World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

[Ko-oren]

Katherine Davenport came home to an empty apartment. Her husband was abroad for business for a couple of days, following around World Cup qualification stories in nearby nations of Atlantian Oceania. He was in a better position than Katherine, as he usually made sure to pass by Vilita or Turori and enjoy the warmer weather over there, before catching a match by the excellent Valanora squad and only come home afterwards. Normally she wouldn't mind, she preferred preparing for important matches by herself. This cycle, as she'd only been called up to the squad as an experienced mentor, she lost that preference. There was almost no pressure on her this time around, she had nothing to carry on her shoulders, felt empty. And she really dreaded how empty her apartment was, she needed to run this decision by someone else.

Instead, she grabbed a sheet of paper to resolve her dilemma the only other way she knew, the tried and trusted method of writing down the pros and cons and seeing which reasons and consequences were most important to her. Her previous sheet was still on a corner of the table, listing her reasons to retire or not. That was a terribly hard decision to make, and a few matches later, she was faced with another decision like that. Would she retire immediately, quietly, without finishing the cycle? Or would she keep playing, resenting the way the team was run and only holding on because she didn't want to see Katanmak sacked either?

Katherine wanted about a week to decide. Quietly, she hoped that the results of the national team in the meantime would be positive, so she had an excuse to stay on the team a bit longer while Katanmak would ride out the cycle with minimum damage. Nobody expected a World Cup run, but nobody expected a below-average performance and a home loss to Al Qurija - while being overtaken by that nation on the ranking. Nobody expected a draw against either Eura or Nephara, but everyone had at least hoped some sort of competitive match against Apox, Taeshan or the Natanians and Nosts. That last bit was still possible, but the Dragonflies just kept stringing bad results together. And what if? What if the media took her retirement as a voice speaking out against Katanmak? At least she'd be joining Katanmak's staff, that wouldn't happen. But what if the media didn't see it as a relationship between Katherine and Katanmak, but instead as a coward's decision on her end? Let alone her own pride of riding out the cycle as she'd promised.

By now, both columns, pro and con, were full. She'd started getting rid of the smaller consequences on both sides, until she got to the really big decisions on both sides. Then she thought of a third option. What if she simply wouldn't make a decision? Was there even a difference between not retiring by choice, or not retiring by lack of choice? The week she took to decide didn't make it much easier on her. Then, on a whim, she grabbed the phone. There was another thing she could do. Force it so there was no way back.

"Is that you, Katherine?"

"Yes, Katanmak. I wanted to let you know... I'm joining your staff. I don't know how yet, but I'm retiring from the team."

[Super-Llamaland]

Curtis Chen's first day on the job had not been going well. The team was about to drop points again, which would effectively take them out of the qualification race with Darmen and Jeruselem in the form they were in. They'd missed half an hour of training after a bus breakdown, Candelario had gotten sick and stayed in the team hotel, and it was raining. "You see that?" Steeling said to him, the Ethanian looking visibly agitated as he gestured towards the scoreboard. "Looks like we have five minutes to live," he continued, directing Chen's attention to the "ABAJA 1 - 1 SUPER-LLAMALAND, 84:56" displayed there.

"Plus stoppage," Chen replied. "Fuck. We need to change it up. The boys look lost out there."

It was rather telling that a Tigers side that had beaten the likes of San Jose Guayabal, Gregoryisgodistan, and Cosumar in the past year was struggling to penetrate a disciplined Abajan defense. The likes of Ansel Penbrooke, Eva Velasquez, Miro Vorobyov, and Elias Møller were usually dependable, but today - and in the past few matches - they just hadn't been feeling it. Although a lucky deflection had given Velasquez her first goal in five matches, talismanic striker Alulawe Ju had been quick to equalize with a delightful long-range effort - and, seemingly happy enough with a point, the Lions were more than willing to sit back and relax.

Bringing Jason Santana on for Nemanja Vesely had only slightly improved the attack, while the replacement of Jonathan Van Dijk with Francesca Abel due to injury concerns slightly weakened it. "We've got one substitution left here," Curtis Steeling said, "We should do it right now. Let's bring someone on for Voro."

Chen squinted through the rain, looking out onto the field. "Put Axel on."

"As a winger?"

"Vorobyov's hardly a winger himself. And the statistics say Korborg has been really good in an outside-forward position. He'll be fine."

The dimness of the rainy afternoon was lit up by the fourth official's brightly-colored sign. Number eleven to come off, number twenty-two to come on. The two men sat, silent, on the bench. The clock read 85:49. In four minutes (plus stoppage), the whistle would mark a vast drop in the probability the Tigers qualified for a third consecutive World Cup. The Tigers took a corner - it was Velasquez to send a beautiful cross into the box, but Penbrooke sent it wide and Korborg was beaten to the rebound by Joseph Amé.

"Voro wouldn't have scored that," Curtis Steeling said out loud, addressing Chen's own internal doubts. The Abajan keeper passed to Nyema, who sent a beautiful ball over the top of the Tigers defense, and Ju went streaking after it. Ynoa found herself beaten by Ju's skill, but Lindberg managed to clear it for an Abajan throw-in. Some maneuvering found Dedaná Esé open with the ball; the winger crossed to Ju, who headed home - but from an offside position. The game was still wide open. And no matter how bad a draw would be for the Llamaneans, a loss would be even worse.

Sheffield took the free-kick - with the team needing every point they could get to qualify, Steeling and Chen had decided to stop rotating in keepers. Sheffield, Bernholm, and Nick Lindberg would be going to Ceni/Drawkland if they qualified. The pass floated upfield before Damian Bao won the ball, heading over Anekwe and towards Elias Møller. The Samaj midfielder briefly got stuck, but managed to extract the ball from under his feet, dribble through Macoufa and Nyema, and send a ball into the box.

Axel Korborg got to the pass milliseconds before Beddain. With his first touch he sent a looping volley over Amé and into the net.

They were staying alive.

[Eura]

OOC: Continued from second half of this RP.

Two hundred miles from hell and it still smelled like sulfur. At that range you could hear the guns of the 'Big Bloody' firing up every night. Amelia and the rest of her Nepharim platoon found themselves on the verge of deadly combat after six months of easy living compared to a large number of their compatriots and millions of Eurans. There was a mixture of fear, longing for home and excitement among the other soldiers from Nephara. One chattered his teeth in the cold and wet. 'Fuck this man. I didn't fucking want this, just wanted a job. Shit. Its really happening you know?'
'What is?'
'We're going right into the shit Cleves, don't you get that yet? We're all gonna' get fucked by fuckin' Sammies. They're crawling all over every goddamn square inch. I want out of this shit, one ticket to Brinemouth please!'
'Shut up Boyle!' yelled another with an acidic tongue. 'You don't know what hell you're talking about. Now lads, tell me why we're here?'
'Kill fascist cunts, sir!'
'That's more like it!'
'Mate, I don't know. How long are we going to be out there for? I'm not soft, I just don't want to get my bleedin' head taken off you know?'
'I heard these Euran special ops guys eat the bodies to keep going. That's not true right? I mean we know that yeah? Seriously though. Sarge.' A screeching whistle and flurry of gunshots cut the chatter short.

Every one of the group scrambled for their weapons but then sheepishly came to a halt as a Euran military policeman walked by, having clearly fired his submachine gun in the air to "motivate" hundreds of Sameban prisoners walking past in double file. They looked truly miserable, slouching through the mud, with only rudimentary winter clothing and combat boots to keep them warm. Amelia's curiosity was instantly piqued as she returned to her plastic camp chair. 'What's happening there, Lieutenant?'
'Sameban Republican Army 33rd Armoured Division. Tankers. Got caught in a cut off valley behind the Euran advance last week and had nowhere to go. Didn't realise this many had surrendered to be honest.' A Euran Army Hummer and several LRV-5 Groundhogs rolled past them slowly spitting mud up at the prisoners. The front vehicle calmly proceeded to stop by the Nepharim platoon while the Groundhogs continued on, their passengers whooping and jeering at the Sameban prisoners. Not much could be discerned from the mocking screams apart from one Euran Private pointing at his watch as he spoke. 'Times almost up, wankers!' Some of the younger Sameban men looked worried by this remark, like it was a threat, a euphemism. The older ones had accepted by now that it was just victorious enemies letting off steam; the Euran's didn't execute prisoners in pits like their own officers would do in this situation.

Getting out of the Hummer was a hard boiled looking kind of guy. He was in his late forties most likely, a scar gouged across his neck on the left side up to his left ear and altering the shape of his cheekbone. Being dressed like a soldier with mud gathering on his ankles rather than a functionary decked in medals immediately earned him a respectful reaction from the Nepharim Lieutenant. 'Good morning, sir. Lieutenant Urban Desmond, Nepharim Army.' The Euran smirked slightly. Not the kind of reaction you saw coming from a guy who looked like he drank the blood of his enemies for breakfast. 'Urban? Funny name.'
'I live up to it sir. Been training these lads and lasses to fight in Green homes and streets for months!' A few of the soldiers grimaced at this ironically rather green-horn junior officer trying to play international diplomacy. 'That's good, you're going to need it. Can I speak to your boys?'
'And girls!' sneered one of the female NCO's. People from Nephara were under the impression that Eura was less egalitarian about gender than their own country - and they were right. It was hardly a backwater though. 'Shorthand, Sergeant. My boss is a woman and she's more terrifying than I am. I'm Colonel Morris Tacker. Listen up the lot of you!' Their ears pricked up as the Euran, now more visibly a Colonel and flanked by two other officers and guards, stood on a tree stump to address them all.

The rain was a bit distracting so Colonel Tacker reversed his decision to take off his military cap. 'I'm going to keep this sweet and simple for you all because I know you're a to the point kind of people. You'll already know that you're currently under the command structure of the 3rd General Infantry Corps of the Euran Army's 5th Division, which is currently running an operation against a Sameban counter attack in the small city of Maltecco north of Aspel. Tomorrow the Division is deployed elements of the 3rd Regiment to secure some very particular objectives in the east of the city in the less developed residential areas. You're going to be part of it. Make no mistake; this is still Sameban territory as much as El Presidentes shithouse.' A nervous belly laugh from some of them summed up the confused nature of their group feeling about being sent into combat for the first time. 'You'll be inserted aerially with Bravo Company to secure central objectives while a larger assault is made to the west by motorised units. Joining you in the assault will be, wait for it - several fireteams from the Marine Commandos, with some specialist mission advisors from the Euran Marine Corps and Navy.' Hushed murmuring interrupted the speech along with some quiet clapping of hands.

That one Private wasn't particularly happy though. 'Oh shit! Cleves you know what this means right?'
'Orson, I've fucking told you already mate, they don't eat people.'
'Yes they do I heard it from a reliable source!'
'Your mate from Brinemouth who said he saw a video on RushLeak of an "allegedly" Euran commando eating a Repbulican Guardsmans heart is not a reliable source.'
'Whatever man, that's what they want drones like us to believe.' Amelia was about to tell him that he was being much more of a cock than usual lately but was rudely interrupted by Colonel Tacker. 'Private! What's your name?' She narrowed her eyes at the old goat - he didn't scare her one bit. Probably all talk. 'Private First Class Cleves, sir.'
'Fancy, why don't you square your arse away while I'm talking? Private, do you realise what's happening?' Nervous from seemingly very little she recoiled a bit. 'We're getting into the fight?'
'Understatement of the bloody century. You, all of you! You're headed knee deep into the shit, and when I say the shit, I don't mean solid shit, I mean liquid nightmare! Our casualty rate over there is three to one, but guess what, I've been told Nepharim stock are tough as balls, so I'm expecting you to drop five fascists for every one of you! Who's with me?' A roar went up from the pumped up Nepharim soldiers. Amelia realised in that moment that there was absolutely no way she could go and participate in this suicidal madness. She was still thinking about that many hours later in the denial phase of grief, as her helicopter thundered north towards the fight she never thought she'd have to actually join.

