Nephara 1-0 Oontaz Dert Li Ng
(4-3-3) 20 - Tsattalios; 18 - Brymora, 5 - Konoval (2 - Rafford 70'), 22 - Frostmarris, 19 - Jeurissen (3 - Lohengrin 70'); 16 - Misidjan, 23 - Chilmark, 15 - Rowan; 13 - Bereveskos, 9 - Hawke, 11 - Strongbow
Goal: Strongbow 16'
PRAVENNAN FLAGSHIP SIDE PREPARES TO ENTER NEPHARIM PYRAMID
Geneva Schwarzer
Even as the smouldering ruins of Augustinople are repaired and a government changeover takes place, there is - and always will be - football to consider. To that end, the NFA announced yesterday night that the Pravenna Saints have been granted permission to take the vacant place in the Third Division this season.
The catalyst was the liquidation of North Dubstep, a side that had struggled financially and to attract crowds, victim to the inability of the planned city to rise to its promised population. The other side in the city, formerly of the Premiership but playing in the Conference last season, are rebranding to the more marketable Chardonnay Rangers from next season as they attempt to command a more regional approach east of the Vale.
The Saints are a spiritual successor to the Augustinople Saints side that formed to compete in the short-lived Multiverse Premier League. They won the third tier in its second season, but a third never happened, so they simply thrived as the one professional side in the semi-professional Pravennan league.
They were the most heavily-supported side of the nation by a mile, and counted the former dictator Augustine Mitrosaridis as its primary patron, while also having connections with the Optima Consortium. But Mitrosaridis is currently missing and would not be welcomed back under the new democratic protectorate regime, while the Optima Consortium is outlawed within Nephara.
The new Saints will lack these connections, but it will not be apolitical. "We recognise that Pravenna are unlikely to be permitted to play international tournaments anymore," club chairman Phoebe Nikas said in a statement to media, "and we hope that we can effectively represent Pravenna in professional football. Long-term we hope that Pravenna can set up its own league as well, but this will take time, and the people need football's healing power sooner rather than later."
It may take some time before there are enough Pravennans to stock the side, and it is likely that for the first season the side will be majority Nepharim. And there is still work to be done - the NFA are subsidising the Saints to some degree, and Nepharim relief is aiding the repair and reconstruction of Augustinople's 12,000-capacity stadium, but self-sustainability down the line is essential.
Furthermore, success on the pitch will be essential to its survival off the pitch - nobody is entirely certain what would happen if the Saints were relegated twice, though it is most likely they would play in the Lazuli Coast state league. The new manager is likely to be former Saints and Pravenna goalkeeper Anastasia Stasinopolous, who was noted as being incorruptible in a deeply corruptible league, in her first managerial role, and much will hinge upon her initial success.
Hopefully, should the Saints prove successful in the coming seasons, they can begin the healing process for Nephara's wounded protectorate.