Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:34 pm
League Cycle XV Preview
The Federation League marches on, and has managed to hold onto its fourth qualification spot for the Champions' Cup. FPIFA officials are therefore making good on the promise they made at the start of last season, and we will see the next regional tier of football in the Federation brought under the FPIFA's umbrella from next season onwards. In order for cup competitions to continue to work, numbers wise, the number of teams in each of the leagues will change as a result.
The Federation League will continue as a three-tier effort, but will increase to eighteen clubs in each of the Divisjons One, Two, and Three. The Challenge League will also continue as an East-West split tier of parallel divisions, but will decrease to fourteen clubs in each. Below the Challenge League we will see the formation of the new league, the Regional League, split into four parallel geographical divisions. The Central and Western Premiers will feed directly into the Challenge League West Divisjon above them, and the North-Eastern and South-Eastern Premiers will feed directly into the Challenge League East Divisjon above them - each Regional League division will be made of twelve teams.
So, what does this mean for promotion and relegation this season? Divisjon One will only see two teams relegated, with four being promoted from Divisjon Two, making eighteen teams. Similarly, only two teams will be relegated from Divisjon Two, and to make up eighteen teams for the following campaign, a huge six teams will be promoted from Divisjon Three. Only one team will be relegated from Divisjon Three to each of the West and East Divisjons, with a huge four teams being promoted from them to Divisjon Three in turn. This will leave Divisjon Three with eighteen teams, and the Challenge League divisions with thirteen each. The FPIFA will then convene to choose the best two teams below the Challenge League level to make up the fourteenth teams, and will assess the forty-eight teams that will make up the divisions of the Regional League on their local league positions of the last ten years.
All clear?
All clear.
Let's crack on with the preview of this season, shall we?
Past Champions
I: SK Franz Josef City
II: SK Franz Josef City (2)
III: Jan Mayen Islanders
IV: Jan Mayen Islanders (2)
V: East Franz Athletic
VI: SK Franz Josef City (3)
VII: SK Franz Josef City (4)
VIII: SK Franz Josef City (5)
IX: Jan Mayen Islanders (3)
X: East Franz Athletic (2)
XI: FC Cape St Paul
XII: SK Franz Josef City (6)
XIII: East Franz Athletic (3)
XIV: East Franz Athletic (4)
East Franz Athletic
Location: Franz Josef City, Franz Josef
Stadium: Rendahl Stadion (47,911)
Manager: Manganus Fjelden
Captain: Jorgen-Franz Bru, MC
Key Player: Diedrich Kvitchenko, ST
Preview: East Franz were delighted to retain the title last season, and will be out to keep it from the clutches of their fierce SK rivals once again. Hennings Tir and Blonqvist have retired, and both will be sorely missed. Diedrich Kvitchenko and Felix Saarinen are two of the most exciting strikers in the entire league and are a ready-made replacement strike force, where they will be supported by new signing Klipter of Vilita. Demy de Zooijt will be key to their performances again this season, the young Mytanar keeper showing top form whenever he is called upon, which thanks to the three top class defenders in front of him, isn't actually all that often. Jorgen-Franz Bru will be asked to replace the figure of Tir in the midfield, but the form of youngsters Einmark and Caris in the pre-season suggests he won't be alone, whilst Bocande has been brought in from Echegoyan FC to plug a gap in the defence.
Last Season: Champions.
Prediction: If Bocande and Klipter can gel straightaway, they can seal the three-peat and retain the title again. Champions.
FC Axel Heiburg
Location: Axel Heiburg, Axel Heiburg
Stadium: Axel Torvig Park (39,345)
Manager: Morten Rasmussen
Captain: Steffan Pekarik, DL
Key Player: Marten Cornelius, MC
Preview: With the Haapa-Mechelin churning out talent regularly now, their financial future appears to be bright, and the team is building for the future with a raft of talented youngsters in the first team now. Stadium expansion has lead to more revenue, and the signing of young Marten Cornelius certainly appears to have set tongues wagging as promised. Wahlfleurs is ably backed up by youth strikers Jagr and Illich-Svitych, and watch out for fleet-footed left winger Kjetil Huytspurr, who made a huge impact last season and has turned the heads of the bigger clubs. With a second Champions' Cup campaign last season, fans will be hungry for a taste of more of the same - and with four spots this season they may achieve that yet again. Veteran left back Pekarik will make this his swan-song in the division, the eternal legs still keeping him going at 38 years old.
Last Season: 2nd.
Prediction: Repeating this for a third time is well within this club's capabilities. 3rd.
