Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

RIP, Joe Paterno

2012-01-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

latimes.com

Joe Paterno dies at 85; transformed Penn State into football power

The Ivy League-educated coach's career ended mired in scandal less than two weeks after he recorded his 409th career victory, a major-college football record.

Chris Dufresne
7:58 AM PST, January 22, 2012

Joe Paterno, the Ivy League-educated coach who transformed sleepy Penn State University into a national football power with an academics-based philosophy only to see his career end abruptly and his legacy tarnished by a child sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant coach, has died. He was 85.

Paterno died Sunday morning in State College, Pa., his family announced.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November, only days after Penn State's board of trustees fired the legendary coach in the wake of the arrest of his former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, on multiple felony counts of sexual abuse of boys.

Paterno was not implicated in a grand jury's indictment of Sandusky but was criticized for not acting more aggressively in 2002 after a graduate assistant informed Paterno he saw Sandusky sexually molest a boy in a locker room shower at Penn State. Paterno had fulfilled his legal obligation by passing the information on to his superior, athletic director Tim Curley.

Paterno's inglorious exit shocked a community that watched him rise from a young assistant to become a national icon. His Coke-bottle eyeglasses and rolled-up pant legs came to embody the school's victories-with-virtue persona.

The coach was so beloved in State College that full-size cardboard cutouts of him were common sights around town. Even an ice cream flavor, "Peachy Paterno," was named after him.

In college football's fraternity, he was known simply as "JoePa."

But on Nov. 10, 2011, five days after the scandal broke, the Penn State trustees fired Paterno three games short of completing his 46th season as head coach.

The board of trustees denied Paterno's request to retire at the end of the 2011 season. Only days after he issued a tempered response to the initial Sandusky allegations, Paterno expressed heartfelt remorse over what had happened on his watch.

"I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case," Paterno said in a statement released hours before he was fired. "I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief."

He vowed to "spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this university."

For more than six decades, Paterno had coached at Penn State after joining Rip Engle's staff in 1950 as a 23-year-old assistant. His career ended late last year less than two weeks after he recorded his 409th career victory, which moved him past former Grambling Coach Eddie Robinson on major college football's all-time list.

Paterno spent his entire career at Penn State, taking over as head coach in 1966. He was a five-time national coach of the year, won two national titles, fielded five unbeaten teams and was the first major college coach to eclipse Bear Bryant's victory record of 323.

Paterno ended his career as the all-time leader in bowl appearances (37) and bowl victories (24) and in 2006 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He is the only coach to have won all four of college football's major bowls: Rose, Fiesta, Orange and Sugar.

Voted into the same Hall of Fame class, Paterno and Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden spent years jostling for the all-time major college win record.

"Joe has done everything right," Bowden said in a 1998 interview. "He graduates his players, he's articulate and his character is impeccable, in my opinion."

During Paterno's tenure, Penn State produced 79 first-team All-America players, 33 first-round NFL draft picks and 16 National Football Foundation scholar-athletes.

The list of those who played for Paterno includes Jack Ham, John Cappelletti, Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, Shane Conlin, Matt Millen, Todd Blackledge, Kyle Brady, LaVar Arrington, Larry Johnson, Courtney Brown and Kerry Collins.

Paterno's teams were known for their toughness and selflessness. The school's blue-and-white uniforms were famously nondescript — lacking player names, decorations or logos — a Brand X quality that came to symbolize the program's team-first image.

An English literature major at Brown University in Rhode Island, Paterno was a voracious reader whose favorite sayings included Robert Browning's "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?"

Paterno was a demanding and relentless coach, a meticulous note-taker and a stickler for detail.

For years, he devised the game plans and called plays for the offense and defense.

His brother, George, once told Sports Illustrated: "Joe's the most intensely competitive man I've ever known."

Penn State was a virtual autocracy under Paterno, who ruled without much resistance in a remote college town miles removed from the big-city media glare. His practices were closed and so, mostly, were his lips.

Ron Bracken of the Centre Daily Times, based in State College, once described Paterno as "cranky, tyrannical, dictatorial, blunt, scathing, charming, beguiling, entertaining and witty, all in the span of 30 minutes."

Playing football for Paterno wasn't always easy, and sometimes it took years for players to appreciate his motives and tactics. He did not forge close relationships.

Cappelletti, a running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1973, told The Times in 1998, "I was co-captain, but I never remember approaching Joe one time to have a conversation with him."

Ham, the great Penn State linebacker and Pittsburgh Steelers star, once said, "All of us disliked Paterno. It made us closer. He was very cold to his players."

Years later, however, Ham chose Paterno to be his presenter at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ted Kwalick, a former Penn State tight end, once remarked, "The older I get, the smarter Joe Paterno is."

Paterno used his celebrity, income and pulpit as football coach to help enhance the university's reputation. He and his wife, Sue, who met when Paterno was a Penn State assistant and she was a student, donated more than $4 million to numerous Penn State projects.

"I do want to make an impact," he told The Times in 1998. "I'd hate to walk away from this after 50 years or so and look back and say, 'He had a couple good football teams.' I'd hope that apart from having some good football teams here, some people have benefited by being in the program, and were better people for having been a part of it."

Joseph Vincent Paterno, the son of second-generation Italian immigrants, was born Dec. 21, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Angelo, his father, and his mother, Florence, expected big things from the oldest of their four children. His father was a court clerk who earned his law degree at age 40.

"If we had a classroom spelling bee, I was expected to win it," Paterno said in the 1998 biography "No Ordinary Joe."

At Brooklyn Prep, Paterno was a scrappy, skinny and savvy quarterback and an inquisitive student. Summoned for military service after high school, he was training in New Jersey when World War II ended. After his 1946 discharge, he enrolled at Brown.

He played football and basketball in college and embraced academics, calling Brown an "intellectual feast." He was an accomplished defensive back — he still holds the Brown interception record with 14 — and a good enough quarterback to lead his team to an 8-1 record as a senior.

Rip Engle, Brown's coach, left the Ivy League program in 1950 to become coach at the Penn State powerhouse. He asked a young Paterno to join his staff.

Paterno postponed law school at Boston University to give coaching a try. He initially hated State College and told Engle he wouldn't return for a second season. "I'm going to go nuts in this hick town!" Paterno proclaimed.

Paterno advanced quickly on Engle's staff — "a brazen young man," one assistant said of him — taking on more and more responsibility. He used an offer from Yale in the early 1960s to leverage assurance he would succeed Engle. When Engle retired in 1965, Paterno got his Penn State job. He was 38.

He staggered into head coaching in 1966 by losing three of his first five games. His first team finished 5-5, and he opened the 1967 season with a loss to Navy.

"I wondered whether I really had it," he said of his abilities.

After a loss to UCLA on Oct. 7, 1967, Penn State went 31 straight games without a defeat.

It was during this time that Paterno went public with his "Grand Experiment" idea that emphasized academics.

"Everyone assumes if you have a great football team, there have been some sacrifices made in the area of standards," he told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Some would view the notion as holier than thou. Yet while Penn State had its share of off-the-field problems, the school never incurred major NCAA violations on Paterno's watch.

Earning football respect, though, was a battle Paterno waged for years.

His teams in 1968 and 1969 went 11-0 but finished second both seasons in the Associated Press poll.

Penn State, which played as an independent until 1993, was penalized by pollsters for facing inferior competition.

Paterno was a strong playoff proponent, and his frustration may have influenced him in 1972 to consider a $1.4-million offer to coach the NFL's New England Patriots. He accepted in principle before changing his mind.

He would remark at a 1973 commencement address, "Money alone will not make you happy. Success without honor is an unseasoned dish."

Paterno's frustration continued in 1973 when his 12-0 team ended up fifth in both major polls, the Associated Press and UPI. He bought his players championship rings and continued to press for a playoff.

His quest for a national title was finally realized in the 1982 season when a Penn State win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl pushed the Nittany Lions to No. 1. Paterno claimed his second national title four years later after a hyped win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 1993, after more than 100 years as an independent, Penn State became the 11th member of the Big Ten Conference.

In 1994, Penn State capped a 12-0 season with a Rose Bowl win over Oregon, but the Nittany Lions ended up No. 2 behind Nebraska in both the Associated Press and USA Today/CNN polls.

Competing in the Big Ten would become increasingly difficult.

Penn State endured four losing seasons in a five-year span beginning in 2000, prompting calls by some for Paterno to retire. There were websites devoted to his departure, but Paterno vowed to coach as long as his health allowed.

Paterno exacted revenge on detractors when his 2005 team finished 11-1 and defeated Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

His survivors include his wife, whom he married in 1962, and children Diana, Mary, David, Jay and Scott — all Penn State graduates — and 17 grandchildren.

chris.dufresne@latimes.com

The Day the LOLCats Died...

