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OPSL season 5: A Romainbourgeois title race goes into the home stretch, while East Calaverdians enjoy success lower down
Two East Calaverdian clubs win OPSL divisional title, while Anne-Sophie Groothuis adds a Premier Division championship to her collection of honours

Romainbourg —The story of this championship started, of all places, in Cobrio. Having just been murdered 9–0 over two legs in the IFCF Challengers Cup (not to be confused with the OPSL Challenge Cup), the club had reached a breaking point: already sitting on the bottom of the division after six games, Alexis Stephanidis got the axe before she even boarded the plane home to Romainbourg. In one of Omerica’s most surprising managerial hires of all time, “the Miracle Worker” Anne-Sophie Groothuis made the journey to the Republic of the City of Romainbourg for what was, it turns out, a match made in heaven.

This season was meant to be a title procession for AS Républicains. Nothing could stop them, not even Mother Nature. Winning eight games on the bounce to start the season, they went top of the league by matchday four and were undefeated until a shocking trip to arch-nemesis Malavan Romainbourg’s Stade des Marins on matchday 11. It didn’t stop them from holding a comfortable five-point lead by the midpoint of the season—exactly the position they held when the previous one was abandoned—with Malavan winning the battle for second place, one point ahead of United Philibiscostal.

Much joy was to be had when Malavan suffered a scoreless draw at home to Inter Bayonnette, extending Républicains’ lead at the top to seven points. But the laughs were short-lived: Kingsmouth pulled off one of the upsets of the season, coming from 3–1 behind at halftime to defeat the league leaders 5–4. Just a few matchdays later, Républicains drew 1–1 to the same Bayonnette team that defeated their archrivals, cutting their lead in the division in half.

Malavan were nibbling at Républicains’ feet, but every opportunity for the noisy gits to take the lead was wasted. Républicains kept their lead by the grace of God. Républicains draw La Corona 1–1 at home? Malavan draw 3–3 in Londonderry the next day. Républicains grind out a scoreless draw at the Arena la Rouge? Malavan lose 3–1 at home to Ever Grande. Républicains lose 1–0 in Sassari? Malavan fall 2–1 at home to Falcon United. Républicains host Malavan in the Romainbourgeois derby? 1–1 draw. It seemed that Républicains were just destined for the title.

But after Républicains left Coleraine with a 2–0 loss against Londonderry, watching Malavan ROFL-stomp visiting Kingsmouth was absolute horror to the red side of Romainbourg. 3–0 and with three matchdays left, Malavan were now leading the division by two points. Républicains would get back on their winning form with a 1–0 at home to Ever Grande, but Malavan had already left Great Arden having summarily put Força Lisboa to the sword and sealed the Ardenian side’s relegation to the Second Division.

Then, on a wet night in Port-des-Saints, Capital Dragons ground out a scoreless draw and the trophy was potentially one game away from slipping out of Républicains’ hands. Nassau were due to visit the Stade des Marins and had to claim at least a draw for Républicains to stay in the title race. Things started out well for the visitors: Ariane van der Berg slotted past Malavan captain and goalkeeper Coralie Turchi, but Théo Deniau equalised before the break. Républicains remained in contention until the 61st minute, as Ismaël Abdullah slotted the ball past Annabelle Owens to put Malavan 2–1 up.

That would be the final goal of the match. The title race was over. Association Sportive des Républicains had been denied by disease and now knew a fate, to them, that was worse than death—the OPSL title in the hands of Malavan Club de Romainbourg—and, this time, their misfortune was their own damn fault.

Les Voyageurs, however, were not to be denied. The Premier Division trophy was calling Coralie’s name. The championship was waiting to climb into the arms of Anne-Sophie. The ribbons were to be black, white and sky blue. Malavan supporters will celebrate for now, but—if the rumours are correct—the task of finding a new manager who can carry on Groothuis’s work will hang over Les Voyageurs’ victory.

Meanwhile, Jraxville FC, in whose stadium Stephanidis lost her job as Malavan manager, were to be found nowhere near the Rabastorian title.

On the other end of the table, Athéna Levanin kept hope alive with a crucial win over already-safe Inter Bayonnette. Capital Dragons’ draw had perhaps shaken them more than Républicains, leaving the team from the capital in danger of dropping, but the fear was all for naught. Dragons defeated Kingsmouth away to secure their survival, making La Corona’s helpful hand—a 4–2 win over Athéna—unnecessary. Bayonnette’s four-goal draw at home to Trailblazers meant that they’d be the lowest-placed team to stay up thanks to the OPSL’s unusual rule of breaking ties in favour of teams with more wins.

Athéna Levanin thus became the first fifteenth-place finishers to suffer an automatic drop to the Second Division. “People will say we voted ourselves out of the top division,” Athéna chairman Jean-Christophe de Pietro said, referring to the pre-season vote to introduce a second automatic relegation spot that he supported. “But a playoff is risky. Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee that the outcome would have been different.”

OPSL Premier Division        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Malavan Romainbourg        30   19   6   5    46   25  +21    63     Champions League
 2 AS Républicains            30   17   8   5    49   29  +20    59     Premier Division playoffs
 3 Londonderry FC             30   18   4   8    59   42  +17    58     Challengers Cup¹
 4 United Philibiscostal      30   16   7   7    58   35  +23    55     Premier Division playoffs
 5 Corona Christiana          30   13   8   9    46   35  +11    47     Premier Division playoffs
 6 Saint Anne Athletic        30   12   9   9    63   56   +7    45     Challengers Cup²
 7 Falcon United              30   12   7  11    42   38   +4    43     Premier Division playoffs
 8 Nassau FC                  30   11   9  10    51   50   +1    42
 9 Ever Grande                30   12   5  13    54   50   +4    41
10 Sassari Trailblazers       30   12   4  14    36   40   −4    40
11 Forestia Cricket           30   11   6  13    29   34   −5    39
12 Kingsmouth FC              30    9   5  16    38   56  −18    32
13 Capital Dragons FC         30    8   6  16    37   52  −15    30
14 Inter Bayonnette           30    7   9  14    39   48   −9    30
15 Athéna Levanin             30    6   7  17    34   54  −20    25     Second Division
16 Força Lisboa               30    5   4  21    27   64  −37    19     Second Division
¹OPSL Challenge Cup winners; ²Federation Cup winners

The Second Division went all the way down to the final day, but became an almost instant dud. Groothuis’s old team Club de 28 Mars held the lead going into the final day and just needed to win to seal the divisional title and promotion to the Premier Division. Less than four minutes into their game in South Provence, they took the lead and they never looked back. Andreaskruis bagged the win they needed to stay alive, but Lacédémonienne had failed to do the job and Calaverdian representation in the top flight was therefore restored.

All the drama was on the other end of the table, where Violet Dunleary had a fragile one-point advantage over Montzieu Gymnastique with both teams were hosting title contenders. Andreaskruis easily took the lead and Dunleary never looked like threatening it. Montzieu, however, took the lead against Olympique Provençal and looked to be climbing out of the drop zone. Olympique had equalised before halftime, but the result would still keep Montzieu up on goal difference. Going into injury time, the score had not changed and Montzieu had hope.

Except that Olympique scored less than two minutes into stoppage, bouncing Montzieu back into the drop zone. Before the players could even process what had happened, Olympique scored again. 3–1 was the final score and Montzieu were headed down to the Third Division after all.

OPSL Second Division         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Club de 28 Mars            30   18   6   6    66   40  +26    60     Premier Division; Champions Trophy
 2 Andreaskruis               30   18   5   7    52   32  +20    59     Second Division playoffs; Champions Trophy
 3 Olympique Provençal        30   17   8   5    48   23  +25    59     Second Division playoffs; Champions Trophy
 4 Williamsburg SC            30   15  10   5    58   38  +20    55     Second Division playoffs
 5 Aelton Warriors            30   16   6   8    55   43  +12    54     Second Division playoffs
 6 AS Saint-Christophe        30   15   4  11    40   41   −1    49
 7 AS Lacédémonienne          30   15   2  13    46   45   +1    47
 8 Ysberg Voetbal             30   12  11   7    46   36  +10    47
 9 Racing Rialto              30   13   6  11    38   34   +4    45
10 Cathair Dhoire             30   10   8  12    35   36   −1    38
11 Independence FC            30    9   8  13    39   47   −8    35
12 Inter Épiteaux             30    9   6  15    33   47  −14    33
13 New Cardiff FC             30    8   4  18    48   56   −8    28
14 Violet Dunleary            30    6   4  20    25   54  −29    22
15 Montzieu Gymnastique       30    5   6  19    35   58  −23    21     Third Division
16 Racing Amstad              30    5   4  21    31   65  −34    19     Third Division

All-in-all, it was a good season to be an East Calaverdian club in the OPSL. Châtaigneraie—who managed the fewest defeats across the league—had to wait until the final day of the season to win their title, but picked up the win that would secure them the title. Not that Châlons were threatening their lead at any point, though, getting battered 5–1 by Gold Coast Market.

But the story of the season was Athlétique Trois-Fleuves’s 3–0 win to close out the season. Despite the match being a virtual dead rubber, what with Athlétique having secured a playoff place with a game to spare, the game was notable for what it did to the record of Grand-Océan: the North Provençal side would please memelords everywhere by finishing 10–10–10 in the league, having scored 32 goals and conceded 32 goals. Balance!

OPSL Third Division          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 AS Châtaigneraie           30   17  10   3    57   31  +26    61     Second Division
 2 US Châlons                 30   16   7   7    46   35  +11    55     Third Division playoffs
 3 Racing Roslow              30   16   6   8    52   39  +13    54     Third Division playoffs
 4 Langholm Oak               30   16   5   9    57   35  +22    53     Third Division playoffs
 5 Athlétique Trois-Fleuves   30   15   5  10    57   40  +17    50     Third Division playoffs
 6 CF Esconditnegro           30   12   6  12    36   38   −2    42
 7 Grand-Océan                30   10  10  10    32   32    0    40
 8 Ville Félibourg            30   10   9  11    40   40    0    39
 9 Club de 24 Juin            30   10   9  11    36   38   −2    39
10 Tyrone Athletic            30    9  10  11    55   57   −2    37
11 Williamsport Kickers       30   10   6  14    38   50  −12    36
12 Wharfland Ferry FC         30    9   8  13    40   36   +4    35
13 Gold Coast Market          30    8  10  12    36   44   −8    34
14 Hampstead Road             30    9   5  16    32   61  −29    32
15 Excelsior Stockbridge      30    8   6  16    34   46  −12    30     Fourth Division
16 Château-d’Or               30    5   8  17    30   56  −26    23     Fourth Division

Templemore bounce back up with a game to spare, while Nouvelle Savoie easily slip back into the ignominy of semi-professional football. Twin Cities remained alive into the final day of the season, but were sent down thanks to their 2–0 defeat against Foot Balon, forcing them to shuffle back to the OIFA in shame.

OPSL Fourth Division         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Templemore Rovers          30   19   5   6    61   29  +32    62     Third Division
 2 Newcastle Harbour          30   16   9   5    60   37  +23    57     Fourth Division playoffs
 3 Foot Balon                 30   16   7   7    56   38  +18    55     Fourth Division playoffs
 4 Craven United              30   16   5   9    47   41   +6    53     Fourth Division playoffs
 5 Bleus-et-Blancs            30   15   6   9    47   34  +13    51     Fourth Division playoffs
 6 Révolution d’Affolchâtel   30   14   8   8    40   33   +7    50
 7 Tennis Sisteron            30   13   6  11    47   42   +5    45
 8 Hainault United            30   13   5  12    48   46   +2    44
 9 Port Juliana               30    9  11  10    45   48   −3    38
10 Sombrefeuille FC           30    9   9  12    35   39   −4    36
11 Ossenveen VC               30    9   9  12    43   51   −8    36
12 Étoile Rouge               30    9   9  12    42   53  −11    36
13 Swordsmiths                30   10   4  16    44   50   −6    34
14 En Avant                   30   10   1  19    46   70  −24    31
15 Twin Cities FC             30    8   3  19    41   65  −24    27     OIFA Series A
16 Nouvelle Savoie            30    2   7  21    34   60  −26    13     OIFA Series A

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OPSL Challenge Cup First Round — Section A
[4] Hainault United 0–2 Falcon United [P]
[4] Swordsmiths 1–1 Ever Grande [P] (1–1 aet; 2–3 p)
[4] Newcastle Harbour 2–1 Corona Christiana [P]
[4] Sombrefeuille FC 2–1 Saint Anne Athletic [P]
[4] En Avant 0–2 Sassari Trailblazers [P]
[4] Craven United 1–3 Inter Bayonnette [P]
[4] Templemore Rovers 0–1 Capital Dragons FC [P]
[4] Foot Balon 0–0 AS Républicains [P] (0–1 aet)
[4] Tennis Sisteron 1–1 United Philibiscostal [P] (1–1 aet; 4–3 p)
[4] Port Juliana 1–2 Londonderry FC [P]
[4] Révolution d’Affolchâtel 0–1 Forestia Cricket [P]
[4] Étoile Rouge 0–2 Athéna Levanin [P]
[4] Nouvelle Savoie 2–2 Força Lisboa [P] (2–3 aet)
[4] Bleus-et-Blancs 0–1 Malavan Romainbourg [P]
[4] Twin Cities FC 0–1 Kingsmouth FC [P]
[4] Ossenveen VC 0–2 Nassau FC [P]

OPSL Challenge Cup First Round — Section B
[3] Excelsior Stockbridge 2–0 AS Lacédémonienne [2]
[3] Club de 24 Juin 2–2 Club de 28 Mars [2] (2–2 aet; 2–4 p)
[3] Hampstead Road 0–0 Andreaskruis [2] (0–1 aet)
[3] Château-d’Or 1–0 Aelton Warriors [2]
[3] Wharfland Ferry FC 1–0 Williamsburg SC [2]
[3] Langholm Oak 1–1 Ysberg Voetbal [2] (3–1 aet)
[3] Gold Coast Market 2–2 Cathair Dhoire [2] (3–2 aet)
[3] Grand-Océan 0–0 Racing Rialto [2] (1–1 aet; 2–3 p)
[3] Racing Roslow 0–0 Olympique Provençal [2] (0–0 aet; 2–3 p)
[3] Athlétique Trois-Fleuves 0–1 Inter Épiteaux [2]
[3] Williamsport Kickers 2–2 AS Saint-Christophe [2] (2–4 aet)
[3] CF Esconditnegro 2–3 Violet Dunleary [2]
[3] Tyrone Athletic 1–2 Independence FC [2]
[3] AS Châtaigneraie 2–1 Racing Amstad [2]
[3] US Châlons 1–0 Montzieu Gymnastique [2]
[3] Ville Félibourg 1–2 New Cardiff FC [2]

OPSL Challenge Cup Second Round
[3] Excelsior Stockbridge 1–0 Falcon United [P]
[2] Club de 28 Mars 0–2 Ever Grande [P]
[4] Newcastle Harbour 0–1 Andreaskruis [2]
[4] Sombrefeuille FC 0–1 Château-d’Or [3]
[3] Wharfland Ferry FC 0–1 Sassari Trailblazers [P]
[3] Langholm Oak 0–1 Inter Bayonnette [P]
[3] Gold Coast Market 1–2 Capital Dragons FC [P]
[2] Racing Rialto 0–2 AS Républicains [P]
[4] Tennis Sisteron 0–1 Olympique Provençal [2]
[2] Inter Épiteaux 1–3 Londonderry FC [P]
[2] AS Saint-Christophe 2–0 Forestia Cricket [P]
[2] Violet Dunleary 1–1 Athéna Levanin [P] (1–2 aet)
[2] Independence FC 3–1 Força Lisboa [P]
[3] AS Châtaigneraie 0–2 Malavan Romainbourg [P]
[3] US Châlons 1–2 Kingsmouth FC [P]
[2] New Cardiff FC 2–0 Nassau FC [P]

OPSL Challenge Cup Third Round
[3] Excelsior Stockbridge 0–2 Ever Grande [P]
[3] Château-d’Or 2–1 Andreaskruis [2]
[P] Sassari Trailblazers 1–2 Inter Bayonnette [P]
[P] Capital Dragons FC 1–1 AS Républicains [P] (1–2 aet)
[2] Olympique Provençal 1–2 Londonderry FC [P]
[2] AS Saint-Christophe 0–1 Athéna Levanin [P]
[2] Independence FC 1–1 Malavan Romainbourg [P] (1–2 aet)
[2] New Cardiff FC 0–2 Kingsmouth FC [P]

OPSL Challenge Cup Quarterfinals
[3] Château-d’Or 1–2 Ever Grande [P]
[P] Inter Bayonnette 1–2 AS Républicains [P]
[P] Londonderry FC 2–0 Athéna Levanin [P]
[P] Malavan Romainbourg 0–1 Kingsmouth FC [P]

