Di Bradini Cup 29/U21WC50 RP/Roster/Results Thread

by **Eura** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:17 am

OOC Note: In Eura-time, DBC29 is straight after the 66th World Cup, so the players haven't quite aged for the UICA cycle after this deadline yet.

Eura Under 21's DBC29 Roster

Head Coach: Louis Watson (46)
Assistant: Lee Sharp (41)
Style Modifier: +2

Permissions

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

Choose my goalscorers – YES
Godmod scoring events – YES
RP injuries to my players – YES
Godmod injuries to my players – YES (But only how the injury happens, NOT the extent of the injury)
Hand out yellow cards to my players – YES
Hand out red cards to my players – YES
Godmod other events – YES, provided you keep events within the realms of realism, so no deaths etc. If I have to RP one of my goals as coming off a goose in mid-air or anything else I deem ridiculous I will eat your fucking soul. Generic last minute supergoals from 500 yards/goalkeepers scoring hat-tricks will be given the same distasteful reaction. In fact, I should probably just say ‘fuck you’ in advance. Suck it world!

23 man squad

Shirt number - Name - Position - Age - Senior caps/goals - Club

Goalkeepers

1 - Tony Grant - GK - 21 - 0/0 - Falourr
13 - Gary Shudland - GK - 19 - 0/0 - Oakstone

Defenders

2 - Joe Caffin - RB - 19 - 0/0 - Holdenberg
5 - Mark Rogers - CB - 20 - 6/0 - Revolutionaries
4 - Craig Gilbert - CB - 20 - 8/0 - Directus
3 - Andrew Watson - LWB- 19 - 4/0 - Lajuno
21 - Aaron Brandley - RCB - 20 - 0/0 - Holdenberg
15 - Gavin Madison - CB - 21 - 0/0 - Ulsa
19 - Derek Millson - CB - 19 - 0/0 - Directus
23 - Lee McKray - LB - 20 - 0/0 - Honeybadgers

Midfielders

7 - Craig Sinclair - RW/LW/ST - 19 - 21/7 - Dinamo Esca (Mytannion)
6 - Gareth Blackthorn - CDM/CM - 20 - 16/2 - Revolutionaries
8 - John Spartan - CM/CAM - 20 - 12/4 - Revolutionaries
11 - Toby Hayes - LW - 21 - 0/0 - Mountainside
16 - Kevin Colbert - CDM - 20 - 2/0 - Honeybadgers
18 - Rob Bell - CM - 20 - 1/1 - Oakstone
12 - Albin Oslograd - CAM - 20 - 2/0 - FC1 Bjarnery Flotilla (Polar Islandstates)
20 - Lewis Hughes - AM - 17 - 0/0 - Olympic Thessia (Mytannion)

Forwards

10 - John Mallard - ST - 19 - 0/0 - Bastion
9 - Ben Robinson - ST - 21 - 0/0 - Usmer
14 - Michael Simpson - ST - 19 - 0/0 - Culpapy United
17 - Robin Tykeman - ST - 21 - 0/0 - Falourr
22 - Sean Hayward - ST - 17 - 0/0 - Mayville Town

Preferred starting lineup

Note; does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change. At the end of each RP I post, I will give a team for the next match and formation type. If no such lineup is posted, assume that there have been no changes and use the lineup below.

Subs

13. G Shudland
21. A Brandley
15. G Madison
19. D Millson
16. K Colbert
18. R Bell
12. A Oslograd
14. M Simpson
17. R Tykeman

Player Roles

Captain: John Spartan
Vice Captain: Gareth Blackthorn
Direct free kicks: John Spartan (Right foot) or Craig Sinclair (Either foot)
Indirect free kicks: John Spartan, Craig Sinclair
Right corner: Craig Sinclair (Both) John Spartan (Outswinging)
Left corner: Craig Sinclair (Both) John Spartan (Inswinging)
Penalties: 1. John Spartan 2. Craig Sinclair 3. Toby Hayes 4. John Mallard 5. Gareth Blackthorn

Kits

by **Free Republics** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:39 pm

Sporting World

I'm not going to the Land of the Talking Horse, but we're still going to Repeat
by: Rule Theriault

The best U-21 soccer team in the world will be returning to the Di Bradini Cup this year, with most of last year's championship squad still intact. However, I will not be coaching the team, due to the rather unfortunate decision to award the hosting rights to the Equestrian States. I will not, if I can avoid it, visit a country run by a bunch of talking horse-children. That is one of the last places I ever want to visit and I still cannot believe that the WCC continues to allow them to compete in WCC events. It just isn't fair that they stole our Di Bradini Cup title 2 years ago. We should be going for a historic three-peat this year, not just trying to defend our title.

In our 3rd Di Bradini Cup, my assistant Massimiliano Abdullahi will be managing the U-21s on my behalf. Another difference fans will notice if they tune into either the DBC or UWCFA is our new look. We have ditched those high school hand-me-downs for the most stylish and fashionable kits in the entire multiverse. I spared no expense, hiring the respected Kirola Sports to design a look that will leave our opponents seeing stars. It is only fitting that we, the champions, look like champions as we go into hostile territory to defend our Di Bradini Cup title.

Since I haven't had the opportunity to write for this publication since last year, I would like to start off by letting everybody know how I voted for Consul. In the first and second rounds, I voted for Mr. Izmailov because I felt he was the right man for the job. I come from a military family and I've long felt that our military should be more active. Mr. Izmailov felt the same way and seemed interested in restoring the respect for authority that too many of today's youth lack. I've had to turn down many talented players who had applied to the National Team program because they have bad attitudes that would get in the way of team play. I'm not going to tolerate that kind of behavior on my team.

Unfortunately, Mr. Izmailov failed to advance out of the 2nd round and we were left with a choice between Mr. Piazza, who campaigned against the incumbent government's decision to bid for the Cup of Harmony, or Mr. Danielsson, a far-left demagogue who sought to turn us into a socialist country and steal my team out from under me. It was an easy choice for me. Personally, I'm not happy that the government decided to bid with Falcus to begin with. I had a bid with the Sanctii all worked out and I had actually sent it in. However, the government's bid arrived slightly earlier and we ended up drawn in the same group with the Felix Trolls and Andossa Se Mitrin Vega. If I had any say over it, that would never have happened. My bid stated that every team that failed to qualify for the World Cup would be automatically invited to the Cup of Harmony and my intention was to stack our group with easy opponents such as the Evangelical Islands of Altai, Masentur, Iwanawin, Tatras and Alkoul. Then, the knockout draw would have been deliberately worked out to ensure that the likes of Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, Saugeais, Taeshan, Apox and others like them were drawn against one another, if they weren't all tossed into the same group to begin with. (OOC: Obviously, all of that was purely IC.) Well anyways, in the end I decided to vote for Mr. Piazza. As you know, Mr. Piazza was just declared the winner of the election today after months upon months of recounts and legal challenges and is now a consul of the Free Republics. Officially, he won by just a dozen votes after all the hanging chads were counted.

With a man who respects the sanctity of private property safely entrenched as our newest Consul, my status as Manager of my National Soccer Team program is secure for at least the next 4 years and probably the next 8 years. I no longer have to look over my shoulder and fear that the product of all my hard work may be nationalized, stolen, from me by some greedy politician. Actually, today all the hardworking businessmen in our Federation can breathe easily, knowing that the barbarians that would take our property rights away have been defeated at the gates. Now, we can be assured that our taxes will stay low and that our Federation Government will mind its own business.

Speaking of minding its own business, I still can't believe the gull of the Federation Government. The beautiful, athletic and talented Nova Hellstrom had finally vanquished that little gnat from Felix, but the damn Government had to stick its ugly nose in a matter that didn't concern it. It would be nice if foreigners showed their betters the respect that we deserve, but if they don't, as far as I'm concerned, we should just beat it out of them. That's why I would wholeheartedly support Mr. Izmailov should he choose to run again for the office of Consul. Don't believe the media propagandists. Mr. Izmailov is no racist. He just believes that the lesser people should remember their place, as well they should.

I think that's enough discussion of politics, so let's get back to soccer. Can you believe that those talking horses have actually decided to draw us into a Group of Death? They're deliberately trying to sabotage our chances of repeating, out of jealousy because they know I'm right when I say that horses belong on the race tracks of Saintland, not the soccer pitch. Our first opponent is Welsh Cowboy, the nation that won the Baptism of Fire last year and probably a future power of international soccer. Then we will face Bloodbath Generation, which will be the easiest opponent in our group, if scouts from the World Changers Regional Scouting Bureau are to be believed. That will be followed by a bye. Then we will have to face Tynewear. Although Tynewear are newcomers to international sports, they already appear to be one of the favorites to win this year's Baptism of Fire (OOC: Judging by that ridiculously detailed roster.). Finally, we will have to face Wight. Wight won the World Cup just 2 short years ago and they won the Di Bradini Cup only 4 years ago. This is truly worthy of being called a Group of Death, if any group ever was. It is remarkable to think that only 2 of these 5 U-21 National Teams will be advancing to the Round of 16.

This year's Di Bradini Cup is the 29th edition of the illustrious competition, but there were 21 U-21 World Cups before the Di Bradini Cup. It is fitting, I guess, that the greatest U-21 National Team in the history of U-21 National Teams would have to face the Group of Death to end all Groups of Death in the 50th U-21 World Cup, if you count both the DBC and its predecessor competition. However, that is not all. This year, the Blouman Empire finally sent their paperwork in fast enough to return to defend their title from 3 years ago. I would certainly not count out the former champions, although I am most looking forward to seeing the Licentian Isles eliminated at the hands of my program, once again. It serves them right for knocking us out of our own Cup of Harmony, which was the ultimate act of disrespect for your hosts who graciously welcomed you into their country. Then again, one really shouldn't expect much else from those Esportivans. You know the way those people are.

Since we now have 5 players on our main roster who are over the age of 21, they are no longer able to compete in the Di Bradini Cup and will be joining me in Saintland for UWCFA. The only starters among them are defensive midfielder Kieran Hancock and striker Leo Cremonesi. They are replaced in the lineup by Volodymyr Vernekar and super-substitute Koby Theodore. Backup keeper Ausilio Mancini, who was our starting keeper in the DBC 2 years ago, is also too old to compete this year, so he will start for the UWCFA side. If he performs well, I may consider giving him some more playing time once we get into World Cup qualifying. The U-21s will also have to replace backup center-back Patrick Werfel and backup left midfielder Durante Trevisano. For replacements, I chose to name several girls from our youth program, mainly because I don't want to take young girls into Saintland for UWCFA. Zrina Martinovic, Roberta Villalobos and even little Connie Chase have been named to the U-21 squad, to gain experience and keep them as far as possible from UWCFA. Levai Imre and Rados Miletic were also named to the roster. The highly regarded young prospects will get the experience of being at the DBC and may even get onto the pitch. However, I instructed Massimiliano that little Miss Chase is not to go into a match under any circumstances. I don't want to risk her safety, especially since our best scientists have been unable to duplicate the cheap magic tricks used by the nation of Backyard Sports to great effect in the past. Regardless, I feel confident that this team can perform to the standard which we have become accustomed to seeing out of our U-21 National Team. Although they may throw "impossible" obstacles in front of us, we will overcome and we will win another Di Bradini Cup. Before they left, I told the team to leave everything they have on the pitch. There is nothing more important than the Di Bradini Cup, which really should be renamed the Republican Cup because now that we possession of the Cup, we will never let anybody take it from us. Di Bradini Cup Champions Forever! Three cheers for the blue and the white!

Rule Theriault is the manager for the FFR's National Soccer Team. He was the manager of Petrograd United. After a disappointing end to his tenure there, he entered a team in the 27th Di Bradini Cup on behalf of the Federation of Free Republics. His mostly unheralded team finished 2nd in that competition, losing to the Equestrian States in the final. He led his Republican National Soccer Team to a 17th place finish in the 52nd Baptism of Fire and a 6th place finish in Group 20 during World Cup 65 qualifying. In the Cup of Harmony, the National Soccer Team overcame having to play in the Equestrian States and came back to win their final 2 matches, including a shocking victory over Jeru FC, one of the true powers of international soccer. In the 28th Di Bradini Cup, he led the FFR right back to the finals, this time finishing on the right note. The Free Republics finished 3rd in their second World Cup qualifying attempt, again falling short of qualification. On home turf for the Cup of Harmony, Theriault's team advanced out of the group stage for the first time ever in a WCC event before falling to the Licentian Isles. Now, Theriault is preparing to lead the Free Republics B team in the UWCFA Gold Cup, while his Assistant Manager will be leading the U-21s, featuring most of the team's best players, in the Di Bradini Cup, where they will seek to become the first repeat champion since Cafundeu in DBC 17 and 18.

by **Farfadillis** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:53 pm

Manager
Hector Rossizzo

Assistant Manager
Gonzalo Mordáz

Nickname
The Greenflies

Style Modifier
5.0

Goalkeepers

Name: Fabrifé Lastá
Age: 19
Team:

Fragardallians

Notable Skills: Very good handling and anticipation. Good distribution, good anticipation, one on ones and reflexes.
Bio: Lastá is another goalkeeper in a line of goalkeepers who most likely won't be successful, having to compete with someone like Lisdiren when it comes to the national team. The most successful goalkeeper so far has been Sifé Rigutti, runner-up last edition, who is nowadays the first choice substitute goalkeeper. Lastá will have to show a lot of talent to even be able to begin to dream. Nonetheless, he's a very good goalkeeper, though he doesn't get playing time back at home because of having to compete with the third choice goalkeeper of the national team, Ârgó Mô.

Name: Êxis Rêlev
Age: 18
Team:

Green Ruland

Notable Skills: Great reflexes and distribution, also great at communicating. Somewhat good in the air too. Experienced.
Bio: Rêlev is a goalkeeper who, unlike Lastá, has got some experience, being Green Ruland's starter. He is slightly younger, though not as good to Rossizzo's eyes, so he'll have to fight it. In all reality, he's most likely not getting any playing time at all.

Name: Alessandro Jalkán
Age: 19
Team:

Flying Jellyfish

Notable Skills: Somewhat good in everything.
Bio: The third goalkeeper who will probably not get playing time. Typical stuff.

