Empirical Universe League - Season 1 [Winner: Robespierre__]

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Four

Week Three Review

- After three weeks, no first place player has more than a one game lead. So mostly the divisions are all still close.

- The Fanatics got a much needed first win and prevented the Stalinistas from completing a 3-0 home stand.

- The Shysters won their third straight road game.

- With a combined record of 10-2, The Bombardment Division is meeting the expectations of being a powerhouse division. But perhaps the most interesting division right now is the Cosmos Division. The Solar Power, Mythologicals and Buzz are in a three way tie for first place.

- Za Germans, Stalinistas and Solar Power (all Rebel Allegiance teams) joined the ranks of the beaten. That swings the ledger in favor of The City State Confernce. They have three unbeaten teams (Châteaux Gentry, Midnight Sun, Shysters) to two teams (Bivouacs, Cold Warriors) for the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

Announcements

- I now have some time to petition any GA medals for this tournament. Please pm your suggestions or post on them on the tourney link.

Featured Week Four Match-Ups

Bivouacs (3-0) @ Cold Warriors (3-0)

Sole possession of the conference top seed is on the line.

Mythologicals (2-1) @ Invaders (1-2)

If the Mythologicals can stay undefeated on the road then they will stay tied for first place in the Cosmos Divsion. An Invaders victory would keep division parity alive.

Tectonics (1-2) @ Flower Power (1-2)

It's not too early to consider potential Wild Card implications. This match-up could very well affect the balance down the road.

Rest Of The Schedule

Stalinistas (2-1) @ Za Germans (2-1)
Wrathful Grapes (2-1) @ F'd Double W's (0-3)
Fanatics (1-2) @ Romans! (0-3)
Solar Power (2-1) @ Buzz (2-1)
Pelicans (2-1) @ Elephant Birds (0-3)
Head Shrinkers (0-3) @ Châteaux Gentry (3-0)
Philippine Eagles (0-3) @ Shysters (3-0)
Canadian Rockies (1-2) @ Alouettes (2-1)
Midnight Sun (3-0) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (0-3)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Five

Week Four Review

- After four weeks, the Bivouacs (Rebel Allegiance Conference) and Midnight Sun (City State Conference) are the only two undefeated teams.

- The standings are evolving. Three teams took sole possession of first place while the other three divisions now have fresh new ties for first place.

Announcements

- These two GA Medals were approved:

Milky Way Cup - Team that finishes with the best record in the 18 game regular season.

Colonizer Kaiser - Awarded to any team that wins all 9 of its regular season road games.

- Two players are being dismissed from the tournament due to their deadbeating (missing turns) during their Week 4 match-ups. Both players already had 95% or less turns percentages; so no warnings were warranted. But let this be an official warning to all participants; if you deadbeat (miss turns) you will jeopardize your spot in the tournament.

Featured Week Five Match-Ups

Buzz (3-1) @ Wrathful Grapes (2-2)

Two first place teams are squaring off. The Buzz are looking to pull away from the pack in the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

Cold Warriors (3-1) @ Mythologicals (2-2)

Both second place teams are looking for first place position in the lost city of Atlantis.

Shysters (3-1) @ Canadian Rockies (2-2)

The Shysters go where they are comfortable, on the road, where they are 3-0. If the Canadian Rockies win and the Alouettes win, there would be a three way tie for first place in the City Division.

Rest Of The Schedule

Za Germans (2-2) @ Fanatics (2-2)
Invaders (2-2)@ Stalinistas (3-1)
Bivouacs (4-0) @ F'd Double D's (1-3)
Romans! (0-4) @ Solar Power (2-2)
Icelandic Sheepdogs (0-4) @ Pelicans (2-2)
Elephant Birds (1-3) @ Tectonics (2-2)
Flower Power (1-3) @ Head Shrinkers (1-3)
Midnight Sun (4-0) @ Alouettes (2-2)
Châteaux Gentry (3-1) @ Philippine Eagles (1-3)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Six

Week Five Review

- The Fiery Fanatics And Walloping Walloons won the French Revolution, knocking the Bivouacs from the ranks of the undefeated. Now, The Midnight Sun is the only undefeated team

- After losses by the Fanatics and Wrathful Grapes, the Historical Division does not have a team at or above .500. But it is competitive as there is a three way tie for first place. The mediocrity gives the Romans! new manager a chance to compete despite the fact that he could not get the team their first win during his first week on the job.

- The Bombardment Division remains the most competitive division. All of the teams are within a game of each other and all ove the teams' records are above .500.

- The Mythologicals won their pivotal high powered match-up against the Cold Warriors to stay within a game of the streaking first place Buzz.

- The Tectonics won against the Elephant Birds to take control of first place in the Ocean Division.

- The Shysters won a remarkable fourth straight road game and they are already two games ahead in The City Divsion.

- The Châteaux Gentry won to keep pace with the best team in the league, The Midnight Sun.

Announcements

- A streak column is being added to the standings. We can now see who is hot and who is cold.

- I noticed that somehow the Buzz and Elephant Birds were scheduled to play each other one too many times. So I made the following changes to the schedule:

Week 8

Pelicans @ Buzz changed to Pelicans @ Fanatics
Flower Power @ Fanatics change to Flower Power @ Buzz

Week 14

Buzz @ Elephant Birds changed to Buzz @ Tectonics
Invaders @ Tectonics changed to Invaders @ Elephant Birds

- - Standings are now being included in the newsletters.

- I'll reiterate this announcement from last week in case some of you glossed over it.

Milky Way Cup - Team that finishes with the best record in the 18 game regular season.

Colonizer Kaiser - Awarded to any team that wins all 9 of its regular season road games.

- - I'll also reiterate this announcement from last week in case some of you glossed over it. Although, we did not have any problems during Week Five So this is just a cautionary reiteration:

(From last week) Two players are being dismissed from the tournament due to their deadbeating (missing turns) during their Week 4 match-ups. Both players already had 95% or less turns percentages; so no warnings were warranted. But let this be an official warning to all participants; if you deadbeat (miss turns) you will jeopardize your spot in the tournament.