2012-01-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 01/18/2012

SOPA/PIPA blackout: ‘The Day the LOLcats Died’

By Maura Judkis

SOPA blackout day is a dark day — literally. With a black bar across Google’s logo and other sites turning their robust user-driven sites into a single black page. One team, though, avoided donning black, and chose instead to sing out its angst with this viral video “The Day the LolCats Died.”

They can take our lives, but they can’t take our LOLcats! That’s the message from Seattle Against SOPA, which sings the potential effects of SOPA set to the tune of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”
Seattle Against SOPA isn’t the first to spread awareness of the bill through song. Last month, Leah Kaufman (who created “I Got a Crush on Obama”) and British rapper Dan Bull wrote songs about SOPA, firewalls, and Internet freedom. Watch here.

SOPA and PIPA...

2012-01-18T10:39:00.001-08:00

Readers weigh in on SOPA, PIPA

By Brett Molina, USA TODAY

Updated 21m ago

CAPTION

Getty Images

Judging from the responses of readers and through social networks such as Twitter, reactions to the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act seem stacked firmly against the two pieces of proposed legislation.On Twitter, several trending topics tied to SOPA and PIPA have dominated, including End Piracy, Tell Congress and #DayWithoutWikipedia, which highlights the 24-hour blackout of website Wikipedia in protest to both anti-piracy bills.

USA TODAY readers have weighed in as well, voicing their opinions on SOPA and PIPA. Here are a few reader comments:
Allan Ranusch: "Wealthy corporations and unlimited contributions trumps freedom of speech."
D.j. Allyn: "Once again, Congress is trying to fix something that isn't broke, instead of dealing with what they SHOULD be dealing with."
@dodgr007: Old Spanish proverb: "Sopa isn't soap, ropa isn't rope & butter is mantiquilla" & censorship is fascism.
Chris Parker: "This bill is god awful. There's no reasonable "other side" to the argument. Yes piracy is an issue and has been for longer than the internet has been around. It's not the supposed intent of this bill that's the issue, it's the scope and methods with which they plan to enforce it. Government should not censor the internet by legally being able to pursue ISP companies like Time Warner to block traffic, period."
Gregg Lebovitz: "These bills do not solve any problems, weaken our position as a technology leader, and are driven by some an entertainment business who is failing their customers and trying to use the courts to increase profits. We are fed up with you."
Dave Smith: "Yep, when republicans and democrats came to the table, we got the Patriot Act. Why do we even question their abilities to protect the constitution? And, the bill allows the government to go after all ISPs, not just sites selling pirated materials. Where is George Orwell?"

ISML 2012: Nomination Period Results

2012-01-11T17:39:00.001-08:00

The Nomination Period lasted from 1 January to 8 January. Over 5000 valid ballots were received.
The following characters advance to the Preliminary Round.

Nova Division

No.	Name	Series	Ballots
1	Akemi Homura	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	923
2	Kashiwazaki Sena	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	858
3	Yuzuriha Inori	Guilty Crown	813
4	Hasegawa Kobato	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	790
5	Kanzaki H. Aria	Hidan no Aria	776
6	Makise Kurisu	Steins;Gate	754
7	Gasai Yuno	Mirai Nikki	687
8	Honma Meiko	AnoHana	601
9	Fear Kubrick	C³ - Cube x Cursed x Curious	592
10	Kaname Madoka	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	580
11	Mikazuki Yozora	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	558
12	Sakura Kyōko	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	553
13	Tōwa Erio	Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko	547
14	Tomoe Mami	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	458
15	Ika-Musume	Shinryaku! Ika-Musume	403
16	Shionji Yūko (Alice)	Kami-sama no Memochō	385
17	Konoe Subaru	Mayo Chiki!	379
18	Matsumae Ohana	Hanasaku Iroha	348
19	Shiina Mayuri	Steins;Gate	348
20	Minato Tomoka	Ro-Kyu-Bu!	343
21	Elucia de Lute Irma	Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai	328
22	Irisviel von Einzbern	Fate/Zero	301
23	Hoshii Miki	THE iDOLM@STER	285
24	Toshinō Kyōko	YuruYuri	284
25	Haqua du Lot Herminium	Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai	282
26	Mine Riko	Hidan no Aria	272
27	Shiomiya Shiori	Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai	270
28	Yarizui Sen	Ben-Tō	269
29	Kirishima Shōko	Baka to Test to Shōkanjū	262
30	Miki Sayaka	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	255
31	Taneshima Poplar	WORKING!!	244
32	Ayuzawa Misaki	Kaichō wa Maid-sama!	231
33	Himeji Mizuki	Baka to Test to Shōkanjū	229
34	Kasugano Sora	Yosuga no Sora	229
35	Suzutsuki Kanade	Mayo Chiki!	225
36	Hotogi Shirayuki	Hidan no Aria	224
37	Reki	Hidan no Aria	223
38	Shimada Minami	Baka to Test to Shōkanjū	220
39	Oikawa Tsurara	Nurarihyon no Mago	211
40	Yune	Ikoku Meiro no Croisée	210
41	Shinomiya Ayase	Guilty Crown	199
42	Shinonono Hōki	IS	199

No.	Name	Series	Ballots
43	Nakagawa Kanon	Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai	195
44	Akaza Akari	YuruYuri	195
45	Dalian	Dantalian no Shoka	194
46	Ueno Kirika	C³ - Cube x Cursed x Curious	193
47	Amaha Miu	Mashiro-iro Symphony	190
48	Sena Airi	Mashiro-iro Symphony	189
49	Hakamada Hinata	Ro-Kyu-Bu!	187
50	Kaga Rin	Usagi Drop	182
51	Yamada Aoi	WORKING!!	178
52	Horizon Ariadust (P-01s)	Kyōkai Senjō no Horizon	168
53	Anjō Naruko	AnoHana	165
54	Astarotte Ygvar	Astarotte no Omocha!	162
55	Kisaragi Chihaya	THE iDOLM@STER	162
56	Takahara Ayumi	Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai	157
57	Tsurugi Minko	Hanasaku Iroha	153
58	Kunieda Aoi	Beelzebub	150
59	Shinonome Nano	Nichijō	148
60	Inui Sana	Mashiro-iro Symphony	145
61	Takakura Himari	Mawaru-Penguindrum	136
62	Tsugumi	Guilty Crown	135
63	Ayase Chihaya	Chihayafuru	133
64	Inami Mahiru	WORKING!!	133
65	Morishima Haruka	Amagami SS	127
66	Wendy Marvell	FAIRY TAIL	127
67	Shinonome Hakase	Nichijō	126
68	Oshimizu Nako	Hanasaku Iroha	125
69	Amami Haruka	THE iDOLM@STER	125
70	Uryū Minene	Mirai Nikki	124
71	Laura Bodewig	IS	121
72	Nanasaki Ai	Amagami SS	115
Auto	Tachibana Kanade	Angel Beats!	-
Auto	Gokō Ruri Kuroneko	Ore no Imōto	-
Auto	Eucliwood Hellscythe	Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?	-
Auto	Yui	Angel Beats!	-
Auto	Nakamura Yuri	Angel Beats!	-
Auto	Charlotte Dunois	IS	-
Auto	Victorique de Blois	GOSICK	-
Auto	Kōsaka Kirino	Ore no Imōto	-
Auto	Kuroi Mato	Black★Rock Shooter	-
Auto	Aragaki Ayase	Ore no Imōto	-
Auto	Haruna	Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?	-
Auto	Iwasawa Asami	Angel Beats!	-

Stella Division

No.	Name	Series	Ballots
1	Louise Vallière	Zero no Tsukaima	489
2	Sanzen'in Nagi	Hayate no Gotoku!	487
3	Tōsaka Rin	Fate/stay night	443
4	C.C.	Code Geass	390
5	Furukawa Nagisa	CLANNAD	370
6	Sakagami Tomoyo	CLANNAD	362
7	Fujibayashi Kyō	CLANNAD	359
8	Holo	Spice and Wolf	317
9	Shirai Kuroko	Toaru Majutsu no Index	316
10	Kotobuki Tsumugi	K-ON!	313
11	Izumi Konata	Lucky ☆ Star	284
12	Erza Scarlet	FAIRY TAIL	282
13	Index Librorum Prohibitorum	Toaru Majutsu no Index	277
14	Saten Ruiko	Toaru Majutsu no Index	267
15	Fate Testarossa	Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha	266
16	Hiiragi Kagami	Lucky ☆ Star	256
17	Tainaka Ritsu	K-ON!	253
18	Illyasviel von Einzbern	Fate/stay night	251
19	Nymph	Sora no Otoshimono	236
20	Lucy Heartfilia	FAIRY TAIL	221
21	Ikaros	Sora no Otoshimono	218
22	Ichinose Kotomi	CLANNAD	209
23	Last Order	Toaru Majutsu no Index	201
24	Kagura	Gintama	180
25	Asahina Mikuru	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	177
26	Hirasawa Ui	K-ON!	173
27	Takamachi Nanoha	Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha	173
28	Ibuki Fūko	CLANNAD	163
29	Furude Rika	Higurashi no Naku Koro ni	163
30	Konjiki no Yami	To LOVE-Ru	161
31	Kinomoto Sakura	Cardcaptor Sakura	157
32	Kuronuma Sawako	Kimi ni Todoke	157
33	Alice	Pandora Hearts	139
34	Oshino Shinobu	Bakemonogatari	136
35	Shiina Mafuyu	Seitokai no Ichizon	136
36	Hecate	Shakugan no Shana	132
37	Suigintō	Rozen Maiden	130
38	Kushieda Minori	Toradora!	130
39	Kamio Misuzu	AIR	126
40	Haibara Ai	Detective Conan	124
41	Suiseiseki	Rozen Maiden	124
42	Ryūgū Rena	Higurashi no Naku Koro ni	115

