Baptism of Fire 49

[The gypsies]

Here is my roster that i have provided for my team. Team name Gypsyland.

GK; 1 Sydney F Smith (Gypseyville) 2 Wes Paul Simpson-Gerrard (Randers) 3 Tommy Stafford (Virtus)
Defenders; 4 Graham Carol Starkey (Cosmos) 5 Francis Lawton (Faetano) 6 David Kidd (Libertas) 7 Alan Green (Chelski) 8 Frank Carlyle (Shiverpool) 9 Nick Robins (carcrashenal) 10 Paul McDermott (Selltic) 11 Terry Mcguire (virtus)
Midfielders; 12 Tony Brammwell (Manchest United) 13 Adrian P. Friar (Trampmere rovers) 14 John Kennedy (Evertonne) 15 Tony Higginson (mixed racepool) 16 Asa Murphy (Ducksea) 17 Mick Price (Shiverpool) 18 Stuart Davies (No club) 19 Bill Brown (Gypseyville)
Strikers; 20 James Charnock (Randers) 21 Billy Nelson (Barcaonhisona) 22 Chris Bromilow ( Faetano) 23 Janet Kirby (c) (Gypseyville)

This is my 23 man squad.
Manager : Matthew Blower
Assistant: Ben Buxton
They all play in Gypsies 1st Division or Second division in which there are 8 teams in each.
1st division
Gypseyville
Virtus
Shiverpool
Randers
Evertonne
Ducksea
Selltic
Carcrashenal

2nd Division
Faetano
Libertas
Chelski
Manchest United
Trampmere Rovers
Mixed race pool
Barcaonhisona
Cosmos

I would like to state these players have been no way forced to play. But if they lose they die so.

Choose my goalscorers? Yes
Godmod scoring events? No
RP injuries to my players? Yes
Godmod injuries to my players? No
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes
Hand out red cards to my players? Yes if necessary.
Godmod other events? No
Style mod+ 2.0

[Super-Llamaland]

Goalies

Tyson Richards- #1- 25
Nick DeJesus- #4- 23
Blake Bennett- #2- 28

Defense

Left Back- Shawn Campbell- #10- 25
Center Back- Jeff James- #14- 28
Center Back- Ryan Jefferson- #13- 29
Right Back- Cliff Palmer- #9- 23

Backup- Lee Matthewson- #66- 25
Backup- Jack Miller- #21- 29
Backup- Joe Evans- #12- 23

MIDFIELDERS

Left- Jared Mullin- #40- 21
Center- Chris Chapman- #22- 23
Attacking- CAPTAIN Trevor Duncan- #17- 25
Right- ASSISTANT CAPTAIN John Oliver- #30- 31

Backup- Chris May- #33- 28
Backup- Robby Greene- #27- 23
Backup- James McGee- #0- 26

STRIKERS

Left- ASSISTANT CAPTAIN Evan Powell- #36- 24
Right- Bobby Crosby- #43- 21

Backup- Mark Wayne- #82- 24
Backup- Johnny Rushmore- #5- 22

Manager- Bryan Ferguson- #11- Age 49
Coach- Lee "Wizard" Hayes- #76- Age 55
Coach- David Russell- #16- Age 33
Coach- Max Day- #91- Age 39

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events Y
Roleplay injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players N
Godmod other events N

[The Javahe Islands]

THE FIRST EVER JAVAHE ISLANDS NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

The Javahe Islands will make their international football debut at the 49th Baptism of Fire. In keeping with the Javahem tradition of competing in international competition before organizing a domestic competition, the players making up the squad have been chosen from various regional teams. Each team that is represented in the national squad will receive a place in the yet-to-be-formed first division of Javahem football. The existing clubs will then individually vote on names for their representative sides in the new league.

The national team is coached by a woman, which shows in its play. The team implements a gentle, non-aggressive game, aiming to keep possession and use finesse to score goals. The strikeforce is young, inexperienced, and lacks skill, but makes up for its deficiencies with pure talent and motivation. The midfield, in contrast, is very experienced, with an average age of 27, and can make runs towards the box if necessary. Their age is not a limit to their fitness, and all three starting midfielders can go box-to-box. The back line is solid and has good chemistry; all four of the defenders come from the same club. However, their club came in third-to-last in their league in goals allowed last season. The starting goalkeeper is Šahin Niresan, an old-timer with excellent positioning and smarts.

ROSTER:
FORMATION: 4-3-3

STYLE MODIFIER: +1

STARTING XI
1 - GK: Šahin Niresan (29)
23 - LB: Jamin Beesan (19)
5 - CB: Terajin Wiijewan (22)
65 - CB: Saamašin Saarivan (31)
11 - RB: Žegin Piiv (24)
21 - CM: Jamin NGawan (27)
9 - CM: Tasivin Gee (26) (C)
15 - CM: Ražiit Favan (28)
10 - LF: Taredin Jikan (23)
69 - CF: NGiitin Tetigan (17)
99 - RF: Jamin Deran (20)

SUBSTITUTES
2 - GK: Žegin Haariran (21)
66 - DF: Rajaanin Jikan (24)
12 - DF: Jamin Piiv (26)
87 - DF/MID: Zyxst Wedvuiq (19)
77 - MID: Galemin Peer (20)
81 - MID: Raatin Saarivan (27)
33 - MID/FW: Jamin Jeezeban (29)
14 - FW: Razalin Betiitan (24)

PERSONNEL
MANAGER: Kasii Haretaman (35)
ASSISTANT: Magnus Jonsson (41)
PHYSIO: Rawer Piiv (27)
TRAINER: Žegin Kaaramaf (31)

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following: 
Choose my goalscorers Y 
Godmod scoring events Y 
Roleplay injuries to my players Y with TG 
Godmod injuries to my players Y with TG
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players Y with TG
Godmod other events Y

[Aguazul]

The group draw has been added to the opening post, along with links to information about both hosts. VANTELIRA has already participated in a Baptism of Fire and is not eligible for this tournament.

[Svengarda]

"What're you doing?"

"Not much. Browsing the Internet"

"You really should get out more. You know what the doctor said"

"I was out yesterday"

"You went to the Internet Café because our Internet shut down"

"That's like three blocks down, and it was minus 17 degrees"

"Did you take the bus"

"Might have done"

"Can you check something for me?"

"Sure, what?"

"This crazy football tournament, the Baptism of something. Svengarda are in it, and the groups are being drawn any time now"

"Sure....430 million results for 'Svengarda Baptism'...lot of religious sites"

"Anything there? Maybe add in group?"

"Ok...here we go, Baptism of Fire official website"

"Is there a group draws section?"

"Let me see....yep"

"What're we in?"

"Errrm...group...D..no wait, E"

"Anybody of note in it with us? Falcania?"

