Copa Rushmori XVII - Everything Thread

[Ossidiacqua]

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of the Copa Rushmori, for all your Rushmori international competition needs.

BID POST

The seventeenth edition is to be hosted right here in the Ossidiacqua, and we hope you'll all enjoy your stay here. As mentioned in my bid post, staying here presents its own problems and challenges for your teams. However, full IC details will be provided below, and, once the group draw is made, so you will be provided with the stadium information. I will also be available via TG for any questions you may have.

Again, as mentioned previously in my bid post, all nations taking part will have a "Diplomatic Curate". This is a junior priest and member of the Magisterium who is ICly attached to your team throughout your time in the country. You may take it as written that they speaks your nation's language fluently, and can act as an interpreter between your team and my authorities. Should you wish to RP them as one of the background characters for your tournament you will have full GodMod powers over them beyond the name/age/gender I give you. Blame them for bad results, paint them as some kind of latter day saint, kill them and offer them as a sacrifice to your gods, accuse them of spying on your team for the Magisterium and swiping your technology, whatever. It is entirely up to you how much to include them, if at all. There will be no penalty for not including them, they are just there as a catalyst should you want/require one. The Diplomatic Curates are as follows:

1. Valladares - Francesca Melgar (35, Female)
2. Polar Islandstates - Antonio Cecon (39, Male)
3. Sicoutimont - George Altieri (41, Male)
4. Charruterra - Loreen Adams (50, Female)
5. Falcus - Jean Cattarinussi (33, Male)
6. Darmen - Carla Padilla (37, Female)
7. Filopines - Nuno Luna (42, Male)
8. Mytannion - Enrique Farentino (45, Male)
9. Irad - Giuseppe Santiago (51, Male)
10. Mangolana - Emilia Vitagliano (26, Female)
11. Taeshan - Jeferson Callara (38, Male)
12. Saugeais - Damien Roncero (31, Male)
13. Alitaba - Christina Paez (50, Female)
14. Eura - Daniel Russo (21, Male)
15. Astograth - Cedric Capello (28, Male)
16. The Royal Kingdom of Quebec - Olivia Florez (58, Female)
17. Pasarga - Yoann Balderas (32, Male)
18. Dixhuitiles - Gerard Giovanelli (37, Male)
19. Eastfield Lodge - Cristina Okonkwo (39, Female)
20. Sargossa - Gael Runggaldier (34, Male)
21. Kitsunia-Deesse - Florence Malave (48, Female)
22. Queer Poco el Mono Ara - Luisa Lorenzetti (36, Female)
23. Cassadaigua - Daniella Ciccoritti (23, Female)
24. Ossidiacqua - Ezekiel Alessi (28, Male)


As you can see, twenty-four teams means a slight compromise on the format I planned to use. The twenty-four teams will be split into 6 groups of four teams each. The top two of each group will be guaranteed progress to the round of sixteen, making twelve teams through with four spots remaining. The six third placed teams will then be ranked 1-6 based on group stage performance, and 1-6 based on RP bonus so far, the average of these two ranks will then be used to determine the four teams that go through as best placed runners up. The teams in the round of sixteen will then be ranked again 1-16 based on group stage performance, and 1-16 based on RP bonus so far, and the average of the two ranks used to seed the teams. Seed #1 will then play #16 and so on, with the knockout rounds all planned and drawn out so that on paper the #1 and #2 seeds would in theory meet in the final.


GROUP DRAW

GROUP A Alitaba - Falcus - Ossidiacqua - Taeshan
MD1: Ossidiacqua 6-2 Alitaba [at Il Colosseo - Sant'Elia - 103,450]
MD1: Taeshan 1-0 Falcus [at Stade de la Mer - Sant'Elia - 61,031]
MD2: Alitaba 5-1 Falcus [at Il Colosseo - Sant'Elia - 103,450]
MD2: Ossidiacqua 0-1 Taeshan [at Campo Domingo - Pax-en-Gimignano - 60,042]
MD3: Taeshan 2–2 Alitaba [at Campo Domingo - Pax-en-Gimignano - 60,042]
MD3: Falcus 0-1 Ossidiacqua [at Stade de la Mer - Sant'Elia - 61,031]

  Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Taeshan                       3   2  1  0    4   2  +2    7 - Q
2 Ossidiacqua                   3   2  0  1    7   3  +4    6 - Q
3 Alitaba                       3   1  1  1    9   9   0    4 - q
4 Falcus                        3   0  0  3    1   7  −6    0

GROUP B Cassadaigua - Eura - Filopines - Polar Islandstates
MD1: Filopines 0-1 Eura [at El Imperio - Sant'Elia - 95,411]
MD1: Polar Islandstates 1-0 Cassadaigua [at Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211]
MD2: Eura 1–0 Cassadaigua [at El Imperio - Sant'Elia - 95,411]
MD2: Filopines 1–3 Polar Islandstates [at Stade du Ray - San Marco - 79,223]
MD3: Polar Islandstates 1–3 Eura [at Stade du Ray - San Marco - 79,223]
MD3: Cassadaigua 0–3 Filopines [at Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211]

  Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Eura                          3   3  0  0    5   1  +4    9 - Q
2 Polar Islandstates            3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6 - Q
3 Filopines                     3   1  0  2    4   4   0    3 - q
4 Cassadaigua                   3   0  0  3    0   5  −5    0

GROUP C Dixhuitiles - Kitsunia-Deesse - Mangolana - Pasarga
MD1: Mangolana 0-0 Dixhuitiles [at Rue de Novembre - Sant'Elia - 74,100]
MD1: Pasarga 1-1 Kitsunia-Deesse [at Stadio Luis Giro - Collindiana - 47,211]
MD2: Dixhuitiles 1–0 Kitsunia-Deesse [at Rue de Novembre - Sant'Elia - 74,100]
MD2: Mangolana 1–4 Pasarga [at Stadio Alianza - Inca - 41,769]
MD3: Pasarga 1–0 Dixhuitiles [at Stadio Alianza - Inca - 41,769]
MD3: Kitsunia-Deesse 1–0 Mangolana [at Stadio Luis Giro - Collindiana - 47,211]

  Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pasarga                       3   2  1  0    6   2  +4    7 - Q
2 Kitsunia-Deesse               3   1  1  1    2   2   0    4 - Q
3 Dixhuitiles                   3   1  1  1    1   1   0    4
4 Mangolana                     3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1

GROUP D Charruterra - Darmen - Irad - Sargossa
MD1: Charruterra 2-0 Sargossa [at Estadio Acqua - Sant'Elia - 93,300]
MD1: Irad 1-3 Darmen [at Stadio Martin Salazar - Cavasco - 48,052]
MD2: Sargossa 3–3 Darmen [at Estadio Acqua - Sant'Elia - 93,300]
MD2: Charruterra 0–0 Irad [at Stadio Alberto - Oristano - 32,944]
MD3: Irad 4–1 Sargossa [at Stadio Alberto - Oristano - 32,944]
MD3: Darmen 1–1 Charruterra [at Stadio Martin Salazar - Cavasco - 48,052]

  Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Darmen                        3   1  2  0    7   5  +2    5 - Q
2 Charruterra                   3   1  2  0    3   1  +2    5 - Q
3 Irad                          3   1  1  1    5   4  +1    4 - q
4 Sargossa                      3   0  1  2    4   9  −5    1

GROUP E Astograth - Mytannion - Queer Poco el Mono Ara - Valladares
MD1: Astograth 1-1 Queer Poco el Mono Ara [at Stade Blanco - Sant'Elia - 89,770]
MD1: Valladares 2-3 Mytannion [at Stadio Comunale - Elbegna - 42,011]
MD2: Queer Poco el Mono Ara 0–2 Mytannion [at Stade Blanco - Sant'Elia - 89,770]
MD2: Astograth 2–2 Valladares [at Stadio Aquila - Villafretta - 27,449]
MD3: Valladares 2–2 Queer Poco el Mono Ara [at Stadio Aquila - Villafretta - 27,449]
MD3: Mytannion 3–4 Astograth [at Stadio Comunale - Elbegna - 42,011]

  Group E                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mytannion                     3   2  0  1    8   6  +2    6 - Q
2 Astograth                     3   1  2  0    7   6  +1    5 - Q
3 Valladares                    3   0  2  1    6   7  −1    2
4 Queer Poco el Mono Ara        3   0  2  1    3   5  −2    2

GROUP F Eastfield Lodge - Saugeais - Sicoutimont - The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
MD1: The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 1-3 Eastfield Lodge [at Stadio Municipal - Sant'Elia - 72,941]
MD1: Sicoutimont 2-5 Saugeais [at La Fabbrica - Villacqua - 50,582]
MD2: Eastfield Lodge 1–2 Saugeais [at Stadio Municipal - Sant'Elia - 72,941]
MD2: The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 0–1 Sicoutimont [at Pico Arena - Vincenze - 20,333]
MD3: Sicoutimont 1–2 Eastfield Lodge [at Pico Arena - Vincenze - 20,333]
MD3: Saugeais 6–3 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec [at La Fabbrica - Villacqua - 50,582]

  Group F                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Saugeais                      3   3  0  0   13   6  +7    9 - Q
2 Eastfield Lodge               3   2  0  1    6   4  +2    6 - Q
3 Sicoutimont                   3   1  0  2    4   7  −3    3 - q
4 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec   3   0  0  3    4  10  −6    0

SECOND ROUND
SR1 - Saugeais 5-3 Kitsunia-Deesse [at Stade Blanco - Sant'Elia - 89,770]
SR2 - Polar Islandstates 0-1 Darmen [at Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211]
SR3 - Mytannion 3-3 Eastfield Lodge (4–4 AET) (4–1 pen.) [at Stadio Alianza - Inca - 41,769]
SR4 - Taeshan 1-0 Charruterra [at Stade du Ray - San Marco - 79,223]
SR5 - Irad 4-4 Filopines (4–4 AET) (3–2 pen.) [at Stade de la Mer - Sant'Elia - 61,031]
SR6 - Ossidiacqua 0-5 Sicoutimont [at Stadio Luis Giro - Collindiana - 47,211]
SR7 - Pasarga 2-1 Alitaba [at Estadio Acqua - Sant'Elia - 93,300]
SR8 - Eura 0-1 Astograth [at El Imperio - Sant'Elia - 95,411]


QUARTER FINALS
QF1 - Saugeais 2-1 Darmen [at El Imperio - Sant'Elia - 95,411]
QF2 - Mytannion 2-0 Taeshan [at Il Colosseo - Sant'Elia - 103,450]
QF3 - Irad 3-1 Sicoutimont [at Rue de Novembre - Sant'Elia - 74,100]
QF4 - Pasarga 2-3 Astograth [at Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211]


SEMI FINALS
SF1 - Saugeais 1-3 Mytannion [at Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211]
SF2 - Irad 0-0 Astograth (0-0 AET) (2-3 pen.) [at Estadio Acqua - Sant'Elia - 93,300]


THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF
TP1 - Saugeais 2-1 Irad [at Stadio Municipal - Sant'Elia - 72,941]


FINAL
F1 - Mytannion 3-2 Astograth [at Il Colosseo - Sant'Elia - 103,450]


Schedule - Reminder, all cutoffs come at around 11pm GMT on the day in question
3/2 - Thread Opens
6/2 - Group Draw
9/2 - MD1
11/2 - MD2
13/2 - MD3
BREAK FOR SRS BSNS
21/2 - Round of Sixteen
23/2 - Quarter Finals
25/2 - Semi Finals
26/2 - TPPO
27/2 - Final

FYI: PLEASE read that schedule carefully, because it is a little uneven to say the least - opening rostering/RPing section gives you some days pre and post group draw, then group stage matches come every other night with a gap between the group stage and the knockouts for OOC reasons that I will back up with IC reasons. So please pay attention to my RPs for how to react. Apologies for how awkward this schedule is, but it cant really be helped I'm afraid, as I didn't foresee this timing when I made the bid. I will be doing my best to write my arse off in these upcoming days so I have enough stuff to post during that time to keep interest up in the in-between-days. I still see us being done well before the start of the World Cup, however.

[Ossidiacqua]

The Former Oasirican Republic of Ossidiacqua
Host Nation, Copa Rushmori XVII

[OOC: I have provided a decent amount of information about Ossidiacqua below, including details on its unique history, and little bits about the bizarre stadiums I imagine to dot this land. Interaction with the customs and history that I have provided will be rewarded in RP bonus, though obviously not doing so won't harm you in any way... Unless of course you choose to ignore all this and write extensively about the way your team hopped on the coach and watched TV all the way down the freeway to the air conditioned hotel and then went to an internet cafe to download vouchers to print off and use at the camera shop. In which case I won't be that impressed. In particular, RPers are encouraged to get involved with the stadia descriptions and come up with their own details and developments in their construction. Aside from Il Colosseo, they are all available for extensive godmodding, particularly so this tournament, so as long as your opponent's permissions also say its allowed or you've cleared it with them first: go nuts. Basically, this allows you to have something to talk about and RP about even if your opponent is inactive and has presented no information.]


ESSENTIAL BACKGROUND:
Ossidiacqua is a nation still blinking into the light of the international community. In what seems like mere years ago for most nations, as a hugely technologically advanced nation called Oasirica, we sent a team to the Baptism of Fire. Meanwhile, here at home, with a terrible disease named la Plaga ravaging the country, the academics and scientists of the nation prepared to put up a time wall around the Central Hospital of Sant'Elia. The was that this time-manipulation would have allowed medics and scientists on the inside to spend months developing a cure or vaccine for la Plaga whilst only days passed outside the time wall, allowing the maximum population to be saved. However, something went wrong somewhere in the depths of the caves under the hospital where the sophisticated machinery was located, and the time wall surrounded the entire nation, cutting off the nation from Rushmore, the Multiverse, and the Baptism of Fire squad. Months passed outside the wall, whilst inside it, la Plaga decimated the native population over several centuries. Only the Djocorangan refugees (invited to Oasirica to shelter from the ongoing civil war in Djocoranga) were immune to the effects of la Plaga, and only they remained untouched. This ensured they became both the primary caregivers and the re-builders of the nation. There had been very little integration between these Djocorangan refugees and the native Oasiricans, meaning that today the black faces of us Acquans are almost entirely genetically different to that of our spiritual Oasirican forefathers.

The time wall eventually dissipated after a stretch of 270 years that has since come to be called the Pause Time, revealing the evolved nation of Ossidiacqua - obsidian water - to the world for the first time. It is a much changed place - the weather, land, and cities have all changed, and the distrust of the technology that created these problems for us is seen in Magisterium policy today. You are encouraged to visit our Museum of the Pause Time for more information on this even, where you can read the series of letters written during Oasirica's BoF, as they provide a lot of insight into what this period was like for those living through it - on both sides of the time wall.
Cabinet One
Cabinet Two
Cabinet Three
Cabinet Four
Cabinet Five
Cabinet Six
Cabinet Seven
Cabinet Eight
Cabinet Nine
Cabinet Ten

The land of Oasirica was a large and beautiful one. After suffering the ravages of an unpredictable climate and loss of knowledge during the Pause Time, it was transformed by the Djocorangan survivors of la Plaga into the Former Oasirican Republic of Ossidiacqua. Consisting of one main island and a handful of surrounding smaller ones, split into administrative Patriarchates and run by the all-powerful Magisterium, it is found just off the coast towards the north-west of the Vatmark region of Rushmore. The capital city of Sant'Elia is by far the biggest conurbation, and it whilst it used to shine with its golden spires and silver domes, it is now a shambolic and chaotic mix of alleyways and squares and piazzas - a hive of humanity that hums and thrums at all times of day with the scurrying of citizens. We Acquans are making every effort to restore the city to its former glory, and to this end we have gotten a steam powered monorail up and running, and are in the process of instigating a dirigible courier service.

Clean running water used to flow across the land and around the cities in an extensive network of aqueducts, channels, and canals that irrigated and watered the lush temperate pampas and shrubland biomes that covered the hills. The Pause Time triggered a decade of continued eruptions from the volcanoes in the large Patriarchate of Vul in the east of the country however, and largely thanks to their being located over extensive mineral deposits as they were, this affected the geography of the nation forever. These mineral deposits included a huge amount of obsidian, obsidian that was then erupted and distributed throughout the land in huge quantities, tainting the water, and giving the nation its new name. The water that flows is now nearly jet black in colour, and requires extensive treatment before it can be used as drinking water, leading us Acquans to rely on condensers that extract moisture from the dry air and from boiled off water vats often situated near the few rivers that remain. The reliability of these condensers is not fantastic, and whilst we are distrusting of technology on the whole, we need these to live. So, the duty of repairing them lies with the Magisterium. Namely, they are fixed by tech-priests who use mainly copycat techniques and guesswork accompanied by some rather frenzied prayer rather than any informed ability to fix and maintain the machines, the knowledge for which died with the rapid spread of la Plaga. The weather is taking longer to recover from the time wall than expected, and the land whilst not particularly hot, is still exceptionally dry. The Oasiricans were a highly educated and cultured race, and the fall and loss of knowledge is embarrassing to us Acquans.

