Copa Rushmori XXII Everything Thread

[South Yerfilag]

YBC Sport 1
TITLE: Daejong HandCel SportsNite
TIME: 24 August 2015, 21:00 ZYT

*** BEGIN TRANSCRIPT ***

(A montage of sports figures and videos plays amongst an energetic soundtrack.)

OFF ANNOUNCER: From Studio 1B in the heart of Praetors' Point, South Yerfilag, THIS. IS. SportsNite!

(The studio fades into view, with a man and woman reporter at the analyst desk.)

OFF ANNOUNCER: With Agatha van Darst and William Bibioko!

AGATHA VAN DARST: (when the music stops) Good evening, South Yerfilag, and welcome to SportsNite presented by Daejong HandCel, now with BotOS 5.0 "Limerick" operating system. I'm Agatha van Darst...

WILLIAM BIBIOKO: And I'm Will Bibioko.

VAN DARST: Our top story tonight is that the South Yerfilag Ball Sport Association, under the cryptic chairwomanship of former national baseballer Margaretha Kierkegaard, has just sent off its first national football team to participate in the twenty-second Rushmore Cup.¹

BIBIOKO: The Rushmore Cup is hosted this year by the Kingdom of Saintland, particularly known for its apparent imitation of the old Holy Empire of Damukuni, except to a more monarchic extreme. South Yerfilag's debut features much young talent. Let's take a look at the Starting Eleven.

(A formation map appears on the screen, with Ferris', Hilliman's, Joslin's, Keynes', and Speetzer's names highlighted in yellow.)

BIBIOKO: (continuing) Five of the national team's starting eleven are under 21 years old, however, left mid Jasmine Jo Joslin will turn 21 during the tournament. Each of the five were required to have their parents sign a special waiver indicating that they understood the risk of travelling internationally to play the sport that they are most dedicated to.

VAN DARST: Also among the five U-21s are goalie Jared Hilliman, center fullback Jake Ferris, right mid Jason Keynes, and striker Jim Speetzer. The team also features the only married couple in South Yerfilag to play any professional sport for the same team, Jonathan Necker and Julianna ten Boeret-Necker. Their 4-4-2 formation will allow them to split the field at center mid.

(The screen splits to see Van Darst and Bibioko on the left, with a thirty-something, bulky man on the right. The man appears to be the lone occupant of a transparent press box on pitch level at a large football stadium. Behind him, the field glistens with a vibrant verdance.²)

BIBIOKO: Joining us now from the Stadium of Legends is Mr. Casper van Trech, athletic trainer for the national team.

CASPER VAN TRECH: Thanks for having me.

VAN DARST: How are the team? Are they ready to go?

VAN TRECH: Not only are they ready, but they're also about to board the bus to the Old Cincysian Airport. In a physical sense, all of our players, including our substitution reserve, are raring to take on the Saintlandian³ turf.

BIBIOKO: How about in a mental sense?

VAN TRECH: That I can't pinpoint for you, but from what I've seen and heard in the locker room, I see seventeen chins in white striped shirts,⁴ and a quiet but confident staff, set in a degree of resoluteness. This team will be a force to be reckoned with, to be sure.

VAN DARST: Casper van Trech, thank you for your time. I'm sure we'll hear from you again.

VAN TRECH: Thank you.

(The screen cuts back to the SportsNite desk.)

VAN DARST: When we come back after the commercial break, we'll have more for you from the Stadium of Legends here in Praetors' Point, as well as a quick look at the situation in the World Baseball Classic. This is SportsNite presented by the Daejong HandCel, now with BotOS 5.0 "Limerick." We'll be right back.

(The camera pans back to a wide shot of the studio.)

*** END TRANSCRIPT ***

South Yerfilag refers to the "Copa Rushmori" by its English transliteration.

Yes, I derived this word from "verdant," which is just another way of saying "green."

Yeah, this should read "Sanctii." But South Yerfilag can't be bothered to say "Sanctii" because it confuses them.

[Zenic]

Hello there! It is none other than Xavier Magnusson, writing this report from St. Ioannes, Saintland, the host nation for the 22nd edition of the Copa Rushmori. It is an interesting moment in the history of Zenician football as now, someone other than Joseph Michael Sanders will lead the senior side as manager. Luke Killian, the first ever captain of the senior side and an important member of the Baptism of Fire 55 championship squad, has been named the manager on an interim basis. He will have until the end of the World Cup 73 qualifiers to prove he is worthy of the position, as announced by the Minister of Sports, Hans Zimmel III. I’m sure all of us here at the Leinz Herald will be watching closely to see how Killian handles the pressure.

As a player, we know all there is to know about Killian but as a manager, we are merely getting a small glimpse of what he can do and how he differs from Sanders. The first difference we know is that he has changed the formation of the squad from the staple of Sanders’, the 4-4-2 Diamond, to a 4-3-3, moving Kun-woo up in between Ayaode and Augustine to form an attacking three. Another difference, which we have seen in practice, is a much more aggressive attacking mindset than his predecessor. However, it is evident that there were a few things he picked up from Sanders: he isn’t afraid to call up and start youngsters who lead their teams from the Amateur Championship to the Premier League of the Empire. Sanders did this with both Ayaode and Augustine while Killian has brought up and is starting Sroal Cavan, the young 21 year old midfielder who led Spectrum Rovers to a second place finish in the Amateur Championship and helped his team become the first lower-tier club in five seasons to win the Promotion/Relegation Playoff. Killian also announced once he was named interim manager that the next captain of the senior side would be all time leading scorer, Alexander Ayaode.

Even though it is one of the most difficult and prestigious tournaments in the world, Killian has been handed a, dare I say, easy group for his first major tournament. The 8th best footballing nation in Rushmore and the 52nd best in the world has been paired with the 20th best footballing nation in Rushmore, the Eastern Sunrise Islands as well as Logria and Estelar. As with any tournament, Killian and his squad should not show any complacency against Logria and Estelar as well as give it all they’ve got against ESI if they wish to advance to the knockout stages. They first “host” Estelar today on match day 1 at Progress Stadium in St. Ioannes then “host” ESI in the same stadium before playing “away” to Logria for the final match day.

Certainly, we should be placing our faith in Killian and sending our prayers and positive energy towards to team as we cheer them on against Estelar. I will hopefully be able to write about the amazing victory of the Zenician squad in matchday 1 but until then have a good day and a peaceful existence.

-- Xavier Magnusson
Xavier Magnusson is one of the oldest and most respected sports writers at the Leinz Herald. Having 32 years of award-winning journalism and experience covering both domestic and international association football competitions, it is only appropriate that he would be the one to cover the Empire’s first ever international tournament.

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ A Redux

The Wanderers come into this Copa Rushmori riding high and for good reason, winning the last two major tournaments that they have entered, their first two major titles. That's right, following their marvelous run that ended up with them defeating the Kerns in the last Copa Rushmori, the Wanderers moved into the World Cup and had a perfect Qualifying record and only a draw with Farfadillis on MD3 kept them from having a perfect World Cup as they marched through all the best the World could offer and came out victorious. The Holy Empire and Eura both gave the Wanderers strong opposition in the semifinals and Final respectively, but Pasargan determination won out in both cases and it was with a great amount of jubilation that the Wanderers lifted that title.

Now a month following that victory of Eura in the Final, the Wanderers prepare to defend their crown in the Copa Rushmori, with a group that looks rather easy at first glance. Don't believe that though, especially given that the group has the mighty Polarians in it and they are going to be a test regardless of what the current rankings say they are. Big Freeze or no, the Polarians have always been among the best in Rushmore since they began international footy thirty-six years ago. Also when you consider the fact that the Polarians have a navel base just outside of Paulinthal and are among the Dominion's allies, you can bet that the match between the Wanderers and Terns is going to be one hell of a fierce fight.

Oh and did we forget to mention that King Jakub's homeland is in the group as well? That certainly is going to be a rather awkward and perhaps even a bit of a heartbreaking fixture, given the nature of how Jakub came to power. The country is still dealing with the effects of that outbreak, though it seems that the contagious rate is lower than the initial fear believed, though with still around eight percent of the populace infected it has made the nation come a bit to a standstill. Luckily most of the national team did not return to Pasarga since the World Cup Final, instead taking vacations across most of the region. It was likely a safeguard to prevent any of the players from potentially contracting the still yet to be named disease.

To that end, the Wanderers have publicly stated that their entire earnings for this Copa, regardless of how far they make it through the tournament, will be donated to finding a cure for this epidemic. Their group definitely will give them a challenge but they should advance to the knockouts and get that bonus, from their the Final is as likely as not, and the teams before them will be gunning to take down the Copa and World champs. It will be a good sign to see where the players heads are at and how drunk on success they are after that World Cup victory, if they make it to the semifinals or not. Saintland awaits, let's get to it.

