27 November 2018
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by Meriad » Sat Nov 17, 2018 12:28 pm
KESTRELS DEMOLISH HUNGGWOK IN 7-1 VICTORY
November Twenty-Ninth, 2018Written by Jeremy HösterskallingVordin, Svandary -- I have no words for last night's game. With the sun setting over the beautiful skyline of Vordin, the Kestrels calmly walked on the field, showed the world what they were made of, and walked back off. No celebration, no gloating. The scoreboard displayed what they didn't need to show. In the ninety-three minute game, the Kestrels didn't let off the pressure for a single moment. Other than a slight hiccup in the 17th minute that allowed Hunggwok their one and only goal of the evening, the Kestrels dominated the ball, with an astounding 69.6% possession statistic and a similarly spectacular 83.1% of all passes being successfully completed. The Kestrels drove down the football pitch like an unstoppable teal battering ram, elegantly evading Hunggwok's highly-regarded defenders and making no fewer than seven goals, evenly spaced throughout the game. Rookie midfielder Vetle Aarhus accounted for two of the goals, forward Christoffer Lorenzen for two, and striker and captain Aslak Evenstad pulled off a hat trick.
To be fair, I am painting an overly rosy picture of the game. Hunggwok did put on a performance worthy of the World Cup, and there were several tense moments around the 18th minute when it looked like Hunggwok would be able to make the game a 2-2 tie. But after Meriadni full-back Robert Ottesen botched a slide tackle, banging up one of Hunggwok's best players and receiving a yellow card for his trouble, the game was largely one-sided. After the whistle blew at the end of the game, the Kestrels huddled up quickly in the center of the field, shook hands with the opponents, and left the field, never waving at the ecstatic crowd in the stands.
Speaking of the fans, there were more than 28,000 Meriadnir in the stadium cheering on the team, the more than double the number of people in my hometown. If there were people present wearing Hunggwok's colors, I couldn't seem them drowning in the sea of turquoise and Prussian blue. After the game, I pulled goalkeeper Haakon Fuglestad aside to ask him how he thought the game went. He smiled, and congratulated his teammates for putting him out of a job.
MEET THE TEAM
If by some miracle you've managed to avoid the constant player profiles airing on national television, here's a rundown of some of the starting Kestrels and their performances thus far in the tournament.
Aslak Evenstad — Striker and Team Captain
Evenstad is the glue that holds the Kestrels together. At 34, he is the second-oldest starting player on the team, but has earned his place. Between 2013 and 2017, he was the top scorer in the Domestic Leagues four times, and his team, the White Wolves, consistently wins national and seasonal titles. In the last game against Hunggwok, he scored a hat trick.
Fast Facts: 6'3", 34 yrs, VikingMeter™ 15/19, married (sorry ladies...)
Haakon Fuglestad — Goalkeeper and Team Dad
If you have a problem, take it to Fuglestad. As the most senior player on the field, he has a reputation for being able to effortlessly solve disputes as well as stopping an on-goal kick like a brick wall. Fuglestad is one of the few goalkeepers in the Domestic Leagues to have ever scored a goal. He has five children (three adopted), and can be seen swimming in the Húsavik harbor and running adventure races through the Uinkarets.
Fast Facts: 6'2", 39 yrs, VikingMeter™ 20/19, great beard.
Vetle Aarhus — Attacking Midfielder and Kestrels Rookie
Though he be but new, he is fierce. Aarhus has racked up four goals in this year's tournament, the most on the team, and has a blonde beard to die for. If you run into him off the practice pitch, then you're probably in the library of Sorknes Royal Astronomical and Mathematical Observatory, where he is a student and spends much of his free time. He took this semester off to play in the World Cup, which I'm sure was a very difficult decision.
Fast Facts: 6'3", 22 yrs, VikingMeter™ 17/19, single and ready to mingle.
Christoffer Lorenzen — Forward and Professional Monk
In addition to being reasonably good a moving the ball down the field (arguably best in the Domestic Leagues), Lorenzen volunteers at the ancient Horizon monastery at Halvers Island and is an ordained minister in the Church of Meriad. If you're looking for someone to lead you in prayer and then crush you in a game of football, Lorenzen is your man. He scored twice in the game against Hunggwok.
Fast Facts: 5'9", 32 yrs, VikingMeter™ 14/19, can call down hellfire on opponents.
