Baptism of Fire and Ice [BoF74 rosters/RPs/scores]

[Regmotto]

Who is ready for the first cutoff for the 74th Baptism of Fire?

Me!

[Regmotto]

Who is ready for the first cutoff for the 74th Baptism of Fire?

---

Headlines:

• Outcry over security as the Guild is employed for safety, people protesting on the streets.
  
• Heatwave begins one day before the first round of the Baptism of Fire, temperatures shoot over 40C.
  
• Bushfire unleashed in the Melville Rainforest surrounding Chamberley and Emacuton, concern for people, elves and animals.

Group A:
Jabal Akhdar 1–1 Hafamarimet
Bonbokh u Piche 3–0 Mexi Catcha
Cascadia 2–2 Regmotto

Group A                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Bonbokh u Piche        1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Cascadia               1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
  Hafamarimet            1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Jabal Akhdar           1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Regmotto               1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
6 Mexi Catcha            1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Group B:
Critical Operations 1–1 Arklanda
Red Kelp 3–1 U-Koro
Chartistan 3–1 Mand Blustopia

Group B                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Chartistan               1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
  Red Kelp                 1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
3 Arklanda                 1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Critical Operations      1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
5 Mand Blustopia           1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0
  U-Koro                   1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0

Group C:
Cirrus Azale 5–1 Belac
Treekidistan 1–0 Yerapia
ArmedKing 3–0 North Japan

Group C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cirrus Azale           1   1  0  0    5   1  +4    3
2 ArmedKing              1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
3 Treekidistan           1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
4 Yerapia                1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 North Japan            1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0
6 Belac                  1   0  0  1    1   5  −4    0

Group D:
Rwekazaland 1–0 Socialist New Britain
T Republic 3–3 Hispinas
Sett Forest 1–1 North Alezia

Group D                  Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Rwekazaland                1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Hispinas                   1   0  1  0    3   3   0    1
  North Alezia               1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Sett Forest                1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  T Republic                 1   0  1  0    3   3   0    1
6 Socialist New Britain      1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Interview to Rawitov Julsov post-match:


It was a fiercely contested game,and with the final result,how do you feel?

Even though we didn’t win,we showed to the world what we’re made of,and I’m proud of my lads.

Do you think things could go well for Regmotto in this tournament?

Yes,I do think so,because we’ve prepared a lot over the last months,and I think we’re even capable of winning this tournament.

What an impressive game,with 4 goals!What do you think?

In my opinion,this game has physically and mentally bolstered both squads.We both demonstrated our goalscoring abilities,so this should affect both teams on the long term.

And how is the dressing room going?

Oh,the lads.*laughs*They have been up to so many antics and jokes,you just can’t control them.


And the fans?

Ooh,the heart of the game.Both sets of fans were shouting their heads off.And waving those giant flags for 90 minutes is impressive.

[Cascadia Empire]

Cascadia 2–2 Regmotto
Well, not exactly a game that we would like to start with, but certainly not a bad one, a tie is nothing to be ashamed of for a team that has only played a few games together. In fact, when we look at it, this could very well end up being one of the toughest teams to beat in the entire group, barring maybe Bonbokh u Piche. A goal by the young rising star Callan Battle would put the Cascadians up early, in the 12th minute, however Regmotto would strike back with the same force as Gabrielov Olontov, the captain of the said team, curled a shot in from 21 yards out to even it up. This Baptism of Fire will be a huge tournament for the Cascadian team, and coming out on a strong note going into qualifying may be the top priority this tournament, outside of winning it of course.

The second half would start out very rough for the Cascadian team, as they got scored on in the 51st minute. Regmotto Midfielder Ossontiov Assurikov made a cross into the box, and the young but still looking strong striker, Mickov Davisov, sent a header flying past Paul Wellington for the goal that put them up by 1. The next minutes of the game would be tough for Cascadia, and they struggled to get the ball past midfield against the Regmotto offense that gave them a very tough time as they stood firm against them.

In the 67th minute the Cascadians would finally get back at Regmotto, as Logan Saunders of the Portland Pioneers would tap in a pass from Team Captain Cody Chambers. When we look at this game, we really could’ve won it without the defensive breakdown we had at the middle of the game, it was certainly a winnable game for our team, and we don’t see any reason why the Cascadians didn’t have enough talent to win.

Coach Cohen Daniels mentioned this after the game:
“Obviously it is disappointing when we lose to a team that we thing we should’ve beat, even when we have a team that doesn’t have much experience with each other. Next game we have to go out, regroup and win, I know we can do well in this tournament, we just have to go and show it now.”

