Takamachi bust Taiga Aisaka 1911-1633; Reimu Hakurei scored a thrilling 1401-1389 victory over Anya Earlstreim in New York, USA; and Kyou Fujibayashi bounced back from her lost to Haruhi with a 1547-1191 decision over Louise Francoise Le Blance De La Valliere in Shanghai, China.

Shinku annihilated Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1977-918 in Lagos, Nigeria; Los Angeles, USA saw Rena Ryuuguu put the billhook to work against Akari Mizunashi 1675-1084; Mikuru Asahina made it a SOS Brigade sweep/Code Geass shutout with a 1658-1592 victory in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Hayate Yagami barely had any problems brushing aside whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1807-926 in Seoul, Korea Republic.

Mei Sunohara got her Emerald campaign off to a flying start with a 1609-1409 victory over Chii in Karachi, Pakistan; Illyasviel von Einzbern outlasted Mikoto Misaka 1536-1316 in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Alice Carroll routed Shiki Ryogi 1251-879 in Manila, Philippines and Konata Izumi prevailed over Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1442-1222 in Cairo, Egypt.

Nagisa Furukawa wiped off Amu Hinamori 1878-1083 in Jakarta, Indonesia; Suigintou made it a Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls sweep with a 1803-1278 destruction in Paris, France; Misuzu Kamio sent tamaki Kawazoe skyhigh 1555-1139 in Moscow, Russia; Shana easily torched Sayuri Kurata 2109-1105 in London, United Kingdon and Hinagiku Katsura defeated Fuuko Ibuki 1682-1385 in Lima, Peru.

Shiori Misaka defeated Nagi 1469-1241 in Tehran, Iran; Vita escaped Index L. Prohibitorum 1385-1295 in Bangkok, Thailand; Bogota, Colombia witnessed Tsukasa Hiiragi score an easily 1931-995 pulverization of Remilia Scarlet and Rin Tosaka blew apart Minori Kushieda 2182-1203 in Algiers, Algeria.

Wrapping up the day's action...Tomoyo Sakagami kicked Hanyuu Furude into the atmosphere 1881-1195 in Milan, Italy; Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Makoto Sawatari 1920-882 in Madrid, Spain; Sydney, Australia saw Nagi Sanzen'in chalk up a one-sided 1971-862 pasting of Aya Shameimaru; Rika Furude whipped past Ayu Tsukimiya 1571-1327 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Sakura Kinomoto disposed of Nayuki Minase 1555-1327 in Katowice, Poland.

Sawatari's defeat also sees her eliminated from returning to the tournament next season automatically.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Emerald Match Day 1

ARENA 01: [Nagato Yuki] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 02: [Holo] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 03: [Takamachi Nanoha] Aisaka Taiga

ARENA 04: Katagiri Yūhi [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 05: [Hakurei Reimu] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 06: Louise Vallière [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 07: [Shinku] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 08: Mizunashi Akari [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 09: [Asahina Mikuru] C.C.

ARENA 10: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 11: [Sunohara Mei] Chii

ARENA 12: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 13: [Alice Carroll] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 14: Evangeline McDowell [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 15: [Furukawa Nagisa] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 16: [Suigintou] Saber

ARENA 17: [Fate Testarossa] Maria

ARENA 18: Kawazoe Tamaki [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 19: Kurata Sayuri [Shana]

ARENA 20: Ibuki Fūko [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 21: [Misaka Shiori] Nagi

ARENA 22: [Vita] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 23: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 24: Kawasumi Mai [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 25: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 26: Patchouli Knowledge [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 27: Kushieda Minori [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 28: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 29: Sawatari Makoto [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 30: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 31: [Furude Rika] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 32: Minase Nayuki [Kinomoto Sakura]

ISML 2009: Shana defeats Yuki to win Sapphire, Haruhi Suzumiya stays unbeaten

ISML 2009: Shana defeats Yuki to win Sapphire, Haruhi Suzumiya stays unbeaten

By JR Salazar
June 20, 2009

She may not have been able to defend her Aquamarine, but the Sapphire necklace sure works for Shana.

The girl with the fire in her eyes torched Yuki Nagato in Santo Domingo, 1947-1359, to win her second ISML necklace and first of the season.

Supporters in the Dominican Republic capital of Shana waved flags that contained the logo, as well as their own national flag. Banners that said, "¡Shana, tu esta por siempre el fuego en nuestros corazones!" (Shana, you are forever the fire in our hearts!), "¡Shana-tan es mi gasolina!" (Shana-tan is my gasoline!) and "¡ENCIENDA!" (IGNITE!) were raised as Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" was played over the speakers placed in the center of the city.

"To all my people and fans who have supported me, thank you from the very bottom of my heart," she said through a Spanish interpreter, surrounded by Kazumi Yoshida, Margery Daw and Yuji Sakai. "This victory is dedicated to you, and for you. Let us soldier on to the Emerald phase. Muchisimas gracias, ustedes. (Thank you very much, everyone.)"