Defenders

Name: Tobías Cervántez
Age: 20
Team:

Avenida Principal

Notable Skills: Good marking, tackling, stamina and speed. Great technique and anticipation.
Bio: Tobías is another left back from Avenida Principal's youth system, like Fakkotti, the left back last time, who is now a substitute for the national team, and getting a decent amount of playing time. Tobías is more attacking, however, but he's solid enough defensively. He's a very good dribbler, and he can play on both sides, though he prefers the left.

Name: Cleto Mata
Age: 19
Team:

Gwinevra Barbarians

Notable Skills: Excellent defender, dribbles his way out of the defense and sometimes creates chances
Bio: If there's one player who really has experience defending the Farf jersey, it's without a doubt this guy. He first defended Farfadillis on the first Under 15 World Cup at home, in which he showed he was indeed the best prospect. Last Di Bradini Cup, he was called up as a substitute, but he did show he was good enough to even get called up for the national team, having recently scored his first goal, and in an important World Cup match against Vilita, which Farfadillis would win 3-2. He's a bright defender in terms of technique, even if slightly risky. He's very good defending, however, and he seems to be a great candidate for a starting centre back position in the future. He signed for Gwinevra Barbarians not so long ago.

Name: Santos Alaminos
Age: 21
Team:

Colonial Sile

Notable Skills: Constant offensive threat, tireless, very good defensively
Bio: Say hello to one of Farfadillis' finest new young talents. Alaminos became the first player to win a UICA competition, winning the first edition of the U-19 Champions' Cup. He demonstrated all his talent during the twenty-eighth Di Bradini Cup, where he got a silver medal. Alaminos is a constantly threatening and very skilled player who is capable of coping with pressure easily. He can get long passes to wherever he wants and with incredible precision. Most likely, however, his talent lies in how he will do anything to recover the ball. He's very gifted defensively-speaking as well and he's tireless when it comes to that, so that's a plus too. His sliding tackles are incredibly precise, as he's got a kind of "vision" for them: he can tell whether he'll get there or not, thus sliding a lot more than usual yet not committing more fouls than anyone else. He's also willing to help the team at his expense, like receiving a red card to stop a goal or passing the ball when facing the goalkeeper to make sure the ball enters the opponent's goal. He just recently showed his other face, however, being incredibly talented at finding holes in the opponent's game and abusing them with precise dribbling and passing, which means he'll take an offensive approach this Di Bradini Cup. A good way of noticing just how good he is is that he replaced Frêndê in the starting line-up of the national team, even though he was one of the "founding" players that had been called up for World Cup 60's qualifyings.

Name: Fër Fâizxý
Age: 19
Team:

Flying Jellyfish

Notable Skills: Good tackling, speed, anticipation and teamwork. Very good marking and heading.
Bio: Fâizxý is a very good defender, but he seems to be facing a bit too much competition right now. He's sometimes a starter for Flying Jellyfish, so he's got some experience. He's not an outstanding defender in any characteristic, but he's not bad in anything either.

Name: Ivaktör Bârr
Age: 17
Team:

Dí Maozöxê

Notable Skills: Good marking and anticipation. Very good heading, stamina, composure and teamwork. Unbelievably good tackling.
Bio: Bârr is one of Dí Maozöxê's best players, even though he's just seventeen. He's very, very good defensively, even though he might not have Mata's extra - great technique. He's believed to be the second best product of the Rulandese team, after Mâás Fôx. Ivaktör is known for being quick-tempered but subtle as well, so watch out.

Name: David Alejandro
Age: 19
Team:

Fragardallians

Notable Skills: Good technique, marking, passing and crossing. Very good tackling and speed. Great anticipation and stamina.
Bio: David is a very balanced defender, with his stamina and anticipation being particularly outstanding. The only problem he faces is, well, having to be Alaminos' shadow. Santos is maybe a bit too much for a player who is not as experienced, and really not as good. However, Alejandro is no doubt very, very good regardless, and can substitute Alaminos without many problems.

Midfielders

Name: Armando Elevado
Age: 19
Team:

Falourr

Notable Skills: Very defensive, can play decently offensively
Bio: Elevado is one of the many high quality defensive midfielders Avenida Victoria has managed to form with its youth system. He's a very passionate player, but not one that gets carded every single match. Much to the contrary, he's very clean when recovering the ball and thinks that comitting a foul makes you look as a bad player, unless it's a pretty necessary foul. He barely played a few matches for Avenida Victoria before moving to Euran team Falourr following some great performances during the Di Bradini Cup in which Farfadillis ended second.

Name: Risko Kâí
Age: 19
Team:

Urbizania Wanderers

Notable Skills: Impeccably fast, very good at dribbling and defending
Bio: Risko is just an all-around great midfielder, who seems to completely ignore the fact he's nineteen, having already scored in the world cup, and also having assisted twice in a match against Eura, who went on to be world champions. He's very, very balanced, and can prove to be a hazard for any defense, as his dribbling is very difficult to stop and his speed is very difficult to match. He signed for Urbizania Wanderers not so long ago, and he's been told he'll be a starter the upcoming season. Just nineteen, starter for Wanderers and the Farf national team. What else can he possibly want?

Name: Cvijetin Santic
Age: 19
Team:

Prostran I Forzuda

Notable Skills: Good marking, passing and anticipation. Very good technique. Great tackling.
Bio: Santic plays for a team that is frankly not known by many Farves. He's been offered a contract by various first division teams, but he has turned all of them down, as he's a keen supporter of Prostran I Forzuda. He's often said to be the exception to a very known rule: Karuvans are not good at football. He's a very balanced midfielder with a natural taste for recovering the ball.

Name: Mâás Fôx
Age: 17
Team:

Directus

Notable Skills Good crossing, technique and anticipation. Very good composure. Astonishingly fast and impressive when it comes to long-range precision, counting set pieces.
Bio: Fôx is one of the most exciting players of the team. The Rulandese was brought up by Dí Maozöxê's youth academy, but the player caught Directus' attention quickly and was consequently bought for no less than ten million dollars. He's a very complete winger, but he likes cutting in instead of running down the flank, which he can also do very, very well. He can cause more than just a headache to most defenses, as they'll always be wondering whether he'll attempt a game-breaking pass or a game-breaking shot.

Name: Alex Terán
Age: 21
Team:

La Nueva Avenida

Notable Skills: Good passing, vision, dribbling and ball-recovery. Very good tactically-speaking. Box-to-box, shadow striker and versatile.
Bio: Terán is not a serious guy, often sacrficing duty for fun. However, he's a very talented youngster, who is already a starter for the national team. He has even scored against the reigning World Cup champions, Eura. He's currently one of La Nueva Avenida's stars, but there's rumours about him moving out. He's maybe the most complete player Farfadillis has ever brought up. Rossizzo has decided to use him as a centre attacking midfielder who can defend, attack and everything in between. Truly a player to fear.

Name: Iván Cervántez
Age: 20
Team:

Avenida Principal

Notable Skills: Good marking, passing, composure and anticipation. Stunningly good tackling.
Bio: Cervántez is great when it comes to tackling, and good in some other things, but not much else. However, as a defensive midfielder, he can help Farfadillis when it needs to adopt that defensive approach that really does not characterize it. He's indeed a great player.

Name: Fabrifé Rhaolez
Age: 18
Team:

La Nueva Avenida

Notable Skills: Tireless, very good defensively.
Bio: Rhaolez used to be a defender. Indeed, he was called up as a defender by Rossizzo last time around. However, he has changed his mind (though not Rossizzo's, who has called him up again) and become a midfielder. He still retains many things from when he was a defender, and is naturally defensive, though not bad when it comes to attacking. Never one to deem a ball as lost, he can substitute Santic if needed.

Name: Vojtech Gnesina
Age: 20
Team:

Flying Jellyfish

Notable Skills:Good speed, anticipation and teamwork. Very good with set pieces. Great crossing.
Bio: Gnesina is by no means a bad winger. However, having to compete with Fôx and Kâí is obviously not easy. Because of this, he'll have to bear with being relegated to the good substitute for the two super talented midfielders. Again, he's by no means a bad player.

Forwards

Name: Lorenzo Fuego
Age: 21
Team:

La Nueva Avenida

Notable Skills: Extremely Fast, good passing, great finisher, impeccable dribbler, tireless
Bio: Fuego's set of skills is the best combination for a striker. He's really fast, he's very good finishing and dribbles perfectly, while not deeming any ball a lost case, and being good at passing as well. His performances for La Nueva Avenida have been really good, and there's a lot of hope for this guy.

Name: Çis Dragãozý
Age: 20
Team:

Mâ Âlâmëómë

Notable Skills: All-around good. Particularly good when it comes to composure and set pieces.
Bio: Dragãozý is a very complete striker. He can easily cope with pressure and score from free kicks. He's the one who takes the corners, because he's slightly shorter than other players. However, he can score from headers if left unattended. Overall, a very dangerous striker.

Name: Sê Tír
Age: 20
Team:

Dí Maozöxê

Notable Skills: Above-average in everything.
Bio: Tír is not particularly good in anything, but he can do just about everything and anything well. He's a very good striker with a considerable amount of experience. Needless to say he'll be the first to replace a striker if something happens, mainly because he's the only back-up striker.

Kits

Tactics

Farfadillis is known for its extremely attacking style, which consists of constantly looking for the goal and counterattacking whenever the chance arises, if the team even got to defending in the first place.

The goalkeeper is usually very talented, as growing up in Farfadillis as a goalkeeper is a great way of learning to stop shots, which are excessive. It's also one of the most important positions, as this is generally a great leader and an extra security to prevent conceding goals.

The backline is generally not that defending, with a centre back which is the only player almost 100% concentrated on defending. The side backs tend to join the attack. However, this depends on the player. It usually ranges from many times to countless times.

The midfield is very crowded, as a backline of three players allows for it. There's generally a defensive midfielder, which takes care of recovering the ball and distributing it appropriately. The defensive midfielder is generally tireless and shoots very well from long distances. Then there's side midfielders, which join the attack and defend a lot. They're the soul of the team in a way, as they're vital for both defending and attacking. They tend to score a lot, as well, as they're pretty good at either shooting, dribbling, passing or two/all of them. Then there's two centre attacking midfielders, a notable characteristic of the Farf national team, even though sometimes they use just one. The two attacking midfielders tend to be terrible defensively, and rarely ever carry out defensive tasks, with Alex Terán so far being the only exception. However, they're talented at wreaking havoc by different means. These two are generally the most important threats of the attack, and the centre of the Farf attack, which is very flexible as the team can attack through the flanks with the midfielders or the centre with this deadly duo. The centre attacking midfielders tend to be the most talented players, but some strikers or other midfielders are equally as good or better.

Finally, there's the strikers, the icing of the cake. Farf strikers tend to be very agile and deadly when finishing. They're also very good at dribbling and passing, plus they always seem to be at the right time in the right place. There's a great variety of Farf strikers, but there's just two spots available for them, or even one sometimes. Strikers are usually just another piece of the engine, but they tend to carry out more tasks than other players, such as having to score while having to receive passes from the attacking duo, or heading crosses from the side midfielders. Being a striker for Farfadillis is suitable only for the fittest players.

Due to Farfadillis' pervasive attacking style, very few teams can say they've managed a clean sheet against them after they first qualified for the World Cup, with East Shippensburg, New Gordonopia, Ko-oren, Wight and Kinitaria being the only ones capable of achieving that up to now, while Thatius can claim they survived 90 minutes, before conceding in extra time during AOCAF Cup 39's quarterfinals. It's not uncommon for Farfadillis to score more than three goals in a game, too. However, this comes with a huge drawback, which is conceding many goals. It's also not uncommon for Farfadillis to concede around two goals in a match. Farfadillis' style of play has been generally regarded, with just one word, as "exciting".

Starting XI

by **Blouman Empire** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:26 pm

THE DAILY REVIEW

EAGLETS BACK IN ACTION

The Eaglets are once again participating in the Di Bradini Cup after winning the 26th instalment of the tournament the Blouman team are back to try and repeat the performance. The team was unable to challenge to retain the title after a debacle at FFB HQ meant the team weren’t registered to participate. The error resulted in a two year investigation into the FFB which resulted in a number of senior personal either dismissed or forced to resign and a restructure of the organisation. Despite all the turmoil the FFB are now ready to once again showcase their young stars to the world this time in the Equestrian States for the 29th Di Bradini Cup.

At a press conference General Secretary Johnathon Sineair spoke with optimism on the Eaglets chances in the tournament “We have strong team these players are no doubt the cream of the crop of a strong and competitive field of young Blouman players. They have proven themselves at home they will prove themselves away”. The General Secretary is not exaggerating when he says that these players have proven themselves within the Empire, while not all are playing for the top teams or in the top leagues of competition they have all been key players for their club. One player of particular note is goalkeeper Henry Polinoir, whom exploded onto the scene two years ago with AC Wilton. The club had been languishing in the bottom half of the Eastern Bloumany Division 1 table for many years before the signing of Polinoir, they then finished on top winning the title and earning themselves promotion to the Super League. Polinoir was a key player in the clubs success letting in a total of 5 goals in the entire season. While the club and Polinoir couldn’t replicate the success of the previous season they still performed well finishing mid table again thanks to the abilities of Polinoir which has resulted in a number of top clubs looking to sign him up. Whether Polinoir can continue to showcase his skills on the international stage is yet to be seen but he will no doubt be an integral part of the team’s success.

One person in the team whom has experienced this success before is team manager Lewis Helstrom whom has been reappointed to lead the team through the tournament. Helstrom was the coach of the U21 side that won the 26th Di Bradini Cup and will be hoping to achieve the historic feat again. “I am confident that we can come back with another Cup, the team is just as strong if not stronger then the team that won the cup the first time, despite the tough opponents we will face it is not an impossible feat” Helstrom said at the press conference.

