Developers World Championship: Match Report - France v Poland (Group A)
Edge (France) vs Ski Jumping 2010 (Poland)
VS POLAND Ski Jumping 2010 (Vivid Games)
Causing more controversy on the App Store than an accidental Thierry Henry handball (ahem), Mobigame’s puzzler, Edge, entered the fray this afternoon, safe in the knowledge that France had already qualified for the knockout stages.
Sloping onto the other side of the Pocket Gamer pitch, at a perfect 45 degree angle was Poland’s Ski Jumping 2010, fresh from the probably snowy Vivid Games studio.
If the ski Poles secured at least a point today, they would join the decidedly edgy French side in the Last 16. However, should the central Europeans come unstuck against the garlic-loving nation, only a Canadian win in the freshly opened iStadium II would see the Polish squad squeezed out of the competition.
Game on.
Kick Off: 3pm, 22nd June
The critical view: France meant business at kick-off, inspired by the incessant criticism and legal action leveled at the team in the online and print press by rival developer Tim Langdell in recent months.
The Gold Award-winning, triple IGF-finalist, and IMGA-victor, Edge, was out to prove a point and did so spectacularly on 12 minutes following up a mazy isometric dribble with an assured finish.
Regaining some of its balance and poise after that early setback, Ski Jumping 2010’s four way passes ‘n’ plays were coming to fruition in the heart of midfield.
Indeed, at one point in the first half, the great balance and feeling for the ball exhibited by the Polish conjured up stirring images of the legendary Brazil 1970 side among the tired old hacks.
In contrast, the ball seemed possibly square at times for the Frenc,h who struggled with some unforgiving control and on more than one occasion sent crossfield passes aimlessly into space.
Nevertheless, Mobigame's old-school challenges ensured that no real damage was done and together with its 46 levels, 18 gloriously atmospheric synth tunes, and global leaderboards, France was quick to snuff out Vivid's attacks, ensuring that it held onto its lead at the interval.
Half time: France 1 – 0 Poland The Fans’ 45: France's coach (and their lawyer) had been under immense pressure in the run up to this tournament, yet Mobigame's charges sat even prettier at the top of the table thanks to their luscious visual stylings and a sharp strike from 15 yards.Edge's goalkeeper had to display incredible reflexes on 70 minutes, demonstrating to his fans, the more audible of the two sets, that he should be regarded as the permanent #1.
In spite of Poland's OpenFeint integrations, career mode, and 26 different ski jump settings, the Red and White army could not respond and the nervous fans and players alike were left to await news of the final Canada v Iceland score...
Unfortunately for Vivid, the news was precisely what they didn't want to hear, as Canada had notched a slender victory. It was the Poles' World Championship hopes that had rapidly gone downhill and ultimately dropped off the Edge due to goal difference.
Full time: France 2 – 0 Poland
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