World Cup 69 RP Thread

[Barunia]

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The Number One website for Barunian Sports Fans

World Cup 69 Preview: Our Most Anticipated Games of the Qualifiers
Article by Scott Watson, football correspondent ScottW@baruniainsports.com.bu

The World Cup Qualifiers are about more than just qualifying for the World Cup. It's about football, and pitching your country's best eleven against the best eleven of a half a dozen or so other countries. At BiS, we love football, and we love watching the best teams from around the world battle it out for a spot in the biggest sporting event in the multiverse.

But with so much football, what to watch? Well, we have the solution. Here it is, the games to look forward to, the pick of the bunch for each group.

Group 1: MD1 & 8 - Northern Sunrise Islands (23) vs HopNation (93). A slightly unusual pick, but we've had our eye on the Hops since they first made their debut, and we like what we see. The Vaporeons of course are the team to beat in this group.

Group 2: MD7 & 14 - Sargossa (50) vs Mangolana (119): Sargossa, and Mangolana, two famous Rushmore nations. Except they're not, since Mangolana jumped over to Atlantian Oceania. Expect inter-regional rivalry with a sharp edge when these two teams meet, especially at the Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado in Sargossa.

Group 3: Vilitia (2) vs Everybody else: It's hard to see how the current World Champions could possibly lose this group. A masterclass in football should be on display here from Vilitia.

Group 4: MD4 & 11 - Taeshan (41) vs Kazamatsuri (59): You might need glasses for this one, as purple and bright green tend to clash. They'll be one hell of a clash here, as the Purple Knights take on the defectors from the Celestial Empire. Kazamatsuri have a point to prove here, and they'll want to make their mark against a stalwart of the game like Taeshan.

Group 5: MD4 & 11 - Jeruselem (25) vs New Montreal States (44): This group will surely hinge on the outcome of these two matches, which is reason enough for us to take an interest. Either that or you could watch Jeruselem beat the Republic of Vietnam again.

Group 6: MD2 & 9 - Zenic (112) vs Ko-oren (26): Zenic have an excellent youth program, winning the Under-15 World Cup two editions ago, while Ko-oren are the group's top seeds and the team to beat here.

Group 7: MD2 & 9 - HorusLand (81) vs Gloriax (106): Ok, so they're not the most highly ranked of teams, and they'd both be outside chances for a qualifying berth, but these two teams are so evenly matched it will need something special to take the win, and I have a feeling we might see some individual brilliance from some up and coming forwards here.

Group 8: Free Republics (8), Hutt River (76), San Jose Guayabal (35) and The Sarian (87) vs each other: Ok, so this group was too hard to call. The Free Republics were the shock of the tournament last cycle, but they'll need to prove it wasn't just luck. SJG won the Escudo Fraternal from Barunia just before qualifying. Hutt River and the Sarian are evenly matched against each other, but both have the capability to win big games and could steal one here.

Group 9: MD1 & 8 - Blouman Empire (15) vs The Royal Barangay (38): These two teams are the type that always seem to just be around, quietly racking up the KPB points and climbing the rankings. They're not far apart, and this should be two pivotal matches in this group.

Group 10: MD5 & 12 - Sandwich Territories (67) vs The Royal Kingdom of Quebec (52): Another match between two extremely close sides, this will be a battle of the midfield, with a 3-4-3 up against a 3-2-3-2. Goals will still be forthcoming as both teams look to score frequently, but it should be a good all-round contest.

Group 11: MD7 & 14 - Starblaydia (34) vs Turori (9): The ninth ranked nation in the world against the five-time world champions. What's not to like in this match-up between two of Atlantian Oceania's finest and oldest teams?

Group 12: MD6 & 13 - The Archregimancy (16) vs Absurdly Polite Gentleman (201): Any match in which 11 men in full evening dress face off against 11 men in full length monks robes has got to be worth watching, right? Also guaranteed to be a match that will define the "Cup for Chaps."

Group 13: MD3 & 10 - Polar Islandstates (1) vs The Fallenmark Islands (195): These two teams have more in common then just a tendency to lose in major finals. The two nations comprise the Valhallan union, and I have it on good authority that this is the game the whole of Valhalla has been waiting for. When you're world number 1, winning games is expected, but this is the game every one in Polar Islandstates wants to see their team win. Of course, if the Fallenmark Islands were to cause the upset, I expect their closest neighbours and fiercest sporting rivals would never hear the end of it. This match will have it all - don't miss it.

Group 14: MD6 & 13 - Paradystopia (21) vs Jeru FC (47): There's a team of army brats from a country who seem to be totally obsessed with sex, and that's the sane nation here. Apart from the fact that they are actually the two top seeds in this group, this game will be worth watching for the entertainment off the pitch as well as on.

Group 15: MD6 & 13 - Zwangzug (36) vs Barunia (14): We'd expect you'd already be watching every game with the Suns in, but if not make sure you catch these two. Zwangzug are by far the toughest opposition Barunia will face, and these games will no doubt decide the outcome of this group.

Group 16: MD6 & 13 - The Inevitable Syndicate (20) vs Rutenbach (30): A match between two very close teams at the top end of the rankings, this should be an absolute cracker.

Group 17: MD5 & 12 - Nephara (12) vs Kandorith (45): Two teams with a similar formation, and a similar philosophy: Go hard or go home. Nephara (formerly New Sideburn) are well known for their "smash mouth footy", while Kandorith are attack-minded and just want to score goals. It will be a goalfest, and if that's not enough, it will likely determine who tops this group.

Group 18: MD1 & 8 - Eura (13) vs The Licentian Isles (31): This match will bring all the experience and history of two long standing football giants. This should be a showcase for the individual talents both teams possess.

Group 19: MD4 & 11 - Saintland (18) vs Gregoryisgodistan (56): Ok, let's face it, this isn't really about the football. But when you see either one of those names, you know politics and religion aren't going to be far behind. Put both of them together? It's going to be explosive.

Group 20: MD6 & 13 - Felix (24) vs Super-Llamaland (29): It's a fact that the best games are often the ones that are too close to call. Games where neither side has any discernible advantage on paper usually result in a good contest and great football. Have a look at those rankings - that five place difference equals 1.76 KPB points. That means that Felix and Super-Llamaland have had almost the same success over three cycles. Add in a shared preference for attacking football, and this game has it all.

Group 21: MD7 & 14 - Neu Engollon (43) vs Equestrian States (28): The goats against the ponies, although only one side is actual animals. This battle between the top seeds in Group 21 should be fierce, and that will hopefully make for some great footballing entertainment.

Group 22: MD5 &12 - Saugeais (53) vs Valanora (6): We've picked Saugeais here mainly for being the team most likely to give the five-time world champions a run for their money. That and Knights vs Marauders sounds awesome. Seriously though, we expect Saugeais to show some fight here, which will make for fantastic viewing.

Group 23: MD5 &12 - Darmen (39) vs Furellum (96): Yes, we might be slightly biased towards our fuzzy friends in the Commonwealth, but with their success in the Di Bradini Cup we think they could be about to make their mark. They knocked a Darmen team out of the U-15 World Cup, so revenge will be on the menu for this game.

Group 24: MD7 & 14 - Audioslavia (3) vs United Eastedge (190). The former World Champions face off against the current Baptism of Fire champions when the claret-and-green meet up against United Eastedge. It will be interesting to see how the skills of Eastedge measure up against one of the all-time greats.

[Mehdonesia]

"Prepared and hyped"

The Mehdonesian Times

In the follow-up to yesterday's narrow loss to Nephara, the Mehdonesia manager describes his squad as 'prepared and hyped' to face today's opponent, ORCA bay, who also lost yesterday. They are third seed in the group and they lost 4-1 yesterday to Vaugania.

As always at the Mehdonesian Times, we tried to gauge what strategy manager Stan Jockall is planning to employ in the upcoming game,

"we are returning to the Mehdonesian Tree for this match, it's always worked out the best for us. I'm not going to give away the line-up but I'm sure you can guess who I have in mind at the moment."

When we asked our pro's here at the times how they rated our chances in the match. They surprisingly unanimously agreed we should win with the tree at full capacity. However the players should avoid becoming complacent, the loss yesterday should keep their heads straight and focused on the task.

Mehdonesia have never played ORCA bay before, and they may still spring a tactical suprise and catch us off guard but here at the Mehdonesian Times Team we are confident in the squads ability to get the job done.

Here is a predicted formation for tomorrow's game;



Fixtures/Results
22/07/14-vs Nephara 0-1
23/07/14-vs ORCA bay
25/07/14-vs Arkiasas
26/07/14-vs Vaugania
27/07/14-vs Kiryu-shi
28/07/14-vs Terres des Gaulles

[Kalumba]

On The Lash With The Lads

Good start? Bad Start? Who knows? Booze is a terrible thing and when the government allows the sale of Handyman's XXX you know you are in for something special. Now the usual pint or so of Handyman Brown doesn't do much to the hardened liver and senses of the consummate alcoholic, nor do the more modern delights of Castle Ale and Lion Lager, the 'Shumba' so loved in our land. Even a hearty helping of Umboqthwane, that special mealie brew so unique to our land, fails to have the effect of 'Extra Special'.

So deadly a beverage is XXX it is in fact usually banned from sale and only allowed to be sold with governmental permission from licensed purveyors. And even then it is usually rationed to a pint per head on special occasions like the induction of a tribal chief or the inauguration of a president, so why it was freely sold yesterday I will never know. Perhaps the government recognized the inevitability of our failure to qualify, or even finish in the top three of the group, and has decided to stupefy us into complacency.

Normally I'd be pleased with the chance to get shitfaced so readily but honestly next time I'll stick to the Brown or even the Beaute Blanc and Vin Terrico, but still give the Soixante Neuf a wide berth, because frankly I have never felt so bad, nor ever had the complete lack of anything resembling a memory of the match.

So until the next time,

Mr (soon to be burst) Spleen

Please don't ask why we employ the man, it escapes us all and is probably due to something illegal. For anyone interested the Kudus beat The Fallenmark Isles by 4 goals to one, and to learn more about the drink the old sod is on visit http://iiwiki.com/wiki/Kanimambo_Brewery

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

RADIO ESPORTIVA
Season 4, Chapter 2:

Sunrise looked around the room, filled of strange technological things, wires and all that, finding a couple of co-workers fixing up things. The shop itself was inside a shopping mall, named, without much sublety, The Mall.

Sunrise: ...You're sure this is really a car shop, right?
Hodori: Well, I bought some pieces from a plane that crashed.
Sunrise: Huh?
Hodori: Orochi-crazed guy had a bizarre plan and-
Sunrise: ...Nevermind.
Hodori: Well, take the day to meet your co-workers. Tomorrow, you better work well to sell well, ok?
Sunrise: Agreed, I think.

Sunrise started to walk around the shop, seeing a special area all painted up with a sign saying "Car Painting" and three people looking at the car. A hooded teenager with a mask on its face seemed to be staring at a car while two others seemed to be arguing. While the hooded teenager couldn't talk, the other two were pretty much vocal.

Polar: I swear I'm going to shove those gradients up-
Audio: Oh, shut up! You couldn't even paint a dead bull's balls, you bloody idiot!
Polar: Oh, is that so?
Audio: You bet it's that so.
Polar: Come on, mate!

The two enter into a fistfight, while the hooded one just spray-paints the car, sighing behind the spray painting mask. Sunrise simply backs off, walking in the warehouse section.

Matthew: This is ridiculous, I'm saying you!
Agremiastan: Well, it didn't work out, so this is what we had left to work at.
Matthew: Stocking tires? I'm a prince!
Agremiastan: Yeah, right.
Matthew: I am! I'm telling you!
Agremiastan: You just found a crown and decided you were a prince. Even though your father isn't even here.
Matthew: *sigh*

Sunrise backs off again, finding the other section with the current salesman, only to find two noticeable faces, dressed with uniforms from the car shop.

