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by Aguazul » Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:55 am
by Bears Armed » Tue Nov 20, 2012 11:48 am
by Taeshan » Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:02 pm
by Jeru FC » Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:33 pm
by Yesopalitha » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:44 am
Nirdasil's Corner
First off, I'd say that if you are not a football fan, following the wondrous spectacle called the World Cup, I feel sorry for you. You are missing out on so much right now.
If you are not a football fan in Yesopalitha? Where have you been this cycle? Have you seen what is taking place?
The Flames, after being drubbed by Swartaz in their last Group Stage match, actually defeated Aguazul, the same Aguazul that's won so many World Cups, including two in a row at one time.
One may blame it on Ludo Hotten, the Wightling referee. Others may say that it was luck. But you know what it truly was? Good football. Bloody good football. 'Cause let's see, what kind of a game was this?
It was the kind of a game where two sides beat the crap of each other. The kind of a game where there were players trying their best to carry their team to the next round. Fouls were committed. Penalties were awarded. And yet, the Flames came out on top victorious at the end. What does that mean for this team?
Where shall I start? How about Jonah Calhoun? After the passing of his mother, which left him without parents, he made his first start in the World Cup proper and turned in a brilliant clean sheet that will remain one of the best games in Yesopalithan goalkeeping history. Did you see that save he had in the second half in the penalty? Impeccable. Such an amazing play by such an amazing guy. Yes, Terrance Housen may have been at goal during the important games against The Babbage Islands and Pasarga, but for now. the Yesopalithan net belongs to Jonah.
Michael Kevin, Noah Galvin, Naisi Von Helz? Yes, they played hard, and yes, they committed a few fouls. But they hung tough, and their performance has only improved as the tournament has progressed.
HVR... That goal that she had in the first half set the tone. Jane? Keeps doing whatever is needed. Isaac, Ivan, Fantasia, even Brianna... And feisty Nadya, picking fights, scoring on the penalty, putting the game away.
This team is becoming the darlings of a nation long starved for footballing success. In a season where it seemed that we may be pushed to the brink by KInitaria... The Flames have prevailed and are now in the final eight, among two other nations who have crashed the party named Carmadin and Taeshan, and long-standing powerhouses The Holy Empire, Valanora, Vilita, The Babbage Islands, and Bears Armed.
The Flames must now turn their focus onto Vilita, who had an inspiring win against Polar Islandstates in the Round of Sixteen. The Jungle Cats will be looking to put the Flames in their place and try to make it to the finals. On paper, it seems like they won't have that much of a problem, but Yesopalitha has proven in this World Cup Proper that if they are truly focused and in the zone, they are hard to push around.
Hilary Vander Rox, who plays in Turori with the Kionao Locals, stated, "It's an opportunity for me to score one for Turori and Yesopalitha at once. Let's see if we can get this done."
Waiting for the Flames-Jungle Cats victor will be the winner of a blockbuster between The Holy Empire and Valanora, who are ranked #2 and #1 in the world, respectfully. The winner of this match is expected to win the World Cup.
"We are really starting to play the best of the best," admitted Sir James Handel, "And we know that we are fortunate to do so. We look forward to playing and learning more and more as the tournament comes to a close."
However, this team has at least one more game to play...
by Vilita » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:00 am
 | Polar Islandstates  |
| :: Goalscorers :: :: 25' Kristofer Kilpter :: 61' Sirkii Moliaudo | :: Goalscorers :: :: :: |
| :: Best Player: Ritopa Simafela :: Worst Player: Steffyn Siazzu :: Shots on Target: 5 :: Corner Kicks: 7 | :: Best Player: Niko Lepka :: Worst Player: Diedrich Kvitchenko :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 7 |
by Alasdair I Frosticus » Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:08 am
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Wantsim was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken everyone felt quite different.... At the name of Wantsim each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edouard felt a sensation of mysterious horror, as if forced to face the entire Vanorian football team single-handedly. Pierre felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susanne felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucille got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.
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"Wantsim?" said Mr. Beaver. "Why, don't you know? He's the King. He's the Lord of the whole wood, but not often here, you understand. Never in my time or my father's time. But the word has reached us that he has come back. He is in our Realm at this moment. He'll settle the Oneiromancer all right. It is he, not you, that will save Mr. Nustum."
"Is—is he a magician?" asked Lucille.
"Wantsim a magician!" Mr. Beaver said sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the helper of the great Basileus-Beyond-the-Sea; he often travels with a group of Orthodox monks who appear to oppose him, but in fact smooth his way on his never-ending journey."
"Ooh!" said Susanne, "I'd thought he was a magician. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting him."
"That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Wantsim without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
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At that moment they heard from behind them a loud noise—a great cracking, deafening noise as if a giant had broken a giant's plate.... The Stone Table was broken into two pieces by a great crack that ran down it from end to end; and there was no Wantsim.
