Brevity Challenge Cup 4 - IC Everything Thread

[Ceni]

Television cameras caught Kyn Koriden and Marco Santa Oria crying in Halcyon Stadium after Ceni's horrendous Cup of Harmony performance; neither "crybaby" wanted to make a public appearance afterwards, fearing repercussions.

As some might say: they had Fears for Tears.

Of course, "Mad World" played while they flew to Banija.

[Oberour Ar Moro]

Even at age 34, after so many games in goal, Olliuier le Duc can still find fear within himself. As he sees a opposing player, like New Gesem's Zachary Martin, spin around an Oberour defender and zoom towards him alone, that sense of anxiety emerges again. Eyes wide, he prepares.

[Zwangzug]

It's prideful, vulgar almost, to ask the question, because countless nations would trade places with us in a moment. Does winning it all mean there's nothing left to strive for?

The good news is, Banija and Cassadaigua are still competing, still striving. Their example puts this irrational fear to rest.

[Dod Rava]

"What do you mean you are scared of mice?"

"You know... they are just so small and squeaky..."

"But there is nothing scary in them! My uncle owns like ten of them. You should visit him with me after this cup."

"Dude, no way! You ain't taking me there, never!"

[Tikariot]

The sky grows dark, obscuring the warming rays of the sun. The crowd, all clad in black, is on its march toward the stadium, where Tikariot will be taking on Lozho in the last match of the group stage. While the knockouts already were guaranteed, only a win will count.

[Ketiou]

“What’s it like playing in Prahecq, Manu?” Ghislain Nana asked his older colleague.

“If you succeed then the money is good, Ghislain. There is adulation and you will become famous.”

“And if I don’t succeed?”

“People will question your attitude and temperament, but really they just want to be racist.”

[Drawkland]

Joetta Mullins had never been here. Covered in Drawkland's colors, she felt the anxiety of every Drawkian within herself.

Moments left in the match, on the brink of a win, but Reçueçn was pushing. Franky Adams let one loose.

No time for fear, only action.

Jump.

Swat.

Safe.

Playoff bound.

[Chromatika]

After a couple dates, Xi and Pansy committed to a relationship, despite the fear that doing so while being on the same team will lead to gossip. Thankfully, the team was supportive of their budding romance, as long as they didn't let it impact their play. The team? Doing well.

[Tinhampton]

We fast forward two days to see Julia strolling around her room, stressed out of her mind and absolutely clueless. And not just because the Mertagnians got one past her. Nobody had responded to her very open, very untargeted invitation. Oh, no. She opens her door and cries: WHYYYYYYYY? Cathartic.

[PotatoFarmers]

Fear is a state of the mind.

That is what every Poafmer learns in school on Day One. About the importance of not letting your emotions overwhelm you. About how it is important to be ruthless in achieving results and not be afraid of everything.

You can call us cold-blooded.

[Huayramarca]

Sébastien Gagner, the most enigmatic player in the National Team was sliding “business” cards through the neighbourhood around the hotel where Huayramarca is staying, then he felt fear as police managed to pick a card, he ran as he explicitly said “Your best option, your trustworthy dealer of good 420”

[Recuecn]

"It's not looking good."

"Well obviously."

The same conversation was playing out in sports bars across Reçueçn.

"I'm worried we're not going to make it."

"I hate to say it, but it's over for us this time."

"You're right. Delaclava is a strong team. I'm afraid we just can't ___"

[Banija]

Dembo Biri was suddenly the star of the show for team Banija. As a student at the notoriously conservative Heshima & Usian University, however, his answers at pressers were entirely on brand.

"I'm not scared of anything or anybody." He told the press. "I only fear the Lord. Nobody else."

[Banija]

- N/A -

[Banija]

Third Cutoff of the Brevity Cup

If you recognize this one, Congratulations! You're officially old. If you don't, give it a listen... Classic all the way.

Round of 16 Optional Prompt: Old. Talk about it. Use the word in a sentence. Who is old on your team? What is growing old? Etc...

Matchday 3 Scores

Top 2 in each group advance to the Round of 16, rest are eliminated.

