Di Bradini Cup 60/U21WC81 RP And Scores Thread

by **Valanora** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 1:05 am

Starblaydia wrote:OOC:For complete newcomers, please see the Guide to Sports Roleplaying. If you need to ask anything of the host or your opponents, arrange RP angles or generally chat about the goings-on, please use the World Cup Discussion Thread. Misspellings of 'Di Bradini' will be met with zero tolerance.

The Valanora Footballing Association presents

In association with the Starblaydia Football Association:

The Sixtieth Di Bradini Cup
a.k.a
The 81st Under-21 World Cup

The Valanora Footballing Association proudly presents the sixtieth edition of the Di Bradini Cup, the twenty-eighth edition to be held within Valanora. Recognized as direct successor to the original Under-21 World Cup run by Total n Utter Insanity, this is also the 81st Under-21 World Cup.

This tournament is named after Starblaydia's most-famous player, the first person to score for Starblaydia's own Under-21s, currently the fifth-highest goalscorer in Starblaydia's history, World Cup Winner, member of the World Cup Hall of Fame and one-time President of the World Cup Committee: Simeone Di Bradini. We present, for your participation: The 60th Di Bradini Cup, a.k.a. The 81st Under-21 World Cup!

Helpful Di Bradini Cup/U21 World Cup Links
Guide to Sports Roleplaying || General Sports Roleplaying Questions || OOC Discussion Thread || DBC 60 Signup/Roster Thread || Previous Edition

Format
We have 24 teams! Ergo, it'll be 6 groups of 4. Single round robin, top 2 in each group and the four best 3rd placed teams will advance to the Round of Sixteen. From there, the tournament is single knockout. All games will take place in Valanora.

Groups
Group A
Valanora
Banija
Baker Park
United Adaikes

Venues: The Battleground, Hellgate

Group B
Aphrilia
Pasarga
Cardenao
Zenic

Venues: The White Fortress, Tiradir

Group C
Visayas Islands
The Kytler Peninsulae
Tikariot
Andso Mangis

Venues: Caddo Park, River City Stadium

Group D
Edsmontik
Riandera
Solgavden
Taxhavn

Venues: Duran Palace, Raynor Memorial

Group E
Anewkansas
Darmen
Quebec
Sett Forest

Venues: Angelotic Temple, Aranfield Bridge

Group F
Kronbia
TJUN-ia
Calgasia
Nova Calania

Venues: Castle de Mot, Rose Gardens

Calendar
Group Stage Dates & Matchday Schedule
CUTOFF TIMES: 1 PM- 3 PM EDT.
Aug 23rd: Group Draw
Aug 24th: Bye
Aug 25th: Bye
Aug 26th: MD1 - 1v4, 2v3
Aug 27th: Bye
Aug 28th: MD2 - 4v3, 1v2
Aug 29th: Bye
Aug 30th: MD3 - 3v1, 2v4
Aug 31st: Bye
Sep 1st: Bye
Sep 2nd: Ro16 - Seeded draw
Sep 3rd: Bye
Sep 4th: QFs - R1vR2, R31vR4, R5vR6, R7vR8
Sep 5th: Bye
Sep 6th: SFs - Q1vQ2, Q3vQ4
Sep 7th: Bye
Sep 8th: Final/3PPo

AI may only be used for image generation, any used of AI for writing will result in RP bonus reset on the first instance and disqualification in the second.

Group Stage Tiebreakers
1) Overall Goal Differential
2) H-2-H
3) Coin Toss(aka an additional scored match between the two teams)

by **Valanora** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 1:10 am

Map of Valanora

Valanora Information
The most important thing to know about traveling through Valanora is that automobiles are banned except for government officials. A high tech railway system connects the entirety of the nation, with three most popular international airports in Raynor City, Gladerial, and Baysleef. A ferry from Rinaldi travels to and from the island of Capri every hour on the hour. The most distinguishing feature of Valanora is the prevalent amount of forests standing in many of the inner half of the nation, even in cities, with the elven attempts to live in harmony with nature. Vanorians are a polite if not a bit high on themselves, believing elvenkind to be superior to humans, though they show a respect for the potential their humanoid cousins have.

Venues

The Battleground

Capacity: 78,000
Location: Raynor City

Artani

Capacity: 74,000
Location: Mar Sara

Angelotic Temple

Capacity: 71,000
Location: Longview

The White Fortress

Capacity: 70,000
Location: Gladerial

Donna Cathedral

Capacity: 60,000
Location: Mar Sara

Hatire Memorial

Capacity: 60,000
Location: Capri

Sabinal Stadium

Capacity: 56,000
Location: Sabinal

Hellgate

Capacity: 54,000
Location: Raynor City

Aranfield Bridge

Capacity: 52,000
Location: Everlin

Duran Palace

Capacity: 51,000
Location: Valanari

Castle de Mot

Capacity: 49,000
Location: Wexax

Rose Gardens

Capacity: 49,000
Location: Kareen

Caddo Park

Capacity: 42,000
Location: Caddo

Raynor Memorial

Capacity: 40,000
Location: Hondo

River City Stadium

Capacity: 35,000
Location: Bexar

Tiradir

Capacity: 31,000
Location: Gladerial

by **Taxhavn** » Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:27 pm

Skittlegate
Ivo Gyll: The Tabloid Terrier

Ivo throws a party

If you've never heard of Ivo Gyll, that's ok, I forgive you. Most people haven't. To be honest he was just a name on a spreadsheet to me until he was surprisingly selected for the Taxhavn junior national team, the Centimes, for the Hans Air Under-18 World Cup. Before that, most people on the Isle of Taxhavn hadn't heard of him, and even supporters of his club McCunnald had mostly only heard a rumour that there was this lad in the youth team that might be alright. I mean, we've all heard that about a lad - or lass, or, err, elfcub or something - in our favourite club's youth team, right? Mostly we jusy nod and think, 'we'll wait and see.' And then we forget about them, and usually they amount to nothing. Professional football is unforgiving like that. But since the Centimes won the under-18 World Cup everyone on the Isle of Taxhavn has heard of Ivo Gyll, and now you're about to as well. Not necessarily because of his exploits in that tournament in Doubeia, although maybe I should tell you about that, for context. Because what happened next really was a consequence of how things went out there, how he got called up at the last minute as an addition to the under-21 squad heading to Valanora, how he celebrated and how he made some headlines along the way. Some headlines good... and some less so.

But first, the football.

Ivo Gyll signed off on a magnificent under-18s World Cup tournament for him personally with the winning goal in the final at the Stade de Pruxxé in Doubeia against Cardenao. The young McCunnald youth team striker came in to the tournament as a surprise back-up selection that made most supporters (and not a few journalists) decry "who?" at their local bar, and was instantly thrust into the limelight with early withdrawals through injury of key attacking players Hadrien Six and Herman Kind. Asked to play both wide and central roles in different games, from the moment he stepped on the pitch in the opening match as a substitute for Six, he didn't put a foot wrong. Top scorer and top assist-maker for the Centimes, his brilliant lob over Cardenao keeper Peacock Farrel seconds before the half-time whistle at the Pruxxé will enshrine his name in the history books of Taxhavn football as he secured the first ever trophy for a national team in Taxhavn. He was immediately flown back to SoccerLand, the national team development centre, to join with the Dimes squad then preparing for an appearance at the Di Bradini Under-21 World Cup in Valanora. An instant starlet, it was quickly difficult to see how second tier SteuerLig strugglers McCunnald would keep hold of him and there are sure to be irresistible bids incoming as the season draws to a close and the transfer window opens.