The patriarchate governmental system has moved from the old religion to one offering praise to a mechanical deity of no name, only various titles, with tech-priests and those in the Magisterium holding a high amount of respect. Since the dubious death of the former president, it is the maniacal High Cardinal Giocomo Re who is in charge of the country, supposedly on an interim basis, though this interim period has lasted several years now...

Football in Ossidiacqua is the national sport, and support is fanatical. The Campiocinato continued during the Pause Time as a way to keep spirits up, and has been running for 327 seasons as the football league structure in the country, with three divisions, A-Liga, B-Liga, and C-Liga. The league has dominated by the three big Sant'Elia clubs; CA Conquistadores (71 Campiocinatos), Condensadores CD (63), Caballeros CF (61), as well as by Qolo-Qolo (48) of Sant'Antioco. Internazionale (23), Atletico Sant'Elia (17), Unión Gimignano CF (17), AS Débardeurs Nationale (11), Magisterio AC (9), Académica di Terrabianco (4), RCD San Marco (1), Clube Cobreloa (1), and FC Sommieres Hibernia (1) are the other clubs to have sealed a title so far.

MAP
Typical images of Ossidiacqua: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

GETTING AROUND:
Transport links are obviously complicated by the fact that there is no national grid in the nation, and internal combustion engines are rare and viewed with suspicion by regular citizens. However, there are plentiful horse-driven stagecoaches that travel between cities, and although their timetable is far from regular, there are several basic steam trains as well. That said, if you do manage to locate and source an internal combustion powered taxi, their drivers keep their vehicles in exceptional order, and whilst not cheap, they will be the best way to travel. All roads lead to Sant'Elia however, as the capital is by far and away the largest city in Ossidiacqua, and it will be a common place to interchange. Any team coaches will have to travel at a sensible speed in the nation, as the roads are not maintained to a high quality. The only international airport, at Sant'Elia, requires a level of technological competence that no Acquan is happy with reaching, save for shadowy members of the underground, and as a result the airport is owned and maintained by Valhallans.

FOOD AND DRINK:
The Acquan diet is driven mainly by fresh fish and seafood, as well as the meat of the hardy goat and antelopes that survive in the hills. Farming struggles on the land, devoid of rain, but water condensing and irrigation systems do manage to keep enough crops in bloom to keep the population fed, and the investment of several Valhallan companies in the farming sector means the national diet is slowly returning to its pre-pause time roots, with breads, pastas, rices and sweets growing in popularity.

LANGUAGE, CURRENCY, HEALTHCARE:
The national language of the Republic is Acquan, a subtle language based on a large range of ancient dialects from across the region. It isn't an easy language for the foreigner to pick up, though any attempt to make yourself understood in the language will be greatly appreciated and warmly received by any Acquan host. English is increasingly spoken across the nation. All the same, here are a few phrases that you may find useful.
Hello - Ciao/Ola
Good morning - Buongiorno
Good evening - Buonasera
Goodbye - Arrivederci
Please - Por favor
Thank you - Grazie
Which way to the stadium? - In che modo allo stadio?
Could I have the bill, please? - Potrei avere il conto?
Excuse me, I am lost. - Mi scusi, sono perduto
I feel unwell. - Mi sento male
I need help. - Ho bisogno di aiuto
Long live Ossidiacqua! - Viva Ossidiacqua!
Your country is ridiculous. - Il vostro paese è ridicolo

The currency unit is the obt. One hundred cents make an obt. Represented by the symbol Ø, the obt is a relatively weak currency. Expect to pay between Ø10-20 for a pint of lager, between Ø150-200 for a decent meal for two in an average restaurant, Ø4-8 for a takeaway cup of the Acquan delicacy, coffé, and between Ø250-300 for a night at a three-star hotel.

Healthcare in Ossidiacqua is advanced, despite the lack of technology. Years and years without such technology during the Pause Time means Acquan medical schools have centuries of expertise when it comes to natural and "old time" remedies for various ailments. So, though nationals of more advanced nations may look down upon the medical treatment available in Ossidiacqua, you're in safe hands.

Additionally, the official bid from Sant'Elia to become the Rushmori Capital of Culture features a great deal more specific information about our sprawling capital city, and any team that finds themselves playing there should take a look.

[Ossidiacqua]

HOST STADIA:
After the group stage draw on Thursday, we warmly invite you to check back here to see which stadia you will be playing in.

Group A
Il Colosseo - Sant'Elia - 103,450 - The national stadium, an archaic stone construction in the centre of Sant'Elia, Il Colosseo is lit by oil lamps and features vast walls of stained glass that enclose its labyrinthine internal corridors and meeting rooms. It seats 103,450 and is a treasured landmark, being one of the first buildings built by Acquans following the eradication of la Plaga, as the nation began to reinvent itself during the Pause Time. We are intensely proud of Il Colosseo, and it will host the final for sure. Image.
Stade de la Mer - Sant'Elia - 61,031 - The home of AS Débardeurs Nationale, this stadium is located in the docklands of the capital city, and actually floats on the water itself, accessible only by a single bridge. Whilst many have accused us of copying The Barge, in Bjarnarey, in this respect, but to those accusers we point out that this stadium we also built during the Pause Time. Also, the designers of The Barge probably weren't daft enough to design only one narrow bridge as the only access point...
Campo Domingo - Pax-en-Gimignano - 60,042 - The home of AS Universidad Tecnico, Campo Domingo is located in the basement of the university, inside a huge natural cave that lies beneath the flood plain, dripping with blackened obsidian-tainted moisture constantly. The cavern walls give the stadium a unique atmosphere, and prisms and lenses at the bottom of light-shafts in the ceiling provide the natural floodlighting.


Group B
El Imperio - Sant'Elia - 95,411 - The home of all-time leading league winners CA Conquistadores, this giant stadium sits atop a hill in Sant'Elia, and lights up at night with great flaming torches being lit on all the giant golden eagles that decorate its top. There are also extensive grounds around the stadium that are left clear of city development, protected by a ten foot high wall of finest granite.
Il Cratere - Sant'Antioco - 98,211 - The home of Qolo-Qolo, this huge stadium is built into the sides of a giant crater that is a dramatic feature of the Sant-Antioco geography. We can only speculate as to what caused this crater, but it means that the very top seats in the stadium are at Sant-Antioco street level, with the pitch many, many metres further down.
Stade du Ray - San Marco - 79,223 - The home of RCD San Marco, the Stade du Ray is unique amongst stadiums in that the spectators are provided with no seating at all, it is a 100% terraced stadium. Furthermore, the playing field is on the top of building in downtown San Marco, accessible by stairs and six storeys up. The terraces are constructed on the roofs of neighbouring buildings, but remain separated from the pitch by the narrow city streets. Only the dugouts and substitute benches have a direct bridge to the playing field. Ballboys roamd the streets around the stadium, ready to collect balls and bring them up again should the ball go out of play. Watch your slide tackles, too, as there is only a two metre clearance of grass around the edge of the pitch before the edge of the building.


Group C
Rue de Novembre - Sant'Elia - 74,100 - The home of the oldest team in the country, Internazionale, this large stadium has been renovated several times, such that all the plumbing is now external of all walls to allow ease of further renovations. All pipes and valves are on display now, with the seats being mainly planks laid over the top of the exposed pipework.
Stadio Luis Giro - Collindiana - 47,211 - The home of Clube Cobreloa, this stadium in the mining area is set into an old quarry, with seats for two stands cut straight from the living rock in rough hewn steps. This gives the stadium a unique amphitheatre effect in one corner, whilst the lightweight scaffolding structures of the opposite two stands are frequently tested by strong winds that whistle through the hills.
Stadio Alianza - Inca - 41,769 - The home of Alianza Inca FS, this stadium is a new build after the old one was bought out and turned into housing by the council thanks to the limited space available on the slopes of Inca - built on the slopes of a coastal ravine. As such, the stadium was built above the city. Literally, above the city - suspended from a web of wires strung between the walls of the ravine and hung there like a giant stationary cable-car. In strong winds, these cables can be heard to tense and make alarming twanging noises, often accompanied by an uncomfortable swaying in the stadium itself. The cables hold firm however, and the Magisterium will honour no cleaning bills for any items of clothing soiled in bad weather.


Group D
Estadio Acqua - Sant'Elia - 93,300 - The home of Condensadores CD, the team founded during the Pause Time by the condensation workers, the stadium has long been an exhibition of condensing technology, and as such features great channels, fountains, and elaborate waterfalls that snake and twist their way around the stands after the water is extracted from the atmosphere by the ranks of condensers that surround the roof. The water then irrigates lush gardens and plantings inside the stadium, making it a little like playing in a botanical garden. Has close ties nowadays to the Magisterium thanks to the upkeep these condensers require.
Stadio Martin Salazar - Cavasco - 48,052 - The home of RC Vitória de Cavasco, this stadium is named after the beloved club founder. And with good reason, as the stadium was founded not just in his honour, but in his will. Having always wanted to be buried at the club, he provided enough contingency to ensure his sizeable Salazar family tomb became a centrepiece of the new stadium. Consequently, you are essentially playing football in a graveyard, and appropriate decorum is expected from fans at all times, under penalty of expulsion by the attentive and punitively armed Guardians of the Salazar Plot.
Stadio Alberto - Oristano - 32,944 - The home of AS Clube Toros, this stadium is located precariously on the cliffs that surround Lago Gimignano. Up to 20% of the stadium's western stands hang over the edge, propped up by spindly wooden struts and hastily improvised supports. According to our calculations, this should be a problem so long as the stadium is never filled entirely with, oh, say, a high profile international match or anything.


Group E
Stade Blanco - Sant'Elia - 89,770 - The home of Caballeros CF, this stadium is built on the site of the old barracks and stables in the capital, and is nicknamed 'white towers' by fans. Every stand is marked by a rickety wooden tower on both corners as well as in the middle, and the whole stadium features extensive battlements and is painted white with a wash that has seen better days. There are rumours of the stadium being situated directly above a colossal weapons dump, but the great cannons that are fired at the end of every victory are still the only munitions we know to be in operation on the site.
Stadio Comunale - Elbegna - 42,011 - The home of Estudiantes CRF, this stadium has long been a source of ongoing engineering projects for the students of the university in Elbegna, who have been permitted by the administration of the city to use it as their personal testing ground for practical examinations. Currently, they're testing curved concrete shells, meaning the whole stadium is a mess of concave and convex structures, many of which are supported by hastily performed student calculations tested only by their own weight. This has produced some dizzying perspectives for supporters.
Stadio Aquila - Villafretta - 27,449 - The home of Sporting Villafretta, this stadium is not actually in the city itself, but is on a tiny island in between the two islands that make up the state of Scoggilados - harking back to the times when the games between teams of the two islands would need a neutral venue. So when Sporting's original stadium collapsed (designed by students of Elbegna, you'll be pleased to know), they took ownership of Stadio Aquila. The island has space only for the stadium, and generates its power through windmills on its roof that also draw water up the only clean water well in the nation. Reachable only by boat.


Group F
Stadio Municipal - Sant'Elia - 72,941 - The home of Magisterio AC, the club of the most glorious administration that is the life blood of the nation, this stadium looks like any other building in the Magisterium complex in the north of the capital, and it is only when you enter through its grand doors that you see it is a large and intimidating stadium. They never have an empty seat, oddly, and are officially the best supported club in the nation, with 100% of the population calling themselves a fan.
La Fabbrica - Villacqua - 50,582 - The home of Unione Industriali CF, this stadium was in days gone by one of the main recreational areas for workers in the nearby factories. As the factories themselves were replaced with newer buildings elsewhere in the industrial zone of Villacqua, the playing pitch remained, and the stands were constructed from old industrial equipment as the team grew in popularity. I'm not sure if you've ever watched a match from the hollowed out insides of a defunct smelting tank, or an up-ended salt silo, but its an experience.
Pico Arena - Vincenze - 20,333 - The home of Cattedrale di Vincenze, this looks like a cathedral both outside and in, and is one of the few entirely closed off stadia in the nation. Featuring vast stained glass shafts that arc down the walls, spectators will be dwarfed by the verticality of the building that tops out in an impressive fan vaulting, built back when the little island of Vincenze was the home of Oasirica's primitive religion. This makes it the oldest building in the land, even if it has only recently been converted for use as a football pitch.

[Charruterra]

Charruterran Roster for Copa Rushmori 17

Manager: Loreen Adams (50 Years Old) Female
Style: +2

Charruterra is now facing the upbringing of a whole new generation of bright (in the loosest sense of the word) footballers, having recently won the Sub-17 in Alitaba. Most of the players that were part of that squad have managed to break through, like Júrja Mahí, Ijí Rungajé (the best player of that tournament), Royán Raham, Campusano Doimalnaeje and Aísahaldu Arahayán, who are even starters now. The team is still very attacking, but has retreated a bit from kamikaze attacking to pretty attacking. Canamazán Fajú and Adeltú Cohújaan will still lead the team, as they're among the most talented players Charruterra has to offer to the world. Needless to say that the Charruterrans will actually have some pressure to perform well now that they've managed to reach the semifinals of the Copa Rushmori. Monsió Darmafá, the striker that is tired of scoring for Pacahocaf in the Charruterran league, is the player the most likely to score for the Charruterrans. As for the manager, the Asociación accidentally hired her.

---Starting XI
GK Júrja Mahí               (20 Years Old* )
LB Paho Úguhu               (26 Years Old  )
CB Yrraisiji Ajahámpa       (24 Years Old  )
RB Ijí Rungajé              (19 Years Old*^)
LM Canamazán Fajú           (30 Years Old ^)
CM Royán Raham              (19 Years Old* )
CM Zílto Tabaré             (24 Years Old  )
RM Campusano Doimalnaeje    (19 Years Old* )
AM Adeltú Cohújaan          (25 Years Old ^)
ST Aísahaldu Arahayán       (18 Years Old* )
ST Monsió Darmafá           (23 Years Old ^)
*: Partook in Charruterra's Sub-17 Win.
^: Among the best players of the squad.

---Substitutes
GK Ólohan Mujkán            (25 Years Old  )
GK Cahí Rohákaj             (30 Years Old  )
LB Ocafa Mohokaf            (27 Years Old  )
CB Cahacutupú Lonjá         (24 Years Old  )
RB Mardúj Janguje           (38 Years Old  )
LM Sahín Botán              (19 Years Old* )
CM Undú Majáj               (31 Years Old  )
CM Nohan Vaimaca            (22 Years Old  )
RM Dioí                     (34 Years Old  )
AM Carapé Magnua            (18 Years Old* )
ST Cloyan                   (34 Years Old  )
ST Naigualve Cleubilbe      (28 Years Old  )
ST Reyó Ujú                 (32 Years Old  )

Kits
Designed and produced by Barrengeka, Astograth
The association logo has yet to be edited as the ACF has recently decided to change their logo, but are apparently unaware that the logos in their kits won't just magically change as well. There shouldn't be much of a difference anyway.


I allow my oponent to do anything short of killing my players. If you injure them, I'll decide severity and length.

