The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, Version IV)

[Graintfjall]

Could you be more specific about what currently existing problem you think reworking the KPB system will solve?

[Cassadaigua]

The group draw and schedule are now entered into the first post of the CoH 79 thread. Good luck!

[Krytenia]

trollifiers.png
(Image)
LOOK UPON THESE WORKS, YE MARGARET, AND DESPAIR

50% of [X] shared among the 2nd placed teams in that 'A' playoff.
35% of [X] shared among the 3rd placed teams in that 'A' playoff.
5% of [X] given to whoever wins that absurd Losers Knockout.
The other 10% given to those teams that got through to that 16-team playoff but lost. These points are in addition to previous ones.

You weren't even in the 1st GCF World ODI Trophy...

[Audioslavia]

Could you be more specific about what currently existing problem you think reworking the KPB system will solve?

This isn't a problem/solution situation. This is a limitation/<whatever the verb is for removing a limitation> situation.

Quite a few World Cups (for example World Cups 87, 86, 83, 81, 80, 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67, 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 60. 59. 58, 57, 56 and 54, to name just a small majority of modern era World Cups) use a secondary qualifying phase - whether knockout playoffs (most of the above) or a secondary group system (cycles 83 and 54. I don't recall any other from the top of my head). These secondary matches do not currently count for KPB points despite being played in the World Cup. They are the only regularly occurring WCC matches that do not count for KPB points.

Whether or not anyone thinks the above is or isn't a problem is completely irrelevant to me. What I want to address is that only using the first stage of qualifiers for KPB points prevents prospective hosts from being able to utilise more robust second phases.

The system(s) I've put forward tries to do one thing. It offers a way for prospective hosts to utilise a more robust secondary qualifying system without rendering many of the matches meaningless in terms of the rankings.

As a side-effect, it moves a handful of talented teams a quarter-step closer to the elites, while ensuring that they cannot in any way gain an advantage on the elite teams through some accidental mis-use of the system. Again, whether people think this is a good or a bad thing is irrelevant to me.

[Krytenia]

So, here's my idea, in three sections:

Full two-stage qualifying: This scenario is based on a qualifying system where no nation qualifies directly from stage one. Any points gained in stage two are added to the nation's points total from qualifying; the games played remains unchanged.

One-stage qualifying with split automatic-playoff places: Or, in other words, a system like WC87, where some second placed teams qualify automatically for the World Cup, whilst others go to a playoff. Teams that reach the playoffs but fail to qualify gain a 1KPB bonus, entered into the same column of the spreadsheet as the 3KPB qualification bonus.

One-stage qualifying with blanket playoffs: That is to say, where everyone finishing in X place in the group goes to a playoff, but where all teams finishing in Y place qualify automatically. In this case, there are no changes.

Thoughts?

[Kelssek]

This isn't a problem/solution situation. This is a limitation/<whatever the verb is for removing a limitation> situation.
...
Whether or not anyone thinks the above is or isn't a problem is completely irrelevant to me. What I want to address is that only using the first stage of qualifiers for KPB points prevents prospective hosts from being able to utilise more robust second phases.

Ok, but evidently having put quite a bit of thought and effort into this, you view that limitation as a problem.

And then looking at your previous post suggesting a format that is now possible. Why would we want to do something like that? If you're telling me the present system prevents that... well... I think that's good.

[Ethane]

World Cup Draw happening in half-an-hour at 2245 UTC, LIVE on discord.

[Audioslavia]

Ok, but evidently having put quite a bit of thought and effort into this, you view that limitation as a problem.

I don't believe there is a problem with the current KPB system. I believe the current KPB system has a limitation. If you infer otherwise, you're mistaken.

And then looking at your previous post suggesting a format that is now possible. Why would we want to do something like that? If you're telling me the present system prevents that... well... I think that's good.

Surprisingly enough, trollifiers.png was an attempt at a bit of levity. I wasn't seriously putting it forward as an idea. I think attitudes to whether or not two-stage qualifiers are a good or bad thing can be saved for the host voting process. They exist and there's a way to factor them into the KPB rankings. That's all we're doing here.

[Ethane]

The RP Thread has been updated with groups and the schedule. The first match of the World Cup will be on Saturday 13th. Groups A-D will be scored by me, so be aware that the cutoff is earlier than Taeshan's (groups E-H). If your team is in Group A-D you will have a cutoff time of 2330-0030 UTC, if you are in Group E-H your cutoff will be between 0100-0200 UTC. Good luck!

[Krytenia]

Rami now has an assistant. Basically, run.

By the way, Simon Kentley is a bit of an Easter egg namewise. Virtual cookie to whoever works it out.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

congrats to Tequilo for carrying on the magic of winning a competition after eliminating us.

[Ethane]

Hey guys, just a reminder that the World Cup starts in 23 hours. The cutoff window for Groups A-D is 2330-0030 UTC (23 hours) and the cutoff window for Groups E-H is 0100-0200 UTC (24.5 hours away). Good luck!

[Silvedania]

Hey guys, just a reminder that the World Cup starts in 23 hours. The cutoff window for Groups A-D is 2330-0030 UTC (23 hours) and the cutoff window for Groups E-H is 0100-0200 UTC (24.5 hours away). Good luck!

I thought the World Cup already started? Do you mean the CoH?

[Independent Athletes from Quebec]

Hey guys, just a reminder that the World Cup starts in 23 hours. The cutoff window for Groups A-D is 2330-0030 UTC (23 hours) and the cutoff window for Groups E-H is 0100-0200 UTC (24.5 hours away). Good luck!

I thought the World Cup already started? Do you mean the CoH?

CoH had to start few days earlier than WC due to the fact that they have an extra round to account for.

