World Cup 69 RP Thread

by **German American States** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:13 am

Chapter 2: The Early Game

At the start of the spread of the game in 1878,it was not well known by the citizens in the interior of the country. It was confined to the ports, where foreigners could reach the dockworkers and teach them the game. However, thanks to several influential people, the game spread up and down the coast like wildfire.

While there were most likely small clubs that did not record their history, it is considered that the first club in Rüntenbach was Mannendorf's Brauner Klub. The Brauners were founded in 1878 by Christoff Eicher, a man who frequented the ports of Mannendorf and appeared to have learned the game from foreign traders. Brauner Klub was the sporting wing of a gentleman's club of the same name, designed to give veterans of Die Großkrieg a place to socialize and provide camaraderie. Eicher was a sportsman before the war, and quickly picked up football into his sporting repertoire. He got a group together of fellow veterans and taught them the rules of football and formed Brauner Klub in the basement of the club.

Brauner Klub went fairly unnoticed by the city, as they spent most of their time by the docks playing foreign traders. They went like this for about 3 months, until the team was noticed by painter Michael Lehmann. Lehmann often frequented a hill above the harbor and medow under it
called Freisterberg. He would paint panoramas of the surrounding landscape there. He wrote in his diary on the discovery of football:

3 März 1878

To-day I was on Freisterberg
when something caught my eye in the meadow below. It appeared to be around 20 men kicking a brown ball towards a set of goals. Curious,I abandoned my easel and ran down the hill to inquire about their activitiy. One of the teams appeared to be speaking Dutch-probably Uitbregeners-but one side wearing brown sweaters was from Mannendorf. They explained to me they were playing a game they called foot-ball. The Rüntenbacher side said that they belonged to a veterans club, and therefore I could not join their team. I was dejected as I walked back up the hill. I concluded I must learn the game and then start my own club.

Lehmann stayed true to his word. Over the past week he stayed by the docks and learned the game. He then gathered several of his friends from their beergarten and taught them. All of them then gathered in the basement of the brewery and founded the team. It was named Mannendorf Breuerie, dedicated to the owner of the brewery who gave the team a place to operate from.

Lehmann commissioned uniforms, found a place to build a field, and started to practice with the team. After around a month Lehmann was confident with his squad's abilities, he challenged Brauner Klub to the first match played between known established clubs in the country's history.

The two teams met on Schintler Green in the center of Mannendorf. They pounded four stakes in the ground to mark off the field, and four more for the goals. The two teams played with vigor, but Brauner's experience paid off, as they won 3-2. Lehmann, furious, insulted the team's captain
and vowed to avenge their loss at another match to be played a month afterward. The next match drew a crowd of a couple hundred spectators and was played to a bloody, muddy 1-1 draw. 7 players were ejected from the game on both sides, one suffered a broken arm, and two broken noses. The Schintler Green Derby was born, a matchup that would be contested for the next 40 years.

One of the several hundred spectators was Kurt Schimmel, a blacksmith from Klattenhorn who was visiting his brother, Francis in Mannendorf. Francis had fallen in love with the game and was one of the first supporters of Mannendorf Breuerie. Kurt was astounded at the passion that the players had on the ball, and about how much they cared about an upstart sport. Inspired, he drafted a charter for a team from Klattenhorn on the train back. He named it SV Nordbergen in honor of the state's name. Once he got back to Klattenhorn, he taught several of his friends the sport, and the club was founded. SV Nordbergen is the oldest club in the country still functioning.

Kurt believed that the only way to grow the game in the country was to do it himself. To do so, he enlisted the help of some of his teammates to travel up and down the coast, teaching people how to play the game. For about 4 years, they performed as a sort of troupe of football evangelists, taking the trains up and down the coast. Nordbergen helped found over 15 clubs, 11 of which are still functioning today. Some of those boast names like Sporting Eisenport FC, Fortuna Donnersberg, SC Gold Loewe, Swillburg United, and Suedlander. They also facilitated the founding of their immortal rivals, Klattenhorn Blizzards FC.

These three men, Christoff Eicher, Michael Lehmann, and Kurt Schimmel, could be called the founding fathers of Ruentenbacher football. They spread the game from the isolated ports to the entire country, bringing the sport to the masses. Little did they know, but the game would spread even further in the country, to the plains of the east.

Die Adlerschaft Preps for Dainer in First Qualifying Match
Team trains, Xhaká pops off

MANNENDORF- The World Cup is here.

Tomorrow Die Maschine will face off against Dainer at Mannendorfstadion in the first match of their qualifying campaign. The boys will be looking to return back to the Finals, where they shocked the world by going through the playoff rounds unscathed. Now, they do not have the element of surprise, coming into this campaign ranked #30. Now, as manager Karl Rheinhart said, they have a target on their backs.

"I think everyone in our group will be looking to beat us and the Syndicatans, because we are obviously the highest rank. We can't stay content with our results from last cycle, we have to keep grinding away and prove that we can make it back to the finals, and go even further if we get there."

In a group that features only 4 teams inside the top 100 rankings, most predict Ruentenbach to vie for the top spot in the group with the Syndicatans, but the RFB squad cannot get complacent. However, it seems that some on the team are getting complacent already. The promising talent Xhaka Schumacher-Fernandez, more commonly known as Xhaká, said of the group draw, "Easy group. Puny minnow teams. I will crush them and take their wives as spoils of war. Next question."

No matter the player's opinions on the quality of their group, Die Adlerschaft will be facing a tough test in 136th ranked Dainer in the Mannendorfstadion tomorrow. Despite being ranked 136th, Dainer packs a lot of punch on the offensive side of the ball, with such stars as Costan and Powploc.

"The entire squad is very dangerous, but we'll be looking out for Costan in particular. We have to make sure that Dainer doesn't burn us on the counters with our offensive formation" captain Gunnar Baumgartner said in the press conference yesterday. When asked about the team's age, Baumgartner noted, "I don't really think its a problem. We have a lot of depth behind us that's pretty experienced in international friendlies and high stakes club competition, so I don't think depth will be an issue. I think the larger issue will be our fitness with our formation we run. We need to keep our endurance we've built up from the league season and train even harder if we need to."

Rommelwald
Weinberger---Strauber---Okbaoh
-------Kamp-------
Ruiz----------Holz
---[C]Baumgartner---
Wippenbeck--Meisenhal--Rogalski

In terms of the starting lineup for tomorrow, Rheinhart will be fielding the standard starting lineup, with the exception of giving LM Markus Holz the nod over veteran Lukas Krohn. It is expected that Rheinhart will be monitoring the veteran's playing time especially to keep their condition up to snuff and avoid injury.

The match will kick off at Mannendorfstadion at 14:30 tomorrow afternoon. The stadium is sold out, and the country is buzzing. So begins Die Adlerschaft's World Cup campaign.

by **The Icemark** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:23 am

Introduction
Welcome to 'Lonely Multiverses' guide to the Icemark, a land situated in the woolly and wild north, full of mist's and mysteries and home to the deeply devout servants of the Goddess.
We will assume that the visitor in question is intending to go in the high or shoulder seasons. In the low season the Icemark will be inaccessible for long periods with the mountain passes frozen over halting land transport, low air temperatures stopping air travel and the frozen sea preventing ships from being able to make port.

Essential Information
Currency:

The currency of the Icemark is simply referred to as the Gold Coin. They come with various values from one to twenty. Banknotes do not exist in the Icemark. All currency is in brass coins coated in gold, silver or bronze. At the time of printing the exchange rate of a single Gold Coin equalled 1.6 dollars. We recommend taking a debit card as there are a lack of locations to exchange in the country.

Visas: A valid passport is required to enter the Icemark. All members of the WA (World Assembly) do not need to purchase a Visa if they are staying for less than three months.

Language: Icemarkish is the local language, but most natives speak English proficiently. Many also speak Germanic languages. In some of the more rural areas be prepared for the locals speaking in the ancient tongue of the Icemark.

Seasons: High season is between June and August with warm weather, long daylight hours and busy accommodation, transport and sights. Prices will peak during this season. A good time to travel is in the shoulder season between March and May. The weather will be generally milder and there will be fewer crowds. The low season is not recommended to travel in. The months between September and February are extremely cold. Transport is virtually non-existent due to roads freezing over, and because of short daylight hours tourist attractions are on reduced hours or closed.

Transport:Frostmarris International Airport is the only airport in the country. It only has a single runway and caters to only a couple of locations worldwide. An efficient train service runs to each major city and town throughout the country. There is also a comprehensive bus network throughout the country, sometimes the only option to reach those farer flung locations. If you hire your own transportation be sure to drive on the left side of the road. There are few major motorways so travel time can be long. Ferries regularly run from the south to north of the country along the western coastline. Cities are bike friendly with many cycling routes.

Land & Climate

Much of the Icemark is extensively forested, though the south now consists largely of arable plains and valleys. The south is predominantly used agriculturally. Whilst the land is extremely cold, most food can be easily grown in the short summer, and those that can't can be obtained via trade with more temperate states. The dominant crops grown are wheat, barley, oats and vegetables. Fruit orchards and vineyards are rare, but not unheard of, mostly cropping up in the very south of the country where the climate is a little more hospitable. Much of the great plains is used as arable land, constantly tended to be serf families. Whilst the plains are arable, most of the rolling hills are used for grazing animals. Shepherds and herdsmen can be seen tending their herds and flocks of mostly cattle and sheep all year round.

There is one major forest in the Icemark called The Great Forest. The outer edges have been moderatily exploited and are only occupied by the occasional woodcutter camp. Though the trees in the outer edges are spaced apart, further in the forest is dark, tangled and covered in heavy undergrowth. The Great Road, which runs the width of the country, is the only path through the forest. It is unwise to travel the forest alone as wild boars and bears occupy deeper in and the forest also serves as a lair for outlaws and escaped criminals. Hunting is legal in the Icemark (though heavily regulated) and the forest is a great location for hunters to venture into to catch their prey of deer and elk.

Hills and mountains are dominant at The Icemark's north and south borders. These areas mark the nations two major mountain ranges. Bordering the south of the country are the Dancing Maiden Mountains, a low mountain range surrounded by farming and mining villages. And separating the northern border from the Arctic is the Wolfrock Mountains, a colossal range that raise higher than the Alps. Unlike the Dancing Maiden range to the south, the Wolfrock's are constantly snow-capped. There are several passes through the range, but only the major thoroughfare is regularly taken because of the risk of avalanches.
The coasts of the Icemark are distinguished by their numerous cliffs and large golden beaches. Many harbours are dotted around the coastline, particularly the river deltas. There are many villages scattered across the coast and sometimes the small islands off the coast that dot the seas. Typically these are mainly fishing villages. The northern sea though is notoriously difficult to navigate with currents and winds shifting quickly, and the income these villages rely on are sometimes hampered when the sea freezes over in the winter. In recent years the sea's have become a haven for smugglers, reluctant to pay the tolls of the major ports.

The Icemark has countless rivers and lakes throughout the country. The River Freme is the swiftest and greatest of the waterways running from its source in the Dancing Maiden Mountains before emptying out into the western sea. The river is wide and deep for much of it's length and sees much trade along its route. The fast current in places means it is better suited for larger boats than smaller craft though.
The climate of the Icemark is extremely harsh. For six months of the year the country is covered in snow and ice, and experiences raging blizzards. During this long winter the south of the country only experiences six hours of sunlight a day, while the very north receives little to none in a polar night. The temperatures rarely peak over 0 °C and reach a low in some areas of -30 °C
Despite the odd unseasonal storm the Icemark undergoes a major transformation during it's spring and short summer seasons. The temperature is warmer and milder, normally peaking at 17 °C though the coastal regions are more cooler than inland. The country experiences plenty of rainfall during these months.

by **Vettrera** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:30 am

“Are you saying that you think the Vettreran Government should have seen this coming?”

“Yes Tom. Small scale terrorist attacks and protests had been going on in Vettrera for over a year. We should have definitely seen this coming. The people of the protectorates are angry and bitter, they’ve been asking for freedom for the past 10 years thinking that all the votes they had on the issue actually meant something. I mean, when news broke last year that all those votes for freedom had been rigged, what did the government actually expect? That Oakbrook and Calvarie would go on being a dumping ground for immigrants, the poor, and criminals –“

“No Marissa. Hold on for a second. Don’t act like Oakbrook and Calvarie was doing the just thing here. VETTRERA was developing that nation. VETTRERA established colleges and universities, roads, more hospitals, VETTRERA was saving Oakbrook and Calvarie from themselves.”

“While yes they have the infrastructure Tom, they also have a ton of debt that they have to pay back to Vettrera. They have little political say in what national laws they must follow, they had to pay takes for both the protectorate and the mainland, they were forced to assist the Vettreran military, and ethnic and gang violence was high with Vettrera sending literally any immigrant they wanted to over to Oakbrook and Calvarie. But to be 100%, that’s beside the point. In the aftermath of the riots in Oakbrook and Calvarie after the voting fraud came to the light, Vettrera should have expected this backlash.”

“And production is signaling that we need to go to commercial Marissa. But we will return with more dialogue after the break on “Examination”.

Geneva changed the channel.

“—Been one month since the Cape Marshall Terror and still no word from the Congressional Panel or the President on what will happen with relations between the protectorate of Oakbrook and Calvarie and the nation of Vettrera. A month and a half ago, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Vettrera. First, a bombing on Embassy Row in Delta Towne Vettrera occurred at 9:10 in the Morning Western Time took 90 lives, 35 of which were Vettreran citizens and the other 45 being international staff. At around 9:30 a series of subway bombings took place in Western Vettrera’s largest financial hub, Victoria Heights. The bombings resulted in the deaths of almost 1,000 people. Then between the hours of 10:00 and 11:00 a school shooting occurred on the campus of Vettrera-INTL, located in the National Capital Valor City. Vetttrera-INTL being the only school putting an emphasis on international applicants in Western Vettrera, where at least 30% of accepted students are required to be from outside the System (Vettrera and the Protectorates) was decided as there next target. Three armed gunmen entered the campus and attacking different buildings. One attacking the Biology Complex, one opening fire in the main cafeteria, and one shooting in the Communications Center. At the end of the assault 120 lives were taken, but the gunmen were later apprehended. The death toll was comprised mainly of students though 8 staff members and one professor –“

Geneva turned off the TV. Finally away from the lights and shame of the recent U15 competition, Geneva was free to cry.