[Saugeais]

Reigning Copa Rushmori Champions
Saugeais Copa Rushmori XVII Roster
Saugeais Knights
Style mod: +2.718

Home and Away kit designed by Saugeais Grand Couturier, Flaurent Chanteaux


Head Coach: Franco Delgado - Age 63
Assistant Coach: Thomas LeBoeuf - Age 65
Goalkeeper Coach: Jenson Paulson - Age 56

Squad list (starters in bold):

Keeper - #1 - Yancy Wash – Age 36 [C]
6'3", 178lbs. - Laketown Rangers
(40 caps, 0 goals)

Keeper - #12 - Humphry Forrest – Age 34
6'3", 184lbs. - Bloomington
(6 caps, 0 goals)

Keeper - #22 - Joseph Olivier - Age 29
6'3", 188lbs. - Gilley F.C.
(3 caps, 0 goals)


Left Back - #3 - Jourdain Plamondon - Age 30
5'11", 168lbs. - Ville-DuPont
(52 caps, 1 goals)
Left Center back - #5 - Courtney Hedley – Age 31
5'9", 151lbs. - Bugny F.C.
(53 caps, 1 goals)
Right Center Back - #4 - Didier Bernard - Age 30
6'6", 173lbs. - Maximum City
(55 caps, 8 goals)
Right back - #2 - Thibault Renault - Age 30
6'1", 159lbs. - Urbanista
(20 caps, 0 goals)

Left Back - #13 - Lambert Victore – Age 27
5'10", 166lbs. - Gilley F.C.
(10 caps, 0 goals)
Center Back - #14 - Jerred Cornett – Age 29
5'9", 156lbs. - Bloomington
(14 caps, 0 goals)
Right Back - #15 – Philibert Buckley - Age 26
5'9", 166lbs. - Metalton
(2 caps, 0 goals)


Left Center Mid - #8 - Hugues Pascal - Age 29
5'11", 170lbs. - Ville-DuPont
(23 caps, 4 goals)
Right Center Mid -#9 – Armand D'aramitz - Age 29
5'7", 165lbs. - Metalton
(23 caps, 2 goals)
Right Mid - #16 - Sylvain Lavoie - Age 28
5'11", 168lbs. - Dudlek F.C.
(11 caps, 0 goals)
Center Mid - #17 - Gervais Labelle - Age 28
6'2", 171lbs. - Les Alliés
(14 caps, 0 goals)


Left Winger - #7 - Alphonse Richelieu - Age 31 [PKs] [CKs]
5'10", 168lbs. - Ituraitz FC
(88 caps, 24 goals)
Right Winger - #6 - Baudouin Richelieu - Age 31
5'10", 173lbs. - Echegoyan FC
(73 caps, 8 goals)
Left Winger - #18 - Barnabé Perreault - Age 28
6'2", 173lbs. - Atlantea Hurricanes
(25 caps, 5 goals)
Right Winger - #19 - Vincent Rose - Age 28
5'8", 171lbs. - Lynder Frosslasses
(10 caps, 1 goals)


Striker - #11 - Amable Deniau - Age 29
5'11", 167lbs. - Revolutionaries
(37 caps, 24 goals)
Striker - #10 - Gerard Kuchler - Age 33
6'1", 167lbs. - Teva F.C.
(33 caps, 10 goals)
Striker - #20 - Josué Herbert - Age 29
6'1" - 170lbs - Universal United
(10 caps, 6 goals)
Striker - #21 - Fred Béringer – Age 30
6'1", 167lbs. - Bugny F.C.
(5 caps, 1 goals)

Permissions: 
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events Y
RP injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players Y (one per match)
Godmod other events N

[Pasarga]

Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players Y
Godmod Other Events Y

Pasarga Roster
Nickname: Wanderers

Kits

Home Alternate
Modifier: +1

Manager: Aidé Hernádez, age 50 (F)
Assistant: Jullian van Setten, age 46

GK: Josef Dvořák, age 33, Perntav Marna TU (Earent)
GK: Raghid Faysal Halabi, age 28, Stilwater City (Northern Sunrise Islands)
LB: Timár Bendegúz, age 26, Tanrısal
LB: Luís Rocha Cardoso, age 28, Santos Luega
CB: Antonio Jukić, age 22, Preußen Kitzbuhel (Mytannion)
CB: Szöke Tabor, age 27, Club Stein-los
CB: Raymond Hébert, age 24, Stein-los Turkish
CB: Natálie Buchtová, age 28, CA Paulinthal (F)
RB: Anka Matić, age 27, Club Stein-los (F)
RB: Jitka Bláhová, age 27, Edmonton United (Valladares)
RW: Szánthó Nyék, age 21, Tanrısal
RW: Valentina Mijatović, age 23, CA Paulinthal (F)
MC: Farkas Szebasztián, age 27, Stein-los Turkish
MC: Dagrún Sigurjónsdóttir, age 28, Baskita FC (F)
MC: David Köhler, age 25, Canterlot Royals (Equestrian States)
MC: Guðleif Valgeirsdóttir, age 28, CA Paulinthal (F)
LW: Løver Storås, age 26, Stalliongrad HC (Equestrian States)
LW: Onésimo Alicea, age 24, Santos Luega
ST: Kállay Janka, age 20, Byrd Spitfires (Northern Sunrise Islands) (F)
ST: Benoît Lepage, age 30, Stein-los Turkish
ST: Tobias Möller, age 27, CA Paulinthal
ST: Þórdís Gunnarsdóttir, age 28,Tanrısal (F)

Dvořák
Bláhová           Tabor      Buchtová           Bendegúz
Mijatović         Sigurjónsdóttir     Valgeirsdóttir               Storås
        Möller       Gunnarsdóttir      

Captain: Guðleif Valgeirsdóttir
Corner Taker: Løver Storås
Set Pieces: Dagrún Sigurjónsdóttir
Penalties: Tobias Möller

[Filopines]

The Filopines Football Federation presents
Filopines national football team
Copa Rushmori XVII Roster

Manager
Sierra Haleze 24 (Female)
First ever tournament

Tactics
Formation 4-2-2-2
Style +5

Goalkeepers
GK
Kenneth Nolder 22
John Garcia 30
Jake Tuohy 20

Defenders
LB
Jason Dayley 32 Vice Capitán
David Crowley 23
CB
Ben Arden 26
Lawrence Cahill 22
RB
Mark Viney 27
Robin Tuazon 19
Louis Tenner 23

Midfielders
L/C/RDM
Luis Rodriguez 28
Ross Hart 21
Paul Rhett 43
CM/CAM
Thomas Rosberg 24
Marcos Cabañas 19
Shaun Albrecht 27

Forwards
LS/RS
Ahmed Dibay 22
Jack Harodzic 26
Wilhelm Fleiner 21
LW/RW
Jason Hale 33
Tori Lamane 22 (Female)
Stephen Cayley 23 Capitán
Aaron Bolbing 30

Possible Starting XI
Nolder
Dayley Arden Cahill Viney
Rodriguez Hart/Albrecht
Hale Cayley
Dibay Harodzic

Kit

Stadium
Corsley Stadium 104,098

RP Permissions
Anything 'cept serious injuries and death.

[Alitaba]

ALITABAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
MAET LLABTOOF LANOITAN NABATILA
PAMBANSANG KOPONANG PAMPUTBOL NG ALITABA
ABATILA GN LOBTUPMAP GNANOPOK GNASNABMAP

"MANGGUGUBAT"
"TABUGUGGNAM"
(The Foresters)
(Sretserof Eht)



for the Copa Rushmori XVII
Copa Rushmori XVII eht rof
para sa ikalabimpitong Kopang Pang-Rushmore
Eromhsur-gnap Gnapok gnotipmibalaki as arap

Manager: Puga Droffilc (54) [Fipinian/Normal: Clifford Agup]
The Senippilihp-born Alitaban took over the reins from Ovid Tisang, after the latter was sacked for a dismal performance by the Manggugubat in the previous Copa Rushmori in Charruterra. He is a laid back manager who lets the game flow to the result whatever the situation the team is in.

Style: +5

Roster
Goalkeepers
1 | GK | Crispin Makisig Dimaano | 23 | Kolperiskonjf Athelhetik (PDT)
13 | GK | Obsilaap Ijras | 22 | Olympique Leonde (TRB)
23 | GK | Nedanag Tnilc | 30 | Tossan Saint-Etudes (TRB)

Defenders
2 | RB | Apolinario Macasukli | 22 | C.D. FAS (SJG)
3 | LB | Nagnih Syar | 23 | Real Rosavilla (TRB)
4 | CB | Josefino Macasaet | 31 | CF Rumasi (TRB)
5 | CB | Serafino Dimaala (c) | 23 | Fusba United (UGO)
12 | RB | Nanidya Ttiwed | 21 | Tossan Saint Etudes (TRB)
16 | RCB | Basilio Dimaungusan | 22 | CF Rumasi (TRB)
17 | LCB | Gnekgeyuc Sixele | 31 | Real Tiagosan (TRB)
19 | CB | Beltran Datumanong | 22 | CD Viocla (TRB)

Midfielders
6 | CM | Inicserc Rezde | 27 | CF Sangti (TRB)
7 | RM | Sultan Rasid Datumanong | 31 | CF Sangti (TRB)
8 | CM | Carlos Dimaalimpungatan | 35 | Whilliumiborough Swagger (PDT)
11 | LM | Elias Dimaculangan | 26 | Olympique Leonde (TRB)
14 | CM | Antonio Dimacuha | 21 | Luch Energiya Primorye (SJG)
18 | LCM | Rotib Kciwdahc | 25 | Real Nonasa (TRB)
20 | RCM | Ertsuli Yenrab | 29 | Balompie Mogya (TRB)
21 | CM | Nabmatalam Natsirt | 33 | Atleti Gueti (TRB)

Forwards
9 | FW | Donaldo Hinagpis | 33 | CF Sangti (TRB)
10 | FW | Donato Dimasuklian | 33 | CF Sangti (TRB)
15 | FW | Sabram Ydlazir | 22 | Olympique Leonde (TRB)
22 | FW | Otipep Lihn | 31 | CF Sangti (TRB)

Kits
The kits are provided by Barrengeka of Astograth.

Home - red with blue horizontal strip; Away - black with yellow sash
Keeper kits will be provided by Libertad Sportswear of Sangti.

RP Permissions
Any godmodding is permissible, bar injuries and deaths.

[Irad]

Irad National Football Team

Formation: 3-5-2
Style Modifier: +3.14
Colors: Red and Yellow
Demonym: Iradian
Manager: Babeke Pezeshekeaan
Assistant: Bhenaze Lewa
Stadium: Iradian National Stadium
Stadium Location: Tarad
Stadium Capacity: 93,204

Roster

Starting Lineup

GK: #1 Sherwan Sanea (29)
RB: #2 Aresan Peaadarzadh (26)
CB: #3 Menwecheher Khatema (27)
LB: #4 Pearewzan Meradela (25)
CDM: #5 Mherke Semanejead (24)
RM: #6 Hewshemned Sadeqa (31)
CM #7 Darawesh Sadeqzadh (26)
LM: #8 Taam Shadan (29)
CAM: #9 Pewejeman Tahernejead (24)
ST: #10 Aredlan Dawewda (33)
ST: #11 Faredin Pozenel (18) [C]

Bench

GK: #12 Fernad Khewaana (23)
DEF: #13 Berna Qezwana (21)
DEF: #14 Newad Shahedbaz (24)
MID: #15 Fershade Lazadh (20)
MID: #16 Akhegur Teqwa (25)
ST: #17 Pederam Khedawasa (23)
ST: #18 Mherke Dawewda (26)

Kits (made with Smart Shirt Designer 2)

To be added.

Notes

Irad is a colony of the Free Republics, located in the region of Rushmore. The colony is located on a continent in Rushmore, bordering a body of water known, in Irad, as the Iradian Gulf. Irad was once an independent nation and, in ancient times, was the seat of power for a great empire. The Iradian population is half-Muslim and half-Zoroastrian. Several decades ago, some Islamic terrorists decided to use Irad as a base to wage "jihad" against non-believers, both inside and outside of Irad. After a terrorist attack against the city of New City in the Republic of Orlandiana in the Free Republics, the Republican government used the attack as an excuse to turn the oil-rich nation of Irad into another of their colonies. Today, the Iradians are relatively autonomous, but they still choose to emigrate to the Free Republics in large numbers, angering that nation's notorious nationalist politicians. Although Irad is technically part of the Free Republics and Iradians are technically citizens of the Free Republics, the Republican Constitution does not apply in Irad, a decision made by the victorious Republican military. If the Constitution had been applied to Irad, they would not have been able to set taxes high enough to afford to pay back reparations for harboring terrorists, let alone pay for any other public goods and more importantly, Republican corporations wouldn't be able to seize the Iradian oil fields. Because of this, the Iradian authorities have the power to ban extremist political parties and they use it to ban any Islamist parties or any other parties that agitate for Iradian independence, since the Free Republics do not like to give up their colonies. The Iradian Football Team is coached by Babeke Pezeshekeaan, who has experience as an assistant in the mainland Free Republics. Therefore, they play a relatively attacking style, albeit a defensive style by the standards of the Free Republics.

Penalty Kick Order of Preference

Remove players from this list that aren't playing at the start of the shootout.

Pozenel
Khedawsa
A. Dawewda
M. Dawewda
Tahernejead
Shadan
Sadeqa
Teqwa
Sadeqzadh
Lazadh
Semaejead
Peaadarzadh
Meradela
Khatema
Shahedbaz
Qezwana
Khewaana
Sanea

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: N
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y

[Sicoutimont]

Sicoutimont National Football Team

It has been almost 12 years since Sicoutimont debuted its national football team to the world. That tournament was the 10th Copa Rushmori, hosted in the nation of Valladares. The first timers had a surprising run through the first stages of the tournament, upsetting the hosts before falling to Polar Islandstates in the Semifinal, winning the Third Place Trophy. The team has not been able to replicate that success since then. Manager Marc Denis has been instructed with the task of getting this team close to that point once again. He chose players who would not necessarily reach the World Cup roster, but are some of the greatest players in the nation. The team will play Marc Denis' usual style of attacking football, with his 3-4-3 formation being used once again. Girard Giroux and Alex Gannot are expected to lead the offence, and Denis may try a few partners to play with them.

The Roster
-Players numbered 1-11 are the Starting XI
*-On World Cup 67 Roster

GK-Pier-Luc Dion*-Age-31-#15-FC Ararat Severny (Mytannion)
GK-Alain Rivcoucher-Age 24-#11-Lac-Drouin St-Pierre
DF-Yves Savard*-Age 35-#10-CDSA Decraa (Mytannion)
DF-Neal Kent*-Age 31-#9-1896 Ebor (Mytannion)
DF-Loic Leduc*-Age 28-#14-Matthew City Rangers (Northern Sunrise Islands)
DF-Benoit Robitaille-Age 26-#8-Lac-Drouin City
MD-Oscar de Orebale*-Age 32-#7-Royal Rumiatzi (Astograth)
MD-Jean de Terre*-Age 21-#6-SK Aasiaat Harbour (Polar Islandstates)
MD-Antoine Urbaille*-Age 34-#5-Eterna Stars (Valladares)
MD-David Lapierre-Age 27-#13-Real Ile Perrot
MD-Vito Ruel*-Age 24-#4-FC Pierre Beach
ST-Girard Giroux*-Age 30-#1-Edmonton United (Valladares)
ST-Alex Gannot*-Age 26-#2-Athleitk Thessia (Mytannion)
ST-Gaspard Demaru*-Age 21-#3-Jan Mayen Islanders (Polar Islandstates)
ST-Georges Allonts*-Age 32-#12-Gesterlake FC (Astograth)

Fast Facts:
Manager: Marc Denis
Style Mod: +2
Formation: 3-4-3
Captain: Girard Giroux
RP Permissions:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events Y, within reason
RP injuries to my players Y, I determine length and severity.
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y, 2 per match
Hand out red cards to my players N
Godmod other events Y, within reason

And so, the analysis begins. The team have travelled to Ossidiaqua already, the host nation for this Copa, to begin practising and getting accustomed to the new environment. The name 'Ossidiaqua' may be familiar to many Sicoutian fans already, with star players such as Angel Capobianco and new Real Ile Perrot acquisition Yves Pantani hailing from the land. To help the players get settled in, every team has been assigned a Diplomatic Curate to aid them in the foreign land. George Altieri is the Curate assigned to Team Sicoutimont. The group draw is coming soon, as is the first day the team will meet Domestic and International Press. We'll have the latest updates from Ossidiaqua as Rushmore catches Football Fever once again, at the 17th edition of the Copa Rushmori.

[Darmen]

Darmeni National Football Team

Coaching Staff

Manager: William von Kriesler
Assistant Manager: Adrian Kok
Offensive Coach: Tony Bordeck
Defensive Coach: Jason Erickson
Goalkeeping Coach: Troy Osborne
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Robert Yelton
Physio: Yoram Abrahams

Strategy

Style Modifier: +2.5
Strategies (Taken from the Oblique Strategies of the Brevity Cup): 
-Ask your body.  When you're tired, and just want to give up, ask your body for more.
-Adding on, 'cause one goal is never enough.
Formation: 3-1-4-2

Goalkeepers

Name                 Club                      Age Status
Kimi Siesman         Chippewa Falls Strykers   24  Starter
Brad Schreier        Rogerton Whitecaps        26  Bench
Brady Summon         Eau Claire United         24  Reserve
Leigh Folkins        Menomonie United          23  Reserve
Patrick Paek         Vogler City Force         22  Reserve

Defenders

Name                 Club                      Age Status
Mikael Adan          Scott City FC             28  Starter
Charm Vue            Eau Claire Aris FC        29  Starter
Scott Rydzik         Eau Claire Aris FC        27  Starter
Trevor Goodwin       Eau Claire Aris FC        25  Bench
Terrence Sinapati    Menomonie United          25  Bench
Oguchi Findley       Chippewa Falls Strykers   24  Reserve
Johan Garza          Chippewa Falls Strykers   24  Reserve
Matt Flemer          Rogerton Whitecaps        24  Reserve
Kevin Santos         Chippewa Falls Strykers   23  Reserve
Abdul-Jalil Salim    Scott City FC             23  Reserve
David Wagner         Scott City FC             23  Reserve
Ivano Nasser         Chippewa Falls Strykers   23  Reserve
Tony Eisenhower      Eau Claire United         23  Reserve
Sami Sanderrson      Chippewa Falls Strykers   23  Reserve
Nick Dempsie         Chippewa Falls Strykers   22  Reserve
Murrough Hollands    Eau Claire Aris FC        22  Reserve
Adam Hilbert         Forden                    22  Reserve
Andre Case           Sterling City Stars       22  Reserve
Matthew Alexander    Tim City Cyber Rays       22  Reserve

Defensive Midfielders

Name                 Club                      Age Status
Nur al Din Lambert   Sporting Iturributa (ITB) 22  Starter