Featured Week Five Match-Ups

Mythologicals (3-2) @ Bivouacs (4-1)

This is far and away the most compelling match-up of the week. The result of this match-up will be far reaching within the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

Head Shrinkers (1-4) @ Tectonics (3-2)

The Head Shrinkers will be happy to get away from Oceania, where they are zero for four. But will they be happy to see the streaking first place Tectonics?

Midnight Sun (5-0) @ Elephant Birds (1-4)

The birds need this one to pull back into contention.

Rest Of The Schedule

Za Germans (3-2)@ Invaders (2-3)
Stalinistas (4-1) @ F'd Double D's (2-3)
Wrathful Grapes (2-3) @ Cold Warriors (3-2)
Solar Power (3-2) @ Fanatics (2-3)
Romans! (0-5) @ Buzz (4-1)
Philippine Eagles (1-4) @ Pelicans (2-3)
Alouettes (2-3) @ Flower Power (2-3)
Shysters (4-1) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (1-4)
Canadian Rockies (2-3) @ Châteaux Gentry (4-1)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Seven

Week Six Review

- The Midnight Sun stayed undefeated but the Châteaux Gentry are only a game back still.

- For the first time since Week One, the home teams won more matches than the road teams.

- The F'd Double W's reached .500 and a solid tie for first place in the Historical Division by getting their third win in four tries at Flanders 1302.

- A Buzz victory and Mythologicals loss created a gap in the Cosmos Division.

- Despite a loss that put the Tectonics back to .500, the Tectonics retained sole possession of first place in the Ocean Divsion.

- The Shysters four game road streak was broken. The Flower Power took advantage of the loss and pulled to within a game of first place in the City Division.

Announcements

- A games behind (GB) column was added to the standings.

- A separate overall standings has been added so that teams can see where they stand in the overall playoff pursuit.

Featured Week Seven Match-Ups

Shysters (4-2) @ Midnight Sun (6-0)

The City Division leader and Country Division leader face off on the unforgiving frozen tundra of Greenland.

Buzz (5-1) @ Mythologicals (3-3)

The Buzz will look to find supremacy in The Lost City.

Bivouacs (5-1) @ Za Germans (4-2)

A win by Za Germans guarantees that all of the Bombardment Division foes would stay within a game of each other.

Rest Of The Schedule

Cold Warriors (4-2) @ Stalinistas (4-2)
Fanatics (3-3) @ Wrathful Grapes (2-4)
F'd Double W's (3-3) @ Romans! (0-6)
Invaders (2-4) @ Solar Power (3-3)
Canadian Rockies (2-4) @ Pelicans (2-4)
Tectonics (3-3) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (2-4)
Elephant Birds (1-5) @ Head Shrinkers (2-4)
Flower Power (3-3) @ Philippine Eagles (2-4)
Alouettes (2-4) @ Châteaux Gentry (5-1)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Eight

Week Seven Review

- Week Seven was a prestigious week for the Ocean Division as all of their teams won.

- The City Division had a dreadful week, going zero for four.

- The Midnight Sun stayed undefeated and the Châteaux Gentry kept pace but the Icelandic Sheepdogs and Elephant Birds losses dropped them from serious division contention.

- There is now a three way tie in the Bombardment Division and all four teams are within a game of each other.

- The Wrathful Grapes now hold the inglorious distinction of being the only team without a home victory.

- The Fanatics took sole possession of first place in the Historical Divsion.

- The Mythologicals won their face-off with The Buzz to pull within a game of first place. The win snapped the Buzz's five game winning streak. The Solar Power also took advantage by beating the Invaders to pull within a game of first place.

- The (The) Romans! victory against divisional foe, F'd Double W's marked the end of win-less teams in the league.

Announcements

- Reminder: Players are responsible for periodically double checking standings to ensure accuracy.

Featured Week Eight Match-Ups

Fanatics (4-3) @ Châteaux Gentry (6-1)

The Châteaux Gentry patiently await the chink in the Midnight Sun's armor. The Fanatics hope to increase their first place lead in the Historical Division.

Cold Warriors (5-2) @ Shysters (4-3)

The Cold Warriors have won two and a row and the Shysters have lost two in a row. The teams are going in opposite directions, but they are both playing for first place in their respective divisions.

Stalinistas (4-3) @ Tectonics (4-3)

This is a match that will greatly affect the balance of power in both conferences.

Rest Of The Schedule

Icelandic Sheepdogs (2-5) @ Za Germans (5-2)
Philippine Eagles (3-4) @ Bivouacs (5-2)
Flower Power (3-4) @ Wrathful Grapes (2-5)
Head Shrinkers (3-4) @ F'd Double W's (3-4)
Romans! (1-6) At Midnight Sun (7-0)
Elephant Birds (1-6) @ Buzz (5-2)
Invaders (2-5) @ Alouettes (2-5)
Pelicans (3-4) @ Solar Power (4-3)
Mythologicals (4-3) @ Canadian Rockies (2-5)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Nine

Week Eight Review

- The Midnight Sun finally set over the Arctic Tundra of Greenland. They suffered their first loss. The previously hot second place Châteaux Gentry failed to capitalize on the loss as they were unable to defeat the suddenly hot Fanatics, who have won three matches in a row and an impressive four of five games on the road while taking control of The Historical Division.

- A Mythologicals win kept the pressure on The Buzz, who also won their game to retain first place in the Cosmos Division.

- The Philippine Eagles beat the Bivouacs even though they had second turn on the notorious first turn map. Not since the real Waterloo has there been such a shocking turn of events. The loss broke the three way tie for first place in the Bombardment Division.

- The Flower Power picked a good time to gain a victory. They won as the rest of their division foes nurse major losing streaks (Shysters - L3, Canadian Rockies - L4, Alouettes - L5).

- The Midnight Sun's loss makes Za Germans four game winning streak the longest current winning streak in the league. The Philippine Eagles three game winning streak marks the longest winning streak in The City Conference.

Announcements

- Last week, a match took excessively long to complete. There is no and will be no rule against using the full 24 hours to take a turn. However, players are encouraged to complete their games within 5-10 days.

I did not want any players to feel as though they were being 'picked on' by noting in game chat that their game was 'the last game' or 'progressing slowly.' But fair warning, I will allow myself that liberty in the future.

Featured Week Nine Match-Ups

Za Germans (6-2) @ Bivouacs (5-3)

It's going to be a blood bath!

