FIFA Champions:
The Boar victorious at inaugural SPA Cup
When the Student Publication Association (SPA) raised the call for an inter-university FIFA tournament, we answered. With insight from James Palmer, Luke James charts The Boar's journey to cup glory.
In the opening fixture of the tournament, James Palmer – The Boar’s designated FIFA aficionado – faced-off against The Monocle, representing Durham University. In a cagey affair, in which The Monocle dominated possession and created the majority of chances, The Boar – playing as Bayern Munich – sought to soak-up pressure, launching counter-attacks using slick, incisive passes through the lanes.
Against the run of play, The Boar secured all of the points from the opening match of the Group Stage courtesy of well-worked passing move with just nine minutes remaining. With The Boar’s only shot on target in the entire match, Leon Goretzka was afforded enough space and time on the edge of the penalty area to allow James Palmer to fire The Boar to an opening-day victory.
After the match, James caught-up with Sport Editor, Luke James, to discuss an unlikely victory.
LJ: “James, thanks to a 1-0 win over The Monocle you made a winning start to the SPA Cup. What was your approach to the opening match of the tournament?”
JP: "I wanted to approach it as I would any other FIFA game, and try not to let the occasion get to my head. In some ways it did, and the lag also didn't help. Thankfully, I managed to keep it together in a solid defensive performance. When you have an attack that can break away like Bayern's, with the workhorse midfield behind it, you always have a chance as long as you keep your opposition at bay."
LJ: “In a match of such margins, what was the pivotal moment for The Boar? How did your side’s goal come about?”
JP: “In a cagey affair, set pieces are what can win you games. After a free kick on the halfway line was passed down to the wing, the ball was played-through to Goretzka on the edge of the box and he rocketed it home. It came late on in the 81st minute, so the rest of the game became about holding my nerve.”
LJ: “Final questions from me, James: what does it mean to represent The Boar in such a prestigious competition? Have you got any words for The Boar faithful?”
JP: “It is honestly a massive honour, I'm glad to have been chosen and I want to make everyone who writes, edits and manages The Boar as proud as I can. For those following at home, I want you all to stay happy and healthy during this time. If you are struggling for things to do during lockdown, then The Boar Film's page should have what you're looking for!”
Despite beginning the tournament on the front foot, The Boar’s dreams of immediate progression to the final came crashing down in the second match of the Group Stage.
In the Avanti West Coast Derby (although, alternative routes to London are available), The Boar travelled – virtually – to King’s College to face Roar News, who secured a tie-breaking 2-1 win to progress directly to the final.
Despite playing with more attacking intent James’ Bayern side were undone by a resolute performance form Paris Saint-Germain, who took the lead from the penalty spot in the opening moments of play. Roar News proved too dangerous on the counter-attack for James to handle, scoring the winning goal after breaking down field following a failed set-piece routine deep in their own half.
After the game, James lamented his attacking profligacy, citing “numerous clear-cut chances where [he] should’ve done better.” With a semi-final meeting against The Monocle now back on the agenda, and after a period of tactical reflection, James decided that he would “take more risks going forward” in the knockout stages, a decision that paid-off more rapidly than even the most devout Boar disciple could have anticipated.
With the Bavarian lights beating down on the Allianz Arena field, The Boar put on a masterclass to progress to the SPA Cup final courtesy of a 6-0 rout of The Monocle. In a match that defied all expectations, James Palmer’s Bayern Munich side played with a verve and dynamism previously unseen throughout the tournament.
As the sweet smell of champagne filled the air, James – once again – joined Luke to discuss the evening’s intense FIFA action.
LJ: “James, an incredible win in the semi-final! Having previously focused on being strong in defence, today’s win was all about goals. What was different about your approach?”
JP: “The first half was very cagey, but thankfully one Goretzka goal in the first half sent us into the break with the lead. I think the main change was the fact that Tom (The Monocle’s representative) chose to play with Barcelona this time, in order to try and beat my Bayern set-up. Tom wasn't as confident with his new set-up as he was with France and that ended up costing him. This was the first game for me where all the attacking play ticked, I was overthinking play less and getting into his box more. Remember what I said about [Lewandowski] scoring goals? You can't argue with a hat-trick!”
