====== Gravball Finals 2014 ======

<data story>
Description [wiki]       : The gravball finals for the 2014 season
Forum [forum]*           : 100#21180, 1976, 2231, 2233
Image [image]            : ic:uga-large.png
Type*                    : Politics, Sports
Characters [ref]*        : 
Factions [ref]*          : 
Locations [ref]*         : 
Start Date [date]        : 2014-03-07
End Date [date]          : 2014-10-08
Related Stories [ref]*   : 
Story Teller [ref::user] : Mercury
</data>
<data faction_reward #Reward: Teprogrenaian Consensus (player introduction)>
Story [ref]: [[]]
Faction [ref]*: Teprogrenaian Consensus
Influence: 1
</data>
<data faction_reward #Reward: Praetorian Empire (hosting final)>
Story [ref]: [[]]
Faction [ref]*: Praetorian Empire
Influence: 15
</data>
<data faction_reward #Reward: Veolian Commonwealth (hosting semi-final, player introduction)>
Story [ref]: [[]]
Faction [ref]*: Veolian Commonwealth
Influence: 13
</data>
<data faction_reward #Reward: Astrian Colonial Authority (player introduction)>
Story [ref]: [[]]
Faction [ref]*: Astrian Colonial Authority
Influence: 11
</data>
<data faction_reward #Reward: Astai Republic (hosting semi-final, player introduction)>
Story [ref]: [[]]
Faction [ref]*: Astai Republic
Influence: 13
</data>

In the 2014 season of the gravball league run by the [[Factions~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 [[Factions~Astai Republic]] and the [[Factions~Veolian Commonwealth]], and the final in the [[Factions~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]].

===== Elimination matches =====

With the teams standings determined by the [[#ranking matches]], the final matches were played as elimination matches. The matches were played in (:turns) 172, 173 and 175.

<block left>
<block left>
^  Semi-final match 1\\ <sub>([[Mirda]] /  2014-09-16)</sub>  ^^^^
|  {([imagelink]:Cardinals)}\\ (1)  |  VS  |  {([imagelink]:Headhunters)}\\ (13)  ||
|  Winner:\\ {([imagelink]:Headhunters)}  ||||
</block>

<block right>
^  Semi-final match 2\\ <sub>([[Enthor]] / 2014-09-24)</sub>  ^^^^
|  {([imagelink]:Flaming Centipedes)}\\ (8)  |  VS  |  {([imagelink]:Dancing Trees)}\\ (4)  ||
|  Winner:\\ {([imagelink]:Flaming Centipedes)}  ||||
</block>

<WRAP clear></WRAP>

<block center 151px>
^  Final\\ <sub>([[Praeto]] / 2014-10-08)</sub>  ^^^^
|  {([imagelink]:Headhunters)}\\ (10)  |  VS  |  {([imagelink]:Flaming Centipedes)}\\ (5)  ||
|  Winner:\\ {([imagelink]:Headhunters)}  ||||
</block>
</block>


===== Ranking matches =====

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.


===== Holonet campaign =====

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 Komes]]
  * 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]]