Châteaux Gentry (6-2) @ Shysters (4-4)

The Shysters are fortunate to have a share of first place despite their three game losing streak. They hope to get a victory in the rebellious streets of Chicago. The Châteaux Gentry hope to get a step closer to the City State Conference lead.

Midnight Sun (7-1) @ Pelicans (4-4)

The Midnight Sun hope to stay on the top of the heap while the Pelicans hope to get a statement win.

Rest Of The Schedule

Stalinistas (4-4) @ Cold Warriors (6-2)
Wrathful Grapes (2-6) @ Fanatics (5-3)
Romans! (2-6) @ F'd Double W's (4-4)
Buzz (6-2) @ Invaders (3-5)
Mythologicals (5-3) @ Solar Power (4-4)
Tectonics (5-3) @ Canadian Rockies (2-6)
Head Shrinkers (3-5) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (2-6)
Philippine Eagles (4-4) @ Elephant Birds (1-7)
Flower Power (4-4) @ Alouettes (2-6)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Ten

Week Nine Review

- The Flower Power's victory against the Alouettes, put them above .500 and gave them sole control of first place as the rest of the City Division continues their downward spiral.

- The Midnight Sun got back to it's winning ways while the Châteaux Gentry replacement manager kept pace with a win. Likewise, a Mythologicals win kept them within a game of the first place Buzz in The Cosmos Division.

- The Tectonics three game winning streak has put them two games ahead in first place in The Ocean Division.

- Wins by Za Germans and Cold Warriors over division rivals gave those teams a firm lead in The Bombardment Division. A loss by the Stalinistas marks the first time in that division's history that a team is below .500.

- The F'd Double W's won to keep pace with the Historical Division leader, Fanatics who are now on a four game winning streak.

- Za Germans five game winning streak is currently the longest streak in the league. The league record winning streak is seven by the Midnight Sun.

Announcements

- An All-Star exhibition will be held after Week Fourteen. It will be a quads match-up, with the Rebel Allegiance Conference matching up against the City State Conference. Whatever team has the top record in each league, will be allowed to pick the All-Stars for his league. Players can opt out of that match-up, but they will need to let me know in advance. Participation is strongly encouraged however.

Featured Week Ten Match-Ups

Châteaux Gentry (7-2) @ Flower Power (5-4)

The Flower Power are looking to increase their grip upon the City Division. It will not be easy, playing against one of the most accomplished teams in the league.

Stalinistas (4-5) @ Mythologicals (6-3)

The Stalinistas look to end their four game losing streak and get their season back on track while the Mythologicals hope to keep the pressure on their nemesis, the Buzz.

Buzz (7-2) @ Fanatics (6-3)

Two first place teams battle in a big Rebel Allegiance battle.

Rest Of The Schedule

F'd Double W's (5-4) @ Za Germans (7-2)
Bivouacs (5-4) @ Wrathful Grapes (2-7)
Solar Power (5-4) @ Cold Warriors (7-2)
Invaders (3-6) @ Romans! (2-7)
Pelicans (4-5) @ Tectonics (6-3)
Philippine Eagles (4-5) @ Head Shrinkers (3-6)
Shysters (4-5) @ Alouettes (2-7)
Canadian Rockies (2-7) @ Elephant Birds (2-7)
Icelandic Sheepdogs (3-6) @ Midnight Sun (8-1)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Eleven

Week Ten Review

- The Cold Warriors extended their winning streak to five while taking sole control of first place in the Bombardment Division.

- The Bivouacs ended their three game losing streak to improve to 6-4 and regain their footing in the playoff competition.

- The Fanatics had their four game winning streak snapped while the F'd Double W's picked up their first road win at the tough confines of Das Schloss. The two teams are now tied for first place in The Historical Division. Meanwhile, The Romans! lost to become an equal opportunity loser, having lost four of five at home and on the road.

- A Mythologicals home loss and Buzz road victory puts The Cosmos Division firmly in the clutches of The Buzz, who now have a two game lead. Meanwhile, the Solar Power are reeling, having lost three straight following their promising 4-3 start.

- The Tectonics four game winning streak has gained them a three game lead in The Ocean Division.

- The Shysters road prowess (4-2) and division prowess (3-0) have saved them fromwhat would otherwise be an abysmal season. They are now 5-5 and tied for first place in The City Division.

- The Icelandic Sheepdogs got a must win road match versus The Midnight Sun. The Châteaux Gentry capitalized on the loss by tying them for the top spot in the Country Division and The City State Conference.

Week Ten Results

F'd Double W's @ Za Germans
Stalinistas @ Mythologicals
Bivouacs @ Wrathful Grapes
Solar Power @ Cold Warriors
Buzz @ Fanatics
Invaders @ Romans!
Pelicans @ Tectonics
Philippine Eagles @ Head Shrinkers
Châteaux Gentry @ Flower Power
Shysters @ Alouettes
Canadian Rockies @ Elephant Birds
Icelandic Sheepdogs @ Midnight Sun

Winners In Blue. Losers In Red.

Announcements

- Since players have slowed down their game play anyways, I will slow down the pace of this tournament to accommodate my other increasing responsibilities.

- Former week results are now being listed in the newsletters.

- To honor the league's 1 v 1 format, the All-Star competition will be altered to reflect that reality. Instead of a quads competition, there will be five 1 v 1 games. The maps will be random (selected from league maps). No player will be allowed to play on his own map. The Conference with the best head to head record will get the three home games. If that is a tie, then the conference with the best team will get the three home games. If it is still a tie then it will be a coin flip.

Featured Week Eleven Match-Ups

Cold Warriors (8-2) @ Châteaux Gentry (8-2)

Two of the four 8-2 teams battle it out. This match-up ensures the league of having at least one 9-2 team.

Flower Power (5-5) @ Buzz (8-2)

Can flowers survive on the moon? The answer to that scientific inquiry is forthcoming.

Mythologicals (6-4) @ Shysters (5-5)

Clearly, a lot of teams will be awaiting this result.

