2023-12-22, 04:22 AM - Word count:
LONDON, United Kingdom -- It was easy to pick Jude Greer’s voice out of the ruckus following Cymru a Lloegr’s 2-0 win over the Commonwealth of the North Sea on Thursday.
“Knockouts, y’all!” Greer's booming voice could be heard shouting amidst the celebrations.
Greer had every right to be excited, as his temporary adoptive federation secured the top spot in Group C of the World Simulation Football Classic with the result.
While both sides had already qualified from the group the day before as a result of Cymru’s 2-1 defeat of the Deutsch-Dutch Federation, the winning goal in that match coming from an unfortunate own goal by DDF midfielder Jurgen Muller, Thursday’s showdown provided a chance to secure a more favorable draw in the quarterfinal knockout round.
Greer made his presence known in the 37th minute, when he delivered a cross into the box to meet the head of striker Paul Penshaw, who headed home to put Y Tri Dreigiau ahead 1-0. Greer was credited with the assist, his first involvement with a competitive goal since Matchday 1 of SSL Season 12. Midfielder Fletcher Smallwood fired home a penalty in the second half to confirm the result.
“We knew we were going through, but going through in first is even better,” Greer said Thursday. “I think we can beat anyone in this tournament, so I don’t care who we face next.”
Greer’s words might be construed as foolhardy, given some of the teams remaining in the tournament. Canada have risen to the occasion both figuratively and literally, due in large part to towering striker Sky Ryze’s tournament-best six goals thus far. Elsewhere, in Group D, the United African Federation cruised to two wins and an early knockout berth, and are considered by many to be one of the favorites to win the tournament alongside the United States, the latter of whom also escaped Group D following a strong performance against the United Alpine Region and could be drawn by Cymru in the quarterfinal round.
Still, Greer is nothing if not confident in his team’s showing thus far.
“We beat the Germans, we beat the…uh…North Sea-ans, we can take anyone,” Greer said. “We want this cup, man. It's coming home!”
(368 words)
“Knockouts, y’all!” Greer's booming voice could be heard shouting amidst the celebrations.
Greer had every right to be excited, as his temporary adoptive federation secured the top spot in Group C of the World Simulation Football Classic with the result.
While both sides had already qualified from the group the day before as a result of Cymru’s 2-1 defeat of the Deutsch-Dutch Federation, the winning goal in that match coming from an unfortunate own goal by DDF midfielder Jurgen Muller, Thursday’s showdown provided a chance to secure a more favorable draw in the quarterfinal knockout round.
Greer made his presence known in the 37th minute, when he delivered a cross into the box to meet the head of striker Paul Penshaw, who headed home to put Y Tri Dreigiau ahead 1-0. Greer was credited with the assist, his first involvement with a competitive goal since Matchday 1 of SSL Season 12. Midfielder Fletcher Smallwood fired home a penalty in the second half to confirm the result.
“We knew we were going through, but going through in first is even better,” Greer said Thursday. “I think we can beat anyone in this tournament, so I don’t care who we face next.”
Greer’s words might be construed as foolhardy, given some of the teams remaining in the tournament. Canada have risen to the occasion both figuratively and literally, due in large part to towering striker Sky Ryze’s tournament-best six goals thus far. Elsewhere, in Group D, the United African Federation cruised to two wins and an early knockout berth, and are considered by many to be one of the favorites to win the tournament alongside the United States, the latter of whom also escaped Group D following a strong performance against the United Alpine Region and could be drawn by Cymru in the quarterfinal round.
Still, Greer is nothing if not confident in his team’s showing thus far.
“We beat the Germans, we beat the…uh…North Sea-ans, we can take anyone,” Greer said. “We want this cup, man. It's coming home!”
(368 words)
![[Image: s7qRFFN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/s7qRFFN.png)
