Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy (Everything Thread)

[Sarzonia]

Many years ago, at the suggestion of the Starblaydia Football Association, Sarzonia's Incorporated Football Federation laid the groundwork for a small memorial tournament to honour the memory of Sarzonia's founding President Mike Sarzo.

Sarzo passed away on 1 December 2006 at 4:32 p.m. after a severe case of cancer. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit cancer research.

The MSMT has run concurrently with the World Cup and has traditionally been operated by the host nations. In the cycles since it initially began as a small tournament mainly featuring Sarzonia, Starblaydia, and Krytenia, it subsequently expanded to as many as 16 nations with the three aforementioned countries serving as "anchor nations" with their respective capitals serving as regional hubs.

This time, Sarzonia looks to host the MSMT separately from the World Cup and hopes to generate some interest in furthering the cause of cancer research.

[OOC: Since NW mentioned the existence of Vilita's mobile-friendly scorinator and it appears that I have the hang of it, I would use that to scorinate what I expect would be a single-elimination tournament.

I will be using KPB ranks, but the tournament clearly would not enhance anyone's KPB as it's not a formally sanctioned WCC event.]

Sign-ups
1. Sarzonia KPB 21.91, style modifier: 0
2. Delaclava KPB 6.78, style modifier: +5
3. Northwest Kalactin KPB 12, style modifier: +5
4. Sylestone KPB 3.34, style modifier -4
5. The Gothania Isles KPB 0, style modifier -2
6. Baker Park KPB 40.05 style modifier +3
7. The Jovannic
8. Starblaydia KPB 38.62 style modifier +3
9. Nacrad
10. South Newlandia KPB 10.34, style modifier: -1
11. Megistos KPB 0, style modifier-3
12. Lovisa
13. Kohnhead KPB 11.62 style modifier +3
14. Krytenia
15. Tequilo KPB* 7.64, style modifier +3
16. Space

* Adjusted lower per Tequilo's request

[Delaclava]

Here we go! KPB 6.78, style +5.

[Northwest Kalactin]

The Kalactanian National Team would like to participate.
12
+5

[Sylestone]

I’m sure some Appliances playing football would attract some interest.

KPB: 3.34
Style Mod: -4

[The Gothanita Isles]

Taking this nation out for a RP spin.

KPB -> 0
Mod -> -2

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

for a good cause, we'll participate

KPB--40.95
Mod--+3

[The Jovannic]

For a good cause yes we are innñnnñ

[Starblaydia]

The Starblaydi team would be honoured to be included in the return of the MSMT.

KPB: 38.62
Style: +3

[Nacrad]

If possible, Nacrad will send a team

[South Newlandia]

South Newlandia would like to participate as well, if possible.
Edit: KPB 10.34; Style mod -1

[Megistos]

Style Mod: -3
KPB: UR
Squad (Starting XI): Becks - Kellingrad, Callimolo, Fri, Williams - Lukovic, Howard, Lam, Jorgenson, Cringan - Robertson
Formation 4-5-1

[Lovisa]

Lovisa would like to participate also

[Kohnhead]

I’ll sign up

Style Mod: +2
KPB: 11.63

[Krytenia]

Of course we're in - it's the MSMT after all!

[Sarzonia]

Let's see if we can get two more sign-ups and go with 16 teams.

[Tequilo]

Having slept through the DBC sign-up, let's send a development team to the MSMT. If that is permissible IC

Style Mod +3
KPB (official) 11.58 however as it's going to be an under-23 development team I'd feel better us going in at 66%, host willing; thus 7.64

[Sarzonia]

Having slept through the DBC sign-up, let's send a development team to the MSMT. If that is permissible IC

Of course it is. I sent my Under 21 national team to an AOCAF.

You're in!

[Space]

we can compete

[Sarzonia]

Space's sign-up makes it a nice and even 16 nations.

I'll set up the match-ups by end of day tomorrow.

For RP purposes, the match-ups will feature four hubs:

The Nicksia Hub, to be played at Mike Sarzo Stadium in Nicksia, Benatar, Sarzonia

The Jhanna Hub, to be played at Stadii Di Bradini in Jhanna, Starblaydia

The Emberton Hub, to be played at Isserson Olympic Stadium in Emberton, Krytenia

The Manchester Hub, to be played at Pride of Manchester in Manchester, Delaclava

[Sarzonia]

Competing nations: Please update your sign-up post with your KPB points and style modifier.

If you use a fractional style modifier, please choose a whole number for this tournament. As I understand the scorinator I'll be using, it only allows whole numbers.

