BoBA ISML 2016 Predictions: Aquamarine Match Day 1

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue is proud to bring you it's first ever predictions for the 2016 International Saimoe League, the premier anime character competition in the world.

ARENA 01: [Nase Mitsuki] Mikasa Ackerman by >=500
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 02: [Victorique de Blois] Louise Vallière by <=400
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 03: [Shiina Mashiro] Misaki Mei by >=1400
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 04: Hiiragi Kagami [Hiiragi Shinoa] by <=300
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 05: Otosaka Ayumi [Kirisaki Chitoge] by >=700
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 06: [Yūdachi] Sawamura Spencer Eriri by <=300
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 07: Miyazono Kaori [Sengoku Nadeko]  by <4 p="">Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 08: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Tōdō Kirin by >=1000
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 09: Nishinoya Yū [Sakata Gintoki] by >=700
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 10: Kanbara Akihito [Natsume Kyōsuke] by >=700
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 11: [Monkey D. Luffy] Korosensei by <=500
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 12: Hijikata Toshirō [Doma Taihei] by >=600
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 13: Kise Ryōta [Itsuka Shidō] by >=600
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 14: Ainz Ooal Gown [Kida Masaomi]  by >=500
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 15: [Heiwajima Shizuo] Kaizuka Inaho by >=700
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 16: Genos [Kōsaka Kyōsuke]  by <=1000
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 17: Krulcifer Einfolk [Homura Chika] by <=700
Over/Under: 75000
Under

ARENA 18: [Katagiri Airi] Kanojo by <=700
Over/Under: 75000
Under

ISML 2016: The List.

Female Division

Rank	Name	Series	Ballots
-	Tomori Nao	Charlotte	Auto
-	Katō Megumi	Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata	Auto
-	Isla	Plastic Memories	Auto
-	Nase Mitsuki	Kyōkai no Kanata	Auto
-	Isshiki Iroha	OreGairu	Auto
-	Doma Umaru	Himōto! Umaru-chan	Auto
-	Kongō	Kantai Collection	Auto
-	Kujō Sakurako	Sakurako-san	Auto
1	Shiina Mashiro	Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo	376
2	Yukinoshita Yukino	OreGairu	338
3	Shana	Shakugan no Shana	317
4	Tokisaki Kurumi	Date A Live	287
5	Yūki Asuna	Sword Art Online	258
6	Shiro	No Game No Life	257
7	Saber	Fate Series	257
8	Aisaka Taiga	Toradora!	251
9	Yuigahama Yui	OreGairu	236
10	Tōsaka Rin	Fate Series	233
11	Makise Kurisu	Steins;Gate	227
12	Kirisaki Chitoge	Nisekoi	225
13	Sakura Chiyo	Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun	223
14	Takanashi Rikka	Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!	214
15	Onodera Kosaki	Nisekoi	205
16	Aoyama Nanami	Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo	200
17	Kafū Chino	Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?	197
18	Yoshino	Date A Live	194
19	Nakano Azusa	K-ON!	179
20	Miyazono Kaori	Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso	177
21	Nishikino Maki	Love Live!	156
22	Oshino Shinobu	Monogatari Series	155
23	Kuroyukihime	Accel World	155
24	Illyasviel von Einzbern	Fate Series	152
25	Holo	Spice and Wolf	146
26	Yuzuriha Inori	Guilty Crown	143
27	Nagato Yuki	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	142
28	Aragaki Ayase	Ore no Imōto	142
29	Suzumiya Haruhi	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	141
30	Kasumigaoka Utaha	Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata	139
