BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 6

ARENA 01: Asada Shino [Jibril]
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 02: Terminus Est [Azuki Azusa]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 03: Kirisaki Chitoge [Onodera Kosaki]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 04: [Tachibana Marika] Tobiichi Origami
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 05: Minami Kotori [Miyazono Kaori]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 06: [Himeragi Yukina] Sonoda Umi
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 07: Shiba Miyuki [Tina Sprout]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 08: [Ayase Eli] Shichimiya Satone
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 09: [Sakura Chiyo] Yoshino
by >=500
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 10: Kuriyama Mirai [Yaya]
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 11: [Yuigahama Yui] Kurousagi
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 12: [Yukinoshita Yukino] Sento Isuzu
by >=400
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 13: Nishikino Maki [Yatogami Tōka]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 14: Akame [Aihara Enju]
by <=700
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 15: [Tokisaki Kurumi] Stephanie Dola
by >=800
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 16: [Latifa Fleuranza] Konno Yūki
by <=700
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 17: Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko [Shiro]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 18: Yazawa Nico [Shokuhō Misaki]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 19: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Aragaki Ayase]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 20: Oshino Shinobu [Konjiki no Yami]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 21: [Aoyama Nanami] Kashiwazaki Sena
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 22: Yui-nyan [Aisaka Taiga]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 23: [Sengoku Nadeko] C.C.
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 24: [Kuroyukihime] Holo
by >=1100
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 25: Nyarlathotep [Chitanda Eru]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 26: Momo Belia Deviluke [Senjōgahara Hitagi]
by >=800
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 27: Hasegawa Kobato [Saber]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 28: [Nibutani Shinka] Yūki Mikan
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 29: Suzumiya Haruhi [Nagato Yuki]
by >=700
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 30: Makise Kurisu [Yūki Asuna]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 31: [Takanashi Rikka] Hirasawa Yui
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 32: Tōsaka Rin [Eucliwood Hellscythe]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 33: [Kōsaka Kirino] Charlotte Dunois
by <=400
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 34: [Yuzuriha Inori] Nakamura Yuri
by >=700
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 35: [Itsuka Kotori] Nakano Azusa
by >=800
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 36: [Shiina Mashiro] Shana by <=500
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 37: [Nozaki Umetarō] Akasaka Ryūnosuke
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 38: Kaneki Ken [Okabe Rintarō]
by >=1500
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 39: [Yato] Mikoshiba Mikoto
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 40: Togashi Yūta [Kanie Seiya]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 41: Levi [Takasu Ryūji]
by >=700
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 42: Gilgamesh [Hikigaya Hachiman]
by <=700
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 43: L Lawliet [Shiba Tatsuya]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 44: Heiwajima Shizuo [Maō Sadao]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 45: [Ichijō Raku] Itsuka Shidō
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 46: Edward Elric [Sora]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 47: Kyon [Accelerator]
by >=800
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 48: [Otonashi Yuzuru] Okazaki Tomoya
by <=900
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 49: Satomi Rentarō [Kamijō Tōma]
by <=900
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 50: [Katsuragi Keima] Emiya Shirō
by >=700
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 51: [Emiya Kiritsugu] Orihara Izaya
by >=700
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 52: Sakata Gintoki [Archer]
by <=600
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 53: [Sakamaki Izayoi] Kanda Sorata
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 54: Aikawa Ayumu [Araragi Koyomi]
by >=600
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 55: [Yūno Scrya] Haku
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 56: [Akiha Rumiho (Feyris-nyan)] Maekawa Miku
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ISML 2015: Shiro, Kotori Itsuka take Aquamarine lead

ISML 2015: Shiro, Kotori Itsuka take Aquamarine lead

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 17, 2015

Match Day 5 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period concluded, with Shiro leading the Nova Division and defending champion Kotori Itsuka leading the Stella Division. In the Nova Division, Tina Sprout defeated Eli Ayase 2749-2399, Yuuki Konno flew past Nico Yazawa 2886-2493, Stephanie Dola took down Misaki Shokuhou 3051-2480, Kosaki Onodera thumped Shino Asada 3315-2347, Enju Aihara prevailed over Kaori Miyazono 2737-2453 and Jibril smashed Satone Shichimiya 3577-1962.

Akame won the closest match of the round: a 2470-2469 thriller over Yukina Himeragi, which is tied for the closest race in ISML history (this one vote margin has been replicated a number of times in the history of this competition). Yaya defeated Umi Sonoda 2745-2422, Chiyo Sakura defeated Yui Yuigahama 2962-2758, Shiro hammered Maki Nishikino 3519-2226, Yukino Yukinoshita pulverized Kurousagi 3514-2045 and Azusa Azuki whipped past Origami Tobiichi 2807-2414.

Wrapping up Nova play, Latifa Fleuranza defeated Terminus Est 2732-2210, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Mirai Kuriyama 3095-2326, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Tohka Yatogami 3381-2025, Yoshino defeated Marika Tachibana 2991-2619, Chitoge Kirisaki routed Kotori Minami 3334-2135 and Isuzu Sento blasted Miyuki Shiba 3074-2247.

In the Stella Division, Yui-nyan rocked Nyarlathotep 3148-2110, Kotori Itsuka won a 2815-2750 barn-burner over Yuri Nakamura, Ayase Aragaki routed Shinka Nibutani 3127-2372, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Inori Yuzuriha 2755-2622, Eru Chitanda whipped past Rikka Takanashi 2959-2598 and Saber slashed past Taiga Aisaka 3093-2719.

Nanami Aoyama defeated Kuroyukihime 3090-2559, Holo chomped up C.C. 2682-2352, Kirino Kousaka won the Upset of the Round: a 2700-2550 result over Sena Kashiwazaki, Mashiro Shiina dominated Haruhi Suzumiya 3700-1972, Kurisu Makise leveled Hitagi Senjougahara 2559-2433 and Kobato Hasegawa prevailed over Charlotte Dunois 2559-2433.

Wrapping up Stella play, Shana torched Shinobu Oshino 2823-2731, Yui Hirasawa rocked Nadeko Sengoku 2753-2391, Rin Tohsaka annihilated Mikan Yuuki 3363-2118, Azusa Nakano romped past Yuki Nagato 3117-2173, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Konjiki no Yami 3258-2289 and Illyasviel von Einzbern stormed past Momo Velia Deviluke 3158-2228.

In the Male Division, Archer defeated Kiritsugu Emiya 2480-2221, Keima Katsuragi rolled past Ayumu Aikawa 2584-2014, Seiya Kanie cruised past Shidou Itsuka 2787-2071, Edward Elric prevailed over Kyon 2516-2388, Gilgamesh impaled Sorata Kanda 2664-2496 and Tomoya Okazaki dismissed Ryuunosoku Akasaka 2634-2184.

Hachiman Hikigaya routed Sadao Maou 3496-1563, Yuzuru Otonashi manhandled Yato 2985-1983, Gintoki Sakata defeated Koyomi Araragi 2478-2338, Touma Kamijou destroyed Raku Ichijou 2842-2134, Ryuuji Takasu roared past Mikoto Mikoshiba 2731 and Accelerator accelerated past Rintarou Okabe 3198-1953.

Wrapping up Male Division play, Izayoi Sakamaki whipped past Umetarou Nozaki 2802-2105, Sora slammed Tatsuya Shiba 3159-1864, Rentarou Satomi shot down Izaya Orihara 2504-2158, Yuuta Togashi defeated Shizuo Heiwajima 2669-2249, Shirou Emiya stomped on L Lawliet 2716-2268 and Levi hung Ken Kaneki 2640-1878.

In exhibition play, Chocolat defeated Karuta Roromiya 2375-2241 and Kirei Kotomine dismantled the Producer from Idolmaster Cinderella Girls 2425-1773.

Match Day 6 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is scheduled for June 18, 2015, Vote for your favorites at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

Golden State Warriors: 2014-15 NBA Champions

CLEVELAND (AP) Revived by a fresh-faced shooting superstar and a first-year coach who made them believe, the Golden State Warriors again reign supreme.

Their 40-year NBA championship drought is finally over.

A half century of misery in Cleveland drags on. LeBron James just didn't have enough help.

Stephen Curry and finals MVP Andre Iguodala scored 25 points apiece, Draymond Green recorded a triple-double and the Warriors - using a barrage of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter - won their first title since 1975 by finishing off James and the Cavaliers 105-97 on Tuesday night in Game 6.

For the first time since Gerald Ford was in the White House, disco was in vogue and Rick Barry was flicking in free throws under-handed, the best pro basketball team resides in the Bay Area.

And these Warriors are a lot like Barry and his old crew: fluid, balanced, together. Just like coach Steve Kerr hoped.

