Group A – Green Dome
The Jahistic Unified Republic
Prusai
Mapletish
Passo Tonale
Civil Citizenry
Licentiapacisterra
Group B – Cobolt Box
Anollasia
Vettrera
Maron
Rennidan
Boriem
The Holy Empire
Group C – Maudraiska Arena
New Republic of Egypt
Taijan
Cotdelapoms
Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
West Tyland
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Group D – Pálás Nic Rhaith
Camwood
Krytenia
Carmadin
Hakkland
Free South Califas
Daehanjeiguk
Group E – Aluminium Box
The Babbage Islands
Darmen
Equestrian States
Thrilledge
Yesopalitha
Polar Islandstates
Group F – Sayercooan Indoor Sports Hall
Michael VII
Lymantatia
Thatius
Urszag-Csatoria
Saer Republic
Taeshan
Group G – Celtic Palace
Cyborg Holland
Saugeais
Vamprican-Krumbian Confederacy
Mark50
Falconfar
Slembana
Group H – Grand Handball Arena
Liventia
Sicoutimont
Ancharmunn
Union Isle
Conservative World
Megadia
Venues
The group stage will see each of the groups being hosted by one venue, where a group is being played has been listed above besides the groups. Knockout matches will be shared among the eight venues.
Grand Handball Arena, Ballyfeeaknock, 10,000
A newly built arena for the competition, the GHA has been designed to be as good a handball arena as possible. Superligue superstar Maelíosa Nic Rhaith has described it as “the very best arena in the world”. Then again, as an ambassador for the tournament she would.
Cobolt Box, Ballymairead, 9,000
Named to reflect the appearance of the building the Cobolt Box sits glistening on Ballymairead's waterfront. Another new venue, and generally regarded as a well designed one.
Aluminium Box, Caernankry, 8,000
Another elementally named venue. The main industry of Caernankry provides the name for this modern arena, which during the season provides a home for the successful local handball club sponsored by the Claybanks Mining Company
Sayercooan Indoor Sports Hall, Sayercooan, 7,000
This rather boringly named venue usually serves as a municipal sports centre available for general use of the public. For the duration of the tournament though a large swathe of temporary seating will convert it into an international handball arena. What it won't do however is improve the very basic facilities is has. Best bring a packed lunch and go to the toilet before coming here.
Maudraiska Arena, Rushmore, 6,000
Given that the exterior of this venue is coated with wood from the yew trees which grow in abundance on the surrounding Rushmore Peninsula it is perhaps somewhat of a surprise that the Rushmore venue didn't follow it's Ballymairead and Caernankry siblings in the naming stakes. As far the interior goes, it is in the main a smaller version of those two venues.
Pálás Nic Rhaith, Cashlauncarriga, 5,000
Barely even a country town in a remote chain of islands there is no doubt that Cashlauncarriga has only been chosen as a host venue due the the multisport superstar Maelíosa Nic Rhaith having made the Na Hoileáin Órga county in which Cashlauncarriga is in her adopted home. To go with it's rural nature the venue has a somewhat rushed feel to it, though a warm welcome from the locals should make up for any downfalls of the arena.
Celtic Palace, Porthmageed, 5,000
Overlooking the Bay of Celts the Celtic Palace and truth be told pretty uncomfortable venue. A converted former municipal sports hall the building is a fairly old and decrepit one. Ideally the venue would have been torn down and replaced, but the local authorities seem determined to squeeze as much use as possible out of it.
Green Dome, Mullendroghed, 5,000
Included largely to make the numbers the Green Dome is perhaps impressive only in it's blandness. The facilities of the venue are good enough without warranting any memories of afterthought for those attending.
Knock-out rounds
Round of 16
M1: Group A winner vs. Group H runner-up (Green Dome)
M2: Group B winner vs. Group G runner-up (Cobolt Box)
M3: Group C winner vs. Group F runner-up (Maudraiska Arena)
M4: Group D winner vs. Group E runner-up (Pálás Nic Rhaith)
M5: Group E winner vs. Group D runner-up (Aluminium Box)
M6: Group F winner vs. Group C runner-up (Sayercooan Indoor Sports Hall)
M7: Group G winner vs. Group B runner-up (Celtic Palace)
M8: Group H winner vs. Group A runner-up (Grand Handball Arena)
Quarter-finals
QF1: M1 winner vs. M2 winner (Cobolt Box)
QF2: M3 winner vs. M4 winner (Maudraiska Arena)
QF3: M5 winner vs. M6 winner (Aluminium Box)
QF4: M6 winner vs. M7 winner (Grand Handball Arena)
Semi-finals
SF1: QF1 winner vs. QF2 winner (Cobolt Box)
SF2: QF3 winner vs. QF4 winner (Grand Handball Arena)
Bronze medal match
SF1 loser vs. SF2 loser (Cobolt Box)
Final
SF1 winner vs. SF2 winner (Grand Handball Arena)
The first round of group matches will be scored on Saturday evening (British time) with group stage matches following daily until Wednesday 15th August. Knockout matches will then be held from Friday 17th August on a daily basis until the final. I will aim to be scoring the matches around 19:00 BST.
Posting a squad/roster is welcomed and encouraged. This should include at minimum the names of the players you are sending, and can be expanded to include things such as coaching staff, details of tactics, kits and so on. Some form of permissions detailing what you allow your opponent to do to your players in the way of scoring, injuries and disciplinary action should they RP before you do is also useful.