Lucas Murdoch was on a plane ride to the Bonticello Refugee Colony, where Vettrera’s games were being played because the Cape Marshall Area was unsafe. And though his mind should have been on preparing his team for a group where Vettrera actually had a pretty nice chance of qualifying (well, they were more likely to finish in 3rd, but sill), his mind was on something else. He recalled a meeting that he had with the PUSH Council 8 months ago, 4 months after the news of the voting scandal initially broke. It was also 4 months into the small-scale riots and bombings. The PUSH Council explained that no international competitions could be held in Cape Marshall in March, but no further explanation was given.

The Congressional Panel was meeting to discuss the course of action to take after the recent terror attacks. Congressman Jackson and Congressman Richards were engaged in a discussion on the floor.
“And I don’t believe that there is any benefit to keeping those people a part of Vettrera any longer, especially when they don’t even want to be part of our nation. We are now at the point where our own people are at risk, because certain people were obsessed with running a government surplus! We have spent millions on them, they have given us millions in return, let’s cut this shit out and allow Oakbrook and Calvarie to become independent”
“But how do we know that they will pay us back? What will happen to our military? We haven’t spent millions, we spent half a trillion dollars building up that nation, and there’s no reason to think they will pay us back. THEY were our military. Now THEY have all the power. The protectorate is stronger than the mainland and at that point we have an issue.”
“The real issue is going to come when Oakbrook and Calvarie stops fucking around and decides to attack us!”
Ignoring decorum and protocol, Congresswoman Isles, a representative of Cape Marshall walked down to the floor and spoke.
“The real issue is why haven’t we involved the government of Oakbrook and Calvarie with these talks.”

by **Camerania** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:17 am

Burgundy City Times

Camerania Returns to World Cup

By: Simon Stendal

Cameranians around the country are currently ramping up for a long-awaited return to the World Cup by Camerania. Qualifying begins today, and will show if Cameranian football is up to par, after being on hiatus for many cycles of the World Cup. This world cup run comes just after the Cameranian Canadian Football team was able to make it to the quarter finals of the third running of the Maple Leaf Bowl, the world's premier Canadian Football international tournament. It is likely that this will bolster fans' resolve for Camerania's football team as they begin competition. Camerania is in group 21, a group which contains such notable teams as Neu Engollon and Equestrian States, which will prove to be an interesting and challenging group to get out off for the Cameranian Team.

This cycle marks the debut of Head Coach Hanna Lindholm. Lindholm is well known for being a football phenom in her twenties, and was hired for her clear expertise and unique experience as an innovative player, according to the administration for Team Camerania. "This is a fantastic opportunity," Lindholm said when asked about being hired. "I've been involved with the sport for most of my life, so to have this chance to put my skills to use is pretty great." Lindholm has been training the team incredibly hard over the weeks leading up to the beginning of qualifying, in order to prepare them for the tournament.

Today, Camerania plays Equestrian States, a nation that--for sporting and international reasons in general--has become a very well known name. This match is very important to our team and nation, according to team captain Gunnar Eriksson. "This is the world's largest international sports tournament, and though football's not our biggest sport here, it's still a huge deal for all of us." Eriksson also makes his debut in this cycle as Captain of the team. His prior experience was in his amazing career in the Cameranian Association Football League, playing for Brevettica. Since it's been so long since Camerania's last World Cup run, there are few veteran players, which led to Eriksson being named captain.

by **Terre des Gaules** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:22 am

Coqs Prepare for the WC 69

Par Jean-Derik Roullard

The Coqs, coming off a lackluster performance in their debut into International association football, are trying to ready themselves to qualify for the World Cup. It will not be an easy road and hopes are not high for the Gaulic team, who, unlike our neighbors to the East in Neu Engollon, have not had the experience, nor the support to match. Neu Engollon is a much more sport crazed nation, which may rival their greed and consumer happy public for attention.
One could only hope that one day our teams would get such adoration as the Goats, or the Ibex, their ice hockey squad which was able to do very well in the last hockey World Cup.

Meanwhile, back in Gaul, after the Baptism of Fire, the Gaulois have lost interest in a team that has let them down, even though now is the time that they need the most backing as they prepare to be the underdogs in these group qualifiers. Even in official circles, the Gaul Football Assocation, which should be their biggest advocates, are downplaying the Cup and seem determined to survive through it, rather than shooting for any lofty goals of actually qualifying. This is a disappointing attitude for a newer team who was never expected to take the world by storm in the first place. Fickle Gauls need to really consider what it takes to become a notable football team in a field of hundreds, against superior teams who have been on the International circuit for ages.

Perhaps this sports writer is one of the few that believes the Coqs can do better, if only given a chance.
They have a rough road ahead, but some of their group mates such as Mehdonesia or ORCA Bay could be considered their equals in terms of ability and rating. However, they must face Nephara, who were once known as New Sideburn, Vaugania and Kandorith, who are at the top of their fields and the best we might hope for from those matches is that they can fend off some of the barrage of shots on goal expected. One never knows and the Coqs might find some inner energy and endurance that can count for a lot in these opening matches.

Please, Gauls...Support your team. To my fellow media reporters, stop neglecting our men in blue and gold. Watch them on CSG (Chaîne Sportive Gaulois). Check your local listings.

by **The Archregimancy** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:39 am

THE MONASTIC TIMES

MFA DENOUNCE WCC, WORLD CUP HOSTS
"It's a Conspiracy" Says Anonymous Source

By Fr. Nicholas the Scribe

The Monastic Football Association today denounced not just the World Cup Committee, but also the hosts of World Cup 69 - surprising many who expected the institutions of the autonomous Monastic Republic to back the Holy Empire in its fourth hosting spell.

"The entire World Cup Committee and its institutions are an atheistic freemason conspiracy" declared a senior archimandrite, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The disastrous recent Cup of Harmony is just the most egregious example" claimed the source, referring to the post-World Cup 68 tournament where the MFA refused to accept their title after winning the final, returning the trophy to the WCC after melting it down into 30 pieces of silver. "Time and time again the Holy Monastic Republic is forced into situations - playing self-proclaimed deities or atheists, being forced to admit women into the Monastic Republic - that run counter to our way of life, and no attempt is made to accommodate our unique culture. How long must this go on?"

Sources close to the MFA are believed to be particularly upset at the theme of World Cup 69, the "Cup for Chaps", stating that they had hoped that - considering the Holy Empire's involvement - it would be named the "Cup for Minor Orders". "It's about time the subdeacons and readers had their due" said one anonymous source "as opposed to these drinking and fornicating 'chaps'". The refusal to name the cup after the minor orders is said by some to have been "the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back" and "a betrayal by the Orthodox Church of the Holy Empire".

Imperial Secretariat of the Purple Inkwell spokeswoman Maria Vatatzes issued a statement that both ISPI and the Patriarch of the Holy Empire were "unconcerned" by the MFA's latest outburst. "We quite understand their disappointment over the minor orders misunderstanding; realistically we sometimes have to let the monks blow off a little steam, don't we". The MFA later condemned the statement for both downplaying their concerns and for being issued by a woman "unable to understand our unique cultural environment".

When asked why the Archregimancy had voluntarily entered a tournament that they were denouncing, run by an organisation they were condemning, yet another anonymous source close to the MFA stated that "only by being martyrs for the faith can we be true witnesses for Christ", and that a further statement would be forthcoming following the first tournament matchday.

by **Vaugania** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:49 am

Part 1: Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions

The Tollefsen Mountain Range extends all the way across the north of Vaugania. At the base of the mountains to the west, there is the coastal city of Port Byron and the inland farming city of Delvecchi. To the east, the mountains come down in Stromhurst, Vaugania’s logging hub.

Nestled in these mountains are numerous valleys are many towns and mines of various type. Anglis is one such town. 4,000 feet above the crashing waves of the sea, the 13,500 citizens go about their lives mining out 27,000,000 tons of coal every year. It is a hard working, industrious town that does their part to power Vaugania and keep it running.

Cesar Dukys walked into his apartment in Anglis after a day of work. His home was very bare. There was minimal furniture and no decoration on the walls or any of the few tables. The walls had been left in their original, and very faded, seashell white color. The youthful 22 year old’s bright blond hair was blackened with soot from the mine. This was now his 24th day on the job and his last. Despite having labored for many hours, he still abounded with energy.

“Cousin!” he called out into the apartment, “It is done!”

“Excellent, Cesar!” responded his 37 year old cousin Stanislovas with equal enthusiasm, “Then we must load up the car. Our work here is finished. Leonas called earlier and said that he was ready whenever we were. You get yourself cleaned up and I will begin to pack our bags.”

Cesar did as his elder relation instructed him to do and reemerged from the bathroom fresh, clean, and in a new change of clothes. His bags had been packed by Leonas while he showered. He wheeled them out to their car where his cousin was fitting in some of the little furniture they had moved in with. Primarily folding chairs and a side table. He fitted Cesar bags into the rear of the beat-up hatchback he had owned for the previous ten years and ordered Cesar into the passenger seat.

“These are very exciting times, Cesar,” said Stanislovas, “Change is coming. Our cause will be known.”

“I know it, cousin,” Cesar said gleefully, “I am so honored that I am the one to set things in motion.”

Their car came upon a pass between two rocky mountain faces, the only way to or from Anglis by road. The rest of the valley is surrounded by craggy mountain and thick forest that is only barely traversable in a small number of places. During winter, problems can occur if the area experiences abnormally heavy snow in a short amount of time. During that season, keeping the pass clear is always priority number one.

Cesar and Stanislovas cleared the pass and turned off of the highway down a road that encircle the town. After a few minutes of travel, they pulled off to the side of the road and trekked up the mountainside. At the top, there was Leonas Pakalka, a man barely older than Stanislovas, and also the leader of their small band they had gathered. With him, there were two other men.

Leonas gave Cesar and Stanislovas a brief greeting before turning their attention back out to the town. The five of them were positioned in one of the very few places one could access the town other than the main road. “The day is done at the mine,” stated Leonas, “It is best we carry out our task now, for we are not horrible monsters. We shall not stoop to the levels of the men who fund and run the massive iron beasts that spew smoke into the air disturb the land and it’s first inhabitants.”

Cesar’s eyes gleamed as he listened to Leonas speak. While Stanislovas may be his mentor, Leonas was his idol.

“Cesar,” said Leonas, “You have done good work. I believe that it is only right for you to begin our first offensive against the tyranny and dangers of industry.”

“Are you sure?” Cesar asked, dumbfounded by the honor bestowed upon him.

“Yes, Cesar. The honor is yours.”

Leonas handed him a small device with a screen that displayed in red the word, “ARMED”. The five men gathered looked out onto the town and the mine as Cesar pressed one of the buttons on the device. The earth shaked and soon a column of fire shot out from the mine’s entrance. Rock slid down all around it and crashed through the structures that were near the mine itself. Flames raged inside the mountain as the seam of coal was set aflame.

The group cheered as they saw panic take hold in the city. Cesar had been smuggling explosives into the man ever since he began work there. They were controlled from the radio device in Leonas’s possession. The men saw their crippling of the mine as the first strike against heavy pollution and rampant industry. That was now several million tons of coal that would only burn under the earth instead of into the air.

“Excellent work, gentlemen,” said Leonas, “But it is now time that we leave. My device, please.”

Cesar obliged and returned it to his leader and watched as Leonas changed the frequency on it. They all piled back into their cars and returned out to the highway and drove away from Anglis.

Once they were a ways out, more explosives went off along the two mountain faces. The road was cut off by massive amounts of heavy rock sliding into its path, effectively cutting off the city from the outside world.

Cesar quickly turned back and smiled when he heard the blast. Stanislovas, however, turned him around and said with a wide grin, “Cool guys don’t look at explosions.”

Cesar returned the grin and turned his attention to the road ahead.

They continued down the road for about half an hour mostly in silence before Stanislovas broke it, “Your father would be very proud of you, Cesar. This overabundance of factories and mines destroyed his lands. And they also destroyed him when he tried to protect him. Those factories and plants poisoned the water. They poisoned his livelihood. You’re doing the right thing.”

“Do you have to bring that up?” Cesar responded with some menace in his tone, “I know what happened. I know why I’m doing this. I lived it.”

“Good. Well you’re a hero to this entire organization now. Get some rest, you’ll need it if you want to be ready for a hero’s welcome.”

by **Bears Armed** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:09 am

“Good morrrning, Bears Armed!”
“This is ‘Sports Report’, and I am your host Berrrian o Westfells. With me here in the studio today I have Marra SunDaughter — the once-and-now-again captain of the ‘Bear-Belles’ — to discuss the forthcoming World Cup and our girls’ plans for qualifying.
“Firstly, Marra, if you don’t mind, maybeso you would explain that “once-and-now-again” side of things for the sake of any of our listeners who don’t already know the details?”

“Well, Berrian, that’s one of the more complicated parts of the situation. As far as I am concerned — that’s this version of me, anyhows — I was the team’s captain for our ‘Baptism of Fire’ and for the World Cup campaign immediately after that, which was World Cup number FiveEights-and-four, then was one of a bunch of urrs who got swept up by a strange swirl of crrimson light on the pitch during a practice session at PlumTrees Park then fell back out of it again onto the pitch at what was to me a new stadium out at Wimbley… and who were told that this was now rrather more than a yonkh* of years after the most recent date that we could remember…
“But there’s been another “me” who was actually ‘here’ all of the time hrright through that period, too, serving not only as Captain of the Belles but as their manager as well after our old guv’ner Arri Thunder retired, and had all sorts of adventures — which included getting mystically hrrestored from late middle age back to rrelative youthfulness, at one point — along the away! We’ve met, of course, but our lives have differed by enough that she’s no longer “me” and I’m not — and aren’t likely to become, neither — “her”…”

“So you’re hrreally from an alternate rreality’, like the one that’s home to the nation of ‘Armed Bears’, rrather than from our own — well, my own, and that of most of the audience, anyhows — native Urrrth?”

