Louis Vaudrail has had a storied managerial career, and in his last job before retirement has taken charge of the Astograthian national team since the start of World Cup 85. Once manager of Nordique Val-Maurice in his homeland of Sicoutimont, Vaudrail's first experience in Astograth was many years ago with Gesterlake FC, where a talented squad that included Sicoutian NT forward Georges Allonts took the club to heights never seen before or since, including qualification to the UICA Globe Cup. In the relaunched Astograthian First Division, his success at Athletic Club Olarria landed him the job at the powerful Royal Rumiatzi where, in 4 seasons at the club, he won a Royal Cup and a long-awaited league title.
Vaudrail is Astograth's third foreign manager history, after the successful tenure of World Cup Hall of Famer Powell Pieran, from Civil Citizenry, and the less successful spell of Sir James Handel, from Yesopalitha. The team's performance in World Cup 85 qualifying, coming out of Pot 11 to finish 4th and nearly qualified, followed by a semi-final run at Cup of Harmony 77, branded Vaudrail's tenure an early success, with pundits and players attributing their game to the manager's meticulous, months-in-advance preparation for fixtures. What followed was a poor showing at Copa Rushmori 35, held in Astograth itself, and a lacklustre WC86 qualifying campaign that saw the team finish fourth despite being the third seed. A run to the final of Cup of Harmony 78 rekindled hope in the national team, though Vaudrail’s relationship with assistant manager Ibai Kiriano fell apart in the strain and the team again dropped out of the Copa Rushmori in the group stage. In Vaudrail’s third cycle the team finally qualified for the World Cup finals, though narrowly failed to get out of the groups.
In terms of squad selection, about two-thirds of the squad is foreign-based, with 5 players from Audioslavia, 2 each from Farfadillis and Nephara, and one each from another 6 nations. The squad has been shaken up significantly since World Cup 87, with the international retirement of captain Indartsu Lekea, Vaudrail’s changes in formation, and his desire to see some new blood in the squad. Pundits have pointed out that the selection still trends old, with a median age of 29. The team’s core are seasoned veterans, but doubts remain that a smooth generational transition can keep Astograthian success going.
Vaudrail has changed from his trusty 4-2-3-1 to a 4-2-2-2 formation, with two defensive midfielders, two wingers and two strikers. This has been done partly to take advantage of Astograth’s abundance of forwards, and partly to remove the reliance on Azeari Duarte as central attacking midfielder, for whom Vaudrail has failed to find a younger replacement in that role. This formation will be slightly more vulnerable in defense due to the large gaps it leaves in the midfield and how much it demands from the full-backs, but it should also be a greater threat in attack as it quickly overloads the box. If necessary,
Olibondeka could shift into their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1, or a conventional 4-4-2.
Assistant Manager - Carsten Thunder (Nephara) - Age 39Long-time starting goalkeeper for Royal Rumiatzi, including the whole of Louis Vaudrail’s tenure at the club, Thunder is a second-generation veteran of the Astograthian game and well respected across the nation. Taking his first steps into management, he managed to land this assistant manager position just before the Copa Rushmori 36 and has entrenched himself as a reliable hand, well-liked by players and astute in his advice to Vaudrail.
Starting XI:#1 - GK – Gentza Bedigax - Age 33 - FC Felsenkirchen 1879 (Siovanija and Teusland) - 57 caps, 1 goal, 28 clean sheetsOnce starter for Urbizania Wanderers, now playing for one of Siovanija and Teusland’s top teams, Bedigax has steadily established himself as one of the best goalkeepers ever to play for the national team. His average of less than a goal conceded per match is only topped by Machin Logegaray, who only started for a single qualifying run. Bedigax is the first keeper to score an international goal for Astograth (in a freak accident against Electrum), and with several club honours under his belt is looking to add international glory to his career. Sports distinctive mutton chops, leading to his nickname
Hartza, The Bear.
#5 - LB – Marko Martel - Age 26 – Lajuno (Eura) - 66 caps, 2 goalsMartel is one of Astograth's most exciting players. Bursting onto the scene at just 18 years old, he was part of Sporting Ibarguren's Royal Cup-winning team, beating Urbizania Wanderers in the final despite being a second-tier side. Swiftly transferred to giants Sporting Iturributa, he was part of a league-winning squad but, frustrated at the lack of playing time, forced his move to Athletic Club Olarria, where more strong performances earned him a place on the national team and on the famous
Galácticos longlist. Nothing if not ambitious, he further secured a move to the Euraleague and displaced Remondegi as starter for
Olibondeka - how much farther can he go?
