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UCL Season 11 Review:

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Sep 9th, 2008 by chrissy paul

The greatest league on the planet has once again witnessed another sensational season on Back of the Net.

For those on the site that don't know about the UCL, it's basically a career league, the Ultimate Careeer League, infact. Twenty PES players on Back of the Net bet bucks in the bookies, play the lotto, predict results
from the league, compete in all-or-nothing buck winning matches and have user challenges to gain the most cash to purchase, or steal, the best teams come auction time. This league has continually grown since the
start and we find ourself on the verge of beginning season number 12.

However, before season 12 begins, we must mention the roller-coaster ride that preceded it. Season 11 saw some beautiful football played with several people adding silverwear to their already colourful collections.

Congratulations are in order for Samba who finished top of the pile in UCL League 1, the top division. Samba's 68 goals scored and 21 conceded made it hard for any of the rivals to catch up. After him and his NEC squad clinched the title, Samba said: "Just chuffed to bits to be honest. Sam is always there at top along with Neil, Odvan, and Minge who have had a few run in battles. Luckily Minge dropped points this season in last few games else it would of been his team names engraved into the trophy". Samba will no doubt be looking to add to next season and claim the league again. His rivals should be on their toes. Samba had this message for them: "Remeber Deneboom? Well I have two of him now in Cousin and Dindane. Beware!" If Samba plays with the brave defence and prowess up front like last season he will be very hard to catch.

Also, our hats should go off and our hands put together for a fantastic performance by Major Turkish in the second division, narrowly clinching the top place by one point from a very unlucky Indiana Dave. Turkish hailed his Watford side as a "very good team" and admitted that he knew he had a good chance due to his performance in the previous season only for his Xbox to crash, blaiming Bill Gates and calling him names to rude to print. On his chances next season, Turkish seemed more conservative than Samba and backed some of his fellow UCL 2 players to spring a surprise. "Some of the UCL 1 fatcats will be in for a shock. Come PES 2009, some of them will be playing their football in the second division."

Along with the two leagues, the Ultimate Career League allows the members to compete for two cup competition, with the more glamorous labelled the Challenge Cup and the other the League Cup. The latter of those two competitions involves players competing in a host of two legged matches, a bit like a mini cup on Back of the net, only its spread over a season. The final of this competition was contested between Dazzler24 and Sam635. The two legged match was a tense affair with Sam635 eventually lifting the silverwear in a stunning 4-3 victory. Sam was satisfied with the victory and said, " I havn't won any silverware in the UCL for a good few seasons now so I was very pleased with finally getting to a final and winning." He praised his opponent, Dazzler, for compeiting in the final so well and coming so close. "The games were a close affair and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Thankfully though I managed to scrape a 4-3 win and clinch the trophy". With his silverwear in the bag for the season he is now aiming for success on all fronts with a top three finish and a push for the Challenge Cup.

The Challenge Cup, or CC as it's known to UCL'rs, is the most lucrative competition on the site. Players have the option to pay to enter the competition or enter for free. If you pay, you win more bucks if you suceed in the competition than you would if you entered for nothing. Matches are played in a Champions League style format right until the winner is decided with 4 teams in a group, playing each other twice. The winner of this competition reaps the rewards in the form of glory and cash, putting them in a stronger position come auction time allowing them more hold on hanging on to their team or buying a new one. Season 11 was the year of Odvan, who took him the pretige trophy of the UCL. Not only did Odvan win the CC, he also claimed player of the year from his fellow UCL members. Upon asked which was a better achievement, he had this to say. "Well, it goes without saying that when just under one third of the UCL vote you as their player of the season one has to be very very happy as, the views of my peers within the league means so so so much to me...
But, it has to be winning the CC. Tough comp to win, its a long slog and difficult to focus on. I grabbed the sports psychologist from work and had a few mind sessions with him before i left to play the games. I also saw the dietician who put me on a stringent stir fry and fish regime - both seemed to work. It also helped playing against a bunch of retards i guess too. It'll be a tough call to retain the title." So for any kids out there willing to make it in the couch playing PES take Odvan's advice. Eat fish and invest in professional help.

Next season will witness both the UCL leagues coming together to form one massive league, or the Big One as it is officially called. Samba has been listed as the early favourite to regain his UCL crown but players like Major Turkish and Indiana Dave will be looking to upset the odds and crash the UCL 1 party. On previous seasons the people that finish in the top 10 go onto form the UCL 1 in the new game and this year will be no different. Unlucky for the bottom half, they would find theirself beginning life with the new game in the basement division.

The Big One is nearly upon us and the auction is well under way. Let the mind games begin!

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