Now that we’ve published all three previews, here’s what our ShowGame team think will happen at Nationals. We’ll give you a projected top four in every division with some discussion afterwards, and a collection of things to watch as well. Hopefully we don’t look too ridiculous come Monday evening…
MIXED
- DP
1. Black Eagles
2. Reading
3. JR
4. Glasgow
- Sean
1. Reading
2. Black Eagles
3. SMOG
4. Deep Space
- Hani
1. Black Eagles
2. Reading
3. SMOG
4. JR
- Aidan
1. Reading
2. Black Eagles
3. Deep Space
4. Mighty Hucks
- Harry
1. Reading
2. Black Eagles
3. SMOG
4. Deep Space
So Sean and Harry see the division shaking out the same way – they actually predicted the whole eight the same way, so either great minds think alike or small minds rarely differ on that. No one sees a final other than Reading vs Black Eagles, and for good reason; they look like the class of the division.
After that, there’s a pretty diverse opinion base. All seven UK teams are mentioned by someone, which really just goes to show how good and how unpredictable the division is. It’s the most exciting one by a distance, given the dominance of Iceni and Clapham. Gravity are the unknown quantity so it’s understandable that no one has included them, but they’ll surely still be a tough challenge for whoever they’re playing.
WOMEN’S
- DP
1. Iceni
2. SYC
3. Rebel
4. Bristol
- Sean
1. Iceni
2. Bristol
3. SYC
4. Brighton
- Hani
1. Iceni
2. Bristol
3. SYC
4. Brighton
- Aidan
1. Iceni
2. Bristol
3. Rebel
4. SYC
- Harry
1. Iceni
2. Bristol
3. SYC
4. Brighton
This is rather more uniform. Hani, Sean and Harry all see the tournament going to seed, while DP and Aidan fancy Rebel to break into the top four at Brighton’s expense. Only DP has backed a final other than Iceni vs Bristol, as he believes that SYC will ride their superb regular season to a UKU Nationals final. While there doesn’t seem to be scope for many upsets here, all that means is that they’ll be even bigger if and when they do happen!
OPEN
- DP
1. Clapham
2. Fire
3. Chevron
4. Ranelagh
- Sean
1. Clapham
2. Chevron
3. Ranelagh
4. EMO
- Hani
1. Clapham
2. Chevron
3. PELT
4. Ranelagh
- Aidan
1. Clapham
2. Ranelagh
3. Chevron
4. PELT
- Harry
1. Clapham
2. Chevron
3. EMO
4. PELT
Only DP and Aidan see Clapham playing anyone other than Chevron, and it should be noted that they’ve picked the teams they play with. Be that as it may, no one sees Clapham having their streak broken, even the most partisan or prognosticator. PELT and Ranelagh are strongly fancied to throw a spanner into the works of UK Ultimate with a number of appearances in top fours, and EMO are backed to continue a strong season by reaching the semi-finals by both Sean and Harry (who, in the interests of full disclosure, have both played with EMO before). Surprisingly few appearances for Fire, who usually close strongly. It’ll be interesting to see if they can overcome their customary slow start and finish in the top four as usual.
WHAT TO WATCH
- DP
Chevron have changed their lines this season, and are bringing a larger squad than usual. They played both Fire and Kapow recently and their offence in particular is looking very refined. This could be their best chance in a while to take down Clapham.
- Sean
SMOG have been building for a few seasons. This season all three of their teams looked great throughout the season, and the Mixed team is the jewel in the crown. Their men are almost universally tall, a very useful attribute in Mixed Ultimate, and their women are all confident, good with the disc and comfortable playing with each other. They have all the attributes you’d want in a Mixed Nationals-winning team; their challenge is overcoming two other such teams in the favourites, Black Eagles, and the reigning champs, Reading.
- Aidan
Ranelagh and PELT are both going to be looking to qualify for Euros here, and they’re both good enough to do it. What happens if they face off in the game to go? We promised an Irish invasion, and these lads (and Rebel and Gravity) are here to back that up.
- Harry
It’s been a few years since we’ve had a Brighton team in the Women’s division. This year, they’ve come back, and have had an incredibly strong Tour season, a whole new kit and a new identity with no Brighton Pretty pun; just Brighton. They were second only to Iceni at Tour 1. They’ve been playing with small squads all Tour, meaning they’re made up of a small number of very good, gelled players. If I were to put money on a big upset, it would be on Brighton causing it. Regardless, with players like Hannah Brew, they’ll be really exciting.