World Cup LXV (65) RP Thread

[Branta Island]

Edoardo Gaspari's Online Journal
May 14th, 2029

Hello, everyone. Still in the hospital, hoping to get out within the next week. Doctors need to run a few more tests to see if my heart is regaining its strength. But apart from that, I did manage to sneak a view at the opening match of our boys against Kinzar.

The Stadio looked joyous, with the bright orange and brown covering the crowd. From the kickoff, the Brantolano were peppering the Kinzar net with shots. In the first half alone, Orsino and Aureliano combined for 19 shots. Both the crowd and myself in the hospital room were audibly voicing our displeasure with every miss, and I firmly believed their luck would turn around in the second half.

Sadly, it was more of the same. Orsino twice hit the post on absolute blasters from the edge of the box, while long accurate passes from the midfielders ended fruitless as Aureliano's long shots were directed everywhere but the net. Maybe my not being at the camp is putting off some players, as I noticed a lot of sloppy play, but at the same time they should be respecting the assistant in charge there.

The boys will be traveling for the first time to Kikwipeyi next week. Hopefully, they'll be training on the finishing aspect of their game. We have the talent to get into the attacking third of the field, but for the love of Margaret, Orsino and Aureliano need to find their touch in front of goal if we are to get anywhere this qualifying session.

[The Kytler Peninsulae]

"I think that with this performance, we proved ourselves to be a competent team, if nothing else. Someone will lose more than 4-2 to Jeru FC." That was the realistic perspective of manager Tim van Dien after the Kytlerians' 4-2 defeat in their return to international soccer against the army side.

The Jeru FC side are even younger than the Kytlerians, with every member of the squad 18, but the spider-sense of Rich racnoss (lack of capitalisation deliberate, it is believed) proved devastating, as he scored a hat-trick. The other goal came from Steve Silence, whose invisibility allowed him to roam out of defence and pick up the ball completely unmarked inside the six-yard box for a tap-in.

"I don't understand how anyone plays against Steve," said van Dien. "You can't! It's impossible! How can you account for someone you can't see?"

Guy Stamp had kept the Kytlerians in it for most of the match - after Jeru took a 2-0 lead inside twelve minutes to leave the visitors fearing humiliation, the Euran-based striker headed in an Arthur Moon cross at the far post. He later won and converted a penalty after Headless Munk viciously fouled him inside the box; controversially, only a yellow card was awarded. "If he was sent off, that would have changed the game completely, at 3-2 against 10 men we'd have had a real chance of an upset," mused van Dien. "But I think things will be a lot easier from here, and on this evidence we can establish ourselves as at least a mid-ranking team."

[Filopines]

Smart, Dumb and Funny Season Two Episode Two (EP21 overall)

WC 64 Qualifying
Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6Part 7Part 8Part 9Part 10Part 11Part 12Part 13Part 14Part 15Part 16
Cup of Harmony 56
Part 17Part 18Part 19
WC 65 Qualifying
E1

---

(continued from previous episode)
(Julie still walking in the rain)
(Luis chases her)
Luis: Jules!
(Julie looks back for one second then starts to run)
Luis: Julie! Come on Julie!
(Julie disappears)
(Luis sighs then jogs back to bench and sits down)
Aaron: No luck, huh?
Luis: Nup. Why did you have to open you mouth?! I wish you had no mouth.
Aaron: How is it my fault? It's Kate and Rachel's fault for hating her.
(starts to rain harder)
Luis: Come on, let's go inside.
(Aaron and Luis stand up and go inside)

Luis: Julie left.
Mark: Why?
Luis: Because this... dong opened his bloody mouth.
Aaron: Once again, it's Kate and Rachel's fault.
Luis: How could they even hate her?
Aaron: I know, she's great.
Mark: Agreed.
Aaron: How 'bout we make a new group?
Mark: You mean, without Kate and Rachel?
Luis: Yeah, so what?
Mark: Kate's my girlfriend.
Aaron and Luis: (mimicking Mark) Kate's my girlfriend...
Aaron: Stuff your girlfriend!
Luis: Yeah, stuff her! Come on, let's go to my apartment and have some non-Kate-Rachel fun!
Aaron: Yeah!
Mark: I think it's time to leave anyway. See ya, Mum!
Mrs. Viney: See you later, son.

(at Luis and Julie's apartment)
(Aaron, Luis and Mark watch TV)
Aaron: Can we include Rebecca in our group?
Mark: Who was Rebecca again?
Aaron: The one that hands out brochures at ShopWorld. And also my girlfriend.
Luis: Yeah, whatever.
(door opens)
(Julie enters)
Luis: Hey, Julie! Where did you run off to?
Julie: I went to Rebecca's apartment for a while.
Aaron: Now we should absolutely certainly put her in our new group!
Julie: What new group?
Luis: We're starting a new group of friends! Us four and Rebecca and maybe one more person.
Aaron: What about Stephen?
Mark: Stephen who?
Aaron: Stephen Cayley. Our captain!
Luis: All in favour, say I!
Luis and Aaron: I!
Luis: All... whatever the line is, say... what was it again?
Mark and Julie: What was it again!
Aaron: Why are you guys against it?
Mark: Because Kate's my girlfriend. How many times do I have to say it?
Julie: I'm against it because I still like Kate and Rachel.
Aaron: Come on. Rebecca versus Kate and Rach? You know who will win.
Mark: But...
Luis: Fine, you're out of the group. We'll bring in either Ben Arden or Jack Harodzic.
Mark: Wait! I'm sorry. Maybe I'll have to break up with her.
(knock on door)
Luis: Come in!
(door opens)
(Kate and Rachel enter)
Kate: What's all this noise?!
Rachel: It's hurting my ears.
Luis, Julie, Mark and Aaron: We're cutting you off.
Kate and Rachel: What?!

[Licentiapacisterra]

So, here I am. On the road again. The Back Road to Wight, the same road that Nathan travelled up all of eight years ago. He's told me about Old Shakersson, the Audioslavian removal man, and his companion, Kevin. My dad never seemed to like them too much, but I do; they seem like a good laugh to be around, and they've got a couple of radios so I can listen to the Cyan-and-Gold, and Shakersson can listen to Audioslavia. That's what we're doing right now, as I write this; I've got the game on in the background, and my journal in front of me.

YEEEEEEESSSS !! COOOME ON YOU CYYYYAAAN !!

MOOORAAAN !! WOAH-OAH !! MOOORAAAN !! WOAH-OAH !!

Oops. Sorry. Got a little bit over-excited there. I think I may have pissed off Shakersson just a little. Guess he thought I was talking about the other Cyan...

Anyway, in case you hadn't guessed, Logan Moran just scored his second against Tasrailia. Three two to the Licentian Islands now. Donaldson, who I've never met in my life (but probably will when I get back), got the other one for us, quite a good goal apparently. Tasrailia got their two goals from Michael Mole and Robin Federer; I'm surprised we let in that many, especially against rookies like these lot. I really need to give Cam Ritchie a slap when I get back. They must miss me really bad.

I'm not being cocky. I'm being serious.

I couldn't find Bua in the court. It was strange. Hassan was there, and Passago, and all the others that are usually there. But no Bua. I was kind of glad of it, to be honest. He would have tried to stop me going; Hassan didn't. In fact, he seemed almost happy to see me go. I don't really know though, I've never been quite clear on telling his emotions apart. He's a bit of a one-face-fits-all guy, if you know what I'm saying.

Sorry. Lost myself a bit there.

Anyway, after all that, I made my way over to Shakersson's yard, and found him and Kevin in their truck, getting ready to go somewhere. I have to admit, I was a bit arsey with them; I did force them into taking me. Although, to give them their due, they were very good about it. They took me along, no problems, and they haven't mentioned it since. I might get an earful in a minute, when he remembers my shouting about the Cyan(-and-Gold), but I should be alright.

There's the final whistle. The Licentian Islands three, Tasrailia two. Where are we next ?? On the road in a place called Vakolic, apparently. The only team in the group yet to release a roster, which'll be fun to listen. The commentators always stumble over things like that, and it is always a laugh to watch those idiots struggle. I don't like commentators. I mean, you probably guessed that, but I just thought I'd clarify, just to be sure you understood. I'm rambling again, aren't I ?? Pity's sake Alex, shut up !!

And now I'm talking to myself. Well, writing to myself. But, at the end of the day, that's what a journal is...

You know what ?? Fuck it. I'm annoying myself. See you later, probably tomorrow, when I've averted the disaster of my head exploding from all this nonsense.

[Socialist States Owen]

Eurans open qualifying with unconvincing victory against minnows
Defence remains shaky ahead of key game against Jeru
Clint Covey reports from Bastion Arena, capacity 110,000, Eura

EURA - 4
Feeney 9
Sharp 54
Dawson 59
Cotterill 80

VAKOLIC - 2
Unknown 30
Smith 66 (OG)

Kelly Sporadic was forced to deflect some awkward questions after Eura stumbled their way to an unconvincing victory against little known Vakolic.

