World Cup 51 roleplay thread

by **Cassadaigua** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:40 am

Shannon’s Space

The list of nations that have won two consecutive champions is very small, and a list that might be a tad larger, but still a select company in its own right would be the list of nations that had appeared in two straight championship games. We have the opportunity to do that, but regardless of what happens I think we can all leave with positive thoughts and opinions of this World Cup. We’re in the semifinals, after all, and there aren’t a lot of defending champions that have done that in history, either. Our opponent, and who would have thought this, is Nethertopia? Are you kidding me?! Nethertopia?! Now before any Nethertopians that may be reading my blog misinterpret my intentions of that last sentence, there is only one reason why playing Nethertopia, at this point in time is so shocking to me and all of us. It’s that assistant coach they got. You know, Courtney Ferguson! Here we are in such a critical game and the greatest pioneer of Cassadagan international sports is going to be on the opposing sideline. She is still highly regarded in Cassadaigua and has scored the second highest amount of goals in our national history. Her #11 is retired. And she will be there. On the OPPOSING SIDELINE!!! Of course you will remember that Courtney was our head coach at the start of World Cup 49 qualifying before she was fired around the point and replaced by current coach Alexander Pappas. In fact, Courtney has coached several of us current players. This could be seen as an advantage maybe, to Nethertopia, given that she has a lot of knowledge about some us, but we’re not going to let that part of it beat us. Yeah, we know Courtney is very familiar with us, and we know that she probably wants to beat us more then she would want to beat anyone in Rushmore, but if we start worrying about what kind of information she has on us that she will use against us, then we have already lost the game.

Courtney is a friend to all of us, and that includes coach Pappas, and any bitter feelings that she might have had over the firing seems to have passed her by. She is an assistant coach for Nethertopia, but she is still Cassadagan and she has not forgotten that. When we have seen her in the last couple days around the Olympic Tower Stadium here in Aeropag, she has been her normal nice and friendly self to all of us. She’s enjoying this moment to the best of her ability as well. No matter what happens tonight as we play the team of her second home, she will always be close and always be a friend. Her #11 jersey, which we retired at the conclusion of the last World Cup she was in, which I think was 45, is still something we cherish here. Don’t forget either, it was Courtney Ferugson who wrote the first ever Cassadagan team blog. It was Courtney who was the captain on our Baptism of Fire team, and she did partake in several celebrations with the team after we won World Cup 50. Perhaps she has used that to help motivate her new team out in Nethertopia. They’ve been a Cinderella, but that shouldn’t surprise, because they have Courtney. This is going to be a great game. If we win, then we have the chance to play for our second consecutive World Cup championship. If we lose, then we stay here and support a Cassadagan legend against whoever they would play. Wow, this is going to be fun!

by **Valanora** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:02 pm

Valanora Times
A Cup of Unique Possibilties

World Cup Fifty was supposed to be the Cup that marked a defining moment in the passing of time and the longevity of this competition. It did to a small point, with the surprise winners of Cassadaigua and the extraordinary amount of top teams falling out in the Round of Sixteen. Despite that, it was not a tournament that was special, unless you are from Cassadaigua, that felt like it was an unique edition of the tournament. Two hundred years after the first World Cup, World Cup Fifty-one looks to be that most special of tournaments.

Here in the semifinals the teams that have made it are of contrasting and special circumstances. Two teams from the top ten in the rankings, Cassadaigua and Valanora, taking on two teams from the low forties of the rankings, Nethertopia and Pays de Horreur. It is Rushmore v One Big Island v Atlantian Oceania, with a Rushmore team in both of the semifinals. It is traditional footballing nations versus upstarts and criminals fighting for victories that would earn them their freedom. It is qualifying and group stage winners versus group stage runners up and teams that had to squeak into the tournament proper itself. Nearly every way you can imagine it, the teams that compose the final four of the field are in contrast, save for but each side likes to attack.

