Campionato Esportiva 23 - EVERYTHING THREAD (OPEN)

[Soute]

Soute Report

DWILE - The Soute National Team opened up with what has become something of a tradition, an indecisive draw. In the Baptism of Fire and World Qualifying, Soute's opening matches were draws against Mareibat and Thibaea, respectively. Fans should not complain too match, as the only other tournament that hasn't started Soute off with a point was last cylce's Campionato when the National Team received their worst loss to date from Brenecia. Soute may have drawn against similarly ranked Sherpa Empire, but that's leaps and bounds better than last cycle's start, especially when one factors in that the Souteans have scored a goal in the first match (when last Campionato it took a full four matches to get into the scoring column). A 1-1 draw certainly isn't an exciting headline, nor does it help much in the strategic situation of the group table, but one can always look at the glass as half full.

Soute and the Sherpa Empire faced off in the APX Sports Stadium, located in Dwile, Apox. The sides were similarly ranked, with the Sherpa Empire having a slight advantage, so both sides were looking for a starting victory to set up a good group position and positive momentum going forward. Instead, both sides were served a lukewarm cup of coffee in the form of a 1-1 draw. On paper this provides a marginal victory for Soute, but with so few matches in the group stage, this well and truly winnable match will be difficult to overcome. By the nature of the draw, the same analysis can be applied to the Sherpa Empire as well. After the break from the international play of last cycle, the squads were working out the kinks and cleaning off the rust for the first forty-five minutes. Play was rather sloppy and some played appeared a bit winded and were eager for the half to come to a close. Soute appeared on track for another abysmal attacking failure, but the National Team proved the doubters, and really themselves too, wrong in the second half. Radomił Gajos, now in his mid-thirties, would prove his worth and be the man of the day for Soute. The talented right midfielder had a bit more spring in his step after the half and caught the midfielder Chopra flat-footed. Leftback Mauryan filled the hole, so Gajos dumped the ball off to Bronimir Maly, the new arrival at Rybałty, who took it to the corner. Gajos found a good angle against Ruixiong Yu, so Maly chipped the ball into the box. Gajos sliced at it on impact and sent a neat goal into the net past a rooted Modi. Souteans in the stadium were quite joyful at this early display of attacking prowess, even if it was only a single goal for the day. The goal would unfortunately not win the day, as the left winger Namri Ngedup would equalize from a well designed free kick that left Mendle's goalkeeper Teodor Król unable to stop the incoming shot. Sweet victory was snatched away and replaced with a middling draw, but the goal scored by Gajos was rewarding enough for the offense-deprived Souteans.

While the 1-1 draw wasn't disastrous, it certainly wasn't desirable. There are only three matches in the group stage, so every point is critical to break into the Round of 16 positions, especially when Soute is on the outside looking in. The one thing that definitely tempers this poor performance is the fact that the other match in the group had the exact same headline. Apox also drew 1-1 against the newcomers Starcom Racing. Two 1-1 draws are a boring way to start off a tournament group, and they make a Matchday One table so redundant that one will not be provided for this article. Everyone is tied for first, or last if you prefer. Of all the sides in the group, Apox fared the worse from these draws. They're the first seed in the group, albeit the lowest first seed by virtue of them hosting the tournament and being placed in the first pot. Starcom Racing has no international experience and is unranked, so they won a moral victory, if you will, in their draw. At the start of the tournament, Soute's hopes for the knockout rounds rested in leaping over Sherpa Empire. That's still possible, but the failure to defeat them has made it more difficult. Now there's actually an opening to get past Apox too, especially if they don't improve their form. Things will get clearer after the next matchday, but it's now assured that no one will clinch a spot in the Round of 16 until after the final matchday. Every side will have to do their absolute best for victory in these coming two matchdays. Soute has already gotten the first-goal hurdle that proved so difficult last Compionato, so hopefully that is a sign of success to come.

The Sherpa Empire 1 - 1 Soute
Ngedup '73 - Gajos '55

[Monsa]

Monsa puts up a Impressive Preformence

DWILE - The Monsan National Team opened up its first-ever international soccer match with a draw. The Twin-Peaks tied the 6th ranked Mattijana at one apiece. Monsa and Mattijana paced off in the APX Sports Stadium, located in Dwile, Apox. Mattijana was expected to win the game, giving the twin-peaks going forward. Instead, both teams will start off with a point. Even though neither team won on paper, the result is better for the newcomers Monsa. With an early draw against the best team in the group certainly would boost the twin-peaks spirt. Mattijana's goal came from a header from Marko Hojbjerg, during a 42nd-minute corner. Meanwhile, Monsa came with a late 84th-minute equalizer from Andy Libeck. There was yellow cards on both sides today, as Andy Libeck took a yellow as well as Jessika Struna for the Mattijana's. Looking forward Monsa will take on Bongo Johnson while Mattijana will take on Kernovi and Rewgwlas.

[Brenecia]

BRENECIA
World Ranking: 5th
Preferred Formation: 4-1-4-1
Backup Formations: 4-4-2
Style Modifier: -1.5
Home Stadium: Kingsgarden - a 58,000 all-seater in the capital of Rozelle.
Kit Supplier: AER
Nickname: the Patriots

Something more of a return to the mean for the Patriots, after the misfortune of having to face Eura in the second round resulted in their defeat. It's one result. It's no disaster. Even so, fans are starting to worry, just a little, after a very conservative selection for the CE - just one change from the World Cup squad, and that enforced by Mathis Woodgate's international retirement - exposed concerns as to how many decent Brenecians are actually being produced. Not to worry, though; the CE is their turf, and they will fancy themselves to retain their title.

Honours
Campionato Esportiva 14, 17, 19 and 22 champions.
World Cup 80 champions.
Cup of Champions 81 champions.
Casaran round participation award.

Overall Record
281 wins - 92 draws - 109 losses
897 scored - 565 conceded

Most Caps
187 - Mathis Woodgate
162 - Catherine Gryphon
157 - Catherine Purrington
126 - Orson Faulkner, Anaximander Scrivener
121 - Miriam Spitfire, Squire Trevelyan
119 - Ursula Rankin
117 - Sam Allbeck
112 - Isadora Cullen
108 - Brandon Duguid
103 - Roisin Carroll
100 - Elsie Drover

Most Goals
67 - Ursula Rankin
50 - Catherine Purrington
48 - Cheney Scherzer
39 - Squire Trevelyan
38 - Brad Kuepper

First Team and Tactics

Jim Reid focuses on a tight-knit 4-1-4-1 formation, two solid banks of four glued together by Alweather's harsh taskmastery. The defence is strong and tight, the central midfield combining physicality and technique with the wingers the main creative outlets. Up front, the striker must forge something of a lonely path, pressing from the front and holding up the ball for support. It's a physically uncompromising, dour side. When they need to chase a match, Carrick can be thrown on as a poacher up front in a 4-4-2.

After Woodgate's retirement, Calhoun will start when available.

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y*
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y**
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y***
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

* Gryphon takes penalties, free-kicks and corners
** I'll have the final say on severity.
*** One per match.

Staff
Manager - Jim Reid (PCR) - Age 52
Asst. Manager - Colm Beckwith - Age 49

Jim Reid was the backbone behind the inexplicably successful Port Christopher national football team for years, a former striker who based his success on a simple, disciplined approach. He built his sides from the back, made sure everyone knew what they had to do and then pumped them up to a point where they'd run through walls, walk over coal and, more literally, form micronations for him. Perhaps the least glamorous manager in the world; perhaps the best. Colm Beckwith, the incumbent assistant manager, has kept his place, and is thought of as a keen, progressive sort.

Goalkeepers
Core
1 - GK - Rostyn Calhoun ( Wexax United) - Age 30 - 30 caps, 19 clean sheets
While still prone to the occasional howler, Calhoun is a big, acrobatic lad who has largely impressed for the national team. In true Brenecian fashion, he's been something of a journeyman.

12 - GK - Aidan Hartigan ( Metropolis Alligators) - Age 31 - 7 caps, 4 clean sheets
Has recovered from having too many hopes around his shoulders at a very young age to become a redoubtable shot-stopper. Tall, athletic and quick-footed.

20 - GK - Cass Farrell ( Northern Stallions) - Age 23 - Uncapped
The main hope for the future, Farrell's a raw-boned, perhaps overly confident young goalkeeper. Developing very promisingly, but there's still too many errors in her game.

Defenders
2 - RB - Keziah Broxham ( Mallox) - Age 23 - 23 caps
Broxham is not the nicest defender in the world. She's short, sharp, quick and decisive in her movements. If you don't mind a fair bit of needle in the tackle, and even off the ball, the lippy rightback's one of the most promising out there.

3 - LB - Gethin Quill ( Revolutionaries) - Age 28 - 62 caps, 4 goals
Short and stocky, Quill's a quick, powerful runner and isn't afraid to show a little muscle defending his corner. A dirty street-fighter with the technique to back it up, exactly the kind of player everyone hates but secretly wants on their team. When Revolutionaries plucked him from obscurity, as he was cast aside in the aftermath of Union's disgrace, their fans were understandably sceptical. He won them over, fast.

