World Cup 80 • EqueStar • Roleplay Thread

[Mriin]

Don sighed as he slid into the oversized chair, giving a small grateful nod to Joren and Solara flanking him this time as the bulbs starting going off in the press blob. With a loud clear of the throat, he began the proceedings. "First things first, before anyone has the gall to ask, we're quite well aware of the situation. We were in a position where we needed to take a risk, and it didn't pan out. Sometimes that happens. That's why they call it a risk."

A particularly rambunctious young satyr in a silly-looking trilby was nearly falling over the cord at the front of the crowd. "Why the fuck did you decide an easy three points at home was a good time risk it?!"

"Hold up with that 'easy points' shit," Solara sniped back, "these... okay, I don't actually know the term--"

"Siovanijan and Teuslanders!" shouted a helpful soul in the crowd.

"--yes, that, they've some genuine quality to them. They're still in contention for a playoff spot, and they held me shut for the entire second half. Would having Joren on the pitch have made things easier? Perhaps a bit, but it's not like we didn't have the chances. They were matching us hoof-to-toe where it mattered, and you have to respect them for that."

"And here's some quick maths for you," Joren added, holding up a finger as if to dismissively wag it at the youth, "we beat Teusland. Okay, nice, three points, Chromatika and us are at 34, nice. Then we lose in Chromatika, we're three behind. Then both teams win out as they statistically should. We're in second. Then you take this potential timeline: We lose to Teusland. Oh no, we're three points behind! Then we beat Chromatika. We're back level and have the head-to-head tiebreaker firmly in hand. Both teams win out, we're in first. Which timeline do you want?"

"I'd like any old fantasy timeline you've got," croaked an elderly journo, "but this ain't no fantasy-land here. What if we don't topple one of the best teams in the world on their turf?"

Joren took in the question for a moment. "Well, then we work to maintain our lead on a regressing Kalumba side. And we'll be hosting them soon, with a full-strength side. A win there and we're a lock for second, so assuming we play up to our potential the floor is identical in either case."

"And there's no reason to think about not playing well," interjected Solara, "because... well, I'm certainly not going to let anyone phone it in, but also any plan based on winning goes to shit when you play like shit. I know we've got the talent to do great things, and I'm sure as hell putting everything I've got to that end."

"How you gonna beat those fucks?" came one indiscriminate yell from the back of the room that seemed to carry strangely well.

"I'd personally avoid using that term, myself," Don snorted, "but I do assent that a coherent gameplan will be vital if we're going to topple the Chromatiks. I'm obviously not going to divulge all our trade secrets here, but I will say you can expect some amount of the play that won the first leg, our fast and aggressive play stepping up to another level."

"I like those sorts of strategies," smirked Solara, "because there's jack shit the other team can do about it if you do it right."

"And do we have the players to do it right." Don abruptly stood up, the legs of the chair letting off a horrible metal screech as it flung back. "And with that we'll take our leave. Many preparations to be done and all that."

As they filtered out of the press room, Solara ribbed (requiring her to angle her elbow up a fair bit) Don. "You sure like keeping these things short."

"I always hoped it'd mean less time getting asked stupid questions, but it seems they've adapted and just ask a few even dumber questions."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

David Blake: "And we're back here, Live from outside the Baker Park State Fairgrounds, I'm David Blake and we are just a couple of hours from the Commonwealth National Team facing off versus Main Nation Ministry at the State Fairgrounds Stadium, just over our shoulder. I'm here with Gary Kostka, and Fiona Devlin from the Sporting Times Daily. Fiona, ladies first. What do you think the mood is within the dressing room as the stakes continue to get higher?

Fiona Devlin: "I'm going to say Anger. And not so much as anger at one another or anger at the coaches. But anger internally and why they seem to be unable to produce a ninety minute performance that represents their commitment and their ability. And I want to say, if I am dead in the morning, that deep fried stick of butter that Gary bought for all of us earlier was worth every bite."

Gary Kostka: "You're going to be fine Fiona, you're young and healthy. Blakey is the only one who should be worried. But I want to say there is a panic button mentality, but I just don't know if I said that it would be true. Everyone inside the FAC is still in a mindset that this is not the drop dead goal of this competition. I think these next three matches will tell the story--a decent points haul might tip the balance, but a struggle might put the result out of touch."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

The week prior to now....

Lt Commander O'Brien was summoned to a meeting with the 'B' Squadron Commander, Captain Jon Carr aboard NSC Achilles. She prepared herself by wearing her Class B Standard uniform--full double breasted jacket and white peaked cap. She wasn't sure whether she was going to be reprimanded for her decisions taken during the Banijan Air Force fly-by; or whether there was some other reason she was being summoned to see the Commander.

Normally, if there was a call for the CO's of the squadron to come to the command ship, it was an uncoded message and one of the helicopters from Achilles would come to collect all of them.

In this case, it was a coded personal message from Carr, and Marie arranged her own transportation via one of the ships' launches.

When she arrived at Achilles, and was recognized and advanced--the terminology for requesting and being granted permission to come aboard--Marie was led to the the Captain's quarters, and her one time CO welcomed her with a salute and a warm hug. "You look great Marie, but I guess I should've told you not to dress up." Carr was in 'C' duty uniform--polo shirt, regulation slacks--"I apologize. I should've told you this wasn't a B uni occasion. Please sit down."

Marie didn't necessarily feel like she'd made a wardrobe error; she imagined had she shown up under-dressed, Carr would've found a reason to criticize anyway.

"Coffee, soft drink..hard drink?" "I'm fine right now sir, thank you."

Marie sat on the sofa in the Captain's Quarters, while Carr took the obviously well used recliner opposite. "First thing, the PM told me personally she wants you to know--as well as all of the CO's, and senior officers--she appreciates your efforts and your professionalism. And that from now on, you are to make decisions based on what's best for your crew and your ship. In other words, you are free to shoot to kill on sight".

"Understood. I felt like I had made the wrong decision in that split second before I overrode the SeaWIZ."

"No one could've faulted you under the rules you were under Marie. I had the same feeling at the same moment. It was too much, too fast. The PM told me she regrets putting us in that position."

"So, sir. What it is you would like to me to undertake at this point?" Marie knew this wasn't a pep talk meeting. She sensed that Carr had something specific to discuss.

"The National Guard has asked me who among my squadron commanders can be uprated to Top Secret Clearance for a specific operation they are looking to implement. Is there a reason why I should not recommend you?"

As a senior officer--one who specifically had a specialty in Signals and Systems--Marie felt as though there was nothing that would be an issue to prevent her from being tasked with Top Secret Security Level Clearance.

"I don't believe so sir. I've been Secret-Eyes Only Clearance for several years. I'm a Signals and Systems Officer by training. I'd hope that I have been deemed a good security risk in order to be an XO."

Carr nodded. "You're correct, and that's why I've already forwarded you to the CIS. I think you're the right officer for this assignment. But you're going to have to be able to walk a fine line. You're going to have to utilize your shipboard resources without compromising the operational security, which means you're going to have make some command decisions that might not feel like the right choice in the moment."

Marie saw her whole career flash in front of her eyes. Carr saw it too.

"We will protect you at all costs. We will build a wall around your NSC career that will be bulletproof. But you're going to have to do some front line intelligence operations that you're going to have to keep walled off from your Naval command."
___________________________________________________________________________________


In the Commonwealth Intelligence Service, there are 4 levels of plan designation for covert operations—CaseOPS, which are normally parts of military actions plans known as Case Books; IntOPS, which are standard intelligence gathering activities; SpecOPS, which are specialized operations with limited objectives and scope; and BLOPS, which are blind operations conducted with the narrowest external command scope.

'Piranha' was a SpecOP that was still being planned as it was unfolding. It was about to get a bit more of a clear direction.
___________________________________________________________________________________
In the present, on NSC Reliant:

Lt Commander O'Brien sent the men of the fishing boat on their way, having provided them with some additional diesel fuel, some food from the galley—3 loaves of fresh baked bread, fruit, water—and the address of a man to contact once they had returned to Istria, who would pay them some compensation for the couple of hours lost from their workday.

For Jonas Katsande and his 3 comrades, it was a morning quite unlike any other they had ever experienced. The Baker Park sailors treated them as equals; as they were helped back onto the tiny boat that was their second home, the men gave them salutes and wished them good luck. "Miss Marie" had even suggested that if they set a course to a spot about 2 miles from where Reliant was currently anchored, they might find some good fishing there.

Once they had settled back into their natural routine on board their own craft, the buzz from the earlier episode wore off and the task of laying out the nets, hauling them back and collecting the catch resumed.

[Qusmo]

Qusmo National Team triumphant over Omerica

After five losses & no wins in their last six matches, Qusmo finally broke through to defeat Omerica 3-1 in Atlem.

The victory was enabled by stronger play from the Qusma defense, as they matched their best performance in the six-game skid by conceding only one goal. This may have been spurred by drastic changes manager Avarn-Oxolt Ban made to their lineup.

To begin, Avarn-Oxolt removed goalkeeper Xynat-Evela Cuf from the Starting XI. Xynat-Evela had been the starting goalkeeper for the national team since matchday one, & was the only Qusma player to play the entirety of all eight matches of the campaign to that point. Instead, they were replaced by Vanza-Jerat Gep, the KF Qastyr goalkeeper who had been narrowly beaten out to the starting job initially. Xynat-Evela had played well early in the campaign to secure a firm hold on the national team job, but their poor recent form prompted the manager to make a change.

“Just take a look at our recent performance,” Avarn-Oxolt challenged. “We had conceded in six straight matches, & we picked up only one point from all of them. We had conceded fifteen in our last six, ten in our last three, eight in our last two, & five in our last match. Our defense & our goalkeeping just wasn’t performing as well as they had been for our first two matches, when they combined for two clean sheets. Something had to change. I made sure that change happened.”

Avarn-Oxolt did not stop there; they also altered the composition of their back line. Lucex-Ilinx Opu, Yelto-Alfan Ono, & Cunix-Betva Tla were all on the initial Starting XI, but Avarn-Oxolt has suspended Lucex-Ilinx ever since they yielded a red card & a penalty against unranked Gopnikea in matchday three that resulted in Qusmo’s first concession of the campaign. In their stead, Zenon-Gerol Kal - the only reserve centreback called up to the initial twenty-five-player roster - took the helm at centreback, & Ozolx-Alfan Ixi was called up to that roster simply to provide depth.

However, dissatisfied with their recent performance, Avarn-Oxolt decided to change things at the back. They pulled Yelto-Alfan Ono, who had started all eight matches of the campaign to that point, & replaced them with Ozolx-Alfan Ixi, the depth player who had never before gotten a start on the national team, &, in fact, was not even on the squad until matchday four.

The rest of the squad was left intact, though, & the offense was able to keep its recent momentum; despite its defensive woes, Qusmo had scored five goals in its past two matches, after all. After a clear early case of nerves & poor communication, understandable for such a new centreback trio, yielded a corner kick, Omerican midfielder Elise Bianchi was able to score on a header in the tenth minute. However, Qusmo played superbly from that point on.

New starter Ozolx-Alfan was able to make an important tackle of Morgan Barzetti as they approached the box, & they immediately were able to start on a counterattack. A few quick passes later, the ball was at the feet of Qusma striker Xilit-Zaxac Yol. They were able to steer past Omerican centreback Jesús Cruz & fire into the back of the net to equalize in the twenty-fourth minute.

