World Cup 68 RP Thread

[Jeru FC]

Princess Katy and Dream lord after a Jeru FC win 6-1 at home

Katy: Well done boys, but the job isn't over. You have 4 more games
DL: Yes, but we're still in it the race ... just
Katy: Thank God Jeruselem win their group, didn't need both teams in the runner up play offs
DL: Don't worry, we don't to go home just yet
Katy: Why is that?
DL: Because playing football is better than digging ditches and clearing landmines

Katy: What about the toilet cleaning?
DL: We're too old for that, they give it to younger people now
Katy: These ditches, what are they for?
DL: Not sure, I hear they use them to put the bodies of people who step on landmines
Katy: Lovely that
DL: We've been lucky so far

Katy: Well, keep on winning then
DL: Yes, we always look forward to overseas trips
Katy: I hear there's a new project to clear some areas of radioactive topsoil
DL: Yes, some part of Jeruselem have been ... nuked
Katy: So some lot of idiots have to go in dig up that crap
DL: Err, yes and they don't send useful people who can defend the country to do that

Katy: So people like you who still don't know to shoot straight
DL: Yes, brave people like us
Katy: You're not glowing in the dark yet
DL: We haven't done that stuff yet ... I hope we can avoid it
Katy: If you win the cup, you might just become national heroes and avoid it
DL: Yes, that's a great plan!

Katy: It's just 71 other teams have the same idea
DL: Well I guess so
Katy: Your opponent, Paradystopia are pretty good. 11 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss ... 2nd to the Holy Empire
DL: I think we've played them before
Katy: People expect them to win
DL: We'll do our best, don't worry

Katy: Anyway, you're doing well I guess ...
DL: Didn't expect Princesses win the group
Katy: Yes, we had to make the last cup via a playoff
DL: At least Princesses have two chances to make the final
Katy: If the playoff system was like the last few cups, they would in the final right and we would be out
DL: I guess it's good for us

Katy: Yes, lucky bastards.
DL: We're still waiting for permission to get to your concert
Katy: That was, how long ago you asked?
DL: Yes, apparently some are on holidays
Katy: They seem to take of lot of holidays when it's world cup time
DL: Yes, I mean we don't know what a holiday is.

[Polar Islandstates]

"Seb Nilsson, Svalbard Courier. Mr Rasmussen-"

"Morten, please." interrupted the Terns manager with an easy wave of the hand that he knew would look good on the popping cameras.

"Okay, thank you. Morten, you must be satisfied with the way that qualifying group campaign went?"

"Yes, very happy, thank you. I think we had a few wobbles here and there - that equaliser in Kazamatsuri was the low point if there was one - but overall I'm very happy, yes. The players stuck well to their tasks and they didn't let the weight of expectation or any form of arrogance get the better of them, which is good, I think. We were always expected to top the group, and we have done. We may not have been the most scintillating team in qualifying so far, but we got the job done and when you achieve your target of winning the group it is hard to see how you could have exceeded expectations, really. Very happy, thank you."

"About that equaliser," continued the journalist, "you made the decision to keep faith with Ulsletten in later matches, is that a sign that we can expect no changes between now and the playoffs?"

"Absolutely. I made the decision to put Leif in the twenty-three based on his superb season in Divisjon One. He's still learning at this level - I think Iulian Kirilaunen was only Leif's age when he made his own debut in the Terns side, and Iulian didn't have two world class goalkeepers ahead of him in the squad to contend with, either. Leif is behind the keepers for Franz Josef City and Surtsey Island Gulls, I mean... you know? It's only natural therefore for a player to show a few nerves when he takes his place in the squad ahead of players with far more experience on the bench. Erik was another player who has had to deal with that this campaign. But no, I wasn't going to drop him for a mistake like that. They happen. And what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? The experience will serve him well in the long term. That penalty save is proof of that already, I think. Does that answer your question? What was the question? I'm just talking about Leif now, aren't I...?"

"Erm, can we expect an unchanged squad?"

"Oh! Oh, gosh yes. No, this is the twenty-three, and barring injury that rules a player out of the tournament, this is the twenty-three that I will take all the way to the World Cup."

"Mikaela Braun, Valhallan Independent. Does that mean you're approaching the playoff with confidence? How does it feel to be the team everyone wanted to avoid?"

"Well..." said Morten, taking a second to puff out his cheeks and take a sip of water before answering, "it's flattering, obviously. If people want to avoid us, then we can only take that as a compliment to the way we've been playing. We've got confidence, we've got the talent, and we've got twenty-three players all more than willing to play out of their skins for each other. I think that's very important. Nice to be feared, of course, but we also have to watch when teams raise their game to play us. Those that don't fear us would relish the chance to take us down. Rushmori teams in particular. What was it, Pasarga and Darmen at the last two Copas? They certainly raised their game and they knocked us out as a result. In that respect I suppose I'm glad we've avoided Rushmori opposition in the playoff. I don't know the Barunia playing squad particularly well - they're not a great force in club football are they - but I will endeavour to find out. Because hopefully they're already well aware of what we can do. We're not taking this 'defending world champions' thing very seriously if not."

"So, confident, then?"

"Certainly. Barunia played well at the last World Cup, and if their squad is similar to that then I know they'll be a challenge. I mean, listen, they've reached the World Cup once already, right? I can remember when the Terns had done that; the following qualification campaign was one of the best of the Kirkkegaard era, I think, because the players were hungry. I have no doubt whatsoever that the Barunian... Barunese? Barunienne? Barunian? ...that the Barunian player will be just as hungry to replicate that success on the pitch for them this time. If they're as tenacious as Valhallans, and I've no reason not to believe so, then I'm sure we'll have a fight on our hands. We'll go into the match respecting them, but I fully expect and will be preparing my players to progress in the first playoff rather than waiting for a second tie."

"Sunshine Mbola, Mtoville Daily Star. What's your favourite colour?"

"Navy blue."

"Diedrich Kubewale, Franz Josef Herald. Is it nice to have had the chance to open up in the last match there?"

"Always happy to let rip and take aim at the opposite goal, yes. The game is about scoring goals, isn't it? I know I impress a keen sense of ball retention and defensive objectives on the team, and I am very satisfied indeed with the goals against column in that table. Very impressed. But yes, you can't win games if you don't score goals, so to see the team relax and knock in six like that without being under any pressure to win at all was very satisfying. A nice treat for the fans at the Nasjonale, too, I'm sure. Kolehmainen's hat trick in particular was very satisfying."

"That leads me onto my next question in fact," continued Kubewale, "Gustaf has received plaudits from across the mental health and footballing communities as a result of the way he's carried himself in the wake of his horrible personal circumstances, in particular for the way he has highlighted mental health issues and how easily they can affect a person. Has his recovery lifted the team?"

"Well, I think certainly Gustaf deserves a warm pat on the back for the way he's carried himself, yes. He's been dignified and suffered in silence for much of it, I think perhaps more than he has needed to, but somewhere around the half way point in qualifying I think something clicked in his head and he's come back with a renewed sense of determination and grit that I have scarcely seen in a player before. He's playing with a fire again, and whilst I can't be certain what the light at the end of his own personal tunnel is represented by, I'm sure I speak for the whole team when I say we will be there alongside him giving him all the support we possibly can. I mean, I'm a proud father of two and can only imagine what he must have felt being told for the third time that he wasn't going to be a father after all. It is an unimaginable tragedy. But yes, his resurgence in form has seen the team rally around him, and the way they celebrated with him when he scored his third goal against Olastor I think is only proof of that team spirit. We'll be here for him. We all will."

"Okay, thank you Morten."

"No problem, erm, one last question? Yes. Erm, you, Eff. Hi Eff, how are you?"

"I'm not bad thank you Morten, erm, Efraim Felix Forsberg, Effed in the FA. Now you've got the runners-up monkey off your backs is there less pressure on the team?"

"Well, I suppose so, yes, but I never tried to put pressure on my team in the first place. I always aim for the quarter finals. Always. Anything beyond that is proof we are one of the best teams in the Multiverse, getting to them should be our target because we are already conceived as such. I'd love to defend the title though. That's the dream. Dream and target are two different things. Besides, we've reached three consecutive finals already - trophy or no trophy, we've nothing left to proof to anyone. Why should we feel pressure? If we get knocked down, we get back up and try again. It's the Valhallan way. Like I said, we've done it twice already to reach a third final. No, we're calm, we're confident, and we feel no pressure at all. Okay?"

"Thanks, Morten."

"My pleasure. See you all before the Barunia game."

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

New Sideburn? I'm getting mine shaved...
Jacob Pratt discusses our uphill struggle

Conservation. It's a tactic that Montier's got us doing for this cycle. The qualifiers, they were a problem, but only because we made them a problem. By doing the absolute bare minimum, we've put ourselves in an interesting position that's intimidated both teams in our group and those from all the other qualifying groups. By giving teams like Carialus and Star United States the thought that they might have made it into a playoff spot has meant that when we did come crashing in in the final seconds, it let them and everyone else down a whole lot more. And I loved it. So what if we have to play another game? Our capacity for putting effort in now is so much greater than all those teams that struggled for the top spot.

So, you may be wondering which team has had the unfortunate luck of drawing against us. Well, it's New Sideburn. They finished 2nd in Group 21, with 34 points, just 6 points off of first place finishers Valladares. They did better than us by quite a considerable margin, and worked very hard to get there. Last cycle, they worked very hard too, finishing third in a tough group that contained Polar Islandstates and the hosts at the time, Equestrian States. So, we know that the Comorants, in their formation that's tried and tested, are a very hard working team that can really put the effort in when needed. But just how well will they fare against us?

I had a chat with the rest of the team, and some of my other contacts, to see if I could grab some information on the Sideburnese team as they stand at the moment, luckily, they're also full of international talent, playing in the Astograthi and Polarian leagues like a lot of us. I know for a fact that Gareth Crowley is a person to be admired, as we work fantastically when playing for Celtic over in The Licentian Isles. He's not afraid to speak his mind, and he's a brute when it comes to defence. I reckon Tavel's going to have a problem with him, and who knows? If he can keep his momentum up, he might even score.