After falling behind by two points early in the third quarter, the Warriors took control with Curry, the league's MVP, and Iguodala, who made his first start of the season in Game 4, leading the way.

"World champs," Curry said, letting the title sink in. "This is truly special. This group is a special group. From the time we started the season this is what we envisioned and a lot of hard work goes into it, all the way down to the last minute of this game. This is what it's all about. ... We're going to remember this for a long time."

Golden State allowed the Cavaliers to creep within eight points in the fourth before unleashing a flurry of 3s to ensure they would be taking the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to California. Curry's step-back made it 78-68, and after the Cavs closed within seven on J.R. Smith's trey, Iguodala, Curry and Klay Thompson each drained one in a span of 81 seconds to make it 89-75.

Iguodala added another long shot for good measure before he strutted back on defense holding out three fingers on each hand.

He could have shot an index finger into the air at that point - Golden State is No. 1.

James returned from Miami to deliver a title to his home region, but the 30-year-old, left to do most of the work by himself after All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were injured in the postseason, came two wins shy of giving Cleveland its first pro sports championship since 1964.

They city's three pro teams - the Cavs, Browns and Indians - have gone a combined 144 seasons without one of them winning it all.

James had 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists in Game 6 and was dominant during the series, showing why he's the world's best player.

The Warriors were simply the better team.

James was replaced in the final seconds, but before he left the court, the four-time MVP shook hands with Curry and offered congratulations to Kerr and the rest of the Warriors.

"The sacrifice every guy made from Andre and David (Lee) stepping away from the starting lineup, we just played," Kerr said. "And they were all in it just to win. That's all that mattered. This is an amazing group of guys."

This series, which opened with two overtime games in Oakland, flipped when Kerr employed a small lineup in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and the Warriors nearly overcame a 20-point deficit before losing.

Kerr stuck with revamped lineup in Game 4, giving Iguodala a start, switching Green to center and benching the ineffective Andrew Bogut. The move was as golden as the Warriors, who finished with 83 wins, the third-highest single-season total in history.

Only the 1995-96 and 1996-97 Bulls won more, and Kerr was on both of those teams.

Cleveland fans did all they could to force a Game 7.

They entered the building chanting "Let's Go Cavs!" and joined Marlana VanHoose for the final stanza of the national anthem, a touching moment that showed Cleveland was "All In" to take on Golden State.

The Warriors, though, were ready.

Down early after missing open shots, they began finding their range. Golden State capitalized on nine turnovers in the first quarter, made four 3s and built a 13-point lead when Harrison Barnes knocked down a long 3 - a shot that sent several dozen gold-and-blue Warriors fans sitting near their bench into a frenzy.

This was their night, the one they've waited for 40 years.

While Golden State had some solid teams in the past - the "Run TMC" version coached by Don Nelson and featuring Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond among them - the franchise has been undermined by dysfunction. Along with long playoff gaps, there were bad trades, poor drafts and numerous coaching changes.

The Warriors often made headlines for the wrong reasons. Remember when Latrell Sprewell choked coach P.J. Carlesimo?

Well, those days are gone, washed away by Curry and Thompson - the "Splash Brothers" - and a roster of selfless players who bonded under Kerr and have returned basketball glory to Oakland.

These new Warriors have been a model team: sharing the ball, defending together and sacrificing individual goals.

"Strength in Numbers" was their motto as the Warriors used depth and balance to jump from 51 wins to a franchise-record 67 during the regular season.

Kerr molded them. Hired last summer after spurning an offer from the Knicks, the 49-year-old former NBA guard who won three of his five titles as Michael Jordan's teammate in Chicago and two playing for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, Kerr brought out the best in his team.

From the first day of training camp, he emphasized unity. A California-born kid who still surfs and would prefer to wear jeans and a pair of Vans on the sideline, he kept things loose by taking the Warriors bowling and letting them blare music during practices.

With Curry, the team's first MVP since Wilt Chamberlain, leading them, the Warriors outgunned everyone in the rugged Western Conference and entered the postseason as a No. 1 seed. They swept New Orleans, rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat Memphis and then blew through Houston in five games to make the finals for the first time since `75.

They then held off James and the undermanned Cavs, who just didn't have enough.

Not against a team as golden as the trophy its taking home.

BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 5

ARENA 01: Ayase Eli [Tina Sprout]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 02: [Konno Yūki] Yazawa Nico
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 03: Shokuhō Misaki [Stephanie Dola]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 04: Asada Shino [Onodera Kosaki]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 05: Miyazono Kaori [Aihara Enju]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 06: Shichimiya Satone [Jibril]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 07: [Himeragi Yukina] Akame
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 08: [Yaya] Sonoda Umi
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 09: Yuigahama Yui [Sakura Chiyo]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 10: Nishikino Maki [Shiro]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 11: [Yukinoshita Yukino] Kurousagi
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 12: Tobiichi Origami [Azuki Azusa]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 13: Terminus Est [Latifa Fleuranza]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 14: Kuriyama Mirai [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 15: Yatogami Tōka [Tokisaki Kurumi]
by <=1500
Over/Under: 6400
Over

ARENA 16: [Yoshino] Tachibana Marika
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 17: Minami Kotori [Kirisaki Chitoge]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 18: Shiba Miyuki [Sento Isuzu]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 19: [Yui-nyan] Nyarlathotep
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over


ARENA 20: [Itsuka Kotori] Nakamura Yuri
by <=1200
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 21: [Aragaki Ayase] Nibutani Shinka
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 22: Yuzuriha Inori [Eucliwood Hellscythe]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 23: Takanashi Rikka [Chitanda Eru]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 24: [Aisaka Taiga] Saber
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 25: Aoyama Nanami [Kuroyukihime]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 26: Holo [C.C.]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 27: [Kashiwazaki Sena] Kōsaka Kirino
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 28: Suzumiya Haruhi [Shiina Mashiro]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 29: Senjōgahara Hitagi [Makise Kurisu]
by >=1100
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 30: [Charlotte Dunois] Hasegawa Kobato by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 31: Oshino Shinobu [Shana]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 32: [Hirasawa Yui] Sengoku Nadeko
by <=800
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 33: Yūki Mikan [Tōsaka Rin]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 34: [Nakano Azusa] Nagato Yuki
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 35: [Yūki Asuna] Konjiki no Yami
by >=1300
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 36: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Momo Belia Deviluke
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 37: [Archer] Emiya Kiritsugu
by <=500
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 38: [Katsuragi Keima] Aikawa Ayumu
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 39: [Kanie Seiya] Itsuka Shidō by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 40: Edward Elric [Kyon]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 41: Kanda Sorata [Gilgamesh]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 42: Akasaka Ryūnosuke [Okazaki Tomoya]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 43: [Hikigaya Hachiman] Maō Sadao by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 44: Yato [Otonashi Yuzuru]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 45: Sakata Gintoki [Araragi Koyomi]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 46: Ichijō Raku [Kamijō Tōma]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 47: Mikoshiba Mikoto [Takasu Ryūji]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 48: [Accelerator] Okabe Rintarō
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 49: Nozaki Umetarō [Sakamaki Izayoi]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 50: [Satomi Rentarō] Orihara Izaya
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 51: [Sora] Shiba Tatsuya
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 52: [Togashi Yūta] Heiwajima Shizuo
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 53: L Lawliet [Emiya Shirō]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 6300
Under

ARENA 54: Levi [Kaneki Ken]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 55: Chocolat [Roromiya Karuta]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 56: [Kotomine Kirei] Producer (Cinderella Girls)
by <=1000
Over/Under: 6000
Over

Chicago Blackhawks: 2015 Stanley Cup Champions

CHICAGO -- There was a moment in the pause before the Stanley Cup arrived on the ice when Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews skated away from his teammates, looked up to the roaring, raucous crowd, and started applauding.

Cameras followed him, showing him on the scoreboard.

"Unbelievable," Toews said with his arms raised, hands clapping. "Unbelievable."

The 22,424 standing, hugging, cheering, selfie-taking, red-clad and relieved fans applauded back at their captain, loudly. Toews smiled and pumped his fists.

"I was just trying to absorb every moment, and I'm still trying to do it," Toews said on the ice, long after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman handed him the Stanley Cup for the third time in six seasons. "It doesn't feel real. Even in the dying minutes, I can't really remember anything that happened to be honest with you. It was a dream, start to finish.

 "This is pretty awesome."

There is no better way to describe the scene that unfolded inside United Center on Monday. Chicago's 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 gave way to the first on-ice Stanley Cup celebration in Chicago since 1938.

The Blackhawks won the Cup in Philadelphia in 2010, and in Boston in 2013. Those were great, special, and meant everything to this team and its players. They were topped by the memories created inside the building appropriately called the Madhouse on Madison.

