World Cup 86: Roleplay Thread

by **The Jovannic** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:50 pm

Jovannic forces sent to Northwest Kalactin border after Anarchy spills over.

After an afternoon of riots and people screaming past the border, The Jovannic Military has started to push the rioters back.

"This kind of behavior is unprecedented and reckless" Head of Military Jegan Salos said on the scene. "The Jovannic will always clamp down on these kind of activities. Rioting will not be tolerated."

A total of about 10,000 troops will be deployed to keep peace at the border. Emperor Jov is said to be planning an incursion into Northwest Kalactin to help it's government deal with the crisis. This has not been confirmed. We will have to keep an eye on this issue.

Rioters at the border

by **Savigliane** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:06 pm

VII. Pietro Giraudo
26 June, 2018
WCC World Cup Qualifiers, First Round
Border Camp, Border City, ZSeparatists

"So this 'Border Camp'..." Pietro Giraudo said, attempting to lighten the mood after the Swans had let a 1-0 lead slip against low-ranked ZSeparatists. "is that a ZSeparatists...itian word for something? Or is that..."

"No, they mean the Caledonian word for campo," chipped in a furious Francesco Grimaldi, in a voice that, paired with his glare, threatened to snap Pietro in half for having the temerity to suggest such a thing. "Fucking country names their stadium 'Border Camp' and we can't even beat them."

To say that tensions in the team were running rampant would be an understatement. The loss to ZSeparatists meant that Savigliane sat a lowly eighth in the table, and with just seven points in their first eight matches, the Swans had already could only qualify in the rarest of scenarios. Things weren't much better at home, either - the league had resumed, but lasted just ten games before ending again and sending them all to the offseason. The country teetered on the brink of economic destruction and political chaos. And no solution had been found to bring Savigliane back to their normal reality.

Both the team's manager, as well as their nation's President, Achille Canaveri, had repeatedly told the national team that the nation was counting on them to return to some semblance of normality. But while the Savigliane of old were smooth, confident, and playing their best football in twenty years, the same set of players somehow couldn't string two passes together in this new reality.

"I just don't understand. There's no way a portal could make us this shit, right? I mean, they were playing a 2-3-5, and we only score one goal?" piped in Zoë Barthelemy from the corner. Out of tactical desperation more than anything else, Laurent Chambéry had started the young winger at right-wing, and she had at least helped set up the first goal before disappearing for the rest of the match and being subbed off at halftime.

"Look, we've had our moments! Remember the 2-2 draw against Kita-Hinode? They're supposed to be really good, and we got a point off of them," Giraudo interjected, trying to change the subject to literally anything else. He took his role as vice-captain very seriously, and when the entire team was in a rut like this, it was his job to bail them out. Even if their reactions did seem appropriate to the general situation Savigliane was in.

"It doesn't matter. It's like somebody else decides how good we are each day, and then that's just the level we play out. We either can't string two passes together, or we're world-beaters."

"Guys, I get it. We've been inconsistent. But we can't blame the portal, or missing home, or anything else for how we're playing! We just have to take control and not panic. After all, Chambéry took this same team to the World Cup! Admittedly, it was in another dimension, but I'm sure that-" As he tried to hype up his teammates, Giraudo glanced down at his phone and gasped.

"What's wrong?" Thea Squarciafichi asked from the other side of the room.

"...They've sacked Chambéry."

The room fell silent for ten painful seconds before erupting into cacophony.

by **Ziwana** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:27 pm

NEXT PART COMING SOON

by **Drawkland** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:51 pm

WORLD CUP 86 - NEWMANISTAN/DRAWKLAND

Cutoff for MD9!

It may be a little basic to use this song, but you're halfway there tonight! Thanks for making this half of qualifying so enjoyable to host.

Results

by **Springmont** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 11:39 pm

   Group 12                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 The Hinodejin Empire                   9    6   2   1    19    8  +11    20
 2 Trolleborg                             9    6   2   1    22   13   +9    20
 3 Taeshan                                9    5   3   1    19   13   +6    18
 4 Riena                                  9    4   2   3    14   12   +2    14
 5 Ziwana                                 9    4   1   4    11    8   +3    13
 6 ZSeparatists                           9    4   0   5    11   13   -2    12
 7 Springmont                             9    2   3   4    14   18   -4     9
 8 Fluvannia                              9    2   2   5     8   16   -8     8
 9 Savigliane                             9    2   1   6    17   25   -8     7
10 The Grearish Union                     9    1   2   6     7   16   -9     5

 (MD1) Springmont 0–1 The Hinodejin Empire
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

 (MD2) Riena 0–0 Springmont
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

(MD3) Springmont  3-4 Savigliane 
Coe
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: Waldo Miguel Stanley - 23', 45', 77'

 (MD4) Taeshan 3–2 Springmont
Auwaerter
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Delinois
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: McColsom - 43' & Crownfish - 76''

 (MD5) Springmont 1–0 Fluvannia
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Ravenbluff, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

Springmont Scorer: Mayfirth- 12''

 (MD6)  Trolleborg 5–2 Springmont
Kingbury (C)
Fogdream, Bloodsword, Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

Springmont Scorer: Farrowshard- 30';  Crownfish - 59'

 (MD7)  Springmont 2–1 ZSeparatists
Kingbury
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, Delinois, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: Kaizer- 57';  Fjetland - 90'

 (MD8)  Springmont 2–2 The Grearish Union
Kingbury
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, Delinois, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Mayfirth- 12';  Crownfish - 65'

 (MD9)  Ziwana 2–2 Springmont
Auwaerter
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Ravenbluff, McColsom, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Kaizer - 40';  McColsom - p. 77'

Next Game
MD10: The Hinodejin Empire vs. Springmont
MD11: Springmont vs. Riena

by **Riennic Isles** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:35 am

The Riena Sentinel

Margaret giveth and Margaret taketh away - Riena 0-1 Fluvannia
Can we play all our remaining games away, pretty please?

Riena: None
Fluvannia: some random chap (78')

Riena (4-3-3 with a dash of farce): Minato; Igarashi, Amemiya, Tsukamoto, Kagura; Sakuranami, Matsukai, Kirimiya; Haneda, Amatsuka, Ayanami
Substitutes: Kugimiya, Uruha (84'), Narita, Mano (75'), Kawakaze, Nakiri, Steiner (81')

Fluvannia (an absurdist 0-11-0): a bunch of right sturdy lads
Substitutes: the lads who were too hungover to string two passes together

by **Springmont** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:03 am

Brooks Thurmond, 40, stated that this was his last session as Head Coach for the national team as he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in the second stage and needed treatment for six months. Thurmond is a former national team player and Meadbrook Ranger FC.

The coach who likes to play in the right wing position stated his health situation on twitter immediately after the Springmont match against Ziwana where The Springbok managed to tie Ziwana 2-2. Shortly afterwards, his twitter was showered with sympathy and encouragement from fans and comrades-in-arms as well as from the Springmont cabinet line-up including President Tullar.

"I have to face a painful reality. It is time to accept it and try to persevere with the help of medical advice. Always think positively in facing a challenging day. "Patience and confidence help me throughout my career. After this, the opponent I will face is not easy. I have to show my best," he said.

When contacted, the national team manager, Kristofer Donatis was shocked and claimed that he also only knew after reading Thurmond's twitter, and hoped that he would be given space in treating the illness and would meet with Thurmond in person to be sure about this news.

by **Silver Commonwealth** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:02 am

SNN Sports

The 9th matchday and last match of Drawkland phase ends with loss!

Silver Commonwealth 2-5 Juvencus

Joaquim Martell 12', Matias Nespoli 24', Joaquim Martell 42' I Gabriel Vila 59', Manoel da Costa 67', Santo Silvestri 76', Joaquim Martell 86'

''The match against the Juvencus team was highly awaited by SC's football fans, as it was the last match before a new phase of the tournament would begin, and the team wanted to use this moment to shine and finish the 1st phase with some triumph at least. However, it appears that Juvencus had been underestimated by our players, and instead of triumph we have got a defeat of which we have had a lot in the last few days. 2-5: with this combination of numbers, one phase of the tournament ended, and an another one would soon begin. Just a reminder for our fans - stick around with our team, don't go!''

''The first round didn't start off too great for SC, as Juvencus immediately seized the initiative, making SC's players to focus on defensive play despite them being geared for offensive play. The signs of overwhelming pressure could be seen at 12th minute already, when Joaquim Martell scored the first goal for Juvencus in the first period and match overall. Second goal was scored by Matias Nespoli in 24th minute, which coincidentally was 12 minutes after the first goal. Third goal was once again scored by Joaquim Martell 3 minutes before the end of first period, by managing to kick the football ball through the legs of goalkeeper (nutmeg). Overall, the result of 1st round was not stellar: 0-3, with 3 goals for Juvencus, and none for our team.''

''In second round it seemed that SC's team could potentially make a comeback by at least getting the result to a draw and play in overtime -Gabriel Vila managed to score a goal in 59th minute, while the striker Manoel da Costa followed soon enough with scoring a goal in 67th minute, bringing the result to 3-2. However, SC's forwarders did not end up scoring more goals as Juvencus captain had deemed the losses as ''unacceptable'' and focused on wearing SC's players down instead by successfully protecting their side of the football field. That paid off, and Santo Silvestri scored a goal in 76th minute, bringing the result to 4-2, ending the hopes for a victory in practice for SC's team. In 86th minute, just a few minutes before the end of the match, Joaquim Martell brought the result to 5-2, to add even more salt to the wound, and secure an another point. The second period, and match as a whole had ended with an another loss.''

''Surprisingly enough, this time the defeat didn't spark much anger from the side of fans if compared to previous ones, and they seemed to have largely accepted it as if the outcome would have been like that anyways. Sure, the discontent could be felt in the hardcore fan clubs, but it wasn't anything like the tension brewing on streets of SC's cities a few days ago. The SC's team congratulated Juvencus with their victory, as the anthem of Juvencus was played in the stadium afterwards. It also seemed that life had largely returned to usual for most of SC's citizens, and the watch time along with audience of football matches had reduced.''

''As the next phase has the same opponents but just in reverse home/away order, next games are going to be once again against Lovisa and Audioslavia, except that this time Lovisa is going to be met at home, while Audioslavia - with ''away'' uniforms. Either way, it seems that this has given Enrico a bit more ground for switching up the contingent for Newmanistan phase, giving the way for reserve team, while the current team is sent to reserves themselves for a rest. He today announced the new set of the goalkeeper and the team (Formation remains the same: 4-3-3), The new set of players are:''

Goalkeeper: Hugo Ximenes - #25 (M, age 26, 1.85 m)

Defenders:
Breno Maciel - #26 (M, age 32, 1.76 m)
Cristiano Pimentel- #27 (M, age 35, 1.87 m)
Romeu Serrano- #28 (M, age 26, 1.78 m)
Flávio Zanetti- #29 (M, age 36, 1.75 m)
Midfielders:
Alfredo Prestes - #30 (M, age 30, 1.78 m) (New Vice-captain)
Juliano Medeiros- #31 (M, age 29, 1.81 m)
André Alencar- #32 (M, age 35, 1.74 m)
Attackers:
Mauro Garcia - #33 (M, age 34, 1.87 m) (New Captain)
Danilo Saraiva- #34 (M, age 25, 1.76 m)
Leandro Barroso- #35 (M, age 29, 1.82 m)

Head coach and assistant coach positions remain the same.

(OOC: In the future match days, refer to this post for forwarders, defenders, goalkeeper, and so on. Gonna add it in spoiler for future posts too)

by **Jeruselem** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 4:24 am

Princess Kate (naked) and Queen Chloe I at the Naked News studio

Kate: Hello, this is Kate San ... sorry Princess Kate for Naked News Jeruselem. I'm with our leader Queen Chloe I, err ... you want me to read your titles.
Chloe: Don't worry about it, I'm sure everyone knows who I am by now
Kate: It's match day 9 of the World Cup 86 qualification. Well after the disaster that was match day 7 and 8, we'd hope we can do better than 1 win, 4 draws and 3 losses. One loss to a bottom team. Yes there's only one game, the next show will cover match day 10 and 11.
Chloe: Oh yes, she's Kate San because she's popular with Japanese people.
Kate: Yeah, they think I'm some sort of anime character.
Chloe: Well, I wouldn't mind that ... you don't age like I do

Kate: Now, Daisy is not here because match day 9 was an away game and she's in Netop. We had problems getting streaming video to work over there to here so we didn't bother, so it's covering a game that finished and we finally got a copy of the game. Sorry, we couldn't stream it today - but we got it now.
Chloe: It turns out the satellite we were using got hit by a meteor shower
Kate: Yeah, them things aren't cheap.
Chloe: Match day 9 is the half way point, so we got another 9 games left.

