The Ides of March Cup

[Polar Islandstates]

GM: Well, here's to us, Ingvar. Two more Blockheads, leaping into the fray of the Ides of March for the first time.

IS: Right you are, Gunnar! And hopefully not the last!

GM: Well, I'll sure drink to that! Cheers!

IS: Cheers!

GM: Ergargh. It's been a while since my last Grogg. They've changed a bit in the meantime, I must say.

IS: Oh, this is a special edition Seasogs version of Grogg.

GM: Who in Thor's name thought that was a good idea?!

IS: I dunno, but somebody must have. And hey, we're drinking it, right?

GM: Aye, I suppose.

IS: So, looking forward to leading us out tomorrow?

GM: Oh hell yeah. Leading the team out in front of a packed Millerntor, the smell of international football in the air... and the feeling that there's some silverware to be won, as well! Just lovely.

IS: It doesn't bother you that it's Iturributa United that we'll be playing?

GM: Well, kind of, yeah. But we're at home. I reckon we can give them a decent fight.

It's that Elmsvikur we need to worry about. The home fans will like to see him do well.

GM: Well, I'm sure Jueran and Velice can handle him. And if not, there's Luka and Bogdan behind them. More than capable.

IS: And you and I will have the likes of Bielsen to get around. And you know what an old warhorse he is.

GM: Ah, yeah. But I'll have you beside me for that. And Roxbury.

IS: Roxbury?

GM: Or Vine. Whatever. One of the Citiz.

IS: Hahaha, "one of the Citiz", Gunnar?

GM: Weellll, they do look a bit alike. And they're always popping up in each other's positions! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they do, makes them hard to mark... but it doesn't make it any easier for me to remember which one is which...

IS: Ha, some captain you are!

GM: Oh shut up. Here, that SeaGroggs stuff isn't that bad when you used to it. What do you reckon, time for one more before we should head off?

IS: Yeah, sure. Why not. Can't hurt, can it?

[Astograth]

They sat together in the stands of Millerntor Arena, expectant. So many of them. Iturributa United legends, their tickets paid by the club so they could assist to this historic moment, their last match as an Astograthian team. Foremost amongt the invitees were the golden generation that won the league twice in a row, and their accompanying Ides of March Cups; many of them were also part of the squad that won the Royal Cup twice in previous seasons, over the hated Sporting Iturributa. They'd been the last greats, the ones to last take home a title... until now, in United's farewell from the Astograthian Football League.

A squad of luminaries, they'd been. Possibly the best the country has seen, their meager performances at international level more likely due to their entry in early rounds than lack of talent - even so, they'd been the first to reach a Champions' Cup group stage, and would be the only ones to do so for another three seasons before Ituraitz FC's own golden boys broke through. Over there was Aiza Sein, the elderly manager who'd been in charge for over a decade and now guided the Iturributa national team. Iturri Aginaga, who'd been called insane when he left for Alianza Ciruelas yet had exhibited his best football there, even earning a Cup of Harmony winner's medal. One of his partners in defense, Leoiar Belastegi, sat not far away; the other great centre-back he teamed up with, the Polarian Svennis Moller, later acheived cult status at Astograth University and now sat on United's bench as a coach. Notably absent was Eneko Dicharry, the Traitor, who'd been dropped by United, starred in Cotdelapoms and finally earned his vengeance by captaining Sporting Iturributa to a league title.

One who wasn't absent was Yuango Mendiola, another stalwart member of Olibondeka who'd shocked everyone with his early retirement. Bayardo Agerre, the right-back who subtituted skill with heart and lifted Iturributa to second place at the first World Cuppet. Winger Zuzen Barta, still going strong but who'd made the trip from Northbrook. Litzar Biteri and Munio Baranzano, still gunning for Iturributa Racing Club and Lermendia FC, naturally also invited. Aratz Beobide, with an ill-fated spell at Royal Association before retirement. Reserve goalkeeper Eguzki Arenaza, a team leader and always reliable when called upon... and, of course, Edorta Sakona. The Great Captain. A giant between the posts. He who was, for four fleeting matches in Chunnan, the captain of Astograth before turning his back on the olive green.

Who'd picked up Sakona's armband, at club and country? The solemn Estebe Bularte, that's who. The man who led Astograth through three qualifiers, on the last of these at long last reaching the finals. The man who had to win over the fans with sheer talent, as his past in the monarchy-supporting Royal Association's youth ranks was reviled by the United faithful. The man who, in his last professional football match, at a World Cup no less, was immortalised in Eleder Palakio's documentary. He sat in Millerntor Arena surrounded by his teammates, as the stands all around slowly but surely filled up with black, white and red.

Four times before had Iturributa United travelled to the northern reaches of Rushmore. The last of these not long ago at all, as they knocked out defending world champions East Franz Athletic in the quarterfinals, and before that, in the group stage, a 2-1 loss in the very same Millerntor. Before that, a draw at the Rendahl and, earliest of all, a clash at the Nasjonale Stadion in Franz Josef City, against the Jan Mayen Islanders.

The memory of that game and its sequel in Iturributa were all too fresh in Bularte's mind. The Nasjonale alone was hallowed ground that rekindled so many tales... the gripping WC56 qualifier, the friendly when the fate of the Khuril seaplane disaster was yet unknown, the very first Ides of March. And then there was Baranzano, Bielsen and that insufferable kid Nanklares sealing the win. Back home, there was the first penalty of his career - quite amazing, that he'd never taken one before - that meant a trophy when Marek missed his spot kick.

On the pitch in St Paul, Petter Bielsen, Lorenzo Gianluigi and Tartalo Maruri were the remnants of that golden generation. Of the three, only the Polarian captain could be considered a classic component of it, but if he carried United in his heart like Estebe Bularte and the two dozen other men with him did, then the Ides of March Cup would be going to neither Polar Islandstates nor Astograth, but the long-neglected Iturributa.

[Polar Islandstates]

IDES OF MARCH CUP
Edition X

FC Cape St Paul 0-1 Iturributa United

[Polar Islandstates]

Gunnar Mackenzie stalked away from the pitch after leading the team in clapping the home supporters. They'd all gone down the tunnel already but, well, he was the captain, and it was up to him more than anyone else to show that the club was going to hold its head up high after the defeat. Losing to Iturributa United was nothing shameful at all, and he wouldn't hear it any other way.

Nonetheless, he glanced towards the opposition, still clapping and applauding their fans after lifting the trophy, holding their own little Iturributan party in the corner of the Millerntor, and a bitter taste flooded around his mouth.

If only he'd taken that chance on twenty minutes.

If only he'd beaten Maruri in the air that time.

If only Bielsen hadn't dispossessed him as he'd been just about to pull the trigger.

If only he'd run the ball into the corner instead of trying for the spectacular.

If only he'd stopped the move from which Elmsvikur scored before it had started.

If only, if only.

He had another look at the party going on. No doubt there would be at least one loud corner of St Paul tonight. The cheers wouldn't be reverberating around the cape, or down the docks, no. But as much as he didn't envy or resent the opposition for their celebrations, he felt like he'd let his own supporters down. He was their captain, and he was there to inspire performances that delivered trophies. He doubted many of them would begrudge him the loss, United were a top side, and it was a close match. Nonetheless, it made him all the more determined to get even better next season. He wanted an Ides of March winners medal.

He looked down at the BIELSEN jersey in his hands. He'd played with the guy, once. Coming on as a substitute for his only Terns cap in the days before Bleak Rock's independence, making Gunnar the only player to have caps for both Polar Islandstates and the Dukes of Bleak Rock. He'd chosen Bleak Rock with the hope of getting more regular football, but with Bleak Rock's withdrawal from WCC events that was beginning to look like a poor decision. Even then, Bielsen had been an inspiration on the field, and was the player Gunnar modelled his captaincy after. The man was a machine, and Gunnar wasn't even slightly surprised to see that he was still going. This jersey was one to keep, for sure. It was surely the last time Bielsen would appear in an Ides of March match after Iturributa's own independence, something Gunnar himself could sympathise with very well.

