World Cup 47 - roleplay thread

[Kura-Pelland]

It has arrived. The best, the worst, the most eloquent, the most incomprehensible, the quietest, the monks, the hippies, the army pin-ups and whatever the slani hell Prux are being represented by this time around are all ready to compete in...



Group 1
Landau Institute
Silexhera
Carbonegro
Cafundeu
The Babbage Islands
Jeruselem
Aeukera
Western Mediterranean

Group 2
Delaclava
Sorthern Northland
al-Merika
Zerdonian
Pasarga
Northern Bettia
Lovisa
Akbarabad

Group 3
Nationstates 4
LeDoucheland
Cassadaigua
Candelaria And Marquez
Barbana
Quakmybush
Unreal229
Jeru FC

Group 4
WaffenBrightonburg
Hessingen
Vephrall
Bloumany
Midlauthia
Quintessence of Dust
Peisandros
Dunczton

Group 5
Sargossa
Iansisle
Dariusville
Swartaz
Rejistania
Starblaydia
Palmouth
Bazalonia

Group 6
Taeshan
The Han Empire
Swilatia
Maciea
Arroza
Lurikastan
Krytak
Logria

Group 7
Drie-Bene
Steroga
Krytenia
Valipac
P00t3r
Albundania
Kelssek
Greal

Group 8
Carpathia and Ruthenia
Secristan
Gargorina
Bostopia
Anemos Major
Norwellia
Penthoria
Yafor 2

Group 9
Achtervolging
Elesdee
Jasīʼyūn
Uiri
Golgothastan
Solenial
Vaarshire
Sarzonia

Group 10
Stargate Centurion
O Ale Ale
Gallartium
Septentrionia
Gordon Bay City
Sappluma
Bears Armed
North Wiedna

Group 11
The Archregimancy
46566
Philomia
The McLaughlin Islands
Milchama
Lanceo
Parthenon
The Macabees

Group 12
Nethertopia
Newmanistan
Upper Orange
Errinundera
Nong Nang Ning
Macoksla
Toyur
Capitalist SLANI

Group 13
Panuul
Kosovoe
West Zirconia
The Holy Empire
Mantwenic
Sitspot
Bettia
Isselmere-Nieland

Group 14
Bushdome
Urdakastan
Fson
Gillenor
Qazox
Dancougar
Valladares
Somewhereistonia

Group 15
Pinpo
Tyrrin
Tanah Burung
West Newmanistan
Ad'ihan
Queer Poco el Mono Ara
Euro-Trash
Prux

Kura-Pelland and Valanora qualify as hosts

Schedule (home team listed first)
matchday 1: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5
matchday 2: 8v5, 4v6, 3v7, 2v1
matchday 3: 2v8, 3v1, 4v7, 5v6
matchday 4: 8v6, 7v5, 1v4, 2v3
matchday 5: 3v8, 4v2, 5v1, 6v7
matchday 6: 8v7, 1v6, 2v5, 3v4
matchday 7: 4v8, 5v3, 6v2, 7v1
matchdays 8–14 are the reverse of 1–7

Roster thread

[Silexhera]

ooc: first again!

excuse the shoddiness of the writing. Still trying to get the creative bit of my mind in gear.

The Reveal
an RP for World Cup 47

Paul Hart was deep, deep in the wasteland now. The qualifying campaign for World Cup XLVII* had finished last month. Paul didn't want to think about the consequences of Silexhera's final position too much, he just wanted to get away, It seemed like he'd been twisted this way and that for the last four years in trying to set up the national side and, later, football as a whole in his country. He was granted a months leave after the qualifying campaign and he was going to spend every second of it away from football. Quite why he decided to spend it in an ex-army four-by-four traveling into the wasteland he had no idea.

With him was his only link to football and to Silexhera, his assistant coach and former national team captain Couser Granite, brought along because he was good with communications and was big and scary enough to fend off whatever might be lurking in the wasteland.

The wasteland. For centuries it had been the monster under the bed for the ancestors of his countrymen. Silexhera was a tiny nation wrapped around a small, curved stretch of coast. Every border that wasn't next to the sea touched this huge, barren mass of yellow-orange land. All investigations into what the wasteland might contain if one traveled far enough into it had ended two ways: the travelers came back empty handed, or never came back at all.

In the jeep was all the provisions for the trip - a two week jaunt into nowhere and a two week jaunt back the way they came - that Paul thought he needed. Compass, spare compass, four weeks of food, five weeks of water, books, fuel, geiger counter, protective clothing, radiation suits. Whatever had happened here had left pockets of deadly radiation in seemingly random places. There had been two occasions where they'd had to make detours, the rapidly panicking geiger-counter warning them off progressing any further in one direction like a nervous rattlesnake with a battery compartment. Couser, in his infinite wit, had strapped a dildo to the bottom of the spare geiger-counter. He called it the H.R. Geiger counter. Clever sod.

He remembered Couser's reaction to the draw for the WC47 qualifiers. Silexhera were plucked out of the hat straight after Landau Institute and dropped into group A with them. He remembered Couser's grin. Silexhera had taken two wins out of two against them last time out. Carbonegro had been picked out after us, and it had seemed like we might be getting a favourable draw. He remembered Couser's face when the next team came out of the hat. Cafundeu. To be fair, Couser had stayed as stony faced as ever, but though the man could keep his facial muscles in check his eyes never lied. You could see his thoughts through his eyes, like a projector in his brain was beaming out a movie onto his iris. The hero being blind-sided by a cruel twist of fate. Jeruselem had also been put in with us. Damnit. How ever could we make it into the finals when there were only two spots up for grabs and two teams like that to grab them?

Paul was shook out of his thoughts by a bump in the road. He turned to scold Couser, who was currently driving.
"You prick, I told you to watch the rocks"
There was no reply. Paul turned to the geiger counter. It was clicking a little faster than it did in Silexhera, but still nowhere near dangerous levels. He turned back to Couser. "Did you not hear me?"
Still no reply. Couser was facing straight ahead. His features still, unmoved by his friend's comments. Paul leaned in to get a close view of Couser's eyes.Apprehension, fascination, fear, excitement. In that order. What could cause those emotions, hmm?

Paul turned to follow Couser's gaze.

Oh dear sun...

...to be continued

*cheers Macabees

[Tyrrin]

Qualifying Groups Announced

Today, groups were finally announced for World Cup 47. Tyrrin is in the 15th, and last, group, along with Pinpo, Tanah Burung, West Newmanistan, Ad'ihan, Queer Poco el Mono Ara, Euro-Trash, and Prux. Coach Gen. Montcalve stated in a recent press conference that he knew that the other teams in the group are fierce competitors, and he looks for "gritty games, with lots of physical play." Captain Michael Willem stated that he is excited about the chance for redemption for the squad the was unable to find success in World Cup 46, despite getting out of the group stage in the Baptism of Fire. 47 is a lucky number in Tyrrin, so it may be a good omen for the squad.

Tyrrin has drawn Euro-Trash for the first matchday. Their coach, Roger Bridger is "fed up with playing a defensive style", and they are now adopting an all-out attacking strategy, which will "beat you by slowly breaking your back". Montcalve believes that a disciplined Tyrrinian defense can hold the Euro-Trash attack, and open up the counterattack for Willem and company.

The match will be held in the Tyrrinian Imperial Colloseum, aka "The Big House", and will be the first international game ever held in Tyrrin. Over 80 thousand fans will be packed into the stadium, which is the home ground of the fabled Tyrrin Royale squad. The Grand Emporer himself may turn out to watch the match. The Big House is on top of the Brierre Hotel, where the players will be staying before the game.

Many of the players were at a charity event in Coranto, where they were playing with children through the local Children of the Fallen club, an organization which helps children who have lost parents in combat overseas.

(OOC: Could you bold the teams who have posted rosters for reference?)

[Jeruselem]

Lilian Dazza Greenly with Joseph Hamburgstein and Princess Marie-Antoinette Dallas ...

Lilian:
Hello, this is Lilian Dazza Greenly! I'm with the new Jeruselem coach and assistant coach. The new coach is Joseph Hamburgstein who coaches Christian Palestine and the assistant coach is ... well, if you don't know that is by now, you're a stupid idiot.

Joseph: Hello everyone, I'm the best coach in Jeruselem! And I'm here to coach Jeruselem to glory.
Marie: And I'm here because I am.
Lilian: OK Joe, you've got the big job. How did you get it?
Joseph: I was clearly the best man for the job. By a billion trillion quadzillion miles.

Lilian: You sound really confident.
Joseph: I'm the best man, better than any for this job. Better than any girl as well.
Lilian: OK, why is Marie the assistant coach?
Joseph: Because her sister is the president of Jeruselem FA.

Marie: Oi! Stop complaining! You got the job!
Joseph: Well, OK - there's that.
Lilian: You two don't seem to get on.
Joseph: Women aren't good at coaching.

Marie: Don't listen to him about women.
Joseph: Women should not be in charge of men.
Lilian: So why is Marie the assistant coach?
Marie: Because he really annoys women, and needs me to stop them kicking his ass when they are annoyed.

Lilian: What's bruise on your head there?
Joseph: Oh, that's from an ex-wife hitting me with a handbag.
Lilian: What about the other one?
Joseph: That was Marie after I called her a bad mother.

Lilian: That's not good thing to tell women.
Marie: Yes, especially a Dallas.
Joseph: Well, Pups nearly decked me too. I'll avoid calling my female players bad mothers from now on.
Marie: Yeah Hampster

Lilian: Hampster?
Marie: Look, how short he is! He's almost shorter than Mum.
Joseph: People are always picking my height.
Lilian: Maybe you shouldn't insult short women.

Joseph: But I'm the coach! I'm in charge!
Marie: Almost.
Joseph: Apart from Marie being a Princess here.
Lilian: You're an aggressive guy it seems.

Joseph: I'm a man, I'm supposed to be guy in charge.
Marie: I'm here in case he calls some like Empress Jessica a slut in Hebrew. I'll have to bail him out.
Joseph: I'll never do such a silly thing.
Marie: You dropped hot coffee on my sister Jacinta, good thing she's very forgiving.

Joseph: That was an accident.
Marie: Sure ...

[Sarzonia]

Some people would think Franz Braddock's ability to guide the Sarzonian national football team to the World Cup in his first go as manager was a great accomplishment. After all, the Stars had only returned to the international football scene in World Cup XLIV and started their second tenure as a World Cup squad as an unranked side.

Others might expect Braddock to feel a great sense of vindication. He'd been passed over for a number of managerial positions. Some of his prospective employers might have given voice to their concerns about an octogenarian's ability to guide a team after 20 years of retirement. However, others might have confined those thoughts to whispers.