No.	Name	Series	Ballots
43	Kawashima Ami	Toradora!	113
44	Ryōgi Shiki	Kara no Kyōkai	111
45	Shinku	Rozen Maiden	109
46	Chrome Dokuro	Katekyō Hitman Reborn!	107
47	Enma Ai	Jigoku Shōjo	106
48	Sōryū Asuka Langley	Neon Genesis Evangelion	106
49	Ayanami Rei	Neon Genesis Evangelion	103
50	Kawasumi Mai	Kanon	101
51	Hanato Kobato	Kobato.	100
52	Yin	DARKER THAN BLACK	99
53	Uiharu Kazari	Toaru Majutsu no Index	94
54	Kuchiki Rukia	BLEACH	92
55	Hiiragi Tsukasa	Lucky ☆ Star	92
56	Maria	Hayate no Gotoku!	88
57	Hinamori Amu	Shugo Chara!	88
58	Okazaki Ushio	CLANNAD	84
59	Hoshina Utau	Shugo Chara!	77
60	Yūki Mikan	To LOVE-Ru	71
61	Hyūga Hinata	NARUTO	69
62	Hanekawa Tsubasa	Bakemonogatari	68
63	Kanzaki Kaori	Toaru Majutsu no Index	67
64	Sakurano Kurimu	Seitokai no Ichizon	66
65	Kotegawa Yui	To LOVE-Ru	65
66	Lala Satalin Deviluke	To LOVE-Ru	65
67	Tsukimiya Ayu	Kanon	62
68	Evangeline A.K. McDowell	Mahō Sensei Negima!	62
69	Kōzuki Kallen	Code Geass	61
70	Saginomiya Isumi	Hayate no Gotoku!	60
71	Chii	Chobits	59
72	Isayama Yomi	Ga-Rei: Zero	59
Auto	Misaka Mikoto	Toaru Majutsu no Index	-
Auto	Nagato Yuki	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	-
Auto	Nakano Azusa	K-ON!	-
Auto	Shana	Shakugan no Shana	-
Auto	Aisaka Taiga	Toradora!	-
Auto	Katsura Hinagiku	Hayate no Gotoku!	-
Auto	Akiyama Mio	K-ON!	-
Auto	Suzumiya Haruhi	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	-
Auto	Senjōgahara Hitagi	Bakemonogatari	-
Auto	Sengoku Nadeko	Bakemonogatari	-
Auto	Hirasawa Yui	K-ON!	-
Auto	Saber	Fate/stay night	-

Welcome to 2012.

2012-01-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue.

ISML 2011: Red-Letter Day for Lelouch Lamperouge

2011-12-26T19:57:00.001-08:00

ISML 2011: Red-Letter Day for Lelouch Lamperouge

By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
December 26, 2011

The 2011 Lapis Scepter, given to the winner of the 2011 International Saimoe League Male Tournament, goes to Code Geass's very own Lelouch Lamperouge.

Lamperouge won the Scepter after defeating Hideyoshi Kinoshita 2155-2076.

"I have to thank, first and foremost, C.C. for being the flagship moekko that she is," Lamperouge said at a victory luncheon in Tokyo. "Without C.C., Code Geass would lack any relevance whatsoever. But there are so many others I would also like to thank on my campaign team. There are too many to count.

"I accept this scepter as a symbol of my hard work as the star of Code Geass and wish the contestants who will participate in the 2012 International Saimoe League all the best."

In the third-place magtch, Gintoki Sakata defeated Keima Katsuragi 2161-1997. Kyon was fifth after routing Izaya Orihara 2546-1616. Edward Elric was seventh after burning past Tomoya Okazaki 2214-1937. Accelerator finished ninth after defeating Koyomi Araragi 2241-1714 and Yuzuru Otonashi was 11th after defeating Kakashi Hatake 2468-1672.

There were a number of other exhibitions that took place.

While Homura Akemi did win the 2011 Anizone Best Moe Tournament, she will have some work to do if she is to qualify for the 2012 International Saimoe League after dropping an exhibition to Ruri Gokou to the tune of 2130-1870. Astarotte Ygvar did well to finish in the top eight of the 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament, but a 1856-1514 defeat to Kyouko Toshinou might probe problematic when the preliminaries officially take place in January.

In other exhibition results, Hideki Hinata routed Naoi Ayato 2352-1334, Youichi Hiruma crushed Kou Kitamura 1857-876, Keehi Mihael defeated Trancy Alois 1767-1581 and Terumi Afuro cruised past Ichirouta Kazemaru 1523-836.

With this, the 2011 International Saimoe League season is officially over, and the nomination period for the 2012 season will be in the works next month. Stay tuned to the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue and bongaboi.deviantart.com for continuing coverage of the International Saimoe League.

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Match Day 9

2011-12-26T19:44:00.001-08:00

1
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 2076
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 2155

2
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2161
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 1997

3
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2546
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 1616

4
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 1937
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2214

5
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2241
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 1714

6
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 1672
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2468

7
Hinata Hideki
(Angel Beats!) 2352
Naoi Ayato
(Angel Beats!) 1334

8
Hiruma Yōichi
(Eyeshield 21) 1857
Kitamura Kō
(Cross Game) 876

9
Alois Trancy
(Kuroshitsuji) 1581
Mihael Keehl
(Death Note) 1767

10
Akemi Homura
(Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica) 1870
Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)
(Ore no Imōto) 2130

11
Toshinō Kyōko
(YuruYuri) 1856
Astarotte Ygvar
(Astarotte no Omocha!) 1514

12
Afuro Terumi
(Inazuma Eleven) 1523
Kazemaru Ichirōta
(Inazuma Eleven) 836

Write-up forthcoming.

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 9

2011-12-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
ARENA 01: Kinoshita Hideyoshi [Lelouch Lamperouge] by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

3rd Place Match:
ARENA 02: Sakata Gintoki [Katsuragi Keima] by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

5th Place Match:
ARENA 03: [Kyon] Orihara Izaya by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

7th Place Match:
ARENA 04: [Okazaki Tomoya] Edward Elric by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

9th Place Match:
ARENA 05: Accelerator [Araragi Koyomi] by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

11th Place Match:
ARENA 06: Hatake Kakashi [Otonashi Yuzuru] by >=1600
Over/Under: 4500
Under

ARENA 07: [Hinata Hideki] Naoi Ayato by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: [Hiruma Yōichi] Kitamura Kō by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 09: [Alois Trancy] Mihael Keehl by >=1200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 10: [Akemi Homura] Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko) by >=1800
Over/Under: 7000
Under

ARENA 11: Toshinō Kyōko [Astarotte Ygvar] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 12: Afuro Terumi [Kazemaru Ichirōta] by >=800
Over/Under: 3000
Under

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Match Day 8

2011-12-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

1
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 2381
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 2216

2
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2211
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 2525

3
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2180
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2523

4
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 2279
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 2188

5
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2060
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2528

6
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 1988
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 2264

7
Shinomiya Ayase
(Guilty Crown) 2310
Uryū Minene
(Mirai Nikki) 1782

8
Rokujō Miharu
(Nabari no Ō) 2190
Takuto Kira
(Full Moon wo Sagashite) 1383

9
Aoyagi Ritsuka
(Loveless) 1905
Shindō Shūichi
(Gravitation) 1329

10
Aizawa Yūichi
(Kanon) 1652
Sunohara Yōhei
(CLANNAD) 2447

11
Afuro Terumi
(Inazuma Eleven) 1769
Kiyama Hiroto
(Inazuma Eleven) 1038

12
Fubuki Shirō
(Inazuma Eleven) 1232
Kazemaru Ichirōta
(Inazuma Eleven) 1540

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 8

2011-12-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

ARENA 01: [Kinoshita Hideyoshi] Katsuragi Keima by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 02: Sakata Gintoki [Lelouch Lamperouge] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 03: Otonashi Yuzuru [Kyon] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 04: [Orihara Izaya] Araragi Koyomi by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 05: [Archer] Roy Mustang by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 06: [Sebastian Michaelis] Hibari Kyōya by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 07: [Shinomiya Ayase] Uryū Minene by >=1500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: Rokujō Miharu [Takuto Kira] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 09: Aoyagi Ritsuka [Shindō Shūichi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 10: Aizawa Yūichi [Sunohara Yōhei] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 11: [Afuro Terumi] Kiyama Hiroto by >=1000
Over/Under: 2000
UNder