Kate: We're really doing badly at home with like no wins but today we went to Netop, I'm not sure that's NET-OP or NE-TOP. Whatever
Chloe: Probably Net-OP
Kate: Hey, we won 3-0. Funny thing our last win was 3-0 as well.
Chloe: If we didn't win this one, urg
Kate: One of our best games considering Netop had two wins in row recently
Chloe: Still, given their rank we actually should have won

Kate: So after watching that game, what do you think.
Chloe: Yes, well ... a lot better than most of our games other than that other win.
Kate: Better late than never
Chloe: Well, two wins in 9 games kinda sucks. I never did that badly when I was in charge
Kate: Yes it does kinda suck, being kind that is.
Chloe: We can't repeat the 1st half

Kate: In other games, Huayramarca was at home and won 2-0 against Quebecois Acadiana.
Chloe: I think Huayramarca will do well
Kate: Ko-oren did us a favour and beat Sajnur at home 1-0
Chloe: Ko-oren are just steamrolling the group, oh yes we have play them again soon.
Kate: Semarland fell at home to visitors Iles Rogieres 4-3. Interesting result
Chloe: This group isn't known for high scores, and Iles Rogieres is one of the teams we must beat. We can barely score 3 goals as it is.

Kate: Tequilo held 2nd placed 95X to a 1-1 draw at home. 95X falling behind the leader, not as bad as us.
Chloe: I think 95X should be doing better really, yes they are 2nd but it's a precarious position.
Kate: At the half point in Group 2, we look at teams starting from the bottom.
Chloe: OK at least we aren't last.
Kate: Last is Quebecois Acadiana and 2nd last is Semarland on 4 points with 1-1-7 record.
Chloe: Quebecois Acadiana's lone win is against us.

Kate: Netop is on a much better 8 points with 2-2-5 record. Yes, they have 2 wins like us.
Chloe: They had two wins in a row then we beat them today.
Kate: Iles Rogieres are 7th with 10 points, with 3-1-5 record. We were 7th
Chloe: Then there's us in 6th also on 10. Jeruselem are stuck in the bottom half with 2-4-3 record.
Kate: We've scored 12 goals and conceded 9. We have the 3rd best defense but 12 goals in 9 goals is pretty bad.
Chloe: Our issue is we don't score enough goals, a problem we had the past but this cup is seems a lot worse.

Kate: Sajnur are 5th and did threaten the top 2 at one stage. Just above us on 11 points with 3-2-4 record.
Chloe: They started really well.
Kate: Huayramarca hold 4th and Tequilo hold 3rd with 17 points. Both teams on 5-2-2 which is pretty good, I wish had that record.
Chloe: Tequilo are ahead due to more goals and less goals conceded.
Kate: 95X hold 2nd, barely ... with 5-3-1 record on 18 points holding off 3rd and 4th.
Chloe: At least 2nd spot is in contention! Good for us

Kate: Ko-oren are on 27 points, all wins.
Chloe: There's the group winner ...
Kate: So, from the look of the table. What's our chances?
Chloe: We can only get ... 37 points if we win all our remaining games.
Kate: That would only put us around 3rd anyway
Chloe: So we won't qualify because it's not likely we're going to win all our games

Kate: So you've given up on us qualifying
Chloe: I have to be realistic
Kate: But it's not impossible
Chloe: It's not impossible, but ... I can't see it happening
Kate: So where you see us finishing?
Chloe: 4th to 6th.

Kate: A national leader would want us to push all the way
Chloe: I'm realistic, it's not like I don't know what it's like running a football team.
Kate: So this cup is a write-off
Chloe: Hopefully we can come close to 3rd
Kate: Well, me to because I need something to talk about on TV
Chloe: Yeah a bit depressing talking about how bad our teams is.

Kate: OK, would you sack him now?
Chloe: It's too late for that, and I don't think it would make a difference
Kate: I guess the damage is done
Chloe: I guess, 2nd place is 18 points and we're on 11. We can catch up given we actually win games ...
Kate: I guess the issue is there's like a whole bunch of other teams doing better than us
Chloe: They are better placed, you have 2nd to 4th within 1 point of each other.

Kate: I've been busy learning Japanese.
Chloe: So that's what my grandaughter Bella does when she goes missing
Kate: She's learning faster than me eh
Chloe: I guess it's good she learns a different language but it's not exactly useful diplomatically
Kate: She wants to learn to sing Japanese songs
Chloe: Don't think that came from me, I can't sing to save my life.

Kate: So we come back for next World Cup given this one looks like a real write-off
Chloe: Of course, we're even worse at other sports.
Kate: I suppose we are
Chloe: We're world champions at one thing, but it's not a sport.
Kate: Eh, oh that ...
Chloe: This is a family show, kinda. But the folks know what we're on about.

Kate: I assume, we're getting a new manager by the looks of it
Chloe: At the moment, if results are like what they are now.
Kate: I guess any other country would do the same
Chloe: Our results are great if you're ranked low but not 43rd
Kate: Well, that's it from and our leader. The first half is over and qualification is looking bleak. 11 points from 27, and we're 6th.
Chloe: Stay safe everyone.

OOC

MD9
Huayramarca 2–0 Quebecois Acadiana
Netop 0–3 Jeruselem
Ko-oren 1–0 Sajnur
Semarland 3–4 Iles Rogieres
Tequilo 1–1 95X

by **Graintfjall** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 5:26 am

Dannysdóttir injury highlights growing ‘club/country’ concerns

A seemingly inconsequential moment at the end of a drab goalless draw could turn out to have a huge impact on the Græntfjall Premier League season, as Steinaux striker Justiina Dannysdóttir limped off with what at first appeared to be no more than a bruised foot, but was later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain. She is likely to miss the rest of World Cup qualifying and the rest of the GPL season, leading to renewed questions about the strain – figuratively and, increasingly, literally – being put on international players. Steinaux, competing for the GPL title, will be furious to be without the services of their highly paid off-season acquisition – but GPL clubs from fellow title contenders Gunzlach to relegation-battling Korsbach will have similar concerns.

The injury came in innocuous circumstances at the Grand National Arena as the Snow Wolves struggled for offensive fluidity against the visiting Nagore. As the game petered out to a lifeless draw, Sharks captain Johnathan Giffords caught Dannysdóttir with a seemingly unintentional late tackle. In the context of a generally well-disciplined game, it was little more than bad timing, but Dannysdóttir was immediately seen to be struggling and had to be replaced. Assistant national team coach Særún Toresdóttir brushed off concerns in her immediate post-match comments, saying “Justina [had] just taken a bit of a knock, but she’ll be fine”. However, the next day morning, she was seen leaving the team hotel on crutches, and news began filtering out of a more serious injury.

Steinaux coach Svenn Kristjánsson was publicly diplomatic, saying that “injuries are unavoidable” and that “although she is invaluable and irreplaceable” he was confident in his squad’s “excellent strength in depth to cover for her expected six-week absence. Privately, he was said to be furious. Steinaux acquired Dannysdóttir in the off-season, one of the first players to receive a 7-figure transfer fee in internal GPL transfers, after her stock had risen following an effective Olympic performance. Seen as a natural complement to both national team striker Jason Þórhallursson and Steinaux partner Petter Erlingsson, as a “10” to their “9” roles, she beat Dan Antoninsson to the starting role based on superior performances in pre-qualifying friendlies, and has since scored three goals for the national team. Domestically, her performances for Steinaux have been strong, leading the team with 7 goals.

Græntfjall’s decision to begin involvement in international football was at first met with concern by GPL clubs, fearing loss of good players abroad – Matthias Raphaelsson and Dan Antoninsson both left Oost-Hartburg for foreign clubs, and the Ospreys have since struggled to a league-worst record – but substantial financial inflows from IFCF broadcast rights coupled with a huge interest boost following the Baptism of Fire trophy victory were strong lubricants in favor of the world football argument. The pendulum may, in an increasingly confused metaphor, now have swung back with this latest injury, which comes on the back of a concerning display in Northwest Kalactin where multiple players needed treatment for dehydration, heat stroke, and being a bit shit.

Because of Græntfjall’s short summer, running the GPL and home World Cup qualifying games is essential; one proposed solution is to make increased use of heated indoor stadiums that would permit one set of matches to be put into the off-season. Steinaux are currently building such an arena, though it is not likely to be ready until the World Cup 87 cycle at the earliest. Another possibility would be using an enlarged national team squad and playing second- or youth-teams against weaker opposition, a strategy firmly opposed by Græntfjall’s national team coach Sigtryggur Brynjólfursson, a staunch advocate of consistent selection. “We just drew 0 – 0 against an unranked side,” said Brynjólfursson. “Now is not the time to be diluting our team when even the first XI can’t get the job done!”

Tensions between the KG and GPL clubs don’t stop at such selection issues. GPL clubs are known to be unhappy with what Korsbach manager Rakel Alvinsdóttir called the “antiquated” Græntfjall Cup, which sometimes forces GPL teams to play each other in the first round. There have been talks of a separate cup system, which would seriously impact Division 2 teams dependent on the shared revenue pot from the Cup. Similarly, KG rules on foreign investment and ownership have been relaxed following pressure from GPL teams, but that has only served to aggravate Division 1 sides now unable to compete on a financial level with them. “Steinaux can just go out and buy another Justiina,” said Ásvarður Sandrosson, manager of Division 1 Þingsnitz.

Whatever solutions are proposed, Steinaux will enter the final games of the season unable to call on the services of Dannysdóttir, and the Snow Wolves the second half qualifying – after a 3 – 3 – 3 start that has seen a famous upset of Sarzonia but disappointing points dropped, including most recently – having to make do without her. Dan Antoninsson meanwhile is likely to take her starting role, although the defensively-minded Brynjólfursson may also experiment with an expanded midfield, playing three central midfielders and relying on Þórhallursson as a lone presence up front. Divisions between club and country are likely to persist. The only beneficiary? Love Nilsson, the Mühlrich striker, who one match after being formally dropped from the national team, has been recalled.

Græntfjall – 0 (0)
Leonardsson; Vilbertsdóttir, Hjörleifursson, Álfarsson, Vernerisdóttir; Raphaelsson (27’), Guttisdóttir (62’ Bjørnsson ), Jvarsson, Franklínsson; Dannysdóttir (88’ Antoninsson ); Þórhallursson (53’ Rögnvaldursson )

Nagore – 0 (0)
Rutheford; Giffords (87’), Breedlove, Cartwright, Dunn (42’); Dave, Crabapple (67’ Sexton (81’)), St. Bernard, Waller; Guthrie, Mugler

Also in the paper:

NEWS: Progressive Liberals sign coalition agreement as Blue-Green government forms
BUSINESS: Investor confidence boosted by majority in Thing
LABOR: Union confidence damaged by majority in Thing
CULTURE: G-pop act confidence completely unaffected by majority in Thing
SPORT: Cycling star demands A-sample be retested after testing positive for RPinin

by **HUElavia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:04 am

HUElavia earns Commanding Victory to End the First Half of Qualifiers!

Praeceptia 2–4 HUElavia
(Noxium 31', Fingit 59' | Cristiano 5', 85' (P), Rossi 42', 50')
(Stadius ex Heroibus, Magnextrus)

HUElavia came into Matchday 9 looking to maintain their good streak of victories. The team finally was in its stride, as Coach Garcia Kimura finally had her tactics work out well and the team was responding to her orders with ease. Now, the team was traveling to Praeceptia, who was surprisingly in 4th place headed into the match, tied at 15 Points (5-0-3) with 2nd Place Squornshelous (5-0-3) and 3rd Place HUElavia (4-3-1). Thus, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos fielded their best XI once again, with Lobato playing as the starting goalkeeper. In the 100,000 capacity Stadius ex Heroibus, 15,000 HUElavians took up a corner in the stadium to support the team in a must-win matchup. The players came out to a big roar from the crowd, the anthems were played, the coin toss was made and the ball rolled to kick off the match.

HUElavia would play well throughout the match, bossing the ball around against Praeceptia, all while getting whistles and boos from the crowd. The opening goal came in the 5th minute, when Duran had the ball and she crossed it into the box. Cristiano fought with Pugnator for the ball, which he got a toe to it and it curved over Fortis and into the goal in an awkward way to make it 0-1. Cristiano ran to the corner flag to do his traditional power stance while getting hugs and congrats from his teammates. Praeceptia and HUElavia would then go on waves of attacks, as they looked to either tie the match for Praeceptia or extend the lead for HUElavia. The equalizing goal would come in the 31st minute, when a pass by Saikō went past the HUElavian defense and out of nowhere came Noxium to tap the ball into the goal to make it 1-1. The HUElavian players called for it to be offside, but VAR pointed out that Salgado had the player onside. The referee pointed to center circle and the crowd went crazy with the call going in their favor. Despite this goal, it was relatively short lived, as in the 42nd minute, Gallego would pass the ball to Rossi, who would then begin to make one of his famous runs, and would sprint past Tzóouns and Pugnator to slide it between the legs of Fortis and into the goal to make it 1-2. Rossi did the signal of the cross and showed gratitude for his goal while his teammates celebrated with him. After a few minutes of additional time, the referee blew his whistle to end the first half.

