Cup of Harmony 62 - Everything Thread

by **Hicana** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 4:27 pm

RISE FROM THE ASHES: HICAÑA SKYLARKS CoH 62 ROSTER

Brilliantly provided by AER Sportswear of Gloriax

Introduction

Hicaña has been called "The Worst Place to Live that will Let you In", and they only won because somebody bribed the committee.

The place is war-torn and has more internal strife than it does citizens - they all fled the country, along with everyone else, when Gregoryisgodistan ripped it to shreds, but most were smart enough to pick another nation. The rest decided to buy an island, Benoit, off the coast of Quebec and try to rebuild the nation.

Gregoryisgodistan then bombed Benoit until it was level, and Hicaña, needing land that was 1.) actually theirs and 2.) not burnt rubble, decided to negotiate themselves half of Nevo Esperanso, in the heart of Patistan. Their president, Adam Watson, also started a colonization program to send Hicañans back to Hicaña, which was one of the few smart things he did in his short term.

Whereupon Watson resigned. They held elections, and due to corrupt computer programs, Sanctii puppet Antonio Sandoval managed to win the election and instantly banned things like secularism and evolution.

Solomon Ervine, a liberal politician, fled to Esperanso and begin to plot a revolution. How will the nation colossally screw up next?

MANAGERIAL STAFF
MANAGER: Daniel Kovacic, 44

Daniel Kovacic's not like one of those highly successful managers in international stage under Quebecois banners. However, he has proven himself as General Manager of St.John's Arsenal, when he led the team to its resurgence from 2007 to 2013. He's been out for 4 years in football due to personal reasons, which include death of his son in Aeroquebec Flight 69 crash. However, with the pain slowly being putting into remission, Kovacic was able to join the helm as brand new manager of Hicanan National Team.

A former forward himself, Kovacic's an offensively-oriented guy and is willing to make the best out of Hicana's great talent in wingers. And also like other Quebecois managers, he values work ethic over anything else, and will reward time based on that, so slacking off will result in you not getting the start or even make the cut in training camp. He also advocates aggression, something that's notable with Quebecois players and coaches in a special example of Leonardo Conavacio.
written by The Royal Kingdom of Quebec

ASSISTANT MANAGER AND FULLBACKS' COACH: Carlos Feliz, 58

A former star fullback in the Llamanean and Arendellenske leagues, Feliz, newly returned from a nine-year period in which he hid out the deadly Hicañan Wars in Vjaalsbürg, has returned to Benoit to help coach the rising Hicañans. A tough disciplinarian, the Hicañan should prove to be a godsend in helping the foreign manager Kovacic connect to his players.

DEFENSE COACH: Richard Garnett, 56

The Llamanean coach is laid-back, with interesting opinions tactics-wise. An interesting choice for the position, Garnett mixes poorly with players but could improve the defense of the team greatly.

ATTACK COACH: Patrice Bergenheim, 21

Known as one of the more rigorous university player-coaches in Quebec, the Quebecois coach is seriously dedicated to his trade. A more worldly Quebecois player than Kovacic, Bergenheim too may prove to be a vital connection and a good coach.

TRAINER: Ray McMartin, 70

Former trainer of the Llamanean baseball and soccer teams, the now-retired McMartin seems to be going for one last hurrah as the Hicañan trainer. Nothing special, really.

GOALKEEPERS

AARON CASTRO - #01 - 27 - Liberty Rodríguez (SJG) - STARTER

A fiercely patriotic, competent keeper, Castro tends to lose his temper too often, and is one of the most-carded goalies in the world as a result. When he's more level-headed, the Liberty Rodríguez keeper is known for his agility in the box and proficiency on one-on-one scenarios. Flashes of brilliance have impressed foreign clubs enough for him to earn a transfer to San José Guayabal's top league, and his prowess in the box should secure his spot as the starting keeper for every Cup he can play in.

JAMES FRITZ-GEROUX - #12 - 28 - FC Dresbürden (HLV) - SUBSTITUTE

Brilliant under pressure and a force to be reckoned with on penalty kicks, James Fritz-Geroux has made himself into a competent substitute. While not athletic, Fritz-Geroux's smart, even-headed play will make him a key piece of the Hicañan defense should Castro go down. Half-Helvetican and with the club team to match, Fritz-Geroux at twenty-eight still has a bright future ahead of him.

DECLAN COSTA - #23 - 16 - Free Agent - RESERVE

The teenage sensation Declan Costa was found in Nevo Esperanso by Hicañan scouts and quickly sent to the national team. Fiendishly athletic but raw, Costa will likely not see any minutes for the Skylarks for a few years. Still, his prowess in the box draws comparisons to a young Aaron Castro, and many believe that Costa could be the NT's next starting keeper.

DEFENDERS
KATHRYN MIKKELSON - #5 - 30 - Kingston FC (Quebec) - STARTING sweeper/center-back

Newly transferred (for a few million NSD, I might add) to Kingston FC, the renowned Quebecois squad, Kate Mikkelson is another mentor-type who makes a decent enough sweeper. A stern and often liberal tackler, but always clean - Mikkelson tends to play deep and has a special affinity for intercepting passes in the box.

CARLOS HERRERA - #3 - 22 - Nadezhda Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (San José Guayabal) - STARTING right-back

The Nadezhda Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk right-back is a small, quick fullback. Terrier-like and carded often, he shows promise but needs to even out his highs and lows to truly anchor his spot in the defense.

JENNI SANCHEZ - #2 - 31 - Free Agent - QUESTIONABLY STARTING all-purpose fullback

Formerly one of the nation's greatest defenders, knee injuries have left Sanchez slowed significantly. Still, her experience should prove useful in mentoring younger players, and even though she's lost a step she is still a competent fullback no matter where Kovacic sticks her.

FRANCOIS RIVERIE - #6 - 25 - SK Alice Waters (Eirelia) - QUESTIONABLY STARTING all-purpose back

Born to a wealthy politician, the Benoitian Riverie ran away at eighteen as if in a novel to pursue his dream of playing professional football. He was caught and returned within sixty-four minutes, but became a professional anyway. Plays any defensive position with surprising hustle and is fantastic for both a quick clear and a counterattack-starting pass. Mediocre in most facets, but should do decently enough as a sub or a starter.

ALARIC DONALBAIN - #30 - 21 - Yucuaiquín FC (San José Guayabal) - QUESTIONABLY STARTING left-back or right-back

Donalbain is a fantastic man-marker, his speed enabling him to keep up with some of the best attackers there is. His skills on offense make him a promising prospect, although his tackles are shaky at best. Likes playing wingback or defensive midfielder. Once heralded as a future superstar, but after a shaky first WCQ campaign that resulted in a loss of job security, skeptics have reason to criticize.

ELISA SAJONIKA - #26 - 23 - Barbary Coast SC (Eirelia) - RESERVE center-back

Sajonika, a half-Helvetican import brought in to strengthen the defense a bit, is a tough, uncompromising center-back on and off the pitich. With endless stamina, she's the ideal sub late in the game for a defensive spark, but aside from her athleticism, there isn't much to say. Could compete with Donalbain for that attacking-fullback spot.

CHRISTIAN FERNANDEZ - #19 - 28 - Free Agent - RESERVE all-purpose fullback

Just thirteen years ago he was considered one of Hicaña's brightest future stars at just fifteen, but the Hicañan Wars ensured that he never managed to fully develop into what he could have been. While he still is incredibly fast and strong, he's raw as well and carded often. Will he pull it together in time for a late-career renaissance?

JOSHUA GORDON - #22 - 18 - Free Agent - RESERVE left-back

While friendly and accepting, Gordon is only really on as a place-holder for the higher-regarded young attacking-fullback Todd Beckett, who was injured shortly after the World Cup, as his own skills aren't really anything special. A remarkably average player in almost all facets, Gordon will nevertheless give his best effort and may work his way onto the senior squad in future years.

MIDFIELDERS

ALBERT CASTRO - #9 - 26 - Nunavut North Stars (QUE) - STARTING center halfback

The original star of Hicaña, the equally nationalist brother of Aaron Castro is known for his quick instincts and deadly shooting touch, as well as his playmaking skills as a center mid or attacking halfback. While he still hasn't gotten over losing the #10 jersey and the captain's armband to Miguel Ansierra, he still lead the team in assists and came second in goals over qualifiers and at twenty-six is Hicaña's leading scorer in history.

MATTHIEU RHODERICK - #8 - 29 - FC East Llama (Super-Llamaland) - STARTING CENTER-BACK

Considered by many to be Castro's "counterpoint", Matthieu Rhoderick is a relaxed left-halfback who excels at ball distribution. With a brilliant eye for the field and passing touch, he tends to hang back, never shooting unless he's sure it'll go in. A burden once you get to penalties, but his playmaking acumen more than makes up for that.

NEFALTI DEL ANCINEN - #29 - 25 - London FC (Quebec) - RESERVE halfback

Del Ancinen, often referred to as an enigma for reasons that manifest once you see him play, can be a feared presence when on his game, using his cocktail of speed and muscle to push by defenders and set up scoring chances for his teammates. When he's not, he tends to self-destruct and go a bit crazy, as the Great Stadium Fire of South Ansillia attests to. The second case tends to happen more often than the first because he's inhumanly egocentric, distressingly paranoid, and not entirely sane - but he's worth having for what happens when he's playing well - and you can definitely tell - alone.

ATTACKERS

EMILY DA SILVA - #13 - 23 - Drummondville FC (Quebec) - STARTING LEFT-WINGER

The newest and arguably youngest (depends on what you classify Michael Marrero as) impact player to join the attacking core, da Silva is an agile, efficient striker (or halfback, in a pinch) with a vicious scoring touch and an eye for spotting where the ball is going. Not someone to leave unguarded, although Ansierra gets a lot of the coverage.
Troy BERYLL - #25 - 31 - Bauer Falls FC (Helvetica) - STARTING STRIKER

Beryll, an attacking-midfielder, is certainly a calming veteran presence on many of the drinking-age-or-lower players that have been brought on. On the playing field, he's a decent shot and a mediocre passer, although he does have a knack for finding unguarded positions on a set piece.
Miguel ANSIERRA - #10 - 27 - Cóndor Valladares FC (SJG) - CAPTAIN

Miguel Ansierra is your prototypical striker. He's a brilliant shot, good at ball-carrying, and devastating when taking a penalty kick. Not the fastest, but has an array of trick moves that he keeps up constantly. Newly named the captain, the half-Llamanean striker lead the team in goals during his first qualifying campaign - there's reason to believe he can keep it up for a while.
FERNANDO DE LA ROSA - #18 - 25 - Hamilton Steelers FC (QUE) - STARTING RIGHT-WINGER

A generic Latin player, with brilliant acceleration and speed, a huge bag of spinning tricks, a decent enough shot, and flopping. A ton of it. In large amounts.
Michael MARERRO - #42 - 22 - Free Agent - RESERVE

A decent enough counterpart to Ansierra, the former impact sub now finds his speed used on the starting lines.
Ignacio CASTELLIHO - #23 - 28 - Free Agent - RESERVE

Castelliho is a trickster whose spinning shots are a fan favorite. He's also a notorious flopper, although his durability takes some credibility away from that.

RP Permissions: Anything crazy with TG permission, anything non-crazy all day every day. If you aren't sure, ask.

Style Mod: +5

Formation (4 - 2 - 4)

by **Gloriax** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:33 am

The Predictions: Cup of Harmony 62
The Cup of Harmony is here! And here's what we think the group will look like at the end of the group stage!

Group A
Yttribia clinch the group, defeating Bears Armed narrowly - maybe even on goal difference. Red Blackiland look in good position to finish 3rd, with Abanhfleft in 4th place who will try and scalp a point.

Group B
Gregoryisgodistan cruise toward the top, while Jeckland and Kazamatsuri have a battle in their hands for the the final Ro16 spot. Gut feeling is, though, Kazamatsuri will edge ahead for 2nd. Jeckland following close. Gylias, again, would try and get a respectable goal difference, let alone a point.

Group C
Turori clinch group, followed by Neu Engollon at 2nd. Schottia and Ceni will both try to make a mark, but, Schottia will take 3rd, Ceni 4th.

Group D
While Holy Republican Empire will ease in to the top spot, the rest of the group is but a mess. Electrum come 2nd, with Furellum finishing at a disappointing 3rd.

Group E
Kinitaria are favorites for the top spot, while Isula ĝe Run finishing at a dream 2nd. Sandwich Territories follow up, while Starblaydia finis last and become the disappointment of the tournament.

Group F
Apox rule the group, followed by Cosumar and Greater Watford. The United States of Devonta, on other hand, would like to gain some experience from the outing, being the lowest ranked team in the competition.

Group G
Jeruselem take 1st positon, as our very own Black Tigers of Gloriax come 2nd. Chiata finish a disappointing 3rd, and Semarland finishing things off at 4th.

Group H
Barunia and Star United States find themselves fighting for the top spot, with Barunia nudging ahead, and SUS at the 2nd qualifying spot, Hicaña finish a fighting 3rd, and Saint James Islands giving them a hot chase at 4th.

by **Semarland** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:14 am

Office of Yemi Appiah-Jansen, SFA Headquarters, Jansberg, Semarland

"I'm telling you, Yemi, we don't need new staff! If anything it's..." Henrik Jensen began, but he was cut off by the head of the SFA, Yemi Appiah-Yensen.

"Shh, Henrik. I know what I'm doing, it's for the best of the team. Besides, if they're so good, why didn't we qualify?" quipped Yemi. He was an ambitious man. At only 42 years old, he was the youngest head of the SFA - and the most eccentric. Always aiming high, his positive outlook on the team brought smiles and boosted morale, but it his outrageous ideas sometimes, if not often, fell short.

"At least tell me who you got rid of and their replacements?" begged Henrik. Manager of the team, recently his job looked on the line. Especially with numerous players retiring, good managers leaving their posts. All this debacle unfazed him however, with the last part of Semarland's campaign being pretty good. Except results elsewhere eliminating Semarland. It wasn't Henrik's fault, was it? Or the players, or the staff. They couldn't affect the results of other games. Henrik had kept a thought to himself - a somewhat pessimistic one, but the most realistic. "It is unlikely we'll qualify. We've got a good team, but we're inexperienced, we must remember that. But if we fight hard, we'll have a good chance." Perhaps, thought Henrik, that was why they lost? Surely his own poor morale couldn't affect the team? He never looked like he thought that all when he spoke to and was around his players.

After enough babbling, Yemi cut to the point. "Okay then, let me see." Yemi opened up a document on his computer. "Contracts..." he mumbled to himself, scowling at the screen. Eventually he found the document. "Ah!" he grinned, but he wiped it off his face and gave Henrik a stern look. "Henrik, I wish for you to know that I did not want to make these decisions. I can assure you, you'll love the new appointments. Beside, the axed guys were at the end of their contracts, anyway."

"Okay," Henrik nodded. "Let's hear it."

"Alright, up first. Goalkeeping coach, Ulrik Lächt." said Yemi. Henrik raised his eyebrows at this. He liked Ulrik. A down-to-earth guy, and a good coach. "Who is the replacement?" queried Henrik. "Daniel Kais? Richard Albrechtsen? Norkald Amundsen?" Henrik continued. Henrik personally wanted an experienced coach. "Wrong, wrong, and let me guess, wrong." smiled Yemi. "It's Martin Datheim." Henrik allowed himself a big smile. "Now you're talking."

Martin recently retired from all football after the World Cup qualification. He had a good season with Krsthaven, his only club, and after he officially retired, was inducted into the Semarlandic Footballers' Hall of Fame. He was a great goalkeeper, one of Semarland's best, and Henrik was more than thrilled to be working with him. However, Henrik could expect it though.

"Next up, Marko Kjær," Yemi stated.

Henrik gasped. "Marko Kjær?" Yemi nodded. "Marko Kjær."

"What was wrong with him? He was a great fitness coach!" yelled Henrik, standing up. Yemi motioned for him to sit down.

"His replacement is Rasmus Karlsen."

"RASMUS FUCKING WHO?" screamed Henrik.

Yemi narrowed his eyes. "Only one of the greatest fitness coaches Semarland has ever seen. He may be young, but he'll do a fucking damned good job. The chances of key players getting injured is greatly minamalized."

Now it was Henrik's chance to narrow his eyes. "He better be."

"Oh he will be. Don't you worry. Next, Leonard Henriksen."

Henrik just sighed. How many more fitness coaches and physios would this guy axe?

"To be replaced by Christian Abelgaard. Oh, and Physios Jens Larsen and Lars Keilik also cancelled their contracts my mutual consent." added Yemi.

"I'm not surprised," muttered Henrik under his breath. "Anybody else?" he sighed.

"Yes." grinned Yemi.

"Who now?" demanded Henrik.

"You'll see."

At that point, a tall muscular man burst in the room. He looked to be in his late thirties or early fourties, and he didn't look amused.

"Mr Appiah-Jansen?" he boomed. "You know who I am."

"Of course I do. Sit down!" said Yemi, indicating to a seat.

Henrik didn't even bother looking at him. But when the guy greeted him, he thought it was only polite to.

When he saw who it was, he did a double take.

"JOHANNES FLAMING PEDERSEN?" shrieked Henrik.

"Well fucking no." replied Johannes. "I'm your new defensive coach." He outstretched his hand for Henrik to shake, which Henrik gladly did. He then turned to Yemi.

"For once Yemi, you've made a great decision."

"I told you you'd like him." smiled Yemi.

"Right!" boomed Johannes, standing up. "Let's the meet the team, shall we?"

OFFICIAL SFA STATEMENT
The SFA have confirmed the appointment of several new coaching staff members for Semarland's national football team. It comes after numerous staff members did not wish to resign a new contract, all departing for pastures new, from the goalkeeping coach at FC Kolberg to become national team staff for the Royal Kingdom of Quebec.

SFA President Yemi Appiah-Jansen worked with manager Henrik Jensen to find top-class replacements, and that he did, with the new changes being announced on the SFA website early this morning. A couple of them have played for the national team themselves, making them no strangers to this setup.