"I lost to a worthy opponent," said Nagato in a conference after the fight. "Shana has proven that her relevance is still strong, and it will continue to be that way, so long as the fire that burns in her supporters then continues to burn now."

Haruhi Suzumiya, meanwhile, kept her unbeaten streak alive with a 1713-1445 victory over Kyou fujibayashi in Buenos Aires.

"Everything is going to plan so far," said Suzumiya. "I think Yuki is going to be the contest that could make or break my run. Kyou's defense was going to end anyway. Congratulations to Shana on her victory."

Suzumiya now has gone through four of seven necklace phases without a single defeat.

Tomoyo Sakagami also went through Sapphire undefeated with a 2004-1437 annihilation of the defending champion, Fate Testarossa Harlaown, in Lima.

"It feels good to end your campaign on a winning note," Sakagami said. "I think this will put me in good shape heading into these last three stages."

"Give credit to Tomoyo; she knew her schtick," said Fate at a news conference after her fight in the Peruvian capital. "I plan to use this as a learning experience because if this is how things will work out, the days of defending my Tiara could be numbered."

As of Sapphire 9, three shows are out of the competition: Bamboo Blade (Kirino Chiba, Tamaki Kawazoe), Shugo Chara (Amu Hinamori), and Azumanga Daioh. The representative of the latter, Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, has yet to win a match. Aya Shameimaru and Patchouli Knowledge of Touhou and ARIA's Akari Mizunashi are also eliminated.

A pillow fight between already-eliminated opponents saw Knowledge defeat Kawazoe 1085-1037 in Dhaka.

Unless a miracle happens, all of Touhou's characters could be out of the competition by the end of Emerald or Ruby. But Reimu Hakurei is providing a flicker of hope. She defeated Minori Kushieda in Tokyo, 1434-1239, to end Sapphire on a winning note.

Fate/Stay Night's characters ended their Sapphire runs on a winning note. Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Fuuko Ibuki 1690-1390 in Madrid, Saber had no problems against Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in a 2045-890 Colombian necktie in Bogota and Rin Tosaka scored a 1713-1341 victory over C.C. in Istanbul.

The Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls also collected a clean sweep. Suiseiseki defeated Sakura Kinomoto easily, 1871-1182, in Sydney. Suigintou trounced Tsukasa Hiiragi 1897-1423 in Los Angeles, and Shinku routed Sayuri Kurata 1744-1318 in Katowice.

In other action...Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Rena Ryuuguu 1777-1308 in Mexico City, Maria outlasted Hayate Yagami 1642-1296 in Mumbai, Evangeline McDowell defeated Kasuga 1688-817 in Sao Paulo, New York City witnessed Chii take out Remilioa Scarlet 1355-1147, Taiga Aisaka roared past Mei Sunohara 1706-1381 in Shanghai.

Mai Kawasumi whipped past Ami Kawashima 1550-1398 in Lagos, Marisa Kirisame stayed alive with a 1309-1280 win over Makoto Sawatari in Seoul, Konata Izumi defeated Nagisa Furukawa 1870-1584 in Dhaka, Anya Earlstreim took out Shameimaru 1442-1087 in Manila, and Cairo saw Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) annihilate Alice Carroll 2070-824.

Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La valliere outpaced Shiori Misaka 1547-1300 in Paris, Vita ended her Sapphire campaign with a 1546-770 win over Mizunashi in Moscow, London saw Index L. Prohibitorum defeat Chiba 1323-1106, Nanoha Takamachi busted Rika Furude 1808-1455 in Tehran, and Misuzu Kamio defeated Hinamori 1586-1078 in Bangkok.


Wrapping up the Sapphire phase...Hinagiku Katsura scored an impressive 1608-1493 victory over Kagami Hiiragi in Santiago, Holo swallowed up Nagi Sanzen'in 1641-1328 in Kinshasa, Toronto saw Hanyuu Furude crush Shiki Ryogi 1690-981, Mikoto Misaka chalked up a thrilling 1291-1241 victory over Ayu Tsukimiya in Algiers and Nayuki MInase defeated Yuuhi Katagiri 1602-1310 in Milan.

The top 16, as of Sapphire 9's conclusion...