Sindy: Why are we even here? I told you I hate those people that come here!
Nev: Shut up, sister! Plus, we need the money to buy things.
Sindy: As in?
Nev: Food for Fligsive. Food for Mertagne.
Sindy: That's a very stupid name for a cat.
Nev: Indeed.

Sunrise sighed, hiding himself again, before feeling a nudge and noticing everyone that he just saw, including a bruised Audio and a still angry Polar looking at him, with Hodori on front of them all.

Hodori: So... what do you think?
Sunrise: Eh... how much am I getting paid for this?
Hodori: Per month? Enough, I'd say.
Sunrise: Count me in, then. I mean...

Sunrise laid one of his arms on a pile of tires, not noticing how it was still a bit unstable.

Sunrise: What could go w-

The tires proceed to fall over him, burying Sunrise under dozens of tires.

Matthew: How was that even possible?
Agremiastan: Don't ask. He has a penchant for these moments.

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

“You have to understand that your position here in the future isn’t a permanent one.” Doctor Sheehan explained to the group. “Your time here comes to an end once we are eliminated.”

The team nodded.

“Things here are not the same as they were before. The country tore itself apart and now we live as separate communities, split by a giant wall erected to keep the warring factions apart. Those who followed Prince Hassan laid claim to the South whilst those loyal to his brother took the North and the capital. Their sister is Queen and ruler of the islands off the Pocoan strait, while the desert, where we find ourselves is home to the nomads, the heretics, the diseased and the deranged, who live among the ancient pyramids. Queer Poco el Mono Ara is no longer one united kingdom, but four.”

“Here in Monolithia we are aching for a return to more prosperous times, before all this evil. We have men of faith who pray for change and men of science, like me, who are trying to make a change. That is why you are here. To remind us of what life used to be like. When communities were brought together through a mutual love of football.... or something.”

The team continued to nod.

“In all honesty, I’m still a bit sketchy on the actual plan here. I mean, I know we don’t have a national team anymore, but quite why we thought you were the best option, instead of, maybe forming one of our own, I don’t know. The more I think about using a time machine to travel to different dates in the past and convince footballers, many of whom never played at the peak of the profession to jump forward in history to play for their country that has been ravaged by civil war it all seems a little... unnecessary. ”

The team nodded some more.

“Maybe you are just a plot device....”

CHAPTER 1. NEPTUNA

Off the coast to the east and across the Pocoan strait sits a cluster of four small islands. They used to have names, but the history books were thrown into the sea and their pages on Wikipedia deleted once the Princess Shazia claimed them for herself. As her brothers fought one another bitterly over their father’s throne, she removed herself from the ongoing feud to crown herself Queen regnant. Famous for her compassion and her charity work, when her personal army took command of Belle-Isle on Sea and renamed the city Neptuna (after the Roman God of the sea) the civilians were more than pleased. They could see the bloodshed on the mainland being reported every day and were relieved to be kept separate from the ongoing battle. They felt safe in the embrace of a kind and gentle queen. For 40 years she quietly reigned over the island folk from her throne in Neptuna and when she finally succumbed to the ravages of time her only daughter became the new Queen of the Islanders.

The day of Queen Shazia I’s funeral was a sombre day on the islands. There was little noise in the streets as the population sat in front of their television sets, watching the televised state funeral. The markets had closed for the day, the cinemas and amusement arcades had shut their doors and the roads were deserted, there hadn’t been such post-apocalyptic-esque stillness on the islands since the civil war had first broken out. On the first day of the civil war, meetings between local governments in town halls across the islands had decreed the safest place to be was indoors. Children were sent home from school, workers sent home from the offices and factories and a curfew was put in place. After 48 hours, life tentatively returned to normal, but the shadowy presence of war, just over the water, loomed over the residents. Today, was like that day. Normally the Neptuna air was filled with the smell of traffic, the exhaust fumes from vans, cars and motorcycles that filled the roads in a constant swarm of 2 and 4 wheeled motor vehicles. The cacophony of smells from the markets, the butcher’s fresh steaks laid bare in the window, the fishmonger’s cod in troughs of ice and the florists carnations in bunches of pink, white, red and yellow. And the smell of the people, the sweaty manual workers who had been baking in the sun, the young girls, doused in fancy perfumes waiting to meet their friends and the office staff dashing around with their store bought lunches and take out coffees. None of these smells were present on the day of the funeral. The air was still and warm and smelled of nothing. Or at least so it seemed for the Queen’s only child and heir to her throne. The princess Ayda was now 31, she was tall and willowy, standing 5ft 9. The average woman, in what used to be Queer Poco was only 5ft 3. Her silken hair trailed down behind her, reaching her waist and was perfectly maintained. Her eyes were dark, only in colour, normally they were full of life and hid a wealth of knowledge that years of private education had brought her. On this day they were wet with tears that had run away, down her face to her angular, model like cheek bones. Her mourning dress was black and modest, but still very stylish.

Since the “liberation” of the islands from the mainland a return to “the old religions” had taken place, much like it had across the majority of Queer Poco el Mono Ara and the funeral of Queen Shazia would be the first state funeral held in the old fashion.

The temple at Neptuna was relatively newly built and had only been standing a decade. Outside, two giant Lamassu stood sentry by the door. The enormous protectors had the body of a bull, the wings of an eagle and the head of a man were made entirely from black obsidian and matched Ayda's dress. As she walked in amongst the other members of the funeral procession she failed to notice the enormous mythical creatures, looking down on her mother's coffin. They stood proud. Solid. Just like she intended to when she was crowned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In football news, we got a point. 1-1. Goal for Saladin Bakhiri

[Saugeais]

Hey there, Franco. Whatcha playing there on the computer?

Oh hey, dad. It's this new game that just came out. It's called Football Managing Simulator 2036. Don't ask why they put the following year in the title, I don't get it either. But it gives you the option to become a football manager at a team in one of over 100 nations in the multiverse. Saugeais even has it's leagues in the game if I wanted to manage, say, Bugny FC, or bring AFC Montbenoit City up to the Premier League.

Sounds interesting. How exactly do you play it?

Well, I'll try keep it as short and to the point as possible. You start off choosing what nations you want loaded in to manage in you can change that in game), and how far down the pyramid in those league as well. For example, I want to load up the Saugeain and Polarian leagues, for Saugeais I can choose to have just the Premier League loaded, PL and League 1, or all three leagues. Same with the Polarian system, either just Divisjion One, or all the way down to their regional leagues.

If you want to choose a national team to manage, that's a separate list to choose from. Some nations won't show their national teams unless you load in those national leagues, I guess because most of their national team is all domestic players. Then, after that you create your manager, off you go to setting up friendlies, signing and releasing players and staff, etc. It's very in-depth for such a simple game. I was just about to start up the Saugeais national team to try and take them to the World Cup. Look, they even have all the players that are on the national team:



Well, good luck with that, son. Sounds like something complicated and time consuming, though, like how a football managing job really is.

Frustrating at times, but it's fun, dad.
______________________________________

GAME 1: Knights on the March
3-0 WIN over Filopines

After tweaking the formation between friendlies leading up to the first qualifying, I figured out that the default 4-2-4 for Saugeais really does the trick with how attacking-minded the players are, based on their stats. However, the amount of clear cut chances they had doesn't reflect on how high the scoreline should have been. 3 goals from 9 shots on target. Could've been better, but 3 of those saved were from advantage play, but the ball was kicked right at the keeper.

For Amable Deniau and Hugues Pascal, it was a tale of two halves, and I hope it doesn't bite me further down in qualifying. Both scored in the first half, Deniau striking a blooter from 26 yards out at the 9 minute mark, and Pascal heading in a corner kick, brought in by Alphonse Richelieu, just past the outstretched keeper's arms in the 26th. However, the second half both saw them go down with injury, leading me to sub in Josué Herbert and Sylvain Lavoie in their respective positions. Fortunately, Filopines didn't have an answer, offensively, and for good measure Gerard Kuchler netted the third goal late in the game to put it well out of reach for the opponents.

After the match, Deniau was reported to have a strained calf and will be out for 4 matches. Ugh, the best striker on the team won't be there for the big match against Valanora when I need him the most. Hopefully Herbert can fill his boots well, or I may consider switching formations to something less practical. Pascal, on the other hand, is only out for one match after bruising his knee. His loss, while not as bad, is still something I didn't want to happen. Nevertheless, I'll be happy to see him back on the pitch fully fit.

All in all, a decent start tot he qualifying campaign. Valanora also getting a win is expected, as they are definitely the team to keep track of in this group. I have hopes that these tactics will get us out on top, but second place wouldn't be that big of a consolation; advancement is all that matters. Shadowbourne is the next match, probably a good time to rest a couple starters leading up to Valanora. I hope to have Deniau back by then, but hopefully the game doesn't screw me over with more injuries like I know it will.

[United Eastedge]

Hard opening match for the navies after an unforeseen redraw in the Group 24
Cathair, Audioslavia

---

Some are angry, some sad, some are just confused but all of them due to the same reason. Hours before the kickoff of the first match days of the World Cup 69 Qualifiers, the hosts announced a change in the Group 24, rescheduling some of the match days such as the opening one. The navies were about to face the green and whites but finally, they faced the twice-champions of the World Cup, Audioslavia, or just simply the bulls. The stadium name did not change; the match took place in the National Stadium... In Kernansquillec? No, mate, it was Cathair, Audioslavia, the home stadium of the bulls. Yep, a harder opponent to open with. The bulls were in charge to welcome the navies to the reality of football, which is that the winner is not the one who plays good, it is the team who is perfectly prepared for anything. It is not just a matter of taking the ball and kick it toward the goal; it is a matter of hard work and dedication....

However, the navies would face Audioslavia someday anyway. So, there are not excuses. The head coach of the bulls for this World Cup, Lee Sharp decided to use a 4-4-1-1, the formation that was expected to see the bulls playing with, since he announced the players that would represent the twice-world champions. Serge Rollins (GK), Andreij Tal (LB), Frantzko Intxausti (CB), Alex Koskinen (CB), Arne Polsson (RB), Aitor Jovellanos (LM), Gaizka Omaexevarria (DM), Cristobal Bustos (DM), Maati Javinen (RM), Ronda-Judith Styrn (AM), and Hufdis Uulver (CF) were the eleven men that jumped to the field in order to welcome the navies to the World Cup. Tactically, the bulls tend to press in the midfield as well and place a high line on the back since the majority of the team is not very tall. Their fitness and stamina is extraordinary and perfectly highlighted when they play against a team like United Eastedge.

In the other hand, we have the navies, who are guided by Masson during this World Cup Cycle and probably the next as well depending on the overall performance in the Qualifying Stage. The starting eleven used by Masson for this match day, was comprised by Enrique Sanders (GK), Dallas Wheeler (LB/LM), George Lloyd (LB), Caleb Green (CB), Matthew Alvarez (RB), Jonathan Bennet (RB/RM), Gordon Bowman (CM), Benjamin Holloway (CM), Shane Dawson (AC), Andrew Hughes (FW/ST), and Jonathan Dunn (FW/ST), using their typical and modern 5-3-2 formation. The majority of the said players were not part of the starting eleven of the navies when they defeated The Fallenmark Islands on that historic 14 July 2014. United Eastedge tend to press in the wait in the midfield and the back looking for spaces on the defense of the opponent when they advance toward their half.

It was an intense night. Many of the fans expected to see their team facing Buyan, but the excitement did not disappear when the notice was announced. The 22 men jumped to the field and their were about to kickoff the Qualifiers. The ref started out the first match of this hige dream that is scarcely beginning. At the twenty eighth minute, Aitor Jovellanos took the ball on the midfield, stealing it to Shane Dawson. He ran toward the baseline, close to the corner giving a great pass to Hufdis Uulver, who just raised his leg hitting the ball to the right post of the goal. Enrique Sanders saved it, giving them opportunity to score via corner kick. Maati Javinen passed the ball within the box through the air, subsequently, Cristobal Bustos headed it toward the center of the goal, but Sanders could not stop that shot. Audioslavia was winning the match since the 30th minute.