31	Akemi Homura	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	138
32	Yatogami Tōka	Date A Live	134
33	Eucliwood Hellscythe	Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?	127
34	Kuriyama Mirai	Kyōkai no Kanata	127
35	Senjōgahara Hitagi	Monogatari Series	121
36	Minami Kotori	Love Live!	121
37	Sawamura Spencer Eriri	Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata	119
38	Ōmae Kumiko	Hibike! Euphonium	116
39	Yazawa Nico	Love Live!	115
40	Kōsaka Reina	Hibike! Euphonium	113
41	Furukawa Nagisa	CLANNAD	112
42	Nakamura Yuri	Angel Beats!	105
43	Hirasawa Yui	K-ON!	104
44	Kanzaki H. Aria	Hidan no Aria	103
45	Sento Isuzu	Amagi Brilliant Park	102
46	C.C.	Code Geass	96
47	Konjiki no Yami	To LOVE-Ru	96
48	Hiiragi Shinoa	Owari no Seraph	96
49	Jibril	No Game No Life	94
50	Asada Shino	Sword Art Online	93
51	Kasugano Sora	Yosuga no Sora	88
52	Kaname Madoka	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	88
53	Victorique de Blois	GOSICK	88
54	Hestia	DanMachi	87
55	Hoto Kokoa	Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?	87
56	Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko	Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko.	83
57	Rory Mercury	GATE	82
58	Sakagami Tomoyo	CLANNAD	81
59	Sonoda Umi	Love Live!	80
60	Shirai Kuroko	Toaru Majutsu no Index	79
61	Tōdō Kirin	Gakusen Toshi Asterisk	78
62	Stella Vermillion	Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry	78
63	Tachibana Marika	Nisekoi	77
64	Shirayuki	Akagami no Shirayukihime	76
65	Shiodome Miuna	Nagi no Asukara	76
66	Ebisuzawa Kurumi	Gakkō Gurashi!	74
67	Tadokoro Megumi	Shokugeki no Sōma	74
68	Momo Belia Deviluke	To LOVE-Ru	74
69	Ayase Eli	Love Live!	73
70	Yūdachi	Kantai Collection	73
71	Tedeza Rize	Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?	71
72	Kōsaka Kirino	Ore no Imōto	71
73	Nakiri Erina	Shokugeki no Sōma	70
74	Shimakaze	Kantai Collection	69
75	Fujibayashi Kyō	CLANNAD	67
76	Kujō Karen	Kin'iro Mosaic	67
77	Louise Vallière	Zero no Tsukaima	67
78	Hiiragi Kagami	Lucky ☆ Star	66
79	Miyauchi Renge	Non Non Biyori	65
80	Shiba Miyuki	Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei	65
81	Nibutani Shinka	Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!	63
82	Kōsaka Honoka	Love Live!	62
83	Honma Meiko	AnoHana	62
84	Konno Yūki	Sword Art Online	61
85	Kinomoto Sakura	Cardcaptor Sakura	61
86	Gasai Yuno	Mirai Nikki	60
87	Saten Ruiko	Toaru Majutsu no Index	59
88	Tobiichi Origami	Date A Live	59
89	Haibara Ai	Detective Conan	59
90	Yui-nyan	Angel Beats!	57
91	Izumi Konata	Lucky ☆ Star	57
92	Ebina Nana	Himōto! Umaru-chan	57
93	Ikaros	Sora no Otoshimono	56
94	Onodera Haru	Nisekoi	54
95	Sakura Kyōko	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	53
96	Hiradaira Chisaki	Nagi no Asukara	53
97	Toshinō Kyōko	YuruYuri	53
98	Yūki Mikan	To LOVE-Ru	53
99	Misaki Mei	Another	51
100	Mikasa Ackerman	Shingeki no Kyojin	50
101	Hasegawa Kobato	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	50
102	Kitashirakawa Tamako	Tamako Market	50
103	Kashiwazaki Sena	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	49
104	Tōjō Nozomi	Love Live!	49
105	Krul Tepes	Owari no Seraph	49
106	Sanzen'in Nagi	Hayate no Gotoku!	49
107	Otosaka Ayumi	Charlotte	49
108	Kagura	Gintama	49
109	Inaba Himeko	Kokoro Connect	49
110	Miyamori Aoi	Shirobako	47
111	Hikigaya Komachi	OreGairu	46
112	Himeragi Yukina	Strike the Blood	46
113	Shiraishi Urara	Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo	45
114	Kushina Anna	K	45
115	Kuon	Utawarerumono	44
116	Sengoku Nadeko	Monogatari Series	44
117	Kurousagi	Mondaiji	44
118	Stephanie Dola	No Game No Life	44
119	Ryōgi Shiki	Kara no Kyōkai	44
120	Aihara Enju	Black Bullet	43

