Cup of Harmony 61: Everything Thread

by **Star United States** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:41 pm

Star United States

The Cup of Harmony 61

☆★ Roster ★☆

Star United States National Soccer Association

The Star United States National Soccer Team for Cup of Harmony 61!

Kits:

Home

Away

Goalkeeper

Formation (Formación, Formação): 3-4-3
Style (Estilo, Estilo) +2.5

 Management Team  (Administración,  Administração)
Head Coach (Entrenador, Treinador): Luke Curtis
Assistant Coach (Entrenador Asistente, Treinador Adjunto): George Lewisly
Assistant Coach (Entrenador Asistente, Treinador Adjunto):  Brent Bought
Tactics Officer (Oficial de Tácticas, Diretor do Táticas):  John Manner
Doctor (Médico,  Médico): Jorge Ferris

Starters  (Titulares)
#1 Fernando Spark (Goalkeeper) – City of Star (COS) 
#6 Henry Andrews (Defender) – Hery City (HYC)
#5  Santiago Solo (Defender) – Riverside City (RSC) 
#8 Michael River (Defender) – Iry Shore (IYS)
#9 Mark Barnna (Mid-Field) – Golden City (GOL)
#11 Caleb Horas (Mid-Field) – Pixe City (PEC) 
#13 Chris Soarison (Mid-Field) – City of Star (COS) (CAPTIAN)
#15 Matthew Stafford (Mid-Field) – Vyktory City Rovers (Vyktory)*
#17 James Gasteiz (Striker) –  Astaria United FC (Darvale) *
#19 Felix Gonzalez (Striker) – SeaShore City (SSC)
#21 Fabricio Garrison (Striker) –  Pixe City (PEC)

Back-Up  (Suplentes)
#2 Jake C'urz (Goalkeeper) – City of Fredericksburg (COF)
#4 Matthew Star (Goalkeeper) – Riverside City (RSC)
#3 John Johnson (Defender) – City of Star (COS)
#7 Martín Sanchez (Defender) – Woodbed City (WBC)
#10 Xavier Valer (Defender) – Woodbed City (WBC)
#12 Jeremy Gem (Mid-Field) – Lake Star (LSR)
#14 Thomas Scout (Mid-Field) – Stary Bay (STB)
#16 Edwin Siz (Mid-Field) – Pixe City (PEC)
#18 Mark Jo (Striker) – Woodbed City (WBC)
#20 Freddy Barren (Striker) – Hery City (HYC)
#22 Richard Jamerson (Striker) – Fairbanks Royals FC (Darvale)*

Home Stadium
Star Stadium
City of Star, Star United States
Capacity: 115,000

RP Permissions
Two words: Have fun.
(Well, technically four. However, anything not too drastic, only reasonable content. If you have any ideas, or want to do something outside of the norm, shoot a TG.)

by **Schiavonia** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 5:49 pm

"I'm Jenny Jones..."

"...and I'm Kev Smith..."

"...and welcome to our coverage of Schiavonia at the Cup of Harmony!"

"We got an invite?"

"Actually, no. We haven't been invited. Indeed, we are sat on the beach in New Kingsbury, just we three."

"Three?"

"Yes, three. You, I and the transcriber."

"Ah, or course. But why?"

"Because it is the Cup of Harmony, and we need to preview it."

"But why? If we're not in it. Why don't we just cover the World Cup? It's a much bigger event."

"Because everyone covers the World Cup. It's a bit like asking why we're on New Kingsbury beach."

"Well, why are we on New Kingsbury beach?"

"Because the beaches in Craw are heaving full of tourists, whereas here there is barely a soul."

"See sensible. But do we not have a studio for this type of thing? Or your office at the King Francesco Stadium? Or we could even have gone back to Yttribia. Remember how much fun we had in Fontvieille..."

"Well, it's a bit far from home, isn't it? Why don't we just sit here in the beautiful Schiavone sunshine? It's great here!"

"But it's not at the Cup of Harmony. So why are we reporting on it. And why is... why is the transcriber here? Isn't his job to send reports to the hosting committee to help the team out?"

"Yes it is."

"But our team isn't in the competition. So why is he here? Why are we here?"

"Well, we're here as punishment."

"Punishment? We're sitting on a beach for punishment?"

"Yes."

"Well... what for?"

"Him."

"What, the transcriber? Why? What has he done now?"

"Well, you know how we haven't received an invite to the Cup of Harmony?"

"Yes..."

"Well, the conditions for receiving a place there is media coverage showing a nation's interest in the World Cup Qualifiers through submission to the hosting committee. That's what it says in the Big Book of WCC Stuff I have in my office, anyway."

"Ah, OK." Then what Jenny was saying hit Kev, "Aaah! OK! So because..."

"Because of the transcriber's elongated holiday, Schiavonia did not submit the necessary media coverage to the hosting committee, and thus we haven't been selected for the cup."

"So why don't you just sack him for incompetence?"

"Well, we've already accused him of raping animals and contracting an STI, so I think this last part of the punishment should be just about enough."

"And what is this punishment?"

"Well, he's transcribing this conversation."

"And this is punishment how?"

"Well, first of all, we're under a parasol protecting ourselves from the UV rays of the sun. The transcriber isn't, because he wouldn't be able to see his scribing properly in the shade. So he could get heatstroke or something. But hopefully it won't be too bad."

"You said "first of all"..."

"Well, there is the fact that this is a complete waste of time for him. What with his job being writing down our broadcasts to submit to hosting committee of a competition to help our team out; his efforts are having no effect whatsoever on the Schiavonia team, what with there not being one in the competition. Because of him."

"So he's cost us a trip to Yttribia or Valladares?"

"Yes."

"Aaaah."

"Had we not deduced that already?"

"I guess..."

"And, lastly, there's the fact that this isn't even a broadcast."

"Not a... eh?"

"Well, I thought we'd start this as if we were doing a show so that the transcriber would start writing it down, as is happening. But we're just sat on a beach having a chatter and a chill out. Look at the recorder - not going."

"Isn't it?"

"No... It's... Oh, wait, I always forget how bad you are with technology. You see how the screen is blank? That's because it isn't on."

"Aaaah. You know, I think I'll understand that one day."

"Yeah... maybe..."

"So does this mean the transcriber can stop writing now?"

"Well, you'd think he'd stop whenever he realised that it is a completely pointless exercise him doing it."

"It would make sense. But he's still going."

"Why is he..." Jenny turned around. "Randy, why are you still going?"

"..."

"Ah, true. We haven't actually mentioned anyone actually at the Cup of Harmony yet."

"Well, Kev, as we're such lovely people here in Schiavonia, we're behind everyone!"

"Yay! Go Neu VaugArCoSanDarMiZenYttRedBuyaNova AnGregoryiSargoSaNeFurEStar United EastElectrunia el Mono Ara! And all of the others we didn't meld into that!"

"Well, that's that done. I guess you can stop now. And get in some shade!"

by **Vaugania** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:41 pm

Vaugania Golden Eagles
All-Time Record (W-D-L): 40-21-23
Rank: 55 (15.93 pts)
Style: +4

Starting XI

19 LS Joshua Farnerud - Blizzards FC
27 RS Lars Baltzersen - Camp Kysten Athletic
11 CAM Thorsten Althusser - Lindsborough United
37 LCM Miloslav Vorotaev - Datsya AC
40 RCM Morten Karlan - Prairie Knights
55 CDM Dmitri Blotski - Datsya AC
30 LB Peder Helland - Blizzards FC
14 LCB Henrik Ovesen - Sporting Stromhurst
10 RCB Jeremy O’Mara - St. John’s FC
17 RB Patrick Kerr - Basin Plain - United Gordonopia
1 GK Stefan Blanc (C) - Sporting Stromhurst

Substitutes

2 GK Lorne Gardiner - Mt. Dostoyevsky Eminence
24 CB Frankie Malloy - Howeburton Crowns FC
23 LB Stephen Erstweiler - Lindsborough United
12 CDM Dennis Schmidt - SC Yzerberg
46 RM Sander Kraft - Abel FC
13 CAM Cameron Battle - FC Buesk
16 ST Christoph Sykora - FC Buesk

Reserves

3 GK Timur Drevnerussky - Prairie Knights
88 CB Gregor Blake - Lindsborough United
18 CM Hjalmar Buraas - Mt. Dostoyevsky Eminence
90 CM Petr Kovalchuk - Camp Kysten Athletic
29 ST PK Castel - St. John’s FC

Management

Manager Kurt Hlasek
Asst Liam Henderson
Asst Vaclav Semin

Roles

Penalty Kicks: Joshua Farnerud
Corners: Morten Karlan
Long Free Kick: Miloslav Vorotaev
Short Free Kick: Thorsten Althusser

RP Permissions: Don't kill anyone and have fun!

by **HopNation** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:24 am

HopNation Hops
National Fußball Team

Roster and Staff

#	Name		 Age	Pref. Position	Club Team (HopNation State)
1	Oeny Subanos**	 24	GK 		Bayern FC (HBN)
20	Whouf Rantinwar	 30	GK 		York FC (HBN)
25	Eburo Chroollack 24	GK 		Zorg FC (CPW)
5	Lecho Loontas*	 22	CB		Malt SC (CPW)
3	Bans Kastas	 31	CB		Gypsum SC (DKV)
6	Ess Nysistia*	 25	LB		Coppendos FC (CPW)
9	Sid Raefwar*	 24	RB		Coppendos FC (CPW)
12	Rayrd Lesamnal*	 21	CB		Gypsum SC (DKV)
16	Oawo Rayhonrad	 22	RB		Captile SC (BPR)
18	Steat Nykaugh	 27	RB		Guile FC (HBN)
21	Icha Wiashrod	 28	LB		Herberger FC (DKV)
24	Kins Houndtin	 33	CB		Nightinton FC (BPR)
27	Vaugh Jeikrom	 21	RB		Herberger FC (DKV)
10	Pheir Droimpol*	 18	AM ( C)		Bayern FC (HBN)
13	Ruk Rothrothther 25	AM (R,C,L)	Malt SC (CPW)
4	Teur Smuemund*	 22	DFM (R,C,L)	Captile SC (BPR)
7	Morf Chrortas	 23	AM (R,L)	Tearrain FC (BPR)
8	Uraka Ildechban	 22	AM (L)		Holden FC (DKV)
14	Leuld Biaddan*	 27	DFM (R,C,L)	Malt SC (CPW)
15	Nil Nousskel	 29	AM ( L)		FC Darkton (DKV)
22	Eisa Loostin*	 20	AM ( R)		FC Darkton (DKV)
26	Thriaw Arcerton	 24	DFM (R,L)	FC Indecent (BPR)
28	Honn Worfworf	 24	AM (R,L)	Tearrain FC (BPR)
30	Ike Myer*	 30	AM (R,C,L)	Guile FC (HBN)
11	Pech Schytaing*	 19	F (R,C,L)	Zorg FC (CPW)
17	Brim Swauswor	 24	F (L)		Quazar FC (CPW)
2	Raes Queardest	 22	F ( C)		Gypsum SC (DKV)
19	Eenu Zysamenth	 29	F ( C)		York FC (HBN)
23	Gos Banrayorm	 23	F (R,C,L)	FC Indecent (BPR)
29	Jeus Ebtubtua	 30	F ( R)		Utonia FC (HBN)


* denotes starter
* denotes captain

Head Coach
	Warren Schmidt
Assistant Coach
	Charles Brinkmeyer
Assistant Coach
	Corey Barden
Goalkeeping Coach
	Timothy Mahmonds
Fitness Coache
	Scott Moe
Medical Staff
	Dr. Tonya Hendricks
	Dr. Jill Hansen
	Kevin Bayts (Trainer)
Physiotherapists
	Tarrence Unduntserwora
	Rittchie Ranranyerbur

Permissions

Typical Style: +2.5 (slightly attacking, wing play, short passes, man behind the ball)
Typical Formations: 4-2-3-1^*, 4-3-3, and 4-4-2

RP Permissions if opponent RPs first
Choose my goalscorers		Yes
Godmod scoring events		Yes
Issue yellow cards		Yes
Issue red cards			Yes - within reason and cannot render team unable to continue due to cards
RP Injuries (normal and Godmod)	Yes - no career ending or deaths - I reserve right to set return time and/or edit severity with follow-up RP
Godmod other events		Yes
Really, just have fun and if you have questions about HopNation and RPing with us just send a TG

Starting XI

Kits

HomeAwayAlternative

Stadium

Rhizome Arena: capacity 125,000|location Zorg, Copperwies
The largest of all association football stadiums in HopNation, Rhizome Arena is a spectacle to be seen. It is an extremely advanced stadium with self regulating weather blockers that open and close based on the current events attendance, sun glare, precipitation, and event type. It’s a two tier style stadium with each seat having a clear view of the field. It has an impressive array of video boards: two main screens, one on each end of the stadium located on the upper level; a continuous screen that separates the lower and upper levels; and other screens spread through the concourse, the main ones for this type being ideally located just outside of each section entrance. This stadium is home to the Phynix of Zorg FC (Zorg FC’s Senior Squad) as well as the official home of the Hops (HopNation’s Association Football National Team).

by **The Archregimancy** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:11 am

The Archregimancy Cup of Harmony Roster

First of all, everyone except newbies knows that the Archregimancy is a nation of Eastern Orthodox Christian monks from an alternate reality, right?

The Monastic Football Association is still trying to cope with the fact that the Monastic Republic are, hypothetically speaking, the defending Cup of Harmony champions. This was admittedly under unusual and somewhat controversial circumstances; see the following three links:

viewtopic.php?p=19837606#p19837606
viewtopic.php?p=19864413#p19864413
viewtopic.php?p=19898182#p19898182
viewtopic.php?p=19949215#p19949215

Summed up, while the Archregimancy won the Cup of Harmony final, they refused to accept the trophy, returning it after melting it down into 30 pieces of silver. Please feel free to use this as an RP point in your RPs

This is the second World Cup in a row that's seen the Archregimancy knocked out in the playoffs after going into the qualifiers as their group's top seed. This round was particularly disappointing as they went through qualifying undefeated, only to go out on away goals in the playoffs after shipping 4 goals in the home leg.

As a result, there's been a complete change of squad between the World Cup and Cup of Harmony.

Goal:
Fr. Euplius the Poor in Spirit

Defence:
Fr. Basil the Mourner
Fr. Theodore the Meek
Fr. Theodosius Who Hungers for Righteousness
Fr. Gaius Who Thirsts for Righteousness

Midfield:
Fr. Maximus the Merciful
Fr. Alexander the Pure in Heart [cap]
Fr. Niphon the Peacemaker
Fr. Passarion Who Was Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake

Forwards:
Fr. Anicetus the Greek
Fr. Photius the Cheesemaker

Manager/coach:
Fr. Gerontius the Big-nosed

Sense a mount-like theme with that roster? The MFA couldn't possibly comment.

Formation:
The Archregimancy always plays an orthodox 4-4-2; style modifier +0.

Kit:

Team Icon

The team is always accompanied to matches by the Holy Icon of the Mother of God, Bringer of Victory, which is paraded before the team before the match. The Holy Icon looks like:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players N (given nature of group opponents, permission withdrawn - no injuries please)
Godmod injuries to my players N (as above; assume Dreamed Realm anti-injury protocols apply during the Cup of Harmony - to both the monks and their opponents)
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players Y
Godmod Other Events Y - (no religious conversions of players, please)

And remember... Monks don't cheat. Please.

In terms of the injuries, some elaboration there.... opponents are welcome to try and injure the monks if that fits in with their national RP style, but they will be impervious to harm; you are welcome to RP cartoon-style scenarios outlining your attempt to injure the team; but they'll simply carry on regardless.

OOC: I realise my team might present a role-playing challenge. Rest assured that once they start playing they'll play just like any other team (though they might be a bit more inclined to pray after scoring), so I have no problem with you treating the team like any other if you don't want to deal with the Orthodox Christian element.

by **Neu Engollon** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:29 am

NEU ENGOLLON NATIONAL FOOTBALL SQUAD 'GOATS'

by **New Wolfopolis** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:14 pm

New Wolfopolis Wolfpack - National Football Team
Captain: Nicholas Pollard
Style Mod: -1

If they post an RP before I post,
I give my opponent permission to:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y, max 1 per game, I'll determine severity
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y, max 1 per game
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          Depends, TG me
=================================

by **Yttribia** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:22 am

Thanks to Kirola Sports for this amazing crest

All-Time Record: (W-D-L) (38-19-43) | 17-4-5 under Cardona

Coaches:
Head Coach: Daniel Cardona (FEL)
Assistant Coach: Gabriel Russell (OSR)
Assistant Coach: Bailey Linville

Cardona has done wonders with this squad. Having them emerge out of their group in second, with the likes of Polar Islandstates, Eastfield Lodge, Kalumba, and Schiavonia, this squad is just about as good as it can get. Having recently signed former Osarian midfielder Gabriel Russell to the coaching staff in order to increase their attacking potential, as well as bringing in the thirty-six year old Bailey Linville, former captain of the National Team to the coaching squad, this is how Daniel Cardona begins the ascent of Yttribia into footballing power.

