Cup of Harmony 74 - Everything Thread

[Mytanija]

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: MYTANAR SQUAD FOR CUP OF HARMONY 74

Lev Repin has named his twenty-three player squad for the Cup of Harmony following the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup. Mytanija finished 5th in Group 11 with 27 points from 18 games and a goal difference of +3, the team won more games than they lost in qualifying: with 8 wins and 7 losses. A poor run of form in the first half of the qualifying cycle is what did for the Hoops' chances of an unlikely World Cup spot, they lost five straight games from Matchday 3 to Matchday 7 and only won two through the first nine games. It was a different story entirely in the second half and the Hoops nearly made what would have been one of the all-time great comebacks, they secured 6 wins and a draw through the second half of qualifying and only finished two points behind Group 11's eventual runners-up (and second qualifying team), Qusmo. One more win would have been enough for Mytanija to qualify and that poor run of form in the first half of qualification now only serves to raise questions about what might have been. The Cup of Harmony is an important tournament for Mytanija, with it being the first international trophy a Mytanar lifted in the 56th iteration. Current national team manager Lev Repin was a part of two successful CoH winning teams and it is understood he will treat this edition with a high level of respect and look to add a third to the national team's trophy cabinet.

##  Pos.   Name                 Age  Caps/Goals  Club                      Notes
01  GK     Pedja Kasun          26   31/0        Ararat Severyan
02  DL     Srdan Vukovic        26   34/1        1896 Ebor
03  DC     Mojmir Anac          26   43/2        Olympic Thessia
04  DC     Zelimir Apostolov    29   14/0        Ararat Severyan
05  DR     Petr Isaev           28   56/1        Northern Stallions [BRE]  (C)
06  DMC    Branko Brkljacic     27   30/0        Atletik Thessia
07  MC     Tahir Fejzuli        27   49/4        Sabrefell Moths [NPH]
08  AML/R  Brajko Gavrilovic    24   11/1        1896 Ebor
09  ST     Jezdimir Ocokoljic   24   52/25       Newrook City [NPH]
10  AMC    Jasno Odonelec       24   41/12       1912 Stelburg [STL]       (VC, PKs)
11  AMR/L  Boris Kalinic        27   14/3        Directus [EUR]
12  GK     Zafer Muminovic      23    4/0        Tekstil Ibon
13  DL/R   Patrik Odonelec      19    6/0        Atletik Thessia
14  DC     Niksa Obadko         28   37/1        Liria Prizren
15  DC     Kamil Jernejec       25   11/0        Olympic Thessia
16  DMC    Predrag Vukomanovic  24   11/0        Energija-Nuklearna
17  MC     Grigor Todorov       31   45/2        Pikemouth [BRE]
18  MC     Alen Hrdaljko        22   15/1        CDSA
19  MC     Vilim Kupresak       24   16/3        Olympic Thessia
20  AML/C  Dalibor Vlahovic     24    7/1        Ararat Severyan
21  ST     Nebojsa Aleksic      28   31/7        Tekstil Ibon
22  ST     Zlatan Andrijasevic  22    7/5        Atletik Thessia
23  GK     Jasmin Savic         30   31/0        Atletik Thessia

Player Information.

GOALKEEPERS.
GK: Pedja Kasun, 26, Ararat Severyan [MYT].
31 caps, 0 goals
He's been the Golden Glove winner in the Top League three seasons in a row and the reason for that - simply - is that Kasun is an excellent goalkeeper. He's got excellent reflexes and a great habit of not only saving the shot but parrying it away so that it doesn't fall to an opposition forward. He stands at 195cm tall too, so he's not only an excellent shot stopper but an imposing presence between the sticks too. This allows him to come and claim the ball at set pieces and when crossed in without any real issues. He's supremely athletic, able to rush out to collect the ball or clear it away at speed and is good at distributing it too, whether with his feet or throwing the ball to create fast-break opportunities. An experienced campaigner at international level nowadays, Kasun has occasionally been named captain.

GK: Zafer Muminovic, 23, Tekstil Ibon [MYT].
4 caps, 0 goals
Repin rates Muminovic very highly and it's easy to see why, he's been one of the top goalkeepers domestically over the past couple of seasons, regularly keeping clean sheets in a Tekstil side that are a distinctly mid-table side most of the time. He doesn't have the advantage of a top-level defence in front of him and has still finished third in the Golden Glove award twice in the last three years. He's now made the second-choice spot his own and will want to try and ascend to the starting job at some point.

GK: Jasmin Savic, 30, Atletik Thessia [MYT].
31 caps, 0 goals
Savic has amassed a reasonable number of national team appearances during his career and he's a decent goalkeeper, but his performances domestically along with the rise of Kasun and Muminovic have relegated him to third choice now. He's coming off the back of winning the Top League title domestically and is full of confidence as a result. It's perhaps fair to say that Savic doesn't match the top goalkeeping statistics domestically because of the way Atletik play, with their style allowing teams to often counter-attack and as Atletik often only leave a couple of defenders to cover this it can result in easy chances for opposition teams. Savic may be a victim of this. Nevertheless, he stands at 190cm and is good at anticipating shots, whilst always ready to close down the angles for attackers to work with when attempting to shoot.

FULL-BACKS.
DL: Srdan Vukovic, 26, 1896 Ebor [MYT].
34 caps, 1 goal
Vukovic has pretty much settled into being a full-time left-back at this point in his career, although he has of course played further forward early on in his career and the attacking instincts he honed as a left-sided midfielder have led to him being the first choice left-back in the national set-up. Whilst others are merely defensively solid, Vukovic is that whilst also being fairly daring down the left-side of the pitch and his crossing ability and link-up play down that flank make him an invaluable member of the squad. He also has a decent playing relationship with the likes of Brkljacic, Fejzuli, Gavrilovic and Odonelec as well which can result in some wonderful build-up play when Mytanija's purported 'strongest team' is out on the pitch.

DR: Petr Isaev, 28, Northern Stallions [BRE].
56 caps, 1 goal
Mr. Reliable. Little else can be said of Petr Isaev. He's now the first-choice national team captain and he's grown into the role too, when he was younger few would have predicted he'd be able to motivate his team mates the way he can now. Isaev is an old-fashioned full-back, good at defending and perhaps not the most adventurous when going forwards. He's not that quick, but he makes up for that with good anticipation, he reads the game very well. He's been pretty much ever-present since Mytanija returned to the international scene and that serves to demonstrate his reliability and consistency. He's quiet off the pitch and a metronomic presence on it and capable enough of putting the occasional decent cross in from deep.

DL/R: Patrik Odonelec, 19, Atletik Thessia [MYT].
6 caps, 0 goals
He didn't make too many appearances during qualifying but when he did Patrik Odonelec was solid enough and his versatility has endeared him to Lev Repin, with places in the twenty-three at a premium the manager chose to pick one back-up full-back that is as at home on the left as he is on the right. He is as good on either foot and that is a useful skill as a defender, he also boasts good physical attributes as well as being an intelligent player. His anticipation and positioning are good at such an early age. Going forward he can be a little hit and miss, sometimes lacking a final ball and that will be something he looks to work on as he progresses.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS.
DC: Mojmir Anac, 26, Olympic Thessia [MYT].
43 caps, 2 goals
Anac is 100% the best central defender in Mytanija at the present moment and it's something that is no longer up for debate, at least not among domestic commentators. Anac can do everything, he's good on the ball, a fearsome stopper without it and a proper leader out on the pitch (even if he's perhaps 4th choice for the national team armband at the minute!). He plays for Olympic domestically and has helped to drag them up the table these past couple of years and it will not be surprising to see him plying his trade at one of the top clubs in multiversal football if his seemingly unstoppable rise continues. His influence is crucial to Mytanija's defensive organisation and this is evidenced by the fact he played 15 out of 18 qualifying fixtures, Repin found him difficult to drop.

DC: Zelimir Apostolov, 29, Ararat Severyan [MYT].
14 caps, 0 goals
Apostolov has been something of a late bloomer, he's now one of the two first-choice central defenders for the national team and is believed to be a real favourite of Repin's (plying his trade for Repin's former club Ararat probably doesn't hurt in that regard!). Apostolov has had a rather slow and steady career and perhaps doesn't get the credit that he deserves. He's a part of the incredible defence that Ararat have put together and he's arguably the key man in the back-line (it helps having Kasun behind them, naturally). He's an extremely robust defender and thoroughly prepared to put his body on the line to ensure opponents don't get a clean shot on goal. This tournament could finally be the opportunity for Apostolov to get the credit - from those outside Severyan - that he deserves.

DC: Niksa Obadko, 28, Liria Prizren [MYT].
37 caps, 1 goal
A towering centre-half, Obadko was once touted as a future national team captain but he has issues with his discipline that have seemingly prevented him from quite making it that far. He's been sent off once the national team, but it arguably could have happened on more than just that occasion. He's the same height as Pedja Kasun at 195cm, but wiry when compared to the goalkeeper, although that wiriness shouldn't be mistaken for weakness as Obadko is a strong guy. He's a tough tackler and a limpet-like marker.

DC: Kamil Jernejec, 25, Olympic Thessia [MYT].
11 caps, 0 goals
Joined Olympic from Arka a couple of seasons ago and he's never looked back. He partners Anac domestically and that will work in his favour as Repin has recognised the mutual understanding the pair have from playing together for their club team. Jernejec isn't as quick as Anac is but he's really good in the air and boasts solid mental attributes as well as being good at distributing the ball. He can drop a long pass over the top for a forward to run onto or play a ball through a press to bring his team up the pitch and this could be useful in games against more defensive opposition (that are prepared to sit deep and only press the player on the ball) or those that operate a high press to try and win the ball in the Mytanar half.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS.
DMC: Branko Brkljacic, 27, Atletik Thessia [MYT].
30 caps, 0 goals
Brkljacic has developed into a very good ball-playing defensive midfielder in recent seasons and had an excellent season domestically as he was a key component in Atletik's title-winning team. He has solid technical ability, with a good eye for a pass and it's something he utilises regularly, spraying balls all over the pitch to stretch defences from his deep-lying midfield position. He also does the dirty side of the game effectively, able to win possession back through a combination of strength and dogged determination. He's a tough tackler and not averse to leaving one in on an opponent or tactically fouling if he feels it necessary.

DMC: Predrag Vukomanovic, 24, Energija-Nuklearna [MYT].
11 caps, 0 goals
Vukomanovic is a real talent for Energija-Nuklearna, he signed for them over the summer from his boyhood team FK Magevskaya (following Vasya Kanadin, his former manager, who moved to the club the season before). It's almost as if he has been moulded perfectly to play the double-pivot role at the base of midfield, able to break-up opposition attacks and make tactical fouls without picking up cards but also having an eye for a through ball to send team mates into space going forward. Look for him to get games when the team plays two at the base of midfield (i.e. in the 4-6-0 or 4-2-3-1).

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS.
MC: Tahir Fejzuli, 27, Sabrefell Moths [NPH].
49 caps, 4 goals
Mytanija's greatest passer of the ball, Fejzuli is excellent in possession, both when passing and dribbling. He can beat a defender with a fine piece of footwork and then play a killer pass to split a defence straight after. He's also a great threat from set pieces, both when shooting and crossing. His top-class vision makes him really difficult to defend against as he may not even be looking where he is going to put the ball and he often seems a step ahead of everyone else on the pitch. He's not great out of possession and intelligent opponents may target him as a weak link defensively. His performances for Atletik Thessia in their title-winning season led to interest from Nepharim club Sabrefell Moths, who he joined for what is believed to be a rather large transfer fee.

MC: Grigor Todorov, 31, Pikemouth [BRE].
45 caps, 2 goals
Todorov is more of a box-to-box midfielder than the other central midfielders in this squad. He has plenty of energy and is willing to do a bit of dirty work as well as bombing forward to join attacks. He will be utilised if the team switch to a 4-3-1-2, where his experience at playing the 'double role' - in both the offensive and defensive phases - is crucial. Had a good season with Pikemouth up to a point, when his form and his team's seemingly went downhill at the same time and then niggling injuries only served to add to a poor end to the campaign. He hoped to recapture some of that form with the national team during WC82 qualifying and he was somewhat successful, registering 1 goal in 8 appearances.

MC: Alen Hrdaljko, 22, CDSA [MYT].
15 caps, 1 goal
Hrdaljko has a reputation for being a bit of a character, but he's also an extremely impressive young footballer and there's a reason why he has captained his club, the national under-21 squad and the senior national side by the age of 22. He's a combative, tough-tackling terrier of a player and he regularly uses his aggression to good effect, something which often belies his diminutive stature (170cm). He's also a lovely passer of the ball - both short and long - and able to use both his left and his right to good effect. He's the future of the national side's midfield, a perfect player as part of the two or three deeper midfielders in the 4-6-0 (dependent on which configuration is used). A deep-lying playmaker with a bit of added bite.

MC: Vilim Kupresak, 24, Olympic Thessia [MYT].
16 caps, 3 goals
Kupresak is one of Mytanija's great young hopes, a veteran of the Di Bradini Cup side that won the tournament and was touted as a potential 'golden generation' for the country. He's a big talent and offers everything you would want in a modern offensively-minded central midfielder. He's a lot like Fejzuli, but with a little bit more pace and more conviction when finishing. He's also someone who motivates those around him, never afraid to shout at his team mates and give them instructions. A key part of the Mytanar youth revolution occurring at Olympic Thessia (along with Anac, Jernejec, Petrovic and Zebic). His 2 goals in 12 qualifying appearances demonstrate his growing importance.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS.
AML/R: Brajko Gavrilovic, 24, 1896 Ebor [MYT].
11 caps, 1 goal
A tall, pacy winger who opponents will find difficult to deal with due to his unusual combination of attributes. Gavrilovic is a good crosser of the ball and quick, whilst also being a threat aerially, look for diagonal balls to him against smaller full-backs to be utilised when the 1896 Ebor man is on the pitch. Not the greatest finisher, but it's the chances he'll create that make him important, rather than the ones he finishes. As qualification went on Repin gave Gavrilovic more and more playing time, to the point he is now first-choice down the left. His relationship with Vukovic - both are 1896 Ebor players domestically - is obvious when the pair start combining down the left flank.

AML/C: Dalibor Vlahovic, 24, Ararat Severyan [MYT].
7 caps, 1 goal
An extremely versatile player who can play back in central midfield if necessary or down the wing or as a number ten. Vlahovic is a very skilled player too and he's not just in the squad due to his versatility by any means. A consistent performer for a strong Ararat side domestically, Vlahovic isn't as quick as the likes of Kalinic or Gavrilovic but he's technically solid, able to dribble past an opponent and an excellent passer and crosser of the ball. Look for him to hit the occasional venomous long shot on goal too. He'll play back-up to Jasno Odonelec in the central attacking midfield roles during the Cup of Harmony.

AMC: Jasno Odonelec, 24, 1912 Stelburg [STL].
41 caps, 12 goals
His 7 goals in 13 games nearly made him the national side's top goalscorer during qualification for WC82. He was the team's best player, even if he wasn't top scorer, so much so that Lev Repin has elevated him to vice-captain and this decision has been extremely popular with the rest of the squad. When the Hoops were playing poorly during that run of 5 straight losses in the first-half of qualifying, Jasno Odonelec was the sole bright spark at times. Won the Young Player of the Year award in his debut season with 1912 Stelburg as they finished 3rd in a close title race. Odonelec boasts a fierce shot, quick feet, solid aerial ability and he also isn't afraid of a physical confrontation. He earned the nickname «le fantôme» in Prahecq for his ability to find space and not be noticed by opposition defenders. Odonelec would have been eligible to represent Prahecq internationally, he was born there to Mytanar parents. He's now an icon in the multicultural banlieue Clichy-sous-Bois after growing up there and playing for the club, taking them to UICA competitions and Coupe Prahecqoise victory in his time at the club.

AMR/L: Boris Kalinic, 27, Directus [EUR].
14 caps, 3 goals
Kalinic has long been ignored by the Mytanar national team set-up, but with Lev Repin in charge he's been recalled and it looks like he'll finally have the chance to show everyone exactly why he's played in a UICA Champions' Cup semi final with his club side Directus. He scored 14 goals and created 13 more for Directus as they finished runners-up in the Euraleague last season. He's very quick and direct and whilst he will be no help defensively, the offensive output he'll add could prove invaluable in either the 4-6-0 or 4-2-3-1 that Repin has started to employ.

