World Cup 51 roleplay thread

[South Norwega]

REVENGE
South Norwega Times Herald Sun Guardian
An awfully sloppy contest. That's what all involved thought. 9 goals scored in the game. 4 in the first half, 5 in the second. But it was sweet, sweet revenge. South Norwega was bundled out in extra time from the Baptism of Fire by Chocolate Pencils, and relished the chance to cut them off in the dying minutes of the game. Just 6 minutes in, Gordon Brown punched a goal through to the back of the net in style. Just 8 minutes later, a return volley from Chocolate Pencils equalised the scores, with 2 more coming to them before the half was up. In the 54th minute, Tony Blair crossed to Callaghan, who slammed the ball past the CP keeper, and who scored his second in the 70th. 3-3, with 20 minutes left. Chocolate Pencils rushed through South Norwega's defense, and their star striker plunged in a goal, which many thought would end the game. A quick retaliation from Margaret Thatcher had the scores once more equal at 4-4 in the 81st minute. In the 87th, Churchill made a stunning save, and gave the ball to Eden who ran to the half-way line, before bombing it towards the waiting Callaghan, who tapped the ball in for the winner. Callaghan's starring performance was truly what won it for South Norwega, once more showing why he's now considered the best of the team, building a considerable lead in the POTY competition.

SOUTH NORWEGA SCORER OF THE YEAR:
Callaghan - 3
Brown - 1
Thatcher - 1

Callaghan - 7
Blair - 4
Brown - 4
Thatcher - 3

SOUTH NORWEGA PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
James Callaghan - 3
Margaret Thatcher - 2
Anthony Eden - 1

Callaghan - 18
Brown - 10
Eden - 9
Blair - 7
Thatcher - 6
Churchill - 2
Heath - 2

MATCH PREVIEW
South Norwega Times Herald Sun Guardian
Next up, Osarius. Highly ranked, but second to bottom in the group, with just 1 win and 2 draws. South Norwega will be hoping for a win here, to enable a late run for the World Cup qualifying spots. 2-0 is the THSG prediction.

South Norwega vs Osarius odds:
South Norwega win: $2.80
Draw: $2.50
Osarius win: $3.50

[Vjiay]

UndeadZombiee 2 – 3 Vjiay

Vjiay have been finding it difficult to win at all so far in this world cup, but when they do win, they don’t half do it the hard way. After taking the lead twice, and losing it twice, they managed to get a dramatic – and fortunate - late winner, climbing two places in group six to seventh, on seven points.

A disappointing result against the unranked Tretskivucia has disillusioned many Vjiayan fans about the world cup, ‘I know we’re new to it and all,’ one said outside the Elizabeth Stadium, ‘but I expected better from the team, we’ve won just one game so far and that’s gutting...going onto the next round looks doubtful now, but, here’s hoping.’

The Vjiayans had a lot to prove last night. The Undeadzombiee team haven’t been doing too well either and before last night sat just one point above Vjiay so, once more, hopes were raised by both the media and the loud, travelling fans for a win.

The game started well, both teams playing attacking football, and Undeadzombiee went close six minutes in when their forward, Jarrett Reveal skilfully brushed off a challenge from Higgins and shot from twelve yards, a fingertip save from Holmes sent the ball onto the post and Carr was able to clear.

Both teams went close again in the next twenty minutes, Flinchum, who returned to the team after an absence last week saw his shot skim the crossbar, whilst Alphonse Groeschel, the wannabe teacher, sent a shot wide that he perhaps should’ve scored. The pressure was building on both sides as the half-time whistle approached, but neither could break the deadlock.

A shock substitution by Vjiay at half-time, the young Gibson on for Wrede, proved pivotal in the match. The extra pace was welcome in attack, but Wrede’s ability to keep and hold up the ball was missed immediately, however, it was Vjiay that were to break the stalemate.

The ball was lofted forward into midfield by Holmes, and Chamberlain brought it down beautifully on the halfway line. A snappy one-two with Flinchum sent Chamberlain raring forwards to the edge of the box. He unleashed a bullet of a shot from the edge, which was saved by the Undeadzombiee keeper El Bailido, but he could do nothing about the rebound tap-in by Clarke, Vjiay went one-nil up on fifty-five minutes.

Despite their lead, the Vjiayans failed to capitalise and slowly Undeadzombiee made their way back into the game. Another warning went unheeded by the Vjiayans as the Undeadzombiee winger Santo Ennish crossed a good ball into the area but was cleared by Jackson. It was the same winger that was to provide Undeadzombiee’s way back into the game.

After beating White, he cut inside and played a through ball into their forward’s Klinetob’s path, after skilfully knocking it past a sliding Higgins, he simply rolled it past an unbalanced Holmes; the scores were once more tied with twenty minutes left on the clock.

Vjiay responded almost immediately. The speedy Lightfoot was unleashed down the wing after a lofted through ball from Flinchum, after making his way to the by-line – his trademark play – he lobbed the ball into the area and once more Clarke was there to head it into the back of the net. The Vjiayan fans went wild and started singing ‘Shall we sing a song for you?’ to the still celebrating Undeadzombiee fans. There was still another eighteen minutes to play, however and, unknown to the Vjiayans there would be much more drama.

Unlike after the first goal, the Vjiayans seemed focused on maintaining their lead. They kept the ball well and the Undeadzombiee players found it difficult to break the Vjiayan defence down.

The Undeadzombiee forward Klinetob, renowned for his temper began lashing out and, after a tackle which saw him booked (the Vjiayan fans were singing ‘Off, Off, Off, Off!’, believing it to be worthy of a red), Higgins was removed as a precaution, his replacement being the young centre-back Dimitar Hamel.

The Undeadzombiee team focused their new attacks onto the substitute, who looked nervous on his first international foray, and he actually provided Undeadzombiees way back into the game. He attempted to pass the ball back to Holmes, but played it way too short. The Vjiayan keeper tried in vain to get to the ball but was easily lobbed by the attacking Reveal, who equalised with just ten minute left. The Vjiayan substitute looked devastated, but the Vjiayan fans began singing his name and, when this was pointed out quietly by the captain, Carr, Hamel seemed to calm down.

The next ten minutes was even, but nervy. Both teams wanted to win but were afraid of committing too many men forward. Hamel actually came to the rescue after an intercepted pass from Eustice released their midfielder Ennish, only a perfectly timed sliding tackle from Hamel prevented the Undeadzombiee team from advancing into the box.

As the clock ran down both teams seemed resigned to another draw, but a lucky deflection looped the ball into the path of Malcolm Eustice on the Vjiayan wing, who began sprinting down the wing as the Vjiayan midfield piled forwards. The Undeadzombiee left back was unable to keep up and Eustice delivered a good ball into the area. The substitute Gibson attempted the volley, but rather sliced it, fortunately the spin of the ball took it past the outstretched arms of the Undeadzombiee keeper and nestled into the net.

Gobson disappeared under a mountain of Vjiayan players, the Vjiayan fans went wild and he final whistle was blown just after Undeadzombiee had restarted the game.

49% - Possession – 51%
5 - Attempts on Target – 7
8 – Attempts off Target – 10
4 – Corners – 5
5 – Fouls – 4
2 – Yellow Cards – 1
0 – Red Cards - 0

[Burchadinger]

BURCHADINGER TIMES
EMOTHICA FALL TO DIE ADLER

Late goals from substitute Andreas Helmers and Markus Klogh spared Burchadinger's blushes as they came from behind to beat a belligerent Emothica. Emothica's captain had earlier given his side the lead, latching on to a pass and chipping over Klaus Diefenbaker. But with three minutes to go Helmers popped up at the far post to head home a Hans-Mayer Hansen cross. And deep into injury time Klogh lashed in a fierce drive from the edge of the area to earn Die Adler the win. The ecstasy that greeted Klogh's winner, particularly the mobbing of coach Deval Enke, was a clear expression of the spirit and unity that the Burchadingan boss had called for from his players.

However, prior to the last five minutes it was Emothica who had shown arguably the greater desire and they will be bitterly disappointed to lose out on what would have been a excellent result. Enke had praised Emothica before the match because of the apparent threat they pose to his side from set-pieces, an aspect of play to which the Burchadingan team have been particularly vulnerable of late. It was certainly looking ominous for Burchadinger when skipper Maximillian Fischer's involvement was ended due to an injury in the warm-up. Within the first minute the home side were fulfilling Enke's somewhat prophetic warning, with a long throw requiring a panicked clearance from Elias Becker as Diefenbaker uncharacteristically flapped at the ball. After this early scare Burchadinger settled and, as expected, dominated possession but clear-cut chances were few and far between. After 22 minutes Klogh floated in a free-kick that Wilhelm Sigmundson somehow contrived to side-foot over from inside the six-yard box. As the half wore on Burchadinger's territorial dominance translated into an increase in goalscoring opportunities but Leonid Brstov, Klogh and Edwin Pedersen were all denied by an inspired Emothica goalkeeper. The Emothican captain worked hard, but he lacked an efficient supply line, particularly after his striker partner's throw-in radar deserted him later in the half.

The second half continued in the same vein with Burchadinger camped in the Emothica half but failing to convert any chances with Klogh's header wide on 50 minutes a particularly glaring example. It was with Emothica's first opening of any substance, and completely against the run of play, that they scored. The captain's striker partner expertly held up a long ball before turning and feeding the captain himself who held off the challenge of Becker before chipping superbly over Diefenbaker. A visibly shell-shocked Burchadinger took some time to recover, but when they did it was once again to lay siege to the Emothica goal but initially to no avail. Klogh lashed a shot past the right-hand post in the 65th minute and Pedersen saw an angled drive flash wide. With the match seemingly drifting away from them, Burchadinger conjured up an equaliser as substitute Helmers and fellow midfielder Hansen combined, the former nodding in the latter's cross at the far post. With Emothica rocking, Burchadinger delivered the knock-out blow deep into injury time as Klogh latched onto a Sigmundson pass on the edge of the area to drive home the winner past a flailing Emothican goalkeeper.