1. Haruhi Suzumiya
2. Shana (SAP)
3. Tomoyo Sakagami (AQ)
4. Fate Testarossa Harlaown (C)
5. Kyou Fujibayashi
6. Yuki Nagato (TOP)
7. Kagami Hiiragi
8. Taiga Aisaka
9. Suigintou (AM)
10. Nanoha Takamachi
11. Saber
12. Rin Tosaka
13. Konata Izumi
14. Mikuru Asahina
15. Hinagiku Katsura
16. Suiseiseki

(C) = Defending Champion

(AQ) = Aquamarine Necklace winner
(TOP) = Topaz Necklace winner
(AM) = Amethyst Necklace winner
(SAP) = Sapphire Necklace winner

ilkaid of the ISML contributed to this report.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Sapphire Match Day 9

ARENA 01: [Kushieda Minori] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 02: Ryūgū Rena [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 03: [Maria] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 04: [Evangeline McDowell] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 05: Remilia Scarlet [Chii]

ARENA 06: [Aisaka Taiga] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 07: Kawashima Ami [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 08: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Suigintou]

ARENA 09: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Fujibayashi Kyō

ARENA 10: Kirisame Marisa [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 11: Izumi Konata [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 12: [Kawazoe Tamaki] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 13: [Anya Alstreim] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 14: [Konjiki no Yami] Alice Carroll

ARENA 15: Nagi [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 16: Misaka Shiori [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 17: [Tōsaka Rin] C.C.

ARENA 18: [Vita] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 19: [Index Prohibitorum] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 20: Sakagami Tomoyo [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 21: [Takamachi Nanoha] Furude Rika

ARENA 22: [Kamio Misuzu] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 23: [Saber] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 24: Katsura Hinagiku [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 25: Holo [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 26: [Furude Hanyū] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 27: Misaka Mikoto [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 28: Katagiri Yūhi [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 29: [Ibuki Fūko] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 30: [Suiseiseki] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 31: Shana [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 32: Kurata Sayuri [Shinku]

ISML 2009: Yuki leads Sappphire with one day to go

ISML 2009: Yuki leads Sappphire with one day to go


June 19, 2009

Yuki Nagato took the lead in the 2009 International Saimoe League Sapphire necklace phase with one match day to go.

Nagato scored a big 1461-672 victory over Ami Kawashima in Tehran to leap to the top of the table. A victory in match day 9 against Shana (who was victorious over Shinku 1536-1541 in Algiers) in Santo Domingo will all but clinch Yuki her second ISML necklace.

Or will it?

Also chasing Yuki are five other competitors, including still unbeaten Haruhi Suzumiya, who cruised to a 1894-729 clobbering of Aya Shameimaru in Tokyo. She also faces a worthy opponent in defending Kyou Fujibayashi in Buenos Aires, but their standings may not guarantee Haruhi the Sapphire nor Kyou a successful defense.

Fujibayashi kept her defense alive, defeating Hayate Yagami 1358-1045 in Toronto.

Fate Testarossa Harlaown, the defending ISML champion, also has a tough nut to crack in the chick with the kicks-Tomoyo Sakagami-in Lima. Harlaown disposed of Shiori Misaka handily, 1554-882 in nearby Sao Paulo, while Sakagami routed Illyasviel von Einzbern 1577-1016 in Milan. But even a victory for either candidate will not guarantee that they will take the necklace unless the battle between Shana and Yuki is decided.

Kagami Hiiragi may seen to have a free pass to at least getting a clean slate in Sapphire. But she takes on a fearsome opponent in Hinagiku Katsura in Santiago to wrap up her run in this phase.

Hiiragi had no issue with Index L. Prohibitorum 1721-835 in Seoul, while Katsura slashed past Shiki Ryogi in 1717-706 in Dhaka.

In other action...Suiseiseki bulldoxed Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Mexico City 1835-728, Mumbai witnessed Nagisa Furukawa bomb Nagi 1661-790, New York City saw Mikuru Asahina complete another SOS Brigade sweep with a 15221087 victory over Hanyuu Furude, Shanghai witnessed Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere defeat Evangeline McDowell 1266-1038, and Konata Izumi booted Mei Sunohara 1495-1125 in Lagos.

Saber tortured Kirino Chiba 1680-739 in Los Angeles, Nagi Sanzen'in destroyed Yuuhi Katagiri 1553-837 in Buenos Aires, Karachi saw Taiga Aisaka roar past Makoto Sawatari 1618-832, Fuuko Ibuki slammed down Akari Mizunashi 1579-864 in Manila, Sakura Kinomoto cruised pase Anya Earlstreim 1356-986 in Cairo, and Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Mikoto Misaka 1514-907 in Jakarta.

Suigintou wiped out Tamaki Kawazoe 1881-633 in Paris, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) stunned Mai Kawasumi 1359-871, Rena Ryuuguu billhooked Chii 1312-1087 in London, Lima saw nanoha Takamachi put the Starlight Breaker on hapless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1646-676, Nayuki Minase scored a thrilling 923-903 win over Sayuri Kurata in Bangkok and Rin Tosaka was all business in an easy 1730-564 beatdown in Bogota.