OPSL Challenge Cup Semifinals
[P] Ever Grande 2–0 AS Républicains [P]
[P] Londonderry FC 3–1 Kingsmouth FC [P]

OPSL Challenge Cup Final @ Seafoam Athletic Park, Saint Anne
[P] Ever Grande 0–1 Londonderry FC [P]

Federation Cup First Round
[A] Twin Heiligen 3–2 Templemore Rovers [4]
[3] US Châlons 1–1 Gold Coast Market [3] (2–1 aet)
[A] Bristol Old Boys 3–0 Twin Cities FC [4]
[4] Bleus-et-Blancs 3–1 Foot Balon [4]
[3] AS Châtaigneraie 3–0 Patriotes d’Altmance [Β]
[4] Newcastle Harbour 2–0 Griotteville [Β]
[Q] Gymnastique d’Athènes 1–2 Sauterelles Montville [C]
[A] Lumière FC 1–1 Shannon Wanderers [Β] (2–1 aet)
[3] Club de 24 Juin 1–1 Athlétique Trois-Fleuves [3] (1–2 aet)
[3] Grand-Océan 3–0 CF Esconditnegro [3]
[A] Doublonville Française 0–0 Middlesex FC [A] (0–0 aet; 4–3 p)
[C] Baden Belmont 0–2 Ville Félibourg [3]
[3] Tyrone Athletic 2–1 Sombrefeuille FC [4]
[4] Nouvelle Savoie 2–1 Death Mountain [A]
[4] Port Juliana 2–0 Wharfland Ferry FC [3]
[C] Tennis Valeside 1–2 Révolution d’Affolchâtel [4]
[Β] Oldcastle Town 1–1 En Avant [4] (2–1 aet)
[Β] Christiana Muses 2–2 Ossenveen VC [4] (2–2 aet; 5–3 p)
[Β] Phénix d’Évêquemoutier 1–1 Violet Saint Andrews [A] (1–2 aet)
[4] Craven United 2–0 Swordsmiths [4]
[Β] Stade-Saint-Martin 0–1 Château-d’Or [3]
[Β] Torenspits FC 1–3 Amistad United [Β]
[A] Williamsburg Dragons 2–0 Tennis Sisteron [4]
[Β] County Fairleigh 0–3 Étoile Rouge [4]
[A] Comté de Berry 0–7 Langholm Oak [3]
[A] FC First of May 1–2 Hainault United [4]
[A] Bergeciennes Celtique 1–2 Excelsior Stockbridge [3]
[Β] Corinthians SC 1–2 Williamsport Kickers [3]
[A] Williamsburg Athletic 3–0 Victoire d’Octobre [C]
[A] Rose of Bunnes 3–2 Blackcastle City [C]
[C] Violet Chariots 0–0 Racing Roslow [3] (0–0 aet; 3–4 p)
[C] Communale Myocare 1–1 Hampstead Road [3] (1–1 aet; 1–4 p)

Federation Cup Second Round
[2] Olympique Provençal 2–1 Aelton Warriors [2]
[4] Révolution d’Affolchâtel 0–0 Amistad United [Β] (1–0 aet)
[4] Nouvelle Savoie 1–0 Racing Roslow [3]
[2] Inter Épiteaux 3–0 Lumière FC [A]
[2] Racing Amstad 0–3 Bristol Old Boys [A]
[2] New Cardiff FC 3–0 Athéna Levanin [P]
[P] Londonderry FC 2–2 United Philibiscostal [P] (3–3 aet; 3–1 p)
[3] Hampstead Road 2–1 Ville Félibourg [3]
[C] Sauterelles Montville 1–2 Newcastle Harbour [4]
[2] Independence FC 0–2 Nassau FC [P]
[2] Racing Rialto 0–0 Força Lisboa [P] (0–0 aet; 3–5 p)
[A] Twin Heiligen 1–1 Saint Anne Athletic [P] (1–1 aet; 1–4 p)
[3] Langholm Oak 2–0 Doublonville Française [A]
[3] Athlétique Trois-Fleuves 0–0 Étoile Rouge [4] (0–0 aet; 4–3 p)
[4] Craven United 1–0 Excelsior Stockbridge [3]
[P] Forestia Cricket 1–1 Capital Dragons FC [P] (1–2 aet)
[3] AS Châtaigneraie 1–0 Falcon United [P]
[P] Corona Christiana 3–1 AS Républicains [P]
[P] Ever Grande 1–2 Bleus-et-Blancs [4]
[3] Williamsport Kickers 1–3 Violet Dunleary [2]
[4] Port Juliana 0–1 Grand-Océan [3]
[P] Malavan Romainbourg 2–0 US Châlons [3]
[2] AS Saint-Christophe 1–1 Montzieu Gymnastique [2] (1–1 aet; 4–3 p)
[Β] Oldcastle Town 1–3 Williamsburg SC [2]
[2] Ysberg Voetbal 1–3 Sassari Trailblazers [P]
[2] Cathair Dhoire 0–1 Inter Bayonnette [P]
[A] Rose of Bunnes 1–1 Club de 28 Mars [2] (1–1 aet; 2–4 p)
[P] Kingsmouth FC 1–4 Andreaskruis [2]
[3] Château-d’Or 1–0 Williamsburg Dragons [A]
[4] Hainault United 0–0 Christiana Muses [Β] (0–0 aet; 3–4 p)
[A] Williamsburg Athletic 1–2 Tyrone Athletic [3]
[A] Violet Saint Andrews 1–4 AS Lacédémonienne [2]

Federation Cup Third Round
[P] Malavan Romainbourg 1–0 New Cardiff FC [2]
[4] Révolution d’Affolchâtel 2–2 Inter Épiteaux [2] (2–3 aet)
[P] Inter Bayonnette 1–1 AS Lacédémonienne [2] (2–2 aet; 4–5 p)
[Β] Christiana Muses 1–3 Bleus-et-Blancs [4]
[2] Williamsburg SC 1–1 Hampstead Road [3] (1–1 aet; 2–3 p)
[4] Craven United 1–3 Grand-Océan [3]
[4] Newcastle Harbour 1–2 Andreaskruis [2]
[3] Tyrone Athletic 5–1 AS Châtaigneraie [3]
[2] Club de 28 Mars 0–1 Olympique Provençal [2]
[2] Violet Dunleary 2–0 Nassau FC [P]
[2] AS Saint-Christophe 1–1 Château-d’Or [3] (3–2 aet)
[A] Bristol Old Boys 1–3 Londonderry FC [P]
[3] Langholm Oak 0–2 Sassari Trailblazers [P]
[P] Corona Christiana 0–1 Saint Anne Athletic [P]
[P] Capital Dragons FC 3–0 Nouvelle Savoie [4]
[3] Athlétique Trois-Fleuves 0–0 Força Lisboa [P] (0–0 aet; 3–4 p)

Federation Cup Fourth Round
[3] Hampstead Road 1–1 Tyrone Athletic [3] (1–1 aet; 3–4 p)
[4] Bleus-et-Blancs 2–1 Olympique Provençal [2]
[3] Grand-Océan 2–1 Violet Dunleary [2]
[P] Londonderry FC 1–1 AS Lacédémonienne [2] (2–1 aet)
[P] Saint Anne Athletic 2–1 Força Lisboa [P]
[2] Andreaskruis 2–1 Capital Dragons FC [P]
[P] Sassari Trailblazers 1–0 AS Saint-Christophe [2]
[P] Malavan Romainbourg 2–0 Inter Épiteaux [2]

Federation Cup Quarterfinals
[P] Malavan Romainbourg 2–1 Bleus-et-Blancs [4]
[P] Londonderry FC 0–0 Sassari Trailblazers [P] (1–0 aet)
[3] Grand-Océan 1–2 Saint Anne Athletic [P]
[3] Tyrone Athletic 1–3 Andreaskruis [2]

Federation Cup Semifinals
[P] Londonderry FC 1–1 Andreaskruis [2] (1–2 aet)
[P] Saint Anne Athletic 3–2 Malavan Romainbourg [P]

Federation Cup Final @ Revolution Park, Falconbarrow
[2] Andreaskruis 0–0 Saint Anne Athletic [P] (0–1 aet)

Playoff semifinals — First leg
Falcon United 3–3 AS Républicains
Corona Christiana 1–0 United Philibiscostal
Aelton Warriors 2–4 Andreaskruis
Williamsburg SC 1–0 Olympique Provençal
Athlétique Trois-Fleuves 1–0 US Châlons
Langholm Oak 0–0 Racing Roslow
Bleus-et-Blancs 0–1 Newcastle Harbour
Craven United 3–1 Foot Balon

Playoff semifinals — Second leg
AS Républicains 6–4 Falcon United (9–7 agg)
United Philibiscostal 1–0 Corona Christiana (1–0 aet; 1–1 agg; 4–3 p)
Andreaskruis 0–1 Aelton Warriors (4–3 agg)
Olympique Provençal 1–2 Williamsburg SC (3–1 agg)
US Châlons 1–1 Athlétique Trois-Fleuves (2–1 agg)
Racing Roslow 0–1 Langholm Oak (0–1 agg)
Newcastle Harbour 1–1 Bleus-et-Blancs (2–1 agg)
Foot Balon 0–0 Craven United (1–3 agg)

Playoff finals @ RS Amphitheatre, Port-des-Saints
AS Républicains 0–1 United Philibiscostal
Andreaskruis 1–0 Williamsburg SC
Athlétique Trois-Fleuves 2–2 Langholm Oak (2–2 aet) (3–2 p)
Newcastle Harbour 1–0 Craven United

Omerica (OME) qualifiers
Primary association
Champions League: Malavan Romainbourg
[Rising Stars Cup: Aucune Équipe Qualifiée]
Challengers Cup: Saint Anne Athletic (cup winners), Londonderry FC (league cup), United Philibiscostal (playoff winners)
Champions Trophy: Club de 28 Mars, Andreaskruis, Olympique Provençal

[Darmen]

2046-47 Darmeni Football Season: Review
Transfers | Northern Conference Preview | Southern Conference Preview | DCAA-Football | Series Y-Part 1 | Series Y-Part 2 | July | August | September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May/June

In the end it all came down to two teams. Sterling City United dominated the Northern Conference, while MTK Kingsville finished second in the Southern Conference but played well when it truly counted: the playoffs. A Craig Blackwood goal in the Series A Final was all that separated the two teams on the day, as Sterling City United won their third Series A title. Exactly seven days later, the two teams would meet again in the National Cup Final and once again it was Sterling City who came out on top, winning 2-1 in front of the biggest crowd of the season in Johnho.

Chippewa Valley United FC, although failing to make the playoffs in Series A, had something to write home about as they defeated Copper Communists SC of Eastfield Lodge to lift the Vilitan Cove Invitational trophy.

Darmen (DAR) qualifiers
IFCF Champions' League: Sterling City United, MTK Kingsville
IFCF Challenger's Cup: Rogerton Valladar CF, Tempala United Saints, Darmen City United
IFCF Liga B Champions' Trophy: Rogerton Rebels FC, Austin FC, North Bloomer Brewers
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: Romanopolis United U-19
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: Sterling City United

Copa de Campeones: Sterling City United
IUCC: National Christian University, University of Lionsgate, University of Rogerton
VCIAPP: Scott City FC

[Mercedini]

Mercedinian Premier League
Season 8

Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Lower Leagues

Mercedini (MRC) qualifiers

IFCF Champions League: Langtree United, Zoloroni City
IFCF Challengers Cup: Elspachia, Blue Strike Zoloroni, Zoloroni Metropolitan
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Ali Mercedes Carassai, Kingfisher Invictus, RFK Ogdenagorv
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: Langtree United
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: Hoventon & Corlington Town

Liga dos Vencedores: Langtree United, Zoloroni City
Copa das Confederações: Dynamo Shebchetsik

[Brenecia]

BRENECIAN SEASON - CYCLE 76

Brenecia (BRE) qualifiers
Puppet of Nephara
IFCF Champions League: Northern Union, Rozelle, Kingsgrove, Northern Stallions
IFCF Challengers Cup: North Hall, Southern Star, Pikemouth
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Finbar Stalwarts, Rockridge Phoenix, AFC Westpike

CEDC: Northern Union, Rozelle
Cup Winners Cup: Northern Union

[PotatoFarmers]

Following the results as posted in the following links,
Pre-Season Roundup
Premier League Team Preview
Professional Development League 1 Team Preview
Results Part 1 (exclude PDL/RSC)
Results Part 2 (exclude PDL/RSC)
Results Part 3 (only PDL/RSC)
Results Part 4
Results Part 5
Results Part 6 (PDL MD26, PL/SL MD37)
Results Part 7 (PL/SL MD38, FA Cup Finals, Playoffs, Tables, Player Awards)

The Poafmersian Football Association (PFFA) will present the following list of qualifiers and/or site bids for the domestic competitions involving the 3rd IFCF season.

Poafmersia (PFA) Qualifiers

IFCF Champions League: Dalaris City
IFCF Challengers Cup: Trimidau Rukiya, Dury FC, Bikarish
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Totalaha, Holhot United, Holhot City
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: Dury Juniors (academy of Dury FC)
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: Dury FC

FFI Liga dos Vencedores: Dalaris City, Trimidau Rukiya
FFI Taça das Confederações: Dury FC

Poafmersia (PFA) Final Site Bids
FFI Liga dos Vencedores: Libira National Stadium (67,000), Fiskadaha, Poafmersia
Libira is the main stadium for the Poafmersian national team, and has hosted numerous World Cup Qualifier matches as well as domestic cup finals. It is the go-to location for many big events, being one of the biggest stadium in Poafmersia. The PFFA Cup finals have been held here, while the PF National League 1 promotion playoffs are held here annually.

FFI Taca das Confederações: Mancodas Complex (61,000), Mancodas, Poafmersia
Mancodas Complex is part of the Mancodas Sports Hub, a place which is home to many sporting facilities. The 61,000 seater is a multi-use facility which can be converted for use by track-and-field events. The stadium is home to Mancodas Athletic FC, one of 3 Mancodas football clubs in the Premier League.

[The Sarian]

.:: Transfer Round-up / Preview One / Preview Two
League Part One / League Part Two / League Part Three
Cup Results / Playoff Results ::.

The Sarian (TSA) qualifiers

IFCF Champions League: CF Bondstad
IFCF Challengers Cup: De Commons, Bondstad Treason, Tucanviul Tijgers
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: BSC Kroningdam, FC Einst van Mei, CVD Speelvelden Wiclyf
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: CF Bondstad
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: Universiteit Ghoberg¹

IFF Liga dos Vencedores: CF Bondstad, Bondstad Treason
IFF Taça das Confederações: De Commons

IUCC: Universiteit Ghoberg, Universiteit Bondstad, Universiteit Wilaamstad²
VCIAPP: Zilverstraat SC<sup>3

1</sup> On merit of being the best performing youth team in the LegaSaari Development Leagues
² On merit of being the best three performing University sides in the LegaSaari Development Leagues
³ Qualified via the fair play table; runners up behind Bondstad Treason

[Abanhfleft]

(Very Rushed) 2029-30 Fleftic Premier League season

   FPL                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 All-Inclusive Haranguer    38   20   6  12    52   45   +7    66   Champions, Champions League
 2 Locomotive Imgortur        38   19   7  12    76   59  +17    64   Champions League
 3 Xemlice Rovers             38   18  10  10    70   54  +16    64   Challengers' Cup
 4 Ludogorets Markovsky       38   17  10  11    77   64  +13    61   Challengers' Cup
 5 Sporting Ceneisis          38   17  10  11    63   60   +3    61   Challengers' Cup
 6 Sarvusdalamoive            38   16  12  10    79   63  +16    60
 7 Riuwiee United             38   18   6  14    65   50  +15    60   Cup Winners' Cup
 8 Fleftic Air Force          38   15  14   9    76   68   +8    59
 9 Marinos Thimpodopoulos     38   17   7  14    89   85   +4    58
10 Arsenal de Releinthi       38   16   9  13    73   65   +8    57
11 Wanda Island Wanderers     38   15  11  12    37   41   −4    56
12 Rosenpfelblatz City        38   14  13  11    76   73   +3    55
13 Gyouza Young Lads          38   16   5  17    64   71   −7    53
14 Athletic Dorfdifving       38   13  11  14    42   49   −7    50
15 Fleftic Army               38   11  10  17    58   65   −7    43
16 Paulsen FC                 38   11   7  20    58   77  −19    40
17 Rosenpfelblatz North End   38    9  11  18    57   68  −11    38
18 Miroz Old Boys             38    9  10  19    39   57  −18    37   Relegated to Unang Liga
19 Mannerheim Sports          38    8   9  21    55   73  −18    33   Relegated to Unang Liga
20 Bananas FC                 38    8   8  22    77   96  −19    32   Relegated to Unang Liga

Congratulations to All-Inclusive Haranguer, your 2029-30 Fleftic Premier League champions!

