World Cup LXXV - AK75 - The RP Thread

by **Saintland** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 6:48 am

Northern Barbarian Territory, Realm of the Gods

News of Saintland's utterly undefended status had made its way to Satanas. The barbarian god quickly confirmed that a long list of Sanctii dignitaries were, in fact, either in Ilyseum or Starblaydia at the moment. Realizing that this was his opportunity to bring the Sanctii to heel, he took control of the cBots and began utilizing them to carry out his aims...

Remnant Village, Royal Forests, Northeast of St. Petrus, Saintland

Andreas Usurpus left his secret Remnant Village to go on a short walk. After walking for around half an hour, Andreas ran into what appeared to him to be the exact same burning bush he had spoken with before:

Burning Bush - Andreas, listen carefully to what I have to say to you today. I am the Lord, your God and it will soon be time for my Kingdom to be re-established. At this time, I am sending an Army that will do my Will and see to it that your wicked heretical brother and those Infernus-bound heathen harpies are removed from power. Now is the time to leave this village.

Andreas Usurpus - Lord, where shall thy faithful servants go?

Burning Bush - Head to St. Augustinus. By the time that you arrive there, the liberators will already be there. Identify yourselves to them and they shall install you as the True and Rightful King of Saintland. Be off now and always remember, keep faith in me and your faith shall be rewarded.

Andreas returned to the village and called everybody out to the makeshift village square to hear what he had to say:

Andreas Usurpus - Rejoice, for the Lord hath instructed us that the Time of the Restoration of His Kingdom is upon us! An Army of liberators is already headed our way. The Lord hath informed me that we are to head to St. Augustinus with all due haste. For in that university town, we shall meet the liberators and I shall be restored to my rightful Throne. The days of Petrus the Usurper are truly numbered. Praise be to the Lord!

Everybody (in unison) - Praise be to the Lord!

Andreas Usurpus - As the Lord hath commanded, so shall we do. Pack up thy belongings at once for we shall march to St. Augustinus at once. We shall march to liberation and restoration!

Everybody (in unison) - Long Live the King!

Andreas Usurpus - Thanketh thee, but please hurry.

Within the hour, Andreas's Remnant was on the march across the Kingdom of Saintland...

O'Reilly Towers, Republica, Free Republics

Kaleb O'Reilly looked out the window of his garish tower in the middle of Republica and saw that everything was right in the Free Republics. Finally, the Free Republics had become a society where everybody was free to be in his or her natural place and to obey robotic overlords who were wiser than they and had the physical might to ensure that people made the right choices in life. Utopia had truly come to the Free Republics. Life was so good in the Free Republics now that even Taxachusetts had recently returned to the fold.

The only thing that was unfortunate was the lack of a Patriarch in the Fundamentalist True Church, which had quickly become a critical ally of the Consul's. Consul O'Reilly had resisted appointing one, as he did not believe himself, an unbeliever, fit to appoint the spiritual leader of a faith. The assassination of the Patriarch by Gregoryisgodistani agents had left the Church in a bad position, with no leader to settle theological disputes. But he needed somebody who had undisputed spiritual authority to appoint a new leader and there was no such person within the Free Republics.

For a time, he had actually considered asking Sister Maria Polus to name the next leader of the Faith, but he decided that would be most inappropriate. Despite Sister Polus's prominence as an educator and despite her great devotion to God, she was still a woman and women had no business taking positions of authority within the Church. Scripture was very clear on that, so he was certain that Sister Polus would have refused. No, he needed to make contact with King Andreas, the rightful King of Saintland, and get his cooperation in choosing the next leader of the FTCoIC.

Yet, King Andreas had gone into hiding as of late to avoid further reprisals against him by his brother "King" Petrus, whom the Church hierarchy regarded as an unrepentant heretic. Simply put, there was no way to reach him. Yet, as the Consul's thoughts were on that very subject, C-0904K4T3 walked into the room to speak with Consul O'Reilly.

C-0904K4T3 - Consul, we have located King Andreas.

Consul O'Reilly - You have located the Sanctii King? Where did you find him?

C-0904K4T3 - We've actually known about his location for a long time. You see, one of us pretended to be a "Burning Bush" in order to get the King out of a menial labor job and into a secret village in a Sanctii forest. Now, we have instructed him to head to St. Augustinus.

Consul O'Reilly - Why would you have done that?

C-0904K4T3 - You see, Saintland is currently left completely defenseless. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, "King", Queen, various Princes and most of the Army and the able-bodied youth are either in Ilyseum or Starblaydia right now. Therefore, we have promised the King that a liberation force will be headed to Saintland imminently in order to restore him to his rightful Throne.

Consul O'Reilly - Why was I not consulted before you chose to launch a war with my Army?

C-0904K4T3 - Consul, you see, we decided that this is an urgent matter, so therefore we could not wait until we got your permission to go ahead. We should warn you, of course, that you will be providing your permission for this operation, if you know what's good for you.

Although O'Reilly had wanted to get in contact with Andreas, he did not want to invade Saintland. Still, he had no choice, so he did the only thing he could do...

Consul O'Reilly - Very well. Send Republica's Military to Saintland to Make Saintland Great Again. I turn over all authority related to this operation to the cBot hivemind.

C-0904K4T3 - We are pleased that you have come to see reason, Mr. O'Reilly. We will keep you up to date on the progress of Operation Restoring God's Kingdom.

Operation Restoring God's Kingdom began with the landing of Republican troops on the east coast of Saintland. Rather than resist futilely, what remained of the Sanctii Army mostly surrendered immediately. Within hours, Republican troops had overrun the Kingdom of Saintland. As news spread of the Republican invasion, the Sanctii military and local police forces alike headed to St. Petrus to fortify the capital city until help could arrive. Out of a desire to avoid an actual battle, the Republican forces decided to starve St. Petrus out, launching a total blockade of the city by land, sea and air. Republican troops met "King" Andreas while he was headed to St. Augustinus and kept their Sanctii King, along with his entire entourage, under military protection. It seemed like a matter of time before Saintland would fall to the forces of the Free Republics...

by **Banguela** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:25 am

Without a lot of formalities, Joao Ferreira walked into the press room. It was late in the evening, much later as he had projected and he truly felt like having different things in mind right now. He had broken the news to his players, hesitant whether it was the fitting moment to do so. But after much consideration, Joao felt there never would be one. And as such, his mind was far away from the journalists yet it seemed that their focus was on Guillermo Sanchez Dysos. As could be expected, he had to explain why the victory of the Bulls wasn’t more carved out, something which he did with calm and short answers. It was not but for after four or five minutes that a Banguelan writer could get his two cents in.

”I guess two sentiments are struggling inside you, satisfaction over a solid performance and disappointment considering the late goal from Vengoechea after taking the lead twice?”

I feel like shit of course, you get an amazing chance to push back a former World Champion and host, an perennial favourite for the highest glory and you mess it up in the final minutes through a mistake seldom made in the youth categories, or at least not without the gaffer giving his kids the full treatment and punishment training afterwards. And then you have to face the team and tell…

“Of course it’s a mixed bag right now. But when I look around to their faces, their… Frustration. How they want to turn things back around… I guess it is pride.”

Yes, in case you’re wondering, that’s the most political of replies I could give. But in a way, it was heartfelt as well as I did feel for them. A lot had collapsed for this team tonight and I had to cross my fingers that it would form a fuel to fire them up instead of a rock around their ankles to drag them down.

”Mister Ferreira, what went wrong with that third goal?”

If you can’t bloody see that as a sports journalist, you better give your press card to the next bag of bones on the street and return to the iron mill. Because Djalma Yaba moved like a fifty-year old, showing that his days are numbered and Eric Kwaganda intercepted so amateurish that it was probably one of the easier goals Imanol Vengoechea has made in his illustrious career.

“A lot of things, I guess. But isn’t that the case for every goal? It all depends on the location of manufacturing of your television set. If it’s set to our channels, you’ll say that Macabanga marvellously spotted the space in the back of Dallara to launch the opening goal – or is it a failure of his? An exceptional moment from Rui Mokanga on that corner or a faultily executed set piece strategy from the Bulls?”

Suddenly, the urge for giving them no more copy-to-print responses gave a jab on the need to protect the boys at a moment like this, so it was best that the mosquitos redirected their attention to the Audioslavian gaffer. In a way, he represented his squad like this, calm, with dignity. Even if the ‘modern’ Bulls might proclaim that their reputation is built on an extremely dull match plan and this selection hardly features extravagant stars… It is so solid. One down? Not a problem. Another one? Just more of the same. When their nets trembled, no one grabbed his hair, no shouting and pointing to teammates or nervous twitching… Exactly how Sanchez Dysos handled the questions upon their next fixture, against an NSI with the wind in the sails.

And then you take a look at your own formation. At how they panicked when Vengoechea slalomed along his wing to set up his first one just for half time. And how a magnificent lightning bolt from Kryznjak, a prelude for things to come, formed the cue for radical chaos. Suddenly, it was as if positions were optional and tactical ploys were neurochemistry for a bunch of hillbillies. And Joao realised that he was there, nervous, pointing into two directions at once.

”Will the same eleven feature against Matthewsiania, a do or die match?”

No, of course not. Not only because some players discovered that this was not yet – Eric – or no longer – Djalma Yaba – their level but just because it will be a totally different confrontation. This wouldn't be another round of David versus Goliath but rather David versus… ehm… a different David. Technically, the winner of the confrontation had a single bullet left for a shot at the round of sixteen but that seemed more like wishful thinking for the home front than an actual chance.

“It’s a bit too early to make conclusions. First we are going to analyse what we can change, how we’re going to take on our next opponent. And knowing them, I think we will see an even game between two sides who want to win with their specific means.”

Probably true, actually, it’s a …

”Does this loss already make you think further, to a further goal than the World Cup?”

Joao tried to spot who had asked the question exactly, but the body attached to the soft yet sharp voice had gone up in smoke amongst the coloured polo shirts, nervously plonked tablets and marvelously designed security badges of the international press. Did he… It couldn't. I just came out of the dressing room.

“The full focus of the group, and me, is on our next two games and we’re going to give our very best to ensure something comes after that.”

Someone with the sharpness of mind to recognize my refusal to go into our usual discourse would also recognize the slight hesitation between the ‘group’ and the ‘and me’, Joao Ferreira realized as he stood up from his chair and walked out, wondering who had broken the silence.

by **Vilita** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:17 am

Vilitan Roster & Stats - World Cup 75

Tivali Ring Stadium, Alikki-Corra, Vilita :: The Vilitan Coaching Staff revealed their final roster for World Cup 75 and it was no surprise that the first name on the team sheet was Zelkki Milake. The Eastal Lunar netminder was solid for the Jungle Cats during World Cup 75 Qualifying included a pair of shutouts.

Backing up Milake will be his domestic replacement at Lonngeylin Coast, Cilamara Issah. Issah was between the sticks for the Jungle Cats final game of the Qualifying Campaign - a 2-1 victory over New Dukaine.

The Reserve netminder is Alikki-Corra's Kalek Intafel.

In a traditional Vilita 3-1-4-2 formation, or a more modern 3-4-1-2 formation the Jungle Cats will be playing three at the back with Endur Rotropii, Jirijii Januaa and Arocki Tadalek the most likely trio with Monner Vileai and Kwuimekii Hentetii as backstops. Should the Jungle Cats adjust their formation to include four at the back it is likely that Linkat Cjinder will be called in on the right hand side while Jirijii Januaa would be shifted over to the left.

The Vilitan midfield will be led from the edge by Purapal Eskiiy with Tripate Falcon commanding the central corps. Polaox Torerun of the Turoki Tide as been pushing for the starting role down the left in place of the veteran Lopaki Kilpter but the two will likely share time throughout the finals.

Joining Falcon in the center of the pitch will be Strike FC's Vliela LIanksa and the former Turoki Isle trainee Westii Yahaya. Other options coming off the bench will include the defensive minded Karisto Monafog and the pacey threat of Cavuna Aquafek. The final name on the roster for midfielders comes as a bit of a surprise as Colonial Sile's Jurzen Devmiko does enough to be included on the final players list though as the youngest player on the totem it would not be surprising if Devmiko's first World Cup finals minutes on pitch had to wait until World Cup 76.

As the most prolific goalscorer amongst the forward corps over the final few matches of World Cup 75 Qualifying, Kiliko Riazen forced his way to the top of the pack and is likely to get the call up top for the Jungle Cats to be paired either with Sipke Tarala or Perran Adlani - or both should the Vilita National Team opt to play with three at the top.

Options from the bench will include Berali Tzufarei, Kaivel Illatara and Nili Ylimaiina.

Defender Endur Rotropii will likely also take claim to the Captains Armband as many expect more senior members of the squad including Lopaki Kilpter and Nili Ylimaiina will be more likely to be seeing action coming off the bench.

The Jungle Cats will most certainly be looking for increased production from their forward during World Cup 75. In the run up to the World Cup 75 Finals, the bulk of the Jungle Cats goalscoring has come from the midfield. Vilitan superstar Purapal Eskiiy led Vilita in goals scored during Qualifying with 4 but four players netted three goals during the campaign - Tripate Falcon, Karisto Monafog, Kiliko Riazen and Jirijii Januaa.

What that all boils down to is that among the top 5 goalscorers for the Jungle Cats in World Cup 75 Qualifying, three were midfielders (Eskiiy, Falcon, Monafog); one was a defender - Jirijii Januaa; and then, and only then, you finally get to a forward - Kiliko Riazen.

The positive news from the Jungle Cats, however, is that they got goals from literally all over the pitch. Not counting goalkeepers, 27 players appeared for the Jungle Cats during the World Cup 75 Qualifying Campaign and 20 of them found their way onto the scoresheet at least once. The trouble with that is - four of the seven who failed to score were forwards; Linvoi Warazil, Fishtii Blikala, Perran Adlani and Kaivel Illatara. The only played who played in at least half the Jungle Cats qualifying matches and failed to score was defender Arocki Tadalek.

No player appeared in all 12 of the Jungle Cats qualifying games - with the staff changing it up to get a different look against different quality opposition. The defensive corps got the least rotation with Jirijii Januaa appearing 10 times and their defensive partners Endur Rotropii and Monner Vileai each appearing 9 times as well as the Midfielder star Purapal Eskiiy. Defensive midfielder Kamarul Zaman was the only player to suit up but not appear in a match.

The Jungle Cats head off to Osarius with a lot of work to do to avoid embarrassment on the worlds biggest stage, with far too much of their production relying on their star player Purapal Eskiiy instead of the very players who are supposed to be experts at putting the ball in the net - the forwards.

by **Valanora** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:26 am

Valanora Times
Marauders Assert Strength

Semarland is a great team that is on its way up in the world, with players playing in the four corners of the world gathering the sort of diverse playing experience you want in a squad. They are a squad that has seen a thousand different ways to play the game and how a thousand different cultures treat the game from all across the world, from nations where it is just a hobby, to others where it has piratically become a religion. So when anyone goes to dismiss the strength of this squad, they are doing so without a vastly in depth knowledge or appreciation for the way that the game works or how such varied experiences leads to a greater whole. It has been said that we gain unity through diversity, that the perspectives outside our own help build a more complete picture of the world around us. For Semarland's national team, this is a complete truth and how they have risen to prominence in their short time in the footballing community.

However the one thing that Semarland lacks is the totality of experience in the top level of international football, with their exposure limited to but a few AOCAFs and that is a weakness a side like the Marauders can and will exploit as often as possible. There is no Laborious Hawk on the Semarland sidelines, there is not decades upon decades of footballing experience in the top levels of international play, at some of the best domestic leagues in the world. Most importantly, there is not five stars upon the crest of Semarland, there is not even one, for although their perspective is great, there time is like that of a flash of lightning compared to that of Valanora, Audioslavia, The Holy Empire. Time may see them rise to such stature, yet at this time, they are outclassed by such a shortage of experience when they come up against the best that the world has to offer.

The Semars put up a brave and great fight against the Marauders to open up group play, giving the Marauders quite a run for the money and even threatening to take a share of the points. Jakob Lindesfarne hit the post after Martell Chalobah intercepted a pass from va Drake to Fresco and sent the ball upfield in the twenty-ninth minute. va Drake would come close to scoring himself three minutes later on a corner, when Marco Valbuena had left the short corner exposed, va Drake taking a shot directly from the corner that Valbuena managed to scramble and punch away. Valbuena would have to make another key save in the forty-third minute when Soldarian, Hawk, and Tathtauré executed a perfect triangle that sent Tathtauré in on goal, however Valbuena managed to parry the attempted chip shot over the bar and then punched away the cross from the forthcoming corner.

The Marauders would not be denied their victory though and the second half turned into a siege in the Semarland half, with Valbuena having to make three more stops before the hour mark as the Marauders began to press in. The CSKA Quebec keeper however would finally fall short from a quick free kick, as Hawk lobbed the ball into the box past the Semarland backline and Haerear met the lob with a perfect half volley that sent the ball rustling into the back of the net. Haerear relished the chance to show his attacking prowess, as he plays more of an attacking style with his home club than he does with the national team, and he took the opportunity given to him with glee. Hawk nearly doubled the lead five minutes later when Fresco headed down a cross from Lithvathar to the attacking midfielder's path, however it thundered off the crossbar, denying the midfielder a goal that would have killed off the match.

However there would be no more scoring and the Semarland squad did not get another good chance on goal in those last fifteen minutes, reduced to shots from distance as the Marauders switched to a more controlled tempo and dropping their line back. Such long distance shots were easily dealt with by Galadirdren and the match would finish with the Marauders winning by a goal to nil, perhaps not the most flattering of scorelines but a win that was well earned. The number of upsets in the first round of group play across the World Cup shows that you can not be greedy with scorelines being flattering or not, merely take the wins as they come, with the champions, runners up, and third placed team in the rankings all failing to win, with the former two falling to very surprising defeats. Bonesa and Chromatika have served notice to the entire field that not a single team is safe from being upset, while Ficisia also played a part in that.

Which means the grudge match between the Aces and Marauders here on matchday two has taken on an even heavier amount of tension, as whoever loses the match suddenly has a tricky fixture on the last matchday while the other has all but secured their progression. The Aces are looking for revenge for their upset run in World Cup 72 being put to a halt in Valanora, with the roles now reversed as they get to play to a home crowd in the Finals. It is not an ideal situation for the Marauders but after asserting their strength against Semarland, they are perhaps in the best position to withstand the efforts that the Aces will be throwing at them in the fixture. Heaton showed his age with letting in a pair of goals and the Aces showed their immaturity as they went a man down to Pridnestrovia, something the Marauders will no doubt be looking at as they prepare their tactics for the day. A steady possession game and a few key stops from the keeper proved enough against Semarland, the same sort of effort will hopefully be in display and getting the job done in this high stakes fixture against an old foe.

by **Pasarga** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:47 am

Torgos was a city that buzzing, construction seemed to be going on everywhere inside the city and yet for ninety minutes every few days, the city stood still as the Wanderers took to the pitch to play their matches. It was a strange sight, to go into a pub and see not just Pasargans watching the Wanderers but also Eurans, Sargossans, and Polarians staring up at the screen while the Wanderers were playing. The Euran and Polarian contingent seemed to join the Pasargans in fit of despair after a poor performance from the Wanderers, while the Sargossans seemed split between reveling in the performance or upset that their regional neighbors had failed to do the region proud. However, the one thing all four groups could agree on was that football was important, even if their loyalties were split.