Misuzu Kamio scored another upset, this time over C.C. 1362-1064 in Santiago, Minori Kushieda chalked up a 1382-830 win over Patchouli Knowledge in Kinshasa, Tsukasa Hiiragi confirmed a Lucky Star sweep with a 1548-939 brush-off of Vita in Madrid, Santo Domingo saw Horo chomp up Reimu Hakurei 1623-659 in Sydney, Rika Furude took down Marisa Kirisame 1462-859 in Santo Domingo and Amu Hinamori got her first win of the season with a thrilling 1042-1004 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Sapphire Match Day 8

ARENA 01: Shameimaru Aya [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 02: [Suiseiseki] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 03: Nagi [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 04: Misaka Shiori [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 05: Furude Hanyū [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 06: [Evangeline McDowell] Louise Vallière

ARENA 07: [Izumi Konata] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 08: [Saber] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 09: Katagiri Yūhi [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 10: Index Prohibitorum [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 11: [Aisaka Taiga] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 12: [Katsura Hinagiku] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 13: [Ibuki Fūko] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 14: Anya Alstreim [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 15: Misaka Mikoto [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 16: Kawazoe Tamaki [Suigintou]

ARENA 17: Konjiki no Yami [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 18: [Maria] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 19: [Ryūgū Rena] Chii

ARENA 20: [Takamachi Nanoha] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 21: Kawashima Ami [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 22: Kurata Sayuri [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 23: [Tōsaka Rin] Alice Carroll

ARENA 24: Kamio Misuzu [C.C.]

ARENA 25: [Kushieda Minori] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 26: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 27: [Shana] Shinku

ARENA 28: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 29: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Vita

ARENA 30: [Holo] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 31: Kirisame Marisa [Furude Rika]

ARENA 32: [Remilia Scarlet] Hinamori Amu

ISML 2009: Harlaown rolls on, Suzumiya still clean through Sapphire 7

ISML 2009: Harlaown rolls on, Suzumiya still clean through Sapphire 7

June 16, 2009

Fate Testarossa Harlaown continued her march toward her first necklace after seven match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League Sapphire phase.

Harlaown flattened Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1623-812 in Lagos to reamin first. Giving chase are Yuki Nagato and Kagami Hiiragi. Nagato scored a scrappy 1319-1309 thriller over Konjiki no Yami in Milan, while Hiiragi defeated Saber 1546-1153 in Mumbai.

Haruhi Suzumiya kept her unbeaten streak alive with a 1695-1020 rout of Hayate Yagami in Tehran.

Among the other contentders in the running are Tomoyo Sakagami, Shana and Kyou Fujibayashi. Sakagami roundhoused Akari Mizunashi 1780-760, Shana torched Nayuki Minase 1852-852 in Santiago, and Fujibayashi easily defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1349-922 in New York City.

Mikuru Asahina confirmed another SOS Brigade sweep with a big 1506-1184 victory over Hinagiku Katsura in Cairo. Also claiming a sweep were the Lucky Star girls. Konata Izumi crushed Makoto Sawatari 1693-834 in Toronto and Tsukasa Hiiragi flew past Fuuko Ibuki 1542-1047 in Algiers.

The TSAB also collected a rare sweep. Up until this match day, a loss by Vita prevented a perfect day in spite of Nanoha Takamachi and Harlaown's victories. This time, Vita scored a comprehensive 1455-936 defeat of Tamaki Kawazoe in Paris, while Takamachi busted Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1463-1066 in Dhaka.

Yet another sweep was had by the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls. Suigintou had no problems burying Minori Kushieda 1736-986 in Moscow. Shinku defeated Ami Kawashima 1518-1140 in Sao Paulo and Suiseiseki completed the sweep with an easy 1704-744 mule kicking of Kirino Chiba in Jakarta.

In other action...Illyasviel von Einzbern took down Shiori Misaka 1471-997 in Tokyo, Sakura Kinomoto ripped apart Aya Shameimaru 1466-826 in Mexico City, Mei Sunohara scored a 1499-896 rout of Nagi in Shanghai, Rin Tosaka blasted Mai Kawasumi 1645-899 in Los Angeles and Misuzu Kamio jettisoned Alice Carroll 1307-905 in Buenos Aires.

Maria outpaced Kotomi Ichinose 1373-1142 in Seoul, Yuuhi Katagiri scored a thrilling 1151-1049 over Reimu Hakurei in Karachi, C.C. shredded Remilia Scarlet 1517-843 in Manila, Anya Alstreim bested Kallen Kozuki in a thrilling battle of Code Geass compatriots 1010-996 by Topkapi in Istanbul, and Rena Ryuuguu put her billhook to work against Amu Hinamori 1383-936 in London.

Lima witnessed Mikoto Misaka take down Chii 1486-1078, Marisa Kirisame chalked up a 1297-732 victory over hapless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Bangkok, Sayuri Kurata scored a nail-biting 1291-1231 victory over Nagi Sanzen'in in Bogota, Index L. Prohibitorum escaped Shiki Ryogi 1140-1014 in Madrid.