Though the stadium was packed out it was an unusually quiet evening in Bastion as Eura took to the grass to begin their second qualifying campaign under Kelly Sporadic. Early in the game it looked as if Vakolic, a little known team with no hope of qualification in a tough group, were in for a hammering. In only the second minute Sam Needle broke clear of their defence and chipped the goalkeeper, only to strike the post. Tom Riley then fed Mickey Smith with a glorious through ball, but the left back blasted over. It seemed inevitable that the Group 13 second seeds would lead before long. When the clock hit 9 minutes, they met that expectation. Revolutionaries right back Nick Feeney, one of the few truly experienced members of this back line, sped down the right with the ball after collecting a hoof out of the box by Daniel Belgrave before smashing the ball into the top left hand corner from outside the box. Eura continued to throw themselves forward in search of more goals and Lee Sharp will still not believe he didn't double the lead in the 15th minute when he made a rare howler of a good chance. Needle drifted left with the ball when surrounded by defenders in the box, beating two of them before slamming it back across goal. Sharp managed to get his foot on it, but the ball popped off his foot and onto the post.

With all of this dominance in possession and chances, one might expect Eura to keep their foot on the pedal. However halfway through the half they began to let the tempo drop off like they had against Sameba, allowing Vakolic some time on the ball. They turned this into a goal with their first shot of the game, much to the frustration of the fans. It was a hell of a goal too; Michael Robertson was completely caught out by a long ball from one of the Vakolic centre backs which dropped to their centre forward, who flicked the ball past Lyle Heath to the advanced forward who sidefooted past Belgrave. There were no wild celebrations for this surprise equaliser, but the Vakolic players were most likely quietly delighted. After this goal and until half time little notable goal mouth activity occurred as the Euran's passed about edgily and Vakolic sat back. Eura livened up a bit as the second half commenced and took the lead again in the 54th minute in typically flamboyant style. James McCroft floated in a perfect cross for Sam Needle to head down at the far post. The Vakolic keeper saved well and the ball was cleared, yet Tom Riley showed a great first touch and superb composure to trap the ball with his chest and reel it off to Lee Sharp with a superb volleyed pass. Even at 38 Sharp is one of the world's best finishers, and he showed his skill by slamming the ball into the top corner of the net with his first touch from 20 yards.

Tom Riley has proved to be a sensation since the last qualifying campaign and his subsequent move to Northbrook, and he was by far the best player on the pitch this evening. He set up Clive Dawson for Eura's third goal, which also happened to be Dawson's 3rd in 2 games. Riley made a powerful 59th minute run toward the box after getting clear of his marker, finding himself faced off by two defenders standing their ground. He feigned a dribble to the right before backheeling the ball to Dawson, who curled the ball home from 25 yards. Yet instantly Eura once again proved what has been their downfall on numerous occasions; losing concentration in defence. Once again the Vakolic centre forward was given too much space to operate in Eura's half and although a 66th minute run on goal ended with him slowing down and moving left towards his teammate on the wing, the danger was not gone. He attempted to hook the ball across to his captain on his left foot next, and although it was a poor cross the Euran left back Mickey Smith made a hash of clearing it and sliced the ball past Daniel Belgrave. The game would be won shortly anyway - Jim Cotterill came on to head in from a James McCroft free kick. However, it was an unconvincing performance ahead of a key fixture against much more difficult opposition in the form of Jeru.

ANALYSIS

Player Ratings

EURA

1. D Belgrave – 6/10
2. N Feeney – 8/10
4. M Robertson – 6/10
5. L Heath – 5/10 (Dassuna - 70)
3. M Smith – 3/10
7. J McCroft - 7/10
6. T Riley – 9/10
8. C Dawson – 8/10 (Day - 69)
11. J Stevenson – 6/10 (Cotterill - 74)
10. L Sharp – 8/10
9. S Needle – 7/10

Substitutes

29. A Quinn
19. R Collins
15. B Dassuna - 7/10
18. J Cotterill - 6/10
20. G Anderson
17. S Thomas
30. G Day - 7/10

MoM: Tom Riley (Eura)
Attendance: 107,953

Possession
EUR - 73 % 27 - VAK
Shots
EUR - 16 7 - VAK
On Target
EUR - 7 4 - VAK
Corners
EUR - 7 3 - VAK
Pass Completion
EUR - 73 % 44 - VAK
Fouls
EUR - 9 13 - VAK

[Taeshan]

"So that was a really good way for the Knights to start the season off. A win at home, three points. And a nice propulsion into the Sargossa game next week."

"Yeah, that was a really good game to get into the flow and help us forward into the next game."

"Nice goal early by Brian Ibrahim as well. Brilliant cross from Juniper."

"Yeah the captain leading the team as always."

"And then that second half play by Ender Wiggin to win the penalty was so nice."

"Yep, to bad Gwyn missed the kick."

"yeah, but Ender hit the follow up ball top corner and it really didnt matter."

"Off the gridwork though, makes you wonder about the captains nerves."

"He's fine, just worried about retirement and what may come after."

"Yeah clocks ticking, maybe he will be the one to lead us."

"If not, Ender is waiting. Ender will be the one if not him."

"The race is on."

"Go Knights."

[Mangolana]

Mangolana Gazzette

Mangolana drops friendly, wins qualifying opener

Following the Mangolana National team's performance over Charruterra, which was both teams opening qualifying match, fans would never be able to tell that Mangolana suffered two major set-backs prior to the opening of qualifying. Mangolana suffered a crushing defeat to rival and Rushmori compatriot Darmen in a 5-1 slaughtering. Mangolana was then, following a training session in Darmen, scheduled to fly to the Equestrian States. But do to unknown reasons, the friendly was postponed to a later date. With a last minute decision by manager Arch McTash, the team flew back to Mangolana for a two day training session before flying to Charruterra for the teams opening World Cup qualifier. The complete turn-around in the teams play can be attributed to two things Manager Arch McTash said in his post-game press conference. "The strength of the teams is a big difference in how we played. Darmen is the 15th Ranked team in the World, while Charruterra is the 116th ranked team in the world, but don't get me wrong, they are a strong team, but Darmen is in a different league than the both of us." The other reason Manager McTash said is that the team took time to play together as a team. "You just cant expect a team to be thrown together and play like a world class team. It takes time for them to gell and for the team together as one, and I think we are starting to see that with the way they played today."

As for the game recap, Mangolana was completely dominated by the Darmen National team in their Friendly match to warm-up for qualifying. The match started off with a great play from Darmen midfielder Tor Tong Lee. Lee amazed on the play, dribbling through Mangolana midfielder legs before playing a perfect pass to on rushing striker Roberto Gregio who blasted the ball past Marte in the 8th minute to give Darmen a 1-0 lead. The second goal would come minutes later when in the 11th minute, Danny Beasley played a cross into the box that was headed by Lee into Marte. Marte made a fantastic save on the ball but failed to control the rebound which was crushed into the net by Nicky Salapu. Darmen would score again just before the half. The goal came in the 43rd minute off back to back corner. The first corner was cleared behind the net by Mangolana defender John Salmon. The Second Corner was placed perfectly by Gene Turko to the back post where it was headed in by Bryan Faulkner for the goal. Mangolana would come out on the offensive after halftime with some strong attacks on the Darmen defense, but would get caught on the counter attack by Darmen. Tor Tong Lee led the counter attack and played a perfect touch and go with Luca Cormio then played a perfect pass to Bryan Faulkner who just tapped it into the wide open net for his second goal of the game. Mangolana would get one back though in the 72nd minute as Mangolana striker Gregory Nena scored on a great strike from just outside the box thanks to a great back pass from Allen Fuller. Darmen would get one more goal to end the match as a low lying cross from Luca Cormio struck off of Mangolana defender Caleb Debana's leg and into the net.

Mangolana would then after one week of training fly to Charruterra to play their opening Qualifying match. The match would however be delayed for 1 hour as the home team never showed up. When in fact they did, as a bunch of standard smucks were stuck outside the stadium as stadium officials did not allow them in without presenting their tickets. Finally after being allowed in the stadium, the team was forced to play in their street clothes. The manager of the team protested the decision and was promptly warned by the ref because of his arguing. The match began, and thanks to the street clothes of the opposition, Mangolana was easily able to control possesion of the ball and raced past the opposition, the only saving grace for Charruterra was the fact that their goalkeeper had decided to play in the nude to make his job "more freeing" as he called it. Due to this shock at the begining of the game, Mangolana lost control of the ball multiple times, once leading to a counter attack and goal from the opposition in the 29th minute. Mangolana would answer back however in the 33rd minute when a corner from Allen Fuller was headed home by his brother JD Fuller to put Mangolana level. Mangolana would once strike again just before the half when in the 45+2 an outstanding strike from outside the box by Brett Mallon deflected off the hand of the goalkeeper and off the post and into the net to give Mangolana a 2-1 lead. The scoreline would remain the same until the 87th minute. The Mangolana goal would be scored by Second Half sub Akeem Howard thanks to great passing in the box by Mangolana which drew the goalkeeper to his knees and allowed Howard to tap the ball in at the far post. The game would end less than 5 minutes later with Mangolana earning a 3-1 win on the road.

[Wight]

.

[Valanora]

Twilight Falling, Dawn Rising?

The darkest skies come just before the dawn,
But what do we make of the parts of the were were there is no dawn
Months they go without the breath of light
The kiss of warmth that the glow of sol gives them
Where is there darkest night and dawn,
What is theirs to look forward to in that dark abyss?

The seasons come and go with the same ebb and flow of the tides,
Much as days and years cycle on by the by.
What we thought we know is tested time and time again,
As each new revelation makes us change our way of thinking,
Our traditions and powers seem to wane in time,
But do they sour or become better like the wine on which we dine?

I have seen the skies a golden blue,
Glistening so elegantly when all within our lands took a moment to behold it.
Not a solitary event this tiding has come to be,
As we have seen such suns and skylines at least five and three times afore,
Yet that golden sun with sky such a shining blue
Has been clouded over with shades of grey as of late
To the point where some see ill omens of an unworthy fate.

