The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, version II)

[Jeruselem]

The traditional Bird on Skates friendly is of course, accepted. To be played in Tundra Falls.
Home friendly against Taeshan also accepted.

We'll take one more to fill up our slate. We'll be looking to schedule friendlies to the max to keep our team sharp for the Proper.

We'll take the slack as long as it's not a PRE as that's Taeshan for me.

[Newmanistan]

The traditional Bird on Skates friendly is of course, accepted. To be played in Tundra Falls.
Home friendly against Taeshan also accepted.

We'll take one more to fill up our slate. We'll be looking to schedule friendlies to the max to keep our team sharp for the Proper.

I think the hosts should play a tune-up friendly, don't you? Tundra Falls is fine.

I agree. Let's do it.

(We are now full for pre-qual friendlies but will take requests for mid and post qualifying).

Also want to be sure to book the Penthoria River War with Secristan. I believe its our turn to be home there as well. Mid or post is fine with me.

Jeruselem, mid or post is fine for us as well. We'll travel.

[Delaclava]

Newmanistan, does a post-qual matchup sound good?

[Qazox]

Qazox requests a friendly vs. he World Cup hosts.

Qazox vs. Newmanistan @ The Babbage Islands (Mid-qualifying)
Qazox vs. The Babbage ISlands @ Newmanistan (Mid-qualifying)

[Newmanistan]

Qazox & Delaclava friendly matches accepted. Delaclava, we will go to your place.

[Barnettsville]

BARNETTSVILLE FRINDY SCHEDULE

PRE
at Andrewboy (?)
Open

MID
Open
Open

POST
Open
Open

[Sargossa]

Both of my nations looking for 1 friendly/slot. No 1st time WCers please.

The Corsairs would be delighted to make the short trip to Pasarga. Pre-qualifers?

[Schiavonia]

The forgotten old timers of Schiavonia (we're playing our WC36 squad) are warming up for WC49 by playing cricket. But could probably do with a friendly on one of the last possible dates before qualifying begins, if there are any willing opponents out there. Maybe someone who remembers us from the first time around.

[Osarius]

Since everyone else is doing it... haha

Pre-Qualifying
vs Balida (H)
vs Candelaria and Marquez (H)

Mid-Qualifying
vs ?????
vs ?????

Post-Qualifying
vs ?????
vs ?????

Anyone is good. It's all in good fun, eh?
If anyone has a slot open and wouldn't mind playing a newbie, I'll take it.

[The Babbage Islands]

Qazox requests a friendly vs. he World Cup hosts.

Qazox vs. Newmanistan @ The Babbage Islands (Mid-qualifying)
Qazox vs. The Babbage ISlands @ Newmanistan (Mid-qualifying)

Accepted. The Bumblebees are now looking for one more post-qual friendly.

PRE: MSMT, Newmanistan away.
MID: MSMT, Qazox in Newmanistan.
POST: MSMT, ??.

[Balida]

Balida would gladly be one of your friendly matches Osarius. Any other takes to play against Balida. We're also a pretty new team.

PRE
vs Osarius at Osarius
vs Oberour Ar Moro at TBA

MID
Open
Open

POST
Open
Open

[The Archregimancy]

Just a thought for future world cups....

Might we in future consider separate 'WC xx Friendly Organisation' threads, to be started by the hosts of each WC ?

This isn't one of my occasional futile attempts to bring friendlies under a more formal WCC remit, but rather it strikes me that this might both make it easier for the hosts to keep tabs on how friendlies are being organised - by having them listed in a thread dedicated to that purpose - and help keep the WC Discussion Thread dedicated to discussion rather than occasionally filling it up with organisation of IC matches. Around this time each WC, the discussion thread tends to expand very quickly, with multiple friendly-related postings a day. This sometimes makes it difficult to pick up on any substantive discussion that's taking place.

I see no reason to be prescriptive about this and require this sort of separate thread - I merely offer it as an idea that future hosts may want to consider to both help with their host organisation and to help control the parameters of the Discussion Thread.

As I said... just a thought.

[The Babbage Islands]

Just a thought for future world cups....