The first change is that of the goalkeeping coach. Ulrik Lächt's contract was over, and he decided to leave and sign on as FC Kolberg's goalkeeping coach. The 50 year old was replaced by recently-retired from football Martin Datheim - who recently featured in Semarland's most recent World Cup qualifying squad plus finished 2nd place with Krsthaven in the Premarligaen.

The second change involves the fitness and physiotherapy staff. Fitness coach Marko Kjær has been replaced by Rasmus Karlsen, head physio Leonard Henriksen has been replaced by Christian Abelgaard, and physios Lars Keilik and Jens Larsen have been replaced by Lars Trommel and Jaan Mikkelsen, creating a whole-new physiotherapy team.

There is also the change of defensive coach Jan Mortensen, who left to become the defensive coach of Molsbik Kadet. He was replaced by veteran "hardman" Johannes Pedersen, once a gritty, no-nonsense centre back who gained 84 caps for Semarland. His appointment comes to the delight of both Appiah-Jansen and Jensen, and to the fans.

There is also one more backroom change, too. SFA Vice-president Magnus Sondergaard yesterday resigned. His new replacement is Filip Torbjornsen.

by **Electrum** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:08 pm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
27 December 2014
Minister: Senator Takumi Itsuki

Announcement on Resource Extraction with Quebecois Consortiums

As it's first policy, the newly elected federal government of Electrum will increase the production of liquefied petroleum gas on the Western shores of Electrum, in the Endemien Sea where several gas basins lie. These basins lie in Electrum's Exclusive Economic Zone (except for Valladar's Zone to the south-east near Junin) This is a huge step for Electrum, to increase Electrum's economic output as well as international relations with The Royal Kingdom of Quebec. These agreements, which were written with help from the Liberty and Labour Party prior to the election, will ensure that ratification and subsequent production starts as soon as possible.

A consortium led by the Quebecois corporation Capp Energies, and assisted by Moulson and the Electrumite Haven Gas Corporation will sign a contract later today, with the intent of extracting LPG from those basins. This contract of production will be worth billions of Nationstates Dollars, as well as give thousands of jobs to Electrumites, making Electrum one of the most employed nations in the world. The initial start-up costs will be paid for by the consortium, but no taxation will be taken until the consortium turns a profit in a financial year.

As the Electrumite government wants to ensure that Electrumites get their fair share of the boon from resource extraction, this contract will fall under the Resources and Rent Tax, which will be approximately 35% of the profits, as well as another corporate-big business tax of 15% of profits. This will mean that approximately half of the profits will be given to the consortium. We hope that this will mean that the organisation can recoup their losses in the initial setup phase of production, and so that large amounts of capital can be produced, and reinvested into the economy, future projects, etc.

The gas basin also contain condensates of oil, which will be harvested sole by Imperial Oil, a leading corporation on oil production. They will work in conjunction with the above consortium to produce their own oil rigs and will cooperate with the above companies to ensure that their production doesn't impede each other. The oil will be bought by the Electrumite government, to be refined and to be used domestically. This will also create new jobs in both production and refining. A refinery plant and port will be built in Port Grenville, the nearest capital city. This will be the centre for both oil and LPG distribution around the multiverse.

To the north-west of the country, separate agreements have been signed with the Quebecois Minecorps and Attawapiskat Mining Company along with the Electrumite Plaxo Corporation to mine gold deposits in the Great Sandy Desert to the north-west of Auron, at the frontier regions. Although some of the gold in the region has been mined, some deposits can still be found in rock form, however, a majority of the gold will have to be found in extremely small quantities in rocks, with about ten grams per tonne rock in the deserts.

The difficulty in mining the gold means that technical experience and know-how will be important in extracting these resources. As we move along to better and newer technologies in resource extraction, it is important that these corporations cooperate with their combined innovation and knowledge so they can get the best out of the designated mining areas. The mining will be a mixture of both open-cut mining where large machinery needs to be operated and underground mining where shafts need to be built. This requires specialist equipment which will be brought via airplane to Hamilton, the closest capital city in that region. It will then be transported via freight (a new railroad will be built to move the gold around) to the mines. All operators will be licensed, and government officials will be on standby at all the sights to oversee training, workplace safety and proper licensing of the operators.

The gold will subsequently be refined in-house by these organisations where they will be shipped off to the capital, Centralis where they will either be used as the holdings for the nation (to be bought by the government at market price), or sold on the foreign gold market. In any case, this will revive economic growth in the region, which has been lacking in recent years (and governments) because most of the surface mining of gold has finished. Now, we can make better use of these lands by digging deeper into these open-cut mines.

These three agreements have been a major success for the new Electrumite government, and will be sure to increase the economic output of the nation by several billion Synergies. This, along with the other supplementary projects, such as the new refinery in Port Grenville, and facilities in Auron mean that several struggling regions will just receive that extra boost to keep moving forwards. The cooperation and subsequent negotiation between the Electrumite Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and their respective Quebecois counterparts ensures prosperity for both nations moving into the future.

by **Gylias** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:39 am

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the light blue wall, directly in front of my face. Then came the edge of the pillow I had slept on, and a crumpled mess that was supposed to be my thin bedsheet. Of course, at a previous point in time, last night, that's exactly what it was: a soft, white bedsheet, painted with various swirls of flowers arranged in a delightful way. But it always managed to end up tossed and kicked to the side by the time I woke up on summer nights such as these. I was already long used to the idea of the fact that I could go to bed covered with a bedsheet and wake up without, and my only question by this point was: if I hooked up a camera and recorded myself to see how I would toss and turn in bed during my sleep, how much trouble would I have breathing from laughing too hard? My bet was something like 30 minutes or so - likely enough to reach that stage where continuing to laugh would physically hurt my face from the exertion.

It was then that I blinked, and noticed that I had failed to notice my phone's alarm ringing in any way.

Oh, shit.

I swung my body towards the opposite side of the bed, facing the shelf I'd put my phone on. I took it and turned on the display.

8:20 AM.

Phew.

I'm supposed to be at work starting at 9, but luckily, I have the most excellent understanding colleagues at work. They're used by now to my occasional lateness and profuse apologies for having misjudged my sleeping hours, again. All they've ever asked is that I never be more than an hour late, and to my luck, that's something I've always easily managed.

A yawn escapes my mouth as I find the contact details I look for and place a call. I chew on empty air while the phone rings - my mouth always feels a little funky when I first emerge from the land of slumbers. And sometimes, my pillow also feels a little salivated too.

... I do not talk about that.

"Hello?", comes the voice on the other line. Ah, Dani, you're a lifesaver again. I'll thank you profusely once we finish for the day, at the nearest drinks' vendor.

"Dani? Hey, sorry, it's Shoko - I'm afraid I just woke up, so I'll be a bit late for work. Really sorry, please tell everybody else about it as well, I'll have to make it later than 9." My words rush out as if I'm in a hurry to get them all out before turning it back over to Dani. If I could be in just as much of a hurry while heading to work...

...well, I'd still be late for work because them lazy pissducks are taking so bloody long to invent teleportation, of course.

Dani chuckles on the other end of the line. "Oh, don't worry, Shoko, we took that into account. I was just telling Marilyn earlier, hey, I saw Shoko online around midnight last night, so, they's obviously having trouble letting it go. Don't be surprised if one of us gets a call they overslept."

We share a good laugh. How lucky I am to have such good friends...

"Thank you so much, Dani, and don't worry, I'll make it up to you later!"

"You're gonna hire me to be your human alarm clock?"

...

It's a shame Dani can't see my face right now 'cos I'm wearing this sly grin that's just a perfect match for what I'm about to say.

"Nnnnnnnot quite, I'm afraid."

"Ah, well, in that case, I'll just settle for a tea with digestive biscuits once we're done."

"It's like you've read my mind!", I beam. Of course, it's either that or the fact that I've already done this before with all of my colleagues at least once.

"Hehe, don't sweat it, Shoko - I'll see you in a bit at work!"

"Certainly! Bye, Dani!"

I hung up the phone and placed it back on the shelf for the time being. Using the full strength of my hands, I pushed myself upwards on the bed, successfully escaping the magnetic pull exerted by it and my pillow on my head and upper part of my body. I stretched out my hands upwards, then scratched the back of my head. Nansa knows, if I ever have children I'll teach them to respect their bedsheets..., I think as I cast a slightly forlorn glance towards the poor kicked-about bedsheet.

In the process of clearing the last hurdle by sort of leaping off the bed entirely, I managed to nearly lose my balance and fall, saving myself from such an ignominious fate by supporting myself against the shelf. Last hurdle having now been cleared, it was time to get ready for work. That by itself would add at least a quarter of an hour to the lateness, but such a thing must of course be done right. I'd rather take the time and run late, than try to rush it perfunctorily and then have to fix haste-induced errors.

As I splashed water onto my face to help the waking process and gingerly brushed my hair to avoid it becoming tangled or stuck, I thought, Whoever invented mornings was really thoughtful to provide a part of the day where we're not at our best in private.

Next, it was of course time to get dressed in my GNRTS uniform before I go to work. Well, I could skip that step entirely, but I haven't yet figured out how to communicate the fact that I'm a GNRTS employee solely through body language and facial expressions. The second somebody discovers that, they're gonna have an easier time at work!, I chuckled to myself while getting dressed.

Almost ready, I thought as I adjusted my hat. Nevertheless, before leaving, I always spare a moment to look at myself, to make sure I'm in the right frame of mind. I don't even need to do it consciously anymore, it's practically a reflex. The truth is, the sight of myself ready for work never fails to fill me with a sense of pride. Yes, I'm doing something that matters, is how my thought process usually goes. It helps to take a step back every once in a while and remember that, yeah, I'm incredibly lucky to be a GNRTS attendant. It's a special feeling, seeing commuters and travelers every day who trust me and rely on me to help them whenever they need it to. And few things are really as satisfying as seeing them happy because I've, I dunno, pointed them to the platform they were looking for, or even something as basic as checked their travelcards. Knowing that I'm one small part of the great machinery that makes the country run smoothly is a joy.

by **Greater Watford** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:51 am

Greater Watford has announced it's squad for the Cup of Harmony. The squad is unchanged from the WC70 qualifiers, where the team narrowly missed out on WC Qualification with a 3-1 aggregate loss to Super-Llamaland.

Manager: Alessandro de Rosso
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

Code: Select all: RP Permissions Choose my goalscorers: Yes Godmod scoring events: Yes Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes Hand out red cards to my players: Yes RP Injuries to my players: Yes Godmod injuries to my players: Yes (no fatalities or serious injuries) Godmod other events: Yes

Style modifier-0

The yellow and red sleeves kit, used in WC68, 69 and 70 will be used for the CoH 62, before they will be archived an replaced, the new kits vbeing first usedi n AOCAF 46.
Kits: (Home, Away, Goalkeeper/Third)

by **United States of Devonta** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 8:30 am

Underdogs!
^{Devontans are the lowest ranked team in the CoF}

United States of Devonta 3-0 Qocaekian Isles

United States of Devonta (4-4-2 Diamond): Cooper, Brooks, Benton, Kindred, Liam, Russell, Abdullah, Edwards, Owens, Johansen, Adams

Quick Stats:
71% Possessions, 12 Shots, 10 on goal
29% Possessions, 5 Shots, 3 on goal

Scores:
Johansen (3'), Kindred (45+2'), Abdullah (86')
----NONE----

CAUTIONED: ----NONE----
EJECTED: ----NONE----

Report from the Battlefront: Paldavia

The mechanized component of the marines had taken five hours to completely land on a beach directly north of Bersag, Bratislava. They quickly moved south down highways and the rugged terrain till they reached Palos, Paldavia. The air mobile component flew via transport helicopter to Palos, Paldavia. The marines had stayed they're for one day till they where ordered to move to the southern mountainous Paldavia-Cydonian border to help secure it from PPF forces in the mountains with help from there Cydonian and Paldavian counterparts. The marines covered just 100 kilometers of the border and set up to forward operating bases and around 50 checkpoints on different roads leading in and out of Paldavia. The marines where tasked with keeping the PPF forces inside Paldavia and destroying any weopons or safe heavens they made themselves in the mountains. The marines have suffered casualties when a child refugee detonated and killed two marines and injured three more at a border checkpoint. A further four marines have been wounded in firefights with PPF forces in the mountains.

The marines where not in the mountains blind, The airforces Avenger stealth drones kept reconnaissance of the border and would strike targets when called upon. Airforce F/A-33s patrolled the border and where called in by the marines to strike PPF forces often. C-5Ms would also drop and resupply marines at the forward operating bases. Marine transport helicopters also helped air lift marines place to place along the border. A total of 150 tons of munitions had been dropped by planes against the PPF forces. A estimated total of 233 terrorist have been killed in the mountains so far.

The naval task force had by know moved back into the Curente Ocean after the landing of the marines, Except the frigates and submarines which stayed in the Bay of Lowren.

by **Hicana** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 12:44 pm

We're in the WHAAAAAT now? - Hicañan CoH62 Preview

So apparently the Skylarks managed to make it to the Cup of Harmony, an invite-only tournament for the "best of the rest" - those who couldn't make it to the World Cup but were rated by the World Cup Committee as "pretty decent, actually." Will we become an underdog story and advance to the playoffs, or will we anticlimactically crash out in the group stage? Only one way to find out! First, let's take a look at our own team...

DEFENSE - Aaron Castro is solid no matter who's in front of him, but with this bunch I'm not so sure. If Castro gets injured, James Fritz-Geroux should be competent enough to keep us from complete annihilation, but our CoH dreams will abruptly end. As for the defense itself, Jenni Sanchez and Kathryn Mikkelson will need to stay healthy and somewhat intact to be consistently good, while the inconsistent performance of Alaric Donalbain, Elisa Sajonika, and Carlos Herrera could determine how the defense shakes out. Francois Riverie should be decent enough on either wing, but unless somebody steps up, the Skylarks will not make it to the Ro16.

MIDFIELD - New manager Daniel Kovacic, the renowned Quebecois club manager, has opted to go with a 4-2-4, meaning that there are only three halfbacks on this squad. Albert Castro and Matthieu Rhoderick will be consistently strong as ever, anchoring the back line of the attack, although neither is particularly good at defense. Nefalti del Ancinen is perpetually about to blow up and cannot be relied on.

ATTACK - The Skylarks' specialty, Kovacic has managed to rearrange players to form a sterling front line. With the vicious 23-year-old Emily Da Silva, set-piece king Troy Beryll, the ever-brilliant Miguel Ansierra, and the quick-paced excitement of Fernando de la Rosa and Ignacio Castelliho, as well as Michael Marrero's vicious speed bursts, Kovacic should be able to find a vicious attack combination against every team the Skylarks play.

INSURGENTS TAKE CONTROL OVER WESTERN ESPERANSO, PATISTAN HELPS REVOLT

CÍUDAD DE LIBERTAD, REPUBLIC OF HICAÑA -- The flag of the Fifth Republic of Hicaña was risen in its new capital today for the first time as Solomon Ervine's democratic rebellion continues to sweep the nation. The city, whose name in English translates to "Liberty City", is claimed to be the new haven of Hicañan esperanso.

Of course, the Holy Sovereign State that rose to power via elections and began to use it illegally a few weeks ago doesn't like this. But Ervine's volunteer army, with generous help from the Islamic Republic of Patistan, who has annexed one-third of Esperanso into its own possession, has managed to force the debatably legitimate government out of the capital city, Nevo Esperanso, and reach from the river Yunda to the river Ijmali.

Antonio Sandoval, self-appointed Holy Consul of the Nation of Hicaña, could not be reached for comment. Neither could Solomon Ervine or Imran Khan, the president of Patistan, but Ervine's vice-president Adam Watson said that he was cautiously optimistic about the new nation's hopes in the eighteenth bloody war in Hicaña in ten years.

The Fifth Republic lays claim to all of Nevo Esperanso, as well as the Original Hicañan Isles, which are now slowly decaying after the devastating Inferno of Hicañan bombs, in a perfectly coordinated suicide attack, struck it.

The Republic, although the most well-known, isn't the only state to revolt against the religious government. Lead by Ignacio Sanchez, the United Socialist Federation of Esperanso has managed to drive the Holy State out of their own corner of southern Esperanso.

by **Apox** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:25 am

A dull ringing slowly filled his senses. The endless, monotonous ringing. Perhaps it was the siren call of death winging his way towards him, beckoning? Or perhaps it was the sound of sirens themselves, coming for him? Or perhaps nothing malevolent at all?

Gavin Hughes jerked awake with a start, the telephone at his desk happily ringing away. He rubbed his eyes and picked it up:

"Oh! Hello Jooles... Yes, things are going fine, what can I help you with?... I see... Yes, well they tried their hardest, I know.... Yes, I know it's happened before... Really?! Why would they do that?.... Yes... Yes... Hmm, are you sure it's final? What about the Cup of Harmony?... I see.... No, I'm not happy about it, why would I be?... Ok, goodbye Jooles."

He slammed the phone back down, his face a picture of dread and put his head in his hands.

(OOC: This will become more clear in later matchdays.)

by **Bears Armed** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:45 am

"Gone? Hwhat do you mean, 'gone'?"

"I mean 'gone', for true... as in left us, vanished, departed..."

"Not as in 'dead'?"

"No, not as far as any of us can smell, just as in 'no longer here'. Presumably hwhatever brought her to urrs on the first paw, that 'Crisis' that Jammy Urrsen and the others were talking about, has ended and she#s been pulled back home to her own Urrrth again..."

"Hr'rmm...
"And hwhat about Urrsen? Has he vanished, too?"

"Ur'rmm. Good question that: I'll check.
"Anyhows, can we bring another player out here to replace Steph?"

"I don't think so, not now with ourr rroster given to the hosts and there being so little time left before our girls' first game here. No, as I smell it, the Belles will just have to cope with having one less player available in the squad."

"And Steph was such a good player, too...
"Urrgah!"

"Ayyuh, I know. Still, we have got a good line-up even without her, hrright?"

"Hrright... I suppose. So, will you tell the committee about this."

"Ayyuh, I will."

"Hokay, see you tomorrow."

"Hokay. Good Spirits be with you."

Urra SunBlesséd -- the older of the two versions of that person now co-existing simultaneously -- put her phone back down, and sighed. Stephanie Bruin had been a good player, some people might even say a verrry good player, but in hindsight maybeso placing reliance on somebody who'd arrived mysteriously from another Reality hadn't been the wisest of decisions. Ah well, hwhat was done was done...

