Copa Rushmori XXXIV Everything Thread (Closed)

[Savojarna]

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
34th Copa Rushmori to begin for Savojarna in Eastfield Lodge

By Jaukka Halonen and Viktorija Petrova
The Copa Rushmori has forever a special place in Savojars’ hearts thanks to the amazing run of the Mytanar edition, where the Savojars had subsequently eliminated their rivals from Eura and then the big giants and defending champions from Nephara to win their first, and so far only, international title. On the bench in that legendary edition was Mikaela Rangren, as assistant coach of Lise Asbeck, and well-known for her dry wit and excessive goal celebrations during the semifinal against Eura. Now, she is taking up the baton from Rune Zackrisson, who some claim to have ruined his ambitions in Savojarna for good with the disappointing Cup of Harmony campaign he oversaw. The Savojars will start their play tonight, in the second matchday, and it looks like the SFFB is highly excited, judging by their twii.tur account:

Savojarna National Football Team
@svjteam_official

READY FOR TONIGHT??? #SupportSavojarna in our opening match facing hosts tonight at the #copa34 #SVJEFL

But who are we facing? We’re here to give you the ultimate preview together with our panel: football editor Jaukka Halonen, and former national team and RLSK Pawlograd goalkeeper Viktorija Petrova. Let’s start with our group A, in order of play for Savojarna:

MD2 - Eastfield Lodge:
Jaukka: The opener against the hosts is usually not a good sign. They’ll be really motivated, and they’ll try to get us - and this is a very competent team. They’ve got a deep roster and a wide tactical setup that looks like it’s designed to contain Voynov and Jashkin. Not fun. But they did look a bit shaky against Pridnestrovia and lose that one, so I’m gonna go with a win for the boys here.
Viktorija: Yeah, EFL have always been an annoying team to play against. We don’t know them extremely well, but I remember that we played them before and it was a really difficult game because Accardi and Berretti are just so incredibly hard to contain. Farrow is an incredible threat, but once we break them there may be space at the back. Can go either way, really, but the longer the back holds, the more I’ll think we win.

MD3 - Saintland:
Jaukka: The second seed of the group and one that seems quite in form, having gotten a smooth 2-1 over Saint-Michel. But they’re a bit… defensive, no? Looking like there won’t be much attacking, and I’m curious how Rangren will counter it. You could load the front and try to make the game, or also just settle for a sluggish game and defend well. Both are really good options, and it may depend a bit on how the opener goes. This is too close to call, really - I see a slight advantage for the Savojars here but I’m leaning 0-0.
Viktorija: I know Mikaela is really solid and not too much of a trickster or anything, usually she’d probably just try to play her game and find a way to make anything work. And if that’s what she’s looking for, then I think if anything she’ll set it up defensively. Remember, that isn’t a bad thing, we have also drawn twice in Mytanija before that Nephara game in the end, and from the top it’s easier to play for a draw because your opponents may very well be content with it. Winning the first match and a draw here is alright, but if we don’t win the early one, Mikaela will have to play offensively. And that could really go either way.

MD4 - Gran Torche de Saint-Michel
Jaukka: As much as I love the flag, I don’t think there can be any debate about this one. Not if you want to win anything. Look, those guys are basically kids, the oldest is 23, and they face a really solid Savojarna team, and I can’t see anything but the difference in physicality making the call in favour of Savojarna. We’ve already seen them struggling with that when they played Saintland, and Savojarna do a lot of the same thing, so that is probably a good chance for us to get something out of the game. How do you make sure that you actually win such a game, Viktorija?
Viktorija: We have played a few games like this one, especially in the WCQ. It’s all about being ready, and across four games that’s so much easier than across twenty or so. I don’t think there is a particular secret. Try to pressure early, maybe get a good tackle in in the first minutes, and if you can a goal in the first twenty. I always liked that. Otherwise you can be surprised, and then they get hope. That’s how we beat Vilita a few times, we’ve always had some success early and could defend, and then we started to believe and we had more power at the very end of the game. This is going to be a test for our boys, but I say 2-0 Savojarna.

MD5 - Pridnestrovia
Jaukka: Okay, Pridnestrovia were a team where I thought this would be a good call, we can beat them, you know? But then they have really shown a great football against Eastfield Lodge, and shown they don’t have any problem with nerves. Do you think that they will also beat Savojarna, or do we net the qualification here? I don’t think it’s going to be possible to secure qualification already before this game, as much as I would like it - and then with their recent victory Pridnestrovia are probably really hungry and able to qualify.
Viktorija: They are hard to assess, and a lot will come down to how well our players are in form. They don’t get much rest, which could become an issue. But generally, this is the one where I think we’ll be fine, really. I have been in this situation a few times, when you need to win a game where you’re somewhat favoured, but not overwhelmingly so, you know? But then you actually get to play at your best often, because you know that you have the possibility to reach a really big goal, and then you wanna show what you can do. And I think Savojarna are a very good side for this, building up solid from the back, things like that. I trust our team for this.

Throwing a look at the other groups, the outstanding one is surely Group C. Featuring defending champions and top seeds Pasarga, it gets complimented by sixth seed Schottia, who have had some remarkable clashes with Savojarna in the past, and the eighth-placed Cassadaigua, victim to the hosts being traditionally seeded in Pot 1. Their clash ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the field wide open. Of particular interest to Savojarna is Group B, featuring Darmen and Sargossa, who have both won their opener convincingly, and Taeshan. The Purple Knights are a relatively likely opponent for the quarterfinals if Savojarna win their group, and while they are always an annoying opponent, the neighbourhood duel aspect would make more than up for it. Finally, Group D has two big favourites for the title in it with Eura and Nephara, likely dooming the dark horse Valladares from the start, as they have already lost their opener to the Cormorants. The traditional SavojarSports.sj office sweepstakes have predicted Savojarna to clear their group ahead of the hosts, and Sargossa to qualify ahead of Taeshan. In Group C, opinions were split, but came down on Pasarga ahead of Schottia by just two votes more than Cassadaigua, whereas the sweepstake sees Nephara besting Eura in their clash for group victory.

Our office, which has not predicted many upsets, would lead to a Savojarna - Taeshan match, a tight affair where our home bias may tilt the result a little, but a majority of the office has voted for Savojarna. On the second game, Sargossa vs. Eastfield Lodge, the Sargossan pick dominates, and the first matchday supports that prediction. Nephara are predicted to beat Schottia, and we’d be getting an absolute treat in Pasarga vs. Eura. Hard to call, and a potential final on paper, our office is pretty split on this one, but leans to the Pasargans narrowly. Savojarna would then meet Nephara in the semifinal, a classic that, with a heavy heart, we’d be handing to the Cormorants, while we expect Pasarga to overcome Sargossa. I’m not sure how to call a Pasarga vs. Nephara final, but with Pasarga in a little bit of a form slump - they failed to make the World Cup, although their Cup of Harmony run was convincing to say the least, our break room called the game 14-18 for Nephara. So, thanks to this highly scientific method, you now know where to put your bets, and at an average return of 2.90 to the SAK, there are probably more tempting bets, but it may even be worth a shot.

[Cassadaigua]

Zack Pierce makes history,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

The 34th edition of the Copa Rushmori kicked off last night, with Cassadaigua in the Group of Brutal Torture. As the #8 seed, Cassadaigua is in pot three, and has to deal with both Pasarga and Schottia as group mates. Have I mentioned yet that I feel sorry for everyone else in this group? That would be Oberour ar Moro and the unranked Mavinet. I especially feel for Mavinet, but if they ever wanted to make an immediate impression on the region, you can’t say that the script is great for them. Anyway, not only does Cassadaigua have this tough road to make the playoffs, they immediately take on Schottia, then Pasarga, to start things off. Pasarga will have the benefit of being fully rested for their game against us, as they had the bye day on matchday one. After these two opening games, Cassadaigua will have their bye day, and take on the two teams that they need to get six points against if they have a chance of making it.

It was a historic game for the team, more so for symbolic reasons then anything else. Before the start of the tournament, Zack Pierce was named the captain of the squad, making him the first male captain of any Cassadagan soccer team (obviously excluding any male-only sports teams we have had). He is the second male captain all time in our sporting history. Decades ago, Andrew Preston broke the gender barrier in the World Cup of Hockey and is now a well known figure of the achievement. Pierce was initially named to the World Cup roster in World Cup 81, and has been a part of the last four teams. The midfielder has been a great complimentary player to the likes of Hannah Ranucci and Rachel Schanke up front, and often sneaks into the play along the wing to add additional offense when the team applies pressure. While Sierra Mattison is known for being the primary attacking midfielder, it is because of that reason that Pierce often sneaks into a play and forces defenders to make an adjustment for him. The Copa Rushmori only returns a handful of expected World Cup starters, and most of them are in the form of defenders. Lupe Enriquez was probably the frontrunner of the captaincy, but speculation suggests that Enriquez opted not to have the role. However that happened, it opened up the door for Pierce to get the armband, and make history. Pierce reflected on that, telling me, “It’s not as easy in Cassadaigua to get where I am today as a male, as it would be in other countries, but at the same time, people have been great to me ever since I was a young boy. Andrew Preston (the hockey captain) is the real icon in terms of paving the road for male athletes in the country. I can’t think of a time in my career when I was slighted out of having a role because of my gender, everyone was very supportive. In turn, I have been very supportive of all my teammates and tried to just play the game I love without the added attention of being the guy on the team of women. I want to thank everyone for their support. It is an honor for me to get this recognition, and both women and men helped me attain it. I hope to do what Preston did, and also be a captain of a championship winning team.” While Pierce is the captain of this team, it is uncertain who will be the captain of the actual World Cup 85 squad. As I alluded too, there are many World Cup regulars not on this current team. Zack is not thinking about that right now, “I am actually not expecting to be named a captain of that team. If Sierra (Mattison) comes back, which I think she will, she should be the captain. Sierra has been instrumental in my success as a player, too.” Mattison will be 33 for World Cup 85 and is highly expected to be a part of the team.

As for the game, it resulted in a 0-0 draw. Many people feel that we will see more low scoring games for this team due to the strength of the team on the back end, and some general inexperience in the front. The midfield is a mixed bag. The Copa Rushmori is used as a chance to see how players who are “on the bubble” of being named starters to the World Cup team fare against top flight opposition, and we certainly will have that in terms of our opponents. For World Cup 85, there is not much question as to who the starting defenders will be as all are in their prime right now, so we are seeing all of them return. Other spots see players who are older, so there is more of a need to have this additional evaluation period. Cassadaigua’s best chances to score came between the 58th and 64th minutes, where they dominated possession, and had a total of six shots on target. However, the defense of Schottia was always positioned well for this period of intense pressure. Otherwise, the Fillies had their moments here and there, and the Schottians also had their times of pressing the play. In the end, no goals were scored.

The Fillies now prepare to take on Pasarga, and that’s about all I need to say. They are a well accomplished nation and it should be an entertaining game. After all, they are in the same boat as we are in the Group Of Brutal Torture, and need to pick up points. The Wanderers will be fresh, as this is the first game for them.

[Schottia]

National Football Team of Schottia

Copa Rushmori XXXIV
Eastfield Lodge

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Manager: Raven Cullen 66
Assistant: Merry Osbourne 43
First Team Coach: Richard Dachs 41
First Team Coach: Darren Hanlon 46
First Team Coach: Sophie Gilmour 53
Gk Coach: Jeremy McNott 42
Physio: Claire Hanson-Conavacio 48
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On the whole, Raven Cullen looks like a solid choice as manager. Given the state Schottic football finds itself in right now, the Brenecian is probably as good a manager as they could have hoped for. The 66-year-old has already taken two ‘less-glamorous’ footballing nations to the World Cup in the form of Anglatia and her native Brenecia, but Schottia could be her toughest challenge yet. Four years with Handon side, Kings Park, will have given her a good overview of the Schottic game, and this likely helped seal the deal for the FA. Her fast paced, pressing style of play ensured an easier transition for the Schottic squad who were used to that under Lionel Mah. However, given the dearth of any real self belief in the side, it is Cullen’s ability to motivate players that is most needed. Third place at the Copa Rushmori two years ago, followed up by a solid run in the World Cup Qualifiers means that the Brenecian is safe in her job for now.