Anyway, the rest of the team also thought that the Sideburnese were an excellent match against us. If Mortlock decides to bring out Gerhard Thunder, then Tavel thinks he knows how the man operates, from their time together at Astograth University. He might be 35 years old, but he's one of their best players, and continually shines in international play and in domestic play. Tavel claims he's quick to react to situations, but often takes clean steps in prioritising threats, and can't seem to deal with more than one stimulus at a time too effectively. Bradley said that was where we would sweep in an punish him, hopefully resulting in a quick change of possession that can be bought up the field. That is, of course, if Brandon's not there to stop it. Karl hates this man, and every time Brigham play Directus, he's always making complaints about the guy's style of play. Karl claims he likes to stay around the defence, but is more than capable of making quick plays forward when necessary. He'll definitely be someone I'll be keeping an eye on, but I think that Karl's got his own personal agenda in the match next week. That scares me a little.

I also had a talk with Ryan Oliver, over the phone, to see if he had any information on Konrad Evans, as they both play for Gortz. All I got was "You're playing against him? Tell the guys to watch their shins..." which I can only assume means that this guy plays dirty. I'm sure he'd be a great ally to have on the pitch, but it seems as if he has the pace and the mentality that will make him a hell for our defence. Luckily, that's where our strength lies, and I hope that the five of us playing in the forward position can keep the hell away from him.

I couldn't find out much else apart from "Oh, those guys? They're good, don't underestimate them...", so that's exactly what I'm not going to do. We need to bring our A game to these matches, an A game that hasn't really been following us since Thackeray left. I doubt he took it with him, it's just that Montier's been saving it for a decent opportunity. That opportunity is now, I guess! After all, none of us are getting any younger...*

So, it's going to be a trying few weeks, but I have all the confidence and hope that we can go out there and hopefully grab a spot in the World Cup qualifiers. We did it last time, we sort of did it the time before that, and we can do it again!

Jacob

*Pratt turns 30 in a few weeks.

[Blouman Empire]

THE DAILY REVIEW

Families Destroyed Forever Wonder Why

Sally Bakers is a woman consumed by grief and emptiness 2 hours before the PFG bombing she said goodbye to her husband of 10 years and her two sons James (8) and William (6) as they left to watch the Blouman Eagles face off against Jeckland. Four hours later police were knocking on her door to confirm that her husband had passed away and asking her to identify the bodies of her sons. The three had been standing near the one of the bombs when it detonated and would've felt the brunt of the bomb as the explosion knocked them down and the hundreds of ball bearings and nails ripped through their bodies. The force was so large that William's arm had been ripped off and the faces of both the boys were beyond recognition. Sally has spent the past two weeks at her parent's home attempting to come to terms with the loss of her family, her life never the same again. Both James and William were avid football fans both played for their local club their room was covered in posters of Blouman footballing heroes. The day of the bombing was meant to be a special occasion for the pair neither had been to a major game before but had pestered their parents for months and in James' case years to go see a big game. Their father had managed to secure three tickets and both boys were excited that their dreams were about to be fulfilled. Neither boys got to see their heroes play as both their wish and life were snatched away from them. Speaking to The Empire Times Sally spoke of her despair "With my two boys gone I don't think I can continue living, they meant everything to me. I can't understand how someone can kill my sons over an issue they are too young to understand."

It's a story that is repeated all over the nation as the families of the 53 dead and the 93 seriously injured come to grips with their new reality. The bigger question is "why?", why did the White Shirts change tactics and focus on a civilian target rather than government installations mainly military bases and police stations? In the video they released claiming responsibility the White Shirts stated that this game was targeted to bring about international attention to their struggle, however, terror and security analyst Paul Linecoln believes there are other reasons for the change. Paul believes that ever since the East Blouman Uprising five years ago which saw a number of military bases overrun and soldiers killed military and security forces have significantly increased their security against attacks and that it would now be harder for anyone to attack these bases. There have also been reports of a power struggle between the old leadership and newcomers wanting to take control and reinvigorate the fight. As Paul explained "Their last attack was four years ago and the current leadership have been happy to sit back, while their younger members have matured and wanting to not only take over but wanting to restart operations against the Wedrom government". The power struggle is a disturbing thought as it may see further attacks as both factions fight to have control of the organisation. If further attacks do occur then we will see and hear of further heartbreak just like what Sally is experiencing now.

[Apox]

Forged In Fire - Part Fourteen

Sparks of Revolution
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six

Forged in Fire
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen

Jack Greybold hadn’t slept in 23 hours. He hadn’t properly rested in 12 hours. He’d been on the go for days, determined to be updated and help to win this war against the rebels.

A flow of information had been coming into the situation room for hours, since around midnight, as the many strike teams had been deployed. There had been varying degrees of success, but Jack was able to consider it a minor success and a key step in the right direction as of 10am in the morning.

One name had eluded them though. The name of Jeff Jones. The leader of the entire ONP organisation. This was slightly troubling as Jeff was the key. Bring most of the leaders down and they had a good chance of beating the ONP. Bring down Jeff Jones, and they were guaranteed to beat them. The man oozed charisma, good leadership qualities. It was only a shame he was on the wrong side, tearing the country apart at the same time. Where could he be? How had he evaded the strike teams?

***

Jeff was woken by a noise. A gunshot, in the distance out the front of the house. He sat bolt upright in bed, tense, listening. Next to him Anna stirred, a muttered something. He shushed her, before slowly rising from the bed. He knew that Anna was aware that something was wrong. He knew what she’d do,

“Don’t turn on the light,” he hissed, creeping over to the door. Another shot, still outside but closer. Now he was worried, he knew that he’d have to do something. Stand and fight, or turn and run. It was decisions like this that defined history. He turned around back to the silhouette of Anna, sat upright in bed.

“Put some clothes on,” he said, “and don’t turn the light on.” He groped around on the floor for his boxers and trousers, and located them after a short search. Grabbing a shirt in one hand and his rifle in the other, he edged back towards the door.

He felt Anna walk up behind him and grab his arm. He knew she was scared and he tried his best to cover up his own fear. He could hear sounds below.

“They’re downstairs. Whoever they are, they’re not friendly. We’ll take the fire exit.” They walked quietly but swiftly along the corridor, and to the fire exit. Jeff quickly hurled himself against it, and it opened with a loud clang.

“Shit,” he said, pulling Anna through and shutting it, the door closing with an even louder clang. Whatever surprise advantage they had over the intruders had just been lost. They needed to get out of there asap.

“Run!” he shouted, pulling Anna down the stairs, and through the gardens of the house to the back door. They were reaching the gate when Jeff heard the back door open. Pushing Anna through the door, he turned to see men walking out of the door, guns raised. A torchlight flickered across the garden, searching.

Without thinking he raised his gun, and fired a burst of bullets in the direction of the door. The light quickly turned off and he saw the silhouettes drop to the floor. He didn’t stop to see if he’d hit or not. He simply ran out through the door onto the street.

Bewildered, he looked around, trying to find Anna. A shout alerted him,

“Over here!” she yelled, smashing the window of the car she was standing next to. She quickly got in and began hotwiring it, as the alarm and horn blasted furiously, cutting through the quietness of the night. He got in the passenger seat, praying for Anna to hurry up.

The engine roared into life as the back gate flew open, and Anna was quickly driving away, down the road and out of the suburbs of Urbanista. A few shots raked the back of the car but none of them hit one of the occupants of the car. They’d been blown, and Jeff wasn’t safe here anymore.

---

So, play-offs, eh? This is a bit of a new experience for the national team - qualifying first in our group in all three WC's we've qualified for (although the first placed teams all have to go through play-offs this time around as well.)

So, having trounced Lojal 5-0 in our final qualifying match, securing second easily, but still being 1 point behind Felix in first, we waited for our first play-off opponent to be revealed with mild interest. Mild interest, until they were revealed that is. The Licentian Isles. Yeah, them. Our close neighbours and allies off the pitch, and our fierce rivals on it.

Make no mistake, these two matches coming up will probably get messy, as we head to the Isles, specifically the LTI Stadium in the capital, Montfort, before returning to Apox and the Royal Stadium for the deciding leg of the play-off. Let's not deny it, this game could be one of the most exciting of the entire play-offs, particularly swollen this time around. Few other play-offs will feature such a battle between two massive rivals. This is the massively exciting part of the two matches.

The less exciting side to the matches is, well, ahem, our poor record against our rivals from across the Channel. 4 times we've played them, and our record? A paltry 0-1-3, with the Apoxian team yet to score a goal against our rivals. This is why we have good reason to worry, these guys know how we operate, they know our tricks. We know theirs as well, but so far they've implemented their game plan better on the pitch.

This must not happen now, and World Cup finals participation is at stake here.Add the additional possibility of knocking our rivals out of contention, and you'll see an Apoxian side with passion in their hearts and on their boots for these two games. We can assume pretty well that the duck of not scoring will end, the team scored a ridiculous 40 goals in qualifying, and that is without Tolgus Tregajorran. Tolgus Tregajorran, who now returns to the side for these qualifiers.

We know what we have to do, now all we have to do is go and do it. Bring it on, fuck the Licentians.

[Nexxus Drako]

It had been a long time coming for us. We are so close, yet so far. We have a chance, a chance to qualify for the World Cup, hopefully in Legalese, because the Free Republicant's would screw us over if we were drew there, that is... if we even make it.

Morale was good, not too high, not to low, we had our feet on the ground. We knew what we had to achieve, which was glory, either we go through hard, or we bomb out hard. Either one was an option. With Arland's imminent retirement hanging over our heads, we had to give him a good send off, even if it's in the Cup of Harmony, wherever that may be... hopefully not Taeshan and Eastfield Lodge though, those nations are strange. (OOC: This is IC, however, I prefer the other bid OOCly.)

With the IBC coming up soon, people may lose their focus on the World Cup, hoping for a repeat of IBC 13's Round of 16 berth, which may just happen. There's even the UICA, the CEdC, the Cygnus and even the Nexxus Cup to think about for our clubs of this wondrous sport. But one thing is for certain. We are a much better team than we were back in BoF 54.

WE ARE STRONG, WE ARE UNITED, WE ARE NEXXUS DRAKO!

[Felix]

World Cup 68 Qualifiers: Felix-Blouman Empire Leg I
By: Steven Smith

Felix has made it to the Group winners round of the qualifying stage after handily beating Rarungan 5-2 in the Felixian national stadium, Estado Nacionale. At this point one would say that we can smell the World Cup. We are that close. A win (over the two legs) and we are in. If we lose we are thrown down to the next playoff match against a third place or second place team that one their playoff match. Win and we are in. If we lose there we are totally out and we will be put in the Cup of Harmony.