Until halftime, & even for the initial portion of the second half, the Qusmi’y & Les Incorrigibles held in a 1-1 deadlock, with both defenses performing admirably. However, Qusmo was able to break through twenty minutes into the second period. Omerican right midfielder Fernand Michelakakis brought Qusma left midfielder Kynda-Sevet Pec down hard near the edge of the box, prompting a free kick. Only convincing protestations from the team in white & yellow prevented Michelakakis from getting booked, but the true damage had already been done. Xilit-Zaxac Yol took the free kick & recorded a brace in the sixty-sixth minute.

The Omerican attack started to pick up urgency from that point onward, especially after the seventy-fifth minute mark. They wanted to secure points from their match in Qusmo - possibly even three. That did seem within reach, but another one of Avarn-Oxolt’s patented triple substitutions helped put it out of reach for Les Incorrigibles.

In the seventy-first minute, the manager removed centreback Cunix-Betva Tla & midfielders Ilinx-Vulav Ixi & Kynda-Sevet Pec from the match. In their place, the manager ushered in Karar-Nirlo Hus to left defense, Nirlo-Betva Uzo to right defense, & Ilinx-Iblix Tla to right midfield. It not only created a 4-4-2, but it also gave Ilinx-Iblix their first national team cap & made them the twenty-fifth Qusma player to play for their national team. Of all the Qusma players to be called up to the national team roster at any point, only third-choice goalkeeper Prant-Telew Wek has not played during the first half of qualification.

The combination worked, as the four-player back line was able to bottle up the determined Omerican defense. Even the new midfielder was able to make a mark in their first match, as they used their fresh legs to rush down the right edge of the pitch - a soft spot on the Qusma team so far - & cross the ball to Rilan-Jerat Nev, who converted to put the game out of reach for Omerica in the eighty-fifth minute.

Qusmo finally had broken their long winless streak, & much of the praise after the match went to the two newly capped members of the team. “It was really an incredible feeling to get called up,” first-time starting centreback Ozolx-Alfan Ixi gushed, “and it was amazing to get my first cap in Yesopalitha. But to be entrusted with the honour of being a part of our nation’s Starting XI was a truly humbling experience. I hope that I’ve been able to prove today that I am capable of playing on this team, & that I deserve a spot on the Starting XI in the future. &, if I get that honour again, I will be sure to seize the opportunity I have been given.”

Some did question Avarn-Oxolt’s depth at centreback, though, & their choice of Ozolx-Alfan for the Starting XI, given their unlikely path to the pitch in Atlem. “Desperate? Are you mad? Our defense just wasn’t clicking. We conceded five goals the last time we took the pitch. Today, we only let one get through the net. We’ve only notched a single point in our past six matches. Today, we earned three. Personally, I’d say that’s a mark of great success, & certainly not one of desperation.”

However, the defense was not perfect; it did concede a goal, something which it has done for each of its past seven matches now. “Yes, that statistic is a bit bothersome,” the defensively-minded Avarn-Oxolt conceded. “We have to make sure that we constantly strive to get better & to get stronger. Our performance today wasn’t perfect. But it was much, much better.”

The manager was not done fielding questions on the Qusma defense, however, as reporters began to ask about the status of exiled centreback Lucex-Ilinx Opu. “Look, I was the one who made the call to suspend Opu,” the manager explained. “It was my decision. It was the one which I thought was the best for the team. We can’t have that kind of reckless behaviour endanger our team & our chances. But I did leave the door open to them coming back after the first half of qualification has ended - & it has. If I think Lucex-Ilinx’s inclusion in my side will give us a better chance at winning points, I’ll include them. If not, though, they’ll have to sit at home.”

Reporters, thinking Avarn-Oxolt was done, began to resume their questioning, but the manager hushed the room to emphasize what their message - to the world, & to one very specific individual. “We are beholden to no player. We will not lower our standards to accommodate one player’s poor conduct. I don’t care who that player is. We’re not doing it. Not under my watch. Lucex-Ilinx might still play for Qusmo, but only if they will help our team.”

Avarn-Oxolt’s proclamation gained a lot of strength with their team’s win over Omerica. It was the team’s first win since the second matchday, its first come-from-behind win, & its first win against such a highly-ranked opponent. After precisely half of its qualification has finished, its future has begun to look much brighter. With or without Lucex-Ilinx, it will be the job of Avarn-Oxolt & all of their players to keep their team on the right track when the return legs begin in Wolves Clans.

Qusmo 3–1 Omerica
Mastad Atlema, Atlem, Qusmo
Xilit-Zaxac Yol 24’ 66’, Rilan-Jerat Nev 85’
Cards: None
Injuries: None
Substitutions:
Karar-Nirlo Hus for Cunix-Betva Tla 71’
Nirlo-Betva Uzo for Kynda-Sevet Pec 71’
Ilinx-Iblix Tla for Ilinx-Vulav Ixi 71’

Group 11 Recap
Qusmo 3–1 Omerica
Wolves Clans 1–3 Ceni
Beepee 0–1 Buyan
Gopnikea 1–0 Yesopalitha
Tumbra 3–2 Kandorith

   Group 11                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ceni                               9    6   1   2    27   13  +14    19
 2 Buyan                              9    6   1   2    17    8   +9    19
 3 Yesopalitha                        9    6   1   2    24   18   +6    19
 4 Tumbra                             9    6   1   2    14   12   +2    19
 5 Gopnikea                           9    5   1   3    13   12   +1    16
 6 Qusmo                              9    3   1   5    14   16   −2    10
 7 Kandorith                          9    3   1   5    15   20   −5    10
 8 Beepee                             9    2   2   5     6   11   −5     8
 9 Omerica                            9    1   2   6    14   21   −7     5
10 Wolves Clans                       9    1   1   7     9   22  −13     4

[Equestrian States]

Matchday Fourteen Cutoff

Ever found yourself lacking any ideas for RPs? Just make some shit up!

And speaking of shit, some of you might think these results are pretty shitty.

[Jeruselem]

Princess Cassie and some banker looking guy in suite at Dazza Dallas Stadium

Cassie: Hi, this is Princess Cassandra Elise Dallas for Naked News Jeruselem! We're back home, at Dazza Dallas Stadium for World Cup 80. I'm with Ben Hamish who works for Zion Bank, the 2nd biggest sponsor of the World Cup 80 team. The biggest sponsor is actually us Dallas folks but anyway. Yes this is an advertisement we have to do, so if you hate ads go watch that dating show on the other channel. Just for transparency I know this guy too, so we're not exactly unknown to each other. Ben Hamish works for PR department of Zion Bank, so he's pretty much in my field of media.
Ben: Nice to be here Cassie, looking good as always.
Cassie: Yeah I'm not exactly wearing anything
Ben: That's fine by me, keep doing that.

Cassie: As our 2nd biggest sponsor, what does Zion Bank seek to again from sponsoring our national World Cup team. This is the first time you've done this.
Ben: Zion Bank actually owns two teams in the domestic Jeruselem Premier League. Like the Dallas family run their own team as well. We've no strangers to football, we know football just like you.
Cassie: I assume you want an international audience instead of just the domestic one like you do now.
Ben: We do have an international presense but we seek to expand find further customers for our products. The World Cup goes out more countries we seek to reach out to those countries.

Cassie: As the one of the top 3 banks in Jeruselem with a multi-trillion dollar balance sheet, Zion bank seeks to expand?
Ben: For sure, we want our name to be known as well as the Jeruselem World Cup team.
Cassie: We're mote infamous than famous
Ben: Doesn't matter, we can bank on that too. Pun intended

Cassie: So what does Zion bank offer? I know the answer but you're the expert here.
Ben: Traditional savings banking, loans of all kinds, investment services and even the riskier hedge fund type investements. Our investment services include traditional ones as well as ones for people who love to live on the edge. Yes and also interbanking services for other banks as well. We haven't abandoned old school precious metals trading either, we do that too. We do just about everything.
Cassie: Things are looking interesting with inflation killing off low denomation currency, does this inflation worry the bank.
Ben: We're always worried about high inflation, like everyone else. It can be managed the risks, we know it's a worry but we're not panicking.

Cassie: The football public aren't exactly super interested in fancy smancy banking, why target them
Ben: We can help then grow their wealth, we help all sorts including football players, football officials, ordinary football fans and even a bit of royalty ...
Cassie: Oh yes, I have money on your bank. I forget that.
Ben: I'm sure we're doing our best for you and all our customers

Cassie: Now, Zion Bank have quite a few football investments. Apart from two football teams, you have more than that.
Ben: We fund an academy for potential world class football players to discover new talent. It's investing in our sporting future.
Cassie: Entry isn't free it is?
Ben: It's not free, nothing is free. Everything has a price.

Cassie: So the successful ones, what happens to them?
Ben: We see know they respond in the real world, via our football teams on a trial period.
Cassie: Who can apply to this academy? Is it only for Jews?
Ben: OK originally it was for those of the Jewish faith, and males but we've expanded it to females and non-Jewish people.

Cassie: Any other schemes related to football?
Ben: We give money to Jewish schools fund their sports facilties. Players from our teams go there sometimes to help out.
Cassie: You can spot these schools because the Zion bank logo is in your face near the entrance ...
Ben: Well, conditions are attached to this money.

Cassie: I heard the bank has it's own staff football team
Ben: Yes but to be honest, they are awful. It's really for keep staff fit. We're not expecting football players out of that lot.
Cassie: You were pretty good yourself, but of course you went into media.
Ben: I could have pursued that line of career but the media is my choice. Just like you.

Cassie: Zion Bank seems to have big plans? Is to be a global bank or a local bank with international branches?
Ben: We'll see, we want to see how we are received out there in the world first.
Cassie: Is this to beat your rivals, which we won't name.
Ben: Needless to say there's always rivalry, we want to be number one.

Cassie: We're flat out qualifying for the world cup full stop
Ben: Well, you have to be persistent. Keep going.
Cassie: Since World Cup 11 it's now 80. Haven't won a cup as yet.
Ben: Well, keep going.

Cassie: Well, that's it from the banker and crypto girl today.
Ben: We're not that different really. It's all money in the end.
Cassie: See you all later, keep watching our team and well help our sponsors including the bank here ...
Ben: We'd love more customers, we'll even take your crypto. Isn't that right there Princess

Cassie: No comment. There's a much longer interview on our web site for those who just love talking finance, we're not going to show it now.

[Beepee]

Gopnikea 0–2 Beepee

Beepee extends their unbeaten run to 4 (2 wins 2 draws) with a solid victory over Gopnikea in the qualifying round.

The short run of success has changed the mood within the squad who played the last match with much more confidence amd freedom.

The win retains Beepee's position in the qualifying table and closes the gap on larger teams ahead.

Beepee heads onward to the next match hoping to continue their good form.

[Free Republics]

Trudeau Firearms Company Headquarters, Reco, Jolarus

Sebastian Alexander Cornelius Trudeau IV had assembled press from around the Free Republics at his company's headquarters, promising them a major, very newsworthy, announcement. However, he hadn't been entirely certain what that announcement would be until this very moment as he prepared to step onto his escalator and ride it to the podium he had assembled the night before. Mr. Trudeau grabbed his favorite assault rifle, took a deep breath and decided it was time to make an announcement that might change the face of the Free Republics and the multiverse forever. Moments later, Trudeau stepped up to the podium and began to speak to the press:

---

Thank you all for coming out here today. As you know, there are many problems in our country right now. In recent months, we have seen criminals commit heinous atrocity after heinous atrocity under the influence of mind-altering drugs such as those so-called "anti-depressants" that have been scientifically proven to cause suicides and homicides. We have seen many people recklessly endanger the safety of their fellow citizens by shirking their duty to carry a loaded firearm at all times. We have seen many children die at school while some extremist groups run around blaming the tools we use to keep ourselves safe even though there were no good guys with guns at those schools to keep kids safe. We have seen police officers who have disgraced their uniforms by refusing to do their job and protect innocent life from the scum who seek to end it. We have seen many schools and businesses post signs purporting to claim that these establishments are "gun-free zones" where law-abiding men and women may not defend themselves against murderous scum. Today, all of that changes. Today is the day when we will begin to Make the Free Republics Safe Again by standing up to those "pacifist" cowards who demand that we stop defending ourselves, by standing up to cowards who refuse to charge into the front lines to keep their fellow Republicans safe and by ensuring that every Republican has the means and the ability to defend himself or herself against those who threaten public safety.

Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Consul of the Free Republics because it is time for our nation to have a Consul whose first priority is ensuring public safety and putting an end to crime in our great Federation. For far too long, politicians have equivocated and tried to accommodate the gun-haters in our midst. For far too long, politicians have enabled spineless cowards to refuse to perform their duty as a Republican citizen, which is to defend public safety. That will end once I am Consul, which is why I am going to reinstate the individual mandate to purchase a firearm and obtain training regarding how to use it properly. However, this is insufficient as we cannot be truly safe unless most of our fellow citizens are carrying firearms at all times. Therefore, I will also push for new legislation which makes it unlawful to enter a Federation building without a firearm in your possession. As we all know, the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun and when I am Consul, we will ensure that there is always a good guy with a gun around to keep you safe!

I would be remiss if I were to claim that self-defense is the only important issue facing our Federation. I stand unequivocally for your God-Given Right to Self-Defense and I stand unequivocally for your freedom to shoot the bad guy. However, there are other issues facing our Federation at this time. Foremost among them is the effort by some in our media to push us into a foreign war that is none of our business. I speak, of course, of the civil war raging in Saintland at the present time. We simply have no business intervening in that war or any other foreign wars that don't concern us when we have problems of our own at home. But do not misunderstand me: I want to strengthen and rebuilt our military and I promise that, when I am your Consul, we will utterly destroy any nation that decides to wage war against us. We will wipe them completely off the face of the multiverse because you Don't Fuck with the Free Republics!

Turning to our pressing domestic issues, I want to first state that it is wholly unacceptable in a nation as wealthy as ours to have tens of millions of our fellow citizens living on the streets or otherwise living off of welfare just because the private sector is unable to provide jobs to everybody. Therefore, I am calling for government to step in as the employer of last resort to ensure that everybody who is able to work and wishes to do so can find a job. I am also calling for the government to cut off all of the lazy bums who are able to work but refuse to do so. If all you want in life is to leech off of the hard-working taxpayers of our Federation, you should be living on the street!

However, having the government function as an employer of last resort is merely a stopgap measure. If we want to truly make our economy stronger than ever, we will need to Rebuild Republican Industry. We will need to bring the factories back and we will need to stop the plague of outsourcing. I am proud of the fact that all Trudeau Firearms are made right here in the FFR and I am proud of the fact that, wherever possible, we use Republican-made parts to make our products! As your Consul, I will call upon other captains of industry to follow suit to strengthen our economy and create Republican Jobs for Republican Workers. I stand with the Working Man and I am a long-time friend of organized labor. All Trudeau workers are members of the Firearms Manufacturers of the FFR and I wholly support the right of workers to join unions and bargain collectively with employers for better wages and better working conditions. Unfortunately, many companies fire union organizers, suppressing the rights of their workers to organize. This is unacceptable and will not be permitted when I am Consul!

Alas, I am a busy man, so I will have to cut this speech short today. However, I can promise you more details about my plans as Consul will be forthcoming in the months to come. I thank all of you for coming and I ask for your support in my campaign to become your next Consul. Together, we will Rebuild the Republican Dream and we will Restore the Greatness of the Free Republics! God Bless You and God Bless Republica!

[Kita-Hinode]

The camera turns on.
Former Sunrisian national team player [ANTHONY HAWK] is alone in a football court.
On the background, is the lovely skyline of Sora, the state of Burakuriri's capital.
Notably, one can see the Floating Island, a tourist attraction that actually was established by neighbours Kuroba, but at Burakuriri's territory.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - My name is Anthony Hawk. Most of you who watch me might not be familiar with who I am, but I represent something this nation has not seen in years.
He lifts a soccer ball with his right foot, hoofing it high to the skies.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - I represent the soul of the game. The game that was played on the streets, the backcourts, the concrete pitches, the dusty parks.
He then grabs the ball as it falls from the sky.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - My mission is to awake the real passion for the sport. So join me as we look for the hallowed few that can really fit in my...

The very same court where Hawk was alone is now shown hours later.
The camera takes the opportunity to show different shots of the court, proving that it was, in fact, in the top of a building.
Images quickly switch to Hawk in a closed room, where he seems to be talking to the camera.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - My choice to start the quest for my Project 8 in Burakuriri has a lot to do with the culture of this state.
Then it shows some of the hopefuls that showed up for the audition.
Some clearly had scars and bandages on several parts of their bodies.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Burakuriri has this never-quit feel to it that just makes it perfect for street football.
Anthony Hawk steps alone in the middle of the court with several young players watching from the stands.
Notably, was a girl with cat ears, sitting among the tree branches. The tree itself was rather large.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Now, ladies and gents, I'm glad to announce the first ever Project 8 Scout Search is happening right here, right now!
Cheers and claps can be heard from the players.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - And I couldn't start this anywhere else but the hardcore court of Osaki Residential, here at Sora!
The camera starts to get shots of the building itself.
The bottom was somewhat decrepit but as it goes up, one can see care has actually been given to this portion of the building.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Legend has it that the building and the court were all built when it was used as a sweatshop for the Okinaki Company. Ironically, the owner gambled the building against his workers on a game of street football. Due to its' location, the building has been used as a getaway for youth from all over the Downtown portion of Sora. It might have some real oddballs out here, but the football is fantastic.
View returns to the court on top of the building.
Anthony is in the middle of the field.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Now, as I know that Sora ain't some kiddie thing, I decided I'd bring a rough, hard defender to play with you guys.
A man walks out from the stands of a hot dog shop, one of the attractions of the roof.
He sports a pair of worn out Vulpine Sportif boots, black track pants and an untucked FC Kaldukosic jersey, waving to the small crowd.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - This, ladies and gentlemen, is FC Kaldukosic Hall of Fame-bound, former national team defender Brian Litchmoor!
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - My pleasure, kids. Ever since I've heard of a new Sunrise, I wanted to check if you're able to keep up.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - So here's the deal, all of you get the opportunity of playing three kickabouts. Up to three goals or ten minutes. The best of you all get to play a final game with me and Brian. Any of you that are really good enough get to participate in my Project 8. Are we all cool?
He hears near-deafening cheers.
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - Alright, alright! I think he got it!
[ANTHONY HAWK] - I got it that they got it!
Hawk throws the ball to the first group of players.

---

Game Five.
A pale teenager dashes between defenders, making sure to roll the ball under their legs continuously before blunting the ball against the wall of a neighbouring building, serving as a sort of a pass, which he then pockets in the improvised net.
A voiceover follows.
[SORA NAKAMURA] - Name's Sora Nakamura. Born in Sora, Raised in Sora.
A red bar appears under him as he celebrates with what appear to be his classmates, displaying his name.
He's notable for his costume, a white shirt and jean pants, something out of a nearby high school.
[SORA NAKAMURA] - I study near the Okinaki, so we drop by after class to kick some ball for a bit.
Another scene from another game shows as the boy stands with his back to the keeper, dragging the ball in front of him before rolling it under the keeper's legs.
[SORA NAKAMURA] - My friends say that I'm pretty good, so I wanted to give this thing a shot.

---

Game Eleven.
A girl with cat features such as feline ears and tail is in the middle of the field, apparently blocked by several defenders.
She smirks, hoofing the ball upwards and bouncing it towards another player with her backside.
While she seems somewhat upset that the ball left a dark mark on her red short shorts, she seems pretty happy with the result as the camera freezes on her.
[J-KAT] - Foes call me Juri Nanagami, but you can call me J-Kat.
Once again, a red bar appears under her as she still remains somewhat ticked off.
[J-KAT] - I didn't even know we were going to play for a TV show.
She's shown once again near the tree earlier on.
[J-KAT] - Was just chilling, but then they said there'd be some football for some TV people. Figured I'd drop by.

---

Several shots of other games are shown.
Street Football in Burakuriri turns out to be pretty rough, with several shots showing how their defensive work seems to draw a little bit from the state's culture.
Still, one remains more notable.
A grumpy young man, who chose to go shirtless while also having what appeared to be the states' flag hung over his waist, together with camo pants and boots of all things.
The camera freezes on him as well.
[GRANDMASTER] - I'm the Grandmaster. Just... the Grandmaster.
He remains silent while shots show him overpowering several opponents.
[GRANDMASTER] - What? I like football.

---

Once again, the two Sunrisians are on the concrete pitch.
Clearly, all hopefuls are tired and the camera chooses to focus on the three players they apparently scouted out.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - So, Brian, what did you think?
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - It was rough, I'll give you that.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Well, yeah, but that's what I called you for. We needed a rough, wear-and-tear defender after all.
Brian laughs. Hawk shrugs.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Time to pick our teams for the final match then!

---

Both were pretty much done with picking their teams.
Television graphics ensued, showing Brian Litchmoor's team already picked out.
Brian had the advantage, having picked out J-Kat and Sora Nakamura, together with two other less notable players, one being a boy named Soda Musetatsu and the other being a girl named Naomi Minami.
Hawk still had to do his final pick. He managed to pick Grandmaster, with another two unknowns in Shirou Yamauchi and Minoru Fukui. Funnily enough, both Yamauchi and Fukui wore bandages over their arms and legs.
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - C'mon, Anthony. We ain't got the whole day...
[J-KAT] - You're scared, sir?
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Not quite. I just can't pick out one player among you all... Think it's time for today's Skill Challenge!
A graphic served as an intermission.
Hawk was in the middle of the concrete pitch, holding a ball with his left foot.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Our Skill Challenge of the day was tailor-made for this place.
He pointed to another building in the distance.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - One of my crewmen are on top of that other building out there. Behind him, there's a fairly large target. We're aiming for someone with a good enough kick. Whoever hit that little red circle there on the target gets the shot of playing our kick about but also leaves this place 100 Hinodejin crows richer. So, c'mon, let's start this joint!
Several kicks are shown.
Most of them fail to even reach the building until a girl is shown picking up the ball, giving it a kiss.
She wore what appeared to be a makeshift idol look.
[STARLET] - By the force of the spirits, I'm Starlet and you'll obey me by hitting the target!
She walked back three or four steps before running towards the ball and hoofing it.
Insanely, the ball made a weird curve before tearing a hole in the red centre of the target, startling the crewman in the process.
She took a bow, smiling afterwards while the teams approach her.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - That was insane! What's your name?
[STARLET] - I'm... I'm Naoko-Cho Hashimoto but... but I'm nicknamed Starlet.
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - Well, I'll be damned. Am I supposed to play against this girl?
[STARLET] - Hm! Don't take me lightly!
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - I'm not... heh heh.

