7th Cup of Champions
Kingdom of Banija
Kingdom of Banija
The Royal Banijan Soccer Association would like to officially welcome all to the 7th edition of the Cup of Champions! A prestigious tournament usually hailed as the final competitive tournament before the World Cup Finals, it consists of 8 of the world's best nations duking it out for this trophy, on the home soil of one of the World Cup host nations, as they compete for a trophy and tune-up for the World Cup Finals. This consists usually of the champions of the multiverse's major tournaments. Those who accepted their invitations to compete in Banija in addition to the Kadongo Kamu are the two-time defending world champions Vilita, the Cup of Harmony 74 champions Kita-Hinode, and the Baptism of Fire 70 champions Hapilopper. Also accepting invitations were the AOCAF LVIII Champions Equestria, who also qualify as World Cup 83 Co-Hosts, as well as the Independents Cup 7 champions. With the Cup of Harmony champions doubling as the Campionato Esportiva champions in a trophy filled year for Kita-Hinode, the holders of this trophy, Brenecia, have accepted an invitation back to defend it. And for the 8th spot, with the Copa Rushmori XXXII champions Pasarga declining their invitation, the Copa Rushmori XXXII runners-up Eura have accepted their invitation to the tournament as Rushmore's representative, to round out the field of 8.
The RBSA, for ease of travel concerns for fans, have decided to ensure all games are played in the Moravica Region, the populous, economically powerful region in Banija's northwest, that contains two major population centers with over a million people.
Group A
Banija (22)
Vilita (1)
Hapilopper (69)
Brenecia (11)
Group B
Eura (10)
Equestria (7)
Kita-Hinode (26)
Omerica (48)
Schedule
Group Stages - September 2nd
Semi-Finals - September 3rd
Finals/3PPO - September 4th
Locations
Istria, Moravica
Banija's largest port and largest city by population, this is in the Moravica region, in Northwestern Banija. It is a city of 3 million people, and it is known as Banija's economic capitol. It is largely considered Banija's most diverse city. Historically, this city served as the second capitol city of the Kasanke Tribe, the historical predecessors of the modern Banijan nation. It is one of two Banijan cities with a major foreign population- the other being the nation's capitol, Busukuma. It is located towards the southern border of the Moravica region, right along the coastline. There is even a Kalactanian Hockey League team hosted in the city. Nearly a third of the city holds citizenship of a country other than Banijan. More of those come from the Royal Kingdom of Quebec or the Busoga Islands, but people come from all over Atlantian Oceania and the rest of the multiverse. It is also known as Banija's wealthiest city and primary economic hub. It is home to Banija's oldest university, the University of Loyola-Istria, and to the country's biggest airport.
Kabonero III Field
The largest stadium in Istria is Kabonero III Field, with a capacity of 48,000. The stadium is named after Kabonero III, the monarch who united the country's modern day territory under his rule, and the first to rule the country with the name Banija. There was controversy when Banija hosted the Baptism of Fire as this stadium was not selected to host matches in that, due to a failure between the RBSA and Istria City FC, the stadium's operators, to reach an agreement on revenue splitting. However, this stadium has since hosted major matches at ensuing major tournaments, including World Cup 81 and AOCAF LVIII 58.
Matches Held Here
Matchday 1- Vilita (1) v. Hapilopper (69)
Matchday 2- Eura (10) v. Equestria (7)
Matchday 3- Kita-Hinode (26) v. Eura (10)
Semifinal- Group B winner v. Group A Runner-Up
Eastern Stadium
Capacity of 37,000, located in Rukunbi District, Istria, Moravica
The home of Istria's other club- Rukunbi FC, who do not have the tradition, talent, or money of Istria City FC- will be hosting games in the Baptism of Fire. Originally, the larger Kabonero III Field, in Downtown Istria, was supposed to host games- however, the RBSA and Istria City FC failed to reach a deal to allow the use of their stadium during the tournament. So, in a shocking move, the other club in Banija's biggest city- Istria, a city of 3 million- reached a deal with the RBSA, and Rukunbi District, a district known for its slums rather than the glitz and glamour of downtwon, will be hosting games at the Baptism of Fire. Fans can fly directly into Istria via Istria International Airport.
Matches Held Here
Matchday 1- Banija (22) v. Brenecia (11)
Matchday 2- Omerica (48) v. Kita-Hinode (26)
Matchday 3- Equestria (7) v. Omerica (48)
Semifinal- Group A winner v. Group B Runner-up
Herzegovina City, Moravica
Banija's oldest city, the city by its current name is over 800 years old, when it was first conquered by the Kasanke people. It is a city with a population of 1 million people. It is the heart of the Puritan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The national religion was started in this city, and the church's world headquarters, the Herzegovina Temple, is the multiverse's largest Puritan Mormon church. The Bishop of this church, formally titled the Patriarch of Herzegovina, is the most senior member of the church, and the joint head of the global church, alongside His Majesty, the Kabaka. It is home to Banija's largest university, Northern Moravica University. It served as the seat of government for the Kasanke Tribe. It is also the capitol city of the Moravica region. As the original home of the predecessors of the Banijan monarchs, all reigning monarchs are buried on the grounds of the Herzegovina Temple.
Phoenix Stadium
Capacity of 25,000, located in Vidizi, Moravica, an inner-ring suburb of Herzegovina City
The home of Herzegovina City's other club- the newer club that is in the shadow of one of Banija's oldest, Herzegovina City FC. The Herzegovina Phoenix are in the upper middle class of the Banijan Soccer League, generally finding themselves in the top half of the table, competing for births in the UICA Globe Cup. They have done so on a lone occasion, qualifying for the UICA Globe Cup after a fourth place finish. The formation of this team has ensured the development of one of Banija's newest derbies, the Herzegovina City derby, between Herzegovina City FC and the Herzegovina Phoenix.
Matches Held Here
Matchday 1- Eura (10) v. Omerica (48)
Matchday 2- Brenecia (11) v. Hapilopper (69)
Matchday 3- Hapilopper (69) v. Banija (22)
Third Place Match
Star Field
The stadium in Herzegovina City is Star Field, and it has undergone an expansion to 70,000, much larger than it was when it hosted World Cup games. This stadium was, of course, a shoe-in to host games- when you consider capacity, ease of transportation, and size of the city, it was a no brainer. The stadium is home to Herzegovina City FC, Banija's most successful side since the establishment of the BSL, with 5 league titles in the past 7 seasons. Star Field is generally accepted to be the oldest major stadium within Banija.
Matches Held Here
Matchday 1- Equestria (7) v. Kita-Hinode (26)
Matchday 2- Banija (22) v. Vilita (1)
Matchday 3- Vilita (1) v. Brenecia (11)
7th Cup of Champions Final
