NationStates

Stadium of the Restoration, Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija :: Everything about the Stadium of the Restoration and the World Cup 81 Semi-Final was bigger, better and more elaborate than any match that the Turori National Team had been a part of up until that point. The pomp and circumstance as the defending AOCAF champions took the field and split between team Jungle Teal and team Eel-skin Brown was not to be overdone either with the newly installed Lighting and Entertainment systems ready to be put to the test. Fans were mesmerized by the graphics appearing on the numerous screens surrounding the arena and were then in for an additional surprise when they field became a canvas for lighting based projected imagery detailing the host country and the two competing nations. Many pictures were taken on what was an historic occasion for both sides but particularly for the Turori National Team who were making their first ever World Cup Semi-Final appearance. Finally, however, festivities would give way to the match itself and things would soon get underway. Luckily the extended pre-match activities resulted in the opening kickoff taking place about 8 minutes after the originally scheduled kickoff them or else there may not have been time to get all the fans appropriately ticketed and seated before the match really began to take off.

Anyone who wasn't in their seat by the time the Vilita National Team took the opening kick off, however, may have missed one of the deciding moments of the match.

With their Lonngeylin Coast attacking partner Inamari Altariiz watching from the Turorian bench, Vilita's Sipke Tarala wasted no time at all in becoming the first player to ever score in a Vilita versus Turori matchup in the World Cup Finals. It was Tarala who took the kickoff, playing a seemingly innocuous ball just inches forward to Berali Tzufarei - the very same Berali Tzufarei who scored five goals in the Cup of Champions match against Turori's National Citizen Squad. All eyes were on Tzufarei who found themselves double marked within moments of receiving the opening touch. Tzufarei layed the ball back to Poloax Torerun who quickly blasted a ball towards the Turorian penalty area. As all eyes had focused on Tzufarei, Tarala had sprinted full tilt towards the other end of the field and now found the ball just inches away with only a 50/50 challenge to win against their domestic teammate Yitizo Mpala'a. Tarala didn't let the ball bounce, instead, cheekily flicked the ball away from Mpala'a with his head then quickly turned and ran on to his own flick. Now Tarala was staring at the goal with only the on rushing Cedniavella Turori netminder Wiyauw An'maude between Tarala and Vilitan Cove history. There was no denying the Lonngeylin Coast forward. The ball grazed An'maude on its way to the back of the net and less than sixty seconds after the first ever World Cup Finals match between Vilita and Turori began, it had its first goal.

The Turori National Team were in shock while the Vilitan fans in the stands were in raptures. It was a profitable moment for the concessions as many newly purchased beverages with barely a sip missing had quickly become empty cups.

The celebrations were still ongoing when play resumed. The Turori Eels got their first touch of the match from the center circle trailing 0-1. They took the kick all the way back to An'maude and let the netminder control the ball, orders which seemed to come from the sideline. Perhaps a clever play to allow the Cedniavella netminder to clear the nerves from the early goal conceded from their mind and focus on the match at hand. With room to boot, An'maude played the ball long instead of working it up. The booming kick was for unknown reasons allowed to bounce by Vilita's Kwuimekii Hentetii who then had to turn three hundred sixty degrees as the ball skipped over head while Turori's Mirana Gotuai was in full sprint racing past the Rammsissil defender. Gotuai got their first. Jirak Trikala and Mako Canopii raced to try to save the situation but as Trikala slid in dangerously, and Canopii made themselves large, Gotuai was able to flick the ball over them both just in time. There was an audible shift in the arena as the raucous Vilitan fans held their collective breaths and the silent Turorian fans realized what was happening as the ball bounced just in front of the goal line and then up and into the underside of the net. Just as quickly, the match was level.

It was a roller coaster of emotions for both sides and a dream start for the neutral fans in Banija - so long as they were actually in their seats. Just three minutes into the World Cup 81 Semi Final and both teams were already on the scoresheet. It certainly wasn't unexpected from Vilita - one of the highest scoring teams throughout the entire World Cup 81 cycle. For Turori, however, it was one of the fastest goals they had scored in recent history and certainly the fastest that any Turorian match at the World Cup had two goals scored by either team.

With the excitement of the opening minutes behind them, the two teams switched from uppercuts and started to settle in for the beginning of the chess match. The Turori National Team knew they had to keep their defense strong as their offensive production has decreased in direct relation to the quality of their opposition. While Turori had scored 9 goals in three matches against teams ranked outside the top 20 during the World Cup Finals, they had scored just once in two matches against teams in the Top 15. Their neighbors and Semi-Final opponents, Vilita, were the highest ranked team left in the competition and while they had already scored once against them, they knew they could not rely on a large offensive output. But the defense had to hold.

And it did. For about twenty minutes. It was a corner kick for the Jungle Cats in the 24th minute that would ultimately be the decisive moment of the match as Polaox Torerun recorded their second assist of the game off the corner which was met by the head of Linkat Cjinder for a textbook corner kick execution at the back post. Cjinders header was down and out of the reach of An'maude restoring the lead that the Vilita National Team had held for barely over a minute at the start of the match.

The scoreline would remain through to the half despite a pair of chances for Vilita that they could not convert. Some may have considered the Eels lucky to still be in the match but in reality, Turori's National Citizen Squad were just playing their match. If not for the unexpected goal in the opening minute of the game, things would have been going to plan for the Eels. Now they still needed to find away to get back into the match offensively without giving up anything defensively against one of the most prolific attacking sides in the multiverse.

That's when the Turori Coaching staff made the decision that some applauded and others questioned. Instead of introducing the experienced Inamari Altariiz who had scored three times already in the Finals, the Eels brought on 17 year old FC Almintora prospect Nua'oma Aikiki. Supporters of the decision believe that Aikiki was the only true wildcard the Turori National Team possessed on their roster - with all the other players, including Altaraiiz, being familiar opponents of the Vilitan players in the Vilitan League. With Aikiki playing for FC Almintors in the Tropicorp League, and only having turned professional one season prior, there would have been no history or tape on the young attacker who scored the first of their 2 career internationstatal goes against Jeckland on Matchday 8 of World Cup 81 Qualifying.



In the end, it didn't work. While Aikiki did cause problems for the Jungle Cats in the opening moments of the second half, Mako Canopii was equal to any challenges put forth by the Eels in their best performance in net since the opening match of the Group Stage against Valanora. The dream of a first ever World Cup title for the Island Emirate of Turori certainly began to fade when Sipke Tarala scored for the second time in the match bringing their total for the World Cup to four. With less than fifteen minutes until full time, Turori needed a miracle unlike any they had achieved throughout the competition thus far if they were to progress. At that point they made another decision that would be debated potentially for generations to come: Abandoning their tactics and going all-out-takil.