The second half was more of the same for HUElavia, as they looked to maintain their lead in the match and keep their 3 Points they had at the moment. In the 50th minute, a foul by Grandis on Navarro was called for a free kick, with Grandis getting a yellow card for the foul. Rossi opted to take the kick, and he took a blistering shot over the wall, that Fortis was left standing still, as the ball blasted into the goal to make it 1-3. The crowd booed while Rossi celebrated with his teammates and showed gratitude once again, while he did a snap of the fingers to show that the match changed in a snap. Praeceptia was annoyed by this lead and the actions of the HUElavians, as they began to attack even more looking for the goal to cut the lead. This would eventually lead to Ieiunium sending a cross into the box during the 59th minute, where Fingit would come and head the ball over Smirnov and past Lobato to make it 2-3, where he grabbed the ball and ran to center circle to resume play, all while the team waved their arms up, wanting the crowd to liven up and support the team. Despite this and some other attacks, the match would be sentenced when Tzóouns would foul Moutinho in the box during the 85th minute, which the referee called for a penalty kick, all while Tzóouns was given a yellow card. Cristiano stepped up to take the penalty, and took it with ease, sending Fortis the wrong way and putting the ball into the goal to make it the definitive 2-4. Cristiano did his power stance, and did a Shushing movement to the crowd, which they ended up booing. Shortly after, the referee blew the whistle and HUElavia had a sigh of relief, as they took an important 3 Points.

In Group 10, there was the surprise victory of Mathuvan Union, who won against Squornshelous 0-2, which meant that HUElavia moved up to 2nd Place. Thus, Reçueçn leads Group 10 with 23 Points (7-2-0), while HUElavia follows with 18 Points (5-3-1), Squornshelous is in 3rd Place with 15 Points (5-0-4), and Praeceptia is in 4th Place with 15 Points (5-0-4), but is there due to goal difference. HUElavia's next two matches will be Away at Squornshelous and Home versus Mathuvan Union. Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos will play with the A-Team with Lobato in goal against Squornshelous, while a mix of the B-Team and C-Team will play against Mathuvan Union, with Silva-Alves making her debut. That match will be played at Estadio Bendito, in San Franco. Coach Garcia Kimura is very satisfied with the results and feels confident that the team can play well and continue winning matches moving forward. This is especially important, given that currently Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos are not among the Top 6 of the 2nd Place teams, thus they would be participating in the Playoffs for World Cup 86, should they stay there. The team looks forward to continue playing well, and the fans continue praying for and supporting the team throughout these matches. Here's to a strong second half in the Qualifiers.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Squidroidia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:35 am

A silent tension filled the hotel room in Wymondham. It was the second half of the 5th international break, but most of all, it was the halfway point of qualification. After the 1-0 loss against the Ministry, the team knew their qualification fate - They wouldn't make it unless the top dogs slipped up. Twas a shame really - They did so well only for the big teams to start roping wins against them. But still, 4th in the table was nothing to scoff at.

The room fell silent as footsteps were heard. It was the manager of the national team. Mito himself. When he entered the room, he felt like the center of attention, as every member of that team stared at him. It was attention. Attention that felt like the SFA were reconsidering his managerial role. "U-um, thank you guys, really appreciate it," he said as he made his way to his seat and sat down in it.

"So... Halfway through the qualifiers. What does everybody think about that?" He was met with cheers by the Squidroidian team, mostly from the attack. The goalkeepers... They didn't cheer. Shingen didn't get any clean sheets yet, and he thought only then he would cheer. Mito didn't care, it was a flaw of the Squidroidian team that he didn't know how to solve.

"Yeah, let's go over those last 9 games together... Starting with Wymondham at home, 1-0 loss."

"I BETTER HOPE WE KICK THEM AROUND NEXT GAME!" shouted team captain Hoshi. Even now he was embarrassed about how the Squidroidian team went to shambles against lower ranked opposition. He so wanted to shut them up at their home ground. Something that everyone could understand. Mito sighed and... Agreed with his captain. "That loss was really embarrassing Itoh... I hope we SHUT THEM UP AND WIN THAT BLOODY FOOTBALL GAME!" He was met with a bunch of cheers.

Then he went over the other fixtures. Devonta away? Doable, but probably a loss. Kulefati at home? Shut them up! Flavovespia? Maybe, maybe not. Quebec at home? Nope. Ihilthracna, Cassandaigua, Electrum and Main Nation Ministry? Yes, no, no, and no. Man this was a hard schedule!

"Guys... I think we're not going to qualify for the World Cup. And I understand it. First cycle, we don't know the ins and outs of it... I mean we could get a Cup of Harmony invite but other than that? 4th at best, 8th at worst. I really want 4th, heck I really want to qualify, but it is a hard ask. Be positive though, we only lost by 1 goal margins so far. Or should I say... Margens!" Nobody got his failed tournament joke. But hey, he did have a hidden sense of humor from time to time.

But the Squidroidians... They did well so far. The upset wins against Quebec and Flavovespia, trying their hardest against the top seeds, that home beatdown of Devonta... They're still in it for a shot at qualification, although a very, very slim chance. All the puzzle pieces have to snap together for it to work, and it starts away at Wymondham. Win and they still have a shot. Lose and they have to play for pride and position.

Mito would leave the room shortly afterwards, as the team were left to dissect their loss in the first matchday. Wymondham wasn't easy, but yes, they could beat them if they have the spirit. Maybe afterwards Mito could give Mike Whitfield a pint at the pub for sportsmanship purposes. Maybe a new friend was what he really needed all along.

by **Sarzonia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:39 am

The first half didn't start out the way the Sarzonian national football team wanted by any stretch of the imagination.

And yet, after Sarzonia took care of business in what may become known as a rivalry match, the Stars defeated Northwest Kalactin 3-1 at Dave Wilson Stadium in Woodstock to finish the first half on 17 points with a 5-2-2 record that have them two points behind second placed Plane of Possibility for a potential position in the World Cup proper or in a two-stage playoff with another second placed side. The Stars remain eight points in arrears of group leaders Farfadillis, who are on 25 points with an 8-1-0 mark.

Slow starts in the first half of qualifying seem to have become the defining attribute of Kevin Connelly-managed sides, and the longtime manager admits he's not sure why.

"We didn't play any friendlies before World Cup 84 qualifying, and that was a decision Bryan was adamant about," Connelly said of former Stars manager Bryan Ostrom, who committed suicide prior to the start of qualifying for that World Cup. "We likely would have benefited from having a chance to get to know each other a little bit better and round into form earlier if we'd sought out some friendlies. In World Cup 85, we had a couple of friendlies, but not a full schedule that I see other teams have, and we still needed a few matches to get into gear. We tried a similar approach this time and still, the same thing.

"We peaked at the right time last time out and I hope we can do it again, but we have less margin for error this time around."

Countries competing for one of the 32 spots in the World Cup proper will play 18 total matches in qualifying, down considerably from the 24-match schedule in World Cup 85 and down slightly from the 20 matches in the World Cup 84 qualifying campaign. The Stars missed out on World Cup 84 qualifying, but advanced to the proper in their second World Cup cycle after a 27-cup absence from the international stage. For Connelly and the Stars to pull off a return to the proper, they will have to develop greater consistency in the second half.

"We can't afford to drop points we're expected to earn," midfielder and team captain Clayton Wilson said. "We can't afford the slow starts, and we can't afford the defensive lapses we had or the offensive dysfunction in the early going."

Midfielder Brady Reynolds said the Stars would begin the second half looking to adapt to the midfield press in their away match to Yuezhou at Yincheng National Workers' Stadium in Yincheng.

"They really forced us out of our tactics in the match at home," Reynolds said of the goalless draw at Dave Wilson Stadium. "We couldn't get anything going, and that cost us, unfortunately." At their low point, the Stars were 1-2-1 after a 2-0 away loss to Graintfjall, a team the Stars defeated 5-0 in a friendly before World Cup qualifying began. Following that match, Connelly lit into his team with a fiery tantrum the likes of which he'd never done as Sarzonia manager.

"We just weren't playing with enough intensity and focus," goalkeeper Carlton Sandt said. "Our fans knew it. Coach knew it. He made sure we knew that kind of effort was unacceptable."

The Stars slowly began to regain form since that loss, beating Nagore 4-2, but even their only loss in a stretch of four victories from five matches showed dramatic improvement. The Stars don't believe in moral victories, but they pointed to their 3-2 away loss to group leaders Farfadillis as a point where they felt things began to turn around.

"We played the best team in our group by rank and the current first placed side," Sandt said. "The fact we were able to battle back against them and play our best game was a sign that we might have turned the corner."

Much remains to be seen in this relative sprint to the World Cup finals or to a two-stage playoff, but one thing is clear. The Stars have to carry the momentum of their most recent results into success in the second half if they are to repeat their trip back to the proper.

"We've got to get going," Connelly said. "There isn't that much time left."

by **Siovanija and Teusland** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:05 am

The Last Archduke - Part V

Sanssouci Palace - December 25, 1893

“And know, that at the end of today’s struggle is the light at the end of the tunnel. We will prevail in this struggle, we will prevail as a united people, all together. And on this Christmas Day, when so many families in the Empire have been affected by this war, we pray together for peace, and the memory of all those we have lost. Merry Christmas to all in the Empire, and a special Merry Christmas to our brave soldiers high up in the mountains”

As Kaiser Heinrich III’s speech played out over the Teus Imperial Broadcasting Company’s radio service - which extended from Stelburg out to Sankt Konrad, even to Prinz-Eugens-Land, as well as to the soldiers on the frontlines, it was replaced by the longing sounds of Christmas music. “Silent Night,” or “Stille Nacht”, filled up the airwaves, and as the Imperial family gathered around the radio at the Palace, they sang along: “Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright…”

Archduke Franz looked out the palace window over the city of Stelburg. On a normal Christmas night, you could see lights in every window of the city. The city loved Christmas, the biggest holiday in the Teus calendar, and each year lit a special tree in the Nationalplatz with ornaments adorning it from all parts of the empire - sapphires from Prinz-Eugens-Land, gold from Sankt Konrad, and various other goods from across the country. Reindeer were specially imported from Sankt Konrad for children to see.

This year, however, was different. There were no lights on tonight - the city shrouded in a cloak of darkness. Siovanijan bomber pilots might be able to use the lights to find their way, and therefore lights had to go off at 9pm. Even the square was different. The tree was there, of course, but instead of children admiring it, there were soldiers on leave crowded around open fires. There was certainly no joy when the Kaiser placed the decorative topping on the tree, an annual tradition - instead, a pledge that next year’s Christmas would be a celebratory one.

It had been 5 Christmases since the war had begun - ‘Borograd by Christmas’ had turned into next year, or the year after that, and now definitely next year. Reports from the front would constantly promise a breakthrough soon, then be immediately forgotten, and then another promise would come in, again soon forgotten.

Archduke Franz had turned 18 back in June, and when he did received a golden ring and a beautiful watch, made in the city of Posenford, famous for its watchmaking industry for hundreds of years. He’d watched his friends from childhood receive draft letters for their own birthdays, as part of the ‘75ers’ - demographers in the Empire noted that there were a great deal of boys born in the year 1875 across the Empire, and thus they would be perfect candidates to refresh the army’s depleted troops once they turned 18.

The internal debate he’d been having with himself for a few years now - ever since that day in Stelburg when his hero, Franz Gorz, had announced he’d be joining the military - was only growing stronger now. Why should he get to stay home when all his friends, everyone he knew, had to go?

All of these thoughts lingered in his mind as the family sat down for dinner. At the head of the table, of course, was the Kaiser - who now sported a few more grey hairs then he did a few years ago, stressed from the years of war with no end in sight. His mother, Kaiserin Isabella, sat beside him - still a doting mother, and constantly encouraging her husband to try and make peace. Across from Franz was his sister, Archduchess Elizabeth - still his best friend and closest confidant, although he hadn’t told even her about his thoughts regarding the war. Both parents had noticed Franz had been a bit distant in recent weeks - Isabella writing it off as typical teenage angst, Heinrich worrying there was too much of himself in his son.