About Yttribia:
A nation of 46.000.000, Yttribia is located between the nations in Thrilledge and Byfugland, on the continent of Inferiore, in the region of Esportiva; its capital being Fontvieille. The nation's border between the two countries consists of a mountain range known as the Urellans, where most of the Urellians live. There are six official languages, and (in order of usage) they are: English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, and Italian. The rest of the nation is mostly at sea level, with some of the most gorgeous beaches in the multiverse.

Culturally, Yttribians are proud of how godforsaken they are, with the majority of citizens being listed as godforsaken. A sizeable minority belong to the satirical church, known as the Church of Vilhjalmsson, and a small minority belong to the Urellian Church of Christ. The government has been shrunken down a bit since the last World Cup, and now most power lies within the regions of Yttribia. Politically, most Yttribians used to identify on the left, with the Convergence being the largest registered party in the nation. Others include "el Sindicat del Trellabadores" or the Workers' Syndicate, Partito Verde or the Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party, as well as the Corvax Party. However, due to a certain amount of frustration with the government, the Corvax Party, an affiliate of the Corvidae movement in The Inevitable Syndicate, took control of the nation, effectively banning all political parties. However, the Corvax regime fell, and now Yttribia is back to how they usually were, tolerant and acceptable.

In the time between the second edition of the Beltane Cup and now, Yttribia went through a sort of period in which the time-space continuum slowed down the aging process for everyone in Yttribia, with the World Cup being held once every four years in Yttribian time is now held every two years.

The largest five cities in Yttribia are (descending down) Fontvieille, Telino, Gremalsco, Zevella, and Stemanisis.

Home Stadiums (when they aren't hosting the Cup of Harmony)

Estadi dels Núvols, Gremalsco, Penedès | cap. 105,000

The largest stadium in all of Yttribia, Estadi dels Núvols now serves as the dual home for the national team, as well as being the current home of Yttribian football club, Gremalsco FC. Finally built for Gremalsco FC's growing amount of fans from all across the nation who seem to travel from the entire eastern side of the nation, the stadium is considered one of the safest in all of the nation, with various food stands and restaurants built inside the stadium, so the place is always busy, whether a match is playing or not. The stadium is barely inside the city limits, and is connected to by the National Railway, and various rapid transit lines.

Le Nid Violet, Fontvieille, FCD | cap. 81,800

A brand new home for Fontvieille FC, and the second largest stadium in the entire nation, Le Nid Violet has hosted various sporting events throughout its short history. The stadium has hosted the forty-ninth UICA Series B Champion's Cup Final, as well as the fourth UICA Youth Cup semi-finals and final match. The stadium has also hosted the final series of the Campionato Esportiva de Pallancesto II, which was won by Taijan. The stadium is considered the most technologically advanced, with a large JumboTron above the pitch, secured from falling down during a match. Located in downtown Fontivieille, the stadium is considered one of the main terminals for the Fontvieille Underground, with various lines passing through the stadium. Underneath the stadium is Fontvieille's largest shopping center and food court, with 250,000 people visiting the shopping center, and food court from Yttribia and Esportiva per week.

Formation:
3-5-2

Don't speak about the 3-3-1-3 ever again.

Style Mod:
+3

Roster:
Goalkeepers
#1 - Michi Totso - 19 - GK - KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
#20 - Ferdinand Forney - 30 - GK - FC Delare Minon (1st)
#23 - Gapard Irvin - 24 - GK - Unattached

There's a name right at the bottom of the goalkeepers, which appears somewhat familiar to those who've followed Yttribian football over the past couple of years. If that name is recognizable, then you're right. Gaspard Irvin, having just defected from the NT a while ago to play in Mastille, is back for the Ravens! A bigger comeback than beating the Buyanese squad who knows how long ago, the goalkeeping prodigy is now back with the Ravens! However, his time to shine is probably going to be put on hold. Why? Michi Totso has replaced long-time goalkeeper Ulrich Draper, due to an injury against Eura in the Bastidon, as the first-choice goalie for the national team. At just nineteen, he hopes to show off his goalkeeping skills to the world.

Defenders
#11 - Rico Mathews - 27 - CB - Jungle Strike FC (VIL)
#14 - Dezi Burns - 26 - CB - AC Zevella (5th)
#15 - Xavi Vilhjalmsson - 28 - CB - Crystopolis City (CRY) (C)
#17 - Tanner Dickinson - 27 - CB - AC Zevella (5th)
#21 - Darren Quinones - 29 - CB - FC Delare Minon (1st)
#22 - Bradley Gaspar - 27 - CB - Miners '47 (APX)

Not much has really changed when it comes to the line of defense, three centre-backs take line, with Vilhjalmsson serving as your captain, Dezi Burns playing on the right, with surprise inclusion of Bradley Gaspar playing on the left instead of Rico Matthews of Strike FC. So, while there may be a bit of a change when it comes to the backline, it's still going to be "reliable" according to assistant coach Bailey Linville.

Midfielders
#2 - Antonio Abreu - 30 - CM - Alianza FC (SJG)
#3 - Onésime Rios - 31 - DM - AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
#4 - Dado Hale - 20 - RM - Fontvieille FC (4th)
#5 - Franck Langois - 21 - CM - Gremalsco FC (2nd)
#8 - Ned Goode - 26 - DM - Northbrook Diamonds FK (PIS)
#9 - Crofton Abbatantuono - 26 - LM - AC Zevella (5th)
#13 - Michel di Mercurio - 25 - DM - Issington FC (APX)
#16 - Tom Prescott - 22 - CM - AC Zevella (5th)
#18 - Josué Triggs - 21 - LM/RM - Stemanisis SSC (8th)

Michel di Mercurio will be playing defensive midfielder for this tournament, giving Ned Goode of Polarian champions Northbrook Diamonds FK a rest for now. On the left and right of di Mercurio are the young but always talented Franck Langois, and partner in crime Tom Prescott of AC Zevella. On the left of Langois is the always agile and always scary Crofton Abbatantuono, and on the right of Prescott is the young Dado Hale of Fontvieille FC. Together, these young midfielders form the Wings, what Daniel Cardona calls a "much better successor to Simon Jewel's Wall."

Attackers
#6 - Raúl Monti - 23 - FC - Unattached
#7 - Terry Hyme - 27 - FC - Avenida Principal (FFD)
#10 - Venceslás School - 28 - FC - New Oslo Town (TSA)
#12 - Moisés Fairclough - 26 - FC - Hellenic Rouge (PAS)
#19 - Bruno Arce - 19 - FC - FC Delare Minon (1st)

Bruno Arce, the young footballing prodigy who transferred over to powerhouse FC Delare Minon has been given one of the permanent starting spots on the Yttribian team, with the other forward being the somewhat young player: Raúl Monti. Serraville's relegation to Serie B is on the fact that Monti was unable to play for the club due to the concurrent Yttribian Premiership, and has hopped off the sinking ship, and is looking for a new club to play with next year. These two will be right up front for the attack, finishing off Daniel Cardona's 3-5-2.

Visual Formation:
Currently searched for by the Yttribian Football Federation, so it'll be a moment

Kits (provided by Kirola Sport):

RP Permissions:

Choose my goalscorers - Yes
Godmod scoring events - I'm open to some really, really crazy ideas, so TG me
RP injuries to my players – Yes, I have the final say on injury severity.
Godmod injuries to my players – No
Hand out yellow cards to my players – Yes, three cards per match
Hand out red cards to my players – Yes, one card per match
Godmod other events – TG me, I'm open to your really crazy ideas

by **Kiryu-shi** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:45 am

A roster detailing the members of the
Kiryu-shi National Football Team,
The Kiri (桐),
for competition in the
61^st edition of the NationStates Cup oF Harmony
submitted for the benefit of potential rivals and interested parties.

The Kiryu-shi National Football Team recently returned after an eight year long hiatus from participating in international competition. While the nation underwent political and economic turmoil with a long, student-led strike of a corrupt system that allowed for nepotism, particularly along religious lines, the nation’s stability has returned over the past few years with some significant changes in the structures of governance. During this tumultuous time, youth football was still popular, but advanced development took a severe turn for the worse, and there are very few people in the nation ready to participate in international competition.

Four years years ago, as the nation watched a World Cup that Kiryu-shi never even had the opportunity to compete for, a committee was formed to select a manager and leader for the Kiri. Masahiro Miura was selected after an extensive vetting process. Miura, a Professor of History at Sakaino University who specializes in the history of sport, is a charismatic teacher and was previously considered an academic innovator. After working with a group of assistants and specialists for the better part of the past two years, holding try-outs and football camps around the City-State, Miura has created a provisional roster with a clearly defined playing style, with the hope that out of this group of inexperienced teenagers, there will emerge two or three exceptional talents and leaders of the next generation of Kiryu-shi football.

Youth football in Kiryu-shi has recently been dictated by high-scoring teams with a focus on creative group play and quick touches, Miura has developed a scheme that he hopes will highlight the skills of the individual players within Kiryu-shi. The formation is a variant on a 4-4-2 that seeks to maintain possession of the ball on the wings, creating numerical advantages particularly around the corners and sides of an opponent’s box. Miura will utilize a high-tempo attack that is predicated on a lot of movement off the ball, overlapping and generally aggressive running, paired with quick touches on the ball. The center of the pitch may look abandoned as players flock to the touchlines, as Miura is well aware that a game dictated by physical strength in the center of the pitch will be quickly lost by the Kiri. While he tentatively has penciled in a starting eleven, there will be significant room for experimentation as he sees which combinations of players bring about good results and solid play.

The Kiri have traditionally been a fairly strong football squad, but expectations going into this Qualification Cycle were low, due largely to the youth and inexperience of the squad. Despite this, the Kiri managed a few upsets in route to a playoff berth, and were only knocked out in extra-time against Felix to prevent them from moving on to the World Cup. While they are still considered underdogs domestically, Kiryu-shi is more optimistic about finding some amount of success due to what they were able to accomplish over the past year or so.

Provisional Roster, Starting Eleven

#1 Ryan Yamaguchi - - - Age: 18 GK
One of three goalkeeper’s vying for position to make it to the final eleven, Ryan will get the first shot as the first choice. Showcasing a traditional keeper’s build with long arms and an explosive first step, Ryan is considered to be the best pure shot blocker, but has deficiencies in getting his hands on crosses as well as general positioning. A top caliber athlete, it remains to be seen if he has the mental strength to hold onto his place on the roster.

#2 Elle Irby - - - Age: 18 CD
Elle is one of the most technically polished players on the squad, and has displayed great ability tracking opponents. She isn’t often exposed in taking on advancing strikers and has superior technique to get her foot on the ball without drawing fouls. Her size isn’t ideal for the position, and her lack of toughness and physicality is a liability. She shows some promise in her ability to move up the pitch while maintaining defensive integrity, picking and choosing her opportunities well.

#3 Lynette Hall - - - Age: 19 CD
Lynette is a competent defender, with solid abilities all around and no particular liabilities. Her major asset, and the reason she is in the top eleven, is her height. She offers some of the only arial ability on the Kiri, and combines her natural height with good instincts in timing jumps, particularly on set pieces. She is a good communicator and maintains her position well.

#4 Belen d'Étaples - - - Age: 19 LD/LWB/LW
One of the most fluid players on the Kiri, Belen can be a lethal presence on the left side, with a propensity for quick, accurate, touches and an imaginative eye for passing. Fairly small, it remains to be seen if she can hold his own against more physical opponents, but she is an asset on the wings, and plays naturally with Coach Miura’s vision. She is perceived to be one of the only locks to make the squad, especially considering her positional versatility and her willingness to track back and defend on the wing.

#5 Ruben Cole - - - Age: 18 RD/RWB
Ruben displays a quiet steadiness at his position. While he isn’t the athlete that one would typically desire on the wing, he has strong instincts and closes on opponents fairly quickly. He has natural talent and an eye for delivering crosses, but doesn’t move forward aggressively often, and is better suited to participating in the build up to an attack.

#6 Sakura Ueno - - - Age: 17 DMF
One of the other two locks to make the team, Sakura can be a difference maker in the midfield and is an on-field assistant for Coach Miura. Her vision in picking out passes is critical when transitioning from defending to attacking, and her ability to track back and join the defense is invaluable for the squad. She plays intelligently, can step around defenders with ease, and has impeccable accuracy in both short and long distance passes. She is known to take a shot from distance from time to time, but her true value lies in her vision of the field and ability to dictate the pace and direction of the Kiri attack.

#7 Leanor Joynor - - - Age: 19 CM/LWB
Leonor has the ability and mindset to be a willing sideline to sideline, box to box midfielder. She has the physicality to impose her will on any given match, but has the tendency to draw whistles and even cards. She can be incredibly aggressive, and her competitiveness can lead her to make bad decisions. Her first touch on the ball can also be suspect, and she’s been known to give up possession too easily due to that lack of control. However, her complete willingness to do whatever it takes to win can make her a useful player, and her workrate is outstanding.

#8 Kazuo Seidel - - - Age: 18 CM/RW/RWB
Kazuo is a thoughtful player who picks out good runs and moves well off the ball. He knows how to manipulate defenders and is quick to find gaps and holes in the defense. His touch on the ball itself is still developing, and he doesn’t have an ability to move with the ball that you ideally want out of an attack-minded player. He can make a difference on a match given defenders who are out of position or teams who are slow to track back to their own box.

#9 Yuuma Burkholder - - - Age: 17 AM/LW/FW
Yuuma is an aggressive player with quick feet and a strong left-footed shot who is creative both with and without the ball. Yuuma has star potential, but it remains to be seen if he’ll fit in with Coach Miura’s style of play, as he often looks to shoot first and pass second. While his raw talent cannot be denied, he can lose interest in any given match and will disappear for stretches at a time if he is not fed the ball regularly. Being asked to provide service to other players does come naturally only if he has a lot of touches and is allowed to shoot if he has an opportunity.

#10 Timmy Yukimura - - - Age: 17 FW/RW/LW
Timmy is a true athlete, one of the two fastest players on the pitch and talented with both feet. He doesn’t always manage to control himself or the ball well, though, and needs to learn a lot about his position and maintaining the organization of a team if he is to be relied on in any consistent capability. Timmy is caught offsides more times than he should, and can be knocked off the ball easily. Can run himself out of many matches, and often needs to be taken out before full time.

#11 Kiku Hamasaki - - - Age: 19 FW
A poacher, Kiku is adept at controlling the ball with various parts of her body and making accurate shots on goal. She has the ability to bounce off of defenders without losing balance, and can pull off shots despite being challenged. She doesn’t offer much in the way of build up play or defensive support, and only possesses average pace. Her strength lies simply in positioning, gathering, and shooting.

Provisional Roster, Bench and Reserve Players

#12 Shiori Crooks - - - Age: 19 CD/LD/RD
A versatile and aggressive defender, Shiori is a strong tackler who seems to relish contact and physical defending. While prone to making some mistakes with control of the ball, she can be a valuable asset in most aspects of defending, including tracking individual players, marking, and tackling. Can be easily discouraged at times, requires good leadership from her teammates.

#13 Sun Steel - - - Age: 17 CD
A free spirit in defense, Sun has a strong tendency to wander and break position despite being physically and technically talented. Very confident in his ability to run backward, he will move far up the field without communicating and will look to make runs even with and without the ball at his feet. A capable but unspectacular defender, he can lose his mark and allow people to run by him with slightly worrying frequency. He tends to view himself as a leader on the field, but is often over-aggressive in his positioning and general play.

#14 Hotaru Miyamoto - - - Age: 18 RD/RWB/CM/RW
Hotaru is a versatile athlete with a high work rate while on the field. He moves very quickly and is willing to stick his nose in while defending, closing space well and never giving up on an opponent. However, he lacks a consistent first touch and can be careless with possession. He displays a pretty cross and a nice job placing passes when asked to pick people out through the air, but isn’t as effective as many of his teammates with quick passes. Only does well on the ball if he isn’t pressured at all.

#15 Melba Francis - - - Age: 18 LWB/LW/FW
Melba is known for a superb technical ability in attack, and an unwillingness to defend as much as she should. She is quick on the ball, makes smart runs, and has a knack for knowing where people are. She has an impeccable through ball and isn’t flustered in front of the net. She can be a cool finisher as well as key in support. But considering her size, she needs to work hard to prove she can hold up to the physicality of international football, and has a lot to demonstrate in terms of her defending.

