World Cup 71 - RP Thread

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

Many people often question the reason the Unified Sunrise Islands have somewhat of a disappearance during the qualifiers' break. To solve that (and to add a bit of rivalry to the Sunrisian contingent), the USIFC together with each country and territory of the Sunrise to form a new tournament. Dubbed the Sunrise Cup, it featured squads with young talents or unlooked players from each Sunrise Islands.

GROUP 1

EASTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Mike CARRADINE-LEWIS		19 anos	Vice City
02	LB	Henrik BABIC			18 anos	Ratchet United
03	CB	Isaac SOLNA			18 anos	Seven Aces at the Road
04	CB	Evan Jéorg COUNTOUT-MATUIDI	19 anos	Jaunepont Hérault [NSI]
05	RB	Cleo DURAN-LENS			17 anos	Mignon Beart [NSI]
06	DM	Paŭlo ERROR			18 anos	Georgetown Christian [USICA]
07	CM	Ellery PACIEMONJE		17 anos	Articka Mankeys
08	CM	LUCJAN PAKULSKI			19 anos	Platform Moon A&M [USICA]
09	OM	Henrietta AMALFITANO		18 anos	Granger Dragonites [NSI]
10	CF	Njörðr KERMODE			17 anos	Sunset Beach AFC
11	CF	Henrik RIPPER-LLORIS		19 anos	Mertiogna Marauders 
12	GK	Ealisaid KEMIT			18 anos	Vice State [USICA]
13	LB	Mohini GERMANA-ARISTIZABAL	17 anos	Flying Fortress FC [MAN]
14	CB	Reva ARDUTLAND			18 anos	Weth [USICA]
15	CB	Gal SLAVOMÍR-OTHELLO		19 anos	Tokyoto Verdy [NSI]
16	RB	Widnes KINGSTON-ROWES		19 anos	Tivoli Venusaurs [NSI]
17	DM	BARIKLE PAKULSKI		20 anos	Grimes [USICA]
18	CM	Barthusrit JANEZ		21 anos	Mertiogna [USICA]
19	CM	Fernad JELEN			18 anos	Lofton State [USICA]
20	OM	Anastázia VLASIC		17 anos	Saint Paul AFC [NSI]
21	CF	Decima BÓTHILDR-EADBURGA	18 anos	Davencreek Victinis [NSI]
22	CF	Tadeáš REZNÍK			19 anos	Littlewood [USICA]

CENTRAL SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Gyeong DO RHEE			18 anos	Aimoto Tech [USICA]
02	LB	Sung GYEONG MOON		19 anos	Karikan Dragonites [MAN]
03	CB	Yuri BURAI			20 anos Tubac Scizors [MAN]
04	CB	Jong JUN YI			18 anos	Fukuji [USICA]
05	RB	Makoto DAIGO			17 anos	Asuke [USICA]
06	DM	Ngoan HAI NHI			17 anos	Akita [USICA]
07	CM	Su SUI CHEUNG			18 anos	Takajo Starwolf [MAN]
08	CM	Ahue KUNIMITSU			20 anos	Matthew Senators [NSI]
09	OM	Linh SHIMIKAGE			20 anos	Aisarimachi Tech [USICA]
10	CF	Madesska IDAGAWA		18 anos	Amagasaki Gardevoirs [MAN]
11	CF	Mai SHI SUNG			20 anos	Buzzards Bay Zapdos [MAN]
12	GK	Mika HOSHIMIKE			18 anos	Yunlong Meowstics [MAN]
13	LB	Chou GA LU			17 anos	Nishizawa [USICA]
14	CB	Kanda KONGOUMARU		16 anos	Voltente Raichus [MAN]
15	CB	Seung HYUN CHOE			19 anos	Koperu [USICA]
16	RB	Hwan LEI NIU			16 anos	Otomo Banettes [MAN]
17	DM	Hachiro MAIKINOBU		17 anos	Wahiawa Greninjas [MAN]
18	CM	Lee ROKUROTA			17 anos	Saito [USICA]
19	CM	Kun YIN CHUNG			20 anos	Yanagyuto Regices [MAN]
20	OM	Klonoa RETSU			18 anos	Omura [USICA]
21	CF	Yuki SUZUKIHARA			17 anos	Tanohama Glalies [MAN]
22	CF	Furada FUIJINTSU		19 anos	San Andreas Grove [MAN]

SOUTHWESTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Frenske ALBERSNAGEL		19 anos	Half Boy FC [EFL]
02	LB	Pepjin LANINGA			17 anos	Laketown Rangers [TAE]
03	CB	Judocus DE VEEN			18 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
04	CB	Rochus VAN OORSCHOT		18 anos	Rayley United U-21 [SUS]
05	RB	Rina KLERX			17 anos	Magnaeus City [TCU]
06	DM	Willem JANSSENS			17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
07	CM	Perseya VAN DER REENSTARK	16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
08	CM	Lijsbeth VAN DER ARISSEN	16 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
09	OM	Talib CSHUTSX			15 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
10	CF	Phillip VAN KLERKEN		15 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
11	CF	Greet VAN KLERKEN		15 anos	Burgess FC [TCU]
12	GK	Mien VAN DER SNEFDER		16 anos	Etaulse Club [YTT]
13	LB	Phillip LETHIAKSEN		16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
14	CB	Varren FLIER			17 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
15	CB	Elena DANHALLEN			19 anos	Seniors FC [EFL]
16	RB	Janna VAN DAALE			16 anos	Laketown Rangers [TAE]
17	DM	Denise VAN DER THEESELVARGEN	15 anos	Royal Crystal Palace [CRY]
18	CM	Ter DE BOOGARD			17 anos	Burgess FC [TCU]
19	CM	Andre DE BOOGARD		17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
20	OM	Nichole HEEMSKROKE		18 anos	Etaulse Club [YTT]
21	CF	Jeltje BAARDA			17 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]	
22	CF	Tjaard VANANDEL			16 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]	

SON VASCO
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Izotz AIZA			19 anos	Balmaseda [USICA]
02	LB	Nikole YBARRA			16 anos	Lixoa [USICA]
03	CB	Petri ARITZA			17 anos	Marine [USICA]
04	CB	Eukene DEMIAKIS			18 anos	Oracaibo [USICA]
05	RB	Katalin BENGOCHEA		17 anos	Hanicas [USICA]
06	DM	Aingeru ALDANA			18 anos	Birda [USICA]
07	CM	Nagore GEBARA			18 anos	Marine [USICA]
08	CM	Jon SANTANDER			17 anos	SJKU [USICA]
09	OM	Ander OLA			17 anos	Carnival do Oeste [USICA]
10	CF	Gotzon ZAMBRANO			18 anos	Basconitia [USICA]
11	CF	Txomin SOLO			17 anos	Hanicas [USICA]
12	GK	Esti ABASOLO			18 anos	Kisunete [USICA]
13	LB	Bakarne GARRASTAZU		17 anos	Toledo [USICA]
14	CB	Eider ARENAIKA			18 anos	Arenaixo [USICA]
15	CB	Igon ABAROA			18 anos	Basconitia [USICA]
16	RB	Eneko INDEWEYBO			17 anos	Hanicas [USICA]
17	DM	Peru VALXENTIA			17 anos	SJTU [USICA]
18	CM	Mattin ALKUBOR			18 anos	SJTU [USICA]
19	CM	Terese KATRABONA		18 anos	SJKU [USICA]
20	OM	Markel JASSO			19 anos	SJTU [USICA]
21	CF	Anderjain CHELLINI		17 anos	SJKU [USICA]
22	CF	Mattin VITORELAX		18 anos	SJKU [USICA]

GROUP 2

SOUTHERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	JUAN Ignacio VILLA		18 anos	UACJ [USICA]
02	LB	Kelly ROBLEDO			23 anos	Danielson City
03	CB	Willie MILLER			16 anos	En Sabah Nur United [NEI]
04	CB	Ember THOMPSON			19 anos	Havan Rangers
05	RB	Steven REYNOLDS			19 anos	Coal Valley
06	DM	Leona BONECRUSHER		20 anos	Whitetail Foresters [EQS]
07	CM	Kepheus ARISTARCHOS-McADAMS	20 anos	Platform Moon [ESI]
08	CM	Joseph RAYDEN			18 anos	New Bark Mightyenas [NSI]
09	OM	Cruz MARTÍNEZ			17 anos	UASG [USICA]
10	CF	C. P. MONEY			18 anos	Eclipse [DAI]
11	CF	Michael SUMMERS			17 anos	Danielson City
12	GK	Terry RIEDNHART			22 anos	Danielson City
13	LB	Allisson DUNCROAST		18 anos Londonpool Tech [USICA]
14	CB	Aire CAPTAIN			19 anos	Aurora Sylveons
15	CB	Shadow WITCHREAPER		17 anos	Aurora Sylveons
16	RB	Quill MECHINA			18 anos	Marendi [USICA]
17	DM	Steve CAPTAIN			20 anos Hart Hitmen
18	CM	Rockustrius COUNT		18 anos	Hart Hitmen
19	CM	Nicholas CHICAGO		17 anos	Lead Hill Kings [UPS]
20	OM	William KING			18 anos Glitterstone Town
21	CF	Cloud STRIKE			20 anos	Aurora Sylveons
22	CF	Jennifer HARDAWAY		17 anos	Danielson City

LOWER SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Falk LOHRENZ			18 anos	Underground College [USICA]
02	LB	Jessika LEHMANN			19 anos	Underground College [USICA]
03	CB	Ljubena PENZIG			18 anos	Kuletborik [USICA]
04	CB	Ekkehardt RADEMACHER		17 anos	Besmarlatur State [USICA]
05	RB	Dulf EVERHART			18 anos	Underground College [USICA]
06	DM	Thóra KAPPEL			18 anos	Besmarlatur State [USICA]
07	CM	Daryna ANDRES			19 anos	Kinmebil [USICA]
08	CM	Wetzel MAURER			17 anos	Besmarlatur State [USICA]
09	OM	Nazar SAUBER			18 anos	Lower-National [USICA]
10	CF	Ealhstan HOROWITZ		18 anos	Besmarlatur State [USICA]
11	CF	Alberta SCHNUR			19 anos	Besmarlatur State [USICA]
12	GK	Baptist DIRCHS			18 anos	Besmarlatur Tech [USICA]
13	LB	Viktoria LORENTZ		17 anos	Besmarlatur Tech [USICA]
14	CB	Ksenija ALBERT			16 anos	Miners College [USICA]
15	CB	Wilfrið SILVERSTEIN		17 anos	Underground College [USICA]
16	RB	Hróðgeirr GAVRILYUK		17 anos	Underground College [USICA]
17	DM	Lenz BONKOAT			18 anos	Underground College [USICA]
18	CM	Margreet SCHNOOR		17 anos	Underground College [USICA]
19	CM	Sveinn STUMPF			18 anos	Besmarlatur Tech [USICA]
20	OM	Vesela ZELENKO			19 anos	Miners College [USICA]
21	CF	Friðþjófr GROSSER		18 anos	Besmarlatur Tech [USICA]
22	CF	Hroár HOLUB			17 anos	Besmarlatur Tech [USICA]

SOUTHWESTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Frenske ALBERSNAGEL		19 anos	Half Boy FC [EFL]
02	LB	Pepjin LANINGA			17 anos	Laketown Rangers [TAE]
03	CB	Judocus DE VEEN			18 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
04	CB	Rochus VAN OORSCHOT		18 anos	Rayley United U-21 [SUS]
05	RB	Rina KLERX			17 anos	Magnaeus City [TCU]
06	DM	Willem JANSSENS			17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
07	CM	Perseya VAN DER REENSTARK	16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
08	CM	Lijsbeth VAN DER ARISSEN	16 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
09	OM	Talib CSHUTSX			15 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
10	CF	Phillip VAN KLERKEN		15 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
11	CF	Greet VAN KLERKEN		15 anos	Burgess FC [TCU]
12	GK	Mien VAN DER SNEFDER		16 anos	Etaulse Club [YTT]
13	LB	Phillip LETHIAKSEN		16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
14	CB	Varren FLIER			17 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]
15	CB	Elena DANHALLEN			19 anos	Seniors FC [EFL]
16	RB	Janna VAN DAALE			16 anos	Laketown Rangers [TAE]
17	DM	Denise VAN DER THEESELVARGEN	15 anos	Royal Crystal Palace [CRY]
18	CM	Ter DE BOOGARD			17 anos	Burgess FC [TCU]
19	CM	Andre DE BOOGARD		17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
20	OM	Nichole HEEMSKROKE		18 anos	Etaulse Club [YTT]
21	CF	Jeltje BAARDA			17 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]	
22	CF	Tjaard VANANDEL			16 anos	Lehen Neorudo [TCU]	

BASIL PIKE
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Sunny BETERSPRITE		19 anos	Bray [USICA]
02	LB	Marlie SWEETSTONE		17 anos	Grand International [USICA]
03	CB	Pecan POPLARCLOVE		18 anos	Langstaff [USICA]
04	CB	Barbara MANGOFROST		19 anos	Nilvert [USICA]
05	RB	Polly SEARAY			17 anos	Reuben [USICA]
06	DM	Misty OLIVER			17 anos	Cresset [USICA]
07	CM	Rain SHIMMER			18 anos	Hogbin [USICA]
08	CM	Nikki SUNSHINE			20 anos	Crystal Palace HC [CRY]
09	OM	Bud SPARKS			18 anos	Simeon [USICA]
10	CF	Bean FEATHER			19 anos	Theobald [USICA]
11	CF	Bean REDBUSH			18 anos	Wickham [USICA]
12	GK	Cupcake CARROT			18 anos	Quatermain [USICA]
13	LB	Rhoda MORNING			19 anos	Nilvert [USICA]
14	CB	Rose NYPHADORA			17 anos	Grand International [USICA]
15	CB	Gardenia FLECK			17 anos	Langstaff [USICA]
16	RB	Skye ALMALIGHT			18 anos	Cresset [USICA]
17	DM	Petal HARBOR			17 anos	Grand International [USICA]
18	CM	Liri PINETAIL			17 anos	Bray [USICA]
19	CM	Anthurium TUMBLESTEM		16 anos	Bray [USICA]
20	OM	Monyx SOURMIST			16 anos	Cresset [USICA]
21	CF	Felix LILLY			16 anos	Patching [USICA]
22	CF	Cosmo GRAYNOODLES		15 anos	Quatermain [USICA]

GROUP 3

WESTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team				Full Name
01	GK	ROSINA				17 anos	Filipéia			Rosina Zacarías Alvim
02	LB	DIEGO COLASCO			19 anos	Central City [UPS]		Diego Colasco Alvim Azurra
03	CB	DAVID GENDARO			20 anos	Fernando de Honduras [NSI]	David Gendaro Lucambó
04	CB	BAPTISTA			20 anos	Porto Velho			Sebastião Baptista Simeão Mendez
05	RB	PIERRO				17 anos	Dogueirense			Pierro Carnaval Soares
06	DM	ISABELA ALCOBAZA		16 anos	Filipéia			Isabela Lima Guinevra Alcobaza
07	CM	RATINHO				18 anos	Afonse Battalion [NSI]		Marcelo Porto Noveiral
08	CM	MÁRIO CACAU			20 anos	Tiamare Zekroni [NSI]		Mário Cláudio Carmem Almodovar
09	OM	RATAMARY			19 anos	Tiamare Zekroni [NSI]		Ratamary Gorgonzola União
10	CF	MATÍAS COSTA			19 anos	Nacional			Matías Costa Rubro Camaleão
11	CF	LENNY				21 anos	Tiamare Zekroni [NSI]		Lenniosvaldo Conrado Almeida Gomes
12	GK	SAMUEL				18 anos	Adessa [USICA]			Samuel Lima Gonçalves
13	LB	NICOLAS				17 anos	Universidade Real [USICA]	Nicolas Melo Cunha
14	CB	ANA DIAS			17 anos	Roseiral [USICA]		Ana Cavalcanti Dias
15	CB	DIO				18 anos	Nexxus JFC [NSI]		Diogo Souza Oliveira
16	RB	AZULÃO				17 anos	Porto Alegre State [USICA]	Douglas Silva Pereira
17	DM	BEIJA-FLOR			16 anos	Santa Vaporeona			Sofia Azevedo Santos
18	CM	MATEUS PICO			18 anos	Barbosa [USICA]			Mateus Pico Sousa Azevedo
19	CM	ZÉ PINTO			18 anos	Hospitalidade Unida		José Souza Pinto Castro
20	OM	ZÉ CORREIA			19 anos	Santa Jolteona			José Souza Correia Cardoso
21	CF	VITÓRIA				19 anos	Rosa de Ouro [USICA]		Vitória Azevedo Lima Rodrigues
22	CF	KIKE				20 anos	URT				Kaíque Costa Dias Pereira