SK Franz Josef City
Location: Franz Josef City, Franz Josef
Stadium: Landstadt Stadion (54,195)
Manager: Teemu Johansson
Captain: Amadeus Irndtor, ST
Key Player: Hurko Atristain, ST
Preview: Well, after a disastrous start to the season, SK found their legs towards the end of the season, and they managed to salvage a third placed finish from what was a particularly poor season by their standards. Commendable spirit, no doubt, but not the silverware their fans demand. They'll be even more determined this season, and If I were you, I'd fear them. Captain Amadeus Irndtor and Hurko Astristain, brought in from Red Star Severny to replace Ouam-Ouam, are likely to be thorns in the side of defences all season, but there continue to be legitimate concerns over the strength of their midfield.
Last Season: 3rd.
Prediction: Hungry, and Atristain will be a fine acquisition. 2nd.
Northbrook Diamonds FK
Location: Northbrook, Northbrook
Stadium: Palace Approach (31,392)
Manager: Tomas Svensson
Captain: Jan Nielsen, DC
Key Player: Ezekiel Fibonacci (OSD), MC
Preview: Northbrook are reaping the rewards of their academy after all that investment. Backed up by a comprehensive Rushmore-wide scouting network, it is churning out talented youngsters left right and centre. A decent home record exists for the Diamonds, as nobody enjoys a trip up to Palace Approach, and their youth team continues to produce gritty, well seasoned, tough individuals that never give up the fight. They had an outstanding season last time around yet again, and whilst they might not repeat the charge for the CC, expect to see them challenging the top sides.
Last Season: 4th
Prediction: An established team now, Northbrook appear to have the top flight sussed, and will challenge for a top five finish again. 5th.
Jan Mayen Islanders
Location: Jan Mayen, Norscelt
Stadium: Victoria Stadium (51,293)
Manager: Madison Garroway (CVC)
Captain: Zacharias Juul, DR
Key Player: Pola Grabnyak (NHK), ST
Preview: With the retirement of Marko Krivac, new signing from Kinitaria Kristijan Preda will partner with fellow recent signings Niko Lepka and Aintza Lekea to make a formidable line of attacking midfielders behind the lone striker of Pola Grabnyak, upon whom much will rest yet again. The defence is as unchanged as ever, and has the advantage of having grown up together at the club. Zacharias Juul has been handed the captain's armband following Eygenroy's retirement, with Emrahn Vik, Oleg Heiramo, and the mysterious Bogdan attempting to fill the big man's shoes in the centre of the park
Last Season: 5th.
Prediction: Garroway has got the ball rolling again, and they should continue to improve again. 4th.
Red Star Severny
Location: Severny, Novaya Zemlya
Stadium: Carravale (41,734)
Manager: Mathias Paatelainen
Captain: Ole Smolensk, GK
Key Player: Ole Berghaus, ML
Preview: Despite the size and enthusiasm of their support, Red Star continue to avoid investing heavily in their squad, only replacing players they've sold. Despite this, Mathias Paatelainen is a talented manager, and Lance Koraci of Thatius will now have to step up to the plate to replace the SK-bound Hurko Atristain. Suffered at the hands of some bad luck last season, but could be so much more than they are. A sleeping giant for sure, and they should just sneak into the Globe Cup.
Last Season: 6th.
Prediction: Can't see them touching the likes of Axel Heiburg or Northbrook again without Atristain, but in that chasing pack for sure. 7th.
FC Torshavn
Location: Torshavn, Farosea
Stadium: Taugen Park (28,291)
Manager: Olaf Kurfuroy
Captain: Diegoche Lizaran (ASG), MC
Key Player: Michael Osic (ERA), ST
Preview: Powered by the goals of Erathi cult hero Michael Osic, who will be making this his last season, FC Torshavn are enjoying their stay in the top division thoroughly, and it is not that long ago they stunned everyone to not only finish fifth, but also to lift the Latitude Cup, and win the Cygnus Cup after that. Jorgen-Franz Bru and Torre Urfstadt were whisked away to bigger clubs as a result of the higher exposure, and perhaps as a result, the sheen came off somewhat. Last season as they finished 7th, and a mid table finish looks likely again this season. Alexei Kaploqitz will be expected to help lift the load of responsibility from Osic's dependable shoulders, whilst veteran Lizaran takes the armband as the whispers of exciting Babbage investment strengthen.
Last Season: 7th.
Prediction: Sounds about right again, I'd say. 8th.