Male Division

Rank	Name	Series	Ballots
1	Hikigaya Hachiman	OreGairu	340
2	Sora	No Game No Life	190
3	Araragi Koyomi	Monogatari Series	160
4	Saitama	One-Punch Man	133
5	Sakata Gintoki	Gintama	119
6	Kamijō Tōma	Toaru Majutsu no Index	118
7	Akabane Karma	Ansatsu Kyōshitsu	112
8	Yato	Noragami	111
9	Okabe Rintarō	Steins;Gate	105
10	Otonashi Yuzuru	Angel Beats!	105
11	Archer	Fate Series	99
12	Sakamaki Izayoi	Mondaiji	97
13	Shiota Nagisa	Ansatsu Kyōshitsu	96
14	Yukihira Sōma	Shokugeki no Sōma	88
15	Otosaka Yū	Charlotte	87
16	Korosensei	Ansatsu Kyōshitsu	86
17	Katsuragi Keima	Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai	82
18	Gilgamesh	Fate Series	75
19	Okazaki Tomoya	CLANNAD	73
20	Orihara Izaya	Durarara!!	65
21	Takasu Ryūji	Toradora!	64
22	Itsuka Shidō	Date A Live	63
23	Shiba Tatsuya	Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei	62
24	Kyon	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu	60
25	Kaneki Ken	Tokyo Ghoul	60
26	Emiya Kiritsugu	Fate Series	53
27	Levi	Shingeki no Kyojin	52
28	Edward Elric	Fullmetal Alchemist	50
29	Kanie Seiya	Amagi Brilliant Park	49
30	Emiya Shirō	Fate Series	47
31	Kurogane Ikki	Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry	47
32	Heiwajima Shizuo	Durarara!!	46
33	Genos	One-Punch Man	42
34	Yagami Light	Death Note	42
35	Ōma Shū	Guilty Crown	39
36	Maō Sadao	Hataraku Maō-sama!	37
37	Kanda Sorata	Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo	37
38	L Lawliet	Death Note	37
39	Natsume Takashi	Natsume Yūjinchō	37
40	Arima Kōsei	Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso	36
41	Totsuka Saika	OreGairu	35
42	Mikoshiba Mikoto	Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun	35
43	Ainz Ooal Gown	Overlord	34
44	Sakai Yūji	Shakugan no Shana	33
45	Togashi Yūta	Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!	31
46	Zen Wistalia	Akagami no Shirayukihime	31
47	Usui Takumi	Kaichō wa Maid-sama!	28
48	Satomi Rentarō	Black Bullet	28
49	Doma Taihei	Himōto! Umaru-chan	27
50	Hyakuya Mikaela	Owari no Seraph	27
51	Kazami Yūji	Grisaia no Kajitsu	27
52	Akashi Seijūrō	Kuroko no Basket	26
53	Ichijō Raku	Nisekoi	25
54	Kuroko Tetsuya	Kuroko no Basket	25
55	Edogawa Conan	Detective Conan	25
56	Akasaka Ryūnosuke	Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo	25
57	Nozaki Umetarō	Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun	23
58	Qwenthur Barbotage	Heavy Object	23
59	Joseph Joestar	JoJo's Bizarre Adventure	23
60	Natsume Kyōsuke	Little Busters!	23
61	Bell Cranel	DanMachi	22
62	Nanase Haruka	Free!	21
63	Kōgami Shinya	PSYCHO-PASS	21
64	Kuroba Kaito	Detective Conan	21
65	Sebastian Michaelis	Kuroshitsuji	21
66	Dio brando	JoJo's Bizarre Adventure	21
67	Meliodas	Nanatsu no Taizai	20
68	Hinata Shōyō	Haikyū!!	20
69	Ayasaki Hayate	Hayate no Gotoku!	20
70	Hijikata Toshirō	Gintama	20
71	Hei	DARKER THAN BLACK	20
72	Kanbara Akihito	Kyōkai no Kanata	19
73	Aikawa Ayumu	Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?	19
74	Kida Masaomi	Durarara!!	19
75	Kaiki Deishū	Monogatari Series	18
76	Kūjō Jōtarō	JoJo's Bizarre Adventure	17
77	Hyakuya Yūichirō	Owari no Seraph	17
78	Obi	Akagami no Shirayukihime	17
79	Okita Sōgo	Gintama	17
80	Eren Yeager	Shingeki no Kyojin	16
81	Isana Yashiro	K	16
82	Killua Zoldyck	Hunter × Hunter	16
83	Yukine	Noragami	16
84	Amagiri Ayato	Gakusen Toshi Asterisk	16
85	Kazehaya Kamito	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance	15
86	Aki Tomoya	Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata	15
87	Kurosaki Ichigo	BLEACH	15
88	Ciel Phantomhive	Kuroshitsuji	15
89	Natsu Dragneel	FAIRY TAIL	15
90	Kōsaka Kyōsuke	Ore no Imōto	14
91	Kageyama Tobio	Haikyū!!	14
92	Okumura Rin	Ao no Exorcist	14
93	Uzumaki Naruto	NARUTO	14
94	Iskandar	Fate Series	14
95	Kamina	Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann	14
96	Roy Mustang	Fullmetal Alchemist	14
97	Ginko	Mushishi	14
98	Onizuka Eikichi	Great Teacher Onizuka	13
99	Itami Yōji	GATE	13
100	Matsuno Jūshimatsu	Osomatsu-san	13
101	Matsuno Karamatsu	Osomatsu-san	13
102	Aomine Daiki	Kuroko no Basket	13
103	Kaizuka Inaho	ALDNOAH.ZERO	13
104	Mitsuka Sōji	Ore, Twintails ni Narimasu.	13
105	Uchiha Itachi	NARUTO	13
106	Makishima Shōgo	PSYCHO-PASS	13
107	Son Hak	Akatsuki no Yona	13
108	Producer (Cinderella Girls)	THE iDOLM@STER	13
109	Matsuno Ichimatsu	Osomatsu-san	13
110	Leonardo Watch	Kekkai Sensen	13
111	Slaine Troyard	ALDNOAH.ZERO	12
112	Kisaragi Shintarō	Mekakucity Actors	12
113	Oikawa Tōru	Haikyū!!	12
114	Sinbad	Magi	12
115	Adlet Mayer	Rokka no Yūsha	12
116	Suō Mikoto	K	12
117	Ōji Mochizō	Tamako Market	12
118	Tomoe	Kamisama Hajimemashita	12
119	Kise Ryōta	Kuroko no Basket	11
120	Handa Seishū	Barakamon	11
121	Nishinoya Yū	Haikyū!!	11
122	Shirogane Kei (Shiroe)	Log Horizon	11
123	Monkey D. Luffy	ONE PIECE	11
124	Kumagawa Misogi	Medaka Box	11
125	Tōyama Kinji	Hidan no Aria	11
126	Yūki Rito	To LOVE-Ru	10
127	Kraft Lawrence	Spice and Wolf	10
128	Nagisa Kaworu	Neon Genesis Evangelion	10

---

2016 Eligibles

Characters listed below do not advance to the next round, but some may appear in exhibition matches this year.
Many are also likely to be eligible to be nominated for ISML 2017.