The result has boosted Burchadingan morale to an unseen level, as now Die Adler are now only 3 points behind second placed The Weegies. However, the Burchadingans will have to beat Andossa Se Mitrin Vega tomorrow evening in order to preserve their hopes of making it to Paripana and Septentrionia. Don't forget to catch tomorrow's game live on either TV1, Sports World, NSC or The World Cup Channel.

[Peisandros]

6 - 3 victory. Easier times ahead?

Peisandros showed their real force, for just the second time in qualification, running out big 6-3 winners against Colbourne in Colbourne. While it was an impressive game, conceding three goals will worry whoever is in control. The six goals show that despite a defensive mindset, the Sandrians are still pushing forward at the right times and taking their opportunities wisely.

However while the win is nice and brings the Sandrians up to equal first in group five, the real issue is still the governance of the PFA and the crisis which has engulfed it. As reported last time, the Director and Head of the Board have come to blows over almost everything to do with football in Peisandros. It has left the team, if indeed there is one, pretty messed up. The egotistic and selfish behaviour of the men has led to widespread public outrage, which may just bring them together, finally, to sort out some sort of compromise, maybe.

We understand that the Director is still looking for the Head of the Board to prorogue all PFA activity, although the Head is pushing for an emergency mediation session to sort out the team representing the country. It seems that the Director has the backing of some influential Board members, which could be further stalling the process.

There has been communication between the two and we understand that the Director has been seriously considering softening his demands, in an attempt to make them more palatable for the Head and rest of the Board. It's been suggested that the matter be left until after qualifying and that whoever is playing for Peisandros ought to at least see if they can get the team to the World Cup proper. That appears to be the most popular public option as well, with many people enjoying watching the unknown, anonymous, fresh-faced civilians representing their country.

Alas, this is, if the Head concedes that the problem is no easy-fix, the most likely. One can only hope that they haven't left it too late.

Next up for the team is a home game against the impressive Achtervolging, who are coming off a good away victory and sit just two points behind the three front-runners of the group. A win here would show that, while this Peisandros team is nowhere near the quality of past sides, they deserve that #19 ranking.

Oh, and we almost forgot. Peisandros did have a very promising win at the earliest stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Infront of an indifferent crowd, which was mainly due to the inability of the PFA to advertise the game, the Sandrians were 3-2 winners over long-time foes (and friends) the Bears from Bears Armed. It shows that these two teams are still extremely close in ability and ensured that the rivalry remained strong.

Oh, and we almost double forgot. It can now be confirmed that the Peisandros Government has tentatively joined the scene in an attempt to sort things out. While the Government is usually not up to much other than looking after the poor, cultured, crims, etc., they have come to realise that the national football team is a key representative of Peisandros as a whole on the World Stage. It's rumoured that the Sports Minister has been dabbling in discussions with the Head of the Board, while other officials have been in touch with the Director. Cool. Hopefully it will be sorted out soon. But it may not be. Could be weeks, months, years or decades. Doubt it will be that long. Never know though.

Oh, and also we wanted to say a few things about the rest of qualification. Han look good, yum. Cassadaigua still having love affair with the Sandrian coach - suits us just fine. Yaf . Candelaria so, so quality. Lastly, group nine, OMG CLOSE.

[Akbarabad]

Akbarabad remain the top of Group 5 with away win in Western cuba.

(Akbarabad Press, AP): An unconvincing 4-2 win in Western cuba saw the The Tiger Eaters maintain top spot in group 5. Of course we are only just hanging on to the top spot due to a better head to head result against Peisandros with them actually posseing a superioir goal difference. In fact our win against 270th ranked opponents displayed exactly why are campaign so far has been so inept, and why we have so unnecessarily dropped so many points. After our strikers gave us an early lead, our defence for what seems like the umpteenth time relaxed and allowed the home team to score twice and reduce the deficit from 3-0 to 3-2. Thankfully unlike the game against Colbourne, the team kept kept it's cool and defended better form that point on while adding a further goal late on.

While the recovery was welcome, the team's continuous defensive frailties constitute a big worry. Even assuming that we do manage to qualify, it remains an open question as to how well we can reasonably expect to do given our current level of performance.

Akbarabad next host group third seeds Uiri for our next match. 39th ranked Uiri started somewhat brightly but have since fallen away and dropped many points they should expect to get if they want to genuinely challenge for a spot in the World Cup. Nevertheless we can hardly afford to underestimate at this stage, and our objective will a convincing victory to stay at the top of the table.



Western cuba 2–4 Akbarabad
( Unknown 69",Unknown 76") ( Zahid Mohammed 21", Zohaib Khan 38", Samin Akbar 56", 87")

[Khytenna]

Royal Khytenna news

Khytenna Beat Loonterian

Khytenna - 3
Firestone 23rd 66th
Syd 25th

Loonaterian - 1
Boréca 88th

After some fantastic goals last night, Khytenna get there second win in Qualifying against Loonaterian.

Khytenna started the game with a full on attack, the Loonaterian defence finding the constant attack hard to deal with, Ringwood got a lovely shot on target but was saved but a defender of the line. Khytenna gave them no room for a counter attack. This paid of sometime later, when Firestone made a run into the box in the 23rd minute, to leave a one on one with the Loonaterian keeper, that Firestone powered it home, making it 1-0 to the home side. Khytenna spared no time in scoring again, when cross from Vancil into the box was headed into the back of the net by Syd only 2 minutes later! The rest of the half was khytenna’s, Loonaterain found it hard to deal with a much stronger side, firestone pace was making mince meat of the defence. The first half ended 2-0 to khytenna, who where now smelling blood in the water.

Khytenna, came under some attack in the beginning of the second half, as Boréca didn’t see the game lost quite yet. He made a decent shot on goal that made Welte dive across the goal just to keep it out. Loonaterain came back with a cross that was headed just over by a determined Boréca. Khytenna got the ball moving so to speak after more shots from firestone. Thorne nearly scored a free kick in the 50th minute, hit was deflected however by the post. Carmichael tryed the long range shots, but he couldn’t get on target today and the ones he did was being saved by the keeper. This however lead to a very well played goal. In the 66th minute, Carmichael dummied a Long shot, making the keeper go for a dive, this shot turned in to a chip for the fast paced Firestone, who after charging into the box past the defence (who were expecting a long range shot) Scoring a powerfull Volley, surly goal of the group so far. Boréca got his goal in the 88th minute, an impressive diving header was impossible to save for keeper Welte.

Khytenna now back on track, hopefully can make two wins a row in there next, but for now the khytenna fans have something to celebrate in this very difficult and surprising group nine.

The next game will be the same line up. Coach Proctor says that this team has “good Potential, we beat a good side last night, and we intend to bet more.”

GK 1. Michele Welte (Persepi Sharks FC)
LB 19. Shad Vancil ( Keltyme Foresters)
RB 3. james Ursua (Blue bay Fc)
CB 17. Nelson Bohannan (Duke’s District FC)
CB 14. Matt Shurtz ( Percepi Sharks)
RW 7. Casey Thorne (capt) (Central FC)
LW 9 Neil Ringwood(Blue bay FC) CM 8. Kurk Rusek (Drakes City)
CM23.John Carmichael(Central FC)
ST 11. Allan Syd (Xephik Reds)
FC 10. Fergal Firestone (Blue bay FC)


Subs:
13. Tim Gatton (Xepthic Reds))
21. Darryl Jolin(Portside Park FC)
4. Kerrian Sheetz (Blue Bay FC)
5. Teddy Berkeley (Central FC)
20. Lini Pellett (AS New Haven )
22. Hugh Agan (Telio Checkers)

------------------------Welte

Sheetz---------Shurtz --Bohannan----Ursua

Ringwood --Rusek- -- Carmichael---Thorne (capt)

----------------- -----------Firestone
-------------------Syd

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

THIS WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN BAD, IF....

Jeruselem- At the beginning of qualifying we looked at the schedule and they opinion of the match against Jeru FC in Jeruselem certainly would have been one of thinking that a draw would be just fine. In fact, getting a point against Jeru FC would probably allow the Rockets to further distance themselves from other rivals in their effort to qualify for World Cup 51. But that was before the Rockets lost to Sierra Apathia, and then to Hassett. Now, it’s about the two points we did not get., and seven games in, the Rockets are 4-1-2, with their 13 points. The problem is, Queer Poco el Mono Ara is 5-2-0. The problem also is that the Pocoese don’t understand that they will get much better ratings for that Cup of Harmony that they are trying to host if their team actually is in the Cup of Harmony. Don’t they want their fans to care about it? Being in the World Cup would surely detract from that. Fortunately for the Rockets the next game is against Queer Poco. To say that it is a big game would be the understatement of the millennium.

First, there was this matter of Jeru FC, and the Rockets really didn’t play that badly here, they simply did not do enough. Quite honestly, really, we think that Newmanistan had a strong game (on offense anyway), unfortunately, Jeru FC was inspired to play the homeland of one of their former coaches. Brian Carson isn’t there now, but Brian Carson turned them into a team that was good enough to consistently qualify for the World Cup into one that became a team good enough to become one of the leading contenders to win the thing. In fact, the military team of Jeruselem has exceed that of the general mainland so much, that we’d have to believe that people from here with football talent may join the military for the simple fact that it would allow them to play for Jeru FC instead of regular Jeruselem. Brian Prescott, who’s brother has played professionally in Jeruselem told us that, “Well really it’s still about the Princesses here, as far as I know. You’d have to ask Billy for more information, he would know more.” One man that was sure to be in attendance was Brian Carson, a man who has coached both national teams, as he was not about to let his age get in the way. The 83-year old looked as vibrant as Franz Braddock in telling reporters that, “there was no way I could miss this. I love both teams so much, each have been such a big part of my life. The Rockets were so fun and it was my home and still is. Jeru FC, they were great too. Different then coaching Newmanistan, but I got to do things I never would have been able to do in Newmanistan. I’m here to enjoy the game and hope it ends in a draw.” Well, guess he got his wish didn’t he? Someone should have reminded him that Newmanistan needed the three points more. Despite still looking quite sharp, Carson did say he has no intention of going back to coaching unless, “I can be Franz Braddock’s assistant. Living in Sarzonia is rumored to slow the aging process.” In case that made Franz think about it for a second, Carson confirmed that it was a joke and that he plans on staying retired in all circumstances.