5 - CB - Cheney Heneghan ( Carsby) - Age 30 - 65 caps, 1 goal
A big, brawny defender, a man's man, all action all the time. Strong and tough comes standard for centre-halves, but fast is a nice boost on top of that. Just don't ask him to play the ball out.

6 - CB - Niko Szubanski ( 1830 Cathair, c) - Age 33 - 83 caps, 3 goals
Szubanski's main asset is his physicality. Not just tall and strong, but fast for a centre-half, with a penchant for sliding challenges. Just a defender's defender, proven at the highest level.

18 - RB/CB - Chadwick Beath ( CA Paulinthal) - Age 27 - 26 caps
A brawny, powerful defender, versatile both on and off the pitch, who has played in three nations already - none of them Brenecia.

19 - LB - Morwen Prentice ( Crystal Fair HC) - Age 22 - 24 caps, 1 goal
A lean, elegant fullback, comfortable with the ball at her feet. Still young and lacking experience at the top level, but her confidence and technique will take her far if she can sharpen up defensively.

22 - CB - Garwyn Varney ( Soldarian FC) - Age 29 - 35 caps, 2 goals
Raw power, physicality and unbridled Brenecian sexual energy. Still a little clumsy and prone to bundling people over, but he's shed some of his coltishness with experience abroad.

Midfielders
4 - DM - Roisin Staunton ( Kingsgrove) - Age 27 - 27 caps, 1 goal
It's hard to step into national legend Catherine Gryphon's shoes, but Staunton has the attitude for it. A media-friendly model professional who runs one of the A-League's most active social media accounts, all without a PR guy. She's a quietly very capable screening midfielder, good in all aspects of the position.

7 - RM - Brae Crowther ( Chenoworth Harriers) - Age 26 - 65 caps, 18 goals
Crowther is lightning-quick and cocky to a fault, always trying to make the difference on her own, and needs to be knocked down a peg. Sure, she's brash and arrogant both on and off the pitch, but it's that level of confidence that means she never goes missing on the pitch - and it never comes at the cost of the team.

8 - CM - Meghan Hartsdown ( Ibini FC) - Age 28 - 69 caps, 10 goals
A tall, elegant playmaker-in-making, with a strong sense of team spirit and an optimistic nature lending itself to spraying Hollywood passes down the flanks. Fortunately, that instinct's been curtailed in recent seasons - now she makes the right pass more often than not.

11 - LM - Tiferet Ashbrown ( Usmer) - Age 28 - 48 caps, 11 goals
A quick-running, quick-thinking winger, whose reputation for flakiness and poor decision-making in the final third has evaporated after taking huge strides in the SPL. Now incisive rather than indecisive.

13 - CM - Corby Wheeler ( Ramusok United) - Age 24 - 39 caps, 14 goals
A sharp, ambitious midfielder who is constantly darting in and about the danger zone. Has a great vision and a passing range that doesn't quite match it, and can fade out of games, but as a mercurial game-changer she's without equal in the side.

14 - CM - Claire Ruskin ( Southern Star) - Age 24 - 28 caps, 6 goals
A sturdy, tough-skinned box-to-box midfielder. Ruskin's not the sort to take a backward step either on or off the pitch, and while she can sometimes get tunnel vision for the goal - which is a good thing now that she can actually... shoot - she tends to get the basics right. Maybe not the sort of player whose positive contributions are remembered by a neutral.

15 - RM - Cu Roi Garrard ( Rene Skae) - Age 25 - 38 caps, 6 goals
A pure athlete, inclined to be direct in approach. A forceful winger who excels bearing down on fullbacks, far more sledgehammer than rapier. Surprisingly, despite his serious case of white line fever, an extremely friendly face off the pitch. Just not on the negotiating table, where he has a decided mercenary streak.

16 - LM - Cathal Keynes ( Snowden River) - Age 24 - 31 caps, 10 goals
Tall, strong and powerful, Keynes probably looks more like a striker, but that loping stride masks a deceptive pace. Has steadily mastered a low, flat cross, and is even getting an eye for goal.

21 - CM - Falcon Case ( Barbury Town) - Age 26 - 42 caps, 8 goals
A classy technical midfielder, but Case can back it up with traditional Nepharim muscle, largely because he is Nepharim and only qualifies through ancestry. Tends to leave his mark on games, and boasts a thumping shot.

23 - DM - Catsidhe Alweather ( Eastal Lunar) - Age 27 - 57 caps
Alweather is definitely a player who has grown in stature over the past few years. Granted, her distribution is... uncomplicated. But she's an utterly ferocious defensive midfield terrier, something of a mouthy git, and with a penchant for flying into sliding tackles that catch more ball than man. She shuts matches down.

Forwards
9 - ST - Griffin Riordan ( Mallox) - Age 27 - 62 caps, 28 goals
Riordan is burning with ambition, loves scoring goals and doesn't care who she has to shove to the ground to get it in the net. She became something of a hero during the World Cup, not so much for her ability - she was very clearly out of her depth at the business end of the tournament - but for her relentless determination and her refusal to be stopped. Ever.

10 - ST - Vesuvia Carrick ( Atletik Thessia) - Age 26 - 16 caps, 6 goals
Nepharim by birth and culture, Brenecian by grandfather, Carrick's a crisp poacher who can find the bottom corner from seemingly any angle when she's on song, with great arcing far-post runs to slip through tiring defences.

17 - ST - Banshee Strider ( Lotus Park) - Age 24 - 10 caps, 4 goals
A raw-boned, relentless hard-runner who throws herself into every challenge and header and second ball. An emphatic rather than assured finisher, and far from a finished product, she's a surprise bolter into the squad.

ROSTER
Goalkeepers: 1 - Rostyn Calhoun (Wexax United, VAL), 12 - Aidan Hartigan (Metropolis Alligators, VLD), 20 - Cass Farrell (Northern Stallions)
Defenders: 2 - Keziah Broxham (Mallox, COS), 3 - Gethin Quill (Revolutionaries, EUR), 5 - Cheney Heneghan (Carsby, EUR), 6 - Niko Szubanski (1830 Cathair, AUD, c), 18 - Chadwick Beath (CA Paulinthal, PAS), 19 - Morwen Prentice (Crystal Fair HC, CRY), 22 - Garwyn Varney (Soldarian FC, VAL)
Midfielders: 4 - Roisin Staunton (Kingsgrove), 7 - Brae Crowther (Chenoworth Harriers, NPH), 8 - Meghan Hartsdown (Ibini FC, VAL), 11 - Tiferet Ashbrown (Usmer, EUR), 13 - Corby Wheeler (Ramusok United, COS), 14 - Claire Ruskin (Southern Star), 15 - Cu Roi Garrard (Rene Skae, FFD), 16 - Cathal Keynes (Snowden River), 21 - Falcon Case (Barbury Town, APX), 23 - Catsidhe Alweather (Eastal Lunar, VIL)
Forwards: 9 - Griffin Riordan (Mallox, COS), 10 - Vesuvia Carrick (Atletik Thessia, MYT), 17 - Banshee Strider (Lotus Park)

[Xanneria]

Maroons lose inagural international game 3-1

APOX - the Xannerian Maroons made their debut in international competition. The result was a 3-1 loss to Vangazaland. The attacking Maroons stifiled the Vannish team, but that aggressive bump and run style of football that Xanneria is accustomed to may have also cost them as 8 players on Xanneria got yellowcarded and Devon'elle Leymore was redcarded for rough play. The Vannish team was lead by Anthony Vonoss who scored two goals both on penalty kicks and Philip Forsman who scored on a weird play that saw the ball bounce over a diving Evan Jefferson. Xanneria did get one goal as Glenn Hailey stole the ball on a breakaway and took a kick that flew into the top right corner of the net. After the game manager Amaos Alton said his biggest issue is to get the Maroons calmed down and to play less aggressively than they do domestically. If they do then they can compete internationally.

Vangazaland:3
Vonoss 03', 38'
Forsman 70'

Xanneria:1
G. Hailey 29'

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

NO NAMES TAKE OPENER

by Brianne Henry,

The Rockets are off to a good start in the Campionato Esportiva, topping South Toronto by the score of 4-1. Two goals were scored by a player wearing #11, coming in the 16th and 47th minutes. #8 scored in the 30th minute, and #17, as a substitute, scored in the 84th minute to secure the Newmanistan victory. The Campionato Esportiva continues the Newmanistan tradition of utilizing the "secret roster strategy". You always see it in sports, where you have new nations who sign up for a tournament, and never do anything else, therefore no one ever knows who their players are. Sometimes, even well known nations will utilize this strategy. Typically, it is not successful, but you never know.

