ISML 2009: Suiseiseki, Suigintou neck and neck as Emerald draws to a close
July 9, 2009
Suiseiseki continues to hold her lead against Suigintou through eight match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League Emerald necklace phase.
The celebrated doll, known for her "desu" catchphrase, thumped Alice Carroll 2077-857 in Tokyo. An emphatic victory over C.C. should be enough for her to wrap up her first-ever ISML necklace.
Suigintou, however, is not out of contention for grabbing her second necklace of the ISML season. The hardest-working Rozen Maiden Alice Doll kept pace with a 1849-765 win over Marisa Kirisame in Algiers. However, she will need an impressive win over Nanoha Takamachi combined with help from C.C. to overtake Suiseiseki.
Kyou Fujibayashi has a chance to jump both dolls with a solid victory over Kagami Hiiragi. However, it may be all for naught if any of the two above her get the job done. Fujibayashi demolished Shiki Ryogi 1675-922 in Buenos Aires.
One of the tantalizing marquee matches to wrap up the Emerald phase is Haruhi Suzumiya vs. Tomoyo Sakagami. A victory by either competitor in this match will not guarantee a necklace victory, but it will make a huge statement.
Suzumiya is undefeated through 44 match days, and will be keen to keep her run going against one of the best challengers from Clannad. She disposed of Minori Kushieda 2059-1213 in New York City.
Sakagami had no problems against Shiori Misaka in a 2058-678 mismatch in Dhaka.
Shana and Rin Tosaka are outsiders in contending for the Emerald necklace, but can still finish unbeaten in the phase.
The fiery-eyed, melon bread-munching slasher burned past Illyasviel von Einzsbern 1987-1250 in Sydney, while Tosaka put Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga to the electric chair in a 2351-600 pasting in Kinshasa.
Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown defeated Ami Kawashima 1831-1298 in Paris.
In other action...Sayuri Kurata trounced Akari Mizunashi 1660-898 in Mexico City, Nanoha Takamachi busted Vita with authority in a 1828-997 Mumbai slamdown, Shinku confirmed another Rozen Maiden sweep with a 1770-1372 victory over Hinagiku Katsura in Sao Paolo, Rika Furude defeated Misuzu Kamio 1626-1335 in Shanghai and Konata Izumi took down Reimu Hakurei 1554-1091 in Lagos.
Konjiki no Yamiu (Golden Darkness) prevailed over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1648-1055 in Los Angeles, Maria chalked up a surprising 1887-1302 victory over Mikuru Asahina in Seoul, Yuki Nagato rolled past Index L. Prohibitorum 1657-1044 in Karachi and Sakura Kinomoto took down Chii in a old school battle of CLAMP favorites, 1613-1016 in Manila.
Makoto Sawatari tallied a 1125-880 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Cairo, Amu Hinamori defeated Aya Shameimaru 1084-820 in Jakarta, Hanyuu Furude stomped Nayuki Minase 1609-1280 in Istanbul, Saber slashed Mai Kawasumi 1745-1342 in Moscow, Horo chomped up Tamaki Kawazoe 1811-729 in London and Ayu Tsukimiya uguu-ed Kirino Chiba to death 1492-899 in Lima.
C.C. dismissed Anya Earlstreim 1898-964 in Tehran, Tsukasa Hiiragi tore down Yuuhi Katagiri 1515-1294 in Bangkok, Fuuko Ibuki slammed down Evangeline McDowell 1701-1034 in Bogota, Santiago witnessed Taiga Aisaka cream Patchouli Knowledge 1924-729 and Mei Sunohara pulled off a thrilling 1499-1457 upset of Rena Ryuuguu in Toronto.
Wrapping up the day's action, Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1933-807 in Milan, Nagisa Furukawa defeated Mikoto Misaka 1730-1274 in Madrid, Kagami Hiiragi completed a Lucky Star sweep with a 1464-1205 victory over Hayate Yagami in Santo Domingo and in a battle of the Nagis, Nagi Sanzen'in got the best of Nagi from Kannagi in a 2010-777 blowout in Katowice.