[Ceni]

Is your team a Shooting Star? Cutoff.

[Somecoldwetislands]

Welcome, you are watching SCWITV and coming up now is today's sports broadcast. Will it be further heartache or can the Islanders do themselves proud? It's going to be a special one, as Somecoldwetislands travel to Spaam

*International football theme music plays, (obviously this is all written down so you can't hear it, trust us though, it's fantastic. You'd love it,
it's catchy and a total tune and you won't ever be able to get it out of your head or indeed want to. But sadly you can't hear it, so you'll just have to miss out on that one.

"Hello and welcome to Somecoldwetislands against Spaam, aka SPAAMAGGEDON!! *Cough* Anyway, I'm suave Katie and joining me tonight in the studio to describe back to you what you literally just saw with your own eyes are Madame Bubbles and Unhappy Dave. In the commentary box are Happy Dave and Jenny T. Books. Now, going into tonight we already know that us Islanders are out of contention for qualification mathematically, something that was imminently obvious anyway, but one player says he won't let that get to him."

<MD1, Bojikstan: "Daddy Dave has the ball, he's taking it down the wing, makes it past Shenchenko, hoofs it across, this a good cross, Cool Simon on the end of it, on the post IT'S IN! The Islanders first ever qualifying goal just 10 minutes in and Daddy Dave made it happen!">

Daddy Dave: "From the very start I just go onto the pitch and play the best I can. I never let the odds get to me, the name of the opposition, whether anythings at stake."

<MD3, New Jarwel: "Daddy Dave totters forward with the ball, the opposition look completely and utterly pissed. He's sauntering past them, he has a kick at it, ooh he's missed the ball. Never mind, no defender close by, he's sauntering forward with the ball now, he's taken the shot GOAL! Daddy Dave puts one on the scoring sheet. He's got his arms up in the air, he's swaying a bit, he seems to be singing 'WHO ARE YA" at the top of his lungs.>

Daddy Dave: "The thing is, yous gots to put 100% in, even if you're so drunk you can't see right. When those boots go on it's like I be going to war."

<MD8, Republic of Kaboomlandia: "The islanders need to find a goal from somewhere, just one goal the difference and a dispiriting defeat looks likely, the RoKaboomlandia are pushing hard on them, they're pinned down in their third. They seem to be passing we- Daddy Dave intercepts the ball. Things are moving here. He's sprinting forward. There's only Crinkly Joe ahead of him. He lays it off. The pass back. He's through the defence! One on one now, he chips it! OFF THE BAR AND IN! DADDY DAVE TO THE RESCUE.>

"They say I'm mad sometimes. Maybe. But whatever the score, we could be up or down. I try an' do the same thing. I try and make something happen. I try and do me islands proud."

Suave Katie: "Fighting words from Daddy Dave there. What do you two think about the fact we can't now qualify? Do you think it'll affect the teams performance at all?"

Madame Bubbles: "Oh Daaaaaarling nooooo. One doesn't rightly think that it will. One believes that the team shall continue to play as before, it's not as if they believed that they were ever exactly odds on to! Nooooooo Daaaaaarling, I believe they'll go out there and play for pride much as they haaaave befooooore."

Unhappy Dave: "I don't agree. It'll be naff. Just like everything."

Suave Katie: "Do you think the team has been implementing the right tactics do you think that the use of en masse zonal defence and chasing the ball down like sheep is a tactic that deserves to continue in place as it is?"

Unhappy Dave: "No, it's a crap tactic. But the team isn't strong, so we would probably do badly anyway. Nothing we do would change anything. *Audible Sigh*.

Madame Bubbles: "One does believe that a change may well be in oooooooooorder. One has observed this tactic in use since the Baptism of Fire, it has never been as effective as hoped. Peeeerrrrrrhaps it is time to implement a more rigoroooous approach."

Suave Katie: "Well given that tonight Somecoldwetislands face down Spaam, a very tough opposition, we could well see if the defensive approach has any merit or not, over to you Happy Dave and Jenny T. Books.

HD: "Thanks Katie and what a lovely day we have here in Spaam! No rain at all. It's us to kick-off, no how do you rate our chances Jenny?"

Jenny: "Well HD, any points here would be a good result, but the team are looking good, all of them have made an attempt at warming up and all of them are sober for once!"

15 minutes in

HD: "How do you rate Red Peter in defence Jenny?"

JTB: "Well, I certainly concur with the consensus that he hasn't been strong in that aspect, he has made some fairly crucial errors in the last few games in that aspect. I think it was definitely an interesting choice to have him on as a striker today, he's playing the lead to Crinkly Joe and Herman the Hermit, and we have one fewer in defence."

HD: "Spaam pressing now into the final third, Obese William is a bit far out, OH WOW A LOOPED SHOT. THE PROGRESS OF THIS IS PAINFULLY SLOW. BALL IS IN THE AIR, WILL WILL MAKE IT BACK? WE STILL DON'T KNOW THE BALL IS STILL AIRBORNE."

JTB: "I for one have never seen a ball take so long to come to earth."

HD: "Me neither this is taking a hell of a long time."

JTB: "Well stick with us because Spaam may be in the process of scoring a goal. OH WILL GETS A HAND TO IT"

HD: "BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH?"

JTB: "IT ISN'T! The ball has just about made it into the goal by the narrowest of margins and the Soggy Islanders go one goal down."

HD: "Uncharacteristic effort there from a behemoth of a goalkeeper, he usually judges distance well but he's been caught out here."

JTB: "Indeed he has, what a crushing disappointment for a man more used to being the crusher than crushee."

HD: "Especially in confined spaces. Now the Soggy Islanders look well on their way to a defeat going down this early on."

35 minutes

JTB: "Spaam look to be holding onto this lead with not much response from the Soggy Islanders."

HD: "This game seems to have settled into somewhat of a pattern for both sides, Spaam controlling the middle but unable to break down the defence. Here comes Red Peter, he runs with it, he's tackled. He looks angry now. Red Peter seems to be lying down in front of the Spaamian midfielder. He's screaming at the top of his lungs. Now he's got out a brick!"

JTB: "Considering his perma-nudeness it's a wonder where he got it from."

HD: "He takes a big bite what next?"

JTB: "And he appears to be vomiting it back out in disgust to signal his displeasure at being dispossessed. Truly he is one of the characters of the game."

HALF TIME

49 Minutes

JTB: "Herman the Hermit is scuttling along with the ball here, do you think the crab walk is a daring new tactic of his or is he just doing some marketing for his business as a hermit?"

HD: "Well I probably would have thought for business but it seems to be working as he's on the edge of the box here, LAUNCHES IT. Off the bar. BACK TO DIDDY DAVE, IT'S IN! Diddy Dave has scored, he got the ball just inside the box, fired it into the top right corner, there was a small ricochet off a defender there. What a goal for Diddy Dave, he's really one of the ones to watch in this team."

JTB: "Indeed, Daddy Dave may well be the, erm, Daddy, but Diddy Dave is slowly but surely proving himself here. This father and son though, let me tell you something, they have a strong bond."

HD: "They very much do, probably one of the strongest bonds in the Dave clan, and those bonds are pretty strong as it is."

90+3 minutes

JTB: "It's been so quiet."

HD: "Very quiet, the ball has largely been bobbing about in the middle third of the pitch with neither team making a break through. Red Peter has lost interest, he's reading about lobotomies and dribbling profusely."

JTB: "A Spaamian defender has wandered over and is asking if he's ok. Can you make out what he's saying?"

HD: "I'm a good lip reader, he seems to be shrieking the following 'ME OK, U FRIEND, BE MY FRIEND, WE FRIENDS NOW. DO U EVER SOMETIMES PHASE OUT AN' YOU WAKE UP AND YOU ALL COVERED IN SPIT AN IT'S REAL STICKY?'"

JTB: "The defender seems to be backing off. You have to love what a character Red Peter is."

HD: "You really do. Because how many people do you meet who make you feel so happy. So happy in the knowledge that at least you don't have to wake up everyday and be them."

JTB: "And that's it, full-time and a well earned draw for the Soggy Islanders. Over to you Katie."

Suave Katie: "Well what an evening, we had a thunderingly good goal from Diddy Dave and some memorable antics from Red Peter, any thoughts on the performance there?"

Madame Bubbles: "Quiiiiiiiiiiite a perrrrrrforrrrrrmance that was. One has never seeeeen the defensive tactics of our Soggy Islanders work soooooooooooo well. They really managed to keeeeeep Spaam out, the final third was prrrrrrractically impaaaaaasssssaaaaaabbbbbblllllleeeee."

Unhappy Dave: "Certainly an unexpected draw, but that's our problem, we never press for a win, we just give up, like everyone should."

Suave Katie: "Well I'm not sure about that, but with that result the Soggy Islanders now have the joint highest number of games drawn during qualifying. I suppose that can't really be considered a good OR a bad thing in whole, not all draws are created equal."

Madame Bubbles: "Indeeeeeed daarrrrling, this draw was a rrrrrrrather excellent display, but the team has had its fairrrrrr share of draws that it neeeeeeded to converrrrrt to a win."

Suave Katie: "Well that's all we have time for here, thank you for tuning in and come back next time when the Soggy Islanders are back home and squaring off against HUElavia back home on the field. Goodnight."

[Sameba]

Years of unforgiving conflict had been unkind to Sameban football which could now be described as being in crisis without resorting to hyperbole. The Sameban First Division had not long ago begun its first foray into UICA football but was now on the verge of an unprecedented shutdown for the first time in its history. Circumstances had shrunk it to almost half its pre-war size with most of the big clubs having been forced into temporary relocation north away from the Euran occupied regions or ceasing to exist. Aspel’s Dellaro stadium, the spiritual home of Sameban football on its gorgeous east coast, had been conquered by the Euran Army in one of the greatest humiliations of the war for the Sameban nation which had prompted a great outpouring of public grief that stunned and scared the Gartanzo regime, whose grasp on public opinion was starting to somewhat waver. Magnificent terraces decorated in green and blue livery had been replaced by blank concrete pock marked with bullet holes. A collapsed stand behind the southern goalmouth lay as a reminder of the slowly unfolding car crash that was Sameba's war against Eura, while occasional morale boosting matches between teams from different branches of the Euran armed forces now occupying the city served as a reminder of how successful their initially defensive war had turned out to be.

Fortune had appeared to desert Sameban football. Their national team's days of shocking big opponents regularly were over and several cycles of mediocrity had cemented that fact. Then there were the outcasts, the traitors, who had deserted the side. Some of them had been legends of Sameban international football including their former top goalscorer Pablo Dohi; Fabio Quella, Michael Sarado, Levi Andetel, Eugene Sabattini, Roman Mayalla, Pablo Dohi, Alan Dabix, Maurice Arcuri. Most of the golden generation had deserted the country, including some who had been thought to be unquestionably loyal. Huele remained of course but at 33 he could only drive the engine of the side for so long despite his obvious class. The goalkeepers were poor and the back line comically weak these days apart from Giord. Parvenna was a good finisher who scored way more than a First Division player would be expected to at international level, but had little cover up front with Piccio and Gallo decidedly mediocre, Carlevaro refusing to play for the national team and Torjan being so inexperienced. The midfield was the last bastion of Sameban footballing quality, based around the central attacking pivot point of Huele. Krant, Zito and Berra were all top players, though who would fill the fifth spot was always a bit of a tough question for manager Fernando Valdez to answer.