Midfielders

Name                 Club                      Age Status
Luca Cormio          Scott City FC             26  Starter
Tor Tong Lee         Scott City FC             26  Starter
Gene Turko           Eau Claire United         24  Starter
Nicky Salapu         Menomonie United          25  Starter
Josimar Son          Darmen City FC            24  Bench
Charles Ramirez      Menomonie United          25  Bench
Javier Zakuani       Rogerton Whitecaps        25  Reserve
Steve Nystizor       Johnho FC                 24  Reserve
Maika Molesi         Menomonie United          24  Reserve
Rob Guteirez         Eau Claire United         23  Reserve
Rhee Spiridonis      Johnho FC                 23  Reserve
Dan Hammam           Augusta                   23  Reserve
Phillip Savage       Vogler City Force         23  Reserve
Andreas Studebaker   Darmen City United        23  Reserve
Alexander Ayala      Scott City FC             22  Reserve
Donald Circu         Forden                    18  Reserve
Samuel Horta         Darmen City AC            18  Reserve
Alvaro Geruard       Chippewa Falls Strykers   22  Reserve
Henrik Aikmar        Chippewa Falls Strykers   22  Reserve
Rybado Yerkumani     Bloomer FC                22  Reserve
Neil Klingensmith    Eau Claire Aris FC        22  Reserve
Eugenio Stumpf       Tim City Cyber Rays       22  Reserve

Forwards

Name                 Club                      Age Status
Bryan Faulkner       Scott City FC             29  Starter
Roberto Gregio       Eau Claire United         24  Starter
Sergio Autitore      Chippewa Falls Strykers   24  Bench
Adam McKay           Forden                    27  Bench
Fernando Grevsthan   Menomonie United          24  Reserve
Charmaine Hooper     Eau Claire Aris FC        25  Reserve
George Pele          Chippewa Falls Strykers   27  Reserve
Sergio Ambrosio      Eau Claire United         23  Reserve
Marcus Semien        Johnho FC                 23  Reserve
Jason Nell           Augusta                   23  Reserve
Jonathan Bruce       Eau Claire United         23  Reserve
Abe Adams            Scott City FC             22  Reserve
Sun Wen              Eau Claire United         22  Reserve
Daniel Baker         Eau Claire United         22  Reserve
Dinho Mendonça       Tim City Cyber Rays       22  Reserve

Starting XI

3-1-4-2
----------------Siesman----------------
------Adan-------Rydzik-------Vue------
-------------al Din Lambert------------
---Cormio----Lee-----Turko----Salapu---
---------Faulkner-------Gregio---------

Player Roles

Captain: Tor Tong Lee
Vice-Captain: Bryan Faulkner
Direct free kicks: Tor Tong Lee
Indirect free kicks: Bryan Faulkner
Right corner: Roberto Gregio
Left corner: Gene Turko
Penalties: Tor Tong Lee

Kits

Designed and Manufactured by Vulpine Sportif
Home Away Third Goalie
Designed and Manufactured by Darmeni Soccer Industries
Special Alternates Alternates

RP Permissions

Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y, max of 1.  I'll decide the severity.
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y, max of 1
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a TG or find me on IRC.
Please note that I'll probably only be on IRC during the Group Draws, so TG's will probably be best.

[Taeshan]

Nation Name:Taeshan
Demonym: Taeshanis, Taeshites, Taes
Team Nickname: Purple Knights
Modifier: -5
Captain:Tyler Pantoum
Vice-Captain:Logan Watson

Jerseys



MANAGERIAL STAFF
Manager: Gwyn Juniper
Perhaps the 2nd greatest player in Taeshani history, Juniper has finally been handed the reigns of the national team job. After another failure to qualify under Alexandre Giroux the team has been handed over to the younger manager in hopes that the team might make it back to the world cup finals. The new management has made some personnel changes and overall many have hope for the squad moving forward. He has been given the reigns in the Copa Rushmori to be better fitted with the team come world cup time.


Assistant Manager: Elijah Knickerbocker
As many expected Juniper has brought up long time friend and teammate Elijah Knickerbocker to be his assistant. Knickerbocker has been the U21 coach for a few seasons and now moves up to help out on the full level. He was captain of the National team in the years before Juniper and is a strong leader and will help keep the Knights in line.


GOALKEEPERS

1 - Logan Watson - X Island Marauders 12 Caps, 27 Years Old
Back in the saddle between the posts is Logan Watson. The big goalie will look to continue to solidify his position on the national team and continue to show the strength in goal he provides.

23 - Jim Horton - Yaton FC 0 Caps, 25 Years Old
A new member of the team is Jim Horton who although playing for a lower middle table side has managed to keep the side relatively unscathed in recent seasons. His ability to keep them up has gotten him a look from the national team.

24 - Nick Garden- Real Atlantea 0 Caps, 23 Years Old
Only two seasons removed from his last U21 tournament Garden will get to learn under to very good national team members in this and future tournaments. Sadly for him the starting A team member is only a year older than him so his future with the team is not good looking.

DEFENDERS

2 - LB, Tyler Provyay- Laketown Rangers 6 Caps, 27 Years Old
Longtime U21 left back, and current Laketown Center back Tyler Provyay has finally been given a starting spot for the full national team and thats at Left Back on the second squad. Though his left leg was weakened by an injury a few years ago he has been deemed necessary on a leadership side and been moved out to fullback once again to help the younger center back team.

3 - CB, Flynn Parker - Fadron Flight 3 Caps, 26 Years Old
One of those center backs is Flynn Parker. A former under 21 star, Parker has managed to find himself as one of the next best center backs in Taeshan and looks to make himself known on corner kicks on both sides of the field with his ability in the air.

4 - CB, Max Toledo - MT Ceabring Thunder 8 Caps, 25 Years Old
The other is Max Toledo who has managed to rather covertly make his way from a nobody to into the starting lineup of the b national side. He's a strong man who will be effective mostly on the defensive half of the field.

5 - RB, Alain Von Bois - Yaton FC 0 Caps, 23 Years Old
Now this is the stunning decision of the lineup. Von Bois is a midfielder by trade, but as many have noted in recent times Juniper, and his assistant Knickerbocker have been known to play players out of position to get the best possible team onto the field to win games. Von Bois provides a lot more going forward than backwards, but with what essentially counts as 3 centerbacks across the rest of the backline, maybe it wont end as badly as it looks like it might.

17 - Jhett Jackal - Real Atlantea 0 Caps, 24 Years Old
Three time premier league champion, and former u21 national player Jhett Jackal has been called up to back up what is a remarkably under experiences internationally, if not altogether quite young, squad. Jackal is a player who can play in the center or the outside and as such provides a lot off the bench.

19 - Dusty Latrine - Blacklake Blues 0 Caps, 25 years Old
The main fullback of the trio on the bench is Dusty Latrine. A speedy option on the wings he provides a lot going forward and is not to shabby on the defensive side of things.

21 - Gabriel Gorzon - Tintown Terrapins 0 Caps, 25 Years Old
The best center back option off the bench is Gabriel Gorzon. A hulking center back is always a great thing to have on a squad and Gorzon provides that much liked attribute.

MIDFIELDERS

6 - Jansen Cardinal - Bayern Phoenix 0 Caps, 25 Years Old
Continuing the altogether uncapped side in the midfield is Jansen Cardinal who gets the task of the left side. A speedy winger, with an ability on the free kick and corners, Cardinal is always a great option to have on the field.

7 - RM, Grant Fauejeau - Fadron Flight 11 Caps, 24 Years Old
The second highest capped player outside of the forward position is Grant Fauejeau. With a nice right foot, and an ability to run and run and never need much break, Fauejeau provides a motor for the team.

8 - CM, Karl Llana - Bayern-Algaer 13 Caps, 26 Years Old
The strong central midfielder is Karl Llana. A powerful left boot and a powerful ability with headers makes Llana a dangerous man for the Knights to have.

9 - Adain Nostradamus - Ojian Orangemen 4 Caps, 25 Years Old
Replacing a star is never a great thing to have to do, but with Ender Wiggin serving a ban for punching a ref, Adain Nostradamus has to take up the center attacking spot for the B team. No one expects him to be fantastic, but just being average might be enough.

12 - Brett Toulanlan - Canalave Dragons (Valladares) 0 Caps, 21 Years Old
Added to the squad fresh of the u21 ranks is Brett Toulanlan. A nice speedy wing option on the left side, Toulanlan is likely to not see the field much in the tournament.

15 - Peter Cavanaugh - Laketown F.C. 0 Caps, 25 Years Old
A rather interesting choice to join the team is the midfielder from Laketown's second club. Not really heralded by anyone, he marks the biggest question mark in the choices for the squad.

16 - A.J. Bouveiau - Fadron Flight 0 Caps, 23 Years Old
Back for his second ride on the Carousel is A.J. Bouveiau looking for his first time to actually see the field.

18 - Lysander Ying Uing - Bayern Phoenix 5 Caps, 18 Years Old
Lets not mince words, Ying Uing is synonymous with Taeshani soccer. To see a son of the legend of Taeshani soccer join the national team is a great thing for the Purple Knights. For a third tournament he has been called in.

22 - Addison Lambrogini - Real Atlantea, 0 Caps, 23 Years Old
Another newbie on the squad is Addison Lambrogini. With only two premier league titles two his name he is still young and can have an impact in the future.

STRIKERS

10 - LS, Skylar Crane - Mt Ceabring Thunder 36 Caps, 7 Goals, 28 Years Old
For a second tournament Crane will start along side Pantoum in the striking corps. Crane has scored 3 goals in the last tournament, but beside Pantoum it might not be a shock for them both to score a few goals.

11 - RS, Tyler Pantoum - RSK Longyearbyen Town FC 55 Caps, 26 Goals, 23 Years OldCAPTAIN
The fourth youngest player on the team, but now named the captain as not only the longest serving player on the team, but a strong leader Pantoum has been handed the reigns of the offense in the absence of Ender Wiggin and many cannot wait to see what happens.

13 - Farley Baines - Mt Ceabring Thunder 2 Caps, 25 Years Old
The second striker from Mt Ceabring this year will be Baines has two caps to his name.

14 - Gregory Fawkes - Real Chinchinhua 14 Caps, 3 Goals, 26 Years Old
Not as many goals as he would have liked recently, but Fawkes will get his minutes as the first man off the bench if a striker is needed.

20 - Liam Crane - Sleepy Hollow 2 Caps, 28 Years Old
Crane is back again. The other brother, as many refer to him, is likely to get more of a look this tournament as many feel he is the second favorite now as his career comes to a close. He may be getting older, but older means wiser, and that he is.

Formation 4-3-1-2
--Watson--
--Von Bois--Toledo--Parker--Provyay--
--Fauejeau--Llana--Cardinal--
--Nostradamus--
--Pantoum--Crane--

[Eastfield Lodge]

Due to the currently volatile nature of the situation in Ossidiacqua, the ELFA have decided that the team's safety is the main priority, so the team have been evacuated out of the country by TARDIS. However, as their is still the matter of the rest of the tournament, ELFA have decided to send along its prototype Kamelions.
Kamelion is a shape-shifting robot, which can exactly replicate the physical form of anything it chooses. In this case, the robots are programmed to take the exact physical form, characteristics and abilities of the entire ELFA team, coaching staff included. However, due to being metal robots, they'll tend to be more resilient than the actual players, plus will tackle much harder (even if they don't mean to) than normal.

Same formation, style, etc.
Permissions: Go wild.

OOC: For fair RP bonus attribution, most of the characters included on this roster are from the Doctor Who TV Series (and from a couple of Dr. Who books) and are either real, as in play a part in the series, or just random variations but from the species listed in Dr. Who. Some names will come from the members' list of this thread. For more background info, most of the species should be found on Wikipedia; except for Lazarus, for which you need to search for 'The Lazarus Experiment'. For the Raxacoricofallapatorians, search Slitheen. For Silurian, see 'Cold Blood' or 'The Hungry Earth' (followed by Doctor Who if necessary). For Rory, search 'The Pandorica Opens'.

Manager: Rassilon (Species: Time Lord; the first Lord President of Gallifrey, Rassilon created the Eye of Harmony, which gave the Time Lords their time travelling ability. All in all, he became the foundation of Gallifrey, although that may all be just public relations. He had discovered the secret to immortality, but was deposed by rebellious Time Lords, before going into an eternal sleep in the Tomb of Rassilon, located in the Death Zone. Late on in the Time War, he was seemingly brought back to direct the war efforts, but as he was willing to destroy the Time Vortex and thus the whole of creation [in the Whoniverse, if not all universes], to win the Time War, the Doctor time-locked him and the whole of Gallifrey.)
Assistant Manager: Adam Loftus (Normal human, aged 73; returned to the national team after a break of a few World Cups, but has basically been the behind the many managers there have been since the creation of the team back in World Cup 49 [OOC: a bit like Stuart Pearce of England].)
Coach: Sameer Ahmad (Normal human, aged 54; is the older brother of Shabeen, and also has one of the higher goal counts, but has been much eclipsed by his brother's success.)
Coach and Team blogger:Shabeen Ahmad III (Normal Human, aged 52; has scored over 200 goals for the EL national team, and is still an inspiration to everyone, nearly taking the team to the playoffs in World Cup 58, which has his first foray into full management.)

This team were all taken out of their respective time-lines by Time Scoop technology, so where some may be dead by this time, they are alive at this point in space-time. And it was the ELFA who did this, with the help of its inventor, Rassilon.

Goalkeepers:

Blon Fel-Fotch Pasameer-Day Slitheen: Species: Raxacoricofallapatorian (family: Slitheen); refer to as Blon. Was caught impersonating MI5's Margaret Blaine in 2005 (Earth time), where she and her family members were planning to instigate World War III and turn the planet into fissile material, ready to sell. With the plan destroyed by a well-timed Harpoon missile, she managed to escape, but was the only one. She then went on to become Mayor of Cardiff, using a nuclear plant and the Cardiff Rift to attempt to escape. She did, but in doing so regressed into an egg, and was delivered to the hatcheries on Raxacoricofallpatorius for a second chance at life.

The Abzorbaloff: Species: Unknown, but related to Raxacoricofallapatorians (albeit despising them); Originating from Raxacoricofallapatorius' twin planet, Clom, this particular one came to Earth and tricked a group of humans who were searching for the Doctor to join him, but eventually absorbing them all to satisfy his hunger.

Outfielders (Basically, this lot can play anywhere on the pitch apart from in goal):

Strax: He was a Commander for the Sontaran Military, but was disgraced for an unknown reason, and then was forced to become a nurse by the Doctor, to settle a debt. Has since become a member of the Doctor's Victorian London detective team.

Reaper: Species: Reaper; Flying bat-like creatures with scythe-like tails, the Reapers are extradimensional beings, who have the ability to materialise in normal spacetime when a paradox occurs, devouring everything in the area to repair the damage. They can be stopped by material barriers, the older the better, but not permanently, and a paradox on the other side of the barrier will let them through quicker.

Madame Vastra: species: Silurian; Is another of the people who the Doctor a debt, in this case, it is for saving her from a life of crime and hiding out in the early London underground, and she in turn became a veiled Victorian detective. Part of the Doctor's Victorian detective team.

Creet: species: Toclofane/Human (from the year 100 trillion and reduced to live inside metal balls); With the universe on the brink of ending, a group of humans were building a means of escape to "Utopia". With the help of the Doctor, they managed to do so, but only found darkness, and then they cannibalised themselves into this shape. This particular one was a young boy who worked in the sanctuary.

The Doctor: species: Time Lord, age: last confirmed to be 1103 (although he doesn't really know himself). Words cannot describe this man's life, but as for football, he's had "plenty" of experience, having played a match for the King's Arm Pub League Football team and scoring more than two hat-tricks in that single match (and now World Cups 59 through 62 alongside Copa Rushmoris and Cups of Harmony). Plays mainly up front.

Captain Jack Harkness: species: unknown (very humanoid though); Jack grew up on the Boeshane Peninsula as a kid and joined the Time Agency, but quit after a few years, becoming a con man with a Vortex Manipulator (basic time travel). After meeting the Doctor during the Blitz, Jack dies on Satellite 5 in the year 200,000, but is then brought back to life by the Time Vortex, effectively becoming immortal.

Rory the Plastic Centurion: species: Auton, created by the Nestene Consciousness; refer to as Rory; Dressed up in full Roman armour, Rory has had a miserable past, one that has included being killed, followed shortly after by not being born, followed by becoming a plastic duplicate with a full human consciousness. However, he is rather hardened by all this, and also has a gun in his right hand which he won't use, but will still throw himself into anything nothing less than fully committed.

Raston Warrior Robot: species: None, it is a machine; This robot has been called 'the most perfect killing machine ever devised', being able to move faster than lightning and to kill a troop of Cybermen in seconds. Its face is featureless, and its weapons are collapsible and miniaturizable, and so concealed. For the purposes of this campaign, its weapons have been remotely disarmed, but it still moves faster than normal humans can see.

Pyrovile: species Pyrovile; A humanoid being made of pure magma and volcanic rock, Pyroviles are vicious (albeit quite slow), not to mention being about 5 times the height of average humans when fully grown. Pyroviles originated from the planet Pyrovilia, but crash landed on Earth after their home was lost. They grew in the bowels of Mount Vesuvius, giving some of the locals the power of soothsaying. They planned to convert the entire human race to Pyroviles, and in turn create a new Pyrovilia. As a consequence of his magma nature, all match balls will be lined with lead to prevent them from bursting.

Jenny: species: Human/Time Lord hybrid; The Doctor was taken by the TARDIS to Messaline, where a war was raging between humans and fish-like humanoids called Hath. The Doctor then had his hand put into a progenation machine, used to produce clones for the war, and out came Jenny. She was later on killed by a commander who refused to accept the ceasefire, but then came back to life, having died in the presence of a terraforming device. She was last seen blasting off in the rocket, looking for adventure, and now she's here.