[Treekidistan]

Treekidistan Football Federation Official
Debut Game, Debut Win

Group C
Cirrus Azale 5–1 Belac
Treekidistan 1–0 Yerapia
ArmedKing 3–0 North Japan

Group C                 Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cirrus Azale           1   1  0  0    5   1  +4    3
2 ArmedKing              1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
3 Treekidistan           1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
4 Yerapia                1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 North Japan            1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0
6 Belac                  1   0  0  1    1   5  −4    0

Everyone is relieved after the first soccer match played by Treekidistan Football Federation's first ever national team. In the Debut match in the history of Treekidistan Soccer, Treekidistan federated Yerapia for a score of one zero. David Henry Gonzales of Treekidistan scored the first goal in the nations history at the twelfth minute of the game and that went like that till the end. The first ever win in the first match was really a time to rejoice. Everyone was happy after the game. Talking to the team mates and having fun. Suddenly Gonzales saw the coach walking here and there looking in his mobile. Suddenly he shouted "I Bet! I Bet!". I Bet? What's wrong? Gonzales went and checked, the coach was browsing a Social Networking site and he just saw a post of some player who is playing in this edition of BoF. Let's see what he posted "This is my First ever BoF". Oh, yes that's ours too! But, what's wrong asked Gonzales. The coach replied "This is my first ever BoF, it seems as if he's gonna play the next one too. Well... If they are we should too...". "I didn't know that" said Gonzales shyly. The coach suddenly started laughing. But, Gonzales didn't take it serious he also started to laugh. Just after the laugh, a lady came in to the room and said I'm the new reporting staff of Treekidistan Football Federation. I just wanted to ask you some questions Mr. Gonzales. I have to prepare my report and submit it. So, they went into a corner and sat.

The reporter said " Hello, My name is Maria Bruno Santo Katarina. I'm the new head of the TFF Reporting staff. I'm here to take a note of the team in BOF."
Gonzales smiles at her and doesn't speak and she asks the only question she wanted to ask " Can I know more about you? The TFF wants some information on your bio to submit in the portal". Gonzales replies " Sure, can I get some time. I'll write and then give. But not today." The reporter says "Of course! Take your own time, but i need before the next Matchday.". Sure! says Gonzales and bids the reporter farewell.

With the win of the first match, Treekidistan has been topped at the position three of group C. In the other matches, ArmedKing defeated North Japan for a score of three for nil. Cirrus Azale defeated Bellac for a score of Five one. Five One? That's a big win! shouts Gonzales after the match. "Poor boy he is thinking about it for the first time. He will soon understand with experience." says the Coach. The Assistant coach who was standing nearby asked " How? Will he score five goals?". The Coach smiles and replied "No!, Someone will crush us with five goals.". The Assistant coach looked Confused.

[Somehow Related to Rarity]

After the match against The H Corporation
Ryder storms into the room, followed by Katie
Ryder: Guy's we're fokked. FOOKED I say. We can't go on and have miracles together when we throw the shitters like that. Unfascinating poopas from everyone.
Rarihoe: whispers to Sluttershy What accents is he speaking, and how much crack did he take in today?
Sluttershy: He is speaking idiot.
Ryder's ears stretch all the way to Rarihoe and Sluttershy
Ryder: I fokk heard you arsebags
Katie: Ye what my man i' sayin'. You bumbees ne'er learn nothing! Junkies!
Daddy Rocky: That's harsh.
Katie: Truth hurts, I guess barking infidel.
Daddy: That probably suits Chase more.
Chase: Shut it dad.
Daddy: he never accepts the truth anyways.
Ryder: Well, because of this sad thing that has doomed the Ponyvillian Separatist Territories of Canterlotine Twicetagria, Katie and I have to make even MORE miracles. Smummywags. Vladlight, you go and tell the crew whatta do aye?
Katie: under her breath We're better off fielding our miracles instead of them.
Twilight clears her voiced quite loudly, imprudently and rudely
Twilight: Well that's what y'all get for sacrificing my parents to the god of fertility, innit? Anyways, next up we have Sannyamathland. I LOVE them because, math, math and meth! Anyway, they play some fuckin' bangin' play! We don't know if it's attacking or defending play, but it's good football.
Alppe Slow: They lost.
Twilight: So what? It was only 3-2. We didn't evem fucking score this time.
Alppe: You have a point
Alppe slides away
Twilight: Everyone ready?
Everyone: Yes!

