World Cup 71 - RP Thread

[Nephara]

The camera panned slowly around the packed stadium. "Welcome to the packed San Pozo stadium in Napoli," came the solemn, measured tones of Rowan Pendragon that were instantly recognisable to any Nepharim. He was the iconic match commentator of the nation, and had a way of getting the most important events. "Hell of a night here, with the Blouman Empire preparing to take on Nephara in the match that will decide who progresses from Group D, and who slinks home, tail between their legs. With me as ever is Rook Harm..."
"Bloody hell, it's tense, Rowan." Former Crisisbless and Egloskerry centreback, 67 caps, 1 goal, undoubtedly the most violent man to ever wear the green and black. That blood-and-thunder style had translated spectacularly well to punditry. "Great night of football, this. If we win, anyway."
"As you say, Rook. And here's the squads... the Empire in red names an unchanged eleven from the victory over Audioslavia. They're sticking to a diamond midfield tonight."
"Who could blame 'em, Rowan? It was a hell of a victory."
"The Cormorants have assembled in a 4-4-2 tonight, with two enforced changes - the number 12 Caravella in goal and Rhein at rightback. Bottlegreen and Connacht also come in for Locke and Brandon. Any worries there, Rook?"
"Only worry's that Riether still doesn't seem to know her best eleven... but Rhein and Caravella are both quality players, there should be no worries there."
"Mm... and there's Riether now, shaking Logan October's hand in what has become rather a signature look for her, with the white dress shirt, black pants..."
"You'd never see Gethin Ramsey without a coat or Jess Mortlock outside of a suit on the touchline, Rowan, it's good that everyone's got their trademark style."
"The Cormorants, of course, need a win here - a draw's good enough for the Empire. Kandorith are first and Audioslavia last no matter what happens across the country in Port York, so I'd expect most neutrals are turned to this... I'd expect a high-key, high-tempo affair, with everything on the line. Now, Quinn and Cathar to kick off..."

This World Cup had come at a difficult time for Kurtis Quinn. Three hours and forty-nine minutes ago, his girlfriend Constance had given birth to twins.
He'd felt tired long before kickoff. Hadn't told anyone, either. Wasn't their job to worry. Wasn't really his, either. He was just Kurtis Quinn, the cheerful, affable Treasonsider. And, right now, Nephara's most prominent goal threat.
He hadn't scored in a World Cup. He was looking forward to the opportunity. That'd be the best way to honour... um... well, they'd agreed on Fiona and Persephone, but that was kind of the compromise, and she was the one about to sign off the papers...
But yeah. Best to honour them with a goal. Three or four, ideally.
Signs early in the game had been promising. Alpin and Brown were a good partnership, but Rook Cathar playing at his best was just repeatedly smashing into them. It was brutal and effective. Quinn approved. He had a lot of space to run free, and a lot of supply from the wings, since Kleeza and Noble were simply outnumbered and outgunned. He should've done better with the first chance, a low cross by Bottlegreen that he outpaced their defence to get to but miscontrolled his first touch, allowing the quick Alpin to pressure him out harmlessly wide. He'd at least hit it back to Bottlegreen, but Tuneson saved the shot.
Hm... he'd have to do better than that. Just needed the supply... any other chance he got, he'd make the best of it.
And here was a nice option down the left... Connacht gesturing for him to come forward, and he did, taking a quick low pass and seeing Stockinger running. He was no playmaker, but it wasn't hard to lay on a forward ball for her, and she hit it high first-time. It left Cathar without a striker partner, and he had his back to goal...
... But as it was headed back, he saw Elaine Ashdown running forard, primed and ready to fire...
She shot first-time on the half-volley, and it beat Tuneson as it glanced off the inside of the post and in.
Jesus christ, Quinn thought. This is the life, eh?

The prevailing emotion at the full-time whistle was one of relief.
It had all come down to this final match, a 4-1 defeat to distinct underdogs Kandorith undoing all the joy that a 2-0 win against distinct overdogs Audioslavia had given them. And they'd needed a win. Even then, they'd finish second at best.
So it was a surprise, once the mist had lifted, that it had been quite comfortable. Tuneson had kept a clean sheet against the Bulls, but Ashdown had netted an early goal of the tournament contender before two typically opportunistic goals from Quinn had cinched the fixture. Caravella had done well late on, when the Empire threatened to rally, saving well from Ancap, Mallard and finally a great volley from substitute Helton-Wains... tipped past the post. Marlowe and Belfast looked strong. Murdoch gave them an edge in the centre, but they'd been simply dominant on the wings and clinical with their chances.
It had been so ... easy.
And all the anxiety that had surrounded the Cormorants before the match evaporated. Things were okay again.
Could they stay that way?

It was a breezy press conference for Tess Riether, for once. After the stress, panic and confusion after Kandorith, it came as a relief.
"I wouldn't say I'm happy to come second in the group, even with a draw that looks favourable on paper." 'Favourable'. It was fucking Falcus. Quarterfinals, here we come.
"Only on paper?"
"I'm sure Felix and Barunia thought they'd make easy prey, too. Underestimation isn't a mistake we're going to make."
"Even missing another key player? Cathar picked up another yellow card tonight..."
"Look, Keith Rowland has over a hundred caps, close to fifty goals and the number nine shirt. He's not exactly a shabby option to have." Even if it was probably his last campaign in the green and black.
"Well, since the obvious hasn't been asked yet," said an old journalist with a droning voice. "Are you pleased with the victory?"
Riether stared. "Yes."
"What aspects pleased you most?"
Winning by three goals? "The fact that it clinched our progression. The fact that it was a complete performance for all eleven players on the pitch. The fact that the squad was past the defeat to Kandorith. We've moved on, and we're ready to beat Falcus in similarly emphatic fashion."
"Taking the chance to rest some players?" an opportunistic young woman asked.
Riether had been advised on this point by Bywater. They'd come up with a great answer for it. "I'll pick the strongest side on the day that gives us the best chance of victory. Will that mean a run-out for some fresh legs? Probably, because that gives us another edge over a Falcus side that has put out the same core of players every match so far." She smiled, quietly smug. Nailed it. "Now, if that's all, with respect, I have a job to do..."

[Barunia]

Barunia have suffered a massive blow to their chances of victory against Kandorith in the round of sixteen after Suns captain Sam Winton suffered a freak injury during training. Winton broke his arm during a practice match and will be likely be sidelined for the rest of the tournament. The accident occurred when Luke Cadena, playing on the opposite side to WInton, attempted a low clearance. The powerful shot struck Winton directly on the palm of his hand, with his outstretched arm directly behind taking the full force of the impact. Winton was taken from the field, and scans later revealed that the radius bone in his left arm had been fractured.

The loss of Winton means that Cadena will have to step into the defensive midfield role. Cadena suffered his own injury scare earlier in the same practice, when he came off second best against Peter Barnett - twice. In the first incident, Cadena was struck in the face with the ball after Peter attempted a clearance, and later went flying after Barnett prevented a run past by slamming the ball into Cadena's legs. At first, Cadena thought he may have injured his toes, but after a brief stop on the sidelines he was back on his feet.

With Winton not wearing the captain's armband, that honour will fall to vice-captain Loren Sanchez. In an interview after his captaincy was announced, Sanchez commented that he did not feel that "an injury to one player is going to stop us. We aren't defined by any one individual, and if (The Kandorith Team) think we will be a pushover without Sam, they'll be in for a massive reality check."

[Kandorith]

Kandorith Advances, No One Knows How


Kandorith 3–3 Audioslavia

The stadium erupted as some still watched in disbelieve at home. Kandorith finished first in their group. Not only has Kandorith succeeded in finally scoring in the group phase; they stand tall and proud. Who would have thought Kandorith would draw to Audioslavia; after being slaughtered by them so many times. Revenge? Maybe; one thing is for sure, Kandorith won't be going home yet. Xí-tiang has really made a name for himself and has passed all previous expectations the fans could even dream about. Kandorith has been making its mark on this World Cup for sure, and for sure there will be more to be seen.


The match against Audioslavia was the strangest Kandorith has seen against this superb side in a long time. Where normally the Red Dragons fail to react against the overpowering abilities of The Bulls, this time the tables seemed to be turning towards the Dragon's favors. Even though they were not the normal starting eleven; it was a disappointing appearance from The Bulls. Audioslavia did not fail to take an early lead with their first goal in this World Cup though; Caszely made his mark on the game's opening minutes; but the Kandorese damage control came into action. Xien-kan, who replaced Méng on this last day match, made his way into the box and placed the beautiful assist from Shan Xiaobo into the back of the net. It would not take long before Caszely scored again and took the lead once again; but in an instant Shéng was there to take the chance from twenty-five yards out, within a minute Kandorith was on level again. Frustration seemed to hit some players of the Red Dragons during the second half as Qing Weimin misjudged his tackle and got a straight red, undeserved; but not protesting he went off the field with his head down.


Kandorith now down one man and on a two to two draw, Audioslavia seemed to get the upper hand by constant passes into danger zones of the Kandorese defense. The game bounced back and forth, Kandorith resisting attack after attack when finally a break happened; assisted by Jin Zexi, Lung Mara and Xien-Kan, Taji Moto bursted passed the Audioslavia defense. In a true break of passion the tactical side of the Dragons connected in the eighty-second minute; Taji's attack connected and the ball rolled over the line. Kandorith took the lead and the fans were stunned, after which they started celebrating like they won the world cup already. Trough chants and songs the match went on into the last minutes of injury time where Kandorith let her defenses down; Buruz was left alone in the box and was able to connect a straigh pass to him and he scored. The whistle sounded as three to three was shown on the scoreboards; a loud overwhelming singing and chanting Kandorese side overshadowed an under-performing Audioslavia, against all odds; Kandorith was the team to lead the group towards the round of 16.


The Red Dragons have shown their claws and fangs, they have made it to the true knock-out stage for the very first time, facing Barunia. Will Kandorith keep their composure and will they keep performing way above their level? We will see in the most exiting time for this team; one thing is sure, Kandorith can't lose in spirits anymore, as they have performed way better than any fan expected. The entire nation is looking forward to the round of sixteen and secretly everyone is putting their faith in Kandorith advancing to the Quarter Finals, with some fans even saying Kandorith will be a contender for the actual trophy.

[Eura]

>>> OFFICE OF STATIONARY INSURANCE COMMUNIQUE
>>> FROM: DEPDIRECTOR
>>> TO: CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN,

The latest report from BARRISTER has been received and it appears our worst fears have been confirmed. Now that we are sure that these stationary-themed cover words are redundant due to the apparent security of this line, as assured by the clearance test we carried out at 01:27 hours Bastion time yesterday. It has become abundantly clear from the report successfully compiled by BARRISTER over the last two weeks, at great personal risk, has given us sufficient evidence to assume the following two things:

1. That the plant referred to in previous material as GENESIS is operational and contains two active reactors. SAMGOV has, as BARRISTER has found through direct first person experience and with photographic and scientific evidence, developed the capability to produce the materials required for both civilian and military applications of the relevant technology.
2. The presence of SAMFOR military assets and the nature of their deployment is clear evidence that they have military intentions for this new technological acquisition.