Baum St Weiss clapped him on the back as he went down the tunnel towards the changing rooms. Now came the planning for the next season. Now came the hard work.

[Astograth]

Incoming cross, over Galonloth, right towards Mackenzie... but Tartalo Maruri was in time to head it out of the box, for Carter to pick up and go on the attack. One more encounter he'd come out on top of, having already cut him off several times and otherwise clung to him to prevent the easy pass. At a glance, the Blockhead looked beaten. Frustrated with his performance, the captain's armband weighing him down perhaps.

Just as well for Maruri. If the striker marked himself, if he could be trusted to scuttle his chances, then it made his life easier. He could empathise with his fellow footballers, sure, but if their faults meant he lifted another trophy he wouldn't mourn what could've been. All the talk of playing on equal footing, of hopefully both being at their best - bollocks to that, he was there to win. It wasn't even the money, because otherwise he'd have no interest in showing up for Olibondeka or the Iturributa national team, it was that undescribable feeling of superiority that fired him up. Being the best felt good, and he'd do anything for it.

Especially when he'd gone so long without something to celebrate. Not since their last Ides of March, in that tense shootout against Jan Mayen. Too long; the First Division title meant the world to all of them, as did the climb to the Champions' Cup final in Ciudagua. They'd pummelled Petardos S/A in Cafundéu, braved the cold of East Franz Josef and secured a valuable draw in the Fontvielle fortress. The final was... best forgotten. He'd done well in normal time, but in the added thirty he hadn't been entirely free of blame in Yuba's goal.

Whatever. His job was to keep Mackenzie from scoring there and then in Millerntor Arena, and that at least was going great. The clock ticked and United moved the ball around, still scoreless. For Maruri a few touches here and there, some runs parallel to Mackenzie but not much otherwise. Then Bielsen picked it up... skipped past the Blockhead striker and passed to Gianluigi, who dribbled past Shmulikoski and took Tchepikov to the byline. A high cross, that Richard wasn't ready for and which bounced over Elmsvikur's head.

Maruri groaned, but it caught in his throat when Elmsvikur turned, rounded the ball, cut past Kuzmenko and hit an awkward shot with his shin, driving it high into the corner of the net. Incredible Polarian skill on Polarian soil, for a nominally Astograthian side. Just brilliant, and Maruri shared in celebration with Galonloth. Of course he didn't spare a thought for the dejected Mackenzie then, but he did feel a twinge when the blonde forward trudged past.

The rest of the match would, years later, be remembered as a stroll, though at the time it felt like walking through a minefield. A mistake here or there would mean an equaliser as Nao threaded through-balls through the United lines and Hewitt hammered a shot on the crossbar. Mackenzie got what touches Maruri allowed him, mostly pitiful backpasses as the centre-back dominated the box.

The Ides of March Cup may just be a glorified friendly, but when the final whistle blew he felt on top of the world. In a sense he was, lifted up to the fans by his teammates as the "most Iturributan" of the squad, up there in the northern chills of Polar Islandstates. Three Ides of March played, three won. None of those legends, clapping from the stands, could match that.

[Polar Islandstates]

Announcement, Edition XI

[Astograth]

Ituraitz FC
Manager: Domeka Iriarte
Style: 0
Colours

-------------------- Barrueta --------------------
- Petersen -- Bawuah - Garro -- Oiskonta -
-------- Alberro ----Sutton---- Cuco -----------
------ Sarlange ----Ormache---- Aer -----------

Starting XI:
GK - Astigar Barrueta
LB - Bardol Oiskonta
CB - Edorta Garro
CB - Pirdassia Bawuah
RB - Dima Petersen
LCM - Cuco
CM - Lester Sutton
RCM - Ikatz Alberro
RCF - Tomas Aer
CF - Dei Ormache (C)
LCF - Soter Sarlange

Substitutes:
GK - Machin Logegaray
DF - Goi Salha
DF - Maore Barturen
MF - Soter Larreaga
MF - Tartalo Achaga
FW - Lerchun Aragor
FW - Peli Echetore

The independence of Iturributa rocked the footballing world, and especially the Astograthian First Division. With two of the traditional Big 4 leaving, Echegoyan FC and Astograth University, both rising entities, seemed ready to head toe-to-toe with Royal Rumiatzi and Ituraitz FC, but in the end it was winning experience that prevailed. A thrilling final matchday that could've ended with one of three champions had the Ituraitzi back on top, equalling Rumiatzi's four titles. This squad, still led by manager Domeka Iriarte, is no doubt one of Gorriaka's great teams, alongside the one that won their first championship and the one that came five years later and won two more, taking on SK Franz Josef City in a couple of classic Ides of March encounters. Now old faces meet again, and in more ways than one.

The stage is set exactly as it was for the fifth edition of the IoM; same clubs, same site: the majestic Ituraitz Sporting Ground. Located on a rare strip of level ground amidst the steep hills of Astograth's biggest port city, the multi-purpose stadium holds 63 thousand people and is called home by the most popular teams in the northwest: Ituraitz FC and their rivals Ituraitz Victory. A frequent site of international matches throughout a Cup of Harmony, a Baptism of Fire and a Copa Rushmori, common complaints from visitors regard the angle of the stands and the athletics track, but the Ituraitzi have become used to it and accept it as inevitable; space is restricted and they'd have to travel to the outskirts to see their team play otherwise. Of note is the modern roofing and the low amount of VIP boxes; the ground's basic structure has remained completely unchanged for over eighty years, adding to its rich history.

In goal for Ituraitz will be Astigar Barrueta, agile keeper who has on occasion performed for the national team and is yet another excellent example of the proud Ituraitzi goalkeeping tradition; he is also handed the captain's armband rather frequently. Helping him out at the back will be full-backs Bardol Oiskonta and the Polarian Terns' Dima Petersen; the former is probably the weakest link but has gathered plenty of experience from his spells at Echegoyan's two biggest clubs, the latter is a ferocious defender bred at two of the best academies in Rushmore, Haapa-Mechelin and Sporting Iturributa's. The centre-backs are the young Edorta Garro, whose call-up to Olibondeka can't be too far away, and the female Pazhujebi Pirdassia Bawuah, with valuable if unlucky spells at Juvapanam and Vulkan.

Iriarte has altered the midfield just for this match. Whereas he usually sticks to a traditional 4-4-2, the occasion merits a switch to 4-3-3, with three central midfielders. These are the newly-signed Vielhan, Cuco, who has pace and physicality to back up his prodigious dribbling; the Citiz star Lester Sutton, who is the team's primary playmaker; and national team player Ikatz Alberro, who is in charge of ball recovery and of helping Sutton in building up play.

The strikers are quite the story. The odd man out is Tomas Aer, the Polarian striker who has earned a place in the fans' hearts through grit and goals, with memorable moments in the city derbies and the winner against Iturributa United that handed Royal Rumiatzi the title in a dramatic league finale some four years ago. The other two are living legends for club and country, though past their prime. Dei Ormache and Soter Sarlange played for Ituraitz FC when they clinched their first title before going their separate ways, though they would keep partnering up for the national team up until Ormache's international retirement after World Cup 59. To see them together again playing in the all-red kit, even if just for one night, one season, is every Ituraitz fan's dream, as they know each other inside out and are still capable of producing magic. Ormache is short and lacking in pace over long distances, but is still an incredible dribbler and finisher, while Sarlange boasts speed, strength, height and cold blood to take advantage of any and all chances he gets.