Rest Of The Schedule

Alouettes (2-8) @ Za Germans (7-3)
Elephant Birds (3-7) @ Stalinistas (5-5)
Bivouacs (6-4) @ Head Shrinkers (4-6)
Tectonics (7-3) @ Wrathful Grapes (2-8)
Pelicans (4-6) @ Fanatics (6-4)
F'd Double W's (6-4) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (4-6)
Romans! (2-8) @ Canadian Rockies (2-8)
Midnight Sun (8-2) @ Invaders (4-6)
Solar Power (4-6) @ Philippine Eagles (4-6)

[HighlanderAttack]

I must say a superior running tourney--great job Viper

[ViperOverLord]

I must say a superior running tourney--great job Viper

TY

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Twelve

Week Eleven Review

- The Rebel Allegiance went 9-3 against the City State Conference, improving their record to 24-12 in inter-conference play. Even the three win Wrathful Grapes and Romans! have two of their victories non conference foes.

- The Bombardment Division teams won all of their matches and now every team is above .500.

- The Wrathful Grapes victory ended what was a (tied) record seven straight losses. The home victory now means that there are no longer any teams without a home victory. The Elephant Birds remain the lone team without a road victory.

- The Alouettes did lose a record eighth straight match.

- Losses by the Flower Power and Shysters has made the City Division the first division to house no division leader at or above .500.

- The Midnight Sun regained sole control of first place in the Country Division.

- The Icelandic Sheepdogs have won three in a row to gain serious playoff contention status.

Week Eleven Results

Alouettes @ Za Germans
Elephant Birds @ Stalinistas
Bivouacs @ Head Shrinkers
Cold Warriors @ Châteaux Gentry
Tectonics @ Wrathful Grapes
Pelicans @ Fanatics
F'd Double W's @ Icelandic Sheepdogs
Romans! @ Canadian Rockies
Flower Power @ Buzz
Midnight Sun @ Invaders
Solar Power @ Philippine Eagles
Mythologicals @ Shysters

Winners In Blue. Losers In Red.

Announcements

- No announcements other than a reminder that the pace of the tournament will be slowing. There are only seven weeks remaining though.

Featured Week Twelve Match-Ups

Za Germans (8-3) @ Cold Warriors (9-2)

Conference and division superiority are at stake. This is the first of two match-ups in four weeks between these teams.

Tectonics (7-4) @ Midnight Sun (9-2)

The Tectonics have a legitimate shot at winning the top seed in the City State Conference with a victory here.

Fanatics (7-4) @ F'd Double W's (6-5)

This match has strong divisional and wild card implications.

Rest Of The Schedule

Stalinistas (6-5) @ Bivouacs (7-4)
Romans! (3-8) @ Wrathful Grapes (3-8)
Buzz (9-2) @ Invaders (4-7)
Solar Power (4-7) @ Mythologicals (7-4)
Alouettes (2-9) @ Pelicans (4-7)
Head Shrinkers (5-6) @ Canadian Rockies (2-9)
Icelandic Sheepdogs (5-6) @ Philippine Eagles (5-6)
Châteaux Gentry (8-3) @ Elephant Birds (3-8)
Shysters (5-6) @ Flower Power (5-6)

[flexmaster33]

Time for the City Division to kick it in gear...we're the NFC West of this tourney

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Thirteen

Week Twelve Review

- The Cold Warriors and Buzz stayed hot, continuing their seven and five game winning streaks respectively to stay atop of the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

- The Cold Warriors victory against Za Germans was a two game swing, giving them a two game lead in the Bombardment Division, the largest lead in that division all season.

- The Fanatics picked up an unexpected victory at Flanders1302 to pull two games ahead of the F'd Double W's in the Historical Division.

- The competition is so tough in the Bombardment Division that no matter what happens in Week 13, all of the teams will still be above .500 at the end of the week.

- The Head Shrinkers have rode a mini three game winning streak to reach within a game of first place in the Ocean Division.

- The Flower Power took sole control of the City Division lead by beating division rival, Shysters.

- With their tenth loss of the season, the Canadian Rockies became the first team to reach ten losses and clinch a losing streak. The bad news does not end there though. The loss was their eighth consecutive loss and ties the record held by the Alouettes. The Alouettes had their own eight game losing streak that they broke this week by getting a road victory against the Pelicans.

- The Châteaux Gentry lost their first road game and are no longer eligible for the Colonizer Kaiser GA Medal, awarded to a team that wins all of their road games. Their division rival, The Midnight Sun is now the only team eligible for that honor.

- The Midnight Sun's became the first City State Conference team to reach 10 victories. No other conference foe has reached nine.

- The Icelandic Sheepdogs won their fourth straight match to pull from 2-6 to 6-6.

Week Twelve Results

Za Germans @ Cold Warriors
Stalinistas @ Bivouacs
Romans! @ Wrathful Grapes
Fanatics @ F'd Double W's
Buzz @ Invaders
Solar Power @ Mythologicals
Alouettes @ Pelicans
Tectonics @ Midnight Sun
Head Shrinkers @ Canadian Rockies
Icelandic Sheepdogs @ Philippine Eagles
Shysters @ Flower Power
Châteaux Gentry @ Elephant Birds

Winners In Blue. Losers In Red.

Announcements

- No announcements.

Featured Week Thirteen Match-Ups

Midnights Sun (10-2) @ Châteaux Gentry (8-4)

The Midnight Sun have an opportunity to take control of their conference and division with five weeks still remaining after this week!

Mythologicals (8-4) @ Za Germans (8-4)

Although both teams are still with reach of their division leads, this match-up seems to have serious Wild Card implications.

Flower Power (6-6) @ Canadian Rockies (2-10)

This is the first featured match-up to include a team with a losing record. A Canadian Rockies ninth straight loss would give them sole control of that losses streak record.

Rest Of The Schedule

Wrathful Grapes (4-8) @ Stalinistas (7-5)
Bivouacs (7-5) @ Solar Power (4-8)
Cold Warriors (10-2) @ Romans! (3-9)
Fanatics (8-4) @ Invaders (4-8)
F'd Double W's (6-4) @ Buzz (10-2)
Head Shrinkers (6-6) @ Pelicans (4-8)
Philippine Eagles (5-7) @ Tectonics (7-5)
Alouettes (3-9) @ Shysters (5-7)
Elephant Birds (4-8) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (6-6)

[deantursx]

if u still need a reserve i'd b glad 2 play...