Thereafter, it seemed that the Audioslavians stopped pressing in the midfield like they were doing it before the goal came. United Eastedge tried to go forward to the opponent field, dominating the ball possession for a while. Nonetheless, the defense of the home team was complicating the distribution of the ball over the outskirts of the box. Suddenly, the second goal for the bulls came at the forty fifth minute after a counter-attack leaving the majority of the Eastedgeans in the back and finally, mocking the goalkeeper, Enrique Sanders after a pass given by Uulven to Ronda-Judith Styrn when he was about to shoot. The National Stadium was an authentic madness when the second goal of the bulls came. Audioslavia was embarrassing the navies, dominating the match almost the 45 minutes.

Nor the motivational conversation given by Masson in the half-time helped the navies to improve their level. Audioslavia continued dominating the match, while United Eastedge seemed to be a completely amateur team, which is roughly more than that. The bulls scored two goals more to finish them ince and for all. The authors of those goal were Hufdis Uulver after a penalty and Maati Javinen, slamming it in the crossbar becoming in a formidable goal. But, where does this place us? This result place the navies in the last position of the group 24, with 0 points and a goal difference of -4. Nobody exoected to see the current champions of the baptism of Fire in the eighth place. Audioslavia is now in the forst place of the group and it is expected to see them stay at the top of the standings.

Next up, is the team of the Green and Whites that is going to take place in the Aelley Stadium, in the Aelley City, United Eastedge. They are currently placed second of the group 24 after defeating the dangerous team of Buyan, 3-1. It is expected to see a draw tonight even though Masson will try to defeat the Kers, no matter what. Three points would be very valuable right now if the navies want to get out from the bottom...

[Greater Watford]

Disappointing loss in opener

Joey McMahon
For Greater Watford, the fear of losing points early came true, as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat. For the Hornets, the old days of score but concede seemed to have returned, with defensive nightmares. It didn't seem that way, as the Hornets kicked off in Monkeykind, aiming for a positive start to their campaign.

In the 5th minute of the game, the ambitious start seemed to be realised. Harris slipped in the hole between the midfield, and opened up the defence. Peréz found the space, headed the ball down from the through ball, and rifled home a powerful shot. It was 1-0, with the Hornets leading the way.

In the 16th minute, the lead doubled. Mario Mannetti recieved the ball on the edge of the box, and made a sharp turn to beat the last defender. The ball was then slotted cleanly underneath the keeper, doubling the lead the Hornets had. It looked like they would go on to win comfortably.

Unfortunately, Greater Watford failed to carry forward their momentum. Gregor was beaten on the wing, and a Monkeykind striker was left unmarked. His header was weak, but Hemsworth couldn't reach it, and it was 2-1. In the 41st minute, an opportunistic shot from 20 yards saw Hemsworth beaten at the far post, and Monkeykind had an equaliser, denying the Hornets the opportunity to go in at half time in the lead.

In the second half, a renewed passion saw Jan Regan make a surprise run into the box. He was left unmarked, and his shot was clean, and he gave the Hornets the lead. Not 5 minutes later however, and Monkeykind responded, with a free-kick routine that lead to a headed goal at the back post.

With 77 minutes gone, Monkeykind were gifted an opportunity when Vincent Warthon scuffed a pass to his brother Ryan. The striker ran into the box, and was able to beat Hemsworth on a one-on-one, giving Monkeykind the lead for the first time. With Greater Watford throwing caution to the wind, Monkeykind got a breakaway, and Hemsworth rushed out. Unfortunately, the stiker saw an opportunity, and embarassed the keeper with a chip over the head. It finished 5-3, and Greater Watford now know they need a result against Lolloh.

Thomas Lasenzby

For this World Cup, we will be writing a profile on each of the players in the squad. Today, we start with goalkeeper James Hemsworth. The #1 goalkeeper throughout all of Greater Watford’s internationals, Hemsworth has proved himself a capable goalkeeper. Hemsworth was born in Stanborough, and played for them in the later years of the old Super League. When the league reformed, Hemsworth made the short journey to Watford FC, where he currently plays. Experience in the FireStorm Cup has helped him in international football.

Hemsworth is remembered by some for a dramatic debut, where in his, and Greater Watford’s, first international game, he collided with Ryan Warthon, and was knocked out. Despite taking a few knocks and blows in the box, Hemsworth has been able to shake off a few bruises, to continue to command the Greater Watford goal. The tall, 6’2’’ blond keeper is experienced, at 29 years old, but still shows versatility, ensuring his #1 status for now.

In his private life, Hemsworth is known for enjoying basketball, and country music. He is married, with 1 son, Louis who is 3 years old. He resides in Watford, although he is known as a relatively private person. For now, he says, he hasn't thought of life after football, and wants to remain focused on his career.

[Kiryu-shi]

Dear [Redacted],

I’m writing to you from [Redacted] Bar! I remember you taking me here for my 16th birthday, just the two of us. It was honestly the first time I’d ever gotten drunk, although I’m still not sure if you actually believe that. I haven’t been back here in ages, but it’s as run-down and dark as ever. Still, though, there was a good crowd watching the Kiri match against Terre des Gaulles, even though it was a jumbled chorus of groans and complaints throughout. I think there is really some excitement over our first international match since being bounced from entering World Cup 67 in that playoff against Zwangzug? I know you know I was busy with other things during that part of my life, but I do remember that much.

Anyway, despite the atmosphere here, the game itself was a let down. It was cagey, for lack of a better term, with our side unable to string together passes for much of the night - a lot of running with very few results. To be fair, the Coqs didn’t look too much better themselves, and the inexperience of both sides made for an uglier match than what has been advertised. There were a couple of half-way decent chances for them in the first half, but both fizzled with sloppy finishing, and Yamaguchi in goal wasn’t really even tested. But we did practically give them the ball to set up those opportunities, with some really sub-par play from our midfielders. It almost seemed like the moment was too big for them.

It’s difficult to be happy regarding an injury, but the game really opened up after Leanor Joyner was taken off the pitch with what’s being described as a knee problem sometime early in the second half. It’s hard to see someone so young be in so much pain, and coach Miura already said in his postgame comments that she’s been ruled out for the immediate future. But still, like I said, when d'Étaples moved up to a more midfielder type role and Jonathan Francis came into the match, the game opened up for us. Francis made some critical mental mistakes, and it’s clear why he’s not in the starting eleven, but d'Étaples plays exceptionally exciting football when given fewer responsibilities to cover space defensively. Even though she didn’t score, she created a couple of nice opportunities, including a tremendous run with some beautiful one touch passing where she seemed to be weaving through defenders and bouncing the ball off of her teammates, ending up with just one man to beat. But the keeper, Rocquebert, was easily able to deal with her shot. Still, you know, it was fun to watch. And she was clearly the most popular player within the bar - she has the type of flair that people are going to love. You’d love to watch her too.

As for your question, I can’t say I have a good handle on Miura as a man or as a technician. I mean, he seemed to have a level head, and his substitutions ended up contributing, so it seems like he’s a good coach, but I don’t really know what exactly to watch for to judge him. Lon Hendrickson, who Miura brought in with around fifteen minutes to go, set up the winning ball with a cleanly executed through pass to free up Yukimura who slotted in a rather pretty goal in the 83rd minute. Which finally got the bar cheering, but when the press conference on no one was particularly happy with Miura. I mean, the team just didn’t seem prepared for long stretches during the first half, and the memories of having a strong national team still seem to resonate strongly. But from my perspective, it seems like he’s doing a good job with a clear mission, albeit the players we do have will mean that continued success this cycle is going to be difficult. For as much as the style of our football might be attractive, there are going to be some ugly mistakes that are going to be difficult to watch. So… well, at least you won’t have to subject yourself to yelling at the television in frustration?

Anyway, I hope their treating you civilly. The anticipated lineup for next fixture, according to a postgame press release is going to be something like:
FW: Hamasaki, Yukimura,
MF: Burkholder, d’Étaples, Seidel, Ueno
DF: Crooks, Hall, Irby, Cole
GK: Yamaguchi
with a bench of, Miyamoto, M. Francis, a’Ducézièt, Morris, Ito, J. Francis, Collins, Mizushima, Hendrickson, Briggs, Burke, Romero, and Tachibana.

Coach Miura did say that there were likely to be opportunities for other players to prove themselves as the cycle continued, so we’ll see how that plays out.

Let me know if there’s anything I can find out for you, or anything. It sounds like you’re pretty isolated from the world in there, even though [redacted] is still visiting you regularly. Which, again, you know how I feel about. I suppose it’s still worth something, though.

Anyway, I suppose I should be clearing out. I haven’t ordered anything in around an hour, and it’s getting late here. And I still have to get to work tomorrow morning…

Sincerely,
[Redacted]

[Zwangzug]

It is not necessary to know that the collective predates the reformation of the Zwangzug national team, not important to know the extent of their capabilities as opposed to, say, the state's nonexistent surveillance forces. Not relevant to mention which nefarious governments might have been propping them up over the years, nor to speculate on which foreign megaprojects have supplanted Levels One and Two. Nor to discuss whether Level Three ever existed at all. Neither is it immediately worthwhile to discuss whether Level Zero is making adequate progress, or whether it ought to be repurposed under new management.

What matters is that the collective exists, and it is watching you.

That might be a bit of a stretch. One operative, named Kylie, surely existed at the time, and she was watching someone, a visitor, make her way forward, furtively. Kylie hadn't remembered the visitor's name. Sara, maybe? She couldn't place her accent, either. That was hardly a surprise--the world was a big place, its languages diverse, but it had been a while since they'd attracted much international attention.

"Excuse me?" the visitor asked. Tara. That was it. Kylie hoped.

"Yes?" said Kylie. "Can we help you?"

"Is this the place I come for the tactical analysis?"

"It might be. Got a formation in mind?"

Tara snorted. "If I wanted to analyze one formation at a time, I'd find a city that knew what it was doing."

Kylie ignored the barb at her club, forcing a smile. "So something more of an aggregate, then?"

"I thought there was a research institute where people got paid to figure this kind of thing out. How attacking-minded teams are, how that's changed over time."

"Oh! Right, I've heard about that too. Um, first of all, nobody gets paid for what we're doing here--it's a labor of love and all that."

"You're not going to spout something about getting paid in gratitude?"

"I mean, it helps."

"Social democrats!"

"But we're not exactly public, you know. So we're not looking for attention, that way."

"What's there to hide about tactics?"

"Nothing, of course. That's not our institute! If you go up to...mezzanine four, I think, we might have the old computations, but nothing recent." At Tara's skeptical expression, Kylie added, "I'd take you there myself." One did not just allow visitors to the collective to start taking elevators of their own accord. Frivolous button-pushing was frowned upon.

"Nothing recent. Okay. I'll look elsewhere, then."

Kylie nodded. "Sorry I can't be of more help."

"Maybe you can. If I change my mind about what I'm looking for, I know where to find you."

"Of course. If I'm not around, one of my colleagues will be happy to help. There are some who really like talking tactics."

Tara rolled her eyes. "Believe me. If I was just looking for advice on how to set up a lineup, the last place I'd come would be here."

Once again affronted, Kylie refused to think better of it and talked back. "Here Arlington? Or here Zwangzug?"

"Yes," said Tara. "I'll see you around, then."

(Sariger-Heshik 23, 68, Schi 49)

[The Jasminia Islands]

The Jasminia Islands 0 - 2 Blouman Empire

Theme music and titles play. Cut to studio.

Damian Easom: Hello, swagatam, and welcome to the Wishwa Kap, that's right the World Cup! After the surprise success of the New Saints in the Baptism of Fire Jasminia Radio Television is broadcasting the tournament live to all of you Jasminians back home from this edition's hosts, the Holy Empire (Pabitra Samrajya) and Apox (Epoks). The first exciting game has already been played but first we had met up with Jasminian captain, Gaweł Rhodes, and had a chat with him about the tournament.

Cut to pre-recorded video interview with Gaweł Rhodes.