“Not exactly, no, or so I gathered from hwhat the ‘experts’ hwhom the government gathered together to study this situation eventually said. Their latest opinion seems to be that I and the friends who’d fallen through time with me are from this verry same Urrth but that hwhatever caused that strange force to “jump” urrs forwards through time like that somehow split the structure of Reality temporarily so that two possible versions of our single world could somehow co-exist as equally valid alternatives during the intervening years and then merged again once we arrived at Wimbley. The term ‘quantum’ was being used rrather a lot during hwhat I heard of those discussions, and the official report includes a lot of theorising about a concept called Hypertime**… but anyhows, can we talk about the Football instead? That’s easier to understand, I think, for me and likely for most people listening.”

“Hokay.
“So, anyhows, after you and the other three ‘old-timers’ arrived at Wimbley in the present day, how long was it until BAAS offered you captaincy of the Belles — and your friends all places in the squad as ‘starters’, too — again?”

“Just one eightDay and two days, that was. They had already been planning to make MAJOR changes in the team’s lineup, after the disappointments of the previous few Cups, and maybeso saw our surprise ‘transfer’ as a sign from the good spirits… and, anyhows, there we were with good records and arguably with valid contracts too…”

^_^

_______________________________________________________________

OOC

* One ‘yonkh’ = one-eightSquared, i.e. sixty-four.
** ‘Hypertime’ was a concept that somebody at DC Comics invented back during the period when they’d stopped having a ‘Multiverse’ (1985-2005], so that they could still write ‘alternate reality’ stories that counted as being within canon. As I planned on using various other concepts “borrowed” from DC in my RP for the last Cup (and, for that matter, for two or three before then as well), although I ended up not doing much with the idea after all, this seemed an obvious way to reintroduce new versions of some of my old favourite players.

by **The Royal Barangay** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:28 am

WORLD CUP 69 - QUALIFIERS
We Meet Again
by Roman Barlaan

SANGTi - The Royal Barangay National Football Team (KPB Rank: 38) are facing some familiar foes in the previous World Cup which the Agilang Dilaw qualified. They were drawn into Group 9 where Blouman Empire and Carialus head the teams they will face in their quest for consecutive qualifications into the finals, which will be held at Apox and The Holy Empire. However, Rick Martinez's squad will hope not to struggle after a disastrous campaign in the Campionato Esportiva, in which they failed to win their last three matches despite being the top seed in their group.

The squad from the Campionato was retained, with the domestic season yet to be underway. It is expected that some youngsters from the Di Bradini Cup squad will link up with the senior squad, particularly Josue Amio, who played his last Di Bradini Cup due to age. Like the senior squad, the U21 squad failed to make the knockout rounds after losing in the last matchday.

There will be familiar foes this time around, as Carialus (KPB Rank: 78) were in the same qualifying group as the Agilang Dilaw, and that team probably wants revenge, as the 4-1 spanking they got against the Group 18 winners was ultimately the result that put the then-called Kings (now they are called The Comrades) out of contention for qualification, and ensured a playoff spot for the Agilang Dilaw. However, also in this group is Blouman Empire (KPB Rank: 15), the team that put the Agilang Dilaw out of the finals after a 4-3 defeat in Matchday 3, allowing Felix to snatch the qualifying spot instead of them. With the top seeds playing TRB in Matchdays 7 and 15, it is imperative for the Barangayans to get good results early on and avoid any possible slip-ups on the run-up to those matchdays.

Making up the group are Nassau-Hessen (KPB Rank: 116), Torisakia (KPB Rank: 142), Red Blackiland (KPB Rank: 223), The Jasminia Islands (KPB Rank: 278) and Green Highland (KPB Rank: 326). The group in general could be tricky, with the Nassau-Hessen, Torisakia and Red Blackiland looking to pull upset wins against the top three seeds.

Schedule
Home matches will take place at the Estadio Olimpico, Sangti. (see Roster for stadium info)
Matchday 1: vs Carialus
Matchday 2: vs The Jasminia Islands
Matchday 3: at Torisakia
Matchday 4: vs Nassau-Hessen
Matchday 5: at Green Highland
Matchday 6: vs Red Blackiland
Matchday 7: at Blouman Empire
Mid-Qual: TBA
Matchday 8: at Carialus
Matchday 9: at The Jasminia Islands
Matchday 10: vs Torisakia
Matchday 11: at Nassau-Hessen
Matchday 12: vs Green Highland
Matchday 13: at Red Blackiland
Matchday 14: vs Blouman Empire

TRB Team News
With minimal preparation after the Campionato and the league not yet resuming, the Agilang Dilaw foucsed on tactics and set plays. However, with questionable match fitness around the squad, the team might struggle and will have some rust in their plays in the opener. The good news is the squad is in a clean bill of health, so expect a full strength squad for the first match.

OOC: Lineup against Carialus - Balido (GK); dela Vega (RB), Bautista (c) (LB), Arceo (CB); Amio (RM), K. Khan (LM), Belga (CDM), Linsangan (CDM), E. Khan (CAM); Corsiga (FW - Attack), Uy (FW - Support) [Formation: 3-5-2, particularly 3-2-3-2]

by **Schiavonia** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:40 am

"You do know how to operate that thing?"

Kenny Sanderson VI was doing his usual press work in anticipation of each match, and it was now time to give an interview to SIBN's Kevin Smith. And Kev's reputation is not exactly as the best reporter.

"Kenny, you gave me the instructions after the Baptism of Fire," he insisted, "I can operate it now! It's the red button, then switch on and talk."

Kenny had that look on his face that only comes when you've explained something simple a thousand times to someone who still doesn't get it. "No, Kev. You have to switch it on first. Otherwise it isn't on when you hit the big red record button."

"Er... yes," Kev stuttered, "that's what I meant."

"And you're not going to ask irrelevant questions, are you?"

"No. I'm under strict instructions from the management to keep it brief and to the point." The keenness in Kev's voice brought a slight wry grin to the manager's face.

"Ah, OK. Well, do you want to get to it?"

"Let's get it done! So... switch on, red button..."

And so, away he went.

"Hello, you're listening to SIBN, I'm Kevin Smith. Ahead of Schiavonia's opening match against the best ranked team in the multiverse - Polar Islandstates - at the King Francesco Stadium, with me is Sloths manager Kenny Sanderson VI. Kenny, wht do you think our chances are against the Terns?"

"Well, obviously the odds are against us, so..."

"Brilliant! Thank you, Kenny."

"But I..."

"Thanks!"

by **Nassau-Hessen** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:47 am

Group 9 Preview

Competitor - Ranking - Name

Royal Barangay - 38 - ?
*Jasminia Islands - 278 - New Saints
Torisakia - 142 - Ice Birds
Nassau - 116 - Eagles
Green Highland - 326 - Highlanders
*Red Blackiland - 223 - Dark Lions
Blouman Empire - 15 - FF Of Bloumany
Carialus - 78 - Comrades

*Competed In The Most Recent BoF

The Case For...

Jasminia Islands New Saints:

Stadium: Orange Blossom Pavilion, Port Louis (45,000)
Style: +3.75

These guys were part of the most recent edition of the Baptism Of Fire, and they definitely didn't go out without a fight. They can be very relatable to the Eagles in their premier, as they deservedly got past the group stage only to lose in the first game of the knockout stage (they lost to what would become the eventual second placed team by a one goal deficit, not too shabby). The tactics used by this team is an annoying process of the outer midfielders speeding across the offensive zone next to the out-of-bounds mark to set up a cross. Metaphorically and literally speaking, repeat steps one through three until you score (get the ball, take it down, cross pass). This tactic is called the Tiger due to its' high velocity of play. It may irritate the Eagles a bit, but as long as the defenders can stay on focus and block crosses (or at least kick the ball out of play beforehand) as they usually do, the squad could avoid a few crippling losses. The strategy of the New Saints is also very vulnerable to Nassau's renowned forte, counterattacking. The Jasminia Islands can be a pain in the buttocks for an overlooking superior team, but will most likely just remain at most that for this tournament, a nuisance rather than an actual competitor for a top spot,

Red Blackiland Dark Lions:

Stadium: Red Glorious National Stadium, (50,000)
Style: +1.2

The Red and Black are an interesting team for starts. Arguably one of the best in the Baptism this year despite being eliminated short of the quarterfinals (don't get me wrong, Jasminia did great too), Red Blackiland looks as if it will have a bright future. Maybe not in the first year, but with time, success may familiarize with this team. However, despite a pretty great BoF performance, the inexperience of the Dark Lions will most likely be the source of its downfall. Just as the previously featured team, Red Blackiland was also eliminated by the Fallenmark Islands in the knockout stage of the Baptism Of Fire in a close one goal differential as a final. The team has not committed to a specific set of tactics as of yet, but it will most likely be offensive because the team has shown a slightly aggressive nature in their play. It seems that RB may have a slightly larger potentiality than the New Saints and the Highlanders at the moment, but even with that small boost, they are most likely going to remain out of the picture as an advancing team for the most part.

Torisakia Ice Birds:

Stadium: Tokai Memorial Stadium (92,248), Tokai
Style: -2.5

The Ice Birds are ready to make a move in the football world. After a few years with a lack of consistent success, Torisakians are more hopeful than ever before that they may have fortune on their side this time around in the qualifiers. The Glacies Avibus (a name which may imply that these birds live near glaciers, according to Hessian experts) have a fairly defensive style to their play, and are more concentrated on avoiding goals scored against them rather than scoring goals (a style similar to the Eagles'). Games between Nassau and Torisakia are almost bound to be close due to both of their defensive natures and close rankings (also the fact that they are both named after birds, showing yet another connection between the two teams). Even with a strong roster and a positive morale, Torisakians cannot escape the potential fact that in whatever sporting event they participate in, there's bound to be a violent (and maybe even religion based) conspiracy. It happened at the Royal Alexandre, and many citizens believe there is nothing that is stopping it from happening again. Even a maximum amount of security over any activity always seems to fail. Will tragedy strike? Only time can tell, but some are convinced it already has.

Royal Barangay Gorillas / Eagles / FF:

Stadium: Nueva Ryne Estadi (30,000)
Style: +2.05

The Royal Barangay can be named many names. Sometimes known as the Gorillas (some nations, like Nassau still use this name), but with the emblem of an eagle and no official name, one fact is still undeniable about the Barangay. The fact states that they are currently a favorite to advance out of qualification. Although some technological errors have plagued the team staff and the incident at Libertad Sportswear has occurred and non-directly hurt the team, the roster remains in fairly good shape. The tactics of the team contains a part similar to Jasminians, only much more effective after years of perfection. The Gorillas / Eagles / Team can cause much trouble for the recently broken Nassau defense (and for many others in that matter), and any upset against them will require both near flawless field play and some luck. The Royal Barangay, offensive, experienced, overdogs, and yellow.

Green Highland Highlanders:

Stadium: ?
Style: +/- 0

These guys are nine times out of ten going to serve as fodder for the rest of the teams. With a rank higher than 325, there is very little hope for these fellas. The green and white are hopefuls, but hope is not enough in football. Any unlikely tie or win in favor of this team could be disastrous for their opponent, but alas, it seems that it's a near impossible cause. Does this team have a future? Probably not. Some optimists may devotedly cheer for an underdog such as the Highlanders, but they will reap no points when elimination time comes.

FF Of Bloumany:

Stadium: Bloumany Stadium (100,000)
Style: +0

Watch out! Here comes the heavy favorites. The Pentacolors (a name popular for Bloumany in Nassau) are within the twenty most powerful teams in the football world. They are full of a rich and successful history and rarely disappoint in a game. Their unique neutral style allows them to adapt to any situation and do whatever needs to be done, no matter how extreme the situation. In many onlookers opinions, they are heavy favorites to win the group, maybe even with a relative ease. The Hessen are probably going to experience a set of losses to these giants. If the Eagles are lucky enough to tie, by all means they must treasure the moment, for it may take a while to reach the same level of glory in a game. Bloumany's objective is clear, avoid upsets at all costs in order to reach the World Cup. This might be a tall order for the pentacolors, especially with teams like the Royal Barangay and Carialus, or potential favorite hunters like recent BoF graduates like the Jasminia Islands or Red Blackiland, it just so happens that Bloumany can rise to to any challenge with a high chance of success.

Carialus Comrades:

Stadium: Capital Field, Carialus (35,000)
Style: +3

The Carialus Comrades have had some recent success. Enough success to propel them to the 78th spot in the world rankings, that is. The Comrades tend to put plenty of emphasis on their midfielders. How so? Maybe through making half of their team (excluding the goaltender) solely midfielders. With a very up beat tempo of play, their strategy is most likely similar to the transitional method of the Eagles, only MUCH more offensive. Where they will land in the final standings is a complete toss-up. Their experience can put them near the top (maybe even in an advancing position some dare to say), but at the same time they can be overtaken by the spirit and persistence of other lesser teams. Like so many other unpredictable squads in this qualifying round, the main source of predicament for Carialus is going to be time. There is still much to be seen from this blue and gold (and red & white crossed) team.

All In All...

This group has talent, there's no doubt about it. The Hessen need to work feverishly if they want to achieve their goal of getting over the .500 mark. There will be obstacles, losses, and low points. If everything works as planned, the Hessen will reach that goal with no problem. Will they advance?? It looks quite grim taking into account all the quality teams, but anything is possible. Can the Eagles fly high, or will they be shot down? This is a fate that can only be determined in the field of battle.

Final Predicted Standings:

Note: No insults intended, anything can happen.