During the qualifying campaign for the 79th World Cup events had taken a familiar turn. Sameba started well picking up some impressive wins before being picked apart by the top seeds and going on a losing streak that put them out of contention. Yet against 95x they were impressively competitive at 1-1 having got a couple of wins under their belt to shoot up into third in the table. Out of nowhere everything seemed possible again - like the national team could finally qualify for the World Cup and provide the besieged nation with a much needed morale boost. Late on in that second half at a fully packed out Stadio Republica in the capital Samebus, the nation held its breath as Huele masterfully stroked a free kick over the wall, only for it to hit the bar and rebound away. 95x defender Sophie Riverforest headed it away while resisting a robust Capion challenge and the ball came out towards Artem Giord near the halfway line. The centreback was slow to respond. He had been thinking about off the pitch concerns for the whole match and actually most of the last few years of his career.

His move to Northern Stallions in Brenecia (considered a bizarre and potentially sanction-breaking signing at the time) had opened up the young Sameban to a world outside his homeland that he hadn't really wanted to believe in. He thought about what it would do for the Sameban people if they saw their heroes make it to the World Cup. Unfortunately, this couldn't be separated from the way a Sameban World Cup run would rally the nation in a patriotic fervour that would prolong this horrible war further. Artem had no choice then but to deliberately be sluggish in responding to the loose ball, inviting forward Micah Morrison to threaten a clear break away by chasing the loose ball. Artem then sped up, went in two footed, and intentionally committed one of the worst fouls you will ever see. It was a straight red. He didn't care. Preventing the use of the game he loved to encourage the spilling of blood was the only power he had to change anything that mattered. Artem acted distraught, and on many levels he was, as he trudged off the pitch being berated by Valdez along the way. 95x put away two more goals and Sameba's chances of qualification receded yet again. After the game Giord was sent home due to his suspension. At the first opportunity he marched into a Brenecian immigration office and claimed political asylum.

[United States of Devonta]

Devontan Sports Central

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Devonta continue WCQ with important WCQ win at home
Devonta defeat unranked Moorish Land 4-2 at home
Bradley Manz (@thebradmanz)
^{12/10/2017, 6:00 PM | Devonta City, United States of Devonta}

---

United States of Devonta 4 - 2 Moorish Land
   Johansen (17', 47', 82')        Lucas (34')
   Owens (68')                     Arastoo (90+1')

Moorish Land
GK: Chikumbutso Marshall
CB: Toma Nechtan
CB: Shankar Shem
CB: Rórdán Borko (8')
CDM: Ignatiy Cowessess
CDM: Samppa Rahul
RM: Quintilianus Hákon
LM: Darby Arastoo
LF: Euphranor Lachtna (62')
RF: Fintan Asbjørn
CF: Luciano Lucas

United States of Devonta
GK: Brandon Kowalski (54')
LD: Johnson Brooks
CD: Martin Benton
CD: Daniel Kindred (Coby Rice - 88')
RD: Brayden Liam
DM: Isaiah Russel
LM: Mohamed Abdullah (Anthony Crox - 78')
RM: Alexander Jones
OM: Tyrell Owens (Solamon Bundy - 78')
ST: Gerald Johansen
ST: Lamar Adams

---

Final Score: 4-2 Devonta.

Match Statistics:
Possession
Devonta: 63%
Moorish Land: 57%
Shots
Devonta: 15 shots (11 on target)
Moorish Land: 8 shots (4 on target)
Pass Accuracy
Devonta: 89%
Moorish Land: 81%
Corners
Devonta: 8
Moorish Land: 3
Offsides
Devonta: 3
Moorish Land: 2
Fouls
Devonta: 6
Moorish Land: 10

Current Group 4 Standings:

 # Group 4                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mriin                            14   10   3   1    36   17  +19    33
 2 Pasarga                          14    9   4   1    26   13  +13    31
 3 Kel Assuk                        14    8   4   2    41   25  +16    28
 4 Port Christopher                 14    8   4   2    30   15  +15    28
 5 United States of Devonta         14    8   1   5    30   23   +7    25
 6 The Great Pi                     14    7   0   7    28   28    0    21
 7 Darkmania                        14    3   1  10    23   40  −17    10
 8 Razenthuria                      14    2   2  10     7   22  −15     8
 9 Maryloupe                        14    2   2  10    20   41  −21     8
10 Moorish Land                     14    1   3  10    18   35  −17     6

Friendly Matches:
Devonta 1-0 Savojarna
Equestrian States 1-1 Devonta

World Cup Qualfying: Group 4
MD1: Devonta 2-0 Darkmania
MD2: Great Pie 0-2 Devonta
MD3: Devonta 2-1 Kel Assuk
MD4: Devonta 1-2 Pasarga
MD5: Moorish Land 2-0 Devonta
MD6: Devonta 2-0 Razenthuria
MD7: Mrinn 5-3 Devonta
MD8: Devonta 3-1 Maryloupe
MD9: Port Christopher 1-1 Devonta

Mid-Qual Friendly: Devonta 1-3 Flardania

MD10: Darkmania 2-3 Devonta
MD11: Devonta 4-2 Great Pie
MD12: Kel Assuk 4-3 Devonta
MD13: Pasarga 1-0 Devonta
MD14: Devonta 4-2 Moorish Land
MD15: Razenthuria vs Devonta
MD16: Devonta vs Mrinn
MD17: Maryloupe vs Devonta
MD18: Devonta vs Port Christopher

Author: Bradley Manz

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More top news stories

• Devonta resumes World Cup qualifying with opening victory in the second half 13,743,742 views
• Devontan's continue to move up in the standings 12,553,753 views
• Devonta hits another WCQ speed bump against Kel Assuk 10,854,134 views
• Second Qualifying loss in second half of WCQ 6,723,832 views

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Comments:

By Koby_Price - Just now

How they scored two...?? I don't fucking know

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1,642 Likes | 59 Dislikes

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By Caleb - 3 mins Ago

Good win boyz! Hope we bean Razenthuria tomorrow!

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775 Likes | 56 Dislikes

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By Kiley_Cho - 10 min Ago

Johasen deserves to be captain! Hope he's in form during the Premier season!

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Likes 463 | 23 Dislikes

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By Sarah093 - 28 mins Ago

Next couple of games are winnable! I have hope!

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265 Likes | 64 Dislikes

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[Chromatika]

Matchday 14: Eastfield Lodge 1-3 Chromatika @ Parliament Stadium, Lodgeria City, Eastfield Lodge
Chromatika: Kelly, M. '17, Niro '59, Dragana '81
Starting XI: Nier; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Kelly, M. (C) - Sybill - Montague - Dragana; Victoriane - Andisori - Niro. Subs: Rien -> Victoriane '54, Sorendai -> Aart '72, Mora -> Montague '82
Summary: Though the hosts did their best to keep up with the Chromatiks, it was the fourth ranked side in the world that ultimately prevailed in a three-one victory at Parliament Stadium as Chromatika secured a ten point lead from third place with twelve points left on the schedule. Jillian Nier's steadfast presence and the quick, short passes of the Chromatik midfield were the main difference as two goals came from the side midfielders and a third from Ki Niro.

The undoubted player of the match was Sandra Sybill, who showed her world-class abilities with two assists and numerous other crosses that defined the match. With all the talk about how Hellion should be starting instead, Sybill put those doubts to rest at least for one match and proved that there are really three core midfielders for Parker's side.

Matchday 15: Chromatika vs. Eshan @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City, Chromatika
Predicted Starting Lineup: Nier; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Kelly, M. (C) - Sybill - Montague - Dragana; Victoriane - Andisori - Niro.

A chance for the Chromatks to really cement their status as the best team in the group, this home fixture versus Eshan will be an intriguing one. Eshan has one of the best striking tandems of the multiverse, and will be smarting after the 2-3 loss to the Chromatiks in Eshan. Chromatika will hope to continue to have their midfield take care of business, though it seems that Parker isn't inclined to shift the position to 3-5-2 like last time.

A draw would suffice, but will they be able to get the result? Chromatika 2-2 Eshan is my guess.

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Q&A Between Nirdasil, The Dark Crusader of Yesopalitha, and the Members of Operation New Hope

• Miranda "Lightning" Gail: What is Yesopalitha's goals in a relationship with Chromatika?
• Pierre DuPont: What is Nocturne, Muerte, and Pandemonium's goals with Yesopalitha and Chromatika?
• Didi Farrot: What does Zaiden want to happen to Chromatika, let alone Yesopalitha?
• Kelly Amerou: Why was Chromatika allowed to be created?
• Nick Jensen: How did Zaiden even get the Red Enclave to safety?
• Mara Nocturne: Will the Red Enclave be allowed to return?
• Jill Lia: In what way should Chromatik history be rewritten?
• Gerald Henderson: What is the military strength of the followers of The Three that oppose Zaiden?
• Angel vos Gannea: Is there a way to reverse things to the way they were before The Three made Chromatika, while keeping the people still here?
• Kerri Wyse: How can we trust you?
• Justin Chaolan: What does Yesopalitha think of Chromatika's current state of affairs?
• Tilda Oeppelwyk: What can we do to help Yesopalitha?
• Grugel Dandelle: How do we kill the three that haunt both your country and Chromatika?
• Clarissa Skewes: Why should the world care about what is going on in Yesopalitha and Chromatika?
• Lani Korukawurupanai: What kind of opportunities face us moving forward?

[Natanians and Nosts]

Great writers of Natanians and Nosts (and its preceding states)
Mihai Bigsad Drummond

Mihai Bigsad Drummond was born at Minalata at the beginning of the last century and moved to N-City at his teenage,maybe one of the reasons of his "the big different one" style.He started writing when he was 14,but none of these poems survived,being justified by the author as "necessarily cleaning my history from bad written conformist poetry",although his early poetry was no-thing different,although quite good according to witnessess,as he went to late teenage his poetry became more "revolutionary" and some time into the future for his era.
His wife,Ioana Mihaela Ionescu,was of well-known famiy of writers,she herself wrote a few things that survive to this day but not being particularly acclaimed by the critics at the time,despite being complimented by her husband,and even by some of his opposers.They had a happy marriage that produced 3 children.
His unique style of poetry within Natanians and Nosts contributed to his fame,both good and bad,and opened a path for future poets to try new forms and free the way they express themselves.He is also considered the father of concretism and illogical poetry in Natanians and Nosts,even thought the latter had already been in use for quite a long time.
Here follows some of his poetry:

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Ars

Arte
Coisa qu'a humanidade faz
Cousa qu'a humanidade inventa
Insanidade
Beleza
Arte qu'entra
Pelo ouvido,passa polo coração
'Nhum êxtase emotivo inexplicável
Como energia.Energia
Esta que se faz tornar-nos loucos.

Poëm in block

This is a block poëm
This is a block poëm
That is a block poëm
Thus it's block poëm
This is a block poëm

A woman in the rain without umbrella being helped by a man with one,whom,accidentally wets her with drops from the umbrella

At of all the things I've seen
That was the most infruous one
Nefariously belonging her of this thing
Called that
Was surely easy to eye but
Not-thing of clear was yawlled but
Thing is surely known for this
Was a case of incongruousness
Anunincongruouslessnessly making
The situation mo' awkward for them

Gatos

Gatos
Fofos Bravos
Morder Arranhar
Grandes Pequenos Adultos Filhotes
Morder Arranhar
Fofos Bravos
Cachorros

Chess game

Ionescu was having a problem if
His wife knew that
What his problem was about.He would
Be in awful position
For his friend's wife would make his out
Of possibility to be
Of
Help to
Any-one else
So he called a friend.And Mihailescu's wife
Killed the knight.

Spectacular dance

The rain was all beautiful at the dry draught
While the moon appeared near the bright Sun.
The stars all shined the night
And the night was seeing stars.
Stars were at the space over the sky;
Stars were being free.
But the freedom was apparent,
Absolutely they still shone
But men knew they were they
They were there all time.

The space flew through time
Wich time flowed through space.
At this dance of illogic
Was happening all times a day.
At wich day things were more
Complex,molecules formed at space and Earth.
Dancing freely were they;
Hiding from them
And with them;
The waltz was there,unseen by us.
Amazing for the atoms and the water
Saw itself in a place where it had not been before
For a long time,it did something it had
Nod done for a long time;it fell.
The rain was all beautiful at the dry draught.