The Christmas dinner was as cheery as one can be during a time of national crisis and war. It was hard to reconcile the large spread on the table in front of them, delicious Teufelswald ham, various other foods, with the situation in houses not more than 1 kilometer away. Franz had seen it with his own eyes - in the home of his childhood friend Georg, the son of one of the palace’s maids. He’d seen the empty cupboards that were becoming all-too-common across Teusland as more and more was sent to the frontlines. He knew Georg and his mother were too proud to ask the Kaiser for anything, so he and Elizabeth had slipped a few baked goods into the mailbox on Christmas Eve.

The dinner followed the usual pattern: Franz and Elizabeth discussing their days, followed by the conversation inevitably drifting to the one topic that couldn’t be avoided anywhere you turned: the war. It was the only thing on anyone’s mind - especially now that the Empire’s football league, the Teusliga, had been cancelled for the year due to the situation. Are we winning, when will it be over, what’s the point? Those three questions were commonly whispered on even the street corners of imperial jewel Stelburg, and the first two in Palace halls.

When the dinner concluded, the Kaiserin and Archduchess headed off to finish up the dishes and pick up the Christmas cake from the palace kitchen. That left the Kaiser and Archduke alone at the table.

“Father, can I talk to you about something?”

The Kaiser nodded. “Of course, Franz - let’s get some air.”

The son had been learning from the father over the years - in his study, receiving instruction on ‘How to be Kaiser 101’. He’d finish up formal homeschooling this year, then move into a more active role in the imperial family - probably an officer command somewhere in the army, a desk job, and the continuation of his preparations for the job he’d been born to do. Somewhere in there, he’d get married to a nobleman’s daughter as well. But as they stepped out into the cold Christmas night, Franz knew something different was in his head.

“Father, I’ve been thinking a lot about… things. I don’t think it’s fair for me to be at the palace while every other man in the Empire has to go fight. And furthermore, I think I need to do my part.”

The Kaiser paused for what felt like an eternity. “You know, Franz, when I was about your age, I had almost this exact conversation with my own father. The Empire was at war, we were struggling, and I felt the need to serve. I was actually in the army at that time, just in a desk job. He kept me out of that one, but let me go a few years later back to Sankt Konrad. I’ve told you this a thousand times, but it seems ‘honourable’ and almost romantic until you get there and have to actually fight.”

“I know, Father, but this time is different - everybody in the country has to sacrifice so much. And it feels wrong for me to get away with not doing anything.”

“Franz, you are doing things - you helped your mother run the winter clothing drive earlier this winter, to provide clothes-”

“Yes, and tonight I’ll go to sleep in a warm bed and the soldiers will be on the cold rocky ground.”

There was a great silence now. Finally, Franz broke it. “Father, I remember 5 years ago, right when the war was starting, we talked about me going to the army one day. You said that service is required for everyone in this country, and that applies to Dannebergs too.”

The Kaiser nodded and put his arm around his son. “I recognize the determination in your voice, because I had it when I was younger too. I want you to be sure of this decision though, so take some more time to think. And make sure you get your mother’s approval. If she says yes, I’ll say yes.”

The two men hugged. Franz now had to figure out how to tell his mother, as well as his sister - both of whom had encouraged him to stay out of it - that he was going to go away.

Garifunya 3-4 Siovanija & Teusland, @ Garifunya

Starting XI: Sveteikov; Steimle, Jager, Thierse, Vesele (Lotbiniere 66'); Kramer (Mihailov 84'), Bahr, Bliznakov; Kokalj, Tauscher, Ilev (Ribbeck 66')
Goals: Karl-Heinz Jager 7', Thorsten Kramer 26', Heinrich Bahr 53', Lukas Tauscher 74'
Man of the Match: Thorsten Kramer

Siovanija & Teusland 1-0 Royal Kingdom of Quebec, @ Felsenkirchen-Arena, Felsenkirchen, Teusland

Starting XI: Eulenberg, Mendel, Niedermayer, Maksimov, Lotbiniere; Kramer, Mihailov, Werner; Bunev, Pfitzner, Dezelac
Goals: Andrey Bunev 29'
Man of the Match: Andrey Bunev

Siovanija & Teusland National Football Team
Squad Selection - Qualifiers 10 and 11
Home against Blampano, away to Astograth

GK - Ewald Heuser, Anatoli Sveteikov, Dennis Eulenberg
LB - Edgar Steimle, Axel Richter
CB - Karl-Heinz Jager, Erich Thierse, Tristan Niedermayer, Taras Maksimov
RB - Darijen Vesele, Pierre-Louis Lotbiniere
CM - Thorsten Kramer, Todor Mihailov, Heinrich Bahr
LW - Mario Kogler, Lojze Kokalj
CAM - Leopold Bliznakov, Viktor Dimitrov
RW - Lukas Tauscher, Ivo Romanov
CF - Michael Ribbeck, Stanimir Ilev, Denis Dezelac

Expected Starting XI vs Blampano: Heuser; Richter, Niedermayer, Maksimov, Lotbineire; Kramer, Mihailov, Dimitrov; Kokalj, Romanov, Ribbeck

Expected Starting XI vs Astograth: Heuser; Steimle, Jager, Thierse, Vesele; Kramer, Bahr, Bliznakov; Kogler, Tauscher, Ilev

by **Murphtannia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:57 am

Matchday 9

"Hello I'm Bill, I will be your commentator today, joining me is Gill"

Gill speaks "Hi Bill, a home tie against Savojarna today, it's going to be a tough one."

Bill speaks again "and now for the lineups, starting with the home team.

The lineup remains unchanged with Ball in net, the usual back 4 of Cartlidge at LWB, Pallet and Banks at CB and Bridges at RWB.

The midfield of Marley at CDM, Jenkins and Owen at CM and Styler at CAM sit behind the front 2 of Pole and Murphy."

Gill speaking at the same time is also announcing the Savojarna lineup, "In net is Thomas Larsen, the defence consists of Pedersen at LB, Zirkova and Forsberg at CB and finally Skov at RB.

In midfield we have Andersson and Maersk acting as the holding midfielders, Voynov as the LM, Lundell as the OM and finally Jashkin at RM.

and acting as the lone striker this evening is Jotansson."

[Kick Off]

[40th minute] It's been a dreadful game so far, both sets of fans have been creating an atmosphere but neither side can string a pass together. We finally have an attack going but Jotansson skies the ball over the bar after trying to shoot from the outside of the box.

[HF] Bill speaks "Well what a boring game of football that was, you can tell the fans are getting angry, both attacks have looked terrible but the defences have looked solid, lets hope we see some better football in the second half."

[Kick Off second half]

[48th minute] Jotansson is running through on goal, he gets brought down, I think the defender won the ball there, but it's gone to VAR.

Penatly!

Jotansson steps up to take the kick, he hits it, save!, wait no goal!, a brilliant save from Ball but he can;t get over quick enough to stop the rebound going in.

After a replay showed it wasn't a pen the Murphtannian fans and players aren't happy. Chants of f**k VAR, f***k VAR are going around the stadium.

Savojarna 1-0 Murphtannia

[50th minute] Murphtannia have a chance here, Murphy is running through on goal, he crosses the ball over but Pole heads straight into the keepers hands.

[55th minute] Murphtannia have another chance, Savojarna have gone more defensive, clearly opting to hold onto the lead, Pole works his way into the box with clever footwork but hits the ball into the side netting.

[61st minute] Savojarna are playing a very physical game here, Styler his shoved over, the fans, players and manager are all protesting it should be a free kick and a card but the Ref is having none of it.

[65th minute] Styler wins a free kick outside the box, he almost scores but a superb save from the keeper to tip it over the bar. The keeper then easily collects the ball from the following corner.

[78th minute] Voynov starts the Savojarna attack by wrestling bridges off the ball, despite Murphtannian protests the game goes on, Voynov is now running down the wing, he crosses the ball into the box, Lundell get's her head on it, Goal!!, Lundell beats Banks in the air and heads the ball into the top right corner, it is a very good goal, and Murphtannia look to be on course for yet another home defeat.

[FT]

Gill speaks "Well Murphtannia had the chance to win the game and they did keep up with Savojarna, who are the 2nd placed team, which should be a complement to the lads, but that wrongly awarded penalty will surely dominate the media attention on this game, Murphtannia will be disappointing that they are still yet to win a home game however."

"what will also be dominating media attention is the upcoming home game against Busoga islands, who will no doubt be hoping to use Murphtannia's home form to get revenge for match day 1, a crazy day which saw a saved pen, drama, a riot and a 2 red cards.

We have news that security will be provided for any travelling fans as it isn't the wish of Murphtannia for anyone to get hurt, it is also the wish of many fans. However the MFA (Murphtannia football association) have only issues 5,000 away tickets, a clear statement from the MFA about their opinions on Bosugo fans.

by **Ko-oren** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:30 pm

Fantasy Update : Halfway Lessons

Jarongi Sports Statistics

With the calculation of Fantasy points delayed by several hours due to a datacentre outage in Dartha, we've instead prepared some statistics for you on the data that was still available to us, and we invited Lunaro Tsukida from ('The Numbers Game') to our headquarters (virtually, we are a modern workplace!) to talk about some of the figures that roll out of the realm of Fantasy.

Hey Lunaro, welcome! How did you like the virtual tour?

"Hey! I enjoyed it a lot. I've always thought of Jarongi as a place I could work at, and then, no offence, I found my own niche on the internet and it caught on. I'm just attracted to what you guys put out on a fundamental level. There's no Numbers Game without first having numbers to crunch. I'm so overwhelmed by the data you guys go through, the stuff you just showed to me earlier, the visualisations that are possible nowadays. I really hope you can invite me to a few more of these!"

No worries! Are you involved in Fantasy yourself?

"Here's the thing: if I would, I would take it too seriously. I'd probably pour over the choices for days, then build a few models to see how effectively I could use my 240 KPB points, and then the endless ways to spend them on teams. I'd include facts on whether teams changed head coaches, whether any big names are injured or retired, and so on... it'd take days just to get the data, and then there are infinite ways of putting it together. I don't actually have a Fantasy pick myself, but I do give out advice over on quac.kor and twii.tur. My personal friends get a bit more data from me, I'll admit."

Then are you interested in the outcomes?

"Of course! There's no better prediction of what will happen than to invite a huge number of people to give their opinions - it's been proven that that actually gives you a very good prediction of the actual outcome. A hive mind, if you will, produced by the average of all kinds of opinions, from those really far out there to the much larger group of moderate choices. I do enjoy looking at which teams are picked more, and why, and if they deliver. It actually helps me in some of my analyses for the Numbers Game."

So what are you here to discuss today?

"Well, to prevent a lot of people from asking me the same questions over at quac.kor and twii.tur, I wanted to discuss the strategy for picking teams. The question always revolves around 'Dear Lunaro, should I pick a lot of expensive teams to go with a few very cheap teams from the Baptism of Fire, or should I pick a lot of teams around the same quality?'. Basically, your strategy lies on a spectrum between two extremities: on the one side, that's picking a lot of pot 3-4-5 teams, teams that are looking for a surprise in their group, but most of all, probably will not disappoint. High floor, and questionable ceiling. On the other side, there is the extreme of gambling on a lot of lowly ranked teams combined with a few surefire expensive teams. Scouting unranked talent or very recent BoF graduates to go along with your Nepharas and Banijas. Every choice ranks somewhere on that spectrum."

Ok, so what should you do?

"Right, so when I say that all strategies lie on that spectrum: you can deliberately try to break it. Like a few users always do. The first graph (it's the Numbers Game after all!) I want to show you is every user's score after eight matchdays versus the standard deviation of their picks."

Maybe you should take the reader through standard deviation.

"Ah, maybe I should. It's hard to explain if you've been living in statistics for the last five years. Basically, the standard deviation is a number that represents how extreme the figures within a set are. Say you're picking three numbers, that have to average out to 5. In one set, you pick 4, 5, and 6: those three average to 5, and all lie very close to the average. In this case, we say that the standard deviation is very low. You can compare this to picking a lot of Pot 3-4-5 teams: a low standard deviation. The average is nearly the same for all users: you have 240 points to spend on 18 teams, so generally users will come close to reaching their average of 13 KPB points per choice (because 240 points, divided by 18 groups, is 13 points to spend on average on a pick). You could also choose 1, 5, and 9 as your three numbers: these also average out to 5, but are pretty far removed from the average. In this case, we say you have a high standard deviation: the numbers are often very far removed from the average of 5. This looks like the strategy of choosing very highly ranked teams (Banija and Nephara) together with unranked nations (Yuezhou, Sulsuland, if you're lucky, or Solharcht Kirale or Grand Quebecois if you're unlucky).