Cullen has been reunited with Merry Osbourne, who served as her assistant during her time at Kings Park. The former Lammerton and Kingsgrove striker has only ever worked under her countrywoman, and this is her first taste of international football as a player or a coach. Richard Dachs and Darren Hanlon are also familiar faces, having played under Cullen at Kings Park. Hanlon is no stranger to the Schottia set-up, having won 42 caps, mostly during Jane Gullie’s time in charge. Dachs, by contrast, had a pretty unremarkable playing career, but by all accounts is a highly promising coach. Sophie Gilmour worked with the Port Christopher branch of the national performance academy, and her coaching style is largely compatible with what Cullen is trying to do. Jeremy McNott was brought in as goalkeeping coach under Jock Sonny, and seems to have done enough to keep his place on the staff list. The longest serving member of the team, Claire Hanson-Conavacio, is an unsurprising inclusion as physio.

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Squad information
This is the first time that Schottia have experienced anything even resembling pressure since the Hiatus ended four years ago. After their third place finish in Pasarga, hopes will be high that they can do the same again, or maybe even go one further. There have been one or two injury issues for Cullen to deal with, most notably goal keeper Ed Lorrey, who originally joined up with the squad before pulling out with a sprained wrist. The biggest blow will be the loss of Jack Jevđenijević, who is in red hot form with Oldhem Knights in Apox. After making the decision to rest Corinne Martel-Burns, Cullen would have been looking to the striker to lead the line in her absence. Injuries to Louis Hordern, Rosie Donaldson and Dilon Bánach will also represent a headache of the manager, but should be more or less straightforward to cover.

Cullen is in the difficult position of having to call up three keepers with one cap between them. Lorrey has been a near permanent fixture since the nation made its return from international absence, and his injury has created a bit of a void. Will Lewis look favourite to start, and is the more experienced of the three, having held down a starting place in the Euran Gold League for the past four seasons. Donald Bone has experience at U21 level, and playing his club football in Taeshan, will know the lay of the land. Matti Ketler also sneaks in, having impressed last season with Kings Park.

The retirement of Rian Corello has opened up an opportunity, which Lena Kiefer looks set to grab with both hands. She lacks a lot of Corello’s grit and aggression, but is a cleaner, quicker, more technical replacement. Skipper, Bonnie McGillivray will once again start at left back. The Mliona-Lpaka AFC star has been one of the nation’s stand out stars over the past two cycles, but after relegation from the V-League, may find her position under threat. John Hare and Michael Koller will get another crack at centre-half, but there’s definitely pressure on the side to stop leaking goals. DBC skipper, Michael Christie is currently waiting in the wings, and if he continues to get game time in Audioslavia, it’s surely only a matter of time before he muscles his way into the first team. Kati Meyer zu Heide is another rising star of the side, and with her ability to play left of centre, she provides options.

With Maeve Bronte the latest in a long line of Schottic veterans to announce their retirement, Colin Loweson will take over the role of anchoring the midfield. The Porty star is one of the form players in the SPL right now, and easily merits a starting spot. Valentine Roxel seems to have more or less cemented a place for himself in the midfield three, and with Bánach’s injury, the box-to-box Starling player is an easy pick Cullen. Bringing some flair and technical skill to the side, CAP’s Camile Soria Luna is also the most experienced player in the current squad. With a century of caps to her name, the playmaker has been a critical part of this side. There are a few decent options in the squad, should Cullen wish to tinker. Schottia fans must have thought they’d seen the last of Krista Morham, but after the form she showed with Corvistone, seems to have merited a second look. Lewis Nicholson is one of the nation’s up and coming stars, and you can bet the manager will be trying to fast-track the Breakers start into the senior side. Finaly, Madeline Donaldson receives her first call up, and will be keen to prove that she’s not just in the side because of her surname.

Schottia’s strength in the wide areas has been key to the nominal success they’ve enjoyed over the past 24 months. Bastion’ s Jack Avelione is absolutely at the top of his game right now, and with his versatility, represents another striking option. Reay Cnocstanger has also been on good form in the SPL with the Pirates, and contributes in terms of both goals and assists. With Treason’s Kelly McInnes and Samaj winger Annlaug Larsen on the bench, there’s plenty of depth in the wide areas. Injury may have struck other departments, but with the quartet intact, Cullen will crucially have fresh legs to call upon when needed.

No CMB, no Jevđenijević, no Kajsa Kupper who performed so well during the Cup of Harmony; on the face of it, it looks ominous up front. What Schottia do have, however; is a striker in red hot form. Eleni Melas has looked unplayable at times for the Breakers this season, and Cullen will be keen to see if that can be translated into international goals. Jonte Bestatter is another player we are looking forward to seeing a bit more of, and after helping his club to the latter stages of the Champions League, his omission would be a tragedy. Port Sebastian’s Keeva Crowe finally won her first cap during the last World Cup campaign, and she too will be hoping to get her chance in Taeshan.

Kits

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The kits for the most recent cycle are designed by Schottsport of Schottia
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Full Squad

GK. William Lewis, 28 | Holdenberg City | Height:190cm Weight:84kg | Caps: 1 Goals: 0
A big steady keeper, who looks like he might be on the verge of getting his big chance in the national side. Lewis started his career at Z'ai'ai Mountaineers in Chromatika, before making the switch to Euran football. He has patiently worked his way up from the bottom, to a point where he was named keeper of the year in the Gold League twelve months ago. Injury to Ed Lorrey has now presented him with another opportunity to establish himself as Schottia’s number one.

2. RB. Lena Kiefer, 23 Willox Street Pirates Height: 181cm. Weight: 66kg | Caps: 3 Goals: 0
Kiefer was born in Soessch, but has lived most of her life on Port Christopher, having come through the ranks at San Marco Storm, before completing a move to the Pirates. She is a dangerous player going forward, and always most comfortable when surging forward down the right flank. Kiefer has never been one to sit back and wait for the match to come to her, and this all action right-back has pace and stamina to really hurt teams in the wide areas.

3. LB. Bonnie McGillivray, 25 | Mliona-Lpaka AFC | Height:175cm Weight:65kg | Caps: 31 Goals: 0 C
McGillivray shot to fame back in Schottia at the age of eighteen, when she was given the captain’s armband at relegation doomed, Snubbeak Rock. The youngster displayed tremendous grit and leadership, as she fought bravely but failed to avoid the drop. Despite a number of Schottic clubs clambering for her signature, McGillivray opted for the sunny shores of Turori, joining up with Mliona-Lpaka AFC. The 25-year-old is a solid, standard left-back, and a natural leader, who rolls her sleeves up and works hard for the team.

4. L/CB. John Hare, 28 | Ramusok United | Height:187cm Weight:73kg | Caps: 26 Goals: 2
Jock Sonny’s former prodigy at Ramusok is going to be absolutely vital to Schottia’s success in the short and medium term. A reliable central defender, in his prime, with top league experience - players who fit Hare’s profile are thin on the ground for Raven Cullen. With the defensive issues Schottia have had since their return, keeping Hare fit is going to be important to the team.

5. CB Michael Koller, 30 | Corett Hawks | Height:194cm Weight:83kg | Caps: 20 Goals: 1
Glistening in the sun, Koller’s shining dome of a head would be a comforting sight for any Schottia keeper, and a nightmare for the opposition looking to defend a corner. The former Leichhardt man made up for lost time during the last World Cup Qualifying campaign, becoming an ever-present part of the defence, as he extended his caps tally to 20. Koller could probably brush up on his distribution, but he makes up for it with his ability to his body in the way of the ball.

21. DM. Colin Loweson 29 | Port Sebastian | Height: 186cm. Weight: 74kg | Caps: 9 Goals: 0
One of the SPL’s stand out stars at them moment, Loweson was called on a fair bit during qualifying, covering injuries in the midfield. He worked his way up through the ranks at Holin, before moving to Porty, where he slowly built himself into a key player under Barry Gorman. He is strong, and brings some of the defensive qualities the team having been missing. With Maeve Bronte’s retirement, there is a gaping hole to filled in the centre of the midfield three, and Loweson likely has this tournament to prove that he is the man for the job.

8. CM. Valentine Roxel, 27 | Starling | Height: 188cm. Weight: 73kg | Caps: 23 Goals: 5
Regional Development product, Valentine Roxel, is a player at the top his game right now. “Rocky” built up his reputation at North Sabrefell, as his strength and stamina helped him establish himself as one of the best box-to-box-midfielders in the Premiership. It’s been a big eighteen months for the 27-year-old, moving to Starling, winging the de facto Champions’ Cup, and establishing himself as an indispensible member of the Schottic national team. Having a player with such a physical presence in the midfield has been something of a novelty for Schottia fans.

10. AMC. Camila Soria Luna, 29 | CA Paulinthal | Height:176cm Weight:65kg | Caps: 108 Goals: 33
Camila Luna's career has been nothing if not eventful. She first made the headlines aged thirteen, after pledging her allegiance to Schottia as opposed to her island of birth, Port Christopher. On the park she has turned heads for all the right reasons, however, picking up a U15WC winners medal before going on to win her first cap aged only eighteen. Having already played in Schottia, Dainer, Vilita, Farfadillis and Pasraga, Soria Luna brings a wealth of experience to the team, and was arguably the side’s best player during their run to the semi-final of the Copa Rushmori two years ago. As an attack-minder playmaker, she’s normally more comfortable pushed a little further up the pitch, but the CAP star has adjusted well to the three in midfield system.

11. RWF. Reay Cnocstanger, 24 | Willox Street Pirates | Height:177cm Weight:60kg | Caps: 23 Goals: 5
There was a lot riding on the shoulders of young Cnocstanger, as she was thrust into the starting line-up upon Schottia’s international return three years ago. With her blistering pace, she’s been terrorising defenders for a number of years, but recently, we’ve seen her add a little more to her game. Schottia have never been blessed with an abundance of natural right-wingers, so this is a real chance for the Pirates girl. She has been one of the stars of the SPL, since the league made it’s return to international domestic football, and with the current turmoil at Willox Street, she could well be looking at a move away from the clubs she signed for aged eleven.

7. ST/AMRLC. Jack Avelione, 26 | Bastion | Height:188cm Weight:80kg | Caps: 53 Goals: 22
Jack Avelione has always had a lot to live up to; given the standing of his father and uncle within Schottic football. That said, the 26-year-old has already surpassed the achievements both, given the fact that the previous Avelione generation never managed to cut it in one of the Multiverse’s top leagues. The Bastion attacker can play anywhere across the front line, and combines speed and trickery, with a physicality that makes him hard to defend against. Avelione is arguably the only true “World Class” player in the current NT set up, and keeping him injury free is going to be important over the next few cycles.

9. FC. Eleni Melas, 27 | Port Patrick United | Height:174cm Weight: 62kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Eleni Melas is about to see a lot of pressure coming her way very quickly; but with it, will come much opportunity. With striking options thin on the ground right now, Melas, who netted sixteen times in the SPL last season, looks set to be handed her chance. Written off as simply “quick,” the little striker has proven her doubters very wrong this season, spearheading Port Patricks’ unlikely title challenge. She originally came through the ranks at Mucusia, before going on to play for West Coast Warriors and Blue Coast before heading up at the Breakers.

Substitutes

23. GK. Donald Bone, 23 | Laketown Rangers | Height:189cm Weight:81kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
It was only a matter of time before Bone got a call-up, and to have so much experience under his belt aged just twenty-three, he looks like a star of the future. He has represented Schottia at DBC level, and put in two good seasons at Marionville, before winning a big-money move to Taeshani heavyweights, Laketown Rangers.

22. RB. Jack Kildonan, 24 Cornellians Height: 184cm. Weight: 72kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
A former youth Champions’ Cup winner at Cornellians, Jack Kildonan has made steady progress at the club in the post hiatus years. He’s not a player who’s ever going to set the heather alight, but he does what’s asked of him, and does it well. With Corello’s retirement and injury to Hordern, there is a chance for Kildonan to stake a claim for the right-back slot.

15. LB. Katarina Meyer zu Heide, 21 Port Sebastian | Height: 179cm. Weight: 61kg | Caps: 2 Goals: 0
Undoubtedly one of the rising stars of the post-hiatus era, Kati Meyer zu Heide’s is a name we’ll get used to seeing in a Schottia jersey. She has skippered the side at DBC-level, and get some valuable experience in the Challenger’s Cup following a summer switch from Lammerton to Porty. At the moment she has Schottia captain, Bonnie McGilivray ahead of her in the pecking order, but looking at their respective skill-sets, you’d have to say that Meyer zu Heide is more the full package.