ARENA 12: Fubuki Shirō [Kazemaru Ichirōta] by >=1000
Over/Under: 3000
Under

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Match Day 7

2011-12-22T02:28:00.001-08:00

1
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2696
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 1835

2
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2096
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 2658

3
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 2600
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 2076

4
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2427
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2318

5
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2582
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 1988

6
Mikazuki Yozora
(Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) 1725
Hasegawa Kobato
(Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) 2549

7
Inui Sana
(Mashiroiro Symphony) 1514
Amaha Miu
(Mashiroiro Symphony) 2181

8
Hakurei Reimu
(Tōhō Project) 1418
Hatsune Miku
(VOCALOID) 3244

9
Negi Springfield
(Mahō Sensei Negima!) 1997
Hyūga Natsume
(Gakuen Alice) 1756

10
Hotori Tadase
(Shugo Chara!) 1712
Haninozuka Mitsukuni
(Ōran High School Host Club) 2129

11
Fubuki Shirō
(Inazuma Eleven) 1658
Tsurugi Kyōsuke
(Inazuma Eleven) 1051

12
Kazemaru Ichirōta
(Inazuma Eleven) 1609
Gōenji Shūya
(Inazuma Eleven) 1114

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 7

2011-12-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

ARENA 01: Sakata Gintoki [Orihara Izaya] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 02: Otonashi Yuzuru [Lelouch Lamperouge] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 03: [Okazaki Tomoya] Hatake Kakashi by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 04: [Edward Elric] Accelerator by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 05: Roy Mustang [Sebastian Michaelis] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

SPECIAL MATCHES:
ARENA 06: Mikazuki Yozora [Hasegawa Kobato] by >=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 07: Inui Sana [Amaha Miu] by >=1200
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 08: [Hakurei Reimu] Hatsune Miku by <=1500
Over/Under: 5900
Over

ARENA 09: [Negi Springfield] Hyūga Natsume by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 10: Hotori Tadase [Haninozuka Mitsukuni] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 11: [Fubuki Shirō] Tsurugi Kyōsuke by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 12: [Kazemaru Ichirōta] Gōenji Shūya by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament, Match Day 6

2011-12-19T20:49:00.001-08:00

1
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 2425
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 1842

2
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 1953
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 2152

3
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 1848
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 2150

4
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2328
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 1867

5
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2233
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 1831

6
Sōma Hatsuharu
(Fruits Basket) 1642
Ōtori Kyōya
(Ōran High School Host Club) 1691

7
Kamijō Tōma
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2539
Okabe Rintarō
(Steins;Gate) 1446

8
Saten Ruiko
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2258
Shionji Yūko (Alice)
(Kami-sama no Memochō) 1775

9
Afuro Terumi
(Inazuma Eleven) 1804
Kirino Ranmaru
(Inazuma Eleven) 726

10
Kiyama Hiroto
(Inazuma Eleven) 1820
Kidō Yūto
(Inazuma Eleven) 615

Kim Jong-Il is DEAD.

2011-12-19T13:33:00.001-08:00

After Kim Jong-il's death, what next for the people of North Korea?

State media said leader died of a heart attack on a train, and swiftly hailed his third son, Kim Jong-un, as the 'great successor'

Tania Branigan in Beijing and Justin McCurry in Tokyo
guardian.co.uk, Monday 19 December 2011 15.53 EST
Article history

North Koreans lament the death of Kim Jong-il, who state media said died on Saturday of ‘overwork’. Photograph: Kyodo News/AP

They howled and whimpered and scrubbed raw eyes with fists. They flailed their arms in grief and marched in their thousands to the capital's landmarks. But no one, outside of North Korea, really knows what North Koreans felt at news of Kim Jong-il's death.

There was shock, of course. Some perhaps wept from sorrow for their Dear Leader, some from sorrow for themselves. Some cried for fear that inadequate public anguish might damn them, and some from anxiety about what lay ahead. Kim veiled his country throughout his life and uncertainty shrouded his death.

State media said he died at 8.30am on Saturday, felled by a heart attack "due to physical and mental overwork", as he travelled by train on one of his innumerable inspection visits. There had been not a whisper of anything unusual in the two days before the announcement.

The official news agency KCNA swiftly hailed his third son, Kim Jong-un, as the "great successor" and "the eminent leader of the military and the party". The young man, thought to be just 28, has been groomed as heir since his father's apparent stroke in 2008.

The 69-year-old left his son a nuclear-armed but impoverished country where food is scarce and human rights abuses rife, and his unexpected death sent a chill far beyond the 24 million inhabitants of North Korea. Politicians in Washington, Seoul, Tokyo and beyond weighed the prospects of a third generation of this communist dynasty with the risk of regional instability. Concerns were underscored by South Korean media reports on Monday that the North had fired short-range missiles, although the Yonhap news agency said the tests had been conducted before the death announcement. The defence ministry in Seoul did not comment.

The South's military was already on high alert, while a spokesman for the Japanese prime minister said he had set up a crisis management team.

Officials in the Obama administration, due to hold talks with the North this week and rumoured to be pondering an aid-for-disarmament deal, said it was closely monitoring developments. The UK foreign secretary, William Hague, said in a statement it was a difficult time for the North Korean people, but could prove a turning point. He urged the country to take steps towards the resumption of the stalled six-party denuclearisation talks.

It was left to China, the North's chief ally, to lament Kim's passing. "We feel incomparably anguished, and offer our deepest condolences to the entire North Korean people," the top leaders said in a statement. They described Kim as a great leader and close friend of China, adding that they were sure the Korean people would unify under his son's leadership.

It was a rare encomium. In the wider world Kim was mocked as much as reviled. That is hardly surprising: the claims of his propaganda machine grew ever more extravagant over the years. But those who dismissed him – as a crazed and erratic nuke-toting maverick; as a "pygmy" (George Bush's word); as a pompadoured, platform-shoed buffoon, in the image by Team America perhaps most widely disseminated – underestimated the man.

By turning his failing country into a nuclear state, he reinforced its pariah status, but wielded an influence he could never have otherwise achieved. There was logic in the threats to turn Seoul to ashes, as there was in the shelling and missile launches and nuclear tests. "He left the country with the ultimate deterrent. He ensured it won't be Iraq and won't be Libya," said John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University in South Korea, on Monday.

Behind the oversized, tinted glasses "was a man of some skill", said James Hoare, the former British charge d'affaires in Pyongyang. Foreigners who negotiated with him thought him sharp and knowledgeable, good at mastering briefs, but willing to refer to aides when necessary.

"He was competing in a hostile world and his solution might not be yours or mine, but his country is still there and the elite has survived – which is really what they are concerned with," said Hoare.

The clownish image was still less fair to the people he ruled with an iron grip. Observers have called the country the world's only Stalinist theme park, but there was nothing entertaining about it. Around 200,000 North Koreans are believed to be in prison camps thanks to the system of collective punishment.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, described the country as "a human rights hell on Earth". "Kim Jong-il ruled through fear generated by systematic and pervasive human rights abuses including arbitrary executions, torture, forced labour and strict limits on freedom of speech and association," he said in a statement.

North Korea has long dismissed such criticisms as the jealous and destructive lies of capitalist aggressors. But experts say even its vast propaganda and state security apparatus has struggled to counter increasing domestic cynicism about the regime, which has proved incapable of meeting its people's basic needs. While Kim enjoyed sipping cognac and dining on sushi, his country has struggled with food shortages since the devastating famine of the 1990s, in which hundreds of thousands of people died.

"When the history of North Korea is written I think [his time] is going to be a pretty dark chapter," said Delury. "It was doing well in the 50s; it was starting to have problems in the 1970s, but not totally; it was grinding down in the 80s before the end of the socialist block. Then right after Kim Il-sung dies, it goes into freefall. You go from the paternal rule of Kim Il-sung to famine in the space of a couple of years. "To some extent it was the cards handed him … [But] in the end that's going to be his legacy."

Kim's efforts to transform foreign relations did better. Yet dramatic improvements in dealings with the South, the US and Japan were soon reversed by his own decisions and those of foreign leaders.

In North Korea's media, of course, there was only gratitude and sorrow. "It is the biggest loss for the party … our people and the nation's biggest sadness," a tearful, black-clad anchorwoman told viewers as she announced Kim's death on television. "At this moment of greatest sorrow and grief, people feel as if the sky is falling down. The hearts of all of them are now filled with stronger faith in victory, optimism and solemn pledge," KCNA said.