"There's nothing like it," Blackhawks president and Chicago native John McDonough said. "Being from here, hailing from the city of Chicago, not the suburbs, and going with the ebb and flow of sports teams my entire life; I was around for the Bulls run and I never thought I'd see anything like that ever again. Maybe you never will. I mean, six championships in eight years, that's amazing. But we're really fortunate. This fan base gave us a chance. They came back and we're thrilled that we're able to reward them."

The Blackhawks had a 1-0 lead on Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith's goal at 17:13 of the second period. But the crowd was still tense as the third period started to unfold, even though the Blackhawks simply don't lose when they enter the third period with a lead.

They were 25-0 in those situations during the regular season. They were 8-0 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It was obvious in the first few minutes that they weren't going to lose this one.

Chicago started to execute what essentially was a perfect game plan. Every time the Lightning got the puck into the offensive zone, the Blackhawks knocked it right back out. The tension in the building slowly began to fade.

With 9:34 remaining and a whistle for a hand pass that led to a television timeout, it finally cracked. The fans stood, just about every single one of them, and started cheering during the timeout.

Play resumed, and less than a minute passed before the "Let's go Hawks" chant started to reverberate through the arena with 8:47 remaining. They were excited, eager, but patient. Remember, it was still just a one-goal lead.

Then it happened.

Brandon Saad broke out of the defensive zone and down the left wing. The crowd surged. Saad put a drop pass onto Brad Richards' stick. The crowd sensed what was coming.

Richards froze goalie Ben Bishop with a shot-fake that led to a perfect pass to Patrick Kane. The crowd rose.

Kane slammed home a one-timer, the D.J. cued up "Chelsea Dagger," and at 14:46 of the third period there was bedlam in the building and presumably around all the bars and restaurants and homes and office buildings in the city of Chicago.

"At the 10-minute mark the crowd sensed the Hawks were going to win this, and you just had a feeling somehow the Hawks were going to score that second goal," Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said. "And if you could have a storybook ending, it was Patrick, the guy who could do it."

It appeared that nobody who entered the building with a coveted and expensive ticket Monday night sat down for the final 5:14.

There was no more tension, not with a two-goal lead. There was only a celebration with chants of "We want the Cup," and "Corey, Corey, Corey" after goalie Corey Crawford made back-to-back saves on Ondrej Palat's two chances in the slot at 16:37.

They sang along, "You gotta fight, for your right, to party" as the D.J. played the Beastie Boys' classic. The shots were 32-19 in favor of the Blackhawks at this time. The score was 2-0. Masterful.

"Everybody was standing up," forward Marian Hossa said. "What a moment."

They were hugging each other, holding each other arm in arm.

Finally, once the clock bled down to 10 seconds, the countdown was on. Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one …"Chelsea Dagger" again. Bedlam. Insanity.

Fans sitting in the last row below the press box were high-fiving former Blackhawks forward and current radio color commentator Troy Murray. They were standing on seats. They were taking pictures of the ice, of themselves, of the crowd, the scoreboard, of anything.

They went bonkers when Keith was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. They sang along to "Sweet Home Chicago" as they watched the Blackhawks and Lightning go through the traditional handshake line.

That the Stanley Cup's arrival was delayed by the flooded streets of Chicago, a result of a massive storm that blew through the city prior to the game, mattered very little.

The party was on.

"I don't think there's going to be much sleeping tonight," Kane said.

In the middle of the sea of people on the ice, players with family members, credentialed media with cameras and microphones and recorders and notebooks, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman found Saad, the best of Chicago's second-generation core, and embraced him.

Saad, remember, can become a restricted free agent on July 1. He could well be targeted with an offer sheet by one of 29 other teams.

"I gave a hug and I said, 'This is the [second] of many, we're going to win a lot together,'" Bowman said. "He gave me a big hug and said, 'Let's go.'

"I don't think he would want to leave after this scene here."

Nobody did. Nobody wanted to miss a moment.

"Incredible," Toews said. "Incredible."

ISML 2015: Shino, Asuna lead Aquamarine

ISML 2015: Shino, Asuna lead Aquamarine

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 16, 2015

Match Day 4 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period concluded, and Shino Asada leads the Nova Division while Asuna Yuuki is at the top of the Stella Division. In the Nova Division, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Tina Sprout 3564-2419, Yui Yuigahama rolled past Miyuki Shiba 3658-2529, Tohka Yatogami hammered Kotori Minami 3512-2574, Marika Tachibana dismantled Maki Nishikino 3570-2706, Enju AIhara slammed Eli Ayase 3786-2376 and Yukino Yukinoshita flattened Latifa Fleuranza 4353-1928.

Shiro pummeled Terminus Est 4373-1792, Azusa Azuki defeated Umi Sonoda 3125-2781, Yoshino froze Origami Tobiichi 3820-2064, Chiyo Sakura routed Satone Shichimiya 4117-2195, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Akami 4240-2089 and Isuzu Sento gunned down Yaya 3449-2582.

Wrapping up Nova action, Chitoge Kirisaki destroyed Nico Yazawa 3807-2394, Shino Asada whipped past Mirai Kuriyama 3428-2786, Kurousagi bounced past MIsaki Shokuhou 3341-2639, Stephanie Dola annihilated Kaori Miyazono 3475-2648, Jibril hammered Yuuki Konno 3828-2449 and Kosaki Onodera dismantled Yukina Himeragi 3967-2090.

In the Stella Division, Saber slashed past Nadeko Sengoku 4009-2231, Asuna Yuuki tore past Inori Yuzuriha 3604-2715, Mikan Yuuki defeated Yui Hirasawa 3158-2794, Illyasviel von Einzbern rolled past Shinka Nibutani 3656-2836, Konjiki no Yami scored a 3043-2635 win over Kobato Hasegawa and Ayase Aragaki whipped past Azusa Nakano 3523-2810.

Momo Veila Deviluke defeated Holo 2935-2750, Yui-nyan rocked Haruhi Suzumiya 3519-2808, Kuroyukihime flew past C.C. 3684-2355, Rikka Takanashi routed Charlotte Dunois 3609-2409, Yuri Nakamura gunned down Sena Kashiwazaki 3462-2726 and Taiga Aisaka roared past Kirino Kousaka 4030-2158.

Wrapping up Stella play, Eru Chitanda stunned Eucliwood Hellascythe 3321-2918 in the Upset of the Round making it two for Hyouka's finest. Mashiro Shiina throttled Yuki Nagato 4137-2315, Nanami Aoyama slammed Nyarlathotep 3653-2391, defending champions Kotori Itsuka rolled past Shinobu Oshino 3541-2792, Kurisu Makise pulled off a 3632-2876 statement victory over Shana and Hitagi Senjougahara was hammered by Rin Tohsaka by the score of 3892-2344.

In the Male Division, Gintoki Sakata crushed Umetarou Nozaki 3085-2375, Edward Elric defeated Sadao Mao 2883-2593, Kyon defeated Rintarou Okabe 2812-2650, Izayoi Sakamaki routed Ryuunosuke Akasaka 3415-2101, Touma Kamijou prevailed over Ryuuji Takasu 3159-2608 and Yuuta Togashi dismissed Raku Ichijou 2952-2618.

Shirou Emiya defeated Ayumu Aikawa 2893-2674, Koyomi Araragi defeated Seiya Kanie 2886-2705, Sora routed Izaya Orihara 3808-1998, Tomoya Okasaki rolled past Mikoto Mikoshiba 2998-2499, Hachiman Hikigaya leveled Ken Kaneki 4044-1767 and Archer dominated L Lawliet 3562-2179.

Wrapping up Male Division play, Accelerator accelerated past Shizuo Heiwajima 3739-1891, Kiritsugu Emiya defeated Sorata Kanda 2996-2784, Yato defeated Levi 2804-2640, Tatsuya Shiba scored the closest victory of the day: a 2795-2789 thriller over Gilgamesh, Rentarou Satomi defeated Shidou Itsuka 2959-2407 and Yuzuru Otonashi defeated Keima Katsuragi 3085-2682.

In special exhibition play, Arslan defeated Asuna Aria von Reiji 2266-1535 and Akira Takizawa defeated Shinobu Morita 1964-1212.