Modified Weeping Angel: species: Weeping Angel; modifications: only becomes a statue when opposition player with the ball is looking at it; No information known as of yet.

Professor Lazarus: Species: Severely mutated human (completely not humanoid at times), refer to as Lazarus; Professor Lazarus was eighty-odd years old, but invented a machine which could manipulate a person's DNA and make them younger. The first demonstration nearly catastrophically fails, but Lazarus emerges much younger. However, his DNA was since found to be unstable, and it showed when Lazarus changed into a scorpion-like creature that drained the life energy of other humans in order to keep him young.

Dalek Sec: Species: Human Dalek (Dalek that has taken on a humanoid form); After the Battle of Canary Wharf, the Cult of Skaro, now armed with the knowledge that they were the last Daleks in existence, escaped to 1930's New York, where they planned to recreate themselves in a humanoid form, by merging symbiotically with kidnapped humans deemed to be of superior intelligence. The leader of the cult, Dalek Sec, was the first to do so, merging with the businessman behind the building of the Empire State Building to form a Human Dalek. The remaining pure Daleks stopped the program upon seeing a Sec having emotions.

Silent: species: The Silence; The Silence is a religious order that believes that Silence will fall when the first question, the oldest question in the universe, is put to the Doctor, on the fields of Trenzelor, where no living creature can speak falsely or fail to answer. They attempted to bring down the Doctor through an abducted part Time Lord child (no relation to the Doctor), and kill him in a still point, thus creating a fixed point. But they failed.

Captain Tybo: Species: Judoon; refer to as Tybo; Is a Juddoon captain who crashed on Earth whilst transporting the Juddoon's most wanted criminal, Androvax the Destroyer, wanted for 12 counts of planetary destruction.

Vashta Nerada swarm: species: Vashta Nerada; The are microscopic organisms, which when swarming are completely indistinguishable from shadows, and being highly carnivorous, this plays into their hands. These Vashta Nerada number about 3,000,000, but are compacted into a humanoid form, for fairness. After a Kinitar player had his leg chewed off, the vashta nerada that played in that cup have been swapped for a vegetarian and pescetarian swarm (so fish people/giant vegetables beware).

Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y (Although I'd love to see your player try and injure a 15-foot tall being made from volcanic rock.)
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y (max. of four more than given to your team)
Hand out red cards to my players: Y (max. of two more than given to your team)
Godmod other events: Y (consult me if it is too outlandish)

Style Modifier: +3
Formation: Well none really, as nobody but the Doctor has a fixed position. However, the team will usually play in a sort of 4-5-1/2-5-3 hybrid, whatever that means.

Home stadium: Lodger City Memorial Stadium (cap. 150,000)
The national stadium of Eastfield Lodge since it was built not too long ago, it was built on the ruins of the old Lodger City, the former capital of Eastfield Lodge which was completely devastated by a nuclear disaster and floods within minutes of each other. It stands as a symbol of a new life, now even more prevalent after a horrible civil war and what not. But the new city has now become the footballing capital of Eastfield Lodge after some of the biggest teams moved in after Dillvill declared independence.

Because I can't be bothered to make a factbook, information about Eastfield Lodge can be found here, although some of it will be out of date. Including the facts that Dillvill declared independence and went back to normal reality, as did half the country's empire. And the fact that the only link to us is a small island somewhere in the northeastern part of Rushmore. Any further questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[Ossidiacqua]

Rank	Points	Team
1	37.94	Saugeais
2	32.74	Polar Islandstates
3	29.18	Sargossa
4	24.14	Astograth
5	23.73	Pasarga
6	22.74	Eastfield Lodge
7	22.19	Taeshan
8	22.15	Eura
9	20.89	Mytannion
10	20.76	Mapletish
11	20.63	Charruterra
12	20.50	Mangolana
13	20.40	Darmen
14	19.36	Filopines
15	15.33	Valladares
16	12.96	Falcus
17	12.51	Sicoutimont
18	12.46	Dixhuitiles
19	11.80	Western Cuba
20	10.97	Kitsunia-Deesse
21	9.91	Ancharmunn
22	9.33	Olastor
23	8.66	Cassadaigua
24	8.57	Alitaba
25	6.86	New Ponyville
26	6.86	The Holy Forden Church
27	6.86	Urszag-Csatoria
28	5.71	Aquillian
29	4.57	Azerxurade
30	4.44	Antoletia
31	4.44	Salem Oregon
32	4.00	Beaverriver
33	3.71	Aels
34	3.56	Ark
35	3.56	Leintalun
36	3.43	Iturributa
37	3.43	Senipphilhip
38	3.43	The Kytler Peninsulae
39	3.43	Vaugania
40	3.40	Kaledor
41	3.20	Boring Paradise
42	3.11	Carasatoga
43	3.11	Safaari
44	3.00	Queer Poco el Mono Ara
45	2.67	Karditan
46	2.60	Michael VII
47	2.00	Old Guard
48	1.80	Krytenia
49	1.78	Sameba
50	1.60	Carmadin
51	1.60	Mashiki
52	1.40	Baltskandio
53	0.80	Jen O the Hill

Therefore, the pots for the group stage draw tomorrow will be thus:
POT 1
Hosts - Ossidiacqua
37.94 - Saugeais
32.74 - Polar Islandstates
29.18 - Sargossa
24.14 - Astograth
23.73 - Pasarga

POT 2
22.74 - Eastfield Lodge
22.19 - Taeshan
22.15 - Eura
20.89 - Mytannion
20.63 - Charruterra
20.50 - Mangolana

POT 3
20.40 - Darmen
19.36 - Filopines
15.33 - Valladares
12.96 - Falcus
12.51 - Sicoutimont
12.46 - Dixhuitiles

POT 4
10.97 - Kitsunia-Deesse
8.66 - Cassadaigua
8.57 - Alitaba
3.00 - Queer Poco el Mono Ara
0.00 - Irad
0.00 - The Royal Kingdom of Quebec

A small reminder also that these ranks will be inferior to the effects of RP Bonus in this tournament from the very start, as well as increasingly so through the competition. There will not be a live draw as the Magisterium does not believe in he use of that kind of technology, and is only permitting the television cameras being supplied by the Valhallans because the CRF demanded it as part of the contract of hosting. These cameras will be permitted for the duration of the football matches only.

[Ossidiacqua]

Host information and stadium information posts (2 and 3) have now been updated.

[Ossidiacqua]

Former Oasirican Republic of Ossidiacqua

Roster for Copa Rushmori XVII

KIT COLOURS
Specially Commissioned Kits to Commemorate the Hosting of Copa Rushmori XVII
HOME - AWAY - KEEPER


ROSTER AND TACTICS:
So, now you all know the history of the nation, as detailed in the host information posts, here is the squad. Nicknamed la Renaissance, it has been put together by manager Yoann Vega ever since the tragic and almost certainly officially entirely accidental death of former manager Alessio Cardinale. Vega is assisted by Cardinale's old assistant, Gregorio Di Falco. Three World Cup cycles ago, Vega's men achieved what no other Acquan side has ever done, and reached the finals of the World Cup against all odds. Highly unfancied, they scored five goals but failed to win a single point. Despite this huge leap in progress, that side was old, and many have since retired. This roster therefore contains many players that have grown up together in the team since, bringing them great team unity. Many of the squad are from the current golden generation of CA Conquistadores' all conquering four-time-consecutive-Campiocinato-winning club side.

All Stats Post-WC67
Number - Name - Age - Position - Club - (Record)
1 - Luca Fausti - 35 - GK - Qolo-Qolo - (80 Caps)
2 - Sergio Montemayor - 31 - DR - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (PIS) - (62 Caps, 18 Assists, 5 Goals)
3 - Yves Pantani - 25 - DC - Real Ile Perrot (SIC) - (36 Caps, 2 Assists, 1 Goal)
4 - Aiyegbeni Fisichella - 33 - DC - FC Torshavn (PIS) - (100 Caps, 2 Assists, 11 Goals)
5 - Cassiano Polanco - 32 - DL - Turoki Tide (VIL) - (77 Caps, 6 Assists, 8 Goals)
6 - Ezekiel Fibonacci - 34 - MC - Northbrook Diamonds FK (PIS) - (120 Caps, 55 Assists, 23 Goals)
7 - Oscar Olivarez - 25 - MR - CA Conquistadores - (22 Caps, 7 Assists, 3 Goal)
8 - Emmanuel Velasquez - 24 - MC - CA Conquistadores - CAPTAIN - (28 Caps, 9 Assists, 5 Goals)
9 - Alessandro Finiguerra - 28 - ST - Northbrook Diamonds FK (PIS) - (106 Caps, 12 Assists, 75 Goals)
10 - Angel Capobianco - 31 - ST - Lac-Drouin St-Pierre (SIC) - (107 Caps, 19 Assists, 53 Goals)
11 - Nicolo Gardella - 25 - ML - Clube Cobreloa - (27 Caps, 9 Assists, 1 Goal)
~ Substitutes ~
12 - Joao Merizzi - 31 - GK - AS Débardeurs Nationale - (20 Caps)
13 - Fabrice Cappelletti - 27 - GK - CA Conquistadores - (4 Caps)
14 - Francis Betancourt - 28 - MC - CA Conquistadores - (12 Caps, 1 Goal)
15 - Eduardo Nunez - 29 - MR - Condensadores CD - (49 Caps, 5 Assists, 1 Goal)
16 - Atem Villareal - 26 - ML - CA Conquistadores - (15 Caps, 4 Assists)
17 - Nuno Fonseca - 31 - DR - Internazionale - (86 Caps, 7 Assists, 1 Goal)
18 - Corrado Barragan - 30 - DL - CA Conquistadores - (50 Caps, 4 Assists)
19 - Jeferson Botticelli - 33 - ST - Canalave Dragons (VLD) - (46 Caps, 8 Assists, 20 Goals)
20 - Alessandro Delvecchio - 29 - ST - Issington FC (APX) - (57 Caps, 5 Assists, 15 Goals)
21 - Cassiano Aulenti - 26 - MC - FC Torshavn (PIS) - (18 Caps, 2 Assists, 2 Goals)
22 - Okechukwu Pasquetto - 22 - DC - CA Conquistadores - (13 Caps, 2 Assists)
23 - Luciano Garlaschelli - 24 - DC - AS Débardeurs Nationale - (17 Caps, 1 Assist)
Manager - Yoann Vega - 52
Assistant - Stefano Di Falco - 73

The Acquan game was cut off from the rest of the multiverse for 270 years, and as such developed a unique flavour and style of its own. Short passes, keeping possession, and running are the key to the majority of play, with Acquan teams keen to instil a sense of duty in their players that leads to any of them being able to play or deputise in any other position during the course of a match. The players are very capable with the ball, and have developed tricks and flicks enough to bamboozle any opponent - way, way ahead of their time as far as the rest of the multiverse is looking at it. However, they have much to learn about the way the rest of the footballing community plays the game, and with the Acquan game developing a far higher tolerance for rough and tumble, even the silkiest of attacking forwards (and in this squad there are four outstanding interchangeable strikers) can find themselves sent off for an illegal tackle that would have been perfectly legal in the Acquan leagues. Therefore, it would be of great help to me if you could RP my team as technically gifted, but tactically naive, and as far as international standards go, incredibly violent. Thank you.

Furthermore, buoyed by playing in a home tournament, the team will be eager to show off. I have raised their style modifier by one accordingly.

Starting Formation: 4-4-2
Modifier: +4
-------------------------------- Fausti --------------------------------
---- Montemayor ---- Pantani ---- Fisichella ------ Polanco ------
--------------------- Velasquez ------ Fibonacci ---------------------
--- Olivarez --------------------------------------------- Gardella ---
---------------------- Finiguerra -- Capobianco ----------------------

Home Stadium: An archaic stone construction in the centre of Sant'Elia, Il Colosseo. Lit by oil lamps and featuring vast walls of stained glass, it seats 103,450 and is a treasured landmark, being one of the first building built by Acquans following the eradication of la Plaga, as the nation began to reinvent itself during the Pause Time.

Assassins: After he resigned as the Magisterium's mole in the footballing administration to focus on just coaching, then-assistant Yoann Vega was trailed by a score of assassins during WC62 Qualifying on the orders of His Excellency Grand High Cardinal Giocomo Re. Several botched attempts and many dead assassins later, the manager of the national team Alessio Cardinale was tragically killed by an errant crossbow bolt that was intended for Vega, causing a minor scandal in New Montreal States in the process. Now manager of the team, Yoann Vega is likely to continue being a target of the Magisterium and Giocomo Re. That is, despite Re and the Magisterium now being a target for the shadowy Tecnominati organisation - whose motives remain unclear.

Velasquez: There must always be a Velasquez captaining the national side. It's best not to ask why, its just a thing that has to happen. Having fathered a son aged just twenty, the last captain, Ricardo Velasquez, has finally retired and handed the armband over to his eldest, Emmanuel, already a father himself at the age of just twenty-two.



THE OPPONENT CAN
Choose my goalscorers? Yes
Godmod scoring events? Yes
RP injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP
Godmod injuries to my players? Yes, as above
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes, it is encouraged in fact. See formation for details.
Hand out red cards to my players? Yes, it is encouraged in fact. See formation for details. Just never Velasquez.
Godmod other events? Yes, no deaths without TG contact first though.

[Valladares]

THE VALLADAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL ROSTER FOR THE 17^TH COPA RUSHMORI

Style Modifier: +3
Formation: 3-2-2-3
Coach: Dimitri Campbell (Eura)

GOALKEEPERS
1. Luis Fuentes - GK - 39 - Metropolis Alligators (Captain)
12. Tom Moore - GK - 31 - AS Bezieres
23. Andrés Orozco - GK - 24 - Pradera FC

DEFENDERS
2. Jéremy Carrasso - DR - 31 - Olympique de Fontvielle
13. Luis Carlos Perea - DR - 29 - Canalave Dragons
3. Jerôme Perrin - DC - 37 - Olympique de Fontvielle (Vice-captain)
14. Patrick Courtois - DC - 22 - Abingdon Celtic (The Licentian Isles)
4. Freddy Edwards - DL - 31 - Marinos Metrópolis
15. Frank Lescott - DL - 25 - Tannenberg FC

MIDFIELDERS
5. Pedro Pedretti - DMC - 24 - Nacional
16. Alain Démont - DMC - 27 - Fontvielle Impact
6. Ricardinho - DMC - 31 - Marinos Metrópolis
17. Jonathan Bosetti - DMC - 21 - Metropolis Alligators
7. Juan Pablo Reyes - OMC - 24 - Urbizania Wanderers (Astograth)
18. Manuel Santos - OMC - 30 - Olympique de Fontvielle
8. Rubén Morantes - OMC - 26 - Ulsa (Eura)
19. Abel Brücke - OMC - 20 - AC Tallin

FORWARDS
9. Yoan Gignac - FW - 27 - Baskita FC (Pasarga)
20. Néider Riascos - FW - 25 - Abingdon Celtic (The Licentian Isles)
10. Pedrinho - FW - 23 - SK Franz Josef City (Polar Islandstates)
20. Carlos Alberto Sáez - FW - 23 - Energia-Yaderny Miago (Mytannion)
11. Frank Rozenthal - FW - 22 - Olympique de Fontvielle
22. Michael Tello - FW - 25 - Ulsa (Eura)

Starting Lineup:



RP PERMISSIONS:
In the event my opponent RPs first, they may...
Choose my goalscorers YES
Godmod scoring events YES
RP injuries to my players NO without permission. I'll determine the severity if granted permission.
Godmod injuries to my players NO without permission.
Hand out yellow cards to my players YES
Hand out red cards to my players NO I'll determine whether my players are sent off or not.
Godmod other events YES only if they involve weather conditions.

Special requests:
1) Please no killings
2) Try to be as realistic as possible, and last but no least...
3) Have fun.

KITS: This section is brought to you by Kirola Sports, who have signed a deal with the VFA after the end of the most recent World Cup to become the Valladar national football team's official kitmakers starting from this upcoming Copa Rushmori.

[Ossidiacqua]

The group draw for Copa Rushmori XVII was held today, with Grand High Cardinal Giocomo Re himself drawing the names out of the pot. The draw is as follows.

GROUP A
Ossidiacqua
Taeshan
Falcus
Alitaba

GROUP B
Filopines
Polar Islandstates
Cassadaigua
Eura

GROUP C
Mangolana
Pasarga
Kitsunia-Deesse
Dixhuitiles

GROUP D
Charruterra
Irad
Darmen
Sargossa

GROUP E
Astograth
Valladares
Mytannion
Queer Poco el Mono Ara

GROUP F
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Sicoutimont
Saugeais
Eastfield Lodge


Full stadium schedules have been updated in the OP.

[Filopines]

Nightmare group draw for Copa Rushmori XVII
by Belpait Lorsene, Filopines' top sportswriter

Just when fans of the Filopines national football team were getting excited for the upcoming Copa Rushmori, their excitement decreased to an extremely low level.

For the Copa Rushmori XVII, there will be six groups of four.