Footage showed anguished citizens hammering at pavements in Pyongyang; sobbing schoolchildren marshalled into public view; soldiers falling to their knees with undiluted grief. "When I see the videos I certainly don't believe in the first image of a total outpouring of grief. But nor do I believe that it is totally an act and they want to overthrow the government," said Delury.

Associated Press reported that people in the streets of Pyongyang began crying when they learned of Kim's death. Staff at the Koryo hotel, which usually accommodates foreigners, were in tears. In Beijing, waitresses at a North Korean restaurant wept hysterically and fled the room on learning the news.

Korea specialist Dr Leonid Petrov, of the University of Sydney, said that while many North Koreans would be genuinely distraught, "it will not be as dramatic as it was in 1994 when Kim Il-sung died … political cynicism is growing." He predicted a long and "extremely convenient" state of mourning. Kim's death comes days before the beginning of 2012, which the regime has long heralded as a year of glory. "[Now] they don't need to honour the promise that North Korea will become a strong, powerful and prosperous state … The population will be required to work hard for long hours with very few celebrations of Kim Il-sung's centenary," Petrov added.

KCNA said Kim Jong-il's bier would rest at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang – where his father's embalmed body is displayed – before the funeral on 28 December. A national memorial service the following day, ending the official mourning period, will be marked with the firing of guns, the sounding of sirens and a three-minute silence.

But already the transition of power has begun. "The Korean people have suffered the great loss," KCNA said on its website, "but are decisively rising up as they have Kim Jong-un, great successor to the revolutionary cause … prominent leader of the party and the army and people [of North Korea] who is standing in the vanguard of the Korean revolution. He is another great person produced by Korea who is identical to Kim Jong-il."

While the Dear Leader was groomed for well over a decade before his succession, Kim Jong-un's elevation has been far more abrupt. "I think the North has done quite a bit to accelerate the succession process," said Daniel Pinkston of the International Crisis Group. "So I think at least in the short term they will coalesce around the next generation of leadership and watch and see whether his son will be able to consolidate power."

The official death notice stressed that Kim Jong-il had continued his father's legacy, and his son would do the same. That reflected the country's Confucian culture, but also the extent to which the regime still bases its authority on Kim Il-sung's. The country's founder remains "eternal president" 17 years after his death.

"Kim Jong-un's leadership provides a sure guarantee for creditably carrying to completion the revolutionary cause … started by Kim Il-sung and led by Kim Jong-il to victory," said the notice.

The Dear Leader did not wield the same power as his father, essentially ruling with the army, and experts predict that Kim Jong-un's authority will be even more contingent on the actions of the military and political elite. His aunt and her husband – who, like the "young general", were promoted last year – are expected to be key. Some wonder if his uncle is a potential challenger; others see him as a protector.

Prof Jennifer Lind, an expert on the regime at Dartmouth College, noted: "We don't know anything about how people in North Korea – the political and military elites – think about [Kim]. There is always a chance of unhappy people who might contest his succession.

"But that same group of people are going to be pretty afraid of unleashing any chaos or instability that might lead to collapse and reunification – which they would pretty much equate with a death sentence for themselves."

While some warned the new leader might sabre-rattle to help establish himself, Petrov said Pyongyang could instead seek to engage with the international community. "They will try to use it to resume negotiations with the US, saying there is a new leader so why not go and talk," he predicted.

In the short term, the country is shutting down even further. Foreign delegations will not be accepted during the mourning period. "Come back next year," said staff at the Beijing embassy, when asked if visas were available.

Any hopes that Kim's death could spark grassroots political change are wildly optimistic. There is no civil society and communications are tightly monitored. Instead, groups with contacts in Pyongyang said they were expecting an even greater clampdown on communications.

"We're expecting some form of lockdown on communications and travel in the immediate period as North Korean authorities move to stabilise the situation and prepare for mourning," said Geoffrey See, managing director at Chosun Exchange, a Singapore-based non-profit group that promotes academic exchanges with North Korea.

The Daily NK, an online news service that monitors North Korea from Seoul, said the regime had moved quickly to stifle potential unrest, including the closure of markets and the imposition of a curfew in Musan, a city in North Hamkyung province near the border with China. It quoted sources as saying that local workers and party officials were ordering residents not to leave their homes, adding that security agencies had posted agents on the streets and in alleyways "to control civilian movements".

"Not even children are allowed to go out," one source said.

Kim's sudden death, it added, had caught people by surprise. "Nobody had the slightest idea about [his] death even right before they saw the broadcast," another source said. "You can hear the sound of wailing outside."

BoBA ISML 2011 Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 6

2011-12-18T13:15:00.001-08:00

ARENA 01: [Kinoshita Hideyoshi] Edward Elric by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: Okazaki Tomoya [Katsuragi Keima] by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 03: [Sebastian Michaelis] Hatake Kakashi by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: [Accelerator] Roy Mustang by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 05: Archer [Hibari Kyōya] by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 06: Sōma Hatsuharu [Ōtori Kyōya] by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 07: [Kamijō Tōma] Okabe Rintarō by >=900
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: [Saten Ruiko] Shionji Yūko (Alice) by >=1900
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 09: Afuro Terumi [Kirino Ranmaru] by >=900
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 10: [Kiyama Hiroto] Kidō Yūto by >=900
Over/Under: 3500
Under

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament, Match Day 5

2011-12-17T00:19:00.001-08:00

1
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2798
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 1913

2
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 2517
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 1986

3
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2497
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2306

4
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2018
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 2817

5
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2843
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 2009

6
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 2338
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2285

7
Sanya V. Litvyak
(Strike Witches) 1606
Chaos
(Sora no Otoshimono) 2360

8
Dark Mousy
(D.N.Angel) 2498
Chrono
(Chrono Crusade) 1232

9
Chiba Mamoru
(Bishōjo Senshi Sailormoon) 747
Kuroba Kaito
(Detective Conan) 3583

10
Akagi Shigeru
(Akagi) 608
Shindō Hikaru
(Hikaru no Go) 3225

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 5

2011-12-15T15:47:00.001-08:00

ARENA 01: [Sakata Gintoki] Hatake Kakashi by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: Orihara Izaya [Sebastian Michaelis] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 03: [Otonashi Yuzuru] Roy Mustang by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: Accelerator [Lelouch Lamperouge] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 05: [Kyon] Hibari Kyōya by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 06: Araragi Koyomi [Archer] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

SPECIAL MATCHES:
ARENA 07: [Sanya V. Litvyak] Chaos by >=1500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: [Dark Mousy] Chrono by >=1500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 09: [Chiba Mamoru] Kuroba Kaito by >=1500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 10: Akagi Shigeru [Shindō Hikaru] by >=1500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament, Match Day 4

2011-12-14T19:30:00.001-08:00

1
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2161
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 2365

2
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2622
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 1739

3
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 2359
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 1983

4
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 2443
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2006

5
Feldt Grace
(Mobile Suit Gundam 00) 1776
Mikawa Fumika
(Shigofumi) 1923

6
Alicia Melchiott
(Senjō no Valkyria) 2383
Shirogane Naoto
(Persona 4) 1486

7
Char Aznable
(Mobile Suit Gundam) 1746
Kenshiro
(Fist of the North Star) 1280

8
Saotome Alto
(Macross Frontier) 1192
Aikawa Ayumu
(Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?) 2984

9
Lancer (Diarmuid)
(Fate/Zero) 1457
Gilgamesh
(Fate/Zero) 2645

10
Vincent Valentine
(Final Fantasy VII) 1244
Sephiroth
(Final Fantasy VII) 2330

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 4

2011-12-13T12:00:00.001-08:00

ARENA 01: Kyon [Kinoshita Hideyoshi] by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: [Edward Elric] Hibari Kyōya by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 03: Okazaki Tomoya [Araragi Koyomi] by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: [Katsuragi Keima] Archer by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

SPECIAL MATCHES:
ARENA 05: [Feldt Grace] Mikawa Fumika by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 06: [Alicia Melchiott] Shirogane Naoto by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 07: [Char Aznable] Kenshiro by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: Saotome Alto [Aikawa Ayumu] by >=600
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 09: Lancer (Diarmuid) [Gilgamesh] by >=600
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 10: Vincent Valentine [Sephiroth] by >=600
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Match Day 3

2011-12-12T22:48:00.001-08:00

1
Kuchiki Byakuya
(BLEACH) 1974
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 3290

2
Uchiha Itachi
(NARUTO) 1897
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 3345

3
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2947
Ayasaki Hayate
(Hayate no Gotoku!) 2255

4
Death the Kid
(Soul Eater) 1863
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 2758

5
Gray Fullbuster
(FAIRY TAIL) 2196
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 2727

6
Kurosaki Ichigo
(BLEACH) 2336
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 2730

7
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 2503
Heiwajima Shizuo
(Durarara!!) 2468

8
Uzumaki Naruto
(NARUTO) 2019
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2936

9
Koizumi Itsuki
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2288
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2827