For Pays de Horreur and Nethertopia, they have a chance to make two sets of history. For thirty years, Candelaria And Marquez has been the flagship of Rushmore, a strong beacon of the region's vast untapped but unimaginable sport prowess, winning two titles in impressive style. Nethertopia has always played second fiddle to the Big Blues, always struggling to find success where it came almost naturally to their region mates. With new nations in Rushmore popping into international football, they became even more far back in the pecking order, on the verge of falling into anonymity. It all is poised to change if the Falcons find the will to overcome even more impossible odds and defeat Cassadaigua to advance to the Final, having only made it in on head to head tiebreaker over fellow Rushmoris in Pasarga. Pays de Horreur's side are criminals who have been promised their freedom should they win the World Cup, a freedom that Valanora would be happy to see if it did not have to come at their own expense. Should either of these two manage to advance and win the Final, they will become the first Rushmore nation outside Candelaria and Marquez to lift the trophy and the lowest ranked side to have ever done it since the introduction of the KPB ranking system.

On the other side, you have second ranked Cassadaigua and sixth ranked Valanora who have already tasted winning the tournament at least once. When Valanora faced Cassadaigua in the Round of Sixteen last World Cup, no one expected the Marauders to be defeat or Cassadaigua to continue on the road to winning the tournament. Now they are in the semifinals again, looking to become the first nation outside the traditional sporting regions to win multiple World Cups and the only nation besides Brazillico in World Cup 5 and 6 to win their second World Cup after winning their first. For we Vanorians, to lift the trophy in this edition would not only signal our return to the top of the footballing world, but it would be our first championship won outside of being ranked in the top three in the world. Also, it would bring our total amount of tournaments won to four, tied with the great nations of Bedistan and Rejistania for the second most titles in history and only a single one behind Starblaydia, who rules the footballing world with their impressive five World Cup titles.

All that laid out before us, the possibilities that this tournament provides is why the game is loved the world over. Some find love in the success, some find the love with the amount of randomness that occurs, while others still have love for the game because of the enjoyment they receive in partaking in the sport. Whatever the outcome of these last two matches for each nation, this World Cup has reaffirmed my belief that returning from the Gray Havens was the right choice for me and those of my kin who decided to, for the enjoyment of life far outweighs the pleasantries of paradise.

by **Valanora** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:19 pm

The Fall of the Princes

All the time is a wonder for all the world to see
Stars rising and falling for the naked eye
Life rises, life ends, and the earth continues to spin
Lost in transference does the new world end
Light from the havens bring forth the tidings
What was once whole is lost in disarray.

Two children roamed the green fields
Princes that the world made
Unburdened by the power each could wield
The game between them was all that mattered
No players could match their prowess
No equals to the skills that a prince held
Only the illusion of temporary success
The game between them would fade.

One prince lays forgotten along the path
His purple royalty a distant memory
Fading with a land that was subject to a goddess wrath
His brother fights on in distant lands
To recapture the magic that the two children had
An army of criminals waits at the gates
The prince must not hesitate
His strike is true and deep
The army is laid before him on the way to the lands of the dead.

At last the prince has reached his place
The throne at the end of the road and pearly gates
One last challenger remains to brush aside
An enemy who began his and his brothers decline
No words are spoken as each prepares
This fight takes on a greater care
To the victor the world will light a flame in honor
The loser has naught but despair.

~ Faeron Soldarian

by **Daehanjeiguk** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:10 pm

=== GYEONGJU===

Jang Heung-Min had had a tumultuous session as Prime Minister. And as Ministerial elections were coming around, he found himself in a minority. A very bad minority. In fact, if he didn't do something quickly, he would find himself on the outside of a coalition government that would threaten to unhinge every single programme that his government had developed. What had turned this situation against him? To be honest, no one was certain; the economy was booming, the Mujeongbu were being persecuted (and prosecuted) to the farthest reaches of the ends of the earth, and even the flora and fauna seemed to be nice. The only thing that might have upset the problem were the facts that a recent earthquake in Wunnam Province prompted a lot of calls of incompetence after it took officials nearly two whole weeks to get the situation under hand. Earthquakes happen all of the time, but this one particularly bad, and despite the earnest efforts of the government to prevent mass publication of the events therein, people from as far as Ilbon and Joseon were following the news carefully. And all of that put pressure on PM Jeong. It could have been other things, as well. Their inability to find the Emperor might have prompted cautious citizens to elect a new government that would spent all of its efforts into finding the Emperor and returning him home. After all, it was widely presumed that the Emperor was a prisoner of the Mujeongbu. The only problem with that idea was that (1) the Mujeongbu would not have kept the Emperor as a prisoner and (2) the Mujeongbu had made no public, private, or even secret communications concerning the Emperor, a ransom, or something along those lines. No, intelligence suggested that he was elsewhere - somewhere. The last tangible link was to a flight from somewhere to Somewhereistonia, sometime before the country found itself at war with Kyrinskaia (and we're still not sure about that one...).