The roster is never the same for every game. Die-hard Newmanistanian soccer fans can likely figure out who everyone actually is within the first 15 minutes, but that's about it. The opponent has nothing to scout, and if the next opponent tries to learn something, they are in for a surprise when the entire roster changes. So, we'll see how these various no-name soccer players do in the tournament. Root for them as you warm yourself up for the World Bowl which is soon down the road.

OOC: Newmanistan deliberately does not name its soccer players as a strategy. That is why no roster.

[Starcom Racing]

Starcom beats Apox 1-1

APOX - In what may be one of the larger upsets in Esportivian sports the young, inexperienced Starcom Racing Star Boys drew host nation Apox in front of a standing room only crowd in Dwile. The game was played in monsoon conditions and that may have had a influence on the outcome. With Starcom you have several players who have experience with leagues such as the Polynesian Super League and the Xanneria AO Territorial League may have given Starcom a shot at the draw. Both of those leagues are known for poor field conditions and bad weather. The much hyped Starcomer James Sa'afa lived up to the hype using his much heralded ball hawking skills to wow fans of both teams with dribbiling that shouldn't have been done on such a wet puddle filled surface. The scoring happened mostly during the mid to late stages of this game as the game was clean as the jersies were wet, which honestly is shocking given that Starcomer footy is very aggressive and tackle happy. First strike went to Apox when Cassiopeia Quintero scored on a goal that admittedly should have been called an own goal as it appeared to graze Imark Billingsly's shoulder. But the local star of the local team got the credit and gave a 1-0 lead to the host. Then Sa'afa lead a charge and at 55' Sa'afa passed the ball to Max Stockwell the captain, who launched a ball with the perfect arch and a tail of mist that made it look like a comet beyond GK Tregatta Spitfire to tie the game up. The remainder of the game was both teams GK's making key save after key save and in the end a 1-1 draw. A jubilant Starcomer team celebrated the draw and later were seen hanging out with the Apoxians drinking some beer and and chatting. Next up for the upstart Star Boys is Sute.
'

[Velestria]

---

URBANISTA — A tense nail-biting encounter saw Velestria give up their opening game off a single goal from Yoroi Gokiburi of Kita-Hinode, given the Hinodejins the tight win, of a 32nd minute free kick which found its way into the back of the net with a nice tailspin. In quiet fashion, Velestria amassed a good defensive performance which gave fifth-ranked Kita-Hinode squad a tough time over the course of the game. Actually, this match feels much more like a win for the Velestrian side which on paper was expected to get decimated by a senior, well-oiled Hinodejin time which mind you does boast a few championships to its name — a not-to-shammy performance for the Gyzhon and one that assures us that Tajo Mendez may be in fact the one for the job. Of course, Christopher Tajo Mendez is still looking for his first win in a Velish kit; in four games managed thus far he's 0-3-1 and that's bound to be bothersome to him. However, this most-recent game shows that he's quietly starting to build a core for the Velish side...Augusta Clark, the eighteen year-old striker had two shots on goal that curled just wide of the posts.

The meeting between the two sides kicked off at five-pm local time, at Urbanista's Lime Ground, the stadium showed off only a few-thousand people at the stadia, the game on paper looks quite bad for the team, a loss positions Velestria with a need to effect both Cheergirls and the other team, a spin-off from Abanhfleft. Given how the match days play out and given Velestria faces two tough teams if it hopes to make a Cinderella run and escape the group, the start to the match was not a good one. Within five minutes, Kita-Hinode had amassed three shots on goal; one of which nearly dribbled in only being avoided by a miraculous dive by Carson Singleson. Singleson by far proved to be the man of the match, chasing down Hinodejin attackers and proving to be a huge difference-maker during the game for Velestria, he's definitely looking like a very good candidate to be a permanent fixture for the national team. However, what should have been a dream start for the national team came crashing down soon after following a Yoroi Gokiburi's breakaway header coming off of a beautiful setup by Seiya Kusuo, Velish players could only watch in awe as the ball chipped over the extended arms of Easton Thomas, falling into the net easily the Hinodejin side. Soon after that goal, it looked as if Kita-Hinode was bound to score another one...in first half stoppage time, following Ito Niijima's through pass to Angol Plus, Plus's scathing shot was only averted at the behest of Easton Thomas's hands, hitting it over the bar. Opening play in the second half was very-much high-intensity with the Hinodejin's looking to go for the overkill, pushing large numbers forward during much of the second half. Velish defense actually looked strong and well-oiled, huge stops in the final defensive third saved two potential goals, with Josh Reven contributing huge tackles to assist Velestria. It seemed for many that Christopher Tajo Mendez was content with keeping the game at 1-nil, moving his players in an already defensive formation even further back. As the game spiraled towards its end, we saw Diamond Gregory, the Applegate City shot-stopper warming up, of course she wouldn't enter the game but it appears that she's likely to get the start against Cheergirls next week.

Looking on after the tense working of the group, the national team will need to win over Cheergirls in their upcoming game, both sides are coming off losses in their first games and are looking to avenge the losses. Cheergirls is coming off an embarrassing 4-1 meltdown against Copper Cuprum. Judging off the action we've seen thus far, all that is needed for Kita-Hinode is to win an already-likely encounter against Copper Cuprum, however it will need to be by a +4 margin which could of course be very unlikely for the team. As of now, Velestria needs to work on increasing its chances for the final match day, they need to beat Cheergirls and also hope they get some help from the Hinodejins. In fact, essentially, the Hinodejins are their best option and hope for the tournament in any chance of progressing to the knockouts. Looking on to the upcoming match day, expect higher pressing from the Velestrians as they look to score goals against the Cheergirl squad, right now, utter demolition of the team would be beneficial for Velish chances once sit sets up the final battle with Copper Cuprum. Until then, however, based on the first performance, this is a surprising performance from the Ghyzon who were able to limit the chances of the Hinodejin team, the 5th-ranked side in Esportiva. We're pleasantly surprised and look forward to report of a victory for the national team after the Cheergirl game.

We bid you goodnight from Apox.

(05)          Kita-Hinode    1–0    Velestria                (UR)

[Mattijana]

Department of Sport Offices, Central Petrovijanka, Mattijana

It was a cold, misty day in Petrovijanka. The Mattijanan capital's climate was going through a period of transition at the moment, the warmth of the summer long gone, but the temperature not yet cold enough to give a crisp, snowy morning. Like the weather, the atmosphere amongst the football section of the department of sport was a little murky.

The offices inside the Department of Sport were slightly cosier. A recently renovated central heating network made the large stone fireplace obsolete and a large oak coffee table separated two armchairs that threatened to swallow up everything inside them. Maybe that was the idea.

Minister for sport Julian Petrov sat opposite the national team manager Dusan Vukoja. Normally around this time of year, the pair would be discussing their plans for the coming cycle of international football, beginning with the Campionato Esportiva. This time however, there was another item on the agenda.

Mattijana's island protectorate of Saint Émelie had recently formed its own football association and with it had been granted entry into Atlantian Oceanian and World Cup tournaments. 'Les Insulaires', as their nickname went, had defeated Vilita and Turori 4-3 in their first international and went on to finish 6th in their World Cup qualifying group. Neither Petrov or Vukoja particularly cared about that. What they did care about was the number of players in the Mattijanan selection pool that could now defect to the small island.

Of course the main reason for a player moving would be to get international game time that they otherwise wouldn't get. In the most part this didn't bother anyone involved in the Mattijanan setup, however a number of young players might also be tempted to leave. With a large number of the current team set to either become geriatric, injured or just plain retired, these were the players Mattijana would be relying on to continue their rise up the world ladder.

"What about Lekarisa?" said Vukoja. Mathilde Lekarisa, Mattijana's main striker had a mother from Saint Émelie and was also eligable to move if she wanted.

"She's getting pretty decent game time here, so she's got no obvious motive to go. I can't imagine her going to join a bunch of semi-professionals. Besides, Saint Émelie have got Katjanovic. Not as good as Lekarisa of course, but she's adored by the fans. Mathilde would just be going in and spoiling their party and noone wants to do that."

Sara Katjanovic was the first Mattijanan player to switch her allegiance to Saint Émelie. The third-choice Savafluss striker was not really in with a realistic chance of breaking into the Mattijanan national side, but was top scorer for her new side and looked a totally different player when playing internationally.

"Katjanovic's been in pretty good nick lately though. Dominic Trion's just a lumbering hulk of meat who's good at heading the ball. Having Mathilde and Katjanovic up top would be a seriously potent combination for them. She seems pretty fond of her heritage as well. There's a realistic chance she could move."

Petrov sighed. "I suppose you'd better discuss it with her. We don't want to lose her, but she'd probably appreciate a chat. I suppose if she grew up over there, there's a chance she wants to be part of something, especially if they get a bit better."

Vukoja also sighed. Deep conversations with players were not his preferred management style, but he also knew he had to be there for players when he was needed.

"I'll do it when we get back together for training after the PrvaLiga ends. It'll be good to know where we stand."