[Chartistan]

A letter to the Billboard Gazette

Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate the team for winning the Wonder Cup Dusk Bracket against fellow Firemates Sannyamathland. But let's be fair here, we should not be excited by finishing in 9th place. You know what happened on the final day of the Midnight League, right? We were trying to kill a gnat in the form of Kohnhead. No matter how hard we come out with machine guns in the form of Air Latte and Kimmi Yamjune, we didn't kill that freaking gnat. We were powerless. They were human, we were Martian. We couldn't stop them!

But look, this team performance against Mand Blustopia was stacked in favor of our team, higher than a tall man's tippy toes. Mand Blustopia were acting like child's play, children even! I mean sure they don't have as much experience but we annihilated them, killed them down on that pitch. You look at how cool under pressure Mama Coriel was with her goal in the fourty-seventh, how dominating Tatertot Crazy was at stifling the Mand Blustopian defense, and let's not forget Air Latte's twenty-second and fifty-seventh minute goals, we were playing with violence AND skill. You won't get that from any other team at the Baptism of Fire other than Ranoria and Muralos.

This team is still ride or die for their squad, we know which side we're on, this is a battle line being drawn, it's us against the whole world in a Sylestonian brawl, at the very least until we fall, nah, stripes on our arms, we can rip the ball away with a strike of the paw... Are you still getting this whole rap verse? Come on, WE'RE the gnats now! No competition in our group, we can steamroll our way to first place and a high seed for the knockout stages!

Look, we're playing U-Koro next matchday, and like Mand Blustopia it should be really easy for our team to win against them. I don't expect a real challenge until Critical Operations. This is the easiest group we've been drawn against, and I ain't never heard of Arklanda and Red Kelp before! We should be really rotating our squad for the Arklandia and Red Kelp games. If Doctor Luke Combbrush sees this, I DEMAND him to put Cheesus Cheesus in net for the Arklandia game. We just want to have a laugh at this girl putting shots out like she's Callie Deadbrush right now! To be honest I think that was fueled by the fact that Mand Blustopia did score a goal...

Anyways, gotta go soppin' like a hundred miles an hour... I have to prepare for the World Cup.

Go Chartistan!
-Enemy Nemesis

[Khytonya]

Baptism of Fire 74: A Brief Overview of Khytonya's Opponents
By: Ronald McCarthy

Here we are, everyone! The Baptism of Fire. The holy ground for challenging contenders and nourishing newcomers to come and fight for the crown that is the BoF champions! Here at Knight Light Footy, we are as thrilled as you are when you know Khytonya are going to play in a prestigious competition where the stakes are soaring through the roof. Every World Cup cycle, many debutants come in to face each other to see who would become a new BoF champion. There's a lot of potential between each and every team in the whole multiverse. Judging by the quality of their squad, it's easy to see it's not a walk in a park.

If you're not paying attention from the last two tournaments, Khytonya has achieved some form of success (though they are nearly at the short end of the stick). Thanks to the highly explosive, high pressing tactic from the team's manager, Arthur Hartley, Khytonya are well known for the exciting plays and fantastic goals set to the tune of the great forward trio line of wingers Nigel Neilson and Larsen Reinhardt and team captain Thomas Liaw Cheng Swee. Though the defensive department is a little iffy at the moment, pundits and betting companies predicted that the Magical Bhoys will be cruising through the knockout stages like a boss. And how can you blame them? We're living in an exciting era of Khytonian football. To see our nation fighting against everyone in a beautiful game is as wonderful as seeing an actioned-pack film filled with masterwork storylines and loveable characters.

But let's not get way ahead of ourselves here. Today's post will be about getting to (briefly) know who are Khytonya's opponents. Currently, they sit in Group E alongside some familiar faces from Qasden's Wonder Cup. It won't be an easy task like I said, but nothing is possible when you put as much effort as you can. Let's see what Group E brings us.

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1. Aeprelh
Aeprelh is the least likely team to punch the ticket to the Round of 32. That being said, nobody should underestimate a weak, inexperienced team. You'll never know how much damage this team would bring you.

2. State of Trinity
We can say the same thing about Aeprelh. The difference is if they are a better team than the former. Regardless of who they are, getting too cocky would pay you the biggest price. One that would be too expensive to afford. Something even a billionaire can't even buy.

3. Icecliff
As we see in the Wonder Cup, Icecliff didn't do so well in their campaign. They only amassed 9 points in the Midday League going with a 2-3-2 record in the process (including a 1-1 draw against Khytonya). To put salt on an open wound, Icecliff are eliminated in the competition against eventual semi-finalists Ibixa. Still, we have wonder if the team learn from their mistakes and see their results improved in the process.

