The third and final day of the Major League begins with a very special event: As part of a Technical Challenge, the self-built robots of the Junior League will face the world champion TIGERs Mannheim. The challenge: Keep their heads above water as long as possible and not be overrun by TIGERs.
However, to make this possible, the Junior Bots must first be modified: Since they drive autonomously with onboard cameras across the field, the TIGERs would mercilessly roll over them due to the lack of a color pattern on their heads. Therefore, makeshift patterns were created yesterday, which can be mounted on the Junior bots to enable camera detection through our SSL software.
You can find a link to the stream, as always, on the YouTube channel of TIGERs Mannheim:
Before the actual game starts, an individual Technical Challenge for the teams takes place: Each team gets a few minutes to try to detect and score as many of the golf balls scattered on the field as possible with up to two robots. This proves to be very difficult, as the Defense Area, which may only be entered by the goalkeeper, is very large in our league, making it hard for the Junior teams to shoot the ball into the goal. Only the Atlantis team manages to score two goals in this challenge.
After this individual Technical Challenge, it’s time to stick together: The robots of all Junior League teams now play together against three robots of TIGERs Mannheim. Their robots have also been significantly toned down. For example, the robots are only allowed to move at one meter per second. For comparison: The field is 12 meters wide, so a TIGERs bot would take several seconds to cross from one side to the other.
First Half
| 05:00 | The game starts with a kickoff for TIGERs. Currently, the Junior Bots are only blocking the goal, but let’s see how this extraordinary game develops. |
| 03:55 | After some hesitant maneuvers in midfield by TIGERs, their robots finally move towards the goal. There, the TIGERs bot shoots, and the ball rolls past the motionless Juniors. |
| Juniors 0 : 1 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 03:45 | Now there’s some life in the game! After a kickoff by the Juniors, one of their robots drives straight towards the goal, but unfortunately, it only rolls out of bounds with the ball. |
| 03:40 | The missed shot at the goal immediately punishes the Juniors: The TIGERs drive with the ball towards the goal and shoot again. The goalkeeper tries to defend but can’t hold the ball. |
| Juniors 0 : 2 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 03:22 | Unbelievable! The Junior Bots manage not only to get the ball towards the goal successfully but also to score! They are catching up. |
| Juniors 1 : 2 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 03:16 | The joy for the Junior Leagues doesn’t last long: TIGERs come right back into the game and shoot at the goal again, this time even an empty goal. |
| Juniors 1 : 3 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 02:58 | And another successful shot at an empty goal by TIGERs Mannheim. This increases Mannheim’s lead to four goals. |
| Juniors 1 : 4 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 01:44 | The Juniors put up some resistance here and there, and occasionally there is a shot at the goal, but it all helps nothing: Another goal for TIGERs Mannheim! |
| Juniors 1 : 5 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 01:23 | This time, the Juniors rely on aggression and start with all their robots in the center circle. The ball comes close to the TIGERs’ goal but lacks execution. TIGERs can defend. |
| 01:05 | And TIGERs show again that you can’t show weakness towards them: Their robots increase the lead to five goals! |
| Juniors 1 : 6 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 00:46 | Very good defense by the Juniors! TIGERs try to aim at the goal, but the Junior Bots defend vehemently and can even stand their ground in a duel. |
| 00:41 | But the goal can’t be defended for long: TIGERs finally score to make it 7:1! |
| Juniors 1 : 7 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 00:27 | Unfortunately, the Juniors’ strength fades again, and TIGERs score another goal with no goalkeeper present. |
| Juniors 1 : 8 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 00:07 | And another shot at the empty goal by TIGERs, bringing them one goal away from an early victory. |
| Juniors 1 : 9 TIGERs Mannheim | |
| 00:00 | Now it comes down to it, the Junior Bots give their all to keep their goal tight. With great effort, one of the robots tries to prevent the goal, but TIGERs show no mercy: The final goal of the game is scored, and TIGERs win 10:0! |
| Juniors 1 : 10 TIGERs Mannheim | |
Of course, it was already clear in advance that TIGERs would probably have the upper hand in a home game, especially since they are the world champions. Nevertheless, it was a very entertaining game that attracted many spectators. Hopefully, it also pleased the Juniors and motivated them for future participation in RoboCup events!