---

The game started with a graphic on the bottom of the screen showing the names Team Litchmoor and Team Hawk, with the sunset already apparent.
The building's makeshift fence had been improved by the AHP8 crew so that nobody fell down a... well, very dangerous fall.
Brian Litchmoor showed his experience by holding back any attacks by the Grandmaster, although not even he could stop the impressive curved shots Starlet would do.
On the other end, Anthony Hawk and his team suffered at the hands of J-Kat and Nakamura, both proving to be pretty effective in their fundaments, although Sora relied too much on the infamous Panna.
By the end of the game, Hawk was shown to be somewhat exhausted.
The graphic showed the score with Team Hawk on the losing end, 2-4.
Hilariously, Soda and Sora bumped at each other in their celebration of the win.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Well... oof... That was... That was fun...
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - And you got blasted by my team! Is that what you called me all the way from Cosumar for?
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Hah, did you manage to stop Starlet at any point?
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - I... I won, let's keep it at that.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - It's hard to... It's hard to even pick a single player among you that I could say played the best...
Hawk pulled out four golden tickets.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - You eight that played with us are all invited to the season finale at Mashu, Somei-Yoshino but only four of you get the ticket for the real final round. So come here and get your golden ticket as I call you by name... Sora Nakamura!
Sora got up from his group of friends, picking up his golden ticket from the host, before shaking his hand and walking back to his friends.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - The Grandmaster!
Grandmaster got up after fixing his bandana, revealing a scarred eye on the process. He walked up to Hawk, picked his ticket and did a fist bump before returning to his spot in the bleachers, alone.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - J-Kat!
The catgirl leaped from the tree she was on again, taking her ticket and scurrying off back to the tree.
The camera focused on the remaining players from the final game. Starlet seemed confused while other players still had hope.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Starlet!
The girl cheered, rushing out of the bleachers to get her ticket. She gave the host a hug, jumping and twirling her way back to the bleachers.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - And to the rest of you who either didn't make the final game or didn't get a golden ticket, don't be disheartened. I hope all of you show up for the series finale in Mashu, consider this a final shot for this season, alright?
Cheers followed.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - I'd like to thank FC Kaldukosic for granting us the honour of having Brian here kick some ball and Brian himself for showing interest in this project.
[BRIAN LITCHMOOR] - Whenever you need me, man.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - And you for watching our show. Join me next time as we look for who can, indeed, be in my...
A loud yell of PROJECT EIGHT followed, boosted by all the hopefuls and even Litchmoor himself.
[ANTHONY HAWK] - Good night, folks!

[Filindostan]

---

NATIONAL | BUSINESS | PROVINCIAL | INTERNATIONAL | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS PORTAL

---

FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP 80 QUALIFIERS
Filindostan 1-0 Damukuni: Yish late strike separates the two as Pula Garudas inch closer to third

SAN MARCO - Five matches ago, the Pula Garudas look already down and out, eight points off the playoff places.

After Filindostan's crucial 1-0 win over Damukuni, that number has been reduced to a solitary point, thanks to the Damukunians being out of form, inexplicably losing to Razenthuria, 3-0 two matchdays prior to this meeting, and only winning 2 of their last five matches facing the group leaders on the next matchday. Any further slip-up by them would see Filindostan overtake them, provided they dispatch Euran Oceania Territories at their own stadium.

It was a tale of two halves, with a dull and boring first half bereft of chances for either of the teams, the second half picked up pace with both teams squandering every chance they have in front of goal, but it was Yish who was able to break down Damukuni's defenses, with a well-timed run that evaded opposing captain Alec Matterhorn, and drilled a lob shot that went quickly past Yasuo Korenaga, who was a thorn in the Filindostani offense early on, parrying shots right, left and center. The 83rd minute goal was enough to give the Filindos all the needed three points to go five wins on a trot, and be unbeaten in six World Cup Qualifying matches.

The scenes around the streets outside the stadium was chaotic post-match, with numerous ultras groups lighting their flares and making noises around the streets. It was all cozy and frenetic, until two groups of rival clubs Fortunas and Venividicci started a fight that escalated pretty quickly, causing a small fire in the street that destroyed around ten parked cars and causing damage to properties. 21 people were arrested for participating in the scuffle that caused injury to 8 people. The two team buses though have already left the stadium so no one from either team got hurt in the incident.

Riot police will be deployed in their next home match against Valanora, a crucial make or break match that will determine both sides' fate in their quest for World Cup qualification.

Other News

• FSNA Berita Filindo: Supporting the Filindostani National Team in the Equestar World Cup
• No Nonsense Sportswear to re-open during World Cup festivities
• Filindostani Motorsports Group partners with Solymok Tyres for the Filindostani Racing League

Written by FSNA Staff.

[Abanhfleft]

---

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 80 QUALIFIERS: ABANHFLEFT VS WEST ANGOLA
By Malik Qazizadah


The Abanhfleft women's national football team jump in joy as their victory against West Angola keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the 80th World Cup. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

WANDA CITY, WANDA ISLAND - Abanhfleft continues to keep fighting for the chance to qualify for the 80th World Cup in Starblaydia and the Equestrian States as they strolled to yet another victory under new manager Ginny Katesmar.

Abanhfleft scored five goals in a game for only the second time in the World Cup qualifiers and had five different goalscorers for the first time in the current qualifying cycle as well.

The first of those five Fleftic goalscorers was Alex Rousseau, who along with the rest of the Riuwiee State University Mythical Five kept their places in the starting eleven for this clash against West Angola that could maintain Abanhfleft's pursuit of a spot in the 80th World Cup. Rousseau was practically unmarked inside the box when Lillian Prescott fired in a cross, and the Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies forward only had to jump and calculate the ball's destination to ensure that Abanhfleft would have the dream start against the West Angolans.

It wouldn't last for too long, however, as the visitors were able to equalize through Paul Suarez, who was able to shrug off the attentions of Amanda Warren and create enough space for himself in which he could fire a shot at Victoria Carter's near post.

Abanhfleft was able to restore their advantage over the visitors through Chelsea Stuart, who after firing straight at the chest of Matt Santos pounced on her own rebound when all that Santos could muster was a weak parry away from his goal.

In the second half, Lea Choi made an attempt at goal from long range, and once again all the West Angolan goalkeeper could do was weakly parry the ball away from his goal line and right at the feet of Allison Torres, who was more than accepting of the chance gifted to her and practically smashed the ball into the net.

Chances then came at a premium for both sides for a thirty-minute period following Torres' goal in which there was absolutely no shot on goal tallied by either side, and in fact it would take a deflection from one Fleftic player to another that would actually lead to the next goal. Chelsea Stuart attempted to score a second goal from a tight and narrow angle and, while it looked like it would have gone out for a goal kick, Lillian Prescott happened to be in just the right place at the right time to apply a slight touch on the ball with the back of her right heel, which was more than enough to spoof Matt Santos and keep him rooted to the spot while the ball flew into the right corner.

Substitute David Francisco was able to make the scoreline a little bit more respectable for his side as he headed in a goal from Will Young's corner five minutes from the end of regular time, but Adelaide Singh's late curling goal would ensure that the scores still accurately reflected the dominance that Abanhfleft had displayed in this game.

Abanhfleft women's national team manager Ginny Katesmar: "We're still in contention, and that's important. But what's also important is that we cannot afford to slip up for even one single moment for the rest of the qualifiers. It's all on us now. We can rely on other results all we want but the most important results will always be ours and what we make of ourselves."

    ABANHFLEFT 5 - 2 WEST ANGOLA
 ROUSSEAU (8')       SUAREZ (22')
  STUART (31')       FRANCISCO (85')
  TORRES (50')
PRESCOTT (82')
   SINGH (89')

WEST ANGOLA
GK: 1 Santos
RB: 2 Williams (Francisco - 83')
RCB: 4 Collins
LCB: 5 Andrews
LB: 3 Dormor
RM: 10 Gale █ (Fox - 75')
LM: 6 Davis
RW: 8 Young
CAM: 11 Dawson
LW: 9 Ramirez
ST: 7 Suarez (Thomas - 71')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Carter
RB: 14 Warren (Osgood - 77')
CB: 15 Hannibal
LB: 16 Heaton
RM: 17 Vance (Maynard - 60')
LM: 6 Choi
RW: 7 Prescott
CAM: 10 Torres █
LW: 8 Singh
RS: 9 Stuart
LS: 11 Rousseau (Dolan - 73')

MATCH STATS
Possession
Abanhfleft: 50%
West Angola: 50%
Shots
Abanhfleft: 19 (9 on target)
West Angola: 13 (6 on target)
Corners
Abanhfleft: 6
West Angola: 8
Fouls
Abanhfleft: 22
West Angola: 18

[Schottia]

Enrico Hanson-Conavacio

Part Thirteen.

Guardian Angel

Corinne Martel-Burns sat on the toilet, bent double, with her head firmly pressed against the door immediately in front of her. The plane was current somewhere between Chromatika and Eura, but she had no idea where. The five pints she'd had at the airport bar had been a reckless idea, and her stomach currently felt like a washing machine: spinning, churning, flipping, lifting and dropping its contents mercilessly.

The whole time, there was a polite yet persistent rap-a-tap-tapping at the door, as someone no doubt required access. There was no chance Connie was getting up though. She couldn't even if she tried. If she were to open the door it was wholly likely that the poor individual at the other side would met by a stream of vomit, or worse. For the time being she was trapped, praying for sobriety, an end to the turbulence the flight had been experiencing, or ideally both.

Her head, slimy with sweat, half slid down the door, causing her to wake from an uneasy sleep.

rap-tap-tap

'GET TO FUCK! ' She yelled into the door, spraying a mixture of water brash and mucus, as she narrowly avoided the washing machine door flying open mid-cycle. How drunk was she? Probably very. She hadn't thought it at the time, but given the fact that she couldn't remember boarding the plane, or even where her seat was...

rap-tap-tap

'I said... I said fucking, fuck off– ' Connie pulled herself upright, sweeping her now greasy black hair from her face. She had no idea what she'd done with the rubber band she'd been using to tie it back, so she'd just have to put up with it plastered to the back of her neck, making her feel even hotter. She tried to get to her feet, forgetting that her pants and trousers were still round her ankles, thus causing her to fall back, becoming wedged between the toilet bowl and the side wall.

rap-tap-tap

Shit! She was still sat on the toilet floor. There was a splitting pain in her head, as if the bones in her skull were grinding against one and other, and the arm which currently lay trapped beneath her had lost all it's feeling. Connie blew her hair from her face and sat up as much as she could. The vertical wasn't as bad as it had been; perhaps she was sobering up? How long had she been out for?

'Christ, I was trying to be blood polite about it but– '

Connie let out a bloodcurdling scream as a ghostly apparition drifted through the toilet door, and came to a stop, towering over her.

'Ssshhh.' The spirit of Mr Hanson put his finger to his lips, before passing his head through the solid door, to check whether any flight attendants had been alerted to her screams. 'Keep it down.' He waved his hands for quiet. 'Here's me knocking quietly on the door, so as not no startle anyone, then you start screaming like a crazy bitch!'

'What the fuck are you– ' Connie hauled herself to her feet, but that was the catalyst for the inevitable eruption. The contents of her fragile stomach sprayed from her half pursed lips, straight through Mr Hanson's chest, coating the back of the door. Once the cork was popped there was no stopping it, as first the sink basin, then the toilet bowl got the same treatment.

'In yer own good time.' Mr Hanson sighed, sincerely grateful that he was dead. He doubted his own stomach could have handled the stench. 'I would hold your hair back...' He laughed, looking down at the footballer with her head in the toilet bowl. '...but, you know...' He held his hands up to light, noting how easily he could see through his ghostly fingers. 'Better to get it all out, we can talk when ye'r done.'

'You're not real!' Connie snapped, turning round, so as her back was not rested against the toilet bowl. Getting all that liquid from her system had made a massive difference. 'Most people hallucinate about monsters coming through the walls when they drink on their medication; how come I always end up having fights with you.' Connie found the elastic band, still around her wrist, and finally was able to tie her hair back.