14. CB. Michael Christie, 21 | AC Izotz Zubia | Height:186cm Weight: 70kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Christie is another player who is rising quickly right now, filling the void as Schottia’s aging stars head for the exit door. The National Academy product is an excellent, technical, modern defender, who took the DBC by storm en route to the semis. He surprised many (including himself) as he was fast tracked into the Izotz Zubia starting eleven, and Cullen no doubt wants to take a look at him ahead of the WC-Qualifiers in the autumn.

17. WR. Annlaug Larsen, 25 | Samaj FC | Height:169cm Weight: 63kg | Caps: 14 Goals: 3
It was a Jekyll and Hyde year for Larsen, who saw her international career kick-off in a big way, at the same time as tasting HL relegation. A string of retirements saw her thrown in at the deep end at Samaj three years ago, and since then, the wide-girl has made a big impact. Larsen is a quick winger, who has goals in her game, and she should see a fair bit of game time in this 4-3-3 formation.

18. WL. Kelly McInnes, 24 | AFC Treason | Height:178cm Weight: 64kg | Caps: 17 Goals: 6
After making her international debut at the last CR in Pasarga, McInnes went on to rack up seventeen cap, netting six times, during the WC campaign. The Treason girl has the skill to turn defenders inside out and her ability to get forward in support the strikers makes her an important option for Cullen. With her and Avelione fighting it out for a starting berth on the on the left side, it’s an area of the pitch where there’s little concern for Schottia.

21. DM. Madeline Donaldson 22 | Handon United | Height: 180cm. Weight: 63kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Daughter of Colin, and sister of Rosie, Madeline Donaldson receives her first call up to the senior squad. While injury to her older sister has meant there’s no family reunion, but on the plus side, it may dive Madeline a chance to stand on her own two feet. The 22-year-old was a key player for Schottia at U21 level, and with places opening up in that department, Cullen is no doubt keen to take a closer look at her.

19. CM. Kirsta Morham, 30 | AFC Corvistone | Height:176cm Weight: 65kg | Caps: 17 Goals: 2
Back in from the wilderness, the Corvistone captain will be hoping to force herself in to the manager’s first team plans. Combining skill with grit and determination, there’s no doubt that Morham has talent. Absolutley nothing is set in stone right now, so if the Premiership star can bring her A-game, there’s no reason why she can’t become a permanent fixture for Schottia.

16. CM. Lewis Nicholson, 20 | Port Patrick United | Height: 188cm. Weight: 70kg | Caps: 2 Goals: 0
Nicholson seems to have picked up the “Golden-Kid” baton right now. The former Dundee kid had the season of his life, after making the switch to Port Patrick in the summer. He was a key player for Schottia during their successful DBC campaign, and picked up two caps at the tail end of the WC-Qualifiers to sent his stocks soaring. Nicholson is a similar player to Valentine Roxel in many way, with maybe a little less running and a little more accuracy. At twenty it’s very early, but there are promising signs that we may have a star on our hands.

9. FC. Jonte Bestatter, 23 | Tanrısal | Height: 187cm. Weight: 74kg | Caps: 4 Goals: 1
Bestatter brings something to the Schottia team that is aerial presence in the forward areas. He raised a few eyebrows when he handed in a transfer request at Soessch twelve months ago, but received some vindication after winning a move to Pasargan side Tanrısal. The big striker has done a job for Schottia when called upon in the past, and at twenty-three he’s probably worthy of a run in the team.

12. FC. Keeva Crowe, 25 | Port Sebastian Height: 178cm | Weight: 67kg | Caps: 1 Goals: 0
A striker who specialises as playing the supporter in a two up front system, Crowe is screaming out for a manager who’ll play that 4-4-2 system. She’ll need to keep screaming for the time being, but on current form, it’s impossible not to call the Porty player up. Crowe is a real leader on the pitch, who puts her shoulder to the wheel, and scraps to win ever ball.

23. GK. Matti Ketler, 24 | Kings Park | Height:189cm Weight:83kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
An unexpected call up for a player who has had a good season with Kings Park. It’s been a turbulent couple of years with relegation and promotion, but like the entire Royals side, Ketler is thriving under the stewardship of manager Jessica Weiss.

---

Formation and tactics




Player Roles
Captain: Bonnie McGillivray
Vice-Captain: Camila Soria Luna
Penalty kicks: Camila Soria Luna
Free kick (right-foot): Camila Soria Luna
Free kick (left-foot): Bonnie McGillivray/Kelly McInnes
Corner kicks R|L: Reay Cnocstanger/Bonnie McGillivray

---

Fans
Schottic fans are generally peaceful, and are solely there to have a good time. Apart from the fact that your city's bars will be ram packed before and after the matches you shouldn’t expect any trouble from them. They are prone to picking out the opposition's foibles with their catchy (and not particularly witty) chants, but is always meant in good humour.

Permissions
---------------------
Choose my goalscorers Y 
Godmod scoring events Y*
Roleplay injuries to my players Y (I will decide how long.)
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y 
Hand out red cards to my players N (Y with TG)
Godmod other events Y*
---
*I'm very open to any interesting ideas on or of the pitch, so feel free to send me a TG. 
However, I've always RPed Schottia in a more or less realistic way, so please keep that in mind. 
The main thing is don't kill anyone or end their career.
----------------------

[Schottia]

Why I Really Hate Football

Part One.

Indigo

After a deep intake of breath, Gary finally plucked up the courage to chap on the door.

Oak’s parents, Olivier and Indigo, lived near the back of the Newcomers village, close to the valley wall. They stayed in a log-and-cob constructed building, which was one of the more substantial structures on that side of the stream. They didn’t have much in the way gardens: a little space round the side for vegatables, and some other raised beds and baskets, built into the valley wall itself. Like most of the Newcomers’ Community, they were just that – a community – meaning that it was a case of working the communal gardens and pulling recourses. With the increase in population, there had come a greater need for resources, and work was already underway on more substantial vegetable gardens a little further up stream.

After a few seconds the door was opened by Indigo, who judging by her expression, wasn’t all that used to people knocking. ‘Gary?’ She said, placing a hand to her heart in show of her relief. ‘Goodness, I thought you were someone important! You should’ve just come in.’ She stood back, ushering him across the threshold and into the dwelling. Inside was a single specious and well laid out room, with a living area downstairs, and ladders leading up to two separate sleeping compartments in the roof at either end. The place had a woody, earthen feel to it, but at the same time was not at all inhospitable.

‘Can I make you some tea?’ Indigo smiled, almost forcing him onto a chair. ‘Olivier also has some homebrew left if you can be tempted into an afternoon tipple.’ Indigo was probably of a similar age to Gary, or maybe as young as forty. She looked a little washed-out and underfed though; a look accentuated by her loose fitting clothes, and a pair of black-framed glasses that only succeeded in making her appear paler by contrast.

‘No thank you Indigo.’ Gary could always be tempted by a tipple, but on this occasion managed to stay strong. ‘Where are the girls?’ It wasn’t unusual for his daughter, Madita, to spend extended periods of time with her friends on the other side of the stream; but given that they hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her since breakfast, Amanda thought it wise to check.

‘I think they are still helping Dave and Malcolm with the football pitch.’ Indigo answered, picking up what looked like a mug of cold, black coffee, and taking the chair next to Gary.

‘Football pitch..?’ Gary’s expression was one of bewilderment.

‘The kids are really into it.’ Indigo offered, accompanied with a shrug that suggested she was not. ‘They got Dave nagged into building them a pitch.’ She rolled her eyes, looking distantly into the far corner of the room as she paused to take a sip of her tepid beverage. ‘You know what Dave’s like when he has a project to get his teeth into…’

Gary did indeed. “Yogic Dave” was the unofficial leader, and driving energy behind the Newcomers Community. The retired yoga instructor was the enthusiasm that kept the place afloat, and was the one constantly spearheading development.

‘I don’t…’ Gary started, suddenly wishing he’d accepted a cup of beer. ‘I don’t want there to be a football pitch in the valley…’

‘You and I both.’ Indigo replied, taking her glasses off and placing them on the table. ‘They’ve been over there every day this week…’ She took another mouthful of coffee, wincing a little at its strength. ‘I guess it’s the same in your house..? Football, this. Football, that. I’ve got no interest in the bloody sport, but ever since Oak joined that football team it’s all she talks about.’

Gary slowly shook his head, empathising with her distress. ‘Tell me about it…’ was all he had time to say, before a thunder of feet was detectable on the path outside, and the door was flung open.

‘COME AND SEE WHAT WE’VE DONE!’

Granton High Street, North Handon, 2005...

‘I don’t even know if I’m going to be able to train today.’ Darren Hanlon stated, with a degree of relish as he hobbled through from his bedroom, to where a po-faced Gary Corsie was frying off some eggs in the kitchenette. ‘I’ve had so much sex over the past few days that I think I’ve pulled a muscle.’

‘If you’re attempting to embarrass me, Darren, or elicit some jealous reaction, then it most certainly won’t work.’ Gary replied calmly, his concentration still on the contents of his frying pan.

‘Maybe I’ll just drink some coffee and relax on the sofa for a bit.’ Darren made a show of pulling a brand new French-press and coffee granules from the cupboard, a grin of satisfaction creeping in, as he felt Gary’s gaze lift from the pan for the first time.

‘You don’t drink coffee…’ He said suspiciously, through narrowed eyes.

‘Mary’s got me into it.’ Darren clarified. The difficulty he was having with the plunger suggested that the whole experience was rather new to him. ‘Best way to start the day. You want one..?’

‘It’ll give you heartburn if you’re not careful.’ Gary replied, with a sharpness in his tone. ‘You should be mindful; you don’t have Mary’s constitution. Maybe just a half spoonful until you get used to it.’

‘Mary puts in at least three heaped spoons.’ Darren answered confidently.

‘I have counselled – endlessly – not to follow that young woman’s example.’ Satisfied that the yolks were completely through, Gary carried the pan over the breakfast bar, and dumped the eggs out onto his plate. ‘She smokes cigarettes, uses profane language, and lacks any semblance of a routine.’ He looked his friend and teammate in the eye. ‘Darren, you’ll fall into bad habits.’

‘She’s great…’ Gary’s words seemed to have the opposite effect as they served only to remind Darren of the woman he was absolutely smitten with.

‘So where is our rent free lodger anyway..?’ Gary enquired, removing the bag from his cup of tea and placing it in the food recycling bin. Since they had become an item, Darren and Mary had been inseparable with both parties seeming completely enamoured with the novelty of the situation (for Mary: Dating a footballer –– For Darren: Simply having a girlfriend).

‘She he had a nine o’clock lecture.’ Darren answered, adding the boiling water to the pot before sitting back and admiring his handiwork.

‘That must have pained her.’

‘She wasn’t best pleased, to be fair…’ Darren seemed to be exerting an unnecessary about of force to press the plunger down in his coffee. Gary watched surreptitiously from the side-lines while his friend – now content with his work – proceeded to poor an enormous amount of the steaming beverage into a thermos travel cup.

‘You know it’s not going to last forever.’ Gary put in.

‘I know, but Mary says these cups can keep things warm for a good couple of hours…’ Darren attempted a sip, but after wincing as the boiling water scolded his lips, placed it momentarily to one side. ‘…this way I can make myself a double portion, and drink the second half on the way home.’

‘The relationship, I mean to say.’ Gary finished his eggs and proceeded to place the empty plate in the sink. ‘You know I’ve never been one to naysay, Darren, I’m just trying to inject a little realism. She’s only interesting because you’re playing for Granton Vale. Your loan deal finishes in May, and once you’re back at Kings Park, the novelty will be over.’

‘Not true!’ Darren spat, but you could see in his eyes, that he accepted the possibility.

‘All I’m say is…’ Gary paused for thought, before squirting a little washing up liquid into the sink. ‘All I’m saying is, I don’t want to have to be one who picks up all pieces after you end up flat on your face.’

‘I’m grateful for your concern, but it’s not needed.’ He tried for another sip of coffee, scolding his lips for a second time. ‘Let’s get to training anyway.’

‘Indeed.’ Gary rinsed off his plate and placed it in the drying rack. ‘We may as well get this over with.’