This particular match has an added layer of emotion for Ormache: he'll be facing his old teammates from SK Franz Josef City, having already won and lost an Ides of March Cup alongside them against Ituraitz FC. At the Ituraitz Sporting Ground, one must remember, was where he scored from a marvellous volley a split second before brutally hacked down by his personal friend Milian Erburu; to play for the same trophy, at the same ground, but many years apart and for two sides he loves just as much will be quite the experience. The rivalry between Gorriaka and the Griffons, and Astograthians with Polarians, is strong even without Ormache in between, so the Ides of March Cup is set to be thrilling once again.

[Polar Islandstates]

Roster


Starting Line Up
-------------------------- Riopel --------------------------
------- Lossler ---- Ljungberg -- Urz ---- Folke -------
------------------------- Legeren -------------------------
----------------- Hjik ----------- Del Nieran -------------
------- Pudibhišu ------- Skye ----------- Irndtor -------

GK: Timothée Riopel (CDP)
DR: Thor Lossler
DC: Hannes Urz (MYT)
DC: Sander Ljungberg
DL: Edvar Folke
DMC: Zorion Legeren (ASG)
MC: Robin Hjik (MYT)
MC: Alexio Del Nieran (ERA)
ST: Ouamchi Pudibhišu (KPZ)
ST: Amadeus Irndtor
ST: Timo Skye (C)

Subs:
GK: Artemiusz Korzhanenko
DC: Laszlo van Baal
DR: Elias Cavendish
DL: Martijn Solem
DMC: Felix Vdovin
AMC: Tomas Sivoli (MYT)
ST: Tobias Fünke
Manager - Teemu Johansson
Assistant - Maarten Berg

Modifier: +4

SK Franz Josef City, having received more investment from chief stockholder Jon Olof Henrik of the shipping company that sponsors the team, are going from strength to strength it would seem, and their unrelenting three-way attack force of Skye, Pudibhišu, and Irndtor has brought them home the title once more - for a record sixth time. Also reaching the CC final, this squad has their sights set firmly on emulating their cross-town rivals of East Franz Athletic, and despite losing in the final, are desperate to get back there and win the thing. First of all however, will come the challenge of retaining their title, and before that, the Ides of March Cup.

Cotdelapomais national keeper Timothée Riopel continues his fine work in goal after a fine season for SK, though talented young keeper Artemiusz Korzhanenko has several caps for the national u-21s, and seems to be the ready made replacement. Thrust into central defence sits Hannes Urz of Mytannion, having replaced Maarten Berg after his retirement. Sander Ljungberg partners Urz in the centre, now a well established member of the national side. Thor Lossler sits at the right back position after Urz's switch to the centre, whilst World Cup winner Gasper Meolans' retirement means Edvar Folke has been brought in at left back, and has gone from being almost unheard of to a Terns regular as a result of his fine work for the Griffons. In the midfield, Robin Hjik of Mytannion and the Astograthi international Zorion Legeren will sit back more to prove backup for the more attacking endeavours of the iconic Alexio Del Nieran - whose clash of egos on the pitch against Timo Skye will be fascinating to watch.

Attack is where SK's strengths lie, and with a delightful three-way attacking force, the substitutes of Funke and Wunderlich almost never get a look in. Dei Ormache has moved back to Ituraitz, and now intriguingly faces his former teammates in the match, but he has been replaced ably by the veteran figure of Timo Skye. As his pace and agility leave him, the big man has become even better at positioning himself, and is annoyingly in the right place at the right time an awful lot these days, also getting far more assists that he used to. Cutting in from the wide-forward positions are Amadeus Irndtor, and the KagPaz sensation, Ouamchi Pudibhišu, whose appearance in the squad has given Griffons fans hope for the season after next, when Skye has finally retired for good.

Kit:

[Polar Islandstates]

"Don't look at me."

"Bu-"

"No buts. I need total concentration. I'm Timo Skye."

"Yeah, but, how does me looking at me put you off?"

"Because. I'm Timo Skye. I need to concentrate and practice if we're going to win."

"You know there's me and Ouam-Ouam, as well, it's not just you."

"Yes. But I'm Timo Skye."

"And Robin, and Alexio, and even Zorion kicks in with goals from time to time. So like, it's not just you."

"I know, but still, I'm Timo Skye."

"Yes, I'm getting that."

"Well then, so you know about how important I am."

"I know that you're important, yes, of course I do, your career has been an inspiration to me since I can remember. Wanting to-"

"Exactly, so you know I'm Timo Skye."

"Well it says it on the back of your shirt, for a start."

"Ah-ha! So you have been looking at me! I told you to look away!"

"Yes, but, we're training. You and me. On keeper training with Tim. I kindof have to look at you."

"Well, don't. Let me take this penalty."

"Why aren't you asking Tim to look away?"

"Err, he's on the opposite team? Idiot."

"Tim? He's on our team!"

"Who?"

"Tim?"

"Yeah, who?"

"The keeper? That keeper? Him. There. Right there. That's Tim."

"Ohhhh, that's Tim. He's on our side?"

"Yes, has been all season. And the last one."

"Oh."

"What do you mean, 'Oh'?"

"I assumed Tim was the name of the water carrier at the training ground."

"But you must have seen him before?"

"I tend not to look at peoples' faces, to be honest. I don't need to. I'm Timo Sk-"

"Skye. Timo Skye. I know. Just take your shot."

"Looking away?"

"Looking away."

"Okay then... YES! Ha. I'm Timo Skye!"

[Astograth]

“One more round of applause for the new members of Gorriaka!” blared the PA, “But there is still one left in store, whom everyone here should remember fondly...”

The crowd roared. That was his cue. Soter Sarlange kissed the badge on his chest, the cross on his neck, muttered a few words under his breath, took a deep breath in the dark tunnel and walked out into the light. Fireworks went off, confetti cannons were fired, and sixty thousand people in the Ituraitz Sporting Ground cheered as a club legend made his return decked in red.

He lifted his arms out to them, and smiled awkwardly while doing his best to keep his eyes dry. He hadn't set foot on that pitch in ages, but they still remembered. He'd only won them one league title, and one Royal Cup; they'd won three more of each without him since then. They'd reached the final of the Copa de los Príncipes without him. There were others perhaps more deserving of their love, yet he was the one graffitied in a pose of celebration on the walls of nearby alleys, and all the reason the people of Ituraitz cheered for Olibondeka.

With his tireless grit, iron will and improbable scoring ability, a 21 year-old kid from the hills who'd jumped ship from Ituraitz Victory had won over the club and, later, the whole of Astograth. He'd been there when they were nothing, just testing the waters of world football, part of that first generation forever viewed with rose-tinted glasses. He'd been there for all the firsts: the first season of the Astograthian First Division, where he'd made 7 appearances and scored on his debut; Astograth's first UICA match, Ituraitz FC's 1-3 away loss in the Champions' Cup against Kirkenes FC of Kelssek in the first preliminary round, followed by a 2-0 in which he scored the goal that took them to the next round on away goals; Astograth's first international match, where he'd come on as a substitute for Munio Baranzano but was unable to turn around the score against Eastfield Lodge; their first win, where h'd come on to score twice and assist Ormache at Grand Duke's Stadium; the first of the great derbies against Polar Islandstates, where he'd dampened the mood at the Nasjonale late in the match...

Too many firsts to count. Now was the time to brace himself for lasts. His last game for Astograth, his last trophy, his last goal, his last match period. The end of a prolific career, brightest of his generation. It could end in so many ways... in a red card on a final matchday of loss, or perhaps, at its most fantastic, with the winner in a thriller of a Champions' Cup final. Or the World Cup even... a man can dream, but he didn't need any more medals to be forever enshrined in the halls of Ituraitz FC, showered in applause as he was taking his place on the stage built for this pre-season presentation. A chance for the fans to see the new signings, the promoted youngsters, the squad in full, a speech from the captain and a whole lot of theatrics before capping it off with a glamorous friendly. Usually. Because this time, exceptionally, the evening would be crowned with the Ides of March Cup.