"Who's done it?" cried Lucille. "What does it mean? Is it more magic?"
"Yes!" said a great voice from behind their backs. "It is more magic." They looked round. There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his gold and red cloak stood Wantsim himself.
"Oh, Wantsim!" cried both the children, staring up at him, almost as much frightened as they were glad....
"But what does it all mean?" asked Pierre when they were somewhat calmer.
"It means," said Wantsim, "that though the Oneiromancer knew the Deep Magic, and felt he could impede my progress, there is a magic deeper still which he did not know. His knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if he could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, he would have read there a different incantation. He would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backward. Now I can move forward to my next challenge, safe in the knowledge that the Oneiromancer shall now be defeated by the monks whom you mistakenly thought were too craven in their opposition, and that I now go on to face the ultimate test: the Hawk Who Labours...."
by The Babbage Islands » Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:11 am
by Sicoutimont » Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:34 am
by Valanora » Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:15 am
by Vilita » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:55 pm
The Holy Controversy in Atlantian Oceania!
Wow, what a match. Just when I thought I'd never get to officiate a World Cup Finals match in Atlantian Oceania, the organizers of World Cup 62 shipped me out to San Donato in Carpathia and Ruthenia, to the Via Torretta. What. A. Match. Okay, the scoreline wasn't that close, but the build up and tension before the kick off was incredible. The Holy Empire was facing the Archregimancy. The Archregimancy players seemed to be walking in a bit of a day dream, and The Holy Empire players, probably just messing with them, seemed at times to mimic their lackadaisical approach to the match. Forget all the pre match talk, The Archregimancy players, perhaps reflecting just on the opportunity to be standing there, and The Holy Empire players, in full confidence, ready to rip them apart if the opportunity presented itself.
So yea, even from the opening kick off, what an odd feeling. The Holy Empire players - seeming to be looking to test the motivation levels of their opposition, kicked it back... and back... and back... and the goalkeeper looked as if he was going to let the ball just roll in. He stopped it with his foot right on the line, and the Archregimancy players, finally waking up to the situation around them, rushed after it, knowing he could not picked it up.
Just as they had roped in 3 or 4 of the opposition players, what a skillful move, slipping the ball through to his defense who then blasted it up field on, well, it worked like a counter attack, but it was more like a 'hidden ball' type play because the Holy Empire players were so wide open after it.
The incredible thing was, the same old trick worked two or three times. Before they knew it, the Holy Empire was dominating the scoreline and hardly looked as if they were trying. Was it a ruse? Boy the scoreline was lopsided and people were asking questions, but it couldn't be true.
The scoreboard told the story, and the Holy Empire ended up advancing 6-1 over the Archregimancy, who, themselves, were returning to the finals for the first time in a few editions after spending some time rustling about in the Cup of Harmony.
Its the rumors that I'm worried about. I've never quite had such a reception following a match I've officiated - people have asked me if the scoreline was fair - if I had any hand in it? I can assure them, the only time i made contact with the ball was when Fr. Mark the Goatskin Wearer blasted a clearance straight into my backside at the end of the first half. Lucky timing really, if it had happened a little further from a break I may have had to take a breather, I was struggling just to keep up the last few minutes of that first half. I'll be a bit sore for a while but hopefully I'll be able to officiate another match or two if the organizers need me, either as head ref or one of the side officials.
by The Babbage Islands » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:52 am
by Vilita » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:05 am
| Yesopalitha |
| :: Goalscorers :: :: 9' Niubo Deneli :: 24' Retiso Buran :: 71' Erocka Lorei | :: Goalscorers :: :: 33' Hilary Vander Rox :: :: |
| :: Best Player: Kiroki Mitaroka :: Worst Player: Riksa Valjariia :: Shots on Target: 7 :: Corner Kicks: 4 | :: Best Player: Hilary Vander Rox :: Worst Player: Michael Kevin :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 4 |
by Bears Armed » Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:19 am
by Alasdair I Frosticus » Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:15 am
And I saw in the right hand of that gold and red clad man who was called Zim'kees a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a man who opposed Viannor the wrathful proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?' And none who opposed Viannor in the heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And then I heard a voice say 'Weep not: behold, the Lion of Empire, the Mighty Zuam'Deeb, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof'.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many opponents of Viannor round about the throne and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice 'Worthy is Zuam'Deeb to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Just as he fought alongside Zim'kees to defeat the marauders across three battles, after the Labouring Hawk had taken the marauders into the lead, so shall blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that now leadeth us against Viannor'.