[Eastfield Lodge]

Copa Rushmori MD2

Group A
Pridnestrovia 1–2 Saintland
@North Bank Stadium
Savojarna 3–2 Eastfield Lodge
@Lodger City Memorial Stadium

P Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Saintland                     2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Savojarna                     1   1  0  0    3   2  +1    3
3 Pridnestrovia                 2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
4 Gran Torche de Saint-Michel   1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
5 Eastfield Lodge               2   0  0  2    4   6  −2    0

Group B
Crystalline Caverns 2–0 Southwest Eastnorth
@East Monksville Park
Taeshan 1–2 Sargossa
@Parliament Stadium

P Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sargossa                      2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Darmen                        1   1  0  0    5   2  +3    3
3 Crystalline Caverns           2   1  0  1    3   4  −1    3
4 Taeshan                       1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
5 Southwest Eastnorth           2   0  0  2    2   7  −5    0

Group C
Schottia 5–3 Mavinet
@Vorgan Park
Pasarga 0–1 Cassadaigua
@King Iqbal II Stadium

P Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Schottia                      2   1  1  0    5   3  +2    4
2 Cassadaigua                   2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
3 Oberour ar Moro               1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
4 Pasarga                       1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 Mavinet                       2   0  0  2    4   8  −4    0

Group D
Nephara 7–2 The Askari Union
@Olympic Park
Eura 3–1 Valladares
@Norrion Park

P Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nephara                       2   2  0  0   10   4  +6    6
2 Eura                          1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
3 The Askari Union              2   1  0  1    3   7  −4    3
4 Falkyr                        1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 Valladares                    2   0  0  2    3   6  −3    0

[Taeshan]

"Late mishap by Sullivan Garrett costs the Purple Knights a share of the result tonight, any criticism of the young fullback in his first national team cap"?

"That's a messed-up question. I don't like your tone. That's mean. That young man is fighting for his life against the 20th ranked side in the world, the best ranked team in the Group and you come out here with a gotcha question like that. Bit of a mishap my left big toe. Sully played great today, He was good on the ball, on his weaker foot no less. Any of you would have been ran over asked to play 90 minutes against the Sargossa side."

"What can you expect from him with a second big test against Darmen? The Darmen side got to watch from the stands as the two higher ranked teams played today. What weaknesses will they look to exploit in you the next matchday"?

"Seriously. Are you kidding me. We had a championship fight out there tonight, but what can the other team use to beat us after this team beat us. How about this. Let me ask the question. What Miles do you think you should fix to beat Darmen? Thanks Miles I appreciate that question. You ask good questions. Anyways we need to score more goals and let them score none. That should win the game."

"The lone goal today a master class finish from Captain Shiloh Morgenstern. He's made it to the long list for Galactico, one of only 4 Taeshan based players, being the only one from Taeshan. What do you think of his performance"?

"Well of course you mean Taeshan linked, he of course has played so well for Real Azuris and has earned the armband. I think it is a great honor. Hopefully that lights a fire in him to lead us to victory in this tournament, to be Darmen like he manages to do so well, and to help us score goals. He doesn't always score goals, but he does when he wants."

"Sullivan was joined by another first time cap from Liam McKenzie who played the second half for Yoshimi at the other center back. Does this tactical shift mean anything going forward"?

"I wouldn't think so."

"What does it say about the fact that he has one game in an odd position and only plays the first half"?

"That he was tired from flying in from his home in Schottia...And boy are his arms tired."

[Schottia]

Why I Really Hate Football

Part Two.

A Twat deserting a sinking ship

”Come and see what we’ve done…”

There were no words in the English language that could strike more fear into Gary Brewer’s heart.

After a lot of persuasion, and a moderate amount of tugging, Madita and Oak had succeeded in dragging their parents to the scene of the crime. A little to the north west of the Newcomers’ Village, there was a flat and windswept area of heathland, which had never really been colonised in any meaningful way. The children played there from time to time, and on occasion the goats and sheep were brought in to enjoy some rough grazing.

‘What on earth is this?’ Gary asked, closing his jacket against the wind, which was roaring across the valley floor on this bluster spring evening. Stretching out in front of him was a not unsubstantial patch of land, which seemed to have been cleared, rotivated, and surrounded by a wickerwork fence of willow and birch.

The likely suspects were all there: Olivier, Joanna, Big Malcolm, Old Christoph, Johnny With The Hair, and last but not least, Yogic Dave, looking particularly pleased with himself.

‘I hope you’re happy.’ Gary said, walking directly up to the former yoga instructor, confronting him directly.

‘Yeah, we’ve been working hard.’ He answered merrily, failing to pick up Gary’s sarcasm. ‘Your daughter is one heck of a worker.’

Gary made an attempt to be a little more direct. ‘You can’t just build a football pitch in the middle of the valley!’

‘Why not?’

‘Because… I… don’t want it here.’

‘I want it here.’ Matida stood forward confidently, stopping Gary mid-rant. ‘There’s nowhere good do practice here in the valley, and… I do want it here.’

‘Think of the practicalities..!’ Gary implored. ‘How are you going to keep the grass?’

‘The sheep.’

‘There’ll be poo everywhere…’

‘Astroturf then.’

‘We can’t afford that.’

‘I asked Uli, he said he reckoned it would cost about a hundred thousand…’

‘Madita…’ Gary knelt down to here level, as he sensed he could deal a quick knockout blow. ‘We are a community of simple downsizers, we live from hand to mouth.’ His tone changed, softer, gentler. ‘We can’t afford such extravagances…’

‘Yes you can!’ Madita seized the opportunity, countering her father beautifully.

‘Madita..!’

‘I say your bank statement when you left it out on the table– ’

‘Madi– ’ Oh, shit.

‘You’ve got over fifteen million just sitting in your bank account doing nothing…’

Sea Park, Granton, 2005...

‘I passionately believe in starting the match well. Do you understand what I’m saying? It sets the tone for the way we are going to approach things, it says we mean business. Start the match like a twat, and you’ll be chasing shadows for the first ten minutes - we’ll be a goal down by half time - and second half you’ll sat back here reflecting on how big a fucking prick you are. Do you understand me?’

There were four matches to go, and tensions were running distinctly high. Having occupied a top three place for much of the season, Granton Vale now found themselves down in fifth with just three games to go. They were only two points off of the promotion spots, but the fact that they had drawn their last three home matches had allowed doubts to creep in. Gary was sat in his usual spot in the corner, sandwiched between Darren and large patch of damp that he always thought resembled a map of Apox. The wall backed onto the showers, and constantly hung with condensation. Gary had studied the patch of damp for countless hours since he had been on loan at Granton, so much so, that he could have drawn it perfectly from memory.

‘Cause last week, was just a fucking… fucking… a fucking piss take!’ Manager, Danny Brown, was beginning to crack. The players had first noticed it after the winter break, after they dropped points to Port Patrick. Since they had dropped out of the promotion places, however; the poor man was hanging by a thread. The vein, which had once only been merely visible on the side of his head, now seemed to throb all the way down the side of his neck to where it was finally covered by the collar of his shirt.

‘Are you tired Tommy!’ Having been caught stifling a yawn, it was Tommy Wilson’s turn to act as a vent for the manager’s growing frustration. ‘What’s that!’ Wilson had made the mistake of muttering a retort. ‘Why don’t go and having a fucking lie down…? Don’t bother setting a fucking clock! IN FACT DON’T BOTHER FUCKING WAKING UP!!! DICK HEAD!’

Gary tried to keep a neutral face, doing his best to not to draw any attention to himself in the corner. Where was the fun in this…? Sport was meant to be fun, wasn’t it..? … Maybe not. Maybe it was just meant to be fun to watch.

‘Look at him Alec!’ Brown said, said to his assistant Alec Barren. ‘Sitting there yawning like he’s on fucking holiday. Look at him! That…. TWAT!’

Gary wanted this end, but there was a sense of relief also. While Wilson was in the crosshairs, he and Darren could hopefully avoid the same fate.

‘We’re pissing our season against the wall and he’s sitting there fucking yawning. FUCKING TWAT!’ Brown’s face was a particularly unhealthy shade of puce. ‘Schottic Premier League? Do any of you think you’re fucking good enough..? Eh..? I’ll tell you right now, what I’ve seen this last month or so, you’re fucking not. We’re half an hour away from kick-off and this twat is thinking about his bed! TWAT!’

Brown was going to kill himself – or so Gary was convinced. Why did he put himself through this kind of pressure, it wasn’t as if he would even be getting paid that much. The man’s face was contorted, his knees shaking with adrenaline.

‘So what’s it to be? Go home and have a nice nap in the armchair by the fire, or wake the fuck up and win this match..?’ He waited for a muttered ”stay here.” ‘THEN FUCKING WAKE UP DICK HEAD! If I see your mouth open again, for any fucking reason, I’ll stick my fucking boot in it.’

For Gary, this season of character building couldn’t end quickly enough. Like a rat, he needed off this sinking ship.

[Nephara]

Valladares 2 - 3 Nephara
(4-4-2) 1 - Mercator; 2 - Stride (18 - Longship 70'), 5 - Thorn, 6 - Brosch, 3 - Close (c); 13 - Saroszi, 4 - Shone, 21 - Moxham (8 - Chalk 83'), 11 - Strongbow; 9 - Bastable, 10 - Metzger
Goals: Metzger 22', Moxham 37', Saroszi 76'

Nephara 7 - 2 Askari Union
(4-4-2) 1 - Mercator; 18 - Longship, 22 - Lockheed, 6 - Brosch, 3 - Close (c, 19 - Katarec 56'); 13 - Saroszi, 7 - Kuepper, 4 - Shone (vc), 16 - Deventer; 17 - Avetisyan (23 - Lovelace 68'), 10 - Metzger
Goals: Avetisyan 7' 19' 65' pen, Kuepper 44', Brosch 60', Lovelace 79', Metzger 86'

THE HERALD
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS WIN SOLE MANDATE TO RULE NEPHARA
Rutger Adler

As the Liberal Alliance rose to become a third party of the centre, cutting deals with both parties to take roles in consecutive governments, the question was: would they be the grey eminence of Nepharim politics forever? As the Progressive Democrats edged out a slim majority in tonight's federal election, the answer would appear to be no.

Margravine Althea Carrick made her victory speech thirty minutes ago with the same bombast that has become her trademark. She said nothing that was unexpected. The Pro Dems and Alliance had made uneasy bedfellows over the past thirty years, often clashing on key issues, and a driving point of the Pro Dem campaign was to 'secure the mandate' to lead alone. This they now have, due to strong swings in their favour in Alliance strongholds such as Brinemouth and Chenoworth.

Margravine Carrick is expected to take full advantage of jettisoning the Alliance from the cabinet, starting with the appointment of stalwart Lorenz Monmouth as her Chancellor and likely promoting a number of younger, promising talents. The removal of Ursula Bradford from the Treasury is likely to be a cause of some joy in red-inclined circles; Bradford, believed likely to take over leadership of the Liberal Alliance, stubbornly persisted with the freeing of the market she'd managed in the prior government throughout her tenure.

Most foreign perspectives, it has to be admitted, would likely have felt more at ease with a coalition government involving the Alliance, and perhaps favouring the Nationals over the Pro Dems. Carrick has been by a distance the most outward-looking of Pro Dem Margraves, save perhaps Aurelia Fern, but she has taken a very bullish stance towards Nepharim interests, promoting Corvistone as a regional and indeed world leader, and using this position to try and buffet around smaller, wayward states such as Brenecia and Falkyr.

That said, Carrick's tenure has been regarded favourably amongst Nepharim themselves - obviously, given her re-election - and has measurably helped to stabilise the economy as it transitions to fully sustaining the UBI, lowered unemployment, cracked down on corruption, cautiously rebuilt Nephara's military presence and, in a no-publicity-is-bad-publicity sense, raised Nephara's profile in Terranea, the CRC and further afield. Her message throughout the election was clear; 'think of what could be done without the Alliance meddlers'. Exciting times lie ahead.

MOST SHARED ...
1 "This is definitely, extremely also my country" - hat-trick heroine Avetisyan
2 Brandtner to Chromatika? Transfer Window MbM coverage
3 Sherry Garnett to step down as Alliance leader after defeat
4 Business as usual in Nepharim ports as no plans to acknowledge foreign plagues
5 Newly-minted general 'Tempest' heads commission into Falconian relief effort

[Savojarna]

Savojarna International News Network: Syndicalist Union and Worker Party join forces for upcoming elections

Anders Källström, Sjoedrhavn -- As Savojarna’s public has been cheering at a convincing 3-2 victory of the national team in Eastfield Lodge, the Savojar political community has had its eyes onto a completely different competition. South in Nephara, federal elections could be important for Savojarna’s positioning in the Common Rushmori Community, as well as spell important signs of broader political trends before a highly contested upcoming election to the People’s Assembly and the National Council. But what makes Nephara’s election so important, given the the relatively distant, albeit friendly, relation between the two nations?

