IBC30 [rosters/RPs/results]

[Indusse]

LoopHole.net

---

A win again! With the victory against Ethane, indusse has secured the third position in the group. The match against Ethane was won by Indusse with a margin of thirty three points (53-84). Ethane is been defeated by Indusse for the second time. In the first match of tourney, they lost to Indusse itself. As the IBC tournament is going on, Indusse is facing the biggest ever drop in the national currency. the reason for that is the fall of price of export and the strike of Basket Weavers, which is the largest industry in Indusse.

[Graintfjall]

Seeing as we could all do with a break from politics, instead of main headlines let's look at this morning's children's cartoons while waiting for MD7 scores.

Super Sporði!: In this episode, Sporði the astronaut travels to a planet made entirely of cheese. His Mousetronaut co-pilots are ecstatic!

Rafnhildur & The Rockers: Rafnhildur's ongoing musical adventures have her working in a bakery to make some money to buy new guitar strings. Features a new song, "Happiness is a Warm Bun".

Chocolate Town: Florian and Markus have a difficult decision to make as their recipe calls for fresh whale meat. Features the final ever appearance of Aurelia the Whale.

Ultimate Rangers: The Rangers form up to defeat the evil wizard, unmask the sinister ghost haunting the spooky theme park, and learn the value of friendship. (Repeat, or just really uncreative, it's difficult to tell)

Geirbjørn the Goose: Geirbjørn teaches children how to safely have a snowball fight.

Princess Sólbjørg's Epic Adventures: Episode 7 of the "Rainbow Universe" arc as Sólbjørg ventures into the Violet lands and discovers a new color.

Thor vs. The Frost Giants: Ten minutes of amazing battle scenes. (Seizure warning)

(Film) Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth: Græntfjallers have some really weird ideas about what constitutes appropriate children's programming.

---

Red Group
Northwest Kalactin 71–70 Equestria
Sannyamathaland 90–71 Nagore
Juvencus 72–71 Hispinas

  Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Northwest Kalactin              7    5   2   538  494  +44
2 Equestria                       7    5   2   574  491  +83
3 Juvencus                        7    5   2   552  536  +16
4 Hispinas                        7    4   3   516  540  −24
5 Nagore                          7    1   6   525  586  −61
6 Sannyamathaland                 7    1   6   500  558  −58

Orange Group
The Jovannic 73–98 Pemecutan
Omerica 82–63 Megistos
Terre Septentrionale 78–75 Lisander

  Orange Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Lisander                        7    6   1   572  478  +94
2 Terre Septentrionale            7    6   1   574  528  +46
3 Omerica                         7    5   2   527  485  +42
4 Pemecutan                       7    3   4   563  543  +20
5 The Jovannic                    7    1   6   484  560  −76
6 Megistos                        7    0   7   484  610 −126

Yellow Group
Kohnhead 70–81 Indusse
Chromatika 64–61 Abanhfleft
Valladares 82–64 Ethane

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      7    6   1   567  476  +91
2 Abanhfleft                      7    4   3   555  500  +55
3 Indusse                         7    4   3   530  504  +26
4 Chromatika                      7    4   3   509  545  −36
5 Kohnhead                        7    2   5   495  524  −29
6 Ethane                          7    1   6   462  569 −107

Green Group
Central Shaneville 78–79 Sarzonia
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 67–60 The Grearish Union
ZSeparatists 91–76 Sylestone

  Green Group                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec         7    6   1   609  528  +81
2 Sarzonia                        7    6   1   606  531  +75
3 Central Shaneville              7    4   3   599  586  +13
4 ZSeparatists                    7    3   4   549  542   +7
5 Sylestone                       7    1   6   539  633  −94
6 The Grearish Union              7    1   6   492  574  −82

Blue Group
Kriegiersien 81–93 Hebitaka
Ottomeme 62–85 Tikariot
Delaclava 62–94 Drawkland

  Blue Group                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                    7    6   1   545  506  +39
2 Drawkland                       7    6   1   621  467 +154
3 Delaclava                       7    4   3   541  525  +16
4 Hebitaka                        7    3   4   544  555  −11
5 Tikariot                        7    2   5   453  556 −103
6 Ottomeme                        7    0   7   460  555  −95

Indigo Group
Rwekazaland 72–90 Banija
Græntfjall 79–55 Vykta
Qasden 79–69 Southwest Eastnorth

  Indigo Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                          7    7   0   706  464 +242
2 Græntfjall                      7    5   2   534  503  +31
3 Qasden                          7    4   3   523  525   −2
4 Vykta                           7    3   4   530  503  +27
5 Southwest Eastnorth             7    2   5   464  631 −167
6 Rwekazaland                     7    0   7   495  626 −131

Violet Group
West Phoenicia 70–87 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
Trolleborg 64–78 TJUN-ia
Greater Kamilistan 54–113 Valanora

  Violet Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valanora                        7    7   0   626  486 +140
2 TJUN-ia                         7    5   2   555  492  +63
3 Trolleborg                      7    5   2   565  504  +61
4 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom       7    2   5   498  574  −76
5 West Phoenicia                  7    2   5   496  568  −72
6 Greater Kamilistan              7    0   7   489  605 −116

Octarine Group
Nova Anglicana 79–78 Newmanistan
Maccian 68–71 Squidroidia
Lochario 91–81 HUElavia

  Octarine Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                     7    6   1   674  449 +225
2 Lochario                        7    5   2   531  533   −2
3 Squidroidia                     7    4   3   489  493   −4
4 Nova Anglicana                  7    3   4   514  570  −56
5 Maccian                         7    2   5   503  571  −68
6 HUElavia                        7    1   6   502  597  −95

Once more, eliminations are listed where a team cannot finish higher than 3rd (either because of points or losing a H2H tiebreaker). I still don't think any team has definitely qualified, but will add them in green once they have.

[Squidroidia]

The Inkopolis Times

---

SPORTS

THIS IS MADNESS!

As the greatest upset of the tournament unfolds in front of everybody's eyes, Squidroidia scrapes past Maccian

---

Have we ever told you the definition of insanity? That's what its like when you play in Altendalur and not actually having to travel to different lands. You stay there, in the same place, playing the same opponents until your eyes fall out of their sockets. It is nothing like baseball, but when you only narrowly win against Maccian when last time you played them you smacked them? 71-68 was a hard fought slugfest from the likes of McGovern and Wruck, but we have more business to talk about in this little paper of ours other than a narrow win over an unranked side.

Before Squidroidia turned back up for a rematch against Maccian, the 20 games unbeaten Newmanistan Rockets took on the Nova Anglicana Lions. The defending champions versus an unranked side. Central Shaneville did beat Quebec that one time but surely, surely Newmanistan is going to extend their streak to a Catch 21 and advance by Matchday 8, right?

If you said that before the game tipped off, you'd say yes, of course yes. Nova Anglicana lost to squids. They can't win against the defending champions. But remember the hour, remember the day, remember the city of Altendalur, the Nova Anglicana Lions pulled off what is most likely the greatest upset of the 30th running of the International Basketball Championships. Nova Anglicana 79... Newmanistan 78. It was close. It was VERY close. But the win streak has ended. And now to answer a Newmanistani question from the Rocket Report.

Can’t we [Newmanistan] just cancel all the other games and play Banija for the title now?

Like what Taylor Larson said, there are teams out there that are very capable to take down either Newmanistan or Banija. Look at Quebec, Sarzonia, Equestria, Drawkland, Valanora, even the grab bag known as Kriegiersien. Nothing is guaranteed, and this loss to the Lions was a wakeup call for the Rockets. They can't win off of sheer osmosis. They can't at all. They have to compete every game to win a championship, you can't slouch on Lochario, you can't slouch on Squidroidia, and you certainly can't slouch on Nova Anglicana. Yes, your win streak got broken, but you can't whine about that like your cat dying or you not affording to get a fancy watch. You have to suck it up and press forward. Nothing is guaranteed until the game is over.