Well, whatever the reason, the people were not happy, and the new government was not friendly. Jeong Heung-Min was practically holding a continuous emergency meeting to see if there was any way to avert a transfer of power. He tried pulling all of the strings that he could pull - 50% of them were already cut, another 50% were too weak, and yet another 50% were unwilling to help out. He was basically all alone.

Suddenly, a clamour echoed at the door. Jeong thought to ask one of his advisers to go check it out, but by the time he uttered the first aspirated sound, the Emperor appeared at the door.

He blinked.

The Emperor was standing at the door.

He blinked again.

The Emperor was standing with his arms folded, looking a bit upset. And as if to verify his presence, a whole host of staff and personnel were huddling around him groveling at his feet.

Jeong blinked, then fainted.

He woke up several hours later with about six (okay, seven) medical aides attending him. "He's emerging from shock. I think he'll be ready in a little bit."

"What?" Jeong said, slurring his syllables.

"What are you doing?" the Emperor asked.

Jeong, immediately recognizing that voice, snapped up and gave his report in one breath: "Sire, I've been running a temporary government in your absence with the hope and intention of returning all power to you upon your return, and now that you are here, we can initiate the restoration of the Imperial government under your grace and honor, to ten thousand years!" He nearly fainted again after saying all of that. The Emperor, turning his grim face now to a more complacent smile, nodded in response.

"Right... I was talking to the nurse who just stuck you with a needle."

Jeong took a glance at his right forearm, where a giant syringe was lodged firmly into place. He suddenly had a painful sensation like none other he had experienced (or thought to experience) in his lifetime. "OHWOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW..."

Jeong ran off shouting in excruciating pain. All this activity gave the nurse a chance to explain. "That was just a little bit of an epinephrine suppressant, something to keep him a little calm in the next few hours. He should be fine, notwithstanding the needle didn't hit any nerves or arteries."

The Emperor glanced at Jeong, still shouting. "I think it hit something."

The nurse nodded. She started to pack her equipment, and then stopped for just a moment. "Sire, I'm glad that you've come back."

The Emperor hesitated at the proper response. "I'm glad to be home too."

The Ministers, still in the room, gathered around the Emperor and his cohort of hardy, not-so-royal men and women. And they demanded his story. The Emperor simply said in response to everything that they asked, "In due time."

In due time. What was that supposed to mean?

MBC International

The Emperor Returns!

GYEONGJU - It is seldom that we bring our news for something as phenomenal as this, but we assure you - this isn't fake. After 1984 days of searching, trying, and hoping, our beloved Emperor has come home at last. It's quite strange, just how people were growing restless of these past 5 years. And after 5 years of "Western" style government - electing people to do things that once were the mandate of one man - we have the opportunity to embrace the one who can make sense of this whole thing once more. It's been a long time waiting, as well. We've had two years of conflict, three years of restless hunting, and an intermittent wave of panic and pain as the war against the Mujeongbu continues. Yet in the midst of all this chaos, we must ask ourselves... why did he come back?

That begs other questions, but for our foreign audiences who might not necessarily keep track of what's been going on for the past 5 years (because sometimes even we might forget it), it's been a tumultuous five years since the Gyeimyo Calamity - the dastardly attack by the Mujeongbu terrorist organization. Using EMP weapons from the political-isolate Ilbon, the Han have been fighting a war of survival for much of these past few years; perhaps it is even ironic that the Empire has emerged stronger than before. Yet with all of this fighting, we've had little opportunity to see the costs of this war. The capital Hangyeong was lain in ruin after the EMP attack, with the electrical infrastructure destroyed and the structural integrity of many other buildings left significantly weakened in the wake. The subsequent invasions only pushed the city into anarchy. After the rubble was cleared, the Imperial Family was all lost. Among the dead, only the Emperor's body could not be found.