The Eaglets will be facing four teams in the group stage; Sangti, Nassu Hessen, Northern Sunrise Islands and Dutzenderland all of whom are quietly fancying their chances of progressing through to the knockout stage of the tournament the Empire will no doubt face strong opposition from the start. Despite Helstrom and the rest of the team confident of being able to win the competition there is no doubt that Free Republics will be looking at retaining their title with hosts and DBC 27 champions Equestrian States also strong favourites to reclaim the title on home ground.

by **New Sideburn** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:20 pm

NEW SIDEBURN U-21s
Preferred Formation: 4-4-2 diamond
Style Modifier: +1.75 (more by dint of more skilled offence than actual style)
Playstyle: Low on possession, but high on pressure, with fast play and short passing. Generally reliant on a stereotypical 'big guy/fast guy' strike partnership. Very physical, quite pacy.
Captain: Violet Clarion
Vice-Captain: Brady Monroe
Kit Supplier: Cloaker
Nickname: The Hatchlings

New Sideburn have only recently even possessed a youth team - and yet in that time its success in the last Di Bradini Cup (two wins, a draw and a second-round defeat to NSI) have rather significantly increased their stock in the eyes of the world. And yet even that was overshadowed by the success of AFC Treason in the Youth Cup, miraculously making it to a second-place finish. Most of the team's talent is concentrated in its midfield and forwards - all of their strikers have at least substitute experience in the top flight, and midfield is strong as well - concerns, however, are had in the shaky defence and lack of depth outside of the front line.

First Team

Most RPs I will post a sheet for the next game, but if I don't then this will be the lineup (also assume in use for the first game).

My opponent MAY
Choose my goalscorers (Camden takes corners and direct free-kicks, Christon takes penalties)
RP injuries to my players (maximum one, and I'll determine the exact severity)
Hand out yellow and red cards to my players (maximum one red every two games, unlimited cautions within reason)

My opponent MAY NOT
Godmod scoring events
Godmod injuries
Godmod other events

by **Felix** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:24 pm

U-21 World Cup: Preview
By: Liselotte Moser

So it's U-21 World Cup season and Felix got their ticket to go to the Equestrian States, host of the current edition of the World Cup. The team itself went through some major changes with a majority of it's "Golden Age" (and by Golden, I mean 4th place and Group stage) players an some new blood was sent in. Unlike the midfielder/defender dominated teams of the past this edition of the Felixian U-21 National team features a strong forward position. With players like Sabrina Köhler, Luca Esser, Hanna Martell, Haruto Takahashi, and Noé Fierro this team seems to have a lot of fire power. Arthur Schultheis, the goalkeeper of the team and co captain has stated that the defense of the Felixian team shouldn't be overshadowed as the Felixian defense could hold their ground against any team. Felix finished in the Group stage last time, let's see if they can do better than before.

We now transition to the next part of this report as we talk about the teams we will face in the Group stages. First in our list is Åsløtten-Bëðerbørg så Česky of Esportiva, a newcomer to the U-21 footballing world but, not to football in the senior level, looks to make their debut memorable as they face off against a experienced Filopines team. They have yet to release a roster.

Second nation up is fellow Esportivan nation, The Licentian Isles, this isn't their first rodeo in the U-21 World Cup as they went out of their group and made it to the playoff rounds with 5 points and were eventually eliminated in the Round of 16 by U-21 World Champions Free Republics. They will hope to make it out of the group stage again and contend for the title. They too, have yet to release a roster.

Starblaydia is another team that sent in their representatives and they are the main nation in the U-21 World Cup and have been apart of it for quite a while now. But in their last performance and recent ones, they haven't played that well, in the last cup they finished last in their group with only one point. The team hopes to improve in their performance and be more competitive. Will they? We aren't sure but you never know. Like the previous two teams they have yet to release a roster.

Last but not least is Filopines. Last cup they finished in the Round of 16 losing 1-0 against Wight in extra time. They did finish second though in their group. Filopines, like all the teams in this group hope to strive for more success in this stage as they will try to get a better result than a Round of 16 finish. They have released a roster and it looks like the team has a solid one and should be contender in what seems to be a tough group.

The group overall looks to be tough as not a single match seems to be a gimme match. Felix could end up first but they could easily finish dead last with no points and no hope. It will all depend on the performance of the U-21 team. Right now, the Felixian team will not be playing as they face a bye week. Åsløtten-Bëðerbørg så Česky will face off against Filopines at Derby Field in Manehattan while The Licentian Isles will duke it out against Starblaydia at Manehattan Industrial Park in Manehattan. Felix will play Åsløtten-Bëðerbørg så Česky next week, The Licentian Isles the week after that, Starblaydia in the second to last week of the group stage and finally, Filopines in the final match of the group stage. That's all we got here from The National, I hope all your teams get what the fans want. Until next time, good bye from Manehattan.

by **Wight** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:19 pm

by **Mizuyuki** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:23 pm

The Auroral Technocratic Union of Mizuyuki

Official Squad for the 29^th Di Bradini Cup

Top : Frontal view of home and away kits
Bottom : Frontal view of third kit

Top : Back view of home and away kits
Bottom : Back view of third kit

Nation Background

Mizuyuki (Japanese: 水雪 , Chinese: 水雪, Mizuyuki; formally 水雪国 Mizuyuki-koku, Shuixueguo, alternatively the Auroral Technocratic Union of Mizuyuki) is an amalgamation of eleven separate local regional governments into one discrete entity, commonly referred to as simply The Technocracy of Mizuyuki. Part of the region of Aurora along with regional neighbours Norvenia, Aurinsula and Skorzenia, Mizuyuki is regarded one of a select group of nations with the highest level of human development in the known world, scoring 0.902 on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2013. The nation also plays host to several multinational corporations with a global presence, most notably the government run Sakura Japanese Cuisine, Paladin Cinemas of New Edom and Arcadia Initiative.

Stretching over 375,000 km² in total land area, Mizuyuki is among the smaller nations in the Aurora area. However, it ranks among the most densely populated nations in the region, with an average population density of 438 people per square kilometre. Mizuyuki practises a form of government that is essentially a democratic technocracy combined with a unitary bicameral parliamentary system operating under a constitutional monarchy - a unique governmental system that has allowed the country to flourish and prosper years after its inception.

Even though Mizuyuki is officially recognised as a distinct sovereign entity, it is practically similar to a form of regional coalition among the eleven prefectures（県）, which are further subdivided into seventy two districts（郡）. As such, the prefectures are usually given a high degree of autonomy in performing their administrative functions; the federal government will only interfere in the prefectural administration if the need arises. Mizuyuki is currently under the de jure reign of Her Imperial Majesty Shirakawa Kirino, while the incumbent Premier, Nikaido Mikoto, acts as the official advisor to the Empress as well as functioning as the head of government.

Team Background (to be updated shortly)

Strategy and Tactics

Style Modifier - -2.33r
Formation - 5-4-1

Squad

The Auroral Technocratic Union of Mizuyuki - Starting XI

Starting XI

#1 - GK - HARUTO Katsu - 15 - M
#3 - LWB - NATSUME Rin - 15 - F
#5 - LCB - MU Linghui - 15 - F
#4 - CB - SHIBUE Mina - 14 - F
#25 - RCB - YOUNG Ae-chang - 17 - F
#32 - RWB - RIN Qinghua - 18 - F (C)
#17 - LW - IKEDA Aiko - 15 - F
#15 - LCM - PARK Dae-hyun - 16 - F
#12 - RCM - KURAMOCHI Reijiro - 15 - M
#25 - RW - ZHOU Shixue - 15 - F
#7 - FW - ZHAO Jinlin - 14 - F

Substitutes

#2 - GK - NAKADA Shige - 16 - F
#9 - CM - TSUKUYOMI Akira - M - 18
#4 - LB - TAKASHI Anko - 14 - F
#24 - CB - SHIMON Seiko - 16 - F
#27 - CM - MUGINO Kotone - 15 - F
#29 - LW - TORISAWA Mio - 18 - F
#30 - FW - KURUGAYA Miki - 15 - F
#37 - RB - HUA Fenyi - 16 - F

Reserves

#99 - GK - CHON Tae-hyun - M - 17
#20 - LW - MISAKA Yuka - F - 18
#92 - RB - AKECHI Madoka - F - 15
#42 - FW - MIYAZAKI Misaki - F - 16

Staff

Manager - KAMIOKA Ryoichi - M
Assistant Manager - SHIROKAWA Shinobu - F
1st Team Coach - SHIROMIYA Zenkichi - M
1st Team Coach - HEI Ryung-hong - F
Goalkeeper Coach - LEE Guowei - M
Fitness Coach - MITSUZAKA Midori - F

Relevant RP info
Area Predator - ZHOU Shixue (Most likely to score from close range)
Screamer Primer - RIN Qinghua (Most likely to score from long range)
Rules, schmules - SHIBUE Mina (Most likely to get carded)
Damage? Wreckage! - IKEDA Aiko (Most likely to be injured)

Player Roles
Left Corner - IKEDA Aiko
Right Corner - ZHOU Shixue
Penalties - KURAMOCHI Reijiro
Direct Free Kicks - PARK Dae-hyun
Indirect Free Kicks - RIN Qinghua

Most likely to be subbed on in winning situations (in order)
TAKASHI Anko (ZHOU Shixue), HUA Fenyi (IKEDA Aiko), SHIMON Seiko (MU Linghui), KURUGAYA Miki (ZHAO Jinlin)

Most likely to be subbed on in losing situations (in order)
KURUGAYA Miki (YOUNG Ae-chang), TSUKUYOMI Akira (KURAMOCHI Reijiro), TORISAWA Mio (NATSUME Rin), MUGINO Kotone (PARK Dae-hyun)

RP Permissions

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

Anything short of career-ending injuries and deaths. Otherwise, you have my permission to go crazy.

by **Filopines** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:18 am

Veronica was impatient. She really wanted to know. Was she going to be selected for the Filopines U-21 Football Team?

In the twenty-eighth Di Bradini Cup, the Filopines Football Federation or the FFF, allowed female football players to be selected for the men's under-21 football team, effectively abolishing gender inequality in Filopinian football. Also part of the plan, female players will be allowed to be selected for the national team World Cup 67 onwards.

Gender equality is a very strong topic when it comes to sport in the land of Filopines. Two months before the 'abolishment', thousands of female athletes protested from the steps of Parliament House in the nation's capital Fort Town. The government decided not to take any action, bar an important announcement by the president of Filopines. 'There will be gender equality in sport.' The president walked back inside the building and the women continued to protest.

The very next day, the president was interviewed on a popular Filopinian breakfast show. He was asked on what that announcement meant and what will be done to rid Filopines of gender inequality in sport.

The day after, the government announced the new plan that is explained in the second paragraph. Parties were held all over the nation; some small, just between friends, some were large and were held outside a famous Filopinian landmark.

So was she going to be selected?

One morning, Veronica opened her mailbox and saw three items. The first, a letter from university. The second, a pamphlet saying, 'Taxes all round!' The third, an unusually large letter from the Filopines Football Federation.

Oh, joy!

She hadn't been selected. At least she was on a waiting list style thing.

'Veronica Cashin, you have not been selected'. In bold and in a large font. Could this letter BE more demoralizing?

Next training session, there was a practice match. Boys v Girls. Veronica was a right-back. She was honestly thinking about 'accidentally' injuring Jack Clements, one of the other right-backs chosen over Veronica. 'Nah, I need to be more manly about this', she thought. However, three minutes into the practice match, she slide tackled Jack and he had to be stretchered off the field. On the outside, 'Oh my, Jack! I'm so sorry! Get better soon! Love you!' On the inside, subconciously, 'Fuck yeah!'

One week later, Veronica was called into the coach's office. "Veronica, I'm sure you've heard about Jack's injury. You were the one who injured him, after all. That aside, because of his unfortunate injury, you're on the team." Veronica asked the coach if she could go pee. He was all right with it. She walked into the toilets then into one of the cubicles, locked the door and screamed in joy at the top of her lungs. "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!"

Oh, joy.

A week after, Veronica was just about to get into her car after shopping at her local supermarket when a man in black clothes and bad posture approached her. "I know what you did. WE know what you did. We all know what you did, Ms Cashin. You're notorious. You are the enemy." The man slowly walked away.

by **Tynewear** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:33 am

Preview: Get Ready For A Ride
By Simon Clark

I think it's safe to say that Tynewearers been waiting an awful long time for this moment. It's the moment where regional or club loyalties mean nothing and don't matter, the moment where all we care about is the glory of the flag, and the glory on the pitch. For a short period of time, we are one. Yes ladies and gents, for the very first time, international football is here, and the bunch of us down at More Than Just A Game will be providing comprehensive coverage as The Sabres march onto the field in the Equestrian States for the Golden Jubilee of the Under-21 World Cup, and also the 42nd AOCAF in Audioslavia later this month. Match Previews, Analysis, Predictions; they'll all be here, so remember to check us out daily.

To say that we enter these two tournaments as major underdogs would be an extreme understatement, if anything. To keep the focus on the Di Bradini Cup, we have been placed in what can only be described the Group of Death. Footballing heavyweights Wight are up first for The Sabres (more on that further down), and also includes reigning DBC champions Free Republics, reigning Baptism of Fire champs Welsh Cowboy, and Bloodbath Generation, who are expected to offer a feisty challenge if anything. The pessimist inside me would tell me that we really can't expect more than not to finish last, but in reality, it isn't actually that impossible to see Tynewear possibly making the knockout stages (you heard it here first, come back in a week if we've gone crashing down with a 0-0-4 record). The kindest tournaments to so called newbies would without a doubt be the Baptism of Fire, which is a new-nation exclusive trophy anyway, and the DBC, where prior footballing pedigree matters for very little (though I'm sure it helps somehow).

Alex Valrey has, of course, tried to tone down the pressure at his latest press conference in the host nation;

It's a very very big day for us of course, not just for the lads, but for their friends and family, and the nation as a whole. [It's] our first venture onto the wider arena, and so I think it'd be fairly unrealistic and slightly unfair to expect too much from the lads. We're here to test the waters, to build up some experience and confidence ahead of the Baptism of Fire and World Cup qualifying rounds.

I told the lads to take it like they would any other game. I don't believe that there are 'different' games, so to speak. In the end it doesn't matter if you're playing Wight or some backwater nation that nobody's ever heard of, it's still a 90 minute match between 22 players. If we keep our heads up and avoid p*ssing in our pants, anything is possible.