Match Day 5 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is scheduled for June 16, 2015. Vote for your favorites at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Tina Sprout by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 02: Shiba Miyuki [Yuigahama Yui] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 03: [Yatogami Tōka] Minami Kotori by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 04: Nishikino Maki [Tachibana Marika] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 05: [Ayase Eli] Aihara Enju by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 06: [Yukinoshita Yukino] Latifa Fleuranza by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 07: [Shiro] Terminus Est by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 08: [Azuki Azusa] Sonoda Umi by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 09: Tobiichi Origami [Yoshino] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 10: Shichimiya Satone [Sakura Chiyo] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 11: Akame [Tokisaki Kurumi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 12: [Sento Isuzu] Yaya by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 13: Yazawa Nico [Kirisaki Chitoge] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 14: [Kuriyama Mirai] Asada Shino by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 15: Kurousagi [Shokuhō Misaki] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 16: [Stephanie Dola] Miyazono Kaori by >=800
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 17: Konno Yūki [Jibril] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 18: [Onodera Kosaki] Himeragi Yukina by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 19: [Saber] Sengoku Nadeko by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 20: [Yūki Asuna] Yuzuriha Inori by <=500
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 21: [Yūki Mikan] Hirasawa Yui by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 22: Nibutani Shinka [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 23: [Hasegawa Kobato] Konjiki no Yami by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 24: Nakano Azusa [Aragaki Ayase] by >=500
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 25: Holo [Momo Belia Deviluke] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 26: [Yui-nyan] Suzumiya Haruhi by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 27: C.C. [Kuroyukihime] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 28: Takanashi Rikka [Charlotte Dunois] by <=700
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 29: [Nakamura Yuri] Kashiwazaki Sena by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 30: [Aisaka Taiga] Kōsaka Kirino by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 31: Chitanda Eru [Eucliwood Hellscythe] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 32: [Shiina Mashiro] Nagato Yuki by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 33: [Aoyama Nanami] Nyarlathotep by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 34: Oshino Shinobu [Itsuka Kotori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 35: [Shana] Makise Kurisu by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 36: [Tōsaka Rin] Senjōgahara Hitagi by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 37: [Sakata Gintoki] Nozaki Umetarō by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 38: [Edward Elric] Maō Sadao by >=600
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 39: [Kyon] Okabe Rintarō by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 40: Akasaka Ryūnosuke [Sakamaki Izayoi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 41: [Kamijō Tōma] Takasu Ryūji by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 42: [Togashi Yūta] Ichijō Raku by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 43: [Emiya Shirō] Aikawa Ayumu by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 44: Kanie Seiya [Araragi Koyomi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 45: Orihara Izaya [Sora]by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 46: [Okazaki Tomoya] Mikoshiba Mikoto by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 47: [Hikigaya Hachiman] Kaneki Ken by >=1500
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 48: [Archer] L Lawliet by >=2000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 49: [Accelerator] Heiwajima Shizuo by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 50: Kanda Sorata [Emiya Kiritsugu] by <=600
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 51: [Levi] Yato by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 52: [Gilgamesh] Shiba Tatsuya by >=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 53: [Itsuka Shidō] Satomi Rentarō by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Under

ARENA 54: Katsuragi Keima [Otonashi Yuzuru] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6200
Over

ARENA 55: [Aria von Reiji Asuna] Arslan by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 56: Takizawa Akira [Morita Shinobu] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ISML 2015: Form follows in Aquamarine

ISML 2015: Form follows in Aquamarine

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 12, 2015

Match Day 3 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period concluded, and form has followed for the most part. In the Nova Division, Jibril throttle Origami Tobiiichi 3713-2016, Kaori Miyazono defeated Nico Yazawa in both the closest race of the night and the Upset of the Round: a 2694-2656 nailbiter, Isuzu Sento crushed Yukina Himeragi 3286-1972, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Satone Shichimiya 3239-2135, Kurousagi bounced past Enju Aihara 2957-2386 and Maki Nishikino pummeled Eli Ayase 2943-1708.

Stephanie Dola outwitted Akame 3072-2486, Yukino Yukinoshita routed Misaki Shokuhou 3816-1949, Kosaki Onodera annihilated Marika Tachibana 3302-1917, Yoshino hammered Terminus Est 3454-1899, Yaya prevailed over Tina Sprout 2710-2475 and Shino Asada blew past Azusa Azuki 3195-2486.

Wrapping up Nova play, Tohka Yatogami drilled Umi Sonoda 3143-2336, Shiro pulverized Mirai Kuriyama 3994-1920, Chitoge Kirisaki rolled past Latifa Fleuranza 3320-2189, Chiyo Sakura whipped past Kotori Minami 3431-2221, Yui Yuigahama belted Yuuki Konno 3425-2312 and Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Miyuki Shiba 3598-2092.

In the Stella Division, Yuri Nakamura won a 2836-2781 thriller over Azusa Nakano, Mashiro Shiina defeated Saber 3208-2758, Inori Yuzuriha routed Nyarlathotep 3200-2223, Shinka Nibutani obliterated Kirino Kousaka 3462-2082, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Haruhi Suzumiya 3279-2465 and Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Rikka Takanashi 3137-2745.

In a battle of the Yuis, Yui-nyan rocked Yui Hirasawa 3082-2516, Charlotte Dunois defeated Yuki Nagato 2817-2642, Hitagi Senjouhara took down Nadeko Sengoku 2685-2179, Eru Chitanda trounced Sena Kashiwazaki 3326-2279, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Kuroyukihime 3367-2527 and Rin Tohsaka leveled Nanami Aoyama 3523-2474.

Wrapping up Stella play, Shana torched Mikan Yuuki 2956-2343, Shinobu Oshino chomped up C.C. 2899-2436, defending champion Kotori Itsuka cruised past Taiga Aisaka 3171-2846, Kurisu Makise defeated Momo Velia Deviluke 2896-2596, Kobato Hasegawa rolled past Holo 2880-2486 and Ayase Aragaki throttled Konjiki no Yami 3109-2431.

In the Male Division, Accelerator accelerated past Mikoto Mikoshiba 3418-1935, Seiya Kanie defeated Umetarou Nozaki 2778-2199, Sorata Kanda prevailed over Yuuta Togashi 2509-2420, Yuzuru Otonashi whipped past Rintarou Okabe 2778-2391, Izaya Orihara blew past L Lawliet 2600-2195 and Sora routed Ayumu Aikawa 3485-1784.

Gilgamesh won a 2606-2548 barn-burner over Tomoya Okazaki, Archer destroyed Raku Ichijou 3147-2171, Edward Elric mowed down Levi 2883-2344, Hachiman Hikigaya obliterated Shidou Itsuka 3517-1799, Kiritsugu Emiya defeated Ryuji Takasu 2784-2546 and Izayoi Sakamaki demolished Yato 2872-2004.

Wrapping up Male Division play, Shizuo Heiwajima rolled past Ken Kaneki 2676-2257, Touma Kamijou defeated Tatsuya Shiba 2781-2309, Keima Katsuragi wiped out Sadao Maou 2715-2144, Koyomi Araragi pulverized Ryuunosuke Akasaka 2867-2187, Gintoki Sakata defeated Rentarou Satomi 2718-2422 and Kyon prevailed over Shirou Emiya 2639-2508.

In special exhibition action, Tama defeated Pino 2064-1572 and Mayoi Hachikuji deep-fried Ika-Musume 2598-2114.

Match Day 4 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is scheduled for June 14, 2015. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 3

ARENA 01: Tobiichi Origami [Jibril]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 02: Miyazono Kaori [Yazawa Nico] 
 by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 03: [Sento Isuzu] Himeragi Yukina
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 04: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Shichimiya Satone
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 05: Aihara Enju [Kurousagi] 
 by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 06: Ayase Eli [Nishikino Maki]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 07: Akame [Stephanie Dola] 
 by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 08: Shokuhō Misaki [Yukinoshita Yukino] 
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 09: Tachibana Marika [Onodera Kosaki]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 10: Terminus Est [Yoshino]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 11: [Yaya] Tina Sprout
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 12: Azuki Azusa [Asada Shino]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 13: Sonoda Umi [Yatogami Tōka]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 14: [Shiro] Kuriyama Mirai
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over
 
ARENA 15: Latifa Fleuranza [Kirisaki Chitoge]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 16: Minami Kotori [Sakura Chiyo]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 17: [Yuigahama Yui] Konno Yūki
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 18: Shiba Miyuki [Tokisaki Kurumi]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 19: Nakano Azusa [Nakamura Yuri]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 20: Saber [Shiina Mashiro]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 21: [Yuzuriha Inori] Nyarlathotep
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 22: Nibutani Shinka [Kōsaka Kirino]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 23: Suzumiya Haruhi [Eucliwood Hellscythe]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 24: Takanashi Rikka [Illyasviel von Einzbern]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 25: [Yui-nyan] Hirasawa Yui
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 26: Nagato Yuki [Charlotte Dunois]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 27: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Sengoku Nadeko
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 28: [Chitanda Eru] Kashiwazaki Sena
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 29: Kuroyukihime [Yūki Asuna]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 30: [Aoyama Nanami] Tōsaka Rin
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over


