The first round passed by without any surprise and with the expected results. Titans crushed Round Hope in two matches to none and sent the first Akatsuki team back home. Fireworks had some complications in Urban Central on the second match, and almost lost the series, but they managed to recover and won two matches to one. And in the last series, True Brothers against New Era, Yuga was very close to achieving the miracle but it couldn't be. It finished 2-1 for True Brothers.
"What an awesome journey we had today in this first day of the World Cup, gentlemen. We could finally saw the teams in action!"
"And such good games, Buzz. We were expecting easy wins by the important teams but that happened only in the Titans' series. What an improvement from the Akatsuki teams since last World Cup. I don't know if I should congratulate the coaches, Yuga or the mechanics but the performance showed by these cars was truly a lot better."
"Now we bring you the highlights of the Quarter Finals, which left us with big games and only four teams to fight for the Championship. Poncho?"
"Let's start! We are going to begin with Titans – Round Hope. The first match was played in the DFH Stadium, which was tremendously full. It was 3-0 for the local team with goals scored by Takumi, Road Hog and Backfire. Nice debut in the return of these giants. Round Hope couldn't do much before the avalanche of experience that was poured on them. The second match, however, was very even. The Titans appeared to be more relaxed and confident and Round Hope went for it. In their local arena, Octagon, Hope put everything in the table and kept his goal undefeated for five minutes, forcing the overtime by tying in zero. A minute later, Takumi got tired and after a sublime centered ball by Octane, placed the ball in one of the top corners. Series finished.
"Second series, Poncho. Fireworks or True Brothers?"
"Let's go with True Brothers. Let me clear something up about this team. I don't know what is happening on the stands, but the city is totally in love with these guys. I don't know if it's because of their futurist and extravagant design, or because of the terrible history of the Esper brothers. But one thing is true: the public took a lot of affection for the team. Anyway, Neo Tokyo shined in the first match and everyone witnessed a stunning 5-0. Three from Aftershock, one from Esper and one from Masamune to sentence it all. When the match was finished, they had already captivated all town. And in the second encounter, New Era, in Cosmic arena, took the lead with an amazing goal from Yuga just 30 seconds from the start and the whole team stood in defense the rest of the game to maintain their goal unbeaten. And they succeed. However, in the last match, they didn't find their way and they got very nervous, provoking various mistakes which finished in goals. 3-1 for True Brothers, with 3 from Marauder who played brilliantly, and series sentenced. One of the Akatsukis discounted for New Era (and celebrated like as it was the championship goal) but that was all.
"Great last two matches for Yuga, despite the loss. Both Akatsuki teams go home early but leave some rays of hope for the future of this sport."
"Very true, Buzz. I believe great things await for these Akatsuki players."
"Now Fireworks?"
"Now Fireworks. To everyone's surprise, the cops' team had a brilliant start. They took the first match by winning 2-0 and put great pressure on Delo's team. The agility on these Batmobiles was outstanding, Buzz. Very solid on aerial shots and some great epic saves… For the second match, Ion Blue was winning by one goal in the last minute and in the brink of advancing to the Semifinals and eliminating their rivals. But after a masterful play from Rouga, Sophia bewildered the defense with a fake-off in the last meters and pushed the ball to an empty goal. Extra Time. After two minutes, Gizmo hit the ball almost accidentally on the middle of the field, and with huge luck, it hit the upper part of the goal, the top of one Batmobile and went in. They couldn't believe it. Series tied. And I don't know that Delo told his team before the third match, because Fireworks played with brutal attitude and devoured their rivals. 4-0. Two from Amaterasu, one from Rouga and one from Sophia. The rookie, Amaterasu, was lifted by his teammates at the end of the match and was taken out the field like a hero."
"What a fright, Poncho! The team who was finalist in the last World Cup almost was eliminated. We know that they can't count on the DeLorean anymore but they are still pretty good."
"It's time…"
"The time has come, people. The Semifinals draw. We remind to you that the teams still participating are True Brothers, Fireworks, Titans and Sand Sharks."
"Let's look at the screen, Buzz."
On the screen appears a picture with the Quarter Finals, the Semifinals and the Final. In red, the teams who were eliminated. In green, those who are still competing. The names of the four remaining teams start to change randomly in four squares and a countdown comes in. When it reaches cero, the series are decided. True Brothers against the Titans. And Fireworks…