"Nope. The only name I faintly recognise, and this is me your talking about, is Estope"

"How do you know them?"

"Baseball...I think. Or ice hockey"

"Okay. Who else?"

"Ogedei, Jahistic Unified Republic, Neuseeland & Peppe..phppen..pfeffen..Pheppenasus"

"You're right, I've never heard of any of them"

"Too right"

"When's the first game?"

"Monday"

"mmkay...I'll set the TV for that one. What time?"

"3:30 am kick off"

"s**t"

"Changing your sleeping patterns"

"I guess it'll have to be eh?"

"Yep. What's for lunch"

"Let me have a look...er...sardines? And...Tomato Paste? That's what we've got in that isn't 100 years old."

"I went out last time. Get a pizza or something"

"Okay"

[Yelvoldia]

The Yelvoldia Leader: Our Baptism of Fire group rated

By Tom Falvor, chief football reporter

This newspaper article will rate our the group our national football team is in for the 49th Baptism of Fire, to be held in Aguazul and Licentiapacisterra.

Group opponents
The group we are in is Group D, one of the three groups for the BoF to be based in Aguazul (with six groups in total, three are based in Aguazul (including ours), while three are in Licentiapacisterra). Anyway, let's get on with our group opponents. The five teams we will be facing are:
1. Allandium
2. Royal East America
3. The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips
4. East Shippensburg
5. Circle of Dark
The team who we have the most knowledge of would be The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips, due to our masters, Slembana, having the country sign up for the last two Friendly Cups (a tournament created by the Slembanans). We have little knowledge of any of the other teams, but that's the Baptism of Fire for you - all the nations, in every edition of the BoF, are new to the international football stage, and they are all on a par with you.

Our chances rated
Everyone has an equal chance of winning the Baptism of Fire, but there's only winner of it. Here, despite the already-mentioned fact that anyone in the BoF could win it, we will rate our chances. We will give you the name of each nation in the group, and say what the score to us will be.
1. Allandium - 2-1 win
2. Royal East America - 3-0 win
3. The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips - 1-0 loss
4. East Shippensburg - 4-3 win
5. Circle of Dark - 2-2 draw

Group schedule
This is our group stage schedule. For those who don't know the footballing lingo, it's like the list of games we will be playing, with us playing each team once. So, here goes.
Matchday 1 - vs Circle of Dark
Matchday 2 - vs East Shippensburg
Matchday 3 - vs The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips
Matchday 4 - vs Royal East America
Matchday 5 - vs Allandium
We have been drawn as the home team in our matches vs Circle of Dark, The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips, and Allandium, and as the away team for our other two group matches. We are the first seed in our group, and the schedule, provided by one of the hosts, Aguazul, is the same for every group. An example is that, on matchday one, the first seed plays the sixth seed, the second plays the fifth, and the third plays the fourth.

[Falcania]

"Sky above, Aguazul is just like home."

Joha Kruppie dropped another handful of coins in the brazier. "Get the gloves, kid."

"Sir, we should be preparing for our first match. Don't you think?"

"We got plenty of time, kiddo. You should stop to see the sights."

By now the handful of one-talon coins were glowing slightly in the heat. Kruppie took one with a gloved hand and threw it into the crowd that had gathered below his balcony. It hit a small boy on the forehead, and he picked it up, throwing it from hand to hand, before it cooled enough to be thrust into a dirty pocket.

"This is cruel, sir."

"It's just a bit of fun. And it's technically charity, I guess."

"Sir, the match against Gaveo?"

By now a policeman had come along to break up the crowd. Kruppie neatly rolled five one-hundred talon notes, secured them with a rubber band, and threw them down to the policeman, who caught the bribe with a nod and walked along.

"Gaveo? Tiny fish in an even tinier pond. Not exactly Starblaydia, y'know? They play four up front, and even we grew out of that crap years ago. Take off Nicci, put on Thim. Hell, take off Danniol and put on Dogo if you want. Shore up the defence, Thax and Colan can take care of themselves up at the front. If they stop trying beat the crap out of each other."

The young lad Scteven was taking notes. "Got it, sir. You'll be wanting me to organise a training session then?"

"Sure, whatever." Joha was back to throwing heated coins off the balcony. "Man, I love this country."

[Charruterra]

Cloyan, who didn't know much about english, proceeded to write.

Da Group

Yes, we go to the baptism o' fire We go to win, nothing can stop us, the Charruterrans. We go play against heretic nations, they fear us. This be the other important not teams:

Falcania: For what me hear from they, they be good, this be real I don't know, but they can actually win us. They tell me some fly. They sell their sould to devil! They shall die!! This be difficult, however, as they be just like us: aggression. We win nonethles. For the glory of Sharuujpán!

Super-Llamaland: They sound llamas, llamas be easy animal to hunt. Super-Llamaland then be easy animal to hunt. We win against Super-Llamaland, they be not good to me. For the glory of Sharuujpán!

Maklohi Vai: They be bad team, they always select who score, me not like that. They has weird names, me not like weird names. We shall play violent football against they. For the glory of Sharuujpán!

Cambirano: They be normal, plain, boring, uncreative team. We win against uncreative team. For the glory of Sharuujpán!

Gaveo: They speak spanish. Spanish be language heretics use. Me hate heretics. We win against heretics. For the glory of Sharuujpán!

This be all for now.

Meanwhile, Janguje, who actually knew english and was much more intelligent, also wrote about the group.

Our Group

We've finally come to the baptism of fire to praise our god. We shall do it by giving our best and trying to beat the other respectable teams. I don't want to imagine what Cloyan thinks of them, though.

Falcania: They are pretty good, or at least that's what I've been told. They seem to somewhat resemble falcons, and a study says that approximately half of them can fly. I really hope we can beat them regardless of this advantage they have. I really do.

Super-Llamaland: This team sounds like it's full of llamas, however, it might as well be full of humans; we can't know, we haven't seen their team yet.

Maklohi Vai: I've got no clue about them, but they seem to play extremely defensive football while all their names sound kinda weird, but then, as well sound ours to them. I don't know if our attacking style will work against them. It might.

Cambirano: They're an ordinary team, which wishes to finally get to the international scene just as us. We can't know wether we'll win or not until the referee blows his whistle.

Gaveo: They seem like they're spanish speaking, I'm not 100% sure, though. Spanish is a language that I can perfectly understand, so I like the idea of going against them. I hope we win aganist this team, every point is important.

I'll write something else after the match against Maklohi Vai.