____________________________________________________________________________

OOC: I'm ending the 'Crisis of Infinite Mirth' storyline that I've been using intermittently for the last three or four World Cup cycles.
Edit: Oops! No, okay, Stephanie Bruin wasn't included in the version of the roster that I've already posted OOC in this thread. Can you accept she was in the version that the Bears submitted IC instead?
She was in the WC qualifiers roster, both OOC and IC, and I changed my mind about when she'd "vanish"...

by **Schottia** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:35 pm

All Covered Up

Part eight Part nine

Plan C

Gary peered round the door, to check whether the coast was clear. Claire Hanson was still unpacking a few of her bits and bobs, getting ready to assess the players’ condition. Why on earth did the physio station have to be between the foyer and the players' bedrooms? He just needed to get past so he could drop his bag off. Quickly he hid himself again as she turned round, no doubt hearing a creaking. He was going to have to face her at some point, he just wasn't ready for it right now. After the roasting she had given him during the Polaaskan game it would just be too awkward. How was any of this his fault? She had kissed him back in Yttribia, he hadn't wanted to. She was the team physio, surely that wasn't aloud she could have upset one of the players, it was unprofessional. Somehow he was the baddy, it was incredible. And now he was the one sneaking around the training camp like the worlds crappiest James Bond.

'I can see you hiding behind the door Gary.' She said without looking up. 'If you want to go past then just do in. Don't worry I would rather have my toes broken than speak to you.'

Hah, well she just spoke to him there! Should he say that, it might lighten the mood? No, definitely not. He was still hiding behind the door, for some reason his feet wouldn't move properly. No matter how hard he tried they were stuck fast. He just wasn't very good with awkward encounters, ever since he had been a boy it was always the same.

'For Christ's sake.' Claire hissed, stomping over and pulling the door wide open. Gary was like a rabbit in the headlights. 'Just go through to the rooms please, I can't concentrate with you lurking around.'

Gary slowly edged out, shuffling in the direction of the players' rooms. He kept his bag pulled tight up to his chin, eyes fixed firmly on the floor. A few seconds of shuffling and he would be in his room, his sanctuary with his books and his laptop. He was nearly at the door when he heard her call again.

'Make sure you are ready for your medical in one hour Gary. You're first up. Lets see what kind of condition you're in these days.'

This was terrible, he was going to have to do something about it. She was never going to let him forget this. What would happen if he was genuinely injured and needed to spend extended periods of time with her? He needed a plan and quick. He opened the door to his room throwing his bag down on one of the beds. This plan had to come right now, he had one hour and he wasn't going back into that room without having sorted this once and for all. The way he saw it was he had three possible courses of action:

A. He goes in there, tells her how much of a fool he has been, and that the reason he had acted like this was because he didn't want a relationship at work. He would then go on to say that the truth is that he is really, madly in love with her and has been since they first met. He would have to be able to act very sincerely to pull this off, it would be hard. However Gary had been an actor in his own life for longer that he could remember, he was an old pro. The moral dilemma with plan A was that he would actually have to go out with her to follow through. She may even want to sleep with him again during the Cup of Harmony: what happens in Felix stays in Felix sort of thing.

B. The second plan was just to apologise. It would be similar to the first, with the advantage of him not needing to hurt her feelings and it would negate the need to enter into a farce of a relationship just to save face. On the down side, he would lose face. In order to get her to buy this he would need to do a fair bit of grovelling, let her shout at him, totally abandon the high ground. However, if it worked she would feel like she had won, maybe she would just forgive him or perhaps even pity him.

C. The final idea was what they called the coward's way out. It was so named because it didn't involve speaking to Claire at all. He could simply go to the manager, Barry Gorman's office, and tell him everything. He would just come clean about the whole affair, only he would strongly emphasise the fact that he had been put under pressure to have sex, and that Claire had been acting unprofessionally ever since. She would of course lose her job; Gary was sure that Gorman would take a dim view on the coaching staff sleeping with players. Gary also had to hope that he was too valuable to lose, or that his fake tears won him some sympathy.

This was a huge decision to make. Sure he was a coward but could he really be responsible for a young woman losing her job. She was professional and would probably never work in the sport again; it would be her career in tatters. Would that be much better than being in a loveless lie of a relationship? Well theoretically no, but weren't most relationships like that these days? His own parents had been married for thirty-five years and sat eyes fixed to the tv every night; there was no affection there either. Also Claire was attractive enough, it's not like it would be a chore. Ultimately however, he could just take one on the chin, be a man and hope that she respected him for it, even if it meant that he wouldn't respect himself. Sometimes that was what life was about though, putting others needs before your own, being the first man through the breach. It was a step in the right direction, the direction towards being someone he was proud of.

'She - did - what?' Asked Goman as his jaw hit the floor. Gary was sitting in his manager's office having opted for plan C. 'I just can't believe what you are telling me Gary.'

'It's true I'm afraid Mr. Gorman.' He was looking down at his feet, unable to make eye contact. 'Claire Hanson forced herself upon me back in Yttribia.' Jesus Christ! This was a new low; even for him.

'Well okay Gary, I will speak to Claire. Obviously I will have to get her side of the story, I'm not saying I don't believe you, but I will need to hear her out.' Gorman rubbed the half-day's stubble on his chin.

Gary nodded sombrely, getting up to take his leave. Well not bad for a morning's work: He had been caught lurking behind a door like a child. His manager knew he had slept with a member of the back room staff. And he had cost a young woman her job. All in a day's work.

The Daily Worker
Cup of Harmony latest
Marrian McFadden reports

Schottia hit by injuries
Schottia's Cup of Harmony preparations took a knock earlier today as withdrawals from two players, Till Ümann, and more crucially Jack Gordon were confirmed by the management team. Gordon, who is first choice right-back will be a huge miss, as he has been a regular fixture in side for several years now. The versatile defender is believed to be suffering from the flu, and has been sent home in order to minimise the risk to the rest of the squad. Ümann, by contrast, pulled up in training yesterday with what has been confirmed as a thigh strain.

This will come as a huge blow to Barry Gorman who already faced un uphill struggle to qualify, with both Turori and Neu Engollon most peoples favourites to finish first and second respectively from Group C. Realistically Schottia, barring any slipups, will be fighting it out with Ceni for third place. In what looks like becoming an extremely competitive Cup of Harmony, the Schottic team will need to have a fully fit squad to stand any chance of progression.

To those ends Gorman has announced the call-up of Marionville right-back Larry Watt 21, and Lammerton midfielder Kris Scott 26, both of whom join up with the national squad for the first time. Both have been on good form for their clubs this season, and Watt was another member of the successful U-21 team who reached the last 16 in the Di Bradini Cup. Without any more injuries it is unlikely that either will feature, however both will provide cover and give the management team another option.

Although Ümann was a valuable member of the squad, with caps and goals to his name, he will not be missed in the same way as Gordon who was a cert to start at right-back. That position will probably now be filled by Holin winger Chris Jack, who is able to play anywhere down the right flank. Ümann's withdrawal will perhaps pave the way for two other first timers Mark Kelman and Kim Coultan to get their first taste of national team action.

Despite the task facing Schottia, there has been a real feeling of optimism in the team. Finishing third in their qualification group despite being fifth seeds will give them some hope that they can again punch above their weight and take a few scalps in the process.

Call-up Profiles

RB Larry Watt, 21, Marionville Height:180cm Weight:75kg

Caps: 0 Goals: 0
U-21 caps: 11 Goals: 1
Previous clubs: None

RB Kris Scott, 26, Lammerton Height:182cm Weight:77kg

Caps: 0 Goals: 0
U-21 caps: 18 Goals: 2
Previous clubs: Dundee, Gemillton.

by **Kazamatsuri** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:54 pm

The Scattered Isles of Kazamatsuri
Official Roster for the 62^nd Cup of Harmony

Nation Background

A semi-autonomous territory of the Empire of Mizuyuki, Kazamatsuri is a relatively new nation, having only been formed through a secession of a number of Mizuyuki's island colonies from its local administration a year previously. However, this change is said in political circles to be merely cosmetic, as the Empire remains in de facto control over the entire island chain in the prefecture due to the "revolutionaries" being unable to gain international recognition as a sovereign country.

Mizuyuki's comparatively overwhelming military might cast a shadow over Kazamatsuri. Following months of negotiations between the Executive Committee of Mizuyuki and the revolutionaries, the island chain of Kazamatsuri was officially made a protectorate of Mizuyuki, formally The Scattered Isles of Kazamatsuri, Protectorate of the Celestial Empire of Mizuyuki. However, a clause exists in the official treaty that compromises Kazamatsuri's already insignificant "independence"; Mizuyuki retains the right to revoke their protectorate status and reintegrate Kazamatsuri into their territories without notice. That being the case, however, during her opening speech at an official ceremony held at Kizuna Kyūden (絆宮殿) to recognise Kazamatsuri as a protectorate of the Celestial Empire, Mizuyukian diplomats reassured the leaders of Kazamatsuri that there were no plans to sanction such a revocation of their status in the near future.

Soon afterwards, a puppet government of the Celestial Empire was put into place; the leaders of the revolution were given nominal positions in the newly formed Kazamatsuri cabinet, which is known as The Committee of Judgment （判決委員会）, Hanketsu Iinkai, (Judgment for short) while a loyalist of the Mizuyuki administration, Tonoya Akira （殿谷　明）, the sister of Mizuyukian Executive Committee member Tonoya Jin （殿谷仁） was installed as the Mizuyukian High Commissioner in Kizuna. She is set to continue presiding over the Scattered Isles for the foreseeable future.

Note - On 20 November 2013, the Scattered Isles of Kitsuneshima was officially renamed the Scattered Isles of Kazamatsuri.

Team Background

A group of ragtag professionals that originally held Mizuyukian citizenship, the members that make up Kazamatsuri's team are footballers that defected to Kazamatsuri following the Treaty of Kizuna that officially declared Kazamatsuri as a protectorate of Mizuyuki in protest of the decision. They claim that the formation of Kazamatsuri as a protectorate and not a fully independent country is unlawful, and thus chose to protest the decision by claiming Kazamatsurian citizenship and playing for their hatchling national team. However, since the Treaty of Kizuna holds that all citizens of Kazamatsuri are, by extension, citizens of Mizuyuki, this move was also criticised by many as ineffectual and merely a plea to garner attention.

Strategy and Tactics

Style modifier - +3.125
Formation - 4-2-3-1 wide

Squad

The Scattered Isles of Kazamatsuri - Starting XI

Squad

All statistics are accurate as of post Runner Cup 3
Note - Family names/surnames listed first, given names listed last

Number Playing Pos. Squad Pos. Name Age Gender Height (cm) Weight (kg) Preferred Foot
90 GK Starting XI Maruyama Natsu 29 Male 193 83.57 Right
2 LB Starting XI Sakanoue Masuzu 18 Female 164 46.57 Left
4 LCB Starting XI Moriguchi Takashi (C) 31 Male 190 92.44 Right
5 RCB Starting XI Shimura Kazu 19 Male 182 62.31 Right
19 RB Starting XI Akechi Naruko 21 Female 149 48.97 Right
12 RCM Starting XI Jinnai Minatsu 19 Female 171 54.25 Right
13 CDM Starting XI Fujioka Misako 24 Female 164 47.23 Right
16 LCM Starting XI Nishio Katsuko 25 Female 161 43.45 Right
10 CAM Starting XI Sakurada Sachiko 19 Female 149 39.79 Left
7 RW Starting XI Toyota Kaori 18 Female 167 46.24 Right
9 LW Starting XI Kira Rei 18 Female 172 54.56 Left
34 GK Substitute Tezuka Ruri 32 Female 178 53.45 Left
26 LB Substitute Tsukade Minami 18 Female 164 48.25 Left
28 RB Substitute Enomoto Takumi 14 Male 180 61.25 Right
30 CDM Substitute Shiina Rintarō 37 Male 174 55.47 Right
32 RW Substitute Kikugawa Mariko 30 Female 167 46.54 Right
11 FW Substitute Shokuhō Suzuno 18 Female 170 50.21 Right
33 LW Substitute Shikitei Yoshifumi 27 Male 167 52.67 Left
40 GK Reserve Fukazawa Taki 30 Male 197 94.65 Right
35 CM Reserve Gasai Tsumiki 20 Female 159 45.51 Right
37 CM Reserve Higashikuni Yuki 21 Male 171 58.26 Left
92 CB Reserve Sugihara Takara 28 Female 185 63.74 Right
42 FW Reserve Serizawa Amane 19 Female 163 49.63 Left
93 LW Reserve Tsukamoto Nichiren 17 Male 173 54.66 Right
41 RW Reserve Hasekura Kazue 19 Female 164 46.45 Left
42 FW Reserve Ezakiya Amaya 14 Female 147 41.12 Left
90 FW Reserve Hayashida Inari 17 Female 160 43.68 Right
79 CB Reserve Tsutsumi Yasuhiko 20 Male 184 68.65 Right
87 FW Reserve Ishida Yuka 18 Female 164 52.67 Right
95 LW Reserve Komatsu Jin 19 Male 178 67.59 Right

Staff
Position Name Age Species Gender
Manager Mad Dash 51 Pegasus Male
Assistant Manager I Mitsumine Akira (formerly Mailman 912JZNSUDU) 28 Human Male
Assistant Manager II Arranna Sa’Martan 40 Ursine Female
1st Team Coach Morning Star 42 Pegasus Female
1st Team Coach Stronghold 59 Dragon Male
1st Team Coach Utagawa Rie 22 Human Female
Goalkeeping Coach Daisy Dive 37 Earth Pony Female
Tactical Coach Frigid Night 45 Griffon Male
Fitness Coach Anders Pierson 41 Human Male
Head Physio Gempatch 42 Crystal Pony Female
Physio Merriwell 29 Bat Pony Male
Physio Shirai Kazushige 28 Human Male
International Scout Hazel Watts 39 Human Female
Weather Team Captain Thunderburst 24 Pegasus Female

Roleplay Info
Player
Left Corner Taker Sakurada Sachiko
Right Corner Taker Sakurada Sachiko
Penalty Taker Kira Rei
Direct FK Taker Kira Rei
Indirect FK Taker Jinnai Minatsu
Most likely to foul/be booked Akechi Naruko
Most likely to shoot Toyota Kaori
Most likely to score from close range Kira Rei
Most likely to score from long-range Jinnai Minatsu
Most likely to be fouled Toyota Kaori
Most likely to attempt the spectacular Kira Rei

Roleplay Permissions
I give my opponents permission to do absolutely anything, with the exception of the infliction of career-ending injury/death on my players.

by **Ceni** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:24 pm

Fringe Conservative Parties Unite

CENIAL - Several ultra-consevative political parties have merged in an attempt to further capture protest, religious, and anti-immigrant votes. Parties represented in the new coaltion, to be called the Alliance for Cenian Future, include a Corvidae spinoff party, a party aligned with the Church of Saintland, and a populist anti-immigrant party. The move comes as immigration and foreign relations become increasingly important issues in today's volatile international scene.

"We are happy to announce that the people of Ceni will now have a new option to the liberal policies that have been ruining our country," said Merco Fertag, a spokesperson for the Alliance. "Only a return to religion and a strong leader that can deal with the issues we face today can save the people of Ceni from the dangerous world. We are confident that Ceni will hear our message and elect us to power in the upcoming elections."

However, the more liberal parties of Ceni, including the Democratic Socialist Party and the Cenian Social Liberal Party, currently the two largest parties in the Cenian Assembly, disagree with the Alliance's smug position. "Currently, the Alliance for Cenian Future is out of touch with the Cenian electorate. The values that this Alliance stands for are anathema to the values of the Cenian public. What this alliance wants is Ceni's return to authoritarianism, and we hope that the Cenian populace will see through the propaganda of the Alliance," Jen Saouad, a spokesperson for the Cenian Social Liberal Party wrote in a press release.

Aran Barlov, LTA Matrix's political analyst, partially agreed with Saouad. "The current political situation in Ceni, with 60% to 70% of the electorate voting against conservative parties in the last election, weighs heavily against the Alliance's chancs for success. However, if they put their stances in a more palatable light and attract the right kind of support, they have a potential to do well."

The parties agreed to merge during a conference in the city of Westgreen after concluding that a unified front would provide a better chance for success in the upcoming elections. The four founding parties were the Party for Freedom and Happiness, a party devoted to increasing religion in Ceni; the Black Ravens, a Corvidae Party; the Vox Populi, a radical, anti-immigrant party; and the ADP, led by Aiden Debord. Debord will serve as President and Chairman; he has indicated his desire to run for President, but the party has not decided on a candidate yet.

The Alliance for Cenian Future has put out a platform of goals that they will reach if they are elected. Among these goals are a stronger executive, more emphasis on security, a return to an official state religion (the Church of Saintland, of course, courtesy of the Party for Freedom and Happiness), and more immigration restrictions. They oppose Ceni's support for the Corvidae movement and Ceni's open stance towards refugees.

Spokeperson Fertag said that the Alliance would engage on an aggressive ad campaign to convince Ceni's voters of their message. "We know that the Cenian public will be more receptive to our message once they know it and see the pitfalls of the policies that have been driving our nation to ruin for so many years," he opined in a press conference. When pressed on where the money for this ad campaign would come from, however, he prevaricated and stalled. "We have some big-pocketed donors who wish to be anonymous," he stammered. Search of records indicated that several shell companies linked to the Church of Saintland were the ones donating the big bucks.

Analyst Barlov indicated that a full-blast negative campaign ad would not sit well with the Cenian public, contrary to Mr. Fertag's claims. "If they say vote for us or go to hell, I think a lot of people are going to change the channel. If they say they want to kill all the immigrants, a lot of people, minus a minority of the population, are going to change the channel. Like I said earlier, they are going to have to tune down their message if they are going to be successful."

