2018 Playoffs Atlanta Game 6: Atlanta vs. London

Atlanta Rollergirls (Seed #4, WFTDA #11) vs. London Rollergirls (Seed #5, WFTDA #14)

The sixth and final game of the first day of the 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs Atlanta was one for the record books. It was an upset, which rarely happens in WFTDA Playoffs. The London Rollergirls of London, England (Seed #5, WFTDA #14) upset tournament host Atlanta Rollergirls of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. (Seed #4, WFTDA #11), 147-122, to continue the quest for their fifth consecutive trip to the 2018 International WFTDA Championships New Orleans.

THERE’S A LEAD CHANGE EVERY JAM MY HEART CAN’T TAKE THIS STRESS #talk2wftda

— bex edmondson 🔜 egx (@bexmakesgames) September 22, 2018

And it was an epic #nailbiter with multiple lead changes, dueling jammer penalties, jaw-dropping takeouts, and determination by all players on both teams.

Most of the first period belonged to London despite Atlanta’s “everywhere all the time” defense. London’s jammers were able to breach the defense and build up to a 44-point lead.

But with six minutes left, Atlanta’s jammer made it out of the pack first but without lead jam status. She didn’t need it and 15 points later, when London’s jammer finally got free and called it off, Atlanta was within 16 points. It was all the momentum Atlanta needed, and the first half ended with Atlanta in the lead by two points.

The second period was almost like a tennis match at times, with lead bouncing back and forth. London had four jammer penalties in the second period with three toward the end of the game. It was enough to give London fans heart palpitations while Atlanta held on to the hope they could get back into the lead and win the game.

On the line was the ability to keep playing for a chance to go to WFTDA Champs. London advances to play the Texas Rollergirls of Austin, Texas, U.S. (Seed #1, WFTDA #6) at 6 p.m. EDT on Saturday. Atlanta moves into the consolation bracket and will play either Montréal Roller Derby of Montréal, Québec, Canada (Seed #2, WFTDA #7) or Bay Area Derby of San Francisco, California, U.S. (Seed #7, WFTDA #19) at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

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