#2 - CB - Mogel Doyenard (C) - Age 32 – Sporting Iturributa - 103 caps, 7 goalsDoyenard is, by conventional wisdom, the best Astograthian defender currently playing. The key to Sporting Iturributa’s unprecedented First Division threepeat was their impenetrable defense, from which they held an iron grip on Astograthian football. Doyenard has been the core of that defense for a decade, and commands respect throughout the league. Measuring 193 cm, he's also a valuable asset in attacking corners, especially when the opposition proves hard to beat in open play. As
Olibondeka’s 19th ‘centurion’ and long-serving vice-captain, he was the obvious choice to succeed Lekea as team captain.
#3 - CB - Alarabi Labeaga - Age 25 - Mâ Âlâmëómë (Farfadillis) - 27 capsAn impetuous young talent, Labeaga came through the youth ranks of Urbizania Wanderers, rapidly making his way to the first team at age 18 and featuring in their title-winning run of 680. Vaudrail, then manager of Royal Rumiatzi, arranged their purchase of Labeaga but was unable to control the centre-back's ego and demands for a starting spot. Forcing a move abroad, he was able to land at the renowned Mâ Âlâmëómë of Farfadillis and immediately won a league title. Labeaga considers himself a god of defending and, despite his club’s recent struggles, remains a great talent that Vaudrail will risk starting ahead of the ageing Leskerre in this Copa Rushmori. His unruly friendship with Muhaburu is sure to cause trouble, though being mentored by Doyenard could hopefully polish Labeaga into a reliable centre-back. Can also act as defensive midfielder – emphasis on defensive – if necessary.
#16 - RB – Ixaka Echeberz - Age 30 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 61 caps, 1 goalEcheberz is a solid, reliable player who can stay in defense or move forward into a more modern wing-back role. An important player for Urbizania Wanderers, his performances for the national team caught the eye of the powerful Izotz Zubia, securing him an unexpected transfer to the Audioslavian National League. Not the most exciting player, but he has heart, confidence and experience.
#14– DM - Baraxil Muhaburu - Age 25 - Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 24 caps, 1 goalA youth product of Garitzeta Racing Club, Muhaburu was set to break into the first team when Racing took a deep dive into the Second DIvision. Setting his sights elsewhere, Muhaburu landed in Farfadillis, signing for Rülândéá Kôstä and later marching to league glory. Despite his reputation for a poor attitude and off-pitch antics, including a fondness for drink, Vaudrail has been eager to take advantage of Muhaburu’s excellent vision, passing technique, and ability to threaten goal or take set pieces. Paired with Bergara, Muhaburu will be the main creative outlet. Although capable at defending, it is far from his specialty – a weakness opponents may exploit.
#15 - DM – Domiku Bergara - Age 29 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) - 34 capsHardworking Bergara was spotted as a sharp talent at a young age, and Urbizania Wanderers shelled out a big wad of cash to sign him from Iturributa United at age 21. With Wanderers, Bergara got his hands on a league title and a Royal Cup before striking out to join Audioslavia's AC Izotz Zubia, where he has enjoyed great success and earned a place on the national team. An elegant, patient player skilled in both defense and with the ball, he’ll have the pressure of being the main ball-winner in a formation that tends to leave the midfield open.
#8 – LM/AM – Azeari Duarte (VC) - Age 34 - Royal Rumiatzi – 90 caps, 21 goalsDuarte is widely recognised as the best creative player in the Astograthian league and chief architect of Royal Rumiatzi's successes over the past decade plus. Over the years he has demonstrated immense vision in providing assists and a knack for also getting on the scoresheet. Duarte is one of the team's most media-present faces and carries enormous pressure on his back – moreso after announcing this Copa Rushmori will be his last outing. The dearth of potential replacements for Duarte has forced Vaudrail to transition to a different formation, shifting Duarte onto the left wing and relieving him of being the team’s main playmaker.