Female Eligible

Rank	Name	Series	Ballots
121	Yaya	Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai	43
122	Shokuhō Misaki	Toaru Majutsu no Index	43
123	Akame	Akame ga Kill!	42
124	Kirima Sharo	Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?	42
125	Shirakiin Ririchiyo	Inu × Boku SS	42
126	Shiina Mayuri	Steins;Gate	42
127	Tōma Kazusa	WHITE ALBUM 2	42
128	Akaza Akari	YuruYuri	42
129	Nyarlathotep	Haiyore! Nyaruko-san	41
130	Furude Rika	Higurashi no Naku Koro ni	40
131	Takamachi Nanoha	Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha	40
132	Last Order	Toaru Majutsu no Index	40
133	Julis-Alexia van Riessfeld	Gakusen Toshi Asterisk	39
134	Hachikuji Mayoi	Monogatari Series	39
135	Yasuhara Ema	Shirobako	39
136	Flamie Speeddraw	Rokka no Yūsha	38
137	Miniwa Tsumiki	Acchi Kocchi	37
138	Ichinose Kotomi	CLANNAD	37
139	Ujimatsu Chiya	Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?	37
140	Suigintō	Rozen Maiden	37
141	Terminus Est	Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance	37
142	Kuroi Mato	Black★Rock Shooter	36
143	Kurobane Yusa	Charlotte	36
144	Sasamiya Saya	Gakusen Toshi Asterisk	36
145	Sōryū Asuka Langley	Neon Genesis Evangelion	36
146	Nymph	Sora no Otoshimono	36
147	Yona	Akatsuki no Yona	35
148	Tina Sprout	Black Bullet	35
149	Azuki Azusa	Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko.	35
150	Roromiya Karuta	Inu × Boku SS	35
151	Nōmi Kudryavka	Little Busters!	35
152	Shichimiya Satone	Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!	34
153	Hibiki	Kantai Collection	34
154	Iki Hiyori	Noragami	33
155	Tatsumaki	One-Punch Man	33
156	Tsunemori Akane	PSYCHO-PASS	33
157	Miki Sayaka	Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica	33
158	Kirigiri Kyōko	Danganronpa	32
159	Milinda Brantini	Heavy Object	32
160	Sakurada Akane	Jōkamachi no Dandelion	32
161	Kazami Kazuki	Grisaia no Kajitsu	31
162	Charlotte Dunois	IS	31
163	Albedo	Overlord	31
164	Shibuya Rin	THE iDOLM@STER	31
165	Index L. Prohibitorum	Toaru Majutsu no Index	31
166	Mikazuki Yozora	Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai	30
167	Lelei La Lelena	GATE	30
168	Ryūgū Rena	Higurashi no Naku Koro ni	30
169	Motoba Kirie	Himōto! Umaru-chan	30
170	Hanekawa Tsubasa	Monogatari Series	30
171	Ayanami Rei	Neon Genesis Evangelion	30
172	Kirigaya Suguha (Leafa)	Sword Art Online	30
173	Tōwa Erio	Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko	29
174	Matō Sakura	Fate Series	29
175	Tateyama Ayano	Mekakucity Actors	29
176	Kayano Kaede	Ansatsu Kyōshitsu	28
177	Watashi	Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita	28
178	Mukaido Manaka	Nagi no Asukara	28
179	Ogiso Setsuna	WHITE ALBUM 2	28
180	Yusa Emi	Hataraku Maō-sama!	27
181	Fubuki	Kantai Collection	27
182	Kotobuki Tsumugi	K-ON!	27

Male Eligible

Rank	Name	Series	Ballots
129	Guts	Berserk	10
130	Gray Fullbuster	FAIRY TAIL	10
131	Matsuoka Rin	Free!	10
132	Tachibana Makoto	Free!	10
133	Kurapika	Hunter × Hunter	10
134	Yatogami Kurō	K	10
135	Nase Hiroomi	Kyōkai no Kanata	10
136	Naoe Riki	Little Busters!	10
137	Alibaba Saluja	Magi	10
138	Spike Spiegel	Cowboy Bebop	9
139	Kotomine Kirei	Fate Series	9
140	Lancer	Fate Series	9
141	Hyōdō Issei	Highschool D×D	9
142	Mikazkui Angus	Mobile Suit Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphan	9
143	Uchiha Sasuke	NARUTO	9
144	Roronoa Zoro	ONE PIECE	9
145	Yoshida Haru	Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun	9
146	Li Syaoran	Cardcaptor Sakura	8
147	Mashima Taichi	Chihayafuru	8
148	Kururugi Suzaku	Code Geass	8
149	Yagami Taichi	Digimon	8
150	Nicolas Brown	GANGSTA.	8
151	Katsura Kotarō	Gintama	8
152	Inuyasha	InuYasha	8
153	Fushimi Saruhiko	K	8
154	Hibari Kyōya	Katekyō Hitman Reborn!	8
155	Izumi Shinichi	Kiseijū	8
156	Kano Shūya	Mekakucity Actors	8
157	Kido Tsubomi	Mekakucity Actors	8
158	Kihara Tsumugu	Nagi no Asukara	8
159	Kokonose Haruka	Mekakucity Actors	8
160	Hinata Hideki	Angel Beats!	7
161	Kishitani Shinra	Durarara!!	7
162	Ryūgamine Mikado	Durarara!!	7
163	Kujō Kazuya	GOSICK	7
164	Nice	Hamatora	7
165	Havia Winchell	Heavy Object	7
166	Yokodera Yōto	Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko.	7
167	Isaki Kaname	Nagi no Asukara	7
168	Sakishima Hikari	Nagi no Asukara	7
169	Suō Tamaki	Ōran High School Host Club	7
170	Gōda Takeo	Ore Monogatari!!	7
171	Ichinose Guren	Owari no Seraph	7
172	Himura Kenshin	Rurōni Kenshin	7
173	Sugisaki Ken	Seitokai no Ichizon	7
174	Kiryū Zero	Vampire Knight	7
175	Hiraga Saito	Zero no Tsukaima	7
176	Mabuchi Kō	Ao Haru Ride	6
177	Aizen Sōsuke	BLEACH	6
178	Hitoyoshi Jirō	Concrete Revolutio: Chōjin Gensō	6
179	Decim	Death Parade	6
180	Kokkuri-san	Gugure! Kokkuri-san	6
181	Hastur	Haiyore! Nyaruko-san	6
182	Gon Freecss	Hunter × Hunter	6
183	Fukube Satoshi	Hyōka	6
184	Kazehaya Shōta	Kimi ni Todoke	6
185	Ban	Nanatsu no Taizai	6
186	Hatake Kakashi	NARUTO	6
187	Kazuma	Noragami	6
188	Sonic	One-Punch Man	6
189	Sunakawa Makoto	Ore Monogatari!!	6
190	Xerxes Break	Pandora Hearts	6
191	Satoshi	Pokémon	6
192	Itoshiki Nozumu	Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei	6
193	Tanikaze Nagate	Sidonia no Kishi	6
194	Suzuya Jūzō	Tokyo Ghoul	6
195	Kasuga Arata	Trinity Seven	6

