World Cup 68 RP Thread

[Jeruselem]

At the Jeruselem training camp, Princess Amy and Isabella Dallas with Amy looking a bit unwell

Isabella: What's up with you?
Amy: Hangover ...
Isabella: Must have been a big one
Amy: Well, I can't even remember that one
Isabella: You're not getting any younger
Amy: Hey, might as well do it while I'm still young

Isabella: I'm far too old for that stuff
Amy: We were born to party
Isabella: My partying days are over
Amy: Being a responsible Mum and all
Isabella: Dunno about the responsible bit of all that
Amy: My mum still knows how to party

Isabella: She's far from an old chook
Amy: Yep
Isabella: I saw you with a lot of kids yesterday, any of those yours?
Amy: Nope
Isabella: Borrowed kids
Amy: Yeah, just grabbed a few Dallas kids for a TV interview

Isabella: You borrow can some of mine
Amy: We got enough in the palace
Isabella: You keep some of mine
Amy: Looking forward to the World Cup to get away from the kids
Isabella: Yes
Amy: I thought ya liked kids

Isabella: Mine are at an annoying age
Amy: Well, you need an iron will to whip them back into their place
Isabella: I'm not a control freak like your Mum
Amy: Oh yes
Isabella: You don't seem any different
Amy: I guess I know only one way

Isabella: Say, who's the team captain?
Amy: Dunno, Mum didn't say
Isabella: I guess it's not you then since you'd know firsthand
Amy: I don't think so but I might be vice captain
Isabella: I guess it's me then
Amy: We'll find out when the draw is done

Isabella: You seen that new dating show?
Amy: Yeah, I like it
Isabella: 24 girls, 1 guy ... doesn't seem fair
Amy: Hey, a guy has plenty of choice
Isabella: All the girls seem a bit picky, just like you
Amy: Picky girls aren't single for a reason

Isabella: You're not exactly single
Amy: I don't need a dating show to get a guy
Isabella: Still, you'd be at home there
Amy: I don't have the time to be there anyway
Isabella: I'm far too old for all that
Amy: Never, we're never too old for that

[Glaser]

A State of Preparation / Reill N'sauier

This upcoming world cup is going to be a different football experience for Glaser. Looking back, actually we weren't very ready for the last international tournaments, and did our best without any thought- trial and error. A scruffy group of men that tried to sweep the newly founded Glaser off it's feet and enter the phase of obsession to football not unlike the big names in these competitions. They really tried hard to develop the sport in the nation and progress far in world cup 67 (after an excellent run in baptism of fire 54) but as we said earlier, without any support from the media, the country, and most importantly the fans nothing could have been achieved. At last, for the glory of Glaser, I finally fulfill my dream and present to you the upcoming things in Glaserian football, which can grow the football culture in the state:

1- What some may call a public relations trick I call pure genius: after thorough discussions and debates a joint decision made by Frund Meliss and the heads of the Glaser national football association calls to retire the shirt number 12 (Yes yes, we are aware Pioiol F'rleil has this number, it was only a temporary thing). The association made the Glaserians aware of the importance of their involvement in the building of the team- the fans are the 12th player in the pitch. The nation lacked a national and central sport to rally all the fans and this pretty simple PR decision layed the first step and the cornerstone in building the current national team.

2- A continuation for the first point. It is known that every club that respects itself has a supporters firm! Firm- a organization established by the loony fans of the spoken club. Lacking a proper league (a humongous opportunity for private corporations to make a league) the supporters turned to the country's only team and made the Gate 5 firm. Also known as the Dragons of Gate 5; this firm- encourages the team at any chance from training games to overboard matches. Green flags banners and shirts are the identifying mark of Gate 5, (topless fans too) and are sold in bulks to nearly everyone.
These hardcore audience make another step in the transformation of the Red Dragons, we hope to see them organizing charity games, subsidized yellow-green apparel and pushing the squad forwards in games.

3- As you can see this is the first newspaper article that Channel 2 has published regarding to footy. This puts us one pace ahead from where we were at the first world cup and baptism of fire; detailed match reports and wide game reviews can suck you readers into the football world and can give vital information to other associations, teams, and people form around the globe about Glaser, and widen people's knowledge of it. We the press guarantee you that we will do our best for these purposes, and help in our way to the Dragons.

I wish us a great world cup that will advance our position in global football as it is today, and also that we continue and change for the good! Glory to Glaser!

[Audioslavia]

Aels to Zenic: The runners and riders in the race to World Cup 68*
We know Aels aren't participating, but 'Archregimancy to Zenic' sounded dumb.

"The way I see it, everyone has to take a beating some time" - The words of one Henry Hill, through the voice of pre-rehab Ray Liota, said while watching footage of his teenage self being beaten by an angry drunken father with a belt.

Fans of every single one of the world's national football teams can relate.

If any follower of international football travels far enough down memory lane they will happen across a memory of a younger, more naive incarnation of their football team receiving a similarly painful 'lesson'. Audioslavians old enough to remember their 5-0 shellacking by Valanora back in World Cup 37's qualifying stage are, well, dead by now, probably, but the nation's subsequent collective tanned behind was still sore enough to be commented upon the last time Audioslavia played against those belt-weilding Vanorans.

The Vanors, pubescent scallywags on the international scene in World Cup 29, have a similar story regarding a spanking by a then-world-beating Audioslav team.

The job of a newbie nation is to get their arses kicked, regardless of how much talent or potential they have. Unibot 4-0 Astograth. Vilita 0-4 Lowland Clans. Rejistania 5-0 Archregimancy. Rejistania 0-3 Keyshona. Eura 1-5 Akbarabad. Chetkosk 4-1 Wight. Farfadillis 0-3 Kiryu-Shi. Even the likes of Starblaydia and Polar Islandstates, who had comparitively successful freshman years in world football, contrived to be out-played and out-fought in matches against such household names as Bekinhale, Grays Harbour and Akbarabad.

'Aha' I hear you say, 'Starblaydia, Polar Islandstates, they've won fourteen major trophies between them, six of which the actual World Cup. The truly good teams are immune, then, in their debut seasons'

Only it's not that simple, is it? Let's look at other nations who had scintillating debuts qualifiers. You remember The Eagles Nest? Silexhera? Cobra Cult? No. We haven't heard of them either. Or wouldn't have done were Silexhera not about forty miles from our offices, anyway.

Everyone has to take a beating some time.

If one team from the snazzy picture above are immune to this, it's probably Arkiasis. Anyone watching the Baptism of Fire tournament last month might have noticed the quick, exciting, blue-clad Esquarium outfit slice their way through to the last sixteen of the tournament, looking rather delightful on the way. There, against a Drekkevaas team that had appeared aptly named by their comparitively unimaginitive play, Arkiasis managed to losee 8-1. Eight. One. Those of us who choose to take a 'suspension of disbelief' approach to their phrase 'the past has no bearing on the future' like to think that the Arkiasis team have 'had their walloping for the tournament already'. Fate might not be so magnanimous.

Also shown above are a team called Dorado Grande, who's foray into the Baptism of Fire yielded only one solitary point - enough for a world ranking well below 300th - and included a 10-0 defeat to Mastille. 10-0. Ten. The Grandes will hope that they, too, have 'already had' their thrashing for the tournament.

Mastille, with that win, had cemented themselves as one of the favourites for the tournament, but found themselves beaten, by the narrowest of margins, in the semi-final by a Zenic team that has gotten football fans rather moist with their displays up to now.

Zenic were, frankly, a revelation, and of all the BoF entrants it is the Esportivans in blood-red shirts that are best positioned to make a proper mark on the international scene, not only in World Cup 68 but in the future, too - their under-fifteen side swept all before them in the most recent U15 World Cup, leading many to liken them to current high-flyers and previous winners of the under-age tournaments Farfadillis.

Beaten finalists Florgania are also one to watch. The side made a good fist of their final against Zenic and, if given a weak group, may be dark horses for a playoff spot, or at least be there or thereabouts on the home straight.

The Florganians and Zenicians (actual demonyms to be learnt later) will fancy their chances against the world's best after having rolled over their peers, but neither side need look too far into the past for lessons on how important a Baptism of Fire win actually is. Sure, the previous two winners have fared well, but cycle 66 champion Welsh Cowboy somehow ammassed less points over the 16-game WC67 qualifying cycle than they managed over 10 games in WC66, and Buyan will have to work hard to continue their upward trajectory. Previous champions Aels fell off the football map altogether after two disastrous qualifying campaigns following their victory in cycle 65, and BoF-winners New Sideburn were thrashed 7-0, 5-2 and 4-0 during a modest qualifying campaign in cycle 64. Those readers old enough to remember Audioslavia's taking of the BoF championship in cycle 59 might also remember the subsequent qualifying campaign in which the side were out-performed by 'Bof-mates' Karditan, Licentiapacisterra and even Boring Paradise on their way to a miserable second-from-bottom placing.

A further look back through time reveals a list of BoF winners who faded into obscurity entirely. Anyone predicting Undeadzombiee to win anything soon? How about F1-Insanity? No takers? Suit yourselves.

The smart money, then, is on Zenic, but there won't be too many surprised faces if the best performing newbie in World Cup 68 is a team from the lower reaches of the BoF finishing school. Dorado Grande for WC68? Stranger things have happened...

Of the above group, your writer predicts ZENIC and ARKIASIS to challenge for playoff spots.

We've had the Boffers, so how about the Soffers?

Visible above are the three teams of the 'class of 67' that we fancy as dark horses for qualification.

First off: Buyan. The BoF 54 champions impressed during their World Cup 67 qualification run, and will look to build on that over the coming months. Beaten BoF 54 finalists The Sarian have further to travel with regards to building their team - the side managed an eight-game winless streak last time out and were thrashed 5-1 by a rather ordinary West Angola side on the final matchday, but will have almost zero rival teams crossing their fingers and hoping for the men in green and white hoops to be slotted into their group come the draw.

Thirdly, HopNation are one to watch during the upcoming qualifiers. The side, in trademark white and orange colours that bring to mind an ancient Rejistania in look - if not style - seemed to segue themselves into international football to zero fanfare last time round, after a modest BoF campaign and a fairly rubbish start to World Cup 67 qualifying. They soon, however, began to steal attention away from the likes of Buyan and The Sarian with a series of impressive displays that included holding former three-time champions The Holy Empire to a goal-less draw before thrashing a very capable Mangolana side by four goals to one. Had the side not been given an utterly impossible group draw in the subsequent Cup of Harmony - German American States and Mytannion: bronze and gold medalists in that tournament respectively - we might have seen more of the exciting young side from the previously unheralded footballing hotbed of Hefemalt, and soccer enthusiasts will be casting a keen eye Hop-wards over the coming months.

That just leaves us with Greater Watford, a team overlooked by much of the international community in recent years. Greater Watford are a team with a terrible name (one that brings to mind particularly uneventful commuter journeys and, for some reason, a turnip) and a reasonably meagre record in international foootball up to now (the side shared the same group as Buyan four years ago and were swept off the pitch home and away by their BoF-mates), including a point-less foray into the most recent AOCAF Cup, but have vowed to up their game in time for World Cup 68 and are a prime example of a team that are easy to overlook, but all too capable of biting someone in the behind.

Of the above group, your writer predicts BUYAN to reach at least the playoffs

[German American States]

Chapter 2: The Transfer Window

Konrad

In a dark Mannendorf restaurant

Konrad sat at a table for two alone, with a cold Bootlegger Bier in his hand. The DJ was spinning some electrofunk track, but little was getting Konrad to settle down. His agent had told him he was getting targeted by Univerisidad de Santander out of Felix.

His agent pulled the chair back and sat down. The two shook hands. Franz Leibermann, his agent, was a wiry and energetic fellow, always on the edge of his seat. His hair spiked up looked like he had been shocked by electric energy, matching his demeanor. Despite his energy, he could become very focused when working deals. That’s why he had also been the agent for several past national team members, including the now assistant coach Daniel Bauer.

“So, Konrad, got a deal here,” Franz said quickly, gesturing for a beer as he set a sheet on the table. “All of the transfer info is there. Take a look”.
Konrad scanned over the sheet as Franz took a quick swig of the beer. “So, what are the specs on this?”.

Franz went into focused mode. “Well, Konrad, they’re a good club. They’ve made it to the Globe Cup, you know, the big stage. They’re losing a striker and need someone to fill the gap. You’d fit perfectly with them”.

Konrad shifted in his seat. “You know, I’m really thinking against this. I’ve always stuck with my team, and Mannendorf is my new home. This club is going somewhere. I have a great group. Kamp supplies me with those through balls, and we have great chemistry”. Konrad pushed the paper back to Franz. “No go, buddy.”

“Well Konrad, I don’t think you have half of the story here. They’re offering 20 million Marks. 20 million of them. What are you getting paid in Mannendorf?”

“2 mil.”

