Please note: While we try to always keep the English blog up-to date, there might be some delay regarding when a German blog post gets translated. Also, articles prior to RoboCup 2022 do not have English translations. To see those articles in German, please switch to the German blog.
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RoboCup 2026 Recap
Greetings from South Korea! RoboCup is already over by now, and the team can be very satisfied with its performance.
The group stage began with a match against TIGERs. Since a lot of new hardware was built in the hotel and the new radio system was being tested on a large scale for the first time, excitement was high. It was a very exciting game in which TIGERs couldn’t show their best side, as they struggled heavily with network issues. The vision and game controller packets are distributed across the field network via multicast to certain groups, but exactly these multicast groups were not being managed correctly. As a result, the TIGERs actually had a few moments of weakness, which we unfortunately couldn’t exploit, and the game ended 0-0.
The next day, things continued right in the morning against Ri-One. Against the 2024 Division B World Champions, we were able to prevail 2-0. The next opponent that day was RoboDragons. Unfortunately, the schedule was quite mixed up because some games took significantly longer than expected, which is why this match took place on a Division B field. Initially, we struggled a lot with problems regarding the calibrated field geometry. Some values were set incorrectly and confused our strategy. We were able to quickly communicate this to the referee and get it fixed, after which the game ran rather smoothly. We managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory.
Thus, we emerged from the group in second place, tied on points with TIGERs, who only edged us out with a better goal difference. We started the knockout phase in the Upper Bracket; our first opponent was KIKS from Japan. We won decisively here as well with a 6-1 score. It was one of the few SSL games that didn’t end in a shutout. KIKS’s goal was well deserved, beautifully set up, and poorly defended by us at the crucial moment due to a tiny radio dropout on a key center back.
Moving further along in the Upper Bracket, our next opponent was RoboCîn. Notorious for their aggressive driving style, characterized by many hard collisions, we were already fearing for our robots. The match turned out to be a nail-biter. After regular time the score was 0-0, just as it was after extra time. So it went to a penalty shootout and remained tense. But after three saved shots and one goal for both teams, we were able to clinch the game 2-1 on the fifth penalty. [1]
Next, we played against TIGERs. By this time, the field setup had been switched from multicast to broadcast to permanently resolve the network issues. Both teams played very well; it was an incredibly fluid, exciting, and balanced game, where ER-Force also managed to get some shots on the Mannheim goal. Unfortunately, 2 of the Tigers’ shots made it through, so it ended 2-0. It was probably one of the most beautiful games of the tournament; overall, the match lasted only 30 minutes, which speaks volumes for both teams.
Final day. First against RoboCîn, then the winner against TIGERs in the Grand Final. After the beautiful 2-0 defeat, the team was already mentally picturing a scoring chance or two. But first up was Cîn. Like us, the Brazilians were not idle overnight and were able to change quite a bit about their driving style. Consequently, it was a much smoother game with fewer fouls. Unfortunately, they were able to take the lead through a shot that was incredibly bungled by our defense. Even though there were some chances, we couldn’t follow up and thus were eliminated from the tournament 0-1, finishing in third place.
In the final against TIGERs, they were then beaten 5-0. With this, TIGERs Mannheim has reached 1st place in the Hall of Fame with 6 World Championship titles!
However, we still see third place as a huge victory. The robots survived the entire tournament electronically and mechanically without any notable losses. The firmware and control systems have also reached a stable level. Together with the new radio system—which still has some minor teething troubles but offers a clear path forward—the current generation forms a solid foundation for next year!
With that, the big event of the year comes to an end once again. After a great Major Party and a well-deserved sleep-in, the team is now taking some vacation time in Korea and Japan before we catch our return flight.
Finals Day – Semi-finals
As mentioned yesterday, we played our match against Tigers Mannheim in the evening. As expected, we lost, but unlike most teams, we weren’t swept off the field 10–0; instead, we managed to hold them to a 2–0 scoreline.
Today—finals day—began with the match to decide who would advance to the final. The winner plays Tigers Mannheim for the championship title at 1:00 PM local time (6:00 AM German time), while the loser secures third place.
Unfortunately, we were unable to win this match against RoboCin; instead, a ball rolled into our own net during the first half, caused by one of our defenders.
Regrettably, we couldn’t equalize, resulting in a 1–0 loss in the semi-final.
Despite our deep disappointment, we are happy for RoboCin and look forward to an exciting final match.
Following the final games, the dismantling of the setup and the awards ceremony will take place, as happens every year. There is no trophy for third place, unfortunately, but a certificate is at least guaranteed.