However, the Incorporated Football Federation chose to hire based on Braddock's impressive credentials. He guided Cafundéu to the World Cup quarterfinals, and even led a debutant Cafundelense national side to the World Cup finals in World Cup XXXIII. In Braddock, 81-year-old former Stars manager and then-IFF chairman Dave Wilson saw a little bit of himself.

Those who expected Braddock to feel he'd arrived didn't know the old man very well. He saw room for improvement for the Stars. They had to become more fluid in midfield. They had to tighten up on defence. They had to provide better service to striker Matt Lynch now that Reese Nichols was no longer one of three forwards.

In short, Braddock saw an opportunity to continue to guide the Stars toward what he saw was their destiny. "I will not rest until I can do for Sarzonia what I couldn't do for my homeland," Braddock told Woodstock Daily Mail reporter Travis West. "I want to be part of a team that can lift the World Cup."

It took Sarzonia seven World Cup qualifying campaigns before the Stars won their first World Cup in a dominating 4-0 final victory over Oaker. Two Cups later, traditional football powerhouse Liventia, then known as Liverpool England, defeated the Stars in the final. Now, Braddock would stop at nothing to see that the Stars would add to their laurels. Even if he had to die in his manager's office in Woodstock.

Prior to the World Cup itself, the Stars had another task on their hands. They would play their first match of the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy against their nation's oldest allies: The United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland. The Eagles marked their international footballing debut with a third place finish in the Baptism of Fire Cup and start off ranked No. 93 in the world.

Braddock said he was well aware of Sarzonia's close allegiance to Isselmere-Nieland and added that plans were already well underway to "acknowledge the special nature of the relationship between the countries."

Goalkeepers coach Horace Sandt said facing Isselmere-Nieland on the pitch would be odd, owing to Sarzonia's intense competitive nature, but added that the two nations would be best of friends "before the kickoff and after the final whistle."

Until then?

"We'll work as hard as we normally do to get victories. Afterward, we'll probably exchange jerseys," Sandt said.

[The Babbage Islands]

CHARLESTON, South Island (BPA) -- The draw for the qualifying stage of the World Cup 47 football (soccer) tournament has taken place. It is being hosted by the nations of Valanora and Kura-Pelland. There are 120 teams in the qualifying stage, and 30 of them will join the two hosts in the Cup proper.

The Babbage Islands side has been placed in Group 1, with a total of eight teams. Fourteen games will be played to determine the qualifiers from each group. The Bumblebees will open on the road against Cafundeu.

Coach Mark Orr is bringing 17 of the 20 players who represented the Islands in the recently-concluded Baptism of Fire to the competition. The new internationals are 17-year-old winger Orson Cook of Greenville Rovers, 26-year-old keeper Luis Benito of Real Santa Catalina, and 32-year-old midfielder Jerry Niven of Cardston FC. Cook is expected to start in place of the injured Chang Weigu, who will remain home. Benito and Niven will be reserves.

Selecting three new players below the FFB Premier League level has caused some conversation, but Football Federation of Babbage general secretary Richard Valdemar was quick to point out that there is no requirement for players to come from the top division.

---

World Cup Group 1 Schedule
Home team listed first

Game 1: Landau Institute v Western Mediterranean, Silexhera v Aeukera, Carbonegro v Jeruselem, Cafundeu v The Babbage Islands
Game 2: Western Mediterranean v The Babbage Islands, Cafundeu v Jeruselem, Carbonegro v Aeukera, Silexhera v Landau Institute
Game 3: Silexhera v Western Mediterranean, Carbonegro v Landau Institute, Cafundeu v Aeukera, The Babbage Islands v Jeruselem
Game 4: Western Mediterranean v Jeruselem, Aeukera v The Babbage Islands, Landau Institute v Cafundeu, Silexhera v Carbonegro
Game 5: Carbonegro v Western Mediterranean, Cafundeu v Silexhera, The Babbage Islands v Landau Institute, Jeruselem v Aeukera
Game 6: Western Mediterranean v Aeukera, Landau Institute v Jeruselem, Silexhera v The Babbage Islands, Carbonegro v Cafundeu
Game 7: Cafundeu v Western Mediterranean, The Babbage Islands v Carbonegro, Jeruselem v Silexhera, Aeukera v Landau Institute
Game 8: Western Mediterranean v Landau Institute, Aeukera v Silexhera, Jeruselem v Carbonegro, The Babbage Islands v Cafundeu
Game 9: The Babbage Islands v Western Mediterranean, Jeruselem v Cafundeu, Aeukera v Carbonegro, Landau Institute v Silexhera
Game 10: Western Mediterranean v Silexhera, Landau Institute v Carbonegro, Aeukera v Cafundeu, Jeruselem v The Babbage Islands
Game 11: Jeruselem v Western Mediterranean, The Babbage Islands v Aeukera, Cafundeu v Landau Institute, Carbonegro v Silexhera
Game 12: Western Mediterranean v Carbonegro, Silexhera v Cafundeu, Landau Institute v The Babbage Islands, Aeukera v Jeruselem
Game 13: Aeukera v Western Mediterranean, Jeruselem v Landau Institute, The Babbage Islands v Silexhera, Cafundeu v Carbonegro
Game 14: Western Mediterranean v Cafundeu, Carbonegro v The Babbage Islands, Silexhera v Jeruselem, Landau Institute v Aeukera

[Taeshan]

[align=]X Island Inquirer[/align]

Another year, and that means for the Taeshan Purple Knights soccer team that they are headed to their 10th qualifying campaign. This time they will be playing to try for a spot in Kura-Pelland once again, or a spot in Valanora. either way i am sure that they will be gracious hosts if we make it to that point. The Knights though as in the many tournaments leading up to now will not have an easy road, yes they have qualified to the tournament 3 times in their history, but being ranked 31st means that they will have to fight their way into the World Cup in a group that may turn out to be one of hostile.

This year the qualifying format is 15 groups of 8 with the top two teams from each Group making their way into the World Cup proper. 7 teams have a chance to halt the Knights journey, but most liekly only a few will. The biggest opponent for most fans will of course be Daehnajieguk one of the Knights biggest rivals who they were drawn to compete with. Though they may be the class of the group others may look to take the two teams of the pedastall. Team 3 is Arroza looking for the first ever qualification, team 4 is Swilatia back into the international spotlight, the final three are Krytak, Marciea, and Lurikastan who are looking to make a big opening in the tournament. And Logria a protectorate of Krytenia will look for some big upsets.Either way it will be an interesting season to watch.

Schedule
Matchday 1 VS Logria @ X Island Metropark 200,000 Seats
Matchday 2 @ Daehanjeiguk
Matchday 3 @ Swilatia
Matchday 4 VS Maciea @ X Island Metropark
Matchday 5 @ Arroza
Matchday 6 VS Lurikastan @ X Island Metropark
Matchday 7 @ Krytak
Matchday 8 @ Logria
Matchday 9 VS Daehanjeiguk @ Atlantea Coliseum 590,000 Seats
Matchday 10 VS Swilatia @ Docktown Memorial Park 490,000 Seats
Matchday 11 @ Maciea
Matchday 12 VS Arroza @ Docktown Memorial Park
Matchdya 13 @ Lurikastan
Matchday 14 Vs Krytak @ X Island Metropark

[Albundania]

Blue Crew put in Group 7

The Blue Crew representing Albundania in World Cup 47 have been put in group 7 for the qualifiers. "We'll make it this time," assures Manager Jim Hendry to his fans. "Our team is the best it's ever been, and it's been successful in the UFSCFC, as I'm sure all our fans know. (The UFSCFC is a regional football cup), so I don't see why we can't do well here." Albundania's new team captain, Justin Carrol, midfielder, expects similar. "First I'd like to say I'm honored for the promotion. Second, I've seen what our team can do. We can go far this year." With their first test in this WC47 being a friendly, Albundania can get back in the spirit of fighting. "The only question is just how far will we go. That's up to the team." Finishes Justin, as he walks away.

The Blue Crew's schedule looks like this:

M-Day 1: Krytenia @ Albundania
M-Day 2: Valipac @ Albundania
M-Day 3: P00t3r @ Albundania
M-Day 4: Greal @ Albundania
M-Day 5: Albundania @ Kelssek
M-Day 6: Drie-Bene @ Albundania
M-Day 7: Albundania @ Steroga
M-Day 8: Albundania @ Valipac
M-Day 9: Albundania @ P00t3r
M-Day 10: Albundania @ Greal
M-Day 11: Kelssek @ Albundania
M-Day 12: Steroga @ Albundania

[Kosovoe]

Port Kosovoe Courant

Once again it is time for the World Cup qualifying. For the Eight time the Kosovoe Blue Tornado will lead their country on the field and in their hearts. The team is out once again to prove that they, ranked 23 in the world, are better then their protectorates those ghatsly 31st ranked Purple Knights of Taeshan. I myself have figured that the only reason they wear those ugly purple jerseys is because they are all gay, as is Starblaydia, but in any case it does not matter as we would not want to stoop down to the Purple Pansies ultimately low level. I refuse to even think that the Knights even remotely deserve to be internationally recognised as our owners. Filthy half breeds they are all lower then us.

In any case yesterday was a great day for Kosovoe sport. For the first time in the National teams history they were electing their first ever player to the Nationastates World cup Hall of Fame. After their seventh run at the cup last year and their second qualification noone would expect less, but either way the Tornado were going to finally achieve what their overseers had done. It was a very joyous occasion. Up for vote were star forwards Jamie Barry and Angel Kenssington, being a scoring nation the fans thought it right to elect one of their top three scorers to the Hall of Fame. Ossi Euro was voted out in the last round. Two of the teams Co-Captains made it to the final round, but in the end only Barry was able to be voted in with only a thousand fan votes to spar. We congratulate the one of the heroes of Kosovoen Soccer for making the trip to the fabled halls of immortality, or the place were aplaque will stay until it is blown up.

Anyways now that all the fun, and happiness is gone from are little write we can now get down to some serious business. The biggest threat to are qualification will be the teams from the Holy Empire, and West Zirconian, if we make mistakes they will pounce. Others waiting in the wings to strike an early blow will be Panuuul, Isselmeere-Nieland, Sitstop, Bettia and Mantwenic. It is utterly in a word hopefull that we will win all the games, but we will need to win as many as possible if we have hopes of qualification number 3. Hopefully we will again find ourselves gracing the halls of the World Cup.