Wrapping up the day's action, Nagisa Furukawa defeated Hanyuu Furude 1404-1141 in Sydney, Santo Domingo saw Taiga Aisaka roar past Rika Furude 1391-1201 and Horo easily swallowed up Patchouli Knowledge in Katowice 1598-698.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Sapphire Match Day 7

ARENA 01: Misaka Shiori [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 02: Shameimaru Aya [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 03: Saber [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 04: Kawashima Ami [Shinku]

ARENA 05: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 06: Nagi [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 07: Evangeline McDowell [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 08: [Tōsaka Rin] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 09: [Kamio Misuzu] Alice Carroll

ARENA 10: Maria [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 11: [Katagiri Yūhi] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 12: [Takamachi Nanoha] Louise Vallière

ARENA 13: Remilia Scarlet [C.C.]

ARENA 14: Katsura Hinagiku [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 15: [Suiseiseki] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 16: [Kawazoe Tamaki] Vita

ARENA 17: [Anya Alstreim] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 18: Kushieda Minori [Suigintou]

ARENA 19: [Ryūgū Rena] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 20: [Misaka Mikoto] Chii

ARENA 21: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 22: [Kirisame Marisa] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 23: Kurata Sayuri [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 24: [Shana] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 25: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 26: [Izumi Konata] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 27: [Ibuki Fūko] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 28: Konjiki no Yami [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 29: [Index Prohibitorum] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 30: Furude Hanyū [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 31: Aisaka Taiga [Furude Rika]

ARENA 32: [Holo] Patchouli Knowledge

The Los Angeles Lakers Got The Job Done!



They won.

---

Magic prove no match as Kobe, Lakers claim 15th NBA crown


TEAM STAT COMPARISON
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
Points 99 86
FG Made-Attempted 35-80 (.438) 34-82 (.415)
3P Made-Attempted 8-16 (.500) 8-27 (.296)
FT Made-Attempted 21-28 (.750) 10-16 (.625)
Rebounds (Offensive-Total) 13-47 6-36
Assists 13 20
Turnovers 8 11
Steals 6 6
Blocks 8 3
Fast Break Points 11 18
Fouls (Tech/Flagrant) 20 (1/0) 23 (1/0)
Largest Lead 18 9
TOP PERFORMERS
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
K. Bryant
Points: 30
Reb: 6
Ast: 5
Stl: 2
Blk: 4
R. Lewis
Points: 18
Reb: 10
Ast: 4
Stl: 1
Blk: 0

GAME LEADERS
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
Points K. Bryant 30 R. Lewis 18
Rebounds P. Gasol 15 R. Lewis 10
Assists K. Bryant 5 R. Lewis 4
Steals K. Bryant 2 R. Alston 2
Blocks K. Bryant 4 D. Howard 3
·
Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Kobe Bryant pulled Phil Jackson close, embracing his coach and looking him straight in the eyes. After all they'd been through, this was their moment, their championship, their time. This was the one to top all the others.

The one without Shaq.
The one to pass Red.
Bryant's seven-year chase of a coveted championship is finally over. He's got his fourth title, and Jackson his record 10th. One year after failing in the finals, Bryant and the Lakers have redemption, and all the rewards that go with it.
Perfect 10


Phil Jackson can light his own victory cigar. With the Lakers' title-clinching Game 5 victory on Sunday, he passed Red Auerbach for the most championships by a coach in NBA history.


10 Phil Jackson Bulls (6), Lakers (4)
9 Red Auerbach Celtics
5 Pat Riley Lakers (4), Heat (1)
5 John Kundla Lakers
4 Gregg Popovich Spurs
2 Seven Tied

The Lakers earned their 15th title on Sunday night as Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 14 and 15 rebounds in a 99-86 Game 5 win over the Orlando Magic, who ran out of comebacks.
It took longer than Bryant expected, but he has stepped out of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal's enormous shadow -- at last. His fourth championship secured a strong case can be made for Bryant being the league's best player since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers.
Bryant, who averaged 32.4 points and was named finals MVP, said the can-he-win-without-Shaq talk annoyed him.
"It was like Chinese water torture," he said. "I would cringe every time. I was just like, it's a challenge I'm just going to have to accept because there's no way I'm going to argue it. You can say it until you're blue in the face and rationalize it until you're blue in the face, but it's not going anywhere until you do something about it.
Sheridan: Night To Remember

Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson sat sad-faced on the Magic bench, watching the Lakers celebrate their 15th NBA title. Why? Because they plan to use the pain of losing as motivation for next season, writes Chris Sheridan. Story

"I think we as a team answered the call because they understood the challenge that I had, and we all embraced it."
O'Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, was glad to see Bryant win another title.
"Congratulations kobe, u deserve it," O'Neal said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."
Bryant's former coach now stands alone.
Jackson, the chilled-out, bow-legged Zen Master who won six league titles in the 1990s with Jordan in Chicago, now has won four with Los Angeles and broke a tie with legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach as the winningest coach in finals history.