Can Newmanistan win every other game on the path to a 4th title? Yes they can. Can they mess up and lose every game from now on? It's unlikely, but it's possible. You have to take every game at more than face value. It's how Equestria has the best domestic league and has dominated the IUBC with a supposed backwater league. It's how Valanora and Starblaydia are legendary in the world of association football. It's how the Free Republics, for everything they had done, were consistently good and not streaky when it came to hosting things than the newcomers replacing them. You have to take what you're facing at more than face value to beat the odds and make a legacy out of yourself.

Can anybody get to 20 straight wins again? Yes. Will it happen soon? Time will tell. But as the underdogs of Nova Anglicana have proven Newmanistan that everybody has their weakness, as small ball crumbled the long shooting Rockets, the rest of the IBC has gone insane. Let's shoot around the groups.

• The Red Group has a 3 way 5-2 tie between Northwest Kalactin, Equestria and Juvencus after NWK beat Equestria... While Sannyamathaland won a game,
• Lisander slip up for the first time this season, being beaten by Terre Septentrionale by 3 points,
• Indusse introduces itself to a potential Last 16 berth in the Yellow Group after eliminating Kohnhead, tied with Abanhfleft and Chromatika with a 4-3 record,
• Central Shaneville, the previous holders of the biggest upset in the tournament, narrowly lose to Sarzonia and are on the outside looking inside in the Green Group,
• Kriegiersien snap their undefeated run in the tournament by not losing to Drawkland or Delaclava, but instead Hebitaka,
• The Banijan Buzzsaw hits another snag against Rwekazaland as the hosts comfortably beat Vkyta,
• And Valanora, always wanting to not be outshined in their group, decimated Greater Kamilistan by 59 points to go to 7-0. The Dragons have won by the 2nd biggest margin this tournament, only behind Banija.

Teams eliminated from playoff contention are Nagore, The Jovannic, Kohnhead, Ethane, Sylestone, the Grearish Union, Tikariot, Southwest Eastnorth, HUElavia and West Phoenicia.

[Sarzonia]

Terry Rutledge looked for all the world like he was brimming with confidence. He walked over to the inbound area across from Central Shaneville centre Timmy Hansen as he was scanning the court to inbound the ball for a chance at a buzzer-beating victory with the home team trailing the Sarzonian national basketball team by one point with less than a second remaining in regulation. Rutledge all but strutted over to pressure Powell's inbound attempt with cocksure grin that suggested he knew the Stars had it in the bag.

Inwardly, however, his heartbeat was wildly pounding and his grin hid his nerves. He had four personal fouls and knew that if he fouled out and the Stars went to overtime, they would be in big trouble. He also knew Hansen's passing instincts in this game were on point, as the home team centre passed for six assists to go along with 18 points and 11 rebounds. For his part, Rutledge was held to just 13 points and nine rebounds and those four fouls.

Watch his eyes, Rutledge thought as the instructions Stars coach Thomas Manningham was screaming out were little more than background noise to the burly Sarzonian. Soon, the Squidroidian referee handed the ball to Hansen and Rutledge began small hops in the air with his arms extended, hoping to obscure Powell's vision enough to prevent a clean pass. Soon, Powell launched the ball. Rutledge felt the ball graze his fingertips and that threw the timing of the pass toward shooting guard Karl Anderson just enough to force him to lunge desperately for the ball to keep it out of the hands of Stars guard Mike West. He grabbed it and quickly attempted to launch the ball toward the net as West leapt in an attempt to prevent a clean look.

The ball sailed and only touched the very bottom of the nylon. The final horn sounded and the Stars escaped Central Shaneville with a 79-78 victory that kept the Stars level with fourth ranked Royal Kingdom of Quebec and now pushed them two matches ahead of upstarts Central Shaneville to a 6-1 mark. The home team fell to 4-3, two matches behind both ranked sides with three matches remaining. Granted, it wasn't an impossible task for Central Shaneville to perhaps edge aside Quebec if they somehow faltered in the final three matches. After all, Central Shaneville had a tiebreaker advantage over Quebec with a point differential advantage in the two matches they played. Their upset victory over Quebec was by 15 points; Quebec's victory was by six points in overtime.

As for the matchup with Sarzonia, the Stars won both encounters with an easy 20-point victory in Woodstock and the dramatic one-point away victory. If Central Shaneville somehow earned a tie in the Green Group table with the Stars, it would be the Sarzonians who would win out.

"We expected it to be a battle going in," West said after he lead the Stars with 22 points and eight assists. "Central Shaneville are an excellent side. That victory over Quebec was no fluke. Their taking Quebec to overtime was no fluke. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with in basketball in the years to come."

As for Rutledge, he finally admitted after the match that he was "anxious as fuck" as he stood across from Timmy Hansen to face the inbound.

"That could have gone either way," he said. "If they make that shot and win this match, we're talking about tiebreakers," he said. "Yes, we would be favoured in a tiebreaker even if we lost the match by one, but who wants to get into that drama with the match against Quebec still staring us in the face."

Before that, Sarzonia will have ZSeparatists at home and The Grearish Union away before the highest ranked team in the Green Group make their way to an already sold out Palestra.

"This is when things get really interesting," Manningham said after the match. "We haven't clinched anything yet and we need to remain focused, but I like where we are right now."

[Kriegiersien]

Blue group blues



Kriegiersien 81–93 Hebitaka


And now it has happened. The Kriegiersien team lost clearly and that against an opponent who was refered to as rather harmless and now instead can still dream of the qualification for the play-offs.


“We came here to destroy dreams of others and better ours for the title. Not the other way round. Maybe we overanalysed the last match and tried to make it better instead of just overrunning them. Make it more simple”, said Coach Wedgehog.


But instead a new idea was formed. A psychologist was hired to strengthen the spirit of the team and only hours later Dr. Jack Ill was flown in to treat the team.

He made one-on-one conversation, breathing exercises and hypnotherapy with every player and gave them a tonic. Sadly Bugezog missed his talk with him, because, according to him the doctor fled shouting “No, not yet! It begins!” into the night just when they had started the talk.

However, we will see what it does to the team.

[Nova Anglicana]

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

Ramsey announces coalition formation, new Cabinet

John McAvoy, Political Columnist, Londinium Courier

After weeks of hard-fought negotiation, the People's Party has formed a government in Londinium. The PP, the National Party, and the Libertarians won 54 of 100 seats, enough to form a government, but they have been negotiating over the details. This is the first time that the right will have formed a government in Nova Anglicana.

At a press conference earlier today, People's Party leader Michael Ramsey announced that the PP and its partners had agreed on a legislative program and on a cabinet. According to Ramsey, "introducing competition into the healthcare market" as well as "delivering much-needed tax relief" and "reining in government spending and reforming the benefit system" will be top priorities for this new government. There was no mention of immigration in his initial statement, but follow-up questions elicited answers like "something must be done about immigration" and "we think there's room for additional immigration enforcement". It sounds like the PP and the Nationals have won that battle for the time being, but stay tuned for additional details. Ramsey promised that the full program would be announced in the Governor-General's speech from the throne.

Ramsey also revealed the agreed-upon Cabinet list, with the People's Party taking 11 of 16 posts, the National Party 3 of 16, and the Libertarians 2 of 16. This likely reflects the PP's worry that the Nationals are a greater threat to them electorally or to pulling out of the coalition and need to be kept happy. It also appears that the PP has evaded the question of "which of our two coalition partners will get the Deputy PM slot" by simply giving it to neither of them and allocating them their top choices in other Cabinet posts instead.

Ramsey will be the Prime Minister, with Melody Savoy, PP leadership candidate as his Deputy PM. As Deputy PM, Meyer will be responsible for managing the rank and file, articulating government policy, and helping organize party efforts. This is a big win for Savoy, who is a younger face for the party who represents more of a libertarian direction for them. It remains to be seen how much influence she will have, however. Becoming the new Minister of Defense is Hugh Townsend, former Rear Admiral in the Nova Anglican Sea Guard and current Senator-elect from New Brunswick for the National Party, of which he is the Deputy Leader. Townsend is a fierce defender of the military and while it remains incredibly unlikely that the armed forces will need to be used, Townsend has been an advocate of using them if necessary. This is the first of three key posts for the National Party. The Libertarians take their first Cabinet post as their leader William Dawson becomes the new Minister of Finance. Dawson has indicated that he will try to rein in govt debt and promote limited government spending. We can also expect a loosening of rules around banks and other financial institutions. Daniel Foster will be the PP's choice for Foreign Affairs, where he will be tasked with balancing Townsend's hawkishness with diplomacy. Foster is a bit more of an isolationist; it's a good bet he and Townsend will clash over the use of force, but he will certainly make Nova Anglicana a bit more insular. He will also oversee the sub-Ministry of Trade, which means we might see tariffs, quotas, or trade renegotiations under his tenure.