ARENA 31: [Shana] Yūki Mikan
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 32: [Oshino Shinobu] C.C.
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 33: [Itsuka Kotori] Aisaka Taiga
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 34: Momo Belia Deviluke [Makise Kurisu]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 35: [Hasegawa Kobato] Holo
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over


ARENA 36: Konjiki no Yami [Aragaki Ayase]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 37: [Accelerator] Mikoshiba Mikoto
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 38: Nozaki Umetarō [Kanie Seiya]by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 39: Togashi Yūta [Kanda Sorata]by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 40: [Otonashi Yuzuru] Okabe Rintarō
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over
 
ARENA 41: [Orihara Izaya] L Lawliet
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 42: [Sora] Aikawa Ayumu
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 43: [Gilgamesh] Okazaki Tomoya
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over
 
ARENA 44: [Archer] Ichijō Raku
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 45: Levi [Edward Elric]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 46: Itsuka Shidō [Hikigaya Hachiman]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 47: [Emiya Kiritsugu] Takasu Ryūji
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 48: [Sakamaki Izayoi] Yato
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 49: Kaneki Ken [Heiwajima Shizuo]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 50: [Kamijō Tōma] Shiba Tatsuya
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 51: Katsuragi Keima [Maō Sadao]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 52: [Araragi Koyomi] Akasaka Ryūnosuke
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 53: Satomi Rentarō [Sakata Gintoki]
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 54: [Kyon] Emiya Shirō
by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 55: [Tama] Pino by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under

ARENA 56: Ika-Musume [Hachikuji Mayoi]
by <=500
Over/Under: 5300
Under

ISML 2015: The Aquamarine continues

ISML 2015: The Aquamarine continues

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 10, 2015

Match Day 2 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine period concluded. In the Nova Division, Kurousagi bounced past Origami Tobiichi 3012-2108, Touka Yatogami defeated Yaya 2805-2300, Chiyo Sakura routed Umi Sonoda 3265-2056, Yukino Yukinoshita throttle Enju Aihara 3459-1899, Jibril prevailed over Chitoge Kirisaki 2888-2622 and Maki Nishikino hammered Nico Yazawa 2694-1826.

Kosaki Onodera crushed Eli Ayase 3331-1930, Yui Yuigahama leveled Tina Sprout 3180-2100, Mirai Kuriyama defeated Satone Shichimiya 2724-2297, Miyuki Shiba defeated Akame 2606-2490, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Yuuki Konno 3462-2008 and Misaki Shokuhou flattened Yukina Himeragi 2752-2239.

Wrapping up Nova action, Shiro rolled past Azusa Azuki 3779-1741, Shino Asada defeated Kaori Miyazono 2878-2365, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi won a thriller over Stephanie Dola 2732-2677, Marika Tachibana took down Latifa Fleuranza 2770-2360, Kotori Minami prevailed over Terminus Est 2540-2391 and Isuzu Sento won a 2749-2674 nailbiter over Yoshino.

In the Stella Division, Haruhi Suzumiya won the Upset of the Round: a 2726-2582 decision over Momo Velia Deviluke. Defending ISML Champion Kotori Itsuka whipped past Kirino Kousaka 3489-1771, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Kobato Hasegawa 2912-2093, Illyasviel von Einzbern annihilated C.C. 3334-1956, Azusa Nakano romped past Holo 2991-2203 and Ayase Aragaki defeated Yui-nyan 2956-2478.

Rin Tohsaka thumped Nadeko Sengoku 3551-1744, Taiga Aisaka roared past Shinobu Oshino 3101-2218, Kuroyukihime flew past Shinka Nibutani 2918-2451, Shana torched Yui Hirasawa 3087-2160, Nanami Aoyama punched Yuki Nagato 3064-2257 and Asuna Yuuki slashed past Charlotte Dunois 3189-2078.

Wrapping up Stella play, Inori Yuzuriha won the closest match of the round: a 2663-2656 barn-burner over Rikka Takanashi. Eru Chitanda torn down Konjiki no Yami 2990-2320, Kurisu Makise trounced Sena Kashiwazaki 2905-2344, Mashiro Shiina drilled Nyarlathotep 3664-1670, Yuri Nakamura gunned down Mikan Yuuki 2881-2368 and Saber slashed past Hitagi Senjougahara 3168-2168.

In Male Division action, Kyon defeated Mikoto Mikoshiba 2674-2114, Hachiman Hikigaya destroyed Tomoya Okazaki 3299-1763, Gintoki Sakata drubbed Yato 2574-1995, Edward Elric cruised past Shidou Itsuka 2842-2220, Seiya Kanie obliterated Ryuunosuke Akasaka 2818-1925 and Gilgamesh impaled Ayumu AIkawa 2533-2239.

Rintarou Okabe mauled Umetarou Nozaki 2550-2199, Kiritsugu Emiya defeated Sadao Mao 2545-2321, Archer rolled past Shirou Emiya 2640-1768, Accelerator throttled Rentarou Satomi 3130-1864, Sorata Kanda prevailed over Raku Ichijou 2401-2231 and Touma Kamijou slammed Izaya Orihara 2905-1951.

Wrapping up Male Division action, Sora routed Yuuta Togashi 3580-1587, Koyomi Araragi defeated Tatsuya Shiba 2564-2270, Izayoi Sakamaki flattened Levi 2841-2063, Keima Katsuragi stormed past Ken Kaneki 2957-1786, Yuzuru Otonashi rolled past Shizuo Heiwajima 2705-2144 and Ryuuji Takasu tore apart L Lawliet 2854-1993.

In exhibition play, Annie Leonhart defeated Diane 2508-1569 and Aru Akise pummeled Near 2330-1556.

Match Day 2 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is scheduled for June 11, 2015. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

Thank You For 10 Years Of Awesomeness!

Decided to go with Ruri Gokou. So, I would like to personally thank you all for 10 Years of Great Fun. This blog will continue to provide you with plenty of Saimoe news, predictions, song lyrics as interpreted by me, and loads of sports. Thanks for tuning in to The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue: A Blogger Tradition Since 2005!

BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 2

ARENA 01: [Kurousagi] Tobiichi Origami by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 02: [Yatogami Tōka] Yaya by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 03: Sonoda Umi [Sakura Chiyo] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 04: Aihara Enju [Yukinoshita Yukino] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 05: Jibril [Kirisaki Chitoge] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 06: [Nishikino Maki] Yazawa Nico by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 07: [Onodera Kosaki] Ayase Eli by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 08: [Yuigahama Yui] Tina Sprout by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 09: Shichimiya Satone [Kuriyama Mirai] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 10: [Shiba Miyuki] Akame by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 11: [Tokisaki Kurumi] Konno Yūki by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 12: [Shokuhō Misaki] Himeragi Yukina by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 13: Azuki Azusa [Shiro] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 14: [Asada Shino] Miyazono Kaori by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 15: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Stephanie Dola by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 16: Latifa Fleuranza [Tachibana Marika] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 17: Terminus Est [Minami Kotori] by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 18: [Sento Isuzu] Yoshino by <=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 19: [Momo Belia Deviluke] Suzumiya Haruhi by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 20: [Itsuka Kotori] Kōsaka Kirino by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 21: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Hasegawa Kobato by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 22: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] C.C. by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 23: [Nakano Azusa] Holo by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 24: Yui-nyan [Aragaki Ayase] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 25: Sengoku Nadeko [Tōsaka Rin] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 26: Oshino Shinobu [Aisaka Taiga] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 27: [Kuroyukihime] Nibutani Shinka by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 28: Hirasawa Yui [Shana] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 29: Nagato Yuki [Aoyama Nanami] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 30: [Yūki Asuna] Charlotte Dunois by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 31: [Yuzuriha Inori] Takanashi Rikka by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 32: [Chitanda Eru] Konjiki no Yami by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 33: [Makise Kurisu] Kashiwazaki Sena by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 34: Nyarlathotep [Shiina Mashiro] by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 35: [Nakamura Yuri] Yūki Mikan by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 36: [Saber] Senjōgahara Hitagi by <=1500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 37: [Kyon] Mikoshiba Mikoto by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 38: [Hikigaya Hachiman] Okazaki Tomoya by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 39: [Sakata Gintoki] Yato by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 40: Itsuka Shidō [Edward Elric] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 41: Kanie Seiya [Akasaka Ryūnosuke] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 42: Aikawa Ayumu [Gilgamesh] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 43: [Okabe Rintarō] Nozaki Umetarō by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 44: [Maō Sadao] Emiya Kiritsugu by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 45: [Archer] Emiya Shirō by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 46: Satomi Rentarō [Accelerator] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 47: [Kanda Sorata] Ichijō Raku by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 48: Orihara Izaya [Kamijō Tōma] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 49: Togashi Yūta [Sora] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 50: [Araragi Koyomi] Shiba Tatsuya by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 51: Levi [Sakamaki Izayoi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 52: Kaneki Ken [Katsuragi Keima] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 53: Heiwajima Shizuo [Otonashi Yuzuru] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 54: [Takasu Ryūji] L Lawliet by <=1000
Over/Under: 5500
Under

ARENA 55: [Annie Leonhart] Diane by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 56: [Near] Akise Aru by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ISML 2015: A new season starts

ISML 2015: A new season starts

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
June 9, 2015

Match Day 1 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period concluded, and there were a few upsets but more of the expected winners got the job done. In the Nova Division, Mirai Kuriyama defeated Kotori Minami 2880-2611, Kurousagi routed Terminus Est 3070-2011, Maki Nishikino edged Latifa Fleuranza 2846-2630, Kosaki Onodera leveled Nico Yazawa 3559-2139, Chiyo Sakura throttled Yana 3498-2284 and Jibril slammed Miyuki Shiba 3567-2182.