---

2029-30 SFA Cup
International broadcasts only available from Fifth Round onwards due to technical glitches

Fifth Round
Miroz Old Boys 2-1 Dynamo Ja (2-1 agg)

Arlkornd Diamonds 1-2 Ludogorets Markovsky (1-2 agg)

Riuwiee United 2-2 All-Inclusive Haranguer (3-2 AET, 3-2 agg)

Tentenaraya Rovers 1-0 Inseperables (1-0 agg)

Real Mikkaleth 2-4 Paulsen FC (2-4 agg)

Mannerheim Sports 0-1 Fleftic Army (0-1 agg)

Rosenpfelblatz City 0-1 Xemlice Rovers (0-1 agg)

Wanda Island Wanderers 1-0 Fleftic Air Force (1-0 agg)


Quarterfinals
Ludogorets Markovsky 1-0 Xemlice Rovers (1-0 agg)

Fleftic Army 1-0 Miroz Old Boys (1-0 agg)

Paulsen FC 0-1 Riuwiee United (0-1 agg)

Wanda Island Wanderers 0-2 Tentenaraya Rovers (0-2 agg)


Semifinals
Tentenaraya Rovers 0-2 Riuwiee United (0-2 agg)

Ludogorets Markovsky 3-3 Fleftic Army (4-3 AET, 4-3 agg)


Final
Ludogorets Markovsky 1-4 Riuwiee United (1-4 agg)

Congratulations to Riuwiee United, your 2029-30 SFA Cup champions!

Abanhfleft (AFT) qualifiers
IFCF Champions League: All-Inclusive Haranguer, Locomotive Imgortur

IFCF Challengers' Cup: Xemlice Rovers, Ludogorets Markovsky, Sporting Ceneisis

IFCF Cup Winners' Cup: Riuwiee United

FFI Taça dos Vencedores: All-Inclusive Haranguer, Locomotive Imgortur

FFI Copa das Confederações: Xemlice Rovers

IFCF Rising Stars' Cup: Arsenal de Releinthi (as winners)

[Mriin]

MNL Season 10

Mriin (MRN) qualifiers
IFCF Champions League: Maal Dæmons, Maal Angels [YC: 'lil Dæmons, Angels Youth]
IFCF Challengers' Cup: Bruul Skewers, Vidial Alchemists, Harbor
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Andü Volunteers, AFC Vendiir, Andü United
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: 'lil Daemons

---

AOCL: Maal Dæmons
Cygnus Cup: Andü United
VCIAPP: AC Mariina (MRN)

[The Quagpire]

[old post] League Structure (updates: Lumineer's strikers are now a Quagsire and a Hawlucha. City of Light's left midfielder is now a Cinderace.)

Another season of the Quagpire Soccer League is in the books, and this one's a little more wild than usual! "Quaggen winning" being a surprise would have been unthinkable a decade ago, but the recent surge of Lumineum teams had been putting the capital's flagship to shame in the international era. Finally, finally, they get their chance to play in the Champion's League. By goal difference. After losing in Sootopolis on the final day. Less emphatic than any of the entitled Quaggen fans would like, but the title was virtually assured since the Lumineers would've needed to flatten Mud Flats to the tune of 0-6 to draw level, rather than their much more tame 2-3 result. It's still another brilliant season for the Lumineers and their diverse troubadour troupe. Héctor Avon--their Hawlucha striker--has seemingly settled in in his second season, leading the league in goals. Daunt's Den finds their way back into the top four, while City of Light disappoints in their title defense but still does well enough.

But the real shocks come from further down the table--slightly, in Sootopolis finishing a Grover-best 5th place! It's the first top-half placement for any Grovyle-lead team, and there are some calls that this is a glass ceiling being broken. They're a pretty common sight in the VCI due to, well, the Grove being the region that doesn't consistently get a team in the top 4, but now there's extra buzz over what they'll do on this run of form. And then allllllll the way at the bottom, in dead last, are Bayou. Despite the QSL being a fairly prolific league they somehow only scored half a goal a game. Despite a surprising third place finish last cycle, complete and utter collapse. Their manager, one Cal Sisma, hasn't addressed the absurd downturn in play the entire season and ownership hasn't responded to any media inquiries. At this point we can only assume there's internal drama playing out that they're trying hard to keep out of the spotlight.

.  QSL                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Quaggen                22   14   3   5    44   22  +22    31  CL
 2 Lumineers              22   12   7   3    45   28  +17    31  CC
 3 Daunt's Den            22   11   6   5    26   13  +13    28  CC
 4 City of Light          22   10   7   5    41   27  +14    27  CC
 5 Sootopolis             22    8   8   6    34   36   −2    24  VCI
 6 Mantyke Bay            22    6   8   8    42   40   +2    20
 7 Shelldock              22    4  12   6    39   41   −2    20
 8 Weeping Willow         22    7   6   9    30   37   −7    20
 9 Blasting Beach         22    5   8   9    46   58  −12    18
10 Ashmark                22    6   6  10    29   42  −13    18
11 Mudflats               22    5   5  12    32   49  −17    15
12 Bayou                  22    3   6  13    11   26  −15    12

The Quagpire (QGP) qualifiers
Puppet of Mriin
IFCF Champions League: Quaggen
IFCF Challengers' Cup: Lumineers, Daunt's Den, City of Light

---

FFI Liga Dos Vencedores: Quaggen, Lumineers
FFI Taça das Confederações: Daunt's Den
VCIAPP: Sootopolis (QGP)

[Ghirapur]

Chrome League
    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Swan Song                30  16  11   3  48  22  +26  59  LdV
  2 Ramosian Rally           30  18   4   8  60  41  +19  58  LdV
  3 Phantom Wings            30  16   9   5  56  31  +25  57  TdC
  4 Cloudreach Cavalry       30  17   4   9  57  38  +19  55
  5 Fog Bank                 30  15   7   8  44  24  +20  52
  6 Icatian Town             30  15   3  12  44  37   +7  48
  7 Murasa Rangers           30  14   3  13  48  52   -4  45
  8 Duskmantle Seers         30  13   4  13  63  60   +3  43
  9 Hurloon Shamans          30   9   9  12  40  41   -1  36
 10 Seashell Cameo           30  10   6  14  43  59  -16  36
 11 Kilnmouth Dragons        30  10   5  15  50  63  -13  35
 12 Unyaro Griffins          30   9   8  13  23  37  -14  35
 13 Port Town                30   9   5  16  39  50  -11  32
 14 Farmstead                30   6  10  14  23  33  -10  28  Relegated
 15 Sawtooth Loons           30   7   6  17  50  60  -10  27  Relegated
 16 Durkwood Boars           30   5   8  17  39  79  -40  23  Relegated

Mithril League
    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Tears of Rage            30  18   3   9  68  38  +30  57  Promoted
  2 Nephalia Moondrakes      30  17   6   7  49  32  +17  57  Promoted
  3 Inkwell Leviathans       30  13  12   5  37  22  +15  51  Promoted
  4 Murmuring Bosk           30  14   9   7  29  19  +10  51
  5 Mountain Goats           30  15   4  11  44  29  +15  49
  6 Extra Arms               30  14   7   9  51  38  +13  49
  7 Guard Gomazoa            30  14   7   9  33  26   +7  49
  8 Secluded Steppe          30  12   8  10  23  25   -2  44
  9 Cateran Brutes           30  12   8  10  44  47   -3  44
 10 Jungle Hollow            30  10   8  12  30  36   -6  38
 11 Semblance Anvil          30   9   5  16  41  60  -19  32
 12 Deepwood Wolverines      30   9   4  17  31  50  -19  31
 13 Grizzly Bears            30   8   6  16  19  32  -13  30
 14 Shanodin Dryads          30   9   3  18  44  59  -15  30  Relegated
 15 Stream of Life           30   6  11  13  31  49  -18  29  Relegated
 16 Terra Eternal            30   7   5  18  21  33  -12  26  Relegated

Sulfur League
    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Ebon Stronghold          30  17   7   6  32  17  +15  58  Promoted
  2 Devouring Light          30  15   5  10  53  35  +18  50  Promoted
  3 Thornwood Falls          30  14   8   8  27  20   +7  50  Promoted
  4 Thornwind Faeries        30  15   5  10  33  27   +6  50
  5 Rushing River            30  14   6  10  47  31  +16  48
  6 Vantress Gargoyles       30  12  11   7  23  17   +6  47
  7 Nephalia Seakites        30  12   6  12  27  28   -1  42
  8 Tetravus                 30  11   9  10  29  32   -3  42
  9 Millstone                30  10   8  12  20  22   -2  38
 10 Grip of the Roil         30  10   7  13  29  35   -6  37
 11 Dandân                   30   8  11  11  29  31   -2  35
 12 Pentavus                 30  10   5  15  28  43  -15  35
 13 Rathi Dragons            30   7  13  10  32  37   -5  34
 14 Safehold Elite           30   7  11  12  19  33  -14  32
 15 Rustmouth Ogres          30   6  11  13  29  39  -10  29
 16 Embermaw Hellions        30   6   9  15  31  41  -10  27

Ghirapur (GHR) qualifiers
Puppet of Mriin/Quagpire
FFI Liga Dos Vencedores: Swan Song, Ramosian Rally
FFI Taça das Confederações: Phantom Wings

[Dogsmouth]

Dogi League
   Team                  P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
 1 Cleighmor            18  11  2   5  24  12  +12  35  AOCL
 2 Oakport              18  10  5   3  20  10  +10  35
 3 Blaster's Union      18   8  7   3  41  16  +25  31
 4 1510 Plinth          18   9  3   6  21  16   +5  30
 5 Cyrfall              18   8  5   5  16  15   +1  29
 6 Arkstone             18   7  5   6  17  19   -2  26
 7 Elena's Wake         18   7  3   8  18  25   -7  24
 8 Mælstrom             18   7  1  10  18  27   -9  22
 9 Drury Lagoon         18   2  4  12   7  23  -16  10
10 Woodsbairn           18   1  5  12   7  26  -19   8

Cyrfall 1-0 Oakport
Mælstrom 1-3 Elena's Wake
Drury Lagoon 1-1 Blaster's Union
1510 Plinth 1-3 Cleighmor
Woodsbairn 0-1 Arkstone

ABSOLUTE PANDEMONIUM! Oakport are held on the road by a Cyrfall side sad at their season-long performance but determined to leave their mark on the final standings, while Cleighmor take matters into their own hands with a heroic showing in Plinth. Technically speaking, any win for them and any loss for Oakport would make the goal difference work in their favor, but the insurance goal sent fans into a frenzy all the same. Oakport's dominion over the league, for at least this season, is put on pause.

Dogsmouth (DOG) qualifiers
Puppet of Mriin
AOCL: Cleighmor

[Hot Skitty on Wailord Action]

The ten regional associations of Hot Skitty on Wailord Action Soccer have compiled teams to compete in the very first HSOWAliga. Each regional association was asked to create a nickname for their team, some of which were… rather creative. Namseom initially had their team name rejected for being “unbelievably offensive”, but HSOWA Soccer’s decision was overturned on appeal “for the lolz.”

Due to the paucity of teams in the league (which HSOWA Soccer is too lazy to fix), the HSOWAliga will be played in two splits. The winner of each split will play for the HSOWAliga Championship—or the HSOWA Cup (HSOWA Soccer still hasn’t figured out what to call it)—while the runners-up of each split will play for the Participation Trophy. If a team qualifies for multiple finals berths, the next-best team on the Spring Split table will take their place.

In each final, the team with the superior record in its qualifying split will host the game. The winner of the Participation trophy will take a spot in the Confederations Cup, while the finalists of the HSOWA Cup will play in the Victors League.

HSOWAliga Fall Split         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   TKP  HSS  HKC  BTF  SSS  DSB  NSB  NKF  SSH  NMF
 1 Tōkuriko Passers           18   11   3   4    24   17   +7    36    —   1–0  0–3  1–1  0–1  1–0  1–1  2–0  1–0  0–1
 2 Hoshima Slots              18   10   4   4    27   14  +13    34   0–1   —   1–1  2–4  1–1  2–1  1–0  1–1  2–0  1–0
 3 Hokuriko Counts            18    9   4   5    17    9   +8    31   2–1  0–1   —   0–0  1–2  0–0  0–1  0–1  2–0  1–0
 4 Bulmoji Tits and Finches   18    8   5   5    23   21   +2    29   1–2  0–5  2–0   —   0–1  1–3  1–0  1–1  1–0  2–2
 5 Saishima Shutters          18    9   2   7    16   14   +2    29   0–1  0–1  0–1  1–3   —   1–2  1–0  1–0  2–1  1–0
 6 Dongseom Bastards          18    8   3   7    21   20   +1    27   2–3  0–2  0–1  1–0  1–0   —   1–0  2–0  1–1  0–0
 7 Namseom Belgium            18    6   4   8    16   19   −3    22   0–1  0–0  0–3  1–2  1–1  4–2   —   1–0  2–1  1–0
 8 Nankuriko Frakkers         18    5   3  10    15   27  −12    18   2–3  3–2  0–1  0–2  0–2  1–0  2–1   —   0–1  2–0
 9 Seobusan Hill              18    4   5   9    18   24   −6    17   0–2  1–4  0–0  1–1  1–0  2–3  2–2  6–1   —   1–0
10 Nanashima Motherfrakkers   18    1   5  12     8   20  −12     8   3–3  0–1  0–1  0–1  0–1  1–2  0–1  1–1  0–0   —

The Passers take a break on the final gameday of the Fall Split, having won the split with a game to spare. With the Participation Trophy berth on the line, the Slots pull out a win over the Motherfrakkers to seal their place in the Confederations Cup decider. The Counts, on the other hand, fall asleep at the wheel and lose to the visiting Frakkers.

HSOWAliga Spring Split       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   BTF  SSS  TKP  DSB  HSS  NKF  NSB  HKC  SSH  NMF
 1 Bulmoji Tits and Finches   18   13   3   2    35   13  +22    42    —   4–2  0–0  2–0  1–0  2–0  2–0  2–1  1–1  3–2
 2 Saishima Shutters          18   11   4   3    36   22  +14    37   0–3   —   2–2  2–2  1–0  3–2  5–1  3–1  4–1  1–0
 3 Tōkuriko Passers           18    8   5   5    25   16   +9    29   0–3  0–1   —   1–2  0–2  2–0  4–0  3–3  3–1  0–0
 4 Dongseom Bastards          18    8   5   5    30   28   +2    29   1–1  0–3  0–2   —   1–0  1–0  2–2  3–1  1–0  4–2
 5 Hoshima Slots              18    8   3   7    29   23   +6    27   3–1  3–0  0–2  4–3   —   2–1  1–1  0–0  5–3  3–2
 6 Nankuriko Frakkers         18    8   3   7    24   26   −2    27   1–0  0–0  0–0  3–2  1–0   —   0–2  2–2  2–1  2–1
 7 Namseom Belgium            18    6   5   7    23   31   −8    23   1–2  2–4  1–0  0–0  2–2  0–1   —   2–1  4–3  2–0
 8 Hokuriko Counts            18    5   6   7    27   31   −4    21   1–2  0–0  0–2  3–5  2–1  4–2  0–0   —   2–0  1–0
 9 Seobusan Hill              18    2   2  14    24   42  −18     8   0–2  0–1  1–3  1–1  0–2  4–5  3–1  2–3   —   2–0
10 Nanashima Motherfrakkers   18    2   2  14    16   37  −21     8   0–4  1–4  0–1  1–2  2–1  0–2  1–2  2–2  2–1   —

Tits and Finches, who were basically dead in the Fall Split, come to life in the Spring Split and crush everyone in their path. The Shutters are Tits and Finches’ closest competitors, but will have to settle for hosting the Participation Trophy.

The Participation Trophy
Saishima Shutters 0–0 Hoshima Slots
(1–1 aet, 3–4 p)

---

The First HSOWAliga Championship
Bulmoji Tits and Finches 5–2 Tōkuriko Passers

In an exciting Participation Trophy match, the Slots equalise in the dying minutes of extra time to take the match to penalty kicks and snatch the trophy out of the Shutters’ hands. The HSOWA Cup is ultimately a bore, but Tits and Finches prove their prowess as Spring Split winners and become the first champions of the HSOWAliga.