UPPER SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Tempest WANDERLUST		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]
02	LB	Iketum FRANELLER		19 anos Ulvesari [USICA]
03	CB	Aeon SINNERDREAM		18 anos	Shylh Asari [USICA]
04	CB	Illfaellor SILENTBRANCH		18 anos	Fe Belanore [USICA]
05	RB	Victory LADYBLESS		16 anos	Isflond [USICA]
06	DM	Méline HEMISFERSQUARTER		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]
07	CM	Veil ROAMER			18 anos	Leethtalos [USICA]
08	CM	Solitaire SPELLREAPER		17 anos	Shylva Serine [USICA]
09	OM	Kyagorm DUSKBOUGH		19 anos	Elllahil [USICA]
10	CF	Raven DRAGONHEAD		18 anos	International-Ananaes [USICA]
11	CF	Arlerae DARKMIGHT		18 anos	Elven [USICA]
12	GK	Veil GRIMBATTLER		18 anos National-Upper [USICA]
13	LB	Eroaria GREENFEATHER		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]
14	CB	Thanayna STARFOREST		19 anos	Elven [USICA]
15	CB	Yllagorn TRUEWHISPER		17 anos	International-Ananaes [USICA]
16	RB	Lucille SANTARYNN		18 anos	Ellhail [USICA]
17	DM	Mytrenshar STORMSCRIBE		17 anos	Ulyl Caelora [USICA]
18	CM	Assenyae TREERAGE		18 anos	International-Ananaes [USICA]
19	CM	E'ethnaeth STILLSEEKER		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]
20	OM	Aerlaelen REDSEEKER		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]
21	CF	Heraeil PHOENIXLIGHT		18 anos	Oyme Shaeras [USICA]
22	CF	Bacraeen HEARTDOWN		17 anos National-Upper [USICA]

NORTHEASTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Afra'Malika KATTAN		16 anos	Arkrau Klub [SEM]
02	LB	Raghad GABER			17 anos	FC Kolberg [SEM]
03	CB	Waseem BISKARA			17 anos	Adjurgen [SEM]
04	CB	Nidal HADDAD			19 anos	Helfin Fief [COS]
05	RB	Areebah NAHAS			19 anos	Rayley United U-21 [SUS]
06	DM	Hussein MANSOUR			17 anos	Monksville United [EFL]
07	CM	Wafeeqa BOULOS			18 anos	Arkrau Klub [SEM]
08	CM	Mu'tamid ABDULLAH		16 anos	Arkaru Klub [SEM]
09	OM	Maysam BASHIRAH			15 anos	Sonhos Atlético [CDO]
10	CF	Bahiyaa DAGHER			17 anos	Polkation FC [EFL]
11	CF	Hidayah ASMA'NASER		18 anos	FC Kolberg [SEM]
12	GK	Dan ROSENFELD			17 anos	FC Jansberg [SEM]
13	LB	Raanan AMOS			19 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
14	CB	Elijah SITZ			17 anos	Olimpico de Fortaleza [CDO]
15	CB	Yaara CHAIKIN			18 anos	Tuntigone FC [EFL]
16	RB	Tzvia SITZ			17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
17	DM	Ziva ABRAHAMS			17 anos	Olimpico de Fortaleza [CDO]
18	CM	Agam Dalit ROSE			16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
19	CM	Mikha'el CRSTIK			17 anos	Red Star Slazhnov [POL]
20	OM	Hristin CRSTIK			16 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
21	CF	Margalita HAREL			17 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]
22	CF	Tali ROSENSSEN			18 anos	Pinnacle Project [CEN]

NEW MILKWOOD
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Jaxon SCRIVEN			18 anos	Harvesters United
02	LB	Isaiah POND			19 anos	Medley Brewers [NSI]
03	CB	Katherine NEIL			16 anos	Saintragler Rovers [NSI]
04	CB	Millicent BRISTOL		24 anos	Londonpool Shamrocks [NSI]
05	RB	Colin SCRIVEN			19 anos	Harvesters United
06	DM	Freddy DICKENSON		21 anos	Lossiemouth Rangers [NSI]
07	CM	Loid YOXALL			18 anos	New Milkwood A&M
08	CM	Patti AYTON			20 anos	Saintragler Rovers [NSI]
09	OM	Deborah McCLIFF			18 anos	New Milkwood Tech [USICA]
10	CF	ROBINA BARNETT			17 anos	New Milkwood A&M [USICA]	
11	CF	SONYA BARNETT			18 anos	New Milkwood A&M [USICA]
12	GK	Ike ISAACSON			19 anos	Harvesters United
13	LB	Dena STERLING			18 anos	New Milkwood Tech [USICA]
14	CB	Jace LEWIS			17 anos	Princesa Kennidina [WSI]
15	CB	Fleur RAINES			19 anos	New Milkwood A&M [USICA]
16	RB	Ronald McLAINE			18 anos	Murray [USICA]
17	DM	Carl CRUICKSHANK		18 anos East Mardi [USICA]
18	CM	Jazmyn TAGGART			17 anos	New Milkwood A&M [USICA]
19	CM	Rodge HOLME			20 anos	Gatt Tech [USICA]
20	OM	Layla DUNCAN			18 anos	Raven [USICA]
21	CF	Sonya AITKEN			19 anos	Invermoriston Rovers [NSI]
22	CF	Nevan EASTER			18 anos	Bless State [USICA]

GROUP 4

NORTHERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	JULY AMAZONAS			23 anos	Unión Temuco [FLX]
02	LB	Hamashi KAGAWA			26 anos	Condor Valladares [SJG]
03	CB	Marie AZANOVIC			20 anos	Minigoleada [DAI]
04	CB	Isadora PRZYBYLA		22 anos	AFC Treason [NPH]
05	RB	Joey IDLE			25 anos	Isper [DAI]
06	DM	FELIPE HOGAN			17 anos	Voley [DAI]
07	CM	Melody SARMIENTO		20 anos	St. George's Creek [APX]
08	CM	LINS				20 anos	Unión Temuco [FLX]
09	OM	Charmie STARR			21 anos	SV Granger Huez [FLX]
10	CF	XODÓ				18 anos	Korriga [DAI]
11	CF	FARQUACK			21 anos	Estrela D'Alva [DAI]
12	GK	Alphonse MESNY			17 anos	Jaunepont Hérault
13	LB	NUNO LEGAL			20 anos	Urdutown [DAI]
14	CB	Dustin AMBROSE			22 anos	Acropolis [DAI]
15	CB	Clemence SAPPINGTON		18 anos	Matthew Rangers
16	RB	Mark TWILIGHTINGALE		17 anos	Sant Jordi CF
17	DM	Lille Marie LEOX		16 anos	Lynder Froslasses
18	CM	Denisse GARRISON		17 anos	Selyne Athenians
19	CM	Thorald TOWNSVILLE		19 anos	Ayeville Pikachus
20	OM	Lukas MORASSENELL		23 anos	Granger Dragonites
21	CF	Melina PATIY			26 anos	Tommy-Atkins [DAI]
22	CF	NEGOLOSSAURO REX		22 anos	Zill [DAI]

THE EDENIAS 
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	OEPYLE				19 anos	Acid State [USICA]
02	LB	Arlin LE DOUX			18 anos	Carlton [USICA]
03	CB	RED				22 anos	Sport Wios [DAI]
04	CB	OKRE				17 anos	Edenian Tech [USICA]
05	RB	MATHEW				20 anos	White Lotus [USICA]
06	DM	MITRIK				19 anos	Klaustrophoby [USICA]
07	CM	JINX				18 anos	White Lotus [USICA]
08	CM	SALEENA				21 anos	Tommy-Atkins [DAI]
09	OM	YU LIE				17 anos	Drossel [USICA]
10	CF	June GARDOT			21 anos	Kingsgrove [NPH]
11	CF	DRAVEN				19 anos	Colonial [USICA]
12	GK	LIU JOIE			18 anos	Carlton [USICA]
13	LB	FERNE				20 anos	Acid State [USICA]
14	CB	TIPPECYRA			21 anos	Edenian Tech [USICA]
15	CB	WHIT				20 anos	Acid State [USICA]
16	RB	PSERPAMEIA			18 anos	Living Forest [USICA]
17	DM	HAI LEN				17 anos	Kitana [USICA]
18	CM	TSU ZEI				18 anos	Mileena [USICA]
19	CM	KAI SHU				18 anos	White Lotus [USICA]
20	OM	Kindle VOSSEN			17 anos	Klaustrophoby [USICA]
21	CF	LI NII				19 anos	White Lotus [USICA]
22	CF	Sam AIMES			17 anos	Colonial [USICA]

SOUTHEASTERN SUNRISE ISLANDS
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Marcel TYING			17 anos	Fligsive FC [TCU]
02	LB	Celéstine GLAISYER		16 anos	Vertault [USICA]
03	CB	Loic ARCHAMBAULT		17 anos	Valverde [DAI]
04	CB	Aubert LAVIGNE			17 anos	Čekai [USICA]
05	RB	Loïc TREMBLE			17 anos	Vertault [USICA]
06	DM	Valdis JACQUES 			19 anos	Vilkmedžiai [USICA]
07	CM	Adèle DE LA FONTAINE		18 anos	International-Vertault [USICA]
08	CM	Soraya BORDE			19 anos	International-Vertault [USICA]
09	OM	Capucine LeCLAIR		18 anos	National-Southeastern [USICA]
10	CF	Santiago NUNIS			16 anos	Crystal Mertagne [TCU]
11	CF	Raoul SABATA			18 anos	Magnaeus City [TCU]
12	GK	Baudouin PERREAULT		17 anos	Barzun [USICA]
13	LB	Armand BISETTE			18 anos	Čekai [USICA]
14	CB	Hermanus ROCHER			18 anos	Vertault [USICA]
15	CB	Valērijs FIRMIN			16 anos	Rasteau [USICA]
16	RB	Casimir KAMIR			16 anos	International-Vertault [USICA]
17	DM	Nadège TREMBLAY			18 anos	International-Vertault [USICA]
18	CM	Tatjana OZOLIŅŠ			17 anos	Žadvainai [USICA]
19	CM	Monta ŅŠERASTOV			16 anos	Piediquarcio [USICA]
20	OM	Frañzel SMAEL			17 anos	Vertault [USICA]
21	CF	Yezekael HARMAN			17 anos	Žadvainai [USICA]
22	CF	Kaspars BUDOKIZCE		18 anos	Piediquarcio [USICA]

SANT JORDI
Num.	Pos.	Name				Age	Team
01	GK	Biel SARAMAYOR			17 anos	La Indisión [USICA]
02	LB	Joaquima TOSET			18 anos	Opend [USICA]
03	CB	Assumpció SALA			17 anos	Baskigre [USICA]
04	CB	Xavier AGRAMUNT			19 anos	Grán Catalá [USICA]
05	RB	GERARD NOGUERRA			18 anos	Sant Ferrer [USICA]
06	DM	Àngel VILARÓ			17 anos	Vilanova [USICA]
07	CM	MANEL NOGUERRA			18 anos	Sant Joan [USICA]
08	CM	MARIA MATEU			19 anos	Colonial a Sant Jordi [USICA]
09	OM	Esteve MATA			17 anos	Penedès [USICA]
10	CF	Martina VIVAS			18 anos	Colonial a Sant Jordi [USICA]
11	CF	Sergi ABELLÓ			18 anos	Mostenes [USICA]
12	GK	ALEXI Soler			19 anos	Vilafranca [USICA]
13	LB	REMEI Roig			18 anos	Despí [USICA]
14	CB	Mercè TOSEPOROLLA		18 anos	Sant Ferrer [USICA]
15	CB	MARTINA Alberte			17 anos	Colonial a Sant Jordi [USICA]
16	RB	ROC OLIVER			18 anos	Mostenes [USICA]
17	DM	Marcel AVERTSE			18 anos	La Indisión [USICA]
18	CM	SARA Capello			18 anos	Penedès [USICA]
19	CM	Joan Mari TOSELL		17 anos	Baskigre [USICA]
20	OM	Pau CARDONA			17 anos	Despí [USICA]
21	CF	Òscar MOLES			18 anos	Darlot [USICA]
22	CF	Adria ROMÀ			16 anos	Opend [USICA]

FIRST ROUND

  GROUP 1                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Eastern Sunrise           6   4  2  0    9   5  +4   14    —   2–1  2–2  1–0
2 Central Sunrise           6   2  2  2    8   8   0    8   0–1   —   2–2  2–1
3 Son Vasco                 6   0  4  2    8  10  −2    4   1–2  0–1   —   2–2
4 Southwestern Sunrise      6   0  4  2    7   9  −2    4   1–1  2–2  1–1   —

  GROUP 2                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Southern Sunrise          6   5  0  1   12   7  +5   15    —   1–2  3–1  2–1
2 Northwestern Sunrise      6   2  2  2    6   6   0    8   0–1   —   1–1  1–0
3 Lower Sunrise             6   1  3  2    8   9  −1    6   2–3  2–2   —   2–0
4 Basil Pike                6   1  1  4    3   7  −4    4   1–2  1–0  0–0   —

  GROUP 3                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Upper Sunrise             6   4  0  2    6   3  +3   12    —   2–1  1–0  0–1
2 Northeastern Sunrise      6   3  0  3    7   6  +1    9   0–1   —   0–1  2–0
3 Western Sunrise           6   2  1  3    3   4  −1    7   1–0  0–1   —   0–1
4 New Milkwood              6   2  1  3    5   8  −3    7   0–2  2–3  1–1   —

  GROUP 4                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Northern Sunrise          6   4  1  1    7   2  +5   13    —   1–2  0–0  2–0
2 The Edenias               6   3  1  2    8   8   0   10   0–1   —   1–1  1–3
3 Southeastern Sunrise      6   1  3  2    4   6  −2    6   0–2  1–2   —   1–1
4 Sant Jordi                6   1  1  4    5   8  −3    4   0–1  1–2  0–1   —

SECOND ROUND

  GROUP A                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 The Edenias               6   3  2  1    6   4  +2   11    —   0–1  2–2  1–0
2 Upper Sunrise             6   3  1  2    7   7   0   10   0–1   —   2–4  2–1
3 Eastern Sunrise           6   1  5  0    9   7  +2    8   0–0  0–0   —   2–2
4 Northwestern Sunrise      6   0  2  4    6  10  −4    2   1–2  1–2  1–1   —

  GROUP B                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Southern Sunrise          6   4  2  0    9   4  +5   14    —   1–0  1–1  3–2
2 Central Sunrise           6   2  2  2    4   4   0    8   0–1   —   1–1  2–1
3 Northern Sunrise          6   1  3  2    7   7   0    6   1–1  0–1   —   1–2
4 Northeastern Sunrise      6   1  1  4    6  11  −5    4   0–2  0–0  1–3   —

  GROUP C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts                      
1 Western Sunrise           6   3  1  2    8   7  +1   10    —   1–0  1–1  0–1
2 Son Vasco                 6   3  0  3   11   6  +5    9   2–1   —   3–0  0–1
3 Southeastern Sunrise      6   2  2  2    9  11  −2    8   2–3  3–2   —   1–0
4 Lower Sunrise             6   2  1  3    5   9  −4    7   1–2  0–4  2–2   —

THIRD ROUND

QUARTER-FINALS
Western Sunrise 1–1 Upper Sunrise (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Son Vasco 2–3 The Edenias
Eastern Sunrise 0–2 Southern Sunrise
Northern Sunrise 2–2 Central Sunrise (2–3 AET)

SEMI-FINALS
Western Sunrise 0–0 The Edenias (0–1 AET)
Southern Sunrise 2–1 Central Sunrise

FINAL
The Edenias 0–4 Southern Sunrise

Congratulations to Southern Sunrise, the first champion of the Sunrise Cup. Now back to your regular programming.