1. Bloumany
2. The Royal Barangay
3. Torisakia
4. Nassau
5. Red Blackiland
6. Carialus
7. The Jasminia Islands
8. Green Highland

by **Kiryu-shi** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:19 pm

Dear [Redacted],

The schedules for World Cup qualifying were released today. Although I’m sure you’ve heard, although I’m not sure if you’ve had access to actually see them yourself. You’ve told me before that you don’t really have access to the news in there, I still find it hard to believe that in this day and age you still have to suffer through that kind of lack of information. But from what you’ve said it seems like there are ways for you to find out that the schedules have been released, at least. There are eight teams in the group, the Kiri are in Group 17. For us, the path to the World Cup will look like this:

Match Day One: Terre des Gaulles v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Two: Kiryu-shi v Arkiasis
Match Day Three: Nephara v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Four: Kiryu-shi v Vaugania
Match Day Five: ORCA Bay v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Six: Kiryu-shi v Mehdonesia
Match Day Seven: Kandorith v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Eight: Kiryu-shi v Terre des Gaulles
Match Day Nine: Arkiasis v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Ten: Kiryu-shi v Nephara
Match Day Eleven: Vaugania v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Twelve: Kiryu-shi v ORCA Bay
Match Day Thirteen: Mehdonesia v Kiryu-shi
Match Day Fourteen: Kiryu-shi v Kandorith

We alternate playing in Sakaino and playing in other countries for every match of qualifications, which seems unusual from my brief reading through of the full schedule. Please let me know if you’d like me to send you the full schedule. I’d be happy to, I’m not sure how much you’re curious to see it, though. You probably remember a few of these countries from the last few World Cup qualifications, although I admit I’ve had to look up most of the information from scratch. Kandorith was familiar, but aside from that all of these nation names seemed new to me. Geography was never my strong suit, you know, and I haven’t payed as much attention to previous qualifications as you have.

Nephara is apparently the new name of New Sideburn, a nation you likely remember. They reached the Quarterfinals last tournament, and are ranked as one of the best teams in the world. From what I’ve read in the papers, they are an aggressive squad, with a penchant for physical play that will likely overwhelm us during this cycle. I’m sure you’re aware of our squad, and, well, you’ve seen the provisional roster by this point, I’m sure. We’ll be basically sending children to go up against a squad that seems as able as any to win a World Cup.

Kandorith is the second team likely to make its way out of the group, and a country that it seems many in Kiryu-shi are sympathetic to. While it isn’t politically similar to us, newspapers seem to be of the opinion that they are culturally similar, and there are those who want us to open our borders more than usually when we host them in the last match of qualifications. I suppose that will depend a fair amount on how previous hosting responsibilities go, but I suppose it’s promising that we’re looking outward to nations we may have something in common with. In terms of football, they seem to be an ambitious squad and fairly young, built around an emerging star in Méng Zeijí. They play a style similar to what Coach Miura seems to be working toward, so it will be interesting to see how we compare on the pitch. I would be football that you’d like, I think. It looks to be fast paced and reasonably exciting, even though we’re likely to be overwhelmed just on a physicality standpoint. But you always did say how much you liked freeflowing matches.

And Vaugania rounds out the teams that are ranked ahead of Kiryu-shi in the KPB rankings, although they are a fairly new team, having made the international debut in Baptism of Fire 53. It does seem odd to me that we’re considered such severe underdogs this World Cup. I have memories of when I was little and we’d be watching the Qualifications together and it seemed almost completely assured that we’d make it to the actual event - the Qualifications was primarily just for enjoying the sport. Although when I actually look back on the records, we had some close calls in some of those years, and once we made it to the World Cup we never really made the big splash you always were talking about. I suppose this time our ‘big splash’ would be simply to make it to a playoff, like we did eight years ago. Anyway, it looks as if Vaugania is going to have an aggressive, attack-minded team as well, so we may be in for some exciting football against the more polished teams in our group. Of which, it seems, we are not one.

As for the four teams that I doubt even you have never heard of before, Mehdonesia, Terre des Gaulles, and ORCA Bay, it appears that all three played in the most recent iteration of the Baptism of Fire, where ORCA Bay carried a fine attacking squad into the final 16, while Mehdonesia crashed out with just two draws in the group stage, and the Coqs of Terre des Gaulles just scratching into the first knock-out round. It remains to be seen how they’ll fair against high-quality international play, of course, but there is some reason to be relatively optimistic that we’ll do fairly well against them. Although again, it does seem as if they’ll be carrying rosters with even more experience and maturity than anything we’ll be able to throw on the pitch. I mean, I just don’t know if I have the faith that over the last eight years, we’ve been able to keep up a halfway decent national football training program, considering the size of our country and how isolated we’ve been. And the final team you haven’t heard of, I’d guess, is Arkiasis, who actually managed some decent results in the World Cup Qualification four years ago after a being sent home in a historic, 8-1 quarterfinal knockout of their Baptism of Fire.

Anyway, despite the fact that we weren’t communicating during the Qualifications four years ago, and just barely on speaking terms during the last time the Kiri were playing international football, I thought I’d do my best to keep you updated on what was going on. I know [redacted] is visiting you at least once a month, but I still don’t think I can handle seeing you face to face. And I know that any football news she gives you will be woefully inadequate. So, yeah. I thought it’d be best to write to you.

Oh, and by the way, our starting lineup is projected to be as follows:
FW: Hamasaki, Yukimura,
MF: Burkholder, Joyner, Seidel, Ueno
DF: d’Étaples, Hall, Irby, Cole
GK: Yamaguchi
with a bench of Crooks, Miyamoto, M. Francis, a’Ducézièt, Morris, Ito, J. Francis, Collins, Mizushima, Hendrickson, Briggs, Romero, and Tachibana.

I’ll keep in touch.

Sincerely,
[Redacted]

by **Pasarga** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:29 pm

Torgos Tribune ~ The Dawn of a New Era

After the tidings of a golden generation have come and gone, the Wanderers did something that no one thought they were capable of for at least another ten years, and they made the semifinals of the World Cup. Unfortunately for the side, getting to the semifinals was the only true feat to be able to be taken away from last cycle, after losing to the eventual champions in Vilita and then to the Polarians in the third place play off. Yet for a side who had entered World Cup 68 as just a middling footballing power whose success dipped and rose like that of a roller coaster, it is an achievement well worth the celebrating for those in the dual islands. However, that run into the semifinals has done another thing, it has served notice to the world of the latent ability of the players from our little dominion, and slingshot the side into the top 10 of the KPB rankings for the first time in the history of the national team program.

There is now also the burden of expectation placed upon the players, to not only live up to their ranking, but to meet and exceed the splendid accomplishment that the previous cycle brought. That will be a tall task, as the winds of fortune had blown quite favorably for the Wanderers to have achieved the success they did during the last cycle, with many of the favorites of the Cup finding themselves falling in form and getting knocked out in the early rounds. It was a World Cup full of strife and accusations of improper behavior from different corners of the world towards the World Cup Commitee and the duly elected hosts. Records went by the wayside and rankings in the KPBs meant nothing, though perhaps that is the way the game should be, where any team can actually win on any given matchday.

In the time between the cycles, there has been a bit of turnover in the Wanderer side, as well as the major shake up in the domestic game. Tobias Möller, the world class striker for the side, took his talents from the shores of Paulinthal and made his way north to the Polarians and the supposedly better league that they have. Josef Dvořák has lost his spot as the starting keeper, being the other big news this cycle, though not the only starter to lose their spot to a younger body. A bit of a surprise though is the young Jan Macík being thrust into the starting position at right back, despite minimal experience for club or country. It is a huge gamble from Aidé Hernádez but the manageress' record shows that her gambles pay off more often than they blow up in her face.

Looking at the group from which the Wanderers will look to qualify from, it seems fairly straightforward for the side, provided they play up to their talent level. The only real challenge to their odds of winning the group is The Royal Kingdom of Quebec, who is a bit of a rising power in the footballing world, though more famous for their athletes in the ice hockey. Much like the Wanderers, they are a team on the upswing, funneling in the effort needed to improve their national team, and it has seemingly paid dividends. The two sides will for my money be the two who advance from the group and their clashes on matchday 6 and 13 of these qualifiers will undoubtedly be the one who decides who shall win the group and who will be heading towards the playoff.

However, that said, the side still needs to be wary of the likes of Sandwich Territories and Yveltal, who possess the quality to spring a surprise or two themselves. Some would even go to say that the former will be in the mix at the end of the qualifying cycle for one of those two spots. While anything is quite possible in this crazy game of our, as the last World Cup has shown in a huge capacity, you still expect a certain amount of form and talent to come through at the end of the day. The grind of qualifying will see upsets and surprise results, yet it still should be the Wanderers and Quebec who will see themselves emerging from the group, and if all goes well, the Wanderers straight on towards Apox of The Holy Empire.

by **Kernansquillec** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:55 pm

A LOOK AHEAD TO WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

It's that time of year again! The World Cup is back and 192 nations are set to battle it out for the 32 places that are up for grabs. Kernansquillec's bid to seal its place in The Holy Empire and Apox for the tournament is in full swing: two pre-qualifying friendlies with Sameba and Independent Gredavcat have been planned while the Kernansquillecan FA has released the final list of the 18 players who will be representing the Green and Whites this time round.

The starting eleven against newly crowned Baptism of Fire champions United Eastedge is expected to be largely the same as at the recent Copa Rushmori, however former captain Silvio Quaby is not expected to start, Sandheart announcing at the start of the tournament that Adélaïde Noupen will be captaining the side for this World Cup. The bench however has changed a lot. 4 players join the senior side for the first time, Winter and Carrac of Guingamp, Lebeau of St Marie and Käufer of Rennes.

KBC football commentator Julia Greenes voiced her opinion about the squad selection:

The team has a lot more experience compared to the last World Cup which is a plus, especially with the 6 Guingamp players in the side. They have been playing well in the Champions' Cup and bossing the First Division. After a while, winning becomes a habit and it'll be one they won't want to be breaking just yet. Before the draw I would have said we stood half a chance of making the playoffs with this squad. However when you look at the teams they'll be coming up against, it is going to be difficult. But the Kers have enjoyed creating upsets in the past, so teams will be treating them with respect I'm sure.

There is no hiding the fact that the draw could have been a lot kinder to Kernansquillec that it has been. Double World Cup champions Audioslavia are the clear favorites to take the group being ranked as the third best team in the World right now. They will prove to be the toughest test this new era Kers team have faced to date. 40th placed Buyan are also a major cause for concern: the former Baptism of Fire champions qualified for World Cup 68 without losing a single match while also beating the winners of the Kers' group, Equestrian States, 5-2 on aggregate in the second round playoffs. Maklohi Vai are the team seeded 3rd in group 24, ranked 62nd in the World. They should be within the Green and Whites' reach, however the Atlantian Oceania residents are solid outfit who will hurt some teams during qualifying.

United Eastedge, the recently crowned Baptism of Fire champions, are also expected to be a threat. While they are only ranked 190th in the World it mustn't be forgotten that they are a side that will be coming into this tournament with the boost of being champions. Kernansquillec will have the honor of welcoming them into the footballing equivalent of manhood with the National Stadium set to host the two sides for the opening matchday. Lojal (179th), Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk gorod (258th) and Free Swiss States (358th) are the other sides in group 24. Not much is known about these three sides however few commentators are looking forward to the prospect of pronouncing "Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk gorod" when the time comes.

A FRIENDLY REVIEW

Kernansquillec scheduled two friendly games to prepare for the upcoming group games, the first of which will be against Baptism of Fire champions United Eastedge.

The first of the friendly games saw the Green and Whites travel to Rushmori neighbors Sameba. Ranked 73rd in the World and drawn in the very tough Group 23 Sameba are the type of side Kernansquillec will need to do well against if they want to qualify for the World Cup this time round. Sandheart fielded a very strong side and most expect that side to start the qualifying matches. Rennes' goalkeeper Kate Elyssa lined up in between the sticks. A back four of Cressac, Yegos, Dubois and Kellah were supported by the two sixes, Julia Fengouli and Di Bradini Cup starlet Isabelle Zorm. The front four were the same as usual with Iris and Poutre down the wings, Lilac up top with captain Adélaïde Noupen sitting in the number 10 position. Kernansquillec lined up in their away kit of white tops and green shorts, while Sameba wore their home kit of blueish green in front of a mainly home crowd at the Aspel Dellaro.

The game was an intriguing one, with both sides giving it a nice competitive feel, unlike some games where players seem more concerned about avoiding injury. The two different formations set up an interesting tactical battle between Sandbeart and Derei, with Kernansquillec looking for the counter while Sameba aimed to overpower Kernansquillec's defense with crosses from out wide.

The first goal was to come for the hosts. Pablo Dohi''s right-sided corner created havoc in the penalty box and after avoiding several players from both sides Andetel side footed the ball into the back of the net at the far post. Despite the goal the game had been balanced and it continued to be so. As half-time loomed, Zac Poutre found some space and broke into the box, only to be clipped by goalscorer Andetel. The ref had no choice but to give the pen and Lilac obliged, sending the keeper the wrong way to send both side into the break level.

The second half was also a tight affair, with both sides pushing for the win. Changes started to arrive for both sides as the coaches looked to give their squads a run out. However it was regular Fengouli who would settle the tie. Her 25 yard shot went though a crowd of players and was seen too late by Ayebler. That goal would prove decisive in this tie between two very well matched teams.

Sameba 1 - 2 Kernansquillec
Andetel 31' - Lilac 45'+1' (pen.), Fengouli 72'

The second game was at home against the unknown minnows of Independent Gredavcat. It was billed up to be somewhat of a procession to wish the Green Stalions good luck for World Cup Qualifying. However as Independent Gredavcat kicked off their first ever international football match at the National Stadium they proved that they were no pushovers and were holding Kernansquillec's much changed side. Center backs Dubois and Kellah along with midfielders Zorm and Poutre were the only players to keep their place in the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Ferly, defenders Cressac and Winter, midfielders Quaby, Carrac and Käufer and striker Lebeau all came in.

Kernansquillec's players did seem to be taking it a bit easy while Gredavcat were fired up for their first game, especially since they had nothing to lose not having entered the World Cup. An even first period ended all level. They only goal of the game came with less than 10 minutes of play left, Noupen converting Iris' cross just 3 minutes after replacing Quaby. The goal sealed the win that the home fans wanted, but it wasn't the most impressive of performances, even with the major changes to the team.