It's triggered a seldom publicized but nonetheless socially present manhunt for the Emperor, and even in the heart of the darkest hours, we still had this deep feeling that the Emperor was still alive. Because in theory, the Emperor is the heart of the Empire itself; what Empire is there if there is no Emperor? True, this experiment in "republican" government pushed the idea of "emperor" to a seriously abstract "imperial state" as opposed to the "imperial man" - and let's be honest, one man making uninformed decisions is a lot easier than twelve angry men arguing about why their decision would have been better. But hopefully, it's all just an exercise in good political practice when we experiment with other forms of government.

And who knows? Maybe the Emperor will keep this experiment running. After all, this Empire does sometimes looks too big for one Emperor. And perhaps 5 years away from all of us has probably given him a good reason to want to stay away. Maybe after all that we've gone through, he's just back to take over what we've fixed. But with all that has been going on, and all that remains to be seen, we have one thing to say here from MBC: 폐하, 환영이 회복하시습시요! (for you non-domestic readers, that's "Welcome home, Emperor")

MBC Sports

Han Go Home For More Soul-Searching

COMMERCE HEIGHTS - A goal by Pak Yong-Ho wasn't enough to see the Han through to the next round as while the draw with Cassadaigua would have been sufficient on any other day, West Zirconia's positive result against Jeruselem was enough to earn the points needed to get out of Group C. And as the Han are left in the wake of another disappointing cup run, Lii Chong-Sun has come under more heat for failing to capitalize on the team's great form in the Qualification stage.

Nonetheless, if only due to that oddly friendship with the IFA Chairman, Kim Byeong-Ji, Lii Chong-Sun will remain at the helm of the Han squad, as they look to improve. Indeed, coming off a completely undefeated stretch in the qualifiers only to lose it in the first round, many eyes were raised about the man's managerial qualities. We had a few opportunities to ask him about what he felt about the Cup and moreover his feelings about World Cup 52. And since we're not supposed to do this script style (which we'll reserve for a different section on a different day), you'll get to read this in inconvenient prose style.

The first question asked was the most obvious one: "Where do you find the team after this early departure?" Lii offered no clear answer, saying that they would need to question their resolve after dropping points on the first match. "Clearly, we gifted West Zirconia the opportunity and they did well to seize it. As you can see, it's cost us dearly." Despite the negatives, he's glad with the performances. "A 4-1 reply against Jeruselem is not easy, and drawing even with the World Cup Champions is no easy task either. After West Zirconia, we rebounded well. On any other Cup, we would be in the Second Round." The next question was a little more personal: "Where will you spend the off-season?" Lii responded with a little grin and huffed a quick reply. "I've got two grandsons playing in the IFL for the [Seoan] Cheonma Academy team. Hyo-Jin [Lii's son] still hasn't managed to convince the young ones to turn to a more attacking style, but I suppose watching too many Yaforite reels tends to make anyone believe in defense, and they apparently do very well. Anyway, to answer your question, I'll be relaxing at home with the wife and children. I hope that the players do the same, since it's been a tough year for all of us. Unfortunately, being a Starblaydii native, I think I age nearly twice as fast as you do, so there's not much left for me." The third question turned back to football: "Where do you see the Han squad next year?" He replied quickly. "We'll be back. With any luck, we'll replicate our success and move on to greater and better things." After sounding off a confident reply, he turned more cryptic and doubtful. "Of course, any good performance demands equal capabilities, so we'll be hard-pressed to do everything according to plan next year. We've had a great season for all of the players. Kim Ha-Run, believe it or not, was to be admitted to a mental health institution a few years ago, but has emerged as one of the leading attackers and a genuine leader on the pitch. He's still not right in the mind, but I suppose when you win the TQCC title with one of the best clubs in the world, it tends to work wonders for your confidence. In fact, many of our players have achieved international success, so there's no doubting our talent. It's really a matter of getting this talent to work together during the tournament." After talking about the Daehanjeiguk squad, we asked for his opinion about the Starblaydii National Squad: "For the second time in a row, Starblaydia has failed to make the cut into the Second Round. What do you think about their prospects in continuing their challenge as a world football power?" Lii nodded as he gave his reply: "Well, I'm probably going to get a lot of heat for saying this, but I'd personally blame the elves. And I'm not blaming all of them. Taniquentar has been phenomenal in goal for Starblaydia, but I think nearly everyone will agree with me when I say that Valrauncion has overstayed his welcome at the National Squad. He's too pompous and throws his footballing weight around as if he's the god of football, which he's not. True, he's won a few titles, but I don't think he's earned anything worthy of glory in the Starblaydi records. Many of the elves tend to lack the humility that is required of any great player in the Starblaydii line-up, the sort that is required to achieve what household names as Simeone Di Bradini have managed to earn. And bless his heart, Jaime Kuu has gotten it all wrong this year. I can only hope that the SFA will have enough sense either to get him to mix up the talent or find a new manager. Humans and dwarves have their parts to play, as they've nearly always had. Until we can free up the squad from the elves, we'll be stuck with poor performances by the national squad." The final question concerned the future World Cup: "Currently, there is one bid by Pasarga and Somewhereistonia. Notwithstanding any oblivious political relations that the Han Empire has with either country, what do you think about their bid proposal to utilize new balls for the tournament?" Lii shrugged his shoulders with a heavy sigh. "I don't know. I haven't seen the balls, and hopefully, we'll have had enough time to practice with the new balls, but as long as they stand up to the pressure of 22 lads and lasses (must be Starblaydii chat there...) whacking a ball (again, Starblaydii chat there...) for 90 minutes, I'm fine with the new equipment."