So who are we facing in this critical playoff round? Blouman Empire. Now I know what you might be saying. Blouman Empire? Who's that? Funny you should ask that, in this article we will be providing a preview to the match but we will also give you some cool info on the team we are facing. We will even throw in a summary of our journey in the World Cup so far! So now without further delay, the preview!

Blouman Empire

Basic Information
Full Name: The Imperial State of Blouman Empire
Trigramme: BLO
Region: Atlantian Oceania
Capitol: Grona
Leader: Emperor Henry IV
Population: Unknown, WA States 12 Billion
Demonym: Blouman
Official Language: N/A
KPB Ranking: 14th
Head Coach: Henry Emergaton
Star Player(s): Milton Tuneson, Hamish Alpin, Michael Walkers
Rising Star(s): Kane Harrison
Defensive Juggernaut(s): Hamish Alpin, Nathan Lasoo
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Style: +0
Games Versus Felix: Leg I (@ Felix), Leg II (vs Felix)
Predicted Finish: Loses to Felix but qualifies for the World Cup

The Blouman Empire, they are a tough nut aren't they? This team did very well as they were four points clear of second place at the end of the group stage of qualifying. Overall this team played solid they beat all the teams at least once and has only lost game. They drew twice. So to say this team is strong and worrisome to Felixian dreams for a World Cup entry, is a understatement. This team is fearsome. Very fearsome. So much our coach has repeatedly warned the press that this could get ugly if Felix can't focus.

Some players that add on to that fear are on the defensive side of the pitch, those two players that can cause a lot of trouble to Felix are Hamish Alpin (who is the captain) and Nathan Lasoo. These two are defensive juggernauts. They are fast, strong and can compete with our midfielders every day and twice on Sunday. They're that good. But it is not only in the defense they ace in, yep that's right, this team has shooters. And a lot of it.

No, this team is also a offensive power. They have a lot of firepower in their forwards and it showed with 43 goals scored in the group stage of qualifying and they decimated their opponents. In fact, their only loss against Falcus was avenged in a brutal way as they demolished the poor national side with a 2-6 scoreline at their home. I guess we better not fuck with them at home, Jesus was that a ugly match to watch for the people of Falcus. The poor team couldn't recover after that as they finished fourth.

The players that supply this fearsome attack is the midfielders and boy are they good. They seem to make the right passes at the right time as the ball goes right through any chink of armour a opposing defending side might have. Add that with Michael Walkers and his protege, Nathan Lasoo and you have a venomous attack. A attack accurately compared to a snake by Bernardino Florentino our best defender.

Despite all this I still believe Felix can beat these guys. Sure they have an huge amount of talent but so do we (despite our rank) and I believe we can stand a chance against these guys. We can clearly make it. It will be tough. But before I give you my prediction let me talk about us, the underdogs that pulled the unlikely finish. Felix.

Felix

Basic Information
Full Name: The Federal Republic of Felix
Trigramme: FEL
Region: Esportiva
Capitol: Santa Maria
Leader: President Tamara Van Der Ven
Population: 72 million (2014 Felixian Estimate)
Demonym: Felixian
Official Languages: Spanish, English, German, Italian, Swedish
KPB Ranking: 53rd
Head Coach: Ishikawa Haruka (Mizuyuki)
Star Player(s): Sebastian Krister
Rising Star(s): Haruto Takahashi
Defensive Juggernaut(s): Alexis Garcia & Bernardino Florentino
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Style: +4
Predicted Finish: Beats the Blouman Empire and qualifies for the World Cup

Felix has gone through a interesting route to this stage of the qualifiers. The first had to win Group 5, which they did. But by skin of their teeth. We had a 4 point lead going into the final stretch of the qualifiers but we slowly started to lose that as we eventually ended the group stage of the qualifiers by 1 point. Yep, one point. No such thing as comfort for us Felixians, especially compared to the Blouman that finished their group up with 4 points and secured their group early.

But let's not downplay our national team! We had a fantastic campaign, we drew against Apox and did very well against the smaller teams of the group despite those two ridiculous losses suffered at the hands of those annoying warriors, Milchama. Who undeservingly took the third spot from the more talented Charutarana and Yttribian teams. Nonetheless a lot of stability and maturity was shown by the Felixian side, where would usually blowoff games against smaller teams we dominated them, that can't be said by Apox or Milchama who both suffered defeats or draws. Apox famously lost to Itanpavia who proved to be the surprise team of our group.

We have some weapons for sure in the likes of our midfield and forward corps. In the midfield we have quality distant strikers, passers and headers in the likes of Gabriel Jenaro, Sebastian Krister, and Kunibert Mathias. These three are the center piece to a Felixian attack and if they don't preform well the whole team will struggle with a attacking front. The lead man of this attacking circus? Mikel Araboa who is amidst a revival of sorts for the man formerly playing in Apox. This guy has contributed a lot of goals for the Felixian side that had 39 goals. That is high but still not as high as Apox (who had 40 goals) and Blouman which had 43. But don't fret, we aren't that far away from them.

In the defense we are still lead by the legendary Bernardino Florentino, he is a centrepiece of the Felixian defense. He leads the defense when Felix is under fire and he leads the attack when the defenders join a massive Felixian counter when the opponent makes a mistake. It is truly a side to be feared for when that Felixian counteroffensive is in full swing. With that in mind, does that mean Felix has a chance to make it past a tough looking (and even scary) Blouman side? Do we have the firepower to counter theirs? Do we have the defensive strongmen that can defeat their forwards?

Why of course (if you haven't noticed already, this is the preview of the match part, not really the bio of a nation part)! Felix plays at home first in Stadio Altomare, Felix's biggest stadium. We have had some success here and we are as sure as hell to continue that success. The lineup of the Felixian side is the same as the one debuted in the first match of this long campaign. The captain though for this match has been changed from goalkeeper, Matías Ciriaco to Mikel Araboa.

Before we sign off to watch the actual match (which will happen in a few days and you should totally watch it) I want to mention what is going on with our second and third place friends. Apox, who finished one point shy of first has been drawn in the most potentially entertaining and obviously tough match (on paper) with their allies off the pitch and deeply hated rivals, The Licentian Isles. One of these nations will have to give up World Cup hopes and that is very sad, because I predicted both will be in this edition of the World Cup. I wish luck to both of these teams (although I am leaning to Apox ;]).

And lastly, we have Milchama who is facing Osarius. Osarius for those that don't know is a super scary opponent and I am really glad Felix doesn't have to face them. How this national side get second is beyond me but I do know this that Osarius will defeat Milchama and they will go off to the World Cup. There is absolutely no doubt. If you couldn't tell, I was rooting for Osarius.

That is all we got this week from the folks in The National until next time everyone and good luck to The Phoenix and to every team that is in the playoff stage of the qualifiers. For the teams in the first place playoff, one more match till the World Cup! For the other folks, keep on fighting and we hope we can see your team play. Bye, bye.

[McKleigh]

Despite pulling our starters for the final fixture McKleigh was once again victorious over Levivania behind goals by "Lucky Lefty" Luke MacMillan 37' and Charles O'Branche 74' for a final of 2-1. with the group portion of qualifying complete and the first playoff fixtures set McKleigh is excited to announce they will be going up against the famous Starblaydia who's pre WC68 rank was 12 and who was won 5 previous cups. Do we have a chance to continue this streak of luck and pull out another victory with narrow margins? #*%$ no! Not because they are so much better than us, but because they have women on their roster. Beautiful women at that. If we learned anything this WC we learned that is a huge problem for the McKleighvian squad.

Lets look back at our 0-2 and 0-3 losses to Zwangzug. After the second loss we had asked assistant manager Ronan Stewart about the loss and he replied "It is never fun to lose, but did you see the chemistry we had out there?" "Chemistry, realy, we looked horrible playing out there I thought" reporter John McFauchs replied. To wich Ronan responded "Oh, the team. Yes the team was horrible. But Matilda Kratochvil and I had something going on out there." We also inquired about the poor performance by Lincoln McKleigh who firmly stated "I was trying to score the entire game like I've never tried to score before!" to wich the response was "realy, because every time you touched the ball you gave it directly to Nadine Roark." Lincoln responded "Um yeah, like I said, I was trying to score." It has also been reported that many of McKleighs team members have been trying to make arrangements to train in Zwangzug. Not football training, beauty and hair care training.

Will things perhaps be different when we face Starblydia with our standard starting lineup being featured again? Not likely, as assistant manager Finnean Kilgour has been talking non-stop about meeting Lena Kochanska. The rest of the team excited to see Gisselle Isom and Ffion McAllister play. In fact there is quite the locker room debate about wether or not Ffion McAllister is a descendant of McKleigh. Things are not looking good, our only hope is Margaret doing some magic. No disrspect to Margaret, but even for her that kind of magic is doubtful.

But it has been a great time thus far! Some fun facts:
Only three teams from pot 8(the lowest ranked teams in each group) made it to the playoffs, all three taking 3rd in their group. McKleigh with 28 points a record of 9-1-4, Kernansquillec with 26 points and a record of 8-2-4, and Schiavonia with 22 points and a record of 7-1-6.

Kernansquillec also happened to debut in BOF 42, same as McKleigh. Other teams who debuted in BOF 42 include Quackmybush ranked 107, Astograth ranked 35, Ko-Oren ranked 21, and Polar Islandstates ranked 1. Makes you wonder where we would be if we hadn't taken such a long break from international competition.

Legalese was also the host of BOF 42.

We scored 3 goals in 3 fixtures vs Zwannswijik, Gandham Islands and Patistan. This is a team record as we had previously never scored more than 2.

Our largest margin of victory is now 3 as well, 3-0 against Gadham Islands

Our largest margin of defeat remains our WC55 loss to Cafundeu with a score of 1-5

Most goals scored against remains 5 by Cafundeu in WC55 and Equestrian States now as well.

The Archregimancy and Milchama are the only WC68 participants that McKleigh has faced in previous events.