And I saw when Zuam'Deeb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, a strange beast saying, 'Come and see'. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and Zim'kees that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer, as he had conquered the Marauders for the mystical 62nd cup. And when Zuam'Deeb had opened the second seal, another strange beast say, 'Come and see'. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from those who followed Viannor, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And when Zuam'Deeb had opened the third seal, I heard a third beast say, 'Come and see'. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the beasts say, 'He shall be the referee, who holdeth the balance of play within his hand'. And when Zuam'Deeb had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, 'Come and see'. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and the armies of the Star Empire followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill the forces of Viannor with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
And when Zuam'Deeb had opened the fifth seal, I saw imprisoned the souls of them that were slain by Viannor, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord Zuam'Deeb dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that fight for Viannor?' And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until Zuam'Deeb and his great friend Zim'kees, and all those who opposed Viannor, had gained vengeance in their name.
And I beheld when Zuam'Deeb had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven parted as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And those lords who fought for Viannor in the heavens and the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man who fought for Viannor, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us, and hide us from him that wreak his vengeance upon us, and from the wrath of Zuam'Deeb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand against him!'
And when Zuam'Deeb had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in the Star Empire about the space of half an hour. And I saw the eleven men of ball and foot whom Zim'kees had led to victory against the mighty marauders; and to them were given eleven trumpets. And the eleven men which had the eleven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first trumpet sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon those worlds controlled by Viannor: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second trumpet sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea of another world of Viannor: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the fourth trumpet sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and many supporters of Viannor on that world died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth trumpet sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not on that world. And the fifth trumpet sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which had the seal of Viannor in their foreheads. And the sixth trumpet sounded, and I heard a voice saying 'loose the warriors who follow Zuam'Deeb'. And the warriors were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of those who followed Viannor. And the number of the army of the warriors were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. By these warriors were the third part of the men who followed Viannor killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
And then those that wielded the last five trumpets came down from heaven led by Zuam'Deeb: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, the five blew their trumpets. And when the five trumpets had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard Zuam'Deeb saying unto me, 'Seal up those things which you have heard uttered, that others may be warned of these events in times yet to come.'
And then Tzim'kees spake unto Zuam'Deeb, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that they could return to the realm outside time: that the mystery was finished, that the forces of Viannor were vanquished as surely as the Marauders who had challenged them for the 62nd Cup that is twice the power of the 31st Cup, and that the battle against Viannor was won.
by Sicoutimont » Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:05 pm
by Vilita » Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:54 pm
Living the Dream!
You know, I've read about the days where the Vumaou name was important in the world of sport, especially in Turori. Not just playing on the pitch, domestically and internationally for the Eels, but also behind the bench in coaching and directors roles for the National Team and local clubs.
I've read that when a Vumaou would step on the pitch in Turori, everyone paid extra attention to them, to double mark them - not let them get any space.
I've read that a Vumaou could coach *anything* into a quality footballer... literally anything. Jualiar Vumaou himself trained up a flock of Cocoabo, tought them Association Football then organized them incredibly to participate in matches. As the experiment continued, Vumaou's flock got good. Damn good. So good, in fact, that the Football Association of Turori, noting that all the Cocoabo were clearly native, that Vumaou's flock offered the Turori National Team the best opportunity for success at the World Cup, becoming the first and only nation to enter Cocoabo as their playing participants on the pitch in the World Cup Finals.
Never, however, that I know of, had the name of Vumaou been respected in the community of officiating before. I'm hoping that with my performances thus far, both throughout the World Cup Qualifying, and here in the finals, that the Vumaou name will have a new chapter written to it - emphasizing the all-around skill and contributions of the Vumaou family to the world of sport.
Of course, my primary concern going into World Cup qualifying was raising money for the Preservation of the Cocoabo. I had been refereeing locally, primarily at Kionao Minor Field but from time to time they would ask me to do a match or two in Vilita during the V-League season. When the Football Association of Turori put me forward as the Turorian referee for the World Cup Qualifying, I was surprised at first. I was sure that there were better, more experienced referees available somewhere in the Island Emirate.
I quickly realized though, that they were looking for more than a referee, but a delegate. Someone who would be the face of Turori in front of the world. I would be shaking hands every match with foreigners from all over the multiverse, many of whom would never have met a Turorian before. In addition, my association with the Cocoabo Preservation Society would instantly provide knowledge and heritage information about the Island Emirate - they know I can't speak two sentences without refereeing to the Cocoabo's in some way.
So it all makes sense now, but its taken me a little while to realize it. Not only am I here, a referee in the World Cup Finals, not only am I re-instilling the Vumaou name into the world of international sport, but I am representing my homeland to the world, and it feels pretty cool.