STRIKERS.
ST: Jezdimir Ocokoljic, 24, Newrook City [NPH].
52 caps, 25 goals
Scored 8 goals in 10 games during WC82 qualification, further evidence for his goalscoring abilities. Ocokoljic is a bona fide star and moving up a level in moving to Newrook City has only served to confirm that as his performances remain as spectacular as ever. Scored 23 goals and finished in the Team of the Year as Newrook City came 5th in the Premiership last term, he operated mainly as a trequartista with his club side but he is more than capable of playing a variety of roles up front. A good dribbler, he'll embarrass any opponents that look to give him particularly rough treatment with his quick feet and trickery. His finishing is pinpoint precise too and he's decent from free kicks for this reason as well. He's extremely adept at finding space, his off-the-ball movement makes him a nightmare to defend against. Ocokoljic will take on even more tactical importance with Repin in charge too, with his role as a false nine in the 4-6-0 being crucial to the way the team plays. He's filled the role admirably thus far.

ST: Nebojsa Aleksic, 28, Tekstil Ibon [MYT].
31 caps, 7 goals
A real modern day complete forward, Aleksic offers height along with his pace and is a very good finisher at domestic level, his goal scoring record with the national team isn't quite as good. He won't bring as much to the build-up play as some of the others, but if he is given a chance in front of goal he will likely take it. Aleksic is a player that has played lower-league football for his hometown club Tekstil in the past and this means he is fully prepared to get involved in the dirty side of the game and he can often be seen clipping at the heels of opponents and generally being a pain to play against. He has an excellent disciplinary record despite this, something of an oxymoron. Finished 3rd in the Top League Golden Boot race with 16 goals in 30 games last season.

ST: Zlatan Andrijasevic, 22, Atletik Thessia [MYT].
7 caps, 5 goals
An impressive goalscoring record with the national team for Zlatan Andrijasevic, he may not get all that many chances to score but when he does he invariably puts the ball in the net. A valuable skill as a striker. He's a towering (195cm) centre forward who can more or less do everything. He's good in the air, has excellent composure and finishing and his movement can make him a menace for defenders. He's not too shabby with the ball at his feet, with some centre-halves being surprised how quickly he can move the ball when dribbling. He scored 13 in 26 last season and he looks like he could be real talent. He's not shy of moments of ingenuity either, as demonstrated by his first time volley from all of 40 yards out which lobbed the goalkeeper in a Top League game against Arka a couple of seasons ago. In the twenty-three because of this ingenuity, Repin could bring him on and he could produce something from nothing, crucial in tournament football.

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Team Roles.

Captaincy: Petr Isaev is the team's captain and most-capped player. Following his influential performances during qualification Jasno Odonelec has been elevated to the position of vice-captain, a decision which has been welcomed by much of the squad given his popularity. If neither of them are on the pitch the captaincy would pass onto the likes of Pedja Kasun, Mojmir Anac or Grigor Todorov.
Penalties: Odonelec is now the team's first-choice penalty taker, after than the responsibility would fall to Ocokoljic. In a penalty shoot-out the order would be something like: Odonelec, Ocokoljic, Fejzuli, Brkljacic, Anac; then the likes of Aleksic, Andrijasevic, Hrdaljko, Kupresak, Todorov would come after or replace those they are substituted for if they are on the pitch by that point (some of them usually should be after 120 minutes of football!).
Corners: Essentially anyone I've noted as a good passer or crosser of the ball: Fejzuli, Kalinic, Odonelec (who'll take them grudgingly due his being a reasonable aerial threat), Vukovic etc.
Short free kicks: Ocokoljic or Fejzuli, basically. Ocokoljic is more likely to take them from the left as he's right-footed and Fejzuli more likely from the right as he's left-footed. Odonelec would be next choice and Branko Brkljacic would offer a different method of taking it which mainly involves just hitting the ball as hard as he possibly can. If none of those are on the pitch, the likes of Kalinic or Kupresak are options. Failing that pick someone at random.
Long free kicks: Usually whoever's playing at left-back or right-back will take our long free kicks and try and punt it into the box and take advantage of having quite a tall team.

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Home - Away - Goalkeeper

Huge thanks to ediraf, the Official Sportswear Apparel Partner of the Mytanar national team.

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Things worth noting:
• Lev Repin (aged 48), has taken over the national team job from Robin Hjik after Hjik chose to move on to manage Euran club Bastion. Repin is a Mytanar footballing legend (as is Hjik!), and played for the national side 177 times, scoring 14 goals from full back, winning Copa Rushmori XVII and Cup of Harmony 56 and 59 along the way. He managed the under-21 squad at the Di Bradini Cup and took them to a runners-up finish. Repin is known as a bit of a schemer tactically and this was evidenced during qualification for World Cup 82.

• TACTICAL INFORMATION: Repin has introduced a 4-6-0 formation that some in Mytanija consider innovative and others consider stupid and it is this formation that the Hoops will use as their 'default' formation during the Cup of Harmony. It utilises a false nine and a trequartista as well as wingers that play very high and wide in order to stretch the opposition and create spaces around the pitch. In the 4-6-0 Ocokoljic and Odonelec will rotate between playing as the false nine and the trequartista.

If ahead in a game Repin will often switch to a 4-2-3-1 or occasionally a 5-3-2; introducing a more defensive midfielder (usually Vukomanovic or Hrdaljko) at the base of midfield and an additional centre-half if switching to the 5-3-2. If the team are chasing a goal then Repin will switch to a more narrow 4-3-1-2 formation, introducing a more attack-minded central midfielder (Todorov, Kupresak or Hrdaljko - the latter being a very versatile player), and an extra striker. The full-backs will be instructed to push-up when in possession to provide width going forwards.

Whatever the formation, the team will endeavour to play a more possession-based, risk-free approach in tournament football than they would during qualification. They will keep the ball and probe a little more rather than the more free-flowing, constantly moving style attempted during WC82 qualification.

• Mytanija has qualified to 11 World Cups, reaching the quarter finals in World Cup 68. Mytanija has won the Copa Rushmori once (XVII), to go with two victories in the Cup of Harmony (56 and 59); and a Di Bradini Cup win (DBC40). Some of these achievements were made under the names Mytannion/the Mytanar Region, Mytanija is ICly the exact same place.

• Mytanars are renowned for being passionate and therefore will not be afraid of confrontation if they feel they're on the end of a particularly rough tackle. At the same time Mytanars are not afraid of gamesmanship and may perform some questionable tackles of their own, along with tactical fouls to prevent the opponent from gaining momentum. Furthermore, diving, crowding referees and even intentional handballs (OOC: so Maradona's Hand of God and Suarez for Uruguay versus Ghana, that sort of stuff), to influence the game are not beyond Mytanar players. They will argue that winning is the most important thing and will do anything they can to achieve victory. Some might call it dirty, Mytanars don't, that won't stop them complaining when things go against them naturally.

• Mytanar fans are well-known for being hooligans, causing problems wherever they go and being prone to violence. They also make outstanding choreographies for their domestic sides and occasionally the national team (if they aren't fighting each other), so pyrotechnics, flags and lots of noise and alcohol are common place. Corteos (organised marches from a specific place to the stadium), are also common, these can lead to areas being shutdown as the sheer numbers of fans walking along roads block traffic and can lead to issues as police attempt to marshal supporters too. Given the ongoing political situation in Mytanija, whether ultra groups are able to put aside differences regarding politics, ethnicity etc for the national side is a pertinent question and the answer to it may change even from game to game.

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RP PERMISSIONS
If my opponent role-plays first they may:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y, you may comment on severity although I shall have final say
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y, Mytanars are notoriously passionate and prone to gamesmanship so may accumulate these at an extremely high rate
Hand out red cards to my players: Y, see above, although no more than two in one game please
Godmod other events: Y

Style modifier: +0.5

[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

[center]The Maximusian National Team[/center]

[center]74th Cup of Harmony Team[/center]


After a phenomenal performance in the 69th Baptism of Fire but a lackluster showing in the 82nd World. Cup, the Maximusian Team is ready for redemption in this years final major football cup. While the competition will be just as fierce as always, the team is confident that they will have what it takes to win.

The notion of a National Team was first proposed by Nicholas Allen, head of the Department for International Athletic Affairs, in 2018. He dreamt of a day when LOM would be known for their athletic competitors. The Baptism of Fire seemed a great place to start. After a near perfect tournament, the team came away with a Bronze Medal. Third Place for their first tournament.

With spirits high, the team was decimated in the World Cup Qualifiers. Things didn't go very well at all. Now the the team is back and as hungry for redemption as they were for their first game.

The National Team is made up entirely by young men from the Maximusian Major League Football Association, the most elite football devision in LOM.


Nation:
Libertas Omnium Maximus

Team Trigram:
L-O-M

Style Modification:
+3

Team Rosters:

Goalie: Johan Vanderbilt #00 (Litudinem FC)

Defenders:
Michael Parks #44 (Litudinem FC)
Robert Angly #22 (Athletic Lyn)
Caleb Darkas #14 (Litudinem FC)
James Oakley #37 (Portland FC)

Midfielders:
Brian Mueller #07 (Litudinem Athletic FC)
Andrew Fulham #75 (Augustine Athletic FC)
Walter McIntosh #09 (Portland FC)
John Anders #31 (New Castle City)

Strikers:
Luke Brookshire #17 (New Handover FC) (Team Captain)
Robert Colter #43 (Iustitia FC)

Substitutes:
Connor Watson #55 (Georgetown FC) Defensive
Braden Van Allen #04 (Litudinem City) Defensive
Alex Mayor #03 (New Castle City) Mid-field
Liam Barrett #16 (Portland FC) Mid-field
Jessie Souther #83 (Augustine United) Mid-field
Robert Colter #43 (Real Iustitia) Attacking
Paul Eastwood #0 (Athletic Lyn) Goalkeeper

Head Coach:
Vincent Alfonsi

Assistant Coaches:
Jack Davidson
Neil Berkley

Team Manager:
James Franklin

Head Physician:
Dr. Steven Ruggiero

Formation(s):
4-4-2, 4-4-2 Diamond Format

Kit (Exclusive for the 74th CoH)




Baptism of Fire Record

Finished in 3rd

Total Games Played: 11

Wins:
8

Losses:
3

Total Goals Scored: 26

World Cup Qualifier Record

Did Not Qualify

Total Games Played:
18

Wins:
6

Draws:
2

Losses:
10

RP Permissions
GodMod Events: Yes (you cant kill anyone, but you can have the stadium burn to the ground)
GodMod Goalscore Events: Yes (own goals, 50m headers, the works)
Injure My Players: No (I mean, you can kick them in the shins or knock em over, but you cant incapacitate them)
GodMod Injure My Players: No (no neck snapping, no ruptured lungs, no nonsense)
Red Card My Players: Yes (use sparingly)
Yellow Card My Players: Yes (sparingly)

[Abanhfleft]

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ABANHFLEFT
WOMEN'S NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM

Ranulph Bustamante was quite successful in his first year as manager of Abanhfleft, guiding the men's team to their second World Cup appearance, and his win against Nephara in the final matchday of the group stage of World Cup 75 confused people enough to make them think that Abanhfleft could have qualified, but alas, they didn't. But that doesn't matter, because he managed to guide the men to the World Cup despite a rocky qualification. Holly Jonasson did pretty well in her time with the Fleftic women's team to steer them through to the finals, but the women's team's time under Heinrich Wurzmann was both forgettable and deplorable. Now it's in the hands of young Ginny Katesmar from North Prarie to ensure that the women of Abanhfleft can emulate their male counterparts once again with yet another new-look team that's once again ready to take the world by storm. But can they actually do it this time? Let's find out, shall we...

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft
Demonym: Fleftic
Team colors: Blue, orange, and green
Style modifier: +3.5
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Ginny Katesmar (47 y/o, North Prarie)

STARTERS
GK: Stephanie BRYAN 32 y/o, Antslinngs Islands Ladies (#1), captain
Stephanie Bryan finally gets to represent the blue, orange, and green once again after over four years of sitting out due to a new reliance on the likes of Yannie Redborne and Yelena Valinovskaya to ride the bench while Victoria Carter is on form, but with Redborne now retiring from international footie and Valinovskaya recovering from ligament repair surgery, Steph will now get the chance to be seen riding the Fleftic bench once again. But whether she will be the long-term replacement for Carter and the rest is still up in the air as there are more promising keepers out there, at least according to Holly Jonasson. Finally, finally getting a run out as the starter for the women's national team for the World Cup 82 qualifying campaign.

RB: Georgine BAUM 21 y/o, Pascal Mashu (Kita-Hinode) (#2)
Another player with foreign roots playing for the Democratic Republic. This time, Georgine's parents are immigrants, or rather expats, from Pridnestrovia, who escaped the country after her father said a few things that were not to President Field Marshal Stepan Stepanenko's liking. Georgine is more than likely to play for Abanhfleft in the future, but stranger things have happened. Arkadia Zubarenko did end up playing for Pridnestrovia after years in Abanhfleft's youth teams. Baum has always played on the left before so seeing her on the right side this time could be a bit of a shock for her but apparently people trust Georgine to hit the ground running after being thrown off the deep end, so she's about to be asked to do the same for the Lady Revolutionaries in the World Cup 82 qualifying campaign.

RCB: Catarina SOLER 31 y/o, Keephall Valkyries (#4)
Soler has served as a dependable supporting unit for both center-backs, but once again she is a player that is played out of position in most international games that she gets to play. Soler prefers being a true center-back, but that doesn't mean that she shirks from the responsibilities of being a central fullback shifted a little to the right or the left. Soler had a chance to rise up to the senior women's team but a drop in form coinciding with injuries has kept her out of the national team setup until now. Now Catarina wants to prove that she still has what it takes to be an international quality center back.

LCB: Miranda SULLINS 25 y/o, Sporting Ceneisis Women (#5)
An exciting prospect if only for the fact that she had gotten herself noticed through the Sporting Ceneisis youth academy, which had been a bit neglected by Artemio Peres in favor of getting players both locally and abroad for as much as his team's Bellinsgauzenian boss is willing to let him spend. Still, it wouldn't do to take away from the fact that she is indeed a good defender, if a bit raw even for the standards of the under-21 teams. And an international call-up such as thing can do no harm to her career. Right?

LB: Claudia ROOS 22 y/o, Arsenal de Releinthi Ladies (#3), vice-captain
They once said that Claudia is the player on the under-15 team who is most likely to end up representing another nation once she hits the senior level. Abanhfleft is enjoying Claudia's services while she's still with the team, as she is already turning into a future star winger, what with her pace, crossing ability, and incisive runs into the box. But with Claudia's inclusion into the Independents Cup squad (albeit playing as a fullback to supposedly improve the defensive side of her game), it looks like Abanhfleft has finally secured her for a future spot in the women's national team.

RM: Stephanie WINTER-SLAUGHTER 24 y/o, Marinos Thimpodopoulos Women (Fhulghamous Peninsula, playing in the Fleftic Ladies' Premier League) (#6)
Winter-Slaughter's surname sounds rather weird when you consider her biggest asset is an unprecedented sense of justice, but it really is. Winter-Slaughter, while a competent midfielder with enough room to grow, became much more notorious for her actions both in and outside of the field, often helping opponents and team-mates at distress from injuries or pretty much anything else. Conquered some hearts for her kindness, funnily enough. Stephanie was given Fleftic citizenship on the recommendation of Heinrich Wurzmann after the disappearance of the Unified Sunrise Islands so that Abanhfleft could take advantage of her talents.

LM: ERIN Jensdottir-Jennings 27 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies (#8)
We finally come to one of the most controversial additions to Abanhfleft's Independents Cup squad yet. Not a person living in Abanhfleft hasn't heard of the story of Erin Jensdottir and her friend Britt Hanokssen. The two of them had gotten in trouble with an Anglatian gang and their friend Bisera Haralampieva, of Rosen City Ladies and Pridnestrovia women's national team fame, called on another friend of hers to get Erin and Britt out of trouble. They did so by faking Erin and Britt's deaths and substituting them for two dead bodies. Britt and Erin had ended up playing for FC United of Riuwiee in the seventh tier of Fleftic football before they finally came clean about their status, resulting in the biggest ever points deduction in Fleftic football history and a massive settlement package with Hunsen Loggers from United of Riuwiee for both Erin and Britt. Erin is described as the complete playmaker able to operate from deep or right in front with the forwards, which is why Heinrich Wurzmann recommended her naturalization in time for the Independents Cup.