A prize he'd personally never competed for, and normally wouldn't care for. But these were Polarians, and not just any, but SK Franz Josef City. They'd robbed them of one already, and winning here wasn't about money or medals but pride and respect - it had always been that way for Sarlange. Anybody could have money, and medals were nothing special in and of themselves, but respect? In the entire world, only he and a handful of others could possibly command this kind of reception at their most beloved club. He'd make it worth their while, Timo Skye or no Timo Skye. Even if that thick Polarian's kit was one of the few he bothered to keep framed on his walls, alongside the stars of the Cafundelense Primeirona.

As the PA announcer carried on with superlatives, the new Vielhan signing Cuco edged closer until he managed to form a question in broken Astograthian, “Soter, hi. Tell, why I don't have picture?”

Sarlange frowned, turned and snorted when he realised Cuco was asking about his badge, or lack thereof. None of the signings had one, except Sarlange; it was tradition. The striker wrapped his arm around his new teammate's neck, leaned in close, tugged at the plain red shirt and whispered, “You have to sweat it first.”

[Astograth]

IDES OF MARCH CUP
Edition XI

Ituraitz FC 3–3 SK Franz Josef City
(3–3 AET) (3–4 pen.)

[Polar Islandstates]

It was another happy SK team bus. They'd been getting used to those lately. Two goals in the first half from Ouam-Ouam had put the Polarian side 2-0 up going into half time, before Ituraitz had come out all guns blazing after the interval. Riopel blinked, and Aer and Ormache had put past him before he could draw breath. Irndtor had headed in a close range effort from a Del Nieran corner, but in the dying minutes a last gasp Soter Sarlange shot rasped across the penalty area and nestled in the side netting just inside the post, thrilling the home crowd to take it into extra time. A tense and fraught half hour later, and it was the first Ides of March Cup to be decided on penalties since Iturributa United had bested Jan Mayen for the second time in two editions.

Ormache stepped up first, scoring of course, followed by an awful skyward miss from Ouam-Ouam, who hung his head in embarrassment. Aer missed next for Ituraitz, before Amadeus Irndtor restored parity to proceedings. 1-1. Lester Sutton then missed, and Robin Hjik tucked in a cheeky chip of a penalty to make it 1-2 after three each. More composed for Ituraitz was Alberro, who squeezed it through Riopel's fingertips, before Edvar Folke tucked his own penalty away to make it 2-3 after four each.

Soter Sarlange scored his penalty and Ituraitz's fifth to make it 3-3 overall, with just Timo Skye left to take a penalty from the original five.

He scored, of course, and was now feeling pretty smug about it on the team bus.

"So, what was it you were saying about SK not missing me when I'm gone?" asked Timo Skye with a wry smile, polishing his Ides of March winners medal on his sleeve as the bus left the stadium back towards the hotel.

"Oh, do be quiet Timo," came the reply from Ouam-Ouam, "just because you scored your penalty..."

"Yes, yes I did score my penalty. And you know what, it saved your ass and won you a medal did it not?" pressed the ageing striker.

Ouam-Ouam sighed, the young KagPaz striker was beginning to wonder if by 'SK won't miss you', he'd actually subconsciously meant 'I won't miss you'...

"Well?" smirked Timo.

"Yes, Timo, your penalty won me a medal. Yes, Timo, I missed my penalty. But I tell you this, Timo, you didn't score twice in normal time, did you now?"

Skye had no response to this, his brain clearly sticking at the open goal he'd fluffed at 3-2 with the chance to put it out of FC's reach once and for all.

"Yeah, not so cocky now are you?"

"No, no, he probably is, just give him time." interrupted Amadeus Irndtor from the seat behind.

[Astograth]

They'd overcome a two-goal deficit, an injury to Cuco - who'd had to limp off for Larreaga - and sustained the barrage of the second-ranked team in the world. They'd climbed a mountain, their crowd willing them on for the whole of it, but Irndtor had made sure it was all for nought. The sweat, the tears, the toil; the fireworks, the streamers, all the hoarse voices... it was all for nothing if they wrapped up one of the biggest nights of the year, in which they were supposed to thank the supporters and give it all for them, with the bitter loss of an Ides of March Cup. The thought made Soter Sarlange sick; they'd let their people down when they had promised it all. How could a team that was built to make waves be expected to do anything less than beat their Polarian rivals? How could they choke like this?

What chewed at him was that it wasn't even he who'd scored. He wouldn't be used as a scapegoat, but when Cuco skipped past the defense and laid it on for a tap-in it should've been to him, not Tomas Aer. He should've been there, following the play, and not still trying to get into the box. When Sutton swung in the corner kick and Aer headed it back, he should've been at the far post to volley it in instead of wrestling with Legeren; Ormache got that one.

Then that Del Nieran corner and it all went to shambles, Garro and Barrueta sparing no words in throwing around the blame. It was almost the full ninety, they didn't have the ball and Sarlange struggled to breathe. His 32 years were showing just a bit, and how in the world Ormache could keep up at 36 was a mystery. He couldn't outrun defenders as often as before, and even short sprints left him breathing heavily; his feet ached and his legs were less agile than before, though the technique was still there. He had't expected any shift in tempo coming in from Cafundéu, though it seemed his body would be forcing him to adapt anyways...

High and long ball from Alberro! Right towards Sarlange! Burst past Urz! Tap, in control! And the whistle went. He'd been caught offside for the fourth time in the match. Cursing and complaining in the stands. There was just no beating the offside trap, a clever and disciplined SK keeping watch all across the line. The clock ticked, Riopel in no hurry with the free-kick.

Pudibhišu won the ball ahead of Oiskonta, to the stadium's indignation, and upon receiving it Del Nieran changed flanks with an expert pass to Irndtor on the left of the box. Some wasteful dribbles, ignoring of Timo Skye and a hasty shot later, Barrueta was flinging the ball to Sutton, charging forwards on the counter-attack. Sarlange spied movement of the defenders, and kept his distance from the offside trap this time. Adapt.

Larreaga skinned one of the Griffons, looked up and blasted it to Ormache, who met it with a high kick that diverted it right towards Sarlange. He received, and felt Ljungberg bearing down. Instead of running, he waited for the tackle to cut sideways and get past, but the Tern was no beginner and was soon at his heels. Sarlange couldn't outrun him at this point, and the goal was too far for him, probably able count with his fingers how many he'd scored from outside the box. He liked it close and personal: the tight header, the point-blank volley, the one-on-one dragging the keeper all the way to the side...

No chance. He touched to the side, Riopel's doubt in coming out earning him a couple of precious seconds. Ljungberg inched closer, Sarlange holding him back with a strong arm; Urz and Folke were moving in to cut him off. On the edge of the box, at an angle, he shot at the far post, catching Riopel unaware. The Cotdelapomais dived, but could only manage to slow the ball as it passed under his body. Moments of agony for both teams, but Lossler couldn't reach it in time to clear. With the ball resting on the inner side netting, and the referee's whistle, the stadium exploded and Sarlange obliged them.

He'd waited too long for this. Years and years; it wasn't the same to score for Astograth on this pitch, where Olibondeka was always met tepidly. He jumped over the adboards, tore off the red of Gorriaka and waved it high as he ran out onto the track, his face contorted in a primal cry. Journalist and teammates mobbed him, camera flashes went off all around, and the fans on the other side of the ditch separating the stands from the track chanted his name non-stop.