Elections for President, Cenian Assembly, and District Councils will take place in April of next year. Masnol Binnill, the popular mayor of the City Center district, will likely be the Democratic Socialist Party's nominee for President; Obiid Valtan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will likely be the Cenian Social Liberal Party's nominee. Other parties have yet to select a candidate or have endorsed one of the major parties' candidates. Polls show liberal parties in the lead for the elections, in which all 50 Senate seats and 225 National Council seats are at stake.

In LTA Matrix interviews, several citizens reacted strongly against the new party. Ethxi Amver, a worker in Cenial's airport, said that the party wouldn't help her. "They focus on too many fringe issues - thye issues I am concerned about, wages, public transport, they haven't said anything about. I'll probably vote for a party that will help improve my well-being." Fer Thaakor, a computer engineer, agreed with Amver's sentiment. "I think this new party is just out to get power for themselves and away from the common people." Gruish Tenir, however, disagreed with both Amver and Thaakor. "I am currently on the fence about them, but if they have good policies, I'll support them."

Something that all analysts, regardless of their political perspective, agreed on was the fact that the turnout for this election will be one of the highest ever recorded. Aran Barlov put it this way: "Voters will go to the polls, whether in support of the Alliance or against all that it stands for. Competition will drive get-out-the-vote efforts, and I think that Cenian politics will be all the better for this new party, even if it is anathema to many people's political views. Politics always can use a Devil's advocate."

by **Free Republics** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:36 pm

Sporting World

A Preview of Cup of Harmony 62 (or I finally got my old job back!)
by: Nova Hellstrom

Well, I finally got my old job back! Yes, I will now be reporting on Mr. Theriault's Holy Republican National Team and their efforts in the 62nd Cup of Harmony, held in the disgusting nations of Felix and Mizuyuki, home to the worst kind of heathen scum in the entire multiverse (outside of Gregoryisgodistan, of course Apologies, Lord Gregory, but my editor requested that I put that in here and I must do as he says, like a good girl!). Felix is known throughout our multiverse as a nation full of nasty trolls who go on the Internet and call people who actually have some worth all kinds of nasty names while Mizuyuki is known for being home to a bunch of wicked slanty-eyed heathens who are known for doing all kinds of sinister things. These nations are the last places I think of when I think of peace and harmony, but then again there is that nation of talking ponies that practices some false religion that they literally call Harmonism, so I'm sure they must be the ones that named this Cup of Consolation the Cup of Harmony.

While I'm glad that Mr. Theriault's team ended up here, instead of ending up in that joke called the Running Cup, I just wish this tournament wasn't being held in Felix and Mizuyuki. Personally, I cannot come up with any nations that I would rather not have to visit than those 2. They are truly awful places, filled with awful people who have an irrational hatred of Republicans and of decent journalism. Those are the kinds of people who go on websites like SportingWorld.co.republica and troll the comments section, trying to irritate our columnists and cause awful flame wars. But, you know, I probably shouldn't even be writing this, since my editor has told me that I shouldn't "Feed the Trolls" and I guess that's what I'm doing by acknowledging that the Felix Trolls actually exist. Then again, do I really have a choice here? It isn't like I can pretend that the nation where the Holy Republican National team will be playing at the Cup of Harmony does not exist, even if I wish it didn't!

The Trolls and Slants have invited 32 nations to the Cup of Harmony. Neither host nation is participating, as both of them qualified for the World Cup, in all likelihood through a number of copious bribes to the referees and some heavy use of performance enhancing substances. Meanwhile, we were cheated out of our rightful place in the World Cup as those diabolical World Cup hosts deliberately stuck us into a group that was more difficult than Qualifying should be for a team of our caliber. A few high-profile intra-squad feuds led to a number of wasted opportunities and we ended up watching helplessly as HopNation stole our spot in the World Cup! To their credit, HopNation are a really good team, as they showed when they defeated Valanora in their opening match of the World Cup proper.

Still, I must say that I am now happy with the World Cup Committee or with their decision to allow the stupid Equestrian States to host another World Cup. On the other hand, I covered the Baptism of Fire and I don't think Rule Theriault wanted any part of the Holy Casaran either (OOC: Interestingly, had the Saintland/Legalese bid won, I probably wouldn't have RPed much or at all with this nation in that WC and Felix would have probably had to find somebody else to knock them out of WCs 68 and 69.). Well, maybe the Equestrian States will get the privilege of watching the Will of God be done, as the Sanctii National Team continues their quest for what, Sporting World is predicting, will be their first World Cup title. We believe that Prince Andreas is the best player in the multiverse right now and that he will turn things up to another level, with God's help, to make a statement in the Equestrian States that Harmonism is false and that the True Church is the True Faith of the True God!

Speaking of the True Church, I have to say that I am grateful for the leadership we have received over the past year or so from Consul Kulseth and the Holy Party. Since joining the True Church, I have fallen in love with the teachings of the Church and the environment that it provides. It is great to be able to go to a place, on a weekly basis, where I can be around other people who desire to live their lives for God's Will, rather than their own. There is something liberating about obeying the Will of my Creator and I can only urge my readers to join me. We were all created by God to serve His Will, so it is appropriate that we are happiest when we are serving Him rather than allowing ourselves to be tempted into wickedness.

Well, now that God's Will has been done at the World Cup, Mr. Theriault's Holy Republican National Team will be playing in the Cup of Harmony, in the most hostile work environment imaginable, as they seek to bring a trophy back to the Empire and prove that Mr. Theriault is the man chosen by God to lead our nation to glory on the soccer pitch. The first match for Mr. Theriault's 9th ranked Holy Republicans at this Cup of Harmony will be against 65th ranked Electrum, a nation that debuted in international soccer merely 2 years ago, at the 55th Baptism of Fire. They started out that tournament with defeats against eventual champion Zenic and some minnow before winning 2 matches to finish 2-0-2, which was good enough for third in their group and no advancement.

They came back for more defeats shortly thereafter as they participated in World Cup 68 Qualifying and started their first ever attempt at World Cup Qualifying with a humiliating 7 goals to 1 loss to the likes of Lymantatia. This was followed by a 6-3 loss to Quakmybush and a 5-1 loss to some minnow named Armakistan. At the mid-way point, their record stood at 1-1-5, 7th and ahead only of an awful Ratastan team that had lost all of their matches. In the second half, however, they went a less awful 3-1-3 and finished with a record of 4-2-8. At the time, the team was managed by Mitch Blain, as it is now, and although they have shuffled players in and out, Electrum likely needs to hire more competent management if they want to contend in soccer and shed their reputation as a nation that isn't very good at anything other than basketball. To be fair, they aren't really that good at that, since their trip to the IBC finals was clearly a fluke. I mean, if it wasn't, they would have at least made it back to the playoffs while playing in their own country, wouldn't they?

Regardless, the Kinitarians took sympathy on Electrum after beating them up so badly in Qualifying and invited them to the Cup of Harmony. At the 60th Cup of Harmony, they actually managed to lose to Esportivan minnows Apox and Brenecia (and, as we all know, no competent soccer nation ever loses to the minnows of the backwater known as Esportiva) before pulling out a draw against a West Angola team that had already given up on the Cup of Harmony by that point. They finished last in their group and, still, this inept team came back for more last year. That meant more Qualifying defeats to Lymantatia, but a 4-0-3 first half and a 3-2-2 second half, good enough for a mid-table finish in their second Qualifying attempt. They were invited to the Cup of Harmony, once again, and managed to lose all 3 of their matches this time around. Yes, Electrum has an all-time Cup of Harmony record of 0-1-5. The first half of Qualifying this year was more of the same from Electrum, this time a 4-1-3 record, and it looked like they were headed for another mid-table finish. However, Neu Engollon collapsed down the stretch and Electrum finally managed to win matches on a consistent basis, going 7-0-1 in the second half of Qualifying and earning a spot in the playoffs. There, they inevitably lost to the "Calanian Union," known as the Inevitable Syndicate during the days when they had strong, competent, leadership. The Union massacred them 5 goals to 2 on aggregate and Electrum enters the Cup of Harmony yet again. They have never won a Cup of Harmony match and they certainly aren't about to start against a team that is, quite simply, out of their league.

Second on our schedule is Furellum, a nation known for their success at the youth level, but anything but successful at the WCC level. Furellum, despite having debuted at the 53rd Baptism of Fire an eternity ago, are still ranked just 59th in the KPBs. Furellum are now governed by a Corvidae-aligned regime, apparently, and are now sending a team comprised entirely of talking dogs. I would file a protest with the World Cup Committee, but the incompetent President of the WCC would just ignore it, as he ignored my protests 5 years ago against allowing talking ponies and armed bears to compete in WCC tournaments. I don't know why a Corvidae-aligned regime would feel the need to send a team comprised of their pet dogs to the Cup of Harmony, but there's nothing I can do to stop them.

When Furellum debuted in the BoF, their team was comprised of humans (OOC: Actually, it was comprised of a bunch of different species, but this is being written by Nova Hellstrom...). These humans went 3-1-1 in their BoF and fell short of advancement due to a tiebreaker. A loss to Rabbitomia didn't help them out much, either. Furellum had performed well, but they did not make the Round of 16 and left the 53rd BoF with nothing to show for it. Their debut in the World Cup over 4 years ago was a 3 goals to 2 upset of Kinitaria. However, they immediately followed that with a 6 match winless streak and finished the abbreviated World Cup 66 Qualifying campaign with a 3-3-4 record. Sure, they weren't Electrum-bad, but that wasn't exactly anything more than mediocrity. They were so mediocre that Consuls Vasin and Savard did not see fit to invite them to the Cup of Harmony.

Furellum returned for another Qualifying attempt 3 years ago, with a coach this time around (Bogdan Antonescu), and opened with a loss to Krytenia. They would manage to upset the so-called "Holy Empire" (not to be confused with the only real Holy Empire, which is us) several days later. But, Furellum limped into the middle of qualifying with a record of 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. If you looked up "mediocrity" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Furellum in the first half of Qualifying for World Cup 67. The second half went slightly better for them (4-2-2), but they were still not a serious contender to qualify or anything. The Vanorians left them out of the Cup of Harmony, for the second straight year, but that didn't stop them from coming back for a third shot at qualifying for the World Cup. They started World Cup 68 Qualifying, after changing their nickname from the Turtles to the Anybodies, with an uncannily similar 3-1-3 first half, but collapsed over the second half of Qualifying, finishing with a pathetic second half record of 1-2-4, a distant 6th in an 8 team group. Needless to say, the Cup of Harmony hosts didn't invite them to Cup of Harmony 60, either.

Furellum returned for a 4th qualifying attempt, this time with a new coach (Claudiu Frey) and a new nickname. They actually called themselves the "Chaps," after the "Cup for Chaps" nonsense that Apox and the (un)Holy Empire came up with. However, the coaching change seemed to work out well for them, at first. They started out their World Cup 69 Qualifying campaign with 5 victories out of 7 first-half matches and maintained that form in the second half, finishing 9-1-4. This included a victory over Darmen, but also 2 losses to Valladares, as well as a loss and a draw to hapless Sameba. Furellum finished second in their group, earning them a spot in the playoffs. Mr. Theriault's Holy Republicans dispatched them, with little difficulty, beating them 2 goals to nil and it would have been more if they had wanted it to be. This earned them an invite to their first ever Cup of Harmony and yet another name change (to the "Loyalists"). They started off with a victory over Queer Poco el Mono Ara before losing to Neu Engollon and drawing against Brenecia. This put Brenecia through to the Round of 16, on goals scored, and Furellum out of the match.

Furellum changed their roster around radically for this year's World Cup Qualifying, which proved to be their undoing in Qualifying. Their team comprised of dogs failed to qualify for the playoffs. While they finished 9-3-4 this year, they never seriously contended, finishing in third place, 6 points back of Sargossa and had clearly regressed. Nonetheless, the Felix Trolls invited them to the Cup of Harmony for some reason, so Mr. Theriault's team will have to play this team of dogs. I've always hated dogs and I can't wait to see those doggies get beat so badly that they beg the local dogcatcher to take them to the pound where they belong.

The third and final group stage opponent for the Holy Republicans is Wolfbenz, a 120th ranked team that debuted at the BoF this year. After going 2-1-1 and barely making it out of the group stage, Wolfbenz needed extra time to beat Alastonia in the Round of 16. In the quarterfinals, they fell to the Estenians by a 4 goals to 2 margin. In other words, Wolfbenz wasn't very impressive at the BoF. In World Cup Qualifying, they ended up in the same group as Furellum and opened with 3-nil defeats in consecutive matches. One of those matches was a loss at home to Leadan. However, they finally got going after that, routing Albundania 6 goals to 1, pushing Valladares to the limit and defeating Mendoya convincingly. However, at mid-qual, their record was just 2-1-5. In other words, they weren't very impressive. However, they came on strong down the stretch, finishing with 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in the second half. This impressed the Cup of Harmony hosts and earned them an invite to this tournament. Still, they aren't much of a threat to the Holy Republicans and they will be defeated, without much difficulty.

Let's face it: The Felix Trolls undoubtedly wanted to stack the deck against Mr. Theriault's team in this tournament, but they knew that they couldn't get away with it. The WCC wouldn't let them get away with that, since it would unfairly disadvantage other nations, so that simply couldn't happen. Instead, the only thing they could get away with was sticking Turori and Gregoryisgodistan, the other 2 nations that would be considered favorites to win this thing, on the same side of the bracket. The Group Stage will, likely, be a breeze for Mr. Theriault, but the real Cup of Harmony will begin once the Group Stage concludes. In the end, though, I believe that Mr. Theriault will get it done and that the Holy Republicans will win the CoH in a nation that hates us, with a passion. That'll make the Felix Trolls wish we had qualified for the World Cup this year!

Nova Hellstrom is a part-time international sports correspondent for Sporting World and was a co-chair of the World Cup 68 Seeding Committee. She got her start covering high school soccer for the Petrograd Times before working for Sporting World. At one time, she played girls soccer for Petrograd Christian School. She was Sporting World's correspondent at the 27th Di Bradini Cup, the 52nd Baptism of Fire and during qualifying for the 65th World Cup before transitioning into a successful career as a professional wrestler. She is a multi-time World Ladies Champion in the premier wrestling organization in the multiverse, the Republican Wrestling Conglomerate and a good Christian role model for young girls throughout the Empire. She is also a part-time professional wrestling correspondent for Sporting World.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:23 am

"It's official, frog," Godric Wexler said. "We've been invited to the Cup of Harmony."

"The Cup of Harmony?" Georges Leblanc asked. "What the hell is that, anyway?"

"They say that it's a special football tournament meant for the best of the rest, the best of the rest meaning those teams that didn't qualify for the World Cup but was deemed good enough to deserve another shot at some more glory. Apparently, there's no set criteria for getting invited to this tourney, just that the host nations will send invitations to those teams that they have found worthy of inclusion to the tourney."

"That sets me thinking, perfidious Albion," Leblanc said. "Who exactly are the hosts for this 'Cup of Harmony'?"

"Hang on, let me refresh my memory," Wexler said as he searched for the necessary information with his smartphone. "Ah, there we go. The hosts of the Cup of Harmony 62 are... Felix and Mizuyuki."

"I could hardly care less for Felix," Leblanc muttered. "But wait a minute, though. Did you say that Mizuyuki's the other host?"

"Oh, yes," Wexler replied. "That's got the entire federation in an uproar once they found out we've been invited to the Cup of Harmony."

"Dear God, Godric," Leblanc muttered. "We had a minor diplomatic row with those people because of Radoslaw Montwill and Di Bradini 32." Leblanc was talking about the Fleftic U21 football team's manager's controversial decision to field a fully female lineup against Mizuyuki during the semifinals of the 32nd Di Bradini Cup, held in the Equestrian States. To this day, no one knew why Montwill had done it. Some said that it was just regular player rotations. Others said that he believed that the female squad would be more than enough to deal with the Mizuyukian squad, which was also incidentally all made up of girls and young women. But whatever had made him make that decision, the incident was now well-known in the Fleftic collective mind as "young girls vs. old farts", and it was quite the accurate description of what happened. Mizuyuki's staff was composed almost entirely of young women, while Abanhfleft's staff was made up of old football veterans (of course, old was a relative term in itself).

"Well, that's all in the past now," Wexler said. "All we got to do now is help analyze our coming opponents in the group stage."

"The draw's been made already?" Leblanc asked once again.

"Yes, yes it has," Wexler replied. "You really should try to keep updated with the news, frog. We've been drawn into Group A with Red Blackiland, Bears Armed, and Yttribia. Yttribia's one of the big teams; we have no chance against them. I'm saying that out loud right now."

"Merde," Leblanc muttered. "All I know about Red Blackiland is that they're the home nation of that new sportswear brand that's all the rage with everyone else right now. Meski Sportswear, I think it was. I've even heard rumors that Ludogorets Markovsky are looking to sign them up as their new kit provider. But anyway, the Reds and Blacks have had a good run in the World Cup qualifiers, but we may be able to have a fighting chance against them. Bears Armed..." Leblanc shivered. "I imagine grizzlies and polar bears wielding guns and rifles and all that. But I can't be too sure. They look like a strong team. We probably won't stand a chance against them, too."

"But never forget that this is football, frog," Wexler said. "Anything can happen in football."

"Too right, perfidious Albion," Leblanc muttered. "Now, what do you say we finally get off of our asses, and finally get ourselves ready for the Cup of Harmony?"

"Right behind you," Wexler said, waving his arm forward in a theatrical manner.

by **Jeckland** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:09 am

THE JECKISH FOOTBALL BOARD

Presents

THE JECKLAND ROSTER FOR CUP OF HARMONY 62

Overview
After a bright start, Jeckish football has somewhat faded in recent years. Another fifth placed finish in the World Cup 69 qualifying group was disappointed as the side failed to kick on. After a group stage exit of the Runner Cup it became clear that manager Evans was under pressure from some sections of the support. A poor showing in their debut Campionato Esportiva, only making the round of 24, forced the JFB into action. Now, with new players and foreign management, can Jeckland fulfil the promise they looked to have a few years ago?

Manager

Habib Kouli | 44 years old
After Osarian club Hastmead paid big money to sign him at just 19 years of age, Kouli played for the club for seventeen years, before a two year loan to AFC Carbonia as a player/coach. Once returning from this loan he retired from playing and took up a job as Hastmead youth team coach, where he has been sucessful for several years. After Jeckland dismissed Lee Evans following a poor showing in the Campionato Esportiva, the JFB moved to capture Kouli for the next WC cycle.

