WPC World Cup bo3 Series Is Finally HERE!!!!!!!!

Welcome to my last Sports Scene blog of the season. Now I don't know how many people read this but to me this is so important that Sports Scene gets done every week. This season started with 14 teams it ended with 11. TPL and DS were in the beginning of the season they both bit the dust with EPC and BNR coming in. BNR lost last night to Pool Fiction whereas EPC were thrown out due to fixing of the stats. Still I get told by EPC that technically it isn't WPC as I had to make a new site but oh well, it was only because Kevin went AWOL. So this season in short. LPL and Tino went out at the beginning with 2 modest draws. But after that they were easily the best team in the regular season. Tino deserves a lot of credit for what he did with LPL this season and they will be returning next season. GL Guys.

True Champs and Xtreme 8 Ball were also knocked out in the playoff conference semi-finals but TC espeicially have a lot to look forward to if they can keep hold of players like Pommy, Trav and Cal. They had a good season and only lost the playoffs because of Tonzmaniac from LS being in great form. X8B and Ben had a dodgy season but still made the playoffs. Next season X8B will look to improve on there WPC form and draw on there MLP for and UIC. They will do well next season.

UO are another team who had a great season to be honest. At one point it looked like they could make the playoffs instead of X8B. Sadly it wasn't meant to be but they will have learned from there first midweek interleague and are definately a team to watch next season. They showed they could win against the big teams when beating TC 5-1.

LS again had a solid regular season and found themselves playing TC and LPL the two toughest in the playoffs on the Championship side. Chris has captained LS superbly since I got a night shift job and well he has some players who he could just call on.

The Championship was where it was at this season. Powerhouses in PFN, SS, BNR and SP being accompanied by 8BC. The start of the season was as people expected although SP went off to a shocker and 8BC were going through a big uprise and were throwing down or looking like they were going to throw down a challenge. PFN, BNR(who came in week 2 and played 2 games in 2 weeks) and SS all went off like a train.

BNR played EPC and in the longest match in WPC history running at 2 hours 48 minutes in bnr_teacher playing Jack meant that the Ref who was from the UK and me had to hand over reffing duties to Steven. BNR went on to thrash EPC 6-0 I think it was. Magic Pool dropped out when Jane became ill. BNR had a season like no other as by the end of the season PFN, BNR and SS all had proper chances of winning, add to that a 7 win streak from SP and it was all exciting. BNR ended up winning the Championship with PFN in second which leads me onto PFN.

PFN again find themselves in the WPC World Cup finals bo3 and lets look at the past seasons. Runners up twice and winners once. This is a record like no other. The teams to defeat them was Magic Pool in season one when I was captain, Latino Pool Legends when Kev was Captain and they defeated my team in LS last season who they will be meeting again this season only with Chris(tonz) as the captain so it will be very interesting how chris can do it this time and if he can go one better than me. Only time will tell.

SS are the team who I feel sorry for this season. Nigel led his team very well and with a roster as big as he had, I sort of expected a Championship title win and a Playoff conference final appearance, neither happened but this was down to bad luck and the fact they ran into a PFN side who dominated the back half of the regular season and looking to go out on a high note after the dissapointed of MLP Fives. SS will take heart from this and next season all on cam will be a big season for Nigel/Shelle and the credentials of this up and coming SS team.

SP had a very poor start to the season but when Ketan took over something just seemed to click. SP became good again, I aint saying Pete is a bad captain because he isn't but Ketan really did work wonders and will no doubt really wanna make SP into champs and they love all cammed interleagues so I expect a very big season for them next season.

So lets get onto the WPC World Cup and my usual look at 6 players from each team. We will start with the team who plays home in games 1 and 3 which is LS because the Premiership won the Allstar match up.

Luckyshots

Chris (tonzmaniac)

The stand in Captain and the stand out player of LS's season. Chris has been awesome this season and has a record that should have got him into the allstars and didnt he let me know it! This season for Chris he has managed to get enough players to the table each week to get LS here. His pool playing is awesome and he has won some really big matches in this playoff series to make LS win 4-3 each match.

J.D (lord_suhrim)

Came on the scene in LS just before this season of WPC started and he reminded me of Aarom (royalgamer) from PFN one time. He doesn't think he is as good as he is aslong as he can stay focussed. JD won a big match in the first playoff round and although he can be subject to lapses of concentration every now and then, he will be a important cog in Chris's side. Always shows up.

