Zarblese League XII
League Preview
International Transfers:
OUT:
Bernadete Jenerau - from Battle to Cannes Town (Mossulia)
Uei Xixi - from Asia FC to Kozuy Academics (Tarrentum)
Indira Neginia - from Bloodthirsty Killers to Sydney Rovers (Mossulia)
Haljordan Lanternaverde - from Romans to Skyline FC (Mangolana)
Adriana Idtaile - from Polar Zenith to Firewood City (Osarius)
IN:
Jorgen Hauge - from from Scapa Bay Rovers (Polar Islandstates) to Cross SC
INTERNAL TRANSFERS OF FOREIGN PLAYERS:
Bayard Gregio (Erathore) - from Asia FC to Polar Zenith
Christian Labelle (Cotdelapoms) - from Polar Zenith to Cross SC
Kristoff Scholtens (Greater Costwalds) - from Lichen to Revolutionaries
Andrew Yorke (Queer Poco el Mono Ara) - from Cannibals to Warriors
Duke League's 20:
Romans
Nickname: The Centurions
Nation: Kampis Senturiond
Colors: Red-Black
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Spartakus (sports events)
Venue: Colizeu Masimis (77,000) (Colosseum City, KS)
Position in DL-XI: Champion
Titles: 2 Duke League Crowns
Squad: Ichuvihaja; Jeruzalem, Agripina, Aurelius and Tudor; Akuamen, Dulgi, Dalomax and Milestone (c); Diokletianus and Masimus
Coach: Paulo Gomen
Highlights: The Crown Holders tried to keep looking as good as they did last season, but no one can be sure of what to expect this year.
Expectations: Title
Polar Zenith
Nickname: The Aliens
Nation: Zenitis Polris
Colors: Light Blue-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: PK Pharmaceuticals (chemicals)
Venue: PK Dome (94 ,000) (Zenith, ZP)
Position in DL-XI: Runner-up
Titles: 1 Duke League Crown
Squad: Gregio; Muliermaravilia, Udipeker, Gaviria and Flex; Krizantemo, Batman, Etdinov and Grauberio; Tamaxiro and Tebalhi
Coach: Lobo Piginne
Highlights: Polar Zenith's team for this season seems just as good as they were last year, and so we can axpect a similar success. Maybe the Aliens will find themselves holding the crown once again after 10 years.
Expectations: Title
Asia FC
Nickname: The Orientals
Nation: Igualibridis
Colors: Orange-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Tsuriaikoku Denwa Kaisha (telecom)
Venue: The Great Football Temple (60,000) (Orient, IG)
Position in DL-XI: 3rd
Squad: Magno; Akiles, Grey, Konstantinus and Santoro; Gota, Gevara, Holmes and Pavaroci; Kauaguci and Evair.
Coach: Mao Setung
Highlights: After an amazing DL-XI, Asia FC let go some of its key players and will have a tough time trying to repeat the campaign.
Expectations: International Competitions
Knights
Nickname: The Noblemen
Nation: Pauzis
Colors: Red-White-Black
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Tam-Tim (airlines)
Venue: Tam-Tim Stadium (70,000) (Pauzis City, PA)
Position in DL-XI: 4th
Squad: Kent; Treta, McGillmick, Bragansa and Deiz; Lictenstain, Sefalotoraks, Nelson (c) and Romanov; Iturbide and South.
Coach: Enrike Deeitse
Highlights: Knights kept practically the same team they had last season, so they shall once again fight in the top. Possibly for the corwn, but more probably for a spot in the Globe Cup.
Expectations: Title
Battle
Nickname: The Red Stripes
Nation: Kampis Batalidis
Colors: Red-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: 100 Bali (ammo)
Venue: Kazis Treta Stadium (85,000) (Battle, KB)
Position in DL-XI: 5th
Titles: 5 Duke League Crowns, 1 International Cup
Squad: Mandemartelo; Pokoto, Riovirtuozo, Pia and Cipriano; Teutoniko, Kalma, Dekaxias (c) and Kan; Gomer and Tikka
Coach: Carls Uidmor
Highlights: After 5 seasons on which Battle won four and ended once as runner-ups, last DL's fifth place was considered a disaster for Battle fans (and, why not, for Zarblese football in international competitions), and they thrive for the top spot once more.
Expectations: Title
Bloodthirsty Killers
Nickname: BTK
Nation: Kampis Batalidis
Colors: Blood Red-White
Jerseys and Logo
Sponsor: Faki Ginsu (knifes)
Venue: Matdordis Stadium (47,000) (Battle, KB)
Position in DL-XI: 6th
Squad: Cuplexe; Cuplim, Embirolado, Multiuzo and Lierso; Ualt, Golias, Siklope and Jon'il; Ninpoco and Maiers
Coach: Jak Oestripador
Highlights: Bloodthirsty Killers' DL-XI 6th place campaign was a huge and positive surprise. The fact that the club sold most of its best players once the season was over, not so much. Really, what the hell do they think when they do that?