10
Okita Sōgo
(Gintama) 2226
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 2708

11
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 2431
Hei
(DARKER THAN BLACK) 2145

12
Alphonse Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2159
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 2644

13
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2750
Usui Takumi
(Kaichō wa Maid-sama!) 2181

14
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2505
L Lawliet
(Death Note) 2504

15
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2931
Monkey D. Luffy
(ONE PIECE) 2129

16
Oz Vessalius
(Pandora Hearts) 1535
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 3391

17
Ochibana Ame
(Denpa teki na Kanojo) 1935
Amano Tōko
(Bungaku Shōjo) 1785

18
Reinhard von Lohengramm
(Legend of the Galactic Heroes) 1545
Yang Wenli
(Legend of the Galactic Heroes) 1015

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 3

2011-12-11T19:04:00.001-08:00

ARENA 01: Kuchiki Byakuya [Kyon] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 02: Uchiha Itachi [Kinoshita Hideyoshi] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 03: Edward Elric [Ayasaki Hayate] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 04: [Death the Kid] Hibari Kyōya by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 05: Gray Fullbuster [Okazaki Tomoya] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 06: Kurosaki Ichigo [Araragi Koyomi] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 07: [Katsuragi Keima] Heiwajima Shizuo by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 08: Uzumaki Naruto [Archer] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 09: [Koizumi Itsuki] Sakata Gintoki by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 10: [Okita Sōgo] Hatake Kakashi by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 11: Orihara Izaya [Hei] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 12: Alphonse Elric [Sebastian Michaelis] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 13: [Otonashi Yuzuru] Usui Takumi by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 14: [Roy Mustang] L Lawliet by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 15: [Accelerator] Monkey D. Luffy by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 16: Oz Vessalius [Lelouch Lamperouge] by >=750
Over/Under: 4800
Over

SPECIAL MATCHES
ARENA 17: Ochibana Ame [Amano Tōko] by >=750
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 18: [Reinhard von Lohengramm] Yang Wenli by >=550
Over/Under: 4000
Over

2011 Heisman Trophy Results

2011-12-10T18:08:00.001-08:00

Heisman Trophy 2011 Voting Results: Robert Griffin III Edges Andrew Luck

Dec109:02pby Brian Floyd

Robert Griffin III took home the 2011 Heisman Trophy, capping an impressive year at Baylor. Griffin came on strong to end the season, stringing together highlight reel plays and impressive stats throughout the year. He beat out Tyrann Mathieu, Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck and Montee Ball for the honor and was the first Baylor player to take home the Heisman.

Griffin III picked up 1,678 points to take college football's top individual honor. Griffin carried five of the six regions, with Luck taking the Far West. Luck finished second in the voting with 1,407 points. Trent Richardson finished a distance third, and Montee Ball and Tyrann Mathiew finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

The voting breakdown is as follows.

Robert Griffin III 1,678 points, 405 first-place votes
Andrew Luck 1,407 points, 247 first-place votes
Trent Richardson 978 points, 138 first-place votes
Montee Ball 348, 22 first-place votes
Tyrann Mathieu 327, 34 first-place votes

Matt Barkley finished sixth, Case Keenum was seventh, Kellen Moore was eighth, Russell Wilson was ninth and Lamichael James was 10th.

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Match Day 2

2011-12-09T20:02:00.001-08:00

Arena 1
Kida Masaomi
(Durarara!!) 1725
Koizumi Itsuki
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 2216
Suō Tamaki
(Ōran High School Host Club) 1141

Arena 2
Cloud Strife
(Final Fantasy VII) 1399
Kōsaka Kyōsuke
(Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai) 1747
Sakata Gintoki
(Gintama) 2125

Arena 3
Roronoa Zoro
(ONE PIECE) 1659
Kamina
(Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 1313
Okita Sōgo
(Gintama) 1906

Arena 4
Hatake Kakashi
(NARUTO) 2885
Hijikata Toshizō
(Hakuōki) 945
Sōma Kyō
(Fruits Basket) 928

Arena 5
Kuran Kaname
(Vampire Knight) 1404
Orihara Izaya
(Durarara!!) 2687
Xellos
(Slayers) 502

Arena 6
Echizen Ryōma
(Prince of Tennis) 1423
Hei
(DARKER THAN BLACK) 1895
Tsuchimikado Motoharu
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 1635

Arena 7
Alphonse Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2117
Natsume Takashi
(Natsume Yūjinchō) 1935
Spike Spiegel
(Cowboy Bebop) 739

Arena 8
Kururugi Suzaku
(Code Geass) 1629
Sebastian Michaelis
(Kuroshitsuji) 2062
Uchiha Sasuke
(NARUTO) 1266

Arena 9
Otonashi Yuzuru
(Angel Beats!) 2311
Shidō Mariya
(Maria†Holic) 986
Yagami Light
(Death Note) 1794

Arena 10
Alucard
(Hellsing) 1035
Rokudō Mukuro
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 1658
Usui Takumi
(Kaichō wa Maid-sama!) 2102

Arena 11
Harima Kenji
(School Rumble) 793
Hijikata Tōshirō
(Gintama) 1867
Roy Mustang
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 2246

Arena 12
Fay D. Flourite
(Tsubasa Chronicle) 1205
L Lawliet
(Death Note) 2615
Train Heartnet
(Black Cat) 1005

Arena 13
Accelerator
(Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2500
Himura Kenshin
(Rurōni Kenshin) 1251
Ulquiorra Cifer
(BLEACH) 1271

Arena 14
T.K.
(Angel Beats!) 1686
Monkey D. Luffy
(ONE PIECE) 2174
Simon
(Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 1163

Arena 15
Guts
(Berserk) 594
Kazehaya Shōta
(Kimi ni Todoke) 1891
Oz Vessalius
(Pandora Hearts) 1892

Arena 16
Lockon Stratos
(Mobile Suit Gundam 00) 553
Lelouch Lamperouge
(Code Geass) 3169
Syaoran
(Tsubasa Chronicle) 1169

Arena 17
Holo
(Spice and Wolf) 1665
Kashiwazaki Sena
(Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) 2180
Ika-Musume
(Shinryaku! Ika Musume) 1164

Arena 18
Komachi Tsugumi
(Ever17) 664
Nōmi Kudryavka
(Little Busters!) 1689
Tennos Athena
(Hayate no Gotoku!) 2134

2011 Japan Series

2011-12-08T19:47:00.001-08:00

Asao, Uchikawa win league MVP awards

By JASON COSKREY

Staff writer

Chunichi Dragons reliever Takuya Asao and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks outfielder Seiichi Uchikawa had the same reaction to being named MVP of their respective leagues.

Big hit: Seiichi Uchikawa was named Pacific League MVP on Thursday after helping the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks to the Japan Series title. Chunichi's Takuya Asao won the CL award. KYODO PHOTO

Disbelief.

Asao was briefly at a loss for words and Uchikawa expressed his surprise on Thursday, when they were unveiled as the 2011 MVP winners from the Central and Pacific Leagues respectively.

"I can't believe it," Asao said at a news conference.

Uchikawa was happy to win, but acknowledged he was aided by the overall strength of the Hawks this season.

"I was on a great team," Uchikawa said. "I'm just one of many players. Anyone could've been MVP."

Asao played a vital role out of the bullpen for the pennant-winning Dragons, making 79 appearances and recording 45 holds. He finished the season with 10 saves, 100 strikeouts, a 0.41 ERA and didn't allow a single home run in 87⅓ innings on the mound.

"I was determined to do my best the entire year," Asao said. "I didn't believe I would ever be named MVP. I'm really surprised."

Asao is the first CL reliever to win the award since Yokohama BayStars closer Kazuhiro Sasaki in 1998. Genji Kaku was the last Dragons reliever named CL MVP, winning in 1988.

Asao garnered 170 first-place votes and 1,019 total points to finish ahead of teammate Kazuki Yoshimi, who had a point total of 825. Yoshimi had an MVP-worthy year himself, finishing 18-3 with a 1.65 ERA in 26 starts. Giants pitcher Tetsuya Utsumi, 18-5 with a 1.70 ERA, was a distant third with 83.

"I thought it was going to be Yoshimi," Asao said. "I think it should've been Yoshimi. He came close to winning 20 games. I told him gomennasai (I'm sorry)."

Asao's win marks the first time Chunichi players have won the award in consecutive seasons. Dragons outfielder Kazuhiro Wada was the 2010 MVP.

"I'm not only happy for myself, but for my family and (Hiromitsu) Ochiai-kantoku," Asao said. "I'm also thankful for the support of my teammates."

For Uchikawa, the award caps the most successful year of his career.

After leaving the lowly BayStars in the offseason, Uchikawa helped the Hawks capture the interleague, PL and PL Climax Series titles. The Hawks then beat Asao and the Dragons in the Japan Series for their first title since 2003.

