Gravball Finals 2014

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In the 2014 season of the gravball league run by the Union Gravball Association, the following four teams qualified for the elimination round: Cardinals, the Flaming Centipedes, the Dancing Trees and the Headhunters. The finals consist of a single elimination bracket, meaning there are three matches in total: two semi-finals and one final. There is no “loser final” for 3rd place.

The UGA entertained bids from Union members to determine where the matches were to be hosted. After a round of silent bids, the semi-finals were decided to be played in the Astai Republic and the Veolian Commonwealth, and the final in the Praetorian Empire.

Several worlds started PR campaigns and advanced training programmes for their favourite teams in hopes of improving their odds.

The winners of the gravball 2014 finals are the Headhunters.

With the teams standings determined by the ranking matches, the final matches were played as elimination matches. The matches were played in 172, 173 and 175.

Semi-final match 1 (Mirda / 2014-09-16)
(1)	VS	(13)
Winner:

Semi-final match 2 (Enthor / 2014-09-24)
(8)	VS	(4)
Winner:

Final (Praeto / 2014-10-08)
(10)	VS	(5)
Winner:

Most matches in the ranking period have not seen much airtime on general holonet channels. The following matches were discussed in length on USPN:

• Cardinals VS Thug Team (2014-03-07): Cardinals scoring 35 points over the thugs 10
• Corruption VS Sons of Pitches (2014-03-10): Corruption scoring a total of 33 points to the Sons of Pitches 14
• Flaming Centipedes VS Thunder Ducks (2014-03-15): Flaming Centipedes with a meager score of 16 to Thunder Duck's 7
• The Widowmakers VS Queens (2014-03-15): The Widowmakers with a score of 23 points to the Queens 7
• Dancing Trees VS Burning Bayonettes (2014-03-17): Dancing Trees with a score of 16 to 13!
• Beryllium Beatnicks VS Arachnid Gamorreans (2014-03-27): The Beryllium Beatnicks were financially penalised for their fans racist remarks, but still managed to beat the Arachnid Gamorreans 24 to 3.
• Headhunters VS Crazy Chickens (2014-03-31): The Headhunters won a 14 to 7 victory
• Prophets VS Mind Bogglers (2014-04-28): Bringing the Prophest an easy 24 to 7 victory

The Cardinals, Headhunters, Flaming Centipedes and Dancing Trees came out on top in the ranking matches, and continued on to the elimination rounds.

Next to several large PR campaigns spanning multiple worlds, a special programme highlighted some of the players and their world of origin:

• Erki Upm (Dancing Trees) of the Kingdom of Komès
• Acchā Khilara (Headhunters) of the Veolian Commonwealth
• Robin Van Persian (Headhunters) of the Astai Republic
• Teji Lataan (Dancing Trees) of the Veolian Commonwealth
• Dan Corrath (Headhunters) of the Astrian Colonial Authority
• Odrian Mardly (Flaming Centipedes) of the Astrian Colonial Authority
• Danar Pilaere (Dancing Trees) of the Teprogrenaian Consensus