[Saintland]

MD1 Results

Group A
Eura 3–0 Pridnestrovia
Sameba 1–0 Charruterra

  Group A                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eura                      1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Sameba                    1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Charruterra               1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Pridnestrovia             1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Group B
Taeshan 1–0 Shtiar Bakal
Sarrbia 0–0 South Yerfilag

  Group B                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Taeshan                   1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Sarrbia                   1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
  South Yerfilag            1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 Shtiar Bakal              1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group C
Sargossa 0–0 Mytanar Region
Electrum 1–0 Lons

  Group C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Electrum                  1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Mytanar Region            1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
  Sargossa                  1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 Lons                      1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group D
Saintland 2–0 Szavoda
Stvoto Latoli 2–1 Rio Oscuro

  Group D                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Saintland                 1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Stvoto Latoli             1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Rio Oscuro                1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Szavoda                   1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group E
Zenic 4–3 Estelar
Eastern Sunrise Islands 1–0 Logria

  Group E                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eastern Sunrise Islands   1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Zenic                     1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
3 Logria                    1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Estelar                   1   0  0  1    3   4  −1    0

Group F
Pasarga 6–2 San Llera
Polar Islandstates 1–0 Norrehavn

  Group F                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pasarga                   1   1  0  0    6   2  +4    3
2 Polar Islandstates        1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Norrehavn                 1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 San Llera                 1   0  0  1    2   6  −4    0

Group G
Valladares 4–0 Owner-osity
Eastfield Lodge 4–1 Vermark

  Group G                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valladares                1   1  0  0    4   0  +4    3
2 Eastfield Lodge           1   1  0  0    4   1  +3    3
3 Vermark                   1   0  0  1    1   4  −3    0
4 Owner-osity               1   0  0  1    0   4  −4    0

Group H
Kernansquillec 2–3 Marion Oaks
Pravenna 5–3 Polaaskan

  Group H                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pravenna                  1   1  0  0    5   3  +2    3
2 Marion Oaks               1   1  0  0    3   2  +1    3
3 Kernansquillec            1   0  0  1    2   3  −1    0
4 Polaaskan                 1   0  0  1    3   5  −2    0

[Szavoda]

Getting my roster in so Saintland can RP if he wishes.

http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=327181 - Background.

SZAVODA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Сзавода Фудбалски савез/Szavoda futbalový zväz

From the less glamorous end of Rushmore comes a team formed from permanently intoxicated University students, run by two divorcees with violent tendencies. With a predictable opening World Cup where they registered just two wins, although didn't finish bottom, some University players have earned their degrees and buggered off. They've been replaced, mostly by eager kids with a ton of energy, who just want to have a shot.

Management:

Head Coach: TBA

Assistant Coach: Dazdan Iubirdic - Age: 45
The originator of the idea of football in Szavoda, Dazdan's life was at a low point when his wife left him, took most of his money, his child and all his skiing equipment. He'd just returned from a work posting in the icy wastelands of Svengarda and took up his dream with the mysterious Moli. Considers himself a tactical genius. Driven, passionate and perhaps going the way of crazy, Dazdan will do anything to see his dream succeed.

Physio: Dr. Janu Mazic - Age: 58
Hired specially to provide medical assistance and advice by the SFA a week before the BoF. An expert in muscle injuries, and a fan of money.

Defense Coach: Tristan Kuyter (Nephara) - Age: 43
Hired as a foreign expert to help coach the abysmally bad defence. A pretty thankless task, as the defence is more porous than a pile of sponges, but they're slowly working their way up. Doesn't quite get Moli, but hey, no one does. Credited with a significant improvement in the quality of the Szavda defence.

Playing Squad

Goalkeepers:

Nemanja Petrovic - Age: 21 - University Team: Willow Street Pirates (Schottia)
A tall, sturdy keeper with a background in handball, which gives him sharp reflexes and an eye for the ball, and one of the few players on the side who cares for football, even foregoing a handball scholarship to a different University to remain in Nevograd to play football. Prefers the 'sweeper keeper' role, although he is prone to errors when outside the box. Superb in the Baptism of Fire, keeping three clean sheets and establishing himself as the Number 1. Had to pick the ball out of the net a fair few times in the World Cup, but developed well.

Stjepan Lukic - Age: 18 - University Team: University of Kreceva
Diminutive in stature, at only 5ft 7", and bouncing full of energy. No particular sports background, just likes to get out in the fresh air and throw himself around in the mud. Prone to making rash decisions and doing perhaps unnecessary things which risk goals, much to the displeasure of his defence. Always a talkative presence behind the defensive line, even if it isn't always about football. No relation to Tim in the defence.

Defenders:

Slavko Stefanovic - Age: 21 - University Team: N/A
An apprentice plumber from Vfana, Slavko operates as a traditional full-back, prowling up and down either the left or right flank, although for the purposes of the Baptism of Fire he will play on the right. He has good pace and sharp footwork, capable of delivering swinging crosses and corners.

Radmilo Novak - Age: 18 - University: University of Central Szavoda
Good at both ends of the pitch, strong and physical in defence - which can often lead to penalties against his name -, with a smart head on his shoulders, and a real threat from set pieces down the other end. He'll always be up in the opposition box for free kicks and corners, capable of good headers. Also possesses and handy turn of pace and tackling skills to match attacking threats.

Tim Lukic - Age: 21 - University: University of Kreceva
A grizzled (if you can be grizzled at 19 years of age) centre back who takes no nonsense. Strong and powerful with the jump of a salmon, Tim is a big threat during attacking corners, but loves nothing more than to put an opposition striker on his backside. Expect plenty of colourful cards and colorful language.

Vedran Milosevic - Age: 18 - University: Pjlomak College, Vfana
A lively wing-back in the traditional mould, who can play on both flanks and switch the play very easily. Two footed and capable of sensational strikes from outside the area, Vedran is one of the teams most exciting talents, someone who, along with Branimir Milic, could actually make a career out of playing football. Grew up in a privileged household in Vfana, and was able to watch Euran football live on television, which attributes to his skill and flare.

Miles Stavic - Age: 23 - University: N/A
Almost missed the flight out because he was languishing in a jail cell after getting arrested for assault after a particularly heavy night on the town. Very aggressive and always looking for a fight, but he can back it up on the pitch with good strength and surprisingly nimble feet, who can really get under the skin of opposition players. Red carded three times during the previous qualification campaign.

Vlastimir Markovic - Age: 17 - University: N/A
A centre back who can also play on the left or the right, or in midfield, Markovic plays with high levels of energy and has good dribbling skills, which means he often likes to play the ball out of defence as opposed to hoofing the ball up the pitch, which is the traditional tactic of the team.

Nenad Nikolic - Age: 22 - University: Nevograd Technical Institute
A natural leader at the back, with a good brain on his shoulders. He is good at reading match situations, and often has to lead the defence in set pieces and the like. Reluctant to get off his feet, Nenad relies more on none-contact methods to win the ball off of opponents and keep it from them.

Midfielders

Branimir Milic - Age: 22 - Team: Moors
The only actually decent player in the squad, and the captain of the squad. Blessed with immense speed and wonderful close ball control, Branimir loves nothing more than to pick up the ball in the midfield and drive into the opposition penalty area. Long range shooting and vision are two more important arrows in his quiver, but he does not shirk on his defensive responsibilities, despite being a rather diminutive 5ft 7", and comes back for corners and to defend free-kicks. Milic is the beating heart of the otherwise static Szavoda team - always moving and running, trying to find space for himself and for others, whilst both on and off the ball. Following the Baptism of Fire, he was picked up by Euran Third Division club Moors. He will look to lead the team to a decent showing at their second World Cup Qualifying campaign. Showing more and more that he is a top-quality operator, but has problems executing his skills without able support from his less talented team-mates.

Pero Milovanovic - Age: 18 - University: Nevograd Technical Institute
A static distributor of the ball, Milovanovic sits in front of the back four and passes the ball out from about a 10 yard box in which he operates. Defensively astute, standing at 6ft 4", he plays often as a fifth defender by slotting in between the two central defenders. A decent attacking threat from set-pieces, too.

Damjan Dragic - Age: 25 - University: N/A
A trainee policeman, so he will so go on to become the bane of the college students who populate this team. But he's dropped the red and white police uniform and replaced it with the red and white of the national football team. A wide player with good pace and the ability to swing in crosses make him a threat on either side of the pitch.

Nemanja Radic - Age: 19 - University: N/A
An apprentice electrician, although how much work or training he is doing is questionable. Another in the mould of the young, energetic player who doesn't have much of a clue of the technical side of the game. Plays a central midfielder, but tends to rove all over the pitch, mostly following the ball with hot-headed enthusiasm. Possesses decent pace as well.

Isijia Jovanovic - Age: 21 - University: Josef Milanic Institute, Nevograd
Varies between magic and ordinary, often serving up healthy portions of both during the span of a 90 minute game. He can get the ball at his feet and within seconds be running rings around opposition defenders, but then only minutes later he can slice a simple pass into no-man's land for an opposition player to run onto and score.

Domenic Marsejevic - Age: 22 - University: University of Kreceva
Your no-nonsense, hard-hitting central midfielder who lacks the glamour and guile of players like Milic and Jovanovic, but has a canny knowledge of the game and can get himself in good positions both in attack and defence. Chips in with the odd assist and goal as well, which comes in handy.

Stefan Petrovic - Age: 20 - University: University of Central Szavoda
Young and full of energy, he always wants to be on the ball and to unfurl his various tricks which he has learned off of Branimir Milic. Sometimes they come off, which looks nice, but most of the time he's left chasing after an opposition defender who's stolen the ball off of him, which as made him quite fast and strong.

Ljuban Zoric - Age: 24 - University: N/A
Lived overseas for the majority of his life, he experienced football first hand, even playing youth grade football until he upped sticks and returned to the Glorious Motherland. He works as a waiter in a Vfana restaurant, and had to take time off work to play in the competition. He is a rare breed of midfielder who strives to get forward and score goals, and specialises in the spectacular.

Javor Ilic - Age: 18 - University: Kadlec University
A sprightly attacking midfielder with quick feet and and good eye for goal. Operates well behind the two front men as a good distributor of the ball, known for his cutting through balls which split the defence and allow Nikazic and co. to nip in behind. Takes free-kicks from around the box and corners on the left hand side. Second penalty taker after Milic.

Strikers

Mijo Nikazic - Age: 20 - University: Kadlec University
The pinpoint of Szavoda's count-attacking philosophy, Nikazic is small and very, very fast. He can go from a standing start to full pace in a matter of seconds, which makes him absolutely lethal on the break. His size allows him to squeeze past defenders in the box and he has shot placement to match any international striker. A real talent in a side that lacks, well, talent.