So, the first graph is here:

and the higher the dot, the higher that user's score. The best teams get to almost 300 points, and there is one outlier on the bottom. Low standard deviation, but also a very low score. In this case, the dot is caused by someone with an *ahem* alternative picking strategy, where someone only wanted to pick unranked teams. As you can see, it didn't net them a lot of points. So, the first thing we do is to get rid of this dot. And that leaves us with the following graph:

with the same premise. Dots on the top have higher scores, dots on the lower end have lower scores. Dots on the left have chosen the Pot 3-4-5 teams, with a low standard deviation, and dots on the right have gone for more extreme (very expensive and very cheap) teams."

But there's barely a difference!

"Yeah, it does look like that. You'd have to get a much clearer diagonal line to say that one strategy is much better than another one. There's also a question of sample size: you'd almost have to get millions of fantasy selections to get a clearer picture. From what we see here, is that the higher scores are concentrated at a standard deviation betwen 7 and 12 - but then again, that area also has a lot of low scores. And the highest score of all sits at the very top of that range, at 13. We can tell that picking the outlying expensive/cheap teams is not a viable strategy - no selections with a standard deviation over 14 really amount to much - but the problem again is that it's a tiny sample size: we find almost no dots in that region. On the left side, we see that two relatively successful selections have a standard deviation a tad under 5 - so there are good choices there as well.

This also teaches us that the fantasy experts nearly all have the same philosophy: pick a lot of Pot 3-4-5 nations, some expensive ones, and some cheap ones..."

So where do we go from here?

"I think the conclusion here is to pick teams that you think are going to overperform relative to their pot number. A team in pot 8 that you think will finish in 4th? Very decent selection. Also make sure to use up your 240 points... and go for overperforming teams, not teams that fit well between your other choices."

by **Terre Septentrionale** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 pm

Terre Septentrionale wins again

The Minarchist Free State - Following two decisive wins in a row, Terre Septentrionale travelled to the Minarchist Free State and beat them 6-3. The Nordiques scored 19 goals in their last 3 games! Terre Septentrionale attacked early at the 8th minute when Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz passed to Sandrine Fontaine who dribbled and made a short pass to Sandie McCracken. McCracken shoots and she scores! 1-0 Terre Septentrionale. The Reprezentacja Nordycki added another goal, on a free kick, at the 13th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Ollie Wilkinson scored for TMFS at the 25th minute to reduce Terre Septentrionale's lead to 2-1. The Northmen attacked at the 35th minute when Krzysztof Pajaczkowski dribbled with the ball and made a cross to Sandrine Fontaine who kicks it in the net for another goal! 3-1 Terre Septentrionale at the halftime.

Terre Septentronale were awarded a corner kick at the 47th minute. Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz kicks the ball and it goes directly into the goal. 4-1 Nordiques. TMFS scored on a penalty at the 59th minute and they scored again at the 65th minute when James Fawkes was all alone with Géorges-Kévin Vainqueur and beat him. The score was 4-3 Terre Septentrionale. Fryderyka Cwierczakiewiczowa scored a great volley goal at the 72nd minute and she scored her second goal of the game at the 90+2 minute to seal the game. The final score was 6-3 for the Reprezentacja Nordycki.

BOXSCORE

8th minute: Sandie McCracken assisted by Sandrine Fontaine
13th minute: Roksana Kolodziejczyk (free kick)
25th minute: Ollie Wilkinson assisted by Ryan Davis
35th minute: Sandrine Fontaine assisted by Krzysztof Pajaczkowski
47th minute: Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz (corner kick)
59th minute: James Fawkes (penalty)
65th minute: James Fawkes (assisted by Gary Flintwood)
72nd minute: Fryderyka Cwierczakiewiczowa assisted by Zdzislaw Brzezanczyk
90+2 minute: Fryderyka Cwierczakiewiczowa assisted by Tymoteusz Swierczewski

YELLOW CARDS

13th minute: Nathan Goldburg
40th minute: Alicja Jedrzejczyk
59th minute: Weronika Zubrowska
79th minute: Henry Morgan

RED CARDS

None

Mid-qualifications break

Terre Septentrionale is still in 3rd place, battling with Mavinet and New Lusitania for a place at the World Cup. Mavinet is leading the trio with 18 points in 9 games, Terre Septentrionale has 18 points and New Lusitania with 17. After the break, the Northmen will travel to Mavinet and New Lusitania on matchdays 10 and 11. Yes, two important games on the road back to back for Terre Septentrionale. Élisabeth Normandin is still injured and Przemyslaw Tkocz will replace her in the line up.

Starting XI vs Mavinet and New Lusitania: Vainqueur - Niedzwiecki - Skrzeszewski - Brzezanczyk - Tkocz - Ksiezniakiewicz - Fontaine - Kolodziejczyk - Waclawczyk - Cwierczakiewiczowa - McCracken

Wlodzimierz Pietruszewski,
Senior writer,
La tribune Septentrionale

Mid Qualifications predictions by Émilie-Rose Bourbeau and Katarzyna Krzykowska

Ville Jacques-Cartier, DC - We will attempt to predict each group's winner and runner up. The group winner qualifies automatically for the World Cup along with Newmanistan and Drawkland. The runner up doesn't automatically qualify, some of them will have to go through some playoffs.

Group 1
Émilie-Rose: Brenecia and Hampton Island
Katarzyna: Brenecia and Lisander

Group 2
Émilie-Rose: Ko-oren and Huayramarca
Katarzyna: Ko-oren and Tequilo

Group 3
Émilie-Rose: Pararga and Eura
Katarzyna: Eura and Pasarga

Group 4 (our group)
Émilie-Rose: Nephara and Terre Septentrionale
Katarzyna: Nephara and Terre Septentrionale

Group 5
Émilie-Rose: Turori and Siovanija and Teusland
Katarzyna: Turori and Siovanija and Teusland

Group 6
Émilie-Rose: The Holy Empire and Audioslavia
Katarzyna: The Holy Empire and Poafmersia

Group 7
Émilie-Rose: Banija and Chromatika
Katarzyna: Banija and Chromatika

Group 8
Émilie-Rose: Vilita and The Sarian
Katarzyna: Vilita and Sargossa

Group 9
Émilie-Rose: Valanora and Qasden
Katarzyna:Valanora and Qasden

Group 10
Émilie-Rose: Reçueçn and HUElavia
Katarzyna: Reçueçn and HUElavia

Group 11
Émilie-Rose: Mriin and Tikariot
Katarzyna: Mriin and TJUN-ia

Group 12
Émilie-Rose: The Hinodejin Empire and Trolleborg
Katarzyna: The Hinodejin Empire and Trolleborg

Group 13
Émilie-Rose: Equestria and Kelssek
Katarzyna: Kelssek and Equestria

Group 14
Émilie-Rose: Farfadillis and Yuezhou
Katarzyna: Farfadillis and Sarzonia

Group 15
Émilie-Rose: Cassadaigua and Québec
Katarzyna: Main Nation Ministry and Cassadaigua

Group 16
Émilie-Rose: Starblaydia and Mattijana
Katarzyna: Starblaydia and Darmen

Group 17
Émilie-Rose: Zwangzug and Squornshelan Remnant States
Katarzyna: Abanhfleft and Zwangzug

Group 18
Émilie-Rose: Baker Park and Savojarna
Katarzyna: Baker Park and Mercedini

Katarzyna Krzykowska and Émilie-Rose Bourbeau,
La tribune Septentrionale

by **Flavovespia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:29 pm

Ihilthracna 2-6 Flavovespia

For the first time ever, Flavovespia scored 6 goals in an international game, and took their highest margin of victory in an international football match. Flavovespia simply overwhelmed Ihilthracna at times, and under Arnold Stevenson, the Flavovespian side have turned a new corner in the qualifiers.

It took little time for Flavovespia to take a lead. Just 3 minutes in, Steven Hall picked out Jonathan Feld with a long ball. Feld stayed onside, and from a narrow angle fired home on target to open the scoring. By the 10th minute, Flavovespia were 0-2 up. Hall again was the provider, good dribbling opened up space, but he cleverly pulled back the ball into the path of Scott Coleman, who tucked it into the bottom corner.

Flavovespia were largely on top for the first half, but were caught out in injury time by an Ihilthracna corner. An outswinger towards the edge of the box was met on the volley by their midfielder, and the dip and curve of the ball took it into the top corner. 1-2, thanks to an impressive goal and the hosts went in with hope of a comeback, and Flavovespia a little shocked.

If there were nerves, Flavovespia quickly got rid of them. A free kick not long after the restart was taken by James King. Initially blocked and cleared, it fell back to King just on the edge of the box. His curling effort beat the goalkeeper, to restore the 2 goal lead. Ihilthracna weren’t done yet, and they got their second thanks to a killer through ball that beat Gardner and Rodwell, and a powerful shot across goal and into net.

Ihilthracna’s hard work to get within one was undone in a little over 4 minutes. In the 65th minute, Scott Coleman latched onto the lofted through ball of Valentine Richmond, and his shot wasn’t the best, but was fumbled by the Ihilthracna goalkeeper and it rolled over the line. 2 minutes later, and thanks to some great dribbling, Scott Coleman had the space to get his hat-trick, and he took it with perfection. 9 goals from 9 for him now, and Flavovespia were up 2-5. Then, the celebrations had barely stopped, when a terrible pass at the back by Ihilthracna was intercepted by Steven Hall, who made no mistake in the 1 vs 1 situation.

At 2-6 with 20 minutes to go, there was no way back for Ihilthracna. They cut out the mistakes, but even with a few good passages of play, couldn’t break through a Flavovespian defence boosted by 2 subs coming on to deal with tired legs. Flavovespia awarded a debut to Mark Paul with 10 minutes to go, although he was wasn’t able to get a clear opportunity to try and score.

2-6 it finished, a great win for Flavovespia. 10 points in the first 12 meant that Arnold Stevenson was making a brilliant start to his time as manager. Qualification still seems a long way off, but at least for now, it feels like some level of dignity has been restored to the national side.

The next 2 games

Flavovepsia travel to Cassadaigua to start off the second round of qualifiers. To have a chance of qualifying, Flavovespia really need a win against one of the current Top 3. However to do it against Cassadaigua is probably the hardest of them all, and the best most Flavovespians are hoping for is a draw. Even that doesn’t seem all that likely, given the rankings and standings.

Flavovespia then host Electrum in Rovers Arena. After a 0-2 away win, Electrum will be looking for revenge, and Flavovespia must be wary of that. Another side in the big battle for 4th as it stands, this match could be a key one between two of the midtable sides of the group.

The Football Clubs Of Flavovespia

We move across the country to the south-east now. The east of the country was home to the Eastern Alliance for a long time, which became the United and Eastern Alliance. The city-regions in this region are fairly mixed. Loxthorpe, the furthest south is almost close enough to Waldster to be in it's bubble, but large enough to have a strong local identity. Langmere Green is further north, a smaller city but also one with strong local identity. Nestled between them are Capton and Captonbridge. North of Langmere Green Rovers lies the only non-coastal city-region of the 6, Buchraston which lies in the more hilly wooded area of the SOuth East, and the affluent Rumlington, a coastal town. Seasides and sharp cliffs are defining characteristics of the landscape here.