Chile: 2016 Copa America Champions

Francisco Silva’s penalty kick sealed the Copa America Centenario championship for Chile with their 4-2 win on penalties following a 0-0 draw against rival Argentina Sunday night in a dramatic Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Chile, FIFA’s fifth-ranked national team, defended its 2015 Copa America title, also won on penalties over Argentina. La Albiceleste is still seeking its first major tournament title since 1993.

After Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo stopped Lucas Biglia’s shot in the fourth round of the shootout, Chile needed only to make their fifth try to win, and Silva buried it as La Roja outscored Argentina 4-2 in the shootout. Silva’s winner came moments after Argentina superstar Lionel Messi shockingly missed over the goal.

The contentious finale of the tournament saw 35 fouls called with eight yellow cards and two red cards issued, the first red to Marcelo Diaz of Chile in the 28th minute after he collided with Messi. Consequently, Chile played with 10 men. But only for 15 minutes.

Messi was fouled several times as Chile were physical in marking the diminutive forward, and even he was shown yellow for embellishment in the 40th minute.

In the 43rd minute, the sides were evened at 10 when Argentina’s Marcos Rojo drew a straight red card for a hard tackle on Vidal. It marked the third time that players from both teams were sent off in a Copa America Final.

Before all of that drama, Argentina missed an excellent chance to take an early lead. Chile’s Gary Medel lost control of the ball deep in his team’s side of the field, and Gonzalo Higuain made a run with only the goalkeeper to beat. Higuain’s 21st minute shot trickled just wide left of the goal with Medel laying out against the post to keep the ball out of the net.

Things quieted down in the second half as far as scoring chances and whistles, but Argentina missed in the 84th minute when Messi found Sergio Aguero on the flank and Aguero skied his open shot well over the goal.

Messi missed high on a counter attack early in stoppage time and the game went to an additional 30 minutes.

Romero saved an Eduardo Vargas header in the 99th minute, then Bravo barely tipped away Aguero’s high header in the 100th.

The crowd of 82,026 was the largest to ever see a soccer match in the state of New Jersey.

Vargas didn’t score Sunday, but took the Powerade Golden Boot as leader for the tournament in goals with six. Chile’s Alexis Sanchez was awarded the MasterCard Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, while Bravo won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper for the second straight tournament.

Britain Decides To Leave The European Union

“Good morning everyone. The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise, perhaps the biggest in our history. Over 33 million people from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar have all had their say. We should be proud of the fact that, in these islands, we trust the people with these big decisions.

“We not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements for how we're governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done. The British people have voted to leave the European Union, and their will must be respected.

“I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side of the argument, including all those who put aside party differences to speak in what they believed was the national interest. And let me congratulate all those who took part in the Leave campaign, for the spirited and passionate case that they made.

“The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision. So there can be no doubt about the result.

“Across the world, people have been watching a choice that Britain has made. I would reassure those markets and investors that Britain's economy is fundamentally strong, and I would also reassure Brits living in European countries, and European citizens living here, that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances. There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move, or the way our services can be sold.

“We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union. This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced. But above all, this will require strong, determined and committed leadership.

“I'm very proud and very honoured to have been Prime Minister of this country for six years. I believe we have made great steps, with more people in work than ever before in our history, with reforms to welfare and education, increasing people's life chances, building a bigger and stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world, and enabling those who love each other to get married, whatever their sexuality. But above all, restoring Britain's economic strength. And I'm grateful to everyone who's helped to make that happen.

“I've also always believed that we have to confront big decisions, not duck them. That is why we delivered the first Coalition government in 70 years, to bring our economy back from the brink. It's why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in Scotland. And it's why I made the pledge to renegotiate Britain's position in the European Union, and to hold a referendum on our membership, and have carried those things out.

“I've fought this campaign in the only way I know how - which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel, head, heart and soul. I held nothing back. I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union. And I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone, not the future of any single politician, including myself. But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path, and as such, I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.

“I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination. This is not a decision I've taken lightly. But I do believe it's in the national interest to have a period of stability, and then the new leadership required.

“There is no need for a precise timetable today, but in my view we should aim to have a new prime minister in place by the start of the Conservative Party conference in October. Delivering stability will be important, and I will continue in the post as Prime Minister with my Cabinet for the next three months. The Cabinet will meet on Monday. The Governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps that the bank and the Treasury are taking to reassure financial markets.

“We will also continue taking forward the important legislation that we set before Parliament in the Queen's speech. And I've spoken to Her Majesty the Queen this morning and advised her of the steps that I am taking. A negotiation with the European Union will need to begin under a new Prime Minister, and I think it's right that this new Prime Minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU.