Most importantly, the Common Rushmori Community (CRC) has received new invigoration with the nation of Donnacona debating accession to the CRC. Donnacona’s 68 million citizens would make it a considerable force in the Rushmori Parliament, and as the nation is currently led by two leftist parties at its head - most notably the Parti Travailliste, which is considered as a brother in spirit by the KPS - it could make for an important strengthening of the Rushmori Left. With Nephara being another large and powerful nation with a more left-wing bend, although not as left as Savojarna, the nation was singled out by the KPS as a potential ally in the Rushmori Parliament, to the extent of KPS Rushmore (KPS-Rm) leader Iivo Nuriainen proposing an alliance in the Parliament between the three delegations. These plans, which have not been put forward to Nepharim delegates yet according to Nuriainen, have of course been dependent on the country’s government pivoting to the Left, which is exactly what happened.

But this is all highly speculative, and many observers believe that the more important effect of Nephara’s recent election is a general political trend that sees a higher demand for moving left, and a defeat for liberal politics. This is the trend that has been referenced by all left-wing parties last night, and leaves an already fragile Liberal Block alone as Savojarna closes its ranks on the left. The LB has been harmed by a corruption scandal surrounding vice president Ragnar Hallström and fraction leader Pjotr Samarov, and now is taking further blows. Talks of liberal inclusion in a KPS-P government have been rumoured, but are now shut down as KPS fraction leader Calle Irmgren said: “Last night has shown clearly that the demand of the world for liberal politics is shrinking. Savojars have long demonstrated that they consider the left to be the way forward, and we take recent election results in Nephara as a clear piece of evidence that liberalism as a political force is incapable of meeting the problems of these days. Under these circumstances, I can assure you there are no plans by the KPS to forsake the path we are walking on”.

On the left, the decision of the Nepharim people has been similarly referenced by the SU and AP leaderships at a joint press conference in Storevik last night. Party leaders Olafsson (AP) and Taranen (SU) have announced a joint left campaign at a packed rally with a rousing speech delivered by Olafsson. The Worker Party leader, who is strongly rooted in Ejanan trade unionism, has talked about Nephara’s decision in his speech: “Friends, Comrades, Rushmore is moving left. The signs are pointing to our side. In Orean, we’re hoping for an ever increasing international co-operation. In Storevik and in Hovikkära, we have seen our comrades stand up for themselves. But it’s not restricted to us! Last night, in Nephara, the Nepharim voters have shown their desire to move forward on this journey, and it is our duty to join them in a movement to the Left. Comrades, this is a historic moment in Rushmori history, and Savojarna can lead it! But we need a strong, unified, and dedicated voice for the Rushmori Left in this moment, and we are here to deliver it”, he declared.

The result of the conference was the announcement that Savojarna’s prime leftist opposition would join their campaigns in favour of a “troika” consisting of AP leader Jon Olafsson as the Chairman of the Executive Commission, and two key offices in the Executive Committee going to the Syndicalist Union. Sanna Taranen would be pushed into the Foreign Affairs Committee, the traditional vice chairman position, while current SU faction leader Patrik Nyborg is being touted as the Commissioner for Economics and Trade. This is a clear provocation and confrontation with the KPS, who have in turn expressed their solidarity with the workers of Hovikkära docks in their prolonged dispute with local authorities over trade and harbour restrictions.

In the end, Nephara’s elections will be unlikely to affect Savojarna beyond the sheer force of controlling the narrative, but the battle for the rhetoric of these elections seems to fall clearly to the left. The elections themselves will be tightly contested between the united Left and the somewhat re-unified KPS, and only time can tell who will get the all-important majority in the National Council.

Savojarna 3-2 Eastfield Lodge (2-0)

Goals: 13’ Jotansson 1-0 (Jashkin). 41’ Voynov 2-0. 57’ Accardi 2-1 (Din). 64’ Poulsen 3-1 (Voynov). 78’ Murray 3-2 (Berretti).
Yellow cards: 40’ Hargreaves, 69’ Kjaer (both foul).
Red cards: --
Remarks: 84’ Sigurdsdottir hits crossbar.
Savojarna: Pakanen - Pedersen (61’ Thorvaldsson), Kjaer, Forsberg, Nurkanen - Voynov, Andersson, Maersk, Jashkin - Poulsen (83’ Zirkova) - Jotansson (76’ Sigurdsdottir).
Eastfield Lodge: Persson - Hargreaves (80’ Whitfield), Carr-Ponce, Holding (68’ Jeremiah-Dockson) - Salam, Din, French (76’ Nagi) - Berretti, Farrow, Accardi - Murray.
Player of the game: Krister Voynov (SVJ)

[Darmen]

As of late, the Copa Rushmori had not treated Darmen well. It had been four Copas since Darmen has last participated in the knockouts and even then only as a wildcard in Cassadaigua.

Despite the best efforts of manager Berhtoald Myers, the inspiration to make it through the tournament simply wasn't present. Crystalline Caverns was next, but even if victory was achieved in that match, Taeshan and Sargossa were waiting to crush Darmeni dreams. That is assuming there were any dreams to crush to begin with.

When the All Greens came away 5-2 winners over Southwest Eastnorth, the jubilation you might have expected wasn't present at all. Just cynicism. The Darmeni team seemed to have its eyes totally on the start of World Cup qualifying. Myers was growing exasperated.

* * * * *

The half-full water bottle missed his head by inches. Cyrus Spalding was confused. This sort of thing was not a common occurrence. He tried to turn to see...

"SPALDING you muppet! Are we here to work on your tackling or to win the bloody Copa‽ Well, which is it‽"

Spalding couldn't bring himself to answer. A mass of angry biological material known as Berhtoald Myers was inches from his face. "Um..."

"We are here to do one thing..." began Myers, before turning to face the rest of the team which scattered about the practice field, "to win the BLOODY COPA! Run it again and proper this time!"

It took a moment for the team to snap into action, captain Alberich Goldschmidt was the one who finally broke the painful silence by asking for the ball back. As the players prepared for the drill, Myers returned to the bench and slammed down into the seat next to the team's Psychologist, Desmond Ó Damháin.

"Do we need to have a talk, Myers?" asked Ó Damháin.

"Oh don't give me any of your rubbish cupcake nonsense Desmond. I've tried your assertive bullshit long enough. What we need is action and there's only one way to get it."

"Well, sure. But what about that photographer over there," asked Ó Damháin.

"Yeah, what about him."

"Well, her actually. Anyways, saw a few flashes of her camera during your little episode there. I suspect that'll make the papers tomorrow."

"No one reads papers anymore," snarled Myers.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Copa Rushmori 34 MD3

Group A
Saintland 0–1 Savojarna
@Lodger City Memorial Stadium
Gran Torche de Saint-Michel 3–3 Pridnestrovia
@North Bank Stadium

P Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Savojarna                     2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Saintland                     3   2  0  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Pridnestrovia                 3   1  1  1    7   7   0    4
4 Gran Torche de Saint-Michel   2   0  1  1    4   5  −1    1
5 Eastfield Lodge               2   0  0  2    4   6  −2    0

Group B
Southwest Eastnorth 0–0 Taeshan
@Parliament Stadium
Darmen 0–0 Crystalline Caverns
@East Monksville Park

P Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sargossa                      2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Darmen                        2   1  1  0    5   2  +3    4
3 Crystalline Caverns           3   1  1  1    3   4  −1    4
4 Taeshan                       2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
5 Southwest Eastnorth           3   0  1  2    2   7  −5    1

Group C
Mavinet 0–8 Pasarga
@King Iqbal II Stadium
Oberour ar Moro 3–3 Schottia
@Vorgan Park

P Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Schottia                      3   1  2  0    8   6  +2    5
2 Oberour ar Moro               2   1  1  0    6   4  +2    4
3 Cassadaigua                   2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
4 Pasarga                       2   1  0  1    8   1  +7    3
5 Mavinet                       3   0  0  3    4  16 −12    0

Group D
The Askari Union 2–3 Eura
@Norrion Park
Falkyr 0–3 Nephara
@Olympic Park

P Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nephara                       3   3  0  0   13   4  +9    9
2 Eura                          2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
3 The Askari Union              3   1  0  2    5  10  −5    3
4 Valladares                    2   0  0  2    3   6  −3    0
5 Falkyr                        2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

[Taeshan]

"Any comment on the Southwest Eastnorth 0-0 draw Miles"?

"What in the hell could I possibly say about that game"?

"Talk about your sides inability to score on the low ranked opponents."

"We couldn't score on Southwest Eastnorth. It sucked."

"Any changes to be made for the next game"?

"God I hope so."

"Any actual useful comments or quotes for us"?

"That's a stupid question Mary. I would say you're better than that, but I've read your writing."

"Does Darmen tying 0-0 help you."?

"Obviously."

"Sargossa must love this result."

"Is that a question"?

"How do you expect to do against Darmen"?

"Well after today it'll probably be a 8-8 thriller...Or a 0-0 tie. First goal wins."

[Southwest Eastnorth]

The Story of Southwest Eastnorth

You may have heard of a small nation called "Southwest Eastnorth", but if you haven't we don't blame you. we're not your average government operation, and let us explain to you people of Rushmore and the world our modus operandi. We're Southwest Eastnorth, were are a nation of small population yet, a indeterminable girth. No seriously, we have never truly established borders for our nation. You see if you look at a map of Rushmore (Here it is for handy convenience - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rx3 ... p.png?dl=0 ) Our nation is located to the west of Queer Poco er Mono Ara, and East of Antoletia we have yet to determine anything else about our borders.

Why? Well you see, we had weird upbringing. And remember, we're only 60 years old. SO yes we have no determinate borders, but why? Well you got to understand our history is not a traditional one. In the 1970s, the nation of Tonissia was a dictatorship, if you ever read the journals of Xannerian history they can tell you much more about this (Specifically read their posts in SWC10 RP thread). The series of leadership they had gone through is not one people would want to have gone through. The latest offering had gone crazy like his predessesor. A fued with the Antlantian Oceanic nation of Wrecker had lead them to insanity. It was clear the leaders had gone mad with power. A man named Noren Ghilchrest had an idea

Boy let me tell you it was nuts. He was a man of vision, who knew. But he had come up with a plan so insane that it could work. He came up with the idea of an Exodus. A man involved in the shipping trade Ghilcrest could do it. Yes, that is the plan that actually succeeded in producing this mighty find nation you see right here. It was a crazy plan but for the jest of it. Take hundreds of Cruise ships, Freighters, Ferrys, Fishing vessels all departed for parts unknown. In the end they discovered Auberlin and for the first 20 years that was our national capital. But Auberlin had issues. Main issue being its location, it was in a fairly arid and Desert, while there was some agriculture but you couldn't go to far from sea. Yes there were plentiful Iron and Oil resources, but not much else, eventually the nation migrated west and the Colome Range of Mountains was discovered. Not only the Colome Mountains but two rivers, the Grandal and the Yelich rivers were found. It was a bountiful time for farmers who could move west to grow crops. But with a large chunk of the population out west, it was inevitable that a new capital was to be declared and eventually Virginia was named new Capital. Here we re now, a somewhat normal nation, a somewhat normal nation now doing the fun and traditional nations things. Traditional Nation things.

the Traditional act of playing well over your weigh in international football when you face a underwhelming Taeshani team.

[Sargossa]

Copa Rushmori XXXIV


Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'

The Sargossan national side is experiencing something of a purple patch, with final four appearances at three of the previous four Copa Rushmoris and last sixteen exits at the last three World Cups, before running into a trio of Atlantian heavyweights in Vilita, Starblaydia and Equestria. A highest ever position in the world rankings is the result of that, something that Rodrigo Defederico and his staff can be hugely proud of.

Head Coach

Rodrigo Defederico
Former international midfielder who starred in the SuperLiga, before plying his trade in Astograth. A former coach of the Olympic side who led hometown club Dunas Del Sol to the Copa Sargossa final in his first full season in charge. Has led the Corsairs to second, fourth and second place finishes in the Copa Rushmori and five straight World Cup qualification.