FC Solovetsky Monastery
Location: Solovetsky, Svalbard
Stadium: The Priory (24,282)
Manager: Christan Offenburg
Captain: Mikhael Mannisenmaki, ST
Key Player: Dietar Oleksandr, DMC
Preview: Five consecutive seasons in top flight football is now a record for the Monks, and I wonder if they can go one further again this time. The stone built Priory remains as intimidating a stadium for away teams to play in as it has ever been, and its stands are overflowing with rabid fans, or Pilgrims as they like to call themselves. Christan Offenburg is a fine manager, and he will want his side to come here and play football, rather than sit back and defend, so expect to see Solovestky having a good go at their opposition and showing no fear.
Last Season: 8th
Prediction: Will they stay up again? If Oleksandr and Mannisenmaki are up for a season to remember, yes. Comfortably. 10th.
FC Cape St Paul
Location: St Paul, Nunivak
Stadium: Millerntor Arena (41,592)
Manager: Baum St Weiss
Captain: Gunnar Mackenzie (BLK), ST
Key Player: Isidoro Nao (ERA), AMC
Preview: Results continue to get worse in St Paul with a dire ninth last season meaning Baum St Weiss' job is hanging by a thread, though there doesn't appear to be much wrong with the squad at first glance. With two right sided Citiz attackers capable of playing as strikers or wingers, we should see some more telepathic work from St Paul this season. They'll be highly disappointed to perceive other clubs as getting better quicker than they are, so expect action quickly if results continue to suffer. Nao and Mackenzie should be hammering them in. They haven't been. That is the key for St Paul this season.
Last Season: 9th.
Prediction: I can't see them struggling like that again, though top four football is out of the question for now, certainly. 6th.
Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen
Location: Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Stadium: Cannister Park (19,030)
Manager: Petr Mikkel Dahl
Captain: Lars Offenbach, DC
Key Player: Steffen Dreich, ST
Preview: Mikkel Dahl has produced a great team here in Spitsbergen, and with such modest facilities. The team has grown up together over the past five years, and they are now a tightly knit groups of hugely physical players who will look to literally play you off the park. There'll be big and brutal tackles in Cannister Park again this season, and I'm not sure how opposition will cope with the shock. They are capable of beautiful moments however, with striker Steffen Dreich having a touch that's as delicate as you like.
Last Season: 10th
Prediction: They've stayed up once, and with the loss of a relegation spot I think they'll be fine again. 13th.
Rapid Jan Mayen FK
Location: Jan Mayen, Norscelt
Stadium: Yannis Stadion (18,322)
Manager: Lars Schultz
Captain: Iulian Sandquist, MR
Key Player: Emenon Boneta (ASG), ST
Preview: Well, they did it. They got here, and then they stayed here with style, and then they stayed here with a bit less style. Rapid had an outstanding season again last time around, if not quite hitting the same heights as before, finishing 11th. In Iulian Sandquist they have an exciting and enthusiastic leader on the pitch, and signings of youth talent in the form of Mikhail Babicz and mean they're not here to just make up the numbers. Good to have them. The goals of Astograthi striker Emenon Boneta will be key to their survival again.
Last Season: 11th.
Prediction: Should stay up relatively easily once again. 12th.
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Location: Surtsey, Norscelt
Stadium: Stadion Nom-Nom Solberg (45,924)
Manager: Anders Durs
Captain: Casper Baek, MC
Key Player: Dietar van Ennen, MC
Preview: Anders Durs has crafted a side that is comfortable in possession and thoroughly difficult to break down when you do have a chance with the ball. They may be too comfortable in possession howwever, and their critics will argue that a lack of potency up front will be their undoing. Legeren proved difficult to replace, and Finnibaturinn upping sticks to Astograth isn't going to help that - but in Baek and van Ennen they have a truly dynamic centre midfield pairing once again. Have huge and unwavering support, which they may need if last season's disappointments are to avoid being repeated.
Last Season: 12th.
Prediction: You never can tell for sure with Surtsey, but I think they'll improve this season. 9th.
Resolute Storm 1913 FC
Location: Resolute, Victorrinn
Stadium: Mossy Park (42,920)
Manager: Oleg Seedorf
Captain: Julius Oyen-Spekke, DC
Key Player: Aaron de Loijt, ST
Preview: Well, after a few seasons of wobbles they'll want to bounce back strongly, and its nice to see the fallen giants back in the top flight. With the infrastructure they've got and the team to back them up, its hard to see why it took them so long, and in Oyen-Spekke they have a club legend in the making. Jannik Koskinen can replace Hakke Vestoriko on the wing, and Seedorf's tactics are rarely wrong. However, they have a small squad, and injuries could hit them hard as the players get tired towards the end of the season.
Last Season: 13th.
Prediction: Struggled a bit last season, just avoiding relegation - but I think this season they're be fine. 11th.