Unfortunately, Turori's Citizen Squad were never trained in System Takil. Just a few minutes into the System Takil experiment, a pair of substitutes hooked up as Westii Yahaya played a ball over the top that Tenziki Kulakao was easily able to track down and outpace the weakened Turorian defensive line. Less than five minutes after the Turori Eels were just a goal away from playing for a World Cup Final. Now, a Sipke Tarala and Tenziki Kulakao goal later, Turori trailed 1-4. Not only were they not heading towards the World Cup Final, they were at risk of being embarrassed by their closest of rivals. So they did the obvious thing. They continued to abandon their foundational tactics and tried attacking once more. A 2-4 scoreline would be far more respectable going home than a 1-4 defeat.

Unfortunately for Turori, the Jungle Cats Mako Canopii appeared to finally be at the top of their game once again. The Yeaddin Owls goalkeeper refused to give Turori any consolation and ultimately had a role in finishing the game off by pumping the ball up field to a wide open Nii'arala Milaaso who ensured that the Vilita National Team were playing no favorites, knocking Turori's National Citizen Squad out of the World Cup by the same 5-1 scoreline that they had knocked Turori's National Cocoabo Squad out of the Cup of Champions and sending the Jungle Cats through to the World Cup Final at the expense of their Turorian neighbors.

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Turori Eels Lineup v. Vilita ::
[GK] Wiyauw An'maude, [D.] Yitizo Mpala'a, [D.] Tarek Edgeli, [D.] Lulu Pumaziiri, [D.] Mikki Mayelli, [ML] Timi'sala Koarena, [MC] Indelli Nura'amura, [MC] Saito Koshiki, [MR] Daliora Toru'u, [FC] Wiztsana Iretziia, [FC] Mirana Gotuai
BENCH::
[FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Inamari Altariiz, [M] Mbdiai Akarenaa, [M] Kentu Umaka'a, [U ] Nua'oma Aikiki, [D] Geafi Laina-Sola, [GK] G.Q Disterfred II

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For the Turorian fans, the thrill of competing in the World Cup Semi-Final for the first time in their lifetimes... or the lifetime of any Turorian that ever existed, was worth making the trip to Banija, even if they ended up losing the match itself. Heading out of the Stadium of the Restoration, fans of the Turori National Team were still in a positive spirit. While they had missed out on the chance to go to the Free Republics to contest the World Cup Final for the first time in their history at a Stadium with a giant Cocoabo out in front of it, they had still given their fans a ride which they could never have imagined. "When Turori win a World Cup Quarter final" had become a saying akin to "When Pigs fly" in Turori as it is something that no citizen had ever witnessed - or presumably ever would. Now, however, the impossible had happened and while they were defeated on the day, "There's always next cycle" has become a phrase that Turorian fans could utter with positive overtones, truly looking forward to what could happen next cycle as this National Citizen Squad continues to grow and gain experience. 18 players walked out of that tunnel in the World Cup Semi-Final, a place in the World Cup Final on the line. They are the only 18 Turorian players who have ever done so and they will pass that experience on to the next generation who will be able to look at the names of the captain Tarek Edgeli and the rest of the World Cup 81 Turori Eels and say "If they could do it, so can we".

Of course, while reaching the World Cup Semi-Final and outperforming every other Turorian Team in the history of the multiverse is one thing, as far as the Football Association of Turori is concerned, that may be yesterdays news. Now, the Football Association of Turori had a bigger problem on its hands. How do they stay relevant. Prior to World Cup 81, they had been operating in a very comfortable cocoon. As one of the most historically consistent but never demonstrably great teams in the history of the World Cup, Turori was well respected even within the Vilitan Cove. Working together with the Tropics of Vilita to produce three AOCAF Championships in the modern era and, as they had never so much as sniffed the thought of playing against each other in a meaningful World Cup Finals match, there was very little concern for any measuring contests within the Vilitan Cove. Sure, Vilita had their rogue success but Turori were the consistent ones. They had something to hang their hat on.

That all ended somewhere around the 74th minute of the World Cup 81 Semi-Final in Banija. When a close 2-1 match became a 3-1, and then three became four... and four became five, the feeling changed. No longer was it a hard fought battle between friendly neighbors. Now, it was something else. Now it was big brother putting you in a headlock and just when the relief came that the circular forces being applied to the top of your head had ceased, you realized it was only because your underwear were now resting there. The Turori National Team had been noogie-wedgied by its larger, more powerful neighbor. That was something Football Association of Turori president Mumaou Atla-Siioai was going to have to deal with.

While Turori's National Citizen Squad had proven they were a good team - perhaps the best team Turori had ever produced - the scoreline would show that they were not equals with their most visible of comparisons, their neighbors. While anyone who watched the match will have realized that Turori gave their all playing with house money, throwing caution into the wind and pressing for an equalizer when the flood gates finally opened in the other direction, Atla-Siioai knew that the annals of history wouldn't include such minor details as what the pace of play was or how much closer the match might have been than the scoreline. It was going to show one thing and one thing only. Turori lost 1-5. It didn't matter that it was just their third defeat of the entire cycle. It didn't matter that the other two were both 0-1 defensive duels. All that mattered was the lasting memory. Losing to Vilita and losing big on the scoresheet. The obvious plan of action might have been to expel the Citizen Squad altogether. By putting the Cocoabo Squad back into play, it would effectively nullify the bad result suffered by the Citizen Squad at the hands of the Jungle Cats as it was the "Other" Turori who had suffered it. Unfortunately that wouldn't pass either thanks to the Cup of Champions. Turori's National Cocoabo Squad already played a Vilita squad at the Cup of Champions in the Free Republics. They lost. 5-1. Just like the Citizen Squad did. So there was no outlet. There was no where to hide. But there was another match to play. "You're only as good as your last performance" was squarely on the mind of Mumau Atla-Siioai now. There was still a chance to soften the sting of such a lopsided defeat to the very nation whose players you are going to be sharing the training ground with for the next month. Go out with a win. Give them a "but then we" and show them a medal.

It has been a good tournament for Turori's experienced players who responded very positively after not being afforded the opportunity to compete in the previous two World Cups thanks to the rise to prominence of Turori's National Citizen Squad. Lonngeylin Coast's seemingly ageless 38 year old striker Inamari Altariiz showed all the youngsters how it was done leading the Eels with three goals through the Semi-Final. While Altariiz was relegated to move of a substitutes role in the knockout rounds, saving the expertise if needed for a Penalty Shootout, if this is to be the last match of Altariiz' internationstatal career it will certainly have been honorable scoring the goals that paved the way for the Eels first ever World Cup Quarter Final victory.