Daniel Blegen — Winger and Diehard Footballer
One of Blegen's first memories is from when he was five years old, sitting in the freezing rain and watching his father's community football team win the municipal championship. The sleet seems to have done something to his brain, because he has since dedicated his life to the sport. He has played for the While Wolves, the Dragons, the Outlanders, and now the Kestrels, and has worked himself to the bone for every single minute of play time.
Fast Facts: 5'11", 25 yrs, VikingMeter™ 15/19, most menacing grimace.
Vebjørn Stromme — Center-Back and Parliamentarian
Stromme comes from a very different sort of family tradition than Blegen. Stromme's father, uncle, and grandfather all serve in the Hall of Jarls, and all three represent different parties. I can only imagine the conversations that take place around the dinner table and family functions.
Fast Facts: 5'10", 24 yrs, VikingMeter™ 11/19, incredible man-bun.
Robert Ottesen — Full-Back and Team Immigrant
Ottesen is the only starter for the Kestrels who was born outside of Meriad. This black-haired, wiry, whip of a man hails from Svandary, but seems to have no lost love for the country where he was born; He ruthlessly pursued Svandary's players throughout the game two weeks ago, and blocked the ball just about as many times as Fuglestad, the goalkeeper. If he feels he has something to prove by being a foreigner, then he proved it a long time ago, because the Kestrels can't do without him.
Fast Facts: 5'6", 23 yrs, VikingMeter™ 16/19, possible subversive.
THE KINGDOM OF MERIAD—THE OUTER RIM CONFEDERACY (FT)
Ordic TechnocratMeriad on the Ordic Encyclopedia[CAUTION: Roleplaying Hivemind!]
Demonyms: Singular: Meriadni - Plural: Meriadnir - Noun: Meriadni
by Intermountain States » Mon Nov 19, 2018 6:44 pm
Midfielder Lee Sang-hoon having mixed view on the tie game
Lunatic Goofballs wrote:I'm a third party voter. Trust me when I say this: Not even a lifetime supply of tacos could convince me to vote for either Hillary or Trump. I suspect I'm not the only third party voter who feels that way. I cost Hillary nothing. I cost Trump nothing. If I didn't vote for third party, I would have written in 'Batman'.
If you try to blame me, I will laugh in your face. I'm glad she lost. I got half my wish. :)
by New Spanishland » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:12 pm
This is indeed a relief for all of us, it show us that never is too late to keep on trying. As long as you never give up on your goals, failure is nothing.– Renier Rojas (Goalkeeper)
The team is successfully responding to the training. Every match we learn that things can be done better and better (…) I want to thank Coach Ekiken again for offering us an outstanding match, I hope play with the Black Foxes again.– Andres de Argumosa (Coach)
It was a match that you don’t play every day, the struggle was always there and none of us in the field could breathe calmly until the referee announced it.– Berardo Soler (Forward)
Score three times on a single game and on top of it, on the World Cup. Dreams indeed come true, but we have still a lot to do. We’ll play better and better to achieve our goal.– Ignacio Padrino (Forward)
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by Escalan Corps-Star Island » Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:24 pm
The energy was palpable ahead of last week's game. While international news media have focused on the Meriadni fans' displays of national pride, the Hyspanic countries have themselves seen massive contingents of fans in attendance, often at one another's games. Despite delays en route due to thunderstorms in Ahrenrok, I found myself panting and dragging my suitcases to the coat-room before rushing to the gates with my ticket fast in hand. Th scene was breathtaking: Almerian and Svandish fans blanketed the side of the stadium opposite, not a few brandishing oversized flags and foam eagles. But between me and the field crashed a wave of bright colours, primarily the reds and yellows of football jerseys. The strains of the Himno de Marzo were bolstered by not a few voices from our side as the team took to the field.And what a team! For those of you who haven't been able to catch the match yet, I highly advise it. While not the drubbing many had hoped for, it was nonetheless engaging and showed the players were not faint of heart. Quite the uproar accompanied coach Enrique Santanas' decision to not play star centre-forward Enrique Migos-Parrilla following his encounter with a luggage trolley in the Puerto Yunque airport that went viral Wednesday last, but even without his bravado in the face of the Algerian team, the offence mounted a consistent game, making shots on goal throughout the ninety-three minute of play. Rookie midfielder Telyras kal Ánisi shocked the onlookers with a long goal scarcely nine minutes into the game, prompting a roar from my side of the stands and a resounding chorus of "Altiplano! Venceremos!" By this point I had fully caught my breath and sat at the edge of my seat, rapt with attention.