The group draw for the seventeenth Copa Rushmori was released to the public yesterday and it did not look good for the Filopines:

GROUP B
Filopines
Polar Islandstates
Cassadaigua
Eura

Filopines were drawn into Group B, possibly the Group of Death for the upcoming tournament. Just in case you didn't know, the three other teams in Group B are: Cassadaigua, Eura and Polar Islandstates, two former World Cup champions as well as the reigning champions, respectively.

Margaret, get ready for a lot of fan mail-I mean fan chicken?

Anyway, you want to know who I blame for this?

Nuno Luna.

Luna is 42 year old male hailing from Ossidiacqua. He is the Diplomatic Curate for Filopines for the Copa Rushmori XVII.

Despite his name, he is not a beautiful thing in the sky. He is an ugly scum on the ground. You may think this is quite harsh, but you need to know about his past. His rap sheet is so unbelievably long, it is nearly as long as my dong. He has been jailed twenty-two times each for murder, murder and murder.

At least, that's what the government has told us. But we have been forced told to believe any information from the government.

New coach, new rules
by Belpait Lorsene, Filopines' top sportswriter

You'll be hearing the name Sierra Haleze a lot in the near future. Haleze has been hired as the new manager of the Filopines national football team after Harley Reid was 'removed' as the manager. We all know he was axed, not 'removed' as the Filopines Football Federation says.

The sacking of Reid was a very big ordeal. Long story short, Filopines didn't qualify after eight or so qualifiers (four cycles under Reid), big guy gets the axe.

Sierra was never a footballer, even when she was young, but she has an extremely large brain, among other large parts of her body. Actually, it's not really that big (we're not talking about her brain anymore by the way). Not too big, not too small.

Under Reid, the playing style was +3.5, under Haleze, it is +5.

Sierra Haleze's hiring has had an amazingly positive reception from the Filopinian public however Haleze has received some criticism for, despite retaining the same formation from the Reid era, introducing the most attacking style of play possible. In an exclusive interview with yours truly, the unbelievably beautiful Sierra Haleze said she is currently single. Oh, and she also said that, "It is the only way to defeat three World Cup champions in a row."

Haleze has been offered millions of modelling jobs over her entire twenty-four years, and all have been rejected. It's definitely a good trait in my opinion but my dong is not satisfied.

[Taeshan]

Purple Knights Ready to Tackle Copa Rushmori XVII

Tomorrow morning begins the 17th Copa Rushmori marks the fifth time the Purple Knights will take on Rushmore in the regional tournament. This time around the team looks a lot different then it usually does. A mostly B squad competes in the Copa for the Knights, as it is during the middle of the Taeshan Premier League season. The squad will be the least experienced in years, with the 10 match ban for Ender Wiggin in international fixtures he's out, and newly named manager Gwyn Juniper has went with mostly new players all over the field. In fact the most capped and most experienced player internationally on the team is Forward Tyler Pantoum, who at the ripe age of 23 will be the Captain of the squad. Also sure to be key influences on the Knights chances in winning the tournament include Goalie Logan Watson, Midfielder Karl Llana and second forward Skylar Crane.

The Knights as mentioned are a highly inexperienced squad. Among the starters there is a total of 144 caps, compared to the A squad which has a total of 1244 caps in its starting 11. That's an incredible difference. Also for the 144 over 50 percent only come from two players, the forwards Pantoum and Crane. Also of note is the fact that two of the starters, Alain Von Bois and Jansen Cardinal, have never even gotten a senior squad cap. Overall its a very interesting and inexperienced squad heading to Ossidiacqua,

Speaking of Ossidiacqua the Copa draw has been announced and the Purple Knights will get to play there gracious hosts. However the Knights will have to wait until the second matchday to play la Renaissance. In the first day they will play Falcus. Then they will play the hosts in a game likely to decide the group, or at least help one of the teams make it to the next round. The two teams have played twice, each side winning one of the matchups. Finally the Knights will take on Alitaba with everything on the line. The Foresters will be another interesting team matchup with a team they haven't faced before. Overall getting out of the group is necessary and has to happen for this to be a success. And if it doesn't Gwyn Juniper will be under intense scrutiny going into the World Cup qualifiers.

[Alitaba]

For reference about my former puppet, click here.

Alinam, Senippilihp

It was a peaceful day in the capital of Senippilihp, despite Yonyon's dictatorship that made many of his constituents felt suffocated. There was no trace of terror in the establishments and residential areas. They did not know what happened next.

The Retnec Edart Dlrow, one of the tallest buildings in Alinam, was struck by a missile. The impact destroyed the foundation of the building's south tower, which, minutes later, collapsed in no way imaginable: it clipped the North Tower and caused a massive collapse around a large area, killing and injuring thousands of people. Minutes later, tanks carrying the Alitaban flag came into the Itakam, the city north of the Capital, and destroyed it in minutes. The attacks stopped when the Alitabans realized that the city was entirely destroyed.

General Tonio Dimacurut, the one responsible for these attacks, contacted Supremo Datu Anikban Apilantok. "Sir, we have control of Itakam. We are waiting for your orders sir."

"Hold fire for a moment. Establish communications with Alinam."

"Roger."

The phone in Yonyon's office rang. The people there are in a state of panic, with the situation in Alinam not yet resolved, another problem arose. The situation at Itakam. Yonyon picked up the phone.

Yonyon, this is Anikban Apilantok, Leader of Alitaba. We have Itakam under our control and in hours time, we are heading there to take over your empire. You might have no options left but to surrender, if you ever value your life.

I will give you an ultimatum. If you do not surrender within twenty four hours, then we will attack Alinam.

Get ready and be prepared.

[Astograth]

The Astograth National Football Team

Style: +1
Wiki article

Manager - Edorta Urrustoy

Edorta Urrustoy, the first Astograthian footballing superstar, has come full circle. In 3 years, the last of his career, he bloomed at Pazhujebi club Juvapanam, won 50 caps and entrenched himself forever in the nation's collective imagination, his position as a classic defensive midfielder being rendered tribute by a number of Olibondeka's most talented players. Working as a pundit after retirement, a bizarre twist of fate led to him becoming legendary Yaforian manager Shaan Magerin's right-hand man at the Bleak Rock national team, and from there he was offered a job at boyhood club Urbizania Wanderers. The rest is history, as they say, having taken them to become the first Astograthian club to lift the UICA Champions' Club.

Now? Now he's qualified Astograth to their first World Cup after a catastrophic run of four failures; that they dropped out in their worst showing ever, with only a single point and no goals to show for their efforts, is deeply disappointing but something they can take lessons from. Intending to continue surprising, Urrustoy's national team sides tend to feature no defensive midfielders and a forward approach, with two strikers spearheading an attack at opposites with the more back-minded midfield he used at Urbizania Wanderers. He has also made it a policy to bring in a number of young prospects and other uncapped outsiders, with demanding criteria guiding his selection and nobody's seniority securing them a place. Many have criticised he is biased towards the younger players, but who said you can't win anything with kids?

Starting XI:

#1 - GK – Zuriko Eliz - Age 27 - Sporting Iturributa - 5 caps, 3 goals conceded, 2 clean sheets
Zuriko Eliz has steadily won himself recognition with his performances with the junior national teams and with Ximun Orieta FC, before moving to the surprising Oyardo FC. Routinely considered third-choice by Urrustoy, his most recent season with Iturributan giants Sporting Iturributa has allowed Eliz to shine bright and finally earn himself a starting spot on Olibondeka, being bred to replace the generation of Galayarde and Logegaray.

#3 - LB - Ekain Ziaurriz - Age 27 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls – 26 caps
Ever so quietly, Ekain Ziaurriz shined at Oyardo FC and went on to win the league with Echegoyan FC, drawing the attention of the stupendously surprising Surtsey. After being repeatedly overlooked he has now finally made himself a name with Olibondeka, quickly becoming one of the most consistent players on the squad. He can humbly hold his own against the best wingers in the game, and his in-swinging corner kicks are to be feared - which Urrustoy plans on exploiting to the fullest.

#4 - CB - Yokin Arizmande (C) - Age 32 – Urbizania Wanderers - 141 caps, 5 goals
A product of the Royal Vosaroni Antenelli youth academy in Erathore, Arizmande then spent several successful years at Niccostrato, in keeping with the Erathi custom of teenaged players. Having returned to his homeland, he has solidified himself as one of the leading defenders in the First Division and the national team. When at his best, his play is exquisite, blending physical presence with speed, tactical awareness and fine technical skills - all of which are pushed to the limit by the demanding Urrustoy. Already the seventh all-time most capped Astograthian and a living legend, he has been handed the responsibility of leading Astograth to one more Copa Rushmori and one more World Cup.

#2 - CB - Anartz Agirrebenia - Age 28 - Royal Rumiatzi - 68 caps
Having previously been used to cover as sweeper for Arizmande, Agirrebenia is a major player for league champions Royal Rumaitzi and the national team. Operating at the heart of defense for the ultra-defensive Blue Mountain Range since the youth teams, he is especially bred for accomplishing this very role at the highest level. He has the vision, the calm and the technique to carry out the job; on a good day, he and Arizmande are simply impenetrable.

#6 - RB – Kimetz Obonaga - Age 22 - Arka Snezhnaya - 37 caps
At a young age, Obonaga has quickly become an Olibondeka regular with a very bright future ahead. Smart, quick and a good passer, he also has the ability to attack down the right flank, though isn't expected to be employed in that capacity. Impressing with humble outfit Oyardo FC, Obonaga has continued to perform at a top level at Mytanar side Arka Snezhnaya, in one of the most demanding leagues in the multiverse.

#14 - LM - Andoni Bidigain - Age 19 - 1896 Ebor - Uncapped
Having dazzled Mytannion at Port Jarko, Bidigain went to 1896 Ebor and promptly won the UICA Champions' Cup, the only Astograthian to have done so with a foreign side since the golden years of FKM. From there, the only place he could go was straight into the Olibondeka starting lineup, as Urrustoy and the public hold high hopes for him and his mazing runs, that he might give the left flank some vigour in replacement of Koldobika Benitzaizin.

#21 - CM – Ostadar Arambilet - Age 19 - Avenida Leal – 12 caps
Wearing the same number 21 shirt as his journeyman forward father Gaur Arambilet, now manager of Royal Rumiatzi, Ostadar was shipped away from the crowded capital club to grow in the Farf league - and exceeded all expectations, earning himself a place in the starting lineup, the Young Player of the Season award and a call-up to Olibondeka. With another Young Player award under his belt and being one of the better Astograthian players at World Cup 67, the fans won't stop going on about how he is the next Big Thing.

#7 - RM - Gaitzka Ogara - Age 23 - Astograth University - 47 caps, 8 goals
One of the First Division's most exciting young players, Astograth University's unassuming Gaitzka Ogara is fast and skilled when dribbling and shooting, his unpredictability earning him plaudits and almost single-handedly lifting Astograth University from the wilderness to third place in the league and Champions' Cup qualification. He has also upped his scoring rate with the national team in the past qualifiers, so is looking like a very credible goal threat down the right wing.

#8 - AM – Luar Dardan - Age 22 - SK Franz Josef City – 31 caps, 10 goals
Discarded by Edorta Urrustoy's Urbizania Wanderers in an uncharacteristic bout of short-sightedness, Dardan went on to set the Euran league on fire with his mazing runs, through-balls and eye for goal. With a very offensive style, he reaped all manner of awards and big-money transfers, the latest from Euran giants Directus to Polarian giants SK Franz Josef City, where Astograthian players have a rich history. With a formidable goal ratio and now the hallowed number 8 shirt, Dardan should be one to keep everyone talking.

#10 - CF - Ibai Kiriano - Age 25 - Atletik Thessia - 74 caps, 39 goals
One of Handel's few successes, Kiriano has exploded onto the international scene, winning over the hearts and minds of the Astograthian public. Short, barrel-chested and not very smart... but very fast, very skilled in the dribble and extremely deadly! Won it all with Ituraitz FC and now seeking new challenges in the Mytanar league, where he was the latest top scorer, Kiriano is currently the fourth all-time top scorer for Olibondeka and looks well on track to breaking Ormache and Atristain's records - Sarlange's 89 will take some doing.

#9 - CF - Oskarbi Churin - Age 23 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls - 44 caps, 17 goals
After surprising everybody with prolific showings in the second tier, barely aged 17, Churin repeated his act in the First Division with Athletic Club Rumiatzi - then the Polarian league came calling and he has played an important role in Surtsey's two titles. Fast and physical, his greatest assets are his incredible positioning - expertly beating all but the toughest offside traps - and his unflinching drive once he sets his eyes on goal. Though less mobile than the nimble Kiriano, he brings back the Ormache legacy of scoring from the unlikeliest of places, with impeccable technique.

Substitutes:

#13 - GK – Alarabi Galayarde - Age 32 - Royal Rumiatzi – 34 caps, 39 goals conceded, 11 clean sheets
Royal Rumiatzi's number 1 has been widely regarded as the best Astograthian keeper in the First Division for many years now, with experience across both Rumiatzi and the more humble Athletic Club Olarria. He has performed adequately in the last few World Cup runs under Urrustoy, but been relegated to second-choice in an attempt to give Eliz more playing time.

#23 - GK – Machin Logegaray - Age 33 - Ituraitz FC – 34 caps, 29 goals conceded, 14 clean sheets
Logegaray was the starting keeper for the most dominant club to ever come out of Astograth - which must've surely made him one of the best in the world in his position - but he has slipped in the pecking order since then. He can be trusted to keep his cool and be a key player for Olibondeka when called upon, but he is quite content to grant Eliz some deserved playing time and serve as a father figure to the younger members of the squad.

#12 - LB – Baladi Berhongaray - Age 26 – Ungalb Parkatsee - 8 caps
Chosen the best left-back of the last First Division season as well as Signing of the Season at Gesterlake FC, this lad caught Louis Vaudrail's while playing for Royal Ibarbe and immediately became one of the artificiers of the team's hard-fought campaign for fifth place and a Globe Cup spot. Quickly transferred to Earent's Ungalb Parkatsee, whom he played a key role in lifting to new heights, Berhongaray can be a real threat down the left wing and is a valuable alternative to Ziaurriz.

#2 - CB - Arnas Belamendia - Age 23 - Royal Rumiatzi - 2 caps
Raised at Royal Rumiatzi and honed by a lengthy loan spell at Nestingham FC of Falcus, there are whispers about Knights' Stadium that Belamendia might just be the next Silban Galindo - every bit as tall, strong and clever as the legendary captain, snd a similar mop of black hair to go with it. He has done well at the Knights alongside Agirrebenia, and is slowly being projected as the future rock of Astograthian defense.

#16 - CB – Etor Yauregialzo - Age 26 – Northbrook Diamonds FK - 26 caps
Raised at the defensively renowned Blue Mountain Range, Yauregialzo stood out enough for Ituraitz FC to lay down the money and bring him over to incorporate into their most dominant squad ever, and recently packed off to strong Polarian side Northbrook Diamonds. Smart and quick on his feet, qualities valued by the BMR academy, he is reliable and very eager to show himself to the world.

#19 - RB – Churio Sesma - Age 24 - Raynor City United - 17 caps
Already with several call-ups by Urrustoy, Sesma caught the eye of many before playing a prominent part in taking humble Gesterlake to their record-highest fifth place in the First Division, from whence he was whisked away to the fearsome Raynor City United. His runs up the wing, especially the off-the-ball movement that allows him to play wonderful one-twos and advance the ball into a very advantageous position, are qualities that may add an interesting variable in case some spice is needed to surprise the opposition.

#15 - LM - Artzeiz Kuartango - Age 24 - Burgess FC - 25 caps, 1 goal
Kuartango was an unexpected call-up of Urrustoy's, due to being a player for East Railway, but he has transferred his great football from club to national team and even earned himself a transfer to The Inevitable Syndicate's most prestigious club. Though not particularly fast, his talent for the cross sets him apart from Benitzaizin and makes him particularly valuable in matches where a high ball to the forwards is the only way to get it into the net.

#22 - CM – Aurre Ilarri - Age 28 - Arka Snezhnaya – Uncapped
With a lengthy career as a journeyman midfielder in the First Division, his standout performances with Astograth University won him a transfer to the strong Mytanar side Arka Snezhnaya, and with Ekhi Subies out of form he has been given his first call-up to the national team by Urrustoy. More of a defensive midfielder than a central one, the manager hopes to employ him in situations where a deeper presence is required, especially against talented attacking sides.

#17 - RM - Agozti Ibarran - Age 22 - Dwile Warriors - 13 caps
Though devilishly fast - one of the main reasons for his inclusion in the squad - Ibarran is not a great scorer but a great assister, tending to shoot straight at the keeper but capable of taking the ball to the byline and expertly laying it on for someone to smash into the net. Has a lot to learn still, but gaining that sort of experience so he'll be a better player tomorrow is Urrustoy's full intention - and top football with one of the best clubs in Apox should also encourage his growth.

#20 - AM - Laurin Mankisidor - Age 22 - Echegoyan FC – Uncapped
When it comes to young Astograthian players, Mankisidor has been the talk of the First Division for years now, but unable to break into the national team with both Bakaikoa and Dardan in the same position. Originally brought up at Royal Rumiatzi, he was subject to a big-money transfer to Echegoyan while still a teenager, and has become one of the club's pillars. He can play instead of or alongside Dardan, his presence more focussed on assisting and being the team's pivot point than on scoring himself.