The evidence is compelling. All of the criteria for identification of a production and refinement facility has been met. The criteria is as follows, and has been met as follows, with references to important points on the attached map of the GENESIS facility:

1. SOIL SAMPLES. Soil samples have been obtained from the shallow ground over the ridge cap on the section of mountain over B reactor and soil samples from ongoing construction work on the interior of the facility reveal high levels of relevant materials, explained in further depth in the appendix. We believe that material B7 as per the appendix guide may have been obtained in small quantities from disused stocks at Andes II. This would imply that SAMFOR operatives have penetrated VALFOR security. The political ramifications of such a revelation even in private could significantly alter the attitude of VALGOV towards SAMGOV.
2. WASTE ANALYSIS. Analysis of two moderate sized samples of waste obtained by both BARRISTER and ARBITER reveal all the isotopes present that would indicate production of a BOOMER variety, but also the ability to use the reactor facilities as CHARGERS.
3. FISSILE MATERIALS. There is plenty of materials available to produce one implosion type BOOMER, if they have not already. They have plenty of fast and slow explosives and dozens of PDs of U-235. This is easily enough to construct a test BOOMER and one or two deployable devices, assuming there are no failures.
4. COMPONENTS. We appear to have either failed so far to have penetrated the assembly point, or it is in a different location. However both BOOMER and CHARGER components are present at the facility including kryton triggers, explosive lenses, non-fissile test materials and Z-type centrifuge's.

The implications of SAMGOV/SAMFOR possession of these resources is most troubling, though as CHAIRMAN naturally I defer to you on what should be done. It is in turn your duty to inform the PRIME MOVER, MILCAB, FLEETCOM and the JCS to ensure we are all on the same page. However, I feel it is my duty to make these immediate recommendations; if you have already considered these options then consider this simply an affirmation of my support for them.

1. Proceed immediately to exfiltrate BARRISTER, JUDGE and ARBITER from SAMTURF. Terminate JURY if suspicions of defection are proved true. We cannot afford to be compromised at this stage.
2. Ensure that all relevant arms of government are fully informed on these findings. Anything else would be a dereliction of duty.
3. Immediately begin discussion of scenarios involving what SAMFOR could do with one or more BOOMERS and how we can plan for this eventuality.

CHAIRMAN, we cannot allow this threat to go unchallenged. It must remain utterly secret of course. But we cannot do nothing. This could completely upset the balance of power and therefore we must react accordingly.

I have one final comment, and it is an admission of a failure on the part of our agency that I will trust you to relay to the PRIME MOVER. Based on the evidence we have gathered, and the recent event in Endemia which may be connected to GENESIS, we cannot promise you that SAMGOV have not already field tested their new technological breakthrough. If they have we should assume that they will be operational on a tactical level in six months, and on a strategic level in three years if they do not use their facilities to refuel SSNs and CVNs.

DEPDIRECTOR.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

OOC: Since WCQ will be happening at July to September of 2018 in Quebecois IC time, I had felt that this may be a good thing to RP on. Go ahead and TG me with the information of the performers and the pieces, as have shown (as an example) in this post. Since I haven't decided on how many proms there'd be this season, I'll leave it open for some slots. International groups are welcome, but groups not fitting the criteria (OOC: not typing in enough or proper information with great details) will not be accepted.

That being said, I'm very sorry for extreme delays in continuing the list of QBC Proms: various reasons of varying strengths have led me to this. Arch's submission is accepted and will be placed with welcoming, detailed introduction on a later chapter.


Part 1

QBC Proms: 2018 Season List of Performances (2)

The Proms, more formally known as The QBC Proms, or The Sir. Pascal Park Promenades presented by the QBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Adelphine Hall in Quebec City, Royal Kingdom of Quebec. Founded in 1895, each season currently consists of more than 70 concerts in the Hall, a series of chamber concerts at Hahwoe Hall, additional Prom events across Quebec on the last night, and associated educational and children's events to the benefit of greater crowd. In 2005 the total number of concerts reached 100 for the first time. In the context of classical music festivals, Hans Borquist has described the Proms as "the Multiverse's largest and most democratic musical festival".

QBC Proms boast the likes of some of Multiverse's most coveted orchestras, as well as some of homeland's most promising and artistically excellent ensembles. Annually around 2 million visitors come and experience this festival of ultimate joy that is the QBC Proms. Here's the part 2, of the promenades that'll be on stage this coming August in Quebec City:

Prom 9: Helenius- Symphonies No. 1 and 2
Celebrations for Helenius' 150th anniversary continue with a complete symphony cycle, launched by Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Jean-Pierre Wiesenthal. The First Symphony is prefaced by the nationalistic tone-poem Norrlandia, its singing central melody composed with an ear to mass appeal as well as to political protest. The First Symphony is no apprentice work; although inspired with some sketches drawn from Tremblay and Park, created something distinctively and evocatively Norrish. Still more sophisticated is the Second, often heard as a musical shout of grief and rage at Vauganian oppression and calls for independence.

Prom 10: Park, Bure & Han
Philippe Chang makes his 48th Proms appearance this summer as Music Director of the Royal Quebec Philharmonic Orchestra, which makes its 500th Proms debut, a first time achievement by an orchestra. This is last of Chang's Prom Concerts under RQPO, as he plans to retire afterwards.

They once again bring with them the sounds of Korean heartland of Quebec in a concerto for Haegeum and an orchestral suite written by none other than Shin Myeong Park – a sonic game between soloist and orchestra. Park’s evocative textures are framed by the sensuous richness of Bure’s La Mer, capturing the sea in all its moods, and Han's Northern Trails Symphony, with its elusive but turbulent narrative.

Part 11: Helenius- Symphonies No. 3 and 4
The Proms’ Helenius symphony cycle continues with the concise, intricately wrought Third and the darker Fourth. These are paired with the composer's Jaakaari Suite. Conductor Bela Rivak is a passionate champion of contemporary music and here premieres a new, Helenius-inspired work by Armand Moravec – a composer whose music, though fascinatingly complex, finds real connection with politics, society and culture.

Prom 12: Yttribian Dreams- The Songs of the Confederation
Montreal native Thomas Kajanus makes his second Proms appearance this summer as Music Director of the Pontidexxu Philharmonic Orchestra, which makes its own Proms debut as one of our series of global orchestras. Sparkling dances of Stiebler are matched by a selection of Cedric Olhouser’s colourful Pontidexxi Dances, and Thomas Magyar’s sweeping Dances of People are balanced by the crisp Classical textures of Regimbault’s March in F# major, a work he wrote when in a month-long visit to Fontvieille. At the centre is Elton Tollemache’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, with its mood-swings and elusive harmonies.

Prom 13: Land of Ice and Fire
Sigmund Johansson directs the Narvik Symphony Orchestra (of which he is Music Director) in the ensemble’s Proms debut. Together they bring works from two major Narvimmuq composers, both inspired by the power and drama of their native country’s geology and the people's survival in the lang. There’s a slow-growing, primal force to Salming’s Fjord Wind that balances the shifting tectonics of Tómisson's Vulcan.

Henri Wagalius makes his first of four appearance this season with Regimbault's Cello Concerto No.1 in E Minor, written for his former patron the Henri VIII, and the concert closes with Helenius’s Fourth Symphony, whose darkness of scenario reflects in the total culmination of human sentiments and weakness of man in the eyes of nature.

Prom 14: Helenius- Symphonies No. 5, 6 and 7
Who better to bring this year’s cycle of Helenius' symphonies to a close than Norrish conductor Ilya Rantanen, with one exceptional cycle already completed on disc and another currently under way. From the soaring Woodwind-charged, Flute-led ‘Swan Hymn’ of the Fifth to the innocent beauty of the Sixth to the single-movement Seventh, with its total symphonic unity and an ending that has been called ‘the grandest celebration of C Major that there ever was and will be', the works of his later days reflected the best of Helenius capabilities and success.

Prom 15: National Youth Jazz Orchestra
Welcome to the stage, for your National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Headquartered in Quebec City, the orchestra thrived under the direction of renowned Cardinal Bennington. With regular performances in the hall and long list of critical acclaims, they look to add to their long and coveted list of repertoire with the night of entirely-commissioned works, composed by the likes of Charles Dupin to Ben Castro.

Prom 16: Kreznyck and Schuler
The evening opens with the world premiere of the fourth symphony from Quebecois composer Ian Kreznyck, now recognised as an elderly figure among current composers. It is then followed by Dmitar Schuler's mighty Symphony No. 5. Symphony No. 5, climax of this Prom coming from Viktor Shutov's Saint John Orpheia, is marked by its intense, contrasting moods – the bitter solemnity of the funeral march, the conflicting voices of the third movement and the tenderness of the famous Adagietto – make this one of the great orchestral showpieces in late 1800s.

[Felix]

Messy Mix #12 - Eton Messy

So who will make it to the Quarterfinals? We'll find out shortly!

FINALS - ROUND OF 16 CUTOFF

[Yttribia]

Robert Delong - "Long Way Down"

Eight teams will move on in Felix, whereas the other eight will be going home, the long way down.

FINALS - ROUND OF 16 CUTOFF

[Turori]

KIONAO, TURORI :: With the big announcement now behind him, Noa-isinao Wioauoi had one big weight lifted off his shoulders. But, almost instantly, a different weight was dropped right back on them.

With the planned re-purposing of Calanian lands outside the Island Emirate for the use of the Cocoabo Preservation Society, Wioauoi had his biggest secret off of his chest. Now that everyone knew about it, however, all the resulting expectations that would go with it began to pile up.

Wioaoui's first line of business was ensuring that everything could be funded. Glad-handing sponsors and potential donors alike would be a top priority, but so would efficient use of the funds received when they did come in.

The folks in attendance at the Cocoabo Preservation Society headquarters had already heard Wioauoi talk his head off on the topic of Cocoabo Forest, the plight of the Cocoabo and its Preservation. Now, it was time to spin things in a lighter direction.

------------------------------

Not all of those who showed up and hung out for Wioauoi and the Cocoabo Preservation Society's big announcement remained for the 'after party' - but a good percentage of the guests remained, chatted and took in the sights as the presentation area underwent a very minor conversion from the setup Wioaoui used to unveil the Cocoabo Forest and the one that would be used for the simulcast of calculations from the World Cup 71 Madness Calculation.

The first bracket to be revealed would be the locally calculated Turori-East bracket featuring the very own Turori nation slot entry paired up against the Polar Islandstates nation-slot entry. It would have been a great tone-setting pairing had the Turori entry advanced, but, as it was instead the Polar Islandstates that was the calculated winner of the pairing in the only bracket featuring a 1-4; 3-2 seeded pairing double, the mood of the after show started a bit on the meloncholy side of the spectrum.

