BoBA ISML 2014 Predictions: Ruby Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Momo Belia Deviluke] Dekomori Sanae by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: [Takanashi Rikka] Nibutani Shinka by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 03: Kuriyama Mirai [Charlotte Belew] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: Aoyama Nanami [Itsuka Kotori] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 05: [Tokisaki Kurumi] Yatogami Tōka by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 06: [Kurousagi] Roromiya Karuta by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 07: [Yaya] Chocolat by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: Shiomiya Shiori [Yukinoshita Yukino] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 09: Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko [Yūki Asuna] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 10: Yukihira Furano [Takanashi Tōka] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 11: Azuki Azusa [Yoshino] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 12: [Nōmi Kudryavka] Yui by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 13: Kirigaya Suguha [Himeragi Yukina] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 14: [Kuroyukihime] Chitanda Eru by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 15: Shirakiin Ririchiyo [Tobiichi Origami] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 16: [Nyarlathotep] Shokuhō Misaki by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 17: [Natsume Rin] Haqua du Lot Herminium by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 18: Laura Bodewig [Yūki Mikan] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 19: Fujimiya Kaori [Saegusa Mayumi] by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 20: [Usami Haru] Hoshino Yumemi by >=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 21: [Yuzuriha Inori] Yui-nyan by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 22: Suzumiya Haruhi [Shiina Mashiro] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 23: Kirishima Shōko [Charlotte Dunois] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 24: Mikazuki Yozora [Last Order] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 25: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Hasegawa Kobato] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 26: Iwasawa Masami [Oshino Shinobu] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 27: Shana [Aragaki Ayase] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 28: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Honma Meiko by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 29: [Tachibana Kanade] Makise Kurisu by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 30: [Akiyama Mio] Kasugano Sora by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 31: [Konjiki no Yami] Senjōgahara Hitagi by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 32: [Kashiwazaki Sena] Victorique de Blois by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 33: [Nakano Azusa] Katsura Hinagiku by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 34: [Aisaka Taiga] Nakamura Yuri by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 35: Kōsaka Kirino [Misaka Mikoto] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 36: Tōwa Erio [Hirasawa Yui] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 37: Nagato Yuki [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 38: [Saber] Sengoku Nadeko by <=2000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ISML 2014: Asuna, Ruri consolidate leads in Ruby

ISML 2014: Asuna, Ruri consolidate leads in Ruby

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
June 18, 2014

Match Day 5 in the 2014 International Saimoe League was surprising for one reason only: just about all of the expected winners won. And as a result of one of the most predictable days of the regular season...Asuna Yuuki leads the Nova Division while defending champion Ruri Gokou leads the Stella Division. Here's results from Ruby 5.

NOVA DIVISION

In the Nova Division, Kurousagi bounced past Noumi Kudryvaka 2367-1481, Yoshino leveled Haqua du Lot Herminium 2490-1687, Nanami Aoyama drubbed Chocolat 2538-1497, Yaya demolished Furano Yukihira 2380-1428, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Sanae Dekomori 2728-1480 and Shinka Nibutani overpowered Shiori Shiomiya 2620-1460.

Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Laura Bodewig 2591-1426, Mikan Yuuki defeated Ririchiyo Shirakiin 2148-1702, Rikka Takanashi thrashed Nyarlathotep 2571-1531, Touka Takanashi defeated Yui 2252-1940, Rin Natsume prevailed over Mitaki Kuriyama 2056-1795 and Touka Yatogami routed Charlotte Belew 2674-1311.

Wrapping up Nova action, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Misaki Shokuhou 2914-1300, Kuroyukihima flew past Momo Velia Deviluke 2373-1669, Yukino Yukinoshita cruised past Yukina Himeragi 2200-1566, Eru Chitanda crushed Karuta Roromiya 2672-1278, Kotori Itsuka pounded Azusa Azuki 2608-1548 and Origami Tobiichi secured a rare win, this time over Suguha Kirigaya 2195-1824.

STELLA DIVISION

In the Stella Division, Yuri Nakamura gunned down Yuki Nagato 2393-1784, Yui-nyan defeated Kirino Kousaka 2331-1802, Azusa Nakano romped past Yozora Mikazuki 2611-1454, Shana torched Haruhi Suzumiya 2191-1852, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Illyasviel von Einzbern 2707-1470 and Konjiki no Yami whipped past Shouko Kirishima.

