Di Bradini Cup 43/U21WC64 (Everything Thread)

by **-Anthor-** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 3:11 am

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Match Report: MD1, Anthor 3 - 4 Neo Romanum
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In their debuting match for the 43rd Di Brandi Cup, the U21 Anthoran national team suffered a blight on their earnest campaign to build on prior progress with this new generation as they suffered an embarrassing 4-3 defeat at the hands of DBC newcomer Neo Romanum, however the game and some of the flaws presented by the squad may allow manager Vin Thurstan the necessary chances to adjust his line ups and strategy, and to coach his players to perform to their highest expectations as Anthor now heads into the much more difficult matches of this Cup, against some international house names such as Kita Hinode and Ethane.

Match Stats
'28 Hatheway
'44 Grey
'52 Yellow Card Bone
'69 Grey

Perhaps the most notable item for Thurstan to address is the night and day performance of his team, specifically the forwards and the defense. The attacking end of things played marvelously, winger Sonia Grey would have probably earned player of the match honors had her team managed to equalize with one more goal as she led her team in scoring with her first two international goals ever, and Hatheway also got her team rolling when she fired back one inside the box for the first score of the match that helped put her team up to an early, and short lived, lead. Hatheway and Cook were well supplied all match by Perreault and Grey, and though Grey outshone her counterpart on the left flank, both looked impressively honed in, doing a good job floating crosses forward towards the box once they got their touch on the ball or even hammering a flat cross across the pitch to try and widen the field being played. However, the wingers had trouble getting the ball out of the defense as the back half of things struggled all night to contain the Neo Romanum offensive, and particularly the high pace and explosiveness of Adão de Cilpes, who contributed a brace of goals towards his team's winning effort. Greg Hightower tried to stop the bleeding all game, but it was evident that Krystal Bone and Jarl Eaton were sorely mis-matched and overwhelmed all game by the likes of Padarn Menez, Adão de Cilpes, and Jason Dixon. Something Thurstan is going to have to do going forward is he's going to have to re-align his tactics so that instead of having Brenton and McFee try to be ball-stopping defenders that can intercept the ball and give a direct pass towards Hightower, or even Bone if he's unavailable, and instead of Bone and Eaton focus more defensively, perhaps play them wider out to try and widen the pitch and then give them clear instructions that the minute they get the ball won, play it forward either through short passes to ensure sustained possession or in floated lobb crosses that push the ball quickly forward to an awaiting Perreault, Cook, Grey or Seymour. Speaking of Seymour, her performance was underwhelming and perhaps Thurstan can compensate by moving towards a more traditional 4-3-3, having Hatheway-Cook-Seymour lead the front with Seymour dropped back in a defensive forward, almost poaching role or you could even have Grey play the third forward position; she does play in a forward position with her domestic club, Kirkwall Athletics, and her tenacity for avoiding the dogged defense that Salib, Breguet and Colona managed to put forward may prove that you want Sonia Grey as close to the net as possible this DBC if you want to ensure you're producing goals to win.

Whatever Thurstan's adjustments may be, the next match will see our girls and guys play as the home team against Ethane, who was blown away in a 3 nil shutout by group favorite to qualify Kita Hinode. Perhaps if Thurstan can salvage a win here, and some more favorable results elsewhere go his way, like Neo Romanum's U21 finding the same success that their U18's found in the recently concluded Sporting World Cup where they managed to be a heavily dark horse candidate and make it to third place, Anthor could potentially still qualify out of this very steep, difficult group.

by **Filindostan** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:19 am

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FOOTBALL: DI BRADINI CUP 43
Filindostan 2-2 Baker Park: Pula Batang Garudas settle for a point

RAYNOR CITY - Juanda Weici and Mordecai Sitindaon gave Filindostan their first point of their Di Bradini Cup campaign as they settle for a 2-2 stalemate over last season's quarterfinalists, Commonwealth of Baker Park.

The Bees, as the Baker Park media called them, took the lead in the 33rd minute courtesy of a Tim Blair goal. However, the goals from the two at either side of the halves gave Filindostan a 2-1 lead against a nation whose Under-18 side won the last SWC tournament, and whose senior side made it to the World Cup proper, lest make the Baptism of Fire 67 final.

However at the 84th minute, Annabeth Westmoreland scored an equalizer for the Bees, in which they pushed for a late winner, but the Filindostanis held on to record a precious point going into their next match with Maryloupe, who lost their opening match to Razenthuria.

With the match with Baker Park done, the Pula Batang Garudas will hope that they can beat their next two opponents, Maryloupe and Razenthuria, to progress to the next round in which they have never done before in their DBC history. The squad remained mostly intact sans the departures of those who aged over 21, and added some holdovers from the Under-18 squad, and the promising right back from Perokotyog, Safrizal Bintang Dekker, who played in the second half of the match.

He is expected to start against Maryloupe, along with Rai Sanada and Sugardeddy.

Other News
WGP3: Filindostan to start in a few weeks time
Fortunas win the fourth season of the FRUC
WGP2: Ibuna-Gambal Racing to field a team - ex-NSSCRA driver rumored to take the first seat
Written by FSNA Staff.

by **Kita-Hinode** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:36 am

DI BRADINI CUP 43 / UNDER-21 WORLD CUP 64
Mixed Hinodejin squad more than a match to Ethane
Although eyebrow raising, the Sonics do their job and leave the Hellgate with three points

RAYNOR CITY - The Speed-o-Sound Sonics proved to be just too much for fellow Esportivans Ethane, even if not fielding all the starters. A fairly experimental team where the only player with any Di Bradini Cup experience was Ikki Tokei saw the Hinodejin razzle and dazzle over their opponents either way, with most pointing to the fantastic performances given by Matsumono-Gide and Tokei, the two Hinodejin Intercollegiate Football League rivals, that apparently had a brief argument before the tournament, chose to play up to their expected talent and held up the Ethane squad without a lot of trouble.

The Hinodejin opened shop when a play started by Yuri Uchichika found Zenzo Hattori in the other end of the field, where the Ninjitsu practitioner and manga aficionado didn't have to do much, only hoofing the ball up the box where Ikki Tokei headed it in, no questions asked, clocking in at 11 minutes and 15 seconds. Matsumono-Gide would raise the bar at the 35th minute, receiving a pass from Matrona Yamada... and then kick the ball all the way from the middle of the pitch, the ball grazing the keeper before hitting the back of the net, causing to a rather surprised Choji to simply shrug at his Somei-Yoshino U. teammate Shunmaru Tenryu as they celebrated. Finally, a late corner saw Nohara pick his goal with a volley shot, resulting in a peaceful 3-0 to the Hinodejin at the 88th minute.

Game was "Opportunity" for greenhorns, say Kagoname
Deemed the easier game of the group by manager Kagoname, due to the Ethanians lack of a proper squad list making it fairly easy to assume they weren't exactly sending their best, the Hinodejin found a safe result, using the game mostly to give experience to their more green players, especially hyped players such as Constanze Schultheiss and Mido-Hinode's keeper Frederik Hiraguma. At least, that was Koji Kagoname's reasoning to pick a mixed squad against the fellow Esportivan country, who made sure to bat away any beliefs that he was going to save the Mido-Hinode University players from seeing any game time so he'd have the advantage at the tournament. "As said before, I'm here as the National Team manager. Not as the Mido-Hinode manager. Keep that very well in your minds."

When asked over what would be the line-up to play against the Neo-Romanum side, he didn't shy away from referring to the rather upcoming opponents with respect. "Very much like in our local league, opponents can be surprising if not treated properly. While they did perform well at the U-18 level, I believe we can beat Neo Romanus' U-21." Tactically, Koji will probably send the starter eleven for the game, which means returning Matsumono-Gide to his right back position while Shinnosuke Nohara returns to act as the playmaking midfielder, taking the center of that section. This also means that the Hinodejin team will get to fully make use of the skeleton of Mido-Hinode University's powerful, stomping offensive force while Matthias Jönsson does his part on the defence. Fans should expect a thriller.

by **Neo-Romanum** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 11:31 am

My first football game
By David Macrembolitissus

01 July 7536 AM/2028 AD

I was just ten years old when I went to my first football match, it had been my birthday just a few days before. After tearing through my presents - toy legionaries, a new slide, and the latest Roman football kit I was delighted. I couldn't wait to put it on and run to the park and play with my friends, smashing the ball about like I was Theo Karatzaina - my new footballing hero after seeing his exploits at the Sporting World Cup in the Free Republics. But the best was yet to come. My dad disappeared for a few minutes, saying that he had forgotten something from the shops. When he came back, he gave me an envelope. An extra special, secret present. Excitedly I ripped it open, finding two tickets to Neo-Romanum's opening game at the Di Bradini Cup inside! The flights and hotel had already been booked, me and my dad were to fly out to Valanora the next day and I had already been excused from school. I was overcome with joy! My friends were filled with jealously, but I promised to take lots of pictures for them.

We flew out to Raynor City on Thursday night and arrived in the country in the early hours of Friday morning, the day of the game. We quickly got to our hotels and slept for hours. We woke up just in time to make breakfast, where I tried some Valanorian food. I'd never been abroad before, or tried food from outside the Empire. It wasn't very nice!

After breakfast we wandered about the city to look around. It was very strange, the architecture and people were not much like home. 10 year-old me found it fascinating to explore. A few hours before the game we went to one of the fanzones where there were lots more fans from the Empire who had come to cheer Le Aquile on against Anthor. There were some Anthorans there too supporting their team, and the fans generally mixed well in a friendly manner. One man helped me up onto his shoulders so I could watch what they were showing on the big screens - highlights of previous Di Bradini Cups and famous moments from Valanorian football history, having already won a number of World Cups and a couple of Di Bradini Cups at this time. There were clips shown of how Anthor had done at the Under-21 World Cup, and their recent run to the Second Round last time around, while we got to watch some more of Rome's 3rd place finish at the Sporting World Cup. I saw Kita-Hinode's winning goal in the final of U21WC62. Most people saw them as the team to beat in our group, the Anthorans hoping they could beat them this time around after recently losing to them. With a couple of hours to go before kick-off we followed the crowd to the stadium.

They called it the Hellgate, but for me it was an entrance to Heaven. I could hear the noise erupting from it. The chanting, the cheers, the singing, the dancing, the atmosphere was like nothing I had ever felt before. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as we approached the stadium and got in line at the turnstiles. I loved the sounds and smells - the air stank with wine and the delicious scent of burgers and hot dogs wafted throughout the ground.

Our seats were on the lower-tier, and close to the front. The players were still warming up when we got there, and me and a few other kids made our way to the front to try and get the players attention. When their warm-up had finished the players came over for a quick hello, and I got to have a photo with Jason Dixon, and him and Yusuf Intzoglou signed my shirt. My dad told me Intzoglou was rubbish because he was a Turk, but he seemed nice.

Back in our seats the stadium fell silent in preparation for the national anthems. They were both very loud. I only knew the first and last lines of our national anthem at the time, so that was all I sang along to.

The game itself was mostly a blur, having fading in my memory or just passing my childish self by on the grand occasion, except for some specific moments that stuck out. The booes and hisses as Olympiodorus Vatatzes let a weak Hatheway shot run underneath him to give Anthor the lead. Dad said it was a joke that a woman could even be playing against us, let alone scoring, and anything but a victory against a team fo women would be a disgrace. I remember Adão de Cilpes' stunning volley to smash us level. I remember the frantic cheering when he scored again just minutes after to give us the lead, but as it was down the other end and from a goalmouth scramble I couldn't see it but joined in the cheering just as much. Sonia Grey ruined the fun by equalising as we made it to half-time. My legs were feeling tired so I spent the whole fifteen sat down and recovering, reading about the game in the programme bought for me. I still have it to this day.

The second half began in lively fashion and we were quickly into the lead, Karatzaina repeating the heroics that I saw on the telly when he curled one in from twenty yards out. Anthor, ever the pantomime villains, equalised again midway through and I started to think my first ever game was unfortunately not going to be a win for us. But then came that moment eight minutes from time. Karatzaina floated a free-kick to the back post for Jason Dixon to fire us back into the lead, the upset was on again! We all rushed forwards towards him and he ran to the fans, the force was so great I thought we were going to end up on the pitch! You just knew we were going to score, and I made sure to video the moment, but dropped my phone in the scramble and cracked it. Oh well, at least I got the video! After some nervy moments and frantic tackles at the death, I had our first ever winning goal on camera, and a lifetime of memories.

Lineup
Vatatzes
Colona
Salib
Breguet
Tzetzes
Maniakes
Karatzaina
Gellner - Trandafir (50')
Menez - Ameziane (77')
de Cilpes - Intzoglou (86')
Dixon

Scorers:
de Cilpes - 33, 36
Karatzaina - 50
Dixon - 82

by **Savojarna** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 12:00 pm

From the STV Web Broadcast of the Di Bradini Cup

"Good evening from Ibini, Valanora! The weather is perfect today for this duel between Savojarna and Mapletish, the first time these two nations meet on any level. I'm Jon Gunnarsson and I'll comment this game, with me is our expert for the rules of the game, former SFS referee Anders Nilsson. Good evening from Anders as well, and we get ready for the national anthems as the teams line up on the field".

The teams line up on the field as we hear the Mapletish national anthem, followed by the International. The young players sing along loudly, some of them visibly moved, and finish their rendition by raising the left fist and lowering their head, as is customary in Savojarna when the national anthem is not played in celebration. Then, they group up as the lineups appear on screen, both sides playing with their strongest team.

