FOOTBALL Some forty years ago, a couple of Esportivan communist exchange students decide to kick a ball around on a field not too far away from Vadshult. After a lot of history, we’ve now in the year 2020 and football is tilting the crown as the most popular sport in the archipelago. In the fifth season of the unified Top Division, Viztourzys Kolektyvinis retook their dominance with a fourth title, getting the better of Jottnar Kallsmudden. The side also can pride themselves upon a certain international stature after winning a Globe Cup. The national President’s Cup saw already a list of victorious sides, with Bengtsmark IF, the nation's second team, as the latest addition. The official national competitions contain 48 teams and are still up to expansion, but its popularity mainly lies on the many local teams and competitions. Especially in the western part, football is the main sport, whilst being opposed to the popularity of rugby and basket in the east.
Before our international wake, Buyanese football was usually noted by powerful midfield play, with a lot of forward focus transcended in one man: a team was often defined by its type of attacking midfielder and the position was probably a bit overrated. Navickas and Cedar, by example, previously grew into the posterboys of their time that way. These days, the man around which Buyanese football revolves is Sverre Devold, although Piotr Kluszak might hold that position in the domestic Top Division. These stars of the new generations, however, demonstrated that the danger doesn't have to come from one person only and the ability from Viztourzys - and more recently Bengtsmark, Blau-Weiss and Jottnar - to deal with this new football reality have allowed them to grow to the highest level. The fact that Hope held on to the same opinion has certainly helped to popularize the idea.
He stamped out the old traditions with a renewed midfield where the wings can produce a lot of danger as well, but with a larger focus on the defending as a whole. It was a typical vision in Buyan to see attacking players stay forward when the opposing team launches an attack, causing a lot of pressure and goals, but the national side doesn’t show so. Hope wanted a sturdy defence, unless there are opportunities on the wing, with Naess and Zermin as a double lock on the door. It brought Buyan a Baptism of Fire, but after 88 international games, the reign of Hope stranded on a goalless draw against Kernansquillec... And the World Cup being further than ever. A fourteen on eighteen, under new manager Reinhard Shale, brought them back in the race but the Hedgehogs fell one point short to United Eastedge. The Cup of Harmony wasn’t a success by all standards, but with a new cycle starting, Shale wants to bring the national team to a new level.
NATIONAL TEAM The Blue Hedgehogs
Winner of the Baptism of Fire 54
Winner of the Beltane Cup II
Participant in WC 68
KPB: 38th with 19.87 KPB, post WC69
EspKB: 11th with 12.67, post CEX
All-time scoreline: 140 for, 99 against
Game results: 55 wins, 16 draws, 27 losses in 98 international fixtures
Biggest victory: CEX, Buyan - Boring Paradise 5-0
Greatest victory: WCQ68, United Gordonopia - Buyan 0-1, Equestrian States - Buyan 0-1 / WC68 Buyan - GAS 1-0
Most preferable result: 1-0, 25 victories out of 55
Opponent most played: Greater Watford, 4 occasions
Biggest loss: Confederations Cup, Equestrian States – Buyan, 4-0
Most painful loss: CoH59, Buyan - Sangti 2-5 / CEX, Apox - Buyan 2-0 / WCQ69 Kernansquillec - Buyan 3-1
Opponent most lost against: Dandillis, New Sideburn, Apox, Hutt River, The Licentian Isles, HopNation
Rivalries: Rüntenbach – Apox – HopNation – Greater Watford – The Sarian
Record at the CE VIII: 2 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses: elimination in the qualification round
Record at the BoF 54: 6 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses: victory
Record at the Conf. Cup: 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses: elimination in the group phase
Record at the WCQ 67: 8 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses: 5th spot, elimination in the qualification round
Record at the CoH 59: 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss: elimination in the group phase
Record at the CE IX: 3 win, 0 draws, 3 losses: elimination in the qualification round
Record at the Beltane Cup: 3 win, 1 draw, 2 losses: 3th spot
Record at the WCQ 68: 14 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses: 2nd spot, won play-offs
Record at the WC 68: 1 win, 0 draws, 2 losses: elimination in the first round
Record at the CE X: 4 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses: elimination in the Round of 16
Record at the Beltane Cup II: 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss: victory
Record at the WCQ 69: 7 wins, 6 draws, 1 loss: 3rd spot, eliminated in the qualifications
Record at the CoH 61: 2 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses: elimination in the Round of 16
Top scorer: Elmo Havelund, twenty-three goals
Most caps: Bronius Bartkus, eighty caps
Buyan has come a long way since their debut interland, a worrying 3-0 loss against Dandillis. Their first CE saw proper performances, but the Hedgehogs only got the taste of winning in their Baptism of Fire. Without dominating, they amassed the victories. After beating Kitsunia-Deesse and Dutciberg, they faced The Sarian in a thriller. After one hundred twenty scoreless minutes, penalties had to decide upon a victor and the steel nerves from the Buyanese came out on top. The tournament marked Zemaitis, Havelund, Tufte and not in the least Sverre Devold as international players and lay the foundation of a respectable World Cup campaign.