Celia Yates, Kelly Goodman, and Ann Lewis, three high-profile PP women, will take over the Ministries of Education, Health, and Social Services, respectively. Yates has long been an advocate of charter schools and tuition vouchers for private education; it's likely she'll push hard for these policies while also trying to bring down higher education spending. Kelly Goodman is a former hospital CEO; she'll be tasked with spearheading healthcare reform, so we can expect a healthy dose of market liberalisation in that sector. Finally, Lewis has been a persistent critic of welfare spending. She is expected to push for more stringent work requirements, tightening of disability eligibility, and a welfare policy that limits spending while attempting to direct it a bit more towards married families rather than single-parent households or single people. Rounding out the welfare state reductionists is Chuck Vail, a business-friendly Deputy with ties to the airline industry. As Minister of Infrastructure, he's thought to be in favor of airline deregulation, using the government to spur private investment rather than direct spending, and reducing the role of NovaRail in the rail system. It is unknown at this point as to how he feels about the current high-speed rail system or its future expansion. Also in the business-friendly category is Libertarian Cecil Buchanan, who, as the Minister for the newly renamed Commerce and Labor Ministry, is expected to make doing business significantly easier in Nova Anglicana. Although he has pushed for allowances and reductions in regulation for small businesses in the past, it's thought that he is likely to either try to expand deregulation for all businesses or try to devolve more regulation to the provinces, which some fear could end in a "race to the bottom", while others believe it will spur innovation.

On the law and order side of things, the PP's Edmund Baird will take over as Justice Minister, while National Party leader King Voss and Parliamentary Chairman and member of the House of Deputies Christopher Mathewson will be the new Interior and Immigration Ministers, respectively. Baird is a staunch supporter of Ramsey and a mainline conservative within the party. He's promised to increase support for law enforcement and ramp up the fight against hard drugs, though how much he will be able to accomplish in that role, given Libertarian opposition to both of those priorities, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Voss will take over as the head of domestic and election security at the Ministry that surveilled him and his party. Sources in the Interior Ministry are reportedly worried about retribution, though Voss has publicly promised that his priorities would be "surveilling those groups who need to be watched, and protecting Nova Anglican citizens from both Islamist terrorism and election fraud." It's a powerful post for them. Lastly, Mathewson becomes the new Minister of Immigration. He's a hardliner, just like Voss and most of the National Party, but again, the Libertarians are watching him like a hawk. For the moment, he'll be able to deploy the resources of the Ministry to stepping up raids and gum up the works on legal immigration, but without legislative authorisation or an additional budget, his ability to effect true change is limited.

Scott Gilbert is the new Environment Minister; he's been an advocate of increased oil and gas exploration and will advocate for a stronger law on legalised fracking. He is, however, not seen as someone who will gut the Ministry; he's said that he believes climate change is real, but is skeptical of humans' role in it. He says he favors an "all of the above" energy strategy that includes nuclear and natural gas as low-carbon alternatives, but he also wants to develop Nova Anglican energy independence through increased oil development. Leonard Carroll is the new Agriculture Minister, and he'll get to work on trade protections, exports, and to a certain extent, farm subsidies. He is seen as a relative moderate in terms of big farms versus small, and organic farms versus non-organic. He's a popular choice that won't offend anyone. Finally, PP moderate Bethany Cohen, after having won re-election in a swing district, will serve as Minister of Culture. This is both a sop to the moderate wing of the party and a bit of public relations ploy, as the Ministry of Culture oversees the sub-Ministry of Sport, whose potential elimination caused an outcry due to the popularity of the national sports teams. A fairly well-trusted as well as still electorally vulnerable figure like Cohen is unlikely to make waves. Additionally, Culture is a backwater ministry at best, so the coalition and Ramsey can gain some points without sacrificing anything real.

Nova Anglican Cabinet

Prime Minister: Michael Ramsey (PP)
Deputy Prime Minister: Melody Savoy (PP)
Minister of Defense: Hugh Townsend (National)
Minister of Finance: William Dawson (Libertarian)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Daniel Foster (PP)
Minister of Education: Celia Yates (PP)
Minister of Health: Kelly Goodman (PP)
Minister of Social Services: Ann Lewis (PP)
Minister of Infrastructure: Charles Vail (PP)
Minister of Commerce and Labor: Cecil Buchanan (Libertarian)
Minister of Justice: Edmund Baird (PP)
Interior Minister: King Voss (National)
Minister of Immigration: Christopher Mathewson (National)
Minister of the Environment: Scott Gilbert (PP)
Minister of Agriculture: Leonard Carroll (PP)
Minister of Culture: Bethany Cohen (PP)

[Terre Septentrionale]

OOC: I know nothing about basketball, so i'm gonna RP about... elections

New Ballup Poll: Far right chancellorian candidate Alexandra Ostiguy-Carbonneau is leading

Ville Jacques-Cartier, DC - The most recent polling survey conducted by Ballup Poll inc. between december 6th 2027 and december 17th 2027 shows far right candidate Alexandra Ostiguy-Carbonneau ahead of incumbent chancellor Sheldon Koivu. AOC notably advocates for banning gay marriage. AOC is leading with roughly 42% while Koivu is at 34,5%. Separatist leader C.D. Dalton of the Texan Block has just over 1%.

Ballup survey conducted between december 6th 2027 and december 17th 2027. 4,7% error margin.

Chancellorian candidate         Party                        Respondents	Percentage

Alexandra Ostiguy-Carbonneau	Parti National (PN)		    846	        42,30%
Sheldon Koivu	                Coalition Avenir Solidaire (CAS)    691	        34,55%
Grzegorz Piszczek	        Option Septentrionale (OS)	    276	        13,80%
C. D. Dalton	                Texan Block (TB)		     33	         1,65%
Don't know / Refuse to answer			                    154	         7,70%
				
Total			                                          2 000	       100.00%

The 2028 chancellorian elections will be held in july 2028 during the World Cup qualifications.

Valérie Destroismaisons,
Policical analyst,
La tribune Septentrionale

[TJUN-ia]

After a comfortable victory over Greater Kamilistan, the biggest game in TJUN-ia's IBC30 arrived in Hofvinger, Graintfjall. TJUN-ia vs Trolleborg II was upon us and with the Jags 4-2 entering the game, victory and revenge over their 4-1 opponents was a must if they wanted any chance of reaching the playoffs this time around. For Bao Zhou, it would be his biggest test as head coach thus far in a game that could set up the mood of the Zhou Dynasty heading into the final 3 games. Both he and his counterpart in Hendrik Romeijnders knew how this game was in the North Wolf Bay Arena. Another win for Trolleborg would end TJUN-ia's hopes on the spot but the Jags could get revenge, then the battle for 2nd would definitely be on. It would be do or die in Hofvinger, no matter who won tonight.

The first half would be similar to MD2 in its tightness as both teams set out to claim any advantage they could in this important fixture. DeMarcus Winston was a man possessed, scoring 15 points all to himself but with Kjell Scherpen on his tail with 14. The other players balled out, as expected, and at half time it was Trolleborg with the slight advantage, 40-38.

But once the 3rd period arrived, Bao decided to enact a play he hadn't used for a long time: the QuickDraw. Last we saw of its might was at IBC29, slaying the Dragons of Valanora in an epic contest at the Unity Center. Now the play was being brought out for only the 2nd time and, as such, onto the court came the La Esperantisto - Adamo Zamenhofo. He took the fire that Winston had lit and turn it into a blaze, scoring points whenever he can when Jean-Jacques Mpolando's long balls led to scores. Trolleborg were trying their best to catch up with the play, but nothing could be done. As the final buzzer sounded, Bao Zhou fist-pumped the air with as much joy as he could muster. TJUN-ia had gotten revenge over their BoF71 friends by 14 points, 78-64, and the great play of both Winston and La Esperantisto has made the battle the second wide open.