#16 Jackie a'Ducézièt - - - Age: 17 CM/AM/FW
Jackie can be a spectacular central attacking player, with the touch, pace, and athleticism that one wants in a player charged with finding ways to create goal scoring opportunities. However, she struggles with the creativity and vision that Coach Miura looks for in attacking positions, as she will regularly make individual runs and movement that don’t coincide with what her teammates are working toward. She has a propensity to be a moment late with her passes, not being fully aware of the movement of players’ around her, which can hurt her efficacy. Her raw talent should earn her copious opportunities to develop into a more well-rounded player, but it remains to be seen how she will develop within the Kiri system.

#17 Atsushi Morris - - - Age: 19 CM
A vocal leader, Atsushi may struggle with a role as a reserve, as he is used to being in leadership positions on the pitch. Atsushi doesn’t have the athletic ability or tools to ever develop into a premium player, as he has a thick body that struggles to make quick turns and movement, but also has never displayed the strength that one would associate with that bulky frame. He is at his best when he is able to survey the field and dictate the motion of his teammates, and his accuracy with passes is on par with Coach Miura’s expectations. He works hard, but just doesn’t have the pace to cover much ground, the reflexes to be effective in tight situations, or the strength to impose his body in the middle of the pitch.

#18 Stephanie Ito - - - Age: 18 FW/AM
Stepahanie earned her invitation on the basis of her right leg, with which she has displayed incredible dangerous dead-ball ability. Her tendency to create an immediate threat to score on practically any set piece means that she may be valuable in any given match, but her play in the open field doesn’t provide a fraction of that same magic. She will consistently move to her right, as her left leg is effectively useless, and her movements and intentions tend to be easily diagnosed and defended.

#19 Kathy McKenzie - - - Age: 16 FW
Kathy is a spry, agile forward who plays in a slightly out of control, frenzied manner. She doesn’t have proper form when doing most things on the pitch, but her agility and awareness can create entertaining goals at a moment’s notice. She can contort her body in bizarre ways, and her goals, when she does score, will often attract a lot of attention. She is inconsistent at most other aspects of the game, however, and will typically only be used in situations in which the team is desperate to score.

#20 Kenny Hanson - - - Age: 16 RW/LW
Kenny is a pure projection player. Already the fastest sprinter on the team, he has devastating natural athleticism and the ability to wreck havoc on the field from either wing. But he doesn’t yet have the control on the ball and vision that Coach Miura so desperately wants to cultivate on this squad, so will likely be used sparingly. He has demonstrated some willingness to defend, but his general lack of technical ability in that area leads to a fair amount of fouls being called against him. On the attacking side, that speed and his quick feet mean that defenders are often forced to tug or trip to keep him from blazing past them. He has the occasional flash of a powerful shot from both sides, but hasn’t displayed an ability to control the pace of the ball that well; his crosses tend to drift past the far side of the net.

#21 Katashi Romero - - - Age: 19 GK
Katashi is a cerebral, heady keeper respected by his teammates for his willingness to integrate himself as part of the defense. When on the field, he talks constantly, alternating between yelling at teammates to get in position or cheer teammates on. An unrelentingly positive personality, he is hugely popular on the squad. His willingness and ability to fly around the penalty area gathering crosses and closing down on attackers is also appreciated. However, with his solid build and relatively short stature, he clearly doesn’t have the ideal shot blocking body or skill that one would want in a keeper.

#22 Jonathan Francis - - - Age: 17 CD/RD/LD/DMF
Jonathan is a versatile but unspectacular defender who relies on speed to close down on opponents but tends to have little regard for much besides the individual battler he is currently engaged in. He is most effective when tasked with a single responsibility to shadow throughout an entire match, which allows him to ignore positional responsibilities in favor of tracking a solitary opponent. His unwillingness to integrate his play with the rest of the team has hampered his development thus far, and he has a lot to prove to make it onto the final roster.

#23 Luther Collins - - - Age: 17 CD/RD/LD
Luther is precocious defender who relishes one on one opportunities and hassling opponents. He is relatively small in size, but loves to throw his body around and generally annoy and frustrate attacking players. He is a firm believer in his ability to win the mental game of defending, and will make full use of anything he can to cause opponents to make mistakes. Luther is positionally well aware, and brings an energy to the defense if at his best. He can be inconsistent, however, and is prone to missing tackles and causing defensive breakdowns. More effective in the center, but less of a potential liability on the sides.

#24 Jed Mizushima - - - Age: 18 CD
Although unspectacular in most measurable aspects of play, Jed demonstrates a tremendous ability to be in the right place at the right time, getting his body in the way of balls headed toward the back of the net, or standing in just the right place to ensure attackers don’t have a free run. It remains to be seen whether this ability comes as a result of a subconscious awareness of the likely outcomes of opponents’ movements or just dumb luck.

#25 Alonzo Glover - - - Age: 16 DMF/RWB
A promising young player as a deep-lying playmaker, Alonzo has lightening quick feet and the decision making skills to match. He is always looking to push the ball up the field and pick out teammates’ runs. His size, however, has relegated him to a developmental role as he is still easily pushed off the ball, particularly when he is aggressive and tries to create for himself. He has demonstrated a certain tenacity in defense, but again, his lack of size and strength will hurt if he is asked to put in 90 minutes against most international sides.

#26 Lon Hendrickson - - - Age: 19 RWB/RW/FW
Lon is a composed player on and off the ball, with a quiet demeanor and a calm temperament. He hasn’t shown too much in terms of playmaking ability, but consistently keeps his head up looking for passes and opportunities to free teammates on runs. He doesn’t have great touch, nor can he thread passes through defenders, but he is aware of his shortcomings and won’t make too many mistakes. He has some stamina and fitness issues, and will likely only be used as a substitute.

#27 Samuel Briggs - - - Age: 17 DMF/CMF/AMF
Samuel is a lanky, large, enthusiastic midfielder who unfortunately sabotages his effectiveness with his tendency to drift and lose sight of the match as a whole. He is at his best when used as a target man, controlling the ball with his head or torso for other players to play off of, but doesn’t fit too well within Coach Miura’s squad. He’s slow to find players to pass to and isn’t particularly effective with accuracy on anything over ten or fifteen yards. Has a knack finding the ball on corners, both attacking and defending.

#28 Sherry Burke - - - Age: 16 FW/AMF
Sherry is small and quick, another player clearly chosen for her ability to move well and pick out passes moving forward. She is at her best playing centrally, prodding and testing defenses and finding ambitious passes. She has a nose for the goal, and can fly around the opposing box being a general nuisance for the defenders. She’s enough to be difficult to mark, and prides herself on her one touch passing. She isn’t particularly skilled when taking on defenders on her own, she needs the movement of teammates to be at all effective. Too small and physically undeveloped to play a full 90 at this point in her career.

#29 Ed Fujioka - - - Age: 16 FW/RW/LW
With physical attributes difficult to ignore but no obvious role in Coach Miura’s current formation, Ed doesn’t seem likely to find the pitch very often. While he has displayed tantalizing ability to control the ball, particularly in the air, he has yet to develop any real ability to work well within a team attack, focusing on solo endeavors. While gifted, he isn’t flashy enough to impose his will upon a game, and doesn’t have that finishing touch. Even if he plays well enough to find numerous chances to score, he has a frustrating tendency to sky the ball or lose focus and let a defender or keeper come too close and close his angles out.

#30 Brice Tachibana - - - Age: 16 GK
Brice is a talented and aggressive keeper, with only a couple glaring holes in his game. He is almost completely unable to track and handle crosses, and doesn’t yet have the physicality to deal with some aspects of being a top-flight keeper. He is a decent shot-stopper, though, with good instincts and great length in his arms and legs. Is slightly slow getting down to block shots, but doesn’t spill the ball if he ever gets two hands on it.

Style Modifier +4

by **United Eastedge** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:16 am

United Eastedge Association Football Federation (UEAFF)
Eastedgean National Team Roster ffor the Cup of Harmony 61

Overview: United Eastedge is rich in history, even in association football. A story that is unique in this category, in a manner of speaking. The said sport has been present among the population of the country since they began playing ball games. United Eastedge would be world power in this sport if the money had allowed it before. In fact, the economic crisis that the country has suffered in the last years, caused difficulties in the development of the sport across itself. Nonetheless, the population have organized national, regional, and state tournaments in which several players highlighted due to their first-level performances, projecting a promising future for official international competitions such as the 56th edition of the Baptism of Fire, held in San Jose Guayabal, Schiavonia, inter alia. Tournament in which United Eastedge achieved their first championship after defeating The Fallenmark Islands, 2-1 in extra-time. However, that achievement was obtained with 23 men that participated in tournaments organized by the community. Now, the World Cup 69 Qualifiers are just around the corner and it definitely will be important to grow in international football. To conclude, United Eastedge is a country in process of being a well-established one in all senses. Even though, football, as some say, is more than just a sport in the country, is a religion...

Roster & Coaching Staff: The president of UEAFF, George Fallwest announced a project days before the kick-off of the Baptism of Fire 56. It consisted in training sessions and skill tests in order to test the habilities of each player, as well as establish or assemble a strong team. As the navies are not in the World Cup 69 Finals yet, they will perform the Qualifying Stage on a very irregular and particular way, having 35 players willing to give everything in each match in order to put the name of United Eastedge at the top of the world by making the Finals. Even though there are the 23 men that were champions in the last Baptism of Fire, Masson assures that none of those players have a insured spot in the first eleven, he will try to make his players compete for one inwardly. Nonetheless, the navies will have a defined first eleven for their debut in the World Cup Qualifiers, which will be comprised by Walter Sandoval, Matthew Alvarez, Caleb Green, Jaime Peters, Jonathan Bennet, Wesley Hammond, Daryl Agnew, Bejamin Holloway, Shane Dawson, Ray Woods, and Brian Ward. In the other hand, it is the coaching staff, which is comprised by:

Marcos Masson (Head Coach): Masson has been always involved in the world of football since his dad, Derek Masson played for a community-established club of the outskirts of the city of New Esterford, which is located in the northeast of the country. He became a professional footballer in an early age, being just one more players among the other. He was not highlighted by his performances, therefore, his carreer as a footballer was nothing special. Was then when he discovered his real passion after becoming the head coach of one of the best clubs of the country in that time. Since that time, he achieved important things with several teams within the country and just one time abroad. He became the first head coach ever of the national football team of United Eastedge, guiding the navies all the way through the championship in the Baptism of Fire 56.

Glenn Roberson (Assistant Coach): Even though Roberson was born in a little town of the nation of Estenia, he has lived his entire life in Ostley, a big city at the south of United Eastedge. Ostley, being one of the cities with most football crowd than any other sport, it would be weird that Roberson not being interested in the most beautiful sport of the world. Nonetheless, he never played for any team although there were many places where to play in the said city. He was commonly helping the head coach of multiple teams due to his manner in which he looks the game. Fallwest called him to be part of the national team due to his efficiency, being next to Marcos Masson since the first match ever of the navies.

Devin Williams (Goalkeeper Coach): The family of Williams, was one of those with economic crisis. He lived together with his parents, his brother, and his sister in Erifield, a little town located at the half of the road between the cities of Silverston and Brightgate. He became playing football when he was in the high scool, leaving the studies forgotten for a while. He tried different positions in the field of the local club and the one he liked the most was goalkeeper. He trained each day since he began to do it, who would imagined that Williams would probably be the best goalkeeper on United Eastedge's history? To be honest, several clubs were discussing to sign the crack. It would have been great if he had played with the national team, but unfortunately, when the football in the country suffered an important growth, he was not in the proper age to play anymore. Nonetheless, he became the goalkeeper coach of the navies.

Elias Barrett (Special Advisor): The story of Elias Barrett is quiet hard and sad at all. He was living only with his mother and his brother since the first years of his life, without anyone who motivate him in a sporting manner. Nontheless, that did not stop him to try to achieve his bigger dream, become a professional footballer. He's another historic man in the Eastedgean Football, after beat record after record in a short time playing. He was in the best moment of his carreer when he suffered a severe injury in the left leg. Unfortunately, he never returned to the fields leaving football forgotten for a long time. Fallwest did the right thing again, calling him to be part of the national team of United Eastedge due to the experience he had gained sometime.

Tactical/Strategic Information:

Everyone in football is constantly talking about tactics. In recent years, we've gushed over the development of conservative 11-men-behind-the-ball approaches, the growth of tiki-taka and passenaccio, the rise of the mythical 4-2-3-1, and the spread of gegenpressing and counterattacking. Masson will be using different kind of formations as well as combinations of players being part of the first eleven to test which is the best combination, in a manner of speaking.

Let's take a look to the past... The navies used a weird but efficient 5-3-2, a modern formation becoming the team into a compact and dynamic one, two factors that are quite needed in the current football. We used to see Jonathan Bennet, Wesley Hammond, or Dallas Wheeler stealing the ball in the midfield, subsequently the used to make an arcing run toward the sideline. Ususally, they pass the ball to the center of the field in order to open up space in the bands to pass the ball through there once again thereafter. Ray Woods and Brian Ward accompany them going within the box, looking for the ball, and finally, they assure their attack by placing Benjamin Holloway, Daryl Agnew, and Shane Dawson/Allan Brewer outside the box in order to improve the distribution of the ball within the opponent's territory. It is a good strategy, but based in Masson's attitude, he will try to bring in the best of football, the art of football into the team soon. Do you know what are we talking about? Yes, strategy, tactics! The navies probably will use the said formation in a determined match day and above all, a determined opponent. It is hard to make this formation work properly, but it is not impossible. It is just a matter of test each player and analyze their skills. However, let's stop talking aout hypothetical issues and let's begin analyzing the game-style of United Eastedge, based on what they have shown in the Baptism of Fire 56. United Eastedge tend to be concentrated in open up spaces than any other thing within the field, but maybe you wonder, how the hell they do that? Well, that's a good question. It is a complex but easy proccess; they usually steal the ball in the midfield, if the defense is too closed and tuned, they stay passing the ball in their territory, making feel present to both wingers. The opponent usually goes toward the midfiel trying to steal the ball, and subsequently counterattack them. But, that causes to open up spaces... They pass the ball through the bands quickly and similar to a counter attack since they take bad-standing the opponent's defense at all. Nonetheless, that won't assure the qualification to the Finals due to the world-class opponents the navies will have to face. Speciacially, Audioslavia.

by **Brenecia** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:32 pm

BRENECIA
Preferred Formation: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: +1.25
Home Stadium: Kingsgarden - recently refurbished, a 58,000 all-seater in the capital of Rozelle.
Kit Supplier: Kirola
Nickname: the Patriots

Well, they sure as hell came close. Clinging onto second place by a thread for most of qualifying, the superiority of the Syndicate eventually shone through, but the Patriots can hold their heads high. It's a young team still in transition, but already they've put forward a very successful qualifying bid, playing attractive, aggressive football. The Bardsley System is starting to click. But the aim has always been to get results - can they storm to relevance this Cup of Harmony?

Overall Record
51 wins - 31 draws - 43 losses
192 scored - 183 conceded

First Team

Most RPs will contain the lineup for the next game, but this is the strongest lineup the Patriots can field.

Tactics
Under Catherine Bardsley, the Brenecian national team will play aggressively for the first time in modern history. Assembling in a 4-3-3, Brenecia will rely on a fast, direct game, aiming to pump the ball forward, preferably on the wings. Meanwhile, the three central midfielders will assert themselves on the game - Breton (Armstrong) a largely defensive player, the other two more free of movement and to create play. A very quick, athletic side, Brenecia will hope to catch defences off-guard through the pace of Scherzer up front. With regards to skill, Brenecia are somewhat a patchwork as far as depth is concerned, but they have a solid first-team despite lacking any real star players.

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y*
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y**
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y***
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

* Camden takes penalties and most free-kicks, Camden or a fullback takes corners
** I'll have the final say on severity.
*** One per match.

4 - Augustine BRETON - 25 - Brinemouth (NPH)
Holding Midfielder
19 caps, 0 goals
Breton is one of the stars of the team - his breakthrough into Brinemouth as their first-choice holding midfielder was a strong one, and he was key to their back-to-back victories in the league. He's strong all-round, with no real gaps in his play - mostly defense-focused, but like all Brinemouth's players, good with short, forward passing. Very much the sort of player Bardsley wants more of.

