Dainer International Football NewswireThe Daineri football championships are about to start. For the benefit of our international audience, we'll start each season with an overview of the main teams and what to expect of them. Visit forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=138446 for basic information about the season.
DAINERI SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEWXISTRUMBIGONÇA
Region: Lem.
Colors: Black
Nickname(s): The Black Army, The Machine
Stadium: Piteka Coliseum (cap. 100.000), Cidade Pupidu
Titles:
19 Cup titles
14 League titles
11 Lem Conference titles
Overview: The all-black uniforms were picked by club founder Arec Piteka because he thought they would make the team more intimidating. It seems to have worked, because Xistrumbigonça went on to be the most sucessful team in Dainer. They're also the richest, which allows them to bring the most seasoned, sucessful players together.
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Lineup: van Riet; Segel, Cruzeiro, Phoenix, Amakusa; Pretorius, Krebson, Kenji, Mijatovic(c); Costan, Sieke.
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Coach: Mélanie de Sable.
Tactics: Three players dedicated to marking leave Mijatovic free to act as the fulcrum of attack.
Season Overview: The departure of another midfield stalwart left the star-studded roster a little short.
Season Expectations: Getting back to their winning ways.
KORRIGA
Region: Lem.
Colors: Red and white
Nickname: Racers
Stadium: Velodrome (Cap: 76.000), Ferros
Titles:
16 Cup titles
12 League titles
10 Lem Conference titles
Overview: The football branch of the traditional Korriga motor racing team, it is the newest of the so-called Great Four (along with Xistrumbigonça, Sport Wios and University). It has been the only team to challenge Xistrumbigonça for the top spot so far.
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Lineup: Kakana; Liu Keng Bem, Biff, Rodela D'Alho, Robisbaixo; Ikira, Viper, Onze Letras; Liu Keng Mau, Rei Pelé, Guaita.
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Coach: Juan Manuel da Silva.
Tactics: 4-3-3. Fast, wide attacks, with crosses and dribbling. Did I mention fast? They can turn a situation from defensive to offensive in seconds.
Season Overview: Excellent transfers keep the quality of the current best team in the season (on paper). The name to watch out for is Guaita, will he be able to fill Roetaka's shoes?
Season Expectations: Last season went by with no titles whatsoever. They want to win.
UNIVERSITY
Region: Inglebsu.
Colors: White and blue
Nickname: All-whites
Stadium: Marble Dome (Cap: 80.000), Acropolis
Titles:
10 Cup titles
8 League titles
15 Inglebsu Conference titles
Overview: An institution of Daineri football, one of its very oldest professional clubs. It was the dominant force before Xistrumbigonça came along.
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Lineup: Ixion; Poinob(c), Xupiter, Tetrasborb, Scipio; Proposs, Jaj, Aytac, Jubilu; Raitaro, Powploc.
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Coach: Ricardo Carvalho.
Tactics: Conservative, with speedy counter-attacks. Powploc lurks in the penalty area as an always-present menace.
Season Overview: They are starting this season with the same eleven of last season. Considering they were a hair away from a treble last time, who can blame them?
Season Expectations: Keep up the good work.
ISPER
Region: Guliver.
Colors: White, navy and yellow
Nickname: The Old School
Stadium: Sapiens Arena (45.000), Urdu, and Social Arena (80.000), Undina
Titles:
6 Cup titles
5 League titles
10 Guliver Conference titles
Overview: Born from the fusion of two amateur school teams, it became full professional and never stopped ascending. Their greatest strength lies on the youth teams, a veritable factory of great players.
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Lineup: Rena; Fábio, Leonardo, Babu, Bezerro; Arex, Lucos, Bio(c); Rodigro, Matadin, Crussa.
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Coach: Tio Gogô.
Tactics: Very offensive, attacking from every angle. All midfielders are skilled playmakers, and Crussa's deadly headers complete the package.
Season Overview: This young lineup has been picking up experiences (and racking up goals) in the last two seasons. Will this be their breakthrough?
Season Expectations: Titles and experience for the young players.
ESTRELA D'ALVA
Region: Lem.
Colors: Red and Black
Nickname: Scarlet and Black, The Boys from Down the Street
Stadium: New Fountain (cap. 92.000), Cidade Pupidu
Titles:
8 Cup titles
6 League titles
9 Lem Conference titles
Overview: One day, a bunch of kids that played on the streets of Cidade Pupidu decided to start a team. Funny how far dreams can take you.
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Lineup: Castanha; Rainier, Youssef, Esquerdinha, Uéslei(c); Kloosterhuis, Suqian, Allan Brado, Gian; Beto, Catapimba.
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Coach: Kalundu Mangabeira.
Tactics: Offensive, with two skillful playmakers and full-backs providing width. All four frontmen are top-level.
Season Overview: Back to the first division, they snatched a couple good transfers and look like one of the very best teams around. Will they get back into gear right away?