They'd waited for this, he'd waited for this; SK Franz Josef City were the only ones not amused... and the only ones who could yet spoil the night.

[Polar Islandstates]

Announcement, Edition XII

[Astograth]

Royal Rumiatzi FC

Manager: Norman Kerrick
Style: 0
Colours

----------------- Larretape -----------------
- Szemere --- Beschastyn - Jantot --- Galard -
- Slusarski ------ Galeano ------ Ayatsbehers -
------------------ Eturaspe ------------------
----------- Nehafsaim - Elmsvikur -----------

Starting XI:

GK -  Cheru Larretape (C)
LB -  Urtzi Galard
CB -  Dion Jantot
CB -  Vladimir Beschastyn
RB -  Váradi Szemere
LM -  Kauldi Ayatsbehers
CM -  Galeano
RM -  Bartosz Slusarski
AM -  Anixi Eturaspe
CF -  Ellis Elmsvikur
CF -   Harold Nehafsaim

Substitutes:

GK -  Charan Asteinza
DF -  Gaxan Minola
DF -  Echepare Zuleta
MF -  Vladimir Konovalov
MF -  Wilson Prieto
FW -  Ximun Sese
FW -  Brandon Bishop

This will be the twelfth edition of the Ides of March Cup. Royal Rumiatzi were there at the beginning, and it seems that every six editions or so they must once again step under the floodlights. They will dispute the glamorous pre-season cup for the third time, and for everyone back home it is absolutely imperative that they don't come away with empty hands - for the third time. The two prior disappointments are a blemish in the proud history of Astograth's most successful club, two home embarassments against SK Franz Josef City. Their opponents this time may be East Franz Athletic and the venue may be the Rendahl, but the pressure is the same. To win at the Rendahl, or even just Franz Josef City, would be huge; Astograthian teams, including Olibondeka and the eventual Iturributan defectors, have played 21 matches in the Polarian capital. The result? Eight draws, twelve losses, one win. One win in twenty-one matches - and it was Iturributa United's defeat of Jan Mayen Islanders at the Nasjonale Stadion for the second edition of this very tournament.

Confidence is high at Royal Rumiatzi, despite their rather disappointing performance at the most recent Champions' Cup. Citiz manager Norman Kerrick has prepared a title-winning team, maintaining the solid defense of his predecessor Garoa Larzondo but revamping the offense and tweaking the midfield to give it more attacking depth.

At the back awaits the eternal Cheru Larretape, the team's starting keeper for over a decade and mainstay of the Astograthian national team; his world-class defense includes Olibondeka veteran Urtzi Galard, naturalised Cynoceph Dion Jantot, Chetkoski boulder Vladimir Beschastyn and Pasargan national team full-back Váradi Szemere. The full-backs generally stay behind, though they are perfectly capable of going forwards and overlapping with the wingers if necessary; Kerrick prefers to keep things tidy in defense and not leave exploitable gaps under any circumstance, though if the match turns sour the team is prepared for all-out attack in the final minutes. The young men on the bench aren't much to write home about yet, although Asteinza is being touted as Larretape's successor and Zuleta has had memorable performances for both Urbizania Wanderers and the U21 national team.

The midfield is fast and smart, but fragile. Ayatsbehers and naturalised Mytanar Slusarski put in the speed, the dribble and the accuracy while Eturaspe controls the tempo and through balls with great talent. Galeano acts as deeper support to him, equally capable of taking control of the match if Eturaspe is inconvenienced, though his main role is to hound players in the middle and recover the ball; his lack of stature is made up for with ferocity. Wilson Prieto is a Cafundelense veteran with the winning experience to turn the match around, though his legs aren't as fresh as they used to be, and Konovalov is a young Polarian looking to find his place back in the squad after several seasons out on loan - an attractive alternative to Eturaspe given his recent appearances for the Terns.

Royal Rumiatzi forwards are typically large and strong target men: Gaur Arambilet, Kolya Tchailharovic, Beremando Aldoaga, Timo Skye... Kerrick has ignored tradition and brought in two strikers who can act as extensions of the midfield, quick and technically gifted. Falconfarian forward Harold Nehafsaim can just as easily build an attack as he can finish it, while First Division transfer fee record-holder Ellis Elmsvikur is an expert at making use of space, bursts of speed and cold-blooded finishing, and his headers are nothing to be scoffed at either. He was Iturributa United's goal machine, and he hasn't let up since joining Royal Rumiatzi upon Kerrick's insistence.

Winning the Ides of March Cup is a matter of pride and honour. Royal Rumiatzi, as the "royal family's team", understand this better than most, and will hold nothing back in an effort to record one of Astograth's only wins not just at the Rendahl Stadion, but all of Franz Josef City.

[Polar Islandstates]

Roster


Starting Line Up
------------------------- de Zooijt ------------------------
---------------- Gyulla - Kowalski - Dahl ---------------
-- Almquist --------------------------------- Baalsen --
------------------ Bru -------------- Tir ------------------
------------------------- Blonqvist -----------------------
----------- Kvitchenko ------------ Saarinen -----------

GK - Demy de Zooijt (MYT)
DR - Henning Almquist
DC - Ole Gyulla (MYT)
DC - Jan Kowalski
DC - Stanislav Dahl
DL - Luka Baalsen
MC - Jorgen-Franz Bru
MC - Henning Tir
ST - Henning Blonqvist (C)
ST - Diedrich Kvitchenko
ST - Felix Saarinen

Subs:
GK - Wojciech Borrman
DC - Dimitar Malkovitch
DR - Mark Enderslakke
ML - Alexei Ryzhkov
MR - Stepan Caris
DMC - Andrej Einmark
MC - Teemu Laugen
ST - Wilhelm Berghoff (SWA)
Manager - Magnus Fjelden

Modifier: 2

This historic club is based in the industrial and working class district of Rendahl, in the north-east of Franz Josef City, over the Elfsteijn Channel from the rest of the city, and in particular, SK Franz Josef City. East Franz fans are a strong and passionate bunch, driven by their desire to win more trophies than SK, something they'll have covered for a while yet thanks to their Champions Cup win, and empowered by the strong sense of camaraderie they feel towards each other.

Curiously, East Franz's starting line up is remarkably similar to the last time they played in the Ides of March, though there are a few conditions attached to this claim in the form of two impending retirements. In goal for the Spires is Mytanar Demy de Zooijt. Performing a series of acrobatic saves all season, he has become one of the iconic figures of Divisjon One, his proactive keeping style winning him fans amongst the analysts. A good keeper is nothing without a strong defence in front of him however, and in Gyulla, Dahl, and Kowalski he has one. With Kowalski acting more like a sweeper in normal play, the determined tackling of Dahl can be at its most effective. The unusual 3-2-2-1-2 formation leaves plenty of space in front of the wing-backs to run into, a fact that both Baalsen and Almquist exploit with every opportunity.

In the midfield, the signing of Jorgen-Franz Bru and the former SK midfielder Henning Tir have created a wonderful partnership that ensures a tough obstacle is faced even before the defence is reached, although with this being Tir's last match in an East Franz shirt, how the club will fare without him is up for discussion. In Tern Andrej Einmark they have a well blooded and already experienced replacement, ready to jump into the engine room with Bru. Wingers Ryzhkov and Caris are young and bursting with energy, meaning they offer tactical versatility from the bench and can torment tired legs with their raw pace.

Up front, club captain Henning Blonqvist is a veteran performer and club legend, and he is the second pivotal East Franz player to announce this will be his last match. He will be deeply missed, both as a club ambassador and talisman, as well as on the pitch. He acts as a slightly more playmaking forward, laying through many assists and passes to two strikers who cut in from the flanks; Polarian star in the making Feliz Saarinen, and well established Tern Diedrich Kvitchenko. They have a near telepathic ability to know where the other two are, and can freely adapt their roles within the formation at any point during the game, all being solid all rounders. On the bench is the long serving Swartazian forward Wilhelm Berghoff, bumped to the bench as a result of the emergence of Saarinen and Kvitchenko as a partnership.