It was a pretty entertaining game, but both coaches may have preferred to see a little less excitement and a little more defense. Scoring chances were aplenty, and you wouldn’t know it just by looking at the final score but both Stanley Salone and Drinke Moore Beer (who arguably has the greatest name in football) were spectacular in their respective goals during the game. This is because the scoring chances were coming at them from all angles in a wide open game on both ends that was 90-minutes, plus stoppage time, full of pure excitement. No team ever enjoyed greater then a one-goal lead over the other, and that added to the excitement. For Newmanistan, Brian Prescott got the Rockets on the board first with a 13th minute score, then late in the first half, and trailing 2-1, Ryan McAllister drew the Rockets level again. In the second half, and with Ailill Ó Riagáin’s squad back up by a goal, it was a Rockets substitute picking up the game-tying goal in the 80th. Brianna Parrish had a pair of goals during the pre-qualifying friendlies, but has not found the back of net in limited playing time during qualifying until now, and she was thrilled and took in the moment of being in Jeruselem. Jeremy McAllister, Sr, joked about Brianna’s celebration, “Her taking off her shirt, and sports bra with it is probably something I am going to get some heat about when we get back to Newmanistan, isn’t it? She was just enjoying the moment, and it is Jeruselem, after all. I did tell her, that she can’t make a habit of that kind of celebration.” Damn that Newmanistan censorship!

Next up, the Rockets face Queer Poco el Mono Ara and they must win. It’s as simple as that and should require no additional analysis. Hopefully they do, it is the Rockets turning point. Which way will things go?

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

Who the hell are Sierra Apathia? God knows, but they nearly took a bloody point from us were it not for the addition of substitute forward Ishmael Van Dyke into the mix for the last ten minutes of the game to grab The Whites another three points.

The home side took the lead early on thanks in part to George Webo’s short pass back to Chris Foster. Trying to be cute, the Augustus wingback tapped the ball back to the keeper, wrongly anticipating the Sierra Apathia striker wouldn’t chase the ball down and beat Foster to it. He did, racing past Webo and sticking out a boot just far enough to nudge the ball beyond Foster.

The Whites pressed and looked for an equalizer but wouldn’t find one until the second half in a 45 minute period filled with 4 goals. Winger Hugo Anderson got the ball rolling for QPeMA when his cross curved unexpectedly and caught not just the home keeper out but everyone in the box as it bent in midair and looped into the goal. Buoyed by the leveler, The Whites pushed on looking for a second only to be caught on the counter. Sierra Apathia exploited the lack of a left wingback when Ousmane Kaka was caught in possession and flowed forward towards the away goal. The two centrebacks were overwhelmed by a surge of attackers and when a neat ball was whipped in from the wing one of the local players was on hand to slide in at the back post and to put the ball in beyond Foster.

The Whites response was almost immediate, with winger Nakiti Shapiro and Dean Bower combining well on the edge of the box to allow Shapiro to sneak beyond the Apathia defense and side foot the ball under the keeper.

With 80 minutes on the clock Joe Hamburgstein opted to bring on 33 year old Ishmael Van Dyke who has spent the majority of this qualifying campaign on the bench. The powerful forwards impact was felt straight away with him picking up the ball by the corner flag and bursting in between two defenders and charge into the box. Rather than shooting he squared the ball to Dossena whose effort was parried superbly by the home keeper. The loose ball ricocheted towards Van Dyke who managed to direct the ball goalward once again off his shin and home for the win.

After the game captain Tomasz Poborsky gushed “It’s lucky we have Ishmael to come off the bench and win games. He’s a great player and just as good as he’s ever been.”

---

The Whites followed up their 3 points away with a sound 5-0 victory over Hassett.

In recognition of his late winner against Sierra Apathia, Ishmael Van Dyke started ahead of Wayne Ullrich. This proved to be a master stroke on the behalf of manager Joe Hamburgstein as the Marquez-Onwere forward bagged a hat trick.

Starting off his quest for the match ball in the first 11 minutes, Van Dyke made space in the Hassett box, using his strength, barging his way through Samberg before smashing the ball beyond Andrew in goal.

Van Dyke then assisted the second with a neat step over on the corner of the six yard box before chipping the ball to the back post for Dean Bowyer to nod in, in front of the home fans behind the Hassett goal.

The game remained at 2-0 until the second half when Van Dyke found goal number three and his second of the game. Van Dyke and Shapiro combined well down the left with Shapiro carrying on a run toward the byline. Shapiro darted beyond Monroe before swinging in a cross for Van Dyke to meet with a diving header.

3 goals to the good and with the home fans behind the home goal The Whites were spurred on and found the goal for a fourth time after 68 minutes. Sub Gilbert Batistuta deflected Hugo Anderson’s long range effort by Andrew. Anderson shaped up to shoot from the outside of the box after cutting inside the defense and as Batistuta made his way out of the shot it clipped the back of his leg and diverted it into the opposite side of the goal to the keeper, who couldn’t adjust his feet in time to get down to the ball.

Van Dyke finished off his hat trick in the dying moments as The Whites were given a corner following a magnificent acrobatic stop by the Hassett keeper. Anderson took the kick from the right and swung the ball out towards the edge of the box where Dean Bowyer was loitering. The Cafundeu based midfielder volleyed the ball, and again it was another deflection that gifted the home side a goal. The ball hit Van Dyke in the chest and once again the keeper was unable to shift his feet and change direction.

The White’s now face Newmanistan, with the possibility that their 8 match unbeaten run may come to an abrupt end against The Rockets. The players are trying to remain confident, but Newmanistan wont be an easy place to visit. However, if the worst should happen and The Whites lose, they should remain in second, even if it is for only a short while longer.

Likely result, Newmanistan 3-0 Queer Poco el Mono Ara.
---

“And that’s everything, officer.” Giovanni told the police officer as the rain battered the pair. To the side a crowd had gathered watching as Jenny’s body was covered. The paramedics had been unable to do anything for her. She’d make her way to the hospital, and when she got there DOA there’d be nobody from her family to greet her. And probably nobody there for a while.

“Your telling me the Chairman of the football association had his own daughter killed?” quizzed the policeman chewing on a pen lid.

“Yes.”

“These are some serious accusations Mr. Van Dyke, perhaps you would like to discuss them down at the station?”

Giovanni seethed as he saw Jenny’s body gently placed into the back of the ambulance. His face contorted in pain, not physical pain, but the soul crushing kind. As he gently cried it became difficult to distinguish the tears from the rain water. He was helped into the police car and hunched over.

He stayed in that position until it occurred to him the car was traveling a peculiar route. He felt his body move with the curves in the road and shift when it turned corners. Aware of the journey to the police station he knew they were going a different way without having to look up.

“Where are we going?” he asked, keeping his head in his hands.

“The Chairman wants to finally be rid of you, Mr. Van Dyke.”

Realization that the chairman had the local police force on the left Gio with a defeated feeling. Even if he got away this time, who was he going to tell, how was he going to bring the Chairman to justice? The car stopped at traffic lights and Giovanni decided he’d run. Pulling on the handle he was met by resistance. He tried again and the door refused to budge.

“Shit” he whispered under his breath gently tapping at the window, all the energy had sapped from his body. It had been a long day. The car turned left down a secluded side street.

“Sorry to do this to you Mr. Van Dyke. I always liked you as a player, but as a Private Investigator you’re a pain in the ass.” The policeman swiveled in his chair, looking back from the driver’s seat, he had his regulation fire arm in hand “Looks like it’s time Gio.” And with that a blinding light and deafening shot filled the car.

The police man dragged Giovanni out of the car, pulling him by his legs. Gio slid out cracking his head on the concrete causing a tiny splash in the small puddle of rain water that had collected in the uneven street. The policeman dragged Gio’s body a couple of feet from the car and dumped him amongst the assorted debris of the side street, covering him with a black bag bursting with rubbish. He made sure the P.I couldn’t be seen from the street and drove away, leaving him in the rain and trash.

[Virabia]

Brett was siting down in the dressing room. He once again was disappointed. Disappointed his team. in 6 of their games now they have gone scoreless, and when they tried to score they looked sloppy. Then before he could harp on his disappointment for much longer, his mind switched subjects. Now all he could think about was the very likely possibility that his days as manager were limited. This was something that had been following him around everywhere, and hasn't left him since the draw with Rick Roll Land. No matter how hard he tried to escape it, it would always come back to him. He hated it.

Five minutes later, Brett got up and went out to the train system. Like always, he walked briskly, as to physically escape his pain and fear, but that never worked. It always kept up with him. Then he started to think of the boy he had met yesterday. His youth, his optimism. How that cheered him up. The endless good and wonder and his heart. That boy in his own way brought Brett back to his youth, to when he was happy. However, he had to pull himself out of his fantasy world. A. because the train stopped and B. because his youth was a different life time. He had to worry about other things, like the bills, his job, the team and the worst of all death. While getting off the train Brett looked at his watch, and saw that he had 3 hours before his plane left. So, he looked around and found a bookstore. He setoff in that direction.