RW: Elene LINER 21 y/o, Sarvusdalamoive Ladies (#7)
Even at her young age, Elene already has the look of a future fantastic keeper. Well, what else can be said about the Sarvusdalamoive Football Academy, which has turned out great Fleftic keepers like Maksim Varamoninov and Victoria Carter? Unfortunately, she's slipped down the pecking order, but only because Brook Arzate deserves the chance to start this time. She had a lot to make up for after that emotionally devastating penalty shootout loss against Schottia in the 9th Under-15 World Cup and she ended up not having the mental strength to get over the disappointment of the shootout so she decided to become a forward player instead. This way she hopes to emulate some of Abanhfleft's star forwards like Matthew Cave and Ruud Akinfenyor who started off as goalkeepers and then decided to make the move up to the top of the pitch.

CAM: BRITT Hanokssen-Hanks 24 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies (#10)
Erin Jensdottir's best friend and girlfriend, Britt has been called "too ambitious for her own good" by the man who would eventually recommend bringing Britt over to Rosenpfelblatz, Matthew Cave. Britt isn't exactly the best, most mobile, most skillful, fastest, or most accurate player available for the Independents Cup, but she makes up for it in her sheer never-say-die attitude. Other things that other players might consider lost causes are just more challenges for Britt to overcome. That being said, if Britt does end up making an appearance for Abanhfleft, it's probably more out of desperation than anything else. But still, no one knows. Maybe this is the tournament where Britt finally shines bright. But it still says something that pundits say that Ginny Katesmar is taking a risk by putting Britt in the starting eleven for the World Cup 82 qualifiers.

LW: Amelie RUSEV 21 y/o, Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies (#11)
Amelie Rusev is the best player on current Fleftic under-18 team after Gareth Williamson. At just 18 years old, she's already looking like the complete winger package. Not only is she both quick and light on her feet and strong in the air and during challenges, she is ambidextrous, able to use both feet to send in long balls and crosses into the box when she wants. With that added crossing ability, Amelie is already on her way to the first team of Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies at such a tender age. Kasper Molak will surely look to make Amelie the successor to Raisa Korovina as the next Miss Ludogorets.

ST: Kelly McGINNIS 21 y/o, Hoventon & Corlington Town (Mercedini) (#9)
Kelly McGinnis could very well be the next Chelsea Stuart. Lord knows she's got the raw talent in her veins and her feet. Her only problem is in getting out of Besanza to continue her development and make sure that it's on the right track to actually making her the next Chelsea Stuart. Kelly wants to move abroad to develop herself in a world-class side, and she believes that the Sporting World Cup is her way to gaining that attention and getting that move abroad. She did well in her first stint abroad, winning a domestic cup with Mercedini's Hoventon & Corlington Town, but another potential loan move to the Gallian Union fell through and she's had to stay with Airbus Besanza for this season. This could very well change though as another opportunity could be opening up for her, but it's going to take her much farther away from the Fhulghamous than just Mercedini...

RESERVES
GK: Ursula QATINTIKI 29 y/o, Crisisbless Athletic (Nephara) (#13)
Qatintiki is a ferocious keeper who believes herself to be a good sweeper but unfortunately doesn't have all the necessary skills to be an actual sweeper keeper. Fortunately for her, she's managed to keep 10 clean sheets in the Premier Development League (Ladies' Division) for Sarvusdalamoive Ladies. Unfortunately for her, this performance hasn't carried to her first international call-up in the Sporting World Cup, where she conceded a total of 14 goals in the tournament. But the presence of an experienced back four in front of her could help her concede less in this tournament. Despite being a rapidly rising star in Sarvusdalamoive, Qatintiki opted to cut her contract and sign up for the Pridnestrovian Volunteer Legions in ESTORVIPA. She could actually be charged with treason for fighting for another sovereign nation but the SFA has pulled favors with the Ministry of Justice to delay her trial until the end of the Independents Cup.

GK: Bronwyn CHURCHILL 21 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies (#22)
Bronwyn is the daughter of Rosenpfelblatz City's new manager Joseph "Joe" Churchill, one of the most decorated managers in the sport within the Fleftic sphere of influence. Bronwyn came with her dad to Rosenpfelblatz and immediately settled in well with the Lady Sky Blues' academy. She is a traditional keeper who prefers to keep close to goal and catch or slap away shots from that position, although she is learning to become a more athletic keeper now that she's training with the likes of Yannie Redborne, Marfa Kirilenko, and Blaze Chrzanowska. It should be noted that Joe Churchill would have liked it more if his daughter had not wanted to be a goalkeeper, but at least he as a father won't worry about where she's been before, during, and after training because they're always in close proximity to each other.

RB: Alma WALKER 23 y/o, Rushmori Drawks (The Isles of Avon) (#14)
Alma Walker is a decent right back who looks destined to be an actual right back instead of the myriad wingbacks who seem to be cropping up like weeds all over Abanhfleft's academies. Alma is actually ambidextrous with her feet and can play in both fullback positions fairly well and effectively (kind of like Tonya Heaton) but she prefers to work on the right side of the pitch. Doesn't mean that she can't do a good job on the left, though.

RB: Queen YARNALL 18 y/o, Admiral Porcusces Women (#24)
A quiet and sturdy defender who for her age is already making waves not only in the youth leagues but also in her handful of appearances for the Admiral Porcusces Women senior team. Still needs some work obviously but she could have a very high ceiling indeed.

CB: Christy SHEPLEY 22 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies (#15)
At 6 feet 2 inches, Christy is already one of the tallest 17-year-old Fleftic central defenders ever in the Democratic Republic and its sphere of influence. Coupled with a supernatural defensive ability, it's a wonder why she's still on the bench and not starting, until one realizes that Christy is quite the thin and willowy girl. She's a good defender and good in aerial and dead-ball situations, there's no doubt about that, but she has to bulk up and get stronger if she is to become one of Abanhfleft's best defenders. She remains on the bench to make way for Miranda Sullins and Catarina Soler in this Independents Cup squad.

CB: Tiera WALRATH 20 y/o, Ogovlich Medusas (#16)
One quarter of the Ogovlich backline that won them the Youth Premier League title this season. Like Wilton Kaba beside her in the under-18 team, Tiera's main purpose is to win balls inside the box and then kick it right out of the danger area. Accuracy needs a bit of work though.

LB: Deborah RIDDLES 23 y/o, Keephall Valkyries (#17)
Right now, she's a left back, but Deborah is a natural wing-back who has the potential to develop into an out-and-out winger. Deborah is currently playing with the defense, but only because that is her best footballing position at the moment. Still loves to throw in a cross and will often clog up the left side of the field alongside the team's out-and-out left wingers.

LB: Tien GOODLETT 19 y/o, Ogovlich Medusas (#25)
The second quarter of the Ogovlich backline that won the Youth Premier League. Tien is more of an attacking fullback who likes to maraud further up the pitch and assist in the attack. She still gets back in defense more times than not but a particularly quick counterattack could still leave her stranded where she can be of no help to her fellow defenders.

RM: Trinidad KLEIST 23 y/o, Xemlice Rovers Ladies (#18)
At such a young age, Trinnie, as she likes to be called, is already developing into a no-nonsense center defensive midfielder, breaking up attacks and stopping counters. Unfortunately, that also means a lot of bookings and the occasional red card for her. Trinnie still has to learn to control herself, and surely she can keep a cool head now that she's playing on the international stage and under great managers in Heinrich Wurzmann and Miriam Whitaker?

RM: SIBUSIZWE Kiggwancha 19 y/o, Athletic Motonou (#26)
SIbusizwe's greatest strength lies in the fact that she can win the ball in midfield more times than not. Of course, most of this is against girls and boys on or nearly the same age as she is, but when she turned out for Athletic Motonou's senior side in the last few matchdays of the Ladies' Third Division season (with the title already wrapped up for Motonou) Sibusizwe looked capable of doing much the same thing against players who were much older and much more experienced than her. Sibusizwe won't have to do that against older and experienced players from other national teams just yet, but she will have to do it against her fellow under-18s from other countries starting from this tournament.

CM: Merida VANCE 31 y/o, Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies (#20)
At just the tender age of 23, Merida has turned herself from a lanky and clumsy girl straight out of the academy with a future as a lower-league player into a vital piece of Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies' midfield puzzle, helping the Lady Foresters to both the Ladies' Premier League title and the Women's SFA Cup in the 2014-15 season. Now, two years later, she's still vital to the team then as she is now, and she will serve as a capable backup for her teammate Bella Maynard for the World Cup qualifiers and, if they make it, the World Cup itself.

CM: Abigail PAPADIAMANTOPOULOS 28 y/o, All-Inclusive Haranguer (#27)
Abigail is the tallest player in this roster at 6 feet 8 inches, taller than even her supposed lookalike Stephanie Bryan. Abigail used to play Sunday league with Anglatia's Ross Port Rangers before Fleftic scouts noticed her during the 38th Di Bradini Cup and she signed a contract with Wallace Partridge's All-Inclusive Haranguer. Partridge chose to sign Abigail due to her size and her playstyle which is very much reminiscent of one of the most famous (if not the best) players to put on the black-and-amber shirt in Sutalen "The Beast of Copper Cuprum" Desoka. Despite helping All-Inclusive Haranguer to a fifth-place finish in the 2022-23 season, she was never called up for Anglatia's national team, and with the country now returning to its policy of total isolation, Abigail was given Fleftic citizenship on the recommendation of Heinrich Wurzmann so the SFA could take advantage of her skills on the pitch.

LM: Cecily SEGOVIA 23 y/o, Riuwiee United Women (#19)
CeCe is the foil to Trinidad Kleist's hard-hitting CDM. The Oontaz-born central midfielder is the creative outlet for the midfield, setting up passes and long balls to initiate the attack. But that doesn't mean she shirks from her defensive responsibilities. Still, like Trinnie, CeCe is still a bit enthusiastic with the sliding tackles and will get her name on the referee's notebook a fair few times. Another member of the second-place under-15 team from Schottia who was included in the under-21 team, the Independents Cup team, and now the player pool for the 80th World Cup qualifiers.

LM: Charlene WILLIAMSON 22 y/o, Admiral Porcusces Women (#28)
Charlene Williamson is the overlooked twin sister of Gareth Williamson. The reasons why she's been overlooked is because her main assets in football are mostly pace, acceleration, physicality, and a good long ball. Charlene can also run with the ball or chase it for 90 minutes and anyone stupid enough to try to take the ball away from her would find themselves on the ground almost immediately. Strangely though, Charlene's physicality tends to vanish during set pieces and Charlene could now count herself lucky if she doesn't end up kissing the grass while trying to get a touch on a corner or a free kick. Perhaps that's why Sporting Ceneisis allowed her to go to their provincial rivals Admiral Porcusces.

CAM: Prudence WOODWARD 21 y/o, Duhblakk Aztecs (#21)
Prudence Woodward is the third and final player of Panemian descent to represent the blue, orange, and green for the Sporting World Cup. She is the younger sister of Julius Woodward and her future appears to be in central attacking midfield. Prudence is already displaying a taste for clever through-balls and occupying pockets of space in which she could create chances and even score a few goals herself. Prudence has also been rumored to be displaying more than just friendly attention and camaraderie with the team's resident lesbian Poppaea Fleet-Street but that's hardly important to the conversation. But although nothing has been confirmed yet, it could be said that it won't be much of a surprise if Prudence came out and admitted that she has a relationship with Poppaea. Also already a mother after an argument with Prudence led to a one-night stand with fellow under-18 teammate Prince William Luckless.

FW: Karen VILLEGAS 31 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies (#12)
It's very rare for someone as short as Karen to be a football player, let alone a striker. But against all odds, not only did she become a good football player, she's also become one of the best players of her generation. Karen was a prodigy even at a very young age, but she nearly ended up not playing football twice: first, when she was shot in the neck (not fatally, thankfully) during the Holy Catholic Revolution of 2008, and second, when the expected growth spurt upon hitting puberty never actually happened. But after seeing the likes of Sonny Torres, Chelsea Stuart and Alex Rousseau succeed at the top flight of women's football in Abanhfleft, she trialled for Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies and was admitted into their academy. Eight years later, Karen is now an international player and Rousseau's striker partner at Rosenpfelblatz.

FW: Zsofia DOLAN 30 y/o, Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies (#23)
Abanhfleft in general, and the city of Markovsky in particular, has always been a melting pot of various cultures, faiths and beliefs, and Sofie is the embodiment of that multicultural spirit. Born and raised in the majority-Russian city of Markovsky to a mixed Hungarian and Irish family, Sofie inherited the hardworking spirit of the two peoples from which she descended, and when many others would have given up and quit, Sofie continued working her way up the ranks of Ludogorets Markovsky Ladies, and she broke through to the first team just in time for the Lady Foresters to achieve the Ladies' Premier League and Women's SFA Cup double. She moved to Lionesses in Armeia as part of the club's rebuilding process, after a plane crash killed most of the players of the old team, and her performances and general hard work have earned her a starting spot in the club.

FW: Annamarie SABADO 26 y/o, Arsenal de Releinthi Ladies (#29)
Sabado has the makings of being "the next Fleftic super-sub." No less a footballing authority than Arsenal de Releinthi manager Godric Wexler said so after Sabado had scored the game-winning goal against Lutine to give Abanhfleft a ticket to the Sporting World Cup final. And, judging from her inclusion into the Independents Cup, Heinrich Wurzmann and Miriam Whitaker look to do the same with her for the coming tournament.

FW: Irina BABARUSHCHIK 31 y/o, Dynamo Shebchetsik (Mercedini) (#30)
Babarushchik used to be in (friendly) competition with Annamarie Sabado for the position of Arsenal de Releinthi Ladies U-21s' starting striker, but Sabado ended up being the winner in the long run as Babarushchik couldn't wait for Chelsea Stuart to retire (which is still a long time coming anyway) and the half-Pridnestrovian striker struck out for greener pastures in the form of Mercedini's Dynamo Shebchetsik. Now, as both Irina and Annamarie return to the Fleftic national team setup for the Independents Cup, they are once again back to competing with each other for the honor of being the next Fleftic super-sub.

FORMATIONS


KITS (by Adidulas)


IMPORTANT STATISTICS
To be determined...

SCHEDULE
MD1:
MD2:
MD3:

STADIUMS
All football stadiums in Abanhfleft now have seats following a mandatory upgrade in 2000, but despite this ruling, many, if not all, stadiums still allow standing spectators during matches. However, in anticipation for World Cup qualifying matches, more security forces had been hired by the authorities to make sure that there are no standing spectators in such games.

View this page for a guide to the numerous possible venues for the World Cup qualification in Abanhfleft.

RP PERMISSIONS
Anything except killing, and I reserve the right to stage riots when I lose in home games. The chances of a riot happening increase exponentially if I draw and I win, in that particular order.

[Busoga Islands]

Busoga Islands National Team

Information
Country code: BUS
Denonym: Busogans/Busoga Islanders/Islanders(Busoga Islanders is the formal term; many Banijans call them Busogans, while locals refer to themselves simply as Islanders, which will be the terminology used by the journalists of this country)
Association: Busoga Islander Soccer Association(BISA)
Manager: Starfire (Pegasus - female), 46 years old, native of the Equestrian States. Starfire is a manager who excels at getting the most out of whatever she's given, regularly keeping the Ponyville Galaxy from relegation with a keen eye for tactics and seemingly boundless optimism that keeps spirits up in the locker room. Starfire was Moon Dust's long-time student as an assistant coach at Ponyville United and pundits tend to think more highly of the pegasus than her club's place in the table might suggest. She has been largely popular so far as the Islander manager- currently coaching under contract through the end of the World Cup 82 cycle, though, of course, almost everybody expects her to be offered an extension.
Senior Assistant Manager: Yamma Mbye. 38 years old, doubles as the new executive director of the Busoga Islands Regional Youth Academy. Spent the twilight of her professional career when she was part of a wave of Banijan female players that went to the Equestrian States, playing for the Manetreal Impact. Just announcing her retirement from the playing scene at 36, she was hired quickly by Starfire to be the Assistant Manager, and they had a good working relationship at the latest AOCAF. She said that connections they shared within the Equestrian States, as well as her own connections in the Busoga Islands, would allow her to be an 'invaluable asset' for the transition.
Captain: Delbin Kasekende
Alternate Captain: Marie Sonko
Home Kits: Red
Away Kits: Black
Alternate: White


RP Permissions
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Choose Scoring Events: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
RP Injuries to my players: Yes(please state what injury they have suffered and how many games they will miss).
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes(please state what injury they have suffered and how many games they will miss).
Godmod other events: Yes
Style modifier: +1

Do whatever you want besides godmodding the actual goals(I prefer the actual goals to be real). If anybody dies, please TG me who so I can replace them.