Mashiro Shiina leveled Sora Kasugano 2806-1263, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Hinagiku Katsura 2465-1484, Kanade Tachibana sliced and diced Hitagi Senjougahara 2715-1498, Saber slashed past Last Order 2309-1769, Yui Hirasawa rocked Shinobu Oshino in a 2086-1969 thriller over Shinobu Oshino and Taiga Aisaka roared past Meiko Honma, 2861-1142.

Wrapping up Stella action, Sena Kashiwazaki trampled over Masami Iwasawa 2321-1745, Ayase Aragaki mowed down Charlotte Dunois 2449-1611, Inori Yuzuriha won the closest match of the night: a 2045-1946 barnburner over Kurisu Makise, Ruri Gokou ran past Victorique de Blois 2713-1386, Mio Akiyama boomed past Nadeko Sengoku 2470-1475 and Kobato Hasegawa rolled past Erio Touwa 2278-1457.

In special exhibition play, Marika Tachibana routed Nike Remercier 2427-936 and Eleanor Olegovna Owen defeated Kotori Kanbe 1584-1180.

Match Day 6 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for June 19, 2014. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2014 Predictions: Ruby Match Day 5

ARENA 01: [Kurousagi] Nōmi Kudryavka by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: [Yoshino] Haqua du Lot Herminium by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 03: Chocolat [Aoyama Nanami] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: [Yaya] Yukihira Furano by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 05: [Yūki Asuna] Dekomori Sanae by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 06: Shiomiya Shiori [Nibutani Shinka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 07: Laura Bodewig [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 08: Shirakiin Ririchiyo [Yūki Mikan] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 09: Nyarlathotep [Takanashi Rikka] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 10: Yui [Takanashi Tōka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 11: Kuriyama Mirai [Natsume Rin] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 12: Charlotte Belew [Yatogami Tōka] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 13: Shokuhō Misaki [Tokisaki Kurumi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 14: Momo Belia Deviluke [Kuroyukihime] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 15: Himeragi Yukina [Yukinoshita Yukino] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 16: [Chitanda Eru] Roromiya Karuta by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 17: Azuki Azusa [Itsuka Kotori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 18: [Tobiichi Origami] Kirigaya Suguha by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 19: [Tachibana Marika] Nike Remercier by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 20: Kanbe Kotori [Eleanor Olegovna Owen] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Under

ARENA 21: [Nakamura Yuri] Nagato Yuki by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 22: [Yui-nyan] Kōsaka Kirino by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 23: Mikazuki Yozora [Nakano Azusa] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 24: [Shana] Suzumiya Haruhi by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 25: [Misaka Mikoto] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 26: Kirishima Shōko [Konjiki no Yami] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 27: Kasugano Sora [Shiina Mashiro] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 28: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Katsura Hinagiku by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 29: Senjōgahara Hitagi [Tachibana Kanade] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 30: [Saber] Last Order by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 31: Oshino Shinobu [Hirasawa Yui] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 32: Honma Meiko [Aisaka Taiga] by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 33: [Kashiwazaki Sena] Iwasawa Masami by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 34: [Aragaki Ayase] Charlotte Dunois by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 35: [Yuzuriha Inori] Makise Kurisu by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 36: [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Victorique de Blois by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 37: [Akiyama Mio] Sengoku Nadeko by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 38: [Hasegawa Kobato] Tōwa Erio by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ISML 2014: Asuna, Ruri lead Ruby

ISML 2014: Asuna, Ruri lead Ruby

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
June 16, 2014

Asuna Yuuki and Ruri Gokou lead the Nova and Stella Divisions following Match Day 4 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Ruby Period. Most of the expected favorites pulled through, but there were a few other surprises. Here is a round-up of results.

NOVA DIVISION

In the Nova Division, Yui delivered the Upset of the Round: a 2319-2301 nailbiter over Misaki Shoukohou, the closest result of the night. Yoshino defeated Kurousagi 2632-1967, Kuroyukihime flew past Charlotte Belew 3144-1369, Azusa Azuki defeated Origami Tobiiichi 2493-2055, Eru Chitanda hammered Yukina Himeragi 2791-1716 and Momo Velia Deviluke prevailed over Haqua du Lot Herminium 2192-2033.

Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Furano Yukihira 3117-1246, Mikan Yuuki defeated Mirai Kuriyama 2388-2119, Yana prevailed over Yukino Yukinoshita 2284-2159, Rikka Takanashi whipped past Shiori Shiomiya 3184-1481, Asuna Yuuki crushed Chocolat 2980-1715 and Nyarlathotep defeated Suguha Kirigaya 2372-2107.

Wrapping up Nova play, Shinka Nibutani slammed Rin Natsume 2913-1686, Tohka Yatogami destroyed Ririchiyo Shirakiin 2969-1658, Kotori Itsuka annihilated Laura Bodewig 3257-1369, Touka Takanashi defeated Sanae Dekomori 2310-2059, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Karuta Roromiya 3528-1212 and Nanami Aoyama dominated Noumi Kudryavka 2961-1547.

STELLA DIVISION

In the Stella Division, Shana torched Hinagiku Katsura 2950-1443, Kurisu Makise stunned Shinobu Oshino 2303-1955, Mashiro Shiina pulverized Yozora Mikazuki 3394-1137, defending champion Ruri Gokou ran past Nadeko Sengoku 3250-1330, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Erio Touwa 3029-1274 and Yui Hirasawa rocked Meiko Honma 2541-1826.

Yui-nyan cruised past Hitagi Senjougahara 2578-1904, Saber slashed past Yuki Nagato in a 2398-2134 upset, Kanade Tachibana sliced and diced Masami Iwasawa 3656-883, Mio Akiyama boomed past Kobato Hasegawa 2522-2136, Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Last Order 2446-2071 and Konjiki no Yami stunned Sena Kashizawaki 2286-2095.

Wrapping up Stella play, Inori Yuzuriha drubbed Victorique de Blois 2611-1739, Yuri Nakamura gunned down Sora Kasugano 2604-1907, Taiga Aisaka roared past Illyasviel von Einzbern 2941-1635, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Shouko Kirishima 3324-1346, Charlotte Dunois upset Kirino Kousaka 2249-2164 and Ayase Aragaki won a 2378-2344 thriller over Azusa Nakano.

In special exhibition play, Sayaka Kirasaka rolled past Mitsuki Kanzaki 2188-1528 and Risa Harada routed Nadja Applefield 1803-647.

Match Day 5 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for June 17, 2014. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

FINALLY!

Before Monday, few non-soccer die-hards knew John Brooks' name. Now he's an American hero, having scored the winning goal for the United States in the 86th minute of a 2-1 victory over Ghana.

Here are some things you should know about the 21-year-old who put Team USA in an unexpectedly strong position to reach the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup:

Brooks has never lived in the U.S.

Brooks, also known as John Anthony Brooks, was born in Berlin while his father, Chicago native John Brooks Sr., was stationed in the German capital as a member of the U.S. military. Brooks grew up in the city, playing in the youth academy for Hertha BSC and later signing a professional contract with the club.

Facebook/John Brooks

Here's Brooks talking glowingly about his family, his dog and his love for what the Germans call "fussball." Note the accent -- he's definitely not from Los Angeles or NYC:

Brooks is quite happy to be playing for USA

Because of his American father, the 6-foot-3 central defender had a choice of national teams. He spent some time with both Germany and the U.S. in his younger years, but always preferred America.

"The United States is still my first choice," Brooks told The New York Times in 2012. "Playing for the German team was OK but America was a lot better."

This past August, Brooks made his senior-team debut with the U.S. in a friendly vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina. Team USA won 4-3.

AP Photo/Amel Emric

Brooks once reportedly was benched for a tattoo ...

No, Hertha manager Jos Luhukay isn't anti-ink. He simply had no choice, reportedly, as Brooks' large back tattoo was so fresh when his team was set to take on Bayer Leverkusen this past April that Brooks had to sit out for fear that sweat and rubbing against the jersey would irritate the skin.

"I don't have any understanding for that," Luhukay told Berliner Morgenpost. "The tattoo could lead to an inflammation, and, naturally, that is not good."

... but not these tattoos

Brooks has a tattoo on each arm: one for his dad's hometown, and the other his own. Here they are, via Men in Blazers:

Courtesy Men in Blazers

Brooks could join the Premier League

Transfer rumors should always be taken with a huge bag of salt. Still, reports from the U.K.say the likes of Everton (where U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard plays), Aston Villa (U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan), Stoke City (U.S. defender/midfielder Geoff Cameron), West Ham and Newcastle are interested.