"Obviously there're quite a few fringe and youth players we're keeping an eye on, but is there anyone else around the first team that might leave?"

"There's Sofiane Bisrali. He's been left out of the first team a lot as late and he's the sort of character that would probably get fed up and move if he got the chance. To be honest it might jsut be better off letting him go. Sophia's been doing a great job recently. Mind you, the lad's got some talent if he can work out how to use it..."

"I thought all his family were from round Shalkar?"

"Not all. Turns out he's got a grandmother from Saint Émelie. It's tenuous but it makes him eligable which is a nuisance. At least for sentimental value, he's less of a candidate than Mathilde."

"Well at least there's only two players that are an imminent concern" reasoned Petrov. "One of them's a pretty big concern mind you."

"Quite. Life without Mathilde would be a lot different. We've got some good talent coming through tough, and there's always Andreas Weiss and Daniella Alaba to fall back on as a stop-gap. With the wingers we've got, they'd still get quite a few goals between them."

"Hmmm. I guess we'll have to park that for now. Anyway, what do you make of the rumours Newmanistan are going roster-less for the next few tournaments?"

Vukoja was confused. "Is that like this paperless bollocks that some countries are doing. Do we at least get a digital copy?"

"Oh no. They're going completely anonymous. No teamsheets, no official squad roster, no nothing."

"Is that allowed?"

"Well I guess. As long as they only use the same 23 unknown players during the tournament."

"Pretty ridiculous really. Only new teams with incredibly dysfunctional football associations don't post rosters. They're normally so unstable they don't even ever turn up for another tournament. Still, it would be pretty funny if they did it. Bloody awkward though."

"Quite" mused Julian. "You'll have to tell the scouts to do some more thorough digging if we get drawn against them."

"What exactly do you mean by that" replied Vukoja, a little unsure of what his senior was implying.

"Oh nothing dodgy" laughed Petrov. "We're assuming that they'll still put out their better players, so we just need them to work out every player in Newmanistani football that might turn out. They're not that good anyway, we should be able to beat them however much we know about their team. Always good to avoid complacency though eh?"

"Absolutely. Interesting idea though. It's worked for lesser teams that just couldn't be bothered to send their roster in. Chances of getting them are pretty low luckily and there's quite a few new teams this cycle too. I'd fancy our chances against Robostania."

"Oh them. Quite why their name's in all caps I don't know. Maybe you're supposed to shout it...Starcom Racing sound like a bunch of drunk mechanics that accidentally signed up for the wrong sport, so we could probably take them as well. Anyway that's a wrap. Good luck out there, don't forget to have a chat with Mathilde as well."

Petrov showed Vukoja out of his office. The wind was getting up outside, the key indicator of which was a wall of drizzle slapping into the window. Things were going to be quiet in the Cricket office.

[Saint Dennis]

hey sorry for not rping before im rping now tho

ok so st dennis did really good in their first game they did not let filindostan number 4 to get 1 goal thats good now we need to play two other teams and hopefully they will go good

[Racing]

>+> National Team of Racing <+<



racing so fast
We are so fast!
racing so fast
We are so fast!

who is this starcom?
They will not last!
who is this starcom?
They will not last!

racing beats the cybords
We are so fast!
racing is in first place
We are not last!

The national team of racing makes a big surprise to win in the first game and is the best team now even if only for. It will be a long time when racing has joined to esportiva but for 23 campionato racing is not the team that will win the trophy. maybe racing need only the 23 flavors of dr pepper and these will lead to the victory in campionato esportiva 23. it shall be decree that for the remaining match against Ethane and rysania all players will now wear the number 23. forza racing. the one true racing, not the star com racing. they can not drink the dr pepper they can only make fiber. if they must it can be distribute also. racing will hope starcom can win so we can prove on the battle against one and one that there is only one true racing and racing is racing not starcom racing they are not racing.

Group C
is for we
Group E
impostery

when racing win, starcom racing lose. balance is right. forza racing.

[The Sherpa Empire]

‭

----֎--֎----

‭Somewhere among the lofty snow-covered peaks and tangled smog-choked streets of the Khumbu Capital District, the Sherpa Empire has a national legislature and a prime minister. The legislature is called the People's Court, and the prime minister's name is Ula Sherpa. The division of power between the aristocracy, the clergy, and the democratically-elected officials is not terribly organized or clearly delineated. There is constant bickering and the mountains of redundant bureaucracy are as high as the Himalayas. But still, there are democratic institutions, and that means, from time to time, there are elections.

‭As the national football team took to the road for the Campionato Esportiva, the campaigns for the national elections of 1142 were in full swing. Some of the players were glad to get away from the mudslinging political debates, but others felt guilty about missing the action. Some of them were politically active. Unfortunately, they didn't all support the same party. Ding Zhang offended some of the more patriotic players by expressing his support for the Kuomintang, a Chinese separatist party. After arguing politics in the locker room, the players were a little grumpy with each other and less enthusiastic than usual to play together, which may have something to do with why they weren't more coordinated on the field. It wasn't a complete disaster, but they let Gajos and Maly slip through and score where a more coordinated defense might have been able to prevent it. Preet Modi was annoyed with himself for not blocking the shot.

‭

----֎--֎----

[Apox]

Matchday 2

Group A
Monsa 0–0 Bongo Johnson
Mattijana 0–0 Kernovi & Rewgwlas

  Group A                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kernovi & Rewgwlas          2   1  1  0    2   0  +2    4
2 Mattijana                   2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
  Monsa                       2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
4 Bongo Johnson               2   0  1  1    0   2  −2    1

Group B
Qingland 3–5 Xanneria
Natanians and Nosts 1–0 Vangaziland

  Group B                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Natanians and Nosts         2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
2 Vangaziland                 2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Xanneria                    2   1  0  1    6   6   0    3
4 Qingland                    2   0  1  1    5   7  −2    1

Group C
Rysania 0–2 Cyborg Cocoabo Islands
Ethane 0–1 Racing

  Group C                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Racing                      2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Cyborg Cocoabo Islands      2   1  0  1    4   5  −1    3
3 Ethane                      2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Rysania                     2   0  1  1    2   4  −2    1

Group D
Saint Dennis 0–1 The Golden Lotus
Filindostan 1–2 Fhulghamous Peninsula

  Group D                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Fhulghamous Peninsula       2   2  0  0    6   1  +5    6
2 The Golden Lotus            2   1  0  1    1   4  −3    3
3 Filindostan                 2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
4 Saint Dennis                2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

Group E
Starcom Racing 0–2 Soute
Apox 0–1 The Sherpa Empire

  Group E                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Soute                       2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
2 The Sherpa Empire           2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Apox                        2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
4 Starcom Racing              2   0  1  1    1   3  −2    1

Group F
Dreamplanet 1–1 Darvale
South Covello 0–1 Damukuni

  Group F                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Damukuni                    2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
2 Darvale                     2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
  Dreamplanet                 2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
4 South Covello               2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1

Group G
Velestria 1–0 Cheergirls
Kita-Hinode 5–3 Copper Cuprum

  Group G                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kita-Hinode                 2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
2 Copper Cuprum               2   1  0  1    7   6  +1    3
3 Velestria                   2   1  0  1    1   1   0    3
4 Cheergirls                  2   0  0  2    1   5  −4    0

Group H
ROBOSTANIA 4–2 South Toronto
Brenecia 1–0 Newmanistan

  Group H                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Brenecia                    2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Newmanistan                 2   1  0  1    4   2  +2    3
3 ROBOSTANIA                  2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
4 South Toronto               2   0  0  2    3   8  −5    0

[Monsa]

No Goals in this one

EXTON - The Monsan National Team played Bongo Johnson into a scoreless draw. Monsa and Bongo kicked off in the River EXE Ground, located in Exton, Apox. Bongo Johnson has struggled so far as they lost to Kernovi and Rewglas in their last match. Overall the match was not all that exciting. However, the Next Matchday will be, with all 4 teams in group having a chance to make it out.

So let's see how our twin peaks can make it out of the group. First a win against Kernovi and Rewglas would secure a spot in the Round of 32. A draw could still see Monsa in, but they would need the help of a 1-point win by Bongo Johnson. So time can only tell in the Campionato , if the twin peaks will make it out of the Group Stage.

[Apox]

Luxulya St. Cleer prowled the touchline. Things were not going to plan, thanks to Namri Ngedup's shanked shot which had rebounded off Brevin Scott into the goal, the Apoxian team lacking its usual fluidity this game. To be fair, something hadn't been particularly right with the national team all tournament, with even the packed home crowd at the River Exe Ground being unable to lift the team spirits.