There was some vengence for the locals in the calculations in the next match on the board, however, as #3 seeded Valanor upended #2 Buyan to move themselves into the overall Quarter Final stage of the competition, and the final game of the local bracket.

From there, the simulcast jumped to the Turori-North bracket with calculations done by the Coconut Marsh Institute outside of Cednia Beach. This brackets first pairing featured an Osarius nation slot entry that almost certainly was being given some nominal boost from the fact that real Osarius were the reigning World Cup Champions. Their opponents, Farfadillis, had to get past a very plucky Gloriax team to reach the final 16. The Farfadilly Circus was no match for the rising phoenix of Osarius, however, and once again the expected nation triuphed in the calculation.

So it seemed pretty certain that the higher seed Ko-oren would be able to walk across the 6 seed Royal Kingdom of Quebec. That would be far from the case, however, as Ko-oren would become the first #2 seeded nation slot eliminated from the competition, doing so at the hands of The Royal Kingdom of Quebec

At that point, Wioauoi announced a brief intermission while they set up the connection with their Vilitan counterparts.

------------------------------

With half of the Quarter Final field already decided - consisting of two #1 seeded nation entries, a #3 seeded nation entry and a #6 nation entry, it was time for the revelation of the calculations from the final two brackets.

The Alikki-Corra Crew comprised of Tropicorp employees working remotely under the shadow of the Turori Ring Stadium, was first to get their results piped over to the Cocoabo Preservation Society headquarters.

With former World Cup champion nation Audioslavia rumored to have barely squeaked past Nephara in the Round of 32, many felt that the Unified Sunrise Islands would have a decent chance with the upset and slide past the Bulls. It was not he case, however, as Audioslavia became the third #1 seeded team, out of three possible at this point, the smaller nation seeds were beginning to lose hope that they wuold be able to crack the club-like atmosphere surrounding the top seeded nation slots in the competition.

The #7 nation-seed Eura had pulled off the big upset in Round of 32 to advance to the Round of 16 as the lowest-seeded nation slot remaining in the competition. That is as far as the Eura train would run, however, as it was the #3 nation-seed Pasarga who earned the right to pair up against Audioslavia in the final calculation on the docket for the off-location Alikki-Corra calculation crew.

With just one bracket remaining and the home nations already eliminated it was tough to pen where in the room allegiances lie. While the simulation itself was just an exercise in capability for the Tropicorp Research and development artificial intelligence team, it was a real chance for outside institutions to prove themselves as viable if they were able to perform well and predict accurately.

The Tropicorp Institute of Technology (TIT) was the last to present their Round of 16 calculation results and, with little fanfare, the #1 seeded nation-slot once again took home a victory as real World Cup 71 co-hosts Felix buoyed themselves past The Sarian and into the Quarter Finals.

There was just one more match until the night was over and that was between the Equestrian States, another nation which was still fighting and punching above their weght on the day, up against the Holy Empire. While the Tropicorp Artificil Intelligence Team were responsible for the grading of nations for the purpose of past performance and success with current accumen, many outsiders did not agree with Tropicorp's placement of The Holy Empire as a #2 seed; with some arguing it should be higher (better) and perhaps even swapped with one of the existing #1 nation seeds.

Regardelss, however, the discarded data would be dropped and The Holy Empire didn't seem to have much of a problem against an Equestrain side that has already had an overly active participation in the competition.

The Holy Empire's win set up the lone 1v2 matchup in the Final 8 while leaving The Royal Kingdom of Quebec as the highest survivng seed. All 4 nation-seeds originally figured as #1 nation seeds proved to Tropicorp that they were well selected as each of the 4 orgiinal #1 seeds.

1x. WC71 Madness Announcement: A Study in Predictive AI
2a. WC71M :: Turori Regional - North :: Initial Bracket
2b. WC71M :: Vilita Regional - West :: Initial Bracket
3a. WC71M :: Turori Regional - East :: Initial Bracket
3b. WC71M :: Vilita Regional - South :: Initial Bracket
4a. WC71M :: Turori Regional :: Pre-Primary Round Calculations
4b. WC71M :: Vilita Regional :: Pre-Primary Round Calculations
5x. WC71M :: External Calculations Summary
6a. WC71M :: Turori Regional - East :: Round of 64 Calculations
6b. WC71M :: Turori Regional - North :: Round of 64 Calculations
6c. WC71M :: Vilita Regional - South/West :: Round of 64 Calculations
7a. WC71M :: Vilita Regional - West :: Round of 32 Calculations
7b. WC71M :: Vilita Regional - South :: Round of 32 Calculations
7c. WC71M :: Turori Regional - North :: Round of 32 Calculations
7d. WC71M :: Turori Regional - East :: *Restricted* Round of 32 Calculations
7e. WC71M :: Turori Regional - East :: Round of 32 Calculations
8x. WC71M :: Turori Regional - Cocoabo Forest Emerges

[Nephara]

THE BRINEMOUTH HERALD
FIVE REASONS WHY THE CORMORANTS ARE WORTH A FLUTTER
by Rowena Mason

By most bookies, Nephara's chances to beat the Firebirds are rated at 5/2. They're in with a chance, but they aren't by any means favourites. The deeper you get into the teams, the better things seem to get for Nephara, but the first eleven Osarius can and almost certainly will put out is terrifying.

It's an interesting match, helped by the fact that both sides have a history of giving their players to one another. The Hastmead Diamante midfielders Elaine Ashdown and Tanya Bottlegreen are integral to the Cormorants, with Firewood City's Daniel Kruse included in the 30-man qualifying squad but dropped for the Cup itself. Elaine Ashdown's partner at club level, Meanwhile, two Osarian internationals looking likely to get minutes ply their trade for AFC Treason. Club and country legend Roque Acosta's likely to start, while Marco Puntoriero's in with a chance of it - while Puntoriero's strike partner Kurtis Quinn is almost certain to start along with Tosca Marlowe and Rutger Connacht, with Esther Cardiff most likely on the bench. The Stags' entire right flank will be watching from home, and yet Nepharim Cheney Portsmouth and Osarian Susana Grana were at least capped in qualifying. Their backup centrebacks also play in the Nepharim league - Crisisbless' Gallardo, Violence's Riviello - while Brigid Kestrel lines up for another LigAnaia side in Fligsive FC.

Needless to say, these teams will be more than a little familiar with one another. A rarity in international football.

Bookies are pointing to the fact that it was Osarius who recently beat Nephara 9-3 in the Confederations' Cup. That's still the most goals Nephara's ever conceded, and the fact that it wasn't a record defeat is probably a bad thing (7-0 to Sicoutimont in their first cycle. Thank christ for progress). They're also pointing to the fact that the Firebirds progressed in an impressive, energetic 2-1 win over the Holy Empire, while Nephara got an early goal (Connacht's cross flicked on by Rowland for Quinn to finish) and stayed cautious against Falcus to make sure there was no repeat of earlier upsets.

1. Rotation
Some of it's been enforced - Cathar, Ballard and Christener have suffered suspensions. Quinn sat out the match against Audioslavia due to the change of formation, Brandon played the 90 minutes against Audioslavia but hasn't played outside of it, and two of Nephara's most energetic players in Bottlegreen and Stockinger were rested against Falcus. Connacht and Marlowe were also pulled off later in the match against Falcus with plenty of time on the clock. Ideally, then, Nephara can put out a well-rested first XI against the Firebirds.

2. Security in defence
Exposed in qualifying with alarming regularity, the Cormorants have finally tightened up at the back, as befits a side that can call upon Ballard, Belfast, Marlowe, Brandon and Murdoch. The glaring exception has been the match against Kandorith, but performances before and since have proven that Nephara's defence is capable of standing up to all-comers. Three clean sheets speak for themselves, one with backup goalkeeper Caravella in goal (an important match for Caravella, who proved exceptional after a harrowing domestic season with FC Brimstone). There is perhaps a weakness against pace - but that, fortunately, is perhaps the one thing that world-class veteran striker Ezio Grazzi doesn't have going for him. It remains to be seen how they fare against the incredibly fluid front three that Osarius favour, a new challenge for them, but if anyone's up to the challenge, this squad will be.

3. It'll be a proper fight
Osarians relish a proper physical contest. They're going to find one. Nephara's won a deserved reputation for playing hard, ruthless football and constantly walking the line with the referee, and depending on the culture of the foreign commentator leads to a depiction either as old-school, proper footballers or a pack of violent headcases. Either way, Osarius can guarantee that they won't find an easy set of opponents to intimidate physically or mentally. It'll be a good one for the neutral.

4. Literally nobody knows what Riether's going to do
Will Nephara line up in the same 4-4-2 formation that has seen them win their past two games with a minimum of fuss? Will they lineup in the 4-4-1-1 formation that dominated Audioslavia - another 4-3-3 nation? A brave journalist asked her directly in a recent press conference, but she just smiled. "The Bulls are not the same kind of team as the Firebirds just because they play three central midfielders, are they?" With no further comment on the plans, it remains a mystery - though she did have time to coolly deflect criticism of her policy. "People often have said that I don't know my best eleven, haven't they? Well, maybe I have two or three best elevens, and I've won matches with all of them." By this stage, nobody would be surprised if they lined up with a back three.

5. Kurtis Quinn
The Treason poacher had never played in a World Cup before this cycle, and was not chosen against Audioslavia. Three goals in Quinn's three World Cup games later and he'll be looking to add to that tally. He's not the most technical player on the pitch... he won't even be the most technical AFC Treason centreforward playing next match, but what he does have and has always had is an eye for goal. A true poacher, with pace, football intelligence and determination, as well as a powerful leap belying his height. About damn time the Cormorants had a player like this.

It's set to be an exhilarating match, as Nephara, for the first time truly looking capable of going toe-to-toe with the world powers. The national team's achievements have caught up to the progress of the clubs at last. Players like Belfast and Ashdown and Ballard would walk into almost any team in the world (especially Belfast, undoubtedly the nation's first true world-class player). The odds don't favour us, neither does the history, and the quarterfinals have up to this point remained Nephara's glass ceiling. To this point... but anything seems possible now. There's far worse options you could take than putting a tenner on Nephara at 5/2.

In fact, by this stage, they're 12/1 to win the whole tournament. Maybe that's worth a fiver as well.

The lineup for next match will be a 4-4-2 - Ballard; Christener, Belfast (c), Marlowe, Stockinger; Bottlegreen, Ashdown, Brandon, Connacht; Quinn, Cathar.

[Free Republics]

"A spectacular save by Levai Imre and the HRE advances to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, winning this penalty shootout by a score of 4 to 2!" Those were the words of Hunter Prendiville, the FBC announcer calling the match. On the pitch, Petrus Fadius's team were not celebrating, but they were relieved to have made it to the World Cup Quarterfinals for the third time in the last 4 World Cups. As the results came in from elsewhere, the Holy Republicans knew what was next: a match with Barunia for a spot in the semifinals.