'Well... I think we've established ye're not like most people Corinne.' Mr Hanson tried to find a part of the wall he could lean against that wasn't coated in beer, stomach acid, and partially digested chips. He might have been a spirit, but he had his limits. 'But I can assure ye I'm real.' How did you convince someone without faith? 'Listen, ye've been getting me into bother with the high heid yins.' Looking at Connie, sat there in a pile at of her own vomit, he actually felt bad he had to do this, and wanted to make it clear that it was out of his hands. 'I told them everything was sorted, I said ye would be on yer best behaviour. Turns out all this is my fault.' He tutted, rolling his eyes. 'Look, darling, all I want is a quiet afterlife. I want to put my feet up and float down rivers of whisky.'

'Then what the fuck are you doing in an airplane toilet, tormenting me?!?' Connie spat, wiping her chin with her sleeve as started to get back to fighting shape. Standing up was still a bridge too far, but from a sedentary position, she could still hold her own.

'It's a long bloody story to tell ye the truth.' Mr Hanson's spirit ran a hand over the short grey, stubble that covered the back and sides of his head. In life he had been a very large man, tall, broad, and with a layer of fat for good measure. Fitting inside airplane toilets had been a tall order for him at the best of times, so with Connie sat on the floor it was an uncomfortable squeeze. 'When I first... ye know... keeled over.' There were few easy ways to talk about one's death. 'I was at this welcome meeting, bored out of my skull, and they were passing round all these bloody forms for us to sign. Well, long story short, I was in that much of rush to get out of there that I never read the bit of paper put on front of me, and I signed up to this fucking Guardian Angel Programme. It's been the bane of my life ever since.'

'You're my guardian angel?' Connie laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. With the return of her sobriety had also come the dawning realisation, that she had to clean this mess up. 'Does that mean you can get me out of this cube of filth?'

'Well.' Mr Hanson looked around nervously. 'Strictly speaking, no. The angel that runs the programme is all about people taking responsibility for their actions and all that crap. I'm only meant to use my powers to guide...'

'Please tell me I'm sensing a but..?' Connie asked hopefully, as another unidentifiable piece of food slipped from the door behind Mr Hanson and fell to the floor.

The spirit stared around at the mess, even in a different plane of existence, be could feel it catching his throat. He just prayed the little brat hadn't put him off beer for all eternity. 'But... Perhaps there is a way we could help each other. Ye know, I scratch your back, you scratch mine..?'

'To be honest,' Connie groaned, trying to sit up again. 'I'm considering scratching through the fuselage with my fingernails to avoid going back down that gangway, so scratching your hairy, ghostly back would be quite desirable.'

'I hoped you'd see it that way.' Mr Hanson smiled, seemingly relived. 'C'mon, let's hit the road.' Reaching out with his wraithlike fingers, he clutched the sorry looking young woman by the shoulder, and with a flash of white light they were off. Mr Hanson only hoped that god would have mercy on the poor individual who finally got the toilet door open in Eura.

[Zwangzug]

The Spenson Star
Unexpected upset?

Zwangzug upset Valladares on the road, with goals from Misako Tsuki and Kendra Jover outdoing a strike from Adam Pinto. [What do you mean by upset? -ed]

Well, they were second seeds in the group and playing at home, and Zwangzug was unranked, so this was an unexpected result.

[But some degree of randomness is always to be expected. Besides, Zwangzug had already drawn with Cosumar, so they'd proven they were a capable side... -ed]

They had two wins through the previous thirteen matches, I don't think that was exactly all that impressive.

[And furthermore, how can you conclude what Valladares' emotional reaction was? Maybe they weren't upset, they might have been just phlegmatic about the whole thing. Or more frustrated than disappointment. Or it wasn't all that big a deal to them. -ed]

It's...a different use of the word, meaning "to defeat a team that is more highly regarded." Nothing to do with emotions at all.

[And once again, as you might put it, how are we to assume that the entire team had the same reaction, never mind the entire country? -ed]

I'm no longer paying attention to you, so the rest of this article will be pseudorandom filller text. Lorem ipsum dolor something something, a phrase which here means "nobody enjoys pain for its own sake, but sometimes they're willing to put up with it for achieving a greater good, like throwing themselves in front of a ball to stop a goal." Huh, I guess my random gibberish generator preempted the arguments of Ephesian FC. Maybe they could stand to learn a thing or two about classical stoicism.

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," an aphorism attributed to explain the rise of Foxhampton in the Eura domestic league and the floundering of Euran Oceania Territories, who have achieved only thirteen points to date.

[Zwangzug have also achieved only thirteen points to date. -ed]

No one asked you.

[Mattijana]

World Cup 80 Qualifying: Minnows Set For Best Ever Cycle

MFO SPORT


With the qualifying stage for world cup 80 nearly at a close, the fate of many nations is now beginning to be sealed. Brenecia became the first non-hosting side to guarantee their place at the tournament after a 5-1 win at group 4's bottom side Olastor. That gave the Esportivans an unassailable 13 point lead and made it mathematically impossible for Olastor to qualify.

Elsewhere, Schottia, Farfadillis, Nephara, Audioslavia, Mriin, Chromatika, South Covello and Eura all made sure of at least a playoff place.

However it is the other end of the tables that are arguably the more interesting. Although 19 of the 23 sides to be eliminated are qualifying debutants, many of the teams down there have been unexpectedly poor and many of the minnows have performed surprisingly well.

In fact, it has been frustratingly apparent that the usually fruitful bowls of ineptitude, mediocrity and incompetence have not been as full as in previous years. 10th-placed sides this cycle have so far accumulated 141 points, 97 more than last cycle's total of 44. In addition, none of this year's teams are winless, compared to 11 at this stage and 9 after all 18 games last cycle.

All that has been formulated by some mathsy people into an index of ineptitude, calculated by taking the total number of winless teams +1, multiplying it by the worst goal difference and dividing it by the number of points earned by bottom teams, all multiplied by -1.

Last cycle after 14 games, 12 x -32 divided by 44 gave an ineptivity index of 8.73. So far this cycle, the same sum churns out an answer of just 0.13, a stark drop in incompetence. As a nation that seeks to point out the shortcomings of others in order to gloss over its own weaknesses, these figures are a major concern for Mattijana.


So what's going on? Is this just a one off, are the lower sides genuinely getting better or are some kind of dark arts at play?

Whether it's a one off we will have to wait and see, but it could be true that the small teams are getting better. Many have backing from senior nations. The Crystalline Caverns, who Mattijana drew with in their most recent match, are linked with 27th-ranked Qasden whilst Eura's Oceanic Territories are currently in their first cycle. With more of the under-resourced pioneers being replaced by teams with access to funds and top class training facilities, it is no surprise the quality is being increased. Bring back the cold wet islands.

As for the dark arts, there may still be a case to answer. The number of surprise results has been seen to have increased this cycle, but is it actually any different from usual?

In terms of long term successes, it would appear not. With the exception of the Macabees, Maryloupe and the Commonwealth of Baker Park, all the nations in play-off places are teams you would expect to be up the sharp end of proceedings.
Compare that to last season and Filindostan were the only team to really break the mould at the top of the tables. The then-Baptism of Fire graduates finished third in their group and occupied a top 2 slot for the majority of the qualifying campaign. A small increase in overacheivers, but nothing to really get the alarm bells ringing from the point of view of the world's heavyweights.

That too can be infered from the records of the world's leaders. Number one rankees Schottia have won all but one of their games, a 1-1 away draw against Mattijana in which they were only denied the three points by some excellent and at many times lucky last ditch defending.

Farfadillis have won 13 and lost just the 1. Brenecia have won 12, drawn 1 and lost 1 and the majority of the other pot one teams have still notched up over 10 wins. So at the top end, the shocks and surprises have not had much of an effect.

Therefore it must be the established midfield teams that are slippimg back towards the up-and-coming new teams and that's not really a surprise if they all work like us.

[Tobiasia]

Tobiasia 1-2 Lochario

Tobiasia lost again to low ranked Lochario with their defence once again unyielding. Uzele managed the only consolation goal but Percy Matthews performed poorly in goal, letting two in.

Tobiasia 3-3 Indusse

A major match today for both teams faced Tobiasia and Indusse, with both sides needing a win.

The game was lightning fast, with an opening goal from Ryans gave the Tigers a short-lived lead, followed by two Indussian goals in just 6 minutes. A comeback in the second half spearheaded by Eastgate, who managed two assists, left the Tobiasians 3-2 up with goals from Philips and Urtup.

However, it was not to be, as a ferocious volley from Indusse gave them an equaliser in the 75th minute that couldn’t be matched.

Our view
We desperately needed these two goals to qualify, but with Juvencus beating Brenecia and only 1 point out of two relatively easy games, this was a nightmare duo for the Tigers. The top 4 with a chance of making it through are Brenecia, Juvencus, Tobiasia and Sargossa, and with Brenecia already qualifying, this leaves just one spot left for qualification. This is our biggest chance at qualification in history, and to do so we need some brilliant games to follow, especially against Juvencus.

Highscorers
•Fraser Philips: 11
•Rosa Uzele: 7
•Lee Ryans: 6
•Harry Lithgow: 2
•Sally Urtup: 2
•Arthur Slim: 1
•Flint Eastgate: 1

Most assists
•Sally Urtup: 6
•Lee Ryans: 5
•Harry Lithgow: 5
•Flint Eastgate: 5
•Arthur Slim: 3
•Fraser Philips: 2
•Rosa Uzele: 2
•Paul Goldsmith: 1
•Frank Woods: 1
•Katrina Zeya: 1

[Darmen]

Election Tomorrow: Coalition looks imminent
President Tor Tong Lee likely to retain seat

SCOTT CITY - Final pre-election polls show the Movement for a New Darmen (MND) to likely finish second in total votes behind the United Left (UL) in tomorrow's general election. However, when applied to the number of seats each party is likely to earn, the MND are predicted to actually win more than the UL.

The poll, conducted by Surveys R Us, predicts MND will win 63 of 166 total seats in Parliament, as 27.5% of poll respondents selected the center-right coalition as their preferred option. Meanwhile, the UL will claim 59 seats, as 37.4% of respondents selected the left-wing coalition as their preferred option. Both parties will fall short of the 84 seats needed for a majority. President Lee hinted last week that should this indeed happen, he would likely invite the UL into a grand coalition. President Lee also reaffirmed that any government involving the MND would also include the People's Party and Lista de Valladar.

Concurrently with the elections for the Parliament are the elections for the Local Governing Authorities. There are expected to be several changes in the leadership of the LGA's, with Scott City's Municipal Council likely to be controlled by a United Left-led coalition. Other LGA's potentially changing hands include: Western Chuckio (MND to UL), Tempala (MND to UL) and Northern Chuckio (no overall control to MND).

Despite the uncertainty of who will govern in Parliament and local government, the Presidential election appears to be a foregone conclusion. Both the People's Party and Lista de Valladar have announced incumbent President Tor Tong Lee as their second choice candidate. Additionally, Lee will likely earn the support of the Fascist & Ultranationalist Union as they are unlikely to support either Yoram Nash of the UL or Rowland McNab of the National Civil Liberal Democratic Union. Nash and McNab are the only other candidates besides Lee who have a legitimate chance of winning the Presidency. The Presidential election will take place next Tuesday, when all MP's and MLGA's meet in Scott City to form the Electoral College, electing the President via exhaustive ballot.