Damian Easom: Gaweł, nice to see you again!
Gaweł Rhodes: Ha ha, same here.
DE: Now, the last time I met you we were in Schiavonia just before the Baptism of Fire. Coming out of that game, what do you think you have learned from that experience?
GR: Well, I think the biggest thing was that we realised that actually, even though football isn't our main sport, we can compete on an international level and that when we try and put our minds to it, we can achieve great things.
DE: Quite, I remember the atmosphere when we were there and there was a real sense that the Jasminia Islands were starting to come out of its shell and becoming one of those nations that you just know is proud of what it does and how it does.
GR: Exactly, getting through into the finals was just massive and I think it proved to the nay-sayers back home that there is a future for football at home. We went into the tournament, not expecting much, but we came out champions because we'd done what people had said was impossible. It wasn't easy but we did it.
DE: Yes, I remember looking at the tables every day and wondering whether we'd get through, it was very tight. Which leads us nicely to the tournament at hand; Group 9; your thoughts?
GR: It's a tough one. It's full of some really big nations that are just masters of the game. Realistically, we don't have a hope in hell of going through. Out of 8 nations, only two go through and currently we're rated second-last in the group on international rankings. But that's not the point, it's about going out, playing a good game and being able to your head high and say, 'I was there, I gave it my all'.
DE: Indeed. I was reading some pieces from group rivals, Nassau-Hessen which described the New Saints as 'a nuisance rather than an actual competitor for a top spot'. What do you say to that?
GR: Well I try to avoid reading the media and getting distracted so I haven't read that exact quote but I would say it's a fair comment. Obviously, we are in a competition so we are competing to get through - that's just the way it works - but it's also true that it's unlikely we're going to surpass the group stage, for this edition at least anyway. Having said that, however, football is unpredictable. Anything can happen which makes it so beautiful and - at some times frustrating - to watch.
DE: Well said. Are there any games you are looking forward to in particular?
GR: I think that the games against Red Blackiland are going to be very interesting. The Dark Lions are a very competent team who like us, were in the last Baptism of Fire. On paper, they are slightly better than us but it could go any way.
DE: I'll look forward to it. Any last comments?
GR: Yes, I'd just like to finish with this; the boys and I would like to thank the JNFC/CRPS for giving us this opportunity to compete at these tournaments and all the fans who have supported us through the highs and lows. We hope that we will do you proud and that we will also inspire our youth to pick up a ball and start playing and experimenting.
DE: Thank you.

Cut back to studio.

DE: That was the Jasminian captain, Gaweł Rhodes, talking about the New Saints and the World Cup. We're going to take a break now but stay tuned to find out about the first match of the tournament against the Blouman Empire.

Cut to intermission.

[Kitsunia-Deesse]

Viola shrugged after seeing the latest result of the Kitsunians, only to find that Clare hadn't even been at the stadium, instead delegating her choices to one of her lesser guards. Clare had just acquired a Dream video game console from Gloriax and her mind seemed to be too focused on playing the videogame between the newest episodes of The Weird World of Nexxus Spyro and the always classic Rushmori Pingu. Clare also got a couple of new dolls from her most recent birthday. The little holy Kitsune smiled, on her traditional white and green robes, sitting on a sofa while watching what the little Nexxus Spyro was up to.

While the team returned rather annoyed from the game against Sicoutimont, a game where they could all agree they were close at one point, then no more; Clare just enjoyed her life. Viola was rather confused. Serving as an observer is all right, when the leader actually listens to you. But Clare didn't listen to her all the time, bar when she missed having a mother, that was when Viola resembled her mother, the one that died only to give birth to her and constitute part of her powers. Viola was "mama" when Clare was sad. The official observer decided to not even bother with explaining to her that family doesn't work like that. It was still the nation's leader after all.

"Mama!" yelled Clare, rushing to the kitchen, finding Viola opening two cups with hot and tasty ramen noodles inside. "Dinner?"

"Heheh... yes, Clare." said Viola, laughing a bit. "What do you say we have dinner watching another Nexxus Spyro episode?"

"Yay!" Clare rushed back to her room, waiting for "mama". Viola just shrugged afterwards.

"It is our leader, after all."

[Vaugania]

Part 1: Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions

Part 2: What Can You Do?

President Kris Strong stepped up to the podium to address the nation following the explosions in Anglis. Cameras flashed and the gathered reporters and news crews began to quiet down. They whipped out their notepads and clicked their pens in preparation.

“As many of you have no doubt heard by now, a series of explosions have rocked the city of Anglis. The coal mine there has been destroyed and the city’s access to the rest of Vaugania closed off. It is apparent that these were caused intentionally and are being considered an act of terrorism. The identity of the attacker or attackers is unknown as well as their motive. But rest assured, they will be identified, they will be captured, and they will be punished. No one can attack our great nation and get away with it.”

Strong quickly moved away from the podium and out of sight. If he stayed there much longer, he knew that questions would be asked. Vaugania’s appetite for politics was never satiated.

2 weeks later…

The Weather Network droned on and on on the television. Radars flashed across the screen and they showed vast swaths of red and yellow lumbering across the country. The computer generated voice repeated the same information over and over: “Heavy rain is expected to continue across Vaugania all day. 2 inches in Agri. 1.5 inches in Buesk. 2 inches in Montreuil. 2.5 inches in Sorochuk/Mt. Dostoyevsky. 3 inches in Oglekla/Anglis…”

“Do you hear that?” asked Strong, “I’m not sending up any planes in that, Darius.”

Rep. Darius Szymkowski (NC-Anglis) found himself in the president’s office pleading with him to help his constituents. With heavy rains for the past 2 weeks resulting in landslides further cutting off Anglis, the situation was desperate.

“There’s only so much food in that town. You can’t expect them to just wait it out. People will die. You’re so focused on finding the guys who did this, but we haven’t even heard anything from them since then. They haven’t even identified themselves. We ought to be more worried about making sure people don’t die. Jonas Moen came under fire for focusing too much on vanquishing our enemies protecting the people. You’re going to be just like him soon.”

“We can’t let these people attack us again. And there isn’t anything we can do while the pass is blocked off and the weather is like this. What can you do?”

“You’re making me sick.”

“Then leave.”

“I’ll show myself the door.”

---

Etienne Mallou lifted his frame pack up onto his shoulders. He was one of many Church volunteers now outside Anglis. They had intended on collecting supplies and donating them to be airdropped along with the support the government was sending. After another announcement that there would be no flights going out, the Church decided that they would take matters into their own hands. Whatever supplies they hadn’t already turned over to the government, they transported to a location near the disaster. From there, volunteers would carry as much as they could on their person into the town.

Etienne grouped back up with the other 3 members of his 4 man team. They were to stick together and help each other navigate the mountainside. The 4 of them were responsible for 200 pounds of food as were the other 79 teams assembled.

All 4 of the people in his team were from St. John’s, the seat of the Vauganian Catholic Church. Aside from Etienne, the team was comprised of Adam Angrand, Julian Klein, and Michael Fursey.

“So who’s ready for this little adventure?” asked Michael.

“I wouldn’t call it ‘little’” said Julian, “There’s mudslides and all sorts of nasty things out there.”

“Well you can’t say that you didn’t sign up for it!”

“Well, were obligated to help our countrymen, aren’t we?” posed Adam.

“I agree with you Adam,” affirmed Etienne.

Just as he said that, the project leader called everyone to attention, “I would like to thank you all for coming here today. You are truly doing God’s work. This is the right thing for you to do. Once I finish up here, we will set out up to Anglis. We will rendezvous at the rim of the valley in order to regroup. There is a large clearing near there before the descent into the town. I will provide further instruction at that time. Thank you and let’s move out!”

The 320 Catholics left their camp, a church in a town near Anglis, and pulled up the hoods of their raincoats. The weather certainly didn’t play to their favor. Michael was the first one into the mud, “It feels great, fellas! Come on!”

Adam, Julian, and Etienne followed him up and tried to stay upright as the incline began to increase. They gripped tree limbs and thinner trunks to keep their balance. A yelp was heard and they saw someone from another team slip in the mud. This was not going to be fun and hopefully it would be worth it.

After a half hour, the four took a break in one of the flatter spots in the climb. Everything was gray and dreary. Not even the animals wanted to go out in this. Their boots were caked in mud and they now knew firsthand why it was better to just spend the extra few dollars for better waterproofing. They were also beginning to begin to feel a bit of the burn in their calves going on like this.

“Aren’t you all having fun!?” asked Michael tiredly.

“Yeah! I love the burn!” jested Etienne, “How much longer do you think we have?”

“I figure another hour and a half,” said Julian.

“Let’s get to it then.”

As they neared the edge of the valley and met back up with other teams, they were wet, miserable, and ready to fall over. Looking around, some people seemed to be nursing ankles, wrists, and patching up cuts. There would still be a wait for the remaining teams to reach the top, but they did it.

After waiting for another hour, everyone was accounted for and they were addressed by the project leader, “Great job, everyone! The Archbishop would be proud if he were here! We need to make this drop of supplies then tomorrow we need to head back down. The next group will be coming up this way tomorrow. When they return, we will head back up.

“I don’t think I’ll ever hike again,” muttered Adam.

Michael punched him on the shoulder and said with a smile, “But just think! You’ll have rock hard legs and buns of steel! We’re doing good work, bud. Let’s finish this.”

---

MD1 4-1 W @ ORCA Bay

Vaugania

1  GK  Stefan Blanc (C)   |        |
17 RB  Patrick Kerr       |        |
10 RCB Jeremy O’Mara      |        |
14 LCB Henrik Ovesen      |        |
30 LB  Peder Helland      |        |
55 CDM Dmitri Blotski     |        | -> 45' <- 24 CB  Frankie Malloy
40 RCM Morten Karlan      |        |
37 LCM Miloslav Vorotaev  |        |
11 CAM Thorsten Althusser | 27'    | -> 77' <- 13 CAM Cameron Battle
27 RS  Lars Baltzersen    | 38'    |
19 LS  Joshua Farnerud    | 21' 44'| -> 77' <- 16 ST  Christoph Sykora

ORCA Bay
Unknown ST | 33'

[German American States]

Chapter 2

In retrospect, Martin always invisioned himself sitting around a table at some Mannendorf beergarten reminiscing about how they heard that Corvidae had declared war on Ruentenbach. They'd go around the table:

"I was watching the TV when they put on a bulletin. I almost lost it."

"I was sitting at my computer and I read the news on the internet. Terrible stuff."

When it'd be Martin's turn, he'd start it off with "Do you guys remember Kirstin Himmelbrandt?"
It turns out that she would be the start of the story, as she and Martin were at one of their study sessions. They were in Kirstin's family room, Esportivan history books spread all over the floor and couches, papers and packets strewn about. And on the couch, were Martin and Kirstin, kissing like their life depended on it.

Why, you may ask, are they doing this? Wasn't Martin afraid to ask her out or something? Well, dear reader, yes, but on this particular day Martin decided to make a move. And oh boy, did he make it. You may also ask how the heck Martin was able to get away with kissing his lifelong crush on her couch. Where were her parents? Away on holiday, that's where. Martin had it planned down to the last detail. Even the small radio in his backpack playing some random R&B track on some random station.

Suddenly, they were startled when three loud beeps filled the air. Kirstin pulled away, alarmed.

"What was that??"

Martin awoke from his daze as he realized what he had just done. Giddy with glee, he pulled out the radio from his backpack.

"Must've been this. Dunno why its doing that though."

A stentorian voice came over the radio. WE ARE SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOUR PROGRAM, BUT THERE IS BREAKING NEWS OUT OF FLIGSIVE AND MUENCHEWALD. THE SYNDICATANS, AND THEREFORE THE ENTIRE CORVIDAE COALITION OF NATONS, HAS DECLARED WAR ON RUENTENBACH AND HER ALLIES, THE COLLETIVE SUNRISE ISLANDS AND SAN JOSE GUAYABAL. IN AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF CONGRESS, A DECLARATION OF WAR HAS BEEN RECIPROCATED TO THE CORVIDAE POWERS. PRESIDENT KURT NACHREICH HAS ALSO CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE ANTI-CORVIDAE ALLIANCE IN EL ROBLAR. END MESSAGE. The 3 beeps came over the radio again, and then the same R&B track came on, humming away. There was an odd silence, the wind blowing through the May leaves, a couple beeps of traffic, some planes droning far away, but nothing else than the cheesy R&B song.

