Madison, WI

By Whacks Poetic

The second semifinal of the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Madison paired the number two seed, Arch Rival Roller Derby from St. Louis, MO, USA, against the number three seed, Minnesota RollerGirls from St. Paul, MN, USA. The number one seed of the tournament, Gotham Girls Roller Derby of New York, NY, USA, had already clinched their spot at WFTDA Champs in Portland, OR, USA with a huge 320-49 win against the number four seed, Tampa Roller Derby of Tampa, FL, USA, in the first semifinal of the tournament. Game 12 would determine who would punch their ticket with Gotham, and who would have to battle Tampa on Sunday for another chance in the third place game. After a tightly-fought battle, Minnesota moved up in the bracket with a 174-155 win over Arch Rival.

By Rachel Scott

Though the two teams had met before in unsanctioned play, the Windy City Rollers (seed #8) of Chicago, IL, USA and Team United Roller Derby (seed #5) of Des Moines, IA, USA had their first formal matchup Saturday afternoon at the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Madison. Despite a low-scoring start to the game, Team United ultimately pulled away with the lead and ended victorious against Windy City, 197-82.

By Whacks Poetic

The first semifinal of the consolation bracket at the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Madison matched the team that had traveled the farthest distance to get to the tournament, Helsinki Roller Derby from Helsinki, Finland (seed #6) with hometown hero and tournament host, the Mad Rollin’ Dolls of Madison, WI, USA (seed #10). Though Madison proved to be a challenge for Helsinki with successful spurts, the Finns ultimately controlled the game and confirmed their higher seeding with a 250-145 victory.

By Rachel Scott

In a hard-hitting rematch of last year’s Midwest BrewHaHa game, Gotham Girls Roller Derby of New York, NY, USA (seed #1) met up once again with Tampa Roller Derby of Tampa, FL, USA (seed #4) on Saturday at the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Madison. Despite Tampa’s tight defensive walls and well-timed offense, Gotham took the decisive win, 320-49.

By Whacks Poetic

There is no team that Team United Roller Derby of Urbandale, IA, USA (seed #5) is more familiar with than No Coast Derby Girls of Lincoln, NE, USA (seed #7). They’ve played four times in Team United’s two years as a WFTDA member league and have beaten the Nebraskans each time, most recently in June of this year. Team United succeeded once more moving into the consolation semifinals with a 246-147 victory.