Quidditch World Cup 10

[Zwangzug]

The Fraternal Phoenix

Sources close to the Zwangzug team have pronounced them "surprisingly unconcerned" about their lack of substitutes after Western Fardelshufflestein and Ko-oren played an eighteen-hour marathon. Western Fardelshufflestein, who Zwangzug will face in the next round, emerged triumphant by the unfathomable score of 1920 to 1590 after Leah Warner came up with the Snitch.

The Zwangzug players are believed to consider themselves fortunate in facing exhausted opponents. "We're magic, aren't we?" a player is reported as saying. "The fans might want to brush up on their Summoning Charms if they don't have sleeping bags, mind you."

Citing their ability to deal with harsh weather conditions, a new mix of teammates, and short group stages, another player is said to have expressed confidence about the side's ability to expect the unexpected. "I mean, we might still lose, that's Quidditch. But long games, short games, we can handle it."

Zwangzug trailed The Jovannic by ten goals to six before Bita Surhaddi came up with the Snitch to advance out of the group stage. "I was looking forward to a matchup with [Koil] Gentara," said Chaser Rochelle Whitesun, "we have a lot of Zebras back home even if it's probably a different kind. But he didn't make it into the game, which is fine. Benchwarmers don't get a lot of excitement. Except when they do," she added.

At press time, players were said to be so calm about the impending game that they had time to argue about why would you name a team the "Bayern Bludgers" or the "Sleepy Hollow Silver Snitches" anyway, nobody names a team the "Bassabook Baseballs," well maybe somebody does but anyway...

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Team Western Fardelshufflestein

PROSPERO

4/6/2020 Page 4A

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Resting Up
Translated from Fardelshufflesteinian

After Tuesday's interminable match, it has been reported that Team Western Fardelshufflestein players escorted to the medical wing, where they were given sleeping and regeneration draughts. They were permitted to rest for the entirety of 3 June up until a few hours ere the Round of Sixteen match against Team Zwangzug.

A very refreshed-looking Albrecht Brandt was seen giving a pep talk to his teammates at breakfast early on 4 June. Even the Warner, who was on her broom for eighteen hours straight, appeared to be recovered from Tuesday's ordeal.

In the time since Seeker Wilhelmina Smythe's season-ending injury, the third-ranking Seeker in the country, Karl Dalman, has been contacted. He had traveled to Taeshan as a fan, so the main problem the team faced was registering him as a player and acquiring a uniform. Both have been (some say miraculously) achieved; Dalman's official number is 13. He is said to be incredibly fast on the broom (for budget purposes, he's borrowing Smythe's) and a very keen observer.

It should be noted that Team Western Fardelshufflestein was warming up, albeit not intensely, and reviewing strategy. Many individuals were spotted praying, probably for the upcoming match to be much, much shorter.

[Taeshan]

"Up 90 points on The liverpudian revolution of ireland your failure to cost the snitch puts the Purple Knights in a matchup with Kriegiersien, how does this affect your chances of moving on?"

"Well, not great. Would have preferred the win. That said we can only blame ourselves. Banija would also have been a tough Round of Sixteen matchup so it's not like at this stage in the tournament there are any easy matchups."

"It feels like some of the new starters have really come together, do you think you guys have a shot at making a run at it?"

"I hope so. We've been to every one of theses, and even made a final once, but it would be cool to win at home. It's a hard tournament, you can lead by 140 and lose the match with the snitch catch. I think our fans are behind us but that doesn't help as much when the game is played so high up in the air so often."

"There are comments from the Delaclava game with Liverpudian that the two seekers shared a moment. Do you feel you shared any moments with him?"

"I don't care to comment on that."

"The highest scoring game ever occurred with Ko-oren 1590–1920 Western Fardelshufflestein being the final scoreline. What would you do if you found yourself in an 18 hour long game?"

"Probably cry a lot."

"Who are your favorites to win it if you don't?"

"Well, one of those two teams you just mentioned if they can win this next game before falling apart. Quite a feat if they do, just all that adrenaline. They are shoe-ins. Can't compete with that amount of offense."

[Taeshan]

Dementors on the pitch,
A Scorination Delay did cause,
But now some scores,
Without much further pause.