While walking up and down the rows, he found a book. Not just anybook but the book The Secret to World Cup success, he picked it up, thinking that he could learn something from it, knowing he could learn something from it. After paying for the book he went to the store coffee shop and started reading. Not knowing what to expect he soon found himself reading about the history of the World Cup, and what the winning managers had done. Almost all of it refuted what The Defensive Game said. In some ways even using what the book says as a direct example of what not to do. This didn't sit well with Brett. TDG had been his mentor, his gospel, and that was being questioned. He had to think.

[Andossa Se Mitrin Vega]

Affairs of State that could not be pushed off called to the Presidente Commandante and for a moment Eros would have to return to the world of things forgotten. But could she really turn the switch off and not think upon everything she had learned in the past three days? That would remain to be seen.

Over 4.7 million and no one knew a thing. She hadn’t expected such numbers. It seemed impossible that in this new and modern world that anything could go unnoticed and unreported to such an extent. That the media had not found and exploited this earlier was a miracle in and of itself.

Now Istrianii Raelea Vega had the job to make sure Eros remained hidden from the prying eyes of the world.

That would not be an easy task.

*************************************************************
Sea Dragon Draw Streak Continues at 3
Mace: I’m workin’ hard, you’re working too. We do it every day!

Jahirii: Ok. Who let Mace on stage to sing again? Don’t they know its bad for business?

Rainu: Just let him sing.

Mace: for every minute I have to work, I need a minute of play!

Lorea: If you can call this singing.

Jahirii: My point exactly.

Mace: day in, day out, all week long things go better with rock!

Rainu: Our real problem is figuring out how the hell to win some matches. These draws suck.

Mace: the only time I turn it down is when I’m sleeping it off!

Jahirii: true. And against weaker sides too.

Calif: I miss the Imo’s. No one shouting ’More Beer!’

Mace: turn up the radio! I need the music, gimmie some more!

Lorea: We all need music after this horrid twist of a great song.

Mace: turn up the radio! I wanna feel it gotta gimmie some more!

Rainu: We go to Burchadinger next.

Jahirii: Great. Maybe a 0-0 draw again. Or perhaps even dropping three points.

Mace: I wanna shake. I wanna dance. So count it out one- two three!

Lorea: Dear God! He’s dancing now too!

Calif: I’m gonna be sick.

Mace: I feel the beat. I’m in a trance. No better place to be!

Rainu: Looks like he’s having a seizure.

Jahirii: Who knows, we might even find a way to do worse than that.

Lorea: There is no worse than that.

Mace: day time, night time, anytime! Things go better with rock!

Rainu: I’m out. Need to rest my ears.

Calif: yeah. Me too.

Mace:I’m goin’ twenty-four hours a day. I cant seem to stop!

Lorea: You are not leaving me here alone to listen to this all night.

Rainu: Jahirii is he… where did he go?

[The Babbage Islands]

Hello, everyone. I'm Orson Cook, a midfielder for The Babbage Islands and for America in the Cafundeu First Division. My teammate and good friend Tegan Nash asked me to do a guest turn in her blog. She's flown to Lasft for a couple of days but should rejoin us for the HellHorn match. Of course, Ganz Ijak may not start either of us against HellHorn, but that is his decision not ours. We just need to be ready.

So far, I like what we've been doing on the pitch. The only thing that would be better is if we were undrawn as well as unbeaten. At this level that's rare. The 4-6-0 has been putting goals in the net, 25 in seven games. We've given up ten, which could be a bit better. But that's an artefact of our style. We take chances. It's no knock on our defenders, who are a fine foursome with great depth behind them.

About our last match. We beat Quattrablegia away 4-2, in a match that was never really in doubt after the first fifteen minutes. Jason Olson got the first goal in the fourth minute, playing as a lone striker. The home crowd was really upset in the fifteenth minute, as one of their favourites was called for a foul in the area. With Tegan not starting, Kelli Alder took the honours and put away the 2-0 goal. Glen Brown (more on him in a minute) and Francisca Ballesteros scored two more for us before the home side rallied for two goals late.

Glen is reviewing an offer from an unnamed Candelaria And Marquez club, and I think he'll go. It will be a blow to Dover City if he leaves, but they have enough talent to make up for it. He would be the first Babbage player in the CMSC1. A lot of people see that league and the Cafundeu First Division as the two best in the world.

I miss Patty Heatherly. We have some amazing Bumblebees rearranging to fill the gap, but it's like I'm missing a part of me. She was doing okay right after surgery, and I can't wait for her return.

Let me also tell you all why Tegan is in Lasft, which is a fair distance from Lux where she lives during the height of the Cafundelense season. She keeps a home in Dover as well. Tegan got a call from her stake president in the Latter-day Saints church there. That's sort of like the leader of a diocese in other faiths. Since the Church is not big in Cafundeu, with about forty congregations and only two areas with enough worshipers to organise stakes, President Conrad is one of the two or three most influential priesthood leaders in Cafundeu. So when he asked to meet with her, she went as soon as she could arrange to go.

This is even harder than I thought. Thank you for putting up with me. Tegan should be back next time.

Smile!

---

World Cup 51 Qualifying: The Babbage Islands

MD1: Dimoniquid (Capital Stadium, Charleston): won 4-0
MD2: at Blouman Empire: won 5-1
MD3: Jeruselem (The Great Dome, Gernsback): drew 0-0
MD4: at St Paul’s Isle: won 6-3
MD5: Balida (Whitecliff Stadium, Dover): drew 3-3
MD6: West Pocono (Capital Stadium): won 3-1
MD7: at Quattrablegia: won 4-2
MD8: HellHorn (The Great Dome)
MD9: at Dorian and Sonya
MD10: at Dimoniquid
MD11: Blouman Empire (Whitecliff Stadium)
MD12: at Jeruselem
MD13: St Paul’s Isle (Capital Stadium)
MD14: at Balida
MD15: at West Pocono
MD16: Quattrablegia (The Great Dome)
MD17: at HellHorn
MD18: Dorian and Sonya (Whitecliff Stadium)

[Dorian and Sonya]

Mystical Unicorns fall to Jeruselem
Sanitizer Sales On the Rise

My Queen,

The Unicorns faced Jeruselem today and came away with a 0-1 loss. But that is a very good result considering how highly the Princesses are ranked.

My concern now is for the general public. If the rumors are true, and from the looks of some of the Jeruselem players and fans they most probably are, our beloved nation has been invaded by a bunch of rather professional whores. Not that they are truly pros, though some are without a doubt.

I have heard fans cheer. I have heard fans scream. I have heard fans boo at nearly everything. But until today I had not heard fans moan in ecstasy. It is my opinion that the entirety of White Hall Stadium be completely sanitized before we play host to another match.

And from the way our men were following the princesses and their fans around, we may have more issues to deal with at a later time.

And perhaps we should break out the bikini kits for our match when we visit them. That way we will be only slightly overdressed for the occasion.

Your humble servant,
Khyber.

OOC- no offense intended and good job remembering Sylvanae.

[Bears Armed]

Unfortunately it seems to have become a "tradition" that one 'away' match during the qualifiers for each World Cup results in many of the Bear-Belles' players suffering serious intestinal upsets: This time around, it was the journey to play in Seven Castles that did it, which helps to explain not only the Belles' surprisingly narrow margin of victory over that teamn but also -- as the bug in question turned out to have recurring effects -- the scale of their subsequent defeat (at home!) by the Albundanians. Admittedly the latter (the 3rd seeds, and now at 3rd place, in the group) are a tough side but, even so...

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Sporting News

The Tarrentum Falcons have proven themselves up to the task in playing hard-fought football matches against the world's best. While their latest loss to Bostopia was to be expected, the terrific defensive goaltending led by Keeper Tremi Bodacello and tough forward play led by Henry Qund (who has stepped up his game recently) meant that Bostopia could only score one goal on the, seemingly, overmatched Falcons. The Falcons have hovered between the third and fourth positions within Group 9 since the beginning of the World Cup. This is a good thing because it shows our grit and determination but only the top two teams advance and the Falcons can still strike as they are only out of second place by one point.

Recent success against Pays de Horreur have given the whole team new life. Manager Gregori Burindi has been relatively quiet about day-to-day matters involving the national squad but all of the players have come ready to play in each of the matches. Henry Qund, naturalized and legal birthright citizen of Tarrentum, has scored a team leading 5 goals throughout the World Cup. His determination is matched by the fierce defensive play, led on-field by LCB Justinian Tremani. The defensemen and keeper have kept the Falcons in most games, except for the pitiful 5-1 loss against Tolietdonia.

All of Tarrentum should expect another tough match during the next game in Sargossa.
-Polo Jacobi

[Albundania]

"Jeeze, this Bears Armed team we're playing today is playing really badly! I wonder why."

The commentators, we're being kept busy by the Albundanians running circles around the field, featuring, thus far, 2 goals from both Raul Ibanez and 3 from Martin Simpson (his first hat trick in 2 years in international competition). Bears Armed were still off the scoreboard with 5 minutes left, and Albundanian were simply playing with a force that had been lacking in their last games. Chants of "Viva Azuelen!" could be heard from all the road fans, of which there were quite a few. Maybe it just seemed like so many because lots of the home fans had left already, counting their team off. However, the game wasn't over yet, and Bears Armed looked poised to play well.

Little did anyone think, though, that Bears Armed would get 2 goals from 8 minutes (3 minutes added injury time), and nor did anyone think that Martin Simpson would take an injury, either. "And, Martin Simpson is down. Dear lord, he's staying down. Looked like a nasty fall there, but nothing illegal about it. In fact, I don't think there's been a card all game. Huh. Yeup, here come the Physio to take him off field, I guess we'll have to wait and find out how bad this is."

The Blue Crew are just 2 points behind second place Bears Armed with this victory.