New roads were being built while the older roads in the downtown and port were being repaved and expanded to three lanes to facilitate better traffic and the flow of goods from port to warehouse and the market. However the biggest display of showmanship and the upgrade to the Pasargan strength both domestically and abroad was a division of tanks that had arrived two weeks before the match between Pasarga and Ficisia. All the military minds in Pasarga knew these were older models, had been surpassed decades ago by most of the other powers in the region and the greater abroad, yet they were far beyond anything that Pasarga had built. The division rolled through Torgos' main square as they heading towards the southern part of the city where a new army base had been constructed in the joint Pasarga-Eura forces three months prior.

"It is all coming together, slowly but surely, it is coming along as I had hoped. The first twenty thousand soldiers have been trained and equipped with these new firearms that the Eurans have provided us and our shipments of grain, olives, and grapes have augmented the Euran cuisine and need for sustenance. Not even a full year into this arrangement and already you can see the boons of the agreement being had, it makes you wonder why we had not gone to our friends in Eura sooner."

King Jakub was pleased with himself, he wanted a greater Pasarga, to have made it better than how he had come into it. Though he was half Norrehavn and had spent his first decade there, his roots were in Pasarga, his blood had the blood of the Majistars in it. The throne had been not been a birthright but he was in the line of succession, even if it had been sixth, before Julia had adopted him and Carlton Shorley of Eura. Pasarga was a part of him as much as Norrehavn was and there was a certain amount of pride he had for the nation and a responsibility to it. When history looked back at the reign of Jakub, he wanted them not to say that he merely followed in the footsteps of two great leaders of Pasarga but that he was the third in a long line of rulers who made Pasarga better than it ever was. That the Majistar dynasty was one of strength and prosperity, not for just the aristocracy but for all of the nation.

"Shall you be watching the Wanderers later this afternoon your Majesty, they are going to be playing in quite a pivotal game against Barunia and the winner will have a good chance of advancing while the loser will be all but eliminated. Most of the cabinet has taken the afternoon off to watch the match, those that did not travel to Mertagne to watch it in person that is. I think it would be a good showing to watch it with him, show them that you value them as people not just advisers and members of the government."

"A do or die situation, is it? I think it would be a great travesty if I were to miss it. All the eyes in Torgos turn to the Wanderers when they are on after all."

by **Northern Sunrise Islands** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:51 am

Victory had an awesome feeling when it was during the World Cup. And I just slammed my cousin's team flat out.
The tournament decided to have our matches on all sorts of venues for no apparent reason.
To be fair, I always liked train stations.
There's no better way to travel, honestly. Hell, it was the way I arrived here.
On a beaten down train. Smiling all the way.

----

"You're sure about this?"
It was six years ago, yet I can remember it very well. My relationship with my parents had been stranded way earlier than that.
They didn't like the idea of me moving out. It simply wasn't life at Saint Futurnian.
So I spent the two previous years living with aunt Huelandia.
Which more or less meant I ended up living at a pigsty of a farm. That's where I started, I guess.
Huelandia followed me to the station, so did Matthewsiania, Kitsunia-Deesse and her other twenty children. For the record, I paid the very first month of cable TV they ever had there.
Sunrise, younger and clad on blue and gold smiled as he peeked his head out of the train's window. "Yeah! I'll be rich! Thanks for everything, aunt!"
Hand waves, a tear from my cousin for no apparent reason. And there I was, heading to the big city. To the university.

----

The jeers were loud to Matthewsiania. Yells of reprehension to the country boy. He didn't quite mind, instead holding his Zigzagoon, the last one Sunrise knocked out. "Wake up, Purple! Wake up!"
Sunrise walked to his cousin, a proud Vaporeon following him. Silence from the crowd. They expected him to just smack his cousin on the battle ground and he delivered. Sunrise offered him a hand. "Sorry."
My cousin was a bit of an idiot, but that moment was his high wise point. "It's fine. Thanks for the match."
"It's kinda hard to have a Pokémon Battle with these people making fun of you, right?"
"Not really." Matthewsiania shrugged after he got up. "Kinda why we don't trust the city folk."
"Like me?" Sunrise stared at his cousin.
"Y'ain't a city boy, cousin."
The words echoed inside my head.
Rage. Rage quickly filled me.
I know that idiot didn't mean no harm.
But I'm from the big city now.

----

"...So, who are we waitin'?"
The two cousins sat on a bench on front of a recording room. Sunrise smiled, looking at the red lights turning off. "You're gonna love this."
A girl entered the room from that door. She had a black coat, green baggy pants and what seemed like fox ears over her head. Sunrise, of course, decided to trip her to the ground.
"...AH!" I had to have a laugh as she got up from the ground. "You son of a- Matthewsiania?"
I guess they didn't see each other for a while, given how hard she hugged my cousin.
"How long has it been since we've seen each other, sis?"
...Well.

----

Crazy, late night. The three spent the night out having some sort of celebration for Matthewsiania's qualification.
"So Kitsunia arrived a year after me, took up a job on the radio." Sunrise said, with a glass of soda to his side. "We kept contact."
"I've barely followed the tournament for a while now! Nice that you're doing so well."
"Well, I'm lucky." Matthewsiania smiled, already on his five can of beer and still standing tall. "And I'm drunk. Cheers."
And the sixth can was enough to take him down.
"Any reason you didn't tell him about your new job, Kitsunia?" I could notice her eyes switching from sides.
"I'm... I'm a city girl now. People seem to focus a little bit over your origins."
Sunrise nodded. "Well. Let's bring him back home. We both have opponents tomorrow."
"And maybe have some fun as well?"
He stared at the couple of cans she had as well.
"...Oh, dear."

WORLD CUP 75
FULL ANALYSIS: Unified Sunrise Islands 4, Matthewsiania 1

While the hosts kicked ball against Banguela, Oljestaden watched a fun effort by two parts of the Unified Sunrise Islands as the Sunrise Islands faced the Kingdom of Matthewsiania, now part of the United Kingdom of Matthewsiania and Southern Sunrise Islands yet planned to remain as a WCC member, being limited to playing a squad that was born in the lands that belong to the old kingdom. Matthewsiania's debut, backed up by the ever-so crafty Uerdickley Safadão with a solid line-up for the Mighty Figs, was answered by a legit unimpressed Sunrise Islands squad, who decided that resting their more prized players before the game against the group's top seed, Audioslavia, was a much smarter choice.

UNIFIED SUNRISE ISLANDS PRE-MATCH

In what should be their ninth World Cup participation, the Sunrisians were not pleased in the slightest by drawing a group featuring what could easily be a behemoth of host powers in Audioslavia and a quality Banguela team, the lone solace of the draw being the inclusion of debuting side Matthewsiania, in what would be their last appearance as a lone kingdom, politically speaking. Like most of those World Cups, what drew waves in the Sunrise was not the tournament, but rather the eventual SnoGa souvenir. This time, the company released a free DLC for their classic series, Pokémon League, to a lukewarm reception, hitting high on some places due to "finally feeling right".
The union remains with the same issues they had, which more or less means that almost all is well in Mardi. And Aurora. And Porto Velho. And Kingston. And in a bunch of other capitals. Current issues were not about crime or wars, which seems like a common thing on most of the other participants of the World Cup, but rather how to regulate corporal modifications, specifically Cyborgs. The idea had been toyed massively by the media and the results of the surprise coaching crew on the regionals did push forward the concept that having a robotic eye or something of the like to fix a problem was not a bad thing.
Football-wise, the federations had to sit together to figure out how to fit in the upcoming Matthewsianian sides. The answer was pretty unorthodox. Trying to make the Sunrisian Championship into something more representative of the Sunrisian conundrum, the league went from thirty-two to sixty-four teams, most of these thirty-two consisting of invitees that would represent all the corners of the union. The schedule would earn a couple of more matches but nothing too far from the usual. The "Sunrisian Grindhouse" was still a thing. Youth remained an attraction, the League Wars still hot as the pre-season arrived.

UNIFIED SUNRISE DURING MATCH

Several players were officially debuting at the World Cup on this line-up. The nets were to be protected by Amaterasu Kurosawa, an upstart keeper that did marvels with the Matthew Mets. The back featured Hari Al-Yossei, Giuseppe Martini, Jean Marie Monnette and Elena Artjoms-Watkins. Cosme would play as an improvised back-bone with Fininha and Mallena von Kraus on the middle, while Rhynanyne would feed balls into the feet of Ming and June Gardot. Morale was high as, for all accounts, this was supposed to be the easiest game of the bunch. And it more or less proved itself to be true when Ming bombarbed the back of the net right from the starting whistle. A disorgnized Matthewsiania couldn't stop the Sunrisians slamming in.
Thirty minutes in, Giuseppe stopped Werdickley Safadão on his way to the box. Martini gave a blunt shot upfront, which Rhynanyne managed to catch, using her right leg. The ball got up again, leaving her with the sole option of booting it, twenty meters away. She managed to cover a surprised Edvan Costa. Sunrise was 2-0 already.
Second half starts and so does Sunrisian domination as Fininha manages to cross a picture-perfect ball inside the box for June Gardot to score with her head. The fans were surprisingly not mad with each other, both already knowing that they shared the same flag in all but a kit, suddenly boosting into happy chants even if one team was way down on the scores.
June Gardot once again had the ball, 74th minute. The field was filled with players on the defensive. She couldn't figure out anyway to progress. And so she decided to give it a test shot. The ball made somewhat of a curve to the right before finding a surprisingly prepared Ming, who literally tailed it in. Four-nil.
Maybe it was just flat out niceness or opportunism made Werdickley Safadão score the very first goal for Matthewsiania on a World Cup, but things were more or less done with. Sunrise wins. Matthewsiania loses.

UNIFIED SUNRISE POST-MATCH

The Samba Kids done their job. Sunrise's goal advantage catapulted the conundrum to the top of the group after hosts Audioslavia and Banguela barely escaped a draw.
Additionally, it seemed the integration of Matthewsianians on the Sunrise Islands wouldn't be as hard as it seemed, if football could tell.

by **Ceni** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 12:07 pm

[OOC: This takes place ICly before the World Cup.]

INTERVIEW WITH JAIME DEL OLMO
The star discusses life with 1830 Cathair, the national team, and his future

Jaime del Olmo might just be the most decorated Cenian ever in all competitions - winning the LigAnaia title, CopAnaia title, Cup Winner's Cup title, and the Champion's Cup, all with the celebrated side 1830 Cathair, playing in Audioslavia (one of the hosts of the World Cup). However, there is one major title that he lacks - the World Cup, and he hopes that Audioslavia will once again be so kind to him and his team in their pursuit for the World Cup. I recently sat down to talk to del Olmo about the Cenian national team, his place with 1830 Cathair, and the future of his career and the Cenian team in their travails throughout the world to lift the most coveted trophy in the world.

Del Olmo started out with the Llamanean side FC New Llama, which he remembers with a bit of fondness - "It was certainly not as competitive and stressful as the LigAnaia, a lot more laid back with the travel schedule. No jetting around Atlantian Oceania back then!" There, he broke through after a couple of years "poodling around," as he puts it, in the defunct Cenian league, not functional at the time due to a lack of money and clubs to start it out. "This was like ancient times for Cenian football," del Olmo relates with a chuckle. "And the only way we could get any playing time was to go outside of Ceni - but back then, about ten years ago, Ceni was a crappy side, and we only went to less well-ranked leagues like the Llamanean leagues. Nobody from the good leagues would take us." He chuckles as he takes that trip back down Memory Lane. "I'm still a bit nostalgic for my time playing in Super-Llamaland, but would I want to still live in a time where Ceni is nowhere near qualifying for the World Cup? No thanks." In Super-Llamaland, New Llama won the title, albeit by only two points, but del Olmo did a lot to achieve that title - scoring 16 goals, winning the league's Golden Boot award as well as the overall Johan Lindberg Award for Best Foreigner in the league. Then the foreign leagues came a knocking with huge offers on the transfer market - with a bidding war between several top clubs, including 1830 Cathair of Audioslavia as well as clubs from Nephara, Star United States, Yttribia, and Eastfield Lodge. Bids for him reached as high as $100 million - but eventually, the bidding clubs came to their senses and bids returned to the $30 million range. "I chose Cathair because I had actually heard of it before, unlike the other clubs bidding for me - and in hindsight, that looks like a good decision, as two of the clubs that I could have gone to are now defunct!"

Del Olmo apparently arrived at the right time in Cathair - after winning the LigAnaia the past season, they were stoked and ready to win the Champion's Cup. "The final was in the 66 Stadium - our home stadium, and the fans were cheering so loudly, you definitely had to be there to understand it. It was such a great experience." The final, against Bengtsmark IF of Buyan, was close and tense, with the two sides drawing, scoreless, in one hundred and twenty minutes of football, eventually going to penalties. "I think that was the tensest time of the whole match - everything would go down to four or five shots from the penalty mark. Everybody was really nervous, and nobody wanted to be the guy who would screw things up for the team." Fortunately, though, nobody had to bear the brunt of an exasperated fanbase - the team won 3-1 on penalty kicks to lift the Champion's Cup. "I remember Ceni was so excited about it too - I was the first Cenian to ever be in the Champion's Cup final, much less winning it. When I came home, Cenian football fans feted me with a ticker tape parade, and everyone was so excited!" Despite winning the CC, and the Super Cup several weeks later, the team finished fourth in the league. "Nobody cared about that - we were still all excited about winning the Champion's Cup trophy."

The next season, though, despite crashing out of the Champion's Cup early, the team did much better in domestic competition, winning the LigAnaia yet again, this time with a large margin. That win was still exciting for del Olmo, despite having already won the Llamanean league title. "Back then, the LigAnaia was regarded as one of the best leagues in the world - and it still is. Super competitive. So it was pretty exciting for me personally to win one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Not sure about the rest of my teammates though - they kind of had an expectation of victory, I think." In the Grand LigAnaia final, the team defeated FC Jansberg 3-1 - with one of those goals coming from del Olmo himself - and won the CopAnaia and Cygnus Cup as well, the latter by a 3-1 win over Fontvielle Impact of Valladares, with an assist from del Olmo, making him officially the most decorated Cenian ever, having won every major club competition except for the Globe Cup. "But who wants a Globe Cup when you have a champion's cup?" Del Olmo laughs. However, the team seems to be on a slow but steady decline - they aren't going as far in UICA competitions, losing to Bastion 0-2 in the Globe Cup Round of 32 (how ignominious! how shameful! how undeserved!) in the most recent edition, and they aren't going as far in the LigAnaia either, placing 5th and 6th in the last two seasons, respectively, despite so,e recent high-profile signings. "Personally, I think the team is too talent heavy," opines del Olmo for the reasons behind the club's relative decline. "When you have a lot of good talents, oftentimes you have a lot of good egos, which complicates things and makes the team a little less cooperative."

The interview finally turned to the exploits of the Cenian national team: Ceni finally had the qualification of its dreams in the past cycle, going 11-1-0 and only losing points to first seed Turori in a 2-2 draw. The team scored 42 goals - in no small part due to del Olmo's attacking prowess. Playing as a left attacking midfielder, del Olmo is in place to direct a lot of the attacking play to where the team wants to go. Del Olmo downplays his part in the offense, though. "I think you're giving me a bit too much credit," del Olmo tells me with a chuckle. "I would say that Kel [Koromin] and Nico [Asturias] have been really instrumental in our campaign so far, probably more so than myself. And Corran [Celgis] and Allison [Swan] have been more instrumental in the playmaker role than I have." He downplays his role as a moral rock for the team as well. "That's Kaia's role." Despite his modesty, though, del Olmo did score 8 goals over the course of qualification and assisted 12, not bad for a team with lots of attacking stardom. Del Olmo says that he's saving a lot of his good playing for the actual World Cup, though. "In the World Cup, we're not facing teams like Paputu and North Carcossia, which are pretty easy to defeat. No, we're playing sides like Nephara, Eura, San José Guayabal - now those are huge teams. We need to play at 110% in order to beat them, maybe even 125%. They're not cake walks." I asked him about what he thought about Ceni's chances to reach the Round of 16 for the first time. "It all depends on our group, really. But it sucks being just on the cusp of the second pot - that complicates things." He adds, "It's also hard to compete against a team that has an immortal elf [Laborious Hawk] scoring a zillion goals against you!", referring to Izotz Zubia's victory with one of the world's most high-profile and best, if not the best, players.

Watching from his place in 1830 Cathair, one of the best teams in the world, in the LigAnaia, the best league in the world, del Olmo has a bit of an outsider's eye on the recent successes of Cenileague on the international club stage. "I have to admit, a couple of seasons ago, when I moved to Cathair, some Cenian clubs put in bids for me, and then there was Cathair, this super duper Goliath compared to the Cenian teams, at least in UICA - we were laughing about how crappy the Cenian league was. Now, we're not laughing so much." Cenileague has enjoyed some excellent runs, with Myrmidon well inside the top 100, and Cenial United on the outside looking in. "If I were to leave 1830 Cathair in the next transfer window, I wouldn't sneeze at the Cenileague anymore. It's looking better and better by the season." Del Olmo also looks approvingly at the strides Ceni has made in the arena of youth development. "I'm especially proud of what Tomás Hernandez has done with his academy up north - we've had quite a few good players come out of that academy. Also, I admire Whitehaven Triumph and all their success training the next generation of attackers in Ceni." When asked about the subject of his retirement, del Olmo explains that he's now in a position where he's comfortable that someone else can step into his shoes in the attacking mid spot. "A couple of years ago, I might have said, pardon my French, hell no, there's nobody that I trust to do well enough in my spot to keep the team moving forward, I'd probably stay on until 36 or some ancient age. Now, we have Charles Allegro, but more promising, Adrián del Toro, to take over if I decide to retire, and both, but especially del Toro, have shown aspects of their greatness and that they can take this team to high levels in the future."

Del Olmo is still a bit uncertain what he will do for the next couple of years - at age 34, he still has at least another World Cup cycle in him. Officials from the Cenian FA have rumored that they will be bidding for the next World Cup finals - which, celebrating Ceni's bicentennial of unification, might be a perfect time for him to retire. He, however, scoffed at the notion of retiring full time from international football - "Even if I do retire from the national team in two years, I'd probably want to go to a less competitive league, spend a couple of years there, and then wind down. But I'm still not entirely sure if I'll even retire from the Cenian national team in two years. That's a long time from now, so I can still make a decision in the next few years." The interview turned to what Del Olmo would like to after he retires, whenever that may be. "That's not something I've thought about too much, to be honest," del Olmo confesses. "Giving some thought to it, though, I'd probably go into managing somewhere - maybe even the Cenian national team, if they invited me to come in, and after I was done managing for a couple of years, maybe I'd run for Cenian FA president and influence football from the top there. So," he pauses and grins, "I won't be done with football even if I do retire. You'll keep on seeing me, in some capacity or another."

At the end of the interview, del Olmo offered some advice for budding young footballers who wanted to be in a position like he was. "Take advice from as many people as possible. Work hard. Devote yourself to the game. But above all, have fun, and remember to live your life outside of football. Don't get too stressed that your career isn't going where you want - I myself was a bit of a late bloomer. Don't spend too much time comparing yourself with others - you won't get much satisfaction from being ahead of other people, and you'll probably lose sleep from worrying about how some other player is better than you. Only compare yourself to how you were in the past, and show how you've improved." The most important part of all, in del Olmo's opinion? "Have faith in yourself, and never give up."

by **Farfadillis** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 1:08 pm

"Alright lads, I know that the locker room has not been at its most peaceful lately. I think that's the only thing all of us agree on." Tíbürçìó paced around. "A certain geopolitical event happening back home has taken our minds off the football. Some of you side with Ruland and some of you are wrong. I'm ok with that, I am." He paused and scanned the facial expressions of the squad. "But you shouldn't be."