Hot Skitty on Wailord Action (HOT) qualifiers
Puppet of Omerica (OME)
IFF Victors League: Bulmoji Tits and Finches, Tōkuriko Passers
IFF Confederations Cup: Hoshima Slots

[Lisander]

Starting from this post and going down through all of these ones here too, this was the entire Lisander Professional, Academy and University Football Season. Based on these results, these are the Lisander qualifiers to IFCF competitions, Campeonato Esportivano de Campeones, VCIAPP and Kempsey Futures Invitational.

Lisander (LIS) qualifiers
IFCF Champions' League: Sporting Grandeville
IFCF Challenger's Cup: AS Virtus 1904, Dawson FC, Club Sparta
IFCF Liga B Champions' Trophy: FC Stellar Kasandora, FC Victoria 03, Argos FC
IFCF Rising Stars Cup: Soria Union U18
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: FC Solaris Sirenia

Campeonato Esportivano di Campeones: Sporting Grandeville, AS Virtus 1904
IUCC: The College of Salinas, Universidade de Soria, Trinity College
VCIAPP: CF Thiéry-sur-le-mer (selection via League Table)
Kempsey Futures Invitational: Club Sparta U18

[Holon]

Eight clubs filed to take part in The Holon, but only one registered any players before the deadline and was therefore awarded the championship by walkover. All other clubs were jointly awarded last place and consequently denied the opportunity to enter international tournaments by the Holon Football Association.

The Holon                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Holon FC                 14   14   0   0    42    0  +42    42
2 Farmers Club             14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Holon Circle             14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Holon Lake               14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Holon Mentors            14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Holon Ruins              14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Research Tower           14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0
= Scientists Club          14    0   0  14     0   42  −42     0

Holon (HLN) qualifier
Puppet of Omerica (OME)
IFF Victors League: Holon FC

[Savojarna]

Savojarna IFCF Entrants

As per: Preview Part 1 | Preview Part 2 | Part 1 | Part 2 | Cup Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Final Matchday | Lower Leagues and Awards | Cup Part II

Savojarna (SVJ) Qualifiers:
IFCF Champions League: CASK Thorsborg
IFCF Challengers Cup: Lokomotive Jarnstad, Admiral Storevik, Traktor St. Andrei
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: SK Cuprum Grennvik, Metsuri Virkaja, Valdhavn IF
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Rushmori Copa de Campeones: CASK Thorsborg

[Eternal September]

Eternal September Association Football League (ESAFL)
Eternal September is a surprisingly pleasant nation that started a soccer/association football league shortly after completion of new transportation infrastructure. (OOC: results were generated using leaguesimulator.eu and reformatted for legibility.)

Week 1
Shertobury Lyfield 1—2
Black Hawks ES Penleydon 1—3
Sasintow Holtash 3—0
Uxrid Penburh 2—1
Manwark Binforley 1—0
Week 2
Lyfield Manwark 0—1
Penleydon Shertobury 1—0
Holtash Black Hawks ES 1—2
Penburh Sasintow 1—1
Binforley Uxrid 0—1
Week 3
Lyfield Penleydon 0—1
Shertobury Holtash 1—1
Black Hawks ES Penburh 2—0
Sasintow Binforley 0—1
Manwark Uxrid 0—1
Week 4
Penleydon Manwark 1—0
Holtash Lyfield 3—0
Penburh Shertobury 0—2
Binforley Black Hawks ES 1—2
Uxrid Sasintow 0—3
Week 5
Penleydon Holtash 1—0
Lyfield Penburh 1—0
Shertobury Binforley 1—1
Black Hawks ES Uxrid 2—0
Manwark Sasintow 1—0
Week 6
Holtash Manwark 2—0
Penburh Penleydon 1—1
Binforley Lyfield 0—1
Uxrid Shertobury 1—2
Sasintow Black Hawks ES 1—1
Week 7
Holtash Penburh 0—1
Penleydon Binforley 0—2
Lyfield Uxrid 1—1
Shertobury Sasintow 0—1
Manwark Black Hawks ES 2—0
Week 8
Manwark Penburh 2—0
Binforley Holtash 2—0
Uxrid Penleydon 0—0
Sasintow Lyfield 3—0
Black Hawks ES Shertobury 0—3
Week 9
Penburh Binforley 1—2
Holtash Uxrid 0—1
Penleydon Sasintow 3—1
Lyfield Black Hawks ES 2—3
Shertobury Manwark 1—0
Week 10
Lyfield Shertobury 0—1
Penleydon Black Hawks ES 1—0
Holtash Sasintow 0—0
Penburh Uxrid 1—2
Binforley Manwark 1—1
Week 11
Manwark Lyfield 0—1
Shertobury Penleydon 2—2
Black Hawks ES Holtash 1—0
Sasintow Penburh 1—3
Uxrid Binforley 2—0
Week 12
Penleydon Lyfield 1—0
Holtash Shertobury 1—0
Penburh Black Hawks ES 0—2
Binforley Sasintow 2—1
Uxrid Manwark 3—0
Week 13
Manwark Penleydon 0—3
Lyfield Holtash 1—1
Shertobury Penburh 1—1
Black Hawks ES Binforley 3—1
Sasintow Uxrid 0—1
Week 14
Holtash Penleydon 1—0
Penburh Lyfield 0—0
Binforley Shertobury 0—2
Uxrid Black Hawks ES 1—1
Sasintow Manwark 2—0
Week 15
Manwark Holtash 2—1
Penleydon Penburh 2—1
Lyfield Binforley 3—0
Shertobury Uxrid 1—0
Black Hawks ES Sasintow 4—0
Week 16
Penburh Holtash 2—0
Binforley Penleydon 0—2
Uxrid Lyfield 2—0
Sasintow Shertobury 0—1
Black Hawks ES Manwark 3—1
Week 17
Penburh Manwark 4—1
Holtash Binforley 2—0
Penleydon Uxrid 0—0
Lyfield Sasintow 2—0
Shertobury Black Hawks ES 1—3
Week 18
Binforley Penburh 1—2
Uxrid Holtash 1—1
Sasintow Penleydon 2—0
Black Hawks ES Lyfield 3—0
Manwark Shertobury 2—1

Final Standings

Team            Pt  Pl   W  D   L  GF  GC
Black Hawks ES  38  18  12  2   4  33  18
Penleydon       37  18  11  4   3  22  11
Uxrid           32  18   9  5   4  19  13
Shertobury      28  18   8  4   6  21  16
Manwark         22  18   7  1  10  14  24
Sasintow        21  18   6  3   9  19  20
Lyfield         21  18   6  3   9  14  21
Penburh         19  18   5  4   9  19  23
Holtash         19  18   5  4   9  14  18
Binforley       17  18   5  2  11  14  25

Playoffs
The domestic playoffs are mainly for "bragging rights" since the final standings determine international qualification placings.
Quarterfinals
Black Hawks ES Penburh 1—2
Shertobury Manwark 2—0
Uxrid Sasintow 2—0
Penleydon Lyfield 2—3
Semifinals
Penburh Shertobury 0—2
Uxrid Lyfield 1—1 (1—1 AET; Uxrid wins on PKs)
Final
Shertobury Uxrid 0—1

Eternal September (ETS) Qualifiers
Puppet of 95X (NFX)

IFCF Champions League: Black Hawks ES

IFCF Challenger's Cup: Penleydon, Uxrid, Shertobury

FFI Liga dos Vencedores: Black Hawks ES, Penleydon

FFI Taça das Confederações: Uxrid

[Falkyr]

notes: AKB = AK Bärø, FFK = FF Kanneton, NIF = Naversund IF

Falkenligan
   Team                     P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
 1 Falkkengärd             36  21   6   9  84  49  +35  69  CdC
 2 Ördenval Automotiv      36  20   8   8  51  25  +26  68
 3 AKB                     36  17  10   9  41  27  +14  61
 4 Skysreach               36  16  11   9  54  34  +20  59
 5 Naversund Atletisk      36  14  11  11  50  42   +8  53
 6 FFK                     36  13  13  10  44  34  +10  52
 7 Alfjord Town            36  13  11  12  43  40   +3  50  CWC
 8 Hemdahl Sportslig       36   9   7  20  36  69  -33  34
 9 Flodløb                 36   9   5  22  28  64  -36  32  Relegated
10 Makehål                 36   5   4  27  27  74  -47  19  Relegated

Andraligan
   Team                     P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
 1 Bärø Fiskal             36  19  10   7  50  24  +26  67  Promoted
 2 NIF                     36  19  10   7  71  40  +31  67  Promoted
 3 Dahl Elektrisk          36  17   8  11  47  32  +15  59
 4 Stensborg               36  15  10  11  26  24   +2  55
 5 AK Jårlund              36  14   7  15  29  39  -10  49
 6 Falkkensödra            36  12  11  13  38  47   -9  47
 7 Högkulle                36  11   7  18  31  42  -11  40
 8 Ardsfjäll               36  11   5  20  28  50  -22  38
 9 Anstad IF               36   7  14  15  32  45  -13  35
10 Pastoral Attenstad      36   5  18  13  31  40   -9  33

Falconian League
   Team                   P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
 1 Nestingham FC         12  6  5  1  18  11   +7  23
 2 Wingipeg Wingers      12  7  0  5  20  15   +5  21
 3 Umber Lumber          12  6  3  3  18  11   +7  21
 4 Falcus FC             12  0  2 10  10  29  -19   2

First Round
AK Jårlund 1-0 Ardsfjäll (1-0 agg)
Ardsfjäll 1-1 AK Jårlund (1-2 agg)

Nestingham FC 1-0 Umber Lumber (1-0 agg)
Umber Lumber 0-0 Nestingham FC (0-1 agg)

Anstad IF 3-0 Falcus FC (3-0 agg)
Falcus FC 3-3 Anstad IF (3-6 agg)

Makehål 4-1 Högkulle (4-1 agg)
Högkulle 0-1 Makehål (1-5 agg)

Dahl Elektrisk 3-2 Falkkensödra (3-2 agg)
Falkkensödra 2-1 Dahl Elektrisk (4-4 agg) (Falkkensödra wins on away goals rule)

Pastoral Attenstad 2-1 NIF (2-1 agg)
NIF 1-1 Pastoral Attenstad (2-3 agg)

Flodløb 0-1 Stensborg (0-1 agg)
Stensborg 1-1 Flodløb (2-1 agg)

Bärø Fiskal 3-2 Wingipeg Wingers (3-2 agg)
Wingipeg Wingers 0-0 Bärø Fiskal (2-3 agg)

Second Round
FFK 1-0 Falkkengärd (1-0 agg)
Falkkengärd 0-1 FFK (0-2 agg)

Makehål 0-1 Ördenval Automotiv (0-1 agg)
Ördenval Automotiv 1-0 Makehål (2-0 agg)

Skysreach 2-1 Pastoral Attenstad (2-1 agg)
Pastoral Attenstad 1-4 Skysreach (2-6 agg)

Falkkensödra 2-1 Stensborg (2-1 agg)
Stensborg 1-0 Falkkensödra (2-2 agg) (Stensborg wins on away goals rule)

Naversund Atletisk 1-0 Hemdahl Sportslig (1-0 agg)
Hemdahl Sportslig 0-3 Naversund Atletisk (0-4 agg)

AKB 0-1 Alfjord Town (0-1 agg)
Alfjord Town 3-2 AKB (4-2 agg)

Anstad IF 1-0 AK Jårlund (1-0 agg)
AK Jårlund 0-1 Anstad IF (0-2 agg)

Nestingham FC 1-2 Bärø Fiskal (1-2 agg)
Bärø Fiskal 0-0 Nestingham FC (2-1 agg)

Quarterfinals
FFK 0-0 Ördenval Automotiv (0-0 agg)
Ördenval Automotiv 1-2 FFK (1-2 agg)

Skysreach 1-1 Stensborg (1-1 agg)
Stensborg 0-1 Skysreach (1-2 agg)

Naversund Atletisk 0-1 Alfjord Town (0-1 agg)
Alfjord Town 1-1 Naversund Atletisk (2-1 agg)

Anstad IF 0-1 Bärø Fiskal (0-1 agg)
Bärø Fiskal 0-0 Anstad IF (1-0 agg)

Semifinals
FFK 1-0 Skysreach
Skysreach 1-1 FFK (1-2 agg)

Alfjord Town 2-1 Bärø Fiskal
Bärø Fiskal 0-1 Alfjord Town (1-3 agg)

Final
FFK 1-0 Alfjord Town
Alfjord Town 3-0 FFK (3-1 agg)

Falkyr (FKR) qualifiers
CdC: Falkkengärd
Cygnus Cup: Alfjord Town

[Fujai]

Complete information about Fujai's 1422 football season can be found in Fujais Idrottsblad (Fujai Sports Newswires)

---

Fujai (FJA) Qualifiers
IFCF Champions League Qualifier: Solbakken IL
IFCF Challenger's Cup Qualifiers: Trondsnes FF, Karlsøra IF, Almoren IL
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy Qualifiers: Jarnfoss IL, Keiserholde Tretønnar FK, Hafstrand 07 FF
IFCF Cup Winners' Cup Qualifier: Hafstrand 07 FF

FFI Liga Dos Vencedores Qualifiers: Solbakken IL, Trondsnes FF
FFI Taça das Confederações Qualifier: Hafstrand 07 FF

Fujai (FJA) Final Site Bids
FFI Taça das Confederações: Nykanalstadion, Keiserholde (cap. 48,300 (34,680 standing, 13,620 seated))
Known commonly as Nykanalen, the stadium is located in Nykanalparken, a park built on the former fortifications that surround Keiserholde's city center. Nykanalen is the largest stadium in the nation, and serves as the home stadium for the Landslag. Like most stadiums in Fujai, it includes large standing areas to increase capacity, lower costs, and help people stay warm by standing instead of sitting in the country's famously cold weather.

Nykanalen recently successfully hosted the final match of the FFI Liga dos Vencedores, and FjFF members felt that they should give another association the chance to do the same.

OOC note: I'm travelling right now and have about half a bar of service, so while all competitions have been scorinated, it may be up to six hours before I'm able to post the scores in my newswire.

Edit: Scores are up as of last night, midseason recaps are forthcoming

[Astograth]

The Astograthian Football League
Season 683 Review

The 38th season of the Astograthian Football League is now concluded.

First Division

And yet again, a thrilling season was in store. A third of the way into the season, defending champions Sporting Iturributa held a tenuous lead, followed closely by Urbizania Wanderers, Royal Rumiatzi and Ituraitz FC. They soon let it slip following a shock 5-1 defeat to Antiguoko FC and a 4-3 derby loss to Iturributa United, then further sunk into 5th place by matchday 20, just past the halfway point, after losses to Wanderers, Gesterlake and Urbitzo. Indeed, going into matchday 23, it seemed it would be Royal Rumiatzi and their 9-point lead that would be winning the title. Managed by the previously unknown Farf firebrand Lele Manguele, Rumiatzi had put forth a bold form of ultra-attacking that had never been seen in domestic Astograthian football before, leading the club to smash the First Division’s most-goals-in-a-season record with 105. The deadly pairing of Olibondeka’s Yasone Urdanibia and Euran striker Martin Blessed accounted for 52 of these, as Rumiatzi routinely pummelled their opponents and finished with an also record-breaking +52 goal difference. And yet, this was not enough for them to claim the championship.

Sporting Iturributa plodded along, slow but steady, keeping up the pace with dominant Royal Rumiatzi, waiting for the 9-point lead to narrow after a 1-1 draw in Rumiatzi left neither side content. The cracks in the Knights’ armour finally showed on matchday 30, losing 3-1 at Urbitzo while Sporting beat Antiguoko. Six-point lead with eight matches to go. Next week, Royal Rumiatzi drew 1-1 with Miners FC, but Sporting Iturributa could take nothing from Arkamo in a 0-0 draw. Then Rumiatzi took an embarrassing loss to Astograth University, and Sporting went into the Iturributan Derby with the stakes that much higher, United knowing that they could cost their rivals the title. In a clash that was even more heated than usual, Ximun Blacksdove-Beukers scored a brace to take Sporting to an epic 2-1 victory, bringing them within a mere 3 points of Rumiatzi and, as a bonus, throwing a wrench in United’s quest for a Challengers’ Cup spot.

On the next matchday, Sporting defeated Echegoyan and Rumiatzi was beaten at home by Ituraitz FC, allowing Sporting to draw level and, thanks to their victory over Rumiatzi in the first round, took the lead on head-to-head results. They each followed up with wins, over Gesterlake and Olarria, then on matchday 35 a 3-point lead was once again established – with the roles reversed. Sporting travelled to Bakartirla to batter the beleaguered Buccaneers 7-1, while Rumiatzi hosted Antiguoko. In a memorable display, Antiguoko resisted Manguele’s intense offense and took the battle to Rumiatzi’s box. As the clock marked 71 minutes, a shot by Antiguoko’s Olentzaro Karazatorre struck the crossbar and rebounded up high. With his back to goal and eyeing an opportunity at immortality, Nepharan left winger Petrarch Karaiskakis caught the ball in a stunning bicycle kick that shot straight past surprised compatriot Carsten Thunder, securing a 1-0 win for Antiguoko that would be voted Goal of the Season and, in retrospect, decide the title race.

