The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, version III)

[Ossidiacqua]

As a potential underlining of what we've discussed, this is what I'm proposing I do next cycle:

I only start signups when the first host bid for the BoF/WC is posted, after prompting from myself in the WCDT if it looks like being necessary and with the restriction that it isn't too early in the process. Any time after the Group Stage of the WC finals seems reasonable enough to me? Thereafter, the signup thread will stay open for two weeks. This two week period shall also be the deadline for other host bids (with the requirement of course that at least one bid is received for each tournament).

After that, the thread is held at whatever number has been reached, the hosts we are voting on can clarify what they intend to do with regards to reopening signups/reaching a set number, and we vote. That lasts three or four days once voting is open, and then we can crack on.

Quoting myself with my other nation as a reminder to you all.

From the SECOND ROUND SCORINATION of this current WC, the bidding window will officially be *open*. After that, the signups for the next tournament will open and stay open for two weeks. Then, as above. Etc. Etc.

Let's see if this works.

[Audioslavia]

EDIT: I may have been drinking

[Milchama]

IBSD, G'NB

Me thinks you got the wrong thread, Audio.

[Farfadillis]

(Image)
Overly-Defensive, Negative Tactics in Bulls' Opener

Ah, 'Defending Champions'. Such a sweet phrase, but one that can be turned around quickly and easily by one's detractors. Rejistania had had to put up with the same problem.

Audioslavia's riches-to-rags-to-riches story has gained the national team a few fans on their journey from fledgling lightweights in World Cup 59 to world and AO champions in the sixty-fourth cycle, but few could argue against the assertation that, were it not for the narrative, Audioslavia would have few neutrals behind them.

The football our nation plays is, it has to be said, boring. Effective? Usually. The reason we're world champions in the first place? Almost definitely. Interesting to watch? Not a bit of it. The Rejistanians - the original purveyors of defence-for-defence's-sake negative football - at least played their defensive football from their collective heart, like a gospel choir preaching the word of Karela to the masses. Audioslavia's defensive prediliction seems, on the other hand, to be more of an protestant ordeal - players lining up in their positions on the weekend simply because they know nothing else.

Starblaydia were the Rawrcrush Champions, Sylvanaes the Unfathomable, Valanora the Eternal Champions andd Aguazul were the Irrepressible champs. Audioslavia? We're the Defending Champions.

Although one can't glean too much from just one match, Audioslavia's performance against Licentian Isles showed little of the counterplay the team are famous for. The Bull were off the pace, lacked cohesion and, for large periods of the game, looked on the verge of a bit upset.

Up next are Mytannion and Eura - two teams firmly embedded in the world's top twenty-five and, although the Bulls will go into each game as favourites, they can't expect to be allowed to get away with the mistakes they made in that first game.

IBSD, G'NB

Let this forever rest in our memories.

[West Angola]

(Image)
Overly-Defensive, Negative Tactics in Bulls' Opener

Ah, 'Defending Champions'. Such a sweet phrase, but one that can be turned around quickly and easily by one's detractors. Rejistania had had to put up with the same problem.

Audioslavia's riches-to-rags-to-riches story has gained the national team a few fans on their journey from fledgling lightweights in World Cup 59 to world and AO champions in the sixty-fourth cycle, but few could argue against the assertation that, were it not for the narrative, Audioslavia would have few neutrals behind them.

The football our nation plays is, it has to be said, boring. Effective? Usually. The reason we're world champions in the first place? Almost definitely. Interesting to watch? Not a bit of it. The Rejistanians - the original purveyors of defence-for-defence's-sake negative football - at least played their defensive football from their collective heart, like a gospel choir preaching the word of Karela to the masses. Audioslavia's defensive prediliction seems, on the other hand, to be more of an protestant ordeal - players lining up in their positions on the weekend simply because they know nothing else.

Starblaydia were the Rawrcrush Champions, Sylvanaes the Unfathomable, Valanora the Eternal Champions andd Aguazul were the Irrepressible champs. Audioslavia? We're the Defending Champions.

Although one can't glean too much from just one match, Audioslavia's performance against Licentian Isles showed little of the counterplay the team are famous for. The Bull were off the pace, lacked cohesion and, for large periods of the game, looked on the verge of a bit upset.

Up next are Mytannion and Eura - two teams firmly embedded in the world's top twenty-five and, although the Bulls will go into each game as favourites, they can't expect to be allowed to get away with the mistakes they made in that first game.

IBSD, G'NB

It's alright, Audio. At least you didn't post it in the Football Friendly Scheduler...

[Felix]

Holy crap Audio might be out of the World Cup in the Group Stage! O_O

[Qazox]

That Vilita-Pasarga match... someone forgot defenders, huh?

[Equestrian States]

Holy crap Audio might be out of the World Cup in the Group Stage! O_O

So...back to normal?

That Vilita-Pasarga match... someone forgot defenders, huh?

There seem to be quite a few high-scoring matches today...

[Felix]

Holy crap Audio might be out of the World Cup in the Group Stage! O_O

So...back to normal?

If it was back to normal, Audio would've lost the World Cup final.

Seriously though, this reminds me of Brazil back in the 1966 World Cup.

They won Sweden 58' and Chile 62' but got eliminated in the group rounds in England 66'.

[Filopines]

Do 'The Pinocchio Press', everybody!

[The Archregimancy]

A note for our hosts:

The Archregimancy have, I believe, qualified for the next round, which isn't currently acknowledged in the group tables.

1) They've beaten both teams 3 points behind them, so have a superior head to head record against both teams.

2) As Starblaydia and Equestrian States play each other in the final group matchday, it's impossible for both teams to overtake the Archregimancy anyway, even if the monks lose their final match.