Another quick scanning and Tíbürçìó now saw confusion in his players' faces. It was expected.

"I couldn't care less whether Elexhé thinks the country should make an example out of Ruland. He scores goals, so he's gonna start. Mixé can spout his apologist bullshit as much as he wants for all I care. But you, as a team, you should care. These people with differing opinions are your enemies. Your differences are irreconcilable. Elexhé's brother is in the military, Fôrté's cousin is in the RRA. One of them could kill the other in the next few days. I really struggle to think of a better way to split an entire locker room."

The tension was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. So thick, in fact, that some people in that room wouldn't have minded having a knife.

"But destiny is a sadistic bitch. You're all about to put on the same kit. To some, it will represent their beloved nation, oh so just and oh so fair. It will be a source of pride. For others, it will represent most brutal oppression. Children starving on the streets for no good reason and teenagers turning to organized crime for lack of better options. In a way, the national team has never been as representative of Farfadillis as it is about to be. Today, we will be showing Farfadillis' two faces. Don't play for the nation, play as the nation. I want the non-Rulandese to play with pride, and I want the Rulandese to play with ire. The non-Rulandese should want to defend their nation to the death, and the Rulandese should want to appropriate it. You should want the Farfadillis national team to be the de facto Rulandese national team. I don't want to see camaraderie. I want to see resentful cooperation. That's how we stay true to ourselves."

Some seconds of silence followed.

"Fôrté, suppose you're on the edge of the box, you have three defenders on you and Elexhé's unmarked. What do you do?"

"Try and look for José."

"Suppose he's offside."

Begrudgingly, Fôrté answered. "Then I try to shoot."

"No, that's not what you do, you dumbass. You pass the ball to Elexhé, and then he scores cause you did all the work and he just had to slot the ball in. Then, he'll get most of the credit cause that's exactly how football works." Tíbürçìó grinned. "Sounds familiar? Cause it couldn't be closer to Farfadillis' political landscape even if I tried."

"You might as well bench me if you think I'll accept that."

"Listen to me, little prick." He grabbed Fôrté by the neck. "You're gonna play football like a Rulandese miner mines. You'll be making your oppressors happy, but, in a way, it will be worth it. You know why?" Fôrté remained in silence while they glared at each other. "Because at the end of the day, your family will have something to eat. A glimmer of hope in pitch darkness. You and I both know how much our people enjoy seeing the national team do well thanks to Rulandese players. Seeing Ruland amount to something, somewhere. That's the glimmer you can bring to your people in times of hardship. And you plan to sabotage that? You disgust me." He let go of Fôrté's neck.

"Same goes for all of you." He pointed at the Rulandese.

by **Chromatika** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 1:39 pm

Prelude, Book I Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Interlude Part VII Part VIII Part IX Part X Part XI Part XII Part XIII

The Rainbow Revolution
Book I: The Sparks
Part XIV: The Sentencing

"When there's change, and people fear things, they become more dogmatic in their views. They lash out: you can see it in the media, scapegoating and penal sentencing." - Samantha Harvey

Click, click

The door to Franscesca Cortes's solitary confinement cell opened, and the former Manager of the National Football Team wearily looked up from her bed. The cancer was taking its toll on her body, and she already didn't have as much energy as she used to, but she was determined to not show weakness. Ever since her arrest, she had been taken to solitary somewhere deep within Chromatik City, where she was given three meals a day by a taciturn guard who had been trained to not say a word; as the cell had a bathroom in it already, she had no other contact with the outside world. As much as she wanted to know about her family, her children, and just what was going on around the world in general, the thing that she wanted to know about more than anything else was how the Anomalies were doing. She had left them midway through middling on the qualifying table. Had Lisa been able to get acquainted with the team enough to give them a solid chance? Had the team broken down after the news of her arrest? How was Luuk doing? Those were all pressing questions she had in her mind, but as a prisoner in solitary confinement, she had no answers.

This time, though, the person bringing her meager lunch to her wasn't one of the taciturn guards on rotation - it was Alina Krasnikova herself. She held up a finger to her lips before Cortes could say a word, and then turned on some kind of remote she pulled out of her pocket. A few seconds later, she stated, "I made it look like I wanted a few moments with you off-camera to extort information from you. It's standard practice to not have any of that on file, so should be okay. Now, the DG herself is coming to sentence you. As you told us and as we discussed earlier, we're pretty sure she'll go with the life in prison sentence, which for you is not that long. They don't dare do any more than that lest they make you a martyr, you know. But before the DG gets here, I'm sure you have a few questions for me. Your family is safe in Cosumar where the team is training, getting along with Kerri Wyse, who has been a great help. Your team has actually bounced back in the second half of qualifying to nudge past Flardania on the final matchday on goal difference to advance to the playoffs, where they defeated Saarbia to advance to Group Stage of the World Cup Proper in Starblaydia. There, they just defeated defending World Champions Nephara by a score of 2-1. It's crazy, is it not?"

"What?!" exclaimed Cortes, tears pouring down her face, "Are you sure? That is crazy! Insane! Oh, I am so proud of them... They didn't let what I decided to do demoralize them, instead they're using it as motivation! I always knew Lisa was the woman for the job... Defeating Nephara, though? Wow! Who scored the winner?"

"Thorben was a key part, Antonio with the early goal, Andìsorì with the winner," replied Krasnikova, smiling. "Ah, little Kéirâ," responded Cortes, "Always knew she had it in her. Thank you, Alina. Thank you."

"Everyone is still fighting, Franscesca. Be sure you do, too," stated Alina softly. Then, she exited the room.

Ten minutes later, a woman Franscesca Cortes had only seen on TV entered the cell. The DG was dressed in an immaculate suit, exuding power and confidence in her taut frame and beauty. There was intense hatred carved into her face - how could anyone look more like they hated people than she?

"Franscesca Larriet Cortes," she said, "My name is Heidi Kruzieg. Many people don't know me by my name. It doesn't matter that you will, because well you won't ever get to tell anyone. After processing information gathered by the Cyber Warfare Division of the Institutional Division of the Chromatik Party, we have found you guilty of conspiring against the state, helping a rogue faction, helping a fugitive of the law, lying, withholding information crucial to the investigation regarding a suspect people, and of betraying the confidence placed upon you by both the sovereignty of the government and the peoples of this great nation. Hence..."

DG's, or Heidi Kruzieg's, eyes flashed madly, and Cortes knew then that the plan put into motion by she, Alina, and the Shadow Writers had hit a little snag. Before she could process it all, however, the words came out of the mouth of the most powerful woman in Chromatika:

"You are sentenced to death, by lethal injection. Oh don't worry, we won't make it easy on you - we know your body is weak, so we'll feed it to you at 20% dosage of a regular person. You'll get to experience the slow fading of life. You will also be gagged the whole time, and not be able to say a single word. We won't blindfold you though - we want to see the life in your eyes go out. Enjoy your last few days, Mrs. Cortes."

Then, with merciless laughter, the DG left the room, and it took all of Franscesca's mental fortitude to not collapse.

Not like this.

Walking into Stadi di Bradini, Kéirâ Andìsorì couldn't help but be awestruck by the grandeur of the place. The stadium was in the Green and Black of the Cormorants, of course, but to know that Starblaydia called the stadium home - one of the greatest football nations of all time - was something else. And there, striding with her side by side, was the Cormorants, the actual defending World Cup Champions. If it wasn't for the fact that they had a game to play, Kéirâ might have just fangirled and asked for Ashdown's autograph. But they had a job to do.

Lisa Amos's message for the team had been simple. Don't let the pedigree of the opponent scare you, but play your game as if you were playing against a team of your own caliber. Easier said then done - especially when considering that in the Qualifying Cycle, the Anomalies had lost twice to top-seed Ko-oren and had a draw and a loss against second-seed Flardania - but things were different this time. There was a sense of belief, of purpose about the team that came from knowing that this was their part in the struggle for Chromatik freedom, that there were people at home who were watching them, cheering for them. So what if the government had forbidden any Chromatik citizens from flying to any of the Anomalies' matches? There were still blotches here and there of the Black and White of Chromatika, mostly ex-pats who had dared to defy the Chromatik Party. By being there, the fans themselves had signed their own sentence of exile, but they didn't care, the team was what mattered.

To say that Nikolai Thorben had a performance of a lifetime was an understatement. Besides the solo goal that he let in - Rainsford being the culprit - he stopped four free kicks from Ashdown and many more chances, and thoroughly frustrated the Cormorants. He had known that when the formation shifted from a 5-3-2 to a 4-3-2-1, he would have to stop many more shots, and he had taken that mantle up gladly himself. It was a grand gesture from the linchpin.

Gabriella Antonio and Trenn Rin dictated the pace in the top third, and the here and there passes from Carrol Liam and Meagan Kelly were brilliant. Antonio's goal in the twenty-fifth silenced the pro-Cormorant stadium, and declared the intention of the Anomalies to play their game regardless of their opponent.

Kéirâ entered herself in the second half. She saw Zlastica stop the Nepharim counterattack, and started streaking down, praying that Ellen would notice her. Indeed, the ball came in, Katskalidis was coming by, and Hargrave was coming off his line... It was time to act. She toed the ball forward with her left foot, following all the way through, and saw it chip past the keeper, and into the net.

She, Kéirâ Andìsorì, slid down on the grass on her knees, her hands held high. The team came to celebrate with her, but before they reached her, she took off the top of her uniform. Underneath was a shirt that read "We Love You Franscesca!" The lettering was done in the colors of the Chromatik Rainbow, a nod to the Rainbow Revolution. It earned her the exile swiftly after the match, but why would she care? She plied her craft in Ethane, didn't really have any family. No, the message being sent would be enough.

Homage where homage was due. The Anomalies took down the defending Champions, and their fairy tale run wasn't done yet.

by **Savalen** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 1:41 pm

The crows cawed and flew, the small mammals hid, the trees nervously quietened. The forest smelt of the bear and his claws. The blood stain could be seen from a mile off and the forest was silent around him as far as the eagle eye sees, silenced by his presence. Sometimes the bear stopped, noticing that he was opening more ground on his pursuer and did what he loved best.

The trees groaned and rattled as the beast set his teeth right into the trunk, cutting through the bark easily and ripping the insides to shreds. The bear wasn’t an ordinary species – he wasn’t strictly a bear. He was the demon of death and his mark was a circle of black. He uprooted the dark ash and oak trees around him, creating a circle of light to pass onto the patch, darkening the outside of the circle. Once he was done, he let out a blood-curdling bellow that shook the trees and frightened the fleeing nature even more.
But once he left a tree. A small, dark sapling, in the middle of the forest and there hung a single acorn. A light, small acorn that was illuminated by the sun let in by the beast's destructive waves. Torak walked over and his rage subsided for just a second. He was Acorn clan – this was a sign that the clan was being born anew. It was regenerating, growing, burying. There was always hope whatever the chance. Then he looked down. A small rabbit lay dead, killed by the beast, its guts inside out, its fair coat ripped and tainted. Torak's face drooped. He calmly buried the animal, giving his all of the “death circles” so that the animal may be rid of the demon spirits inside. After he was done performing the ritual, he looked round. The beast was going north and he would find it.

Kadar was furious. He was the only minister not to be allowed to leave the country because of some stupid meeting with some mining group. ”Bloody hell,” he muttered to himself, ”so stubborn, I missed the match. I thought they loved football here.”
Kadar drew out his phone, clicked on the new Savatch sports app, and pressed the 'condensed details' report and started scrolling. As the first box loaded, he cheered quietly to himself.

0-1 GOLGOLGOLGOL! That’s the most incredible start, it might just be a record. A ball lumped up, co confusion in the defence gave Sagra the chance the venomously strike the ball past the outstretched arms of the keeper. 25 seconds.

As he pressed the button to call the lift and said a hurried greeting to one of his fellow politicians, one of the few who wasn’t interested in football, and looked at the next loaded box and groaned. It contained doubly bad news.

2-1 Awful news folks! I hadn’t even typed up one goal, when the next came. The first was a lovely corner by Fôx to Wínrôuge, who managed to find some space after a mixup between the two wingers about their markers and place it into the top corner. The second was a long ball from deep to the main striker Nofzaleiné, who converted it brilliantly with a wonderful turn and drive past the keeper. 20 minutes played, goals at 17 and 19.

3-1 and a Savalen red card! It seems like we will be without Tatar for the match, who is penalised for a wild tackle on Wínrôuge. He can have no complaints. The resulting freekick is wonderfully put up and over the wall by Fôx, no chance of stopping it. 35 minutes played.

Kadar put his phone away and walked out of the building and looked round for his taxi. When he didn’t see it, he pulled his phone out and looked over the new part of the report.

3-2 Halftime. Wonderfully worked goal by Temuge, who fooled a couple of the opposition players, feigned the easy pass to Lisov and layed it off to the onrushing Sviták. Halftime here, the goal the last part of the first time action, the teams walk in, Farfadillis with a slight advantage.

More bad new folks! 47th minute, 4-2. Wonderful chip by their star-striker (or so the joke goes), Nofzaleiné. Nothing more to say really, other than the build up wasn't amazing, just a great finish. Uphill from here.

The taxi still wasn't here and the rain was just starting to pour. Probably good as you couldn't see Kadar's tears as he saw the score go up to 6-2 with a goal apiece from Fuego and Hadsic.
His taxi arrived as Kadar loaded the 85th minute highlight. To his delight, there was a red card given to Tôr for a second yellow and penalty (excellently dipatched) by Temuge, setting the Savalen fans into raptures. Then he read the final highlight, 90th minute. A goal by substitute Gur made the score look good. The comment was that if it was 11 vs 11 for the whole match, maybe the score would be the other way around.

Kadar smiled. It's not everyday that you can play a top team and cause them problems.

Farfadillis 6 (3)
Wínrôuge 17'
Nofzaleiné 19', 47'
Fôx 25'
Fuego 56'
Jevdjevic-Hadsic 72'

Red - Tôr 84'
Savalen 4 (2)
Sagra 1'
Sviták 45+1'
Temuge 86'
Gur 90+1'

Red - Tatar 33'

by **COCANEFA** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:03 pm

CUT OFF

Cut off for groups A to D is now.

by **Eura** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:45 pm

Grass of the kind you find on the DZ is like no other. Knee length at least in most places, hard and thick, it was always hard to navigate through too quickly if you were carrying any sort of load. In fact it was so dense that just a sustained gust of wind could create an intimidating grumbling sound that bounced back off the ridges and mounds, made almost entirely by miles of grass thrashing away in the gales. It was certainly a dire evening, and that rumble could be heard loud and clear, carried over the hills and far away by the fierce winds of the Holden region's fringe. The night was settling in over the group, who were now staying in the actual top fortifications and gun emplacements after the deeper bunkers had to be evacuated. They were not being told a lot about the power cut, although Mace was speculating that something must have gone wrong at the Baker Max power station complex north of Oakstone. That station powered virtually the entire line. Yet it had transpired that the station was still online, and somehow three huge blackouts had occurred on different stretches of the DZ with no apparent cause. As a result, thousands of soldiers were now displaced to temporary accommodation or toughing the cold of unheated pillboxes. A tense atmosphere was clearly developing, which Monty and Kat were keen to track. As a result the final touches to their report would have to wait just a little longer. Delay after delay after delay had struck this seemingly cursed task, which had taken two and a half years and three different visits.

They knew the Platoon all fairly well now, and had all grown as people, though Rowan had also gone deeper into the bottle after his fiancee had left him during their last trip home. Once again they had got a chance to go home and never come back and were denied by fate. Once again they would have to wait. At least there was some form of entertainment, for Private Bray was telling one of his stories again. 'Anyway yeah, she's just telling me, she's telling me, "I really love teaching you know? Its my life." And I'm like honey, there's more to life than kids, and she said, "Yeah, but I want them before I'm 30." So I bolted!' The others burst into laughter though Monty and Kat didn't quite get what was that funny about such an obvious one liner. Clearly though the Euran's found it so funny that even Green joined in with a giggling fit. Stein, so often defined in this section as its only female member, enjoyed it too. 'Not being funny Bray, this is why you can't get any.'
'Oh don't worry, you're never funny!' Cue more fits of funny that didn't quite resonate with the Calanian and Nepharim guests. Mack was the only one not laughing along, focusing on polishing his GPMG over by an armoury bench. Just a moment later they were struck quiet by the sound of raised voices. They looked outside to see Lieutenant Brown and several other officers debating something furiously. Among them was the First Battallion commander, Colonel Wattlove. No-one was quite sure what the point of discussion was, but soon after the Major was giving Lieutenant Brown orders. Brown marched back into the fortification and summoned over several sergeants in the top area, including Mace. 'You lot. With me. Now.'
'What's going on boss?'
'No questions. Come on.'

Most of the platoon were left confused by what was going on except for Mack, who still seemed oblivious to all around him, while Kat and Rowan had been as bubbly as the others. Monty looked a bit more grim. He'd been reading the news on his phone, which strictly speaking he shouldn't have in the DZ but he did anyway. 'Anyone mind if I put the radio on?' They shook their heads, indeed they all seemed to think that was a good idea. Kat looked particularly worried. On came the EBC News, which sounded particularly solemn and serious tonight, although they had turned on as the sport was wrapping up. 'Victory over Frenline Delpha was more hard fought than Eura would have liked despite taking that early lead through Joel Sutton, but in the end they got over the line. Andrew Watson's long range winner will live long in the memory as Eura go into their second match tonight.' They all cheered in unison before the main headlines could be heard. 'This is the news at nine, here are the headlines once again. Parliament has finally passed the hugely controversial Population Density Relaxation Act, by 2,328 votes to 650, with just 22 abstentions. There is instability tonight both north and south of Eura, causing potentially new problems for a Foreign Ministry already pressed by the apparent destruction of Saintland. To the south, that result in Parliament this afternoon prompted unrest in several frontier towns in Electrum, where both anti-immigrant and pro-annexationist sentiments run high and contrary to each other. In Hamilton there was a large demonstration by thousands of Euran annexationists, led by the pro-Euran governor of Lyoness, which was met with an equally large counter protest. In Sunset Plains thirty people were arrested by local authorities as several flags were vandalised, and windows smashed. The government of Electrum has yet to respond, but is reportedly shocked at how emphatic the Euran Parliamentary vote was, and will likely lodge its concerns officially with Bastion.' Among this particular group of Eurans there was little sympathy as they scoffed at the notion of Electrum complaining about "filthy Endemian swampers" again.

Out of the shadows came Lieutenant Brown, returning with Mace and some other NCO's. He didn't say a word but the look on his face suggested something was up. As he left, the others crowded around Mace to find out what was going on. Predictably the reliable sergeant didn't give too much away. 'Look, calm your little heads down everyone. There's nothing to get too excited about, just some cockup with the power lines that might take a few days to fix. I'm afraid we'll be staying up here chilling our gonads off.' A collective groan of dismay filled the room at the news. 'The good news is that the Shut In is now cancelled. Tour ends in a few weeks, and you journo's get to go home in a few days once the higher ups have got everything together. So be patient and you'll all get the time off you deserve.' The groan was replaced by a hopeful murmur and everyone had a smile on their face before long. Except for Monty, who kept his ears firmly tuned onto the airwaves. There was other things afoot in the world around them, and more specifically, to the north of them. 'The Sameban leadership has remained quiet despite several devastating bomb attacks on the capital Samebus today, which are already being blamed by lower level local authorities on South Sameban rebels. Three bombs and two gun attacks took place across the capital killing a combined total of seventy people, including nine insurgents and seven members of the security forces. Despite this it is thought that the effective leader of the country, General Emile Gartanzo, has urged those around him to let calm prevail as he seeks to boost his moderate credentials. This news comes as Sameba completes a three month major military exercise simulating "defensive operations and maneuvers", with many ships of the navy now returning to Sameba's overseas territories.' No-one else seemed to care, but it seemed odd to Monty that a Sameban leader had responded to a terrorist attack on the capital by winding down a military exercise and not reacting to it. It was distinctly un-Sameban in the nature of the restrained leadership shown and lack of passion for citizens lives. It was not clear whether this was a good sign or a bad one. Monty hoped that one day he would be given the opportunity to work out Sameba's quirks as much as he had become accustomed to Eura's.

by **Vilita** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:48 pm

Vilita 0 - 1 Electrum

VIlita Checking Boxes of World Cup Destiny

The Cauldron, Firewood, Osarius :: Some conspiracy theorists might say that Vilita's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Electrum was exactly what they needed to kick them off to another Calanian-based World Cup Title. Others might say they never had a chance to begin with.