Royal Rumiatzi, now lagging by three points, next faced Iturributa United, scheduled at the same time as Sporting Iturributa vs. Urbizania Wanderers. While Sporting and Rumiatzi tangled for the title, Wanderers was holding onto the 4th IFCF spot against a 5th-placed United desperate to claw their way in. United were therefore stuck in the unenviable position of needing Sporting to win so they could stay alive in the IFCF race. Sporting did indeed beat Wanderers, 1-0 with a goal by Egoitz Laurnagaray, but Rumiatzi and United played out a nerve-wracking 3-3 draw (Blessed x2, Gartzi; Arana, Yriberri, Pikolaugh) that widened Sporting’s lead to 5 points and drove the penultimate nail into the coffin of United’s IFCF hopes.

Sporting Iturributa would finally win the title the following week, matchday 37, by comfortably beating Gortz United 2-0. After an arduous season that saw them pull off a 14-3-2 record in its second half, a First Division record, the Chevrons celebrate their unparalleled, unprecedented achievement of three league championships in a row. Not even the Champions’ Cup-winning Ituraitz and Wanderers of old managed that. Whether this is an indictment of the current state of Astograthian football is an interesting discussion, but no one can deny the talent on display. Zorion Legeren, after 14 seasons at the helm, has polished Sporting Iturributa into one hell of a machine, and backbone of the Astograthian national team. The strongest defence in the league, commanded by centre-back Mogel Doyenard and goalkeeper Aratz Anzizar, allowed just 25 goals in 38 matches. The midfield, already masterminded by Gaitzka Gurina, was further reinforced this season by the deadly Xefe Larribe and the clever, combative, ever-reliable Servet Misidjan, nominated as one of the Players of the Season. Further up, Ximun Blacksdove-Beukers continued to be the vital link between midfield and attack, while forward Egoitz Laurnagaray had his best season yet, scoring 21 goals. A fearsome squad that now turns its attention the Champions’ League – and possibly, unthinkably, a fourth straight league title?

Royal Rumiatzi finished the league with the stigma of having given up a 9-point lead, their lowest moments of the season coinciding with Sporting Iturributa putting together a demolishing run of form. For a club that expects to win the title every season, being runners-up will never be enough. However, considering the fact that this was manager Lele Manguele’s début season – as manager in general, not just as manager of Rumiatzi – and that his Farf-style ultra-offense has been such a resounding success with the fans, the club are eyeing the team’s future favourably, and are likely to not just keep Manguele but hand him a generous cheque for the transfer market.

In 3rd place, well out of the title race, is a resurgent Ituraitz FC, who quietly but surely climbed their way up from last season’s 7th place. Under new manager Bob Partridge and his tried-and-true 4-4-2, Gorriaka came from behind to challenge Urbizania Wanderers and Iturributa United for the Challenger’s Cup spots – and came out winning. Their signing of Brenecian left winger Isidra Corvey was critical to their success, the former international proving a constant threat down the flank and providing direction for the team as a whole, whether on the wing or cutting into the centre. Serving many of Ituraitz’s assist as well as scoring several crucial goals herself, such as winners against Royal Rumiatzi and Blue Mountain Range, Corvey was doubtless the single most influential player on the pitch, and received FAF recognition as Player of the Season.

Urbizania Wanderers, after a strong first season under Eriz Bakaikoa, were expected to be the main challenger for Sporting Iturributa’s title. Though this held true for the first half of the season, with Wanderers even holding onto the lead for a full month, they would eventually give up the top position to Royal Rumiatzi and fall 9 points behind their impressive form, then were superseded by Sporting Iturributa as the main title contenders. With the title increasingly out of reach, Wanderers were forced to focus their attention on staying within the Challengers’ Cup positions, which were under increasing pressure from Ituraitz FC, Iturributa United, even Royal Ibarbe, Sporting Arkamo and Urbitzo FC for a stretch. Though their 3rd place was pinched away by Ituraitz in the last few weeks of the season, Wanderers did well to put enough distance between themselves and United in 5th. Overall, an unremarkable season for Wanderers, though there is still some cause to celebrate: their defence was rock-solid, conceding just 38 in 38, and while the retiring Jê Çìró was not the phenom of seasons past, there is another Farf to take his (symbolic) place. 21-year-old goalkeeper Dieje Ibrelaná, already called up to the national team as third keeper, performed admirably for Wanderers, and everyone at the club hopes he’ll mature into one a goalkeeping greats.

Left out of the Challengers’ Cup and ruing yet another title by Sporting, Iturributa United are living a nightmare. Their signings of Miriam Lechei and Fangti Pikolaugh, though an improvement in their positions, were not enough to offset a disorganised team playing a 4-3-1-2 that pundits have labelled outdated and surpassed by the other top teams. Though United were capable of grinding out wins against lesser opposition, they ran into a wall against Wanderers and Ituraitz FC and now find themselves without international competition. The club hope to make a number of changes ahead of next season; the first of them, showing manager Machin Logegaray the door.

Sporting Arkamo, like many other teams, had a rough start to the season, winning just 1 of their first 10 matches. The board, desperate for results, ended up sacking the previously much-praised Galeano and hiring former Victory gaffer Hanni Andikola. Under new management, Arkamo were still irregular but started slowly picking up points, including an away win over Sporting Iturributa, a 7-2 defeat of Gortz United and a glorious 5-1 home victory over Ituraitz FC. Notable improvement toward the end of the season, a thrilling final draw against and Ituraitz and their closest rivals cannibalising each other, all allowed Arkamo to finish in 6th, equalling their best ever.

The next five teams were separated by just three points, and one point off Arkamo: Royal Ibarbe, Gortz United, Antiguoko FC, Athletic Club Olarria and Basabe Old Boys were all tightly involved in the mid-table scramble, and evenly-matched in their attempts to get a slightly higher portion of the league prize money. Ibarbe had a strong campaign, retaining its defensive solidity even in the face of departing stalwarts, while Gortz United exceeded expectations in finishing 8th, their highest result since before the First Division was refounded. Antiguoko FC and Basabe Old Boys were happy to be 9th and 11th, respectively, fulfilling predictions that saw them untroubled in the mid-table. However, Antiguoko are right to be worried that their young striker Olentzaro Karazatorre, who scored 19 this season, may soon be set to depart.

In 10th place, Athletic Club Olarria saw a crushing reversal of their fortunes. Initially hoping to finish within the top 4, Olarria fans were subject to severe whiplash, going from beating Iturributa United 1-0 one week to losing 2-1 to Bakartirla Buccaneers to annihilating Ituraitz Victory 8-1. Stricken by injuries, which pundits attribute to poor planning and physical preparation, along with the exhaustion of having to travel long distances for home matches due to their ground being rebuilt, Olarria had a season to forget. There was already uncertainty over whether the club would be able to fill out the new 61,000-seater North Point Stadium, and it only deepens now that they’re unsure whether they’ll be able to retain players like Marko Martel, Aurre Laurnagaray and Ubelteso Peruchena. Manager Ikatz Alberro will certainly not be returning.

Urbitzo FC had one of the most bizarre runs yet seen in the First Division. Manager Yeremi Belaustigetigoitia, untested in the top flight, with a squad of similarly untested players, at a club that had never played in the top flight at all, managed to put together a run of form that by the midpoint of the season had them in 2nd place. They’d pulled off such feats as a 2-1 victory over Sporting Iturributa in the opening match of the season, a 1-0 win at Iturributa United, and a 1-1 away draw against Royal Rumiatzi, and for a moment it seemed possible that this unknown team might qualify for the Challengers’ Cup or even seriously go for the title. Alas, reality set in, and as the season wore on and opponents adapted to Urbitzo, they steadily slipped down the table into 12th place. A very respectable finish for the Second Division champions, and their thrilling dash for the top were enough to get Belaustigetigoitia a mention as one of the Managers of the Season.

Blue Mountain Range, Miners FC and Gesterlake FC finished further down, within 2 points of each other. Surprisingly, Miners FC were quite untroubled, coasting through the bottom half of the table but never becoming embroiled in the relegation battle, despite widespread predictions that they’d be down in 20th. Gesterlake spent the season flirting with the mid-table, but ended up swallowing a string of losses that sunk them down into 15th. Blue Mountain Range did have an extended relegation scare, only pulling away in the last third of the season; their early results were so dire that they dispensed with manager Zuriko Eliz in favour of their U21 boss, Frantz Ormache.

The relegation battle proper involved five clubs: Ituraitz Victory, Echegoyan FC, Royal Association, Astograth University and Bakartirla Buccanneers. All of them went into their final match with a chance of staying up or going down and, out of all of them, only Bakartirla stuck with the same manager the whole season. The most tragic of them was, perhaps, Royal Association, who had a rough start but then spent most of the season out of the relegation struggle – until a series of losses put them up against the wall. Into the last matchday, Victory played Olarria away, Association played Antiguoko away, Bakartirla played Miners away, and University hosted Echegoyan in a macabre do-or-die affair between former First Division champions. Ultimately, Bakartirla drew 2-2 with Miners, thereby saving Victory, who were crushed 8-1 by Olarria. Royal Association, who needed a single point to save themselves due to negative H2H matchups against Echegoyan, Victory and University, fell 5-0 to a rampaging Antiguoko. Finally, substitute Peyo Isamendi scored the winner for Echegoyan against Astograth University in a tense 1-0 match, sending the two-time league winners tumbling into the Second Division. There was wild celebration for Echegoyan, but this was a miserable season considering they expected to be top 6 and ended up fighting to survive below even rivals Blue Mountain Range. For University, this is absolute and unprecedented disaster; though they have played in the Second Division, even within the last decade, they have always started there and never been relegated to it. It will be a tough climb back to the First Division, never mind the First Division title they once so proudly held.

Taldo Lehan               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Sporting Iturributa     38   25   5   8    68   25  +43    80 Champions / Copa de Campeones / Champions’ League – 19th CC/CL appearance
 2 Royal Rumiatzi          38   22  10   6   105   53  +52    76 Challengers’ Cup – 17th GC/ChC appearance
 3 Ituraitz FC             38   20   9   9    77   48  +29    69 Challengers’ Cup – 23rd GC/ChC appearance
 4 Urbizania Wanderers     38   19  10   9    66   38  +28    67 Challengers’ Cup – 16th GC/ChC appearance
 5 Iturributa United       38   18   9  11    62   41  +21    63
 6 Sporting Arkamo         38   16   9  13    61   62   −1    57
 7 Royal Ibarbe            38   14  14  10    48   33  +15    56
 8 Gortz United            38   16   7  15    51   50   +1    55
 9 Antiguoko FC            38   15   9  14    64   54  +10    54
10 Athletic Club Olarria   38   15   9  14    61   58   +3    54
11 Basabe Old Boys         38   15   8  15    46   51   −5    53
12 Urbitzo FC              38   15   6  17    48   60  −12    51
13 Blue Mountain Range     38   11  11  16    28   35   −7    44
14 Miners FC               38   11  10  17    28   45  −17    43
15 Gesterlake FC           38   12   6  20    50   70  −20    42
16 Ituraitz Victory        38   10   8  20    39   75  −36    38
17 Echegoyan FC            38    9  11  18    40   59  −19    38
18 Royal Association       38   10   8  20    41   73  −32    38 ↓ 1-year run
19 Astograth University    38    9  10  19    23   38  −15    37 ↓ 8-year run
20 Bakartirla Buccaneers   38    9   9  20    39   77  −38    36 ↓ 2-year run

CHAMPIONS
SPORTING ITURRIBUTA
6th title


FAF Awards

At the traditional awards ceremony, held at Rumiatzi’s Kraitzaga Theatre once the season is concluded, the Futbol Astograthiko Federazioa presented the following awards, based on First Division performance. Local media consider these highly prestigious, and the definitive acknowledgement of the best in Astograthian football.

Player of the Season:
1. Isidra Corvey (BRE) – 37 apps, 7 goals – Ituraitz FC
2. Yasone Urdanibia – 36 apps, 28 goals – Royal Rumiatzi
3. Servet Misidjan (NPH) – 36 apps, 3 goals – Sporting Iturributa

Young Player of the Season:
1. Dieje Ibrelaná, GK (FFD), age 20 – 38 apps – Urbizania Wanderers
2. Lino Kaberle, GK (STL), age 18 – 36 apps – Sporting Arkamo
3. Anchoka Oyhartkabal, LM, age 20 – 31 apps, 7 goals – Basabe Old Boys

Manager of the Season:
1. Zorion Legeren – Sporting Iturributa
2. Yeremi Belaustigetigoitia – Urbitzo FC
3. Bob Partridge – Ituraitz FC

Golden Uri for Top Scorer:
28 – Yasone Urdanibia – Royal Rumiatzi
24 – Martin Blessed (EUR) – Royal Rumiatzi
22 – Lastur Orkola - Ituraitz FC

Elmsvikur Trophy for Goal of the Season:
1. Petrarch Karaiskakis – Antiguoko FC, vs. Royal Rumiatzi, MD 35, FT 1–0. Incredible bicycle kick after a rebound from the crossbar.
2. Otsando Larzondo – Royal Association, vs. Ituraitz FC, MD 17, FT 1–0. Rainbow flick into the box, then a cool finish past the goalkeeper.
3. Gasteiz Yrisarri – Athletic Club Olarria, vs. Basabe Old Boys, MD 14, FT 4–3. Beautiful chip from outside the box, over the keeper and into the top corner.

Team of the Season:
GK – Aratz Anzizar – 38 apps – Sporting Iturributa
LB – Marko Martel – 36 apps, 1 goal – Athletic Club Olarria
CB – Mogel Doyenard – 36 apps, 3 goals – Sporting Iturributa
CB – Zohiartze Urkia – 33 apps, 4 goals – Urbizania Wanderers
RB – Ixaka Echeberz – 35 apps, 1 goal – Urbizania Wanderers
LM – Isidra Corvey (BRE) – 37 apps, 7 goals – Ituraitz FC
CM – Servet Misidjan (NPH) – 36 apps, 3 goals – Sporting Iturributa
RM – Xefe Larribe – 34 apps, 11 goals – Sporting Iturributa
AM – Azeari Duarte – 33 apps, 15 goals – Royal Rumiatzi
CF – Martin Blessed (EUR) – 34 apps, 24 goals – Royal Rumiatzi
CF – Yasone Urdanibia – 36 apps, 28 goals – Royal Rumiatzi

Name				Club			Nat.	Apps	Gls
KARAISKAKIS Petrarch		Antiguoko FC		NPH	36	2
CAILLEUX Thierry		Antiguoko FC		HIN	23	5
ADALMEK Lukasz			Astograth University	ESH	34	4
DOCHERTY Amber			Athletic Club Olarria	KSK	33	0
MITSUSHIMA Ayuko		Athletic Club Olarria	HIN	1	0
WILHELM Esmail			Bakartirla Buccaneers	ESH	34	3
ABATANTUONO Jacky		Blue Mountain Range	JUE	17	1
SINAGRA Anselmo			Gortz United		JUE	33	2
CORVEY Isidra			Ituraitz FC		BRE	37	7
ISHIMODA Tomofumi		Ituraitz FC		HIN	10	0
MAHIR Omar			Ituraitz Victory	ESH	32	5
DE-WIT Marty			Iturributa United	AUD	38	0
LECHIE Miriam			Iturributa United	BRE	35	0
PIKOLAUGH Fangti		Iturributa United	CMT	36	10
CARNEY Gareth			Royal Ibarbe		NPH	34	3
NAPOLEONI Panfilo		Royal Ibarbe		JUE	33	0
MUNUZO Hissho			Royal Ibarbe		HIN	10	0
THUNDER Carsten			Royal Rumiatzi		NPH	38	0
EXIHOSAHAR Loxjilo		Royal Rumiatzi		FFD	33	2
DASCHNER Lutz			Royal Rumiatzi		STL	36	2
BLESSED Martin			Royal Rumiatzi		EUR	34	24
KABERLE Lino			Sporting Arkamo		STL	36	0
LAMAARS Freek			Sporting Arkamo		ESH	33	1
NIFTERIK Damyan			Sporting Arkamo		ESH	13	3
MISIDJAN Servet			Sporting Iturributa	NPH	36	3
BLACKSDOVE-BEUKERS Ximun	Sporting Iturributa	AUD	37	11
IBRELANÁ Dieje			Urbizania Wanderers	FFD	37	0
ÇÌRÓ Jê				Urbizania Wanderers	FFD	31	6

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Second Division

A new team will début in the First Division next season, and as champions of the second tier too. Urbitzo FC, hailing from the Oyardo-Urbitzo conurbation on the eastern end of Lake Anzar, have long been outshone by their neighbours Oyardo FC, but no longer! Joining them will be Royal Association of Iturributa, who have played for 19 seasons in the First Division already, and Miners FC of Echegoyan, who scored in extra-time of the promotion playoff final. The losers, third-placed Sporting Ibarguren, came the closest they've ever been to joining the top flight, but will at least console themselves with the LBCT appearance that their league finish entitles them to

Urbitzo FC, after winning the Second Division last season and débuting in the First, quickly became a sensation in Astograthian football. Not to be outdone, their rivals Oyardo FC have battled their way back into the top flight in thrilling fashion, coming from behind to knock Dockyard Oaks and East Railway off their perch. From next season, the East Anzar derby will take place for the first time in Astograth’s top tier. Railway managed to hold on to second place, and will return to the First Division after a whopping 22 years away, since before its refounding. Dockyard Oaks of Basabe held the lead for long stretches of the season but ended up in the promotion playoffs, where they walloped South Factory while in the other tie Athletic Rumiatzi beat Erribe United in extra time. In the playoff final at Grand Duke’s, where Oaks had the chance of achieving their first promotion to the First Division, they were beaten 3-1 in extra time by an eager Athletic, who complete their bounce back into the top tier.