"Both teams are ready, as is the referee and the packed stadium. It's time for Group B in this competition to kick off, as the Savojars have the ball... and it's on! Savojarna will try to play rather defensively against an aggressive Mapletish, and this will be the key in this match - don't get taunted too early, don't get any early goals and bring in some counters. Can they do that?"

7. Minute
"Mapletish controls the first minutes of the game, but Savojarna have shielded their goal pretty well so far. Now comes Jörg joining the attack on the right side, challenging Pedersen in a one-on-one and... that's a foul. No yellow so early in the match, but a free kick for Mapletish. Kurt is setting the ball, probably aiming for the tall Frank Kirk in centre. Kirk jumps higher than Vikborg and... it's over the bar. That was a very high ball, a bit too high for the striker and he doesn't put it past Lindholm, goal kick for the Savojars."

19. Minute
"Another attack is building up for Mapletish, five guys swarming out while Ruedi holds the ball. Savojarna are putting on pressure, he is going for the long ball to the left. Skov goes between... Skov has the ball and heads it over to Loeseth! Now we need speed, Poulsen is going deep and gets the ball. Mapletish is on the defence, Ruedi beaten in a one on one and there is the long pass. Ruriksson against two, lays it off... SIMONSEN! It is deflected by Alfons Timotheus in the Maplish goal, corner for Savojarna. But this is the attack they need to look for, this is how we can crack this defence. Jashkin sets the ball, the tall Savojars prepare themselves for this corner. Vikborg, Eremenko and Ruriksson are all getting ready for the header. The ball comes in and... GOAL! Goal for... no, it's called off! Ruriksson complaining with the referee, let's see that one again. Here comes the corner, Timotheus goes out and... yea, it's a foul. Ruriksson checks the goalie off balance, that it very unfortunate but such are the rules. No goal for Savojarna, but a good attack nonetheless!"

35. Minute
"Mapletish is coming more and more into this game, starting to increase the pressure on the Savojar side which has held greatly so far. Hartmut is very difficult to control for Loeseth, but the defence stands over and over again. There is yet another attack over Hartmut, over to the side where Gottfried is supporting. Skov now against two, he's in trouble! Gottfried coming closer and WOW! What a tackle by Flemming Skov on the side. He clears it to a corner right before the Maplish can cross it in. Reassembling in the middle, Savojarna lurking for the counter. All the tall players stand in the middle, but look at Poulsen and Jacobsen standing behind the lines. Corner comes in and... cleared, Pedersen smacks it down. Here's Jacobsen! He gets it but he's far out. Poulsen comes along! Passes it deep! MORTEN POULSEN! Cuts between the lines! Poulsen against Timotheus, Poulsen... POULSEN! GOAL FOR SAVOJARNA AND THIS TIME IT COUNTS! MOOOORTEEEEEENNNNN POUUUUUUULSENNNNNN!!"

Having slid the ball past Timotheus with a clever shot to the bottom left corner, Poulsen turns away and slides towards the corner flag on his knees before being jumped by the Savojar team. On the stands, Savojar fans jump up and down waving their flags and scarves. The camera cuts down to Albin Lindholm turning away from the game and punching the air in joy, high-fiving Pedersen as the left back jogs back towards the goal.

48. Minute
"Savojarna comes out of the locker in a top shape, immediately looking for an attack here. These guys want to win, and that's the mindset it takes in this crucial game. The ball comes down the right again, Jashkin beats Gottfried in the one on one. Passing it to the middle and ohhhh! Ruriksson is a bit too slow and just misses the pass that gets cleared by Raphael Sieger".

64. Minute
"Down the left side they go again, this is definitely the more dangerous side in this match. Pedersen completely shuts down his side, Skov is a bit too aggressive for my liking but he is worth so much on the counter, it is no wonder he plays a lot for Energie. Now the cross to the middle comes, but Eremenko has the ball and can head it out. But this isn't over yet, Mapletish still on the ball. Hartmut has the ball and Loeseth coming for him. Shoots... LINDHOLM! Jumps out to the top right and deflects this hammer by Gustaf Hartmut, and then Vikborg clears to the throw-in. Substitution for Savojarna, looks like Kolarov wants to play more defensively with Thorwulf Baldvinsson; the leaving man is a striker, Vilhjalmur Ruriksson. The system now will become a 4-2-3-1 I presume, with Loeseth and Baldvinsson in the back".

78. Minute
"Mapletish try it again through the middle, but Hartmut isn't nearly as strong anymore now that there is Baldvinsson who works better against him than Victor Loeseth. He has to give it off to Dirk again, who is putting up lots of trouble for Skov on the counters. Dirk tries to go deep, but Skov clears only down to Ruedi. Hartmut against Baldvinsson again, this time it's a foul. These two won't become friends anymore, I think".

Down on the pitch, Hartmut gets up and shouts something at Baldvinsson, who tripped him just before. Baldvinsson shouts back and pushes his opponent a little before Loeseth pulls him back and the ref separates the two, telling them both off for the altercation and showing Baldvinsson yellow for the foul. Finally, Hartwig Kurt sets the ball and Lindholm organises his defence.

80. Minute
"Everything ready for the free kick now. Kurt stands there, no doubt he'll take it. A bit under thirty metres, this may be the golden chance for Mapletish. All the tall Savojars are in the wall, four men there. Kurt comes and... SAVED! AAAAALBINNN LINDHOLLLLLM! HE HAS IT! Here it comes again. Kurt aims for the bottom right, circles it beautifully around the wall, but Lindholm dives and blocks the shot!"

86. Minute
"Mapletish throwing everything out now. They want this win at any prize, it seems. Once again it's Hartmut versus Baldvinsson, a physical duel, and Baldvinsson has the ball! No foul! Passing it out right to Jashkin, who is now running down the line past the too far advanced Gottfried! Space for Savojarna! Now a one-on-one with Barnabas Hugo... passing it on into the gap, to Onagin! Onagin, Ivan Onagin, alone now, Onagin... GOAAAAAAAL! IVAN ONAGIN! THE JOKER SCORES! SAVOJARNA WIN THE GAME!"

Ivan Onagin has blasted the ball into the net from a short distance, without any chance for the goalie. He turns around in full speed and dodges Jashkin, going straight for the bench. In front of the Savojar bench, a huddle forms with the players, coaches and subs all together, celebrating the goal as the fans, again, go crazy and some blue flares and white smoke appears in the Savojar block.

94. Minute
"Three minutes were announced, we are past those, but there is yet another corner coming up. Here comes the cross and... caught by Lindholm, he has played a great game. He's playing it calm, keeping the ball and looking out. Kicks it away and... IT'S OVER! Savojarna win the first match in the Di Bradini Cup 2-0 against Mapletish. What a start! Now we can make everything clear with a victory over the South Falls in the next match. Savojarna have the octofinal in their feet!"

by **Mercedini** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 1:17 pm

Di Bradini Cup MD1
Pasarga vs. Mercedini
@ The White Fortress - Gladerial, Valanora

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Valanora for the start of the 43rd Di Bradini Cup in association with the Starblaydia Football Association. We are situated in the press boxes of The White Fortress Stadium in Gladerial for the Eaglets' opening current defending champions and four-time champion Pasarga in their opening game, before attention turns to North Prarie and Greater Vakolicci Haven in the final two games of the group. It's set to be a big match as Mercedini attempt to get past the Round of 16 for the first time at this tournament. The match is about to begin as both sets of fans eagerly await the referee's signal to kick off.

Di Bradini Cup: Disappointing Defeat Kicks Off DBC

FINAL SCORE
DBC | MD1
PASARGA 1
Makai 83'
MERCEDINI 0
Gladerial, Valanora

Stoic defending by Mercedini was ultimately broken down with less that ten minutes left in the match as Pasarga take the opening three points with a 1-0 win against the Eaglets in Gladerial. A tight first half cancelled out the attacks of both teams before Pasarga took it to the next level and went all out for what would almost certainly would be the winning goal. The Mercedinian defence stood firm for the vast majority of the second half but a wicked deflection took the ball into the path of Adrián Makai who side-footed the ball into the net or what would eventually be the only goal of the game.

For the majority of the match, Mercedini had to defend for their lives and effectively park the bus on a Pasargan team who meant business as they went ahead with defending their title. This was in stark contrast to their previous matches when attacking football was on the cards for the Mercedinian side, with Spartoni and Graeszeszak allowed to express themselves at the top of the field with plenty of support from the midfield and wingers. Pasarga made it difficult for them and gave Chris Trevansek a sense of the nations they have to get past if they are to go deep in the rest of this tournament. It may be the first and only time that Mercedini play Pasarga in this tournament as first and second in the group will be split into the top and bottom half, meaning they will both have to come through the knockouts and play each other in the final if Mercedini are to avenge their defeat. Pasarga are looking strong and are firmly expected to top the group after today's opening win.

A bore draw between North Prarie and GVH gives Mercedini hope that they can escape the group stages if they can beat those two teams over the next week or so to book their spot in the knockout stages. their path has been made slightly longer and they would be eliminated if they lose their next game and other results go against them in the second match day. Pasarga can all but book their place in the Round of 16 with a win aswell.

All in all, it was a disappointing opening game for the Eaglets but they can certainly make a mends with their next to games to salvage a second place finish in the group which would allow them to progress to the Round of 16, only then can the team in blue and black look ahead to the later portions of the knockout rounds. There have certainly been a number of surprising results in the opening round of fixtures with newer nations on the rise during their debuts to take points away from the so-called old guard of international football. The stories continue to be rewritten at this tournament with the potential inevitability of established nations going home at this very early stage. We hope you will join us once again for more action in Valanora. From Gladerial, goodnight!

by **Semarland** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 1:32 pm

Mar Sara, VALANORA by Raekwon Thomas
It was an underwhelming return to the international stage for Rene Brown's U21s last night as they lost out 2-1 to a lively-looking Abanhfleft side at the impressive Artani stadium.

Semarland were up for it, no doubt about that, as they came close two minutes in with a testing shot from outside the box by Tyrique Moss that ricocheted off the crossbar. It certainly woke Abanhfleft up a bit, with Kassandra Pratt playing an excellent through ball to Kelly McGinnis who could only scuff her effort straight into the arms of Johan Cole. It was a mainly to-and-fro affair for the opening fifteen minutes, with each team lacking clinicalness in the final third. Belgium Makiese, who was supposedly nursing a knock sustained in training a few days ago looked relatively slow and Saxon Kristoffersen wasn't enjoying much of the ball thanks to the tenacity of Trinidad Kleist. Abahfleft would take the lead in the 27th minute through Kleist, who hit a searing effort from the edge of the D that flew past Cole into the top right hand corner. There was nothing the Aalemark Sport custodian could've done to prevent it, as he tried to palm it away but by the time he thudded back onto the turf Kleist had already wheeled away in celebration, her teammates hot on her heels.

Brown decided to try out the 4-2-3-1 on in the second half with brothers Hakeem and Romello Brandy replacing the largely anonymous Saxon Kristoffersen and Belgium Makiese respecively. The duo have had plenty of time to practice their linkup play this season and offered more of a threat than usual. Tyrique Moss and Steffan Sunde upped their game in the heart of midfield a bit as well but there was still room for improvement as Abanhfleft substitute Karamoko Bakayoko broke forward past Sunde and slalomed his way past Jorgen Hockerstrom before chipping it over the advancing Johan Cole. The 16 year old prodigy will certainly have attracted the attention of several Semar clubs, as they are expected to return to the transfer market ahead of the new season. It would be expected that Bakayoko's talent could may well carry him straight to the first team of a Premarligaen club, but whether he remains at Uranium City Radiation or seeks a move to a more inviting nation elsewhere, it remains to be seen.

Brown made one last change with twenty minutes to spare, swapping Omari Masters on for Javairo Webster. Masters made a quick impact, playing a neat cutback to Romello Brandy who unfortunately dragged his shot wide. The older of the Brandy brothers made up for his error five minutes later though, as it was his looping header that was turned over the crossbar by Guildernstern Cardew (an excellent name!) and out for a corner. It was a perfectly delivered, outswinging corner by his younger brother Hakeem and captain Nestor Richards leapt like a salmon to power a header past Cardew, who remained rooted to the spot. Thee comeback was certainly on, but there was nothing that could be done as Shaheem Richards struck the post and Masters flicked wide.

Going into the game against Blaneu, Brown is expected to stick with the 4-3-3-type formation. However it is anticipated Masters will start ahead of Webster and FC Kolberg's Shadreck Sunzu will get a chance to shine in the defensive midfield role. It's certainly not the start that was hoped for, but in a way, it was almost expected. It'll certainly be an uphill struggle against the fairly-unknown Blaneu and the very well-known Starblaydia, but there will be no shame in exiting the tournament if a fight is put up.

Starting XI v Blaneu: Cole; Danquah, Hockerstrom, Richards, Northgate; Sunzu, Sunde, Moss; Masters, Makiese, Richards.

by **The South Falls** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:51 pm

National Sports Magazine

Di Bradini Cup Begins, South Fallsian team stunned, 2-7 loss to Cassadaigua
by Ja'quan King

The South Fallsian team said that it could “get out there, and win.” It definitely did not.

The Di Bradini Cup began early yesterday, with 32 teams from across the world playing. The South Falls was one of them, and went up against its opponents, Cassadaigua. The result came to 2-7, with Cassadaigua running away with the score. The South Falls’ 4-3-3 formation was ineffective against the Cassadiaguan’s formation, tearing into their 4 defenders like a knife through hot butter.