Twilight and dawn with their rise and fall
They symbolize life, fortunes, empires, and all
What was once great falls apart to let something else be made anew
Even the great swords of old are melted down to be reforged.
So as we as people of this world must do
Fall and burn like the phoenix of legend
Then be rebirth into a greatness that a new folklore be told
To the children of tomorrow in a land that never gets old.

[United Gordonopia]

The Beautiful Game: A History of Football in Gordonopia
By Dr. Frank Donaugh, Imperial University

Chapter I - Faraway Beginnings

The year was 1898. To most Gordonopians, the small young colony of New Gordonopia was located in a faraway corner of the world, though today Atlantian Oceania has become a familiar destination.

In the colony's provisional capitol, Woodward, an empty lot was about to make history. Several visitors from a neighboring country, hoping to do business with the isolated but rapidly growing Gordonopian outpost, were teaching the 'locals' a game that was exploding in popularity throughout the region. Using a roughly sewn together leather ball and a few posts at either end of the open field, the AO natives were introducing the first Gordonopians to the sport of football.

Accounts from the day say that after some basic instruction, the colonial's decided to pit themselves against their instructors, only to be walloped by a double digit margin. It was an unlucky beginning to the history of the sport in Gordonopia, but it did not stop the residents in Woodward from taking up the sport. While running had been the traditional sport back home, the dense jungles that filled most of the colony made carving out trails difficult, and it turned out to be easier to set up a football pitch than a good track.

Several months after the first game, on June 14th, 1898, the Woodward Townsmens Footballing Club was formed. The club, rather than being a traditional team, started as more of an organizing body for playing the sport in the town of roughly 12,000. Several individual teams formed under the clubs umbrella, setting up regular matches at an improvised stadium in Woodward's only park. Over a century later, Woodward Towsnmen still thrives as one of the top clubs in the New Gordonopia Football League, which was recently integrated into the second level of the Gordonopian football pyramid.

From the colonial capitol, the sport spread quickly to the colony's other two main population centers, Kjin and Danmeir, as well as to the various small villages that had sprung up throughout the territory. Within a year, the first inter-club match was played when the Townsmen took on the Danmeir Association for Football, today Danmeir AF. On January 6, 1900, the New Gordonopia League for Football, an amateur organization which eventually morphed into the league today, was chartere.

In only a few short years, football had spread throughout the rapidly-growing, but still relatively small New Gordonopia. While the colonists kept many links with their homeland, football was one custom which they had absorbed from the cultures around them. It was only a matter of time before the game made the leap back home.

[Kinitaria]

(OOC: This is my RP arc for this WC, an exercise in history and nation-building. With apologies to Gavin Mortimer.
Disclaimer: I will be occasionally making references to other nations and their history in this series. If I misrepresent your nation in some way or you're not happy with something I've written about it, don't hesitate to contact me and I'll fix it straight away.)

A History of Kinitar Football in Eighteen Objects
One: The ball

We begin, as football should, with the ball. This is, of course, all you need for a game of football, with many a schoolchild (or, occasionally, overgrown schoolchild) having played many a game with nothing more than a simple hunk of leather. Whatever the Laws of the Game might say, amenities such as goalposts and pitch markings are nothing more than luxuries, able to be replaced by a convenient wall, tree, pile of jackets, or in some cases, don’t even exist in the first place.

As such, it makes sense to assume that football reached Kinitaria’s shores when a foreign ship arrived on those same shores, the crew having brought a ball with them for entertainment for when they reached a port and decided they wanted a kickabout, possibly attracting a crowd of interested locals who decide to join in or adopt the game as their own. That is the beauty of how the game of football spreads around the multiverse, and that is how many a fledgling nation got its first sight of the beautiful game. To call Kinitaria a fledgling nation would be a bit of a stretch, given that the fiercely patriotic country lays claim to over 3,500 years of unbroken independence, but that makes no difference when that ship docks, fuelling a nation’s new passion.

It is widely hypothesised that the dawn of humankind in Atlantian Oceania was in the Cove of Vilita, and so it is fitting that the game of football’s origins in this famous sporting region lie on the Vilitan shores, from where it was exported to the rest of the region. While the Vilitans were certainly not the first people to kick a ball around for fun, it is certainly in Vilita that the game of football was first ascribed an accepted set of rules, bridging the gap between the different codes of the game that existed at the time.

The area in question, around the Vilitan Cove was a profitable regional trade hub, as it is now, and so it is no surprise that this new sport, with its new rules, were exported around and outside of the continent. The game quickly gained popularity in such surrounding nations as Starblaydia, Turori and Krytenia, with leagues and competitions quickly being established at this point. Trade, of course, was not solely within the continent, and the game did spread to other regions as well, Rushmore being one of the more notable examples.

But what of Kinitaria at this time? Kinitaria has, for a long time, been an extremely isolated – and isolationist – nation. The reasons for this are legion, but principal amongst them are two primary factors. Kinitaria’s location in Atlantian Oceania, well away from the regional financial centres, isolated from the vast sums of money that were changing hands across the Cove of Vilita, was not one that was especially conductive to persuading early-modern Kinitar leaders to open up their nation to foreign trade and influence. The second is that Kinitaria is an island nation. Although it only takes up the southern half of the island of Virçais, a mountain range across the centre of the island cuts off the Kinitar nation from the region the government only refers to as “the north”, and still claims to this day, although these claims remain unrecognised by regional authorities. Existing as an island causes Kinitars to historically operate under an isolationist mindset, one which comes close to a siege mentality at times, as well as giving Kinitaria a boost when the need comes to defend her shores.

A combination of geographical and insular isolation had led generations of Kinitar monarchs to reject any possibility of opening up their nation to the rest of the world, but just as the game of football was evolving far to the north of them, the winds of change were making themselves felt in Mi’ato. Temur V, the last king of Kinitaria, had been accused of everything from incompetence to treason by a growing number of republicans, and his harsh and brutal attempts to restrain dissent merely meant that the country exploded into all-out revolution. It was the beginning of the end for the Kinitar monarchy, which was formally dissolved with the proclamation of a republic towards the end of 3309. The government of the new republic, for the first time in recorded history, began to uneasily extend the hand of friendship to the rest of the region. Limited foreign trade was permitted in Kinitaria for the first time, enthralling the locals with never-before-seen goods… and, in some instances, sports.

Written references to football are found scattered throughout the pages of Kinitar history. The earliest-known, verified mention of the game can be found in an anonymous diary manuscript believed to date from roughly 3320. It translates as follows:

A ship carrying goods from Valanora docked in the city of Serenberg early this morning [...] no inhabitant of the city could communicate with the crew, save two men in the employ of the City Commissioner, through whom the Commissioner spoke to the foreign crew [...] they were later seen exhibiting an unusual sport which they identified as “football”, consisting of uneven and varying teams of up to twenty men, with the goal of sending a ball between one of two pairs of barrels with the use of only the foot…

As can be seen, the Valanoran sailors played a rather unorganised variety of football, but the essence of the game was there, and it had certainly captivated those who saw it being played on Kinitar soil for the first time that day. Further abundant references to football can be seen in later primary accounts, with various different nations, including Starblaydia and Sorthern Northland, being identified as the source of this baffling new game with its strange rules. An account from 3337 describes locals of the city of Mi’ato joining in a game with Audioslavian traders, and another from the same year tells how citizens of Damaciu formed an impromptu team to play against a crew from Andossa se Mitrin Vega. From this point, accounts from all over the country are commonplace, and references to football can be made with the writer assuming the audience knows about this strange foreign game.

The seeds of football, by now, were firmly planted in the Kinitar national imagination. It is common to see accounts from the time of games being played on Kinitar soil, without any prompting from foreign sailors, and it seems that the groups of men kicking a ball around on fields up and down the country were certainly attracting an interested audience wherever they went. Football clubs, of course, didn’t exist at the time, but various sports groups and societies certainly did, and it is Serenberg Athletic Club who make the claim to be the first football club of any sort in Kinitaria, the association having taken the decision to add a football division in 3340. There were very few standalone football clubs being formed, but dozens sprang from existing sports and athletic clubs, football soon rising to become a choice game of Kinitar sportsmen. (Incidentally, it wasn’t long before Serenberg’s football division grew far beyond its beginnings and peacefully separated from the athletics club. It now operates alone as FC Serenberg, one of Kinitaria’s leading sides.)

Another source of the earliest football clubs were, of course, universities. While university sports have never really caught on as a national spectacle in Kinitaria, they do exist, and collegiate sporting competitions have attracted the fittest, most athletic young men and women from around the country for centuries. As such, it is no surprise that when the game of football really started to gain in popularity around the country, it was soon taken up by the nation’s educational institutions to add to their catalogue of sporting teams. University football plays a significant role in the development of football in Kinitaria, because the very first football competitions in Kinitaria were contested between university teams. The universities already had the infrastructure in place to host sporting competitions, of course, and so expanding these out to accommodate the newly emerging football clubs posed little trouble. Indeed, the first club football tournaments to be organised in Kinitaria took their inspiration from the university competitions which had already existed, and had been fairly successful, for a number of years prior.

