Copa Podio's team versus team series pits representatives from different regions against each other, and with four wins, one loss, and a draw against the Brazilian "Cabras da Peste" team earlier this year, the Vikings secured the right to return to face a new challenge in the form of the Kangaroos, a collection of Australia's top jiu-jitsu talent. 

Six athletes make up each team and points are awarded to each team based on the conclusion of their matches: five points for a match won by submission, three for a match won by points, two for a contest won by advantages, and one for a draw. 

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Espen Mathiesen vs Ben Hodgkinson

Mathiesen is a lightweight competitor and Hodgkinson usually competes at medium heavyweight (88kg). Meeting in the middle at 80kg meant we got an interesting clash of body types. Hodgkinson's lanky frame and explosive movement tested Mathiesen's guard to its limits, but the Norwegian brown belt kept busy from bottom. The Viking mixed up his aggressive berimbolos and back takes with sweep and submission attempts, ultimately winning the opening match in the Vikings vs. Kangaroos series with a late sweep. 

Result: Mathiesen def. Hodgkinson, 2-0 

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Tommy Langaker vs Vicente Cavalcante

If you blinked you'd be forgiven for missing the match! In an intriguing clash of brown belt vs. black belt, Norwegian Tommy Langaker met Vicente Cavalcante, a Brazilian living in Australia. Langaker came out aggressive as always and blasted through Cavalcante's defenses, taking his back and choking him out in less than a minute. 

Result: Langaker def. Cavalcanti via collar choke from the back 

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Emilia Tuukkanen vs Livia Gluchowska

Much like the opening match of the series, this was an incredibly even bout between two tough competitors that came down to one decisive move--although there was plenty of action until the Kangaroo scored the winning sweep. Gluchowska used an aggressive and flexible guard hunting for sweeps, capitalizing on a guard pass attempt to reverse Tuukkanen. The Finnish competitor showed a dangerous guard of her own, attacking for an armbar and kneebar from bottom. But Gluchowska stayed the course and saw out the match for the points win. 

Result: Tuukkanen def. Gluchowska, 2-0 

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Vikings vs The Kangaroos

With a submission win for the Vikings and one win each via points, the overall standing in the Vikings vs. Kangaroos series is: 

Vikings: 8 points 
Kangaroos: 3 points 

The two teams will meet again on the next Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix, scheduled for early 2017. Stay tuned to FloGrappling for more news.