Fans crowd the Eisenburg Arena before Monday's game.
But the game had only begun. In a signal of what was to come, kal Anisí collided with an Almerian mid-fielder a bit over-enthusiastically at twenty-two minutes, and received a yellow card for his troubles and outrage from the spectators. This dismay was compounded when, following one deflected shot on goal at twenty-three minutes, the Almerian offence redoubled their efforts and broke through goalie Francisco Aguatero's stalwart defence three minutes later, prompting a time-out. To the sound of the crowd's rendition of "Carta Verde", the team took to the field again, and after another spirited drive scored a second goal at thirty-one. In the lead again, the offence saw a number of substitutions as the half approached, and while the Almerians would not approach the goal, neither was the Altiplanero side able to threaten an extension of their lead.
I stepped out at the half to take a call, and returned at the fiftieth minute just in time to see an Almerian winger aim a wicked header at Aguatero, which he thankfully caught and returned to a safer heading. The second half saw more active offensive plays than the first, though of course not to the level of Thursday's thrashing courtesy of the Kestrels. Finally, at seventy-six minutes of regulation, the crowd got to its feet when João Ferreira sent a searing kick into the net for Altiplano's third and final goal of the night. Though the Almerian side evened the score somewhat with a final goal of their own at eighty-one minutes, the game was won.
While exiting the stadium, I was surprised at the number of Hyspanic fans who had come to support our team. While perhaps it isn't a major surprise to learn there are numerous Hyspanic followers of Altiplanero domestic leagues, just as many at home watch theirs regularly, it was a welcome sight to see supporters of both teams forging a connection over the sport they passionately enjoy. In the internationalist spirit of football and indeed, sporting in general, I encourage anyone planning a trip to Svandary to take advantage of this opportunity to meet not only countrymen, but also other international guests, and to better understand their team and its aspirations. Lastly, be sure to clear your schedule as permitted for 21:00 tomorrow evening Svandish time (that's 8:00 Centerenan Standard Time) as the Altiplanero team confronts its next opponent, Valourium. Additionally, stay tuned for an exclusive interview with rookie sensation kal Anisí as we catch up and learn from him what it's like to take part the first World Cup of his career!
by Meriad » Thu Nov 29, 2018 8:38 pm
KESTRELS VICTORIOUS OVER ARCADIA IN 3-1 MATCH
November Twenty-Ninth, 2018Written by Jeremy HösterskallingVordin, Svandary -- The Kestrels walked away with their second victory of the 2018 OOF World Cup last night in an exciting match against Arcadia in Vordin last night. The Arcadian team had an incredibly quick start, with their striker scoring a goal within the first minute of regulation play, but then settled into playing catch-up, with Meriad's light-footed midfielders keeping the ball moving up the field. Lorenzen added to his running count with two more goals in the 32nd and 45th minutes, and giving up a shot at a hat trick in order to assist Aarhus in his goal in the 77th minute of play.
Despite not being able to get the ball into the net after the very start of the game, Arcadia's stellar midfielders did an excellent job in their own right, and had four more shots that were only blocked by the Kestrel's goalkeeper, Haakon Fuglestad. One of these, in the 59th minute, hit Fuglestad in the head as he dove for the ball, leaving him with an impressive-looking bloody nose. Fuglestad insisted to stay on the field, and from the stands it looked like he was enjoying the chance to leave a little of himself on the pitch.
As with the last two games, Meriadni attendance at last night's match was impressive; A total of 21,000 Meriadnir were in the stands, well below the last game's record of 28,000, but they made themselves heard just as much. Among those wearing blue jerseys, facepaint, and waving flags were the Prime Minister, Jans Nordvich, and the Prince-consort Elias Hetland, who took the chance to sneak away from the Capital Palace to watch the national team play.
Last night's victory put Meriad in a tie with Svandary for the leader of Group B, although Svandary has yet to play its third game of the group stage. That game against Hunggwok is scheduled for the 6th. Should Svandary win that game, they will be the top-ranked team in the B-group, meaning Meriad will likely face either Shirakawa or Yeongseon in the first quarterfinal game, scheduled for the 16th. Hyspania, which has historically had a spectacular team, also has a good chance of beating Suavia in their upcoming game, and a victory in that match could mean a face-off between the Kestrels and Conquerors.