“That’s right. You’d be the most sought after national team member to go international in history. You’ll get 50,000 a week! ”

“I don’t really want to be that though.” Konrad gazed out the window to the rainy Mannendorf street. Cabs whizzed by, spraying water into the air. “Franz, let me tell you something. My mother raised me and my four siblings in Eisenhafen. Somehow, she kept us all alive, and she put it all on the line for us. She was so humble, and I admire that so much. I want to be like her Franz. I want to honor her.”

“Well, what about that cancer treatment your mom will have to go through? And what about that fund for the inner city kids in Eisenport you were thinking of starting? Konrad, let me tell you as a friend, you have to think about others! Think about all the good you could do with the extra money!”

Konrad remained silent, gazing into the wood grain on the table. So complex, just like the life of a professional footballer. What was he going to do?

Franz looked a little tired but sympathetic. “Look, Konrad. I know this is a tough choice for you. You’re a great guy, humble and wanting to give back. That’s why I signed you. But you also have great talent, and you need to utilize that as well.”

“Look, the transfer window is going to be going on until the end of the week. You have until then to figure out the deal. I can get a jet to fly you up north any time you want. Just make sure you’re happy with the deal.”

Franz stood up and put his black coat and hat on. He slapped down a AM 50 bill on the table. “Keep the change Konrad. That paper’s yours. Think about it”. Franz started walking briskly out the door.

Times like these, Konrad knew, could change your career, even your life forever. Would he stay comfortable living in Mannendorf, or would he go for the money? The money worried Konrad. A lot. Growing up, he never had much, and always kept hold of it like he was handling bars of gold. Would he fall under the spell of those 50,000 marks a week?

Konrad thought of his neighborhood growing up. The drug dealers. The hookers. The gang wars. The shock of losing his brother in a drive by shooting. This is what he would be stopping by starting that fund! He could help all those in need and earn a comfortable living at the same time.

“I’ll take it.”

Franz wheeled around and looked straight at Konrad. “Are you sure? You’ll be up in Felix for four years. Do you want to do that?”

Konrad breathed in the clear air of the restaurant. “Yeah. I can’t just let those kids up in the Hafen struggle like that.”

“Okay, great! I’ll book a jet to Felix for tomorrow at noon. Bring some nice clothes, they might call a press conference. See ya tomorrow.”

Konrad buried his head in his hands. What had he done?

Peter

Peter sat at his desk in his Mannendorf condo. The rain beat upon the large glass wall in front of the desk. From his post at his computer, he could see the entire city of Mannendorf and the ocean a ways away. Tonight was one of the last in the transfer window. Peter wasn’t being contacted by any international clubs, which was fine by him. He was comfortable with Mannendorf. It was a nice town, and he liked the team as well. They had so much going for them, a real team of the future in the GAPL. With the combination of him and Konrad, nobody could stop them. Except for last season. They caught some bad luck with Peter being injured. The squad just wasn’t the same.

After a bit more at the computer checking his email inbox for messages from his agent, he pushed back his chair and strode across the room towards the TV room, phone in hand. For some reason, a sliver of discontent crept into Peter's mind; he wasn't getting contacted in the transfer window. He would like to think that he could go big time soon, go international. The GAPL was just not the biggest stage for Peter to display his talents. He wanted to pack his bags for Apox, Buyan, NSI, maybe to Rushmore or Atlantian Oceana. Peter loved Mannendorf and all, but the grass must be greener on the other side.

Peter put his hand on the doorhandle to the TV room, but paused. He didn't feel like it was right. It was music room time. Peter strode to another room decked out in wall to wall speakers with a solitary couch and coffee table in the center. Peter came here to relax, and he was feeling a little on edge about the window. He had a vague feeling something bad would happen. Peter pushed that to the back of his head as he turned on the computer and blasted his go-to playlist. After a couple of songs, Peter felt a ton more relaxed. The big time would come, he thought. I just have to keep playing well.

Peter was moderately annoyed when his phone started ringing. Nobody called him except if it was serious. As Peter looked at the screen, he saw it was indeed serious. There, on the line, was his agent, Alek Froetter.

"'Sup Alek?"

"Peter, are you sitting down right now?"

"Um...yeah." Uh-oh. Peter knew this could not be good. Was he getting transferred away? Released? Off the national team? He took a deep breath. "OK Alek, lay it on me, what's going on here?"

"Univerisidad de Santander signed Meisenhal. 20 million marks."

Peter didn't hear the second part. His hand with the phone in it dropped to his lap. He sat back on his sofa stunned. Suddenly, a sharp pang came through him. He got right back on the phone. "Why'd he leave?"

"Hard to say. He's mentioned his mom having that really crazy breast cancer thing. Maybe its a way to get funds? Who knows at this point. You'll have to wait until the press conference, or you could talk to him later. Take your pick."

Peter was coming back to his senses a bit. "Who's gonna fill the spot?"

"Funny you should ask. Right after Konrad signed away, the front office signed...erm, lets see...ah, here it is! Christie Travis, from Northern Sunrise Islands. She-"

"Wait, she?"

"Yes, Peter, she. Shockingly enough, there are some good female footballers that play in mens leagues. Anyhow, she's one of the best players on the Sunrisaian internationals who just got knocked out of the starting XI. She should be a nice fit to the team."

"I don't know. Nothing against her, but I don't like having women on the squad. Because of the nature of the league, they get tons of media attention instead of just playing the game. Could be bad."

"Yeah, maybe, but come on Konrad, lets get realistic. WCQs start within the month, and you have to prepare yourself for that. Line up priorities. You'll have a chance to meet her at the press conference at the mid-qualifying break, and I believe you'll be the one teaching her in the captain educator program."

Peter rolled his eyes. For some reason DKXI insisted on having the captain mentor new transfers and teach them German if they're from outside of the country. Peter was going to have to deal with that now on top of the pressure of qualifiers.

"Ok, I'll get focused on the qualifiers. Good to talk to you."

"Thanks. Peter?"

"Yeah?"

"Keep focused. I'll see you before your first match."

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

RADIO ESPORTIVA
Chapter 1: A New Day (and a new generation of sorts)

Sunrise: Sheesh... calm down, GAS. My cousin has enough experience with radio to help us out!
G.A.S.: *sigh*
Sunrise: Puh-lease, GAS! When did I ever let you down?
G.A.S.: You can't remember?
Sunrise: Remember what?

G.A.S. starts to talk, raising each finger of his right hand while he lists everything.

G.A.S.: My hockey uniform you sold before I could use.
Sunrise: Hey, it was a bargain!
G.A.S.: The old radio equipment you destroyed by dropping chocolate ice cream over.
Sunrise: Meh, radio never tasted so well.
G.A.S.: Stealing my copy of The Trainwreck Savers.
Sunrise: I didn't steal it, you probably just lost around!
G.A.S.: I really wanted to watch that movie!
Sunrise: Psh, it's the typical end of movies like that. They raise the money to keep Esportiva Café alive!
G.A.S.: Well, thanks for ruining that up!
Sunrise: Not a problem.
G.A.S.: You also broke my original headphones...
Sunrise: I did not! You just leaped with it and it fell.
G.A.S.: Yeah! When you scared me out!
Sunrise: Psh...
G.A.S.: And let's not mention the one time that you mixed my white shirts with a yellow shirt from... what was that team again?
Sunrise: SV Temuco Huez?
G.A.S.: ...That team was at Felix?
Sunrise: Still exists. I heard it's growing fairly well!
G.A.S.: Fairly well as in no longer the last team of the league because of Felix's sudden club burst!
Sunrise: Lay off of it, will ya?
G.A.S.: *sigh*
Sunrise: Plus, I was in a hurry!
G.A.S.: Hurry for what? You don't have a job, you are not studying anything outside, I am the one that has to go to the supermarket...
Sunrise: I had to go just a bit after that. My girlfriend was waiting outside for us to go to the Mall!

G.A.S. scratches his head, looking at his roommate.

G.A.S.: You have a girlfriend? Then why the hell do you have to live here instead of living with her?
Sunrise: She has a dog.
G.A.S.: ...
Sunrise: I can handle a Houndoom, but a dog? No way.
G.A.S.: You can't be serious.
Sunrise: I am being serious. How would you handle something like that?
G.A.S.: You're a Pokémon Trainer for Margaret's sake.
Sunrise: Yes...?
G.A.S.: You can control a timebomb! A dog shouldn't be a problem!
Sunrise: But it is! How could you control a being without a Pokéball? It's disgusting!
G.A.S.: *sigh*
Sunrise: You people...
G.A.S.: Wait... where did you get the money to go to the Mall?
Sunrise: Eheheh... about that... I hope you weren't planning to go buy Esportivan Football 9 tomorrow...
G.A.S.: *sigh*
Sunrise: Meh, sometimes you make me miss living with Apox...
G.A.S.: Really?
Sunrise: ...Well, not really. Her "Tea Time" was annoying as hell.
G.A.S.: Her?
Sunrise: You don't remember?

Sunrise giggles, remembering himself of some years before that, when he still shared a "flat" with Apox.

Apox: Sunrise! Where are my crackers?
Sunrise: I was hungry, baby...
Apox: But it's tea time! And stop calling me baby! I'm like this because of your typical stupidity!
Sunrise: Psh... I told ya to not mess with Arceus... He's quite the vindictive entity.
Apox: Oh, because making me turn into this is a complete, justified reaction to me using his Pokéball for cricket practice!
Sunrise: Maybe it's a message of God. Don't play it!
Apox: It was a message from your God to not use his Pokéball, you bloody moron!
Sunrise: Whatever. You should have known better.
Apox: Up your arse, now go fix this!
Sunrise: But you look kinda cute.
Apox: Grrrrrrrrr!

Sunrise finishes his flash-back, still laughing a bit.

G.A.S.: I'd blame Mama.
Sunrise: Y'mean Cyborg Dutchia? Psh, she was always too passive...
G.A.S.: Technically, she's also your mother. Call her Mama too.
Sunrise: Blah. I was adopted, anyways.
G.A.S.: Yeah... but would you prefer to be adopted by the Atlantians?

Sunrise looks out from the window. He can easily notice a group of five, consisting of Furellum, Inev, Barunia, 95X, Xi Foureleven and Schiavonia.

Sinister Six: JOIN US.

The sight causes Sunrise to come back, shocked.

Sunrise: Eh... I take it back...
G.A.S.: Oh, they're back at our backyard again?
Sunrise: Yes... I wished it was just Inev or just Furellum around like the old times. They tend to be pretty fun solo.
G.A.S.: Indeed, they do... I suppose that's what I would say if I got to spend time with them... but since I have to work so we can pay the rent...
Sunrise: Wait... we pay a rent?
G.A.S.: Yup. A guy named Racing pops up every month asking for that.
Sunrise: ...Huh. I thought it was just a friend of Hodori stopping by.
G.A.S.: Uh... who?
Sunrise: Unyu, exactly.
G.A.S.: ?
Sunrise: Oh!

The doorbell rings, Sunrise goes to the door.

Sunrise: Ah, you finally arrived!

[Brenecia]

Vance Sterling opened the Wasabi First Wind, and began flicking through his notes again.
The assistant manager had stayed quietly out of the spotlight for the most part - a role he preferred in general. To him, the spotlight belonged for the players, and to Jon Slatesaver shouting from the technical area - he'd be just off frame and whispering into his ear.
But for now, there was the Liberty Cup to consider, and the two Observer articles in front of him referred to just that.

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Brenecia Puts Up Strong Home Showing Against Cormorants
by Jake Kinsington

BRENECIA Pence; Allbeck, Greig, Mortlock (Drummond 60'), Bowyer; Raynor, Chenoweth (Guilder 58'), Camden, Spitfire (Asquith 45'); Belconnen, Kuepper
Goals: Kuepper 16', Raynor 68'
NEW SIDEBURN Colbright; Sleet, Marlowe, Finnan, Clough; Byron (Crowe 64'); Keane, Crowley (Leinster 76'); Sedgwick; Thunder (c), Cathar
Goals: Cathar 52', Thunder 60'

In the first of two legs in the Liberty Cup, a new annual cup between Brenecia and New Sideburn, the hosts looked strong and self-assured in the first match ever at the refurbished Kingsgarden. Patriots top scorer Brad Kuepper netted his 31st for his country in the 16th on the counter-attack, and while the Sideburnese pressure paid off at times Pence was resolute in the box. However, they broke through in the second half - Cathar was played through by Harper and slammed the ball past Pence, and a powerful header from Gerhard Thunder put the Sideburnese in the lead, but as Brenecia opened up they were able to level the scores shortly afterwards, Steed Raynor converting a superb free kick from just outside the area.

That had been a good match, or certainly a first half that went perfectly to plan. Brenecia absorbed pressure in the first half, netted on the counterattack and took a lead - and pulling back level when they were forced to open up? That showed real character, and Slatesaver was elated.

