14th CAMPEONATO RUSHMORI JUVENIL SUB-20 Welcome to the White Winter Queendom of Græntfjall.
Football is traditionally a summer sport in Græntfjall, and this tournament is being held in late summer once the domestic fixtures are finished, meaning the autumn chill is starting to set in. Græntfjall lies on the northern side of Pavola, in Rushmore; despite lying on the temperate meridian, the combination of the fierce winds coming off the Komodo Channel and the tall Græntfjaller Alps, forming a natural protective border, have created a localized climate of extreme cold even in summer. You can expect temperatures in the single figures (centigrade; 40s Fahrenheit); rain or sleet, and towards the end of the tournament flakes of snow in the air; and bitter wind-chill.
Græntfjallers are hardy Nords, descended (in their mythic lore) from Viking age sackers and salvagers. The country has relatively recently emerged from decades of communist oppression, but has entered the 21st century with a surging economy, rising social freedoms, and new, if slightly complex, democratic politics. The royal family was reinstalled and Queen Júlíana sits on the throne, reigning in a mostly ceremonial role, while real power is located in the Thing, the national parliament where Prime Minister Kaija Michaelsdóttir leads a coalition of center-right parties.
Græntfjall is famous for continuing whaling long after most other countries had abandoned the barbaric practice, but in reality whale meat is a rare commodity in modern Græntfjall and tourists are far more likely to encounter imitation products like lab-grown “Incomprehensible Whaleburger” or purely synthetic “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Blubber!”. Otherwise, the diet tends towards plain, hearty fare. Strong spices and fresh fruits are available, but can be expensive as they are almost wholly dependent on imports. Græntfjallers have a strong tradition of beer drinking; for hard liquors, various clear grain alcohols are the general preference. Smoking is permitted but not widely practised; marijuana is legal.
Græntfjaller society can be quite conservative, especially outside of the major cities. Generally speaking, the further west one travels, the more sympathies to life under the old communist regime you will find expressed; to the east, more virulent anti-communism prevails. The state religion is Roman Catholicism. The vast majority of Græntfjallers are Catholic, though folk -traditions incorporating Norse mythology are also common. Homosexuality is legal and homophobic hate crimes both strictly policed and thankfully rare. Rigid gender norms prevail in some strata of society (especially in the south) and are no more obvious than in the country’s naming traditions, which are strictly patronymic: -son surnames for men, -dóttir for women, -bur for gender-neutral persons.
Græntfjallers can be perceived as a bit mercenary. The country has a long history of merchant trading (and an intermittent history of ruthless piracy) and you will generally find that the smiles of your hosts extend only as far as the krónor in your pocket. Color-based racism is sadly not unknown, anti-Islamic sentiment is strong, and there is a bristling tide of anti-immigrant agitation in some working class districts of the major cities, as well as agitation over a million refugees who have arrived in the southeast over the last couple of years. Freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitution but in practice there are some restrictions, two of the most notable being a ban on the public display of swastikas, hammers-and-sickles, trans pride flags, and other such extremist political imagery; and a prohibition on face coverings widely interpreted as a ‘burqa ban’.
Football is the most popular sport in the country. The fiercest domestic rivalry is between the North Háttmark clubs Gunzlach and Steinaux, who regularly vie for the title in the Græntfaller Premier League, along western team Altendalur and South Háttmark side GT Molding, the current champions. Græntfaller fans are generally fairly welcoming of foreign teams and tend to be appreciative of skills that their own rather leaden players (often stereotyped, more or less fondly, as “Big Fucking Græntfallers”) are incapable of. Græntfall does not have a tradition of football hooliganism or firms, and crowd control at games will be strict to prevent any such trouble. Moderate alcohol consumption is permitted in most stadiums.
VenuesGrander International ArenaThe recently built 50,00
1 seater is home of Steinaux, "the Sausages". Their name is rooted in the working class meat processing and dock warehouse district, which has undergone substantial renovation. Unlike rivals Gunzlach across the river, Steinaux is now located in an upmarket neighborhood with tech and pharma jobs booming. The club’s fortunes are however on the turn, slipping down the table after winning 3 consecutive titles, and losing their two star strikers (respectively, transferring across town to their rivals, and eaten by a kraken).
Grand National ArenaThe main national stadium, the 50,000 seater used to be the country's only international-level sports facility. It is the most famous stadium in the country and home of multiple time champions Gunzlach, "the Gunners". The name reflects their origins in the old military arsenal stationed there. On the north side of Háttmark, the GNA is built in what remains a fairly conservative, working-class district, with rumblings of disquiet over recent immigrant arrivals and rapid house price rises in the wake of gentrification.
GT Estadio Fútbol De Musarañas De Oro [non-commercial name: Estadio Fútbol De Musarañas De Oro][/b]
The new home of GT Molding, "the Gold Shrews", and Korsbach's south Háttmark rivals. Built by Tequiloan multinational Grupo Taxhavn and unpronouncable to the locals, the stadium is by far the biggest in the country (which a capacity of close to 70,000). Lush, well appointed – is “chintzy” pushing it too far?