With Trolleborg playing Valanora next, TJUN-ia needs to keep up the good work if they are to be in the best position come their 2nd duel with the Dragons on the final day. The next challenge is Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom, a team the Jaguars dispatched by 33 points in MD4, but if basketball is anything it is the sport of the underdog. No opponent should be overlooked here. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Violet Group - All Games @North Wolf Bay Park, Hofvinger)
MD1: @Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 79-78 (3rd)
MD2: vs Trolleborg (=15) L 66-74 (4th)
MD3: @West Phoenicia (UR) W 81-74 (3rd)
MD4: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR) W 98-65 (3rd)
MD5: vs Valanora (5) L 69-73 (3rd/3-2/+29PD)
--------------------Break--------------------
MD6: vs Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 84-64 (3rd)
MD7: @Trolleborg (=15) W 78-64 (2nd)
MD8: vs West Phoenicia (UR)
MD9: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR)
MD10: @Valanora (5)
---------------Super Skill Contest---------------

[Central Shaneville]

SETTLING FOR THIRD?
A short update this evening from a Central Shaneville camp that seems content where they are in the competition as they lost by a point to Sarzonia at home tonight.

Coach Michael Shane commented saying "Morale is high even if we cant get through we have had a great time and we have made our mark on the tournament but if its our time to leave its our time to leave." He then moved on to what his future is in the Central Shaneville Basketball team with him commenting "Well I think I am in it for the long run like the rest of the boys, we have a bright future here in this sport and we will be back and if we finish 3rd in the Group stage, were not out yet though, then we have had an exceptional tournament."

This doesn't mean that the Trains are settling for 3rd as there next games they are favourites following their first half performance against ZSeparatists, The Grealish Union and Sylestone also with Sarzonia and Quebec not invincible by any means the Trains could scrape through.

[Indusse]

LoopHole.net

Victory 'gain! shouts the Indussean fans. Indusse defeated Kohnhead for a 11 point margin. The score was 70-81 and Indusse is now tied with Abanhleft on the second position in group. "It seems that Valladares has secured the group champion position" says Arthur Geremy, who's one of the sports writers of the nation. Valladares leads the group with six wins and one lose. Abanhleft and Indusse is in the second position with four wins and three loses. Kohnhead and Ethane got eliminated from the group as they just have two and one wins respectively.

Yellow Group
Kohnhead 70–81 Indusse
Chromatika 64–61 Abanhfleft
Valladares 82–64 Ethane

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      7    6   1   567  476  +91
2 Abanhfleft                      7    4   3   555  500  +55
3 Indusse                         7    4   3   530  504  +26
4 Chromatika                      7    4   3   509  545  −36
5 Kohnhead                        7    2   5   495  524  −29
6 Ethane                          7    1   6   462  569 −107

[Graintfjall]

MD8 cutoff.

Red Group
Equestria 86–90 Juvencus
Hispinas 77–69 Sannyamathaland
Nagore 82–80 Northwest Kalactin

  Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Juvencus                        8    6   2   642  622  +20
2 Northwest Kalactin              8    5   3   618  576  +42
3 Equestria                       8    5   3   660  581  +79
4 Hispinas                        8    5   3   593  609  −16
5 Nagore                          8    2   6   607  666  −59
6 Sannyamathaland                 8    1   7   569  635  −66

Orange Group
Pemecutan 78–67 Terre Septentrionale
Lisander 77–82 Omerica
Megistos 79–74 The Jovannic

  Orange Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Lisander                        8    6   2   649  560  +89
2 Terre Septentrionale            8    6   2   641  606  +35
3 Omerica                         8    6   2   609  562  +47
4 Pemecutan                       8    4   4   641  610  +31
5 The Jovannic                    8    1   7   558  639  −81
6 Megistos                        8    1   7   563  684 −121

Yellow Group
Indusse 78–84 Valladares
Ethane 61–72 Chromatika
Abanhfleft 79–73 Kohnhead

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      8    7   1   651  554  +97
2 Abanhfleft                      8    5   3   634  573  +61
3 Chromatika                      8    5   3   581  606  −25
4 Indusse                         8    4   4   608  588  +20
5 Kohnhead                        8    2   6   568  603  −35
6 Ethane                          8    1   7   523  641 −118

Green Group
Sarzonia 69–69 ZSeparatists (81–78 OT)
Sylestone 73–77 Royal Kingdom of Quebec
The Grearish Union 67–83 Central Shaneville

  Green Group                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec         8    7   1   686  601  +85
2 Sarzonia                        8    7   1   687  609  +78
3 Central Shaneville              8    5   3   682  653  +29
4 ZSeparatists                    8    3   5   627  623   +4
5 Sylestone                       8    1   7   612  710  −98
6 The Grearish Union              8    1   7   559  657  −98

Blue Group
Hebitaka 74–89 Delaclava
Drawkland 76–58 Ottomeme
Tikariot 59–102 Kriegiersien

  Blue Group                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                    8    7   1   647  565  +82
2 Drawkland                       8    7   1   697  525 +172
3 Delaclava                       8    5   3   630  599  +31
4 Hebitaka                        8    3   5   618  644  −26
5 Tikariot                        8    2   6   512  658 −146
6 Ottomeme                        8    0   8   518  631 −113

Indigo Group
Banija 91–63 Qasden
Southwest Eastnorth 77–78 Græntfjall
Vykta 65–84 Rwekazaland

  Indigo Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                          8    8   0   797  527 +270
2 Græntfjall                      8    6   2   612  580  +32
3 Qasden                          8    4   4   586  616  −30
4 Vykta                           8    3   5   595  587   +8
5 Southwest Eastnorth             8    2   6   541  709 −168
6 Rwekazaland                     8    1   7   579  691 −112

Violet Group
Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom 77–62 Greater Kamilistan
Valanora 77–76 Trolleborg
TJUN-ia 77–53 West Phoenicia

  Violet Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valanora                        8    8   0   703  562 +141
2 TJUN-ia                         8    6   2   632  545  +87
3 Trolleborg                      8    5   3   641  581  +60
4 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom       8    3   5   575  636  −61
5 West Phoenicia                  8    2   6   549  645  −96
6 Greater Kamilistan              8    0   8   551  682 −131

Octarine Group
Newmanistan 125–69 Lochario
HUElavia 55–54 Maccian
Squidroidia 76–90 Nova Anglicana

  Octarine Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                     8    7   1   799  518 +281
2 Lochario                        8    5   3   600  658  −58
3 Squidroidia                     8    4   4   565  583  −18
4 Nova Anglicana                  8    4   4   604  646  −42
5 Maccian                         8    2   6   557  626  −69
6 HUElavia                        8    2   6   557  651  −94

We have our first confirmed qualifications and some more confirmed eliminations. In many groups the H2H tiebreakers mean a number of outcomes remain possible.

[Squidroidia]

Going to try something different due to personal reasons. Sorry for the short RP in advance.

---

Squidroidia are on the edge of elimination.

For their first time in the IBC, it should have been a given - They're unranked, they have Newmanistan and Lochario in their group, everybody wants to hunt them down for all they are worth - But the fact that they survived all of this in the hard as nails Octarine group? They were freaks.

And this wasn't some Death Note crap too, in fact HUElavia just grabbed it and wrote Maccian's name to yeet them out of the IBC. They were consistent, they showed the world that they can play basketball too, and yet... When it all doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Nova Anglicana have been worked up so high from the Newmanistan upset that they beat the Inklings by 14 points. Now things were getting serious.

And what's next? Newmanistan finna fuck up their hopes of qualification. They are Newmanistan, they only went and beat Lochario by another 56 points. It's almost like they have Shinigami eyes or something, evaporating everyone in their sight as they go on to dominate the IBC along with Banija.

Speaking of which, how are Banija?

Oh, they won by a modest amount. Huh. They were the Banijan Buzzsaw, why didn't they decimate Vkyta?