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=gx95t

Roster for World Cup 82 Qualifying

Starters: 4-4-2 diamond.
The six professional clubs on the Busoga Islands are all part of the Banijan soccer pyramid.
Players who have previously received call up to the Banijan national team when the Islands were part of Banija are italicized.
Players who do not play within the Banijan soccer pyramid are bolded.
BSL = Banijan Soccer League, the top-flight for Banija & the Busoga Islands.
GK #1 Delbin Kasekende. 37 years old. Plays for Herzegovina City FC in the BSL. Captain. Male.
RB #2 Berihu Abeselome. 31 years old. Plays for Crystopolis City in the Crystal Empire. Plays in the United League, the top-flight of the United Hoofball Association. Brother of Robel Abeselome. Male.
CB #5 Marie Sonko. 29 years old. Plays for Everfree Forest HC in the Equestrian States. Plays in the United League. Female.
CB #3 Mohan Thakshak. 23 years old. Plays for the Herzegovina Phoenix in the BSL. Male.
LB #4 Naaji al-Azam. 24 years old. Plays for Jaribga Soccer Club in the Northwestern League. Male.
CDM #6 Channeh Jarju. 25 years old. Plays for the Canterlot Stars in the Equestrian States. Plays in the United League. Female.
RM #7 Upanshu Paramartha. 22 years old. Plays for Rukunbi FC in the BSL. Male.
LM #11 Madhav Oojam. 22 years old. Plays for the Busembe Timberwolves in the BSL. Male.
CAM #10 Fara Turay. 26 years old. Plays for Fillydelphia Union in the Equestrian States. Plays in the Second League, the second tier of the United Hoofball Association. Male.
ST #9 Ikshu Amitabh. 22 years old. Plays for Kitara Athletic Association in the BSL. Male.
ST #12 Ousman Babaja. 28 years old. Plays for Lakiska SC in the BSL. Male.
Bench
GK #35 Hibbaan al-Shareef. 25 years old. Plays for Jaribga Soccer Club in the Northwestern League. Male.
GK #23 Mantek Ranwa. 24 years old. Plays for Koszagard City in the Northwestern League. Male.
RB #16 Yashpal Gopaal. 21 years old. Plays for the Isipongo Flash in the BSL. Male.
CB #18 Behzad Bina. 20 yeras old. Plays for Jaribga Soccer Club in the Northwestern League. Male.
CB #19 Filije Kolley. 26 years old. Plays for Istria City FC in the BSL. Male.
LB #14 Parviz Blourian. 17 years old. Plays for Taramazna United in the Northwestern League. Male.
CM #8 Vyomaang Yuval. 22 years old. Plays for Dukuma Sporting Club in the BSL. Male.
RM #17 Yoosuf al-Zakaria. 29 years old. Plays for the Tripoli Foresters in the Northwestern League. Male.
LM #20 Mutsuhito Barbarossa. 32 years old. Plays for Rukunbi FC in the BSL. Male.
CAM/CM #15 Utpal Ishan. Age 25. Plays for the Hoima Warriors in the BSL.
ST #21 Girum Mikias. 33 years old. Plays for Dukuma SC in the BSL. Male.
ST #25 Kadi Sanneh. 34 years old. Plays for Equestrians Outcasts HC in the Equestrian States. Plays in the United League. Female.

Notes:
- Our free kicks are taken by Fara Turay.
- Our penalty kicks are taken by Ousman Babaja.
- In terms of substitutions, anybody is OK to substitute off the pitch besides Ousman Babaja, Berihu Abeselome, and Delbin Kasekende. Those three are the core of the team with international experience, and are the team's seasoned leaders.
-

Select Player Biographies

1. GK Delbin Kasekende

Delbin Kasekende used to be the permanent number one for the Banijan national team, tending the net for the entirety of the World Cup 79 cycle and the entirety of the World Cup 80 cycle. The veteran goalkeeper had previously won back-to-back gold glove campaigns with Herzegovina City FC, including captaining Herzegovina City FC to an undefeated season in Season Six's title run, winning his first professional trophy at the club level. He toiled a long time for Dukuma SC, his hometown and boyhood club. He is a native of Dukuma, Busoga Islands. Dukuma SC has long been ridiculed as the worst club in the BSL, and were relegated after Season 8. He switched to Herzegovina City FC to 'get a chance to play for silverware', and boy, was that a good decision/

He was in line to take the armband for the Banijan national team after Kiggwe Mavuto's retirement from the national side. Goalkeeping, of course, in World Cup 80, he had an excellent tournament and got rave reviews. But, of course, matters at home took quite a turn, with drought and ensuring war with the Equestrian States leading towards full independence for the Busoga Islands. And, like a number of players, after BISA and the RBSA negotiated an agreement, many players, like himself, had decisions to make- which country would they represent?

The eyes of the sporting world within the country were on him. With Toyuwa Okafor choosing to play for Banija, and Berihu Abeselome choosing to switch his allegiance to the Busoga Islands, it was Kasekende who faced all the pressure. Which would he choose? And after struggling, he chose to go home, to the Busoga Islands. He's received a lot of pushback for that decision at Herzegovina City FC, of course- whose fans are known for being right-wing and nationalistic. He ended up finishing the previous season, however, without much incident at club for his decision. But, of course, he holds the distinction of being one of few players to start in an AOCL match, a Globe Cup match, a Champions Cup match, a World Cup Qualifier, a Cup of Harmony match, a World Cup Finals match, and a Baptism of Fire match. Decorated for club and two countries. What a career, right? He's probably one of the only players ever to play in a World Cup Finals match before he played in a Baptism of Fire match- though that is due, of course, to the unique circumstances of his nation. He is playing surely in his final tournament at this Cup of Harmony, and looks to help his nation shock the world in Atlantian Oceania.

2. RB Berihu Abeselome

The other member of Banija's first ever World Cup team who is on this side, being on the roster, though on the bench, for the World Cup 80 Finals, he lost his starting spot halfway through qualifying, when Banija's new manager came in and redid the entire back line. Of course, the new look backline worked wonders, as they helped lead Banija on a 10 game competitive undefeated run en route to their first ever appearance at a World Cup, World Cup 80.

He's spent the majority of his professional career playing in the Crystal Empire, starting for Crystalopolis City, regarded by many as the class of the United League. He was an obvious choice to be one of the key players on this squad- Starfire has seen him play, up close, as she has managed Ponyville Galaxy. He is the youngest of the three who are expected to be leaders, and after a cycle, he will, naturally, be expected to take the armband from Delbin Kasekende when he eventually retires.

He will be a threat, and a force, for the team. He has seemingly endless amounts of energy- meaning that he can turn defense into offense quickly, and will be prone to look for the counter-attack. And, of course, he has some experience, playing for a national team, and playing in the World Cup. Expect him to be part of the emotional heartbeat of this squad as they enter the Cup of Harmony.

3. ST Ousman Babaja.

Ousman Babaja was part of a shock Lakiska SC squad that challenged greatly for UICA places last season, only to fall just short of Istria City FC for that fourth and final spot. Istria City FC, of course, is a much larger and richer club than Lakiska SC, and is part of their astounding success under their manager from Qusmo. Of course, the level of play was raised on the South Island, and nowhere was that more evident than Ousman Babaja basically exploding onto the scene.

He always had potential, but in Season 8, he finally met it. Leading the team in scoring, his play improved exponentially from the prior season, when Lakiska was in the bottom quarter of the league, and fighting off relegation for much of the season. Babaja was well-integrated into the offense of Winad-Lenpi, and played well with players like Kizza Okafor, and Joseph Williamson to lead them to their surprise, top quarter of the table finish, basically inversing their finish from before.

Now, of course, having met that expectation, he finds himself on the national team-and helping lead the front line. He had his moments in qualifying- particularly a wonderful chip for the team's lone goal in their stunning upset over top ranked Vilita- but can he step up on the main stage of a major tournament? We'll have to find out and see.

[Busoga Islands]

The Busoga Chronicle
The Islands #1 News Source!

Busoga Islands turn up to the 74th Cup of Harmony with low expectations and high hopes


Players celebrate a goal during the World Cup Qualification campaign

COSUMAR- After failing to get to the Cup of Harmony last time, the Busoga Islands, in just their 2nd ever WCC cycle, are now about to enter their first ever Cup of Harmony. The Busoga Islands did not qualify for the 73rd Cup of Harmony, something that was a great disappointment to the Busoga Islands Soccer Association, which is the governing body for the sport in the Busoga Islands. But after an up and down campaign, which featured both highlights and lowlights. The lowlight, after all the talk and hype going into the Savojarna week 4 visit to the Busoga Islands, getting smacked down by the superior side, as they went up 5-0 inside 70 minutes for a 5-2 victory in the nation’s capitol. The highlight, of course, is obvious- their 1-0 away victory over the World Cup champions. Ousman Babaja’s beautiful chip over the goalkeeper in that one being the highlight of the campaign.

But unlike the last cycle, where a team with high ambitions in the Baptism of Fire was beaten by rivals Freeport in the Round of 32 of that massive Baptism of Fire, and where they could not play in the Cup of Harmony, this time, they see a reward for their efforts. The Cup of Harmony. Now, of course, the expectations for this tournament are not, and cannot, be high. Out of the 32 sides in the tournament, they are the 5th lowest ranked side out of everybody going in, and that puts them firmly in Pot 4. They come out with a tough group- they will face Saltstead, the Sherpa Empire, and Omerica, in that order. A tough task, a tall order, for the 109th ranked side in the multiverse.

This tournament will be significant for a number of reasons, the primary of which this being the Islanders first ever Cup of Harmony. But this will be significant for the heart and soul of this team, the goalkeeper, Delbin Kasekende, as well. One of our nation’s most famous sons, he has confirmed that this tournament will, indeed, be the final time he puts on the jersey. “I have poured out my heart and soul for this country for my entire career, and even in the changing of the tide, I have stayed loyal.” Kasekende said. “I played for Dukuma SC for years, even when we wallowed towards the bottom of the table, and I played for the Kadongo Kamu, and now for the Busoga Islands. I have given it all, I love our new nation, our young nation. We are small, but we are proud of what we are, and what we have accomplished. I would love to do it forever. But this is the game we play- we cannot do that. My body cannot keep up with all the international travel. That’s why, at the end of the tournament, I’m hanging up my national team cleats.”

A sad moment for the man who wears the armband. Stafire, the manager, commented on the development. “Delbin Kasekende has been one of the Busoga Islands most influential players since this national team was founded.” She said. “Kasekende, consistently and without fail, has never allowed his ego to get in the way. Even the decision to play for the Busoga Islands- he was able to lead us in the Baptism of Fire. He was able to lead us in a pair of regional tournaments, and of course, let’s not forget our big time win in Vilita. He has always taken responsibility, and plays with so much passion- the type of player every coach, no matter the sport, would love to have as a building block.” The sentiments expressed by other Islander players were similar- great respect and deference shown to the #1 and the captain.

Now, of course, what would make the tournament a success? The expectations are low, as they have to play both Omerica and Saltstead, as well as the Sherpa Empire. A knockout stage appearance would be fantastic, but frankly, getting another win at a major tournament would wrap up his career quite nicely. He’s won a World Cup match, he’s won World Cup Qualifiers with two different nations, he’s won a Baptism of Fire match- but winning a Cup of Harmony match with two different nations would put him In quite a fraternity. A goalkeeper to win a match at every WCC tournament, but to win two of those with two different nations? That would be a fitting end to a decorative international career for the Islander #1.

Who do they play first for their first crack at a victory? None other than Saltstead. Ranked 32nd in the multiverse, they are regarded as one of the nations with a great chance to break through and actually win the whole thing. This is a very defensive oriented side, with a strong defense and allowing opponents to have a lot of possession. This will be, frankly, a boring one, as the Islanders likely are not going to take a lot of risks against a side with much better man for man talent than them.

In what seems almost surely to be a game with very few chances between them, it will be about who takes advantage of their chances, and most importantly, who can keep their heads. Saltstead is one of the most mentally disciplined teams in the multiverse- frequently frustrating opponents with very physical play, with time wasting. Can the Islanders keep their heads? If they get too emotionally drawn, it can turn ugly, as was seen on Matchday 4 of World Cup Qualifying when, in an emotionally charged match, Savojarna blew them out of their own building. But when it all goes right, when they are all clicking well, playing inspired as a team, things can happen- remember the Vilita win?

The Islanders are so inconsistent- which one will show up? Both them and Saltstead are in Atlantian Oceania, so expect neither side to have any sort of a discernible advantage in terms of fan turnout. Expect their forward, Michael d’ Angel, to be hit around a lot. The Islander back line is certainly capable of being physical in defense and ensuring that teams don’t get good looks to beat Delbin Kasekende, and if anyone on this Saltstead team is going to take those chances, it is d’ Angel. Expect the cards to fly out of the referee’s pocket if this gets too physical, but ultimately, we’d expect a team like Saltstead to be able to convert one of its chances, even if the Islander focus on d’ Angel can take their star forward out of the game. Our prediction is 1-0 to the favorites, but hey- anything can happen in a Cup of Harmony, right?

[Alluersia]

History
The Alluersian Football Federation, though may be new however citizens of the region have been playing the sport of eons. The regions players however has been forced to play under the national banner of New West Guiana, seeing as Alluersia is not it's own independent country, but a semi-autonomous region. The AFF was founded due in part seeing how the West Guianan Soccer Association has been unwilling to participate in any World Cup qualifying rounds for nearly forty years, and found that it was time for Alluersian players to be given the same advantage that others from around the world are given.

HOwever during the qualifying round for the eighty-second World Cup, many were given the chance to see history unfold before their very eyes, as the Alluersian government declared in one voice that Alluersia shall be join the rest of the universe as a free and independent nation of its own right. Now the battles on and off the pitch are real just as our players battle to win, our troops are in battle for the right to be free.

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y (keep to the names I give, don't invite up new ones)
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    Y
Injure Players:               Y
Godmod Injury Events:         Y (No career or life threatening injuries)
Red Card Players:             Y (Not an insane amount, 1-3 per match)
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

Manager
Kyle Offerns

Form: 2-4-4

Starting XI
Carl Calson, GK, (31 years Old)
Davey Hugs, CFR, (29 Yrs)
Rem Jouhnson, CFL, (27 Yrs)
Shean Pasyts, MFC, (30 yrs)
William DePo, MFL, (25 yrs)
Dan Elksert, MFR, (31 yrs)
Quin Quince, MFC, (27 yrs)
Tucker Forens, BFC, (29 yrs)
Jeorge Wilks, BFC, (26 yrs)
Keeif O'Rosen, BFR(25 yrs)
Franke Velst, BFL, (24 yrs)

[Alluersia]

Follow the entire series here

It had been less than an hour since the shelling of Baystom and Hector Foss the commander of the military unit leading the attack on Fort Pillywith decided against the planned two hour window that President Niles had set into place. The young man of only twenty-three, stood out amongst his fellow men who like nearly all native Alluersians and Alluersian-Legalites has dark hair and brown eyes. Hector though a with his bright blonde hair and blue eyes, could be singled out by anyone, and that is why President Niles appointed him to this task. Niles knows that should Foss be caught his complexion and ethnic background wouldn't point the finger at Alluersia but other enthic groups in West Guiana.

Hmm...yes the other ethnic groups...we'll talk more about this latter.

The sun was still setting on the horizon, however it was dark enough that the non-Alluersian loyal troops wouldn't be able to see their approach, Fort Pillywith is vital to the Alluersian front as taking it would not only empower it's fleeting military but give the people another reason to fight. However neither President Niles nor Foss's group didn't know that earlier that day the majority of the troops stationed at the fort had left and it was mostly empty. This realization soon came apparent when his men drove near the base and they were welcomed with open arms, much to their obvious surprise.

Foss getting out of a humvee walked to the guard post which was crowed with West Guianan soldiers loyal to the Alluersian cause celebrating their "Victory". He found the highest ranking official, a staff sergeant and asked him a simple question, "What the hell is going on? We were prepared for a fight, where di everyone go?"

The staff sergeant looked at Foss confused, "I thought you knew, De'Cader pulled the 156th, 170th infantry divisions and the 8th tank division out today."