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Patriots Annihilated By Rampant New Sideburn
by Jake Kinsington

NEW SIDEBURN Colbright; Shrike (Sleet 55'), Marlowe, Finnan, Stokes (c); Brandon; Harper (Keane 55'), Leinster; Sedgwick; Bittencourt, Cathar (Evans 55')
Goals: Cathar 13', Harper 28', Bittencourt 59', Brandon 82'
BRENECIA Pence; Blackwood (Allbeck 61'), Greig (Gallagher 61'), Mortlock, Chartreuse (Bowyer 74'); Raynor, Guilder, Sylver (c), Spitfire; Belconnen, Bryson

Jess Mortlock finally gets a first win under her belt as the hosts ripped Brenecia apart in emphatic fashion. The young, promising Violence midfielder Jess Leinster, playing on the left of the diamond, proved utterly unstoppable for Brenecia, and notched up three assists of her own during the match - first opening the Brenecian line to play Cathar into the box, then her cross found Cath Harper unmarked on the opposite corner of the box - Harper's long strike made no mistake. It was Leinster once again whose pass played Bittencourt in off the shoulder of the last defender in the 59th minute - by that point, with the Sideburnese 5-2 up on aggregate and with two away goals, the game was a formality, secured by Michael Brandon with a superb long shot in the 82nd minute. Brenecia hardly figured as an attacking presence, though they nearly got a consolation in the 88th - Belconnen outfoxed Finnan on the ball and his shot was strong, but close to Tana Colbright, who clutched it to her chest having saved all three of Brenecia's shots on target that match.

That match had gone ... less to plan. Brenecia were undone by Rook Cathar, who was being tipped to be New Sideburn's greatest ever striker, and Jess Leinster, who was ... a squad player. They'd been dominated all over the pitch, and toothless in front of goal. Sterling sighed, and threw both papers behind him.

Sterling was fresh off a major disagreement with his boss - the first in his tenure. The assistant had stated firmly that the average age of the squad was 28.4, the average of the first eleven 29.3. These were, he noted, both quite large. There was a difference, Sterling argued, between 'using tried and trusted players' and 'picking basically the same squad for three or four years'. Slatesaver replied somewhat less than cordially that there was a difference between 'offering useful advice' and 'bitching like a total pain in the arse'. That had been yesterday - they'd not spoken since.

The assistant manager sighed. Why did everything have to be so difficult?

[Yttribia]

"Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Yttribians. From Telino, to Fontvieille, to Zevella, and every other imaginable place in our great nation! It is with great joy, that our former Republic, has been dissolved! And our brand new Confederation has finally arrived! No more large, unimaginable government will rule over the greatest nation in all of the multiverse! From this point onward, power to the people! We are going to give each and every one of our six glorious regions more liberty, more options, and most importantly, more freedom! Our former leader, who doesn't even deserve to have that title, Andrew Grimaldi has fled the country to an unknown location across the region, possibly the world? And how shall we respond? We shall respond by making a government of his nightmare. One that has not come long enough!

Obersinn, Vauchel, Fresnosa, Penedès, Urellia, and the Capital will no longer have to ask the government to do something simple, and then wait months just to fill in a single pothole! More liberty, more freedom, more openness to the entire nation!"

The entire crowd was roaring with applause, chanting the speaker's name, Jeanette

"Now friends, the reform period is going to last a while. And while reforming everything, we're going to have to draft up a new Constitution for the Confederation, and I will let you know right here and right now, that this won't be easy. We're hoping that the Constitutional drafting sessions will not overlap during World Cup Qualifiers, since we all know how much we want to see the Ravens battle their way throughout this competition, win, lose, or draw!"

The crowd, now filled with people from across the entire nation are starting to chant mayor Jeanette Kemp's name. Kemp is a thirty-six year old politician, who not only serves as the mayor of Fontvieille, but also as the Governor of the Fontvieille Capital District. She was elected by the youth of the population, who grew tired with the out-of-touch old men who've run the city for quite a long time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I can't guarantee you all a lot, but I will guarantee you this. There will be a brand new, modern, nation by the end of this year! Now please, get some rest! The entire nation has a lot of work to do! We must work harder, better, faster, and stronger! Our nation will be known around the world, and we will become the next beacon of liberty, freedom, and more! There's something about us, in which we are literally a steam machine, working non-stop to help our nation achieve such great heights! And whenever there happens to be a block in our passage, it doesn't matter to us, because we'll be heading Forward! Forward, Yttribia!"

At that moment, the crowd of around 2,000,000 people begin to start singing the national anthem, with the song being heard throughout the entire city.

"Forward Yttribia, Forward Yttribia!
We'll come on marching forward with thee!
No matter the trouble, or the happiness occurring!
We'll come marching forward with thee!"

"Thank you everyone! We have work to do right now, so please, make a broad benefit to our world!"

Kemp re-enters the former Presidential Palace, which she is currently planning to renovate into a museum on the entire history of Yttribia. She walks through the various corridors of the Palace, and finally makes her way to her temporary bedroom. Inside the bedroom, is papers all over the floor, and a modest queen size bed. She is receiving an invitation to a voice chat call on her computer, and rushes over there to accept it. The people who called were the other five Governors from the five other regions in Yttribia.

"Evening Aubert, Giorgio, Laureen, Richard, and Emma. What can I help you with this fine day? Does it have to do with the new Constitution we're drafting, because if so, it's going to be a night's worth-"

Jeanette is cut off by Richard, the governor of the Penedès region, who begins to interrupt the Mayor

"Listen, I know we're going to eventually work on whatever we are going to work on, but for goodness sakes, we need a place to stage the meeting!"

"Place?"

"Yes, a darn place! All of those historical conferences are usually held in a city to basically show off how great it is, and it's going to be an event in which people talk about in history books from across the entire world!"

"I mean, is there a problem with having the entire work all done over this voice conference?"

"Yes, there is a darn problem!" is what the entire other members of the voice conference tell Jeanette.

Giorgio Marchegiano, governor of the Urellans, and the person who came up with the idea of a confederation all of a sudden butts in the conversation with a plan for a host city.

"Alright, for the love of Christ, please allow me. Since I believe I am the one who eventually got the entire nation on our backs by ousting Grimaldi, that piece of scum, don't you think Serraville, or at least a city in the Urellans should host the-"

"Listen, Giorgio, it's Aubert. As much as we would find it absolutely fantastic that a city in Urellia, or the Urellans, or whatever the fuck you call them, I think the obvious choice is Gaillard. We're basically the next up and coming city in the enti-"

"Hold up, don't forget about Obersinn, I mean we have...and gosh I honestly don't know any major city that could host some big major event in Obersinn. Well, you guys can choose another city, I'll just browse Imondo as usual."

Everyone on the voice conference goes silence, until Jeanette finally speaks up during the voice call.

"Well, usually I would agree with Emma, since really, Obersinn isn't relevant at all. Come on, let's face that plain truth right there."

The entire voice conference begins to make voices of mhmmm, and general statements of agreement with Jeanette.

"But seriously, I think that holding our conference in Obersinn, would actually be a really good idea. I mean, they will enjoy relevance in history, although it'll probably be the only time they're mentioned in the history book. But it's actually a good idea!"

Laureen Varela, governor of the Fresnosa district, decides to speak up for the first time in a while.

"Hey, lets all agree that we aren't holding the conference in La Halda. I mean seriously, even though the city is in my region, nearly nobody gives a damn about the city anyways. It's an absolute joke of a city, and I don't want anyone to remember it at all."

"Yeah, we all can agree on that."

"So it's settled, looks like the conference is going to be held in Obersinn. We'll be discussing guaranteed rights for Yttribians, and that's about it. Not too long, but short and sweet. Anyways, we'll get planning on the conference after the World Cup Draw. Until then, I'll talk to you all later."

"Take care, Laureen," the entire voice conference tells Laureen.

Jeanette finally takes control of the voice call again, and proceeds to speak.

"Yeah, I'm going to go now, and I'll talk to you all after the Draw. Good night everybody."

Jeanette hangs up from the call, and then makes her way towards the bed. She proceeds to sit on it, and gets ready for some well needed rest.

"Crap, this is going to most likely take longer than I think it would."

[Albaie]

The Road to the World Cup
This will document Albaie's road to the World Cup as well as the ending of the Second Albaie Revolution and if we get far enough in the tournament maybe even the wakening of Vincent Deberen The Elder.


They were all sat on their horses. The shells rained down around them as the Emperor carried on his speech.

" We are men of Albaie and men today I beg you fight in her name. Do not falter, do not stray cause you are men of Albaie and glory is in your hearts. Now men take this hill and we shall win this war. " The Emperor roared standing proud and majestic in the saddle of his stallion. He pulled Dubrack's sword from it's sheath and pointed it up the hill. " Onward men. Onward to victory. " He cried and the men cheered behind him. The Emperor turned his horse and rode back to the gathered group of officers. " Duke Michael I want you to march your men round the hill and join up with Lord Starke and begin your assault against Count Gerard's position. " The Emperor started giving out orders to his general staff and then Duke Michael and his own staff turned and rode off quickly followed by Lord Starke. " Vincent I want you and your men to start fast hitting operations against the men on the lower hills. " The Emperor then ordered and Vincent saluted and then him and his officers rode off. " Lord Mark I want you and your men to join up with the main assault. " The Emperor carried on and Lord Mark bowed his head then rode off. Mark was dressed in the uniform of the Deberen's Dragons with the orange coat and red facings and black trouser fringed with gold thread. " Lucky " quickly fell in with him at the front of the line of the 4,500 remaining infantry men of their brigade.
" So were climbing that. " " Lucky " said apprehensively.
" Aye he's sending us against it. " Mark replied staring at the monstrosity in front of them. Mount Gerton had long been a military installment and over the centuries it had been one the Albaie emperors never once thought they would have to take it back from a rebel force. For the last 3 years it had been in rebel hands after it's hereditary commanding officer Lord Gerton had joined the nobles revolt. His second in charge had led a counter coup against Lord Gerton but now Count McRogers and his fellow loyalists were dead and long buried. The fortress was built on top of a hill and was now littered with defensive installments and thousands of defenders. The Emperor was viewing it as the most important battle of the war so far. He had called Field Marshall Duke Michael Deberen back from Newfoundland were as Lord Govenor he had won several important battles and alongside the new Advar allies secured the colony and alongside the Field Marshall and the 7th Imperial Battle Army the 1st Imperial Legion, The Imperial Guards and the 1st Imperial Battle army had been mustered to try and crack the nut that was Mount Gerton. Lord Starke and the 33rd Light Infantry Brigade had kept the fortress under siege for the last month and been steadily joined by the reinforcements that the Emperor was mustering to take the fortress.
" Surely it would just be easier to bombard it to the ground. " "Lucky " said his voice in wonder as he looked up at the mass of defensive positions and swarms of men.
" That's what we have been doing for three months now but Gerton is holding firm inside those walls and I don't think anything will force him out of there. " Mark replied before turning to look at his men who stood in perfect order in their orange coats with red facings. " " Lucky " give them the order we are going to be taking part in the main assault on the fortress. " He said in a grim tone and watched as his Chief of Staff turned to deliver the orders. A young ensign then came galloping up to him.
" Sir Ensign Murden with orders from his Imperial Majesty. " The young man said thrusting out a piece of paper. Mark recognized the young man as Lord Murden the son and heir of Duke Morington who Mark had served with only two months previously at the Battle of Lulton where they had won a relatively insignificant battle against the Peasant Liberation Army.

Horseton
You and your brigade are to attack when on the second bugle alongside Moray and Junton's brigades.
May God be with you.

" Thank you Murden you may return to the Emperor and tell him the order is received and understood. " Mark replied and as the young officer rode off Mark heard the first bugle call. He looked over to his left to see the light infantry and commando units streaming across the fields towards the hill base. Even from this distance he could see his youngest brother leading the soldiers valiantly and he was one of the first to reach the base of the hill. The fighting looked fierce as his brother and his men pushed their way up the hill as machine gun and rifle fire rained down on them but the combined artillery and aircraft bombing were laying down covering fire for the advancing Imperial troops. Mark was amazed at how little Imperial dead there were as they seemed to be moving into such heavy fire. Mark had raised his telescope and was watching the advance of their troops when he saw his brother who was resplendent in a Deberen coat of arms cloak leap onto a defensive position clear it and then raise a flag of the Imperium. It was then Mark looked over at the gathering of the Emperor and his general staff and saw the Emperor nod. Mark lowered the telescope and heard the second bugle.
" Men present arms. " He barked and he heard as every man got into the right position.
" Soldiers of Deberen's Dragons will fix bayonets. " Cried " Lucky " who took back up his position next to Mark who was rapidly dismounting.
" Soldiers of Deberen's Dragons will advance at a march. " Mark ordered drawing his sword as an aide led away his horse. Mark began marching forward at the front of his soldiers and looked along to see that around the base of the hill thousands of soldiers were advancing on it.

[The Sarian]

He lit his cigarette, technically it was illegal in the city but no-body was going to stop him, he had been working hard. As head groundsman at Lavington Park, he was used to the stadium, he was no longer at awe, like the tourists on a stadium tour, he could see them dotted around the stadium, the flash of a camera occurring regularly. They were enjoying it, a helicopter flew over the stadium, more flashes. He flicked the butt of the cigarette.