Despite organising the next Campionato, it didn’t saw a real breakthrough of Buyan and the Beltane Cup ended in deception when Yttribia got the best of us, leaving us with bronze. But the World Cup qualifiers were exceptional, playing eighteen games back-to-back without a single loss. Taking the scalps of United Gordonopia, Thatius and the Equestrian States, Buyan surprisingly qualified for the World Cup 68 proper. After losses against Legalese and Osarius, Buyan grabbed three sweet points after a much contested duel against Rüntenbach, seeing Manuel Schmidt as a hero.
Their third campaign of international football has resolved in mixed results. Due to internal issues, a homegrown side had to contest the CE and the Beltane Cup. The CE ended faster than hoped, as Apox cut short the road to the quarterfinals, but the Beltane resulted in the second trophy in the cabinet, as we once again showed more cool on penalties against Greater Watford. The expectations were high: a second World Cup qualification was a must but that did not work out. A second round in the CoH 61 did not really resolve the question marks. Is Buyan bound to be one of those sites hanging on the edge of World Cup spots or can they become a major name in football? The CEXI might present some answers.
SQUAD With an eye on the future, Reinhard Shale decided to expand the group with five young names, although the circumstances made that six. Bronius Bartkus, the record international with eighty appearances for the Blue Hedgehogs, suffered a painful ankle injury and will not appear in the CEXI or the Beltane Cup. His replacement in the defence is Kai Ruutu, a player from Seura Pohkakunti on the edge of a breakthrough transfer – to Viztourzys, some whisper. Suhr is in the group as well, he showed in Torspeda to be able to deal with a high level. In the middle of midfield, Istvan Losokov makes a return to the CE after a fine domestic season.
In the offensive compartment, we see three new names. Arnold Rootare convinced the sceptics with a splendid SBCC run for Thor Rellhovn and appears as third attacking midfielder. Stefan Hostmann is probably the most promising striker in the Top Division, he might stir some youth in the attack with Dalmshelf struggling with his form. Last but not least, there is a surprise appearance by Damien Balnerii, who partakes after a few years for Earenti clubs. “It’s one of the greatest competitions,” Shale added, “so it was only a matter of time.”
1. Manuel Schmidt --- GK --- 30, Viztourzys Kolektyvinis --- 26 caps, 1 sub, 1 goal
12. Ulle Seber --- GK --- 31, Garbarnia Hoyersko --- 27 caps, 1 sub
23. Erbald Saldlund --- GK --- 25, Bengtsmark IF --- 4 caps, 1 sub
17. Maxim Dziuba --- LD --- 23, Slask Pruzniwczo --- 2 caps, 4 subs
2. Kazimieras Zemaitis --- LD --- 25, Viztourzys Kolektyvinis --- 71 caps, 7 subs, 5 goals
21. Kai Ruutu --- CD --- 22, Seura Pohkakunti --- 0 caps
16. Antanas Mamontovas --- CD --- 25, Bengtsmark IF --- 10 caps, 2 subs
3. Sigurd Tufte --- CD --- 26, Dinamo Esca, MYT --- 74 caps, 1 goal
4. Rafal Giertych --- CD --- 23, Jottnar Kallsmudden --- 8 caps
18. Ignas Smetona --- RD --- 30, Santa Tecla FC, SJG --- 12 caps, 4 subs
5. Giedius Justs --- RD --- 21, Commercianti, VEN --- 4 caps, 1 sub
6. Harald Naess --- DM --- 34, Bengtsmark IF --- 69 caps, 4 subs, 4 goals
8. Quinten Zermin --- DM --- 30, Carrubonieta Il Gueti, TRB --- 56 caps, 10 subs, 4 goals
27. Frederik Suhr --- DM --- 21, Sparta Torspeda --- 0 caps, 1 sub
14. Vridrich Lammerschon --- LM --- 24, Viztourzys Kolektyvinis --- 1 cap, 4 subs
7. Dimitri Plovnarov --- LM --- 22, La Nueva Avenida --- 7 caps, 4 subs
24. Istvan Losokov --- CM --- 26, Pajukas Sport --- 2 caps, 2 subs
15. Espen Knutsen --- RM --- 26, Crisisbless, NEP --- 9 caps, 9 subs, 2 goals
9. Eero Halmiini --- RM --- 26, FC Ararat Severyan, MYT --- 38 caps, 11 subs, 10 goals
10. Sverre Devold --- AM --- 26, Barbury Town, APX --- 79 caps, 1 sub, 15 goals
25. Arnold Rootare --- AM --- 22, Thor Rellhovn --- 0 caps