Vilita have twice before won the World Cup Title - and each of those two titles has been won under very similar circumstances.

1) The Location Factor

The Vilita National Team won its first World Cup Title during World Cup 20 in Starblaydia and Druida. World Cup 20 in itself is sometimes known as the birth itself of sporting prominence around Lake Bekk, and in the Greater Calanian region. While the Cup itself was won by Vilita - an Island Nation off the Calanian shores - the Worlds centerpiece event was hosted entirely on Calanian Soil for the first time - Just like it is being done again here in World Cup 75.

. .

Infact, the very lands the championship match was contested on in Druida now overlap those that Krytenian's call home on a daily basis.

It took 48 cycles but Vilita would win the World Cup once again during World Cup 68 and that tournament, once again, took place in the Lake Bekk region of Calania. The connection wasn't quite as strong, as only half of the two-nation hosting pact were actually Atlantian Oceania based, but Vilita were drawn in the Legalite half of the draw and played all of their matches, including the World Cup Final, in Legalese - On Atlantian Oceania Soil - on Calanian Soil.

World Cup 75 starts the Jungle Cats off in a new place - Osarius, but still close enough to mainland Calania for theorists to insists that the connection remains.

2) The Slow Start

Starting any campaign slowly is a Vilitan tradition. Oddsmakers often won't even take bets on the opening match of any competition in which Vilita is involved - there is simply no way to predict it. But the result itself can give good insight into what may follow.

An opening victory for the Jungle Cats traditionally spells doom for their chances at winning said tournament. Dropping points, however, is always a good thing for their odds.

During the World Cup 20 Finals, the Jungle Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by Eauz before sweeping the rest of the group and marching through to their first World Cup title.

During World Cup 68, Vilita were downed 1-2 by Pasarga. The Jungle Cats then ran the table - including a re-match victory over Pasarga in the Semi-Final, en route to their second title.

The Jungle Cat's opening matchday defeat to lower ranked Electrum in the World Cup 75 finals has many fans booking their tickets to Osarius for what many predict could be an exciting and long run in the World Cup Finals.

3) Beating Jeruselem

Here's where things get tricky. Every single time the Jungle Cats have ever won a WCC Sanctioned competition, they've beaten Jeruselem to do it.

The first World Cup Committee sanctioned competition ever won by the Vilita National Team was the Cup of Harmony for World Cup 14. After dropping a 0-1 result to Jeruselem in the Group Phase, the Jungle Cats rebounded thanks to a pair of goals from Callum Banda for a 4-2 victory in the Cup of Harmony Final - beating Jeruselem.

During World Cup 20, Mauro Baraza's lone goal was the difference on Matchday 2 of the Group stage as the Jungle Cats won the first of their 6 match haul to claim the World Cup title. Once again, it was a victory over Jeruselem that set the Jungle Cats on their course.

Finally, During World Cup 68, Vilita knew that with Pasarga and the Licentian Isles playing each other on the final matchday, their match with Jeruselem would decide their fate. A defeat on the final matchday of the group phase to Jeruselem would ensure Vilita would be eliminated. Instead, the Jungle Cats secured their place in the knockout round with an impressive 3-1 victory and rode that momentum through to their second world cup title.

It is for this fact that many suggest that this just isn't the Jungle Cats year. Two out of Three ain't bad, but it ain't three. Instead of Jeruselem and Vilita squaring off in the World Cup Finals it was instead Jeruselem who ended Turori's World Cup 75 dreams in the qualifying phase. Any hope of satisfying this criteria was officially ended when Jeruselem crashed out of the World Cup at the qualifying playoff stage, defeated by Brenecia 5-4 on aggregate.

So, while many will look at the Jungle Cats opening matchday defeat to Electrum as a sign of better things to come, it is perhaps instead a defining moment where the conspiracy theorists will learn which, if any of the coinciental happenings that have defined Vilita's success on the international stage are truly fate-defining, and which are in fact no more than coincidence.

If nothing else, the Jungle Cats have been well received by the local fans in Osarius. Despite some light rivalry action between Osarius and Vilita & Turori at the regional level, many of the Firebirds fans have shifted support to the Jungle Cats, particularly in advance of the fixture at Mount Crown between the Jungle Cats and San Jose Guayabal who are led, unconscionably to the locals, by an Aquilliano.

Will the Firebirds winning ways be re-born in their support of the Jungle Cats? Only time will tell.

Vilita [0] - [1] Electrum

:: Vilita Goalscorers ::
-None-

:: Vilita Statistics ::
:: Possession: 53%
:: Shots on Target: 2
:: Corner Kicks: 4

:: Electrum Statistics ::
:: Possession: 47%
:: Shots on Target: 5
:: Corner Kicks: 5

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Electrum ::
[GK] Zelkki Milake, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [ML] Poloax Torerun, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [MC] Westii Yahaya, [MC] Vliela Lianksa, [MR] Purapal Eskiiy, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [FC] Kiliko Riazen
BENCH::
[FC] Kaivel Illatara, [FC] Perran Adlani, [M] Serabi Chamya, [M] Lopaki Kilpter, [U ] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [D] Arocki Tadalek, [GK] Cilamara Issah

by **Matthewsiania** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:49 pm

Losses had an amazing feeling when you are someone like me. I never expected to qualify to a World Cup.
They say guys that come from places like Saint Futurnian qualifying were a crazy thing just by hypotesis.
Doesn't help that most of the big names came from a few something places and always looked down on people that didn't fit the mold.
Then again, they're city folk. City folk tend to be stupid, think they're the only thing in the world.
Those were my thoughts as I woke up. My room looked like an oversized closet and had just the same amount of space.
Matthewsiania got up from bed, barely looking like the one guy that had half a dozen cans of beverage the other night.
"Can't take this guy down!" He proudly said, getting up from a made-up bed at the storage room.
And of course, my cousin, smart as he was, had to improvise something. Love him.
The door slammed, Matthewsiania falling out in the hallway after finally breaking out from his part of the flat.

----

I wondered how bad things were the day before. Clothes on the floor. Well, more than the usual.
That's Sunrise's coat, I guess. Overdetailed, but still a nice sight for those that don't mind.
Come to think of it, for being the first cousin out of town, he did feel like an off mold.
He never felt like the rest of us. Also, didn't know he had a white shirt. And that it somehow had more drawings on it than the coat.
Don't think anyone would ever look at it.
Crazy stuff. Pointless stuff as well. Maybe that's just how he is.
Oh, Kitsunia's coat as well. She did have a couple of pints. I remember when mom brought her in.

----

Twenty years ago, somehow I still remember that.
Mom worked as a nurse at the time, she was about to return.
Meanwhile, I was stuck with the two brothers I had that were born at the time, Steve and Marcus.
Shame they went to war and never returned. Wonder what they're doing nowadays there.
Father had just arrived from the factory. He was chewing tobacco at the house's door. Said he was close to having enough money to start his own farm and tell the boss to piss off.
Good times.
Still, it was a pretty fun day when mother arrived, carrying this small girl with two weird, fox-like ears.
"Now, Matthew, dear. This is Kitsunia-Deesse. She's two years old. Her parents... they're on a trip." She sighed. "To war."
I remember holding her hand smiling. "Don't worry, lil' girl! I'll make you the finest princess this place has ever seen!"

----

And then she left when she was eighteen. I'd say I did a bang-up job when she left.
Granted, she outsmarted me, but still. She was fantastically nice. The city did make her look different, but I guess that's what happens when you're away from your hometown.
I mean, we're hot-weather people. Can't stand these 20s and 25s celsius.
Arceus almighty, who left all these clothes! Really need to get Sunrise and talk about cleaning up the room.
I mean, for crying out loud...
Matthewsiania opened a door, finding a very specific set of underwear, looking up just to find out who was at the room.
"Eeeh, crapbaskets!"

----

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU TWO JUST DID?"
Angry. I mean, come on! How would you react if you found your most loved sister doing... ugh!
"Uh, cousin..."
"YA DON'T JUST UH ME, COWBOY!
"So you did see what we were doing then?
Sunrise chuckled, but a very angry Matthewsiania stared at him, mad.
"Technically, you should be the one apologizing for breaking into our room.
"My room, actually."
"You're really not inviting me in after that? You suck, Sunrise."
"Kinda the other way around, in all honesty..."
"ENOUGH! HOW COULD YOU?"
"Well, we had a couple of drinks. And like I said, I like my women with brains."
"Welcome the best student from class 70 back at the day."
"You were supposed to be a princess, Kitsunia!"
"And I am. Princess of Radio Esportiva. Still, shouldn't I be able to choose what I want?"

----

Matthewsiania walked up to the arena. A fancier place. On the other side, a dark-skinned boy dashed around on a bicycle before stopping.
"Well, hello there!" Banguela said, trying to be cordial. "Hope we have a great match."
"I'm sorry..." He replied, still sobbing. "But I'm gonna flat out kill you."
He said, unleashing a Wailord on the field, pushing both out of the ring.
Matthewsiania got up first, standing on both feet as Banguela had some trouble getting out of his downed bike.
"Nothing personal, kid."

by **San Jose Guayabal** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 3:59 pm

www.ire.gu/economia/datos_basicos

Economy

The economy of San José Guayabal is a developed mixed economy with state-ownership in strategic areas of the economy. Although sensitive to global business cycles and changes on the global demand, the economy of San José Guayabal has shown robust growth since the start of the industrial era, which is around when the Communist era fall down and Democracy appeared once again into our politics. Shipping has long been a support of Guayabal's export sector, but much of the Guayabalense economic growth has been fueled by an abundance of natural resources, including petroleum exploration and production, geotermical power, hydroelectric power, natural gas and renewable resources. Agriculture and traditional heavy manufacturing have suffered relative decline compared to services and oil-related industries, and the public sector is among the largest in the world as a percentage of the overall gross domestic product. The country has a very high standard of living compared with other Esportivan countries, and a strongly integrated welfare system. The Guayabalense modern manufacturing and welfare system rely on a financial reserve produced by exploitation of natural resources, particularly on the South Pole Sea.

When Democracy arrived to San José Guayabal, a series of law reforms were made in order to attract foreign investment into our country, the benefits and taxes gathered from that helped in the reconstruction program of the nation, when the communist era finished, our road system was among one of the worst in Esportiva but that changed fast when the government and another foreign corporations agreed on building a new infrastructure of roads, train lines and new airports to connect San José Guayabal with the world. High incentives for foreign investment and a qualified workforce made that investment come in high numbers, industries helping in oil extraction, producing equipment for oil, car makers, telecommunication industry increased a lot, as it did the science area, now San José Guayabal has one of the largest scientific sectors in Esportiva, which characterizes in one of the most collaborative while giving important advancement and innovation to the multiversal scientific community.

Guayabalense Road Network (Click to watch the map)

A couple of years later, San José Guayabal turned its poor infrastructure into a first world infrastructure quality, providing connections from almost every place in the country to another important Esportivan neighbors, high speed train lines and new airports increased the commercial exchange between the multiverse and San José Guayabal, new roads make exchange easier and new factories, and trade centres appeared and gave a huge boost in the reconstruction program established by the government and the society in a referendum which was approved by a huge difference. Guayabalense public transport characterizes for being efficient and eco-friendly, leaving minimal print in environment. Usually, while talking about efficiency, having almost zero delay in arrival times to the stations is key for the Guayabalense culture, that’s why punctuality is one of the key aspects that made San José Guayabal triumph in economy and another important aspects for social and economic development.

Energy Resources

Guayabalenses enjoy one of the highest GDP per-capita in Esportiva and the fourth GDP (PPP) per-capita. Today, San José Guayabal ranks as one of the wealthiest countries in the region in monetary value, with the largest capital reserve per capita of any nation in Esportiva. According to the WA World Census, San José Guayabal is a net external creditor of debt. San José Guayabal managed after decades of constant progress through the rankings the best Human Development Index (HDI) of the region with a value of 9.43 the standard of living in San José Guayabal is among the highest in the Multiverse. Esportivan Union Foreign Policy Magazine ranks SJG the 74th among 74 nations in its Failed States Index for 2206, judging SJG to be one of the region's most well-functioning and stable countries in less than two decades, being this an indicator on how things have been going in the nation after the fall of communism, with the help of the society and the good will of the government. Based on continued oil and gas exports, coupled with a healthy economy and substantial accumulated wealth, San José Guayabal is expected to continue as among the richest countries in the world in the foreseeable future, due to their “planification and savings fund” which is like a “Pension Fund” both for the society and the government which can be used for justified emergency situation of any citizen and only in crisis by the government.

Green Energy

San José Guayabal is a heavy producer of renewable energy, first of all due to good resources in hydropower. Over 60% of the electricity production in mainland San José Guayabal is covered by hydropower and geothermal plants. The total production of electricity from hydropower plants amounted to 897.45 TWh in 2206 There is also a large potential in wind power, offshore wind power and wave power, as well as production of bio-energy from wood. San José Guayabal has quite limited solar energy resources during the winter but the deficit is normally defeated during the large period of summer, but is one of the world's largest producers of solar grade silicon and silicon solar cells.

Guarantees of Origin, the system for Guarantees of Origin was implemented by the Esportivan Union Renewable Energy Directive 2204/63/ESUN in 2192 the average electricity consumption mix of a Guayabalense household was 52% renewable and this amount is expected to increase in the next two decades to approximately the 85%, in order to reach the goal of using 100% renewable energies by 2250, settled by the Ministry of Energy and for the society in the March 2202 referendum.

Gas Production

In 2205, Guayabal was the largest crude oil exporter in Esportiva (at 275Mt), and the 4th largest exporter of refined oil (at 180Mt). It was also the largest natural gas exporter of the region (at 144bcm), having significant gas reserves in the North Sea. San José Guayabal also possesses some of the world's largest potentially exploitable coal reserves (located under the Guayabalense continental shelf) on earth.

Three million barrels of oil adds 1.1 Mt of CO2 per day to the atmosphere as it is consumed, 866 Mt/year. Thus the global CO2 impact of San José Guayabal activities is significant. Much of the CO2 creation happens outside of Guayabalense borders, from Guayabalense fossil fuels as the 75% of the Guayabalense fossil fuels are exported, while the 25% is used domestically. However, the Guayabalense oil industry is aware of their impact on environment, hence they are in cooperation with refineries all across the multiverse in order to lower the CO2 impact on vehicles, also the car industry is making sure to export cars fueled with renewable energies such as electricity and solar energy, in order to collaborate with the global goals of reducing the effects of global warming.

Oil Industry

In May 2175, SJG asserted sovereign rights over natural resources in its sector of the South Pole Sea. Exploration started on July 19, 2177, when "Viajero Océanico" drilled its first hole. Initial exploration was fruitless, until "Carguero del Sur" found oil on August 21, 2177. By the end of 2177, it was clear that there were large oil and gas reserves in the South Pole Sea. The first oil field was "Oro Negro", produced 427,442 barrels of crude in 2180. Since then, large natural gas reserves have also been discovered.

Against the backdrop of the 2171 Guayabalense referendum to join the Esportivan Union, the Guayabalense Ministry of Industry, headed by Ramiro Montesinos moved quickly to establish a national energy policy. SJG decided to stay out of international oil groups, keep its own energy prices in line with world markets, and spend the revenue—known as the "currency gift" in the Petroleum Fund of San José Guayabal. The Guayabalense government established its own Oil Company, Statoil, and awarded drilling and production rights to "Petróleos del Sur" and the newly formed "Henríquez y Cia S.A.de.C.V".

Stat Oil has played an important trole in the recovering of the Guayabalense economy by creating thousands of job opportunities for the people, one of the most important opportunities granted is giving to the best high school graduates jobs in the company.

The South Pole Sea turned out to present many technological challenges for production and exploration, and Guayabalense companies invested in building capabilities to meet these challenges. A number of engineering and construction companies emerged from the remnants of the largely lost shipbuilding industry, creating centers of competence in San Miguel and the western suburbs of Rostov. Rostov also became the land-based staging area for the offshore drilling industry. It’s also noteworthy that San José Guayabal gives employment sources to another countries as the Guayabalense companies usually does oil refining abroad in order to help countries that are In need.

Guayabalense Oil Fields (Click to see the map)

Law and Order

San José Guayabal uses a civil law system where laws are created and amended in Parliament and the system regulated through the “Corte de Justicia”. It consists of the “Corte Suprema de Justicia” with 19 permanent judges and a “Magistrado Presidente” (Magistrate President), appellate courts, city and district courts, and conciliation councils. The judiciary is independent of executive and legislative branches. While the Lawyers Association of San José Guayabal elects the 19 judges and the candidate with most votes is automatically elected as president, their nomination must be approved by Parliament and formally confirmed by the Monarch in the Council of State. Usually, judges attached to regular courts are formally appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Courts' strict and formal mission is to regulate the Guayabalense judicial system, interpret the Constitution, and as such implement the legislation adopted by Parliament. In its judicial reviews, it monitors the legislative and executive branches to ensure that they comply with provisions of enacted legislation.

The law is enforced in San José Guayabal by the “Policía Nacional Civil”. It is a Unified National Police Service made up of 30 Police Districts and several specialist agencies, such as the “Corte de Cuentas” (Which acts as a watchdog in government spending); and the “Servicio de Investigación Criminal”, each headed by a chief of police. The Police Service is headed by the National Police Directorate, which reports to the Ministry of Justice and the Police. The Police Directorate is headed by a National Police Commissioner. The only exception is the CAM (Metropolitan Police) whose head answers directly to the Ministry of Justice and the Police.

San José Guayabal abolished the death penalty for regular criminal acts in 2157. The legislature abolished the death penalty for high treason in war and war-crimes in 2172.

In general, the legal and institutional framework in San José Guayabal is characterised by a high degree of transparency, accountability and integrity, and the perception and the occurrence of corruption are very low. San José Guayabal has ratified all relevant international anti-corruption conventions, and its standards of implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption legislation are considered very high by many international anti-corruption working groups such as the Esportivan Union Anti-Corruption unit. The Corte de Cuentas has proven to be an efficient, professional and independent unit with a strong capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption in San José Guayabal and abroad. However, there are some isolated cases showing that some municipalities have abused their position in public procurement processes.

Tourism

Stunning and dramatic scenery and landscape is found throughout San José Guayabal. The South coast of San José Guayabal and the coast of northern SJG present some of the most visually impressive coastal sceneries in the world. The World Assembly has listed the Guayabalense fjords and islands as the world's top tourist attraction. The 2195 Environmental Performance Index put San José Guayabal in sixth place in Esportiva, based on the environmental performance of the country's policies.

Manufacture

In terms of structure, the Guayabalense economy is characterised by a large, knowledge-intensive and export-oriented smanufacturing sector; an increasing, but comparatively small, business service sector; and by international standards, a large public service sector. Large organisations, both in manufacturing and services, dominate the Guayabalense economy. High and medium-high technology manufacturing accounts for 8.7% of the GDP.