Rolling with the hype, Ivo decided to throw a quick party for his mates before getting on that plane to Raynor City. And that's when things started to get a bit sticky. Notorious Taxhavn tabloid and redtop gossipmonger Daily Mosquito broke the story with the headline:

Busted Billiards!
Teenage Tearaway Hires Gnomes For Party Pranks

I won't quote 'The Mozzie' directly because I'm a journalist and it's against our code of ethics to quote 'The Mozzie'; but the gist of the story was that Ivo Gyll, a precocious and extravagant young party animal, had laid on a spectacular do for his mates that included all the usual kinds of miscarriages of judgement that you might expect from a lad with more shillings than sense. But going above and beyond, the sensational young forward had hired a rogue magician, The Great Regretto, who on further investigation [The Mozzie conducting an investigation... imagine that!] has been drummed out of the Magic Circle. Regretto apparently opened a portal to The Elder Lands, and brought through a troupe of Gnomish 'entertainers' who found themselves at the centre of a controversial game of billiards. One can only imagine (probably in the same way the hack from The Mozzie did before writing up his Busted Billiards piece).

It was the start of a national storm in a teacup in Taxhavn, commonly referred to as 'Skittlegate'. I probably don't need to tell you how that went... but I will, in the next episode.

Oh Ivo, what have you done?

by **Aphrilia** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:42 am

OOC Note: Short introduction, but since my main focus for the WC will not be on the players themselves, I'm writing more conservatively + school is in full swing.

Hannah Morgan-Keynes had a look of tiredness on her face.

It wasn't the usual "You are exhausted," type of look however. The tiredness plastered on her face was more of the, "I am done with this," type. Despite her obvious inability to maintain her emotions, despite the fact that she was never placed in a leadership role... For some goddamn reason, Christwell decided to make HER of all people be the team captain. She wasn't even going to be on the team for next edition anyways. Her previous outbursts plus the fact that she plays at right wing of all positions meant that Hannah had little to no chance at even being considered to be called-up for the senior team. When Vermont made those call-ups, she was determined to prove him wrong...

But now Leonardo Bianchi is the head of the senior team, and he's probably heard about her antics. Afterall, he likely had to pick up everything from Vermont's managerial shenanigans. But what can Hannah do but accept it? Might as well play out this last tournament of hers with everything she got. She's certain as hell that she won't be a good captain, so she'll just play with her heart and soul out there on the field. Heck, even if Hannah does well, there's plenty of glaring issues that makes her an inadequate selection.

That senior national team just won a title. An IAC title is ludicrous, against Drawkland nonetheless. Sure, one of their star players had retired, Hannah had heard of the news as much as everybody else on this plane did. But they probably had replacements for him eyed already. She's not even a center forward... Did it really just come down to luck?

"Maybe you should stop stressing too much about it, Hannah."

The captain was immediately pulled out of the trance within her mind by the words of... Well, the one sitting right next to her. It was none other than Xavier August, one of the few people on this plane who was still more or less indifferent towards Hannah. Xavier had been on the team alongside her for quite some time, and he was there when she had her breaking point. She gave a glance towards Xavier, who was now blissfully ignoring her presence while trying to get some shut-eye. Hannah also couldn't help but notice someone peeking at her.

Whatever. Maybe he did have a point. And if there's anything Hannah loves, it's proving them.

by **Zenic** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 11:55 am

Here We Go Again On Our Own (Title Defense)

Another cycle, another edition of the Di Bradini Cup to bear witness to. For the first time ever, the Empire of Zenic walks into Valanora as defending champions after defeating the hosts in a thrilling 9-8 penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in regulation and extra time. DBC 59 was a unique tournament as it felt practically like a Rushmori celebration with The Kytler Peninsulae and Tikariot rounding out the top 4. Rushmori nations have won the competition before (Pasarga, The Polar Islandstates, Graintfjall, Queer Poco el Mono Ara, Ceni, Candelaria And Marquez, Valladares, and Elmyia) but DBC 20 and 39 may be the only other instances of such Rushmori domination. And with all three squads returning to the competition alongside a few others like Pasarga and Darmen, the chance of another dominating performance from Rushmore is possible but will have a few challenges.

To start, Zenic's title defense commences in the middle of Valanora in the city of Gladerial. The Youthful Survivors take on Aphrilia and Cardenao at the White Fortress before switching it up to Tiradir when they face off with four time champions and fellow Rushmori nation Pasarga to end the group stage. It'll be a daunting test as the senior squad for all four nations made it to World Cup 99 and look to continue, or build up, a strong foundation in the youth system. Two wins may be the bare minimum to sneak in as one of the four best third place teams from this group.

Elsewhere, Group A features three former DBC winning nations in Valanora, Banija and the Commonwealth of Baker Park alongside newcomer United Adaikes playing in the capital, Raynor City. Group C features the other two Rushmori teams in the top four from last edition, The Kytler Peninsulae and Tikariot, as well as Andso Mangis and Visayas Islands splitting time between Caddo and Bexar. Group D will take place in Hondo and Valanari and play host to Edsmontik, Riandera, Solgavden, and Taxhavn. Group E has Anewkansas, Darmen, Quebec, and Sett Forest duking it out between Longview and Everlin. Finally, Group F sees Kronbia, TJUN-ia, Calgasia, and the United States of Nova Calania in Wexax and Kareen.

Out of a field of 24 teams, there are 5 former or current DBC champions in attendance this edition. The odds would suggest that we will be welcoming a second straight new champion but there is a strong history of nations repeating as champions in this competition of youth. Rejistania, Fmjphoenix, Candelaria And Marquez, Sorthern Northland, Cafundeu, and Cosumar have all achieve the feat of back-to-back titles in the DBC and Zenic could just as likely join them as they could flounder out early.

But we know Consolación Regina well enough to know that she'll do what needs to be done to get another title. And then another. And another one. For as long as she can go. And her first opponents to feel her squad's determination? The Junior Anchors of Aphrilia at The White Fortress. Will it be a celebration or a shock awakening? Stay with us here at the Leinz Herald to find out.

-- Koralia Dev

Koralia Dev is one of our newest and most enthusiastic writers at The Leinz Herald. A graduate from the prestigious New Citium University, Koralia graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and has been working for the Herald covering foreign and international sporting events. We are excited to have her cover the Empire of Zenic’s return to sporting events, both domestic and international.

by **Kronbia** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:42 pm

What's happening in Montana Verde?

Montana Verde city - Last night the capital of the southern province, Specifically, Cocaba neighborhood, witnessed riots and gunfire. A fight broke out between a group of people over bets on the Halcon Negro team in the Island Of Union Basketball League. It later turned out that they were Sicarios from the Don Jose Cartel and El Negro Cartel operating in the southern mountains and the Montana Verde. The fight ended with into riots, followed by an exchange of gunfire. The Montana Verde police surrounded the Cocaba neighborhood attempted to deal with the rioters, who opened fire on police officers. but they were unable to stop the riots. Currently, the neighborhood is under siege, with the gang members holed up inside. The police are trying to storm the neighborhood, arrest them, and free the residents, The tragic night reminded everyone of the Carbuco Massacre.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 4:42 pm

The Random Rambles of a Jaguar - DBC60 Edition
with Killian Looker

Yeah. Wasn't expecting this, weren't you? Well welcome to this Random Ramble, for the very first time at the Di Bradini Cup! Now you may be asking why, after all this time running the Random Rambles, we have decided that DBC60 is the time to venture back into the 81st overall U21 World Cup and follow the Young Jaguars? This team, the factory that supplies the senior setup with new talents, has been going on for a while now, so why follow this team now? Well then...here are a few reasons:

1) To help heal the losses of CE41
Heading out of the Round of 16 of Esportiva for the 3rd-straight cycle just sucks, especially considering the Seems-Li Farewell Tour we are all currently a part of. We wanted them to make one final run at a regional, but it just simply wasn't to be. So by coming here to Valanora, we hope to heal those wounds and prepare for the Centennial World Cup in due course.

2) To shine a light on the Young Jaguars
The U21s have always been present, but this Centennial Cycle means that focusing on the future is just as important as the past and the present. This team hasn't been able to play in a little while, due to the scheduling nature of this tournament, but this squad, co-captained by Makonnan Clare and Faouziatou Ouedraogo, is filled to the brim with future stars that we are more than able to shine a spotlight on - just like we did for DBC57 during Cycle 96. There certainly will be some unfamiliar names, but you will learn them in due course.