Whatever. Squidroidia are on the edge of elimination. They NEED to win against Newmanistan. They NEED to pull off the upset against the Rockets. And then they need to beat HUElavia too. AND Lochario has to lose both of their upcoming games. And Nova Anglicana? If they somehow slip past HUElavia alongside Lochario, they have to win by a tight enough margin in both games to not surpass Squidroidia.

And with how unlikely that is, even though it is mathematically possible? Hang it up already.

We aren't beating Newmanistan.

Nova Anglicana isn't going to beat Lochario.

Maccian isn't probably going to beat Lochario again.

HUElavia might slip us up on the final day.

We gotta start looking forward to the Super Skill Contest.

[Central Shaneville]

CENTRAL SHANEVILLE BACK TO WINNING WAYS
After the two favourites of the green group handed the island nation two back to back losses the Trains came back in a match against The Grealish Union winning by 16 points.

As usual it was the Hansen brothers and Zlatan Ekstrom racking up the points with "morale seemingly boosted after this win even if getting through seems like it will be a hell of a mountain to climb" coach Michael Shane said after the game.

As for the game itself there wasnt much to report on as Central Shaneville lead the way in pretty much every quarter against the Union and whilst there was a decent amount of fight back they were no match for Ekstrom and the Hansens who media outlets have put forward as players to watch in future tournaments and whilst Central Shaneville's time in the tournament seems to be on borrowed time the team can still take pride in themselves however with games to go and with the Top 2 still to play each other anyone could still get out the group.

[Sarzonia]

After the Sarzonian national basketball team breezed through the first four matches of the 30th International Basketball Championships, the team looked like a unit that could potentially challenge ancient rivals Newmanistan and current multi-sport rivals Banija for supremacy.

A blowout loss in Quebec brought the team back to reality, and after an easy win over Sylestone, the Stars had a hard fought victory over Central Shaneville.

In a match attended by a crowd of 19,372 fans at The Palestra, it took a contested three-pointer at the buzzer by point guard Ben Thomas in overtime for the Stars to overcome ZSeparatists, winning 81-78 to improve to 7-1 and essentially clinch a spot in the knockout rounds.

Quebec defeated Sylestone 77-73 to keep pace with the Stars, as both teams are two matches clear of third placed Central Shaneville, who won their match against The Grearish Union 83-67. The Trains still have a mathematical chance to qualify with the head-to-head point differential tiebreaker over Quebec. However, they cannot overtake Sarzonia, who defeated them twice.

"Mike [West, Sarzonia shooting guard] was covered," Thomas said. "My mark decided to double him on the three, so it left me open. I took that personally."

The Stars never led ZSeparatists by more than nine points and the visitors never led by more than four in a match that saw Sarzonia shoot just 38 percent from the floor. West was held to just 12 points through regulation, but hit two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining to draw the match level. He stole a pass from a ZSeparatists player intended for their starting centre and called timeout with 3.2 seconds remaining in overtime to set up the match-winning shot.

"We've definitely learned how to handle adversity these past four matches," said Stars coach Thomas Manningham. "One loss, two matches decided in the final possession. I think it's going to help us in the knockout rounds."

The loss eliminated ZSeparatists (3-5) from knockout round contention.

Sarzonia have one final away match to The Grearish Union before their highly-anticipated battle against Quebec at The Palestra. Arena officials said the match was already sold out and they were expecting a capacity crowd.

"It's gonna be electric," said one staffer at The Palestra.

[Juvencus]

Virgin Mary of the West Cathedral, Pomena, December 15th, 1983

While the storm was over, the country was mourning over 2 things, one was the destruction of multiple crops and the other, being more important, the death of its long time ruler, Paolo IV. Today was the first day where his body were to lie in state. Countless individuals flooded in the cathedral to see the body of its dead ruler, as it was also an open-casket service. The open casket was heavily guarded by royal guards in all directions while people were passing by to pay respects.

In all truthfulness, his rule was nothing short of tyrannical. Over the past 25 years, Paolo IV managed to close the Holy Empire's borders to the outside world, much like his predecessors did. A lack of advancement meant a lot of people were under the line of poverty and were forced to move to the big cities for even a sliver of opportunity. After a 2-year war against Oscioru back from 1971 through to 1973 ending in a massive disaster for the Juven army, counting as many as 75,000 total casualties and being pushed back all the way to important southern center of Córdoba, almost losing it after a heavy siege with heavy artillery, before a peace treaty was signed, which favored the Osci. The approval of the Holy Emperor was at an all-time low and while people were, indeed, mourning the death of their leader, they seemed to be more anxious as to who would actually succeed him to the throne and what he had to bring to the table.

67,722 people visited to the Cathedral that day.

Virgin Mary of the West Cathedral, Pomena, December 16th, 1983

On the 2nd day of the public open-casket service, more people flooded in the temple to see the body of their dead Holy Emperor. Everything seemed to flow fine and everybody seemed to be respectful, however, by 4:44 pm, local time, an unknown group of men stormed in the temple setting their sights to mutilating the dead body of Paolo IV. They were carrying machetes as well as broken glass and were screaming very loud chants of the sort

"WE ARE GLAD THIS WASTE OF SPACE IS DEAD, WE ARE HERE TO CUT HIM FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH."

"NA NA NA NA THE EMPEROR IS DEAD, THE STATE IS SAFE, WE ARE HERE TO PUT GLASS ON THE STEAK."

The guards were put, and while the armed men came closer to the body, they were immediately deterred by the also armed guards, which managed to drop the armed men's machetes and eventually put them down and arrest them. The people were panicked, however everything else flowed smoothly for the rest of the day. The next body the body was to be moved to the church of the conception, at the Royal Palace where the second ever televised funeral of a Juven monarch was to be aired live. However, no news about the new heir to the throne, something that caused anxiety to most of the population.

93,801 people visited the cathedral that day for a total of 161,523 people over those 2 days.

[TJUN-ia]

After an important victory over Trolleborg via QuickDraw, I had mistakenly told you our next game was against Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom. Turns out, it was the Phoenixes of West Phoenicia up next for Bao Zhou and his Hoops-Jags but none of that mattered now. The last game played before this match-up in Hofvinger, Graintfjall saw Valanora takedown Trolleborg by only 1 point to join Banija and Newmanistan in qualifying for the playoffs. TJUN-ia knew any type of win would see the Jags remain in 2nd but Bao knew with the Dragons on the horizon, the group may come down to Point Differential.

And so, when tip-off arrived, getting the dub wasn't the only goal the team had in mind. The main aim was to win by double digits at least, to try and make the Jags ahead by many in PD over Trolleborg just in case it may be required to decide 2nd in the group. West Phoenicia were great opponents in this game but the Jags were on a mission, and that meant they were too much to handle. Travarius Okuramangawa balled once again with 26 points and the team looked strong once again. There is nothing much you can say about this one except the final score: TJUN-ia win 77-53, the 24 point margin means the Jaguars have a 27 point advantage over Trolleborg with 2 games to play.

It's looking good for the Zhou Dynasty right now, but everyone knows it's not over until the final whistle sings in the final game. Next up we, finally, play Zeta Reka and if we can survive that unscathed, our fate may be decided by the Dragons. It's do or die from here. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Violet Group - All Games @North Wolf Bay Park, Hofvinger)
MD1: @Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 79-78 (3rd)
MD2: vs Trolleborg (=15) L 66-74 (4th)
MD3: @West Phoenicia (UR) W 81-74 (3rd)
MD4: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR) W 98-65 (3rd)
MD5: vs Valanora (5) L 69-73 (3rd/3-2/+29PD)
--------------------Break--------------------
MD6: vs Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 84-64 (3rd)
MD7: @Trolleborg (=15) W 78-64 (2nd)
MD8: vs West Phoenicia (UR) W 77-53 (2nd)
MD9: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR)
MD10: @Valanora (5)
---------------Super Skill Contest---------------

[Banija]

AO roars in North Rushmore- can Atlantian Oceania break their IBC trophy drought in the White Winter Queendom?