8 - Morgan UNDERWOOD - 25 - Vermillion Rage (NPH)
14 caps, 2 goals
Central Midfielder
A strong, strapping young man with a gift for long passes. Athletic and overpowering in midfield, and the sort of player whose drive and commitment are what mark him out. The first to start running and the last to stop. Technically, nothing special, but has the ability to assert himself box-to-box that this midfield otherwise lacks.

10 - Erin CAMDEN - 26 - Parrhesia United (NPH)
Central Midfielder
40 caps, 8 goals
Camden is an iconic player for the team now, coming from nowhere to establish herself in the squad. A superb playmaker, a decisive free kick specialist, and tipped as future captain. Somewhat ironically, half-Nepharim, and played for their U-21 squad, but she's very much a firm part of the squad by now.

15 - Portia KNIGHT - 28 - Falkner United
Central Midfielder
4 cap, 0 goals
Knight was never the fastest player even before a bad ACL injury cut short her pace, as well as any hope of a transfer out of the B-League. But when Falkner returned to the top flight in genuine, fearsome style, Knight marked herself out as the best passer in the league, with an uncanny accuracy long-range and the sort of intelligence that can unlock any defence. Not a bad shot, either.

21 - Kurtis ARMSTRONG - 26 - Iskara Daii (STB)
Defensive Midfielder
7 caps, 0 goals
One of the hordes of players brought into Daii, Armstrong is a capable defensive midfielder who can shut down midfields at a high standard. He might lack Breton's ability as a deep-lying playmaker, but he's every inch his match as a pure midfield enforcer.

23 - Cheney KELLER - 25 - Violence Chariots (NPH)
Central Midfielder
10 caps, 1 goals
A squad player for the Chariots, Keller never flinched when asked to fill in for either part of the exceptional Locke-Murdoch midfield. Here, he has lower expectations to fill. A thoroughly professional player, and a versatile central midfielder who might not be outstanding in any one aspect but has the skillset for any role the situation demands.

7 - Daniel SNOWDEN - 29 - Maximum Rovers (NPH)
Right Winger
37 caps, 10 goals
An energetic, pacy winger, Snowden seemed a little raw earlier in his career but is currently a far more developed player. Creates more chances than he converts, but he has an eye for putting crosses in at the far post for a lurking striker. All that's missing is the defensive ability to match his attacking flair, and even that's not for lack of trying.

9 - Cheney SCHERZER - 24 - Crisisbless (NPH)
Striker
18 caps, 12 goals
A young, dynamic centre-forward in red-hot form for his club, Scherzer was a natural choice to bolster the national team's flagging attack. In no way a complete forward, Scherzer thrives on the support of his colleagues, and can look isolated up front without that - but when given chances, Scherzer's pace, technique and drive always put him in great positions, and he's more than capable of turning them into goals.

11 - Miriam SPITFIRE - 30 - FC Brimstone (APX)
Left Winger
96 caps, 18 goals
One of the few remaining veterans of the BoF team, Spitfire's main asset is her vicious left boot - she prides herself on an ability to beat goalkeepers at their near post, as well as a natural aptitude for crossing. Not exactly a one-trick pony, but not known for her versatility; that said, can fill in at centre-forward when needed.

13 - Isadora CULLEN - 22 - Kingsgrove
Right Winger
6 caps, 2 goals
Cullen is two-footed, fast, with strong crosses and a more than decent shot on her, but perhaps needs to work on her team play. She doesn't have a bad attitude, but she's just individualistic by nature. Slatesaver surprised everyone by picking her, but her flair is a natural fit into Bardsley's system; not surprising given that it's Bardsley she thrived under club level.

14 - Cheney BELCONNEN - 25 - Racing Xinghua Baoyam (TRB)
Striker
21 caps, 10 goals
A strong, firm aerial presence with an innate ability to unsettle and outmuscle defenders despite his lean frame, Cheney 'Belco' Belconnen's energy makes him the perfect set of fresh legs near the end of a big match. He's capable of acting in a supporting role up front, but always poses an individual threat that isn't to be underestimated. Tactically, likely to be favoured when Brenecia look to defend a game and strike back quickly on the counter.

16 - Steed CURTIS - 24 - West Brinemouth (NPH)
Left Winger
6 caps, 1 goal
A strong, firm aerial presence with an innate ability to unsettle and outmuscle defenders despite his lean frame, Cheney 'Belco' Belconnen's energy makes him the perfect set of fresh legs near the end of a big match. He's capable of acting in a supporting role up front, but always poses an individual threat that isn't to be underestimated.

by **Furellum** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 9:01 am

OOC: This RP continues Furellum's story from WC69. It also refers to events that occurred during the most recent U-15 World Cup, and involved Furellum players from that team.
Prelude's Prelude: Damjan
Prelude: Borys
Act One:Frederik
Act Two: Mata
Act Three: Yuri
Act Four: Fyodor
Act Five: Lord Montalban
Act Six: Jedrzejczyk
Act Seven: Gabriel

Other Altsby, Furellum
It was almost 8 o'clock. In five minutes, the curfew would fall into place, and the people of Furellum would be locked in for the night. But not on this night. Yuri Kedzierski would see to that. At precisely 7:56 pm, Yuri stepped in front of the Plotzo* Arcanus, pulled out a pistol and shot one of the guards. Ignoring the sudden screams around him, he calmly shot the next guard, who had been advancing with his halberd. Now a small group of men, all armed to the teeth, had joined Yuri as he rushed towards the Plotzo's gates. Across the city, he knew, other small groups would be attacking other key locations. There were a few guns in each group, gifts from Yuri's shadowy friends. The rest were armed with typical Furellum weapons: crossbows, polearms and cold steel.

Most of the Plotzo guards had the same weapons. Yuri stepped out of the way of a pike thrust and shot the wielder. Beside him a big bear with a sabre chopped down another guard and pointed upwards. Yuri quickly scanned the walls of the Plotzo courtyard, and noted the archers running into position. Yuri signalled to another of his men, who was carrying a mage staff. He whipped the staff up to the walls and unleashed hell on the crossbow archers. Flames of green and blue licked across the stone like it was wood, while other fireballs bounced off the walls and burst in the courtyard as Yuri's rebels bolted for the palace doors.

The doors were barred, but Yuri had anticipated that eventuality. He set up the explosive charges like he'd been shown, than took cover behind one of the solid stone pillars that framed the door. Seconds later there was a giant hole in the door. Yuri's men charged into the gap, and engaged in close combat with the guards inside. Yuri walked casually though the hole, eliminating anyone in a Plotzo uniform with his pistol whenever he had a clear shot. By now he knew that the Cardinals in the tower would be alerted to the commotion below. He had to get there quickly. He thought briefly about asking his mage for levitation, but then dismissed the idea. Almost certainly they had wards in place which would prevent any magic being used in the area, and if he was three hundred feet in the air with nothing but magic holding him up when they hit a ward - well, it didn't bear thinking about. He'd just have to take the stairs, and hope they hadn't all bolted for whatever secret passage was in that room. Yuri knew there had to be at least one, built exactly for a moment like this. He'd just have to take the stairs and hope he could catch the Cardinals before they fled.

Altsby, Furellum
From the Duke's palace, the Furellum national football team could hear the sounds of gunfire. One of the Furellum Faithful, the gang that had formed from the team's supporters, came running through the door of the grand ballroom. "Men in the streets with guns!" he told them, "They're defying the curfew. Looks like it's about to get real ugly."
"What men?" asked Frederik.
"Not the Watch, or guards." answered the man. "Men in grey. Looks like a lot of the gangs are following them. No one likes the curfew or martial law, and now someone's standing up to the cardinals it's on for one and all. Some of the lads wanted a crack at the Watch themselves, but I said no without your permission sirs."
"Who are these men in grey? Do you know?"
"No, never seen them before. They're the only ones with guns though, but they ain't foreigners. At least, the humans might be, but not the beasts. They're ours, right enough."
A shout came from the corridor "They're coming this way!"
Frederik nodded his head. "If I'm right about this, the palace will be a key target. It's time we left."
"Seeing as you seem to have all the answers, why don't you tell us where you think we should go?" Fyodor asked sardonically.
Frederik answered calmly, "It would be best if we left the country why we still can. I have a boat at the harbour."
"Where to after that?"
"Maalvia will give you sanctuary." Just then, the sound of machine gun fire could be heard, the staccato bursts sounding very near. Somewhere nearby, there was the sound of glass breaking.
"We need to move, now!" Frederik herded the team out of the room, towards the back of the palace and safety.

*means "Palace" in Furelese

by **Buyan** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 9:41 am

A little bit of Aristotle goes a long way, but it’s talent that brings the point home
by Johan Gredholm

Synergy is one of the hip words used quite often these days to describe football. Great footballers are considered the unique rulers of their sport if they’re not only good, but can ensure that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. There are things to say about that vision and we do agree that it is that little bit of magic between players, rather than the individual fairy dust, that can bring us to the tip of our seats. But on the other hand of affairs, one should not forget that these parts are there for a reason. Of course we admire it if a side of moderately talented fellows teams up and turns out to have that click that allows them to overcome the odds. But if we look to the successful squads of our times, the Polar Islandstates and Vilita’s of this epoch, we not only see a great collection of footballers. We see a great collection of great footballers. Just as one could say that a car is more than its parts, but in the end has to admit that the best vehicles have the reliable brakes, the powerful engine and the firmest tires. And while it will be Shale’s job to gel the eleven men on the pitch together - as we do know that Crowley will certainly get the job done -, one shouldn’t underestimate the importance of individual class. At this level, only the best survive and the question today is whether does best are Cosumarites or Buyanese. I’m quite sure that any fan of the Dragons will agree with me, as he recalls the days of Riley, Andsman-Savage and Burke...

Koskinen over Seber

... and one of the few men of the Fiefdom that has survived since the heydays of consecutive World Cup qualifications is goalie Tomi Koskinen. Over a decade, he defends the goal of the blue-and-whites, a career which quite possibly ranks him amongst the greatest of keepers in the multiverse. We can’t even blame Seber for not possessing the same skill, despite the fact that his catlike reflexes almost live up to it, Koskinen is one of these Cosumarites who has written his name in golden letters in the book of international football.

Zemaitis over Lindroos

The combined age of the two left-backs that will take the pitch in the Alain Tramontin Stadium is much lower than those of the pairs of hands behind them and both nation seem to have found a player with bright prospects there. Especially Jukka Lindroos, who had an unexpectedly positive qualifying campaign, has quite some prospects up the road. Still, we rank Kazimieras Zemaitis higher than Lindroos, as he can not only bank on his experiences with Viztourzys, but also brings an attacking additive to the gameplay of the Hedgehogs.

Tufte over Mortonsson

Admittedly, not the easiest of calls. Both have a tendency to pick up an unwanted card and are sometimes troubled at the highest of levels. It is here that we give the advantage to Sigurd, as he seems to have thrown that off during this campaign. Only four yellows is not too bad for a defender in a tough campaign and the way he lead the defence - without Bartkus - against Audioslavia shows that Tufte has taken a next step. A step which Kirum Mortonsson might not have taken yet and one could question if he ever will.

Bartkus over Assad

If the previous dilemma could shake off the idea of being tight in the end, this one probably never will. Both Bronius Bartkus and Abdiel Assad are, despite their backgrounds, silent, unquestioned leaders in their defence, have seemingly no flaws in their gameplay and can bank on a name with an alliteration. Assad might take the lead when it comes to personality, being a face of the Harlighet Ligan, but then again the same goes for Bronius Bartkus, especially after his induction in the Hall of Fame. His Globe Cup gives Bartkus the advantage, but only when he is both completely healed and in shape, something that remains doubtable despite a great Audioslavia game after a heavy knee injury.

Miyori over Smetona

First of all, dear readers, let me make one thing very clear. We like Ignas Smetona. Talented bad boy spoils his chances at his youth club, leaves for an unknown team in a far-off country, battles his way back to the top and eventually gets rewarded with a spot on the national side, that’s prime material for any journalist. But honesty abides us to say that he cannot compete with the skill, swiftness and gentle touch of Tae Woo Miyori. As an extra, we can’t but feel that the rushes of Miyori will produce more danger than his Buyanese counterpart, so we’ll need Plovnarov to be ready.

Zermin over McSaunders

From the outside, neither appears to be a real unique piece of their side, as defensive midfielders often tend to be. But on closer investigation, both create the balance that lifts their side to a higher level. McSaunders might have that little bit of add-on creativity, even serves as a sort of talisman for the Dragons, but if we add it all up, we choose for Quinten Zermin. Throughout the qualifying campaign, he was the metronome and the steady force behind our side and caused our run to be moderately satisfying in the end.

Na’Noni over Rettinger

We’re not even going to try and pretend that this is an even comparison, as both have a very different role on the pitch. As a consequence, we’ll have to look at their added value if we want to pick one and although it might have been a close one, it’s the Vloo who comes out on top. Andrey Rettinger stirred some new life into our attack, can find the net from time to time and adds work force to it all, but his sparkle against the top sides remains limited. Na’Noni accordingly was dropped into the squad recently, but even exceeded the expectations. As a one-man army, he facilitates the ambitions of those in front of him, creating a minor advantage.

Engström over Plovnarov

Let’s make it clear, both present an interesting long-term prospect for their sides. The talent of Plovnarov goes unquestioned, as has been remarked by the Farf side that picked him up in the off-season. Carefully combining his offensive and defensive tasks, he has the potential to be an asset for the Hedgehogs in the upcoming decade. Engström, however, is already being such an asset today despite his young age. With seven goals, he was a thriving force behind the qualification for the play-offs of the Cosumarites, and it is this punishing effect in front of goal that places him above our compatriot.

Devold over Petrov

The number ten, a monumental position in any team. Paaron Petrov had big shoes to fill when he stepped up the plate to take the spot of Giovanni Aldinne, but he has lived up to the expectations so far with great presence and a powerful shot from far out. Still, we’ll -finally- be a bit patriotic here and opt for our Sverre Devold over the feisty Fevelian. Although he hasn’t always managed to fulfil the promise on the international level, the Barbury Town player is the guy to whom we turn when things get difficult and who can alter the game when necessary.

Renault over Halmiini

There are quite a few things that speak to the advantage of Eero Halmiini. He’s without any doubt quicker than the Cosumarite captain, he possesses a technique which has only ameliorated in his Mytanar seasons and which at the moment outmatches anyone who will take the field tomorrow. But when things get rough, it’s results that count and that’s why we’ll pick Renault. While stats like seven assists and two goals would be seen as magnificent stats, they are considered “underwhelming” for Renault and although it might be his last tournament at the highest level, the spirit and power of Renault still makes the difference.

Dalmshelf over Vilar

Those lucky enough to not have been involved in an accident with a meat grinder, will now have counted to five on both their Cosumarite and Buyanese hand. And indeed, this might be a game where one moment of a leading striker might be decisive. If Sur Arora wouldn’t have been carried off the pitch against Farfadillis, this wasn’t much of a dilemma, but now we give Dalmshelf the upper hand. Vilar, after all, hasn’t performed yet at this level, playing for second divisionist Olask Islanders. Dalmshelf has struggled to deal with that as well, but we can hope that the habituation period should be over for him now. Time to deliver.

by **West Angola** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:01 pm

Part One: Decisions
For the eighteenth time, Isaac Warren read the newspaper headline, hoping once again that he’d misread it the previous seventeen times. The words were unchanged, Coup in Namibe, Queen Anna, Luke Parrish, Kevin Garrett, Phillip Garren Dead, August II re-crowned King. Isaac kept telling himself that it was just like last time, when August had attempted his first coup and the Register had prematurely reported that August had taken control of the palace and hung Parrish in Victory Square. Less than an hour later the state news network ANN had identified the body in the square as a local Gregon executive who had helped bankroll the covert rebellion against August and had profited from it during Parrish’s reign. Isaac had hoped and prayed that a similar retraction was forthcoming, that somehow this was all false, that his friends were alive, and that the biggest monster he’d ever known, and the man responsible for his existence, was again all-powerful ruler of West Angola.

While he was Isaac Warren, he was not the original Isaac Warren. The Isaac Warren who had been born in 1971 in Luanda and traveled to Astograth for the Forty-Fifth Baptism of Fire had died fifty years ago, killed with the rest of the team in a plane crash orchestrated by Thomas Nasser, August’s spy on the team. That Isaac Warren had stood alongside Luke Parrish in the cockpit trying to stop Nasser, and had fallen there, he and Nasser shooting each other while Luke tried fruitlessly to disable the autopilot course into the ground Nasser had plotted. At the moment that Isaac Warren died, a host of his doppelgangers had laid in stasis beneath the Royal Palace, playthings of August’s insane lackey William Danforth Sr. Of the fifteen clones of Isaac Warren, he was the only one on whom Danforth’s indoctrination had not worked, the only one who had rebelled against the things Danforth told him he would do in the name of the King, the only one who had escaped bondage.

