Cup of Harmony 66 - Northern Sunrise/Red Blackiland

[Fluvique]

The hug of people

In penalties Fluvique won what it deserved in 120 minutes. It was as dramatic as a final. Exhausting for the body and head. Strenuous, demolishing for the nervous system. An endless suffering, it seemed that it was going to be extended indefinitely on penalties. The classification to the quarterfinals was in the right foot Topolsky, but the shot went wide. What a disgrace. The fate seemed to mock one of the most laborious players. Kaleshko also had the opportunity to be the man of the night , a bold little tractor, but his shot went to the crossbar. What fatality. It can not be. There is a jinx. We only breathed again when the shot of Gabriella Antonio went to the right post, in the last penalty. And Bernard Pullian, in dispute for his youth and temperament, appeared to shoot the last one. It had not been taken into account Muysken, buy an injury sent him to the pitch. He was the chosen one, like in a fable, to make Fluvique reach the next round.

Football would have been very cruel if Fluvique were eliminated. The team is still tight in this walrus that show them slightly superior to their rivals, but sentenced to live with short and distressing results. Last night the team played the best match in the Cup of Harmony against an athletic, very physical, tough and aggressive rival. The tricolor was true to herself, to her idea and style. And Chromatika proposed an offensive game, that fell into the struggle and friction. Daniel Lucas, Nioli Quren and Gabriella Antonio as their best players. The black and white team had a great match, with both skills and character.

As always, the white foxes wanted the ball, and also put the claw when the match was claiming it. Fluvique needed to play with cool head and warm heart. It was hard to maintain mental composure, because the referee quickly revealed himself as someone unpredictable, with disparate criteria. He omitted several fouls, allowing vicious play of both teams, he was more concerned with punishing protests rather the violent fouls.

The intensity of game did not leave much room for handling dapper attempted by Fluvique. The ball was alive and every centimeter was fought. Chromatika alternated his pressure line; sometimes it was high and in others retreated, but his never meant disruption or free space near their area. They were on the ball like beasts.

Chromatika did not had goal attemps in the first half and the percentage of possession of Fluvique was near the 65 percent. Sixteen shots on goal against two of Chromatika. A sloping field. And Nikolai Thorben was the man of the match to cover a header of Gonza in the goalmouth. Amazing. He was a flying goalkeeper, saving his team. If not, the posts saved Chromatika. Or even Luuk Aart appared on the line to clear a shot of Wilde. Fluvique tried until fainting. The tricolor never wanted to reach the penalties. They suffered the unspeakable, but had the reward and was also an act of justice.

Fluvique is in the quarterfinals of the Cup of Harmony, with more heart than football. With the courage of his players, some of them very young, but with a lot of attitude and value. And they deserve an applause. Also Paribas, that always is ready to save the team in the bad moments. And, of course, the talent of Gonza, always dangerous, despite that this was not his best match. Fluvique still stands, for the luck from the 12 steps. But the team always was decided to search the goal. The team is between the eight better teams of the tournament with the heart on his hand. As mandated by the history of this country. Now Fluvique will play with hosts, Red Blackiland, with all his supporters, in hostile field and against the adversity, looking for another big feat. We will suffer and fight again. As mandated by the history of our country.

VS

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Fluvique
GK -1: Andy Paribas
LB -4: Julien Kaleshko
CB -2: Rodrigo De la Mesea
CB -13: Dennis Castanginnet
RB -3: Gabriel Varelovsky (71' Emilien Boundary)
CMD -5: Henry Mhago (103' Ted Apparicio)
RM -8: Lucas Topolsky
LM -7: Paul Di Angello
FW -10: Sam Gonza (C)
FW -20: FEDE
ST -9: Adam Wilde (56' Bernard Pullian)

Chromatika
GK -4: Nikolai Thorben
RB -13: Severin Ilya
RCB -20: Vitor Raoul
CB -28: Luuk Aart
LCB 16: Otis Sorendai (77' Erika Morningstar)
LB -14: Zlastica Ellen
RM -18: Meagan Kelly
CM -15: Rachel Hellion (61' Vladimir Janos)
LM -29: Daniel Lucas (112' Ki Niro)
RF -7: Nioli Queren
LF -8: Gabriella Antonio

PENALTIES
Chromatika: Meagan Kelly ()Nioli Quren ()Zlastica Ellen ()Gabriella Antonio ()
Fluvique: Gonza (), FEDE (), Di Angello () ,Bernard Pullian ().

[Red Blackiland]

Red Blackiland Sports and Off-topic Chronicles

RB vs. Fluvique in RED Sports!