Banijan basketball supporters group cheer on the Lions in their IBC 30 game against Qasden

HAGEJOKI, GRÆNTFJALL- Atlantian Oceania. The region of champions, as we like to call ourselves. We've written about this before, how it's a designation that can apply with the World Cup, but it is something that cannot apply with many other sports. Some sports, yea, AO goes out to dominate. The biggest sport, soccer, we are the biggest in, ergo it's a designation that can follow. And pure numbers can help- there are usually at least decent amounts of AO nations at almost every regional championships. But regions of champions we are not in many other sports. Rushmori are kings in the Olympics. Esportiva rule baseball. And AO has its own share of struggles in other sports, no other big sport do we underperform in more than basketball.

It has been 12 tournaments since this region last provided a champion at the IBCs. Cosumar beat the defending champions, Ko-oren, in an all-AO Final. At the time, it looked like Atlantian Oceania nations were going to establish a lock themselves on this trophy. Ko-oren going to back to back title games, winning one and then losing the second. Cosumar beating the defending champions who were from AO, and there were a number of strong AO nations at that tournament. 3 of 4 semifinalists being from the region, we fully expected to be able to thoroughly compete in this tournament for a long time. But we've only made Four Finals since then, in the next 11 tournaments- and have lost all 4.

But then- we started to really get shown up in this tournament. First, it would be The Andromeda Islands, taking down Vangaziland in the Final and shutting AO out of the medal table entirely. Unbeknownst to anybody at the time, this was the first tournament out of many where Atlantian Oceania would suffer. And, of course, was the beginning of an extended period of dominance by independents(aka, nations who are not from the traditional 'BIg 3' sporting regions of Rushmore, Atlantian Oceania, or Esportiva). Starting in IBC XX, Saint Kanye would start their period of dominance, winning four of the next five tourneys(IBC XX, XXII, XXIII, and XXIV), establishing themselves firmly as one of the greatest dynasties in IBC history. In IBC XX, they beat Ko-oren in the Final, while in IBC XXI, the only tournament out of those five that wasn't won by Saint Kanye, Abanhfleft downed Valanora.

After Saint Kanye won their threepeat, establishing themselves firmly as unbeatable and one of the greatest basketball powers of our time, they retired from international basketball, having accomplished what they set out to do. Back-to-back-to-back world champions. But that opened the field for the rest of the multiverse, who would try and get their hands on the trophy. Repeatedly, however, AO nations were locked out of this trophy. Drawkland, an independent, won IBC 25, defeating our own nation on home soil in the Round of 16 en route to defeating another AO power, the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, in the IBC 25 Final. Esportiva nation Vangaziland went back-to-back in IBCs 26 and 27, before Drawkland denied them a threepeat of their own by winning the Final of IBC XXXIII.

IBC XXIX, of course, was in Equestria. We were in the final against another Esportiva power- Newmanistan. We were all there. We all saw what happened, there's no need to go over it. But in the last 11 IBCs, three have been won by Esportiva nations, and a stunning 8 have been won by independents. None have been won by Atlantian Oceania. And even technically, Rushmore has a streak dating back one tournament longer, since Saintland won IBC 17, but we aren't a Rushmore publication, are we?

It's not that there isn't talent in this region. You can regularly find AO nations in the top five, and multiple AO nations in the top 10. AO leagues in the Glorious Southwest compete well in IUBC competition, with squads from Equestria and Valanora regularly making deep runs. But why can't Atlantian Oceania nations seem to regularly put it together in this competition? We asked Isaiah Lavaga, the Banijan head coach. "It's been 12 tournaments since an AO nation last took home this trophy? I had no idea. There's all sorts of talent in this region. We have an elite team. Valanora's squad is one of the best in the multiverse. Royal Kingdom of Quebec. Qasden is having a down year for sure, but they're regularly strong. Northwest Kalactin is quickly rising up the ranks. It's hard to say- but I would put a bet that the streak will surely end sooner rather than later."

And for fans of Atlantian Oceania basketball, they surely hope it does. It's a streak, out of the Big 5 sports (in Banija) that is really unique to this sport. AO have two of the last four World Bowl titles(both Ko-oren), five of the last six World Cup trophies, have the reigning World Cup of Hockey champion(Siovanija & Teusland), as well as having two of the last five World Baseball Classic winners. This seems to the sport where, despite no deficit of basketball talent in this region, none of our nations can finally make it over the hump.

But here in Græntfjall, there are a number of AO squads that are pining to end this streak. North Rushmore would surely be the last place you'd expect us to be able to end this streak? But there are teams that are threatening. Banija, of course, is at the top of that list. A dominant 8-0 squad, they've captured the nickname "The Banijan Buzzsaw", a nickname granted by The Inkopolis Times of Squidroidia. We've been dominant in the Indigo Group, winning every game we've played by double digits, and the only game that was within 15 points was our 91-78 win over Vykta on Matchday 4. Newmanistan of course, aside from one fluke loss, has been equally dominant, and many thought the two seemed destined for a path to meet in the Final again.

But there are plenty of Atlantian Oceania sides who are threatening to make deep runs. The other undefeated team is not Newmanistan, who leads the tournament overall in point differential(+281, or a ridiculous average margin of 35 points per game). The other undefeated team is Valanora. They've always been strong, but many did not expect this. But this is an ancient nation, one that has had a multitude of success in all sorts of sports. 8-0, undefeated. They can win close games, they can dominate bad teams- this is no fluke. Valanora is a team that is ready for prime time, and as they are on track for the #2 overall seed in the knockout stages, they have just as good of a chance as anyone.

Take a look at the green group for two AO contenders. Sarzonia and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec are both 7-1, and are both expected to make it into the knockout stages with ease, with high seeds. They've both also shown an ability to win close games. Sarzonia's only loss is to Quebec. The Quebecois fell on Matchday 1, but they haven't lost since, winning 7 games in a row. While they play each other on Matchday 10, they should both at have at least 8 wins, and one should have 9. Both are legitimate contenders to win this trophy.

And, of course, we have dark horse candidates in Northwest Kalactin and Equestria. While neither probably could be classified as 'great' or 'elite', they are both strong, good basketball teams who can beat anybody on any given day. Could they win the four in a row required against equivalent or higher competition to win this tournament, this year? Probably not, but they are both threats for the future. Equestria's domestic basketball scene is strong enough to offer a good supply for the national team, while Northwest Kalactin is slowly making its rise in this sport.

Those are AO's contenders. Will Græntfjall be the site of the death of AO's basketball trophy drought?

[Northwest Kalactin]

Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Juvencus                        8    6   2   642  622  +20
2 Northwest Kalactin              8    5   3   618  576  +42
3 Equestria                       8    5   3   660  581  +79
4 Hispinas                        8    5   3   593  609  −16
5 Nagore                          8    2   6   607  666  −59
6 Sannyamathaland                 8    1   7   569  635  −66

We are tied for second place in the red group right now. We are tied with who we thought would be the toughest teams in the group, somehow Juvencus is in the lead in our group right now, which is a team that we blew a game against, although we will have a shot at them again soon. I wouldn’t count on these results holding out though, the Kalactanians must see these games as a “must-win”, because there is a very likely chance that Equestria easily beats Nagore and Sannymathaland in their final 2 games. Out games will be against Juvencus and Hispanas, who are 2 teams that are punching far above their weight so far.

Our loss to Nagore is one that may have killed off our chances of making a good run into the playoffs, as it has forced us into a 3 way tie in the Red Group. Equestria losing the Juvencus seems very lucky for us, as if we tie with Equestria, we will win out on H2H record. It will depend on if we beat Hispanas, and how much we beat them by to decide if we beat them out on H2H, but our chances look quite decent right now. If Juvencus goes 0-2 or 1-1 in their last 2 teams, hopefully with a loss to us, we can easily beat them out and grab a top 2 spot in the group, and ultimately advance to the playoffs.

Nagore is a team that we have 100% should’ve heated, they are a team that is 2-6 so far, and possibly the worst team in the group, save maybe Sannymathaland. Michael Hughes struggled very much down in the post against the Nagore centers and forwards, and players like Rick Garza and Josh Abbott allowed many shots out on the wing for Nagore. Charlie Larson actually, was the only one on the team that had a remotely good game, as he managed for 23 points and 10 rebounds as he was almost a saving grace for the Kalactanian team. They just weren’t close enough.