3) Philip van Oosterend
Philip van Oosterend, or PvO, has been in charge of this setup for a long while, joined by his brother and former Jaguar Max a few cycles ago. Prefering a more attacking style to that of the departing Co-Managers, PvO 4-2-3-1 has brought a more well-rounded setup to TJUN-ian youth football that may end up becoming the norm if the rumours stick. It is an open secret that PvO is the favourite to be given the unenviable task of taking over the senior team from Seems and Li, so this may be his last chance to deliver some chaos with the U21s. What do rumours do to a manager? We shall see...

4) Reminders of the Past
The bench of this team is filled with teenagers, both over and under 18, but the real story amongst these young players are the names that have reappeared on a TJUN-ian team sheet.
- Vladimir Podolov II, a skilful defender, is the son of one part of the Big Three that made up the OG Strike partnership of TJUN-ia.
- Kim Won-do is the son of legendary bench-warmer Kim Won-an, who certainly deserved more playing time back in his day.
- Peliniho Junior is also a defender, but one that inherited the flair of his midfielding father.
- Brianna Vasquez at CDM is the daughter of TJUN-ia OG midfielder, Pedro Vasquez.
- Both winger Jackson Watts and CAM Rhia Gibson are 2nd-Generation Galarians, the offspring of two of the OG Galarians that came over to TJUN-ia after WC84.
- Marshawn Johnson on the wing is the son of David Johnson, another legend in the midfield.
- And finally, Omar Kallah is a striker with defensive pedigree through Mohammad Kallah himself.

Seeing the children of the originals come into the fold was something many did expect at some point, but for all of them to turn up for this Centennial Cycle makes it mean a whole lot more. The genes of the past are shaping TJUN-ia's footballing future in front of our very eyes. Heavy expectations will always follow these kids, but for now, they shall grow in this system...ready to shine their family names in light once again.

This DBC means a whole lot more than normal.
The names of the past, the emotions of the present, and the promise of the future.
It is all here.

GO YOUNG JAGS!

SCHEDULE
MD1: vs Calgasia - Rose Gardens, Kareen
MD2: vs Kronbia - Rose Gardens, Kareen
MD3: vs United States of Nova Calania - Rose Gardens, Kareen

by **Tikariot** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 6:15 pm

Sixtieth Di Bradini Cup (81st U21 World Cup)

Group C Preview: Tikariot – Arrival & Preparation

The Snowy Owls have landed. With a first group stage fixture against familiar neighbours from the Kytler Peninsulae looming, the Tikariot U21 squad touched down in Sabinal, the capital of Valanora’s Sabine province, to a mixture of curiosity and wariness. For the locals, the Dark Tide are known not only as some of the loudest and most intimidating supporters in international football, but also as fans whose pre-match rituals can cause the ground itself to tremble. But the greater concern lies not in the stands—it lies with what the players themselves tend to get up to between training sessions.

---

From Sabinal to Heliotes

After a smooth arrival through Sabinal International, the squad took the high-speed rail down the coast to Heliotes, a seaside town just outside of Bexar. It is here that Ragnvald Fjällström and his staff will base the team for at least the group stage.

Heliotes, with its long stretches of sandy beaches and forest-rimmed coastline, is normally a quiet retreat—a place where locals sip herbal infusions while writing poetry or painting sea-spray on canvas. So naturally, the news that the Tikariotians were about to descend caused some apprehension. Reports had already filtered ahead from towns in the Kytler Peninsulae that were “scarred” by the Owls’… creative approach to training during the Copa Rushmori and the U18 World Cup.

To quote one anonymous Kytlerian innkeeper:

“They came to the beach for a recovery session and ended up building a human pyramid twenty people high, chanting until the fishing boats turned around in the harbour. I’ve never seen cod leap out of the water like that.”

So yes—the people of Heliotes were warned.

---

Settling In: Training Grounds

The team’s new base is the Heliotes Coastal Training Complex, a neat, eco-friendly facility that blends into the wooded hillsides. Within hours of arriving, Fjällström had them jogging through forest trails, the rhythmic clapping of the Thunder Clap echoing ominously between the trees and startling the local deer.

Fitness coaches have set up a mix of tactical sessions and unorthodox team-building activities. Day one featured “trust-falls” off of driftwood logs, blindfold beach sprints, and what one observer described as “a very organised food fight” involving locally sourced seaweed wraps. Ragnvald Fjällström, as always, stood silently at the edge of the sand, arms folded, only occasionally nodding approval.

---

First Trip to the Beach

No sooner had the team unpacked in Heliotes than the pull of the coast became irresistible. The Owls descended en masse onto the broad sandbank outside the town, a place more accustomed to quiet picnics and kite-flying than full-blooded footballing mayhem.

The session began innocently enough: a few jogs along the shoreline, stretching routines under the watchful eyes of the trainers, and some gentle passing drills with a couple of beach balls. But then, as always with Tikariot sides, it escalated.

The Defensive Engineers: Sarolta-Krisztina Esterházy and Devin Rafferty spearheaded an operation to build a sand fortress. Within twenty minutes, it had moats, a central keep, and watchtowers manned by ball-boys. When the tide came in, they declared it a “natural defensive collapse” and cheered.

The Forwards’ Free-For-All: Wiołeta Motyka led a barefoot five-a-side match on the damp sand. Rules dissolved almost instantly; headers turned into somersaults, throw-ins into wrestling holds, and Daciana-Mădălina Drăgoi-Pavelescu scored a goal by drop-kicking the ball through two umbrellas.

The Goalkeepers’ Olympics: Rasmus Stålheden and Athena Talwaney challenged each other to increasingly theatrical dives into the surf, culminating in a simultaneous leap that nearly flattened an unsuspecting paddleboarder. The crowd applauded anyway.

The Thunder Clap Test: Inevitably, the ritual had to be trialed on the shoreline. Players formed their triangle near the surf, with the Dark Tide fans who had already arrived joining in. The claps echoed across the bay, startling flocks of gulls and—if eyewitnesses are to be believed—briefly capsizing a small fishing dinghy.

By sunset, the team was drenched, sand-caked, and buzzing. The beach was left dotted with abandoned sand-castles, makeshift goalposts, and one very confused crab sitting inside a goalkeeper’s glove. Locals, originally cautious, ended up cheering the Owls on, though a few did mutter about “strange rituals” and “the loudest clapping since the Festival of Drums in ’84.”

Excerpt from The Heliotes Herald

Owls Storm the Shore: U21 Squad Brings Mayhem and Merriment to Heliotes Beach

Heliotes, Sabine Province — The usually serene sands of Heliotes Beach were transformed yesterday afternoon into something resembling both a carnival and a battlefield, as the visiting U21 football team from Tikariot held what their coach diplomatically referred to as “a recovery session.”

Recovery, however, is not the word most townsfolk would use.

“I was just here to paint the waves,” said local artist Renalda Illys, holding up a canvas now splattered with sand. “Next thing I know, a goalkeeper cannonballs right in front of me. It’s… energetic, I’ll give them that.”

Eyewitnesses reported everything from full-contact football to the construction of a “fortress” made entirely of sand and seaweed. One fisherman claimed the team’s infamous Thunder Clap ritual caused “a tremor in the nets,” though marine biologists have dismissed any suggestion of a temporary fish migration.

Yet the spectacle seems to have won many admirers. Children flocked to the players for autographs, while cafés near the waterfront enjoyed their busiest afternoon of the summer. “If this is what they call training,” said beachside café owner Lirian Vass, “I hope they keep winning, because my lemonade sales have doubled.”

With their first match against the Kytler Peninsulae just days away, the Snowy Owls have already left a lasting impression on Heliotes. Whether that impression is a fond memory or a mild trauma remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: nobody in town will forget the day the Owls stormed the shore.

---

The Match on the Horizon

All the seaside antics aside, Tikariot’s opening fixture carries serious weight. Facing the Kytler Peninsulae, their neighbours in Rushmore and the very team that denied them bronze in the previous edition’s third-place playoff, is more than just a group stage game—it’s personal.

