“CIBBL - Y5, Autumn - Bronze Division: game 2:

Timaris considered his options before the game started. He was wondering which strategy would be optimal to face the undead. Not his favorite opponents in any case and now they were even backed up by a wizard. "No, he pondered, we shouldn't move in too aggressively. Hang back, wait and chose the right moment to go for the ball. Then pull it loose and steal it!"

So that's what the Meddlers did. After waiting for 4 turns, Morlanna stripped the ball loose in turn 5. Unfortunately, it fell right into the hands of Melchior, a useless thrall. "Keep the pressure high", Timaris was shouting from the sidelines, ruining his frail voice. He definitely had to find some kind of amplifier to solve that issue and made a mental note of it.

Meanwhile the field was becoming a mess, with elves, thralls and vampires stumbling over themselves. This time Hauclir managed to kick the ball loose, but Aetharon snaked a dodge and the half was over. "Nuffle be damned", Timaris cursed. "All that hard work for naught." Indeed, a vampire picked up the ball and scored: 1-0 at halftime since a 1-turn effort failed with the tree knocking over the thrall.

"Watch out for the gaze!" Timaris was shouting a Aetharon. But the rookie wardancer didn't hear his coach's rumbling and ran to the lines, thinking himself safe. A few seconds later he found himself in the middle of the crowd, badly mouled by the wild vampire fans. He didn't even have the time to consider what went wrong. "He'll learn", Timaris said to no one in particular. "Or he won't and he'll die", he continued.

By then the Meddlers had lost the ball. "Time to send in Morlanna again and save the day", Timaris reckoned. The experienced wardancer moved in and did as she was told. "At least one player I can count on", the coach murmured. Even better, Isilvar managed to get a hold on the ball. Only to lose it again next turn. The field situation remained chaotic. Once more Morlanna came to the rescue, stripping free the ball. This was an huge opportunity, but Mereia failed to pick it up. "By Isha", Timaris sighed, "this clumsyness is costing us the game!".

The rest is history. The Meddlers tried and Morlanna even kicked the ball loose one final time, but lost control of herself and ran into a vampire fist. Next turn she got fouled off the field and the game was played: 2-0.

The ball was kicked loose 4 or 5 times, but the elves could never evacuate it safely. That, as well as the hypnotic gaze decided the game in favor of the Von Carsteins. "More homework", a desilusioned Timaris concluded. "We need yet another strategy".
”