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Fourteen

Week Thirteen Review

- Although there were no major upsets to report, Week Thirteen was arguably the most interesting week. The outcomes have resulted in a clear chasm of who's in the playoff race still and who is not in the playoff race

In the Rebel Allegiance Conference, eight teams are definitely vying for six playoff spots. The eighth team, The F'd Double W's has an outside shot at a wild card. It would seem that their 1-5 road record and third straight loss has placed them in dire straights. With so many teams vying for a wild card, their best hope may be that the Fanatics collapse and they can get back into the division race.

Unlike the Rebel Allegiance Conference, 4-9 teams in the City State Conference still have realistic shots at making the playoffs. But those teams will need to win out. Even in the weaker conference, 8-10 likely will not cut it. And certainly some C.S. teams are coming on strong as for the first time all season, all projected playoff teams are above .500.

Week Thirteen Results

Mythologicals @ Za Germans
Wrathful Grapes @ Stalinistas
Bivouacs @ Solar Power
Cold Warriors @ Romans!
Fanatics @ Invaders
F'd Double W's @ Buzz
Head Shrinkers @ Pelicans
Philippine Eagles @ Tectonics
Flower Power @ Canadian Rockies
Alouettes @ Shysters
Midnights Sun @ Châteaux Gentry
Elephant Birds @ Icelandic Sheepdogs
Winners In Blue. Losers In Red.

Announcements

- This is the last week before the All-Star Series. Conference leaders will be picking the All-Stars.

- Week Fourteen marks the fourth and final week of inter conference play.

Featured Week Fourteen Match-Ups

Stalinistas (8-5) @ Flower Power (7-6)

The Stalinistas have a four game win streak and the Flower Power have a two game win streak. Either team will benefit greatly by continuing their winning streak.

Head Shrinkers (7-6) @ Cold Warriors (11-2)

Two of the five hottest teams match-up. The Head Shrinkers are only a game out of first place in the Ocean Division. A win would also solidify their Wild Card chances. The Cold Warriors need to win to keep their cushion in The Bombardment Division and to ensure that they stay at least tied for the top spot in the R.A.C.

Icelandic Sheepdogs (7-6) @ Mythologicals (8-5)

Neither team is likely to get a playoff home game. But they each hope to make the playoffs and then figure that anything can happen in a one game elimination bracket.

Rest Of The Schedule

Za Germans (9-4) @ Midnight Sun (11-2)
Châteaux Gentry (8-5) @ Bivouacs (8-5)
Wrathful Grapes (4-9) @ Pelicans (5-8)
Fanatics (9-4) @ Alouettes (3-10)
Shysters (6-7) @ F'd Double W's (6-7)
Philippine Eagles (5-8) @ Romans! (3-10)
Invaders (4-9) @ Elephant Birds (4-9)
Buzz (11-2) @ Tectonics (8-5)
Canadian Rockies (2-11) @ Solar Power (4-9)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Fifteen

Week Fourteen Review

- The fourth and final week of inter conference play is complete. The Rebel Allegiance Conference teams all finished .500 or better. Za Germans and Buzz finished undefeated in their non conference schedules. The Alouettes, Canadian Rockies and Elephant Birds went winless in their non conference schedules.

- The Cold Warriors eight game winning streak was snapped. The current longest winning streak of seven now belongs to the Buzz.

- Victories by the Bivouacs and Stalinistas mean that all of the Bombardment Division teams will finish with a record of at least .500.

- The Icelandic Sheepdogs continued to roll by winning their sixth straight match.

- The fifth straight victory by the Head Shrinkers netted them a share of The Ocean Division lead.

- The City Division woes continue. All four teams lost their matches.

- The Fanatics inched closer to clinching The Historical Division by winning their fourth straight match.

Week Fourteen Results

Za Germans @ Midnight Sun
Stalinistas @ Flower Power
Châteaux Gentry @ Bivouacs
Head Shrinkers @ Cold Warriors
Wrathful Grapes @ Pelicans
Fanatics @ Alouettes
Shysters @ F'd Double W's
Philippine Eagles @ Romans!
Invaders @ Elephant Birds
Buzz @ Tectonics
Canadian Rockies @ Solar Power
Icelandic Sheepdogs @ Mythologicals

Announcements

- The All-Star competition will begin this week. Regular season matches will move forward as those games are being played. The format is five teams (players) from each league playing against each other (1 v1) in five separate matches. Best three out of five matches wins. By virtue of record, three of the five matches will be on Rebel Allegiance maps while two matches will be on City State maps. A reminder: Maps will be randomly chosen and teams (players) are ineligible to play on their own map.

- The league leaders; Buzz (uckuki) and Midnight Sun (chutley) will pick their teams. They are under no restrictions as to who they make all-stars. All teams (players) are eligible. Instructions will be pm'd to those managers.

Featured Week Fifteen Match-Ups

Cold Warriors (11-3) @ Za Germans (10-4)

The combined record of the Cold Warriors final four opponents is 41-15. Three of those matches are on the road. The gauntlet starts in Das Schloss.

Bivouacs (9-5) @ Stalinistas (9-5)

Both teams should be pretty hungry for this victory. Though it is quite possible that regardless of the outcome of this match, both teams may very well make the playoffs.

Midnight Sun (11-3) @ Head Shrinkers (8-6)

The Head Shrinkers seek their sixth straight victory to stay in contention for the top spot in the City State Conference. The Midnight Sun are two victories away from going undefeated on the road.

Rest Of The Schedule

F'd Double W's (7-7) @ Wrathful Grapes (5-9)
Romans! (3-11) @ Fanatics (10-4)
Mythologicals (8-6) @ Buzz (12-2)
Solar Power (5-9) @ Invaders (5-9)
Pelicans (4-10) @ Shysters (6-8)
Alouettes (3-11) @ Tectonics (8-6)
Canadian Rockies (2-12) @ Philippine Eagles (6-8)
Elephant Birds (4-10) @ Flower Power (7-7)
Châteaux Gentry (8-6) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (8-6)

[Darin44]

put me in

[ViperOverLord]

put me in

You got it. Thanks.

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Sixteen

Week Fifteen Review

- The Buzz became the first team to clinch their division after they beat their Cosmos Division rival, Mythologicals on Lunar War. They are also now one victory away from going undefeated at home.