To make it all worse, Jarl Magarhatery had been sent off shortly after the goal for senselessly lashing out at Ashok Walia, the Sherpa Empire not even being in a threatening position at the time. She'd tweaked the system to a 4-4-1 afterwards, with Lucan Palmisano shouldering most of the burden for attacking creativity up front. He'd been struggling this game as well thanks to the excellent man marking of Ruixiong Yu. Snap back to the present;

"IMHOTEP!" she barked, "KEEP THE LINE! SNUFF OUT THE DANGER!" Her defensive stalwart had been drifting and gaps had been opening up - it was only a matter of time before the Sherpa players exploited them if things weren't sorted out.

"Ugh, this just isn't working!" She threw her hands up in the air as she stalked angrily back to her seat in the dugout. Sverre leant over once she'd sat down,

"Yu has got Lucan all worked out boss. We're unlikely to get a break through at the moment with him playing the way he is." Luxulya sighed.

"You're right. He needs to be hoisted."

"I think Marcy is fired up for this one. She'll be able to exploit that... that gap right there," he said, pointing to the pitch to gap between Ruixiong Yu and Drokmi Gupta, who clearly weren't quite on the same wavelength at that moment. Luxulya shook her head,

"No, no. Alpha is the experienced head, he knows how to deal with these situations."

"I get what you're saying, but Alpha doesn't have the same pace anymore. Anyway, look at how they've been winding Lucan up all game, you know that with Alpha..." She cut him off,

"No, no Alpha is the player we need right now. Get him ready." Sverre opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again and stood up,

"Right you are boss. Alpha!" He turned to Alpha Gandhi, sitting slumped in his seat,

"Get yourself ready. Time for some changes folks." Luxulya watched as a free-kick was conceded, this time by James Palmisano;

"Fuck sake, if even James is fucking up then god help us all." The fourth official was indicating the change and Lucan Palmisano came trotting over, Alpha Gandhi waiting at the sideline. They swapped off and Alpha burst onto the pitch. Luxulya gave the Spartangrad striker a hug on his way to the bench,

"Good performance out there today. They're a tough side." Lucan merely grunted as he went to sit down. She turned her attention back to the pitch, where James Palmisano was lining up the kick. The ball lofted high, straight onto the head of Alpha Gandhi, the ball fizzing towards the goal. However, it was a little misplaced, and Preet Modi saved it easily. Alpha had been shoved over contesting for the ball and fists were raised between him and Sri Chopra, shouts exchanged. A punch thrown and a red card shown, the look of pure disappointment on Alpha's face as he pieced together what he'd done.

Sometimes, things just don't go your way.

[Dreamplanet]

ON A KNIFE EDGE

Dreamplanet fought hard to recover after being 1-0 down early.

The Dreamplanetian campaign to rock Esportiva on their debut had started off decently after a Luis Silva brace got a credible 2-2 draw with South Covello even if a late Steve Danckweed equaliser threw a wrench into the celebrations, however things started getting worrying after a 1-1 draw with Darvale, Dreamplanet were expected to beat Darvale despite them being higher seeded, however they were surprised after Jorge Cardozo botched a clearance went in, putting Dreamplanet down from the 21st minute, and Darvale would give it their all to defend the win, however Aaron Hungar won a penalty and converted it with 3 minutes left of regular time to spare Dreamplanet's blushes, and now the nation eagerly watches on as Os Tricores will take on group leaders Damukuni.

Dreamplanet do not have a good history with Damukuni, as a matter of fact Os Tricores' first match was against Damukuni, it was a 1-0 loss at the 66th BoF, and during the preparation for the World Cup, they lost again to Damukuni, so as we are still fighting for a spot in the Last 16, the lads have to gear up for what will be a tough match for both teams, we're hoping that we can pull it off and not have to regret drawing to the likes of Darvale and South Covello, we can do this!

South Covello 2 - 2 Dreamplanet
(Coconut Charles 51', Steve Danckweed 84' - Luis Silva 33', 68')
Gwinevra, Apox

Dreamplanet 1 - 1 Darvale
(Aaron Hungar 87' - Jorge Cardozo 21' (o.g.))
Wofford, Apox

Wednesday November 28th - MD1: South Covello 2-2 Dreamplanet
Saturday December 1st - MD2: Dreamplanet 1-1 Darvale
Monday December 3rd - MD3: Damukuni vs Dreamplanet

Group F                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Damukuni                    2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
2 Darvale                     2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
  Dreamplanet                 2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
4 South Covello               2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1

Qualified for Round of 16
Eliminated

[Velestria]

---

URBANISTA — An all-defensive affair as Velestria continues to iron out wrinkles between Tajo Mendez and the team, a goal in the 46th minute on a penalty by Chris Goddard gave Velestria the lead which they wouldn’t' relinquish for the rest of the game. A thoroughly dominant performance by Velestria, offensive play was not a focus for either side however, Cheergirls looked clearly outmatched for much the match, as their offense was plagued with inaccuracy and was thoroughly by the Velestrian side. Diamond Gregory started this game at goalkeeper and the shot-stopper in her first game got her first clean sheet in the national team uniform, directing and organizing the backline and included making a brilliant save in the 79th minute to preserve the narrow lead Velestria had. However, if one thing is clear, it’s obvious that despite the narrow score line the game wasn't close in the least, Velestria's defense bullied the inexperienced Cheergirls lineup, even with the youthful nucleus being formed, the Velish side was the better of the two kits out there today, a highly-defensive setup being enough to send them threw. This will set up as we predicted a high-intensity final match day between Copper Cuprum and Velestria next week, we'll give you the breakdown and everything you need to know entering the game.

Clearly from the onset of the game both sides were content to sit in their own halves and do nothing, as the first forty-five minutes of action have to amount to be one of the most-dull moments in sports I've ever seen, neither side looked much interested into taking advantage of any mishaps, the biggest chance for either side comes in the 33rd minute in a play by Cheergirls, a counterattack after the Velish give up the ball right in front of the goal, Briana Hayden gets it in the final offensive third and shoot it, just scraping off the hands of Gregory. It looks as if both sides were going towards the end of the game with nothing, both sides very quiet with goal-scoring opportunities. Entering the extra-time stoppage time, slight changes has been made as the team sat higher-up out a primarily defensive setup as Tajo Mendez had moved up Furusawa Utamara to a higher offensive position. Utamara dribbled down the field with a clinic pass to Augusta Clark...she seemed to be in a breakaway for the net, however she's brought down in the penalty box with a vicious challenge from Ashley Cahill which sends her sprawling onto the floor. On the ensuing kick, Chris Goddard delivered with his fourth goal that the team was desperately in need of as the remainder of stoppage time died away. As the next half started, once more Velestria looked content with drying out the clock, as the other Group G match had just ended; the Hinodejins with a 5-3 goal-epidemic, putting them in sole position for first place in the group while leaving a battle for second with Copper Cuprum and Velestria. Cheergirls simply couldn't complete passes, Josh Reven appears to be emerging as the leader of the defense and clearly a future team star and likely team captain; 8 sliding tackles to prevent breakaways and thorough control of the backline showed Reven's leadership skills. Reven will be very important entering the final game against Copper Cuprum. The game dies away without much ado, Velestria has achieved a much-needed win — for Tajo Mendez, his first in the management job for Velestria, but certainly one well-achieved. He's looking more and more like the one for the job, and now he has another chance to epitomize the nation's love and put forth a bid for the knockout rounds if he can deliver a win tomorrow.


Looking forth to next week, there in wait lies Copper Cuprum, the final team who stand in the way of Velestria moving out of the group stages, and it’s far from "just another game" for our supporters, national team supporters in Apox need to come out and wear their uniforms proudly as we enter a big matchup against Copper Cuprum, a win all but assures we're thru to the next round due to tiebreakers, a loss will be devastating to Velestrian football who's looking to explode back into play. A round of 16 berth would be a big satisfaction for Velestrian football even as the VFA has said that the team has done wonderful thus far. Fans, the team needs you — yes, you to come out and support team. Copper Cuprum should be circled on everyone's calendars, it’s the death game, only one can emerge victorious from that match and we need all the help and excitement we can get once the game starts. On top of that, Diamond Gregory has been named the starter in the final match game as Easton Thomas, the vice-captain and long-time goalkeeper for the national team is out with a hamstring injury, leaving him out for 6 months. Gregory being in the starters position for the next game, and likely the biggest in her international career will be very interesting, she's sure to be practicing hard for the match, included Chris Banker, Peachtree F.C.'s skipper was activated from the reserves list and elevated to a substitute in an interesting move my management.

For Wes Durham, Steve Conley, Morgan Reading and Thomas Estate, I'm Bradley Phillips bidding you goodnight from Apox.

(UR)          Cheergirls    0–1    Velestria                (UR)
--------------------------Goddard ('55P)

[The Sherpa Empire]

‭The Sherpa Empire defeated Apox 1-0 in a minor upset that left hometown fans disappointed.

‭Before the game, the coach, whose name nobody ever seemed to remember because it was something boring and typically Himalayan, gave the team a good pep talk and admonished them not to bring their political disagreements onto the field with them. Yes, Ding Zhang was a bit racist, Sri Chopra was planning to vote for some obnoxious Hindu conservatives, and Jamling Durrani wanted the Islamic fundamentalists in the West to be treated with kid gloves. But none of that had anything to do with football and they still had a game to win.