San Antonio Spurs: 2013-14 NBA Champions

Summing it up

The Spurs started Game 5 of the Finals poorly at the AT&T Center, giving coach Gregg Popovich an unsettling flashback to one of the worst moments in franchise history. Much like their collapse in the 2012 Western Conference Finals, they were sluggish and stagnant, a far cry from consecutive beatdowns at Miami in which they elevated the game to artistic levels.

“I told my team we looked exactly like we did two years ago when we won the first two against OKC and then they won four in a row because we stopped moving the ball,” he said. “The ball didn’t move, it didn’t change sides. And that’s what the game looked like in the first six or seven minutes of the game.”

The Spurs trailed the Heat by 16 at that point, and visions of a return flight to Miami and squandered control were looming. But unlike last year, when fate conspired to steal the championship from their grasp, they simply would not be denied, crushing the Heat by 37 over the next two quarters and cruising to a 104-87 victory that capped their fifth championship and the most lopsided Finals triumph in NBA history.

The Spurs did lose a game in the series, winning 4-1. But their 14-point average margin of victory over those five games was a championship series record, as was their 52.8 team shooting percentage. That it came at the expense of the Heat, whose 4-3 victory in last year’s series continued to torment the Spurs well into this season, made it all the better. It said something about the depth of that heartbreak, and the achievement of getting back and earning redemption, that Tim Duncan said it was the most satisfying of his five championships dating back to 1999.

“It is sweeter than any other,” said Duncan, who became the first player to start for three different championship teams in three decades. “Whether it be because of the time frame, because I’m coming towards the end of my career, because I can have these two (his children) here and really remember it and enjoy the experience, all of those things make it that much more special.”

Having been beaten like no other team in the Finals, the Heat could only lavish praise on the team they devastated last year to win their second straight championship.

“We got smashed,” Chris Bosh said. “They exposed us. They picked us apart. They played the best basketball I’ve ever seen.”

Said LeBron James, “That’s how team basketball should be played. It’s selfless. Guys move, cut, pass. You get a shot, you take it, but it’s all for the team and it’s never about the individual. That’s (their) brand of basketball, and that’s how team basketball should be played.”

Even Manu Ginobili, so single-minded in his pursuit of another title that he said he couldn’t sit still to even read during the Finals, admitted getting caught up in the artistry of the Spurs’ play.

“There were some possessions on the court and seeing what was going on, some others on the bench, I was so proud,” he said. “Sometimes I felt like saying, ‘Wow, this is sweet.’ It was really fun to play like this.”

And, of course, to win and atone for last year’s defeat.

“To be so close last year, it was very cruel,” Tony Parker said. “But that’s the beauty of sport. Sometimes it’s tough. And sometimes it can be beautiful like today, because it shows a lot of character of the team to take a loss and to come back the following year and win the whole thing.

“It just makes the journey even more worth it. It was worth all the pain. It’s so sweet to win a championship the way we did. I would change nothing. It makes it even better, the fact that we had to go through that, to go through a tough loss, and to be able to come back.

“It just makes the journey even more worth it.”

Player of the game

Popovich wasted little time inserting bench captain Ginobili — less than three minutes, in fact. Yet the Spurs’ poor start got even worse, spiraling to a 22-6 deficit with five minutes left in the first quarter. That’s when Ginobili went to work, scoring six of his 19 points during a 12-0 surge that started the Spurs’ turnaround. Ginobili got into it with Miami counterpart Shane Battier to draw an offensive foul, then exchanged elbows with Chris Andersen on the ensuing timeout.

Rather than shrink, Ginobili lives for such confrontations. He later lifted off for a poster dunk in Bosh’s face as the Spurs padded their lead late in the first half, well on their way to victory. Ginobili averaged 14.4 points and shot 50 percent in the series, a huge performance after committing a total of 12 turnovers over the last two games of last year’s Finals.

“I’m not skilled enough to explain properly how we feel,” he said. “It was a tough summer. We all felt guilty. We all felt that we let teammates down. But we work hard. We got (back) to this spot, and we didn’t let go.”