Backroom Staff

Assistant Head Coach: Raúl Churín
Defensive Coach: Guillermo Lucena
Attacking Coach: Alejandro Tapia
Goalkeeping Coach: Armando Abad
Fitness Coach: Mario Sánchez
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura


Talent

GK: 1. Roberto Penedo (29) – Ciudad Soluca
GK: 13. Carlos Ríos (35) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 25. Tomás Gaos (30) – Sportivo Cordova

Penedo’s ascension to the number one spot is made official with him finally handed the number one shirt. Ríos remains a highly experienced backup while Tomás Gaos, a consistent pair of hands in the SuperLiga, is given a first taste of international action.

DR: 2. Carlos Carter (25) – Sporting San Marquez
DC: 5. Juan Esnáider (26) – Alianza Jucaro
DC: 6. Alex González (34) – Oakstone (Eura)
DL: 3. Saúl Escribano (29) – Sportivo Soluca
DLC: 12. Josué Ruiz (27) – Ciudad Soluca
DRC: 14. Enrique Muñoz (31) – Sporting San Marquez
DR: 19. Alonzo Zevallos (32) – Ciudad Soluca
DC: 21: Hugo Galán (23) – El Nacional

Seemingly you don’t get a look in as a SuperLiga centreback unless you happen to clear six foot so expect an imposing wall of darker blue arrayed ahead of the keeper. González and Muñoz are the only regular faces remaining from the last World Cup campaign. Although if the coach sticks with the 5-3-2 system that the side employed to good effect in the latter stages of that qualification campaign Saúl Escribano will also get the nod. Ruiz and Galán provide options at centreback, but it’s likely to be the impressive Juan Esnáider who slots into the back three. After an impressive Copa Rushmori campaign Carlos Carter, who has managed to fight off the awful stigma of having a Candelariasian father, is expected to take the right wingback berth ahead of Zevallos.

MC: 4. Sergio Espina (34) – Alianza Jucaro
AMR: 7. Diego Puebla (32) – El Nacional
MC: 8. César Goyoso (29) – Sporting San Marquez
AML: 11. Esteban Leguizamo (24) – El Nacional
AMRC: 15. Daniel Correa (26) – Alianza Jucaro
MC: 16. Adrián Fonseca (27) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 18. Luís Vazquez (33) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 22. Esteban Pomar (24) – El Nacional
AMLC: 24. Mauro Pereira (25) – Sportivo Cordova

With Alejandro Vecino finally calling time on his playing career heir apparent, and essential part of the side in his own right, César Goyoso wears the number eight shirt. The wide players may find their playing time limited with coach Defederico opting for wingbacks in recent matches, but remain in the squad and provide alternatives in times of trouble. Sergio Espina may be the captain but he’ll still be aware of the talented Adrián Fonseca waiting in the wings. Either the experienced Luís Vazquez or newcomer Esteban Pomar will provide the bite in the centre of the park.

FLC: 9. Miguel Ángel Berganza (32) – El Nacional
FRLC: 10. Diego Alejandro Costa (24) – Sportivo Soluca
FC: 17. Fabián Guzmán (31) – Sporting San Marquez
FRC: 20. Matías Cáceres (34) – Ciudad Soluca
FL: 23. Andrés Saavedra (31) – Estrella Torreón
FC: 26. Tomas Murillo (29) – Ciudad Soluca

Much of The Corsairs’ recent success had stemmed from the fluid offensive play provided by the attacking trident of Iván Mayoral, Miguel Marí and Matías Cáceres. But with Mayoral retiring prior to the previous Copa and Marí calling it a day following the recent World Cup it’s a much-changed attacking unit. Miguel Ángel Berganza and Fabián Guzmán came in to good effect but the switch to a front two may also give the coach the opportunity to test out new options. Tomas Murillo, fresh from a massive money move to Ciudad Soluca, and last season’s domestic breakout star Diego Alejandro Costa will be given the chance to shine.


Style

Defederico credits former Sargossan great Ernesto Farias for his own tactical approach, a 3-4-3 system with a high defensive line and an emphasis on pressing and harrying the opposition into a mistake. He is also far more attack minded than his predecessor and his players are encouraged to get the ball from front to back at a rapid pace. Long balls are considered anathema, with even the goalkeeper encouraged to slide a pass to the defender rather than hoofing it up field. The system is relatively fluid, with 5-3-2, 3-4-1-2 and 5-4-1 all used to some degree, depending on the circumstances and opposition.

Although following a home qualification defeat to Drawkland in the previous campaign Defederico tweaked his favoured style, dropping his wide midfielders for deeper wingbacks. But still putting a focus on the offensive side of things. Five clean sheets in the final seven games of that campaign followed and consequently the formation change has stuck.

The SuperLiga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while never encouraged, is also not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.

Style Modifier = (+3)



Kit
Courtesy of ediraf




Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
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: Yes. Just no killing anyone.

[Sargossa]

Spare a thought for geographically confused Southwest Eastnorth. Their they are, looking forward to their debut at the sportiverse’s second, maybe third, ok, fifth at worst most prestigious tournament, their first international sporting action of any kind in decades in fact, and they get a group like this. Not one. Not two. Not four. But three former champions of Rushmore await them. Sargossa, Taeshan and Darmen. Three veteran nations who are unlikely to go easy on the new boys (and gals, how modern). The All-Greens lifted the trophy at the thirteenth edition of the tournament, beating Sargossa no less. The Purple Knights downed Pasarga in Saintland to win the twenty second. And the Corsairs took the title at the fifth, fourteen and twentieth incarnations. With forty seven runner’s up spots in there too.

It’s going to be tough for the new fellas (and ladies) is what we’re saying. But as long as they perform to a standard that allows the international press to describe them as ‘plucky’ all will be well. Plus there’s Crystalline Caverns in there too. Which is nice.

Now back to those three former champions and a group draw that would be greeted back home in Sargossa with a measure of excitement. Two of the nation’s biggest football rivalries relit in one group draw. The Corsairs and Purple Knights have faced off on fourteen prior occasions, with Sargossa winning nine of them. Most recently at this very same stage two years ago in Pasarga. That match was typical of many of the previous encounters, a hard-fought match that Sargossa did just enough to edge.

Darmen are an even more implacable foe, with seventeen previous fixtures between the two nations dating back to a 2 – 1 Darmeni win at the seventh Copa Rushmori. The Corsairs just about edge the head-to-head record, with nine victories, but the All-Greens won the biggest fixture between the sides. And bagged themselves and big ‘ole trophy because of it. The swines.

[Schottia]

Why I Really Hate Football

Part Three.

Keeping it in the family

‘You promised me she wouldn’t be good at football.’ Gary snapped, pacing back and forth in his farcically small hut. As he did so, his shoulders brushed the wall of shelves, causing the assortment of spice jars and containers to rattle precariously.

‘I don’t think I promised that.’ Amanda replied, pouring her life-partner a glass of warm honey wine to settles his nerves. ‘I said it was unlikely.’

‘Well you at least sold it to me as a remote possibility.’ He snatched the cup from her and took a sip. ‘Unlikely, my arsehole..!’

‘Why am I getting the blame?’ Amanda was a patient person, but there was only so much she could take. ‘She probably gets the footballing ability from you!’

‘Well she gets the can-do attitude from you!’ Gary countered. ‘And that’s the dangerous part. I made it quite clear to you, several years ago, that I didn’t want anything to do with football ever again. I never wanted to see a ball, let alone touch one.’ He finished his cup of wine. ‘Now we have a football pitch in the valley, and I have a daughter who’s obsessed with the sport. It’s like it’s following me; as if it were some creeping shadow daemon…’

‘Gary I know nothing about football either.’ Amanda tried again. ‘I don’t even know the rules properly. Why don’t I go and speak to Madita’s trainer? I know you find the training run stressful. I’ll get some information, and work out how to break it to you very gently.’ She held eye contact until her life-partner gave the faintest nod of confirmation. ‘She’s only eight. The chances of her becoming a professional player are probably thousands to one. Thousands!’

‘Okay.’ Gary answered, but he didn’t quite believe it.

‘Madita has training later.’ Amanda spoke clearly and calmly. ‘I’ll go and iron all this out.’

‘Right.’ Gary said, taking his jacket and the rest of the wine bottle with him as he headed for the door. ‘If anyone needs me, I’ll be drinking in the lean-to.’

Granton High Street, North Handon, 2005...

‘So shall we put the television on..?’ Claire Hanson tried, breaking a silence so deafening that she was almost startled by her own voice.

‘There’s no cable, it just came with a DVD player.’ Gary answered from the other end of the sofa. There might have only been thirty centimeters between them, but it felt like another world.

Claire got to her feet and inspected the contraption, which clearly predated flat screens. Sure enough, the socket for the television signal was in fact empty. ‘You know you can buy these for, like, a couple of quid..?’ Claire said, pulling a face.

‘Neither Darren nor I have much interest.’ Gary answered blandly. ‘We’re only here for another couple of months, and we’ll be off at the end of the season. It would just be another thing to gather dust.’

‘DVDs it is then.’ Claire replied, rolling her eyes. She desperately needed some background noise. It was hard to tell what was worse, the sound of Mary and Darren together in the other room, or Gary Corsie’s lack of conversational skills. ‘Where do you guys keep them?’ She said, turning the device on, and locating the correct remote. ‘No, wait! Please don’t say they’re in Darren’s room…’

‘They’re not in Darren’s room.’ Gary replied, from his seated position.

‘Thank fuck.’

‘We don’t actually have any.’

‘But you’ve got a DVD player..!’

‘It came with the flat.’

‘Christ! What do you guys do for fun?!’

‘We talk.’ Gary pouted in thought. ‘Bit about politics… eh… I also paint miniatures. Darren is fond of playing his video game console, sometimes I sit quietly and watch him…’

‘Would you like to sit quietly and watch me..?’ Claire asked, her mood suddenly picking up.

‘It’s in Darren’s room.’

Claire really needed to break off her friendship with Mary until this Darren thing was over. The risk of getting stuck with Corsie was too high. She’d never in her life met anyone so excruciating. Some people grew on you as you got to know them – Gary only continued to grate on you worse. Everything about him just irritated her, even things he couldn’t help: His posture, his wispy smattering of facial hair, which he seemed so proud of.

‘I’m going to get a beer from the fridge, do you want one?’ She asked, walking the short distance to the kitchenette.

‘If you go into the cupboard under the sink you’ll find a bottle of porter.’ Gary replied, reaching for a table-top gaming magazine which sat on the arm of the sofa.

‘There’s beer in the fridge. Do you not want something chilled?’ Claire asked, grabbing a can of Lammerton Lager for her herself.

‘Porter is optimally served at seventeen Celsius.’ Gary answered matter-of-factly. ‘If you check the thermometer inside the door, you’ll observe that the cupboard is in fact the correct temperature… Or near as damn it.’

Upon opening the cupboard door, Claire was indeed greeted by a row of bottles, neatly lined up like soldiers with the labels facing forward. ‘You don’t have a TV, but you have a thermometer for your beer..?’

‘Correct.’ Gary replied, placing his magazine down, and heading to the cupboard to retrieve the correct glass for his drink. ‘You’ll find you’re lager is also at the correct temperature. Six Celsius. The fridge, too, has been set to the correct temperature.’

‘I was thinking it felt a little warm…’ Claire answered skeptically.

Gary shook his head. ‘I dropped the temperature by two degrees this afternoon, when Mary brought the beers back. It had previously been at eight Celsius which is more favorable for the ales and stouts that Darren so enjoys. I’d wager you’re opinions have been wrongly skewed by years of drinking in substandard on-licence establishments, where it practically comes with ice crystals. If they were to raise the temperatures in the cellar slightly, then I imagine their drinks would be better received.’

‘Well, there you go…’

‘I must caution you, however;’ Gary poured his drink and sat back down, placing the magazine back on his lap. ‘Don’t presume to share this insight with the bar staff… I have found that they don’t take constructive criticism well.’

‘I can imagine.’ Claire took a drink from her under-chilled lager, smacking her lips together, as she tried to work out if it was any better.

[Oberour Ar Moro]

Life in the Group of Death

Every tournament sees one group described as a Group of Death: An unusually competitive collection of teams that will feature more good teams than qualifying spots. This is not uncommon and can be a result of great hyperbole.

It is not hyperbole to say that Group C in Copa Rushmori XXXIV is a genuine Group of Death.

How tough is Group C? Cassadaigua is the 8th ranked side in Rushmore, and they have only the third best team in the Group. Pasarga and Schottia have world-class squads and felt the pressure of the tournament.

And then there is Oberour Ar Moro, joining these three titans.