As mentioned, competitive football in Kinitaria started in universities. The now-established football clubs were very competitive with each other, but the only way any of them got to play any matches in the early days of Kinitar football was by means of organising friendlies against other, mostly nearby, club teams. By all account, these matches drew a fair amount of local interest – a newspaper report from 3349 tells of a match between Serenberg Athletic Club and Damaciu Sports Club tells that, “the facilities at the Serenberg Club were significantly overwhelmed by the sheer number of spectators trying to gain entrance, their sum total being estimated at some seven to eight thousand”. Not bad, for a sport that hadn’t even had its first league yet, and these numbers would just keep on growing. A friendly between Junulara, a sporting association in the city of Fojvalva, and Fojvalva City University’s side in 3352 reportedly attracted a crowd of 20,000, and police had to be on hand to control the spectators when things threatened to spiral out of control following disorder amongst the massed ranks. “A large number of the Junulara delegation started a brawl behind the goal on the North side”, as the Fojvalva Report would have it. This is the first recorded incidence of football hooliganism in Kinitaria, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

A more positive development for Kinitar football took place in the middle of the year 3355, in the form of a letter written by Heidan Kuričev, the director of sports at the National University (now known as the State University) in Mi’ato. He sent out a call to several universities around the country, stating that “it would be in the interests of encouraging good competition and sportsmanship amongst our football clubs should a competition be established, and all football clubs belonging to universities in the Republic [of Kinitaria] be invited to compete”. This invitation was eventually taken up by seven other universities, as well as the National University itself, and in a meeting at the end of the year, it was agreed that a knockout football competition should be held on the National University’s sports fields the next year. This was the birth of competitive football in Kinitaria.

In early 3356, football delegations from those eight universities (located in Litora, Damaciu, Tirinthea, Serenberg, Rexitova, Paleu, and two from the capital, Mi’ato) gathered in Mi’ato’s National University for Kinitar football’s first-ever competition. The first official competitive game in Kinitaria was won by the National University’s side, who beat Paleu University 6-2 in front of some 9,500 spectators. The hosts would win their way through to the final, where they would face off against a side from the University of Tirinthea. Despite the Tirinthea delegation taking an early two-goal lead, the hosts fought back to win a tight contest 5-3. Many reports from the time hold that the tournament was held in good spirits, and attended by a great deal of interested locals who were curious to see a competitive exhibition of this new sport that was gripping the nation. The University Sporting Association Football Tournament, as it was descriptively called, still exists today, as do the losing finalists, Universita Tirinthea – although they play in the Kinitar Premier Division these days.

But it wasn’t long before discussion turned to how this exotic new idea of tournament football could be applied to the numerous club sides which were springing up all around the country. Obviously they would be able to copy the model used by the universities, but there were a lot more than eight club sides looking for regular, competitive games. Kinitar football was about to really spring into life.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

"Aos olhos do mundo, crescemos com garra
O medo dá vontade
O desafio dá força
As graças são nosso ouro

Lutar pela vida,
Por nossa terra amada
Aonde o sol nasce
E as estrelas brilham

Lutar pela vida,
Por nossa terra amada
Aonde o sol nasce
E as estrelas brilham"

65000 voices sang to the national anthem of Northern Sunrise Islands, a considered epic good-bye for the Star kit, as Vulpine Sportif declared that they would retire the uniform against the German-Spanish Empire, together with the new Vaporeons nickname. Truly, the opponents were and SHOULD be afraid of Northern Sunrise Islands. The rest of the group should be aware too.

DE PLACA
'cause i am due for a miracle / i'm waiting for a sign / i'll stare straight into the sun / and i won't close my eyes / 'til i understand or go blind

WORLD CUP 65
NSI takes unwanted goal, but wins at their last match with the star kit
The Star Kit, one of NSI's shortest used but still important to the nation's history, given how it won the first trophy that NSI had in their national team's history (Under-15 World Cup 4) and also being the one that revealed the talents of Hannah Alcouin to the world, will now be retired in favor of a new national kit that Vulpine Sportif has declared that they will produce.

Amazingly, the game started with a goal from the German-Spanish Empire. The weaker team of this match scored after a great foul that had to do with the lack of experience that Pippi Mangalonga have. A surprise, to be honest, but even with the fact that she was playing with her own sister seemed to fail in avoiding the possible creation of fear inside the Nekonian's head. Either way, the lesser oppoennts scored.

One half out and NSI was still on the losing side, which required Madam Bourbon's often needed changes. Christie Travis in, Louise Montblanc out; Namine Nagatomo in, Harley "Quinn" Smith out, while the opponent team decided to not make any changes.

Eight minutes in the second half, Larissa Souza would create the offensive play that would create the play that would tie it up for the Sunrisian team. With the ball on her feet, she would run all the way on the left side of the pitch, leading an all-offensive run, which would position the entire midfield and forwards at the front. She would then pass to Namine Nagatomo, who would push the ball to her left foot, only to lift it and control the ball with her head. Nagatomo would then push the ball forward so that Patiy would dive in to score. 1-1 as the crowd would start chanting "VAPOREONS" and "EMPIRE WORSER THAN THE UMPIRE".

The second goal would come twenty minutes later with Duda as Bridgitte Laval would nutmeg one of the defenders only to pass it to the front of the goalie. The keeper, not expecting anything, would slowly go on to catch the ball. However, Duda would take the ball and lift it over the goalie to score the second one. 2-1.

NSI still shall reveal the Vaporeon based kit, which will, appearently, include a new crest.

NORTHERN SUNRISE ISLANDS - 2
M. Rosário; A. de Souza, P. Mangalonga, N. Hanekawa, L. Souza; B. Laval (73'), B. Crawford, H. Smith (N. Nagatomo), Duda; M. Patiy (53'), L. Montblanc (C. Travis)
GERMAN-SPANISH EMPIRE -1
We don't know much about their team as they decided to not show their names for us. But they scored at the mark of 10'.

OTHER NEWS
> Vulpine Sportif to open new factory at Proweric
> Sunrise Basketball League to start tomorrow
> Kitsunia-Deesse: La Déesse X pregnant of midfielder from Marine du Kitsunia
> A seventh tier? Isn't that too much? Not for NSIFC!

[Kiryu-shi]

Reah stared at Josh.

“What do you mean, this island doesn’t serve alcohol?”

“Well… It appears there is some prohibition? Or something. I’m not really sure… When you’ve instructed us not to talk with anyone in this country, well, it’s not easy to get information. Just… yeah.”

Reah turned away from her assistant. She was being paranoid, she was well aware, but there would be plenty of time for diplomacy and tact after qualifications were finished. Considering they potentially had the opportunity to give off the impression that they didn’t know much, if any, English… It was a tactic that she had read about when she was young, from a history of the Kiryu-shi football program. Apparently it was common practice for the Kiri, when the football program was first administered to never speak a word of English in the presence of any of their opponents. Japanese is simply just not as well recognized in the Multiverse, and back then, there wasn’t such a strong separation of the church and secularists. The stigma associated with Japanese within Kiryu-shi had yet to take root.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Josh, if you could just… let me be for a little while. I’d like to go over tactics on my own for a little while, if you would.”

“Umm, okay… Yeah before I leave? The man who was… well I don’t know exactly what he was, but the man who was serving us, rather, not serving us alcohol, serving us drinks but non alchoholic drinks? Well, it seemed like he was talking about the nine - nil match from the AOCAF a few years ago… Like, just, well I think he thought we didn’t know English, so he just kept on alluding to nines and things…”

Reah closed her eyes. “And?”

“Just… thought you might want to know, I guess?”

She listened until his steps were no longer audible through the closed door before walking over to her bed and falling back onto the rather uncomfortable bed. It wasn’t a surprise that a snotty hotel employee would bring up the nine-nil match. It was over a decade ago at this point; it was back when Tziganes d'Arányi was still a rising star. And it was still before Audioslavia had started it’s dominant streak, although there were clearly signs that they would emerge as a world super-power, obviously.

No alcohol…

Reah obviously hadn’t quite done all her homework in preparation for this match.

It would, of course, be nothing short of a miracle to take a point off of the world number one playing at home. The twins that they employed to play wide on both sides of the pitch would be a problem, the Kiri didn’t have the type of players to be able to tactically handle becoming invested in a game that stretched from sideline to sideline. Their best hope would be to play into Audioslavia’s rather conservative approach, get a match that ground itself into a 90 minute session in tedium, and hope that a ball bounced away from the not-quite-so-spectacular defenders on the back line for the Bulls and hope that Enéh or Achior could handle a one-on-one situation against one of the multiverse’s top keepers.

Not that she could tell her team this. After a solid if unspectacular victory against Lzherusskia, the team needed to be pumped up. They needed to hear something rousing, something inspirational, something that would stir some passion into their legs.

And, if her assistants were to be trusted, there wasn’t a DROP of alcohol on this ridiculous excuse for an island.

It had served its purpose during the Lzherusskia match. The opponents were a big team, apparently they came from a hockey-centric background, and it showed. The match was physical, and Reah’s squad, even though they dominated control of the ball, absolutely struggled when it came down to finding the back of the net. If it weren’t for Lzherusskia’s inability to clear the ball, first, after the corner, and then when they made that miscue passing the ball back to the keeper, the game could have easily ended with a nil-nil draw. Enéh had capitalized on both of those chances, but… Reah might have gone a little mad watching the squad lazily take unreasonable shots from distance over and over again if it weren’t for her flask. Not to mention the inspiration it provided in preparing for her half-time dressing down of the squad.

It wasn’t that she needed it to take the edge off of the stress so that she could actually bring herself to communicate with the entire squad… but she couldn’t deny that it was useful.