And there's time for our report. Here's to hoping that Valanora doesn't win the World Cup.

Goal Scorers
14 - Kim Il-Tae (1)
9 - Pak Tae-Hwan (2)
8 - Yi Kwan-Wan
7 - An Pil-Rip (1; 1 pk)
6 - Kim Ha-Run (1)
4 - Pak Yong-Ho (1), Yim Dae-Jang
3 - Go Song-Ji
2 - Song Ahn-Ji
1 - Pak Jin-Jeong, Baek Min-Ji, Sang Han-Chang
Total: 60 (6) (this is just so I can keep track of my goals scored, so you don't get something like 16 goals scored while I've got 6 players scoring a total 31 goals... don't make sense, don't it?)

Comment on this post:
[] Excellent! - [] Great! - [] Okay - [] Horrible - [] Appalling - []ROLFLOLWMTIBITOL! - [] WTF? - [] orly? - [] tl;dr

[ooc: and as an incentive, there will be GODMOD in the next World Cup]

by **Commerce Heights** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:43 pm

The third place match score is now up.

by **Cassadaigua** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:53 am

Shannon’s Space

One day, Courtney Ferguson will do wonders for the Nethertopian program. In fact she already has. They won in the third place game after their loss to us, and I imagine that exceeded everybody in the nation long-viewed, figuratively, as Candelaria And Marquez’s unsuccessful cousin. After knocking off two of Rushmore’s longest-tenured soccer nations, we have a chance to defend our title, and to do it against a nation who knows a thing or two about successfully defending a championship. They were the last time to repeat, and it came in World Cup 43. That year, a new nation entered the international World Cup scene wearing pink and black. The Vanorians have not won a World Cup since then, but have had numerous successful runs and remain one of the top nations in the world. They will obviously remember who knocked them out in World Cup 50 as well. It was that victory over Valanora, and some other helpful results in that stage where we really began to sense a possible championship. Things are a little different for us in the locker room this year because we know what it takes. Four years ago we were a wide-eyed child on the grandest stage when we went up against Valanora, or Starblaydia, or Candelaria And Marquez. Now, there is nothing that intimidates us. There is one special opportunity awaiting us now, and that is to be a two-time champion. There are not many out there that can say that. Towards the end of the Nethertopia game, I got a glimpse of Courtney Ferguson on the sideline. Her head was down, and she was depressed just like anyone else on the Nethertopia sideline as it is in her blood to want to win in anything she does and before we could really celebrate the win we all exchanged hugs with her. In many cases a post-game handshake is routine, but just about all of us took a moment to give her a hug and tears dripped from her eyes. It was bittersweet for us too, because she has played such a vital role in our successes as well. The core of this team was put together at young ages during World Cup 49 when she was our head coach before only lasting half of the qualifying stage. As young girls, we watched Courtney play for our team with pride and dignity, and she knows that. She is proud of us and we are with her. She was quick to tell us that she was still going to be making it to Sokojito Dosi to watch the championship game and we wished her the best in the third place game. I’m very happy they won.