They [Wight] are a team with a huge, huge footballing history. But I honestly believe that our lack of such history is not going to be any sort of detriment. We will play to win, no doubt about that, and I think in many ways we have the advantage as they don't know anything about us. Anyhow, we'll see by tomorrow night, won't we?

Tynewear Team News

There are still some doubts over the fitness of certain players. Oliver Redman is expected to undergo a last minute check-up before the match, and should he pass it, should begin the game alongside Charlie Chilton. John Brown is a definite no-no, with the Ironopolis right-back still nursing his hamstring after a slip-up in training. There are also some question marks lingering over the health of Rory Mansell, James Taylor and Jack Hawthorn, who all missed the last training session in Whitetail. Elsewhere though, there should be no problems with Joel Hunt back to full fitness after missing out the last few games of last season with some ankle issues.

Captain Alfie Whitehead and vice-captain Tommy Duke are more or less definite starters, whilst there are still questions as to Valrey will stick with the out of position Josh Oliver in the centre, or whether he will go with the more natural water bearer, Ethan Spence. There should be no problems with the front three, with Hunt, Jacob Fairman and Danny Herbert all expected to begin the match. The doubts all involve the back four. With Brown out for the count, Harry Bridger will start at right-back, and, barring a major surprise, James Downing will be the other fullback on the left. Oliver Redman's injury means that should he miss out, it is unlikely we'll see Charlie Chilton start, with a pairing of Ben Leston and Jackson Naylor more likely. The possible exclusion of Jack Hawthorn will also be another blow to the Sabres' defence, with Hayden Shawe-Taylor and Robbie Foster nowhere near the level of the Hadrian United stopper. Hawthorn's possible absence will probably be filled in by Ironopolis' Foster.

Wight Team News

On the injury front, the Wightlings seem to be completely untouched, which is very good for them and not very good for us.

That is all.

Tactics Tactics Tactics

I'm not even going to pretend like I know anything about Wight, other than they are 'Bunker-Bustin-Mega-Ultra-Super' good. Football isn't a professional sport in Wight, which makes total sense and prevents them from becoming total bling-wearing doucheb*gs. I mean, they might still be ones, but I'd like to think that they are not. Wight's Under-21s have a very strong pedigree, and many have gone on to represent their country, winning medals and plaudits from sad envy-filled sods like myself, so don't expect that to change this time around.

What I do know is that 'The Apprentices' will most likely line up in a very attacking minded 4-4-2 diamond. On paper that is a very fragile central midfield that could and probably should be exploited by The Sabres' 'DPR triangle' of Whitehead, Duke and Oliver/Spence. One of the key matchups will likely occur between Whitehead and Wight's Eneko McBride, who is a veteran of the previous year's DBC. If Alfie manages to nullify the threat of the 'interesting' 19 year old, who has yet to play for the full Wight side, Tynewear's chances of controlling the game become ever so slightly higher. However, The Sabres' biggest problem may, not surprisingly, be a lack of creativity. Whilst Josh Oliver has slowly begun to develop that knack for pinging good crosses from deep inside the Tynewear half, his skillset is still very much that of a touchline-hugging winger, and will most likely be completely ineffective as long as he's constantly marked. Tynewear's biggest shot at scoring a goal will most likely be either a header by Joel Hunt from a Danny Herbert cross, or a dipping effort by Jacob Fairman from the right. Don't count out a random long distance effort against the run of play from Rory Mansell, should he come on at any point of the match.

Of course, there's a much higher chance of some random gut wrenching bullsh*t happening to us than to Wight. In fact, I've made a list for your convenience;

a) Alfie Whitehead gets sent off, floodgates open, Tynewear lose 5-0.
b) Josh Oliver starts and proves to be completely inept at creating chances. Tynewear register 0 shots on target and lose 5-0.
c) Charlie Chilton screws up 5 times and we lose 5-0.
d) Hayden Shawe-Taylor starts and gets beaten from the halfway line 5 times. We lose 5-0.
e) A rooster runs onto the pitch, distracting everyone on the team. Wight practice some passing in front of an empty net as we go on to lose 10-0.
f) The team doesn't show up. We lose 15-0 because we are cowards.
g) We just turn out to not be very good at football. 20-0 to Wight is the final score.

MTJAG Predicts

As is customary here at MTJAG headquarters, we've gone and asked everyone who bothered turning up to work for their predictions.

Simon Clark - Tynewear 0-0 Wight
I'm going for a rather cautiously optimistic scoreless draw. I mean we aren't that bad right? Right? Guys? Hello?

David Walsh - Tynewear 0-1 Wight
We'll probably have some sort of grip on the match flow for certain periods, but in the end our inexperience will probably show and we'll probably be subject to some heart-wrenching last minute winner.

Craig Boyle - Tynewear 0-5 Wight
LOL FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL GONNA DIEZ LOLOLOL.

Michael Jones - Tynewear 1-3 Wight
It wouldn't be a surprise if we scored a goal or two, but Wight's class will probably prevail in the end. That, or our complete ineptitude.

Chris Graham - Tynewear 0-2 Wight
The final scoreline will probably be very flattering towards us, but in reality we probably would have been hanging on for dear life.

Nick Weatherspoon - Tynewear 1-0 Wight
Look guys! A prediction where we win!

Predicted Lineups

Tynewear

Wight

by **Sicoutimont** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:35 am

Sicoutimont National U-21 Football Team, for the 29th Di Bradini Cup

Manager: Louis-Jacques Leblanc
Style Modifier: +1
Formation: 3-4-3
RP Permissions:

Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y, within reason
RP injuries to my players: Y, I'll determine length or severity
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y, max 1 per player and 3 per game
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y, within reason

Starting XI
Position-Name-Age-Number
GK-Emmanuel Lampone-17 years-#11
DF-Martin Dubois-18 years-#10
DF-Gordon Cartier-21 years-#9
DF-Maurice Asselin-17 years-#8
MF-Yvon Bois-20 years-#7
MF-Jean de Terre-20 years-#6
MF-Andre Beauclaire-15 years-#5
MF-Joseph Lacombe-19 years-#4
ST-Louis Couture-17 years-#3
ST-Thomas Girard-19 years-#2
ST-Samuel de Simard-19 years-#1

Reserves
GK-Henry Boujeau-16 years-#12
DF-Jean-Olivier Roussel-17 years-#13
DF-Alexandre Roviet-16 years-#14
MF-Frederick Laroque-15 years-#15
MF-David Carron-16 years-#16
ST-Georges Brutez-15 years-#17

Group and Schedule
Group H
Uitbregen
The Inevitable Syndicate
Sicoutimont
Iseteskog
Mytannion

MD1: Sicoutimont vs Iseteskog, @ Point Stadium, Hoofston
MD2: Mytannion vs Sicoutimont, @ Thunder Palace, Oaflahoma City
MD3: Sicoutimont vs Uitbregen, @ Thunder Palace, Oaflahoma City
MD4: The Inevitable Syndicate vs Sicoutimont, @ Point Stadium, Hoofston
MD5: Bye

So, can Sicoutimont overpower the powerful rivals in Group H? Find out with us, as we bring you Di Bradini Cup Action from the Equestrian States!

by **Starblaydia** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:57 am

Starblaydi RP Permissions Box wrote:OOC Information:

The Starblaydia national football team are a Featured Article on NSwiki. If you've never bothered to read it, have a skim through it now, as it'll tell you more about the team, their style, culture, fans, and history than I can ever write in a roster post. Thanks.

I Give My Opponent Permission
(and actively encourage them) To:
====================
Choose My Scorers
GodMod Any Goalscoring Events
Red & Yellow Card Players (Within reason, they're not remotely a dirty side)
GodMod Other Events for Humorous Intent
====================

Notes:
1) The best starting eleven are numbered 1-11 and are in bold
2) I actively encourage that if you RP first you pick my scorers (if any).
3) * Denotes female player, † denotes Elf player, ^ denotes Dwarf player.
4) Some players have their own NSwiki articles, and those are linked.
5) Before each match, in between national anthems and kick-off, the entire 23-man squad will perform the Raiigar, Starblaydia's traditional war-dance.

Starblaydia's DBC29 Roster
Celebrating the 50th Under-21 World Cup

Staff
LK. Lena Kochanska*, Manager, 40
104 Caps, 61 Goals (Starblaydi Record), 9 Caps, 5 Goals at Under-21 level
Starblaydia's leading all-time goalscorer, recently retired, has been thrust straight into Starblaydia's sink-or-swim Under-21 setup. After the two most depressing tournaments in Starblaydi history, however, with 1 draw from six matches and a massive minus-eighteen goal difference during that time, surely the only way is up for the two-time Under-21 World Champions.

Goalkeepers
1. Omar Musandan, GK, 21 - Jhanna City
12. Leon Vasquez, GK, 17 - Vecchio Victors
19. Javier De Marco, GK, 13 - Internashionale

Defenders
2. Giselle Isom*, RB, 21 - FC Farça
3. Hong Myung Bo, LB, 18 - Tabeck FC
5. Gerhard Beraht, C/LB, 19 - Hallad Reavers
6. Thomas Wilson, Captain, CB, 20 - Beverington Hawks
13. Derek Woodcock, CB/SW, 15 - Tuncastle Rovers
14. Finn Murphy, R/CB, 17 - Jhanna United
20. Chris Johnson, LB, 15 - Montepool Waves

Midfielders
4. Lorenzo Jinalii, DM, 21 - Paricone Athletic FC
7. Ffion McAllister*, A/LM, 19 - Montepool Waves
8. Inga Koenig*, C/AM, 17 - Widdrington Wolves
11. Armin Kirchner, C/RM, 18 - Basian Valley
15. Olaf Haldorsson, RM, 16 - Phraen Palace
16. Mikael Harman, AM, 15 - Tournetas
21. Benjamin Koenig, CB/DM, 14 - Foxchester Raiders
22. Tristan Marrones, L/DM, 13 - Corinthian Spirits

Forwards
9. Jeremy Anselm, CF, 20 - Widdrington Wolves
10. Adbullah bin Rashid, SC, 21 - Veles
17. Stephen Landsberg, SC, 17 - Hernsworth Cubs
18. Kelly Wu*, SC/RW, 14 - Hersch Albion
23. Jebediah Loze, SC, 13 - Hecia

Formation

Home And Away Kits
Kits created by:

Starblaydia's traditional all-white Home kit, and the all-purple Away kit with a touch of gold, both with five gold stars - representing their record-setting five World Championships - above the Starblaydi Football Association logo.

by **95X** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:20 am

(OOC: Sometimes you sit down to write a roster but the only thing out of your mind is an RP.)

During the last Soccer League X season, Floyd Commando's Pacific City Nationals played to a 4-4 draw with SC Oceanside. Upon the conclusion of the match, the 17-year-old learned he has an invite to lead the brand-new 95X Under-21 team.

"I'm not coaching it," Nationals head coach Justin Bailey told Commando from his office after the game. "But if you can behave the way you have this season instead of the way you did on the national team, you'll be fine. You're a talented player, Commando, accept the invite and have one last chance to play your heart out internationally before all your chances are over."

"Yes, sir," Commando replies, "I wouldn't pass up this chance for anything."

As he leaves the office for the locker room, a hapless stadium worker walks up to him, nervously saying, "Uh, Mr. Commando? There's a girl waiting outside for you."

"I AM NOT A GIRL!!!," Xi Foureleven angirly corrects him from outside.

Both wonder how she was able to hear the exchange, but it does help Floyd get less excited. He puts on some proper clothes to speak with his friend and mentor.

"You performed adequately today," Foureleven tells Commando.

"So did you," Commando replied, sounding surprisingly confident.

"No," Foureleven corrects him, "If I had performed adequately my team would have defeated yours."

Commando takes a moment to relish the comment, when Foureleven continues.

"I know about the new national team. Congratulations. Our seasons and paths may not cross between now and then, but just remember you are seventeen and you are already a leader. Lead them, don't date them."

Commando sighs while trying to avoid letting the conversation refocus his attention. Foureleven, knowing it will happen anyway, places her cupped right hand below Commando's chin, her fingertips gently lifting his chin so the only thing Commando can see is her eyes. Commando tries to look away from Foureleven's usual stone-cold stare, but it is no use.

"Listen carefully," Foureleven instructs him, "I am asked regularly why I spend any amount of effort on you. No amount of time and effort on my part will help you unless you listen to and follow through with what's best for you. Do you understand?"

Floyd, feeling ashamed for the past he can't change, knows he can only answer Foureleven with one answer, the truthful one.

"Yes, Ma'am," he nervously says, as his breathing gets heavier. Commando wasn't lying, just internalizing that it will take a lot of work on his part.

Floyd reported to the Under 21 National Team, ready to lead. Some of the faces looked familiar, even one that eagerly called out "Floyd!" when they first saw him...

by **Northern Sunrise Islands** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:52 am

NORTHERN SUNRISE ISLANDS DI BRADINI CUP 29 [UNDER-21 WORLD CUP 50] ROSTER
THE VAPOREONS

You know it's something very unexpected when the Sunrise is wearing Kirola out of all possible companies.

It seems that the clone has decided to take his proper route, with Einstein II dropping his position as a coach to work as a Physics teacher at the College of Sunrice, a highly-questionable move, seeing as what happens with most of the clones generated at Balm to "make their population smarter" don't think of returning to their original spot, leading to the weirdest and unwanted results that the poor Emirates of Futurnian country deals with, every now and then.

Without a coach, the NSIFC decided to take someone who had clearly nothing better to do and accept the position. And who did they pick? Well, remember Kylx? Yeah, the guy who was at Pezcemá and had the bones of his leg exposed out of his body by a completely unexplainable tackle thanks to some Correctional Institution team of Mink? Well, the NSIFC, knowing that the only thing the guy has to do for a while is merely drink, eat and sleep, decided to bring him to Equestrian States to serve as a coach. Obviously, he doesn't cut it at all, which makes James Byrd Jr., one of the few that continued from other editions at the team the Confederation picked for this tournament, act as a coach. Which is not an easy task, at all.