#10 - RM – Ihazintu Malkorra - Age 31 - Aries Chariots (Nephara) – 83 caps, 16 goalsMalkorra, voted three times best right winger in the First Division, was a youth product of Miners FC before signing with Royal Association and eventually cross-town rivals Sporting Iturributa, emerging as one of Astograth's best players - his dribbling is mesmerising, and can flow freely from center midfield to the back to up on attack as the situation requires. In Nephara he has shined for both Vermillion Wanderers and Aries Chariots, making the Galáctico longlist multiple times.
#7 - CF – Olentzaro Karazatorre - Age 26 - KT Moreazerua (Audioslavia) - 38 caps, 12 goalsKarazatorre, one-time winner of the First Division's Young Player award, became known to the Astograthian public at age 20 with aplomb. He banged in 13 goals in a season for the modest Antiguoko FC as they finished in 10th place, then 15 as they climbed to 8th, then 19 goals, before signing with Ituraitz FC, Pyathora Mariners of Tikariot and finally Audioslavia’s Moreazerua. It’s been said for quite a while now that Karazatorre has all the makings of the next great Astograthian forward, but the clock is ticking and everyone’s waiting. As regular starter it is, perhaps, finally time for him to shine.
#9 - CF - Aire Epherra - Age 33 - Urbizania Wanderers – 50 caps, 28 goalsA regular in the Astograthian First Divisions' top scorer charts, Epherra is a tall, burly, clinical target man skilled at spearheading counter-attacks and holding up the ball to play in his teammates, and will do all he can to solidify himself as the premier Astograthian forward. With an impressive record of 28 goals in 50 caps (baby), Epherra is already the nation’s 6th top all-time scorer. He doesn’t much like strike partnerships, but has built a begrudging respect for Karazatorre over the years.
Substitutes:#13 - GK – Echepare Rospide - Age 24 - KT Itzalovalle (Audioslavia) – 3 caps, 1 clean sheetA low-profile product of Garitzeta Racing Club’s academy, Rospide was snapped up at 21 by the eagle-eyed scouts of Audioslavia’s KT Itzalovalle. They evidently saw something that local coaches did not, because Rospide, in a few short years, has taken over as starter and performed admirably in the IFCF’s top-ranked league. Made his international début at the World Cup 87 finals against none other than Nephara, after Bedigax was forced off with an injury.
#23 - GK – Bihar Raldua - Age 30 - Ituraitz FC – 2 caps, 1 clean sheetRaldua returns to the call-up sheet after a cycle out, partly because Stahlburg Rover’s Aurre Laurnagaray refused to be third goalkeeper, furious that he was leapfrogged by Rospide despite having seniority. Raldua is Ituraitz FC’s long-time starter, vastly experienced at club level and, although not expected to play, would certainly be a very capable substitute for Bedigax.
#4 - LB - Urre Remondegi - Age 33 - Urbizania Wanderers - 57 caps, 1 goalThree-time best left-back of the First Division, Remondegi first caught the eye playing for Oyardo FC, later making his way to Ituraitz FC.
Gorriaka went on to clinch the club's record-breaking ninth league title and the Royal Cup in their centenary year, prompting Wanderers to make a big-money bid for Remondegi, where he's continued to perform at a high level. Resilient and dynamic, Remondegi is a versatile player that can play from the back, further up the wing or even shifted to defensive midfield if required.
#18 - CB - Ugaitz Leskerre - Age 33 - Lajuno (Eura) - 82 capsDespite a low public profile, Leskerre has established himself in one of the best leagues in the world at Eura's Lajuno, which has a proud tradition of sourcing Astograthian talent. Having also played for Pasarga's Paulinthal FC, Leskerre's talent and experience had him consistently start for the national team over the last three cycles. His partnership with Doyenard has been credited as the core component to Astograth’s defensive excellence in recent years, but Vaudrail thinks it’s time to more decisively cycle a younger option in Alarabi Labeaga.
#22 – CB – Aztore Andia - Age 26 - Royal Rumiatzi - UncappedRoyal Rumiatzi values a very specific type of centre-back: big ones. Tall, wide, impassable and immovable objects, passing skills optional. Andia ticks all of those boxes, including the optional one. His job is to sit in the middle of a deep defense and be impassable, while laying out the ball to those who know how to move it around. If this is all he’s asked to do, he can do it extremely well. Excels at man-marking big centre-forwards, so may be brought on to specifically counter one of those.