[Mriin]

I thought the World Cup already started? Do you mean the CoH?

CoH had to start few days earlier than WC due to the fact that they have an extra round to account for.

Rather, I think Silvedania might be confused by our terminology here.

Ethane is referring to the World Cup Proper (sometimes referred to as the World Cup Finals): ie, the bit where there's only 32 nations left after the World Cup Qualifiers have finished.

[Tequilo]

congrats to Tequilo for carrying on the magic of winning a competition after eliminating us.

Thank you! If you are the kingmaker around these parts I look forward to meeting you again some time, perhaps in a World Cup?!

[Silvedania]

CoH had to start few days earlier than WC due to the fact that they have an extra round to account for.

Rather, I think Silvedania might be confused by our terminology here.

Ethane is referring to the World Cup Proper (sometimes referred to as the World Cup Finals): ie, the bit where there's only 32 nations left after the World Cup Qualifiers have finished.

Oh, I see.

[Squidroidia]

As was discussed in the Cup of Harmony RP just posted, the Squidroidian Football Association have sacked their first ever manager Ryūzaki Mito due to poor performance (Not advancing past the group stage) in the Cup of Harmony. Due to this, an open search for a new national team boss has begun by the SFA.

The expectations for the Squidroidia job for the World Cup 88 cycle are laid out as follows:

• IAC - Quarter-Finals at minimum (NOTE: This may change if Squidroidia were to exit the Independent regions and move to AO, Rushmore or Esportiva)
• World Cup Qualification - Decent campaign in qualification (Top 3 challenge is preferred, however a bottom half finish will not jive well!)
• Post-Qualification Tournaments - At least the knockout stage of the Cup of Harmony, if Squidroidia make the World Cup proper no expectations will be enforced

The Squidroidian FA would also be happy with a tactics change, as it has been noted that under Manager Mito, the 4-3-3 formation has led to a stale core, hence why their bad results in the Cup of Harmony.

If any candidates want to apply for the job, please TG me (Or DM me on Discord, my name there is @Wot in Tarnation#0058).

[Ethane]

As was discussed in the Cup of Harmony RP just posted, the Squidroidian Football Association have sacked their first ever manager Ryūzaki Mito due to poor performance (Not advancing past the group stage) in the Cup of Harmony. Due to this, an open search for a new national team boss has begun by the SFA.

The expectations for the Squidroidia job for the World Cup 88 cycle are laid out as follows:

• IAC - Quarter-Finals at minimum (NOTE: This may change if Squidroidia were to exit the Independent regions and move to AO, Rushmore or Esportiva)
• World Cup Qualification - Decent campaign in qualification (Top 3 challenge is preferred, however a bottom half finish will not jive well!)
• Post-Qualification Tournaments - At least the knockout stage of the Cup of Harmony, if Squidroidia make the World Cup proper no expectations will be enforced

The Squidroidian FA would also be happy with a tactics change, as it has been noted that under Manager Mito, the 4-3-3 formation has led to a stale core, hence why their bad results in the Cup of Harmony.

If any candidates want to apply for the job, please TG me (Or DM me on Discord, my name there is @Wot in Tarnation#0058).

I presume this means you wouldn't take managers with a strong domestic track record but no international experience? Not sure Ethanian domestic managers would qualify for strong domestic track record though considering the league ranking.

[Squidroidia]

I presume this means you wouldn't take managers with a strong domestic track record but no international experience? Not sure Ethanian domestic managers would qualify for strong domestic track record though considering the league ranking.

I would accept managers with a track record in domestic leagues, yes. It's not just international experience that the SFA will accept. The jump from club to country may be hard but if people want to take the jump, they are more than welcome to apply.

[Nephara]

I decided to put together a general reference sheet for the NSSverse. Feel free to add yourself.

General etiquette:
1) Don't add new columns
2) Be mindful of how much space your bar is taking up - this is an overview, not a deep dive - using smaller font sizes where necessary
3) Try to keep your political party colours legible and easy on the eye. Instead of the most powerful 255/0/0 red, consider some of the milder, pastel colours that make the sheet look a lot less busy

[Tequilo]

...a general reference sheet for the NSSverse...

Thank you, quite an interesting document. I wonder if the link might be preserved in the pinned Guide to Sports Roleplaying?

[PotatoFarmers]

No time to waste - posting this here:
challonge.com/WCCCoH79

Try your hands at predicting who is the winner - a dark horse, a retiring nation (Mriin), or a legend (Eura)? The clock is ticking - predictions closes when Cass's cutoff occurs in less than 48 hours.

Also, be prepared for something similar in the WC.

PS: Login if you want to change your predictions/view them.

[Ethane]

Hey guys, apologies that we haven't been massively clear on the match-ups following the Round of 16 in the World Cup. I forgot to add the playoff fixtures to the OP of the RP thread, so will do so now. We're utilising the bracket used in the 2018 World Cup to set our match ups following the group stages.

So match ups will be:

A1 vs B2                                                          B1 vs A2
         A1/B2 vs C1/D2                            B1/A2 vs D1/C2
C1 vs D2                                                          D1 vs C2
                        Final and 3PPO
E1 vs F2                                                          F1 vs E2
         E1/F2 vs G1/H2                            F1/E2 vs G1/H2
G1 vs H2                                                          H1 vs G2

Hope that this doesn't cause any massive inconvenience. Sorry to those that RPd the other format (we didn't realise that format was established in precedence!).

[Farfadillis]

I already know the answer since I've talked it out with the hosts, but could they please share their reasoning for changing the contents of their bid, adding in a tiebreaker that wasn't there, in order to make Poafmersia advance without going through RP bonus first? I feel like in a case like this it'd be good to at least make the reasoning public.