Schedule
VS Bettia @ An undesclosed location
VS Panuul @ AUL
VS Isselmere AUL
VS West Zirconia
@ The Holy Empire
VS Mantwenic AUL
@ Sitstop
Repeat 1-7 at other place

[Iansisle]

The political instability of the world and the increasing dictatorial leanings of the Ranalte regime could be damned: the World Cup was coming back to Iansisle, and that was all the Star-Tribune and the other news sources seemed to have time to cover. Sure, it wasn't a real sporting event like the Cherry Cup ("real" here defined as an event in which Iansisle had won a championship), but the long-awaited return of the land of the Gull Flag to the domain of international sport was a mass-media event. Sure, most Iansislean journalists weren't quite sure what football was after such a long period, and sure their reports would be have to be covered by a group preview based on sketchy, incomplete scouting reports several decades old and complete guess-work extrapolated from nation's names -- but, dammit, that's part of being a member of the Iansislean sporting world was all about!

From An Iansislean Sportsman's Guide to Our Collective and Selective Memory, World Cup XLVII Edition:

Preview of Group 5 -- the best group EVER!
...except for those bums who aren't us.

Sargossa -- the Ians will have to avoid becoming tangled in what we assume are large piles of sentient seaweed. The passing game will be key here, lest the Ians' heaviest hitters become bogged down and unable to contribute. Look for big contributions from the shortstop, who will be asked to skim and chlorinate from the backfield. Predicted score: Iansisle 117, Sargossa 110 // Sargossa 120, Iansisle 109

Iansisle -- That's us! Go the Ians! Predicted Score: Universal implosion. // Universal explosion.

Dariusville --- In order to check this rampaging powerhouse, the Ians will need to rely on their quarterback lobbing caroom balls past the goalkeeper. More likely than not, a simple reverse-switch-Petersbuilt-reggae-doom-slammer will seal our fate. Look for a blowout here, but hope for the best! Predicted score: Dariusville 7, Iansisle 2 // Dariusville 10, Iansisle 3

Swartaz -- We can't pronounce this one. Moving on. Predicted score: Iansisle 0, Swartaz 0 // Swartaz 0, Iansisle 0

Rejistania -- We can't pronounce this one either, but some of our most learned scholars found a reference to this name that is oddly reminiscent of a Scrabble hand (assuming that the word "Rej" was already on the board somewhere). Apparently, they used to be an extremely defensive-minded team. Either that or they were a people who really enjoyed mayonnaise. The ancient texts are rather vague in these regards. Either way, the Ians should avoid being dragged into their trap: being aggressive on the tip-off can lead to scoring opportunities while exposing them to prolonged room temperatures will give them an unpleasant odor and taste. Predicted score: Iansisle 1, Rejistania 1 // Iansisle 2 Rejistania 0

Starblaydia -- THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! THERE WAS NO CHERRY CUP 5! Predicted score: Iansisle 517,231, Starblaydia -7 // Iansisle 897,511,397, Starblaydia 1 (blind refs! ...or are they umpires?)

Palmouth -- The best thing we can say about Palmouth is that they are not Starblaydia. This ties them with every other footballing nation other than Starblaydia and Audioslavia for the best footballing nation in the history of forever. The Ians will have to scrap hard to come out of this one with even a draw. Look for a defensive-minded approach from the Ians' skipper as he tries to pull even with them. Predicted score Palmouth 15, Iansisle 10 // Palmouth 11, Iansisle 10

Bazalonia -- There is something melodic about this team which has been entertaining our entire staff since the draw was announced. Word. Look for a strong first round for the Ians with plenty of left hooks, followed by an end-run to the edge of the scrum which should leave the southpaws with plenty of bite on their sliders. The Bazalonians (Baza! Baza! Baza!) will be looking for this the second-go-round, so it will be a tighter contest with more nailbiting shootoffs where you can expect the lantern to light with reckless abandon. Predicted score: Iansisle 88, Bazalonia 73 // Bazalonia 95, Iansisle 93

Expected Final Record -- 5-6-3-2 (Win-Loss-Draw-Universal Ex/Implosion)

[Qazox]

WORLD CUP 47

The group draw for the 47th World Cup was yesterday, and we got a doozie. The defending WC champions Dancougar, who have dominated Qazox as of like on the pitch. Other than them, Qazox seems to have a good group to qualify from. Only Bushdome and Somewhereistonia have experience at this level, and the others, Urdakastan, Fson, Gillenor, and Valladares are making their debuts, other than the Baptism of Fire.

Bushdome
Urdakastan
Fson
Gillenor
Qazox
Dancougar
Valladares
Somewhereistonia

SCHEDULE:

@ Gillenor
@ Somewhereistonia
vs. Dancougar @ Qazian Memorial Stadium II, Capcity: 100,052.
@ Valladares
vs. Bushdome @ Estadia Pika II, Capacity: 84,562
@ Urdakastan
vs. Fson @ Estadia Pika II, Capacity: 84,562
vs. Gillenor @ Qazian Memorial Stadium II, Capcity: 100,052.
vs. Somewhereistonia @ Estadia Pika II, Capacity: 84,562
@ Dancougar 
vs. Valladares @ Qazian Memorial Stadium II, Capcity: 100,052.
@ Bushdome
vs. Urdakastan @ Estadia Pika II, Capacity: 84,562
@ Fson

Stadium Pics:
Estadia Pika II:
Qazian Memorial Stadium II:

[Jeru FC]

Jacinta:
Hello, this is Princess Jacinta Sasha Dallas! I'm here to announce the new coach of our Jeru FC. The previous coach has retired after a record 5 cups leading our army into the finals of the World Cup three times. For some reason, local Jeruselemite coaches refuse to coach Jeru FC these days. I don't think it's team but I think dealing with the army is the problem here. Anyway, a well known foreigner has taken up the challenge. And this person is ... Brian Carson of Newmanistan. Brian isn't here at the moment, so I've got Oksana "Pups" Ferris with me who is married to a Newmanistani.

Pups: Hi!
Jacinta: Pups, what do you know about Brian Carson?
Pups: Well, not much apart from he coached the Newmanistani World Cup 45 for half the cup in qualification.
Jacinta: Actually, you know about as much as well did.

Pups: But I'm sure he's a good person.
Jacinta: He's taking over for our Jeru FC team, we thought he'd be the man for our army team.
Pups: The Newmanistani team is full of personalities who don't seem to get along so Brian will find Jeru FC much easier to manage.
Jacinta: Compared to some other teams, Jeru FC isn't hard to manage indeed.

Pups: It's ironic, he's taking over a team ranked above Newmanistan.
Jacinta: I'm happy with our decision.
Pups: Newmanistanis are nice people in general.
Jacinta: OK, also with us is Kaye from the Jeru FC team!

Kaye: Oh hi!
Jacinta: So, what does the team think of new coach?
Kaye: No idea, we haven't met him yet. From what I've heard, he knows about winning.
Jacinta: A five time championship coach in the NPL he is.

Kaye: Well, I hope we can do the job for him.
Jacinta: Hey, don't the army replace the Jeru FC team once in a while?
Kaye: Oh that, due to a budget cut in the army football budget ... they decided against putting up a new team this time round.
Jacinta: I thought it'd be cheaper to get in the new kids.

Kaye: Well, not really. Jeru FC is a dumping ground for army rejects. We're still useless rejects.
Jacinta: What will the new coach think of you?
Kaye: I hope he respects us more than the army does.
Pups: I respect Jeru FC, I mean Jeru FC ranked above Jeruselem!

Kaye: Yeah, but we get treated like crap still.
Jacinta: Well, let's hope Brian will make your lives better.
Kaye: Me too.
Pups: Jeru FC need more respect, even if they are bunch of misfits.

Kaye: We are ...

[Valipac]

Group draw complete - Valipac prepares for the World Cup Qualifiers!

Joe Alexander leads Valipac into World Cup Qualification

The magical run culminating with the Baptism of Fire Championship is now over. What faces the Valipacian national football team now is an entirely new mountain. Ranked 88th in the world by the most recent KBP rankings, Valipac is sure to head into qualifications with a full cup of confidence. This confidence, both in themselves and in their abilities, will serve them well, as Valipac is expected to be a long shot to qualify for this, the 47th edition of the prestigious World Cup.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of the World Cup, as many readers will be, given that this is Valipac's first attempt at qualification, the road for prospective teams begins in the format of a double round robin tournament. The top two teams from each group are able to advance, with the best third place teams also moving on. These teams are said to have qualified, and then the real tournament begins. Valipac commences their trek towards qualification with a tough road in front of them. Most nations are not expected to qualify on their first, or even second attempts, but Valipac has shown flashes of brilliance that could lead to a miracle appearance in the World Cup.

The following nations were drawn to be in Group 7, along with Valipac: P00t3r, Albundania, Greal, Drei-Bene, Steroga, Krytenia, and Kesselk. It appears to be a tough road for Valipac, but if any team has shown the grit and determination necessary to make it through such a schedule, it has been this team. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, many experts have referred to Valipac's situation as a "relatively lucky draw" for such a "young team". VNN soccer analyst Reece Hussain referred to it as the "break of the century" during VNN's expanded World Cup draw coverage. Although the teams are tough, Hussain claims that the group lacks "two or three household names that dominate the competition year in and year out, as is common in group stages." A detailed breakdown of the teams in Group 7 and Valipac's schedule follows.

Valipacian Schedule:
Valipac vs P00t3r
Valipac vs Albundania
Valipac vs Kelssek
Valipac at Drie-Bene
Valipac vs Steroga
Valipac at Krytenia
Valipac vs Greal

Repeat at opposite location

It is worthy to note that the schedule plays heavily into Valipac's favor. With plenty of home games to start, the schedule should allow for Valipac to build momentum before heading into a brutal backstrech. If Valipac can escape unscathed from the games they are supposed to win, and steal a few that they aren't, they could find themselves in the thick of the hunt for qualification.

First up for Valipac is the squad playing out of the nation of P00t3r. Despite the name, they are no joke, however, they do rank 147th in the latest KBP rankings. P00t3r had a poor showing in the Baptism of Fire, finishing a dismal with a dismal record of 1-2-2 in the group that contained eventual 3rd place finisher Isselmere-Nieland. The team struggled throughout the tournament, and this was exposed in their game against Isselmere-Nieland, where the Eagles' strikers tore the back four of P00t3r apart for three goals. The Eagles were able to dominate possession, especially in the midfield, an area where Valipac should be able to also dominate. Of all the teams in the group, P00t3r is one of the weakest. It would not be surprising to see them finish with only one win, as was the case in the Baptism of Fire. Both the first game in Valipac's National stadium and the second at P00t3r's home stadium should be taken by the Valipacian squad.