Expectations: Midtable
Cannibals
Nickname: The Eaters
Nation: Kanibaldi
Colors: Green-White-Blue
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Leko (toys)
Venue: Leko Arena (90,000) (Tribe, KA)
Position in DL-XI: 7th
Titles: 2 International Cups
Squad: Aleijan; Balboa, Mixel, Ajende (c) and Vangog; Blek, Kabesaoka and Aspirina; Wilson, Kabesuda and Sangmi
Coach: Kastro Fidel
Highlights: What team is this? If you look at it, it doesn't seem fit for the most popular club of the 12 nations. Does anyone else smell disaster?
Expectations: Midtable
Warriors
Nickname: The Blue Stripes
Nation: Goi
Colors: Blue-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: 100Bali (ammonition)
Venue Tirazu Stadium (94,000) (Goyoreh, GO)
Position in DL-XI: 8th
Titles: 1 Duke League Crown
Squad: Hobespiehe; Espadaxim, Varvay, Barak and Kasadora; Yorke (c), Xepard, Dunlap and Li; Burana and Ford
Coach: Otavio Augustus
Highlights: Warriors is still trying to keep its act together after DL-X's horrible campaign. We expect a top 10 run for this year, but not much more than that.
Expectations: International Competitions
Pyramid AC
Nickname: The Camels
Nation: Piramidi
Colors: Blue-Light Blue
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: PretoBraix(oil)
Venue: Marakanan (88,000) (New Cairo, PI)
Position in DL-XI: 9th
Squad: Demolidor; Paton, Ptolomeu, Garibaldi and Karioka; Rhys-Lloyd (c), Kino, Osaka and Jahad; Nilo and Pires
Coach: Hamses Segundo
Highlights: Pyramid has a pretty darn good team if you look at the players it has for the season. Maybe it will finally be able to pull something off and end a little higher than 6th or 7th.
Expectations: International Competitions
Cross SC
Nickname: The Green X's
Nation: Krusdis
Colors: Green-Yellow
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Abadia (beer)
Venue: Enkrusliadis Stadium (40,000) (Templar Castle, KR)
Position in DL-XI: 10th
Squad: Taison; Laliberté, Labelle, Bravo and Kunglao; Trotski, Paxeko (c), Hauge and Demole; Ieroglifo and Xubert
Coach: Vanderlei Luxa
Highlights: Cross SC has managed to put together an interesting mix of experienced and young, nationals and international players. It might be quite a nice experience to watch its games for the next DL. Will it be competitive? Time will tell.
Expectations: International Competitions
Billiard
Nickname: The Gamblers
Nation: Biliar
Colors: Red-White-Blue
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Fehduris Sports Casino (gambling)
Venue: Fehduris Sports Casino (105,000) (Vegas, BI)
Position in DL-XI: 11th
Titles: 2 Duke League Crowns; 2 International Cups
Squad: Pitkin; Kopas, Gluksburg and Romana; Gandi (c), Druzilia, Umano, Irada and Karlos; Avt and Sliseao
Coach: Mane Manezin
Highlights: With a couple good additions for the midfield and its already solid defense and attack positions, Billiard is looking good in order to erase the bad season they had last year.
Expectations: International Competitions
Goyoreh
Nickname: The Crazies
Nation: Goi
Colors: Blue-Yellow-Red-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: LokurisLokurisLokuris (television show)
Venue: Goyoreh City Stadium (45,000)
Position in DL-XI: 12th
Squad: Ne; Bromelias (c), Katatau, Peis and Tantan; Pafunsio, Zuada, Ploft and Gagari; Lekter and Katumba
Coach: Elio Dozanjos
Highlights: Let's be honest here, Goyoreh is a team composed by old players that never really did anything good in their careers. Things are not well at all for the Crazies.
Expectations: Candidate for relegation
Classics
Nickname: The Old Club
Nation: Klasikis
Colors: Green-Blue
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: KlasKo. (jewelry)
Venue: Klubis Klasikis Field (74,000) (Klasis, KL)
Position in DL-XI: 13th
Squad: Dabliubuxe; Lirolton, Litz, Mohinder and Kazam; Uiliams (c), Aratorn, Dali, Osten and Bofe; Sapata
Coach: Bandebola Norman
Highlights: Classics looks as boring as ever. We should expect nothing too different from last season. (exactly the same text of last year's pre-season prediction, I wonder why...)
Expectations: Midtable
Revolutionaries
Nickname: The Headless
Nation: Biliaris
Colors: Brown-White-Grey
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Barbahala (men's cosmetics)
Venue: Revolution Square Stadium (47,000) (New Revolution, BI)
Position in DL-XI: 14th
Squad: Reies; Tepes, Erzog, Mohondas and Boer; Henriksen, Kabinada, Lukinias and Scholtens; Djoni and Miloitosentozekuarentaeoito
Coach: Kazalberto Zihoati
Highlights: So, Revolutionaries came from the ML and managed to stay in the DL for another season, no one should expect much more from them, right? Wrong. The club has hired some good players, including a couple of internationals, and are looking quite good for this season. They may actually be the good surprise of DL-XII.