"I'll smoke the cigar tonight in memory of Red," Jackson said. "He was a great guy."
Bryant and Jackson, whose relationship strained and briefly snapped under the weight of success, are again at the top of their games.
Together.
Jackson, who once called Bryant "a selfish player" now sees the 30-year-old in a far different light.
"He's learned how to become a leader in a way in which people want to follow him," Jackson said. "That's really important for him to have learned that because he knew that he had to give to get back in return, and so he's become a giver rather than just a guy that's a demanding leader. That's been great for him and great to watch."
Nothing was going to stop Bryant, who spent the postseason scowling, snarling, baring his teeth and all but breathing fire at anything in his path. For weeks, the All-Star has worn his game face. His daughters called him Grumpy. Only when the victory was his in the final seconds did he allow himself to smile.
"I was just completely locked in," he said. "I was grumpy for a while and now I'm just ecstatic, like a kid in a candy store."
After the final horn, Bryant leaped into the air and was quickly engulfed by his teammates, who bounced around the floor of Amway Arena. Bryant then gave his long, heartfelt hug and shared a few words with Jackson before sweeping up his little girls, both wearing gold Lakers dresses, into his arms.
It was just as he dreamed.
"It finally felt like a big old monkey was off my back," he said. "It felt so good to be able to have this moment. For this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and everything that you've been through, it's top of the list, man."

High Five

Kobe Bryant was impressive throughout the NBA Finals, averaging 32.4 points against the Magic. His 162 total points were fourth-most all-time for an individual player in a five-game finals series.

Most Points 5-Game NBA Finals Series, All-Time
Year Player Pts PPG
'01 Allen Iverson, PHI 178 35.6
'65 Jerry West, LAL 169 33.8
'01 Shaquille O'Neal, LAL 165 33.0
'09 Kobe Bryant, LAL 162 32.4
'91 Michael Jordan, CHI 156 31.2

Bryant had come up short twice in the finals before, in 2004 with O'Neal against Detroit, and again last season against the Celtics in the renewal of the league's best rivalry. The Lakers were beaten in six games, losing the finale in Boston by 39 points, a humiliating beatdown that Bryant and his teammates had trouble shaking.
They went to training camp with one goal in mind. This was going to be their season, and except for a few minor missteps, it was.
In the locker room afterward, Bryant made sure Jackson got a champagne shower.
"He took his glasses off, threw his head back and soaked it all in because this is a special time," Bryant said. "For us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us."
After beating Utah in the first round, Los Angeles was forced to go seven games against Houston, which lost center Yao Ming to an injury. The Lakers then took care of Denver in six games, setting up a matchup with the shoot-from-their-hips Magic, who made their first visit to the finals since O'Neal took them there in 1995.
Orlando will be haunted by moments in a series that swung on a few plays and had two overtime games.
After losing Game 1 by 25 points, the Magic had their chance in Game 2 but rookie Courtney Lee missed an alley-oop layup in the final second of regulation. In Game 4, Dwight Howard clanged two free throws with 11.1 seconds, and the Magic allowed Derek Fisher to nail a game-tying 3-pointer to force OT.
Howard, the Magic's superhero center, was hardly a factor in Game 5. He scored 11 points, took just nine shots and never got a chance to get going. Rashard Lewis scored 18 points, but was only 3 of 12 on 3s for Orlando, which after living on the 3, finally died by it.
The Magic went just 8 of 27 from long range.
"I thought our guys fought hard," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But they just had an answer for everything."
Orlando was trying to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals. They had rallied to knock off Philadelphia and Boston, and then upset LeBron James and Cleveland in the conference finals. The Magic always felt they had a shot at history.
Bryant, though, wouldn't be denied his place.
Orlando's magical mystery tour came to a quick end.
"It hurts," Howard said. "It hurts a lot. But you can learn a lot from losing. Sometimes you've got to lose to win."
As teammates, Bryant and O'Neal were nearly unbeatable on the court. Off it, there were problems.
The pair won three straight titles together from 2000-02, but the Bryant-O'Neal dynasty became dysfunctional as both fought for control with Jackson publicly siding with his All-Star center. It all eventually crumbled in 2004 when O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
Bryant was blamed for the breakup, and as the years passed, his many critics said he couldn't win one by himself. He couldn't, but the addition of Gasol, who came over in a stunning trade from Memphis last season, filled O'Neal's massive void at center and gave Bryant help.
Fisher, who has four rings himself, came back to L.A. after stints in Golden State and Utah and became a steadying force. If not for his two key 3-pointers in Game 4, this series would still be going.
The Lakers were anything but The Kobe Show.
They got help from their entire roster as Odom, Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum, who missed most of last season and the playoffs with a knee injury, came through.
It all came together.
"To have the attitude of we're going to become a better defensive team, a better rebounding team and then to actually do it and to see it all happen, it feels like I'm dreaming.
"I can't believe this moment is here."
Game notes
Jackson received a congratulatory phone call from Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. ... Bryant had five assists and led the Lakers in each game.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

ISML 2009: Harlaown wins battle of TSAB mages on Sapphire 6

ISML 2009: Harlaown wins battle of TSAB mages on Sapphire 6


June 13, 2009

It was a day of upsets, blowouts, and competitors bowing out of necklace contention.