Reah closed her eyes, closing herself off from the decidedly ugly room that she found herself in. She herself had scheduled a meeting that was to begin in half an hour. A late night thing - to make sure the team was all together the night before the match, but also to give herself plenty of time to get just the right level of inebriation for an effective, motivational speech. And now this?

She could only hope that the match tomorrow would go better than how this night was headed.

[Legalese]

Brittania Rolled
3-1 Victory strong start ahead of oncoming clash with Purple Menace

International Park was crowded tonight with Islanders, with over 49,000 believed to have been in attendance, along with
the 3,000 away seats allocated to nationals from Europa Brittania. Even though the Islanders all had seats, it would be
misleading to say that they were “seated”, for last night was not a day to sit, but a day to stand and cheer. Last night,
after all, was the first time they had cheered on one of their own - an Islander, born and raised - in the starting eleven.

Fortunately, Cyrus Damhan did not disappoint in his debut. The Wasola native scored twice enroute to a 3-1 victory for
the home side to kick off qualifying. Jimmy Jay added a third tally, adding to his international total. All in all, it provided
a stirring warmup for the national team, heading into their trip to Starblaydia, which could prove vital to their qualification
efforts.

Gabe set down the paper. It was so much easier to read them now, he reflected. Even though his job was dependent on the team’s performance, he got to sit back away from it a little, and if worse came to worse, there were other options he could go to - like firing Stan, as much as the though didn’t appeal to him.

What also didn’t appeal to him, as he stood up and wandered around the room, was the startling return of Starblaydia. In what seemed like no time at all, they’d gone from one of the weakest teams in the world, to one of the best, losing in the final to Audioslavia. How was that possible? Did everyone forget they weren’t that good anymore? Did they have a training program that would put ours to shame? Did SDB provide his genetic material for generations to come?

Gabe paced around the room, thinking and ruminating. He realized that the answer lay not just from what they did right, but what we were doing wrong.

He looked at the scouting report, used to identify future prospects for the national pool, and noticed something familiar: to a man, all of the players were mostly amatuers, which needed to change.

He picked up his phone. “Rob? I have a project for you.”

[Lymantatia]

Predictions (based on my opinions)
Note: Some of the below stuff is unlikely to happen, so predictions may or may not become true.
First Place Qualification: Taeshan, Darmen, Valanora, Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, Starblaydia, Jeruselem, New Montreal States, Audioslavia, Polar Islandstates, United Gordonopia, Osarius, Milchama, Eura, The Holy Empire, Gyatso-kai, Wight, The Sylvanaes Queendom, Valladares, Vilita, Bears Armed
Playoff: Sargossa, Thatius, Sicoutimont, Maklohi Vai, Hutt River, Mytannion, Farfadillis, Cassadaigua, Powersith, The Archregimancy, Filopines, Ossidiacqua, The Licentian Islands, Iturributa, Paradystopia, Saintland, Antoletia, Qazox, Slembana, The Inevitable Syndicate
Playoff Elimination: Sargossa, Sicoutimont, Hutt River, Cassadaigua, Powersith, Ossidiacqua, Iturributa, Paradystopia, Qazox, Slembana
Playoff Qualification: Thatius, Maklohi Vai, Mytannion, Farfadillis, The Archregimancy, Filopines, The Licentian Islands, Saintland, Antoletia, The Inevitable Syndicate
Group Stage: Taeshan, Darmen, Valanora, Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, Starblaydia, Jeruselem, Farfadillis, Audioslavia, Polar Islandstates, United Gordonopia, Osarius, Milchama, Eura, The Holy Empire, Gyatso-kai, Saugeais, Wight, The Sylvanaes Queendom, Valladares, Vilita, Bears Armed, Thatius, Maklohi Vai, Mytannion, Farfadillis, The Archregimancy, Filopines, The Licentian Islands, Saintland, Antoletia, The Inevitable Syndicate, Pasarga
Round of 16: Taeshan, Valanora, Farfadillis, Audioslavia, Polar Islandstates, United Gordonopia, The Holy Empire, Saugeais, Wight, Valladares, Maklohi Vai, Mytannion, The Archregimancy, Farfadillis, Saintland, The Inevitable Syndicate
Quarterfinals: Taeshan, Audioslavia, Polar Islandstates, The Holy Empire, Wight, Maklohi Vai, The Archregimancy, The Inevitable Syndicate
Fourth: The Inevitable Syndicate
Third: Polar Islandstates
Second: Wight
Winner: Audioslavia
Lymantatia 1–0 Hontaypyar
Posted at 9:00pm 2013 June 19 - Lymantatia has won its Matchday 1 game which is against Hontaypyar. People aren't sure who they are. At least they did not score even one goal. Oh, and we won the game, but I already said that.
Goalscorers
66 mins - Jacques Bressler (Lymantatia)
Current Statistics
Average number of time of goals: 66 minutes
Average number of time of goals by other teams: 0 minutes
Most goals by person on Lymantatia's team: Jacques Bressler (1)
Comments
1 minute ago - Or did I?
4 minutes ago - I knew that.
6 minutes ago - Yes.
8 minutes ago - You mean that CoH quarterfinalist?
13 minutes ago - I heard they are of Kishrael.
IC Time is 9:00pm 2013 June 20

[Super-Llamaland]

Group 1
Taeshan 2–0 Friday Freshman
Sargossa 0–1 Oralana
Armed Bears 4–3 The fief of Sir Kunne
Leorudo 2–1 Kalusia
Super-Llamaland 4–0 Horusland

Tyson Richards
6:45 PM

Nobody was sure how the Llamas would play Horusland. But all analysts knew they needed to push out hard and get first early to have any chance at that lucrative spot in the next round. Maybe this would be the year?

Tyson knew he had injury issues. But he was smart enough to know exactly how good he was-good enough to lock down the starting spot before the tournament even began.

He adjusted his gloves. The whistle tweeted. The game kicked off.

Early on, it was obvious the Llamas were in control. But a shot just over the crossbar here, one clanging off the post there, and a wide-open miss over there, and despite a 64% possession, it was still anybody's ball game. Zero-zero after twenty minutes.

Then, the most agonizing miss of all. Trevor Duncan lobbed one over the goalie's head. It clanged off the post and Evan Powell's knee to roll one foot, two feet, three feet...curving away from the post. Goal kick.

That was the turning point. The possession dropped from 64% after twenty to 62% after twenty-two to 59% after twenty-seven, then to 54% after thirty-five. Tyson was starting drip sweat from a few diving stops he'd made. But the score still remained tied after forty five minutes.

Then, three minutes of stoppage. Seemingly trivial in a close-but low scoring-ball game. But disaster struck--for Horusland.

First, the ball was inbounded to Alejandro Mujica. A pretty trivial play, too--but Mujica noticed something nobody else did besides a hot dog vendor taking a break to watch the half conclude. Bobby Crosby was streaking up one line, and Chris May the other. He thought a little bit, dribbling as he went, then lasered one to May, on the left side.
Now, the defenders noticed. They chased May. Who passed to Crosby. Who hit a sweet, sweet cross straight past the goalie and into the back of the net.

1-0 Llamas. 1:45 of stoppage left. Horusland had an opportunity, but Tyson blocked it again. And off they went into the second half. That's when the blowout began.

Maybe it was momentum. Maybe it was just thrashing a lowlier team. But Trevor Duncan passed to Evan Powell, who kicked it easily in at 51:32. 2-0. Duncan, the facilator today, then made a nice cross to Chris May for an easy header. 62:55. 3-0. And Duncan ended the barrage with a goal of his own off a Johnny Rushmore pass at 83:47. 4-0. Tyson's work slowed. Possession ticked back up. Horusland fouled Duncan, and he missed a PK, but nobody cared. And so the team won in a blowout.

SUPER-LLAMALAND: Four goals, ten shots on goal (fourteen shots), no cards, 62% Possession
HORUSLAND: No goals, six shots on goal (twelve shots), one yellow card, 38% Possession

STATS UPDATE:
Tyson DeJesus 100% Saves, 10 SOG-No Goals
Trevor Duncan FOUR POINTS (one goal two assists)
Chris May THREE POINTS (one goal one assist)
Evan Powell TWO POINTS (goal)
Bobby Crosby TWO POINTS (goal)
Johnny Rushmore ONE POINT (assist)

[Beaverriver]

On a private airplane flight to Cheno, Gaveo 6:09 AM Gaveo time
"Good Morning, Rose" Whispered Meural Tsetov while laying down on her chair.
"Morning" Rose Shelton said grumpily.
"The flight attendant just came by, she just gave us some coffee" said Meural.
"When does the match start?" Rose Shelton said less grumpily then before.
"6:30 so about..."Meural got out her myPhone and check the time in Gaveo. "Little bit more then 12 hours before kickoff"
"We kinda of late getting here."
"We are never late, we arrive precisely when we want to." Edwin Roberts poked in.
"Technically true but we are speaking on relative terms. We should of arrived here a few days ago to get use to the country", Rose said.
"Anyways, why did you ask?", said Meural.
"I just wanted to know if I should drink my coffee or not right now. I'm also a bit anxious"

In Estadio Nacional; Cheno, Gaveo
"ROSE, PUSH FORWARD! WE NEED THE 3 POINTS AND WE HAVE TEN MINUTES LEFT!" Zach Heckinson yelled at Rose pointing his finger towards the goal. Rose Followed the instruction and received the ball from Xean Bailey. She passed it to Guis Borduall who takes a long shot. The ball clips the inside of the post and into the back of the net. The entire stadium just went silent for a moment. Guis slid on the grass and posed like a movie star.
"Goal Guis Borduall in the 81st minute", said the PA announcer.
"Secure the win, Beaverriver!" shouted Zach Heckinson in a more happier tone.
In the 89th minute, Chris Pesnik took the free kick from a offsides call earlier. Meural wins the aerial challenge, knocking down Roberto Garcia Jr. and passes it to Johnathan McKay. He quickly passes it to Edwin Roberts and he runs up the wing and cuts inside inside the penalty area and passes to Rose who smashes the ball. Joaquin Cádiz punches the ball out of the way. A corner for Beaverriver! Juilo Stager takes a outswinging corner. It misses everybody in the box but Levi Elias sprints to the ball and smashes it to the upper left hand corner of the net. Levi Elias runs over to the left corner flag and does a Irish dance in front of the home crowd. The Home Crowd booed them until they went into the locker room.
"Good job, Mark", Guis complimented to Mark Baker.
"That was a great game, we scored five goals away from home", Said Mark.
"But we conceded three of them" Said Ian Stopper
"We just outscored them tonight. Pretty sure that game was very entertaining for the fans despite the home crowd dealing witnessing our comeback against their team", said Mark.