Zar Mihailovic - Age: 25 - Team: Arsenal de Releinthi (Abanhfleft)
The living epitome of the word 'target-man' - he's big, strong and knows where the goal is. Outside the penalty area, he's about as effective as a chocolate tea-pot, but inside, he only needs a yard to beat the keeper. He acts as a good foil against the small Nikazic, and together two the make a decent strike partnership.

Simon Filipovic - Age: 20 - University: Nevograd Technical Institute
A good striker with good finishing, but lacks the pace of Nikazic and the strength of Mihailovic, so finds himself as a third wheel in the strike team, and often takes his place on the bench. But that's not to say that he can't score goals or prove a threat to the opposition. He has good spacial awareness and is decent off either boot. One for the future, perhaps.

RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes (to a reasonable extent - TG me if you want to RP something that is totally inconceivable in a football match)
RP injuries to my players: Yes (I will determine severity)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (max 7)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (max 2)
Godmod other events: Yes (to a reasonable extent - TG me if you want to RP something that is totally inconceivable in a football match)

Home Stadium: Lot 37 (Official Capacity: 0)
Situated in a run-down industrial park on the outskirts of Vfana in southern Szavoda, Lot 37 is just a patch of scrubland with grass laid down in patches and white lines hastily painted on. There are no seats, so opposition fans, should they come, are advised to bring their own seating. There are plans in the pipeline to lay down an artificial surface, so it doesn't cut up in Szavoda's adverse weather conditions, as well as some temporary seating for the bigger fixtures, but as with all pipelines in Szavoda, it's leaky and full of holes.

Style Mod: +2.23

[Estelar]

Estelar close to amazing comeback in Copa Rushmori debut
news brought to you by the Daily Predictor, in association with Astrology Today/Past/Forever

Horoscope of the day - Aries: "Insist with a friend or acquantaince about a business that stayed on hold: it can be something positive for both. It depends more on you to make the first step. Slow down expenses with daily purchases, plan yourself for december."

Comment by the Aries player - Ariana Pacheco: "Well, after such a bad match such as this one, in which I got sent off and saw my team get that close to a draw and all this situation made me fell like the final result was my fault, I think that the idea of slowing down on the expenses may mean the expense of energy, and that I have to not attack my opponents with so much strength like I did yesterday... and save all this anger for December when I'm forced to celebrate Christmas with my family which is really an uncomfortable experience... at least we don't celebrate New Year in the end of December like other people do, we do this on March... as for the business, I really need to try to organize that party that my friends always talk about having but we never arranged the details!"


Yesterday Estelar had their first football match in an international competition, the Copa Rushmori, an event much expected by most Estelarians in the country, who are really fans of the sport. As the team was facing the first seeds of the group, as much as people were hoping for a positive result a loss seemed to be the most likely result, with the betting agencies proving it by paying a lot to people who bet on Estelar if the Stargazers managed to get the three points. Astrologers also didn't predict good things for the team, with the most popular astrology expert of the country, Marília Colorado, commenting about what the positions of the planets and stars meant for the match: "I see difficulty. This is a moment in which several planets here in the Estelarian sky are positioned on unfavourable places, away from the signs they rule, which weaken our general inner power. Estelar must surpass these barriers if they wish to do well in this competition, and the individual charts of the players may help us to see if the individual strengths can overcome these initial difficulties."

And then came the match against Zenic, with both teams able to field their starting eleven. At the beginning of the match, both teams showed very different strategies: Zenic very offensive and focusing the moves on the centre, with some good moves between Cavan and Seok Kun-Woo, who could find each other with accurate passes. And Estelar more on the defensive area, but planning to surprise the opponents with counterattacks helped by the talented players on the sides, from the full-backs to the wingers. And it worked. After Seok Kun-Woo lost a ball in the midfield to a precise Éris tackle, she quickly sent the ball to Imogene on the left wing. She managed to dribble Yasif and crossed the ball to the area, where Vesta Robles headed it on the top right corner of the goal, giving no chances to Sagan and putting Estelar in a surprising lead at the beginning of the match. Gottfried complained that Vesta pulled his shirt while jumping for the ball, but the referee ignored the complaints.

With the goal, Estelar tried to be even more cautious, and managed to resist for more than twenty minutes, but in the end the offensive pressure created by Zenic earned them a goal. Cavan sent a long pass to the area, Leona managed to head it but the ball went directly to Seok Kun-Woo who shot it before it could hit the pitch, suprising Dani and scoring a beautiful goal from outside the area. The draw wouldn't be a bad result for Estelar, but things got worse close to the end of the first half: Augustine received a pass from Daniel Barnsley and entered the area without opposition, but was surprised by a dangerous sliding tackle from Ariana, which missed the ball completely. Even a blind referee wouldn't have missed this penalty, and Ariana knew what would happen to her: she was already leaving the playing field when she was shown the red card. Seok Kun-Woo took the penalty kick and scored the second goal for both him and Zenic in the match.

Second half began with Jupiter Lynx trying to recompose the defence, putting Isa in the place of Augusta, with no changes for Zenic. But this didn't work well: in less than ten minutes Augustine once again found some free space inside the area, easily avoiding Sidonie who lacked concentration in a crucial moment. With a placed shot he defeated Dani. Later, it was the time for Ayaode to enter the area after an exchange of passes with Gavin Barnsley. He shot the ball, Dani saved, but the rebound went to Daniel Barnsley to easily score the fourth goal for Zenic. At that point, the game seemed decided with Zenic breaching the Estelarian defence like they were professionals facing amateurs.

Jupiter put Gia in the game in the place of Chrissie, making the Stargazers an offensive team. Zenic did the opposite, with Cavan leaving for the slightly more defensive Paolo Camargo. And then, like some magic from the stars, Estelar changed completely and pressured the opponent. Some say that this was overconfidence from Zenic, others the good vibes produced by Isa and Gia as the planets are well located in their respective birth charts, but no one can know for sure... the point is that minutes later Gia dribbled two opponents and, when Sagan tried to challenge her, she passed the ball to Beatrix who finished to the open goal.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Vesta got the ball from a wrong Marshall pass and thanks to this mistake could easily beat the goalkeeper and score her second goal. Zenic put a defender to stop the Estelarian offence, with Jupiter putting Amber to try the comeback. Pressure was strong and Imogene even hit the post once with a long ranged shot, but in the end the result was 4-3 to Zenic. Coach Jupiter pointed out after the final whistle: "We have quality and we can react even when all seems lost. As this was the best ranked opponent of the group, I say we have good chances to get on the next stage of the competition. You know, yesterday I had a tarot reading and the cards seemed favourable... ah, now I remember they were favourable for love, not work... but hmm, I say that if my love life gets better I will work better too, don't you think?"

Imogene agreed with her coach: "I think we have to commemorate... too bad that we simply can't go out in this country like we do in Estelar. Maybe we could protest against this in the next match. Surely there aren't any lesbian clubs here, are there? Of course not. Do they have whisky here at least? Well, maybe we can drink at the hotel and play some card games... not what we expected as a commemoration of our debut, there could be more stuff to do, like a karaoke or more whisky, the limit we can buy here is just disappointing... but we lost, so maybe we don't deserve a top commemoration." She left the interview with a really sad face.

ESTELAR				     ZENIC

1-  Dani Abate			     1-  Bartholomew Sagan
2-  Sidonie Belini  29'  80'      29- Yasif
6-  Nicole Luna			     20- Leon Rosso
3-  Leona Ferran		     55- Kolman Gottfried  71'
4-  Ariana Pacheco  41'	     6-  Xavier Marshall
7-  Chrissie Hacker  56'            98- Daniel Barnsley  52'
5-  Éris Dezon  52'                 89- Gavin Barnsley
10- Beatrix July  68'		     10- Sroel Cavan  61'
9-  Augusta Dreher  45'             11- Seok Kun-Woo  34'/41'  88'
11- Imogene Gallacher		     73- Sandro Augustine  49'
8-  Vesta Robles  12'/77'	     9-  Alexander Ayaode  78'


Subs:				     Subs:

18- Gia Cruzeiro  56'		     2-  Lee Chan  78'
19- Amber Gondelle  80'             5-  Paolo Camargo  61'
20- Isa Santiago  45'		     7-  Alexi Romanov  88'

Coach: Jupiter Lynx		     Coach: Luke Killian

[Szavoda]

SzaTec Towers
2 days later

Dazdan drummed his fingers on the desk and stared at the blank wall. He sat in between Moli and Vahalovic, who all sat opposite an empty pair of chairs. He toyed with a paper cup, before crushing it and tossing it into the bin in the corner of the bin. He imitated the noise of a crowd celebrating, but quickly hushed after both Vahalovic and Moli stared at him.

There was a knock at the door, and all three turned around. Some secretary clicked open the door and held it open for their guest. She was diminutive, short, around 5ft 6" with half-moon glasses and rusty red hair which was tied into a bun on the back of her head. She wore a white polo neck with a tweed blazer and a matching skirt. She smiled and bobbed slightly. Dazdan stood first and shook her hand, offering her the seat opposite. She sat and cleared a stray hair from in front of her eyes. Vahalovic took a set of folders and handed one to Moli and one to Dazdan. He began to speak.

"Ms. Dolanovic, Mr. Iubirdic, this is Ms. Danielle Granger, from Brenecia, in Esportiva. She managed the Brenecian national team, but they went their separate ways after a...disappointing qualification campaign."

"That's an understatement. We were poor, but I've learnt from my mistakes in management and have become better for it."

"She's now unemployed, and is looking to get back into international management."

"That's correct, and I was particularly interested in the Szavoda vacancy as it would give me a real chance to build a squad and more importantly, build a footballing culture, which is something I wasn't able to do when in charge of Brenecia."

"Couldn't agree more." Dazdan added, pointlessly. Granger smiled. They exchanged glances, before she continued. "I've been taking rudimentary Szavda lessons on the internet, and should you give me the job, I can assure you I would have no difficulties with your...quite idiosyncratic language."