[Nephara]

"They want to tell you you're a bunch of chokers."
Sasha Christener watched, patient, as Riether put as much fight as she could into her squad.
"Want to make it this thing that Nephara can't perform consistently. That we only come alive for the big tournaments. That we're a sleeping giant that hasn't yet lived up to our potential. Underachievers undermining Esportivan strength. Fuck everyone who claims that, I say." The manager tapped on the whiteboard with the back of her nails. "This is an eleven that could rip a bloody terror into any other team out there. They got the better of us last time - me, as well. We're breaking out the diamond this time, but not with any of that possession retention shit. Man-for-man, you're better than them. And I know you'll all make that count. You know how this fucking formation works, yeah? And if it doesn't work out, we'll adapt. And we'll win this thing. Anyone else got anything to say?"
Christener looked around. Nobody looked willing to put a hand up, so...
She cleared her throat. "Win this and we're in the clear. It's like a Cup Final for us, in front of our own fans. Let's not let 'em down."
She leaned back on her bench again.
"Yeah, that," said Ballard hesitantly. Christener knew she'd been agitated recently, for the recent lack of clean sheets. She was eager to get back to tight-at-the-back, winning ways. "Let's just do this."
Riether nodded. "Alright. It's a capacity crowd out there. Get out there and give 'em a show."

Not long ago, Michael Brandon never had to be kept waiting for a start.
He smiled wryly as he stepped out of the tunnel. Absence made the heart grow fonder - he'd missed the place. He'd been to big stadiums in Eura, but this place was a little different. Like nostalgia frozen in amber, cheap tickets and cheaper beer and no fucking executive boxes. There were ads on the billboards, but not on the stadium itself, and certainly not the shirts.
And the anthem - God, the anthem...
Ah, christ. No time for nostalgia. "Stay professional," he muttered to himself through gritted teeth. He was here to do a job, that was all.
But he could feel his ability to run getting away from him. He knew there wouldn't be too many more chances for him.
He had to get the ones he had right.

It was a midfield battle.
Kurtis Quinn hung around the penalty area anxiously. Chances had been few and far between, and the one clear shot he'd had he'd, well, snatched at. Nothing was worse than watching an underhit shot roll tamely a foot wide of the goal. He could hear the fans groaning.
So while he hoped that the Nepharim diamond would triumph over what a local newspaper had unironically called 'the Khan & Khan Khonnection', his own agency had been limited to- wait.
That had been Ashdown, playing a forward ball that Locke had just managed to hit across to the charging Stockinger. Dela Vega, who had been rushing ahead, suddenly had to turn and try to cover - but Quinn already saw her targetting the forward ball. He got across, ran onto it...
Fuck, fuck, fuck, the angle was drawing him wide out left, and Balido wasn't about to be beaten at his near post. And yet...
With a neat little jink, he got past Docdoc and slid the ball back to Stockinger, who he'd spotted cutting back inside.
The whippetty little leftback didn't have time to think about. It was all instinct - slow down, shape for the shot, and...
Quinn couldn't've done better himself. She'd blasted it high into the top corner, Balido without a hope in hell.
Things were looking up.

It had been a dour first half. It was to be a hell of a second.
Not that Diandra Ballard knew. The Barangay had broken free a couple times - Corsiga in particular looking dangerous - but she'd been equal to the task. For the most part, though, it had been a quiet match.
She wanted that fucking clean sheet, damn it.
She glanced up at the clock. 51st minute, 1-0, Stockinger 37'. Don't concede, and Nephara wins. Keep it simple. Helped to keep it simple.
Erick Khan came bursting down the centre.
Damn.
He'd slipped Brandon for the first time all match, and now here he was threatening a goal... lovely little one-two with Marabella, through on goal...
Shape for the shot, you little shit. I'll have you as long as you... don't... fucking pass to your mate...
She tried to get across as quickly as she could, but it was no use. Corsiga already had it hit low past her.
She grunted, picked herself up, dusted herself off and walked over to the ball. Nothing to do but try and scrape another goal.

But the signs had been set for an open, flowing second half. A looping header from Marabella set the Barangay ahead soon afterwards, sending the block of away fans into rapturous cheering. After all, with a win here they'd be first in the group. The home fans were starting to show discontent, some stands passive-aggressively lighting flares.
But in another great sweeping run, the Cormorants had stretched the Barangay to breaking point. On the end of it all was Kurtis Quinn, with a low curling strike past Balido to equalise. They pressed for a winner. Balido rose to the challenge.
They needed a breakthrough.
They needed a hero.
Rook Cathar didn't feel like a hero. Hell, he knew he wasn't one. But he remembered when he had been, rather than a perceived gun for hire.
And at 31... well, there wasn't much time left. But he was here nonetheless, with the number 21 on his back, lurking in the box.
It was Ashdown's corner, and... and Balido rose above everyone to punch it away.
It wasn't the most convincing, though, and Locke hacked it back across the face of goal.
Cathar hurled himself forward, into the mass of bodies. And somehow, he got his chest to it, just about smashing it over the line.
It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't clean. It wasn't even clearly his goal. But as he raced to the corner flag and kicked it out of the ground, he knew from the cheers of the crowd he'd come another step closer to redemption.
And when he caught Riether's eye, she just gave her a curt nod, smiling. A small gesture, maybe. But then and there, it meant the world to him.
I'm back, motherfuckers.

[Filopines]

Announcement from the Filopines Football Federation

A press conference has been announced by the Filopines Football Federation, and will be held tomorrow morning at 11:30am.

---

Live commentary on FFF Press Conference, brought to you live by Sportif-Filo TV

11:25//People wearing really nice suits enter the conference room
11:26//Journalists from all over the nation begin to congregate
11:28//The national Filopines squad enter the room and take their seats, must be something important
11:29//Manager Sierra Haleze, captain Stephen Cayley, and vice-captain Jason Dayley take their seats at the table in the front of the room
---This live feed is sponsored by Alma-knack, gamble responsibly---
11:30//The press conference commences
11:30//Taking care of formalities
11:31//Jason Dayley leans forward into the microphone
11:31//Filopines national vice-captain announces his retirement effective at the end of the World Cup
11:32//Dayley thanking everybody who helped him in his career
11:33//Press conference over, well that was quick

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

23rd March, 2197 :: Parliamentary Building, Neorudo

To say the the atmosphere around the Parlimentary building in Neorudo was chaos would have been an understatement. As Wayne Spillot walked up the stone steps to the offices that held the Calanian Government, he tried his hardest to duck out of the way of a barrage of journalists and would-be attackers that were hell-bent on asking him questions. Every step he took, another bombardment. It was only 11 in the morning, but it seemed like he'd been at work for the past decade. His tired eyes, his face full of flu, and the white-starred green scarf that blew in the cold March breeze reached the top of the steps, turned around, and faced the crowd.
"I'm here to resolve this crisis as soon as possible. No further comment." Spillot said, before letting out a cough and walking inside the Parliamentary Building. The door slammed shut, and the media buzz was silenced. At last.
He rode the lift up to the sixth floor, and was pulled aside by an aid and directed to the meeting room that had been hastily set up for such an emergency. Upon entering, everybody in the room stood.
"I don't have time for pleasantries. Please, sit, and tell me - what the hell is going on?"
The Minister of Defence explained the situation, while Spillot took his coat and scarf off and pushed them under his chair. Furious scribbling could be heard from every member in the room, and a cup of coffee wound it's way to the President's desk before he had a chance to sit down and take out a small, black notebook.
The conversation continued, and between sneezes, Spillot noted down the main points.
"... And they're taking credit for the misfire two years ago? Well, that saves us owning up to it..."
Before long, the President was asked what the nation was to do next. He sighed, and thought before he spoke.
"Okay, so we've got an evac plan sorted and in progress. And the Eurans are prepeared to act alongside us on the final day in order to try and stop this. I believe we should work with them, and try and put a stop to this attack. I'm sick and tired of Corvidae inciting terror on every aspect of our daily lives. I can't stand living in fear of what those sods on the Rock are going to do next. I'm pretty sure they're behind every issue we've had in the past few years - even this cold..."
Spillot sneezed, and continued.
"So yes - get our best, divert all armed operations around the Expansion Zone down to the Former Syndicate. I went everyone on a bus to Magnaeus - or better yet, a plane to Mertagne - within the next few days. When 24 hours remain, we will work with the Eurans to storm the site the bomb is held in, and we will disarm it."
He coughed again, and this time tugged a shirt collar before continuing once more.
"However. We will not be bringing refugees back into Fligsive after this operation is over. They will be moved to the mainland, in an effort to speed up the expansion process. I like Fligsive, I really do, but I believe this is the final nail in the coffin that means we have to pull out.
A fist could be heard slamming the table from a far corner of the room. Frank Haversham, Chief Councillor of Fligsive, stood up, and scowled at Spillot. He then burst out of the room, shouting at staff that were orbiting the office.
"... I take it we're all in agreement, then?"

[Apox]

Where are they now?

Jonty Smith
Position: Centre Midfielder
Current Age: 50
National Team Caps: 22
National Team Goals: 1

Jonty Smith was one of those players who was probably lucky to be around when Apox were starting out internationally. He was a decent player, but only for the level of team Apox was back then. Had he not retired, he would have probably been phased out around World Cup 63, but, alas, his career was cut short due to niggling injury troubles, and he retired both internationally and domestically following on from World Cup 61, aged just 28.

He's since faded almost completely from the spotlight, moving back up to his original home town of Mona, where he has forged a successful career in politics, being a key member of the county court (the name of the local council's in Apox are "county courts", confusingly) and generally staying out of the limelight, even if he has attempted to see as many Mona A.F.C football games as possible since his move back to the area.

---

It was 2-0 up against Sakhalin and Tolgus Tregajorran was feeling a little grumpy. He was still sat on 50 international goals, the same as Dravid Scott, and was still waiting to break that record. He'd already pulled the manager over at half time and stated, emphatically, that he wanted to play the full 90 today, which, Gavin in typical good grace, had allowed. Now he had to actually go and and score one.

He was lurking around the half way line, when Zana Ibrox started making one of her mazy runs through the middle, ball at her feet, Kaj Aurora and Ivo Trevowah on the wings advancing as well. Tregajorran was off with a diagonal run, pulling the defenders out of place as they struggled to maintain shape. I say struggled... they failed, and Ibrox was through the gap in a flash, Tregajorran to her right keeping an eye on the situation, headed for the box. Ibrox was through 1 on 1 with the keeper - but she noticed Tregajorran in space - and with a better angle - out to her right. A quick pass and Tregajorran was into auto-pilot, powering the ball into the top right corner of the net, past the keepers flailing arms, like he'd done so many times before.

He sunk to his knees, exhausted. He'd tried not to let it show, but reaching, and not surpassing that 50 goal mark set by one of the all time Apoxian greats, it had obviously meant a lot to him. And it had taken a long old time to reach, but finally, finally, he had his number, and with a couple of years playing time left in him too. He grinned to his teammates who were now surrounding him on the floor and let it all sink in.

Team Sheet vs Sakhalin (scorers in bold)
GK: Ettie Seabrooke
RD: Jack Lerryn
CD: Solomon Etezadi (c)
CD: Julian Iremonger
LD: James Fowey
RM: Ivo Trevowah
CM: Armando Quillisi sub Ulrika Kinlasson 70'
CM: Zana Ibrox
LM: Kaj Aurora
ST: Tolgus Tregajorran
ST: Corinna McKenna sub Osric Keast 66'

[Electrum]

Dream Games - Q1 Financial Year 2015 Results - Press Release

Dream Games Website

It has been an excellent Q1 for Dream Games, as its first quarter of expansion throughout the multiverse. Originally a gaming company situated in Gloriax, and later, Electrum, Q1 2015 saw aggressive expansion for Dream Games throughout the multiverse, opening more than a thousand stores across 15 different nations across the multiverse. In this new and innovative quarter, this expansion in Dream Games stores across the multiverse were nicely complemented with the development of eight new games developed by Dream Games, including Multiverse Pro Soccer 1, featuring leagues across the multiverse, as well as a new entertainment system for aircraft, with four airlines taking up the Dream Thunder (AirElectrum, Air Korena, Swanstad Airlines, FAST7 Airlines).

Chief Executive Officer Alex Kline said that, "This quarter was a very successful one for our company -- we identified a market shortage of gaming and entertainment in the industry across the multiverse, and have really been the first to get on board and start aggressive expansion outside our borders and into overseas gaming markets." The company has risen to new levels, with CEO Alex Kline stating that, "We are one of the few companies throughout the multiverse to achieve a five-star GE+T accreditation, and is a testament to the success we've had in the past few months."

Other innovations brought out to the multiverse by Dream Games include an exclusive website for a listing of games (hosted on what some internet enthusiasts call a 'wiki', or a database of information), almost unheard of in the multiverse, as well as the sponsorship of The Triple Crown of NS LLC, held in Equestria and Griffon, the renaming of Swordean Stadiums Association's Orbett Stadium to the Dream Games Stadium for two cycles, as well as sleeve sponsorship for their national team. These new partnerships will be key in maintaining a presence throughout all of our nations, and it is hoped that this increased exposure due to sponsorship will generate more sales for our company.

"Dream Game's financial position is very strong, at the back of increased revenue from new games, by emphasizing player engagement and focus on developing the highest quality games possible. Of course, we couldn't do it without those independent developers who also keep our portfolio of games high, keeping demand for our products high," according to Chief Financial Officer, Steven McCoy. "Looking to the future, we project to see a consolidation in our revenue streams, with continued expansion to new nations, as well as the development of new games. We expect to see the development of a new gaming computer in Q2, in association with Trelatche Computing Development™ Corporation. We have signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of this computer, and expect to see general production and shipping within the next few months. All in all, it looks like we're going up."

Other plans going into the future include bidding for the UICA sponsorship in a few seasons time, securing the expansion of new leagues (and a new sequel) to Multiverse Pro Soccer 2, and continued developments into the airline industry.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

OOC: Saintland gave permission for this on IRC, with the understanding that our efforts would be shut down quickly.

Gregoryisgodistan Hacker Headquarters

In response to the woman impersonating Sister Maria Polus, who most of the world believed to be the real Maria Polus, making ridiculous claims that Lord Almighty Gregory was a homosexual, the One True Lord issued orders as to what needed to be done. Acedonian radio stations, like most radio stations around the world, no longer used CDs or records and were completely digital. As a result, it was possible for Gregoryisgodistani hackers to hack into the radio station's music and play what they wanted.

This is exactly what they would do. They would hack all Acedonian radio stations to play a song of Lord Almighty Gregory's own invention called "Maria Polus is Completely Heterosexual" with the lyrics implying anything but. They described her sexual escapades with fellow nuns at St. Hermione's Convent and abroad at international nun conventions. The chorus of the song was "Maria Polus is Completely Heterosexual/Maria Polus is Completely Heterosexual/Maria Polus is Completely Heterosexual/Glory How She Knew Ya." The rest of the lyrics claimed "knew" was intended in a Biblical sense to apply to her relations with other nuns. If time permitted after the song played a few times before they got shut down, the hackers would play the sequel, "Reino Kulseth is Completely Heterosexual" which alleged the Consul of the Holy Republican Empire had an affair with one of his male interns. The lyrics alleged that Kulseth found out the intern was himself a homosexual and threatened to fire him and out him if he didn't have sex. The intern then reluctantly agreed, and Kulseth and the intern knew each other in a Biblical sense on the floor of his office. But that was only if time permitted. The real focus was on criticizing Maria Polus.