The closing party will provide a sweet end to the evening for everyone—a fitting conclusion to an exciting RoboCup in Incheon.
Day 3 of the tournament – Elimination + Photoshoot
After not just one, but two consecutive victories in the friendly matches yesterday evening, our team had to be at the venue early again today. At 8:30 AM, our match against RoboCin took place — a complete nail-biter. Neither side gave an inch, and it was a bitterly fought battle.
With so much suspense, it’s hard to stay in your seat.
After two halves, our batteries were close to their limit, but we pushed through both Halftimes. With the score still locked at 0-0, we had no choice but to go into the penalty shootout, which is similar to a penalty shootout in traditional soccer.
One of our members had completely reimplemented the shootout code after last year’s disaster, but it became clear during the game that this was causing our strategy to crash. So, a quick fix was desperately needed. The man of the hour and our savior was Michel. During the remaining match time, he quickly checked and adjusted the existing code so that it could actually run in the penalty shootout, allowing us to secure a 2-1 victory.
This means one thing is certain: in the worst-case scenario, we can now only drop to 3rd place.
Our next match will take place at 5:30 PM local time (10:30 AM German time) against Tigers Mannheim. The long-standing world champions of the league had a few issues with the venue’s network at the beginning of the competition, but those have surely been resolved by now.
Therefore, we are heading into this match rather pessimistically, but of course, we won’t give up. We will fight until the very end.
It is also worth mentioning that today at 2:30 PM local time, this year’s league photo was taken on the large Div A field. It is beautiful to see every year just how large and diverse our league has become. Right after that, the traditional RoboCup picture was taken as well. This brought out rather mixed feelings.
On one hand, joy over how many parts of the world are united under the banner of the RoboCup; on the other hand, sadness and displeasure because our league will soon no longer be part of RoboCup International. This exclusion of our league was decided last year by the competition’s trustees and will take effect after next year’s competition. Fortunately, however, we are still allowed to participate in regional events.
LiveTicker: Biting Nails vs RoboCîn
First Half
The match is underway. With only a five-minute delay, ER-Force begins its second Upper Bracket match.
Right from kickoff, RoboCîn comes out swinging, firing shot after shot at our goal. But our goalkeeper seems to have glued the ball to its dribbler today—every attempt is stopped with confidence.
Corner for us. Cleared by the opponent’s number 3 and immediately sent out of bounds again. The resulting ball placement should be ours, but the opponents interfere before we can take advantage.
The game remains fast-paced. The ball flies from one penalty area to the other, but our latest defensive improvements are already paying off. The defense stands firm and quickly transitions the ball to our attackers.
1:46. Cîn earns a corner. This could get dangerous, but the Erlangen wall refuses to crack. Our goalkeeper, however, reports wheel issues and has to be substituted immediately. Hopefully, just a quick pit stop.
A misplaced pass by the opponents gives us another corner. A huge opportunity to exploit the field switch. Unfortunately, nothing comes of it. Instead, an intense battle develops, pushing the ball all the way back toward our own penalty area. Just 20 seconds remain on the clock, and the tension is rising. In a match this evenly balanced, every single goal could decide everything.
But we manage to recover. A well-placed high pass creates one final duel in front of the opponent’s goal before halftime arrives.
Time for the pit stop.
Second Half
The second half opens with an intense exchange between both teams.
Before the fourth minute, we create an incredible chance right in front of the opponent’s goal. Unfortunately, our number 4 seems to swap nerves of steel for jelly wheels and loses control of the ball. That could have been the opening goal.
Our team looks far more composed than yesterday. Technically, we’re performing better than ever before. With 15 robots available, a rock-solid radio connection, and constantly improving control software, ER-Force has become a team nobody wants to face.
Just like in the first half, another lengthy interruption occurs after about a minute of play due to technical issues. At least nobody can accuse this match of being boring.
After a long discussion, play finally resumes. Hopefully, that’s the last major interruption. Cîn immediately launches another attack against our defense.
Following a prolonged back-and-forth exchange, we finally break forward toward the opponent’s goal. During the play, one of Cîn’s robots loses a wheel after a collision. Safe to say the mechanical team won’t be celebrating that one.
2:06—arguably the most spectacular sequence of the match so far.
Six consecutive passes slice through the defense in a beautiful zigzag pattern, forcing the goalkeeper to sprint from one side of the goal to the other. Every pass is perfect. Every shot is on target. Then the final robot receives the ball just a little too far to the right and loses control. It desperately tries to get a shot away, but the ball rolls harmlessly into the penalty area.