Clucthing his fist in his hand Foss became angered, "Damn it, did they take everything?"

"No, we still have some Gander armored transport vehicles and a few tanks, but that is about it."

Foss nodded and gave a quick report to Niles.

***Je'Kara****

President Niles was hovering over the news feed about his "victory" in Baystom, and the reports about the FSS Calman. However he was not pleased or satisfied just yet, his main goal was Fort Pillywith the fort was vital to his goals to push West Guiana out of the Addford Gap to which they lost unjustly after the 1980-83 war. He was just about to take a seat on the plush leather chair in his office when the door knocked, "Come in."

In walked one of his presidential staffers who walked in promptly, "Mr. President, Commander Foss has given his report from Fort Pillywith. He says that De'Cader pulled most of the divisions this morning along with a tank division, when they came upon the fort they were welcomed with open arms."

Niles nodded and thanked the staffer. He figured that De'Cader would have moved his troops out of harms way, however now fears he fell into a trap that De'Cader had placed for him. Taking the fort now secures the Addford Gap, but now puts Alluersia in greater danger of retaliatory attacks by De'Cader and even with the fort and the weapons they have captured is still no match to the West Guianan air force. Which now can on a daily basis air raid the entirety of Alluersia and there is nothing he can do about it.

Getting up again Niles stares at a map of historical Alluersia which once spread from Newhouse to the sea at Baystom, that is his goal and the goal of all his people. He sighs and says to himself, "I have now awoken the might of De'Cader and he will not stop until all of us are dead."

[Oberour Ar Moro]

OOC: This is a RP and clearly hyperbolic. The person behind Oberour Ar Moro does not have any problem with Alluersia or the person behind Alluersia. The person behind Oberour Ar Moro does not have any problem with Alluersia or any qualifying team being invited to compete in the Cup of Harmony or any tournament. The person behind Oberour Ar Moro does not think the World Cup Committee or any members therein are supporters of terrorism or anything similar. The person behind Oberour Ar Moro is happy as a clam that Obeorur Ar Moro was invited to take part in the Cup of Harmony, and participates with zero reservations. This is merely the RP of how a country like Oberour Ar Moro would treat a nation like Alluersia. I am confident that this disclaimer is unnecessary and everyone would understand but would like to make sure I am clear as possible on this. I have spoken with the person behind Alluersia, and they understand that this is a RP that has no reflection on a personal opinion of them as a user or person.

Statement on the West Guianan Semi-Autonomous Territory Republic of Southern Legalese

Press Statement
Galienne File en Gaaingne, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Petit Dinan, Regium

Oberour Ar Moro strongly condemns the invitation of the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia football team to the 74th Cup of Harmony Football Tournament. This malignant decision to invite a team representing what is properly the Republic of Southern Legalese to participate in the Cup of Harmony is harmful to the sovereignty of all nation-states, and will only inspire terrorist organizations and secessionist groups in the future.

The Republic of Southern Legalese is a semi-autonomous state within West Guiana. The predecessors of the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia have engaged in ethnic cleansing and acts of terrorism in support of secession from West Guiana. The most recent terrorist action saw the murders of West Guianan officials and military personnel. At the same time in support of an illegal declaration of secession, the so-called Alluersian Football Federation illegally entered a football team in the Baptism of Fire, World Cup Qualifying, and the Cup of Harmony. This was clearly a propaganda action and an attempt to use the World Cup Committee as a means to gain international recognition for this rouge territory’s illegal claims.

Oberour Ar Moro fully supports West Guiana’s territorial integrity within its multiversally recognized borders. All nationstates and pan-nationstate organizations must be mindful of their obligations and responsibilities. Events such as the Cup of Harmony should not be used by rogue territories to forward spurious claims of nationhood, and to whitewash terrorist atrocities.

---

Statement on Oberour Ar Moro Competition in the 74th Cup of Harmony Football Tournament

Press Statement
Thomassete le Portevin, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Culture, Football Management Committee
Jardins des Dechaume Orangerie, Regium

The National Football Team of the Dominion of Oberour Ar Moro has been invited to compete in the 74th Cup of Harmony and to play a match against a team representing the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia. The Oberour Ar Moro National Team will compete in the tournament and against the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia team, but under protest of the invitation of this football team.

Oberour Ar Moro’s position is unwavering: Oberour Ar Moro fully supports West Guiana’s territorial integrity within its multiversally recognized borders and recognizes the Republic of Southern Legalese as a semi-autonomous state within the sovereign nation of West Guiana. The football team representing the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia competes on behalf of a rouge territory and a terrorist organization. Their participation in multiversal sport is an effort to gain unwarranted support for an unlawful regime, and the participation of football team representing the self-proclaimed Republic of Alluersia in the Cup of Harmony can only be interpreted as official support by the World Cup Committee for their outlaw behavior.

---

Seventy-Fourth Cup of Harmony Schedule
WIN DRAW LOSS
MD 1: vs. Squornshelan Remnant States
MD 2: vs. Ko-oren
MD 3: vs. Alluersia

[Ko-oren]

Said no one ever.

Ko-oren is back for its tenth Cup of Harmony - matching the number of times the Dragonflies have qualified for the World Cup. The Cup of Harmony is definitely more nostalgic territory: the Dragonflies made it into the CoH a fair few times before making its first World Cup, and the only piece of silverware in the KFA's trophy cabinet comes from 9 Harmonies ago - back when... the Dragonflies were the best ranked team in the Cup.

No pressure, basically.

And after a favourable World Cup qualification attempt, here we are.

Had you told me that the Green and Blue would sit above 8th ranked Ethane at the end of the 18 games, I'd have booked my tickets to Valanora or Apox already. Only we both played horribly and two other nations went to the World Cup instead. If anyone out there did make the World Cup and plays one of two lowly ranked nations - De nada, amigos.

So, no tickets to Apox or Valanora. That's a 50% of having to go to Esportiva, so no, thank you. Instead, we're in CoHsumar, basically preparing for the AOCAF. Atlantian Oceania for lyfe, the place to be, and all that.

Is Ko-oren that good now? Not really, else we'd be in the World Cup. Still, we're 24th, so we're heaps better than most out there. That will help us in the CoH, but it's not going to start us off with bonus goals or something. No matter our status, we will still have to play really well or risk pulling a Damukuni/Bongo Johnson again. Despite how good the team has been at times so far, there are some differences between the CoH team and the WCQ team. Miradela GD increased its stranglehold over the league and the cup, making itself into some sort of what Maethoru SC was two decades ago.

Ronald Munks is now our backup goalie, Quentin Seoane joins Exidio Varela as substitute defenders, and Cornelious Magrath is a benched midfielder. The bench went from 1/12 Miradelan to 1/3 Miradelan. We also have a pretty old team now. Juliasterinthen selected a bunch of youngsters a few years back, but now he's gone back to choosing a lot of 30+ players - Ko-orenite players are better when they're old anyway, but it's a shame the rejuvenation process has been set back. Again. Also, somehow, Miradela's most important player, striker Noya, hasn't been selected. It's still Vaugrenard and Tsuchida (on the high scoring Maethoru and Alara squads) in the starting XI, with Vallotton (great player, but Aminey's a horrible team) and Novoa (ok, that's fair, he's pretty good for Branvon) on the bench.

With that, Tanques' insane midfield has been dialed down a bit. Instead of their entire midfield donning the yellow sashed jersey, it's only Longchambon on the starters, Train on the bench (and even that's a stretch), and that is it.

Tactically, not much changes. It's still a 5-3-2 with the added bonus of a shifting defender in possession, to create some sort of 4-4-2. The element of surprise is that the opponent will not know which of our five defenders will move up and be the extra midfielder. However, as we've seen, once the defender has moved up to midfield, the opponent does know where the empty space is. Again, de nada, Damukuni & Bongo Johnson.

Then, our opponents: Alluersia, Squornshelan Remnant States, and Oberour Ar Moro. We don't really know them, but we will in the coming week and a half.

Quiz of the week: which of the other nations in our group can't I pronounce?

Trick question, all of them

.

[Kandorith]

Shinonome Kyoai - International
_________________________________

Cup of Harmony Invitation

Tenkyo, Kandorith has been invited to join the Cup of Harmony 74 after the complete defeat of the team in the World Cup, giving the team a spark of hope and perhaps a good feeling for the after season. As Kandorith is preparing to challenge the world stage of football again, we are taking a look at the opponents and the state of the Kandorese football. The largest focus for Kandorith is of course the very disappointing run for the World Cup Qualifiers which has been quite painful for the many fans at home and in the stadiums.

The most notable thing is the fact Moriyase has not been sacked after the qualification disaster. The Imperial Football Agency has declared they still have faith in Moriyase's abilities to lead the team to victory. Fans however, are very skeptical about the decision. The team remains mostly unchanged with only changes to the technical staff and a few formation turnarounds. It will be interesting to see if the experience of the World Cup was the push needed for the current team to indeed, start performing the way they should. Moriyase called the invitation to the Cup of Harmony a "great honour, which we will answer and show the world the team's improvement."

The Kandorese team looks ready to perform and the players are eager to play again, although the fans fear the stress of international football might still be too much for the young players. The team Moriyase put together is the youngest Kandorese team to have ever played in the World Cup and now also the Cup of Harmony. The many young and somewhat inexperienced players have been an absolute headache for many fans and Moriyase alike. Where the players were playing exceptionally well, their lack of experience caused large gaps in the Kandorese ability to keep a hold of the game. There is no denying of the facts for the qualifiers, the inexperience of the players caused the many unnecessary defeats the team had to face. To face reality, Moriyase does have an ultimatum from the Football Association. The exact details of the ultimatum aren't known, but we expect a defeat could see Moriyase being shown the door, meaning the end of his career.

[Savojarna]

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
No roster changes as Cup of Harmony awaits Savojarna

Sjoedrhavn - Under the current alternating regime, the Savojar Men's and Women's Team switch their participation in the World Cup and Copa, on the basis of the Copa being the beginning of a switch cycle that will end with the World Cup, Cup of Harmony or WCQ in the following year. The first full cycle of the women's team was very successful, with the Savojars reaching their only ever World Cup, where they were chanceless to advance out of a group with eventual World Champions Brenecia and the perennial favourite and Rushmori rival Eura. Since then, international representation was taken over by the Men's team, which struggled in a difficult group and eventually ceded the playoff spot to Nova Anglicana in the final few matches of the group. Following a slightly unlucky early exit in the Cup of Harmony, they passed the baton to the women's team again for the 31st Copa Rushmori. And the Gods know that was a successful one: Following draws against Darmen and Oberour ar Moro, they brought down a surprisingly sloppy Nephara in a 2-1 that secured them the second place in their group. They went on to defeat Qusmo in the shootout following 120 goal-less minutes, and Eura in a dramatic semifinal featuring seven goals, ending 4-3 for Savojarna. In the final, Nephara were waiting yet again. Despite a much less sloppy performance, the Savojars held them to a 1-1, and took the victory in the shootout. The Copa represented the first international title for Savojar football, but they failed to follow it up with the second ever qualification for the World Cup as a tight group of death went the wrong way for Savojarna. Having led the group before the final game, a 2-0 away loss against title defenders Vilita and a parallel victory of Valladares led to the Savojars coming only third behind the aforementioned teams.

TEAM

STAFF
Coach: Lise Asbeck (47)
Assistant Coach: Mikaela Rangren (41), Dmitri Simunov (33)
Goalkeeper Coach: Valtteri Andersson (41)
Doctor: Dr. Christer Ljungberg (47)

STYLE: +1.7

STARTING XI:
GK #1 Viktorija Petrova (32, 186 cm)
LB #5 Kristina Midström (35, 169 cm) -- C
CB #2 Petra Ernberg (27, 178 cm)
CB #4 Linne Kjaer (25, 182 cm)
RB #3 Anna Reskilainen (33, 162 cm)
DM #6 Stefanie Raukanen (31, 179 cm)
CM #8 Victoria Maersk (24, 157 cm)
OM #14 Lenka Otalainen (26, 168 cm)
LF #7 Malin Haakonson (29, 168 cm)
ST #11 Freya Sigurdsdottir (29, 193 cm)
RF #10 Irina Jarkasjärvi (33, 183 cm)

BENCH
GK #12 Lotte Ronne (25, 180 cm)
GK #21 Andrea Jovanova (25, 176 cm)
ST #9 Ragnhild Viilanen (25, 175 cm)
LF #13 Paula Sorendal (29, 169 cm)
OM #15 Hanna Vilén (22, 164 cm)
CB #16 Denise Rydberg (30, 186 cm)
RB #17 Alexandra Martinova (26, 172 cm)
DM #19 Svetlana Namenkova (24, 172 cm)
CB #20 Nina Rasmussen (28, 184 cm)
RF #22 Alina Lund (27, 158 cm)
LB #23 Kaisa Hytamäki (30, 181 cm)

ROLES
Captain: Midström => Petrova
Free Kicks (direct): Jarkasjärvi
Free Kicks (long): Raukanen (left), Jarkasjärvi (center/right)
Corners: Haakonson (left), Jarkasjärvi (right)
Penalty Kick: Jarkasjärvi => Sigurdsdottir => Vailova => Midström => Haakonson [also progression for shooutouts]

PLAYSTYLE
Savojarna's women play fairly balanced, but with a slightly offensive bias. The team usually relies on speed, strength and fast counters for their goals, as well as the great technics of Jarkasjärvi, who is a constant danger with set pieces. Their main weapon in attack is Sigurdsdottir, the tallest player of the team, who is a very good header. Both fullbacks are very fast and good at crossings, as well as the LF and RF of the team, which will make the striker a constant threat. In defense, the team has opted for speed rather than physical strength as there were concerns if the latter strategy would work against the world's best men's teams.

KITS

Designed and manufactured by ediraf

RP PERMISSIONS
Choose Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Scoring: N
Injure Players: Y (no longer than the rest of the tournament, if it is more than on TG me)
Godmod Injuries: N
Yellow Cards: Y
Red Cards: Y - not more than one
Godmod other events: ask for permission

IMPORTANT: If you want to injure Savojar fans, journalists etc., or stage a large scale brawl (also among players) or wage war on us, I am up for that IF you send me a TG first. I will consider my permissions broken if you don't though, and not accept the act (from Savojarna's POV, it never happened - it is up to you whether it actually didn't happen or if the Savojars are lying...)

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

GG Everyone!
Group G Preview

Ko-oren

Rank: 24
Qualifying: 3rd in Group 5 (31 Points)
Outlook: The tournament's overall top seed looks to have a relatively smooth path laid out for them, with middling teams from pot 2 and pot 3, and a lower-ranked pot 4 team (although purely by the numbers this group is second strongest). Our match against them will come last, by which time we will hopefully have amassed enough points for advancement, as picking up much against the Dragonflies will be a tall order. I'd predict them to go through to the second round with at least six points.

Squornshelan Remnant States

Rank: 51
Qualifying: 3rd in Group 7 (31 Points)
Outlook: As the pot 2 team, we will be the safe pick to advance in second place, but nothing is certain in a single round-robin group stage. A slip up in our opening match against Oberour ar Moro would leave the door to the second round wide open for the Dominion. With that said, I still like our chances of advancement. The youth infusion on this year's roster will have an uncertain effect on the team's play. While there is certainly less experience on the roster than there could be, and perhaps a little less talent, many players will be less known to their opponents. By the same token, some will be less known to their teammates as well, though one hopes that Donnell's thoroughgoing approach to training will iron out any chemistry issues before the team hits the field for their opener against the Oberours.

Oberour Ar Moro

Rank: 81
Qualifying: 5th in Group 2 (28 Points)
Outlook: Oberour Ar Moro have been a steadily improving team for a couple of cycles now, with an overall storyline quite similar to our own in terms of overachieving during qualifying. Their team plays a much more attacking brand of football than the Black-and-Reds, as evinced by their manager's apparent satisfaction with allowing 37 goals through qualifying. An average of over two goals per game allowed would horrify Confederate fans. Despite these two teams' similar fortunes of late, their meeting will be Oberour fire against Confederate ice.

Alluersia

Rank: 118
Qualifying: 9th in Group 11 (19 Points)
Outlook: As second lowest-ranked side in the tournament, Alluersia look to have their work cut out for them. While they were certainly a better team in qualifying than their position in the very competitive Group 11 would suggest, it's hard to see them finding a way to advance from this group. They definitely have the opportunity to play spoiler, as a team that drops points against Alluersia will likely find it difficult to make them up elsewhere. Personally, I find it impressive that such a young nation still fighting for its independence against imperialism has had the wherewithall to field any team at all, let alone put up such a strong showing against nominally superior opposition.