Stephanie Dola defeated Yuuki Konno 3219-2509, Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Umi Sonoda 3337-2231, Chitoge Kirisaki annihilated Enju Aihara 3143-2398, Marika Tachibana prevailed over Misaki Shokuhou 2904-2664, Yukino Yukinoshita crushed Origami Tobiichi 3847-1805 and Yoshino silenced Azusa Azuki 3308-2245.

Wrapping up Nova action, Eli Ayase fell to Isuzu Sento 3543-1998, Kurumi Tokisaki pummeled Tina Sprout 3687-2022, Yui Yuigahama belted Satone Shichimiya 3630-2029, Touka Yatogami dismantled Yukina Himeragi 3125-2215, Shino Asada stomped on Akame 3216-2436 and Shiro overpowered Kaori Miyazono 3841-2027.

In the Stella Division, Taiga Aisaka roared past Konjiki no Yami 3279-2383, Illyasviel von Einzbern hammered Yui Hirasawa 3546-2309, Azusa Nakano romped past C.C. 3430-2351, Asuna Yuuna slashed past Sena Kashiwazaki 3430-2304, Shinobu Oshino defeated Yuki Nagato 3986-2635 and Rin Tousaka thumped Holo 3530-2176.

Inori Yuzuriha prevailed over Hitagi Senjougahara 2875-2679, Eri Chitanda scored the upset of the round over Shinka Nibutani 3252-2457, Kurisu Makise stunned Nyarlathotep 3224-2351, Ayase Aragaki crushed Kirino Kousaka 3415-1839, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Nadeko Sengoku 3391-2082 and Saber stormed past Haruhi Suzumiya 3541-2375.

Wrapping up Stella action, defending champion Kotori Itsuka routed Kobato Hasegawa 3310-2220, Shana torched past Charlotte Dunois 3237-2150, Mashiro Shiina obliterated Yui-nyan 3765-2095, Rikka Takanashi took down Mikan Yuuki 3172-2506, Kuroyukihime flew past Yuri Nakamura 3168-2585 and Nanami Aoyama rolled past Momo Velia Deviluke 3113-2441.

In Male Division action, Koyomi Araragi knocked down Levi 3062-2262, Hachima Hikigaya crushed Yuzuru Otonashi 3480-2022, Yuuta Togashi edged Shirou Emiya 2745-2556, Sora bombarded Ryuuji Takasu 3496-2040, Accelerator derailed Keima Katsuragi 3169-2195 and GIntoki Sakata defeated Ryuunosuke AKasaka 2828-2365.

Gilgamesh slashed past Izaya Orihara 2744-2211, Sorata Kanda defeated L Lawliet 2823-2430, Edward Elric trounced Ken Kaneki 3237-1899, Rintarou Okabe defeated Mikoto MIkoshiba 2771-2383, Kiritsugu Emiya outdueled Yato 2700-2389 and Tatsuya Shiba prevailed over Shidou Itsuka 2723-2216.

Wrapping up Male Division action, Umetarou Nozaki defeated Raku Ichijou 2584-2491, Izayoi Sakamaki took down Seiya Kanie 2623-2283, Sadao Mao won the closest match of the day: a 2412-2378 thriller over Ayumu AIkawa, Kyon took down Shizuo Heiwajima 2802-2300, Tomoya Okazaki defeated Rentarou Satomi 2645-2482 and Archer prevailed over Touma Kamijou 2731-2642.

In exhibition action, Kaname Isaki defeated Ryouta Watari 2270-1729 and Natsuki Minamiya crushed Utage Douraku 2859-1547.

Match Day 2 of the 2015 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is scheduled for June 9, 2015. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

The Bedlam Is Turning 10 This Thursday.

Hey, just wanted to let you know that the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue, a.k.a. the World according to Jo-Ryan Salazar, will be turning 10 years old this Thursday. That's right, this marks the 10th anniversary of this blog, which originally started out as a tribute blog to Arina Tanemura, a well-known manga artist known for works such as Full Moon wo Sagashite and Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne. Then it spurned off and evolved into a blog that covered all things Saimoe, as well as sports. It's a transformation that highlights 10 years of my life, from college onward.

I am mulling changing my banner to commemorate this anniversary but I would need to know what I want to use, or whether or not I should go with something Arina-like to commemorate this important occasion. This has been a great ride, really. So I am going to make Version 128 a good one because 10 years is a pretty long time.

BoBA ISML 2015 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 1

Let's do this. It's time.

ARENA 01: [Kuriyama Mirai] Minami Kotori by >=500
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 02: [Kurousagi] Terminus Est by <=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 03: [Nishikino Maki] Latifa Fleuranza by >=500
Over/Under: 8500
Over

ARENA 04: Yazawa Nico [Onodera Kosaki] by >=600
Over/Under: 8500
Over

ARENA 05: [Sakura Chiyo] Yaya by >=1500
Over/Under: 8650
Over

ARENA 06: Shiba Miyuki [Jibril] by <=1600
Over/Under: 8950
Under

ARENA 07: Konno Yūki [Stephanie Dola] by >=400
Over/Under: 8860
Under

ARENA 08: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Sonoda Umi by >=700
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 09: Aihara Enju [Kirisaki Chitoge] by >=1000
Over/Under: 8800
Over

ARENA 10: Shokuhō Misaki [Tachibana Marika] by <=800
Over/Under: 8970
Under

ARENA 11: Tobiichi Origami [Yukinoshita Yukino] by >=600
Over/Under: 8990
Under

ARENA 12: Azuki Azusa [Yoshino] by >=800
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 13: [Ayase Eli] Sento Isuzu by <=600
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 14: [Tokisaki Kurumi] Tina Sprout by >=1600
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 15: [Yuigahama Yui] Shichimiya Satone by >=1300
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 16: [Yatogami Tōka] Himeragi Yukina by >=1800
Over/Under: 9100
Under

ARENA 17: Akame [Asada Shino] by >=1200
Over/Under: 8750
Under

ARENA 18: [Shiro] Miyazono Kaori by >=2000
Over/Under: 8800
Over

ARENA 19: [Aisaka Taiga] Konjiki no Yami by >=1200
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 20: Hirasawa Yui [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by <=500
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 21: [Nakano Azusa] C.C. by >=1200
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 22: [Yūki Asuna] Kashiwazaki Sena by >=1300
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 23: [Oshino Shinobu] Nagato Yuki by <=1000
Over/Under: 8750
Under

ARENA 24: Holo [Tōsaka Rin] by >=2000
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 25: [Yuzuriha Inori] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=1500
Over/Under: 8900
Over

ARENA 26: [Nibutani Shinka] Chitanda Eru by >=1100
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 27: Makise Kurisu [Nyarlathotep] by <=600
Over/Under: 8700
Under

ARENA 28: Kōsaka Kirino [Aragaki Ayase] by >=2000
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 29: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Sengoku Nadeko by >=2500
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 30: [Saber] Suzumiya Haruhi by >=1000
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 31: Hasegawa Kobato [Itsuka Kotori] by >=1300
Over/Under: 8800
Over

ARENA 32: Charlotte Dunois [Shana] by >=1200
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 33: [Shiina Mashiro] Yui-nyan by >=1000
Over/Under: 8900
Over

ARENA 34: Yūki Mikan [Takanashi Rikka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 35: [Kuroyukihime] Nakamura Yuri by >=700
Over/Under: 8500
Over

ARENA 36: Momo Belia Deviluke [Aoyama Nanami] by >=800
Over/Under: 8900
Under

ARENA 37: Levi [Araragi Koyomi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 38: [Hikigaya Hachiman] Otonashi Yuzuru by >=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 39: [Emiya Shirō] Togashi Yūta by <=600
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 40: [Sora] Takasu Ryūji by <=1200
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 41: Katsuragi Keima [Accelerator] by >=1000
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 42: [Sakata Gintoki] Akasaka Ryūnosuke by >=1000
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 43: [Gilgamesh] Orihara Izaya by <=1000
Over/Under: 8800
Under