Round of Sixteen
The liverpudian revolution of ireland 330–290 Banija
Razenthurea 360–190 Starblaydia
Havynwilde 190–60 Hinode
Western Fardelshufflestein 150–50 Zwangzug
Taeshan 160-270 Kriegersien*
Abahnfleft 190–20 Equestria
Salkin Rock 1070–740 Kohnhead
Quebec 280–420 Ko-oren

Which means your Quarterfinal matchups are:

Razenthurea vs The liverpudian revolution of ireland @ The Haberdashery
Havynwilde vs Western Fardelshufflestein @ Bayern in the Castle
Kriegiersien vs Abahnfleft @ Quake Arena
Salkin Rock vs Ko-oren @ Sleepy Hollow Quidditch Pitch

*Scorinated by Delaclava

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Dementors on the pitch,
A Scorination Delay did cause,
But now some scores,
Without much further pause.

"Dementors? Again? WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THE DEMENTORS, HANS!!!"
-A Western Fardelshufflesteinian security guard who escorts the players to and from places; overheard by someone from the wizarding newspaper Prospero.

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Team Western Fardelshufflestein

PROSPERO

5/6/2020 Page 1A

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Team Western Fardelshufflestein Advances to Quarterfinals of Quidditch World Cup
Translated from Fardelshufflesteinian

Team Western Fardelshufflestein played Group H runner-up Team Zwangzug at the Quidditch World Cup Thursday. Contrary to Tuesday's third group match, which lasted four 17 hours, 52 minutes, and 53.58 seconds, Thursday's match ran just under an hour. The reason? Dark horse Reserve Seeker Leah Warner.

Warner, 27, who hails from a rural town in central Western Fardelshufflestein, was virtually unknown outside our borders until she qualified for the national team as Reserve Seeker for the 2019 season. Since then, she has made a meteoric rise as one of the most adept Seekers of all time, as her keen eyes seem to detect the Golden Snitch as if by magic (ba-dum tss).

Nearly fifty minutes into the match, Western Fardelshufflestein was down 0-50. The Chasers were not performing as strongly as they had on Tuesday, and young Keeper Henry Jagermeister was reportedly still sore from the ordeal and thus allowed the Quaffle to pass through the goalposts five times. The Beaters served primarily as defenders, similarly to Muggle football players, and appeared too tired to do much else. Warner was not maneuvering as sharply, but she still managed to spy the Snitch near the Zawangzug goalposts, where the Chasers had yet to score.

Though Zwangzug's Seeker made a mad dash for the Snitch, Warner caught up to it first--and captured it right as team captain Albrecht Brandt attempted a goal.

The Quaffle went in a few seconds too late, but it did not matter; the match was finished before it had really begun, and the comparatively conspicuous Snitch was in Warner's hands.

The team is expected to continue resting up the next two days, with light exercises to keep them from being too idle, as stated Coach Johanna Mueller in a post-match interview. "The Zwangzug defense was truly the strongest we have face thus far. If we hope to continue past the Quarterfinals, we must review our offensive tactics and make sure our Chasers are fully recovered by the time we face Havynwilde."

[Ko-oren]

It was actually kind of cruel, Zagehl thought, that he had the chance of visiting the Stem in order to go to Lurthesingur, even though his job was to stay in the Stem for days on end. Almost all other residents of Rozodhin do not have that luxury, if you could call it that. Most of Zagehl's memories in the Stem only contain the biting cold, the grey rocks, clouds, and snow.

Before he could go to Lurthesingur, there were the necessary steps that had to be fulfilled before crossing out of Rozodhin, into the Stem, through the Stem to Lurthesingur's Book, and across the Branch into Lurthesingur itself. Zagehl never truly understood why, but as a Protector, he had a small insight in how people travelled between Worlds, how fragile the links between the Stem and its Branches were, and, alright - he didn't quite know why that had to be Protected in the way it was, but he did know that it had to. From his previous Quidditch World Cup, he knew at least that Teredahl had roughly the same measures in place.

At first, Zagehl was instructed to go to the Guild of Legislators, a one-man operation as far as the Rozodhin people were concerned, as only the leader of the World was seated there. Every World had its own Guild of Legislators, each with only a single member - or in extreme cases, two or maybe even three members.

"Ah, our Quidditch player! Welcome! Zagehl, was it?" the Guild Master asked, and without waiting for a reply, he added: "Your papers are there. You remember this from last time right?" and again, without waiting for a response, he continued. "You take this, present to... well, your own Guild of Protectors, and you do the same once you're over at Lurthesingur's Book. In the meantime, you'll be guided by a Messenger, Dhahgan, here."