[Swyftlandre]

Style Mod: +1.5

Manager:
Ludvig Nels

Goalkeepers:
Stevie Redmund
Devin Farley

Defenders:
Uilleag Danny
Ingram Randall
Gray Sorley
John Rayner
Dónal Abner (Captain)
Elmo Sachie

Mid-Fielders:
Conchúr Korey
Seanán Lawrie
Kiefer Winfred
Drake Edwin
Kristian Kelvin
Bertram Payton

Forwards:
Éanna Mårten
Riordan Ansel
Finnbarr Lachlan
Gresham Ralf
Johnny Layne
Creighton Jimmie

---

Choose my goalscorers? Yes (Éanna Mårten mayhaps be the best Forward and is more liable to score more goals than every other player. However, that does not mean he will score every goal and I'd prefer it if he only scored if we score 2 or more goals. I don't wish for this to be penalised if my opponents do make him my sole scorer.)
Godmod scoring events? No
RP injuries to my players? Yes (Say, 1 or 2 Minor and a TG for a major. Big no-no to Finnbarr Lachlan however)
Godmod injuries to my players? No (This includes Death)
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes (1 or 2, no more)
Hand out red cards to my players? Maybe (Please send a TG to me about it first)
Godmod other events? Maybe (TG me about it first. Seems only fair as I'm including Deaths)

To my competition: If you allow the Godmodding of other events, I will not hesitate to kill the crowd if it's relevant to my story. If you allow Deaths to Players, I will not hesitate to kill them either, if it's relevant to my story.

---

Recap of A Death Note in Sakhovelo
The Death Note Saga by Swyftlandre. Previous editions here, Pre-Game Friendly with Apox, Group Match v. Northern Sunrise Islands, Group Match v. Westfield House and Group Match v. Asadur. The Recap is written by the perspective of the Sci-Fi Nerd mentioned earlier and is intended to take place the afternoon after Swyftlandre was eliminated from the Group Stage. It is notable that the only regular viewer is his best friend and his mom (and Lachlan, who was keeping a close eye on him to make sure he didn't make any new revelations). He died two days later, with his last action being to delete his blog.

I've been accused of being crazy for my theory, but what else could it be if it's not a Shinigami killing all these people. Anyway, these recent affairs have certainly caught my interest and I am able to conclude that the Curse of Swyftlandre revolves around Finnbarr Lachlan, allow me to explain, it was leaked that Séamus had killed him and his death was put down to stress. That was when the deaths started to begin, Ciar died in a Bus Crash along with the Bus Driver, then Finnbarr collapsed during the match with Northern Sunrise Islands, that's when the stories about the Curse started to go about, coincidentally penned in the Islands. He shouted about Demons and what not and it only makes sense if a Shinigami or some similar god of Death was this demon, it would defiantly explain the several Deaths, which are still being coined as 'mere coincidence' by the Esportivian Police Confederation. The following death, which occurred on the next day, also surrounds around Finnbarr, the Snacks Bar Vendor was found dead when Finnbarr (starting to see a recurring pattern?) went to buy some snacks. Tonight, I'll admit, was fairly random, but amusing. I'm reckoning that Shinigami probably wanted a laugh. I'm still attempting to work out what link Finnbarr has with the whole affair, whether or not he's just linked with the Shinigami or is actually the Shinigami inhabiting his body, like in The Day the Devil came to play. I'll leave this to you...my fans...to debate.
-Yours sincerely,
James Hubbard

Comments:
Mother Hubbard
That's good hun' . Now can you tidy your room.

James Hubbard
Muuuuuuuuuuuum! Stop embarrassing me, my friends will see. -_-

Mother Hubbard
Friends....your teddies don't count James

James Hubbard
I HATE YOU MUM!!! I'M RUNNING AWAY AND NEVER COMING BACK!

Mother Hubbard
That's nice hun', can you just tidy your room first?

---

Written on 30th of September. Scorinated by me, the score is 3-1 (if it is not made clear in the RP). Countries used in this are just randomly picked (Here's my permission to kill in the friendly against Yelvoldia, here)

Death Note: Fight Fire with Fire
Book 2 of Death Note: NSSport Edition

The WA
Felix Viktor

"IT'S BEEN 9 MONTHS SINCE IT BEGAN! IT CAN'T BE COINCIDENTAL!" The Sakhoveli President shouted, inflicted with anger. The Premier of Swyftlandre, Felix Viktor and his Government stood accused of Mass-Homicide and various talks had gone about regarding charging Felix, as well as the new monarchy of Swyftlandre for this.
"This is mad! Think about it for a second, how could we be responsible for HEART ATTACKS!"
"What else could it be!!! The Deaths have been organised and at such a national scale, only a major Monarchy and it's Government could pull off something this big!"
"You didn't answer my question, how do you arrange a Heart Attack?" Felix said, slowly boiling up
"According the report, Immigrants in Swyftlandre started to decline, first starting with the Illegal Immigrants and the Homeless. This went un-noticed by the various governments of the world, you obviously started to get more ambitious, removing Immigrants from higher up on the Social Ladder. Suffice to say, they vanished pretty quickly and you got by by blaming this on a Heart Attack. Yet we still failed to notice it, as if the Government was concealing it. Want more proof, then look at October 3rd, One Month ago, you removed many top Buisnessmen of Foreign Origin from command! Not even you can conceal that, it would seem. So, Mr. Viktor, what do you have to say to this?"
Bastard! "I can make the promise that Swyftlandre nor it's Government and Monarchy are responsible for the atrocious mass-homicides. I have the belief that whoever is doing this is related to Football, the first Death occurred when our national team took on Asadur, the Knights and the Crowd broke into mass-panic after the Asadurian Player was found stabbed following full-time. Is it not possible that a Crime Syndicate is heading this homicide?"
"That seems a likely possibility, considering foreign football players belonging to Swyftlandian teams have all but vanished...this was just regarded as a Crime Syndicate at work, actually, considering all the Deaths were murders. But if the people at work eliminating the Football Players are only a small branch" The Apoxian President announced
"For the love of Violet, listen to yourselves! A Crime Syndicate cannot, I repeat, cannot, be responsible for this. The Swyftlandian government would have brought this to the World Assembly beforehand, when they began to receive reports of missing persons and deaths. But the fact that not even the Swyftlandian Police Agency began investigating this only further suggests that you, Viktor, are responsible for carrying out this mass homicide, for personal gain for your government or at the very least on request of your Monarchy. Your bid for innocence is only worsened by your outlandish theories, you best come forward now and plead guilty, maybe you can avoid the Death Penalty" The Sakhoveli President said earnestly
"And how do you intend to treat this when the Immigrants continue to die at the hands of this Syndicate"
"I will personally see to it that the Crime Syndicate is eliminated then. But I am assured that only a Government of such power as your own can be the reason for such deaths. You're resisting is only making you look more and more guilty!"

