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CHICAGO -- With a mix of euphoria, relief and disbelief, long-suffering Chicago Cubs fans are shaking off superstitions and setting their sights on the teams first World Series in 71 years.Loyal fans as far south as San Antonio, Texas, and as far west as Washington state restructured their worldviews to include the seductive possibility that they wont be disappointed again.For me, personally I had tears in my eyes. Ive seen them come close, said Chicago native Jimmy Tingas, 47, who owns Wrigleyville Grill in San Antonio where he caters to homesick former Chicagoans still craving hot dogs and Italian beef. We have one more task to do. Im confident theyre going to do it.First lady Michelle Obama joined the chorus Sunday morning, congratulating her hometown Cubs a day after the team defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicagos Wrigley Field in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.The Chicago native tweeted: Way to go Cubs!! She then recalled her father, saying: My Dad is the reason Im a true Cubs fans. Hed be so proud!Lifelong fan Marilyn Hnatusko wiped away tears after the win Saturday night, recalling other longtime Cubs fans.I thought of all my relatives who didnt see this, my dear Uncle John, and now I cant quite believe it happened, she said.Scattered across the world, Cubs fans make up their own diaspora. Blizzard-hardened folk, their befuddling loyalty encompasses decades of frustration, disillusionment and too many sigh-filled pangs for next year. Many never lived in Chicago, but grew up elsewhere in the nations heartland, listening to games on WGNs powerful AM signal, which could be heard hundreds of miles, especially at night.Theyre often pressed to explain their loyalty. Stephen Kropp, 46, of Mercer Island, Washington, grew up in Chicago and stays true to his Cubs. He and a buddy plan to attend World Series Game 2 in Cleveland dressed as the Blues Brothers.Its a huge emotional investment, Kropp said Sunday. Its dumping all these emotions into something that never gives you anything back. Hanging out at Wrigley, having a beer and knowing youll never get to the promised land. These fans have more credibility (than other teams) to say theyre the best fans in baseball.A Midwestern impulse toward redemption is welling up on social media with a ForgiveBartman hashtag campaign pulling for Steve Bartman to throw out the first pitch when the World Series returns to Wrigley Field.Kropp favors forgiving Bartman, the fan whose interference with a foul ball in the 2003 playoffs added to the sense of a hovering curse. But they should seat him five rows back or higher, just in case, Kropp said.Restaurant owner Tingas, too, is having some trouble letting go of some traditional Cubs beliefs, like the infamous billy goat curse: When we win the World Series were going to have roasted goat, Ill tell you that.Steve Zucker, whos been coming to games since the 1940s, said before Saturdays game that if the Cubs won, he would go to his fathers grave and leave a Cubs hat and T-shirt.My dad died playing cards, listening to the game on a little transistor radio, so I may bring that, too, Zucker said. Before this year, I never thought I would see this.Cubs All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo said the fans deserved to see this team make the World Series.These fans have been amazing since the time I got here, Rizzo said. 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Wholesale Custom Astros Shirts . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Cheap Astros Jerseys . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. The Bay of Plenty Magic have booked their conference finals spot against the unbeaten Southern Steel after a convincing 63-47 win over the Northern Mystics in Sundays ANZ Championship Elimination final.The Mystics were lucky to have earned their place in the elimination final after winning just three matches from 13 outings during an unconvincing campaign. While the Magic sat on six wins.Despite a fast start the Mystics were soon blown away by the hard hitting Magic, whos domination in the first and last quarter sealed their finals place.Magic centre Courtney Tairi was seen all over the court as she combined with Ellen Halpenny to bring the ball down to her shooters, while her defensive play throughout the match proved pivotal for the side.Magics attack end were like a well-oiled machine from the get go as they worked the ball around the third and never rushed to send into the circle. But the same couldnt be said for the Mystics.Mystics shooter Catherine Tuivaiti was under constant pressure under the post, while attack Maria Tutaia struggled to find space and move into the circle.The Magic took a strong 17-10 lead into the first quarter, and while the Mystics brought in huge changes foor the second quarter, they were unable to crack the Magics strong combinations.ddddddddddddAnna Harrison made an impact from wing defence to stem the Magics flow but a standout effort from defender Kristiana Manua ensured Magic retained the upper hand. As the last line of defence, Manua did a fine job in keeping Mystics shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti quiet as Magic hit the main break with a 31-24 lead.While the physicality of the match threatened to descend into an all-out brawl as players from both sides received warnings and cautions, Magic remained calm in the heat of the battle to maintain their strong lead throughout the second half.Mystics suffered a big blow when losing talented midcourter Nadia Loveday to a knee injury early in the third stanza. However, the third stanza went the same way as the second, the visitors unable to make inroads as the quarter went on to be drawn.With Grace Rasmussen controlling proceedings on attack, the composure and variety provided by the Magic proved crucial along with the high level of accuracy from Harten and Halpenny. ' ' '