[Nephara]

Dalmat 0 - 4 Nephara
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Tsattalios; 2 - Rafford (5 - Vannatter 68'), 18 - Brymora, 22 - Bruyne, 3 - Lohengrin (c); 4 - Rowland, 8 - Klein (15 - Shone 79'); 7 - Szalai (13 - Coffey 72'), 14 - Webster, 11 - Strongbow; 9 - Hawke
Goals: Hawke 17', Webster 22', Strongbow 37' 81'

Nephara 5 - 1 Frozen Forest
(4-2-3-1) 12 - Swoboda; 18 - Brymora, 5 - Vannatter, 6 - Theuer, 3 - Lohengrin (c, 19 - Vicelich 65'); 4 - Rowland (23 - Misidjan 65'), 15 - Shone; 13 - Coffey, 14 - Webster, 16 - Aspenwood; 17 - Stavanger
Goals: Aspenwood 6', Stavanger 18', Shone 22', Vicelich 79', Coffey 90+4'

Esther Vannatter knew that nobody besides her would remember this game. That didn't make it less stressful.
Vannatter was someone who lived on stress. Not for her the luxuries of relaxation, her introduction to football had more or less removed any chances of that. Hadrian Belfast was substituted off in his last game, and who came on but a callow teenage Vannatter? No pressure, just coming on for one of the greatest defenders in the history of football, probably the greatest footballer in the history of Nephara... absolutely nobody would call that a 'passing of the torch' and put you under that kind of pressure your entire career! Nobody at all!!!
So people had been disappointed when Vannatter, once she did break through for good in her early 20s, was human and fallible. Clearly talented, admirably athletic, tidy enough with the ball at her feet, but, well, she was no Hadrian Belfast, was she? Nowheere near the national team at that age, at a time when the Cormorants needed her...
Still, when she went down with the Otters, aged 23, she had plenty of interest from within the country. And... turned it all down. Because Tihon wanted her, in Chromatika, and the idea of not being constantly pasted sounded pretty good. The idea of winning football matches. The idea of leaving Belfast's shadow, and swimming with the big fish in the small pond... then maybe she could assert herself. Build some confidence. Become her own woman.
The match was a formality. Nephara hammered Frozen Forest 5-1, and Josie Webster got the headlines with a maestro performance in attacking midfield. But Vannatter won her second cap, her first start, on her 24th birthday. She wasn't going to make the World Cup plane. She sure as fuck wasn't another Belfast.
But to look around her - Heron Kendall, Trajan Bruyne, Apo Tsattalios. It wasn't too late for her. She was in the frame, now, and had concrete proof Brandon was watching, that her actions mattered.
This year was just a taster, she hoped. She'd get there in the end, at her own pace.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 8
Goalkeepers: 1 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Falourr, EUR), 12 - Andreas Swoboda (1860 Azoth, CEN), 20 - Anthoulis Matraxis (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Leona Rafford (Crisisbless), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Ryan Theuer (Falourr, EUR), 18 - Danijel Brymora (Brinemouth), 19 - Lux Vicelich (Sabrefell Moths), 22 - Trajan Bruyne (Mallox, COS)
Midfielders: 4 - Monica Rowland (Bastion, EUR), 7 - Adnan Szalai (Ulsa, EUR), 8 - Rusalka Klein (Crawford City FC, COS), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Directus, EUR), 13 - Ishtar Fanaiyan (Eastweald, COS), 14 - Josie Webster (North Laithland), 15 - Circe Rosenthal (Marionville, SCT), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 23 - Servet Misidjan (AFC Treason)
Forwards: 9 - Estrella Hawke (Sabrefell Athletic), 10 - Heron Kendall (Port Sebastian, SCT), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD)

SCHEDULE
Lisander 1 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 0 Audioslavia @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Tinhampton 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 0 Dalmat @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Frozen Forest 0 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 4 Cereal Isle @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Flardania 1 - 2 Nephara
Dance 2 Revolution 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 3 - 1 Kopyk @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Nephara 3 - 1 Lisander @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Audioslavia 2 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 Tinhampton @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Dalmat 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 5 - 1 Frozen Forest @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Cereal Isle vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Flardania @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Dance 2 Revolution @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Kopyk vs. Nephara

[Brenecia]

Brenecia 2 - 3 Juvencus
(4-1-4-1) 1 - Woodgate; 2 - Carrack (5 - Hamilton 56'), 18 - Heneghan, 6 - Szubanski, 3 - Quill; 4 - Gryphon (c); 7 - Crowther, 21 - Case, 8 - Hartsdown, 16 - Keohane; 9 - Riordan
Goals: Riordan 32' 79'

Olastor 1 - 5 Brenecia
(4-1-4-1) 12 - Calhoun; 5 - Hamilton, 18 - Heneghan, 22 - Varney, 3 - Quill; 4 - Gryphon (c, 23 - Alweather 60'); 7 - Crowther, 14 - Drover, 8 - Hartsdown (13 - Wheeler 78'), 11 - Ashbrown (19 - Cattalock 78'); 9 - Riordan
Goals: Drover 12', Riordan 39', Crowther 44', Wheeler 80', Cattalock 87'

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Qualifying history overview: have we ever seen the likes of this before? - Part Two
Laura Mulholland

Despite defeat at home to Juvencus, Brenecia still became the first side in the world to join Starblaydia and the Equestrian States in the World Cup! We really have never had it so good, as the difficult middle years of Brenecian qualifying will help reinforce...

71: Brenecia did the thing again, opening with two draws - albeit both away, to their Free Republican rivals and then to a decent Estope side. But they kicked on from that with a 6-1 hammering of Lons, went on to beat the Republicans 6-3, and were only beaten once, by Devonta (who were also cleaned out 6-1 in the reverse leg) throughout. Brenecia were presented with a decently gettable World Cup group, but disappointing defeats to the Sarian and Ko-oren were followed up by a predictable defeat to Pasarga, and the Patriots slunk out without a point. Jaded at the newly-raised expectations for her side, Catherine Bardsley left the national post not long after, and in a fateful decision took on the post of the Sameban national team.

72: Promising young manager Danielle Granger was appointed to take charge of the national team, hoping to find the balance between the gruelling defense of the early years and the flaky forward play of the Kingsgrove School. It was an unmitigated disaster. Yet again, the Patriots opened with a draw, at home to lowly Skarosbrekka. Unfortunately, they developed a taste for it. Drawing New West Guiana, Jackland, Recuecn (twice) and Lymantatia, and beaten twice by Osarius, Brenecia were fortunate to make a playoff in which they were beaten 3-1 by Farfadillis over two legs - a flattering scoreline, in all honesty. After a 3-0 thrashing from the Sarian in the second round of the Cup of Harmony, Granger was unceremoniously sacked, and has done well since to recover her career.

73: Under the nostalgic pick for new manager of Sasha Bale, Brenecia managed to win the Campionato Esportiva for the first time, conquering old rivals Nephara in extra time in the final.It was, however, probably the most tragic qualifying campaign the Patriots have ever had to endure. Brenecia won their first nine matches before slumping to scoreless draws against Dainer and their new four-letter word, Recuecn, sandwiching a 1-0 home defeat to Starblaydia. This forced them into a playoff against Abanhfleft, who cleaned them out 5-1 on aggregate. Brenecia then bombed out of the Cup of Harmony in the groups, defeated 2-1 by Catherine Bardsley's Sameba.

74: Determined not to bomb out as dramatically this time, Brenecia were patchy away throughout, but at least managed to win their home matches to sneak into second place. Unfortunately, they were for the second time in as many cycles hammered 4-1 in the first leg of the playoffs, against Szavoda. They did at least manage to win the second leg, but once again the Patriots were thrown into the Cup of Harmony. They did better this time, markedly better, but were ultimately beaten 1-0 in the Final by their old rivals, the Free Republics (now under the guise of 'Falatulu'). To rub salt into the wound, a week later, Nephara won the World Cup.

75: Things were starting to fall apart under Sasha Bale. Having once again played bridesmaid in the last CE, Brenecia were abject in qualifying, beaten home and away by USI, drawing at home to Mercedini and also suffering defeats to Lymantatia and, by that cursed 4-1 scoreline, Yttribia. Enough was enough - Bale got the axe, and Raven Cullen was brought in. She had an immediate restorative effect on the Patriots' fortunes, however, and with results including a 5-0 demolition of Vyshehradska and 6-2 of Mercedini, both away, they managed to scrape into the playoffs. For once, they managed to prevail, edging Jeruselem 5-4. But their first World Cup campaign in eight years would be bittersweet. They topped the group after a 5-4 scalp of Eura that will always have an asterisk beside it, as news of Sameba's declaration of war broke at half-time. Brenecia's opponents sleepwalked through the second half and were, unsurprisingly, put to the sword. Still, for the first time ever, Brenecia managed to get to the second round with seven points, but were beaten easily by Audioslavia, 3-0. Still, things were looking up...

To be continued...

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 8
Goalkeepers: 1 - Mathis Woodgate (Spartangrad, EUR), 12 - Rostyn Calhoun (Wexax United, VAL), 20 - Rosalind Buchanan (Lunas FC, PAS)
Defenders: 2 - Fiona Marquess (Willox Street Pirates, PCR), 3 - Gethin Quill (Revolutionaries, EUR), 5 - Chadwick Beath (Blue Coast 1981, PCR), 6 - Niko Szubanski (1830 Cathair, AUD), 18 - Cheney Heneghan (Ernesse Stahl, BYN), 19 - Siri Cattalock (CA Paulinthal, PAS), 22 - Garwyn Varney (Soldarian FC, VAL)
Midfielders: 4 - Catherine Gryphon (Cornellians, SCT, c), 7 - Brae Crowther (Chenoworth Harriers, NPH), 8 - Meghan Hartsdown (Kings Park, SCT), 11 - Tiferet Ashbrown (Kings Park, SCT), 13 - Corby Wheeler (Goldstaff City, COS), 14 - Elsie Drover (OAS Royal FC, COS), 15 - Cu Roi Garrard (Rene Skae, FFD), 16 - Keohane (Ramusok United, COS), 21 - Falcon Case (Goodfeather FC, NPH), 23 - Catsidhe Alweather (Eastal Lunar, VIL)
Forwards: 9 - Griffin Riordan (Klyde, COS), 10 - Vesuvia Carrick (South Laithland, NPH), 17 - Aelfwynn Bannion (Goldstaff City, COS)

SCHEDULE
Brenecia 2 - 1 New Lusitania
Lochario 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Indusse
Juvencus 2 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Olastor
Sargossa 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 0 Stetzra
Brenecia 1 - 0 North NSW
Tobiasia 1 - 4 Brenecia
New Lusitania 2 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Lochario
Indusse 1 - 6 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 3 Juvencus
Olastor 1 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Sargossa
Stetzra vs. Brenecia
North NSW vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Tobiasia

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

David Blake: "back here on CBC Soccer Night ahead of tonight's match against Coldfield. Guys, the team have only 1 victory in this phase of the qualifying, and the defensive woes have intensified. Are there any simple fixes or is there something that's going to require major rethinking about the roster or the tactics?"

Aiden Donnan: "I think in terms of simple fixes, the biggest problem is situational. In the BoF, the problem on defense was set pieces, but here the things happening are open play breakdowns. Defenders are on the ball too much, and little bobbles or poor choices are seeing them lose possession."

Gary Kostka: "That's a really good point. Trying to sustain long periods of possession by bringing the backs into the equation is an attempt at having your cake and eating it, too. Trevor is expecting a bit too much for them to both play high and hold the ball longer. Instead of trying to lengthen midfield, they need to go back to compressing the space in front of the backs."