Taldo Biharran             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Oyardo FC                46   22  13  11    59   41  +18    79 ↑ Champions / Liga B Champions’ Trophy – return after 2 years, 5th SBCC/LBCT appearance
 2 East Railway             46   21  12  13    44   31  +13    75 ↑ Liga B Champions’ Trophy – return after 22 years, 5th SBCC/LBCT appearance
 3 Athletic Club Rumiatzi   46   20  12  14    77   55  +22    72 ↑ Liga B Champions’ Trophy – return after 1 year, 4th SBCC/LBCT appearance
 4 South Factory            46   22   6  18    49   48   +1    72
 5 Dockyard Oaks            46   19  14  13    57   44  +13    71
 6 Erribe United            46   18  17  11    54   39  +15    71
 7 Sporting Ibarguren       46   21   8  17    45   40   +5    71
 8 Iturributa Racing Club   46   18  14  14    58   55   +3    68
 9 Ichapeldun Mariners      46   18  13  15    53   51   +2    67
10 Nabarrieta FC            46   19  10  17    46   47   −1    67
11 Mars Athletic            46   19   7  20    44   50   −6    64
12 Royal Arexa              46   17  12  17    49   45   +4    63
13 Army United              46   18   9  19    67   77  −10    63
14 Old City Central         46   16  14  16    43   39   +4    62
15 Ximun Orieta FC          46   17  10  19    52   53   −1    61
16 Garitzeta FC             46   15  16  15    45   50   −5    61
17 Garitzeta Racing Club    46   16  12  18    49   45   +4    60
18 Sporting Olarria         46   15  14  17    44   42   +2    59
19 Urizaharra FC            46   16  10  20    42   55  −13    58
20 Lermendia FC             46   15  11  20    52   50   +2    56
21 Basabe Youth             46   15  10  21    51   66  −15    55 ↓ 2-year run
22 San Markez               46   13  12  21    40   58  −18    51 ↓ 1-year run
23 Bizkarra Castle          46   12  13  21    45   63  −18    49 ↓ 2-year run
24 Freedom FC               46   11   9  26    38   59  −21    42 ↓ 1-year run

Promotion Playoffs

Semifinals
Erribe United 1–1 Athletic Club Rumiatzi
Dockyard Oaks 2–1 South Factory

Athletic Club Rumiatzi 0–0 Erribe United (1–0 AET, 2–1 agg.)
South Factory 0–4 Dockyard Oaks (1–6 agg.)

Final
@ Grand Duke's Stadium, Rumiatzi
Athletic Club Rumiatzi 1–1 Dockyard Oaks[/color] (3–1 AET)

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Second Division B

The Second Division B saw a very narrow finish to its East Group, as Biazterri FC lost to Erreana Orient on the last matchday and Eagles FC, having beaten Biazterri head-to-head, took the lead and the automatic promotion. Biazterri were forced into the promotion playoffs against the West Group, where an away result against Progress Athletic earned them a place in next season’s Second Division. In the other promotion tie, FAS SC of Ezkutia defeated Gesterlake’s Berlasko FC to book their way into the second tier for the very first time. In the third tier’s grand final, to decide the overall champions, favourites Rumiatzi 529 could not break down the tough Eagles FC, and it was ultimately on penalties that they took the Second Division B title.

East Group

Taldo Biharran B East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Eagles FC               46   21  15  10    46   41   +5    78 ↑ return after 8 years
 2 Biazterri FC            46   23   9  14    54   39  +15    78 ↑ return after 24 years
 3 Berlasko FC             46   22  10  14    60   39  +21    76
 4 Letzama FC              46   21  12  13    58   44  +14    75
 5 Uzio Blackstar          46   21  11  14    55   43  +12    74
 6 Markiniz Union          46   20  12  14    54   45   +9    72
 7 Uertza Gymnastic        46   19  13  14    49   41   +8    70
 8 Larrinoa Yellow-Green   46   19  13  14    45   40   +5    70
 9 Arbetsana Crossing      46   21   7  18    53   39  +14    70
10 Langaraitz Rovers       46   18  12  16    52   49   +3    66
11 Cafundelense            46   17  13  16    43   45   −2    64
12 Akialden Marauders      46   17  13  16    50   45   +5    64
13 Sorokin's Old Boys      46   17  12  17    51   46   +5    63
14 Mauritza FC             46   17  10  19    30   41  −11    61
15 Warrior Spirits         46   16  12  18    43   44   −1    60
16 Uriarte United          46   17   9  20    45   50   −5    60
17 Athletic Club Basabe    46   17   8  21    46   51   −5    59
18 Izarloka FC             46   15  13  18    50   61  −11    58
19 Madarrierna FC          46   14  16  16    51   57   −6    58
20 Saint Laida             46   15  10  21    46   54   −8    55
21 Uertza FC               46   12  16  18    49   62  −13    52 ↓ 10-year run in the Football League
22 Andozketa Wanderers     46   12  15  19    46   50   −4    51 ↓ 10-year run
23 Erreana Orient          46   11  11  24    46   71  −25    44 ↓ 3-year run
24 Favourites              46    8  12  26    33   58  −25    36 ↓ 2-year run

West Group

Taldo Biharran B West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Rumiatzi 529              46   26  10  10    68   37  +31    88 ↑ Champions – return after 3 years
 2 FAS SC                    46   26   7  13    80   46  +34    85 ↑ will make Second Division début
 3 Progress Athletic         46   23  14   9    52   37  +15    83
 4 Tzaramaga Rovers          46   23  12  11    61   36  +25    81
 5 Gortz Academy             46   22  10  14    57   39  +18    76
 6 Ibarbe Sport              46   20  14  12    62   49  +13    74
 7 FK Aliantza               46   20  12  14    58   38  +20    72
 8 Chinchartu Lehoi          46   16  18  12    52   49   +3    66
 9 Goyardeliz United         46   18  12  16    49   48   +1    66
10 Ezkutia MFC               46   18  11  17    49   48   +1    65
11 Ibarbe Youth              46   17  14  15    41   40   +1    65
12 Uidio Mariners            46   17  12  17    50   48   +2    63
13 Omagoitia Rovers          46   18   9  19    55   58   −3    63
14 Okerruri FC               46   17  10  19    44   52   −8    61
15 Ertzanga FC               46   15  13  18    44   56  −12    58
16 Athletic Club Yokano      46   15  11  20    35   51  −16    56
17 Izurria Pirates           46   16   7  23    47   62  −15    55
18 Athletic Club Yungoitio   46   15   9  22    55   63   −8    54
19 Ibarriola United          46   13  15  18    40   48   −8    54
20 Guenaztia Electric        46   14  11  21    52   66  −14    53
21 Wardworks                 46   11  15  20    34   48  −14    48 ↓ 1-year run in the Football League
22 Matzaka Old Boys          46   13   9  24    35   51  −16    48 ↓ 1-year run
23 Ametzanga Valour          46    9  15  22    38   60  −22    42 ↓ 3-year run
24 High Sky                  46    9  12  25    36   64  −28    39 ↓ 2-year run

Championship Final – East vs. West
@ Grand Duke's Stadium, Rumiatzi
Rumiatzi 529 0–0 Eagles FC (0–0 AET) (4–2 pen.)

Promotion Playoffs
Progress Athletic 0–1 Biazterri FC
Berlasko FC 0–2 FAS SC

Biazterri FC 1–1 Progress Athletic (2–1 agg.)
FAS SC 0–0 Berlasko FC (2–0 agg.)

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Astograthian Development League – Honours Division

The Astograthian Development League, a joint FAF-Ministry of Sport venture, pits U21 teams across the nation in round-robin action. The top flight, or Honours Division, has been won by Urbizania Wanderers for the second season in a row.

Honours Division           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Urbizania Wanderers      30   21   3   6    46   18  +28    66 Champions / Rising Stars’ Cup
 2 Ituraitz FC              30   19   5   6    67   40  +27    62
 3 Royal Rumiatzi           30   16   7   7    52   32  +20    55
 4 Sporting Iturributa      30   16   5   9    31   23   +8    53
 5 Echegoyan FC             30   15   5  10    54   40  +14    50
 6 Astograth University     30   11   9  10    36   31   +5    42
 7 Basabe Old Boys          30   10   8  12    36   47  −11    38
 8 Oyardo FC                30   10   8  12    31   41  −10    38
 9 Antiguoko FC             30   10   7  13    39   46   −7    37
10 Iturributa United        30   10   7  13    49   48   +1    37
11 Bakartirla Buccaneers    30    8  10  12    26   32   −6    34
12 Ituraitz Victory         30    9   6  15    40   53  −13    33
13 Blue Mountain Range      30    8   8  14    20   35  −15    32
14 Miners FC                30    7  10  13    23   30   −7    31
15 Athletic Club Rumiatzi   30    8   5  17    48   57   −9    29 ↓
16 Royal Association        30    7   7  16    28   53  −25    28 ↓

Promoted: Garitzeta FC, Letzama FC

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The Royal Cup

One-legged ties. First and Second Division teams enter at the Round of 64, and the former are seeded for that and the following round. If clubs have a two-tier difference or greater, the lower-tier team will play at home.

Round of 64 (select matches)
Ituraitz Victory 1–0 Bizkarra Castle
Mars Athletic 2–1 Gortz United
South Factory 1–2 Echegoyan FC
Andozketa Wanderers 1–1 Urbizania Wanderers (1–2 AET)
Gesterlake FC 2–1 Freedom FC
Okerruri FC 3–3 Sporting Iturributa (4–4 AET) (4–2 pen.)
Astograth University 0–0 Army United (0–0 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Riverside Athletic 2–3 Athletic Club Olarria
High Sky 1–0 Royal Ibarbe
Astograth Meat Commission FC 0–2 Sporting Arkamo
Letzama FC 1–3 Royal Association
Ituraitz FC 4–2 Dockyard Oaks
Basabe Old Boys 0–1 Erribe United
Arbetsana Crossing 1–1 Miners FC (1–1 AET) (5–4 pen.)
Erenia FC 1–2 Bakartirla Buccaneers
Ximun Orieta FC 1–5 Royal Rumiatzi
Garitzeta FC 5–2 Urbitzo FC
Lermendia FC 2–0 Antiguoko FC
Nabarrieta FC 0–0 Iturributa United (0–0 AET) (3–0 pen.)
San Markez 0–1 Blue Mountain Range

It seems that First Division clubs learned surprisingly little from the early eliminations of past years, as a whopping 9 top flight sides fell in the Round of 64. Among them, defending champions Sporting Iturributa, who rested their starters in the middle of intense multi-tournament commitments and paid the price against third tier Okerruri, drawing 3-3 in normal time, 4-4 in extra time, and losing on penalties. There was no schadenfreude to be had for rivals Iturributa United who, also fielding a weaker side, lost to second tier Nabarrieta on penalties following a scoreless draw. Other matches, such as Army United beating Astograth University in an infrequent derby clash and Lermendia taking down Antiguoko, go to show that the Second Division is not as far from First Division quality as many would believe, and on a good day can very well take on the top flight’s mid-table.

Round of 32 (select matches)
Army United 1–2 Royal Rumiatzi
Nabarrieta FC 0–2 Blue Mountain Range
Royal Association 2–2 Mars Athletic (3–2 AET)
Markiniz Union 1–2 Bakartirla Buccaneers
High Sky 0–2 Sporting Arkamo
Athletic Club Olarria 2–0 East Railway
Garitzeta Racing Club 1–2 Urbizania Wanderers
Rumiatzi 529 0–1 Ituraitz Victory
Ituraitz FC 2–2 Oyardo FC (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Okerruri FC 2–5 Gesterlake FC
Basabe Youth 3–6 Echegoyan FC

The First Division would reassert their authority in the Round of 32, winning all of their ties. Royal Rumiatzi took down cross-town upstarts Army United in a 2-1 away win, Royal Association struggled but were finally able to beat Mars Athletic in extra time, and Ituraitz FC were pushed to the limit by Oyardo FC, requiring penalties to finally come out victorious. Eventual third tier champions Rumaitzi 529 were beaten by Ituraitz Victory, erstwhile Champions’ Cup finalists Garitzeta Racing knocked out by Urbizania Wanderers, and the now-famous Okerruri dismissed by Gesterlake in a 5-2 thrashing.

Round of 16
Sporting Arkamo 1–1 Blue Mountain Range (1–2 AET)
Urbizania Wanderers 4–2 Athletic Club Olarria
Arbetsana Crossing 1–0 Ituraitz FC
Bakartirla Buccaneers 1–1 Gesterlake FC (2–2 AET) (2–3 pen.)
Royal Rumiatzi 1–0 Ichapeldun Mariners
Ituraitz Victory 0–0 Sporting Olarria (0–0 AET) (5–4 pen.)
Iturributa Racing Club 2–3 Lermendia FC
Echegoyan FC 4–2 Royal Association

Third tier Arbetsana Crossing, still in competition, pulled off the upset of the Round of 16 by achieving a win over Ituraitz FC at home. Lermendia FC became the other team outside the top flight to book their place in the quarterfinals by beating the also-second-tier Iturributa Racing in an exciting 3-2 encounter. Royal Rumiatzi beat the unfancied Ichapeldun Mariners in a discrete 1-0 affair, and Urbizania Wanderers dominated Athletic Olarria, going 4-0 up before the Olarrians clawed back two.

Quarterfinals
Lermendia FC 0–1 Royal Rumiatzi
Gesterlake FC 2–2 Echegoyan FC (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Arbetsana Crossing 0–4 Urbizania Wanderers
Ituraitz Victory 1–0 Blue Mountain Range

Two fairytale runs came to an abrupt end in the quarterfinals, Azeari Duarte sentencing Royal Rumiatzi’s 1-0 victory over Lermendia FC and Urbizania Wanderers smacking Arbetsana Crossing with a 4-0 defeat, goals by Aragolaza, Sorrosua and Epherra x2. Ituraitz Victory played out a tense match against BMR, a long shot from Aitzol Nanklares finally giving them the goal they needed to reach the semifinals. In the last tie, Gesterlake FC came from behind with a brace from Eguntsenti Belazkez to stun Echegoyan FC and take them to penalties, where substitute Aingeru Edera had the misfortune of skying his crucial shot.

Semifinals
Urbizania Wanderers 3–1 Ituraitz Victory
Royal Rumiatzi 3–0 Gesterlake FC

The luck of the draw pitted Urbizania Wanderers and Royal Rumiatzi, the two favourites for the cup title, not against each other but against the unfavoured Ituraitz Victory and Gesterlake FC. Rumiatzi and Wanderers are two of the three most winningest sides in the Royal Cup, and they made it known in emphatic wins. Eguaras, Çìró and Epherra put one each past Victory, receiving a short-lived equaliser from Gartzi Abaroa in the process. For Rumiatzi it was an Urdanibia hat-trick, assisted by Duarte and twice by Blessed, that took manager Lele Manguele and his ultra-attacking hairbrained schemes into the Royal Cup final.