The Dark Tide are expected to travel in large numbers, their Thunder Clap ritual certain to shake Caddo Park to its foundations.
The players themselves are hungry for revenge; Andarra Belfrage, “the wunderkid,” has spoken openly about wanting to erase the sting of that 1-0 defeat after extra time.
Wiołeta Motyka, meanwhile, has promised “chaos.” When pressed by reporters for clarification, she simply smiled and said, “You’ll see.”

---

What to Expect

Expect the Snowy Owls to bring their trademark flexible 4-3-3, switching fluidly between measured buildup and furious, high-press counter-attacks. Expect their fans to dominate the noise. And expect the people of Heliotes to keep a cautious watch on the horizon, just in case the “team-building” expands into flotillas of improvised rafts or spontaneous mass swim-races to Capri.

The Owls have arrived. Valanora may never be quite the same.

World Cup 81/82/83/84

The Commonwealth of Baker Park Under-21 National Team have returned to the Eternal Empire for the 60th DiBradini Cup after missing out on the last edition due to a conflict regarding the domestic season overlapping with the tournament.

Normally the DBC fits into a window during the international soccer calendar that allows players in the Commonwealth to fit the experience into their off season, but unforeseen circumstances pushed the 59th DBC beyond the usual schedule and the Football Association of the Commonwealth were unable to formulate an alternative means of providing a roster and reluctantly passed up the opportunity to extend their streak of appearances to 18 in a row.

Baker Park have seen their U21 form drop significantly since their lone tournament win in DBC 53, as they've struggled to get past the group stage although they did reach the elimination round in their last trip to Valanora before losing to the host nation; they will face off against the Marauders in the final Group A fixture in Raynor City to close out play in what is clearly the proverbial "Group of Death" which also features Banija and United Adaikes, the latter nation the only one of the quartet not to be a past champion. With just 24 nations entered, four third placed sides will join the top two in each of the six groups advancing to the knockout phase meaning all three Arrosian youth teams could progress depending on how things play out.

The Vijana Kadongo Kamu will be the opposition on opening day at Hellgate before the scene shifts across town for the final two matches at The Battleground in the capital city; the Junior Bees made a return to their longtime DBC training base at AS Sharala ahead of the start of the tournament for several days of acclimation in the host country.

by **Visayas Islands** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 2:27 am

GARRA SPORT WILL RETURN TO THE NATIONAL TEAM SCENE ALONGSIDE BASKETBALL TEAM
Iloilo City, Metropolitan District

The once sleeping local sportswear giant now forms a deal both with the national football and basketball team

The president of Garra Sport, Alejandrino Zavala, has announced that the company is having a new sponsor, not just once, but twice. The Visayan sportswear based in Cebu City has announced a 5-year deal with both the football and basketball national teams of the Visayas Islands. As confirmed by both of the national federation of respective sports. "We are happy to announce our sponsorship with both the football and basketball national teams of the nation.", says Zavala. "We have been brought back as suppliers of both teams and hoping that our craftsmanship will elevate into new heights as to show that Visayan art can be appreciated all around the world." Garra Sport recently launched the new football kits inspired from Visayan weaving traditions. And it will be worn by the U21 team in Valanora in their first Di Bradini Cup. "We hope that everyone in the world will be open for us to create kits for everyone, not just in football, but also in other sports like basketball and volleyball." Meanwhile for the basketball team, it will release before either the IBC or in the IOU Basketball Championships. But for now, the sets of football kits will be worn first by the national team.

by **Anewkansas** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:31 am

“I wish you a good afternoon, fellow Anewkansans, and a warm welcome into our hotel. As of now, I will be guiding you through some of the splendid facilities which have been offered by our host here in Longview. Please join me as I walk with you tow-”
“Gimme that.”
“Hey!”

Jonathan Quinn tried to take back his phone that Liam Resha had swiftly snatched from his hands but the latter could handle someone breathing down his neck and held back Quinn with one hand, while playing back the clip.

“I was trying to create something here, thank you. And I was, as they say, killing it.”
“No, you were killing your viewers. Yo, who is this targeted to, the veterans?”

Disgruntled, Jonathan halted his attempts to get it back, he knew the possession rates Resha had. Despite being only nineteen, every ounce of Quinn oozed the air of being a veteran. His father had been an elderly statesman for Oakling Armada and now he and his brother were representing the next generation in the Navy. Having been loaded up by an upbringing striving for military precision and excellence, Quinn never was confronted with words such as ‘casual’ or ‘chill’.

“The federation asked me to have a short video blog to create engagement and share along their social media channels and-”
“Holy crap, did you have this horizontal? What are you, some kind of creep?”
“I am most definitely not-”
“Let’s try this again.”

A short sigh escaped from Jonathan. He knew mister Ortega, the manager, had said to him to bond a little more with Liam. As such, he would do so. After all, cohesion and following team order was kind of his shtick and the selection could use a little more of that. In between Liam, Ridgeway, Jaffrenou, Pierce and Philips, the selection had overloaded on its number of capricious players. In training that had proven to be difficult and in a moment of disappointment, Ortega made an off-hand remark that the U18s managed to get the game plan a lot faster. With that in mind, it felt like Jonathan’s duty to guarantee a smooth and efficient cooperation, even if that meant blogging together.

If only Liam did not make it so damn hard. His fellow central defender suffered from undiagnosed ADHD or rather, made Jonathan suffer from it. In the morning, when Jonathan kept up his homely routine of a strict six o’clock awakening accompanied with some morning exercises, Liam loudly moaned: yesterday, he even threw his pillow halfway through Jonathan’s jumping jacks! But in the evening, Resha would still be darting through the room, trying to get the attention of people in the street or just doing keepy-uppies at one in the night. Compassion was supposed but Jonathan could not imagine having it for someone like this. Although he tried not to be too prejudiced, Liam seemed every inch a product of the Bridgehead Mavericks’s, the capital’s rowdy club run by the largest autoconstruction company.

“Yo, it’s Liammmm!”

Resha bellowed while holding the camera in a very unnatural corner. Disappointed over the failure, Jonathan tried to slump away silently.

“And here’s my buddy J-Quinn, or as they already know him over here, J-Quinn, the Pussy King!”
“I… I am most definitely not known as…”

The awkward stuttering of Jonathan quickly got silenced by another avalanching of enthusiastic cheers from Liam.

“Tomorrow, shit will be hoppin’ cause we gonna go choppin’ in the woods! Sett Forest, baby! I thought we’re gonna make them sad but apparently they already are! Oh well. Badger, badger, badger, badger! After the game, J-Quinn and I will go live in the dressing room and whoever puts the right score under this one will get his worn match shirt. That’s sweat included, y’all, it’s one for the sniffers. But first, let me show you around our crib cause this stuff is lit! J, take it away!”

A baffled Jonathan pressed the red button and stared at Liam.

"My... my shirt?"
“You wanted engagement? This shit will get engaged so fast, it will be married by tomorrow!”

As Resha skipped away, Jonathan could only nod sheepishly, his last remark drifting away.

“They… They really don’t call me J-Quinn, Liam. And most definitely the P.. Definitely not the King.”

by **Riandera** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:11 am

The Lillies gather for an 'introductory meeting' outside the hotel they are staying at.

"Alright," Arya utters, "welcome to our first meeting. I am Arya Mahendra, the manager for this team."

Veronika adds. "And I'm Veronika the assistant manager for the U21. I'm also the manager for the U18."

The players nod their heads. "OK. Nice to meet you!"

Arya and Veronika give the players the hotel maps, with the rooms marked.

Ilja, ever the blunt, looks at her map disappointedly. "Haven't even met anyone yet aside from Ariya, but holy. I'm with Sutantoputri. Woo, at least she's the same age as me.

Justin checks out his map. "YO! I'm paired up with the team captain."

SJ looks at hers. "This is good and bad. Good? I'm with another defender (Tavia). Bad? They got my name as Sienna Jayne. IT'S SJ, YOU!"

"Oh boy, this is gonna be a good one." Mario pulls out his map. "Nevermind, and unlucky I got Putra. I saw him once when we were younger, and he was actually annoying. He would keep annoying the other kids!"

Ariya squawks like a crow. "EEK! I got Ade! EEK!"