The flames engulfed the stadium, thick black smoke blocking all light, as if it was forbidden to enter. Within 4 hours, the once grand stadium was no more than rubble and a grave for the 64 people who had been unable to make it off the island on which the stadia stood.

Just three days before the start of the World Cup Qualifying, and The Royal Isles Team had no home.

---

The Civil Way - Part One

I didn't like having to do this. The whole purpose of my job was to keep in the shadows and be secretive, I had no idea why I now had to sit here and face this enquiry, the full gaze of the Sarian - and international media upon me. I could see them all here, the incorrectly named Sarian National Network, it claimed to be publicly owned, but a quick meeting with a Mr. Joseph Golternricken could have disprove that; Royal Isles Broadcasting Service, reported profits of over 2 billion Imperia last financial year, and yet paid less tax than a housewife from the east side of Chippenham.

You could see it in all of the press eyes, the first to the left was even slightly persperating, this was a big story, maybe even the defining point of their short careers so far, their name would be in print, on a first page of a newspaper, their face shown on television reporting about this story, the would get their fame for the little good they did, and I would get nothing for all the good I did. But I was used to it, it was what I signed up for.

"This session of the 1st Committee on Security and Intelligence Conduct can now be begin, chaired by The Most Excellent, John Bollinger, Minister of State in the Internal Affairs Office and co-chair is The Excellent Lucas Pawley, Conservative Party Junior Spokesman for Internal Affairs. Presiding on the Committee is members of the four largest political parties, all of whose names can be found in the order paper."

I knew John Bollinger well, not personally of course, before now he had never spoken to me, probably never heard of me. But I had been incharge of his security sweep, he didn't know this of course, no minister knew, but every minister had it done. While they are out, hard drives are swept, houses bugged, phones monitored. I could tell you off the top of my head who is mistress is and his favourite type of porn.

"Being scrutinized by this special committee is a Mr. Peter Mason, who until a month ago was the Chief Executive of The Homeland Service, RI3. Mr Mason, would you like to tell us all you know about the allegations against you and RI3, as set forth in the order paper."

"Thank you Mr. Chairman for your kind words about me, of course they went on for so very long, try and keep all those positive buzzwords about me to a minimum next time. I would also like to make it clear to the records that I still am His Majesties Chief Executive at Royal Intelligence Section Three, just suspended pending this Parliamentary Tribunal. Anyway, to my story.

I was never the ordinary spook, I'm not going to pretend I was a rags to riches story or any of this Yttribian Dream rubbish, because I'm not. My father was a factory owner, a munitions factory in Darwin, this was before all the factories were closed you see, anyway, I was expected to take over the family business, when my father was no longer capable. I was the eldest of six, my younger brothers were nothing special. I was the smart one, I didn't go to an Independant School, my father wanted me to grow up with the people who would one day be under my employment, said it would help me understand them. I was lucky enough to get into the local grammar school following primary, however we had to move across the Isles to Ackland, which put me back in Comprehensive. I don't know if any of you have been Ackland, I know you have Alexander, I've read your file. Anyway, you if any of you have even been, you would notice how broad their accents are, and how hard it is for an outsider to understand. It taught me just how important communication was.

By the time war with Bajine broke out, I was 14, my father owned three munitions factories and the government soon approached him to help set up more, while my mother and brothers stayed back, he made me come with him. It was in Wilterset, Laycock where he ran off with a Mrs. Jones,I had joined the Navy just two days before, lied about my age of course. Most people did. I was assigned to RSS Intrepid, a warship protecting the Isle of Tench, which as you know is 800 miles off The Sarian mainland, on Intrepid I was a junior operator for coms, and when the war ended I stayed on the Isle of Tench, working for the Sarian Island Office, for 12 years I stayed on the Island, working my way to manager, then Royal Intelligence Section Three approached me."

---

One Shot - Part One
(OOC: This is a direct copy from my Beltane Cup RPs, this is just to save the messy business of having to do a million links)

"Joshua! We're out of water. Go to the well." I can still hear my mothers voice calling and it is strange to think of myself as a fourteen-year-old boy, a single child, growing up in a village 200 miles away from Chippenham. I can see myself, stick-thin with long, fair hair with blue eyes that always look a bit startled. Everyone tells me that I am small for my age and they urge me to eat more protein... as if I can ever afford anything that even resembles meat or fish. I have not yet spent many hundreds of hours working out and my muscles are undeveloped. I am sprawled out in the living room, watching the only television we have in the house. Its a huge, ugly box with a picture that often wavers and trembles and there are hardly any channels to chose from. To make things worse, the electricity supply is unreliable and you can be sure that the moment you get interested in a film, the moment your team starts playing football or the moment something pops up on the news, the image will suddenly flicker and die and you'll be left alone, sitting in the dark. But whenever I can, I tune in to a documentary, which I devour. It is my only window onto the outside world.

I am describing The Sarian - 20 years ago, just after the end of communism and before the third revolution. It is not so long ago and yet it is somewhere that no longer exists. The changes that began in main cities became a tsunami that engulfed the entire country, although they took their time reaching the village where I lived. There was no running water in any of the houses and so, three times a day, I had to make my way down to the well with a wooden harness over my sholders and two metal buckets dragging down my arms. I sound like a peasant and a lot of the time I must have looked like one, dressed in a baggy shirt with no collar and a waistcoat. As a matter of fact, I had one pair of Felixan jeans, which had been sent to me as a present from a relative in KWC, and I can still remember everyone staring at me as I put them on. Jeans! They were like somethign from a different planer. And my name was Joshua, not Jossen. Quite by accident, it got changed.

If I am going to explain what happened to me and what I became, then I must begin here, in Estrov. Nobody speaks of it anymore. It is not on the map. According to Sarian authorities, it never existed. But I remember it well; a village of about 80 wooden houses surrounded by a farmland with a church, a shop, a police station, a bathhouse and a river that was bright blue in the summer but freezing a year round. A single road ran through the middle of the village but it was hardly needed as there were very few cars. Our neighbour, Mr Hutchinson, had a tractor which often rummbled past, billowing oily, black smoke, but I was more used to being woken up by horses hooves. The village was wedged between thick forest in the north and hills in the south and west so that the views never really changed. Sometimes I would see planes flying over-head and I thought of the people inside them, travelling to the otherside of the word. If I was working in the garden, I would stand still and watch them - the wings blinking, the sunlight glinting on their metal skin, until they had gone out of sight, leaving only the echo of their engines behind. They reminded me of who and what I was. Estrov was my world and I certainly didn't need an aeroplane to get from one side to the other.

My own home, where I lived with my parents, was small and simple, made of painted wooden boards with shutters on either side of the windows and a weather vane that squeaked all night if there was too much wind, and this being The Sarian, there almost always was. It was quite close to the church, set back from the main road with similar houses on either side. Flowers and brambles grew right beside the walls and were slowly creeping towards the roof. There were just four rooms. My parents slept upstairs. I had a room at the back but I had to share it whenever anyone came to stay. My grandmother, who lived with us, had the room next to mine.

There was no railway station in Estrov, it was not considered important enough. Nor was there a bus service or anything like that. I went to school in a slighty larger village, that used to think of its self as a town, two miles down a track that was dusty and full of potholes in the summer, and thick with mud or covered in snow during the winter. The town was called Hunsbury. I walked there everyday, no matter what the weather and was beaten if I was late. My school was a big, square, brick building on three floors. All the classrooms were identical. There was about 500 children in all, boys and girls. Some of them travelled by train, pouring out into the platform with eyes that were still half-closed with sleep. Hunsbury did have a railway station and they were very proud of it, decking it with Pale Maidens on public holidays. But actually it was a mean, run-down little place and ninety percent of trains passed it like it was nothing.

We students all dressed smart. The girls wore black dresses with green aprons and had their hair tied back with ribbons. The boys looked like little soldiers, with grey uniforms and red scarves around our necks, and if we did well we would be given badges with slogans - "For Active Work", "School Leader" and that sort of thing. I can't say I remember a lot of what I learnt at school. Who does? History was important... the history of The Sarian, of course. We were always learning poems of by heart and had to recite them, standing to attention behind our desks. There was maths and science. Most of the teachers were women but our headmaster was a man called Martins and he had a terrible temper. He was short but he had huge shoulders and long arms, and it wasn't unheard of for him to pick a boy up by the throat and pin him against the wall.

"You're not doing well, Henry Phelps" He would boom. "I'm sick of the sight of you. Buck up your ideas or get out of here!"

Even the teachers were terrified of him. But actually, he was a good man at heart. In The Sarian, we were brought up to respect our teachers and it never occured to us that his titanic rages were anything unusual.

I was happy at school and did rather well. We have a star system - every two weeks the teacher gave us a grade - and I was always a five star student. My best subjects were physics and maths, and those were very important to the Sarian authorities. Nobody ever let you forget all the scientific advances The Sarian had made in our past. I was also good at sport and I remember how the girls in my class used to come and cheer whenever I scored a goal. I wasn't all that interested in girls at this time, which is to say I was happy to chat to them but I never hang out with them after school. My best friend was the Henry I just mention and the two of us were unseperatble.

Henry Phelps was short and skinny with jutting out ears, freckles and ginger hair. He used to joke he was the ugliest boy on the Island, and I found it hard to disagree. He was also far from bright. He was a two star student, at best, and was always getting into trouble with the teachers. In the end they gave up punishing him because it did't seem to make any difference. But at the same time he was the star of our military training classes which were compulsory throughout the school. Henry could strip down a QC72 automatic machine gun in twelve seconds and reassemble it in fifteen. He was a great shot. Twice a year there were military games, when we had to compete with other schools using a map and compass to find our way through the woods. Henry was always in charge and we always won.

I liked Henry because he was afraid of nothing and he always made me laugh. We did everything together. We would eat our sandwiches in the yard, washed down with a gulp of whisky that he had stolen from home and brought to school in one of his mothers old perfume bottles. We smoked cigarettes in the woodland, coughing horribly because the tobacco was so rough. Our school toilets had no compartments and we often sat next to each other, doing what we had to do. This may sound disgusting but that was the way it was. You were meant to bring your own toilet paper but Henry always forgot and I would watch him guiltily tearing pages out of his excersise books. He was always loosing his homework that way. But with Henry's homework - and he'd have been the first to admit it - that was probably all it was worth.

The best time we had together was in the summer, when we would go for endless bicycle rides, rattling along the country roads, shooting down hills and peddling backwards furiously. It was the only way to stop. Everyone had exactly the same model of bicycle, and they were all death traps with no suspension, no lights and no breaks. We had no where to go but in a way that was for the fun of it. We used our imagination to create a world of wolves and vampires, ghosts and smart people from New Koln - and we chased each other right through the middle of them. When we finally got back to the village, we would swim in the river, even though there were parasites in the water that would make you sick, and we always went to the bathhouse together, thrashing each other with birch leaves in the steam room that was meant to be good for your skin.

watching those planes disappear into the distance, I always thought they were trying to tell me something. I could be on one of them. There was a whole life outside Estrov that I might one day explore.

Although I never told anyone except Henry, I dreamt of becoming a helicopter pilot, if not in the Royal Air Service then in Search and Rescue. I had seen a programme about it on television and for some reason it caught my imagination. I devoured everything I could about helicopters. I borrowed books from the school library. I cut out articles in magazines. By the time I was 13, I knew the name of almost every moving part of a helicopter. I knew how it used all the different forces and controls, working in opposition to each other to fly. The only thing I had never done is sit in one.

"Do you think you'll ever leave?" Henry asked me one evening, the tow of us sprawled out in the long grass, sharing a cigarette. "Go and live in a city with your own flat and car?"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"You're clever. You can go to Chippenham. Learn how to become a pilot."
I shook my head. Henry was my best friend. Whatever I may secretly think, I would never talk about the two of us being apart. "I don't think my parents would let me. Anyway, why would I want to leave? This is my home."
"Estrov is a shit hole."
"No,it's not." I looked at the river, the fast-flowing water chasing over the rocks, the surrounding woodland, the muddy track that lead through the centre of the village. Maybe Henry was right. There wasn't much to the place, but even so, it was my home. "I'm happy here," I said and at that moment I believed it. "It's not such a bad place."

I remember saying those words. I can still smell the smoke coming from a bonfire somewhere on the other side of the village. I can hear the water rippling. I see Henry, twirling a piece a grass between his fingers. Our bicycles are lying, one on top ot the other. There are a few puffs of cloud in the sky, floating lazily past. A fish suddenly breaks the surface of the river and I see its scales glimmer silver in the sunlight. It is a warm afternoon at the end of summer. And in twenty-four hours everything will have changed. Estrov will no longer exist.

[HopNation]

My apologize to group mates and anyone that reads my RPs as I am having my Achilles put back together on MD1, so this is likely to be the only RP for the first week of competition as I probably will not be posting any heavily medicated RPs as enjoyable as those might be.