The Final
@ Grand Duke's Stadium, Rumiatzi

Going into the final, the last time Urbizania Wanderers had won the Royal Cup was in 661 – 22 years ago. After a 12 year interruption that started in 661, there had been 9 more editions of the cup, of which Wanderers had reached two and lost. First, embarrassingly, against the second-tier Sporting Ibarguren, and then against Louis Vaudrail’s Royal Rumiatzi, which robbed Wanderers of a domestic double. Both had stung. For Royal Rumiatzi, this was their 5th Royal Cup final in 8 seasons; they’d won 3 of their last 4 finals, and had the chance to extend their win record by winning their 9th cup. This would also serve as confirmation that Farf manager Lele Manguele and the insanity he had unleashed upon the football pitches of Astograth could win silverware, having come agonisingly close in the First Division.

Wanderers, under Eriz Bakaikoa, lined up with a conventional 4-2-3-1. Manguele claims not to follow any tactical diagram and will immediately walk out of any press conference where it is brought up, but analysts have surmised that, in practice, what Rumiatzi end up playing is a (sometimes asymmetric) 3-2-3-2, with a backline of 3 centre-backs, 2 wing-backs, 3 attacking midfielders and 2 forwards. The midfield generates spontaneously, with fluid movement into the middle of the pitch by the team’s defensive and attacking players. By all rights, it shouldn’t work.

Urbizania is quite close to Rumiatzi, sometimes even considered part of the same enormous conurbation, so the 90,000-seater Grand Duke’s Stadium was packed with both sets of supporters. It was even-matched, with Rumiatzi adopting Manguele’s characteristic reckless abandon in attack, and Wanderers playing at resisting, playing defensively, and wearing down Rumiatzi physically and mentally. Wanderers’ counter-attacks, though not few and capable of quickly covering ground, frequently ran into the fact that Rumiatzi still employs some supremely talented defenders. Selatse Yrigoy, Xantalen Luzarraga, goalkeeper Carsten Thunder and veteran Siovanijan Lutz Daschner shined in cutting off these counter-attacks and recycling the ball – through Farf left-back Loxjilo Exihosahar, for instance, who had emerged as one of the bright revelations in Manguele’s innovations. Despite this, Wanderers were successful in holding out into the second half, while Rumiatzi grew restless. In the second half, Wanderers fought back more effectively as Rumiatzi began to run out of breath and ideas, controlling possession through the triad of Ibon Irisarre, Domiku Bergara and Gero Sorrosua. Continually probing a Rumiatzi that was ill-suited to face opponents driving through the middle, Çìró burst through on Daschner’s inside and curled in a cross to meet the run of Aire Epherra, who drove a header at goal that was parried by Thunder and hastily cleared by Aztore Andia, only to fall to Wanderers’ Gero Sorrosua. With a clear shot, the attacking midfielder scored what would be the winner. An exhausted Rumiatzi, despite substitutions, did not have it in them to break down a Wanderers committed to shutting them out, and Urbizania thus claimed their 7th Royal Cup from the hands of Grand Duke Gaxan. The first title of Eriz Bakaikoa’s managerial career, and a memorable send-off for retiring club legend Jê Çìró.

Urbizania Wanderers 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi

CHAMPIONS
URBIZANIA WANDERERS
7th title

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Honours

634 - Royal Rumiatzi (1st title)*
635 - Royal Rumiatzi (2nd)
636 - Ituraitz FC (1st)
637 - Royal Rumiatzi (3rd)
638 - Iturributa United (1st)
639 - Iturributa United (2nd)
640 - Sporting Iturributa (1st)
641 - Ituraitz FC (2nd)*
642 - Ituraitz FC (3rd)
643 - Royal Rumiatzi (4th)
644 - Echegoyan FC (1st)
645 - Sporting Iturributa (2nd)
646 - Iturributa United (3rd)
--Iturributan Independence--
647 - Ituraitz FC (4th)
648 - Royal Rumiatzi (5th)
649 - Astograth University (1st)
650 - Echegoyan FC (2nd)
651 - Urbizania Wanderers (1st)
652 - Ituraitz FC (5th)
653 - Echegoyan FC (3rd)
654 - Ituraitz FC (6th)
655 - Ituraitz FC (7th)
656 - Royal Rumiatzi (6th)*
657 - Urbizania Wanderers (2nd)
658 - Urbizania Wanderers (3rd)*
659 - Royal Rumiatzi (7th)
660 - Astograth University (2nd)*
661 - Royal Rumiatzi (8th)
--Football League dissolved 662 to 672, Iturributan annexation--
673 - Urbizania Wanderers (4th)
674 - Iturributa United (4th)
675 - Sporting Iturributa (3rd)
676 - Ituraitz FC (8th)
677 - Ituraitz FC (9th)*
678 - Urbizania Wanderers (5th)
679 - Royal Rumiatzi (9th)
680 - Urbizania Wanderers (6th)
681 - Sporting Iturributa (4th)
682 - Sporting Iturributa (5th)*
683 - Sporting Iturributa (6th)

* - won the domestic double that season

TALLY
9 - Ituraitz FC & Royal Rumiatzi
6 - Urbizania Wanderers & Sporting Iturributa
4 - Iturributa United
3 - Echegoyan FC
2 - Astograth University

634 -       Royal Rumiatzi 2–1 Urbizania Wanderers
635 -    Iturributa United 2–0 Sporting Iturributa
636 -    Iturributa United 2–1 Sporting Iturributa (a.e.t.)
637 -          Ituraitz FC 1–0 Sporting Iturributa
638 -  Sporting Iturributa 2–0 Iturributa United
639 -     Ituraitz Victory 2–1 Iturributa United
640 -          Ituraitz FC 4–0 Ituraitz Victory
641 -          Ituraitz FC 2–0 Sporting Iturributa
642 -  Sporting Iturributa 2–0 Iturributa United
643 -  Urbizania Wanderers 2–1 South Factory
644 -       Royal Rumiatzi 1–0 Echegoyan FC
645 -         Echegoyan FC 1–0 Royal Arexa
646 -          Ituraitz FC 4–1 Royal Rumiatzi
               --Iturributan Independence--
647 -          Royal Arexa 0–0 Urbizania Wanderers (3–2 pen.)
648 - Astograth University 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi
649 -          Ituraitz FC 3–2 Royal Rumiatzi
650 - Astograth University 3–1 Royal Association
651 -            Oyardo FC 2–1 Echegoyan FC
652 -  Urbizania Wanderers 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi
653 -  Urbizania Wanderers 2–1 Echegoyan FC
654 -       Royal Rumiatzi 3–2 Echegoyan FC (a.e.t.)
655 -            Oyardo FC 0–0 Astograth University (3–0 pen.)
656 -       Royal Rumiatzi 1–1 Ituraitz FC (3–1 pen.)
657 -       Royal Rumiatzi 1–1 Astograth University (3–1 pen.)
658 -  Urbizania Wanderers 2–0 Ituraitz FC
659 -  Urbizania Wanderers 2–1 Echegoyan FC (a.e.t.)
660 - Astograth University 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi
661 -  Urbizania Wanderers 2–2 Astograth University (3–0 pen.)
   --Royal Cup suspended 662 to 673, Iturributan annexation--
674 -     Old City Central 1–0 Ituraitz FC
675 -          Army United 2–1 Sporting Iturributa
676 -       Royal Rumiatzi 0–0 Sporting Iturributa (4–2 pen.)
677 -          Ituraitz FC 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi
678 -       Royal Rumiatzi 1–0 Ituraitz Victory
679 -   Sporting Ibarguren 1–0 Urbizania Wanderers
680 -       Royal Rumiatzi 1–0 Urbizania Wanderers
681 -    Iturributa United 4–0 Athletic Club Rumiatzi
682 -  Sporting Iturributa 1–0 Royal Arexa
683 -  Urbizania Wanderers 1–0 Royal Rumiatzi

TALLY
8 - Royal Rumiatzi
7 - Urbizania Wanderers
6 - Ituraitz FC
3 - Astograth University, Iturributa United & Sporting Iturributa
2 - Oyardo FC
1 - Army United, Echegoyan FC, Ituraitz Victory, Old City Central, Royal Arexa & Sporting Ibarguren

Astograth (ASG) qualifiers
Champions’ League: Sporting Iturributa
Challengers’ Cup: Royal Rumiatzi, Ituraitz FC, Urbizania Wanderers
Liga B Champions’ Trophy: Oyardo FC, East Railway, Athletic Club Rumiatzi
Rising Stars’ Cup: Urbizania Wanderers
Cup Winners’ Cup: Urbizania Wanderers

Copa de Campeones: Sporting Iturributa

[Legalese]

Leaguealese: The Return

OOC Disclaimer: A bit partway through this writeup is strongly inspired and heavily copied from Ball Four’s first epilogue, Ball Five, by Jim Bouton. RIP, Bulldog.

After another long layoff, an organized domestic club championship was ready to return to Legalese. While semi-organized regional club play -- long a tradition in Legalese -- helped fill the gap after the demise of the COCANEFA’s Ligania, it took the return of the Legalese National Team in the year 316 with an appearance in The Relics Match at The Eagles Club, followed by an attempt to qualify for World Cup 85 in LY 317 to spark the start of a new national competition, and the revival of some old tricks as well.

However, there was a problem. Regional play was so engrained in the club cultures that while each club was interested in the opportunity to play nationally, there was a combination of a fear of losing local rivalries, combined with the issue that none of the 64 applicant clubs wanted to cede ground on who would comprise the first decision.

Fortunately, Federation President Lisa McQuade had a plan, and sold enough of the partners on it. The Championship would be divided into two halves and a playoff, building from regional to national play. The inaugural and second seasons would keep this format, setting up for divisions with promotion and relegation to come in season three based on the results.

In addition, the league agreed to sign off on not one, but two cup competitions. A straight-knockout tournament, the Federation Open Cup, earns the winner a place in the Cup Winner’s Cup. While only the 64 entrants from league play entered the 317/18 edition, the competition would be open to all comers in future years.

The second took a bit of a different turn. Called the League Cup, competitors included the 64 League participants, and only League clubs will be eligible moving forward to earn the trophy, named in memory of famed National Team Manager and former Keeper Stan Thate, the only manager in Legalite history to bring home a coveted trophy -- the 55th Cup of Harmony. The Thate Memorial Cup will go to the winner of the League Cup. As for the format, clubs lobbied for a minimum set of guaranteed matches, and settled on ensuring that every team would play six, by setting up a Casaran format. After six rounds, everyone who is three or more points behind the leader is eliminated, with the remaining teams playing a knockout round. The last team standing takes home the Cup.

We’d go ahead and preview all sixty-four teams now, but let’s face it reader: you really don’t want to read about what Grover Flett does on his off days, do you? Let’s be perfectly honest: the author could have made this name up on the spot, and unless you checked the Legalese National Team roster, you’d have no idea that “Grover Flett” is actually a real person, and not one of the following:

A Guided Missile
The newest smartphone
A famous Sarzonian Ship, lost in the Jativan Sea when Sarzonia was mysteriously lost. No word on how they still exist.
A Mixed Drink
A Rock Band
Falcania’s First Astronaut
A car model that failed to sell
The winner of Audioslavia’s first and only Beauty Pageant and Jeremy Jaffacake-lookalike contest
A pirate
A comic strip character
A type of dance
The name of Tiberius Starblayde’s infamous Yacht. You know, that one. They probably renamed it the HPS Overboard afterwards.

But I digress. Here’s your recap of the Leaguealese: The Return.

First Half: National Soccer League, Regional Play

What’s at stake: Top 2 finish in your region means you play in one of the two div 1 groups in the Second Half, with a shot at the IFCF Champions’ League or the Challengers’ Cup at stake.
3rd & 4th play in one of the two div 2 groups in the Second Half, with a chance at a Liga B Champions’ Trophy.

Splitting into the eight regions, a number of classic names vie for top two places, punching their ticket into the first division for the second half of the season. The Island -- properly, the Karin Isles, though in practice just the one -- was split into three regions: Island North, Island Central, and Island South. The mainland consisted of the other five regions: Straitside North and Straitside South comprising the nations nearest to the Legal Pass -- the narrow body of water separating the island from the mainland. The central parts of the nation make up Mainland North and Mainland South, while the teams nearest the hallowed Lake Bekk comprise the eighth and final region, called -- fittingly -- Bekknia.

Time may have passed, but in many cases, the names taking the top two in each region were, for the most part, familiar. In the Island Central region, Comunas Cougars won 10 out of 14 enroute to first place in the region, finishing six points ahead of Wasola Town. The Island South was dominated by the Tyrellian twins -- International of Tyrellia finished 13 points ahead of Tyrellia Titans, who nonetheless held on to second, ensuring a Tyrellian derby in the first division. Draig Goch FC -- the Numalian side known for their contribution to the national team, with a disproportionate amount of former staff hailing from the Red Dragons -- won the Straitside North, while the LC Capitals won the Straitside South, ensuring that National Stadium will host first division matches for the second half. Northern border city Tiberia will be represented in the first division, with The Knights of Tiberia winning the Mainland North. Joining them are one of Legalese’s better-known sides, Bob’s Towing; the Plainview side named after their early sponsor and owning family celebrates their 75th Anniversary with a trip to the first division to open their anniversary year.

That said, the region with the least familiar names was the one that came down to the wire. The last time there was a Leaguealese, none of the towns in the Island North existed in their current form; all were part of a military reservation that has since given way to residential communities. Nonetheless, the race for the two first division places came down to the final day. Hopkins Town, sitting in second at 23 points, managed to hold onto a 3-2 win over FC Chimiak, putting them in at 26; meanwhile, Pavilion Forest, coming in at 25 points, saw themselves down 3-2 to Portsmouth City with the final whistle approaching, and another problem: Sporting Bradley, who started the day at 22, was up 4-1 on Schuyler City; they needed just one more goal to match Forest on both Goal Differential and Goals Scored. Fortunately for Pavilion Forest, Bradley could not find the goal, and Forest held on to second.

Second Half: Divisional Play
What’s at stake: For the first division teams (two geographically-organized groups of eight), the group winners are assured a trip to the Playoff semifinals, and due to the nature of the playoff system, a place in the Challengers’ Cup; odds are one of the two will be the Champions League representative, but that’s not guaranteed. The second and third-placed sides in each group join the Playoffs as well, and between the four, one will either take one of the Challengers’ Cup places, and could go all the way to snag the Championship and the Champions League place.

The Second and Third Divisions will also finish with playoffs, offering the top three in each of the two groups of the second division and top two per group of the third division’s four a shot to pick up the division’s title, as well as improving their standing when regional play no longer makes up the first half of the season. The second division playoff also determines the three Liga B Champions' Trophy entrants, which comes down to the playoffs.

First Division Results


In both groups of the first division, the biggest movements over 14 matches were the battles for third. In the East (the Island teams plus the Straitside North qualifiers), International picked up where they left off in the first half, winning the group by six points. Tyrellia Titans comfortably finished second, with Comunas Cougars grabbing the last playoff spot, holding on after a late charge from Draig Goch FC. In the West, Bekknia FC finished the season with six wins out of seven to pass LC Capitals for the group. The Caps finished second, while Bob’s Towing pulled out the final playoff spot by goal differential, sneaking by Morven Monday at the close.

The Second Division sees Brecorn City and Oker United win the East and West respectively, with Sien Bay Pirates, Portsmouth United, Coastal United, and FC Colville joining them in the playoffs. The four group winners in the third division were SBLS, Argyle Warriors, Java Forest, and Plainsview Panthers; they’ll be joined by Laurel City, Racing Spivak, Straitside FC, and Golspie United in the playoffs.

Playoffs


The playoff format, as it turned out, ended up validating the regular season this time around. In all three divisions, the first semifinal -- played between the group winners in the first two divisions and between the winners of an opening round between the four group winners in the third -- ended up being a prelude for the final. The third division saw the Plainsview Panthers hold serve, following up an opening round series win on penalties over Java Forest with a 4-1 and a 6-2 set of aggregate victories over Argyle Warriors to take home the Bronze Shield. The Second Division saw basically the same; Oker United, after winning the first semifinal over Brecorn City 4-1 on aggregate, was able to get by Brecorn again in the Final on a 7-3 aggregate margin. Coastal United, by virtue of their win over the Sien Bay Pirates in the second elimination round, join Oker and Brecorn in the Liga B Champions’ Trophy.

The first division looked like it would also go to script. InterTyrellia handled Bekknia FC with a 4-3 aggregate win to make it to the finals. Bekknia would claw their way back, triumphing over Comunas Cougars in the second semifinal to set up the rematch, only now with Inter hosting both matches in Tyrellia. That didn’t deter the Lakesiders, however, as they won their first of the two 4-2, enroute to a 5-4 aggregate victory to claim the Golden Shield, the Champions League spot, and for the first time in their history, the title of Champions of the Leaguealese.