Ade is kind of annoyed with Ariya already. "Oh my gosh, just get off me, please!"

Cary ignores the squawking and searches for her name. "Cary Lau and Martinus Kogoya. Bet we'll be the best-est of friends by the end of this tournament."

Malin bumps into Rahmat. "Woah!" Maria is startled. "Watch where you're going!"

Rahmat tries to reply as if he was smarter. "Umm... we're roommates."

Malin facepalms. "Oh, great."

Fitri finds her roommate, Hasan, and turns out they share similar interests.

Fitri asks Hasan what his favourite RFL team is. "Hey bruv, what's your favourite RFL team? Mine's Yogyakarta."

Hasan appears to be on the same page. "Same. But in recent years, I kind of like Sulawesi Selatan more."

Melati and Jack dance. Yuli and Martinus discuss their favourite players. Pip and Hendrik make jokes up.

Arya checks the time. "Alright. We should probably head to lunch."

Arya, Veronika and the players enter a fancy diner.

Mario dreams about the food. "WOAH!" His stomach growls.

They laugh.

Veronika nods. "Let's go."

SJ thought about the matches. "Ugh. What if the commentators call me Sienna Jayne? Sure, that's my real name, but I go by SJ. I hope Tavia doesn't call me by my full name."

Tavia reads SJ's mind. "I'm not gonna call you that."

SJ was relieved. "Oh, thanks. You read my mind! Also, can you keep a secret for me please?"

The twenty-year-old defender stuck her thumbs up.

SJ comes close. "OK. My parents gave me and my siblings unusual names. Mine isn't unusual, you say. But my older brother is named Kobalt Jak, and my younger sister is named Hibiscus Flora."

Tavia is taken aback by the fact her new friend's parents would do such a thing.

Meanwhile, Ilja, Jack and Melati discuss their origins. Jack combs his shiny brown hair. "First, I'm Jettlandic. My parents divorced when I was 6. However, they agreed on something. Mom would be taking the kids with her... to Riandera. And here I am. Second, but I watched the World Cup live for the first time that year before, so I wanted to be in football."

Melati says this weird catchphrase before starting to talk about her origins. "North Sulawesi, and for the second part... I wanted to find a team sport instead of making up one."

Ilja, now not that blunt, winks to signal she's next. "The decade was the 1970s in Yugoslavia (modern day: the Serbian part). My family wanted to find somewhere else to live. They had planned to go to the Croatian part, but ended up sailing all the way to Jakarta. They got lost, but of course, they adapted to the new life in Riandera. And as for my football thing... everyone in my family seemed to have like watching it, and then, I got involved."

The other players are having delicious meals.

by **Edsmontik** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:19 am

Tuesday, May 4, 2032

Landing in Valanora was a Charragaher C550-10IR operated under Edsmon Air. The landing was okay- not a butter, but not rough. Onboard were Edsmontik's best U21 players.

However, some of the Edsmons on the U21 team were also part of the senior team. They would be competing in the IAC a few months later. With those more experienced young men in the lineup, hopefully it'd boost the Hawks in their first U21 World Cup.

Their first match would be up against Taxhavn. That would be followed by a match against Riandera, which is followed by the final match of the group against Solgavden.

Going into this blind, the Hawks had no idea what to expect. They had little knowledge on any of the other teams and had definitely not conducted research. All they knew now was to play at their best and not give up.

Their positioning, a 4-2-4 layout, would be very attacking based. They would have to make full use of that. So everything the Hawks did would include attempting to slam as many goals as possible into the opposing net. Sure, that wouldn't be easy, but it would be helpful if it worked out right.

They have one thing to do now, that the Di Bradini Cup is getting kicked off.

Make. Edsmontik. Proud.

by **United Adaikes** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:47 am

The fluorescent lights of the library hummed a steady, boring tone, a stark contrast to the roaring chants that still echoed in Kylie Merchand’s mind from yesterday’s training. Her fingers, usually wrapped in goalkeeper’s tape, were now stained with the faint grey smudge of pencil lead. An open textbook, Principles of Advanced Calculus, lay before her like a stubborn opposing striker refusing to be beaten.

'Focus, Merchand', she told herself. 'The derivative of an angle is just as important as the angle of a shot.'

Her phone, face down on the table, buzzed. Then buzzed again. She ignored it. It was probably their group chat, "The Netminders," blowing up about the upcoming U-21 tournament. Or maybe it was Ella, the Fort Ceceet High football team captain, sending another frantic message about the new set-piece drill she’d drawn in her notes during History class.

Kylie’s final year at Fort Ceceet was a relentless high press. Between AP classes, her obligation as President of the Student Athletic Council, and now the U-21 national team call-up, every minute was accounted for. Her planner looked like a tactical diagram, a mosaic of color-coded blocks: blue for study, red for training, yellow for co-curriculars, and a precious, tiny sliver of white for sleep.

The phone buzzed a third time. With a sigh, she flipped it over. It wasn’t the group chat.

It was an email.

The sender name made her heart perform a perfect kick-save into her throat: North Shil Silent Vipers Academy Scouting Directorate.

Her eyes scanned the first line: "Further to our conversation at the All-Star Goalkeeping Clinic, we are pleased to confirm our scout, Mr. Evans, will be in attendance in the 60th Di Bradini Cup in Valanora..."

North Shil. The Silent Vipers. Their academy program was a direct pipeline to a competitive university team and beyond. A two-year junior college stint with them was the dream. It was the entire plan. It was everything she’d worked for since she’d first put on gloves two sizes too big for her.

The pressure settled on her shoulders, heavier than any gym weight. This wasn’t just a tournament anymore. This was an audition. For her entire future.

A notification popped up from her school portal: APPROVED: SPECIAL CALCULUS MIDTERM EXAM - 8:00 AM, DAY 3.

Day 3. The day after their final group stage game. The day she might be exhausted, bruised, and either riding the high of advancement or crushed by elimination. And she had to be sharp enough to solve complex equations.

Suddenly, the calculus textbook seemed less like a subject and more like a nemesis. A distraction. The thing that could literally bench her dreams if she failed it. Coach’s rule was clear: no grades, no play. National team or not.

She looked out the library window at the empty football field below, the goalposts standing silent and waiting. She thought about the scout’s notepad, ready to jot down every mistake. She thought about the calculus formulas swimming on the page.

Kylie took a deep breath, the way she did before a penalty kick. She closed the textbook. She opened her training app and pulled up the footage of their first opponent’s penalty takers. For the next hour, the calculus would have to wait. Right now, she had a different set of angles to study.

She had to be a student. But first and foremost, she had to be a wall. And walls don't crack under pressure. They stand firm.

by **Solgavden** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:34 am

(en.rkt-juno.com.sg/news/articles/h47n9s33)

RKT Juno News — Solgavden's choice for all kid news!

Solgavden's Youth Looks to Impress in Football Tournament

By: Aleks Nikolajsan

Valanari & Hondo, Valanora

Once again, a team of Solgavden's young players is set off to a foreign nation to compete against some of the world's best youth programs. Once again, they have the chance to prove themselves to each other, and to the watchful eyes of any scouts that may be in attendance. Once again, Solgavden's youth has the chance to represent their nation, and prove to the world just what the kingdom is made of.

The U21 Football Team consists of a few familiar faces from the HansAir U18 World Cup campaign, including strike partnership Oskar Rosendahl and Marco Kurosawa, tactical midfielder Leo Stenberg, and imposing defender Jan Arnesan. However, what sets this current team apart from the previous one is talent added from older players, such as goalkeeper Jonathan Mertz, quick centreback Teddy Schou, wingers Alex Braun and Sebastian Scheller, and the likely star of the team, striker and captain Kristian Tennefjord.

To most international viewers, these names don't mean much (not yet, at least), but to the average Solgavish football fan, this lineup might make their mouth water. While it likely won't be called a "Golden Generation", this class of young players is certain to make their impact on Solgavish football for years to come. In fact, if this U21 team were to theoretically compete in the Kongensliga, they would certainly be contenders, and might even win the whole thing. This team represents the best and brightest of Solgavden's footballing future, and it shows how much the Kongensliga is expected to grow in the coming years. Most fans, and especially their coaches, are excited to see how this mini-All Star team performs, but they have to face stiff competition if they want to survive this group stage.