Tony(tastan5)

Who would have thought I would have put tony down. He is again a very good pool player when on his game. If he isn't on his game, well he is just shocking! This season Tony has managed to win a few and get eligable, he will always be there when LS needs him. To me hes been outstanding when LS have needed him all season.

Aaron (newb.on_loose)

So this should be next season's LS captain. Aaron has again had a great season this season. He lost a few for SP before taking the big move over to LS and for me it paid dividands for him. Aaron has performed and been there again when LS have needed him, he will be important for chris if LS are to have ANY chance of beating PFN as he has this sort of experiance.

Simon (simon.kitto)

Will simon show? If he does he does but hif he dont he dont I think is chris's philosophy. If simon shows then LS will need him big style for this match. Simon could well be the key for LS here as sometimes simon can be crap and sometimes he can be great, it all depends on his mood in my opinion.

Jeremy (im_just_jeremy)

Mr. Dependable had a good season and got Allstar but Chris should have got it. It makes no difference Jeremy is a big game player and will need to draw on his experiance to help LS try and get through this PFN squad.

Thats the best 6 LS players in my view and out of 60 I would give them 51/60

Lets look and Pool Fiction.

Ogges (xlx_ogges_xlx)

Why not start with the guy who delivered success last season and is looking for back to back victories with this PFN side who are going to be playing there last final together and although I am certain they would have liked to play this then go for the MLP Fives title, it just wasn't to be. Ogges is very strong and a very good captain. Him vs Tonz in captain stakes will be interesting.

Kerry (kerryanne_23)

How can you leave out a woman who has been to 2 WPC allstar events and nearly been MVP twice? You can't in view. Ogges has so many players to choose from but who would say anything against Kerry having a shot at the World Cup for a second season. Not me for one, a certain starter for me.

Cubby (so_wolf_cub)

Well Sean will be out to prove a point after being one of the only 2 defeats for PFN in the Conference finals against a BNR team who were outclassed by PFN from what I have heard. Sean is a strong player has experience of big time Finals like most of this PFN side lol. Big player for Ogges here.

Andy (pool_warrior)

Well Andy is Andy. Always been strong and solid.He will give ogges the choice of when to call him because he can play anywhere! He can safety and run tables, Lucky Shots will need to really pick a big gun for this one!

Jamie (xlx_bpk_xlx)

The best player on this team on his day, however Lewis might be better at the moment but either way he will be the one to possably be clincher or saver unless he has to be up early. Jamie will always be respected and will no doubt wanna send PFN off with a big title.

Lewis (lewissss)

The most consisant, best player PFN have at the moment. This guy is untouchable when on his game and is immensely respected. This has the makings of a great PFN side to sign off completely as a league. Lewis is very important for that process.

Thats the best 6 PFN players in my view and out of 60 I would give them 56/60

THE PREDICTION

So here we are then and my predictions It hink have been very good againt his season. I don't know how many people read them but if you do thank you! LS have surpassed all expectations and a crappy playoff run having to play two teams who were on top of the games in TC and LPL defeating both 4-3 with Tonz the catalyst for both wins, after winning game 7 when LS could only show with 5 for the 2 rounds of playoffs.

Lucky Shots have home room in matches 1 and 3 (match 3 if needed) and usually I would say that is very important and you know what it is but less so playing PFN than if they were playing BNR. LS need Jeremy, Simon, Chris and JD with Tony to all show and maybe a Jordy or a Raymie but I aint sure.

PFN ont he other hand, this is there last finals as PFN, who knows what will happen to people after that but I expect Jamie, Kerry, Andy and Ogges to all stay in pool and find a different league but it wil llook wierd seeing a different set of initials next to there names.

The matches will be close because LS will be pumped to wanna avenge for there WPC World Cup Finals defeat last season losing in two matches to Ogges and PFN. For PFN the chance to do what MP and LPL couldnt manage and that is retain the title they won not so long ago in season 3. LS if they do lose they can still say there 2nd best yet again and lets face it, it seems written that PFN will go out with a bang, after all its the only way they know!

Score
LS - 4-3
PFN - 4-1
PFN - 4-3

My view is that PFN will win over 3 matches and it will be very close in match 1 and 3 as PFN have to let LS call first and have away room.

PLayoff MVP will be one of either Lewis, Kerry or Chris. Chris has made the biggest contribution but the final is where its at so we will wait and see what happens.

Feel free to post what you think will happen, who you think will win and why who will get the MVP and who to watch out for.

Thanks for reading my blogs this season its been a pleasure writing for you all.

Jason