Developers World Championship: Match Report - Scotland v Finland (Quarter Finals)

SCOTLAND Championship Manager 2010 (Dynamo Games)

VS FINLAND Zen Bound (Secret Exit)

Scotland v Finland.

The fourth and last quarter final at this year’s iPhone Game Developers World Championship. Hang on a wee second. Hold the bells. Scotland? Scot-Land? Aye, this feels odd.

Nevertheless, the Scotch had indeed managed to reach the Last Eight of a sporting event that didn’t involve either (a) sweeping brooms over a block of ice, or (b) tossing a large erect pole.

After England’s painful, painful reverse to the convicts in the second round, the Jocks were Britain’s sole representatives in this prestigious tournament and they surely wouldn't be shy in reminding those south of the border about it for years to come.

Not that they were looking down just at this moment. Thanks to Championship Manager 2010's valuable point on the 24th June, the current crop of iOS Scottish Bravehearts were threatening to live up to the promise of Ally's army in '78.

However, whilst the Scots had fought their way through, the Finns progress had been rather more serene. This Nordic nation had positively cruised through pre-qualification with a 100% record in Group H, and continued their form into the competition proper.

Meditation-cum-puzzle game Zen Bound ran out calm 4-2 winners in its round-robin clash with Switzerland, and appeared entirely unruffled amid the media scrum in the run-up to the big match.

Would today's combative match up finally see them break into a sweat or could it break their championship dreams entirely?

Kick Off: 7.30pm, 3rd July

The critical view: If these two proud nations were professional boxers, they would both be entered in the bantamweight division, since their populations are relatively modest.

Fortunately for Scottish and Finnish iPhone fans, their iOS app developers are more than capable of punching above their weight.

Grizzled PC veteran Championship Manager had seen it all in an illustrious career spanning 18 seasons. Starting at centre forward, this versatile and hardened pro had gradually regressed down the pitch over time, until eventually filling in at sweeper for the 2010 edition.

Indeed, at the Jocks’ press conference yesterday, Champ. Man. 2010 revealed this could well be his swansong tournament. There wasn't a dry eye, or for that matter an empty glass, among the travelling journos.

Finland weren't moved though and had clearly done their homework - they repeatedly teased the highly emotional and highly-strung Scots into wild lunges before executing some supremely well thought-out set pieces that put the Tartan Army under considerably pressure.

The industry acclaim earned by Finland’s rope-wrapping title in the 2008/09 season from such bodies as the IMGA, the IGF, and Pocket Gamer itself had instilled a quiet and soothing confidence among the squad.

On 17 minutes, that unwavering belief yielded an opening goal for the Finns. Distracted by one of its own in-game podcasts, Scotland failed to spot Secret Exit’s wingback darting in from the left. With an effortless piece of multi-touch control, the Finn rotated, tying the last defender up in knots, before finishing off the move mid-turn.

The pressure didn't ease up after the goal either and Champ. Man.’s 2D midfield engine room was simply being overrun by its 3D counterparts, the extra dimension proving pivotal in the 50/50s.

Not before time, Finland’s attacking endeavours were rewarded again. The Nordic country’s visually arresting play was a treat – so much so, in fact, that Scotland was caught admiring the style and bewildering movement when the predatory opposition striker gleefully swallowed up a half chance to double Finland’s lead.

Scotland’s ginger-haired boss was incandescent in his technical area and desperate to hear the ref’s whistle for the break, so that he could deliver the feared hairdryer treatment to his underperforming charges.

Finland’s third goal of the opening period on the stroke of half time doubtless ensured that the hairdryer would be turned up a notch further in the Blues’ changing room.

Spinning, twisting, and turning agonisingly over the wrong-footed goalie, a deflected free kick completed a humiliating 45 minutes for the kilt-wearing clan.

Half time: Scotland 0 – 3 Finland The Fans’ 45: Scotland's Tartan Army followed their footballing heroes everywhere. South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, and even as far away as Bath.

Rabble rousing is a national pastime north of the border, so it came as little or no shock to hear thousands of bagpipes being played in unison at iStadium tonight.

Their appreciative players were transformed, infused with a pride and a renewed energy that underpinned their second half performance.

Scotland's newfound optimism paid dividends after 51 minutes, as their wide men combined to forge an opening for the well-trained striker, who played it by the numbers and slotted home.

The tables had turned and Zen Bound seemed to be wrapped around the legs. For the first time in the match, the Finnish elite seemed less than 100% convinced that its 76 levels could withstand the increasing pressure from Andy Gray's compatriots.

They were right to be worried. A barrage of stats rained down upon the Finnish goalkeeper from every conceivable angle. Somehow, though, he seemed able to retain his calm and balance...or at least he did until Dynamo Games brought on a couple of cultured subs.

The presence of multiple leagues in Spain, France, and Italy in CM's latest free update had clearly benefited the Scots who employed all of this continental guile in a slick flank-to-flank passing move that took the Finnish #1 and his defence completely by surprise on 78 minutes. 3-2!

As the clock ticked by, it was time for both sides to sweat as one more goal could turn the tie entirely on its head. The Scots gave it their all in the last 10 minutes and came close on no less than three separate occasions.

However, with each passing second the Finnish defence recovered a little more of its composure and with just five minutes to go effectively killed off the game by bringing its highly-coveted PG Platinum Award into play, triggering a series of counter attacks.

Whilst none of these found the net, they did enough to burn through the Scots' final energy reserves and even a swig of isotonic electric soup on the sidelines couldn't rouse them to a last hurrah.

Scotland's campaign was over, but not forgotten, and certainly not by the Finns who knew they'd been in a battle today.

Nonetheless, it was Secret Exit's charges that marched on to a semi-final match vs America, whilst the Tartan Army had to exit stage left to Prestwick Airport, which had pessimistically prepared a bad luck reception.

Full time: Scotland 2 – 3 Finland Latest Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - Squads

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