‭The Apoxians got a bit rowdy, and the crowd made it obvious which team they were rooting for, but the Sherpalanders still knew what they needed to do. That doesn't mean all of them did it well. Sri Chopra got himself ejected after first getting into an altercation with Alpha Gandhi and later, after being explicitly warned that he would not be given any more 2nd chances and he needed to play clean, tripping Quintero. Chopra said it was unintentional, but he wasn't terribly convincing. The coach with the boring name that nobody ever seemed to remember was not happy with him, but the team still managed to hang on for the win, and the Sherpa fans who were watching from the comfort of their couches were reasonably content.

[Mattijana]

Pulnik Academy, near Puljanka, Central Mattijana

If you happen to be a youngster with ambitions of competing in elite sport in Mattijana, the Pulnik Academy was the place to be. Many of the country's current stars has come out of its doors including national football defender Rikard Illicic and the country's number 2 tennis player Maria Julenic.
Football was one of the key sports at Pulnik due to its recent rise in popularity in Mattijana inspiring many to get involved. The academy was a feeder to the youth teams for Revinka and Puljanka's senior teams with both clubs currently at the sharp end of the Mattijanan PrvaLiga (top division).

Many at the academy dreamed of one day playing for one of the PrvaLiga's top teams, but the ambition for many was to make the national team-the Mattijanan national team that was.

Less so for others.

With sporting infrastructure in Mattijana's tropical island procterorate of Saint Émelie hugely underdeveloped compared to the mainland, Pulnik's scouting had expanded to taking in kids from the island. Until recently, Saint Émelie didn't have any national teams, but that had changed when the football team stepped up to the international stage.

What's more, they had done well. 'Les Insulaires', as they called themselves, had reached the quarter finals of the latest AOCAF, beating Farfadillis and Eshan along the way before narrowly losing a rematch with the Farves.

For anyone from the island at Pulnik previously, the natural path would have been to play for Mattijana if they were good enough to make national level. First team striker Mathilde Lekarisa had followed such a pathway, becoming the side's all-time top scorer along the way. However, the emergence of a Saint Émelie side with a distinct style and character had started to change this.

Manon Lévêque was such a player. The wide-defender had moved from Port D'Émelie, the island's capital, to Pulnik at the age of 13 and despite the language barrier, had adjusted well to life in the south of Mattijana. Compared to players coming from the cooler north and west of the country, the climate suited her tropical origins and her fitness had held up well compared to many of her counterparts.

At that time, putting her island origins to one side in favour of the (relatively) successful Mattijana team seemed like the only way forward for her fledgling international career. The recent exploits of Amélie Martín and her team had changed all that though. For a new generation of Saint Émelean athletes, they had provided inspiration to switch their allegiance back to their homeland.

Manon was in the communal area of her accomodation block at Pulnik. The lounge had a couple of pool tables and a few sofas surrounding a large flat-screen TV. Mattijana were playing their second Campionato Esportiva match and Kernovi and Rewgwlas and were currently being frustrated.

"I wish Lekarisa would get around the 6-yard line more", said Matej, another football student who was watching the game. "She'd get on the end of so many more crosses."

"She could switch to play for Saint Émelie you know. Be careful what you wish for."

"She wouldn't" laughed Matej. "Why would she give up her first team football for one of the best teams in Esportiva to go to a tiny island that hardly anyone's heard about that aren't as good as us."

Manon was proud of her island heritage and wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"We beat Farfadillis and Vilita and Turori over the last year, Mattijana haven't done that yet."

"They were flukes though. You didn't do as well in World Cup qualifying. Besides, Lekarisa isn't a very Émelean name."

"She has a Mattijanan dad, but she grew up on Saint Émelie and her mum's a native. Imagine her and Katjanovic up front, we'd score loads."

"Sara Katjanovic? She isn't even in the first team at Savafluss and she's your star player?"

"The whole is greater then the sum of its parts in Saint Émelie. Anyway, she's a completely different player for Saint Émelie, she links up with the wingers brilliantly."

"If you say so. Lekarisa would be about five leagues above the rest of them if she went though, never mind one. Isn't everyone else an amateur."

Manon sighed again. "Not amateur, semi-professional. They play football for a living, there's just not enough money in Saint Émelie football to keep them going on its own. Now we have a national team though, the league should pick up as well."

"Or it'll get worse as other country's leagues cherry-pick all the better Saint Émelie players because they actually know who they are now."

"We must be impressing people then if that might happen, so we must have good players."

This time it was Matej's turn to sigh. "Maybe they're not as bad as I expected, but they're not exactly Marko Hojbjerg."

Just as he said that, the Mattijanan midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the box and blazed a shot miles over the crossbar.

[Apox]

Matchday 3

Group A
Kernovi & Rewgwlas 1–1 Monsa
Bongo Johnson 1–4 Mattijana

  Group A                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mattijana                   3   1  2  0    6   3  +3    5
2 Kernovi & Rewgwlas          3   1  2  0    3   1  +2    5
3 Monsa                       3   0  3  0    3   3   0    3
4 Bongo Johnson               3   0  1  2    1   6  −5    1

Group B
Vangaziland 1–0 Qingland
Xanneria 2–4 Natanians and Nosts

  Group B                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Natanians and Nosts         3   2  1  0    7   4  +3    7
2 Vangaziland                 3   2  0  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Xanneria                    3   1  0  2    8  10  −2    3
4 Qingland                    3   0  1  2    5   8  −3    1

Group C
Racing 2–0 Rysania
Cyborg Cocoabo Islands 1–3 Ethane

  Group C                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Racing                      3   3  0  0    8   2  +6    9
2 Ethane                      3   1  1  1    5   4  +1    4
3 Cyborg Cocoabo Islands      3   1  0  2    5   8  −3    3
4 Rysania                     3   0  1  2    2   6  −4    1

Group D
Fhulghamous Peninsula 5–0 Saint Dennis
The Golden Lotus 1–0 Filindostan

  Group D                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Fhulghamous Peninsula       3   3  0  0   11   1 +10    9
2 The Golden Lotus            3   2  0  1    2   4  −2    6
3 Filindostan                 3   0  1  2    1   3  −2    1
4 Saint Dennis                3   0  1  2    0   6  −6    1

Group E
The Sherpa Empire 4–2 Starcom Racing
Soute 1–0 Apox

  Group E                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire           3   2  1  0    6   3  +3    7
2 Soute                       3   2  1  0    4   1  +3    7
3 Apox                        3   0  1  2    1   3  −2    1
4 Starcom Racing              3   0  1  2    3   7  −4    1

Group F
Damukuni 4–0 Dreamplanet
Darvale 0–4 South Covello

  Group F                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Damukuni                    3   2  1  0    7   2  +5    7
2 South Covello               3   1  1  1    6   3  +3    4
3 Darvale                     3   0  2  1    3   7  −4    2
  Dreamplanet                 3   0  2  1    3   7  −4    2

Group G
Copper Cuprum 1–0 Velestria
Cheergirls 0–2 Kita-Hinode

  Group G                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kita-Hinode                 3   3  0  0    8   3  +5    9
2 Copper Cuprum               3   2  0  1    8   6  +2    6
3 Velestria                   3   1  0  2    1   2  −1    3
4 Cheergirls                  3   0  0  3    1   7  −6    0

Group H
Newmanistan 1–0 ROBOSTANIA
South Toronto 0–1 Brenecia

  Group H                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Brenecia                    3   3  0  0    3   0  +3    9
2 Newmanistan                 3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
3 ROBOSTANIA                  3   1  0  2    4   4   0    3
4 South Toronto               3   0  0  3    3   9  −6    0

Round of 16 Fixtures

Mattijana vs Newmanistan @ Village Green, Barbury
Natanians and Nosts vs Copper Cuprum @ The APX Sports Stadium, Dwile
Racing vs South Covello @ The Garganaut, Dwile
Fhulgamous Peninsula vs Soute @ Lime Ground, Urbanista
The Sherpa Empire vs The Golden Lotus @ Ground of Champions, Wofford
Damukuni vs Ethane @ River Exe Ground, Exton
Kita Hinode vs Vangaziland @ The Celebratory Stadium, Cawln
Brenecia vs Kernovi & Rewgwlas @ The Barbaria, Gwinevra

[Soute]

Soute Report

DWILE - The Soute National Team remained in Dwile, Apox for the second matchday of Campionato Esportiva 23. The match was once more played in the APX Sports Stadium, but the opponent was obviously different, this time Starcom Racing. Much like Soute from last cycle, Starcom Racing is new side to Esportivan sports and currently possesses no rank. While newcomers always bring a bit of uncertainty to the pitch, more experienced sides can usually handle them pretty easy. In comparison to Soute's opening campaign, Starcom Racing has performed far and way better, having held the groups first seed to a draw. That match demonstrated that Starcom Racing was nothing to be trifled with, but it also gave valuable incite into their play style to brush away some of the uncertainty. Apparently, Soutean scouts and analysts did a good job, as Soute fared well in their matchday two game and notched their first victory of the competition.