WC68 Goal scorers7 Jonah MacGrough
5 Donovan McNeil
4 Lincoln McKleigh
3 Wallace O'Ryan
3 "Lucky Lefty" Luke MacMillan
1 Charles O'Branche

[Barunia]

Kitty didn't know how long she'd been in the camp. It had been weeks, but after a while the days had started to blur. Since her kidnap, her days were marked only when her captors came into the tent she was tied up in, to give her food. She still hadn't seen Rodolphe; the only person she'd seen were the guards, and the blonde man. He was clearly the leader, and Kitty wondered what his story was. He clearly wasn't a local, and judging by his accent he wasn't Barunian either. While she was pondering this, the tent opened and the man himself walked in.
"Ms Smith." He said, in that perplexing accent, "I have bad news."
Kitty, with her wrists and legs tied firmly to a loop in the tent wall, could only stare at him.
"Yes, it is tragic. Your precious Suns are not going to qualify for the world cup."
Kitty thought about that for a moment. Even if they'd lost every game since she had been captured, it would have taken a miracle for the Suns to lose out on a top three finish. She said as much to her captor, forgetting in her confusion to show him silent defiance.

The blonde man laughed. "Oh, they topped the group all right. Only one of three teams to do so without a loss. Cassadaigua and Audioslavia are the others, so Barunia is in illustrious company. But our reward is to face Polar Islandstates in the play-off. I'll let that sink in for a minute."
Kitty groaned. That was bad news.
Her captor spoke again "It will be even worse then West Angola in 64."
Kitty responded. "There's only a 21 place difference in the rankings. Hell, you didn't mention them in the list of unbeaten teams, so it proves they can be beaten. Remember the Weegies last world cup qualifying? They beat them, and they were unranked."
The man laughed. "Ever optimistic I see. It is good, because there is nothing to be cheerful about here. Maybe tomorrow Rodolphe will come, or maybe he will tell me to kill you. Either way, I wouldn't hold out hope. For you or your precious Suns."

[Paradystopia]

"Quack!"

The offices were a hive of activity as Chanxi and Dyuliett dragged a semi-naked, semi-conscious and wholly disconcerted Dennis Barker through the corridors towards the lab. Jay was following behind the trio, pecking gently at Dennis' ankles in order to rouse him. Dennis was just glad that Lord Almighty Gregory the second was in a storeroom somewhere staring at a packaging crate in the hopes that the Horseradish-themed superhero would make a return appearance.

The lab was not a lab in the usual sense. One would usually expect to find a neat array of conical flasks, hi-tech equipment and other science-y gizmos. Here, there was more of an ethos of somebodies abandoned garage. Old kitchen appliances butchered into fantastical new contraptions befitting a steampunk wet-dream. Chanxi obviously felt at home here, dropping Dennis upon Dyuliett almost instantaneously to go retrieve her favourite pair of safety goggles. Torn between the choice of supporting the demi-john containing a few ears of corn and the inert Dennis, she came to the conclusion that Dennis was probably more robust than a glass container and allowed him to collapse to the floor before skipping over towards Chanxi.

"Quack!"
"He'll be fine Jay. Just leave him there."
"Quack!"

Dennis slipped again fully out of consciousness. His mind convincing him that it needed a little more off-line time to fully process all the new information it had had thrown at it over the last 48 hours. Ghostly cossacks, the sexual desires of a complete looney and the very real possibility he was contaminated from head to toe in faecal bacteria.

Sweet dreams of Horseradish were what he needed.

Running barefoot (well, not exactly barefoot, just sandals without socks ... it's close enough) through endless verdant fields, warm summer's breeze and the mild aroma of horseradish in bloom ...

Ahh ... horseradish ... wait, what the ... ?

Is that ... no ... can't be. No, it is ...

Why is a slice of Gorgonzola molesting a rhinoceros ... ?!

[The Archregimancy]

Dear Legalese and Free Republics World Cup 68 Organisers

As you watch over the playoff results with something akin to the attention of a shepherd watching over his flock - which you may, if you wish, take as a subtle religious allegory - your attention is no doubt slowly turning to the forthcoming Opening Ceremony of the World Cup.

If you've been following World Cup Qualification intently, you'll know all about the Backstreet Monks, that fine singing sensation from the heartlands of the World Cup's only autonomous Orthodox Christian monastic republic.

I am writing to you as the Backstreet Monks' agent to see whether you would like to include them in the opening ceremony. Let me make it quite clear that this offer is not contingent on the Archregimancy actually making the World Cup. Regardless of whether they overcome both Hutt River and their unknown second playoff round opponent, the Backstreet Monks are available to perform in the opening ceremony.

The Backstreet Monks are clean cut young middle-aged men who would set a fine example of moral righteousness for today's youth across the competing nations, whether Orthodox, heterodox, heretic, heathen, or even God-forsaking atheists. But nor are they entirely fun free! Why, Fr. Alexander James was actually heard to laugh at a joke last week!

You may not be familiar with their musical stylings, which run the gamut from traditional Orthodox chant through to pop-tastic collaborations with famous popular music artists such as MC Monky L-Man (though allow me to make it very clear that they will refuse to appear on stage with any members of Jeruselem's Dallas family). In order to help familiarise you with what they have to offer, I have enclosed a recent album of theirs for your listening pleasure. I have attached an image of the front cover of said album below to help you with publicity.

You may keep the recording, even if you are unable to include the Backstreet Monks in the opening ceremony.

Yours,

Fr. Alexander the Agent
Holy Monastery of Grigoriou
The Archregimancy

[Zwangzug]

The non-grudgy grudge match had been a success, it was agreed. Khamisi and Maya had scored, and whatever semblance of honor had been on the line had been preserved.

The calm lasted a few minutes before the draw came through, Percy had to pretend like he knew Valladares were fifth seeds, then ask himself where along the way he'd gotten so confident in Zwangzug's abilities that Valladares didn't seem that threatening. Maybe it was the second game against the high seeds, he told himself, then gave up wondering.

Coach Kratochvil informed them that Valladares were "old-timers, but not that old..." before trailing off awkwardly, which instilled precisely no confidence in anyone. The older players, however, seemed to regard her trails off as weighted with a bit more pleasant finality than her predecessors', or at least, granting them the freedom to disperse while she continued to research Les Gones.

Or at least, attempt to research Les Gones before being interrupted by a late-breaking request for an interview that, judging by the exasperated strains of her voice, had disappointingly little to do with the national team. Maybe--"Roark how dare you encourage this, this immaturity"--it was something about Slogda? But Vera had gotten off the hook, escaped attention long enough to go back to fiddling with an icepack.

Martina was drawing up some drills, Kazue looking over her shoulder and trying not to intrude. Franklin had gone back to streaming whatever loudmouthed artist he was into that week, while Arlo unsuccessfully plotted more polite ways to change the channel. And then, from another room, voices that Percy couldn't quite make out...

"Do you ever...like...take...changes, for granted?"

"Eh?"

"You know. When something changes and it seems natural, like it really has been that way all along? You forget how novel it is, how recent."

"Uh, sure."

"I mean--well, that's a bad example--but like, with football. A good team comes along, has some success, and suddenly, it feels like they've been there forever. Even if they haven't accomplished that much yet, in the grand scheme of things."

"Is this about the league?"

"No! Not at all. I just..."

"Yeah?"

"Get impressed, with how fast things change. I mean, a cycle's longer than it used to be, in some cases--but there were some pretty long qualifiers, even when Zwangzug was starting out."

"Starting out?"

"Before our time, the old team."

"Uh-huh..."

"Think about it. They're not even through their second cycle, and they've already--"

That was the moment Percy entered the room. He sized everyone up in turn and in silence. Davi, who had broken off, was tense, wide-eyed. Sara, who he was speaking to, was stretched out, either to relax or actually stretch her legs. Tullio was sitting at attention, yawning. Nirav was sprawled in a corner, looking like he'd gotten lost looking for a stairwell.

"Buyan-Nyucia on tape delay?" Percy asked.

Four nods. Nirav's exhausted, letting his head droop. Tullio's compact. Sara's slow, exercising her neck muscles as she swiveled to look at him. Davi's really more of perking his head up than down.

"Of course. Enjoy."

"That..." Sara glanced around again, "won't be hard."

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

An Announcement from the Imperial Secretariat of the Purple Inkwell

Dear Imperial Citizens,

The Principles of Frostiness and the Three Freedoms mitigate against our interfering in the everyday life of the subjects of the Basileus within the Holy Empire.

However, of late a tiny minority of Imperial Citizens have sought to interfere in Ordinary Reality in a sequence of events relating to World Cup 68.* These include, but are not limited to:

1) An attempt to influence the World Cup organisers into placing Juan Tzimisces onto the official seeding committee, despite the fact he was ineligible under the rules, by threatening to make a highly placed Legalese official think he was a fish unless he complied.

2) An attempt to turn the nation of Paradystopia into a nation of rhinoceros-loving gorgonzola slices after an incident involving wasabi-ejaculating violet elephants.

3) A much less well-known incident - because we fortunately managed to intercept it before anyone noticed - involving the placement of a sign on the Lord Almighty Gregory's back reading "I am Mr. Poopy Pants".

It is imperative that these actions cease immediately.

Quite apart from the fact that these actions run expressly counter to His Imperial Majesty's wish that the Dreamed Realm minimise its interactions with Ordinary Reality where possible, and his known preference for non-intervention except where a reality is directly threatened, those of you who are familiar with the future (relative to World Cup 68) history of the World Cup will already know what happened to Nicholas Monomacho in the second round of World Cup 56,918 (Qazox's first ever World Cup victory) when he unleashed the plague of carnivorous zombie slugs on the slave drones of Hyper-Evolved Ursine Energy Beings Armed.

We most emphatically don't want a repeat of that incident some 227,400 years before it happens the first time.

As a result of His Imperial Majesty's concerns over this matter, ISPI is placing a temporary moratorium on all contact with Ordinary Reality for the duration of World Cup 68. This includes attempts to influence the (subjective) past and future of nations participating in the playoffs and the tournament proper. In other words, if we discover any newspaper reports that fossils have been discovered of the giant prehistoric gorgonzola slices that roamed the Paradystopian steppe in their distant geological past, His Imperial Majesty will be most displeased; likewise if we discover that the Paradystopians later evolve into pan-galactic cheese.

We have already had to temporarily discorporate one Imperial Citizen for the duration of the World Cup; violation of this injunction will meet with further discorporation until the tournament ends.

Imperial citizens will be allowed to travel to tonight's away leg of the playoff against Super-Llamaland; they will likewise be allowed to travel to the away leg of any further playoff match (if necessary) and the finals. However, no further attempt to change the reality of the home nation or tournament will be tolerated. You must agree to adhere to Ordinary Reality physical constraints should you travel to the match.