20. Piotr Kluszak --- AM --- 27, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt --- 13 caps, 5 subs, 4 goals
19. Sil Moen --- LA --- 30, Tjelberg Forening --- 28 caps, 23 subs, 9 goals
11. Elmo Havelund --- CA --- 30, Vermillion Rage, NEP --- 42 caps, 14 subs, 23 goals
28. Stefan Hostmann --- CA --- 18, Viztourzys Kolektyvinis --- 0 caps, 2 subs
26. Damien Balnerii --- CA --- 28, Retatyn TU, EAR --- 0 goals
13. Andrey Rettinger --- CA --- 29, Goodfeather FC, NEP --- 9 caps, 2 subs, 4 goals
22. Duco Dalmshelf --- RA --- 23, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt --- 29 caps, 9 subs, 15 goals
STAFF Second Assistant: Alowysz Krupa
Debuting can be a remarkable word if we apply it to a man who has almost two decades of football experience behind him. Alowysz Krupa wore the shirt of the Blue Hedgehogs on 35 occasions and is a cult hero for his former domestic side Garbarnia Hoyersko, whose black and brown colours he defended for nine years. Being one of the most modest men ever to represent our nation, he will still remain a national icon for being the one to score the all-important penalty during the Baptism of Fire victory. Up to this day, it remains the only penalty ever shot by this man who is once too often called a grey mouse.
First Assistant: Erica Brewer, NEP
Joining the Buyanese coaching staff, Brewer raised more than one eyebrow as she is one of the first females to enter the masculine circle of Buyanese professional football. However, all question marks were quickly turned into exclamation points once they got to know her. Her thorough knowledge of opponents, attention to details and patience makes her the ideal counterpart for Shale, with whom she shares her career. No surprise that by now, she is quite rightfully seen as 'one of us' by the dressing room, judging her by her skill rather than her gender.
Manager: Reinhard Shale, NEP
Sirius Hope brought Buyan to glory in the Baptism of Fire, lead them to their first World Cup and overlooked the squad that gained the Beltane Cup, but his time with the Hedgehogs stranded on a string of shaky performances in the World Cup qualifiers. It's here that Shale came into the picture, a man who could bring in the right kind of résumé despite only being 43 years of age. This talkative manager took up coaching after a career as winger being cut short by injury - we do like some coherence here in Buyan - and earned a name for himself when he not only lead Maximum Rovers to a title in the second division, but turned them into a solid side for the Nepharan competition.
Domestic powerhouse AFC Treason noted his class and Shale did live up to the expectations, bringing them a new title. But after three years, he decided it was time for a new challenge and found it in the dwindling Buyanese national team. With fourteen points in the remaining qualification games, the Hedgehogs hadn't lost yet under his reign, as he tries to bring them away from their defensive outlook to a typical Nepharim 4-4-2. His Cup of Harmony wasn’t that successful, although the stats could be worse. Shale is a talkative, media-friendly manager who tends to make the most of his time with the press, always quick with a joke. Even if that joke needs to pass inaccurately through a translator. He tends to take a challenge head-on and never really bother with the subtle route. It's something the Buyanese will have to get use to calm and subtle Hope.
KITS After using regular blues for the Campionato Esportiva VIII, Buyan addressed Vulpine Sportif who provided them with beautiful kits, both in a blue edition for the home side and red ones for the away games. But time flies and the BFB rightfully decided that it was time for an update. The result is the above marvellous shirts, kindfully provided by AER Sportswear. This modern touch certainly has added to our flair. We’ll wear these excellent shirts with pride, added with red shorts and socks. The goalie will take the field in an all blue outfit.