"QUIET!" The Apoxian President shouted, "I have a proposal, it would be appreciated if we could dis-patch a Police Task-force to your Nation to investigate the goings on in Swyftlandre and we are willing to co-operate with any nation that also doubts Viktor's innocence."
"That's outrageous!" Viktor cried back, "The Swyftlandian Police Agency is trust-enough. We don't need foreign powers interfering with a investigation for the Crime Syndicate!"
"You look to be sweating Mr. Viktor." Ramón Macorís, leader of Aguazul proclaimed in Spanish, with his translator repeating his phrase in English, "It's a fair proposal...either we aid your Police Forces investigation or we vote for your innocence now and allow me to tell you, it doesn't look to be good for you or your Monarch's right now..."
It's my only way out, if they can capture this Crime Syndicate than my name will be cleared and we can get back to being a peaceful country...but if they find out about the Syndicate Blackmailing us, then I'm as good as dead...and so are they...
"Fine, I accept your offer...Swyftlandre allows foreign Police Activity from nations who have been affected by this Crime Syndicate's actions..."

Swyftlandre Country Stadium
Finnbarr Lachlan

"There it is, 2-1. Winfred, you keep playing like that and we're sure to win" Ludvig Nels said to Swyftlandre and Xan Isles Giants Star Mid-Fielder Kiefer Winfred as he was Substituted due to a Sprained Knee, "Then again you can't be sure against a team like this...Badgers are unpredictable to say the least."
Finnbarr retreated to the Bathroom, his favourite escape to talk to his Shinigami,
"Tell me Suké. It's been a while since I've been able to kill at a Football Match, the Premier League is all but gone, that one was fun, but it's been far too long, The Baptism of Fire is where it begins again...a much bigger playing field, but tell me, are you looking forward to today?"
"HEHEHEHEHE! It's defiantly been too long Finnbarr, I got bored...But who are you targeting today, those Badgers, they give me the creeps, their Big Teeth and Black and White fur, plus they can walk and talk."
"No...not the...hang on a second, did you just say, the Badgers scare you?"
"Um...no??? Their just un-natural..."
"Haha, I didn't think that's all it would take to scare you."
"I'M NOT SCARED!"
"Ok...ok...if you insist..." Nothing, aw, I was looking forward to getting threatened by the Death Note again, "Anyway, the Yelvoldia Minister of Defence is in that Audience...he aided Union Isle's attack against Swyftlandre and is in his sixth successive term, I think it would shake up Yelvoldia if he were to die!"
"You never cease to amaze me Finnbarr!"
"Huh, it looks as if it's going to happen in Two Minutes. Better hurry up, don't wanna miss the show!"

Finnbarr rushed back down to the Bench, 44 Minutes. 39...38...37...36...35
"Oh the tension, I can't wait, Finnbarr, have I ever told you I love you?"
...Please tell me he's joking, the last thing I can doing with is a Gay Shinigami.
The time passed pretty slowly, as if leaving the Minister of Defence as much time as possible to savour his last moments, 5...4...3...2...1...

And at that exact moment, The Yelvoldian Minister of Defence started screaming, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry! It's all my FAULT! I KILLED HIM, I KILLED THE PRESIDENT!"
Hehehe, The Yelvodian Minister of Defence stood accused of Murder, although this was cleared when he was put in charge of invading Union Isle, the charges instead passed to his Cousin, who accepted the Death Penalty...He was a smart guy, he even lived his life after changing his name, as did the people closest to him, indeed the eyes had never been more useful.
The Minister of Defence then fainted, to die the next day when he awakes in hospital. Then, as detailed, the fans of Yelvoldia were to break out into a fight, first about the claim the Minister of Defence, but it quickly changed to a fight about which local football team they supported,
Even I have to admit...it gets pretty sad if your going to kill over a Football Team, the Deaths are actually funny if they're just over that

The game ended pretty abruptly after that, with Half Time called without extra time. The return of the game was to come an Hour later, when the fans were falsely said to be 'recovery'. Either way, the attendance had halved, some due to the Deaths and others probably due to scared individuals. But whatever happened in the Second Half was pretty boring, albeit a goal from Éanna Mårten...

The Plane
Éanna Mårten

What's up with you Finnbarr, you were smiling throughout that entire conflict, you sick bastard. Even now you makes jokes about it...I'd fucking kill you right now if I had the energy. Ever since Éanna Mårten had joined the Swyftlandian team he'd grown to hate Finnbarr, although he'd been told by the rest of the team that, "it's only natural you'd come to hate him. If he weren't so good we'd have murdered him by now."

The Plane touched down in Aguazul some hours later, with the team leaving the Plane making for the slums of Ciudad Peralta. Meanwhile, Éanna sat back for a while, waiting for the team to be gone. As he made his way out, he eyed a piece of paper on the Plane seat of Finnbarr,
This should be interesting...

He picked it up, expecting to find some kind of note or something but came away disappointed when it only contained the name of the Minister of Defence, followed by the exact details of his death,
Is this some kind of twisted joke Finnbarr, why are you so interested in how he died! You even have the exact time of death, to the second. What the hell are you up to?
Éanna pocketed the piece of paper, reminding himself to bring it up to Finnbarr later on, then left the plane with his luggage. As he left the plane, he screamed as he saw it, A Monster...a Demon! What the hell!

The team ran over to see if he was okay, but he'd recovered himself fairly easily.
"It was nothing, just remembered a bad dream I had on the Plane, must be cause of that death..."
What kind of fucking excuse is that...no wait, what is that thing and what's it doing here...he must have something to do with the Deaths...but what about Finnbarr, there's no way he doesn't have anything to do with Finnbarr!
"Come on you pussy! You just going to stand around there all day!" Drake Edwin shouted at him
"Uh, yeah, sure." He said, catching up his team as they headed for the 'Crap Shack' that would act as their hotel, keeping his eye on the Shinigami.

[Super-Llamaland]

Welcome to the forty-ninth Baptism of Fire!

Groups A, C, and E will be in Licentiapacisterra. Groups B, D, and F will be in Aguazul (click for information about your specific stadia and host countries).


Group B:
Falcania
Super-Llamaland
Charruterra
Maklohi Vai
Cambirano
Gaveo

Super-Llamaland finds itself in a division with two well-known nations from NS Sports: Gaveo and Maklohi Vai.

Falcania, Charruterra, and Cambirano are unknown, however.

Both Gaveo and Maklohi Vai are in Llamaland's Tennis Tournament, so they know each other decently.

For those who don't know, Super-Llamaland stresses the midfield and is a good passing team, with slightly above average defense and a surprising need of strikers who can run.