Might we in future consider separate 'WC xx Friendly Organisation' threads, to be started by the hosts of each WC ?

This isn't one of my occasional futile attempts to bring friendlies under a more formal WCC remit, but rather it strikes me that this might both make it easier for the hosts to keep tabs on how friendlies are being organised - by having them listed in a thread dedicated to that purpose - and help keep the WC Discussion Thread dedicated to discussion rather than occasionally filling it up with organisation of IC matches. Around this time each WC, the discussion thread tends to expand very quickly, with multiple friendly-related postings a day. This sometimes makes it difficult to pick up on any substantive discussion that's taking place.

I see no reason to be prescriptive about this and require this sort of separate thread - I merely offer it as an idea that future hosts may want to consider to both help with their host organisation and to help control the parameters of the Discussion Thread.

As I said... just a thought.

It's a good thought. A very good one, in fact. Since my partner is scorinating all friendlies, I defer to Newmanistan on whether or not to start such a thread now. With almost two weeks to go before the anticipated day of the first such match, I can still see a lot to be gained from this suggestion.

[Candelaria And Marquez]

Cheerfully ignoring the above couple of posts and confirming the usual slew of highly unnecessary, politically useful friendlies:

Mid-Q: @ Sargossa
Mid-Q: @ West Zirconia (I’m assuming, anyway, WZ)

Post-Q: @ Nethertopia
Post-Q: vs. Taeshan


Should anyone, young or olde, have any particular wish for a pre-qualifying game, home or away, against the current number one ranked side (!?), do speak now or forever hold your wossname. Humans only, please, in these troubled times.

[Bears Armed]

Bears Armed, would you like to come to Peisandros for our regular pre-qualifying friendly?

Yes, "of course".

Bears Armed, fancy a post-qualifying friendly at Mike Sarzo Stadium?

Yes.

And we also accept Toyur's TGed offer of a pre-qualifiers game: They can choose the venue....

______________________________________________________________________________


I expect that we'll meet both Arroza and West Zirconia in the 'Eternal Flame'. So, looking at our traditional partners/rivals for friendlies, that leaves_

Dancougar: Are we on for the 'Shirt on a Stick', either mid-qualifiers or post-qualifiers, if we don't get drawn into the same group anyway? (I've forgotten whose turn it would be to play at home...)

Jeruselem or Jeru FC, continuing the series of games that began with our first-ever 'friendly' just after the BoF, again if we aren't drawn into the same group for qualifiers anyway? You can choose whether it's 'mid-' or 'post-', and it's our turn to be the 'home' side.

Newmanistan? I think that you probably drop off of the 'Eternal Flame' list this time around, so would you like a game against us anyway? The Belles wouldn't mind another visit to Tundra Falls...

Cassaidagua: The tournament's only two (as far as I know, apart from TUN which Bears Armed is trying to forget about...) all-female teams, in what's also becoming a regular event? Is it your turn to come to us? Pre-qualifiers for preference, but if you'd really prefer some other stage instead then that would probably be okay.

Nethertopia? 'Mid-' or 'Post-'? Whose turn to play at home? Perhaps only if we aren't drawn into the same group anyway?

[Delaclava]

Pre
MSMT
Fadron Pizza Cup
Valanora (needs to be confirmed)

Mid
Fadron Pizza Cup
MSMT (if necessary)
@ Valladares

Post
Fadron Pizza Cup
MSMT (if necessary)
vs. Newmanistan

After WC/CoH
vs. Sarzonia
(wide open)

So please consider after the World Cup, and keep me in mind for mid- and post-: I might get knocked out of the MSMT. I believe the Fadron Pizza Cup is a round-robin, though.

[Nethertopia]

Nethertopia? 'Mid-' or 'Post-'? Whose turn to play at home? Perhaps only if we aren't drawn into the same group anyway?

Mid please, and we'll travel. You can show our newly acquired Krytenian manager around the place ^_^

[Cassadaigua]

Bears Armed, pre-qualifying is good with us. We were home last time so it will be at your place this time around.

Traditional games against Arroza, Secristan, and Dancougar will also be desired whenever is good for you. If any one else wants a match, just ask.