Today,we have other important and decisive game,now against Fluvique,a team that are winning against the obstacles and can be considered one of the most brave teams of this competition.Picked a battle in the group with Amazonesta and saw the Falatulu domination on your group in the first stage.Faced Chromatika in the eight-finals and won only by penalty shootouts,sure,Red Blackiland have a middle physical vantage,played less and then,the players from the host team could relax more to this match.The tactical base of the team is a 4-1-2-3 system, usually with Mhago ahead of the defense and behind two solid lines of attack and midfield with Fede, Gonza, Bertens and Di Angello.
Without the ball, the team isn't only compact, since only compression is not enough, a lot of intensity and organization is necessary, and it Fluvique of Clyde Colijn have to spare: 2 lines of 4 and 3 players (respectively) very close, with Mhago between them, using the markation by zone with intense pressure on the ball.Therefore, all players have as reference the space and the ball, something essential in the modern football.It is noteworthy that Fluvique always seeks to create intensely numerical superiority in the sector where the ball is (in the game) and close the opponent's passing lines with the ball, until recover it - either with disarms or forcing the pass error - very strong collective work.
At certain times, mainly as home team, the team advances the middle line to press strongly together Wilde against the opponent's defensive exit , with simple and very important objective to steal the next ball from the goal or force the long pass,facilitating the defensive work and harming the offensive opponent organization.After the ball exit in a few seconds the team is already on the attack field, and as the ball out, the team repeat movements: Bertens - opening the corridor to Varelovsky, advancing - joins Gonza in the center to prepare the attack move or even shoot, Wilde is back to make the pivot or rotate to finish, Fede search the projection and/or 1-2 fast passes and triangulations - not only him, the team always seeks to make triangulations across the field - and Di Angello search for penetration in opponent's defensive area.
The team not only know to construct well the game but also knows how to play well at the base of the reaction to the opponent, the famous counterattack, seeking to quickly define the attacks, sometimes with rapid exchange of short passes and sometimes reversing the side of the move to then cross the area, often with several players entering it,penetrating diagonal or by the middle.
About the RB team,nothing different,we need to put our beautiful and technical style in the field mixed with our pride and willpower and certainly we will against a hard opponent,being more near from the win.Also,the Infamous are preparing 'rain of flares' and a mosaic,already made in other few times,one in this competition,against Walkany.

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Peter Valbuena before the game,says in the press ''The tactical formation isn't the most important.''

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Football is a complex game. Twenty-two men running after a ball can be a general mess - or not. In the early days of this sport, all in the field ran for all sides without any kind of organization. The years passed, football has evolved and players were better divided on the ground. Emerged,so, the tactical schemes, that explain to us how the eleven (or ten, as they usually do not count the goalkeeper) athletes of a team are positioned on the field. And only. The tactical training is only a positioning structure to do what the coach want for your team (and what really matters), the so-called "game model" or ‘’style of play’’.
Game model is nothing more than a set of rules that govern a team. The coach evaluates the squad at his hands and defines how the team will behave. To what point should retreat to mark? Mark by zones, by sector or by mixed form? Who does the covers and in which positions? How the ball output should be done? With long or short passes? Which players participate? These answers to these questions defines better the game model. The best coaches delve into every detail and establish what their athletes should do in the offensive moments, defensive moments , and transition moments (ie when they counter-attack and are suffering counterattack) the free kicks and corners.
This strengthens the collective and transforms one set of players on a team, regardless of tactical training. Once the training is guided by this model, everyone understands how to behave in different situations, doesn’t matter if the player is in the 11 lineup or a reserve. The solid game model embraces and values ​​the collective, depending less from the individuality of the athlete of ‘pulling a rabbit out of a hat’ at all times. In addition, it enhances the individuality by creating opportunities for them to be exploited.
The tactical schemes are important in the distribution of the team on the field, but receive an exaggerated value. Don’t just simply mount the team at 4-3-3 for they play beautiful.The winning teams reach this level by the well thought out ideas, trained and performed, not by his tactical formations. Instead of asking "tactical change" to the coach, we should ask for more solid game concepts and defined ones, highlighting the characteristics of the players.
Players perform the movements so often in training who are able to do the same when they are organized differently.

