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In this topic, we follow and discuss the progress of Asia/Oceania's representatives in this most prestigious of all TeamHB competitions.
For the inaugural HBLC, Asia/Oceania's teams are as follows:
GROUP A
Shortland Streeters (New Zealand)
Qualified by dint of winning the Asia/Oceania Top Division.
GROUP B
RedStar Light (South Korea)
Qualified by dint of winning the Asia/Oceania Regional Cup.
Quite a nice balance, really. One team from Oceania, and one from Asia! 
Anyway, this is how they fared in the first round:
Shortland Streeters 43 Soshanguve Reed Bucks 33
The Shortland Streeters' first opponent was Group A's African representative, from Angola. It was a dream start for the Shorty side as they won by ten goals.  Right-wing Leonard Moisescu was the top goal-scorer, with 13 goals in 14 attempts.
Cape Town Wolverines 40 RedStar Light 31
RedStar Light were also away to an African team, which oddly enough also hails from Angola. (Who knew Angola was such a handball stronghold?) However, they had a start that was about as bad as the Shortland Streeters' one was good, and took a fair beating. Their 31 goals was the lowest equal in Group B. Left back Ui Beom Mangjeol was the best goal-scorer for RedStar Light, landing 10 goals in 11 attempts.
NEXT ROUND
Shortland Streeters vs. Карпати
For the first time, the Shortland Streeters host an HBLC match. Their opponents are from the Ukraine, and are the Eastern Europe representatives for Group A. Карпати lead the group after absolutely thrashing The Sums of Belgium. However, their players, while very useful, are not the scariest I've come across, so I reckon I've got a pretty good chance of making it two from two, although I'd say it'll be close, either way.
RedStar Light vs. MSBNC GAMBLERS
RedStar Light also host an HBLC game for the first time ever. They will be up against Group A's Mediterranean representatives, who come from La Belle France. Betting men would probably pick the GAMBLERS. I'm not a betting man, but I'm still predicting that they will win this one. Good luck to RedStar Light all the same though. |
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ROUND TWO RESULTS
Карпати 41 Shortland Streeters 38
Well, I said it would be close, and I was right. But unfortunately, the Shortland Streeters finished up on the wrong side of the scoresheet as Карпати pipped them by three goals. The home team led 22-19 at half-time, but fell away in the second half, and their inability to come back from a deficit (as well as to hold a lead in a tight game) manifested itself once again. A great game to entertain the capacity crowd, but ultimately a very frustrating defeat - the third such maddening loss within seven days. Anyway, left back Alastair Nelsen was the top goal-scorer, with 10 goals in 10 attempts.
MSNBC GAMBLERS 42 RedStarLight 25
The Gamblers proved to be a sure thing as they snuffed out RedStar Light in fine style. Perhaps the local fans saw the writing on the wall, because the attendance for this match was only 4125, as opposed to 5500 for the Shortland Streeters' game. The high number of empty seats would surely not have inspired an already lacklustre home side to perform any better. Questions will undoubtedly be asked of the publicity department, because surely an HBLC game of all things should draw in the crowds. Ui Beom Mangjeol and Do Heon Sam shared the most number of goals, with ten apiece (though the former had a higher shooting percentage, with his 10 goals coming from 11 attempts, while the latter only managed 10 from 14).
So all up, this was an extremely disappointing round for the Asia/Oceania teams, although the Shortland Streeters will be feeling the slightly less unhappy of the two. But the coaches and fans of both teams alike will be asking some hard questions. Still, as the old cliché goes, it's early days yet.
NEXT ROUND
For the next round, both the Shortland Streeters and RedStar Light will be playing teams from the Balkan region.
RK Birografika vs. Shortland Streeters
The Shortland Streeters travel to Serbia for Round 3 of the HBLC. I really have no idea which way it will go, but I suspect it will be another pretty tight one.
treska vs. RedStar Light
RedStar Light will be going to neighbouring Macedonia for their next HBLC fixture. Now 0-2 in Group B, the South Koreans will be desperate for a win, and treska doesn't look quite as scary as the last two teams they've played. However, treska ran the powerful Ottendorf Losers pretty close, so it is likely they will put RedStar Light into an 0-3 hole. |
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ROUND THREE RESULTS
RK Birografika 43 Shortland Streeters 37
RK Birografika always had an edge in this game, although the Shortland Streeters kept it tight in the first half and only trailed by one goal at half-time. But a now-familiar pattern asserted itself as they lost their way in the second half and the home side ended up winning by a very comfortable six goals. For the visitors, right back Cole Longo was the best performer with 11 goals from 11 attempts. At 1-2, the Shortland Streeters are now in a pretty big hole and have to win all their remaining games to have any chance of making the LOC final.
treska 38 RedStar Light 30
RedStar Light are still searching for their first HBLC win after treska trounced them by eight goals. The Macedonian side never really looked threatened, leading by six goals at half time. Ui Beom Mangjeol was once again the top goal scorer for RedStar Light, scoring 10 goals out of 10 attempts.
NEXT ROUND
Shortland Streeters vs. Faggio HT
On the face of it, Faggio HT should be eminently beatable. They are yet to record a win, and their players are struggling a little for fitness. However, they have been extremely unlucky with a couple of their results, and any team underestimating them would do so at their peril. If the Shortland Streeters can't beat these guys, their flagging HBLC campaign will be effectively over.