Lo and behold, there was indeed a girl in a corner of the room. In his focus on the Guild Master, he completely forgot to his surroundings into account. It was something to work on before the Quidditch World Cup started, for sure. "Dhahgan, please introduce yourself to Zagehl, if you would."

"Hi, my name is Dhahgan, of the Guild of Messengers. I'll make sure that we get from our Book to Lurthesingur's safely, without being spotted, and I will accompany you in Lurthesingur. Which I've visited twice before, actually. If we can leave today, we should reach them in a few hours' time. Lurthesingur isn't actually all that far," she said, and she would've kept on going if the Guild Master didn't interrupt her. "Thank you, Dhahgan, you can go. Please wait for Zagehl at the Central Market, near the Protector guardpost."

"See you there!" she yelled as she left, her voice echoing through the room.

"I really do not have that much to add," the Guild Master said, "other than just, good luck! Let's hope there will be more of us on the team next time. Make Rozodhin proud!"

With the token in hand, Zagehl made his way back to the Central Market. Sure enough, Dhahgan was waiting for him there. "Hey, did he finally let go of you? Oh, are you going out like this? You of all people should know you should be wearing a few more layers before going out in that blizzard. Go get some stuff, seriously."

Zagehl looked down at himself. Not only did he forget his coat, he also forgot to take the bat. He ran back to the Guild of Protectors, quickly gathered the things he set apart, then made his way back to the Market. Dhahgan was rushing an end to a conversation to other Messengers, then turned to Zagehl again. "Took you long enough! Let's go!" as she presented the sign of her Guild to the Protector and walked through the gate. "Hey, Zagehl! You didn't forget your Guild sign, did you now, again?" It was Thahlo. "Sorry, not this time. I didn't even bring my Guild sign! I've got something better," and Zagehl presented the token he just received.

"Well, that is better for sure! You're off to your Quidditch? Good luck!"

Zagehl and Dhahgan touched the book that was hidden behind the guardpost - and away they went. The Journey away from Rozodhin, along the Everlasting Branch, to the Stem. An indiscriminate mountaintop in northeastern Ko-oren.

[Kriegiersien]

Hellohellohello friends of Wizardry, Witches and Wishes to our weekly Broadcast. We will start with Quidditch. The World Cup is here and Kriegiersien is in the Quarterfinal. What do you make of that, Albus? You are our Quidditch expert after all.

Well, I watched all the World Cups while everyone here was still only following Arena Fights…

Which is still the best there is. Demons against Scorpions and Schrnacks. Giants against Mummies. Can’t beat that. But Quidditch really has gotten bigger now.

We already had sort of semi professionals playing in the schools, but nothing compared to what some of the other nations show us. I already watched when some adventurers played for Kriegiesien, because the muggle president secretly send them. Adhan, Skull Dodgery, Shao, Imoen. World Cup 5. Yum. Those were characters.

So you don’t like our ‘school’-team?

They are great, too. Even better maybe, as they are really into Quidditch. They beat Banija, now Taeshan, the host, that is a feat.

They won because they got the Snitch even though they were clearly behind at that point. Isn’t that a big flaw in the game?

Yes, many say that, but I think that makes the game so great. The comeback attitude. And it is played differently in many varieties in different regions. Without snitch, just scoring, with more or less (death) magic allowed, without substitutes, with the playing field only inside the arena or not…

Really, isn’t that confusing?

Yes, to bring all the regional themes and rules together is a problem, but it worked out in the end. After all, this is magic.

both laughing mildly

So.. quarterfinal. What do you think about the upcoming matches and the Chance of our team?

Abahnfleft is a bigger name in the Muggleworld, here in Quidditch I don’t know what to make out of them. They have destroyed Equestria fast, but I guess our team can beat them. But it is dicey, much luck involved. We were lucky that the referee from Delaclava didn’t saw the hidden fouls, maybe the Dementors confused him, what won’t gain our team fans In Taeshan and that the Seeker from Taeshan was hit by a bludger from both sides in a crucial moment.
Sam Mandrake is a great Seeker, they know the Quake Arena now, I think they can win this.

What about the other teams?

Ah, Western Fardelshufflestein is a great team…

Western Falafelflufflestone…

Yeah, funny, they had their marathon match and did survive. They are the favorite for me against Havynwilde. Clearly.

Razenthurea vs The liverpudian revolution of ireland.