- The Head Shrinkers failed to legitimize their run for City State Supremacy, coming up short at home against the Midnight Sun. The loss ended the Head Shrinkers five game winning streak. The result places the Midnight Sun one road victory away from a perfect 9-0 road record. If the Midnight Sun win their Week Eighteen match at Vancouver, they will earn the Colonizer Kaiser General Achievement Medal.

- It's a tale of two teams in the Country Division. The Icelandic Sheepdogs started the season 0-4. But after winning their last seven in a row, they are 9-6 and have kept the Midnight Sun from clinching that division. Meanwhile, the original second banana, the Châteaux Gentry, who started the season 6-1, are in a tale spin and a once sure Wild Card spot is not so sure now.

- Za Germans split their home and home series with the Cold Warriors and tied them for first place in The Bombardment Division. The Bivouacs got a big victory against the Stalinistas to stay within a game of the division leaders. The victory ended the Stalinistas five game winning streak.

- The Stalinistas loss was good news for the F'd Double W's, who beat The Wrathful Grapes to pull within a game of the final Wild Card spot. The Mythologicals were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to move into a tie for the final Wild Card spot as they lost their aforementioned match to The Buzz.

- The Tectonics took advantage of the Head Shrinkers loss, by beating the Alouettes and taking control of the Ocean DIvision lead. However, the Philippine Eagles won their second match in a row to keep the division especially tight as three teams are within two games of each other with three weeks to go.

- The Shysters could not win at home against the struggling Pelicans, who came into the match with a six game losing streak. The loss clinches a losing home record for the Shysters and sets them back two games of City Division leader, Flower Power who beat the Canadian Rockies.

Week Fifteen Results

Cold Warriors @ Za Germans
Bivouacs @ Stalinistas
F'd Double W's @ Wrathful Grapes
Romans! @ Fanatics
Mythologicals @ Buzz
Solar Power @ Invaders
Pelicans @ Shysters
Alouettes @ Tectonics
Midnight Sun @ Head Shrinkers
Canadian Rockies @ Philippine Eagles
Elephant Birds @ Flower Power
Châteaux Gentry @ Icelandic Sheepdogs

EUL All-Star Series Results

The Rebel Allegiance Conference beat the City State Conference 4 to 1

Game 1 - Za Germans vs. Midnight Sun - Map: Dust Bowl (Wrathful Grapes)
Game 2 - Bivouacs vs. Head Hunters - Map: Stalingrad (Stalinistas)
Game 3 - Fanatics vs. Châteaux Gentry - Map: Space (Invaders)
Game 4 - Cold Warriors vs. Tectonics - Map: Philippines (Philippine Eagles)
Game 5 - Buzz vs. Icelandic Sheepdogs - Map: Montreal (Alouettes)

Announcements

- Three weeks (matches) left in the season. Every game counts!

Featured Week Sixteen Match-Ups

Buzz (13-2) @ Cold Warriors (11-4)

The Buzz hope to take a strangle hold on the Rebel Allegiance Conference. If the Buzz win this match, they will also have nine victories in a row and break the previous mark held by the Cold Warriors.

The Cold Warriors do not want to lose a third match in a row while their division rivals are all playing sub .500 teams. A Cold Warrior victory would ensure a share of first place in the Bombardment Division while getting them to within a game of The Buzz in the conference standings.

Flower Power (8-7) @ Icelandic Sheepdogs (9-6)

This game will go a long way in shaping the City State Conference playoff landscape. The Icelandic Sheepdogs have won seven matches in a row and they look to finish the season with a 6-3 home record.

Head Shrinkers (8-7) @ Philippine Eagles (7-8)

The Wild Card battles are officially in full swing with this match-up. The Philippine Eagles are just the third team since Week Three to have a losing record and be included in the Featured Match-Ups. For the season, there have been seven teams with losing records overall to be included in the Featured Match-Ups.

Rest Of The Schedule

Za Germans (11-4) @ Wrathful Grapes (5-10)
Stalinistas (9-6) @ Solar Power (6-9)
Romans! (3-12) @ Bivouacs (10-5)
Fanatics (11-4) @ Mythologicals (8-7)
Invaders (5-10) @ F'd Double W's (8-7)
Tectonics (9-6) @ Pelicans (5-10)
Alouettes (3-12) @ Canadian Rockies (2-13)
Elephant Birds (4-11) @ Shysters (6-9)
Châteaux Gentry (8-7) @ Midnight Sun (12-3)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Seventeen

Week Sixteen Review

- The Midnight Sun clinched the Country Division despite their division rival, Icelandic Sheepdogs winning their seventh straight match. The Midnight Sun also clinched the top spot in the City State Conference.

- The Fanatics clinched the Historical Division despite their division rival F'd Double W's also winning their match.

- The Flower Power would have clinched their division with a win and Shyster loss. But it was a nectar bath in Iceland as the Sheepdogs trampled the flowers and the Elephant Birds could not pick up their first road win of the season at the windy city. Now the division rivals are separated by one game with two weeks left. The race is especially important because the runner-up very may not earn a wild card. The two teams will match up in Chicago in the final week.

- The Buzz won a record ninth match in a row while handing the Cold Warriors their third loss in a row. Because the Fanatics also won, the Buzz did not clinch the conference title.

- Za Germans got caught in a sand storm in the Dust Bowl. They watched as their opportunity to take sole control of first place in the Bombardment Division, blew away.

- The Bivouacs took advantage of their division rivals losses. By winning at home against the Romans!, they forced a three way divisional tie for first place.

- The Stalinistas loss to the Solar Power allowed the F'd Double W's to tie them for the final playoff spot. The Mythologicals were unable to force a three way tie for that final spot as they lost to the Fanatics. The victory was the sixth straight for the Fanatics.

- The Tectonics whittled their magic number to clinch the Ocean Division down to one due to the combination of beating the Pelicans and the second place Head Hunters losing to the feisty Philippine Eagles.

Week Sixteen Results

Za Germans @ Wrathful Grapes
Stalinistas @ Solar Power
Romans! @ Bivouacs
Buzz @ Cold Warriors
Fanatics @ Mythologicals
Invaders @ F'd Double W's
Tectonics @ Pelicans
Head Shrinkers @ Philippine Eagles
Flower Power @ Icelandic Sheepdogs
Alouettes @ Canadian Rockies
Elephant Birds @ Shysters
Châteaux Gentry @ Midnight Sun

Announcements

- Two regular season weeks left!