The plan was to start the hack right as evening rush hour was occurring, around 5:15 in the evening, when many people would be in their cars listening to radios on their way home from long days at work. All systems were go at that time, and everyone in Acedonia who was listening to the radio, and those near the border who were listening to Acedonian radio stations from across the border, were treated to a rousing round of "Maria Polus is Completely Heterosexual" accompanied by a cheery guitar.

Lord Almighty Gregory was pleased. It was only a matter of time before the Acedonian authorities, or the radio DJs (although "disk jockey" was a misnomer by now, few knew what it stood for), would realize what was going on and put a stop to it. Fortunately, the hackers had disabled the ability to change the song, but they could simply take the radio station off air entirely through the controls at the station. Perhaps there was even some master switch somewhere in the Acedonian government offices to guard against a situation like this. Lord Almighty Gregory didn't know. But for now, the citizens of Acedonia who had the radio on were listening to a cheerful song proclaiming that Maria Polus was completely heterosexual in spite of lyrics to the contrary. Perhaps after they played it a few times there would even be time for the Reino Kulseth song before they were shut down. Perhaps the nuns of St. Hermione's were even listening to the radio at this very moment, though Lord Almighty Gregory deemed it unlikely due to the Church of Saintland's anti-music stance. They had hacked the news stations as well, so it was certainly possible they were trying to get the latest news on what was going on elsewhere in the heathen territories, but Lord Almighty Gregory somehow doubted the nuns would do something that normal and laypersonish. Was that even a word? Well, Lord Almighty Gregory didn't know, but he issued an official proclamation that it was because he didn't want to risk being dragged off to a Vocabulary Reeducation Camp. That's what you can do when you're God. Make up words and declare they are real words so you don't get sent off to punishment.

Lord Almighty Gregory was pleased. His plan was working. The question was how long it would take to be stopped.

[Brenecia]

Cheney Scherzer knew he was on his last chance.
But it was okay. Train well, and he'd get into the team. He had faith in that. That's what this system was about.
And he knew he was good enough. God, he'd scored better than one in two for club. He still had it. He was in his prime.
...
He'd scored one in six.
Nope! Don't think about it. Wasn't worth thinking about. It was eleven-a-side, two-touch... just focus on the net. Focus on the net. Focus on the ball. As Swain slides it across, bit of a rough bounce but-
"FUCK!"
He skidded along the turf, and sliced the ball against the post. Less than perfect. "Jesus, Cheney..." muttered Knight in goal, taking his hand and helping him up.
"I'll be alright for the game," he said grimly. Trying to convince himself, really. "I'll be fine. Just trust me, okay?"
Knight snorted. "Yeah, I trust you. But that was a bad fucking miss."
"I'll be fine."

He wasn't fine.
A full stadium chanting for the Patriots. He'd made it into the squad, still - after all, it wasn't like he hadn't been trying. But... christ. It was crunch time here against the Empire.
"Relax," came a soothing Marquewoman voice from behind him. Cathy Purrington, his sole teammate for club and country. He turned to face her.
"I'm totally relaxed. I'm all about the relaxation thing."
"Sure," said Purrington with the patronising tone of someone seeing straight through an unconvincing lie. "Sure you are. Seriously though, you're tense as fuck. You need to... stop it."
"That's easy enough to say."
"The goals are gonna come. Now turn around - we're starting to walk out, I don't want t' step on you."
"Right..."
Scherzer turned, and walked into the floodlit night.
But he felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Scherzer felt like he was standing on top of the world.
A hattrick. A perfect hattrick! Plus a won penalty! (But seriously, when the fuck did he ever score headers?)
That header had been the first step, really. Christ, if he could score a header, he could do anything. Just rose up at the near post and flicked on Cullen's cross, hah! The look on Imre's face as he realised he was totally beaten...
And the rest of the time he'd been on fire. Sure, the Empire could knock a few goals in, but there was a raging wildfire on their end of the pitch!
Then there'd been one with the left, a fully sick half-volley... phwoar. That had put them 2-0 up. Then in the second half - where things were looking dicey at 4-3 - he just stabbed home from fifteen yards, low, hard and into the corner past Imre...
Oh, he had it. He had the touch, alright. And when the final whistle blew at 6-3 - Purrington contributing the last goal from a direct free kick - he strode confidently into the centre circle and took the match ball under one arm, taking off his shirt and slinging it over his shoulder.
Something pointy nudged him in the side. "Hey, I did say all you needed was to relax. Maybe you should give me credit, eh? And the ball?"
"Psh! I was already relaxed. I was doin' fine!"
Purrington smirked. "Sure you were, mate. Sure you were. Anyway... bet it felt good to answer a few critics."
Scherzer sighed, relieved to be able to drop the facade a little. "Yeah, I... I guess that had been getting to me. Just a bit."
"Well, look up at the scoreboard. Other matches are all up there, too." Purrington grinned, altogether too satisfied. "Devonta didn't win. We're top, Cheney. Nobody believed in us, but we're gonna fucking do it again." She took him by the shoulders. "It's all in our hands. We just have to not fuck up. You think we can do it?"
Scherzer span the match ball on a finger. "Hell, I know it."

[Blouman Empire]

THE EMPIRE TIMES

Eagles Struggle But Record A 1-0 Win

The Eagles continued their strong run last night but were far from their best in their encounter against Aynard just managing to earn a 1-0 win. The victory ensured Logan October’s team remained top of their group with 21 points from 18 games only two clear of Baruina who easily defeated Khalifa Arabia 3-0 yesterday.

The Aynard keeper was beaten in the 33rd minute after a free kick when Kane Ancap’s free kick hit the post and Percy Baser reacted quickly to get his foot on it and get the ball in the back of the net, his first for the qualifiers. The Aynard keeper managed to save a number of shots in the second half to ensure his team lost by a respectable margin.

Blaine Cooperson was closest to scoring a second with nine minutes remaining and Ancap sent a curling free kick just wide of the post. On the counter the home side almost snatched an equaliser during stoppage time but Milton Tuneson made a brilliant save to ensure that his side would hold on to the win.

During the post-match press conference October spoke of his disappointment in the team “We looked sluggish and sloppy out there, if we play like that against stronger opponents we will struggle to even earn a draw”. The Eagles’ next World Cup qualifying game will be against a stronger side as they return home to face Baruina in a game that could decide the group winner. The Eagles lost 2-0 last time and will be seeking to exact revenge and cement their place at the top of the group. Baruina, like the Eagles have also only lost one game this campaign will be hoping to repeat their efforts against the Empire and move into the top spot.

[Jeru FC]

The Jeru FC coach and Laura Cashman of Naked News Jeruselem

Coach: Say, who this Sister Maria Polus?
Laura: Some nun from Saintland
Coach: I was just wondering
Laura: Why, it's got nothing to with our game today. Although the greg team were a bit upset by some topless girls round here.
Coach: You don't hear from nuns in general in Jeruselem
Laura: This Sister Polus is a bit different, she's famous in Saintland. No one gives a thought about her here though.

Coach: I guess Jeruselem isn't her sort of place, given what the women are like
Laura: Oh yes, I'm not wearing anything hey
Coach: What's this got to with that greg
Laura: She implied he was ... homosexual
Coach: Don't think he'd like that much
Laura: Yes, I hope it doesn't cause too much trouble

Coach: I hear she's caused a few people to get upset
Laura: She doesn't hold back her opinion about things
Coach: All the nuns I've met aren't very vocal
Laura: She's no fan of the King of Saintland
Coach: That's why I keep out of this religious stuff
Laura: Me too, it's all to messy and well ... causes conflict

Coach: Our country has had it's fair share of religous problems
Laura: We've got enough nutters running around here without getting involved in the religious problems of other countries
Coach: I'll just stick to my football
Laura: I mean this place has been invaded so many times, no wonder it's all screwed up
Coach: Yes, we do have a colourful history. Being a military man, I'm well aware it's stained with blood.
Laura: At least these days, we don't go starting wars.

Coach: My daughter is looking for work in the media, maybe you can help
Laura: Don't ask me, I'm low down in the media industry.
Coach: Maybe you can get a few contacts
Laura: why don't you ask them Princesses?
Coach: I guess they'd know a few people
Laura: I only got this job because I know Princess Laura, I went to same school.

Coach: I'd prefer she wear clothes for work.
Laura: Well, we got some trainee positions opening soon.
Coach: I guess it's up to her. what's the pay like?
Laura: Far more than a military desk job
Coach: Her mum would prefer she's not in a military job. She's sick of military dickheads.
Laura: Like this football team

Coach: I'm afraid so

[Abanhfleft]

Treat this as Abanhfleft deciding to keep quiet about the media war with Chiata and the Chiaters.

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE

EIGHT DAYS, EIGHT GAMES: WHERE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM CURRENTLY STANDS
By Adelmio Bandini

(Author's note: Apologies for making this group stage review after the first post-break game has already been played. A few issues popped up that forced my temporary absence. Rest assured that all games that Abanhfleft has played will be included in this review.)

It's that time of the year again. Yes, I'm talking about the World Cup qualifiers. This is Abanhfleft's second cycle trying to slog through a particularly difficult group. Last cycle, we got lucky by getting drawn into a group that had a bunch of no-show countries that eventually collapsed into obscure anarchy, and some good football nations that somehow suffered from slumps in form that cycle. Now we've got a group in which the teams are playing in very good form, and our own team is the one suffering from poor form. Now it's the group stage break, and therefore that means it's time for the mid-group stage match reviews.

GAME ONE

                         TURORI 5 - 0 ABANHFLEFT
INAMARI ALTARIIZ (8', 17', 71')
           INLITE MAKAKIO (30')
         ETAMARA KULKKIIA (50')

Possession
Turori: 70%
Abanhfleft: 30%
Bookings
Turori: None
Abanhfleft: None
Injuries
Turori: None
Abanhfleft: None

Ah, yes, the Revolutionaries' worst defeat to date. A combination of poor playing, defensive mistakes and just plain giving up combined to give us our largest ever defeat at the hands of the Cup of Harmony holders, Turori. Inamari Altariiz (did I spell that right?) got one of the first ever hat tricks in this qualifying cycle, and his compatriots added two more goals for their country to fully complete their demolition of our team.

This time we didn't even bother with getting at least one goal back. Once Turori had scored three within 30 minutes of the first half, our players just didn't care. It's like after letting those three goals past, they were challenging Turori to let more past them, which they then did anyway. We would have probably fouled some players, but our team's heart wasn't even in that. Too bad. Maybe our fans would've thought that still had some fight in them. Instead they were treated to a display of French military prowess (meaning they surrendered after the first thirty minutes).

Man of the match has to be that Altariiz guy. He was on pristine form that day, getting three goals past Max Varamoninov and never letting up the pressure on our defense. He was absolutely on fire that day, and I suspect that he will be doing more of the same for Turori's games throughout this qualifying cycle.

GAME TWO

ISULA GE RU 0 - 0 ABANHFLEFT

Possession
Abanhfleft: 51%
Isula ge Ru: 49%
Bookings
Abanhfleft: None
Isula ge Ru: None
Injuries
Abanhfleft: None
Isula ge Ru: None

What can I say about this match? Everyone was expecting an exciting match between two rivals. Instead we got a ho-hum, nil-nil affair that in the end still had Isula ge Ru above us on goal difference. At least the team didn't give up this time. Also, the only exciting moment of this game was when Kevin Kelvin managed to get a goal in beyond the Isulan keeper, but was then ruled offside. I mean, even though the instant replays showed that the decision could have gone either way, a lot of people still thought that that was a bit of a letdown.

Kevin Kelvin is man of the match for that day, simply for the fact that he managed to get past the supremely in-form Isulan keeper, and were it not for being offside, we might actually have had a win over our Isulan rivals at our own home turf.

GAME THREE

           KAZAMATSURI 4 - 2 ABANHFLEFT
  SUZUNO SHOKUHO (19')       GUSTAVO POTTER (56')
YUKI HIGASHIKUNI (30')       ABDULLAH MUSA (61')
    KAORI TOYOTA (42')
SACHIKO SAKURADA (79')

Possession
Kazamatsuri: 55%
Abanhfleft: 45%
Bookings
Kazamatsuri: None
Abanhfleft: None
Injuries
Kazamatsuri: None
Abanhfleft: Randy Floyd (68')

Yet another loss so early on in the World Cup campaign. Even though it was just game three of the qualifiers, people were already beginning to lose all hope of getting a World Cup spot this time around, and are now crossing their fingers for at least another Cup of Harmony invitation. And we all know how well that went. Kazamatsuri, a nation-state affiliated with the Empire of Mizuyuki and therefore treating Abanhfleft like rivals the way we treat Isula ge Ru like rivals, got an expected win, but at least this time Abanhfleft didn't have to go home empty-handed, with Gustavo Potter and Abdullah Musa getting two goals past the Kazamatsurian (is that what they call themselves) keeper.

But, let's be honest. Both those goals were all against the run of play. Kazamatsuri dominated every aspect of the game, even though the important stats don't show it. But if you look at some of the more arcane stuff like pass completion and some of those things, Kazamatsuri actually completed more passes than we did. And I think that's at least one factor on why they absolutely dominated the game despite the stats.

Abdullah Musa is the man of the match. It was Musa who nicked the ball from that Kazamatsuri player and passed it to Luke Edwards, who then hoofed it all the way over to Gustavo Potter who got Abanhfleft's first ever goal this qualifying cycle. And then of course there was his goal, which he made despite knowing that he could be very much offside.

GAME FOUR

          ABANHFLEFT 3 - 2 PANAMERHISPANIA
  KEVIN KELVIN (22')       GUY WEARING NUMBER 12 (73')
GUSTAVO POTTER (32')       FREE KICK TAKER (78')
  LUKE EDWARDS (44')

Possession
Abanhfleft: 53%
Panamerhispania: 47%
Bookings
Abanhfleft: None
Panamerhispania: None
Injuries
Abanhfleft: None
Panamerhispania: None (?)

Finally, Abanhfleft got a win! But it could very much have been an easy win with at least four to five goals. Instead, we're forced with having three goals in the first half, only to have this advantage nearly negated in the second half by two lucky Panamerhispanian goals. Really, though, we got complacent and gave up two goals that shouldn't have been given in the first place.

Ah, what the heck. Kevin Kelvin had a good debut for the national team, but he's still far from being the next great Fleftic hope. Man of the match honors goes to Luke Edwards, who looked like the second manager that a captain is supposed to be.

GAME FIVE

             CHIATA 1 - 0 ABANHFLEFT
BRIAN STEWART (60')

Possession
Chiata: 52%
Abanhfleft: 48%
Bookings
Chiata: None
Abanhfleft: Nestor Mikkelsen (cautioned, 43')
Injuries
Chiata: None
Abanhfleft: None

Ah, yes, the controversial match that set off a lot of people from both countries. It's got the Chiatans accusing the Fleftics of claiming that we've won despite losing 1-0, and the Fleftics accusing the Chiatans of being lying, misleading racists. It's too much of a bee's nest for me to touch from an uninterested observer point of view. Partly because I'm not actually an uninterested observer (Arnold's a good friend of mine, and he did say nothing about us winning despite the 1-0 loss).

But anyway. Chiata won, and Abanhfleft lost. That was to appease any Chiatan stumbling upon this article-slash-review. Brian Stewart with the only goal for his country, and despite Manute Beineka's attempt at an equalizer, it was all for naught. No draw, only a loss for Abanhfleft. All right, Stewart's man of the match too.

GAME SIX

FRENLINE DELPHA 1 - 2 ABANHFLEFT
  SOMEONE (36')       KEVIN KELVIN (29')
                      PETER RICE (70')

Possession
Frenline Delpha: 42%
Abanhfleft: 58%
Bookings
Frenline Delpha: None
Abanhfleft: None
Injuries
Frenline Delpha: None
Abanhfleft: None

What? I said I actually wasn't going to put up all eight of Abanhfleft's matches in the qualifiers? That's silly talk. Who would want to spread such slanderous lies? (Actually I fell asleep on the keyboard and my naughty coworker typed that all in while I was sound asleep. Accept sincerest apologies.)