For anyone who is new and has not competed with a national team, you can indicate a KPB rank of zero and a style modifier ranging from -5 (ultra-defensive) to +5 (ultra-attacking). Using a style of zero (which my main national team uses) is balanced between attacking and defensive.

Thank you!

[Sarzonia]

Here are the groups, with matches being 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 for the Regional Semifinals

Nicksia Region
Sarzonia
Northwest Kalactin
The Jovannic
Megistos

Manchester Region
Delaclava
Baker Park
The Gothana Isles
Lovisa

Jhanna Region
Starblaydia
South Newlandia
Nacrad
Kohnhead

Emberton Region
Krytenia
Tequilo
Sylestone
Space

The below is mainly IC background, except for the RL times.

Matchday 1 will take place Thursday at approximately 5 p.m. EDT (10 p.m. BST).

The winners will face off on Saturday at approximately the same time in the Regional Finals.

The winners of the Nicksia and Emberton Regional Finals will meet in Emberton on Monday at approximately 5 p.m. EDT, whilst the winners of the Manchester and Jhanna Regions will meet in Jhanna at the same time.

The 3PPO will take place in Manchester on Wednesday at 5 p.m. EDT. The final will take place in Nicksia at the same time.

And we're off!

[Delaclava]

DELACLAVA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
MIKE SARZO MEMORIAL TROPHY

Gold medalists, Games of the V Olympiad.
Six-time WC qualifiers (51-56). QF at WC51.
Champions of 2nd Wonder Cup, Moon Bracket.
Co-hosts of WC55, CoH 44 and 46, BoF 72, AOCAF 31.
Current world ranking: 122nd
All time peak world ranking: 11th (post WC-53 qualifying).

Antiquity Statistics
First game: Oxen Cup XI, L 0-4 Starblaydia
First goal: Oxen Cup XI, Geraldo Ayala against Taeshan
First win: Oxen Cup XI, 2-1 against Sativaville
Largest victory: World Cup 53 qualifying, Delaclava 12-0 Mossulia and Friendly, The Kiaser Colonies 0-12 Delaclava
Largest loss: World Cup 50 post-qualifying friendly, Delaclava 0-6 Cafundéu
Highest-scoring game: AOCAF Cup XXXI quarterfinal, Delaclava 10-11 Pacitalia

Modern Statistics
First game: AOCAF Cup LX, L 0-2 Starblaydia
First goal: AOCAF CUP LX, Donato Girardi against Cosumar
First win: Wonder Cup 2, 1-0 against Northwest Kalactin
Largest victory: Wonder Cup 2, Delaclava 5–1 Northwest Kalactin, and World Cup 85 qualifying, Delaclava 5–1 Competitive Solitaire
Largest loss: Friendly (Post WC85 qualifying, Drawkland 7-1 Delaclava
Highest-scoring game: Cup of Harmony 77, Kandorith 6-5 Delaclava
Record in major competitions (WCC + AOCAF): 32 GP, 10-9-13, 74 GF, 80 GA
Total record: 49 GP, 15-11-23, 97 GF, 118 GA (not including recent friendlies)

Trigram: DEL | Nickname: Phoenixes | Style Modifier: +5

RP permissions: Yes.

Summary

With the AOCAF Cup fast approaching, the Delaclav Football Association and Johannes Detmer opted to put together a 23-man roster consisting of established national team members as well as frequent call-ups and pool players. The pre-eminent national team players will largely take a backseat and allow the less experienced call-ups a chance to prove themselves. This is by no means a "B squad" - all starters would be considered suitable call-ups for the World Cup if needed, and there are many established players in the depths of the roster who can take over if needed.

The goalkeeper crew is the same as that on the AOCAF roster - #1 keeper George Ross, as well as young talents Donat Soler and Ross Phelps. However, it is currently planned that Soler will be starting in the MSMT, taking his first cap against Lovisa, with Ross in a mentorship role.

The starting backline will reunite three defenders - Luke Lemieux, Oliver Andreu, and Arnau Mata - from the surprise Cleopatrana SC team who won the United Football League title two seasons ago, and held on for fourth last season. While all three have moved on to greener pastures, their chemistry will surely be as effective as ever. Waiting in the wings are former Valhalla Vikings teammates Eimantas Kazlauskas and Keghart Nazaretian, as well as burgeoning talent Carlos Berrera.

The midfield is a mixture of new and old names. The ever-durable Keaton Durbridge remains as captain and starting right attacking midfielder, and we also see the return of original national team member Ryan Keating, who's welcomed back with open arms after a mysterious exit during World Cup 85 qualifying. Behind them in the depth chart, Michael Rogers returns to the fold and Mark Stone makes his first appearance on the roster. At center attacking mid, and right midfield, are the same personnel as the AOCAF roster with the roles flipped - respectively, veteran Javor Milic and youngster Ben Romeijn will get their first caps, while Timur Zaitsev and Ruben Albert will serve as reliable substitutes. Rounding out the midfield is Sargis Nazaryan at left wing, with Malcolm Harvey getting his first call-up in relief.

