Road & Battles 2016

[higgins]

You have two kings to kill? I doubt such a contest would have been allowed in real middle ages though Even if it was just for the name...

Ever played hnefatafl? It's kinda like that. But in real life.

So Henri, you start fighting on Thursday™?

I couldn't suppress a chuckle myself.

Maybe you could let us know, when exactly you compete?

Not sure if I'm able to. These types of events have notoriously bad wifi coverage. Last year there was none at all.

Welcome to Middle Age, etc

I will cheer you for sure! (well, maybe except for when fighting Poles)

Well, I'm just facing one!

[Korbel]

Not sure if I'm able to. These types of events have notoriously bad wifi coverage. Last year there was none at all.

I mean... We know you are in group "B" in polearms 1v1, so I'll probably find out, when you fight. But what about other events?

[higgins]

But what about other events?

Polearm is the only category I'll be participating in. I could conceivably go to Kill the King, which is most likely anyone-can-join type of event, but my armor isn't really rated for full-on blows from the rear. I built my coat of plates in a way that I needed to lose weight to go to 5vs5. I'm halfway there, but the back plates still don't close enough to give full coverage on my back.

Other than that, I'll be doing quite a bit of marshaling (a.k.a. being a referee). Being outside the list, either keeping score and/or making sure rules are followed. And calling out when someone's armor breaks. I have yet no idea which events I'll be assigned to.

If you want to cheer on Estonia in general, we're participating in 1vs1 fights each day. Our best fighter is in sword & shield on Saturday. He took the bronze last year.

[higgins]

Goddammit. It's rarely a good event when you're affected by world news.

https://www.rt.com/news/344107-french-law-fuel-strike/

We're just crossing over to France from Belgium. That strike map is scary.

[EinBein]

French people are always so excessive when protesting

[Korbel]

Fingers crossed for Henri!

The stream is on the site Henri linked, or on YT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0wfzBtnNo

Ok, I've just seen Henri! Looking great!

[Korbel]

Have you guys seen this blue, scaled aventail one fighters had? Beatiful.

I believe Henri fights in a minute with the Ukrainian (nope, with the Polish fighter).
And he breaks his pole! Strong blows.

Unfortunately, Henri lost. But after a very good fight, 3 rounds, the Pole barely won. They were both very tired.

[Korbel]

HIGGINS WON!!! YEAH!
I have seen only the end of the fight. It was his second or third fight?

[higgins]

So cool of you guys to cheer me on. Love Korbel getting conflicted on who to cheer for, haha.

The fight you saw was my second fight. I didn't fight the Ukrainian, as the Ukrainean team could not get the visas

I got eliminated in the quarter finals by a HUGE (but really friendly) American called Andrew who barely lost the bronze and became fourth.

I had already met him the year before and I knew that if I win the Scottish fight, I'll get to fight him, so I went full out on the Scottish guy since I wanted to fight Andrew.

In the semi-finals, I don't think I've been hit as hard and as rapidly ever before. For anyone watching the replay, those weren't light taps. Not by far.

And I also hit him in the groin. Sorry, Andrew.

He said it was okay as I wasn't the first guy who did that to him that day. I wasn't the last one either. People are suspecting that he has magnetic balls.

Hopefully we'll have the replays up on GH youtube channel soon.

All in all, I don't think I got even a single bruise.

[Korbel]

So cool of you guys to cheer me on. Love Korbel getting conflicted on who to cheer for, haha.

When I was watching the stream, the second round of your fight was not shown (only in background). I was kinda hoping you will draw and both get to semis

I got eliminated in the quarter finals by a HUGE (but really friendly) American called Andrew who barely lost the bronze and became fourth.

I thought he won bronze? They've shown the results and it was: 1. UK, 2. Spain, 3. USA... Maybe there was a mistake, I don't know.
Anyway, Andrew is BIG, indeed I'd be scared to face him.
I went to bathroom and when I got back I realised you fight, I think it was the moment of the break because of groin hit.

All in all, I don't think I got even a single bruise.

That's good! We need you in one piece

[higgins]

I was kinda hoping you will draw and both get to semis

That's not how it works. You keep fighting until someone has two victories. So, ties are really bad as you need to fight more rounds. Which is exhausting.

I thought he won bronze? They've shown the results and it was: 1. UK, 2. Spain, 3. USA... Maybe there was a mistake, I don't know.

After five rounds of fighting, bronze went to Laurent, the captain of Luxemburg. It was really close though.

That's good! We need you in one piece

I'm also glad for no injuries.

Have you guys seen this blue, scaled aventail one fighters had? Beatiful.

I've seen too many armors today to remember them all, but that's probably Jose, the Spanish fighter. He won the silver both this year and last one, too. I got some pointers from him.

[higgins]

P.S.
We're sleeping right next to a massive church tower bell that tolls in every freaking 15 minutes.

[Korbel]

That's not how it works. You keep fighting until someone has two victories. So, ties are really bad as you need to fight more rounds. Which is exhausting.

Yeah, I know. As you pointed out, I couldn't decide, who to cheer - so I was hoping for something unusual and a miraculous draw

After five rounds of fighting, bronze went to Laurent, the captain of Luxemburg. It was really close though.

Five rounds! Madness!

We're sleeping right next to a massive church tower bell that tolls in every freaking 15 minutes.

You're all big guys with swords, go and convince them to stop ringing

[higgins]

You're all big guys with swords, go and convince them to stop ringing

I do believe it's automated. We've already considered a sabotage mission.

Oh, and when marshaling, I'll be wearing dark blue Viking style puff pants and gray leg wraps. Don't know if I'm wearing my green shirt or whether I'm assigned a yellow tunic.

[Korbel]

Oh, and when marshaling, I'll be wearing dark blue Viking style puff pants and gray leg wraps.

Wear only the straps and you will be a star!