Group G Schedule:

MD1: ALL v KOO; SRS v OAM
MD2: KOO v OAM; ALL v SRS
MD3: SRS v KOO; OAM v ALL

Now that we're up to date on the Black-and-Reds prospects for the Cup of Harmony, lets take a quick look around at the other first round groups:

Group A

Savojarna (31)
3rd in Group 13 (40 points)
Lisander (70)
3rd in Group 15 (35 points)
Taeshan (43)
3rd in Group 6 (32 points)
Brusseldorf (105)
3rd in Group 3 (30 points)

The best performing group in qualifying on average, with all four teams reaching 30 points, and all four finishing just one position away from qualification in their groups. This should be a slugfest, and anyone who tells you they're absolutely certain about who will advance is a liar. With the top teams in Pots 2 and 4, and the third best from Pots 1 and 2, this is the Group of death by any measure, with an average rank of 62.25 (every other group's average is below 68).

Group B

Zwangzug (98)
5th in Group 4 (23 points)
Kita-Hinode (25)
3rd in Group 10 (35 points)
Siovanija and Teusland (57)
5th in Group 5 (27 points)
Velestria (111)
8th in Group 11 (22 points)

From the strongest group, we go to the weakest group. Kita-Hinode are definitely some of the biggest beneficiaries of the draw this time around. All of their opponents come from the lower half of their respective pots, while Kita-Hinode are, of course, the second seed overall. Siovanija & Teusland certainly look to have the inside track to second place, but both of the lower seeds in this group will be upset threats.

Group C

Filindostan (42)
3rd in Group 14 (35 points)
The Macabees (50)
4th in Group 6 (30 points)
Eraman (120)
8th in Group 12 (19 points)
Polkopia (64)
4th in Group 14 (28 points)

While the inclusion of Eraman drags this group's average rank down somewhat, it promises to be one of the more interesting ones, as only 22 positions in the rankings separate the top seed from the third seed. Picking two teams between Filidostan, The Macabees, and Polkopia is an incredibly difficult task, and Eraman themselves should not be counted out simply due to rank. Here also we have our first rematch from qualifying, as Filindostan and Polkopia will renew their acquaintance after trading home victories during qualifying.

Group D

Main Nation Ministry (44)
3rd in Group 4 (31 points)
Drawkland (36)
3rd in Group 2 (30 points)
Kandorith (108)
6th in Group 15 (23 points)
Xanneria (99)
7th in Group 1 (21 Points)

Group D is one where I feel reasonably confident in predicting the top two seeds to advance. In what order is anyone's guess though. It's next to impossible to separate Main Nation Ministry and Drawkland in my mind, as they are so close in rank, and had nearly identical runs in qualifying, neither class nor form seems to give any hints as to who will win. Xanneria and Kandorith both performed well in qualifying, and will be teams to watch in the future, but advancement to the second round looks to be a bridge too far for them at this point.

Group E

Abanhfleft (35)
4th in Group 13 (34 points)
New Lusitania (45)
3rd in Group 8 (28 points)
Balqia (102)
5th in Group 6 (23 points)
Libertas Omnium Maximus (107)
5th in Group 3 (20 points)

Group E would appear at first to be the easiest to predict with regard to which two teams will advance, with over 50 rank positions between second seed and third. With that said, by their own admission, the ability of Abanhfleft to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory should not be underestimated. Balqia and Libertas Omnium Maximas also both had impressive showings in qualifying, finishing well above most expectations, and will look to build on that here. The only safe thing to say seems to be that New Lusitania and the Algarves are probably through, but who can say what else may happen here.

Group F

Mytanija (58)
5th in Group 11 (27 points)
Krytenia (65)
4th in Group 15 (29 points)
Tinhampton (37)
5th in Group 9 (26 points)
Sajnur (115)
7th in Group 11 (24 points)

Another group in the mold of Group , with only 28 positions between Tinhampton and Krytenia, with Mytanija in the middle. Also similar to Group C, Sajnur should not be counted out despite their low rank, after managing an impressive 24 points in a difficult qualifying group, which incidentally included Mytanija. Sajnur managed to win both matches in qualifying, and the Mytanar players will doubtless be eager to avenge themselves. Tinhampton, meanwhile are looking to defend their CoH73 championship, and Krytenia are here too.

Group H

Omerica (52)
5th in Group 14 (27 points)
Saltstead (32)
4th in Group 11 (28 points)
Busoga Islands (109)
6th in Group 13 (17 points)
The Sherpa Empire (82)
6th in Group 14 (23 points)

Here we have our final qualifying rematch, which pits Omerica against The Sherpa Empire, with whom they split away victories. The two will likely be competing with each other for second behind Saltstead, though they could certainly both go through, as could Busoga Islands, though that looks somewhat less likely.

[Zwangzug]

The Arlington Moon-Tribune

With the Cup of Harmony near at hand, there is one question on the mind of every fan following Group B. And that is: does gazing upon the goalkeeper kits of the Hinodejin Empire endanger one's soul?

The Poltergheists' home kit is a simple black and white pattern with low-resolution digits on the back, a style Zwangzug spectators can certainly appreciate. Their away version is a dark purple, while their third kit is a vivid, multicolored video game pattern. Though some may criticize this scheme as garish, and others might take issue with the policies of Starblaydi companies such as ediraf, no one has gone so far as to claim it puts spectators in metaphysical peril.

The same, however, cannot be said for the design sported by Han Ji-Hun, Iona Mizukara (who probably needs some alterations to make it fit over her circuits), and Momotaro Shiganami. This has led to a vigorous debate in the Zwangzug press as to whether these warnings should be heeded.

"I think it would be more sinful to look at goalkeepers not wearing shirts," wrote Harris Trior in the Bassabook Baritone. "I do not wish to gaze upon Mizukara's underclothing, or whatever she has to cover her outer layers. That being said, if there are spiritual questions being raised, I will just plan to spend my time looking towards the Hinodejin strikers. Considering that they outrank us by a great deal, most of the action is likely to be at that end of the field anyway."

"This just goes to show you that having one player set apart from their team, in design as well as rules, is an existential threat," railed Evan Skye in the Zwischen New Courier. "Truly, it is in hope that we were saved, yet what hope can overcome such a monstrosity? For the sake of their own fans as well as impartial referees, Kita-Hinode must adopt a formation with eleven outfielders. It's the only way to be sure."

"The notion of a soul is dumb anyway and so is football," said edgy atheist guy Dr. Steven Gaspard. "Also, if the cool kids would stop appropriating my deep thoughts to talk about their stupid viral images, that would be pretty great."

"Look, the Holy Empire or whoever probably have rumors of artifacts that cause those who behold them to go out of their minds, and physical reality, for an indefinite period of time," speculated Cassie Weathers-Bo in the Merano Regency. "If it turns out that a goalkeeper kit is one of those, well, it would be some sort of ironic justice on some level, I'm sure."

At press time, sources confirmed that if Velestria's jerseys were anything like the logo the country provided for the tournament, they would be "pretty balling" if not crisis-inducing.

[Brusseldorf]

BRUSSELDORFEN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

~ LOS ALREDEDORES ~

Leaping onto the international stage with a stunning performance in their first World Cup qualifiers, the Brusseldorfen national team Los Alrededores are confident of another praiseworthy showcase. The traditional Brusseldorfen style of gorgeous attacking football has attracted the attention of football fans worldwide.

Over 500 years of footballing heritage has culminated in the recent reformation of the Brusseldorfen Football Federation (FFB). From grassroots football to the refreshed national team, The FFB has ensured a more open-tiered system that encourages the growth of local football clubs and incites a competitive edge in semi-professional and professional-level play. The heralds of this reformation are Los Alrededores themselves. Meaning The Surroundings, the name refers to the collection of cultures and communities right across Brusseldorf, that find themselves brought together by a common love of Football.

Courtesy of Adidas, here's the beautiful playing strip Los Alrededores will wear at the Cup of Harmony:

Earlier today, Los Alrededores Manager Sir Craig Foster announced the 23-person squad that would be competing in the 74th Cup of Harmony. In a brief press interview, a confident Craig issued this lighthearted warning to the competition: "They underestimated us in the World Cup qualifiers, and we shattered all expectations. We are the dark horses. Hide your fans, we play the sexiest football in the world, and before you realise, they will be cheering our name!”

Here's how the team will line up:

As you can see, Los Alrededores favours a 4-2-2-2 'magic boxes' formation. Wingers are encouraged to make attacking runs into the opposition half, and cross into the 18-yard box. This style of play puts large amounts of pressure on an opposition's back line and takes full advantage of any structural weaknesses.

The full 23 man squad for the Cup of Harmony is announced as follows:

No.    Name                    Pos.         Club
 1     Antony Providence       GK        Casablanca City
 2     Lach Mokrani            RB        Club de Algiers
 3     Gabriel Lellouche       LB        Oahu FC
 4     Ricard Sciolan          CB        Real Marrakesh
 5     Andrea Zidane           CB        Meknes al Morocco
 6     Vindark Al Maghribī     CDM       Casablanca City
 7     Michael Hernández       CAM       Behotzadt Casablanca
 8     Joshua Kensington       CDM       Hanoi FC
 9     Teddy Wolfenden (CAP)   ST        Kénitra Riverside
10     Carlos Ximénez          ST        FK Kragujevac 1928
11     Vance Dessler           CAM       Lisbon
―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
12     Gimenza Azoulay         GK        Atlas United
13     Dom Harrak              LWB       Tangier Lions
14     Phil Lataste            RM        Salé United
15     George Stambouli        CB        Fez FC
16     Felix Kateb             CDM       Casablanca City
17     Santa Dominguez         ST        FC Stockholm
18     Jay van der Eisen       GK        Real Marrakesh
19     Giroud Sidi             LW        1830 Victroz
20     Actha Achiveal          CF        Bahias Serenadamiata
21     Harry Koehl             CM        Club de Fútbol Rabat
22     Boronia                 CB        Sahara Compétitif
23     Marcev Steyr            CF        Oahu FC


Managing Staff
Manager:             Sir Craig Foster
Assistant Manager:   Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Coaching Staff
Head Coach:          Tim Cahill
Outfield Coach:      Ronaldinho
Goalkeeping Coach:   Lev Yashin

Other Staff
Talent Scout:        Marneus Calgar
Head Chef:           Maurice Pane
Bus Driver:          Papa Nomaly

I Give My Opponent Permission To:

Choose My Goalscorers:        Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    Y
Injure Players:               Y
Godmod Injury Events:         Y
Red Card Players:             Y
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          Y
Let Me Win:                   Y
Have Fun:                     Y
Style Modifier +4

[Krytenia]

Here Be Dragons. Also, Actual Dragons
By Rami Niblick in Samotath, Cosumar

FORTY years ago to the month, Krytenia, along with northern neighbours Quebec, co-hosted the Cup of Harmony. The winners of that little competition? I little-heralded nation known as...Cosumar. Now, hopefully, it's time for the Vanquishers to return that favour, as Alex Sampson's Dragons get geared up for their Group F opener against Tinhampton.

Certainly, as backdrops go, the city of Samotath is almost cinematic. The obsidian-hued futuristic architecture if the city gives it a cyber-noir kind of feel, almost as if you expect Gareth Brannan to lead his team out tonight at the Alesund Stadium in moodily-lit black and white and smoking a cheroot. (We're pretty sure the stadium is non-smoking, though, sadly for that mental image.) Contrasting this, of course, is the honking great cliff-side medieval castle and backdrop of a dragon reserve - which might just be the coolest thing in the history of ever - which just makes everything look like it was designed by the lovechild of Tolkien and Asimov.

The one downside, though, is that it's impossible to get a decent vindaloo. Looks like the boys will just have to bring the spice themselves against the group's top seeds. Onward!

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

FEDERAÇÃO LUSITANA DE FUTEBOL
New Lusitania Football Team
Cup of Harmony 74/74ª Taça da Harmonia
Mriin-Cosumar (Mrine-Cosumar)

New Lusitania has pride in being a nation of decent football, and one that has been recognised with an invitation to the illustrious Cup of Harmony. After an inconsistent Qualifying tour for the World Cup in a group where South Covello and Juvencus cruised without any worries, New Lusitania finished third with a weak 28 points, the lowest any third placed team got along with Kavagrad, who had a superior goal difference, but less goals scored. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, mainly of celebration and utter frustration in Qualifying, but they managed to get to the Cup of Harmony after all, after even that invitation was in doubt until received. Victor Santa Cruz, coach since World Cup 80, will no doubt try to make the most of it, and try to show shades of their performances in Mercedini. As they travel to the dragon ridden lands, they’ll be hoping for success. With the draw coming out tomorrow, only time will tell.

How They Play
New Lusitania is known for having attractive, attacking football and Santa Cruz has decided to build on that formula. He has also, however, given a lot of thought on how they defend, using the offside trap and trying to regulate the amount of space the opposition have to play, limiting width.
Defence is probably the current weakness of the side, basing itself on a virtual 3-5-2 system. Usually the midfield includes a Central Defensive Midfielder which will come back to the area to help defend, creating a technical 4-4-2 tactic. Should the ball be taken from the opposition, New Lusitania will likely counter-attack in numbers, hoping to catch the other team with limited defending capacity. In an attacking situation, the two strikers will stay upfront, trying to find the hole in the box, as the two wingers run up. The two Centre-Midfielders or the one central Midfielder plus the Central Attacking Midfielder will also move forwards, becoming the main pass distributors. The wingers will try to cross the ball into the box, despite the traditional weakness in aerial play, which is bettering with each cycle.
During World Cup 82, the lack of a good Central Attacking Midfielder made the team resort to a 3-4-3 tactic a lot of the times, with Jota, Silveira and either Costa or Cavalariça up front. In this tactic, the Fernando (CM), tends to distribute the game through the wings, whilst advancing through the middle of the park. The Left and Right Wingers usually have crossing roles, but the forwards can also shoot from inside the box. The back three are covered by Nevais in the middle, who acts as a supporting player in both defence and attack. Teams may be able to get through, but it’ll be hard with the Beira-
Though New Lusitania have plenty of strengths, there's no shortage of weaknesses to exploit, either, meaning their games are frequently wide open, even if there's a clear advantage.


Squad Call-Up - Convocatória Seleção
GK: Rui Patríce (Sporting CL)*
GK: António Lopes (Belém)
GK: João Sá (Porto)
LB: Rafa Guerreiros (Beira Mar)*
LB: Rúben Vinagrete (Académica)
CB: João Cancela (Vitória G.)*
CB: Dalot (Porto)
CB: Daniel Carriça (Sevilha)
RB: Cédric Silva (Sporting CL)*
RB: Ricardo Peralva (Porto)
CDM: Rúben Nevais (Porto)*
CDM: Estevão Eustáquio (SCUT)
LM: Jorge Mário (Sporting CL)*
LM: Ricardo Hortênsia (SC Braga)
CM: Bruno Fernando (Sporting CL)*
CM: Sérgio Azinheira (Porto)
CM/RM: João Luz (Bemfica)
RM: Francisco Gama (Sevilha)*
RM/CAM: Bernardo Veiga (U.Leiria)*
CAM: Breu (Boa Vista)
ST: André Silveira (Porto)*
ST: Daniel Jota (Porto)*
ST: Ivo Cavalariça (Académica)
ST: Hélder Carvalho (Académica)

Backup Players
GK: José Virgílio (União Tomar)
DF: Manuel Rui (Bemfica)
CM/CAM Domingos Armilar (Académica)
CM: Chadas (Braga)
ST: Gabriel Martins (Sporting CL)
Coach: Victor Santa Cruz
*Indicates first team

RP PERMISSIONS - Permissões
RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: Yes
Choose my scoring events: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod Injuries to my players: No
Give Yellow Cards to my players: Yes, occasionally
Give Red Cards to my players: Sporadically
Godmod other events: No
Basically, don't exaggerate and just have fun with it.

[The Macabees]

ROSTER OF THE GOLDEN THRONE IMPERIAL FOOTBALL TEAM

After failing to qualify for the World Cup Finals, new head coach Begora Listenaicher must reach the knock-out stages of the Cup of Harmony to have any hope of keeping his position.

