Category Archives: TIGERs Mannheim

BuGa 2023: TIGERs Mannheim vs. ER-Force

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It feels like it was just yesterday when we played the first game of this tournament. Well, it was actually just yesterday. But still, time has passed very quickly, and now we’re just about to start the final game.

As expected, TIGERs delivered a very confident and dominant performance, much like during the RoboCup in Bordeaux. They mostly managed to dominate their opponents. However, they couldn’t score against us; we only lost due to an own goal.

First Half

05:00 The game starts with less than 5 minutes delay, the arena is full. TIGERs play in yellow, ER-Force in blue.
04:43 And a shot on goal right away by TIGERs Mannheim, but initially, we can defend. However, as the attacks persisted, it eventually happened: Goal for TIGERs.
TIGERs Mannheim 1 : 0 ER-Force
04:05 After several more attempts on our goal, two of our robots get stuck near our penalty area. Getting stuck here is very understated; they got along very well. As a result, there are ball placements for ER-Force, but both teams fail to place the ball.
03:06 More attacks on our goal follow, but our team can hold up magnificently.
02:30 Now we strengthen, putting pressure on TIGERs’ defenders with many attacks. However, the attack is eventually stopped, and our robot is mobbed by 5 Mannheim bots as punishment, gathering around and practically squeezing it.
01:47 Now the attack is again primarily in our half, and unfortunately, it ends successfully again: Goal by Mannheim with a shot from an acute angle past our goalkeeper!
TIGERs Mannheim 2 : 0 ER-Force
01:16 Another attack by us on Mannheim’s goal, but unfortunately, the ball narrowly misses the target. That could have been something; the goalkeeper wasn’t quite there yet!
00:28 Currently, the game is somewhat stuck in one of our corners. Both teams fail at ball placement; our robot even has its back to the ball while trying to place it, which is an interesting ball placement strategy.
00:17 And the ball is kicked out of the field again, but this time by us.
-00:17 After a cheeky move where instead of passing to our own robot, we pass to a Mannheim robot, the first half ends rather uneventfully.
00:00 Although we’re two goals behind, we don’t need to hide at the moment. After all, Mannheim still manages to sweep away weaker and even strong teams 10:0 in the first half. Additionally, our defense has been very solid, making it very difficult for TIGERs to find the gap. We’ve seen some interesting attacks from us, so we’re really hoping to catch up in the second half!

Second Half

05:00 The second half kicks off; TIGERs has ER-Force.
04:07 After crashing into a TIGERs bot for the second time and previously shooting the ball over the boards, we now receive a yellow card and can only play with 5 robots for the next two minutes.
04:07 Again, the corner poses a problem, none of the robots can reach the ball. It seems the 45° ramps, usually placed in the corners, were forgotten. Getting the ball out of 90° corners is practically impossible given the size of SSL robots.
02:06 The robots of both teams often get stuck in a duel, leading to many situations ending with Lack of Progress. At least our penalty time has expired without danger.
01:35 TIGERs had to change a robot, probably because the battery is empty. A characteristic here is the constant clicking of the plunger when the robot discharges from shooting.
01:27 And this time, TIGERs Mannheim shoots the ball out of the field, but luckily I could collect it right away, and the game continues quickly.
01:08 Strong attack by us, but our back pass to one of our colleagues goes wide. The ensuing counter-attack by TIGERs becomes quite dangerous, but one of our robots solves the problem, risking a foul (touching the ball in the penalty area). Unfortunately, this results in a penalty kick for TIGERs!
01:03 Unfortunately, the Mannheim robot scores the penalty, so there’s a goal for TIGERs following the penalty kick!
TIGERs Mannheim 3 : 0 ER-Force
-00:16 A very intense situation against us! Mannheim’s robots are in our half and even shoot at the goal, but the ball misses the target by a few centimeters.
00:00 Overall, this was a very exciting final game, even though the second half was rather quiet. Our play was very enjoyable to watch, and we defended very solidly. The progress of the last 4 weeks was clearly visible, and the trend for the next weeks and months is clearly set!

BuGa 2023: TIGERs Mannheim vs. RoboTeam Twente

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After the group stage concludes with the last game between Immortals and RoboTeam Twente on Saturday evening, today’s day begins with the first semifinal match between the first and fourth-placed teams: TIGERs Mannheim vs. RoboTeam Twente.