The start of the match revealed just how bizarre Starcom's playing style is. Footage from the Apoxian game showed the odd formation, and here it was repeated again. Starcom focuses heavily on the attack, with a whopping five forwards that crowd into their opponent's half of the pitch. With only two midfielders and three defenders, the team struggles significantly to maintain possession and stave off attacking runs. Their philosophy is evidently attack, attack, attack, with little time for setting up a decent possession between all the attacking. While so many attackers could create opportunities at times, the threat was largely neutralized by taking control of the ball. At the end of the day, Soute had a whopping 70% of possession. Soute's traditional 4-4-2 ensured Starcom's midfield was constantly overwhelmed. The first score came from Władysław Ząbek, the striker that has gained quite the reputation in Soute. It was a straightforward affair. Soute's attackers and midfielders actually outnumbered Starcom's midfield and defense, so Ząbek sent his goal in in the 15th minute. Having a wealth of attacking force is well and good, but if one can't get the ball to them, they might as well be sitting in the stands. Soute capitalized on Starcom Racing's strange formation again in the 26th minute. Gajos would be the second Soutean to score, notching his second goal of the tournament. Soute had set up a lengthy possession and were knocking on the door for quite a few minutes before Brady Weinstock sent off a poor clearance that Gajos gobbled up and sent past the gloves of Yenzerdowski. After a complete defensive failure for the first third of the game, Starcom Racing made a few tactical changes to stay competitive in the match. They still went with the attacking strategy, but the extreme left and right wingers pulled back into the midfield, making a 3-5-3. The changes actually proved quite successful, as Soute didn't score for the rest of the match. Starcom didn't score either, but they did get close a few times. One of their long-ball opportunities in the 70th minute found its way to an open Lee Simmons who made a direct run for the goal. He gave it a spinning chip over Damian Wyrzykowski that sliced back in towards the goal, but Teodor Król was able to leap far enough to punch it away. Soute won the day 2-0.

The win puts Soute in quite the position heading into the final matchday. With four points to their name and plus two goal differentials, the once bottom-of-the-table-dwellers from last cycle find themselves leading the group. The lead is quite strenuous, with the Sherpa Empire just a goal differential behind and no one actually clinching anything, but it is still a narrow lead. Soute's last hurdle comes in the form of the hosts, Apox, who has truly had a nightmare of a tournament thus far. The Sherpa Empire beat them one to nil, which is why the Empire continues to be Soute's main rival for first position. If inertia continues, Soute might be able to squeak by with a win, but Apox has deep reserves to call upon and home field advantage. The Sherpa Empire will face Starcom Racing, with the former being quite likely to defeat the latter and capture seven points in the group stage. Soute needs a win or a draw to guarantee advancement to the Round of Sixteen. A loss would make things dicey, but Soute would still stand a good chance at advancing. It's possible the Sherpa Empire could lose, sending Apox and Soute on. Should the worse come to pass, Apox would need to win by two to leapfrog over Soute and squeeze into second.

Soute 2 - 0 Starcom Racing
Ząbek '15 Gajos '26

[Natanians and Nosts]

And we went unbeaten!We advanced to the knock-outs at first place in our group,with seven points,drawing the first but winning the other two.

[Kita-Hinode]

"Oh, yes, sir. This stone should allow you to grow your hair back. And best of all, it's only for a tenner!"

Mikitaka was all smiles, behind a little stand with the advertisement of "Magic Rocks", stones from space that should grant their holders the ability to cure all sorts of minor maladies of the current day, like making your toenails cut themselves short or allowing you to speak a language after sleeping with the rock for a night. Needless to say, those were all fake, but the right wing knew that he wouldn't be at Apox for much longer anyway.

He felt at home as a salesman, something about tricking others into doing what he wished they did that just felt... good. Then again, the money was nice to have as well. Even if he wasn't a fan of this newfangled Espo coin that the locals used, it still should be enough to get some sweets at the nearby store and- Wait, why is it so dark all of a sudden?

Kaito noticed a pair of large shadows forming behind him. He heard a girly cough. He whimpered. "Now, what are you doing, Mikitaka?" As he turned around, he found the towering Hata Echizen standing in a fairly neutral position, though it was hard to tell what he was thinking under that stoic face that was pretty much a mask and a clearly unamused Nagase Mitsuhide, accompanied by her umbrella, a common thing with the Yato that just can't stand the light. The girl continued to talk. "You know that you're not supposed to pull that kind of stuff again, right?", she complained, her eyebrows frowning, "We had to fill so much paperwork last time that it was ridiculous."

Kaito signalled her to shush, before Echizen lowered his head, staring daggers at the man. Mikitaka shivered, giving up, quickly pocketing the cash and the stones and getting rid of the desk. Both Echizen and Mitsuhide kept her arms crossed. He relented. "Fine, I'll buy you two some cake, but you can't tell about it to the manager." The two sheepishly nodded, a smile forming on Mitsuhide's face.

[Kernovi]

Kernovi and Rewgwlas (18) Record

MD3;
1 W – 2 D – 0 L
5 Points – 2nd in Group
Knockout Progression Chance: 15%
Matches (Played):

• Kernovi and Rewgwlas 2 - 0 Bongo Johnson (33) @ River Exe Ground, Exton
• Mattijana (6) 0 - 0 Kernovi and Rewgwlas @The APX Sports Stadium, Dwile
• Kernovi and Rewgwlas 1 - 1 Monsa (UR) @River Exe Ground, Exton

Matches (Upcoming):

• Round of Sixteen - Brenecia v Kernovi and Rewgwlas @The Barbaria, Gwinevra

FINAL Group Standing:

• 1st – Mattijana – 5 Points, +3 GD
• 2nd – Kernovi and Rewgwlas – 5 Points, +2 GD
  

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• 4th – Monsa – 3 Points
• 5th – Bongo Johnson – 1 Point

Goals:

• Erlendur Yngvason - #19 – 1 Goal

Group A Report

As Kernovi and Rewgwlas qualify from Group A undefeated, we take a look back at the United Team's run so far.

Game One - Erlendur Yngvason sounds the Bongos of War
Yngvason storms home a impressive opener to the 23rd Campionato Esportiva

It was time, the team that delivered a memorable display in the 1976 Campionato Esportiva in East Town, Damukuni, were once again preparing to deliver greatness to the Esportivan cup. A once young team, who premiered together only four years ago, were now preparing for their final appearance as a cohesive team - and Enyon Bosdennis' last stint as manager. As such, the United Team were prepared to pull out all the stop as they entered the field in Exton against Bongo Johnson.

The match opened unfavourably, the Gwlys Tan found themselves immediately on the backfoot as a Bongo Johnson striker led a swift attack through a, as of yet, cohesive United Team defence - before firing a shot on goal in the 5th minute. The ball flew into the left corner of the goal, only to be bounced away by a adept pen Godwithiel.

The Gwyls Tan comeback was immediately fierce. At the 10th minute, #3 shirt and walking controversy Brithael pen Helroc swept the ball away from the same Bongo Johnson striker and began taking their revenge. pen Helroc whistled the ball through the Bongo Johnson attack line and delivered it to Cynan Trewin, before the ball promptly found itself at the feet of captain Erlendur Yngvason. Finding his way past the Bongo Johnson defence, but finding his options to pass limited - he took a shot. The ball found easy purchase in the net, as Yngvason mimicked the Bongo Johnson striker's attack, sending the ball cleanly into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Within a mere eleven minutes, the score was 1-0, advantage Kernovi and Rewgwlas.

The next key moment was in the 35th minute. At this time, the United Team had dominated the ball, holding a 60% possession rate and attempting another two shots on goal. The next goal would not be at the hands of a United Team player however, but a Bongo Johnson defender. As Geraint Tangye exerted a large amount of pressure on the defender, he took a last ditch attempt and returned the ball to his keeper, only to flick it, once again, into the bottom left corner of the net.

The second half played out with little intrigue. The United Team being up two-nil allowed them to tighten their defence, neglecting to take any of the riskier attempts at Bongo Johnson's goal. While one Bongo Johnson attack found it's way through the thicket in the 86th minute, it ultimately bounced off the side bar, denying Bongo Johnson any hope of a comeback.

And as the whistle blew, the nation knew - the team they had seen at the Campionato Esportiva 22 was back and ready to take it further than they had before. Enyon Bosdennis was committed to making his last tournament his most memorable.