[Saugeais]

What's that? I think it's time for a Cutt Off!

Scores

[Qazox]

Alexander I National Stadium, Valladares-

Perhaps these wolves have finally decided to show their teeth. A gritty win over Valladares on the road, punctuated with a diving sweep kick save by Holly Wood just before the final whistle blew. But for most of the match, it was the control and steady play by the midfield that allowed Qazox to dictate the pace of play. Whenever it seemed like the hosts had a chance to shift momentum, Wayne, Atreau, Folk or Schumer would nip off a pass-through or clear a deep pass. Despite the excellent midfield play, Qazox' struggles along the back continued, as Valladares scored both of their goals off of corner sets.

But with a 2-0-0 start, and heading back home for two games that they will be favored to win, Qazox looks like they will have a good start to this campaign. Qazox will host Schalafania on Friday night.

GOALS:
Hilton- 27'
de Roux- 36'
Gignac- 52'
McLaren- 62'
Hilton- 78'

[Saintland]

New Sideburn wins Strongnesse Trophy on Catiotus's mistake

(SP) A defensive mistake by Georgius Catiotus led to the only goal of the 2nd Strongnesse Trophy match as Gerhard Thunder scored in the 61st minute to give New Sideburn a 1 goal to nil victory over the Kingdom of Saintland. The match was the typical Saintland VS New Sideburn match, with plenty of yellow cards that would have been red cards in a normal soccer match. Despite numerous opportunities, the Sanctii proved unable to get shots on target today and, as a result, they were defeated. "I apologize to everybody in the Kingdom for my poor play today. My mind was elsewhere. As you know, I took a break from soccer after the last World Cup to work on a project with Prince Andreas. The date of the Strongnesse Trophy match took me by surprise as it wasn't announced until the last minute. We knew that it was coming, but I personally thought I had another 2 weeks and by the time I found out that we were scheduled to play the Strongnesse Trophy match, I didn't have the time to properly prepare for the match. I'm also been thinking about my wedding constantly and I look forward to having Martha [Pudentilla] waiting whenever I come home. I promise everybody in the Kingdom that I will be ready for the start of World Cup qualifying and I will be focused, like my teammates, on qualifying for the World Cup in our 2nd attempt." - Georgius Catiotus

The match took place in New Sideburn at the Farham Theatre. That stadium is named after the first female player to play in New Sideburn's Premiership. That reminds us just how repulsive a nation New Sideburn is. Their national team's stadium is named after some woman that rebelled against her own nature by playing soccer. Foreign countries need to learn about the natural gender roles that were ordained by God. New Sideburn is one of the most repugnant of those nations, as they now have a woman as their captain! One of these days, God's Judgment will be brought upon the nation of New Sideburn for their sins, but apparently they will get away with them until Judgment Day.

The Sanctii set out once again to teach New Sideburn's female players that a woman's place is in the home, not on the pitch. 4 minutes into the match, Paulus Flaccus taught Ella Bramwell a lesson by running straight through her as Lucia Oakwood, New Sideburn's new captain, tried to pass her the ball. That earned a yellow card from the referee. "I saw an opportunity to put her in her place and I took advantage of it. She shouldn't have been on the pitch in the first place, so I had no problem being extra rough on her. She has to learn her lesson one way or another." - Paulus Flaccus

A few minutes later, Cathy Stokes dove at Silvester Flaccus's legs, conceding a free kick. The classless "lady" was not carded for her actions, infuriating the Sanctii sideline. In the 11th minute, New Sideburn showed even more of their thuggish style of play when Tara Lockdown put her elbow into Alessandro Seius's throat during a corner. Seius had conceded a corner on a Dale Brightley shot. That resulted in a yellow card and a free kick to the Sanctii, which Seius used to boot the ball away.

In the 15th minute, Lucas Aufidius booted a long ball toward Stephanus Vagionius. He connected, but the referee put up his flag and Vagionius was called offside. The free kick was a short one, which was intercepted by Petrus Mamilius. Mamilius passed to Prince Andreas. The Prince of Saintland made a number of New Sideburn defenders miss, as if he hadn't taken that leave of absence from the sport, and was soon through on goal. Prince Andreas took a shot and James Turnscrew guessed the wrong direction. However, Prince Andreas had hit the post. Rook Harme got to it first and hit it away to safety.

A Stephanus Vagionius shot in the 23rd minute would hit the post and a shot by Silvester Flaccus would end up going above the bar and out for a goal kick. The Sanctii just could not get the ball on target today. New Sideburn finally went on the attack again in the 33rd minute, as they slowly moved the ball down the length of the field. Darren Parrett passed to Gerhard Thunder and Thunder passed back to Dale Brightley. Brightley passed to Tara Lockdown off of his chest. The foul woman, who had previously been carded for putting an elbow into Alessandro Seius, was just outside of the penalty area when Matthaeus Belaeus took her down. The ensuing free kick would just hit the wall and be cleared away to safety. After another Prince Andreas shot went wildly off target, The Kingdom of Saintland and the thugs from New Sideburn went into halftime scoreless.

The second half started with the Sanctii constantly trying to move the ball forward to Prince Andreas and Stephanus Vagionius. However, this did not result in a single shot on target. All of the Sanctii goalscorers were off their game today. New Sideburn also had a few runs forward, but they were stopped again and again by the Sanctii defense. It looked like this edition of the Strongnesse Trophy match was going to go into extra time. However, that was sadly not to be.

In the 61st minute, an errant New Sideburn pass from Ella Bramwell went to Georgius Catiotus. It was intended for Gerhard Thunder. However, Catiotus went to clear it away to safety and sent it right into Thunder's shins. Thunder recovered, got possession of the ball and was through on goal. Alessandro Seius came out, trying to get to the ball, but Thunder shot it through his legs and into the net. Suddenly, New Sideburn had a lead of a goal to nil.

Immediately following that goal, Prince Andreas substituted both Catiotus and Matthaeus Belaeus out of the match. Taking their place were Paulus Gabinius and Ioannes Gratus. The Sanctii switched to a 3-3-1-3 formation and a more aggressive, up-tempo style of play. Although the Sanctii would get several scoring opportunities, Gabinius and Gratus were no better than Vagionius or Prince Andreas at getting their shots on target today. Thunder's goal would prove to be the margin of victory for New Sideburn as the Sanctii once again failed to overcome their archrivals.

Last time around, the Sanctii also lost in the Strongnesse Trophy, but went on to out-perform New Sideburn in both World Cup qualifying and the Cup of Harmony. Although it was disappointing to lose to our Kingdom's rivals, we are still going to be ranked higher than them when the new rankings are released, as non-WCC matches do not count in the KPB rankings. The World Cup will be coming up in a few weeks. Although the Sanctii were not ready for the Strongnesse Trophy match, rest assured that they will be ready for the World Cup. The Kingdom expects our National Team to qualify for this World Cup and they definitely have the talent, if Prince Andreas can only focus on soccer once again.

---

Royal Square Garden, St. Petrus, Saintland

Prince Andreas - We will discuss more of the Saint's revolutionary features later on, but now it is time to unveal the first interactive simulation...

Dirk Roth pressed an icon and the RCES logo appeared.

Prince Andreas - I present the Real Soccer Simulator.

Roth handed the Saint handheld to Prince Andreas. As he did that, a title screen popped up on the screen. It was titled "Real Soccer Simulator" and it said to touch the screen. Prince Andreas touched the screen.

Prince Andreas - I will now start a simulation of the Strongnesse Trophy match. Its time for to show those thugs from New Sideburn that we are better and were always better.

On the menu screen, Prince Andreas pressed "Friendly," which brought up a team selection screen. He selected the New Sideburn National Team as the road team and the Saintland National Team as the home team.

Prince Andreas - The Real Soccer Simulator includes every National Team and every domestic league team that we are aware of, throughout the entire multiverse. The rosters are being updated constantly on our servers, but every National Team and every team in our Kingdom's League is included whether or not you are connected to the Internet and those rosters are automaticaly updated every time you connect to the Internet. You can optionally select up to 50 additional domestic leagues to be playable without an Internet connection. Every player is modeled to be true to their real-life play style and abilities. This is the Soccer Simulator that will win a World Cup for our Kingdom.