RSK Longyearbyen Town
Location: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Stadium: Sivertsson Road (28,548)
Manager: Miroslav Pvanic
Captain: Ibrahim Ottosson, DC
Key Player: Roman Markussen, ST
Preview: RSK fans must be the most long-suffering fans in the league, though, they are at least now suffering less than North Star fans are. Yes, they're back, RSK are back in the top flight and one of the most significant clubs in Polarian history is back where we all feel they should belong. Pvanic didn't panic, ahem, and he stuck by his squad, strengthening where they needed to, and after nearly a decade outside the top flight, the won Divisjon Two last season and are back with the big boys, as it were. Ottosson is a loud and passionate leader, and Markussen has long been thought of as a striker that could play at the top level.
Last Season: Champions, Divisjon Two.
Prediction: Should be fine, I think. Just. 14th.
Franz Josef Young Boys
Location: Sogne, Franz Josef
Stadium: The Graduate (16,989)
Manager: Nicklas Pettersen
Captain: Jesper Schau, MC
Key Player: Enroljas Montpellier, ST
Preview: Bad news for East Franz fans, as another Franz Josef City side with its origins in education joins the top flight for their debut top flight appearance of the FPIFA era. Originally conceived as an 'Old Boys' Club' for old students of the more prestigious Franz Josef City academies, the word 'old' in the title was changed to 'young' when the schools took over the running of the club as a way of getting their more talented players to play professional opposition, but as the academic ties were lost, the team moved to the satellite town of Sogne, now a hip and exciting town with a good reputation. Young Boys may get overwhelmed in the top flight however, and Pettersen has worked wonders to get them here. Schau's broken nose alone should be enough to see off many opposition midfielders in the battle for the centre of the park, and former Red Star striker Montpellier has been enticed back from a disastrous experiment in Cascratia for Veyracova. Will it help? Eh.
Last Season: 2nd, Divisjon Two.
Prediction: Can't see the good fight keeping them up, sorry. 16th.
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Location: Bjarnarey, Norscelt
Stadium: The Barge (28,441)
Manager: Thomas Celik
Captain: Frodi Rasmussen (SAU), DC
Key Player: Fabian Vaaraniemi, DL
Preview: Well if you thought it was weird the last few times, it's going to look weird this time too. Bjarnarey, that floating town of barges and jetties and piers and bridges and canals and launches and pilots and boats and all sort of walkways, are back in the top flight. Not only that, they confounded the predictions that their relegation would be the death of them by bouncing straight back up. They've done just that before, but this time, promotion might have been too soon. They will struggle this season, I think, but can cause a stir or two in that odd little stadium of theirs, no doubt. Not least of those to cause a stir will be young midfielder Vaaraniemi, who can surely turn the heads again like he did in the second tier last season. He is fearless.
Last Season: 3rd, Divisjon Two.
Prediction: Even with a reduced relegation spot allocation, I don't think they'll manage. 15th.
Teams:
Koppen Rig Force
FK Grise Fiord
Lokomotiv Barentsberg
North Star Grímsey - (Favourites)
Mekoryuk Maskettes
Rapid SK Eysturoy
AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Novaya Sibir Reds
SK Aasiaat Harbour
Scapa Bay Rovers
Franz Josef Sharks
Islay Town Mechanical
Yuzhny Equinox FC
Melville Celtic
Korsten Lokomotiv
Hoyvik Town FC
Teams:
Atammik Zenith FK - (Favourites)
Devon Bay Seals FC
SK Stryær
FC1. Sturm Grímsey
SK Sturm Rässinger 76
AFK Hans Island Pioneers
SK Sturm Nuuk
Axel Town AFC
McAvery Centurions
Toyoharo Revolutionaries
Severny Wingtips
Bathurst Zenith FC
Sisimut Town AFK
SK 1982 Matua
Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
FC Fetlar
Teams:
Surtsey Rovers SK
Resolute Hills FC
FC Svenskøya
North Banks FC
SK Sporting Juura
Dinamo Clavering SC
SK Nasjonale Hauker - (Favourites)
Cape Somerville Town
Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
San Moranna FC
Grass-Lisch AFC
Devon Bay Lights FC
Steffansson Island FC
Logan United FC
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87
FC North Melville
Teams:
RSK Moorlands
Savoonga Moor SK
Energie Møllna-Grei SC
Rapid Neftegorsk FK
SK Yuzhny Albion - (Favourites)
Bennett and Zhokhov
Torpedo Sibir RKA
Måriussa Viking FK
Royal NK Sikjonek
Svenskøya SV98
Seratakki Villagers
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt
Waldenøya Bears
Northbrook Zenith FC
Ilksporta IK
1. RC de Velcosta Cliffs