Expectations: Midtable
Lichen
Nickname: The White Dots
Nation: Luadis
Colors: Red-Yellow-Green
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Simbiontis Negris (biochemicals)
Venue: Simbiozis Arena (27,000) (Lichen, LU)
Position in DL-XI: 15th
Squad: Algazul; Obarbaro, Huk, Asasino and Samabaia; Areia, Verbal, Monokotiledonea and Loukus (c); Beduino and Telinde
Coach: Gloria Klorofila
Highlights: You know what? We think Lichen won't be relegated. They might even do better than they did in the last DL, go figure.
Expectations: Midtable
Montain Chain
Nickname: The Hikers
Nation: Zenitis Polris
Colors: Brown-White
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Igluis Imovileris (real estate)
Venue: Kaver'dis Arena (59,000) (Northwall, ZP)
Position in DL-XI: 16th
Squad: Digan; Koifa, Tonian and Fahapos; Apeninos, Manson, Hiums, Palafita and Martelinio; Iulius and Vezuvio
Coach: Gabriela Omenlivre
Highlights: Well, what's to say about the Hikers? They don't really have a great squad, but it's also not terrible. So, they might be fine for at least this next season.
Expectations: Midtable
Union
Nickname: The Federal
Nation: Korasanis Uniandis
Colors: Yellow-Green-Blue
Jerseys and Logo
Sponsor: LoGobierno (consulting)
Venue: Union Heart Royal Football Stadium (114,000) (Union Heart, KU)
Position in ML-XI: 1st
Squad: Burbon; Riki, Blu, Pimba and Xuleta; Dedoduro, Pineu, Kasanikeis and Medo; Bokser and Dekster
Coach: Mini Kurulei
Highlights: After hitting the finals in the last Chronowire Series B Champions' Cup, Union expects at least to stay in the DL for another season. With some good players they managed to hire, they may have a fairly good shot at it.
Expectations: Candidate for relegation
Balance
Nickname: The Koreans
Nation: Igualibridis
Colors: Red-Blue-Black-White
Jerseys and Logo
Sponsor: Tsuriaikoku Denwa Kaisha (telecom)
Venue: In Iang Arena (30,000) (Korean Colony, IG)
Position in ML-XI: 2nd
Squad: Mun; Xu, Mixuruka, Zureta and Kreidston; Kruger (c), Amarau and Miniokina; Seiva, Min and Garibaldi
Coach: Te Kondo
Highlights: With the highest age average amongst all of the DL's teams, Balance will literally have to sweat their shirts if they want to stay with the top 20 for next season.
Expectations: Candidate for relegation
TFC
Nickname: The All Whites
Nation: Krusdis
Colors: White-Black
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: Mutxa Bola (sports material)
Venue: Tibursio Royal Football Stadium (64,000) (Tibursio, KR)
Position in ML-XI: 3rd
Squad: Sintatika; Pekeno, Namor, Limin and Drux; Aiers (c), Via, Hungerford and Submarin; Merkurio and Oiama
Coach: Lero Lero
Highlights: It's the same as always with the All-Whites. They always hope they'll stay, but they hardly ever do.
Expectations: Candidate for relegation
Drooler
Nickname: The Jokers
Nation: Korasanis Uniandis
Colors: Purple-Blue-Light Blue-Light Green-Green
Kit and Logo
Sponsor: APAI (university)
Venue: UPM Football Field (25,000) (Union Heart, KU)
Position in ML-XI: 4th
Squad: Tunderkets; Pokoto, Limpol, Molibdenio and Kuon; Loke, Bargous, Hikardin, Ifen and Jahad and Omearania
Coach: Stela Parsela
Highlights: To be fair, the Jokers' team for this season is a joke. Got it? Jokers, joke. Boy, I'm on fire tonight!
Expectations: Candidate for relegation
The Expectations:
CHANCES OF TITLE:
Battle, Knights, Polar Zenith and Romans
CHANCES OF QUALIFYING FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS:
Asia FC, Billiard, Cross SC, Pyramid AC, Warriors
LIKELY TO END IN AN INTERMEDIARY POSITION:
Bloodthirsty Killers, Cannibals, Classics, Lichen, Revolutionaries
CHANCES OF RELEGATION:
Blance, Drooler, Goyoreh, Mountain Chain, TFC, Union
Previous Duke League Winners
I Billiard (first title)
II Polar Zenith (first title)
III Warriors (first title)
IV Battle (first title)
V Romans (first title)
VI Battle (second title)
VII Battle (third title)
VIII Billiard (second title)
IX Battle (fourth title)
X Battle (fifth title)
XI Romans (second title)