The only exceptions are the actual members of the Imperial squad, who shall continue to wear their personal oneirology transformers, and shall not be expected to revert to their natural bean form.

THE HIGH COUNCIL OF THE IMPERIAL SECRETARIAT OF THE PURPLE INKWELL




*Note: this is the version we've only won three times because we allow the mundies to win, as opposed to the parallel reality version we win every single time its played, usually by an at least 50 goal margin in the final.

[Sangti]

Balitang Barangay
Main Office

Edric was sitting in his chair, writing his upcoming article for the news company. He was amazed with the game last night. A 6-3 win to close the qualifying stage on a high. Edric was happy to see that the manager fielded a strong lineup, the lineup that was featured in the match against the Syndicatians at the Flynn Arena, but with Cyrus Dimal between the sticks. He was concerned though in the amount of goals he conceded in the early moments of the game, but goals from Daren Corsiga and Robin Linsangan in the sixth and the seventeenth minute of the game proved the difference in the first half, with a Linsangan penalty obviously the turning point of the match in the thirty-seventh minute, after an infraction that reduced the visitors to ten men. Since then, it was all breeze for the Agilang Dilaw, as a late hattrick from Rhomuell Villejo (74', 78', 90') after resting Corsiga for the remainder of the half. It was more than enough to secure the top spot in Group 18 - which mean that they are in the playoffs, facing a fellow group winner. In recent World Cup qualifying, the nation winning a qualifying group earns an automatic ticket into the finals, but not in this case. Edric was about to start the article, when someone pat his back.

"Roman, it's you! Long time no see!" Edric said in a surprised manner.

"Bro, how are things going? I have some good news for you."

"What is it?"

"I've been selected as a member of the World Cup Seeding Committee. So I might leave you guys here. Don't worry though, I'll be dropping by when I have the time. For now, Edric, you will take over my duties as the sportswriter for football."

"Well, I don't know what to say, but good luck to your new designation. Seeding and drawing teams for the playoffs and the finals sure will be a stressful task, with almost every diehard fan watching every move."

"Yeah, I figured you would say that. Actually, we are done seeding the nations, and I could tell you that our own Agilang Dilaw is placed in Pot 2."

"I expected that, Roman, after all, we had that disaster of a qualifying campaign last time out and that had affected the seed for the team. Has the draw been conducted?"

"That's why I am here, bro. The draw has been conducted, and will be released minutes from now, but for the meantime, any rumors in the 23-man squad?"

"Well, some youngsters may make it to the squad, like Marco, Kid and Josue. This will also see the end of Alwin I guess."

"Yeah, probably."

"The draw's released."

"Lemesee..."

"Wait... Valanora?"

"Tough luck, man. We are lucky not to draw the Polarians."

"Well, the number two team in the multiverse... unbeaten in their qualifying group. Well, the team have a tall task ahead if they want to make it to the finals."

"At least we would probably see Laborious Hawk in flesh, playing here in Estadio Olimpico!"

"Yeah, these Marauders do not hold back."

"Ah, Ed, I'll be going then."

"Wait. You still have the match reports from the 52nd Baptism of Fire?"

"Probably, it's in my laptop if I can find it."

"Can you send those to me? Those were the times that I did not watch football. Because of..."

"Well man, I'll give you every match report I have. We're friends, you know? I know you are on a mission to compile them all - the caps, goals, performances - everything. So I want to help you in that aspect. You also helped me back then, and now, here I am."

"Yeah. Take care of her."

"Who?"

"Miss Hellstrom."

"Eh? I have seen her, but we don't talk to each other except for matters in the Seeding Committee."

"Do your best then."

"Yeah. Probably."

Roman left Edric's workspace to meet up with the officials in the news company. Edric returned to his previous stance, thinking in his chair.

"Valanora, eh? That's a tough mountain to climb."

[Kandorith]

Into The Play-Offs Once More

By Lisho Yaru

Once again the Kandorese team reaches the play-offs, the stakes are high and the team is moving towards their second real World Cup campaign. Kandorith will face Kernansquillec in the play-offs, which does look in favor of the Red Dragons according to experts. Also coach Xíanjí is confident the team will make it to World Cup for sure. The ever so confident Xíanjí has become a real fan favorite during his successful campaigns, becoming the most successful sporting story in Kandorese history. With the team preparing for the playoffs; the fans are looking forward to their team performing as well as they did during the qualification campaign.


Also star striker Méng, who now has the goal scoring record for the Kandorese national team is confident there will be more than enough goal scoring chances. He is without doubt that the Kandorese team might even surprise the fans with winning beyond their expectations. It is without doubt that the team is confident and ready to try and snatch more wins to become even more successful than they already were since the last World Cup campaign.

[Antoletia]

Fire Ants Win Big, Play Quebec in Playoffs

With a big 5-1 win on their final matchday the Fire Ants of Antoletia managed to guarantee their advancement to the playoffs of the World Cup qualifiers. Paired with a win by Estope and a failure to score more than a 4 goal advantage the Ants finished third in their group. With the win though they secured that spot and learned their matchup for the next round in opponents the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, more commonly known as just Quebec. The two playoffs games will start in Quebec and come back to Antoletia, and mark the first matchups between the two squads. To win the Ants will have to score, score score. Much like they managed to do throughout the qualifiers.

Speaking of scoring a lot of goals the Fire Ants did just that in their final match of the 14 qualifiers against Scorpio. Starting a slightly changed squad with 5 defenders, including Percival Devine at Center back. Remus Robideau was the man on the bench, who ultimately came in for striker Anton Gregovich who managed to score his third hat trick of the season with three headers on the game in the 19th, 28th and 45th. Robideau and his twin Constantine came on at the half for Gregovich and Raphael and made the game a passing game. Ultimately they led to Georghe von Leeweonheouck scoring a brace in the second half thanks to assists from both of the twins in the 80th and the 89th.

[Taeshan]

Brace yourselves, its a prediction cast.

http://chirb.it/5y67k9

Sorry about the length.

[Hutt River]

The risk committee of Winther Investment Associates met briefly at 10:38am on Friday 24th June, according to the notes made by director of operations, Frej Schuhart. All of the members of senior management were listed present: Carl Winther and Brandon Scott, co-presidents/chief executives of the company; Dietrich Rot, financial officer; Adam Reynell, Chief Risk Officer; and of course Schuhart himself. He had volunteered to do the minutes at the start of the meeting, and made them seem a bit more formal than they actually were. Afterwards, when memories were compared, none of them had even sat down properly, they just all stood around in Winther's office.

Scott was looking at the computer terminal with a worried expression on his face. Western Trains' stock had gone down by around 65% since the accident happened, but had recovered slightly over the past few hours. BOB had been kept running despite what had happened, or possibly because of it. They still had made a massive profit of roughly 35 million on that. Either way Reynell wasn't happy about the decision, and he had voiced his displeasure earlier.

"Really? You're still trusting it? Carl, if any of those fail, we're knee deep in it, you know that, right?"

Winther didn't answer him. It wasn't his decision anyway, it was Scott who chose to keep it on. He probably would've himself, but there was still a little niggle at the back of his mind that wondered whether Reynell was right. The algorithm had gone a bit odd, for no apparent reason that Winther's mind could find, but it was still making money. Lots of it. Winther had took a position at the window during the meeting, and occasionally looked out of it to check on the car park outside. That was another thing they remembered, how distracted he seemed.

"Right", Scott said, "Winther and I have to take quite a few calls from the investors that came here yesterday. Apparently some of them want to pump some of their cash in. Close the door will you Frej?" He normally said Schuhart's name wrong, but he had said it so many times there was no point in complaining. Scott waited until there was no chance they could be overheard. "I take it we've all seen what'd happened?" He pointed out the window at the collapsed viaduct, and they all nodded. How couldn't have they. It'd been on the news since the story first broke, the footage being repeated ad nauseum until they'd all gotten sick of it, as well as inane commentary from people who knew nothing about trains and structural integrity. "The first question is by making such a large bet on Western Trains shortly before the price collapsed we're going to trigger an investigation. Adam?"
"Short answer is yes. They've probably drawn plans up already." Reynell was a person who always got on point. His job was to keep an eye on the risk levels and ensure they complied with the law. Scott had poached him from the government's regulatory commission.
"Yes?" Scott repeated. "But why? We couldn't have possibly known what could've happened."
"The entire process it automatic. The regulators would've detected any activity surrounding the stock prior to the collapse. They would be already straight on us."
"We haven't done anything wrong though."
"No. Unless we somehow made the bridge collapse. The train was apparently going quite a bit over the limit."
"What's the limit over it? Surely it's no different than the normal line?"
Winther interrupted their conversation. "10. It's been like that for the past couple of years apparently. The company must've known something was wrong with the bridge, but couldn't be bothered fixing it."
"But one train couldn't cause it to collapse?" Scott replied
"I've seen loads of trains go speeding over the bridge. It's probably the straw that broke the camel's back."
"What they will want to know." Reynell continued, "Is why we shorted around ten million shares at that precise moment."
"When did we start acquiring share options?" asked Scott
"As soon as the markets opened. Eight-fourty." Rot replied
"Can we just stop this now?" Winther said irritably. "It will take us less than 5 minutes to show even the thickest regulator that we shorted this stock as part of a pattern of bets. It was nothing special. A coincidence. Get over it."
"Well speaking as a former 'thick' regulator", said Reynell, "I have to say I agree with you. I tried to talk with you earlier this morning."
"Yeah well I'm sorry, but I was late for the meeting." Winther wished Scott had never hired this guy, you could just tell that he was a regulator. It was like a foreign accent, it sticks with you and you can never quite hide where you came from.

They all watched the computers for a few seconds. BOB was trading at much smaller levels than before, but still above what he should have been. Maybe this was a sign that things were improving. On the other window, a chart of Western Trains' stock showed how much it had gone down.

"What we really need to focus on is the level of risk if the markets rally." Rot said. "We've made dozens of trades in the millions of options. All huge one way bets. We're absolutely..." Rot had a strange aversion to swearing in general. He didn't mind hearing them, but he just couldn't physically say them. "you now what I mean, if these trades fail. Which is actually a possibility at the moment."