4. Fjorsz
Fjorsz is yet another first-timer team ready to make a scene. Fjordis love to play with a 3-4-3 attacking formation, relying on its midfielders as a barrier between the defense and attack. An interesting fact is that the majority of the players tend to show some flair in their playstyle, especially main keeper Thomas Keep (who formerly played midfield before transitioning into his current position). A battle between two offensively-minded teams should be an interesting one.

5. Hebitaka
Like Icecliff, Hebitaka gets their first taste of multiverse football starting in the Wonder Cup where they are slightly better than the former but didn't do much impact in the tournament, finishing just above Icecliff before settling for a semi-final finish after losing against the Dusk Bracket Champions Chartistan. Khytonya has beaten them before, so the second time's a charm!

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Here you go. All five teams briefly summarised by yours truly. Of course, Khytonya shouldn't take the Baptism of Fire as an exhibition game. It's a serious competition where those who fool around will fall to a group stage exit. Fate might say they would never go all the way to the championship game, but mankind has been known to defy fate. The success rate of defying may be 50/50, but trust us when we say that Khytonya are going to be the best team in the whole tournament. You'll be witnessing when the storm comes. Be there and be square, everyone. The game is about to start! Let's go, you Magical Bhoys!

[United Pink States]

Bookies throughout the United Pink States are still looking to find out who will score the first international goal in a World Cup Committee sanctioned event after the Couriers were kept off the scoreboard by Stevidia. Fortunately, we did not allow any goals either, so each team gets a point in the scoreless draw. That might be a good thing for the United Pink States, since the Vids, as they are called, were portrayed as an offensive minded team. Overall, if you want to dig down into the details of the match to provide a comprehensive game analysis, you would reach conclusions that the game was evenly played, with the Vids having a slight edge in the first half and the Couriers doing similar in the second half. We will leave the detailed play by play to the applicable news entities.

There were some fans who did opt to make the trip through the portal and go to Græntfjall for the game, and we have asked them to provide feedback for how they felt the experience went. Unfortunately, we did not get many positive responses, due to the overall atmosphere of the game. We took a look at a couple social media platforms that are widely used in the UPS, Twii’tur and Spacebook to see what people were thinking of the experience.

Comments via Twii’tur:

@TrackingUPS_Sports: “I am trying to find out why the locals here would go to a game involving United Pink States and Stevidia when they are just going to act like a bunch of asshats towards us. If you are so stuck in your traditional ways, why don’t you go sit at home and let fans who want to enjoy the game do so.”

@Renae001: “A traditional dump. Makes me think I was in some scumball state like Kent or Salem back at home. The difference is that I don’t think people in those states would even go to the game.”

@BrutusJones228: “Just how bad are the stadiums in this country if they chose this one to a host a Baptism of Fire event?”


Comments via Spacebook:

Megan Whitmore: “My boyfriend spent all of this money to go to Græntfjall for our vacation. He promised that I would like it and that we would do other things besides watch boring soccer. So, I went, and we go to this place called Laxenvöllur with disgusting cigarette smoke all around it. Locals who act like stubborn snobs, and the most boring soccer game ever. There was not even a goal. Should I dump him?”

(PS: As of our count, there were 272 thumbs up to that question and 103 thumbs down).

Jason Gray: “First game sucked. Good news is that we are here for the long haul so things can get better. Better news is that if these snobs continue making fun of the name of our nation, I have the ability to win fights.”

Nick Miller: “What is with these people? And the game sucked, too. At least we didn’t lose.”

So, that gives you the idea of the first impressions of the Baptism of Fire that our fans had, and the welcoming hospitable nature of the locals at Laxenvöllur. This is likely going to fuel some fire in the minds of Conservatives that we should not be participating in intergalactic sports. We knew going into it, at least here, that the first game would not be friendly to our fans, and if you are thinking about making the trip for a future game, do bear in mind that we play one more game here, and another at another stadium which is only going to be slightly better. There is some good news, and that is that the concerns of UPS Soccer and President James Kirkstein were addressed by the organizers and that some stadium shuffling was moved around. Kirkstein thanked them in reply. This means that we will now have two games at the better facility, OptiFone Arena. Reports seem to indicate that the locals there are much more hospitable to foreign fans.