Vahalovic spoke next "Tell us about your footballing style."

"Well, I'd be flexible depending on the type of players I would be given. With a brief scan through your squad it would be a relatively defensive set up, looking to stay solid at the back whilst utilising the quicker, more talented players to score on the counter. I prefer the 4-3-3 set up, but again, I'm not against change should the need arise."

Vahalovic asked a number of questions, more detailed, Granger gave references, and after about ten more minutes, Vahalovic & Dazdan stood to thank her. Dazdan went to the door to open it, and the pair exchanged smiles again as she left the room. He closed the door behind her.

"I like her. Let's hire her."

"Not just yet, Mr. Iubirdic, we've still go another candidate to interview. This one is a Euran, former manager of their national team, albeit some time ago, the people are SzaTec have taken a shine to him."

There was another knock on the door, and Dazdan spun and opened it. The secretary nodded sheepishly and left, leaving just a man in his mid-fifties standing in the doorway. Dazdan stepped out of the way and let him enter. He wore a plain suit, and had a liberal covering of hair atop an ageing head. He smiled to the three and sat down. He spoke in a calm fashion.

"I'm glad you've given me the opportunity to apply for this job, and I ensure you that I have the utmost respect and admiration for your country."

This seemed a weird thing to say, but considering the general opinion of the Euran populace regarding their grubby southern neighbours, it was understandable that he wanted to clear the air and not be perceived as someone who disliked their country.

"I was a senior member of Euran coaching staff for close to a decade, achieving many great things with a very talented side, a full brief of which I'm sure you have in your folders. I did once manage the national side itself, which as a position speaks for itself."

"Why do you want to manage in Szavoda?" Moli asked, somewhat pointedly "Surely you could get a much better paid, much more friendly job back in your home country, or anywhere else for that matter?"

"What can I say?" Watson replied with a smile "I like a challenge."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" She barked back. Watson laughed nervously.

"What I mean is, without trying to cause offence, that football in Szavoda is a lot less developed than Eura and the rest of Rushmore, so to take Szavoda to the summit of world football would be a great challenge, something I would leap at."

"What makes you qualified to do this job?" Vahalovic asked.

"Well, I'd consider myself a great motivator and co-ordinator of a team, as demonstrated by my time when I was head coach of the Euran national team, under the famous Kelly Sporadic. With a team such as yours, which is quite inexperienced and, shall we say, exuberant, I believe discipline is very important, and I'd consider myself a master of maintaining order within a squad. As tactics go, I'm open to most styles and formations, whatever fits the players. I like to be involved with the development of young players, so does Szavoda have an U21 side or a development programme?"

Moli opened her mouth to speak, but Vahalovic interrupted "We've linked up with a corporate backer who will provide us with funds to establish a youth programme in Vfana, which will look to start producing quality players in three to five players."

Moli and Dazdan exchanged confused looks. Just how involved were SzaTec in this whole operation? They remained quiet whilst Watson continued to speak, mainly about his experience and qualities as a manager. After a few more minutes they all shook hands and Watson was shown out. The three of them were left alone in the interview room.

"I liked Granger. Confident when in a completely country and knows her game well." Dazdan said.

"I'm inclined to agree" Moli added "It takes guts to march into a country you've never heard of and demand to manage their national football team. Plus it'll mean that this team won't be a boys club, which'll make a difference from the norm in this country."

Vahalovic was quiet, fiddling with his pen, before readjusting his glasses. "I don't know what SzaTec's opinion will be on that. You know how keen they are to build bridges with Eura, and this would be a perfect opportunity. I liked Ms. Granger too, but I'd just like to warn you, the people we're working with a very powerful organisation."

[Zenic]

A hard fought and high scoring victory is how Luke Killian’s first game as manager of the Zenic national team will be remembered. The former national team captain orchestrated a match day 1 win over Estelar by a scoreline of 4-3. Many of those in attendance would certainly call it a “nail-biter.” The national team had rather impressive starts from both youngster Sroel Cavan and veteran Seok Kun-woo. Kun-woo netted two goals in the contest while Sroel Cavan played well and made a case for his inclusion in the starting midfield alongside the Barnsley twins.

While the game against Estelar was mostly impressive and uplifting, it did show some problematic issues. The team allowed an incredibly early 12th minute goal and 3 total goals, a sight that was very rare during Sanders tenure. Some analyst have speculated that it is an issue with retaining a legacy back line of Sanders’ (a mish-mash of old and new) and attempted to get said backline to adjust to a fundamentally more offensive minded strategy? Regardless, it is an issue that will need to be solved by the time Zenic runs out onto the pitch of Progress Stadium once again for their match against the Eastern Sunrise Islands, a team that will certainly attain victory if the backline has a repeat performance.

Speaking of the Eastern Sunrise Islands, Zenic’s next opponents also claimed victory over their match day 1 foes, Logria by the slimmest of margins: 1-0. ESI played very well defensively and generated many more opportunities than Logria, finally scoring the game winner. This match will prove to be important as a win for either Zenic or ESI will qualify them for the knockout stages. And it appears that, for now, Killian is confident in his starting line-up as he has not announced any changes. A risky but bold move on the part of the young manager.

Despite my many years of covering the game, this match is impossible to call with all of the different variables in play. Only 90 minutes will tell us who made the right decisions to get the win. Until then, this is Xavier Magnusson writing to you from St. Ioannes. Have a good day and a peaceful existence.

-- Xavier Magnusson


Xavier Magnusson is one of the oldest and most respected sports writers at the Leinz Herald. Having 32 years of award-winning journalism and experience covering both domestic and international association football competitions, it is only appropriate that he would be the one to cover the Empire’s first ever international tournament.

[Polaaskan]

Sol Arke smiled.

Announcing his retirement from football was never going to be easy. Or so he thought. He just had to say it. And he did just that. No tearing up, no dramaticness, none of that. He'd just said it. Christian Hogg announced he was retiring too, and that'd leave space for two more centre-backs to enter the fold.

Again, he smiled. Pol Koroshkin. Johannes Tukhbatulin. Rolando Agincourt. Vasili Ricmond. Hell, even Oliver Kallstrom had a shot at it. Then there was Piotr Karl and Linus Melker too to add into the mix. Seven centre-backs all fit to replace himself and Christian. He remembered leading out the side for the first time at the Baptism of Fire, and now he looked on. It'd be the last time too.

Sol was naturally a composed guy, the Polaa (heh) opposite of Christian, who wouldn't hesistate to hack an opponent down. The duo had been mainstays in the Gulls defence for just over seven years now. Which is a long time. Especially in the football world. Sol reckoned Piotr and Linus would step up to it, but maybe he wasn't sure. Linus had been having...injury problems recently but Piotr no doubt could step up.

Pol and Johannes were solid as rocks, Rolando and Vasili offered a more composed variant whilst Oliver was a bit of both, really. Sol had mentored Oliver back at SC Martinsberg and he was progressing really well. He couldn't believe next season he'd be managing him and some of his former teammates as he seeks to regain the title.

Lacing his boots, he stood up, patted Renat van Allison on the shoulder and exited the changing room, advancing down the tunnel. Behind him, Renat, Christian, Vasili, Nicklas, Lukas, Iiro, Artem, Hakke, Iiro and Mikhailo. Manager Bosko strode down the touchline and thumped Sol on the shoulder before giving the Marion Oaks manager a steely glare, followed by long-time assistant Maries.

The Valladar referee signalled to both teams it was time. Sol turned to the Marion Oaks captain, bid him good luck and jogged out onto the field, applauding the travelling Polaa fans. Lose, Polaaskan were out, and the game against Kernansquillec would the last time he'd lead the Gulls out. Win, there was a chance he could advance into the round of 16. But he only thought one thing.

Play this like it's your last.

---

Polaaskan: Timo Sokolov, Piotr Karlstrom, Sol Arke, Linus Melker (Piotr Karl 30), Timo Asker, Lukas Karlstrom (Hakke Silvennsson (74), Iiro Mihaylov (Ragge Bielvenstramm 80), David Spillum, Johan Pekarik, Timo Heinckel, Iiro Kallikko

Pravenna: Perseus Theoklitos, Demetrios Constantinou (Iliad Tsipras 60), Eudoxia Tzavaras, Claire Demetrios, Spyridon Gekas, Kostas Postecoglou, Calisto Matraxis, Niko Karachanis, Zoe Merochite (Vasilis Panagokas 82), Theo Michaels, Isadora Xenaphon (Theseus Barbarouses 53)

Goals: Karachanis 14', Michaels 28', 59', Constantinou 57', Barbarouses 89'
Kaalikko 25', Heinckel 31', Bielvenstramm 82'

[Polar Islandstates]

Eighty-one minutes on the clock, and Norrehavn didn't look like going anywhere fast. Valentin Jahr allowed himself a rare smile in public. A most satisfactory match. Having realised he'd be seated at the side of Magnus Ragnorak in the Director's Box - a man whom even Jahr found to be particularly strange and unnerving - he'd ended up swapping tickets with a fan who had a spot directly behind the Tern's bench. The fan had thanked him profusely at the time, and was barely able to believe his luck. He wondered whether the same fan was feeling quite so lucky after nearly two hours of Ragnorak's squeaking.

The one great advantage of seats this close to the action, of course, was that he was able to keep extremely close tabs on his new signing, Finn Kirkkegaard. The disadvantage was that the whole team, and therefore presumably the television cameras, all knew he was there as well. He couldn't help that, though. As distinctive and hard-to-hide as they were, the pink suits were as much a part of his public persona as the non-smiling was, and he couldn't just start going about in regular clothes now, could he? He didn't even like pink. When the idea first came to him to wear a distinctive suit, pink was the last colour on his purely thanks to the fact he didn't like it. His first thoughts, for a white and green suit with red tie that matched the team's kit, were deemed too garish, and he couldn't wear his second choice of purple lest he be assumed to be in cahoots with those chancers from Jan Mayen. And then, what would be the point in a distinctive suit that was black or grey or brown? Or even white? His favourite colour, orange, was a choice that crossed his mind, but at the last minute he realised that extended exposure to a bright orange suit might turn him off the colour. And, heaven forfend that happen to a colour he actually liked. So, he asked himself, what colour didn't he like? Pink. Pink would be the colour of the suits. And if he didn't like the colour to start with, he positively despised it now.