Leading the Dragoons into the Copa is Gilduin Roux. The Ministry of Culture announced that Roux was leaving Patrons to take over the national team, leaving one Ministry team for another. The Copa Rushmori would be his first test as a manager, and his first test with a team that wasn't the most expensive in whatever competition they were in.

Roux's first match in charge was a friendly at the Parade Ground hosting Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, a team that were entered in the Baptism of Fire. The match was a listless start for Oberour Ar Moro, as they ended with a 0-0 draw. It seemed like a concerning warm-up for the Baptism of Fire, and that was before the draw.

So who had it tougher than Oberour Ar Moro in the Copa Rushmori? No one, other than Mavinet, the unranked fifth team in the group.

Mavinet had to come into the Copa thinking that Oberour Ar Moro was their bright, shining chance to score a win. The Dragoons knew Mavinet knew that this was their chance, and knew that starting the tournament with a loss to an unranked side would be tripping and falling out of their face right out of the blocks.

Oberour Ar Moro started the Copa at New Lodger City in fine form, as they scored three goals in a tournament-opening victory. Gwion du Bourc-la-Reyne, Gurguy Durerie, and Kerrian Odierne scored in the win, while Le Nguyen Ai Quoc scored Mavinet's first goal in the Copa.

One game, one win. Oberour Ar Moro had started on the right foot. But then was a bye, and then the meat of the group. Or Oberour Ar Moro would become the meat for the predators of Schottia, Pasarga, and Cassadaigua.

The bye clearly paid off, as the Dragoons faced off against Schottia and scored an important draw. Jack Avelione opened up the scoring, and Odierne responded. The second half opened with the Dragoons taking the lead after a Ruran l'Ermite goal, but ten minutes later they gave up a foul in the area and Avelione stepped up for Schottia and tied the game. Schottia then took the lead on a long-range Camila Soria Luna, but the Dragoons scraped to a draw with Thommas du Contant de la Mollette scoring his first multiversal goal.

Two games down, with two games ahead with no respite in sight. But Oberour Ar Moro was second in the group, you can't argue too much with that.

[Cassadaigua]

Success In The “Tough Part”
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

The toughest two games, on paper, are over for the Fillies within the Group of Brutal Torture. Following a scoreless draw against Schottia, Team Cassadaigua put together a 1-0 win over the Wanderers of Pasarga. That’s a result that may be even more impressive considering the way that Pasarga lit up the scoreboard on our bye day against Mavinet, defeating the opponent by the score of 8-0. That result will not matter as far as we are concerned if we take care of business against the two bottom seeds of the group, which includes Mavinet (our next opponent), as well as Oberour Ar Moro. Those games could be seen as letdown games when considering the stronger opponents, so this is where I think it will be beneficial to our team to have the schedule the way it is, and this bye day when it happened.

The match against Pasarga was pretty entertaining, despite only one goal being scored. Lupe Enriquez was especially impressive defensively for the team, and when the Wanderers did attack, the Fillies seemed to be positioned well on most occasions. On those occurrences where they were not, Tiffany Nelson stepped up and made the big save. Nelson is a story to be talked about as well as even though Kelsey Morgan is expected to return as our goalkeeper for World Cup 85, Nelson will get stronger consideration for that role if she succeeds to a high level here. Typically, for a player to lose their starting spot on a roster of manager Stephanie Sweeney’s it is because of their own ineffective play. She is more loyal to veterans, so a younger player grabbing the job away from an established veteran is less likely to occur. That is not unprecedented, and we can point to Rachel Schanke at the forward position getting the nod over Caitlyn Mayer starting in World Cup 83. Of course, Schanke’s grandmother being immortalized in the Cassadagan Soccer Hall of Fame did not hurt Rachel’s rise to the top. Tiffany does not have that luxury. When Tiffany was interviewed about this, she was quick to put aside any talk about World Cup 85. “All I am thinking about right now is the Copa Rushmori. This is a tournament where sustained success has eluded us, and I want to change that. The World Cup is next year. Now is not the time.”, she told the press. That’s a good statement and shows the right focus, but it has to be a thought in the back of her mind. The regular starting goalkeeper, Kelsey Morgan, is not part of the roster because of the fact that she is not up for evaluation. She is in Eastfield Lodge, as is many World Cup players who are not playing on the Copa Rushmori. “Why wouldn’t I be here?” Morgan laughed, “I love this game, and I love this team!” When it comes to Nelson, Morgan is not worried, “I hope she has a clean sheet in every game,” she replied.

Cassadaigua’s lone goal came in the 31st minute, scored by Madison McClain on a corner kick with a perfectly executed pass from Sierra Mattison. Madison complimented Mattison, “That’s a tongue twister, isn’t it? Hopefully we can keep doing that to make you have to keep saying it. I love playing with Sierra.” And we love watching it. Madison and Mattison take on the matter of Mavinet with the rest of the Fillies next!

[Eastfield Lodge]

Copa Rushmori Matchday 4

Group A
Savojarna 5–2 Gran Torche de Saint-Michel
@North Bank Stadium
Eastfield Lodge 1–0 Saintland
@Lodger City Memorial Stadium

Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Savojarna                     3   3  0  0    9   4  +5    9
2 Saintland                     4   2  0  2    4   4   0    6
3 Pridnestrovia                 3   1  1  1    7   7   0    4
4 Eastfield Lodge               3   1  0  2    5   6  −1    3
5 Gran Torche de Saint-Michel   3   0  1  2    6  10  −4    1

Group B
Taeshan 0–1 Darmen
@Parliament Stadium
Sargossa 4–0 Southwest Eastnorth
@East Monksville Park

P Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sargossa                      3   3  0  0   10   2  +8    9
2 Darmen                        3   2  1  0    6   2  +4    7
3 Crystalline Caverns           3   1  1  1    3   4  −1    4
4 Taeshan                       3   0  1  2    1   3  −2    1
5 Southwest Eastnorth           4   0  1  3    2  11  −9    1

Group C
Pasarga 4–2 Oberour ar Moro
@King Iqbal II Stadium
Cassadaigua 1–0 Mavinet
@Vorgan Park

P Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                   3   2  1  0    2   0  +2    7
2 Pasarga                       3   2  0  1   12   3  +9    6
3 Schottia                      3   1  2  0    8   6  +2    5
4 Oberour ar Moro               3   1  1  1    8   8   0    4
5 Mavinet                       4   0  0  4    4  17 −13    0

Group D
Eura 2–0 Falkyr
@Olympic Park
Valladares 2–2 The Askari Union
@Norrion Park

P Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nephara                       3   3  0  0   13   4  +9    9
2 Eura                          3   3  0  0    8   3  +5    9
3 The Askari Union              4   1  1  2    7  12  −5    4
4 Valladares                    3   0  1  2    5   8  −3    1
5 Falkyr                        3   0  0  3    0   6  −6    0

Advanced to the Quarter-Finals
Eliminated

[Schottia]

Why I Really Hate Football

Part Four.

Talent in demand

‘Is your husband okay, Mrs Brewer..?’ Uil opened. ‘…I hope you don’t mind me asking..?’

‘Please call me Amanda.’ She answered, cringing visibly. She’d never been called Mrs Brewer before and was surprised how little she liked it. ‘My husband? He’s fine, I can imagine he maybe got a little emotional..?’ Knowing Gary, the chances that he acted irrationally to the news of Madita’s footballing talent were high.

‘No, Mrs – eh Amanda he… eh… fainted.’ The young trainer shifted a little awkwardly. ‘Obviously we have a few folk with some first aid experience and we managed to check that he was okay…’

‘Oh..!’

‘He was quite adamant that we didn’t call an ambulance.’ Uli was clearly wishing to hell that he hadn’t brought the topic up. ‘He’s fine now though...?’

‘Oh, eh, yeah…’ Amanda tried to get her composure back. ‘He’s, he’s, he’s… fine.’ Best not to tell him about the lean-to. ‘Sorry, Uli, what was it exactly that you wanted to talk about? It sounded from the way Madita was bouncing around, that it might be important…’

‘Yes! Madita!’ Uli seemed relieved at the topic shift. ‘It was good news actually, I think your husband was just a little overwhelmed. Madita is…’ Uli took a deep breath, giving himself time to get his words right. ‘… well, put it this way: I’ve been playing football since I was four years old, and, for her age, Madita is the best player I’ve ever seen.’

‘Fucking hell!!!’ Amanda blurted, involuntarily. ‘Did you tell Gary this?’

‘Eh, yes.’

’That explains a lot…’ Amanda muttered to herself, before: ‘I mean… I don’t know very much about football… is she really that good..?’

‘Yes.’ Uli answered decisively. ‘She’s the best forward, midfielder, defender, and goalkeeper currently in the under-nines. In terms of her development curve, she’s actually quite some way ahead of the other kids.’ Uli laughed nervously. ‘It’s a funny story actually, when we were playing against Lindmark Falcons, one of the coaches wanted to see Madita’s registration papers, because they didn’t believe she was in the age bracket… Even though she’s only about a metre twenty.’

‘Oh.’ Amanda swallowed hard, a mixture of shock and pride suddenly stirring in her gut. ‘Well, I’m really glad she’s doing so well.’ Eventually she managed to smile. ‘She certainly enjoys her football, and you’re all doing a fab job here.’

‘Wait Mrs… Amanda.’ The trainer tapped her on the arm to stop her leaving. ‘Maybe I haven’t been direct enough in what I wanted to say.’ There was something in his eyes that told Amanda he was serious. ‘I wouldn’t normally recommend this – obviously we want her to keep playing here – but we feel that you should start looking for a club with the infrastructure to give Madita the support she’s going to need.’

‘I’m sorry..?’

‘Kensy Town are the only fully professional club in the immediate area, but I’m sure the likes of Matlegrove and North Laithland would snap her up in a heartbeat, if you didn’t mind travelling.’

‘Are those teams..?’ Amanda enquired apologetically. ‘I’m sorry, those are just words to me– wait, stop, I think Madita’s dad used to play for the last one.’

‘Yeah, for aone season.’ Uli smiled. ‘Speak to your daughter, if she wants to stay on the books here, then obviously I’m not going to complain - at this rate she’s going to single handedly win us the section. At the very least though, she should probably look at getting pushed forward a year group. There’s a limit to how much more she can learn, the way things stand. At least with the under-tens she’ll start learning more about positioning, general awareness of the game, and the players around her. She’s about twenty centimeters smaller than some of the lads, but to be honest, Madita’s so quick, they won’t be able to lay a glove on her.’

‘Well…’ Amanda wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take in. ‘I’ll speak to Madita, and see what she thinks…’

Sea Park, Granton, 2005...

‘Stop where you are.’ Dan Brown grabbed Gary’s upper are in a vice like grip. The young loanee shuddered, cursing his luck. He had been in the doorway, kit bag in hand, two more paces and he would have been past the threshold and free of this nightmare. If only he hadn’t dillydallied, allowed himself to be the last one out…

‘Yes, Gaffer..?’ He replied apprehensively, unwilling to make eye contact. ‘The season is over, there’s nothing more I can…’ The season was indeed finished, at long last, and while it had ended in capitulation, Gary didn’t mind. He badly needed this summer holiday, then he could relax, back in the Port Sebastian reserves. At least he could safely say now that loan moves weren’t for him. He’d had enough of having his character built, and now needed it swiftly deconstructed.

‘Nothing more you can do..?’ The Granton Vale manager helped him out. The man looked tired and worn; a close shave and a neatly ironed shirt barely covering the cracks in his demeanor. As the team’s promotion charge had disintegrated in the run in, and Gary had become increasingly concerned about his mental health. His eyes were the red-ringed, bloodshot eyes of a man who hadn’t slept properly for weeks.

‘May I leave..?’

‘Aye…’ Brown laughed, a cackle of unhinged laughter. ‘You’d like that, wouldn’t you. Bugger off on your holiday, sun yourself on the some beach somewhere with your girlfriend.

‘Gaffer, I don’t have a…’

‘I need you Corsie!’ Brown stopped laughing, holding him tight with both hands. ‘You’re the only player in this side, I need you here next season if there I’ve got any fucking chance of getting out of this bloody division.’ He tugged Gary by the lapels, and slung him up against the wall of the training room, before closing the door. ‘You need to have a word with Gorman, I need your loan renewed!’