[Estope]

In the 49th Baptism of Fire, Estope was placed in Group E with all games being played in the host nation of Licentiapacisterra. All the countries in their draw are completely unknown to the team as they have never played any of them. Estope head coach Emanuel Inzer had a hard time finding any information or film on any team in the draw. He said that, other than Svengarda, he could find no information at all. From what he could tell, Svengarda relies more on attacking than defending like Estope. They participated in the 37th AOCAF Championship where Svengarda went 0-1-2 and only scored one goal. Inzer said though that from the film every match was very competitive and they could have easily scored much more. With no information on the rest of the teams, Estope will have a hard time making a game plan. While the Estope media expects us to be favored in every match, with the exception of maybe Svengarda, Emanuel Inzer stresses the importance of taking it one game at a time and staying focused. "We can't get caught looking ahead or overlook anyone. Just because we don't know anything about the other teams doesn't mean they aren't good. I'm sure most teams don't know anything about us," Inzer said in his weekly radio show. Estope will take action October 2 in Licentiapacisterra against Ogedei. Game time and stadium location to be announced.

About the Coach:
Emanuel Inzer has a 3-1-2 record in his first season as the Estope National Team Coach. Estope is participating in Friendly Cup IV (1-1) and has previously competed in Copa Gaveo II (2-1-1) where they won their group but was upset in the quarterfinals. He also is the manager of the Twin Brooks Bulldogs and went 13-1-3 in his first season where they finished second in their division. Inzer is 42 years old.

Group E:
Ogedei
Svengarda
The Jahistic Unified Republic
Neuseeland
Pheppenasus
Estope

Schedule

MD1: Ogedei v Estope
MD2: Neuseeland v Estope
MD3: Estope v Svengarda
MD4: Estope v Pheppenasus
MD5: The Jahistic Unified Republic v Estope

[Azox]

Azox football HQ:

John Holsten: "3-dimentional shapes. How much ganja have you been smoking?"

Abby Dearborne: "Well, you said go ahead with whatever plan I had left. and think of the positives, the defense can look like the soccerball itself, meaning they can draw many penalties against them."

John Holsten: "They're sentient, right?"

Abby Dearborne: "Yes they are, it would be kinda dumb to have non-sentient shapes playing."

John Holsten: "Can they talk?"

Abby Dearborne: "Not that I'm aware of, but it's possible they could if they needed to."

John Holsten: "Well, could be worse, I just read that some team about 50 years ago had an egg, one egg as their team."

Abby Dearborne: "So the egg got beaten badly, I assume?"

John Holsten: "Nope, it acually won the match 1-0,"

Abby Dearborne: "So if an egg can win a match, 11 shapes should be able to win this event."

John Holsten: "For our sakes, they better not get blown out every game. Just downloaded the BoF49 app on my uPhone, and they've just uploaded our schedule."

Abby Dearborne: "Let me take a look..."

SCHEDULE for Azox Triangles
MATCHDAY 1: Kintratar
MATCHDAY 2: Kalwomea
MATCHDAY 3: North Posidia
MATCHDAY 4: The gypsies
MATCHDAY 5: Lewisland

John Holsten: "Damn, we;re facing Kintratar in the opener."

Abby Dearborne: "Why is that so bad, they're just like us, starting from scratch, aren't they?"

John Holsten: "Yeah, but supposedly they're bandits. Who knows what kind of trickery they might have stolen from other nations. They've probably stolen some ringers to play for them."

Abby Dearborne: "Jeez, if that's the case, then we're screwed."

John Holsten: "Worst part is, there's nothing we can do about it, I've already sent a letter of protest to the EWCC, adn they denied the protest."

Abby Dearborne: "Well, I guess we'll have to be sneakier than the bandits."

[Yelvoldia]

The Yelvoldia Leader: Loss in first-ever international football match

By Tom Falvor, chief football reporter

In our first-ever international football match, we have lost 3-1 away to Swyftlandre in a friendly before the 49th Baptism of Fire - a team who, like us, are in this BoF.

The play was balanced early on, with both teams being equally as dominant. Roger McLeod, our star striker, saw a curling shot palmed over the bar by the Swyftlandese goalkeeper, Stevie Redmund, in the 3rd minute, before Éanna Mårten, Swyftlandre's star striker, hit the bar with a long range effort in the 6th minute. Connor Evans, our other striker (who is one of three badgers in our starting lineup, with all the badgers having human intelligence), hit the post with a header in the 10th minute, before defender Uilleag Danny saw a good volley saved by our goalkeeper, Herman Barton, in the 16th minute.

It was Swyftlandre who took the lead, after 23 minutes. Midfielder Kiefer Winfred jinked inside our defensive midfielder, Jack Brown (another badger in our starting XI), before blasting a beauty past Barton from 25 yards to put the home team 1-0 up. Just six minutes later, Swyftlandre went 2-0 up, with Winfred twisting in between Xavier Jules (our captain) and Florence Diválo (one of three female humans in our starting lineup), before lobbing the ball alluringly over Barton.

The Swyftlandese almost got a third goal in the 37th minute, only for a Johnny Layne header from a Danny flick-on to hit the crossbar. Just five minutes later, we made Swyftlandre pay for their error, with McLeod volleying home from the corner of the penalty box. This pulled the score back to 2-1, and of course gave us some hope. However, in the 45th minute, some of our fans broke into a fight about which football club they supported. The fight got nasty, and some of those fans were killed.

We started the second-half as the dominant team, with our players seemingly getting a shot in every minute. It was a constant wave of attacks, with a low Evans shot from 22 yards that was scrambled away by Redmund being our best chance. However, in the 60th minute, the Swyftlandese players broke free. The ball, after being passed around three times by the Swyftlandese players, found its way to Mårten, who rounded Barton, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Mårten slid down on her knees in celebration. That goal seemed to kill us off, as we didn't seem to have any more good chances, with the game ending at the score of 3-1 to Swyftlandre. However, the most important thing about the match was to give our players a good run-out before our first-ever international football tournament.

[Ogedei]

Ogedei Football Association

Team Overview:

The Ogedei National football team represents Ogedei in association football. It is controlled by the Ogedei Football Association (OFA) and plays its home fixtures at the Riverside Stadium in Yesügei. Its current manager is Lord Önund.

Despite football being a national sport of Ogedei, just behind equestrian events in popularity, the national team has never been highly ranked and often struggles to qualify for International competitions. Notwithstanding this the teams supported always turn out in force and have a reputation as a friendly and welcoming people who are very focal in support of their team, often outnumbering more populous nations supporters in a sea of claret and white.

RP Overview:

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

Choose my goalscorers Yes
Godmod scoring events Yes
RP injuries to my players Yes, to a point
Godmod injuries to my players Yes, to a point
Hand out yellow cards to my players Yes
Hand out red cards to my players Yes
Godmod other events Yes, to a point

Style 1
Formation 4-4-2

Kit:



Manager

Lord Önund.– 38 years (former national team captain, first competition as national manager)

Goal Keepers

#1 – Solveig– 33 years (44 caps) – Dependable first choice keeper, distribution can be poor, excellent handling and at crosses.
#16- Torunn– 26 years (6 caps) – Long time alternate keeper, excellent player let down by poor concentration at times.
#49 – Kizad – 21 years (1 cap) – The hope for the future, untested at this level but great natural talent

Right Back – Defence

#2 – Agnar– 23 years (8 caps) – Young, athletic, excellent at getting forward but can lack positional awareness
#15 – Grim– 31 years (27 caps) – Recently lost his starting place to Agnar ,dependable but lacks creativity.