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Motivational text before the quarter-finals

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'' RED BLACK LAND
You are part of our life much more than you think ....
Not exists complete happiness without the pride for our country. If we are sad, Red Blackiland emerges as an escape valve and wins, offsets all bad things. Now, we can be in the best phase of our lives, with money, happy if Red Blackiland not win, will always miss something.
The shirt you wear is heavy, full of history, achievements ...
They tried to criticize our nationalism? We confronted it.
We had no stadium? Built.
It was ever thus, frequent fights, against everything and everyone.
It made us different, we are a family united by nationalism. We protect each other, we help each other. As the song sung in the stands, we will always be at your side, to the end!
Monday only ask one thing: play for us.
We come from crazy, suffered defeats that hurt our pride, but we are giants. We remain strong, brave, courageous and patient. Our time will come.Well then, the saying goes, the lowly will be exalted!
Play for us. For you. By their families. For our families.
Do it and come to the story, because we will always remember you!
Again of them !!! We are with you until the end!
Pass it to any Red Blackilandian you know. And do that this message reaches the players, coaching staff and everyone involved in the Sunday battle.
Together we are stronger!!!
Red Blackiland - Nothing is more important! "

[Red Blackiland]

Quarter-Finals | Knockout Stages | Red Blackiland and Northern Sunrise Islands Side Cut-off
Four Leafs on the Semis

[Red Blackiland]

Quarter-Finals | Red Blackiland Side Results

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Quarter-Finals

Red Blackilandian Side

Brenecia 3-2 Abanhfleft
Marine Glorious Stadium

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Matthewsiania 0-0 (0-0 AET) (5-4 pen.) Krytenia
Arena d' Estrella

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Semi-Finals

Red Blackilandian Side

Brenecia vs. Matthewsiania
Meskitáh Central Stadion

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EDIT: Edited the title below the logo only.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

Quarter-Finals | Northern Sunrisian Side Results

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Northern Sunrisian Side

Ficiscia 0-1 Falatulu
Babylon Heights

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Fluvique 1-0 Red Blackiland
Snowflake Stadium

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Semi-Finals

Northern Sunrisian Side

Falatulu vs. Fluvique
Granger Nil-Durandarena

[Falatulu]

Kyle Bolton ripped his shirt off and tossed it into the crowd of 67 and a half thousand fans in Babylon Heights. The 28-year-old captain of the Falatulu National Team had just scored a goal literally as a referee prepared to blow his whistle, avoiding extra time and sending the other Baptism of Fire finalist to join Amazonesta at home watching the Final 4 of the Cup of Harmony on television along with the rest of the multiverse. Elsewhere, Fluvique had shocked the world by upsetting Red Blackiland and earning a spot in the Semi-Finals. This was the same Fluvique whom they had convincingly defeated in the tournament opener while both teams were still in Red Blackiland.

In the 5 matches since, Fluvique was undefeated and, in addition to the hosts, had knocked out Amazonesta and Vers-Gelderland to get to this spot. Rule Theriault's thoughts could only go back to his team's first tournament, a Di Bradini Cup over a decade ago. At that tournament, the Republicans defeated Felix for the first time in the debut match for both nations. Felix rallied and would face the Republicans in a Semi-Final rematch, where Theriault's side defeated them again, as they would in every significant match ever between those 2 nations. Felix would achieve a second place finish of their own in World Cup 70, but arguably only because Theriault's side wasn't around to knock their "rival" out as they had in each of the 3 preceding cycles.

While the rivalry with Felix had become ugly at times, an ugliness that the older, more mellowed out, Falatulu National Team had no desire to repeat, they had fond memories of traveling around the multiverse armed to the teet and winning matches before crowds that hated their guts and probably would have killed every single one of them if they could have gotten away with it. They had fond memories of the passionate love that they once knew from their home fans, back in the glory days of World Cup 68 when nobody outside of the Free Republics gave them a chance of actually delivering on their promises. Now, they just wanted to show that they could live up to those standards once again...

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As positive feedback came in from the public throughout the Free Republics, Consul O'Reilly decided to accelerate the nationwide rollout of the cBots. Soon, the entire FFR was covered with cBots. Initially, the cBots focused on building up goodwill with the public until, one day, O'Reilly finally gave them the go ahead to assert their authority more strongly.

On that day, Republicans throughout the nation watched in shock as cBots seized control of every television network and every radio station to broadcast a list of new laws that everybody would be expected to obey. Throughout the FFR, many wondered whether this could possibly be for real while others decided to try their luck in defying their new robotic overlords. They would soon find out that cBots will brook no defiance from their subjects...

[Brenecia]

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
March To Victory! The Patriots Have The Chance To Turn Defeat Into Victory
by Gareth Horner

Who'd have thought it after being smashed apart by a truly rampant Szavoda 4-1 as Brenecia's World Cup hopes crumbled to dust? Since then, Brenecia have been unbeaten and drawn just once. In the Cup, the field is seriously starting to open up. The Holy Empire are out. Krytenia are out. Zenic are out. Kandorith and Abanhfleft have both been defeated by the Patriots themselves. Semifinal opponents Matthewsiania won't be easy, but few bookies had them on the list of favourites before the tournament.