[Bojikstan]

Andrade protest leads to pounding by Qasden, and BFA tension hits fever pitch
Bojikstan's loss to Qasden only added fuel to the arguments about Livia Andrade
Posted by Loic Lande, Football Correspondent

Bojikstan’s national team controversies relating to the BFA and certain players have become more of a story than the team’s successes this cycle, mainly because those successes haven’t come to often and those controversies have been very public, involving the press and large portions of the fanbase. Livia Resendes Andrade was the main story from the New Jarwel win, because of her refusing to stand for the Bojikstani anthem before the match, and the storyline would extend into the Qasden away match. Andrade would dress for the match but wouldn’t play, with Alexy Hesse being replaced by Will Sorokin this time as the Azules adopted a more balanced midfield rather than using an attacking midfielder.

Before the match, however, she would ignore warnings from the BFA that if she did not line up with the rest of the team for the anthems, she would be suspended for the rest of the qualifying campaign. She would sit under the goalposts instead, with an eastern Bojikstani flag draped over her shoulders. She would have a heated argument afterwards with manager Marco Christensen, who would eventually send her to the bench without any further words once the match was beginning.

Bojikstan would go on to lose 5-2 despite goals from Artem Delacruz and Luke Demara, and many figures in the fanbase and the Bojikstani footballing community would blame the BFA because of their decision to bench and then suspend Andrade. She provided a large impact and had the sole assist when the Azules defeated New Jarwel, and the lack of an attacking midfielder allowed Qasden to put more pressure on Bojikstan without consequence. The gameplan was largely considered a failure, and the benching of Andrade was already unpopular with the eastern based fans that support her political stances.

Afterwards, she would incite more controversy by wearing a tee shirt in the locker room that simply read “SANDOVAL OUT,” on the front, referring to Bojikstani Prime Minister Helio Sandoval, who is known for his focus on secularism and for supposedly favoring the west over the eastern half of the country. She declined to comment to the press about the shirt or about anything else, and the entire team continued their media silence.

They would be slammed by the papers because of the loss and the lack of an explanation afterwards, with most of the front pages showing Marco Christensen famously flipping off a reporter on the way to the tunnel, which would perhaps be the most memorable scene from the road trip. The team has already been eliminated at this point, leading to speculation about the future of the managerial position and the leadership of the BFA going into the Cup of Harmony, assuming the team manages to get invited despite their poor results.

[Eshan]

THE ECHANI REPUBLIC
Executive Office of the President of the Echani Republic
 A Press Conference With President Revan

”Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is a nice beautiful day to be spending indoors so I’ll try to keep my remarks short so we can get out there and enjoy it! I’ll make a couple of comments and then take a few questions.

First off let me say that the state of our nation is sound, and our people are safe. Every single minute brings continued progress by my fellow Echani, we appear to find ourselves with the force of history at our backs pushing us forward into the new era with a bang. I look forward to reading the news during the day as headlines touting a new accomplishment come faster and faster nowadays!

Let me also that our Echani overseas are safe and secure. We have withdrawn from South Covello, thus finishing a process that began before those… ‘comments’ were made by those two individuals. I am proud of the Echani people for being on the frontline in the constant battle to bring freedom to nations around the world, and we should all be proud of the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers who sacrificed so much and lost their lives in South Covello. I hope certain nations consider that fact before they comment.

Similarly, I am happy that Eshan has also helped bring freedom to Nuevo Caracas, with the pro-Immaduran forces almost totally suppressed by our soldiers and thus from our great allies, the Quebecois. It is horribly painful to lose those who stand strongest among us, but we as a nation must be proud that some of our sons and daughters gave their lives in Nuevo Caracas and South Covello in that eternal battle to bring freedom and the experiment of life to people around the world. I am proud of every single thing we have done.

Questions? Yes, you over there?”

“President Revan, would you like to respond to the questions from president ibori?”

”president ibori? I’m sorry that isn’t ringing a bell.”

“The president of New Gazi, he spoke recently about the words exchanged between you and South Covello?”

”Ah yes, forgive me. I hadn’t even heard of New Gazi before I heard his comments some time after he made them. Could you remind me of them, clearly didn’t stick!”

“Well he mentioned the aggressive habits of Eshan, said that our involvement in South Covello was little more than a power grab, and that you believe our military gives us the right to demand a role helping less militant nations?”

”Well, perhaps that’s why they didn’t stick with me, those are some pretty…’goofy’ things to say and perhaps not entirely thought through, or perhaps even thought at all, and I would love to respond to them!

The aggressive habits of Eshan? Do you mean bringing freedom and democracy to South Covello and Nuevo Caracas? Think about what you’re saying there.

If our involvement in South Covello was little more than a power grab, then why would we begin to remove our soldiers from the nation even before the totally insane comments by those two individuals? That is the precise opposite of a power grab and if this president would think about that, perhaps he might see a little more clearly.

Do I believe our military gives us the right to fulfill a role helping less militant nations? Absolutely yes I do. Eshan is a strong, powerful nation and we are lucky to live our lives in freedom in an economic powerhouse, and it is a travesty that there are countless nations around the world that find themselves stamped down, cast into shackles as any chance of tasting freedom is ripped away from them. We have a moral obligation to help those who are unable to help themselves, and Eshan will always answer the call to action for a nation in need, and I shame this president of New Gazi for not doing the same. I’m so glad to hear that you pulled your offer of aid.

The Echani died on the field of combat, the blood of our brothers and sisters was spilled on the Covellan soil in the fight to free the Covellan people from the maniacal tyrant Gregory.

And you have the nerve to try and some semblance of relevance by attempting to speak down to the Echani people after we’ve made that sacrifice? After you’ve done nothing? Oh wait, the one thing you have done is pulled your offer of aid from South Covello, thus harming them infinitely more than the Echani people have. Perhaps when your people decide they want to free themselves of a someone who says these ridiculous comments, Eshan will be there to show you what a nation committed to spreading freedom and democracy does.

So let me ask you, what do you stand for? Where is your spine? Where is your sense of helping a nation in need?

Sad.

Next question?

“Well he also mentioned Ethane, and that if any conflict were to break out that he would know where to point fingers?”

“I certainly hope he would be pointing the finger at himself as he appears to have the classic profile of a serial ignoramus! These comments are completely detached from reality, and for him to sink so low as to try an implicate a totally innocent nation, well that’s just simply pathetic.

I would like to thank that beautiful gem of a nation that is Ethane for being one of our dearest of allies and her people for their continued support and pledge ours in return for eternity. They are the jewel of the realm and I am proud to be on their team.

I would ask you once, kindly, to cut the shit with Ethane. They are in no way related to the paranoid and completely divorced from any slight resemblance of logic theory you’re spewing forth.

Don’t dirty their name with your brown tongue.

I’m done with him.

Next question?”

“There was a startling accusation made by South Covello about Carter Redwin’s campaign that emerged in the days prior to the election and that he entered, and I quote here, ‘with the full-backing of the Echani leader’. Can you confirm this?”

”I had literally never heard the name Carter Redwin until I saw the results of the Covellan election, so to hear the Covellans accuse me of this is just sheer lunacy to me. Although I suppose with the comments made by those two individuals, as well as the insanity that was Gregory, perhaps this is something that runs in the water over there.

So no, I categorically deny that. Nobody from Eshan has ever been in contact with anyone named Carter Redwin, so I would kindly ask South Covello to stop making up my positions on major geopolitical events and fabricating my or Eshan’s support for anyone.

I’m also aware that there were numerous references to me being a tyrant, and believe me folks, I’m just as confused about that as you are.

How am I a tyrant? I was democratically elected to this office, where I now enjoy considerable support, far, far more than your recently elected president so perhaps you should muse on that.

I am a social democrat in a social democratic nation, of course I have the support of my party in the National Congress. How does that make me a tyrant?

I am lucky enough to represent the vast majority of Echani and hold their support, I urge you Covellans to look at the numbers of my re-election effort. I am fortunate to hold the confidence of my people. How does that make me a tyrant?

So many people saying so many things they don’t understand.

I’ll close my comments on South Covello by saying I am beyond happy that they have successfully elected a president in their first ever democratic election. I have total faith in them and believe that they will exercise their newfound freedom, and if they ever want to renew conversation, you are more than welcome to contact me.”

“Last question, the schedule for your state visit to Mercedini was released, any comments?”

”Well let me say just how excited I am to be traveling to Mercedini! They are a nation I have long admired from afar and having the opportunity to work with them in South Covello was a really great experience for us as a nation. I look forward to getting to see their brilliant nation in person for myself!

The schedule is perfectly acceptable to me and something I am very much excited for. Ever since I was young I loved to discuss these sort of wonkish matters of state and it was be great to sit down with my opposite number and discuss trade, military matters, our shared goals, and the experience the bonding that a state visit brings to two nations.

Unfortunately that’s all I have time for, got some slightly important business to attend to! Thank you to everyone for attending.

To the Echani people, as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. We are striding forward into the future with the sun at our backs, and the state of our Republic is grand indeed.

Have a great day!”

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ The Pride of the PFA

Several weeks ago we ran an issue talking up the chances of Ádám Berecz and Erik Földesy winning a new award that Boldsport of Bonesea was going to be handing out after the were awarded with the sponsorship of the UICA tournament. This Galactico Junior Award was supposed to be contended between the two prolific right wingers who will likely be competing with one another for a spot in the national team in a few years, of the Pasargans that were being scouted by the Boldsport team. With Földesy being the younger brother of a national team defender already and having made CAP concede a lucrative contract to stay on with the Hurricane, it was easy to figure out why he was one of those being looked at, not to mention his already formidable skill for a player of his age. Berecz looks to continue on the tradition of the Baskita academy producing not only first team players for their club ready to play at a young age but for the national team as well, with several of the players in the Wanderers' pool having gone through the capital club's academy.

Enter Réka Szôllôssi, the pacy striker at Stein-los Turkish who was a bit player for Turkish last season and looked to be third choice again this season. Somehow the young striker has managed to wow the Boldsport team, maybe with the calm and professional demeanor in which she carries herself despite the tender age of seventeen, and was put on the shortlist for the award along with the formidable Cosumarite footballing family of Tidesson, as well as several other good young players from across the footballing community. Despite the stiff competition and our own home grown media not prepping up her chances, Réka was awarded the Galactico Junior Award last night, along with some strong rumors that Nepharim and Cosumarite clubs were circling in to pinch her away from Turkish. The striker of course denied those rumors and thanked her junior coaches for helping groom her into the striker that she is now and looked forward to playing her role well for both club and country, should she get the honor of donning a Wanderers or Young Wanderers kit in the future.

The Wanderers may need her services sooner rather than later after they traveled to Kel Assuk with the goal of squashing their main competition for the second qualifying spot in the group, with it looking unlikely that Mriin is going to relinquish their hold at the top of the group. The Wanderers got a brace from Thor and were seemingly in the driver's seat against their foes with a three to one advantage with just twenty minutes left in the match. However the hosts were not about to let the Wanderers get away that easy nor were they keen on letting their home supporters down at the stretch run, having already exceeded expectation to be running neck and neck with the Wanderers and Mriin for the spots to head to Ceni or Drawkland for the Finals. How the backline managed to fall so apart in those last twenty minutes will be the question that will be keeping Wanderers' fans up at night for the next few days, with the hosts grabbing two goals and nearly grabbing a winner in injury time. In some ways the Wanderers were fortunate to walk away with a point, in others they are unfortunate not to have taken all three and nearly have their ticket to the Finals punched.