"I'm happy to have gotten the support of my teammates," Uchikawa said. "I wouldn't have been named MVP if I wasn't on a good team."

Uchikawa led NPB with a .338 average, become the second player to win batting titles in both leagues, having won in the CL in 2008 with Yokohama. He also had 12 homers and drove in 74 runs, winning the MVP award despite playing in only 114 games.

"I couldn't play the whole season," Uchikawa said. "That helped me maintain a high average."

Uchikawa garnered 757 total points, finishing comfortably ahead of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19-5, 1.57 ERA), who had 414. Seibu Lions slugger Takeya Nakamura, who led Japan with 48 homers, was third with 249.

"I gave 120 percent in practice and worked really hard," Uchikawa said.

2011 World Series

2011-12-08T19:41:00.001-08:00

World Series 2011: Cardinals beat Rangers in finale

Page last updated at04:45 GMT, Saturday, 29 October 2011 05:45 UK

By Mark Mitchener
BBC SportCarpenter (second left) recorded his fourth 2011 postseason win

St Louis Cardinals won baseball's World Series after beating Texas Rangers 6-2 in the decisive seventh game.

Both sides drove in two runs in the first innings, but Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter then began to dominate as the runs dried up for Texas.

Allen Craig's solo home run in the third put the Cardinals ahead before the Rangers bullpen contrived to walk in two more runs in the fifth.

And the hosts added another run in the seventh as they cruised to victory.

WORLD SERIES 2011

Game 1: Cardinals 3-2 Rangers
Game 2: Cardinals 1-2 Rangers
Game 3: Rangers 7-16 Cardinals
Game 4: Rangers 4-0 Cardinals
Game 5: Rangers 4-2 Cardinals
Game 6: Cardinals 10-9 Rangers (11 innings)
Game 7: Cardinals 6-2 Rangers

(home team listed first)

It was heartbreaking for the Rangers, who were beaten by San Francisco Giants in last year's World Series- and had been one strike away from winning 2011's Fall Classic on two occasions inThursday's epic Game Six.

"Someone has to win, someone has to lose and the Cardinals did it," admitted Texas manager Ron Washington. "They were the better team."

The night started badly for Texas when leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler was caught stealing, but Josh Hamilton and Michael Young drove in a pair of runs as Texas got after Carpenter early on.

But the Cardinals drew level in the bottom of the first innings after Rangers starter Matt Harrison walked Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.

The stage was set for Game Six hero David Freese,who steered a double into left field to score both runners and level the score at 2-2.

While Carpenter, pitching on only three days' rest, threw five scoreless innings, the hosts took the lead for the first time when Craig smashed his homer over the right field fence.

Analysis

Josh Chetwynd,
Former GB catcher & BBC baseball analyst

Winning the World Series is all about how you play in October, not over the whole season - and nobody's played better in October than the Cardinals. They won the wild card on the final day of the regular season and battled their way into this World Series, and they never gave up. That is the hallmark of this club, and that is why they'll be remembered as a great champion.

Craig was only starting the game as regular left fielder Matt Holliday was ruled out with a sprained right wrist he sustained in Game Six.

The Cardinals threatened another rally in the bottom of the fifth when reliever Scott Feldman walked Craig and hit Pujols with a pitch.

Berkman grounded out, but Texas gambled by intentionally walking Freese to load the bases for Yadier Molina - and it backfired as Feldman walked in a run.

That prompted Washington to lift Feldman in favour of CJ Wilson - who had started Games One and Five but began his career as a closer - and the left-hander's first pitch hit Rafael Furcal to walk in another run and leave the Rangers trailing 5-2.

WORLD SERIES STAT ATTACK

David Freese's two-run double in the first innings set a post-season record of 21 runs batted in (RBI)
St Louis have won more World Series (11) than any team except New York Yankees (27)

Craig made a great leaping catch in front of the left-field fence to deny Nelson Cruz a home run, while Carpenter was eventually pulled early in the seventh innings as manager Tony La Russa - the master of matching pitchers with specific batters - turned to his bullpen.

"I was hoping to have an opportunity to go ahead and pitch in this game and fortunately it worked out," said Carpenter.

"It started off a little rough in the first. But I was able to collect myself, make some pitches and our guys did an awesome job to battle back."

Berkman, a Texan who was a World Series runner-up with Houston Astros in 2005, hustled well to start another Cardinals rally in the seventh innings, and this time Mike Adams was the Rangers reliever to suffer as Molina drove in Berkman to make it 6-2.

With the record 47,399 crowd joined by thousands more surrounding Busch Stadium to share the Cardinals' moment of glory, Jason Motte was handed the chance to come in as closer and retired the side in style.

Fittingly, it was Craig in left field who caught a David Murphy fly ball for the final out as St Louis wrapped up their 11th Fall Classic triumph.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

2011 Coupe Vanier Cup

2011-12-08T19:40:00.001-08:00

Mac marauders their way to the Vanier Cup

sacked. Laval University Rouge et Or quarterback Bruno Prud'homme, bottom, is sacked by McMaster University Marauders' MacKenzie Dent, right, and Scott Caterine during the first half of play at the Vanier Cup in Vancouver, B.C. Friday.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press Source: The Canadian Press

Drew Edwards

November 28, 2011

VANCOUVER In the moments after his team’s spectacular 41-38 overtime win in Friday night’s Vanier Cup, McMaster coach Stefan Ptaszek stood alone on the B.C. Place field, watching his players celebrate the school’s first football championship from a distance.

“They’re a special group. It’s been a privilege to be a part of this program this year and it’s something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” Ptaszek said. “It’s never been about me — it’s all about them and I’m just enjoying the view.”

The Marauders were led by quarterback Kyle Quinlan, who turned David’s slingshot into a machine gun. Quinlan’s spectacular day — 482 yards on 36 of 55 passing, two touchdowns and another 106 yards rushing — was simply too much for the heavily-favoured Rouge et Or.

”We might not have as much talent as those guys,” Quinlan said. “But you can do some crazy things when you play with everything you’ve got.”

Mac stormed out to an improbable 23-0 halftime lead courtesy of two Tyler Crapigna field goals, a three-yard pass from Quinlan to James Hill and a 13-yard run from Chris Pezzetta.

But Laval came back in the second half. First Guillaume Riouz returned a punt 62 yards to the house, followed by Fred Plesius intercepting a Quinlan pass and taking it in for a score as well.

Less than five minutes had passed in the third and Mac’s lead was cut to 23-14.

“We could feel the momentum turning over and we had one choice, to battle back and we did it every single time,” Quinlan said.

After another Laval field goal cut the lead to six, Quinlan threw a second interception at the Laval goal-line. And the Rouge et Or made them pay, putting together an eight-play, 107-yard drive that finished with a 44-yard Sebastien Levesque touchdown run. Just like that, Laval led 24-23.

Ptaszek said there was no panic on the sideline once the lead was gone, though he did take a couple of his offensive players aside.

“I said to them: ‘If I told you in August that we were going to be down by one in the fourth quarter of the national championship and you’re the best offence in the country, would you have taken it?’” Ptaszek said. “They grinned from ear-to-ear and said ‘absolutely.’”

Back came Mac. Quinlan led his team 69 yards in seven plays, with Matt Peressini fighting his way to the end zone from nine yards out, then hauling in a toss for the two-point covert. With just under six minutes to play Mac led 31-24.

Again, Laval responded, Bruno Prud’homme converting a second-and-15 before finishing with a five-yard strike that tied the game at 31.

Quinlan put together another perfect drive, starting on his own seven with 2:08 to go, and moving McMaster to the Laval 22 with three seconds to go.

But Crapigna missed from 30 yards and Laval ran the ball out of the end zone.

“I just had to get it out my head,” Crapigna said about the miss.

“I had a feeling I was going to be used in the overtime. I wanted another shot.”

Mac had the ball to start the extra session — by rule they started from the Laval 35 — and on just the second play from scrimmage, Quinlan hit Bradley Fochesato for a 26-yard touchdown, forcing the Rouge et Or to score a major or go home.

And so they did. Prud’homme heaved a 33-yard score to Adam Thibault, who juggled but hung on and the game was tied again, this time at 38.

Laval was up next but Steven Vantresca intercepted Laval quarterback Bruno Prud’homme’s pass and set off for the end zone. If he scores, Mac wins. Several laterals ensued but Laval stopped the Marauders short.

Mac ball, Laval 35. Needing only a field goal to win it, McMaster moved the ball to the Laval 15 and gave Crapigna his shot at redemption. This time he made no mistake. McMaster 41 Laval 38.

Quinlan’s passing yardage was the second highest in Vanier Cup history and it capped a roller-coaster year for the 22-year-old who was charged with two counts of assaulting an officer and one count of assault in September.

“The one major thing I learned this year — that I can apply to football — is just to persevere,” Quinlan said.

“I think the entire team did that.”

Ptaszek said the team overcame a number of obstacles both on and off the field to win the title.

