新聞稿: I.1 (英國)

To make it out of the group stage was a great achievement as well as a big surprise, so the roller coaster that is Cannon Fodder's champions league campaign is nothing short of remarkable for the boys from Leicester.

On paper, the Fodder were 4th, possibly even 5th (dead last) in their group in terms of team strength; not an ideal start for Ross' aspirations of claiming a bit of OTR from some of Europe's best. So to have entered the last group game needing only not to lose by a certain margin meant the Fodder advanced courtesy of superior GD to the 3rd place Fins.

This would have been enough to satisfy the fans and management alike, but Cannon Fodder have surpassed all expectations again and find themselves one game away from a place in the Champions League final!

Underdogs for both rounds 1 and 2 of the playoffs, as well as the quarter final, Livestrong, Blue Legion and White Crows have all been toppled by the Fodder's mighty European run.

Monday's semi final against Samara City will inevitably be the end of the dream for the Fodder as they are up against one of the best teams in the game, and currently ranked 4th in the world. And did I mention all their best players have spent their last week in training camp fine-tuning themselves for the crucial end of season? The job is just one game too much to ask for a team that is low on energy, and lacking in some top end talent.

Ross is prepared for the inevitable end to the European dream on Monday but couldn't be happier with his team's performance. Yes it has affected the chances of winning the league but we have single-handedly (barring a miracle) ensured that the UK will now have 4 representatives in Europe next season

So all that remains to be seen is what competition the Fodder will be representing the UK in next term. Having already secured a runner-up medal in the National Cup to deserving winners Inter Lincoln, one of the Cup Winners' Cup spots is theirs. Whether they can defy the odds again and claim one of the Champions League spots available for 1st or 2nd in the League Playoff remains to be seen. At least it won't be a boring end to the season!!

Just a shame that the Cannon Fodder form could not be reproduced on the International stage. After a promising start to the campaign's friendly season, the relatively weak team strength and a bit of bad luck from the engine have contributed to us sitting rock bottom in the qualifying group. I can assure you this isn't through lack of effort or heart, as a nation we just don't have enough world class players to compete right now.

And on that sour note I wish you all good luck for the end of season.

Ross

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