‘I…’ Gary considered screaming help, but to be honest, the sound of a player in distress was nothing out of the ordinary in Granton these days. ‘I’m really not that good, Gaffer, it’s mostly been luck.’ He laughed a very nervous laugh. ‘You know, close your eyes, hit and hope sort of stuff…’

‘Corsie, I know talent when I see it.’ Brown tightened his grip, his face moving a few centimeters from Gary’s. His breath was an intoxicating mix of too much coffee, stale alcohol, and breath mints. ‘You’re going to be wasted at Port Sebastian, with those big headed fuckers!’ He clenched his fist and pushed Gary hard into the wall. ‘Demand another year on loan! Demand it! Tell Gorman you’ll hand in a transfer request otherwise.’ Brown’s teeth were bare. ‘I need you, damn it.’

‘Please let me go…’ Gary trembled, praying he was going to get out of this alive.

Brown paid no notice, bodily hauling Gary through to the shower. ‘Call him.’ He demanded, thrusting a mobile phone onto his hand. ‘Call him.’

‘No.’ Gary squeaked, prompting the manager to turn the cold water on, soaking him.

‘Call him!’ Brown raised a clenched fist.

‘Okay.’ Gary whimpered, reaching a hand to accept the mobile. With that, he saw his chance, and aimed a kick, connecting squarely with Brown’s testicles.

‘AAAaaarrrggghhh!!!’ As the manager collapsed into a heap, Gary sprung into action, dropping the phone in the toilet, before swiping the looker room keys as he dashed for door.

‘I NEED YOU CORSIE!!!’ Came the muffled yell, as Gary double locked the door and ran for freedom.

[Savojarna]

OOC note: This article is IC'ly published after matchday 3

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Savojarna’s Hidden Hero gets recognition he deserves

By Olaful Palsson
Savojarna are not a major footballing nation, but by any means good enough to have made some waves, and spawn some stars. The women’s team that won them a Copa has seen one of its cornerstones become a regular in the Nepharim Premiership with Victoria Maersk, who is now doing a great job of holding the Savojar midfield together, and both Matts Pedersen and Iiro Pakanen have managed decent runs with their respective teams in the IFCF. Krister Voynov has been the first Savojar to ascend to the magical circle of players who have been valued above 10 million NSD by the international transfer market, as his move to Valanora’s legendary Raynor City United has cost the Vanorians 15 million and will probably net him the title of “most expensive Savojar player” for the next few years (although some observers place wagers on Polina Zirkova or Aleksandra Virulainen going for more, eventually). But what it comes down to is that few Savojars achieved true international greatness, and typically it was considered necessary for them to go abroad for it.

Now, not only has a Savojar from the SFS been given widespread recognition, but it is also a highly redeeming choice. In the autumn of his career, 33 year old defensive midfielder Joonas Andersson has been part of what was considered widely the best defensive midfield of the SFS in the past season, together with the ten years younger Birkir Evaldsson, at Admiral Storevik. Nonetheless, he was overshadowed in their title run by playmaker Sabine Montag, who was crowned MVP, and the offensive duo of Squornshelan winger Jzeovak Vladcik and striker Arvid Jotansson. However, the true contribution of Jotansson has been noted by the international community, as he was nominated to the prestigious Galacticos Longlist, making him officially one of the best 125 players in the world of the past year. Andersson has been the first Savojar of all times to be given this honour, and many around his club consider it a more than deserved recognition for a splendid season.

Coach Gylfi Haukason stated: “I am incredibly proud of Joonas and thankful for his services. On and off the pitch, he is a great leader, and not a spectacular player but a team player like none other. I have never heard him complain about trainings, or conditions, or anything, and that is exactly the attitude that kept us going and pushed us to a title. It’s impossible to play in Storevik, in the North, if you’re not willing to give up a little here and there, and Joonas just seems to know that, you know? He’s been splendid in bringing Birkir into the team, and helping him to settle in, and I think that it’s great he finally gets that recognition”. Teammate Birkir Evaldsson congratulated on twii.tur: “I’m so proud of @JoonasAndersson_football getting nominated for #Galacticos. You’ll be forever my Team Dad and I owe so much to you. #ForeverAdmiral”. Local reporter and Admiral insider Jonsi Armundsson described him as the key piece in Admiral’s championship puzzle due to the incredible calmness that he adds to the play, allowing Montag to not think about defensive assignments and rely on a wall behind her, working her magic in the offensive field.

And now, the entirety of Savojarna is happy to not only see one of their own being adopted into the Olympus of international football, but also to shine in the national jersey. Against Eastfield Lodge’s strong offence, he still struggled, but Andersson was the key figure and Man of the Match in the crucial 0-1 over Saintland last night. It was him who had frustrated Sanctii playmaker Ioannes Granius to no avail, and who had a crucial role in distributing balls. With Saintland amassed in the centre, Savojarna have switched their lineup to what amounted to a 3-5-2 with a lot of natural width, with Andersson falling back between a high centre-back line and the two fullbacks pressing hard to take advantage of the lack of wingers in the Sanctii lineup. This tactic has borne fruit, as it was a stop by Andersson and a pass to Pedersen that kicked off the eventual lone goal. The shift to Jashkin made the Sanctii stay wide, and this opened the gap in the middle that Morten Poulsen could exploit from the distance. Andersson had been organising the defence splendidly, and was only taken off the pitch in the final phase of the game when the injury risk was growing, and Savojarna wanted to prevent a late equaliser by strengthening the defence.

Going forward, an overjoyed Mikaela Rangren has announced that she will rotate for the match against Gran Torche de Saint-Michel. Up top, Jotansson will likely be staying, but Poulsen be rested in favour of Otalainen; on the wing, Mellin may replace Jashkin to increase the pressure on the goal. In defence, we expect to see Skov and Zirkova making appearances, in order to rest Kjaer and Nurkanen. This semi-rotated team will be preserving some key players for the final game against Pridnestrovia, a tricky opponent who have toppled the hosts Eastfield Lodge in their opener. Savojarna now sit atop their group with two victories out of two games, and their most threatening opposition behind them.

Saintland 0-1 Savojarna (0-0)

Goals: 62' Poulsen (Jashkin) 0-1.
Yellow Cards: 13' Vibenius, 36' Maersk, 55' Flavonius, 70' Equitia (all foul).
Red Cards: --
Remarks: 86' goal for Savojarna (Jotansson) annulled for offside
Saintland: Suedius - Terentia - Pompeius, Munatius, Vibenius, Staius, Flavonius (64' Plautia) - Equitia (84' Justus) - Asinius (71' Bruccius) - Granius - Sosia.
Savojarna: Pakanen - Kjaer, Andersson, Forsberg - Pedersen, Maersk, Poulsen, Hoyberg, Jashkin- Voynov, Jotansson.
Player of the Match: Joonas Andersson (SVJ)

[Pasarga]

It kills me not to know this
But I've all but just forgotten
What the color of the kits were
Or the scores or how we got them.
The telling signs of rage hail down
A single tear is dropping
Through the valleys of fallen teams
That the record books have forgotten.

There is no reconciliation
That will put us in our place
And there is no time like the present
To savior these dying seconds
But seldom do team talks ring true
When the squad is constantly failing you
Like defenses we can't break through
Until we finally do.

So tell me now
if football is not love
Then how do we get out?
Cause I don't know

And that's the manager said
"I don't hate you boy, I just want to save you
While there is still time to save the match."
That's when he told him
"I love you coach, but I am not the answer
For the questions that this team still has."

Oh oh oh
And time the presses on like crushing weight
For no team does it ever wait
Like memories of our glory days
That deafen us to the hurricane
Bathed in the flames of our brands
Uncurling fingers of those gloved hands
Pressed into flesh like sand
Now do you understand?

And that's the manager said
"I don't hate you boy, I just want to save you
While there is still time to save the match."
That's when he told him
"I love you coach, but I am not the answer
For the questions that this team still has."

Oh oh oh
One thousands fans away
There's nothing left to say
But so much left to do
We never had much chance
This match was too much noise
It took us under
It took us under once again.

Inspired by "Savior" by Rise Against

[Oberour Ar Moro]

The group stage of Copa Rushmori XXIV is almost over and Oberour Ar Moro could advance to the next round.

It would be tough though.

Oberour Ar Moro fell to Pasarga, the number one team in the region. Pasarga scored four goals against the Dragoons. Júlia Müller picked up a hat-trick and Benci Gölöncsér piled on the misery. Oberour Ar Moro did put two goals past Ambrus Galambos, the most of any team thus far. Marzhin Petit picked up a brace.

This, with Cassadaigua's narrow victory over the now eliminated Mavinet, meant that the top four teams in Group C still have a chance to advance. Even Oberour Ar Moro, though since they're fourth in the group they have the hardest climb. Particularly since they will have to face off against group leading Cassadaigua. Cassadaigua hasn't scored many goals, though since they have not allowed any, it is not hard to see why they're in first.

Oberour Ar Moro seems to have the goals in them. If they can take advantage of Cassadaigua's goal-adverse style and win, Oberour Ar Moro could make a surprising advance to the knockout rounds. But it's only academic without an upset against Cassadaigua.

[Cassadaigua]

One more!
By Brooke Sutter, Defender

There is one more match to play in the Copa Rushmori, coming against Oberour Ar Moro. There has been a lot of talk about the group stage and how the draw made for a tough road for the top three ranked teams here in Group C. That said, Oberour Ar Moro cannot be overlooked and it would be a great statement for them to make it into the round of eight. Can you imagine what that would do for the confidence of the national team? They still have a shot, as they would tie us with a win, and with Pasarga and Schottia going head to head on the final matchday, the win they would hypothetically get over us would put them into no worse then second place. But as far as we are concerned I happy with how we have played through these first three games. As a defender, three straight clean sheets are us good as it gets, but make no mistake, it has been a complete team effort. I mean that, that goes for all of the players on the team that have experience with the World Cup roster to the players that are being evaluated right now to determine what their roles will be. Well, there really is not much time for me to type a long blog right now, but I wanted to come out and say a little something about this match. Thank you for your support, and hopefully we will get a result here that allows us to remain in the top two. It would be a good accomplishment for everyone here as well. I know that right now you have a lot of sports that you could be watching, but you’ve already celebrated our big win over Drawkland, and this game will be over before we take on Hampton Island much later tonight. So I hope you tune in. Let’s get it done!

[Eastfield Lodge]

Copa Rushmori Matchday 5

Group A
Gran Torche de Saint-Michel 0–0 Eastfield Lodge
@Lodger City Memorial Stadium
Pridnestrovia 0–0 Savojarna
@North Bank Stadium

P Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Savojarna                     4   3  1  0    9   4  +5   10
2 Saintland                     4   2  0  2    4   4   0    6
3 Pridnestrovia                 4   1  2  1    7   7   0    5
4 Eastfield Lodge               4   1  1  2    5   6  −1    4
5 Gran Torche de Saint-Michel   4   0  2  2    6  10  −4    2

Group B
Darmen 3–2 Sargossa
@Parliament Stadium
Crystalline Caverns 1–2 Taeshan
@East Monksville Park

P Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Darmen                        4   3  1  0    9   4  +5   10
2 Sargossa                      4   3  0  1   12   5  +7    9
3 Taeshan                       4   1  1  2    3   4  −1    4
4 Crystalline Caverns           4   1  1  2    4   6  −2    4
5 Southwest Eastnorth           4   0  1  3    2  11  −9    1

Group C
Oberour ar Moro 1–2 Cassadaigua
@Vorgan Park
Schottia 1–2 Pasarga
@King Iqbal II Stadium

P Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                   4   3  1  0    4   1  +3   10
2 Pasarga                       4   3  0  1   14   4 +10    9
3 Schottia                      4   1  2  1    9   8  +1    5
4 Oberour ar Moro               4   1  1  2    9  10  −1    4
5 Mavinet                       4   0  0  4    4  17 −13    0

Group D
Falkyr 1–0 Valladares
@Olympic Park
Nephara 2–2 Eura
@Norrion Park

P Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nephara                       4   3  1  0   15   6  +9   10
2 Eura                          4   3  1  0   10   5  +5   10
3 The Askari Union              4   1  1  2    7  12  −5    4
4 Falkyr                        4   1  0  3    1   6  −5    3
5 Valladares                    4   0  1  3    5   9  −4    1

Quarter-Final Fixtures

Savojarna vs Sargossa
North Bank Stadium, Bridgetown

Saintland vs Darmen
East Monksville Park, Monksville

Cassadaigua vs Eura
Olympic Park, Mount Salt City

Pasarga vs Nephara
Norrion Park, Norrion