After the first game against P00t3r, Valipac will take on Albundania. Albundania comes into this tournament unranked by the KBP, and should pose little threat to Valipac. Scouting provides little in the way of international match history for the team, and they should provide a solid launching point for Valipac before the game with Kelssek. The first match between the sides will be in Valipac, and the second in Albundania. Valipac can and should emerge with two wins from these games.

If all goes as predicted, Valipac will be 2-0 in these qualifiers and 9-0 in their last 9 official (non-friendly) games when Kelssek comes to Valipac for their game. The game will be Valipac's third in a row at home, and the crowd will surely be fired up by the nature of Kelssek's high world ranking. Kelssek comes into the tournament at 15th in the world, and is considered to be one of the weakest top seeds in the tournament. If Valipac could surprise the stellar team with a victory at home, it would go a long way towards improving Valipac's chances at qualification. In the road leg, Valipac looks to win, but a draw is probably the best case scenario. If Valipac can pull out at least one win against Kelssek, they will be looking good in the group qualifiers. Two draws would also be well recieved. Hopefully, the Valipacians can avoid a two-loss sweep, but the team from Kelssek is good enough to make it happen. Don't expect more than a draw-loss combination from Valipac here.

After the Kelssek game comes relief in the form of Drie-Bene. Drie-Bene, who played in the same group as Valipac in the Baptism of Fire, is also in the same group for this World Cup qualification. Drie-Bene lost every game they played in the Baptism of Fire, including a 2-1 loss to Valipac on Match Day 5. Valipacian fans cheered when it was announced that they would be in the same region, assuming that the results of Valipac's games against the team would be similar if not better than last time. Alexander Marsden and Nicholas Fitzgerald scored in the last match for Valipac, and you can expect Fitzgerald to be a force again. Drie-Bene enters with a KBP rank of 170, and is considered the weakest team in the group. Valipac should emerge with six points following the two games with this team.

The last three games is where crunch-time occurs for the Valipacians. These games will determine if they are really good enough to qualify for the World Cup. The first of these, against Steroga, should be the first test that Valipac has a true chance at winning. Ranked number 75 in the world by KBP, Steroga is very similar to Valipac in ranking and perceived talent. Were Valipac to win both, they would supplant Steroga as the fourth best team in the group. The first game is at home in the National Stadium, and all signs point to a Valipacian win. A draw or win is likely in the road leg as well, but if Steroga was to win, it would not come as a surprise. Expect at least one win from Valipac here, but if Valipac really wants to step up in the world of international football, two wins here is a must.

Following that, Valipac goes to Krytenia for their first game together. Expect this first match to be a loss, with Valipac overpowered by a strong Krytenian side ranked number 26 in the world, but only a stones throw away from the top 15. A win in the second leg at home is unlikely, but if Valipac could pull it out, the run to qualify could become a reality. Don't expect more than a draw-draw combination from Valipac here, but be wary that while Valipac could win one, they could just as easily lose both.

Finally, Valipac wraps it all up with a few games against Greal. Despite Greal's ranking as 39th in the world, don't write off the Valipacians. It's definitely a possibility that Valipac could win one of the legs, especially the home leg. The teams are fairly evenly matched, and the emotion Valipac would be playing with as the underdog is something to be recognized. Although a win and a loss or draw would be more than respectable, Valipac is capable of doing better. For the upset special, we present you with two Valipacian wins over Greal.

The road to qualification looks to be a long and tough one for any team wishing to emerge from Group 7. Many obstacles stand in the way of Valipac, but if the team binds together with the same courage that they showed in the latter stages of the Baptism of Fire, they might just stand a chance. If this team can play with the same heart they found in 1-0 victories over Toyur and Delaclava that teetered on the brink of going the other way, they might just go places. If this team proves to be the standard that they set for themselves in the Baptism of Fire, they could upset a number of good teams. So far Valipac is undefeated in 8 official international games. That streak won't continue for much longer, but it will be interesting to see how the experience learned and the chemistry gained over that stretch of games where Valipac went 7-0-1 (with 7 in a row being victories) will affect their performance as they attempt to qualify for the most prestigious tournament of all.

[Toyur]

Toyurska Sportnyhet

TOYUR DRAWN IN GROUP 12
Tough qualifying road ahead
by Anders Alfven

KRISTIANSBERG (TP) - Toyur begins its first World Cup qualifying attempt in group 12, giving the Bears their first chance to hold major international games.

'We're quite excited to show the world the level of sophistication in our cities and our stadia,' TFF chairman Per Bengtsson said in a post-draw press release. 'We'll welcome all nations with the utmost respect and provide them with a comfortable environment to lose to our team in.' This last comment was followed by an entirely unprofessional and cheeky winking face, which will no doubt provide the more cynical a chance to blame any woes on the jinx applied by the chairman.

Toyur were drawn into group 12, which also contains Nethertopia, Newmanistan, Errinundera, Nong Nang Ning, Macoksla, Capitalist SLANI, and Upper Orange. Toyur will host 7 qualifying matches, and four cities were chosen out of seven bids to host these matches. The capital Kristiansberg, Mariastadt, and Tuleä will hold two games, and Österland will hold one match. The TFF released the following schedule:

Matchday 4: vs Nong Nang Ning, Kristiansberg, Kristiansberg Fotbollstadion
Matchday 7: vs Nethertopia, Mariastadt, Västerstadion
Matchday 8: vs Newmanistan, Tuleä, Isstadion
Matchday 9: vs Upper Orange, Österland, Österstadion
Matchday 10: vs Errinundera, Mariastadt, Västerstadion
Matchday 12: vs Macoksla, Tuleä, Isstadion
Matchday 13: vs Capitalist SLANI, Kristiansberg, Kristiansberg Fotbollstadion

Toyur start qualifying in Newmanistan, and it can be seen on TSTV 2.

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

GROUP DRAW RELEASED

Putnam Lake- The official Group Draw was released this evening for the 47th edition of the World Cup with the Rockets of Newmanistan enjoying their highest ranking to date, at #27 overall, making them projected by many observers to qualify for the World Cup for the second time. We must admit that it feels nice to enter World Cup qualifying having already made the Proper. It’s such a different feeling as we no longer feel that we need to prove ourselves. Now, the Empire will look to establish themselves as a mainstay in qualifying for the proper. Most look at the group draw and feel as long as we take care of Nethertopia, everything should be fine.

Those would be the people that just look at the rankings. Knowing the history of Newmanistan and World Cup qualifying, this could actually be a rather difficult job, not because of the draw, but because of the schedule. Newmanistan opens qualifying with four home games and five in their first six. The other 119 teams attempting to qualify for the World Cup wouldn’t think anything of that, but this means when the Rockets need to make their frantic second half charge once again after yet more first half disappointment this will have to be done on the road. Newmanistan’s matchday one loss will be to Toyur, which will put them in an important situation against Nethertopia, who of course, will win every game during qualifying that they “should” win. That of course, is that way it always works, right? Newmanistan has only won the first game of qualifying once in their seven previous attempts, and have never won the second game of qualifying. Toyur, which showed promise in the Baptism of Fire, and Nethertopia, who’d love their first qualification to come at our expense, will be very much aware of those facts when qualifying begins. The way that things have worked before cannot happen again. With the way the schedule has been set up, it will be important for the Rockets to get out of the gate quickly, because there is no reason why they should not finish in one of the two spots necessary in the group. The top seed is Capitalizt SLANI, who never dominates qualifying, but always will find away to get through. They should be penciled in as an automatic, which leaves us and Nethertopia battling it out. We should be able to get that second spot over our fellow class of Baptism of Fire 27 member, but things never go the way we expect. Toyur looks like the biggest potential spoiler here off their Baptism of Fire run. Let’s take a look now at the opponents in which the Rockets will be facing, in the order in which they will be faced, in more detail.

Toyur (115)- Okay, maybe they didn’t have as good as a Baptism of Fire run that we gave them credit for, and it is more of a gut feeling about these guys. When they heard the group draw and then found out their first game was against us, they were certainly dancing in the streets knowing how probable it would be that they would win their first game. All kidding aside, we really want to stop pointing out every World Cup how we never win on the first matchday, but unless the mighty Margaret puts an end to that trend, it always must be included.

Nethertopia (41)- They are getting closer to qualifying for the World Cup and represent the largest threat out there to us. We should beat them, but the motivation factors in which they will have to beat us is something that we have to match. Our former national team coach leads a team in Nethertopia now, and they will always associate us with their Baptism of Fire year. It would truly be sweet for them if their first qualification came at our expense. We must be ready for it.

Capitalizt SLANI (13)- After all this time of being on the World Scene, the Rockets will play Capializt SLANI for the very first time. It’ll be exciting to watch, and Newmanistan could pull off a win here, and the results that the Rockets and the Nethertopians get against SLANI will go a long way in determine which Baptism of Fire 27 member qualifies for the World Cup.

Upper Orange (127)- The kind of poorly ranked newcomer we always find a way to lose to at least once. Nah, not this time. Six points, no room for error, and down the schedule enough to where the traditional first couple games slump might not affect it.

Errinundera (NR)- Why welcome back! It seems as though hosting Baptism of Fire 33 has revitalized the nation to play in the World Cup again. Or maybe they just want a chance to qualify for World Cup 50. Or 51. Or both.

Nong Nang Ning (71)- A team that cannot be overlooked. Perhaps, things can go their way, against Nethertopia, of course.

Macoksla (NR)- Well, we lost to them recently in the World Cup of Hockey. The name of their country reminds us of Miroxia. Relevant because in World Cup 44 it was they who handed us a costly loss that kept us from qualifying for that Cup. World Cup 44 is widely considered the most disappointing of the ones we did not qualify for.

Here is our Official Schedule, excluding the non-finalized friendly matches

MD	Opponent	Location	Result
1	Toyur	Loudon Stadium	TBD
2	Nethertopia	Tundra Falls Proving Grounds	TBD
3	Captializt SLANI	Pocono City Stadium	TBD
4	Upper Orange	Samesong Stadium at Putnam Lake	TBD
5	Errinundera	away	TBD
6	Nong Nang Ning	Southport Stadium	TBD
7	Macoksla	away	TBD
8	Toyur	Tuleä, Isstadion, Toyur	TBD
9	Nethertopia	away	TBD
10	Capitalizt SLANI	away	TBD
11	Upper Orange	away	TBD
12	Errinundera	Olympia Field	TBD
13	Nong Nang Ning	away	TBD
14	Macoksla	Dover Field	TBD

[Bushdome]

Bushdome Times

World Cup Wonders
The air is heavy with rumours, speculation and violence. You would be forgiven for thinking that a revolution in Bushdome is on the way with this kind of atmosphere. But you would be quite (rightly) wrong, the world cup is here again! With all the groups being named, Bushdome found it's self in what looks to be a fairly easy group with few of the teams having any experience in world cups. Although this is the case, the Bushdome squad has been in heavy training for months now. We can now reveal where the team were training, they went to the northern province of Shire and trained high in the mountains as to improve their lungs, with the lack of oxygen and what not. Most players admit, that at one point or another they were sick due to the "thin" air and the grueling training regiem.