"Welllll," Kirstin said, drawing out the word, "we should probably finish up now."

"Yeah, probably," Martin said pulling himself off of the couch. "See ya Monday."

Martin walked down from her apartment on the 5th floor with his bike in his hands. As he set it down on the ground and started pedaling, he started thinking through the craziness of the day. He had just made out with his lifetime crush, war had been declared on Ruentenbach, and just as quickly, there was some invisible wall between him and Kirstin. How much better could it get? Martin swore under his breath. This war would change everything, wouldn't it?

Martin got home and immediately flipped open his laptop. The internet connection was as slow as a sloth because it was so busy, but eventually he found the bill of declaration of war signed by congress.

DECLARATION OF WAR BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF RUENTENBACH

ARTICLE 1. On the account that the alliance of Corvidae nations has declared war on Ruentenbach and her allies, the Demokratik Republik of Ruentenbach declares war on The Inevitable Syndicate, Yttribia, Felix, The Sarian, Farfadillis, and all other nations with Corvidae governments.

ARTICLE 2. The responsibility of the command of the Kreigsmachen is placed on President Kurt Nachreich. He has the right to direct the army as he chooses in accordance with the agreements of the General's Council.

ARTICLE 3. Starting the day of the signing of the declaration of war, rations will be put in place on the items of sugar, coffee, tires, gasoline, and flour. There will also be a draft for the Kriegsmachen, in which any males of good health in between the ages of 18-30 will be put into military service.


Kurt Nachreich, President of Ruentenbach

"Well shit" Martin said as he finished.

---

Die Maschine Rolls Past Dainer
Konrad Meisenhal Tallies Two Goals, Three Goals in Four Minutes

MANNENDORF- Die Adlerschaft proved Dainer to be a menial task, as they rolled on to a 3-1 victory over the White Dragons yesterday at Mannendorfstadion.

The match was fairly lopsided in the favor of Die Maschine for most of the time. From the kickoff, the Ruentenbachers looked calm, composed, and crisp, passing the ball with deadly precision and pressing up the pitch unrelentingly. Within the first minutes, the Eagles assembled a worthy challenge, when Gunnar Baumgartner rung a shot off the bar from distance. For most of the first 15 minutes, the White Dragons seemed to be barely holding on, managing to desperately clear the ball a few times, only to have the ball brought back in by the Peter Kamp and the Ruentenbacher midfield.

The floodgates were finally opened in the 40th minute, as Konrad Meisenhal hit paydirt with a screaming strike from the penalty spot. Dainer seemed defeated, as the Ruentenbacher offense dribbled circles around the confused backfield. Rogalski got his first of the campaign in the 41st, and Meisenhal struck again in the 44th. As both sides went into the locker rooms, Dainer looked shell shocked and confused.

Coming out of the half, the Eagles seemed comfortable with the lead, subbing of Meisenhal, Kamp, and Baumgartner for Xhaká, Mittlestadt, and

---Rommelwald---
Weinberger--Warkaiser--Okbaoh
-----Kamp-----
Tremmel-----Krohn
-----Baumgartner[C]-----
Freuen--Meisenhal--Rogalski

Wakefeld. The Ruentenbachers seemed content with the lead as well, molding into a possession game. The Dragons tried desperately to catch up with a goal in the 73rd, but the damage was done. The game finished with the Ruentenbachers on top of the group table.

The next match that the Eagles play will be against Patistan. They must be careful not to give up their position with an early loss. Several substitutions have been made, namely Warkaiser on for Strauber, Tremmel starting for Ruiz, and Freuen for Wippenbeck. The Ruentenbachers will go into Patistan hot and ready for another 3 points.

[Ceni]

(OOC: this is an underground newspaper in Corvidae lands)

---

dear reader

---

There is no darkness but for ignorance. In the Corvidae-held lands, there is not only darkness, but also ignorance. Whether the darkness in the Corvidae lands is the cause of the ignorance or the ignorance let the darkness spread is unclear, but what is clear is this: eliminating darkness will be the end of ignorance, and eliminating ignorance will be the downfall of ignorance. We will provide you with the opposite of darkness: light. We will provide you with the opposite of ignorance: knowledge. In addition to light and knowledge, we will provide something else. A light is useless if there is not someone to use it. Knowledge is useless if there is not someone to use it. If there is no one to drive the hammer, the nail will not be driven into the wood. What Corvidae-held lands need is not only light and knowledge, but also someone to wield light and knowledge. We will wield light and knowledge, but we also need you to wield light and knowledge. Darkness and ignorance will no longer have a place in Corvidae-held lands. We will bring the Corvidae out of the night and into the day. We stand when no one else will stand. We stand not for bigotry, not for oppression, not for fear, not for darkness, not for ignorance, but we stand for tolerance, for freedom, for hope, for light, for knowledge. When the Corvidae came to power, they made the infamous trade of liberty for safety. All of those who make that trade get neither liberty nor safety. You have neither liberty nor safety. You are not free to express your opinion. You are not free to defend yourself. You are not free from bigotry or oppression. Neither are you safe. You are not safe from the secret police, who can arrest you on a whim in the middle of the night. You are not safe from your own countrymen, who will spy on you if it will save their own neck. You are not safe from having your property, your dignity, your children, or your life taken from you. If you are neither safe nor free, then why do you support the Corvidae? In many cases, this question would be answered by, "Because I must." Others believe that the Corvidae are merely a passing phase, a stage that will merely come and go. But will it be merely a passing phase when ten, twenty, or thirty years pass? Will a ruthless, tyrannical regime that stifles dissent, stifles the free will of its citizens, stifles the very lives of its citizens only be a passing phase? The answer is no: we must do something if the Corvidae are ever to pass. We must not become complacent. A figure that will not act to get itself off the chopping block is the same as a figure that will not act: the figure will die. The decision to act is yours, but you must make it. The guillotine is moving, and those who act not only save themselves from the guillotine but also others. The more people that act, the more people will be saved. Our mission, besides spreading light and knowledge, is to inspire people to act against the wrongs of their society. The liberties, the freedom, and the culture of the Corvidae-held lands are on the chopping block. If you do not act, they will die. As the oft-said phrase goes, "Actions speak louder than words." Although what is in this publication are merely words, the actions that people take to get these words to you are courageous. The act of writing these words is courageous in and of itself. Let us make sure that our sacrifices are not in vain, and let us do more than hope the Corvidae gone. We must have hope, and we must also act. Hope and actions together are an unstoppable force that will remove the Corvidae from this Earth. If they are not removed, their menace will only spread further. We cannot allow that to happen. Nor can we condone the actions they have already committed. We must counteract those actions by spreading light and truth, to oppose the darkness and ignorance the Corvidae have already spread. And of course, we must act. We must act to stop the Corvidae from not only killing your liberties and your freedoms, but also your fellow citizens. Indeed, they have already started on that terrible path towards killing people. They have destroyed your culture, and as it was once said, "Where they burn books, they will also burn people." Not only have they burned books, but they have also burned synagogues, churches, and mosques. They have burned museums. They have burned presses. They have burned opera houses, concert halls, and theaters. Once the fires of domestic destruction have stopped burning, the fires of war will start burning. The fires of the crematoriums will start burning. We as a civilized society cannot let the fires of the crematoriums start burning. Listen to the pleas of your fellow citizens. Hear them. Help them. Do not let the Corvidae menace continue to spread. We will spread light and truth, and you will act. Act for the sake of your country, your people, your neighbors. Ask yourself, "Is it right to support murder, tyranny, and oppression?" It is not right. Opposing murder, tyranny, and oppression is right. Do not be a mountain of stone, unable or unwilling to move, stolid in its support. Do what you can to oppose the Corvidae murder. Do what you can to oppose the Corvidae oppression. Do what you can to oppose the Corvidae tyranny. We will do our part, and you must do your part. We shall all come together. If we all come together, we shall defeat the Corvidae. The other option is unthinkable. We cannot let it happen. For light, for knowledge, for action!

---

[Estope]

World Cup Qualifiers - Match One
Estope - Star United States
Emanuel-Inzer Stadium
Twin Brooks, Estope
7:00 pm Local Time

Pregame Interview
"Coach Freezus, we are about an hour away from the opening kickoff of the WC69 Qualifying campaign. What do you think the keys to the game are for Estope?"

"Well, we need to score some goals I know. We're looking to go out there and just kick the ball and run and then kick the ball some more. Hopefully most of the kicks will go into the goal. On defense we just hope to chase the ball and hopefully overwhelm them with our numbers. We'll see how it goes. We are far superior to Star United States though so I expect it to be over pretty quickly."

"Thanks coach. Good luck out there today."

---
Inspirational Talk before the Game
"Ok team. We got an easy match in front of us today. We have a revolutionary scheme that they just won't be able to keep up with. As you all know, I am somewhat of a sports genius. In my previous job, I coached a high school JV basketball team, and let me tell you something, those girls were horrible, but yet, we won some games because I knew that all we needed to do was score more baskets than the other team. You guys actually have talent, which makes my job a lot easier. Just go out there and score a lot of goals. This is our home field, let's put out a good show for the fans and come out with the win."

---
Kick off
"Good work guys! Nice job! Now go to the goal. Brooks, quit passing the ball and dribble it straight to the goal! Wiltner, you're playing too far back! You're a forward remember! Keenan, I want you standing right next to the goalie! Stark, kick it to Keenan now! What's the whistle for? Do you know Coach O?"

"Offsides, maybe? I was just reading about it in that Soccer for Dummies book you gave me a couple of years ago."

"You've got to be kidding me! Are you blind ref! Absolutely absurd! Just by chance, what is offsides exactly? I know I was the coach last year and should know but I kind of just let them do their thing and wasn't really paying as much attention as this year."

"I don't know either. Let's ask a sub. Regardo! What's offsides?"

"It's when an offensive player is behind the last defender and the ball is passed to him."

"Seems complex to me Bucky."

"Me too. Hey team! Don't get offsides anymore! Ooh a goal! Good work Stark! Keep pressing forward everyone, don't worry about defense! This is extremely boring, somebody bring me my laptop and a lawn chair. Thank you. Coach O, have you seen this online video about the dancing cat. It is hilarious, come watch. "

"He, he, he. Have you seen the singing goat video?"

"No I haven't. Show me it!"

---
Halftime
"Good work everybody especially you, Alex. Let's see here, it says you scored three goals, very good job. Keep it up everyone. Well we still have a lot of free time before the second half, my wife brought ice cream if anyone wants some. We have chocolate syrup and sprinkles too. Don't be shy, everyone get some. There is plenty to go around."

"Uh coach, do you really think this is the best thing to have before we go out and play another 45 minutes?"

"I'm sure it's fine but you know what. Now that you mention it I think that usually the snacks come after the game. Good point. We'll put it in the freezer for after the game. If yall will excuse me for a moment I need to go ask Monte something."

---
Stadium suite of Brian Monte, Head of Estope Soccer
"Hiya Brain, I got a question for ya?"

"Sure, anything. We're looking great out there so far."

"For the second half could the jumbotron show a movie instead of the game? I mean the game is pretty much already over and there's no point in wasting all our time. We can show some family friendly classic maybe."

"Great idea! That is innovative thinking for full fan involvement. I'll get right on it."

---
Second Half
"Yes! I love Princess Ice. It has such catchy songs in it. I'm surprised they got such a new movie to play. Popcorn! Someone get me some popcorn!"

---
Post-Game Press Conference
"Coach, your formation seemed to work well in this game but do you think it will hold up against such a strong opponent as Barunia, especially being away from home?"