Sally Group
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland 2–5 Poafmersia
StrayaRoos 2–4 Banija

Sally Group                                  Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Poafmersia                                  3    2   1   0    11    6   +5     7
2 Banija                                      3    2   0   1     7    6   +1     6
3 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland    3    1   0   2     6    6    0     3
4 StrayaRoos                                  3    0   1   2     4   10   −6     1

Alex Terán Group
Chartistan 3–3 Saterun
Tikariot 4–1 Lozho

Alex Terán Group         Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Tikariot                3    3   0   0     6    1   +5     9
2 Lozho                   3    2   0   1     3    4   −1     6
3 Chartistan              3    0   1   2     3    5   −2     1
  Saterun                 3    0   1   2     3    5   −2     1

Group Christine II
Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom 4–1 Gnejs
Adab 4–3 Bostopia

Group Christine II            Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Adab                         3    2   1   0     7    5   +2     7
2 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom    3    2   0   1     7    2   +5     6
3 Gnejs                        3    1   1   1     5    7   −2     4
4 Bostopia                     3    0   0   3     4    9   −5     0

Marco van Ciavatinni Group
Ceni 3–0 Qasden
Zwangzug 0–0 The Sarian

Marco van Ciavatinni Group    Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Ceni                         3    3   0   0     8    2   +6     9
2 Zwangzug                     3    1   1   1     3    3    0     4*
3 The Sarian                   3    1   1   1     1    2   −1     4*
4 Qasden                       3    0   0   3     0    5   −5     0

*= Zwangzug through over The Sarian due to superior overall goal differential. Zwangzug's is at +/-0, while The Sarian's GD is at -1.

Gitonga Kahara Group
Mertagne 2–0 Loyo
Huayramarca 4–1 Tinhampton

Gitonga Kahara Group    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Huayramarca             3    2   1   0     6    2   +4     7
2 Tinhampton              3    1   1   1     5    7   −2     4
3 Mertagne                3    1   0   2     3    3    0     3
4 Loyo                    3    0   2   1     3    5   −2     2

Rebecca Schoenlein Group
The Cordian Isles 2–1 Cardenao
Chromatika 1–3 Dod Rava

Rebecca Schoenlein Group     Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Dod Rava                    3    2   1   0     4    1   +3     7
2 The Cordian Isles           3    1   2   0     2    1   +1     5
3 Chromatika                  3    1   1   1     2    3   −1     4
4 Cardenao                    3    0   0   3     1    4   −3     0

Derek McNair Group
Oberour Ar Moro 0–2 Koronavia
Cassadaigua 2–0 New Gesem

Derek McNair Group      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Cassadaigua             3    2   1   0    10    3   +7     7
2 Koronavia               3    2   0   1     5    6   −1     6
3 Oberour Ar Moro         3    1   1   1     6    6    0     4
4 New Gesem               3    0   0   3     2    8   −6     0

Group Albert III
Delaclava 0–1 Reçueçn
Drawkland 3–5 Ketiou

Group Albert III         Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Drawkland               3    2   0   1     7    6   +1     6
2 Ketiou                  3    1   1   1     7    6   +1     4*
3 Reçueçn                 3    1   1   1     1    1    0     4*
4 Delaclava               3    1   0   2     4    6   −2     3

*= Ketiou finishes ahead of Reçueçn on overall goal differential. Ketiou's is +1, Reçueçn's is +/-0.

---

Knockout Stages Table

Group Winners & Runners-Up    Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Ceni                         3    3   0   0     8    2   +6     9
1 Tikariot                     3    3   0   0     6    1   +5     9
1 Cassadaigua                  3    2   1   0    10    3   +7     7
1 Poafmersia                   3    2   1   0    11    6   +5     7
1 Huayramarca                  3    2   1   0     6    2   +4     7
1 Dod Rava                     3    2   1   0     4    1   +3     7
1 Adab                         3    2   1   0     7    5   +2     7
1 Drawkland                    3    2   0   1     7    6   +1     6
2 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom    3    2   0   1     7    2   +5     6
2 Banija                       3    2   0   1     7    6   +1     6
2 Koronavia                    3    2   0   1     5    6   −1     6
2 Lozho                        3    2   0   1     3    4   −1     6
2 The Cordian Isles            3    1   2   0     2    1   +1     5
2 Ketiou                       3    1   1   1     7    6   +1     4
2 Zwangzug                     3    1   1   1     3    3    0     4
2 Tinhampton                   3    1   1   1     5    7   −2     4