DB: "lets bring in Mark Tolbert and Craig Snyder, who will be calling the match from Crownsville. Mark, anything to add?"

MT: "I can't disagree with either Gary or Aiden. I agree that Trevor is trying to control the match by keeping more of the ball, but that's not really conducive to the formation or to the players he's using. The one person I think they miss right now is Faith Enzikomibo. She's a marker, an all out defender, and poor Kris Day is just not in the same class as her on those strengths. He's excellent with the ball, but you really need to have two solid defenders and one person to pass and distribute, and I think Trevor trying to play 3 passing, ball handling backs is creating a lot of these issues."

CS: "Yeah, I'd be very surprised if she's not back in the squad for the next round of matches. She was certainly going to be recalled for a potential playoff, but I think they might be looking at not even making that if they don't make a drastic reversal and go back to the style they were obviously succeeding with earlier."

AD: "Craig, do you think if they make a sharp about-face and re-sort the squad situation, will Day stay in? Or will they drop someone else?"

CS: "Kris can do a lot of things, and he has experience. I think he'll stay, but it's possible you'll see Dean Haller, or Bartok cut loose. Not that either of them have performed badly, but they just have too many people at the center spot."

DB: "Mark, Craig, thanks a lot, we'll see you in awhile with the call of the match, Commonwealth at Coldfield from the Crownsville Palace Colossus Stadium."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

IntSor: RELIANT--B046
IntScale: TOP secret/door
Via: OBRIEN_M (LCM) C/O <<CTO>>
inre: PIRANHA SPECOP ++[SUPPLEMENT]++

intercept-- FOUR KoB NATLS. OPSOURCE COOP LIKELY PER INTERVIEW HERE/PROFESSED NO POLT AFFIN TO KoB_GOV/PROFESSED AFFIN TO KoB_ROYF/REFERRAL TO SPECOP INTAG @ ISTRIA PER PREVIOUS COMMUN/RECOMD CLAIM DUE PD TO EACH--100 SHILLINGS PER

JONAS/KATSANDE--captain of ship 'DESDEMONA' <<respectful, polite, proud, clearly the leader of group>>
LEONARD/KARURU <<put thought into his words, possibly most patriotic to king, family tie? to above>>
ONISMOR/MUNETSI <<physically imposing, soft spoken, prob. least politically minded, big brother figure to below>>
TENDAI/RUSIKE--AKA 'EDDIE'--<<speech impediment belies actual mental capability--stammer--is perceptive but self conscious. requires gentle patient treatment>>

SUMMARY: honest small boat fishermen, level of discretion would prob. be increased with careful treatment. Opened up and relaxed as respect and goodwill shown to them increased.

ENDSuppBRIEF
97985
COMCTR_CIS

Marie finished her report and sent it to the CIS headquarters via secure transmission. Her role in 'Piranha' was now essentially over. Her job had been to find a suitable operative and determine the likelihood of cooperation. Her report provided enough information to let whoever was making decisions to judge for themselves. Her place in the operation was as a "cutout", a function that was often times performed by a regular National Guard military officer, but other branches of the military were used as well. Her identity would be deleted from any role in the operation, and as she wasn't really involved in the planning details, she was able to say she had no knowledge.

[North Prarie]

No shots intended towards Beepee, just playing around.

[95X]

Two friends are discussing the 95X performance to this point, after MD 14.

"Another win! The loser was eliminated from qualifying!"

"What nation was it, anyway?"

" Dunno, I didn't pay attention. I think Morrison's the best 95X player since Xi Foureleven."

"He's no Foureleven, though. And, uh, well, Morrison's good, but Foureleven was great, and pretty to watch."

"You know that's why she stopped playing? I mean, she's practically ageless."

"But it's true."

"Uh, anyway, we were talking about the current national team. I still can't believe we beat Valanora."

"Yeah, that was great. If they can keep it together I bet they'll qualify."

"Except the only automatic qualifier is for the group winner."

"It is? That's too bad."

"Anyway, it's been a good run for them."

---

Meanwhile, here's Britny Sierra's take on things:

"Like, like, like, like, like, like!"

[Mriin]

An eerie silence hung over the Capitalizt Dome, as Rachel Hellion lined up for the free kick.

It was an early one--the Chromatik had come out fast, looking to start on the right foot. But Uhlon had taken the 'aggressive play' directive in his usual giddy way, earning his first yellow just a hair under five minutes in, a rather nasty slide knocking Keira Andisori a stone's throw from the penalty box. Zilia could feel her heart in her throat as Hellion started to move. You never get used to this shit. Andisori was looming--okay, maybe 'looming' isn't the right word, but she's still a menace--by the right post, and Kaytlyn Victoriane cutting a slightly more imposing figure on the left, not to mention the rest of their midfield laying about like landmines.

Foot meets ball. Zilia's throat jumps an inch higher. But she can see it coming--it's a direct shot, arcing just around Hilda on the side of the wall, and pulling back towards the center of the goal. She swallowed the lump down and sidestepped, reaching out a long arm and snagged it mid-air--rolling it back to her chest, and then through onto her other arm, slinging it right back out to Mari in some open space on the wing. Mari corralled it in a snap and set off, blazing down the touchline as if she were back in Haven. Erika Morningstar managed to draw a beat on her still, a diagonal run cutting Mari off well before "fuck it" shot territory and forcing out an off-balance inwards pass that left Malia and Alyss Montague scrambling for it. There wasn't a decisive 'winner' on who touched first--Montague's kick met it just before Malia's slide, the end result popping it high in their air at a jaunty angle. Luuk Aart was the first to notice and cut back, clearing it back out of the half with a powerful header.

And so the initial flurry came to rest, Geraard collecting the clearance and shouting everyone back in line (especially Uhlon, as a second yellow would be disastrous). The two teams settled back into a routine of trying to figure the other out--Solara would make a few short-lived solo runs, Molly Thorben had a few ambitious crosses cleared out by the backs. Joren would repeatedly find his passing lanes flooded while Jazmin Dragana's dramatic runs would rival Lasser's--to similarly muted results. It wouldn't be until twenty minutes that another proper chance presented itself, this time Aldo testing Mia Ria (a very Mriinian name, if you think about it) from just inside the penalty area, the keeper laying out and managing to snuffle the shot into the ground. It had taken Joren getting cute and doing a no-look back pass to Malia to create the space for that shot, and that trick wouldn't work twice (it was surprising it worked once, honestly); both defenses were on point, so Don shifted to Plan B.

Just run like fucking madsatyrs and hope they tire out. A swift claw motion from the sideline caught Joren's eye, who whistled a tune that Mari and Malia picked up, spreading across the team. Thus came ever more erratic runs from Malia and Solara, Mari dragging Morningstar all over the rear of the pitch, all lasting well into the second half. Joren even orchestrated a fancy of passing triangles that never even sniffed the opposing goal. Meanwhile Thorben had given the Mriinians a right scare by intercepting those faff passes--three times!--and driving forward. Her own shot was denied by a sliding Reina, the attempted alley-oop to Andisori being headed just wide of the post, and their final attempt--following a quick series of ping-pong passes in the Mriinian red zone--ending in Zilia smothering a bullet from Sandra Sybill.

Was it working? Who the fuck knows, really. But finally, Joren jerked free of Hellion on the press and actually had a proper sightline on a mid-sprint Malia; his instinctual pass was on the money and she seamlessly turned her run into a dribble, already a few steps ahead of Dragana and forcing Damjana to peel off and pressure--giving Solara just enough space to post up in a tiny sliver of open space at the edge of the box.

The cross comes in on a high arc. She leans back and slams her right hoof into the grass, lifting off--and slams the ball just under Ria's outstretched arm, a roar erupting from the away crowd as she lands on her back.

[Cosumar]

Romikk's Road To Recovery Vlog: Part 4
Three months since the Tom Miah Incident, one year ago
(Continued from here)

*A lone tattooed man in a gym bounces side-to-side gingerly, lands a powerful blow on an Ulsa-branded punching bag, and turns to face the camera with a wipe of his brow*

Hi guys, Romikk here. Breaking the silence with a bang!

I know a lot of you, for some reason, were worried that I might commit suicide or something after the depressing content of my last video.

I concede, your boy can be a little dramatic... but I swear the most drastic thing I ever considered was relapsing on bananas! That said, I'd be lying if I claimed I didn't hate my life there for a few weeks, especially after the rock-bottom of my re-injury.

It almost pains me to admit this - a real stick in the craw for my pride - but I probably wouldn't have made it through alone. Almost two months later, I'm in a much better place and I truly believe the worst of this process is behind me, but only because of the support, belief and advice from a few key individuals that I'm forever indebted to.

Kris Campbell. That man is a treasure, and the true embodiment of a mentor-warrior. I don't know what Mâ Âlâmëómë put in his food when he was coming up. He never holds back and always pushes me to be my absolute best. To be honest, I loathed Kris when I first arrived in Eura. I came to Ulsa to replace him but he continued to perform at a high level and never made it easy on me. That battle made me a better striker than I could've previously imagined. When I was at my lowest moment recently, drowning my depression in ice cream, it was Kris who knew exactly how to handle it. He didn't indulge me with pity. He kicked my ass back into shape and got me riled up. He told me, straight-up, that he was leaving his legacy at Ulsa to me. He told me that I'd better not fuck it up by endangering my recovery. I gave him sass back and he stormed out of my apartment in response. But that brutal honesty fired me up. It re-ignited the spark within me to keep fighting. There's nothing but respect there.

Sur Arora. He played the "good cop" role to Campbell's bad cop. When he heard the news of my re-injury (which turned out to be minor, thankfully), he called me from Ramusok and shared his own perspective -- having gone through a similar injury at the peak of his playing career. People thought his career was over, but he came back after a yearlong recovery and had the most prolific World Cup cycle in Cosumarite history! That is where my sights are set for my own comeback. Arora is tight with Pearce and apparently the gaffer said he's calling me up for World Cup 80 Qualifiers no matter what, so I'd better be ready!

Ragnar Targaryen - I think he was as concerned as some of you after my last vlog. He started flying in from Pasarga between CAP games to hang out and keep me company. Now that's friendship.

All the support, to be honest, has been a little uncomfortable for me. Welcome? Yes. Needed? Probably. But I still don't wholly like it.

Growing up, my family wasn't exactly the most supportive. So I've always derived my self-worth from my sense of independence. My self-reliance, not needing assistance from anybody, my individual achievement. I never would have expended us much energy as Kris, Sur and Ragnar have on helping someone who had fallen down in my rearview mirror. But seeing the joy with which they've selflessly helped me has caused me to stop and re-evaluate somewhat. I'm still not quite sure what to make of it, but maybe I have been missing a piece of the puzzle when it comes to self-fulfillment. At heart, I'll always be the stubborn kid who wants no part of giving or receiving a helping hand, but someday I'll pay it forward to the next Arora or Valgard that finds himself pushed to a harrowing ledge in his career just before reaching the summit.

In the meantime? Well, first things first! Me. I've got to keep taking care of myself and make sure I complete my own recovery.

The breakthroughs have been nearly daily for the last few weeks - I can walk easily without crutches now and even lightly jog! But I'm still only halfway back to the pitch in the grand scheme of things. Heavy work, extra weight and sharp movements are still a no-no. There's still a long road - and a lot of time here in this god-forsaken gym - still ahead of me.

As Kris Campbell said in my apartment on the night of my re-injury, "adversity causes some men to break, others to break records."

Romikk out.