Bushdome's first game of the tornament is against Somewhereistonia, this is one of the few teams in the group that have been in other world cups. Nicholas Park (team manager) who was appointed after Bushdome were knocked out of the last world cup they competed in, has gone on record to say "First game, must win." Earlier on in the week there were rumours that the manager had fallen out with Micheal Pobella, as apparently Park insulted the Pobella family, even though he named TWO of the Pobella family to play in his first team. But both Pobella and Park were quick to quash rumours, which is good news as all minds are focused on the cup!

Guest Article
This week by Axel Brand (Comedian, Author and Actor)

Well to be honest, I again have been swept up in world cup fever. And again to use the phrase to be honest, to be honest i know in my heart of hearts that this world cup fever will end rather quickly and painfully. This is because we will be vacinated against this world cup fever when Bushdome come tumbling out of the tornament. Now i know this is not the sort of thing that is normally published before the start of a tornament, but this article does get better, i promise. And although I know what i've just writen may get you down and in some cases may get rid of all world cup fever symptons that you harbour, but knowing that we don't have the best team and realising that we may go crashing out the tornament, is a good thing. I mean who wants to support a team that has a good chance of winning the cup? I mean when Bushdome win the whole nation goes mental, thats becuase we half expect not to win.

Even though we expect to go crashing out, deep deep deep down we think we can win, it goes against everything in the first paragraph, but the crazy bit in us not only thinks that we can will, but actually knows we are gonna win. So i say viva la rocky world cup 47 road!

[Uiri]

Uiri Goes Into Group 9 of World Cup Qualifiers. Fifth or Fourth Position Predicted

Kura-Pelland - The group draw for the Qualifying stage of the World Cup XLVII, whose Proper stage is to be held in Kura-Pelland and Valanora, was held yesterday. The nations drawn into the same group as Uiri are very important as their performance will decide whether or not the Uiric Nacional Equipe de Futbol moves on to Kura-Pelland and/or Valanora. Hugo Nunes, newly announced coach of the UNEF and famous player for Mergul OAF, waited anxiously as another unranked team, a team tied for 134^th, the 94^th ranked team, the 78^th ranked team, the 51^st ranked team, the 28^th ranked team and the 16^th ranked team being drawn with Uiri. How would this effect Uiri? Firstly, Uiri will have a chance against Elesdee( the other unranked team), Solenial(134) and Vaarshire(94). Golgothastan(78) and Achtervolging(51) will be a bigger challenge and defeating Jasīʼyūn(16) and Sarzonia(28) will be something of an Uiric Futboling miracle.

Before Uiri has to play any of these teams though, Uiri will be playing three friendly games to warm up for the group stage. The first of these matches will be against the Golden Throne in Fedela. The next match shall be held in the Estádio da Nossa Senhora da Luz, the UNEF and FC Tório’s shared home stadium. The final match which the UNEF shall be playing before their first World Cup XLVII game shall be held in National Stadium, Lagrina against Valipac. These three games will hopefully be enough to warm the UNEF up a little as there last match together was in the Díenstad Cup. This round of International Competition, however, will be without secondary goalkeeper Cesar Zruk who is being replaced with Eduardo Mendes of Arel CF.

The UNEF’s first game is against Golgothastan which they are expected to win in order to make a decisive statement as a competitive team. It is a make or break for this team and if they don’t start strong they may never win against the teams-to-beat. This game and the next two will be in the Estádio da Nossa Senhora da Luz. The second match will be against Solenial. Uiri has a little bit of history with Solenial which will make for an exciting match. In fact, Hugo Nunes was quite pleased when Solenial was drawn into their group. It should hopefully be an easy win for the best of the best of Uiric Futbolers. The match after that will be against Vaarshire, another team which Hugo Nunes was pleased to be drawn with. While a little bit more difficult than Solenial, they should also be easy to best. The game after that will be in Achtervolging against the Achtervolging national futbol team and while they are ranked 51^st, I think Uiri can at least manage a draw. The game after that will be held in Estádio da Nossa Senhora da Luz again and will be against the nation of Elesdee, affectionately nicknamed by Uiric fans of the UNEF, LSD, said to mean: losing side doomed. These teams are the easiest for the sixth and seventh matches will be against the teams who are in the top 30 and should by all means stomp the competition. The last two games will be against these teams as well: Sarzonia and Jasīʼyūn.

[Daehanjeiguk]

World Cup 47 Qualification - Group 6
PRQ: v [88] Valipac (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium, Gwangju - 80,000)
MD1: v [147] Krytak (@ Sanhaemun Football Stadium, Cheonjin - 60,000)
MD2: v [31] Taeshan (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium, Hangyeong - 212,000)
MD3: v [57] Logria (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium, Daebo - 50,000)
MD4: v [162] Swilatia (@ Dynasty Imperial Football Stadium, Namgyeong - 51,000)
MD5: @ [160] Maciea (@ ohnoz!!!)
MD6: v [35] Arroza (@ Silk Road Stadium, Seoan - 56,000)
MD7: @ [113] Lurikastan (@ ohnoz?)
MDQ: v [UNR] Uiri (@ Estádio da Nossa Senhora da Luz, Tório - 1,093)
MD8: @ [147] Krytak (@ wtfm?)
MD9: @ [31] Taeshan (@ proly Atlantea Coliseum, Atlantea - bigassnumber)
MD10: @ [57] Logria (@ lol roxzors!)
MD11: @ [162] Swilatia (@ in soviet swilatia, flies swat you!)
MD12: v [160] Maciea (@ Sung-san, Sung Mountain - we've never done this before, and apparently, neither have they)
MD13: @ [35] Arroza (@ in soviet arroza, prisoners jail you!)
MD14: v [113] Lurikastan (@ Oromokjei Football Stadium, Oromokjei - 25,000)
PTQ: v [1093] ghosts? (@ lolBos!)

*** Imperial Palace, Hangyeong ***

The Emperor sat at his chair. Duke Gweon was already there by him, drinking his tea. It was about to be a momentous occasion, what with the Han going on to reach their 9th consecutive qualification (or 8th - numbers were really odd for him...). In any case, the more pressing matter was the fact that the Han were still on this supposed blacklist of the Vanorians, and pretty much everyone in the Empire was hoping that qualification would see the Han arriving in Kura-Pelland. On the one hand, that would completely eliminate the possibility of a Valanora-Han quarterfinal match. On the other hand, that would pretty much avoid the issue of the black list. But still, it's been quite some time and diplomacy would have to find its way into the mix somehow. After all, if Duke Gweon was right, elven folk couldn't be all that barbaric. Strange, but not barbaric. Who could perceive the Han as a backward, unfulfilling country anyway? (elves could, that's who) In any case, black lists were generally a taboo thing, and one would try to rectify the solution in one manner or another, and at the moment, the Emperor would have much rather wished to ignore it all. Ignore it like it never existed. Ignore it just as much as he'd wish, so he could take a stroll somewhere down the beach in Valanora or on some market square without a hassle. That's right, ignore it with impunity. Of course, Duke Gweon - the master Hwarang for who knows how long (we'd conservatively guesstimate his age is fixed somewhere at just under eleven-hundred years, even that would make him older than the Empire itself... but he really is that old) - has a totally different suggestion.

"And what would be a friendly invitation for the elves?"

"Vanorians, pyei-ha," the Duke said, almost reprimanding the Emperor. "Call them by their preferred demonym, and perhaps you too can understand why they are aggrieved with us. That, and they might just stop calling us 'Huns' too."

"Er... since when did anyone call us 'Huns'?"

"Nevermind, you must seek out their appetites."

"Feed them?"

"No, pyei-ha. Indulge their sense of pride. They are an elven race of sentient folk."

"..." The Emperor was a bit confused. "You mean 'a sentient race of elven folk', right?"

The Duke nodded. "Or that... whatever. They have a long history though. To ignore it is to suggest that the Han are mere infants on the world stage. That we have not seen our toils against oppression and against malevolence. That they live long lives should further imbue us with a sense of reverence. After all, elders are held in esteem for their age and wisdom."

"But you see, those elves hardly revere even their elders."

"Well, that might be one point of contention for the Eldar, but sometimes, even the Han show lack of reverence for their kin, even less so than what they would profess. That the animals can show greater humility and charity at times should be an admonition to our kind, but we seem to neglect it simply because the animals do not seek to broadcast these facts themselves. They simply do without worrying whether they are or not."

"Animals lack morality."

"Animals lack rules. Even they have a sense of what's right and wrong. They simply lack any codified structure to define such things. You think you're better than the animals to codify a set of rules and say one is 'right' and the other is 'wrong'? Hardly so."

"So what is the difference then between the animality and humanity?"

"I'll leave that for you to discern on your own time," the Duke said. "In the meantime, let us focus on the Vanorians and how we can initiate the amelioration of relations."

"So I can invite them."

"Where to? Where would you suspect them to enjoy their time?"

"Hanseong? They have a Vanorian..."

"A city is much too much for their tastes. Have you seen a Vanorian city?"

"Do they despise parks?"

"They comprehend little of the concepts of Pung-su, but what they do comprehend, their interpretation is far different from ours. Let us instead revert to nature."

"Well, there aren't too many places that are natural..."

"Take them to Monggol."

"Monggol? That has to be a joke! No one perceives of the desert as natural!"

"And yet it is as natural as one can be? The bare wind across a forlorn landscape. The elements fully exposed. I think that they will find it refreshing. Besides, it makes for great symbolism."

"Of what?" The Duke left the Emperor hanging on those words. Instead of answering him, he simply stood up, saying, "Pyei-ha," and left the room with his slow gait. The Emperor was a little rattled, but he seldom ignored the advice of the Duke. But why the desert? Why not some tropical island? The Vanorians would surely love a exotic paradise, instead of some wasted barren landscape? Or maybe he really didn't Vanorians very well? Maybe the Duke didn't either? Who knows? At that point though, it was all just a huge gamble.

"Oh, and one more thing," the Duke said, sitting his head in the door. "Write the note yourself."

"Myself?"

"Yes, pyei-ha."

"Right..."