So then, why stick to it so rigidly? It was a thing for the people to believe in, that's why. Times, tides, and Valentin Jahr's pink suits. You've got to have a persona, you see. A character. A schtick. Some gimmick or other for the people to see. Create a character so broad and noticeable that your legend travels further than you do. It was a tactic that had served both he and SK very well in the past. People who'd never spoken to him in his life went into negotiations scared of him. And then, inevitably, he got his man.

Just like Finn.

Konigstein - a rare graduate of the SK youth academy to make the first team - had played a beautiful ball through from the midfield with the outside of his boot, and Kirkkegaard had been on the receiving end of it. Flicking the ball one way around the defender whilst rolling and physically passing him on the other, Kirkkegaard had slammed the ball into the bottom corner like a cannon, and Jahr had stood and clapped stoically whilst all around him were celebrating with wild abandon. You can't just abandon your persona because your player scored a goal, you know. Nonetheless, from Konigstein to Kirkkegaard; a goal that Jahr hoped they'd be seeing a lot of in the coming seasons at the Landstadt.

A buzz in his pocket told him he'd received a text or an e-mail, and he reached to check it eagerly.

Valentin
Progress on TT. Cheaper by 2.
Jansberg will sell lower, I bet.
Personal touch needed for more reduction.
Sending tickets to your hotel.
You fly to Emberton in three hours.
AOCAF squad - no club.
AJ.

Another smile in public. Heavens. Still, this one was perhaps justified. As much as the Griffons needed another striker with the leaving of Kolehmainen - and what a gloriously controversial signing he'd been - the centre of the spine needed a good refresh as well. With the earlier signing of Carl Lindstrom from FC Jansberg, with Vladimir Lucic going the other way, Jahr's scouts had brought his attention to the highly rated Semarland midfielder Tunji Tunde. They called him the Metronome, apparently, and that was the one thing that SK were really missing, still. There was progress on destroyer Jakkar, and Drummond and Dardan were fine attacking midfielders, and then there was Konigstein. All fine footballers, but none could very well be compared to a metronome. No, Tunde was perfect, but his club had been playing hardball. Even though SK could pay what they were asking, why should they have to? They were SK. SK. How many other clubs did you know of that could be referred to by just a pair of initials. And that's internationally too, mind, not just around the Federation. No, there was no need for them to pay the $16m his club had been demanding.

However, it now seemed that thanks to some snooping from trusted lackey number four that Jansberg were prepared to lower their asking price. How he'd found that out, or what performance related fees it would require, Jahr didn't know. Nor, frankly, did he care. They could pay it, attachments could and would be left out or endorsed in the fee reported to the press as required. Whatever made SK look more powerful in each scenario.

Emberton was a fair way away, mind, but whatever it took to have a word with Tunde without the hovering hawkish presence of club officials would be worth it. Especially if it meant pressure from the player caused them to drop their price by a further $2m. Even if it involved setting foot in Krytenia.

A long way, though, and the flight wasn't that far away once you take into account packing and check-in and whatnot. Perhaps it would be best to miss the end-of-game scrum and leave now. Certainly, the Terns looked like they had this one sewn up. The next match, against reigning World and Rushmori champions Pasarga would be a different matter altogether, but Jahr had seen what he'd come here to see, and he was sure he'd be excused the remaining few minutes if he decided to leave now.

He stood up, and then immediately saw Kirkkegaard's number being held up for a substitution. 11 off, 20 on. Grndstrom. Damn. SK for SK. There was no way he could leave now, just as Grndstrom was being substituted on in place of the player many were incorrectly assuming would be the one to force him out of the SK squad. Jahr already had a meeting with Grndstrom lined up for after the Copa to reassure the player of his place in his plans. He couldn't very well do that after having been seen leaving the stadium just as Grndstrom replaced Kirkkegaard. It wouldn't be a good position to negotiate from. Grndstrom was already on a substantial contract as it was, he didn't want to give the lad any excuse to try and push for a better one.

Applauding the new addition to the field of play, Jahr sat back down and forced himself to not look at his watch impatiently. Hopefully, Emberton would still be there by the time he was done here.

Or, hopefully not, depending on your opinion of Krytenia.

[Saintland]

MD2 Results

Group A
Pridnestrovia 1–0 Charruterra
Eura 5–3 Sameba

  Group A                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eura                      2   2  0  0    8   3  +5    6
2 Sameba                    2   1  0  1    4   5  −1    3
3 Pridnestrovia             2   1  0  1    1   3  −2    3
4 Charruterra               2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0

Group B
Shtiar Bakal 1–0 South Yerfilag
Taeshan 1–0 Sarrbia

  Group B                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Taeshan                   2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Shtiar Bakal              2   1  0  1    1   1   0    3
3 Sarrbia                   2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1
  South Yerfilag            2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

Group C
Mytanar Region 1–0 Lons
Sargossa 0–4 Electrum

  Group C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Electrum                  2   2  0  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Mytanar Region            2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
3 Sargossa                  2   0  1  1    0   4  −4    1
4 Lons                      2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0

Group D
Szavoda 3–1 Rio Oscuro
Saintland 3–0 Stvoto Latoli

  Group D                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Saintland                 2   2  0  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Szavoda                   2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
3 Stvoto Latoli             2   1  0  1    2   4  −2    3
4 Rio Oscuro                2   0  0  2    2   5  −3    0

Group E
Estelar 4–1 Logria
Zenic 2–1 Eastern Sunrise Islands

  Group E                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Zenic                     2   2  0  0    6   4  +2    6
2 Estelar                   2   1  0  1    7   5  +2    3
3 Eastern Sunrise Islands   2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Logria                    2   0  0  2    1   5  −4    0

Group F
San Llera 3–5 Norrehavn
Pasarga 0–1 Polar Islandstates

  Group F                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Polar Islandstates        2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Pasarga                   2   1  0  1    6   3  +3    3
3 Norrehavn                 2   1  0  1    5   4  +1    3
4 San Llera                 2   0  0  2    5  11  −6    0

Group G
Owner-osity 1–3 Vermark
Valladares 0–0 Eastfield Lodge

  Group G                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valladares                2   1  1  0    4   0  +4    4
2 Eastfield Lodge           2   1  1  0    4   1  +3    4
3 Vermark                   2   1  0  1    4   5  −1    3
4 Owner-osity               2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0

Group H
Marion Oaks 1–2 Polaaskan
Kernansquillec 2–0 Pravenna

  Group H                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kernansquillec            2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
2 Marion Oaks               2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
3 Pravenna                  2   1  0  1    5   5   0    3
4 Polaaskan                 2   1  0  1    5   6  −1    3

Clinched advancement to Round of 16

[Sarrbia]

The Tropical Republic of Sarrbia - National Soccer Team - Copa Rushmori XXII

Sarrbia is an archipelago in southwestern meridian Rushmore, near New Sirain, Whirl Islands and Cotdelapoms. It is a paradise known for its abundance of white-sand beaches, palm trees, beautiful bikini-clad women and massive (and completely legal) drug business. In the sporting world, Sarrbia is noted for its equal love of beach and association football, having hosted two editions of the Beach Cup in the past.

The Sarrbians reached a peak world ranking of #48 after qualifying for World Cup 56, but have since faded into relative obscurity. Please note that the Sarrbian squad is mixed male and female. All players come from Futbalo Asocio Sarrbi (FAS), the domestic league of Sarrbia and New Sirain, unless marked with another flag.


Basic Information

Headquarters: Wypuli, Sarrbia
Ground: Arena Malluma Maŭra (50,000)
Colors: Pink, White, Gold
Nickname: The Palmettos
Mascot: Sheila the Whale
Formation: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: +3
Status: Puppet of Cosumar

Staff

Manager: Merlanda Aumbaugh
Assistant Manager: Alaina West
Goalkeeping Coach: Kio Arrabulle
Defense Coach: Donovan Buckles
Midfield Coach: Susi Jackson
Strikers Coach: Milo Madlambayan
Fitness Coach: Rosafinka Madlambayan

Starting XI

Goalkeeper - Oriane SPURLING - (33, Female, Myollo Kunigitaj)
Left Fullback - Patrick BANDERAS - (32, Male, Samaj FC )
Center Back - Tempest HONEYCUTT - (44, Female, Palmo Marbordo)
Center Back - Kimbra YAMAMOTO - (29, Female, Safiro Rivero)
Right Fullback - Marsha HOGARTH - (28, Female, FK Arĝento Monto)
Left Midfield - Cynthia THATCHER - (24, Female, FK Arĝento Monto)
Center Midfield - Ezra HARDY - (30, Neither, FK Seymour)
Right Midfield - Cirino REY - (32, Male, FK Voluptamoro)
Left Winger - Lillian HATHOWAY - (28, Female, FK Wypuli)
Right Winger - Dmytro KUROSAWA - (31, Male, Crawford City FC ) *Captain and star player
Center Forward - Chris BREWSTER - (23, Male, FK Wypuli)


Substitutes

Goalkeeper - Altavian KALHORO - (21, Female, Palmo Marbordo)
Goalkeeper - Gulbrand CARDINI - (28, Male, FK Malibog)
Defender - Andressa FESTA - (20, Female, Aleta Peyla)
Defender - Wanda COOKE - (33, Female, Malton Urbo)
Defender - Bram COEL - (31, Male, Strava Exankalla)
Defender - Kelvin LISCO - (14, Male, Myollo Kunigitaj)
Midfielder - Jilli GYRI - (34, Female, Palmo Marbordo)
Midfielder - Sohyun KANG - (25, Female, Androtus)
Midfielder - Adam WOJCNIK - (20, Male, Pnembli Lago)
Midfielder - Heraclio HUTSON - (34, Male, Strava Exankalla)
Forward - Mohinder MISRA - (28, Male, Capiciam Kunigitaj)
Forward - Damien STRANGE - (30, Male, Spiritoj Zephyr)
Forward - Salgin ORDRUVOR - (18, Male, Cenial Liberty )


Kit

[Taeshan]

Winner winner chicken dinner.

http://chirb.it/BOxw0K

[Estelar]

Convincing performance puts Estelar close to qualification
news brought to you by the Daily Predictor, in association with Astrology Today/Past/Forever

Horoscope of the day - Taurus: "If you work on the backstage, you'll have more chances of getting the job you want. Don't comment about your ambitions and your chances of success will be higher. Explore your popularity, your appearance will attract people in flirting more than usual this day. The color for the day is orange."