Left Back - Defence

#5 – Bjarki– 29 years (41 caps) – Long-time first choice starter, solid but predictable, does not get forward but this balances Agnar on the right side.
#21 – Arngeir– 18 years (0 caps) – Controversial selection, untested and unknown quantity, pace to burn but not a first choice starter at his club, should not expect to start but will benefit from the experience

Central Defence

#3 – Ingulbjörn– 26 years (26 caps) – Good in the air, solid but lacks pace
#4 – Hæfnir– 29 years (33 caps) – Long-time defensive partner of Ingulbjörn, pacey but tends to play the long ball
#33 – Yngvar– 34 years (11 caps) – A late bloomer, he offers reliable backup but not much more, lacks flair
#24 – Osvif– 22 years (6 caps) – Another for the future, fast, tricky, likes to push forward, perhaps more suited to midfield then defence.

Defensive Midfielders

#6 – Varin– 33 years (49 caps) - Solid in the tackle, aggressive and sticks to his position, provides cover for the back line. Knows his job and does it well. Captain
#31 – Akkas – Controversial player, has served time for violent behaviour, aggressive and passionate, can be wound up and relieves more than his share of red and yellow cards.

Central Attacking Midfield


#8 – Genghis – 21 years (8 caps) – The great hope for the team, a goal scoring midfielder, despite his age he has averaged 26 goals a year for his team from midfield, supports the striker well.
#19 – Tjorvi– 29 years (44 caps) – Would normally be a first choice starter instead of Genghis but has only played 5 games after coming back from a yearlong injury. The tournament will be a major test of his fitness, naturally gifted, fast and creative.


Right Side Attacking Midfield

#9 - Kætil– 24 years (16 caps) – The wings will be the key for this team, forms a partnership with Bothvar at club level, they often interchange sides, fast and tricky winger, gets to the by-line and gets his cross in. He can be selfish at times.
#14 – Hvitserk – 23 years (11 caps) – Another fast winger but his delivery can be poor

Left Side Attacking Midfield

#10 – Bothvar – 23 years (21 caps) – Club team mate of Kætil, offers many of the same attributes but with a shot for goal. Does not like to get back to defend.
#12 - Folkbiorn – 32 years (18 caps) – Offers an alternate option, more of a defence minded midfielder, often comes on to protect a lead.

Strikers

#11 – Loki – 24 years (19 caps) – Will be first choice starter, slight injury though may keep him out of the first 2 games . His goals will be key and Önund will be counting the days till he can unleash Loki. His temperament can be suspect at times.
#24 – Bergthor– 29 years (32 caps) – Likely to start in place of Loki, a strong powerful player with a great header, the balls will need to be played to his head though.
#22 – Esbiorn– 18 years (3 caps) – With the possible absence of Loki for 2 games many had expected the manger to pick a more experience player as backup but Önund obviously hopes his speed and creativity around the box will offer an alternate to the route one option of Bergthor. A natural goal scorer but another one for the future.
#41 – Ariq – 26 years (4 caps) – Shows the lack of talent available to Önund for selection. At best can be described as a descent holder of the ball. The manager will hope not to have to call on his services.


Expected Starting Line Out

[Ogedei]

Ogedei football team shamed in six-hour public inquiry over Baptism of Fire scandal.

The Ogedei football team has been shamed in a six-hour public inquisition and have been accused of "betraying" the nation with their actions

The entire squad was forced onto a stage while a video message was displayed form the Emperor.

As in all competitions outside Ogedei, the national teams are accompanied by a representative of the Emperor known as a cultural advisor accompany the squad. Having landed in Licentiapacisterra, the team was expected as usual to keep a low profile, rarely venture outside their hotel. However they somehow seem to have escaped from their minders on the second night and several videos uploaded to the internet have shown them partying, intoxicated and in the company of women of ill repute. Several were found passed out on the beaches of Garton Bay the following morning.

The players were subjected to a "grand debate" accused of betraying the nation and her "ideological struggle" to succeed.
The team's coach has been replaced by Lord Önund a former player with little management experience, while the cultural advisor has been arrested for treason.

So far the players themselves have escaped further punishment, but have been warned either a poor performance on the pitch or a repeat performance will be considered a betrayal of the nation

[The Javahe Islands]

The elite of the Javahes mingle at a dinner party in the capital city of Ateer. Tasivin Saarivan, the owner of Šahewiit Milk Corporation, and his wife Jami talk to another couple, the Ringiits of the Ringiit Cider Company. Tasivin wears a tuxedo and holds a glass of white wine in his left hand. Jami wears a purple, glittery dress and holds her purse in the crook of her elbow.

"Say there, Jamin, what do you think about that football team?" Tasivin asks Mr. Ringiit, smiling.

"Ah, yes. Yes," Mr. Ringiit replies. "The football is excellent. Did you see that, er, goal yesterday? It was--"

"Um, Jamin, the football hasn't started yet," Ringiit's wife, Gareepi chimes in.

"Oh, right. Right." Jamin tries to regain his composure. He takes a sip of his wine. "Well, Tasivin, I know what I'm going to do after the whole competition's over, don't you?"

Tasivin pretends to think for a moment, then smiles and nods his head. "Buy a football team, put ten percent of the company's profits into it, and win every other season of the yet-to-be-formed league?"

"That's a good man, Tasivin!" Jamin laughs and turns to Gareepi, who also begins laughing.

The Saarivans also begin to laugh. "Well how about that, Jami?" Tasivin asks his wife.

"Yes, honey, that'd be great."

The four continue laughing.

[The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips]

Coach: Kenwyn Griffiths

Goalkeeper: Clarice
Defender: Pigglesworth Snortimer
Defender: Porkers
Defender: Smoky and the Bandit
Mid-Fielder: Spiderpig
Mid-Fielder: Pig #30200
Mid-Fielder: Cletus
Mid-Fielder: Oinker
Forward: Porkchop
Forward: King Johnathan the Third of Haybail House
Forward: Steve

On the Bench:
Goalkeeper: Pinkbelly
Defender: Pinkeye the Pirate
Defender: Melvin
MF: Kevin Bacon
MF: Tepig OR He who has dreams of evolving one day
Forward: Jessie
Forward: James

Style modifier: +4.5

(Playing 3-4-3)

The Holy Temple of Bacon Strips:

"Uh yeah...we were meant to be exporting Pigs to a Aguazul company, but our bad translation skills has ended us up here...in a football stadium...No, we have no human players, only Pigs, but we will take the league by storm...then I can get my paycheck."