ARENA 44: L Lawliet [Kanda Sorata] by >=300
Over/Under: 8700
Under

ARENA 45: Kaneki Ken [Edward Elric] by >=400
Over/Under; 8600
Under

ARENA 46: [Mikoshiba Mikoto] Okabe Rintarō by >=300
Over/Under: 8800
Under

ARENA 47: [Emiya Kiritsugu] Yato by <=700
Over/Under: 8700
Under

ARENA 48: Itsuka Shidō [Shiba Tatsuya] by >=200
Over/Under: 8650
Over

ARENA 49: [Nozaki Umetarō] Ichijō Raku by >=1000
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 50: Sakamaki Izayoi [Kanie Seiya] by >=1200
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 51: [Maō Sadao] Aikawa Ayumu by >=1300
Over/Under: 8700
Over

ARENA 52: [Kyon] Heiwajima Shizuo by <=800
Over/Under: 8800
Under

ARENA 53: [Okazaki Tomoya] Satomi Rentarō by >=400
Over/Under: 8600
Over

ARENA 54: Archer [Kamijō Tōma] by <=600
Over/Under: 8800
Over

ARENA 55: Watari Ryōta [Isaki Kaname] by >=500
Over/Under: 8000
Under

ARENA 56: Dōraku Utage [Minamiya Natsuki] by >=2000
Over/Under: 8000
Under

FC Barcelona: 2014-15 UEFA Champions League Champions

For Gerard Piqué, it had been a long day, one that had begun rather too early for his liking. He had woken up early in the confines of his luxury suite at the five star Grand Hyatt hotel in Berlin. Perhaps it was because of the unfamiliar surroundings, maybe because he was feeling a few pre-match nerves. Understandable, of course. Today wasn’t just any old day; it was the most important day of the year so far: UEFA Champions League final day to be exact.

Throughout his illustrious career, Piqué could count himself fortunate enough to play in two previous European Cup finals, a European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final, amongst others. He knew how to handle the pressure, to manage his nerves and channel any slight anxiety he felt into a positive performance for his team. But still, there was something about today that felt different…although up until now, he hadn’t quite been able to put his finger on it.

Then, as he sat down on the bench, deep in the bowels of the Olympiastadion in the Barça dressing room, Gerard leaned back and it was then, with a cigar in his mouth as he posed for a photo with his friend Gabri, the long-serving kitman that it hit him. Suddenly, he understood perfectly just what was so different about today, about this game that had been bothering him earlier…

Tonight wasn’t just about winning a singular, isolated match; no, this had been about something more. A greater cause, a higher purpose: the chance to truly rewrite history and achieve perfection.

By beating the Serie A champions, Juventus FC in Berlin, FC Barcelona would become the first club to ever record two separate treble-winning campaigns, and as such, there was an accompanying level of pressure following the Blaugrana in their trip to the German capital. After closing out the La Liga season in style and emphatically defeating Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, Barça were heavy favourites to lift the trophy tonight and while there were wobbles along the way, they lived up to that status and perhaps even exceeded their billing.

Recovering from a shaky opening couple of minutes, Barcelona wasted no time in demonstrating their offensive prowess and putting the Bianconeri to the sword. Lionel Messi was integral in the game’s opening goal, but in truth, it was a real team effort. Messi’s cross-field pass was expertly cushioned back to Neymar by the overlapping Catalan full-back, Jordi Alba and even if the Brazilian’s first touch was uncharacteristically lacking, he kept his composure to maintain the pressure and save the attack.

With a shimmy of the hips and a swerve of his slender frame, Neymar juked past one Juventus defender with relative ease to create enough space for another pass: this time to find the ghosting run of Barcelona’s pale-faced midfield assassin, Andres Iniesta.

Andres himself is no stranger to the spotlight, nor is he a newcomer to this grand stage; yet even so, the subtle genius and sheer ruthlessness in his play was staggering. Rather than chance his arm with a shot of his own, Iniesta was selfless, shirking the responsibility on to his Croatian midfield partner, Ivan Rakitic. Simplistic and ruinous, Iniesta’s simple pass across handed Rakitic a simple tap-in; after just four minutes, FC Barcelona were ahead.

And it was from there that they threatened to run riot on their seemingly helpless opposition. For a period it appeared as though every attack, every pass in the final third could lead to a goal – and that just about anyone on the Barcelona side was capable of doing the damage. Nominal right-back, Dani Alves came closest to doubling the advantage but his powerful and well-placed effort was matched by a spectacular, game-saving piece of heroics from Gianluigi Buffon.

Wave after wave of attack was keeping the Juve midfield penned into their own defensive third and while the Italians survived that onslaught to launch a retaliatory spell of pressure, the first-half ended on a similar note: with a barrage of Barça attacks. Suarez was next to be denied by Buffon’s stupendous performance and at the interval, the world was in awe of the Barcelona juggernaut.

However, with just a single goal to their name, Barcelona’s lead was fragile and their position precarious. Try as they might to grab that all-important second goal, they faced spirited resistance, again from Buffon but also from his defence – Suarez was denied once more, but Messi also missed the target with a chance of his own.

And all it took was one mistake, one defensive breakdown and Juventus were level.

Dani Alves’ clearance was rushed and Neymar’s attempt to salvage the situation and retrieve the ball was futile; Juventus had won it back, in space with time to assess their options and attack the Barcelona backline. Even so, it took a moment of magic from Claudio Marchisio, arguably their best midfield performer on the night, to unlock the Barça defence. A cute back-heel unleashed Stephan Lichtsteiner and his subsequent cutback found Carlos Tevez in space for a shot on goal.

Under pressure from Piqué, Tevez’ effort was well-saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen but the rebound was kind to Max Allegri’s side, as the ball ricocheted to the left – into the grateful path of Alvaro Morata who applied the finish.

A former product of La Fabrica with a dagger to the heart of Barcelona’s Champions League dream. It could have been poetic; alas, the Blaugrana were not to be denied…

***

For Luis Enrique, you can forget about today. For him, it had been a long season – albeit one that had threatened to end quite prematurely. In January, he had taken the decision to leave Lionel Messi and Neymar out of the starting line-up against Real Sociedad following their extended periods of absence over the winter break. At the time, he was certain that it was the right decision; by the time that night was over, he feared for his job.

Against all the odds, an under-performing Real Sociedad outfit coached by David Moyes had defeated his Barcelona by a solitary goal and the pressure was starting to tell. There were disagreements in the dressing room, on the training ground and stories began to surface in the media. All those changes he had enforced, all the hard work he had put in since his appointment in May…it seemed as though they would count for nothing. Luis thought for sure that he was on the way out of the Camp Nou.

But the board, preoccupied with their own internal strife, handed him the vote of confidence – a stay of execution. His long-term future was not certain by any means, but for now, Enrique remained in his role as Barcelona head coach.

In some respects, he was thankful for the opportunity. In others, he was tired of the pressure and tired of the criticism; in his eyes at least, he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Rather, it was the players who couldn’t see the bigger picture.

The solution was simple; desperate to succeed on his terms, he merely changed the delivery. The underlying principles remained the same, but he adapted his style to suit the dressing room, to soothe the egos and manage the squad as a whole. Rotation remained pivotal to all this but he knew how to package it, and crucially, he learnt from the players when it was required.

At the time, the Sociedad defeat seemed like a curse, destined to tarnish his reign in charge of his former club, but it was now as he felt a sense of pure jubilation, having been thrown in the air by the very players he had won over that Luis Enrique realised the truth…

He had been right all along.

With Juventus back on level terms, the match was now on a completely different path. While it had previously seemed as though the Blaugrana were coasting to victory and their second treble in six years, now it was Juve who were in the ascendency and taking the game by the throat. Morata, again, Tevez and Paul Pogba went close; though never did Barcelona waver.

They sat back, took the punches and responded in kind with a flurry of their own. It was about Round 8 of 12 in this heavyweight slugfest and the Blaugrana, weary though they might have been, turned the tables through sheer willpower alone.

The scorecards had been even up until this point, but the Barcelona frontline remembered the wise words of wisdom that their trainer had imparted on them in preparation for this bout; Lionel Messi took the ball, drove at the Juventus defence and went for goal. His effort wasn’t good enough to beat Buffon outright, but it was enough to force a rebound and Luis Suarez, sharp of mind and quick on his feet was first to react.

Reaching the ball before Patrice Evra was the hard part, but courtesy of Enrique’s teachings and trainings he was well prepared and went on to apply the finish with consummate ease. Never say die, FC Barcelona were back ahead and back on track in their quest for the treble.