Group Draw

We’ve seen the group draw which had our Hops placed into the fourth pot and drawn into group 2 for this qualification cycle. The top three in this group have a rather large advantage when looking at rank, and rank alone. With Osarius sitting in 8th place pre-World Cup 68, following them forty three spots farther down the ranks is Super-Llamaland who are in a respectable 51st position. Next up in group two and only fifteen ranking spots being the furry camelid we find the bacon lettuce and tomatoes, wait no that's not it it's the Sandwich Territories who are ranked 66th in the world. After that there is a rather large drop in the ranks before we find our very own Hops, who are almost double the rank of Sandwich Territories and are holding down the 124th world rank. We find The Fair Republic next in our group and they are forty two rank spots behind our Hops at 166th. In the sixth spot of group 2 we find Theaoie as they fill in the 283rd spot on the pre-World Cup 68 ranks. Next up is Seraphic Empire as they try and hold the 316th spot, they are finally followed up by our final group member and an unranked side who go by Kaldtland.

This certainly will be another adventure for our Hops as they try and best their results from a cycle ago when they debuted as a relatively unknown nation following their semi success in the BOF. The team struggled to start but then found some solid footing and ended the group stage one spot above their predicted finish. But they will have some aspiring teams trying to spill their brew pots in hopes of boiling their way up the ranks. The Hops will also have to try and contain their more fermented and higher ranked teams if they hope to move on to a playoff position. The group itself seems to be well rounded, not too weak and not too overly carbonated with highly ranked teams, so only more time will allow the Kräusen to clear and a victor to be named.

HopNation Match Ups

MD 1: vs The Fair Republic	MD  8: @ The Fair Republic
MD 2: @ Theaoie			MD  9: vs Theaoie
MD 3: vs Seraphic Empire	MD 10: @ Seraphic Empire
MD 4: @ Osarius			MD 11: vs Osarius
MD 5: vs Super-Llamaland	MD 12: @ Super-Llamaland
MD 6: @ Sandwich Territories	MD 13: vs Sandwich Territories
MD 7: vs Kaldtland		MD 14: @ Kaldtland
when vs listed Hops are the Home Team, whereas when @ is listed the Hops are the Away Team

Expectations

This should be a close group with perhaps two of the eight teams pulling away and the rest scrambling to see who can finish third. The Hops should finish in either third or fourth position, but if they play well it wouldn’t be unheard of if they finished in as high as second position in the group. Osarius should seal the top stop of the group but Super-Llamaland and Sandwich Territories will definitely have something to say about that and will likely both put in good runs in order to claim that top stop in the group stage. Here is how the group will likely end:

1. Osarius
2. Sandwich Territories
3. HopNation
4. Super-Llamaland
5. The Fair Republic
6. Seraphic Empire
7. Theaoie
8. Kaldtland

Good luck to all of the teams participating in Group 2 and in all of the other groups of World Cup 68 Qualifications.

[Vettrera]

Beatrice Parker sat at her desk with pen and paper in hand, writing out a checklist for her next World Cup tour. She was to be "supervisor" of the National Squad. Not "coach"... "Supervisor". Coach has the connotation that she has some worth to the team. Coach has the connotation that she has some influence on the success of the national squad. A coach is someone in a position of power. But supervisor, oh, supervisor...was different. Supervisor put her in the role of the classroom room mom, rather than someone than captain of a ship. She was the head councilwoman of the PUSH initiative, she ran the soccer component of the VSA, and yet, her "colleagues" on the VSA Council aggressively pushed to have the term "supervisor" used instead of coach.

They argued that she wasn't active enough to be considered a coach. But in all honesty, what the fuck did they know? None of them put as much work into developing Vettrera's sporting as she did. Domestically, or Internationally. Beatrice was the one that bidded to bring the U15 World Cup to Vettrera, Beatrice Was the one that oversaw the training of the U15 tykes, Beatrice was the one that picked the squad for the 68th World Cup, Beatrice did everything. At least Vettrera was making improvements in soccer. They had been stuck at the same levels in gridiron and basketball for an eternity. Everyone objected to Beatrice becoming president of PUSH to (and getting an obviously higher influence in the VSA as well), but nobody had done as much as she did. None of them. And yet, nobody felt that she deserved what she had. Nobody felt that she deserved to be put in a position of power. Nobody valued her properly. But this was a story that Beatrice was used to. Beatrice was used to people ignoring her, not valuing her. Beatrice was used to being pushed down at every opportunity, and was used to everyone trying to hold her back at every turn. Everyone has always wanted Beatrice to fail. Like when she got pregnant...

Beatrice was 16, a junior at Holiday Parke High School. She was a varsity soccer player, and had fallen for the captain of the baseball team. And they were in love. Everything was great......no. Everything was perfect. That is, until she got pregnant. Everyone told her to keep the baby, everyone said that it was the "right" thing to do. "How could you just kill a baby?" "How could you kill something that you made?" "Take responsibility for your actions and raise this kid. You can't just make a choice based on what's best for you."

But....Beatrice did make that choice based on what was best for her. Beatrice got that abortion. What was she going to do? She was being recruited by colleges. Soccer season was starting. She needed to focus on school. She couldn't throw her life away for a baby she didn't want. She didn't want a family, she didn't want to be a mother. She wanted to succeed. But everyone around her was telling her that she couldn't. They were holding her back. They were getting in her way. Success was right around the corner, but someone wanted to lay wet cement on the sidewalk. She wanted what she wanted. So, she got that abortion.

She threw herself in her work, she tried at every shot to be successful, at every turn. Nobody was going to hold her back, nothing was going to hold her back. No matter how hard everyone tried. Beatrice was at the top of the world, she was in the position of power that she always wanted. But she was there alone...

Beatrice tried to zoned back in, and attempted to shake the thought of her past from her head. She continued to write her to-do list, but her mind was still out of it. Beatrice couldn't stop thinking about her past, about the fact that she stood at 50, with nothing but her job in her life. She had given up so much of herself, and her eyes began to water.

Then her secretary Rachel bursted through the door (without knocking) and exclaimed "Ms. Parker! The group draw has been mailed".
With that, Beatrice threw herself back into her work.

[Qazox]

QSPNWC68.com

Qazox has been drawn in a group with Polar Islandstates, Eastfield Lodge, Kazamatsuri, Florgania, New Wolfopolis, Olastor and Taslantis. If not for two teams (Which will remain anonymous, but rhyme with Yield Dodge and Solar Skates), this would be a reasonably favorable group for us to advance to the World Cup. Unfortunately, those two teams are here in Group 14 and unless a couple of miracles happen in qualifying, Qazox will not be going to the Cup. Yeah, we know we're not good enough to make the World Cup anymore.

[Filopines]

Nicknames

For decades, the Filopines national football team have been down many times and have bounced back every single time. "Filopines win." "Disaster for Filopines." "Ouch, Filopines." The team has been referred to as 'Filopines' in the media and the public. I am tired of this. So many opportunities for misinterpretation. It's time for a change.

The team needs its very own nickname.

I have a few suggestions along with a reason why it should be chosen.

- Gunners
Reason: Filopines has always used the 'run and gun' play, hence 'Gunners'. Runners would just be odd.

- Apples
Reason: Get it? Filopine-apples? Apples?

- Pupretes
Reason: National animal.

It's up to you now, the people of Filopines. For the future of the Gunners. For the future of the Apples. For the future of the Pupretes.

[Yttribia]

OOC: I'll be continuing my story-line from yesterday tomorrow.

Home Page > Non-Religious News > World Cup 68 > Previews

"Do We Actually Have A Chance?" A Look at the World Cup 68 Qualifying Campaign

-by Tammy Ilvellscia

Removed from the 54th Baptism of Fire, its time to show that we really aren't a one-act show, and that we can really, and I mean really, show that we are made of some tough material, and no weak scrap metal. Anyways, after a whopping one-hundred and ninety-four nations, featuring the best players from their respective nation, were drawn into twenty-four groups of eight, each fighting for thirty spots in the great nations of Legalese, and the Federation of Free Republics. The thing is, that our group is basically an Esportivan party group. With three of the nations in our group also from Esportiva (Apox, Felix, and The Sarian's rebel brother, Lojal) there's a pretty good chance that there'll be an Esportivan nation advancing towards the play-offs. And don't forget about third-seeded Milchama, who appear for the forty-fifth consecutive time in the World Cup Qualifiers, one of the longest standing records in what we could have found using the public database. With great players such as Royán Raham, and Adeltú Cohújaan, Charruterra are the fourth seed, but in most recent World Cup Qualifiers, have finished somewhere near the middle. So is this going to be a tough qualifying group? Absolutely. Could we possibly make it to the play-offs? I think we actually could, if the team, and we as fans, put our hearts into it.

Apox
Region: Esportiva | KPB Ranking: 19th | Prediction: 1^st

Last World Cup's Round of 16 participants, to be eventually knocked out by the eventual champion Polar Islandstates, are probably at their finest state yet. The Yttribians have had experience with this team, being grouped with them during the qualifying stages of the Campionato Esportiva IX, and losing both matches. With some of the biggest talent in all of the multiverse, including Urbanista striker Tolgus Tregajorran, this squad is no laughing matter. And since we aren't circlejerking like we do on the main subforums, we are really, really screwed. We're predicting two losses against this team, because let's face it, they are by far one of the best Esportivan teams, and they have "Future World Cup Champion" written all over them.

Felix
Region: Esportiva | KPB Ranking: 53rd | Prediction: 2^nd

For two straight World Cup Cycles, the Phoenix hasn't risen to the World Cup Finals, despite their excellent starts. In fact, Felix barely missed out on the World Cup Playoffs by a sole point. Think of how depressing it must've been for a nation on the verge of of qualifying twice to the World Cup, to eventually watch as the others dance. Nonetheless, Gabriel Jenaro, who was recently signed by Fontvieille FC of Yttribia, is one of those players whose spot was locked in the moment the WCQs were coming around the corner. Is it possible that we, as Yttribians, could possibly beat Felix? Yes. In fact, if you remember, the nation did beat twenty-fourth ranked Mizuyuki, and also beat CoH bronzies, the German-American States, but then again, we lost to New North Aqmuland. All I know, is that those matches will be fun to watch.

Milchama
Region: Atlantian Oceania | KPB Ranking: 57th | Prediction 3^rd/4^th

Hear me out, if we were to beat one of these high-up teams, I believe it's Milchama. These guys, are a well rounded team, as have previous World Cup Cycles have proven. But have they stood the test of time? Honestly, this is a really tough decision on my behalf, and if we could even try to get this to work out and whatnot, we're most likely to upset this team. However, it doesn't mean that they're going to be knocked out of playoff contention because of us. (Everyone in the nation probably wants that to happen, myself included) So, this team, is by far the team that could possibly have a chance to watch as others make their moves, or they could be the ones in charge. So, we're probably going to say that Milchama are by far, the fenciest team of them all.

Charruterra
Region: Rushmore | KPB Ranking: 101st | Prediction: 5^th

Now we've hit the triple-digit rankings, but they could easily break the top one-hundred. No players announced for the nation yet, but assuming there will be no changes at all, we're expecting the names of Yrraisiji Ajahámpa, and Royán Raham (who some Yttribian clubs are looking to sign) in the starting XI for the nation. But the thing is, they're probably not ready to handle five defenders, watching every move you make. What we'll be expecting, is that we're able to bring in at least two points after our two matches together. We sure as hell have a great chance to beat them after the mid-qualifiers break, when they make a visit to Le Nid Violet, co-official stadium of the national team.

Rarungan
Region: The Commonwealth of Crowns | KPB Ranking: 252nd | Prediction: 6^th

The first of two teams in this group that recently went through the Baptism of Fire, they pulled off a good performance, topping group C, and eventually losing to the eventual runners-up, Florgania, in the round of sixteen. Led by their two top-notch strikers, Angga Prima and Adrian Permana, these two are capable of pulling off a win, but like most recent Baptistees, their first cycle of qualification will be one filled with losses, sadly. However, they have great promise, and expect this team to become an eventual powerhouse within a couple of cycles or so. But until then, they'll give it their best shot, and hope for a few wins.

Lojal
Region: Esportiva | KPB Ranking: 316th | Prediction: 7^th/8^th

If you were to take the worst thing in the world (namely The Sarian), and it asexually reproduced, and made an even worse version of it, congratulations, you've recieived Lojal. This nation, which recently decided "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me", and separated from that horrible shithole , and became its own little shithole, with a lard-ass leader as well. I truly wish I could go ranting on, but we have to talk about their chances footballing wise. Which by the way, are an absolute joke. Nothing grander than two jokes being made within one post. Two easiest wins for us throughout this entire qualifying campaign.

Itanpavia
Region: Rushmore | KPB Ranking: Unranked | Prediction: 7^th/8^th

Honestly, not much to say about this team, in my opinion. Barely got into the qualifying stages, and whatnot. Their 3-2-3-2 formation is honestly one that I ponder about, but then again, we've used an updated formation on one of the world's oldest formations, but eh. Who are we to judge? Probably get a couple of ties, maybe a win against Lojal and whatnot. See them battling to stay out of dead last, but we honestly do not know where this could go.

