Meadow Cup Musings / Round of Eight
Thill Brenner – Correspondent for TSS
My dear readers will forgive me, and my editor will add it to his list of grievances, for I open this report making reference to last week’s self-indulgent predictions as they pertain to the action on the Meadows this past weekend. Where I was correct in naming the winners in the two matches involving teams from L’Hexagone, I was bested by my journalistic counterpart, Zino Stiles-Johnson, who also correctly predicted Lucerne’s victory over the Zurich Tirggel. Recall, however, that I did warn that my foretelling abilities were minimal at best, and that ZST had shown her clairvoyance to be worth considering if one were considering a wager (presumably for a friendly pint or two).
So, allow me to focus my pen and pad on those outcomes that produced Gallic reverie not equaled on the Meadow in quite some time.
Those of us who love and follow Wiesespiel are likely familiar with the legend involving the people of Oberammergau and the bubonic plague. For our newer fans, that legend has it that nearly 400 years ago, the citizens of Oberammergau made a vow with God – if He would spare them of the bubonic plague’s fatal wrath, they would in turn perform the Passion Play every 10 years. The story goes that once the vow was made, not another townsperson suffered, and those in the grips of the plague survived and recovered. And thus began the traditional performing of the play.
As far as this reporter is aware, no such bargain has been made with our Creator regarding the Troupers on the Meadow. And left to their own efforts, the boys clad in the subtle yellow kits, trimmed in sky blue with the sharp, angled numerals across their back and “1881” knitted on their left sleeve, were little match for the powerhouse that Mulhouse has become. Last week, none other than Salzburg great Paul Lackner described the Locomotives as “scary,” and ZST called Farmhands Bombelles and Alsace “dangerous.” They weren’t kidding; nor were they wrong.
Taking first possession, Center Nicolas Calvet directed his offense down the field flawlessly. What resistance Oberammergau did offer could not withstand the constant pressure of Bombelles and Alsace, Ouvrard and Vannier. With every yard surrendered by the Trouper defense, Mulhouse Manager Degare Maçon strode the sideline with more verve and animation. His club, losers in the first round for three straight summers, was closing in on a spot in the semifinals just as the tide is drawn to the shore.
But with almost 10 minutes to play, everything changed. No, it was not the outcome of the match was not in question, but the condition of the left leg of Édouard Bombelles. As he attempted to make an Ober Gate grab and miss for what seemed like the hundredth time, his leg went in two directions, and his body went in a third. His cry of agony was amplified by the sudden hush that filled the Meadow. The benches emptied as the players rushed to the spot, while the fans kneeled as countless vows were offered up on behalf of their fallen star. Few seemed to care that more Wiesespiel was left to be played. After much attending, Bombelles was carted off – and as he left the field, Maçon and his counterpart, Trouper Manager Tomas Klimt, agreed to end the match that read Mulhouse 28, Oberammergau 10.
As of this publishing, little more is known of the condition of Bombelles. Safe to say, his tournament is done, and he will have to will his team to its second Meadow Cup as a spectator. But, you know as I do, his resolve is immense and his strength is mighty. If anyone can carry his team from off the field, The Bomber can.
In 2017, the Sölden Ötzi won exactly 3 games, playing as their mummified namesake, earning their way out of the Farm League and down to the Barrel League. But over the 10 weeks following their relegation that led up to that year’s Meadow Cup, a noticeable development moved throughout that beleaguered roster. Energy replaced malaise, indifference gave way to excitement. So when Match 11 began, their first of the tournament, many associated with Sölden dared to speak of good things yet to come.
And so they came. Six wins later, on the first of July, the Sölden Ötzi embraced their one and only Meadow Cup, 127 years after that first round loss to Villach.
Something not unlike that phenomenon may be occurring this very Cup. Besançon, on the heels of their third consecutive lackluster season in the Harvest League, and winners of one Meadow Cup game in the last six tournaments, has now won four in a row, allowing a mere 14 points total in those matches while posting two shutouts. And their most recent effort was a thing of rare exquisiteness, a 27-0 thrashing of Bad Ischl. On both sides of the ball, at both ends of the Meadow, in both halves of the match, the Artisans had their way and removed all doubt at an early point as to who would meet the Composers in next weekend’s penultimate round. Mind you, a few short months ago, these same players resembled nothing of the dynamo that has rolled along thus far, finishing their season losing their final six matches as if they were a junior practice squad for a Tyrol Cup contender.
And explaining the differences between then and now would require more space than is available, but suffice it to say, the entire team is a new team. Not new with completely different players. Gy Bourreau still mans the middle, but it’s a Gy who’s more nimble and decisive than he’s ever been. The Twin P’s still flank Gy, but they attack the defense and claim their stake at an elite level, seemingly unsustainable, yet sustained for 8 halves. And the back end has not been swapped out for the wall that is Mulhouse, but Fay, Larue, and Richelieu are building something that few have the tools to penetrate.
The shops along the River Doubs had better order all the memorabilia they can, for the lads (and lasses), they are a-coming. Whoever owns a Janvier jersey will be looking for a Lestrange cap. Why have one Chaput trinket when you could own two? This week, the town of the seven hills will spend the seven days dreaming of another victory and a chance to play for the coveted prize. It could happen. It’s happened before.
MEN OF THE WEEK
3] Eliott Nydegger, Gate, Lucerne Cheesemakers.
Holding Zurich to 2 points, considering how they had run through defenses in their prior three matches, was no small achievement. Nydegger played the entire 83, as he always does, and there he stood some 15 minutes after the match’s conclusion, as broad and imposing as when he took down Tirggel after Tirggel, reluctantly accepting the praise of his fans, greeting the kids who would have waited much longer to meet their hero. Today, again, he was a man among men.
2] Marcel Alsace, Farmhand, Mulhouse Locomotives.
Everywhere that Édouard Bombelles was not, there was Alsace. His four skots, two each half, outscored all of Oberammergau. And it will be his shoulders the Railmen lean on this weekend to be twice as broad to make up for his fallen ‘Hand mate.
1] Baptiste Perrin, Farmhand, Besançon Artisans.
Perrin scored “only” three skots, but his two quick ones before the half, and his long strike just after the start of the 43 made clear what the scoreboard would eventually confirm – the Artisans were the better team. And they were that because they had the best player.
PREDICTIONS
ALPS v. CASTLES Champions – Lucerne v. Mulhouse
Little has been written of Lucerne – their wins have been by 1,2, and 4 points before their 13 point victory over Zurich. But Vogel and Bowen are still formidable, even in their 11th and 13th years. But Mulhouse has captivated all whose teams are not one of the other three remaining. I expect that fascination to continue as they reach the championship, 17-8 over the Cheesemakers.
FARMS v. VALLEYS Champions – Vienna v. Besançon Everything within me senses an all-French final. That’s why I have to pick Vienna. Champions just two years ago, the Composers have not been dominant, but they did beat Bern. That alone is worth a second and third look. Vienna will play for the 63rd Meadow Cup for Austria, having defeated the upstart Artisans, 13-10.