Here it is then, the morning after the night before, the calm after the storm that was the inaugural Isosceles World Cup. For many this morning there is nothing more than an aching body, a shattered dream, dashed hopes – the empty feeling of what could have been. But for one team there is glory, the chest busting feeling of “we did it” for them the back slapping and team hugging that will probably last well into the weekend.This tournament had all the ingredients of the real thing, great football, controversy, penalties even our very own Frank Lampard moment where new goal-line technology was used – well ok one of the spectators on the sideline.
Fabio, Fabio, Fabio where were you? On show last night were all the qualities necessary to build a world beating team. There was determination, self sacrifice, everywhere individuals ready to lay down their bodies for the glory of their team and more than just a little skill.
For the teams – Celona, Emergent, InsightSoftware.com, Solsis, Line, Design Inc and Isosceles – the pressure was actually off all had qualified and made it safely into the last eight, something England hadn’t managed.
During the group stages the matches were extremely tight; games were pinched by the odd goal here and there. This was demonstrated by the fact that the 3rd/4th and 5th /6th play offs all went to penalties.
The surprise package of the evening were Line Communications, their team newly formed and lacking match practise turned in magnificent performances. Line also won the award for the best turned out team, arriving off their coach in their Line monogrammed three-piece suits. Line also won the award for the best supporters who flew in from the four corners of the earth to support their team and enjoy the evening. I can’t help but feel that Line were mugged somewhat, they were far more competitive and skilful than their final position suggested. They also fired a warning shot to the other teams – with a couple more games under their belt this was going to be a tough team to beat.
Celona coughed and spluttered somewhat never quite igniting the purring engine that lies within their team, in patches they were sublime and in patches lemon and lime. There were rumours of discontent in the camp – Maria falling out with the coach and refusing to play in the final game, but this was shrugged off simply as tiredness in the post match press conference. Celona had travelled a long distance to play in the tournament; their efforts were rewarded in a victory on penalties in their final playoff. Celona’s players could return home with their heads held high.
Solsis arrived full of confidence, having made a few new signings over the summer, we were all slightly intimated by their newly found sponsor Waitrose. The confidence seemed well placed with some particularly good early performances, but in the end their football turned into a Delia Smith recipe all the right ingredients but rather plain. Graham Stead was overheard commenting that next
year they would look at sponsorship from Sainsbury’s, perhaps a Jamie Oliver recipe would add a bit more spice.
Emergent and Insight joined forces to form a new team EmergInsight – sounding like a spin off from the TV show Casualty, but there was nothing A&E about their football. EmergInsight quickly found their rhythm and played some very neat football. Patrick Howard ended up lodging an appeal to the tournament organisers to argue that EmergInsight actually were the winners of the cup since they finished the tournament unbeaten, but then it was discovered that he was in fact a software salesman and the appeal was dismissed on principle.
Then after all of the huffing and puffing, the pump and the grind of the group and playoff stages there were two left standing – Isosceles and Design Inc. This is somewhat of a Germany v England fixture close neighbours who know each other’s players well. The final turned out to be more one sided than many had predicted. Design Inc sported a new centre-forward, Isosceles looked concerned when they found out he was a young Brazilian named Sam Ronaldo Maradona Pele Jesus Zico – but Julian assured our team that he would ” ’ave ‘im”. Design Inc were worthy winners and assured the assembled press that they would accept the cup in a spirit of friendship and humility and that they would keep this low key, they would be unlikely to brag, wave the cup around, put posters on their office door and generally remind Isosceles of their ignominious failure on a daily basis henceforth.
Many congratulations and thanks to all the teams that participated, this was a thoroughly enjoyable event and we appreciate your efforts in coming and sharing the evening with us.
After all the hype, anticipation and excitement, the Isosceles World Cup is over ….until next time
Mike O’connell, CEO, Isosceles Finance