[Candelaria And Marquez]

Out here, in the western suburbs, things went bump in the night. And that wasn’t right for Gordon Bay City, where nighttime was for banging, not bumping, for shouting and screaming, for laughter and dance and music and haggling and the slam of iron on iron. At night, the city came alive.

You noticed that more and more these days. When once they had slept, now so many younger humans – Candelariasians and their aboriginal kin alike – awoke, and went to join their strange neighbours in the bubbling, frothing heart of the little nation. A year ago, or perhaps it was longer, it was hard to say, many of the dozens of species that made up Gordon Bay City’s vast immigrant population had sought to adapt their ways of life to that of their hosts. But times were changing. Hints of the Old Ways were creeping back in, and more and more members of humankind were seeking to embrace the New.

The thuss, the alven, the tikolishe, even the alans, seemed to be increasingly asserting themselves at Central Council meetings, no longer content to accept the staid, conservative, human values and rulings of their compatriots. Sukie knew as well as anyone that little love was lost between Lord Makua, the Kolani first minister, and his deputy Marjorie Belt, but she so frequently now saw their eyes meet whenever one of the nonhuman councillors rose to speak. The unspoken agreement was clear – humanity, in all its hues, was losing its grip on this land. And it was certainly a Candelariasian colony no longer.

Sukie had dipped her toe into the Dark District and its surrounding streets once or twice, taken in the sights and smells of the Dg-Ls Street market – a dizzying, chaotic experience, for any bizarre bazaar run by a socialist, kleptomaniac gnomish race was always likely to offer a unique approach to consumerism – and attended a dazzlingly sparkling marriage ceremony between Alan from the lab and her new husband, Alan, but had left it at that. The pathologist had never been one to grasp life with both hands – death, certainly, but not life – and this brave new world, so invigorating for so many of her fellow citizens of the Democratic Republic, had yet to work its charms on her. If this was the future of Gordon Bay City, she had often wondered, perhaps she really didn’t belong here any more, if she ever had.

Normally she preferred it out here, in the western suburbs, where a few thousand Candelariasians continued to do their best to remain resolutely so. You barely found a family of gnomes or long-earned panotti out here, never mind anything more exotic, and the inevitable solitary hutchen and hobgoblins were little more than tolerated. By the light of daytime, you could almost fool yourself into thinking that you were still in comforting, ignorant, ridiculous Candelaria And Marquez.

But not in the evenings. In the evenings, things went bump in the night. Shapes, sometimes bigger than a man, sometimes smaller than a child, flitted and skittered through the gloom. Was the trotting that floating by on the wind that of a horse, or camel, or a satyr, or something far worse? Here, for just a few hours a day, the monsters were neither hidden nor exposed, and humans shivered in their beds.

Cold beds, if Sukie was any judge. This wasn’t May weather, it hadn’t been for days. She should be back in her flat, safely wrapped up against the elements, but she simply couldn’t keep this to herself any longer. And somehow, there was only one man who seemed to understand.

The back door was unlocked, of course. Gordon Bay City could be filled with all the terrors that the multiverse had to offer, but no-one, not of any species, would seek to take advantage of any lax security at number forty-three. You could be as insubstantial as a whisper, or exist in a dozen dimensions at once, but there were some barriers you just didn’t cross. She crossed it anyway. Rules, she had long felt, were principally aimed at other life forms.

“Mark…?” Sukie whispered as she passed through the kitchen, fighting every natural urge to creep. There would be creatures on guard here, she knew. Best to look authoritative, like she was meant to be there. Come with a laminated name badge, for preference. Lyndon had taught her that, a long time ago. She pushed gently at the door leading into the front room.

“Mark…?”

A television flickered away in silence, casting light on the withered figure huddled on the big, comfy chair on the opposite side of the room. Sukie held her breath. Of all people in these islands, she knew death when she saw it. And smelt it, too. It was rather an integral element of her day job.

Still, there were procedures to follow. Four years of medical school could never be completely thrown out of the window, even if half the bodies she played about in these days hadn’t come under the course’s remit. She walked smartly over to the corpse and poked it vaguely in the chest. The corpse blinked at her.

“You’re blocking the telly.”

“You smell like you’ve been dead for three days. We all have our charming little idiosyncrasies, Mark.”

“But in the morning, Miss Roheart –”

“Rohaert.”

“In the morning, I shall have a wash. What are you going to do about blocking the television?”

“Do you promise to use a flannel?”

Mark Baker nodded at her curtly. Sukie stepped smartly to one side.

“Much obliged.”

“You haven’t even got the sound on,” she said accusingly, as though this was her most pressing irritation with life right at this moment.

“I was resting my ears,” the old man muttered, dredging up the remote control from the recesses of the chair and jabbing testily at the mute button.

“…riasian Home Office has released a statement rubbishing earlier press reports that government staff have been advised to remove C&M flags from prominent positions on state premises and refrain from wearing blue and green shirts on the days of key qualifying matches. The move follows media speculation – and swift editorial condemnation – that the advice had been issued to avoid causing offence to immigrant communities, but a spokesman for the government insisted this evening that only Candelariasian embassy staff overseas would be covered under the new guidelines, in the wake of an incident in the Nord-Brutlandese capital of Kingsville last month in which two members of the C&M mission were disciplined after being seen drunkenly taunting counterparts from the neighbouring embassy of West Zirconia. A further man was sent back to the Candelarias following consultation with Ambassador Asher Dolloe, after bearing his buh-Tocks, inked with the phrase ‘2-1!” at passers-by following the first competitive meeting between the Candelariasian and West Zirconian national teams.

“The guidelines do not apply to anyone not in the employ of the Foreign Office, and civil servants are indeed encouraged wherever possible to show support for the ‘Big Blues’. The spokesman stopped short of adding that anyone who actually believed this sort of tabloid crap was clearly a bloody moron, who probably also believes that the moon is made of cheese, that all immigrants to the Candelarias live on benefits in enormous mansions, and who are generally so intellectually backward and parochial that they more than likely think that ‘Parochial’ was a minor Old Testament prophet, but that’s Candelaria And Marquez for you. A spade can never be a spade, can it? Hrumph.

“Anyway, staying with football, an–”

“You have to admire GBC-TV’s unique editorial stance on these sorts of matters,” Sukie said cheerfully, squinting in the half-light offered by the television screen. “Anything that helps forge a united cultural identity, eh?”

“Aye,” Mark uttered, without great commitment. “Now shush, eh, if you want t’stay here? I was watching this…”

“…timately comfortably, two-nil win over Zenethj, despite initially struggling to break down the six-man defence of the visitors to Albrecht. Speaking prior to the match, manager Carlos Panadero had admitted that the international newcomers represented an uncertain test, telling CTV1 that, ‘As they say themselves; they have one major weapon – mystique. Well alright, mystique and a six-man defence including a trio of absolute giants. They have two major weapons – mystique, and six-man defence. And quite a dangerous approach on the counter. They have three major weapons, mysti–”

“Mark, look, I need to talk to you abou–”

“It can wait. Football.”

“Sure. Right. We all have to wait for the football.”

“…ith Jesse Nakatsuru finally opening the scoring after fifty-five minutes, for his fifth goal in the last four qualifying fixtures on his eightieth appearance for his country. Koviljko Randjelovic’s rich vein of form, following goals that included the late winner against West Zirconia, continued as he doubled the lead ten minutes later to allow the ‘Big Blues’ to stroll in front of a sold-out Tristar Songstress Stadium. Post-match, Panadero acknowledged that there remained significant teething troubles as he builds his new-look side ready for a seemingly inevitable World Cup campaign, but claimed that the unseasonable wind-chill factor in Albrecht this afternoon played somewhat into the visitors hands during the first half.

“C&M top their group however, after seven games with seven draws, no losses, no goals fo… That can’t be right. Who’s buggered up the tables…? Anyway, they’ve won all their games – something which only World Cup holders Cassadaigua can likewise claim. Key Rushmori encounters elsewhere saw West Zirconia move into the qualification driving seat behind C&M, with three vital points at Steroga; Tentalon came off the worse in an eight-goal thriller at home to Sorthern Northland to sit an already distant eighth; Miceland stayed in touch in Group Three with victory at Zarbli; the Sandrians shrugged off the ongoing confusion within their national association to win six-three at Colbourne in a competitive Group Nine; Toyur and the Pocoans both picked up wins in their respective groups; while Pays de Horreur and Sargo–”

“Mark! Are you going to make me stand here all night? Because I will. I haven’t got anything better to do.”

“It’ll be the weather in a minute. Just let me watch the weather…”

“What d’you need to watch the weather for!? When was the last time you even left the house?”

“Not sure. Week. Maybe. Week or two. This what you’ve been reduced to, is it? Home help? Come to clean up my beard, have you? Mop my brow? Help me do the Su Doku? You need to get yourself a fella, luv.”

Sukie lurched forward, grabbed the remote, turned mute back on, and regarded the old man icily. “Mark, you’ve known me long enough now. If I want to unleash sarcasm designed to tear apart your every flaw and leave you feeling about an inch tall, I really can do that. You’re playing with the big girls now. So shall we just be civil? Because I really haven’t got the time nor patience for your nonsense.”

“They took my team away…”

“Yes,” she swallowed. “Yeah, I know. It’s only going to be for a bit though, isn’t it? Attendances weren’t great, were they, and the commitment to rethinking youth development an’ all is cer–”

“Don’t parrot it, you blasted woman! They took my team away! They took my team away! They took my team away!! Yo–”

“You missed out the stress on ‘took’.”

“It was all I had! Mark Baker, ancient Mark Baker, he who guided Gordon Bay City to the World Cup first time of asking, luv, first time of asking! Against all the odds! I took ‘em there! No Baptism of Fire! Men who thought they were gods, left-backs with no legs, strikers the size of my thumb nail… I could’ve left at any time. I could’ve said no. Could’ve died for it, too, but I already knew what they’d done to my sister, all those years ago… And this is how they repay me? They took my team away!”