At forward, there could not be a more obvious starting pairing in Lukas Meyer and Artem Kohut. But no - they will also play reserve roles to begin the tournament. Masters POY Euphranor Papadimitrou will at long last get his first cap, and Alexei Gusev returns to the squad, looking for a fresh start to rejuvenate his national team career. It's two very capable scorers and playmakers taking the field in the front - with Kohut and Meyer ready to bring the championship mentality in the late stages of the tournament.

Full Roster

Manager
Johannes Detmer, 73, Catherina FC
Assistant Manager
Tyler Tracy, 46
Technical Director
Matthew Rubio, 54
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Katarina Rohr, 38
Goalkeeper Coach
Dana Abbott, 38

#	Position	Name	Team	Age	Height (ft)	Weight (lbs)
1	GK	George Ross	Algolia (SRS)	24	6-4	175
2	LB	Luke Lemieux (3)	Lotus Park (BRE)	28	6-2	195
3	CAM	Timur Zaitsev	Workers Union (EUR)	21	5-10	150
4	CB	Keghart Nazaretian	Zenit Attawapiskat (QUE)	25	6-0	175
5	RAM	Keaton Durbridge (C)	Dí Maozöxê (FFD)	26	5-10	155
6	CB	Oliver Andreu*	Cleopatrana SC	32	6-1	165
7	FW	Euphranor Papadimitriou*	Ossiana FC	36	5-11	165
8	RM	Ben Romeijn	Blackfields (EUR)	20	6-2	180
9	CAM	Javor Milić	Catherina FC	30	5-8	145
10	FW	Artem Kohut	Unamaꞌkik Inverness 1877 (QUE)	20	5-10	165
11	FW	Lukas Meyer	Farrenton Athletic (EUR)	20	6-2	175
12	RAM	Michael Rogers	Miradela GD (KOR)	27	5-11	160
13	FW	Alexei Gusev	Harbor (MRN)	25	6-1	160
14	GK	Donat Soler	Cleopatrana SC	21	6-4	185
15	LB	Eimantas Kazlauskas*	Valhalla Vikings	32	5-9	145
16	RB	Arnau Mata	Marque (BRE)	23	5-10	150
17	LAM	Malcolm Harvey*	Callodown (EUR)	25	6-2	185
18	LM	Mark Stone*	FC St. Jakob (STL)	19	6-2	175
19	LAM	Sargis Nazaryan	Vilitan League TBC (VIL)	21	5-11	170
20	LM	Ryan Keating (V)	Cleopatrana SC	28	5-11	165
21	GK	Ross Phelps	Bastion Lions (EUR)	24	6-6	190
22	RB	Carlos Berrera	Algolia (SRS)	24	5-11	160
23	RM	Rubèn Albert	Winnipeg United (QUE)	22	6-0	170

(C) = Captain, (V) = Vice Captain, (3) = 3rd Captain
* = first tournament call-up (not including players also on AOCAF roster)
Note: Nazaryan's assignment in the Vilitan League is still to be determined.

Roles:
Corner Kicks: Milic
Set Pieces: Durbridge if there is a direct shot opportunity, Albert for longer distance/placement, Milic for closer range if looking for a header/volley in the box
Penalties: Pick the first player still remaining in the game - Durbridge, Gusev, Keating, Papadimitrou.

Tactics:

Offensive-minded 3-5-2, particularly utilizing the individual skill in the middle and up front. A bias towards action and chance instead of possession, and an inclination towards taking defensive risks to generate counterattack opportunities.

There is an expectation that the midfielders will be fully active on both ends of the field, employing manpower to have advantages in both the offensive and defense zones rather than relying on positioning. Detmer will frequently make substitutions at midfield, even as early as the start of the second half, to give both the starters and substitutes an opportunity to work at a higher rate for a shorter period of time. (If you RP first, Durbridge and Keating are more likely to play the full 90 minutes among the midfielders.)