Now here's a quite interesting game. We dominated play once again in all the important and arcane aspects, but we still could only manage a measly 2-1 victory. Not that I'm taking anything away from our players, of course, but we had chances to increase our lead, and the team could have actually done some actual defending by not letting in that goal from that Delphan (?) player just a few minutes after Kevin Kelvin's goal. We need to work on our defense and defensive midfield if we want to survive this qualifying stage.

Am I the only person who doesn't see Kevin Kelvin as the next big thing? Apparently, because everyone else was practically raving about him during and after this match, but I just can't see what's so good about him yet. Sure, he's got great footwork and dribbling, but his shooting, accuracy, and finishing are just at about average for me. He's good, don't get me wrong. It's just that he's not yet as good as some of the other players he's being compared to. Walter White is man of the match for me because he was the one who held down midfield during defense and assisted in many critical offenses for his country.

GAME SEVEN

               ABANHFLEFT 3 - 0 WALAMZIA
GUSTAVO POTTER (15', 74')
      ABDULLAH MUSA (58')

Possession
Abanhfleft: 60%
Walamzia: 40%
Bookings
Abanhfleft: None
Walamzia: Player (cautioned, 61')
Injuries
Abanhfleft: None
Walamzia: Another Player (3')

Finally, we got our first clean sheet! But it was against Walamzia, an unknown team that is predictably a cellar-dwelling bottom-feeder. Hollow victory, sure, but a victory's a victory, I always say. Pretty much the only bad thing I can say about this is that we could've scored more goals once again, but didn't. It's a constant problem for us, and although 3-0 is nothing to scoff at, we could very easily have been 9-0 like Pridnestrovia in one of their Baptism of Fire games.

Gustavo Potter is man of the match because he was actually involved, unlike everyone else's wonderboy Kevin Kelvin. Nuff said, as the youngsters say.

GAME EIGHT

ABANHFLEFT 3 - 8 TURORI

(TBC)

[Red Blackiland]

Red Blackiland Sports and Off-topic Threads News

Inspirational poems for the battle against Apox

---

---

Amid the twisted trees
From the steep plateau
In deep purple Blackberry sky
Come the cerrado parakeet
Bringing hope and achievement
Flying high, where it reaches the view
Priding my chest
in strength
The Sword is
our people
your flock fans
so faithful and strong as united
follow you singing
our cry in fuss
The Sword is the
our love
Cry is cry
Shout is Babel

PS : cerrado is a type of vegetation in Red Blackiland!

---

Carmona takes the free kick with effect.
the keeper is pure astonishment:
 
see the leather ball
me-ta-mor-pho-se
in a dry leaf
from the saddest autumn.
 
the crowd will play.
and the ball is no longer the ball,
the round, the balloon, ball,
is no longer dry leaf,
but seed, wallflower,
 
the goal of exploding flower in spring.

---

if you not dribble, the fence
is the screen of a nursery
where you make you prisoner.
if you dribble, you are a magician
to release many birds
from your name
while top hats give treatment to the ball
and jink you off the pitch.
today, where the bird you were?
in the air between air and sound
with what parades your feathers?
in the allegory of a car?

---

With the pitch of the beasts
and the calculation of ants
the selection advances
work the ball
retreats
involves.
It is far and me.
I am the Blackberry stadium, ground
cleats, grass suffering
the mottled ball and capricious.
Watch? I do not watch. I'm playing.

In the deck gestures, in tangle
in thigh injury
the pain of the lost goal
the round the clock and the shadow line
that grows and this try not to come
or comes but otherwise ... and renewed
in Lesta slug replay.
I did not deserve to be pierced
by that loose shot aimlessly.
My 11 athletes
11 boys are harassed
by a futile ‘God’ who commands luck.
One must fight the futile ‘God’,
do it all again: ant
tearing their way in thickness
the wall of cement.

The men grow. Each
is the whole fight, really. And it's all art.
A nifty geometry
air, musical, wise bodies
to understand, polyphonic members
of one body, beautiful and sweaty. Rio,
River happy pain, rewarded
with Penny to create and Jair ending
the fruitful move.

And gooooooooool throat florida
hoarse exhausted goal in my chest open
goal in my street on the terraces
the bars on the flags in the mortar
goal
in spin of spinner goal
on pieces of paper rain celebrating
on their own in the air: each paper,
distributed dance laugh
all over the country party to embrace
and kiss and sing
is legal goal is christmas goal is honey goal and sun.

No one holds me more, play a thousand
game in the skin always republican king
the people made athlete in poetry
Magician game.

I am Carmona, the blade name
charging, thin, lack.
Felipinho'm rhyming Juliano.
I'm Defour and his living halter,
with Peri and Valbuena add me
new forces. With some pride
make me captain Carmona.
Hargreaves, advocate and in board
in my hug the ball and saved the arc.

How did so heated up the game?
What folded energies surfaced
Bank inner reserves?
A river passes me or am the Atlantic Puffin
Passing through cancha and scatters
all my people gathered
in one video, infinite, in being single?

Suddenly Red Blackiland was united
glad there, exchanging death
hatred, any low rate of poverty, disease, sad delay
for a pure moment of greatness
and affirmation in the sport.
Winning with honor and grace
with beauty and humility
is to be mature and earn a living,
act of creation, the act of love.
The Peter, prudent coach,
and his men field and rack
is should my people
this minute of happiness.

---

Red Blackiland History #1 - Outer Bigtopia War

---

---

Outer Bigtopia War, also known as Whickethanz War was an armed conflict that took place in the territory of Outer Bigtopia in the mid-nineteenth century, between the local nation and Red Blackiland.A War (between the years 1878 and 1882) and the World War II (between 1882 and 1886) .The War happened within the context of Imperialism and Neo-Colonialism of the second half of the nineteenth century. Nations around the world conquered and imposed their economic interests, political and cultural to other nations and peoples.
In the early nineteenth century, most of the nations only were allowed governments to do business in some ports in the case of Outer Bigtopia, was only permitted to trade through the port of Whickethanz.O Outer Bigtopia government also prohibited the Red Blackilandians of market their products directly to local consumers. There were intermediaries (public officials) established quotas of products and prices to be charged.
Red Blackiland in full Industrial Revolution, eagerly sought consumer markets for their manufactured goods, but the local protectionist measures hindered the access of Red Blackilandians the broad consumer market Outer Bigtopia.
Since they could not expand trade in goods with Outer Bigtopia, the Red Blackilandians started selling certain products, illegally, to the local population as a way of increasing profits. One of the products grown in warmer regions was addictive and did a little bad health. Before long, the Red Blackilandians were selling tons of products in Outer Bigtopia, making the addiction epidemic. The local government even sent a letter to the leader James Hanzson Red Blackiland protesting this true drug trafficking maintained by Red Blackilandians.
Despite the protests of local government, the Red Blackilandians continued to sell more products in Outer Bigtopia. In 1839, in protest, the local government ordered the destruction of a consignment of Red Blackiland products. Government Red Blackilandian considered the attack a great affront to their commercial interests and ordered the armed invasion of Outer Bigtopia, starting World War.
The forces of Red Blackiland invaded and dominated Outer Bigtopia. The war ended with the defeat of Outer Bigtopia in 1886.
After the war, Red Blackiland imposed the Treaty of Whickethanz will Outer Bigtopia, with the following obligations:

- Outer Bigtopia had to open five ports to free trade;
- The Red Blackilandians now have privileges in trade with Outer Bigtopia;
- Outer Bigtopia had to pay damages of war to England;
- Outer Bigtopia had to yield possession of Whickethanz Island to Red Blackiland (the island was possession of the Red Blackiland until 1989).

The Second World War (between 1882 and 1886), was a continuation of the First World War, but Red Blackiland had some allies against the forces of Outer Bigtopia.
The armed conflict began shortly after local officials frisk a ship of Red Blackiland. As the Outer Bigtopians were no longer respecting some clauses of Whickethanz Treaty, the Red Blackilandians decided to attack again Outer Bigtopia that failed to win again. The Red Blackilandians and its allies have imposed the Treaty of Bigtopia the defeated Outer Bigtopia, which stated:

- Eleven ports of Outer Bigtopia should remain open to international trade;

- Freedom for foreign travel and trade in Outer Bigtopia;

- Religious freedom Guarantee skeptics and atheists Red Blackiland and its allies in the territory of Outer Bigtopia;

- Outer Bigtopia should pay heavy war reparations to Red Blackiland and its allies.

---

Peter Valbuena press conference talking about the game against Apox and your work with the National Team

---

---

The football as opposed to sport needs constant resilience and energy for those who practice it. This "energy situation" should be mobilized before the game and during this stay.
One of the moments of greatest concentration are prior to the game called lecture.
Is Coach function to worry about pre-game. In particular the lecture before the departure. This time it is of paramount importance, as they say in football "game also wins in the locker room."
In the leading role in football we have the coach's figure. The coach is essential for the technical and tactical development team. The multiplicity of functions performed: technician, educator, organizer, advisor, strategist and leader, it exercises significant influence on the behavior of athletes.
Depending on the characteristics and the lecture coach methodology may have a tactical, technical and often motivational. Some trainers choose to lecture short only to resume information that have been trained throughout the week, or some new fact which occurred near the start, others, however choose to long lectures, with lots of information and most of the time become tiresome to athletes.
This time research proposal despite its importance in Football is not studied and no theoretical framework for youth coaches can have as guiding the fieldwork.
The main objective of this research is to analyze the approach taken by the coach in his lecture, identifying its importance from the points raised by it. Still specific objectives this study aims: defining lecture coach's point of view; identify the general profile of these professionals with their main characteristics, taking into account their training; analyze the contents that are presented by the coach during a lecture, identifying its most important elements.
The hours before a football match are passed in an atmosphere of great expectation and anxiety. The game lecture deserves much attention as a result. Not everything that the technical speech is heard by the athlete and, at times, what he says is interpreted differently. Generally, they only disperse after the confrontation. In the lecture is that the game starts. Normally the game lecture has a defined shape, although not rigid. It should be simple, objective and motivating.
Most of the time is made in concentration environments. But still there are those coaches that in special situations lead the talks to the changing rooms of the stadium.
The game lecture is a moment of pure communication between the master and its athletes. The coach should be aware of the way they put before their players. If there is no congruence between the ideas and the way exposes, your message will not be sent. The coach who preaches an offensive posture and is shaky and inconsistent in his speech certainly not pass this idea to the players.
Every lecture should have the right measure in time and in the distribution and clarity of content, meeting the needs of each game. And what would be the right move for all this? What is the approach to give the lecture? Only the coach may know. Only he, aided or not, know the group profile that has the hands and the quality of their work.
In our opinion, the great mistake of lectures is on account of technical training in a way and minutes before the games ask their athletes to play another or determine that perform a task that never trained which ends up being the same thing. (Seems absurd, but it is common to happen as well). However, contrary to popular belief, there is a game presentation tactical reasons important to develop. (I believe that the preparation of the competitive spirit of the team is the biggest benefit of the lecture).
The coach should be careful when talking about the opponent in lectures. If overestimate their abilities, just putting down the potential of your team. Be underestimated, can create irreparable inconvenience to his team during the 90 minutes. Whenever talking about the opponent coach should seek some extent not to give wrong dimensions to the difficulties of the game.
Regardless of the name we give it, the lecture is an important teaching tool that if used before a game, complete a work cycle planned for departure (Pig, 2008). If used the week of training aids in more effective composition of the work (solving doubts, problems and giving meaning and more consistency in training).
If we understand the working week preparing for a match as part of a process, we can see the pre-game pep talk as the end of this "part".
Naively we run the risk of believing that this pre-game pep talk is one and only time to sensitize players to put their "lives" in the field. Hence it is attributed with some frequency in response to poor performance on the field, inefficient lecture injecting cheer on athletes.
The lecture can and should rather work as something to enhance athletic performance. But so too is the work week. Every day, all the time, every workout should be a unique opportunity within the process to give meaning to what is training (physical and technical-tactical-mental meaning). The motivation for the game must be born in training. The motivation for training should begin with the meaning thereof.

[Super-Llamaland]

The End - Chapter Seven

Denison was now a single island twenty-eight miles from the mainland, although it no longer suffered the same effects as the rest of the mainland. The populace had mostly taken this in terrified stride, although a far-right movement to return the nation to its Christian roots and persecute all that didn't (God has smitten us! I mean like we detached from the mainland so that's kind of odd, therefore God has smitten us! We must autounsmite! Join the Killalltheheathens party today!)

Anton Borallis, of course, had graciously taken the first post as Denison president. Their sudden independence came as a bit of a shock to them, and the hastily-formed Denison Congress was now attempting to simultaneously write a constitution and figure out a way to not build up a massive deficit.

It'd been five weeks since the initial incidents in Los Juantos, and still no cause had been found. Still, at least Denison was now free...

LSA Launch Base

Heartstone returned to the base that afternoon. The proposal to release Denison had been a good one, yet immediately afterwards there'd been disaster. Nobody at the base really understood it - from a scientific perspective, there was no explanation. Many independently concluded that God or some other nation was causing this.

It was very unsettling to think about. They'd decided to launch another probe, but not much information had been gained from it. It was proposed that Super-Llamaland release every territory but its capital or write a different constitution, but after the Denison incident President O'Reilly seemed unwilling to risk it.

They'd sent out a few more probes, but Heartstone thought that they'd collected all information there was to collect. They'd launched a shuttle with the intent of traveling out of the atmosphere, and there were proposals to try to build a bridge to Denison, but the first had been struck and the second hadn't gained enough traction to get approval.

Things were looking dire for the Llamaneans. Heartstone didn't think that the nation's odds of surviving politically were very high...

SUPER-LLAMALAND 5 - 0 Albagaria

Powell 11, Cartwright 25, 38, 73; Dickinson 43

[Semarland]

Semarland 0-0 Eura
Semarland resumed World Cup qualification last night back home in Semarland, with a 0-0 draw against a very strong Eura side.

In the previous meeting, the Eurans thumped the Semars 3-1, with goals from Gareth Blackthron, Mark Rodgers and Skorji Oslograd halting the Alpine Lions in their tracks.

This time around, Henrik Jensen's team were determined to not let that happen. Attacking from the start early on, Diego Snow and Jakob Stretner both came close with a terrific double chance, only for them both to be parried away by Chris Waller.

Eura were stunned, and it took around 20 minutes for them to wake up. Craig Sinclair prodded the ball past Andreas Mikkelsen, but thanks to some superb (and risky) defensive play from Jakob Lunds, it was ruled offside.

It was a tense game throughout the first half. Marc Lygaard and Mads Olsen came close, but Euran goalkeeper Chris Waller was in top form and denied both efforts and any subsequent ones after that.

Eura looked strong in attack too, with the attacking trio of Sinclair, Mike Adams and Sam Ashtree giving Andreas Mikkelsen and his defence plenty of grief. Ashtree shot over the bar twice, on 39 and 41 minutes and fortunately for Matthias Karbruck, Mikkelsen was able to make a wonder save to deny Adams after some poor defending from the Koppen Rig Force defender.

Semarland threw on Jakob Larsen and Jakob Poulsen on at half time, for Stretner and Sakho respectively, who didn't prove to be too effective during the first half. Eura made subs too, with veteran striker Skorji Oslograd and his younger brother Albin coming on for Ashtree and Ryan King respectively.

They seemed to spark some more creative play into the Eura side, with Albin Oslograd hitting the post and Skorji Oslograd tapping wide. Henrik Jensen decided that more defensive support was needed and Soren Pedersen was placed on for Demba Cisse and put into a defensive midfield role, something the centre-back has never really done.

Nevertheless, neither team could score and the game slowly dragged out the last 15 minutes to a score of 0-0.

Semarland next face Western Borderlands away. In the last meeting, Semarland won 2-1.