Before the beginning of the game, the South Fallsian team did their “Falls Fall”, all hitting the ground as one team, and raising their fists from there. About this, coach Varrbarrov says “It was supposed to represent our starting from the ground up.” Some fans however, thought this meant the South Fallsian team bowing down to the Cassadiaguans. That theory was taken more… seriously, when the game began.

With three minutes on the clock, the first of seven somewhat humiliating goals was set up by Ashley Dahlin. Out-manuevering Hi’tersk Miakis’ attemped slide tackle, Ashley Dahlin crossed the ball to Sierra Coston, who put it away in the back of the net, curving the ball around Captain Terezin Velerk with what can only be described as a “magic shot”. Velerk cursed Miakis out for missing the tackle, which became a verbal war on the field. Miakis then struck at, but missed Velerk, causing the referee to finally take notice.

A yellow card was handed out to Miakis, which gave the Cassadaiguans a free-kick opportunity at 8 minutes. With the wall of defenders and midfielders lined up, Ashley Dahlin took her spot at the free kick line, and shot another curving ball. Now, it was Likersi Bi’n’oon’i’s time to shine, or so she thought. She jumped out and sideways, to where the curved ball was traveling across the field. After the game, she commented, “I wanted to… well, deflect it across the field, put the kick out of bounds.” But, by some freak accident, she ‘chested’ the ball, which resulted in it rolling off her face, and spinning left, around the South Fallsian goalie Marina Karlsdottir, and burying itself in the net. 2-0.

Now that many Cassadaiguans were celebrating, and South Fallsians were drinking, the South Fallsians decided to try and put some points on the board. At the kickoff, Kleski kicked a “side-shot”, and passed the ball to Dervish, and the entire South Fallsian team moved forward. By the 14th minute, the entire South Fallsian team, minus Karlsdottir, was in the six-yard box, pressing Sutter, Donegal, McCausland, and Carson. Georges de Ramos crossed the ball to Dervish, who shot the ball, fast, high, and left at Rachel Clarett, who jumped to save it. She kicked the ball out of the net, and with the entire South Fallsian team in front of the ball, Ashley Dahlin got her feet on the ball.

Running towards the net at the 19th minute, Dahlin slowed down, and put her foot at the ball, shooting it towards Marina Karlsdottir. The ball was curved high, but right, a style of kicking the left-handed Marina had trouble defending against. The ball spun into the back of the net, enveloping itself in the net’s threads. 3-0.

The South Fallsians rallied, and at the 35th minute, Terezin Velerk crossed it to Tanya Bennett, who passed it to Geoffrey “JJ” Johnson, who put a topspin on the ball, causing it to cross to Georges de Ramos. Harried by Sutter and Carson, he desperately shot the ball towards Bradi Deptona, who launched the ball towards Clarett. She got two fingers on the ball, but those fingers were ill-aimed, and the ball put itself in the back of the net. 3-1.

She said, after the game, “I just wanted to get the ball there. One goal. If we lose, we’re not going to get shutout on top of it too, you know.”

A raucous celebration from the South Fallsian fans in the stadium led to a distraction of defender F. Dan Orraliev, which led to the Cassadaiguan midfielder Meghan Wolcott running the ball down to the South Fallsian’s six-yard box, and shooting in the 43rd minute. Her ball was again, High-and-right. Marina flipped into the air, trying to kick the ball out of goal, but it resulted in the first “Air Nutmeg” of this cup. The ball, flying between her legs, spotted the net, and went for it. 4-1.

The South Fallsian team was disappointed, and the fans even more so. At halftime, a mass-exodus of red and gold was recorded from the stadium, with about 3,200 fans packing and leaving during the 45th minute. The South Fallsian team left the field, and came back with a… gameplan. “We were to switch to our 4-5-1, be more defensively oriented.”, says manager “Princess” Victoria Larenni. Except, that’s not how it fully went down.

Coming out of the gate at the 45th minute, with the new game plan, and Ramos and Deptona acting as midfielders, the South Fallsian team seemed less… sloppy, and incoherent. By the 47th minute, the South Fallsians were pressing the Cassadaiguan’s box again, and were just there. Deptona crossed the ball to Dervish, who slide-kicked the ball past Clarett, and into the net. 4-2. That’s as even as the score would be, though.

At the 50th minute, Kleski was accidentally hit in the face by Sutter, and he slapped her, thinking it was intentional. Shouts of “Go f*** yourself!” and “Go suck a d***” were heard over the slaps throughout the stands.Tanya Bennett and Jessica Robinson then joined the fight, hitting each other wholeheartedly. Kleski and Sutter were both given red cards, and thrown off the field. Both Jessica Robinson and Bennett were just given yellows, and told to knock it off.

Both of their free kicks missed, The South Fallsian’s spinning wide, and the Cassadaiguans’ kick bouncing straight into Bi’n’oon’i’s head.

18 minutes passed without major action. At the 70th minute, Meghan Wolcott got hold of the ball, and passed to Jessica Robinson. She crossed the ball over to Ashley Dahlin, and she outran the entire South Fallsian defense, and catapulted the ball into the top-right edge of the net. 5-2. At this point, F. Dan Orralliev was substituted for Barry Rios, and the game continued.

At the 73rd minute, Barry Rios was given the ball at midfield, but had it stolen from under him by Jessica Robinson. This, and the already humiliating game result, caused Rios to become mad. He swore at Robinson. “Bitch.” And he then punched Wolcott, missing Robinson. Wolcott, next to Robinson, punched Rios in the face. Rios then punched her again, and it erupted into a brawl between Rios and Wolcott. They were broken up by the referees, who, assigned cards to both players, putting both sides at 9 people. It also gave a free kick to both sides.

The Cassadaiguans, having not started the fight, got their kick first. At the 80th minute, Dahlin’s ball directly confronted the wall of South Fallsians, passing over it and into the net, above a diving Karlsdottir. 6-2. The South Fallsian’s kick missed, impacting the wall directly, and being kicked away by Jessica Robinson.

By stoppage time, the South Fallsian team was demoralized, and had a lack of momentum going in. In the 93rd minute, Ashley Dahlin was crossed the ball from Meghan Wolcott, and she kicked the ball right into the net, and the game was over.

The South Fallsian team was extremely sloppy. Not only was there poor passing skills, but a lack of passing which shut down the game. Cassadaigua made its mistakes, many of them. But they were mistakes that weren’t exploited by the South Fallsians, and they missed entirely on all but two of their shots. They actually had more shots on goal than the Cassadaiguans, and they couldn’t hit them.

Their defense was poor, especially Orralliev’s performance at the 43rd minute. He had time to be able to steal the ball from Wolcott, but he did not. They seemed to play without energy, and the Cassadaiguans outplayed, outsmarted, and out did the South Fallsians in every way it seemed to be possible. They cut into the South Falls on the basic mistakes that were made. The Grand Dame needs to train this team better, and Varrbarrov needs to discipline the team.

Even more shocking were the infractions on discipline. 3 seperate fighting incidents in 93 minutes. That is a standard of impropriety that the South Falls is not a supporter of. This team has let down their homeland, and started a cup not just on the back foot, but on the ground, like in the beginning of the game.

Selected moments of the game, from player’s point of view:

0’ ”Alright, alright, they told me to fall, so I’ve gotta fall.” Dervish hit the ground along with the rest of the team, the soft turf cushioning his body in the fall. He ran to the field for kickoff, receiving the ball from Deptona. ”Alright, pass pass, wait, no, she’s not open.” He continued to run for the goal, trying to get a shot on it. ”Alright D, you’re in the goal, come on, ki-” He stopped in his tracks. ”Damn, that goalie is hot. I wish I could be cl-” Dervish had the ball stolen away from him. ”Fuck! I lost the ball. How’d I lose the ball, I was… Oh. That goalie.” He watched as the ball was ran over to the other side of the field, and scored on.

Captain Velerk jogged over to him from the other side of the field. “How’d you mess that up? It was one on one!” Dervish’s cheeks became bright red, and he began breathing quicker. “That goalie is hot…” Velerk’s eyes tightened, and a condescending look developed on his face.

“Now is not the time for love, Dervish. Now is the time for soccer! And they scored a goal because of your idiocy!” Clear your mind, and stop thinking about this!”

Dervish

14’ Alright Dervish, you’ve got it. Velerk cursed Miakis, and they got a free kick. Fine. That’s perfectly alright. We can make this happen.” Dervish was passed the ball from de Ramos, and he kept running it down the line, on a one on one with the goalie. Don’t get distracted. Alright. Don’t get distracted. Just look at the uniform... dammit! Her uniform compliments those curves so well… Come on, D. You’ve gotta get this! Kick, Kick!” He slammed the ball high and left, and it was saved. ”She’s so athletic too…” “Goddammit! What is with my mind!” Now it was Deptona who ran over. “How’d you miss that?” It was right there!” Dervish just shrugged, and made an excuse. “Foot cramp.” ”Is that seriously the best thing you can think of, D?” Foot cramp?”

Bradi Deptona

35’ [i]”Alright, you have this one. They crossed it to you, and you haven’t missed shots like Dervish, so maybe you can get this one in. Oh, she’s running out of the box. Kick, let’s kick kick kick!” She kicked the ball, high and right. [i]Dammit, she’s got her fingers on the ball. Wait! It’s going past her! It’s in the back of the net! Alright, Bradi, start running around the field. Prepare to be mobbed by teammates. “YEEEEEAAAA! YOU’VE GOT IT BRADI!” [i]”Alright, I’ve scored. Just two more, and we’ve got it.”

F. Dan Orraliev

43’ [i]”There’ a player in front of me. She’s got the ball, right? Alright, let’s move forward. Legs, let’s go.” He stared down at the grass. “Oh, that’s some nice grass there. Yea, real nice. My house has that kind of grass. What color of this grass would go with my house? Hmm, should I have a new house? It would be pricey, but that’s alright. I could take out a loan. You know, maybe that’s enough cash for the loan… I need a pen to sign it… maybe a ball-point… or a fountain. Ball-point… wait! Ball! I’m supposed to protect the…” Meghan ran past him with the ball. ”Aw, dammit. Change directions! Change directions! She’s already at the goal… Ah, she’s kicking! I can’t look… Wait, I have to, I’m playing. Marina’s in the air… how’d she get nutmegged? In the air? That’s gotta be some kind of record… Velerk ran over to Orralliev. What are you doing, man? I thought you had that end buckled down! Orralliev responded with a feeble “I just missed.” Velerk shook his head. “Goddammit, none of you have your shit together!”

Dervish
47’ We’re hoppin out the door. Fine, a shit ton of fans left, but that’s A-OK. You know what, I’ll get the ball, and look at something else. Eyes on the ball. Gotta have eyes on the ball.” He crossed the ball out to Bradi Deptona, who crossed it back to him when he moved up on the field. “Alright, she’s moving out. Grass, grass focus on the grass. Slide, slide!” He slid into the ball, moving his feet upward as he did, to get it into the goal-area. Yea! Start running, start running, start running!” GOAAAALLLL!

A selected sound byte from the brawl at 50’:

Kleski: “Go suck a d***, you p**** b****!” “CLACK!” *slap #1, directed at Sutter*

Sutter: “Get the f*** off the field, a**hole!” *slap #2, directed at Kleski*

Robinson: “F*****ing d***! *slap #3, also directed at Kleski*

Bennett: “You’re the damn worst, a**hole! Lay off his f***** a**!” *punch #1*

Referee: “BREAK IT UP, BREAK IT UP!” *tweet*

And another sound byte from the brawl at 73’:

Rios: B***! *punch #1, misses Robinson, hits Wolcott*

Wolcott: What was that for? *hits Rios*

Rios: *hits Wolcott*

Referee: “BREAK IT UP, BREAK IT UP!” *tweet* Red card for Barry Rios, and Meghan Wolcott!

80’ and 93’Marina Karlsdottir
Alright, I’ve let 5 balls past me today, our team has had three brawls, and this is a disaster. I can hit this out. It’s a free kick. Well, she’s running up. She may hit left, she looks like not… well, she shot. It’s over the wall, alright, I can get this! Dammit! I missed! How’d I miss that?” She collapses on the field, and gets back up.”

by **Cassadaigua** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 3:24 pm

Interesting Opening,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

Following a 7-2 victory over South Falls in the opening match of the 43rd Di Bradini Cup, the Cassadagan national team should have been jubilant. Ok, they still were.

However, the sideshow acts that took place during the game, most of which instigated by a young side making their first ever Di Bradini appearance, from a nation known as The South Falls. You know the feeling. First time on the big stage, and wanting to make an amazing impression. Quite an opportunity they would have playing in a nation like Valanora and their deep history, including multiple World Cup wins, taking on a two-time World Cup champion in our Cassadagans.

It’s interesting. Because this was a team where the chemistry might be questioned. The roster is not typical for Cassadagan roster in the World Cup. So many of the past Di Bradini players are no longer age eligible, but instead of promoting youngsters that had been on the bench, manager Stephanie Sweeney, who is very much on the hot seat, placed many people into the lineup that did not have any international experience. The midfield has stability, but other then that, this is a group of players that does not have experience playing with one another. A few players from the Sporting World Cup team are on this side as well, including Rachel Schanke, the granddaughter of the great Jessica Schanke, but she is not in the starting lineup. Otherwise, people from all across the matriarchy were assembled onto the roster.