Season Expectations: Go back to fighting for titles ASAP.
MINIGOLEADA
Region: Caveirairas
Colors: Black and green
Nickname: Green Stars
Stadium: Gigempat Arena (cap. 120.000), Derdia
Titles:
9 Cup titles
7 League titles
21 Caveirairas Conference titles
Overview: The pride of the Skëdar, eternal nemeses of Xistrumbigonça. Unlike their main rivals, they rely a lot on home-grown talent, which helps strengthen its position as a popular club in the region.
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Lineup: Germânia; Xitalia(c), Morgenau, Metaxas,
Hawk; Damien, Holowaty, Josafat, Kantemir; Renan, Astrobildo.
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Coach: Mario Yndoyr.
Tactics: Attacks by closing to the middle from the sides. Two speedy forwards and great passers in midfield make counter-attacks especially deadly.
Season Overview: Bringing Renan to attack might solve the Astrobildo problem. Then again, maybe not. Either way, the adversaries better watch out, they're looking good.
Season Expectations: Titles (and beating Xistrumbigonça).
VOLEY
Region: Guliver
Colors: Red, black and white.
Nickname: Olympians
Stadium: Metropolitan Sports Complex (cap. 66.000), Urdu
Titles:
7 Cup titles
5 League titles
8 Guliver Conference titles
Overview: They were a tennis and volleyball club that took up soccer as a way to show up the neighboring clubs. Eventually, the soccer division split off and went professional.
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Lineup: Zed; Aopre, Rahula, Oryol, Ceará, Tamen; Blanc, Colel(c), Drene, Ponzi; Ranna.
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Coach: Fábian Bernard.
Tactics: Tight defensive lines, two powerful fullbacks and a very disciplined midfield make this team a defensive powerhouse while still being dangerous up front.
Season Overview: Trading away Isaac and getting another centre-back was a bold move, one that seems to be compensated with more freedom for two of the best fullbacks in the League.
Season Expectations: Fight for titles.
ECLIPSE
Region: Inglebsu
Colors: Purple and black.
Nickname: Lunatics
Stadium: Eclipse Baiya (cap. 80.000), Acropolis
Titles:
4 Cup titles
4 League titles
7 Inglebsu Conference titles
Overview: A very young outfit, founded since the beginning for the purpose of being a major force. They have enjoyed a steady climb so far, but not enough to breach the dominance of the Great Eight.
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Lineup: Leone; Jugurha, Seabra, Landgraab, Hyppias; Fenestra, Karamera, De Grood, De Veer(c); Blackburn, Atreyu.
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Coach: Edelzio Cabana.
Tactics: 4-4-2 with full-backs. Blackburn plays "in the zone", as a hybrid playmaker/striker.
Season Overview: They lost Allan Brado, but now they have the much more promising Blackburn in place of Kung Fu Zé. Cabana needs to put out some results if he wants to stay at the team, though.
Season Expectations: Titles.
MARVEL TEAM
Region: Inglebsu
Colors: Orange and black
Nickname: Superpower
Stadium: Phoenix Stadium (cap. 60.000), Kalypes
Titles:
6 Cup titles
6 League titles
6 Inglebsu Conference titles
Overview: They ascended from nothing to total domination at local and national level some years back. Their feat of six consecutive triple crowns isn't likely to be matched, but they haven't earned a single title ever since.
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Lineup: Xavier; Issui, Matarr, Jotacá; Hassam, Fortinbras, Mackinac, Farucx Vanecaur(c); Koppers, Swigert Eron, Magnus.
Coach: Stephen Kurtzberg.
Tactics: Flexible, with three extremely fast and skilled front players capable of breaching defensive lines or dropping back to receive passes as needed.
Season Overview: The team has changed almost nothing from last season. They looked good before and still look good. Looking good won't be enough for the fans and directors, however.
Season Expectations: A title. ANY title will do.
ZILL
Region: Guliver
Colors: White, red, blue and yellow
Nickname: The Kings
Stadium: Herald Arena (cap. 63.000), Genriysai
Titles:
4 Cup titles
3 League titles
8 Guliver Conference titles
Overview: The inaugural champions of the Dainer Cup. A traditional club with lots of retrospect.
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Lineup: Batmacumba; Ynyr, Rammalah, Milhomem; Durango, Middelkamp, Das Brüce(c), Lloyd; Marcelo, Nemecsek, Dandruff.
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Coach: Hui Saolan.
Tactics: Free-flowing football with short passes. Diagonal crosses to the speedy wingers and strong forward are the main weapon.
Season Overview: Zill has been one of the most sucessful teams since the international era started. Even as they changed tactics radically, they stayed consistent. This season sees more changes towards a free-flowing football style, will that bring them to more victories?
Season Expectations: League and/or Cup titles.