Yttribia

As for us, we see ourselves most likely taking fourth place. As usual. A total improvement from seventh in last season's World Cup Qualifiers. But, and this is a really, really huge but (which I do like), there is a chance that Simon Jewel somehow steps up his game, and takes them all the way to a playoff spot, in third position. This could be the time, the year in which the whole band, Vilhjalmsson included, gets to make a trip to Legalese and the Free Republics. But the team is probably aiming for fourth place, just to show that we aren't really just a one-hit wonder.

Tammy Ilvellscia is a blogger, who has a job with the Telino Guardian in the Sports Department. A graduate with a Communications degree from the University of Telino-Caldas, she frequently writes about multiversal football on the site, with a main focus on Yttribians abroad. She supports Telino, Xavi Vilhjalmsson's first club, and Crystopolis City, where he plays right now. Ilvellscia currently lives with her husband, and two children in downtown Telino, better known as Dowtel.

[Catholican Catholica]

OOC: This is Part One of the Two Part RP regarding the anticipation for the upcoming World Cup. This part focuses on the revival of football in Catholican Catholica.

CCSN Sports News

---

(Opening ident of CCSN Sports News begins the show.)

Andrews: Hello and welcome to CCSN Sports News. I am Aston Andrews.

Jefferson: And I am Ross Jefferson.

Andrews: Tonight, we are going to bring you a special report on a sport that is currently being revived. Association football as we know it has been a great sport for many people, but in this nation, it is frowned upon by most people. Most consider it boring for its lack of exciting action, and it has been criticized very much by the ability for a match to be tied in most cases, as in with league matches. However, we are now seeing it's resurgence as a popular sport once again, and we will meet up with our special reporter Eugene Neal on the revival of "The Beautiful Game."

(Show transitions to many videos of association football being played across the country. Narration plays in the background.)

Neal: Soccer. Football. Whatever you call it, this sport is known as the most popular sport in the world. However, a few nations don't consider football to be popular. Take our great nation, for example. This nation is renowned for having a very poor interest for football, but now, it is now taking the country by storm.

(Show then transitions to Neal standing in front of Eastland Arena in Eastland.)

Neal: Football in Catholican Catholica can be traced back as early as 1926. Many local clubs were formed and were organized into regional leagues. However, no central governing body for Catholican domestic football would exist until the late 1980s. In the late 1980s, the Catholican Football Association was established. This association established the plans for a national league system, which inaugural season started in 1989. From 1989 to 2003, the three leagues of domestic football in Catholican Catholica would see a growth in popularity in association football. Unfortunately, facing financial problems after the Great Recession of 2000-2002, the CFA would be forced to dissolve in 2003. This disappointed many people who enjoyed watching Catholican domestic football. These loyal fans were forced to look for other sports to enjoy and watch. This led to a decline in the popularity of association football. Nine years later, in 2012, a new association was formed. The Catholican Catholica Football Association, or CCFA was formed by the government to make up for the lost time the former fans of the CFA had missed out on. This turned out to become one of the biggest sports failures in Catholican sports history. Low attendance and a limited financial budget forced this association to also dissolve after only two seasons in existence. This led to more decline in the popularity of association football. Another cause to the decline of football in Catholican Catholica was kronum. This sport and its inevitable success with the Blue Eagles' Kronum World Cup two consecutive wins of KWC I and II led to many people embracing and welcoming this sport into the minds and hearts of many Catholicans. This led to another period of decline of Catholican football. By the time kronum had become essentially the national sport of the nation in 2013, less than ten percent of the population still considered football to be a favorable sport, compared to ninety-four percent in 1989.

(Show then transitions to Neal standing in Trent Park, the birthplace of the CCFU.)

Neal: Now, this didn't stop people from liking association football. In fact, it made people want to restart the domestic football leagues. That is exactly what King Brooke did about a year ago. With his friends in Trent Park, he established a new central football association for Catholican Catholica, the Catholican Catholica Football Union, or CCFU. He posted flyers across every town and city in the nation, asking people to recruit players to form clubs to join the leagues of the CCFU. It turns out, his mission was a success. After a year, thirty-two clubs had signed up to become a part of the CCFU League System. It was time for the first season to begin. Three leagues, the Premier League, with ten teams, League One, with eleven teams, and League Two, with eleven teams, all had clubs and fans that wanted to become the champions of their respective leagues. In its inaugural season, North Island FC became the Premier League champion, Arbortown AFC became the champion of League One, and the Collegiate Legends became the champion of League Two. In addition, Freetown FC won the inaugural edition of the CCFU Cup, the domestic cup of Catholican football. This one season of domestic football that didn't break down like all the others made the popularity of "The Beautiful Game" rise from less than ten percent in 2013 to eighty-eight percent at the end of the Catholican football season. This popularity surge led to the extreme anticipation of the Blue Eagles national football team and their upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. The national football team of Catholican Catholica was revamped to include new, young, and skilled players. The CCFU thinks this will increase the chances of winning. Now, all over the country, people put football as their top sport. The CCFU's revival of football in Catholican Catholica will forever be the start of a new beginning, a new dawn, a new era, of football in Catholican Catholica.

(Show transitions back to Aston Andrews and Ross Jefferson, with King Brooke sitting with them.)

Andrews: Now, here we are with the man who revived "The Beautiful Game" in Catholican Catholica, King Brooke.

Brooke: Thanks for having me here.

Jefferson: Let's get to the point here, King. So, the actual story is you really did go to a park with some friends, had a passion for football, and decided to start the next central domestic football association in Catholican Catholica?

Brooke: Yes. I met up with some of my friends that wanted to play a bit of football in Trent Park. So, we were playing, and after the game, I sat with my friends. As I was sitting with my friends, we had a conversation of football and the fall of football in our country, and we brought up the idea of actually reviving this sport to become popular again. We then decided to start our own league association, the CCFU.

Andrews: How do you go about planning this? How do you set everything up?

Brooke: First, we need to make sure people are interested. We posted flyers everywhere in our town. Subways, restaurants, banks, schools, street signs, lamp posts, supermarkets, everywhere. Then, we observed that as we were gaining interest, we were becoming nationally recognized. People from all over the country were becoming interested in joining our league. We then said to gather the best players from the cities and towns that were interested and said to submit your club's application to join the league association by a certain date.

Jefferson: Did you realize you were going to become this big?

Brooke: No, not at all. I thought this was just going to be a town league, ya 'know, like a regional league back in the olden days. But, then, I realized that this was becoming a very big thing. This made me very happy that so many people were interested when the whole nation did not consider football to be a popular sport anymore. This big national interest in reviving the popularity of the sport of football helped make the CCFU's inaugural season successful.

Andrews: What have you done for the national team in terms of reviving and revising it to improve the quality of our national players?

Brooke: The CCFU has cooperated with the Ministry of Sport that enabled us to get a federal grant of $100,000 in order for us to buy new equipment, pay for new players and staff, and have a proper training ground. This led to better quality players and staff. With the upcoming World Cup 68 qualifying campaign in our midst, we can be able to see how well our improvements have bettered the chances of winning for the national team.

Jefferson: Do you have any plans to expand the leagues?

Brooke: Yes, in the near future, we have plans to expand the size of the leagues to add more teams, and we will probably have some time to add a fourth league into the mix.

Andrews: One more question before we leave, King, do you think that the CCFU League System will stay longer than its predecessor?

Brooke: With this much national interest, I think the CCFU Leagues will go far.

Jefferson: Alright, King, thank you for being on the show.

Brooke: It's been my pleasure.

Andrews: That is the end of this episode of Sports News. Next episode, we shall have a preview for the upcoming qualifying campaign for World Cup 68 and predictions for the place of Catholican Catholica in their qualifying group. But for now, I've been Aston Andrews.

Jefferson: And I've been Ross Jefferson.

Andrews and Jefferson: And you've been watching Sports News. So long and goodbye.

(Sports News closing ident closes the show.)

[Starblaydia]

The changes that had swept through Starblaydi society all came during the journey that had taken them to a 3rd Place for the Under-21 side and a 4th Place for the senior side at the AOCAF Cup. The various successes of the national team - relative to the recent timeframe, at least, if not an historical one - had always been linked to times of patriotic fervour and a general feeling across the country of positivity, with everyone pulling together. This was exactly the same, so the commentators, journalists and assorted analysts said, it would be a matter of when, not if, Starblaydia regained their mantle as World Champions, Regional Champions and that much envied title of 'Best in the World'.

But it was different. So few had been around for the previous, positive, surges in Starblaydi patriotism so long ago that most people now completely failed to recognise that this was actually Starblaydi nationalism. The difference was subtle, but still an important one. Foreigners had caused this. They'd made the people realise that Starblaydia, once the world's mightiest nation, was now a pale imitation of its former self. No longer could fellow nations look upon Starblaydia's works and despair of ever matching them. Now, in every conceivable category, Starblaydia was no longer the world leader.

Economics. Military strength. Sporting prowess. Design.

Even design, for crying out loud...

Gone were the days when ediraf was the world's first choice for their sportswear. Gone were the days when absolutely everybody knocked back Orcinus vodka. No longer were Starblaydi websites like The Jhanna Chronicle looked to as the premier source for news in the world, sporting or otherwise. The mantle of fresh, young, go-getting and passionate people eager to make their mark in the world was no longer worn by the Starblaydi. The golden eagle was wilting, the bright light of the world's leading civilization was waning and, in Tiby's name, they would get it back. No-one asked why they had fallen from their lofty pedestal, however. The fact that the peoples of other, younger nations were simply more vibrant, vital and vigorous was simply not entertained. Starblaydi people were proud that their history stretched back far longer than most, but they didn't want to admit that they were an old people; one for whom dreams had been achieved and laurels were now to be rested on, rather than sought after.

All this was, however, seen as somebody's fault. The person to blame was you. For not working hard enough, for not being patriotic enough, for not being a true Starblaydi, for living off the fruits of labour without planting more seeds, for enjoying the benefits of the modern, forward-thinking democracy without providing the urgency it needed to survive. It was all your fault. You claimed all the rights but never contributed with responsibilities of your own, and now look where we are. This is the argument that the Starblaydi people were presented with and it was one they were on board with wholeheartedly.

Overnight, the rights of Starblaydi people to vote were taken away and an entire nation was immediately disenfranchised. In its place a points system was introduced, showing how citizens could qualify for voting rights in this new, true, Starblaydia. The right to vote was not granted because of accident of birth, but through the contribution you made to society. Politicians and members of the armed forces and emergency services all immediately qualified; this was thought only right and proper, as those who had been guiding and defending the nation already should have earned the right to decide its course. If you worked for the government and civil service, volunteered outside of your normal employment or otherwise directly benefited the nation with the power of your brain, skill in your hands or sweat of your brow, you were in. So did those paying the highest rates of tax, contributing in pure cash terms to one of the economic powerhouses of Atlantian Oceania. Those who had represented Starblaydia in diplomacy, trade or sport qualified too.

Everyone else, however, would have to wait. The cleaner, the teacher, the journalist, the factory worker and the philosopher would all have to wait until their points totals accrued. They all eventually would, of course, but for many they'd be lucky to be enfranchised this side of sixty years old. If you wanted it, you had to work for it. That was the maxim from now on. That was what a true Starblaydi believed.

[Armakistan]

The team hadn't had a long break from the BoF but the team had brought in a few new faces. Olive Robertson wasn't really a new face at the age of 37 but with the lack of CB cover he would play is last few games before retirement in his nation's first ever World Cup. James Kirby was another player added to the squad, he was in replacing Alistair Haplon who picked up a serious injury at the BoF. The 24 year old wasn't the best of strikers but he could play on the wings as well. The team had arrived in Quakmybush for their first qualifying game with the aim of reaching the World Cup and competing for the first time. This would be extremely difficult and the people of Armakistan understood the huge step up the qualifying was from the BoF and that making the World Cup might still be a long way off.

The team had been resting the day before the kick off after a short break back home they had continued a hard training regime and now spent the time before the kick off answering media questions and making sure they would be in the right frame of mind before the big kick off in Quakmybush. The opposition had not released any information on teams yet and so the Armakistan football team would be entering the game with no knowledge on who they would be facing. It didn't matter though as they were used to this and often found it to help rather than hinder preparations.

To: Robert Percival, Federation of Association Football President
From: The Armakistan Football Association (AFA)

Dear Sir,

I would like to formally put forward our candidate for the World Cup Seeding Committee as we believe it to be an excellent idea and one we would fully like to support. Our candidate was formerly head of the Grassroots Football panel in the Football Association and has really brought forward the quality of local football in the country which will hopefully create the next stars of tomorrow. However he is not a current player or manager. He did however have an excellent career as a player and then manager in the Armakistan Pro Football League. Over his 15 year playing career he won the coveted league title on 5 occasions, the Cup 7 times and the Super Cup twice with 3 different teams. He then went on to manage 2 separate teams, the latter he managed for 20 twenty years and won the league a further 7 times along with 6 cup final wins and 3 Super Cups. He retired at the age of 54 to take up a role as Head of Grassroots football in Armakistan. He has now left this role as he plans to return to the Fa as head in 2 years time as he has a break. However he would be more than welcome to spend the World Cup on the seeding committee as he looks to build on his international recognition to help him in that aspect of the job if he wins the race to head up the FA. The man in question is of course Armakistan Football legend Victor Priestly.