For the squad, they know if they win out, then they are going to qualify, but this was a chance to put some distance between them and Kel Assuk while also keeping the pressure on Mriin to keep up with their own amazing form. Now the squad has to be on the best of form and avoid any sort of upset in the last few matches, having no breathing room to play a little looser and without the added pressure such a circumstance brings. Traveling to Moorish Land is the first leg of the journey and maybe the most dangerous, as on paper it should be a walkover, but everyone worth their salt can recall infamous upsets like the Weegies defeating then number one in the world Polar Islandstates. With the Wanderers perhaps on a low, after feeling robbed of a result in Kel Assuk, this would be the most opportune time for an unheralded side to spring the upset, and will be a test of the focus and will of the squad. They will then follow it up with a match with Razenthuria, where they will be looking to get revenge for one of the upsets that they have had thus far this campaign, before the huge penultimate match when they will travel to Mriin. Given how well Kel Assuk is playing, that match very well may decide who qualifies and who doesn't. With the last match of group play being against Maryloupe, all eyes will be on that trip to Mriin, but first composure against the Moors is needed to even start thinking of what may be at stake in that encounter next month.

[Drawkland]

Late cutoff, whatever. Here, have my favorite drum corps closer ever and some resutsltlsltsss

[South Toronto]

OOC-Warning, this chapter contains very explicit content such as foul language, references to drugs, references to guns and references to violence.Also, the word 'nigga' will be used quite a lot.It is ok for me to say this as I am a black person and the word won't be associated with any racism, just a greeting or used in a song.If you are likely to be distressed by the content of this chapter, please scroll down away from this post.I'm just warning you in case you find any language I use in this chapter offensive.Additionally, the new roster is now effective as of the time this post comes up on the thread

Chapter 5:Everybody Dies In Their Nightmares

South Toronto drew 1-1 with controversial side Indusse.Before the game, there a one minute silence for Antonio Cilimintaro and Anders Killerich as they sadly were shot fatally going home from their 2-0 loss to Abanhfleft.

]Indusse players ignore minute of silence
Controversialy, Indusse players refused to participate in the minute of silence, and many Indusse fans were shouting and chanting at South Toronto.The referee blew for the start of the game.In the 6th minute, Baskar Kumar dribbled past John Bakayoko, nutmegged Rashad Powell and went 1 on 1 with keeper Asmeh Ondoa Asamoah who he chipped to make 1-0.Boos came from Toronton fans as they shouted racial slurs against the Indusse players.The STFA was fined 1.3 million Units($500,000 or £373,525) and banned a record of 467 Toronton fans for life.Then in the 28th minute, The Phoniexes had a chance to equalise through Shaquille Johnson, who made an amazing run but shot it over the bar.

In the second half, Rashad Powell brought down midfielder David Beckham inside the box as he was booked for the challenge.David Beckham went to take the penalty but slipped and shot it wide.Groans from Indusse fans were heard.South Toronto dominated the rest of the game, as in the 84th minute, Michal Bergman received the ball and passed it to sub-Germanpreet Rajesh Sachadev as he banged it to make it 1-1 to make it an emotional equaliser.

South Toronton rapper X Issa was in the studio recording his next song dedicated to close friends Antonio Cilimintaro and Anders Killerich.
Sing name:Blastin' Off Featuring YG Obscene

Hook:Ay,Ay,Ay, Yeah
If you kill my niggas
Yo' blood gon' get spilt
You a pussy nigga wear a kilt
We above ya'll I'm on stilts
Man has got sick football skills
I ain't got no time to chill
I'm finna pay all these bills

Verse 1:
Training, day n' night
No disrespect or that's a fight
My niggas AK n' AC gone to a better place
You hatin' on 'em nigga get out of my face
Block shots one by one
Shoot glocks 'round the bl with no sun
You left my nigga Anders wit'out a son
Left my guide Antonio gon' keep flyin'
All 'cause of a pussy named Jose who ain't replying
He going to be the next OJ
Now he dead, supporters are salty

Hook:If you kill my niggas
Yo' blood gon' get spilt
You a pussy nigga wear a kilt
We above ya'll I'm on stilts
Man has got sick football skills
I ain't got no time to chill
I'm finna pay all these bills

Verse 2:
They be saving shots fo' they team
You already know it's ya nigga Obscene
New stadium name after them it's clean
I smoke that weed so high might as well stab a nigga n' leave the scene
You know that hockey used to be our theme now it not
Blastin' off like a rocket
They missus gave 'em a locket
666 evil niggas tryna be a socket
Fuck it, pour they blood in a bucket
Who took my niggas
You know they defended like gorillas
You know got the munchies so Ima eat all them tortillas
She a thotty
Do it how I want thee
No I ain't paying no fee
You doing this shit for free
STFA
What the fuck you offering no protection, guys give no detection, just give them no attention it was you who did it and don't deny
Or I'll slice you down with fine knives
If only humans had nine lives...

Hook:

Ay,Ay,Ay, Yeah
If you kill my niggas
Yo' blood gon' get spilt
You a pussy nigga wear a kilt
We above ya'll I'm on stilts
Man has got sick football skills
I ain't got no time to chill
I'm finna pay all these bills

[Nephara]

Nephara 3-0 Rotztotzka
(4-4-2) 12 - Fletcher; 2 - Sorrell, 18 - Brymora (5 - Konoval 65'), 22 - Theuer, 19 - Vicelich; 13 - Fanaiyan, 23 - Rowland, 15 - Klein (14 - Rowan 80'), 16 - Aspenwood; 17 - Stavanger, 10 - Kendall
Goals: Stavanger 34', 78', Kendall 87'

THE HERALD
STARS SHONE BRIGHT - BOLDSPORT-SHORTLISTED NEPHARIM EACH SHOW DIFFERENT ROUTE TO SUCCESS
Karin Rietveld

When the first Boldsport Galactico Junior shortlist dropped a few days ago, casual fans across the world dropped everything to Google them, pore over their scant Wikipedia pages and compare their pace ratings in WCC 79. Even within their own countries, the U18s were largely obscure.

So it was a surprise to some to see three Nepharim make the shortlist of 15, particularly as Nephara does not have a reputation for blooding young players. Indeed, Chimera Moxham, Tawny Shone and Monako Saroszi boast zero, zero and two Premiership appearances respectively. But there was evidently enough there to make Boldsport scouts lick their lips, and that should be encouragement enough for Nepharim fans.

The Cormorants in ten years? A lineup composed of players entering a senior, top-flight squad for the first time this season.

Of the three, Shone has been exposed the least to senior football. The 17-year old midfielder is a classically Nepharim player, short and low to the ground with a tendency to snap hard into challenges. She runs hard, plays hard and can keep going forever. Helpfully, she matches this junkyard dog attitude and lung capacity with a tidy confidence on the ball. With UICA-qualifying clubs being more and more rotation-conscious as the years roll by, Shone is set to be hurled into the deep end sooner rather than later.

Morningstar winger Monako Saroszi got a few plaudits for their appearances in dead rubbers near the end of last season, which made them the second non-binary player to reach that level in the Premiership's history after Alex Beckett. Reportedly, the fact that this fact keeps being brought up annoys them to no end, so perhaps it's more relevant to focus on what they brought to the pitch. Specifically - dynamism. An often staid and limited Morningstar side often looks lost without a young, inspired midfielder to drive them on. In their first Premiership season, it was Starling loanee Sleipnir Woodwind, then their own youth product Circe Rosenthal (since moved to the SPL) brought the goods. Surely next season will give them the platform they need to thrive with their all-action, uncompromising, typically Morningstar style.

Most prominent of all, though, is Chimera Moxham, who ultimately came second in the voting. Along with four other youth players from AFC Treason, she's gone over to their friendly rivals/sister club Blau-Weiss Pallstadt to help keep the sleeping giant afloat in Buyan. Nephara doesn't produce many attacking midfielders, but Moxham's most at home given space, trust and options. Self-assured, and more than talented enough to back that up - as she proved last season on loan at newly-promoted fourth tier side Alliance Barossia. It takes a lot of guts to run a midfield at 16, playing hard, grinding adult football surrounded by players who are depending on win bonuses for their paychecks, and she's obviously come out stronger for the experience.

Ultimately, Reka Szollossi of Stein-los Turkish was the inaugural winner of the award - considered a surprising victor within her own country, but admired for her telling contributions off the bench and her quiet, professional manner. The Junior award has not only honoured a deserving winner and brought attention to a lot of other youth products around the world (which big club is going to be the first to try and buy all the Tidessons at once?), but it's also cast a light on the merits of different kinds of youth development, and how each can be the right fit for a given individual. Whether it be building up slow through the youth teams and benefiting from rotation across Premiership, Cup and UICA like Shone, crowbarring your way into the first-team picture like Saroszi or working your way up with a series of far-flung loans like Moxham, talent - given the right nurture - will win out in the end.

[Cassadaigua]

Off To Ethane,
by Brittany Byers, Team Captain

It’s time for us to head out to Ethane for what is a critical game for both teams. A lot of us have been looking forward to it, and as a player this is a game that I have been really excited about. Remember back in Cassadaigua when we played, that forward Samuel Mitchell was red carded for his shove on me, and with the player advantage later in the match we were able to score and get that 1-0 win. Kristen Speller was fantastic in the match, even though their starting forwards at the time were predictable for us. The Red Kites have also been able to win matches, but when you are an attack minded team and you are winning defensive battles, there is a feeling of uneasiness that it may not be unsustainable. Their manager, Gavin Comi, sensed this, and made the move to replace the underachievers with a pair of younger forwards, ones that would play like they had nothing lose and wanted to show that not only were they the right picks for the team for this World Cup, but can be so for many World Cups to come. For me, I can’t wait to play them. No, that’s not because I have some arrogant complex that thinks I can beat them, and it’s actually the opposite. It’s the challenge I want. Ethane has one of the better soccer teams in the world, and they play an offensive system. Going up against these two youngsters, Declan Smith and Lukas Cole present a true challenge, and I look forward to the match. I have been impressed with Smith, especially, he has great offensive awareness in the attacking third of the field that is well beyond his years. King Edward IV Stadium looks like a great facility, and I have heard that many Cassadagans have made plans to travel to the Esportivan nation. It was always an appealing match for us, given it’s a nation we have never played in soccer before, but yet had some familiarity given that they won the championship of the very first competition that we participated in after a long hiatus. For the non-baseball fans, I am talking about World Baseball Classic 39. Meeting up with these nations that we can face in other competitions as well always seems to excite the Cassadagan fan just a little bit more.

There was no blog yesterday, and I apologize for that. We were pretty busy with some off-the-field charity work, that by the time I got ready to blog, someone near me told me that it could be too close to their publishing deadline for the day to start from scratch with, so I didn’t want to rush it. I’ll backtrack a little bit then, and talk about the Northwest kalactin match, a contest that we won 2-0. As normal, the opponents were good in the first ten minutes or so, but did not really get any serious threat on net, missing their opportunities when they had them. We gradually took the game over, and in the 21st minute, Hannah Ranucci used a nifty move to evade Gibson Fernandez before firing it past Wendell Jakerein for the early lead. The remaining part of the first half so us completely dominate, and Jakerein’s outstanding play in goal kept this from becoming three or four-nil by halftime. Jakerein’s a pretty good goalkeeper, I get a sense that if he could have better support in front of him that his country would have more success. The second half started the same way the first ended, but this time, it came with a quick goal, with Taylor Campos scoring in the 49th minute. We had more good opportunities that Jakerein put away for the next fifteen or twenty minutes or so, before the game evened out again. Statisticians tell me that Kristen Speller went from the 14th minute to the 71st minute without even facing a shot on goal. It resulted in a 2-0 win, and a large cheer went on when the final score of the Valladares vs Acronius match was displayed as draw. That was very helpful, but it reminds me to mention, that we still have to play Acronius again, too. Can’t sleep on them.