To the veterans on the team, this was beginning to feel alot like World Cup 68, minus the off the pitch controversy that surrounded them at that time. With a number of the top teams in the multiverse underperforming, just as they did 3 years prior, the Republicans had the luxury of avoiding the dominant powers of the sport, until at least the semis. The defending champions, Osarius, were still in the running, but they were the only top 10 team still playing in Felix. The hosts had flopped in spectacular fashion and most of the experts considered Osarius the overwhelming favorite to win it all, just as Polar Islandstates had been back at World Cup 68 until they ran into a certain host of that tournament, who were not intimidated by the Polarian mystique.

The other possible semi-final opponent, Nephara, was a nation that Petrus Fadius just couldn't stand. He couldn't stand the thuggish players, the overly masculine women or their new-found unwillingness to even put the Strongnesse on the line against the Sanctii. After a period when it seemed like Sanctii-Nepharim relations were improving, that improvement had come to a halt with the hiring of Rule Theriault as the Sanctii manager. Fadius wasn't a fan of his predecessor as Republican manager by any means, but he respected the man's managerial talent and was offended that Nephara would refuse to play the traditional friendly against his homeland.

But, next on the schedule for the Republicans was not Nephara or Osarius. It was Barunia. Barunia had debuted in WCC competition at the same time as Saintland and Nephara and had become an accomplished nation in their own right. However, their path had never really crossed the Sanctii or the Republicans before. Like the Republicans, Barunia had missed out on World Cup 70 and had played in that edition's Cup of Harmony. Like the Republicans, they had also, ultimately, lost to Turori at that competition. However, Barunia had the good fortune to run into Turori in the final, not the Round of 16.

Barunia's major change of late had been to introduce female players to the squad. That did not sit well with Fadius, who had removed all of the ladies from the Holy Republican National Team, including the promising young striker Connie Chase, and disbanded the Cheerleading Squad. Fadius believed, in accordance with the teaching of the True Church of Iesus Christus, that women should not compete against men in sport. Like every devout Sanctii, Fadius believed that his team would win through faith in God and virtuous conduct on and off the pitch.

Fadius had brought about a rapid change in the Holy Republican National Team. No longer were they defined by their unshakeable belief in their own superiority. Now, they were, at least outwardly, a team of Godly men with a single minded focus on winning, for the glory of God. Gone were the days when these players had intentionally thrown matches or committed felonies on a whim, confident that the authorities would cover up their crimes and that the unparalleled and "unbeatable" Republican military would be willing to fight to prevent other nations from bringing them to justice.

Speaking of the military, they had begun some of the most extensive training exercises that they had carried out in decades. At the moment, a sizable portion of Republica's Navy had been deployed to southern Esportiva for exercises designed to prepare them for an all-out war. The Army, for their part, was actively training soldiers to improve their fitness and their ability to shoot accurately and without hesitation. The Republican Air Force, for their part, had begun air-to-air combat training exercises. Meanwhile, Consul Kulseth had just created the new Cyber Patrol, a branch of the Republican military that would wage war through cyberspace.

The only problem was acquiring suitable recruits for the Cyber Patrol. However, this proved to be easier than Consul Kulseth had expected. All the Consul had to do was order an immediate crackdown on computer hackers, which he had done a few months prior. In the months since, the Imperial Investigation Bureau (IIB) had identified around 10 thousand computer hackers. Each of them was given a choice: Either join the Cyber Patrol and hack for the government or face a minimum of 25 years in prison. Almost to a man, the hackers chose the Cyber Patrol.

While the new Cyber Patrol was considered a joke by the other military branches, they were a co-equal branch of the military under the law and subject to all of the same laws governing the armed forces. They were even required to go through boot camp, just like everybody else who joined the military. However, once they were in the military, their job was to sit at a computer all day long and hack enemies of the Holy Republican Empire. Recruits to the Cyber Patrol received extensive training in the best methods for hacking into computers, including training in avoiding detection. Consul Kulseth was hopeful that the Cyber Patrol would be ready to wage cyber war against all enemies of the Empire, when war inevitably broke out...

[Barunia]

The accolades keep flowing in for this Barunian team: "World's Best Attack!" "The Greatest Barunian Line-Up." "Legendary Suns!". Are they he best Suns ever? Tradition states that the invinincibles of 68, who went unbeaten in both qualification and the group stage, and were lead by Yohan Marris, were the best team of all time. Yet they never made it to a final, while most of today's Suns can claim a Cup of Harmony 2nd place. And Marris's Suns were eliminated from the Round of Sixteen in the Cup of Harmony, while the current crop survived against an in-form Kandorith side.

Things looked bad for the Suns from the start, with Minzheng Shéng opening the scoring for the Dragons. Barunia struck back before half time though, courtesy of Miguel Manzana's left foot. The Barunians scored another goal after the break, this time from Leon Reno. With the clock ticking down, the Barunians fell back, but letting the Dragons come to them proved disastrous, when Ximin Chosi stunned millions around the world with a stoppage time miracle goal to keep the dream alive.

The world continued to hold it's breath, waiting for the next hero to make their mark. Would it be Miguel "God" Manzana, the Barunian talisman. Could Meng Zaiji, the Kandorese star, deliver the killing stroke for his team? Or would the task fall to the experienced shoulders (or should that be feet?) of Taiji Moto? Perhaps one of the defenders would make their mark with an timely goal?

So the world waited, and fifteen minutes ticked by with no result. Then another five, and another, and the threat of penalties loomed large. Enter Kassandra Berry, the Barunian right flank. A passing game around the Dragon's box, a heeled ball from Luke Cadena, a charging Berry. A left foot drive, a flat scorcher of a shot, a full stretch Jianjun Tuan and a rippling net. A 3 on the scoreboard, and Barunia were through, for the first time in their nation's history, to the top eight.

Do they deserve the title of the best? They might not have the record of some Barunian line-ups, but they win the games they need. In play-offs and do or die matches, this team's record stands as 5 Wins, and just 1 loss (the CoH final). But the best thing about this team is that it's not over yet. Not only is there a quarterfinal to win, but the players are young, and this could well mark the beginning of a golden age for Barunian football. So yes, they are the best we've ever seen. While the 68 team catapulted Barunia to their favourable world ranking, it is this team that has managed to do something with it. With these guys leading the way, the next few years are going to be good ones for Barunian football.

The best Barunian team in history - Top 5 Key Players

Paul Bainbridge - Goalkeeper The constant rock of the Barunian defence, Bainbridge draws constant comparisons with former Suns keeper Mic WIllans and even legendary hockey keeper Tiffany Grouch. He might not quite be at their standard in terms of sheer instinct, but in athleticism and goal coverage he's unparalleled.

Peter Barnett - Centre Back[/u[
Criticised in his early days with the team, Barnett has transformed into a brilliant young defender. The secret to his success has been the change in the way he plays. Where as before he would rush the ball carrier, leaving a clear path behind him, now he plays more conservatively, staying between the ball and goal and aways on the look out for a sneaky run or pass. It's worked for him, as Barnett has discovered an innate ability for reading shots and knocking them away.

[u]Sam WInton - Defensive Midfielder
A mainstay of the team, Winton has grown for a cocky youth to the measured and calculating leader of the team. One thing he has never lost is his ability, which is very, very good. No other defensive midfielder in Barunian history comes close to him, and the distant second is his back up Luke Cadena. Depsite the team's aggressive stance, the DM's roe stays because Winton makes it work, equally at home as the first line of defence or the support for an attack.

John Bubble - Attacking Midfielder
When Bubble started on the team, he was the back up to the highly controversial but enigmatic Craig Van Diemen. Bubble on the other hand was an unassuming rookie. That was until he signed with Tjelberg Forening of Buyan. Tjelberg demanded much more from their latest signing, and Bubble delivered. So impressive was he that Ruskin had no hesitation in given him the starting position. Bubble has proven himself worthy of that position a hundred time over.

Miguel Manzana
Coming into the squad for the celebrated Cup of Harmony run, Manzana earned himself an immediate starting berth. he helped guide Barunia to their first major final, most famously scoring the winning goal against Cosumar in the semifinal. Since then he has become "the man" up front for Barunia. Famed for his shot precision and ability to exploit the smallest gap in a defence, Manzana could well be Barunia's most feared striker.

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ Lifeblood of Rushmore

The knockout stages have begun and the Wanderers had to deal with an upstart Gloriax in the first round. Gloriax was excited to be in the knockouts, thinking themselves something of a Cinderella from RLverses fables, looking to come out of nowhere to win the title. They saw the Wanderers as a team with an inflated ranking and overrated, ready to be taken to the task and beaten in the first knockout match. They had themselves advanced out of a group that many thought they were going to finish last in and were full of bravado and confidence. Having eliminated one top ten nation already this tournament, why couldn't they do it once more and in the more important of the matches?

Well the Wanderers are no pushovers and put up a steel curtain around their half, keeping the play almost entirely in the Gloriax half of the field for much of the game. Gloriax was denied possession and attacking flair by a coordinated and dominating tactical presence of the midfield and defense in cohesion. Gloriax had nowhere to go and that frustration and futility turned into mistakes that the Wanderers took advantage of in spades. Császár Mór lead the coordinated press attack and also played playmaker for the side when they had the ball. The midfielder netted two assists in the first half, with Müller and Möller being the recepients and able to convert the chances that the midfielder created for them. Mauer would add a third shortly after coming on just before the eighty minute mark, alas the press would finally break and Gloriax would get their consolation goal as the game went into injury time.

It was too little too late though and the Wanderers had secured their spot in the Quarterfinals and with The Holy Empire falling in the match against Osarius, assured themselves a top 3 ranking following the World Cup. However that is not enough for this group, as they have the ambitions of titles in front of them, a long held dream of the Pasargan people that may soon become reality. It has been decades of frustration and futility, of inconsistency in the international stage that has kept the dream from coming close to reality. However this golden generation of Pasargan footballers has seen the team ascend to great heights. Yet there are greater still and those are now in front of them.

However standing in their way is the giants of Polar Islandstates, the Rushmori giants who filled in the power gap when Candelaria And Marquez left the international footballing arena. There must always be a strong Rushmori side, representing the strength and growth of Rushmore from once minnows to now among the power two of regions when it comes to sport. Atlantian Oceania may reign at the top, but it is the Rushmori who have made the World Cup more interesting and exciting, has seen the game rise above than people could have dared dream. It is almost parallel to the growth that Pasarga saw, as Rushmore became a power, became one of those who can create champions, Pasarga to has grown.