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

The current defending champions offer the opportunity of a single one-off pre-qualifier friendly in the Holy Empire to any team currently ranked in the top 20 who would like to play against a team of rather intimidating Aztec deities.

If your team loses, you will not be required to offer up your captain for live sacrifice at the conclusion of the match, but the human manifestation of the Plumed Serpent would appreciate the gesture.

Please TG me rather than clutter up the discussion thread.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit:

Following the issuance of a guarantee that the Stars' captain will not be sacrificed without his consent, the single Holy Empire friendly spot - in pre-qualification - has been taken up by Sarzonia.

[Bostopia]

By the way, I need to confirm a friendly with Bostopia. If you (Bostopia) don't remember, you asked me for a friendly before the WC qualifiers...

I remembered this request once you mentioned it, yes Happily confirming this. For background info, we thrashed Valladares 8 - 2 in the CoH group stage, and then we drew them in the QFs (which was always a bad sign, to be honest), and they took us to extra time. The BFA was rather impressed and invited them to our place because we're nice like that.

Ah yes, expect all travel and hotel fees to be paid for, along with a complimentary three rounds of beverages of your choosing on the night before the game on the night after the game.

[Sarzonia]

Here's what I have so far for friendlies:

Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy
Jhanna Region (played at Stadii Di Bradini in Jhanna, Starblaydia)
(5) Starblaydia (1) v. (TBD) Barnettsville (8)
(23) The Archregimancy (4) v. (61) The Babbage Islands (5)

Nicksia Region (played at Mike Sarzo Stadium in Nicksia, Benatar, Sarzonia)
(7) Sarzonia (2) v. (70) The Weegies (7)
(15) Kosovoe (3) v. (67) Delaclava (6)

Sarzonia's friendlies schedule

Pre-Qualifying
1. MSMT v. The Weegies
2. The Friendly War v. Isselmere-Nieland @ Mike Sarzo Stadium
3. @ The Holy Empire

Mid-Qualifying
1. MSMT (if necessary)
2. v. Peisandros
3. v. Dancougar

Post-Qualifying
1. MSMT (if necessary)
2. v. Bears Armed Mainland
3. OPEN

Post-World Cup/Cup of Harmony
1. @ Delaclava
2. OPEN
3. OPEN

[Toyur]

And we also accept Toyur's TGed offer of a pre-qualifiers game: They can choose the venue....

I think playing it in your country is probably better for what I have in mind.

[Oberour Ar Moro]

Balida would gladly be one of your friendly matches Osarius. Any other takes to play against Balida. We're also a pretty new team.

PRE
at Osarius
Open

Oberour Ar Moro would enjoy the opportunity to get a practice match in, and a game against a fellow debutant seems about our speed. How about a pre-qualifying match in Balida?

We'd also be open to friendlies from other nations as well.

Edit for Friendlies Schedule:

PRE-WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

at Balida
at Schiavonia

MID-POINT OF QUALIFIERS

vs Sargossa
TBD

POST-WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

TBD

AFTER WC/CoH

TBD

[Taeshan]

Well then

Pre
@ Jeru
@ New
VS Delaclava Fadron Pizza Cup

Mid
@ Dancougar
VS SN Unconfirmed
VS TBA

Post
@ Candelaria
VS Vephrall Unconfirmed
VS Kosovoe FPC

Still 1 spot left in the Fadron Pizza Cup. Preferably a veteran of somesort or a top 50 team.

[Valladares]

By the way, I need to confirm a friendly with Bostopia. If you (Bostopia) don't remember, you asked me for a friendly before the WC qualifiers...

I remembered this request once you mentioned it, yes Happily confirming this. For background info, we thrashed Valladares 8 - 2 in the BoF group stage, and then we drew them in the QFs (which was always a bad sign, to be honest), and they took us to extra time. The BFA was rather impressed and invited them to our place because we're nice like that.

Ah yes, expect all travel and hotel fees to be paid for, along with a complimentary three rounds of beverages of your choosing on the night before the game on the night after the game.

Excellent. We're still open for friendlies, preferably post-qualifying.

P.S. BoF? Maybe you mean CoH...