Which means, I believe, that they've also won the group, regardless of the final matchday results.

[Pasarga]

Right for the qualification, but with GD being used as the first tiebreaker in the Finals, they've yet to win the group. Table has been corrected as a result.

[New Sideburn]

They won Sweden 58' and Chile 62' but got eliminated in the group rounds in England 66'.

IIRC it was because Bulgaria kicked the shit out of half their squad, but I could be wrong.

Sounds like something my lads would do, tbh.

[Polar Islandstates]

Wow, Group H looks dull.

Anyway, apologies to groupmates in Group B - I had an RP half finished but fell sleep before posting.I'll be able to finish and post it tonight, hopefully, before starting the next ones.

[The Archregimancy]

Right for the qualification, but with GD being used as the first tiebreaker in the Finals, they've yet to win the group. Table has been corrected as a result.

Thanks for the clarification and correction - apologies for the error over GD on my part.


Edit:
One more minor point in the other half of the tournament. Darmen are eliminated, no? They can't finish higher than third....

[Starblaydia]

Thank-you, everyone, for your congratulations It was the happiest day of my life - like all five World Cups at once

Do you mind if I hand you a nice upset as a present?

As long as it's the low-RPing, high ranker upsetting the high-RPer on MD3, I don't mind

Maybe in 14 years or so we could have Star Jr playing in the WC? ;p

I will love it if they do, because that means they'll love sport, politics, writing and RAWRCRUSHing - a real Star Jr.

Are you going to wear purple at the wedding?

Red was the colour, which suits an English/Polish wedding, plus Mrs Star looks amazing in red. Funnily enough my mother wore white, purple and black, which was likely not intentional, haha.

So if you ever have kids, they'll be named Simon/Simone de Bradini right?

I don't think Star Jr would want to be named directly or indirectly after his father, no matter how awesome I (or my NS Avatar) are. SDB's name is, after all, fairly close to my own, as any FBers who have added me will know. Probably something with an obvious Polish equivalent, or actually Polish.

[The Archregimancy]

Thank-you, everyone, for your congratulations It was the happiest day of my life - like all five World Cups at once

Later today I shall be writing up an RP about the new Monastic Desert Training Regime fad that's sweeping Ordinary Reality following the Archregimancy's dramatic 5-3 victory over Starblaydia.

One of the interviewees in the RP'd newspaper article will be a newly married Mrs Di Bradini - a distant relative by marriage of the legendary Starblaydi footballer - who's been so impressed by Fr. Basil's training regime that she's taken up a teaching job in the hottest, driest desert in Atlantian Oceania - and is dragging her new husband along - just so she can gain the amazing health, strength, and stamina benefits offered by the Desert Training Regime.

[Starblaydia]

Thank-you, everyone, for your congratulations It was the happiest day of my life - like all five World Cups at once

Later today I shall be writing up an RP about the new Monastic Desert Training Regime fad that's sweeping Ordinary Reality following the Archregimancy's dramatic 5-3 victory over Starblaydia.

One of the interviewees in the RP'd newspaper article will be a newly married Mrs Di Bradini - a distant relative by marriage of the legendary Starblaydi footballer - who's been so impressed by Fr. Basil's training regime that she's taken up a teaching job in the hottest, dryest desert in Atlantian Oceania - and is dragging her new husband along - just so she can gain the amazing health, strength, and stamina benefits offered by the Desert Training Regime.

Art imitating life imitating art. Write what you know, Arch, haha

Plus by WC70 that means I can include a Mohammed Di Bradini! Hmm, maybe.

[Eura]

Shit has just got real in Group G.

Kelly Sporadic 1-0 Israel Klimt

[Felix]

They won Sweden 58' and Chile 62' but got eliminated in the group rounds in England 66'.

IIRC it was because Bulgaria kicked the shit out of half their squad, but I could be wrong.

Sounds like something my lads would do, tbh.

No you're right, if memory serves the score was 3-1.

Maybe.

Maybe in 14 years or so we could have Star Jr playing in the WC? ;p

I will love it if they do, because that means they'll love sport, politics, writing and RAWRCRUSHing - a real Star Jr.

Now what if they beat you?

Will you ground them?

[Starblaydia]

I will love it if they do, because that means they'll love sport, politics, writing and RAWRCRUSHing - a real Star Jr.

Now what if they beat you?

Will you ground them?

I'd imagine they'd get a high-five from their mother; I'm shaping up to be the soft touch while she'll be Stricy McHeartless to them. Of course it'll just be a lifelong (or at least until they're 16/18/21/whenever we kick them out) game of Good Cop, Bad Cop.

[Saugeais]

Apparently, from Vilita's research, the most ever goals scored by a team in a single World Cup group stage is 16 (happened twice).

[Krytenia]

Now what if they beat you?

Will you ground them?

I'd imagine they'd get a high-five from their mother; I'm shaping up to be the soft touch while she'll be Stricy McHeartless to them. Of course it'll just be a lifelong (or at least until they're 16/18/21/whenever we kick them out) game of Good Cop, Bad Cop.

Looks like I'm going to have to have words with the girlfriend. Every generation of Di Bradini needs a Niblick to keep them honest

[Felix]

Now what if they beat you?

Will you ground them?

I'd imagine they'd get a high-five from their mother; I'm shaping up to be the soft touch while she'll be Stricy McHeartless to them. Of course it'll just be a lifelong (or at least until they're 16/18/21/whenever we kick them out) game of Good Cop, Bad Cop.

[Saugeais]

Also, I may be using a little RL States history in my next RP. 7 teams have went through the group stages and drew every single match, and out of those 7 teams 5 advanced to the next round (a stat I did not know about until just now). But it's unfortunate, as I don't have the luxury of needing a draw to advance; I need me a win.