______________________
Tier 1	Super League
	Langmere Green Rovers FC Formed: 78BU Stadium: South Road (22268) Rivals: Loxthorpe Rovers FC (minor) 78BU saw Langmere Green Rovers form to represent the city-region of the same name. When the Eastern Alliance formed in 67BU, the rivalry between them and Loxthorpe Rovers became fierce. It was their rivals who first made it to the GWNFA Super League, but in 37BU Langmere Green Rovers won the final Inter City Cup to also join the new top national tier. They would stay there until their relegation in 10BU. They started the modern era in the Super League, but were widely seen as likely to be relegated. Almost 3 decades later, that first relegation of the modern era is still waiting, and for a second time, Langmere Green Rovers are defending Super League champions. With international club football and very possibly a new stadium, they may become one of the true heavyweights for more years to come.
	Loxthorpe Rovers FC Formed: 82BU Stadium: Rovers Arena (55000) Rivals: Langmere Green Rovers FC (major) Formed in 82BU as Loxthorpe FC, adding “Rovers” in 64BU, Loxthorpe Rovers have a rich history. In the 26 years that the Eastern Alliance existed before the GWNFA Super League, Loxthorpe Rovers were champions 17 times. They never reached the final of the Gold Cup and only one Inter City Cup final in the classic era, but became one of 8 founders of the GWNFA Super League. Never relegated from the top flight, they were runners up in 2AU and 3AU, before back to back Super League wins in 4AU/5AU, and a cup win a season later. The most recent decade looked promising, but they failed to finally return to the very top, just as their close rivals began to do so. 30AU starts a new decade, and one Loxthorpe Rovers hope to see them become the crown jewel of the East and Flavovespia.
Tier 2	Challenge League
	Capton Club Formed: 63BU Stadium: Capton Stadium (15000) Rivals: Captonbridge Rangers FC (major) Formed in 63BU, the city side of Capton weren’t quite ready in time to debut in the inaugural Inter City Cup. Instead the following year saw their debut in the Inter City Cup, Gold Cup and Eastern Alliance. It was 36BU, after the departure of Loxthorpe Rovers and Langmere Green Rovers that Capton Club would first win the Eastern Alliance. They would win it a total of 8 times, including the United & Eastern Alliance era, until they moved into the GWNFA Challenge League from 14BU. They’d make their debut in the top flight in 3AU. 8AU saw them become the first side in the modern era to win the Cup, outside of the top flight. 24AU was their last stint in the top flight, but they’re a side who seem in the promotion picture a lot.
	Buchraston FC Formed: 61BU Stadium: Buchraston Fields (5059) Rivals: Buchraston Heath FC, Rumlington Rovers FC (minor) Not the oldest side in Buchraston, Buchraston FC were formed in 61BU, a few years after the founding of the Inter City Cup, to represent the city in the Inter City Cup. They entered that and the Eastern Alliance a year later, although their biggest success in the classic era was a Gold Cup runners up in 40BU. One of the founders of the modern era third tier, they won their first promotion to the second tier in 10AU but were relegated straight back down, and were the second time they were in the second tier. 30AU sees them try to make it third time lucky in the second tier. Not a small side by any means, but one that’s had another team in the city reach close to its level.
Tier 3	National League Division 1
	Rumlington Rovers FC Formed: 58BU Stadium: Turnpike Avenue (13049) Rivals: Croxlich FC, Oxwich FC (minor) Rumlington, one of the most affluent city-regions of Flavovespia, had its city side form in 58BU to compete in the Inter City Cup, Eastern Alliance and Gold Cup, one of the last to do so. Given their city club status, they were relative minnows of the classic era. Founders of the GWNFA Challenge League in 22BU, the only Eastern Alliance side to join it, the club struggled at the bottom of the GWNFA second tier in the classic era. Then, in the modern era, they surprised many with a National Division 1 playoff win in 2AU to reach the Super League for the first ever time. They had a decade of promotions and relegations before becoming more settled in the second tier. Rumlington Rovers have fallen into the third tier a few times, including the present day, but the club are going strong and have brought professional football well into a city that’s not associated particularly with it.
	Buchraston Heath FC Formed: 70BU Stadium: Heath Fields (2640) Rivals: Buchraston FC, Buchraston Arches FC (minor) Buchraston Heath takes its name from the outskirts of the city-region, although the club have since moved to a ground more central to the urban area. They were founders of the Eastern Alliance in 67BU, the third pro/semi-pro league started in the nation (after the Tri-Series and Waldster League). They weren’t always members, relegated a few times, and for a period being stuck outside looking in. One of the Alliance founders in 3AU, they were promoted in the second season to the league. They began to match Buchraston FC, and in 19AU had a season in the Challenge League, a tier above their intra-city rivals. Other than a stint in 25AU-26AU in the Eastern Alliance D1, they’ve been a consistent league side and are in the new third tier for 30AU.
	Captonbridge Rangers FC Formed: 71BU Stadium: Rangers Field (10000) Rivals: Capton Club (major) Originally founded as Captonbridge Town, before switching to the Rangers suffix a decade later following a move to Rangers Field, this club represents the city-region of Captonbridge. Their earliest, and maybe biggest success was in 65BU, reaching the Gold Cup final before a 4-0 loss to Waldster. They won the Eastern Alliance twice in a row in 35BU-34BU, the latter putting them in a GWNFA Super League qualifier, but they were 4th, missing out on one of 2 places. The club have never since come as close to the top flight. Much of the modern era has seen them in the third tier, with sporadic stints in the second tier. To their chagrin, Capton Club have had much more relative success.
Tier 5	Alliance D1
	Calhead Rangers FC Formed: 61BU Stadium: Callows Field (1855) Rivals: Capton Club (minor) The yellow and blue colours of Calhead Rangers show the seaside location of this side. Calhead is a small town in Capton, situated on the sea front. Only a small difference from Capton town itself, but enough to have a well-supported local side. In the classic era, they were a small but stable semi-pro side, and spent many seasons in the Eastern Alliance. Even after the United and Eastern Alliance merger, they still sometimes found their way up to the national level. Unlucky in some ways to miss out on being a founder of the Alliance in 3AU, they got vengeance when at the end of 9AU, they won promotion to the league proper from the Alliance D1. Whilst it was a one-season wonder, Calhead Rangers have a steady and stable support and income, and could one day return to the league.
	Loxthorpe Green FC Formed: 22BU Stadium: The Green (858) Rivals: Aston Road FC, Loxspring FC (minor) Loxthorpe Green’s existence came about from an over-ambitious and reactionary attempt to create a Loxthorpe side to reach the United and Eastern Alliance pyramid. That gained little support, with little enthusiasm for another Loxthorpe side. Nevertheless, they came close, and were good enough to make the Alliance D2 in the modern era. Despite the relatively crowded amateur and semi-pro football scene in Loxthorpe, Loxthorpe Green have been the ones to get into the Alliance D1 from time to time, and are well funded at this level.
Tier 6	Alliance D2
	Rumlington Lakes FC Formed: 12BU Stadium: Lakeside Stadium (675) Rivals: Pranglen End FC (minor) Rumlington Lakes are relatively new by all standards. An amateur club setup by people living near the lakes in Rumlington near the coast, the side, like many got into the Alliance D2 upon it’s introduction in 4AU. Although they have an air of affluence over themselves, they’ve often struggled to attract much support. That however, is changing in the last decade, with increased appearances in the Alliance D1, and although relegation often quickly ensues, the club is becoming more established in non-league football.
	Fullertons FC Formed: 44BU Stadium: Fullertons (994) Rivals: Pranglers Crouch (major), Whisbeleng Woods FC (minor) Fullertons FC are quite an uncommon example of a “members club” becoming part of the Flavovespian football pyramid. The Fullertons Social Club in Langmere Green setup a football branch in 44BU, and although they could play in the Gold Cup, practically all leagues in the East were out of reach of them, precluded due to the rules of entry. It was in 7BU, with times changing, the football branch of Fullertons chose to end its exclusive arrangement and allow itself entry into the main pyramid. They largely been confined to the basement of the Alliance, although have occasionally won promotion. They’re still perceived as “elitist”, and is a source of their intra-city rivalry with Pranglers Crouch.
	Pranglers Crouch FC Formed: 72BU Stadium: Bakerline Road (823) Rivals: Fullertons FC (major), Whisbeleng Woods FC (minor) Pranglers Crouch, named after the seaside village of the name, was always associated with being an open-doors holiday retreat spot. Much of the regional entertainment industry performed and was based there, and the pink in the kits is a nod to that. Their early years saw them qualify for a fair few Gold Cups, but they fell back to amateur status with the rise of the city based sides. Another of the 16 to join the Alliance D2 later on, they managed to become moderately more successful than some of their peers. Never yet promoted to the Alliance D1, Pranglers Crouch have at least come close, and built a local rapport.
	Capton Valley FC Formed: 41BU Stadium: Valley Fields (1599) Rivals: Captonbridge Rangers FC (minor) Capton Valley lies on the outskirts of Captonbridge, although the club now play more centrally to the town. Their origin lie from a breakaway group of Captonbridge Rangers fans, disgruntled with the ownership of the time. They have the unfortunate record however, of 6 appearances in the Eastern Alliance/United and Eastern Alliance pyramid, all ending in immediate relegation the following year. The modern era was a little kinder to begin with, although their 8AU and 11AU league appearances quickly ended with relegation to the Alliance D1. Sadly, they fell away into the Alliance D2, and have largely been stuck there for a while now. The club struggle to gain support in Captonbridge, and are stuck with high operating costs for an oversized stadium at their level.
	Buchraston Arches FC Formed: 78BU Stadium: Arches Park (705) Rivals: Buchraston Arches FC, Buchraston Mill FC (minor) The oldest side in Buchraston, Buchraston Arches was one of the “factory teams” that were a part of the early days of football in Flavovespia. Named after the Arches Factory, the club maintained the name even after the factory folded, and the club converted to a local side. They were founders of the Eastern Alliance, but last played in it in 53BU before relegation to the smaller leagues, and 47BU was their last appearance in the Gold Cup. Another of the Alliance D2 founders, they had 2 seasons in the Alliance D1 in 21AU-22AU, but little success other than that.
	Aston Road FC Formed: 73BU Stadium: Aston Road (824) Rivals: Loxthorpe Green FC, Loxspring FC (minor) One of the older sides in this area of the country, Aston Road takes its name from the old industrial estates that were on the road. Now most have gone, but the name of the club lives on anyway, as it has a small local following. Aston Road struggled to make much of a name for themselves in the classic era, they appeared in plenty of Gold Cups, but didn’t make much impact and couldn’t ever win promotion to the Eastern Alliance. One of the 16 teams entering the Alliance D2 in 8AU, it’s been 2 decades or so of struggles for Aston Road. The team will be another one looking over their shoulders as relegation to the Associate League opens up.
	Pranglen End FC Formed: 1BU Stadium: Pranglen End Park (553) Rivals: Rumlington Lakes FC (minor) Pranglen End suburb of Rumlington is home to this club. Very small, even by non-league standards, they were a surprise qualifier to the Alliance D2 in its final round of expansion for 8AU. The club play in an unusual yellow and brown kit, supposedly inspired by “sand and soil”, although some believe “nobody else wears it” is closer to the truth. Nevertheless, despite their small status, good management the last few years has seen them build up a relatively decent side all things considered. They look closer to the Alliance D1 than the Associate leagues in recent years.
	Loxspring FC Formed: 1AU Stadium: Parkfield Road (532) Rivals: Aston Road FC, Loxthorpe Green FC (minor) Salmon pink kits are the colours of Loxspring, chosen to stand out and represent the fishing port that lies in the district of Loxspring. A new team, formed at the start of the modern era, they weren’t able to make the Alliance D2, then were just outside qualifying for it in the 8AU expansion. In 28AU, when the chance to enter the Alliance D2 was opened up, they made it third time lucky with the Tri-River League win. 12th in their first season in that level means 30AU is a second season for them in the Alliance leagues.
	Whisbeleng Woods FC Formed: 76BU Stadium: Canal Lane (833) Rivals: Fullertons FC, Pranglers Crouch FC (minor) Loggers and villagers near the Whisbeleng Woods of Langmere Green and Narrock Wood set up this club. Founders of the Eastern Alliance, the high costs saw them relegated in 61BU back to smaller leagues. 32BU was their one and only other season in the Eastern Alliance in the classic era, and they faded into obscurity for a few decades. One season in the Alliance D1 was their only major highlight of the modern era, and they’ve looked close to relegation into the Associate Leagues. The relative isolated location of the club doesn’t help matters.
	Calhead Recreational Formed: 15AU Stadium: Waterloo Spinney (531) Rivals: none One of the newest sides anywhere in the nation that plays in the top six tiers, Calhead Recreational don’t have the storied history of other sides, but are an example of the success of extending the pyramid. Formed as a purely amateur side, they managed to make it up to the Eastern Amateur League (now Eastern Associate League), by 22AU. 29AU saw them make Round 1 proper of the Flavovespia Gold Cup, win their division, and with it a place in the Eastern Alliance D2 for 30AU. This season will be a new and exciting challenge for them.
	Buchraston Mill FC Formed: 54BU Stadium: Mill Way (631) Rivals: Buchraston Arches FC (minor) A rather unusual example of a factory team that formed a few decades later than most. Buchraston Mill were an amateur side for the mill workers and people living within the area of the mill, until the late stages of the classic era. This allowed them to qualify for the Alliance D2 in 4AU. However, they were unsuccessful, and in 28BU became one of the first 8 to be relegated back to the associate leagues, ironically the same year they reached Round 1 of the Flavovespia Gold Cup. They rebounded immediately with a Tri-River League win last season, to return to the Alliance D2.

Code: Select all: OOC: Tier 1-4 kit graphics taken direct from my domestic newswire

by **Krytenia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:35 pm

Time To Fish For Points
By Rami Niblick in Aigburth

IT'S safe to say that the first half of qualifying has been far from ideal. Four wins - including a fine victory in Darmen - have been cancelled out by defeats that have been either heavy (Mattijana, Starblaydia) or just plain embarrassing. Rangers FC, we're looking at you. The draw against Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison on Matchday Nine wasn't exactly our finest hour.

I said it before the Starblaydia game, and I'll say it again. This Krytenia side is just too damned nice to be a true threat. The Rangers game was a good example of this, the team being content to sit back and pass in front of the defensive wall instead of trying to create and exploit gaps. They paid the price then, and mark my words, it'll happen again somewhere down the line before this qualifying campaign is over.