Two underdogs for me. But they played brilliant. One of them will make it to the semis. Obviously. Razenthurea has beaten Starblaydia, the first World Champs, maybe them.

Salkin Rock vs Ko-oren

Salkin had one of this matches were you wonder if the seekers just can’t find the snitch or if the little guy hides and is drinking a coffee somewhere and forgot the game..

Imagine that, the golden snitch sitting somewhere with his friends and suddenly one of them goes: ‘Don’t you have to attend that match?” and he panicky zooms off?

Or he is having fun with another snitch and has to go…

We have all been there.

However, I think Ko-oren has that in the bag.

Ok, something else to tell us about the great game of Quidditch?

We will see a new World Champion and that is exciting. I am really eager to see the matches, now is crunch time, watch it, really, you won’t see better sport in the wizard world that is world wide loved.

Thanks Albus, we will be back with our next issue: ‘Is murdering in a duel ok for necromancers or not?’ after some words of our sponsor.

[Taeshan]

The tournament may be done for some,
the time for rping is now done,
Who will advance now to the semi-finals,
Who yet has stories left to be spun?

Quarterfinal Results

Razenthurea 710–730 The liverpudian revolution of ireland
Havynwilde 10–160 Western Fardelshufflestein
Kriegiersien 230–410 Abahnfleft
Salkin Rock 200–200 Ko-oren

The final match required a replay after the tie.

Salkin Rock 150–10 Ko-oren

Meaning

Western Fardelshufflestein vs The liverpudian revolution of ireland @ Silver Lake
Salkin Rock vs Abahnfleft @ Sleepy Hollow Quidditch Pitch

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Team Western Fardelshufflestein: Quarterfinals

The Havynwilde Chasers were swarming him, snatching the Quaffle from his hands almost as quickly as he intercepted it from them.
An hour into the match, the score was still 0-0, as the defenses employed by both teams were incredibly effective. Albrecht understood that his special maneuver, which had been dubbed by fans as the Death Plummet, would not be successful this match unless there was another huge distraction.

He spotted Leah circling the stadium as Henry blocked Havynwilde's umpteenth scoring attempt. She caught his eye with a mischievous grin, which he returned, and hollered at him. "CANKER-BLOSSOM!"

Albrecht dove toward the Quaffle, intercepting it yet again, and began to fly upward--but not before he shouted "HERMIA!" in return.

This was the signal for Leah to perform the Wronski Feint.

Only one Havynwilde Chaser was on him this time, as opposed to the two from Starcom Racing. The number of opponents was not of much concern. Albrecht knew how to outmaneuver up to five players at a time (granted, he'd never been chased by more than five), and he wasn't afraid of a little challenge. This Chaser...well, he was pretty damn fast. And reckless, which was apparent from the way his teammates shouted at him.

Which meant this would be easier than he'd anticipated.

When Albrecht began his freefall, the Havynwilde Chaser let out a frantic shout. He shot toward Albrecht in an attempt to rescue him, but physics was superior to magic--in the sense that Albrecht was falling much, much faster than his rival.

Instead of allowing himself to narrowly miss the ground, Albrecht righted himself right about the Havynwilde goalposts. He barely had time to get back on his broom before a Bludger nearly shattered his jaw. Then, the two Chasers who had not followed his Death Plummet swooped into defensive positions.

Albrecht scanned his surroundings, noting the positions of Frieda and Cameron. Neither was exactly what could be called open. And he couldn't risk...no, he'd have to make the attempt himself. He leaned forward on his broom, gritted his teeth, used the other team's surprise that he hadn't fallen to his death to streak toward the left goalpost and send the Quaffle hurtling through.

He ignored the cheers of his countrymen (and probably a few foreign fans who wanted to see how far these weird islanders made it) to concentrate on getting back the Quaffle, which was now in Havynwilde's possession. Specifically, it was in the possession of the very shaken Chaser who occasionally threw Albrecht a venomous glare. Albrecht paid the glares no heed. Instead, he focused on the pursuit of the Quaffle, the actions of his teammates, and the furious roar from the Havynwilde Seeker.

I see you fell for ye olde Wronski Feint. Can't believe it took you longer than thirty seconds, you mushrump.

The thought had barely flitted through Albrecht's mind when first Frieda, then Henry, failed to block the reckless Chaser from putting ten points on the board for Havynwilde. But those points were irrelevant; not two seconds after the other team scored, Leah Warner caught the Snitch.