The Eels got goals from all around with Jungle Strike FC forward Meldi'ita Mungwaii scoring a pair of goals including famously scoring the lone goal against Ethane, the match winning tally in Turori's first ever World Cup Quarter final victory. Mirana Gotuai also had a pair of goals, largely of the consolation variety but they count the same none the less. Saito Koshiki scored the match winner against Mercedini while flying midfielder Timi'sala Koarena scored the opening goal against Banija that helped set the stage for Altariiz's shining moment with the stoppage time winner. Finally, in a Turori squad filled with experience, it was the relative youngster Kentu Umaka'a who was Turori's youngest goalscorer of the tournament thus far with their super-sub style goal in the World Cup 81 group stage opener against Mercedini. While many of Turori's youth have yet to find their way onto the score sheet at World Cup 81, they will have one more chance at the BCEL Stadium in Jinja City where Vilaye and Cocoabo are sure to be caught in more heated exchanges and a festive atmosphere will be in the air as Turori take on the Free Republics in the Third Place Playoff Match. Even if none of Turori's youngsters make the score sheet, the experience they will have gained being apart of this magical Turorian run will be with them for the rest of their careers. But if they can end their tournament with a victory it will soften the sting of the blowout semi-final defeat to their neighbors Vilita and give the Turori National team something to build on moving forward.

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Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest :: After the conclusion of their Third Place Playoff match, the Turorian Squad will make their way back to Eelandii where they will pack out their things and prepare to return to their domestic clubs. While Turori will have contested a full complement of World Cup matches for the first time in their history, it is unlikely any of their players will be considered for the major awards - the Golden Ball, Golden Boot or Golden Glove. The Golden Ball are likely to be chosen amongst the best players on the Finalist teams. Someone like Vilita's playmaking and goalscoring captain midfield Cavuna Aquafek would be the type of candidate to fit that mold. With 38 year old Inamara Altariiz leading Turori in goals scored with... 3... It would take a Berali Tzufarei-esque scoreline for any Turorian player to make any ground in the Golden Boot standings. Naturally, after having conceding five goals in their opening two matches, and five in their Semi-Final defeat, the typically defensively strong Turori National Team won't be competing for any defensive awards either. Overall, the Turori National Team weren't great during World Cup 81, but they weren't bad either. Some may argue they had better teams before but none have accomplished what this team has. While they did not win the World Cup, they still energized the Island Emirate and as a result have been invited to celebrate the nations highest ever World Cup placing with a day at the Park... Cocoabo Park.

Of course, Cocoabo Park is the publically accessible portion of the Cocoabo Forest which is focused on the study, preservation and improvement of of Turori's Native Cocoabo. While the Cocoabo Forest itself is a vast land where Cocoabo flocks are allowed to roam free, at Cocoabo Park visitors from around the multiverse are treated to intimate tours, close encounters and educational experiences all with the Cocoabo at the center. With limited on site lodging and a fully equipped village at the entrance area to the Park, visitors could spend days at Cocoabo Park without even venturing on one of the Park's tours into its different Cocoabo training enclosures or even further into the Cocoabo Forest. Fans who attended World Cup 81 can already show their match tickets at the concourse for 10% off their entry into Cocoabo Park. Now, for one day in celebration of Turori's achievements at World Cup 81, Cocoabo Park is opening its doors at 25% off for all adults and free for anyone under the age of 15 who are wearing Turori National Team attire through the turnstiles. Guests who have already pre-purchased full rate tickets with a lodging package at the Cocoabo Park Resort will be credited with a 15T credit per guest on their account to be used at gift shops or eateries.

There will be an event at the Cocoabo Park Arena halfway between high noon and dusk where the Turori National Team will be introduced ahead of the daily Cocoabo Footsport demonstrations. Guest are advised to arrive early if they wish to attend the Cocoabo Park Arena ceremony as the Cocoabo Footstport Demonstrations have already been packing the arena without special ceremonies. Cocoabo Park personnel have been training a group of Cocoabo to re-enact key moments from World Cup 81 including Sargossa's pinball winner to stun World #2 Farfadillis on the final matchday of the Group stage, Rainbow Blitz's rocket or Inamari Altariiz' famous extra time winner against Banija in the Round of 16. The event will take place two days following the World Cup Final. Cocoabo Park will be monitoring attendance levels at the Park throughout the day and reporting park status on their twii.tur account. Those already at the resort or on Park Land will be admitted and the Cocoabo Preservation Society and Tropicorp teams on site have already identified overflow areas that have been cleared for future park expansion where temporary tents and seating can be set up if overcrowding conditions exist. Ferry and transport chopper service from mainland Turori will be suspended if the park is deemed overfull.

First time visitors to Cocoabo Park can create an account on the Park's website using their communication device or use the quickbang! "cocoabopark!" on twii.tur to sign up for notifications regarding park news including any closures or entry suspensions relating to Park occupancy.

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JINJA CITY, HANGAZA- The World Cup is winding to a close, and there is only one game left to play in Banija- the Third Place match, between Turori and the Free Republics. The Free Republics, of course, are the senior host, and Turori has already clinched their highest ever finish at a World Cup FInals- so it'll be an entertaining one. But today, we won't be focusing on that matchup, even though it will be one of great quality. We will be focusing on the legacy of the man who brought this tournament to Banijan soil, the man who has been at the center of the sport in Banija for the last three World Cup Cycles- Adama Sowe.

He leaves, like so many do, a complicated legacy. A legacy of greatness, of many good things, and some major mistakes. Of course, many of those mistakes were early on in his tenure. In his first major decisions, before the 79th World Cup Cycle, he had to find a manager. The team, of course, didn't enter in the 78th cycle due to serious financial issues, and the Olympic Committee of Banija had to appoint an Emergency Financial Manager to rescue their finances. And Adama Sowe, of course, had to hire a manager.

He then tried to make an illegal hire of Samantha Owen, an Equestrian manager, even though Banijan law explicitly states that women cannot coach men professionally, and vice versa. He ended up with, of course, with Randolf Cherry and Marcus Waters as his Assistant, and we all know how that turned out- Banija's first World Cup Qualification, Third Place in the Di Bradini Cup, back to back quarterfinal appearances in the AOCAF. He launched a solo bid to host the Baptism of Fire, and got exactly zero votes- an absolutely embarassing effort, that caused Banija to be a laughingstock and had many calling for his firing. But, of course, he put his head down and pressed on.

It was a testament to his will that he kept the faith. That failed Baptism of Fire bid really started a series of other sports coming forward, and hosting major tournaments. From a World Bowl, to a pair of World Lacrosse Championships, to co-hosting the silver edition of the International Basketball Championships and everything in between, Banija was transformed into a major hosting powerhouse, even with our limited economic resources. A combined Banijan/Qasden bid to host the Baptism of Fire in the Glorious Southwest was also successful, as that served as redemption for his failed Baptism of Fire bid.

He wasn't done. He went for it all, to co-host the World Cup Finals with the Free Republics. In a close vote among the World Cup Committee, the bid was selected to host the 81st World Cup. He not only marshalled support across Banija, but he was able to convince many across the World Cup Committee that Banija was indeed capable of successfully co-hosting a World Cup. The Free Republics, of course, have co-hosted a World Cup on multiple occasions- but Banija was the wild card, we had never done it. But to do that, and then to marshal financial support from Eshan, and unite the country around investing in this tournament, was absolutely huge.