Comment of the Taurus player - Nicole Luna: "Well, let's see... I am already a starter of the National Team, which is this job? I don't think it is to be the captain of the team, I am nice but I am not really interested on this position... hmm, does it work to say this to the other players, I mean, the horoscope says that I have to hide my ambitions... about flirting I highly doubt that this country can give me many opportunities in this aspect. This is really unfortunate, as we had a major win yesterday and I really wanted to meet some people and commemorate, and it's nice to know that I have this personal magnetism, hehe... color for the day... alright, the Estelar shirt is orange too so this means we'll have a good game. I hope so, as we would qualify this way."


The first match ended with a loss, but the Stargazers' performance, instead of frustrating the fans and keeping their hopes low for the first international competition of the country, had a completely different effect. After a blackout in which Estelar lost the lead on the match and let it become a devastating negative 4-1 result in half an hour, the players didn't give up and fought back, scoring two goals and getting pretty close of a draw, which would surely transform the match in the best one in the first round of the Copa Rushmori. The players and coach made positive comments and told how it would help the team in the next matches, and the people reacted on the Estelarian cities doing what they do the best: partying a lot. Squares were full. Bars were full. Clubs were full. Houseparties were made. People did pass out on the streets. Music was loud. People started arguments about their relationships everywhere... and all other stuff that usually happens when an entire country gets into party mode! And any reason is enough for this in Estelar. By the way, yesterday was the day of the traffic controller and we had some huge parties which people say that were to commemorate the day but they just needed a randon reason.

But, returning to football, came the match versus Logria, the other unranked team of the group. Therefore, this was surely a life or death match, as the loser team would have practically no chances of qualifying to the next stage, unless some really weird combination of results happened in the final matchday. After the first matchday people in Estelar were hoping for the three points to decide the qualification in the last game, and they weren't disappointed. The Stargazers played quality football and managed to get home an easy win. The strategy was a bit different than the one in the game against Zenic: the team was more offensive and the full-backs and wingers worked much more. Éris played like a second offensive midfielder instead of playing her usually defensive role. Logria had a neutral strategy. The biggest surprise at the beggining of the match was Amber starting in the place of Augusta. But the reason of the change wasn't surprising and was explained by the coach Jupiter Lynx: "She got too drunk yesterday. Vomited on the carpet and everything, and right now as you see she is sleeping at the bench, her head leaning on Sarah's shoulder. But she took some medicines and may be alright for the second half."

Even with two substitutes (Isa also substituted Ariana who got sent off in the first match), Estelar soon noticed that the opponents could be defeated. The first attacks were more to check the strength of the opponent defenders, with Amber and Imogene attempting some crossings and Beatrix trying to invade the area dribbling. The goal didn't take much time to come. Imogene intercepted a wrong pass and then passed the ball to Vesta who was positioned behind the defender who was supposed to mark her. She then invaded the area and just put the ball over the goalkeeper and inside the goal. Logria couldn't react well in the first half, and instead just gave more openings for the Stargazers' attacks. Éris tried an individual move but ended facing three defenders. She passed the ball behind to Chrissie, who noticed that the goalkeeper was away from the smaller area. She took the opportunity and attempted to shoot the ball to the goal, and surprisingly the keeper couldn't jump high enough to avoid suffering this beautiful goal. "It was on purpose, but honestly I didn't expect that I would score. I am happy for this", commented her after the match.A third goal came before the end of the first half. Imogene exchanged some passes with Beatrix, invaded the area and even took her time to dribble the keeper before hitting the ball to the goal.

The 3-0 was the final result of the first half, and as expected Estelar slowed down on the second, to avoid to have injured players or receiving cards, as it was already known that the last match was crucial for Estelar's chances of qualifying. But they slowed down a bit too much. Logria managed to score a goal in the 55th minute, and Jupiter started shouting angrily for the team to take care. Augusta's headache was gone and she got into the game, and soon after Colleen entered in the place of Beatrix to improve the control on the midfield. The plan was to just keep the ball and control the win. There was still time for Vesta to score the fourth goal of Estelar, with a well placed long ranged shot, and the entire stadium applauded her when she left the match on the final minutes to give place for Shane, while holding her shirt up and showing a message on a shirt she wore below the Estelarian one: "Stop oppression on women now... and oppression on Gemini people too."

If last match the reactions of the team members of Estelar were already excited, this time they were feeling amazing, talking like if they were on drugs. "Hey, I am happy to be this team's coach, I really love all these women... this was an amazing performance and now we will do our best to repeat this in the final matchday of the group stage... we'll manage it, we will, I hope we will at least, we are confident. As you have noticed the moon is now full and this surely will have a positive effect on us, with the moon stronger some players will have much more energy." Vesta also gave some comments to the media, although the reporters had to wait for several minutes while she was hugging everyone, including the referee. "We are a real team. We drink together, talk to each other about our problems, play risk and monopoly and poker and we make some embarassing bets... it's nice to be together. Just sad that we don't feel much safe at going out in this place... anyway, it's good to see this team working, never imagined that I would be able to handle to live in the same hotel and play with Aries people, you know how they are difficult to deal with."

ESTELAR

1-  Dani Abate
2-  Sidonie Belini
6-  Nicole Luna
3-  Leona Ferran
21- Isa Santiago
7-  Chrissie Hacker  28'
5-  Éris Dezon  62'
10- Beatrix July  69'
20- Amber Gondelle  45'
11- Imogene Gallacher  39'
8-  Vesta Robles  20'/73'  82'

Subs:

9-  Augusta Dreher  45'
15- Colleen Winter  69'
21- Shane Medina  82'

Coach: Jupiter Lynx

[Polar Islandstates]

"This way, Mr Jahr."

Well, it was about time. Ragnorak had gone home with the flu, Jahr was back from Emberton, the Terns had thrillingly beaten Pasarga in their last match and were through to the knockout stages of the Copa, and the match against already knocked-out San Llera was about to start. Pundits would argue that the progress decider between Pasarga and Norrehavn would be the better game, but Jahr had zero intention of listening to them. Watching the Terns, that was where he wanted to be.

After all, wasn't this supposed to be a holiday? In theory, anyway. He wasn't there to scout - he had people for that. He didn't know a player's potential from the arse end of his elbow. He had enough knowledge to know when a player was playing well at the time, but that didn't mean he knew when to tell if a player could be propelled from one position to one capable of appearing at the CC quarter-finals. He had people for that. That was one of the keys of good leadership; delegation. Know what your strengths are, and know what your strengths aren't. If you aren't great at judging player potential, hire someone who is. And that's exactly what Jahr had done. All over the SK hierarchy, he had players and coaches and managers and administrators who could do what he couldn't. And that was why he was so successful as a chairman. For all the megalomania and for all the controlling he displayed to the outside world, he was actually very sensible when it came to recognising his shortcomings. No point in pretending he was good at something when there were other people he could employ who could do it better, right?

Just as he was settling into his seat, however, he received a text. He rolled his eyes before even opening it. This couldn't be good news...

Jakkar roundbump.
Club dragging their feet.
Personal touch?
GK

Jahr rolled his eyes again. He'd only just got back for Thor's sake. And where even was the guy right now? Nah. Nuts to that.

Pass.
Just throw money at them.
Go up as far as 18 if you have to.
If that doesn't work, contact me again.
VJ

That should do it. If not, maybe he really would have to leave Saintland again. He hoped not, however, and as the Terns walked out of the tunnel alongside the side from San Llera, Jahr sipped his sparkling wine delicately and settled into his leather seat. He was finally going to allow himself to get comfortable.



OOC: I'm a little drunk tonight, so apologies for the short RP.