[Felix Terra]

Team
Name:The Felixian Angels
Uniform: White and blue
Logo: The woman in the circle (on our flag)

James Lockheed (goalie)
Anthony Spielberg (defense)
Nita Stork (defense)
Maricela Magby (defense)
Erik Miltenberger (defense)
Tabatha Coca (defense)
Kelly Vanwagner (offense)
Kenya Schissler (offense)
Julio Nordlun (offense)
Chandra Marone (offense)
Jessie Wilham (offense)
Subsitutes
1. Liza Soltani
2. Javier Eckenrode
3. Kelly Laurie
4. Jessie Nehring
5. Allie Rudloff

Rules
1. No injuries
2. Understand that I don't have much soccer knowledge besides the basic, essential rules.

[Cuboneland]

Susanna Ace and the Cuboneland football team stepped out from the airport into the streets of Aguazul, Jordan Hannibal described the feeling of the rest of his team in one sentence:

"Where are all the trees?"

Ace was the only one on the team that had ever even been outside of Cuboneland, but even she had no reply, as she and the rest of the team were taken speechless at the sight of the towering buildings surrounding them on all sides, besides the small flat haven from the skyscrapers that was the airport.

They saw no signs of the welcoming committee promised to meet them by Aguazul, only the many hurried citizens walking, eyes cast downward as if hoping that they won't attract any attention. Hannibal walked up to one of the many armed guards patrolling the streets and stopped him.

"Excuse me," he began as he tapped the guard on the shoulder, but was stopped instantly.

"Stand down, citizen!" the guard cried, spinning around and grabbing Hannibal's arm in a tight grasp.

"Woah, woah, hold on!" Ace quickly stammered as she tried without avail to pry the guard's hand off Hannibal's arm, "We're here for the Baptism of Fire, we just need directions to where we'll be staying."

On this note, the guard immediately let Hannibal go and stood back awkwardly, "I'm sorry, uh, foreigner. I forgot that that was going on. Uh, right this way, now."

The guard began to walk at a brisk pace, the football team hurrying to keep up with him. Citizens gave the party a wide berth, but looked back over their shoulders as they passed the guard's line of sight.

"It's like they don't know what to think of any form of visitors," Hannibal's fellow center, Chris Savior, whispered in his ear.

"They probably don't see foreigners too often," Hannibal replied, "I can't imagine who would WANT to go here."

"It's a shame we didn't get Licentiapacisterra," Savior responded, "I heard it's beautiful there."

They were both silenced as they arrived at their destination, a giant, foreboding tower in a single shade of grey, with dozens of armed guards standing near the entrance. The guard escorting the team flashed his badge, then he turned to the team and said, "your accommodations."

As the guard walked off without another word, the team opened the door and stepped inside.

For such a dull exterior, the inside of the tower was luxurious. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, shining their light upon velvet carpeting. High-backed chairs were sprawled around the lobby with dozens of wealthy guests lounging around. Paintings hung on the walls and servants in extravagant suits made rounds with champagne, keeping the guests filled up.

"Your rooms are on the top floor," a young member of the staff said from the desk. Like the hotel she worked at, she was dressed in a lavish red dress, "Please, enjoy your stay in Aguazul!"

"Like THAT will ever happen," Savior murmured in Hannibal's ear, and they laughed before heading for the elevators to ascend to their room.

In the corner of the lobby, a dark figure sat watching the team as they entered the elevator. The moment they were out of sight, he smiled, for he knew his revenge plan was beginning.

If the dark figure had his way, Cuboneland's international sports debut would be a disaster.

[Licentiapacisterra]

Cyan-and-Gold Observer

We Will Find Them On The Beaches

There have been interesting events early in this Baptism of Fire, held in Licentiapacisterra, before the matches even started. Members of the Ogedei national team were arrested in the early hours of this morning for being drunk and disorderly on the beaches of Garton Bay, when they really should have been practising for their face off against Estope at LTI Stadium. They have been bailed to play tonight, after having been publicly castrated (not literally, obviously) by the Emperor of Ogedei.

Meanwhile, the Fanchnopolis national team has been granted their wish of competing naked during this tournament, at least when they play on the Islands. The RLFA announced at the same time that fans from the Jahistic Unified Republic and Neuseeland should keep their wits about them at the Coliseum of the Gaels when their teams play tonight, as Abingdon United, a Gaelic nationalist group based in the parish, plans to march on the stadium before the game.

Consider this, and any similar posts from me in the future, as your RP cutoff. I hope to post something similar to this most afternoons as a cutoff, to make your BoF a little more interesting.

[Svengarda]

"It's starting"

"What...mmm?"

"The game...it's 3:27...come on!"

"Calm...I need my beauty sleep, give me time"

"You're gonna miss it..."

"Do we have coffee anywhere in this godawful flat?"

"Check the cupboard above the cooker, I think there's some instant in there"

"ok"

"Here come the national anthems. Svengarda are second, so you've got time. This looks like a tinpot nation Pheppanasus, so they'll no doubt have a 43-minute plagurised anthem"

"Ha...not seeing any coffee here..."

"It should be there...keep looking"

"Oh here we go..."

"See"

"Never seen this kind before...Axahaxxa Super Dark "Foreign" Blend?"

"YOu know how Liina is"

"Hmm..it's..stuck.."

"What. How?"

*A loud crash, followed by a gushing of wind and an eerie chill and darkness fill the room*

"Oh my god...what have you done Marka..."

"And thus began the tail of the Coffee Bag World. Will 32-year old, 12 stone 5ft 5" Marka Alsentrop be able to find his way out of this nightmarish java-smelling world. Find out in the next installment of "The Twilight Zone The Sulawesi Zone!

[Licentiapacisterra]

Group A
North Posidia 4–5 Kalwomea
The gypsies 1–1 Lewisland
Kintratar 2–0 Azox

Group A                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Kintratar                       1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Kalwomea                        1   1  0  0    5   4  +1    3
3 Lewisland                       1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  The gypsies                     1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
5 North Posidia                   1   0  0  1    4   5  −1    0
6 Azox                            1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group C
High Heels 1–2 Thaulandi
Baz Mat 5–1 Felix Terra
Birolika 0–1 Fanchnopolis

Group C                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Baz Mat                         1   1  0  0    5   1  +4    3
2 Fanchnopolis                    1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
  Thaulandi                       1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
4 Birolika                        1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
  High Heels                      1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
6 Felix Terra                     1   0  0  1    1   5  −4    0

Group E
Ogedei 3–4 Estope
Svengarda 1–0 Pheppenasus
The Jahistic Unified Republic 0–1 Neuseeland

Group E                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Estope                          1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
  Neuseeland                      1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
  Svengarda                       1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
4 Ogedei                          1   0  0  1    3   4  −1    0
  Pheppenasus                     1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
  The Jahistic Unified Republic   1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

[Ogedei]

Önund was a natural leader. He had been told this all his life. All through basic schooling he had stood out from the group. He had often pondered what made him different. He was taller than most of his peers, slightly more gifted but there had always been a nagging doubt that all he had achieved in life was more down to his father connections in the Imperial Court than anything he personally achieved. Junior wrestling champion, horse racing and archery awards aplenty and well as former national football team captain. He had long since accepted the game, now he even embraced it. Those who did so grew in favour of the Court. Following the shaming of the team in their drunken escapades following their arrival and the banishment of the former manager to places unknown, Önund was a logical choice. He could be trusted never to disgrace the nation or the Emperor, while his past achievements allowed him the respect of his players. The fact he had no management experience of any kind and his first game would be against a competitive opposition did not seem to have been questioned.