The turning point

The game was barely seven minutes old, with anticipation of a championship celebration still thick in the air, when the Spurs found themselves on the wrong side of a 22-6 broadside. They responded in kind, destroying Miami’s lead and whatever was left of its collective psyche with an extended 59-22 surge spanning nearly two full quarters. The Spurs led by 21 at that point, and never fewer than 14 the rest of the way as they earned their fourth victory of at least 15 points in the series, and 12th in the entire postseason to extend their NBA record.

Father's Day 2014

To all fathers around the world,

thank you.

BoBA ISML 2014 Predictions: Ruby Match Day 4

ARENA 01: Yui [Shokuhō Misaki] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 02: Kurousagi [Yoshino] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 03: [Kuroyukihime] Charlotte Belew by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 04: [Azuki Azusa] Tobiichi Origami by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 05: [Chitanda Eru] Himeragi Yukina by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 06: Haqua du Lot Herminium [Momo Belia Deviluke] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 07: [Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko] Yukihira Furano by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 08: [Yūki Mikan] Kuriyama Mirai by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 09: [Yaya] Yukinoshita Yukino by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 10: Shiomiya Shiori [Takanashi Rikka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 11: Chocolat [Yūki Asuna] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 12: [Nyarlathotep] Kirigaya Suguha by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 13: Natsume Rin [Nibutani Shinka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 14: [Yatogami Tōka] Shirakiin Ririchiyo by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 15: Laura Bodewig [Itsuka Kotori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 16: [Takanashi Tōka] Dekomori Sanae by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 17: Roromiya Karuta [Tokisaki Kurumi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 18: Nōmi Kudryavka [Aoyama Nanami] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 19: Kanzaki Mitsuki [Kirasaka Sayaka] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 20: [Harada Risa] Nadja Applefield by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 21: [Shana] Katsura Hinagiku by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 22: Makise Kurisu [Oshino Shinobu] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 23: [Shiina Mashiro] Mikazuki Yozora by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 24: Sengoku Nadeko [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 25: [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Tōwa Erio by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 26: Honma Meiko [Hirasawa Yui] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 27: Senjōgahara Hitagi [Yui-nyan] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 28: [Nagato Yuki] Saber by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 29: [Tachibana Kanade] Iwasawa Masami by >=1500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 30: Hasegawa Kobato [Akiyama Mio] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 31: Last Order [Suzumiya Haruhi] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 32: [Kashiwazaki Sena] Konjiki no Yami by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 33: Victorique de Blois [Yuzuriha Inori] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 34: [Nakamura Yuri] Kasugano Sora by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 35: [Aisaka Taiga] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 36: [Misaka Mikoto] Kirishima Shōko by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 37: [Kōsaka Kirino] Charlotte Dunois by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 38: [Aragaki Ayase] Nakano Azusa by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

Who Owns New York?

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Two goals by striker Mads Stokkelien and a second-half goal by Alessandro Noselli lifted the New York Cosmos to a thorough 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Shuart Stadium Saturday night in front of a bipartisan crowd of 9,364.

The Cosmos will face either host the Harrisburg City Islanders (at St. John's University) or play on the road against the Philadelphia Union on June 24 in the competition's Round of 16.

The Red Bulls were without many of their usual starters, including Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill,Dax McCarty, Roy Miller and Jamison Olave, for the first-ever meeting between the New York squads. But regardless, the match had a derby-like feel from the opening kickoff.

Not long after the start, Stokkelien struck for his first goal. The Norwegian ran onto a long ball by Carlos Mendes and fired a first-time volley off the bounce into the upper left corner of the net.

Stokkelien made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute, latching onto a Danny Szetela cross and placing his first-time attempt inside the far post. It came one minute after Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara was forced to make a diving save on a shot by Sebastian Guenzatti at the top of the box.

Five minutes later, Noselli took a chested feed from Stokkelien and put the game away with a low shot that eluded Meara from 12 yards out.

Three minutes from full time, the Red Bulls were reduced to 10 men when defender Chris Duvall was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Guenzatti at midfield.

The Cosmos controlled the game from the outset, outshooting the visitors 21-3, including 9-0 in the second half.

Mendes nearly scored against his former club in the 25th minute, but the Cosmos captain hammered a close-range shot off the crossbar after a sliding attempt by defender Jimmy Ockford, on loan from the Seattle Sounders off a free kick served by another former Red Bull, Hunter Freeman.