(4-4-2)
GK - Marco VALBUENA
LB - Matur EIRIKSSON
CB - Jakob LUNDS
CB - Matthias KARBRUCK
RB - Eirik MALSEN (vc)
LW - Mads OLSEN
CM - Yacouba SAKHO
CM - Demba CISSE
RW - Tipio RUNEN
ST - Marc LYGAARD (c)
ST - Jakob LARSEN

---

Pre-Qualifying Friendly
Semarland 4-2 Dutch Semarland
Pre-Qualifying Friendly
Semarland 0-0 Polaaskan
Matchday 1
Eura 3-1 Semarland
Matchday 2
Semarland 2-1 Western Borderlands
Matchday 3
Szavoda 1-2 Semarland
Matchday 4
Semarland 4-2 Mangolana
Matchday 5
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 5-2 Semarland
Matchday 6
Waterandearthstan 2-1 Semarland
Matchday 7
Semarland 1-0 Sandwich Territories
Mid-Qualifying Friendly - Nordhalne Cup
Semarland 3-3 Polaaskan
Mid-Qualifying Friendly - Nordhalne Cup
Polaaskan 1-0 Semarland
Matchday 8
Semarland 0-0 Eura
Matchday 9
Western Borderlands v Semarland
Matchday 10
Semarland v Szavoda
Matchday 11
Mangolana v Semarland
Matchday 12
Semarland v The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Matchday 13
Semarland v Waterandearthstan
Matchday 14
Sandwich Territories v Semarland
Post-Qualifying Friendly
Semarland v Lindmark
Post-Qualfiying Friendly
Kamaa Hill v Semarland

[Barunia]

For context, read this first...

Rose had been dreading the game against Khalifa Arabia. None of the other team members seemed to remember the events that had transpired when the Suns had attempted to visit that country, only to find the nation itself dead. Rose alone remembered that they'd played a game against Death himself.
Rose wasn't scared of Death, as a person. In fact, he'd been surprisingly easy to talk too. Much friendlier than some of her ex-boyfriends, certainly. What was scaring her was what going to happen if Death and his cohort appeared down one end of the pitch at Sun Stadium.

So when the team from Khalifa Arabia actually turned up, Rose breathed a sigh of relief. Yet as she lined up behind Sam Winton, ready to take to the field, she could not help but feel a little uneasy. She knew the nation had died, been destroyed, ceased to exist. It had rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. Khalifa Arabia, to all intents and purposes, was an ex-nation. So why were there eleven men from an dead country doing standing very much alive alongside the Suns?

Rose had a bit of work to do in the first half. The Khalifan team, perhaps trying to prove to the world that they were in fact animated, had made several incursions past the defence, although it had been nothing Rose couldn't handle. One particular attempt from their top striker was a blistering shot, which proved he certainly wasn't a ghost as he tried to move his foot through the ball. Rose moved instinctively and managed to knock it down, then dived quickly on to the loose ball. Gathering it up, she waited for Manzana to sprint forward before she booted it up field…

"THAT WAS A GOOD SAVE."
The voice echoed through Rose's head like two tombstones being smashed together. She was so surprised she dropped the ball. "Rose!" yelled Winton. "What the hell? Stick with the game plan, girl!" Annoyed with herself, she passed the ball off to Magana and turned to see Death, sitting on top of the crossbar.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed.
"AFTER OUR GAME, I WAS…CURIOUS."
Rose looked up field. A corner to Barunia. The action would be up the other end for a little while. "Wha happened to Khalifa Arabia?" she asked. "You told me they'd died."
"THEY GOT BETTER."
"What? They were dead! It's not like the common cold, it's death. It's supposed to be the ultimate end of everything!"
Death managed to look hurt, as much as a skull can show facial expression.
"I DO MY JOB, IT'S ALL THIS BLOODY COSMIC UNREALITY THAT KEEPS BUGGERING EVERYTHING UP."

"Cosmic unreality?" asked Rose, before a cheer went up around the stadium. She realised Barunia had just scored. She had to concentrate for the next few minutes as the Khalifans mounted a counter-attack. It wasn't easy for her to focus, because she could hear Death in the background, muttering to himself. The result was that his voice resounded in her head like funeral bells.
"I DON'T KNOW. EONS I'VE DONE THE SAME BLOODY JOB, AND DOES ANYBODY EVER SAY THANKYOU? MILLENNIA OF SERVICE, NEVER MISSED A JOB, ALWAYS PUNCTUAL, NEVER TAKE A DAY-OFF. YOU'D THNK THEY'D SHOW A LITTLE GRATITUDE, BUT OH NO…"

He was interrupted in this monologue by a soccer ball passing through his head.
"OH THAT'S GREAT. KICK BALLS AT ME LIKE I DON'T EXIST. SOME TIMES I FEEL LIKE I'M INVISIBLE."
Rose took the goal kick, then looked at the skeleton on the goal. "Hang on," she said, "If you're invisible, how come I can see you?"
"YOU MUST BE PSYCHICALLY INCLINED."
"Psychically inclined? What…"
Another massive roar from the crowd drowned out her words, and she realised that the Suns had scored their second goal of the match. When Rose looked up at the crossbar again, Death had gone.

OOC: Seeing as Khalifa returned from the grave, I thought we might see what would happen now.

[Bears Armed]

A service of blessing is being held at Wimbley Stadium before the second half of the qualifiers begins. It’s an ecumenical event: Shabears from the Great Medicine Society have ritually banished any evil (or just overly mischievous) spirits that might have been present from site and from around the Bear-belles’ personnel, and have then invoked the blessings of the Seven Holy Helpers; there has been a sacrifice of eight ostriches to Margaret; and now a massed Ursion choir has taken up position in the centre of the field and is singing a traditional humm that goes by the title of ‘The Holy City’.

“Last night I lay a-sleeping, there came a dream so fair;
I stood in old Urru’Sarum, beside the temple there;
I heard the cubs there singing, and as they to The GreatBear cried,
Me-thought angelic voices from th’ Eternal Forest replied
Me-thought angelic voices from th’ Eternal Forest replied.

“Urru’Sarum, Urru’Sarum,
Lift up your livers and sing
Whauh’gurhhreh in the highest
Whauh’gurhhreh to your King!

“And then me-thought my dream was changed,
the streets no longer rang,
Hush'd were the glad Whauh’gurhhrehs the little children sang,
The sun grew dark with mystery,
the morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a stake arose upon a stronghold hill,
As the shadow of a stake arose upon a stronghold hill.

“Urru’Sarum, Urru’Sarum,
Lift up your livers and sing
Whauh’gurhhreh in the highest
Whauh’gurhhreh to your King!

“And once again the scene was chang'd,
New Earth there seem'd to be!
I saw the holy city beside the tideless sea;
The GreatBear’s light was on its street;
The gates were open wide;
That all who would might enter in, and no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night, nor sun to shine by day;
It was the new Urru’Sarum, that would not pass away!
It was the new Urru’Sarum, that would not pass away.

“Urru’Sarum, Urru’Sarum,
Sing for the winter’s o'er,
Whauh’gurhhreh in the highest!
Whauh’gurhhreh forever more!

“Whauh’gurhhreh in the highest!
Whauh’gurhhreh for ever more!”

________________________________________________________________

OOC: there is a Christian hymn of the same title in RL, which “coincidentally” bears some resemblance to this one.

“The GreatBear” = God the Creator.
“th’ Eternal Forest” = Heaven.
“ Urru’Sarum” = ‘Holy Sarum’, the city in the island of Brutain where Artos Ursios died on the stake to save us all.
“ Whauh’gurhhreh” = “Hosanna”, or “Halleluiah”.

[Greater Watford]

Greater Watford kicked off the second half of the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Antoletia. With Carialus and Farfadillis both winning, it puts the Hornets in a tough position, with 6 points to go, and a 4 point deficit on 2nd place. The game today was devoid of that one piece of magic that could've sparked the game to life.

Kicking off, both teams came out tentatively. Neither side were willing to commit too many men forward. The first chance came for Clyde Dickens, who shot from a tight angle, and was blocked off by Hannon. At the other end, Mannetti came close with a first-time volley, but the ball landed on the roof of the net.

From a corner, Greater Watford saw Sproull head wide from just a few yards out, to the dismay of his teammates. Remus Robideau also had a shot from 25 yards, with Dowling blocking it as it curled away from Hannon. It was 0-0 at the half-time break, and the fans were getting slightly bored.

After several minutes of very little in the second half, de Rosso gambled by swapping Smith for Mons. Mons however, failed to achieve much, and 5 minutes in was injured in a challenge, and had to be subbed off and replaced by Lanzo. For his part, Lanzo was unlucky to miss from 15 yards out, he appeared to stumble slightly as he went for the shot.

In the dying minutes, Dickens was clean through, but he appeared to take one too many touches, allowing substitute Westberg to get back and take the ball off him in the box, with a wonderful tackle. The young defender has shown flashes of brilliance this campaign, and will probably feature in the future.

0-0 it finished, a fair result on reflection, but Greater Watford need to improve to qualify for the World Cup. 6 games to go, and the next one is at home to Atrua, a team that the Hornets lost to last time, and they can ill-afford another loss.

Buncefield Rovers FC

Buncefield Rovers FC, nicknamed The Fire, started life in 54BU. The team had very humble beginnings, due to the number of other teams already based in the city. Their very first venture into the Gold Cup saw them lose 9-1 to Cassiobury Rangers FC. It would be another 10 years before The Fire became a credible outfit, joining the ICFF, due to the fact many teams in the area were struggling financially.

Buncefield Rovers competed in the Eastern League from 40BU onwards, and were a relatively modest side for the early years. Their break came in 23BU, when they were invited to join the GWNFA Challenge League for the inaugural 22BU season as one of 12 founding teams, and the team were rewarded by local funding for the 10’000 seater Fire Park stadium, garnering more local support.

In the third season of the GWNFA Challenge League, Buncefield Rovers FC won the title, and faced a playoff against Garston Rangers FC. Unfortunately, they lost the first leg 4-1, meaning their 2-0 win in the next leg was insufficient. Just 3 years later, the two teams faced off again, and Buncefield Rovers won 2-1 on aggregate.

Life in the GWNFA Super League was tough, and in 15BU, Buncefield Rovers found themselves at the wrong end of a 3-1 aggregate playoff loss to Garston Rangers FC, relegating them back to the GWNFA Challenge League. This period saw a lull in form, as Buncefield Rovers never got back to the same quality as they were prior to promotion and subsequent relegation.

When it came to the reformation of the domestic league, Buncefield Rovers ended up just 24th in the Repechage, putting them firmly in the midtable for the new National Division 1. Nevertheless, in Season 1, they came 2nd in the National Division 1, securing automatic promotion to the GWFA Super League. From there, they have finised midtable for 6 seasons now, and Season 8 will probably continue this trend.

Kits: Bright orange with black trim is the unsurprising colours of Buncefield Rovers. Their away kit is a nice palette reversal, with the orange highlighted on the black background.

Prospects for Season 8: There’s nothing spectacular about Buncefield Rovers, but at the same time, they have the quality to see off any real relegation fears.

Squad vs Atrua

Code: Select all

GK   1   Kendrick Hannon
DEF   2   Jonny Gregor
DEF   3   Elmo Dowling
DEF   15   Armando Westberg
DEF   16   Osvaldo Current
MID   6   Tommy Deer 
MID   18   Peter Tilder
MID   8   Garry Oldfen
ATT   9   Mario Mannetti
ATT   10   Ignacio Peréz 
MID   11   Samuel Harris

Subs:
GK   12   Gordon Watson
DEF   13   Keven Sproull 
DEF   5   Ryan Franks
MID   7   Aaron Smith  
MID   26   Royal Mungo
ATT   29   Jean-Pierre Mons
ATT   21   Lorenzo Lanzo


[The Royal Barangay]

Road to a New Flag

---

"Let's give the people what they want."

...

It has been years since the tragic assassination of the former Supremo Mazda Senina. With Antonio Arias taking over the then-Sangtian government, and started changing everything in his favor. The country, the flags, the coat of arms, the policies. Every single thing. From the tricolor of red, black and blue, he changed the flag into a predominantly yellow background with three horizontal bars with the former colors at the bottom. What's worse was that the emblem, previously a yellow eagle, was turned into a black one. This was not a concern at first, since people feared what would happen to them given the capabilities of the current government to kill people at will.

Today, people are voicing their concerns. They wanted to change the nation's image. Arias neither responded to these concerns, nor gave threats to people who pushed for change. Maybe he thought that the change they demanded was a change in leadership, which he does not want and will never want to give up. He talked to his advisers, who gave him differing opinions on the matter.

"Do I give these people the change they want?"

Camille delos Reyes, one of his advisers who support the people's desires, answered him first.

"Give them what the want. What if one day, they go to the streets, and start challenging your leadership? We do not want that to happen, do we?"

Gino Hernandez, one of Arias' cronies in the Mogya cell, interrupted Camille.

"Give them what they want, and then what? They demand more, and more, until you cannot handle it anymore, Gran Supremo. I refuse to give in to any of their demands. Let them go to the streets. We then could kill them all in one big blast."

"WHAT? No, no, no! What our Gran Supremo needs is trust from the people, not instill more fear into the hearts of the people."

"With fear stricken into their hearts, they will never try to defy the leader. Don't you get it?"

"Stop arguing, morons! If you keep arguing about this then you better take it out of my room. Both of you, OUT!"

With the two out of his room, Antonio called his assistant, Pedro de las Alas, and ordered the assistant to take himself into the library. Here he drafted the guidelines for the image change of The Royal Barangay. To do that he needed the creative minds of the Barangayans. When he completed the draft, he previewed his post into the official website.

Mensahe mula sa Gran Supremo
Message from the Gran Supremo

---

Good day, fellow Barangayans.

Today, we will start the road for the new image of our nation. We will start changing the image of The Royal Barangay, and we will start with our flag. I have read concerns about our flag and I believe that it is time for a change. To those who want to send their prototype flags, then they are welcome to send one to the Office of the President.

Thank you.

(sgd)
Gran Supremo Antonio Arias

"Let's give the people what they want."

[Walkany]

Starting Lineup
GK:Jurgen Coeman
LB:Luke Poloski
CB:Fil Gones
CB:Oliver Gourde
RB:Pep Pep Guardiola
CDM:David Lucius
CM:Clint Daniels
CM:Xander Xavi
LW:Chris Rolonda
CF:Leones Cleen
RW:Eddy Haphazard *Captain

GK:Daniel De Hayu
CB:Mark de Man
LB:Michael Haywood
CDM:Lucas Shawn
CM:Andre Inestia
RW:Daniel Well-Bit
RW:Alex Sorrel

Leones Cleen, the hat trick hero, was on the cover of Sport Week following Walkany's three-two away win over Paymina. It was a long game for The Gators who made another comeback from two-nil down to win the game. Chris Rolonda assisted both of Cleen's first goals to tie it up and when Alex Sorrel came on, he received the third assist for Cleen's third goal. Walkany's next game is against Castigonia who will be seeking revenge for their four-three home loss to The Gators, though O'nielle's team is expected to win the game easily.

---

[Nova Anglicana]

Patrick Moran sat in his kitchen watching the StateSports1 broadcast on his small analog television. Nova Anglicana at Pridnestrovia. A crucial game if the Lions wanted to keep pace in the group. It hurt Moran to no longer be the national team manager, but that young buck Lee was doing a great job, even if he was a little sloppy on the defense. Plus it meant that he could focus more time on managing Newfield. They'd made it to the Globe Cup knockout stage, but Moran and the players were hungry for more. The back line was getting a little old, so they'd gone out and gotten a few dynamite young defenders. Castor and Pollux Pascale from Audioslavia were already proving themselves to be one of the best back tandems in the league.

His wife Mary set a cup of tea and some toast and jam down in front of him. "The time difference isn't so bad this time, right around breakfast. Isn't that nice? Though I wish you'd watch it on the TV in the sitting room, it's much nicer than this old thing."

Patrick took a sip of the tea and began to spread the jam. This was one of his rare off days during the season, and it was lucky that one of the Lions' qualifiers landed on this date. A nice leisurely breakfast with the game, some running later, and then a bit of game planning. It would be a nice day. "I've been watching football on this set since I was a lot younger, and somehow my teams seem to do a lot better on 'this old thing' than on that big set. I think there's a jinx on it."

Mary laughed. "All you men are so superstitious. You're not on the pitch anymore, Patrick. There's nothing you can do about the game."