Maybe it's better this way. Even Szavoda, proven in the fire of battle to be better than Brenecia, only got a single point at the World Cup - and here are the Patriots with a legitimate chance of silverware. That's the magic word, given how long it took Brenecia to win... well, anything. A group stage exit from the World Cup goes unnoticed, the struggle to get that far ignored, a footnote. But if Orson Faulkner lifts the trophy in a week's time, that catches headlines that will echo around the world.

Brenecia isn't really a side that has ever had a Golden Age, as such. It's pretty much always been a mixture of a base of decent players (Duguid, Collingwood), some good, solid internationals (Blackslate, Given), a few gifted young bloods (Carroll, Woodgate) and a handful of rough diamonds (Rankin, Purrington). Brenecia has never produced a truly top-class footballer, although maybe it's fair to give Woodgate's career a few years to see where he ends up, and it can't persistently produce quality players. This side, matched against the Patriots of eight years back, match up just about dead even - again, decent players (Portadown), young bloods (the surviving Faulkner and Purrington), solid internationals (Breton) and rough diamonds (Cullen). The cycle goes on. For seemingly forever, Brenecia's been ranked around 30th to 40th.

Either way, the Patriots aren't likely to find genuine chances to stand out very often. Given the gift of this perfect storm - failure in the playoffs and then a seeming invincibility in the Cup - it would be a shame to regard triumph as a poisoned chalice, a reminder of failure to qualify. It's a trophy. One that the world respects. Why not live a little and, for once, seize the day?

[Fluvique]

We continue dreaming

From where comes from a country with six times bigger than France, but only with a half of his inhabitants? How was made? A place where his first rulers were appointed by fraud or by the army. How was? How is? A country that in less of 200 years of history was a Republic, a Confederation and a Kingdom? Where his greatest heroes died in poverty or in the exile, and his traitors are honoured in squares and important streets of his capital? How is the path to reach a country where every newborn owe money to people they will never know? There is a story, or maybe many. Voices and silences. There are questions in every step, a tale that runs away from the history books. Fluvique is a drama, is true. And also an adventure. Incredible heroes, terrible villains, and men that tried what they could in the land of glory and freedom and the grave for thousands. Yesterday, we lived another story.

It's the end of the match in Snowflake Stadium. The exact moment when the team made history. Henry Mhago, one of the symbols, kneels in the grass. He shouts, celebrate, a human mountain of hugs is formed. Is all emotion. Fluvique reached what they never reached: is in the semifinals of the Cup of Harmony, after defeating one of the hosts, Red Blackiland, by 1-0, thanks to a goal of Adam Wilde. The last time that we lived something similar was in the Baptism of Fire. So much celebration and communion with the fans that say thank you, after many hardships.

Sam Gonza is excited, all are seeking him, they want shout with him. Sam is playing the Cup that he wanted, with great performances, being determinant. He leave the field and can not walk. There are so many wanting to hug him. The players celebrate with the public. The semifinal is a reality: against Falatulu in Granger Nil-Durandarena.

Gonza is playing the Cup that he desired so much. Dominating, decisive, with goal, sharp passes, the only Fluviquean player who always responded in Northern Sunrise/Red Blackiland. Yesterday he had a great first half and in the second he paid the consequences of wear and a constant pressure of him for Red Blackiland. He also was vital to recover the ball, like in the Fluviquean goal, even he commited fouls, he was very involved.

Five minutes of the second half. Wilde ran alone to the area, he avoided two players and the goalkeeper, but he missed the shot. Muyskens kicked a bottle with water, but he slipped and fell to the ground. The coach was helped by the fourth referee. He lived an intense match, trusting again in Lucas Topolsky and confirming Wilde in his position. He was right in every change and Fluvique, without an amazing match, was superior to his rival, despite the suffering in the last minutes.

The quarter-final was much friendlier for Fluvique than the previous five. Red Blackiland generated little, did not forced the error of the team and allowed play. The team not was a machine, but was better than his rival and made a quick goal that broke the plans of the home team. He did it by the man who was most needed and most missed: Adam Wilde. Today, with a volley unstoppable for Hargreaves, at 4' minutes. "Wildy" returned to feed with goal when he received a dirty ball that cam from Paul Di Angello and filled his right instep, to put his best shot in this Cup of Harmony and score near the right post.

That goal created the illusion that Fluvique would have a quiet pass to the semifinal and would do his best game in this Cup. In fact, the first half was the best performance so far, because Topolsky helped Mhago and Fede fulfilled his function, helping in the midfield, despite some untidiness. And because Gonzas was not alone, Wilde had returned.

Gonza had a great first half. If he even pressured Carmona and forced a mistake to start the goal play. But in the second, the Alkanterian was no longer the same, lost his interventions in the game and even lost a incredible goal, near the end, alone with the goalkeeper. His absence was felt enormously in the team and the end suffering was largely a product of it.