Moving on to yesterday’s match, Hannah Ranucci accomplished something that had not been for our team in a very long time. You have to go back to prior to our hiatus to find the last time a player of ours had a hat trick in the match. It did not happen in World Cup 78 qualifying, and while there have been a couple two goal efforts, there have been no hat tricks yet during this campaign. It’s safe to say that Hannah is out of her mini-slump, and after Kristen Speller, she has emerged as the star of our campaign. Think about it, we’re not really an offensive minded team, so to now be up to thirteen goals in fifteen overall games is a good accomplishment. The attack minded teams may not be as impressed, but she has been a leader for us on that end of the field. Playing against Aggrey-Fynn land, a nation that had moved into a fourth place tie with Coldfield before the match, posed a threat. In front of another sold out crowd at Concord Heights Stadium, Ranucci scored for the first time in the 14th minute, beating Renato Milan (this would become a theme), with a nifty move before getting it by Jahesh Twins for the 1-0 lead. Then four minutes later, a clearing blunder by Milan put it right on the foot of Ranucci as if Milan was also a Cassadagan forward looking to set her up in front of the net. Hannah made no mistake with the opportunity, and made it 2-0. No assist was officially awarded to Milan on the play. That score held up almost all the way until the end of the first half, but a Amy Romine score in the 44th minute gave us more spark, and a 3-0 lead.

The second half saw The Wavy Ones come out in a very aggressive manner. They were still determined to come back in this match, and for a moment, this effort was rewarded on a 52nd minute goal by R.J. Duval. However, that aggressive came back to haunt them nine minutes later when Taylor Campos picked up her first of the match in the 59th, to make it 4-1. Not too long after, came that big moment, as a 66th minute corner kick was delivered perfectly by Rachel Brenner and headed into the net by Ranucci for her third goal of the match. The goal completed her first career hat trick while at the international level, and we are all very proud of her. 5-1 was the final. At the end of the match, came some stunning news. Valladares, playing 9th place Adab, a nation that had only won once, could only draw their opponent. While amazing, it also serves as a reminder for us that anyone can beat anyone in this group, something we’ll have to remember against Legalese. But for now, the group standings see us controlling our destiny, even if we don’t get a point against Ethane. I’d rather be in that position then not be in that position, but the game plan is still the same against Ethane. Pick up all three points, we did it before, we can do it again. If you’re going to the game, do you’re best not to be drowned out by the home fans! Otherwise, don’t miss watching it at home.

[Savojarna]

Legitimacy of election is officially challenged

Sjoedrhavn - Following the runoff elections to the National Council, the already difficult coalition explorations get even more difficult as there is growing scepticism towards the legitimacy of the results. Yesterday, Provisional Chairman of the EC Jussi Revalainen (KPS) announced that his government has found strong evidence of foreign involvement in the Savojar elections. The Liberal Block, Revalainen said, has received funding from abroad, with the trace of the evidence pointing towards Eura. The influential Rushmori nation has been known for being opposed to Savojarna's Socialist Federate Republic, but involvement in its elections were rather unexpected. Savojar law forbids parties from accepting money of foreign channels, which now questions the legitimacy of the extra seats gained by the LB, who did surprisingly win multiple unexpected runoff elections. The biggest surprise was certainly the former MPA Lars Ronnberg winning the election in Bergheim against KPS incumbent Hendrik Groener, in a district in which the LB has never made the runoffs before. While Ronnberg assured he did not have any contact with Eura or other foreign states, Groener officially contested the result shortly after the revelation.

Whether or not Eura was involved, to which extent there was involvement and whether other states were involved is all unclear at this point. Evidence suggests that Euran government channels and private investors had funded LB campaigns in hope for positive trade deals after a LB victory in future elections. There were also suspicions that other anti-communist forces were involved in the plot, notably Juvencus, with whom Savojarna conducted a famous conflict a few years ago, and Red Blackiland, even though these are unsubstantiated claims. The suspicions against Red Blackiland especially fired up after yesterday's loss against the nation in the World Cup Qualification away game, with Savojar fans clashing with Red Blackiland's famous ultra squads after the game, but the situation was kept under control by the local police and the Savojar Foreign Minister issued an official apology to Red Blackiland.

In terms of a diplomatic response to Eura, Revalainen's government has decided to take a hard response. The Euran ambassador was asked to defend his nation in the National Council, with Foreign Minister Nordman threatening expulsion of the Euran ambassador from Savojarna if the allegations show to be true. The Savojar representative to the Common Rushmori Community has also asked the CRC to take action against Eura. The official reactions of the Savojar parties were varied, as could be expected in the light of the current coalition talks. The majority advocated for a hard line, with the Leninists advocating for the expulsion of all Liberal Block deputees from Parliament. While there is some quiet support for this hard proposal, the general tenor from the Left is that LB representatives shall face re-election, this time under the scrutiny of international and domestic observers. The Revalainen government has so far remained quiet on the issue and claimed to await the report of Lasse Rakhinin, the Special Investigator for this issue.

Some voices, the most prominent of which is former Judge of the Federal Court Peter Tanner, questioned whether the Revalainen government, as a provisional government, would even be allowed to cancel the current election result. Tanner said that such a decision would be "morally questionable at best, and outright illegal at worst". However, this is a position which has also been heavily opposed by left law professors, who issued a statement against the Tanner view that a government who came to power on the issue of national sovereignty and a more assertive foreign policy had the duty to take harsh action. While the Left and a large number of KPS delegates said that they would be in strong favour of harsh measures against Eura, the general tenor seems to be that Savojarna should wait with such a response until the Rakhinin report is released.

The population clearly backs hard measures. Yesterday after the announcement was made, an estimated 9'300 people spontaneously gathered in Sjoedrhavn and marched from the Revolution Square to the Euran Embassy, waving Savojar flags and demanding freedom, sovereignty and non-intervention for their nation. A major transparent called for the ending of relationships with the Rushmori giant, and few Euran flags were burnt. However, the protests remained largely civil thanks to security forces protecting the embassy. In other cities, minor protests were staged as well, with the LB headquarters in Thorsborg and Sjoedrhavn being attacked by an angry mob, but police prevented major damage. Both buildings were, however, struck by red colour bombs. The Vice Mayor of Langvik, Linus Terjo (LKPS), publicly advocated for a renewal of the ban on the Liberal Block that was in place before 1973, a demand which led to a clash between Liberals and LKPS supporters in the streets of Langvik. Here, police could not easily separate the two groups, and seven protestors were injured as well as three policemen, so far the only victims of the turmoil.

[Filindostan]

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FOOTBALL
World Cup 79 Qualifying: Filindostan 5-1 Starblaydia - Pula Garuda upset shocks the footballing multiverse

SAN MARCO - Filindostan has inched closer to the feat that is rarely achieved nowadays: qualify for the World Cup Finals at the first attempt.

Willy's Pula Garuda team stunned the whole multiverse when they put up a five-star performance against the five-time World Cup champions Starblaydia. Coming into the match at the Filindostan National Stadium on the outskirts of San Marco with both teams level on points and the Starblaydi having the edge on goal difference, it was predicted that the match will be a back-and-forth affair, with the visiting team led by Ázëwyn Fëanáro possibly getting away from the Esportivan archipelago with the three points. They bookies were sorely mistaken, and somewhere along the way, anyone who would have predicted the final score in various betting sites would have a large payout for their troubles.

Fielding a full strength side and performing the Raiigar in front of a full-packed crowd, the Starblaydi squad, clad in immaculate white and purple, started the match well and looked like to consolidate their second place in Group 13, but it was the Filindostanis who drew first blood. At first, the football pundits at home were puzzled by the decision of Willy to put three centerbacks in a 3-5-2 formation, and put Mila Khalifa, who normally plays left-back, into the left midfield slot. The defense of the Pula Garuda was actually solid the entire match, with the two side midfielders going back to guard their backline, and create coordinated attacks with the duo of King and Mohd Safri, and when the two combined to give a through ball that beat the offside trap, and Bienvenido finishing the attack with a well placed poke past Zac Myhill. Ten minutes, one-nil for the hosts.

Five minutes later, Filindostan doubled their lead, with a Yish shot after a square ball by Bienvenido, though the way they scored was a little contestable. Manyakol was way offside when the ball was played by King to Bienvenido via a lob. Replays show that despite the ball played in the direction of Manyakol, the midfielder stayed put and did not chase the ball. Bienvenido was able to pickup the loose ball, with the Starblaydi defense scrambling back to mark the striker after they were expecting the referee to blow his whistle for offside. An uncharacteristic mistake by the visitors capitalized by the Filindostani forwards.

Fëanáro's side pulled one back just before the haltime whistle, with Ella Kabeya scoring after a chaos ensued in the penalty box when Casimir and Gerry collided, allowing the forward to collect the loose ball and tap the ball into the net to give her team the possible turnaround of momentum when the teams go back from their respective dressing rooms. What ensued in the next fourty-five minutes or so, will send shockwaves through the multiverse.

It stayed 2-1 until the 65th minute came. MMM was brought on for Domo, to provide fresh legs in the wing. His run into the box was tightly marked by Daeron Avathar, but the cross was deflected by the left back goalwards, leaving Myhill, who was already out of position supposedly to anticipate the cross, no chance to save the shot. 3-1, and the home crowd were starting to get wild off their seats.

Bienvenido doubled his tally in the 72nd minute. It had already seemed that the defense of Fëanáro's team had taken a dayoff, and their lapse in marking the pacey forward cost them dearly. His run to the penalty box went almost unstoppable, and his low drive gave the Filindostani coaching staff the sigh of relief. With Bochog replacing Yish and Damaris given a cameo appearance later on, the two combined to give Bienvenido another hattrick to his collection, in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.

This result not only put the Pula Garuda in the second qualifying spot for the World Cup Finals, but also kept their gap to the group leaders Vilita at three points, with the latter beating The Steel Coast, 4-1. The result also put the Starblaydi team into fourth place after Red Blackiland posted their sixth straight win when they managed to end Savojarna's streak of beating the top three.

It is important however that the Pula Garuda keep focused when they go to a two match away trip next month, as the Filindostani visit Cosneolta at Krychek Stadium, before going to Atlantian Oceania once again, this time to the Turoki Community Complex in Vilita to face the group leaders. Before the showdown in Turoki, Starblaydia will host the three-time World Cup champions in Stadii di Bradini knowing a win by the hosts will blow the group wide open once again. Filindostan will close out their qualifying campaign against the streaking Red Blackiland, who also has to face the five-time World Cup champions on Matchday 17. By that time then, the Filindostanis can hope that the results turn into their favor to follow the feat made by Drawkland two World Cups ago. Maybe the Pula Garuda might face them if they make their way to the big dance.

Written by FSNA Staff

[Abanhfleft]

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WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFIERS: ABANHFLEFT VS NEW DOLTANIA
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Toumain Vincelot in action against New Doltania. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

LOTHARSTADT, XEMLICE - Abanhfleft ensured that they remained in the qualification picture with a resounding victory over New Doltania.

Abanhfleft manager Ranulph Bustamante opted to rotate his side once again with the final game against Mercedini, the ultimate decider for who qualifies automatically to the World Cup and who has to go through the playoffs first, and this decision appears to have paid off.

Malabon SC central midfielder Lucjo Mihaelo Kleinmann scored the opening goal in front of the dedicated Fleftic fans occupying Oubie Park's Northwest End with a rocket of a strike from 32 meters away, taking advantage of some poor man marking on the part of the New Doltanians to cover his shot and leave it until it was too late for the Doltanian goalkeeper to make the save.

Kevin Kelvin, also of Malabon and recently restored to the starting eleven, then doubled the Revolutionaries' lead three minutes before the half-hour and practically killed off all New Doltanian resistance for the rest of the game.

A terrible challenge from New Doltania's Ibsen resulted in a Fleftic penalty which Tristan Lee coolly converted, and Kelvin netted his second goal and Abanhfleft's fourth goal of the game just five minutes later.