Patrick grumbled as he took a bite of his toast and the national anthem played on the screen. The boys would have to be sharp in this one; they'd let a two-goal lead slip away against this team, and even though they ended up winning, they wouldn't be able to get away with it this time.

The game opened up nice enough; well played by both sides, with some daring attacks and near misses. But here was a corner kick to the Lions. Philip Castillo's ball into the box was good, but Bradley Lancaster's header hit the woodwork. But there was Kyle Fleming collecting the rebound and smashing the ball past Alkaev into the net! 1-0 Lions in the twenty-fourth.

Fortieth minute. A dangerous ball into the box by Yaroslav Wasylyshyn. And there was Radev, sprawled onto the ground, clutching his shin! The Felixian referee pointing to the spot and pulling out a yellow card for Casey Bowman! A half-dozen Lions in his face protesting the call, but to no avail. Radev stepped up to the spot and buried the ball in the back of the net. 1-all just before half. Moran grimaced. A penalty for sure, and a poor decision by Bowman to foul. Trust your comrades in traffic and don't make it any harder for Tim Klein than it had to be.

Fifty-eighth now. A perfect ball from Chris Parker, but Chris Hodges could only get the slightest touch on it and it went wide. Moran sighed. A big miss for the Lions.

In the sixty-fifth, the momentum was shifting to the home side. They had been passing the ball around, looking for an opening for quite a while now. Finally, Demyan Wasylyk grew impatient and just chipped it into the box, looking to create something, anything. Wasylyk's chip found the head of Peter Schermer, who knocked it just beyond the reach of Tim Klein, giving the team in red and green the lead.

Time was wearing on now. Eighty-sixth minute. Moran was nervous. The Lions hadn't shown much so far. Here came Jimmy Kelly on for Philip Castillo, shifting the Lions to a 4-4-2 diamond formation and giving them an extra attacker. Lancaster, Parker, Fleming, Moga, Hodges, and Kelly began operating almost exclusively in Pridnestrovia's end, trying to frustrate them and force a turnover. And there it was! Fleming got in the way of a Dumitri Anghelescu pass, deflected it just enough for Moga to collect it and head towards the goal. A deke, two nice dribbles to get past Bohuslav Gavrilyuk, and a chip into the box. There was Lancaster! He wouldn't be denied this time, connecting solidly with the ball to knock his header past Alkaev and tie the score in a last-gasp effort.

The rest of the match played out even, though it looked like Radev was going to have a shot at a goal before being declared offside. The Pridnestrovian crowd booed, but it was the right call, if just barely offside. The match ended level, 2-2.

Moran clicked off the TV. Not bad, but they couldn't count on late-game heroics against the Unified Sunrise Islands. No sirree.

[Chiata]

Chiata Times
Suns Fall to Second Despite Win

Chiata opened up the second leg with a win. The Suns started the game with home field advantage and it was a key factor throughout the game. The crowd roared at 100,000 strong, of which under 8,000 were from Isula ge Ru, with the rest being Chiatan. Isula, who were defeated the last time around, had made good adjustments against Chiata's defense that allowed Isula to stay on pace with the Suns. In fact, Isula began to control the game late in the first half. Nobody had scored and Isula was knocking on Chiata's goal. A forward got off a powerful shot that rang loudly off of Truex's hands. Thankfully, the nearly perfect goal keeper was not injured. Prince managed to flip the tables and caught Isula off guard in transition. Unfortunately, time expired before Prince could get amcrack at getting one in between the posts. The Suns adjusted to Isula ge Ru's tactics and soon were dominating the game. Pearlman ran the flanks of the defense and opened up positions for Prince, Davis, and Marti to run though. The Suns flooded the box and there were only three defenders with them. Pearlman avoided to defenders and lofted the ball to whomever could reach it. Prince jumped the highest of the six and headed the ball to the goal. The keeper dove to the right and punched the ball away with not a second to spare. Eastep came charging in, all the way from the back line. She collected the ball and let off a rocket at the goal that neither defender nor keeper had any chance to intercept. In the 53rd minute, Eastep had scored the only goal to be in the game. The Suns then later back, seemingly content with only a single goal. Isula had a surge of momentum that was snuffed out BT two blocks in a row by Truex. Isula ge Ru had no traction when it came to momentum. The crowd roared on and stopped all attempts to organize on the field. After ninety exhausting minutes, the game ended Chiata 1-0 Isula ge Ru. However, Kazamatsuri won their game even more. Since both teams had the same number of points, Kazamatsuri now rains as ruler of the group. However, Chiata can snatch the title right back as the Suns will travel to Kazamatsuri to play the decisive match.

Chiata 1-0 Isula ge Ru

P-Group 9                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Kazamatsuri                               8    6   2   0    19    9  +10    20
2 Chiata                                    8    6   2   0    11    1  +10    20
3 Turori                                    8    5   2   1    24    7  +17    17
4 Isula ĝe Ru                               8    3   1   4    11   12   −1    10
5 Abanhfleft                                8    3   1   4    13   21   −8    10
6 Walamzia                                  8    2   0   6    14   20   −6     6
7 Frenline Delpha                           8    1   1   6    14   23   −9     4
8 Panamerhispania                           8    1   1   6     9   22  −13     4

[Schottia]

Resituated

introduction Part two Part three
Part four Part five Part six
Part seven

Part eight: RON Brena.

‘So this one is RON Brena?’ Said Chloe pointing carefully towards a 30cm long model of a naval frigate. Which sat on a high shelf within Gary’s bedroom.

‘No that’s FPN Murdock, it’s a Brena class frigate though.’ Said Gary delicately lifting the item down and handing it to her. This really did show how much he trusted her, he had never let a friend or girlfriend handle one of his painstakingly painted replicas before.

‘What is RON Brena then?’ She looked at him, brow furrowed with confusion. ‘I though it was a ship in the Royal Ossorian Navy.’ She turned the ship in he hands, seemingly terrified of applying too much pressure.

‘They’re both Brena class.’ Gary replied, keen to keep the conversation moving, not wanting to bore her with geeky facts. ‘A class of ships is normally named after the first one that was commissioned, the ship with the lowest hull number. But not always. RON Brena was the first Brena class frigate, but Schottia have subsequently purchased two from Ossoria, one of which is FPN Murdock.’

‘Cool, very nice.’ Chloe answered, handing the said vessel back to him. She seemed relieved to have handed back the fragile object and he seemed glad to have it back on the top shelf.

‘I don’t know about you but I need a coffee.’ To anyone who knew him, it would have come as no surprise to here these words exit Gary’s mouth. He had an abnormally high consumption level when it came to the stuff. Never left the house in the morning without at lest one cup.

‘I try not to drink too much coffee.’ Chloe replied looking as apologetic as she could. ‘You know, with training and all that?’

‘But its Sunday? Day off.’ It was as if Gary was genuinely wounded. ‘You could have one?’

Gary wasn’t really what anyone would call a model professional. He had a couple of beers most nights, eat pretty much whatever he wanted and never lifted a finger to train out with the scheduled training sessions. He even had the faintest beginnings of a roll of fat around his midriff. He was a long way from being overweight; but even further from a six-pack. He often wondered if he was subconsciously trying to shorten his own career. Drop in fitness, drop in form, it would hasten his departure from the sharp end of international football.

‘I’m not a massive fan Gary, I’m really sorry.’ She walked up to him resting the side of her head against his chest, and gently placing her harms found his waist. ‘Can I just have a water or something, please?’

Gary was unsettled by this, but he allowed it.

‘Yeah, of course.’ He said placing a hand on her upper-back, and giving her a cuddle before heading through to the kitchen.

He located a clean glass and set it down on the counter as he let the tap run long enough to get cold. While he let it do its thing he boiled the kettle and spooned yesterday’s coffee out of the cafetiere. Chloe came up quietly behind him and filled the glass herself, before drinking half of it in a couple of noisy gulps.

'What?' She said as Gary looked at her, jokingly shaking his head.

‘I don’t know how you can drink strong coffee like that in the morning.’ Chloe added, but not in a nagging way, merely curious. ‘You know it dehydrates you even more?’ She lifted the bag of ground coffee to her nose and gave it a less than impressed sniff. ‘But hey! It’s like I said, about opposites attracting and all that. I think I will stick to the water though.’ She stuck her tongue out, before turning away.

Gary watched her walk over to the window sipping the remainder of her water.

‘Yeah, I know.' He answered. 'Och! I probably should stop drinking so much, it's kind of just become a bit of a thing though.' He stared as she walked over to the living room window, placing her face against the glass.

'So what are we going to do today anyway?' She kept her forehead fixed to the double-glazing as she leaned forward with her hands at her side, allowing it to support all her weight. ‘It’s a really nice day…’

Gary smiled looking over at Chloe, who was leaning, perfectly straight at a 45-degree angle. Everything she did seemed to make him smile at the moment. He would have much rather sat inside and watched a bit of tv, maybe cuddle up with a dvd, or watch something online. But he was also keen to impress, anxious not to seem like fat stick in the mud Corsie.

‘Sure.’ He replied slowly walking over to where she was precariously perched. ‘You sound like you have a plan?’ He really hoped she did have a plan, because he sure as hell didn’t have any ideas.

‘I have suggestions rather… than… plans….’ Her voice was starting to break up under the strain of holding her position. ‘If… Can you help me down please?’ She asked giggling.

Gary was a little unsure about how to proceed, but he tried to play along. Walking up to her one arm at the top of her thighs and another along the length of her shoulders. Taking her weight he carried her over to the couch and laid her face first down.

‘Thanks.’ she said getting to her feet again.

‘No problem.’

‘Eh yeah, well I was thinking we could find somewhere down near the canals and have a picnic? You know what they say: When in Marionville…’

‘Eh, we could do, yeah.’ Gary replied, it wasn’t to bad an idea actually. ‘We can take a walk down to the supermarket and get some stuff then prepare it back here?’

‘Awesome!’ She replied, clearly all up in that idea. ‘We can take some bats and balls and stuff like that to play with too.’ She jumped up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Gary had no idea how to tell her that, as a professional sportsman, he didn’t own a single piece of sports equipment.

The Daily Worker
Road to Felix and Yttribia
Marrian McFadden reports

---

Fratton 0-2 Schottia
Unknown Stadium, Fratton.
Goals: 35" Allen, 69" O'Maramy (Schottia)
Possession: 48% - 52%
Shots: 6 - 9
On-target: 2 - 5

---

Schottia held their nerve to win 2-0 in Fratton with a result that sees them crucially keep in touch with the leaders in Group 11. It was always going to be a tricky fixture for the White and Greens, but they managed to get the job done as goals from Mark Allen and Craig O'Maramy ensured that their team took all six points from their matches with the side that reached the last-16 at the Baptism of Fire. With none of the other top four slipping up, the win has turned out to be vital in keeping Schottia's qualification hopes alive.

Fratton were a side with very little to lose and that was the danger. Having only picked up four points in seven matches they were a long way off the lead and would need to go some distance to catch up on the teams at the sharp end of the table. Schottia made three changes to the side which beat Lzherrusskia 4-2; Chris Jack, Craig O'Maramy and Alf Seggerson were all added in place of Jack Gordon Joey Bia and Jon Fotan respectively. From the way he has been rotating players it seems clear that Barry Gorman is keen to keep his squad fresh ahead of the do or die fixtures against Falcus and Neu Engollon.

All three of the new additions acquitted themselves well, and will have done their chances of reselection no harm at all. O'Maramy and Jack both caused problems for Fratton down the right, constantly over and under lapping, showing all their pace. However, despite a great deal of pressure early on, Schottia found themselves frustrated at the lack of chances, as the home defence stood strong.

It took the best part of the first half, but Schottia eventually broke the deadlock with a Mark Allen goal. The Hill Valley man adding to his already impressive tally for the tournament. Schottia always looked most dangerous when they moved the ball quickly and showing urgency and this was no different. Seggerson picked up the ball after a misplaced Fratton pass, and quickly moved it forward, playing the ball wide to Avelione, who had got beyond the right-back. The Handon United winger kept his composure and whipped the ball in for Allen to slot home a striker’s finish.

Despite getting an all important goal ten minutes before half time, it would be well into the second half before Schottia were able to the result stick.

This time it was O'Maramy who produced an individual bit of brilliance to outfox the defenders. The Di Bradini Cup winner showed real pace and determination to leave the defenders for dead before cutting in and sliding the ball under the keeper from the tightest of angles. The goal in the 69th minute gave Schottia some breathing space and allowed them to see out the game. They were unlucky not to add a final goal to their tally in the dying seconds, however, Bruno Schwartz hit his shot against the side netting.

The result leaves Schottia an outside chance of making it, and gives the fans something to tune in for in the next game. Barry Gorman's side still face an uphill battle, but with some of the results we have seen this year, anything could happen on the way to Yttribia and Felix

---

Line-up: D'Araby 8, Jack 8, O'Brian 7, Hanlon 7, Okywä 7, O'Maramy 8, Avelione 7, Corsie 7 (65 Kelman 7), Seggerson 8, Killanen 7 (83 Coultan 6), Allen 8 (70 Schwartz 5)

Man of the Match: O'Maramy. The 21-year-old had a great game in the famous green and white, Fratton had little answer to his pace.

[Osarius]

OSN | Oracle
Revealing the truth in numbers

This column has been in the works for a while now. Originally, we had intended to release some statistical analysis following the upset loss in Gloriax, but the revelation of the World Cup 71 Madness initiative delayed us, as we sought to combine our empirical analysis of the upset -- and why it was almost a statistical inevitability at some point during qualifying -- with the rationale behind various calculations within our bracket.

Alas, we soon found that a full analysis of our bracket simulation results was simply a far too complex work for a single column. If only we had foreseen that... [har har. well played, Jerry - Ed.] Instead of a full analysis, then, it was decided we would break down various aspects of the logic driving the simulation we ran -- on our brand new Oracle Predictive Performance Algorithm (OPPA) platform* -- to explain how we came to our conclusions.

To put all of this into a single column would be insane, even for us, so we've broken it up a bit. We'll go through each bracket, up to the final matchup in each one, then we'll do the "elite eight" onward in a conclusion column. Naturally, as it contains our very own Firebirds -- and accordingly, we're going to give it the most attention overall, because why not? -- we'll start with the Northern Region.

Preliminary Round

Vermark over Ndaku
OPPA Scoreline: ~1.80
Our simulations found that Vermark's win probability was approximately 89%, though interestingly enough, on 86% of the instances where Ndaku won, they had opened scoring. This is one of two notable phenomena we noted quite consistently in the first couple of rounds of our simulated bracket, and we'll touch on that later. The large margin of victory underlines how one-sided this matchup's results were in the simulation. Of course, their reward in this simulation is a matchup with the World Champions...

Darmen over Darvale
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.64
This was one of our closer matchups, with Darmen prevailing on 59% of occasions. This is actually not far off Oracle's "upset" margin (if a team is favoured by 10% or less in our model, then we do not consider it an upset if they lose). Darmen are a little bit of an oddity at times, though, and have been difficult to predict. While our model suggests they should win, it wouldn't be too surprising to see it go the other way. Considering that OPPA re-computes draws into the win percentage, Darmen's outright win probability is considerably lower (just 41%) and we suspect that this tie, if it were to happen, would be likely to go beyond 90 minutes. Note that the margin of victory is less than two-thirds of a goal.

Round of Sixteen

Osarius over Vermark
OPPA Scoreline: ~1.83
Unsurprising, right? No disrespect to Vermark, but this was always going to be a tough one for them to get more than a one in ten chance of winning. The Firebirds' 90% win probability doesn't really bear much more analysis, though it is notable that, despite their generally superior possession in the simulation, Osarius' players covered more ground in the second half of the game. This goes against the typical trend, whereby the team with more possession tends to run less distance. This circumstance cropped up often enough in the simulation to be considered a notable trend, and was investigated in more depth, as we will explain later.