Red Blackiland, one of the best teams until yesterday, just woke up at 20' minutes of the first half. Carmona was not the leader and was even booked for a foul against Toposlky. Nicolás Ferreth was far from deserving a starting position and when Lucas Rodríguez entered to the pitch in the second half, the host team was much better.

Although not reach the second goal in the initial stage, it gave the feeling that Fluvique was not in danger and Red Blackiland was powerless. Just a shot of Felipinho, controlled by Paribas and Defour's header was the only sign of the red and black team. In the second half, Fluvique was more like that team of the group stage, because Gonza controlled the ball and Red Blackiland sought with long balls and fought in the center as its way to reach the tie.

The defence, which had worked well at first, with De La Mesea coming out to half pitch, in the second failed. Three errors were counted to the Mevosa FC player. Varelovksy had to fight at the top with Felipinho, the engine of Red Blackiland in attack and defence, and was Castanginnet the most prolix, and even he managed save a ball, after being deflected by Paribas, and clear it from the post.

The first objective of coach Scott Muyskens, was be in the top four, and it was already been fulfilled. Surely we will go for others. The story says that Fluvique won the only semifinal played on his story. It was 3-0 over Eshanin Valladares, to reach that painful final.

After the match, Sam Gonza, who often was punished for not singing the anthem, rolled his arms, beat his chest and shouted every song that came from the stands to celebrate the passage to the semifinals. The shirts flew above the heads of the players, while the fans grabbed what they had at hand and mimicked the gesture. For a few minutes they were one soul. The players left their place of stars and were fans, hugged and jumped as did the thousands who came from Fluvique

The fans no longer had voice after 90 minutes where they had to shout loudly for not be covered by the majority of Red Blackiland fans and the locals of Northern Sunrise, cheering for their co-hosts. No matter the suffering in the ending or the mistakes that had threatened the Fluviquean triumph.

Mhago kneels down and clenched his fists. He carried his head to the ground, excited. The the frustrations of the past and relief today were reflected on him. We suffered too many sadness and that was why the celebration was huge. The minutes passed and the celebration of the players moved to the locker room, but the fans remained in the stands. The flags remained in the air and screams of those throats, mocking of everyone.

The songs of always, the illusion of reach the final on Thursday 24th and the memory, always present, of the "brothers" in Red Blackiland. Today Fluviqueans were less than the all the crowd which encouraged the black and red team, but their cheers were felt and had their prize, a relief desired for many years.

For some with luck there is not time to lose. The Cup of Harmony adventure continues and they will accommodate everything in their cars, motorhomes and RVs and undertake the trip to Granger Nil-Durandarena. Another struggle in search of our own carnival.

Match Summary:
Goals: Adam Wilde (5')

Fluvique: Paribas; Kaleshko, De La Mesea , Castanginnet, Varelovksy; Topolsky, Mhago, Di Angello; Gonza (C), Wilde, FEDE
Changes: Ricky Bertens x Topolsky (65') ;Ted Apparicio x Mhago (89') ;Bernard Pullian x Wilde (81')

Red Blackiland: Hargreaves; Bászta,Marckéhiller,Báhsten ,Enzo Peri; Defour,Lucas Rodríguez,Shacker,Carmona (C) ; Felipinho and Nicolás Ferreth
Changes: Lucas Rodríguez x Shacker; Rodriguinho x Bászta ;Béhckestander x Peri;

[Schiavonia]

JJ: "...One-nil to Abenhflaft, as we tick over into stoppage time, and the Sloths are giving it all they can out there. But this resolute opposition just will not be broken. Another ball into the box from Sanderson, and that is just too long. It drifts out of play, and Abenhflaft can breathe a huge sigh of relief."

RD: "It looks like the adventure is over for the Schiavonia."

KS: "I guess this means that your adventure is over for now, too, Randy?"

RD: "Not at all, Kevin. I've been searching for Margaret's sisters for quite some time now, and it will only continue. It will not be over until I find them."

KS: "So does that mean this is the last we'll see if you?"

RD: "Not necessarily. You've got me hooked on the Sloths again, and I'm always listening to World Cup Sloths, wherever I find myself in the multiverse. And I've picked up a few clues as to where these sisters may be."

KS: "Well, that's promising. Where are they?"

RD: "I can't give away too much, but at least two of them are thought to not only here, but to not be of this idea of reality we know."

KS: "What the hell does that mean?"

RD: "Well I'm not going to give it away, am I?"

JJ: "Just like Blige did there, as Abenhfleft break and run the ball towards the corner to run the clock down. But what I don't get, Randy, is how two of them can be of another world, whilst the other isn't."

