[FFX] How to beat the Goers in the Luca blitzball tournament

Hey there!

This guide is written for anyone having trouble beating the Luca Goers in the blitzball tournament.

"So, why should I even try it?"
Three reasons:
- You win a strength sphere (transforms one unused node into +4 strength)
- Slightly different cutscene after the match
- You kick their arrogant asses

Step one:
Prepare yourself.
If you are playing FFX for the first time, make sure you know how Blitzball works at all.
Try to learn the Jecht Shot on S.S. Winno. You don't need it, but it helps a lot since it takes out two defenders while shooting.
Make sure you save the game by yourself right before the game starts. The game will autosave in half-time and after 8 minutes, when Tidus exchanges for Wakka.

Step two:
The first half.
In this half you are going to play defensive. Immediately change the controls to manual mode, so you can actually control your players.
Make sure Tidus throws at least one successful pass, so he gets some EXP and can level up in half-time.
That's it basically. Try to avoid the Luca Goers getting the ball, it is a good strategy just to throw passes between your players to gain EXP, most likely Letty and Jassh.

Step three:
Half-time.
Equip Tidus with the Jecht Shot, if you have it. If not, leave the sphere shot.

Step four:
The second half.
Now we're getting serious. After 3 Minutes of the 2nd half, Tidus exchanges for Wakka.
That stops any action, even if you are shooting right now.
So make sure you pass to Tidus fast and go for the Jecht Shot / Sphere shot. Remember that the Jecht shot takes out two of the Goers' players.
Laudia's keeper skills aren't that good, since the Jecht shot gives you are +5 goal boost, the ball should usually go into the goal easily.
After Wakka has exchanged for Tidus, don't go in defense!
Wakka's poison shot only costs 20 HP and gives him a +3 goal boost.
So, just play as you normally would with Tidus.
Most likely, the result is 2:0 or 2:1 for the Aurochs if you follow this guide.

Please let me know if there is anything to add, and thanks for reading.

Guide

[Izunyami]

You can also abuse the game - if you move into your own goal, there's a spot where the AI bugs out and stops doing anything and you can literally wait there until the timer runs out. If you're leading, it's an auto-win.

[DJ Krispy Smooth]

Beat 'em 1-0 and I was so stoked since I never managed to win this match back when I played on the ps2. Thanks for the guide!

[Krystal]

If beating them legitly is too hard(and lets face it, IT IS since compared to your team they're OP AF) there exists a bug in Blitzball that you can use to easily win any match, you just need to score one goal first. Once you've done that get the ball and go behind your goalie and you'll notice something odd begin to occur...

All the players(including your own team) will go to their default positions and begin swimming in circles! At this point you can AFK to half-time and repeat the process or until wakka comes in. Then, just get the ball again, go behind your goalie, and afk for the remainder of the match.

This makes a usually teeth-gratingly frustrating match a walk in the park when your team is at their weakest!

[Jin-]

2 in first half, 1 with Tidus and 1 with Datto. Second half Tidus 1, Wakka 1 and Datto 1.
5-0

[jedgell233]

While this guide did help, you should mention about putting the game in manual mode. It was the only way I had a fighting chance and still lost too many times to count that I just gave up. :(

Though most of the frustration came from having to sit through all the cutscenes each time.

[dynastystar]

I beat them 4-1, I actually never got the chance to use the Jecht Shot, I got 2 goals in the first half, and 2 more with Wakka

[Hilda Zanz]

How about a guide without the Jecht shot

[Mr Nashty]

Thank you for the guide! I was able to win in overtime on my first try! Also, when I went to overtime my team leveled enough that they were on par with the goers.

[McNuggetTheTasty]

I barely got 1-1, it got to overtime and with all the luck I scored. Thanks.

[The Ashen One]

ive failed for like 10th time in this blitzball match the worst thing abt it is that u have to watch the whole cutscene in order to actually get into d game.Ima try again hope i get lucky this time thanx for d guide my friend :-)