Players

GK | Toby Thompson | 24 years old | #1 | Blakked Starre y'Quygge (Paradystopia)
A member of the inaugural squads for BoF55 and WC68, a lot has changed from the 20 year old third keeper of those days. After moving from floundering Ordbury Athletic to pastures new with Blakked Starre y'Quygge of Paradystopia, Thompson is now the best Jeckish shot stopper there is, and the injury of Lee Evans gives him a chance to prove his worth for the national side. His distribution is his weak area, with some critics saying he throws the ball too much.

GK | Jacob Curtis | 28 years old | #13 | Kyslo (Jeckland)
A player desrving of his chance in the side after several years of excellence at Kyslo. His loyalty is one of his best traits, having beaten back offers from bigger clubs to stay at his boyhood club. Now 28, the keeper is in his prime and as such has been called up to the main squad. His best attribute is his positioning, not only of himself but of his defence at corners and free kicks, but he is slow off the mark.

GK | Sam Henderson | 20 years old | #23 | Salvador FC (The Sarian)
Ghindon must be kicking themselves. A fallout between them and this talented young keeper resulted in them selling him at a cut price deal to Salvador FC of The Sarian. This is his first call up for the national squad, and he will be keen to show his sharp reflexes off, though his inexperience in first team football means he isn't the best decision maker at times.

RB | Joe O'Neill | 25 years old | #2 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
O'Neill rose through the ranks at Mortsey, and took on the mantle of Jeckish NT right-back from the aging Harry Pressley. Although initially seen as the best of a weak bunch, O'Neill has learnt and developed into the role, making it his own. His tackling is his strong suit, with the fact he likes to go in hard not causing many fouls or cards. He is however lacking in some of the attacking ability seen in most modern full backs.

RB | Louis Dobson | 29 years old | #17 | Colanso City (Jeckland)
You don't usually see uncapped 29 year olds given squad places, but then again you don't usually see cases like this. Dobson had the season of his life as he captained Colanso City to a remarkable title, and he has been given a national team berth as a result. He plays wing back for his club, which means he offers plenty going forward, but he may well choose to do so too often.

CB | Richard Barker (Captain) | 32 years old | #6 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
The Mortsey and Jeckland captain is still as good as ever. Having captained the national team from it's first ever game, he is a player close to the hearts of every Jeckland fan. His age is not a concern now, with no decline is his performance over the past few years, though at 32, this could well be his last cycle. He is a great organiser and wins almost every aerial ball, however he was never the quickest player and his age has not helped this.

CB | Joe Harnett | 25 years old | #5 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
The other half of what is becoming a notorious centre back pairing, Harnett credits his captain as one of the players who helped make him who he is. That being said, he is a different mould of player, part of the reason the partnership has helped with so much success for Mortsey in the past. He is excellent at distributing the ball once won, starting counter attacks more frequently than you'd expect from a centre back, but lacks aerial presence.

CB | Fraser Doyle | 27 years old | #15 | Gorgona City (The Sarian)
Been around the national squad for a good while, without ever threatening to cement a first team place. One of the many Ordbury Athletic players to jump ship after their recent poor season, he now plies his trade in The Sarian with Gorgona City. He is excellent at winning the ball in unlikely situations, however has a tendency to abandon his position and chase the ball.

CB | Joel Barton | 25 years old | #20 | Colanso City (Jeckland)
Another of the crop of Jeckish players emerging from Colanso City's season, this centre back had a stellar campaign and has earned his spot in the squad. It hasn't been an easy ride for him, having initially been released as a young player before proving his worth. His positioning is second to none, however critics say he doesn't aim to win the ball enough, instead standing off the ball.

LB | Jonathan Murray | 23 years old | #3 | Nagelti Rovers (Jeckland)
After the decline of Roman Hermanez, this exciting player has risen to the fore as his successor in the left-back position after shining in the last couple of seasons for his club, Nagelti Rovers. He will be keen to cement this place for years to come in this cycle. He has incredible pace coupled with good acceleration which make him a formidable opponent, however he is very left footed and his right does little more than prop him up.

LB | Leon Gardiner | 24 years old | #18 | Serbury (Jeckland)
A player who looks to have wasted his potential after a barren few years, but has come good of late, becoming a key figure in his club team Serbury and getting a slightly surprising call up to the national squad. He has fantastic spatial awareness, always getting into the right positions to thwart his opponents, however has a tendency to commit needless fouls and pick up cards.

RM | Carlo Henriques | 25 years old | #7 | N. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (San Jose Guayabal)
Henriques was just a promising young player when he played in the BoF. He has gone on to have an excelelnt few years, cemented his NT place, and recently procured a move to San Jose Guayabal and N. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from struggling Ordbury. Despite his age he is seen as a senior member of the squad. He is an expert at dribbling, bamboozling defenders with mazy runs. However, for a winger his crossing is quite poor.

RM | Edward Kaur | 22 years old | #12 | Ozkar Roevres (Paradystopia)
If Kaur played in pretty much any other position, he'd probably be in the Jeckland first time. Such is the impact of his season at Panbury Town, he's gone from zero to hero and landed a move to Ozkar Roevres, although he is expected to play as a right wing back there. This takes advantage of his defensive abilities. His lack of physicality could be an issue.

CM | Micah Hoonas | 27 years old | #8 | Colanso City (Jeckland)
Well well well. After a shcoking transfer to Colanso City, Hoonas inspired them to the league title. On the national stage, he's still the main man, the national team would be a lot worse off without him and moments like that thunderous drive again Blackclyffe in the BoF. Initially an attacking midfielder, Hoonas now occupies a deeper role for club and country, though he will bomb forward. His shots are incredibly powerful, although he does have a tendency to be selfish at times which can be detrimental to the team.

CM | Logan Cole | 25 years old | #4 | Nagelti Rovers (Jeckland)
Cole burst into the national team at the Runner Cup after a strong season with Nagelti Rovers, and looks difficult to dislodge from it. An early career riddled with injuries is the only reason he hasn't reached the level he has earlier on. With great ability at winning the ball of opponents by tackling or intercepting, he plays at the back of a diamond for Nagelti Rovers, but can play further forward, although it is said that he lacks creativity in his passing.

CM | Corey Fox | 25 years old | #16 | Peswick Town (Jeckland)
After a year sidelined due to a broken leg, Fox has staged a remarkable recovery. Finding his groove in the Peswick Town midfield, he is a risky call up, although in many ways not a surprising one, given that he was on the periphery of the squad before the injury. Has a great eye for a pass, short or long, however can dwell on the ball for too long and give away possession cheaply.

CM | Owen Kemp | 22 years old | #14 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
The most surprising selection of the lot, Kemp beats Bill Wilson to the spot in the squad. It's not as if he's a bad player, having had an impressive season with Mortsey to help themto second place, however this was his first season of regular JPL football. He undoubtedly has stamina and is a box to box midfielder, but his close control is one of the reasons he is doubted.

LM | Sam Roper | 22 years old | #11 | Peswick Town (Jeckland)
A lot has changed from the wonderkid who announced himself in the BoF. Roper has matured into an accomplished left winger. Although young, he has shown signs that he may be a future captain through excellent leadership qualities, and is rumoured to soon inherit the armband at club side Peswick Town. Roper is an expert at beating his man through skill or pace, but is a touchline hugger and sometimes stays there when it would be better not to.

LM | Joseph Bowen | 22 years old | #19 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
Another of the crop of young Jeckish players expected to make their international bow this cycle, Bowen broke into the Mortsey side during the latter stages of their second title winning season and has been maruding down their left side ever since. He is a pinpoint crosser, something Jeckland have lacked in the past, however his shooting leaves much to be desired.

ST | Connor Long | 29 years old | #9 | FC New Llama (Super-Llamaland)
When the nation looked short of strikers, then Ordbury Athletic man Long stepped to the forefront. Now seen as the leading striker for the national team, he was the starin a forgettable campaign for Ordbury Athletic. Newly transferred to FC New Llama, he will be looking to prove his worth. Him main asset is his blistering pace, with few able to keep up with him, although he struggles to create chances for other team members.

ST | Alexander Parry | 29 years old | #10 | Mortsey (Jeckland)
He's not getting younger, but he is getting better. Parry has been on the periphery of the national team from the BoF but impressive performances for Mortsey over the past couple of seasons mean that he can't be overlooked any longer. He suffered an injury scare but is now fully fit in time . He is seen as a team player and excels as a supporting striker, but it is said that he doesn't score enough goals for a top striker.

ST | Oliver Whitehouse | #21 | Pikemouth (Brenecia)
What a story. After never really proving himself in Jeckland, Pikemouth of Brenecia gave him a chance, which he took and then some. After impressing in the A-League, Whitehouse will return to his home country to play in the national team for the first time. A player who is very good at finishing, but can be accused of not pulling his weight in terms of defence.

ST | Alfie Barrett | 26 years old | #22 | Colanso City (Jeckland)
After failing to impress at boyhood club Mortsey, Barrett moved to Colanso City and helped fire them to the title. He has a reputation as a hothead, however his anger on the pitch seems to have been ironed out over the past year at his new club. A flamboyant player who has a lot of flair, although this can detract from his decision making at times.

Kits
After WC69, Jeckland moved from the new closed Vulpine to Kirola Sports of Audioslavia. The new kits were worn at Runner Cup 3 and CE11, but this is the first WCC tournament they will be worn in. They are expected to be used until the end of the WC72 Cycle.

Tactics
(Style Mod +2)

Kouli will probably have little problem getting his methods across to the Jeckish players - as they know them already. They will press all over the pitch when not on the ball, making use of the high stamina levels that Jeckish players seem to have. The wigners, andto some extent the full backs, will be given plenty of the ball and told to run at the opposition full backs. Both centre backs will usually come forward for free kicks and corners, where Jeckland utilise their aerial threat. Central midfielders usually sit fairly deep and dictate play with passing, and strikers willl drop deep to collect that ball.

OOC: I will try to post a starting XI for every match, if I don't the default is this

Stadium

Home games will all be played ath the Jeckland National Sports Stadium, located in Rack City. The 100,00 seater stadium ma be used for many purposes, but it's primary function is hosting National Team football matches, and is always full for competitive games. It has all the state of the art facilities you would expect of a modern stadium, including a recently refurbished media hub and executive boxes.

RP Permissions
Style Mod +2

I Give To My Opponent The Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events: TG
Injure Players: Y, TG if more than one or severe
Godmod Injury Events: TG
Red Card Players: Y, TG if more than one or godmoddy reason
Yellow Card Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: TG
=================================

by **Neu Engollon** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:35 am

by **Jeruselem** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:15 am

New Jeruselem coach Princess Amelia Jane Dallas with former Jeruselem coach Jayden Bella, looking a bit pregnant

Amy: So, you retired from international football. Got a new job yet?
Jayden: No, I'll just have a break first to raise the kid
Amy: Just bad timing eh? I mean, you can't do your last job in the Cup of Harmony
Jayden: It's OK, I'm not getting any younger.
Amy: That's not an excuse.
Jayden: I don't enjoy all that travel anyway

Amy: It's fine by me, I don't get stuck at that Jeru FC place.
Jayden: You did very well considering what you had to work with
Amy: They didn't get an invite to the CoH anyway
Jayden: I don't think they would have won that anyway even if they got an invite
Amy: They didn't have the money to get there
Jayden: That's funny, I thought Jeru FC made some money this time round

Amy: I didn't see much of it
Jayden: Hopefully they spend some of it next cup
Amy: Not likely, good luck to the next coach
Jayden: I guess you're back with the Jeruselem team
Amy: Yes well, in a round about way hey?
Jayden: You'll get paid more as a coach

Amy: So, you got a name for the kid?
Jayden: It's a little boy.
Amy: I dunno, he looks like he's gonna be big boy.
Jayden: Hopefully, he can get out for our sakes
Amy: What about knowing who the Dad is?
Jayden: I really got no idea. I see you're dragging your daughter into the CoH.

Amy: Nah, she wanted to go. No more school for her she's ready.
Jayden: I guess you've gone through all that stuff with the kids, I have to start learning
Amy: You'll be OK, you worry far too much
Jayden: Little boys are easier to raise right?
Amy: I prefer girls, but then my family is full of girls.
Jayden: I did notice that gender imbalance in your family. I noticed you sneaked in the Bear Belles from Bear Armed for a friendly when you took charge.

Amy: Yes, well. Our Bear friends wanted a game against their last remaining Pink Cupper. The other two have disappeared.
Jayden: Home game and you still lost
Amy: Well, I was messing around with the formation a bit. Best doing these things not in the real competition.
Jayden: Little Laura didn't play that game
Amy: She's allergic to bears like I am
Jayden: Oh yes

Amy: I like our bear friends, strong intelligent females who can stand up on their own but I'm allergic to their fur.
Jayden: That's not too bad, because you don't run into bears in Jeruselem.
Amy: I think they went extinct a long time ago here
Jayden: I avoid horses
Amy: Allergic to horse hair?
Jayden: Yeah just like Mum.

by **Barunia** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:26 am

The Scarlet Standard

Welcome to the Scarlet Standard, the new official web blog of the Scarlet Sun Army (formerly the Blue and Yellow Army), the only true fans of Barunia's mighty football team. Why the Scarlet Standard? Well Scarlet is of course a colour in Barunia's kits. It's also in our new official anthem, a song we've taken to signing at every game. That's of course the red flag, which the lads used to great effect to tease the former reds of SJG during the Escudo. You should have seen the SJG fans when we got to the line about cowards and traitors. Bloody priceless.

Well, my first official duty as editor of this rag should be to inform you of the Cup of Harmony. You all know the deal, 32 team format identical to the actual World Cup, for teams that didn't make the grade. I could write a whole article on why we're here and not in SJG (missing out on another chance to rile up the locals with our song. damn.) or Equestrian States, and I probably will go on that rant at some point (Adam fucking Simpson, I'm talking to you). But we're in Mizuyuki instead, and we'll just have to make the best of it.

Yeah that's right, we ended up in Mizuyuki. The place is bloody bonkers, and they seem proud of their damned eccentricity. Of course, the place is nothing compared to that Pardystopian Commune we faced once (66 was it?) or Furellum. Anyway, the Suns ended up in Group H, so they'll play in a place called Nozomizaka. Don't ask me how to fucking pronounce it. Our games are at the Ringo Acta Dome and Utsukushii Chikyū Taiiku-kan, both of which sound like diseases. Our first game at the Utsu place (I'm calling it UTC from now on. No fucking way I'm typing that shit out more than once) against Star United States. Remember those punks from World Cup 69? A sightly tough defence, no match for the Suns, who burnt them both times (1-0 and 2-0). Of course, that was when we actually had some good forwards, not two rookies to replace old man Marris and that fucking idiot Murray. The SUS have spent all their time changing governments and flags rather than their team: the team is exactly the same as the one we faced before.

Of course, Hicana are even more of a fucking mess, politically speaking, then SUS. I'm not sure if we'll be facing one country or five when we take to the field against them. We should sing them our song and see if we can add a socialist republic to the list. Out on the pitch it's not much better for them; their keeper's a psychopath, his brother (the leading goalscorer) is out of the captaincy and back in the midfield, and most of the team are babies. Maybe their full-on attack will challenge the Suns' defence, which, let's face it, has been shit of late, but I doubt it.

In between the two we have the Saint James Islands, who changed their name to the stupid sounding Omerica. Mind you, what do you expect from a country that calls it's national team Les Oiseaux, which I think is a cheap porn film. I don't know anything about them, but they're ranked 96th, or 70 places below us. Which, giving our recent record against low ranked teams, mean we're probably going to lose.

by **Furellum** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:21 am

The settlement of Lanchsazorld had a population of five. It had once been a thriving township, but an avalanche had carried most of the buildings and people to their destruction, and brought ruin and emptiness in its place. Lanchsazorld was high in the mountains in Furellum's south-east, an isolated area of snow, jagged peaks, hidden rivers, and narrow roads. The road that led to Lanchsazorld led nowhere else, and soon the town was all but forgotten. Except that is, for the few hardy people who still called it home.

There were six buildings in Lanchsazorld. Three, along the side of the road nearest the mountain face, were lived in by the three families that called Lanchsazorld home. On the other side of the road was the tavern. It offered lodgings to travellers, but there had not been any in Lanchsazorld for years. Mostly, it served as the communal centre for the residents. The last building was an old tower, made of stone. The road led to the gate, and beyond the gate was a stone bridge which left the mountain face and crossed over a valley with swirling waters nigh on a thousand metres below. The bridge led into the gates of the tower, perched on the precipice of a thin crag overlooking Lanchsazorld. Made of dark grey stone, it stood tall, imposing and mysterious. The inhabitants of Lanchsazorld knew nothing about the tower, save that it had once been used by wizards. They'd left their mark on the place; the gates to the bridge were sealed, and no amount of effort by the town blacksmith could force them open. They were protected by a powerful magic, a magic no one in Lanchsazorld knew how to break. So the tower was left alone, while the people of Lanchsazorld got on with their meagre lives in peace.