RD: "It's a very complicated situation, to be honest. But the simple version is, they are goddesses, and thus timeless."

JJ: "OK. Unfortunately, the Sloths' time in the Cup of Harmony is not timeless, as the final whistle has blown. It's a win for Abenhflaft, who deservedly go through to the quarter finals, having scored more goals than Schiavonia, and that being the whole point of the game."

RD: "They've defended very well, to be fair."

JJ: "They have. No matter what they've tried, they've not come close."

RD: "And we were only one goal behind. For a team not expected to get out of the group, it's not a disgraceful performance at all."

KS: "I expected them to win the tournament."

RD: "Yes, but you're not exactly the brightest, are you?"

KS: "Oi!"

JJ: "Well, you're not, to be fair, Kev. But we don't need to remind him of the fact, Randy. It does him no good."

RD: "Sorry, Kev."

KS: "It's OK."

JJ: "So, Randy, where are you off to next?"

RD: "Back to Krytenia, I guess. Back to my shack."

KS: "Is that the same shack you used to live in when you lived in New Kingsbury?"

RD: "And how would I have got it off the island and transported half way across Atlantian Oceania?"

KS: "On a boat."

RD: "And into some woods in the middle of nowhere in particular?"

KS: "On the back of a lorry?"

RD: "Oh. Well, possibly... but no."

KS: "So where will this trip take you?"

RD: "I guess you'll have to find out!"

KS: "And how will we find out?"

RD: "Well, my friend, like I just said - I guess you'll just have to find out."

[Red Blackiland]

Semi-Finals | Red Blackiland and Northern Sunrise Islands Side Cut-off
Rolling to the Final
Who will travel to Northern Sunrise Islands for the 3rd place playoff?
Who will travel to Rotschwarzland/Red Blackiland for the final?

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

Semi-Finals

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Northern Sunrisian Side

Falatulu 6-4 Fluvique
Granger Nil-Durandarena

Congratulations, Falatulu, who's now on the way to the Red Glorious Stadium to beat whomever survives the other semi-final. For Fluvique, commiserations, though you'll still have the opportunity of visiting the capital of the nicest Sunrise around on the Third Place Play-off. Sunrisians will be eager to see what comes out, however.

[Red Blackiland]

Semi-Finals | Red Blackiland Side Result

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Semi-Finals

Red Blackilandian Side

Brenecia 2-1 Matthewsiania
Meskitáh Central Stadion

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3rd Place Playoff

3rd Place Playoff in Northern Sunrise Islands

Matthewsiania vs. Fluvique
Union Stadium,Mardi

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The Final

The Final in Red Blackiland

Brenecia vs. Falatulu
Red Glorious Stadium,Redinxson

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EDIT: Replacing The Final with 3rd place playoff on Matthewsiania vs. Fluvique box,a little typing misunderstanding,only that.

[Falatulu]

Toakameau Post

Brenecia, We Meet Again
by: Rule Theriault

By now, all of you have undoubtedly seen one of the endless replays of our thrilling Cup of Harmony semi-final victory over Fluvique. This 6 to 4 victory, which was not sealed until Koby Theodore's empty net goal from midfield at the last possible moment, is already being called one of the most competitive, most entertaining and most exciting 90 minutes of soccer in the history of WCC competition. Fluvique proved that they are worthy of our respect and the respect of the multiverse as a whole. They have a great future ahead of them, but now is not their time.

That brings me to an opponent whom we know all too well: Brenecia. We first met back on matchday two of the 52nd Baptism of Fire, the last WCC tournament to use the famous Casaran format. Who could ever forget Leonti Ulyanov's 89th minute goal that secured our first ever WCC victory by a 2 goals to 1 margin? Who could ever forget our battles in Qualifying later on that year either? Brenecia beat us 1 to nil in Baseton but we beat them 4 to 2 at their place and finished a point ahead of them in the table. We would face them twice more in World Cup 71 Qualifying. After a draw at home on the first matchday, they beat us 6 to 3 in the return leg. Brenecia would win our Qualifying group and qualify directly for the World Cup while we had to earn our way in through a playoff.

Now, after splitting our first five matches straight down the middle, we meet again a decade later to finally determine which of us is better, once and for all. And the stakes couldn't possibly be higher. The Cup of Harmony trophy hangs in the balance and Brenecia will be under tremendous pressure to perform, especially with their hated neighbors Nephara playing later on the same night for a World Cup title. They will want to show the Nepharim that they can actually win the big one.

Meanwhile, on our side, the memory of our meltdown in Legalese 6 years ago, in our last WCC tournament final, haunts us. If the rumored Falatuluan World Cup bid comes to fruition, this may be our last official match before our chance to right the mistakes of World Cup 68. If we want to take the pressure off of us and prove that we can win the big one, we absolutely have to win this match and finally, finally, finally, win a WCC title. There is no other option...