Kernansquillec 1 - 0 Independent Gredavcat
Noupen 82'

KICK OFF TIME: UNITED EASTEDGE UP NEXT

Kernansquillec will kick off qualifying by playing host to United Eastedge, the newly crowned Baptism of Fire champions. Ranked 190th in the World Eastedge will be the underdogs going into the tie, but Kernansquillec will need to be ruthless against a team that will be getting their first taste of qualifying.

Expected lineup: Ellysa; Cressac, Yegos, Dubois, Kellah; Fengouli, Zorm; Iris, Poutre, Noupen (c.); Lilac

by **Evraim** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:00 pm

The Daily Comet

Elation then trepidation: World Cup 69 and the uphill struggle

Allegrezza de Toledo, The Daily Comet

The nation received uplifting news from World Cup Committee earlier this week, when the aforementioned body succumbed to the legal arguments posed by a team of top-notch and mildly shady lawyers and guaranteed a spot in the tournament to Ha Izarayím. This was met with a favorable reaction from manager Azarya Narkis, head coach Yosef Beleván, and the team, not to mention millions of die-hard fans. Firework shows and block parties have broken out in most major cities, with Cor acting as the locus of the celebrations. The largest single port in Ha Duvénasíma saw the mood transition from elation to trepidation yesterday evening, following the draw for the group stages.

# Country GP W D L GF GD PTS
- Jecatria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Mizuyuki 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Thatius 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- HopNation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Northern Sunrise Isles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Evraim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Jeckland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Tryienne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ha Izarayím found themselves segregated into a competitive group, anticipating fierce matches against seasoned squads from Miyuzuki, HopNation, and the Northern Sunrise Isles. This has caused no shortage of protest from sports pundits, who complain that assignment to Group 1 is practically a death sentence for the croppy newcomers, though the footballers seem to have a different opinion. "I like this draw," striker Indamar Ulan told reporters, "It should be a challenge, an opportunity to prove that we deserve to be here. Yeah, qualifying might have been easier if we were playing against second-rate teams, but it would also have been dull and tiresome. I'm all for Group 1." This sentiment has been seconded by most of the team and supporting staff.

Evraim is set to play fourteen matches over a two and a half week period, with the first step of their World Cup drive coming later today. Beleván's men will take on a hastily assembled national squad from Thatius at their home stadium. An astounding performance from Ben-Ami and Ulan saw Ha Izarayím triumph handily over Atanatos in similar conditions, though the dynamics of the World Cup make such an outcome almost unthinkable. The Firebirds, led by head coach Max Djantschenko, will aim to take an easy victory over a team that has consistently disappointed during officious competitions.

Due to the gaps in the official roster, it is difficult to ascertain the attacking and defensive capabilities of the Firebirds, though their captain Jason Petković will probably serve as the principal play-maker, in addition to any roles he may adopt in spearheading excursions into Ha Izarayím's side of the field. He, along with Voloski and Ivanović, will confront stiff resistance from Panzieri, Benacerraf, Krzentowski, Szirmay, and Elharar, who form the centerpiece of Evraim's defense. As Thatius fields a well-balanced team, it is unlikely that Ben-Ami and Ulan will see plentiful opportunities to counterattack, but anything is possible.

Beleván has elected to employ the traditional 4-4-2 formation against the Firebirds, with no alterations to the usual lineup. He is expected to substitute the offensive-mined Erez da Silva in for the more meek Yosef Elharar if the game proceeds favorably, and the fleet-footed Avdil Šarho may assume responsibility for the left-wing when Misha Krzentowski begins to show signs of fatigue. We might even see an entrance for Melkamzer Kabédé or Vidal de Frigessy up front, depending on how physical the match becomes. All in all, Beleván has settled on his typical brand of attacking football, which should ensure the fascination of the audience, regardless of who comes out on top. We're expecting a lot of opportunities for both sides.

Analysts here at the Daily Comet have predicted a narrow margin of victory for the Firebirds (1-0), but then this wouldn't be the first time Evraim has pulled an upset. For a more comprehensive look at the predictions for each fixture, look into our analysts' column. For more information about the men's national team or the current fixtures, look at the official roster.

Allegrezza de Toledo earned a Masters in Journalism from the Raenez Institute for Media and Mass Communications in Genesaret. She is a deputy correspondent for the Daily Comet and the recipient of multiple awards recognizing excellence in sports reporting, including the prestigious Sefad Prize.

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by **Audioslavia** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:01 pm

Nip and Tuck
New Bulls boss takes a Sharp scalpel to the first team

New Audioslavia national team manager Lee Sharp has been candid in his approach to setting up the Bulls for what should be their seventh straight appearance in the World Cup finals. In what some could see as a risky move, the manager announced his first eleven to face former BoF champions Buyan the day before the game, and the announcement came with quite a few surprises.

When compared to the side that took to the field in the AOCAF Cup semi-final three months ago, just four familiar faces remain. Those four are the long-established back four of Tal, Polsson, Intxausti and Koskinen.

Goalkeeper Kajaxo Imaslavii has, of coure, retired, and the inclusion of Serge Rollins, impressive between the sticks for Cazadores Cathair in recent years, is an expected change, but the true surprises come at the top end of the field.

OUT: Jody Rijshaart. The former Oljestaden winger has been left on the bench by Sharp

IN: Zozi winger Aitor Jovellanos starts against Buyan

OUT: Gulls striker Arturo Hudson-Blake, long established up front, has been ousted from the first team.

IN: Thunchester City striker Hufdis Uulver will look to cement his place as starting striker.

The centre of the park will see Omaexavarria make his debut, with Bustos alongside, replacing the established order of Zerubeltzak, Kirk and Stone who had been deemed by previous bosses to be the preferred central midfielders. On the wings, Maati Jarvinen's inclusion at the expense of Robles and Johanssen isn't too much of a shock, considering his form for Alianza FC, but Rijshaart's relegation to the bench will be seen as a snub by most. In his place comes Izotza Zubia's teenage sensation Aitor Jovellanos.

Up front, Arturo Hudson-Blake's omission in favour of Hufdis Uulver has baffled some, but the taller, stronger Uulver's physical presence may turn out to be the thing the Bulls team need.

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is that of Ronda-Jude Styrn who, if she does start, will become Audioslavia's first female national team player.

Styrn's selection as an attacking midfielder was explained by Sharp as compulsory for the change in style of the national team. The national team has long been entrenched in a containing, counter-attacking mentality, and although the famous Kontrapuntzeka style has delivered World Cups to Audioslavian shores in the past, that the national team have had little success in recent years has been attributed by some to that overly defensive style, deemed ineffective against most modern opponents who seem to be comfortable with keeping their defenders back, with little space for Audioslavia to attack.

Sharp has long been a fan of a more pressing, possession based game, and the narrow pitch of the Kirola Arena, along with the traditionally high stamina of Audioslavian players, should allow such a tactic to work.

Those who question the wisdom of revealing your hand so soon before a game, as well as testing your new tactics against a Buyan team who many see as co-favourites to win the group, will be sharpening the knives for Sunday morning should anything go wrong.

by **United Eastedge** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:35 pm

World Cup 69 Qualifiers kickoff preview
Kernansquillec City, Kernansquillec

In just a few minutes, the entire world surely will be paralyzed when the first match day of the incoming World Cup Qualifiers begin. There are excelent saucers of today's billboard such as Kernansquillec facing the Baptism of Fire's champion, United Eastedge at the National Stadium or also called Green Jewel, in Kernansquillec City, Kernansquillec. Even though the Green and Whites will be a hard opponent to open with for the navies, those 110,000 persons definitely will be a nuisance for the team led by Masson as well.

Could you tell me more about the kers? Kernansquillec have not achieved something important yet. They were eliminated in the Semi-Finals of the Baptism of Fire 42, held in Legalese and Erathore on their debut tournament. If the information is not bad, the Green and White were eliminated twice in the Qualifying Stage of the World Cups 55 and 56 before they qualified for the World Cup 57 Finals, in which they were eliminated in the Group Stage, being third. In other tournaments such as the Copa Rushmori and the Cup of Harmony, the kers have just reached the Round of 16 and they were Quarter-Finalists in their unique participation of the Cup of Harmony.

It is expected to see Kernansquillec standing with Kate Ellysa (GK). Mary Cressac (RB), Julian Yegos (LB), Jean Dubois (CB), Stuart Kellah (CB), Julia Fengouli (DM), Isabelle Zorm (DM), Marie Iris (LM), Zac Poutre (RM), Adélaïde Noupen (CAM), and Peter Lilac (ST) on a 4-2-3-1 formation. Meanwhile Marcos Masson sends to the field, Enrique Sanders (GK), Matthew Alvarez (CB), Caleb Green (CB), Jaime Hall (CB), Wesley Hammond (LB/LM), Jonathan Bennet (RB/RM), Benjamin Holloway (CM), Daryl Agnew (RCM), Shane Dawson (LCM), Ray Woods (FW), and Andrew Hughes (ST) on a normal formation for the navies, the modern 5-3-2.

"I'll be a hard match. Sincerely I had never heard before nothing about The Green and Whites, but I took a look at his records and achievements and they're very good. Definitely, play in their home field will be an important factor for Kernansquillec in a few minutes, but we will try to show even more than we have showed so far. Hope to see navy spots in the grandstand; that will help us a lot in the field..." That's why Masson replied when United Eastedge arrived to the Green Jewel. Unfortunately, it os expected to see Kernansquillec defeating the navies in this first match considering the weather, the home field advantage and many mathematic calculations. But this is football dude and it can happen anything... We hope that.

by **Eura** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:52 pm

EURA GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS FROM STUTTERING TO SUPERB IN PREQUALIFYING
Kelly Sporadic insists that Eura are ready to "make up for the debacle last time"
Simon Banning reports

- Third choice selection stunned by San Jose Guayabal
- Second string edge out RKQ in thriller
- First team pull off hard earned win against Valladares
- Numerous changes to qualifying squad as defence is revamped following "Glasergate"
- Sporadic dismisses rumours of possible departure after this World Cup

Bad Memories

Throughout last summer, the Euran national team went through a very hard time. Despite finishing top of their group in World Cup 68 qualifying they had to go through a playoff system that was both controversial and ill advised, to say the least. When there, they faced Glaser, a footballing minnow with no apparent pedigree. Yet Eura inexplicably lost 1-0 to Glaser away from home, despite their utter domination of the match. In the return leg they managed to win 3-1 and qualify for the World Cup, but it was too close a shave. Eura's players looked tired after a congested calender and the defence was a mess as Heath and Curren underperformed massively, while Feeney was clearly not fit. They suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat by Barunia in the group stages (no doubt helped to their demise by some terrible officiating) before an embarrassing 0-0 dud against Glaser which left them on the brink. In their final game, a defensive error cost them again as Paradystopia won an undeserved 1-0 victory despite Tom Riley's efforts when he came on late into the game to make his final appearance for Eura. It was a disaster of a performance considering that the last two World Cup's saw us lift the trophy and then go out in the quarter finals to the eventual champions.

Eura appeared to have bounced back over the winter when they appeared at the Copa Rushmori, winning all three group games comfortably, including an impressive 3-2 victory over Saugeais. However Eura fell apart in the round of sixteen, under performing against Sargossa and going out on penalties; for the first time, Eura had lost two consecutive international penalty shootouts. The team had begun a transition at that Copa, one that continues now heading into this World Cup. Despite the wealth of young and medium aged talent at our disposal, the team still looks not quite complete even if on paper it is one of the five most talented in the world, regardless of what the rankings say.

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!"

The goalkeepers remain the same, though for now Carl Brommis has ascended over Ben Prince for the backup keeper spot. Chris Waller, despite one iffy league season, is in the prime of his career after a second Globe Cup win. It is in front of the goalkeepers where the real change is happening.

Nick Feeney's world class grip on the right back spot has finally been loosened after he retired from international football with 208 caps to his name, and 9 goals. In his place comes probably the most exciting talent Eura have had in that position since Feeney himself, Weylon Churchilli. Churchilli is an even more attack minded player who may as well be a winger at times and he will certainly be a massive danger to opposition defences, though some still query his defensive qualities despite his Defender of the Season awards and league titles. Gareth Dawkins, the backup right back, will be cursing his luck as he appears to have been unlucky enough to go his entire career without quite being number one. He deserves more than what he's got at the age of 29.

Michael Robertson has also called it a day at 162 caps while Lyle Heath, the former rock of the backline who became a liability at the last World Cup, has been supplanted and now sits in the reserves as he chases his 100th cap. Tim Curren has also fell out of the side after being our most abysmal player in that defensively forgettable campaign. It is the time of the young men in Eura's defence and they are led by the new centrepiece of the Directus defence, tutored by Robertson for years, 24 year old Craig Gilbert. Alongside him is Ulsa's Gavin Madison (Gilbert's club partner Millson is on the bench) with Mark Rogers of Revolutionaries also on the bench. Charlie Harris of Holdenberg is also in the squad. At fullback, another Directus defender has come into the fold. The time has come for Andrew Watson, whom people are calling the left footed Churchilli, to lead on the left at just 23 years old. His backup is the surprise selection 20 year old Anthony Cotra, who has put in some impressive performances for Falourr recently.

Eura's midfield is already stacked with both experienced and inexperienced talent, but its lost some key members recently. Captain Tom Riley has retired, the unfashionable metronome who won the World Cup people thought Thompson might lift. He will be sorely missed as his departure has coincided with that of Chad Parsons, the left winger who has plagued opposition defences for years. This will set the stage for John Spartan to truly ascend to his true calling as the leader of this team. Spartan already has 61 caps and 20 goals at age 25, and could probably play for another decade or more. The spiritual successor to the 301 cap legend Thompson now has his moment to shine as the core of the Euran team, despite Riley being a bench player last time out. Joining him is a star studded cast of midfielders who must live up to their potential now after what happened last time. Mike Adams, Gareth Blackthorn and the magician that is Craig Sinclair all have to perform this time around if they are to continue being called world class, especially after Sinclair was so quiet at the last World Cup. In reserve they have even more talent to challenge for places; Ryan King, Albin Oslograd, Glenn Anderson, Joe Robel, the recalled Kevin Colbert and Rob Bell, who has returned from a dip in form to resume his rightful place in the squad.