Fault for this lies primarily at the feet of the management team. Yes, Jerome Jaffacake-Phillips and Paul Davis encourage the undeniable skills of the likes of Cormac O'Neill and Neil Smith, and yes, they're not afraid to take risks with the new blood such as Alun Belmwr and Joey Sinton - but that's not the point. The point is that the team lacks the mental fortitude to win. Not to blow my own trumpet, but back when I was the one running the technical area, there was a backbone engendered into the team. The players were not of the skill level of the current crop - David Heaton and (Avenida Victoria's) Ronnie van Rijn excepted of course, not to mention The Cock Incarnate - but I ensured that when the team entered the field of play, they were instilled with the mentality that their skill level didn't matter if they applied themselves and trusted in the team and the tactics. We were underestimated at every turn, and reached the last sixteen of World Cup LXXII. The side went out to the pitch genuinely believing they could beat Valanora, and pushed them to an extra thirty minutes before succumbing to the inevitable.

For the World Cup LXXXVI vintage, the conundrum is a simple one to solve. Either JJP and Davis get the team to start playing like they believe they can win games, or the KFA replaces them with someone who can. There's no time to waste, either; Matchday Ten sees the pesky pescatarians of Sulsuland visit ArenaWest, and the Dragons should be looking to avenge the travesty that was their opening day defeat. Onward!

by **Banija** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:51 pm

The Kabaka's Suite at the Stadium of the Restoration

Kabaka Mwanga was standing in the suite, next to his wife, Luguba Katrina. The suite was packed- as it usually was whenever His Majesty brought guests to the stadium. With him, among many leading Banijan politicians and high-ranking members of his family, were a visiting delegation from Chromatika- the first such state visit from Chromatika to Banija in history. The carpet had been rolled out for his Chromatik guests, ever since they had landed at Gonzaga International Airport in the morning- which was essentially the country's VIP airport in the nation's capitol.

They had landed in Banija at 9 local time that very morning. As was tradition in Banija, the Kabaka did not meet them at the airport- Banijans generally greeted their foreign guests, for the pomp and circumstance of a state visit, at Mujaguzo Palace. And so the big governmental delegation was simply met by aides and such at the airport, before they drove down to the Palace. As the limousines came, the Kabaka walked down the literal red carpet to greet Kerri Wyse Aart, the democratically elected Premier of Chromatika, alongside her husband, Luuk Aart. He also shoke hands with a woman simply known as "The Hope"- one of Chromatika's enlightened.

The rest of the main delegation also had arrived there, and the Kabaka shook hands with all of them- Alina Krasnikova, a former PRemier of Chormatika. Viktor Karrs Jr., the head of the Chromatik Football Federation. The Head of Death Templars Law Firm, Marcelino Perreira, was here as well. And lastly, the Head of Viper Motors, Samuel Jameson, was here as well. On the Banijan side, was Kabaka Mwanga, of course, and his wife- Lubuga Katrina. His son, Isebantu Mutungi, was here as well. Katikkiro Kobe Azizi, the highest ranking elected official in Banija, was here. There was a group of former Chromatik national team players that were here as well, but they would meet them at the Stadium in the evening.

They had a full day planned for their Chromatika guests. Various meetings between elected government officials, the Royal Family, and the Chromatik delegation. They had the ceremony of a state visit- while the opportunity to address the Lukiiko was not provided, an official tour was given both of the palace and the Lukiiko. The ever useful history lessons on Banija. Once again, it would be the Kabaka's grandson, Omugabe Ssekamanya- recognizeable from his role in the Olympic opening ceremonies, who would give the tour of the Palace.

After a day of grand lunches, tours, and working-level meetings, they were to catch the Chromatika v. Banija game at the Stadium of the Restoration that night. That is where the numerous Chromatik former national team players would meet the government officials, including Daniel Lucas, who's day job was in Banija, managing Mynda Electra, a BSL side. The Kabaka was largely entertaining his guests here- the agreement was almost concluded, they just had to dot a couple of i's, and cross a few t's in the morning. But he was happy with progress. As the game kicked off, of course, all the smack talk began between all the World cup veterans in the suite. A number of former Banijan NT players were here as well, like George Wangolo, Sia Fall, and Chibuzo Afolayan. Bets exchanged, friendly banter, it would be a good night.

Mujaguzo Palace Press Briefing Room, day after Matchday 9

The Banijans had a great night, as their national team earned a big 4-2 win that put them at 9-0-0 at the halfway point of World Cup Qualifying. It was now Noon- they had a working morning with their Chromatik counterparts, and they had just been able to put the finishing touches on their agreement. The Kabaka had decided he would present the deal himself to the press, rather than the tradition of letting his son, the Foreign Minister, do it.

"Chromatika and Banija, although on opposite ends of Atlantian Oceania, have a very warm relationship with one another." Said Kabaka Mwanga. "This is why this state visit is happening and is possible- because this is a relationship that is valued. The cornerstone of this relationship, of course, is our shared belief in democracy. Chromatika went through a perilous to have a government that is of, by, and for the people of Chromatika, and Banija was there every step of the way. This was displayed perfectly at AOCAF LXI, when Xolile Lubabalo, our former Minister of Justice, was honored with The Checkered Cross."

"This is a relationship that runs beyond one person, and runs truly from a nation to nation level. That is one of the most important parts of this press conference today- to show that at the highest levels, head of state to head of government, the relationship is strong. Chromatika is making the right decisions to improve themselves- becoming responsive to their people, and becoming more open. We encourage as they blaze their own path in this world."

"As they open up, we are happy to have a surprise announcement- Chromatika will open air access, for the first time, beyond Ramuosk and Cathair. Those were the only two foreign cities, in Cosumar and Audioslavia respectively, where you could fly directly to Chromia. But Chromatika has decided that they want to open up beyond that, and Banija is honored to be the first new country on the list to have direct flights to and from Franscisca Larriet-Cortez International Airport in Chromia. The agreements we have signed today allow for direct flights from both Busukuma International, and South Moravica-Istria International Airport, to Chromia. It is a big development that will pave the way for better and deeper economic ties- something that will be a boon for both nations going forward."

Him and the Premier took their share of questions, and then bid the press goodbye as the Chromatik delegation flew back home. A successful trip and visit- the Kabaka was looking forward to the future of this relationship.

by **Springmont** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:42 pm

Basilsome Athletic FC Post League Report - Part 1

Basilsome started the season with the loss of their manager Bernie Stanton who moved to East Cherrywine FC. They then enlisted the services of Foxcamp Rover manager Grover Ty Snyder who was known for his firmness and high discipline. With Snyder in managerial position, Basilsome began to use the 4-2-3-1 tactic, a new change as Stanton became famous for using 4-4-2. They also got an experienced Gallant Cross (BRE) midfielder, Arran Berryman for free during TW 28.

MD1
Basilsome Athletic FC 6–2 Vigness City FC  @Wilford Street (3,221)
[I. Parax x3, A. Berryman x2, L. Gregory  |  P. Reyes x2]

In MD1, Basilsome Athletic easily thrashed Vigness City 6-2 at home, their young striker Igor Parax scored three goals, while their import Arran Berryman added two goals and substitute striker Lucas Gregory stole one goal in the match. Ty Snyder placed Lucius Langley, and Ron Summerpeak as double DMCs to curb attacks from opponents and proved successful.

MD2
Basilsome Athletic FC 4–2 East Cherrywine FC  @Wilford Street (3,205)
[A. Berryman, I.Parax, x3  |  O. Roston x2]

They were once again great in MD2 when they beat the club coached by their former coach, East Cherrywine FC 4-2, in which Parax again scored a hat-trick and Berryman contributed one goal from a great free kick 30 yards from the goal.

MD3
Gloswood FC 1–4 Basilsome Athletic FC   @Symell Memorial Park (11,789)
[A. Folombay  | I. Parax 2x, R. Summerpeak x2]

Their first away match also did not disappoint when they easily defeated Gloswood FC 4-1 in the opponent's court. Symell Memorial Park, which was crowded with opposing supporters, fell silent as they recorded a 4-1 victory with Parax scoring two goals, as did their rising DMC, Ron Summerpeak also stole two goals, both through a header. They now dominate the top of the league with 9 points from three matches.

MD4
Basilsome Athletic FC 3–0 Hawkamount FC   @Wilford Street (3,310)
[A. Berryman, I. Parax, L. Langley |  NA]

The next victory was achieved by beating the newcomer, Hawkamount FC, 3-0 at home. A. Berryman, I. Parax, and young midfielder Lucius Langley each contributed one goal. Parax is at the top of the Premier League top scoring charts. In this game Hawkamount defense, Clayton Gedgemont extreme sent off for a foul on Parax.

MD5
Joydean FC 1–6 Basilsome Athletic FC   @TXW Arena (5,309)
[L.Q. Sexton  | A. Berryman, I. Parax, L. Langley x3, R. Muriaman]

Basilsome's frenzy continued as he thrashed Joydean FC 6-1 away and silenced TXW Arena throughout the match. Midfielder Lucius Langley recorded a hat-trick that day, in addition to three goals from Barryman, Parax and right back, Rex Muriaman. They were also selected as the CLUB OF THE WEEK by TegaFOOT Magazine that week. For the record, Basilsome Athletic recorded 23 goals and 6 concedes, among the lowest of the week.

MD6
Basilsome Athletic FC 1–2 Ogdenaire Outlaw FC  @Wilford Street (3,209)
[E. Woodenfang  | C. Lamb x2]

Their unbeaten record was shattered when they were defeated by Ogdenaire Outlaw FC 1-2 in front of 3,209 supporters on MD6. Two goals from dynamo midfielder Clayton Lamb continued to erase their unbeaten record. Their consolation goal came from inverted winger Ednar Woodenfang two minutes before the end of the match.

MD7
Palmworth FC 1–1 Basilsome Athletic FC   @Hightemple Street (8,221)
[R. Wheatforest  | I. Parax]

Second week without a win when tied 1-1 Palmworth FC away. Basilsome almost lost if they was not awarded a penalty in the last minute and Igor Parax did not let it go.

This article bought to you by

by **Tequilo** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:17 pm

THE PROGNOSTICATIONS FOR OXO CONDÓR
1/5 Old Man Chuco

Paucarchuco Tlalqui of the town of Chanco Cóndor, known to all as Old Man Chuco, was enjoying a cold bottle of Sun™ beer with his good friend and lifelong conspirator Mauro Barcinó, and Señor Siñoy the Postman who was wightfather to his grandson, little Oxo. Wightfathers were appointed as surrogate mentors who could bring wisdom, and perhaps gifts, to enrich the life of a child; and their role in the life of a child was taken tremendously seriously. Little Oxo, approaching his fourth birthday, was soon to participate in an important ceremony of the Tequiloan disbelief system of Confusiónism called the Insubstantiation, where the wightfathers are expected to announce a range of contradictory goals for the child in line with the shambolic sacraments of Confusiónism. It is an importantly meaningless ceremony full of pomp and promise, and then a lot of Rhizote, Ixcal and Piyacoque - the three ‘enlightenments’; or intoxicants to use the more accurate term. Once the child has been put to bed and the adults thoroughly put through their paces in the drinking and subsequent hallucinating, the Insubstantiation concludes with some rowdy singsong, several minor injuries, a lot of groaning and probably a sizeable amount of projectile vomiting. Perhaps even a fight or two and a road traffic accident involving a single vehicle and a ditch. It is a deeply spiritual affair.

With the Insubstanciacion ceremony just a few days away, Señor Siñoy the Postman was taking his job as wightfather with the requisite sense of responsibility. He’d been in La Rosa Cantina drinking sunbeer and wightbeer and the blue agave spirit since the end of his postal round, picking the old grandfather’s brains about his hopes and dreams for the boy. Not surprisingly, Chuco wanted the child to follow a path that might have been his own, had he not been diverted to more prosaic activities such as labouring, being a husband, child-rearing and routine household maintenance. There had been a time, you see, way back in his youth, when Chuco had been very promising in the Pitxi - that is football, to you and me. His own brother had been a moderately successful professional before screwing it all up on corruption charges and bank robbery; Chuco himself had been an even better footballer, but Carhuanina The Resplendent, a local sorceress, had cast a palabra upon him with her beautiful ways, and he gave it all up to become Nina’s husband. He had no regrets and had lived a wonderful life, but he hoped that little Oxo might inherit his Pitxi genes and become a success at the football.

“I have no regrets, Señor,” he said again, raising a toast of blue agave spirit as if to confirm the point, “no regrets at all - I have lived a wonderful life!”