STARTERS

#01 - FILIPE - Unión Temuco [Felix] - 21 years old
Goalkeeper
Picked thanks to a couple of good appearances by the failing farm team of the Matthew City Senators, Filipe is more of a solid pick who, now with a decent offense hopes to show more saves and have a chance of winning matches as now, he doubts that he and his defense will be overwhelmed by the opposition so easily as with Unión Temuco.

#02 - DIDI - Unión Temuco [Felix] - 20 years old
Left-Back
Again, another case of a player who would play way better if not placed at such lackluster side. Another of those players that the Sens could use but don't, Didi is at Unión Temuco, Felix. Didi's rushing skill is not to be ignored, sometimes even being compared to Anthony Hawk's speed at the national team; which should show that he could do way better at anywhere.

#03 - Kenny KINSINGTON - SV Temuco Huez [Felix] - 18 years old
Center-Back
Considered the most relevant one of the Kinsington brothers, Kenny is at that SV Temuco Huez team at Felix (which, as you may have noticed, is slowly popping up more and more on this team's roster), the one with Marcus Twain, also known as the one that barely is a threat. Honestly, both Kinsingtons are at the team only to make sure that Saint Anne and Jacob don't take them for their national team. He isn't bad, but the biggest threat he offers is the fact that he may or may not be one of the two sons of a gang member that roams at the Stilwater-Steelport area.

#04 - Justin KINSINGTON - SV Temuco Huez [Felix] - 17 years old
Center-Back
A reserve at his team, Justin isn't really what the fans would expect of a player at the national team, even if it's just the Under-21 side. Honestly, the NSIFC is just thinking ahead of its time, in case he actually becomes a good player and Saint Anne and Jacob can only watch as a player that was, technically, born there, shrine with the Vaporeons on the future. Obviously, he, like his brother, may or may not be the son of a gang member that roams at the Stilwater-Steelport area.

#05 - MILENA - Unión Temuco [Felix] - 18 years old
Right-Back
Another of those speedsters that Sunrisian football tend to have, Milena herself is another player that currently lives at Felix and also another of those players that could jump to the Sens on a couple of minutes. Physically, she's the weakest of the bunch and her name, ironically, may remember the fans of Milly Trakat, who currently is at the Sunrisian football, leading SV Granger Bratislavaek with her sister, Kitty. The connection? Well, supposedly, two mothers decided to name their daughters after a maniac that was once the leader of South Edenia. Sucks that she doesn't have the same bloodlust as said leader, she'd do a way better job than both Kinsingtons.

#06 - RAÍSSA CAPETINHA - Manechester City HC [Equestrian States] - 21 years old
Defensive Midfielder
Once a Miss Pageant candidate, Raíssa doesn't seem to be exactly sure that she remembers she dropped the career for football. That doesn't exactly mean her prettiness makes her a bad player or anything, as she is a decent tackler and notoriously good at tactics and connections from defense to offense; but is an interesting thing to add up to her career. Regardless, her fair play is technically notorious as long as you ever heard of her.

#07 - MARINA - Kwyntayn Rangers [The Paradystopi Lymryk Isles] - 20 years old
Center Midfielder
An impressive painter, Marina's "hobby" is football. However, said hobby is now a profession and after signing with the Mistralton Haxorus a while ago, she lives more from her football than her paintings. Good thing she's good at it too, with the hope that she can show her skill to the world at the difficult-to-spell Kwyntayn Rangers. Then again, the NSIFC believes on her potential, picking her up for the national team.

#08 - CAFÉ - Campinas Verdes Indians [NSICA] - 18 years old
Center Midfielder
Following the recent seasons, a Huelandian emotion has started to appear more often, as the lusophone columns seem to be adapting themselves to the legendary land of the Hue. And Café, while using that feeling as a way to promote himself, has enough to back his figure from falling on the "it's just because he is a hue" picture. Shining at the suddenly-important NSICA, the Northern Sunrise Islands College Association, with Carnival Conference's powerhouse Campinas Verdes University, Café is a solid player, who can fit in without difficulty to any scheme, though mostly as a midfielder.

#09 - NEGOLOSSAURO REX - Adda [Dainer] - 17 years old
Offensive Midfielder
His name may sound like a terrible joke at dinosaurs, but that nickname is clearly one of the most fitting nicknames ever. What would you call a hulking offensive midfielder that seems to have a perfect accuracy at his goal shots? Graduated on Philosophy, speaking around ten languages and having a hobby of shooting robot penguins, real name Maurício Domingues de Sola Dias is probably the most abstract player of this team. Then again, he IS a product of Adda's youth team, which shouldn't be underestimated.

#10 - Leena MARTICRANT - Cato [Felix] - 15 years old
Center-Forward
One of the two surprise picks of this team, joined the squad as a result of being rather popular among the fans. Following her move to Cato, Leena Marticrant, a result of Project +90's scouts and many other things seems to be one of the players of this team that has more room for improvement. Pretty good for a 15-year old outside of her country, Leena could be a hot shot at Cato and maybe get a spot at the national team. The sky is clearly the limit for this Sunrician.

#11 - CERVANTES - Project +90 - 15 years old
Center-Forward
The other surprise pick, though justified, as Project +90 went through almost everything to sign this rookie for their side. Owner of an unstoppable shot like once Under-21 player Go Hokuto, though lacking a lot in the aim department, which puts him behind the Shotokage student that wore the number 10 last season; Cervantes was added to the team over Project +90 Pietra Carvalho thanks to said shot. His "Football Name", while also one of his surnames was picked from a legendary pirate who once devastated many lands. Kinda scary, no?

SUBSTITUTES
#12 - TITI - Goerth FC [Welsh Cowboy] - 21 years old
Goalkeeper
Picked over Felipe Pato, who already debuted for the national team, Titi is a decent goalkeeper that hopes to wear the Vaporeon shirt on the future. What lacks on him, though, is relevance; something he plans to change with his move to Goerth FC, playing at Welsh Cowboy for a good while.

#13 - Lyn-Zee HAWK - Hitachi Surf [Mizuyuki] - 15 years old
Left-Back
Part of the group of Sunrisians that joined the Miria Aurora League, the third member of the Hawk family to play football, though not as long as Anthony, the older brother and Jet, the middle brother. Lyn-Zee played for Project +90 for a while until packing up to the Aurora though still failing to scratch a single word at any of the languages of the country that aren't named English and isn't sure of what will come next for her. Only hope is that she pops up at the national team one day.

#14 - Martin Augusto CONBI - RCD Catalán [Catalaterra - 16 years old
Center-Back
Once the youngest player of the team, still continues to act like an old person. M.A. Conbi shocked the Sunrise mostly for being the first player to ever move between borders at such young age, something quite normal nowadays and even topped by Bat Punhemba's move to Dainer. Anyways, he's a solid brawler, regardless of his age and could easily be a thorn on any offense.

#15 - James BYRD Jr. - Byrd City Spitfires - 20 years old
Center-Back
Before you ask, no, James Byrd isn't, in fact, the son of James Byrd, legendary for his participation on the union of the Northern Sunrise Islands, but instead, his grandson, that, somehow, managed to get the name of James Byrd Junior. Regardless of his name, Byrd Jr. retained many of the leadership skills that Byrd had back in the day. Also, he's the proper coach of the team, making him a player-coach, though Kylx is the actual coach around... but then again, it's Kylx. Hard to take him seriously.

#16 - Jim "PANTHER" Rosso - Lylat Starfox - 20 years old
Right-Back
Hard to imagine that a storied past could be hidden under such goofy person. The Panther isn't a terrible player by any means, but sure is a funny picture. Known from being quite questionable, ranging from calling Mizuyuki's squad a bunch of hotties, hitting on Go Hokuto's sister during training and a couple of other things at Lylat, one must wonder how he gets to the national squad again.

#17 - AURÍPEDES - Apotos Midshipmen [NSICA] - 19 years old
Defensive Midfielder
Son of a family of History teachers, Aurípedes joined Football as a hobby, much like Marina, though with way less time on the sport and a longer future to look up to. Aurípedes is a no-nonsense player that seems to plan his moves just like a chess match, but with full knowledge that it needs perfect timing as well. Aside from that, he barely speaks to other people, aside from his family and a couple of friends.

#18 - XAVECO - Carnival do Oeste Tech Roosters [NSICA] - 18 years old
Center Midfielder
Supposedly called up on the hue roll that NSI currently lives, Xaveco's biggest draw for the team is his resilience. That may have to do with his original career being of participating in action movies as the guy that takes the bumps for actors. He dropped that for football, but remains being a rag-doll on the field. Strength-wise, he ain't much though. Like Glass Joe, but sort of useful.

#19 - TUPÃZINHO - Spagonia Aeros [NSICA] - 17 years old
Center Midfielder
A child of nature, basically. Tupãzinho was grown for a good while near Tivoli's Forest Great Resort, though restrict to his roots as a Maori. Not to mention, he has some Huelandian roots on his own history as well, being the cultural cauldron that the team has. A great all-rounder, barely has any weaknesses, but would benefit from playing outside, something Spagonia University can't grant him. Also plans to be a medic, which could help the team that he ends up playing for on the future.

#20 - Matthew O' HAILE - Arthur Knights [NSICA] - 17 years old
Offensive Midfielder
Probably the newest Harley Smith-esque player of the Sunrise, Matthew O' Haile has obtained a couple of laurels for being a dirty striker, laying on top of the wall that limits the legal and illegal of football. A Seltikan, he could be pretty much the proof that gingers don't have a soul, being such a cheap guy. Maybe it's just on the field, as he is known for donating money every now and then for a hospital that take care of children.

#21 - Manny VON DAVIDSON - Royal Crystal Palace [Equestrian States] - 21 years old
Center Forward
From a family of Flock Nation-born workaholics, Von Davidson is filled of energy and shows that with a huge explosion whenever substituting someone else or just starting at a match. He is doing something right, as he signed with Royal Crystal Palace not too long ago.

#22 - BRUNINHA - Lhaydifee Artisans [Paradystopia] - 21 years old
Center Forward
She was suggested to be a great player after her NSICA career, but fell short of the lights, until a team from Paradystopia saved her from playing too long at Flamengo, who itself isn't tied with anything good to begin with. She still has a lot of the dribbling action that made her a worthy prospect back then, but it remains to be known if she is worth it.

COACH
#-- - Val KYLX - Pezcemá Golden Magikarps
While it remains to be known whether he will return to football as a player (probably yes, because you can't keep someone like him down for too long), Kylx took the position of coach out of boredom and looking for that one top paycheck from the NSIFC if he somehow wins the Di Bradini Cup. Decided to put the team to play just a bit offensively. [SP: +0,04]

RP PERMISSIONS
Don't kill them (or cripple for that matter, already seen too much bones being cut out for a cycle). The rest, I leave to you.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:31 pm

Team Name: The Federation of Polar Islandstates U-21s
Country Shorthand Names: Polar, The Federation, The FPI
Citizens of The FPI are: Polarians
Team Nickname: The Chicks (as in, baby Terns)
Official Supporters Group: The Twitchers (as in, birdwatchers)

KIT COLOURS:
Since switching to Kirola for our u-21s kit supplier, our senior side have lost the World Cup Final twice. Superstitiously, Magnus Ragnorak has insisted we switch back to our regular kit, fearing we may have 'caught Audioslavian'.
HOME - AWAY - KEEPER

"Hello, good afternoon, and welcome to this special FPIBC bulletin on the u-21s national football team. Yes, after the crippling heartbreak of the World Cup final defeat in blah blah blah, same shit different stadium. Let's face facts. The Terns have retreated to their training camps and are now preparing fresh battles. The coaches have got together to plot their return, and to plot a victory, and that means one thing for Rasmussen - fresh input. And with the sudden retirements of not just the expected names but a few of the other standard bearers as well, he's going to need reinforcements. The focus therefore is now on Gregorz van der Riise and Ole van Jendrisen. There are a host of familiar names from the lats cycle, with a couple of names in midfield and in defence in particular standing out..."

GK
#1 - GK - Tobias Toft - Age 20 - Northbrook Diamonds FK
#12 - GK - Joachim Dall - Age 21 - AC Aleutia Volcanoes
#13 - GK - Ruben Chernienko - Age 18 - FC1. Bjarnarey Athletic
"As the u-21s continue to go through goalkeepers like it's going out of fashion, Northbrook stopper Toft takes the first choice gloves this tournament. Dall is there providing helpful hints from his time with the squad last time around, whilst the gangly looking Chernienko will bring some unexpected grace to proceedings with his unlikely background in competitive gymnastics."

DEF
#2 - DR - Moses Luc Bjerregaard - Age 18 - RSK Longyearbyen Town
#3 - DC - Yann-Erik Nilsson - Age 20 - SK Franz Josef City
#4 - DC - Torstern Navarro - Age 20 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
#5 - DL - Vauxhall Jansen - Age 20 - FC1. Bjarnarey Athletic
#18 - DR - Mateusz Yatskaya - Age 18 - SK Aasiaat Harbour
#19 - DL - Niels Kruse - Age 20 - Revolutionaries (Eura)
#21 - DC - Patrice Tennfall - Age 19 - East Franz Athetic
#22 - DC - Alexei Brannstrom - Age 18 - AFK Hans Island Pioneers
#23 - DC - Gudjon Arnesen - Age 20 - FC Torshavn
"From the World Cup final to the DBC, all eyes will be on Moses Luc Bjerregaard to provide some winning performances this tournament, as the star revelation of the Terns' last campaign continues to learn on the international stage. Club-hopping Navarro takes up one of the three centre-back positions in the starting line-up this time around, with fellow dual-passport-holding Nilsson partners him. Arnesen has only one passport, but is likely to get the nod over Tennfall for the other slot. Kruse and Yatskaya will bring pace to the flanks, whilst the ever enigmatic Vauxhall Jansen will, well, do whatever he happens to be doing at the time. Usually in a good way. Alexei Brannstrom will be hoping for some time on the pitch, as he has made no secret of the fact that he is in the shop window this tournament."