Featured Week Seventeen Match-Ups

Cold Warriors (11-5) @ Fanatics (12-4)

A win for the Cold Warriors would serve them two fold. They would keep pace with their division rivals and also gain a valuable tie breaker in the race for the second spot in The Rebel Allegiance Conference.

The Fanatics are currently only separated from Za Germans and the Bivouacs by a game. In the event of a three way tie, Za Germans having gone 3-0 in their head to head matches with the Bivouacs and Fanatics, own the tie breaker. In the event of a two way tie between the Bivouacs and the Fanatics, the Fanatics would own the tie breaker having won their head to head match-up.

Shysters (7-9) @ Tectonics (10-6)

The Tectonics look to clinch the Ocean Division and the second seed. Meanwhile, the Shysters want to effectively force a City Division Championship in Week Eighteen. That is because even if the Flower Power win this week, by virtue of winning their next two matches, the Shysters would hold the decisive fourth tie-breaker.

In the first tie-breaker, both teams would have split their head to head match-up. Both teams would have 5-1 division records for the second tie-breaker. For the third tie-breaker both teams would have 8-6 conference records. But in the fourth tie-breaker, the Shysters 5-4 road record would be better than Flower Power's record.

Thus, Flower Power needs to take advantage of their match-up versus the Canadian Rockies, (who have lost twelve straight matches) and hope that the Tectonics win this match so that it does not set-up the do or die match-up in Week Eighteen.

F'd Double W's (9-7) @ Mythologicals (8-8)

If the F'd Double W's win this match-up then they will put themselves in the driver's seat to make the final wild card slot. They would eliminate the Mythologicals from playoff contention and they have the tie-breaker against the Stalinistas. Granted, the Stalinistas would have to lose one of their final two matches (@Romans!, Vs. Za Germans) or the F'd Double W's would still have to win at the Fanatics in Week Eighteen.

If the Mythologicals win, they would gain the tie-breaker against the F'd Double W's. But to win the final wild card, they would have to still win their final match-up at Atlantis against the Invaders. Also, the Stalinistas would have to lose both of their remaining games since the Mythologicals lost their head to head match-up to them.

Rest Of The Schedule

Solar Power (7-9) @ Za Germans (11-5)
Bivouacs (11-5) @ Buzz (14-2)
Stalinistas (9-7) @ Romans! (3-13)
Wrathful Grapes (6-10) @ Invaders (5-11)
Pelicans (5-11) @ Châteaux Gentry (8-8)
Head Shrinkers (8-8) @ Alouettes (4-12)
Philippine Eagles (8-8) @ Midnight Sun (13-3)
Canadian Rockies (2-14) @ Flower Power (8-8)
Icelandic Sheepdogs (10-6) @ Elephant Birds (4-12)

[flexmaster33]

doing my best to put the City Division away this week...still need some help from Tectronix though

[ViperOverLord]

doing my best to put the City Division away this week...still need some help from Tectronix though

It's not tectronix its tectonics lol. Someone didn't take oceanography at college lol

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Week Eighteen

Week Seventeen Review / Week Eighteen Preview

- The Tectonics beat the Shysters to clinch the Ocean Division as both second place teams (Philippine Eagles, Head Shrinkers) lost.

- The Flower Power took advantage of the Shysters loss by beating the Canadian Rockies and clinching the City Division. The victory was the ninth by the Flower Power and it means that the division will not be won by a team with a losing record. Of course, they still have to win this week to avoid the lesser stigma of being a .500 division winner.

- The Buzz won an impressive tenth match in a row and finished the season undefeated at home. With the victory, they also clinched the top seed in the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

- Despite having their eight game winning streak snapped, the Icelandic Sheepdogs clinched a wild card seed in the playoffs. They also clinched a home playoff game for the wild card round.

- By virtue of owning a three way tie breaker with the Philippine Eagles and Head Shrinkers, the Châteaux Gentry have clinched a wild card seed. They can secure a home playoff game with a home victory this week against division rival Elephant Birds. The Birds will be looking for their first road victory of the season.

- The race for the final playoff spot in the City State Conference is interesting. The Head Shrinkers can secure the final playoff spot with a victory at home against the Pelicans. If they lose and the Philippine Eagles win at home against the Tectonics then the Philippine Eagles would earn the final playoff spot. If the Head Shrinkers and Philippine Eagles both lose, then the Shysters can earn the final playoff spot with a home victory against division rival, Flower Power. That circumstance would set-up a rematch the in the Wild Card Round in San Francisco.

- The Fanatics won their seventh match in a row. But they will still need one more victory or a Za Germans loss to clinch the coveted two seed in the Rebel Allegiance Conference. The Fanatics will be facing off at home against a desperate F'd Double W's team that is gunning for the final wild card slot in the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

- The Stalinistas will clinch the final playoff spot (or higher) with a victory at home against Za Germans. If the Stalinistas lose, then the Mythologicals will earn the final playoff spot with a victory in Atlantis against the Invaders. If the Stalinistas and Mythologicals both lose then the F'd Double W's will earn the final playoff spot by winning their Crusade against the Fanatics.

- Za Germans took advantage of a fourth straight Cold Warriors loss to pull ahead by a game over the Cold Warriors and Bivouacs in the Bombardment Division. They can clinch the division with a victory in Stalingrad.

- Despite being within a game of Za Germans, the Bivouacs have been eliminated from the division race since Za Germans own a head to head tie-breakers and a Bivouacs victory against the Cold Warrirors at Waterloo would prevent the possibility of any three-way tie complications.

- If Za Germans lose in Stalingrad and the Cold Warriors win in Waterlood then the Cold Warriors would win the division by virtue of a tie-breaker.

Week Seventeen Results

Solar Power @ Za Germans
Stalinistas @ Romans!
Bivouacs @ Buzz
Cold Warriors @ Fanatics
Wrathful Grapes @ Invaders
F'd Double W's @ Mythologicals
Pelicans @ Châteaux Gentry
Shysters @ Tectonics
Head Shrinkers @ Alouettes
Philippine Eagles @ Midnight Sun
Canadian Rockies @ Flower Power
Icelandic Sheepdogs @ Elephant Birds

Announcements

- It's the last week of the season. Eliminated teams will still receive the newsletter during the playoffs.