[Saintland]

MD3 Results

Group A
Sameba 5–2 Pridnestrovia
Charruterra 0–6 Eura

  Group A                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eura                      3   3  0  0   14   3 +11    9
2 Sameba                    3   2  0  1    9   7  +2    6
3 Pridnestrovia             3   1  0  2    3   8  −5    3
4 Charruterra               3   0  0  3    0   8  −8    0

Group B
Sarrbia 3–2 Shtiar Bakal
South Yerfilag 1–5 Taeshan

  Group B                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Taeshan                   3   3  0  0    7   1  +6    9
2 Sarrbia                   3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
3 Shtiar Bakal              3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
4 South Yerfilag            3   0  1  2    1   6  −5    1

Group C
Electrum 1–1 Mytanar Region
Lons 0–2 Sargossa

  Group C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Electrum                  3   2  1  0    6   1  +5    7
2 Mytanar Region            3   1  2  0    2   1  +1    5
3 Sargossa                  3   1  1  1    2   4  −2    4
4 Lons                      3   0  0  3    0   4  −4    0

Group D
Stvoto Latoli 1–3 Szavoda
Rio Oscuro 0–1 Saintland

  Group D                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Saintland                 3   3  0  0    6   0  +6    9
2 Szavoda                   3   2  0  1    6   4  +2    6
3 Stvoto Latoli             3   1  0  2    3   7  −4    3
4 Rio Oscuro                3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group E
Eastern Sunrise Islands 3–1 Estelar
Logria 0–0 Zenic

  Group E                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Zenic                     3   2  1  0    6   4  +2    7
2 Eastern Sunrise Islands   3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Estelar                   3   1  0  2    8   8   0    3
4 Logria                    3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1

Group F
Polar Islandstates 5–2 San Llera
Norrehavn 3–4 Pasarga

  Group F                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Polar Islandstates        3   3  0  0    7   2  +5    9
2 Pasarga                   3   2  0  1   10   6  +4    6
3 Norrehavn                 3   1  0  2    8   8   0    3
4 San Llera                 3   0  0  3    7  16  −9    0

Group G
Eastfield Lodge 5–2 Owner-osity
Vermark 3–2 Valladares

  Group G                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eastfield Lodge           3   2  1  0    9   3  +6    7
2 Vermark                   3   2  0  1    7   7   0    6
3 Valladares                3   1  1  1    6   3  +3    4
4 Owner-osity               3   0  0  3    3  12  −9    0

Group H
Pravenna 0–2 Marion Oaks
Polaaskan 0–2 Kernansquillec

  Group H                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Marion Oaks               3   2  0  1    6   4  +2    6*
2 Kernansquillec            3   2  0  1    6   3  +3    6*
3 Pravenna                  3   1  0  2    5   7  −2    3
4 Polaaskan                 3   1  0  2    5   8  −3    3

*Marion Oaks wins group due to HTH victory over Kernansquillec on MD1

---

Round of 16

Eura vs Sarrbia @ Royal Stadium, St. Petrus
Electrum vs Szavoda @ Via Damascus Stadium, St. Paulus
Zenic vs Pasarga @ Royal Park, St. Petrus
Eastfield Lodge vs Kernansquillec @ Civitate Dei Stadium, St. Augustinus
Taeshan vs Sameba @ Progress Stadium, St. Ioannes
Saintland vs Mytanar Region @ Amphitheatrum Confessiones, St. Augustinus
Polar Islandstates vs Eastern Sunrise Islands @ King Paulus XIV Park, St. Paulus
Marion Oaks vs Vermark @ St. Andreas Beach Stadium, beach near St. Andreas

[Taeshan]

Snavely, Snavely, Snavely

http://chirb.it/Dk95hy

[Zenic]

“Ah, Pasarga. We’ve had some great matches against them, haven’t we? Those were the good old days.”

Manager Luke Killian was sitting on the bench alongside his starting goalkeeper Bartholomew Sagan during practice. The keepers were relaxing a bit before their next exercise while Killian looked over and revised his game plan against Pasarga. They faced their fellow Rushmoris in the Round of 16 of the 22nd Copa, possibly a round or two earlier than either nation hoped. It was promising to be one of the better matchups in the Round of 16.

“Yeah, it was certainly a classic. Our first big win against a top team in the world and it was away in Pasarga. And we won that game because of your goal, Luke,” Sagan replied, patting Killian on the back. Killian chuckled as he erased something on his notepad. “I can’t take all of the credit: You and the guys on the backline made some incredible saves. We could have easily lost that game 3-1 or something along those lines.” Sagan nodded in agreeance.

“Now, enough of the chit-chat, what’s it looking like, Luke? What’s happening?” Luke stopped scribbling on his notepad and flipped backwards a page. “We’ve got Pasarga in the Round of 16, which you already know and we’re facing them at the Royal Park in St. Petrus. They run a 4-4-2 with a balance mindset, have a +6 goal differential, and their only loss was to the Polar Islandstates. Oh, and they are both the reigning Copa Rushmori and World Cup champions. So, business as usual,” Killian quipped.

“Yeah, forgot about those last facts,” Sagan mentioned. It did seem a bit bleak once they both saw the bigger picture. The #1 team in the world, champion of the world and Rushmore go against the 52nd team in the world, still adapting itself to the ideas of a new manager. But the disparity back in the qualifiers of World Cup 68 hadn’t stopped Zenic from pulling off its biggest upset and it wasn’t going to stop them in the 22nd Copa Rushmori from repeating that amazing feat.

“Honestly, I think I have just the game plan to beat them so don’t you worry, Bartholomew. Now, go and get back to training; I need you in top shape for the game.” Sagan chuckled. “Spoken like a true manager,” he said before getting up and running over to the goal for the next goalkeeper exercise. Killian smiled, appreciative that someone was noticing his hard work at being a manager. He flipped back to the page he had his game plan on and proceeded to work on it once more.

He was going to need the perfect game plan if we wanted to upset the best team in the work. And he had just the strategy to do so.

[Eura]

Eura march on to leave neighbouring rivals and underdogs in their wake
A special feature on Eura's return to form after World Cup defeat
Simon Banning reports from the Emplor Media Centre in St. Petrus, Saintland

As the group stage of the 22nd Copa Rushmori comes to a close, its hard to believe that Eura are a team who only recently endured the heartbreak of a second World Cup final defeat in their third appearance. Pasarga were the champions in the end, led by Dominik Mauer not too long after he had won Brigham the title in spectacular fashion, while Eura were denied by a cruel and fairly late goal. However, Craig Gilbert - the man who was the subject of a deflection that produced that fateful goal - seems to have recovered right away, as have the rest of the team. Eura won all three of their group stage games, including a thriller against neighbour Sameba, who seem to have peaked in World Cup qualification potential. This means that Eura have now lost only once in their last 24 games, winning 18 and drawing 5, scoring 88 goals, 74 of which were scored over the course of the last cycle. This run of form has taken them to their highest ever WCC ranking of 2nd, outstripped only by Pasarga's obscene rank score. Now, Eura are seeking to finally capture an evasive Copa Rushmori title.

Eura's selection, in light of Brigham's Season 25 title win, the last World Cup and what has happened in Season 26 so far, has led to some important selection changes. Most importantly Kris Campbell is now the leading striker after he helped Farfadillis champions Mâ Âlâmëómë win their domestic league and come second in the Champions Cup, and his exceptional performances in the qualification and tournament proper of World Cup 72. John Spartan, Craig Sinclair and Gareth Blackthorn remain the key midfield trio, but Mike Adam's is no longer playing every game. Sinclair's ability to switch wings with easy means he can be rotated out for the young and fearsome Joel Sutton, with players like Lewis Hughes also contesting for his place, while Albin Oslograd's starting position looks to be now on the edge of being taken by Hughes, Charles Hunter, Freddie Nolan or even someone else. Even Blackthorn has to be careful that he doesn't forfeit his place to Sterling Rose, who has made some impressive cameo appearances. Towards the back there is more change as Chris Waller makes his return to the lineup as the Ben Prince revolution ends somewhat prematurely, though Prince still has time to come back into the side if he can repeat his domestic level consistency. The other change in that area is one change in defence, where Mark Rogers is dropped for Frank Ainsworth, though more because of Ainsworth's strengths than Rogers weaknesses.

OOC: Not really complete yet, will finish ASAP.

[Kernansquillec]

SPOTLIGHT ON... VARINIA VARANO

Varinia Varano

Personal information

Full name       Varinia Littas Varano
Date of birth   10th November 2036 (28 years old)
Place of birth  Kernansquillec City
                Capitol, Kernansquillec
Sex             Female
Height          1m73
Position        Forward
Nationality      Kernansquillecan

Club information

Currant team     New Southampton
Number          22

Youth career

2043 - 2047     West Corner Youth
2047 - 2053     Haix

Senior career

2053 - 2056     Haix
2056 - now      New Southampton

National team

2063 - now      Kernansquillec

- Hello and welcome to Spotlight on... I'm your host, Roderick Marsden. The group stage is over and the Kers have made it though! It wasn't particularly pretty to start off with, a 3-2 reverse against minnows Marion Oaks was one of the surprises of the group stage, but the team came back strong with two wins over Pravenna and Polaaskan to seal qualification, although as the second placed team with Marion Oaks pulling off quite a result to win the group. Their qualification came at the expense of ninth seeds Pravenna who had been expected to make it, but they were by far the only team not to make it. Valladares, Sargossa and Stvoto Latoli all went crashing out at the group stage to the dismay of their supporters. Now, due to some technical problems with our studio in Saintland we are going to have to cut the show down by quite a bit, so let's go strait on to tonight's spotlight that is on one of Kernansquillec's stars, Varinia Varano. Macy, over to you.

- Thanks Roderick! Varinia Varano, few name are more symbolic of Kernansquillecan football today. Part of that post-Great War bébéboomers generation, Variana is best know on Big Island where she has played the vast majority of her football, living on the island since the age of 11 when her parents moved their. But a little known fact about her is that she actually started her footballing career back in 2043 at the tender age of seven with the youth team of West Corner Youth in the capital where she was born. On Big Island her football career continued as the young forward integrated the then amateur set-up of Haix Football Club. She impressed in the youth ranks and went on to make her senior team début in 2053 at just 17 years of age. But her big break was to come credit to New Southampton and the birth of the First Division with the red and whites poaching her just in time for the kick off of the first ever professional season. Since then, she hasn't looked back. Despite a tough start to life with goals being quite rare for the young forward, she soon became of key figure for the Saints and got noticed by the national team. Her début came at the 72nd World Cup Qualifiers with her goal scoring record impressing enough to over-though the then seemingly untouchable Peter Lilac. Her goals since then have gone to show that it wasn't a stupid move and she has gone on to net 28 goals for the Kers, scoring in all three Copa matches so far. Her agility and technical ability make her a dangerous forward and she has gotten quite a nack of finding space that defenders just can't seem to cover. If she carries on outsmarting defenders as she has done so far all tournament, then Kernansquillec will always be in a strong position during matches. Roderick that was your spotlight on Jakki Snijder.