Without wanting to speculate too much, we already assume that TIGERs Mannheim will easily win against RoboTeam Twente. Yesterday, the Mannheim team pretty much dominated our friends from the Netherlands, so everyone expects a very one-sided game.

First Half

05:00 The game will be kicked off soon.
05:00 As has become usual, this game is also starting with a delay. The time is being filled for the spectators by explaining the robots and the rules.
05:00 With an 8-minute delay, it’s finally underway. TIGERs in blue, RoboTeam Twente in yellow.
04:44 First shot on goal by TIGERs, but it doesn’t hit the target yet.
04:14 Well defended by the Twente goalkeeper! That could have been the first goal of the day, but the Dutch goalkeeper shines once again. However, there are problems with Twente outfield players touching the robot in their penalty area.
04:08 Now, however: TIGERs takes a shot, and it’s a goal! The score is now 1:0!
TIGERs Mannheim 1 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
03:35 Beautiful passing by TIGERs in Twente’s half. You can tell that they have excellent ball control and precision in their passes. Eventually, TIGERs is rewarded: 2:0 for Mannheim!
TIGERs Mannheim 2 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
03:00 After some discussions about a penalty for TIGERs and a ball placement by RoboTeam Twente, unfortunately, the Dutch player messes up the shot, and TIGERs gains the upper hand. Naturally, Mannheim doesn’t waste time and increases the lead to 3:0!
TIGERs Mannheim 3 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
02:33 And another goal by Mannheim right away! The game is primarily taking place in the Dutch half, but it’s good to watch.
TIGERs Mannheim 4 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
02:16 With full commitment, the players from RoboTeam Twente are doing everything to keep the ball away from the goal, even if they have to commit a foul to do so. This makes the game quite watchable, as it’s not a complete blowout.
01:56 The Dutch can defend well for a long time, with several attempts on their goal. But in the end, the Mannheim team manages to get past the goalkeeper and convert a shot into a goal! Twente is now also replacing a robot.
TIGERs Mannheim 5 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
01:31 It might sound like a massacre here, considering that TIGERs now extends the lead to 6 goals. Nevertheless, the Dutch are doing very well. While they can’t break through in attack against TIGERs, they’re doing their human—or rather, robot—best to keep the goal safe. Definitely the best game from RoboTeam Twente this year!
TIGERs Mannheim 6 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
01:14 Still, it’s as it is: a game against the world champions. And so, TIGERs directly increases the lead to 7 goals!
TIGERs Mannheim 7 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
01:05 Correction: 8-goal lead.
TIGERs Mannheim 8 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
00:40 The Twente robots position themselves well in the shooting lanes of the Mannheim team, making it not so easy for them to get a good shooting angle. Sometimes, they even lose the ball, but eventually, another goal for Mannheim! Now they’re only one away from ending the game early in this half.
TIGERs Mannheim 9 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
00:20 Ghost goal for Twente! Although the ball, along with the entire RoboTeam Twente, is actually in the half of TIGERs Mannheim and even in front of the goal, there was definitely no shot on it, just a small skirmish with a few crashes. Nevertheless, a goal in Mannheim’s goal was briefly recognized, and as a result, the AI referee briefly decided it was a goal for Twente! But of course, only briefly.
00:14 Indeed! 14 seconds before the end, TIGERs finally manages to score the tenth goal of the game and thus end it early.
TIGERs Mannheim 10 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
00:00 With that, TIGERs advances to the final as expected, and unfortunately, Twente is eliminated from the tournament. Nevertheless, there’s no reason to be sad: The improvement of the Dutch undoubtedly culminated in this game, which was also very short, lasting only 20 minutes!

BuGa 2023: TIGERs Mannheim vs. RoboTeam Twente

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Soon the fifth and penultimate game of the day between TIGERs Mannheim and the Dutch team RoboTeam Twente will start. To be honest, we’re expecting a massacre with a clear victory for Mannheim.