Now the Valhallans would strike us down as we try to climb above them, our allies in political matters, but so clearly our rivals in sport. The Vahllans have their titles, regional and elsehow, and are the second best team in all of the land according to the WCC rankings. However those same rankings have us as the number five team in the world and we have had the better of it against the Polarians in recent history. If now was ever a time to get them, this is it, as they have not been playing up to their lofty ranking and standard. They drew their last group stage game against the Royal Kingdom of Quebec and barely staved off a powerful effort from Farfadillis in their Round of Sixteen match. This is the time and place for Pasargan dream to come true and what better way would it be than to have the legend of Tobias Möller, who left the Pasargan domestic scene for the Polarians, to deliver that blow? The squad merely need go out now and seize the chance that fate has given them.

[Osarius]

Login commence...
Username?
> blakhat
Password?
> ******************
Validating credentials...
Checking private key /local_keys/pvt/ssh/onion/shuttle.rsa
Enter passphrase: **********
Confirmed! Accessing root...
Welcome back blakhat! Last login: 2219-06-15 02:33:18
[blakhat@starflare.osr]: cd private_html/distill
[starflare.osr/../distill]: run milesmorales.bm

Commencing web crawler...

Specify location: 
> oracle_marcresh:Ml25Ty62@154.190.77.175

Checking location... Found restricted area!
Accessing... success!

Crawling...
...
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...
Process interrupted.
Access restricted.
IP location no longer valid.
Descrambling algorithm...
...
...
...
...complete!
Resuming crawling...
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Process interrupted.
Access restricted.
IP location no longer valid.
Descrambling algorithm...
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...complete!
Resuming crawling...
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Process interrupted.
Access restricted.
IP location no longer valid.
Descrambling algorithm...
...
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...complete!
Resuming crawling...
...content indexed successfully!
Cloning process commences...
...cloning process complete!
241782990 bytes of storage remaining.

[starflare.osr/../distill]:

Noah Drake sat back in his seat, grinning. Considering the field they operated in, and the resources at their disposal, Oracle were surprisingly toothless in their attempts to thwart his intrusions. It was almost pitiful.

"Ah. They've moved the good stuff off the open network." He muttered, thinking aloud. The thing that was perhaps most amusing to Noah was that he had no malicious intent -- despite his username; that was very much tongue-in-cheek -- and had deliberately targeted Oracle because their data, despite being valuable, wasn't going to be a particularly serious loss to their multi-billion parent company.

"No idea why they have so much security anyway, it's not like Lex friggin Luthor is trying to use this bloody algorithm to take over the world or something. It's ridicul-" His monitor flashed, catching his eye.

Trace detected.

Identifying source...
...

"Oh shit." Noah's hands moved rapidly across his keyboard, entering various commands. Several countermeasures were activated, attempting to obfuscate Noah's identity and location.

Scrambling location data...
...
...done!

Generat######

## IDENT COMPLETE ##

Intrusion attempt detected...

"Oh no no nooooo...." They had him. They were turning the tables on him. He quickly jumped under his desk, scrambling around at the back of the tower, yanking cables free until he eventually removed the power cable. "Who the hell?"

* * * * *

After a less-than-convincing group stage -- which many believe was partly due to Jermain Lewis' insistence on rotating his squad and fielding less experienced players when members of last cycle's champion side were available -- the Firebirds silenced a lot of critics with a hard-fought win over The Holy Empire in the second round. The Dreamed Realm side, the last team to hold the title of World Champions before Osarius, were seen by many as the toughest test Osarius were likely to face on their side of the bracket [well, at least after a certain other team from Northeast AO got eliminated early, anyway - Ed.] and their defeat has perhaps increased the already heavy weight of expectation borne by Lewis and his team. Despite this, "nothing has changed," Lewis claims, "because we were already favourites to win. It's not like they can make us favourites to win it twice in the same year, is it?"

Nobody in the room dared tell him at the time, but it's entirely possible that Osarius are not actually the favourites with several bookmakers. They certainly weren't prior to the second round win. Qualification didn't go as smoothly as many had expected, and then two draws in the group stage saw confidence slip. Significantly. "Simulations run on OPPA might still point to a Firebirds victory, but the margins are closer than they would have been even a couple of months ago." Explained Marcus Resheph, Oracle's Head of Data. "We ran a simulation of the Nephara matchup, with predicted starting lineups, and it took a late goal deep into extra time for the Firebirds to progress."

When pressed for details, Resheph revealed that this result came with both Drummond and Grassi coming off the bench later in the game. "We felt that Jermain Lewis might go for more dynamic players early on, to try and wear the Nepharim down, soften them up for the older guys." He told us. "It's sort of in-line with his previous methods, where he brings in players like Drummond or Grassi to exploit tiring legs later on. Poynter and Puntoriero often combine to cover a lot of ground, and you'll notice both seem to get more dangerous as the game progresses, because the opposition usually tires."

Roberto Cormega, former Grasshoppers Turic boss and resident tactical analyst at OSN, agrees. "Jermain is pretty intense with the press." He says on his latest blog post. "If he sticks to that idea, and has his front six (or eight if he's feeling ambitious) play that aggressive press... If they can pin the Nepharim inside their own half for forty five minutes, I can't see the Firebirds losing. But it's a big ask."

[Felix]

Welcome To Our Club

For the winners of these set of matches they will move on to the semifinals. So to those future winners...

WELCOME TO THE CLUB! The semifinals club!

For the future losers, we have a seat for you at Casa Felix, your place for eliminated teams.

FINALS - QUARTERFINALS CUTOFF

[Yttribia]

Lupe Fiasco - "Superstar"

Have no fear, the cut-off is here.

FINALS - QUARTERFINALS CUTOFF

[Turori]

World Cup 71: Madness

HISTORIC EELS QF WIN RESCINDED, TURORI SENT PACKING AFTER REPLAY
...BECAUSE THAT'S JUST HOW IT GOES FOR TURORI IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINALS...

KIONAO, TURORI :: For the past 55 World Cup seasons, the Turori Eels have gone home early. That is, they've played less than the maximum number of matches possible.

Since their debut in World Cup 15, no single nation in the multiverse had made more World Cup Quarter Final appearances than the Turori Eels - and failed to ever, one time, advance beyond that stage to the Semi-Finals.

55 World Cup Seasons, and no one ever expected the curse could be broken.

The Turori Eels were supposed to lose in the Quarter Finals. That's just how it was supposed to be.

So when the final whistle blew on the Eels World Cup Quarter Final match against the Polar Islandstates this week, the fans were in shock. Either there was a scoreboard malfunction; or, the Turori Eels had accomplished something in World Cup 71 that no Turorian National Team had ever previously accomplished: They had won a World Cup Quarter Final.

The celebrations began quickly in Turori. It was a new Era. An era where Turori was relevant. Just one season removed from the Cup of Harmony championship, the Turori Eels had broken a 55-Cup curse and advanced to the final four, assuring for the first time ever that the Eels would contest the maximum number of matches - win or lose - from that point forward.

But almost as quickly as the celebrations started, word started trickling in that something wasn't right.

Apparently, the official schedule that was released at the start of the World Cup suggested that Turori were supposed to play Eura in the Quarter Finals, not the Polar Islandstates.

But the match was over. The result was in. The fans were in the streets.

No matter. After a brief consultation, the decision was made to honor the originally scheduled fixtures. The Eels, already partying back at the hotel room, were called back for an immediate re-match - against a different opponent. There was to be no recovery period. The match was to start immediately.

120 minutes later, one cross-bar made the difference in the penalty shootout as Eura took advantage of an unthinkable World Cup Quarter-Final replay to put the Eels back in their place. Back in a place that they were more familiar with than any other nation in the history of the World Cup Finals: Quarter Final losers.

The Eels fans, confused, didn't know how to react. The players, dejected, started collecting their things and heading back to Turori; no worse than any other Turorian squad, perhaps the knowledge that they had come closer to the World Cup Semi-Finals than any previous Quarter-Finals eliminated Turorian side ever had would be some consolation prize for the Eels. But probably not. They still lost, and now they'd have to start the long hard road all over again, even if, no matter how hard they try, the end result was already predetermined.

World Cup 71 Madness indeed!

[Free Republics]

The Holy Republican Empire had been a scoring machine in their first 4 matches at World Cup 71. They came into their quarterfinal match against Barunia averaging 4 goals per match, but scoring bucket loads of goals would not be part of God's Plan for Petrus Fadius's Republicans on this day. The Almighty had sent a rainstorm to Stadia Volker on this day and not just any rainstorm either. It was a torrential downpour. The heavens had opened and the waters were raining down on the nation of Felix. Those were the conditions as the Holy Republicans took on Barunia.

While Barunia may have called their team the Suns, there simply was no sun in the sky on this day. As the rain poured upon the pitch, the match was anything but the one that the 90 thousand Republica haters in attendance and the billions watching around the multiverse had expected to see. 2 teams known for their offensive prowess, the Suns and the Holy Republicans played a match that saw few scoring opportunities for either side. The weather was simply so bad that neither team stood much chance of scoring a goal.

As the match went into extra time, it seemed almost certainly headed for penalty kicks. As the match entered the 120th minute, it was still scoreless. The Holy Republicans made one last push forward, hoping to avoid a penalty shootout. Chandler Sirois, who had come on earlier as a substitute, somehow launched a cross into the scoring area, intended for Kyle Bolton. Bolton attempted to head it into the goal, but he missed the ball. Instead, it hit the back of Pedro Quinn's head and ricocheted past Paul Bainbridge and into the upper right corner of the net.

Moments later, it became official, as the mostly Felixian crowd looked on in disbelief. The Holy Republican Empire had won the match at the death on an own goal by Pedro Quinn of Barunia. In his post-game interview, Petrus Fadius spoke to Hunter Prendiville of FBC and told the reporter that "God was with us out there today. He came through for us, in our time of need, and sent us through to the Semis. Don't let anybody tell thee that God no longer involves Himself in our lives. I defy anybody to watch our match today and then try to tell me that God didn't intervene in this match. God is Great and when God is on your side, there is nobody who can stop you."

If anybody could stop the Holy Republicans from winning the World Cup in Felix, it was the defending champions, the #1 ranked nation in the multiverse. That was Osarius and the Firebirds would be facing the Holy Republicans in the Semis after they demolished the Nepharim to get there. It was the Age of Osarius, or so the experts all thought. Osarius had won World Cup 70 and after an upset loss to Gloriax on the opening matchday of this year's World Cup Qualifying, the Firebirds were the prohibitive favorites to repeat as World Cup champions and of their 4 opponents, the Holy Republicans were considered the biggest underdogs.

However, most of the players on this team had been in this exact position before. Back in World Cup 68, Polar Islandstates appeared to be absolutely dominant. The Polarians had played in the last 3 World Cup finals, were the defending World Cup champions and were ranked #1 in the multiverse. Then, they ran into a nation known as the Free Republics at the time. Nobody took the Republicans seriously, outside of their home nation, writing off their success as a fluke. Then, they did the impossible: They actually beat the unbeatable Polar Islandstates and advanced to the World Cup final.