- Thank you very much Macy! And I'm afraid that's all we have time for. We should be back on air soon after the game against Eastfield Lodge and we'll hopefully have sorted our technical issues by then. But until then, goodbye and goodnight!

[Pasarga]

"It's all a bunch of rubbish really, the Wanderers the best in the World, has to be some sort of governmental conspiracy to distract the nation from this abysmal handling of the epidemic. I don't care what they say about only an eight percent thing, you go outside and you're going to come back and be dead in a few days. Mark my words!"

"Dad, you've been hitting the bottle again and are talking nonsense. I've been outside everyday for the past two months and I will be going out again today and the following days. I don't have the disease and you don't have the disease, we are all fine. The people in the government are doing exactly what they need to do to bring this all under control and stamp out the last remaining cases. Sure it has taken a toll on the population, but we're still here and we will bounce back stronger than ever."

"You believe what people tell you too much, like this whole Wanderers winning the World Cup thing. Everyone in the islands knows that the Wanderers can never win the World Cup, it is impossible. They have no superstars any more and always are too darn inconsistent. Sure they may have made the Final two years ago and then won the Copa, yet that was merely because the Polarians decided that they needed to have some sort of Big Freeze or some other non sense. You buy into the propaganda like everyone else does, but I see the truth."

"Dad, we both watched the Wanderers beat Eura in the Final or are you going to say that the government hijacked the television as well? Come off it already, things are changing both for the Wanderers and for the country, may the Queen rest in peace. We can't sit idle with our heads in the sand. That's not hawo you get things to be better, that's not how you move forward. And if you are just going to complain and continue to spill forward the same spiel over and over again, then maybe it is time that you look for a different place to live. Mom wouldn't have wanted you to continue on like this and I sure don't either."

"Fine, fine... I'll quit drinking so much, just... be careful when you're out today. Maybe stay in instead, watch the Copa match with me, the Wanderers are supposed to be on and taking on Zenic. And hell, if they win, I'll even call tomorrow about my job and see if it is still there for me to go back to..."

[Polar Islandstates]

"Bloody hell, he's here again." said Bjorn Konigstein, rolling his head on his shoulders to try and crick his neck.

"Again?" asked Johannes Skjoldebrand, looking over his shoulder as the pair of them walked down the tunnel after the warm-up.

"Yeah, spotted his bloody pink suit out of the corner of my eye just now."

"Does that bother you?"

"Well, yes and no," explained Konigstein as the rest of the players caught up with them in the changing room, "On the one hand, I'm pretty much used to it by now. He watches me play in every single league game, after all, so why should him being there for the Terns be any different?"

"But?"

"But, on the other hand, you can never shake the idea that he's not necessarily watching just you, and that he's out there looking for your replacements amongst the other guys out there on the field."

"Ah."

"Happy at Kiel?"

"Me?" asked Johannes, slightly confused, "yeah, why?"

"Just checking. If you weren't, he'd be here for you. Or anyone else who could be prised away from a 'smaller' club."

"Smaller? Kiel?" said Skjoldebrand, about to get insulted.

"Well, you know what I mean," interrupted Konigstein, trying to defuse the potential situation with logic, "only in the sense that SK have the money and the power and the place in the press that no other Polarian club can hold. I can play utter shite and still have some journalists praise my performances."

"Yeah, noticed that..." said Eidur Gunnlaugsson with a smile, walking into the changing room.

"Can it, you." laughed Bjorn, throwing a pair of shorts at his midfield partner. "Isn't Teitur playing today?"

"Yeah, first start!" called Teitur Ronkainen from the back of the room.

"Well, there you go then!" said Konigstein, "That'll be the rumour, no doubt! Valentin Jahr is in the stands to watch RSK Longyearbyen Town right-back Teitur Ronkainen shine for the Terns in their Copa Rushmori tie. They'll have predicted a multi-million-Sol deal within the week, I bet."

"Would you go for that?" asked Skjoldebrand of Ronkainen.

"Me?" Ronkainen made a face, "Couldn't see myself playing against RSK in the league, to be honest. Maybe abroad somewhere, but I'm a Citizen through-and-through, pal."

"Maybe it'll be Sim, then." shrugged Konigstein.

"No chance!" shouted Sim Lefebvre from the front, re-doing his laces, as the rest of the players laughed around him.

"Alright, alright, shut up you lot. Listen up..." said Morten Rasmussen, walking into the room and starting his team-talk.

***

Meanwhile, in the commentary box, the press were, as Konigstein predicted, making use of their time to speculate wildly on what Valentin Jahr was doing there.

"...and the chairman of SK Franz Josef City is here, Magnus, is that significant?"

"Well, certainly could be, Jonas, depends on what he's doing here. I see him taking notes there as the two teams run back out onto the pitch and line-up for the national anthems. I wonder who it is that's catching his eyes, there."

"Young Teitur Ronkainen is lining up for the Terns, there, maybe the RSK Longyearbyen Town defender is being lined up for a swoop by the Griffons?"

"Certainly a possibility, yeah. And he's going back to his notebook again and celebrating! Maybe he's happy to see Ronkainen in the line-up! That pink suit certainly catches the eye there in the stands, and who knows wh-..."

***

Meanwhile, in his seat, Valentin Jahr did a little fistbump as he finished his sudoku.

[Saintland]

Round of 16 Results

Eura 3–0 Sarrbia
Electrum 7–2 Szavoda
Zenic 1–2 Pasarga
Eastfield Lodge 1–2 Kernansquillec
Taeshan 0–0 Sameba (2–0 AET)
Saintland 1–0 Mytanar Region *
Polar Islandstates 2–1 Eastern Sunrise Islands
Marion Oaks 0–1 Vermark

* Scorinated by Norrehavn (Royal Kingdom of Quebec)

---

Quarterfinals

Eura vs Electrum @ Royal Stadium, St. Petrus
Pasarga vs Kernansquillec @ Via Damascus Stadium, St. Paulus
Taeshan vs Saintland @ Royal Park, St. Petrus
Polar Islandstates vs Vermark @ Civitate Dei Stadium, St. Augustinus

[Taeshan]

Once more into the Fray

http://chirb.it/hBeg9B

[Polar Islandstates]

Tearing round the hallway of the hotel at top speed, Iulian Finnibaturinn didn't so much bump into Valentin Jahr as almost flatten him.

"Good god, man!"

"Whoah!" Shouted Iulian, "Sorry man, didn't see you there. In your bright pink... suit. Shit."

Valentin shot him a dirty glance from the floor of the corridor.

"Erm, can I help you up there, Mr Jahr?"

"Oh, would you be so kind?" smiled Jahr all too sweetly as he held out his hand.

"There we go," said Iulian, heaving the SK chairman to his feet, "sorry about that. Are you okay, Mr Jahr?"

"I'll live, thank you. Glad to see you at least know who I am," grumped Jahr as he dusted his suit down, "means that when you explain to people why you have a black eye you'll be able to tell them it's because of who you knocked over."

"Well, I..."

"And what's the bloody rush, anyway?"

"Well, the press conference?" said Iulian, slightly stunned, "I mean, isn't that where you were headed too? We're late, you know."

"The Polar Islandstates press conference? Yes. Why? Who are you? One of the press? You'll never cover SK ever again if you keep knocking people as important as me over you little shi-..."

"No, Mr Jahr, it's me." said Iulian, pointing at his chest.

Jahr squinted, unsure.

"Iulian. Iulian Finnibaturinn."

"Have we... have we met?"

"So, so, so many times, Mr Jahr."

"Oh. And you are...?"

"Iulian Finnibaturinn. Assistant manager of the Terns?"

"Oh!"

"There we go!" smiled Iulian.

"I always wondered who you were!"

"...oh. Right."

"And now I know!"

"And now you know..." trailed off Iulian.

"How's it going, anyway?"

"How's what going? Being assistant manager of the Terns?"

"Yeah. That whole thing. You know, fame, riches, recognition." smiled Jahr, without a hint of outward irony.

"Erm, okay, Mr Jahr, yes. I mean, I don't think I'll want the actual job when Rasmussen retires, but you know. It's a good job on the whole. Sometimes it's hard to... Mr Jahr?"

Jahr stopped typing on his phone and looked up at the mention of his name. Iulian had trailed off having noticed he wasn't being listened to.

"Oh, yes, carry on. I was listening."

"Were you?"

"Yes!"

No.

"Well, I was just saying it was a decent job, and that obviously we are very happy to be in the quarter finals of the Copa."

"There, signed him."

"Pardon?" asked Iulian.

"Erm, I mean, that's a good sign." stammered Jahr, putting away his phone with it's e-mail confirmation of the Jakkar deal flashing away.

Iulian just stared.

"Ahem. Anyway!" said Jahr, clapping his hands and hoping this conversation would soon end, "You were saying something about a press conference?"

"Yes, we're late." said Iulian, smiling, "Assuming that's where you were going?"

Jahr puffed his cheeks out, "Might as well be, I suppose?"

"See you there?"

"Yeah, we'll sneak some seats at the back and hope they don't notice."

"That might be difficult, to be honest, Mr Jahr."

"How's that?" smiled Jahr, nonplussed.

"You know, what with you with your pink suit."

"Mm."

"And me with my having to sit at the front and everything."

"Why's that, then?" asked Jahr.

"..."

"Oh, right! The assistant coach thing."

"Manager."

"Assistant manager. Yes. Well, whatever." shrugged Jahr. "You best toddle off, then. You'll see me there at some point, I'm sure."

"Hmm, well. Quite." said Iulian, hurrying off.

One more faceless assistant for Jahr to forget about.

"Wait a second," said Jahr to himself as he finally put two and two together, "does that mean I'm staying in the same hotel as the Terns...?"

He wrinkled his nose. How distasteful.