As for the team, the next game is against Hindu Ram Rajya. Our researchers have valiantly tried to get information about this team, such as their roster, or anything, but they have been unsuccessful so far. They were defeated in their first game, 1-0, by Logano Fraza.

[Saint-Domingues]

Bluecliff League 4-2 Saint-Domingue: Two goals in final ten minutes settles contest
HT 2-1

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Bluecliff League scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the match as they drew first blood in the Baptism of Fire's Group F and moved top.

After winning their final match in the Wonder Cup, Saint-Domingue flew from Qasden to Græntfjall to kick off their Baptism of Fire campaign against Bluecliff, newcomers on the multiversal stage.

The game began in fiesty fashion, with a few firm tackles apiece as Carlos Sanabria and Mātusupa'ulīno PALAMĒ'ILOteletāto exchanged challenges in a fascinating midfield duel. Raoul Gimenez forced Fridèk Hòjak into a smart save at his near post and Sumāne Éloi Dubois shot narrowly wide, before Bluecliff drew first blood on the twenty minute mark. Sua'ili Po'ipelo Salamono flicked on a long kick by Hòjak and Mark Cota Ramire was able to run onto it in space, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting in. Eight minutes later the lead was doubled, as Zul Buru cut inside and curled an excellent left-footed shot into the top corner.

The second goal capped off a poor spell for Saint-Domingue in which they struggled to string more than three passses together, sloppy in possession and lax in their pressing. The second goal seemed to help the Avengers regain their focus however, and a moment of magic from Josep Carpeña reduced the arrears before half-time when he fired off a bullet into the roof of the net from 30 yards.

Canisbro switched to a narrower attacking formation in the second-half, with Julien Babesco and Raoul Gimenez being paired as a two. Diego Palacio was subbed off, replaced by Maxence Vignon who played as a #10 behind the forwards. Vignon's influence on the game was positive, forcing Hòjak into a save from distance and helping his side retain possession and be more assertive on the ball. A slaloming run from the playmaker lead to a cross which was headed in by Babesco for the equaliser.

With the game level once more both sides offered positive play, with each threatening to take the lead and take home all three points. Buru cut inside and fired off another fierce shot, but this time could only strike the outside of the post. Salamono's header was tipped over by Binet and Babesco again went close, searching for his brace.

The winner for Bluecliff paradoxically came from a Saint-Domingue corner. Fiak Bunir played the ball out and quickly and a through ball by Vasit Acram Nur Addin Ajme led to Sua'ili Po'ipelo Salamono being able to finish when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Conceding so late in the day Saint-Domingue started to pour forwards in search of a second equaliser, but were exposed to the counter-attack which led to Setefana Yakota making sure of the result for Bluecliff.

Bluecliff are sitting pretty at the end of the first matchday, placing in first position on goal difference. For Saint-Domingue it is hard to be much worse, as they sink bottom. Bluecliff will hope to continue their reign at the top by beating Stevidia in their next game, while Saint-Domingue face Logano Fraza.

Across the group
Logano Fraza started their Group F mission in good form, narrowly beating Hindu Ram Rajya by a lone goal to go 2nd. Stevidia and United Pink States shared the spoils with a goalless draw and are in joint-third position.

Saint-Domingue head coach Camilo Canisbro: "For seventy minutes of the match you have to say that we matched our opponents every step of the way. We were creative, had some good chances, scored two good goals. There's an argument to be had that we were the better side. But then there were two ten-minute spells where we were seriously, seriously below par. It was not a Saint-Domingue team that I recognised."

"We're picked off twice on the counter at the end. The second one, OK, we were already losing and we went for it to search for the equaliser. But the goal that won it for Bluecliff, we lost our heads. They countered too easy, we were naive and lost our discipline briefly, and were then punished. It's a bit of a setback but thankfully we have another four games to put things right and show our quality. We know that we are good enough to get out of the group stage, that is what we are aiming for."