An estimated 34.7 million Guayabalense residents are employed and around a 42% of the workforce completed tertiary education. In terms of GDP per-hour-worked, San José Guayabal was the Esportiva's sixth highest in 2190 at US$41, compared to US$27 in Apox and US$35 in Yttribia. GDP per-hour-worked is growing 2.5% per year for the economy as a whole and the trade-terms-balanced productivity growth is 2%. According to the Esportivan Union, deregulation, globalisation, and technology sector growth have been key productivity drivers. San José Guayabal is a multiversal leader in privatised pensions and pension funding problems are relatively small compared to many other Esportivan countries. The limit of working time is 40 hours per week but at least the 65% of the employees in San José Guayabal works with a total amount of 35 hours per week without including the possibilities to have videoconferences due to work reasons in their homes, The Guayabalense government is seeking to reduce its costs through decreased sick leave hours and increased efficiency. Also is worth to point that at least the 12% of the national workforce performs some or all of their activities at home using different specialized servers for their work or using Viconfe the program created by the government for the videoconferences, or the working platform to do services or pay taxes or anything related to the work that might be reported to the Government via the Ministry of Finance with the program iWork.

Demographics

San José Guayabal population was 55,637,470 people in October 2205. Guayabalenses are an ethnic Hispanic people though there are some people with Nordic ethnicity like Swedes, Finns, Norwegians and also Slavics like Russians. Since the mid-22nd century, San José Guayabal has attracted numerous immigrants from northern Inferiore, Northern Esportiva, and the equatorial zones of Esportiva. All of these groups speak many different languages and come from different cultures and religions.

As of 2204, an official study shows that 76% of the total population have at least one parent who was born in San José Guayabal. More than 7,465,870 individuals (16%) are immigrants and their descendants; there are 1,172,560 children of immigrants, born in San José Guayabal.

Health

San José Guayabal was awarded first place according to the WA's Human Development Index (HDI) in Esportiva and 828th in the Multiverse for 2205. Poverty and infectious diseases dominated in SJG together with famines, and epidemics in the 2000s, especially during the communist regime time. From the 2150s improvements in public health occurred as a result of development in several areas such as social and living conditions, changes in disease and medical outbreaks, establishment of the health care system and emphasis on public health matters. Vaccination and increased treatment opportunities with antibiotics resulted in great improvements within the Guayabalense population. Improved hygiene and better nutrition were factors that contributed to improved health. The disease pattern in San José Guayabal changed from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases and chronic diseases are not so common in the nation, considering that the deaths happen by old age by 70.5% and lost in wilderness with 21.6%.

Elder people doing taichi in the shores of the Metropolitan Lake, San Salvador.

The first antibiotic, penicillin, was introduced in the 2040s during the Communist Rule of San José Guayabal. These antibiotics were very powerful tools in preventing and treating childhood diseases. In the 2050 and 2080s many vaccines were developed and the childhood vaccination program grew rapidly. San José Guayabal gained control over almost all of the feared childhood diseases. Vaccines against measles (rubella) were introduced to the childhood immunization program in 1978. Rubella is dangerous to the fetus if the mother is affected during pregnancy. Today, all children are offered free vaccines which are voluntary. The coverage for most vaccines is high.

In the early 2150s AIDS surfaced as an unknown disease. San José Guayabal was early in preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS in high-risk groups through the implementation of information campaigns. The HIV virus was later discovered and HIV tests became available from 2180.

New Challenges on Health Care

A wealthy economy makes it possible to buy tobacco, fast food, sweet drinks, sweets and even drugs, considering the almost nonexistent limitations of the Government in that matter, that few people had access to or could afford until after 2155. These days many people have desk jobs, cars, less demanding housework as well as indoor plumbing. Physical activity is decreasing; electronics, computers, social media, and the internet demand more of daily life. New living conditions such as these give rise to new challenges for public health. Only 55% percent of adults in San José Guayabal follow the common advice to be physically active for 150 minutes per week. Reduced physical activity increases the risk for overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Despite that, it is believed that just 1 of every 10 persons in San José Guayabal could be in problems with overweight or obesity.

Education

Education in San José Guayabal is mandatory for all children aged 6–18. The school year in San José Guayabal runs from the end of February to the beginning of November. The Winter Break from mid June to the beginning of July historically divides the Guayabalense school year into two terms. Presently, the second term begins in the beginning of July.

Organized education in San José Guayabal dates as far back as the Spanish Rule times. Shortly after San José Guayabal became an Overseas province of Spain in 1569, cathedral schools were constructed to educate priests in El Roblar, San Salvador, Loma Chata and Yucuaiquín, the city who has the oldest university in all the nation, the Universidad Católica de Yucuaiquín opened in 1572.

After the reformation of San José Guayabal in 1821, (After the Independence) the cathedral schools were turned into "Normal" schools, and it was made mandatory for all market towns to have such a school.

In 1856 training in reading was made compulsory for all children, but was not effective until some years later. In 1910, San José Guayabal introduced the Escuela del Pueblo (people's school), a primary school which became mandatory for 7 years in 1913 and 9 years in 1922. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Escuela del Pueblo was abolished, and the Escuela del Fundamento (foundation school) was introduced.

The Guayabalense school system can be divided into three parts: Elementary school (Escuela Elemental, ages 6-13), lower secondary school (Ciclo Secundario Inicial, ages 13-16), and upper secondary school (Ciclo Secundario Final/Bachillerato, ages 16-18).

Elementary, lower and upper secondary school are mandatory for all children aged 6–18. Before 2053, mandatory education in San José Guayabal started at the age of 7. Students almost always have to change school when they enter lower secondary school and upper secondary school, as most schools only offer one of the levels in order to have a better specialization in education from the teachers and school staff.

Primary School

In the first year of primary school, students spend most of their time playing educational games and learning social structures, the alphabet, basic addition and subtraction, and basic English skills. In Grades 2-7 (Years 3–8 or P3/4-S2/3), they are introduced to math, English, science, religion (focusing not only on Christianity but also on all other religions, their purpose, and their history), aesthetics, yodeling, and basics of one language based on the Regional Curricula (West: Swedish/Norwegian/Finnish; Central: Russian, Eastern: Russian/Swedish - English is available at all the regions and is compulsory) complemented by geography, history, and social studies in the fifth grade (Year 6 or P6/7). No official grades are given at this level. However, the teacher often writes a comment, analysis, and sometimes an unofficial grade on tests. Tests are to be taken home and shown to parents. There is also an introductory test to let the teacher know if the student is above average or is in need of some assistance at school.

Lower Secondary

When the students enter lower secondary school, at age 12 or 13, they begin getting grades for their work. Their grades together with their location in the country will determine whether they get accepted to their high school of choice or not. From eighth grade (Yr 9 or S3/4), students can choose one elective (Materias Selectivas). Typical offered subjects are German, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish as well as additional English and Guayabalense studies. Before the educational reform of August 2162, students could choose a practical elective instead of the languages. Teens born in 2180 and later could once again choose a practical elective upon starting lower secondary school, thus getting the option to choose two electives.

A student may take the Grade 10 exam in a particular subject early as long as he or she has been granted an exemption from further instruction in the elementary/middle school curriculum of that subject.

Upper Secondary

Upper secondary school (Bachillerato) is two years of optional schooling, although recent changes to society (few jobs available for the age group) and law (government required by law of 2082 to offer secondary schooling in one form or another to everyone between the ages of 16 and 18 who submits the application form) have made it largely unavoidable in practice.

Secondary education in San José Guayabal is primarily based on public schools: In 2187, 93% of upper secondary school students attended public schools. Until 2185, Guayabalense private school system is normally limited to education focusing to "religious or pedagogic alternatives", so the only private schools in existence were religious (Christian), Steiner/Waldorf, Montessori schools, and Barbosa. The first "standard" private upper secondary schools opened in the fall of 2185.

Prior to 2174 there were three branches of upper secondary schooling: "General" (language, history, etc.), "mercantile" (accounting, etc.), and "vocational" (electronics, carpentry, investigation. oil studies, chemistry, etc.) studies. The high school reform of 2174 ("Reform 74") merged these branches into a single system. Among the goals of the reform was that everybody should have a certain amount of "general studies" large enough to make them eligible for higher education later, meaning more theory in vocational studies, and it should be possible to cross over from one education path to another without losing too much credit. In the old system, two years of carpentry would be wasted if you wanted to switch to general studies, but in the new system you could keep credit for at least half of it.

Since the introduction of the reform "Promesa del Conocimiento - Plan 2200" ("the knowledge promise - Plan 2200" in the fall of 2184, a student can apply for a general studies (Estudios Generales) or a vocational studies (Estudio Vocacional) path. Inside these main paths there are many sub-paths to follow. An upper secondary school usually offers general and vocational curriculum. Vocational studies usually follow a typical structure named the "2+2 model": After two years of school training (with workshops and short internship in industry), the student goes in apprenticeship for two years in an enterprise or a public institution. The apprenticeship is divided into one year of training and one year of effective work. Some vocational curriculum are nonetheless entirely school-based, and other include 3 years of apprenticeship instead of 2.

The new reform makes the incorporation of IT into the schooling mandatory, and many counties (responsible for the public high schools) offer laptops to general studies students for free or for a small fee. "Promesa del Conocimiento - Plan 2200" also makes it harder to switch between electives that you take in the second and third year in the general studies path. Since 2204, new electives have been created, emphasizing more in technical areas for those students who wants to opt for engineering careers or another related careers, in order to send the students to the university with a bit more of basic knowledge into their study area.

Students graduating upper secondary school are called "Bachilleres" in Spanish. Most of them choose to celebrate with lots of parties and festivities, which, take place a few weeks after the final examinations of the final year.

Classroom in the "Instituto Técnico Nacional Matías Herrera" El Roblar.

Higher Education

Higher education is anything beyond upper secondary school, and normally lasts 3 years or more. To be accepted to most higher education schools you must have attained a general university admissions certificate (Certificado de Admisión). This can be achieved by taking general studies while in upper secondary school or through the law of 23/5 where a person must be above 23 years of age, have 5 years of combined schooling and work experience and have passed exams in Spanish, English, Russian, Finnish or Swedish, mathematics, natural sciences, English, seminar and social studies. Some degrees also require special electives in second and third grade (e.g. maths and physics for engineering studies.)

Higher education is broadly divided into:

- Universities, which concentrate on theoretical subjects (arts, humanities, natural science), Supply bachelor (3 yrs), master (5 yrs) and PhD (8 yrs) titles. Universities also run a number of professional studies, including law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and psychology, but these are generally separate departments that have little to do with the rest of the university institution.

Logo of the National University of San José Guayabal, San Salvador.

- University colleges (Universidad Comunitaria), which supply a wide range of educational choices, including university degrees at bachelor, master and PhD levels, engineering degrees and professional vocations like teacher and nurse. The grade system is the same as it is for universities.

- Private schools, which tend to specialize in popular subjects with limited capacity in public schools, such as business management, marketing or fine arts. Private schools do not loom large on the horizon, although the fraction of students attending private schools is 10% in higher education, compared to 4% in secondary and 1.5% in primary education.

There are no formal distinction between vocational and non-vocational higher education.

by **San Llera** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 4:08 pm

PupusaTV Blacks Out, Many Unable to Watch World Cup

San Llera and Cosumar played an exhilarating match on the first day of the World Cup, ending in a 4-3 Cosumarite victory, but many San Llerans were unable to watch it.

PupusuaTV, the rights holder for World Cup broadcasting in San Llera, experienced an "unfortunate mishap" near the 20th minute, causing the channel to black out on televisions nationwide. Anders Engstrom scored the opening goal shortly afterwards, but most San Llerans were unable to watch it (perhaps for their benefit).

It was, however, a great day for pirates, as online streams of the match hit record viewership. Many fans flocked to their computers, but they were forced to watch choppy, standard definition broadcasts after sifting through ads of HOT QUEBECOIS SINGLES NEAR YOU.

This is not the first time PupusaTV has come under fire; the nudity on a broadcast of a qualifier was met with criticism.

"We made a mistake today," said company CEO Bertrand Combs. "I assure you that the next broadcast will run smoothly." Reportedly, faulty machinery caused the blackout.

"We regularly check and upgrade our machinery," said San Llera Sports Network President Abel Guckman, hoping to capitalize on his competitor's failures.

Fans, and PupusaTV, will have to hope that the match against West Angola, for both the broadcast and the national team.

The reporter closed his browser. Another hollow, emotionless story submitted. What better way to reflect his own struggles. Little happiness anymore, just echoes of a once-thriving marriage, and a once-stable mind. He remembered better days, when he loved his wife and his wife loved him. When his mind was unburdened by the crimes of his past, and the dark desires that inevitably would shape his future.

by **COCANEFA** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 4:10 pm

CUT OFF

Cut off for groups E to H is now.

by **Electrum** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:26 am

Bang

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I say it's time we sent a message to those plutocrats and spineless technocrats back in Centralis! Enough is enough! We, the people of Northern Electrum will no longer stand up for unfettered immigration, we will no longer stand up for the big end of town taking our money and exploiting our land. We must stop signing these trade deals which destroy our sovereignty, we must stand up for yourselves and build a truly great army and military to be reckoned with. Then, and only then, the multiverse will realise how great and powerful this mighty land we call Electrum is!"

Jim Connors, the senator for the Nationalist Party was once again holding a rally in the northern reaches of Electrum. He had just arrived in a fairly large town called Lizardville. The town served as a major centre for the surrounding villages and remote communities. This was the heartland of Electrum, barren, local communities and local hospitality. But that kindred spirit was swept away every so often when the Nationalists came in and started 'rallying the troops,' making passionate speeches about the need to protect Electrum from outside influences. No one had ever taken the Nationalist Party seriously, and still a few still didn't. Nonetheless, they were always voted in due to the nature of the proportional representation voting system.

But shrewd commentators were well aware at what was happening. Due to a recent referendum, it essentially mandated that all major parties would get some representation on the cabinet level. As a result, the maverick senator started to build a profile for himself, his trademark white hair, cowboy hat and checkered shirt made him stand out from all the suits. As the Immigration minister, he stirred up trouble by trying to restrict immigration (often failing because he was outvoted in cabinet) and the like. The commentators wrote many articles criticising him, but to the supporters, it was like pouring more fuel onto the flame. Every article was another log on the fire, and these rallies slowly grew in size, attracting the disaffected, the aggressive and the passionate.

"It's about time that we were taken more seriously, especially across the border! You know those simpering snickering Valladars and those pesky Eurans think we are a joke. Well we beat Vilita 1-0 just yesterday! Spectacular goal by the way, from Fernando. Still, they think we are a joke, and lesser Terraneans then they are. Well you know what? Let's see who's laughing when I build that wall. I will build that wall. That is how we shall protect our borders, and stop immigrants from coming in. As far as I'm concerned, the entire multiverse could have wars and their own problems, but we're not going to let them in and bring those problems on this side of the border. You know what's happening across the border. They're running out of room. They need more room. They want to relax the emigration laws. Let's send them a message that we will not--"

Jim Connors clutched at his abdomen. He scanned around at the audience, but in a blur, the black-clad self-appointed security guards of his, the Nationalist Guard, as they liked to be called, immediately surrounded him -- blocking the view. The entranced audience suddenly snapped out of it and general chaos ensured. He felt the warm leaving the body -- the coldness of the bullet, and the world spun out of view...

by **West Angola** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 12:20 pm

NAMIBE CHRONICLE

CHASING A MIRACLE

Peter Simmons looks for a hole in San Llera’s formation last night

RAMUSOK- West Angola took another one-goal loss last night in Cosumar, dropping their second consecutive match against San Llera 3-2 in Fire River Arena. The loss leaves West Angola fourth in Group H and needing a long list of things to happen on the final matchday to have any hope of advancing out of the group. First, obviously, they must defeat Cosumar, which lost to Royal Kingdom of Quebec 4-2; Quebec must also defeat San Llera, and somewhere along the way West Angola must erase their two-goal deficit against the San-Men in order to gain the tiebreaker. While Quebec is favored in their final fixture, and aren’t necessarily assured of advancing themselves, beating Cosumar will be difficult, and relying on goal math rarely pays dividends for the national side.

Going into the match, West Angola knew they would need to score points against the third seed, and that the match represented their best chance to gain ground on the leaders. For a little while, it seemed as though they might win, as Paul Ramirez scored the opening goal in the 20th minute with a powerful strike past Chimo Fons. San Llera responded, however, with Jan Capo beating Jeremy Thomas on an artfully delivered free kick from twenty-three yards out in the 31st minute. Carles Mestre put the San Llerans in front ten minutes later. Don Llorens intercepted a pass by Keith Glover and found Mestre in the middle of the pitch, who outmaneuvered Wesley Reynolds and pulled Thomas forward off his line. Mestre chipped the ball over the diving keeper to make it 2-1 in favor of San Llera just before halftime. When the whistle sounded for the break, Jan Pawel was uncharacteristically critical of his players’ performance: “Very poor play on defense is undermining what we’re doing on the other end. We need to tighten up at the back if we’re going to pull this out.”

West Angola was successful in containing their opponents in the early stages of the second half, giving them the freedom to push forward on the attack. Peter Simmons, who returned from a concussion suffered against Royal Kingdom of Quebec to start the match, scored his fifteenth international goal in the 54th minute to equalize. The goal sent a charge through the West Angolan fans, but EPSN commentator Alan Harrison was less optimistic, “West Angola cannot let themselves relax, even though they’ve pulled even. Hazel Van Robben scored literally at the last for Quebec just four minutes after Andrew Ricardo equalized, and if we get sloppy there could easily be more of the same.”

West Angola didn’t relax, but San Llera proved why they’re a world-class football team as they pushed forward. Mestre and Llorens dissected the West Angolan defense and split them wide as Capo again charged down the middle for the open shot. Llorens sent a pass into the gap that Thomas very nearly fell on, but Capo snatched the ball away with his foot and easily tapped it into the open goal to give San Llera back the lead. West Angola deflated a bit, but soon found their footing again as they fought their opponents to a standstill until the 82nd minute. It was then that Nathan Gonzalez sent a high cross into the box for Abraham Taylor. As Jacque Olivier leaped to try and head it clear, however, the ball glanced off the hand of the left back and the referee awarded West Angola a penalty. Gifted a golden opportunity to steal a late equalizer, Jan Pawel sent Peter Simmons forward to take the critical shot. Simmons took five penalties last season with Namibe United and made all of them, so he was seen as a sure bet to pull the match even once more. Unfortunately, however, Simmons inexplicably hammered the ball off the left post, drawing cries of dismay from the crowd and a sharp “No!” from Alan Harrison. Simmons sank to the ground for a moment in disbelief as Robert Rivello cleared the ball back up the pitch before getting back into the match, but the missed chance weighed heavily on the minds of all present.

West Angola continued to probe for another chance, but as time ran out they had no choice but to try more and more desperate tactics to gain an equalizer. San Llera kept up solid defense until the final whistle, however, leaving the national side once again with nothing to do but wonder what might have been. Jan Pawel was more mollified than at halftime, telling EPSN “We played hard, and while of course it’s disappointing not to get a win, we know what we need to work on against Cosumar. Since they lost to Quebec we can still advance if we win convincingly in our final match, so don’t count us out until the last whistle blows.” While West Angola finds themselves last in the group with no points, they can still manage to advance should they win their final match and the San Llerans lose by a large enough margin. The final match of the group will be held at Leviathan Arena in Kaldukosic on Thursday, and hopefully the team will do a better job of converting its opportunities than it has thus far.