Winther looked from one to the other, and suddenly it was clear they had met beforehand. An ambush by financial bureaucrats. Not one of them qualified to be in a position that knew about this kind of thing. He felt is temper beginning to rise. He said, trying to keep his voice down, "What are you suggesting we do, Adam?"
"I think we have to start liquidating some of these positions."
"That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard", said Winther. In frustration he punched the wall next to him. "We made close to eighty million last week. We made 40 million yesterday. You just want us to ignore BOB and go back to traditional trading?"
"Not ignore it Carl, I never said that."
Scott said quietly, "Give him a break, Carl. It was only a suggestion."
"No, actually, I won't give him a fucking break. He wants us to abandon a strategy that's giving massive profits, which is exactly the kind of fear based reaction that BOB exploits. If Adam doesn't believe that computers are superior at playing the market, he's working in the wrong place."

In response to this, Reynell left the room. As calm as you like, without making a sound. The room was silent for a few moments, and then Scott and Rot quietly left the room, leaving Schuhart with Winther.

[Audioslavia]

The Runners and Riders of World Cup 68
Part Eight

Ah, the Dreamed Realm. It's either a surrealist multiverse backwater or a thick weft in the very fabric of international sports, depending on who you ask. The Holy Empire are the only active national team to have partook in World Cup 1, almost three centuries ago by our count, though for the folks from the Empire its either five minutes ago or a billion years, depending on what colour trousers you're wearing. The side are three-time world champions, have made eleven semi-finals and, with thirty-nine appearances in the World Cup proper, have a strong claim to being one of the all-time greats. For now, however, they find themselves in the unusual position of being merely second-best in their region - particularly galling as the region only comprises two nations. The other, The Archregimancy, are back in the world's top ten, and the former two-time semi-finalists will claim to have as good a shout as any of reaching another final-four.

Ask most football fans about their opinion on the two Dreamed Realm nations' football prowess and most won't be too concerned with the idea of their nation being drawn against one or both in the World Cup - neither side quite has the aura they had back in cycle 61, where they contrived to win the World Cup and Cup of Harmony respectively to stamp their mark on world football. Though the aura of invincibility may be gone, the fact that both sides are ranked in the world's top twelve suggests that an all-Dreamed-Realm final is far from off the cards.

After weeks of ploughing through the lesser teams - the Dorado Grandes, Qazoxes and Inevitable Syndicates of the world - we finally meet the big guns; the teams that push you against the cafeteria wall and demand you give them your lunch money.

Of the above teams, Valladares are perhaps the smaller of the metaphorical school bullies, most often seen peeping out from behind a pair of broad Polarian shoulders, nodding along with his Rushmori overlord, and grunting '...yeah!' after every threat. The Valladar team are the least familiar to an Audioslavian audience. Viewers from Cathair to Oljestaden have never seen the side line up against the men in sky-blue, white and green, nor have they witnessed any kind of major title being won by sarcastic olive-skinned Vatmarkians. The Valladar trophy cabinet may be as empty as a Darmeni threat of military incursion into the Westlands, but one cannot judge the current side - ranked fifth in the world after a semi-final appearance at World Cup 67 - on the merits of their former squads. The Valladar exude an easy confidence on the field and off it. The former is evident by their utter devestation of their groupmates in qualifying (only a 3-3 away draw with New Sideburn prevented the side from attaining a 100% record, and opponents often left whichever Valladar stadium they played in with their tail firmly between their legs and a five-goal defeat in their wake), the latter can be seen on one of the more popular Audioslavian tourist destinations: the border between the Valladar Westlands and Darmen, where the Valladar can be seen walking around in mock wonder, pointing out just how beautiful everything is on this side of the border, and how thankful they were that this land belonged to Valladares, and Valladares alone.

Confidence - or rather, the over-abundance of - is a thing often associated with the Audioslavians. Even to the point of its media including the country in its list of 'favourites for the World Cup'. In truth, the superiority complex of Audioslavian football has usually had a negative impact on the team's game, and that it was largely lacking during the 'dark' cycles of 59-62 is probably the biggest reason for the nation's successes in cycles 63 and 64. So it turned out, the Bulls somehow managed to win just one out of their first four games, in hardly the hardest of the qualifiying groups, and looked in real danger of becoming one of a plethora of 'big' teams to underperform in qualifying. A run of nine straight wins (albeit none particularly comfortable) saved the blushes of both team and manager, and the side will be among the favourites to qualify through the playoffs at the first attempt. Whether this side - younger and more naive than the one which reached the final of World Cup 67 - can deliver a third world cup remains to be seen. It is never wise to bet against the Bulls, but there's a reason why the likes of Valanora, Polar Islandstates and even Farfadillis are more favoured by bookies even in Audioslavia.

The Valanora national team are joint favourites to win the whole thing, come June, despite an occasionally bumpy ride through qualifying. The five-time World Champions were bitterly disappointment to have come away from AOCAF43 with yet another runners-up spot, this time behind up-and-coming Farfadillis; that an inaugral AOCAF championship has eluded them is almost as galling for the Vanor as the fact that their incredible five World Championships is not a world record, thanks to their purple-clad rivals in the north east. They say the best revenge is to live well, and a victory in Legalese and the Free Republics come the summer will be the side's final vindication.

Finally, Eura stronk.

[Buyan]

The Seven Foreign Buyanese

Gustave Mynatt (Yttribia) --- 6th in Group 5

This hasn't been the smoothest of qualification runs for the key player of Viztourzys. Having the time of his life domestically, leading the Kolektyvinis to the title and the Globe Cup, he struggled to bring the same rhythm in his national side. Nonetheless, Mynatt remained important for his side with goals on key moments, such as the opener against Charruterra. It seems as if he will no longer find Abreu, but the rising star Eugène Janvier by his side and we believe that in time, this combination of experience and enthusiasm might work out in the long run. Possibly already on the Cup of Harmony scene?

Christopher Orani & Noel Amundsen (Apox) --- 2nd in Group 5

It's the national side that is the best represented when it comes to players which earn their money in Buyan and the silver medallist of the last Cup of Harmony once again demonstrated they're ready for the World Cup. The first spot, however, got lost over Felix and now they'll face their archnemesis The Licentian Isles, a poster that will draw major attention all over Esportiva. We might hope to see Noel, who was key in the rise out of the ashes for Pajukas Sport, on the field, as he did receive some minutes from Magnus Fjelden, possibly as a sub for Mathias Sindelar. Orani, on the other hand, still has to earn his first cap, but such is not a shame as one has to face Trevowah and other Redwoods. If he continues his positive form for Blau-Weiss, that day might come.

Matias Delafuente (Farfadillis) --- 2nd in Group 8

Farf appeared to be on their way for a ticket in the winner's play-off, until they fluked out in their ultimate match on their home field, dropping valuable points against Alsacie. Sameba picked up the first place and Farfadillis is condemned to a duel against Ossidiacqua, always a dangerous outsider. However, the new golden boy of Viztourzys will probably recall this campaign for other reasons. After a silly red card from Tuzzio, Delafuente debuted for La Vherderoja. Although some did worry whether a player his age could stand his ground, Delafuente showed that talent is like oil: it always comes to the surface. Might not play a lot in the play-offs, but will win his spot as he did for Viztourzys.

Juha Pentanen (Mytannion) --- 1st in Group 10

If there is one player on our list that can smell the World Cup already, it is without any doubt Juha Pentanen. Topping their group with ease, they do have a harsh nut to crack with Ko-oren to assure the tickets. Pentanen might have gone with a shaky record in his home nation, spending his time scoring for teams in the relegation zone without receiving that big transfer, he has finally earned the respect he deserved... By leaving his ground. A journeymen, a goal poacher, an overall unattractive player... Pentanen heard it all, but his capacity to find the back of the net has reached the eye of Sadowsky. There's still some criticism over his selection, but one thing is sure. If the Mytanars need that one goal in the ultimate minutes, why not give this guy a chance?

Doran Milosevici (Nouvel Ecosse --- 4th in Group 9

I'm not sure what you did at the age of seventeen, but playing for my national side wasn't amongst the things on my list. Milosevici, on the other hand, continued his meteoritic rise through Ecossian football. After a splendid Di Bradini Cup performance, Milosevici joined the side as reserve, earning some minutes on the side. However, during the sixth matchday, Milosevici truly entered the pantheon of his national football history when he scored the decisive goal against Maklohi Vai, earning his team three important points. They did not suffice to lead his teammates to the play-offs, but we dare to assume that we will see more of this Nouvel Ecosse by the time Milosevici is a steady starter for the Rampant Walrus.

Michael Chao (Taijan) --- 7th in Group 16

The greyest of campaigns was for the pocket footballer from Jottnar Kallsmudden. His nation did suffer from some internal shenanigans and the national side joined the malaise. With two games left to go, the regional champions of Esportiva had only amassed two measly points. We hope for them that they can turn around this black page and maybe the two victories against Arbeidsgemeinschaft and -more spectacularly- Kericia might prove that there is a silver lining on the horizon. Michael Chao could not really make his mark, but should be excused as none of his teammates played at his regular level. It will be a matter for the red-yellow-and-green to set this campaign aside and focus on the future.

---

XI for Buyan - Taeshan

Manuel Schmidt
Gabriel Refshauge – Sigurd Tufte – Bronius Bartkus - Kazimieras Zemaitis
Quinten Zermin – Harald Naess
Eero Halmiini – Sverre Devold – Frederik Wallenberg
Elmo Havelund

If this isn't the best side Buyan can field, it is very close to it. It will be necessary to beat a side as experienced as Thatius.

[Svengarda]

(Cos who doesn't love a good ol' review...)

Matchday 7: The Greater Vakolicci Haven 2-4 Svengarda

'27 Steffanssen
'45+4 Lager (p)
''67 Saari
'82 Waaserson (p)

A relitavely straightforward victory for the Ice Hawks was marred by serious crowd troubles post the full-time whistle, but asides, the Ice Hawks had to keep winning to keep in check with Kericia & Turori, and they did just that, with a confident performance, especially from the midfield, who were dominant throughout. Loreen Steffansson continued to shine in the centre of the park, dictating the pace of the play and generally being a vital rock at the heart of Svengarda's game.

