RoboCup: TIGERs Mannheim vs. ZJUNlict

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And thus, the grand finale is upon us: TIGERs Mannheim and ZJUNlict face each other in the final match!

You can find the link to the live ticker as always on Twente’s YouTube platform or at this link.

First Half

05:00 And thus, the game starts almost punctually. TIGERs is playing in yellow this time, ZJUNlict in blue.
04:17 First observation: The game between these two teams yesterday was better. However, there’s live commentary in French for the spectators on-site this time, which is a big gain and a result of the Open OC/TC Meetings held yesterday. On that day, the commentary and the tournament in Crailsheim were explicitly praised as a prime example of spectator-friendly tournaments.
03:15 Very good shot opportunity for ZJUNlict! The keeper made the save, though. Nevertheless, ZJUNlict managed to break through the defense, which is worrying.
02:10 The game doesn’t look as nice as yesterday: The ball is frequently out of bounds, causing unnecessary interruptions.
01:12 Two consecutive attacks on ZJUNlict’s goal, but both times it’s defused or the ball rolls past the goal.
00:51 Another hot shot on ZJUNlict’s goal. If this continues, TIGERs will eventually score a goal.
00:51 ZJUNlict seems to have realized this, hence they called a timeout.
00:51 During the timeout, both TIGERs and ZJUNlict form shapes: TIGERs’ bots in the shape of a “T,” ZJUNlict’s bots in the shape of a “Z.”
00:32 Indeed, TIGERs seems to have a problem with one of their robots, so they have to take one off the field.
00:27 And the ball goes out of bounds again, free-kick for ZJUNlict.
-00:04 With one final attack on ZJUNlict’s goal, the first half comes to an end. Overall, the game is quite balanced. TIGERs is more dominant, but it’s possible that both teams will score a goal.

Second Half

05:00 And thus, the second half begins. Neither team color nor sides are swapped. ZJUNlict has the kickoff.
04:56 The game continues with the fast pace it ended: TIGERs with a quick shot, unfortunately out of bounds.
04:32 After a few ball exchanges, the ball unintentionally rolls towards ZJUNlict’s goal, but one of their defenders can clear it towards the sidelines. Overall, TIGERs is playing significantly worse than yesterday. Additionally, ZJUNlict is substituting one of their players.
03:53 Another very intense attack by TIGERs Mannheim on ZJUNlict’s goal. Still the stronger team.
03:16 OK, that was close: Intense battle in TIGERs’ half, the goalkeeper seems unable to shoot, nerves are frayed. The situation is cleared towards the corner, but that could have been the deciding goal! The hottest situation so far!
03:16 Another robot change for ZJUNlict.
03:16 Apparently, there’s a discussion about whether the yellow card that ZJUNlict should receive is legitimate. The tension is high; after all, two evenly matched opponents are playing for the title.
02:43 Another very intense situation in front of Mannheim’s goal. A long battle involving dozens of robots, but in the end, TIGERs manages to clear the ball.
02:23 Almost a goal against TIGERs! We’re getting really anxious here that our favorite might lose!
02:23 More discussions in front of the screens, no idea what it could be about this time.
02:07 Another ball goes out of bounds; being a commentator during such games is truly risky business.
01:28 TIGERs is wasting far too many opportunities. They’re too slow in turning in the opponent’s half, allowing the opponent to catch up.
00:00 The second half ends with very nerve-wracking battles across the field, and the game goes into overtime for the first and only time in this tournament!

Overtime: First Half

02:30 Thus begins the first half of the second overtime.
01:50 The ball is in both halves at times, and it’s hotly contested.
01:00 The game offers no respite: One moment follows the next, a goal could happen anytime.
01:00 Timeout for ZJUNlict.
00:50 GOAL for TIGERs, everyone’s celebrating, but: No goal, because it was too high.
00:19 Directly the next thrilling moment: Battle in front of TIGERs’ goal, the ball remains there

for a long time, but the TIGERs’ keeper manages a clearance.
00:00 And thus, the next nerve-wracking half ends. It’s a pity the goal didn’t count; I screamed “yes” at the top of my lungs for no reason. Of course, we’re completely neutral here.

Overtime: Second Half

02:30 Thus begins the second half of the overtime. If this one ends without goals as well, it will go into a penalty shootout, which virtually no team has properly implemented.
02:10 Again, TIGERs in front of ZJUNlict’s goal, but they’re just too slow when it really counts, and so, unfortunately, there’s no goal again.
01:54 A robot from TIGERs is being substituted.
00:52 The ball is currently bouncing around a bit; one has to be careful as a commentator during such games.
00:25 Only 25 seconds left; will there be another goal?
00:09 Again, an attack on ZJUNlict’s goal, but unfortunately, again wide. Probably the last attack.
00:00 And thus, the second half of the overtime ends as well. Penalty shootout time!

Penalty Shootout

Since we’ve never had to tick a penalty shootout, there’s no format for it yet. However, I can say this much: No team has really implemented the Penalty Shootout, at least not ours, so one can assume that both TIGERs and ZJUNlict won’t shine too much. It just doesn’t happen frequently enough to invest a lot of time into it.
TIGERs TIGERs approaches the ball slowly and deliberately, but they actually score a goal!
TIGERs Mannheim 1 : 0 ZJUNlict
ZJUNlict ZJUNlict approaches slowly, but messes up the shot, their robot just stops. No goal.
TIGERs Another goal for TIGERs, also not very spectacular.
TIGERs Mannheim 2 : 0 ZJUNlict
ZJUNlict Again messed up by ZJUNlict, which puts TIGERs two ahead.
TIGERs Another goal by TIGERs, making it 3-0. TIGERs has just implemented the basic shootout strategy, so they don’t commit any fouls, but that’s about it. However, it seems to be enough. If ZJUNlict doesn’t score now, TIGERs has won and becomes world champion for the third time!
TIGERs Mannheim 3 : 0 ZJUNlict
ZJUNlict And ZJUNlict messes up again. It’s official now: TIGERs is the world champion for the third time in a row!!! Congratulations to the entire TIGERs team for this outstanding performance and the excellent games in the past days! It’s safe to say that this year, no team deserves to be world champion more than TIGERs Mannheim. And it’s officially the Hattrick!