2022 Altador Cup Tournament

Player Interviews

For the first time, some interviews with players were published in the Editorial of the Neopian Times during the Cup. This became somewhat of an annual tradition in subsequent years.

Foltaggio

This year, the Altador Cup Committee has decided to hold brief interviews with a select few Altador Cup Players, in a segment we are calling Quick Questions! We will be kicking these off with Foltaggio, the maverick Mynci Captain who led Team Altador to victory during the last Altador Cup!”

Interviewer: “So, how did it feel to take home the trophy last year?”

Foltaggio: “Well, I have a tendency to set unrealistically high expectations and then become crestfallen when they aren’t met, but I have to admit I had a hard time feeling disappointed last year. I mean taking first place for the first time ever for Altador? Even I couldn’t find anything to be disappointed about there!

Interviewer: “And what about Team Altador’s chances of taking home the cup again this year?”

Foltaggio: “We might be starting at the bottom after the first round of round robin games, but Team Altador isn’t worried. We showed that we have what it takes to climb to the top last year, and we have the trophy to prove it!”

[Holds up trophy to cheering crowd]

Interviewer: “Well it sure sounds like last year’s win has inspired quite a bit of confidence in the Altadorian Team. Good luck out there!”

From Neopian Times, Issue #962, published June 17, 2022

Motor Dahy

As one of the newest players on the field this year, speedy Right Forward Motor Dahy was also interviewed. However, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as our first one… When pressed about his quick temper by the reporter, Motor ended up assaulting the interviewer. Luckily, the microphone was still connected and able to pick up the short-lived interview:

Interviewer: “So, Motor, you have been turning heads with your fast and loose playstyle, but analysts are predicting your short temper could spell trouble for Team Kreludor. How do you respond to-”

[Midsentence, the interviewer was tackled by Motor Dahy, who proceeded to bludgeon the reporter with his microphone.]

Motor: “So still think [BONK] I have a short temper, huh? [THUD] Wait a minute, was that supposed to be some kind of height joke? That does it! [BANG CLUNK CRASH]

[incoherent screaming]”

It then took the entirety of the Kreludor team to pry Dahy off of the reporter...

Keep an eye out for our next round of Quick Questions, as we will be returning with more intriguing player interviews soon! Soon as our reporter is discharged from the Neopian Hospital that is…

From Neopian Times, Issue #962, published June 17, 2022

Lili Lever

Now that our interviewer is all healed up, it’s time for another round of Quick Questions! Today we interviewed newcomer Lili Lever from Team Kiko Lake and veteran Mirsha Grenlinek from Team Shenkuu!

When approached, Lili Lever squealed and ran off during our first interview attempt. However, she worked up the courage to reschedule our Quick Questions session and give it another shot!

Interviewer: “After you left our last interview rather abruptly, we were worried that we wouldn’t have a chance to interview you. Why the sudden change?”

Lili: “Oh yes, I’m so sorry about that. It’s just uh, I have um, a tough time with meeting new Neopets. I always freeze up, and I’m never sure what to say. So, playing in my first Altador Cup, with all of the attention from fans and other teams, well it can be very overwhelming! But I had some helpful chats with my teammates, specially Erli who was very understanding, and came to the conclusion that I have to face my fears if I truly want to be a professional Yooyuballer.”

Interviewer: “Lovely to hear that your team already has your back! Now, becoming a professional Yooyuball player is never an easy road to take, so what drove you to train hard enough that you would one day play in the Altador Cup?”

Lili: “Well, my mother was a very talented Gormball player back in her day! I grew up watching her, being inspired not only by her talent but also by how happy she looked out on the field. She was never as quiet as me, but she still really seemed to open up when she was playing. Then and there I knew I wanted to do the same thing; to find an outlet that allowed me to feel just as free. That let me be myself. And when I gave Yooyuball a shot, everything just clicked!”

Interviewer: “Well now that you are playing for Team Kiko Lake in this year’s Altador Cup I am sure you are making her proud!”

Lili: “I certainly hope so! She’s always been such a big inspiration to me, and my personal hero. If you’re reading this Mom, I just want to thank you so much for pushing me. You were right, I belong wherever I want to be!”

From Neopian Times, Issue #963, published July 1, 2022

Mirsha Grelinek

Captain of the Shenkuu team, we interviewed Mirsha Grenlinek about just how serious the competition was getting in this year’s hotly contested Altador Cup!

Interviewer: “So Mirsha, after progressing through the Round Robin Tournament, how are you feeling about Team Shenkuu’s chances?”

Mirsha: “The entire team trained tirelessly during the offseason so we have our new plays down pat, but the fierce competition in the Round Robins proved that the other teams have been practicing just as relentlessly as we have. I’m confident we still have a shot at taking home first, but the pressure is on.”

Interviewer: “Wise words indeed! How has the Shenkuu team been dealing with that pressure this year?”

Mirsha: “Well we are very close as a team, so we have each other to lean on. Plus, all of our loved ones have been very supportive.”

Interviewer: “That is certainly important! Is there anyone in particular out there you would like to give a shout-out to?”

Mirsha: “There is a special little usul out there whose eloquent words have always inspired me to be the best version of myself. So, I have to thank Ginia, no matter how embarrassed this will make her, for always being patient with me when I get frustrated with myself. I know I can rely on her whenever I might need it, and that means the world to me. No matter how we finish out this Altador Cup, I already won the day I met you.”

Interviewer: “Oh my, that was so heartfelt you have me tearing up!”

Thanks for joining us for another round of Quick Questions. We will try to squeeze at least one more interview in before the end of the Altador Cup, so be sure to stay tuned!

From Neopian Times, Issue #963, published July 1, 2022