"Are you kidding me right now? Did you even watch the game at all? We were an unstoppable force out there. My formation is really the key difference out there. We will run through every team just like we did today. We are top of the group right now and that is where we will stay for the entire qualification period. You know what, no more questions. I have an ice cream party to attend."

Schedule:
MD1: Estope v Star United States - WIN - 4-1
MD2: Barunia v Estope
MD3: Estope v The Blaatschapen
MD4: Zwangzug v Estope
MD5: Estope v New Wolfopolis
MD6: Dawnhaven v Estope
MD7: Estope v Vunishia
MD8: Star United States v Estope
MD9: Estope v Barunia
MD10: The Blaatschapen v Estope
MD11: Estope v Zwangzug
MD12: New Wolfopolis v Estope
MD13: Estope v Dawnhaven
MD14: Vunishia v Estope

[Kernansquillec]

MASS CONFUSION AS KERNANSQUILLEC WIN OPENER

KERFA officials were left perplexed when the Buyanese national team arrived in Kernansquillec City instead of United Eastedge. The newly crowned Baptism of Fire winners were expected to travel to the land of green and white to kick of World Cup Qualifying. However, after a series of bureaucratic mistakes and lost emails it turned out that the World Cup Committee had scheduled Buyan to play Kernansquillec in the opening game, with a trip to United Eastedge planned for the second group game.

Fans groups are already calling for answers from the Kernansquillecan FA. While the mistake didn't seem to affect fans travelling to the game, some supporters have raised fears that such a situation could repeat itself and if it was to be an away game, Kernansquillec would be left supporterless. In response to the criticism KERFA have responded by placing the blame firmly on the WCC, denouncing the lateness of the change to the fixture list. One official even claimed that the changes were sent to their head office in Kernansquillec City from Polar Islandstates by carrier pigeon. Unconfirmed reports suggest the bird gave up on it's mission half way to Kernansquillec, settling in Somewhereistonia.

Still, despite Eastedge-gate Buyan had received word that they were to play in Kernansquillec are calmly arrived the day before the match. The mix-up caused some panic for KERFA's backroom staff after their tactical plans for United Eastedge went out the window and a frenzy of activity kick-off as they devised a plan to stop the group's second seeds and get the Green Stalions off to good start for qualifying.

In the end it turned out for the best. The Green Jewel was once again packed to the rafters for the game and the Blue Hedgehogs kicked off the game against a Kernansquillecan side that had returned to the traditional green kit. The game kicked off and Kernansquillec's tactics of pressuring Buyan high up the field was there for all to see. It was disrupting Sirius Hope's side quite a bit and after a couple of warnings the Kers got themselves an early break, captain Noupen scoring from Iris' squared ball after the 22 year old won the ball off of right back Gabs Refshauge.

The goal saw Kernansquillec ease up a bit and Buyan finally started to put some passes together, even if the Fengouli-Zorm partnership was doing a very good job at making sure the moves didn't produce anything in the final third. And it was Fengouli's interception that allowed the Green and Whites to double their advantage. With Buyan looking to break against Kernansquillec a rare bad pass in the middle of the park from the usually reliable Harald Naess allowed Fengouli to step in. With the Blue Hedgehogs' defense pushing up to support the breakaway there was a vast space into which the Kernansquillec City captain played the though ball. Zac Poutre duly obliged, getting on to the pass before rounding the helpless Seber to make it two nil.

Half time arrived with no further changes to the score but it only took the Green Stalions 62 seconds to make it three nil after the break. A nice passing move down the right wing from the kick-off ended with Lilac powering home a headed at the far post, getting in between the wing-back and the center back. It was turning out to be an impressive game from the home side who had started the night as firm underdogs. Buyan remained a danger though-out the second period passing the ball well out from the back, but with little end product up front. Elmo Havelund did grab a consolation late on after turning Jean Dubois, allowing him to fire home from 20 yards out. But it did little to change the outcome of the match, with Kernansquillec winning 3-1.

KERNANSQUILLEC 3 - 1 BUYAN
Noupen 9' Poutre 28' Lilac 47' // Havelund 81'

NEXT UP: ANOTHER BAPTISM OF FIRE WINNER

This time it really is going to be time to play United Eastledge, the newly crowned Baptism of Fire winners. No changes are expected to the Kernansquillecan side, however United Eastledge may well make some changes after conceding four goals away to the group's top seeds Audioslavia. Audioslavia now top the group with Kernansquillec second. United Eastedge are currently propping group 24 but with just one game gone they will surely be looking to bounce back.

Expected lineup: Ellysa; Cressac, Yegos, Dubois, Kellah; Fengouli, Zorm; Iris, Poutre, Noupen (c.); Lilac

[The Jasminia Islands]

The Jasminia Islands 0 - 2 Blouman Empire

End of intermission. Cut to studio.

Damian Easom: Welcome back to the World Cup live on Jasminia Radio Television.

Cut to different camera.

DE:Now, the New Saints had their first game of the tournament against World Cup stalwarts, the Blouman Empire. Channing Martel has the story.

Cut to match footage with voice-over.

Channing Martel: Despite the odds, nothing could dampen the Jasminian spirit as hundreds of fans turned out for the opening game of the New Saints' World Cup journey. Their rivals? Group leader, and World No 15, Blouman Empire. Most of the game was fought in the centre with possession swiftly switching between Bloumen and Jasminians. However, the skill of the Bloumen team shone through with their forwards infiltrating the scant Jasminian defence time and time again. Thankfully for the New Saints, goalkeeper Euphranor Rusnak, was able to mitigate the situation but even he could not save the lightning fast strike from Blaine Cooperson in the 36th minute. The Bloumen lead was cast into doubt early into the second half when Jahleel Metharom of the Jasminia Islands broke through and closed in on the oppositions goal. Alas, it was not to be as the Bloumen defence efficiently blocked off Metharom's chances and slowed his momentum, forcing him to retreat. Towards the end of the second half, the Jasminian team was noticeably tiring and despite Rafał Niklasson and Folke D'aramitz coming on for Daniel Van Wieren and Emilis Van Daele, they were not able to form comprehensive enough a defence against the relentless Bloumen attack which produced the 78th minute winner from Jack Hyslert who had come on for Kane Harrison.

Cut to the studio.

DE: Well as the Jasminian game against the Blouman Empire, there were three other games in Group 9 today with The Royal Barangay beating Carialus 4-2 and both Torisakia and Nassau-Hessen beating Red Blackiland and Green Highland 3-0 respectively. This leaves the Jasminia Islands in 6th place out of eight in Group 9.

Cut to different camera revealing panel of three guests.

DE: I'm now joined by former Jasminian captain, Roshan Bisset; the sports editor of Rākhwala, Manju Van Baarle; and footie pundit, Constant Callahan. Roshan, how did you think that match went considering the skill and experience of the opposition?
Roshan Bisset: I though it went really well. Considering the prowess of the Bloumen team I think it's a decent result. Losing two-nil against a team of the stature is not something to be sniffed at and the New Saints have obviously worked on their defence which lost them the Baptism of Fire.
DE: So a good result; Manju, do you agree?
Manju Van Baarle: Well you could say so, it certainly wasn't anything spectacular. A win wasn't expected but I thought the play was quite bland and uninteresting to be frank.
DE: I see. Constant, taking into account those two views, what's your verdict?
Constant Callahan: Well I think it was a good effort but I'm going to have to agree with Manju here. Their play was not of a standard that one would see in a team aiming high. It was sloppy. But it is only the first match.

to be continued...

[The Royal Barangay]

After an ugly first twenty minutes from the hosts where they conceded two early goals, the Agilang Dilaw clawed their way back into the match with four goals of their own in the next nine minutes. The Comrades took a surprise lead thanks to a horrendous error by Emanuel Belga. The Thunchester City man attempted to bring the ball back to a waiting Marty Balido, but he gifted the ball to Daniel Fuller, who poached the ball past the keeper in the eighth minute. Seven minutes later, poor marking from Mari Arceo in a corner play allowed winger Vladimer Lelek to volley the ball past Balido to double their advantage. It seemed that Carialus are walking away from this game with a win with a bag... until the next wave of action.

The rust that the Barangayan players got for having no competitive fixtures between the Campionato and the qualifiers were evident at the start, but in the next minutes, they pick up their "second half of WC 68 qualifying form" as they put one back courtesy of BJ Uy. The surprise inclusion in Rick Martinez's squad picked up a lovely pass from Robin Linsangan, beating the offside trap and leaving Tayyib Kassis rooted on the spot. 2-1 in the 23rd minute. After kickoff, a careless pass from Veijo Larnia was intercepted by Daren Corsiga, and as he ran through defenders, he found a sprinting Emanuel Belga to put in a left footed half volley that deflected off Barry de Brissa's leg, giving Kassis no chance to save the ball. Ninety seconds between the two goals. 2-2 in the 26th. The Agilang Dilaw finally took the lead three minutes later, when Josue Amio delivered a low cross into the path of Uy, who feinted a shot and let the ball roll through to the feet of Belga, who shot the ball but was initially saved by Kassis. The keeper however spilled the ball and gifted a free shot from Belga to make it 3-2. However, they were not done yet. Another sloppy play from the Comrades was punished by the hosts, as Keith Khan bagged a goal of his own after a magnificent individual effort. 31st minute, and it's 4-2. The scoreline remained until halftime as both sides fail to make their chances count.

At the half, Martinez made a change, as Roman Ang replaced Keith Khan, having picked up a knock and was not risked further damage. He also took the opportunity to change the formation back into the usual 4-4-2 diamond, a more defensive formation than their 3-5-2 in the first half. As the minutes came by, chances came here and there, with no one scoring any goal for their respective teams. The manager decided to give two youngsters playing time - Miro Berciles, substituting Vic dela Vega in the 78th minute, and Reimond Yparraguirre replacing Erick Khan in the 85th minute. In the end, the Agilang Dilaw won 4-2.

It was one of those games where anything could have happened - even a loss was possible there, and with the manager knowing that they should not be complacent heading to their second match against The Jasminia Islands, Rick should play his strongest squad and take all their matches seriously.

[Mangolana]

Mangolana Gazzette

Mangolana Wins in World Cup return

In the return to the World Cup, the nation that we all call home, and going against popular belief, were looking at you media of Electrum, Mangolana is not named after the world most beloved fruit, but after the UNIVERSES most beloved fruit, the Holy and much rejoiced, Mango! We accept your apologies but worn you that any mistake of this fact again by you filthy cretten shall be seen as a direct act of war against Mangolana and its godly love of the UNIVERSES most beloved fruit the Mango. You have been warned, and yes I know I'm not the president and just Mangolana's most talked about sports journalist, but should you make this mistake again, then I will find you, and I will kill you... with Mango's, whole Mango's. Now that we got that out of the way, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast. Mango Power!

The Gators of Mangolana opened up World Cup qualifying with one of the most impressive performances the team has ever had on the international stage. In its first qualification match since World Cup 67, Mangolana returned to Mangolana in the National teams first match at the state of the art Commander's Stadium. The stadium is located near the Naval port of Arlnet within the city of Arlnet which sits at the southern most point Mangolana. When the opponents for the match arrived, Mangolana had no idea what they were in store for. Would they be the most skilled players in the world, giant scary wet your pants monsters, a combination of both. But what arrived, shocked everyone in attendance to the core, even bringing something to this match that I, in all my years of sports journalism, had ever seen. They were... Babies. And not just normal babies they were super-sized genetically grown babies. Though Mangolana was shocked when these Yid babies crawled onto the field for the start of the game. Mangolana soon realized that this match would be theirs. Scoring four goals in the first ten minutes of the game, Mangolana took a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime. Though a major contribution of this was the nap-time enjoyed by the Yid babies from the second minute up till halftime.