At the end of the game the Kalactanians tried to mount a comeback against Nagore, although it was not enough, as they tried to latch onto the shooting of Charlie Larson to help win the game. Larson managed for 10 points in the 4th quarter, which was one of the highest totals for the Kalactanian team all tournament. The Kalactanians in the end though, played a terrible game that they should hope to forget, and try to move onto their next game as best as possible. We have the group leaders up next, and it will not be an easy one, but we can do it.

[Kriegiersien]

Blue group news

Tikariot 59–102 Kriegiersien

Finally a great demonstration of skill from the Kriegiersien team that won in a way that was anticipated. Expected. Eagerly awaited.
Without fear, without hesitation Tikarot was simply overrun.
The throwing rate was high, forced turnovers and ball stealing phenomenal. The fouls few, only the points made by Tikariot maybe a bit too much.
There was a clear tendency to make easy points. Only that some players made chicken noises from time to time was confusing.
After the second quarter the game was decided, but the team was relentless. Even Ashryn Faran had a quota of over 50% in free throws, performing a chicken dance to calm down before every throw.

Because Hebitaka wasn’t as helpful against Delaclava as they were dangerous and successful against Kriegiersien, the fight for the play off spots now goes into crunch time.

Drawkland is through, the match against them is now the fight for the first place, but with a loss the match against Delaclava would probably become a nailbiter and big final for Kriegiersien.

Against Drawkland the female team will try to extant and extend their winning streak against the favourite and lead the team to place 1.

Further sessions with team psychologist Dr. Jack Ill had to be postponed, as he didn’t want to leave his room, telling the coaches to “Go away or to hell”.

We hope he will be back for the last match.

[Graintfjall]

MD9 cutoff.

[Graintfjall]

Red Group
Nagore 50–117 Equestria
Northwest Kalactin 60–58 Hispinas
Sannyamathaland 72–71 Juvencus

  Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Juvencus                        9    6   3   713  694  +19
2 Northwest Kalactin              9    6   3   678  634  +44
3 Equestria                       9    6   3   777  631 +146
4 Hispinas                        9    5   4   651  669  −18
5 Nagore                          9    2   7   657  783 −126
6 Sannyamathaland                 9    2   7   641  706  −65

Orange Group
Megistos 71–86 Pemecutan
The Jovannic 69–78 Lisander
Omerica 77–74 Terre Septentrionale

  Orange Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Lisander                        9    7   2   727  629  +98
2 Omerica                         9    7   2   686  636  +50
3 Terre Septentrionale            9    6   3   715  683  +32
4 Pemecutan                       9    5   4   727  681  +46
5 The Jovannic                    9    1   8   627  717  −90
6 Megistos                        9    1   8   634  770 −136

Yellow Group
Abanhfleft 77–65 Indusse
Kohnhead 83–68 Ethane
Chromatika 72–61 Valladares

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      9    7   2   712  626  +86
2 Abanhfleft                      9    6   3   711  638  +73
3 Chromatika                      9    6   3   653  667  −14
4 Indusse                         9    4   5   673  665   +8
5 Kohnhead                        9    3   6   651  671  −20
6 Ethane                          9    1   8   591  724 −133

Green Group
The Grearish Union 73–80 Sarzonia
Central Shaneville 111–71 Sylestone
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 79–57 ZSeparatists

  Green Group                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec         9    8   1   765  658 +107
2 Sarzonia                        9    8   1   767  682  +85
3 Central Shaneville              9    6   3   793  724  +69
4 ZSeparatists                    9    3   6   684  702  −18
5 Sylestone                       9    1   8   683  821 −138
6 The Grearish Union              9    1   8   632  737 −105

Blue Group
Tikariot 78–88 Hebitaka
Kriegiersien 72–112 Drawkland
Ottomeme 63–69 Delaclava

  Blue Group                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Drawkland                       9    8   1   809  597 +212
2 Kriegiersien                    9    7   2   719  677  +42
3 Delaclava                       9    6   3   699  662  +37
4 Hebitaka                        9    4   5   706  722  −16
5 Tikariot                        9    2   7   590  746 −156
6 Ottomeme                        9    0   9   581  700 −119

Indigo Group
Vykta 74–95 Banija
Rwekazaland 72–84 Southwest Eastnorth
Græntfjall 84–67 Qasden

  Indigo Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                          9    9   0   892  601 +291
2 Græntfjall                      9    7   2   696  647  +49
3 Qasden                          9    4   5   653  700  −47
4 Vykta                           9    3   6   669  682  −13
5 Southwest Eastnorth             9    3   6   625  781 −156
6 Rwekazaland                     9    1   8   651  775 −124

Based on this result, I will be looking for have found a neutral third party to scorinate my Round of 16 game.

Violet Group
TJUN-ia 87–73 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
West Phoenicia 59–83 Valanora
Trolleborg 83–74 Greater Kamilistan

  Violet Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valanora                        9    9   0   786  621 +165
2 TJUN-ia                         9    7   2   719  618 +101
3 Trolleborg                      9    6   3   724  655  +69
4 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom       9    3   6   648  723  −75
5 West Phoenicia                  9    2   7   608  728 −120
6 Greater Kamilistan              9    0   9   625  765 −140

Octarine Group
Squidroidia 57–90 Newmanistan
Nova Anglicana 70–69 HUElavia
Maccian 68–67 Lochario

  Octarine Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                     9    8   1   889  575 +314
2 Lochario                        9    5   4   667  726  −59
3 Nova Anglicana                  9    5   4   674  715  −41
4 Squidroidia                     9    4   5   622  673  −51
5 Maccian                         9    3   6   625  693  −68
6 HUElavia                        9    2   7   626  721  −95

Some groups are now fully decided, others are determined to keep me on toes re: H2H logic going into the final day.

[Kriegiersien]

Blue group news

Tikariot 78–88 Hebitaka
Kriegiersien 72–112 Drawkland
Ottomeme 63–69 Delaclava


The second match against Drawkland played out as anyone in Drawkland expected.
In good tradition first losing the first match and then destroying Kriegiersien in the second match even clearer. The winning streak of 2 against Drawkland ended for the Kriegiersien women, their reputation for an unstable play stayed.


With that it comes to the big final against Delaclava



an opponent we still can’t say much about. But thanks to the tremendous loss against Drawkland and the hickup against Hebitaka a loss with 3 or more against Delaclava would mean the end of the journey.
Thankfully Dr. Jack Ill felt well again and will support the team again spiritually and ready and toughen them for the final fight in the group.



So, let’s look ahead in a positive future, who could be the opponents in the play-offs?

Juvencus, Northwest Kalactin and Equestria will battle it out in group red. Equestria would make Point Guard Ivory Fire happy, a chance to see other ponies.
Valladares and Lisander are Top of their standings in orange and yellow and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, never-ending opponent in Olympic duels and Sarzonia who beat them in the final of the World Cup of Masters in soccer, battle it out for the first place in the Green group.


Banija is one of the “are we there in the final yet?” teams as is Newmanistan. Valanora from the Violet group as number 5 ranked another secured group winner. Teams to be avoided or best to beat yet in the earlier stages, like Drawkland?


Wishes?

No, said nearly every player. First comes the match against Delaclava.

[Sarzonia]

The final away match for the Sarzonian national basketball team was much tougher than expected, as the Stars trailed the entire way against a The Grearish Union team that was already eliminated from knockout round contention.

Mike West was determined to not let the team's mood be dour on the trip back to Woodstock. He scored 10 of his game-high 24 points in Sarzonia's decisive fourth quarter and the Stars came away with a 80-73 victory.

That sets the stage for the final match at The Palestra between the Stars and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec for the Green Group title. Stars supporters hoping for overflow seating began to camp out in front of The Palestra as soon as The Grearish Union match went final.

"This is going to be the biggest match at The Palestra in years," said Brad Donegal, a construction worker who started putting up a tent at halftime. "It's also going to be the first time the arena's had a sellout crowd since the [SARS 2 novel Coronavirus] pandemic. There's going to be a lot of excitement."