***

For Neymar, today had been a good day. For him, it had been about the realisation of a lifelong dream. Ever since he was a child, he had wondered what it might be like to play for biggest clubs in the world, to line up with the best players and to score in a major final. And now here he was, the little kid from Mogi das Cruzes was in Berlin, phone in hand, wandering over to the FC Barcelona support to take a selfie with the travelling Culés having scored the goal that secured the club’s fifth UEFA Champions League title.

Even now, some six years into his career as a professional footballer, Neymar struggles to comprehend just how he has scaled these heights and how he now features alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. Clearly, he has a lot to be thankful for, to God, and the band tied around his head is symbolic of his deep Christian faith.

With a smile on his face, he’s patient, waits for the camera to focus and presses the button. Not once, not twice, but a few times – you know, just to be sure. He wanted to capture this moment, this elation, this euphoria, and treasure it forever. It’s only after the fact as he’s scrolling through the photos to see which one to upload and share with his fans that Neymar realises something…

This is just the beginning.

The minutes were ticking by, but all too slowly for the Barcelona players, management and fans alike. Everyone had seen what Juventus were capable of given the chance; every moment that the score remained at 2-1, the nerves, the anxiety levels in the stadium increased.

Pogba, Marchisio and Tevez all tried in vain to help their side find an equaliser, but Barcelona were equal to their efforts, fending off their desperate attempts at goal. Maybe they were taking a few more punches than they would have liked, but the Blaugrana remained calm and deep into the 12th and final round, they delivered a hay-maker, the knockout blow in this title fight courtesy of the left boot of Neymar Jr.

Gerard Piqué was involved, so too was Luis Enrique’s final substitute, Pedro Rodriguez but the star of the show had to be the Brazilian. Having previously seen a goal chalked off for handball, Neymar wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass and after yet more selfless work from Pedro, he drilled the ball past the despairing dive of Buffon to seal the tie and secure the title.

***

It was a goal, and a performance that served to epitomise FC Barcelona under Luis Enrique: that all for one and one for all altruistic spirit, as the individual talents seamlessly come together to form a greater collective and a team that seems virtually unstoppable.

50 wins in 60 matches. Three trophies out of three – FC Barcelona once again achieved perfection in 2014/15 – and while for now, Enrique’s future might be uncertain there is a great sense of optimism around the camp and a pervasive feeling that current success considered: the best might yet be to come.

American Pharoah: 12th Triple Crown Winner

ELMONT, N.Y. -- There he was parading about in the winner's circle, the world's greatest athlete, his muscles and veins bulging as if he were hooked up to some overheated generator about to explode.

American Pharoah was sweating profusely under a fading sun, huffing and puffing and flaring his nostrils for dramatic effect after conquering a mile-and-a-half test of character and will that had broken so many lesser horses before him.

The bay colt turned his head just so to shoot a bloodshot glance from his left eye at the unruly admirers fighting to take his picture. I was almost close enough to reach out and touch him, not that I would've ever dared. In the presence of greatness, I couldn't help but think this horse deserved to be written up on Steinbeck's laptop, or Hemingway's, and certainly not mine.

American Pharoah started his Saturday in an old barn with weary green-colored siding, hard by the Hempstead Turnpike and right across the street from a Wendy's. He took his prerace bath behind Barn 1 (with some oblivious motorists whizzing on by, honking at each other), accidentally stepped into the white bucket carrying the soapy water, and ultimately made the long walk toward the paddock and the monument to Secretariat, the ghost all Triple Crown hopefuls chase at the Belmont Stakes.

And then Victor Espinoza took him out of the gate and into the early lead, just like that. Suddenly, the 37 long years that had passed since a teenage wonder named Steve Cauthen guided Affirmed home became a closed chapter in a wildly entertaining -- if unfulfilling -- book. Years after Affirmed beat Alydar in three epic confrontations to win the last Triple Crown before Saturday's, Cauthen was reminded that only five horses ran at the Belmont.

"Actually," he said, "there were really only two."Actually, there was really only one on the Belmont track Saturday evening, not eight, and he treated this closing Long Island marathon as if it were a walk in Central Park. American Pharoah, the perfect horse with the imperfect spelling, made 90,000 witnesses sound like 900,000. He nearly flipped the building on its ear as he protected his lead around the massive oval and won by 5½ lengths, his triumph punctuated by the sight of Espinoza punching the air with a straight right hand.

As horse stories go, this wasn't Seabiscuit giving all underdogs a lift during the Great Depression, or Secretariat thrilling a nation haunted by Vietnam and Watergate. This was just a powerfully elegant animal, born on Groundhog Day, refusing to surrender to the inevitability of another Groundhog Day finish at the Belmont.

Thirteen horses had won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness since 1978, and 12 of them made it to the Belmont and failed to finish the job. War Emblem stumbled. Smarty Jones got a bum ride from his jockey. California Chrome was nicked out of the gate and beaten by a Preakness-skipping opponent, sending one of Chrome's co-owners on a nationally televised, amateur-hour rant. Funny Cide was swallowed whole by conditions so treacherous that one of his small-town owners later told ESPN.com that the Belmont should've been canceled, and that he should've scratched the horse when it wasn't.

You knew all the stories, all the names and faces of a drought started when the Derby and Preakness winner Spectacular Bid stepped on a safety pin the morning of the '79 Belmont. The drought began three years before David Letterman debuted as a late-night TV host, and survived his entire career.

American Pharoah wasn't ever going to contribute to one of those stories. The loser on California Chrome, Espinoza, entered 0-for-2 in Triple Crown chances, and the trainer, Bob Baffert, entered 0-for-3. Friday night, Baffert had dinner with his friend, Joe Torre, at Del Frisco's on Sixth Avenue, and the Hall of Fame manager who had won four World Series with the Yankees saw certainty in the trainer's body language and words.

"He was as cool as a cucumber, a lot cooler than I would've been before a Game 7," Torre said as he waited to join Baffert on the stage for the trophy presentation. "He knew this horse was something special from the get-go ... There really was no hesitation in how he was talking about this horse."

Torre had been fired three times as a manager before George Steinbrenner gave him his big break in the Bronx. He mentioned that the fourth time turned out to be the charm for his guy Baffert as well.

The trainer's three Triple Crown near misses, Torre said, "was sort of like getting to the World Series and never winning it. He can finally raise the trophy today."

Before climbing up to the stage, Torre admitted something that every great manager in every sport should admit. "You've got to have the right horses," he said. "Just like the time when I managed the Yankees -- I had the right horses."

Yes, mercifully, Saturday was about the horse instead of the humans. Baffert and Espinoza -- who grew up on a Mexican goat farm and became a teenage bus driver to help pay the bills -- were fascinating characters under the watch of their more fascinating owner, Ahmed Zayat, an Orthodox Jew who made his fortune selling beer in Egypt. Torre didn't need to point out that Zayat has a lot of Steinbrenner in him, defined by his blustery proclamations; emotional, quick-trigger decisions (he fired and rehired Baffert, his own Billy Martin); and dubious business associations.

In fact, after all the coverage of Zayat's high-stakes legal issues and bankruptcy case, and after all the printed claims that he was either slow to pay his debts or in the habit of never paying them at all, it seemed like he was the one about to run the race. So as security guards rushed him through a delirious mob, I barked a question at him about the magnitude of his moment in the sun.

"Forget about me," he shouted back. "I'm happy for this sport. It's all about the horse, a brilliant horse. Now he can find greatness. He was a good horse, and now he's a great horse. He's a legend. It's all about the horse."

After making the 25-mile trip from his Teaneck, New Jersey, home, the toughest bargainer out of Teaneck since that noted NBA tough guy, David Stern, had made the appropriate concession at the appropriate time. It was never about Zayat, or Baffert, or Espinoza, and when it was over all three were in complete agreement on that.

"He's the one who did it," Baffert said of his horse. "We were basically passengers."

And what an indelible ride it was. American Pharoah won the Derby by a length, and then blew away the field in the slop at the Preakness. On his prerace walk to Barn 1 at the Belmont, Baffert jokingly complained he didn't get the rain that he wanted and that some weathermen had predicted. He looked up toward the sunshiny skies and said, "Too late now."

But American Pharoah didn't need a muddy track, and he didn't need the kind of gut-check rival that pushed Affirmed the way Alydar did in 1978, back when Cauthen compared the two competitors to Ali and Frazier. All this beautiful horse needed, really, was for the human beings to get the hell out of his way.

American Pharoah was born to be the 12th winner of the Triple Crown. If you stood next to him in the winner's circle Saturday, and watched him flex his muscles and celebrate his tired, glorious self, you didn't need some weathered horse whisperer to tell you that.