Home Stadium and Local Information

We welcome the players, coaches, and fans of Baker Park, The Gothanita Isles, and Lovisa to the Manchester Region! Manchester is to the modern United Republic what Catherina was to pre-isolation Delaclava: the largest and most populous city, the center of economic growth and technology, the heartbeat of mainstream culture, the flocking point for immigration, new beginnings, fresh ideas and innovations. Unlike the centrally located Catherina, Manchester is located on the east coast, occupying a sharply tapered peninsula penetrating the sea, pointing out towards Paripana and to the rest of the world. Fittingly for this competition, it also maintains an impressive sporting legacy - to name a few points, it is home to the St. James University Eagles, the most decorated athletic program of the past century; the Pride of Manchester, explained in more detail below; and the Manchester Grass Court Championships, the most prestigious competition in the Delaclav national sport of tennis.

The regional semifinals, regional final, and third place playoff will take place at the Pride of Manchester. The state-of-the-art 110,000 seat stadium is Manchester's answer to the National Athletic Complex in the capital of Catherina, and the DFA's response to increasing demand for international football in Manchester, which is now the most populous city in the United Republic. The stadium was completed and used for the first time this year, in a 5-3 loss to Sarzonia in a WC85 qualifier. Since then, the Phoenixes have also played Darmen to a 2-2 draw and earned their first Pride victory against Jeruselem 2-1. In addition to being the occasional home of the UFL club Manchester, the Pride of Manchester is...ahem, proud to be the home of high-quality football, both for the Phoenixes and for their opponents.

The city of Manchester is honored to be selected as a host city for this edition of the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy. On behalf of Mayor Rasmus Fehr, the Manchester City Council, and the entire population of Manchester, welcome to all competitors and best of luck in the tournament!

[Sylestone]

Style Modifier: -4
Formation: 5-3-2
RP allowances: Go ahead, do whatever you want. No more than two red cards or three yellows.

Brick Wall
Position: Goalkeeper
About: The Brick Wall is quite literally a Brick Wall in the goals, stopping almost every shot. However, his dimensions are far off the dimensions of a soccer goal, so goals still go in as he shuffled around.
Dirty Tactics: Ramming into the occasional striker who dribbles the ball towards him instead of just shooting.

Ironing Board
Position: Defender
About: The Ironing Board is well known across Sylestone for his brilliant defence and his ability to stop almost every dribbling striker in their tracks.
Dirty Tactics: Used his flexible legs to stop the ball from passing through the defence and uses his iron to warn off opposing strikers with its heat.

Dishwasher
Position: Defender
About: The Dishwasher is an interesting character in the Sylestonean defence. His large body stops a lot of balls from going into the goalmouth.
Dirty Tactics: Speed water everywhere in the defence, especially in the second half, which bogs the playing field, stopping many offensive moves in their tracks.

Tumble Dryer
Position: Striker
About: One of Sylestone’s main two strikers, the Tumble Dryer is a brilliant but inaccurate goal scorer for the Sylestonean side. One to watch.
Dirty Tactics: Spins the ball around in his Dryer and flings it at the goal. Also shuts the machine and carries the ball inside it.

Washing Machine
Position: Defender
About: Another large sentient object in the defence, the Washing Machine is once again, another player who stops many offensives with his large body.
Dirty Tactics: Is basically a combination of the Dishwasher and Tumble Dryer. Spews water everywhere and flings the ball out of himself at odd angles.

Sofa
Position: Defender
About: Sylestone's defence is full of their largest sentient athletes and the Sofa is the largest of them. His defence has been the best all tournament and he runs the backline. A lot will be reliant on him if Sylestone are to get a respectable result in the CoH.
Dirty Tactics: Can speak into the minds of opposition, giving them a feeling of wanting to sit down and relax.

Fridge:
Position: Midfielder
About: Another large object, but this time it is located in Sylestone's midfield. He is the king of dirty tactics and runs opponents down with his buff body. Easily the most laughable of all of the Sylestonean Appliances.
Dirty Tactics: Has many of them, most of which can't be named. His main one is shutting his door and running towards the goal with the ball inside. Others include his super-appliance jumping skills and cold breath.

Bar Stool
Position: Midfielder
About: If the Fridge is the dirtiest, the Bar Stool is the cheekiest. He doesn't have any of his own dirty tactics, but he "allies" with another object and uses them to perform his own. Definitely an unpredictable character and one to watch out for.
Dirty Tactics: One of his tactics is to be the one who kicks the ball inside the Fridge when he goes off on his run. He also stands on other objects to reach high balls.

Drawer
Position: Defender
About: One of Sylestone's lesser defenders, the Drawer is quite a stationary object in the defence. He stands in your road and doesn't let you past and is more of a sweeper. Still, a force to be reckoned with, though.
Dirty Tactics: Keeps the ball in one of his chests when they are doing well so the opposition has a lesser chance of scoring.