MID
#6 - DMC - Anders Holzhauser - Age 20 - Issington FC (Apox) (CAPTAIN)
#7 - AMC - Nikita Eskildsen - Age 18 - FC Solovetsky Monastery
#8 - MC - Bjorn Konigstein - Age 20 - SK Franz Josef City
#11 - AMC - Gustaf Kuetari - Age 20 - FC Axel Heiburg
#14 - MC - Isaac Frohlander - Age 19 - Caernville Seahawks (Liventia)
#15 - DMC - Jannik Lillkvist - Age 18 - FC Axel Heiburg
#16 - AMC - Tor Hedegaard - Age 18 - Northbrook Diamonds FK
#17 - MC - Mikko Gravesen - Age 18 - Resolute Storm 1913 FC
"With Feldbaek too old, accomplished midfielder Holzhauser will be taking the captain's armband this tournament, hoping to do what so many other u-21s captains have done, and go on to the first team for the Copa straight-away. Konigstein and Kuetari are familiar faces as well, but the presence of flying wing-backs means the rest of the midfield roster is packed with creatives and destroyers that operate more centrally - like Frohlander, Hedegaard, and Gravesen. Eskildsen has shone for Solovetsky in the youth leagues, and there are rumours that several big clubs have their eyes on him."

ATT
#9 - ST - Victor Larsen - Age 21 - Red Star Severny
#10 - ST - Oleg Figgeberg - Age 20 - SK Aasiaat Harbour
#20 - ST - Ernest Akerhausen - Age 19 - Jan Mayen Islanders
"Up front, and the battering ram that is Victor Larsen will most likely be partnered by the crafty Akerhausen in a strike partnership that looks ready made and comes with the added benefit of having played together at the last tournament. Oleg Figgeberg comes in from Aasiaat Harbour, as his recent rapid rise in notoriety hasn't been without valid reason."

Probable Starting formation: 3-4-1-2
---------------------------------- Toft ---------------------------------
------------------ Nilsson ---- Navarro ---- Arnesen ----------------
--- Bjerregaard ----- Holzhauser - Konigstein -------- Jansen ----
-------------------------------- Kuetari ---------------------------------
----------------------- Larsen -------- Akerhausen -------------------

Modifier: -2

The opponent can...
Choose my goalscorers? Yes
Godmod scoring events? Yes
RP injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP
Godmod injuries to my players? Yes, as above
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes
Hand out red cards to my players? Yes, but only 1 per match
Godmod other events? TG me first, but I'm always open to ideas

by **Eura** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:32 pm

OOC: Right, the World Cup final is on the backburner until tomorrow at the latest so I can RP for this.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
After that night in Flisgive, Eura have an air of confidence about them heading into tonight's game against New Sideburn
Simon Banning reports from Equestrian States

So, after that summer, how can't we be optimistic? Well for starters there are a number of other nations on show at this anniversary of the inaugural Di Bradini Cup. And a lot of them happen to be quite good. Eura meanwhile have some great youngsters, but up front and maybe in goal there might be some concerns to be had in the Under-21 group. Let's look at the squad shall we?

Goalkeepers

Tony Grant (Falourr), Gary Shudland (Oakstone)

Both of these goalkeepers have shown a lot of talent in the last year or two in the Gold League, but the fact remains that they've both played for underwhelming lower-mid table clubs. Neither is particularly special, certainly not compared to Belgrave or Waller - or even Prince and Brommis. But they might well be good enough for this tournament, and unsurprisingly Grant gets the nod ahead of Shudland. Grant's Falourr may have finished way lower in the table than surprise package Oakstone last season but they also conceded 13 less goals. What's more Grant is two years Shudland's senior, and therefore deservedly will start.

Defenders

Joe Caffin (Holdenberg), Mark Rogers (Revolutionaries), Craig Gilbert (Directus), Andrew Watson (Lajuno), Aaron Brandley (Holdenberg), Gavin Madison (Ulsa), Derek Millson (Directus), Lee McKray (Honeybadgers)

Eura have far more options in defence, particularly in the middle. Craig Gilbert and Mark Rogers deservedley start - they both had limited roles in our World Cup 66 triumph and more importantly both have been playing consistently for big Euran clubs for two years at least. Gilbert will almost certainly be the rock of the defence. However they are still subject to competition from the bench in the form of Gavin Madison and Derek Millson. Madison has been particularly impressive and will push the starters for a place. Millson hasn't been overloaded with gametime at Directus this season, being stuck behind teammates Gilbert and Robertson, but he will still warrant selection should the other three centrebacks fail to impress.

Andrew Watson is a solid choice as the premier young left back in Eura, while Joe Caffin's great season at Holdenberg makes him an automatic selection in place of few other options. Aaron Brandley, his Holdenberg teammate who usually places at right centre back, will play the role of reserve right back due to this shortage. Finally you have Lee McKray at left back, an impressive prospect who will hopefully be a solid deputy for Watson.

Midfielders

Craig Sinclair (Dinamo Esca, Mytannion), Gareth Blackthorn (Revolutionaries), John Spartan (Revolutionaries), Toby Hayes (Mountainside), Kevin Colbert (Honeybadgers), Rob Bell (Oakstone), Albin Oslograd (FC1 Bjarnery Flotilla, Polar Islandstates), Lewis Hughes (Olympic Thessia, Mytannion)

Three of the Euran midfield pick themselves and form one of the best midfield units playing in this tournament. Craig Sinclair, the young Dinamo Esca whirlwind, was a key part of Eura's World Cup winning campaign. But also key are John Spartan and Gareth Blackthorn, who regularly provided important impetus from the bench and have plenty of experience of their own. Then there is Rob Bell of Oakstone on the bench, an increasingly impressive youngster brought up from the lower leagues with his hometown club. He played a small role in the World Cup qualifying campaign and looks like a promising backup. Kevin Colbert is arguably the best possible deputy for Blackthorn's holding midfield position as an effective influence for two seasons now at Honeybadgers.

Albin Oslograd is also an obvious pick given his impressive breakthrough in progress at FC1 Bjarnery Flotilla. However the most surprising inclusions are effectively Eura's left wing options. Firstly there is Toby Hayes, a 21 year old left winger who will be starting. The Mountainside winger was relegated with his club at the end of last season though he will likely move elsewhere. Yet no-one really expected him to be picked, though hopefully he will prove to be more than a one season wonder and show he can do it at international level. The most surprising inclusion of all though is that of Lewis Hughes, a Euran youngster brought through the youth system of Olympic Thessia in Mytannion. He's made a minor breakthrough of sorts over the last season, and looks like a real talent.

Forwards

John Mallard (Bastion), Ben Robinson (Usmer), Michael Simpson (Culpapy United), Robin Tykeman (Falourr), Sean Hayward (Mayville Town)

Arguably this is the weakest spot of the Euran team. Without meaning to be disrespectful, one has to say that 19 year old John Mallard has been partly picked on reputation. Eura are short of strikers in the Under-21 category, and he is the one who plays for the biggest club out of the available options. Yet he hasn't been all that convincing in the league despite his young age, and the three decent but not worldbeating strikers behind him - Robinson, Simpson, Tykeman - will all be threatening his position. Robinson starts with him, but given the dearth of talent on display in contrast to the senior team, it wouldn't be surprising if Eura resorted to dropping one forward into the midfield and benching either Mallard or Robinson. There is some fresh blood on show at least. Sean Hayward, 17 years old and relegated with Mayville Town in the season just gone, showed a lot of promise for a striker so young last season. He might well be the surprise package of the entire squad.

by **The Licentian Isles** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:39 pm

Licentian Under 21’s National Football Team

After painfully losing out in Wight, once again to the the Free Republics, Charles Gray will take another squad of talented Young Eagles to the Di Bradini Cup, this time in the Equestrian States. Despite the disappointment of last time around, and blatant hope that they don’t draw the Free Republics again, people hope that players like Ruben Munro, fresh out of the Celtic academy to Valladares, and Aran Millar, now plying his trade in Mytannion, can lead the team to a higher placing than last time out.

Manager- Charles Gray

Goalkeepers:

1 - Finn Muir – 21 years - Houghton Rangers
12 - Neil Gray - 20 years - Montfort Wanderers
13 - Danny Christie - 18 years - Carrington United

Full Backs:

2 - Jack Ferguson - 19 years - Gaelic Club
3 - Roderick White - 20 years - Abingdon Celtic
14 - Max Kennedy - 19 years - Glenmount Town

Centre Backs:

4 - Ken Burns - 21 years - Montfort University
5 - Bobby Sutherland - 18 years - St Bart's
15 - Sean Shaw - 19 years - Abingdon Celtic
16 - Toby Morrison - 17 years - SC Montfort

Holding Midfielders:

8 – Jamie Cunningham - 21 years - Colesham Athletic
17 – Patrick Maclean - 19 years - AFC Farnworth

Centre Midfielders:

6 – Stephen Kennedy - 21 years - SC Montfort
10 – Joe Watt - 20 years - Gaelic Club
18 - Logan Smith - 18 years - Glenmount Town
19 - Kai Wallace - 19 years - Abingdon Celtic

Wingers:

7 – Aran Millar – 20 years - FC Ararat Severyan (MYT) - C
11 – Kian Sutherland - 21 years - Gaelic Club
20 - Stewart Milne - 19 years - Abingdon Celtic
21 - Duncan Murray - 18 years - SC Montfort

Centre Forwards:

9 – Ruben Munro - 17 years - Metropolis Alligators (VLD)
22 - Joe Johnstone - 20 years - Seaddle Sounders (EQS)
23 - Michael Leighton - 19 years - Houghton Rangers

Formation – The Pythagorean v2/The Hourglass:
A variant on the Pythagorean system used by Schwartz in the Polar Islandstates, the only real difference is that the Cyan-and-Gold system involves two triangles linked together by the holding midfielders, which looks sort of like an hourglass on paper (hence, the name). The formation has been taken over to the Young Eagles by Charles Gray, for the sake of continuity.

Starting Eleven – 1/3-4-5-2/8/7-6-10-11/9

Kits - Created by Kirola Sports:

Home Stadium – St Bart’s Oval – 45,500:
St Bartholomew’s, St Bartholomew’s Parish
As the name suggests, St Bart’s Oval was originally a cricket ground, but when St Bart’s Parish cricket team moved their base to picturesque Hessington Island, the stadium was expanded to host St Bart’s FC, though the terraces and grassy banks typical of a cricket ground still remain in the stadium. The stadium, with its unique vibe, has been designated as the official stadium of the Licentian Under 21’s side.

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

Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events N
RP injuries to my players Y, but nothing serious
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players Y, 1 per game, if more, TG me
Godmod other events TG me

Skill Modifier- -1

All ages are correct on the first day of the tournament.

by **Welsh Cowboy** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:53 pm

Welsh Cowboy
DBC 29/U21WC 50 Roster

With the senior Welsh Cowboy football team enjoying a surprisingly successful run during its initial foray into international football, it seems only appropriate that the nation's youth football players enter the 29th Di Bradini Cup, otherwise known as the 50th Under-21 World Cup, hosted by the Equestrian States, the same nation which crushed Welsh Cowboy's chances of a miraculous World Cup qualification in its inaugural cycle.

The Welsh Cowboy FA has made two controversial decisions in picking its roster for this tournament:

1. No player who has been capped at the senior level will participate in this tournament. This most notably excludes 20-year old sensation Patrick Teller, who many expected to be a key contributor to the WC squad during the DBC.

2. Only players who are younger than 21 years of age will be selected, in an effort to develop the younger players of Welsh Cowboy.

The squad will be coached by Adam Thompson, who served in an unofficial capacity for the senior national team previously, serving as one of senior NT manager George Pingrell's closest advisers. The 65-year old has made it clear that this will be the only U21WC that he will manage, hoping to give way to one of his assistants in the future.

(starters in bold)
Goalkeepers:

#21 Sheldon Bannock - 18 - FC Humdeia
#23 Christopher Dellava - 18 - Polait FC
#1 Matthew Johnson- 20 - Calesco Town

Defenders:

#5 Andrew Gerstadt - 20 - Goerth FC
#4 Steven Hopkins - 20 - Calesco Town
#18 Louis Prince - 20 - Ardrich City
#2 Shane Ruiz - 18 - Bleumar United
#19 Ethan Weigermann - 17 - FC Humdeia
#3 David Winheim - 20 - Capital City United
#22 Samuel Zegauskas - 18 - Tenley FC

Midfielders:

#13 Patrick Barresca - 20 - Swansea Town
#12 David Dunsworth - 20 - Tenley FC
#8 Zachary Hughes - 19 - Exerham United
#14 Randolph Jones - 19 - FC Humdeia
#10 Felipe Josar - 20 - Tenley FC
#15 Jack Manning - 20 - Ardrich City
#7 Alex Ming - 18 - Capital City United
#9 Karl Niedenburg - 20 - FC Humdeia
#16 Luca Rometti - 20 - Goerth FC
#6 Henry Stenhouse - 20 - Exerham United

Strikers:

#18 Victor Kriegerharden - 19 - Bleumar United
#17 Lincoln Parenne - 18 - Cannon Fountains FC
#11 Josiah Richardi - 19 - Polait FC

Starting Formation:

Manager: Adam Thompson
Assistant Manager: Scott Redd

Skill Modifier: -1.0

Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y, but I reserve the right to alter severity
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y, max of 2 per game
Hand out red cards to my players: Y, max of 1 per game
Godmod other events: Y, please use realism though

by **Farfadillis** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:15 pm

Di Bradini Squad: Great Chances

It's time, another Di Bradini Cup. Last time around, the run was unexpexctedly satisfactory, even considering the thwarting the final was. The squad has, however, oscillated quite a lot since the last edition. Individuals like Fakkotti, Faró, the Mî twins and that rather gay pair of guys whose names I can not yet recall have not been called up, despite some of them being actually eligible. Nonetheless, some of those who excelled last time, like Alaminos, Elevado and Kâí, are still around, looking to finally triumph. Otherwise, Terán and Fuego are notable inclusions, too.

But how good, exactly, are our chances?

Very good. No team seems to excel as much as ours, as it looks. Obviously, the Polarians look good, Free Republics (UGHAGUGAHEDUGHA) looks as good as last year, the hosts are not to be underestimated either, Mytannion looks cool, Eura are recent world champions and no team is a granted win. Maybe Patistan. Those guys look really amateur. However, I think we needn't concentrate on the external reality, but our internal reality. That is, our team.