“I will attend the European Council next week to explain the decision the British people have taken, and my own decision. The British people have made a choice. That not only needs to be respected, but those on the losing side of the argument - myself included - should help to make it work.

“Britain is a special country. We have so many great advantages. A parliamentary democracy where we resolve great issues about our future through peaceful debate. A great trading nation with our science and arts, our engineering and our creativity respected the world over. And while we are not perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multiracial, multifaith democracy where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows.

“Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I am the first to praise our incredible strengths. I've said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union, and indeed that we could find a way. Now, the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way. And I will do everything I can to help. I love this country, and I feel honoured to have served it, and I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed. Thank you very much.”

-David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

6.24.2016.

 

United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
 
Choice Votes %

Leave 17,410,742 51.9
Remain 16,141,241 48.1 

Valid votes 33,551,983 99.92
Invalid or blank votes 26,033 0.08 

Total votes 33,578,016 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 46,501,241 72.2%

Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016 NBA Champions

It's a championship 52 years in the making.

One that was won by the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Sunday night. But one that was made all the more meaningful by decades of losing seasons from Cleveland's Browns and Indians, as well.

It took a native son -- the most important draft pick in franchise history 13 oh-so-lucky years ago, born and bred just about 30 miles down the road, in Akron, Ohio -- to break the cycle of disappointment.

If back-to-back titles in Miami were James' breakthrough as one of the game's all-time greats, the championship in Cleveland represents his ascension to living-legend status.

His NBA Finals record still stands at a lopsided 3-4 -- not nearly as stellar a bullet point on his résumé than the four MVP awards and top-five ranking in all-time playoff points, assists and steals -- but that third ring carries so much weight.

Hundreds of players have won the NBA title before, but nobody has ever done it quite like James and the Cavs did this year.

James dominated the series, pushing it to an improbable brink with back-to-back 41-point games in to bring Cleveland back from a 3-1 deficit. The first 32 teams to fall down 3-1 in the Finals ended up losers. The Cavs, led by a certain No. 23, made sure that streak ended when it came to 33.

A win by the Warriors would have solidified their place in the discussion of the greatest team ever. James' performance in the series changed the conversation and steered it toward consideration for him as the greatest player ever.

He did it, of course, on the same court as the league's back-to-back MVP in Stephen Curry. Only anyone watching could see by James' play that when everything matters the most, he remains the best the sport has to offer, with Curry still a level below.

And he did it by elevating a group of teammates like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson -- with a combined zero playoff games between them before James came back to Cleveland -- to the game's zenith.

As he famously posted in his homecoming letter in the Players' Tribune, "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have."

James and the Cavs outworked and outlasted the greatest regular-season team.

And now the city of Cleveland can rejoice a well-earned championship -- one that will be remembered for the ages -- at last.

GWS Giants...Have A Women's Team!

The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are delighted to announce the club will field a team in the new National Women’s League (NWL) in 2017.

The AFL today announced that the GIANTS were one of eight AFL clubs to secure a licence to field a team in the inaugural year of the NWL.

The GIANTS’ successful bid detailed the club’s experience in establishing a new AFL team, it’s capacity to house a women’s team immediately and its commitment to driving inclusion and diversity in the New South Wales and ACT communities.

GIANTS CEO David Matthews said today’s decision was a watershed moment for the game and for female athletes in New South Wales and the ACT.

“This is one of the most significant announcements in the game’s history and certainly one of the most important things the GIANTS will ever do,” Mr Matthews said.

“Today’s decision opens up a clear pathway for women and girls looking to play Australian Football at the elite level. The opportunity this provides females in New South Wales and the ACT is unprecedented.

“We’re pleased our bid has been vindicated and our commitment to the promotion and development of female sport has been recognised by the AFL. We are in the unique positon of having a proven track record when it comes to building a club from the ground up. We know what it takes to establish a new team and take the game to all corners of the community from day one.

“Our objectives in establishing a women’s AFL team are also aligned to the AFL’s broader strategic aims of providing comprehensive pathways for female athletes and developing a truly national code.

“We have world class facilities and play out of some of the best stadia in the country which will provide the ideal platform for growing the women’s game. We are proud to be the flag bearers for female athletes looking to play Australian Football in New South Wales and the ACT and can’t wait for the inaugural NWL season to get under way next year.”

The GIANTS will now work with the AFL on planning for the inaugural NWL season with further details of the 2017 NWL competition forthcoming in due course.

Pittsburgh Penguins: 2016 Stanley Cup Champions

Who needs a goal on the statistical ledger when you win a Stanley Cup?

There’s another addition to Sidney Crosby’s championship legacy in the form of the Pittsburgh Penguins' fourth Stanley Cup title.

The Elias Sports Bureau’s research shows that Crosby is the third skater to win the Conn Smythe despite not scoring a goal in the Stanley Cup finals -- joining Scott Niedermayer of the Ducks in 2007 and Jonathan Toews with the Blackhawks in 2010. All three were captains of their respective teams.

Crosby has two titles, the same number as Penguins owner Mario Lemieux. He has won five championships overall, including two Olympic gold medals and the 2015 world championship. He also has the same number of professional titles as LeBron James.

The history

This is the Penguins' first title since 2009 (which they also won on June 12). All four have been won on the road. The Penguins’ four titles are tied with the Red Wings for the most since 1991, the year of the Penguins' first championship. The Penguins are 4-0 in games in which they had a chance to clinch the Cup on the road.

Among teams to debut since the NHL’s first expansion in 1967-68, the only team with more Stanley Cup titles is the Oilers with five, all between 1984 and 1990.