Style Modifier: +1



Starting XI

Head Coach
Begora Listenaicher

Forwards
Damrek Yusen (9) - Striker

Midfielders
Jarus Menkalepken (10) - Attacking Midfielder/Central Forward
Kalope Jenin (7) - Left Wing
Goroga Kileno (5) - Right Wing
Kordob Verón (8) - Defensive Midfielder
Harako Vera (6) - Defensive Midfielder

Defense
Marto Lorango (2) - Leftback
Mena Líezbeg (3) - Center Back
Frapto Nevara (4) - Center Back
Kintel Kintalo (11) - Rightback

Goalkeeper
Líam Jer'Voos (1) - Goalkeeper

Bench
Leopte Mancioso (13) - Striker
Esteb Targolo (21) - Striker
Daro Garsden (17) - Midfielder
Manuel Preconte (19) - Midfielder
Klasos Derag (14) - Midfielder
Thomas Heinz (16) - Defender
Komoro Wael (18) - Defender
Rikard Lindberg (15) - Defender
Uger Danel (25) - Goalkeeper
Patricio Herrero (23) - Goalkeeper


Kits

Home


Away

[Filindostan]

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NATIONAL | BUSINESS | PROVINCIAL | INTERNATIONAL | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS PORTAL

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FOOTBALL: CUP OF HARMONY 74
Rinoso ready for Polkopia showdown

VIDIAL, MRIIN - The Pula Garuda may have failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, but they were able to get the attention of the hosts of the Cup of Harmony in its 74th edition, and invite the Filindos to the tournament, where they will have another match with Group 14 rivals Polkopia as their opening match.

Xavier Rinoso took the helm from Ethel Toh, with the latter declining the offer to become the official manager to continue her job as a board member of the Filindostan Football Federation. He had his hands full with squad selection, deciding to include the majority of the players the caretaker manager left out since Matchday 5 of the Pula Garuda's qualifying campaign in his final squad, citing the lack of composure the weakened squad had when they lost to both Abristan and Britaen that ultimately costed their chance to qualify for the first time to the World Cup finals.

Rinoso is relishing the opportunity to lead the side to their first silverware since they won the 66th Baptism of Fire tournament under the guidance of Willy Gurnawan. And they will start their campaign against Polkopia - a team they lost against earlier in their campaign at Marshupov Arena, though they won the corresponding fixture at San Marco's Gelora Nasional Pilindostan.

Preparations were better than usual...

Filindostan arranged three friendlies ahead of the tournament in Mriin. First, they visited the West Bay Cricket Comples in West Bay, Damukuni to face the former co-hosts of the Campionato Esportiva. It was a match they won, 3-2, with a full squad and most of the veterans returning to the fold - even straight into the starting lineup. Yish scored a brace while Yakob scored the winning penalty kick for the visitors.

Having the Kompleks Olahraga Yogyakulta as a host venue for the first time for Filindostan was not enough inspiration as they fell to a 1-2 loss to Indusse, with the former assistant manager opting to field a youthful lineup - Kadek was the only scorer when he scored during a corner. This was the sendoff match for the Filindos as they traveled first to Aji No Moto for a short training camp and a friendly with the Ajians, which they won 2-0. Bochog and Shiloh scored in this win.

Time will tell if the preparations they had is enough to assert their lofty expectations of at least a quarterfinals finish which they achieved the last time they participated in this tournament. The Macabees and Eraman, along with their Esportivan brethrens, will try to fight for two round of 16 spots available for Group C.

As usual, we'll keep you up to date with the latest from the Cup of Harmony here in Mriin and Cosumar.

Written by FSNA Staff.

[The Macabees]

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MACABÉAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
DESPERATE FOR BREAKTHROUGH



After a disappointing fourth-place finish during the World Cup 82 qualifiers,
the Golden Throne's national team is expected to make the knock-out stages of the Cup of Harmony.

"The fans, you know, they don't care about anything other than winning," were the sage words of Bernard Aktena, the famous Macabéan striker of the 1970s.

The imperial football team has begun to feel that very same pressure, despite what can only be described as a successful return to the international stage so far. Indeed, if the Golden Throne once had an international footballing history — never one as glorious as the most well-known footballing nations —, it was at one point nothing more than that: history. Since World Cup 80, the Golden Throne gradually and, most importantly, consistently climbed the world rankings, now temporarily 50th in the world. Whatever satisfaction this success garnered amongst the fans, it was clearly shortlived. The team now faces more pressure than ever to produce more tangible progress towards earning silverware.

That benchmark, the next step toward silverware, was defined as earning a qualifying spot into World Cup 82. It was an ambitious objective, one that most understood to be out of reach. Thus, incoming manager Begora Listenaicher was given the secondary objective of reaching the knock-out stages of Cup of Harmony 74. After the predictable failure of World Cup 82, the final test is finally here.

Standing in their way is Filindostan (42nd), Eraman (120th), and Polkopia (64th), which promises a competitive struggle out of which only two teams will succeed in making it through to the next stage. As the second most well-ranked team in the group, the Golden Throne has good chances, but as the World Cup showed every game is its own challenge and every game, no matter who it's played against, can be lost.

Filindostan is the group favorite after a stellar performance during the World Cup 82 qualifiers. Having been left out of the Finals on goal difference, Filindostan's team achieved the remarkable accomplishment of tying Starblaydia in points and finishing the group third. They won two more games than the Golden Throne and earned five more points. Eraman, predictably, performed the worst during the qualifiers, but being relatively new to the international scene this outcome can hardly be used against them. In fact, for their ranking, Eraman's team did quite well. Polkopia performed similarly to the Golden Throne and is equally as capable of earning a place in the round of sixteen. Thus, while Listenaicher's future will be determined by the team's success in meeting its objectives during the tournament, the ability to achieve these goals is by no means a foregone conclusion. In fact, for all intents and purposes, the national team has three "finals" ahead of it.

Much of the team's chances will come down to their performance during the first game. The opening match will be played against Eraman, which on paper is the "easiest" match-up the Golden Throne will have this Cup of Harmony. We all know that what's on paper hardly serves as a guide to what will occur in real life. In an interview yesterday, Listenaicher said as much, "The men know that our opponent will be tough and seeks to win just as much as we do."

Failure to win, in any case, could mean failure to qualify. In a group of four, typically four points is considered the minimum necessary to progress. This could be achieved with a win, a draw, and a loss. But the math is not always so simple and four points isn't always enough. Furthermore, failure to win in the opening match against a nominally weaker opponent can also impact the players psychologically, reducing their chances for winning or drawing subsequent games. Undoubtedly, even a draw would be seen as a disappointing result and as a poor omen for the remainder of the tournament.

Knowing that the only "good" outcome is a win, the team is likely to come out with an aggressive and offensive attitude. The standard 4-5-1 formation typical of the national team in the past years will likely be adopted here as well, with the five midfielder players providing enough manpower and muscle in the middle to take control of the ball and retain possession. Damrek Yusen will play up top in the role of striker. Scoring 11 goals during the world cup qualifiers, Yusen represented almost 41% of all of the team's goals during that period. It also gives him a conversion rate of 61% of matches being scored in, a positive statistic that gives hopes to fans that he'll shine again during the Cup of Harmony.

When asked whether he liked the pressure, Yusen commented, "As a football player and striker no less, we're used to the spotlight. We're used to the demands of the fans. It's par for the course. The match will be tough and I hope I can bag a goal or even a brace. Hell, a hat-trick would be nice. But I'm more focused on winning, regardless of who scores on the team. A win is what really matters."

"Winning won't be easy either," he added. "It's what we must focus on."

Winning is most certainly what over 34 billion eyes, from the mainland provinces to Pezlevko-Rubino and from New Empire to Theohuanacu, will be focused on for the ninety-minute duration of the game. No other outcome is likely to satiate fans who have been itching for their team to represent their empire by winning silverware...or at least getting one step closer to that ultimate outcome. What sort of reaction will be given to a loss, or even a draw, we could only guess at, but it would put a heavy damper on the short-term goal of finally reaching a knock-out stage of a major international football tournament.

[Saltstead]

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... Seelandės Nüren — the one source for the day’s events in Sealand

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Goodbye, Great Unifier: Gay Is Gone
In the midst of a divided nation, one person’s incompetence was the only thing capable of bringing us all together

Ps Group 11                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Mytanija                         9    6   1   2    17   13   +4    19
 2 Cosumar                          9    5   3   1    21   12   +9    18     Q
 3 Kavagrad                         9    4   4   1    15   11   +4    16
 4 Mattijana                        9    4   3   2    18   14   +4    15
 5 Qusmo                            9    5   0   4    13   14   −1    15     Q
 6 Velestria                        9    3   2   4     9    9    0    11
 7 Alluersia                        9    2   4   3    18   19   −1    10
 8 Saltstead                        9    3   1   5     4    7   −3    10     #fail
 9 Sajnur                           9    2   2   5    14   20   −6     8
10 Vartugia                         9    1   0   8    11   21  −10     3

The Group 11 table, counting only matches in the return phase of qualification

Azuris, Cosumar. Saltstead is a nation fractured on so many fronts. It’s quite difficult to believe that the nation has managed to hold itself together since its devastating civil war without imploding in on itself. The Ashwell International attack was just a simple reminder of the toxic divisions that permeate our society.

Football has been the one thing that has managed to bring us together, however. Football has been billed as “the great unifier” for its power to bridge the gap between republicans and royalists. Every other sport in the nation has been plagued by some kind of division between the two pillars of our society, isolating us in little echo chambers, but not this sport. This sport had the power to bring royalists and republicans side-by-side, where their flags, their songs and their visions of society could coexist in a sublime union that quite honestly should be the norm in our nation, rather than the exception.

And if one person could symbolise the unity that football has the power to bring to Saltstead, it is Gay Ware. Royalist or republican, we could all put aside our differences and find common ground on her, namely in our belief that she is the personification of mediocrity.

Frankly, it’s impossible to believe that Saltstead were once in position to qualify for the World Cup finals. Eight matchdays into qualification, Saltstead were atop the group undefeated; even after a loss to Qusmo to close out the first half of qualification, the Stallions still stood in good position to qualify from a group where no one else seemed to have any clue how to challenge the supremacy of the two northeast AO sides sitting in first and second.

But the seeds of Saltstead’s miserable collapse were already apparent to anyone who was paying attention to more than just the scorelines. From choking away an easy win in Kavagrad to an unpleasant draw with Velestria to a home game versus Mattijana won only by courtesy of an own goal by the visitors, Saltstead’s position was not achieved on the merits of the Stallions, but on the more astounding incompetence of its opposition. A pathetic return phase was really just a regression to the mean, relegating Saltstead to a standing which more accurately reflected the quality of the game its team had played: godawful.

Ps Group 14                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Starblaydia                      9    6   2   1    34   20  +14    20     Q
 2 Filindostan                      9    6   1   2    22   18   +4    19
 3 Omerica                          9    4   3   2    23   21   +2    15     #notfail
 4 Cassadaigua                      9    4   3   2    22   21   +1    15     Q
 5 The Sherpa Empire                9    4   2   3    20   18   +2    14
 6 Tiiwark                          9    3   2   4    16   19   −3    11
 7 Polkopia                         9    3   1   5    19   17   +2    10
 8 Abristan                         9    3   1   5    13   14   −1    10
 9 North Quadana                    9    2   1   6    17   26   −9     7
10 Britaen                          9    1   2   6    11   23  −12     5

The Group 14 of Death table, counting only matches in the return phase of qualification

For now, national youth development director Christianė van Åuphen will have the unenviable task of managing a side whose morale could perhaps not be lower than it is right now. Two of the three sides in Saltstead’s group are in vastly different positions than Saltstead right now. The Busoga Islands are just happy to be playing in the Cup of Also-Rans, having missed the opportunity to compete last cycle. Omerica, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive recovery from a morale-bruising first half to qualification that nearly saw head coach Anne-Sophie Groothuis sacked a year ahead of her contract expiring in an arcane “motion of no confidence” procedure.

Add a tricky fixture with a Sherpa side seeking to spoil some Incorrigible fun and you’d see why the Royal Saltsteadish Football Association opted to cut its losses and run Gay Ware into an involuntary early retirement. Van Åuphen might at least be able to stem the bleeding just long enough to buy time for Saltstead’s next head coach, rumoured to possibly be coming in from abroad.

But be warned, wide-eyed foreigner, the next head coach who comes in will have their work cut out for them. The unrealistic expectations that have been built up over the team’s brief history—from winning the Baptism of Fire tournament to dealing Drawkland their first ever World Cup qualification failure—have made leading De Nationalė Elven a Herculean task worthy only of a virtual demigod. If you are selected for the job, we have just one thing to wish you: the Lord’s mercy upon your mortal soul. ❧

---

[Kita-Hinode]

This was the challenger number 2903, according to her own accounting. She wore a white gi with the family's mon, the unofficial coat of arms of the Hinodejin Empire sewn on its' back, an actual rope tied it together. In front of her, was a white-haired man, dressed in a proper tuxedo, the cockiness of his dominating the air. "I've come dressed for marriage. Because that's what's going to happen once I'm done with you. Won't even break a sweat." That was the thirty-fifth time a challenger told her something like that, the tenth time someone said those exact words. At times, she wondered why they even kept challenging her, especially when taking under consideration the extremeness of her record: you don't beat that many people like that without being at least pretty goddamn good.

As he put himself into position to fight, she did a brief analysis. The stance was clearly from some kind of Kung Fu, specifically eastern Ming school. Disappointment mounted, that style of Kung Fu was taught to the rich folk of that Kingdom but it was mostly for show, enough to distract the common beggars (the ones that would probably fight better) while a henchman shot them to death. "You don't have someone targetting me behind me, right?" The silver-haired fighter rose an eyebrow, chuckling. "Hardly. I wouldn't dare to have anyone shoot an Asakawa, I don't wish for my death to come this soon." A smirk formed on the Empress' face, but she was still rather disappointed nonetheless. The man struck with a three kick combination, both trying to hit the right side of her head, to which she simply parried the kicks, before delivering a gut shattering punch to his stomach, causing the man to fall back somewhat.

Satomi crossed her arms, watching as the man gasped out of oxygen for a couple of minutes, getting up eventually. She tilted her head, looking at him. "Can we continue?" The young man nodded. She gave a good look at his face, wondering how old he was. If she had to guess, he was probably in his early twenties, the voice giving it away somewhat. She had fought many young opponents, reckless travellers that believed they had what it took to conquer the Empress of the Hinodejin Empire on the mat, so nothing new there. He came back to her, trying a flying kick, only for that to be countered in an ankle lock, which she then took all the way, placing one of her knees over his head, trying to dislocate his leg from his hip. He tried to push himself off the ground, but to no avail, as the Empress just kept pulling his leg. He tapped out. Five minutes, though if you took out the time he was out gasping for air, it was just about a minute of fighting.

A cyborg maid entered the challenge room, bringing a cell phone to the Empress, her robotic voice saying simply "Miss Eleanor of the National Team is calling", to which Satomi picked up the phone, signalling the maid to take the young man out and see if she managed to actually break anything on him, besides his spirit, during that fight. "Empress Satomi, she who leads the Empire on the line."

---

Eleanor Lingard watched from her window as people passed by the hotel she was at, sitting on a chair, enjoying a glass of wine, tapping with a pen on a piece of paper with tactics for the national team. "Hello, Empress Satomi. I hope to not be interrupting your job of running the-" Loud laughter stopped her from the other side of the line. "You overestimate the state of this job, miss Lingard. In any case, be direct, for I have more challenges to face." The Brenecian took a deep breath, placing the pen over the paper. "I don't know if it's in the best of shapes for me to ask this at this very moment, but I wanted a raise." Curious thought took place for a second or two before the Empress answered. "A raise? Any particular reason for that request?" She now had a slight smile. "Well, I've been thinking of getting a proper place instead of just staying at this hotel. Not like it's bad or anything but-" Once again, she was interrupted. "Ah. So you want a place to stay then? A fair request, I imagine. Have you found a place of your liking?" The Brenecian's smile was larger. "Yeah, Empress... It's a comfy flat at Hinode, fairly cheap, the extra money is mostly so I can have mobile and whatnot." The Empress sighed. "...Consider your request granted. But next time you ask for a raise, make sure to actually win something."

The line closed. She sighed. "Oh, I'll get my win alright, Empress." Eleanor took a sip of wine. "I'll win."