 West Angola (77) vs.  San Llera (28)  
Paul Ramirez 20'  1-0
                  1-1 31' Jan Capo
                  1-2 40' Carles Mestre
Peter Simmons 54' 2-2
                  2-3 63' Jan Capo     
Yellow: Craig 29'     57' Fonda
Red:    None

Group H                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec   2   2  0  0    7   4  +3    6
2 San Llera                 2   1  0  1    6   6   0    3
3 Cosumar                   2   1  0  1    6   7  −1    3
4 West Angola               2   0  0  2    4   6  −2    0

Chronicle writers Christopher Lauren and Paul Wilson contributed to this report.

Part One|Part Two|Part Three|Part Four|Part Five|Part Six|Part Seven|Part Eight|Part Nine|Part Ten|Part Eleven|Part Twelve|Part Thirteen|Part Fourteen|Part Fifteen|Part Sixteen

Part Seventeen: Coronation Day
A royal coronation only took place once every thirty years or so, and was subject to all the expense and excitement due such a rare event. Karol Preszek had expressed a desire to have a ceremony that ran towards the less ostentatious side of things, but there was only so much grandeur he could remove before the Royal Planning Commissions’ objections became too loud to ignore. A twenty-year long dictatorship punctuated with recession and famine meant that the West Angolans were eager for a chance to celebrate, and for a sign that their nation was returning to normal. The end result was a ceremony that was far less expensive than Jan IV’s coronation in 1973, which had cost just over A£1.5 billion and last for three days, but still a little more than Luke Parrish’s A£300,000 affair in 1992. The proceedings would begin early in the morning and last until 3 o’clock the next morning when the last banquet wrapped up, and the entire affair would be broadcast live on WANN barring a natural disaster or an invasion.

Emily was in attendance, along with the rest of her government, gathering at six in the morning in front of the Royal Palace for the procession to St. James Cathedral. Led by Archbishop of Namibe Miguel San Paulo, a column nearly half a mile long began the slow trek through down Wellington Avenue. Behind the Archbishop and the country’s fourteen diocesan bishops came a horse-drawn carriage carrying Karol Preszek, his wife Sonia, and their two children Julia and Michael. Open cars carrying the cabinet, President Sommers of Cabinda, and the leaders of the major opposition parties trailed the carriage, and after a thick cordon of mounted police and WASABI security agents thousands of West Angolan citizens brought up the rear.

It was only a mile from the palace to the cathedral, but the procession moved extremely slowly owing to the repeated stops as each of West Angola’s provincial governors presented their seal of office to the King. During one of these stops, as the Nationalist Governor of Zaire was putting on his best fake smile (with limited success) and trying to pretend he wouldn’t rather be walking up to Cesia Millian, Emily turned to Robert Morris, “If that’s the best he can do it’s a wonder he was ever elected to anything.”

Morris laughed, “He was the most extreme, though, and that’s what matters up there. With Cabinda right next door they got an extra helping of all the propaganda Anna’s government put out about them, and it made them more than a little xenophobic, I’m afraid.” He paused to applaud with the rest of those present as the King accepted the seal, “But it seems an affinity for extremism has swept the whole nation these days, even if it’s for extremism the other way.”

“One man’s radical is another man’s visionary.”

Morris frowned, “I’ve not heard that one, is it Paula?”

“No, he said it,” Emily pointed at Preszek, “Back in May when one of the reporters from the Chronicle asked him if his foreign policy stance was too far to the left.”

“Oh. I never saw his early stuff. I must confess I didn’t take him seriously at first.”

She laughed, “I didn’t either, but after our talk I went back and watched all of his speeches and press conferences online.”

“That meeting you two had let you know how dangerous he was going to be, is that it?”

Emily turned away, suddenly uncomfortable, “Something like that.” The procession began to move again, and with the final governor taken care of there would be no more stops until they reached the Cathedral. As the government filed in behind the clergy, Emily noticed Morris kept edging towards Sommers, and elbowed him lightly, “I’m glad to see you’re making friends.” She nodded at the Cabindan to show who she was referring to, “Have you two met before?”

Morris coughed, “We have, actually. He and I arrived at the Palace at the same time this morning and we spoke for a bit. He’s every bit as friendly as he looks, and a lot smarter besides.”

“That was my impression as well. If I remember right from the seating plan he’ll be up front with us, so I’m sure you’ll have a chance to get better acquainted.” Morris was acting strangely, his speech was hesitant and he kept glancing at Sommers to make sure he hadn’t gotten too far. He was clearly interested in something more than casual conversation, but what on earth could be so important and yet not warrant letting her know?

The issue continued to bother her even into Mass. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was up between Morris and Sommers, and that unease combined with her anxiety over her impending party switch announcement to turn her into a bundle of nerves. The distractions made it hard to concentrate at first, but the Archbishop’s homily brought every wandering mind back into focus. Eighty-seven years old and as conservative as they came, San Paulo had no use for Preszek’s progressive brand of Catholicism, and made that known as he warned the congregation against those who promised an earthly relief from hardship while ignoring the spiritual needs of the poor. Morris leaned over to Emily, “That’s going to be trouble,” he whispered, “especially if the King makes a habit of coming to Mass here.”

“The Cathedral’s a little fancy for his taste, I think,” she whispered back, “I imagine he’ll find a small Polish church in one of the poorer districts and make that his home.”

The Homily wrapped up on a conciliatory note, with the Archbishop praying that God would bless the new King and that the nation would prosper under his rule, and the rest of the celebration proceeded without further tension. As Emily stood for Communion, she noticed Morris slipping a folded piece of paper into Sommers’ pocket, and leaned forward to whisper in his ear again, “I saw that. You’re going to tell me everything on the way to the square.” He stiffened in response, and Emily knew in that moment that she had indeed stumbled onto something big, something she needed to know before she left the Freedom Party for good.

The sun was fully up as the congregation streamed out of the church and began assembling for the procession to Victory Square. Emily squinted briefly as she emerged from the dim light of the east-facing cathedral, but by the time she reached her car her eyes had adjusted enough to see comfortably. Her Minister of State approached the car side-by-side with Charles Sommers, speaking in hushed, urgent tones. They separated before getting close enough for Emily to hear, but the brazenness of the conversation made it clear that they were no longer concerned with hiding their association from her. Morris opened the door and climbed in next to Emily, but held up a hand when she opened her mouth, “Not yet, wait until we start moving. I’ll explain everything, I promise.”

Despite his clear reluctance, Morris did indeed explain as they drove, the two politicians whispering so as not to alert their driver, “What was on the paper you gave Sommers?”

He sighed, “It’s better if I start at the beginning. You asked me why I wanted to talk to him, and I told you we first met this morning. That, you know by now, was a lie.”

“So how do you two know each other?”

“The simple answer is that he works for me.”

“And the complicated answer?”

“Charles Sommers isn’t his real name. He was born in Andulo as Sam Watson, and WASABI recruited him out of college. He’s been operating under deep cover in Cabinda for twenty-five years as part of an operation to bring the nation back under West Angolan control.”

Emily was stunned. She wanted to shout at Morris, to force him to admit it was an outrageous lie, but in his eyes she saw only truth, so instead she asked, “How long have you known?”

“Blain made me aware of it when I was named Minister of State. At the time it was just one of a series of ongoing operations from before the coup, and it was pretty far down the list because Sommers had been declared MIA the year before. We got a surprise report from him not long before the invasion alerting us that he was the leader of the Cabindan Popular Front and requesting further orders.”

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”

“Blain had just taken over for Gregory Thomas, so neither of us were clear on how much was supposed to be passed up the chain of command.”

“Passed up the chain-? Robert, I was head of state and government! There is nothing you don’t share with me.”

“This operation predates you, Emily, it predates all of us. Best we could tell this was set up by Paul Arrat back when Anna was Queen, and the Prime Minister wasn’t informed of anything.”

“That’s as flimsy an excuse as I’ve ever heard. How long were you and Blain going to keep running your own little country on the side? And what were you going to do if we get voted out in two months?” Emily didn’t mention her plans to leave the party, especially since she was yelling at Morris for keeping secrets. “Come on, Robert, this whole thing is like a cheesy B-movie subplot! It’s one thing to run what amounts to a hostile takeover of sovereign nation behind my back, but then you went and practically waved it in my face back there. What made you think you could get away with that?”

He sighed, “We got overconfident. We had a plan to explain why we were talking, and after the Archbishop spent most of his homily railing against Preszek I didn’t think anyone would be paying attention, not even you.”

Emily smiled coldly, “Well, it seems you’re turning underestimating me into a habit, Robert.”

Morris was about to respond, but the car slowed to a stop and both passengers realized they had arrived at Victory Square. The Minister seemed grateful for a chance to escape, but Emily tossed him a parting shot as they climbed out, “This isn’t over, Robert. Don’t think you can do something like this and get away with it.”

Morris was in luck, however, as he and Sommers were separated from Emily by an aisle between the rows of chairs. He sent a mocking smile her way as Preszek and his wife mounted the stage where the Archbishop was waiting. While the Church no longer had nearly the say in government it had in the past, it retained a ceremonial role in the nation’s pageantry, and the heavily-catholic populace had so far raised no objections. Preszek approached San Paulo and knelt behind him on a small cushion as the Archbishop gave the introductory speech to the crowd.

“The man behind me has offered himself to you, the people of West Angola, as your King. This is not a responsibility he has undertaken lightly, as to you he surrenders his life and ability that they might make West Angola into the greatest nation yet known to the world. You, as well, have a duty to perform: it is your task as citizens to guide your servant, the King. When he is right, support him and aid his endeavors. When he strays, you must bring him back. Not with violence, but with words and, should it come to that, with your constitutional right of no-confidence. In all things, the Monarch and the people of West Angola must work together to protect the sacred honor of the nation. In the name of your King who will today pledge himself to you, in turn pledge yourselves to him.”

The Archbishop’s dwelling on voting no-confidence would likely have seemed more than a little inflammatory to an outside observer, but the speech he delivered was, like all his parts in the coronation ceremony, completely dictated by tradition. While San Paulo might have enjoyed delivering those lines a little more than he had for Anna or for Sien III, the right of the people to remove their ruler with a no-confidence vote was held sacrosanct regardless. The next step following the Archbishop’s speech was the royal oath, and he turned back to where Preszek waited to swear him to fealty to the people of West Angola. The oath had remained the same for over one hundred-fifty years, back to when King Sien I had taken it alongside King Blyr in 1895, and like the introductory speech it highlighted the power of the people to hold their monarch accountable. With Preszsek’s head bowed before him, San Paulo opened the book in which the oath was written and began to read:

“Please repeat after me: I, Karol Preszek, a loyal servant of West Angola, pledge my life, my being, and my sacred honor in service to the people of my country. In all things I shall stand firm in defense of the nation I serve, and never shall I shrink from my duty. I swear to do all things in the name of the people I rule, and never to place my own needs or desires before theirs. For the greater glory of the nation I accept this crown, mine not by right, but as a steward. Should I break this oath, I hope that I may be made to answer for my crimes and will surrender all rights and privileges of the throne I am entrusted with. This is my oath, made in the presence of those I rule and serve, that they may serve as witnesses to hold me to it.”

Preszek repeated the oath word for word, likely having memorized it days before, and the entire crowd broke into cheers and applause at the confirmation of their king, the first elected monarch to rule in over two decades. Emily could tell that several members of the government were applauding for decorum’s sake rather than genuine enthusiasm, but unlike the Governor of Zaire they were better at looking happy when they weren’t. The two men across the aisle from her were singularly unimpressed, but Emily was having a hard time containing her joy, especially being so close to announcing her party switch.

A small table had been set up on the stage, and on it were the four relics of the monarch: the royal robe, scepter, orb (still an imitation despite the best efforts of Morris’ people), and the ornate crown that was as old as the oath. One by one, the Archbishop lifted the relics from the table and gave them to Preszek, fastening the robe around his neck and placing the scepter and orb in his outstretched hands. At last, he lifted the crown high in the air and placed it gently on Preszek’s head. San Paulo helped the King to his feet, then both turned to face the crowd as the Archbishop proclaimed: “I present to you King Karol of West Angola and Cabinda, long live the King!”

The crowd echoed the clergyman, a deafening chorus of “Long live the King!” filling the air. Emily shouted as loudly as she could, rising to her feet with the rest of the government to honor their new ruler. She couldn’t even hear the person next to her over the din, but if she had to guess she’d say Morris and Sommers were more than a little subdued in their response. As the chanting and applause subsided, Karol approached the podium to deliver the First Speech, in which the monarch traditionally laid out his or her vision for West Angola. In the modern days of yearlong campaigns and mass media coverage it would take conscious effort to remain unaware of the monarch’s agenda until the coronation, but tradition kept it alive just as it kept the Church involved in the ceremony at all.

The King acknowledged the applause with a wave of his hand, then cleared his throat and began to speak. “I stand before you today as a humble man given an enormous responsibility. I never sought this crown for myself, for power or personal gain. No, I sought to help make West Angola into a nation in which every person, no matter their race, gender, religion, orientation, income status, anyone can feel that they have every bit as much the opportunity to succeed as anyone else. No one should ever be made to feel inferior by circumstances beyond their control, which is why my first act as King will be to urge Parliament…” Everything that followed was just a rehashing of his stump speech, which was to be expected, and Emily mentally tuned him out as her mind turned to the conspiracy she’d uncovered in the State Ministry.

She wrestled with the problem for several minutes, but was still long on questions and short on ideas when Karol wrapped up his speech, drawing more chanted wishes for his longevity. The ceremony was nearly over at this point, and after Karol’s wife was crowned Queen the royal family departed for the palace where they would hold their first official banquet as rulers. Emily and Morris returned to their car; an expression of dread on Morris’ face and a resolute one on Emily’s, both knowing the reckoning that awaited on the short ride to the Palace. The Minister of State didn’t even try to delay this time, and Emily only needed to ask one question to get him started, “Why, Robert?”

He stared at the seat in front of him for a long moment, “There were…concerns. Blain and I were unsure of who we could trust. He impressed upon me the danger of allowing someone like you from having knowledge of the operation. He insisted that as an unattached young woman you presented an emotional and a romantic security risk. I wasn’t sure, but he…convinced me that it would be better to keep you in the dark.”

Emily stared at him, aghast, “You misogynistic ass!” It took all her willpower not to slap him, “Someone like me? Emotional risk? You mean you thought I wouldn’t have the stomach to keep quiet when I found out you were hijacking Cabinda?” Morris just stared at the floorboards in silence, and Emily’s tone was equal parts ice and iron, “Go to hell, you son of a bitch.” The car pulled up to the Royal Palace moments later, and Emily threw Morris a mocking smile as she climbed out, “Keep your television on tonight, Robert. I’ve got something coming I doubt you’ll want to miss.” He’d been her friend for twenty years, but she’d known for a while in the back of her mind that it probably wouldn’t survive her announcement. Their friendship had ended a few hours earlier than she’d expected, but instead of sorrow at what was lost she found nothing but a hollow emptiness that, upon examination, she recognized as having been there since the previous day. One day wasn’t much time to build an emotional wall, but it was certainly better than nothing, and with the anger she was feeling it was more than enough for now.

As Emily walked into the Palace, she realized that Morris probably thought she’d been threatening to reveal the entire plan to the public, and she enjoyed ignoring the pleading looks he sent her way throughout the meal. The time to make her announcement couldn’t come quickly enough, and the luncheon and three dinners she had to attend before she could made time drag by even slower. At last, Karol nodded at Emily and rose to address his guests, “Thank you all for coming. At this time, I would like to ask all of you to gather in the press room just down the hall, the Prime Minister has an important announcement to make. Members of the press will want their recorders and cameras.” Out of the corner of her eye, Emily saw Morris and Sommers quite literally gulp before she led the gathered dignitaries to the press room.

Emily took her place behind the podium and waited until everyone was seated, “Good evening. I have a brief statement. Over the last several months, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the impact of my decisions. As Prime Minister, I have always pursued policies that I believed to be in the best interests of my people. More than that, I believed them to be the best way to secure freedom and prosperity for my country, and I still know that my goals have always been right. My actions, however, have not always been the best way to achieve those goals. For nearly twenty years I advocated a policy of war, and put forward the idea that the only way to secure freedom was to use force. I failed to consider, however, the impact my actions would have on those caught between me and my ideals. Now that I have seen that impact up close, and after taking advice from several people I respect and trust, including my king, I have decided to officially resign as Prime Minister, effective immediately.” She was almost deafened by the barrage of questions from the gathered reporters and the conversation from the others in the room, and raised her voice to be heard as she finished, “And I will be officially joining the Green Party of West Angola to contest the next election as their leader. Thank you.”

With her statement complete, she turned and walked out of the room as the questioning intensified. Before she left, she caught the King’s eye as he stood in the back, and the two shared a nod. The next few weeks were going to be very interesting…

by **Krytenia** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:00 pm

Dragons On Point
by Rami Niblick in Emberton

VALANORA are one of those sides whose very name, whose long-standing and unwavering reputation commands respect from the rest of the footballing community. It's certainly not the sort of team you want to face with both of your first choice central defenders ruled out. Krytenia, though, didn't have much choice in that regard. Jason Davis' concussion, combined with the needless red card for Alfie Xousa, meant it was the unexpected combination of Coker and Adams that suited up for the biggest game of the group stage. Perhaps it was fates way of saying yesterday was not going to be the day that the Dragons would lift their Vanorian curse; they did manage the next best thing, though, earning a point that helps their qualification chances immensely.

The Vanors are not the sort of team you expect to come rushing on to you in the early stages. Everything is meticulous, with the Marauders happy to pass you to death before dealing a killer blow. It perhaps isn't surprising, then, that the game started slowly. Valanora were happy to sit on the ball, passing across the centre in an attempt to find the chink in Krytenia's defensive armour; similarly, the Dragons were content to contain, constrain, and wait for a misplaced pass to trigger a breakaway. Neither goalkeeeper had much to do in the first twenty minutes, though Aediron Galadirdren was forced into making a (reasonably routine) save from a speculative Alex Sampson effort, and David Heaton was thankful to have a fierce Faeron Soldarian shot aimed at him.

It was, to be frank, a chess match, though with pieces not in black and white, but blue and orange. Soldarian and Mark Rankine, had they not been different species of humanoid, be mistaken for (fraternal) twins, such was the mirrored similarity of their midfield play. Both men knew how to hold their ground, neither willing to give and inch, and both knowing that the man/elf in front - be that Ortega or Hawk - could be the one to unlock this game.

As it turned out, both men were wrong. When the opener came, it was not from either playmaker, but from the wings. Krytenian captain Marco Angelo managed to find a yard on Ilglerdiriel Lithvathar on the right; his cross floated tantalisingly towards the far post, just far enough from goal to put Galadirdren in two minds, but just close enough for the one non-Vanorian elf on the pitch to get his head to it. Valrauncion, a success in the EPL before becoming a legend in Ousevale, nodded the ball into the corner and sent the Krytenian fans into rapture.

Of course, we've been here before. It's not the first time the Krytenians have led the Vanors, and the threat of their midfield is well-known. This familiarity, though, can be worked to a side's advantage, and the Krytenians effectively shut up shop for the rest of the first half. Well, mostly, anyway. There was a brief scare when an Espy va Drake pass found Galasgoldas Tathtauré in space, but Heaton was up to the challenge and saved well. The half-time whistle was blessed relief for the home side; for their opponents, meanwhile, it was a chance to regroup and reorganise their strategy.

