Austria: game started with what was looking like a Turkish cd/nmr. As the middle player sandwiched between Russia and Italy I knew that I could expect a hostile opening from both. Blocked Italy in Tyrolia and Russia and Gal, but, alas, the Turk entered moves at the last minute. Went into 02 with one build and Italy doubling down on what appeared to be a jugger- built a 3rd army (sigh). Anyway, I decided to be an utter nuisance to Italy and see to it that he was eliminated. On that score I was successful. Not quite as successful at surviving. :P gg, all

2. Austria, your position sucks in gunboat. When Italy went after you, it was merely a matter of time. Fortunately, you were able to cripple Italy and make sure they couldn't survive being between France and Turkey

Doesn't have to. The last gunboat tourney I was in Austria's success rate was quite high. Italy and Austria can be a great team.

Oh, absolutely. If Austria doesn't get destroyed early on, it's a fantastic position to expand from. But in gunboat, it seems harder to forestall an invasion.

I would definitely say that in lower quality games Austria sucks. But in higher level play, often times Italy will know better than to stab Austria and vice versa.

From the Russian Perspective...

1. Germany - was great fun punching and counter-punching up north, thought I was lucky to gain sweden at crucial time - thx for including me in on the draw.

2. Turkey - worked really well together and don't blame you at all for the late stab, it was worth a try and in most non live games or press games germany and France would have carved the board up with you for a three-way I'm sure.

3. Italy - The big risk you take in gunboats is a defender setting out to ruin your game because of your early attack and because of that you and Austria both suffered. I saw how you wanted to build stalemate line at the end, but those things are difficult enough if press games and much harder in gunboat.

4. France - well played through-out

5 England -gamble of attacking Russia from the get-go didn't pay off but is always worth a try and normally the aggressive players are rewarded.

6. Austria - saw that you were more annoyed at Italy than either me or Turkey and once I was secure in the Jugg there was only really one outcome for you after year 1 and Italy's army build.

I haven't played live for a while and enjoyed this no-end

PS Austria - I think Turkey's late finalising 01 also had an impact - I changed from mos-st P to Mos-ukr thinking I could pick up rum and bul if Turkey was absent :)