During the World Cup, while Luke had done all he could to destabilize August’s rule from inside the country, he had been captured by a clone of Thomas Nasser, created for the same purpose as Isaac’s clones but far more malevolent, and taken to a bridge outside Namibe to be disposed of. Despite being a clone, Isaac had all of the memories and experiences of the original, and knew Luke was a friend and an ally. For that reason, he had emerged from his observation post near the bridge and driven the car he’d stolen during his escape over Nasser. Taking Luke with him, the two had infiltrated the national emergency broadcast system and revealed August’s crimes to the nation, turning the people against him and leading to the king’s eventual removal from power. Isaac soon found that he, like his original, enjoyed football, and soon filled his counterpart’s place on the national team. He and Luke played side by side until his friend was elected King against his will, and then Isaac had taken on the role of mentoring Luke’s replacement, Michael Larssen, a job he enjoyed almost as much as playing with his best friend.

His career, however, hadn’t lasted much longer than Luke’s. Toward the end of World Cup 61, he had been kidnapped by August and replaced with another clone, and the mad king had allowed his enforcer, William Danforth Sr., to conduct horrific experiments on him with the intention of eventually disposing of him when there was nothing further to be learned. However, Luke and Phillip had discovered his location and saved him just as he lay at death’s door, and even with August and Danforth so close the two had been concerned only for the life of their friend. Despite conceivably having a few more years left in his career from a chronological standpoint, the poisons and chemicals Danforth had used on him had ravaged his body beyond any condition for football, and aged him at least fifteen years in the process. His career on the pitch effectively over, he joined Phillip on the sidelines as his new assistant coach, forcing out the previous holder of that position, Kyle Cole, who had briefly landed a job at the helm of Lalo Limahina’s squad in World Cup 63 before resigning due to health issues and dropping off the radar.

Now Luke and Phillip were dead, and the man who had killed his genome, tried to turn him into a tool to kill his friends, and almost killed him was restored to the throne of West Angola. If his actions to date were any indication, the long absence from the world of the living had increased his megalomania, as he had already unilaterally dissolved Parliament in favor of a triumvirate of Communists, the ultra-capitalistic Old Guard, and a radical terroristic faction of the Bantu Tribe. As incredible as it seemed, August had managed to fan the flames of the people’s anger at being lied to to the point that they would permit such tyranny, as this action and other attempts to restrict political freedoms had been accepted with only a handful of voices raised in protest around the country.

While the team remained in Gregoryisgodistan, they were somewhat insulated from the events in West Angola, and if they went straight from that nation to the Cup of Harmony, they would be able to remain so until they were eliminated from that tournament. However, once the Cup was over, all of them would be faced with a monumental decision: would they return to Namibe and August’s sphere of influence, or would they join Paul Arrat’s Government-in-Exile on Farreth Island? For Isaac, the choice was clear, he would never allow August another easy shot at him, but he worried about what his players and his staff would do. While he thought he could rebuild the team should it separate following the Cup of Harmony, he worried about what it would do to team morale if half (or more) of them were fresh faces taken from a very small talent pool at the start of World Cup 70.

A knock at his door startled him out of his reverie, “It’s unlocked!”

Jan Pawel stuck his head in, the man’s Slavic features contrasting sharply with Warren’s Iberian ones. Poles represented a sizable minority in West Angola after King Sien I had declared the nation a haven for exiles from that nation in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s, and they now represented the majority share of the group who had fled to Farreth Island with Paul Allen. Warren hoped that would contribute to Pawel’s decision of whether to stay or go, and was prepared to work that angle as much as he could, “What is it, Jan?”

“I got everyone together in the conference room like you asked. They’re all kind of on edge, with the news coming out of Namibe lately.” Isaac imagined his expression had resembled Pawel’s current one a few days ago, a desperate, pleading hope for the news to be false, and that gave Isaac hope that he could save his friend. He and Jan walked down the aisle to the plane’s conference room. Since the team’s accounts had been frozen in Namibe until they returned they had been unable to secure lodgings and had been reduced to sleeping on the team plane, which thankfully was equipped with a handful of partitions to allow a measure of male/female privacy while sleeping and changing. As Jan opened the door to the conference room, a flurry of voices all hit Isaac at once, and he motioned to Jan, who shouted, “Quiet! All of you! How is the man supposed to fill us in if you can’t hear what he’s saying?”

“Thanks Jan. You’ve all heard the news coming out of Namibe these last several days, and many of you have wondered whether or not it is true. I am sorry to inform you that Phillip and Luke are indeed dead, as are Queen Anna and Kevin Garrett, and that King August II had inexplicably returned to power.”

The reactions were more mixed than Warren had feared. It had been over fifty years since August had been driven from power, and more than thirty since he’d attempted to seize control via a coup, before any of his players had been born. He, Jan Pawel, and Blake Green were the only ones who had been alive, and Pawel and Green had been eight and thirteen, respectively, barely old enough to know what was happening, which left Isaac as the sole occupant of the room with any experience with August. “I can tell that most of you don’t know what to think of this, so let me tell you that while Phillip and Luke and the rest did act to conceal the Queen’s death from the general public, the men I know, and the men you know, would never do such a thing without a very good reason. I’m asking you to take the new king’s story with a grain of salt, and to trust me when I say that the things you’ve heard he did while in power are very much true. I’m not going to force any of you to do anything, but we can only put off this decision for a little while longer. The end of the Cup of Harmony will force our hand, removing the last excuse we have against returning to Namibe. This airplane has sufficient fuel to carry us to either Valladares or Yttribia, and take anyone who wishes to go back to West Angola afterwards. The rest of us will need to charter a private flight to Farreth Island to join Prime Minister Arrat and the rest of the refugees.”

From the back, Alan Harrison spoke up, “Why do the true West Angolans have to take the other plane? This jet is government property, there’s no reason the usurper should have it!”

Well, at least I won’t be flying at Farreth alone. “Arrat’s in a tight enough situation as it is. August is just itching for an excuse to invade and occupy the island, and we can’t give him one. It’s not too much of a stretch to think that he’ll seize on the “theft” of the plane to justify conquering the island, and I can’t take that risk.”

David Thorpe raised a hand, “If we stay here until the Cup of Harmony, aren’t we endangering those of us who want to return after the tournament? I doubt King August will take well to us refusing to even stop off in Namibe beforehand.”

“We can claim that the situation in Namibe is too unstable for us to risk going back right now. August will have to accept that because of how popular we are in West Angola. His best chance at keeping the people in line is harping on the anger that led him to power and making sure the people are focused on cheering us on. He can’t risk taking any action against the team or the players for a long time, long enough that staying away won’t be an issue anymore.”

Looking around at his players, Isaac knew this would be his last tournament with several of them, “Alright then, we’ll leave as soon as we know where we’re playing. Afterwards, we separate, and I hope all of you make the right decision.”

by **Electrum** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:33 am

This RP comes in two parts, an introductory/preview section, then back to normal programming, the RP based on last cycle's CoH where Kazamatsuri/Mizuyuki's Azai Kanon was allegedly involved in a scandal by giving Electrum a favourable draw. Further information below. Note that that particular RP Line is based off Ace Attorney: Justice For All, Case 4

Cup of Harmony Travel Handbook - Electrum Half-Weekly Sports Magazine

Electrumites don't have to travel far this time round in this cycle's Cup of Harmony (number 61) where they travel to nearby Valladares for Group C matches. Electrum will be squaring off against Buyan, West Angola and Cosumar for two spots in the round of 16. The Electrum National team will be playing in two locations, Canalave (Day 3) and Eterna City (Day 1 and 2). This guide will outline the various cultural dos and don'ts of Valladares as well as providing general advice on travel.

Travel
This tournament by far will be the easiest to travel to for Electrumite fans. For those who want to watch matches in Yttribia (though, we don't see why you would want to do so, when the Cup of Harmony is literally on our doorstep), fans can take AirElectrum planes to get to Yttribia where there will be connecting flights with other carriers to the other host cities.

Meanwhile, for those hoping to see the Electrum team, they will have to travel to Valladares -- as you know, another nation in Southeast Rushmore. With recent cooperation from ElectrumRail and authorities in Valladares, additional, supplementary trains will be in service between Centralis and Prescott to Metropolis and eventually Eterna City and Canalave. High speed rail between the two nations will mean that travel time will only be for a few hours, something fans of Electrum will appreciate.

Fans travelling to Valladares will require just a passport to enter by special agreement to Rushmori nations in that they do not require a visa to enter. Nonetheless, having proof of why you're staying there is also important, so if you can, buy your ticket in advance and show it at the gate. There are also special arrangements in place between Valladares and Electrum (one of few nations where overland travel to Valladares is available) -- there is a border checkpoint just outside Prescott where Electrumite authorities will check all outbound passengers, before the train is allowed to travel on to Valladares, where they have their own separate border checkpoint upon arrival into Valladar territory.

NB: Despite the City of Junín (enclave of Electrum) being part of Valladar territory, no matches will be held here. The borders are still closed, as the city exists as a military installation and as a port of entry to the sea for use by Valladars.

Cultural Considerations, Laws and Customs
Electrumites be warned, laws that apply in Valladares may not necessarily apply in Electrum. Hence, check the local laws if you are unsure about the things you are going to do there. This list does not serve as an exhaustive list of laws or cultural considerations.

Fans travelling to Valladares are required to show respect to local customs and laws. Although Electrum allows free speech (except to incite violence), and allows criticisms of almost everyone, everyone in Valladares is forbidden to speak ill, spread rumours, or do something harmful to the Royal family themselves, or their reputations. People breaking these strict laws will result in immediate imprisonment and will face punishment with the King as the judge. Electrumite authorities/embassy staff in Metropolis will endeavour to help you should you face trouble, however, Valladar laws may prevent that course.

Another thing to consider (for you polyglots) is the standard of language in Valladares. Although Electrum's de facto language is English and other languages are uncommon, Valladares exists in a multilingual society with a variety of languages (English is the most common in Eterna State) including Spanish (main language), French and Portugese. Despite this, they do not take kindly to those that aren't fluent in their language, so if you can stick to Eterna State and speak English, you should be fine.

Other things to consider are currency and environmental legislation. In terms of currency, Valladares uses the Valladar Point or the NSD. Electrumites can convert their currency at their local bank, top up a foreign card with foreign currency or simply exchange it at Valladares (note, the exchange rate is less in Valladares than in Electrum). Electrum Synergies are worth around $1.86 NSD and are so, worth more than the Valladar Point. Meanwhile, it is illegal to camp on open field, lit bonfires, litter the ground, among other things. Basically, keep the environment the way you found it. You may be fined or jails if you break these rules in Valladares.

The National Team
The Electrum national team will be staying and training at the Canalave Dragons Training Complex in Canalave. They will also play here on the first two matchdays. They will be having an open practise session two days before the first matchday -- where fans can visit and see the teams progress. Autographs and signings will also take place on that day. From then on, there will be private training sessions with the area fenced off from any prying eyes.

Be sure to pack some sunscreen when you're at Canalave, with temperatures reaching highs of 33, similar to what can be expected of Hamilton. Unlike Hamilton, it is also a very humid city, so make sure you stay well hydrated. It is however home to lots of canals, making it a very romantic location. Why, you can hear the rowboats floating among the canal... Electrum will be playing the first two match days here, playing against West Angola and Cosumar in the aforementioned Dragon Stadium.

In Eterna City, Electrum will face Buyan on the last match day at the Alain Tramontin Stadium. Citizens of Prescott will enjoy this city the most, with it's groovy nightlife scene and high mountains reminiscent of Prescott.

If you need background information..
Someone has hired an assassin who assassinated the former minister for Sports, Jack Hughes, who was involved in a scandal in the last cycle where him and another person, representing the Kazamatsuri FA, had leaks showing the bribery of the event -- where Electrum paid their way for an easy draw in the Cup of Harmony. A trial was set for Azai Kanon, the rep for Kazamatsuri FA, when the key witness, Jack Hughes himself was set to announce, in a press conference the day before details which would blow the whole trial away. However, he was found dead hours before the conference and Azai's assistant, Kazuyuki Shirai was instead arrested for the murder. The assassin's calling card was accidentally taken by Azai, meaning that the police had no idea an assassin did it until later on in trial.

Due to the assassin's honour code to never let his client take the blame, he kidnaps a defense lawyer's (Justin Themis is the lawyer, Kira Mayuno is the co-counsel) assistant (Rachael Waters) and holds her to ransom and forces the lawyer to defend Kazuyuki to get him a non guilty verdict. The lawyer is currently suspicious on Azai Kanon with the murder but things are not making sense as it becomes increasingly clearer that Kazuyuki is not what he seems..is probably the client who ordered the killing Jack Hughes as well. Justin has help from a police officer (Det. Raynald) who was kicked out of the case by the former prosecutor prosecuting the case (Prosecutor Aitkens) before she was shot on the morning of the trial by the aforementioned assassin, as a present to get a nicer prosecutor. Replacement Prosecutor Keyes stepped in and is a friend of Justin Themis. Both detective and prosecutor know of the kidnapping and what would happen if Kazuyuki was found guilty.

Nikola Stevens is the maid of the hotel, and is friendly with the pair. They met in the first day when they were investigating... and was the one that gave them the receiver which gave them contact to the assassin which was holding Rachael hostage... She could be pivotal to the case.

Clerk: Court is now in session for the trial of Azai Kanon, the first under the new inquisitorial system.

Judge: With formalities out of the way, we left yesterday with a startling message, just what did Azai Kanon do in the crime? And was she involved in any way? I'll start with the Prosecutor for his thoughts.

Prosecutor Keyes: Azai Kanon faked evidence so that Kazuyuki Shirai would be arrested instead. She masqueraded as him in his jacket and a wig, then stabbed the corpse with the knife and planted the button. Those things are what she has done.

Judge: So you're saying that she's the guilty party?

Prosecutor Keyes: No. We haven't accused her of murder yet. Although she framed the crime scene, the prosecution has proof of her not doing the actual murder.

Judge: Yes, I do recall something of that description after I adjourned the trial yesterday.

Prosecutor Keyes: Yes, it is this calling card. The calling card of an assassin.

Judge: I see. So that's what Azai was playing with while on the stand.

Prosecutor Keyes: Nonetheless, Hughes was killed by an assassin. One hired by Kazuyuki himself!

Kira Mayuno: Justin, it's all true, isn't it?

Justin Themis: We just need to keep going on and find more time so that the investigation team can find Rachael safely.

Judge: Prosecutor, you may call the first witness.

Prosecutor Keyes: We call Nikola Stevens to the stand.

Clerk: Call Nikola Stevens. Please, for the court record, state your name and occupation.

Nikola Stevens: I am Nikola Stevens, a maid of the Centralis Hilton.

Prosecutor Keyes: You visited Kazuyuki and Azai's shared room on the night of the murder, right?

Nikola Stevens: Yes. That is part of my maid duties.

(..! She didn't tell us that yesterday!)

Prosecutor Keyes: Please testify to the effect of what you saw when you entered the room.

Nikola's Testimony: What I saw
----------------------------------------
1. I entered the shared room to clean up, of course.

2. When I entered, I saw Kazuyuki talking to someone...

3. It was that new butler or porter, he was probably one of the new hotel staff

4. They were taking a really long time... so I had to go, as my duties require me to go to other rooms
----------------------------------------

Nikola Stevens: And that's what happened.

Prosecutor Keyes: Hmm... that butler or porter, you say?

Nikola Stevens: Yup.

Prosecutor Keyes: That is, if that's who they really are.

Justin Themis: What on earth is he talking about?

Kira Mayuno: I'm not liking where this is going.

Judge: Defense, your cross examination, please.

Justin Themis: Alright then Nikola. Let's begin with the why you entered the room.

Nikola Stevens: Well... I am a maid after all... so I just wanted to do some cleaning...

Judge: And then?

Nikola Stevens: This is a trick, isn't it~ You are going to accuse me of murder!

Prosecutor Keyes: No one is accusing you of anything! Please, just cooperate.

Judge: I believe the question has been answered, to clean the room.

Kira Mayuno: What a ditzy person...

Justin Themis: So you saw the butler and... my client, right?

Nikola Stevens: Yup. It was a bit strange though... Kazuyuki kinda gave the butler a tip.

Justin Themis: A tip? That is weird...

Kira Mayuno: Hmm... that's something you would see in another nation, but am I right in saying that Electrumites don't tip?

Justin Themis: Unlike other countries, we have a decent minimum wage, so no. None of those shenanigans.