To the Vanorian Foreign Ministry or the appropriate Ministry Service:

In lieu of recent events, it is my esteem pleasure and privilege to invite a Vanorian emissary to visit with us and discuss the nature of these grievances and how we - the Han and Valanora - can work to rectify these grievances in a most civil manner. It is our intention to address these concerns as soon as possible, so we may allay any mistrust between our two storied nations and resume amiable relations. If you wish, we are ready and willing to accommodate a visit in the pleasant city of Pudo, in Monggol Province. I eagerly anticipate your reply.

*** Somewhere - I don't know, use your imagination! ***

Gaiathanaton ariealis. That's what would end the world, apparently. Some sub-conscious virus that suddenly exploded upon every living thing. Well, one of those living things, and then everyone else seemed to catch it from that same one person. How? When? Where? Why? Those were questions reserved for the doctor - who were now apparently dead as well. And it seemed that life in general was dead. Still, Kim had the feeling, the will to live on. Why did it matter? No women around meant there was no species to perpetuate. No other people meant that he'd run out of food. No other contacts with sentient (and non-horrifyingly-zombified clowns at that) beings would certainly dent his confidence that the desert of the real was worth the experience to endure. Why not resign now? Whether he lived for 5 more minutes, or 5 more centuries mattered little. In fact, why bother count the days? The days were already ambiguous enough, with the persistent cloud cover pretty much killing the whole experience. And the buildings were already in their sort of post-apocalyptic mood. Who'd want to live through it?

And yet, it still begged him to go on. Hope - that delusional sin of madmen - hope told him that there was something worth the experience to live for. So what if he was the last to experience anything at all? Wasn't it better to experience it and then die, rather than to submit foolishly to some false ideal that nothing more was worth the living? What made those 27 years prior all the better? Working as a nurse in a hospital was far better than anything he'd experience out here? Something about high school - surviving the waves of pre-mature, pubescent kids and their freakish episodes of comedy or tragedy - made anything else less fulfilling? Then why else go on? Surely, there was more to life than getting weaned off diapers. But Kim's habits were starting to kill him slowly - all this time he spent thinking, he also spent scanning the streets for crazy clowns. And what did he have to fight against the crazy clowns anyway? Well, on his escape from his apartment, he stopped for some candy. And whilst picking the spare food on the ground, he noticed a knife sitting on the ground. How and why the knife got there was beyond him, but it was nonetheless a weapon that would prove to keep the clowns at bay. Maybe... Maybe clowns don't respect sharp pointy things anyway, and then he'd wonder why he picked it up. It'd sharp at least - he could cut stuff up. Like blankets and quilts, to make a tent. There was plenty of rubble with which to make the tent frame, and thankfully, clowns had no appreciation for fabrics. Actually, the more he sought, he found many more useful tools to ensure his survival. Still - no guns. Ironic...

If it ever came to showdown with a mass horde of zombie-clowns anyway, he'd be on the losing end. All of those movies had engendered such a perception of how to survive - get guns; shoot the heads; don't get touched; go for high ground; if possible, find a castle with a moat filled with piranhas; if all else fails, use a chainsaw. But in those movies, you rarely found such things as realism. Just where precisely do they go use the bathroom? What happens when the zombies decide to stop being a nuisance? And what about all of the other animals? It's always human zombies. Perhaps it was possible for rabbits to get G. ariealis? Then he'd be fucked, because rabbits multiply like no end. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have any clue as to how rabbits would look like when presented as a zombie clown. What about magpies? They're always annoying anyway - they don't need to be zombies. Or goats? Or even horses? What about zombie dogs and cats? Mind you, Kim had to keep his eyes on the streets. A stable fire kept him warm, but also alerted his presence to others along the way. And without a gun, he'd be out of luck in a moment.

Perhaps if he could use his intelligence to make a fire escape...

"Ahoy there!"

Kim perked his eyes up. Did he hear that just correctly? Maybe it was the wind? Or his crazy head fantasizing that there was life beyond life?

"Ahoy there!"

That was a really annoying wind. In any case, Kim sat up and gazed down the street in both directions. No one. No one within the view of his campfire. The fire didn't burn very brightly either, but still - it was a very dark night out. He should have been able to see them approaching.

"Ahoy! Are you alive?"

"Who's calling?" Kim asked.

"Thank goodness!" Immediately, a man popped his head from the cover of some rocks. And thank the heavens, he had guns! Just about then, everything seemed all fine. "Hey! A survivor?"

"Survivor?" the man said, approaching Kim closely. "Hardly. I've nearly died myself! It seems that those things are everywhere! But I'd thought that this city was empty!"

"Well, I've been here for who knows how long..."

"Surely, you know what's happened here in the meantime?"

Kim shook his head. The visitor put down his rifle and bowed slightly, in reverence. "The name is Kim."

"Kim?" Kim replied.

"Yeah."

"My name is Kim."

"Figures... you know how many Kim's I've met? They've all died too."

"I can see," Kim replied, a little uneasy about how he was with his new guest. "Where'd you come from?"

"It's been twenty days, but you know, we go where we can. Those clowns are starting to die off, but something keeps sustaining them. This city, especially. I don't know what's so special about it."

"Neither do I," Kim said, uncertain as to how he could have been sleeping for 20 days. In fact, he wasn't certain how long it's been since he remembered anything. It has been a long while.

"Anyway, who knew?" the visitor said. "You know?"

"I don't."

"I'm personally here to see if there's a way south," he said.

"Where to?"

"I don't know yet. But I'm thinking that the zombies are moving north - so if you go behind the lines, they'll miss you and you get to live out your days living the life, eh?"

"Right."

The new Kim relaxed and put his stuff all around. Apparently, trust was something that this chap didn't quite understand. But judging by the weight of his equipment, he had a good few thousand rounds on him. Who could wear so much stuff and not be burdened all day?

"You must have had a long walk to get here then?"

"Not really." The other Kim nodded his head as he pulled out a cigar, using the fire as a lighter. "It's been three days since I set out. Most of the time, I'd been waiting around. But when the coast was clear, I started to walk out. You know, the farther away I get from the clowns, the fewer people I see. It's really weird, but somehow, I've gotten to the point where I think groups of people are magnets for the clowns. Maybe that's why we were so susceptible to their invasion."

"Invasion?"

"Yeah, these clowns are wicked smart. And they're just sitting around, passing off their virus parts to everyone around them. Of course, the doctors over in some other city discovered that the farther away from the index the zombies are, the less effective the virus becomes. It's like it's a mutating monster, and the more victims it claims, the less potent it becomes. Which is why people were imaging that the index case - that is, the first dude with this thing - is still around. Because clowns just don't seem to die here..."

Kim paused in his steps. The other Kim noticed this, puffing out a huge circle. "You alright?" Kim asked.

Kim shrugged his shoulders. Did he dare tell his companion that he had just fought and killed one of those clowns? That he had come face-to-face with the potential index case?

"So these doctors know how the virus spreads?"

"It's airborne, of course. Well, bloodborne, but the virus passes easily through the lungs and the lining of the nasal cavity. Luckily, only zombies can spread the disease. By the way, if you see a zombie, kill it. Because otherwise, you might become it."

"Right."

"Speaking of which, you must have seen one, right?"

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"Of course..."

The other Kim looked at Kim, with his scanty supplies.

"Was it a massacre?"

"What?"

"You obviously weren't all alone for a time," the other Kim remarked. "You wouldn't survive with just this stuff. You had to be in a group. I mean, you'd be insane to go it alone."

"You're alone."

"Well, I know what I'm doing. You... you hardly seem fit for the task."

Kim shrugged his shoulders and heaved a sigh. Should he tell the lie? How long did he have before he became the zombie too? "I just woke up," he said, with a sense of resigned honesty. "I mean, I don't know what's happened or why it's happened. You're the first person I've met in ... I wouldn't know how many days."

"You've been asleep for how long?" the other Kim asked.

"I don't know..."

The other Kim gazed oddly at Kim. Somehow he didn't quite believe that anyone would sleep for as long as he did. It seemed unreal. "Are you sure you were asleep?"

"I was in my apartment this morning," Kim said. "I woke up and tried to get out, but those clowns were standing outside. They were saying stuff, and I didn't feel right. So I left."

"Left?"

"I went out the fire escape," Kim said. "I'm still running from them."

"I see." Kim seemed to believe it a little more, although sleeping seemed the least obvious excuse at that point. "I think we're going to have to trust each other then," he said. "But if you're being chased by clowns... then we'd best be moving on then."

"Huh?"

"I'm saying if you saw one - that means there's likely more."

"How would you know...?"

The other Kim hushed him as he put out the fire. In the distance, the faint glow of eyes glistened. And if Kim remembered correctly, these zombies were fast. But it was such a distance away - could zombies run for a long time? "We could try to run?" Kim said.

The other Kim nodded. He handed Kim a bunch of magazines and a pistol. "You know how to use this stuff, right?"

"Yes," Kim said, an obvious fib, save for the fact that the fire was now out and facial gestures equally hidden. Although to be fair, he was aware of how to pull a trigger and stuff... The other Kim handed him some more stuff, increasing his share of the load, while packing up some of the food.

"If you're smart, you'll live. Come on, we have to move on."

"Run?" Kim asked.

"Run."

Group 6 And A New Manager!

KURA-PELLAND - 6... a number that supposedly means "smooth". And supporters of the NFT will hope that Group 6 is all smooth, despite up-and-coming competition. In truth, only 25% of the people who attempt to qualify will do so, so the Han will need to have some really sturdy nerves as they go through qualification. The Group Draw today saw the Han face off against perennial foes in Taeshan in yet another Qualification face-off. Joining Taeshan will be Arroza, Swilatia, Maceia, Lurikastan, Krytak, and Logria. And from these 8 contenders, only 8 folks will actually qualify. And let's face it - 8 opponents is really going to test anyone's mettle, but in previous encounters, we've had best 3, 3 place play-offs, something that said third-place was okay; and where only two prevailed, there was usually a good reason why. But thanks to some horrible universal realignment, we're stuck with this huge 120 qualification structure that's probably got the hosts wishing that someone else was taking care of 840 matches altogether.

But the Han have an interesting predicament, in that they are without a manager...