I just officiated the matchup between The Babbage Islands and Taeshan. The Babbage Islands were an incredible team and they easily eliminated Taeshan with the 2-0 victory and look like they will be very tough to beat moving forward. Of course, The Babbage Islands is no stranger to this level of competition. I was in attendance - as a spectator of course, at the World Cup 59 Final in Lonngeylin, Vilita. The Bumblebees, as they affectionately call themselves, held strong throughout the match which ended 0-0 after extra time. It was the night where Aguazul became the first ever 3-time World Cup Champions - and The Babbage Islands were runners up for the second time.
I feel like the Bumbelbees were playing like they had something to prove. I had a chat with Coll Brodie after the match - I had met him officiating a V-League match between Strike and Mliona-Lpaka AFC last season - and he said that they will have a massive motivation going into their Semi-Final matchup. Not only will they be playing for a place in the World Cup Final - but they will be playing for the "Golden Honeycomb" - apparently a growing rivalry between the Bumblebees and Bears Armed.
In fact, he's talked up the match so much, I think I'm going to stick around for it. I imagine they won't ask me to officiate two straight matches with The Babbage Islands. Of course, I'll be ready if they need me, but, if not, I'll just relax, I'm already here, enjoy the match from the stands, tell some people about Cocoabo's and see if they call me about any more matches.
Living the Dream at World Cup 62!
by Vilita » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:56 pm
by The Babbage Islands » Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:52 am
by Vilita » Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:10 pm
The Ultimate Honor...
Well, I guess I've made it now.
For the first time, that I know of, a Turorian referee will officiate the World Cup Final.
I'm not exactly sure how to prepare for it, other than to just keep doing what I've been doing. All I can say though, I guess, is its a good thing I stuck around here in Rushmore - in Astograth. I didn't get assigned any of the matches for the semi-finals, but, instead of going home, I just decided to stick around and take in a match as a spectator for once, the first one I've just sat and watched this entire campaign.
What a match it was too. Bears Armed against The Babbage Islands. They called it the battle for the Golden Honeycomb and going into the match the title was held by the Bumblebees of the Babbage Islands. Bears Armed really wanted it, though, and the match was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Both sides scored in the extra session, but it wouldn't need penalties as Bears Armed scored the goal they needed to advance to the World Cup Final for the second time in National history. The Bear-Belles should certainly have the advantage, at least from a familiarity standpoint, as they have been playing in Astograth and just won their semi-final match at the very same Grand Duke's Stadium in Rumiatzi that the World Cup Final will be contested.
As for the Holy Empire, they will be traveling from Carpathia and Ruthenia during the off time to meet up with a Bears Armed side that will just be sitting there waiting for them. While Bears Armed may have the locale advantage, the Holy Empire is still favored on paper. Regardless of the result of the World Cup Final, the Holy Empire will be the #1 ranked team in the KPB Ranking. They will surely want to do so having won the World Cup Final in the process but we'll just see how it goes. If the semi-final matches are any indication, I'll need to be well rested, as we'll likely be needing extra time to settle things in Rumiatzi.
-Tuaoko Vumaou
World Cup Referee
by Sicoutimont » Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:54 pm
by Yesopalitha » Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:50 pm
Nirdasil's Corner
An era is over, folks. An era highlighted by our beloved Captain and attacking midfielder, Hilary Vander Rox, played in her last game as a Flame as the Flames lost 1-3 to Vilita in the Quarterfinals of the 62nd World Cup.
She didn't go quietly. No, she scored yet another goal in her storied career in the first half, but it wasn't enough as Vilita overcame the Flames for the final margin.
What a tournament for Yesopalitha. To make it to the World Cup Proper for the first time, and then make it to the Second Round, and to beat Aguazul...
This will be a standard for Yesopalithan teams of the future.
The team faces a turbulent off-season of change as Hilary Vander Rox and Ivan Dostoevich will be leaving. Let the discussion of who should take their place, and who should take the Captain's armband, begin, as well as if Sir James should change the playing style of the Flames now that more speedy forwards have appeared onto the national team stage than previous years. Also, does Jonah Calhoun deserve to keep his starting spot, or should Terrance Housen have a shot as well? It will be interesting to discuss this in length.
For now, though, let us examine the career of one of the greatest players in the game for Yesopalitha, Hilary Vander Rox.
Vander Rox made her international debut in Baptism of Fire 45, the BoF that the Flames took part in. Starting that tournament, she was Captain in World Cups 58-62, as well as Cups of Harmony 50-53.
She played for the Kionao Locals of Turori, accumulating 12 goals and 10 assists. She and the Locals won the Series B Champions' Cup in Season 29, the season in which she also won player of the year for the Declasse Division, and player of the year.
The Captain has been characterized as a player who motivated the entire team when she was on the pitch. She pressed them onward to bigger and better things, and this cycle, being her last, saw the Flames make it to the World Cup Proper, then to the Quarterfinals.
Vander Rox will assume an Assistant Manager position for the next cycle, and is in the successor seat to Sir James Handel for the Managing job once he retires.
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