Being drawn into Group D, Solgavden will have to play against Edsmontik, Riandera, and Taxhavn. Only the top two teams in each group are guaranteed advancement, and the top four third placed teams will advance as well. Yes, this isn't ideal for De Rega Röda. Both Edsmontik and Taxhavn are known in Solgavden to have some of the world's best football associations, each with well established youth systems. Taxhavn especially has a good youth program, just winning the latest edition of the U18 World Cup. Riandera is more unknown to the nation, but they were quarterfinalists in the same U18 World Cup that Solgavden failed to make out of the group stage. In order to avoid the same fate in the Di Bradini Cup, Solgavden, as the lowest pot team in the group, will have to make sure that they play a well disciplined game, as even a small mistake could cost them big. The team's best chance of advancing will be as a third place team, which means that Solgavden will need to score goals...and score a lot of them, to hopefully rise above the pack.

RSFF Director of Youth Development and U21 Team Manager Anders Lyngstad will have his work cut out for him this tournament. After failing to make it out of the group stage in the U18 World Cup, he knows more than anyone that the pressure to succeed is rising, and his skills as a manager will be questioned if the team fails to deliver. As a disciple of the Peter Strömberg coaching tree, Lyngstad is an expert at evaluating player's strengths, and putting them to use, even in unorthodox manners. While Lyngstad will have full control of the team, both Charlotte Erlandsan and Paul Ravn, senior team offensive and defensive coaches respectively, will be closing following the campaign, making detailed reports about individual player performances, and team strategy. If the players can impress them, and impress the nation by making it out of their group, then their future in Solgavish football will be bright.

by **Valanora** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 1:54 pm

Matchday 1

Group A
Valanora 2–0 United Adaikes
Banija 0–4 Baker Park

Group B
Aphrilia 1–0 Zenic
Pasarga 0–0 Cardenao

Group C
Visayas Islands 1–1 Andso Mangis
The Kytler Peninsulae 0–1 Tikariot

Group D
Edsmontik 2–1 Taxhavn
Riandera 1–1 Solgavden

Group E
Anewkansas 0–0 Sett Forest
Darmen 1–1 Quebec

Group F
Kronbia 2–1 Nova Calania
TJUN-ia 4–2 Calgasia

by **Zenic** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:39 pm

"Less than ideal but not the end of the world," Regina noted.

Consolación Regina stood to one side of the hotel conference room converted into a makeshift film study room. Vaclovas Paškal was leading the study session where they reviewed the footage of their 1-0 loss to Aphrilia to start off the 60th Di Bradini Cup. Anthony Christwell liked to run a 4-3-3 that was roughly as defensive and cautious as Zenic's 3-5-2 was aggressive and attacking. Which explains why the first half was scoreless as both squads matched each other almost perfectly.

And the trend continued for the first 27 minutes of the second half. Then, the deadlock was broken. Off of a goal kick, Hannah Morgan-Keynes collected the ball on the right flank and dribbled to the outside of the keeper's box. After a few attempts to get past Saray Elsy Gumersindo, Morgan-Keynes created enough space to get a low cross into the box. Phillip Edinson, recently subbed in, was able to get a foot on it while surrounded by Cuoto, Souza, and Gomez. He managed to redirect it past Borivoje Emin for the only goal of the match. Despite bringing in folks like Loane Gaëtan and Nunziatina Cirillo in, the squad failed to equalize and dropped down to last place in Group B.

Normally, dropping the first game in such a small group stage period would be devastating. Thankfully, Pasarga and Cardenao could only manage a scoreless draw, which greatly benefited Zenic even more so than a draw with goals scored. Now, a win and a draw with a respectable goal differential may be enough to get the Youthful Survivors into the knockout rounds. Obviously, Regina would use this time between matches to get the best odds for back to back wins. "Vaclovas, I think it's time to start looking at our next opponents." Paškal nodded in agreement and worked with the staff member to switch over to the aforementioned other Group B matchup. "Cardenao. La Furia Azule. Another 4-3-3 team that plays defensively. Basically, if you thought Aphrilia was defensive, then you are not ready for our Anaian opponents."

Paškal was right. They would need to take the lessons learned from the Aphrilia game and find a way to apply them to the Cardenao match. However, they couldn't just do a one-for-one application of the ideas. They've had to apply their strategy more aggressively to counterattack the more conservative playstyle.

If they wanted to defend their title, they would need to start by taking out Cardenao in The White Fortress.

by **Visayas Islands** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 5:18 pm

AN 'EQUAL' START FOR THE YOUNG BLUE SUNS IN CADDO
Caddo, Valanora

The Visayan fans cheering for the U21 Blue Suns

Since the young Blue Suns arrived in Valanora and resting for 2 days, they went on to start training as much as possible to confront their first ever rivals, Andso Magis. Coach Eduardo Palomar has some plans to take on the squad before arriving in Caddo. "We did our best to win our game. And it's our first time playing it here in Valanora." As they arrive in Caddo, the team had a little hangout before training to have some fun to cheer themselves up before training next day after. There were some fun karaokes, story telling, and drinking, then eating. After some days of training and hangouts, the team arrived in Caddo Park to face against the Andsonian 11. The first match started off with some defensive dominance from Gatchalian and Abarintos on the line with some of the midfield from Portadera, Tansingco, and Villacampa to give Sarte an assist to Nazareno to score the first goal for the Visayan 11. The fans were crazy at this point they went for an avalanche while Nazareno is dancing to his own favorite song from Kazzabe, his favorite punta* group. Everything is well for the Visayan 11, but one thing, a Visayan player got accidentally fouled on an Andsonian and nevertheless made the penalty. But the Visayans were holding on to their defense after the foul, who was actually committed by Reiner Ledesma, who got subbed on by the rising Aklanon star, Baquial. And the substitution worked as Baquial made the Andsonian midfield to get a dangerous pass with Llamanzares stopping some of the shots after his penalty mistake. And then, the final whistle goes. It's a draw, 1-1. But the Visayan crowd applauded the national team for their valiance against Andso Magis. "We did some good jobs for the team today.", says Palomar. "But our next match against Kytler Peninsulae will be much harder that it looks. But we will work on that, fortunately." The young Blue Suns will face the Kytlerians again in Caddo Park before going to Bexar for their last group match against Tikariot, who have won over the Kytlerians 1-0. Will the Blue Suns march on to glory?

by **Anewkansas** » Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:50 pm

“Yoooo! It’s your boy Liam here, live from the-”

The last thing that was recorded was an unassisted flight through the dressing room and a relatively soft landing on the physio table. Unfortunately, the latter are a bit bouncier in the Angelotic Temple than they tend to be in Anewkansas, and the phone got catapulted into the wall. Liam Resha looked to Jonathan Quinn, who had turned the thing airborne, with a mix of complete disbelief and utter rage.

“Hey, wow, what? That’s my fucking phone, man, it will be all scratched! Are you an idiot?”
“No win, no antics, no vlog blogging.”

Liam stared for a second and Jonathan hoped that with his calm and collected reply, he had created an epiphany for his fellow central defender. Unfortunately, it was not one of the kind he had not been aspiring to.

“Shit, we might still be live.”

Un, or fortunately, depending on the point of view, that was not the case anymore. With mounting frustration, Liam assessed the damage: a cracked screen and the loading dock making an awkward bend.

“What on fucking earth was that good for?”
“There is little reason to celebrate, Liam. Yes, we kept a clean sheet but we aspired for more. In the end, we can only be glad that Foster missed two grand opportunities or we would have had egg on our faces. As a team, we could not put enough pressure on Jackson: one good shot from Lemar, that’s it. That’s not enough.”

