All Over Albany

TOP 2009: Post game with the judges

Renée, Albany Jane, Daniel B, Joe

After this week's final in the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, we talked with the judges about the highlights -- and the pizza places they would have liked to have seen in the field. And, yes, the video includes an appearance by the mysterious Albany Jane -- though we've protected her identity.

There's also a cameo by Otto, AOA's office dog. And Renée might have done the robot.

TOP 2009: The Final

The much-anticipated matchup

Here we are, at the end of the long road that is the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union. And today's final features a long awaited matchup:

Nunzio's vs. Pasquale's

Nunzio's -- the champion of the Saratoga bracket -- charged into the final round with a 75 in its broccoli-ricotta showdown with Troy's I Love NY. That's the second-highest score in the entire tournament. Who had the best score? Yep, that's right: Pasquale's, last year's champ, whose sausage pizza in Round 2 score an 80. The New Scotland Ave shop narrowly knocked off Schenectady's Marino's 58-54 in the semifinals.

So, this is it. In this final matchup the pizzerias get to choose which pizza they'd like to send into competition. And, as one judge commented, the choices by Nunzio's and Pasquale's were "ballsy."

We wouldn't have it any other way. Let's eat.

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The TOP Semifinals

I Love NY (Troy) | Nunzio's (Saratoga) | Pasquale's (Albany) | Marino's (Schenectady)

The 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, continues today with the much-anticipated semifinals. Here are the match-ups in this final four of broccoli ricotta white pizzas:

I Love NY vs. Nunzio's

Pasquale's vs. Marino's

Here's a quick recap of how the tournament got to this point. Pasquale's and Nunzio's posted tournament-high scores in Round 2 (80 and 74, respectively). Can they make it through this round to meet in the finals?

There's only one way to find out!

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The Tournament of Pizza so far

Here's a bigger version.

The Tournament of Pizza so far

Results in the semi-finals of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, come out of the oven Tuesday. The semi-finals will be a contest of broccoli-ricotta white pizzas.

What? You haven't been following the Tournament of Pizza? Here's a quick recap to get you up to speed...

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TOP 2009: Round 2: Albany

The champ vs. the upstart

Albany is the last stop in Round 2 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union. And today's match-up in the Sausage Round has the makings of a real barn burner:

Pasquale's vs. Marisa's

First, how we got here. Pasquale's bested The Fountain, its New Scotland Ave neighbor, 63-47. Marisa's topped Little Anthony's 62-43.

So, the stage is set for quite the showdown. Pasquale's is the tournament's returning champ. Marisa's is a favorite of local food bloggers. Both pizza places had almost identical scores in the first round.

Bring it on!

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TOP 2009: Round 2: Troy

Lined up for a big win? Maybe not.

Today we make the turn on Round 2 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union. The Troy bracket is up in the Sausage Round. Here's the match-up:

I Love NY vs. Jimmy's

First, the path leading here. I Love NY was able to top 'Vliet favorite The Purple Pub 63-54. Jimmy's squeaked into the second round on the first tie-breaker in a 39-39 grudge match with Latham's Vintage.

So, you gotta think I Love is the big favorite here. Will things hold to form?

That's why we eat the pizza.

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TOP 2009: Round 2: Schenectady

Downtown vs. uptown.

Round 2 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, rolls on to Schenectady today. Here's the match-up of sausage pizzas

Nico's vs. Marino's

First, how we got here. Nico's beat out Latham entry Ario's 59-45 with a pie that was consistently just a little bit better. Marino's pulled a shocking 62-59 upset over Pizza King, last year's tournament runner-up

So, who wants the crown?

Bring on the pizza!

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TOP 2009: Round 2: Saratoga

City vs. The Suburbs

The 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, moves on to Round 2 (AKA, the Sausage Round) this week. And Saratoga is the first bracket. Here's the match-up:

Nunzio's vs. Venezia

First, a quick recap of how we got here. Nunzio's topped its fellow west sider West Ave 67-52 on the strength of its crust. Venezia, out of Clifton Park, upset D'Andrea's, last year's bracket winner, in a stunning 51-18 victory.

Can Venezia keep up the momentum? Will Nunzio's post another strong showing?

Let's eat some pizza.

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TOP 2009: Round 1: Albany

Will Pasquale's be best of the bracket again?

The final stop in Round 1 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, is Albany. The last set of matchups in the cheese round:

The Fountain vs. Pasquale's

Marisa's vs. Little Anthony's

Can the neighborhood favorite take down last year's tournament champ (and New Scotland Ave neighbor)? Will Marisa's represent for the suburbs? Will Little Anthony's play big?

There's only one way to find out. Let's eat!

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TOP 2009: Round 1: Troy

The bracket.

Troy is the next stop in Round 1 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union. The matchups for this round of cheesy showdown:

Purple Pub vs. I Love NY

Jimmy's vs. Vintage

Can the Watervliet tradition topple last year's bracket winner? Will the 'Burgh represent against Latham?

Let's eat! The judges gathered in downtown Troy to taste...

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TOP 2009: Round 1: Schenectady

Will the King reign again?

Round 1 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, moves on to Schenectady (earlier results from Saratoga). The matchups for this round of cheese pizzas:

Nico's vs. Ario's

Marino's Flying Pizza vs. Pizza King

Can Nico's hold off its competitor from Route 7? Will the Pizza King -- #2 in the entire tournament last year -- reign again?

There was only one way to find out. The judges assembled at Proctors for the tasting...

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TOP 2009: Round 1: Saratoga

The Spa City match-ups.

Round 1 of the 2009 Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, opens in Saratoga. The matchups in the cheese round:

D'Andrea vs. Venezia

Nunzio's vs. West Ave

Can defending bracket champ D'Andrea's hold off a challenge from the suburbs? Who will prevail in a showdown of westside shops?

The judges gathered at Mare in downtown Saratoga for the tasting...

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TOP 2009: Judges and scoring

Judges at work.

Two ingredients are needed for the Tournament of Pizza: pizzas and judges.

Here's the lineup of pizza places in this year's Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union.

The panel of judges, which has been expanded this year, is after the jump.

Also: a little bit about the tournament's new scoring system.

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The 2009 Tournament of Pizza

Don't we all?

Sixteen pizza places. Thirty pizzas. Hundreds of slices. One winner.

Fire up the oven. The Tournament of Pizza, sponsored by Sunmark Federal Credit Union, is back.

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