Back to us, and back to this game. It has been something we have not talked about much in the locker room, but for many of us this is going to be our last game at the international level. You know, it is kind of funny in a way. There’s a group of players on this team who are either 33 or 34 years of age and this will be their final game with the national team. Both starting forwards, Jessica Schanke and Hannah Barton, our starting goalkeeper Allison Salamida, and captain Meaghan Bateman are those players. Their first international game? Di Bradini Cup 9. In Valanora. One game now remains. Will they begin as bright-eyed teenagers in Valanora and finish as champions by beating Valanora? Time will tell, I’m excited about this game and we are in great shape heading into it. So is Valanora. The whole world better be watching!

by **Schiavonia** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:28 am

"So where did Chris go?"

"Back home to Ariddia."

"But he said he wasn't from Ariddia?"

"Well wherever it is he was from. I'm not entirely sure myself."

"But he promised us cake."

"But look over there!"

And the entire team went over to look over the side of the boat. They could see Schiavonia over the side. And on the island something that wasn't there before.

Something out of the ordinary.

CAKE!!!

by **The Babbage Islands** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:47 am

Chip and Kirsten Woods were happy to be in Sokojito Dosi. Not as happy as they are at home in Belgium, but much happier than they were at the Board of Governors meeting in Charleston.

"Can you believe they still got 27 votes to pick up our ball and go home?", Kirsten asked.

"Twenty-seven is not 33, though," was Chip's response. "And as the emotion subsides they'll come back to their senses."

Soon they reached the head of the queue for admission to the Uberdome. No VIP seats here; the Woods were far from the only well-to-do club owners in attendance at the World Cup 51 final.

"The good thing about seeing the Dagans today instead of the Bumblebees, we get to watch five of our players instead of one."

Kirsten looked thoughtful. "Bittersweet day for Allison. She knows it will be her last match for the Dagans, win or lose."

"We knew we were getting a fine goalkeeper. We didn't know that we would wind up with the world's best." Chip continued. "She may get retired from pink-and-black, but we're five points clear in the Premier League with her between the posts. Maybe she's still got a Champions' Cup in her to go with a World Cup or two. Great keepers can go way into their thirties."

"And to think that some of our players are just hitting their prime. Traci, Rachel, Cassie, all could be a force in the next cup. I don't see Shannon Myers losing any steps either."

Chip chuckled. "I wonder when Tegan Nash's contract is up in Cafundeu. Can you imagine her playing with Shannon? And Kelli?"

"Do you ever scout men, sweetheart?" Kirsten squeezed his hand, to take the sting out.

"Not if I have the choice, I'm hardwired that way," Chip replied, earning a gentle tap on the arm in reply.

by **Sarzonia** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:53 am

The days after Sarzonia's second round elimination from the World Cup were a period of reflection for Franz Braddock.

The Sarzonia manager and Cafundéu native found this World Cup cycle to be the most taxing of his career in Sarzonia. In fact, he was probably more stressed out than at any point during most of his time coaching his native national team.

Not all of it was his team's doing. The massive slayings in Sarzonian neighbour and close allies Delaclava hurt his heart like little else. Even as a native of another country, he got the close relationship that developed and was continuing to develop between Sarzonia and Delaclava. He knew Sarzonians were grieving along with their Delaclav brethren when the hundreds of people were killed.

He also knew they celebrated with their Delaclav neighbours when the Phoenixes qualified for the World Cup for the first time, and then advanced to the quarterfinals in their maiden voyage. It was exciting for them, and for Sarzonians. And, Braddock was also well aware that Sarzonians were actually happier for Delaclava than they were for themselves, and that only partly had to do with expectations.

He'd listened to the pleas of his associate manager and Sarzonia manager in waiting, Isselmere-Nieland native James Potherington, not to make a rash decision on his coaching future. Had he not, he would have retired immediately after Sarzonia's 3-2 loss to Valanora.

In the days immediately following Sarzonia's ouster, the first time a Sarzonian team lost to Valanora, he'd changed his mind several times. Finally, he found himself missing the competition, the camaraderie, the challenge of preparing for the next match.