First Half

05:00 Once again, the game is delayed by a few minutes, but this is hardly noticeable as the president of DHBW Mannheim gives a brief speech and introduction to the SSL League and our robots. It’s evident that he’s well-versed in the subject matter, and the introduction to our league and its challenges was very knowledgeable.
05:00 And again, the game starts with a timeout for Twente, but TIGERs gracefully passes the time with some dances, songs, and maneuvers, much to the delight of the spectators.
05:00 With about fifteen minutes, the game is finally kicked off, with TIGERs having the kickoff as the blue team.
04:49 Things heat up immediately, and TIGERs scores a goal, but apparently, the Dutch have luck on their side, as one of their robots touches the ball in their own penalty area just before it rolls into the goal, nullifying the goal.
04:39 Another strong situation in Twente’s penalty area, but once again, the Dutch have luck. However, this luck is unlikely to last forever.
04:20 This time, though! At first, it seems like bad luck as TIGERs loses the ball. But they quickly clear the situation in their favor and finish with a shot on goal. Initially, the goalkeeper seems to save, but then he turns the ball into his own goal!
TIGERs Mannheim 1 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
03:54 And again! Another goal directly by TIGERs Mannheim, making it 2:0 now!
TIGERs Mannheim 2 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
03:03 Another hot shot, but one of the Dutch robots clears through a foul: He positions himself in the defense area and defends with his body.
02:57 However, the defense doesn’t hold for long, another goal by TIGERs!
TIGERs Mannheim 3 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
02:25 The Twente goalkeeper, the strongest man on the team. He can actually prevent goals quite confidently, even though he may face minor mistakes and the dominance of TIGERs, he won’t see the sun in the long run.
01:42 Good ball exchanges and nice duels, mostly in Twente’s half. But in the end, as in most of this game, it happens: a goal for TIGERs!
TIGERs Mannheim 4 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
01:09 Now TIGERs steps up! Another goal by the Mannheim team!
TIGERs Mannheim 5 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
00:48 And again… a goal for TIGERs, the celebrated devastation is in full swing, the team firmly in the grip of the Tiger’s jaws.
TIGERs Mannheim 6 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
00:11 For a while, the ball was even in Mannheim’s half, but then, as always, it goes as expected: TIGERs can regain possession of the ball and tighten the noose even further. Eventually, TIGERs increases the lead to 7 goals.
TIGERs Mannheim 7 : 0 RoboTeam Twente

Second Half

05:00 The second half starts directly with a penalty for TIGERs, as it seems Twente committed a foul at the end of the first half (again, a Twente robot touched the ball in the penalty area).
04:53 And TIGERs naturally converts the penalty, extending their lead to 8 goals.
TIGERs Mannheim 8 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
04:37 And immediately, the next goal. Now only one more is needed to end the game prematurely.
TIGERs Mannheim 9 : 0 RoboTeam Twente
04:14 And with that, the game ends prematurely: TIGERs scores the last goal of the match and secures the top spot in the group.
TIGERs Mannheim 10 : 0 RoboTeam Twente

BuGa 2023: Immortals vs. TIGERs Mannheim

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Actually, the second game of the day between Immortals and TIGERs Mannheim is scheduled for 11:30 AM. However, unfortunately, Immortals are not even in Germany yet due to a delayed flight, and as a result, they automatically forfeit their match with a score of 10:0.

Very unfortunate, as Immortals are an extremely strong team, formerly Iranian and now German, which showcased a very impressive performance at RoboCup. Together with TIGERs Mannheim and us, they form a quite evenly matched group at this tournament, and predicting the outcome of the games between these teams is not trivial.

Let’s hope that Immortals can make it to their next game and can build on their successes from RoboCup!

BuGa 2023: ER-Force vs. TIGERs Mannheim

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Now it’s finally time: The tournament at the Bundesgartenshow 2023 officially begins with the first match of the group stage: ER-Force vs. TIGERs Mannheim.

We’re incredibly excited about the game, as we were able to achieve very positive results with our robots during the course of yesterday and this morning: While our new radio system had significant issues at RoboCup, the tests looked extremely promising yesterday evening. Together with the HBC team, the manufacturer of our radio system, and with the support of Gerhard Schubert, we made significant progress in the last two weeks. Everyone involved has put in many hours to push the radio system to the level of perfection we were used to from INTERPACK 2023 in May. The HBC radio worked perfectly there, completely unaffected by the numerous trade show Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices.

Important note: Unlike RoboCup, all games at Bundesgartenshow are played with walls (bande), which means there are no out-of-bounds. This is an experiment by the organizers to see how well it works. We can expect very fluid games since out-of-bounds is the most frequent game interruption.