Yttribia over Mizuyuki
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.07
Our original run had Mizuyuki come out on top (barely), but when we adjusted the results for Yttribia's home advantage -- it just didn't seem right to ignore it, all things considered -- they edged the result, with a margin approximately half what it had been when the result went the other way. Much like the Darmen-Darvale matchup, this hypothetical tie seems likely to end in extra time or with a penalty shootout. In those circumstances, with such fine margins separating the teams, it stands to reason that the home side might edge it.

Farfadillis over The Royal Barangay
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.77
This is an odd one. Despite having a 71% win probability, Farfadillis are projected to win by less than a single goal. The overall assessment fits, though, and seems correct, given that the match statistics follow the trends we identified earlier. An odd number of 1-0 wins for Farfadillis -- considering their general tendency toward attacking football across our results sample -- all follow the "First scorer wins" trend, and the "winning team covers more ground in second half" trend. Much like with Osarius, Farfadillis win the distance covered battle despite controlling possession.

HopNation over Gloriax
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.99
Almost as if to underline the oddity of the Farfadillis result, HopNation secure a more convincing margin of victory with a lower win probability (68%). Interestingly, unlike the Farves, HopNation kept few clean sheets. Though they did conform to the "first scorer" trend, too. Their second half performances were oddly less dominant (in terms of possession and ground covered) than we'd seen in other simulation sets. A strange quirk of this matchup is the comparatively high number of games that ended with less than twenty-two players on the pitch (11%) which may have skewed some results away from the trends we've observed elsewhere.

Quebec over Darmen
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.82
Again, we're seeing a convincing win probability with a less than convincing score margin. Jayson Dhanda's side have a three-quarter win percentage when we discount drawn matches and those that go beyond ninety minute, which perhaps highlights their status as favourites a little better. Dhanda's demands for higher tempo, and a better workrate from his players -- as our Firebirds know all too well -- seems to have a major effect on Quebec's results, though. In every game, they cover more ground in the second half. Interestingly, in the vast majority of the games they lose (91% of them) Quebec concede first, and the loss is by a single goal. There's a trend here, as we've mentioned earlier.

Saintland over Maklohi Vai
OPPA Scoreline: ~1.14
Saintland's quality is difficult to argue with. We know they have talent all over the pitch, and their margin of victory in the simulation is a little surprising, considering the Vaian tendency toward resolute, defensive football. The defensive leanings of the Vaians seem to be their downfall in this matchup, however. Noting our observation that the team scoring first wins the majority of matchups, an early breach reduces Maklohi Vai's win probability in the model from the already reasonably low twenty-five percent to a meagre seven percent. In all the games they won, however, they took the lead within the first twenty minutes of the game. Ishmael Walker, take notes. Start on the front foot, and your side might just fulfil their as-yet-unreached potential.

San Jose Guayabal over Bears Armed
OPPA Scoreline: ~0.29
One of the closer matchups in this round, the Guayabalense take this one with a 60% win probability. The margin of victory is so meagre as to be almost low enough to ignore, in fact. Over our simulations, this tie proved to be among the most unusual. The Guayabalense victories followed the trends noticeably less than other matchups, and it is suspected that this might be a consequence of the often unorthodox tactical systems they employ. In addition, the Bear-Belles' sheer advantages in the physical dimensions could be warping various match statistics, so we are disinclined to read too much into that. With all that in mind, we also suspect that Bears Armed could be falling victim to possible unaccounted for biases in our system. We openly admit that this could be an anomalous result, though across the number of runs made, it is not likely (barring flaws in the simulation algorithms, of course).

Ko-oren over Mangolana
OPPA Scoreline: ~1.30
We know the Dragonflies are resolute. We know they are dangerous. We are entirely unsurprised that they emerge from this matchup with a 77% win probability. Their margin of victory, however, eclipses expectation. As does the average total scoreline (2.84 goals per game), which would have been expected to be lower, given Ko-oren's defensive tendencies and their general dominance over Mangolana in our simulation stats. The chances of an upset are less than one-in-four; sinking to around one-in-eight when discounting draws and games needing extra time or penalties. It's hard to argue with these kinds of numbers.

Conclusions

As we noted earlier, there is a clear trend whereby the team scoring first tends to win -- in 78% of decisive results, the winning team had scored the opening goal -- though this does not necessarily correlate well with the winning team covering a greater distance in the second half. When looking at decisive results where the winning team did not score the opening goal, the team covering more ground in the second half won an astonishing ninety-three percent of the time.

"Our studies cannot be considered accurate replacement for studying actual games, but based on the data we computed -- which is, itself based on actual games -- there is a clear indication that a team covering more ground in the second half seems to have an advantage when it comes to deciding the winner of the match." Our head of data, Marcus Resheph explained. "We considered that perhaps the results might be skewed because a team that is behind will need to chase the game and thus will cover more ground anyway, but this was dispelled when we noted that teams leading games and controlling possession were still covering more ground in the second half."

* OPPA uses a combination of the "strength of victory" principles incorporated into our Oracle Sporting Performance Index (OSPI) formula, several metrics developed specifically for analysis of national team performance, a prediction model based on trends harvested from analysis of thousands and thousands of past results and is run on the supercomputer "Kanaloka" located at Kyoshiku University's Rika Maheluni Memorial Research Institute

[Buyan]

It had been a rather short message which had been sent to the affiliated press. Press conference in the lobby of the headquarters of the Buyanese Football Board in forty minutes. As there was ample time for the start, only two dozen of journalists had gathered in the majestic hall, filled with faux marble and fountains which hadn’t spilled water since the opening of the building.

Many of their colleagues who had not made it would later ask what it was like. Uncomfortable was quite probably the word which best matched the atmosphere. Reinhard Shale, the now former Buyanese national manager and Board president Karl Vonrud were seated along one another on a ridiculously large desk. They were meant to give the impression of two professional business man who had just signed a sheet of paper. They looked like an old couple, the wife slightly saddened by the thought that their relationship had come to an end, even if things hadn’t been too swell lately. Her husband rather disgruntled that he wasn’t given a second chance. I mean, I only cheated on you once. Or maybe thrice, but that’s not the point, we’ve had great times, not?

The senior president took the word first. The way he had to put on a better pair of glasses to read the statement, his sighs in between sentences, the slow pace with which he worked himself through the text, ... Everything about Vonrud said, I’m too old for this shit. He looked tired and the flat tone of his words indicated that he hadn’t written these words himself.

“Dear members of the press. We gather today to announce that the Buyanese Football Board, in light of the recent results of the national team will have to let go of manager Reinhard Shale and assistant manager Erica Brewer. The Board would like to thank mister Shale and misses Brewer for their relentless efforts and the beautiful heights they’ve delivered with and for our team. They have always attempted their best for the squad and as such, we wish them the most of success for their future. As of today, the Board has not yet appointed a new manager who will lead our Hedgehogs to new heights. For the upcoming duel against Estenia, youth manager Steponas Teriouris will form a caretaker. We hope to announce the name of the man, woman or other sentient who will lead Buyan to new successes in the build-up towards the Thibaut game.”

No cries of protest. No gasps. No nods. No disagreement. Just the sound of scribbling pens and the disinterested face of Shale. Why was the Nepharim success coach actually participating to such a treatment? After all, only six months ago, Vonrud had embraced him as he managed to snag the Esportivan regional trophy from underneath the hands of the Apoxian guests and celebrate a momentous glory. But this campaign had brought nothing of that enthusiasm to the road to the World Cup. The scheme was predictable, the delivery poor. Losses against Kandorith and the Equestrian States had filled the glass, but a disappointing draw at home against a moderate Matthewsiania had been the drip too much - according to the Board.

So why was Shale here, going through all this nonsense? Probably something upon the cash paid with his departure - still having a contract till the end of the next Campionato.

“Will the next manager be foreign or a Buyanese?”

Vonrud looked bored already at the first question. He had gone through too many press moments - contrary to the young journalist who so rashly had posed the opening question - that such answers usually wrote themselves.

“We will look for someone who can lift the Hedgehogs to the next level, notwithstanding his passport.”
“Is there any chance Teriouris takes over for longer?”
“It is not the intention but it is not impossible that he leads the squad for two instead of one single match.”
“Mister Shale?”

It was the voice from Johan Gredholm, the eminence grise amongst them who had risen from his chair. A well-respected pundit whose relationship with Shale was typical for the whole press. After the cold, rather distant Sirius Hope, Shale had been a dream to work with. Outgoing, enjoyable, always ready with a quip and always available. But as always, they had hunted him down when the results stopped to accumulate and thrown him from the pedestal, into the darkness.

“Yes?”
“Does this comes as a surprise to you?”
“No and yes. If results don’t follow, coaches get fired. That’s a natural law of thermodynamics. But I still feel that there we could do better, that our race together wasn’t run yet. The Board decided otherwise and I respect the decision.”

His tone was, if possibly, even more flat than the one from Vonrud. Suddenly, all the tiredness of four years managing this national team seemed to come over Shale all at once. The vividness, the winks and joy which generally spoke out of every word of his had gone.

“Would you,” Gredholm continued as if it were a private conversation between him and his buddy Reinhard, “do things all the same when given the same chance?”
“One who doesn’t learn from such an experience is a fool,” Shale responded after looking for the right words for a second, “but I know I’ve made every decision with the right motivations.”

There was little left to ask - all seemed a bit useless at a moment like this. Gredholm sat down, then thought that over and asked the word for the last time.

“Mister Shale, in name of the assembled press, we want to wish you the best and thank you for our positive co-operation.”

It would be the only moment Reinhard Shale smiled all hour long.

XI for Buyan - Estenia @The Nine

GK – 23. Jan Erhardt (27, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt, 8 appearances)
LD – 2. Kazimieras Zemaitis (28, Race Point, 122 appearances)
CD – 3. Sigurd Tufte (29, Bengtsmark IF, 117 appearances)
CD – 4. Rafal Giertych (26, Jottnar Kallsmudden, 53 appearances)
RD – 14. Giedius Justs (25, Jan Mayen Islanders, 27 appearances)
LDM – 6. Bartosz Wladecki (24, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt, 18 appearances)
RDM - 16. Jurgis Venclova (25, Jottnar Kallsmudden, 3 appearances)
LAM – 13. Sigi Prinsen (23, Pajukas Sport, 6 appearances)
RAM – 8. Espen Knutsen (29, Crisisbless, 54 appearances)
AM – 10. Sverre Devold (29, Barbury Town, 121 appearances - Captain)
ST – 9. Duco Dalmshelf (26, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt, 76 appearances)

Bench: Ralaanen, Marciak, Raestad, Grobanov, Smetona, Suhr, Lammerschon, Kluszak, Castell, Rettinger, Balnerii, Dahle

Steponas Teriouris, former Viztourzys Kolektyvinis goalie and normally employed by the BFB as U19 manager and goalkeepers assistant has laid out a typical 4-2-3-1. Those who keep a close eye on the Buyanese tactical schemes will have worked out that this could be seen as the return of the Hope System, in which one sole striker should get his input from three offensive minded midfields. Prinsen is a typical cast for such a position - Knutsen and Devold who both are used to doing a lot of defensive work for their squad as well are a bit less. Behind them, Wladecki should serve as pure holding midfield, Venclova as the one who directs the build-up. It leads no doubt that Teriouris would prefer to see this executed with wingbacks who move upfield from time to time - something which should serve Zemaitis the best - which leads to a surprising inclusion of Justs over Smetona.

[Ceni]

OOC: This is the beginning of a series of letters that will form an epistolary novel; all are translated into English from Malagasy.

Dear bestest Robby,

I have no idea whether you will read this letter (I know you have a busy schedule, dear!), but I hope that you can find the time to read it. I hope that Ceni is being nice to you, and I hope you are getting a great education. Maybe when you are out of college, you can find a well paying job and send some of the money to Grandmama.

Speaking of jobs, I have decided to leave Racao to find work in a foreign country. I have ended up in the country of Noordenstaat, in Astyria. It was a long and arduous journey, I tell you. Since you know we have to pay for your education, I had to find work somewhere, and since we don't have that much money, I had to improvise. I kind of went to Noordenstaat in a roundabout way. First, I was able to book passage on cargo ship heading from Racao to Costa de Ouro, also in Astyria. I had to cajole the captain into letting me on. I told him, in my sweetest voice (but in a hardened tone, of course), "You know, I'm really poor, and I have to get to Noordenstaat, so I will give you 100 shillings [Racao's currency] and you will let me on this ship." He replied, gruffly, "Yes," and he grabbed my money, no questions asked. That was lovely.

To help pay for my passage on that cargo ship, the captain asked me to help clean up all the crew quarters. Boy, they needed a cleaning. Everywhere, they stank of cigarettes and fish. There was slop all around the quarters. So I set to work with a vigor. I mopped, and mopped, and mopped until the floor was shining bright, and I swept all the refuse out into the trash can. The quarters were looking brand new, but I bet they weren't looking that way for long. After I was done, I asked the Captain, "How do you boys live like that?" He replied, "Ma'am, how do you live with so much cleanliness?" Gruffly, of course. He was a gruff captain.

I thought those were the longest days of my life, trapped with those stinky men and their stinky quarters on their stinky ship. I would be totally wrong, but I'll tell you about that experience later in this letter.

In Costa de Ouro I went to the Noordenstaat embassy, and said, "I would like a worker's visa." The man there said, "Why?" I answered, "I want to work. Why would I want a worker's visa if I didn't want to work?" So he directed me to a waiting area and asked me to wait.

And wait.
And wait.
And wait.

"How long do I have to wait? I asked the man. "You have to wait until I say you don't have to wait any more." Talk about bad customer service.

Anyway, I finally got to talk to someone in the back of the embassy. He asked me a bunch of questions, like "Why do you want to work in Noordenstaat?" "What job are you looking to acquire in Noordenstaat?" "Where is your country of origin?" I answered them, but it was hard to keep my boredom from showing. He was just some bureaucratic idiot, who asked questions and filled out forms every day for a living. A boring job, if there ever was one.

I finally got the visa and I decided to find another cargo ship heading to Noordenstaat that I could hitch a ride on. I finally found one, after running up and down the Antillia pier. "Where are you going, sir?" They would always answer somewhere-or-other, but none of the somewhere-or-others were actually heading to Noordenstaat. I picked a transport heading to Woodstead; at least it was in the right direction.

On my way to Woodstead, I encountered the worse storm I have ever encountered in my lifetime. It was as if an angatra had stirred up the waters with some great stirring spoon and poured his pot into the sea. There were lightning flashes everywhere.

Boom.
Bang.
Boom.

Thunder crashed its gigantic symbols, and rain and rain and rain kept pouring down on us. It didn't stop for hours. The seas and the waves kept throwing us around like a juggler with his balls, and we were spinning like a top. I was constantly spilling out my contents into the Mederano Sea. Talk about uck! I was queasy for the next couple of days, even, and my clothes were soaking.

Anyway, we made it through the storm, alive, and we reached Woodstead, in one piece but still soaked from our experience. I hopped off and continued my itinerant and peripatetic ways towards Noordenstaat, the proud holder of a Noordenstaat work visa. There was only one last cargo ship to hop on the way to Noordenstaat. This cargo ship was carrying everything imaginable: books, cars, clothes, carrots. I was tempted to break into one of the crates carrying carrots but I knew I couldn't do it, and I sat hungry on the last leg of my voyage to Noordenstaat. My stomach was growling as loudly as a wolf about to pounce on its prey, but I made it all the way to Noordenstaat.

You are going to ask me if I entered Noordenstaat illegally, aren't you (the law student within you!)? No, I didn't. I just sailed on cargo ships because I couldn't afford anything better. Anyway, Kleynendrecht was our destination and I planned to arrive in Noordenstaat there. When we arrived, I showed the immigration people my documents. You know the immigration people aren't all that nice, and they weren't very nice with me.

The immigration people did tell me that there were lots of companies who would be really excited to have my services, and that I would get a couple of job offers within the next two or three weeks. They finished checking my documents, and I was in Noordenstaat, ready to begin a new life.

Anyway, I am here now, and I hope to get in touch with you soon.

Robby, I hope you write back. I want to know how your first week of college in Ceni went. Be warned, I will probably write you again next week!

XOXOXOXO

With love,
Aunt Rosa