While that team self-destructed in that match, as Rule Theriault let his frustrations over the location of the match become a distraction to his team. In the years since, Theriault's team imploded and both Consuls of the Free Republics died. Now, Reino Kulseth was the Consul of the Holy Republican Empire and Petrus Fadius, a Sanctii, was the manager of the Holy Republican National Soccer Team. Yes, these were different times. Osarius was not Polar Islandstates, Petrus Fadius was not Rule Theriault and Volker, Felix was certainly not Republica, Capital District, Free Republics. The big question going into this match was this: Could the Republica Miracle happen again? Could the Republicans knock off a #1 ranked defending World Cup champion in the semis once again or would World Cup 71 not be like World Cup 68?

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ A Roll Of The Dice

There was a point in time when Tobias Möller was considered a villain by some of the Pasargan public, though it was remarkably brief. However the public saw the talismanic striker as something of a villain for abandoning his club in the Pasarga SuperLiga and joined in the Polarian league. It took the performances of a lifetime in the Wanderer shirt and the side becoming a top 10 nation for the public to forgive the striker, though helping the Wanderers defeat the Polarians in the Copa Rushmori did help as well. Now he is thought of as a hero and legend of the country, only fitting then that en route to his international retirement, he was given the chance to play the Polarians once more. Once more he showed that he had learned their way well and was able to usurp them, giving his homeland the advantage in the match.

Despite a clerical error that had originally pitted the Wanderers off against Eura, which later played Turori and won in an amazing penalty shootout, the Wanderers were mentally and physically prepared for the Polarian challenge ahead of them. The encounters between the nations, especially as of late, had been entirely in the Wanderers favor, and despite the better ranking and titles to their name, the Polarians had to be nervous for the Pasargan challenge. When the teams walked onto the pitch, you could see the contrast between the two sides, the Wanderers were eager and ready for the match, while the Polarians seemed a bit jittery and off, with their nerves seemingly gone from them.

However to their credit, the Polarians played up to their skill and then some in the first half, pressing the Wanderers hard for the first half hour. Maybe it was the anxiety that was pressing them forward or maybe a tacitcal plan to try and crumble the Pasargan backline. Whatever the cause, that first half hour saw the Valhallans dictating the pace of play to an amazing degree. That sort of effort and pressure can not be held on for an entire match though and towards the end of the first half, you could see how the Polarians were becoming fatigued as the Wanderers began to see more and more of the ball and even created a handful of chances before the whistle was blown to end the first half.

The second half would start with the legend waltzing through the Polarian midfield and backline as if he was a skier doing a run down the mountain. It was all there as if watching a movie, the retiring hero making one last run to put his team ahead in the most critical of matches, trying to capture the title. Maybe one day there will be a movie of this World Cup or a documentary about Möller's life as a professional footballering and this run and goal to put the Wanderers ahead would be a defining moment. For that strike was what seemed to take the air out of the sails of the Polarian resistance. Soon it was the Wanderers who were laying siege to the Polarian end, with Szánthó Nyék netting the rare goal to double the lead shortly after the seventieth minute.

That would be all the scoring in the match and it would see the Wanderers advance past their old Rushmori rivals, outlasting them as they have outlasted much of the Rushmori powers that be. Nethertopia, Sagossa, Valladares, Astograth, the Polarians, and Candelaria And Marquez all left behind in the trail that the Wanderers are blazing. It may have been the slow burn that looked as if it was never to come to be, however patience has seen the Wanderers win out in the end. Their rivals now laid bare behind them, forced to watch as their smaller neighbors, the tiny islands that could make it so.

One stands in the way though, one last Rushmori power that has looked at Pasarga as just another of the Rushmori nations, the same side that stopped the Wanderers trip to the Copa Rushmori final when they had topped the Corsairs and Polarians. Then they were the World Cup champions, now they were merely World Cup semifinalists, but meeting the Wanderers in the same round all the same. Eura are the ones who stand in the way of the Wanderers making their first trip to the World Cup Final as they did back in the Copa Rushmori. Can the Wanderers learn the lesson from that match, can they overcome this hurdle that stands in their way, or shall history once more repeat itself?

[Osarius]

Osarian Service for Clandestine Operations
Classified Records #4369
Name: Douglas, Barrington
Summary: Founding member of the Free Nation of Cobrio, separatist, extremist
Threat Level: Very High

Originally believed to be a non-violent protester, seeking to re-establish some rights for the Koromanti people, of southern Dynapolis. The founder of the "Free Nation of Cobrio", an organization created with the intent to put pressure on Osarian government -- and the Queen, more specifically -- to realise his aims. Over time, due to a combination of rapid growth -- which he was unable to control -- and a lack of perceived response from the Osarian government, Douglas' and the Free Nation's operations became violent.

Barrington's prominence in the Koromanti and Ohafia communities makes it difficult to remove him from a position of influence, and reduced funding to law enforcement has allowed him to establish a stronghold of sorts, which connects the port at Camaron to the former military outpost at , operated by OSCO's Ohafia unit of the Special Forces. Should Barrington gain a semblence of control over the Ohafia unit -- which we believe is his current goal -- he would possess the military force required to expand the Free Nation's claimed territory and influence as far north as Southern Dynapolis.

* * * * *

"General Douglas, Sir, we have the location." The young man at the terminal called over to Barrington Douglas. "The origin is not too far from our outpost in Inzon."

"How long has he had?" General Barrington Douglas replied.

"Forty-three minutes, Sir."

"And is his terminal active?"

"It is, Sir. He went idle for a while but appears to be active again. Should we make contact?"

"Yes." General Douglas paused. "He should know who we are, if he is local, he may join our cause."

"And if he doesn't, Sir?"

"Then he should be considered a threat, and we eliminate him."

* * * * *

"The Free Nation of Cobrio is a separatist movement in Dynapolis, seeking to reclaim freedom for the Koromanti people from the oppressive yoke of Osarian rule..." Noah read the message, and raised an eyebrow. He'd heard of Cobrio, vaguely. They were the guys who took over Camaron with the ex-military unit from ...that old barracks in the South. This was bad. Very bad. His hopeful attempts to thwart the trace last night were apparently unsuccessful, and now he had a pissed off military group on his tail.

"What the hell do they want with me, though? What the hell have I done to them?!" Noah panicked, hands scrabbling at his sweaty face. "They know where I live." The realisation hit him like a cannonball to the gut, and he threw himself away from his desk, retching. When he finally composed himself -- in a fashion; he managed to get the trembling in his hands down to a controllable level at least -- he began preparing an encoded message to the only person he knew who might be able to help him out. His terminal connected to one of his secure spaces on the dark web, and he began leaving indicators for his contact's several aliases. If he picked up just one, it might be enough.

...
...
>mrko187-505/blakhat/../
>grnth333-505/blakhat/../

cmr_b >> jhnnystrm.bm 4 112

Preparing tunnel...
...
...secure tunnel established from xxx.xx.xxx.xx

Alias set as blakhat:4 using channel:112

37 requests queued. Send requests? Y
Executing...
...
...
...
...37 requests sent!

Noah leaned back in his chair, head in his hands, and for the first time in his life, prayed.

* * * * *

For all Jermain Lewis' talk about Nephara being a tough challenge, the scoreline suggests he may have just been doing that "false modesty" thing that top managers do. An emphatic 4-0 victory in the World Cup quarter final, at a stage that sees Osarius' main rival -- "those bloody birds", as Lewis himself once said -- seems to have catapulted the Firebirds into firm favourite territory, if they were not already there. Lewis is still wary, though. "It was a good result. But I think we benefited from so many players knowing each other so well." Lewis said after the match. "I won't pretend I didn't call Benni [Watson, Hastmead Diamante manager] and give him a call. Wanted to know if he had any information on Ashdown and Bottlegreen that might help. He didn't have any particular insight, actually, no. Surprising for me too, that guy analyses everything. In the end, I think it was probably really simple: they're tough, we're just... tougher."

Marco Puntoriero's quest to oust Osarius' all-time top scorer Ezio Grassi advanced significantly with his two goals against Nephara. The first of which, the AFC Treason forward freely admits was fortunate. It's not like he can deny it, either. After miscontrolling a through ball from Fabio Mancini, Puntoriero made the most of Marlowe's hesitation and pressed. In the ensuing confusion, the Osarius striker was the lucky one, the ball pinballing out behind Marlowe, leaving Puntoriero in a one-on-one situation. "That set the tone of the match, though." Roberto Cormega said. "It was an early indicator that it just wasn't going to be their day."

In fairness to the Cormorants, it's not like they were a non-factor. Riether's changes came quickly, within minutes of losing the lead, and saw the Nepharim press forward in search of an equaliser perhaps more aggressively than Osarius had expected. While they were adjusting to the surprising set of circumstances, Ruby Fletcher was kept busier than she has been in a long time, almost single-handedly keeping the Firebirds in front. "Quinn's sharp." Fletcher said after the game. "Really sharp. Every half-chance, it seemed he was there, so I had to be a bit more aggressive in commanding the area than I usually am. I think we were lucky to have a fairly lenient ref, because both sides were really physical. We all got stuck in today."

That physicality was something that many considered to be a strength of the Nepharim, and that both teams were unafraid of getting physical was certainly appreciated by both sets of fans. "I wish I could have been out there with them today." Lewis confessed post-match. "Bit of a throwback, I thought. The fans were loving it, the players really got into the spirit, too. It wasn't malicious, it wasn't really violent, but it was tough. It's everything I grew up with." From there, the Osarius boss launched into a story of how, in his first training session with the Firewood City first team, he scythed down his captain, the legendary playmaker Benedict di Corradi, instantly earning his respect. "Part of me hopes we don't have to face them too often in future, part of me looks forward to it." He concluded.

Of course, there is a reason Riether's tactical switch caught Osarius off-guard -- it simply doesn't happen. Why not? Well, Lewis' side are among the leading sides -- if not the best -- in the multiverse at counterattacking with lethality. While the Nepharim desire to level the scores was admirable, it opened them up, and when Marlowe was forced to illegally thwart Puntoriero -- and seemed to thank some higher power that she was allowed to remain on the pitch -- captain Acosta stroked home the penalty confidently. Riether at this point went all-in, something that resonated with Osarius assistant boss, Georgina Carsley "You're two down, in a cup quarter final. What good is damage limitation at this point? I would have gone for it, too."

Perhaps the crucial moment in the game was the sixty-ninth minute, when Lewis, wary of Nephara's growing confidence and potential to overturn the two goal deficit -- rightly so, Quinn had the ball in the net in the sixty-third, but was controversially judged offside; a warning of sorts -- threw on his "big guns". Grassi and Drummond combined almost instantly to extend the Firebirds' lead and effectively end the game. When Mancini made way for "the human final whistle" -- as Roque Acosta calls Miguel Gomez, the tough-tackling defensive midfielder currently plying his trade in Taeshan with Fadron Flight -- it signalled Lewis' intent to kill the game off. If that didn't, Drummond's eighty-second minute free kick did. A hugely impressive result for Osarius, and back to the semi finals again.