Final Score:
Kernovi and Rewgwlas [2] - [0] Bongo Johnson
Erlendur Yngvason - 11'
Unnamed Bongo Johnson Striker - 35' (OG)

Game Two - Mattijana Halted
Kernovi and Rewgwlas draw Mattijana to a halt, avenging a defeat that knocked them out of CE22

In 1976, Mattijana dealt a 1-0 blow to the United Team, ending their Campionato Esportiva 22 run in the Round of 16. Despite a strong opposition , a goal by Mattijana Centre-Middle Marko Hojbjerg in the 64th minute ensured that the plucky United Team would be going home. Therefore, a twinge of nervousness and excitement struck United Team manager Enyon Bosdennis when Kernovi and Rewgwlas, the second seed team, was called directly after the first seed team, Mattijana. This would be a make or break game for the United Team's prospects in Apox - to take home a win would be glorious, to take home a loss would be disappointing.

The United Team came out of the game with a result that was neither glorious or disappointing however, but one that was merely sufficient. And that was good enough.

The game initially started with some familiarity, the United Team once again showing a slow start as the Mattijanian side tore through their defences, delivering a early goal into the hands of Sebastian pen Godwithiel (who had become somewhat of a guardian angel for the United Team's opening rounds). However, much like in the Bongo Johnson game that preceded it, the United Team soon got over their early minute jitters and coalesced into a unified whole. While the Mattijanian side enjoyed a large deal of the possession, the United Team's wall soon became impenetrable.

Unfortunately, being on the back foot ensured that Kernovi and Rewgwlas were unable to make their own moments. Despite one impressive breakaway by Cynan Trewin in the second half, the ball would find itself cleanly in the arms of Lucija Handanovic.

As the end of the game drew near, the United Team's defence merely tightened as the reality of a sufficient draw became much more appealing than the riskier odds of attempting to defeat their one-time vanquishers and as the 90+3' minute whistle blew, different emotions registered across both teams. The Mattijanian team irritated that they had not been able to break the same Kernovi and Rewgwlasian defence that had perplexed them in the CE22 and the United Team content. It was not the barnstorming victory they had dreamed of, but a draw was enough to bring them comfortably into the last game of the group stage, sitting at the top of the Group.

Final Score:
Mattijana [0] - [0] Kernovi and Rewgwlas

Game Three - The Monsa-strosity
The United Team avoid last minute defeat at the hands of unranked Monsa

And with that, the final game of the Group Stages came around - against unranked newcomers Monsa. In a interview with KRV Sports Now, Bosdennis argued that this game was not to be taken lightly however. He argued that, just as Kernovi and Rewgwlas were the plucky, fiery underdogs in the CE22, so too could Monsa cause an upset in the closing Group Stage game. While the United Team were now more practised, they had had an undeniably shaky performance so far in the tournament - certainly a far cry from the performance that earnt them the title Gwyls Tan in the CE22. Furthermore, they were by no means safe. A draw or a victory would see them safely into the Round of 16, but a loss would see them eliminated. The stakes were especially high, as key pressure-maker Adlai Copper had been benched for a hamstring injury in favour of Abersalvi Snow Leopards star Haddur Garðarsson.

When the game started, the curse that had followed them through the tournament continued. A shaky United Team defence buckling under the force of the opposition's initial dexterity as the Monsa attack weaved a ball past defender Michael Greenaway and converted it into a shot on the goal. However, this time their poor defence converted into a nightmare scenario, as Kernovi and Rewgwlas conceded their first goal of the tournament to Monsa Andy Libeck.

The passion from Monsa was gravely familiar, just as the United Team had burnt and flickered like a live flame in the CE22 group stages, so too did Monsa seem ready to upset the tournament. The plucky Monsa defence denying opportunities to the United Team and the Monsa team maintaining a possession that, by the game's end, would be a extremely close 51% (Kernovi and Rewgwlas) to 49%. However, as the United Team went away at half time to refuel, they came out with a new strategy.

While their tactics thus far had largely been based around the defensive - this time they would utilise the offensive in a way that would reduce the impact of the Monsa pressure and tire their defenders. This change in tact succeeded, but not in the way anyone expected. As Haddur Garðarsson pressured the Monsa defender Danny Rosenburg, the ball found itself being booted into the goal not by Garðarsson but Rosenburg.

And so Kernovi and Rewgwlas qualified for the Round of 16, having achieved three goals over the course of qualification, but only one their own. But the hardest was yet to come, for the next match was against the world 5th seed, CE22 Champions and 4-time CE winner, Brenecia. The United Team will have to find their fire again if they are to have any hope of toppling the Patriots.

Final Score:
Kernovi and Rewgwlas [1] - [1] Monsa
Danny Rosenburg (71', OG) - Andy Libeck (11')

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Coming Up... The end of Premier Sir Hyrum Lister, the key vote that could shake up Kernovi and Rewgwlas Politics

[Apox]

Round of 16

Mattijana 3–3 Newmanistan (3–3 AET) (5–3 pen.)
Natanians and Nosts 2–1 Copper Cuprum
Racing 3–6 South Covello
Fhulghamous Peninsula 2–1 Soute
The Sherpa Empire 1–0 The Golden Lotus
Damukuni 0–2 Ethane
Kita-Hinode 2–1 Vangaziland
Brenecia 2–1 Kernovi & Rewgwlas

Quarter-Final Fixtures

Mattijana vs Natanians and Nosts @ The Barbaria, Gwinevra
South Covello vs Fhulghamous Peninsula @ The Stadium of Apox, Dwile
The Sherpa Empire vs Ethane @ The Celebratory Stadium, Cawln
Kita-Hinode vs Brenecia @ Village Green, Barbury

[Kita-Hinode]

"Good afternoon, Dwile! I'm Brastyn Yellownose and I welcome you to Voices of the World, where I get the opportunity to interview foreigners of all sorts. This time, we're on the topic of the Campionato Esportiva 23. Teams from all over our most pleasant region came to play on our hallowed pitches... including the Hinodejin Empire. The Hinodejin Empire is the follow-up of the Sunrisians of yore, according to themselves, which doesn't explain their fortunes, what with winning the Campionato Esporitva not too long ago, something the Sunrisians never dreamed of." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, here's one of their players this year. This gentleman... ahem..."

Brastyn looked at the creature, a red... echidna that stood on his two back paws. Either the Hinodejin didn't think a lot of the tournament or this was just what many people were told about their line-up for the tournament, a diplomatic mission. "Who'd be you, gentleman?"

The creature smiled, opening his mouth. "You can call me Knuckles. Unlike Sonic, I don't chuckle." Brastyn rose an eyebrow but decided to continue in good humour. "How do you spell that, sir?" Space Knuckles kept his smile, posing as he enunciated each letter. "K. N. U. C. K. L. E. S." Silence followed suit, but the Apoxian recomposed himself. "Ahem. I see. So, Mr. Knuckles, what made you join the national team of the Hinodejin Empire? I'm aware it must've been quite the trip, how did you last that?" Space Knuckles posed. "I'm hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell."

"Understood. Mr. Knuckles, what about your homeland? I believe it's called... Mobius?" Space Knuckles nodded straight away. "Any words about that place and your life there?" Another nod followed and Space Knuckles once again started to talk. "Born on an island in the heavens, the blood of my ancestors flows inside me. My duty is to save the flower from evil deterioration." Yellownose nodded. "I see, so you're a guardian?" Knuckles nodded in answer, causing Yellownose to ask more. "So, hobbies?" The red space echidna replied with joy, "I like to dig holes in search of gold. Large pots of treasure, if they're much better."

"You all heard it first here, ladies and gents. Mr. Knuckles here is a guardian that likes to take part in small excavations as a hobby. So, some of your teammates said you had a bit of a... selfish personality?" Knuckles rose an eyebrow. "As in you had some very big words to explain yourself to anyone. Could you share that with us?" He smiled. "I was born like this, to fear no one. I'm straight thugged out, only live to my ones. Diamonds and gems, we could battle to the end. You best to be aware of the knuckles that I send. Once they penetrate, they put you to your death. They hard as iron, and my feet is like fire. You'll never see me run and I won't surrender. I just fire away like no other contender." Yellownose seemed a bit shocked but continued. "So that's your credo?" Space Knuckles chose to smirk and nod, before continuing. "I have no such things as weak spots. I break 'em down whether they're solid or frail. Unlike the rest, I'm independent since my first breath. First test, feel the right, than the worst's left."

"Well, that was all the time we had, Mr. Knuckles. I wish you luck in the next match against Brenecia. Any final comments?" Space Knuckles nodded, to which Yellownose gave him the microphone and the camera focused specifically at the space echidna.

Space Knuckles cleared his throat. "The new porcupine on the block with the buff chest, in the wilderness with the ruggedness. Knock, knock, it's Knuckles, the bloat thrower! Independent flower, Magical Emerald holder. I'll give you the coldest shoulder, my spikes go through boulders, that's why I stay a loner. I was born by myself, I don't need a posse. I get it on by myself, adversaries get shelved." He then finished with an impactful line, apparently a warning to the Brenecians. "No one stops Knuckles' feet."