The Stars already clinched a spot in the knockout rounds as Central Shaneville were mathematically eliminated from knockout round contention despite their 111-71 curb-stomping of Sylestone. The Trains have a 6-3 record, but Quebec and Sarzonia are both 8-1 with one match remaining.

The Grearish Union took a 70-62 lead with 5:23 remaining in the fourth quarter before West walked up to Coach Thomas Manningham during a timeout said, "get me the ball. Get me the fucking ball!"

Manningham then drew up the next play to get West the ball in the corner at the far end of the court. He launched a long 3-pointer as a Grearish defender crashed into him. West coolly hit the free throw for the four-point play and the change in momentum. West corralled a shot blocked by centre Terry Rutledge on the next possession and raced down the court and slammed the ball home.

The run ended up being 11-3 to close out the match.

"I gotta hand it to Mike," Manningham said. "He was determined to not let us lose this one. We just fed off his energy and that's why we're playing for the group title tomorrow."

For his part, West said he wanted to keep the team's energy high.

"I didn't like the body language of a couple of our players," he said. "That's why I reacted during that timeout."

Had the Stars lost and been one match behind Quebec heading into the match at The Palestra, Sarzonia would have needed a victory by more than 21 points to wrest the group title from the Grim Reapers. Since both sides are 8-1, whichever team wins will clinch the group title and the better knockout round seed that goes with it.

"This is what we've been building towards all season long," Rutledge said. "I can't wait for tomorrow night."

[TJUN-ia]

After beating West Phoenicia by 24 points, a fact was discovered by the TJUN-ians that would change the tonight's game against Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom would be played: the tie-breakers. As it turns out, Graintfjall made it so that head to head point differential would be considered first before total PD in breaking a tie. So, some quick maths: Trolleborg won the MD2 game by 8 points, but TJUN-ia won the rematch on MD7 by 14. That means that TJUN-ia has a +6PD over Trolleborg, meaning TJUN-ia would win a tiebreaker if both teams were level on wins. So, for the 2nd-to-last group game in Hofvinger, Bao Zhou and all of TJUN-ia knew what the score was: beat Luka Baum's Zeta Reka again and playoff basketball would be theirs, no matter what happened against Valanora on the final day.

So, for all the glory it would bring, Bao brought his boys to play in the North Wolf Bay Park. Unfortunately, for everyone's physical health, Luka did the same. This game wasn't going to be a repeat of the 33-point demolition TJUN-ia inflicted on MD4, as Zeta Reka looked to respond to what they played against on that day and try to play better than before. They certainly did that, keeping pace with the Hoops-Jags for most of the game. The first half was a shoot-off between José Peñalez and Muhammed al-Hakim, trading any points they could get their hands on. As the first half ended, the game was on a knife-edge. Peñalez had 18, al-Hakim got 17 and the game was tied at 44-apiece.

Bao tried to rally his men at the half, telling them that history was only 2quarters away and that they didn't want to fall into the trap the gridiron team had fallen into: so close yet so far. And so TJUN-ia came out looking to make history and this half would, finally, see some joy upon TJUN-ian basketball. Jean-Jacques Mpolando came out to play, taking the ball away on offence and looping it through the net. He did that 5 times and even won some fouls for himself. It would mean that when the final buzzer sounded, TJUN-ia's players fell to their knees. They had done it. Bao Zhou's Jaguars had made it to the big time, they were going to the playoffs!

The Zhou Dynasty kicks off with a playoff appearance to prove the doubters wrong. TJUN-ia are history makers no matter what happens in our final duel with the Dragons...but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take this game seriously. Bao doesn't want to simply qualify on a tiebreaker, he wants to make a statement about the future of this sport in the International Community. TJUN-ia was Valanora's only loss of the group stage at IBC29 so the prospect of the Jaguars denying their familiar opponents a perfect record once again is too great to ignore. TJUN-ia's fate is already sealed, but can the Zhou Dynasty slay the Dragons one final time? GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Violet Group - All Games @North Wolf Bay Park, Hofvinger)
MD1: @Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 79-78 (3rd)
MD2: vs Trolleborg (=15) L 66-74 (4th)
MD3: @West Phoenicia (UR) W 81-74 (3rd)
MD4: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR) W 98-65 (3rd)
MD5: vs Valanora (5) L 69-73 (3rd/3-2/+29PD)
--------------------Break--------------------
MD6: vs Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 84-64 (3rd)
MD7: @Trolleborg (=15) W 78-64 (2nd)
MD8: vs West Phoenicia (UR) W 77-53 (2nd)
MD9: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR) W 87-73 (2nd/OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED)
MD10: @Valanora (5)
---------------Super Skill Contest---------------

[Juvencus]

Church of the Conception, Royal Palace, Pomena, December 17th, 1983, 11:30 local time

The funeral of the Holy Emperor, Paolo IV commenced as it normally would. Only very esteemed guests were allowed around his body, following the previous day's would-be attacks and the ensuing feeling of threat. It was televised live, with an estimated 12 million people viewing it live. Juvencus, by December 1983 had a population of 48 million people, 90% of which had a television by that time, which went on to show their silent disapproval of the former monarch. Holy Emperor Paolo IV's body was transferred to the special crypt of the church, where he'd get buried alongside his predecessors from 1701 onward. A national week of mourning was declared by the Prince, Nicola, deemed by many another unqualified successor to the throne -if even- and probably another royalty to not listen and cooperate with the Royal Parliament, which seemed to be more of a decoration in a flashy constitutional monarch many were led to believe they were part on. His father's death, combined with his mother's death just 5 years prior had taken its toll on him.

Behind the scenes though, despite the lack of planning, Prince Nicola had a lot of dreams for his starving nation, which he'd attempt to put to fruition as soon as he was coronated. But first, the Royal Parliament had to make the traditional announcement, in communion to the Catholic church, that a new Holy Emperor was to be crowned. Indeed, in the afternoon after the funeral, it would be time for the first traditional announcement, and probably the last, as many wished.

Royal Parliament, Pomena, December 17th, 1983, 18:00 local time

The Royal Parliament was filled with all 350 representatives of the Holy Empire, alongside different royal figures, such as Dukes, Barons, the Pope and most importantly, the now-orphan prince. The Prime Minister of the Holy Empire at the time was Rodrigo Mancini, a liberal leader who wanted to provide the country with whatever it could to grow its democracy and influence. He would be the one making the announcement, in anticipation of everyone in the Holy Empire.

"Ladies, gentlemen, every citizen of Juvencus across the nation. We are currently living in times of uncertainty, our people have lost the Holy Emperor due to unfortunate circumstances. We are currently experiencing the aftermath of a draining war, a drought on the eastern side of the country, a blizzard that destroyed our western crops, a damaged economy with high unemployment and we have no leader or outside help whatsoever. As a representative of the people and the State, it is my duty to inform you on upcoming solutions, whether we are facing problems that may not be solved for years and so on. However, it is also my duty to announce on whether or not we have reached a conclusion on having a new Holy Emperor to succeed our now-deceased monarch, Paolo the 4th..."

that's where Mancini sipped a bit of water from the glass of water that was provided to him, it was the most pressuring speech of his life, he was clearly sweaty, but he kept his cool

"It is with great pleasure that we, in fact, will have a new Holy Emperor by the end of this week of mourning. Despite the unclear circumstances on whether or not the exiled princes would come back to the nation, Prince Nicola, the only one who was not exiled, is the one who stepped up to get the throne and with no hesitation from his brothers, shall become the new Holy Emperor of Juvencus, named Holy Emperor Nicola the 2nd, Terzi. He shall lead with the nation's interests first, cooperating with the Royal Parliament towards secure advancement of the nation, solving whatever issues may come in the way. He shall be coronated December 24th, by the grace of the Lord, in the very church of his father's funeral, the Church of the Conception. I wish the people of Holy Empire to welcome its new, most esteem ruler with respect as well as trust. Thank you."

And just like that, it was announced, a new emperor was to be coronated. Mancini's slight hesitation and pressure during the speech made a lot of people throught the nation get quite uncertain as to whether or not this new emperor would be good, or if he would lead the nation to further destruction and isolation. One thing was for certain, all eyes were on Nicola and his plans now.