His friend Mauro, at his side since they were but crickets in the tall grass, downed his spirit in one and nodded agreement - he too had been sidetracked and befuddled by a powerful mystic in his youth, and had nothing but happy times and the occasionally confusing disassociation from reality in all the many years since. “To the brujas of Chanco Cóndor!” he cheered, referring to their wives in the proper term as powerful enchanters.

By now, Señor Siñoy the Postman, an able drinker for sure, was well past his best for the day, unable to keep pace with Chuco and Mauro, old champion drinkers of the town. His eyes were open but they could not focus, and his cheek was laid upon the table in a puddle of spilled beers and pistachio shells. He raised his glass a little, but could no longer navigate the space between hand and mouth by which to sup his spirit. He mumbled something of an agreement, though he could not adequately engage his tongue to shape proper words.

“I want the boy to play for the Índigo, Señor,” declared Chuco, referring of course to the second team of the nearby city of Huayna-Comitán. A devoted supported of Índigo Huayna, the team he almost made it with himself, Chuco was clear on his hopes for little Oxo Condór. “One day, with your good omens and competent wightfathering, I want the boy to become the greatest pitxi player in Índigo history, better even than Leyton, or Niño Pinto, or even his own great uncle Xuilo, the bandit-striker, dogs preserve him! I want him to take the Índigo up and above Acaco, up where they belong. And down with Acacoyagua, the dirty scummers!”

“I’ll drink to that,” said Mauro, producing three more shots of the blue agave spirit from the bar, “to Xuilo! … We should go visit him in the penitentiary soon, Chuco. To Xuilo Tlalqui!”

“Xuilo!” toasted Xuilo’s brother, Old Man Chuco.

“Xmmnff!” toasted Señor Siñoy, the Postman, his last words before unconsciousness took him.

TAPALUPÉ, Tequilo - So much football, so little time… don’t worry, when you don’t have time for the big read (and we don’t have time for the big write) let the GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL-a!!! Daily take the strain - all your analysis, in numbers, with our unique and exclusive Copametro…

WORKING NINETY-FIVERS EXTREMELY WELL
TEQUILO 1-1 Exnoventaycinco (95X) HT: 0-0

Location: Estadio Metrópoli, Tapalupé
Attendance: 61,677
Scorers: Ecuador | Jimmy Ten*
Booked: Ixtub Tün | Sally One*, Kara Six* and Dave Eight-Annahalf*
Sent off: -
Tequilo Line-Up: Oscar Bienvenido | Patrick Zambo, Haize Apeiztegui, Huracan (sub: Noxochinoch), Huachalla (sub: Chicchan) | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Mateo Tafalla, Leyton (sub: Masango Sukè) | Tlacolotl, Ecuador
Player of the Match: Tlacolotl (Tequilo)

* 95X names extemporised for want of a roster

NEXT UP
TEQUILO vs. Iles Rogieres
Sajnur vs. TEQUILO

Confirmed Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Iles Rogieres: Oscar Bienvenido | Patrick Zambo, Haize Apeiztegui, Noxochincoh, Chicchan | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Mateo Tafalla, Tutayan | Tlacolotl, Ecuador

Venue: Estadio Florenzio Mesperuza (El Mesperuza), Iragartze

Expected Line-Up for Sajnur vs. TEQUILO Oscar Bienvenido | Patrick Zambo, Haize Apeiztegui, Huracan, Huachalla | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Mateo Tafalla, Tutayan | Tlacolotl, Ecuador

Venue: National Stadium or Niurka Stadium or Queen Haqla Stadium or Siyaka Island Stadium, Sajnur - the Tequiloan FA, the UPT, are still waiting for a fax confirmation of where to go. Are they suspicious that this could be a ploy, given how late in the day it is? Damn right. Are they worried? Hell no. They wish they had thought of it themselves.

by **Geektopia** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:23 pm

Geektivities
*Be cool, be woke.
Reports done by Rodakowski, our new Sports categorist. Alongside him as an editor is Carrube.

Weighing in on gaffer's performance after the first half

Returning captain Szczerbinski is fired up shortly before his assist unto Barella

To be honest with you, I didn't have much hope from our rank anyways, I wanted to see the mates ability and how they played as well as the manager's retrospective effort to repeat his efforts last cycle, for me there's no better way to guarantee failure than to refuse to own up and talk about our problems and how to nip them in the bud and to fail to try to act out what you've discussed to yourself. Our manager's an active one, he doesn't hold back any secrets of himself or other players, which is a flawed attribute in a few ways, and he tries. He talks about the problem to himself and actively tries to sort it out. I think that's the kind of life skill that you need to bring to the table as a manager, and we've finally found one that has plenty of football knowledge and can communicate effectively. It's not just a matter of us finding him, we as Geektopians all know he loves football and started out from a rough patch playing Sunday league. So if nobody knows who the guy is, he makes more of an impression by being actionable and responsible for his players misdeeds, but not by too much when you put not bringing attention to your player's problems in the equation. Szczerbinski was headstrong so the coach put that on the bench for two games to make a statement as well as teach a lesson. And now, Dingle's even considering making random subs, almost as random as the Attacking Pass Formations that are drilled in training come pre-game. He never used to do that beforehand! It's just so cool to see him evolve as a manager and address growing problems within the squad.

This game against the Sultanate of Oontaz, it really changed my perspective on things. I noticed that the team was fluid, they worked together to beat an overachieving team in Oontaz, and they didn't slip up or reveal any dangerous spots for the opposing attack to take advantage from. It wasn't just a masterclass of tactics, it was less than that, but it still precursored what was to come against Kelssek at Isleshore Stadium. I have a quote here of the gaffer saying something that the players took with more than a grain of salt, almost to affect their playing style drastically and it goes, "If the opposing team wants more revenge, make your own reasons to hate them by reflecting on all the missed opportunities that were taken, then act upon it.". It just sounds like a botchy inspirational quote but there's more in between the lines. I'm not going to go in depth here or do anything like that, though, so let's reflect on the game itself, right?

Sultanate of Oontaz 0-4 Greens
Goals: 12' (Rydelek | pen. | Geektopia), 26' (Andreen | assist provided by Barella), 75' (Barella | assist provided by Szczerbinski | Geektopia), 80' (Idstein | assist provided by Rydelek | Geektopia)

Geektopia's focus will now shift on their home fixture against Oontaz Dert Li Ng, or in short The Sultanate of Oontaz, and try to replicate their results at home in the first match with a random player coming in for one coming out on the Geeks side as well as the first time the players will be encouraged to ease up from their APR after following at least one Attacking Pass Formation leading to a goal. This could also be a great chance to sneak up into second, but putting that aside, we will not underestimate the opponent who have bested Kelssek, Kohnhead, and Bostopia, the mighty empire which has a leader with clones of himself which can score goals in minutes as we saw earlier in the campaign.

Regarding the game, you could've called it over as Martin Opulencia's red opened the penalty spot up for Rydelek. Barella was also a player to notice, assisting once as well as scoring once. As to why you could've called it over from a spectator's point of view, well, the offence looked tired as well as demotivated to what shadow one part of their defense was hiding in. We know from the description from the Oontaznik defender Opulencia, and what we know is he doesn't like to ease off of challenges, so this was more likely to happen in a spell of good matches where really any team or set of players or sole player could get carried away with their form. For the challenge, there was determination and grit, but it was ultimately unsavoury looking and it was a dangerous challenge, being attempted when the ball left the attacker's feet in the penalty area.

PLAYER RATINGS
Gowartey | 7.0
Osorto | 7.0
Idstein | 8.0
Barella | 8.5
Crete | 7.0
Szczerbinski | 7.5
Andreen | 8.0
Sudlow | 7.0
Dolivo | 7.0
Picolet | 7.0
Rydelek | 8.5

by **Sylestone** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:11 am

The Holy Empire 4-3 Sylestone
So close, yet so far. When we predicted the result would be 5-0, we obviously underestimated how well sentient objects playing at their best. It turns out that they can be so good that they can very nearly defeat one of the best sides in the world. But it simply wasn't good enough and they had to deal with ending on ninth place after the first leg. They hope that they can make a rearguard action and finish top six.

In the first ten minutes, it appeared that both sides were simply taking the other's measure and somehow in the twelfth minute the Stove broke through the Holy Empire's defence and scored via an odd overhead kick. It was clear that MARG-20 had already spread to the Sylestonean midfielder as the stadium in the Dreamed Realm sat in stunned silence. But the shock was soon over and in the 25th minute, Jorge Vatatzes shot a ball from the halfway line over the Brick Wall's head and into the goal. Alexander Ceraluso soon backed this stunning kick up with an attempted header off a corner which somehow hit his bad parts. The Brick Wall was too busy laughing as the forward lay writhing on the ground only to be instantly healed. By the time this happened, the ball was at the back of the net and The Holy Empire had fought back to gain a 2-1 lead in the 29th minute. The Ironing Board effectively made it 3-1 as he fouled Ceraluso in the penalty area for no good reason. Ceraluso spanked it in after performing a perfect frontflip and it was 3-1 at half time.

After both sides began warming back into the game in the second half, goalkeeper John Comneno had a sudden desire to run up the field with the ball for whatever reason. He passed it to Ceraluso and you guessed it, he headed it right into the crossbar and into the goal to give the brilliant forward a hat-trick and his side 4 goals up to 1. It looked as though the Stove's goal was a fluke and the clock kept on ticking down, this occurrence looked more and more likely. Until it wasn't. The Mixer went absolutely crazy and his heroic dribbling skills, multiplied by the effect of MARG-20, let him score two goals in the 72nd and 76th minute. But it wasn't enough as the Bar Stool missed a prime opportunity to equalise. So 4-3 it was. And if a good loss existed, this was it.

Further discoveries on the Melville Rainforest Elves will be published when we come back for our games against Delaclava and Southwest Eastnorth.

THE HOLY EMPIRE - 4
Jorge Vatatzes 25'
Alexander Ceraluso 29', 41', 49'

SYLESTONE - 3
Stove 12'
Mixer 72', 76'

Predictions
Sylestone 1-1 Delaclava
Southwest Eastnorth 2-2 Sylestone

by **Indusse** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:19 am

IFA NEWS NETWORK
The Fire of Disappointment

The first half of the world cup is over now. Indusse is been ranked 7th in the group with a disappointing statistics.

Spotlight on: Indusse

Sultanate of Oontaz 0–4 Geektopia
Bostopia 1–5 Equestria
Indusse 2–2 Oberour Ar Moro
Libonesia 2–1 Woryand
Kelssek 2–0 Kohnhead

Group 13                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Equestria                              9    5   4   0    21    6  +15    19
 2 Kelssek                                9    6   1   2    21   10  +11    19
 3 Geektopia                              9    4   3   2    26   21   +5    15
 4 Sultanate of Oontaz                    9    3   5   1     9   10   −1    14
 5 Oberour Ar Moro                        9    3   4   2    21   17   +4    13
 6 Libonesia                              9    2   4   3     9   13   −4    10
 7 Indusse                                9    1   6   2    18   17   +1     9
 8 Kohnhead                               9    2   3   4    10   14   −4     9
 9 Bostopia                               9    1   3   5    22   32  −10     6
10 Woryand                                9    1   1   7    16   33  −17     4

Indussean National Team's performance in WC86 First half: 9 Matches, 1 Win, 6 Draws and 2 loses.
"6 draws!!What the? What is happening here. 6 draws that's is 6 points from draws and three points from a single win? We aren't going to qualify if this continues like this!" says Moteudi, coach of the team. "I saw a paper saying Indusse has a fire in their eyes. Yes we do have a fire in our eyes. It's the fire of disappointment! There isn't a need to blame Margaret or the Rubber chickens. Everything is the fault of the whole team including me". It wasn't a bad game for Indusse because the toppers of the group, Equestria had tied with Indusse for a score of 0-0.
Let's look at the previous matches:

Equestria 0–0 Indusse
Indusse 0–0 Sultanate of Oontaz
Bostopia 3–3 Indusse
Geektopia 4–3 Indusse
Indusse 0–0 Libonesia
Kelssek 4–2 Indusse
Indusse 1–1 Kohnhead
Woryand 3–7 Indusse
Indusse 2–2 Oberour Ar Moro

Goals Scored:18
Goals Conceded:17
Top Goal Scorers:
1. Baskar H Kumar 6 Goals
2. Mersiás 4 Goals
3. Butea 3 Goals
4. Djetson 3 Goals
5. Budjedtson 2 Goals

Will indusse qualify for the upcoming matches? ~~Margaret~~ The Team knows everything!

World Cup 86: Roleplay Thread

WCQ86 Matchday 7 and 8 rp (MAG page 3 and 4)

Murphtannia lose at home again.

WC-86q RP#4 MD11

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