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Altador
Boasting an airtight defence that averages the least amount of goals allowed per game coming into the tournament, the big question about Altador's squad is whether they're going to be able to generate enough scoring to stay in the hunt for the cup. Then again, with Altador, one goal is usually all it takes.
Brightvale
When the subject of dirty play comes up, one might expect that Darigan or the Haunted Woods would probably be the land that fields the team with the roughest, meanest bunch of (alleged) cheaters. Such an expectation would be incorrect, however, since the most crooked lineup of Yooyuballers actually belongs to... Brightvale? Yes, Brightvale - that hallowed land known for wisdom, learning, and (apparently) sharp jabs to the ribs when no one's looking.
Darigan Citadel
A solid squad with few major weaknesses, the big criticism against this club over the years has been that they play too easy a schedule during the regular season, and as a result they're unprepared when tournament time rolls around. Well, this past season the Darigan Citadel finally relented and added some more matches against a few of the better clubs. So, while they might not have finished as high in the standings as they normally do, Darigan fans are hoping that this year's team will show a little extra toughness during the games that matter most.
Faerieland
Faerieland's Yooyuball squad features one of the most potent offensive attacks in the sport today, but their trio of quick, undersized forwards have a tendency to wear down against larger, more physical opponents.
Haunted Woods
Subscribing to the old saying that "defence wins championships," the Haunted Woods has built its team around shutting down the other squads' forwards and forcing mistakes that create easy scoring opportunities for them. Defeating this bunch takes plenty of discipline and determination, but it can be done....
Kiko Lake
Kiko Lake enters this year's tournament with plenty to prove to its critics. Can they overcome the loss of forward Helmo Timm, the flashy (yet erratic) play of goalkeeper Ditan Colb, and superstar defender Meela Kitah coming off the worst year of her career? If so, Kiko Lake could contend for ownership of the Altador Cup. If not, however....
Krawk Island
Owners of the league's most enthusiastic (and long-suffering) fans, Krawk Island fields a team of loveable losers who've never quite managed to put it all together and win their regional tournament. Led by grizzly forward "Dasher" Soley (who has hinted that he might retire after the tournament), everyone on Krawk Island is hoping this is finally the year that Ol' Dash and the gang bring home the gold.
Kreludor
Though they may not be the most physically gifted team vying for the Altador Cup, many would consider Kreludor's squad to be the most disciplined and fundamentally sound group in the tournament. Befuddling defenders with a torrent of crisp passes and a labrynth of picks and blocks, this unassuming bunch have been known to take their more talented opponents and tie them in knots.
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Lost Desert
The Lost Desert fields a lineup that could potentially do lots of damage in the tournament, but this squad also has plenty of questions that still need to be answered. Will Navers's questionable tactics or Azar's disruptive holdout derail their chances of winning it all, or will this veteran bunch come together and make a successful run at the Cup?
Maraqua
Maraqua's clubhouse could best be described as "a house divided." On one side, you have star forward Elon Hughlis, who's more concerned with his personal accomplishments (however great they may be) than actual wins and losses. On the other you have his scrappy (yet far less talented teammates), who endure his antics because of his tremendous ability. As much as Maraqua would love to wash their hands of the situation by trading Hughlis, there's no way any other club would give them equal value in return for taking on their headache.
Meridell
If there's one word to describe Meridell's Yooyuball team, it's "speed." They love nothing more than to get out there and run their opponents ragged. Their superior conditioning enables them to wear down opponents with a relentless flurry of cuts and screens from the opening face-off until the final whistle. It also helps to mask the fact that they aren't the most accurate or powerful shooters.
Mystery Island
Led by the dazzling moves of Teylore Nix and the unstoppable brute force of Volgoth, Mystery Island's squad of Yooyuballers enter the tournament with a punishing offensive arsenal that few teams can hope to keep pace with. If not for the shaky status of their goalkeeping situation, this group would most likely be the odds-on favourites to bring home the cup.
Roo Island
This ragged squad of also-rans and inexperienced rookies received a huge boost when Lilo Blumario, one of the game's top players, decide to sign on and return to his hometown club. He's got what it takes to lead Roo Island to victory... the only question now is, will his new teammates fall in line behind him?
Terror Mountain
Known as "the worst team a fortune can buy" this high priced collection of talented individuals has thus far failed to come together and play as a team. On paper, you would think that a roster with so many good players would be a serious contender to win the Altador Cup. Unfortunately for Terror Mountain's fans, however, the tournament's matches aren't played on paper.
Tyrannia
A few years ago, Tyrannia's general manager assembled a group made almost entirely of players whose original teams had given up on them. After a series of trades and waiver wire acquisitions, Tyrannia began to transform its motley bunch of castoffs into a selfless squad of warriors. Driven by a desire to show everyone who'd written them off how wrong they were, Tyrannia's "Forsaken Five" have gone on to become one of the most successful Yooyuball teams currently playing.
Virtupets
On the surface, other than the obvious talents of star forward Keetra Deile, it would seem like all you can really say about the rest of the Space Station's team is that they're a solid (yet unspectacular) bunch of role players. The thing about Deile, though, is that she uses her brilliance to elevate the play of those around her, making this squad somewhat better than one might initially think. While a run at the cup is highly unlikely, an "upset" in the first or even second round of the tournament wouldn't be all that much of a surprise.
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