Correction, the Han had and almost dull stupid predicament, in that they were without a manager... until HE came along. Yes, that's right. Former Starblaydii player/coach Lii Chong-sun (이총순;李聰順) has been confirmed as the new manager of the Imperial Squad, and immediately, I think he's going to have a grand time. He's got great talent at his disposal, and having played with the Starblaydii national team himself, he's got some first-hand experience of what it means to play on the world's biggest stage. Not to mention he's giving his first press conference after the first planned match against Valipac, the latest in a long series of Baptism of Fire winners. In post-acceptance speech remarks, Lii reflected that "it's going to be hard to equal up to the expectations after World Cup 46, so I think first we'll have to manage a test step in the waters. Let's see where we do stand, and then we can build from there. There's no point to wade out into deep waters if we can't survive the struggles there." Some past players of the NFT are also brimming with confidence. Kim Jongguk - long time goalkeeper for the Han NFT under Ioshido Toki - said that he expects Lii Chongsun will find himself "right at home". He's "got talent as a player too, which will help connect with the players out on the pitch." When asked for any advice that he could give to Lii as he takes in the job, Kim only had one thing to say - "Whatever you did to win the Emperor's Cup, be sure you bring that with you." It's apparent that silverware on the international stage would be nice.

[Sarzonia]

Even though Margaret seemed kind to the Sarzonian national football team with what some prognosticators could consider a kind draw, manager Franz Braddock told a press gathering the team had its work cut out for it.

"We've got a tough side in Jasīʼyūn," Braddock said. "Earning points against them will be important."

Sarzonia's other opponents in Group 9 are, in order of rank: Achtervolging, ranked 51st; Golgothastan, ranked 78th; Baptism of Fire Cup runners up Vaarshire, ranked 94th; Solenial, ranked 134th; Elesdee, ranked 150th and unranked Uiri.

"We are not a team that can take any team lightly," Braddock said. "Vaarshire just played in a Cup final, so we know they're going to be coming in with some momentum. As for the other teams, I only need to remind you that this team came in unranked three World Cup qualifying campaigns ago."

He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to. Everyone assembled knew the history. Sarzonia made its return to international football after a 13-cup absence into one of that World Cup's best storylines. A team that was a long ago champion showed flashes of its great form of the past and nearly qualified for the World Cup finals. Facing perennially dominant world No. 1 Valanora, the Stars shocked many by continuing to remain unbeaten against their elven opponents. The biggest surprise came in Raynor City [OOC: If the Vanorian team play elsewhere, let me know and I'll change it] when the Stars played to a 3:3 draw, and actually led the match with 10 minutes remaining.

"We're going to have to make some better adjustments to our starting 11," Braddock said. Forward Reese Nichols's retirement from international competition means that the Stars will play with two men forward instead of three. It places more pressure on forwards Zack Wilson and Matt Lynch, but Braddock expressed confidence in both men.

"A Wilson playing forward for Sarzonia is almost dangerous by definition," Braddock said. "And as for Matt Lynch, I think his record with the Stars speaks for itself."

He can only hope the Stars will play well enough to make a statement of their own.

The Stars also announced that they would face Baptism of Fire Cup champions Valipac at Mike Sarzo Stadium in Nicksia during a mid-qualifying friendly. Including their pre-qualifying friendly against their longest-standing allies from third place Isselmere-Nieland during the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy in the Nicksia Regional and fourth place Delaclava's appearance in the Jhanna Regional, the Stars could potentially play all four Baptism of Fire semifinalists.

The fact they have confirmed fixtures against the top three Baptism of Fire Cup finishers wasn't lost on Braddock.

"It will be interesting 30 Baptism of Fire Cups after Sarzonia's appearance [and Baptism of Fire Cup championship]," Braddock said. "We're looking forward to the competition."

SCHEDULE: World Cup XLVII qualifying

Pre-Q: v. Isselmere-Nieland (Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy; Mike Sarzo Stadium, Nicksia, Benatar, Sarzonia: capacity 77,910)
MD1: @ Achtervolging
MD2: v. Golgothastan (Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium, Woodstock: capacity 88,920)
MD3: @ Elesdee
MD4: v. Solenial (Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium)
MD5: @ Jasīʼyūn
MD6: v. Vaarshire (Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium)
MD7: @ Uiri
Mid-Q: v. Valipac (Mike Sarzo Stadium, Nicksia)
MD8: v. Achtervolging (Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium)
MD9: @ Golgothastan
MD10: v. Elesdee (Iron Bowl, Portland, Somerset, Sarzonia: capacity 46,220)
MD11: @ Solenial
MD12: v. Jasīʼyūn (Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium)
MD13: @ Vaarshire
MD14: v. Uiri (Iron Bowl)

[Bostopia]

Landsberg Charity Vase II

The draw for the second Landsberg Charity Vase has taken place, and following is a list of fixtures and their locations, all in Kura-Pelland.

MD1 (Pre-Qualifying)

Septentrionia -v- Nethertopia | Bargoiten Stadium, Bargoiten
Sorthern Northland -v- Bostopia | Barkham Park Stadium, Parwood

MD2 (Mid-Qualifying)

Bostopia -v- Septentrionia | Le Grand Stadium, Cardim
Sorthern Northland -v- Nethertopia | Stadium of the South, Mamboro (First match in this stadium)

MD3 (Post-Qualifying)

Septentrionia -v- Sorthern Northland | St. Margarets' Stadium, Marthley
Bostopia -v- Nethertopia | Roflcoptre Dome, Fairymuff (First match since reconstruction)

We wish all the teams the best of luck, and invite fans of all nations to attend the games – tickets available at http://www.landsberg.co.bp/lcv and from the relevant Football Associations. All ticket sales and profits go to good causes!

For those of you not aware, there is information available at: http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Landsberg_Charity_Vase.

[Isselmere]

Daurmont Times-Chronicle

Eagles enter World Cup Qualifications -- Unlucky 13?
Mark Weatherill

DAURMONT - Isselmere-Nieland was confirmed for the preliminary qualification rounds for World Cup 47 joining Group 13 alongside Panuul, Kosovoe, West Zirconia, The Holy Empire, Mantwenic, Sitspot, and Bettia.

As newcomers to the competition, the Eagles can hope for few favours in their stead and are fortunate to have a preliminary match against Sarzonia for the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy to hone their skills and demonstrate they had indeed learned the lessons from the Baptism of Fire tournament.

"Right now, we're concentrating on the match against Sarzonia," Potherington declared. "The Stars are a good, strong side with plenty of experience in international competitions and will prove a good test for the lads before the World Cup."

Potherington has refused to comment on the Eagles third place finish in the Baptism of Fire despite several calls for his resignation by certain members of the Football Association and the media.

Oscar Belham, a reporter for Football Weekly, noted concerns regarding the preparation of the defence and about the professionalism of the team, especially after Morrison and Thorvaldsson appeared much the worse for wear in the Eagles' second match. "Potherington was perhaps a little too generous with the team, treating them like adults." Belham was quick to point out that, "later matches demonstrated [Potherington] could whip his players into a decent shape, eventually."

Another concern regards the team's penchant for collecting cards, something that will have to be addressed prior to visiting Sarzonia.

... more to follow

Group 13
Panuul
Kosovoe
West Zirconia
The Holy Empire
Mantwenic
Sitspot
Bettia
Isselmere-Nieland

Schedule
Pre-Q: Sarzonia v. Isselmere-Nieland -- Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy; Mike Sarzo Stadium, Nicksia, Benatar, Sarzonia (77,910 cap.)
MD1: Panuul v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD2: Isselmere-Nieland v. Mantwenic -- Arcadia Grounds, Daurmont, Isselmere, Isselmere-Nieland (81,754 cap.)
MD3: Kosovoe v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD4: Isselmere-Nieland v. Sitspot -- Miðstöðvarvöllur, Felsingborg, Nieland, Isselmere-Nieland (77,870 cap.)
MD5: West Zirconia v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD6: Isselmere-Nieland v. Bettia -- Rutledge Park, Semling, Detmere, Isselmere-Nieland (71,650 cap.)
MD7: The Holy Empire v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD8: Isselmere-Nieland v. Panuul -- Mab-Druist Stadium, Mithesburgh, Anguist, Isselmere-Nieland (73,770 cap.)
MD9: Mantwenic v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD10: Isselmere-Nieland v. Kosovoe -- Rutledge Park, Semling, Detmere, Isselmere-Nieland
MD11: Sitspot v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD12: Isselmere-Nieland v. West Zirconia -- Miðstöðvarvöllur, Felsingborg, Nieland, Isselmere-Nieland
MD13: Bettia v. Isselmere-Nieland
MD14: Isselmere-Nieland[/b] v. The Holy Empire -- Arcadia Grounds, Daurmont, Isselmere, Isselmere-Nieland

[The Macabees]

Value of Dreams

The World Cup is where a nation's football team's hopes, dreams and objectives all fall into place and converge. It's the ultimate kettle pot of emotions. These individual emotions, experienced by each and every player on the field, is what makes football the most beautiful game on the planet. The difference between any other football match and the World Cup is the increased amount of emotions. A league team can aspire to win the league championship, but that is nothing like the aspiration to win a world cup for your nation. Indeed, only during the World Cup do people who regularly spout separatist ideology fly their nation's flag. Only during the World Cup do national leaders put civil wars on hold. Only during the World Cup do people, regardless of color, sex or religion congregate for a common objective. The absolute beauty on the field, mixed with incredible harmony in the stands, is what ultimately makes the World Cup of Football the best sports competition on Earth. There is nothing that can match its subjective importance to the individual, on an aggregate. These teams and their fans come for a single purpose: to make their nation proud.

Economics is the study of human psychology, really, in regards to how humans interact. In that sense, football is very similar to economics. In fact, it can be considered an arm of the subject. The only difference is that profit, or the increased "capital", is not measured through capital-goods (or its main representative, money), but through winning. The profit gained during the World Cup comes from defeating the opponent: it is pure emotion, designed to pall one's fears and hopes. This makes football one of the most difficult sports to play. It consists of eleven players on the field, including the goalkeeper, each with his own dream and each with his own hope. Football consists of an aggregate of human action, spread along the eleven players on the field. Because of this, there are few set-piece strategies which work. Ultimately, this is what makes football so unpredictable. It is impossible to predict what ten players will do, if each player is really acting on his own. Of course, they work as a team, but it cannot be denied that each player is not working according to some predisposed plan. The athlete will only pass the ball if the overwhelming odds suggest that whomever the ball is passed to will ultimately help in that first player's goal: scoring. As a result, it's impossible to predict where the ball will go after each successive touch. That is why people are rushed with feelings, such as anxiety and hope, when they see a player make a breakaway, or they see that their team has an opportunity to score. This is what makes football so interesting to watch. There is always something new to see, because the very nature of the sport makes it unpredictable. The very fact that it is a sport of individual human action is what gives it its beauty.