“It wasn’t personal though, was it? Everyone here still respects everything you’ve done for them.”

“But I’m a… I’m an anachronism, aren’t I? ‘Cos that qualification, it reminds them of the bad old days. The Queendom, the dictatorship, all the lies, all the mistrust and hatred… I’m not blind, Susannah. Use t’see it on their faces, they were proud of us, of my team, but just a little bit ashamed as well. But we reprsented an old Gordon Bay City. And now they’re forging ahead with this new Gordon Bay City, and football doesn’t have a place anymore, does it? And that means I don’t, either. Can’t just embrace the new ways, me. Or the Old Ways, come to that. People like you and me my girl, we’re just forgotten relics. We don’t matter any more. Never asked to be Gordbaysian, me…”

“So go! Cross the border, you could get a coaching job somewhere, or retire and spent time with the grandkids, or…”

“And you reckon the hairy old bitch up in Robinson House would just let that happen?”

For the sake of her friendship with the old manager, Sukie threw a mental towel over her angrily bleeping patriarchy alarm. “What could she do to you? You’re still a living legend.”

“Who’s been officially dead, what, three times now? Nah, you can only have so many comebacks. No country for old men, that.”

“So this is the plan, is it? You’ll squat in the dark, wasting away in front of the television?”

“Pretty much, aye. Don’t give me that look, luv, I’ll live. Kxaŋ͡ǂi brings me a bit of grub, here and there. He’s a good lad. You don’t need that much, at my age.”

“Sorry, you mean the aigamuxa? What can he possibly bring you, road kill? The occasional vole he’s caught? They can’t even talk…”

“He does his best,” Baker said defensively. “Now what d’you want, Susannah? I do know you. You wouldn’t come out here for a social call.”

“No. Do you known any Beatrice?”

Baker frowned. “Nup. Should I?”

“The Svartálfar say she’s coming. They’re, um, they’re not happy about it. Absolutely terrified, I’d say.”

“And what’re you asking me for exactly? You’re the only person on God’s green Earth who seems to understand the little buggers. They adopted you. Just ask ‘em yourself, if you’re that desperate.”

“Oh yes, why didn’t I think of that? What a silly teddy I am. They didn’t want to tell me! And I couldn’t now if I wanted to, because they’ve gone. I’ve been down the sewers twice this week, there’s no sign of them.”

“They come and go. They always have, you know that better than anyone.”

“One of them would normally tell me, first. In their own little way… But they’ve just vanished, and I’ve had three of them tell me that Wor Beatrice is coming, and gibbering about it. Svarts do not gibber, Mark. They giggle, they caper, they look up at your with big watery eyes and whine a bit, but they don’t get scared! Not unless something awful is about to happen. And it’s cold,” she added, limply.

“Cold?”

“Everywhere’s cold. Has been for a fortnight. And dark, and windy.”

“I’ll take your word for it, luv. You wouldn’t let me watch the weather.”

“Oh, honestly,” Sukie tutted, switching the sound back on again. A delicate little creature faced her as she turned around, standing on a box in front of a map of the Candelarias, waving its arms.

“…ark and gloomy morning across much of eastern Candelaria tomorrow, one or two scattered showers across the valleys but we can expect clears skies over Gordon Bay, temperatures dropping away quite sharply as the afternoon draws in. High winds can be expected in… expected in… Oh look, I don’t know, alright!? I, I… I just can’t… I don’t know what’s going to happen! I’m really only guessing, and you provided all these nice computer graphics for me, and… I’m just not sure what the point is anymore! I… Oh, thank you…”

The woman turned upon Baker triumphantly as the little man noisily blew its nose on the tissue provided. “There! You know what that is? That little chap’s one of the earth-folk, two and half feet tall, shy as owt… And they know all about cheese, and about goats, and about peas, and about spinning. And more than anything else, right, they know about the weather! What they don’t know about the weather isn’t worth knowing! And our little Republic’s has had the multiverse’s most accurate weather forecasting for nearly a year now, and now look at him! He’s in pieces! Something’s going on, I can just feel it! The pillywiggins have all buggered off, and now the svarts, and…”

“When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep, luv?” Baker asked kindly.

“When d’you think? But I’m not wrong about this, I know I’m not. Are you sure you don’t…?”

“Putting the Alzheimer’s to one side, why would I?”

“You know things, Mark. I know you do. I was there. Those elves took you away for months, before you came back and… and…”

“Tried to murder your fella?”

“Um. If you want to put it like that, yes.”

“I don’t remember any of it. You know that, Sooz. One minute I was in a sewer with an ape, the next I had a gun in my hand best part of a year or three later. So, gabbling goblins, and Beatrices, and… and the cold. Means nothing to me. If it ever did.”

“It’s just… You’re the only one who really understands what… Oh, I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I suppose I just needed to get it all off my chest. You’re right, they do come and go, and the City Council would never listen… they barely tolerate my presence as it is, these days. I’ll… I’ll leave you to it.” She handed him the remote. “Sorry for bothering you…”

“Never, luv, never. Susannah!” he added, as she turned to leave.

“Yeah?”

“Fetch me a flannel, eh? There’s a good girl.”

***

A young…ish woman shouldn’t walk these streets alone, Sukie knew, even one with particularly sharp elbows. Forty-something different species, just waiting for a chance to pull you into a bush and get all ravenous and tentacally on you. And that was just the female sprites. Frankly, between the aguane and the skosgra and the seligen, the human guys really did have it worse on the being-unexpected-ravaged stakes. Depending on how exactly one looked at it.

It was hardly dark though, between the street lamps and the Jenny-with-the-lanternses. Hardly dark, but so, so quiet. Sukie avoiding the most bustling areas of the nonhuman heart of the city on her way home, but there should still have been all the activity of a human daytime. Carts and dogs and arguments. But, new ways or Old Ways, the place was dead.

Save for a handful of fat, brown, colourfully clothed people now hurrying past her down the street, each adult among them carrying packs and suitcases upon their backs that towered above them. Sukie recognised them instantly as Fir Bolg – shapeshifters who took this vaguely human form out of deference to their new neighbours. Man and bolg got along fine, as a rule, but it was rare for the species to venture out this far, and at this time of night. They detested electricity, for one thing, and even as she stood there two or three of the lamps along the road fizzled out as a bolg passed by.

“Hey! Um. Everything all right?”

Only one bolg turned round, fear now etched upon a face made for expressions of profound comprehension and serenity. “They’re comin’ ba’! Your Beatrice! Oh, yisser sweet babby! They’re comin’ ba’, an’ yer won’t even ‘av any toime!”

“What!?”

“They’re comin’ ba’!” the bolg shouted again, giving her one last desperate, sorrowful glance before tearing off after his kin. As they turned the corner and disappeared from view, every remaining street light went bang in the night, and vanished into nothingness.

***

“I know you’re there.”

“We know you know, Mark.”

“I’ve always known you’re there. Watching, waiting. You think you’re so clever, you lot, hiding away in the shadows, in your little black suits. But I know you’re there.”

“We know.”

“Aye? Really?”

“Yes. You just told us so.”

“Yeah, you’re quick like that. What is it, then? Why now?”

“They are coming, Mark.”

“Aye? Who’d that be, then?”

“Your people would call them… Beatrice, I would suppose.”

“There’s a stunner.” Mark Baker sighed, and puffed out his cheeks. He sniffed, winced, and hauled himself to his feet. “Getting a wee bit chibbly, isn’t it?”

“I couldn’t possibly comment,” the elf shrugged. “Shall we get going?”

[Somewhereistonia]

Back at an observatory near Qasarian, things were getting slightly panicked.

"Boss, you remember that telescope we sent into space to take pictures; and you know how that managed to take some pictures of a planet of another star?"

"Yes, a great discovery for science! Why? Have we found another one?"

"No, we zoomed in for a closer look at the first planet... it's gone."

"What do you mean gone?"

"Well, it just vanished when we looked closer, one second it was there, the next second, gone!"

"Well, this is incredible! There must be something wrong!"

"Nope, we checked twice, then double-checked another 3 times. The planet has just vanished, anyway, we have come up with a fool-proof way to investigate."

"Why do I not like the sound of this?"

"No idea, maybe you're a little paranoid. Anyway, alligators!"

"What, like the ones used ridiculously in the recent war?"

"Yes, only we're going to use them more ridiculously. The idea being that the universe is doing something too complex to explain. By doing something that makes absolutely no sense, we should be able to uncover stuff that made no sense before."

"And how much will this insane hunch cost us?"

"Nothing, someone came with the information and the alligators that the military used and paid us for the costs"

"Someone?"

"He didn't give a name, bit of a wierd looking chap. If I didn't know better I'd say he was a hobo. Anyway, the point is, this would be entirely free. And look at the design docs!"



"Good gracious, that is ridiculous!"

"So can we do it?"

"What are the alligators supposed to do?"

"Well, they'll collect information in sensors all over their body that will get radioed back to us."

"Isn't this a bit cruel?"

"These are the former war 'gators, they are beyond rehabilitation! They cannot be released back into the wild now, not after what they've seen!"

"Well, I suppose we'll at least get remembered for being the first to send alligators into space. You can do it."

"Operation: Space 'gator is a go!"

"Urgh"

-------------------------------

Meanwhile; several hundred lightyears away

*Poof*

Hey look, that planet is back!

So it is, anyway, you want a game of ping the planet?

In a minute, I just want to look at that planet. It isn't right.

It's just them wierdos who make planets go *poof*, ignore it.

Look, it's got a face on it!

Oh yeah, it looks like that guy that went missing in Somewhereistonia.

What?

Kukas Skormilonski I think his name is, went missing a couple of Earth days ago.