---

PROSPERO

7/6/2020 Page 1A

Team Western Fardelshufflestein Advances to Quarterfinals
Translated from Fardelshufflesteinian

A swift Qudditch match against Team Havnwilde on Saturday resulted in another victory for Team Western Falafelflufflestone Fardelshufflestein, securing the team's advance to the Quidditch World Cup Semifinals and a guaranteed match for victory or third place, depending on the outcome of tomorrow's match. Never before has a Western Fardelshufflesteinian Quidditch team been so successful; never before has our nation been so prominent on the world stage.

Once more, the victory was secured by Seeker Leah Warner. However, it was the concerted effort of the entire team that led to the win.

Neither team was able to get through the other's defenses for over an hour; every action was swiftly countered, every scoring attempt flawlessly blocked--until, that is, Brandt and Warner launched a coordinated diversion. Quaffle in hand, Brandt began his ascent for a Death Plummet (as his signature move has come to be known), while Warner circled her prey. Then, as Brandt started his descent, Warner pulled the Wronski Feint, in which a Seeker acts as though they have spotted the Golden Snitch although they have not. The goal of the Wronski Feint is to muddle the adversary Seeker, which Warner achieved, albeit with assistance from Beaters DuPont and Blunt. The two Beaters sent the Bludgers back and forth between Havynwilde's Seeker and two Chasers, who were frantically watching Brandt fall. Western Fardelshufflesteinian Chasers Martin and Windhoffer added to the fray by taunting the enemy Chasers and Beaters, while young Jagermeister stretched in preparation for another block.

Brandt righted himself once he was directly above the Havynwilde goalposts, then scored while Team Havynwilde recovered from the fact that his careen to the ground was simply an elaborate feint. It was then that the Seeker for Havynwilde recognized that Warner had executed the Wronski Feint.

Shortly thereafter, Havynwilde scored. But their victory was short-lived. For, in an unusual turn of events, the Snitch hovered right by Warner's shoulder, allowing her to grab it with ease.

It has been confirmed that no tampering was involved with the Snitch; an investigation was launched under what Team Havynwilde's head coach deemed to be reasonable suspicion. With the fairness of the match firmly established, Team Western Fardelshufflestein celebrated their victory, completely devoid of fainting spells or exhausted bouts of sobbing.

"We're not out of the tempest yet," Head Coach Johanna Mueller cautioned PROSPERO. "We still have a match against the liverpudian revolution of ireland. They are a very strong team in this tournament, and we foresee (not with magic, it's just a saying) them to be worthy opponents." Regardless of whether they win or lose Monday's match, Team Western Fardelshufflestein is in the Top Four of the 2020 Quidditch World Cup.

[Taeshan]

Roses are red,
and so is this curtain,
after today,
the finalists are certain.

Western Fardelshufflestein 1140–1220 The liverpudian revolution of ireland
Salkin Rock 270–150 Abahnfleft

Which means your finalists are

Salkin Rock vs The liverpudian revolution of ireland @ Atlantea Quidditch Grounds


and the third place game

Western Fardelshufflestein vs Abahnfleft @ Bayern in the Castle


We at a late hour have been informed by ministry of magic officials that both Quidditch squads from the winning teams have seemingly disapparated after their respective semifinal games. In an unprecedented turn of events both sides have apparently returned home upon learning that their nations no longer exist among the realm of men. In a weird turn of event it has been decided by the International Wizard Society of Sports (IWSS) that the final will instead be played by the two losing semi-finalists after the two victors have withdrawn from the tournament. Taeshan Minister for Magic Rimsby Applebottom, defacto head of the IWSS could not be reached for comment on the event.

The final will now be played on Wednesday, June 10 between the sides of Western Fardelshufflestein and Abahnfleft still at Bayern in the Castle. No 3rd place game will be held tomorrow.

[Kriegiersien]

The Ministry of Magic of Kriegiersien is in shock about the behavior of the two expected finalists.

"We demand a match for the third place between the teams that have wrongful denied advancement. Teams like Ko-oren, Kriegiersien, Delaclava, Banija or Razenthurea who were beaten by this frauds or the finalists and are still with active teams in the country, should have the chance to compete in a special round for a place on the podium.
In sincere fury

Boris Dump
Premier of Magical Kriegiersien"

[Taeshan]

And your 10th Quidditch World Cup Champion is?

Western Fardelshufflestein 370–210 Abahnfleft

Congratulations