The semi finals were long a problematic stage of the tournament [of any tournament, really - Ed.] for Osarius, and while the Holy Republican Empire are not Audioslavia or Polar Islandstates, Jermain Lewis is under no illusions. "I think teams have taken us lightly in the past, and we've punished them for it. We won't be making that mistake." He said. For a team that has only recently adapted to their status as favourites in most games, being among the multiverse's elite, Osarius are still remarkably grounded. "I was watching tapes last night," revealed Osarius centre back and vice-captain Juan Pablo Rodriguez. "They have three good forwards, and an attacking midfielder so we'll have our work cut out for us. Kyle Bolton leads from the front, and is going to be difficult to keep quiet if they hang balls in the air for him, so I've been trying to get a feel for his habits. Where will he move, when is he likely to attack the ball, and so on."

Osarius rarely come up against teams willing to attack them as aggressively as Petrus Fadius' side are likely to, and with that in mind, reporters asked Lewis if he would be fielding a more defensive lineup than usual. The assumption being that he will be wary of being caught on the break, as his team so often does to others. "Of course not." He replied. "They like to attack, but so do we." Much like Lewis relished the physical challenge of Nephara, it sounds like he is after a shootout against the Republicans. Should be interesting.

[Eura]

Out in these waters, one couldn't be quite sure where they were. Esportiva? Atlantian Oceania? Certainly not Rushmore though. In the middle of the ocean was a small boat, and on board were two Rushmori's who were fully aware how far away from home they were. They were Euran's, who had traveled thousands of miles by plane, train and now boat to this spot in the hope of observing a remarkable phenomenon. 'Jones. Jones!' The one speaking was addressing the other as he worked on one of the two small outboard engines on the vessel, which was a fast carbon fibre frame boat, sacrificing cover from the elements that would be provided with a big superstructure to reduce drag and weight. He stood upright, removing some leather gloves and putting his jacket back on now that it wouldn't get in the way of movement. 'What is it? Any activity?'
'Nothing, I'm just wondering what's taking so long down there.'
'Cord got trapped in the manifold cover, had to open it up to pry it out.' Jones grabbed one of their bottles of water and took a sip from it, while his colleague gazed off into the distance. He was holding a sophisticated piece of equipment; long range digital binoculars, which he was using to stare off in a south easterly distance. 'I'll tell you one thing Rickson, if this thing is what they were telling us it might be, then you're not going to need those to see it.'
'Yeah, you don't say? Anyway, get your goggles sorted. Need to be careful about any potential flash.'

As Jones fiddled with the equipment box to dig out some goggles, Rickson lowered his binoculars and flicked through the prep file. GENESIS FURY was one of the more interesting names he'd seen given to an operation he was taking part in. Jones had been less impressed, he called it "a bit naff". The brief was pretty simple but full of risk; that hadn't put off either of these two men, committed OSI officers who loved the thrill of a dangerous field operation almost as much as they loved their country. They were probably the two lowest ranking employees of the government to know about the closely held secret that had triggered panic in the highest ranks of the Euran state. Their northern neighbour Sameba, ever belligerent and destabilised but clearly suffering from the realisation that its relationship with Eura was becoming even more asymmetrical, had attempted to restart its nuclear program. It had been abandoned many years ago, and now it seemed they had managed to reactivate the scheme without alerting the Euran's to their plans. This was deeply disturbing for the Euran government, who had grown complacent and accustomed to picking up on Sameba's poorly conceived plots before they could ever reach fruition. Now however they had not only acquired the ability to build nuclear weapons, they had done it quickly, and were attempting to test one - albeit secretly - as soon as they possibly could. Testing them in either Rushmore or Endemia was impractical, and would be too easily detected, although that hadn't stopped the Euran's managing to locate the naval convoy moving the test device.

Therefore, Sameba chose to take refuge in audacity. With their increasing isolation in international affairs came an increasing difficulty in finding friends to do them favours. So they'd sought out a new friend in Gregoryisgodistan, the international pariah from Esportiva which was so resented by its neighbours that the new "South Esportivan Treaty Organisation", or SETO, had been formed specifically to counter it. It was a nation that was beyond silly, but parodying it still requires an understanding of dark humour beyond the sensibilities of most, given the Greg regime's merciless approach to human life and its own citizens. Sameba is a less ridiculous country but it isn't that much less isolated. The Euran's had been tipped off that some sort of deal had been struck behind closed doors between the two countries about something almost ten months ago, but only now had they realised what Gregoryisgodistan's end of the bargain was. Almost a dozen ships had traveled all the way to Gregoryisgodistan's largest deep water port, the oddly named "District 30", before proceeding out into the ocean after refueling to Slave Island 7. The Euran's had actually assumed that if the test was going to happen in Gregoryisgodistani territory, it would happen on the mainland, seeing as the Sameban's could only deploy a small device with low radioactive output, and seeing as "Lord Gregory" had such wanton disregard for human life. However these two agents had managed to track the group of ships leaving port and now they were watching and waiting from many miles away, with the Sameban ships and the island barely visible on the horizon.

'Rickson.'
'Yeah?'
'Why didn't we just sink them, or intercept the ship with the bomb on?' It was a good question, but unfortunately it was always going to have an answer neither man would like. 'Two reasons, Jones. Three actually. The first is that it would start a war. The second is that there's no point as it won't stop them finishing the other bombs they've got enough material for at home. The third is that if it went wrong, an old bomb like that could go off, so the risk of collateral damage is way too high.'
'Well why didn't they put any of that in the bloody briefing!' Jones spat in anger and dropped his version of the file to the floor. Rickson replied with a wry smile on his face. 'Well, it might not have been in yours, but I just read from one of the first pages of mine.'
'Oh, give it a rest. I get it, you're in charge and all. No need to rub it in.' Suddenly, everything gleamed. Their little conversation was interrupted by the most incredible flash and subsequent light, which turned the whole sky gold and prompted them both to throw themselves to the floor. Jones had been lucky as his goggles were not fixed on properly, but he'd been looking down at the floor and away from the flash. That would save his eyesight. After a moment of silence and the light subduing slightly, they rose to their feet. 'Fuck! Did we get the readings? Was the monitor on?'
'Yeah, yeah, no worries boss. Put it on ten minutes ago.'
'Christ, I didn't think they'd even have dismounted it from the cargo ship yet. The prep work suggested it would take them three days, not three hours!'

They both watched with equal parts awe and despair as, on the horizon, the flash gave way to a rising, bilious mushroom cloud with burning flames at its heart. The few slithers of cloud over the area were broken up by the shockwave as it traveled towards them. Neither of them had to say anything, they simply grabbed on to something that was nailed down to the boat and waited. The shockwave finally reached them, blowing past them like a strong wind and tipping the boat to its side at a steep angle, before fading and letting them balance out. Shortly afterwards a deafening clap thundered through the air as the sound wave generated by the explosion reached them. While Jones went to check that the cameras they had rigged up on the boat were still filming, Rickson went over to the monitoring equipment and looked at the readings coming through. 'This is a lot of data, way too much to interpret right now. But I'm guessing our intelligence was right. Implosion type bomb, relatively large considering the age of the design. Almost certainly a near copy of an older Valladar design.'
'You think they were able to get hold of that too?'
'The principles might be the same for different countries weapons, but actually designing a reactor or bomb for the first time is very difficult for a country like Sameba. If they copied the Andes II reactor design, there's no reason they wouldn't copy a bomb design of similar origin.' As the cloud's growth slowed, leaving it to hang in the air like a twenty mile high blooming flower of destruction, the two men prepared to leave right away. They had got all the data they needed, and now it was time to go home.

[Felix]

Mission Impossible Theme - Lalo Schifrin

This is it guys. Winner goes to the finals.

FINALS - SEMIFINALS CUTOFF

[Yttribia]

Flight of the Valkyries

Some teams may be shouting "Yes!" as they move onto the final while others cry "No!" as the plane to Yttribia takes off.

FINALS - SEMIFINALS CUTOFF

[Yttribia]

Franz Ferdinand - "Outsiders"

The only difference in what might be is now what might have been for these teams. They come to Le Nid Violet for one final chance at glory.

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF | CUT-OFF

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ The One And Only

Some would say those who look back are lost, that there is only the forward to look to. Those would be fools for it is in looking back that we acknowledge where we come from, how we get a better understanding of who we are and how we become who we are. In looking back, you get to see the picture of what you have been through to get to where you are now, these things and events that have crafted you into the person that you are today. Behind the Wanderers is a path that was blazed over a course of several generations, each building upon the last and facing their own obstacles, some of them more difficult than others. However each of those teams and their experiences piece by piece helped forged a team that began to know how to achieve success, to sustain that success, and then to build upon it towards something greater.

In the more immediate, there is the defeated Rushmori rivals in the Polarians and Eurans, leaving we Pasargans as the last Rushmori nation standing in the World Cup. The battle with each was hectic and tight and each were eventually felled by this persistence that seems unique to the Wanderers. For forty long years the squad struggled against inconsistency and a lack of depth, a lack of exceptional talent to take the team to great heights. Though there was Ausilio Calabrese and one or two other good players, the teams as a whole seemed to hit plateaus and then fall back to the earth in a harsh and devastating way. Such a rinse and repeat cycle for decades would have killed the desire of many other nations and teams, however the Wanderers carried on just like they did after the destruction of the Pasargan homeland.

Naturally you would think that Tobias Möller, the legend who helped pull the Wanderers from those failings, would be the one who would put the pressure on the Eurans in that critical battle. However that was not the script for this game, as the standard was passed to the striker and hoisted higher than before, so to it must be done. Dominik Mauer, a surprise inclusion in the final twenty-three for the World Cup, who plays for a little known club in Eura instead was starting in the legend's place in a highly unusual move by manager Jullian van Setten. That gamble must have been providence as the young striker scored a brace in the first half, using the knowledge that he had gained from his year spent in Eura's domestic league against their national team.

Eura is a proud nation and exceptionally footballing country, their World Cup trophy a testament to that strength. They would not simply go meekly into the night as the Wanderers tries to push them aside en route to the Final ahead. And though they would pressure the Wanderers for most of the second half, Takácz Endre was playing possessed, refusing to be beat making a handful of great saves. Yet even as well as he was playing, eventually one shot was able to sneak through the stalwart defense that the Wanderers had been providing. Skorji Oslograd managed to turn Héðinn Olgeirsson and took a quick shot from thirty-two yards out before the defender could recover and caught Endre flat footed, screaming under the crossbar. It was the 100th international goal for the Euran strike, but coming on the stroke of the 90th minute, it was too little and too late for Eura, as the whistle blew two minutes later with the Wanderers advancing to their first ever World Cup Final.