---

Lineups:
Binet
Cotilla
Boleyn <- Jeune 83'
Cojuangco
Pareja
Campos
Sanabria
Carpeña <- Keller 77'
Gimenez
Babesco
Palacio <- Vignon 56'

Bluecliff: Ramire (21'), Buru (29'), Salamono (80') Yakota (88')
Saint-Domingue: Carpeña (43'), Babesco (64')
Venue: Folte Arena, Folte

[Hispinas]

T Republic 3–3 Hispinas
Baptism of Fire 74 - The Bay Reserve, Betham, Sylestone
HSP Scorers: Gurutze Aranaz (12'), Cordovan Chia (34'), Chequil Puma (72')
HSP Lineup: Natalio Londono, Gurutze Aranaz, Chequil Puma, Casimiro Coro, Fermin Maquibar ▼ (▲ Latisha Gurule 65'), Cordovan Chia ▼ (▲ Barkarna Anchia 81'), Maite De la Pena, Trinidad Quevedo, Gorka Uralde ▼ (▲ Florita Carrion 72'), Peppi Palmero, Adrin Losada

Alfonzo had not desired the outcome of Hispinas' first Baptism of Fire match against T Republic. Despite managing to open up a two-goal lead by half-time, three quick-fire goals when play resumed gave the manager some headaches, if not for Chequil Puma's heroics at the 72nd minute, the Golden Sealions could have stared into their opening match with an embarrassing loss to unknown opposition.

With Adrin Losada nabbing a hattrick in the last match which Hispinas scored in the Wonder Cup, he was rewarded by Medrano with a start against T Republic, but he was ineffective up front for virtually the entire match, with the defenders of their opponents managing to clamp down on him and preventing him from taking up many touches in Hispinas' build up plays. They needed other sources of goals at the moment, and they have not had any difficulty finding one, when in the 12th minute, Gurutze Aranaz managed to make a big run in the right wing, with Gorka Uralde managing to provide her a 1-2 touch that made her open at the right side of the pitch. The Haranbehera native made no mistake putting one past the keeper to give the Rushmori nation the lead.

Both sides actually carved chance after chance, with the attacks from their opponents managed to be parried away by Natalio Londono and the rest of the Hispinian defense. It was the team clad in white and orange kits that managed to put another goal in the first half when Cordovan Chia found an open spot to shoot a screamer past the keeper in the 34th minute, and the Sealions were leading 2-0 by halftime. However, mistakes from Casimiro Coro, Londono, and Fermin Maquibar in the 48th, 52nd, and 57th minutes have enabled T Republic to snag the lead away from the Copa Rushmori quarterfinalists. Maquibar was unexpectedly ineffective at leftback for some reason, and he was relieved by Latisha Gurule in the 65th minute.

When Gorka Uralde got substituted by Florita Carrion in the 72nd minute, the ensuing corner was delivered excellently by the recently subbed in winger from Malklan, into the waiting head of Chequil Puma, who ensured that Hispinas would draw level with their opponents. WIth the goal, the Sealions tried to find a last gasp winning goal, but last sub's Barkarna Anchia's pass to Losada went for naught when the Mandrid forward had his shot bounced off the bar at point blank range in the 89th minute.

Medrano is expected to put Ozeano Amunategui back up front for their next match against Sett Forest here in Betham, which was expected by bookies to be Hispinas' closest challenger for Group D honors.

[Stevid]

FINAL WHISTLE - BoF 74
Bluecliff League 3 – 2 Stevidia
Stevidia circling the drain with first defeat and no win in two

The Bluecliff League put a lacklustre Stevidia defence to the sword with a resounding 3-2 thumping. The score line belies what was a one-sided game where Bluecliff controlled for large periods with an efficient, if bureaucratic performance. A lot of emphasis was seemingly put on certain players from particular cities scoring goals, but also ensuring that the build-up play was conducted in such a format that other cities could claim a hand in the goal. At least this is how it appeared to Stevidian observers. But it meant there was no answer to the Bluecliff tactics as rhythm and structure gives way to politicking and a lack of managerial experience; although this latter point is dangerously close to being overturned as the wins keep coming in.

The first half began well for both sides, both scoring within twenty minutes, Stevidia taking first blood with a sliding effort from Lukas Cooper after a hurried cross. But Bluecliff hit back almost immediately, capitalising on Stevidia’s lack of numbers in the middle with some nice passing and finishing with a twelve-yard strike from in form striker Ramire.

Bluecliff asserted themselves after this, sticking to some form of game plan that was bewildering to the casual observer, and maybe even to their own side. Regardless, it worked. Centre-forward Salamono left the Stevidia back three for dead, threading his way through on goal and placed a shot underneath the flailing Lindsay.

The second half began with more impetus from Stevidia who were pushing for an early equalizer. But this pressing forward left gaps at the back and so Zul Buru found himself down the right and completely open as the Stevidia wingback was still up the other end of the park. Zul cut inside and fired home past a helpless Lindsay. Now at 3-1, things need to change. Stevidia moved into a narrower 4-3-3, with Jonny Watts reverting to a more traditional fullback and Andreas Bostock replaced by advanced midfield Shane Ryan. This made an immediate difference but Stevidia only managed to match Bluecliff and never really got back into the game. Stevidia’s second and final goal came from a lucky corner and centre back Jordan Smith towered above everyone and nodded home on the eighty-eighth minute – but it was merely a consolation goal as Bluecliff were happy to see the game out from there.