Team chemistry. It doesn’t just happen overnight. You also can’t just put a group of people in the same uniform, call it a team, and expect everyone to instantly like one another, and to immediately feel comfortable playing with one another. Everyone wants it to work out, and a great way to do that is to win a game, and score a lot of goals. You can check that box. But another way to do that, well, is to get involved in some, other stuff. So while The South Falls was as interested in throwing punches as scoring goals, the Cassadagan side, wanted to step up for one another. This was their chance, a chance to show team unity. This group of players will have everyone’s back, and if that means throwing punches, well, we can do that.

Ashley Dahlin, a 19-year old forward from North Windsor, an area of the country that very rarely produces athletes for the national teams, got the team rolling right away. Playing away from the known media centers up to this point, not a lot of people knew who Ashley was, and some people probably wondered why coach Sweeney simply did not start Rachel Schanke. After all, we know that last name. Dahlin, eager to prove herself, made an immediate impact, playing a major role in the first three goals of the match. First, and in only the third minute, she displayed tremendous individual skill, making Hi’tersk Miakis look silly before setting up Sierra Corston for the score. Speaking of team chemistry? Well, Miakis and Terezin Velerk will need to improve on that. Ashley scored the next two goals, to make it 3-0, and the rout was on.

Tensions would fly during the game as well, following an incident on Brooke Sutter. Perhaps the man known as Kleski knew of Lupe Enriquez’s antics in the last two Di Bradini Cups, with all of the accidental punches, that still, no referee ever caught. When Brooke Sutter appeared to accidentally punch him in the face, Kleski was a little irritated. After a verbal war, Sutter and Kleski began exchanging blows. Kleski will have regretted this, I’m sure, as evidenced by that large cut over his forehead as he walked off the field following the red card. Sutter did not appear to be that badly bruised. Stepping up for Sutter, though was the captain, Jessica Robinson. Some wondered if Robinson had this in her before the Di Bradini Cup, but she was not going to have any of it. She would exchange fists with Tanya Bennett, and it was a more even fight. Bennett, who we were told had “never had a card in 44 games” was given a yellow, as was Robinson. Both Sutter and Kleski were given reds. About the fight, Sutter told us afterwards, “I don’t start fights. But I will finish them. Sometimes, things are worth it.”

Later in the match, Meghan Wolcott got into it. That was not as surprising, since she has shown a willingness to get involved in rough play, especially in the Sporting World Cup. Wolcott told us afterwards, “They were sore losers, but we’re not just going to be punched back. You hear them saying how this is not their style, blah, blah. Well, this is the first impression that the world has of your soccer program. They didn’t even fight very well, either.”

by **Qusmo** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 5:23 pm

All Rilan-Jerat Nev wanted was a goal.

They knew what people were saying about them.

They led Juzun Trewa to Qavaxuzj Puka Juzuna & the UICA Youth Cup, & they led KF Trew to the UICA Globe Cup. They got named to the Team of the Season, & they were given a trophy for Youth Player of the Season. But as soon as they stepped onto the pitch against an international opponent, they couldn’t find the same magic. In two Youth Cup matches & in two Globe Cup matches, they had never won a match, & their team had never scored more than once over the course of ninety minutes. They were eliminated in the first preliminary round of both tournaments.

After those club football struggles came the national team. They gained the trust of Avarn-Oxolt Ban to land a place on the senior national team, but they struggled, they blew chances, & they were eventually left out of the lineup. Nev finally got back in form, but it was only for Qusmo’s fourth consecutive loss. It proved too much of a deficit to overcome, & they would finish seventh of ten in the qualifying group.

Next came the Cup of Harmony. Nev had regained the confidence of the manager, & they played well in the group stage. But when it truly mattered, when every match could be their team’s last, when every mistake could cost their team a chance to advance, Nev was full of them. They struggled to pass accurately. Their shots were wild. Most shamefully for them, in a horrifying recreation of their poor early qualifying form, they were flagged offside twice. Any one of those chances could have won the match. Avarn-Oxolt had had enough, & Nev was substituted out of the match. It would end scoreless after extra time, & Nev would be unable to do anything but watch as they lost on penalty kicks.

But now, Nev was on the U21 team. There were no other real options for the squad at striker. Who would replace them? Frolt-Zilot Tla? But still, Nev heard what people said about them. & even when people didn’t say it aloud, they knew what they truly thought of them.

When it really counts, in the brightest spotlight, under the most intense pressure, Rilan-Jerat Nev will fail, & they will bring their team down with them.

It had been a year of getting tantalizingly close, but failing each & every time. Trew finished one goal behind Atlant for third in Pug Qusmyra, but it never truly threatened Qastyr or Poldanz for the league championship. Trew made it to the semifinals of Puk Zala, but it whimpered out in extra time to Niom. Trew secured a draw in the first leg of its tie against Birdingstone United, but it was smoked 4-1 in the return leg. Qusmo made it out of the Cup of Harmony group stage, but it wasn’t able to muster a single goal in 120 minutes of play.

Now in the Di Bradini Cup, Nev’s team was performing well against Chromatika, but it seemed destined for another disappointing result. All of the success the back three had in completely neutralizing the Chromatik attack & all of the success the midfield had in dominating the match would all go to waste if they could not convert. Nev knew that. If Qusmo did not win this game - & if Nev did not score - they knew who would get the blame.

Nev saw Dwada-Dalox Wek with the ball, & they signalled for a pass. As Nev gathered the ball at their feet, with their back to goal, Addison Baumgartner of Chromatika stepped forward to pressure them. Knowing it was the smart move, Nev looked for a teammate for a pass, but Upuln-Cralt Guv was not open & Ucyxi-Slokt Eva were behind the play. Nev knew that they would have to pass it back. But doing that would end the danger of the attack. Doing that would concede victory to the Chromatik centre back which had been stymying them all day.

I’ll do this myself, Nev vowed to themself.

Nev burst forward & to the left. Baumgartner didn’t expect it, & they were caught a step off. But Baumgartner was smart, & they stayed on the inside of Nev. They still had no room for a shot. Without thinking, Nev stopped, turned, & bolted to the right this time. Baumgartner, still sprinting in an effort to catch up, was left out of the play by the time they had realized what had happened. Nev saw Henri de Aea barrel towards them, trying desperately to prevent Nev from scoring. Nev saw Ferret Tioux crouching down, preparing to come off their line or make a save.

Nev took one more touch before denying de Aea & Tioux - & doing what they could to prove the world wrong.

As soon as it left their boot, Nev knew it was headed for the back of the net. They took off for the left corner flag, where there was a sizeable contingent of Qusma fans, & raised their fists & roared.

Rilan-Jerat Nev knew that they had scored the winner.

But they also knew that they were nowhere close to being done.

Qusmo U21 team topples Chromatika
Qusmo 1–0 Chromatika
Lathal, Ianisle, Valanora
Qusmo’s U21 national team had a dream debut, defeating Chromatika 1-0 to open Group D play in Di Bradini Cup 43.

The match was the Qusmo U21 team’s first in its history, but it certainly was not for Chromatika. Qusmo defeated the team which made it all the way to the final in the last edition of the tournament, also held in Valanora - where they were beaten by the same score by Pasarga. Enigma Armageddon was the captain in that match, & the centre midfielder was pegged by many to make their mark on this tournament, too; however, at least for this match, it was Qusmo’s captain’s turn to take a star turn.

Rilan-Jerat Nev scored the winning goal for Qusmo in the seventy-seventh minute, creating space out of seemingly nothing after receiving a pass from Dwada-Dalox Wek. Twenty-five yards from the goal, Rilan-Jerat was beating Chromatik centre back Addison Baumgartner to their left, forcing Baumgartner to sprint in a desperate attempt to keep up; unfortunately for Rilan-Jerat, however, Baumgartner still posed an obstacle, as they were on the inside of Rilan-Jerat. The striker suddenly switched direction to the right, leaving Baumgartner unable to change momentum, & they curled a beautiful shot into the top right corner of the net before fellow centre back Henri de Aea could arrive to rescue Chromatika. Goalkeeper Ferret Tioux had little chance of stopping it once Rilan-Jerat let it fly.

Rilan-Jerat will get much of the credit for this match - & rightly so - but this was a complete team effort. The much-bantered about Qusma back three held up well to the Chromatik attack, & the midfield actually seemed to get the better of their counterparts, including Armageddon & Andréa Croix-Pierre, throughout the match. Even manager Lucex-Kynda Uzo’s substitutes, which were feared to be a weakness of the team, played well, in an admittedly brief showing. That allowed Rilan-Jerat’s moment of individual brilliance to be the difference.

The personnel & tactics worked wonders on all levels of the pitch for Qusmo, leading to an near-perfect debut - but is this just “newcomer luck,” in the words of Group D rival Alpine Union’s Gazeta Pomorska, or is it a sign that Qusmo is an “emerging future power,” as the Cosumarite Courier has predicted? Qusmo will likely find out when they face Di Bradini Cup 35 champions Cosumar, a team which is hungry for points after a draw with the Alpine Union & with a looming date with Chromatika to close the group stage. It won’t be easy for Qusmo in Goldsan; Cosumar has a long history of tremendous youth talent, & they look to be another formidable opponent.

However, Qusmi’y Juzun will be hungry for a result, knowing that just three more points would be enough to virtually guarantee advancement to the knockout rounds, & that four points would all but clinch first place in the group - especially important, given that second place may have to face an impressive Kita-Hinode team for a spot in the quarterfinals. But Qusmo can’t get that far ahead of themselves yet; they need a result against Cosumar, which looks to be a fierce battle on both sides. Can Qusmo do it? Only time will tell.
GK Brelk-Brelk Ixi
CB Axelv-Xilit Ono
LB Forzu-Falax Uzo
RB Yelto-Xilit Jok
DM Dwada-Dalox Wek
CM Yamaj-Blonz Jok
- 71’ Dalox-Lenpi Mal
LM Kynda-Sevet Pec
RM Helek-Nenzi Ono
LW Ucyxi-Slokt Eva
- 80’ Tlanx-Xeral Miz
RW Upuln-Cralt Guv
- 80’ Gelan-Ajark Erv
ST Rilan-Jerat Nev (77’)

Group D Results
Qusmo 1–0 Chromatika
Cosumar 1–1 Alpine Union

  Group D Table    Pld   W   D   L  GF  GA  GD  Pts     QUS COS UAR CMT
1 Qusmo              1   1   0   0   1   0  +1    3     --- MD2 MD3 1-0
2 Cosumar            1   0   1   0   1   1  ±0    1     MD2 --- 1-1 MD3
  Alpine Union       1   0   1   0   1   1  ±0    1     MD3 1-1 --- MD2
4 Chromatika         1   0   0   1   0   1  -1    0     0-1 MD3 MD2 ---

by **Chromatika** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm

The lone rider stood on top of a hill, looking down at the valley below. There was a village not so far ahead, but that was not what caught his attention; instead, his eyes scanned the storm front coming in from the east, obscuring the noonday sun. This storm did not seem very natural at all - the clouds were purple and the fumes that came with it resembled a deep, obscuring, thick fog that made visibility past it rather impossible. The view of the storm really shook the rider to the core - it had been a month since he had last seen it, and the last time still haunted him to this day. It wasn't the purple nor the fog that was the problem, it was what came with it - The Remnant.

The Remnant were a group of horsemen that patrolled the night for any and all stray travelers that traversed the countryside wherever there was a lack of light. The light of Divinity protected any and all who could afford or create it, but for those that weren't as fortunate to have a friend or acquaintance that knew how to create it, they were a nightmare. Not just figuratively, but literally. They were merciless, tearing apart their prey into tiny pieces and leaving none in their path.

The lone rider took a look at his timepiece. Ten past ten. Five minutes until his window. The fog looked like it would take longer than that to reach him. As long as The Remnant didn't come nearby, he should been able to leave.

Then, the sound that he dreaded the most reached his ears - a high-pitched wail that echoed through the night. Three minutes left. Damn, damn...

Something moved at the edge of his vision, and he flinched once more. He drew his rifle, glowing with energy, and took a shot at the first shadow that moved. The bullet grazed the shadow, revealing a Wraith, a small Remnant. The Wraith recoiled in pain. Two minutes. Three more shadows came nearby, and he fired three more shots. One bullet missed, and the Wraith came within ten feet. One and a half.

A crowd of Remnants showed up in the peripheral, a crowd gathering to reap.

And then...

A single strand of light came through, bright, gleaming, and true.

A blink later, they were gone.

The lone rider breathed a sigh of relief. He was safe.

For now.

by **Equestrian States** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:16 pm

Little Ponies Cruise Past Young Lions in Opener
by Steve McNotapony

Equestrian States 3-1 Benin-Togo
at Aranfield Bridge in Everlin, Valanora
Attendance: 53,281
Scoring:

Midnight Strike '16 (Indigo Zap)

Indigo Zap '51 (J. Lawerenz)

Chikondi Sauvageau '63 (J. Germain)

Nightingale '75 (Sunny Day)

EVERLIN, Valanora - Di Bradini Cup newcomers Benin-Togo were welcomed to the multiverse's top youth hoofball competition last night by the Equestrian States, the 27th edition champions handing them a 3-1 defeat in their tournament debut. Several thousand Equestrian fans made the short flight to Everlin, Valanora for the Little Ponies' opening match and made sure to make their presence known at Aranfield Bridge.