It was a steep path to get to this point. Banija was rebuilding from losing a war- did we really have the money to put into building two brand new stadiums, plus upgrades to infrastructure? Did we have what it takes to whether a storm of criticism about our country, about our goat eating habits? But Adama Sowe kept it together. Did he ever panic? No. The Kabaka's second son caused him a major headache, but he kept the committee united. Dealing with the egos of multiple royals and other billionaires, he kept the committee disciplined and put on, by all accounts, a successful World Cup. Many kudos to him for that.

Another thing that we've seen with him, is the development of the domestic league system. He engineered a successful compromise with the Busoga Islander Soccer Association, to keep their member clubs in the Banijan league system. But most importantly, he strengthened the league system. Under his watch, the competitiveness of Banijan Soccer League teams in international competition has gone up greatly, highlighted by Herzegovina City FC's run to the Champions Cup group stages, the first Banijan team to ever make the group stages in either the Champions Cup or Globe Cup.

His focus on the domestic league has seen the league's stock rise internationally, and the quality of play rise. The league is growing, and that is partly in thanks to Adama Sowe, who insisted that the growth of the domestic game had to be a priority. The league has never been more entertaining. Of course, his only major error in this case was his own opposition to promotion/relegation, which ended up passing and has widely been seen as a success.

How do we judge him? A complicated legacy, to be sure, but a decorated legacy. He will be taking Banija's spot on both the World Cup Committee and the Executive World Cup Committee, as he retires from his post as the Chairman of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association at the conclusion of World Cup 81. But here is how you define success- has he raised the bar? Where is the expectation for Banijan soccer now, as opposed to the expectations when he took the job before World Cup 79?

Unequivocally, you have to agree that the bar was flown upwards. Now we are a nation that can host the multiverse's largest sporting events, because we have hosted the multiverse's largest sporting events. Our domestic league can legitimately think about competing for a second spot in the Champions Cup. Our national team, from an after thought that would finish midtable in a World Cup Qualification group, is set to be ranked somewhere in the 20s after the World Cup ends. We went from being a nation that needed a miracle to make the World Cup, to being a nation where, in World Cup 82, qualifying for the World Cup Finals will be the bare minimum, the expectation.

By that standard, you have to grade Adama Sowe as a rousing success, and his signature achievement, bringing the Finals to Banija, is his pinnacle. Now, of course, he will retire off to the headquarters of the World Cup Committee, being a big wig on the international scene in the world's largest sport. A big credit to him, and Banija should send him off with a loud, standing round of applause.

The final cutoff from yours truly for World Cup 81. I'll cut you off with a video about the world's most popular amateur club

Stadium of the Restoration, Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija :: Entering the Stadium of the Restoration in Banija gave a familiar feeling to the Vilitan National Team. They'd played in big matches before. They'd played in even bigger stadiums. They also felt right at home playing in a Stadium re-designed in cooperation with Vilitan companies Arcticala Electrical and Lighthouse Lightworx. The Lightworx style inside the arena might have been unfamiliar to some, but not to the Vilitan players many of whom play their domestic game in Lonngeylin and at the Lightworx' Lonngeylin Park testing ground. There was even an Arcticala Electrical fan zone inside the arena. Of course the players themselves would have to miss some of the pre-game festivities such as the the Arcticala Arena interactive Fan Zone and the TropiCorps running of the Bull. The virally popular bull run actually became the running of the bulls before the World Cup 81 Semi-Final matchup as the TropiCorps led two bulls from the Jaffacake farm out of the tunnel with one adorning the colors of the Vilita National Team and the other adorning the colors of the Turorian National Team. The pomp and circumstance as the co-defending AOCAF champions took the field and split between team Jungle Teal and team Eel-skin Brown was notched up to the next level as the contributions of Arcticala Electrical and Lighthouse Lightworx were put center stage. Fans were mesmerized by the graphics appearing on the numerous screens surrounding the arena and were then in for an additional surprise when they field became a canvas for lighting based projected imagery detailing the host country and the two competing nations.

Many pictures were taken on what was an historic occasion for both sides who were playing their first ever World Cup Finals matchup, sixty-four cycles after first appearing in the World Cup Finals together. While pre-match ceremonies typically run on a tight schedule, there seemed to be a few extra things squeezed in at the last moment as everyone wanted to put their touch on the moment as there would only ever be one 'first'. Finally, however, festivities would give way to the match itself and it was lucky for some that the extended pre-match activities resulted in the opening kickoff being slightly delayed from the original schedule as fans were still making their way down from the concession and entry queues. Anyone who wasn't in their seat by the time the Vilita National Team took the opening kick off, however, may have missed one of the deciding moments of the match.


With their Lonngeylin Coast attacking partner Inamari Altariiz watching from the Turorian bench, Vilita's Sipke Tarala wasted no time at all in becoming the first player to ever score in a Vilita versus Turori matchup in the World Cup Finals. It was Tarala who took the kickoff, playing a seemingly innocuous ball just inches forward to Berali Tzufarei - the very same Berali Tzufarei who scored five goals in the Cup of Champions match against Turori's National Citizen Squad. All eyes were on Tzufarei who found themselves double marked within moments of receiving the opening touch. Tzufarei layed the ball back to Poloax Torerun who quickly blasted a ball towards the Turorian penalty area. As all eyes had focused on Tzufarei, Tarala had sprinted full tilt towards the other end of the field and now found the ball just inches away with only a 50/50 challenge to win against their domestic teammate Yitizo Mpala'a. Tarala didn't let the ball bounce, instead, cheekily flicked the ball away from Mpala'a with his head then quickly turned and ran on to his own flick. Now Tarala was staring at the goal with only the on rushing Cedniavella Turori netminder Wiyauw An'maude between Tarala and Vilitan Cove history. There was no denying the Lonngeylin Coast forward. The ball grazed An'maude on its way to the back of the net and less than sixty seconds after the first ever World Cup Finals match between Vilita and Turori began, it had its first goal.

Fans of the Vilitan National Team were sent into raptures, the stadium rocking as they celebrated the quick goal. It was a profitable moment for the concessions as many newly purchased beverages with barely a sip missing had quickly become empty cups. In contrast, The Turori National Team were in shock as were their fans who must have begun to wonder "Did we come all this way for this?"

The match would get resumed relatively quickly as the vocal Vilitan fans still celebrated loudly from the terraces. The Turori Eels got their first touch of the match from the center circle already trailing in the match 0-1. They took the kick all the way back to their goalkeeper Wiyauw An'maude and let the netminder control the ball, orders which seemed to come from the sideline. The little bit of handling was likely directed to allow the Cedniavella goalkeeper the chance to get a handle on the ball and begin to erase the memory of the early goal they had just conceded, focusing on the match in front of them. With room to boot, An'maude played the ball long instead of working it up. The booming kick was for unknown reasons allowed to bounce by Vilita's Kwuimekii Hentetii who then had to turn three hundred sixty degrees as the ball skipped over head while Turori's Mirana Gotuai was in full sprint racing past the Rammsissil defender. Gotuai got their first. Jirak Trikala and Mako Canopii raced to try to save the situation but as Trikala slid in dangerously, and Canopii made themselves large, Gotuai was able to flick the ball over them both just in time. There was an audible shift in the arena as the raucus Vilitan fans held their collective breaths and the silent Turorian fans realized what was happening as the ball bounced just in front of the goal line and then up and into the underside of the net.