The Sanctii in the crowd broke out into spontaneous, very loud applause as Prince Andreas waited for the loading screen to finish and the simulation of the Strongnesse Trophy to begin. Eventually, it finished loading. It looked just like Royal One's feed of a Saintland National Soccer Team match. Iosue Galenus and Thomas Crispus began to call the match, in Latin.

Iosue Galenus - Welcome to the Strongnesse Trophy match, brought to you by the Real Soccer Simulator. Iosue Galenus and Thomas Crispus are here in New Sideburn, as the Sanctii will soon attempt to beat a team that they have never beaten.

Thomas Crispus - Iosue, I'm worried about this match.

Iosue Galenus - Nothing to worry about, Thomas. Prince Andreas is widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world today. The Sanctii will find a way to beat those thugs this time.

Thomas Crispus - I hope so.

Iosue Galenus - Let's get this match underway.

The match got underway and it looked just like a real soccer match. The Real Soccer Simulator recognized that this was a Strongnesse Trophy match. As a result, the match was brutal, with constant fouls. Around 20 minutes into the match, Alessandro Seius saved a shot from Barry Kearney. Seius passed it forward to Lucas Aufidius. Aufidius booted a long pass downfield in the direction of Prince Andreas. Prince Andreas got ahold of it and was through on goal. He took a shot...

Prince Andreas - GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take that, you classless thugs.

Portia Thrift had just barely missed it.

Prince Andreas - Maybe, New Sideburn wouldn't be down a goal to nil if they didn't have a female keeper.

Prince Andreas had momentarily gotten caught up in the game and had forgotten that his audience included numerous foreigners. Fortunately, he said that in Latin.

Dirk Roth - As you can see, the Real Soccer Simulator is just what it is advertised to be. Even Prince Andreas can't tell the difference between the simulation and reality.

Prince Andreas continued playing. Just before halftime, Stephanus Vagionius would score a goal and the Kingdom of Saintland took a 2 goals to nil lead. The goal had been assisted by Prince Andreas.

Prince Andreas - That concludes our live demonstration of the Real Soccer Simulator.

Dirk Roth - Here to talk about the Real Soccer Simulator is the director/producer, Anthony Shepherd.

Anthony Shepherd walked out and onto the stage.

Anthony Shepherd - Thank you, very much for the applause. Several years ago, we at RepublicSoft set out to create the perfect simulation of soccer for personal computers. We wanted the entire experience to look and feel real. We also wanted the players to be real and we are proud to announce that the Real Soccer Simulation is officially licensed by every soccer league in the Federation of Free Republics. As you may or may not already know, Republican intellectual property legislation only applies to Republicans, so we are perfectly free to use the likenesses of non-Republican leagues with or without the permission of the local leagues. In Saintland, there is no intellectual property legislation whatsoever, with the exception of the new laws that only apply to software for the Saint.

That had not been officially announced yet. Prince Andreas was standing nearby, hoping the Sanctii in the crowd would not notice that Shepherd had discussed intellectual property legislation. He decided to whisper something in his ear, telling him to stop talking about that subject.

Anthony Shepherd - Our focus was on producing a real experience. That extends to Career Mode. The Career Mode is designed to be true to life for every nation. For example, players in Saintland's League will be amateurs who will be allowed to choose a team and required to stick with it for their entire career. The "Manager Mode" will not permit the user to select a team from Saintland. The only way to "manage" a team in Saintland is to get appointed captain. It would be beyond the scope of this project to include the jobs that Sanctii athletes work when they are not playing sports, but Career Mode allows the user to slowly become a leader in their locker room and motivate their teammates to play better. Players that earn the trust of their teammates are more likely to be voted team captain while players, in the Saintland League, that get on the wrong side of their captain will find themselves relegated to the bench. Practices have been designed to be as realistic as possible for the nation and, yes, if you skip practice, your player will likely end up on the bench. If you are a star player in Saintland, you will receive offers to sign with professional sides abroad, but if you do so, you will be banned from participating on the Saintland National Team for a period of time. Yes, if you become a star player in the Real Soccer Simulator, you can get chosen for your National Team.

The audience applauded, especially the foreign journalists.

Anthony Shepherd - We also focused on creating a real online experience. Online, you can play 11 against 11 multiplayer. In fact, online multiplayer supports as little as 2 users and as many as 22 and you can decide how many users want to play on an individual team. If you and 10 of your friends want to play online against the computer, you can do that.

Prince Andreas decided to interrupt.

Prince Andreas - Actually, that's one of the features I want to try out. How long will be be until the servers go up?

Anthony Shepherd - That's a good question Andreas. The online multiplayer servers should be up tonight.

Prince Andreas - Good. We need to learn the tendencies of our potential World Cup opponents.

Anthony Shepherd - The Real Soccer Simulator is as real as it gets. I can confirm that it will be a handheld exclusive for the Saint. The Saint is simply the only hardware powerful enough to run a true-to-life simulation of soccer. I can also confirm that the Real Soccer Simulator will not be released on any home consoles. It will be available at launch for the Saint and next year for PCs running Doors 9.

Anthony Shepherd exited the stage.

Dirk Roth - That is a truly impressive undertaking. Everybody, please welcome Saber Du Trieux...

[Free Republics]

Baseton

Baseton is one of the most historic cities in the Federation of Free Republics. In fact, Baseton was the city where the Federation Constitution was written. The original 77 Republics sent a total of 535 delegates to Baseton in 1767 to discuss a Constitution. They could not have imagined that the Constitution they would write would last until the present day.

The city of Baseton was founded in the 15th century at the height of the Renaissance in the then-independent Kingdom of Amolotopia. The Renaissance had reached Amolotopia late, but that didn't mean that Amolotopians were any less fervent in adopting the Renaissance than the rest of the world. In fact, the ideas of the Renaissance spread far and wide across the Kingdom of Amolotopia. King Phillip IV of Amolotopia was a fan of the Renaissance. Eventually, the King got the idea to found a new city to replace his existing capitol. The new city would be built with a Greco-Roman architectural style and, King Phillip IV hoped, would become a wonder of the world.

When the city was built, the King named it Baseton. Within a decade, Baseton was a thriving city with a vibrant economy based around trade. King Phillip IV understood the importance of trade to a city. He personally sponsored the Amolotopian Faire, an annual event that lasted for 3 weeks a year. Commoners and nobles alike came from far and wide to shop at the Faire, which soon became one of the most popular events in the region. Baseton became a very wealthy city.

Since Baseton was located adjacent to the sea, it became a popular port city. King Thomas II, Phillip IV's son, funded explorers who traveled the 7 seas to faraway lands in search of riches. The Amolotopian Trading Company set up trading posts throughout the world. The Amolotopian Trading Company discovered that the prices of different goods differed depending upon the location. They made a fortune selling cheap Amolotopian goods to foreigners at high prices and selling cheap foreign goods to Amolotopians at high prices.

While Amolotopia was not the first of today's Free Republics to overthrow their King and become a Republic, it was one of the first. In 1717, Sampson Abrams and the Liberty League began a campaign to win the hearts and minds of the people of Baseton. King Louis V had proven himself to be indifferent to the plight of his people. He had tripled tax rates to wage a war against the Republic of Plymouth. This had caused the economy to collapse in Amolotopia.

After the war ended in a stalemate, King Louis did not lower taxes. Instead, he complained that he "did not have enough revenue" to pay his debts. He passed even more taxes. This infuriated the citizens of Amolotopia, especially the residents of Baseton. The Liberty League went around the city stirring up insurrection. After a mob of Basetonians destroyed an Amolotopian Trading Company tea shipment to protest the high taxes on tea, the King attempted to crack down on the city. He moved outside of the city to a secret location and passed legislation to "quarter" troops throughout the city and prohibit the private ownership of firearms. The attempt to ban firearms infuriated even many residents of Baseton who were not supportive of the Liberty League. Soon, Amolotopia was in full-blown civil war.

After the dust settled, King Louis was defeated and would be slain by Ethan Field at the Battle of North Hill. That battle took place on the northernmost hill in Baseton. As King Louis led his army forward, Ethan Field, a low-ranking soldier for the rebels, shot him dead. The King's Army saw their King shot and soon realized he was dead. Some of them continued attacking while others turned around and ran for the hills. The rebels had defeated the King. They soon eliminated what remained of a Royal Army and established the Republic of Amolotopia.

Ethan Field's house still stands to this day and is maintained as a museum. It is a must-see if you are interested in Republican history. Every Amolotopian schoolchild learns about Ethan Field, who is regarded as a hero. Ethan Field was a lumberjack by trade. However, this lumberjack is more well known as the common man who slayed a king. Amolotopia has not had a king since.

Baseton is also famous as the sight of the Constitutional Convention, which was held in City Hall. Tours are offered of the old City Hall on a daily basis. Their knowledgable tour guides can tell you more about how the Free Republics came up with their Constitution.

Today, Baseton is a thriving modern city that still largely maintains its traditional character. Most buildings in the city are still made in a classical style. Basetonians pride themselves on their city's character and are not likely to be very appreciate of a building that looks drastically different from the norm.

There are numerous things to do in Baseton. Baseton is a major city in the Free Republics, so the city has everything you would expect to find in a city. Baseton is a fascinating city and is well worth your time to explore, whenever you are in the Federation of Free Republics.

[Milchama]

"Well there it goes"

"Yep season over"

"Unbelievable it happened so fast"

"Yeah in only the second game"

"Wait a second, how does a loss mean that the Warriors won't qualify?"