His regime was in stark contrast to that of his predecessor. The players were confined to their hotels which had been substantially downgraded. All privileges had disappeared; there was no television, no internet and no voice in the players head but his. Training sessions ran all day and included fiery patriotic speeches by the national cultural advisor. Many people had thought that the former manager took the blame and the players escaped for their exploits but he knew better. Parents, loved ones, children and partners had all been rounded up in Ogedei. Their fate dependent on the success of the team. Victory would see all forgiven but failure, no failure was not an option. As for the players, instead of a free hand and liberties they had never known before their lives had returned to the aura of fear and intimidation they had known since birth. They were at home with this, having known little better apart from the last week. They accepted their place and determined to work for the cause. The stick had always been far more effective in Ogedei then the carrot.

Önund scanned down the list of questions prepared for him and in his mind practised the answers;

Can you explain the events of last week?

Our men were led astray by the heathens of this so called nation, a nation of shame and betrayal.

How have the players responded to your arrival?

The players have accepted the return of a proper Ogedei structure. Their training has increased. They are here to do the Emperor proud. Anything less is unthinkable for their sakes.

Have you enjoyed your time in Licentiapacisterra?

I have no desire to indulge in this society of sin, I have prayed to Kaifeng and take solace that the Emperor will be pleased with our actions.

What do you think of your first opponents, Estope?

I have seen videos of their players, they are a race without honour, their players are ill disciplined, their attitude and language foul. Perhaps some time spend in the slave camps of Birka would cure them but I fear not.

Can you tell us about your plan for the game?

We will play as the Emperor would want, with discipline and honour. We will never be bullied and are prepared to fight as hard as Loki at the birth of the Empire. Our tactic will be to stay tight, not allow them any space and attack on the counter. This will bring us our success.

Önund smiled as he walked into his pre match briefing. The players were prepared, his answers were ready. Kaifeng would smile on them today, he must, lives depended on it.

[High Heels]

ArcoSport
By Lubomir Spike

It was not a good day. The opening rounds of the ILH Tower Invitational, an international femkamp competition hosted here in High Heels, did not go well for the home team. Granted, our men's team is more highly-regarded than our women's team. On our home ground we still had higher expectations than dead last. Allochka Slingback placed fourth overall on the day, with only a couple of uncharacteristic misses in the shooting part of the last event keeping her from a better result. But the team as a whole just didn't get it done.

Yet the bad news from the tower was eclipsed by the stunning news from Licentiapacisterra. Our national football team was upset by Thaulandi in the first match of the 49th Baptism of Fire, a World Cup tournament for debuting nations. The score was 2-1, and it has already called into question the decision by team selectors to go with an all-female squad largely drawn from our succesful Di Bradini Cup entries. One ILH source, speaking on background, pointed up the broad similarity of Thaulandi life to life in the tower, with very high population density the most notable characteristic. And since men are stronger than women, men coming from the same background, etc. etc.

Pfui. Kaisa Cuban stops shots from men for a living. A very good living, thanks. Melody Mule is the top scorer on her squad of professionals, a club with nearly 60 years of history. Amanda Pump's squad may have had a rough day, but don't waste your breath with the gender argument. The selectees bring in most cases superior international experience with them, and that's what we want for our first World Cup go isn't it? Of course it is.

Dismantling the game doesn't yield a lot of insight. Time of possession was a dead 50/50 split. All three goals came from set pieces, so you can bet those drills will get more intense. Both sides had noteworthy plays on each end. Not really a lot of difference except for one pesky goal. So the next match for the girls (lay off, at my age they're girls!) is against Felix Terra who were shellacked 5-1 by group leaders Baz Mat. Let's hope for that result to repeat and get the Foxes back in the swing of things.

[Estope]

Montfort - Today in opening games of Group E in the Baptism of Fire Estope walked away with an exciting 4-3 over Ogedei. The game was played under the lights on the biggest stage in Licentiapacisterra, LTI Stadium in Montfort. The stadium was nearly filled to capacity with an announced attendance of 74,163. Estope took advantage of a unfocused, scandal-ridden Ogedei football team who had been publicly reprimanded following a night of partying and bad decisions. Several players had even passed out on the beach just one day before their match. This bode well for Estope who came well prepared and focused for the game.

Estope got off to a great start when Travis Barria scored off a cross from Rudy Picasso in the fifth minute. Alex Stark then scored off a penalty kick three minutes later at the eight minute mark after Agnar tackled Jacob Lawrence from behind in the box to prevent a shot on goal. Estope possessed the ball much of the rest of the first half without much success until in the forty-third minute when Barria got his second goal off a Stark assist. However, right before halftime, in stoppage time, Bergthor scored off a header from a corner kick for Ogedei's first goal of the night. This swing of momentum carried into the second where Ogedei had 7 early shots on goal saved by Estope keeper Ashton Pate. Genghis eventually broke through for Ogedei and scored two goals at 68' and 75' to tie the game. Estope manager Emanuel Inzer was furious at his defense for allowing them back into the game and pulled out the defensive captain Ivan Sherman in favor of the young sensation Eli Weldon. This move seemingly worked as Ogedei did not get another chance to score. The game plan got more agressive with time running out and finally, at the eighty-forth minute, Lawrence used his speed to score the game-winning goal.

Inzer was very disappointed with his team. He said he felt they were overlooking this dangerous Ogedei team since they had all those off the field problems. In the next match Estope faces Neuseeland who won their game over The Jahistic Unified Republic in a defensive struggle. Inzer said the defence really needs to step up their game and the offense needs to be sharper against a better defense than they are used to.

Other Group E action on Day included Svengarda besting Pheppenasus 1–0 and Neuseeland taking down The Jahistic Unified Republic 1-0.

Schedule

MD1: Ogedei v Estope - Win - 3-4
MD2: Neuseeland v Estope
MD3: Estope v Svengarda
MD4: Estope v Pheppenasus
MD5: The Jahistic Unified Republic v Estope