Chance gone. Ball secured. The goal remains frustratingly out of reach.
Then comes a highly controversial goal—for us!
Patient passing carries the ball into the opponent’s penalty area. RoboCîn, however, packs the box with four defenders and the goalkeeper, well beyond what the rules allow. The resulting robot traffic jam eventually knocks the ball into the goal. Because of the illegal defense, the goal isn’t awarded—instead, we receive a penalty kick.
Before the penalty can even be taken, however, we suffer a critical collision completely unrelated to our strategy. Somehow, that’s enough for the referee to overturn the penalty after roughly twelve minutes of discussion.
A deeply frustrating decision for everyone involved.
And with that, we’re heading into extra time.
Extra Time – First Half
The tension somehow keeps rising. If this wasn’t already a nail-biter, it certainly is now.
Within just 45 seconds, Cîn unleashes more than five shots on our goal. Every single one is barely kept out. By now, it’s not only the robots whose nerves are being tested.
But Cîn is starting to show signs of wear as well. During a ball placement, one of their robots simply gives up and suffers a technical failure.
Something has changed. Cîn is playing much more aggressively now, and we can definitely feel the pressure. Thankfully, our defense remains one of the strongest in the entire SSL.
After a quick but unsuccessful attack of our own, the first half of extra time comes to an end.
Extra Time – Second Half
Right from the restart, we move the ball beautifully up the field. But once again, the final first touch lets us down, and the finishing shot never comes.
The match remains completely open. The ball keeps traveling from goal to goal, yet neither side can find the breakthrough. The scoreboard stubbornly stays at 0:0.
The ball goes out of bounds.
Penalty shootout.
Everything comes down to this.
Penalty Shootout
Cîn takes the first shot.
Straight at our goalkeeper.
Saved without what looked like the slightest hint of panic.
Our first attempt follows. The new penalty strategy looks promising, but the opposing goalkeeper somehow gets just enough of the ball.
Round two.
Cîn approaches the ball.
Then suddenly—a radio connection failure on our number 2.
The robot barely recovers in time but only grazes the ball instead of stopping it.
1:0 for Cîn.
Our turn.
We charge forward at full speed, but the final turn isn’t quite enough. The shot goes straight at the goalkeeper.
Round three.
Our defense channels its inner Manuel Neuer. Number 2 has been replaced by number 14, and Terine does not let us down.
Unfortunately, our striker Farfalle can’t quite return the favor. Despite good positioning, we once again fail to produce the decisive finish.
Cîn’s fourth attempt is comfortably saved.
Now it’s our turn.
GOOOAAAL!!
A perfect fake sends the goalkeeper diving one way before we calmly place the ball into the opposite corner.
It’s 1:1.
At least five attempts per team are required, so the next round could decide everything.
RoboCîn’s number 6 slowly dribbles toward the penalty area. It lines up the shot…
Shoots…
Saved again!
Our response is laser-accurate toward the corner, but Cîn somehow gets a fingertip—well, a dribbler—to the ball.
Round six.
Once again, our defense holds firm.
And then…
GOOOOOOAAAL!!!
WE SMASH THE BALL INTO THE BOTTOM-RIGHT CORNER AND WIN THE MATCH!
After two and a half hours, extra time, countless technical issues, several damaged robots, and probably a few new gray hairs for everyone involved, the match ends 2:1 in favor of ER-Force.
We’re through to the Upper Bracket Final.
We did it.
Second day of the tournament – Elimination
As we mentioned this morning, our next match was at 3:00 PM local time (8:15 AM German time) against the third-placed team from Group 2, which in our case was KIKS (Japan) — though it was delayed by 15 minutes due to a holdup with the train ahead of us.
I hope you are just as excited as we are about our 6:1 victory!
Our result means that our next official match won’t be until tomorrow at 8:30 AM local time against RoboCin (Brazil). So far, our opponents have two wins and one loss, which was due to a forfeit. Tomorrow’s game is bound to be thrilling, as I highly doubt they will throw in the towel early again.
However, the official schedule doesn’t mean we will be bored tonight. Instead, it gives us the opportunity to play a friendly match at 7:00 PM against the Delft Mercurians (Netherlands), a relatively new team in Div B. After our victory this morning, their team reached out to ask if we had time today. It seems we’ve made quite an impression, especially after last year’s rather mixed performances.
The results of this match will be posted tomorrow morning.