Just as quickly as the Jungle Cats had first gone in front, the match was now level once again. It was a roller coaster of emotions for both sides and a dream start for the neutral fans in Banija - so long as they were actually in their seats. Just three minutes into the World Cup 81 Semi Final and both teams were already on the scoresheet. It certainly wasn't unexpected from Vilita - one of the highest scoring teams throughout the entire World Cup 81 cycle. For Turori, however, offensive prowess wasn't always their forte, nor was conceding a goal so early in the match giving early indications that the World Cup 81 Semi-Final had already begun out of their control. With the excitement of the opening minutes behind them, the two teams switched from uppercuts and started to settle in for the beginning of the chess match.

The Vilitan National Team, as the highest ranked team left in competing for the World Cup 81 title, looked to seize control of the midfield and turn that control into goal scoring opportunities to break down the Turorian backline. Their Turorian opposition knew they had to keep their defense strong as their offensive production has decreased in direct relation to the quality of their opposition. While Turori had scored 9 goals in three matches against teams ranked outside the top 20 during the World Cup Finals, they had scored just once in two matches against teams in the Top 15. It would be a back and forth tug of war as the Jungle Cats tried to build offensive momentum and the Eels tried to quickly snuff out any attacking movements. For about twenty minutes the chess match continued before a relatively speculative long range attempt from Va'a-Rio Kiwavn started to dip close enough to goal that Turori National Team goalkeeper An'maude decided to stick up a glove and ensure the ball went over the bar instead of just under it. As a result it would give a corner kick for the Jungle Cats in the 24th minute that would ultimately be the decisive moment of the match as Polaox Torerun recorded their second assist of the game off the corner which was met by the head of Linkat Cjinder for a textbook execution at the back post. Cjinders header was down and out of the reach of An'maude restoring the lead that the Vilita National Team had held for barely over a minute at the start of the match.

The Jungle Cats felt the momentum swinging in their favor after the goal and had a pair of good chances before half time from Fishtii Blikala but the Marine Coast United forward blasted one well over the net while the second forced Wiyauw An'maude into a highlight reel quality save to keep Turori in the game. It was the last quality opportunity of the half and the Vilita National Team took a 2-1 lead with them into the break.

During the break the stadium offered a special half time light show and the screens showed a montage of the highlights from World Cup 81 thus far. As the teams returned from the tunnel for the second half there were two changes made, one on each side. The Jungle Cats took out Jurzen Devmiko replacing them with the experienced Yeaddin Owls midfielder Westii Yahaya. For their opponents, it was apparently a more controversial decision as they looked for a way to surprise the Vilitans, the Eels brought on 17 year old FC Almintora prospect Nua'oma Aikiki, a pacey and unpredictable young forward who had scored twice during World Cup 81 Qualifications.

The Chess match would resume as the Jungle Cats cautiously pressed forward, knowing that a third goal would completely re-shape the match but weary of the fact that conceding would shift the momentum into their opponents favor and potentially deny them a spot in the World Cup Final.

Turori's new addition Nua'oma Aikiki challenged the Vilitan Defense and had a few attempts on goal but some of them were lacking in the final quality needed, easily being scooped up and re-distributed by Mako Canopii. As the match bypassed the hour mark, the Vilita National Team began to use the tools available to them out of the typical "up by 1 in an elimination match" playbook, slowing the match down a little bit and making substitutions with Tenziki Kulakao and Nii'arala Milaaso entering the match to keep fresh legs and pressure on the Turorians.

With less than fifteen minutes to play, the match would get the goal that changed its shape completely though it wouldn't come from one of the fresh Substitutes, instead it would be Sipke Tarala who scored their fourth goal of the World Cup Finals after being fed through by Milaaso to give Vilita a 3-1 lead. With a two goal advantage and time at a premium, the Jungle Cats had now forced their opponents into desperation mode as Turori abandoned their defensive look and began sending more players forward in search of a way back into the match as they looked for their first ever World Cup Final appearance.

The Jungle Cats were having none of it, however, and took advantage of the extra space opened up in Turori's defensive half to chalk up another tally. This time it would be the fresher legs of the substitutes that made the conversion for the Jungle Cats with midfielder Westii Yahaya spotting Tenziki Kulakao's movement towards open space and lofted a ball over the top for Kulakao to chase down in stride, pacing past the Turorian defense to collect the ball and then giving no chance for Wiyauw An'maude to stop the shot as the Vilitan support staff would begin working travel arrangements to the Free Republics, up 4-1 with ten minutes to play in the World Cup Semi Final.

Over the final 10 minutes, Turori piled everything at the Jungle Cats finally getting some high quality goalscoring chances. Kentu Umaka'a rang one off the upright while Nua'oma Aikiki had another good effort saved expertly by the in-form Vilitan goalkeeper Mako Canopii. As full time approached, Canopii's reach just barely intercepted a cross from Daliora Toru'u that seemed destined for the head of Wiztsana Iretziia. Instead of holding the ball and killing time the old fashioned way, however, Canopii spotted the former Galacticos Young Player of the Season Nii'arala Milaaso in full sprint up the field and delivered a perfect outlet ball to the Eastal Lunar attacker easily beat a deflated, exhausted Turorian goalkeeper and finished off the match. In the end, the 5-1 scoreline was the same that Vilita National Team had defeated Turori's National Cocoabo Squad by in the pre-World Cup 81 Cup of Champions. It will have been no concern for the Vilitan players, however, as with the win over their neighbors for the first time ever, the Jungle Cats would be heading to the World Cup Final at the CoCoCo Stadium in the Free Republics.


New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics :: There would be little time to stick around and celebrate for the Vilitan National Team. The players and staff were already packed and transportation had already been arranged. The only question was would they be headed back to Jinja City to contest the Third Place Playoff at the BCEL Stadium or would they be relocating to the Free Republics to play in the World Cup Final at the CoCoCo Stadium. Now, with their colonial rivals Turori dispatched in the Semi-Finals, the Vilita National Team were off to the Free Republics.

Some of the younger players wanted to celebrate, the thought of reaching the World Cup Final brought upon them uncontainable emotions that they just had to get out. For the more experienced players, however, they just wanted to sleep. It had been a long day and a hard battle against the Eels. They knew that making the World Cup final wasn't an accomplishment worth celebrating. You celebrate if you win the World Cup Final.

Limu Katarakhna and Vernasa Sanamun were the last to get settled down. Both of them knew what winning was like having gotten a taste of it during AOCAF 56 in the Equestrian States. They were just entering new territory. This wasn't a domestic cup final or a regional competition or some invitational tournament. This was the World Cup. After the initial desire to be awake and enjoy the moment started to wear off, the duo realized everyone else was trying to sleep not just because they were tired, but because they needed to be prepared for training and preparation the next day. The World Cup Final wasn't going to play itself, they would need to be ready for it.