The goalie

Penguins goalie Matt Murray went 6-0 immediately after a loss this postseason. Elias Sports Bureau research shows that his 15 wins match the most by a rookie goalie in a single postseason and that he’s the seventh rookie goalie to win all four games during the Stanley Cup finals, the first since Cam Ward in 2006.

The best support

Crosby won the Conn Smythe, but Phil Kessel was also one of the Penguins' top players. Kessel was traded from the Maple Leafs in a six-player deal after being much maligned in Toronto.

His sister, Amanda, was not going to play her senior season at Minnesota after suffering a concussion. But things changed for the family. Amanda returned in February and scored the game-winning goal in the national championship at the Frozen Four. She won three national titles at Minnesota.

Kessel’s season turned on March 13 when he joined a line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino. He led the Penguins with 10 goals and 22 points in 24 postseason games.

To top it off, on May 1, Amanda signed a one-year deal with the New York Riveters of the NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) worth $26,000, making her the top-paid player in the league.

How they won

The story of the series was how the Penguins limited the Sharks' opportunities. The Sharks had 67 shot attempts in Game 6 and the Penguins blocked 33 of them. The Penguins blocked 136 shots in the series, an average of 23 per game.

I Could Never Serve On A Jury. I Know Too Many People.

Yesterday, I was due to report for jury duty on an election day. Well, a Primary Day, to be technical. So, I was sent to a courtroom in the George Deukmejian Courthouse, Department S17, to be given an orientation by the presider, Judge Judith Meyer. The building looks similar to the CSULB Student Union, only slightly bigger. A Subway and Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf is on the first floor, and there is also a convenience store that I am not aware of. This was going to be a two to three week trial. That's at least 250 dollars that I could get from being called to serve. The case was a gangbanger case from 2011. Nothing special. The guy, as far as I concerned, is guilty but the defense will most likely appeal anyway, only to have it declined. Waste of time all over.

There was one problem with that, bigger than the predictable conclusion I forecasted. One of the witnesses happened to be the husband of one of the board members/instructors that works for one of my companies, the Long Beach Bar Foundation, whose classes happen to take place at the courthouse. Because of his links, it was very unlikely the defense would get a fair trial. Seeing this, the resident court clerk excused me and took my questionnaire. I had a lunch break (I ordered a Malibu Dream with almond coconut milk from the Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf), and afterwards, with no other trials, my jury duty was over, I took a bus home and got some sleep so that I could wake up and go back to my soccer writing for the Stoppage Time.

The fact that I know a lot of people at the courthouse—and this was my very first visit, one of the staff checking bags was at the Recognition Reception earlier this year—means that in order for me to really have a chance, I have to be assigned to a different courthouse. HOWEVER, they would have to pay extra for mileage, so it would be more expensive. Convenience breeds familiarity. My brother in law was also sitting on the jury of a trial. He was two and a half weeks into his case.

After I woke up and had some coffee, I found out that Hillary Clinton had won the California primary in the early morning. Earlier in the morning, I made my vote and a number of choices I made wound up going through, including Clinton, Kamala Harris and YES to all the measures. No surprises, but what was surprising was that Bernie Sanders refused to concede. I don't know about this, but I am sure he is now making himself and his constituents looks bad. This is why I can never accept Bernie Sanders as the leader of the free world: he is a sore loser.

Bernie, being a sore loser is my job, and I apply in a different setting. It's called sports. It's called punditry. Give up, old man. With all due disrespect to Mr. Trump, Hillary Clinton will be our next president.

"I Can Move Mountains, I Can Work A Miracle..."

The USA gains nothing from winning the Copa America Centenario. In fact, this is actually a series of international friendlies posing as the Copa America. It's the matches in September that will really determine whether or not Jurgen Klinsmann is still our manager. I actually prefer to have Jurgen Klopp as our manager of the USMNT. Character, personality, mystique, resilient tough talk, able to work up a crowd like those college football coaches and assistants in the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, etc.

The 2-0 loss to Colombia was expected. They had actual players like Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez. On our national team, we have incompetent geriatrics like Michael Bradley who have no business playing international soccer anymore. The only incentive for the USA to show up at the Copa America Centenario is image purposes, to assure the locals that they have the right to wear the shirt, wear the colors and play for their country instead of sulking on a paycheck that will be coming anyway.

Very skeptical that the USMNT will take down Paraguay and Costa Rica, but the match with the Ticos would be a nice warmup match for WCQ qualification against the likes of, say, Trinidad and Tobago. A country that was unfortunate to be drawn with the States and Guatemala, but it's really Guatemala that are under the pump and need the States to do the unthinkable and get scalped by Vincy Heat.

Making the Hexagonal has been a tradition for USA and Mexico in this region. It is an iron-clad expectation because fans in both countries will pack stadiums for their respective teams during the Final Round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualification. A lot of money is also into play as a result. From the Rose Bowl, to MAPFRE Stadium, to the Azteca, to Soldier Field and the Meadowlands, the matches in the Hexagonal that involve El Tri and the USMNT are always the hottest tickets in town, and the USA are on the verge of breaking with tradition and not qualifying for the Hex, which they have done for the past few cycles, often times finishing on top of Mexico.

So this has been a cycle of regression for the USA. It takes a proper team to defeat the Nats, but it also has to do with Jurgen Klinsmann trying too hard to come up with a winning formula and not going with stability and consistency. For the time being, it is the duty of CONCACAF's second fiddle to show up at the Centenario and play for their shirts. Thw national team's image is now at stake.