Manager Davidicus Asper will be feeling the pressure but can attribute blame to his players failing to convert chances as the build-up play is good, they’re just not scoring. With an important match against Saint-Domingue coming up later tonight, the manger may have to reassess his tactics and formation as clearly the current format isn’t working for this team.
But worse still is the lack of wins. With only one point from two games, Stevidia have to be looking to win their next three to guarantee progression. Any losses now would be unacceptable and all but consign this fledging side to their fate and any hope of building on much for the World Cup which is just around the corner. Even the dropping of points into draws puts Stevidia’s fate in the hands of others,; but for now, their fate is their own but they need something special to turn this around.

Here are the other results from the group:

Group F
Saint-Domingue 1–0 Logano Fraza
United Pink States 2–1 Hindu Ram Rajya
Bluecliff League 3–2 Stevidia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Bluecliff League        2    2   0   0     7    4   +3     6
2 United Pink States      2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
3 Saint-Domingue          2    1   0   1     3    4   −1     3
4 Logano Fraza            2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5 Stevidia                2    0   1   1     2    3   −1     1
6 Hindu Ram Rajya         2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0

Stay tuned for more reports later with the team list for tonight and another interview with Davidicus.

[Gouvanarch]

Gouvanarch, the what now has been identified as the 'Palais du Sports', even though there is nothing sports about it. The room looks as gaudy and overwrought as before with the only addition to it a wooden board behind the chairs, partially covered by a Gouvanarchais flag. Yezekaël de Bethencourt, the vice-president of the Football Federation of Gouvanarch is sitting in his chair, unmoving, barely blinking. There is another addition, however, the sound of a thunderstorm with flashes of lightning light up the curtained windows and doors and the drum of rain on the roof. As if on queue, Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien, the minister of sports, floats into view, his gaze straight ahead as if nothing else exists. He takes his seat and fixes his eyes on the camera, which still has the same fuzzy-around-the-edges, dull analogue picture.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Greetings upon you, my fellow Gouvanarchais and viewers from around the world.

A voice from the off harshly whispers "multiverse". Monsieur de Montchrestien shoots the person a withering look before continuing.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Around the world. The first step to Gouvanarch's ultimate triumph has been made.

A groan is audible from off-screen, causing another withering glance by the Monsieur.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: And I have taken it upon myself to keep you, our beloved subjects, abreast of all the happenings in the land where the grains fall.

"Græntfjall". The look on Monsieur's face darkens considerably and without saying a word he points towards the doors, followed by shuffling footsteps and a door slamming closed.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Sannyamathland has been taken care of, even though with less dominance than would be expected from the group of players responsible for bringing glory to our principality. Instrumental in our ultimate victory has been Monsieur Desreaulx, as our graphic shows.

A servant walks into the picture with a drawing of a player, presumably Adhémar Desreaulx.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: This fine gentleman scored two wonderful goals and led us onto the road to victory before our defense let down the nation by allowing Sannyamathland to equalize. After a stern speech by our Minister of Corrections in half time, Monsieur Desreaulx took it upon himself to bring us ahead once more, aided by Monsieur de Vymont, avoiding a national tragedy as our defenders once more failed Gouvanarch, but the efforts of Mess.rs Desreaulx and de Vymont were sufficient for Gouvanarch to prevail in their mighty battle against the land of the Sannyamaths in the land where the grains fall. So now let us look at our graphics for the first match day.

Two servants with wooden planks slowly walk through the picture with the results of match day 1 written onto parchment paper.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Now the ministry has not yet decided which players are deemed worthy to take to the pitch against the Quemorr Isles--

At this moment a mighty thunderclap rattles the scene and all lights go out, as if a thick, dense black blanket was thrown over everything.