We hope that you seriously consider this great Ambassador to Football and look forward to competing in World Cup Qualifying.

Yours Faithfully,

Gregory Windsor

[Greater Watford]

OOC: For this WC campaign, I'll be roleplaying in the 1st person perspective of the GWFA commissioner Joe Davis, manager Gianpedro Dominico and captain Mario Mannetti. For the RP Opportunity, I'd like Mario Mannetti to be considered.

Joe Davis-Flight back to Greater Watford
I sat on the plane in the executive suite. Alongside my aide, I had Gregor Tomkins, head of REVGO, Ryan Felderman, former striker in the 80's, and Sk8R, a well known rock-artist. The topic of discussion was of course, the recent draw.
"So, how do you feel about the draw?" asked Ryan
"Well of course it's hard to say, never having played any of the teams before. It's going to be a challenge to see how we perform in 7 new countries, but with the right preparation, I see us doing well". I calmly responded.
"Couldn't agree more. We're develpoing quickly as a nation, and our team now far outplay the ability of myself back in the day". said Ryan.
"Hey, you weren't a bad player yourself Ryan. It's a shame we had no national side in the 80's, you'd been up there in the line up". said Gregor, in his composed voice.
"I remember the days of watching you at the Brickfield, you were a fine stirker" said Sk8R.
"You're a Bricklayer as well?" Gregor asked.
"Yep, me old man took me there in the good old days of the Super League. I'm always one for a good game of football". said Sk8R.
"Welll, looks like we all have a common interest here" said Ryan, "What about you Joe?"
"I can't say of course, I only only support one team, and that's Greater Watford". I smiled at the others with appreciation. It was nice to discuss football in such a calm manner.
"Good luck to Greater Watford" said Ryan.
"Yes, come on Greater Watford" said Gregor and Sk8R. I sat there and smiled.

Gianpedro Dominico-GWFA Coaching Centre Office
I sat there, with 7 sheets of paper directly in front of me, titled, Mytannion, Sicoutimont, Brenecia, Furellum, Darvale, Dorado Grande and Schiavonia. Our 7 opponents in Group 10.
“Your thoughts” said chief scout Nathan Ashmond?
“It’s not bad” I said, appreciatively “but of course these teams are unknown”.
“We’re playing Furellum first, want me to prepare a report on them” I heard Nathan say.
“Yes. Also scout the match between Mytannion and Schiavonia”. I coolly responded.
I was anything but cool though. Reaction to my team selection hadn’t gone down too well. I went and look at players in the Super League, and was impressed with many of the lesser-capped players. But not the public, they wanted experience. Joe Davis had no issue with my squad selection, but I need the players to perform well, otherwise I’ll have my neck on the line.
I picked up my Digi-Board, and opened up a tactics sheet. How do I get the best from the team? I had many tough choices. Would Harris work well in the centre, or should I swap him and Revson in the midfield. How far do I allow the full-backs to push forward? How do I utilise the front 3 to the best effect? These questions need a few training sessions and a few games to be answered.

Mario Mannetti-Squad unveiling at the Hornet’s Nest
I stood alongside 22 other men kitted out in the new kit. I quite liked the red sleeves, the yellow torso, and the red shorts. It had a nice modern feel, that was simplistic, but reminded us of the older kits. Alongside me there were some familiar faces, from WC67 and my club Watford FC, but many new faces as well. As captain, I want to see the team bond well, with players from rival clubs united as one, and thus I was organising a party later. However, for now, I was being interviewed by the press.
“So, do you think you can qualify?” called out one reporter, the cameras clicking away behind him.
“With 72 teams into the playoffs, I’d say we can reach the playoffs. We’re #126 in the word, so it’s a tough ask to be one of the 32 qualfiers, but anything is possible” was my calm response.
“You’ve not played any teams in your group, is that good or bad?” said another.
“Depends, I’m glad we missed out some of the Beltame octet”. I heard the reporters chuckle. “I guess our early games will show where we stand”. I finished my response. PR Work always bores me, it’s time that I’m not playing football or having fun, and we can’t say what we want.
“Finally, do you think Gianpedro has selected a good squad. Many players in the squad are you domestic rivals, how do you feel about that?” That question caused a rise in tension, that everyone could feel.
“We’re rivals in the league, but we’re united as one nation”. I calmly replied. The reporters love a cliché response like that, and I could tell by their smiles that I’d hit the right chord with them. Anyway, the interview was over, and I was off to the team party with my teammates, before Gianpedro’s first training session tomorrow.

[Glaser]

Kinzar didn't post a roster for this WC, I used his WC67 roster

Wedisel Travot- Preview for Kinzar

Tomorrow, Glaser will face it's first opponent of the World Cup 68 qualifiers, Kinzar. Oh, Kinzar.

Kinzar- A decent squad placed 34 places above Glaser in the world squads ranking. Headed by Taylorsville Redhawks' coach Kenny Schneider, play a stable formation that supports a mild defensive playing style; (-1 by the ExchangeBettingJournal meter) never too late to play safe. The game will be played at the Hudson Stadium, an impressive stadium with exactly 82,033 people capacity. This team that plays with a dark blue home team kit, is headed by the good Chris Shannon (26) who rips nets in the Lexington Lancers club. He is the likeliest to score against Glaser, and if he does, how do I think he will do it?

Well, with a slightly more attacking form than the Dragons, and with both teams playing pretty defensive play, this game will be a tactical mind struggle between Schneider and Meliss. I predict both managers will be running around on the lines shouting orders to their players, trying first to breach the goal-lock.

If Glaser scores first, I think that Frund will park the bus and try to call it a game, or hope at least that Kinzar won't score more than one equalizer and go happy with a tie in a tough away match far away. Personally if it was up to me I would sit on Kinzar's goal and with the force of the momentum of the game try and really end the game with a nice 2-3 goals. A lot is up to Bronde'e Mur and Kloeiso M'nor in this match to score goals from long shots, I can't see Kinzar playing with a high backline that Dret and J'geron can pierce in a counterattack, but, who knows.

If Kinzar scores first, a likely thing, Glaser has to seduce the Kinzarians to throw all their players in Glaser's half to try and score, and hit hard on the counterattack- just try really not to receive a goal!
The Dragons have to be aware of Zarius Floria, a player likely to dive. I ain't talking about here how fair it is, but professionally- the Glaser defense can be overturned by him, after 90 minutes of good playing.

I hope for a good result, this is the age of Glaser. Glory to Glaser!

[Jeruselem]

Amy: This is Princess Amy for Naked News Jeruselem. I'm with former Jeruselem coach Michelle Salad, no relation to us Dallas girls.
Michelle: Oh hello, been a while since I've been on TV after retirement.
Amy: We would have Princess Melody, the Jeruselem coach but she's busy. Anyway I'm her daughter so I can speak for her.
Michelle: You already look like ya mum
Amy: Yes, I am her daughter.
Michelle: We'd better move on.

Amy: Group 22 is the group Jeruselem will be in. In the same group is familiar faces The Purple Menace aka Starblaydia, and Ossidiacqua.
Michelle: Yes, that's tough. Two hard opponents
Amy: Rounding out the group are less familiar Alexanderburn, Hutanjia, Kemballia, Republic of Vietnam and Razul
Michelle: Don't know much about them
Amy: Let's concentrate on our rivals them purple people and Ossidiacqua.
Michelle: Those teams could easily make it into the finals

Amy: Ossidiacqua are a great team, they are very capable of big things.
Michelle: I think so, Jeru FC just missed out unluckily.
Amy: Starblaydia have won the cup but recently other teams have taken over the mantle they used to have
Michelle: Very true but they are huge thread to us
Amy: We don't have the best record against them overall
Michelle: But they aren't invincible either

Amy: Yes, no team is.
Michelle: That's the beauty of the World Cup, any team can win the day.
Amy: Recent developments in Starblaydia, you need to get points to be able to vote.
Michelle: Dunno, how does that work?
Amy: Apparently you have to prove you're patriot or something, and do patriotic stuff
Michelle: Good luck doing that here

Amy: Yes well they can do that but here ... Jeruselem society isn't really one society
Michelle: Yes ...
Amy: We have Palestians, Arabs, Jews, a billion different types of Christians, Sunnis, Shias ... and then we have immigrant populations
Michelle: Definitely not the single purple cloth of Starblaydia type
Amy: Some people don't vote anyway
Michelle: True

Amy: Jeru FC, in Group 1. Only one known name United Gordonopia. No idea about the others.
Michelle: United Gordonopia are definitely a thread to Jeru FC
Amy: Jeru FC didn't get some of bigger names against them.
Michelle: Yes, lucky them.
Amy: That's it from me and Michelle.
Michelle: Well thank God for football, an escape from babysitting the grandkids

[Agrincourt]

The Agrincourtians had only two days of rest left before their first group match in the World Cup. It would have to be enough. After a series of two wins in the group stage of The Inaugural Hannibal Invitational, they were defeated by the Nouvel Ecossians. Not a surprise, really, but it was enough to get them through to the semi-final. There, they faced Neu Engollons, to which they lost two-nil. Kensington, the team's mananger, wasn't too happy. Then again, he never was - always pushing the team forward, no matter what. At least he was a competenet manager; he knew what he was doing, he'd been doing this for the past twenty years, and well, he had spent his whole life dedicated to football.

After their defeat with Neu Engollon, the Agrincourtians were to face Costa de Ouro in a third place match; a well-played match, honestly, slightly unlucky for the Agrincourtians, but they managed to win anyway. Nathaniel Miller scored the winning goal in the remaining minutes of the second half. Kensington himself would have preferred a higher result, but this was good enough for him.

The team had already returned to the Agrincourt and were all preparing for the first match against their opponents. The groups had been already decided:

Ko-oren
Sargossa
Filopines
The Sarian
Mastille
The Icemark
Agrincourt
North Arabia

It was the Sargossans that they were facing. Kensington had some knowledge of the team - but only some. He was sure that it was going to be a very tough match, but he was confident in the abilities of his team. He would have to win this match to prove that the Agrincourtians are still alive, despite their recent setbacks.

[Super-Llamaland]

Complete Randomness: Chapter 1

On a bright, cold Tuesday morning somewhere in the suburbs of Emerald Springs, Gerald Smith was getting his mailed tax forms when he was suddenly abducted by a large, yellow spacecraft and quickly whisked away from his suburban home.

While many tougher men would scream and cry and wet their pants and otherwise act very panicked at being suddenly abducted by a large, yellow spacecraft and quickly whisked away from their suburban homes, Smith's first reaction was that of exaltation; his next reaction was of relief; the next reaction was of joy.

"Huzzah!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. "Yippee! Yay! Woohoo! I don't have to do my taxes now!"

It is strange to a reader in a capitalist country that Smith would be yelling this shortly after being suddenly abducted by a large, yellow spacecraft and whisked away from his suburban home without time to notify his family that he would be leaving, but in Super-Llamaland the tax rate is nearly 90%, although some very nice roads and public schools have been built that never could have happened if the tax rate was, say, only 75%, which it had been in recent years.

So as he was tugged along in the alien equal of, say, a tugboat, he was chanting "No taxes for Gerald!" happily, over and over until an alien came out to tell him to shut up.

"Please slake your voracious thirst for gabbering," it informed him.

"What? That doesn't make sense."

The alien consulted its dictionary again.

"Yes, it does. Now, where is your leader?"

"Erm, the president?"

"No, the leader."

"Which one?"

"The leader of your planet, idiot."

"There is none," Gerald was about to say, when he recalled that a kid named Billy Livingston had bullied him in third grade, shoving him around and stealing his lunch like bullies tend to do. Gerald also recalled Billy giving him his phone number and business card as a used-car salesman a few years back. Somehow, the card was still in his pocket, and he read Billy's address out loud.

"Thank you," said the aliens, and they changed direction.

---

Billy, with nobody to bully, had taken up forum spamming. He would ridicule people all day in his pajamas. It was so much easier than shoving people.

William Shuddup Livingston was originally named William James Livingston, but he needed a way to make money in college before he dropped out, so he changed his middle name to "shuddup" on a dare and pocketed a cool thousand dollars. He dropped out two weeks later to become an auto-repair salesman.

Presently, he was trolling a thread that claimed to be an "Immortal Thread (AIT)." He was posting things about former presidents in language that would've made a one-eyed lumberjack wash his mouth out with soap, which was possibly why his mouth was closed, although it was more likely that he just felt like it.

In fact, Billy was worried that a one-eyed lumberjack would wash his mouth out with soap, because a forum member named "Roundhousekick1940" had actually done so through the computer. Billy had gotten it on film and posted it on Youtube, but he accidentally deleted it after 6,075 people watched it in 3 hours. It had reached the brink of viral-ness, and nothing Billy had posted since had come close.