The second half would start with another Mangolana goal which led to a screamer from the Yid babies. Literally a screamer, them babies sure had some lungs on them. The only way to shut them up was to score an own goal. For some reason the grown of the Mangolana fans quieted them down for the rest of the match and led to their second nap about 73 minutes into the match. Mangolana's next match will be @ the United commonwealth of ayrshire, a match that Mangolana should have a chance at winning or drawing, though a loss on the road early will not kill Mangolana's chances in a respectable qualifying effort. Mango Power!

[Darmen]

Sing of things to Come?
Tough road ahead for Darmen if All Greens don't shape up

It took the pair of Nur al Din Lambert and Gene Turko to save Darmen from utter destruction at the hands of the Samebans, as Darmen emerged from the 85,000 seat Aspel Dellaro with a 2-2 draw.

After Michael Sarado stunned the All Greens and their fans with an early goal in the 13th minute, Sameba seemed to have their way with Darmen, controlling the ball superbly and limiting the time Darmen could react to what was happening with some quick passing. The Samebans pressed forward again and again, putting the back three of Adan, Vue and Rydzik under a lot of pressure. Kimi Siesman, starting once again in goal for the All Greens, was able to relieve that pressure again and again, saving shots to all areas of the goal. Even his clearances from the box were superb, as a corner kick was punched away by Siesman in the 34th minute in quite the daring choice by the young Keeper. However, without the punch, Sarado had found himself unmarked just behind Siesman, and would surely have headed or volleyed the cross into the goal for his second goal.

With Darmen down 1-0 at the break, and with the All Green's lack of possession, Manager William von Kriesler made a double substitution. Trevor Goodwin was put on in place of Mikael Adan, giving the All Greens an all Royal PFC back line, while Luca Cormio was replaced by a younger and fresher Josimar Son.

The changes seemed to reinvigorate Darmen, and for the first four minutes of the second half the pressure was clearly on the Samebans. But just as in the first half, Darmen was again shocked, this time by Eye Barsa, as he headed a cross past the outstretched hand of Kimi Siesman. Now down 2-0, Darmen clearly needed to respond, and fast.

von Kriesler made his final change in only the 56th minute, exchanging Bryan Faulkner for Sergio Autitore. If any fans were unsure by this point they were no longer, von Kriesler is not afraid to make surprising substitutions. His bold decisions seemed to work, as Goodwin was now doing a good job of clearing up any Sameban attacks down both the right wing and center of the pitch. Son was distributing the ball well in the midfield, and Autitore was giving the Sameban defenders some issues with his speed.

But seeming to work and actually working are another thing. Whenever Goodwin won the ball, he seemed to lose it fairly quickly. Whenever Son made a good pass, the receiver of the pass would turn the wrong way, and within about three seconds would be off their feet after a nifty Sameban tackle. And all six of Autitore's shots went high or wide, Sameban Goalkeeper Roman Ayebler was just lucky enough to get a finger on the sixth of Autitore's shots, which came in the 76th minute. It was on that corner that everything changed.

Gene Turko went to the corner flag to take the corner as usual. Meanwhile, the taller Darmeni's lined up at the edge of the eighteen yard box, and as Ayebler yelled at his defenders to mark tighter than they were, he took several steps forward, coming off of the goal line. Big mistake.

Turko took three steps forward, struck the ball with his right foot, and watched as it curled into the top corner of the goal. Ayebler's eyes grew wide in horror as he realized what was happening. He rushed back towards the goal, and lunged, two seconds too late. Not a single Darmeni even took a step inside of the box, they simply watched with similes as Turko brought Darmen within one goal of a draw.

That goal and that draw would not be quick in coming though. Despite having their spirits lifted by Turko's goalazo, Darmen was still unable to find a way to score. The pairing of Autitore and Gregio was not seeming to work, while Tor Tong Lee was relatively silent in the midfield. If Darmen were to score an equalizer, someone else would need to step up show themselves.

The player to do that was Nur al Din Lambert, the Defensive Midfielder who has seemingly exploded into the spotlight as the next great Darmeni star. In the first minute of added time, and with only two minutes having been shown by the fourth official, al Din Lambert pressed high up the pitch, putting pressure on the inexperienced substitue, Huele. Huele tried to shield the ball from al Din Lambert, but after turning this way and that, he seemed to give up, and al Din Lambert took advantage, stripping the Sameban of the ball and surging forward.

There was no time to wait for support from Lee or the two forwards, so al Din Lambert was all by himself. Asey Vella tried to stop al Din Lambert, but a sidestep by the Darmeni star sent him the wrong way. Levi Andetel tried to lunge in for the tackle, doing so head first for some ungodly reason, and al Din Lambert was face to face with Ayebler. al Din Lambert slid the ball past the Sameban, scoring the equalizer for Darmen.

Darmen will now face Ditka at home, where Tor Tong Lee will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It should be an easy match for the All Green's who will look to regain some momentum after a slow start.

[Farfadillis]

(OOC: This is way before the first matchday of the World Cup.)

Pekarik opened the door. He saw the same things as almost everyday. The TV, the sofa, the World Cup-winner's medal Alexsandr had not accepted, the table. Usual things.

He sat on the sofa and got the papers Jon had given him out of his briefcase. He put them on the table. From what his scout had told him, this paper would give him some very good insight into Farf football. After all, he couldn't just approach a national team job without even knowing the football the nation played. Football varies from place to place, and sometimes the differences can make things difficult for a manager. He knew the gist of Farf football though; recklessly and relentlessly attacking, quite absent-minded in defense and rather aggressive when tackling. But surely that wouldn't even begin to describe Farf football. There's a reason he had a scout as competent as Jon hired for him by the FFFF, after all.

He opened the paper and began to read. He was a bit excited, in fact.

Farf Football
(Yes, the laser green was necessary, no other colour describes Farf football better)
by Jon Veen

Football in Farfadillis is very different from football in any other nation. It is very special in many ways. The gist of it is that the defense is bad and the offense is very good, but there's much more to it. So much more to it.

Oftentimes, looking at how children in a nation play football will give you fantastic insight into that nation's way of seeing football. If from the beginning they are told to clear the ball from their box as soon as they get it because it's dangerous, you'll likely see their national team doing the very same thing often. If they're told to intentionally brutally tackle the opposition's best player, then you'll likely see their national team has very dirty players but no big talents. If they're told not to, you'll see a fair-play defense that will likely not be very good, but you'll also probably see some very talented players. If kids are used to defensive formations since they're kids, their national team will probably do the same. The other way round works too. Bottom line, kids will tell you how a nation plays football by playing football.

I spent a month in Farfadillis scouting, and I visited all the states and watched all the socioeconomic classes play. They all play in basically the same way. The football does vary slightly from state to state, though. Rulandese football is harder than other states' football. Ferdullaele's is more technical. Puerto Farolero's more physical. I could go on and on about this, but it's not really the point. We're looking at Farfadillis as a whole.

So how do Farf kids play football? Unsurprisingly, Farf kids play mind-bogglingly offensive football. They usually play seven-a-side until they're ten and start moving to youth academies (the good ones, that is, the others start playing for amateur teams). In this seven-a-side football played in pitches with no grass, and sometimes no net for the goal, I managed to see 1-2-3 for a formation in almost all games. In one particular game, there was a team playing with a 1-1-4. In another one particular game, there was a team playing with a 2-2-2. The reckless 1-1-4, basically, was just as common as the very efficient 2-2-2. So children play very attacking football since the beginning. Defenses are small and so empty spaces are common even in seven-a-side football. Something that caught my eye was that most strikers could reliably shoot to the corners. It's probably because they get so many chances to score it doesn't even make sense. 7-6 and 8-4 and 9-3 were somewhat common for scorelines, with the lowest one being a petty 3-1 and the highest one being a stunning 15-10. So basically kids think they're playing Rugby.

Football is fairly physical. Fouls are not at all uncommon, and some are actually a bit too aggressive. Kids usually get up and recklessly continue unless the referee whistles before they can. Most kids show a more-than-respectable physical state, probably as a result of mindlessly chasing the ball all the time from age six at least. Tactics are mostly unheard of. They just tell the kids the approximate area where they should be playing and that's it. Midfielders join the attack much more than they join the defense, and it's not at all rare for the defender (note the singular) to join the attack too. The only position which does not do that is the goalkeeper, in fact.

This kids score beautiful goals every game. They can dribble three, four and five players easily. They can get defense-cutting through passes right with a few seconds of time and a few centimetres of space. However, this is against terrible defenses. Defenses that, in the best of cases, know that mindlessly chasing the ball is wrong. The most organized ones still concede goals from corner kicks very regularly and still fail to stop through passes from breaking them.

So what do you get from all these kids once they grow up? Exactly what you thought you would get. Relentless, reckless attacking and absent-minded, frankly pathetic defending. Thankfully, as a country with many people (though from my experience, the census that said one billion people live in here was very, very, very far from right) some good defenders spring up from time to time. You've got Santos Alaminos, for example, though he did come out of a Vilitan club's youth system. However, whenever a good defender is found in this land, he's usually good because he can add offensive abilities to his average defending. Defenders who don't make glaring mistakes semi-regularly usually reach the national team. What's worse, this national team's somewhat recent, so you can probably memorize all their names.

After extensive scouting of the best Farf players, it is apparent that defending will be a huge problem. Attacking, however, will be very easy. Making this team partially defensive, as I'm sure is your desire, will be a very hard task, and will probably be fruitless. Bear that in mind.

Pekarik stopped reading the paper. He needed to ask Jon a favour after reading that last part. He had to ask him to make a list of defensive-minded Farf defenders.

[Karditan]

"Well, bugger."

Country Club, Karditan's leading designer of fine stallion's apparel, looked up from his sketches and inquired about his boss' odd outburst. "What's the matter?"

Arlen Deaton, CEO of Culture Incorporated, turned his tablet around to show his coworker the article that had caused the consternation. "It seems we have completely missed the second Chap Olympiad!"

"Oh, that is a shame. The first one was a jolly good time. Who came away at the top of the medal table?"

"Some blokes from the... Maalvian Commonwealth Sports Association? I've no idea what that is. They're probably Esportivan or something."

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Country, "I just remembered the World Cup began yesterday! I was so engrossed in my work I forgot to watch Karditan play. They were against a nation apparently entirely composed of Absurdly Polite Gentlemen."

"Sounds like a gaggle of good chaps. In fact," said Arlen as he scrolled down the article, "it seems they also participated in the Chap Olympiad. Not particularly well, but if the Chaps of the Holy Empire approved of their presence at the Olympiad, they must have something going for them."

"Could you look up the score of the game, while you're at it?"

"Of course. Let's see... it seems we drew those chaps at home, not a goal to be found."

"Ah. Not a brilliant result, to be sure, considering they are very new to the world of international football, but I suppose our team might need a game or two to warm up. Who shall we be playing next?"

"Vangaziland, says the schedule."

"Another easy game for the team to try and get back into the swing of things. Splendid!"

[Sargossa]

Continued from sometime after here


“Any word? Anything at all?”

“Nothing.”

It was the answer he’d expected but that didn’t lessen any of the damage. Albert Remus gazed out the window of his office, taking in the scene as he wondered what the hell he was meant to do now. Below him the port town of New Ithaca was far from the bustling hive of activity he remembered from the good old days. The Angri Island's largest settlement was a shadow of the town he’d grown up in. Now the roads were deserted, rubbish piled in the streets and an eerie silence hung heavy in the air. It had been months since they’d heard from Vonghurst, the far distant Virabi capital having seemingly left its most distant territory to fend for itself.

Remus hadn’t truly appreciated just how dependent the islands of East and West Angri had been on the wider Commonwealth for their very survival. When contact had first been lost with the homeland little had been thought of it. But when hours turned to days and days stretched to weeks the problems escalated at a pace. Food, fuel, raw materials, consumer goods, shipments of anything that would arrive from the wider region just stopped. And while those who were meant to be in charge, the elected representatives of the people, deserted their posts the increasingly worried populace looked for answers. It was to the business elite that their pleas eventually turned and with Remus, as the islands’ richest man, the most visible of them he took the bulk of the burden.