Florus Stadion [non-commercial name: Altendalur Stadion]Altendalur is a northwest port city and cultural hub of the West, a region that generally feels under the political thrall of the dominant East. It was built on whaling: the stadium is
literally built on whaling, as a massive whale spine ornaments the main entrance gate. Home of one of the top GPL sides, nicknamed the Chessmen, the seats are in alternate black and white check patterns.
Fjistjing StadionHome to Hintersfjörður, who are routinely a yo-yo team: one of the strongest sub-GPL teams, and yet usually being relegated immediately upon winning promotion from the Division 1. The Fjistjing Stadion is relatively new to hosting international football and did not feature during the Copa Rushmori rotation, debuting instead at the Baptism of Fire 74. It is well suited to all weather conditions, with a fully retractable roof. Hintersfjörður lies in the suburbs of Altendalur and has a generally similar cultural disposition, with entrenched hostility to Eastern elites and little interest in outsiders.
Fjlarkfjall ArenaÞingsnitz, another yo-yo side seeming to miss that key ingredient for a step up to GPL level, play their home games at Fjlarkfjall. Þingsnitz is a small coastal city a few miles east of Altendalur, on the other side of the other side of the Bay of Blood. The two enjoy a healthy rivalry in matters football and otherwise. The Fjlarkfjall Arena also made its debut hosting international football at the Baptism of Fire; despite its small size and lack of roof, it’s otherwise well appointed for the home arena of a side only recently promoted to the GPL. Culturally, the fishing port is much more amenable to visitors than their cross-bay neighbors.
OptiFone Arena [non-commercial name: Folte Arena]Folte is a market town that lies just south of Aigsvinger, the city that sits at the fork of the Odinsfluss River. Much like the city, Folte is a town that embodies traditions of both the East and West: the market bringing fresh produce from the West, the commuter hub going to middle class jobs in the East. The popular local team, the Striders, are one of the most internationally mixed. A huge Catholic church dominates the skyline and on clear days service bells can be heard during matches.
LaxenvöllurMühlrich is the club that's most representative of the conservative alpine traditions of the country. Based in the suburbs of Kyrkdorf, the "last city before the mountains", it's an old, traditional club, and the slightly fusty stadium reflects that. Lots of (now fairly dusty, as the Turtles have seen better days) trophies in the cabinet, hard seats, and smoking still permitted in certain areas. Interestingly, the stadium itself isn't that old as it has burned down four times. Smoking remains stubbornly permitted. The Turtle Ultras are the most radical Ultras in the country. Racist chanting has mostly been stamped out, but it's not a place to go for provoking intellectual discourse.
VG Arena [non-commercial name: Maigburg Arena]One of the bigger arenas, in fact the third largest after the GNA/GIA. The Maigburg club is based in the suburbs of Waltenberg, the biggest university city, and reflects its academic traditions, middle-class professions, and fierce anti-communism. The "Catbear" ultras are ferociously loyal (and occasionally ferociously xenophobic). The stadium is big but old and run-down. A multi-purpose arena, it hosts many sports including athletics, notably the final lap of the Waltenberg Marathon.
SanktjakobvöllurAnother Háttmark arena, but this time based in the south. Háttmark is the capital city of Græntfjall, a bustling port city. The south is more residential than the mainly industrial north. Architecturally, it bore the brunt of the violence that engulfed the tail end of the communist regime: sadly, a lot of the buildings you'll see are very new, but that also testifies to the major economic boom the city is undergoing. This hasn't extended to Korsbach's frankly decrepit arena.
Hagejoki Play ParkA large but uninspiring stadium, the Play Park is home to the Harlequins, perennially bouncing between Division 1 and the GPL. Hagejoki is another Háttmark suburb, this one located north of the river. It lies on the coast at the far eastern edge of the city limits. Home of the main housing blocks of the University of Háttmark, it has a large student population. It hasn’t undergone the urban renovation of nearby Steinaux – frankly, it’s something of a dump – but it has a lively nightlife.
Kuodorf MSK Football ArenaKuodorf is a suburb of Háttmark, the capital, located to the south east. Unlike the north of the river industrial suburbs it’s always been affluent. The Kuodorf MSK has purpose-built arenas for individual sports; the Football Arena is small but well-appointed. Set amid quaint villas and with a housing density that would make an urban planner sit down and weep, it’s one of the more pleasant group stage settings.
Frei StadionLocated in the southwest city of Búðarberg, the capital of Fliserboding, a broad, flat agricultural plain that is geographically and at times culturally at odds with the rest of Græntfjall. Perceived as the home of a rump pro-communist minority by the rest of the country. The local club, Fliserboding, is chiefly notable for their tradition of throwing cabbages on the field before each game. The stadium, while pretty, smells
terrible as a result.
