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Japan Delivers World Cup Win
Host country comes in second
by Brian McGuire

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KAMPALA, UGANDA -

If these last two World Cup results are any predictor of the future, the Republic of Ireland will play in the championship match in four years. This year, however, our Irish team was limited to their semifinal match against Japan. The two teams were evenly matched throughout most of the day, exchanging goals until Ireland pulled ahead, 110 to 100. After a brief time out called by Japan's captain, chaser Kuro Karaguchi, no goals were scored for nearly four hours. Finally, the stalemate ended when Shinobu Okamoto of Japan spotted and caught the golden snitch, allowing Japan to move on to the championship match.

The next day, host country Uganda overpowered Egypt in one of the largest points deficits of the tournament, continuing a recent trend of host teams playing in the championship match.

After consistently clear and calm days for most games since the group stage, the championship match was plagued by excessive wind and blinding sunlight. Despite this weather, the teams were once again evenly matched as they each scored goal after goal in an effort to alleviate stress on the seekers. However, neither Japan or Uganda succeeded in pulling ahead, so it all came down to the seeker's performance.

Speaking with Uganda's young seeker Serena Nakiyemba after the match, she attributed the final result to Shinobu Okamoto's experience. Beater Ibrahim Sahnoun acknowledged the challenge of handling the Bludgers in the strong wind, but attributed Japan's performance to their speed. Both players, along with their teammates and opponents, look to the future after a long tournament, with Sahnoun stating: "We are already looking forward to the next World Cup and will continue to work hard to improve our game and make Uganda proud." Nakiyemba, the youngest player in the final, added a piece of advice for future Quidditch pros. "Keep flying, no matter what. Fly higher than you ever thought possible."

JAPAN's Starting Seven
Keeper - Sora Miyata
Chaser - Hachiro Nishiyama
Chaser - Tadashi Mei Inoue
Chaser - Kuro Karaguchi
Beater - Manami Uramo
Beater - Ryota Seki
Beater - Chiyo Hisakawa
Seeker - Shinobu Okamoto

UGANDA's National Team
Keeper - Mirembe Pretorius
Chaser - Isingomba Babatunde
Chaser - Nakato Babatunde
Chaser - Ssanyu Mubiru
Beater - Ibrahim Sahnoun
Beater - Nia Birungi
Seeker - Serena Nakiyemba

Other notable players at the 2110 Quidditch World Cup
Bulgaria
Chaser - Zinnia Shacklebolt (Kenmare Kestrels)

France
Chaser - Flower Laurent
Chaser - Noelle Lecuyer
Seeker - Melina Delacroix

Ireland
Keeper - Margitta Maddox (Ballycastle Bats)
Chaser - Kevin O'Brien (Falmouth Falcons)
Chaser - Juanma Lopez (Kenmare Kestrels)
Chaser - Candra O'Sullivan (Chudley Cannons)
Beater - Shaiane Fleming (Kenmare Kestrels)
Beater - Shadi Sheehy (Ballycastle Bats)
Seeker - Lucy Epernick (Tutshill Tornados)