RedStar Light vs. Best Coast Bombarders
This is a battle of the wooden spooners. Both teams are pretty well out of contention for a spot in the LOC final, but at least have a chance to pick up two points. I reckon RedStar Light might just take this one out. |
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ROUND FOUR RESULTS
Shortland Streeters 35 Faggio HT 19
Hosting an HBLC match for the second time, the Shortland Streeters managed to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the LOC Final alive with a resounding win over the cellar dwellers, Faggio HT. The hosts took a handy lead early on and never relinquished it (for once), eventually stretching out to a 16-goal winning margin. Left back Alistair Nelsen was the top goal-scorer for the Shortland Streeters, with 10 goals from 11 attempts. Goalkeeper Miljan Mijović also had a stellar night, making 13 saves.
RedStar Light 48 Best Coast Bombarders 48
It wasn't a great night to be a goalkeeper at the WinStar Arena as RedStar Light and the Best Coast Bombarders combined for an incredible 96 goals between them. Leading the way for the hosts was right back Won Joon Seomun, who netted 13 goals in 13 attempts. So at long last, RedStar Light are on the board in Group B, even if it's with only one point.
NEXT ROUND
Both Asia/Oceania teams travel to Scandinavia to face the Atlantic Region's representatives.
svedlana vs. Shortland Streeters
The Danish team looks to be one of the stronger sides in Group A, but the Shortland Streeters will be pretty desperate to keep winning to retain even a small chance of making the LOC Final. Frankly though, I'm kind of expecting a loss, even as I hope against hope for a win.
Niflheim Draugars vs. RedStar Light
The Draugars were one of the early favourites to go all the way in the HBLC, and are still pretty well placed. I'd say they will be too strong for RedStar Light. So there probably won't be much to cheer about next week, but then again, you never know. |
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ROUND FIVE RESULTS
svedlana 45 Shortland Streeters 39
Well, it turned out just as I had feared.  Svedlana were just a little bit too strong. Actually, it was pretty close with only five minutes to go, but then the Danish side had a burst of four unanswered goals to put the match beyond any doubt. While their chances of making the LOC final are very much alive, those of the Shortland Streeters died with this loss.  Anyway, the top goal-scorer was right back Cole Longo, with 11 goals in 11 attempts.
Niflheim Draugars 37 RedStar Light 29
RedStar Light were already out of contention, but their utterly miserable campaign just grew worse with this loss to one of the HBLC favourites. Won Joon Seomun again top-scored for the South Koreans, with 10 goals from 10 attempts. Also of some note was the performance of the goalkeeper, Jae Shin Jeo, who made 12 saves, three more than his opposite number. Unfortunately, the Draugars managed a lot more shots on goal. Hence their quite easy win.
NEXT ROUND
Tanero Penguins vs. Shortland Streeters
The Shortland Streeters take on Group A's Pan-America representative in the penultimate round. Despite having a few players with somewhat scary wages, the Penguins have been one of the weaker sides in this group, with just two draws and two losses at the time of writing. So I reckon the 'Streeters will be in with a pretty good chance, although they're only playing for pride now.
Ottendorf Losers vs. RedStar Light
The Losers should be winners by a country mile here. They're one of the hot teams in this group, while RedStar Light, like their fellow-Asia/Oceania representatives, are just playing for a bit of pride at this point. |
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ROUND SIX RESULTS
Tanero Penguins 37 Shortland Streeters 30
The Penguins were all over their visitors from the outset, establishing a seven-goal lead at half-time. That margin remained the same when the full-time whistle blew. Top scorer for the Shortland Streeters was right winger Leonard Moisescu, who sank just seven goals in seven attempts.
Ottendorf Losers 47 RedStar Light 40
History will record this as a comfortable win for the favourites. But in reality, the match was anything but comfortable for the Losers, who led by only one goal at half time. They pulled away in the second half, but RedStar Light can feel well pleased with their efforts - especially Won Joon Seomun, who played a real blinder, sinking 16 goals from 16 attempts.
NEXT (AND FINAL) ROUND
Shortland Streeters vs. The Sums
The Sums have a shot at making the LOC final if they win this match. Can the Shortland Streeters spoil their party? Even losing narrowly would probably be enough.
RedStar Light vs. Hooligans from Troya
The Hooligans have been one of the weakest teams in Group B. After the way they played against the Ottendorf Losers, RedStar Light might just be fancying their chances of going out with a win. |
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FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Shortland Streeters 48 The Sums 39
The Shortland Streeters finished their disappointing HBLC campaign on a high with an emphatic nine-goal win over The Sums, who had their hopes of qualifying for the LOC final well and truly dashed. So just as the 'Streeters started their campaign with a big win, so they also finished with one. Left back James Edginton had a sensational night, scoring 19 goals in 19 attempts. The decision a few weeks ago to move the 197cm star from pivot to left back certainly paid dividends in this match!
RedStar Light 43 Hooligans from Troya 41
RedStar Light have had an even more miserable HBLC campaign than the Shortland Streeters, but finally managed to record a win in the very last round, just edging out the Hooligans by two goals. That man Won Jun Seomun did again, top-scoring for his side with 15 goals from 15 shots.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
A great last round for the Asia/Oceania teams, then, but overall, this HBLC was one to forget for our region. The Shortland Streeters finished with 3 wins and 4 losses, meaning they got 6 points overall. RedStar Light only managed one win, one draw and five losses, so they got a mere 3 points. This region clearly has some catching up to do with other parts of the world. Still, with the 'Streeters and RedStar Light both guaranteed first and second (hopefully in that order) in the Top Division, and both teams also in the Regional Cup final, they are guaranteed a second chance next season. It can only be hoped that they will manage to make a better fist of it then. |
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