---

Round of 16 Matchups

#1 Ceni v. #16 Tinhampton @ Lukwago Field(cap. 37,000) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

#8 Drawkland v. #9 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom @ Lukwago Field(cap. 37,000) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

Winners of the above two matches will play in the Brevity Cup Quarterfinals at the Stadium of the Restoration(cap. 91,835) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

#4 Poafmersia v. #13 The Cordian Isles @ The Capital Grounds(cap. 29,000) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

#5 Huayramarca v. #12 Lozho @ The Capital Grounds(cap. 29,000) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

Winners of the above two matches will play in the Brevity Cup Quarterfinals at Mugisha III Memorial Stadium(cap. 49,000) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija.

#3 Cassadaigua v. #14 Ketiou @ Tiones Lumber Field at the Wolf’s Den(cap. 44,000) in Busembe, Kitara Region.

#6 Dod Rava v. #11 Koronavia @ Tiones Lumber Field at the Wolf’s Den(cap. 44,000) in Busembe, Kitara Region.

Winners of the above two matches will play in the Brevity Cup Quarterfinals at Tiones Lumber Field at the Wolf’s Den(cap. 44,000) in Busembe, Kitara Region.

#2 Tikariot v. #15 Zwangzug @ Mavuto Field(cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole.

#7 Adab v. #10 Banija @ Mavuto Field(cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole.

Winners of the above two matches will play in the Brevity Cup Quarterfinals at Mavuto Field(cap, 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole, Banija.

[Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland]

shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit

[Lozho]

Tikariot? That's a riot
They beat our team? We don't buy it
Ref's on the books, get him fired
We'll forever be better and admired
Huayramarca will face our wrath
All will fear the Lozhoan warpath

- 'Coping With Tikariot Loss', Modern Lozhoan Folk Song, composed by Lozhoan National Team fans

[Loyo]

Au Revoir

Han Tamada was feeling sour,
Loyo’s Brevity Cup chances were dour.
The committee said no, you’ve got to go!
Now he’s gone in an hour!

[Ketiou]

Ketiou streamed forward again and again, creating holes in the Drawkland defence with their pace and creativity so that by the end of the game it most closely resembled a large wedge of Emmentaler cheese. The Ketioulais defence wasn’t much better, leaking three, but Mbo Mbo’s late brace finished it.

[Cassadaigua]

When we weren't seen initially on the knockouts schedule, some may have thought they were just getting old,
"Don't worry, it will get fixed!", they would be told!
Cassadaigua moves on in the Cup, searching for the gold,
so watch it with pride and don't let that passion grow cold!

[Tinhampton]

When you're old, you forget more. If you're saying the same thing all the time, be afraid. If you're saying the same thing all the time, be afraid. If you're saying the same thing all the time, be afraid. If you're saying the same thing all the time, be afraid.

[Zwangzug]

Tikariot or Zwangzug will play victor of Adab/Banija match at Mavuto in Hoima. Taking on our hosts, ("Kadongo Kamu"), as a follow-up to our World Cup final showdown sounds thrilling, but first things first. Don't look past tough Snowy Owl opposition. Good luck to captain Yoonjung Lin and company!

[Ceni]

While Andrew Arrowsword won plaudits for excelling at the Brevity Cup, Luke Longstar has faced opposite pressures after both failing to qualify for the World Cup and failing to advance in the Cup of Harmony.

When asked, the Cenian FA gave the same old pablum on Longstar's fate: "No comment."

[Tikariot]

Tikariot and fate - two worlds collide. Once more after a very successful group stage, the first knockout opponent happens to be the reigning world champion, Zwangzug. But if you want to win, you have to beat them all. The Dark Tide is ready to sweep the pieces off the chessboard!

[Huayramarca]

Huayramarca and lack of luck in knockout stages is an old affair, one that this group of amateurs is expecting to break for once and be closer to glory, perhaps to their biggest piece of glory in their lives. Let the players throw to the bin that old rotten luck.