Why the hell would you know about something like that? We don't even hang out in that solar system.

We're inter-dimensional beings, why wouldn't we know?

Because there's a huge amount of knowledge out there, why would you know about the local news in some random country on Earth?

Because it's important, obviously.

How so?

Well, one of their former national team players has his face on the side of a planet, for one thing.

...

You really should attend more inter-dimensional being conferences, you are so out of the loop.

I keep meaning to go...

----------------------

Back on Earth...

"Fire"

*BANG*

"OK, that's the last of 'em"

"How many was it in total?"

"93"

"Seems a waste really"

"Well, maybe they always dreaming of going into space..."

"Quite."

[Unitopolis]

Starting Line-Up (4-4-3)
GK: Jason Paul
LB: Séan Flawsley
CB: Eric Aldé
CB: Yutre Garu
RB: Emile Fallopius
LM: Giuseppe Joliano MoM, GOAL '70
CM: Kenil Hutsa (C)
RM: Oliver Chambers
F: Corenhinho
F: Rob Van Muir
F: Niall Hunt

Substitutes
GK: Martin Budsaja
CB: Joseph Olombo
RB: Patrick Higgins
LM: Jon Boyde
F: Dermot Scanlon

Jack Beade's future will be decided later by the Executive Board of the UFA, after a disastrous 1 - 1 draw with Toy Toy, ranked 285th in the world. The draw leaves Unitopolis eighth in the group, and a whole six points off the target that the UFA outlined before qualifying starts. Although his players tried valiantly to score the winner, ultimately their performance wasn't good enough and bookies closed bets on Beade being sacked this week 5 minutes before the final whistle.

Toy Toy played well and it looked as though we had underestimated them. We were playing well ourselves however, and we had more possession in the first half. The first half was marked by skill and flair on both sides, with the crowd clapping appreciatively when a TT player nutmegged Emile Fallopius and cheering widly when Giuseppe Joliano skilfully dribbled it by two defenders.

The match came alive in the 48th minute, when a corner was miscleared by Jason Paul and scuffed in by a Toy Toyan striker. Unitopolis knew they had to win to keep Jack Beade in a job and it looked more and more likely as shot after shot rained down on the opposition goal. We got our goal after 70 minutes, a well-worked piece of play that accumulated in Giuseppe Joliano slotting home a chance from 16 yards out.

At the final whistle, a tearful Jack Beade saluted the fans and embraced the players. He was cheered off the pitch as if it were the Baptism of Fire all over again. Whether or not he'll be here for the match against Landau institue remains to be seen.

Unitopolis 1 - 1 Toy Toy: Joliano '70
Man of the Match: Giuseppe Joliano (7/10): i don't lile choosing the goalscorer as MoM, i prefer to choose those who make the goal, but Joliano was fantastic again today. Heavily involved in nearly all our attacks and definitely our most creative player.
UTN Sports

[Cosumar]

The overweight police office couldn't look Rikki in the eye.

"Well what is it?" Cosumaran ST Varshney asked.

He had been called at about 4:00 in the morning by the Ramusok police and asked to come up to the station for big news about the car crash that his parents and brother had died in two weeks ago before the game against Ursine Northlands.

The police officer looked up and faced Varshney. He said very slowly, "We.........do not think that.........

Varshney stood up, aggreavated by the officer's behavior. "Just tell me what happened to my family!" he begged.

The officer apologized and said, "After investigation.......we do not, that is, we think your family's car crash death was...not an accident.

Varshney absorbed the news and sat there stunned. "What exactly do you mean? You think this was freakin' MURDER??"

"So far, that it the direction our investigation is pointing so to speak."

"Who would want to kill a debuting soccer player's family?'

"That's what we are trying to figure out."

Rikki Varshney didn't know what to feel. He still felt pangs of sorrow for the loss of his parents and brother, pity for his niece and sister who were injured in the incident, now anger for whoever did this, as well as doubt concerning the who what how and why of his family's death.

He thanked the officer and headed back to the parking lot, tears already beginning to well up in his eyes.

He had no idea there was a bomb awaiting him in his car...

To Be Continued

[Andrewboy]

Drewchester Roast
Andrewboy get disappointing home draw

Summary
In matchday 7 Andrewboy played host to Schiavonia, who are in the running for that second position with us. 3 points would be major for Andrewboy.

Match

Code: Select all

Andrewboy:2            Schiavonia: 2
Flash 22end            Berry 31st
Johnson 67th           Smith 72end


Andrewboy struggled today at Andrewboy Soccer Stadium, hoping to get three points. It started well with Johnson cutting through the defence and then chipping the ball into the box where flash controlled the ball and cut it across to Walsh who struck the post then Flash knocked the rebound into the open goal. The lead was short lived as in the 31st Smith bolted down the wing, cut it into the box and Berry smashed it home from 13 yards. It went to the half like that an in the second Andrewboy retook the lead with Johnson converting a penalty. In the 72end Smith tied the game again, he ran down the wing, smashed the ball in at waits level and it smashed off Gorng and into the net. He got credited with the goal. Andrewboy pressed but couldn’t get into the lead.

Results and Table
Group 6
Tretskivucia 3–1 Negative Katana
Undeadzombiee 2–3 Vjiay
Valanora 1–0 Iglesian Archipelago
Lithatrius 0–2 Taeshan
Andrewboy 2–2 Schiavonia

Group 6                    P    W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts 
 1 Valanora                   7    6   0   1   21    7  +14   18
 2 Schiavonia                 7    4   2   1   23   18   +5   14
 3 Andrewboy                  7    3   3   1   19   15   +4   12
 4 Tretskivucia               7    3   3   1   16   14   +2   12
 5 Iglesian Archipelago       7    2   2   3   15   17   −2    8
 6 Negative Katana            7    2   1   4   12   17   −5    7
 7 Vjiay                      7    2   1   4    9   14   −5    7
 8 Taeshan                    7    2   1   4    9   10   −1    7
 9 Lithatrius                 7    2   1   4   12   18   −6    7
10 Undeadzombiee              7    1   2   4   17   23   −6    5

Next match
Andrewboy have a very, very difficult away game to Taeshan. Andrewboy will be desperate to get a good result, hoping to keep up with Schiavonia.

[Aguazul]

La Verdad

Aguazul make it count

After celebrating Aguazul's win against Krytenia, General Carlos Lopez reassured domestic football fans that international club matches still, indeed, "counted". "These three points are great for the national team, and should be celebrated with no disrespect meant to the achievements, or lack thereof, of Unión de Ciudagua." The national champions lost to Mercia Bromham in the most recent Aeropag Football Invitational final. "The value of this result going forward, perhaps, cannot be measured in kilograms of gold, is all."

Gunsedal Cisneros gave Aguazul the lead in the fourteenth minute, dribbling past Ricky Varadero and sending a low, angled shot into the goal. The hosts equalized through Ricky Smeaton nine minutes later, off a short tap from Sancho Torres. Their only lead came from a Damon Parker header shortly afterwards. Resolutely stationed at center forward, Parker kept José Manuel Poblano occupied all game but could perhaps have helped his team more by moving around to dig out errant shots.

An arching shot from Emilio Guaman tied the game heading into halftime, but Krytenia came out of the break attacking. Aguazul's midfield dropped back to defend against the oncoming hosts, and it took a foul to slow down the Aces' momentum. After a clean tackle from Olivar Bravo, Torres (who had missed some previous matches with an injury) was booked for diving. "That was a stupid mistake," reflected Cristian Delgado. "They were threatening, but we got a breather." Shortly afterwards, Cosme Chavira put Aguazul ahead.

The eventual winner came thanks to the only starter for either team that had competed in Aeropag, Gerardo Riquelme of Aguazul. With Ricky Sexton guarding him, he crossed to Rubén Saavedra, who blasted the ball in for the visitors' fourth goal. Thomas Scarborough brought the hosts within one, but Aguazul held on for the win.

"Obviously, we have what it takes to repeat that performance at home," said Lopez, "and I don't want to detract from that, or any other upcoming games. Still, these three points are useful." Delgado announced that Vedillo Bazán would start the next match in Upper North Yorkshire.

[Schiavonia]

"You're home!"

"We are."

"You got a draw. Was that good?"

"Well, Andrewboy have been in good form, so going there and getting a point is a decent result."

"Bit arrogant to name the nation after himself, though?"

"Sorry?"

"Never mind."

"So how's the island been?"

"OK, I guess. Everyone just listens to Laurie and Al's commentary. It's a great atmosphere here on the island."

"Chris," Kenny's voice took on a slightly more serious note now. "There was something you said the other day. You're not from here, we know that, but how did you get here?"

"On the boat. I made it myself, you know."

"And where did you make the boat and get on it?"

"Well... there was this other island. One with doctors on it of mixed levels of madness."

Kenny figured that this was probably the Landau Institute.

"Anyway, there was one who wasn't a very friendly type. Just kept interrogating me. So I had to escape."

"So you ended up here."

"Yes. I just wondered, is there anything you can do about the people on that other island?"

"Not a thing. They're very experimental over there, and the chances are that they will deny all knowledge of you. Indeed, there is a distinct possibility that you should not have been there at all."

"Well, of course I shouldn't have been!"

"But... hang on... this doesn't add up. You were there, but didn't know where it was. Does that mean... they made you?"

"I... er... don't think so. I just woke up there one day."

"And was that your first day?"

"Not at all. What happened was that I passed out at my computer screen and then before I knew it I was on the island."

"And where were you before that?"

"In the library at university."

"Maybe they wanted you for your academic capabilities."

"Hardly. My course was groundsmanship and I hadn't attended for three months."

"Groundsmanship?"

"Yeah. You know, looking after sports grounds."

"Really?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Come with me."

Kenny took Chris across the island in what seemed like a matter of seconds. Mainly because it was, it isn't a big place. Kenny entered a small shack and pulled an old machine out.