The Red Bulls' lone chance of the first half came just after the half hour mark when Jonny Steele found space inside the 18-yard box and fired a low shot toward the far post, but Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer -- yet another former Red Bull -- parried it away for the visitors' first corner of the match.

Los Angeles Kings: 2014 Stanley Cup Champions

It took the Kings 45 years to win their first Stanley Cup.

Then how come it felt like 45 years to win No. 2?

Maybe this was simply cosmic and blood pressure-soaring payback for their Cup run of 2012 being far too smooth and so relatively unruffled.

With one final flourish, they needed only to play their longest game in franchise history to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. Their postseason of looking as if they were skating uphill finally ended when defenseman Alec Martinez scored from the base of the left circle at 14:43 of double overtime, giving the Kings a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday night at Staples Center.

They clinched the best-of-seven-game series, four games to one, after having needed to go to a seventh game in the first three rounds of the playoffs. The hardest playoff run stayed on script with an enthralling finish.

"It suits us, don't it? This is the way it's been the entire playoffs," said Kings center Anze Kopitar.

Said Kings left wing Kyle Clifford, who had the second assist on the game-winning goal and played one of his strongest playoff games: "The difference is that we had to struggle this year. It gives you that great feeling that you've gone out and earned it."

Kings captain Dustin Brown accepted the Stanley Cup from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Brown had his turn with the Cup, and in a classy move, he then handed it to defenseman Robyn Regehr, who had been out, injured, since the first game of the second round against the Ducks. Regehr came close to winning the Cup when he played for Kings Coach Darryl Sutter in Calgary, but the Flames lost to Tampa Bay in seven games in 2004.

In 2012, Kings goalie Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff most valuable player, and this time it was winger Justin Williams winning it. Williams had nine goals, including the Kings' first goal in Game 5 to make it 1-0, and had 25 points in 26 playoff games. His nickname of Mr. Game 7 turned out to be a flexible one.

Their Cup-winning goal against the Rangers came off a three-on-two rush, which Martinez started in his own zone. He led the rush and finished it off, beating Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist inside the left post, converting a rebound of a Tyler Toffoli shot.

Martinez, who started the season mired in the doghouse, had a look of joy and disbelief after he scored and Clifford was the first teammate he hugged. Talk about fitting: Martinez was the one responsible for the goal putting the Kings in the Stanley Cup Final, scoring the winner in overtime of Game 7 at Chicago.

"Toffoli had a great shot, far pad, and fortunately the rebound came to me and I was able to put it in," said Martinez, who was a healthy scratch for 10 of the first 15 games of the regular season. "It was a great play by them. I'm just the benefactor."

The NHL's postseason that absolutely refused to end almost willed itself to live for a few more days. Game 5 may have gotten off to a tepid start, but it picked up momentum late in the second period after former Kings forward Brian Boyle's short-handed goal gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with 30 seconds left in the second.

Kings winger Marian Gaborik, a former Ranger, tied it, 2-2, at 7:56 of the third on the power play. Overtime between the teams featured nonstop, end-to-end action, an array of shots going off posts and crossbars at both ends.

Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh thought for a split second that he had the game won early in the first overtime. But his blast from above the left circle hit the right post square on Quick's glove side.

"We knew it was going be a tough series," Martinez said. "There were a lot of guys who have been around from a couple of years ago. We know the fourth one is definitely the hardest one to get. That's what we were talking about in the locker room. We just had to dig deep and just keep grinding away.

"We believed that we were going to win this game."

Not that there weren't a few questions along the way. The Kings trailed the San Jose Sharks, 3-0, in the first round of the playoffs and became only the fourth NHL team in history to rally from that deficit.

"There's no words that can describe what you're feeling right now," said Williams. "What we went through this year makes it so much more special. Each Cup is unique, but, God, we earned this one."

The second Stanley Cup was especially sweet for Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell, the oldest player on their roster. Mitchell was a big part of the 2012 run but didn't play last season because of knee surgeries.

"Of course there's always doubt," Mitchell said. "We've been through so many Game 7s and so many overtimes, that you have doubt.

"But it's also a galvanizing thing where you've done it before and you know you can do it again.

"To always win this way is nuts. But we'll take it."