Somewhat unusually, Eura's preliminary squad has seven centreforwards and strikers, despite not really needing more than five given the wealth of attacking midfielders they have. It seems Sporadic is preparing for the future; Skorji Oslograd is already 32 though he remains the best striker in the squad, and one of the best in the world. Sam Ashtree went quiet a bit after his goalscoring frenzy in his first season in Astograth, but now is doing well in Valladares. However he is 28; in his prime but nevertheless not young. There are other older strikers in there too. Sam Thomas is a reserve now but the trustworthy centreforward remains nevertheless, though his international record is still slightly disappointing given that he is Euraleague's all time top scorer. Charlie Brady is unlucky to only have 4 caps and 1 goal at age 29 and if not for his scintillating form he may not have been picked, but he has paid the price for emerging late as a player and then showing loyalty to a small club. Similarly Liam Allen is perhaps unlucky to only have 8 caps and 3 goals at 27, though these figures will surely improve somewhat as he is now the third choice striker. Behind them are two wildcard selections; Michael Simpson, a highly rated prospect at only 23 who has not yet really had his chance, but is now getting recognition after an incredible season at Hornchurch. Behind him is Eura's first giant centreforward since Scott Daley, the 6ft 6in Frank Cardle, who is uncapped at 27.

Friends and Friendlies

Kelly Sporadic intended to rotate this squad and give everyone a game in the three prequalifying friendlies Eura played, though he might regret having played the third strongest lineup at home against San Jose Guayabal, who played a full strength team considering the aura of prestige that surrounds such a fixture for such a team. Eura paid for this weakness as SJG won a creditable victory against the following "play down the middle" lineup and subs:

STARTING - Prince (First cap), Dawkins, Harris, Heath, Cotra (First cap), Colbert, Bell, Anderson, Robel, Simpson (First cap), Cardle (First cap) SUBS - Brommis, Millson (First cap), Brady

In the second game, Eura traveled to the Royal Kingdom of Quebec and played a stronger, mostly second string side. An early Xavier Hertel goal put Eura behind but they responded well, surging to a 3-1 half time lead thanks to two goals from Sam Thomas (predictably a header and then a finish on the turn) and one from Ryan King. Glenn Anderson hit the post as the second half started but Quebec managed to nick back two goals both scored by Maksim Buchanevitch, before Liam Allen sealed the win with a superb strike.

STARTING - Brommis, Dawkins, Rogers, Heath, Cotra, A. Oslograd, Bell, Anderson, King, Allen, Thomas SUBS - Millson, Colbert, Ashtree

The third friendly was at home again, this time against Valladares; both sides were at full strength for this exhibition. It couldn't have started any better for Eura, who took the lead after just sixty six seconds. There were rumours that Skorji Oslograd was unfit heading into this game, but he didn't look it when he sprinted past Patrick Courtois to latch on to John Spartan's chipped through ball, lashing it past Fuentes with a perfectly timed half volley. However Valladares wouldn't go down without a fight and halfway through the first half they responded as their world class striker, who fired in a shot from the edge of the D after Eura failed to clear from a weak free kick. Yet Eura would be ahead once more before half time thanks to Craig Sinclair, who scored from a tight angle after tackling a hesitant Freddy Edwards.

Valladares started the second half sluggishly despite the efforts of Dimitri Campbell to motivate them. The game appeared to be up in the 62nd minute when Weylon Churchilli cracked an absolute ripper past Fuentes. However the away side would fight back valiantly, and bringing on Michael Tello in the 76th minute changed the game. The Ulsa forward, surprisingly excluded to sixth in the list of Valladares forwards after stunning domestic and UICA campaigns in recent years, scored with only his second touch as he cleverly directed a low cross between Craig Gilbert and Chris Waller. Tello could've got an assist for a last gasp equaliser with an exquisite through ball in stoppage time, but his Ulsa colleague Ruben Morantes let the side down by blasting wide when through on goal. Lyle Heath also came off the bench to win his 100th cap.

STARTING - Waller, Churchilli, Gilbert, Madison, Watson, Adams, Blackthorn, Spartan, Sinclair, S. Oslograd, Ashtree SUBS - Heath, Bell, Brady

The Qualifying Group: Who are they?

Plenty of foreign observers have scoffed at Eura's supposed luck in drawing this group, one they might have needed after doing so badly in the last tournament past this stage. However, its not quite that simple. It is true that Eura are perhaps the most proactive footballing nation of the group at the moment, and the other FA's have been suspiciously quiet about their squads, let alone what they think their chances are. But several decent sides are in this group other than Eura, who have their own problems. The Licentian Isles may have a poor record against us but they are a good side who we play regularly, who will be looking to avenge some bad recent results against us. Charruterra are an undermanned but talented side who have previously beaten big teams. We know that Milchama and the Holy Forden Church can play. Only Viinborg, Lavertezzo and Lons remain particularly alien to us. Nevertheless, as we found out last time, complacency can never go well for an odds on favourite. One of our most important games, home against the Licentians, comes first.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:57 pm

23:41, 21st November 2014
Port of Scheveningen, Cairnskillen

The small dinghy approached the quayside silently under the cover of darkness. The seabirds were all asleep, but for a few hardy souls whose natural sleep patterns had been all but obliterated by the ever expanding presence of man's artificial light. The twenty-four hour clattering and metallic shunting of the cranes in the harshly floodlit docks carried loudly on the breeze towards them, but despite this an outboard motor would still have been audible on this most crucial of nights, and so the four members of the boat were all using paddles. Without a word, the figure at the front held up a shadowed arm and pointed towards the larger of two container ships that were moored ahead of them. The figure at the back nodded and expertly stuck a paddle into the passing water. The boat obliged, and arced towards one of the two tugboats still tied up alongside the exposed port side of the container ship they were aiming for.

Unusually for a large town in Valhalla, Scheveningen was not blessed with a natural deep water harbour. The shallow bay on which the town's shale and shellfish history had been based dominated the eastern shore of the peninsula Scheveningen was perched on, at the southern tip of Cairnskillen's Nordoya, and was totally unsuitable for heavy ship traffic. However, as the capital of one of Rushmore's increasingly significant regions, it had long been realised by the old Communist regime in Fallenmark that Scheveningen needed better sea access. Dredging a channel was ruled out, and so the Port of Scheveningen was founded on the western side of the peninsula. Blessed with deep water, and only a short trip by road or rail to the capital across land, the port flourished. The difficult approach and limited quayside space meant however that the mega-ships of today found it increasingly difficult to fit themselves in, and the presence of the tugboats was increasingly important.

Fortunately for the owners of the megaships, these made it easier to dock without trouble. Unfortunately, what nobody had considered up until now was that tugs moored up against the container ships could allow access to the ships to anyone with nefarious intent, hidden from any security on the docks by the mass of the very boats they were intending to board.

The dinghy drew up against the tugboat gently, and all four figures jumped out athletically to tie their craft up alongside. The leader of the group looked from one container ship to the other, double checking their target. But there was no chance of mistaken identity. To the right of them, the smaller ship PVTCo Dawn Vector was laden with black containers, her hull painted in the simple white and black livery of PVTCo. The cranes were working hard on her, and the area around her both on deck and on the quayside was full of activity. Looming over the four however, was the unmistakably garish blue swirls of the BlockCom livery. The BC Raven Coast. Their target.

Without a word, the quartet scaled the exterior of the tugboat, jumping like gymnasts and quickly reached the top deck whereupon the third figure reached into their bag and brought out a grappling hook gun. With a puff of compressed air, the hook sailed upwards into the night until its metallic prongs were nothing but reflections of dotted lights from the port, lost amongst the backdrop of the stars. There was a satisfying thud metres above them, and the first figure pulled on the rope, tentatively testing the load-bearing capacity of the slender fibres.

"Okay," he said, grunting in a hoarse whisper and waving with his right hand, "Peters, you first."

"Sir." came the response, and the first woman started shimmying up the rope as the tools hanging from her belt swung like pendulums.

'Sir' looked up into the night, but the elusive figure of Peters was already almost indistinguishable from the night sky. He reached into his own bag and pulled out a pair of night vision goggles. Military issue. Never used before. He turned them on, looping them around his face, and squinted up once again. The hazy green figure of Peters immediately came into view. She was almost at the top.

"Right," said Sir, "you're next, Sparrow."

"Is it safe?" whispered Sparrow in return, the nervous look on her face masked by the thick woollen balaclava but betrayed by the quiver in her voice.

"Of course it's bloody safe," said Sir contemptuously, "now get up there."

Michaela didn't stop to argue a second time and was soon scaling the rope with an ease that contrated with her nerves, putting gloved hand over gloved hand as the deep black jumpsuit attempted to reflect as little light as possible, making her invisible to any security men that may have been watching. Unless anyone turned on the lights on the ship, she wouldn't be seen from the land with only the inky black sky to backdrop her, and especially not from anybody working on the PVTCo Dawn Vector next door as their eyes were working under floodlit environments. Only Sir was able to pinpoint her location with his goggles.

"Amazing really, isn't it?" said the fourth figure cheerfully. Sir turned, his body language not quite so cheery, "all this top specification stuff, I don't know where it's come from."

"Our Leaders have their sources and their sponsors," grunted Sir, "it is none of our concern where it comes from."

"Okay, okay," said the fourth figure, "I was just having fun with the grappling gun, Henrik. No need to go all secret agent on me."

"Solar, Max, how many times? It's code names whilst we're out in the field." snapped Sir, or Solar, as he was to be called.

"Sorry, Sir. Solar." said Max, pouting.

"Now, you stay here and get on with your part of the mission," said Solar, beginning to climb the rope, "and turn on your radio and keep watch once you're done."

"Right, yes Sir." said Max, getting a second grappling gun and a set of his own night vision goggles out of his back as Solar ascended into the night.

Rolling over the handrail, Solar adopted a pose that kept him close to the ground. His sensitive ears swept the area, but he could hear nothing but the sounds of the cranes working next door. He turned on his radio and his earpiece crackled into life as he started gathering up the rope behind him and preparing for the quick abseil down that would be required at the end of the evening.

"Sound off, over." he whispered.

"In position on top deck, Sir," came the voice of Peters, "all clear, repeat, all clear. No visible guard activity on deck level. Over."

"Good, Sparrow, do you copy? Over."

"Copy that," said Sparrow through the radio, her reception clearly affected by something as the sound crackled and popped along, "have located the crew's quarters. Deck three. Four males in attendance, I make that the entire crew. Over."

"Copy, Sparrow," said Solar, making his way to the containers on his thick rubber soles with as little sound as possible, "continue to engine room as per directive. Access should be on deck one, two below you. Over."

"Roger that, over." said Sparrow her reception getting worse.

Solar paused as he thought he heard a noise. Walls of multicoloured containers rose up around him as he heard the unmistakeable noise of a crane moving overhead. He could see faint profiles of light peeking over the top of the corrugated metal canyon he was in. The light source was moving.

"Peters, what's happening?" he hissed into the microphone, "Are they unloading?"

"Just a crane, sir," came the reply, "don't worry. The cockpit is looking away from the ship, we're fine. They're moving it away from us so they can help with the ship next door. Nothing to worry about, they don't know we're here. Over."

Solar let out a sigh of relief and continued stalking his way to the designated points. The whirring and clanking of the crane was distinctly unsettling, but he tried to put it out of his head as he made his way to the nearest line of containers to the quayside. It was bad enough that they hadn't expected the dockhands to be working on the next door ship, let alone the chance that they were working on their target. Fortunately, their intel had been spot on. Four members of crew, all in their quarters. Just like Sparrow confirmed.

He looked around for the tell-tale staircases on the side of the boat. The weakest points of the guardrails. Okay on a human scale, but a toppling container would rip straight through them and onto the quayside below. He reached around to his backpack and pulled out the hardware. Explosives. Big showy ones rather than penetrative ones or destructive ones. The aim of his part of the scheme was merely to create the big show. Some booms, some bangs, a lot of showy explosions made by the kit that had come from the film studios, and some carefully positioned charges that would make a whole row of toppling crates the length of the deckc that would slide off the boat and onto the quay below, creating a weight imbalance that would then work in conjunction with Sparrow's part of the plan to hopefully sink the ship. Peters was the lookout on the very tallest part of the superstructure, and Max was busy painting their message on the side of the BC Raven Coast that would end up staring straight up at the sky.

"Sir," said Sparrow over the radio, "there's a problem, over."

"What problem, over?" snapped Solar by way of reply.

"This engine room, its not like the schematics we studied. Over."

"How do you mean? It has to be, over." said Solar, his stomach lurching as he thought about the possibility of a mission failure.

"No, I mean, I can see how it used to be, but they've moved stuff. Refitted it. More efficient equipment. That kind of thing. Over."

"So?"

"So, Sir, the weak points aren't weak points anymore. They refitted her. They fixed that problem. This isn't an engine I've studied before. I can't sink this ship anymore. Not without a lot more explosive or a blueprint."

Solar swore and nearly hit his hand against the container he was next to in frustration, realising at the last minute that that wouldn't have been a bright idea given the live charge he held in his hand. With excessive concentration, he set the charge down carefully and set the timer to the same radio frequency as he'd set the others.

"Okay, so, backup scenario," said Solar calmly, "reckon you could start a fire? Over."

"I reckon so. Over."

"Okay, then do that. Maximum damage. Put her out of action. That will have to do. Over."

"Copy that, over." said Sparrow.

"Erm, Sir?" said Peters, butting in.

"Peters?"

"You might want to hurry it up. They've another crane coming in, but its coming from even further down. It's rolling along and the cockpit is pointed straight at us and beyond us to the Dawn Vector. They'll see you moving around down there, over."