The goalkeeper looks average at best. I have nothing against Lastá, the only Ferdullaelan in the starting eleven, but he's not as good as some past goalkeepers, let alone Lisdiren, who he presumably wants to eventually replace. Don't get me wrong, Lastá is not bad. Just, not good. He can prevent the ball from entering the goal sometimes for all I care, though. It's not like we've got many options left (Except, obviously, Rigutti. What were you thinking Rossizzo?).

The backline looks particularly solid this time around. With solid I don't mean 'capable of achieving lots of clean sheets'. With solid I mean 'capable of thoroughly outweighing their defensive flaws with offensive input'. The key is in how their defensive flaws have been minimized as much as possible. Alaminos is a beast, we all know that. Mata is a beast, too, and I doubt anyone in this squad knows the green cross in the heart better than he does. (Tobías) Cervántez is good in all regards, too, though not as good as the other two. No complaints about him, mind.

Mâás Fôx, playing a friendly for the U-21
Squad. He'll be the captain this edition.

The midfield. Oh, the midfield. Every Farf knows that's where things get spicy. Taking a rather defensive approach, Elevado is still around after a great season playing for Falourr, from Eura. He'll provide that extra defensive help we might need sometimes. Plus he'll recover the ball. How can you win without getting the ball? The task of simple centre midfielder has been given to Cvijetin Santic, a nobody who now happens to be starting for the U-21 squad. He plays for Prostran I Forzuda. Yeah, I haven't heard of them either. Then there's the right midfielder and the left midfielder. Both are Rulandese, and both are very, very talented. First, on the left is no other than Risko Kâí. He's a starter for Urbizania Wanderers and has already shown he gives no fucks whatsoever about whether he's in a World Cup match or a 5-a-side with his friends. He just does his best. On the right, Mâás Föx. This talented payer, who came out of Dí Maozöxê, has beenr ecently bought by the Euran team Directus for the rather insane fee of ten million. He was sixteen at the time of the transaction, and he turned seventeen not too long ago. He's a very agile and skilled player, with an eye for an impossible shot that could surprise the goalkeeper. He'll wear the captain armband. Somehow. Then there's the centre attacking midfielder. Note the singular. Yes, Rossizzo has opted for just one centre attacking midfielder this time around, not calling up Sendero. Yes, I'm disappointed too. Terán is, needless to say, impressive in countless ways. This man might have been one of the best things Rossizzo did. He called him up out of the blue and turned him into a valuable player in the national team's line-up. What a player. He's just incredibly complete. Overall, an impressive midfield at least. A Di Bradini Cup-winning midfield at best. Rossizzo knows this midfield is a bit different from most Farf midfields, having three really competitive attacking players paired with a good (I hope) neutral player and a defensive one. It can keep the possesion and recover it, mainly thanks to how Terán, Kâí and, if one wishes, Fôx too, who can give a hand in the defense. The substitutes aren't bad either. I mean, this midfield is obviously the best possible, but some players can be replaced by others without many noticeable changes in results. I think.

Then there's the strikers. They don't look particularly exciting. For one, I'll be the first to say that Fuego has been overhyped a bit, and carries a bit too much buzz. Maybe Terán's sudden performance explosions makes people believe this guy can do the same. I mean, he's good, very good, even. He's no Dandalleion, though. Get it into your heads already. Nonetheless, when assisted by such a perfect midfield, I think Fuego might just burn everything with some help of his teammate Dragãozý, who is also very good, but luckily does not carry an awful lot of buzz with him. They'll have to score if we want to win this thing once and for all, that's for sure.

by **Equestrian States** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:29 pm

Match Day 1 Results

Group A

Equestrian States 5-2 San José Guayabal

at Royal Equestria Stadium in Canterlot

Patistan 3-4 Farfadillis

at Star Stadium in Canterlot

Group B

Åsløtten-Bëðerbørg så Česky 2-3 Filopines

at Derby Field in Manehattan

The Licentian Isles 1-1 Starblaydia

at Manehattan Industrial Park in Manehattan

Group C

Dutzenderland 0-0 Nassau Hessen

at Elements Stadium in Ponyville

Blouman Empire 4-2 Sangti

at Sky-High Coliseum in Cloudsdale

Group D

New Sideburn 1-0 Eura

at Diamond Park in Stalliongrad

Thatius 1-3 Mizuyuki

at the Maple Bowl in Trottawa

Group E

Free Republics 3-5 Welsh Cowboy

at Wild Grounds in Everfree

Tynewear 2-3 Wight

at Shady Grove in Whitetail

Group F

Saugeais 3-2 German American States

at HarmonyLink Field in Seaddle

Albaie 1-3 Furellum

at Pony Lands Park in Manechester

Group G

95X 2-0 Nouvel Ecosse

at Salt Lick Stadium in Salt Lick City

Bears Armed 3-5 Taeshan

at Estadio Poco Caballo in Maredrid

Group H

The Inevitable Syndicate 1-0 Mytannion

at Thunder Palace in Oatlahoma City

Sicoutimont 2-1 Iseteskog

at Point Stadium in Hoofston

by **Patistan** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:32 am

PNT NEWS

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION NEWS

Today was a bad day for patistan in there opening match in the DI Brandi cup patistan lost against Farfadillis with the score of

3-4

we are now going to star stadium with our corresponent Fahad gulbaz

Fahad: shaheer what happened in there

Shaheer: dont know we were so close but so far

Fahad: shaheer will you keep the same strategy

Shaheer: no we will change our defense and offense strategy

Fahad: thank you for your time and we hope you win your next match

Shaheer: thank you

by **New Sideburn** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:06 am

THE BRINEMOUTH HERALD
HOLY SHIT, WE BEAT THE WORLD CHAMPIONS (KIND OF)
by Cliff Hardtmann

New Sideburn U-21s: 1 (Christon 18')
Eura U-21s: 0

To say that New Sideburn were coming into this match as underdogs would be a criminal understatement.

In fact, the fact that a team containing a left-back from a third-tier team beat Eura at all is practically criminal in itself. It is only thanks to the heroics of Ballard and Camden that the defence was clamped down at all. Diandra Ballard, silver medalist at the UICA Youth Cup, proved her worth in the second minute of the game, as Eura predictably started dominant in Stalliongrad. After some initial sparring, John Spartan's pass found left winger Toby Hayes in a good position. The number 11 dashed past a flat-footed Rhys Bergman and lashed a fierce shot on goal; Ballard leapt to the near post and palmed the ball out for a corner. During the corner, the Hatchlings' superior brawn prevailed, and the ball was safely punched out by Ballard.

Boyden's strategy of weathering the assault and waiting for the counter appeared, in practice, not to cut the mustard. The manager prowled the touchlines like a stormcloud, occasionally stopping to yell at his players to defend with some more spirit. The motivation didn't stick, as Mallard found himself threaded through on goal - once again, his similarly-named opponent came to the rescue, dashing out as Mallard let the ball get slightly ahead of him, and slide-kicking the ball to safety. But a third good chance was to come before ten minutes were up, Mallard picked out by Gareth Blackthorn's long pass, but Northern Union centre-back Brady Monroe outmuscled him in the air.

And for a while, it looked as though New Sideburn might have weathered the worst of the storm. Up until the seventeenth minute, things were looking up - Erin Camden was clamping down the midfield and Penrith and Bergman had even started up some neat play on the right. Penrith even came up with the Hatchlings' first shot of the game, a powerful but straightforward drive that Tony Grant saved comfortably. However, this buoyed Boyden's lads into overconfidence, and Grant rolling the ball out quickly to Caffin sparked a dangerous counter that caught the lads off-guard. Dante proved utterly unable to clamp down Craig Sinclair, who whipped in a powerful cross that looked bound for glory...

And Robinson headed it over the bar.

With this success in mind, Ballard waved her team up the pitch and thumped a goal-kick deep into the Euran half. Gilbert took the ball, but Rook Cathar put him well under-pressure, forcing him into an error. The ball slid away from both his and Cathar's control, but Chris Christon was on hand to snatch up possession unmarked. The Brinemouth midfielder snapped a long shot past an unprepared Grant, slamming into the top-right corner, and New Sideburn were ahead.

[Continued on Page 3]
----------------------------------------------
Boyden snapped the Herald shut and dropped it nonchalantly. He lit a victory cigarette, and leaned back on the snooker table.
"Perfect," he sighed. "Just bloody perfect."
With a morale-booster like that, it was hard to see the public taking this as anything less than a resounding success - still, there was no time to get complacent. Boyden spread out his largest and most rumpled sheet of paper on the table, absently scattering some of the reds away and potting the green.
Now, then... let's see what we have here.
Ryan Linen was arguably his best striker, but simply hadn't performed last game - he could sit out Ko-oren and return for Thatius, depending on how he took it. Georgia Kite would add some more muscle to the front. Meanwhile, the midfield was fine ... Connacht should get a run-out, but maybe not against Ko-oren. Ballard was a hero, no questions there, but... Tara Dante had made some bad errors. Brace would start - a bench-warmer for a First Division team might still prove a better bet. Monroe and Green... well, he still wasn't sure, but they'd kept the clean sheet. Further changes could wait.
For now, the question of 'could New Sideburn win a game' had been answered. Another now offered itself with significantly more promise - just how far could they go?

LINEUP VS. KO-OREN

by **Tynewear** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:07 am

Match Report: Tynewear 2-3 Wight
16' Fairman, 25' Duke, 72' Hilton, 75' 77' Hart
By Simon Clark, David Walsh, Chris Graham

Well that wasn't too bad was it? In fact, if anything, we could have, and probably should have come away with at least a draw. There's an odd taste that's been left in most of us Tynewearers. We entered the game feeling quite confident that we'd be given an absolute walloping, and if I had been offered a loss by a single goal before the match, I'd probably have taken it. The reality is, however, that Tynewear were brilliant throughout the first half, combining swashbuckling attacking with solid defending. The pessimist inside me would no doubt say that something along the lines of what eventually transpired in Whitetail was bound to happen, knowing this part of the multiverse's pension for absolute disaster. But even as I write this, I stop and think to myself; "Bloody hell it just had to happen!"

There was a surreal feeling as the clock in Tynewear reached 10PM. I myself was in my parents' house along with the rest of the family, all clad in white shirts with red sashes as the broadcast relayed live pictures to our small television. You somehow got the feeling you weren't alone, that over a million people were sharing this moment with you. As the whistle blew and Joel Hunt tapped the ball to Tommy Duke, I swore my heart stopped pumping for a moment. International football had finally kicked off in Tynewear, and almost simultaneously, a roar went up not only in the stadium, but in the neighbourhood. Everyone was tuned in, everyone was ready.

To my huge surprise, The Sabres' showed very little sign of nerves. Although Duke was quick to hoof the ball back to Jack Hawthorn, who started the match after some initial doubts, the lads were able to avoid the temptation of playing route-one football. Oliver Redman, another player who managed to pass a last-minute fitness test, held the high line very well alongside club teammate Charlie Chilton, and although we weren't really going forward, we were controlling possession, with some very neat one-twos between Josh Oliver and Duke prompting roars from the 10,000 or so Tynewear supporters in the crowd.

The break came after 15 or so minutes, when in what was either brilliant vision or sheer luck from Oliver, the Ironopolis winger picked out Joel Hunt from over 40 yards. The Hadrian United striker promptly laid it off for the oncoming Jacob Fairman, who thumped the ball into the top left corner. The white and red side of the crowd predictably erupted in joy, and so did the millions watching back home. Any thought of Wight grabbing a quick equaliser were dashed as Hunt quickly reclaimed the ball after some some shoddy communication from Eneko McBride and Lucifer Junior after the game restarted. The 17 year old Tynesider quickly found Danny Herbert to his right, who burst forward, beating Wight captain Vepus Vingo with surprising ease, before whipping in an absolute stunner of a cross which met with the head of Hunt. 2-0 to Tynewear? Not if the linesman had anything to say about it. The Starblaydi official (correctly) judged Hunt to be offside. The volatile Geordie predictably lashed out at the referee, who rewarded him with a yellow card.

Wight did manage to control possession for short periods of time, but were often found passing it backwards or sideways. The Teeside centre-back pairing of Redman and Chilton were often found standing as far up front as the centre-circle, with Alfie Whitehead acting as a third defender for most of the period. As soon as The Sabres' regained possession, they attacked with lightning-fast pace. In the 25th minute, Oliver found Herbert, now positioned back on the left flank, who in turn found Tommy Duke, who promptly beat two players before blasting the ball straight into the top right. 2-0 to Tynewear, and somehow it looked as though we were bound for more. In under 10 minutes, The Sabres registered another 10 shots on goal, with Nordlander putting in some spectacular saves. As it'd turn out, Alex Valrey's men would regret their inability to convert their chances into goals.

The teams remained unchanged as the referee blew for the beginning of the second half. Wight were quick to dictate the pace of the game, and Tynewear quickly found themselves somewhat struggling to 'cope' (yes you heard that right) with the more sluggish pace. Clearly suffering from inexperience, Duke and Oliver in particular were never sure whether to commit to their man, and were punished almost immediately when a speculative effort from McBride resulted in a corner after deflecting off Chilton. The following corner resulted in only a simple save from Hawthorn, but it would prove to be only the tip of the iceberg.

Tynewear quickly found themselves on the receiving end, but for the most part, Jack Hawthorn didn't have much to do, though he was certainly kept on his feet. Whitehead and Redman were superb for the first 15 minutes, with several last ditch tackles and blocks on the line keeping the scoreline as it was when the two teams entered the dressing rooms for their quarter-hour break. Tynewear even had a few chances of their own, with Fairman squandering two very good chances after quick counter-attacks. Then, on the 63rd minute, the inevitable happened. As he rushed to intercept a cross from substitute Tarun Poundstock, Redman slipped and fell. Although his facial expression wouldn't have suggested it, the Ironside defender had twisted his ankle, and limped off to be replaced by Ben Leston.