---

Ethane 0-1 Cosumar
Serafino 22'
Assisted by Tidesson
Selection: Na'Kefir; Lechjakr (Na'Kale), Svensson, Jorgensen, Bale; Serafino, Mordini, Tidesson; Sibučić (Mokumdarian); Marsteller (Valgard), Targaryen
Pre-Qual Friendly | @ Ethane

Cosumar 3-1 Pasarga
Targaryen 56' (p), Tidesson 76', Marsteller 90+1'
Assisted by n/a, Heher, Heher
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Svensson, Jorgensen (Loredan), Bale; Serafino, Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić (Heher); Targaryen (Marsteller), Valgard
Pre-Qual Friendly | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Banija 1-5 Cosumar
Zeale-Riddick 2', Svensson 6', Yilmaz 45+2', Ka. Kvanderwyk 59', Ojala 76'
Assisted by Ojala, Yilmaz, n/a, Ojala, da Silva
Selection: Commerford; Engram, Svensson (da Silva), Wolff, Swan; Yilmaz, Horvat, Ojala; Saltorius (Ki. Kvanderwyk); Ka. Kvanderwyk, Zeale-Riddick (Neptune)
Pre-Qual Friendly | @ BCEL Stadium, Jinja City


...


Cosumar 5-2 Greater Vacolicci Haven
Targaryen 13', Valgard 34', Bale 44', Targaryen 58', Ki. Kvanderwyk 63'
Assisted by Serafino, n/a, Targaryen, Sibučić, Tidesson
Selection: Na'Kefir; Lechjakr (Wolff), Svensson, Jorgensen, Bale; Serafino, Söderquist (Mokumdarian), Tidesson; Sibučić; Targaryen, Valgard (Ki. Kvanderwyk)
Matchday 1 | @ Fire River Arena, Ramusok

Zwangzug 1-1 Cosumar
Ka. Kvanderwyk 23'
Assisted by Mordini
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Wolff, Jorgensen, Swan; Curwyk (Tidesson), Mordini, Söderquist, Ojala; Ka. Kvanderwyk (Marsteller), Targaryen (Ruhl)
Matchday 2 | @ Wayr Stadium, Rackham Range

Cosumar 4-2 Valladares
Serafino 12', Targaryen 54', Valgard 62', Targaryen 78'
Assisted by Tidesson, Sibučić, Serafino, Serafino
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Svensson, Jorgensen, Bale; Serafino, Söderquist, Tidesson (Royannais); Sibučić; Valgard (Ki. Kvanderwyk), Targaryen (Curwyk)
Matchday 3 | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Al-Hind Indus 1-5 Cosumar
Tidesson 11', Tidesson 29' (p), Ruhl 34', Ruhl 37', Bérdoon 67'
Assisted by Bale, Sibučić, Lechjakr, Bérdoon, Sibučić
Selection: Hernandez; Lechjakr, Jorgensen, Loredan, Bale; Yilmaz, Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić; Bérdoon, Ruhl
Matchday 4 | @ Al-Hind Indus

Cosumar 2-0 Valborne
Valgard 21', Targaryen 90+3' (p)
Assisted by n/a, Marsteller
Selection: Commerford; Lechjakr, Svensson, Wolff, Bale; Neptune, Royannais, Ojala (Swan); Sibučić (Marsteller); Targaryen, Valgard (Söderquist)
Matchday 5 | @ Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic

HUElavia 1-3 Cosumar
Tidesson 25', Valgard 37', Jorgensen 67'
Assisted by Ka. Kvanderwyk, Sibučić, Sibučić
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Loredan, Jorgensen, Swan; Serafino, Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić (Yilmaz); Ka. Kvanderwyk (Ki. Kvanderwyk), Valgard (Targaryen)
Matchday 6 | @ HUElavia

Cosumar 3-1 Kernovi
Sibučić 41', Sibučić 43', Serafino 89'
Assisted by Zeale-Riddick, Zeale-Riddick, Svensson
Selection: Hernandez; Lechjakr, Svensson, Chaumancer, Bale; Hemeyer, Royannais; Serafino, Sibučić (Söderquist), Ki. Kvanderwyk (Ojala); Zeale-Riddick (Marsteller)
Matchday 7 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

Barunia 1-0 Cosumar
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Svensson, Jorgensen, Bale; Serafino (Neptune), Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić (Saltorius); Valgard (Marshall), Targaryen
Matchday 8 | @ Sun Stadium, Porthaven

Cosumar 1-3 Yezur
Pakkanen 62'
Assisted by Sibučić
Selection: Winterfyll; Engram (Na'Kale), Loredan, Jorgensen, Pakkanen; Serafino, Horvat, Ojala (Hemeyer); Sibučić; Ka. Kvanderwyk, Zeale-Riddick (Tidesson)
Matchday 9 | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Greater Vacolicci Haven 3-2 Cosumar
Marsteller 58', Sibučić 65'
Assisted by Targaryen, Pakkanen
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Svensson, Loredan (Wolff), Pakkanen (Yilmaz); Serafino, Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić (Saltorius); Marsteller, Targaryen
Matchday 10 | @ Grater Vacolicci Haven

Cosumar 4-2 Zwangzug
Ka. Kvanderwyk 12', Ka. Kvanderwyk 34', Ka. Kvanerwyk 37', Ki. Kvanderwyk 90+2'
Assisted by Targaryen, Marshall, Targaryen, Sibučić
Selection: Winterfyll; Lechjakr, Svensson, Lorefan, Bale; Marshall; Yilmaz (Valgard), Mokumdarian, Ki. Kvanderwyk; Ka. Kvanderwyk (Ruhl), Targaryen (Sibučić)
Matchday 11 | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Valladares 2-1 Cosumar
Marsteller 45'
Assisted by Pakkanen
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Svensson, Wolff, Pakkanen; Serafino (Marshall), Söderquist, Tidesson; Sibučić (Neptune); Marsteller, Targaryen
Matchday 12 | @ Alexander I National Stadium, Swangard

Cosumar 3-1 Al-Hind Indus
Own Goal 14', Neptune 35', Tidesson 53'
Assisted by n/a, Tidesson, n/a
Selection: Na'Kefir; Na'Kale, Svensson, Jorgensen, Bale (Pakkanen); Söderquist, Royannais; Neptune, Saltorius (Marshall), Tidesson (Hemeyer); Ruhl
Matchday 13 | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Valborne 4-5 Cosumar
Zeale-Riddick 16', Tidesson 37', Curwyk 80', Na'Kale 83', Valgard 89' (p)
Assisted by Tidesson, Zeale-Riddick, Svensson, Lechjakr, n/a
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Svensson, Loredan, Swan; Curwyk (Serafino), Horvat, Tidesson (Lechjakr); Sibučić; Targaryen (Valgard), Zeale-Riddick
Matchday 14 | @ Valborne

Cosumar vs. HUElavia
Matchday 15 | @ Alesund Stadion, Samotath

Kernovi vs. Cosumar
Matchday 16 | @ Kernovi

Cosumar vs. Barunia
Matchday 17 | @ Crowley Memorial, Ramusok

Yezur vs. Cosumar
Matchday 18 | @ Yezur

Goals
Ragnar Targaryen (6)
Bryger Tidesson (6)
Kathryn Kvanderwyk (5)
Romikk Valgard (5)
Bellerophon Serafino (3)
Isla Sibučić (3)
Sen Marsteller (3)
Airik Ruhl (2)
Kit Kvanderwyk (2)
Vega Zeale-Riddick (2)
Peter Svensson (1)
Tamer Yilmaz (1)
Hakki Ojala (1)
Tevreness Bale (1)
Nacho Bérdoon (1)
Torbjörn Jorgensen (1)
Ville Pakkanen (1)
Lorelei Neptune (1)
Mehmet Curwyk (1)
Bacary Na'Kale (1)
Own Goal (1)

Assists
Isla Sibučić (8)
Bryger Tidesson (5)
Ragnar Targaryen (4)
Bellerophon Serafino (3)
Vega Zeale-Riddick (3)
Alora Heher (2)
Hakki Ojala (2)
Ville Pakkanen (2)
Peter Svensson (2)
Berk Lechjakr (2)
Tamer Yilmaz (1)
Corella da Silva (1)
Mina Mordini (1)
Tevreness Bale (1)
Nacho Bérdoon (1)
Sen Marsteller (1)
Kathryn Kvanderwyk (1)
Peter Marshall (1)

Appearances
Bale (10)
Bérdoon (1)
Chaumancer (1)
Commerford (2)
Curwyk (3)
da Silva (1)
Engram (2)
Heher (1)
Hemeyer (3)
Hernandez (2)
Horvat (3)
Jorgensen (10)
Kvanderwyk, Kat (5)
Kvanderwyk, Kit (6)
Lechjakr (7)
Loredan (7)
Marshall (4)
Marsteller (7)
Mokumdarian (3)
Mordini (2)
Na'Kale (12)
Na'Kefir (8)
Neptune (5)
Ojala (5)
Pakkanen (4)
Royannais (4)
Ruhl (4)
Saltorius (4)
Serafino (11)
Sibučić (14)
Söderquist (12)
Svensson (13)
Swan (5)
Targaryen (12)
Tidesson (13)
Valgard (9)
Winterfyll (4)
Wolff (6)
Yilmaz (5)
Zeale-Riddick (4)

[Qasden]

Qads Nervous as World Cup 80 Qualifiers near End

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DEVONTA
by Dooblestoop H

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It's the 80th World Cup, and two weeks worth of matches into the qualifier have already gone by. So what has happened? How are the Qasden Vans doing? Well, it's time to discuss it briefly.

The Qasden National Team was drawn into Group 9 of the qualifiers, meeting with crescent-loving wanderers of Pasarga and the young guns of Soltsteed, among others. The first 3 matches saw the Vans only claim 2 points, with draws at Nusalia and Soltsteed and a loss at home against Humaliwo, an extremely rough start compared to previous attempts. While followed by wins against Makhnovia and Dunnes were able to appear, a single point gained against Devonta, Jeckland, and Pasarga combined only proceeded to salt the already injured wound. With a pitiful victory over Chateau de Soleil, the Qads ended the first half of qualifiers with a mere 12 points, 4 points behind the critical 3rd place.

It was a grim start to the qualifiers, but Merritt and the fans were still hopeful. Returning to Qasden for the 2nd leg, the Vans were able to secure 5 more points than earned the first 3 games against Nusalia, Humaliwo, and Soltsteed. As we arrive at Matchday 13, TQ traveled to Makhnovia to come home with a 6-2 victory, propelling them one place closer to 3rd.

With the potential to surpass then 2nd and 3rd place teams, Devonta and Jeckland, the Qads hosted Dunnes at New Qad Field in Qad City. In the first 15 minutes of the game, AM Ryan Xandreas secured 2 goals for the Vans (7",14"), giving the home crowd a bit more confidence in the team than before. As the match progressed, the thought of firing Merritt became more and more hidden as Qad forwards Jerry Bostun and Onyx Foster each secure additional goals, marking a 4-0 halftime scorecard. In the 2nd half, debuting midfielder, Milkface, assisted midfielder Terry Foxtrot to secure the final deathblow to the Dunnes team, ending the match at a staggering 5-1 rout.

Besides a sharp rise in optimism, another part of Qasden's status rose as the win spikes the Vans into 2nd place, 5 points behind group leader, Pasarga. With 5 games left and 3 of them against the rest of the Top 4, the Vans travel here to Devonta in hopes of sealing their newfound playoff hopes for good.

Can the Vans defeat their blue and green rivals in cold blood? Will the United States disarm the 'pality's rise in power? Stay tuned, stay updated, and stay alert for our postgame report, freshly caught from the Violet World Cup Qualifiers!