Nikola Stevens: Anyways, at first, I thought it was that butler.

Kira Mayuno: Nikola, what do you mean by that?

Nikola Stevens: Well, it's true he had the hotel uniform and all. But I don't know...

Justin Themis: Was it because of the tip? You thought the giving of the tip was strange, didn't you?

Nikola Stevens: Why counsellor, you might be right! I do recall that incident blackening my memory...

Justin Themis: What's so strange about that?

Nikola Stevens: I don't know, I mean no one ever tips us hotel staff, so it was a surprise that the butler of all people got a tip. And it was a huge tip as well. Never seen that much money before.

Justin Themis: A huge tip?

Nikola Stevens: Yeah, like a lot. A whole wad.

Kira Mayuno: A wad? Are you serious?

Judge: That's certainly interesting... Prosecutor, where do you want to proceed from here?

Prosecutor Keyes: That's right. A tip cannot be a wad of cash. But another question arises. Just what is it? It's payment...

Kira Mayuno: Payment for what?

Prosecutor Keyes: Payment for the murder of Jack Hughes. The butler was in fact the assassin!

Judge: We would like to see proof of this!

Prosecutor Keyes: Judge, remember the calling card which was left at the scene of the crime. This person is in fact the assassin! The witness saw the very person who murdered Jack Hughes.

Nikola Stevens: No way! That's what it was about? Oh my god! Everything is clicking!

Judge: What do you mean by that, witness?

Nikola Stevens: I remember! I saw that butler again on that night.

Kira Mayuno: No way!

Prosecutor Keyes: Please testify to that effect.

Nikola's Testimony: Second encounter
----------------------------------------
1. So I had to go back to the second floor as I really needed to go to the toilet

2. And then that butler came out of Jack Hughes's room!

3. It indeed did look weird, the way he walked out of the room

4. So he must have been the assassin, right?
----------------------------------------

Judge: Defense, you may cross examine.

Prosecutor Keyes: You see, Mr. Themis, if that butler was indeed the assassin, then it would be obvious that Nikola witnessed the real murderer walking out.

Justin Themis: OK Then.... are you sure it was the same person that you saw the first time round?

Nikola Stevens: Yup. As a maid, it's my duty to remember faces. I don't forget easily. I'm certain it's him.

Justin Themis: In any case, why did it seem weird to you? I mean, he was a butler, right?

Nikola Stevens: Hmm... I guess because he was empty handed. We usually have a trolley or something to bring around with us.

Kira Mayuno: Empty... handed?

Nikola Stevens: Wouldn't that be strange?

Justin Themis: No, not really. If you think about it...

Prosecutor Keyes: Butlers are there to cater for the every need for their client. Hence, it's natural when the client asks a butler for something, that that butler arrives with whatever they need. In this case, they had no reason to be empty handed.

Nikola Stevens: Exactly! That is suspicious!

Justin Themis: Let me reiterate - you thought it was suspicious for someone to walk out like that.

Nikola Stevens: Yup. The first time I saw him, he held a tray with that wine bottle.

OBJECTION!

Nikola Stevens: What?! Is this another one of your tricks again?

Justin Themis: No. In fact, I'm proving why your version of events is wrong. This prosecutor here is trying to cast doubt on that butler, and we're not having a bar of it!

Nikola Stevens: What's your point?

Justin Themis: Point is, this wine bottle was found at the crime scene! The butler brought it to Hughes's room!

Nikola Stevens: Wouldn't he have seen the dead body, right?

Justin Themis: Ah, but then how do you know he was dead when he walked in?

Nikola Stevens: I don't know! Er... maybe because it was around the scene of the crime?

Kira Mayuno: Nikola, that's just not going to cut it...

Prosecutor Keyes: Nikola... why don't you tell us what you mean by the butler was empty handed?

(What tricks ais he playing?)

Nikola Stevens: Right! He was wearing black gloves too! Like one of those secret agent spies!

Judge: Why wasn't this revealed earlier?

Nikola Stevens: I forgot, but the prosecution jogged my memory.

(Seems mighty suspicious...)

Justin Themis: So what, a lot of hotel staff wear gloves, especially butlers!

Nikola Stevens: I think I would know what really happens at our hotel. No one wears gloves, saves for the occasional germophobe clients we get sometimes, then we wear white gloves.

Prosecutor Keyes: Remember, the witness saw the person get that wad of cash, then he left the scene of the crime with gloves. That is definitely suspicious. Now that we've made that point, let's delve deeper. What happened... after you saw the butler walk out?

Nikola Stevens: That's right, there's one small bit at the end as well that I haven't covered yet...

Kira Mayuno: A second meeting perhaps? This is not looking good Justin...

Justin Themis: Kira... we need to hang on for Rachael. She's counting on us to get her out. And the kidnapper won't release her until our client is found innocent.

Nikola's Testimony: What I saw... again
----------------------------------------
1. After leaving Hughes's room, the butler walked to Kazuyuki's room

2. He handed over an item in hand, then he just left.

3. Later on, he nodded at me in the ground floor
----------------------------------------

Judge: Poor you. The maid who saw too much.

Nikola Stevens: I can't believe it! I actually saw a murderer!

Justin Themis: Nikola... is it just me or have you been deliberately vague?

Nikola Stevens: What's this?

Justin Themis: Please, tell us exactly of the nature of the items that you saw being handed over.

Nikola Stevens: Sorry Mr. Lawyer! I really don't know! I only saw the arm move into the door. Trust me, if I knew I would have said it already. I didn't even see who was inside...

Prosecutor Keyes: Please, just try a little bit harder, but first, what about that last statement? How he nodded at you...

Nikola Stevens: Yeah, I mean he just gave me this receiver and told me to give it to Justin and Kira... Don't know why though..

Prosecutor Keyes: Mr. Themis, do you want to explain this?

(He knows perfectly well that the other end of that receiver is our only link of connection to the assassin and Rachael...)

Justin Themis: To be honest, I have no idea what they're talking about. Anyways...

Nikola Stevens: Hey... I remembered the best I could... and I think it was a wooden box... If I just saw it again, I'd be certain.

Kira Mayuno: A wooden box... sounds really familiar.

Justin Themis: Hang on, I think I know what it is!

Kira Mayuno: You do? No way!

OBJECTION!

Judge: Yes? Why would you object to that last statement made by the witness?

Justin Themis: I don't think this will help our case at all... but I think I know what it is.

Judge: Oh really now?

Justin Themis: Yes, your honour. Nikola... did you see this box that I have in my hands?

Nikola Stevens: Oh wow! You got it! You are one piece of work Justin! I wish I was as smart as you...

Prosecutor Keyes: Hey! That's the box in Kazuyuki's house!

Judge: The defendant's house?

Prosecutor Keyes: That's right. Isn't it obvious, your honour? Darkshade, the assassin, murdered Jack Hughes in cold blood, then, this wooden box in the room was stolen. Then, it was found in Kazuyuki's house. So, we can extrapolate from that.... that Kazuyuki is Darkshade's client! He was the one that called the murder!

The gallery erupts in outcry. It has only been now that the prosecution was able to link Kazuyuki and the murderer together.

Judge: Order, Order!

Kira Mayuno: Justin, we're in big trouble now.

Justin Themis: Sorry, Kira, I just had too.

Kira Mayuno: It's OK. Do you remember? Prosecutor Keyes was there when we found the box too. Even if you hadn't gone forward, i'm sure he would have presented it too.

Justin Themis: You're right. In any case, we can still turn this whole thing round.

Kira Mayuno: Are you sure?

Justin Themis: Hang on--

Judge: From the testimony that and the evidence that has just been presented, I see no further reason to continue this trial. I am ready to pronounce my verdict.

(There has to be something we can hang on too! We just need more time for the police to find Rachael...)

Kira Mayuno: Your honour! Please, there are still some things we need to examine!

Justin Themis: Kira, what are you doing?

Kira Mayuno: Justin, all yours now?

Justin Themis: Um....

Prosecutor Keyes: It's impossible!

Judge: Counsel, if you cannot control your outbursts, I will have to penalise you! But, seeing as there are no objections...

Justin Themis: Ah! Yes! We need to explore something here: The box itself! Just how on earth did this get inside Kazuyuki's house?

Prosecutor Keyes: ...?

Justin Themis: It's simple. The box was found in the house, sitting there on the couch. But, recall, Kazuyuki never came back home after he was arrested in the hotel. Ergo, it is not possible for Kazuyuki to bring this box back to his house!

Prosecutor Keyes: Hehe...

Kira Mayuno: What now, Prosecutor Keyes?

Prosecutor Keyes: That butler that you saw yesterday... we only just found out that he was the assassin. So, the assassin and Kazuyuki were working together. This doesn't change things at all. The assassin could just of easily took back the box and bring it back to his house.

Justin Themis: Gah! Where does he get these explanations from?

Judge: I think that's enough. We have cleared up the fact how this box went from the hotel to the house. And that he received the wooden box whilst in the hotel, before he was arrested. With those facts out of the way--

Justin Themis: Not yet your honour!

Judge: Not another point of information, yes, what is it?

Justin Themis: Right now, Kazuyuki is accused of hiring the assassin to kill Jack Hughes, because, he was the one that took the box from the assassin, as witnessed by Nikola, and secondly, that the box was found in his house later on. However, it is entirely possible that someone else was also the client!

(No... can I really accuse someone innocent for the crime?)

Justin Themis: *ahem* It's Azai Kanon...

Judge: What?

Justin Themis: She tried to frame my client for the crime... it could have been possible that it was her hand that Nikola seen through the door. Recall, she said that she didn't even know who was inside the room the second time they allegedly met.

Nikola Stevens: Hey! That's right! That arm... it could have been Azai!

Justin Themis: That's right Nikola! Recalling yesterday's testimony, we know that Kazuyuki was in a nap during that time. So, it could have been possible that we just walked into a trap, masterminded by none other than Azai Kanon!

.........

Judge: Prosecutor... your thoughts?

.........

Prosecutor Keyes: There is no evidence. There are so many flaws. But, a possibility is a possibility. And we need to explore all of them to avoid the miscarriage of justice.

Kira Mayuno: All this, just to get Rachael back...

Justin Themis: We were screwed over by that stupid assassin...

Prosceutor Keyes: We are prepared to challenge this theory of theirs.

Jusin Themis: ....

Prosecutor Keyes: We've all centered around this little box. But why is it so important, so pivotal to this case? Once we know the signifiance of it... then we will be ready to reveal the full truth. Your honour, we wish to recall Azai Kanon to the stand. She herself, would of course be in the best position to testify about her own innocence.

Judge: So be it. Recess granted.

by **Brenecia** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 5:12 am

SCOUT REPORT - NEU ENGOLLON
Compiled by Hannah Rutherford

- Decent qualifying run, ending in playoffs when railed 3-0 by Ruentenbach. Would be more consolation were we not railed 7-3 by Ruentenbach.
- Coaching staff a selection of club managers. Not a system I trust, probably still effective.
- Really rugby-lookin' kits.
- Most starters have a fair amount of caps. Expect good chemistry in 3-4-3 formation.
- Biggest threats central midfielder S. MANION and centreforward E. SIEBECH, both based in Earent.
- Recommend A. BRETON spends entire ninety minutes trying to kick Manion repeatedly.
- how do you pronounce labrecq
- Many players have smattering of goals for their team - many threats, not just Siebech.
- Young defence - M. FANTINELLI and K. ROTTENTUF in particular - look a good bet to nearly match C. SCHERZER in pace. May have to bring on Belconnen if attacks don't work with Scherzer up front.
- O. FLEGZUT in goal looks consistent and capable. Better than anything we've got.
- Can maybe exploit wings?? Cullen may be better bet than Snowden, Berenger over Allbeck, as can expect most attacks to come down centre.
- Tough match. Will probably lose or draw.

SCOUT REPORT - QUEER POCO
Compiled by Harry Jameson

Qualifying notes: Won five matches from fourteen. Scored just twelve, conceded just thirteen. Impressively beat Valladares 1-0 away.
Managerial notes: Anderson Rodriguez, 57, utterly mental. Failed former footballer. Headbutted a man once. Assistant, Francis, acts as foil.
Tactical notes: 3-6-1 formation.
Personnel - Goalkeepers: Vicente, 29, quite good but literally a match-fixer. Backup is Kowalski, 40, a preacher, who looks rather out of place with the rest of the squad. Fortunately, well, he's forty. If Vicente is injured or suspended, we should be golden.
Personnel - Defenders: Lieberman, 30, best of the lot. Very violent. Ramsey, 28, also very violent. Yilmaz, 21, again, very violent. Gleeson, 17, violent pyromaniac. Vega, 31, known for violence. Recommend we use Belconnen at CF, as someone's going to get injured and it might as well be the slightly less effective one.
Personnel - Midfielders: Etxeberria, 31, proper cunt. Good player, probably the key to their defence. Usually paired with Slimani, 19, moody fucker. van Dyke and Carr playing ahead of them are strong players, some of the best in the team. As is Teagues, 22. Teagues has white supremacist leanings. Recommend we recall Althea Chenoweth to murder Teagues. Anyon, Alves and Blackwood all good players, and were there better strikers on offer their supply might not be so frequently wasted.
Personnel - Forwards: Prince Saladin Bakhiri is 18 and a total cunt, bad at football. Will melt like chocolate when kicked to death by Seth Greig. Backup is Kandakram, 22, an enigma.
Additional information: Official nickname appears to be 'the Bastard Squad'. ... what?
Likely result: Clean 2-0 victory. Five injuries.

SCOUT REPORT - FURELLUM
Compiled by Dale Cormick

Have been keeping watch on this hill for hours. Alleged 'magical' bridge required to reach nation, thus training camp. Have crossed bridge in full combat fatigues and hunting rifle. Expecting resistance at any moment, but they'll never find me here, on the grassy knoll.
Training camp visible from vantage point. Wish there wasn't literal magic around. Feels edgy.
Qualifying record solid. Nearly defeated Free Republics, which would have been really funny. Did not manage it. Pity.
Squad, or possibly national, motto is 'Victoria et hoc genus omne'. Have no idea what this means as am monolingual.
Recommend Brenecian national team motto be changed to 'four legs good, two legs better' for duration of match.
Like Jayce Pence, opposing goalkeeper's strength are with reflexes and energetic saves. Unlike Jayce Pence, opposing goalkeeper is a baboon.
Five-man (?) defence ahead of him. Includes bears, badgers, and wearing the armband, a horse. Mlaker may or may not be a disciple of Satan judging by his tackling. Recommend Scherzer brings crucifix onto pitch.
Cold here. Miss my family.
Three-man midfield includes alleged magician Adam Vukoja. Also present: a cheetah, Sokoloff. Presumably quite fast.
Starting to regret choice of beverage: bovril. Preferable in hindsight: vodka.
Leopard striker alleged team star. Will not attempt to spell name. Either way, Furellum not significant goal threat.
They've seen me.
I have to run.
If I do not return, but my journal does, tell my wife I was cheating on her for fifteen years.
(If I do return, please dear God don't tell her that.)
Pray for me.

by **Gregoryisgodistan** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:56 am

Gregoryisgodistan in Group D

Gregoryisgodistan has been drawn into Group D for the Cup of Harmony. This group will be played in Valladares and also includes The Archregimancy, The Icemark, and United Eastedge. On the first matchday, the Foot Slaves will face off against The Icemark at Estádio Estadual Armando Bozzelli. The Icemark missed out on qualification in spite of a strong start, but is the Pot 4 team in this group and is not expected to do too well. This should be an easy win for Gregoryisgodistan against the Icemen or whatever their nickname is. Next up, they will face off against United Eastedge at the same site. The Baptism of Fire champions are a surprise team this year, managing to make it into Pot 3 of the CoH Draw. However, the Foot Slaves are the best team in Pot 2 and should easily dispose of them. Finally, it will be what could be, and very likely will be, a matchup to determine the group winner, as Gregoryisgodistan takes on the sinning heathen monks from The Archregimancy who worship their false God. There will certainly be some bad blood on the part of the Foot Slaves as they try to convert the heathens to the Church of Gregoryisgodistan. There may even be some violent fouls and attempts to injure. This isn't the Dream Realm, so the monks can get hurt. Sure, if they get hurt they will heal themselves when they get back to the Dream Realm, but if they die, they die for real. We think. We're not quite sure. But most likely, that is what will happen. Nothing can bring them back, not even the mass hallucinations of some heathens in some so-called Dream Realm or whatever it's called.