For about 5 minutes, the shaky pairing (an understatement if anything) soldiered on. The score remained 2-0, but deep down inside, we all knew that was going to change. Alfie Whitehead had almost doubled his workrate to compensate for the lower quality of defending, and was absolutely knackered. His withdrawal from the game in favour of Rory Mansell brought both cheers and groans from the Tynewear end. In a matter of minutes, the only two people that had been keeping The Sabres in the game, were gone. From hereon in, the tables shifted permanently in favour of the Wightlings. A complete lapse in concentration by Chilton allowed Rusty Hilton a one-on-one opportunity that he was never going to miss. 2-1, and Tynewear's players took a complete blow to the stomach. They never looked the same afterwards, and collapsed. In under 5 minutes, Wight rifled in two more goals, both courtesy of Osprey Hart. The introduction of James Taylor could do nothing to assist the Tynewearers, and when the whistle blew, an utterly dejected Tynewear side trudged back into the dressing rooms. SC

Tactical Analysis: Are We Utterly Hopeless Without Alfie?

I think the biggest takeaway from this match was just how awful we looked after Alfie Whitehead was replaced by Rory Mansell. Now, our chances took a big hit when Oliver Redman was withdrawn, but Alfie compensated for that with several determined tackles and interceptions that really showed how bloody good the lad is when he can control the aggression that seemingly wants to erupt at any given moment. Throughout the first half, he maintained a strict sense of discipline, never wandering too far away from the back four he was tasked with screening, and when given the ball, played some surprisingly creative passes. With the equally good Redman behind him, he didn't have much to worry about, knowing there was a relatively solid presence guarding his back. However, Ben Leston's introduction saw the Ironopolis midfielder drop deeper and deeper, as he struggled to compensate for the complete disorganised mess that was Tynewear's backline.

With Harry Bridger moving further inside, and James Downing offering some pretty awful 'defending', Whitehead found himself running from flank to flank, attempting to fill in the holes left by his compatriots. It was only natural that he'd eventually run out of steam, and while none of us were all too happy when Alex Valrey made the substitution, there was very little he could have done. An exhausted Alfie Whitehead would not have been enough to prevent the complete hammering that we were given, a fact we must accept. What I believe can be questioned is Valrey's choice of substitute. While this may come with the benefit of hindsight, William Fry would probably have offered a better defensive option than Mansell, who was completely lost for practically two thirds of the time when he was on the pitch. His tackles were mistimed (resulting in a completely unnecessary yellow), and at times he'd just stop running. Now nerves are one thing, and you can't blame the lad if that's what got to him, but his performance was truly abject and threw away any hope of us grabbing a result.

Another interesting observation, and one that was definitely the hot topic prior to the game, was Josh Oliver's performance in the middle of the park. The Teeside native was very impressive, particularly as the first half wore on, with some pinpoint balls finding their way to Herbert and Fairman on the flanks. If we take away his first half stats, they make for some impressive reading, with the number 10 completing just about 88% of his passes, whilst contributing to the defence with 2 interceptions and 2 tackles. However, just like the rest of the squad, the young Teesider lost it as Wight began their comeback, completing just half his passes and making a disappointing solitary tackle. With this in mind, it was only logical that Valrey take him off for James Taylor in the search for a last gasp equaliser.

The question now becomes this. Can Oliver continue playing the deep-lying playmaker role that Valrey seemingly sees in him? Judging by his entire performance, it's certainly possible. Some of his plays were brilliant, particularly the one that became the catalyst for the opening goal. There's no doubt however, that at this stage, he is still adjusting to his new role, and if it were up to me, Ethan Spence would be starting. It really is puzzling to see the Tynesider seemingly frozen out. He's a superb passer of the ball, and is certainly more comfortable and used to playing centrally.

The final problem that requires solving is the following; How do we prevent a reoccurrence of todays events? There's no simple solution. Tynewear are ill-equipped to play a highline, and it isn't a surprise that it completely fell apart when the two strongest pegs were taken out of the equation. The most obvious solution would be to revert to a more 'traditional' backline, but it is very unlikely that Alex Valrey will do this. With the fact that Tynewear's senior tactician is unlikely to change anything from a strategic standpoint, the next thing that comes to mind would be to perhaps swap James Downing with William Fry at left-back to provide a more defensively solid presence on that side of the field. Hopefully, this will result in less forced running from Alfie Whitehead. With John Brown still out, what Aaron Maxley really has to do is sit down and remind Harry Bridger and Jacob Fairman that their defensive duties are out WIDE, not inside. A lot of the problems faced by Tynewear were a result of a non-existant right side, with Bridger acting pretty much as a third centre-back and Fairman wandering all over the place aimlessly. The aim here would be to reduce Whitehead's duties, which hopefully allows him to stay the full ninety, which so long as he doesn't try to break anyone's legs, is a good thing. CG

Player Ratings: Alfie Steals The Show

Jack Hawthorn - 7
There was very little the youngster could have done about the three goals. The first was a 1v1 situation that could have gone either way, but ultimately went the Wightlings way. The two shots from Osprey Hart were unstoppable, with the first taking a huge deflection of Charlie Chilton, and the second a pure moment of magic as the Spit City winger let go a dipping shot that left poor old Jack stranded. Apart from this however, he commanded his box very well, and made a few very good stops to keep his team's slim chances of grabbing something alive.

Harry Bridger - 4
A lacklustre performance is one way to put it, but that would be a tad bit too kind to the Sundetland right-back. Provided some decent support in the first half, but completely forgot his duties when the tide turned, drifting inwards and in turn leaving a huge hole for Wight to exploit on the flank he was meant to be defending.

Oliver Redman - 8
Excellent defending throughout the game, his injury was one of the main causes of Tynewear's demise. Strong and determined in the tackle, Redman's marking was precise during the whole match, and he looked relatively comfortable on the ball. His possible absence for the rest of the tournament could prove to be a death blow to Tynewear's chances of making it to the knockout stages.

Charlie Chilton - 5
Was solid with Redman alongside him, but sadly and predictably lost the plot when his club teammate departed the pitch. Could do very little about Hart's first goal, but was completely at fault for Wight's opener. Made some decent tackles, but otherwise was completely underwhelming.

James Downing - 5
Was excellent in the first half when Tynewear were without a doubt in control of things, but floundered as the game wore on, providing very little support defensively. Provided several good crosses that probably should have resulted in more testing attempts on goal.

Alfie Whitehead - 9
Everything that is brilliant about him was on show, his energy, his leadership qualities, and his excellent defensive talents. When able to keep a lid on his somewhat volatile nature, he is truly excellent. Superb performance and it is a shame that all his effort ended up more or less worthless. Will definitely be the fulcrum of this side for many years to come.

Tommy Duke - 7
Scored the second goal and provided endless running. Majestically confident in the first half of the game, Duke seemed to display a completely opposite character in the second, showing a certain unwillingness to tackle and uncertainty in decision making.

Josh Oliver - 6
Showing perhaps the most creativity that we've ever seen from the young lad, Oliver was yet another player who endured a game of two halves. Was without a doubt enjoying himself in the first 45, spraying passes and crosses all over the pitch, before capitulating along with the rest of the team in the second 45. Could do with some more defensive training along with midfield partner, Duke.

Jacob Fairman - 5
Scored the opener, but was extremely wasteful, squandering many good chances that could have sealed the match for Tynewear. Also responsible for Tynewear's defensive breakdown, rarely tracking back and often times sticking around the midway line despite the fact Wight never looked like losing possession.

Danny Herbert - 6
Certainly did his part, whipping in crosses from either side of the pitch as expected, assisting Duke for the second goal. Defensively was far more disciplined than Fairman and displayed a willingness to run back. Unfortunately, his short stature saw him easily brushed aside on several occasions. Without a doubt the better winger for Tynewear on this outing.

Joel Hunt - 6
Was always trying to make something happen when he received the ball, with subtle touches with his head and feet offering plenty of chances for his teammates. However, akin to Fairman, rarely ran back to assist in the defensive effort, lounging around the middle of the pitch in hope of a clearance.

Substitutes

Ben Leston - 5
Was perhaps overawed by the occasion, and certainly tried his hardest, but his inability to communicate and coordinate with Chilton proved costly.

Rory Mansell - 3
We shan't dwell on this.

James Taylor - 3
Didn't really have much of an opportunity to do anything, operating more like a centre-back than a striker, although he did make a goal-line clearance and was persistent in his defending. DW

Matchday Recap

Games were played at more or less the same time around the Equestrian States (which, oddly enough, we have come to realise are populated by actual talking horses. How interesting. Are we really that oblivious to the multiverse around us?), and here's a brief recap of what happened.

In Group A, the host nation unsurprisingly crushed San José Guayabal 5-2 in Canterlot, whilst Farfadillis were perhaps pushed a bit too much for their liking by Patistan in a thrilling encounter that ended 4-3 in favour of Farfadillis. Moving on to Group B, and Åsløtten-Bëðerbørg så Česky (I honestly just copy pasted that because I have no f*cking idea as to how you write or pronounce that. I shall call them ABC) narrowly lost out 3-2 to Filopines (feel our pain then?), whilst tournament favourites Starblaydia played out a dour (by all accounts) draw with The Licentian Isles in Manehattan. Group C saw a scoreless draw between Dutzenderland and Nassau Hessen, two very Germanic names if I may say so myself, and a comprehensive defeat of Sangti by the Blouman Empire. Eura, the world champions, but not exactly world champions owing to the fact that this was their U-21 team, narrowly lost out to New Sideburn thanks to a goal by Chris Christon, whilst Mizuyuki triumphed 3-1 against Thatius. The other match in our group saw another thrilling encounter, this time between Free Republics and Welsh Cowboy, which ended 5-3 in favour of the reigning Baptism of Fire champs. Saugeais and Furellum won having scored 3 goals each in Group F, whereas 95X and Taeshan emerged winners in Group G. Group H saw the lowest number of goals, with only 4 shots entering the net between The Inevitable Syndicate, Mytannion, Sicoutimont, and Iseteskog. The final scores here were The Inevitable Syndicate 1-0 Mytannion, and Sicoutimont 2-1 Iseteskog. SC

by **Ko-oren** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:29 am

Ko-oren to go into first game, park the bus already

New Sideburn, the first opponent of the Liteblues in the Di Bradini Cup, has won against... Eura. "Not exactly what we've hoped, but at least they've already shown their cards. Now we can prepare ourselves, instead of maybe underestimating them", commented coach Kerligusk Jermalisthen. "After all, we would have played defensively, but now we know they can beat youth teams of the World Champions, they can prepare themselves for the biggest bus-parking of their yet short careers".

Reportedly, the Litegreens will play in the usual 4-4-2, with the usual 11, but with different details than we had expected. Byrne will keep his goal clean, with Blanke and Konno in front of him. Idrasil and Ob, the wing defenders, will play anywhere between the edge of the box and the corner flag, trying to keep any cross from reaching the box altogether. Norilyin and Aumark, the wing midfielders, will take it upon them to stop any incoming New Sideburn midfielder, either forcing them back to their own half or forcing them inside, protecting the wings. Rakoren and Ishoren will be central midfielders, of which one will sweep the ball away just before the central defending duo, the other will try to hold the ball as long as possible while looking for a solution that does not involve New Sideburn ever getting the ball back again for at least 30 seconds. Zhukov and Sisribun, the strikers, will stay up front, looking to profit from any loose ball in midfield, or from the occasional long ball from the Liteblue defense. "They're not going to get any space on our half, and they're not going to get close to our goal. Not over the wings, not through the middle. Especially not through the middle." Jermalisthen concluded, before saying he had to run. "It doesn't really matter that I give away our tactics, as anyone who has ever seen any Ko-orenite representative national football side would already know how we're going to approach these games". It is still unconfirmed if the team is going to play any more defensive against opponents like Eura and Thatius, but we're going to say yes. If you can play any more defensive than we're expecting to see against New Sideburn, that is.

(OOC: I haven't mentioned this in my roster somehow, but the style mod should be -5).

by **Nouvel Ecosse** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:29 am

Pos Name                Age  Club                    FT   Sub  Res
GK  Howard Russell        19  Wayne Island Athletic   O     O    X
GK  Olen Alger            16  Armadillo FC            X     O    O
GK  Karl Jaegar           13  Mikan Wave              O     X    O
LB  Demetrius Barrow      20  Dunsulk Millionaires    O     O    X
LB  Leif Overstreet       20  Callander City          O     X    O
CB  Leonardo Angel        19  Everton                 O     O    O
CB  Doran Milosevici      16  Blau-Weiss Pallstadt    X     O    O
CB  Lando Giacherrini     21  Martell United          X     O    O
CB  Richard Fast          20  Hannibal Elect          X     O    O
RB  Leroy Finnigan        18  Wayne Island Athletic   O     O    X
RB  Edward Tozier         19  Red Star Burgundy       O     X    O
RM  Dale Robson           17  Edinburgh City          O     O    X    
RM  Anton Escamilla       19  Harbour Tusks           X     O    O
DM  Daren Espinoza        21  Harbour Tusks           X     O    O
CM  Sean Wolfe            19  Cansas City             O     O    X
CM  Josef Reiter          15  Jacobites               O     X    O
AM  Jorge Sanchez         18  Edinburgh City          X     O    O
AM  Curt LaFleur          21  Endeavour Thistle       X     O    O
LM  Chase Maupin          20  Mabel Oilers            X     O    O
LM  James Morrisoni       19  Alhambra Azores         O     X    O
CF  Luther Maldonado      18  Callander City          O     X    O 
CF  Gav O'Sevens          15  Endeavour Thistle       O     O    X
CF  Cristopher Montoya    20  Endeavour Thistle       X     O    O
RW  Glen Fellaini         19  Everton                 O     O    O
ST  Blair Hereida         20  Santa Maria City        O     X    O
CF  Vito Giacherrini      19  Martell United          X     O    O

Manager: Spur Geographic
Assistant: Argo Burgun

Formation: 3-1-2-2-2
Style Modifier: +3

Di Bradini Cup 29/U21WC50 RP/Roster/Results Thread

DBC-29 Pre-MD1

Di Bradini Cup 29 MD0 RP

so close so far

Who is online