Magic to host Thunderbirds in Preliminary Final

Colourplus Waikato / Bay of Plenty Magic will be looking to turn its form around and keep the season alive when it hosts the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday night in at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The Thunderbirds progressed to the Preliminary Final after a confidence boosting win against Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel last night at ETSA Park.

The match is now set up as an enthralling battle, with the winner of the sudden death Preliminary Final to meet the in-form Melbourne Vixens in a fortnight at Hisense Arena.

ANZ Championship General Manager Anthony Everard believes the final two weeks of 2009 are set up to be a dramatic conclusion to the season.

“The match between Magic and Thunderbirds is sure to be an exciting battle with both teams desperate for a berth in the final,” Everard explained.

“Regardless of which team makes it through, we are set for a sensational finale to the season.”

Should the Thunderbirds beat the Magic and set up an all-Australian final, the Grand Final will be held on Sunday July 26 at Hisense Arena. However, should it be a trans-Tasman clash with Magic progressing, the match will be held on Monday July 27 as previously advertised.

The decision behind the potential date change is to maximize the television viewership for the Grand Final.

“We want to cater for the different programming commitments each broadcaster has in each market, and to maximize the respective domestic television audiences,” Everard said.

“This will ensure that as many people as possible can watch the ANZ Championship Grand Final, the culmination of 16 weeks of world class netball action.”


2009 ANZ Championship Finals Series

PRELIMINARY FINAL
Colourplus Waikato / Bay of Plenty of Magic v. Adelaide Thunderbirds
Sunday, July 19 2009
7.00pm (NZ time)
Mystery Creek Event Centre, Hamilton

Tickets on sale – Wednesday, July 15 at 9am (NZ time) call Ticket Direct on 0800 4 TICKET or online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz

GRAND FINAL
Melbourne Vixens v (winner of) Magic v. Thunderbirds
Sunday, July 26 at 2.30pm or
Monday, July 27th at 7.30pm (AEST).

Please note – Grand Final date and time will be announced on www.anz-championship.com post the Preliminary Final match on Sunday, July 19

General Public Ticket on-sale date - Tickets on sale, Monday, July 20 from 12pm (AEST) visit ticketek.com.au, call 132 849 or any TIcketek outlet.