[Taeshan]

The Cup of Harmony is once again in the cards for the Purple Knights as yet another failure to qualify sees them returned to the biggest international trophy the soccer side has ever won. While once regional champions, and once Under 21 World Champions the Knights ultimate glory was almost 40 tournaments ago. That win propelled the Knights to their first qualification to a World Cup in the next campaign. That said their years of mediocrity since then have seen them fail to qualify for decades, and for the most part fail to catch the ever watching eyes of the Cup of Harmony committee. Now they return to the tournament once again and face an interesting group with Lisander, Savojarna and Brusseldorf.

For their part the Knights should have a good chance of making it out of the group stage, with their only touted competition a Savojarna side that lost twice to them in a qualifying campaign many years ago. That said the Knights will have their work cut out for them in a group that has been called the group of death. All four teams finished 3rd in their qualifying groups, and the Savojarna side is ranked 31st in the world. Their other two opponents may not be as highly touted but both had strong campaigns, and the Knights themselves lacked much of the killer instinct in the final weeks of qualifying that could have seen them at least respectively bow out after a mostly strong first half of qualifying. The result may not have gone their way, but that may have been more due to their own failings than any mastermind's at a keyboard.

[Omerica]

This is a continuation from here.

---

Federal Ministry of Defence Headquarters
28 March

---

“Sir, we have a call.”

“I don’t care, lieutenant,” Jean barked at his subordinate. “This is what we’re dealing with now.”

“Sir,” the lieutenant continued. “It’s from Mike.”

Jean could hardly believe it, pausing to consider whether it was his superior’s ex.

“Bring me the phone.” Turning to Von, he continued: “Today might be your lucky day.”

“Hello, this is Jean speaking.”

“Hey, Jean,” the familiar voice rang. “Listen, the kid you’ve got’s a little confused. Y’ought to let him go.”

“The only reason I’m flattering you with this talk is because of your ex, Mike,” the sergeant calmly replied.

“I know. Not important, though. The kid’s not a threat. I think they’ve just been confused by some rag.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Some Beet thing. Think they’re from Salstead or something.”

“Saltstead, you mean?”

“Yeah, that’s the place,” Mike answered, ignorant of how stupid the guard thought he sounded. “Some shit satire rag must’ve tricked the kid.”

“Wait, so this is about that article? I knew that Beet shit was going to start something or other.”

“Hold the kid there and I’ll pick him up,” Mike said over the line.

Jean turned back towards Von and sighed. “Today is your lucky day, son,” the guard said to Von. “Someone will be coming to get you shortly. We’d like you to wait in the lobby until he arrives.”

Motioning Von to follow him, Jean formally transferred the guard to the lieutenant as he and the Qusmi entered the building. Dear God, this better not be a trap.

---

The private study of the Prime Minister, Rucker’s Hill
The same day

---

“Madame,” the Prime Minister’s assistant stated over the phone in his awkward French, “on a une situation.”

“Fantastique!” Julie muttered underneath her breath. “What is it?”

“Someone from Qusmo is currently being held at the Federal Ministry of Defence headquarters for allegedly trying to annex the Seafoam Islands.”

…

…

…

All of a sudden, the Prime Minister subjected her assistant to laughter.

And more laughter.

And yet more laughter.

“It isn’t the first yet, Casey,” the Prime Minister responded as her chuckling abated. “You can drop the act.”

“This isn’t a joke, Madam Prime Minister,” Casey said with a twinge of audible anger in his voice. “Ask the defence minister, we quite possibly have a diplomatic crisis on our hands.”

Julie’s eyes spun as far back as human eyes could possibly spin as she assured her assistant that she’d contact the defence minister.

“Très bien,” Casey replied from the other side of the line. “Merci beaucoup et bonne nuit.”

Click.

As soon as the line disconnected, the Prime Minister began typing the number of her defence minister, hoping that he’d dispel this awful joke. After some brief buzzing of the ringtone, the minister finally answered.

“Monsieur Ministre, bonsoir,” Julie said before switching over to English. “I’ve word that someone from Qusmo is apparently being held at the Ministry headquarters.”

“Casey finally got hold of you?”

“Wait,” Julie screeched as she rose out of her seat. “He wasn’t kidding?”

“Not in the slightest, Madam Prime Minister. As far as I can tell, they alleged that our constitution has a clause that allows them to claim a republic from us by virtue of having won four matches against the national football team.”

“Do you have any clue where he got this idea from?”

“We’ve not a clue. We’re still searching. I recommend you get hold of someone from the Qusma government or the Qusma embassy before long.”

“Mon Dieu. C’est fantastique! You know how wild the press would go if they got whiff of this?”

“War with Qusmo wouldn’t be ideal.”

“I’d think not.”

After some brief pleasantries, the Prime Minister hung up the phone and collected her coat. Mon Dieu. Pourquoi?

As she shuffled out of her official residence, Julie finally got hold of the Ministry headquarters. “C’est la première ministre. La personne que vous avez là, do not let them leave.”

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Siovanija and Teusland national football team

Facts

Nation Name: United Republics of Siovanija and Teusland
Short Names: Siovanija and Teusland, the United Republics
Demonyms: Siovanijan, Teus
FA: Siovanija and Teusland Football Association (STFA)
Colours: Blue and gold
Anthem: ‘High Mountain Skies’
Capital City: Borograd
Other Major Cities: St. Jakob, Stelburg, Vlaikograd, Chernovets, Felsenkirchen
Highest Domestic League: Republikaliga
Nicknames: The Goldhorns
Style Modifier: +2.5

Coaching Staff

Manager: Gavin Hughes (APX)

All-time record: 9-7-7
Preferred Formation: 4-4-2
Tournament Records: AOCAF 57 (Quarterfinal), WC82 (Qualifiers, 5th in Group 5)

23-man Squad for the Cup of Harmony

Goalkeepers

GK -- Viktor VENEV -- 34y/o -- FK Metropola Borograd -- 50 caps, 12 clean sheets
GK -- Yanko ZHELYASKOV -- 23y/o -- Ulsa Rovers (EUR) -- 13 caps, 4 clean sheets
GK -- Julian FEHR -- 33y/o -- FC Teussen Stelburg -- 13 caps, 2 clean sheets

This could just be the last time we see Viktor Venev in the number one shirt for the national team, and he is wanting to have a good showing in the CoH to cement his legacy with the national team. Young blood is eager behind him, however, to catch up. Yanko Zhelyaskov is fresh off a move to the Euraleague’s Ulsa Rovers, and the 23 year old will certainly stake his claim to the starting position here, while Julian Fehr’s experience will be vital as well.

Left Backs

LB -- Lyubomir DIMITROV -- 26y/o -- FK Metropola Borograd -- 34 caps, 1 assist
LB -- Dietmar KLEINMANN -- 29y/o -- FC Teussen Stelburg -- 53 caps, 2 assists

Lyubomir Dimitrov has taken the starting spot here and ran with it, putting in several good performances at the AOCAF. There was a mistake against the Equestrian States that would have been much more scrutinized had the Goldhorns not advanced to the playoff round, but he was solid overall and his crossing was important in the Goldhorns’ run. Dietmar Kleinmann backs him up, offering solid pace and being a threatening attacking option.

Centre Backs

CB -- Raphael KLOPFER -- 29y/o -- 1912 Stelburg -- 78 caps, 2 goals, 3 assists
CB -- Karl-Heinz JAGER -- 20y/o -- FC Teussen Stelburg -- 20 caps, 3 goals, 1 assist
CB -- Nikola KARAPETROV -- 28y/o -- Olympia Borograd -- 27 caps, 1 goal
CB -- Erich THIERSE -- 24y/o -- FC Rotmunde 1932 -- 13 caps

Karl-Heinz Jager has been predicted to be the ‘next big thing’ on defence for the Goldhorns, and he certainly lived up to that billing at the AOCAF. His defensive work was solid, and his key goal in the win over Vilita and Turori showed an ability to perform under pressure. He and Raphael Klopfer, probably the best centre back in the Republikaliga, will make up the top pairing. Klopfer has been a reliable option in this side throughout the national team’s history, and his role as a leader has earned him the captain’s armband for most matches. Both of those centre backs are strong at playing the ball, especially Klopfer. Karapetrov takes fewer risks than most, and has a good chemistry with Klopfer if needed. Eric Thierse’s development has continued at Rotmunde, and he hopes to build on his 13 caps here.

Right Backs

RB -- Lutz DASCHNER -- 32y/o -- 1912 Stelburg -- 65 caps, 2 assists
RB -- Thorsten HELMKE -- 27y/o -- FC Felsenkirchen 1879 -- 29 caps, 3 assists

Lutz Daschner is one of the old guard here, and has been one of the best performers for the Goldhorns across his storied career. He’s relied on great pace for success, but as he gets older he is slowing down a bit. This could be the time that he passes along the torch, and the competition for it will be interesting. Thorsten Helmke is a defensive-minded option, who has always been a good option in the team.

Left Wing

]LW -- Paulus LEISTNER -- 30y/o -- Letson Town (ETH) -- 54 caps, 5 goals, 11 assists
LW -- Ingolf KRUGER -- 24y/o -- Marlesee 97 -- 9 caps, 1 goal, 1 assist

Paulus Leistner retains his hold on the starting spot on the left wing, fresh off a move to Letson Town. He has been a performer under pressure for the Goldhorns throughout his career, 4 of his 5 goals being either the winning goal or saving a tie. He’s got a strong resume at the international level, and will be relied on here. Ingolf Kruger was a breakout player during Qualifying, being consistently strong across his 9 appearances.

Centre Midfield

CM -- Thorsten KRAMER -- 23y/o -- 1830 Cathair (AUD) -- 78 caps, 14 goals, 30 assists
CM -- Vladimir KOSTOV -- 33y/o -- Olympia Borograd -- 51 caps, 2 goals, 4 assists
CM -- Dennis BROTZMANN -- 29y/o -- Herzegovina City FC (BNJ) -- 34 caps, 2 assists
CAM -- Viktor DIMITROV -- 28y/o -- Energija Chernovets -- 71 caps, 5 goals, 36 assists
CAM -- Kurt WITZEL -- 20y/o -- TSV Marzig -- 8 caps, 3 goals, 3 assists

Thorsten Kramer bid a tearful farewell to FC Teussen Stelburg this summer, joining up with Audioslavian and world heavyweights 1830 Cathair for a Republikaliga record fee of $15 million tolars. The dynamic midfielder is a creative playmaker who has great skill on the ball. He’s also got a decent shot on him, having scored 11 times for his country. Vladimir Kostov brings physicality to the midfield, playing in more of an anchor role, while Dennis Brotzmann is a similar sort of player and the two combined bring plenty of experience to the team. Viktor Dimitrov is the engine of this team, a true midfield maestro who has been at the heart of many a goal across his career. Behind him are two new faces in the team. Kurt Witzel is a hot prospect for the future, in a similar mold as Dimitrov with a bit more of a scoring touch to him.

Right Wing

RW -- Ivo ROMANOV -- 28y/o -- Rozelle (BRE) -- 73 caps, 24 goals, 17 assists
RW -- Leo HEIDEN -- 24y/o -- FC St. Jakob -- 13 caps, 2 assists

Ivo Romanov is the obvious star here, his move to Rozelle proving fruitful so far. He’s added a Campionato Esportivano di Campeones trophy to his collection, with a goal and assist in the final match, and is hoping to build on that success with the national team. He also had a very strong performance in the AOCAF tournament. Behind him there are several solid players, albeit with little international experience. Leo Heiden has 13 caps to his name, he’ll probably see more game time here especially after some good runs down the stretch of Qualifiers.

Centre Forward

CF -- Krasimir KYNEV -- 25y/o -- Olympia Borograd -- 41 caps, 18 goals
CF -- Michael RIBBECK -- 22y/o -- SW Stahlberg -- 33 caps, 23 goals, 1 assist
CF -- Ludwig REICHWEIN -- 25y/o -- FC Teussen Stelburg -- 8 caps, 4 goals


There’s plenty of options here for Gavin Hughes, and each of these forwards will want to stake their claim to a starting spot. Krasimir Kynev and Michael Ribbeck are the usual duo, and they worked well at the AOCAF. Michael Ribbeck had 5 goals through the 5 games in that tournament, while Kynev added 2 of his own. Both are Republikaliga champions, and Ribbeck won the Golden Boot last season with 30 goals, Kynev having 28. Ludwig Reichwein just moved to FC Teussen Stelburg and is hoping that he can get a fresh start in the national team.

Set Pieces
Left Corners: Lyubomir Dimitrov
Right Corners: Ivo Romanov
Free Kicks: Thorsten Kramer, Viktor Dimitrov, Ivo Romanov
Penalties: Krasimir Kynev, Michael Ribbeck, Ivo Romanov, Thorsten Kramer, Viktor Dimitrov

Captains
The official captain of the team is Raphael Klopfer, who if not playing will be changed for Thorsten Kramer, Lutz Daschner and Viktor Venev in that order.

Kits

Siovanija and Teusland will continue to use the kits debuted in World Cup 81 Qualifiers for the Cup of Harmony. The crest, circular, features an edelweiss in the middle with blue and gold colour around it. The home kit is coloured mainly gold, with blue highlights. In addition, a blue stripe is in the middle of the kit, with the crest inside. Gold shorts and blue socks round out the home design. The away kit is coloured mainly blue, with gold highlights and a gold stripe. Blue shorts and gold socks complete the design. The blue and gold here come from the flag of the country. The goalkeeper kit, not pictured, is fully green. Green was both the colour of the House of Stajovic, Siovanija’s old imperial family, and the colour of the uniforms of many Knights from Teusland during several historical conflicts. It is understood that this will be, however, the last run in these kits as the national team looks abroad for a new kit contract.

Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Choose Scoring Events: Yes
Godmod Scoring Events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, I determine length/severity
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: No

Group and Schedule

The Goldhorns have been drawn into Group B of the Cup of Harmony, alongside:

Zwangzug (98)
Kita-Hinode (25)
Siovanija and Teusland (57)
Velestria (111)

Siovanija and Teusland have previously faced Kita-Hinode 3 times, losing in each game 2-1, 1-0, and the infamous 6-1 defeat at Cup of Harmony 72, still the Goldhorns’ all-time record defeat. The sides were also in the same group of World Cup Qualifiers. The Goldhorns will surely be looking for revenge, while they have yet to face Zwangzug or Velestria in international competition. Each side is, however, a rising football power and will be a difficult challenge.

Matchday 1: Kita-Hinode vs Siovanija and Teusland @ Wyrmstone (25,000), Mriin
Matchday 2: Velestria vs Siovanija and Teusland @ Wyvernscrest (35,000), Mriin
Matchday 3: Siovanija and Teusland vs Zwangzug @ Seagate (50,000), Mriin

The hardest match in term of ranks goes first, the Goldhorns taking on Kita-Hinode on the first day of the tournament. Next up is Velestria as the Goldhorns return to Wyvernscrest stadium, where they so famously pulled off a 5-4 victory over Vilita and Turori in AOCAF 57, ‘Das Wunder von Northbrush.’ It’ll be interesting to see how if at all the Goldhorns respond to being back on that ground so important now in the lore of the national team. On the last day of qualifiers, they will also return to Seagate stadium, where they fought so valiantly against Valanora in that same tournament before falling 1-0 in the Quarterfinal.

The Goldhorns are on familiar turf this Cup of Harmony, and we’ll have complete coverage as they look for success.

[Cosumar]

To the sixteen squads getting ready to take its grandest stages, the Fiefdom of Cosumar says...
"ROCK ME!"

MD1 Cutoff for Groups E-H

---

Group E
Abanhfleft 6–4 Libertas Omnium Maximus
New Lusitania 3–0 Balqia

  Group E                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 New Lusitania                    1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Abanhfleft                       1   1  0  0    6   4  +2    3
3 Libertas Omnium Maximus          1   0  0  1    4   6  −2    0
4 Balqia                           1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Group F
Mytanija 5–2 Sajnur
Krytenia 0–1 Tinhampton

  Group F                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mytanija                         1   1  0  0    5   2  +3    3
2 Tinhampton                       1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Krytenia                         1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Sajnur                           1   0  0  1    2   5  −3    0

Group G
Alluersia 0–1 Ko-oren
Squornshelan Remnant States 1–0 Oberour Ar Moro

  Group G                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Ko-oren                          1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
  Squornshelan Remnant States      1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Alluersia                        1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
  Oberour Ar Moro                  1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group H
Omerica 2–1 The Sherpa Empire
Saltstead 0–0 The Busoga Islands

  Group H                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Omerica                          1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
2 Saltstead                        1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
  The Busoga Islands               1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 The Sherpa Empire                1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0