New Skoðarhüb [non-commercial name: Hartburg New Park]Located in Hartburg, the gateway to Lake Viljan. Bypassing the Alps, which dominate the southern half of the country, requires going through the Estdal Gate, once a turnpike, now one of the busiest commercial bridges in the country, connecting the industrial heartlands with the Rushmori interior. That name lives on in the Ducks, the team whose sponsors Skoðar Optik have invested heavily in foreign managers, players, and now a new stadium. Not state of the art by international standards, but some of the lifts actually work and the coffee machine does cappucinos! Witchcraft!!
PR-1070 PlatzLocated in Hartburg, the gateway city to the interior. Its home team, Oost-Hartburg, fared much less well than Estdal in the recent GPL, though, so the locals are thirsting for some good football action. It's the smallest stadium to be hosting games, but has good amenities thanks to its connections with prosperous local businesses.
TQG Langvöllur Arena [non-commercial name: Langvöllur Arena]The Langvöllur Arena (the second Arena is redundant as völlur means Arena in Græntfjaller, but the name persists for some reason) is in the exclave of Hofvinger, which lies the other side of the Komodo Channel to mainland Græntfjall. As such, the "Northern Wolves" of Hofvinger have always considered themselves a bit different (i.e. superior) to the soft southerners. It is absolutely freezing even in summer owing to the wind patterns. Teams will travel via ferry from Háttmark, assuming the sea isn't ice-locked.
Given the limited RPing associated with the tournament, venues have not been assigned. You may RP your games taking place at any stadium from the above list, providing it does not clash with another RPed fixture on the same day.FormatThe tournament is seeded based on adult CR ranks (OOC: and scorinated using such ranks scaled down). With 23 teams in the competition, a 23 team single group stage had been carefully scheduled, only for the Young Mountaineers of Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland to burst in at the last moment and upset the plan. Regrettably, therefore, a considerably more awkward group stage involving 4 groups of 6 has been created. Single round robin, with the top two from each group advancing. Tiebreakers are GD, H2H, GF (because style modifiers are not used in this tournament, GF can be used), followed by coin toss. The knockouts will not be seeded, but will instead be A1 v D2 with the winner playing the winner of B1 v C2, etc.
Cucumber Group
Isle Noire (19)
Cassadaigua (2)
Eura (5)
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland (24)
Mytanija (9)
Darmen (16)
Tomato Group
The Askari Union (21)
Cabo Azure (14)
Tikariot (12)
Sargossa (1)
Kiltoch (20)
Savojarna (6)
Lettuce Group
Pasarga (11)
Pridnestrovia (7)
Ardengard (22)
Oberour Ar Moro (15)
Nephara (4)
Bollonich (18)
Onion Group
Hispinas (3)
Græntfjall (10)
Concordia (23)
Astograth (8)
Brookstation (17)
Valladares (13)
Cucumber Group Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Eura 5 4 1 0 10 5 +5 13
2 Darmen 5 3 2 0 8 3 +5 11
3 Mytanija 5 2 2 1 3 2 +1 8
4 Cassadaigua 5 2 1 2 7 5 +2 7
5 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland 5 1 0 4 2 9 −7 3
6 Isle Noire 5 0 0 5 3 9 −6 0
Tomato Group Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Savojarna 5 3 2 0 10 3 +7 11
2 Tikariot 5 3 2 0 7 3 +4 11
3 Sargossa 5 2 2 1 9 6 +3 8
4 Cabo Azure 5 1 2 2 3 8 −5 5
5 The Askari Union 5 1 0 4 3 8 −5 3
6 Kiltoch 5 0 2 3 5 9 −4 2
Lettuce Group Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Nephara 5 4 1 0 11 5 +6 13
2 Pridnestrovia 5 3 0 2 14 5 +9 9
3 Ardengard 5 2 1 2 13 10 +3 7
4 Pasarga 5 2 1 2 7 9 −2 7
5 Bollonich 5 0 3 2 6 18 −12 3
6 Oberour Ar Moro 5 0 2 3 4 8 −4 2
Onion Group Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Astograth 5 4 1 0 11 2 +9 13
2 Græntfjall 5 3 1 1 8 2 +6 10
3 Hispinas 5 3 0 2 12 5 +7 9
4 Valladares 5 3 0 2 5 4 +1 9
5 Brookstation 5 1 0 4 4 13 −9 3
6 Concordia 5 0 0 5 1 15 −14 0
QuarterfinalsEura 0–2
Græntfjall*
Savojarna 0–1
PridnestroviaNephara 0–0 Tikariot (1–0 AET)
Astograth 0–0 Darmen (1–0 AET)
SemifinalsGræntfjall 2–1 Pridnestrovia*
Nephara 1–2
Astograth3PPOPridnestrovia 1–2
NepharaFinal
Græntfjall 1–1 Astograth (1–1 AET) (5–4 pen.)*
*
Scorinated by Bollonich