Kit:



Rendahl Stadion

The setting? Rendahl Stadion. This iconic stadium is steeped in history, with the new stands being built on the exact site of the old stands. The Four Spires of Rendahl refer back to the original four corner flags used by the pioneering founders of the club in their first ever match, against SK. With night about to fall, and the pitch a simply marked patch of scrub in the industrial district of Rendahl, the founding fathers of East Franz Athletic lit the flags, and placed flares on top of the poles so that the game could continue. East Franz won 4-1. Today, this legend continues with the Four Spires, that light up every night, and throughout the endless night of winter. Polarian clubs enjoy a strong record against Astograthi visitors at all levels of the game, and the Spires will be hoping that this record continues.

[Polar Islandstates]

Henning Blongvist excused himself from the dressing room early that night, and walked back out onto the pitch. They were done with training, and the journalists and fans had gone for the day, ready to return the following afternoon for the Royal Rumiatzi team's turn practising on the pitch before the match in the evening. His fellow East Franz players were still being spoken to by Fjelden, before they'd be going out for the traditional team walk along the Elfsteijn walls to the docks, and Blonqvist would be joining them. Eventually. It would be the last time he'd do so.

First though, he wanted to soak up the atmosphere of this stadium, this great stadium that he'd had the honour of playing in for his whole career. As a youngster, and then moving on up into the FPIFA era, the first Elfsteijn derby matches of the new era, how the audience would hum around him in excitement. He remembered how the flares would illuminate the night sky when he scored, running screaming towards the corner flags as the fans would reach out in ecstasy to try and touch their heroes.

The buzz around the place when they knew they were on a title wining run, he could bring it back to the forefront of his mind, even now. Running with Berghoff, Tir, Bru, Kowalski, Gyulla, De Zooijt, Kvitchenko, and now Saarinen. He'd played with some great names here over the years. Hell, he'd captained some great names over the years. He was respected, even underrated thought many in the press. He was never a Timo Skye or a Patrick Ackermann-Finn on the international scene, no, but he was a Champions' Cup winning captain, and he was the only man in the nation to be able to claim such a thing. He loved this club, it had been his life.

Nonetheless, there comes a time when things have to come to an end, and he could remember the moment he'd made his decision. He'd pulled up in training for the third time that season, about eight matches in, and was receiving pitchside treatment on his troublesome hamstring, when he looked up and saw Kvitchenko and Saarinen playing head tennis either side of the goalpost. It was the same technique he remember Fjelden getting Berghoff and him to do in previous seasons. Soon, Fjelden would have them blindfolded and hitting passes to each other, before putting them on a wide open field and getting them to do it on the move. All to enhance their understanding of each other, be able to pick out their partner's footsteps and hit a blind pass right to them, all without looking up. It had served Berghoff and Blonqvist well in the past. He'd lifted three league titles in his time at the club, largely thanks to the relentless and cutting attacking movements Fjelden had them achieve.

Blonqvist saw them, and he saw the future. He may be the captain, but it was time to move on. Time for the club to adjust to life without Henning Blonqvist.

He gazed up at the spires, rising above the pitch like beacons, and just beginning to light up in the polar dusk. A breeze ran through the stands and the mist rose from the grass. He closed his eyes and inhaled that sweet smell of the pitch, and then looked at the mist rising into the eddies and swirls of the settling night air. He could almost hear the drumming and the stamping of the feet, as if the mist was cast off by another of the famous Rendahl flares. He could almost taste the atmosphere.

One last match, Henning, one last match.

[Astograth]

“You've been here before?”

Vladimir Konovalov kept his sight fixed on the spire opposite him, pensive, his hands holding his back up from the grass of the Rendahl Stadion.

“No,” was his laconic reply, still looking at the spire as if judging it, before turning his head towards Eturaspe, “Have you?”

The starting playmaker flashed a pained smile and chuckled, before turning to look at the spire himself, “Yeah, with Echegoyan. Three times in one season, twice for Globe Cup and one Copa de los Príncipes. Didn't do too well, but then who does, right?”

Konovalov didn't react, for better or worse; he just stared at the same spire and wondered what it'd be like to see it lit. It was a strange feeling, playing for your country but barely knowing it from the inside. He'd been trained at the Haapa-Mechelin Academy from the moment he could run and kick a ball at the same time, much like Luc Demarchelier, Patrick Ackermann-Finn and Ellis Elmsvikur before him. His parents had been supportive, had given him the push he needed; he'd gotten to know all the coaches, strengthened bonds with his generational teammates and then, at the age of 17, been told he would not be considered for a contract at FC Axel Heiburg. He'd never felt more gutted, more confused, more out in the cold.

Royal Rumiatzi had eventually come calling, but he'd been lucky to attract the attention of such a powerful club, no doubt in part to the Haapa-Mechelin Academy's stellar reputation. Parting ways with the other lads hadn't been easy, though they still stayed somewhat in contact - Poulsen and Serafinowicz were at Osarius, and the former had been in the Polarian squad for the Emberton Olympics, Opland was in Liventia, Overland still plied his trade in Taeshan, Babicz was the only one back home, at Rapid Jan Mayen, and Sudesval was a star for both Saugeais' Montbenoit and the Terns. Konovalov recalled an Astograthian a year younger than him at the Academy who played in his same position, Eriz Bakaikoa, and last he'd heard the kid was still at Heiburg - maybe he'd suggest his name to Kerrick once Prieto moved on.

It hadn't been terribly easy, adapting to the Astograthian game. He'd arrived at a consolidated team and been placed in the reserves for observation, not participating as Royal Rumiatzi ran out champions of the milestone tenth First Division season after an incredible finale. That Ides of March could've gone better, but at least he was in the squad and stayed there for three years, winning a Royal Cup in between, before being loaned out. The shift from luxurious, impeccable infrastructure of Rumiatzi to the frail facilities of Athletic Club Olarria had been a bit of a shock, but he'd managed and learned a lot before another loan spell, at Ituraitz Victory, had him playing his best football yet as he elevated the team almost up to UICA qualification.

Vladimir Konovalov was just 23 but capped for one of the best national teams in the world. He'd played with and against some of the best players in the world, of which his favourite was doubtless Timo Skye. He'd been overawed in the few seasons they spent together in Rumiatzi, and in retrospect the experience had been invaluable in dealing with Skye's type - though there is really only one Timo Skye. He hadn't been good enough in his last spell at Royal Rumiatzi; now he was being handed a second chance, a golden one, and it was up to him to take it. Here at the Rendahl, or at Knights' Stadium, or Grand Duke's, or wherever fate landed him.

[Polar Islandstates]

IDES OF MARCH CUP
Edition XII

East Franz Athletic 3-2 Royal Rumiatzi FC

[Polar Islandstates]

With the last piece of confetti safely pinned in the box-frame, Henning Blonqvist put back the glass cover, hung it back on the wall, and stepped back to admire his handiwork. There it was, before him, the last memento from his time at East Franz Athletic.

As he lifted the trophy of the Ides of March cup above him for the last time in his career, Henning had been particularly moved as he saw the green and white bits of paper showering down around the Rendahl from the hissing cannons behind him. This had been his second home for the best part of twenty years, he needed to commemorate that night somehow. And as he walked off the podium and passed the trophy to Henning Tir to parade around the stadium, he noticed a piece of the confetti sticking to his laces, caught on a stray fibre. An idea struck him. He rummaged around in the damp ground and eventually found twenty-three fairly uncreased and unspoilt little bits of paper, and he carefully tucked them into his sock.