Initially the talents of Remus and his colleagues saw some structure return to Angrian lives, albeit with certain inevitable restrictions. Food and drink was rationed, as was medicine and petrol while scheduled power outages were arranged across the islands to conserve electricity. But with nothing coming into the islands to replenish the stockpiles the solution could only ever be temporary. Sure enough as time ticked on harsher measures had to be taken. Now a strict curfew was in effect, only emergency vehicles were allowed on the roads, the scheduled power outages had become rolling blackouts and food stocks dwindled alarmingly. All the while the lines of communication to the Commonwealth heartland and the wider region as a whole remained silent.

The port of New Ithaca was berth to two large cargo vessels, the Portsham and the Brantan Heart. Three months ago the Heart had been sent south with an empty hold to find a friendly port and fill up on much needed supplies. And hadn’t been heard from since. It was then that Remus truly realised how cut off from the rest of the world they were. With no way of tracking the vessel and no actual government to apply any kind of political influence there was really nothing they could do but wait, and hope. It may have gone against every instinct but in desperation Remus sent the Portsham out on the same mission. With sickeningly similar results.

“Seven weeks.” He turned away from the window. “Seven weeks. Bring me the last figures from the stockpiles. We’re going to have to re-evaluate the ration quotas.”

“There is something else. There was an incident at our warehouse across the bay. It was attacked by a mob who apparently believed we were hoarding medicine there. They . . . well . . . they burnt it down.”

“They what? That was a food store.” Remus starred incredulously. “Was anything saved?”

“Not nearly enough.”

“Son of a bitch.” He sat down heavily. “I’ll need to address them, appeal for calm . . .”

“Appeal for calm? Don’t you think that ship has sailed?” The third figure in the room found his voice, a voice with a notable Sargossan accent. “No pun intended.”

“And what would you suggest?”

“You know very well what I’d suggest.” Carlos Barraca ran a successful import/export business between the Angri Islands and the Sargossan Archipelago to the south. When the crisis came about he had opened his warehouses to the public and used his connections to bring a small amount of priceless materials in to New Ithaca. It was a trickle, but it helped. And it had made Barraca one of Remus’ most important allies. “We are teetering on a precipice. Public order is falling apart. How long until we have full scale riots, an uprising even. Desperate people do tend to do desperate things. Yet we sit a mere eighty miles from one of Rushmore’s great powers. Say the word and Soluca will answer.”

“You would have us beg?” He fixed the Sargossan with a glare. “Where was Soluca when Vonghurst abandoned us? Where was Soluca when our infrastructure ground to a stop? Where was Soluca then?”

“Come on Albert, you’re not that naïve.” Carlos just about kept the sneer from his voice. “Sargossan forces can’t land uninvited without handing certain parties in Rushmore a massive propaganda coup. But say the word and help will be here before the week is out.”

Just for a moment Remus seemed to waver, but the resolve came back quickly. “No. We are better than this. We’re stronger than this. We will prevail. Somehow.”

[Felix]

(OOC: Note, this event happened around the same time as the massive offensive conducted by the Nationalist forces.)

Previously

Highway 10 Volker Pass, West of Volker, Felix

"So..." asked the man next to one of the convoy driver, "So what?" asked a already annoyed driver the man looked at the window then back to the driver, "Have you ever been to Volker?" The driver looked at him, "I was born there and can I remind you something private? This isn't a road trip. We are carrying high grade prisoners. Alright? So this thing you are doing is dumb, just sit down and shut up." The private looks down, "Sorry." The driver sighs, "No I am sorry, I am just stressed. There has been rumours that some terrorists might attack this convoy. I am on edge." The private nods, "That's understandable I guess. So are these terrorists Kaji or what?" The driver at this point was looking at the empty highway then looked at the private, "Some group of radicals called the Free Felix movement. Really crazy folk. They are currently rebelling in Indos. Word has it we might beat them."

Just as the driver finished his sentence a rocket from the Dressler Grand Forest fired right in front of the troop transport truck the driver was driving, "Holy shit!" shouted the driver as more rocket fire came from the very ancient forest. In a GPS tracked system that was in the site of the private and the driver, the small map showed the convoy's dots the ones in red were trucks carrying troops, the ones in blue were the two trucks carrying the precious cargo. One by one the red dots started to disappear as the rockets took out the trucks carrying 25 solders each. The driver and the private got out of his truck just in time as the center part of the transport truck was hit by rocket fire killing 22 of the 25 solders and slightly injuring the last three who quickly fell to small arms fire. The attack was sudden and fierce not a single solder was expecting this.

While the driver was running away the private got out his pistol and started to randomly fire at the forest not sure where these attackers were. He was soon shot in the arm and quickly fell and retreated behind the burning truck. Meanwhile near the two prison trucks intense fighting was going on solders that weren't killed or severely injured all gathered near the trucks determined to not only defend the trucks but use these trucks as human shields. Truck One (or Alpha known by the Felixian Military Convoy) contained former President Tamara Van Der Ven, various former ministers, key senators or congressmen/congresswomen and Steven Smith. Truck Two on the other hand contained elite troops from the Felixian Army, Navy, or Air Force that were suspected of assisting the Felixian cause. Little known to the solders protecting the trucks (specifically Truck Two or Truck Beta) the drivers were recruited by the Free Felix movement. Meaning that the drivers had guns and when they opened the door giving them access to the back of the truck (where the prisoners were) they gave these so-called traitors to the state some arms stolen from a Mizuyuki-jin shipment.

The drivers winked showing their Free Felix flaged armbands and got their guns out ready to fight these Felixian Army solders. The doors soon opened much to the surprise to the solders protecting these prisoner trucks. The solders that were labeled as traitors soon earned that label in blood as they began firing on their former comrades in war. The solders at the front were greeted to tear gas and were soon stunned and unable to continue the fight, that's when the drivers began shooting at the immobilized solders. Many more fell and soon the Free Felixians came out and led an attack while the solders were distracted and soon wiped them out clean. Many Felixian Army solders laid dead or injured. While the Free Felix group managed to lose only two men, both shot fatally when they came down for the final attack. At this point the two drivers in Truck One got out hands raised and surrendered. The other two drivers got their keys and opened the door. The politicians and journalist was surprised by the site. Free Felix solders? Liberating them? They couldn't believe their tired eyes, freedom came to them, finally.

Justin Fontana, one of the solders participating in the mission, (previously mentioned in the last RP regarding this mission) soon pulled each of the tired prisoners out of the truck and told them to follow the Free Felixans, "It will be only a matter of time till these Nationalist bastards release something is wrong. Quickly head to forest." The last person to be pulled out of the truck was the former president of Felix, Mrs. Tamara Van Der Ven. Justin nodded at her when he touched her hand, "Mrs. President." Tamara chuckled, "Didn't you hear yourself? We gotta go! We'll talk when your men tell us we are safe." Justin laughed, "Yes President." The group soon left the battle in the highway but before they left the tied up the drivers of the first truck and put them at the back. And just in case they destroyed the communication systems further delaying any rescue of the injured and trapped, in the case of the drivers.

For the next 20 minutes former prisoners and Free Felix solders ran towards a hidden base deep in the Dressler Grand Forest. From there they would take a two day break and head to meet up with Lt. General Kate Limbaugh's forces and later meet up with General Gilbert Förstner and later take a flight out to Kazamatsuri and if everything goes planned they would be heading to Kitsuna-Deese where the Felixian in Exile Government would form and finally give a political face to the resistance against Lazzaro Passerini's Nationalist government currently in the Corvidae alliance.

After two tense days and after learning that the Free Felix Army and Kaji Home Army retreated westwards the original plan of meeting General Förstner collapsed so now it had to work out like this. Lt. General Limbaugh would provide fake documents and move north to Dusseldorf so the President, various ministers and key congress members could fly out to Kasamatsuri and later follow everything else in the plan. It was risky though, if the FIA discovered who they really were it would be back to square one for receiving multiversal aid in their cause for freedom. Things were certainly in the balance now.

Weeks Later

Santa Maria, Felix

Lazzaro Passerini was troubled. One on hand his FIA sponsored attack has been a success soon investigators would be trying to point the finger. For now Felix was silent on the issue only sending condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. Anyways, on the other hand they just lost his political archrival to a brutal attack and used his Propaganda Minister to cover up an embarrassment that could ruin the recent momentum he got from that decisive victory against the rebelling forces including the death of one Kaji Lt. General that was later discovered to be part of the Free Felix Army something the Ministry of Public Safety (propaganda headquarters) could use to say that these so called "Free Felix" are actually a Kaji plot to secede from Felix itself.

But now he has a new trouble. Recently Lex Crowley, Supreme Administrator of The Inevitable Syndicate and head of the Corvidae Collective basically ordered their Corvidae associates to declare war on Rüntenbach, San José Guayabal, and Northern Sunrise Islands. Couple of problems there. One, historically Rüntenbach has been a close ally to Felix and many Nationalists have a high regard of respect for Rüntenbach especially in the German speaking areas of Felix. For Lazzaro Passerini, who is from the Italian speaking area, to declare war on Rüntenbach would be political suicide unless they declared war on Felix. The next problem was Northern Sunrise Islands, despite their mysterious move to Atlantian Oceania these two nations had a close relationship. For them to be in war against each other would be unfathomable for the regular Felixian. As for San José Guayabal, there would be now problem, since Guayabal was Communist it would be more than easy than declaring war on them.

So after hours at looking at the window he declared war on San José Guayabal. He then decided to send a message to the three nations in his head. First it is time to address the Northern Sunrise Islands and Rüntenbach to allies from the past.

To: Thiago Souto leader of The Arceusian Republic of the Northern Sunrise Islands, Kurt Nachreich President of The Republik of Rüntenbach
From: Lazzaro Passerini Generalissimo of The Nationalist Republic of Felix
RE: Possible War
Encryption: HIGH

Greetings from Santa Maria. I regret to inform you that there has been some events that have forced my hand into possibly declaring war on your nations. To be frank and honest I really don't want war with you guys. Our nations have all ways been united in friendship and peace and I feel like declaring war on them would be terrible for all of us. I am hoping you two could please figure out a way to talk to Lex and convince him that you are sorry for whatever you have done. I really respect your nations especially yours Mr. Nachreich. Anyways, war with you two would be the last thing I would want to do, but if you don't do this for me I will have no choice but to declare war. May I hope we never meet each other in the battlefield.

*click*

Sent, next up, Lex Crowley himself.

To: Lex Crowley Supreme Administrator of The Inevitable Syndicate
From: Lazzaro Passerini Generalissimo of the Nationalist Republic of Felix
RE: Grievances
Encryption: HIGH

Hello from the beautiful capitol of Santa Maria. As the message title says I have some grievances about this possible upcoming war. I really don't want to do this, have a war with Northern Sunrise Islands or Rüntenbach. Unless there is definitive proof that there is a threat to my rule I will try my best to declare war on them. Look. I know signing up for your support meant that I might have to do this but NSI and Rüntenbach are some of my closest allies back in the day. I have not contacted them but I will declare on them in the next 48 hours as I try to convince my people to do this. But before I head to this 48 period I must ask you. Do you really want war with NSI and Rüntenbach? Rüntenbach I might understand from your perspective but many Felixian Germans care for Rüntenbach if I declare war on them Felixians Germans might take that as a declaration of war on themselves. That for me is political suicide. So please, Mr. Crowley reconsider this move while we can.

*click*

Lazzaro Passerini gulped loudly. He was never afraid of anyone or anything but something from Lex Crowley gave him a unpleasant feeling even when they met each other weeks ago in The Felixian Invitational he felt uneasy as if this guy was some murderous solder. Don't get Passerini wrong, he was a tough man but something from Lex made him shake his head asking himself. What did I sign up for? Either way, he was going to get his answer soon as Lex Crowley and the leaders of NSI and Rüntenbach would soon receive the messages and respond. Lazzaro hoped for the impossible. A peaceful back down from hostilities from NSI and Rüntenbach and a full scale invasion on SJG. That would work perfectly for the troubled man that is Lazzaro Passerini.