PERMISSIONS Choose my goalscorers - Yes
Godmod scoring events - No, unless awesome
RP injuries to my players – Yes, but no indication of length of injury if above three games
Godmod injuries to my players – No, unless hilarious
Hand out yellow cards to my players – Yes, up to five
Hand out red cards to my players – Yes, up to one
Godmod other events – No, unless hilarious
Dude, I've got this awesome idea - TG me, I'll be glad to cooperate
HOME GROUND
The Nine @ Dyatinsk (57,000 seats)
It's big, it's build on an unpractical location and if we believe the contractor, it's build on a swamp.
But it's also state of the art and featured some games in the Campionato Esportiva IX, hence the name.
STYLE Style Modifier: -1
The one-attacker system almost proverbially attached to Sirius Hope is now a thing of the past and it leads to a new tactical scheme, a Nepharim 4-4-2 with a narrow diamond on the midfield. It is intended that the wing defenders will take up more offensive actions in this system, reaching the line from time to time if possible.
Between the posts, Ulle
Sebermanaged to reclaim his spot. The Garbarnia goalie, out during the WC 68 due to an awful knee injury, took the upper hand as starting goalie since Shale took over and only had to admit one in the last 540 minutes. He's reliable, splendid in one-on-one but not unbeatable on a long-distance shot. Despite playing for a minor domestic side, Seber holds Manuel
Schmidt on the bench so far. Schmidt, former Rüntenbacher and goalie of Viztourzys Kolektyvinis, Buyan's most famous club team, is more than a good double, as this spectacular keeper is as good as his opponent between the sticks. A change - if the opponent asks for it - is not impossible but the two have the utmost respect for one another. Third goalie
Saldlund was once a major prodigy, but hasn't made that last step up yet. Questions arise if he ever will.
As left defender, Kazimieras
Zemaitis is the household name. Quick, always ready for a counterattack and with a stinging shot, one would almost forget that over the past few years for Viztourzys he also became a strong defender with a mean tackle. One of the few Buyanese of true multiversal level, this shy wingback is a unique asset. His doublure,
Dziuba, is carved out of similar wood, but still lacks the international experience and view on the game. Nonetheless, he has shown promising things during his few appearances. The heart of the team is formed by a duo whose names are the first on the board ever since our very first international game. Bronius Bartkus is the captain of Viztourzys and leader of the defence here, a clever player with a subtle pass and a strong head. His positioning is near to perfect but a difficult ankle injury keeps him off the field. A gap that is filled by Rafal
Giertych, a youngster who has promise written all over him and a true professional. He brings similar things to the side as Bartkus. As his back-up,
Ruutu had been added to the squad, he’ll mainly have to keep his eyes open for the future. Teaming up with Giertych in the middle of defence is Sigurd
Tufte, a man who grew during his years for Mytanar Dinamo Esca from an interesting talent to a reliable international. Tufte still is a bit more rash than his counterpart, but brings a few dangerous infiltrations and a good long pass to the team, along with a good header. His stunt double is Antanas
Mamontovas, a man who struggles a bit with the international level but with the years still on his good side. Completing the quartet, the right defender position will probably be filled by Ignas
Smetona who is reunited with his former Viztourzys mates Bartkus and Zemaitis. An enfant terrible, he lost his spot on the team during our first Campionato Esportiva and disappeared from the spotlights. However, he matured and made a career for himself in San José Guayabal, where his spectacular style, dribbling and stinging assists were much appreciated by the local fans. Hope brought him back to the squad and Shale entrusted him with the right-back position, discarding the reliable but more static Refshauge. Gabs Refshauge, number two in terms of all-time caps, did not even make the squad as he was passed for Giedius
Justs, the brightest prospect in the defensive department and the latest acquisition of Commercianti and likewise a winger, but a tad less expressive as Smetona.