#12 – RB – Baiona Menduburu - Age 28 - Sporting Iturributa - UncappedA product of Sporting Iturributa’s renowned academy, Menduburu spent his early years at the club as understudy to starter Cheru Lizarza, who at that time also started for the national team. Promoted a couple of seasons ago after Lizarza’s acrimonious departure to Ituraitz FC, Menduburu has proven himself a capable if unspectacular right-back. Determined and somewhat rough in the tackle, but effective.
#6 - DM - Gaitzka Gurina - Age 29 - Sporting Iturributa - 66 caps, 4 goalsGurina, together with Servet Misidjan, is the ticking engine of Sporting Iturributa, and previously filled the same role for Astograth before the rise of Domiku Bergara. Coming out of the youth system of Ituraitz Victory, Gurina is dogged in defense and cerebral in attack, a one-time Galáctico longlist nominee, and an excellent replacement for either Bergara or Muhaburu.
#21 - DM – Potz Gambor - Age 25 - Canbix Muses (Zwangzug) – UncappedGambor was discarded by Ituraitz FC after outgrowing their U21 squad. Not one to lose hope, he took his talents abroad and found a home in Zwangzug’s Canbix Muses, where he has steadily earned a place and started to shine brightly enough to catch Louis Vaudrail’s attention. Can be deployed in defensive midfield or a bit further up as a box-to-box midfielder - whatever makes the most of his endurance, tackling ability, tight passing and knack for long shots.
#11 - LM – Eskuin Nekol - Age 23 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 12 caps, 2 goalsNekol is perhaps one of the most shocking comeback stories in Astograthian football. A product of Royal Association’s academy, he transferred to Sporting Iturributa while still a teenager and quickly found himself in the first team of a club that was a on a roll, winning three league titles in a row. The following season was disastrous for Sporting, dropping down to 7th, but Nekol’s career was on the rise as a clever winger that could shoot from range, catching the eye of international scouts. Then, in the cup final that could save the season, Nekol was subbed on and stupidly punched the opposition captain in extra-time; Sporting would lose on penalties to the lowly Gesterlake. This effectively ended his career at Iturributa, allowing AC Izotz Zubia to swoop in for cheap. The rest is history – a National League title and an incredible, 45-yard goal to his name, in just his first season.
#19 - RM – Zilar Galharretborde - Age 25 - Langlois Océanic (Kelssek) – 17 capsGalharretborde came through the youth ranks of Royal Arexa, and thanks to a wily agent and a leap of faith, he managed to land a move to Kelssek's Langlois Océanic. In his first season he impressed, earning the league's Young Player award and catching the eye of the national team in the process. He may not be the fastest or most technical player, but he is very good at stretching the field of play by building up moves from the wing, playing fluid football with his full-back and centre midfield. A markedly different style to Malkorra, providing some tactical flexibility.
#17 – CF – Yokin Arana - Age 30 - Bayern-Algaer (Taeshan) – 34 caps, 4 goalsFormerly a key component for Iturributa United's lean goalscoring machine, Arana is now rated as one of the best forwards in the Taeshani league. Despite not being a physical player, he is quite capable of finding space in tight defenses, and is notable for seeing beyond his own boots and playing smart assists rather than going for goal himself. Left-footed, he can also be deployed as an inside forward on the right wing for Astograth. Arana is an interesting variant at Vaudrail's disposal, and returns to the squad after a cycle out, following some strong individual performances for Bayern-Algaer.
#20 – CF – Yuanchiki Larrimbe - Age 31 - Atletik Thessia (Mytanija) – UncappedLarrimbe left Astograth at a young age, signing for Cosumar’s Stoneshore United before landing at Mytanar giants Atletik Thessia. Though Mytanija’s irregular IFCF appearances have hurt their international standing, Larrimbe’s experience and title-winning season have weighed in his favour for what many are calling a long-deserved call-up. Whether it’ll be a one-time thing or a more permanent arrangement is yet to be seen, since Astograth’s striker contingent is shockingly old. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Chiki’ by the Atletik faithful, which Astograthians have also taken to.
I encourage TGs for questions or collaborative RP.