THE GAMES
The NXL World Cup featured 11 divisions from Pro
X-Ball at the top to Division 5, Five-Man, the leagues
entry point for inexperienced teams and teams new to
the league. The event also saw an old-school style Open
Division ten-man bracket with throwback names like
Bad Company, All Americans, Avalanche, Jax Warriors
and about 20 other teams entered. The NXL World
Cup really offered something for everyone that plays
tournament ball.
There was a lot on the line for many teams playing the
‘Cup. There are dozens of teams competing for a 2015
rankings title across all divisions as well as teams fighting
relegation and working hard to keep sponsorships for
2016. Speaking of 2016 it looks like there will be five
events next year, including a possible opening event
in Las Vegas. Stay tuned to www.Paintball.Media for
m ore on this.
THE PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
No team in American Pro paintball was hotter than
Edmonton Impact coming into the World Cup. Impact
won both the NXL Cleveland and Virginia events, each
time besting San Antoino X-Factor in the process.
Even with two event wins under their belts, the 2015
Rankings Title was still up for grabs. San Diego Dynasty,
San Antonio X-Factor and Houston Heat all had a title
shot if they finished in the finals and Edmonton Impact
faltered at the cup.
Out of the gate Tampa Bay Damage got off to a muchneeded fast start, after a rough first two events of the
season. They won three of four preliminary round game
and easily advanced to the Sunday Club. Another team
that needed a quick start was Chicago Aftershock, and
they got it. They swept their division and advanced
to Sunday as well. Edmonton Impact, Houston Heat,
Dynasty and San Antonio X-Factor all also advanced as
expected. upTon 187 cRew continued their excellent
season taking three of four first round games to advance
to Sunday play as well.
Sunday play in the NXL and other Pro/Am leagues is
a grind and it’s always win or go home. One Sunday
loss and you’re packing your bags and headed to the
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airport. For upTon 187 cRew the quarterfinals was the
end of the line as they were beaten soundly by ac
Dallas 6-0. Tampa Bay Damage also ran into a buzz-saw
called Dynasty in the quarterfinals, losing 6-3. Chicago
Aftershock surprised many with their 7-3 win over San
Antonio X-Factor and Houston Heat beat the best team
we’ve seen this season, Edmonton Impact 2-1 in a slow
game that saw a seven-minute one-on-one.
In the semifinals it was Houston Heat beating a surprisingly strong ac Dallas 4-2, and San Diego Dynasty
dismantled Chicago Aftershock 7-0. A few days after the
World Cup Aftershock announced that Carl Markowski
would be headed back to his former team for 2016.
The NXL Pro finals matchup was set with San Diego
Dynasty facing Houston Heat--and what a battle it was.
From the start this was a back and fourth game and
neither team could take control of the match. The last
point of the match saw one of the best game-endings
we’ve ever seen. With Kyle Spicka the only member
of Dynasty left on the field and the game tied at three
points apiece, three Houston Heat players attempted
to push the buzzer for the win. Spicka eliminated the
first player 50 feet from the buzzer. The second Heat
player got to within 15 feet of the buzzer before Spicka
eliminated him. And the third and last player sprinted
for the buzzer and was literally shot within 2-3 feet of
pressing the buzzer and giving Houston Heat the
win. Check out the video of the final 15 seconds, it’s
pretty amazing. Klye Spicka’s incredible play in the
final point of the match enabled Dynasty to
secure the final point, the game and
the Professional division of the
World Cup. Amazing.
THE SEMI PRO
DIVISION
Prague’s ML
Kings made
the trip
across the
Atlantic
and they
did not