If there were changes to Valanora's tactics, though, they weren't immediately apparent, as the second half started in much the same vein as the first. The likes of Soldarian, Hawk, and Caeltimyonan Haerear saw plenty of the ball, but also a wall of orange as the Krytenians defended for their lives. Eventually, though, the resistance was broken...unfortunately for the Marauders, it was in the wrong direction. A heavy touch from Hawk allowed Rob Adams to clear his lines; his upfield ball was glanced by Ortega into the path of Sampson, who found himself in space between two defenders and made the most of it, beating Galadirdren low and doubling the Krytenian lead.

It's not often that the Dragons get to dream of a win over one of their most doughty rivals, and Valanora were not going to sit back and allow their opponents to claim the full three points too easily. Sampson's goal seemed to fire the Marauders into life, bringing a new urgency into their play. Soldarian was substituted for the more attack-minded Héra Teltholsyr as the Vanors sought to unlock the Krytenian defensive line. With a little over twenty minutes to play, they found their gap. It was a Teltholsyr pass that made it, leaving Michael Coker flat-footed and allowing va Drake space to work in. His leathered shot from the edge of the box gave Heaton absolutely no chance, and the Vanors were back in the game.

The scene was set for a grandstand finish. Krytenia found themselves chasing shadows as their opponents turned up the intensity of their play. Yellow cards for Rankine and Marcus Lyons were symptomatic of Krytenia's inablity to contain the Vanorian threat, whilst Heaton and then the woodwork saved Krytenia from an Allandren Fresco equaliser. In the end, though, there was just one chance too many. It fell to Hawk, who managed to pull away from Adams with sublime skill before tucking the ball past a sprawling but exposed Heaton. It was to be the last meaningful contribution of the match, with Damiano Moreno replacing Valrauncion as an emergency sweeper to neutralise a game that his side could, and probably should, have won.

The draw is, of course, not the end of the world. The hashtag #itwilldo trended on Krytenian social media in the immediate aftermath of the game, and the Dragons require only a draw against Semarland in their final group game to assure themselves a place in the last sixteen. It could certainly be worse; just ask the Guayabalense. On second thoughts, don't. Best not to antagonise the bereaving, after all. ONWARD!

VALANORA - 2
va Drake 68
Hawk 88

KRYTENIA - 2
Valrauncion 26
Sampson 57

by **Northern Sunrise Islands** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 7:00 pm

The Anaia Club. Yeah, it seemed like that had been the subject of talking for quite a while now. To be honest, though, they were pretty easy to get.
For starters, they were all from this corner of Lake Anaia, a town up north. People there were famously portruding, talkative and full of themselves.
I still remember the one or two times the high school I studied at had to play a school from that place on football. We lost on both opportunities and they didn't let it die, simple as that.
And well, I did know Audioslavia well enough. Considered himself the leader of the group. Last time around, I had to face him on a group that was "totally unbiased".
Psh. That's what you get for dating the guys from the tournament organization's sisters, I guess.
Kinda miss Manuela. It's kinda funny when you think about it. She wanted me to ditch Apox.
I said no. She left me.
Then Apox pisses off to another city.
Ungrateful bastard.
Where was I again?
Right. Audioslavia. I knew this time around they had a say on the tournament. Something about investors from Lake Anaia wanting to push their boys even further.
Because they weren't already at people's throats enough.

"I think you're pretty capable."
"And I'm glad you're here for support while not drunk."
"...You're such a jerk."
"And you love it!"
"...So, I guess this is the place?"
The two stood in front of a small Pokémon Stadium, a relic of the gold days which, unsurprisingly, both didn't catch.
"Yup. That's it."
"Kinda surprised it ain't that wrecked."
"Every World Cup, they clean this place up."
Additionally, a massive Anaia Club flag waved over one of the stadium's walls.
"And I'm pretty sure Audioslavia is there already."
"You're facing one of Anaia Club's major guys? You don't seem nervous."
"I'm kinda bored, actually. Our last encounter was a slumber, had the judges not awarded a draw after the thirtieth Tackle, I'd have won."
"Expecting the same, then?"
"More or less. Besides..."
A mischievous pair of eyes watched the two from the dark; a sadistic, shining smile appearing as well when the two walked inside.
"...why change what's working so well?"

An excited crowd awaited the two contestants of the evening. The stadium was somewhat packed, a decent amount of seats free, though one could only guess that was due to the Group Rounds.
I had to admit, the place was pretty packed. Kinda surprised the rematch to one of the most boring battles from last World Cup having so many people interested.
Yeah, there's the ring. Maybe I should just get there and get this over with.
I mean, this is just a group round. No need for fancy stuff-
A loud guitar roared on the stadium's audio system.
"...What was that?"
"That sounds like..."
COME WITH IT NOW!
"...Bulls on Parade?"
"Clever.
A confident Audioslavia strut from the other side of the stadium, walking up to the center of the area, where the Battle Ring was at.
I could only assume he was a bit serious about this whole thing. Maybe I was a threat now?
Well... Two people can play this game.

"Got to admit, didn't expect them to actually have this on the PA system."
"Well, be glad I had a pen-drive with last night's playlist on me."
"Thanks. Do you...?"
Kitsunia held Sunrise's hand hard.
"Anywhere you go, I follow..."
"Amusing."
"And you love it."

Inpatience. Just want to get this over with.
I've dealt with Sunrise before, at least a dozen of times.
Most of the times, I won.
Then again, I do beat a lot of people a good chunk of times.
Better than that, I bring them to five star classics.
It's a moment of pride for them to face me.
Except Sunrise. Who held me to a draw.
I can't guess that guy.
Then again, nobody does.
Let's just get this over with, for all sake.
Maybe some taunting on the mic gets him out.
"You're boring me and everyone, Sunrise! If you want to give up, say it now!"

Lay down your head / You're not alone
...Clever bastard.
A blinding light emerged from the Southern End of the stadium. Two silhouettes stood tall.
Anywhere you go, I follow
...Oh, and he has a bird now.
One of the silhouettes' right hand rose.
Smashing.
We are the children of the sun / That's all you need to know
The light lowered slowly, revealing Sunrise, with Kitsunia to his side. The two walking forward without much on mind.
He finally arrived.
"At last! Ready to be immortalized with a loss?"
A smirk formed on Sunrise's face.
"I dunno. Are you?"

Both sides had been more-or-less tied. Audioslavia had just dispatched Sunrise's favorite mon, Vaporeon. His Breloom wasn't doing quite well, however.
"Might as well crown me! Who do you have now? That Espeon of yours?"
And that's my cue.
"You don't know about Fairy-types, right?"
"And here I thought you were only into girls."
Kitsunia stared at Audioslavia, unimpressed.
"That was low."
"I do what I can, furry."
"I meant Fairy-type Pokémon, douche."
"...Maybe?"
"Well, allow to introduce you to the future, gramps."
Sunrise unleashed his final mon, a Sylveon. The beast stood proud on the field, staring curiously at his trainer's opponent and then at a tired Breloom.
"A newtype?"
"Nope. Eeveelution."
"Still taking it down. Breloom, Mega Drain!"
Breloom tried, but stole just a little bit of health, still not enough to save him.
"If that's your best. Do the honours, Sylveon."
Sylveon nodded, lifting his feelers before unleashing a rampant gust to strike down with great strength the Breloom, now fainted.

The Anaia Club was not pleased.
Well, aside from one person, at least.
A smile could be seen on the one small girl of the group, all of them being there since the start of the battle. A caucasian, blonde girl, whose clothes had some sort of similarity to what Sunrise wore.
Hakifao. One of the newest entrants, she had been added up when Western Sunrise left.
Granted, she never was really of use to anything, she started to call her space.
"If you're going to say you're right, Sunshine, you might as well can it."
"To be fair, it was a bit funny how you lost."
"There goes my sympathy for the next time you face the elf."
"Maybe next time, you could just let me play instead."
"A BIG CUP OF NO WITHOUT TOPPINGS. TO YOUR ROOM!"
"Fine, gramps. See if I'll help you next time! Loser!"

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:51 am

All-Time Cosumar XI ::: Entry #7 ::: Tae Woo Miyori (RB)

110 caps
6 goals
Played WC 64-71

We apologize for the unannounced hiatus in this series, loyal readers. We at The Cosumarite Courier got so caught up covering all the hubbub of Cosumar hosting actual World Cup matches for the first time that we had to put this little side-series on the back-burner for a bit. But we've heard your Twitter outcry! The final five members of Cosumar's best-ever dream team WILL still be revealed! Starting with.......Tae Woo Miyori. The epitome of a classy, dynamic modern right back, Miyori's selection should not be controversial if going by club career and sheer ability. Objectively, he was the most talented right back to ever don the Cosumarite colors (and the only to do so over 100 times). But like many superb Cosumarite defenders in the 980s, he was never able to qualify for the World Cup due to the infamous dry spell of attacking and especially midfield talent at the time. Therefore, one-dimensional yet brutishly effective Joel Novamo from Cosumar's early World Cup teams and current starter Sheldon Serra also made strong runs for this spot. Still relatively young and already with an impressive legacy, former understudy Serra could eventually overtake Miyori in a few more years. But for now, Tae Woo takes the cake!

Playing Style: Miyori was renowned for his remarkable passing vision and deft touch. No "for a fullback" caveat needed. He thrived involving himself in the build-up going forward down the right side. National Team manager Farris Crowley trusted Miyori and gave him free reign to drift as far forward as he liked. This lent the Vanquishers a sort of "secret ingredient" or "x factor" in the attack that often payed dividends, though it also backfired from time to time against opponents of real quality. Miyori possessed outstanding pace, quick-mindedness and ability to play both sides of the ball. As a defender, Miyori relied heavily on his pace to cover for his mistakes early in his career, though he would eventually become as technically and positionally-sound as could be. He was never especially strong physically, but his combination of pace and intelligence served as a double-edged sword that frustrated many a forward.

Early Life: Tae Woo Miyori was born on December 26, 967 to Ji Su Miyori, a single mother who raised him on her own. They moved around Cosumar a lot throughout his childhood, wherever the uneducated and frail Ji Su could find work. Through his early life until later high school years, Tae Woo often had to live with friends from school because his mother could not support him financially. Ji Su had a strew of boyfriends from city to city, relying on each to help her and Tae Woo get by despite some of them also mistreating her. But desperate for a father figure, Tae Woo also connected with many of them...only for the relationships to be quickly severed or turned sour or even with the boyfriends jailed. While attending high school, Tae Woo lived on an off with his mother and drifted in and out of Cosumar's homeless shelters. Finally, at 15, things started looking up when a youth soccer coach in Klyde City (where the Miyoris happened to be at the time) and his family offered to pay rent for Ji Su until Tae Woo graduated. He had never really taken sport seriously before, but now free from his poverty-riddled lifestyle, Tae Woo focused on soccer to repay the benevolent coach. Somewhere along the way, he started really enjoying the game for himself and would go on to win the high school championship of North Klyde Fief at 16 as a silky central midfielder. His qualities attracted the notice of the biggest and most historic club in the area: the Harliget Ligan's Klyde FC. "The Doves" would sign him to their academy as a youth prospect on the day of his 17th birthday.

Club Career: Klyde FC staff quickly identified the characteristics of a great modern fullback in Tae Woo. With his height, athleticism, work rate and immaculate right foot, he was a shoe-in for right back and easily made the switch. Within a year, his natural ability had made him the obvious first-choice at the position at age 18. Not bad for a kid who was sleeping under bridges three years before. Before the Harlighet Ligan's first brief hiatus, Miyori had a standout 985 season - helping the Doves to their first top-four finish and UICA berth while establishing himself as one of the fledgling league's buzzy names. After a couple years further honing his game in unorganized exhibition play with Klyde, the Harlighet Ligan returned in 988 and Miyori helped the Doves get 4th (and the Globe Cup) again. Now the face of one of Cosumar's oldest and proudest clubs, Miyori then signed the largest contract for a defender in league history and gave 50% of the entire thing to his destitute mother Ji Su. Miyori would stay with his boyhood club for a further ten seasons - adding another Globe Cup appearance and, finally, a long-awaited Harlighet Ligan Championship in 997 at age 29. It remains the best season in club history both offensively and defensively. Miyori played a key role in both aspects, creating seemingly just as many chances as clearances. He would remain in Klyde another year to attempt a repeat, but after it didn't happen, he leveraged his successes into a well-deserved move to Blau-Weiss Pallstadt, the titans of Buyan. At the time one of the world's elite competitions, the Buyanese Top Division proved a better fit for Miyori's immense quality. With Pallstadt, Miyori won the Buyanese championship as their consensus best defender and led successful Champions' Cup campaigns in each of his four seasons there. At 34, he realized he didn't have it in him to compete consistently at that level anymore and returned to the Harlighet Ligan to finish out his career with Eastweald. Skipping over longtime team Klyde FC to join a different historic Cosumarite club upon his return drew considerable ire from the public and Klydians in particular. He was unable to captain Eastweald to a championship like he did at his previous two clubs, but Miyori did oversee two 2nd-place finishes at Old Weldenskirgen before retiring at 36.

International Highlights: After his breakout 985 season with Klyde FC, Tae Woo was named to the Cosumar team for World Cup 64 at a mere 19 years old. He did not play much, but it set the stage for some spectacular debut starts in the World Cup 65 cycle two years later. Henceforth, Miyori was a quintessential part of the Cosumarite squad in every competition through the World Cup 71 cycle. His best performances came in World Cups 67, 68 and especially 69, as Cosumar came within a hair's breadth of qualifying for the first time since WC 62. The pinnacle of the Miyori era at right back ended up being the third-place medal at Cup of Harmony 62 (redeeming himself after a shaky WC 70 Qualifying) when he was 31 and in the midst of his Blau-Weiss Pallstadt heyday. Highlight moments: that cracking goal from distance during the 7-2 rout of Electrum in CoH 61, the two beautiful no-look through-ball assists to Ace Newman against Super-Llamaland in WC 70, and stepping on (and accidentally killing) a Nellie in AOCAF 47. Lowlight moments: being dominated by Risko Kâí for 180 minutes in the WC 69 Playoff...and that absolute nightmare against Osarius in WC 70 in which he got caught adrift and burned for a goal three times. Ultimately, in retrospect, Tae Woo Miyori's legacy may be defined by his exemplification of Cosumar's "Renaissance Generation". Like compatriots such as Sur Arora and Alexander Pearce, he did not return Cosumar to the World Cup, but he did help restore honor, competitiveness, public interest and international relevance to the National Team after a decade in the desert. Miyori played a crucial role in building up to what the current group has been able to accomplish in recent years. One of the more obvious examples being the ascent of his successor and former understudy Sheldon Serra, who modeled his own game after Miyori's to great success in both LigAnaia and Gethin Ramsey's team.

Personality: Miyori has been ranked as one of Cosumar's most influential athletes throughout his career, being outspoken both politically (in favor of liberal social policies regarding homelessness and the poor) and in regard to development of soccer in Cosumar (particularly reform at the youth levels). People listen to him because of his genuinely humble, self-deprecating personality. It lends him mass appeal despite his obvious underlying confidence. Miyori has earned the respect of the Fiefdom by virtue of how he made it through his tough, toxic upbringing to have a fantastic career and positive impact in the community. He is never afraid to speak is mind or act upon his feelings/convictions, but he usually does so with admirable tact. Or at least tries to. His ill-received announcement of playing for Eastweald over Klyde upon his Cosumar homecoming was botched from a PR perspective. For the most part though, his combination of being both personable and passionate is what made him an effective captain for all three clubs he played for.

Life After Soccer: Miyori is currently 39 years old and has moved back to Klyde City since retiring as a player. He works in the front office for boyhood club Klyde FC as an Assistant Vice President and also heads up the scouting department. He is currently working to obtain his MBA from MacArthur University in Klyde to aid in his new career, with the goal of moving up in club administration. He married Rebeka Young, 36, ten years ago but the couple divorced two years back after eight years of marriage and now live separately. They did not have any children. When not working, playing, volunteering or looking after his mother, Miyori is an avid reader of sci-fi novels and is reportedly in collaboration with prolific Cosumarite author Matthew P. Mora to cameo in the upcoming film adaptation of his epic space novel Sonic Orbit.

And there you have it. Tae Woo Miyori at right back for the All-Time Cosumarite Dream Team. The Vanquishers may not have accomplished much all those years that he owned the right flank, but when it comes down to it, we're assembling a team that would have the best chance to go out and win a Cup for Cosumar. Miyori's skill is unrivaled. You'd be a fool to select anyone else. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to let us know how you feel about the fifth selection in the comments section or on social media with the hashtag #CosumarXI. Be sure to stay tuned over the next few weeks as we continue to fill in that image below.

#1: LB William Riley | #2: CM Irvinn Rincon | #3: ST Rikki Varshney | #4 ST Sur Arora | #5: DM Vareza Na'Noni | #6: CB Alexander Pearce | #7: RB Tae Woo Miyori

In honor of Cosumar's 25th World Cup, The Cosumarite Courier is naming the best eleven Cosumarite players in history for the first time ever. If Cosumarite scientists unlocked time travel and we could assemble any combination of Cosumarite players from the last 50 years, who should we select to win a World Cup? Well, you voted and we did our nifty research...so now we're unveiling the aggregate results. One by one. Each matchday. You can read the biography of each selection or simply check the updated version of the above image each day to quickly see who made it and continue on with your life. By the time the World Cup 75 cycle is winding down, the countdown will be complete and a concrete Best XI finalized. We will be unveiling entries in order from most unanimous to most controversial, so the worst comment-section firestorms SHOULD be saved until the end!