If the Foot Slaves can win that game, they will likely win the group with an undefeated record and face the second-place team from Group C. Group C features Buyan, West Angola, Electrum, and Cosumar, so there could be a rematch from qualifying if West Angola and Gregoryisgodistan square off. The two teams split the qualifying matches, with each of them winning at home. Thanks in part to the win at home, the Foot Slaves advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Royal Barangay 2-1 on aggregate thanks to an extra time goal. The second leg ended 1-0 after regulation, forcing extra time as the teams were level on goals and away goals. Unfortunately, the Foot Slaves missed out in a heartbreaker, but they did manage to qualify for the Cup of Harmony. Following their 4th place finish last time, they will be looking to do better. Soccer Captain Laredo Potato told the press, "We expect nothing other than to lift the Cup of Harmony trophy. We narrowly missed out on the World Cup, coming as close as we ever have before, but now we have a chance to win a real trophy, a nice shiny trophy. We are going to do this. We are the Foot Slaves. Death to The Archregimancy. I call upon Lord Almighty Gregory to add them to our Enemy List." Lord Almighty Gregory himself is still deciding whether or not the sinning monks should be added to the Enemy List.

by **HopNation** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 9:37 am

HopNation Hops
National Fußball Team News
Group F
Cup of Harmony 61 – ?¿the Cup for lost Chaps¿?

Well here we go, the Cup of Harmony is getting ready to kick off and we’ve arrived just in time. Just in time to be placed into Group F along with fellow World Cup group mate Mizuyuki…Perhaps we can beat them again here and not allow them into a playoff. That would be jolly right, if you ask me. Who else is here you ask? Well along with HopNation and Mizuyuki in Group F we have Schottia and Carialus, so we have one ranked above and two ranked below. How far above and how far below you ask? Well, Mizuyuki is now sitting in the 36th so they are above us. Then we have Schottia at 168th and Carialus at 71st, so they are both below us. Where are we then? Well we are 64th currently. So what does all this mean then? Well not much if you ask me, we play each game regardless of rank and the decision will be up to the players at that time. Sure some teams are slated to be better than others, but if we look around we are all here for a reason and I don’t see any reason why one team can’t beat another team if the sun happens to be gleaming in the keepers eyes at the right time or some other means of fate that will allow a lesser ranked side upset a higher one. Still it does need to be taken into account that some teams are just better than others no matter how good a side plays on a given day. For our Hops I can see us winning two games for sure, possibly three but it is so hard to beat a team two times in a row. Just look at our WC Qualifying group and the games with Mizuyuki, one win apiece so it will be tough for us to do that again and upset them but we surely will try.

As for the other groups well for me I’m not really into going into grave details on each but just scanning over them I see Sargossa and SJG duking it out in Group A. Group B Neu Engollon will most likely take it. Group C Buyan will take but perhaps some trouble given to them by West Angola. In Group D will go to The Archregimancy despite them possibly trying to lose games. The next group could be the closest in terms of finding a winner since it contains a host, so Group E will probably be Vaugania but perhaps Yttribia will be tops. Group F, well that’s our group and even with our most recent success in qualifying it will be Mizuyuki on top. Group G should be won by Barunia, easily. And finally Group H will end up with Darmen on top as Nephara somehow finds a way to lose to them.

Well I have to run as this coming few days I have double sport duty. My typical bits will come next time.

Until then Brew On! Brew Well Hoptonians.

Ringwald Griffinsmith
HopNation Sports Writer

by **Darmen** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:45 pm

Good morning listeners, it's now 8:15 on this fine morning of Thursday, August 14th, 2014. It's time now for the morning news here on Radio Darmen, 1400 AM, GHIS.

In a late night announcement made on national television yesterday, Prime Minister Scat Peari declared his intention to step down as Prime Minister of Darmen following the Convention of the Combined Legislatures which is set to occur this coming January. While the Prime Minister stated repeatedly that the "Riotgate" scandal that developed after the riots in Rogerton had nothing to do with his decision, further stating that he had made his decision prior to July, political pundits have stated that it is foolish to think that the riots in Rogerton affected his decision at least somewhat.

Not only will the Prime Minister leave his post as the leader of our nation, but he also plans to resign from Parliament. According to the Election Commission, plans are underway to conduct a by-election alongside the Commonwealth Parliament elections in early September. It would be the second by-election to be conducted in the upcoming elections, as the rural Bloomfield, Hastings, Micon & Stretton constituency in County Rogerton will also head to the polls to replace the disgraced former Foreign Minister, Alfredo Albaladejo.

Campaigns in County Rogerton and Romanopolis are now in full swing ahead or referendums in both counties. Voters in the two counties will decide whether they would like their respective counties to receive Semi-Autonomous status. The latest polls show the "Yes" campaign in Romanopolis to be leading, while in Rogerton, the "No" campaign is expect to win a major victory. It is unclear how the riots following the Darmeni-Valladar World Cup Qualification match have affected the decisions of voters ahead of the referendum.

In response to the riots, the Valladar Social Inclusion Act is expected to pass a vote in Parliament on Monday with close to unanimous support. Only a few Second Communist backbenchers and a majority of Royalist MP's have announced their intentions to oppose the legislation, stating that the passage of the bill could actually further inflame the tense relations between Darmeni's and Valladars, especially in the Southeast corner of the country. Minister of Justice Marnix Hartell, author of the bill stated that the bill would achieve the opposite effect if passed, bringing the two ethnic groups closer together. According to the Minister's office, the bill is based mainly upon legislation in Valladares that was passed to put an end to discrimination against Darmeni's in the country, especially in the Westlands.

Moving on to the economy, the Darmeni Stock Exchange Market appears to be making gains today, with the results of early trading today showing the Stock Market to be up 400 Babas from where it closed yesterday. The main gainers today seem to be Darmen National Industries and the usual culprit of Scamcorp, which is already up 300 Babas on the day.

Professor of Economics at Nauti University, Giles Roy, says that neither Darmen nor Valladars can afford to have both their currencies, the Baba and the Point respectively, be equal in value compared to the NS Dollar. Both currencies are currently valued at NSD $1.68. According to Professor Roy, either Darmen or Valladares will need to devalue their currency in order to avoid an economic disturbance which he said could affect all of southern Rushmore. The news led Leader of the Opposition Leontina van Schorel to call for Darmen and Valladares to begin negotiating for the creation of a single currency for the two nations. Minister of Finance Hank Thompson, Minister of the Treasury Ludger Fitzsimmons, Minister of the Economy Karl Musacchio and Governor of the Bank of Darmen Denholm Moralez, issued a joint statement that Darmen has no plans to devalue its currency or any intent or willingness to create a single currency for use in both Darmen and Valladares.

In Sport, Darmen has been drawn into Group H of the 61st Cup of Harmony, where it will face Kiryu-shi, Nephara and New Wolfopolis in the Group Stage. It will be the first time Darmen has ever faced Nephara or New Wolfopolis, but the Matchday Three meeting with Kiryu-shi will be the fifth all-time. Darmen has dominated the series with four victories in four matches, scoring two goals for every goal from Kiryu-shi. This Cup of Harmony will also be new San Jose Guayabalan Manager Roberto Cornejo's first tournament in charge of the All Greens.

Construction crews are hurrying to finish the final touches on new hotels in County Rogerton prior to the start of the Beach Cup. This will mark the second time Darmen has hosted the most prestigious Beach Soccer competition in the multiverse. With the construction of several new hotels in the county, officials hope that the area will be able to better cope with fans looking for overnight accommodations during the tournament. A lack of available rooms was one of the causes of the "mini-humanitarian crisis" which occurred prior to the riots in the area last month. Municipal officials state that there are enough rooms now to accommodate over 10,000 visitors, tripling the number of people who can be accommodated in the city of Rogerton.

Turning now to weather, Hurricane Marshall is expected to make landfall in County St. Eintine'e later tonight. Officials have asked residents in low lying areas along the coast to evacuate temporarily to higher ground. Winds of 80 miles an hour are expected, and a storm surge of up to four feet is expected to batter the shore when the hurricane arrives around 10pm. The Navy has already been involved in several rescues in the seas north of Darmen, including the rescue of a crew of Polarians after their small vessel capsized in stormy waters 120 miles northeast of County Tilden.

And that's the news this morning. Up next is Josephus Rothbauer's round table discussion with several top experts on the dangers of electronic cigarettes.

by **Vaugania** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:59 pm

VauganiaSportsToday
Harmony is a Lie

For the 4th time, the Vaugania Golden Eagles have to qualify for the World Cup. But luckily for us, our neighbors in Valladares and their friends in Yttiribia have seen it fit to invite us to the 61st Cup of Harmony. The Cup of Harmony is, of course, a very prestigious tournament. But it's name is a lie. The defintion of harmony is as follows:

"agreement in action, opinion, feeling, etc; accord"

While there is a certain level of sportsmanship and accord that must be maintained at any sporting event, you can be sure that the competition will be anything but harmonious. This team is full of teams that felt just short of the ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Cup and also teams that are looking to make a name for themselves and kill a few giants.

This tournament features teams such as 10th ranked Nephara, a team that was in our group and failed to advance to the playoffs. Also teams like The Archregimancy, the winners of last cycle's CoH. These teams are just two examples of teams that "should" have made the World Cup. They aren't looking to just kick around the ball a bit in good fun and strike up friendships with foreigners. They are here seeking vengeance and redemption. It's silverware or bust for these would-be chaps. And if you want to take it from them, good luck, you'll need it.

Then there are the teams at the other end of the spectrum like 89th ranked United Eastedge. There are a number of wild-eyed newcomers that made it to this tournament and they will be looking to make a name for themselves. You can already seem them locked onto teams like Mizuyuki, Darmen, and West Angola. The Cup of Harmony is a big stage and these newcomers want to become big names. If one doesn't tread carefully, then they could certainly be brought down by one of these new teams.

There is absolutely no reason to think that this will be a harmonious occasion. This tournament will be filled with bitter, hard-fought battles. There will be heartbreak. There will be triumph. Be forewarned, the title is a lie.

by **West Angola** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 1:44 pm

Part Two: Escape Plans
Isaac Warren stepped off the plane in Eterna City, Valladares and said a silent goodbye to the aircraft which had been his home for the last few weeks. He knew it was the last time he’d be aboard the plane barring some dramatic reversal in the political situation back home. The rest of the team was assembled on the tarmac in front of him, and Isaac knew that once the tournament was over, he’d never see some of them again either. Fighting off a sudden wave of nostalgia, he put on a happy face and walked down the stairs to join his closest friends. As they headed inside the terminal to go through customs, he found himself walking next to Jan Pawel near the back of the group. Jan hadn’t flown to Valladares with the rest of the group, he’d gone ahead to represent West Angola at the draw for the tournament. Originally scheduled for Yttribia, the draw had been moved to Valladares five minutes before its scheduled start, and the various representatives had only been able to make it thanks to the teleportation efforts of Lord Almighty Gregory. Isaac had been surprised to hear of the god-king’s power when Jan had called to relay the results of the draw, he’d never believed the propaganda Lord Gregory spread regarding his abilities before, but Jan had seen and experienced them firsthand, and Isaac was eager to talk to him.

“So Jan, what was it like being teleported?”

“It was unexpected, to be sure. I was about to leave when they announced the draw had been moved and Lord Gregory said he was going to teleport everyone. I figured he’d do some self-delusional waving and yelling to no effect, but then everyone started disappearing, and I figured ‘What the hell, it’ll get me there faster.’ I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was indescribable.”

“Give it a shot.”

“I can’t, Isaac. It was over in a flash and I can’t put into words what it was like while it was happening. All I can say is that it was amazing, and whatever else Lord Gregory may be, he at least has some measure of supernatural power.”

“Impressive. Well, I can’t say we had anything as interesting as that happen in Gregoryisgodistan itself while we were waiting for you to call, but things are coming to a head about where everyone’s going after the tournament. Jim Poitiers and Holden had an argument two days ago about whether August was right in usurping the throne and nearly came to blows before Christian separated them. We’re going to need to talk to them if we want everyone focused on beating the other team instead of each other.”

Jan gave Isaac a sideways look, “Which was which?”

“What?”

“Which one was supporting which side?”

“Oh, James was supporting Anna’s government. I think he had a great-grandfather picked up in one of the purges back in the 90’s.”

“Well then I don’t think we need to talk to anyone except Holden. As long as the anti-August crowd is beating up his supporters and not the other way around, there’s no problem.” The two laughed at the joke, but inwardly Isaac was relieved to know for sure that Jan was on his side. His assistant added, “I’ll talk to them. You might want to think about speaking to the whole team again, though. If this is our last tournament together I don’t want it to go off the rails because of internal fighting.”

“I agree completely. Here, we’ll finish this after we go through customs.”

Nearly an hour later, courtesy of Sarah Paulson finding one of the security officials attractive and holding up the line trying to flirt with him, the team finished in customs and went to change their money to points. Isaac handed his bills to Jan and veered off from the group, “I need to meet with someone, change my money for me and I’ll see you at the hotel.”

“Wait, what’s this about?”

“I need to arrange passage to Farreth after the tournament. There’s someone here who can put me in touch with a private pilot for a relatively low price.”

“Here, I’ll come with you. You might need backup.”

“No Jan. As much as I’d like to have you there, and as important as this is, we don’t know if August is planning to do away with those of us who don’t return. The fewer people who know about our escape plans, the better, and I don’t want to make you a target. Change my money for me, I’ll see you all at the hotel.” Isaac ducked down a side street and headed to the address his contact had sent him. Not wanting to appear conspicuous in case August had a tail on him, he had planned out the route beforehand, including several quick turns to throw off any pursuit. Eventually, he found himself in front of a nondescript building with a small metal door. Looking around, he quickly knocked twice, then stepped back and tried to mask his nervousness. After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing a tall man wearing a green shirt, “Mr. Warren?” Isaac nodded, and the man smiled, “Come in, come in. My name is Brad, and I’ve been expecting you.”

Brad led Isaac to what looked like a kitchen and offered him a chair, “I understand you’re in the hunt for some transportation. Can I offer you something to drink?”

“No, thank you. And yes, I need a flight to Farreth Island for myself and anywhere from two to twenty-five other individuals once the Cup of Harmony is over. You said you can put me in contact with a reliable pilot who has a plane to accommodate us?”

“I most certainly can, Mr. Warren. That’s what I do. All I need from you is a passenger list at least three days before departure, and I can set you up.”

“That’s perfect, will I be able to meet the pilot beforehand?”

“Of course, of course. I’ll set up a meeting between the two of you at a location of your choosing as soon as I can. The cost, when you factor in his cut, fuel costs, and my consultancy fee, will be around four thousand.”

Isaac whistled, that would clean them out. With their credit accounts frozen by August while he “sorted out the administrative situation in Namibe,” all the team had been able to put together had been was the cash they’d had on hand when they left for Gregoryisgodistan, which amounted to just over four thousand. Well, no two ways about it, we have to get to Farreth. “Very well, I’ll have the money for you as soon as I meet the pilot.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you soon, Mr. Warren. Enjoy your stay in Valladares.”

by **Zenic** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 5:01 pm

“Are you sure we have to play in the Cup of Harmony again?”

“Yes, Zimmel accepted the invite so we have to go again. Plus, there’s no need to worry about a repeat of last year’s performance, if that is what you are worried about,” Golovkin said, trying to both explain and reassure Sanders at the same time. They were situated in the same hotel room to make it easier to work on strategies and scouting on the other teams. It was a nice room, something that both of them had commented on. Sanders sat on the large sofa with a cup of whiskey in his hand as Golovkin sat at the table, both of them with scouting reports in front of them. If most hotels in Valladares looked like this, Sanders and Golovkin would definitely take their families on vacation here once or twice.

“I hope you’re right, because I don’t think I could take another disastrous tournament like that one.” Zenic had suffered a record of no wins, one draw and two losses to finish last in their group. Immediately after the tournament, Sanders had stepped away from football for 3 full months before he came back to get the team ready for the next cycle within a month. Golovkin chuckled and shook his head, knowing full well his efforts to relax Sanders would never work. “You still are caught up with last year? We need to stop and focus on this year: we are a much better team that almost made the World Cup and now have a chance to make some magic happen in the Cup of Harmony. But we cannot do it if we are stuck thinking about the past.”

Sanders turned to look up at Golovkin from the sofa as silence fell for a good 20 seconds before Sanders broke it. “Why don’t you ever give the pep talk? That was actually pretty good.” More silence followed. Golovkin suddenly began to laugh as Sanders followed suit. The two of them sat there laughing. “Now, let’s get back to getting ready for the game against Red Blackiland,” Sanders said, grabbing his copy of the scouting report as he got up and walked over to join Golovkin at the table.