- The Buzz and Midnight Sun are theoretically both be competing for the Milky Way Cup (General Achievement Medal). The medal is awarded to the team with the best regular season league record. The Buzz are up a game going into the final week and have therefore earned at least a share of the best record. In the event of a tie, I do not know if the TD would issue two medals or zero. We'll cross that bridge if we come to it. The Buzz will win the medal outright with a victory in Week Eighteen.

- The Midnight Sun will most certainly be awarded the Colonizer Kaiser General Achievement Medal if they win this week and go undefeated (9-0) on the road during the regular season. Thus, the Midnight Sun could possibly win two GA medals with one victory against a team with a fourteen game losing streak. (How funny is that?)

Featured Week Eighteen Match-Ups

Za Germans (12-5) @ Stalinistas (10-7)

The outcome of this match-up is the most wide ranging. It can affect anything from the two seed through the sixth seed in the Rebel Allegiance Conference.

Cold Warriors (11-6) @ Bivouacs (11-6)

The Cold Warriors still have a chance to win the Bombardment Division with a victory and Za Germans loss. The Bivouacs can secure a home game in the Wild Card Round with a victory this week.

Pelicans (5-12) @ Head Shrinkers (8-9)

The Headshrinkers will secure the final playoff seed with a victory. If they lose, then that leaves the door open for the Philippine Eagles to take the final spot. If both the Head Shrinkers and Philippine Eagles lose then the door will be open for the Shysters to secure the final playoff spot. Three teams have a chance to make that final spot but this game is the lynch pin.

Rest Of The Schedule

Wrathful Grapes (7-10) @ Romans! (3-14)
F'd Double W's (9-8) @ Fanatics (13-4)
Buzz (15-2) @ Solar Power (7-10)
Invaders (5-12) @ Mythologicals (9-8)
Tectonics (11-6) @ Philippine Eagles (8-9)
Flower Power (9-8) @ Shysters (7-10)
Icelandic Sheepdogs (10-7) @ Alouettes (5-12)
Elephant Birds (5-12) @ Châteaux Gentry (9-8)
Midnight Sun (14-3) @ Canadian Rockies (2-15)

[ViperOverLord]

EUL Newsletter - Playoffs: Wild Card Round

Week Eighteen Review

- The final week of the regular season is complete and all twelve playoff teams are set. Tie breaker procedures were met and no play-in games were necessary.

- Week Eighteen was bittersweet for Za Germans. Although they won the Bombardment Division by virtue of going 2-0 versus the Bivouacs for the tie-breaker, they missed out on an opportunity to secure the two seed and a bye. Had Za Germans beat the Stalinistas, they would have tied the Fanatics 13-5 record. And by virtue of their head to head win against the Fanatics, Za Germans would have taken the two seed.

- The Stalinistas victory was bad news for the Mythologicals and F'd Double W's who both won but also needed a Stalinistas loss to have a chance of making the playoffs.

- The Buzz won their eleventh straight match to secure the league's best record (16-2) and the Milky Way Cup GA Medal).

- The Midnight Sun handed Canadian Rockies their fourteenth straight loss and won the Colonizer Kaiser GA Medal for going 9-0 on the road.

- After a season of beating each other up, all four Bombardment Division teams made the playoffs. Their reward is to beat each other up some more in the Wild Card Round as the teams will be squaring off against each other.

- The Bivouacs may not have gotten the tie-breaker with Za Germans, but their victory did assure that their Week 18 rematch with the Cold Warriors in the Wild Card Round would be at Waterloo.

- The Head Hunters and Philippine Eagles both lost their opportunity to make the playoffs by losing their matches. The Shysters owned the three way tie breaker and squeezed into the playoffs in the final spot. The Shysters are the only team with a losing record (8-10) to make the playoffs.

- The Flower Power's loss put them at 9-9 and they are the only division winner to not have a record above .500.

- The Châteaux Gentry finished the season 1-7. But in the weaker City State Conference, they still secured the five seed.

- The top two CSC seeds, the Midnight Sun and Tectonics both finished the season on four game winning streaks to easily secure byes in the Wild Card Round.

- The Icelandic Sheepdogs finished the season at a 9-1 clip to take he three seed. They look to be a dark horse contender to make The Universal Empirical Bowl.

Week Eighteen Results

Za Germans @ Stalinistas
Cold Warriors @ Bivouacs
Wrathful Grapes @ Romans!
F'd Double W's @ Fanatics
Buzz @ Solar Power
Invaders @ Mythologicals
Pelicans @ Head Shrinkers
Tectonics @ Philippine Eagles
Flower Power @ Shysters
Icelandic Sheepdogs @ Alouettes
Midnight Sun @ Canadian Rockies
Elephant Birds @ Châteaux Gentry

Announcements

- Eight of the twelve playoff teams will be in action this week. The other four teams receive byes.

- Check out the featured match-up records (compiled at the end of the season).

RBC Wild Card Match-Ups Preview

3. Za Germans (12-6) Vs. 6. Stalinistas (11-7) @ Das Schloss

The Stalinistas won both their match-ups against Za Germans including the Week 4 Match-Up @ Das Schloss.

4. Bivouacs (12-6) vs 5. Cold Warriors (11-7) @ Waterloo

The Bivouacs swept the season series. This is a rematch of their Week Eighteen match @ Waterloo. The Cold Warriors lost their last five games during the regular season.

CSC Wild Card Match-Ups Preview

3. Flower Power (9-9) Vs. 6. Shysters (8-10) @ San Francisco

These two teams split their regular season match-up. However, the Shysters replacement manager is 1-0 versus Flower Power.

4. Icelandic Sheepdogs (11-7) Vs. 5. Châteaux Gentry (9-9) @ Iceland

At 6-3, the Icelandic Sheepdogs are very comfortable at home. The Châteaux Gentry limped into the playoffs, losing seven of their last eight matches.

Byes

RAC

1. Buzz (16-2)
2. Fanatics (13-5)

CSC

1. Midnight Sun (15-3)
2. Tectonics (12-6)

[flexmaster33]

Hey now...what's all this stuff about the weaker City-State Conference???
I prefer the term hyper-competitive conference