LJ: “You’re potentially one win away from lifting the inaugural SPA Cup, what are your thoughts before the final?”
JP: “Just keep playing as I did in the last game, 6-0 is not a result to be taken likely by my opponent in the final. The issue this time, as my opponent has the first choice of team, is that Roar News have previously chosen Bayern, so it's time to find another team to suit my play style and hope they can all pull through for me.”
Into the final The Boar went, but there was to be upheaval in the build-up. Drawn as the away side for the final, James was forced to abandon his Bayern side that had served him so well throughout the tournament. Instead, The Boar would be led-out to the final by Hugo Lloris, the captain of the reigning world champions – France.
Once again, The Boar travelled to London with a glint of hope in their eyes; only this time, the result would unrecognisable.
Triumphant, resplendent, perhaps even a little tearful, The Boar faithful erupted into celebration as the referee blew the final whistle to indicate that the University of Warwick’s eclectic team of student journalists had ascended to the top of a very niche-ly-contested, FIFA-related throne.
Kylian Mbappe gave The Boar an early lead, but Robert Lewandowski came back to haunt the travelling side in the second half to equalise for Roar News. With just twenty minutes of play remaining, a chipped pass from France ‘keeper Lloris set The Boar on course for the goal that would cause golden confetti to rain down upon a glittering French squad. A slick passing move allowed The Boar to evade the attention of Roar News’ defence, a move that ultimately culminated in Ousmane Dembele scoring the easiest goal of his (virtual) career, unmarked at the far post.
For the final time, James – now an SPA Cup champion – spoke to Sport Editor, Luke, to reflect upon The Boar’s crowning moment of the self-isolation era.
JP: “WE DID IT! WE WON! Again, a very backs-to-the-wall performance, I had three shots to his 14…”
LJ: [Waiving any claims to impartiality] “Oh my word, scenes!”
Once the pair established their composure, the interview began in due course:
LJ: “So, James, you’re the SPA Cup champion! How does it feel to take the crown?”
JP: “I was fist-pumping in the air like an absolute maniac in my living room. It feels brilliant to be able to say "I've won a national FIFA tournament" the next time housemates start arguing about who is best in the house. It was an excellent idea to keep us all upbeat during lockdown; so, I thank the SPA very much for coming up with the idea and thank you, Luke, for entering us in and trusting me to lift us to glory!”
LJ: “Mbappe and Dembele scored the goals for you in the final, was pace important in your win?”
JP: “Very. I didn't want to underestimate my opponent, having lost to him before in the group stage. I may have only had three shots, but this came from being able to break away very quickly. All of the front four players in my 4-2-3-1 formation had at least 80 pace, with three of them having over 90. It's a valuable asset to have and when paired with lethal finishing, it is a very powerful tool to have to hand.”
LJ: “Finally, any words for The Boar’s supporters? It must be a proud day for the new exec.”
JP: “I'm mainly glad that I didn't embarrass myself! I was hoping that the worst wouldn't happen and three successive 5-0 losses would see me out of the tournament! Many thanks to The Boar faithful, I would advise that they also look out for posts on their various pages, as an in-house FIFA Tournament may be on the cards...”
On behalf of The Boar, I would like to thank the SPA for taking the time to hold this competition, and thank you to James - Film Editor - for agreeing to represent The Boar!
Image 1: Wikimedia Commons / Werner100359
Image 2: Wikimedia Commons / Sven Mandel
Image 3: Wikimedia Commons / Antoine Dellenbach
Image 4: Wikimedia Commons / Sandro Halank
Image 5: Wikimedia Commons / Granada
Image 6: Wikimedia Commons / Sven Mandel
Image 7: Wikimedia Commons / Russian Presidential Press and Information Office
Image 8: Wikimedia Commons / Russian Presidential Press and Information Office
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