Matchday 8: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander 1-5 Svengarda

'7, '63 Steffansson
'25 S. Danielsen
'54 Waaserson
'84 Jansen

Another dominant away performance from Svengarda saw them rout Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander, netting 5 goals without ever really looking in serious discomfort (although a 34th minute penalty for the hosts did mar the copybook a bit). Loreen Steffansson got herself on the scoresheet early with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, and that set the tone for the rest of the match. The strikers were in lethal form, with both the starters netting, as well as Serko Jansen scoring within 40 seconds of coming off the bench.

Matchday 9: Svengarda 0-2 Turori

Svengarda came back down to earth with a bump against group favourites Turori. Upon their visit to the SvengardA ArenA, Turori were the better side for the entire game, with the blue & whites failing to really get off the ground. They were played off the park, and their frustrations were captured by Loreen Steffansson's outburst against Turori striker Loala Kigoouao, which saw her given her marching orders by the ref on 77 minutes.

Matchday 10: Taijan 2-4 Svengarda

'1, '23, '66 Waaserson
'69 Laathi

Svengarda's good travels continued as the travelled to no longer existant Taijan, who had been the groups whipping boys. Despite being given the opportunity to rest so as to prepare for the run in, Truls Waaserson decided he wanted to play, and made an instant impact. He netted in the first minute with his first test, and remained untouchable throughout the rest of the game, scoring two more brilliant solo goals. Svengarda's somewhat leaky defence was also brought up again, as the 300 ranked Taijan managed to score two past Vanja Albertsen. But if they continued to score in the vein they were doing, it wouldn't really matter.

Macthday 11: Gregoryisgodistan 1-0 Svengarda

Svengarda's away run was finally broken by Gregoryisgodistan, who stole a 1-0 victory in the Lord Almighty Gregory National Stadium. It appeared that the oppressive nature of the home atmosphere got to Svengarda and they never came out of their shells, registering just 3 shots on target (albeit it they had the ball in the net at one point, but Truls Waaserson was adjudged to have been offside). Gregoryisgodistan managed to grab a late winner through Laredo Potato in the 88th minute, much to the chagrin of Luke Thompson, who had said that he would be content with a point away.

Matchday 12: Svengarda 5-2 Kericia

'24 Steffansson
'29 Steffanssen
'45+2 Waaserson (p)
'57 Lager
'80 Jokela

Svengarda had to win to keep themselves in contention, and there was no better result than thumping second place Kericia 5-2. The SvengardA ArenA was silenced when Kericia scored in just the 2nd minute, but Svengarda clawed their way back in, with both Steffanssons (Loreen and Kari, who is actually a Steffanssen) scoring in quick succession to turn the game around. A Truls Waaserson penalty just before the break consolidated Svengarda's advantage, and from then, it was all a formality for the Ice Hawks, who scored 2 more in the second half. They were now just a single point behind the Seagulls in second place.

Matchday 13: New North Aqmuland 0-2 Svengarda

'36 S. Danielsen
'68 Aarnsen

Svengarda finally managed to keep a clean sheet and still continued to impress on the road, this time defeating New North Aqmuland by 2 goals to none. Aqmuland were never really in the game, whilst the Svenga midfield were simply allowed to pass it around and keep possession. Goals from Svein Danielsen and then Lukas Aarnsen, in only his second appearance, who revealed some of his immense talent with a beautiful curling shot from outside the area off a set-piece corner move. To make the result better, 2nd placed Kericia went down 2-4 at home to Gregoryisgodistan, meaning that the Ice Hawks held second place with just one game to go, where the Ice Hawks had to get a point against The greater Vakolicci Haven to qualify (barring Kericia overturning the 7 goal GD differential).

Matchday 14: Svengarda 3-0 The greater Vakolicci Haven

'12, '51 Jansen
'77 Laukkanen

Svengarda sealed qualification to the play-off round with a comfortable victory over The greater Vakolicci Haven, whom the Ice Hawks had dispatched earlier in the campaign 2-4. A largely reserve side came out for Svengarda, with a number of key names rested, and they still had an easy task, with a Serko Jansen brace and a first goal for lively young winger Jame Laukkanen shutting out The greater Vakolicci Haven. Kericia came unstuck against Taijan away, giving Svengarda a 5-point advantage over their rivals.

---

Svengarda XI to play Taeshan

--Albertsen--

--Nikula--Saari--Raske (c)--Bjornsen--

--Lager--L. Steffansson--Aarnsen--Vang--

--K. Steffanssen--

--Waaserson--

[Super-Llamaland]

Chapter 1
Chapter 1.5
Chapter 1.75
Chapter 1.875
Chapter 1.9375
Chapter 1.96875
Chapter 1.984375
Chapter 1.9921875
Chapter 1.99609375
Chapter The End
Chapter 1.99804688
Chapter 1.99902344
Chapter ...I give up with these decimals


Complete Randomness, now with Potassium!
Chapter 84


"What? Where am I? Where the heck am I?" asked somebody, lying down on a barren desert floor, and then a horrible feeling set in upon him, as if he had misplaced everything but his car keys. He was, of course, in the Elpfo Dimension.

"Who am I?" he yelled. We will disclose nothing about this person except for he was wearing jeans and a Llamanean T-shirt.

"Hello! Helllllo! HELLLLOOOOOOOO IS ANYBODY HERE I AM FREAKING OUT SO MUCH I AM YELLING AND YELLING SOMEBODY SOMEBODY PLEASE COME AND HELLLLP!" The person yelled. His desperate, plaintive screams echoed soullessly off the desolate walls of the steep cliff he was in. The entire world was sand and rock. He screamed and screamed until his throat gave out and he forgot why.

"Help," he croaked. Somebody hit him on the back of the head with a rock. The world went black.

---

"Where am I?" Llama yelled. He sat up. He felt an odd sensation, as if he'd been in a bad dream. Wait. He'd been in the Elpfo Dimension. Was that the dream? He looked at his hands. They were sandy. It had not been a dream. He recalled not recalling briefly, then didn't recall any longer.

"You're here," said a large deer from behind a counter.

"What! You're-you're-what dimension is this?"

"It's my dimension," said the deer matter-of-factly, "my name is Vettrera."

"I-I-wha-you're the deer commander! In the Llama-Deer war!"

"Maybe in another dimension," Vettrera said, "but not at the moment. Welcome to the Vettreran Dimension."

"I have my own dimension," Llama remarked weakly. "Haven't been in there for a while, but I heard they're having a swell time."

"Ah," Vettrera said, "about that." he pulled up a video screen. "Llama Dimension Milwalki Wise-Conethin playback two oh four p m now."

"All right," said the computer sullenly.

"Hicana!"

"And I," said the computer in a different tone, but still pretty sullenly.

"Jeck? Where's SJG?"

"Here," said somebody.

"Wait...that sounds a lot like Hicana."

"We don't know," Jeck said matter-of-factly. "Vettrera shut us into this computer. I'm the OS and Hicana is the artificial intelligence. Listen! You cannot trust Vettrera! You'll--"

There was a loud noise. It sounded like bzorp-a-swog-a-log-a-ding-dong.

"Wha...must...OS...me...obey...Vettrera..." Jeck said from inside the computer.

"Hey! You lied to me-" Llama began. Vettrera yelled bzorp

"No!" Llama cried out. He froze.

"a-swog"

Llama unfroze and dove at Vettrera. They wrestled on the ground.

"a-LOG," Vettrera screamed as Llama went at his deer throat with a pair of scissors. They rolled around. Llama's head banged on a wall clock that had fallen on the floor. He gasped, let go, and Vettrera, who in deer form was stronger than him, was upon him.

"a-ding-", Vettrera yelled.

"No!" Llama screamed.

"-dong," Vettrera said. Llama froze.

"Obey...Vettrera..."

"Fetch me some coffee," Vettrera said calmly. "Three sugars."

"Coffee...Vettrera...three sugars..."

Vettrera waited. Llama came back with the coffee. Vettrera took a sip.

"All right, Llama. You are going to start an online petition for me to get into the Restaurant at the End of the Qualifiers. Say that you want to solve world hunger, and add a bit at the end. I'll save some food at the restaurant and distribute it to the homeless, so technically it'll be true."

"Make...petition...Vettrera..."

"Then come back and shine my shoes."

"Shine...Vettrera...shoes...wait, what the heck!?!??!" Llama snapped out of his trance and turned to glare at Vettrera. "That's it!" Llama produced a gauntlet out of nowhere and threw it at Vettrera, who ducked.

"Let's duel?"

"What? No, the gauntlet never touched-" Llama lobbed another gauntlet at Vettrera, hitting him in the face. There was a terrible, ghastly, sucking noise, and Llama and Vettrera reappeared in a custom-made dimension either 35,000 years later or six seconds earlier, depending on which universally accepted and mutually contradictory dimensional-timeshift theory you accepted.

A boiling pan of water lay on top of a cosmic fire. Llama and Vettrera appeared on the panhandle. The floor was made out of razor blades, meaning instant death to anybody who fell off the panhandle. Llama had light leather armor and a pair of short swords. Vettrera was holding a mace with a spiky diamond head.

"Yaaaaa!" yelled Llama, leaping into the air, miraculously floating for a second or twenty-six, and then leaping down to smack Vettrera with his swords. Unfortunately, he was holding them backwards, so all he really did was smack Vettrera with bits of leather. Vettrera then knocked the swords out of his hands and stood over him with the mace.

Time froze.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

RADIO ESPORTIVA
Season 2, Chapter 5: Passionate Problems

Sunrise: You say?
Llama-lan: You know... those recruits... yawn...
Sunrise: Oh! Goddamn it... I knew we shouldn't have outsourced it.

Meanwhile, outside. Kitsunia checks the letters that arrived before finding one regarding a Rushmore party. She would go on to raise her head, finding the slightly drunk mailman.

Kitsunia: Eh?
Snorch: Into fuggings... bzzz...
Kitsunia: Go home, you're drunk!
Snorch: Off fuggings, fugging furry!
Kitsunia: Stupid radioactive jackass...

Back at home.

Sunrise: Well, yeah, we are doing tasks for money... what do you need?
Llama-lan: Yawn... Water... Potable...
Sunrise: Huh? Don't you have that at Oceanside? The name kinda gives it out.
Llama-lan: Well... it's a special water bottle... It's green, so... yawn... pick it at the market... yawn... I'll wait here... sleeping...
Sunrise: ...Right. Dainer, would you look up for him while he sleep?
Dainer: *sigh*... The stuff we end up doing to get a spot at something, good lord.