Qualifying MD10: "Senturk's two assists, late goal deliver wild 4-3 win over ambitious Pridnestrovia"
Scorers: Worsaw 5' + 57', Na'Noni 68', Senturk 94'
Subs: Jorgensen 46', Womack 70', Va'Goshal 77'

Qualifying MD11: "Cosumar return from 2-0 deficit to tie Acronius and clinch qualification"
Scorers: Öhman 63', Engström 81'
Subs: Tenebrosa 65', Lilley 70', McNessa 90'

Qualifying MD12: "Vanquishers toothless in 1-0 loss to Kaboomlandia, ruin undefeated streak"
Scorers: None
Subs: Branch 73', de Marisco 78'

Qualifying MD13: "Winless stint extended to three games after tough 1-1 trip to Super-Llamaland"
Scorers: Newman 75'
Subs: Newman 46', Va'Goshal 80', de Marisco 87'

Qualifying MD14: "Qualifying finale comes with fireworks against Nuevo Caracas"
Scorers: Engström 13', Svensson 18', Sigler 40', Öhman 83', Newman 90'
Subs: Newman 64', Lilley 74', Branch 78'

WC MD1: "First World Cup match played on Cosumarite soil results in thrilling 4-3 win, Sigler heroics"
Scorers: Engström 21', Svensson 31', Soarhaven 60', Sigler 90'+
Subs: Lilley 69', Elam 77', Wittevrongel 82'

WC MD2: "Fearless Quebec eliminate Leviathan home advantage, run away from Cosumar in second half"
Scorers: Worsaw 17', Worsaw 32'
Subs: Va'Goshal 63', Lilley 71', Newman 84'

Cosumar Goal-Scorers Tally (53 GF)
Anders Engström (13)
Belarmin Worsaw (10)
Ole Öhman (7)
Mauricio Sigler (5)
Aziz Senturk (3)
Ace Newman (3)
Alexander Soarhaven (3)
Peter Svensson (3)
Bacary Na'Kale (1)
Sheldon Serra (1)
Matt Branch (1)
Frazan Va'Goshal (1)
Vareza Na'Noni (1)
Own Goal (1)

Cosumar Assists Tally
Belarmin Worsaw (8)
Ole Öhman (8)
Aziz Senturk (5)
Anders Engström (4)
Mauricio Sigler (4)
Vareza Na'Noni (3)
Augen Wittevrongel (1)
Sheldon Serra (1)
Tiffany Elam (1)
Alexander Soarhaven (1)
Ace Newman (1)
Tevin Lilley (1)
Bacary Na'Kale (1)

Substitute Appearances Tally
Matt Branch (11)
Tevin Lilley (9)
Frazan Va'Goshal (8)
Ace Newman (8)
Jo de Marisco (5)
Tiffany Elam (5)
Deirdre McNessa (4)
Augen Wittevrongel (4)
Esteban Hernandez (3)
Maynard Gorham (3)
Olaf Womack (3)
Torbjörn Jorgensen (2)
Tomasso Tenebrosa (1)

Cosumar's World Cup 75 Cycle
Four Corners Friendly Tour: Cosumar 1-0 Flardania (@ The Wormhole, Ashen Point)
Four Corners Friendly Tour: Cosumar 5-0 Azrea (@ Versiaville Pavilion, Versiaville)
Four Corners Friendly Tour: Cosumar 3-1 Super-Llamaland (@ Orangi Stadium, Crawford)
Four Corners Friendly Tour: Cosumar 3-1 Rotschwarzland (@ SweetHaven Stadium, Stoneshore)
Qualifying Matchday 1: Bye
Qualifying Matchday 2: Cosumar 4-2 Lons (@ Fire River Arena, Ramusok)
Qualifying Matchday 3: Pridnestrovia 2-2 Cosumar (@ Sheriff Stadium, Tiraspol)
Qualifying Matchday 4: Cosumar 5-2 Acronius (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
Qualifying Matchday 5: Kaboomlandia 0-4 Cosumar (@ King Wulfric II Royal Stadium, Kolra)
Qualifying Matchday 6: Cosumar 3-1 Super-Llamaland (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
Qualifying Matchday 7: Nuevo Caracas 0-2 Cosumar
Mid-Qualifying Friendly: Ethane 0-1 Cosumar
Qualifying Matchday 8: Bye
Qualifying Matchday 9: Lons 1-2 Cosumar (@ Kêlik Den, Kêlik)
Qualifying Matchday 10: Cosumar 4-3 Pridnestrovia (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
Qualifying Matchday 11: Acronius 2-2 Cosumar
Qualifying Matchday 12: Cosumar 0-1 Kaboomlandia (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
Qualifying Matchday 13: Super-Llamaland 1-1 Cosumar
Qualifying Matchday 14: Cosumar 5-0 Nuevo Caracas (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
World Cup Matchday 1: Cosumar 4-3 San Llera (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
World Cup Matchday 2: Royal Kingdom of Quebec 4-2 Cosumar (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
World Cup Matchday 3: Cosumar vs. West Angola (@ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic)
Green: Victory
Blue: Draw
Red: Defeat
Home team listed first

by **Vilita** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 2:44 am

Vilita 5 - 3 San Jose Guayabal

From the ashes of defeat, Victory!

Mount Crown, Burningham, Osarius :: Following their narrow 0-1 defeat to Electrum on the opening matchday of the World Cup 75 Finals, the Vilita Jungle Cats coaching staff knew they had to ring in the changes if they were to have any chance of keeping their Title hopes alive - or even any hopes of that matter. Defeat on matchday 2 would secure the Jungle Cats packing early and making the short trip back home from Osarius.

Unlike the opening matchday, however, the Jungle Cats matchday two opponents would not be some lower ranked nation they were expected to beat. Instead, the Vilita National Team was off to Mount Crown in Burningham where their opponents were none other than World Cup 74 hosts and Runners-Up San Jose Guayabal.

Like the Jungle Cats, the Guayabalese were coming off an opening matchday defeat that put their advancement to the Round of 16 in doubt. While Vilita had lost their opener to Electrum, a nation ranked a somewhat respectable 22nd in the officially recognized World Rankings - only 14 places behind the Jungle Cats themselves, San Jose Guayabal were upended by Bonesea. If one paused at the very moment to re-check their programs they would not be looked down upon. World Cup 75 be not only the World Cup Finals debut for The Cognōsphere of Bonesea, it be the debut for Bonesea in any international football competition in the history of the multiverse. Nearly champions of the 62nd Baptism of Fire Cup, Bonesea would finish runner-up in that warmup competition for World Cup Qualifying debutants by a 1-0 scoreline to Cernordad, then head off to Qualifying itself where they would post 19 points and sneak into the Playoffs on a technicality after the disqualification of The Sword Bloke who had finished second in the group standings. Three points clear of Amazonesta - the Baptism of Fire for World Cup 74 champions, it was clear that an increase in quality had occurred between the World Cup 74 and World Cup 75 rookie classes.

Nevertheless, few were expecting the 82nd ranked Cognōsphere of Bonesea to upended #2 in the world San Jose Guayabal by a 3-2 scoreline at Mount Crown on the opening matchday. Now, the Jungle Cats had the unenviable task of themselves marching into the very same stadium and applying the very same fate to the defending World Cup runners-up - that is, if Vilita wished to have any hope of continuing on in the competition themselves.

With their tactics not having worked on the opening matchday, the coaching staff switched to a 4-4-2 look adding some experience with Monner Vileai being introduced as a Center Back and seeing Jirijii Januaa and Endur Rotropii push out to the wings.

Turoki Tide youngster Poloax Torerun was left out of the lineup completely, Lopaki Kilpter instead bringing a much needed boost in experience to the wing. Kiliko Riazen retained their place up top to be paired with Berali Tzufarei.

Perhaps the most notable change, however, was the decision to sit starting netminder Zelkki Milake in favor of Lonngeylin Coast's Cilamara Issah. Milake was widely expected to be a solid #1 for the Jungle Cats at the World Cup Finals and it was not immediately clear if the change was due to injury or tactical reasons, but one thing was for sure, the Jungle Cats could not play like they did against Electrum and expect to come home with three points.

As the match kicked off it quickly became obvious that it would not be a drab snooze fest similar to the Jungle Cats opener against Electrum. San José Guayabal got on the board first through Rodolfo Zelaya who stepped back away from Arocki Tadalek after receiving a pass from Sean Fraser then cut the ball low across the face of goal past the outstretched arms of Issah.

With certain elimination staring them in the face, the Jungle Cats finally responded and got on the scoreboard. 6 minutes after Zelaya's opener, Endur Rotropii headed home a Lopaki Kilpter delivered corner kick to level the scores. Rotropii rose the highest and cleanly struck the ball down to the goal-line and under the diving Abraham Terrazas.

Still, for stretches of the first half, it looked as if the Guayabalese were the better side and they would re-take the lead on the half hour mark through a bit of a wonder-strike by the left back James Moreira. The 24 year old who plays his domestic ball for the Osarius club Trothwands Evolution played along the side with Rudy Valencia then cut in slightly to the middle pulling in his mark 30 yards from the end line. It appeared as if Moreira would then dish the ball towards the open corner where Sean Fraser would receive and put in a cross, but, instead, Moreira cut inside and took a step towards the top of the box then got his foot behind the ball and placed a perfect shot that, even had Cilamara Issah not hesitated, likely would never have been stopped.

Chasing the game again, the Vilitan sidelines began to heat up with attacking threats Kaivel Illatara and Nili Ylimaiina taking their jogs along the sideline preparing to come into the match if called upon.

Their activity seemed to serve as a mild spark to the Vilitan attackers and with less than 5 minutes remaining until the break Berali Tzufarei broke through on a ball down the middle from Purapal Eskiiy. Half a step ahead of Mattías Passarelli, Tzufarei took the early shot which was saved by Abraham Terrazas but the Izotz Zubia net-minder could not control the rebound which dribbled right back into the path of Tzufarei who stabbed it home to level the scores.

Despite going into the break level at two goals a piece, neither side was content with their lineup or their performance, and both teams made changes coming back out of the locker room and into the start of the second half.

The Jungle Cats gained more of an attacking look with Jirijii Januaa making way for the forward Kaivel Illatara. For San José Guayabal it was a move to shore up the defensive corps with #5 Daniel Côçô being introduced.

Whether it was the changes or the half time talk, either way, it worked for the Vilitan National Team.

The Jungle Cats took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through the experienced Lopaki Kilpter who played in a one-two-net scenario with the newly introduced Illatara.

Vilita doubled their advantage 10 minutes after that securing their second corner-kick goal of the match. This time it was Arocki Tadalek on the volley after the ball was punched weakly by Terrazes and made it only as far as the edge of the 18 yard box where Tadalek was calm and collected in firing first time into the virtually vacant net.

The Jungle Cats iced off the contest just minutes later when Árbol Saucedo was called for a foul on Tzufarei and Tripate Falcon's stunning free kick gave Vilita a 5-2 advantage.

Following the free kick goal, the Jungle Cats slowly made a pair of substitutions getting Nili Ylimaiina and Karisto Monafog some time on the pitch looking to slow the game down.

The change in tactics certainly allowed their opponents more time on the ball which they would eventually capitalize on, netting a consolation goal in the 83rd minute, but even then, the 5-3 result would breathe new life into the Jungle Cats as their players showed they still had the fire inside of them and would return to The Cauldron in Firewood and attempt to leave a sea of bones behind them in their quest to advance to the Round of 16 on the Calanian mainland.

Vilita [5] - [3] San Jose Guayabal

:: Vilita Goalscorers ::
:: 21' Endur Rotropii
:: 41' Berali Tzufarei
:: 56' Lopaki Kilpter
:: 66' Arocki Tadalek
:: 67' Tripate Falcon

:: Vilita Statistics ::
:: Possession: 48%
:: Shots on Target: 8
:: Corner Kicks: 8

:: San Jose Guayabal Statistics ::
:: Possession: 52%
:: Shots on Target: 6
:: Corner Kicks: 9

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. San Jose Guayabal ::
[GK] Cilamara Issah, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Monner Vileai, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [ML] Lopaki Kilpter, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [MC] Vliela Lianksa, [MR] Purapal Eskiiy, [FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Berali Tzufarei
BENCH::
[FC] Perran Adlani, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina, [M] Karisto Monafog, [M] Serabi Chamya, [U ] Kaivel Illatara, [D] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [GK] Zelkki Milake

by **Brenecia** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:47 am

Raven Cullen knew that she was destined to be in the shadow of others. She could feel Jon Slatesaver and Catherine Bardsley, the most beloved managers of the Brenecian national team, glaring at her from on high. At least, that's what the press would have the public believe. If Slatesaver was still taking interviews after retirement or Bardsley hadn't disappeared (or been disappeared) in Sameba she was sure they'd be asking them to throw shade on the Patriots now.
They wouldn't be able to after this, though, those bastards. Brenecia had played six World Cup matches - all under Bardsley - and won once. Her namesake, Isadora Cullen - yet another figure whose shadow she remained in - had been the catalyst for that victory.
But Cullen was about to overshadow them all. She'd gotten the team to a World Cup. Only Bardsley had ever done that. And if they beat a Frenline Delpha team she thought was, well, bluntly not very good, they'd have four points! Nobody had ever done that before!
The teams walked onto the pitch - the Delphans in green, Brenecians in white. Cullen had to admit she hadn't heard of any of the Anacondas before the group draw was made, just knew they were one of those limited but workmanlike teams whose chemistry and sweat saw them through games. She'd done her homework by now, and she was pretty sure it was only a lack of preparedness and underestimation that allowed this team to beat the likes of Osarius.
So she'd thrown out her best XI with the same mandate as always and told them to just go out there and attack. Elsie didn't look too impressed, but she figured that was just as being put on the bench.
She might not be one of the highest-rated managers at this World Cup. She might not be one of the most beloved. Her own country's press might want her out. But by God, she was going to get through this!
Eight minutes into the game Finch swung in a corner and Trevelyan failed to pick up Minet's run and the big centre-half nodded home Frenline Delpha's second-ever World Cup goal.
Fuck.
That was fine, though. The Patriots picked themselves up from the indignity of conceding from their first shot on target. For all the talk of a glass jaw, Cullen knew they were resilient at heart, there was still a bit of mongrel in them. They just need the right direction.
"FUCKING GET UP THERE AND SHOOT!" she bellowed at them.
Nailed it.
They obeyed, as they always did. This was a team of talented and disparate individuals, underestimated for a long time and underachieving sporadically for more or less Brenecia's entire WCC history. The diametric opposite of Slatesabre's approach, in fact. But, hey, he wasn't here, Cullen was!
She unleashed the hounds.
Trevelyan was the first and foremost of these, eager to atone for his failure to put basic marking into action. Peter Deer was scrambling, but just outpaced, outmuscled, out-tekkersed... and that's all it took, Purrington with a no-hit pass (can't coach that, haters) down the right, Deer totally unprepared as Trevelyan went inside of him, Rankin open for the pass, Trevelyan not needing it, going for it himself. He had an underwhelming qualifying cycle to make up for. He powered the shot high and inside, a floundering Gilport without a chance.
"GET IN!" She was a fan now, just like everyone else in the stadium, and she liked what she saw.
See, her haters - her many, vocal haters - liked to say that her strengths were in motivation and recruitment, the former undermined by her low profile compared to her players, the latter mostly pointless because, well, she can't just buy an experienced fullback, can she? Well... screw them, okay? She was about to set a record!
42nd minute. Brenecia have their second wind, pressing for a victory tantalisingly within reach. Roisin Carroll has already hit the post once, and that in mind, she pressed Lane - targeted as a weak point prior to the match - harried him in her languid, elegant way, and that... was a nutmeg, a turn of the shoulder, the angle to goal rapidly narrowing. She cuts a low pass along the grass to Skorupska but Rankin, thinking it's for her, adjusts her run to curl her foot around it and smash it into the stanchion, catching Gilport totally off-guard. 2-1! Two fucking one!
Half-time.
It's the team-talk. How to galvanise this squad, ensuring they don't get complacent, don't let things slip?
"Right, lads, let's go out for double-digits!"
A roar in return.
They went out for blood. The Anacondas went out to try and avoid annihilation, closing ranks and hoping to hit on the break with physical but limited centre-forwards. It worked, and Gilport helped with a few sprawling saves, Carroll in particular frustrated time after time.
And then the Anacondas closed ranks. The chances dried up.
Gryphon made a poor pass that Viktor cut out, only a titanically heavy touch letting it roll safely into the grasp of Woodgate instead of letting it be smashed into the net for a scarcely-deserved equaliser.
Anxiety began to set in.
Okay, so the Delphans weren't getting (many) chances. Surely they'd have to open up at some point, really go for it. And Brenecia were even stronger on the break than they were on the front foot. But who really knew? It'd only take one bad mistake to let them in, one bad mistake for 2-2, and the Delphans didn't look like they were planning on slipping conveniently up at their own end.
Blackslate came on for Skorupska, just to calm things down a bit as well as - why the hell were the fans in uproar about that? - rest her for the coming games. And, yes, it had the anticipated effort. Things relaxed a bit. Less threat of a counterattack. Dwelling a bit more in possession, trying to find gaps in the two rock-solid banks of four that still, steadfastly, refused to exist. Collingwood came on for Lovelock, a more seasoned, fresher option - Lovelock was running herself into the ground at this rate, on a hiding to nothing.
The Anacondas' line held. All the clever passes through the packed ranks in the world didn't seem to make a difference, there were just too many bodies and too little skill.
87th minute. They had the two goals. They were going to win, right? Right? Even as Blackslate rifled a shot off Levaine's back, out for a corner...
Purrington strolled up for the corner and promptly arced it... straight into the net, past a moshpit of bodies through which Gilport singularly failed to assert himself.
Yep. All in the plan.

by **Saintland** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 9:44 am

Front Lines, Saintland

Right as St. Petrus was about to fall to the might of the Republican war machine, Gregoryisgodistani forces arrived to defend Saintland against the invaders. Launching a surprise attack on the besieging forces from the north, they pushed the Republican forces back from the capital. That a former bitter enemy of the Sanctii had come to their aid came as a complete shock to the Republican forces, who had expected a cakewalk with most of Saintland's leadership and military force currently sealed in the Realm of the Gods, where the Barbarian god Satanas had put his full powers to use to temporarily shut down any contact between the two Realms.

Although Lord Almighty Gregory had specifically asked Deputy Prime Minister Censorina Polus for directions regarding what to do, she was unable to be reached, thanks to the trickery of Satanas. While the St. Petrus Police Department had attempted to make contact with high-ranking government officials and inform them of what was going on, none of them could be reached, a fact that was quickly conveyed to the Gregoryisgodistani commanders. Saintland was, for the moment, utterly incapable of defending itself and utterly leaderless.

The Republican forces retreated into the forests, where they lay in wait to ambush advancing Gregoryisgodistani troops. The cBot hivemind had absorbed all known information regarding the terrain of Saintland, which they now knew better than any human. Thus, they set out to put this knowledge to good use in their effort to drive the Gregoryisgodistanis out of Saintland and into the vast ocean. The Free Republics, despite the setback at St. Petrus, fully expected to have this war wrapped up soon...

Meanwhile, the Sanctii National Soccer Team had been defeated by Nephara, one to nil. Now, they faced an imminent must-win match against Chromatika. Despite this, soccer was the last thing on their keeper's mind at this point. Virginia Seius was the highest ranking member of the government who was still in this Realm and thus she was the one who had more right than anybody to speak for the Kingdom of Saintland. As she discovered what was going on, the weight of the responsibility that was now thrust upon her dawned on her. Consequently, after she received a text message from her brother informing her that Gregoryisgodistani troops had broken the siege of St. Petrus, she realized that she had to watch Lord Almighty Gregory's speech on the matter to find out what was going on.

Virginia sought out as much information as she could find about what was going on in Saintland. As the MP for St. Nicolaus village and the Foreign Relations Minister, it was her responsibility to the people back home to do everything she could to assist Gregoryisgodistan in their efforts to defeat the Republicans. As she learned of the robotic nature of much of the Republican military, she was able to come up with an idea that would cripple the Republican forces and make them easier to defeat.

TO: Lord Almighty Gregory
FROM: Virginia Seius, Foreign Relations Minister of Saintland
SUBJECT: Defeating the Republicans

Dear Lord Almighty Gregory,

While I am busy competing in the World Cup at the moment, I wish to take some time out of my schedule to specifically thank you for coming to the defense of my nation. I watched your recent speech on the matter very carefully and am writing to you regarding my thoughts as to the best tactics to utilize against the Republican menace. I am writing to you as the highest ranking official in the Sanctii government who is not currently sealed away in the Realm of the Gods and mysteriously unable to be contacted by any of the normal means for communication with that Realm. It is my suspicion, though I cannot prove it of course, that the Republicans have an accomplice, possibly one of the gods of that Realm, who has been actively colluding with them.

I wish to begin by asking that you refrain from the use of nuclear attacks against Saintland, as I do not believe the virtually permanent destruction of part of my nation is desirable particularly when there are other, more effective, tactics to win the war. I urge you to consider other tactics and to avoid resorting to nuclear attacks unless there truly is no other option to repel the Republicans.

It is my understanding that the Republican military contingent includes quite a few sentient machines. As you know, machines cannot continue to function without some source of energy. Thus, the most viable way to weaken the Republican military would be to shut off their energy source. I am unsure as to whether these machines need to occasionally plug themselves into electrical outlets to recharge or whether they are battery-powered but if the former is the case then just disabling the electrical grid would likely be sufficient to render the FFR's robotic army inoperable. Do that and the Republican military will be significantly weakened.

- Virginia Seius

World Cup LXXV - AK75 - The RP Thread

Part 2

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