Since there’s unfortunately no livestream, the game will be provided as a video later.

First Half

05:00 The game starts with over 10 minutes delay, which is usually the case for the first game of the day and the tournament.
05:00 Unfortunately, a larger part of the first half could not be ticked due to personnel reasons. We’re currently limited in staff. As far as possible, the ticker will be updated. Unlike RoboCup, we have only 7 people for this tournament, which is definitely too few. Still a good experience: We estimate that we could fill all personnel gaps with 10 – 11 people, which is valuable for future tournaments. However, it doesn’t reduce the stress of this tournament.
02:30 So far, a very fluid game. A positive point to note is that our HBC radio can finally unleash the potential that it has. The robots are moving very smoothly, following their commands! We are currently playing with 4 new and 2 old robots.
01:00 Own goal by us! That’s unfortunate, it could have been avoided and must definitely be considered as part of our strategy, but there’s nothing we can do about it now.
ER-Force 0 : 1 TIGERs Mannheim
00:26 Very dangerous situation in our half. But in the end, our goalkeeper clears it to the right side, defusing the situation.
00:06 So far, a very fast and fluid game, which is, of course, due to the walls (bande) being used, resulting in no out-of-bounds.
-01:27 The game was quite balanced towards the end. Since the game is no longer interrupted due to out-of-bounds, it’s running for a long time, and now it’s stopped only because of a crash and the first half is whistled. Overall, it’s nice to watch; the decision against out-of-bounds adds a lot to the entertainment value for the spectators.

Second Half

05:00 Kick-off for the second half.
04:24 Yellow card for TIGERs, as they have accumulated three minor fouls during the game (they held the ball with the dribbler for too long twice and caused a crash at the end of the first half). Meanwhile, we’re replacing a robot.
04:24 Currently, there seem to be some minor issues with the network, causing the game to pause. During matches in our league, a central computer continuously receives camera data, processes it, and sends the resulting robot positions and velocities, along with referee commands and other information, via the local network to the team PCs, which then derive their game decisions from it and send them to the robots via radio. Therefore, a faulty network is a major problem for the game.
04:24 Apparently, the RefBox has also been successfully destroyed: The RefBox is a piece of software into which the human referee can input decisions, and where all decisions of the AI referee come together and are more or less clearly displayed. It seems that an attempt is being made to roll out a very old version of the RefBox, in which the “Game Controller” (the person supporting the referee who sits in front of the RefBox) has to manually input all commands, something that has been banned for years. Long-time members still have muscle memory for operating the old RefBox via the number pad, but the younger ones groan about the “Stone Age technology”.
04:24 Other than that, a brief update: Nothing has been broken so far; our hardware is running flawlessly, especially the new robots. So, in this area too, we’ve made significant progress compared to RoboCup. The one robot that was replaced was an old one and even it was driving a bit crooked, but didn’t show any serious issues.
04:24 The game continues, but ER-Force immediately takes a timeout. Apparently, our software doesn’t have the new radio system perfectly integrated yet, causing the software to occasionally lose the connection. Had to restart briefly, now everything is running smoothly again.
05:00 Apparently, they restarted the time after changing the RefBox.
03:48 Dangerous duel near our goal with a TIGERs bot, but we can clear the ball again.
03:35 Interruption of the game after TIGERs kick the ball out of the field towards the audience! Good thing they’re already one and a half meters above the field behind a railing.
03:05 After some good passes by TIGERs, one of their robots messes up the reception, much to our delight!
03:00 TIGERs’ yellow card has expired, so we’re back to playing 6 vs. 6.
02:22 Good situation for us in Mannheim’s penalty area, but their goalkeeper can clear it.
02:06 Another nice situation in TIGERs’ goal.
01:35 And right away, the attack in front of our goal, but our defense stands strong!
00:45 This time the ball goes out of the field through us. Playing with walls is new for both teams, not everything is smooth yet, especially in connection with the edges of the field.
-00:14 And the game ends 1:0 for TIGERs Mannheim with an own goal from us. As usual, TIGERs Mannheim ends their game with a victory dance, this time including the Cantina Band and a little dance.

In retrospect, it was a very nice game and much more to our liking! Everything went smoothly, the radio worked brilliantly, the hardware functioned perfectly. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, and that must also be the aspiration, but still, we can be very satisfied with the game. This will definitely be an exciting tournament!