As always, there is friendly competition between the two top-ranked Spanish-speaking countries, Hyspania and Gran Altiplano, with fans of both teams attending games in support of each other. This friendship could turn ugly, however, if the teams end up facing each other in the semifinals. Meriad's rival with host team Svandary has gotten even more intense, if possible, since the Kestrels' 3-2 loss in the opening game of the tournament, and the Kestrels seem to be begging for a rematch. The Svands are considered by many to be the favorite to win the tournament, but now that the Kestrels have gotten used to the warmer air in Svandary, I have high hopes for the teams to stage rematch in the final game of the tournament.
National Rail is continuing to operate its football service throughout this week, offering inexpensive tickets throughout the day for footballers to travel to games in Svandary and back home to Meriad.
THE KINGDOM OF MERIAD—THE OUTER RIM CONFEDERACY (FT)
Ordic TechnocratMeriad on the Ordic Encyclopedia[CAUTION: Roleplaying Hivemind!]
Demonyms: Singular: Meriadni - Plural: Meriadnir - Noun: Meriadni
by Intermountain States » Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:31 am
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Lunatic Goofballs wrote:I'm a third party voter. Trust me when I say this: Not even a lifetime supply of tacos could convince me to vote for either Hillary or Trump. I suspect I'm not the only third party voter who feels that way. I cost Hillary nothing. I cost Trump nothing. If I didn't vote for third party, I would have written in 'Batman'.
If you try to blame me, I will laugh in your face. I'm glad she lost. I got half my wish. :)
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by Meriad » Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:53 am
KESTRELS TO FACE HYSPANIA IN QUARTERFINALS
December Eighth, 2018Written by Jeremy HösterskallingVordin, Svandary -- Meriad's opponent in its upcoming quarterfinal match was decided last night after an extremely close game between Hyspania and Suavia. While Hyspania trailed throughout the first half of the high-tension match, they picked up a lead with only 8 minutes remaining in regulation time, with Soteldo running the ball half the length of the field before scoring the goal that sealed the match and secured the Conquerors a seat in the quarterfinals.
In terms of points, Meriad and Hyspania are perfectly matched, and both teams have the same win-loss record in the tournament (2-0-1). What causes fans of the Kestrels worry is the historical strength of the Hyspanic national team. While Meriad has only won the World Cup a single time (an underdog coup staged in 1934), Hyspania has flown home with the trophy twice, and frequently makes top-four appearances. While this year's Meriadni national team is incredibly talented by all measures, fans nonetheless are on edge about facing a highly-ranked team in the quarterfinal match.
This isn't to say that the Kestrels have already surrendered to what some seem to think is an inevitable loss to the conquerors. After all, in 1934, Meriad beat Transoxthraxia with a score of 4-1, despite being at a significant point deficit. Indeed, the Meriadni team has almost always been an underdog, regardless of sport.
In fact, in last year's Ordic Rugby Federation tournament, Meriad walked away with the wreath for the first time since 1996, despite sustaining numerous injuries that put seven of the fifteen starting players off the field. The same was true of the World Cup win in 1934; two starters — the striker and the goalkeeper — didn't even get a chance to walk on the field at the final, as both had sustained injuries that left them confined to the sidelines.
So maybe this year will prove to be no different than in the past. It's undeniable that the Kestrels have some strange characters; A volunteer monk, an ironman athlete, and an immigrant all start, the owner is a veteran of the Royal Navy, and the team mascot is one of the smallest birds of prey in the world. Regardless of its eccentricity, however, it's clear that the team clicks. On and off the field, the players work as a unit; during training sessions over the summer, for instance, the entire team could be seen going shopping together near the training center in Sköntafell. So it's my hope, and that of the hundreds of thousands of fans who will doubtlessly show up the the match on December 16th, that this year will be a sequel to the underdog success story of 1934, and that the eclectic mix of hobbyists, professionals, and volunteers that make up the team will walk off the pitch with a trophy and to the strains of De Nord Husker.
THE KINGDOM OF MERIAD—THE OUTER RIM CONFEDERACY (FT)
Ordic TechnocratMeriad on the Ordic Encyclopedia[CAUTION: Roleplaying Hivemind!]
Demonyms: Singular: Meriadni - Plural: Meriadnir - Noun: Meriadni
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