The two of them sat together at the table prepping long into the night, looking forward to the future, both immediate and distant.

by **Red Blackiland** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:59 pm

New chapter in Red Blackiland Football : Cup of Harmony

The BoF occured,in World Cup Qualifiers we participated and now one more chapter to the Red Blackilandian football history : the Cup of Harmony in your edition 61 that will be held on Valladares and Yttribia.The 'Dark' Lions reach in CoH with more experience whereas the team learned much lessons in Qualifiers facing very different teams and cultures of play football,the team satisfied all Red Blackilandians with good campaign,seeing that was the first qualifiers and first WORLDwide experience for the team,gave difficulty to the best teams of the group and showned to be a team with much potential to 'future' experiences.Much technical evolution with tactical progress is the road for Red Blackiland.

After play in Kalumba,in Baptism of Fire 56,and played in much different places in home and away matches,we go to Valladares and we stay in it to the group stage,the stadium in the above photo is the Estadio Municipal and where we will play the first CoH match,beautiful stadium with olympic dimensions and after it , we will travel to Swangard to play two more matches.
Not been speculated how many citizens bought tickets for CoH matches yet,but certainly was many those who bought because the giant search for the tickets in internet and other places.
The first will be against Zenic,good team,with a little-ofensive 4-4-2 tactical formation,using much times the wings,generating a fast team that worked so much times the ball possession with ''wing style'' of play.Your coach is Joseph Michael Sanders with 48 years old,a experienced coach that promised a ''very good campaign to Zenic,and like to see the team go far in CoH'',certainly,very good results will be a 'consolation prize' by can't qualified for World Cup.
Peter Valbuena,very calm as always in conference presses,but not in matches said that the team being invited for these tournaments is great,to keep up the work,give more fitting to the team,for the team can be evolve correctly without hurry.We are a good team that have a potential to turn into a great team and a good country in football,we need only calm and tranquility to keep up,certainly,in one day the results will come.

After we talked about the first CoH rival and the way with the team reached in Valladares,we will talk about the hospedation and more few things.The team,gently,are hosted in 'Hotel Internacional,located in Los Chorros,Mountbatten,with paradisiacal scenario,is perfectly for the team can relax and can concentrate in the matches,further that we aren't a famous team,this help(small laughs),but the hotel translates the city's scenario.

And our training site in Valladares,is in Los Chorros,Mountbatten too,is in Stadium 1903,a small-medium stadium in a more quiet part of Mountbatten are the place choose to Red Blackiland can training before and after the matches,after the field recognizition,all players and technical comitee members liked the field and the stadium.Certainly will be a good preparation for the tean can make a good campaign in the competition.
The group have,of course,two other teams,San José Guayabal,nation knowed by a very latino-american culture and a big love for El Salvador and Honduras culture,is a big candidate to qualify to be a very experienced team with tournament hosts and many qualifiers experiences,with a established national league,disputed hard a place in playoff or direct qualification for World Cup against Free Republics and The Sarian,but failed in it with a little points difference between the teams and a fierce dispute until the end of the group.
Sargossa is the other team,other very experienced and fastteam,maked a good dispute against Farfadillis,even being the second placed of the group,could pick a place in playoff and played against Northern Sunrise Islands,tied by 1-1 in first leg in Northern Sunrise Islands and even with good atmosphere and a full-fill stadium,tied again in normal time by 1-1 and losed in extra time with Sunrisian goal in the last minutes of the game.
'' Certainly,we are the most weak of the group,but if we like to go far in next competitions,we need face any team and any experience,this is good for the team's maturation.

The Red Blackilandian reached in Valladares today by Stanford-Miller International Airport and was received by much Red Blackiland fans in the exit of airport and when the bus begin the travel to the hotel.

by **Star United States** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 11:09 pm

Sports Around The World
International Sports Magazine
City of Star, Starix, Star United States
Edition Number Two
Today's Stop: Cup of Harmony 61, Valladares & Yttribia

This upcoming weekend is a great day as the sixth-first edition of the Cup of Harmony begins. Thirty-two teams, one winner, and this time around it's an interesting mix. Last Cup of Harmony, The Archregimacy won, and turn the trophy into silver coins, and they are once again back on the scene for this Cup of Harmony. Let's review the performances of each team in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Group A

Matches
Match Day 1: San Jose Guayabal v. Sargossa; Zenic v. Red Blackiland
Match Day 2: Sargossa v. Red Blackiland; San Jose Guayabal v. Zenic
Match Day 3: Zenic v. Sargossa; Red Blackiland v. San Jose Guayabal

San Jose Guayabal was a favorite to qualify for the sixth-ninth edition of the World Cup, but luck struck against them, an no they are here at the Cup of Harmony. After the hard fourteen qualifiers, San Jose Guayabal managed third place in Group 8,right behind The Sarian, who shockingly qualified for the World Cup and managed a draw against the Polar Islandstates, and behind the Free Republics. A great wave of disappointment must have gone over San Jose Guayabal when they got eliminated the last match day, but great joy when they received their invitation to this honorable event. It is predicated that this team will make it out of the group in first place. San Jose Guayabal is a team that is predicted to get far in this tournament, and with no doubt, is more than capable of winning this cup, or what's left of it. Zenic, this team in't very well known in Star United States, but has great potential. They lost their last World Cup qualifiers, but they qualified for the playoff slot. They fell to hands of Pasarga, and didn't get to complete their World Cup dream. They were so close, yet so far. They, also, will go with everything to pass this first stage of the Cup of Harmony, but may fail to win against the higher-ranked nations, however, the power of this team cannot be underestimated. They might bring a big surprise along the way. Red Blackiland are new comers, and will bring their surprises here and there, but most likely won't make it pass the first one of this cup. However, as every team is more than capable of winning anything, this team can't be left without being watched. They might just surprise us all by taking the cup home. Red Blackiland finished sixth place in their WCQ group, and finished with a victory to the score of zero to four. Sargossa completes Group A, and is a team expected to go far. They qualified for a playoff, and fell upon the Northern Sunrise Islands in the extra after time.

Group B

Matches
Match Day 1: Neu Engollon v. Brenecia; Furellum v. Queer Poco el Mono Ara
Match Day 2: Brenecia v. Queer Poco el Mono Ara; New Engollon v. Furellum
Match Day 3: Furellum v. Brenecia; Queer Poco el Mono Ara v. Neu Engollon

Neu Engollon started the World Cup qualifying stage wit a victory over Falcus, to the score of four to one. Despite starting off with a victory,they ended the qualifying group stage with a draw against the Equestrian States. It is expected that Neu Engollon will pass beyond the group stage of this Cup of Harmony. Neu Engollon, however, did earn a playoff slot against Rütenbach, where they lost the first leg three to zero, and tied the second one three to three. Furellum,also, started off with a victory and ended with a draw in the group stage, victory against Ditka, and a draw against Sameba.They also qualified for the playoffs, where they lost one to zero both times against the Free Republics. Queer Poco el Mono Ara tied their first match in the World Cup 69 Qualifiers against Raussland, and won their last one against Darmen. The last team in Group B is Brenecia, who begun with a victory against Notsofreeland, and finished off with a draw against Rütenbach. All these team have a great capability, ad will get far if they set their minds to it, however, only two of these teams will remain after the three matchdays.

Group C

Matches
Match Day 1: Buyan v. Cosumar; West Angola v. Electrum
Match Day 2: Cosumar v. Electrum; Buyan v. West Angola
Match Day 3: West Angola v. Cosumar; Electrum v. Buyan

Buyan, West Angola, Electrum,and Cosumar all make up the third group of the Cup of Harmony, Group C. Buyan the qualifiers with something no team wanted t start with, with a defeat. They lost to the hands, technically feet, of Kernansquillec on the first match day, and managed a tie against Audioslavia. Surely a team to one to keep an eye on. West Angola, the team that opened up Star United States' national stadium, started and ended with a defeat against Saintland (zero to one) and Gregoryisgodistan (one to zero). Despite these results, New Angola is a danger to all the teams it faces, so beware. Electurm is a lesser known team that lost upon the great Fafadillis, and won over way lesser known team, the United Commonwealth of Ayrshire. The last team in this group is Cosumar, who lost to the current Cup of Harmony champions, The Archregimacy, and finished with a draw against Hicana. This is a rather interesting bunch.

Group D

Matches
Match Day 1: The Archregimacy v. United Eastedge; The Icemark v. Gregoryisgodistan
Match Day 2: United Eastedge v. Gregoryisgodistan; The Archregimacy v. The Icemark
Match Day 3: The Icemark v. United Eastedge; Gregoryisgodistan v. The Archregimacy

The Archregimacy, the ones who dismantled the trophy of the Cup of Harmony, are back against. Despite winning their first and last match, they were brought down by The Sarian in the playoffs. It was a shocking and surprising event for all. It is expected that The Archregimacy will be one of the finalist. The Icemark is the next team in Group D. They defeated the Boring Paradise and fell to the hands of Kinitaria. Gregoryisgodistan started and ended with a victory against Alexanderburn and West Angola. However, they were defeated by The Royal Barangay at the playoffs. United Eastedge, a team that has much luck, was able to make it to the playoffs, to where they lost against the current World Champion Vilita,and now they are here at the Cup of Harmony.What out for surprises from this group.

Group E

Matches
Match Day 1: Yttribia v. Vaugania; Nova Anglicana v. Star United States
Match Day 2: Vaugania v. Star United States; Yttribia v. Nova Anglicana
Match Day 3: Nova Anglicana v. Vaugania; Star United States v. Yttribia

Co-host Yttribia, Nova Anglicana, Star United States, and Vaugania make up Group E. Yttribia, is in the tournament as hosts, and actually made it the playoffs, where they lost to Eura to the scores of zero to one and five to two. However, they're ready to go with all as this tournament is soon to start. Nova Anglicana is the next team,and no one will be surprise if they make it out of this group. Star United States fell to Estope on the first match day and tied against Dawnhaven. Star United States is back again in the Cup of Harmony, better than ever, maybe they'll [we'll] get out of the group stage this time around. The group is complete with Vaugania, who failed to make it to the World Cup after losing against Kinitaria in the after time.

Group F

Matches
Match Day 1: Mizuyuki v. HopNation; Schottia v. Carialus
Match Day 2: HopNation v. Carialus; Mizuyuki v. Schottia
Match Day 3: Schottia v. HopNation; Carialus v. Mizuyuki

Mizuyuki started and ended the qualifying group stage with a victory against Jeckland, and Evraim. However, despite the odds, Mizuyuki did not reach the playoffs, as they ended in third, right behind HopNation. Schottia drawed their first and last match of the WCQ, against Rossana and Eastfield Lodge. Carialus faced The Royal Barangay in the first match day, where the lost, and they won their last match day against Nassau-Hessen. The last nation in this group is HopNation, who bumped Mizuyuki just off their playoff spot, so tensions could be high during that match.

Group G

Matches
Match Day 1: Barunia v. Ceni; Sandwich Territories v. Estope
Match Day 2: Ceni v. Estope; Barunia v. Sandwich Territories
Match Day 3: Sandwich Territories v. Ceni; Estope v. Barunia

Group G is composed of Barunia, Sandwich Territories, Estope and Ceni. Barunia had a very good campaign, until they fell short from the playoffs in third place, right above Star United States. The Sandwich Territories started with a draw against Valdiviola, and ended with a defeat against Pasarga. Estope, also from Group 15 (along with Barunia, Star United States, and New Wolfopolis),begun with victory over Star United States and ended with a draw against an unknown Vunishia. The last time that makes this group up is named Ceni, who lost their opening match, and their closing match against Felix,and Quackmybush. It'll be a rather interesting to see the results of this group.

Group H

Matches
Match Day 1: Nephara v. Kiryu-shi; Darmen v. New Wolfopolis
Match Day 2: Kiryu-shi v. New Wolfopolis; Nephara v.Darmen
Match Day 3: Daren v. Kiryu-shi; New Wolfopolis v. Nephara

The last group of the Cup of Harmony is made up of Nephara, Darmen, New Wolfopolis, and Kiryu-shi. Nephara won both their opening and closing matches of the World Cup Qualifiers against Mehdonesia, and Vaugania. Nephara is a team expected to make it to the semi-finals. The second team around is Darmen, who tied with Sameba on the opening match, and lost the closing one against Queer Poco el Mono Ara. New Wolfopolis won their opening match against The Blaatschapen, and managed a draw against Barunia, thus eliminated them from reaching the playoffs. The last team, but not the least, is Kiryu-shi. They won both their opening and closing matches against Terres de Gualle and Kandorith.

Want to read more?...
Topics In Discussion

Triathlon World Tour, Timbermunich
Harmony Is A Lie

More Topics to Come
Beach Cup Back on the Scene
Chaos at the Cup of Harmony Draw, started by Gregoryisgodistan's representative
SeaShore City in Danger?

by **Schottia** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 2:14 am

The Daily Worker Sport
Cup of Harmony Special...

As the Schottia team continue to make steady progress in world football, we look ahead to their first attempt at the Cup of Harmony. As by far the lowest ranked team in the competition, Daily Worker reporter Marion McFadden ponders the White and green's chances in this prestigious tournament.

Those of us who were not lucky enough to see any of the qualifiers first hand, were glued to our TV screens as our beloved national team competed in a group, which included none other than world number ones Polar Islandstates. Other than new manager Barry Gorman (who is famous for his can do attitude), few of us would have expected Schottia to have a realistic chance of qualification.

However wins against Kalumba and Baptism of Fire runners-up The Fallenmark Islands, proved that we are capable of holding our own. There were also several positives to be taken out of the individual performances. Most notably FC Valley star Mark Allen 23, got his first run in the team. The five goals he scored were enough to see him retain his place in the coveted lone striker position. Allen, who was in integral part of Gorman's title winning Port Sebastian side, showed his new club FC Valley what they had to look forward to with some clinical finishing. We will all remember his late strike, which sunk Rossana, to earn us our first win of the qualifiers.

17-year-old Joey Bia also made a splash on the world scene, occupying the right midfield position. The Dahamy born attacker only received international clearance to switch nations weeks before the first match. Bia, who moved to Schottia with his family aged 11 qualifies through the five years of schooling rule. In common with Allen, Joey Bia was another of Gorman's free scoring Porty, and going with the players he trusts seems to be a growing trend for the 44 year old.

Another of his players Gary Corsie continues to grow in stature in the midfield. The 22-year-old's ability is almost as impressive as his beard length these days. Playing along side veteran captain Colin Donaldson, Corsie looks very much the part, controlling the tempo of the game.

On the face of it, it is difficult to tell exactly how the Cup of Harmony will pan out for Schottia. On one hand we are a small nation of 6.6 million, who are only slowly climbing the world rankings. On the other, every game is 11 v 11 and it depends greatly on the team that shows up on the day. One thing for certain, Barry Gorman has breathed an air of positivity into the whole team. Controversial as his appointment was, it has definitely had the desired affect, as the entire team seem to be playing with renewed vigour.

Speaking to The Daily Worker earlier, he had this to say:

'We have made a good start, but that's all it is, a start. I know it has been hard work in the World Cup Qualifiers and some of the players well feel they have nothing left to give, but that was just to get us here. We have made the Cup of Harmony and that's important, being somewhere on merit is what it's all about. Football is about getting to the highest level and having the nerve to stay there. The work is never done, there are no clichés in sport, that's the job of writer like you to come up with. No. Football is about being on the training pitch in all weathers, it's about having that professionalism and desire. The players know what is expected of them, playing at the highest level, and It's my job to make sure we stay there.'
Barry Gorman

I have enormous respect for Gorman and the way he has went about setting up shop as manager of the national team. We should all have confidence in his ability to deliver success, as he has proved time and time again that he is the kind of manager who can get results. As his time at Port Sebastian showed, he will not be intimidated by the big teams; there is no point in waiting for the opposition to slip-up, you've got to go out there and show them what you are made of. If all of our best players turn up and perform on the day then there is no telling what we are capable of.

Whatever happens in Yttribia, the some seven-thousand fans who have snapped up tickets will be treated to a festival atmosphere, and with the prospect of a game against Mizuyuki, there is much to look forward to. We all have to go into this with the attitude that, you need to be in it to have a chance.

	Player
Left Corner Taker	Nicholas Pollard
Right Corner Taker	Nicholas Pollard
Penalty Taker	Harlan Spears
Direct FK Taker	Harlan Spears
Indirect FK Taker	Bob Good
Most likely to foul/be booked	Heriberto Lim
Most likely to shoot	Harlan Spears
Most likely to score from close range	Harlan Spears
Most likely to score from long-range	Nicholas Pollard
Most likely to be fouled	Sidney Pendleton
Most likely to attempt the spectacular	Jamar Walker

Cup of Harmony 61: Everything Thread

Edition Two

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