Three weeks later, and after a number of miles clocked up on the road, roving around the houses of his teammates from that night, he was taking the last signed piece of paper out of his wallet and putting it on the wall with the others. Twenty-three little bits of green and white paper, each one signed by a number of either the players of the pitch-side staff that night, and the last one, signed by manager Magnus Fjelden, was now displayed in pride of place, just above the photo of Henning and the team lifting the trophy.

Demy de Zooijt, the young Mytanar keeper who had been at the club since his own youth, along with 'the third Henning', Henning Almquist. Ole Gyulla's signature came next, followed by the spidery scrawl of his fellow centre-backs Jan Kowalski and Stanislav Dahl. Luka Baalsen followed next, and then Henning's successor as club captain, Jorgen-Franz Bru. Next came Henning Tir, that famous midfielder who had become a legend for both of the big Franz Josef sides in his time, who also retired after the same match, and who had already expressed his jealousy at this Henning's confetti idea, and then the devasting strikers that played ahead of Blonqvist, Diedrich Kvitchenko and Felix Saarinen.

Then came the substitutes; Wojciech Borrman, Dimitar Malkovitch, Mark Enderslakke, Alexei Ryzhkov, Stepan Caris, the young defensive midfielder with the big future Andrej Einmark, Teemu Laugen, and finally the also soon to retire Wilhelm Berghoff.

Next came the rest of the pitch-side support staff, followed by the distinctive shorthand initialised "M.F." signature of his manager, Magnus Fjelden. Henning had gone to Fjelden's house looking for his signature that afternoon, but he had come away with much much more. Not just a signature, no just the completion of his final keepsake, his final memories, he final confetti cannons from his final match.

But also, a job offer...

[Astograth]

JUJU MEN CONSULTED; ASTOGRATHIAN SIDES OFFICIALLY CURSED

With Royal Rumiatzi's loss to East Franz Athletic, Astograthian sides now register only one win in the past seven editions of the Ides of March Cup - and that one win was thanks to the leeches of Iturributa United just before they left to form their cheap imitation league. It isn't since the good old days of Milian Erburu captaining Ituraitz FC against Dei Ormache's SK Franz Josef City that a real team has known victory, and Gorriaka remain the only ones to do so other than Iturributa United despite participation from Echegoyan FC, Sporting Iturributa and, of course, everyone's beloved Royal Rumiatzi.

The question we must ask ourselves is, what could be the reason for this? There has been a shift in the balance of power in the seven years since that classic double feature of Ituraitz vs SK, and it hasn't gone our way. What have the Polarians done that we haven't? Have they brought in more foreigners? Less foreigners? Have they applied groundbreaking tactics, formations or training regimes?

No, of course they haven't. That would be giving them too much credit. After extensive research that included a strenuous flight to Djocoranga, the friendly exchange of some unmarked crates, too many trips to the toilet and interviews with several of the most widely-respected juju men this side of the Mto river, we have uncovered the awful truth. Not only is this spell of Polarian domination not the cause of their own efforts (ha!), but it is due to us being the victims of a terrible interdimensional curse. And for once, it's not due to Dreamed Realm travel.

You see, our decline in form has roughly coincided with the rise in power of the wicked nation of Wight, ruled by one Búa, 'King of Uncertain Dimensions', which sounds more like an awesome name for a début album than a credible royal title, unlike His Majesty Lastur I, by the Grace of the Almighty, Grand Duke of Astograth, Archduke of the Twin Cities and East Akialden, Duke of Rumiatzi, Anzar, Ituraitz, Iturributa and Irunya, Count of Echegoyan, Erribe, Birkirla and Olarria.

Anyway, the juju men have confirmed that our catastrophic performance is due to a deal involving souls, struck between the Polarian FA and Búa; based on past experience we don't really doubt the veracity of this. Futhermore, the juju men were so delighted to reveal the truth to our plucky journalist that they would often burst out laughing from sheer joy, and the photographer caught several of them high-fiving each other during a break.

The solution they gave? Nothing short of going face-to-face against Búa and/or his Wightling football team with the united power of the Grand Duchy of Astograth, embodied in Olibondeka. Shame there aren't any upcoming tournaments conveniently held in the Wight territories in Atlantian Oceania.

[Polar Islandstates]

Announcement, Edition XIII

[Polar Islandstates]

Roster


Starting Line Up
-------------------------- de Zooijt -------------------------
-------------- Malkovitch -- Dahl -- Bocandé --------------
-- Almquist ------------------------------------ Baalsen --
-------------------- Bru --------- Einmark -----------------
---------- Kvitchenko --- Klipter --- Saarinen ----------

GK - Demy de Zooijt (MYT)
DR - Henning Almquist
DC - Dimitar Malkovitch
DC - Abdoulaye Bocandé (ASG)
DC - Stanislav Dahl
DL - Luka Baalsen
MC - Jorgen-Franz Bru (C)
MC - Andrej Einmark
ST - Kristofer Klipter (VIL)
ST - Diedrich Kvitchenko
ST - Felix Saarinen

Subs:
GK - Wojciech Borrman
DC - Jan Kowalski
DR - Mark Enderslakke
ML - Alexei Ryzhkov
MR - Stepan Caris
MC - Olivier Toiviainen
MC - Teemu Laugen
ST - Wilhelm Berghoff (SWA)
Manager - Magnus Fjelden

Modifier: +3

This historic club is based in the industrial and working class district of Rendahl, in the north-east of Franz Josef City, over the Elfsteijn Channel from the rest of the city, and in particular, SK Franz Josef City. East Franz fans are a strong and passionate bunch, driven by their desire to win more trophies than SK, something they'll have covered for a while yet thanks to their Champions Cup win, and empowered by the strong sense of camaraderie they feel towards each other.

East Franz are the title holders, having beaten Royal Rumiatzi FC last time around at the Rendahl. Such an event proved a most satisfactory send off for long time club servants Henning Blonqvis and Henning Tir, the former of which rejoins the pitch-side this time around as an assistant coach. That did, however, leave a couple of gaps in the East Franz line-up...

In goal for the Spires is Mytanar Demy de Zooijt. Performing a series of acrobatic saves all season, he has become one of the iconic figures of Divisjon One, his proactive keeping style winning him fans amongst the analysts. A good keeper is nothing without a strong defence in front of him however, and with Gyulla's retirement and Kowalski's growing age, the centre of defence needed a shake-up. Stanislav Dahl remains, but Kowalski drops to the bench as an experienced head to bring on should he be needed. Dimitar Malkovitch is promoted to first choice defender as a result, and Astograthi-via-Zenega centre-back Abdoulaye Bocandé joins the club from Echegoyan FC. The unusual 3-2-2-1-2 formation leaves plenty of space in front of the wing-backs to run into, a fact that both Baalsen and Almquist exploit with every opportunity.

In the midfield, Jorgen-Franz Bru takes the captain's armband, with experienced Tern Andrej Einmark jumping into the engine room with him to replace the outgoing Tir. Wingers Ryzhkov and Caris are young and bursting with energy, meaning they offer tactical versatility from the bench and can torment tired legs with their raw pace.

Up front, club captain Henning Blonqvist was a hugely important performer and is a club legend, and his retirement left a huge gap in the line-up. He will be deeply missed on the field, but will be replaced by the Vilitan forward Kristofer Klipter, who comes to the Federation League with a huge reputation in AO that he will be keen to backup with performances on the field. Flanking him on both sides will be Polarian star in the making Feliz Saarinen, and well established Tern Diedrich Kvitchenko. They have a near telepathic ability to know where the other is, and can freely adapt their roles within the formation at any point during the game, all being solid all rounders. On the bench is the long serving Swartazian forward Wilhelm Berghoff, bumped to the bench as a result of the emergence of Saarinen and Kvitchenko as a partnership.