One day, however, that peace was shattered in a most surprising way. Four men came to Lanchsazorld, a curious quartet if ever there was one. It was led by a young lynx in wizard's robes that didn't quite fit him. Behind him came an old ferret, in a thick black robe, supported by a small female wolf. Taking up the rear walked a horse in armour, with a sword strapped to his back and an axe in his hand. Dark stains and dents on his armour suggested he'd been in combat. He had no mane, and his head and arms were covered in scars. He was not a pretty sight to see, and the five remaining habitants of Lanchsazorld stared at him and his three companions as they walked into the small settlement. If the inhabitants were surprised at the appearance of these visitors, it was not nothing compared to the shock they felt when the four ignored them, walked up to the bridge gate, and opened it easily. The five residents of Lanchsazorld watched them walk up the tower and disappear inside. When the innkeeper finally worked up the courage to test the gate, he found the magical barrier was still in place. Whoever these strangers were, they were powerful, and from the looks of things they weren't going anywhere.

by **Red Blackiland** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:42 am

Ultras Chronicles Blog

Talking a bit about Red Blackiland football in a different way - CoH expectations - Fans images and the messages after Cup of Harmony

We will talk at first about the support act as an educational experience from football.The country's football and especially the teams of The Strip and Blueberry in the last two years living the glory of the achievements of national titles in the case of the aforementioned clubs, and the amateur to professional/professional stage consolidation changes in the case of the national team. The The Strip was Champion of the National Cup and two-time national league champion, coming far in Globe Cup too. During this period, Bluébehrry Cavaliers won a national championship and also went far in the Globe Cup. This success led the two main clubs in the country to these finals. The decision between these teams became fierce rivalry one of the largest supporters of the country. This rivalry was intensified as he returned to reopen discussions on the controversy of unique twists or crowd in games between rivals. Thus, bringing soccer to the center of a pedagogical intervention intend to present an experience report on the twist developed in a public high school in Cruce Estrella, which applies not only to us but to the outside world.
The next day the classification of teams for the National Cup, the school was taken by a climate of emotion by students who were demonstrating by screaming, slogans, chants, hymns played on mobile, hats and your shirt club under the school uniform, causing a huge stir in the school day-by-day, even during class.At the interval of the recreation,the director met teachers and told us that a group of students,fans of The Strip and Bluébehrry Cavaliers tried to ask on the day of the first leg of the game they could bring the uniforms, flags and other props of the teams twisted.
She considered this decision very responsible, so shared with teachers the request for the entry of students only with the club's shirt, which does not give her any control over any problems that were to happen on the way to school and return to the house. The reaction of teachers was denial of that request, it was a risk even within the school. One teacher even said "I am against, they were almost fighting in the classroom because of football."
I waited the words, which by the way were contrary to and the space that this issue is gaining in Physical Education. In addition, said the students were offering us this opportunity and I believed in the challenge of working the issue, so I made a commitment to develop a project.the interest of the students and said that the concern of teachers regarding violence was legitimate, given the press reports. Has always been a subject of my interest to work the support act with students, an opportunity that has not happened in the period of WC69 due to the long recess in the school year occurred during this tournament. I explained about the importance of working the support act
I obeyed the idea of a teacher who suggested that students enter with the school uniform and exchanged in the locker room to avoid conflict with people along the way. Then I went to the rooms and negotiated with students who wore the shirt at school and could bring other objects that symbolize their belonging, but it was necessary to understand that there are times and places to express our belonging to a club, including on events occurring during the class of other disciplines. Communicated to students that was no longer in discussion only the use of the shirt, but also the development of a project to study football violence that culminated in the completion of a match between The Strip and Bluébehrry Cavaliers students on the second game of the National Cup Final.
The choice of this theme was due to the interest of students and teachers and as part of the press explores this subject. To put the project into action it took three classes. The task was to form groups of four to five students and each group should present a video of two to three minutes of free choice on football violence, which could include images, excerpts from sports programs, interview, report, statements and notes of the possible solutions, to accomplish the discussion.
The videos showed that violence is beyond the crowd and does not involve only the Ultras,as is strongly emphasized by the media, so the images were extended to referees, players, fans, staff, directors and officers. Raise the places where conflicts are more incidents and seek explanations in sociology / anthropology and psychology on personal fan and the potential that he gets when he finds the strength of the collective. Reflect on violent games and violence between players, as well as the deaths generated from conflicts between fans.
It was also highlighted the study made by Fiche Wemblipardo Alyrio in 2012,"The twist in football as a possibility of leisure and school physical education", which contributed to state that the theme of support in schools is still crafted by a small number of teachers of Physical Education, which led me to charge students more insights and responsibility from the moment they started to build and have a better understanding of the fans and crowds and the violence,since there are few fans who had or have the opportunity to studying this topic.
Regarding the day of the first game, most students wore the shirt of your club at school and took different symbols belonging to the club,and expressed the support act in the intervals, recreation and exit of turn, not extending its manifestations in class. Giving a clear demonstration that had realized where would fit or not the discussion/demonstration within the school. This behavior of students / fans get my praise and reaffirmed the commitment to hold a match between The Strippers and Bluebeckers on the day of the National Cup Final.
On scheduled to take place the game at school, students exchanged the shirt of your club at school as agreed and made its manifestations. The starting futsal suffered an adaptation in playing time with thirty minutes each time, so that more students could participate. Within the field, the game was hard and the manifestations of the fans were fierce, showing that the rivalry between these teams can exist without being translated into violence, as students demonstrated the understanding that the other chose to belong to a club that was not chosen for me, just as I chose different from it, which means, in principle, that the choice to belong to a club, does not mark the superiority of one over the other.
With this,we tried to show an educational intervention that approached the project pedagogy to build with students and discuss some aspects of violence attributed to twist in football who occupied the center of this educational work.
Now,we will talk about a interesting history that translates the emotions of a few very young Red Blackilandian players : The dreams of Cotumbi.Moises Cotumbi,is a kind of Assis Chateaubriand of province of Kosoto,a old african-style colony that are located near Cruce Estrella borders.Local governor, Cotumbi serve the state with their own money, so that the state also serve him. When he took office in 2007, the province had no ambulance. Katumbi bought just sixty with their money, earned with the extraction of minerals.
The Provincial's Democratic Republic of Kosoto, has large reserves of diamonds and coltan, essential mineral for the production of laptops and mobile phones around the world. This wealth makes the country live a constant battle between billionaires leaders as Cotumbi, while most of the population lives in poverty.
Football is important part of this dispute.The Red Blackilandian journalist,Hernando Catarrento,points out that in the last quarter of 2009, the budget of the Ministry of Sports was three times higher than the Ministry of Justice. In 2009,after win of the amateur team of Kosoto against other a semi-professional level,the President Kabilú gave a Toyota Prado and an envelope with fat amount of money for each player.
The commander of the Kosoto Armed Forces owns Maniuma Union forces, the governor of Kinshosa province (where is the capital of the same name) owns the AS Kosvara Club.Cotumbi owns Tout Neur Kosoto, which has just won his fourth national title, the second consecutive.
Hernando Catarrento visited Kosoto,host-city of Tout Neur Kosoto,with about 1.5 million inhabitants, while the team disputed the semifinals and finals of the National League.Catarrento recorded all the eccentricity and narcissism of Cotumbi,in a great book,released just days before the World Cup.A brilliant story about football, passion, culture, politics and national identity in similar style countries.
Catarrento visited a guerrilla leader in his hiding place in the rainforest. He went to a refugee camp in another location, always manned by armed guards to the teeth, visited Bigtopia Somalia, a country without a state. Was also in Cotumbi mansion.He attended the governor practicing tennis, as it does every morning. The walls around the tennis court exhibit murals showing passages of the life of the owner of Tout Kosoto.Cotumbi on a jet ski on your rural mansion.Cotumbi fighting against a crocodilo.Cotumbi making an ace.
The journalist also talked to Cotumbi, in a room with a huge plasma TV, always on the local news. "He interrupts the conversation whenever news speak of him," Catarrento noted. "What happens often, as Cotumbi owns the station."
Personalist, Cotumbi like to visit the offices of the province with a surprising way,at 8:00 AM to see if employees arrived on time. As a precaution, always leads can wads of cash if you need help some needy citizens. "He told me proud to have won the election with 98.8% of the vote. During the few days that followed him through the streets of Kosoto he seemed quite determined to conquer the remaining 1.2%, "Catarrento wrote.
In the second leg of the semifinals of the National Cup, the Kosoto lost at home to Al-Raban Nazsddaododowdowghoulaban, from other region, by 2-0 difference.How the team had won the first game by 5-2 difference,needed to take two more goals to be eliminated. This was not enough to calm Cotumbi, who went to the locker room at halftime and gave himself, guidance for players, including moving the team placement.
The Cotumbi dream was to make Kosoto, one of the best teams in the world, said this during a game of National Cup.This because during the ninety minutes of the two Kosoto games in the tournament, a supporter of the team to face all painted and with a typical straw skirt of African sorcerers danced without stop. For a moment, I thought the Kosoto could do the little playmaker opponent, a simple doll voodoo, spiked by a rain of goals Kosoto.But not,the team showed ingenuity, and was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

For another season, Cotumbi invested about 3 million euros.Catarrento says that the structure of Kosotian club, is similar to third-club national divisions of large countries, which is not little.The Kosoto is one of the few clubs region, which can hold players.The star of the team, Thomas Turbando, was harassed by world big clubs, and remains at the club. His salary in 2009 was 10 thousand euros. But best of all are the prizes. For every victory of Kosoto,in the league, players get to receive the 8500 euros.
Turbando, however, should not be in the final. Just because he and a colleague decided to give a Coke in the referee,in a cup match, in May of this year.They took a year suspension for international matches. Perhaps the Kosoto, do not feel the lack of his gunner. The club now has two thousand boys in the youth categories. And Cotumbi, secured to Catarrento, having at the base a boy named Luciano Pele, which is "better than Zelaya of San José Guayabal or Felipinho of Red Blackiland."
With this structure, the Kosoto supporters,who dream of the international title,isn't a case for a psychiatric hospitalization. And none other than Cotumbi, will say that the '' Kosoto represents the province in the World '' The government is not a Galvão Bueno fan.That is he have another dream - this much more feasible, wants to be president of the Republic of Kosoto.The elections will be in 2015.Anyone here doubts he can get?

Seven words,Seven languages from the Red Blackiland fans to world federations

Nearly 40 000 fans attended the friendly match against San José Guayabal before the Cup of Harmony, which started with 7 different card displays, which show "Football for fans" and other messages written in 7 different languages!
This translate all the expectations on the team in this Cup of Harmony edition,after a giant flop in Qualifiers,we need to make a reflection that the current situation of the team is a transition status,and the team needs recover from the WCQ episode,making a good campaign in Cup of Harmony and can begin with a good result against the strong team of Yttribia.
The players after this match against San José Guayabal,went to the Blackberry International Airport,received the support from the fans that don't will travel to Felix or Mizuyuki for watching the Cup of Harmony games,and went to the plane for can go to the Cup of Harmony hosts places.
The Dark Lions and a Red Blackilandian supports group,arrived at Felix's city of Santa Maria,good received by Felixian citizens,we can see in the country,a mix of different types of sights or landscapes,some of them are paradisaic,others more residential.The bus,after a tiring journey for the players and technical comitee,brought all of them to a hotel in Santa Maria and Red Blackiland will stay in it for this moment.
In the next day,all players went to know more about Felix,traveled and knowed more of Felixian streets and places,your history and then went to training in a synthetic grass field that was purchased in a agreement during the CoH time by the RBAF.The players trainined shoots to the goal,essayed moves and aerial defense moves,working above the errors that was comitted in World Cup Qualifiers that cost the elimination of the team in the dispute for a place in playoffs.
After this,Peter Valbuena gave a press conference and he said : ''Is the time that we need maintain your interests and willpower solid,isn't because a flop or bad results in Qualifiers,that we will let your guard,however skeptics we are now.Without interests the human nature won't exists and the human don't will alive.And with this sentence,we will go to the field for,at least,make a good campaign at the group stage.If we target the moon,we can miss it,but we will end in the stars.''
Peter Valbuena had a revigorant and motivational meeting with the players that will be make in the entrance tunnel before the players entrance in the first Cup of Harmony game.

Where's your will?

Today Gentlemen,
I am honored to train you.

Moreover honored to have put you on the battlefield.
But there is one more honor to be granted to you,
What is the answer that comes with the question:

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

They are right, and I want you to remember that throughout this game.
I will conquer what has not yet been conquered!

The defeat is not my belief.
I'll believe what others have doubts.

I will always strive for prestige, honor and respect of my team.
I trained my mind and my body will follow it!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

I will acknowledge the fact that my opponents do not expect me to win,
But I will never surrender.
Weakness will not be in my heart!

I'll look at my companions, to those who brought me into this world
And for those who trained me
And I'll take the force that comes from them!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

I will gladly go out to the battlefield
And I will move and do everything I can
And I will reach my field of battle by all means at my disposal
And when I get there, I'll get violently
I'll rip the heart from my enemy and I will leave you bleeding on the floor
Because he can not stop me!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

From my side I have my companions
Companions who were with me in good times and bad

Through sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears
I'll never let them fall!
I'll never let them down!

And I'll never leave an enemy behind!
Because our opponents do not know my heart!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

No one will deny me
No one will challenge me
No one will say who, what I am and what I should be!

The belief gonna change my world!
It moves continents and countries, and put the man in the Moon!
And it will carry me in this battle!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

"Defeat", "backward" are not my words!
I do not understand these settings!

I do not understand when things go wrong!
I do not get errors!

But understand this:
I understand "Victory" and I understand "never surrender"

No matter how bad things are going!
My heart and my mind will carry my body
When my limbs are too weak

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

Today is "The Day"
Not tomorrow! Not next week!
But today! Here and now!
In your home and your home!

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

History will remember me
And I do not have to worry about whether it will be gentle!

I WILL SET ME
I'll write my own glory!
And no one will tell me what I can and what I can not be!

I will never go home!
Not without giving everything I have!

BECAUSE WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"

WHO AM I?
"I AM A CHAMPION"
A relax and phylosophical atmosphere can be seen at Red Blackiland team concentration,only waiting anxious for the Cup Harmony begin.With the support from the fans,the message that will be passed by them,the all Qualifiers remembrances and the all that are saying until now,can the Dark Lions surprise Yttribia in the first match,or lose and be trashed by them?

by **Gregoryisgodistan** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:53 am

Lord Almighty Gregory's Speech to the People

"Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen, and slaves. I speak to you today about glorious and holy events which have occurred in the most wicked nations in the multiverse, Saintland and the abomination that refers to themselves as the Holy Republican Empire. The women's rights activist group Feministvs Sanctvsterra has returned, in all their previous glory. A streaker disrupted the World Cup Draw and held up a banner about their triumphant return. I was there observing and could have executed her for streaking, but chose not to for she is a noble woman dedicated to overthrowing a wicked government.

"I have sent secure messages to all leaders of Feministvs Sanctvsterra, offering military and financial assistance to support their overthrow of Consul Reino Kulseth in the Holy Republican Empire and King Petrus XX in Saintland. Both leaders would ideally be replaced by secular governments which promote gender equality. While I would prefer a Church of Gregoryisgodistan backed government in each country, I recognize that that is simply not going to happen. Mr. Nicholls would make a great leader of the Free Republics and would allow Feministvs Sanctvsterra to continue their activities there. In promotion of gender equality, we would be willing to install a female leader in Saintland, one from Feministvs Sanctvsterra. Of course, if that is not what Feministvs Sanctvsterra wants, we will do what they want. What matters is that King Petrus XX and Reino Kulseth are overthrown and executed. Feministvs Sanctvsterra can do it or we can do it ourselves. We can make it more painful, but it's more personal for them. It's their call. We will work with them to do whatever needs to be done. Petrus and Reino will soon be overthrown and dead. I would encourage Feministvs Sanctvsterra to act quickly, possibly while Petrus is in the Holy Republican Empire for the Olympics. We can kill them both at the opening ceremonies if you want. Of course, I suspect Feministvs Sanctvsterra has something else in mind for the opening ceremony, and we would be willing to work with them to accomplish that instead. We don't have to kill and overthrow everyone just yet anyway. We need to wait until the time is right. At that point, Feministvs Sanctvsterra, with our assistance, shall take over Saintland and Free Republics in a coup, if that is what they want. I anxiously await their response on what aid they want and what path to take.

"Now, I must talk about other matters. A woman who claims to be that wicked nun Maria Polus has claimed that 'Eye-ee-zus' was born 2,114 years ago last week. This is absurd. As everyone knows, I only created the multiverse 2,014 years ago last month. So clearly this lady is mistaken. However, even followers of the Church of Saintland believe this devil woman is mistaken. They believe their 'Eye-ee-zus' was born 2,014 years ago last week, a full 100 years after the woman claiming to be Maria Polus says he was born. This is finally conclusive proof that we killed Maria Polus and the woman claiming to be her is an impostor actress. The real Maria Polus would know the alleged date of Eye-ee-zus' birth. She would know that worshipers of this false God believe him to have been born 2,014 years ago, not 2,114 years ago. There is a 100 year difference there. However, since this woman is only an actress, she obviously did not know when Eye-ee-zus was supposedly born and said the wrong thing, something the real Maria Polus would never have done while she was alive. But we killed her. Our army killed her as revenge for her attempting to assassinate me along with that Republican soccer brat Kyle Bolton. I hope our teams play in the quarterfinals. We will kill Bolton for his attempt on my life, since he forgot I was immortal. Although I would ordinarily send our pervert chaser to dickapitate and castrate that rotten rapist Koby Theodore, I believe the fact that he was sent to boarding school in Saintland as punishment for his crimes means he has already paid enough. Going to boarding school in Saintland is a fate worse than death, so Theodore will be spared the pervert chaser's knife. But rest assured, if he rapes anyone during the Cup of Harmony, our pervert chaser will dickapitate and castrate him instantly. Pervert chasers do the Lord's work. The real Lord, me, not Eye-ee-zus. We will kill Kyle Bolton! We have already killed Sister Polus! Death to the Holy Republican Empire! Death to Saintland! I am the True Lord! Go Foot Slaves! Beat Jeckland!"

by **Star United States** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:44 am

The Rise and Fall
Chapter 3, Part 1

A Christmas Invasion

The Islands have waited long enough to do something about how the Blun Communist State are doing to the civilians of the former Federal Republic. On the other hand, the Starian Northern, and the Starian Southern Administrative Regions were doing nothing to help, expect also murder innocent lives. They had made a plan.

It was a dark night in SeaShore City, and a deep, unusual fog approached the city from the ocean,as if it trying to communicate something to the people. It failed, as the civilians of the city dismissed the fog as an odd weather incident. Little did they know that the ocean was, in someway, trying to warn them.

SeaShore City had taken the power as the one of the military bases of the Starian Northern, a powerful one for said region.

The night sky cried over the forgotten City of Star, the former capital of the Federal Republic. Once a glorious and respected city, now is destroyed to almost ruble. It’s a ruin. The night sky also poured over Candean, mission control for the Starian Northern.