With three matches to go in the 2009 International Saimoe League Sapphire phase, Fate Testarossa Harlaown continues her march to her first-ever ISML necklace.

The defending ISML champion defeated former rival and now long-term partner Nanoha Takamachi 1549-867 in Milan. Chasing her are seven others, including still-undefeated Haruhi Suzumiya.

Suzumiya rolled to a 1771-1116 win over Sakura Kinomoto in Paris, but is sitting at the back of the pack. Kyou Fujibayashi faced a tough battle from Kotomi Ichinose in Moscow, but prevailed in a 1425-1033 victory, strengthening her bid to defend her necklace.

Shana had an easy outing, torching Nagi Sanzen'in 1861-1012 in New York. Kagami Hiiragi took down Suiseiseki 1632-1326 in London, Yuki Nagato defeated Rin Tosaka 1592-1443 in Madrid, Tomoyo Sakagami blasted Tsukasa Hiiragi 1740-1151 in Cairo and Rika Furude scored an impressive 1480-1336 victory over Konata Izumi in Bogota to sit 2nd on the table.

In other action...Maria floored Chii 1600-1158 in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Illyasviel von Einzbern prevail over Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1437-1084, Mumbai witnessed Alice Carroll defeat Remilia Scarlet 1313-1030, Mikuru Asahina confirmed a SOS Brigade sweep with a 1857-932 dusting of Index L. Prohibitorum in Sao Paulo and Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) pull off a 1393-1362 upset of Shinku in Shanghai.

Suigintou salvaged a victory for the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls with a 1658-1425 decision over Horo in Lagos, Fuko Ibuki routed Tamaki Kawazoe 1736-864 in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires witness Mai Kawasumi slash past Misuzu Kamio 1561-969, Hayate Yagami scored a thrilling 1323-1226 decision over Ayu Tsukimiya in Seoul, and Karachi witnessed Nagisa Furukawa defeat Hinagiku Katsura 1474-1323 in Karachi.

Saber tortured Shiki Ryogi ad nauseum 1868-697 in Dhaka, Mei Sunohara scored a stunning 1364-1246 upset of Hanyuu Furude in Manila, C.C. scored an eyebrow-raising 1448-1410 thriller over Rena Ryuuguu in Jakarta, Mikoto Misaka chalked up a 1247-1005 win over Amu Hinamori in Istanbul, Makoto Sawatari prevailed over Nagi 1178-1101 in Lima and Anya Earlstreim edged Kirino Chiba 1158-1105 in Tehran.

Yuuhi Katagiri scored a comprehensive win over Touhou cupcake Patchouli Knowledge in Bangkok, Santiago witnessed Ami Kawashima defeat Nayuki Minase 1436-1129, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La valliere pounded Marisa Kirisame 1540-971 in Kinshasa, Minori Kushieda defeated Vita 1414-1144 in Toronto and Taiga Aisaka confirmed a Toradora sweep with a 1947-657 brush-off of whipping girl Ayumu "OSaka" Kasuga in Algiers.

Wrapping up the action (and yet another poor match day for Touhou), Sayuri Kurata defeated Reimu Hakurei 1359-1225 in Sydney, Santo Domingo witnessed Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) chalk up a 1215-1024 victory over Aya Shameimaru and Shiori Misaka crushed Akari Mizunashi 1362-929 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Sapphire Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Maria] Chii

ARENA 02: Evangeline McDowell [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 03: Remilia Scarlet [Alice Carroll]

ARENA 04: Index Prohibitorum [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 05: [Shana] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 06: Konjiki no Yami [Shinku]

ARENA 07: Holo [Suigintou]

ARENA 08: Kawazoe Tamaki [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 09: Kamio Misuzu [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 10: [Yagami Hayate] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 11: [Katsura Hinagiku] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 12: [Saber] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 13: [Furude Hanyū] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 14: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 15: [Ryūgū Rena] C.C.