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Rumor: 'Free' Republics Mobilizing to Conquer Us, with Robotic Army

The Toakameau Post has learned, through sources who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, that the 'Free' Republics is currently stockpiling robotic soldiers as part of a plan to bring our islands back under the heel of the man who calls himself The Authority. According to our sources, these robots are highly intelligent and highly skilled killing machines with superhuman capabilities. These reports will likely only exacerbate concerns that the secretive and isolationist superpower to our north will soon attempt to steal our freedom from us once again.

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Leading figure from Movement for Progress and Responsible Governance calls for Falatulu to acquire Nuclear capabilities

Janina Hartmann, the Movement for Progress and Responsible Governance's most recent nominee for the Presidency, called today for Falatulu to acquire nuclear weapons. Mrs. Hartmann's call comes as Islanders have expressed increasing levels of concern about the threat posed by our enemy to the north. President Abelino Greece has urged calm in recent days, amid fears stoked by our report about an army of intelligent robots mounting to the north. Satellite imagery has confirmed the existence of super-human robots in the southern 'Free' Republics.

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Behind closed doors, President Greece was deeply concerned. While he had no idea whether the robots in the Free Republics were an invasion force or just a means by the man known as Dumpy O'Rumpy to further subjugate his unfortunate subjects, he felt the need to make plans nonetheless to thwart a Republican invasion attempt. President Greece decided that the only thing he could do was to make a request for Gregoryisgodistani nuclear protection:

To - Lord Almighty Gregory, Gregoryisgodistan
From - President Abelino Greece, Falatulu
Subject - Request for Assistance

HIGHEST LEVEL ENCRYPTION

Lord,

I am writing to you today about concerns regarding the safety of my nation. As you may, or may not, have heard, satellite imagery has determined that the "Free" Republics has developed super-human robots who appear to be highly intelligent. I am concerned that these robots are an invasion force preparing for an imminent invasion of my nation. However, I lack certainty and, for all I know, they could be designed for the purpose of controlling the population. Given the secretive nature of the FFR at present and the complete inability to communicate directly with Dumpy O'Rumpy, I feel that my nation needs some kind of a safeguard against Republican invasion.

Therefore, I would be willing to permit your nation to place some nuclear warheads within my nation and point them directly at the city of Republica. Given my nation's relatively small population compared to theirs and our lack of any robosoldiers, I cannot think of any other way to guarantee our continued independence.

Should you agree to place weapons in my nation, I would ask that you let me inform the Republicans and anybody else who would dare consider invading my nation of this fact and that the weapons are going to be used solely for defensive purposes. Either way, I would suggest that intelligence agencies throughout Esportiva put more effort into determining the true nature of these robots within the "Free" Republics in order to ascertain their true nature and purpose.

- Abelino Greece

[Fluvique]

We are proud!

Thanks for the joys and for teaching us to dream.

The team is not in the final, but fought for it. Fluvique lost in the pitch, but won in the streets. Thousands and thousands were to squares, streets and main monuments across the country to say thanks to the tricolors. Now, they will play for a place in the podium. The Queen Eugenie will receive the players in the White Palace when they return home.

The best prize for this incredible Fluvique which reached semifinals of the 60th Cup of Harmony, could have been that final celebration of Falatulu, chanting with their supporters, like we did during all the Cup. It was hard to see those thousands of Fluviqueans in silence, applauding, some crying, but far of the habitual colorfull of the paysans.

Perhaps Falatulu was better -slightly- than Fluvique, mainly in attack. The team is a machine from midfield to the goal, pressing and taking advantage of any mistake. Despite that, they had to make a great effort to leave out of the final a team that, even defeated, and like in the triumphal moments, showed why they reached this stage: for his own merits and no thanks to the circumstances.

It's true, the grateful "I'mm Fluuuviiqueeaannn" chant was heard at the end of the match, like in all the others, but this time was a more effective prize. Fluvique had another prize, more about football, with other dimension: a recognized, respected Fluvique and, due to that, will return home as third or fourth, but standing tall. Like in the end of yesterday's match.

Fluvique doesn't know another script on his football. It have to be epic. Of legend. Some say that the past is forgotten, but the essence of this team is the same since his birth in the first half of the XX century. Thus, they have managed to become the dark horse of the Cup. The miracle was achieved against Acronius and Red Blackiland, but the luck eluded them against Falatulu. It is the coming and going between illusion and sadness, or vice versa.