It was a rather unusual dark night at Fredericksburg, Jarille, Hery City, and Golden City. There was just a queer feeling in the air. It did not go unnoticed.

On the other hand, the night sky was brighten up by the moon and stars over the islands. It was a beautiful sight. The islands were buzzing though, for they had sent out dozens of fleet in order to perform the greatest invasion in the Starian history.

Days prior to Christmas Eve, the islands order the fleets to go into Starian waters, without being detected by their Starian counterpart. In order to do this the fleets had to travel around Raussland and Earo, south of Sakhovelo. To keeping going undetected, the fleets continued their trip around and away from Bongo Johnson, and Runtenbach. They were to stop at Urbanista, Apox to refuel and revisit their tactical plans.

The fleets left Apox and position themselves in the Licentian Channel, right outside the water boundaries of The Royal Barangay. However, a group of fleets position themselves far enough from southeastern Star United States. In order to complete their task successfully, the fleets split into two groups. One group traveled between The Licentian Isles and Boring Paradise, in order to reach the Star Bay. The other group kept on travelling north, towards the Free Swiss States, however, took tight turn towards the west. The fleet sat outside the Star Sea for a few hours, certainly still undetected.

On midnight of that day, they went into action. All three groups right outside the water boundaries of the mainland. It was one government against three. The islands versus the Starian Northern, Blun Communist State, and the Starian Southern. It was a risky task.

As soon as they entered Starian waters, the alarm ranged on the mainland. Everyone was awaken to the loud ringing noise triggered by an underwater cable that surrounded the waters of the mainland. As full speed, dozens of silver ships made their ways towards the coast.

First part of the plan, was to distract Airplanes were sent out from the carriers to distract.They flew over the desperate, making the people of the cities panic. The fleets soon were rather close to the land,and to their surprise the mainland’s joint miltary were already waiting for them.

Boom. The invasion had started.

by **Isula ge Ru** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:26 pm

OOC: I have had nigh-zero time to put this together as of late. Unfortunately, my schedule will free up just as MD1 is being played. For now, have a crude copy-paste of a WC roster. Please do not RP Mitu Maria Albu Saida, he is dead as of the WC. One of those details I'll put in tonight. Apologies to all.

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:00 pm

Cosumar National Team - Cup of Harmony 62

Team Information

Nation: The Fiefdom of Cosumar

Government: Cosumar is technically a Fiefdom, which means Cosumar is comprised of 21 historical "fiefs". These are now effectively provinces. Cosumar's government is a constitutional monarchy and believes wholeheartedly in complete civil rights, advancing science, conserving nature and exploring outer space.

Region: Atlantian Oceania

Official Nickname: Azure Dragons (typically shortened simply to "Dragons")

Colors: Royal Blue, White, Silver

Stadium: Leviathan Arena (capacity 99,114)

Location: Kaldukosic, Kaldukosic Fief, Cosumar

History: Cup of Harmony 62 marks Cosumar's third consecutive appearance in the most prestigious tournament for World Cup snubs. The Dragons have a legacy of success in the Cup of Harmony, including a 3rd place finish all the way back in CoH XLV. The 70th World Cup was Cosumar's 20th consecutive tournament since their debut in World Cup 51. The anniversary was no help to the qualifying effort, which concluded with the Dragons three points shy of advancing to the playoff. Cosumar qualified for six consecutive Cups (54-59) in its "golden age" of football. Cosumar's best finishes were trips to the Round of 16 in World Cups 56-59. After World Cup 59, Cosumar reached its peak ranking of #7 in the world. The National Team's gradual decline began in World Cup 60 and 61, in both of which they were eliminated in the playoff despite strong qualifying campaigns. They would qualify once again at World Cup 62 in Astograth, but even that could not change the inevitable downward trajectory. World Cups 64-66 were especially painful and saw our once elite ranking dip as low as the 80s. The ancient Farris Crowley, manager since WC54, was on the most scorching of hot seats. Cosumarites everywhere were demanding he be sacked, the glory days of Crowley's tenure a distant memory. But the Fiefdom Soccer Federation (FSF) stuck with him, and Cosumar began re-emerging as a force to be reckoned with in World Cup 67. A marvelous crop of young talent, now referred to as the "Renaissance Generation", including the likes of Francois Renault, Giovanni Aldinne and Sur Arora, restored the former sense of glory and honour to the Cosumarite colours and led the Dragons to multiple successful WC and CoH campaigns. Cosumar's ranking is now at #52, the highest they've been since World Cup 63. However, a trip to the World Cup Finals has eluded the Crowley & The Renaissancers. With that core of players now in their early 30s, many thought World Cup 70 would be the optimal (and likely final) chance for these national heroes to return the Fiefdom to the world's biggest stage. They came oh so close, but it was not to be. And thus, the Cosumar Dragons will now fight for the ultimate consolation prize. Their goal? To advance out of their CoH group for the first time in decades. The future seems bright for Cosumarite football. The nation is already ripe with anticipation for World Cup 71 and, perhaps, their long-awaited return to the World Cup.

Recent Results:
World Cup 67 Qualifying: 4th Place in Group 5 (8-4-4)
World Cup 68 Qualifying: 4th Place in Group 8 (6-5-3)
Cup of Harmony 60: Eliminated in Group Stage (3rd in Group H, 1-1-1)
World Cup 69 Qualifying: 2nd Place in Group 12 (6-6-2), eliminated by Farfadillis in playoff
Cup of Harmony 61: Eliminated in Group Stage (3rd in Group C, 1-0-2)
AOCAF 45: Eliminated by Osarius in Round of 16 (2nd Place, 2-1 in Group E)
World Cup 70 Qualifying: 3rd Place in Group 15 (9-4-3)
Cup of Harmony 62: ???

Team: The roster consists of 24 players, 23 of which are human. The remaining player (midfielder Vareza Na'Noni) is of the Vloo people (species homo cosumarensis), a humanoid race native to Cosumar. Please note that the Vloo have no sizable physical advantage over homo sapien players. The average Vloo is about two inches taller than the average human, and they must wear different cleats due to their unique foot structure. Vloo are roughly equivalent to humans in terms of strength and speed, but have a blue taint to their skin and two small, dull horns on the top of their head. Most Vloo's horns are mostly covered by their thick, black hair. This is the first time there has only been one Vloo player on the team. This Dragons' squad features an emphasis on surgically-precise passing and technical possession football. There is a good balance of experienced veterans and new young talents. Manager Farris Crowley is continuing the new formation introduced in Qualifying (a 4-2-3-1 variant), moving on from his signature 4-2-4 that was heavily criticized for years.

Style Modifier: +3

Mid-WC70 Ranking: 52 (14.61 KPB)

Formation: 4-2-1-2-1

Kit

HOME

GOALIE

AWAY

This will be the World Cup debut for Cosumar's new kit, prepared for the team by Meski Soccer & Sports Store of Red Blackiland. The design has been applauded by the public and media alike for featuring a brilliant and refreshingly modern aesthetic while still staying true to the spirit of the beloved old kits that served the team from World Cup 54 to 69. The home and away kits make heavy use of the national colours (blue, white, silver), team badge, and the majestic Azure Dragon that Cosumar is famous for. The keeper's uniform is gold and green - the royal family's colours.

The Starting XI

Goalkeeper - Tomi Koskinen - 33 -

Ramusok United

Tomi Koskinen has served Cosumar so well for so long that it seems like an eternity ago that someone else defended the Dragons' net. But alas, it was about 17 years ago that Koskinen emerged as one of the best young stars in Cosumar. At only 16 years old, he dominated Cosumar's collegiate league by allowing an average of 0.4 goals per game. At age 18, he shocked pundits by locking up the starting spot on the Cosumarite National Team. He hasn't looked back - serving as an anchor of consistency for the Dragons for over a decade and several World Cups. Still in his prime, Koskinen is known for his exceptional instincts and reflexes, often denying goals with extraordinary feats of athleticism and anticipation. He plays his club football with Ramusok United of Cosumar's Harlighet Ligan. Recorded one assist in WC70 Qualifying.

Left Back - Jukka Lindroos - 23 - Marine Coast United

Lindroos is the not just one of the best young defenders in Cosumar - but in all of Atlantian Oceania. In Cosumar, he was the best player on a dominant defense that carried Centus Serpents to a promotion, allowing only 7 goals all season. He was also Cosumar's most consistent starting defender in World Cup 69, Cup of Harmony 61 and World Cup 70. His brilliance on the world stage caught the eyes of the V-League and he eventually left Cosumar to play for storied Vilitan club Marine Coast United. Still only 23 years old, Lindroos is a huge linchpin to the Dragons' future success. His boyish face and long golden locks have charmed the media but do not be fooled - he is a ruthless player on the pitch. He is extremely skilled and can make world-class stops in the back against the best of opponents. Brings a jolt of energy whenever he steps on the field. Scored one goal in WC70 Qualifying.

Center Back - Arndu Farsgaard - 29 -

Cazadores Cathair

After impressing Crowley with his work ethic in his first international caps in the AOCAF, Farsgaard made the World Cup roster for the first time. Though he only played a grand total of 163 minutes throughout all of Qualifying, he made the most of his chances. With starting CB Kirum Mortonsson struggling mightily at the end, Crowley has made a change and given Farsgaard the nod for his first start on the National Team. Originally a hockey player with no interest in a "sissy sport" like soccer, he didn't even discover his talent for the game until age 24, after failing in his hockey career. He took to the sport quickly, rapidly moving up the ranks of the FSF after starting with a local semi-professional team. By the time he was 27, he was starting at center back for Sekundar Ligan (second tier) regulars Keenan Athletic. Last year, he got snatched up by Audioslavian club Cazadores Cathair. Just think...just five years ago he was on the street after being cut from a minor league hockey team. Now he's suiting up for the National Soccer Team. Crazy. Whether he has reached his ceiling or will continue his meteoric rise remains to be seen and likely depends on his performance here and in Audioslavia.

Center Back - Jon-Perohlin Nodtveit - 27 -

OAS Royal FC

If there was ever an enigmatic and controversial footballer, it's Nodtveit. He is bald-headed but bears a thick black beard. Off the pitch he is almost always gruff and silent, hardly uttering more than a word or two in interviews. He is known to be a member of the Luciferian Satanist Order and was a suspect in a well-publicized murder case three years ago (though he was ultimately found Not Guilty due to lack of evidence). Some despise him, but even more Cosumarites love his dark & dangerous allure. Though divisive off the pitch, he is universally recognized for his value on the pitch. He is extremely good at his specialties. Nodtveit is the Dragons' "hard man", a defensive enforcer and ruthless tackler. Though he is not particularly skilled with the ball or particularly fast, he plays his role well. After serving as a reserve for the past two World Cups, he finally had his chance to shine on the world's biggest stage in WC70. He made a few costly errors late in games that cost the Dragons' precious points. Crowley could've benched him like he did Mortonsson, but there's no one else on this roster that can replicate what Nodtveit brings to the table, so he will remain in. If one can look past the unforgivable blunders he committed, he was mostly solid otherwise. He just needs to sharpen his concentration and endurance. Nodtveit scored two goals in WC70.

Right Back - Tae Woo Miyori - 31 - Blau-Weiss Pallstadt

Miyori possesses outstanding speed, quickness and ability to play both sides of the ball. He is also known as a phenomenal passer of great vision. Miyori had a spectacular debut as a youngster in World Cup 67, and fully embraced the limelight in World Cups 68 & 69. He is considered by some to be in the same category as William Riley and Alexander Pearce in the pantheon of Cosumar's all-time premiere defensemen. Miyori spent most of his club career with Klyde FC of the Harlighet Ligan, guiding them to their first League Championship. He now plays in the Buyanese Top League after signing a lucrative contract with Blau-Weiss Pallstadt over the transfer window, and has been a key player for the Craftsmen this season as they thrived both in Buyan and the Champions' Cup. He likes to drift quite far forward and be utilized as part of the attack, much moreso than most right backs. This tendency both benefited and backfired for Cosumar at various times throughout WC 70 Qualifying. It was probably Miyori's weakest WC overall, though he was still pretty good. He played in every game and recorded one goal and two assists.

Defensive Midfielder - Vareza Na'Noni - 26 -

Red Star Severny

The sole Vloo representative at this Cup of Harmony, Na'Noni can play almost any position due to his ability to read the game, strong ball skills, and imposing physique (tall, muscular, fast). He made a name for himself as a Right Back for Cosumar's U-21 team, which catapulted him into the Harlighet Ligan, where he converted to midfielder with FC Samotath. After a sustained period of success there, Na'Noni solidified himself on the international scene with his brilliance in World Cup 69. He then moved to Red Star Severny of Polar Islandstates, making him one of the few Cosumarites currently in one of the world's elite leagues. Playing at Severny has facilitated even more improvement for the talented Vloo. His strong presence was instrumental for Cosumar's success in Qualifying. Na'Noni is known for his tattoos, including detailed patterns of constellations across his arms, a roaring dragon on his neck, and an elaborate sunset on his forehead. He recorded one goal and four assists and started every game.

Defensive Midfielder - Felix Merchison - 25 - Viztourzys Kolektyvinis

For a 25 year old who had never played in the World Cup before, Merchison was magnificent in Qualifying. He scored a goal and recorded four assists, even outshining his more famous counterpart Na'Noni at times. His resume was already impressive. At age 21, he was starting and winning league championships with Mallox in Cosumar. Now he's excelling as a starter for Viztourzys Kolektyvinis in Buyan. But somehow, he flew under the radar of the National Team. He finally received his first call-up a year ago to represent Cosumar in the Olympic Games. He played well, but was left off the AOCAF squad a few months later. But now it seems Farris Crowley and his staff have finally come to their senses and realized how great this guy is. He has permanently displaced Dean McSaunders as the long-term starting DM alongside Na'Noni, and deservedly so. He is above average on the ball for his position. A very physical defender, embraces the dirty work. A very good pure athlete. Has a penchant for dropping in the perfect deep ball behind the defense.

Left Attacking Midfielder - Anders Engström - 24 -

Mallox FC

A young superstar who is one of the most dangerous weapons on the team. He was made for the limelight and his time is here. Engström has become the poster-boy for the future of Cosumarite football. His natural position is as a forward, but in Crowley's 4-2-3-1 he works best plugged in as an aggressive attacking midfielder. Engström led Stoneshore College to a collegiate championship four years ago and then signed a big fat paycheck with Mallox FC, where he has shined as their leading goal scorer for the last three seasons. Engström was also voted the MVP of the Harlighet Ligan this season after scoring a league-high 24 goals. A precise deliverer in set-pieces and from the flanks, Engström will be instrumental in setting up Cosumar for goal-scoring chances when he's not putting it in the net himself. He shared the team lead with nine goals in WC 69, and he displayed a more well-rounded game this year by scoring seven goals and tallying a team-high eight assists.

Center Attacking Midfielder - Paaron Petrov - 31 - Fadron Flight

A citizen-by-birth of Cosumarite extraterrestrial colony Fevelo. Because of his close ties on Fevelo, Petrov insisted on playing his professional soccer there for the majority of his career. Though Fevelo's level of play is inferior to Cosumar's higher leagues, he absolutely dominated there even at the young age of 16. In World Cup 68, he was able to bypass several top Harlighet Ligan midfielders to make the squad of the National Team, even stealing the starting spot of longtime staple Giovanni Aldinne. Though his selection was heavily criticized at the time, Petrov made Crowley look awfully smart when he blossomed one of the Dragons' most consistent players. Feisty and resourceful, and a devastatingly accurate passer, Petrov is an asset when it comes to setting up the big play. He is also a threat to score from long distances, as he gets great movement on the ball and is able to keep it down. Petrov is a formidable box-to-box midfielder who is a ruthless tackler. He had a fantastic qualifying campaign in WC70, racking up five goals and five assists despite missing a few matches with injury. He also finally cashed in on his success over the last transfer window, joining the Fadron Flight of Taeshan.

Right Attacking Midfielder - Ace Newman - 23 -

Cassandra City

Ace Newman is an exciting young talent who got his first international caps in the recent Olympics and AOCAF and then exploded into prominence with some dominant performances in Qualifying. He was second on the team only to Sur Arora with 10 goals, and also recorded 6 assists. He and Engström should make a fearsome duo on the wings for years to come. He was the second-leading goalscorer in the Harlighet Ligan last season, netting 22 for Cassandra City in a campaign that landed them in the Globe Cup. Newman is still relatively inexperienced, but he literally overflowing with potential. He had countless brilliant moments in the World Cup but also disappeared at times. He will only continue to get better, but he is already well on his way to becoming a world-class player. Like Engström, Newman's natural position is forward, but will primarily play as an aggressive midfielder/winger in Crowley's system.

Center Forward - Sur Arora - 32 -

OAS Royal FC

- CAPTAIN
Arora is Cosumar's world-class superstar goal scorer. He has been the very best at every level of Cosumarite football he's played in, from U-18 to Collegiate to the Harlighet Ligan to the National Team. A true bastion of excellence. He is the leading goal-scorer for Cosumar's most famous club team OAS Royal FC, which has made several Champions Cup appearances with him. He genuinely loves the game and has been described by coaches as being "one of the hardest workers they ever coached". He is so noticeably fluid in his motions, acceleration and ball control that it's almost scary. Arora was one of the leading goal-scorers in the entire World Cup 67, 68 AND 69 Qualifying fields, the first time the Dragons have had a true go-to attacking weapon since the retirement of Rikki Varshney. Arora surpassed Varshney for Team Cosumar's all-time goals record midway through Qualifying. He has now scored 97 goals for Cosumar in his career. It is possible he will eclipse the elite 100 mark in this tournament.

The Substitutes

Goalkeepers

GK - Jakk Winterfyll - 21 -

Crawford City FC

Winterfyll is clearly the goalkeeper of the future for Cosumar - no dispute there. He just turned 21 and he's already the best Cosumarite goalie not named Tomi Koskinen. He still has a lot to learn about the finer points of the game, but the instincts and physical tools are all there. He recently gained some valuable experience in the AOCAF and Globe Cup, and allowed less than one goal per game for Harlighet Ligan side Crawford City FC this season. Watching the multiverse's cream-of-the-crop go at it in WC70 was another huge step towards Crowley's mission of grooming him to eventually replace Koskinen.