Stove:
Position: Midfielder
About: I always thought a Stove without pots and pans would be useless, but it isn't so. This stove has a couple of sneaky tricks up his sleeve and is certainly one of the Sylestonean players the opposition midfielders need to deal with sooner rather than later.
Dirty Tactics: Makes the air really hot around him, as opposed to the Fridge.

Mixer
Position: Striker
About: Arguably Sylestone's most valuable player, the Mixer is a star dribbler and striker. His goal scoring ratio isn't so great and that is mainly the Tumble Dryer's job, but he is the one that actually gets the ball to that point. However, he is quite unpredictable and sometimes his dribbling skills go horribly wrong, especially considering the ball is about the size of his body.
Dirty Tactics:
Weaves in and out of defenders with his tiny size and amazing dribbling skills. Gets unplugged a bit too often, though.

Reserves:
Table - Goalkeeper
Spiderwebs - Midfielder

[Lovisa]

Style Modifier: +3

Goalkeeper:
[1] Fritjof Sievers (26, Lovos Atma)
[4] Jason McCouler (28, Visby Quarcoo)
[18] Marcel Dalbier (23, EMC Goar)


Defenders:
[19] Sebastian Vilgoor (23, Lovos Atma)
[17] Krystian Biel (23, SD Borland Leve)
[31] Christian Hartwig (26, Blaupunkt Leve)
[22] Matti Leppisoe (23, Atma Teatanic)
[7] Christian Goor (24, EMC Goar)
[10] Vincent Moreux (21, Edda EB Ulforg)

Midfielders:
[5] Jan Sandler (22, Lovos Atma)
[8] Eric Tamme (25, Blaupaunkt Leve)
[2] Philip Meehan (28, Visby Quarcoo)
[3] Constantin Pappanidoulis (28, LKS Perros-Guirec)
[11] Sebastian Kremer (26, EBBC Bosch Atma)
[24] Andre Blazer (26, AG Bitola Quarcoo)
[14] Hakon Indgaard (22, Telecom Cxal Shepenyagah)

Strikers:
[12] Georg Lunz (24, Lovos Atma)
[33] Mariusz Franke (27, Lovos Atma)
[9] Henrik Baecker (25, Lovos Atma)
[6] Austin Cirillo (25, EMC Goar)
[15] Diego Valderrama (28, ASC Calvena Goar)

Coach:Henryk Kasperczak /age:46/

[Megistos]

Scafididis takes the corner, it goes past Petras, BUT TANTALOPOULOS HEADS THE BALL IN FOR A LAST MINUTE GOAL! AND VDARA ARE THROUGH! THAT WAS THE GOAL THEY NEEDED, AND NOW THEY KNOW THEY'VE GONE TO THE FINALS OF THE SWC 11, AND MEGISTOS CAN ONLY WATCH STUNNED!

Those were the finals words, the most important words, of the game between Megistos and Vdara. And Megistos lost, in the semi-finals. Sad, right? We come here to win, though, but that'll be hard, with no WC rank, yet. Here are the formations that Megistos are going to play against everyone in their group.

Sarzonia vs. Megistos (-5):

Robertson
Lukovic, Howard, Lam, Jorgenson, Cringan
Kellingrad, Callimolo, Fri, Williams
Becks

The Jovannic vs. Megistos (+0):

Robertson
Lukovic, Howard, Lam, Jorgenson, Cringan
Kellingrad, Callimolo, Fri, Williams
Becks

NK vs. Megistos (+4):

Robertson
Lukovic, Howard, Lam, Jorgenson, Cringan
Kellingrad, Callimolo, Fri, Williams
Becks

Starting XI:
Robertson
This player is the most likely to get goals, he can always get open and have a clear scoring chance. Robertson has scored the most goals for the Megistian squad, despite being 17.
Lukovic
Another youngster, the LM is a fast player who can zoom and unravel defense as easily as Voldemort gets defeated by Loki.
Howard
The center mid has turned 19, and he is a great playmaker. He often goes into the shadows, but that just makes it more easier for him to get open.
Lam
The backbone of the squad, the 31 year old would often be considered as aging. He is, but he's good at everything
Jorgenson
The captain of the team, Jorgenson is a defensive minded player who roams.
Cringan
A speedy player, he can easily win the game by himself and score.
Kellingrad
Another attacking player, Kellingrad leaves his spot open for opponents to get open, but he's another man to the attack
Callimolo
He often gets cards, and you can expect him to do stuff for the team, including getting a red card to save the day
Fri
Fri is in the shadows a lot, but he can make excellent clearances that can cause the counter
Williams
A passing minded player, he is often to set up amazing plays
Becks
The goalkeeper for the team, he is excellent in goalkeeping, making amazing saves and well-timed runs to clear