Tried to play a battle of attrition on favorable terms for the French. Jim was well aware of that and countered it with aggressive tactics. 
Huh. I almost pulled it off. I even managed to turn the block loss figure. But the Fire & Hold came. 
Next time, Jim. Next time. And thank you for the games.

I lost 22 and Jim 35 blocks






 

SF Wagram (McDonald's Square) - Game 2
Jim (Austrian) 3
Andras (French) 7

The Austrians began the game with a strong right flank attack, at least in terms of cards. The French were able to brush them back with little trouble and Andras took an early lead. Eventually the Austrian left also pushed forward, and while weakened were able to cause just enough damage with a final Fire and Hold card to secure the match. Andras played very well knowing he needed a very lopsided outcome to advance and almost pulled it off.

SF Wagram (McDonald's Square) - Game 2
Viridovilas (Austrian) 4 - lost blocks 30
Stephent (French) 7 - lost blocks 24


As in the first confrontation French attacked again on their left flank. Austrians however took a more passive posture, desperately trying to delay the opponent troop advance and to gain precious time. The Napoleon’s army continued to make pressure on Charles forces. The Habsburg general therefore resolved to launch a not perfectly prepared cavalry charge on his centre in order to draw the attention of French elsewhere from their left. Such move only partially worked, since a short supplied Austrian heavy cavalry was forced to pull back. This left the Schwarzenberg light cavalry alone: it was promptly encircled and destroyed by the Napoleon’s line infantry, while a battalion of cuirassiers were wiped out by Lasalle cavalry. Everything seemed lost for the Austrians but for a last brave charge of their grenadiers in the outskirts of Süssenbrun.  The fight inflicted enough losses to French not to let Austrian win the battle, but at least to grant me the access to the Finals (a tough match decided only by a 5-block differential. C&C at its best!). 

 

 

Indeed, Jim's tactical play with a suitable hand was further supported by Fortuna that day.
While I felt playing moderately well with my cards, I simply was unable to finish weakened French units, in spite of my concentrated attacks. 
The disparity is reflected also in me losing 29 blocks while Jim 18.



 

SF Wagram (McDonald's Square) - Game 1
Jim (French) 7
Andras (Austrian) 1

The French were very lucky, good cards, good dice and the Austrians were not able to finish off the damaged French line units. Not sure if Andras had the cards to attack on the Austrian left but with consistent pressure on the other flank it probably didn't matter too much. I kept waiting for a cavalry charge that never came.

SF Wagram (McDonald's Square) - Game 1
Viridovilas (French) 7 - lost blocks 20
Stephent (Austrian) 4 - lost blocks 31

The French opened on their left advancing with their cumbersome but huge McDonald's Square. The Austrian quickly countered with some ranged fire and moving forward their Grenadiers. It followed a bloody clash, but the battle was mainly decided by the different outcomes of a pair of cavalry charges ordered by both generals. The final score of our SF is still far to be determined though….