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The Sarzonian national team returned from its trip to neigboring host country Krytenia with a third place trophy, valuable experience, and a new sense of national pride. Their inexperienced side beat Group B top seed Crystilakere in the first stage and the host country in the third place match and gave the heavily favored Vilita Jungle Cats an epic battle before falling in extra time.
"We come away from this tournament more confident than ever in ourselves as footballers," Coach Bryan Marshall said. "We defeated two of the best sides in the region and we came pretty damn close to beating another in the semifinals."
The third place showing for Sarzonia did much more than just get Sarzonia's feet wet. It instilled a strong sense of national pride, said Senior Vice President for Internal Affairs Nicole Lewis at a ceremony honoring the Stars.
"We showed the world that Sarzonians can play football," Lewis said. "You all should be commended for your indefatigable exploits."
"You have done Sarzonia proud," President Mike Sarzo said in a video speech sent via satellite from the ISS Endymion, where he is helping Nellisland establish a new government. "You showed great character and resolve in battling some outstanding football teams and showed to the world that Sarzonia belongs on the pitch against some of the world's elite."
Forward Brian Wilson and goalkeeper Troy Perkins were tapped their team's most valuable players in voting by the coaches and players. Fan balloting gave the honors to Perkins, who made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the tournament.
Perkins "was a rock out there," team captain Bobby Convey, who finished third in the balloting said. "If it weren't for him, I don't think we make it to the semifinals."
Even reserve Kerry Tanner, who left the team in a snit after Perkins was named first-choice keeper, heaped praise upon the rookie.
"Troy was unbelieveable out there, particularly against Vilita," Tanner said. "I think he had one bad goal the whole tournament."
"I just try to do the best I can out there," Perkins said, visibly uncomfortable as he accepted the MVP trophy. "You can't do well as a goalkeeper without a great team in front."
"I'm not disappointed at all; I'm very happy for Troy," Wilson said. "He did an unbelievable job out there in all five games."
Sarzonian Football Confederation Commissioner Buddy Landry said Sarzonia's success in the tournament resulted in "a huge spike" in season ticket sales for the upcoming fourth season.
"Usually, we could count on Portland and Woodstock doing well attendance wise, but this time, just about every city has increased season ticket sales," Landry said. "People are now seeing that we're not just a fly-by-night league but we're legitimate.
"There'll be more tournaments and more chances for Sarzonia to win them."
This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Jun 21 2004, 10:08 AM |
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Sarzonia |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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