This is why a team can be leading by two goals at the end of the first half, and then lose the game after their opponent scored three consecutive times. This is why a team can be leading by three goals by the very last ten minutes, and then find themselves at a hopeless draw. It is why a viewer will have his or her eyes glued to the television screen until the referee blows the final whistle. Now, imagine all of this on the scale of the World Cup. It is difficult to put the concept into words, given that it is impossible to accurately explain all the tens of thousands of emotions felt by the billions of people somehow related to the event. This is why those who are not fans of football will never understand the emotion behind the sport. Because, they have never felt it. It cannot even be related, given that there are few (if any) other sports which will conjure up these intangible feelings. When has another sport catalyzed a massive military parade in Fedala? When has another sport caused a riot throughout a country? Tell me, what wars have occurred due to any other sport? Only football has done all of this. Only football can build and destroy. And why?

Because, only football represents human nature.

[Swartaz]

Swartaz placed in group 5!
Swartaz have been placed in group 5 for the world cup qualifacion. Other teams in the group include: Sargossa
Iansisle
Dariusville
Rejistania
Starblaydia
Palmouth
Bazalonia

We now go live for an interveiw with Swartaz Manager, Sven Johansson

Interviewer: So, Sven, whats the goal for this world cup?
Sven: Well, to get through the qualifiers would be a good start, this is only are 2nd tournament, and we have a young team, but I think we have a decent chance
Interveiwer: How do you respond to critisism that your team is too inexperianced to get very far?
Sven: Well, I just hope my boys will go out there and show them what their made of!
Interveiwer: What about claims that you are hanging on to your job by a thread?
Sven: These comments are ridiculos. I have the full backing of the board
Interveiwer: Well, thank you for your time today
Sven: No problem

[Septentrionia]

*Just outside Le Kébab Turc, next to Stade du Rivage, in Ourseville*

(OOC: Most of the conversation is translated from French)

Stéphane Newton: So, you're finally back from "l'FX" (OOC: the local nickname for Saint-François-Xavier), I see...

Benny Oliver Savage: Yeah... met with some strange people in that bar, watching ice hockey.

Stéphane Newton: Strange people? They can't be as strange as Cinna and O'Bagels, surely...

Benny Oliver Savage: No, that's impossible, of course... But those really liked hockey and... I knew them, which is the worst part. They showed me some managing game...

Stéphane Newton: ... that you played and failed badly at? I'm not even surprised to be honest... I mean: you couldn't even win as Corcaigh in NSFootyCoach. Clearly you suck...

Benny Oliver Savage: Those bloody Sortherners are cheaters... I only got a chance to win against CF Septentrionien, but I didn't want to beat my own nation...

Zacharie Sauvageau: You guys clearly fail.

Stéphane Newton: Zacharie? What are you doing here?

Zacharie Sauvageau: Well, I had to show you guys my new boot. It's going to be great to kick round things around, eh?

Stéphane Newton: Not as great as my boat, to be honest. Benny still has to catch me.

*Antoine Ménard comes to the guys, tongue sticking out like he's run for 10.93 kilometres*

Benny Oliver Savage: Antoine! There he is!

Antoine Ménard: Sorry guys, was busy telling jokes to some Nethertopian people. They thought my jokes were really funny.

Stéphane Newton: That's because they were all stoned, Tony.

Antoine Ménard: And I should believe that, Monsieur Je-suis-cool-parce-que-j'ai-un-bateau?

Stéphane Newton: Yes. Because you can't catch me, motherfucker

Zacharie Sauvageau: Ok guys, let's stop it, or I'm going to summon some spirits!

Benny Oliver Savage: OH NO! GHOSTS! JIMMY EN FAIT UN, LE FRÈRE! *hides in a nearby bush*

Antoine Ménard: Clearly, Ben is a pansy... and Zach a geek

Stéphane Newton: And you're the only one who drinks Bière 1093, so that makes you inferior to all of us.

Antoine Ménard: Wow... you just insulted my beer solidly... and you didn't insult Landsberg?

Stéphane Newton: Ben is still in that bush, so he doesn't count

Antoine Ménard: Haha Steph

Zacharie Sauvageau: Haha Steph

Stéphane Newton: Haha Tony

*And they were all laughing as they entered the Kosenic restaurant, waiting for Benny to get out of that bush*

[Valipac]

The following is an excerpt of the show "All-Valipac World Cup Coverage" on VNN

Joseph Archer: "Hi, this is Joseph Archer, your host for all the extended World Cup Coverage on Valipac. With me is football experts Josh Cameron, who played in the Valipacian Premiereship for 16 years, and Reece Hussain, who recently retired from his long held post as manager of Forsinthe United. Welcome to the show, gentlemen, it's nice to have you."

Josh Cameron: "It's nice to be here."

Reece Hussain: "Indeed, it's a pleasure to be here to discuss the national team."

JA: "Right you are Reece, and we're now nearing the point of pre-qualification friendlies. Break down these matchups for us."

RH: "Well, the first friendly is against the squad out of Uiri, which faces up to be a winnable game for Valipac. Uiri comes into this tournament unranked, and is expected to finish fourth to sixth in their division, which is similar to the predicted finish for Valipac, although Valipac is usually predicted third or fourth. There isn't much of a talent margin between these two teams, and the game could go either way. Uiri can be suprisingly lethal on the attack, although their defensive efforts could use some work. I fully expect them to be competitive in the midfield with Valipac. They run a 3-4-3, exactly like Valipac, so it should be interesting to see which side is able to penetrate the others defense first and more often. To me, the match comes down to Nicholas Fitzgerald versus Ernesto Seroas, the Uiric Keeper. Fitzgerald will have his chances during the game, and he proved adept at finishing them throughout the Baptism of Fire, leading Valipac with 7 goals scored. If Uiri wants to be able to stay in the game, they have to make critical stops against Fitzgerald. Just one goal for Nicholas could prove devastating to the Uiric chances, as we all know how talented the rest of the Valipacian squad is at scoring."

JC: "Right you are, Reece, but to me this match comes down to more than 'can Valipac score'. We know Valipac can put the ball into the net, as they finished the Baptism of Fire +14 in goal differential. To me, the match comes down to how well Valipac contains Barbosa Zul. Zul is the top striker for Uiri, and it's no secret that he is a phenomenal talent. If Valipac wants to win this match, they need to find a way to keep Zul out of the game. Whether this means the back line needs to upgrade the physicality of their play, or whether more offsides traps are in order is up for the manager to decide. Scott has proven an able manager, however, so I suspect he will make the changes necessary in order to see Valipac to victory."

JA: "Speaking of Scott, it's amazing that this is only his first cup, and first year as team manager at that. He's proving himself to be well worth the investment put into him. Do you think we see the traditional Valipacian lineup for this game, Josh, or will Scott make some adjustments?"

JC: "If anything, we might see one or two players rested during this game, but I doubt that. In my estimation, Scott will be using this game as a measuring stick, to determine how his team will perform during the World Cup Qualifiers. As a result, he's going to want his whole team to be out there."

JA: "Alright, thanks Josh. After the game against Uiri, which will be held in the National Stadium in Lagrina, by the way, Valipac will prepare for their second pre-qualifying friendly. This one is also in Lagrina, and is against the team out of Yafor 2. What do you expect here, Reece?"

RH: "This game will be a lot tougher for the Valipacian team. Yafor 2 is a big step up from Uiri, and is really a similar step up from Valipac. It will be extremely hard for Valipac to pull out a win here. Yafor 2 plays in a 5-1-3-1 formation, but expect the wingbacks to push forward a lot. They are managed by Shaan Magerin, a capable but unpredictable fellow, so it will be interesting to see what stunts he comes up with by game time. This game will be a tough test for Valipac to determine if they can compete with the best in the world. If Valipac can puncture the stout defence of Yafor 2 early, it might knock them off of their game just enough to allow Valipac to escape with the win. If Valipac can slow down Vorin Dariegan, who plays for KT Hotspur in Candelaria and Marquez, they might just stand a chance. Slowing down Dariegan is easier said than done, however, and we'll see if Valipac is up to the task. Don't be surprised if Scott asks Alexander to shift to center-back and mark Dariegan outright."

JC: "Realistically, there is very little chance of Valipac winning here, but a draw would be extremely helpful, in that it would boost the teams confidence when playing against teams such as Kelssek, whom Valipac will face twice in the qualifiers. To me, this match comes down to whether or not Valipac can push forward and score against Amern S'toris. S'toris has been proclaimed to be the best goalie to come out of Yafor 2 for quite some time, so it will be interesting to see if he can live up to the hype. Hype or not, he is definitely solid in net, and it will be tough for Valipac to score. If Valipac can sneak one or two behind him, it definitely opens the game up from their perspective. The problem is, we almost expect Yafor 2 to score, we just don't know how many times. Harry Burke is an excellent keeper, but even he can't stop everything. If Yafor 2 is able to sustain their attack against the oft-mediocre Valipacian defense, it could be a long day for Burke, with a number of goals being conceded. As a result, winning battles in the midfield to keep Valipac on the attack and Yafor 2 off of it is my key to the game."

JA: "Thanks guys. An interesting note about the Yaforite squad is that they start three females, something unheard of in Valipac. We hope that the Valipacian fans who attend the game will not lower themselves to sexist cheers, similar as to how we expect them not to stoop to racism. After the game with Yafor 2, Valipac moves on to face one of the top teams in the world on their own ground. The game will be played at Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium in Gwangju, and frankly I don't see any way Valipac pulls this out, do you?"

RH: "Not really, Joseph. If the Yafor 2 game is a stretch for Valipac, this game is definitely out of reach. The Han Empire is a world class team, and is ranked third in the world by KBP. They finished second at the last World Cup, and should be contenders to reach the final again. They definitely outrank the Valipacians in terms of talent, and facing them on their home turf will be a great way for the young Valipacian team to gain international experience against the best. Even though I foresee a Valipacian loss, by two goals or more in all likelihood, scheduling this game was a smart move by the Valipacian football team. Even a loss will help them prepare immensely to face the challenges that stand before them in qualifications such as Kelssek, Krytenia, Greal, and Steroga."

JA: "An interesting take there, Reece. Josh, how about you?"

JC: "Unfortunately, I'm in agreement that this game is an impossibility for Valipac. To win here would be one of the greatest Valipacian performances of all time. I disagree with Reece, however. To me, this game was a poor choice by the Valipacian Football Association. It will essentially kill any momentum Valipac might have going into the tournament, and while the experience might help, the potential for damaged confidence is so high that I would not be willing to risk it. I don't like this game from the Valipacian viewpoint. For the Han Empire, it's just a warmup on their way to assured qualification."

JA: "Alright guys, thank you for your time. After this commercial break, we'll take you behind the scenes of Valipac's national team's intense training regimen. You won't want to miss this."