The Equestrians wasted little time before going on the attack, with Rose Petal nearly getting the Little Ponies off to a dream start before the first minute was up, rattling the crossbar from outside the box. The Young Lions eventually conquered their nerves and began to press into the Equestrian half after withstanding the Little Ponies' early barrage, but were punished in the 16th minute for pushing too far forward after Indigo Zap intercepted a lazy pass from Jelani Germain, starting an Equestrian counterattack that ended with Midnight Strike finding the back of the net.

Now protecting a 1-0 lead, the Little Ponies were content to sit back for much of the first half, hoping to lure the Young Lions out of position and expose them to another of the Equestrians' lethal counterattacks. However, the Benin-Togolese seemed unwilling to push their luck, the Young Lions' midfield playing deep and isolating forwards Roux and Sauvageau. It took until the 38th minute for the Young Lions to earn their first shot on target off a dangerous free kick, Kwadwo Roux forcing Equestrian goalkeeper Cyan Skies into a diving save after Zeorge made a clumsy challenge just outside the box, earning the defender a yellow card for his trouble.

Noting the Young Lions' hesitation to press the attack, Equestrian manager Red Dwarf seized the initiative with a halftime substitution, swapping out booked center back Zeorge for striker Nightingale and shifting to the 3-5-2 formation frequently deployed by the Ponies' senior team. The Little Ponies again went right on the offensive out of the gates in the second half, bombarding the Benin-Togolese defense from every angle in search of a second goal. Just six minutes later, the Equestrians found their opening, Indigo Zap heading home a cross from Josef Lawerenz to give the Little Ponies a 2-0 lead.

Benin-Togo struck back in the 63rd minute, however, Jelani Germain redeeming her earlier error with a perfect pass to Chikondi Sauvageau that the forward hammered into the net to cut the Equestrian lead in half. The next ten minutes were tense for the Little Ponies as the Young Lions desperately fought for an equalizer, Cyan Skies forced to make several diving stops to keep the Equestrians in front. Then, with 15 minutes left, Sunny Day made an immediate impact off the bench, playing Nightingale through with a precision pass. Nightingale outmaneuvered goalkeeper Adegoke Bertrand and slotted home to restore the Little Ponies' two-goal advantage and effectively end the match. When the final whistle blew, the Equestrian States ran out 3-1 winners, a solid start to what fans are hoping will be a successful campaign.

  Group B                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts        MD1 Results:
1  Equestrian States        1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3         Northwest Kalactin 3-1 Qasden 
   Northwest Kalactin       1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3        @ Castle de Mot in Wexax, VAL
3  Benin-Togo               1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0         Equestrian States 3-1 Benin-Togo 
   Qasden                   1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0        @ Aranfield Bridge in Everlin, VAL

Elsewhere in Group B, Northwest Kalactin stunned Qasden 3-1 in Wexax to put themselves in excellent position to qualify for the second round. The Kalactanians will face the Equestrians next in a duel for the top spot in Group B after the two sides both earned three points from their respective opening matches. Meanwhile, Benin-Togo and Qasden will hope to avoid elimination and keep their knockout stage ambitions alive as they face each other in Wexax.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:51 pm

(OOC: Continued from here.)

The Volunteers, Part Seven

Taganskaya District
RAKE City, ESTORVIPA
Currently under the occupation of the Federation of ESTORVIPA and ESTORPIVA

Olga Zima had never seen so much blood before in her life.

In all honesty, Olga had practically come to accept the fact that she and the rest of the Volunteer Legions would actually not get to see any action at all in ESTORVIPA against the rebel factions running around in that country. Olga had accepted that Pridnestrovia had actually raised the Volunteer Legions just to garrison the territory that they and the Federation of ESTORVIPA had managed to capture from the aforementioned rebel factions. The Volunteers were never meant to fight against the rebels; that was the job of the Federation Defense Forces and their Pridnestrovian allies. The Volunteers were just supposed to sit back and help the Defense Forces secure the territory that they had recaptured from the rebels. It had seemed like an easy if thankless job at the time, but it had also meant that no one was shooting guns at them.

Right now, Olga would have loved it if no one was firing guns at them.

She had a feeling that things were about to go to shit when she heard the Pridnestrovian officers of their Volunteer platoon shouting orders for the soldiers to get back into their Tigers to head back to base. As Pridnestrovian was related to the Nordskanian language, Olga could understand some of what the officers had been talking about such as how the ESTORVIPANs laying down the pipes for the waterworks were afraid that the ESTORVIPAN OLIGARCHY was still around and were going to kill them all. It was probably because she knew what could possibly happen that Olga was the first one to react to the first shots fired in anger against them. Once Olga had heard the first crack of the enemy rifle, she stuck her own AK-74 out of the firing slit in the side of the Tiger and pulled the trigger.

And then Olga heard a strange thud that was both inside and outside the vehicle all at once, and she turned around and saw that one of the Pridnestrovian soldiers, Todorenko, the one manning the Tiger's machine gun, had been hauled back inside the vehicle, and that blood was covering his face. "Sergeant, Todorenko's been hit!" Beverly Melling, the girl with the blue and white highlights in her hair, shouted. Melling and a Volunteer who had been assigned to be the platoon's medic were now kneeling over the wounded Todorenko, whose blood appeared to be coming out of a dozen places in his chest and his head.

"Zima! Zima!" the medic called out. "Zima, I need your fucking help!" The medic then physically grabbed Olga away from her place in the Tiger and put her hands over Todorenko's bleeding chest. "Put pressure right there! Right there!" the medic shouted, and Olga had no choice but to press down on where the medic had told her to apply the pressure. Blood gushed out of the wound and immediately stained her hands, and Olga had to fight to keep the bile from rising up her throat and into the back of her mouth.

"Sergeant!" Lieutenant Benin called out over the radio. "Where are we right now?"

"I don't know, Lieutenant," Sergeant Morozov replied. "I can't see shit out there! The OLIGARCHY is firing off RPGs left and right! There's too much smoke and dust! I can't tell where we are right now!"

"Just make sure that we don't get lost and that we get back to our base ASAP!" Benin shouted.

"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant," Morozov replied quietly. He then turned to Corporal Koppelberg, the driver of the Tiger, and asked him, "Can you tell where we are right now, Corporal?"

"Sorry, sir, no," Koppelberg replied. "Too much dust and smoke outside. I don't even know if we're on the main road back to the base right now."

"Shit," Morozov said. "Then just keep on driving. If you can see a street sign that gets us back on track then just do it. Don't wait for me to tell you to do something, just do it and take us home."

"Yes, sir," Koppelberg replied.

Morozov then turned to the back of the Tiger to check on the rest of his soldiers. "Everyone okay back there?"

"We're all right, sir," one of the Fleftic Volunteers (either Fofana or Yoda, Morozov couldn't really tell) replied from the back.

"Good to know," Morozov said, almost to himself. "How's Todorenko?"

Nobody replied to his question for a few minutes, the silence being only broken by Koppelberg's curses as he drove through RAKE City's side streets and the gunfire from the other Volunteers inside the Tiger. "Tomislavic!" he called out. "How is Todorenko?"

"I've stabilized him as best as I can, sir," the medic replied. "But we need to get him out of here and get him back to the base if he is to stand a chance."

"Shit," Morozov said again.

"Sir, I see Rukavina Street up ahead," Koppelberg said. "Turning left now!"

"Wait, Koppelberg, did you just say Rukavina Street?" Morozov asked. "You were supposed to turn left on Bukovina Street! We're now going the opposite way from the base!"

World Cup 81/82/83/84

Commonwealth U21's seek victory

Kristian Barnard
Daily Mail Soccer Writer

The National Under-21 team will face Razenthuria on the second match day of the DiBradini Cup 43 at the Angelotic Temple in Longview with a chance to make a big step towards qualifying for the knockout rounds if they come away with a victory.

After their opening match draw with Filindostan, they now face a side who came through with a win on the first day against Maryloupe. Manager Jennifer Prescott knows that this match could be the difference between advancement and going home. "We played well enough to win, but the little problems we faced cost us. If we can get those things sorted out, and we show the same level of commitment, we can take a big step towards finishing in the top 2 in this group."

Kelly O'Connell will come in to replace Derion Hutchens, with Caleb Brightwell shifting to left back and O'Connell taking the central defensive position, while Jessica LeClair will come into the lineup for Tim Blair and Austin Labus will start in place of Evan Canderas; Nicki Stone will play behind the forwards and Annabeth Westmoreland will start in the central midfield, with Marcus Milton replacing Antonio Sotolongo, in order to provide the pressure on the left wing.

Similar to the last time the Baker Park side were here, the supporters club of AS Sharala--the Vanorian club where the team are training--came to provide a send-off for the BP squad following training; for many of the squad it was a renewal of old acquaintances, and the local contingent said that there would be approximately 1,100 supporters traveling to Longview for the match.

Scott Miller reflected on the local support, "last time we were fortunate that the club welcomed us and gave us full use of the training center, then we went & win the first match & then people in town start paying attention to us. We draw the second match and people are coming at 11 o'clock at night to welcome us back to the hotel and then we win the third match and probably 5-600 supporters come with our fans.
We go over to the Char Sara for the match against Taeshan and probably the same amount or more come to cheer for us. The supporters club wants to have appreciation dinner for us, and so the staff says if we get eliminated, we'll stay over an extra day. It's madness, and now we come back and today is just like all the love and warm reception like before. It's great to feel that when you're away from home and strangers are embracing you."

by **Valanora** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:58 pm

Matchday 2

Group A
Neo-Romanum 2–0 Kita-Hinode
Anthor 3–0 Ethane

P Group A                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Neo-Romanum                  2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
2 Anthor                       2   1  0  1    6   4  +2    3
3 Kita-Hinode                  2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Ethane                       2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

Group B
Qasden 3–4 Benin-Togo
Northwest Kalactin 2–4 Equestrian States

P Group B                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Equestrian States            2   2  0  0    7   3  +4    6
2 Northwest Kalactin           2   1  0  1    5   5   0    3
3 Benin-Togo                   2   1  0  1    5   6  −1    3
4 Qasden                       2   0  0  2    4   7  −3    0

Group C
Mapletish 1–0 Cassadaigua
Savojarna 3–0 The South Falls

P Group C                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Savojarna                    2   2  0  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Cassadaigua                  2   1  0  1    7   3  +4    3
3 Mapletish                    2   1  0  1    1   2  −1    3
4 The South Falls              2   0  0  2    2  10  −8    0

Group D
Chromatika 1–0 Alpine Union
Qusmo 0–2 Cosumar

P Group D                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cosumar                      2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
2 Chromatika                   2   1  0  1    1   1   0    3
3 Qusmo                        2   1  0  1    1   2  −1    3
4 Alpine Union                 2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1

Group E
Routcher 0–0 Taeshan
Ceni 1–3 Darmen

P Group E                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Taeshan                      2   1  1  0    6   3  +3    4
2 Routcher                     2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Darmen                       2   1  0  1    6   7  −1    3
4 Ceni                         2   0  0  2    2   5  −3    0

Group F
Starblaydia 0–0 Abanhfleft
Blaneu 0–1 Semarland

P Group F                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                   2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
2 Blaneu                       2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
3 Semarland                    2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Starblaydia                  2   0  1  1    2   4  −2    1

Group G
Baker Park 2–1 Razenthuria
Filindostan 0–0 Maryloupe

P Group G                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Baker Park                   2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
2 Razenthuria                  2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
3 Filindostan                  2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
4 Maryloupe                    2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1

Group H
North Prarie 0–2 Mercedini
Greater vakolicci haven 0–4 Pasarga

P Group H                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pasarga                      2   2  0  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Mercedini                    2   1  0  1    2   1  +1    3
3 North Prarie                 2   0  1  1    0   2  −2    1
4 Greater vakolicci haven      2   0  1  1    0   4  −4    1

by **Routcher** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:58 pm

Match Day 2 Ends in Tie

The second match day at the under-21 football tournament, the 43rd Di Bradini Cup, concluded rather uneventfully for the Routcher National Under-21 Football Team. The game with Taeshan ended in a tie, with neither team being able to penetrate the defense of the other to score a goal. Uneventful does not mean boring, however, as this was some fine football from both teams. While the first game versus Ceni allowed Routcher's offense to show itself to the world, today's game showed us a team that feels completely different. Today, Coach Norris and his team showed the Empire, and the world, that this team can play defense.

It was obvious from the start that defense would have to be a priority for the team, as Taeshan was no stranger to football, having a successful football program that has earned the nation multiple championships, including a Di Bradini Cup in years past. Add that to the fact that match day one was an incredible success for Taeshan (they won 6-3 against Darmen), it is no surprise that the team was all defense today. Taeshan, for it's part, had an incredible defense as well. In fact, despite their high score on match day one, Taeshan actually specializes in their defensive plays over offensive. The way it looks on paper, it was never likely that Routcher was going to score, even with a prodigy like Uriel Henry on the team.

We interviewed Routcher Defender Aaron Grieve about today's match: "We brought our A-game today for sure. Sadly, Taeshan brought there's as well which means I was pretty busy the entire match. But that's what I live for, a good fight. I wish them the best of luck on the final match day, and I look forward to a rematch in the semi-finals."

Calum McDay sat this game out, but was cleared to return to the field later today, just in time for match day three, on July 4th.

If Routcher's team can win tomorrow's match against Darmen, they are all but guaranteed a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament. Assistant Coach Fernon Appleby had this to say about the next game: "We're in a pretty good spot right now. If we win on the fourth, we'll move on in the tournament for sure, but we ideally want the easy route. I've got my fingers crossed for Taeshan to lose on match day three, especially if Darmen gets lucky" he laughs, "they'd still get in the knockout stage with us, but we'll have the easier Round of 16, and that's important in the long run."