#18 - CF – Bayarte Pagagartundua - Age 23 - La Nueva Avenida – 23 caps, 8 goals
This kid came out of nowhere (or, well, Ximun Orieta FC) to replace Federico Ferreyra at Gortz United and promptly outscored everyone else in the First Division, showing remarkable prowess at scoring in any way possible. In that regard he has been likened to the legendary Dei Ormache - though Ormache never had Pagagartundua's height or physical fitness. During World Cup 66 qualifying he broke through as a highly dependable forward for the national team, though competition is fierce. Turned down Royal Rumiatzi to transfer from Gortz United to Farf club La Nueva Avenida, where he has continued to impress, running out league winners.

#11 - CF – Zuzen Sagarribay - Age 27 - Teva FC – 16 caps, 4 goals
Relatively ignored by the Astograthian media and national team managers, Sagarribay was hastily discarded by Royal Rumiatzi before making his way to the Gordonopian league and one of its best teams - both of which are still highly-ranked in the UICA despite clerical errors impeding their participation in the latest season. Remarkable in the dribble and in his way of playing in teammates, especially fellow strikers, he has become a regular in the call-ups but still hasn't revealed his full potential.

Captain: Yokin Arizmande
Free Kick Taker: Luar Dardan
Penalty Taker: Ibai Kiriano
Right Corner: Ekain Ziaurriz
Left Corner: Luar Dardan

Kits by Barrengeka

YES to all RP permissions, barring any career-ending incidents. Should you have any questions about anything, please do TG me.

[Irad]

Sporting World

Irad is Going to Win the Copa Rushmori
by: Faredin Pozenel

I know I'm going to cause some controversy in Rushmore by saying this, but I believe that Irad's Colonial Soccer Team is the best in all of Rushmore. Yes, that means that we are better than Polar Islandstates and Eura, the last 2 World Cup champions. That means that we are better than Pasarga. That means that we are better than Quebec, better than Darmen, better than Cassadaigua, better than Mangolana and better than Taeshan. The FFR National Team, which I believe is the true Best in the World, is better than Irad, but the Indispensable Nation is not part of Rushmore and therefore cannot compete in the Copa Rushmori.

However, Irad is part of Rushmore and I look forward to my opportunity to scout the champions of Rushmore. Currently, it is the Age of Rushmore in the World Cup. Rushmori nations won the last 2 World Cups and Polar Islandstates, the team that the oddsmakers are picking to win World Cup 68, is a Rushmori nation. At this moment, Rushmore, not Atlantian Oceania, is the number 1 region in international soccer. This is why I was so insistent on representing my family's ancestral homeland in the Copa Rushmori. I want to play against the Rushmoris, so that I can help Mr. Theriault prepare us to face Rushmore's best. Only if we are properly prepared can we prove once and for all the undeniable fact that is Republican Exceptionalism.

Having grown up in the mainland, it was quite an experience to meet the other players from Irad. While we all learned at school about the Islamic terrorists from Irad who waged Holy Jihad against us, in fact Muslims are only half of Irad's population. The other half of the nation follows Zoroastrianism. Having grown up a secular Republican, there is definitely a great deal of culture shock when I visit Irad. There are even some Iradian Christians, from what I've heard. According to what I've heard, they split from Christendom even before the Church of Saintland, when Nestorius was declared a heretic by the rest of the Church.

I know that there are some back home who are still upset about 11/17, but that was many years ago and Irad is no longer a haven for terrorists. The Iradian Colonial Government pays their reparations every year without complaint and does everything within their power to find and capture violent extremists. There is no reason why everybody in the mainland shouldn't all be cheering for Irad in the Copa Rushmori. Irad is a colony of the FFR and we want to win, for the honor of Irad and, personally, I want to win the Copa Rushmori to prove that even colonies of the Free Republics are superior to the nations of Rushmore.

To do that, we will need to navigate the group stage, where we face Darmen, Charruterra and Sargossa. Darmen is currently ranked 34th in the latest KPB rankings. After debuting 12 years ago, Darmen qualified for World Cups 64 through 66 and won the Copa Rushmori 4 years ago. They also won the Cup of Harmony 9 years ago. Nonetheless, they failed to qualify for last year's World Cup and fell to 34th in the KPB rankings. They are a team on the decline and we will exacerbate their decline in our Copa Rushmori debut.

Second up for us is Charruterra, the 105th ranked nation in the latest KPB rankings. They hosted last year's Copa Rushmori. They debuted in the BoF 6 years ago and have been consistently mediocre ever since, never even coming close to qualifying for a World Cup. In 6 qualifying campaigns, their best effort was the World Cup 4 years ago when they obtained 26 points in 18 matches, finishing 7th in their qualifying group. They should not pose much of an obstacle for us in our second game. Count them as an easy win.

Finally, we will take on 44th ranked Sargossa, a team that, like Darmen, is heading into a downward spiral after unexpectedly failing to qualify for the World Cup last year after qualifying for both the 65th and 66th World Cups. They debuted in the Baptism of Fire 21 years ago and managed to qualify for their first World Cup 20 years ago, in just their second try. They would also qualify for World Cups 51 and 52 before not even attempting to qualify for World Cups 54 and 55. They would also qualify for World Cups 59, 60 and 63, for a total of 8 World Cups so far. However, with the exception of winning the Cup of Harmony 19 years ago, a Di Bradini Cup and 2 Copa Rushmoris (3 and 12 years ago), they have not accomplished all that much in over 20 years. Now, they seem to be on the decline once again and should not pose much of a problem for us.

While it always seems that the FFR draws a Group of Death in every soccer event we compete in, it seems that the Rushmoris are not interested in doing likewise to Irad. That puts my ancestral homeland at an advantage, an advantage that we will take advantage of. I look forward to playing in the Copa Rushmori final in the nation of Ossidiacqua and I look forward to personally taking the trophy back home with me to the Indispensable Nation.

Faredin Pozenel is a starting striker for Rule Theriault's National Soccer Team. He is also a starting striker and the captain of the Iradian Soccer Team, which competes on behalf of the Rushmori colony in the Copa Rushmori. Although he was born in the mainland FFR, Pozenel is of Iradian descent. While he has not been as high profile as some of his teammates in the past, Faredin has been a starter for the National Soccer Team since their debut at the 27th Di Bradini Cup. Now, he will lead Irad against Rushmore's best.

[Pasarga]

"Pasarga needs to get its act together already and quit coming up short at every turn. I don't care if it is our clubs or our national teams, the time for mediocrity from the nation is over, it is time that we actually lived up to all the potential that everyone keeps talking about. If this is a golden generation of footballers for the nation, then we are doing a piss poor job in managing them and using them to their best abilities. Heck, they are even underperforming, failing to make the World Cup proper and then falling short in the Cup of Harmony Final."

The collected trio of men were of all different ages and backgrounds and yet had found themselves at the same table for the watch party in Stein-los for the Wanderers first match in the upcoming Copa Rushmori. Jebediah hailed from a farm outside of Stein-los and was the youngest of five sons at age twenty-one. While he had been an avid Turkish fan since he was a wee lad and his father took the side to a Stein-los derby, he had not yet gotten fully into supporting the national team. Marcos was from Paulinthal and a member of the Santos Luego supporters club, yet was in Stein-los for a week on business. The company he worked for was trying to set up a new distribution center in Stein-los and the middle aged man had been sent to seal the deal with the local authorities.

The last and oldest of the trio was Thomaz Trinzinzki. He had been an actual footballer, plying his trade for Tani as the locals called the club, a defender. Never made it to the national team after a broken leg destroyed his career before it could truly blossom into something spectacular. Yet he had kept up with the team as well as the national team and as he aged, he was getting more and more frustrated in seeing good Pasargan players not finally bring home a major trophy to the dual islands. They had come close many times and it was high time in his opinion that the drought was finally brought to an end.

"Your old club nearly did two years ago though Thomaz, falling just short in the Globe Cup Final. And the national team could have easily beaten the Mytanars on any other day, I do think you are being a bit hard on the lot. While it has been disappointing, it has not been all bad, after all the national team only fell one ranking in the KPB polls after not making the tournament. They are still going to be favored to make the group stage once the qualifiers begin in the fall." Marcos said confidently as the manager of the restaurant began flipping through the channels to get to the pro Pasargan broadcast of the match.

Jebediah gave a nod of agreement and took a long sip of his beer while Thomaz decided to try and counter the argument. "That is just the point though, we say that our teams could have won on any other day, yet when each and every opportunity arises to prove that, we falter. Last Copa, we defeated the Polarians and the Corsairs, and only needed to topple a struggling Eura side who were drunk off their World Cup victory to make it to the Final and likely win the Copa. Yet we faltered again, as did Tani, as does CAP, and the national team did. They need to finally seize the chance and turn promise into actual glory."

"Perhaps now is the time. A new season is in bloom and there is nothing to say that the crops wont grow greater than ever before. If the seed is right and the watering is done properly." Both older men took an awkward glance at the farmer. "What I mean is, if the team is prepared and the manager manages them properly, they have every chance to win this tournament. They are a first seed, right?"

"Yes they are, yet the Polarians are stronger now and the Eura squad is still out there. It will take a change in fortune from the side and perhaps even a change in attitude if they are truly going to be able to turn themselves from the bridesmaid and into the bride. But Pasarga deserves it, deserves any sort of success that the national team can bestow upon our glorious nation. Show that you don't have to be some strong economic power, some military nation, or be exceptional in anything to be a champion. You can just be a common person and still have the chance to have glory."

[Polar Islandstates]

Introducing the reigning World Cup champions...

THE GREATER VALHALLAN FEDERATION OF POLAR ISLANDSTATES ROSTER FOR COPA RUSHMORI XVII
Nation Name: The Federation of Polar Islandstates
Demonym: Valhallans
Team Nickname: The Terns
Official Supporters Group: The Twitchers

KIT COLOURS:
HOME - AWAY - KEEPER

HOME STADIUM:
Nasjonale Stadion - 67,481 (Franz Josef City)

HOME SUPPORT: The Ostkurven - Home of the Twitchers

STAFF:
Manager: Morten Rasmussen, 61
Record in Charge: P 114, W 90, D 14, L 10, GF 229, GA 75, GD +154, WP 79%
He did it! After guiding the Terns through a slightly rockier path to a third World Cup final in three tournaments, he finally helped our players to keep it together in the final match, and the Terns are World Cup Champions. Couple that with being the record three-time winners of the Copa Rushmori, as well as having the top ranked league in the Multiverse and the top two ranked clubs therein, and it's clear to see that the stock of Valhallan football has never been higher. Former FC Axel Heiburg boss Morten Rasmussen took over at the helm of the Terns four cycles ago now, and he has been a revelation, turning the side into one of the hardest teams in the Multiverse to beat. Two of his ten defeats in charge of the Terns, a full fifth of them, have been in the World Cup final. Twice they've come close, and twice he's picked them back up again. The third team, they succeeded, but with players clamouring to replace the retired Saarinen and Cornelius, Rasmussen's job is a little tricky at this tournament. They finally lost a game in qualifying under his tenure, but there is no qualifying for the Copa, and instead his focus will be on making sure the new faces in the team show him what they can do. A minor shift around in midfield reflects the positional changes he most often made at the World Cup, but for the most part this squad is about finding some new things out about some new players. The starting eleven is a strong one though, and the Terns have their eyes on title number four.

Assistant Manager: Steffan Pekarik, 49
Steffan Pekarik is a player who knows what it takes to succeed. Holding 141 caps for the Terns and appearing for East Franz Athletic and KagPaz club Urajbina, he later joined Axel Heiburg and was their first ever title lifting captain in his last ever season of professional playing, all under Morten Rasmussen's guidance. He then went straight into the coaching set-up at the Argonauts and was the assistant manager by the time Jorgen Hauge lifted the title three seasons later. Upon Rasmussen's job offer at the Terns, Pekarik was swiftly whisked across as well, and it is thought that the inspirational and dynamic former left-back with the talent for man-management is being trained and prepared for a crack at a big management job himself in the future, with many media outlets predicting that World Cup 68 will be his last with the Terns. Has instilled a fierce sense of determination in the players he's coached in the past, so if you find yourself getting more roughed up against us than you have done in the past, blame Pekarik.

PLAYERS:
#1 - GK - Iulian Kirilaunen - Age 27 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls - 61 Caps
Kirilaunen was handed the number one jersey at Surtsey a while ago now, repaying the confidence shown in him almost immediately by producing some outstanding performances to help the Gulls exceed all expectations. Twenty-seven years old is young for a goalkeeper who represents his national team as the number one with as much calmness and authority as he does, but you tend to forget his age during the match as your eyes are instead drawn to his constantly good positioning and organisation of his back four. Despite his closest rival for the number one jersey winning the Champions' Cup, twice, Iulian still holds onto it thanks to his lack of reliance on the defence in front of him. There's a good reason for this, and his speed off his line when acting as a sweeper-keeper will no doubt save the day on the occasions that see his team-mates getting caught flat-footed.

#2 - DR - Moses Luc Bjerregaard - Age 20 - Royal Rumiatzi (ASG) - 40 Caps, 15 Assists, 5 Goals
At just seventeen years of age, Bjerregaard was the youngest player to get a call-up to the Terns squad since Alexsandr van Sorensen, and it's not hard to see why. Still only on the verge of his twenty-first birthday, he is lightning fast, fearless, with a wicked control of a dead ball, and has a willingness to run at players that means Bjerregaard has all the credentials required to be a fine right winger. However, when you add a tough tackle, the ability to read the game, and a keen positional sense into the equation, it's easy to see why Bjerregaard can make such a devastating wing-back. Hence, he is perfect for Rasmussen's formation. His strength in the air can leave something to be desired, but he's still young, and coming off the back of some stunning performances at the Copa and the World Cup, appearing in both finals, he was snapped up by Astograthian giants Royal Rumiatzi. It's a big step up in terms of hype, and he is carrying a lot of momentum with an awful lot of buzz, and an awful lot of caps already, too. He's twenty!

#3 - DC - Aapo Nordenberg - Age 26 - Ituraitz FC (ASG) - 21 Caps, 2 Assists, 1 Goal
Oyen-Spekke's retirement left a gap at centre-back last cycle, and a gap that Rasmussen could have filled with one of the many talented centre-backs that the nation is awash with at the moment. In the end, he opted for the player who was brought from FC Torshavn to East Franz Athletic to replace Oyen-Spekke there as well. Nordenberg has previously found it easy to slip under the radar and avoid the hype, though at East Franz his quietly impressive performances have changed that, and with the club's failure to qualify for UICA tournaments he was sold to Ituraitz FC in order to balance the books. Quiet, considered, and a scholar of the game, his game reading is excellent, meaning he is often able to make a challenge and prevent a dangerous situation before it even materialises. This lack of eye-catching last minute tackles contributes towards his relatively low-key profile, of course, though are also indicative of his ability to stop them being necessary in the first place. Tall, strong, and with a fine touch, Nordenberg is one of the ball-playing central defenders that are now becoming the vogue around the leagues. An instrumental part of the World Cup winning squad.

#4 - DC - Morten Salo - Age 27 - Echegoyan FC (ASG) - 30 Caps, 1 Assist, 2 Goals
Blunt, abrasive, and aggressive; Salo is anything but the life and soul of a party. Not that this matters in central defence, of course, and whilst he will be the first to admit his fondness for hoofing the ball out of danger as soon as possible, this can sometimes be the appropriate response. With a sly elbow here and there, Salo is the master of getting away with little fouls when the officials aren't looking, and he can often be seen arguing on the pitch with his teammates, opposition strikers, the match officials, and even his own management team. He only does this because he has the team's best interests at heart however, and he is a keen team player; always being relied upon to give his all for his team, something his teammates at Echegoyan no doubt appreciate. You want him with you rather than against you, that's for sure, and he is the third of the back four to play his trade in Astograth.

#5 - DL - Kohev Küngas-Vaga - Age 30 - Northbrook Diamonds FK - 149 Caps, 26 Assists, 15 Goals - CAPTAIN
Impressed as the u-21s captain despite going out in the group stages of the DBC under his watch, and has now impressed as the senior team captain as the Terns won the World Cup, this defender is well known and trusted by the management team and took the armband after the retirement of Alexsandr van Sorensen. Kohev is a combative and battling left-back, though he is a talented centre back and defensive midfielder as well, and this enthusiasm and adaptability is something that Rasmussen will be able to make good use of. Originally moving to the first team as a result of Edvar Folke's previous hamstring tear, his athleticism was called upon to offer support and attacks from down the left side, and he later ousted the SK defender from the starting XI entirely. One of the youngest players to ever move past a hundred caps for his country, he found the final defeats particularly hard to take, and took great personal triumph in lifting the trophy - the second time he had done such a thing after previously captaining the Terns to their third Copa Rushmori victory.