"Because it's to the second place team"

"And?"

"That's the only team that's really important to beat"

"That's just untrue, if we beat the second place team twice and lost to everyone Milchama wouldn't qualify"

"Sure but if they beat the second ranked team then they would beat everyone else"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because that's the only team that's remotely challenging"

"So?"

"Well it's happening now"

"Also, we're not in a qualification position"

"It's early, really really early. The standings are basically meaningless at this point"

"Sure but the results are not and a loss like this is really stinging"

"Meh, we'll be over it by the half way mark. Look, we have 18 games and we're the best team so we'll advance"

"In theory"

"And in practice"

"Maybe"

"No maybe, definitely. There is no way we don't advance in practice because the best team goes through. Milchama is on the resurgence"

"Except for this loss"

"Well really we should be thanking this loss"

"Why?"

"Because now we have the ability to RP again"

"Yeah I had no idea what to talk about"

"Exactly"

"So let's talk about bad results and worry"

"Like how the Spurs blew it"

"Exactly"

"Unreal"

"Yet totally predictable"

"Yeah if you play like that in the 4th quarter you're going to get burned"

"You know we should probably get back to soccer"

"Meh, I'm too angry"

"Fair, screw Lebron and all those bandwagoners in Miami"

"Yeah they suck"

"Damnit man"

"Damnit"

"Oh well"

"Definitely"

"At least Milchama will win their next game"

"Well they should"

"Oh they will or I predict a riot"

"Would never have happened to Smeaton, an old Leodensian"

"Shut up"

"Ok"

"Come on you Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Jeruselem]

Michelle Salad and Naked News's Princess Katy in Mytannion

Katy: Hello, I'm Princess Katy and I'm in Mytannion along with the Jeruselem World Cup team. I'm with coach Michelle Salad once again.
Michelle: Oh hi all
Katy: Well, the hosts here in Mytannion are ranked 21st and we're ranked 32nd. A NIL ALL draw with them is good new for us.
Michelle: Yes, well this game was always the one I was worried about. And this one being away
Katy: Jeru FC went to Eura or the FSSO we know them ... lost 4-3
Michelle: Well, yes. No shame losing 4-3 though

Katy: How would you rate today's performance?
Michelle: I would say 7/10
Katy: Only 7, I thought we could do better
Michelle: Yes, Mytannion are a great team. They were really good today
Katy: So this good news. Home wins and a draw again the best team in this group
Michelle: Yes, I can't complain.

Katy: Jeru FC didn't fare so well losing 4-3
Michelle: That's close game and Eura are contenders too
Katy: A good show by the young kids
Michelle: Yes, I would say they can get better once they learn the ropes
Katy: Our friend in Kinitaria, Melody Pond. Her team Kinitaria did very well. Upsetting Vilita 4-3
Michelle: I guess she's the right girl for that job

Katy: It was Vilita home game too
Michelle: I'm impressed 10 goals in two games. That's good scoring
Katy: But they are conceding a lot of goals too
Michelle: I guess that's the nature of a very attacking team
Katy: I think defense isn't their style
Michelle: I'd say so

Katy: Looking a lot better now Fruity
Michelle: Yes, I don't look like an army marine now
Katy: You still have a few bald spots
Michelle: I guess these thing take time
Katy: You've put on some weight
Michelle: I guess being sick made be thinner but now I have to eat less

Katy: Who was today's star player?
Michelle: Digger, the keeper. Fantastic job today
Katy: He is hard to understand
Michelle: Yes but as long as he's part of the team
Katy: Do people find having three Isabella Dallases confusing?
Michelle: You mean one in the team, one being a porn star and one being our Queen?

Katy: Yes
Michelle: Well the porn star looks more like you, and the football player does look a bit like the Queen
Katy: At least we know the difference
Michelle: You should, they are your relatives
Katy: Hey, I know really know the ones on the royal side.
Michelle: Your family is really far too large

[Jeru FC]

Jeru FC coach Princess Melody Song Dallas and player Dream Lord

Melody: You sneaking around again?
DL: Me? No
Melody: No one seems to know you are there
DL: I am but they don't bother about me
Melody: Dunno I just think you like floating around
DL: Suits me

Melody: Sure does
DL: You should wear longer skirts
Melody: You been looking where you shouldn't again?
DL: Yes
Melody: Well my underwear was in the washing machine today
DL: Why?

Melody: Someone split beer all over me yesterday
DL: Wasn't me
Melody: Oh yes don't need to eat
DL: Exactly
Melody: Anyway, how you sneaking around on the football field don't work
DL: No idea about that

Melody: You're pretty invisible when playing out there too
DL: I play my part coach
Melody: Like what?
DL: Being there
Melody: Do you do anything useful?
DL: Yes

Melody: Like what?
DL: Being there
Melody: Why are you here?
DL: No one thinks I do anything useful
Melody: I wonder why
DL: Existing is good enough

Melody: We can't have passengers in this football business
DL: I'm part of the furniture
Melody: You sure are
DL: Don't worry, I am contributing
Melody: I really hope so
DL: I am

Melody: Say you sneak around at night?
DL: Yes
Melody: I figured
DL: You're sexy when you're passed out asleep
Melody: Thanks for that, I feel so much safer now
DL: No problems

[New Sideburn]

Cathy Stokes' Dream Diary
November 11, 330
As I drifted off to sleep, I realised that I was a dog, in the front garden of Parliament. The Margravine was walking into Parliament House with most of her cabinet. I trotted alongside her and sniffed at her feet. She scratched me behind the ears, and I threw up onto her shoes.

Then she kicked me. I woke up with a strong urge to vote Traditionalist.

Gethin Ramsey cracked his knuckles.
Escher made a face. "I really wish you wouldn't, guv."
"Wouldn't what?"
"Oh, nevermind... here, look!"
New Sideburn had brutally wrested possession back, and now began the short passes... James Yorke to Lucia Oakwood, proud captain. To Cheney on the left wing, backheeled to Cathy in support. The away crowd got to their feet, roaring "'Ere We Go!" in unison.
"Schlosser's an alright right-back, but I daresay Stokes can make it past- yes!" squeaked Escher, as Cathy feinted past and rolled along back to Cheney, who...
"BLOODY THUNDER!" roared Gethin. The kick had come from nowhere, catching Flegzut off-guard and bulging the back of the net. This had looked headed for a humbling 0-0 draw... but not now.
"Go forward, lads!" the gaffer bellowed. "We'll have three more by the time we're done!"
-------------------------------------
They didn't, and the game ended 1-0. Still, a dominant performance from the lads, who went off to the nearest pub to celebrate. Gethin, meanwhile, was hosting Escher to a nearby restaurant. After all, might as well see what the locals eat... and you couldn't live on beer and pasties forever.
"You know," said Escher, dreamily, "I really think we could do it this year. I watched every match from our last campaign, you know."
"Oh, yeah?" Gethin sniffed at the house red, drank a little suspiciously, then grunted. "Don't see why this costs four times the price. Bloody overrated. You were saying?"
"Well," said Escher, "last year our problems were mostly defensive."
"That's right."
"But this year..." Escher shrugged. "I don't know, it's a bit early to tell, but we seem to have reached a good mixture. There's no weak links in the team."
"I miss Lukas."
Escher blinked at Gethin for a second. Sentimentality wasn't... generally something he was famed for. Gethin noticed her surprise, and scowled. "As a player, and a leader. The bald bastard could really marshall the team, whip 'em into shape. A great centre-back, too."
"Strongnesse?" Escher said, dubiously. "Oh, I'm not so sure about that. After all, he really was very old."
"He wasn't yet forty," said Gethin mildly.
"Yes, but his yards covered was really starting to suffer, and that of course brought down his WAG to just 0.79; decent, but not world-beating odds, I'm sure you'll agree."
Gethin blinked. "Yards covered? WAG?"
"Wins Against Generic," said Escher, smoothly. "A rather controversial sabremetric technique, yet I am a disciple, I must admit."
"I... what's this about swords?"
One rather got the feeling Gethin had not yet really caught up with the conversation.
"Sabremetrics," repeated Escher impatiently. "Using numbers to predict results, and player strengths."
"So... your lot are the kind that make stats in football simulators?"
"Well... they probably are, yes, but there are applications for the genuine article, as well. Beardsley, for instance."
"Grant? What about him?"
"You should drop him."
Gethin stared. "But... he scored a bloody cracker the other day!"
"Granted, but Parrett would have managed it too and is better at short passes, and Wingett, probably your best choice, would have created enough chances for his compatriots."
"Sure, he's not very fast anymore, and he's never exactly been a playmaker or has a right foot..." Gethin realised he wasn't exactly presenting a strong case, and stalled a little while he tried to make up a positive. Escher, however, preempted him.
"His goals are his best asset, yes?"
"Yeah!" said Gethin, stumbling blindly into an obvious trap just because it was the only way out.
"11 in 45 now. Four matches per goal is respectable... but not if that's all you contribute."
"He gets results," said Gethin, staunchly. "And anyway, he's got that X-Factor... that ability you have that just... it can't be measured!"
"I'm afraid it can, Gethin, and whatever it is there isn't enough of it."
The manager paused, rapping arrhythmically on the table. Then he said, "I'll rest him tomorrow. Chaz can get the start."
"You're dropping him!" said Escher, very pleased with herself.
"Resting," repeated Gethin, firmly. "And that's an end to it."