Despite the team's confidence, the July 4th match has the potential to send Routcher's team packing. Darmen's team is not expected to be an easy win for Routcher, as Darmen has scored six goals across the two match days, to Routcher's mere two. If Darmen wins the match day, Routcher falls to third place in the group no matter how the Taeshan-Ceni game turns out. Fans across the empire are excited to see if this up and coming team can rise to the challenge and show the world what they can do.

-George Hardwood,
The Saint Mary Chronicle

by **Neo-Romanum** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 6:13 am

Neo-Romanum wraps up Group A with 100% record
By Timotheus Victus

03 July 7526 AM/2018 AD

A much-changed Neo-Romanum continued their impressive form at the Di Bradini cup with a comfortable victory over Ethane.

The Esportivan side, which had so far conceded six goals without reply and lost both of their games rarely looked threatening except for one one chance early on in the game, Knight getting down well to save at his near-post.

The Romans broke the deadlock just before half-time when Gelasius Ameziane fired in low from the edge of the box after a dominant opening 45 minutes.

Andrew Ewing wasted a golden chance to make it 2-0 on fifty minutes when he headed wide from Teom Ben Moshe's corner.

With the Romans' passage already secured and Ethane's exit already confirmed this was a match low on tension and urgency, Neo-Romanum dominant throughout but seldom lacked intensity as they prepared for their last 16 showdown against Group D runners-up Qusmo, who made it through after a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Alpine Union.

Roman U18 boss Jerome Manambeys: "Although we already knew that we were through and a lot of players were rested I tried to make the team aware that they should not allow their efforts to drop off. Momoentum is very important and we can go forward as a team now, knowing that a lot of players have put in some very good performances and I am spoiled for choice."
Lineup
Knight
Colona
Intzoglou
Stone
Tzetzes
Debbane
Karatzaina - Ben Moshe (45')
Ewing
Devetzi - Menez (80')
Ameziane
Dixon - Acropolita (45')

Scorers:
Ameziane - 43

Group C final standings

	Team	PLD	GD	Pts
1	Neo-Romanum	3	+4	9
2	Kita-Hinode	3	+2	6
3	Anthor	3	+1	3
4	Ethane	3	-7	0

by **Union of Socialist Alpine Republics** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:25 am

The Alpine Union loses to Chromatika

Ianisle, Valanora - (NAP) In a game dominated by goalkeepers on both sides, Chromatika scored the only goal at the 64th minute and now the Bisons are facing elimination. It's a must win against Qusmo for the Reprezentacja Alpejski. The Alpine Union could have their worst result in DBC history if they finish 4th, as the team never finished below the 3rd place in it's group in about 6 participations. It's not because the team is underperforming, they're playing extremely well but the competition they're facing this year is better.

Revamped coaching staff for the national team at the Independents Cup

Ozorkow, Republic of Prussia East - (NAP) Regional competitions are starting soon and the main side is participating again at the Independents Cup, a competition for regions other than the big 3. After the World Cup 80 and the following Cup of Harmony, it was determined that the national team shouldn't employ coaches who are also coaching in our domestic leagues. The Alpine Football Association (AFA) have asked the coach and his assistants to either leave their domestic club or the national team. Wlodzimierz Jastrzebowski has left Gornik Ozorkow to manage the national team full time but he lost his two assistants. Walter Madden stays with Winchelsea F.C. while Horst Engelbrecht, who'se been coaching Pogon Miedzyzdroje for 21 years, has decided to stay with his club team.

Wlodzimierz Jastrzebowski and the AFA has hired Raghnaid McCulloch and Dragan Kovacevic as his new assistants. Raghnaid McCulloch is leaving Celtic F.C and Dragan Kovacevic also announced he left FK Zeljeznicar. Celtic F.C has announced they hired Caledonian F.C. head coach Fionnghall Mac an t-Saoir as their new head coach. Caledonian F.C. and FK Zeljeznicar's new head coaches will be announced at a later date.

In addition to the head coach and his two assistants, the national team will have a new full time goalkeeper coach, Jose Ramon Galarraga, and a new full time physiotherapist, Urszula Skoraczynska.

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:41 pm

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
A New Golden Generation?

Following the second shutout match in a row against another highly offensive side, Savojarna have now almost qualified for the Di Bradini Cup octofinals, missing only one point against group favourites Cassadaigua. Against the South Falls, the team of Pyotr Kolarov employed the same efficient counter-attack tactics as before against the team from Mapletish, which ran up to Savojarna's defence for ninety minutes without scoring. It looks like the South Fallsians were more busy licking their wounds following a crushing 7-2 defeat by the hands of Cassadaigua than with studying the Savojar game plan, because they kept running into the open knives of the Savojar counter-attack. It took the Savojars only twelve minutes to take the lead as Pedersen took the ball off Deptona and took the entire South Fallsian midfield out of play with a long diagonal pass to Jashkin. The winger then dodged the confrontation with Velerk and crossed the ball in from the corner of the box, finding the head of Vilhjalmur Ruriksson who scored the 1-0 for Savojarna which they would take into the locker room, letting the South Falls hardly ever come close to their goal.

After the break, Savojarna played more daringly given that the South Falls were hardly ever dangerous and almost regretted it as McAllister moved past Loeseth and could send Dervish towards the goal, but his shot from about twelve metres was deflected just enough by Eremenko sliding in and ended up in the stands. The second goal for Savojarna came in the 56th minute after Jacobsen had been cutting through two defenders on a counter and was held back by Miakis, resulting in a penalty and a yellow card. Morten Poulsen rose up to the occasion and easily scored the penalty, catching Marina Karlsdottir with a precise shot to the top right corner. Poulsen thus scored his second goal of the Di Bradini Cup, making him Savojarna's best scorer and a hot candidate for the A-team when they go into the Copa Rushmori. Shortly before the end of the match, there was yet another goal for the Savojars as Baldvinsson won a ball and sent it down the right side to Jashkin, who cut to the centre and circled the ball beautifully to the far corner, where it was unreachable for the rather short Fallsian goalie.

This may very well be the most advanced Savojar team to grace the Di Bradini Cup with its presence. Past editions, having been carried by the individual skill of its offensive players, often collapsed under pressure as evidenced by the humiliating 1-5 defeat by the hands of Ceni that was suffered by last time's team led by Krister Voynov. This team is a lot stronger in terms of tactics and solidarity then all its predecessors, reminiscent of Savojarna's famously fighting A-level teams already. Of course, a large part of that comes from Pyotr Kolarov and his strategic frame that is built around the strengths of these players and allows all of them to shine, as well as the mix of routined players like Eremenko and Loeseth who go into their second U21 World Cup and young, hungry players like Jacobsen. Additionally, it is clearly helpful that a growing amount of players go to play professional football early on. Out of eleven starting players against the South Falls, only the two strikers Jacobsen and Ruriksson usually play in U21 teams, and both of them already played single games in the SFS as well. The core players of the team - Morten Poulsen, Mikhail Jashkin or Albin Lindholm - are all regulars in the highest league, and it shows in how well organised and led this team is.

In the offence, we can see that the increase in defensive stability did not diminish the potential of Savojarna at all. The country had traditionally relied on a more speed-oriented play that regularly produced great wingers like Voynov or Urhanen. This tradition is present in the current generation with Mikhail Jashkin, a player who may form an exciting winger duo together with Krister Voynov in a few years, but it also has overcome a traditional weakness of Savojarna: the offensive midfield. Where the past has often shown that Savojarna lacked a connector between a strong defence and a dangerous lone striker, Morten Poulsen may provide such a connection and does so in this cup. Poulsen, playing for Partisan Sjoedrhavn in the Savojar league, shows both creative qualities with his clever passing as well as posing a deadly danger on the counter-attack himself, and he is the anchor point around which Kolarov's entire system is built. If he can assume such a role in a larger system in the A-team as well, there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to lead a new generation of Savojar players to glory at the World Cup.

For the next game against Cassadaigua, it can be expected that there will be a few changes in the lineup made by Kolarov. The Savojars only need to get one point from the match and can even sustain a narrow defeat against a Cassadaiguan team that was somewhat underwhelming so far and plays offensively in a way that should suit Savojarna. However, whatever comes next is indeed the greatest test of character for this young team that has shone so much in the past few days. If this team can live with the pressure of top-level international football in a KO game, we have all reason to believe that there has indeed grown a golden generation in Savojarna, possibly able to break through a World Cup group stage or even further within a few years.

Savojarna 3-0 The South Falls (1-0)

GOALS: 12' Ruriksson 1-0 (Jashkin); 58' Poulsen 2-0 (penalty); 84' Jashkin 3-0 (Baldvinsson).
YELLOW CARDS: 34' Pedersen, 56' Miakis, 68' Velerk, 76' Baldvinsson (all foul).
RED CARDS: ---
REMARKS: The South Falls without Kleski and Rios (both suspended). Baldvinsson misses next match for second yellow card in the tournament.

SAVOJARNA: Lindholm - Pedersen, Vikborg (81' Erlandsen), Eremenko, Skov - Lehtonen, Poulsen, Loeseth, Jashkin - Ruriksson (72' Onagin), Jacobsen (63' Baldvinsson).
THE SOUTH FALLS: Karlsdottir - Velerk, Miakis (59' K. McAllister), Bi'n'oon'i, Orralliev - Johnson, Bennett (85' Randzott), G. McAllister - De Ramos, Dervish, Deptona (72' Fin).

by **Qusmo** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:37 pm

SPONY LUQ TELEVISION

Hello, all. Welcome to Spony Luq Television, broadcasting from Qanz, Qusmo. After an impressive win over Chromatika in the first matchday, all Qusmo needed to clinch a spot out of the Di Bradini Cup’s Group of Death with a match in hand was to defeat Cosumar. However, the former Di Bradini Cup champions got the better of Qusmi’y Juzuna, & now they see themselves in third entering the final match of the group stage, adding all kinds of drama to their clash against the Alpine Union. Let’s take your Di Bradini Cup questions now. First up, we have a viewer from Nire.

How might Group D break down? How likely is it for Qusmo to get out of the group now?

That’s a great question. Looking at Group D as a whole, there a few ways each match could go. Let’s start with the best results for Qusmo & work downward from there.

First, let’s imagine that Qusmo wins against the Alpine Union. It would be a great result for Qusmo, & it would put them at six points to end the group stage. The Alpine Union would finish with one, & they would be eliminated. If Cosumar & Chromatika draw, Qusmo would go through as group winners, Cosumar would be second on five points, & Chromatika would be eliminated with four. If Cosumar defeat Chromatika, Chromatika would be eliminated, while Cosumar would win the group & Qusmo would advance as second.

Finally, if both Qusmo & Chromatika win, it would eliminate Cosumar while putting the two matchday 3 winners even on points. Chromatika currently have the edge in goal differential over Qusmo, so Qusmo would need to win by a greater margin than Chromatika in order to have a shot at the group win - but Chromatika & Qusmo would both advance. So, what that means for Qusmo is a win over the Alpine Union guarantees advancement to the Round of Sixteen.

Now let’s think about what would happen if Qusmo draw with the Alpine Union. Qusmo would finish on four points, while the Alpine Union would be eliminated with two. In this case, the best result for Qusmo would be a Cosumar win; it would leave Cosumar with seven points & the group victory, but it would also make sure Chromatika finishes with only three points, allowing Qusmo to advance. In the case of both matches ending in a draw, Chromatika & Qusmo would be level on points behind a group-winning Cosumar, but Chromatika would have the superior goal differential & be through at the expense of Qusmo.

If Cosumar were to lose, however, it would be Qusmo & Cosumar level on four points. Cosumar has a much better goal differential than Qusmo, however, meaning that even a loss of two goals would see Cosumar through, & it would take a four-goal loss for Cosumar to be certain of elimination. In the case of a three-goal Cosumar loss, the tiebreak would proceed to goals scored, which Cosumar also has a sizeable advantage in already. So, Qusmo would be in dire straits with a draw; they would be through with a Cosumar win in the other match, but would likely be eliminated with a Chromatika win, & would certainly be eliminated with a Cosumar-Chromatika draw.

Finally, we reach the worst possibilities for Qusmo: What if they lose? That would mean that Qusmo finishes on three points, & the Alpine Union would finish on four. Since Cosumar already has four points, Qusmo would be eliminated, likely as the last place finisher in the group. The scenarios for the Alpine Union should they win, however, are similar to what Qusmo would be facing should Qusmo draw. If Cosumar & the Alpine Union win, they would both advance, with Cosumar winning the group.

If Cosumar & Chromatika draw, Cosumar would win the group, but Chromatika & the Alpine Union would be level on four points. Chromatika would have the edge on goal differential now, but an Alpine Union win would necessarily improve its goal differential at least to the point at which they match Chromatika, & possibly even surpass it. If the other match ends in a draw, the Alpine Union would need to win by a multi-goal margin or score more goals in its match against Qusmo than Chromatika does in its match against Cosumar in order to guarantee advancement; else, if the Alpine Union wins by one & scores the same number of goals as does Chromatika, we’ll go further down the tiebreakers. It is worth keeping in mind here that Chromatika did defeat the Alpine Union 1-0 in the most recent matchday.