When the Transport arrived in the Northern Free Republics the players were in Orlandiana, a Republic they had not visited during the Cup of Champions, some well rested players were ready to get out and take in the scenery before grabbing a bite to eat. The players went out as a group and walked along New City, one of the most populous in the Free Republics. Kwuimekii Hentetii thought it would be funny if they could find a Cocoa-bo Eatery so the players decided to wander in search of one. Along the path they came across a mob of people who seemed to be screaming at one another. Initially they assumed it was just more protestors angry about Goat Meat just like they had experienced virtually every day they were in Banija and started walking away from the scene. Then they remembered they weren't in Banija anymore and midfielder Jurzen Devmiko just had to get a little closer and see what was going on. "They're Voting!" Devmiko finally resolved. The elections in the Free Republic were still ongoing but just two candidates remained. Now, the third round of voting was ongoing and supporters for Scarlett Nicholls were taking to the street, voicing their support for the Daughter of outgoing consul Robert Nicholls.

"I know her" exclaimed Fishtii Blikala, "She does the WorldVision singing contests!" Blikala's teammates chuckled at the gleeful excitement of the Marine Coast United striker who went on to re-enact some of her songs such as Born to Fry. Blikala had apparently done a promotional spot for the small Vilitan shop "We Fry It" which is a popular venue at the Vilitan Mountain Challenge race course in Rockii Coast where fans can bring their own ingredients and get them fried on the spot - and Nicholls song Born to Fry was one of the songs that the small entity was trying to license as background music for the promotion.

"I can't believe she's running for like, politics and stuff" Blikala pondered aloud. That's when Jurzen Devmiko encouraged Blikala to go cast a vote for their "Partner in Frying". At first Blikala thought it was a joke as did many of the other players in the group until Devmiko explained that, seriously, it was perfectly legal for non-citizen visitors to vote in the elections. This was actually a major talking point during the World Cup due to the influx of fans in the Free Republics creating one of the largest voting turnouts in local history. But the VIlitan National Team had spent the duration of the World Cup in Banija and had only a brief exposure to the election process long before it got really heated when they were in the Free Republics for the Cup of Champions. Now the group had distracted themselves from the idea of finding a Cocoa-bo Eatery and they were making their way back towards the crowd.

Some of the other players didn't rush in and instead listened to the somewhat heated debate out on the street. Karisto Monafog, always something of a Devil's Advocate, was having fun listening to the boisterous claims of some of the so-called supporters and then calmly questioning them as they recovered their breath to clarify things such as one of Sebastian Trudeau claims regarding Marriage. Inside, Blikala prepared to cast their ballot humming the words Cause you and I... We were born to fry... We were born to fry... and imagining Scarlett Nicholls delivering an acceptance speech completely naked.

A number of players decided to vote while they were distracted, while others just stayed back and enjoyed people-watching the circus that had gathered. They never did find the Cocoa-bo Eatery but it was probably just as well, if any of the employees were Turorian they likely would have had spit in their food and drinks anyway.

CoCoCo Stadium, New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics :: With their 5-1 victory over the Turori National Team at the Stadium of the Restoration in the National Capitol Region of Banija in the World Cup 81 Semi Final, the #5 Vilita Jungle Cats have progressed to the World Cup 81 Final in the Free Republics where they will face the #9 South Covello Rebels.

From a storyline perspective, Vilita versus South Covello is probably the most 'vanilla' storyline that could have been created between the four different Semi-Final nations that could have contested the World Cup 81 Final. It will be the first meeting between the two nations with South Covello a relatively young nation after the end of the reign of Lord Gregory over the Covellan lands.

In order to get to the World Cup Final, South Covello had to defeat the host nation Free Republics on their own soil, denying the home fans the chance to see their Republican National Soccer team lift the World Cup title at the newly re-built CoCoCo Stadium at home in the Free Republics.

Free Republics v. Vilita: Had the Free Republics been able to defeat South Covello at the Olympic Stadium in Baseton, then it could have set up a rematch of the World Cup 68 final. The Free Republics dominated their home half of the bracket during World Cup 68 advancing through to the World Cup Final. Unfortunately, per the originally defined World Cup schedule, the final was set to be played outside the Free Republics in the other co-host nation, Legalese, denying the Free Republics any chance at lifting the World Cup Trophy at home despite their fantastic performance in the World Cup. Head Coach and Soccer General Rule Theriault would have relished the opportunity to undo the perceived injustice from World Cup 68 and take the World Cup Title in their own stadium in front of their own fans.

Free Republics v. Turori: Of course, while it would have been a novelty to contest the World Cup 81 Final against Vilita, the Free Republics really would have just wanted to make the World Cup Final on home soil without care of who the opposition was. If they could have made it to the final, they could have won it regardless. While this matchup did end up taking place in the Third Place Playoff, there was no storyline for Free Republics versus Turori to be playing in Banija. It was the Free Republics, sent away from their home country for their final World Cup match in their home World Cup once again, and Turori, just looking to salvage something after being dominated in the Semi-Final round. Had this match taken place in the Free Republics, however, it would have seen the host country contesting the World Cup Final in its own backyard, in a stadium sponsored by a company that calls their opponents nation home, with Turorian backed CoCoCo as the World Cup Final venue's official naming rights sponsor.

South Covello v. Turori: Even if the Free Republics couldn't take down South Covello in the Semi-Final, as did eventually happen, there would still have been good novelty storylines to focus on in the World Cup Final - and a great marketing opportunity for the stadium's naming rights sponsor CoCoCo. While CoCoCo is a Turorian backed company it was officially stood up as a conglomeration after the fall of the reign of Lord Gregory. The new company established a footprint inside South Covello and established itself as a primary supplier of core goods and services. Internally the goods were used to provide essential raw materials and goods to Turorian shops such as Cocoa-bo that had opened a presence in country. It was a win-win deal that helped accelerate normalcy inside South Covello as they looked to establish quality of life in the formation of their country under the leadership of John Green while the Turorian company quickly became one of the most profitable to come out of the Island Emirate.

But those weren't the final matchups that World Cup 81 delivered. Instead, the Semi-Finals went to the favorites. The two higher ranked nations won their Semi-Final matchup and the Final will see the two projected top teams in the multiverse competing for supremacy.

On paper, the Jungle Cats will enter the match as favorites as the highest ranked team left in the competition after the Free Republics dispatched of top-ranked Eura. For South Covello, who recently broke just inside the Top 10 in the World Rankings, it will be their first ever World Cup Final appearance as they look to just establish themselves as a perennial power in the sporting world. Statistically, it will be a fascinating world cup final as the Top-5 Ranked Jungle Cats have also scored more goals since the start of the World Cup 81 Cycle than any other team, having scored 61 in World Cup Qualifying and a further 19 thus far in the World Cup Finals. South Covello sit on the opposite end of the spectrum with three 1-0 victories and even an extra Karelan 0-0 draw thus far in the World Cup Finals, only conceding in the Quarter Final fixture against the Equestrian States. There may not be an special interest stories to follow in the World Cup Final but when the best two teams with two completely opposing tactical strategies step onto the same pitch with a Trophy on the line the fans are sure to not be disappointed.