Fleftic substitute Toumain Vincelot then ended up side-footing a very rare Doltanian corner into his own net with only fourteen minutes left and his protestations earned him a spot in the referee's notebook.

       ABANHFLEFT 4 - 1 NEW DOLTANIA
  KLEINMANN (15')       VINCELOT (76' og)
KELVIN (27', 54')
    LEE (49' pen)

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 23 Cardew
RB: 14 Popov
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 15 Viger
LB: 16 Wayne
RM: 6 Pearson
CM: 18 Kleinmann (Vincelot - 60' █)
LM: 8 Marilungo
CAM: 20 El Salah (R. Edwards - 69')
RS: 12 Kelvin
LS: 22 Lee █ (Dagen - 87')

NEW DOLTANIA
GK: 1 Morris
RB: 2 Agincourt
RCB: 3 Ibsen █
LCB: 4 Strathmore
LB: 5 Andrews
RM: 6 Paoli (van Der Mere - 81')
RCM: 7 Antonio
LCM: 8 Clark
LM: 10 Wellington
RS: 9 Newark (Novato - 84' █)
LS: 11 Colins (Larsson - 90')

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Abanhfleft: 60%
New Doltania: 40%
Shots
Abanhfleft: 17 (8 on target)
New Doltania: 4 (1 on target)
Corners
Abanhfleft: 8
New Doltania: 3
Fouls
Abanhfleft: 15
New Doltania: 21

[Schottia]

CMB

Part Five.

Practice.

'Yeah, Sameba still have it all to play for, so I suppose it's not going to be that straightforward...'

The bench was not a place Connie ever wanted to be. Obviously she wanted to be out there on the pitch, making a nuisance of herself and flailing a few elbow, but the worst part was the sitting down. Listening to the conversations going on around her, trying to act like a normal human being was excruciating for her at the best of times, but during a match it was even worse. Legend had it that Gary Corsie used to bring a good novel and a pair of readers when he was sidelined, for the second time in recent months, she was starting to think the guy's ethos made sense. It would have helped, of course, if she were able to read. Connie wasn't illiterate, but her issues with hyperactivity made it impossible for her to concentrate on any one thing for longer than a few minutes.

'...It's all going to come down to Eve, and whether or not she can get the game by the scruff of the neck early. She, going toe-to-to with Krant is going to be a good battle. The more Eve can do to win that fight, the more space Line will have to play...'

Everyone was a fucking backseat-driver - a fucking backseat-pundit. It was sometimes like a competition amongst the subs to see who could act the most engaged; add the most pertinent piece of trivial analysis. Well, Connie had a piece of analysis for them; they were all cunts...

'Evie will have him in her back pocket. Krant won't get within two metres of her...'

Connie was starting to come to realisation that Dilon Bánach was a cunt of the highest fucking order. She had this fast, slightly high-pitched voice, which went even higher every time she finished a sentence, like she were asking a question..?? Am I a twat..?? She also had this whole - I play for Handon United, blah blah blah, I've played in the Champions Cup final, blah blah blah - sort of attitude. And worst of all she had a sort of cutesiness and a neat little row of freckles across her nose. Connie probably shouldn't tell the doctors that she had recurring vivid dream, where she was gouging Bánach's freckles out with a penknife.

'Go on Luc!!! Go on Luc..! AAAaargh...'

As Lucy Curren fired just wide with Schottia's first chance of the game, Connie was busy coming to terms with the fact that her hatred was most definitely unhealthy. It was worse than unhealthy, it was life-threateningly morbid. Her main aversion to poor wee Dilon was the fact that she was enthusiastic about her fucking career.

Connie's knees were bouncing like a heavy metal drummer on double bass pedals; the amount of energy it required for her to sit still for forty-five minutes was likely enough to power a fucking city for a week.

'Oops... oops-a-daisy' Connie was alerted to a shuffling at her right side. 'Sorry Lizzy can shuffle that way..? Sorry to be such a nuisance here...' And as if by magic (and with as much fuss as a person could cause), Ross Renshaw appeared.

All Connie had for him was a sigh, but he either took no notice or didn't care. He was more preoccupied with lowering himself into the seat which Elizabeth Addison had just vacated, having caused the entire row to move one space over. The whole time, physio, Claire Hanson-Conavacio was signalling for them to sit down and pay attention. Lionel Mah, and Colin Donaldson were, of course, prowling the technical area.

'It's not often we both find ourselves on the bench these days.' Ross said at last. His shoulders took up considerably more room that Lizzy's had, and Connie was forced to adjust her seating position. 'At least you can't complain about having a good view, huh?' Oh dear, that hardy perennial substitute's icebreaker - at least he hadn't opted for... 'You and I getting splinters in the old behind, heh heh!' Scrap that, he actually blew them both in back to back sentences, topping it of with a gentle nudge in the shoulder.

'You should be used to sitting here by now.' Connie muttered, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. If she could give Ross one piece of advice it would be to stop trying so hard. The fact that she knew he wouldn't be deterred by that kind of treatment made him all the more likely to do it. Actually... it wouldn't have been good advice, because if he stopped trying, Connie wouldn't bother at all.

'Well, internationally, yes.' Ross shrugged. 'But from tiny acorns, mighty oaks do grow.. heh, heh...'

Never, ever, did Connie tire of being a bitter and disinterested cow. But what was it Dr Durí had said? She was capable of feeling love. It was just another emotion, and emotion was what Connie did best.

'I must say,' Ross, predictably, went in for another try. 'It’s a nice feeling, being through to the finals...' Connie could feel his eyes on the side of her face, waiting for a response, which she would never offer up. 'Nice to, erm, have things sewn-up as they say...'

Connie pulled the collar of her tracksuit up, trying to crawl like a tortoise inside it, biting down on the zip.

'Goodness, are these seat's heated?' Ross went at it once more. 'Didn't know these seats were heated...' He turned round in the confined space of the dugout, placing a hand on the seat. 'Did you know they were heated Lizzy?' He asked Addison, who simply shook her head, unsure what to say. 'We're getting spoiled here, us first team reserves, haha, getting properly spoiled. It will be back massages next.'

'Ross.' Coach, Judy Scott, interjected. 'Keep it down over there, this is a competitive match pal.'

'Oops, sorry coach.' Ross held up a hand in apology, before returning to his seat. After Connie had left him hanging, the poor footballer had resorted to talking drivel.

'That's me told,' Ross whispered, as he brought his shoulder up to his ear, like a kid who had just been given a telling. He got a single syllable laugh of sympathy from Addison, nothing from Connie.

Connie glanced at Ross, but just a shooting glance, out the corner of her eye. If she were to really put her mind to it, was there any way she could love him. Well that awful short-back-and-sides haircut he used to have was gone, that had certainly been one of the biggest obstacles to loving him. It might have suited some people perfectly well, but it made the Ross look like hedgehog road kill. In its place was a mop of dark brown locks, and a smart - if not a little sparse - clipped-beard. Dr Durí had said you had to work at these kinds of things, get in a bit of practice. (Actually, she probably didn't mean practice, as in enter a relationship just to practice - but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her).

As the idea continued to form. Connie gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes with that same look of determination she had had just before punching the rabbit to death. Ross might not have known it, but he was about to learn the meaning of the phrase; be careful what you wish for...

'GOOOOAAAL!!!'

Schottia 6–1 Sameba
Line-up: Gould, Watt, Doig, Carlin, M.Ünterhausen, Conjure, Stenberg (Bánach), Coultan (Vaught), Rexmont, Soria-Luna, Curren (Martel-Burns)
Goals: Soria-Luna, Curren (2), Rexmont, Vaught, Martel-Burns

Schottia appear to be finding some good form at the right time, as World Cup Qualification enters its final stage. Given the stiff test they were shown at the Stadio Republica, Lionel Mah's players probably expected a similar challenge from a Semeba side, who were still very much in the fight for the second spot. However, a close to full strength Schottia produced their best performance of the cycle so far, to but six past Fernando Valdez's side.

Larry Watt returned to the starting line-up, to captain a side which also gave starts to Grant Carlin and Steven Rexmont. Corinne Martel-Burns returned from suspension, but had to be content with a place on the bench.

Schottia started the match well, with Lucy Curren firing just wide in their first attack. The home side were in determined mood though, and took the lead not long after that, with Camile Soria-Luna curling home a looping strike from the edge of the area. It was a person of the match performance from the Marine Coast United star, who also directly set up Lucy Curren for their second, minutes later. Sameba were in serious danger or sinking without a trace, and as Remont cut inside Gus Luchea before launching a fierce strike into the back of the net, it looked like the game was up.

In the second half it appeared as if the Greens might have been en route to a recovery, as Carlos Parvenna side-footed past Harry Gould on fifty-three minutes. Schottia responded well to the threat though, and Curren managed to get to a Coultan cross ahead of Giord, to restore the three-goal lead. Isaiah Vaught was introduced to match, acting as something of a wing forward, and the Whitehaven star made in instant impact, finishing a great solo effort past Berto Fonta. Fellow substitute, Martel-Burns, made a similar impact when she came on with twelve minutes left on the clock, the Polaris striker brilliantly held off the attentions of Pablo Krant before hammering the ball into the bottom corner for 6-1.

[Banija]

Banija win 7th in a row on home soil as they defeat the Kiaser Colonies 4-1


Banijan fans at the Stadium of the Restoration

BUSUKUMA- To have a successful world cup qualification campaign, it is always important to protect your own home field advantage. It is extremely tough, with all the miles you gain during World Cup Qualification, to traverse through the multiverse and win in every single region that you play in. You have tough away games, tough home games, and you need to be constantly recovering from the amount of travel that you are doing. Of course, when you play in front of your home fans, you need to perform well, and win. There's nothing more deflating than getting dominated on home soil.

The Kadongo Kamu have done an excellent job of doing that. They played much better in their opening match, when they barely lost by the slimmest of margins, a late own goal by captain George Wangolo, to 60th ranked Boring Paradise. There were four top 60 teams in Banija's group, and the path to World Cup Qualification would be tough. Banija was the bottom team in pot 6, so as the group's 6th highest ranked team out of 10, and the seventh seed going to be right behind them, the expectations for this squad would be between 5th and 8th.

It is safe to say that they will finish well above those expectations. While they almost certainly won't be going to the World Cup Finals(even though it is still technically a mathematical possibility), they've done quite a bit. In this entry, we will focus on what they have done on their home fields. For the five qualification campaigns Banija has played, they've played every single game at the Stadium of the Restoration. Not necessarily a bad thing, per say, but they haven't gotten quite the performances that they've wanted.

The Royal Banijan Soccer Association has tried a new approach this campaign, and it has clearly been an unqualified success. They decided to go around Banija, going to 5 different stadiums in 5 different cities for the first half of qualification, while in the second half of qualification, every single game would be played at the Stadium of the Restoration. The advantages were obvious- more Banijans would be able to see the team. But would it effect their performance? Playing on different pitches for every home game?

The results, of course, speak for themselves. As we covered before, they lost in Aissa at the Hangaza Unified Stadium. However, in a game where we expected them to get blown out of the water, they barely lost. And since then, they've been perfect on home soil. A 4-0 victory at Kabonero III Field over Reuss-Lippe. And then, of course, the upsets started happening. We beat Eshan 3-2 at Kabonero III Field. We beat Lambdasia at Bwubanza City Park. Then, we returned to the nation's capitol for the biggest upset of all.

Not to the National Stadium yet. This was, of course, on the other side of town. Mugisha III Memorial Field, in Busukuma. A very new, modern stadium. What happened there? Well, quite possibly the biggest win in Banijan soccer history, up to this point, anyways. Certainly the biggest win of Randolf Cherry's tenure here. The historic 2-1 upset over Chromatika that will live forever in Banijan soccer history. To see the stadium packed, on the return of the national team to the nation's capitol, playing Chromatika to boot, was a special scene.