ARENA 16: Kinomoto Sakura [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 17: [Misaka Mikoto] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 18: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Ichinose Kotomi

ARENA 19: Suiseiseki [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 20: Nagi [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 21: [Anya Alstreim] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 22: [Katagiri Yūhi] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 23: [Izumi Konata] Furude Rika

ARENA 24: [Kawashima Ami] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 25: Kirisame Marisa [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 26: [Kushieda Minori] Vita

ARENA 27: [Aisaka Taiga] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 28: Takamachi Nanoha [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 29: Tōsaka Rin [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 30: [Kurata Sayuri] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 31: Shameimaru Aya [Kōzuki Kallen]

ARENA 32: [Misaka Shiori] Mizunashi Akari

ISML 2009: Harlaown takes the helm in Sapphire 5

ISML 2009: Harlaown takes the helm in Sapphire 5


June 11, 2009

Defending champion Fate Testarossa took control of the Sapphire necklace table in the 2009 International Saimoe League after five match days.

The blonde, Bardiche-holding, baddie-slashing institution crushed Marisa Kirisame 1595-819 in Seoul to finish first. In pursuit of her are ten others, including still-undefeated Haruhi Suzumiya.

The franchise leader of the SOS Brigade had no problems disposing of Ayu Tsukimiya 1783-903 in Bangkok.

Rika Furude, who dropped to second in the standings, -scored an easy 1579-805 victory over Nagi in Lima. Tomoyo Sakagami blew apart Tamaki Kawazoe 1804-710 in Sydney. Suiseiseki rolled past Shiki Ryogi 1692-782 in Algiers.

Rin Tosaka stayed in the chase with a 1524-1463 thriller over Shinku in Santo Domingo, Yuki Nagato pasted Misuzu Kamio 1520-924, Shana easily burned past Reimu Hakurei 1855-825 in Shanghai, Nanoha Takamachi didd just enough to bust Illyasviel von Einzbern 1355-1162 in Kinshasa, Kagami Hiiragi torched Anya Earlstreim 1813-846 in Tokyo and Kyou Fujibayashi routed Chii 1511-914 in Los Angeles.

It was a good day for Lucky Star's representatives. Konata Izumi jumped all over whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1835-622 in Tehran and Tsukasa Hiiragi destroyed Shiori Misaka 1624-926 in Jakarta.

Hayate the Combat Butler's crew also feasted on a perfect day. Maria pummeled Amu Hinamori 1542-796 in Paris, Nagi Sanzen'in whipped past Ami Kawashima 1427-1050 in Lima and Hinagiku Katsura put the icing on the cake with a 1596-933 beatdown of Mei Sunohara in Moscow.

Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni's team also had a flawless day. Hanyuu Furude went all out against Makoto Sawatari winning 1427-926 in Sao Paulo and Rena Ryuuguu brought out the billhook against Alice Carroll in a 1395-875 chopdown in Lagos.

In other action...Evangeline McDowell defeated Akari Mizunashi 1232-908 in Mexico City, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) chalked up a 1379-1098 victory over Nayuki Minase in Mumbai, Kirino Chiba got on the win column with a 1070-914 win over Aya Shameimaru in New York City and Holo gobbled up Vita 1504-936 in Buenos Aires.

C.C. scored a 1441-1007 win over Mikoto Misaka in Karachi, Nagisa Furukawa smacked the dango down on Index L. Prohibitorum 1572-936 in Dhaka, Kotomi Ichinose sounded out Hayate Yagami 1515-1017 in Manila, Cairo witnessed Saber score a 1372-1356 thriller over Mikuru Asahina, and Sakura Kinomoto had no problems against Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in a 1412-925 rout in London.

Mai Kawasumi slashed past Remilia Scarlet 1363-892, Sayuri Kurata wrapped up another poor performance by Touhou Project with an easy 1457-739 disposal of Patchouli Knowledge 1457-739 in Toronto, Suigintou rolled past Yuuhi Katagiri 1809-796 in Madrid, and Taiga Aisaka roared past Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1607-883 in Kqtowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Sapphire Match Day 5

ARENA 01: Anya Alstreim [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 02: [Evangeline McDowell] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 03: Konjiki no Yami [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 04: [Furude Hanyū] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 05: Shameimaru Aya [Chiba Kirino]

ARENA 06: [Shana] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 07: [Ryūgū Rena] Alice Carroll

ARENA 08: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Chii

ARENA 09: [Holo] Vita

ARENA 10: Kirisame Marisa [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 11: Misaka Mikoto [C.C.]

ARENA 12: Index Prohibitorum [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 13: Yagami Hayate [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 14: [Saber] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 15: Misaka Shiori [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 16: [Maria] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 17: Nagi [Furude Rika]

ARENA 18: [Katsura Hinagiku] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 19: [Kinomoto Sakura] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 20: Kawashima Ami [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 21: [Izumi Konata] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 22: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 23: Kamio Misuzu [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 24: Remilia Scarlet [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 25: [Takamachi Nanoha] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 26: [Kurata Sayuri] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 27: [Suiseiseki] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 28: Kushieda Minori [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 29: Katagiri Yūhi [Suigintou]

ARENA 30: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 31: [Tōsaka Rin] Shinku

ARENA 32: [Aisaka Taiga] Louise Vallière