Any good diamond midfield falls or stands by their holding midfielder and it is there that Quinten
Zermin enters the story. Starting as a left midfielder, der Kaempfer grew into a player that is both capable to add something in the build-up and strong enough to withstand opposing pressure. Broad shoulders, vast experience and a great attitude, he is the rock on which his teammates can build. Shale chooses him over Harald
Naess, a tad more creative but less able to hold up a huge radius. The experienced Naess, vice-captain, is still a viable option when more calmth is needed. For the future, we look to Frederik
Suhr, who combines splendid vision with great pace. On the left, Frederik Wallenberg disappeared from the squad after an unnecessary red card in the vital game against Free Swiss States, the end of his international career. His spot is filled by Dimitri
Plovnarov, who recently left his youth club Sparta Torspeda for a Farf adventure. Despite not too spectacular, Plovnarov is a creative fellow with a great kick and a fine pass. A few more centimeters would have benefitted him, but he has still plenty of room for improvement. His doublure is
Lammerschon, a quiet, hard-working player who makes up with attitude for what he lacks in talent. It earned him a spot in Viztourzys, one in the future for Buyan as well? On the opposite side, two gifted fellows try to match one another, even managing to deny the always appreciated Marco Castell a place in the selection. Eero
Halmiini, on his way out of the currently defunct Mytanar competition, still is on the starting eleven as he has more experience and can break open a closed game as no other. Quick feet and smooth rushes define him, only a few more goals wouldn't hurt him. He holds Espen
Knutsen on the bench, a player that moved out of the Buyanese competition to Nephara and hasn't regretted that move. Knutsen is stronger and taller than Halmiini and will possibly feature against more physical opponents. This brings us to the defining player of the Buyanese team, the only player that could come anywhere near the term superstar. Able to play on both sides, Istvan
Losokov has been added to your team. His fine season makes him part of the team, although I question whether he will have playing minutes. Sverre
Devold is a true number ten and after a succesful time for Jottnar Kallsmudden, he became a key player for Apoxian Barbury Town, a side in the second-biggest competition in the multiverse with which he won national and international titles. He's - for a number ten - quite defensive, but with a good kick and similar vision. His main lack might be his confidence, he's not always the leader this team needs. In case of troubles, it seems that Buyan found a double for him in Piotr
Kluszak, who rocked the domestic league with his bright performances. A daredevil with great vision and quick feet, he gives Devold some pressure. The bright new prospect in this department is Arnold
Rootare, not the tallest of players but with magnificent passing. If the team revolves around him, he can do a lot.
This leaves open the offensive department, in which two rather new players to the national team try to shine. Duco
Dalmshelf is a true goalscorer, who attempts to appear as often in front of goal as possible. It earned him the Golden Boot in the last Top Division and with fourteen goals, he's third on the eternal list of the Hedgehogs. He's not too tall and his heading is moderate, but otherwise he's a very stubborn and useful killer who doesn't need too many chances. On his side, Andrey
Rettinger might be the most surprising name in the line-up. The first Buyanese ever to try his luck abroad, Rettinger became a club monument for Nepharim side Goodfeather. His style isn't that attractive for the eye but he brings power to the team and has an eye open for a fellow attacker. He's also an important weapon on free kicks and corners, as Buyan traditionally seldom makes the most out of these situations. The two remaining attackers on the squad allow Shale to alter his formation. Elmo
Havelund, often called the Lantern Post by the press, never has been much-liked by the fans, but he did score quite often in the infamous system with one attacker. Under Shale, he appears less but remains a faithful player who will always give his best for Buyan. Last but not least, Sil
Moen wears the number nineteen. He's an interesting white rabbit in the hat, hard to define by only one position. A creative left foot, very intelligent and versatile, capable to bring a tactical change from paper to grass, Moen remains an ace to throw on the table when things get tough in any system. Another ace will be Damien
Balnerii who escaped the public eye the last few seasons but who build up a nice career in Earent. Last but not least, there is the junior of the squad Stefan Hostmann. Only eighteen years old, he’s a domestic sensation.
12. Ulle Seber
18. Ignas Smetona * 4. Rafal Giertych * 3. Sigurd Tufte * 2. Kazimieras Zemaitis
8. Quinten Zermin
9. Eero Halmiini * 7. Dimitri Plovnarov
10. Sverre Devold
22. Duco Dalmshelf * 13. Andrey Rettinger
Important: I usually post line-ups in the bottom of my RP for any upcoming game, so please check whether I've assigned players for our game before taking this one.
Penalties: Sverre Devold (if unavailable, in order: Zermin, Rettinger, Tufte)
Indirect free kicks: Dimitri Plovnarov
Direct free kicks: Sverre Devold
Corners, left side: Eero Halmiini
Corners, right side: Kazimieras Zemaitis
Likely to be booked: Sigurd Tufte, Quinten Zermin, Andrey Rettinger
Captain: Sverre Devold
Vice-captains: Harald Naess & Andrey Rettinger