If there is one theme that may come out of World Cup 81 in Banija and the Free Republics it is nations that were able to break through the Grass Ceiling and advance to a stage of the World Cup that they had never previously made.

There are numerous examples throughout the World Cup 81 Field of a Nation, no matter how long they had been fighting for it, reaching new heights at the World Cup progressing to a round that they had never made before. They broke the wall down, and then promptly sat just on the other side leaning up against what was left of it afraid to wander too far from their comfort zone.

One can follow a string from the start of the World Cup all the way through to the upcoming World Cup Final that shows examples of Nations progressing to a new level in the World Cup but only to exactly that new level and no further. For host nation Banija, it was a first time appearance in the Round of 16 that lasted only through extra time before they were eliminated. In the Quarter Finals, Ethane were celebrating reaching new heights as a sporting nation but like Banija before them, they were content with the progress they had made and went home soon after.

64 Cycles after their first World Cup Finals and 62 Cycles after their first appearance in the World Cup Quarter Finals, the Turori National Team finally advanced to the World Cup Semi-Finals, and promptly lost 5-1 when they got there. Now, after making the Semi-Finals in two of the last three World Cups, South Covello have advanced to their first World Cup Final where they will face Vilita. The Jungle Cats have their sights set on a new tier of their own as they look to break free of the grasp of the 35 onesy-twosy World Cup winning nations and join the likes of Aguazul, Bedistan and Rejistania among the World Cup's elite nations.

Three players have appeared in all six matches for the Vilita National Team in the World Cup Finals thus far, defenders Linkat Cjinder of Yeaddin Owls AFC and Jirak Trikala of Jungle Strike FC as well as Forward Sipke Tarala of Lonngeylin Coast who leads the team with 4 goals at the World Cup Finals. Many of the players got a rest when the Jungle Cats had already clinched their group with a game to play earlier in the competition.

While Sipke Tarala is on top of all Vilitan players with 4 goals, the big surprise is that in five matches, Berali Tzufarei has yet to crack the scoresheet. After being the Jungle Cats top goalscorer throughout qualifying and even in the Cup of Champions, Tzufarei has yet to score in the World Cup Finals. Nii'arala Milaaso and Turoki Tide midfielder Cavuna Aquafek are next up with three goals a piece while fellow midfielders Polaox Torerun and Westii Yahaya each have two goals in the Finals thus far. While there are plenty of offensively impressive statistics for the Jungle Cats, they are still waiting for their first shutout of the World Cup Finals despite posting seven shutouts during World Cup Qualifying. Five players have a single goal making a total of 10 different Vilitan players have scored during the World Cup Finals - more goals than the South Covellan team has scored in total.




BCEL Stadium, Jinja City, Banija :: Elsewhere in the World Cup, the third place playoff was contested between the Island Emirate of Turori and the Federation of Free Republics in Banija. While there was a match to be played on the day, it was certainly no more than a consolation for the two Semi-Final losers. For the Island Emirate of Turori, there could not have been a lower point coming so soon after the highest point in their sporting history than the Semi-Final defeat to the Vilita Jungle Cats. Worse still for the Free Republics, everything was set up for them to contest the World Cup Final in front of their home fans but instead they had to leave home for the first time all tournament to play a consolation match against a Turori side that they had already played, and been defeated by, in the Cup of Champions.

It was a match that would have likely been better fitting for the CoCoCo Stadium in New City. But it was not meant to be. While the Free Republics ended up getting revenge on Turori for the victory the Eels scored in the Cup of Champions, their third place finish, while certainly an incredibly accomplishment for a team that entered the World Cup Finals ranked 33rd in the multiverse, would have felt a bit empty after coming so close to contesting the World Cup Final on home soil. There was still some excitement at the BCEL Stadium, however. Some fans may remember the incident that occurred earlier during the World Cup's group stage at the BCEL Stadium when the Vilaye Energy Drink display tent staff got into a tiff with the Cocoa-bo Eatery pop-up vendor. Before the Third place playoff there was just as much attention being paid to the location of the two official World Cup partners booths outside the stadium as there was to the match itself. Of course, the staff at the Vilaye Energy Drink couldn't pass up the opportunity to rub it in with their vendor's tent still within view of the Cocoa-bo Eatery location.

When the Vilaye team opened up their tent to the public the also unveiled a special banner that reminded the Cocoa-bo Eatery staff of the scoreline from the World Cup Semi-Final when Vilaye's homeland Vilita took down Cocoa-bo's Turorian representatives. A photograph of the banner was trending throughout the day on twii.tur

New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics :: Back in the Free Republics in the build up to the World Cup 81 Final, the president and Chief Executive Officer of the CoCoCo arrived in New City in preparation for attending the World Cup Final at the stadium adorning their relatively young companies logo on its walls. One of the first items on the CoCoCo President's to-do list, however, was to figure out what was happening with former President of South Covello John Green. Green was recently removed from power as President of South Covello but had still travelled to the Free Republics for the World Cup Finals having been invited by the CEO of CoCoCo to watch the match from the CoCoCo suite. Mr. Green had been influential in allowing the CoCoCo to incorporate off the southern shore of South Covello and the CoCoCo board who were likely all much wealthier now than they were before the agreement with the South Covellans, would not have forgotten Greens role in the process.

Unfortunately, Green arrived a few days prior to the World Cup final in order to reportedly film himself stuffing ballot boxes in favor of eventual Free Republics Consul-Elect Scarlet Nicholls campaign. Green was arrested for Voter Fraud and the current government in South Covello led by David Hale has stated that they will not be 'pulling any strings' for the disgraced former President. With the CoCoCo looking to establish a broader footing in providing services and goods to the Free Republics, the board has advised the CoCoCo President to tread lightly in campaigning for Greens released but acknowledged that a simple inquiry into the status of Green's incarceration was "The least we could do".

With or without Green, the CoCoCo are believed to have an outstanding show lined up for the World Cup Final with displays and interactive zones sponsored by their worldwide brands intermingled throughout World Cup Park at the stadium.



Vilisorma, Vilita :: Vilaye Energy Drink has announced an expansion of their "Cans For All" promotion with the Vilitan National Team now playing in the World Cup 81 Finals. In the "Cans for All" promotion, fans from around the multiverse had been invited to submit their nation to be featured on Vilaye Energy Drink cans much like the Nations from in the World Cup Finals had been featured for the special edition World Cup Cans. In addition to potentially having their nation featured on a can of Vilaye Energy Drink, each submission would also be entered to win a full set of Vilaye Nation Cans including the full 33 Can World Cup 81 Set in addition to the 7 winning entries to the Cans for All competition for a total of 40 special edition commemorative cans.