"Okay, copy that. I'm done," said Solar, not wanting to take any chances whatsoever, "that will have to do. I finished around ninety percent of them. That'll do. Status report?"

"Coming down, see you at the abseil point. Over." said Peters.

"Charges set, I'm coming up. Over." crackled Sparrow.

"Good, Max?" said Solar.

"All done, waiting for you on the dinghy." came the response.

"Is she beautiful?" smiled Solar as he quickly paced his way across the metal deck towards the stairs that would take him to the abseil point.

"Oh, she's got our name written across her ten metres tall in big red letters," said Max, "I'm practically high on fumes. She'll look gorgeous. Over."

"Excellent."

"Sir, Sir!" came a sudden cry from Sparrow, a hoarse whisper that made everyone freeze in their tracks.

"What is it?" asked Solar, paused in mid-step just two levels above the abseil point. He could just make out Max below him, and he could hear the footsteps of Peters on a gangway somewhere above.

"I've just been past the crew's quarters," continued Sparrow, "and only three of them are in there. Over."

Solar looked up. Maybe it wasn't Peters...

TBC

by **New Wolfopolis** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:59 pm

Baker's Ball Blog
WCQ69: MD1

The first game of the Wolfpack's Road to the World Cup begins today, with a home match against The Blaatschapen. New Wolfopolis will be starting their default eleven, rolling out their new 4-4-2 formation. Nicholas Pollard will be leading the team, as captain. We had a chance to speak with Pollard about today's match.

"Well, we're definitely excited," he said. "We think we have a pretty good shot of starting this campaign off with a win. They're a debuting side, and we're fairly new, but I'd like to think that we'll be able to pull this one off. We're definitely not taking anything for granted, however. We're going to go out there, and give it all we've got. Our performance against The Blaatschapen will definitely be one that counts. If we don't play our best, we can make mistakes, and we don't want to give them the game. Obviously, we'd love to get a win here, and it will be necessary, but we have to work hard. I know [this blog] has predicted us to get fourth, some have even gone as high as third, but for that to even be in our dreams, we have to win this first match. I'm looking forward to it."

The Blaatschapen has not yet named their starting eleven for today's match, nor in fact the squad they're sending to New Wolfopolis. This will certainly be a fun match to watch. You can do so, with the game live on NWSN. You could also attend in person, at the Campana Bowl in downtown Lupinia.

As for predictions, New Wolfopolis leads their experienced side to the pitch in front of the home crowd, against a barely-tested squad from The Blaatschapen. After going through one qualifying stage, the Wolfpack knows what it will take. Their five wins last time around were perhaps more than people expected, but nonetheless, they have some high expectations set by people domestically and internationally. The Wolfpack will play to win, and they'll probably do so. 3-1 Wolfpack. But of course, we'll have to watch it to see how it goes.

by **Apox** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:39 pm

Scores

"I say old boy, this football lark seems to be topping popular, wot"

"Quite my good man, the ordinary folk really seem to be getting into the swing of it, wot"

"Well I do say you're probably right there, old boy, although it's not just the ordinary folk"

"What, wot?"

"Well, old Quentin Farmington-Bramblehyde from the northern estates is quite excited for this whole football jolly"

"Well, he was always a bit of a progressive one, wasn't he old boy?"

"Oh, I do say, the matches look like they're about to be underway. Thompson, be a good chap and get one a gin."

Matchday One Cut-Off

by **West Angola** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:50 pm

Part One: Little Anna and Father Patrick

Part Two: The Prime Minister and the Reluctant King
The pain had subsided enough for Anna to fall into a fitful sleep around three o’clock in the morning, but as she drifted off she thought she heard the not-Priest’s voice in her mind, “Remember what I said, little Anna, or I will be back. And you won’t like it.”

Her priest had listened attentively to her confession, as she explained to him all that the man who’d hijacked his face had told her about her condition, and offered her some of the advice she’d learned to treasure so valuably from the wise old cleric.

“Father, I am no longer a young woman, I don’t know if I can bear the pain this barbarian says he will visit on me. However, if we withdraw from Cabinda, given his love of chaos and destruction, I cannot fathom the terror we shall unleash there.”

Fr. Gaalaas’ face was drawn, unreadable, “You created this situation, if you had not toppled the government none of this would have come to pass.”

Anna nodded, “I know, Father, and I have begged God for forgiveness for that more times than I can count. But now that we have caused this disaster, we cannot simply stand back and allow the slaughter to continue. Leaving Cabinda is the worst thing I can do for either nation, and at any rate Parliament would never allow it. I may not have made the right decision to order Lieutenant Nichols to do what he did, but I’d be doubly wrong to order a sudden withdrawal after all that’s happened and all that will happen.”

“But is that why you are reluctant? Your policy towards Cabinda thus far give me little reason to believe your motives are so pure.”

“Father, I know what you think of my actions, and I will not lie to my confessor and say that I do not desire Cabinda back under our control, but I tell you truly that the chief reason for my reluctance is the slaughter that will result in the north. I’ve done many terrible things, and made a lot of hard decisions during my rule, but I swear to you and to God that I want to do something for the right reason for once.”

During the course of her soliloquy, Anna’s eyes had dropped as she recalled some of the decisions she’d made during her rule of West Angola; the lies she’d told her people about her father’s death, the assassination of President Raven, even the invasion itself. She’d told herself these were decisions made with the best interests of the country in mind, but in her heart she’d known that her ambition was driving her. Cabinda had been the crown jewel of West Angola’s extraterritorial possessions, and her desire to hold onto it had fueled her sin. As she looked up, however, Father Gaalaas’ face had changed again. Not the face itself, this time, but his expression, which had been mildly accusatory, was understanding.

“I believe you, Anna. Is there anything else you would like to confess?”

“No, Father. Thank you.” Father Gaalaas said the words of absolution, and Anna said her Act of Contrition. As the Priest opened the door to let the doctors back in, Anna felt fatigue overwhelming her, and as she drifted off she heard the not-Priest’s voice, reminding her again that despite the absolution, she was not yet free.

The Next Morning
The morning news feeds were exploding with the news of Anna’s illness well before she awakened, but she felt well enough when she did so to tell the doctors to allow visitors. Her husband, Alexi, had been in as much as possible, but he had been forced to serve as regent in the Queen’s absence and was unable to be with her that morning, so her first visitor was the only other living person to sit on the Throne of Sien, Luke Parrish, pushing a wheelchair holding Kevin Garret. Like her, the former Prime Minister was terminally ill, but his affliction at least was known, and Anna felt a wave of empathy for the man who had dominated West Angolan politics for fifty years and was now hurled to death’s door by pancreatic cancer.

Wheeling Garrett alongside Anna’s bed, Parrish stepped back to allow the two to talk, but both waved him back in. Parrish and Garrett were roughly the same age, men from her father’s generation, but Parrish had been inadvertently subjected to a series of chemical concoctions by William Danforth Sr., August II’s chief enforcer, during the coup, and had seen forty years taken off of his life. Parrish and Garrett had formed the nexus of West Angolan public life for over half a century, when Parrish had led the military arm of the revolution while Garrett led the political charge against August’s cronies in Parliament, and had subsequently served as King and Prime Minister after the populace elected an unwilling Parrish to the throne and rolled Garrett’s Freedom Party into the majority in Parliament in the second-biggest election swing in West Angolan history.

While Garrett had seen his political fortunes ebb and flow, and Parrish had abdicated following the failed coup, the two had remained in the public eye ever since. Parrish had helped lead the football team to two World Cup qualifications, and Garrett had served as King Sien’s right-hand man through joining of the Eurasphere and the formation of The Plan. Garrett had resigned from Parliament eight years ago after Z-Day, bringing an end to a fifty-year career that had spanned four monarchs, but he still commanded enormous respect in Namibe. Parrish had never wanted to rule anything, he’d been an athlete and had jumped at the chance to return to that life, but in his time as King he’d proven himself a brilliant administrator, and Anna was thankful beyond words for the opportunity to discuss the dilemma with these two legends of government. Beckoning to the men, encouraging them to lean in, Anna whispered softly, “There’s something very important you both need to know. My illness isn’t natural…”

As Anna described the previous night’s visitor, Parrish realized who she was describing, and his mouth formed a single letter, containing more anger, hate, and frustration than any other ever had, a silent accusation that echoed across space, and across time.

Far away, and immeasurably close, in the void between reality and dreams, Q heard him and laughed.

by **Nephara** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:57 pm

Snowy Sleet
It could be hard, at times, to grow up a platinum blond.
Any physical feature that stood out, honestly. Fat kids. Short kids. Left-handed kids. But the hair? That was totally up there. Still - being called Snowy suited him. He never really liked 'James', or any variant thereof.
'Snowy' Sleet. Christ. His father's name, his mother's hair, and skill to surpass both - neither made it past the First Division the length of their careers. But Snowy always did have something his parents didn't.
Chiefly, this was ambition. Stepping straight into the Sabrefell Athletic first-team like it was his birthright, when it turned out a Valladar team wanted his signature, he heard out all the people who said they'd just loan him out his whole career before cutting him loose. He patiently did his research, bade his time, and when all that was said and done signed without hesitation.
It had paid off - literally as well as in every other sense. And he'd never looked back.
That had been his philosophy in life, really. It wasn't that he was reckless, or careless. He just didn't see the point in dwelling on the past. Besides; as of yet, his life had gotten better and better, and what sign was there that things would change for the worse?
For all his world-weary, windswept image and eyes that seemed always to hover on the verge of sleep, Snowy Sleet was just an optimistic guy. After all, he'd ... well, survived an adolescence being a platinum blond called Sleet. Having gone through that, what pressures could professional football really hold for him?

THE BRINEMOUTH HERALD
JOHANNSEN THE STAR, CORMORANTS TAKE THE SPOILS
by Chase Forrester
Nepharim Lineup: Coleman; Sleet (Blackstock 55'), Marlowe, Belfast, Clough; Harper (c), Locke, Crowe, Crowley; Bittencourt, Rowland

If the Nepharim were hoping to simply roll over the first opponent they faced, a stalwart performance from Mehdonesian shot-stopper Boris Johannsen, given the Man of the Match award despite the losing scoreline thanks to twelve good saves, put paid to that.

That said, the moderately-rotated squad - Clough, Crowe, Crowley and Bittencourt all earning starts - shut down any hope of a Mehdonesian attack almost before any began, and looked the better team from the get-go. Indeed, it took a decent save from Johannsen to avoid conceding 15 seconds in; an optimistic, but well-placed shot from Locke with plenty of power behind it being shoved wide of the goal.

More shots followed in the first ten years, as the inexperienced Mehdonesian defence was easily torn open again and again; Rowland's first shot of the game was lashed barely over the bar from seventeen yards out, a fingertip save from Johannsen denied Bittencourt from ten, before the inevitable breakthrough finally came; Clough's cross found Rowland barely marked by a flat-footed Kim, and the Holdenberg striker smashed the ball past Johannsen for his second goal in two games.

It looked like it was heading for a rout when Johannsen was left exposed by his defenders twice more in the next five minutes; a shocking miss from Bittencourt was followed by a well-placed shot that Johannsen tipped over the bar. But from the fifteenth minute onwards, the visitors' back line got into the game, and sharpened up remarkably.

No matter what the Nepharim tried, they couldn't break through a determined, sometimes desperate resistance from the visitors. Still, they could take heart from their defensive performances - Belfast and Marlowe cleaned up easily whenever the ball entered their third, and Coleman made just one save all match from a long Olav strike. And when the ninety minutes were up, the scoreline remained 1-0; kept down by the consistent heroics of Johannsen.

Credit is also due to Cole and Kim, who matched the professional, highly-rated strike partnership of Bittencourt and Rowland at times and certainly never looked out of their depth after the fifteen-minute mark. In general, this Mehdonesian side has a lot of positives to take from the performance. Defensively, at least. Anyone who wrote them off as guaranteed bottom-feeders of the group is probably grudgingly moving them up a couple places by now.

As for Nephara? The fact that we couldn't rack up a decent scoreline isn't overly concerning - but our next opponent, Terres de Gaulles, should prove a sterner test at home. And if we slip up there, our rivals will surely steal the march on us... the same way we've done to others in the past.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:17 pm

A football-related(somewhat) conversation between two friends

OOC: Since there’s no mention in which team playing at home and away from either of my physical but poorly-done roster, as well as Nouvelle Ecosse’s non-existent roster, I’ll just ICly state that the MD1 game between Quebec and Nouvel Ecosse is held in Nouvel Ecosse, with MD8 game to be played in Quebec.

Dannick Savard and Kate Moulhouse, 2 businessmen who're both in their late 20s and got to be very good friends since their 'Economics 101 for Beginners or those who're passionate enough to learn a little bit about it', were walking along Carlton Road, one of the main roads in Annisibone, a suburb of Attawapiskat. They're just chatting some interesting stuff, as they're on their way to the nearby hotel for the night, when this all began.

Dannick Savard- Hey Kate. Did you hear what happened to the Grim Reapers?

Kate Moulhouse- No. What is it, (Dannick) Savard?

Dannick Savard- They were banned from entering to Nouvel Ecosse, without any reason given by the local authorities there.

Kate Moulhouse- WHAT???? That’s stupid, but for what reason? It’s not like…

Dannick Savard- I know that they’re not like some bunch of Enemy Crushers, which makes the decision with 0 sense. That being said, we were not allowed to forfeit it, due to World Cup Committee’s Constitution forbidding anyone from that. So we had to send a group of slave-prisoners who’re picked from those Gulags of ours in Islas Canarias, to be dispatched to that wicked nation immediately.

Kate Moulhouse- Boy. How did they do? I mean it’s unfair to have those soldiers suddenly be dispatched to there…

Dannick Savard- Well it went…. Okay. The scoreboard was 4:4, which easily could’ve been 4:0 considering how weak that nation is, even with their KPB ranking within Top 110 of the Multiverse. They scored first two goals of the game within first 20 minutes and were leading 4:1, at the 89th minute. Then one of their players tackled our slave-striker, and you can guess what exactly happened with him……

Kate Moulhouse- Got beaten up by that guy?