At the market...

Sunrise: Well, look who's still around.
Ecosse: Heheheheheh... hey, Sunrise! No hard feelings?
Sunrise: I had to spend an entire vacation at a tree house because of what you did!
Ecosse: Like if giving a whole lot of energetics to an already hyper-active guy wouldn't result in something stupid.
Sunrise: Well, truth...
Ecosse: Anyways... what do you want?
Sunrise: Llama-lan requested a special water bottle with water inside.
Ecosse: It would be too dickish if I sold you one without water inside.
Sunrise: Well... after last time...
Ecosse: I understand.
Sunrise: Good. Good.

A while later, Sunrise brings said bottle of water to Llama-lan, who proceeds to pick it up and pour a yellow powder inside it.

Sunrise: Dude... you're all right?
Llama-lan: Yawn... I'm fine... Now I'll go get the money you so much need... Yawn...

A while later, Sunrise watches as Glo finally falls under sleep thanks to that liquid.

Sunrise: Eh? What was that you gave him? This whole thing looks weird.
Llama-lan: Yawn... Passion Fruit Juice... Makes you sleepy if you drink it too much... Now if you allow me...

Llama-lan takes a sip of an energetic that Glo tended to drink, waking himself up.

Llama-lan: Way better. Now, here is your money.
Sunrise: Thanks...

After Sunrise picks the money, Llama-lan proceeds to sucker punch Sunrise.

Llama-lan: Now stop sending recruit letters, you douche!
Sunrise: ...zzzz....

---

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - PLAY-OFFS
"A big challenge", Sunrisians are openly worried about match against Cassadaigua

A new challenge (and a big one, for that matter) starts this afternoon as Northern Sunrise Islands hosts the Fillies of Cassadaigua at the Union Stadium at Mardi. The home of the Lopunnies will certainly have mixed reactions for sure as while Cassadaigua is certainly more focused in the recently inside moves regarding venues and what not, the Sunrisians are truly interested in opening their opponents eyes and possibly get the small vacation time for the World Cup on shape of a sweet, tasty qualification that shall come in if the Vaporeons get to win over their opponents.

Whie a team that certainly is reviving their legacy thanks to some inside problems that pulled them back to the point of having to see the Sunrise over their squad in ranking spots shouldn't exactly be such a big worry, the Sunrisians are aware of the legacy that their opponents are trying to revive and have good reasons to be worried about their challenge. "The only good side about leading our group is that we don't have to worry about kissing our tickets goodbye if we are not to beat the Fillies." said main goalkeeper Mellody Sioux. "And we are also aware that this team has won dozens of things before we even arrived, so there's that."

Training has been rather tough when you consider on how easy going things were to the point where the coach even ignored the eventful loss to Armakistan at the Group Phase. Regardless, Kylx is still interested on ending his reign as "the one", coaching the Sunrisian squad into a possible Round of 16, again, his plans. "If I'm going to leave this team, we're going to need to put on a show. See these ladies? We're just going to keep taking them down, taking them down, taking them down, taking them down, taking them down, taking them down and then take them down at their home as well, so we get to enjoy dinner on our way to whatever country we go." declared an adamant, but still a bit stupid, Kylx.

Not all players share the same confidence Kylx has on their next encounter, however. Netto Hikari, defender at Astograth and slightly aware of how big the Rushmori side is was unarguably certain that this match was to be a big one and that they may not come out on top. "They have an amazing squad and all their accolades guarantee it. This is, by far, the dominant all-female team of the multiverse and should be easily one to knock on the door soon enough. If we fail to beat them, at least it was a honor to face them."

Regardless of what you think about this match, whether the Vaporeons from Esportiva are going to surf around the competition or if the Fillies will keep the pony-related nicknames' streak on top of Sunrise's lack of luck. The game will be broadcasted by ITV, SkyCraft and SaladaTV live, with replays on The Sports Channel of ITV at night. AuroTV will broadcast the matches between Apox and The Licentian Isles and Valladares and Zwangzug, FTV will broadcast the interesting bout between Felix and Blouman Empire while Rede Viva will broadcast what they themselves have openly declared to be "the biggest man on woman manslaughter since Steve Austin and Debra" between fairly rated Saintland and perennial naked gate keepers Jeruselem.

On background news, the Federação Paulista de Futebol, Saint Pauli's national team government body remains uninterested in participating of the World Cup and because of that, have officially started talks about allowing Project +90 product and currently at Buyan's Bengtsmark IF striker Felipe Maniche playing under the Vaporeon outfit, making him the third player to officially earn the chance of playing as a Sunrisian while not being born there and not being from a recently annexed colony. The first one, Christie Travis, born in Osarius and now a Sunrisian has been a really competent player and has largely participated of the Sunrise's rise to fame, until recently being benched in favor of developing forward Hannah Alcouin. The second one, Manolo Granada, is a defender that currently plays at the Rangers and has just recently earned Sunrisian nationality, also being born at Osarius.

[Farfadillis]

Well, we all knew that it was going to be like this from the very begginning. It is in the past now, we get more fun right now anyway. Thnigs have gotten four times as hard... or something like that, but since when is taking the shortcut the most fun? Sure, we fucked up a lot, and Sameba really surprised us, but is that such a tragedy anyway?

Now we have another chance. And this time it does look a bit more like what we like. Direct knock-out. If that kind of format betrays us as well. Well... we'll know we're really out of luck. Sure, we have almost completely run out luck, I think, after all these. I mean, tying with Alsacie and Catholican Catholica, as well as losing to Sameba might've been a tragedy, but the past is in the past.

Uhmm... well, that basically conveys most of what I wanted to say, so I'll leave here a few quotes from the team. I think you can guess the mood of the team after the tie after reading them.

"We're not out already, so fuck off"
- Risko Kâí replying, angrily, to a reporter implying one too many things.

"Wait, you're saying that had we won, we would have had an easier way to the World Cup?"
- An evidently naïve Alex Terán.

"Sad, yes, but the match is gone now. The past is in the past, and there I intend for it to remain"
- Ichi Tuzzio explaining how he felt after the match.

"The path just got four times harder. The way I see it, we're still on the path anyway"
- Mâás Fôx.

"Tragedy? Tragedy would be elimination"
- Erfaon Lisdiren.

"Heh, yes. I guess the goal was my fault, yes. I am well aware of that. Unlike you, however, I'm also well aware of our chances of qualifying. They're not zero"
- Cleto Mata

"Eh... there's been worse times"
- Yurpá Mêndêlöíndçêl.

"Sometimes things just don't go the way you'd have liked them to go. That's when you try two times as hard. This time it will have to be four times as hard, though'"
- Friekder Dandalleion

"If the entire nation is crying now, then that just gives us more motivation"
- Nazeau Roga

"The World Cup's still not far away enough to be out of our reach"
- Leo Fakkotti

"Fuck Alsacie and Sameba"
- Ivaktör Bârr being Ivaktör Bârr.

"They said the same thing before Viztourzys won the Globe Cup"
- Matías Delafuente answering to a journalist who said Farfadillis' chances were slim.

"I lived in Ruland for years. This does not particularly sadden me. Specially not since it's not a lost case"
- Kühâx.

"The way I see it, we're not facing Audioslavia"
- Rancisc Tenian.

"In a word? Fuck"
- Çis Dragãozý.

We're facing Ossidiacqua now. They don't have their homeland going for them, and I believe we might be seeign them off. I really hope we are. We've got the better team on paper, but we all know what happens on paper does not apply when we take the pitch. Specially not considering our history beating the bigs and being beaten by the smalls. At any rate, the Ossidiacquans' football philosophy should make the game fun, something I'd not be able to say if we had drawn, say, the Licentian Isles or Paradystopia. If we do win, I've got no clue of what will await us; as far as I know the draw will be random.

Here we go, I guess. We've got some Velazquezes to face.

[Valanora]

It was here, the playoffs to determine the initial travelers to the Finals, followed by another set in this bit of a mess of a format. It did not matter though, he would see it done, or do his very best in failing to see it done, that was the weight of the armband. Yes, the format did not matter, nor did the opponent, but everyone who knew him already knew how he saw it. They knew his reputation, they knew his desire for victory, for perfection, for being the absolute best. There was no need to repeat himself over that, it was only a matter of doing what was expected to be done. Simple words and a simple task, yet one that was so often harder to do than it was to utter it, as was often the case with tasks. You had to motivate yourself to go about doing it, not just expect to show up at your work and have it done for you, the world did not work in such ways.

Sangti, or whatever they called themselves these days, The Royal Barangay or something along those lines. They were good but not great foes, they would prove a test, like Quebec and Taeshan had, but no more Laborious thought to himself. While they had proven capable, stealing their group, they were only in the lower stages of ascendency, they were not even past the stratosphere yet. Valanora, Polar Islandstates, they were in the stars, far beyond the moon and the edges of the system. Even the great squads like The Holy Empire and Starblaydia were not close to where the Marauders and Terns now occupied, though for how long it was anyones guess. The Terns had finally absolved themselves of their Finals demons but the Marauders were poised to repeat history if he had any say so.

World Cup 60 they had their miraculous third place finish and that launched themselves into the title hunt in the next edition, winning it again on home soil. Last cycle had seen a poor group stage turn into a title hunt, tipping over opponents they might have lost to while in their slump, yet they had turned it around, had gotten fortune and favor back on their side. Only just though, they still fell to third and had to see off Valladares in an intense and intriguing third place match that will go down as one of the more entertaining of those sorts of matches in history. Yet they had won and taken third, for a dazzling ninth time in their history. Now they were here trying to repeat the history of winning the next cycle, like they had done fourteen years ago. First though was the playoff and the Royals, what test they would be.

The Finals awaited them, Laborious was utterly confident of that, perhaps Barangay as well, should luck truly favor them. Yet he could not let that side defeat his, not with the pride of a nation and a legacy of a kit on stake, it was how he had gotten the side to overcome their group stage troubles last cycle. Those stars above the crossed scimitars, they were not just for decoration, they had been earned by the blood, sweat, and tears of all the Marauder sides who have came before. It was a symbol of pride, their crest and those stars demanded respect and a certain amount of awe from their fellow competitors. Yet it was missing one, their trophy case in Capri was not full, not quite yet, and he had been appointed captain to see out the tasks to fill that case. The Royals could not be the obstacle that would have him fail that task.