Around the two defenders, a semi-circle had formed of fellow players. The writing was on the wall that the two would brawl but it would be interesting to see who would take the first punch. Most guys would put their money on Resha, who tended to be rash and loud but whom many people liked for his positive attitude and enthusiasm. Quinn, on the other hand, was quite a stick in the mud and acted as if he was somehow superior to them. Maybe not all, but a small majority would have paid to see him take it on the chin. The match conclusion from Quinn might not have been that far off the truth, in the adrenaline rush after a closely contested international duel they had little lust for a harsh assessment of their struggling afternoon. Many had hoped that an easy win over Sett Forest could see them through early but it had immediately been clear that every point in this competition would be hardfought.

“That… That doesn’t matter!”
“Hm, is that your attitude towards defending your nation, your colours?”

One could take the sailor out of the Navy, but not the Navy out of the sailor as Quinn replied along the militaristic credo which had run the family line already for a few generations. Needless to say a handful really hoped for a successful jab from Resha now but contrary to his usual demeanor, Liam kept it together.

“You’re really dumb, J-Quinn. Just so fucking dumb. It has nothing to do with all that. We played, we all tried our fucking best and we got a 0-0. Too bad. We go again against Darmen and that Gunni Holt guy, he seems something special. But now, the job is done.”
“Well, it is not done, exactly that. We did not complete the job!”

One or two guys turned away already, they either had little lust in a screaming match or had noticed the piercing eyes from across the locker room earlier than the rest.

“What do you want then? To go out again and to score after the final whistle? It’s over, badadi, badada. Now if you want to have some sort of mourning ceremony, fine. But don’t be a dick and toss my phone against the wall. You’ll pay for that!”
“Just a bit of commitment, that’s all, Liam. A bit of self reflection, a bit of cooling down. And not just another round of your dumb clownery.”

Why that last bit exactly triggered Liam is hard to tell. Maybe it was the result of a decade and a half of teachers who had concluded he amounted to nothing based on that statement. And maybe, just maybe, it had been a similar period of drilling that had given Jonathan his point of view, the deep belief that they were doing something that was bigger than just twenty-two guys and a little kick-around with a ball. If there would still have been much of an audience, there might have been guys who thought both were morons.

“You know why I called you the Pussy King? Cause you’re a fucking pussy.”

It was hard to say who threw the first blow. It’s probably more factual to say that there were no real blows, just some awkward pushing, shoving, shirt-grabbing and a halfhearted attempt to headbutt the other in the face, before a thundering voice silenced the room.

“Good job, Liam and Jonathan. Good job. Tomorrow morning, the selection can take a bit of time off but the two of you will get a special training. Ten laps around the pitch with one leg tied to one another. You can take that time together to discuss your issues, as you both insist on it. And now get in the showers.”

The voice of Marlon Ortega was not exceptionally loud but it did cut deep enough to make sure that all the lads showered quietly. Even in the bus, there was some quiet jesting in the back (mostly about the faith of their two teammates) but nothing outlandish. Upon arrival in the hotel, each took their bag and quickly made their way to their rooms. It wasn’t until the last one had left the lobby that the bus driver, an old friend of Ortega, turned to him and grinned.

“You still got it, Marlon.”
“Don’t teach me how them kids are. By noon tomorrow, they either will have killed one another or they start making friendship bracelets.”
“My money is on the latter, Marlon.”
“You’re damn right.”

by **Kronbia** » Wed Aug 27, 2025 3:20 pm

Montana Verde city - Riots continue in Montana Verde, where riots and protests have erupted in other neighborhoods demanding the lifting of the siege on the Cocaba neighborhood. A rumor has spread that the police are besieging government opponents in the Cocaba neighborhood. No one knows where this rumor originated, but it seems that Cartels members are the ones who started this rumor to free their men from the Cocaba neighborhood. The rumor has unleashed the anger of many young people who are disaffected with the government. It seems that Cartels members have infiltrated them and started rioting and violence against the police, which required the Montana Verde police to request support from the capital's police. Some politicians have begun demanding the intervention of the Kronbian army to control the situation. However, according to the Kronbian constitution, the army's intervention in internal affairs is prohibited except with the approval of parliament and in specific cases since the civil war, for fear of coups. The Montana Verde representatives called for an urgent parliamentary session to address the matter, while the President Emilio Julio de Flavio called for an urgent ministerial meeting to discuss solutions to the escalating events in Montana Verde.

by **Riandera** » Wed Aug 27, 2025 4:47 pm

The Lillies come back to the hotel, in the convention room.

"OK," Veronika says, "It's time". She turns on the projector, and displays the match results.

"It was a draw."

Arya enters. "Is this the-"

"Yes." She points to the screen. "You guys (the defenders) couldn't seem to stop Tennefjord at '37."

Putra raises his hand. "Sorry, but he was-"

"Enough," Veronika utters, "but at least you guys caught up. "Zahara, you nearly scored just before halftime."

Rina tells what actually happened. "Mertz kicked it back."

"OK, but at least del Rosario made us proud by scoring at '64."

Jack smirks.

Arya joins in. "Err... right, can I just add in one more thing?"

Veronika steps back. "Sure."

"So... can I see Zahara after this?"

Rina sticks her thumbs up.

Arya cues for the others to leave. "You may go, except for those I've called."

The others leave.

Veronika answers why she stayed back. "Well... we have a question."

Arya turns around to face Rina. "Zahara, I have spoken to them about getting you in the national team. Would you be willing to do that?"

"Yes." Rina answered.

"Alright. You may go."

Rina leaves.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 3:36 am

The Random Rambles of a Jaguar - DBC60 Edition
with Killian Looker

Welcome to this Random Ramble, for the second time at the Di Bradini Cup! With the past, present and future all moving to one heartbeat in this Centennial Cycle, the time is right to put a spotlight on the new generation of TJUN-ian superstars and see what they can do in the spotlight of Valanora. This team is ready to fly and show those watching at home their future...so how did this all begin?

The Game
The Rose Gardens in Kareen will be our temporary base of operations for our time in Group F of this DBC, and up first would be Calgasia. As always in youth football, there are no rankings to speak of, so everyone enters this tournament blind, with everyone becoming a potential threat. Calgasia were first up for these Young Jaguars and to be fair to everyone, this one was pretty simple to follow. Calgasia managed two goals in the game, one in each half, but apart from that, Magdalena Herzog did a very good job in the nets. We ended up with 4 goals in this contest, with the quick Sianyf Agüero managing a brace with the other goals going to Juliana Meñez and Meadin Sahilu in an exhibition of our starting threat potential. 4-2, 3 points, job done!

The Next Step
A good start, all things considered....let's keep this up!
Kronbia is up next.
GO YOUNG JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group F)
MD1: vs Calgasia - Rose Gardens, Kareen W 4-2
MD2: vs Kronbia - Rose Gardens, Kareen
MD3: vs United States of Nova Calania - Rose Gardens, Kareen

by **Aphrilia** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 5:21 am

Full time on the first matchday came to pass, fortunately enough.

Zenic's Youthful Survivors were a tough opponent, and perhaps an even tougher cookie to crack at first. The first half had ended in a still nil-nil scoreline, something that definitely made The Junior Anchors worry. The cohesion didn't seem to be there in the game, Aphrilia were sort of... Scatterbrained, you could best say. Perhaps it was because the last Di Bradini Cup hadn't gone so well, perhaps it was the fact that the junior team felt like they had their own expectations to meet considering the senior team's recent attainment of silverware, or maybe it was jut the worry surrounding Hannah Morgan-Keynes being the captain of the team. And to the captain herself, that last bit was unacceptable.

During half-time whilst preparing, she had a talk with the rest of the team. As much as some members of The Junior Anchors loathed her, at the end of the day, she was their captain and they had to listen to what she says. Emotions were high, it was safe to say. But whatever she spoke to the rest of the team, perhaps it ended up working. Second half was here and they were finally alive and kicking, no longer looking like they were dead out of the water. And this would prove to bear fruit for them, as they took on the attack.

Hannah collected the ball from a goal kick, and absolutely demolished the flank as she rushed forward. Those legs of hers strained their muscles from the steps she took, but it would be worth it. In her mind, it had to, otherwise it would have been for nothing. Hannah had reached the outside of the Youthful Survivors' box on the flank. Now, by this point, she could try going for the solo goal, but that run exhausted her. Yet in the box, she did see someone. Phillip Edinson was there, waiting for the moment. Even if there were three Zenic players surrounding him, he was waiting. The two Aphrilian's eyes met for a single moment, and Hannah decided it was enough to trust him. She made the low cross.