Finally, if both the Alpine Union & Chromatika win, Chromatika will win the group, leaving the Alpine Union & Cosumar tied on points. Cosumar has the much better goal differential now, but this scenario would worsen Cosumar’s goal differential while strengthening the Alpine Union’s. If Cosumar loses by three or the Alpine Union wins by three in this scenario, or if both matches are resolved by multi-goal margins, the Alpine Union will advance. If both matches are decided by a single goal, Cosumar will go through. & if one match is decided by a single goal while the other has two goals between them, it would go down to the goals-scored tiebreaker, where Cosumar currently holds a 3-1 edge.

So, here are the advancement scenarios for each team: Cosumar needs only a draw. Chromatika & Qusmo need only a win. Meanwhile, the Alpine Union technically also controls its own destiny if it can win by three. Cosumar is the only team that might be able to advance with a loss on the final matchday, though Chromatika & Qusmo could go through with a draw & some help; meanwhile, a draw or loss would eliminate the Alpine Union.

The best result for Qusmo would be a win paired with a draw in the other match, as it would see Qusmo win the group; however, Qusmo could finish first, second, third, or fourth in the group, depending on how the final pair of matches goes. Qusma fans should probably be rooting for Cosumar on the final matchday; despite the fact that they will win the group no matter what with a win over Chromatika, that result poses the best possibilities for Qusmo to advance if they can’t pick up a win over the Alpine Union. If Cosumar defeats Chromatika, Qusmo would need only a single point to go through & face the winners of Group A - at this point, likely Neo-Romanum. Of course, the best result for Qusmo, no matter what happens in the other matches, is a win against the Alpine Union on the final matchday.

Before their loss at the hands of Cosumar, Qusmo was pegged as “a dangerous team [which] could win [its] group” by Gazeta Pomorska, “an emerging future power” by the Cosumarite Courier, & even a “dark horse contender for a title” by an Equestrian pundit. Qusmo’s path to the Round of Sixteen, & a realization of the newly-elevated expectations now set for them by the multiversal media, is still within their grasp; the only question now is: can they do it?

World Cup 81/82/83/84

© Sporting Times Daily 2019
Baker Park U21's close to advancement
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Writer

The Commonwealth Under-21 National squad will make another trek to Raynor City for their final Group G match versus Maryloupe, with a victory in mind but knowing a draw will probably be good enough to see them through to the last 16 as well.

The team wrapped up training before heading out to catch the the train, still with the memory of their 2-1 win over Razenthria fresh in their minds. Maryloupe were also the final day opponents for the Under-18 team in the recent SWC 6, where the BP side came away with a 1-0 win.

Manager Jennifer Prescott was happy with the improvement of her defense in the last match, and also praised the team for a more consistent effort over the 90 minutes.
"I thought we made a huge step forward against Razenthria, the lineup changes seemed to bring a bit more cohesion to our play. I'm hoping we will see some carryover from that performance, in terms of tempo and confidence."

by **Qusmo** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:55 pm

Qusmo U21 team outclassed by Cosumar
Qusmo 0–2 Cosumar
Miner’s Haven, Goldsan, Valanora
Qusmo’s U21s tested themselves against the best in their second Di Bradini Cup match, & suffice it to say that they aren’t there yet.

Cosumar was dominant in possession & truly controlled the match, looking the better side from start to finish, recording a 2-0 win over Qusmo. The first goal for Cosumar came in the twenty-fourth minute, as Skaldir Tibrewal capped off a lethal Cosumarite attack which dissected a miscommunication in the young Qusma back line with near-surgical precision. A result seemed less & less likely for Qusmo as the match continued on, but their hopes were put to bed in the eighty-fifth minute, when Kletus Tosset finished a quick counterattack that the back line simply could not handle.

The final score intimates a one-sided affair, & the match as a whole was quite lopsided. It started & finished with the powerful Cosumarite midfield, which was able to dominate possession. That was key to why Qusmo faced absolutely no success, as they could not get the ball to their forwards, & instead they had to constantly fend off Cosumarite attacks. Indeed, it was somewhat of an accomplishment for Qusmo to keep the match as close as it was.

Cosumar had already had some probing runs when they first got on the goal sheet in the match. Richard Pearce launched a ball into the upper stands when faced with a one-on-one with Qusma goalkeeper Brelk-Brelk Ixi in the tenth minute, while Tosset was caught narrowly offside to negate a goal from a corner kick in the nineteenth.

Qusmo would have no such luck in the twenty-fourth, however, with Dane Pridgeon springing a Taka Masatoshi run, forcing Qusma centre back Axelv-Xilit Ono to commit to Masatoshi &, by extention, left back Forzu-Falax Uzo to mark Tosset in the box. Unfortunately fox Qusmo, however, Masatoshi recognized the situation & realized that Tribewal was unmarked. An exquisite play saw Tosset dummy the ball, & by the time it landed at Tribewal’s feet, they could have walked with the ball into the back of the net had they wanted to.

Cosumar applied less pressure to Qusmo after scoring their first goal, content with holding onto the lead & the ball. As time elapsed, it was mostly Cosumar with chances, & Qusmo knew it needed a goal to get anything from the match. Qusmo began to throw more & more players forward, & it cost them late in the match.

After a Qusma attack fizzled out past the eighty-minute mark, Cosumarite right back Bryan Estes found star centre midfielder Kai-Kai Mokumdarian. A neutral fan would be forgiven for thinking that Newmanistan was playing, because Mokumdarian took off like a rocket, leaving Qusmi’y helpless in their wake. In the end, they forced Axelv-Xilit into another impossible choice; as they moved forward to commit to trying to stop Mokumdarian’s magical run, the Junior Galactico runner-up simply played a through ball for Tosset into the space that the Qusma centre back had vacated. Just like that, it was 2-0, as it would end.

It was a disappointing performance for Qusmi’y Juzuna, especially given other results. Qusmo had shown such promise against Chromatika, but the former Di Bradini Cup champions ultimately outclassed the debutants. With two Junior Galactico finalists on the pitch, it wasn’t particularly surprising. However, it sets Qusmo up for a much more difficult situation in its final matchday. The match was the second of Group D played that day, so Qusmo knew that it could clinch advancement to the Round of Sixteen with a win, or bring advancement within a single point if it could manage a draw. Now, that calculus has shifted, as despite their fantastic debut against the Di Bradini Cup 42 beaten finalists, a win is now required to guarantee a spot in the Round of Sixteen.

With the Alpine Union also needing a win for any hope of advancement, & having had a long & proud history at the tournament, including a quarterfinal appearance in Di Bradini Cup 42, it will surely be a tough match for both sides. Qusmo is no stranger to difficult opponents at this tournament, but they simply hope that their final group stage match ends more like its clash with Chromatika than the one it had against Cosumar.
GK Brelk-Brelk Ixi
CB Axelv-Xilit Ono
LB Forzu-Falax Uzo
RB Yelto-Xilit Jok
DM Dwada-Dalox Wek
- 74’ Dalox-Lenpi Mal
CM Yamaj-Blonz Jok
- 86’ Zilot-Trenj Miz
LM Kynda-Sevet Pec
RM Helek-Nenzi Ono
LW Ucyxi-Slokt Eva
- 67’ Ucyxi-Tylyr Fox
RW Upuln-Cralt Guv
ST Rilan-Jerat Nev

Group D Results
Chromatika 1–0 Alpine Union
Qusmo 0–2 Cosumar

  Group D Table    Pld   W   D   L  GF  GA  GD  Pts     COS CMT QUS UAR
1 Cosumar            2   1   1   0   3   1  +2    1     --- MD3 2-0 1-1
2 Chromatika         2   1   0   1   1   1  ±0    0     MD3 --- 0-1 1-0
3 Qusmo              2   1   0   1   1   2  -1    3     0-2 1-0 --- MD3
4 Alpine Union       2   0   1   1   1   2  -1    1     1-1 0-1 MD3 ---

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 1:36 am

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

DI BRADINI CUP 43: ABANHFLEFT VS COSUMAR
By Malik Qazizadah

Abanhfleft's Guildenstern Cardew makes a save against Starblaydia in the 43rd Di Bradini Cup. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

MAR SARA, VALANORA - Abanhfleft and Starblaydia played out a goalless draw in front of a sellout crowd in the Donna Cathedral in Mar Sara, meaning that Abanhfleft will now have to win against Blaneu if they are to progress to the next round of the Di Bradini Cup.

It was fair to say that the 60,000 Starblaydi and Fleftic fans who crowded to the Donna Cathedral in Mar Sara were expecting a game with numerous goals, similar to the one that both nations had played in the 80th World Cup finals which ended with nine goals being scored and Starblaydia emerging as 6-3 winners, to play out in front of them. Ázëwyn Fëanáro, the same manager who had led the Starblaydis to that victory over Abanhfleft in the World Cup finals, was also present as the manager of the country's under-21 side, so it was also safe to say that the Fleftic spectators were bracing themselves for a potential back-to-back lashing of their under-21 team at the hands of Starblaydia.

But that drubbing failed to materialize thanks to both astute defending from the Fleftics and wayward finishing on the part of the Starblaydis. Mercy Kaufman was the greatest threat for the youngsters in white but despite getting into all sorts of good positions, Kaufman more often than not sent her shots wide of the posts and over the bar, and when she wasn't sending the ball wide, she was shooting them straight at Guildenstern Cardew.

In fact, it was Kaufman's first shot on goal, within three minutes of the start of the game, that was also her greatest chance to open the scoring for Starblaydia. Aaron Cole, the Starblaydi second striker, had played Kaufman through on goal with a pinpoint pass that took the entire Fleftic backline out of the equation and left the Beverington Hawks striker alone against Guildenstern Cardew. Kaufman shot for the middle of the goal but Cardew was able to throw out a hip to bump the ball over the crossbar.

This wasn't to say that Abanhfleft weren't a threatening force of their own. Kelly McGinnis also managed to almost open the scoring herself with a pinpoint header right in front of goal from Sohaila Magomedova's corner but Amari Ollarion's reactions were as equally speedy and reflexive as that of Guildenstern Cardew's earlier save from the start of the match.

However, after that exhilarating start, things went quiet as the first half wore on with chances becoming few and far between and both teams growing content with passing the ball around the midfield. This remained the state of things for the majority of the second half, but Claudia Roos did manage to ruffle Amari Ollarion's feathers with a shot from outside the box that the Corinthian Spirits guardian somehow kept out using her head.

The introduction of young Karamoko Bakayoko, who has attracted the attention of a number of Semarlandic clubs following his impressive performance in the Young Revolutionaries' 2-1 triumph over the returning Semars, eventually helped in revitalizing the game as it was the Uranium City Radiation teenager's marauding runs in and around the six-yard box that served to make him a nuisance for the Starblaydi defense and was responsible for giving the game a more frantic finish than the nil-nil scoreline would suggest.

Bakayoko actually thought that he had managed to score the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time but the ball trickled painfully wide of the far post, and the referee finally put an end to proceedings with that final attempt.

Abanhfleft national under-21 team manager Owen Bevan: "We could have done a lot better with our finishing in this game, but at the very least we managed to keep a clean sheet and keep Starblaydia scoreless. It was such a shame that [Karamoko] Bakayoko didn't get his goal at the very end, though. You would think that he would be able to make that shot more times than not, but the ground just didn't let the ball roll right, you know what I mean? Karamoko deserved at least a goal in this game, that's for sure."

Abanhfleft national under-21 team player Karamoko Bakayoko: I just want to focus on the football

Abanhfleft national under-21 team player Karamoko Bakayoko: "Yeah, it sucks that my last kick at the end didn't go in but I guess that's just what happens. I know people and even the coach [Owen Bevan] have been saying that I should have scored at least once in the game but those Starblaydis are tough!"

On rumors that he is being courted by Semarlandic clubs: "I don't know about that. I haven't heard anything from the team. I haven't heard anything from my manager or my agent. And I'm not really sure if I want to go there at this stage of the game. I want to just focus on playing football for the blue, orange and green and for the [Uranium City] Radiation. Maybe in a few years, who knows? But for now I just want to focus on Di Bradini."

Abanhfleft will remain in Mar Sara and return to Artani to face off against Blaneu in a match that will very much determine if Abanhfleft advances from the group stage of this edition of the Di Bradini Cup.

STARBLAYDIA 0 - 0 ABANHFLEFT
                             █

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Cardew
RB: 2 Baum
RCB: 4 Khaled
LCB: 5 Shepley
LB: 3 McAteer (Kaba █ - 67')
RM: 6 Kleist (Frigo - 67')
LM: 8 Segovia
RW: 7 Magomedova
CAM: 10 Pratt (Bakayoko █ - 82')
LW: 11 Roos
ST: 9 McGinnis

STARBLAYDIA
GK: 1 Ollarion █
RB: 2 Todaro
RCB: 5 Viipuri
LCB: 6 Massomiira
LB: 3 Sigismund
RM: 11 Beretano (Vega - 58')
RCM: 8 Navarro
LCM: 4 Capodanno (Dimitrou - 89')
LM: 7 Sato
RS: 9 Cole
LS: 10 Kaufman (Mendez - 70')

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Starblaydia: 50%
Abanhfleft: 50%
Shots
Starblaydia: 12 (5 on target)
Abanhfleft: 10 (4 on target)
Corners
Starblaydia: 8
Abanhfleft: 5
Fouls
Starblaydia: 10
Abanhfleft: 14

by **Razenthuria** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:28 am

Razenthuria
Razen Sporting World Cup 6 Roster Overview

Va Xeza - The Lions

The nation of Razenthuria to many people is recognized as the former colony of Central Sunrise, as such, bow, a free peoples over seventy-five yers after decolonization, Razenthuria is a proud nation, with the hearts of millions beating to one drum. The Razen have looked to sport for excitement - particularly in football, and the League RZN - which has increased in importance in the last few years is the main provider of this, operating as part of the RFA's three-tier RazenLeague system, composed of a lot of youth players, the Razen line-up ahead of the Sporting World Cup is built upon getting youth up for the future in Christoper Tajo Mendez's RZNNT system up at the senior level. With many of these players in the academies, its not expected that they'll do much, this being their first appearance on the international stage, its expected they'll crash out of this tournament in record fashion, but still that doesn't take away from the future that they're building up. This team is an interesting bunch, mainly defensive, they're going to be the future players one day for the national team, and we've got to shine a line on them so you know who we're talking about. Some are well-known, but most are shrouded in secrecy.