There was a knock at the door. Billy went to open it. There were six aliens and Gerald Smith, that kid he had bullied in third grade. Billy took a nervous step backward.

"We...arrive...in...pacifism," an alien read from a large, thick dictionary.

"What's pacifism?" Billy had always been dull, and his dullness was further dulled by the internet.

"Pacifism is opposition to war or violence of any kind," said another alien with a dictionary.

"Oh, so you're coming in peace," Billy deduced.

"Yes. Please come with us or we will blast your brains out with these guns," one of the meaner-looking aliens said. He was large and dim-witted. It reminded Billy of something, but he couldn't remember what.

"Uh...sure," Billy said, and they went back into the space tugboat.

"Hey," Gerald said, "at least you won't have to pay taxes."

---

Jenni Sanchez stepped into the locker room after a hard day of practice. She prepared to shower when six aliens and two men flashed into the stall.

"Uh..." the female defender from Hicana said.

"We're taking you with us," said Gerald helpfully.

"What? I have a game tomorrow! This is the most important game of my life! I'm starting!"

"Okay, we'll clone you and take the clone," an alien said. Another alien dragged in a large cardboard box. It was marked "duplicator".

"We got this from CD: the Calvin Dimension. Step in, please."

Jenni stepped in. There was a "boink" sound. Two copies of Jenni stepped out. For whatever reason, both had orange-and-black striped tails.

"Did you clean this out, Philwhdssk?" one asked.

"No. Why?" Philwhdssk said.

They took one disoriented copy of Jenni Sanchez and led her away.

"Wait! I'm the copy!" said the other Jenni Sanchez behind them.

---

Enclosed are Gerald Smith's predictions for the WC 68 Quals, which, as you will learn, he didn't get to watch. And when I say Gerald, I mean Gerald's third cousin twice removed living in New Llama, Winston, who might have shared a name with the character from 1984 had he not changed his last name to "Doppelganger" on a dare very similar to that of Billy Shuddup Livingston.

Winston Doppelganger looks at teams:

Osarius: World number-eight, one of the best teams in the world, Confederations Cup champs, AOCAF runners-up. Of course they'll be first, that's simply how the world works.

Super-Llamaland: Here we are! Honestly, most nations that know what they're doing qualify a lot earlier than we have: Tigers hecklers have made shirts saying "Twenty-four years and waiting", and everybody's sick of three straight almost's in a row, the peak of this being losing on away goals in WC 67 to Kandorith.

Sandwich Territories: A nation kind of like ours. Top of pot three (us: bottom of pot two), no real accomplishments. The exception is that last cycle they finished a distant fifth place and a distant second in the past two cups. I'll take them for fourth, because...

HopNation: A dangerous new team. Ranked #124 in the world, they finished in the Ro16 in one of the better BoF classes of all time and could challenge for that top-three spot. I say they advance. EVERYBODY DO THE HOP! *hop*

The Fair Republic: Decidedly mediocre among the nations of the world. I can't see them doing that much. How about sixth?

Theaoie, Seraphic Empire, Kaldtland: Nothing here, with the exception of Theaoie, who bears close similarities to the Tasrailian teams of the past. Kaldtland doesn't even exist, for goodness sake.

[Zenic]

“This should be interesting.”

National team manager Joseph Michael Sanders sighed before rubbing his left temple from his seat as he looked over the fellow group-mates of group 6. It wasn’t easy with all this expectation heaped on them since Zenic became the most recent Baptism of Fire champions, winning the 55th edition. Not to mention the fact that he was currently sitting in the office of Emperor Professor Herman Delano Proctor alongside Minister of Sports/ZFAF President Hans Zimmel III and Deputy Minister of Sports Emile Forte De Luciano who were standing. Emperor Professor Proctor had called them into a meeting since it was time for World Cup 68 qualifying, the first time the Empire would attempt to reach the grandest stage of them all: the World Cup proper. Clearly, the Emperor was just as nervous as all the others in the room since he was the only one pacing around the room despite being accustomed to being under pressure at all times.

“This is our first showing amongst all the nations of the universe and therefore we must do well. Winning the group may be a bit of a challenge especially with a nation like Pasarga in our group. And let us not forget about West Angola, Swyftlandre and Hutt River: they are not pushovers either and we cannot lose focus against the other teams in the group lest we wish to lose pace with the aforementioned teams. Sanders, how’s the team doing?”

Sanders looked up at the Emperor from his seat before speaking. “They’re fine. Their pride is a little hurt from the Confederation’s Cup performance. However, all of the players are professionals and have gotten over it: heck, Ayaode is on fire after his BoF performance and being the first Zenic player to play club football on foreign soil. Seriously, as long as we focus and play like we did in the Baptism of Fire, we’ll easily finish in the top three for a chance to make it to the World Cup.”

“Good, good. De Luciano, how about the accommodations for us when we travel and for our opponents when they come here? We need to set a good example of sportsmanship and friendliness to the universe,” the emperor said.

De Luciano, the youngest of the group and who had been with the U15 squad when they won the world cup in Vettrera, seemed a bit nervous as he spoke. “Well, let’s see here………,” he responded, sifting through some paperwork he had before finding what he was searching for. “Here it is: with the help of Mr. Ubuntu over at the department of Housing and Transportation, we’ve arranged for opponents to stay at the Hospitality of Lords hotel for a reduced rate in order to make it affordable for nations not as fortune as us and as a kind gesture to those who easily can. Meanwhile, for the game at Hutt River, we arranged for the team to stay at a satisfactory hotel for the duration of the trip. I hope this is to your liking, Emperor,” he said, bowing before Proctor.

This gesture made the others chuckle while De Luciano looked up, confused. “No need for such formalities or fear, De Luciano: if you’re here in this room, it’s because I trust you and consider you a friend. Therefore, relax or you’ll give yourself a heart attack for no reason,” Proctor reassured De Luciano and the others. “Now, Zimmel, my old friend, how about the visas? We can’t play matches if we aren’t able to get to other nations or if other nations can’t get into ours.”
Zimmel III nodded with a smile on his face; Proctor always did have a way with words. “Well, Herman, I’ve already spoken with Tomiko over at International Affairs and we’ve gotten visas to travel to all of the nations in our group and are working on getting a program into place to facilitate giving visas to nations who come to play here in the Empire. No need to worry yourself.”

The Emperor nodded, moving to the window to get a glimpse of the stunning view of the ocean he had from his office. “The empire is counting on us to preserve their honor and show the universe our strength. I hope for all of our sakes that we can.”

[Albaie]

The Road To The World Cup

Mark leveled his rifle and fired off a burst of rounds. He saw a defender take one of his bullets in the head and fall over the barricade he was defending and come rolling down the hill. The fighting was intense as the Imperial Army tried to storm their way up the hill. The Noble Revolutionary Army were in a bitter fighting retreat up the hill as they mowed down Loyalists who were taking the ground from them. Mark may be a Brigadier but as expected in Albaie culture he led from the front and he should constantly be a source of inspiration for his soldiers. His brother Vincent was about 100 yards up the hill to a diagonal right where him and his commando soldiers were trying to force a breach for the infantry to flood but the enemy commanders had this entire part of the battlefield pinned down. They couldn't advance any further the enemy had them too heavily pinned down and their mortar fire was getting more and more accurate unlike the Imperial Artillery which wasn't risking friendly fire. He went back over the barricade and saw a soldier standing up with what looked like a grenade in his hand. Mark fired off a round and saw the man bend over still holding the grenade. Mark heard the explosion as he ducked back behind the barricade and he peeked his head over to see what had happened. The defensive position directly in front of them was a flame and with that gone there was a gap in the enemy lines. He knew what he had to do.

He slung his rifle over his shoulder then drew his sword. He stood and vaulted the barricade and pointed his sword up the hill. " Onward to victory and glory ! " He roared and started charging up the hill. He looked behind him to see " Lucky " leading the rest of the men up the hill. Mark carried on charging at the next installation that looked like it was one of the last ones. The men hadn't been expecting the enemy to be breaking through and many looked like young inexperienced young boys and he noticed how most of them were trying to rapidly reload but as they popped up to fire down at the advancing Imperialists they were cut down in swathes by the charging Loyalists. Mark lept the barricade when he reached it and cut down to his left. The boy to his left was spinning about and the blade took him across the face splitting it into two as blood erupted. Mark spun around and saw a boy charging at him rifle raised and bayonet pointed. Mark slapped the rifle away in true duelist fashion then sidestepped the boy and stabbed him in the back as he carried on past. The rest of his men had by then stormed the barricade and he looked down the hill to the sight of the entire army following his men up the hill and taking position after position. Mark turned back to face the walls of the fortress and noticed one last remaining post but it's men were fast abandoning it and running for the gates. Colour Sergeant Williams of the 1st Horseton Infantry one of Mark's own regiments was standing next to Mark when he was hit by a stray bullet from a soldier on the walls. As Williams fell Mark grabbed the flag in his hands and pointed it at the walls. " " Lucky " get the 1st Horseton up those walls using ladders while I lead the rest to fight that group under the gates. " Mark told his second in command as he set off at a run carrying the flag of one of his regiments into battle against the rebellious foe.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

Gregoryisgodistan World Cup Preview

Gregoryisgodistan was drawn into Group 16 for World Cup qualifying yesterday, along with Turori, Svengarda, Kerica, New North Aqmuland, The Greater Vakolicchi Haven, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander and Taijan. It will be a tough group but the Foot Slaves only need to finish in the top 3 to advance to a playoff for qualification. Let's go match by match as a preview.

Matchday 1 - vs. The Greater Vakolicci Haven: This is our first match against a team ranked 223rd in the world. We're at home. It shouldn't give us much trouble. Expect the Foot Slaves to roll to victory in this one. We should start out with a win, for once. We never do, but we should here. Prediction: Win 3-0

Matchday 2 - at Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander: Another easy match. This team just made their debut in the Baptism of Fire. They're ranked 343rd in the world. It is a road match, which makes it somewhat harder, but the Foot Slaves are good enough to pull this one off too. It should be another easy win, with a cupcake start for the Foot Slaves. Prediction: Win 2-0

Matchday 3 - vs. Turori: And now it gets harder in a hurry, as we face the #13 team in the world, Turori. This will be a very tough game, and the Foot Slaves probably can't pull it off, even at home. It will be close, though. Prediction: Loss 1-0

Matchday 4 - at Svengarda: Svengarda is ranked higher than us, and they're at home. Nevertheless, the Foot Slaves are known for pulling off shocking upsets. Unfortunately, we also lose a lot of games we should win. This one will be tight, and in the end, it might be too tight for a winner. Prediction: Draw 1-1

Matchay 5 - vs. Taijan: Does Taijan really have a rank of 0? Seems hard to believe. But that's what the rankings show. They have a decent history in sports, but apparently not in soccer. A lot of people don't realize that. This could be a trap game, but ultimately the Foot Slaves will pull it off. It will be closer than anyone wants, though. Prediction: Win 2-1

Matchday 6 - vs. Kericia: Kericia is ranked 96th. We're over 20 places higher than them and we're at home. We should pull this one off. Prediction: Win 2-0

Matchday 7 - at New North Aqmuland: This team is only ranked 143rd, but has been rising fast. We will likely be all thrilled at our fast start and could get trapped. NNA probably isn't good enough to pull off a win, but the Foot Slaves will be too overconfident coming in and will only come out with a draw. Prediction: Draw 0-0

Matchday 8 - at The Greater Vakolicci Haven: Now the schedule starts to repeat. We should still have no trouble winning this match. Now it's on the road, but we can still win. It will be closer than the opener, but we'll do it. Prediction: Win 2-0

Matchday 9 - vs. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander: Another easy match, as we get a repeat of the cupcake start. And now we're at home. We should prevail here, and it won't be close. Prediction: Win 4-0

Matchday 10 - at Turori: We project that Turori will be the only team to have beaten us heading into this match. They will likely beat us again at home, in what could be our worst loss of the tournament. It will take a very good game to pull this one off. Prediction: Loss 2-0

Matchay 11 - vs. Svengarda: The visitors are ranked in the top 40. However, we are the home team and have overperformed our ranking in each of our two previous World Cup qualifying attempts. No reason to think we won't here. Home field advantage to us. It will be a great game. We will win. Prediction: Win 1-0

Matchday 12 - at Taijan: Taijan is underrated, but we won't get fooled again. We will pull this one off easily and continue our amazing run. Prediction: Win 3-1

Matchday 13 - at Kericia: And now we face them again. Now they're the home team. The Foot Slaves have a reputation for choking down the stretch in their last game or two, and they might do the same here. It won't be a loss, but it could be a draw. It probably will be. Prediction: Draw 1-1

Matchday 14 - at New North Aqmuland: If the above results hold, we should advance to the playoffs as long as we don't lose this game. Which is exactly why we will. This team is not clutch. Expect an upset. Prediction: Loss 1-0

Overall predicted record: 8-3-3. This should still be good enough for a playoff spot, but we'll need to avoid too many bad losses early.