TOMMY-ATKINS
Region: Guliver
Colors: Blue and white
Nickname: Blues
Stadium: Planetarium (cap. 58.000), Samata
Titles:
3 Cup titles
3 League titles
7 Guliver Conference titles
Overview: When they played Zill in the first Dainer Cup final, they were already rivals. One of the very first professional teams of the country.
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Lineup: Mustafa; Armengaard, King, Bento Carneiro, Fightmaster; Gahiji, Das Irvine(c), Falkner, Vaiyt; Aolo, Arokh.
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Coach: Muma Takondattar.
Tactics: Long balls from the middle and aggressive attacks from the sides.
Season Overview: The addition of a defense player gives more freedom for Falkner and Vaiyt to go forward. We might see more security and more goals from the team.
Season Expectations: Fight for titles.
JENIPAPA
Region: Caveirairas
Colors: Brown and blue
Nickname: Mountain Lions
Stadium: Jenipapa Stadium (cap. 55.000), Jalvador
Titles:
1 Cup title
9 Caveirairas Conference titles
Overview: A club with a lot of history, but new to the upper echelons of Daineri football. A veritable factory of talents.
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Lineup: Kaban(c); Bundan, Zelipe, Kiyopa, Sean; Eskibon, Vinicios, Pioyt; Jinjin, Jenisn, Jerjelin.
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Coach: Henrique Sá Poti.
Tactics: Classic Daineri 4-3-3 with intense marking and incisive attacks from the sides. Kiyopa returns to his natural position and the JJJ Trio acts as true forwards.
Season Overview: Will the abandonment of previously cautious tactics bring them success?
Season Expectations: Stay in the Super League, places in international competitions.
ACROPOLIS
Region: Inglebsu
Colors: Silver and orange
Nickname: Robots
Stadium: Acropolis Arena (cap. 57.000), Acropolis
Titles:
2 Cup titles
2 League titles
11 Inglebsu Conference titles
Overview: A team closely associated with the IT industry center of Acropolis, they were founded as pioneers of a "scientific" style of management. As representative of Acropolis, they enjoy a sort of rivalry with Urdutown.
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Lineup: Viros; Zageurio, Prerigo, Gygax, Regulus; Knauser, Maqiuna, Kaliptos(c); Kung Fu Zé, Ra-seru, Frogfucios.
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Coach: Empedokles Garo.
Tactics: Classic Daineri 4-3-3. The wingers work their way to the middle with skill and speed.
Season Overview: They're changing to a more offensive gameplan in an attempt to give more balls to their attacking talisman. Will Frogfucios deliver enough?
Season Expectations: International competitions, maybe a surprise in the Cup.
URDUTOWN
Region: Guliver
Colors: Blue, black and white
Nickname: Knights
Stadium: Dan'eidru (cap. 75.000), Urdu
Titles:
2 Cup titles
2 League titles
6 Guliver Conference titles
Overview: The team's name was chosen because the founders felt it was wrong to not have a team in Urdu bearing the name of the city. While not as sucessful as Zill, they have garnered a lot of popularity.
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Lineup: Telegu; Hypotenuse, Matango, Sotomayor, Muller; Obirapitanga, Xandäo(c), Stavros; Monguyasha, Depelvis, Djorkadablio.
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Coach: Tai Zenda.
Tactics: 4-3-3, possession-based, with short passes and skillful players up front.
Season Overview: Capable replacements were put in place of departing players, but the tactics remain. The team is well-oiled at this point.
Season Expectations: Fight for titles.
SUN COAST
Region: Lem.
Colors: Blue and orange.
Nickname: Beach Boys
Stadium: Anil Marina Stadium (cap. 32.000), Cidade Pupidu
Titles:
1 Lem Conference title
Overview: While small in football, this club is a potency in beach and water sports, and from that they derive much of their popularity.
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Lineup: Crawford; Calunga, Gwidion, Garbaxosa, Maddox(c); Engrish, Perivaldo, Bananarama, Shiratori; Angar, Roetaka.
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Coach: Mortimer Marley.
Tactics: The fullbacks advance to cross to the forwards, while the playmakers are skilled dribblers that challenge the defensive line from the middle.
Season Overview: They made a big signing in Roetaka, and look more ready than ever to stay in the Super League.
Season Expectations: Keep surprising.
ADDA
Region: Caveirairas
Colors: Black, blue and red
Nickname: Angels, Giant Killers
Stadium: Miracle Ring (cap: 28.082), Adda
Titles:
1 Cup title
5 Caveirairas Conference titles
Overview: They became champions in their Cup debut, beating mighty Xistrumbigonça 3-0 in the final. Since then, they built a reputation as the eternal underdogs of Daineri football.
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Lineup: Siri; Devlin, Franco, Jaxson, Macário; Golistan, Erkulis, Pablo Tostinez, Petybon; Serdiyok, Pocharrontas.
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Coach: Jooj Sannas.
Tactics: 4-4-2 with middle playmakers.
Season Overview: A couple questionable transfers. They will have to prove themselves.
Season Expectations: Stay.