And despite being surrounded, Phil struck it in to give Aphrilia the lead.

The stadium erupted with cheers for The Junior Anchors, it had been an incredible finish. From the solo run, to the low cross, before the deadly strike to finish it off. Phil had gone up from the ground and celebrated by slide tackling the corner flag, but otherwise, everything was fine. Hannah came up to celebrate the goal with the rest of the team, and at that moment, none of them were shunning her or anything of the sorts. When the celebrations died down and they went back to return to formation, Phil approached Hannah with a smile.

"Good assist there! Thanks for that, captain." Was his own words before jogging bac to the Aphrilian side of the field. Hannah followed suit, surprised at the reaction and... Well, everything that had happened. Maybe it was just the team being in a good mood, perhaps it was the fact that they had to at least acknowledge the fact that she ran down half the field's distance at such a blistering pace to set up the goal. Yeah, maybe it was just that. As the Aphrilians got back into formation for kick-off, on the Aphrilian side, a man was smiling.

"A fire like that shouldn't go to waste due to some emotions." Manager Anthony Christwell remarked to himself, seeing the substitutes all talking about their team's goal.

The assist Hannah provided had ended up winning Aphrilia the game. Which is crucial, especially considering that the Di Bradini Cup was rough from matchday one compared to other tournaments. One single moment of not being on your guard and you are done and dusted in a game or two. Anthony had managed to learn a lot about this specific iteration of the team in just a single day. Surprising, really. Especially considering he had some madly talented players in the previous ones. To the fans, this current generation of youngsters weren't seen as all that groundbreaking in terms of talent or capabilities. But he knew he had a good squad here, one capable of winning the whole thing if they were lucky.

But it's what, the fifth time Aphrilia is trying here? Will they get that lucky break? And will these players finish this tournament with relief in their faces and voices?

by **Edsmontik** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 7:10 am

Edsmontik v. Taxhavn
Duran Palace, Valanari, Valanora
Monday, May 10th, 2032

As hard as it was to believe, the Eagles were leading in the first half. Jorvik had managed to set a ball into the back of the Dimes' net, which would be the only goal for the remainder of the half.

The attacking-based formation was working perfectly, despite the midfield's possible vulnerability. The wings and fullbacks connected, which ended up securing everything tightly. No team would burst through that easily.

So the Hawks continued their fight after some halftime motiviation from senior team manager Dav der-Ghavyr's brother, Rechois der-Ghavyr. They managed to hold back the Dimes for quite a long time, until an offside goal from van Raalte. It was a close offside, but still offside.

From that moment on, the Hawks stepped up their defensive work. They had to make sure no one got across.

Let's just say, that did not go as planned.

In the 70th minute, while Elterhad der-Stoiuben was running to intercept a cross, he tripped on the grass, with his arms knocking the ball right to van Raalte, who fired a shot into the almost open net.

Norseden dived to stop it, but without his hands, he was nothing compared to the ball.

Just like that, Taxhavn equalized.

The next kickoff, the Hawks went all out with their attack and slowly inched towards the Dimes' net. They got close several times, but with the clock ticking away, it didn't look like they'd get much from this game.

That was, until Vioraad Reiovus came in with a shot so out of the blue that it shocked everyone. Despite his terrible position, he fired a shot, which had barely managed to curve into the goal, catching Taxhavn's keeper, van Ghent, a little off guard.

Both teams played out the rest of the two minutes plus extra time, and Edsmontik was able to celebrate their first U21 game being a win.

Up next, Riandera, who the Hawks will have to tear apart to grant themselves a spot in the knockouts.

Edsmontik 2-1 Taxhavn
A. Jorvik (23'), V. Reiovus (88') | Q. van Raalte (70')

Next Lineup (GK -- LB, CB, CB, RB -- CM, CM -- LW, ST, ST, RW)

E. der-Stoiuben [C] -- E. Errengrosse, B. Norseden, L. Shouzvenkreden, K. Vonstrosse -- D. Verto, O. Zeukalmen -- O. Dom-Suozeben, M. Svaardaen, V. Reiovus, A. Jorvik

by **Valanora** » Thu Aug 28, 2025 8:54 am

The Under Twenty-One World Cup is back in full swing and it is back inside the Eternal Empire and the Young Marauders look to try to get back to the Final for the third straight edition of the tournament, having won one and lost another. Getting to play the tournament on home soil has done quite a bit of wonder for the team, as they have consistently made the knockouts in most of the editions since the team was refounded after several decades of laying dormant. Success at the U21 level has seen plenty of ascension up the ranks not just for players but for staff as well, with players getting moves to larger teams or more time with their current clubs, as well as keeping them on the senior national team's radar. It has also helped with the staff, with assistants like Kasper Volheim getting promoted to the senior team and seeing success there as well. All in all the youth teams feeds into the senior team and into the greater Vanorian footballing system, much to the benefit of all, be it player, national team, or the clubs that they are playing for.

However this draw has not been very kind for the Young Marauders, being drawn into a group with two other former champions, fellow Arrosian nations of Banija and Baker Park, as well as new team in the competition in United Adaikes. With only twenty-four entries, there are six groups of four and four of the six third placed teams will be advancing into the first knockout round, so it is quite possible that all three Arrosian teams could make it out of their group. Regardless, the quality in this group is extremely high and it might be a bit unfair for United Adaikes to have gotten drawn into this group though they will no doubt be looking to show their own valor and skill. With how up and down the flow and form and talent can be with youth national teams, while it might seem like they have gotten a bad shake they could still look to shock most of the footballing world and escape from the group at the expense of one of the three more favored teams who fancy to advancing out of Group A, which is taking place entirely in Raynor City as is the tradition at this point.

An hour long opening ceremony in The Battleground proceeded the first match of the tournament, which put the host team up against the aforementioned United Adaikes team who were looking to get a stunning result in to start the tournament. Their team is comprised not of academy players of clubs or dedicated training academies but a mixture of academy players, players from universities, as well as a few who are still in secondary school. That mixture and lack of professionalism might explain why they were looking a bit awestruck from the outset and the Marauders were all over them in the first half hour, which resulted in a Bastian Østby goal, the first of the tournament, at the twenty-second minute. Seemingly gathered their legs, the foes put up much more of a fight for the remainder of the half, but both of their shots were easily saved by Jonas Eide in net. As the two teams came out for the second half, United Adaikes pressed hard to try and get an equalizer but instead were pegged back on a counter in the fifty-eighth with Mari Sæbø being a late runner into the box and plastering it into the back of the net. The second goal seemed to take the wind out of the visitors sails and though there was effort to get back into the game, it never really materialized into something substantial.

A two to nil victory has the team with one foot into the knockouts already, though they are going to be quite wary of Baker Park and Banija as the former blasted the latter four to nil showing that Baker Park might be ready to go for another title and Banija will be reeling and desperate for results. That desperate Banija squad is whom the Marauders have to face off in the next game, this game taking place in Hellgate in the Soldar suburb of the Empire's capital city. Unlike their previous opponents, the Banija team is comprised of players for clubs and who will have that level of professionalism associated with it, much like Valanora's roster. The two nations are budding rivals and with the Marauders knowing that a victory over Banija should all but ensure their spot in the knockouts, they are likely to give their best accounting of themselves. Yet Banija needs at minimum a draw from the match to ensure they still have something to play for on the final day and be better suited if they were to achieve victory over the hosts. It leads to quite the pivotal matchup here early in the tournament, one where the Marauders will hope their home advantage gives them the edge in what looks to be a close affair.

Di Bradini Cup 60/U21WC81 RP And Scores Thread

Di Bradini Cup 60/U21WC81 RP And Scores Thread

u21 WC81 RP-1

Rambles, Youth Edition 0 (Preview)

Rambles, Youth Edition 1 (Calgasia)

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