ISML 2014: Ruby Period Marches On With Big Wins

ISML 2014: Ruby Period Marches On With Big Wins

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
June 13, 2014

Match Day 3 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Ruby Period concluded, and a number of big victories took place among the contenders for the Ruby Necklace. Here's a recap of the action in ISML Ruby 3.

NOVA DIVISION

In the Nova Division, Kurousagi bounced past Yui 2606-1687, Yukino Yukinoshita defeated Touka Takanashi 2376-1870, Kuroyukihime flew past RiriChiyo Shirakiin 2809-1433, Eru Chitanda routed Sanae Dekomori 2842-1493, Yaya crushed Suguha Kirigaya 2598-1663 and Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi romped past Momo Velia Deviluke 2485-1730.

Asuna Yuuki slashed past Noumi Kudryvka 2824-1567, Laura Bodewig won the closest match of the night: a 2034-1995 nailbiter over Karuta Roromiya, Kurumi Tokisaki gunned down Yukina Himeragi 3176-1208, Tohka Yatogami drilled Nyarlathotep 2744-1581, Charlotte Belew prevailed over Shiori Shiomiya 2070-1920 and Rikka Takanashi cruised past Rin Natsume 2772-1582.

Wrapping up Nova action, Yoshino whipped past Chocolat 2923-1396, Kotori Itsuka annihilated Furano Yukihira 3198-1140, Haqua du Lot Herminium scored the Upset of the Round: 2082-1967, Shinka Nibutani destroyed Misaki Shokuhou 2650-1760, Mitaki Kuriyama won a 2207-2143 barnburner over Origami Tobiiichi and Nanami Aoyama hammered Azusa Azuki 2492-1823.

STELLA DIVISION

In the Stella Division, Yuri Nakamura shot down Yozora Mikazuki 2777-1516, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Yui Hirasawa 3072-1440, defending champion Ruri Gokou ran past Saber 2744-1815, Ayase Aragaki dominated Sora Kasugano 2701-1646, Victorique de Blois prevailed over Hinagiku Katsura 2090-1912 and Taiga Aisaka roared past Shouko Kirishima 2999-1372.

Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Hitagi Senjougahara 2206-1943, Sena Kashiwazaki trampled over Yuki Nagato 2188-2096, Inori Yuzuriha routed Nadeko Sengoku 2646-1567, Shana torched Erio Touwa 2712-1512, Kobato Hasegawa defeated Kirino Kousaka 2293-1983 and Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Charlotte Dunois 2643-1555.

Wrapping up Stella action, Mio Akiyama boomed past Haruhi Suzumiya 2492-1864, Yui-nyan rocked Masami Iwasawa 2827-1252, Azusa Nakano romped past Meiko Honma 2844-1438, Mashiro Shiina dismantled Shinobu Oshino 2730-1658, Kanade Tachibana sliced and diced Last Order 3094-1539 and Konjiki no Yami defeated Kurisu Makise 2158-2022.

In special exhibition play, Mui Aiba defeated Haruka Takayama 1820-1586 and Pino rolled past Chamber 1763-1260.

Match Day 4 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for June 15, 2014. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

Can You Do This?

Grab your shotgun

Cock it back

Shoot the sun until the sky is black

Now I don't know if the sun got rhythm

But he gone dance when that music hit'm

Bang, bang, bang darkness falls

In the nighttime I'm camouflage

Now I-I-I-I, don't know who you are

But girl I wanna know if you can move like this

And I-I-I-I, don't know if you gonna tell me

But I wanna know what your name is

And you-you-you-you

Gonna make me fall in love with you

If you keep on shaking your hips

Now can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

I know you think that you can move

But can you groove the way I groove

Grab your slingshot

Find a stone

Shoot the moon until the night is gone

I sure hope that moon got rhythm

Cuz he gone rock and when my stone hit'm

Boom, boom, boom let me shine

He should know that the day is mine

Now can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

I know you think that you can move

But can you groove the way I groove

Do you wanna dance

Cuz I wanna dance with you

Do you wanna dance

Come along and dance with me

Can you do this

(Can you do this baby)

Can you do this

(Can yo move like I do)

Can you do this

(Can you shake it shake it mama)

Can you do this

(Can you break it on down)

Now can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

Can you do this

(Yeah, I can do that)

I know you think that you can move

But can you groove the way I groove?