Who else would be there waiting for them than Osarius, the defending champion and the current avatar of Atlantian Oceania. Fitting that it would be a matchup between AO and Rushmore in a Final that was taking place in Esportiva, as if the gods were showing each where they sat in the power three sporting regions. Osarius is by far the overwhelming favorite for the match but then so to were the Polarians in the Quarterfinal matchup and Osarius had been pushed into extra time by the Holy Republic Empire. That extra half hour could very well be the key to this match as it is an additional amount of fatigue for the players to have to bear in this titanic of matchups. Can a Firebird by shot down by the ascending arrow or will it burn away before the blow can be struck? The one and only match that matters to an entire world as a champion awaits to be crowned.

[Osarius]

Roque Acosta pulled the armband off his left bicep as he jogged toward the touchline. Jerome Monroe jogged past him, giving him a tap on the back "good one, skipper!" Roque just nodded firmly. Monroe was replacing Darell Marshall, who was already half-slumped on a seat on the bench, looking very much like a man older than his twenty-six years. Just before Roque reached the touchline, Juan Pablo Rodriguez caught up to him "Hacer una pausa, Capitán" the Tanrisal defender muttered, as he took the armband. "We've got this."

He knew Rodriguez was right, the team was more-than-capable without him. Arguably better at the moment, he was simply too tired to play a game of this length, this intensity. It didn't make it hurt any less that he needed to come off the pitch, though. He swallowed his pride, "Go get 'em, J.P." he flashed a grin and a thumbs-up. On the touchline, he shook hands with the youngster, Gavin Mitchell, who sprinted on behind him, shouting over to Fabio Mancini and Toby Drummond. "Boss man," he called to Jermain Lewis, "he's energetic, eh?"

"Christ, Rock. You looked half-dead out there."

"Their number eight. Lively lad. Been chasing."

"Well, you managed to keep up with him for... most of the hundred-and-eight." Lewis grinned.

"Oh come on, let him rest, Jermain." Georgina Carsley came to Roque's rescue. He couldn't really argue with the boss, not even as a joke. She could. She did. Often. "He's right, though. Lively lad."

"I know, I've asked Gav to stick to him. He's fresh, he can follow him." Lewis replied. "Rock knows I'm playing anyway. And if I'm right, he just created the winner, didn't he?" He turned and winked at Roque.

There was an odd feeling in the stadium, almost as if the realisation that the team would be playing in back-to-back World Cup finals had only just begun to sink in. 'But we're not there yet...' Roque thought to himself. There was a feeling of unease spreading through him, and he found himself on his feet. Carsley spotted him and came over "Something up, Rock?"

"No, just... I dunno." He mumbled. "Something feels wrong."

"Never though you were the type to get nervous."

"I'm not. That's why it's worrying."

"Hmm..." She studied him. "You know, leadership is complicated." She told him, before shuffling away.

Time ticked on slowly. Roque found himself counting down the seconds, while watching Mitchell, his replacement, intently. Then it happened. Roque could see it, the cause of the unease. Mitchell was repeatedly giving up half a yard to the Republican number eight -- 'Theodore, how did I forget the name?' Roque thought to himself -- before he knew it, he was on his feet, shouting over the raucous crowd. "Gav, stick closer! If he turns, he'll beat you!"

There was no way to know whether Mitchell had heard him, but Roque watched almost in horror as Theodore again created separation, and called for the pass. Without thinking, Roque looked at the clock. Injury time, he hadn't noticed. Back to the pitch, Mitchell had pressed closer to Theodore, but too late. The Republican playmaker had spun off him and was barrelling downfield toward the back four. Rodriguez was holding the line, co-ordinating with the others to make sure nobody dropped back to play any of the three Republican forwards onside, but Roque could see, from the wider angle on the touchline. 'They don't want the pass, they're making space.' He shouted again, without thinking. "Go to him! He's going for the run!"

Again, no way to know if they heard, and it happened. Just as he'd thought. Rodriguez had shuttled right to cover Jaconelli as he pressed up onto Bolton, now Theodore was pressing into the right channel, splitting the distance between Rodriguez and Bocchetti. "Shit." Roque anticipated the equaliser, it was going to penalties, and he was off the pitch. The powerlessness struck him. And then, a visceral roar. From the Osarian support. Mitchell had tracked Theodore's run and made a last ditch tackle as the midfielder entered the box, and shaped to shoot. Protests were few and far between, even among the crowd -- the tackle had been clean -- and the Osarian bench were almost celebrating already. When the final whistle blew seconds later, and the team mobbed Mitchell, Roque expected to feel something. He didn't.

* * * * *

Jermaine Marko woke to the buzzing of one of his many alert systems. Knowing it couldn't be a summons from K.I.L.L.¹ he mentally checked down a list of other possibilities. Well, he would have, had he not stopped dead on 'OSCO² might have found me'. "Shit..." He muttered. His fingers danced over the keyboard, running commands as he murmured to himself.

Display? y
505 protocol/channel:112

Well that was a bad start. The 505 protocol was used only for problems, which had a separate handler. They shouldn't be appearing here. Channel 112 was his emergency channel. This made no sense, it shouldn't be possible for a problem to appear in the emergency channel. This could only be happening if someone knew the inner workings of his system and was exploiting that knowledge.

blakhat:4 [88.168.75.109]
:: need assist. starflare breached.

Ah. "I know that name." He said, to nobody. "Noah Drake. Little bastard must have broken into my system. Wonder what's got him so spooked, though." Jermaine ran a cleanup procedure he had written some time ago, if whatever was going on had spooked Noah Drake, it must be pretty serious. He couldn't afford to take chances.

Shred? y

Shredding data...
... successfully shredded.
Removing traces...
... binary overwrite complete.

In a way, he was relieved. It was an old... well, not friend, but more than just an acquaintance. "Who could possibly have breached Noah's server?" Jermaine thought aloud. "He's better than most of the guys we had in Reaper division..." He quickly opened another terminal, connecting to the IP address his systems had tracked from the alerts.

at SH-krnkw. bring machine.

* * * * *

"...the algorithm can be used to-"

"I know what it can do, Skerritt." General Douglas cut off his advisor abruptly. He knew what the algorithm was capable of, that was why he ordered its theft in the first place. All he needed to know was how they could use it demonstratively in order to gain the support of the Ohafia unit. The others in the room -- each of his five most trusted advisors, and the captains of each of his growing army's twelve divisions -- all had their eyes on him. It was a reminder for him, he carried their hopes. They trusted him, and he could not betray that. "We need to know how to get the Ohafia unit on board. That's what really matters here."

"Of course, Sir."

"Remember, if they remain loyal to the crown, we stand no chance. We need them. If we allow the crown to continue to divide us Dynapolitans, pitting Koromanti versus Ohafia³. What's next? Will they turn the Nguleri against us? Divide us from the Kalanigo?" General Douglas said. He let his words hang in the room for a while, glancing at the faces of each man in the room. "We need to show them we are not fighting a pointless fight. This is meaningful, and it is something we can be successful in."

Skerritt spoke up first. "Sir, what if we were to demonstrate the algorithm's use in a practical scenario?"

"That's an idea. But how?"

"Well, Sir..."

* * * * *

"Finals are different." Jermain Lewis said some time ago. A statement that should be playing on the minds of the many fans riding a wave of supreme confidence ahead of Osarius' clash with Pasarga in the World Cup final -- presumably encouraged by memories of an Ezio Grassi fuelled victory two years ago. Finals are different.

A lot has happened in those two years, and Lewis is wary. "One thing hasn't changed in the past couple of years, they're still a very dangerous opponent." He told us. "I've been trying to keep guys fresh, rotating the squad where I can, but that last game was tough." Lewis was visibly relieved at the end of Osarius' semi final clash with the Holy Republican Empire, which was hard-fought. Both sides relentless in their attempts to attack, it was back and forth for large portions of the game. "Our last game with Pasarga was like that, actually, wasn't it?" In the quarter finals of World Cup 70, Osarius were rescued by a returning Ezio Grassi, and eventually won the game on penalties. "No secret weapon this time, so it'll be a bit tougher." Lewis joked.

Despite his clear fatigue toward the end of the semi final, Roque Acosta is still in line to captain Osarius in the final, both Lewis and Carsley insisting they are not concerned. "He works hard, he gets tired. That's football." Lewis said, matter-of-factly. Carsley emphasised the leadership skills of the Treason captain, "even when we took him off in the semi, he was trying to lead. It's what he does."

There is a sense of calm throughout the Osarius camp, embodied best by Grassi -- "I just play the latest World Cup game on my Avalanche⁴, or something", he says, as if pressure simply doesn't exist in Ezio world -- but second best is Roque Acosta, the team's undisputed leader. "I'm... I wouldn't say nervous, but yeah. I feel different. We've been here before, but it's still new, it's back-to-back. How many teams do that? How many players have done that? It's an accomplishment, but we didn't come all this way to finish second, so we've got to stay focused on the goal." Acosta's unwavering focus on the task at hand is something that the team often needs, especially now, given the larger number of young players Lewis has included in his squad.

"Rock's the man," veteran playmaker Toby Drummond told us. "He keeps everything together, he's the guy. The younger guys, particularly Fabio [Mancini] and Gav [Mitchell], sort of rely on him sometimes on the pitch, because he's been there. He's done it all already, you know?"

It's strange to look back at Acosta's international career -- which began during qualification for World Cup 66, as an understudy to then-captain, Sergio Estevez -- and see how he has developed from an energetic young midfielder trying to put himself about wherever he could, into the elder statesman who now dictates the pace of the game. "I had to slow down." Acosta says. "I was slowing down toward the end of the last campaign, and it showed. For Treason, I'd already started pulling back into a deeper role, because it's a tough league to play in, really physical."

Having learnt extensively from Estevez in his formative years, Acosta also clearly feels it is his duty to help Mancini and Mitchell's development when he can. Though he would downplay the suggestion if asked. "I don't think I do anything special for them, no. If they struggle, and that's rare, I try to help... but that's normal, isn't it?"

Mitchell, who has only recently broken into the Osarius squad, following a superb debut season at Euraleague side Directus, was particularly complimentary. "Every time I've played in a game with Rock, he's almost walked me through it all." Mitchell laughs. "He has so much experience, though. He's won everything, hasn't he? When you're given the chance to learn from a guy like Rock, you make the most of it, and I try to. We talk a lot. I'm learning a lot from him."

Having led his nation to the top of the mountain -- the first Osarian footballer ever to do so -- Acosta will be given the chance to repeat tomorrow, against Pasarga. When asked how he felt about it all, he merely smiled and said "I just hope we can win it in ninety minutes, or J.P. [Rodriguez] gets to lift the trophy, doesn't he?"

¹ Kryosi Intelligence and Luminosity League
² Osarian Service for Clandestine Operations
³ He is referring to the various ethnic "tribes" of Osarius. The Koromanti and Ohafia peoples both enjoy a large presence in the south and south east part of the Dynapolis region. The Nguleri and Kalanigo are also Dynapolitan, and all four groups share large parts of their history and have strong physical similarities to each other.
⁴ SnoGa Avalanche, the popular games console manufactured by Sunrisian company Snowflake Games.