"Think you can get that to work?"

"What is it?"

"A lawn mower."

"Really?"

"Yes, really! We've needed someone to look after The Field for a while. You will be so much better and cheaper than importing specially trained bazalopes from Bazalonia to do it."

"Well... why not! Although..."

Chris couldn't finish his sentence as the mower powered up and dragged him back across the island. Schiavonia are away at Negative Katana in their next game, so there's a little time for him to get to grips with the battered old grass cutter. Hopefully we'll have a good pitch ready for Taeshan's visit.

[Inabi]

Topic: Double feature, tietastic, and DEAR LORD let us win this one!

---

Apologies for not covering the Western Cuba vs Inabi game readers. Things came up, and those things manifested into other things, and it soon became a jumbled mass of things that were all related to each other and were equally annoying. But those things have been fixed, and I will spare you the details of such annoying frivolities. To make up for not covering the Western Cuba game, I will make this issue a double feature! Yes, I will be talking about a game a day late, and which you probably already know about by now, and the Uiri game as well. Just to let you in, both games were ties. Now, to start, let's talk defense. Looks like the Inabian National Football team's defense is back on track. The Western Cuba game ended up 2-2, and the Uiri game ended up 1-1. Not bad for playing against teams that are ahead of you in your group. We held them at the same score for quite some time. In the Western Cuba game, Kim Chul-Soon made a goal nearing the end of the first half. A header made by Kim Il-Sung was deflected by Western Cuba's goalie, but it was headed again by Chul-Soon for the goal. The arena, though small, was quickly filled with the cheers of Inabian fans. That was the highlight of the Western Cuba vs Inabi game, the rest of it was more or less just back and forth action with a the scale leaning in the favor of Western Cuba twice, and then back to Inabi for the tie.

The Uiri game was a close game as well. The first half was scoreless for both sides, and both teams were itching for the score. The Uiri team mounted an offensive quickly in the start of the second half. Of course, the Head Coach must have known this was coming. Surely he must have had a strategy against this, Uiri was known for being an offensive styled team. Well, the Head Coach surprises us once again! From the look on his face, which was perfectly captured by a live-feed camera, he was startled by this show of offense. He shouted out some directions, but this only confused the team even more so. The Uiri team swept through Inabian lines and one of their players kicked it into the goal late into the game.

Now, having such little time to make-up a goal must have been frustrating. Having the ball stolen from you while you're trying to make the goal for your team must have been aggravated that even more. Kim Il-Sung, being hot headed and all, started to make derogatory comments towards Uiri Defender Guy Porto. It was not clear whether or not Guy responded to the insults, the information is all messed up.

The Inabian team was later able to mount a successful offensive, Kim Chul-Soon making yet another goal to tie the game for Inabi. It was quite close as well, at the 85 minute mark. All the Inabian defense had to do then was hold out for the rest of the game. And so, that's what they did. They were careful in each choices they made, cautious with every move. A mistake and it would be another lose for them. The time ran out, and there was yet another tie on Inabi's record.

Now, these two games bring up a few questions. At least, they did for me. One, is the current Head Coach really the man for the job? Sure, he led Inabi to a decent run in the Baptism of Fire, but currently he isn't doing all that much. Of course, of course, you can always say that, "It's the World Cup, it's different." Well, for one thing, we lost to an unranked team. And another, he's been coaching for quite some time now. How the Lord Protector thought he was good for the job, who knows. Maybe he'll improve? Who knows.

Another, is the Inabian defense back on track now? Two tied games, after two games that we've lost. That's an improvement, isn't it? Maybe the offense is getting better, or maybe the defense. Who knows, let's just watch the next game. With that:

vs The St Timothy Isles (@ Predator Stadium, Koa - 80,198)

The St Timothy Isles, the only ones that are ranked even worse then we are in Group 5. Now, we've underestimated Colbourne before and guess what happened? We lost. Now, guess what'll happen if we underestimate The St Timothy Isles? The exact same thing, we'll probably lose. That's why, even if they are a lower ranked team, we've got to go all out. Even if we absolutely crush their team, that'll at least get us higher on the list. We've lost and tied many times over with only one win. We've got to pull this victory out of our ass or something like that. It's going to take more then what we have to get onto the top two places.

DEAR LORD, let us win this one! Please!

WORLD CUP 51 QUALIFICATIONS
MD1: vs Achtervolging [1-0 INABI] (@ New Jakar Corporation Football Stadium, Jakar - 69,851)
MD2: at Antarctistan [0-0 TIE]
MD3: vs Peisandros [0-0 TIE] (@ Green Crustacean Arena, Orai - 42,655)
MD4: vs Akbarabad [2-6 AKBARABAD] (@ Predator Stadium, Koa - 80,198)
MD5: at Colbourne [1-0 COLBOURNE]
MD6: vs Western cuba [2-2 TIE] (@ Lord Protector I Stadium, Nara - 32,142)
MD7: at Uiri [1-1 TIE]
MD8: vs The St Timothy Isles (@ Predator Stadium, Koa - 80,198)
MD9: at Whirl Islands
MD10: at Achtervolging
MD11: vs Antarctistan (@ Lord Protector I Stadium, Nara - 32,142)
MD12: at Peisandros
MD13: at Akbarabad
MD14: vs Colbourne (@ Green Crustacean Arena, Orai - 42,655)
MD15: at Western cuba
MD16: vs Uiri (@ New Jakar Corporation Football Stadium, Jakar - 69,851)
MD17: at The St Timothy Isles
MD18: vs Whirl Islands (@ New Jakar Corporation Football Stadium, Jakar - 69,851)

[Unitopolis]

"And we have breaking news coming through now from the offices of the UFA in central Zolka, we go live now to our Zolka correspondent Henry Steele, who's just outside the building, Henry what do we know?

"Well Jean, Jack Beade has apparantly been sacked as manager of Unitopolis. At the moment, he's in that very building discussing his future with Martin Henderson, the president of the UFA, and has been since 9'o clock tonight. Now several sources within the meeting are saying that Beade has been sacked and offered a compensation deal, although our three sources compensation details differ by around £15,000.

"But Beade has been sacked?"

"Well you know our sources are reliable Jean, and that's what they're saying. And- Oh! Sorry, there's someone leaving the building, i'll go closer. it's UFA president Martin Henderson! "Mr. Henderson, a few words?"

"Very well then Henry, congratulations on being first on the scene."

"Mr. Henderson, is Jack Beade still the manager of the national team?"

"Unfortunately Mr. Beade has as of 11.45pm, ceased to be an employee of the UFA. He will be entitled to a compensation package of £250,000 for the three years that were left on his contract. We wish Mr. Beade all the best in his future job."

"As do we at UTN, but back to the here and now, who are the UFA looking to replace him with?"

"Well we are probably going to choose an experienced manager from abroad. We've chosen Unitopolitan managers for the past 38 years, and it's gotten us nowhere."

"Any people in particular?"

"You know i can't say, we'll be interviewing candidates and we'll choose the most suitable for the job."

"Thanks, and we'll try and get an interview with Jack Beade a little later, back to you in studio Jean"

"Thanks Henry, and i suppose another question now is, where will Jack Beade go?"

[Delaclava]

The 32 people were surrounding the school. This time, it was a big school: South Catherina Preparatory. All grades, a total attendance of 5,000. And it was this school to whom the gunmen kicked in the doors-

Hold just a tick! Franz Braddock's blood pressure is up! His heart won't be able to take any more tragedy! There's only so much an 85-year-old football coach can handle!

And so, for now, a different yarn shall be threaded...just a good ol' yarn about a nice football game, perhaps...

"Come on, boys, let's go!" Anatoliy Titov screamed at his team.

It was the 43rd minute. Goalkeeper Graham Torres and his defense had surrendered a second goal, and it was 2-0 in Jesselton's favor. Delaclava went into the game overconfident, off a 2-game winning streak, and they were paying now. Again. They certainly weren't playing like the 50th-ranked team they were.

Suddenly, in the section behind the goal Jesselton was defending, fans held up four gigantic placards. They read "1", "8", "1", and "5".

Everyone shuddered. Everyone knew that between the Sellek Christian Academy massacre, the Oppidum Sacrum killings, and the police station shooting, 1,815 people had died in just a matter of days. And no one's blood went colder than the football players on their field. As ice pumped through their veins and nerves, they knew they were representing a country who was suffering greatly.

For the next 47 minutes of the game, the Phoenixes played like a world-class team.

Immediately, Alessandro Campeon Berrera took a pass from the side, passed it to Simon De Braden in the middle, then sprinted through the defense like someone who didn't have two busted ACL's. Before Jesselton knew what hit them, Berrera had knocked the ball into the lower right corner to tie up the game.

There was a fat man in the stands who fell asleep at the half. When his old wife finally realizes he was asleep and woke him up, the man looked at the scoreboard in shock. Jesselton 2 Delaclava 4. 77:13. He missed three goals by Simon De Braden, who recorded the national team's first ever hat trick and brought his goal total to 7. Ruben Hester had two assists to bring his cup total to 8.

"We did it for all of those kids, teachers, administrators, all of those people today," Titov said. "That was more than a game right there."

Simon De Braden took a while before he could stop his tears and give a statement, and for good reason. Sellek Christian Academy was De Braden's old school, until Braden left after his freshman year to pursue his football career. Finally, he said, "It's tough to remember that so many of my friends died there, and if things went a little differently, even I could have died there." De Braden didn't mention that his youngest sister Denisa, a 4th grader, had died in the attack. He didn't need to. Everyone knew how much he was grieving for his loss.

So was everyone else. The party music was completely absent. Hester, the life of the party who always has something to say, for once was speechless and somber.

There would be another day for joy. Perhaps after a much-needed win over Euroslavia to extend their winning streak. That would feel pretty good.