With the winners set to be announced in the near future, the Vilisorma Beverage Company has stunned the beverage marketing world by revealing that they have hidden 3 special Golden Cans inside randomly distributed packages of Vilaye Energy Drink somewhere in the multiverse. Each golden can is eligible to be redeemed as a Grand Prize winner in the "Cans for Life" Sweepstakes where the three winners will get a lifetime supply of Vilaye Energy Drink.

A Lifetime supply of Vilaye Energy Drink is defined as 20 cans per month for up to fifty years. The winner(s) of the competition may also choose a "Lump Sum" reward of 2000 Cans of Vilaye Energy Drink delivered at once, or, the monetary equivalent at the bulk purchase rate for 2000 cans of Vilaye Energy Drink payable by check.

"Cans for Life" Prizes are non-transferrable. Claiming of a "Cans for Life" prize can only be done once, multiple entries or claims by the same winner are prohibited.

Vilaye Energy Drink have given away over 100,000 cans of Vilaye Energy Drink at the World Cup Finals. Golden cans will only be distributed in retail packages and not in bulk packaging or at giveaway tents. Employees of the Vilisorma Beverage Company or its subsidiaries are not eligible to win either the "Cans for All" or "Cans or Life" prizes.

CoCoCo Stadium, New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics :: It was a crisp afternoon and as the fans poured into the newly re-constructed CoCoCo Stadium in New City, Orlandiana they were greeted by neon-lighted Cocoabo on the logo for the CoCoCo, the Turorian logistics and holding conglomerate that had bankrolled the arena's reconstruction through sponsorship dollars and a unique partnership with Lonngeylin, Vilita based Lonngeylin Lightworx. While it might have been a more storybook match up had the Turori National Team defeated Vilita in the Semi-Finals to face off inside a stadium sponsored by a Turori-backed mega corporation against South Covello, one of the largest benefactors of the CoCoCo conglomerates expansion and trade tourtes, the Vilitan National Team was worried more about writing their own pages in the history books and the coaching staff would make sure that there were no emotions standing in the way of a potential World Cup triumph for the Jungle Cats making a handful of tactical changes in the week preceding the Championship game.

When the teams came out of the tunnel to take part in the ultra-long pre-game ceremonies that included a sky-diving Cocoabo and chatter of the recently completed Free Republics election cycle, there was a surprise in store as it was Lonngeylin Coast goalkeeper Cilamara Issah who was donning the gloves, not the Yeaddin Owls Mako Canopii who had started three of the Vilitan National team's World Cup Finals matches thus far. There was no doubt that Issah would be ready, however, and perhaps the coaching staff were looking to add an extra layer of composure to the Vilitan defensive corps with Issah between the sticks.

Cartoon Depicting Vilita's Offense chipping away at the historic South Covello Defense

When the match finally got underway it was the restless fans who provided the most entertaining action of the first half singing their chants and trying to will their teams on if they were attending in support of either Vilita or South Covello; or, just looking to learn some new chants and hoping the action would pick up on the pitch for those who were neutral observers. South Covello's Coconut Charles ended up having the best chance of the first half as Charles was able to fire a wicked shot off the outstretched palm of Issah. Due to the angle of the shot, the Issah save would go out to touch for a throw in just near the corner flag on the one side although. Nothing would come from the throw in other than a chance for fans who were sat near the touchline getting an opportunity to chant and jeer loudly depending on their affiliations at the throw in taker who in this case was Dexter Yankee.

The fans looked to entertain themselves throughout the half time interval enjoying making songs about random fans who had been shown up on the gigantic Lonngeylin Lightworx inspired jumbo screens inside the CoCoCo Stadium and the local camera folks seemed equally to be enjoying the gamut even more than covering the match itself as on teh day the Rebels ultra-defensive style of play seemed to be the dominant factor when compared with the Jungle Cats attacking style. Perhaps just at the moment when the fans had run out of new material to keep their attention and it seemed certain that the match was destined for a goalless penalty shootout, the Jungle Cats finally found their opportunity when the youthful substitute Limu Katarakhna attracted the attention of the Rebel defenders with some dazzling footwork allowing Lonngeylin Coast striker Sipke Tarala to find a bit of space and call for the ball. Katarakhna quickly found Tarala who had the ball at their feet for mere moments before firing it just under the arm of South Covellos young captain Matthew Taylor and into the back of the net sending the traveling Jungle Cat Faithful into raptures. The celebrations were likely over done and the Vilitans were risking a booking for time wasting as they ran over to the sideline to celebrate in front of their supporters. However, given the pace of the match thus far and the timing of the goal in the 81st minute, it certainly seemed as if that would be the decisive goal in the World Cup 81 final.

The South Covellans had already committed to their defensive structure and their late attacking push was snuffed out by Issah and the Vilitan back line. When the final whistle blew, the Jungle Cats once again found the energy to celebrate with their fans having won the World Cup Title in a stadium sponsored by a Turorian Registered company based in South Covello having defeated Turori and South Covello in the Semi-Final and Final rounds to accomplish the feat. It was the ultimate way to return triumphantly to the top of the sporting multiverse as Sipke Tarala led the golden generation of the Vilitan National Team with the goal that brought the World Cup Trophy back to the Vilitan Cove.

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Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. South Covello ::
[GK] Cilamara Issah, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [D.] Jirak Trikala, [D.] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Polaox Torerun, [MC] Westii Yahaya, [MC] Jurzen Devmiko, [MR] Karisto Monafog, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Sipke Tarala
BENCH::
[FC] Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC] Tenziki Kulakao, [M] Limu Katarakhna, [M] Va'a-Rio Kiwavn, [U ] Fishtii Blikala, [D] Mileke Drokasorna, [GK] Mako Canopii

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Vilisorma, Vilita :: Following the conclusion of the World Cup 81 Finals, Vilaye Energy Drink have announced the winners of their "Cans For All" contest. In the "Cans for All" promotion, fans from around the multiverse had been invited to submit their nation to be featured on Vilaye Energy Drink cans much like the Nations from in the World Cup Finals had been featured for the special edition World Cup Cans. In addition to potentially having their nation featured on a can of Vilaye Energy Drink, each submission would also be entered to win a full set of Vilaye Nation Cans including the full 33 Can World Cup 81 Set in addition to the 7 winning entries to the Cans for All competition for a total of 40 special edition commemorative cans.

While there were over 50 winners of the Cans for All Competition each receiving one special edition commemorative set of World Cup 81 Edition Vilaye Energy Drink commemorative cans, 10 winners were chosen to receive 10 full sets a piece to be given out to family and friends or to keep for themselves. The 10 primary winners of the Vilaye Energy Drink 'Cans for All' Contest:

Darko Kovacevic (Mytanija)
Dimitar Radulov (Siovanija and Teusland)
Giggol Hectalogue (Geektopia)
James Herring (Ethane)
Jankovo Ivovic (Wolvenia)
João Ioan Marques (Natanians and Nosts)
Lanarifaa Jjioaisa (Vilita)
Nick Parks (Drawkland)
Nora Jean Lannister (Damukuni)
Ucyxi-Jerat Lox (Qusmo)