#6 - DMC - Eikr Lillehammer - Age 27 - Cednia Beach AFC (TUR) - 56 Caps, 5 Assists, 3 Goals - Vice-Captain
Eikr Lillehammer was never even in contention for an u-21s berth in his youth, and indeed he was let go by the Northbrook Academy without much fanfare and picked up by AFK Hans Island Pioneers. Performances there lead SK Aasiaat Harbour to purchase his services a few seasons ago, and by the end of his first year there he’d very much played his way into being one of the first names on the team sheet. With a battling mentality and a whole heap of confidence, Eikr is flying, and Rasmussen had an easy decision when it came to deciding who was going to replace Sudesval in the starting line-up. He played astonishingly well in the World Cup final, earning the Man of the Match award for his endeavours. Definitely the one that got away for Northbrook, and potentially a future captain himself, Eikr has made a controversial move to Turori giants Cednia Beach as he desperately searches for the Champions' Cup football he craves. Any team in Divisjon One would have been happy to have him, but he chose a foreign adventure.

#7 - MC - Svenbjorn Einarsson - Age 26 - Mâ Âlâmëómë (FFD) - 35 Caps, 5 Assists, 3 Goals
Red Star are making a habit of producing impressive midfielders recently, and their management will be frustrated that Einarsson is another one that they've allowed to slip away through their fingers - in Svenbjorn's case, to Farfadillis, where his experience has seen him drop the "defensive" prefix from his job title and start adding goals and assists (not to mention player awards) to his game. Strong and acutely accurate with his passing, Einarsson is in the starting line-up this time around thanks to the retirement of Cornelius and a midfield restructuring from Rasmussen. Having impressed at the last World Cup, it is hoped we will see the best of Einarsson before the tournament is over, and his youthful energy and willingness to chase any seemingly lost cause could change a game late on. Though, questions remain over his ability to stay calm when provoked, something working with Pekarik hasn't exactly helped.

#8 - MC - Jorgen Kirvesniemi - Age 28 - Fontvielle Impact (VLD) - 67 Caps, 8 Assists, 6 Goals
Appearing regularly in the top flight for Rapid Jan Mayen and then later in Divisjon Two, his signing by Red Star Severny was seen another step in the young midfielder's development; not to mention being a decision that brought him to the attentions of first van der Riise, then Rasmussen, and then the Valladar giants of Fontvielle Impact. He has it all in his locker, and can twist and turn out of danger or provide a battling block as necessary. He can inspire and rifle in assists, or he can sit back and dictate play. Unwilling to let him become a positional expert, the coaches let him add to his arsenal of overall talents, a decision that is paying off now as he takes his place in the starting line-up as an exceptionally versatile asset. Has been described in the past as another Hansen or Bielsen in the making, and his number of caps is testament to that when you consider that this will be only this third tournament at which he has been first choice. Incredibly versatile, incredibly reliable, incredibly determined, with an engine that just won't quit - he's the perfect tournament player.

#9 - ST - Gustaf Kolehmainen - Age 28 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls - 67 Caps, 7 Assists, 45 Goals
With a vicious right boot and a desire to succeed, Gustaf Kolehmainen is perhaps the player upon whom Surtsey have built their recent success, and the player that proved the difference for the Terns at the World Cup. Has scored forty-five goals for the Terns in just sixty-seven matches so far, and has been widely lauded for his performances in which he has utilised his broad range of talents, fitting into whatever formation he is required to do so. He can lead the line, he can support it, he can poach, he can hit screamers, he's strong, he's fast, he's two footed, he's strong in the air; he's the perfect all round striker, and he's formed a deadly partnership at club level with Churin. Right now though, he's solely focused on scoring more for the Terns and propelling them to Copa Rushmori number four. He was the inspirational presence up front as the Terns won number three, after all, and Rasmussen will be relying on the enigmatic Kolehmainen to repeat that dynamism in the search for the fourth. Had an uncharacteristically quiet time at the last Copa, so will be out to prove a point and underline his position as one of the Multiverse's most feared strikers this time around.

#10 - MC - Jean-Eric Villeneuve - Age 29 - Northbrook Diamonds FK - 110 Caps, 56 Assists, 16 Goals
Moving back to Northbrook from Cap Nordique in Cotdelapoms, Villeneuve is a creative attacking midfielder in the same mould as Lepka and Demarchelier and, like the latter, he hails from the Rochefroides community of Ellismare. Fluent in five languages, he is incredibly intelligent as far as footballers go, and his range of passing and vision on the pitch is evidence of this. Not the fastest player to have ever hit the turf, he lets the football do all the hard work for him, which can lead to his apparent lack of effort being an easy target for disgruntled fans is results aren't going so well. Fortunately, with Jean-Eric in the side, this is rarely the case, and with the help of Rasmussen and Pekarik's encouragement, even the pace and athleticism is still improving, with the astonishing number of assists he got at the World Cup proving to be the fruits of his labours. He's at the height of his game right now, and has been moved forwards into the number ten role as a result, partially in a bid to cover his relative lack of pace in getting back to defend - a task that would be rather more urgently asked of him were he still playing in the midfield - and partially to shoulder the burden of replacing van Sorensen's spark that Zeljeznicar was apparently unable to bear with reliable success.

#11 - ST - Torsten Wolff - Age 25 - Sporting Iturributa (ITB) - 22 Caps, 1 Assist, 6 Goals
Having made a good impression with the u-21s, Wolff has had to wait patiently for his chance in the first team thanks to the strength of the Kolehmainen-Saarinen partnership. With the veteran Illich-Svitych and two other young strikers also in the frame to take the spot in the first team for the next World Cup cycle, you can be sure Wolff will be aiming to improve his goals/game ratio here in Ossidiacqua. With an easy-going nature, his partnership with Frederiksen at the DBC had a distinct air of the odd-couple about it, but it nonetheless worked quite well, and his keen eye for the top corner of the goal from wherever he is in the box has made him a fan favourite. Having pipped Frederiksen in squad decisions time after time, he'll be looking to cause some damage here in order to prove his selection justified. And yes, he's heard all the wolf jokes already.

#12 - GK - Artemiusz Korzhanenko - Age 30 - SK Franz Josef City - 46 Caps
Korzhanenko is nigh on unbeatable when running out for the ball in the box. He also has a great record in penalty shoot outs, and was there providing vital coaching to Kirilaunen in the minutes before the shoot-out against Eura in the World Cup whilst a substitute. Although he has lost the number one jersey to Kirilaunen over the course of the last few cycles, Korzhanenko is the consummate professional, and you won't see him causing a fuss from the bench. A great calming presence to have in the locker room, and now a two-time Champions' Cup winner as well.

#13 - GK - Leif Ulsletten - Age 23 - Red Star Severny - Uncapped
With Alexis Sand carrying a minor niggle, Rasmussen has turned to Red Star goalkeeper Ulsletten for the number thirteen shirt at this tournament. Having only just made his breakthrough for his club, this call-up looks to have surprised Ulsletten somewhat, and how well he adjusts to being in the squad will be crucial to deciding whether or not he gets any game time. He's still learning though, and perhaps this call-up is seen by Rasmussen as a learning experience for the young goalkeeper, rather than as a chance to establish his name straight-away. Fast, nimble, and with excellent distribution, his long through can often be the first line of attack for his sides.

#14 - AMC - Alexis Zeljeznicar - Age 26 - Ituraitz FC (ASG) - 50 Caps, 14 Assists, 10 Goals
After starting out for South Factory courtesy of their Polarian connections, Zeljeznicar was snapped up by the famous Ituraitz FC when South Factory were relegated. Like Linus Bosnjakovic and of similar age, he is also a former striker that has since retreated to a more supporting role, reminiscent of another certain Tern that you may have heard of. Pacy, aggressive, a handful in the box for both sets of players, and wickedly talented, if he could only stop basing his lifestyle of Timo Skye's he could be very good indeed, though his critics will continue to argue that he doesn't get enough assists or goals. Despite having visibly calmed down recently, he appeared to struggle with the huge task of replacing van Sorensen in the number ten position, and Rasmussen has made the decision to drop him to the bench for this tournament. We'll see if his confidence increases again as a result.

#15 - DL - Fabian Vaaraniemi - Age 27 - Raynor City United (VAL) - 50 Caps, 5 Assists, 2 Goals
A hugely impressive series of performances in Divisjon One has seen this fleet of foot left back from the Flotilla make the spot on the bench for the Terns his own. Lightning fast and with a hefty amount of momentum given the chance to run, he will be hard to stop late on in games should he come on. Finally got his first goal with one of his trademark stinging free kicks, and when faced with an intensely defensive opponent, I wouldn't be surprised to see Rasmussen move Kungas-Vaga to defensive midfield and have Vaaraniemi on the pitch just to utilise his dead ball skills when near the opposition box. Intensely loyal to the Flotilla for many years, he finally has the chance to prove his credentials after being made an offer by Raynor City United that he couldn't refuse. He is a noble player with a strong sense of fair play and absolutely deserves his affectionate nickname of 'Sir Fabian'.

#16 - DR - Vauxhall Jansen - Age 22 - Makosile United (VIL) - Uncapped
With a smattering of Wightling heritage, Bjarnese-born Jansen is one of the more jetsetting members of the squad, having travelled to the Vilitan league to play for first Inland Peaks, and now Makosile United. With a huge amount of raw talent, Vauxhall Jansen is just that - raw. Can play on either flank if needed to, his vision for a pass and game-reading going forwards is excellent, as is his tracking back. His tackling can still leave something to be desired however, and Rasmussen will be hoping the high stakes of a knockout tournament will hone his concentration and turn him into a player who can fulfil the potential he so clearly has. If things go well, this will be hailed as a masterstroke by Rasmussen. If not, he'll be labelled as a wild card with a silly name. Which, he does have - let's be honest. Bloody Wightlings.

#17 - DMC - Anders Holzhauser - Age 22 - Issington FC (APX) - 20 Caps, 1 Assist, 1 Goal
Came straight from the DBC to feature at his first Copa Rushmori two Copas ago, and did so again along with Bjerregaard last time out in Charruterra, providing performances enough to convince Rasmussen to take him to the World Cup squad. Holzhauser is a strong and tough-tackling defensive midfielder that has made quite an impact on Rasmussen, who has been to Apox several times to watch him play in the league. With a commanding presence, he quickly grabs the eye as he marshals the defence behind him, and though he is able to fill in at centre back should he be required to, Holzhauser has the urge and the ability to push forwards in possession of the ball and add a different dimension to the attack in the process. Exciting at Issington FC, and dominant on the pitch in his position as the Chicks captain, his Terns career is starting to blossom.

#18 - ST - Victor Larsen - Age 23 - Red Star Severny - Uncapped
Huge, hulking, physically intimidating, and with a traction engine of a boot, Victor Larsen is notable for being, along with Nilsson, the first black Polarians to ever be called up to the national team. Impressive with the Chicks at u-21s level, his pace and raw power can change the game in an instant, and he has been doing just that with Red Star in Divisjon One. Described as a human battering ram, he provides something very different from the bench, and it will be interesting to see if Rasmussen gets to use him on the pitch.

#19 - MC - Alexander Aagard - Age 25 - RSK Longyearbyen Town - Uncapped
With a dead ball skill that would be the envy of any Valhallan, Aagard comes into the squad having been on the cusp of selection for seveal years now. Cornelius' retirement has finally shuffled the deck and offered him the chance. Versatile, dependable, and quick, Aagard has all the strengths necessary to be a fine box-to-box midfielder, though his strength and power in the tackle means he is just as adept breaking up the play as he is creating it or supporting it. Looking like he's come in as a ready-made replacement for Kirvesniemi at number eight, we'll be watching his progress carefully - if he ends up as important to the Terns as he is to RSK Longyearbyen Town, we'll have a great player on our hands.

#20 - ST - Vasek Frederiksen - Age 23 - Dinamo Esca (MYT) - 15 Caps, 1 Assist, 4 Goals
One time ouster of Wolff from the World Cup squad, Frederiksen needed a season or so to bed in at Esca before he started producin g his best football again, with Wolff enjoying some great form of his own in the mean time and ousting Frederiksen in turn. Called up once more, he's now trying to earn that spot back from Wolff - only this time, its a spot in the starting line up. Tall and lanky, he's surprisingly good with his touch for a big man, and his gangly presence often belies his deadliness in the box. Has a focused and naturally solitary demeanour that can come across as anti-social and aggressive, but on the pitch this frequently counts as a good thing, and you can bet he is focused solely on scoring for the Terns when he comes on.

#21 - MC - Bjorn Konigstein - Age 22 - SK Franz Josef City - Uncapped
With all the money at SK's disposal and all the attraction of playing for the biggest club in the Federation, they can pretty much bring in whoever they want. How remarkable, therefore, that the diminutive Bjorn Konigstein has fought his way through the youth academy and has been commanding a place in the starting line-up for two or three years now on and off. Full of youthful enthusiasm and energy, he's got a sort of magnetic presence on the pitch that just seems to draw the ball towards him, and he is adept at launching forwards and finishing attacks with a sweet strike from the edge of the box. Not a holding midfielder by any stretch of the imagination, he nonetheless treads the line without being classed an attacking midfielder.

#22 - DC - Yann-Erik Nilsson - Age 22 - SK Franz Josef City - Uncapped
Second of the two young two-time Champions' Cup winners to have graduated from the SK youth academy, Nilsson brings a certain attacking joie de vivre into the back four, with him seemingly unable to lose the attacking influence on his game he gets from being half Acquan himself. Strong and difficult to dispossess, he will often try and play his way out of danger - and usually succeeds at that.Needs to mature slightly and realise that the time isn't always right for bombing forwards and leaving a gap behind you, but it's always worked for him at SK, and he'll be an interesting player to give a game to as he makes his Terns debut in the land of his mother's birth.

#23 - DC - Torsten Navarro - Age 22 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls - Uncapped
After graduating through the Haapa-Mechelin Youth Academy, Kulmsaari national Torsten Navarro instead elected to leave the club and was snapped up by Novaya Sibir Reds. Enjoying the increased game time he got by making suh a move, he blossomed into the tough tackling defender we know today, and his stock only increased when the Reds were relegated and he was pursued by Surtsey. An integral part of their Divisjon One and Copa de Campeones winning side, he is now looked on enviously by Axel Heiburg fans, and as he makes his Terns debut through the Polarian passport of his grandparents, he will have his determined eyes on retaining the spot for the World Cup.

TACTICS: "The Pythagorean" 2-3-3-2
The Polarian game is methodical, abrasive, technical, and physical. They won't give you a second on the ball to think, and they won't hold back in the tackle. In the centre of the park they will play a possession based midfield game of triangles, though a defence splitting pass could come at any moment towards the fast and direct attack. Rasmussen plays a narrow and heavily modified diamond formation dubbed the Pythagorean by the sporting press. It is reliant upon two key triangular sets of players that transcend the normal "rows" of player in conventional formation layouts. Nordenberg, Salo, and Lillehammer will act as the defensive triangle, and Villeneuve, Kolehmainen, and Wolff will counter at the other end as the offensive triangle. Lillehammer's and Villeneuve's roles in this scheme are absolutely crucial, as their job is to support and unlock the other two players in their respective triangles, providing outlets and creativity in abundance. Kirvesniemi and Einarsson are part of a compact and creative midfield that will supply steel or style whenever the situation demands it, as well as partnering up with their respective full backs to form a kind of "bumper" that sweeps the flanks in attack or folds in to protect the penalty area in defence. Fitness of all players will therefore be key to the success of this plan; not just the constant positional changing demanded of Lillehammer and Villeneuve, but the athleticism of Bjerregaard and Küngas-Vaga in particular will also be tested to the limit as their roles require frequent attacking. It's not quite a 4-3-3, it's not quite a 4-1-2-1-2, and it's not quite a W-M... Alright, alright, it's more or less a W-M with a focus on two specific trios of players. It's the Pythagorean.

Penalty Taker: Gustaf Kolehmainen/Aapo Nordenberg/Jorgen Kirvesniemi
Free Kick Taker: Jean-Eric Villeneuve/Moses Luc Bjerregaard/Torsten Wolff
Corner Taker: Jean-Eric Villeneuve/Moses Luc Bjerregaard/Svenbjorn Einarsson

Starting line-up

Modification: -1


Record going into Copa Rushmori XVII:
Played 446, Won 289, Drawn 79, Lost 78, Scored 892, Conceded 429, Goal Difference +463, Win Percentage 65%
Top Goalscorers:
Timo Skye - 117
Alexsandr van Sorensen - 107
Felix Saarinen - 60
Patrick Ackermann-Finn - 57
Diedrich Kvitchenko - 49
Most Assists:
Alexsandr van Sorensen - 117
Luc Demarchelier - 73
Ole van Jendrisen - 68
Jean-Eric Villeneuve - 56*
Marten Cornelius - 48
Most Caps:
Alexsandr van Sorensen - 268
Jorgen Hauge - 215
Timo Skye - 168
Zacharias Juul - 166
Torre Urfstadt - 153
Asterisks indicate player in squad

THE OPPONENT CAN
Choose my goalscorers? Yes.
Godmod scoring events? Yes.
RP injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP.
Godmod injuries to my players? Yes, as above.
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes.
Hand out red cards to my players? Yes, but only 2 per match maximum, and never to my captain or vice-captain.
Godmod other events? TG me first, but I'm always open to ideas.