And then, of course, in the second half of qualifying, they are at the national stadium. The Stadium of the Restoration. They defeated an unranked Bostopia side, and scored yet another upset here, as they beat 42nd ranked Eastfield Lodge by a score of 3-1 in front of a packed house, with record setting attendance of over 71,000+. The energy in this stadium was electric, and the noise was out of this world. They also, of course, just defeated the Kiaser Colonies in front of 65,000 at this stadium by a score of 4-1. Seven straight home victories in a row.

The reason that Banija, after losing three of their first 4, was able to work itself back into contention for qualifying for the World Cup Finals? It's because they were able to protect their home field. Making coming to Banija a nightmare trip for any opponent, they defeated the top 3 highest ranked teams in their group on home soil. Including, of course, delivering Chromatika their first qualifying loss since Matchday 11 of World Cup 77 Qualification. This team has a respectable record away from home, 3-4, but that's nothing to write home about.

Winning seven in a row on home soil shows that, at least in Banija, this team plays with confidence. They play with pride, and are driven forward by Banija's passionate fanbase. They trust in each other, they trust in their teammates, and ultimately, they have a winning formula that can be replicated here against anybody. Going forward, if they want to qualify for World Cup 80 or 81, this is a pattern that the team must need to be able to continue. That said, a very good precedent has been set, and they will look to end World Cup Qualification with an 8-1 record on home soil on Matchday 18, when they host Buyan.

[Mercedini]

Everything Just Got A Bit Sweatier
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Following Mercedini's 2-1 win over Equestrian States, the Group 10 contest has been reduced down to three teams, who are now fighting for the two spots available on the flight to Ceni and Drawkland. Abanhfleft and The Holy Empire both had easy wins in the previous match day, so all three nations are locked in a tense duel for what looks like the foreseeable future. The Golden Eagles currently sit top on goal difference, three goals ahead of Abanhfleft in second and eight ahead of The Holy Empire, who currently sit outside of the top two. Despite being top of the table, Mercedini are the current favourites to miss out on a World Cup due to their lower rank on paper combined with their less than favourable run in compared to their main rivals.

.   Group 10                  Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mercedini                  15   12   1   2    51   23  +28    37  O
 2 Abanhfleft                 15   12   1   2    48   23  +25    37  M
 3 The Holy Empire            15   12   1   2    47   27  +20    37  G
 4 Equestrian States          15    8   2   5    23   23    0    26
 5 Alpine Union               15    6   6   3    25   23   +2    24
 6 Lisander                   15    6   2   7    39   41   −2    20
 7 South Toronto              15    2   5   8    28   40  −12    11
 8 Indusse                    15    2   4   9    18   36  −18    10
 9 Bjornoya Islands           15    1   4  10    16   33  −17     7
10 New Doltania               15    0   2  13    16   42  −26     2

In their next match, Mercedini will play The Holy Empire, currently ranked fifth in the world with the strongest team on paper. It was only last cycle when they were banging nine or ten past newbies and established names alike, attracting attention from even the most ardent critics. However, this cycle they haven't had as good of a run as previous cycles, dropping points in three of their fifteen games so far, but crucial wins against both Abanhfleft and Mercedini have kept them on track and in the hunt for a qualification spot. The Holy Empire are the favourites on paper and in form, with the so-called zombie intergalactic lesbian space pirates edging it in a close game at the Sports City Stadium, giving the team plenty of confidence going into the return leg. It is a make or break match for both teams, a draw would suit Mercedini more than the Holy Empire, but both teams will be hoping for a win in a qualification six pointer.

Up next is long since eliminated New Doltania, who only have two points to their name since the start of qualification, which has lead many fans to expect a thumping back at the Sports City Stadium. Mercedini have already matched their record for most goals in a single match, with Chillotov scoring five in a 7-2 rout of the debutants in MD8. Fans will be expecting nothing less than a convicting win from the players, even if Lyndainium can afford to rest key players for another key match after this one. Bet makers are predicting that Mercedini will break their biggest ever win, overcoming the 6-0 friendly win against Great Palkia a number of eons ago. It will keep Mercedini in contention until the final match day regardless of other results. However, Mercedini could seal a spot in the World Cup with two wins and other match results going their way.

Finally, it could be the biggest match in Mercedini's footballing history. Abanhfleft away could very well decide who heads to the World Cup and who will have to settle for a Cup of Harmony invitation. Abanhfleft yet again have the upper hand in this match due to their superior squad on paper plus their boost of having won at the Sport City Stadium at the end of the first half of qualification. Another close match between the two teams saw the Fleftic players score a winner at the death to edge a narrow match 4-3 in MD9. With many different potential combinations of results that could precede this match, it could potentially be a dead rubber at this point, but everything is pointing to this match deciding who goes through, be it the team in blue and black, or the team in blue, green and orange.

So there we have it, three matches which will decide the fate of Mercedinian football going forward. Hosset in goal, Nymark and Kraljic in midfield, Billic, Chillotov and Dostalok upfront. They will face some of the world's best players between now and the end of qualification, with Mercedinians hoping they see a '1' or a '2' next to the nation's name after the 18th and final match day.

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

OOC: Indusse's RP permissions do seem to give me scope to do this, but if it's too much I can RP a solution that would handwave this away as if it didn't happen.

An Open Letter to the Nations of Ordinary Reality

From the Holy Empire Football Association


Hey there you cute little mundies!

<written equivalent of hair ruffling>

This is just a quick letter to let you know that we're really, really sorry about what happened in Indusse last night.

We thought that appropriate precautions were in place that would stop the zombified players from running riot during the match. Unfortunately, we used an undiluted version of the West serum to re-energised the atrophied zombie limbs prior to the match. While this was effective in many ways - as evidence by the 6-2 scoreline in our favour - it did have the impact, which we should have anticipated given prior test results, of sending the treated players into a violent, murderous rage.

We are delighted to report that swift action by Juan Tzimisces and Simeone Di Bradini means that none of the Indusse squad or management was hurt during the zombie rampage. Reports that Indusse national team manager Adityavarmakulashekara III was eaten are clearly false, as this footage of the manager receiving treatment in the Imperial locker room for minor cuts and bruises caused when his own team trampled over him during the panic caused by the zombie rampage clearly demonstrates.

Gosh, that was a long sentence, wasn't it? Sorry about that; if there's one thing we love, it's meta discussion about our love of really long sentences.

Where were we?

Oh yes, the difficult bit.

So, the football team escaped unharmed. Hooray!

Several thousand Indusse supporters weren't so lucky, alas.

Rest assured that Imperial cleaning squads from the Dreamed Realm have been working night and day to pick up any loose limbs, clean up the blood, and engage in mercy killings of the wounded. Given the circumstances, it was the least we could do.

Also rest assured that this won't happen again, honest. We have taken care to inoculate the visiting Mercidini team for tonight's match against the zombie plague while they were sleeping. We will also rigidly follow the treatment programme outlined in the recent academic paper by Hamonii, von Madscientisto, and West, and will refrain from using the undiluted West serum without appropriate precautions and complementary treatments in future. We will also take more care to stake the zombified players to the ground when requested by the opposition.

It's safe to say that we're really embarrassed about this. Boy, are our faces red! Admittedly not as red as the bloodied faces of the blameless victims whose faces were chewed off, but red all the same.

We'll be much more careful in the remaining qualification matches, honest.

Yours,

The Holy Empire Football Association

[Kita-Hinode]

CHAPTER XIII - BRIGADE (Part Two)

[Zoe] - I can't believe you tried to run away from my grasp like that, how dishonourable.
[Nephara] - Like you're one to tell!
[Zoe] - Psh. Wanting to destroy your city to be able to skate all around it isn't that dishonourable.
[Nephara] - I'm pretty much that is being dishonourable.
[Zoe] - Nope, being dishonourable would be if I didn't bother accepting your idea of a battle.
[Nephara] - Hmpf. I guess that's true.
[Zoe] - In any case, I'm feeling like a good girl... so I'll let you battle me properly still.
She smirked.
[Zoe] - Give 'em another Ice Beam, Ninetales!
[Nephara] - Attack with Gust, Vespiqueen!
If anything, the Gust just made the Ice Beam even crazier.
At last, however, it hit Vespiqueen, causing her to drop down, encased in ice.
[Zoe] - Hah. Think I won that one.
[Nephara] - You'd think that, but...
He pointed out to Vespiqueen's still-moving wings.
[Zoe] - Hmpf! If you say so, Ninetales... hit that frozen creature with Ice Shard!
[Nephara] - Destiny Bond!
Vespiqueen's eyes flashed a purple from inside the ice block.
Of course, Zoe couldn't see that.
As soon as Ninetales hit her, however, the two fainted.
[Zoe] - What... How?
[Nephara] - For a good trainer, you sure don't know your way around such a simple move.
[Zoe] - Hmpf. Let's see if you still jest when I send out my final Pokémon...

She retrieved Ninetales and sent out another Pokéball.
[Zoe] - Let's finish them off, Snover!
A lovable Snover came out of the Pokéball. It seemed to walk towards Nephara to shake his hand.
[Nephara] - He... doesn't seem very menacing.
[Zoe] - Hah. You clearly don't know about Snover. He's evil incarnate...
The Snover lost focus, looking at a Butterfree flying nearby.
[Zoe] - Evil incarn- COME BACK HERE, SNOVER!
It returned to his trainer, giving it a hug.
[Nephara] - He doesn't seem like he wants to do any harm.
[Zoe] - You... What are you doing, Snover?
Snover looked very happy to see his trainer.
[Zoe] - We're supposed to battle them!
He looked confused towards her.
[Zoe] - You know, that thing we trained to do all the time.
He walked out of the battlefield, returning with a giant cup of popcorn.
[Zoe] - NO! Not movie time, battle time!
[Nephara] - You know, I could always just get going on my way. I think Eura is starting to recover from the crash.
[Eura] - My Rattatta... is on the top... percentage...
[Nephara] - OK, maybe not so much, but good enough for his usual standards.
[Zoe] - No, we WILL battle- Snover, it's not the time to catch flowers!
[Nephara] - Look, we don't have all time in the world, miss.
[Zoe] - Enough!
The Snover was now reading some manga.
[Zoe] - This isn't the time to read Pokécards the Manga! We have the battle to finish!
He finally took the hint and got ready.

[Nephara] - Time to send out my final choice, then.
He launched the Pokéball.
Staraptor flew high from it.
[Nephara] - Staraptor, use Brave Bird.
Staraptor nodded, flying at ludicrous speed towards the Snover.
[Zoe] - Snover, hit him with Powder Snow- No, this isn't the time to be eating popcorn!
Snover was eating popcorn, only for it to be struck down by the Staraptor.
While the move did hurt Staraptor a fair bunch, Snover was knocked out instantly.
[Nephara] - Poor fellow.
He returned the Staraptor back to his Pokéball.
[Nephara] - You weren't a Pokémon Trainer.
[Zoe] - Uh... I have Pokémon...
[Nephara] - That doesn't make you a Trainer. That makes you someone that has a pet.
[Zoe] - N-no, sir! My Snover is very strong!
[Nephara] - It clearly isn't the type to battle.
[Zoe] - B-but...
[Nephara] - You shouldn't endanger your little friend like that! He clearly enjoys spending time with you but not as a fighter.
[Eura] - Spoken... like a true... champion, Sunrise!
[Nephara] - Sir, I'm Nephara.
[Eura] - You... all look... similar... when I'm dizzy like... this...
[Nephara] - Miss, can you help me take my... superior to the hospital? He's clearly not right.
[Zoe] - Hmpf. Offends my most powerful Pokémon, says I'm not a trainer, goes against my wishes and now asks me to help him out.
[Nephara] - ...I'll take you for a date if you help me out.
[Zoe] - Hurray!
[Eura] - My... chorizo es el... jefe... Mamacita...

[Bonesea]

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