“As a coach and as an organization, we strive for these young men to reach their full potential on and off the field,” Ptaszek said. “This is as close as you can get to that unattainable goal.”

This article is for personal use only courtesy of TheSpec.com - a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.

2011 Coupe Grey Cup

2011-12-08T19:39:00.001-08:00

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Lions fans take pride in victory

'We won and we're not going to have a riot tonight,' elated fan says

BY IAN AUSTIN AND SAM COOPER, THE PROVINCENOVEMBER 28, 2011

B.C. Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala (right) gives teammate Akeem Foster a crushing hug after the team defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win the 99th Grey Cup.

Photograph by: Reuters, The Province

The Lions roared and tens of thousands of B.C. Lions fans erupted with joy as the CFL team held on for a nail-biting Grey Cup victory, 34-23, on Sunday.

The final result wasn't sealed until the final minute, as Paul McCallum kicked a field goal to ensure a Lions win with just 58 seconds left.

Fans in the vicinity of the stadium immediately erupted as the game ended, following a spirited Winnipeg comeback led by former B.C. Lions quarterback Buck Pierce and defensive stalwart Doug Brown, who was raised in Port Moody.

"For me, this makes everything better," said Mike Manhas of Surrey. "We won and we're not going to have a riot tonight."

The downtown was transformed into a happy, horn-blaring crowd with no thought of causing trouble.

"It was a great game, a great crowd," said Mark Nadeau, who wore his No. 14 Lions jersey.

"Travis Lulay - player of the game, outstanding player in the league - you can't get any better than that."

Relieved fans leaving the game hooted for joy.

"The team played really well; it couldn't get any better than this finish," said Nadeau.

Even the Hastings No. 20 bus got high-fives from the crowd as it passed flashing "Go Lions Go."

Asked about the Lions 14-6 lead going into the dressing room at halftime, B.C. Lions head coach Wally Buono was less than impressed with his team, and suitably impressed with the Winnipeg comeback.

"They're a very, very good team on defence," said the coach, who looked ready to deliver a strong halftime lecture to a team that started picking fights with the Bombers in the second quarter.

"This is a championship game," said an unimpressed Buono. "We should play like champions."

Meanwhile, the Stanley Cup riots lurked at the back of fans' minds.

Josh Skopelitis, 18, of Ladner was watching the game on TV through a restaurant window just across the street from B.C. Place.

He said he couldn't afford the $400 demanded by scalpers.

"It's not bad 'cause you can hear the crowd when they score," he said, as McCallum hit a field goal to put the Lions up 10-0 in the first quarter.

Skopelitis said he was expecting a Lions win and a happy street celebration to wipe away the bad memory of the Stanley Cup riot in June.

"It will be great if B.C. wins because it will encourage everyone to come back downtown again," he said. "I was here in June [when the Canucks lost] and that was ugly."

The need of a redemptive celebration for Vancouver sports fans was suggested by Vancouver police watching outside the stadium.

Before kickoff, one officer was asked if the game would be shown on a giant TV screen that was mounted on the external stadium wall.

He laughed and said, "No, definitely not . . . the last time didn't go so well."

Into the second quarter, fans were still milling outside the stadium trying to score reduced-priced tickets.

Self-described ticket "broker" Kingsley Bailey said business was very brisk all week and on top of the Stanley Cup playoffs, it was a "very, very" good year for Vancouver ticket traders.

Bailey said tickets traded at as much as $1,500 last week and at a high of about $1,000 on game day.

Up to halftime, before Bailey went inside to watch the game, he was holding prices for the "cheap seats" steady at $250 a piece.

In the final minutes of the third, just as Lions QB Lulay seemed to be on the verge of getting knocked black and blue by Bombers rushers, he hooked up with receiver Kierrie Johnson for a long-bomb touchdown that had fans on the street cheering.

"We're going to win now," said Harry Dutt. "It's going to be a party!"

But an hour after the game most fans appeared to be headed for public transit and leaving the downtown core.

iaustin@theprovince.com

scooper@theprovince.com

BoBA 2011 ISML Predictions: Male Tournament, Match Day 2

2011-12-08T13:07:00.001-08:00

ARENA 01: Kida Masaomi Koizumi Itsuki [Suō Tamaki] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 02: Cloud Strife [Kōsaka Kyōsuke] Sakata Gintoki by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 03: Roronoa Zoro [Kamina] Okita Sōgo by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 04: Hatake Kakashi Hijikata Toshizō [Sōma Kyō] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 05: Kuran Kaname [Orihara Izaya] Xellos by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 06: Echizen Ryōma [Hei] Tsuchimikado Motoharu by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 07: Alphonse Elric Natsume Takashi [Spike Spiegel] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 08: Kururugi Suzaku [Sebastian Michaelis] Uchiha Sasuke by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 09: Otonashi Yuzuru Shidō Mariya [Yagami Light] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 10: [Alucard] Rokudō Mukuro Usui Takumi by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 11: Harima Kenji Hijikata Tōshirō [Roy Mustang] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 12: Fay D. Flourite [L Lawliet] Train Heartnet by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 13: [Accelerator] Himura Kenshin Ulquiorra Cifer by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 14: T.K. Monkey D. Luffy [Simon] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 15: Guts [Kazehaya Shōta] Oz Vessalius by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 16: Lockon Stratos [Lelouch Lamperouge] Syaoran by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 17: Holo Kashiwazaki Sena [Ika-Musume] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 18: Komachi Tsugumi [Nōmi Kudryavka] Tennos Athena by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ISML 2011: Results, Male Tournament Day 1

2011-12-08T03:25:00.001-08:00

Arena 1
Ciel Phantomhive
(Kuroshitsuji) 2300
Kuchiki Byakuya
(BLEACH) 2375
Lavi
(D.Gray-man) 1012

Arena 2
Kyon
(Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu) 3484
Setsuna F. Seiei
(Mobile Suit Gundam 00) 990
Tsukiyomi Ikuto
(Shugo Chara!) 1453

Arena 3
Gilbert Nightray
(Pandora Hearts) 1318
Satō Jun
(WORKING!!) 1923
Uchiha Itachi
(NARUTO) 2508

Arena 4
Gokudera Hayato
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 1331
Kinoshita Hideyoshi
(Baka to Test to Shōkanjū) 3490
Kiryū Zero
(Vampire Knight) 1135

Arena 5
Edward Elric
(Fullmetal Alchemist) 3000
Inuyasha
(Inuyasha) 1165
Okumura Rin
(Ao no Exorcist) 1857

Arena 6
Abe Takaya
(Ōkiku Furikabutte) 557
Ayasaki Hayate
(Hayate no Gotoku!) 3795
Onizuka Eikichi
(Great Teacher Onizuka) 1222

Arena 7
Death the Kid
(Soul Eater) 2155
Saitō Hajime
(Hakuōki) 1547
Watanuki Kimihiro
(×××Holic) 1512

Arena 8
Grell Sutcliff
(Kuroshitsuji) 966
Hibari Kyōya
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 3544
Mugen
(Samurai Champloo) 703

Arena 9
Allen Walker
(D.Gray-man) 1500
Gray Fullbuster
(FAIRY TAIL) 2526
Itoshiki Nozomu
(Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei) 1394

Arena 10
Okazaki Tomoya
(CLANNAD) 3108
Okita Sōji
(Hakuōki) 1213
Xerxes Break
(Pandora Hearts) 1225

Arena 11
Edogawa Conan
(Detective Conan) 1888
Kurosaki Ichigo
(BLEACH) 2352
Sesshōmaru
(Inuyasha) 1535

Arena 12
Araragi Koyomi
(Bakemonogatari) 2763
Kaburagi T. Kotetsu
(Tiger & Bunny) 750
Sagara Sōsuke
(Full Metal Panic!) 1803

Arena 13
Katsuragi Keima
(Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai) 2836
Nura Rikuo
(Nurarihyon no Mago) 2234
Vash the Stampede
(Trigun) 626

Arena 14
Heiwajima Shizuo
(Durarara!!) 2458
Natsu Dragneel
(FAIRY TAIL) 2396
Vegeta
(Dragon Ball) 986

Arena 15
Kanda Yū
(D.Gray-man) 1560
Takagi Akito
(Bakuman) 1787
Uzumaki Naruto
(NARUTO) 2122

Arena 16
Archer
(Fate/stay night) 2183
Hitsugaya Tōshirō
(BLEACH) 1672
Sawada Tsunayoshi
(Katekyō Hitman Reborn!) 2111

Arena 17
Illyasviel von Einzbern
(Fate/stay night) 2458
Irisviel von Einzbern
(Fate/Zero) 1995
Caster
(Fate/stay night) 917

Arena 18
Ichinose Kotomi
(CLANNAD) 1243
Fujibayashi Kyō
(CLANNAD) 2104
Sakagami Tomoyo
(CLANNAD) 1956