Spectator's Schedule
Do the math: Nine pitches, 80 teams, 48 hours...that adds up to a lot of action this weekend. But you don't need a time-turner, remembrall, or any sort of magic tricks to get you through WCVI. The IQA has put together this spectator's schedule to make sure you don't miss out on any of the fun on or off the pitch.
Below we've highlighted some of the best match-ups, vendors, and entertainment of Day 1. But don't stop there! Roam around, fly around, and let us know what you think are the best World Cup moments. Tweet with #WorldCup6 to get the conversation off the pitch and online, where fans from all over can share in on the magic!
You can read some of our spectacular pre-tweets below, to show you just how excited we are for this year's Cup! [caption id="attachment_9111" align="alignnone" width="645"]
Photo by Jim Kiernan[/caption]
8:00am
Opening Ceremonies
Be here early to witness the procession of teams as they begin the weekend with a traditional teams parade, followed closely by a commencement speech from the man in the top hat himself, IQA Commish Alex Benepe.
Tip of the hat to @Benepe for kicking off #WorldCup6 with style!
9:00am
No. 7 Emerson v No. 44 Minnesota (Field 5)
Start the weekend with what may be one of the surprise match-ups of the day. While Emerson College (Boston, MA) is an established jock-stocked juggernaut, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) has been, perhaps mistakenly, ignored in the pre-cup buzz despite their fourth place finish in World Cup V.
Of course a lot changes in a year, and Minnesota isn't even a top 20 team this year, but they have claimed victory against No. 16 Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) in November, and have been within snitch grab in their other matches against the top team. Minnesota just might be an underdog success story for the second year in a row.
11:00am
Snack Time
Be honest. You were so eager to get to the park that you forgot to grab breakfast. Cue the rumbling stomach.
When you're feeling a wee bit peckish, check out the Barksdale Café for sports energy drinks that'll be sure to put a pep in your step, and maybe indulge in some treats at Stacie's Ice Shack while you're at it.
1:00pm
No. 28 LSU v. No. 11 Miami (CHAMP Field)
Players may trade in Southern hospitality for Southern brutality as two of the top teams from the South duke it out for what will probably be top-billing in the merciless Pool 12. When you watch Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) challenge University of Miami (Miami, FL), pay particular attention to the beater play, which will pit two former Team USA teammates Matt Ziff and Sarah Kneiling against each other in this pressure cooker of a game. Interestingly, a third Olympian, Sean Pagoda, will also be in that mix since he switched from his old position as chaser to play beater for UMiami at the Cup. Needless to say, this game will be as golden as their medals.
WOAH. Just some intense game play at #WorldCup6! Like Siriusly.
1:40pm
No. 29 Ottawa v. No. 74 Boston Riot (Field 8)
This is a match between two teams with something to prove. University of Ottawa (Ottaway, Canada) is out to show that Canadian quidditch can compete alongside its US neighbors, while Boston Riot (Boston, MA) needs to transcend their reputation as “Emerson's B-team.” While Boston Riot has the upper hand in size, line depth, and experience against competitive teams, Ottawa has spunk and a surprising seeking game that may just carry them to victory.
2:20pm
Nathan Nickerson, Magician
Magic leaves the page as the first entertainer takes the stage. Nathan Nickerson is an award-winning professional magician and mentalist who specializes in the modern style of magic … no wands, no top hats, no furry woodland creatures.
#WorldCup6 is where the magic happens! @nathannickerson just blew my mind!
3:40pm
No. 49 NYU v. No. 36 John Hopkins (Field 2)
A race between two dark horses, both New York University (New York, NY) and John Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) boast great season records without the same hype as their more flashy competitors.John Hopkins and NYU have a history dating back to UMD's Shell Shocking Spectacular, where Hopkins knocked out the Dallas Yadas, a merc team led by NYU captain Amanda Dallas and stacked with the best Nundu. That match resulted in a two-game suspension of the John Hopkins keeper, who will step onto his first World Cup game to face NYU. Considering this history and the high stakes of pool play, the bad blood between these two teams may just boil.
4:30pm
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Want some wizard swag? Check out Alivan's Wands and Brooms in Vendor Row! Nothing gets you powered up at brooms up like clutching the sleek handle of a Alivan's broom.
Or, if you need some high-quality quidditch gear, check out Quiyk. The only athletic apparel company to specialize in quidditch, the company is run by Emersonian chaser Matt Lowe, so you're supporting a quidkid while sporting some fly threads.
5:00pmNo. 85 Badassilisks v No. 153 Winthrop
While everyone scrambles to go see DI teams duke it out, don't forget about the DII teams that have been training just as hard to fight it out for their own championship title.
Both the NY Badassilisks (New York, NY) and Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC) rep the top talent of their DII region, and the two teams will be sure to match each other in physicality and athletic acumen.
If you ever doubted the competition level in DII, this game should set you straight.
Just saw an INTENSE DII Game at #WorldCup6 ... @NYBadassilisks may be older, but I guess quidditch gets better with age!
5:40pm
No. 4 UMaryland v. No. 27 Lost Boys (CHAMP Field)
While The NY Badassilisks represent the best community team in DII, the Lost Boys (Los Angeles, CA) are perhaps the best community team in the league. Functioning almost as an all-star graduate team with star power such as Steve DiCarlo and the strategic savant Dan Hanson, these California dreamers are dreaming of the champion title.
But they'll have to get through University of Maryland (College Park, MD) first, and that is a team bred for victory. The depth of talent on this team is somewhat of a modern marvel. On a lesser team, each one of their players would be the breakout star, but here they function as just another one of the many pieces making up the well-oiled machine known as UMD Quidditch.6:20pm
No. 41 URochester v. No. 78 Paris (Field 6)
Everyone is looking to The Paris Phénix (Paris, France) as the international region's best chance to make it to Day 2. With a roster stacked with Olympians from Team France, the Phénix have the knowledge and experience to get them through the knock-out round.
Meanwhile, University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) gives games with guaranteed entertainment. Their team is fearlessly physical, with brutal beaters such as Harry Clarke and Kyle Sanson. And of course, Devin Sandon has become a household name due to his ninja-like agility and speed.
These two teams will treat spectators to some well-matched competition, with a little bit of international rivalry thrown in. So much for allies!
@mugglequidditch OMG just saw the Thestrals play the Phénix at #WorldCup6! Vive la France! <3
7:00pm
Harry and the Potters
The punk pioneers of wizard rock take the stage to prove that Harry's still got it after all these years. Take a break from game play to watch the band play your favorite hilarious hits such as “Save Ginny Weasley” and “My Teacher is a Werewolf.”
And who knows, maybe you can snag an autograph after the performance...just make sure they don't use invisible ink.
10:20pm
Pool Play Ends
Pool play ends, but the real competition has just begun! The powers-at-be will scramble to bust out the Day 2 bracket breakdown as quickly as possible. Come back here for those results as soon as they're calculated.
Must… Sleep… #WorldCup6 …. #SoTired
Forgot to order tickets to the World Cup?! Worried you're going to miss the most important quidditch experience of your life!?! Fear not! Tickets are on sale at the gate, and more information on tickets can be found on the World Cup Website.
Brooms up! #WorldCup6