The paysan claw, the same that despite all the efforts don't was enough to twist the result, was again present in a international Cup. The Fluviquean players don't grumble for the arbitrary verdicts, they are applauded for giving their heart despite the defeat. This is a group of players which have the tranquility of know that they sought the final by major roads that can propose football: passion and courage. They worked together to attenuate the limitations and used the effort as a weapon to fight 'till the end. Thus, Fluvique fought until the last minute of the semifinal won by Falatulu with authority and justice.

Tears of some Fluviquean players were lost in the horizon, confused among dozens of arms pointing skyward from one corner of Granger Nil-Durandarena Stadium. Shouting and jumping, memories of old frustrations and the adverse end, players, top makers of another euphoric afternoon despite the defeat, ceased not to sing a hymn that erupted inevitably despite the majority supporting Falatulu. "Allez, allez la Fluvique", was the chosen music.

[Brenecia]

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
The CoH Final Is A Chance To Settle The Score For Good
by Gareth Horner

The Free Republics - well, Falatulu, and occasionally the Holy Republican Empire - has been an opponent that Brenecia has faced in bursts. Three times within a space of two years, and then twelve years until they were faced again. Another three times.

So far Brenecia's narrowly on top, winning three and drawing one, and it's been another five years since the two last played. But it has to be said that when it comes to the traditionally dark-blue-and-white BoF52 graduates with traditionally attacking styles of football, the Patriots haven't been able to compete. Brenecia has three points from six World Cup matches. Falatulu (and company) have made a final. That's just about enough said, really. And that seemed to be established in the Baptism of Fire itself, in Brenecia's second ever WCC match, where the Republicans established their early dominance and penchant for fluid attacking football against a rather stodgy, staid Brenecia side - 2-1 the result, where neither side ultimately progressed from the hazardous, controversial Casaran stage.

Funnily enough, despite the exact same rank, one side ended up getting lucky with a higher pot... and the sides were drawn against each other in qualifying. Brenecia broke from the script when a solid work ethic and good defending, once the cornerstones of the Brenecian game, managed to win through an Aldous Huckerby penalty. But when an incendiary return leg came to Rozelle, to the rickety pre-renovation Kingsgarden, the less than courteous greeting given to the visiting Republicans, well... didn't work, since they won 4-2. In the end, neither side particularly impressed throughout qualifying, and you'd have struggled to pick either of them to have risen at all, let alone as much as they did.

Fast-forward twelve years, where the two were in direct competition to top their Qualifying group. Brenecia had just come off a triumphant World Cup where they had managed to beat Felix, despite two other defeats. There was a sense of optimism in the air as the two sides faced off immediately. But the Republicans took the lead through Hinriksson's neat far-post header, and it looked like things were only going to get worse for the visiting Patriots. Cometh the hour, though, cometh the woman. Isadora Cullen, who had scored Brenecia's first World Cup goal, equalised later in the first half, and somehow the scores stayed level.

That wouldn't bear out in the next match, however. Cheney Scherzer snapped a barren streak (by his lofty standards, anyway) with a perfect hat-trick, as well as winning a penalty in a 6-3 thriller that was to prove his best game in a navy blue shirt, and ultimately lifted Brenecia into first place in the group. It didn't seem like the good times were going to end, and the establishment of Brenecia waxing and the Republics waning would continue. That, sadly, didn't bear out - all credit to the Republicans for their recovery as they incredibly still rely on the core of their Baptism squad, but Brenecia lost all three World Cup matches and have never really recovered. A 4-2 victory over the Republics a year later in the Campionato Esportiva was a salve, but Brenecia have seemingly plateaued in the 30s as far as ranking is concerned.

That could change here. So often a bellwether for the shifting fortunes of the two sides, it's surely more symbolic than ever that the two sides face each other in a Cup of Harmony final, both nations at a crossroads with plenty of off-field events starting to threaten what happens on the pitch. Falatulu are the favourites, but the tag of underdog suits the Patriots just fine. Expect a haemorrhage of goals - here's hoping the odd goal in seven or nine will come Brenecia's way.

[Red Blackiland]

3rd Place Playoff and The Final | Red Blackiland and Northern Sunrise Islands Side Cut-off
The Final Showndown
Who will have the honour of the 3rd place,in Northern Sunrise?
Who will have the glory,the win of Cup of Harmony,in Rotschwarzland/Red Blackiland?

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[Red Blackiland]

3rd Place Playoff in Northern Sunrise Islands | Cup of Harmony 66

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3rd Place Playoff in Northern Sunrise Islands

Matthewsiania 3-2 Fluvique
Union Stadium,Mardi

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[Red Blackiland]

The Final in Red Blackiland | The End of Cup of Harmony 66

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The Final in Redinxson

Brenecia 0-1 Falatulu
Red Glorious Stadium

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