The Razenthuria team, nicknamed the Lions on account of the national animal of Razenthuria, the gold-maned lion were to be undone as their dissipation was hastened by the events of the Razen Independence War which officially ended the colony of Afrenzia, Central Sunrise's pride of Esportiva - generally considered to be the predecessor-state of modern-day Razenthuria, since then, the nation has striven to rebuild and destroy the signs of division, and sport served as to create healing between the nation, united around the national team, the supports, the ultras who have been dubbed as the 6th Ward Ultras - in reference to the location of the national stadium within Razenthuria have gathered around the national team, known for their use of black, old and red, the 6th Ward Ultras are an impressive site, not akin to the culture of football in Razenthuria, seeing a sign of the 6th Ward Ultras is more-contributed to seeing ultras from football-crazy nations, like Nephara, Starblaydia even and also Cosuamr - not an African nation in Esportiva that has little pedigree.

The Crown Republic of Razenthuria is the successor-state of Afrenzhia, it is a constitutional monarchy with a crown republic in place. The monarch is R'Verzaka who has reigned since R-410. The capital of the Razenthuria and its largest city is Tynedale, a global city and financial centre with an urban area population of 14.3 million, Other major urban areas in the Crown Republic include the conurbations centred on Old Birmingham, Fullham, Reading-upon-Wychester, Marietta and Port Perrington.

Association football remains the most well-known sport in Razenthuria, much more popular amongst the natives than hockey which had been integral to the colony of Afrenzia, in Razenthuria, the highest-governing body of football within the nation is the Razen Football Authority - sort of like this all-knowing ~~bureaucracy~~ that has ~~omnipotent~~ powers ~~do as it pleases~~ in regards to the governing of football within the nation. Its top league is the Njiko RZN, there are two other leagues on the football table, being RazenLeague 2 and RazenLeague 3, the entire pyramid has a total of thirty-two teams. The League RZN has been dominated mainly by the old firm of Athletic New Victoria and Fullham Rangers, but in recent years, A.C. Stonehenge has emerged as a dominant side.

DBC '43
Razen Di Bradini Cup Roster

_{Head Coach: Timothy McGraw (50)}

GOALIES        Name                    	   Age	          Club	
G              Wezakali Breadton           21              Navy Club
G              Moses Evans                 19              Cumberland Fire Soccer Academy 

DEFENSEMEN	
D              Devon Edgecomb              19              Kuzani Sport F.C. Academy
D              English Fencesmith          19              A.C. Stonehenge Academy
D              Knight Garden               19              R.A.Z.E.
D              Martin Greenfield           20              A.C. Stonehenge II
D              Jacob Reid                  19              R.A.Z.E.
D              Thomas Stoneman             20              Burnley Rovers S.C. Reserves
D              Quintin Lohan               21              Emerald Cove

MIDFIELDERS	
MF               Harry Kelly (C)           21              Fullham Rangers
MF               David Okata               18              R.A.Z.E.
MF               Vincent Omalu             19              R.A.Z.E.
MF               Easton Redbon             19              R.A.Z.E.
MF               Cable Xavier              19              R.A.Z.E.

STRIKERS	
S              Reden Omar                  18              Herzegovina City F.C.
S              Valexa                      19              R.A.Z.E.

Tactics

Captain: Harry Kelly (MF) Schemes: Highly-defensive
Style Modifer: -5

RP Permissions

Choose my scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod Injuries to my players: No
Suspend my players: Yes
Godmod suspension events: No
Godmod other events: TG me first

by **Mapletish** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:35 am

OOC: Trying my hands on writing short stories, and this is certainly inspired by the American Sniper
Part 1

The Forgotten War – Early Beginnings

A countryside, small town boy, that is what I have always identified myself with. It was in this place where I learned several values that I still keep close to my heart. Family values ranked first and other values, like independence, patriotism and community spirit. A strong sense of justice too got myself into who I am. I remembered, how I got into fist fights against the big bullies in school. I think it was and still is important to protect others. Suffering and hard work, that defined me. School was something that I hardly enjoyed. Lessons were long, boring and probably didn’t affect me all that much.

One quote resonated from Albert Einstein certainly resonated with me “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school. It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.” Fun was of course what I was seeking for most of the time. Sports were a main stay for me in school. Physical Education classes as they were called pit us against the other guys and girls with different sports. I excelled in them, be it an individual or a team sport. I liked being the underdog. I captained my high school’s football team. We were knocked out for 6 years continuously in the Regional Championships, at the first round.

The morale hasn’t been the best, the tradition that has followed, it wasn’t the most ideal. But, I thrived. I knew I will thrive. I took over. I took over the team. I coached, I played and I rebuilt. Being the underdog meant I never had the heavy expectations of achieving anything, in fact, all I had to do was to survive the first round and go onto the second and go onto the third and so forth. 7 days a week, the team trained. The team experimented. The team believed. That inspired me. Although we didn’t go all the way, like some legendary college coach kind of sports movies but we broke the curse, we went onto the second round. On our final match, we huddled close and we were all proud of the belief that we had in each other and the work that we had put in. That season, taught me one thing, that was to believe.

Outside of my athletic pursuits, I stood up for the weaker guys in school. For that, I got into many fights. But I was not the kind who would start them. My dad made that clear to me, from day one. It was clear I’d get a whippin’ if he found out I started a fight. We were supposed to be above that. Defending myself was a different story and standing up for others was a bonus. For that I started sticking up for the weaker or the younger guys who were getting picked on. I felt I had to look out for them. It became my duty. After whipping the bullies back to their shape, I counselled them as I was convinced that they all shared something, maybe an insecurity or an ego issue that had been panted up and has to be released and they found no better option than to pick on the other guys in school.

“Why go around, picking on the other guys, mate. What’s wrong? Have they done anything that irks you?” I often start the conversation after giving them a good whooping, “Don’t pick on anyone, you get it, if you need someone to speak to, speak to me. I might be of help,” I shrugged and act all nonchalant and they caught up with the signal and opened up to me. They all had their reasons and all I ever did was to sit down and listen to them. “Justice has no grey areas,” that was my belief, my mantra. Wherever there was a black area, there would be a white one and I had better to weigh them. I counselled those bullies and got them to do meaningful work during the weekends, I the means of giving back to the community that have brought them up. They changed. They changed for the better. Maybe it began because I was looking for an excuse to fight without getting into trouble. Maybe, there was more to it? I think my father’s sense of justice and fair play influenced me more than I knew at that time, and that stayed on even as an adult. Though, whatever the reason, getting into scrapes was something that ought to happen sooner if not later.

Besides sports, hunting was a pastime, a pastime in which my family enjoyed. I don’t remember when I started hunting, but it could have been when I was very young. My family had a hunting lease a few kilometres away from our house and we would spend time hunting every winter. We’d hunt deer, turkey, doves, quail -whatever that was in season at that time. Winter was a warm period despite the weather as we spend the weekends in an old trailer, set out in the backyard. It wasn’t the size of the house that you lived in that defines who you are but the people in living in it. We were certainly a tight little family who knew how to have a lot of fun.

My father worked in the telecommunications industry. He was a manager and as he promoted, we moved around every few years. Even though I would say he was successful, my father hated his job. Not the work, not the 9-5 but what it was all around. The bureaucracy, the people in it. That very fact irks him, putting on a suit and tie every day. He would tell me often, “I would rather you be happy than how much money you’ve got, it doesn’t matter if you are unhappy.” To that, it continues to be one of the most valuable advice in life. It screamed, do what you want with your life, and not to sweat over the details. Till this day, it still is a part of my philosophy.

In many ways my father was one of my mentor and friend growing up. He taught me what it took to be a man and a good dose of fatherly discipline topped it off. Crossing that invisible line would take a neat whipping from him. Then there was my brother. He was two years younger than I. To hear my brother tell it, he and I were at each other’s throats most of the time. Although smaller than me, he was a fighter and he would prove to be a tough challenger every time we tussled. He hardly gave up. He’s a tough character and still to this day, we are still as close. Hell brought us closer but we also had a lot of fun and always knew we had each other’s back.

My family's faith in God was deep. We attended church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday evening. Even though we might not consider ourselves to be religious. We were just good people who were involved in our church. Most of that time, I didn't like being there, if I had to be honest.

My mother too was a really hard worker. She would hold down a job and did the housework. She too, was my role model ever since I could remember. When my brother and I were old enough to be on our own, she went on to work at a youth detention centre as a counselor. It was rough for her nonetheless, having to deal with the difficult kids all day long but she took it on. It was in her to help others. For that I took after her, no wonder, I was keen to help others too.

As with other countryside boys, ranching helped fill out the rest of the school days when my brother and I were not in school. We have different chores after school and the weekends. Taking care of the horses, feed the cattle, riding through them, inspect the fences, fixing them when necessary. Cattle after all is one problematic thing and you might kicked anywhere. A few times I get a kick in the leg, the chest, the stomach, the hamstring, when you are facing away. I was lucky, I didn't get a knock on the head. That could probably set things straight huh?

Despite the tough days in the ranch, I personally liked horse riding. The freedom you get when you are on the horse and the elegance the horse presents itself whenever you put it through a series of drills. Show jumping was a favourite event of mine. Piling on the blocks of hay and I could do it for hours on an end. Breaking into the horse is tough work, the constant bucking around meant you get thrown all over. Doing your best to stay on is the key and that meant holding on tight and being real patient. Soon, you will find a special connection with the horse and you could do whatever you imagined your horse could do.

Patience - that became a valuable skill, not only in horse riding but also in the military. In the SOF, we would spend most of our time waiting for the right moments to strike. Waiting for the right moment before the enemy or a high value target appears. Sometimes, it could be in vain as the intelligence was filthy but, patience and never losing your cool, that became the key in whatever operation or mission that we are assigned to. Patience too was useful in life and that too was crucial in courting my wife.

I dont know exactly, but it could be that I had a talent in breaking into horses. I felt like a cowboy but I thought being a horse trainer could be a viable hobby, maybe even a career choice if I could. Nonetheless I favour my athletic pursuits more than anything else, not even the horses or cattle could beat that. Other than football, I was also keen in lifting weights. It sounded weird at that time, but my neighbourhood has a fitness following. Apart from playing sports, farming the fields and ranching, my neighbours were keen athletes too. That was how our neighbourhood's humble gym started out.

I started out at that particular gym in the corner of my neighbourhood. Imagine, a gym in the countryside. I couldn't imagine either. I just got in this shed, and started bursting out the weights. This weight room was simple. It was filled with barbells, a few racks of dumbbells and a few adjustable stands for the barbells to sit on while you did your squats. I learnt from the guys there. At first, it was intimidating but I got used to the environment and grown to love it. It was a place for grown and tough men, who other than sparring at the deeper ends of the gym, pushed some weight during their free time. It was the weights first then everyone sit down for coffee and talked about the day to day happenings.

I got my hands on those barbells with tough knurlings on them. It wasn't the best of feelings when you have to grip them and it tore up the hands. I grown to love the feeling when the calluses started to form. The gym guys as I called them got me to do basic bodyweight exercises to make myself comfortable with my bodyweight. A few sets of sit ups, pull-ups, pushups and bodyweight lunges. I did them religiously whenever I was there. Then it was time for the compound exercises, the squat, bench press, shoulder press and deadlifts. I was mentored one to one every session I spent there and every detail was put into how I executed the lifts. It wasn't the need to execute to perfection because perfection was subjective but the need to lift an empty barbell as if it was your maximum effort, that level of scrutiny, form integrity and mental focus that you put yourself into.

Those days with the barbell taught me quite a number of lessons in which I was able to apply in my military career and my daily life. Despite all the work that I had to put into learn the movements and exercises, I was happy. I was glad I was put through the suffering, because I knew, I could push through. Every detail that I learnt was well paid attention to, the gym guys ensured I did that. Soon, it was doing the Olympic Weightlifting movements, starting from the snatch and then to the clean and jerk.

Compared to the deadlifts or squats, learning the snatch was a whole different monster altogether and I still admired the beauty and elegance of those weightlifters who hoist barbells overhead and sit in deep and comfortable at the bottom of the squat. The need to focus on every single detail of the snatch and the need to execute it piece by piece really drilled my patience down. I knew if I don't rush the process, I would be able to execute the Olympic lifts properly and soon I could start adding weight. The thrill of progress and getting good lifts under my belt was all that pushed me.

Right there, determination and commitment to your craft were indeed some of the qualities that made you spot on for the SOF.

Di Bradini Cup 43/U21WC64 (Everything Thread)

Razen Sports Daily / The U-21 National Team

Part 2

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