GK - Robert Sieuwerd - 28 -

Real Azuris

Robert broke out as one of the best goalkeepers in the Harlighet Ligan over the last three seasons with Real Azuris. With his steady hand guarding the net, the Breakers have won two consecutive League Championships and Champions Cup berths. He's a bit more ordinary than Koskinen and Winterfyll, but he's a solid reserve and can be relied upon to do a fine job if necessary. World Cup 70 was his first call-up to the National Team.

Defenders

LB - Maynard Gorham - 22 - Peswick Town

Former Cosumar U21 player that competed in the 32nd Di Bradini Cup. World Cup 70 gave him his first caps for the senior NT, though he only appeared in three games. He is a strong, young left back who has IQ beyond his years and should have no problem subbing in occasionally and immediately competing at a high level. Excellent tackler. Spent a few seasons with Dusk Athletic in the Cosumarite second division before catching the eye of Jeckish club Peswick Town. Off the pitch, he is a dark, mysterious figure. Long black hair, which he ties up during matches. He also plays bass guitar for gothic metal band Mors Incarnati in his spare time.

CB - Abdiel Assad - 33 -

Eastweald

Hailing from a poverty-stricken community in the rugged, mountainous land of southeast Cosumar (where soccer is practically nonexistent), Assad defied all odds to emerge as one of Cosumar's finest defenders and has helped expand the sport to this region, which traditionally disavows competitive sport. Ten years ago, he had a breakout season with Eastweald to help them recapture their former glory and qualify for the TakilQuip Champions Cup. He has remained with Eastweald ever since, showing loyalty to his club - something of a rarity these days. He has established himself as one of the Harlighet Ligan's most prominent stars, and is known as a true "nice guy" and class act. Assad is not exceptional at any one thing, but has no weaknesses either - a reliable jack-of-all-trades. He was also the first man of Arab descent to play on the Cosumarite national team. This was Assad's first World Cup as a substitute rather than a starter, since he has started slowing a bit with age in the last year or two.

CB - Kirum Mortonsson - 28 -

Ramusok United

Dashing model/footballer Mortonsson recently completed his fourth season with Harlighet Ligan stalwarts Ramusok United. He and teammate Tomi Koskinen were part of a formidable defensive machine that shut down even the league's top attacking teams. Manager Farris Crowley hoped that pairing the two on the National Team would achieve similar success again, but central defense was a weakness throughout qualifying. WC70 was Mortonsson's fourth World Cup, and second as starting Center Back. His spotty performance has led to Crowley giving Arndu Farsgaard the nod to start instead. He will still play significant minutes as a sub, however. Though his biggest fans are often teenage girls (and as such, he is jokingly heckled by the sports media), he is supremely athletic and finds ways to make big stops when the team needs it the most. He can be hotheaded at times and make poor decisions resulting in yellow or red cards. He led the team in fouls in WC 70 Qualifying, though he also scored 3 goals.

RB - Sheldon Serra - 21 - Zenit Attawapiskat

Serra has the distinction of being born and living the first eight years of his life on a spaceship of neutral nationality. After returning to the planet and living in Indigo Plains, Serra found his land legs surprisingly quickly and discovered a natural talent for football. Because Indigo Plains does not have professional football, Serra attended university in Cosumar and is eligible for our team because his mother was a Cosumarite citizen. He was the Defensive MVP of Cosumar's collegiate league three years ago, before signing with Zenit Attawapiskat of The Royal Kingdom of Quebec. Though small in stature, this shaggy blonde youngster has incredibly rare natural ability. With experience and hard work, he could be a star in the future. For this World Cup he will primarily serve as a back-up for Miyori at right back. Due to his speed and ability to play both sides of the ball, Crowley clearly sees him as the eventual replacement for the unique skill set of Tae Woo Miyori.

Midfielders

DM - Dean Harold McSaunders - 29 - Vijallu

Since breaking out as a star with FC Kaldukosic four years ago, McSaunders has maintained his great play, earning recognition as one of the Fiefdom's most well-rounded midfielders. He can play any midfield position (he was a substitute as Central Midfielder in WC68), though he fits best as a Defensive Midfielder in this 4-2-3-1 regime. He started at defensive midfielder in World Cup 69, but a shaky body of work in that tournament landed him on the bench for WC70. With Felix Merchison solidifying his place above him on the totem pole, McSaunders' starting days are likely behind him. Could still play some significant sub minutes though. Despite middle-of-the-road speed and strength, and average ball skills, McSaunders is simply a winner, frequently finding creative ways to outwit and outmaneuver supposedly superior opponents. He just has some sort of unidentifiable "it" factor. He scored one goal in WC 70.

DM - Timo Sorben - 23 - West Bay

WC70 gave Sorben his first international caps. He played the fewest minutes of any non-goalie on the roster, and did not make much of an impression either way. He was something of a surprise selection because many anticipated this spot being filled by the more experienced Eido Noldor, who started in World Cup 69 and the recent AOCAF. Sorben must've done something to really impress Farris Crowley to knock Noldor off the squad. Sorben was an unheralded prospect coming out of college from a small school. But in just three seasons in the FSF, with some Cosumar U-21 experience in between, he steadily improved his game was rewarded with a big payday to play for West Bay of Barunia. He is not the most athletic player, but he is a true student of the game and gives maximum effort in his preparations for matches both on and off the pitch. When his time comes, he will be ready.

CAM - Giovanni Aldinne - 34 -

Real Azuris

Aldinne debuted in the FSF ten seasons ago with up-and-coming club Real Azuris. In the last decade he has pulled Real Azuris up the ranks of the Cosumarite football ladder, culminating with their back to back League Championships the last two years. Aldinne, like his cousin Francois Renault, was a much-hyped young prospect that has met all expectations and helped spearhead the Renaissance Generation of Cosumarite footballers. He was shockingly dropped from the starting XI in World Cup 69, but handled the situation with dignity and was an impact substitute. He still has what it takes to be effective in this role, albeit for limited durations of time. Aldinne is noted for his extraordinary intelligence (maximum score on soccer IQ test) and dribbling skills. He brings invaluable experience to the Dragons' midfield depth. He can also play as a defensive midfielder if needed.

RAM - Francois Renault - 33 - Molsbik Arkjet

Renault was the face of Harlighet Ligan club Cassandra City for eight seasons, leading them to several Globe Cups. With young stars like Ace Newman and Tevin Lilley ready to take up the mantle in Cassandra, he decided to begin a new adventure, joining Molsbik Arkjet of Semarland. Renault has done so much for Cosumarite football, including captaining the Cup of Harmony 61 team after Sur Arora broke his leg, and leading the Dragons in assists over WC 67-69. The man was the driving force of the Renaissance Generation that saw Cosumar start to re-establish its international presence, and he has aged like fine wine. At 33, Renault is still a valuable player and team leader for Cosumar who will get significant substitute minutes. He's as savvy as ever around the goal and has enough left in the tank to be a starter. Renault was known for his lethal combination of speed and brute strength, but with age he's seamlessly replaced his speed with creativity and technique.

LAM - Petri Hansen - 27 - Sieberg

Hansen is a well known as a flashy attack-minded midfielder who has never quite lived up to his immense potential. Producing goals is what he does, and he does it well. After his well-publicized success as Captain of Cosumar's U-18 team a decade ago, Hansen joined Mallox but was sort of forgotten there. His talent was squandered for a few years because he was stuck behind players like Anders Engstrom and Jimmy Kelly. In the last transfer window, he finally got his well-deserved fresh start with Sieberg of Felix. His blistering pace earned him a spot on the team in WC 70, and he played spare minutes late in games for Engstrom. He made a favorable impression in his limited time on the pitch, his poise and dynamic skill set leading to two assists credited to his name.

Forwards

CF - Sergio Vilar - 26 - Levadia Narkiv

Vilar was a breakout star in the Cosumarite second division a few years ago, coming from obscurity to shatter the Sekundar Ligan single-season goal record with 30. The Olask Islanders had been on the brink of relegation for several seasons running, his historic season rocketed them to the top half of the table for the first time in almost three decades. Vilar has since moved to Levadia Narkiv, arguably the best club in Estenia, and has shined there. Though Sur Arora is clearly still the king when it comes to Cosumarite forwards, Vilar's role on the team is growing. He started in place of Arora in Cup of Harmony 61 and AOCAF 45 due to Arora's broken leg. Vilar's skill is obvious (the ball is basically tied to his sock!) and he is passionate about the game - a man possessed on the pitch. But he also has a bad habit of dominating lesser competition and then disappearing against elite opposition. Arora (thankfully) stayed healthy throughout Qualifying, so Vilar's emergency services were not needed. He was very good when he did play, scoring a goal and two assists in his limited playing time.

CF - Ipier Ubuntu - 28 -

Real Azuris

Ipier is something of a hero in Cosumar because he has established himself as one of the Harlighet Ligan's most lethal finishers despite being born mute. He had to overcome ableist prejudices early in his career. He has always been an underrated player but finally started getting national and even regional attention with his success with Real Azuris, clearly the best club in Cosumar at the moment. He scored over 20 goals again this season in Harlighet Ligan, earning him a chance to travel with the team to WC 70 for his first international caps. He didn't see much action, but it was an honor for him just to be there. He is distinguished on the field by his extremely powerful leg (and his corn rows haircut). He gets a lot of pace on the ball and is not afraid to launch a few long-range screamers.

Staff

Manager: Farris Crowley
After a phenomenal debut as Manager in World Cup 54, and an even more impressive efforts in World Cups 55-59, Farris Crowley became a Cosumarite legend. The nation has stood by him through thick and thin ever since, even when other managers certainly would've been fired. The seemingly immortal icon was once a somewhat successful player in Cosumar's domestic league many years ago but found his true calling as a coach after retiring. His goal is absolute: bring glory to Cosumar through victory on the pitch. He is currently 74 years of age and appears solemn most of the time. If you're lucky, you might catch him with a rare smile for a split second after a big victory. Despite being the one who took Cosumar to new heights and qualified us for all seven of our World Cups, there is a rumor that he is on the hot seat (yeah right, the only thing that can remove him at this point is old age) due to yet another failed attempt to qualify despite a favorable group draw. And with his health starting to finally show signs of deterioration, pundits are questioning his capacity to lead the team for much longer. He might not have many more World Cups in him, whether he gets sacked or not.

Assistant Manager: Kennedy Kopenhaver
This is Kopenhaver's first Cup of Harmony as Assistant Manager for the National Team, replacing Truda Jotunnoj at the start of WC70 Qualifying. Kopenhaver, 49, was once a terrific center back for the Cosumar National Team in World Cups 55-57, back when Crowley was a new face on the scene. He was infamous in Cosumar for being one of the most passionate and fiery players ever to step on a pitch. He would stop at nothing to win, even if it meant angrily telling his teammates what's what or getting himself a card. After retiring from his playing career, Kopenhaver attempted a broadcasting career but was not happy. It was too far removed from the action! He then took to coaching, and has spent the last six years as an assistant to Alvin Burnsides, Manager of Mallox FC, the most historically successful club in Cosumar's Harlighet Ligan. Kopenhaver feels he has learned a lot from his time there and is ready for more responsibility. After being skipped over for the managerial vacancy at Miners 47 in Apox, he jumped on the chance to work for Farris Crowley with the National Team. Kopenhaver should bring a lot of passion and youthful energy to a team that Crowley and Jotunnoj hadn't been able to provide. He is a rare man - physically imposing yet keenly intelligent. Deceptively clever and excels at game strategy.

Goalkeepers Coach: Luis Varezzi

Defenders Coach: Artis Thomas

Midfielders Coach: Irvinn Rincon

Forwards Coach: Guiseke Seto

Head Trainer: Yvette Carson

RP Permissions

Essentially, full RP permissions. Be creative. Use my characters however you like. You can state that someone was injured, but allow me to determine the severity. I also ask that you telegram me before RPing anything extreme (like a bombing, a fan riot, extreme weather events impacting the game, etc). I'm usually up for anything, but just check with me first.

I Give To My Opponent The Permission To:
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Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events: Y
Injure Players: Y, but leave the severity up to me
Godmod Injury Events: Y, but no killing or wounding. TG me if you're doing something particularly unusual.
Red Card Players: Y
Yellow Card Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: TG me first.
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Position	#	Name	Age	Caps	Goals	Club
GK	1	Kendrick Hannon	25	26		Leavesden Rovers FC
DEF	2	Jonny Gregor	22	46		Watford FC
DEF	3	Elmo Dowling	25	16		Leavesden Rovers FC
DEF	4	Ryan Warthon	27	85	2	Hemel Hempstead FC
DEF	5	Osvaldo Current	24	14	1	Sporting Tudor
MID	6	Louis Revson	32	65	2	Hemel Hempstead FC
MID	7	Jan Regan	30	55	7	Leavesden Rovers FC
MID	8	Garry Oldfen	27	26	4	Leavesden Rovers FC
ATT	9	Mario Mannetti	25	90	52	Watford FC
ATT	10	Ignacio Peréz	24	55	25	Hemel Hempstead FC
MID	11	Samuel Harris	24	89	17	St Albans City FC
GK	12	James Hemsworth	30	58		Watford FC
DEF	13	Keven Sproull	24	20	1	Marlowes City FC
DEF	14	Steven Shields	22	19		Bovingdon FC
DEF	15	Jerrod Ledger	29	8		Bricket Wood FC
DEF	16	Vincent Warthon	31	53	2	Hemel Hempstead FC
MID	17	Tommy Deer	22	28	1	Hemel Hempstead FC
MID	18	Peter Tilder	30	75	4	Marlowes City FC
MID	19	Kyle Kerney	25	16	1	Watford FC
ATT	20	Freddy Lincoln	28	66	25	Leavesden Rovers FC
ATT	21	Pip Roberto	27	17	4	Leavesden Rovers FC
MID	22	Shirley Ortiz	25	8		Bricket Wood FC
GK	23	Tommy Lancaster	30	3		Sporting Tudor

Number	Playing Pos.	Squad Pos.	Name	Age	Gender	Height (cm)	Weight (kg)	Preferred Foot
90	GK	Starting XI	Maruyama Natsu	29	Male	193	83.57	Right
2	LB	Starting XI	Sakanoue Masuzu	18	Female	164	46.57	Left
4	LCB	Starting XI	Moriguchi Takashi (C)	31	Male	190	92.44	Right
5	RCB	Starting XI	Shimura Kazu	19	Male	182	62.31	Right
19	RB	Starting XI	Akechi Naruko	21	Female	149	48.97	Right
12	RCM	Starting XI	Jinnai Minatsu	19	Female	171	54.25	Right
13	CDM	Starting XI	Fujioka Misako	24	Female	164	47.23	Right
16	LCM	Starting XI	Nishio Katsuko	25	Female	161	43.45	Right
10	CAM	Starting XI	Sakurada Sachiko	19	Female	149	39.79	Left
7	RW	Starting XI	Toyota Kaori	18	Female	167	46.24	Right
9	LW	Starting XI	Kira Rei	18	Female	172	54.56	Left
34	GK	Substitute	Tezuka Ruri	32	Female	178	53.45	Left
26	LB	Substitute	Tsukade Minami	18	Female	164	48.25	Left
28	RB	Substitute	Enomoto Takumi	14	Male	180	61.25	Right
30	CDM	Substitute	Shiina Rintarō	37	Male	174	55.47	Right
32	RW	Substitute	Kikugawa Mariko	30	Female	167	46.54	Right
11	FW	Substitute	Shokuhō Suzuno	18	Female	170	50.21	Right
33	LW	Substitute	Shikitei Yoshifumi	27	Male	167	52.67	Left
40	GK	Reserve	Fukazawa Taki	30	Male	197	94.65	Right
35	CM	Reserve	Gasai Tsumiki	20	Female	159	45.51	Right
37	CM	Reserve	Higashikuni Yuki	21	Male	171	58.26	Left
92	CB	Reserve	Sugihara Takara	28	Female	185	63.74	Right
42	FW	Reserve	Serizawa Amane	19	Female	163	49.63	Left
93	LW	Reserve	Tsukamoto Nichiren	17	Male	173	54.66	Right
41	RW	Reserve	Hasekura Kazue	19	Female	164	46.45	Left
42	FW	Reserve	Ezakiya Amaya	14	Female	147	41.12	Left
90	FW	Reserve	Hayashida Inari	17	Female	160	43.68	Right
79	CB	Reserve	Tsutsumi Yasuhiko	20	Male	184	68.65	Right
87	FW	Reserve	Ishida Yuka	18	Female	164	52.67	Right
95	LW	Reserve	Komatsu Jin	19	Male	178	67.59	Right

Position	Name	Age	Species	Gender
Manager	Mad Dash	51	Pegasus	Male
Assistant Manager I	Mitsumine Akira (formerly Mailman 912JZNSUDU)	28	Human	Male
Assistant Manager II	Arranna Sa’Martan	40	Ursine	Female
1st Team Coach	Morning Star	42	Pegasus	Female
1st Team Coach	Stronghold	59	Dragon	Male
1st Team Coach	Utagawa Rie	22	Human	Female
Goalkeeping Coach	Daisy Dive	37	Earth Pony	Female
Tactical Coach	Frigid Night	45	Griffon	Male
Fitness Coach	Anders Pierson	41	Human	Male
Head Physio	Gempatch	42	Crystal Pony	Female
Physio	Merriwell	29	Bat Pony	Male
Physio	Shirai Kazushige	28	Human	Male
International Scout	Hazel Watts	39	Human	Female
Weather Team Captain	Thunderburst	24	Pegasus	Female

	Player
Left Corner Taker	Sakurada Sachiko
Right Corner Taker	Sakurada Sachiko
Penalty Taker	Kira Rei
Direct FK Taker	Kira Rei
Indirect FK Taker	Jinnai Minatsu
Most likely to foul/be booked	Akechi Naruko
Most likely to shoot	Toyota Kaori
Most likely to score from close range	Kira Rei
Most likely to score from long-range	Jinnai Minatsu
Most likely to be fouled	Toyota Kaori
Most likely to attempt the spectacular	Kira Rei

Cup of Harmony 62 - Everything Thread

Chapter 3, Part 1

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