He sent his statement to the Incorporated Football Federation, and in just three words, hoped to answer speculation and quash rumours once and for all.

"I'll be back."

Potherington was far more eloquent in his praise of his boss's decision. It wasn't that Potherington wouldn't have been pleased with taking the helm of Sarzonia's World Cup fortunes. Rather, he knew the old man was revitalised by his tenure in Sarzonia. And, dare he say it, had almost discovered a fountain of youth in his adopted homeland.

World Cup 52's story may not be written yet, as the final chapter of World Cup 51 had yet to be finished, but the Sarzonian section would continue to be written by Franz Braddock.

by **Nethertopia** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:29 am

The team had a little celebration of their own. It wasn't gold, but it was still a medal on a World Cup! The players had their own little party on field, Courtney Ferguson and Francisco Martinez the center of it all. From the VIP room watched a figure in a suit, with a purple tie. He looked at the partying crowd and faintly smiled. This man was an option that they had overlooked. This manager could prove to be the right man the job. Simeone Di Bradini had seen enough, it was time to write a few letters and contact others.

by **Cassadaigua** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 5:15 am

Shannon’s Space

Brazillico, Rejistania, Bedistan, Az-Cz, Valanora, and now, Cassadaigua. With our memorable victory over Valanora, we have become just the sixth nation to ever win back-to-back championships. And no, none of those nations have won three in a row, so there will be plenty of inspiration for World Cup 52. But before we get ahead of ourselves, it is a true honor to join this amazing group. If you look at each of the championships, each one represents an era of the World Cup. Brazillico, the early years (5 & 6), Rejistania the growing years (17 & 18), Bedistan the middle years (26 & 27), Az-Cz in 37 & 38 (I can’t think of something to call them), and then Valanora who’s victories signify the last Cup without us (42) and our Baptism of Fire year (43). How will we be remembered? Possibly as the milestone years, 50 & 51. I have to say that after we won World Cup 50 we certainly were aware that a lot of people thought we were a fluke. I wonder how many people are saying that now, as we had a great run during this World Cup, only losing one time in qualifiers (to Tyrrin), and then playing very well in the knockout rounds. World Cup 51 validated World Cup 50. Much of this team was the same team that won the previous Cup, so our roster is full of two-time champions. For players like Jessica Schanke, Hannah Barton, Meaghan Bateman and Allison Salamida, this was their final international game, and there is no better way to go out. For myself, I am going to be one of a few people who returns in the effort for the three-peat in World Cup 52.

The game itself was a true test of our talents. Valanora is one of the greatest teams in the world, and one that knows what to do once they get to this level. As expected they came out playing well, with Laborious Hawk showing a lot of the ability that makes him one of the greatest we will ever see. Erica Lambert, in the knockouts of World Cup 50, did a wonderful job containing Hawk, and she stepped up and did so again. Batey (Meaghan Bateman) was terrific in her defense of him as well. My job, defensively, wasn’t being assigned to Hawk as much as it was Aintôrthea Duros, that played alongside of him. While she was tough, I felt as though I did my job. Scoring the first goal of the game really helped our cause as well. Hannah’s (Barton) 17th minute strike, taking advantage of the three-man backfield by the Marauders with her speed and a nice pass from Stephanie (Reeves) gave us the early momentum and the lead into halftime. Even though we started the second half well, we were pretty bummed out about the 62nd minute goal they got, and for a little while, we allowed them to take control of the match. But towards the end, things began to go our way again. In the 85th minute, we would get our big goal on an aggressive rush upfield led by Lambert. Batey found some room to run and put a low show on the keeper who was able to get in front of it and stop it but he could not hold it, and the rebound ended up right on Jessica Schanke’s foot. From there, she knew what to do with it, fired it low and inside the post for the game winning goal, setting up a crazy celebration in the corner to the right of the goal. We still had a little time to play, and composed ourselves enough to re-focus on the task at hand and finish out the victory.

Thank you, all of you for your support. We could not have done this again without you. We will return to Concord Heights and party with all of you just the way we did before. We are two-time champions. We’ve made some history joining five other nations that have done it, and in four years, we will look to be the first to do it three times. For now though, let’s get the party started!

World Cup 51 roleplay thread

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