Magnus Fjelden's change in formation is leading to a more attacking modifier, and the Rendahl side are champing at the bits to become the first team since their rivals SK to retain the Ides of March Cup.

Kit:

[Astograth]

Astograth University Sports Club

Manager: Xuban Barrutia
Style: -2
Colours

----------------- Gorriaran -----------------
- Vizcaíno --- Maistegi - Ubago --- Beyaitz -
--------------- Sapano - Antić ---------------
- Lukuix ---------------- Guerrikaechebarria -
------------ Quirin - Martinuccio ------------

Starting XI:

GK -  Argider Gorriaran
LB -  Burni Beyaitz
CB -  Leheren Ubago
CB -  Haitz Maistegi
RB -  Efraín Vizcaíno
DM -  Andrey Antić
DM -  Inguma Sapano
LM -  Lekubegi Guerrikaechebarria (C)
RM -  Leizarraga Lukuix
CF -  Alejandro Martinuccio
CF -  Tilford Quirin

Substitutes:

GK -  Anixi Osma
DF -  Zarles Erria
DF -  Bakar Laranaga
MF -  Zuriko Bartzuren
MF -  Ikatz Ordoki
FW -  Betadur Arrieta
FW -  Axular Gorrindo

Astograth University have, in two short years, left behind all their history of mediocrity as they come away with their first silverware and climbed into a position of privilege within the Astograthian league that seemed impossible to break into until just a few years ago. It may be too early to speak of a new "Big 4", especially with Urbizania Wanderers long knocking on the door of success, but University are in an excellent position to conform the block alongside Echegoyan FC and the more traditional Royal Rumiatzi and Ituraitz FC. Having won their first title, they now face their first Ides of March Cup against the powerful East Franz Athletic, with the pressure of restoring the balance of power within the traditional inter-league tournament. University at least seem to have come full circle, having been in the first football match between Astograthians and Polarians; they faced AC Aleutia Volcanoes for the SBCC27 second preliminary round and went through on away goals after a 5-5 aggregate draw.

This edition's venue will be the 36,350-seater Arritzola, in the western sector of Rumiatzi where the academic community is concentrated. Initially founded as the students' sports club of Rumiatzi University, the football team quickly acquired relevance within the local Rumiatzi Football Union and eventually turned professional, becoming a separate entity though still largely under the funding and influence of the university. With both of them renamed Astograth University by Grand Duke Aitor III, the club struggled in the initial seasons of the national football league before achieving promotion to the top tier and slowly but surely cementing its place as a traditional and consistent team. The recent surge in success has seen Arritzola transformed from a very modest 11,000-seater ground to a much larger venue, with a second tier of seating and modern infrastructure. It will be the third stadium in Rumiatzi to host the Ides of March Cup after Grand Duke's Stadium and Knights' Stadium, and hopes to be the first in the capital to see an Astograthian team triumph.

Xuban Barrutia will field a team very similar to the one that won last season's title, emphasising defense and possession over reckless attack; with 15 goals conceded over 30 matches University broke a number of records last season and look set to break many more.

In goal awaits Argider Gorriaran, part of the Astograthian squad for Copa Rushmori XI and a serious candidate for national team playing time in the future. Previously playing for the similarly defensive Blue Mountain Range, Gorriaran was brought up at the goalkeeper factory that is Ituraitz FC and has acquired a reputation for command, which should suit University well. He replaced the retired Churio Muniya, who broke the First Division clean sheet record in his final season of football. The back four are perhaps the backbone of the team, and are all called up for Astograth at either the Copa Rushmori or Brevity Cup 3. Burni Beyaitz is without a doubt the second-best left-back in Astograth, though still a ways off Royal Rumiatzi's Urtzi Galard, while Haitz Maistegi is a fierce and effective defender with only 22 years of age. His partner Leheren Ubago is a veteran player and dedicated one-club man, years ago lining up alongside the famed Polarian duo of Svennis Moller and Egor Helguson. Right-back Efraín Vizcaíno is of Tamarindian origin and completely committed to the cause, resorting to blood and guts defending if necessary; a big hit at Blue Mountain Range, less so at Royal Rumiatzi, he has found his place at Arritzola.

Saugeain Andrey Antić and Iturributan (formerly Astograthian) international Inguma Sapano provide the experience, the grit and the creative vision in the midfield, absolutely crucial to the 4-2-2-2's functioning. Their main recipients are Iturributan wizard Leizarraga Lukuix, whose crosses and subtle touches are worth marvelling at, and the equally gifted captain Lekubegi Guerrikaechebarria, though his strengths are pace and an eye for goal. The latter is definitely the fan favourite, propelling the club to new heights since his joining from Athletic Club Yungoitio.

Up front is an interesting pair of strikers - Sargossan target man Alejandro Martinuccio, just signed from Sporting Iturributa, and lithe Citiz striker Tilford Quirin. Off to Ituraitz Victory goes the imprecise Loren Dornaletze, unable to repeat his stellar first season with the club and becoming deadweight up front that Quirin was unable to play off of. Barrutia now has the makings for an excellent "big man-little man" partnership, but whether they can make it work is yet to be seen. On a personal level, Martinuccio is out for revenge after the humiliation East Franz Athletic inflicted on him and all of Sporting Iturributa four editions ago at Old City Stadium.

This may be Astograth University's Ides of March début, but they got there by being the best team in Astograth, which isn't a minor thing to say these days. They have the guts to see out a win, but will East Franz and the pressure to win in front of their crowd be simply too much?

[Polar Islandstates]

"Come on, Oscar, we're going to miss the flight!"

"Will you relax? We can't go without my lucky scarf! Besides, the coach doesn't leave for another twenty minutes."

"Yeah, and we live twenty minutes from the stadium?"

"So? The coach would have to come back in this direction anyway, we can meet them at the airport."

"Aren't they giving out the tickets on the coach, though?"

"You worry too much, Jens, relax! We'll just get them at the airport. There's no way Mikhael's that mean."

"Oh, didn't you hear? Mikhael's not coming."

"He isn't?"

"No, Darek's in charge this time."

"Oh, then, yeah, we should hurry. Quick, go check your room again."

"Come on, Oscar, this is ridiculous. It's just a scarf, for Thor's sake..."

"Yeah, my lucky scarf. Tcheh."

"What difference does it make?"

"Er, because its the scarf I've worn at every cup final we've played in? I bought it five years ago, wore it to every match that season, and we won the Champions' Cup that year. That's why. I wear it, we win. Simple as that."

"Chill man, its only Astograth University."

"Yeah, and they won the league. Did the rest of the league suddenly become awful? No. Not likely. Man up, stop being so arrogant."

"You think it'll be tough?"

"Tough, well yeah! Martinuccio? Quirin? Their defence is pretty good, too. Not to mention Gurrycash-... Gwary-cashy-bar-... Gwerry-cashy-barry-..."

"Guerrikaechebarria?"

"Yeah, him. He tore the Terns a new one time and time again at the last World Cup. Plus we're away in Astograth. You know what the atmosphere in their stadiums are like. It's like being at Palace Approach. Only warmer."

"Okay, okay, just saying."

"Yeah, well, stop 'just saying' and get back to 'just finding my scarf'. If you please."

"Oh, full of jokes, you, aren't you?"

"That's why we're flatmates."

"Well so you say, but you haven't paid me rent for the pa-..."

"Found it!"

"Good. Now. Can we go? Please?"

"Yes. Scarf equipped - Arritzola here we come!"

"You are aware it'll be warmer there, right?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Well, it's just that, you might be a bit hot in that scarf..."

"Oh shut up."