The Open Cup
What’s at stake: bragging rights, an old chalice, and a place in the Cup Winners’ Cup.

For this year, there were 64 entrants -- the entire set of League clubs. Six knockout rounds will determine the winner.

First Round Results:

Note: Results that ended after extra time are listed with the regulation score in parentheses. Results in penalties are noted with the goals scored in penalties marked by a p.

Norrisland United 4(1) - 1(1) Hamophilian
Pavilion Forest 1 -0 Portsmouth United
Littleton Llamas 3(3) - 4(3) AFC Straitside
FC Chimiak 1 - 3 FC Colville
Bob's Towing 3 - 0 Cape Athletic
Wilberforce Wanderers 1 - 0 LC Capitals
Portsmouth City 3(3) - 4(3) Coastal United
MNS Rail 3 - 1 Sporting Bradley
Matoaka Lake 4 - 1 Laurel City
Hackenbacker FC 2(1) - 1(1) Minto Wombats
Tangerine Country 3 - 0 Kelso Kangaroos
Schuyler City 3 - 2 Myre Town
Java Forest 0(0) - 1(0) Morven Monday
Kangley Cardinals 3(1) - 2(1) Plainsview Panthers
Calcyx Colonial 3 - 1 SBLS
Hopkins Town 2(1) - 1(1) Barton Bears
Tiberian City 0(0)3p - 0(0)5p Stratton FC
Francis City 4 - 0 SC Loveland
Binchensburg Athletic 3 - 0 River Water FC
Tyrellia Titans 2 - 1 Brecorn City
Maroons FC 1 - 4 Yellowjacket FC
Comunas Cougars 4 - 1 Straitside FC
SC Mainsail 2 - 3 The Knights of Tiberia
Balmorean Villa 1(1)5p - 1(1)4p AFC Mokfein
Rhinos 0(0) - 1(0) Sien Bay Pirates
Oker United 3 - 2 Tescott United
Ellentown Exempts 1 - 3 Bekknia FC
Argyle Warriors 1 - 0 International
Racing Spivak 1 - 3 Wasola Town
RLFC 2 - 1 Morven City
FC Norge 4(2) - 3(2) Portland FC
Draig Goch FC 3(3)3p - 3(3)4p Golspie United

Second Round Results:

Hopkins Town 2 - 0 Argyle Warriors
Norrisland United 0 - 3 Schuyler City
Calcyx Colonial 3(3) - 4(3) Balmorean Villa
Morven Monday 1 - 4 Comunas Cougars
Tangerine Country 1 - 5 Francis City
MNS Rail 1(1)5p - 1(1)4p Wasola Town
Wilberforce Wanderers 3(3) - 4(3) Stratton FC
Hackenbacker FC 1 - 2 Oker United
Coastal United 2 - 0 Yellowjacket FC
Sien Bay Pirates 0 - 2 Tyrellia Titans
The Knights of Tiberia 2 - 0 Golspie United
Pavilion Forest 3 - 2 Bob's Towing
Binchensburg Athletic 4 - 1 FC Colville
FC Norge 0 - 2 AFC Straitside
RLFC 1 - 2 Matoaka Lake
Kangley Cardinals 0 - 1 Bekknia FC

Third Round Results:

MNS Rail 0 - 5 Stratton FC
Tyrellia Titans 1(1)3p - 1(1)0p Francis City
Matoaka Lake 1 - 5 Comunas Cougars
Bekknia FC 1 - 0 Pavilion Forest
AFC Straitside 1 - 2 The Knights of Tiberia
Oker United 5 - 1 Coastal United
Binchensburg Athletic 3(1) - 1(1) Hopkins Town
Schuyler City 3(2)5p - 3(2)4p Balmorean Villa

Quarterfinal Results:

Stratton FC 1 - 2 Tyrellia Titans
Binchensburg Athletic 3(1) - 2(1) The Knights of Tiberia
Bekknia FC 2 - 1 Schuyler City
Oker United 4(4)4p - 4(4)3p Comunas Cougars

Semifinal Results:
Binchensburg Athletic 0 - 2 Oker United
Bekknia FC 2 - 0 Tyrellia Titans

The Final made for an interesting pairing: On one side, Bekknia FC, winners of the First Division and with a shot at the Double. On the other, Oker United, the winners of the Second Division, sent down after finishing third to Bekknia and Morven Monday in their region. Who would claim the cup?

Oker United 4(2) - 2(2) Bekknia FC

Oker United takes the Open Cup in Extra Time! They’ll join the Cup Winners’ Cup, in addition to their attempt at the Liga B Champions’ Trophy next season.



The League Cup

What’s at Stake: for the winner, a place in the Challengers’ Cup. Six rounds of matches for all 64 participants, in a Casaran-system format. After the sixth round, all teams three or more points behind first place are eliminated, and if there’s anyone outside of first left, then knockouts will determine the winner.

All in all, attrition was the watchword of the League Cup. Through two matchdays, only seven teams had won both matches; with the format pitting six of the seven against each other, that number dropped quickly, leaving Plainsview Panthers -- who apparently turned to the cup as they ended up in the third division after regional play -- as the only team sitting at 15 points, 5-0-0 going into the final matchups. However, to lock in the cup, they needed to finish three points or more ahead of all other sides, and this wasn’t a lock just yet -- sitting behind them was Ellentown Exempts at 13, Sporting Bradley at 12, four others at 11, and six teams at 10 points. The final matchups would almost assuredly put about half of the 12 still alive out of the competition, but a Panthers loss would open the door to bringing them in.

As it turned out, that’s exactly what happened. Plainsview Panthers was paired with Bekknia FC (on 11 points), owing to Ellentown and Bradley also needing to play their final matches on the road. Bekknia managed to pull off the 4-1 home win, which combined with other results, left Plainsview in the lead at 15 points. Five other clubs finished at 13 points or more, making the cutoff, leading to a six team playoff for the title:

Remaining sides:
Plainsview Panthers -- 5-0-1, 15 pts (Advances to Semifinal)
Bekknia FC -- 4-2-0, 14 pts, 67 Strength of Schedule (Advances to Semifinal)
International -- 4-2-0, 14 pts, 58 Strength of Schedule (Hosts Bradley in Quarterfinal)
Ellentown Exempts -- 4-2-0, 14 pts, 54 Strength of Schedule (Hosts Comunas in Quarterfinal)
Comunas Cougars -- 4-1-1, 13 pts, 63 Strength of Schedule (To Ellentown for Quarterfinal)
Sporting Bradley -- 4-1-1, 13 pts, 51 Strength of Schedule (To InterTyrellia for Quarterfinal)

Quarterfinals
International 3 - 0 Sporting Bradley
Ellentown Exempts 1 - 4 Comunas Cougars

Semifinals
Plainsview Panthers 3(2) - 5(2) Comunas Cougars AET
Bekknia FC 0 - 1 International

Final
International 2 - 1 Comunas Cougars

Heartbreak for Plainsview, hoping to sneak into a Challengers’ Cup spot from the third division. An extra time goalfest sends Comunas Cougars to the Final versus International, whose win over Bekknia was the first of what turned out to be five late-season outings between the two sides.

International’s triumph at home ensured they would make the Challengers’ Cup, but ended up as better news for their rivals, Tyrellia Titans; as Inter held a Challengers’ Cup spot due to the League Cup win, their place as a result of a second-place finish in the first division ended up going to the fourth-placed side, which turned out to be Titans, as a result of their first elimination round win.

Legalese (LGL) qualifiers
IFCF Champions' League: Bekknia FC
IFCF Challenger's Cup: International of Tyrellia (InterTyrellia), Comunas Cougars, Tyrellia Titans
IFCF Liga B Champions' Trophy: Oker United, Brecorn City, Coastal United
IFCF Cup Winners Cup: Oker United
AOCL: Bekknia FC
VCIAPP: LC Capitals (selection via League Table -- Most points among first division sides that did not earn another intercontinental place)

[Ethane]

Ethane (ETN) qualifiers
Champions’ League: South Saints, Birdingstone United
Challengers’ Cup: Bourne River, Hullbury, Letson Town

CeDC: South Saints, Birdingstone United

Flame League Part 1 | Flame League Part 2 | Flame League Part 3 and Final Table

[Damukuni]

Damukuni (DKI) qualifiers
IFCF | Primary association.
IFCF Champions League: Keitendō United
IFCF Challengers' Cup: PSG Powerblade, ADP Sports Club, South Dre Intergalactic

---

Non-IFCF
CEdC: eLife® Keitendō United, PSG Powerblade
VCIAPP: MIRACLE® FC Izaki

dfl 12 raw data

   DFL 12 Fall Split                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Win % 
 1 PSG Powerblade                            19   13   4   2    34   15  +19    0.789
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT                   19   14   2   3    41   17  +24    0.789
 3 MIRACLE® FC Izaki                         19   12   5   2    38   21  +17    0.763
 4 ADP Sports Club (Aranti DPFC)             19   12   5   2    32   18  +14    0.763
 5 Air Damukuni Iruko Utd.                   19   12   3   4    34   23  +11    0.711
 6 East Town Eagles                          19   11   2   6    35   22  +13    0.632
 7 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku                      19    8   5   6    25   19   +6    0.553
 8 EverTran® Namagoro FC                     19    8   5   6    31   23   +8    0.553
 9 Sporting Endoshi                          19    8   5   6    24   17   +7    0.553
10 WONBO® Rangers                            19    9   2   8    27   22   +5    0.526
11 eLife® Keitendō United                    19    6   8   5    27   23   +4    0.526
12 Henya360.com Mountaineers                 19    8   4   7    27   28   −1    0.526
13 Sonia's®/RiteBuy Free States FC           19    9   2   8    20   16   +4    0.526
14 Fujiwara ELECTRA® FC                      19    8   3   8    31   27   +4    0.500
15 Primestar AC Shinzoba                     19    4   4  11    15   30  −15    0.316
16 Bank of Kalactin FC Atarashii-Damushuto   19    2   5  12    13   36  −23    0.237
17 Marinos Lunigo FC                         19    2   4  13    16   32  −16    0.211
18 South Damukuni Rascals                    19    3   2  14    11   38  −27    0.211
19 Damukuni Academicals FC                   19    2   3  14    14   42  −28    0.184
20 Venividicci Perodamūto                    19    0   5  14    13   39  −26    0.132

Track A
 8 EverTran® Namagoro FC         1  0
 9 Sporting Endoshi              0  0
 
 5 Air Damukuni Iruko Utd        2  1
 8 EverTran® Namagoro FC         5  1
 
 4 ADP Sports Club               0  2
 8 EverTran® Namagoro FC         0  1     10 CP

Track B
 7 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku          2  1  (a)
10 WONBO® Rangers                3  0

 6 East Town Eagles              2  1
 7 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku          0  0
 
 3 MIRACLE® FC Izaki             1  2     10 CP
 6 East Town Eagles              2  2
 
---

Track A Finals
 1 PSG Powerblade                1  1
 4 ADP Sports Club               0  2  (a)
 
Track B Finals
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT       4  2
 6 East Town Eagles              4  3

Fall Split 3rd Place
 1 PSG Powerblade                0        30 CP
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT       2        50 CP
 
Fall Split FINAL
 4 ADP Sports Club               3        90 CP
 6 East Town Eagles              1        70 CP

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

 DFL 12 Spring Split                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Win % 
 1 MIRACLE® FC Izaki                         38   25   8   5    76   35  +41    0.763
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT                   38   24   8   6    75   33  +42    0.737
 3 PSG Powerblade                            38   24   7   7    61   27  +34    0.724
 4 ADP Sports Club (Aranti DPFC)             38   21   9   8    57   38  +19    0.671
 5 eLife® Keitendō United                    38   18  14   6    59   38  +21    0.658
 6 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku                      38   19  12   7    59   36  +23    0.658
 7 East Town Eagles                          38   20   8  10    64   41  +23    0.632
 8 Air Damukuni Iruko Utd.                   38   18  10  10    54   43  +11    0.605
 9 EverTran® Namagoro FC                     38   17   9  12    63   48  +15    0.566
10 Sonia's®/RiteBuy Free States FC           38   19   4  15    53   42  +11    0.553
11 Henya360.com Mountaineers                 38   15  11  12    57   54   +3    0.539
12 WONBO® Rangers                            38   18   4  16    56   41  +15    0.526
13 Sporting Endoshi                          38   13  13  12    44   46   −2    0.513
14 Fujiwara ELECTRA® FC                      38   15   8  15    56   48   +8    0.500
15 Primestar AC Shinzoba                     38    7  14  17    30   49  −19    0.368
16 Bank of Kalactin FC Atarashii-Damushuto   38    5   8  25    22   69  −47    0.237
17 Damukuni Academicals FC                   38    5   7  26    30   77  −47    0.224
18 South Damukuni Rascals                    38    5   6  27    20   72  −52    0.211
19 Marinos Lunigo FC                         38    4   7  27    25   62  −37    0.197
20 Venividicci Perodamūto                    38    1   7  30    25   87  −62    0.118

Track A
 8 Air Damukuni Iruko Utd.                   1  3
 9 EverTran® Namagoro FC                     0  1

 5 eLife® Keitendō United                    4  3
 8 Air Damukuni Iruko Utd.                   3  2
 
 4 ADP Sports Club                           0  2     20 CP
 5 eLife® Keitendō United                    0  4

Track B
 7 East Town Eagles                          1  1
10 Sonia's®/RiteBuy Free States FC           1  0

 6 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku                      2  0
 7 East Town Eagles                          1  0

 3 PSG Powerblade                            2  2
 6 RACEWAY® FC Terohiku                      1  0     20 CP

---

Track A Finals
 1 MIRACLE® FC Izaki                         5  0
 5 eLife® Keitendō United                    5  1

Track B Finals
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT                   0  0
 3 PSG Powerblade                            1  0

Spring Split Third Place
 1 MIRACLE® FC Izaki                         3        70 CP
 2 SDI FC 1-800-4-PEST-OUT                   2        40 CP

Spring Split FINAL
 3 PSG Powerblade                            0       100 CP
 5 eLife® Keitendō United                    3    Champions

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

TEAM                    Fall  Spring   TOTAL
Keitendō United            0      **     -->    IFCF CL, CEdC
PSG Powerblade            30     100     130    IFCF CC, CEdC
ADP Sports Club           90      20     110    IFCF CC
South Dre Intergalactic   50      40      90    Gauntlet #1
FC Izaki                  10      70      80    Gauntlet #2
East Town Eagles          70       0      70    Gauntlet #3
FC Terohiku                0      20      20    Gauntlet #4

THE GAUNTLET
Winner goes to the IFCF Challengers' Cup
Losing finalist goes to the Vilitan Cove Invitational

East Town Eagles              1  0
FC Terohiku                   3  0

FC Izaki                      2  4
FC Terohiku                   1  2

South Dre Intergalactic       3  0     IFCF CC
FC Izaki                      0  2     VCIAPP

[Jeckland]

Rosters
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Finale

Jeckland (JEC) qualifiers

IFCF Champions League: Yonsolo United
IFCF Challengers' Cup: Panbury Town, Peswick Town, Kyslo
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Rack Rovers, Clyville Albion, Wardson Wanderers
Cup Winners Cup: Fental
CEdC: Yonsolo Uinted, Panbury Town

[Eura]

Eura (EUR) Qualifiers
Top seeds are first

IFCF Champions League: Directus, Revolutionaries, Bastion, Spartangrad
IFCF Challengers Cup: Ulsa, Holdenberg, Unioneers
IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy: Whitepill, Nukon, Workers Union

Other Competitions Eura (EUR) Qualifiers

Cup Winners Cup: Oakstone
Copa de Campeones: Directus

The Euran Football Association’s Euraleague
SEASON 42

PART I - Season 41 recap, transfers, managerial changes, retirements

PART II - Team previews ahead of Season 42

PART III - Euraleague Shield 42, Euraleague Season 42, National Cup 42, Player Awards and Stats

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

Royal Kingdom of Quebec (QUE) Qualifiers

Q-League, Championship, League One and League Two
Coupe du Roi, Quebecois Youth Summer League and Quebecois Intercollegiate Men's and Women's Football Championships

IFCF Competition
IFCF Champions League: Haligonian
IFCF Challenger's Cup: Montreal Koreana, Unama'kik-Inverness 1877, CSKA Quebec
IFCF Liga B: Club Racing Sept-Iles, PLI Islanders, Winnipeg United
IFCF Cup Winners' Cup: Olympique de Rimouski
Rising Stars League: Quebec City Regional

Non-IFCF Competition
AOCL: Haligonian
VCIAPP: Iqaluit Red Army (Most defensively entertaining team of the year)
IUCC: Universite St. Croix, Sangju College, Mount Ester University, Membertou University