Cue Uma Thurman.

More Football Wallpaper Archives To Enjoy

I have attached archives of wallpapers from Euro 2012, the London 2012 Olympics and Miss International Love, the latter being a collection of wallpapers from the major sports leagues named after Pitbull and Chris Brown's namesake song. The latter collection has been updated to include changes to team logos, league logos, stadium logos, and also new teams and venues. If you want the old version, request it via the comments. Do not ask for requests in bulk, they will not be granted.

Also, in the Euro 2012 archive, Sweden and Ireland have new walls. This is because Imageshack did not keep all of my images. To counter this, two new walls have been made specifically for this. If you somehow have a copy from my old DeviantArt days, let me know and I will see if I can replicate it; otherwise you'll have to settle for what you get here. These are for personal use, send me an email if you want to use it for something else.

Euro 2012

London 2012

Miss International Love 

AFC Wimbledon: League One, Here They Come!

Unstoppable Dons march into League 1

 A superb strike from Lyle Taylor and a late penalty from Bayo Akinfenwa earned promotion for AFC Wimbledon on a fantastic day for the club.

Taylor’s brilliant goal after a great ball in from Callum Kennedy put the Dons in charge against Plymouth and Akinfenwa's cool spot-kick capped a magnificent season for Neal Ardley’s men. Over 21,000 Dons fans celebrated the 2-0 win in style at the famous stadium and it was a fully deserved victory on the day.

With an 11-day gap since Wimbledon booked their place at Wembley by beating Accrington Stanley, it had seemed like a long build-up to the big day, but now it was finally here. Both sets of supporters created a brilliant atmosphere at Wembley as we approached kick-off.

There was just one change to Neal Ardley’s starting line-up with Connor Smith thrown straight back in after injury in place of Sean Rigg. Wimbledon settled into the game well and there was a half chance early on when a Callum Kennedy free-kick fell for Lyle Taylor, but he was unable to get a proper connection and Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick gathered comfortably.

In the first half hour, Wimbledon were looking for the height of Tom Elliott at every opportunity and the towering striker was causing problems galore. It was his smart flick-on that sent Taylor racing clear on the right for another sight of goal, but his shot was deflected into the side netting. Another half chance followed when the subsequent corner was only half cleared and Jake Reeves volleyed just wide.

With Wimbledon’s back four producing a solid start, Plymouth barely had a sight of goal in the first half an hour. All of Wimbledon’s best moments came through Elliott and it was another of his headers that so nearly created a chance for Paul Robinson, but Plymouth defender Kelvin Mellor just got there first. With Dannie Bulman and Jake Reeves controlling matters in midfield, Wimbledon had plenty of possession in the first half an hour. Plymouth did threaten in the 32^nd minute though when Jake Jervis found space in the box, but his shot was blocked.

As the first-half wore on, Plymouth gradually started to come into it and Darius Charles showed what he is all about with great defending to stop Jake Jervis getting in at the far post after a lovely ball in from Gregg Wylde. These two teams had been so closely matched in previous meetings during the regular season and the 0-0 score line at half-time suggested it was going to be tough to separate them again.

Plymouth came out the traps fast at the start of the second-half, but Wimbledon remained resolute at the back. At the other end, there was relief for Plymouth when Carl McHugh got a defensive clearance all wrong and his lob flashed just past the post. At this stage, the Dons were really piling forward as they played towards the end containing Wimbledon’s great support.

Though Wimbledon were forced to defend deep as Plymouth started to gain more possession, gaps started to open up for Wimbledon to exploit. A great chance so nearly materialised for Wimbledon when Barry Fuller’s pass picked out Bulman in space down the right, but he was just unable to slide a pass through for Barcham, who was waiting on his own in the middle.

Derek Adams’ side had their best spell of the game midway through the second-half and twice in a matter of minutes Wimbledon needed Kelle Roos to be alert. First, the Dutch goalkeeper got down well to save a long-range free-kick from Graham Carey and then he held on well to a header from Peter Hartley.

With 68 minutes on the clock, Neal Ardley made a change with Jon Meades earning deserved reward for his excellent season and comeback from injury. Meades replaced Smith and there was another change shortly afterwards with Bayo Akinfenwa entering the fray for Tom Elliott.

The changes seemed to reinvigorate Wimbledon and the all-important opener followed 12 minutes from the end of normal time. The ball was only half cleared to Callum Kennedy and his wonderful ball in was met with a superb low finish from Lyle Taylor. It was typical of the form that Taylor had shown all season and the celebrations were not bad too as he wheeled away to give his manager a hug on the touchline.

The goal had sparked ecstatic scenes among the Wimbledon support and they were so nearly celebrating a second when Barry Fuller was sent racing through, but he was just foiled by McCormick. Akinfenwa was also denied by the Plymouth goalkeeper in a frantic finale, but he scored from the spot to seal a fantastic promotion after Ade Azeez had been brought down in the box . What an achievement and what a way to do it for Neal Ardley’s men.    

AFC Wimbledon: Kelle Roos, Barry Fuller, Callum Kennedy, Paul Robinson, Darius Charles, Andy Barcham, Dannie Bulman, Jake Reeves, Tom Elliott (Bayo Akinfenwa), Lyle Taylor (Ade Azeez), Connor Smith (Jon Meades).

Relive the action!

Pre-Match

First Half

Second Half

Trophy Presentation
Radio WDON Broadcast:
First Half
Second Half