Dannick Savard- Exactly. That slave-striker started to beat that defender and got kicked out as result. Then there was a whole bench-clearing brawl between the slaves and those puny p***ies for a couple of minutes, with lots of punches being exchanged. In the end though, our goalkeeper got ejected and we’re not allowed to have substitutes in his place. The rest’s pretty obvious, so let’s not talk about it.

Kate Moulhouse- Ooh. Why am I not surprised…… I bet they either had to win the game or get executed, which certainly wasn’t that much of a task. How stupid of them, especially the goalkeeper, to have the opportunity walk away from them, when they could’ve just walked away and watch as all fun unfolds….. Those classless bunch of prisoner-slaves.

Dannick Savard- Indeed. So what do you think of Zenit hiring Jean-Luc Duval?

Kate Moulhouse- Duval's a great coach, who knows how to utilise a bunch of above-average players and turn them into stars. But I find this decision little bit too.....drastic. I mean, it's not the wisest thing to have the new coach, with completely different coaching style, rightaway from the Juniors when we could've had a solid Q-League coach looking for a job after a poor performance. Ivar Stralman of Ottawa Rebel comes to mind...

Dannick Savard- I don't know about that. Zenit lacks the defense and their goalie last season looked pretty bad.....Perhaps having a better defensive coach was the right decision after all. Especially because he's a very good developmental coach, as you know.

Kate Moulhouse- But this is not developmental league.

Dannick Savard- But our team's still young, though filled with talented, young players. Trust me, Duval's going to be the best thing the team has in, after looking back in about 5 years from now. And by the time when the Zenit destroys Connie Chase's Trojana(OOC: He's assuming that she'll be posted for the bidding, in which Trojana's willing to bid as many as $50 million Quebecois or $150 million NS), as we all shout 'Hijo de puta'!

Kate Moulhouse- I don't know about that.....Chase did wonders against Duval and the Zenians, and we're talking about the best player in Multiverse to-be, who just turned 15.... Trust me, it's going to be Duval who'll shout 'Hijueputa'.

Dannick Savard- Wanna bet on that?

Kate Moulhouse- Sure....But before going on to details of the bet, why don't we go to perhaps that very bar that we often went to, back in university...

by **Evraim** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:27 pm

The Daily Comet

Cumbersome odds: group stage analyses and predictions

Elkan Joselewicz, The Daily Comet

This week's draw for the group stage has resulted in what may only be described a pure, unadulterated pandemonium. What else should we call it when placards meant for protest are being set alight by celebratory fireworks? As few rank-and-file fanatics comprehend the dread that Group 1's fixtures have engendered in them, it therefore falls upon the less than reputable field of sports analysis to provide elucidation amid the obscurity of punditry and random, idle speculation. While we here at the Daily Comet have sparse complaints to level against idle speculation, in fact, we are quite fond of it as an exercise in futility, I will now endeavor to transcend this queer fascination of ours and, in so doing, fulfill the requirements listed in my job description. Thus, without further ado, I will explain the relative strengths and weaknesses of the squads seeded to Group 1.

NORTHERN SUNRISE ISLANDS

KPB: 26.53 | Rank: 23rd | Seed: 1st

DESCRIPTION
The Vaporeons are the highest ranking squad in Group 1, and represent obvious favorites to finish at the top of the group. Their team is rather balanced, fielding some of the most skilled, not to mention the most experienced, footballers in the world. They are a respectable side who are used to qualifying. This World Cup should yield no surprises.
STRENGTHS
The squad fielded by the Northern Sunrise Islands is proficient across the whole field, functioning as a team rather than as a pack of stars hungry for individual glory. They have a penchant for the dramatic and humorous, something that has earned them the respect and affection of fans across the world.
WEAKNESSES
They have no real weaknesses, though one might lambaste their neglect of the more conventional and technical aspects of football.
PREDICTIONS
I am predicting a second place finish for the Northern Sunrise Islands, just behind the determined squad from Mizuyuki, who have been playing with dynamism throughout their friendlies.

MIZUYUKI

KPB: 21.64 | Rank: 37th | Seed: 2nd

DESCRIPTION
The regional champions from Aenea have storied past when it comes to football. They lifted the Market Cup and qualified during both World Cup 66 and World Cup 67, losing out just barely at World Cup 68. Shirakiin's ideological bend, emphasizing total football, is a defining characteristic of this squad, alongside their powerful attack.
STRENGTHS
Shirakiin's side focuses on swift counterattacks along the flanks, with the ball transitioning quickly from the back four to the midfield wings. This together with the skilled ball-handling and crossing abilities of Uryu and Isshiki, not to mention the threat posed by Kurugaya and Tsuchimikado, have enabled Mizuyuki to profit on the counterattack. Altogether, Mizuyuki's offense leaves little room for errors.
WEAKNESSES
While Mizuyuki has fearsome attacking potential, their defense is considerably less formidable. The same is true of their game-play at the center of the field. Saten and Ishibashi are not quite as confident in their control of the ball as one might desire for a midfielder, while the back four also want for quite a few things. Mizuyuki is therefore vulnerable to a strong attacking side that can quickly seize the initiative.
PREDICTIONS
I give credit where credit is due, and, if there's one team that deserves to end the group stage at the top of the table, then Mizuyuki is it. I predict that they'll edge out the less compelling Vaporeons to take a narrow lead in points.

THATIUS

KPB: 14.00 | Rank: 61st | Seed: 3rd

DESCRIPTION
The Firebirds are a respectable side, all things considered. They are similar to the Northern Sunrise Islands in that they are a well-balanced squad which focuses more on mechanistic play than star power, though their midfield, led by captain Jason Petković, is especially prominent.
STRENGTHS
Thatius fields a team, which neither attacks excessively nor parks the bus. They also rely on a firm midfield to assist in making or developing opportunities on the attack and to take the steam out of marches into their own side of the field. Nail-biting play is a given with Max Djantschenko's men.
WEAKNESSES
Their offense and defense aren't quite so flavorful as those of other squads.
PREDICTIONS
I ardently believe that the Firebirds will seize a third place spot on the table with relative ease. They do not, however, pose much of a threat to the Vaporeons or Mizuyuki. They are likely to drop points in all four matches against the aforementioned pair of teams.

HOPNATION

KPB: 9.43 | Rank: 93rd | Seed: 4th

DESCRIPTION
HopNation is another heavy attacking side, not to mention a crowd favorite. They have an established reputation on the international football stage that rivals that of Mizuyuki or the Northern Sunrise Islands, and are swiftly becoming one of the finest squads in the world. However, they remain very beatable.
STRENGTHS
Like Mizuyuki, HopNation is a side that prefers attacking through the wings. Coach Warren Schmidt has no qualms about altering the standard 4-4-2 formation to enhance aggressive play. Unusually, however, HopNation is captained by a goalkeeper, Oeny Subanos, which should influence the team's orientation more than a scant amount.
WEAKNESSES
Their defense is shoddy, and often leaves gaps that present exploitable opportunities for the opposing sides offense. You can expect plenty of goals if they play against a team with a strong offensive orientation. They might also face stiff resistance from a more skilled defensive team.
PREDICTIONS
I predict that HopNation will finish at a respectable fourth in Group 1.

JECKLAND

KPB: 6.24 | Rank: 123rd | Seed: 5th

DESCRIPTION
Our analysts have been unable to uncover significant data regarding Jeckland's national team, though we do know that they call themselves the Spuds and seem to employ a moderate style of play. All in all, they are quite the dull side.
STRENGTHS
Not available.
WEAKNESSES
Their fans sometimes fall asleep and/or forget the names of their players. This cannot bode well for the team.
PREDICTIONS
They'll take sixth at the very least. They might even be able to manage a fifth place finish.

EVRAIM

KPB: 1.50 | Rank: 226th | Seed: 6th

DESCRIPTION
This is the side you know and love, your side. In keeping with a tradition older than the national squad itself, coach Yosef Beleván will employ a strong attacking formation, emphasizing play at the center of the field but gravitating to the wings further into the opposing team's side, an explosive style that some have called the feather-duster. I don't know if this is meant derisively or not, and, frankly, I don't care.
STRENGTHS
We have Ben-Ami and Ulan to spearhead our attacks with assistance from Panzieri and Zamorski. Narkis was also kind enough to bring two or three aggressive substitutes to maintain and increase this attacking power going into the second half. At the same time, the midfield is more cohesive than during our last stint at the World Cup.
WEAKNESSES
Defense remains the make-or-break factor for Beleván's factor, and it bears remembering that the team has broken more often than it has made in the past. To speak will all due candor, we might need to invest in some serious resources into honing the defensive proficiency of our home-grown footballers. Strikers win games, but sweepers keep you from losing games, as the saying goes.
PREDICTIONS
We can and should finish at a respectable fifth in the group, but an upset or two wouldn't hurt. Hell, if we qualify, I'll lose a bet, the details of which will be reported in some celebrity gossip magazine when I'm arrested for public indecency and behaving like an Edomite.

JECATRIA

KPB: 0.91 | Rank: 265th | Seed: 7th

DESCRIPTION
They had a few decent performances awhile back, but they don't pack quite the same punch as they once did. We don't know too much more about them.
STRENGTHS
Not available.
WEAKNESSES
Not available.
PREDICTIONS
Seventh.

TRYIENNE

KPB: 0.00 | Rank: 358th | Seed: 8th

DESCRIPTION
Tryienne is a team that have returned to the World Cup after an extended hiatus. This break has left them enervate, and their performance has been quite uninspiring this time around as well.
STRENGTHS
Not available.
WEAKNESSES
Not available.
PREDICTIONS
Eighth. I would be surprised if they even score a goal, let alone won a match.

Moving on, I will now perform the unenviable and mostly pointless task of predicting fixture results. After this, the teams will promptly conspire, no doubt, to prove me a nitwit, a niggard, and a incorrigible knave. I have been well prepared for this fate, ever since I decided that crunching numbers whimsically was a preferable choice of occupation to playing with one of the top-rated football teams in the premier league, so don't feel inclined to shed tears. I'll go about this particular chore by focusing on Evraim's match-ups against individual teams. First, I'll predict the home and away results in order of fixture, and then I'll give a flimsy rationalization for said predictions.

First off, Ha Izarayím will face off against the Firebirds. Their initial confrontation will take place at the latter's home stadium, and one should expect the side from Thatius to out-perform Beleván's croppy lads, if only ever so slightly. I predict a 1-0 win for the Firebirds. The second match-up should prove more fascinating, with Evraim actually standing a chance on their own turf. I think a 2-1 victory is plausible, with Ulan going for the brace, as he is wont to do.

Next, Evraim will play against HopNation at Shimshon H. Kedar Stadium. A draw at 1-1 is the result I expect most, though I'll leave it to Panzieri and crew to make me seem like a befuddled punce who should have taken the deal to manage Ashram Lyar when he had the chance, not to mention fewer gray hairs and custody of his children. I really want a win, despite my prediction. I bet my ex-wife a bottle of my favorite brandy, see... um, anyway, moving on... In the away game, count on HopNation pummeling Ha Izarayím 3-1.

After a string of defeats, the canyon gets even deeper for Evraim as they battle the top seed of the group, the Northern Sunrise Islands. A joyous thrashing should be expected in both the home and the away match. I predict 2-1 at home, and 4-1 away. This'll be just another step on the Vaporeons rise to the top of the table for Group 1. Elephants don't generally care about trampling on dreams, and, neither, apparently, do Vaporeons, whatever those are.

Tryienne marks a change of fortune and pace for Beleván's men, who should finally pull off something magical. I expect them to punish Tryienne in a fit of rage and frustrated release that would make Freud paranoid about mentioning castration anxiety. A home win of 3-0 wouldn't be out of the question, and neither would a triumph on the opposing side's field of 2-0.

Hot from a victory over Tryienne at their own stadium, Ha Izarayím will have an opportunity to defeat Jeckland when they come to visit Shimshon H. Kedar Stadium. The teams should play an evenly matched game, but Evraim should pull ahead for a narrow win of 2-1. This is fortunate, because the gents aren't likely to see similar results when they arrive at Jeckland's home stadium, which has no known name at this time and is probably teaming with sharks with lasers affixed to their heads and fins. I predict a 1-0 win for Jeckland in that match.

Jecatria should go the way of Tryienne, losing practically every match, especially the two it plays against our national team. At home, Panzieri, Ulan, Ben-Ami, and Zamorski should make mince-meat of a lackluster defense, triumphing with a score of 3-1. After that, the away game should provide yet another boost for Ha Izarayím, when they take it 1-0.

Mizuyuki, on the other hand, will make swift work of our own meager defense. I predict a 4-2 loss during the away game, and a 1-0 loss at home. Their team just has too many quality footballers and too much organization to fall victim to our offense, competent as it may be. I'll say it again: strikers win games, but sweepers keep you from losing them. At the moment, we need to develop more capable defensive players if we want to even have a shot at the World Cup.

There you have it. My predictions have Ha Izarayím going six, one, and seven. They should amass a total of nineteen points, scoring nineteen goals and conceding eighteen for a goal differential of +1. These aren't the most impressive results, but they should place Evraim head-and-shoulders over Tryienne and Jecatria, and they might even propel our team to a fifth place finish, beating out Jeckland. Then again, I probably drink way too much whiskey to be a trusted sports analyst, especially with that term itself being an oxymoron.

Elkan Joselewicz briefly studied human kinetics at Richtenberg University, located in the city of Tyres, before dropping out to play football with Netanya FC, where he gained great notoriety. He later developed careers as a manager and then as an analyst. He serves as a senior analyst for the Daily Comet at the moment, though he has been floated as a potential replacement for the aging Azarya Narkis.

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World Cup 69 RP Thread

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#	Country	GP	W	D	L	GF	GD	PTS
-	Jecatria	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Mizuyuki	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Thatius	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	HopNation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Northern Sunrise Isles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Evraim	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Jeckland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
-	Tryienne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0