Yezekaël de Bethencourt: Je profite de cette occasion pour me présenter en tant que Yezekaël de Bethencourt, vice-président de la Fédération de Football de Gouvanarch et j'ai l'honneur de vous accueillir au Baptême du Feu, le premier tournoi dans lequel notre estimé nation entre sur la scène internationale dans l'espoir d'apporter la fierté à Gouvanarch et de montrer au reste du monde de quoi les vrais Gouvanarchais sont faits, force, honneur, compétitivité, englobant tout ce qui a fait de notre principauté une grande depuis des centaines d'années, à l'insu des nations qui nous entourent ou ceux qui participent à ce tournoi scintillant de masculinité, de virilité, de force et de technique, réunis dans un affrontement passionnant de valeur et de compétitivité internationales, culminant dans ce qui sera la plus belle heure de Gouvanarch dans l'histoire du sport, nous marquant à jamais dans les almanachs et les livres d'histoire comme l'une des entrées les plus magnifiques dans le monde du football.

Monsieur de Bethencourt had been sitting there completely unmoving and silent the whole time, but out of nowhere began to speak, sounding remarkably like the exact sentence he had spoken when we were at the Palais du Sports the first time.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Ca c'était quoi? Je parlais, Monsieur, vous m'avez interrompu de la manière la plus grossière possible! Je me sens très offensé! Je vous ordonne par la présente de renoncer à toute nouvelle interruption! Et vous avez dit exactement la même chose qu'il y a deux jours! Ello? ELLO?

No audible reaction from Monsieur de Bethencourt.

Sulhoiarn de Montchrestien: Yoohoo, Monsieur, je parle avec vouz. Mon dieu... Uh, Gouvanarch win!

And the picture switches to static.

[Quemorr Isles]

All of the stuff below is purely IC. Please do not be offended.

"Ok, ok, ok, how the fuck did we lose that, Manta Ray, against a side that's called Moo-ra-LOSS? They've even told us their only goal is to lose!"
"I don't know! Remember, these guys are actually good! They won the second International Football Cup! They even beat the mighty HUElavians! We didn't even pass the group stage. Oh, and nice pun by the way"
"That's no excuse. We should have won this game. Yet we didn't. Now our chances are in jeopardy, although WE ARE BY FAR THE BEST TEAM HERE.
"It's OK, Great White Shark. I'm backing us to defeat Sannyamathland, Twicetagria's Canterlot Territories and the H Corporation. Gouvanarch may be a little harder. We certainly are still in with a decent shot, here."
"I'm backing us to defeat EVERYONE. They all SUCK. And they need to learn that we are SUPERIOR and they are INFERIOR!"
"We're doing our best, Mr Shark, but we do sometimes still lose. We just have to remain confident and do our best. That's all we can ask for. And if it pays off, then imagine how good that would be!"
"We NEVER lose."
"If you say so."
"And I do say so. Who do we have tomorrow, Ray?"
"*Checks notes* Um, Gouvanarch. Fuck. Looks like we'll be going 0-0-2 then."
"What do you mean??? They SUCK. Gouvanarch thinks that they're so good, but in reality, they're not. We'll be going 1-0-1, thank you very much. Perhaps even 2-0-0, if we dispute those cheaters Moo-ra-LOSS for defeating us although they promised that they won't."
"Just because the last syllable of their name is homophonic with the word 'loss' doesn't mean that they'll lose, idiot."

The Great White Shark jumps at Manta Ray for suggesting such a thing. The Manta Ray moves away.

"You dare call me an idiot? You are removed from the squad!"
"You don't have the power, silly"
"Oh."
"Anyway, I'd better get some sleep for our big game tomorrow."
"What big game?"

[Freechi]

A good start in Group G!

The Freechi Football Confederation

Team Roster

Freechi Team had a cold 1-0 win on yesterday's game against Magnecia and Galmencia. The end of the match gave light to an optimistic aura around the whole team, with the players trying hard to celebrate in the gloomy streets of Græntfjall.

The goal scorer of the match, Kondo Achebe, said that "it was all planned" and didn't looked impressed in any post-game photographs. His goal was a beautiful cracker kick from outside the area, with the assistance of Khary Okilo. The rest of the game had a solid participation of Freechi Team's defense, explained by the coach Sofiya Kuznetsova: "It was also planned". Analysts said that the strategy of the team was scoring a goal and going full bunker defense in the rest of the game. Clever.

Match Report:
Goals: Achebe, 15'
MVP: Achebe, 9.45
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A


Group G
Silvedania 0–1 Caryton
Magnecia and Galmencia 0–1 Freechi
Ranoria 1–1 Acastanha

  Group G                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Caryton                     1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
  Freechi                     1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Acastanha                   1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Ranoria                     1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
5 Magnecia and Galmencia      1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
  Silvedania                  1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

---

The Busy Day of Sandrose II
In other news, the emperor Sandrose II was seem in a Græntfjall museum, admiring communist era paintings and attracting bad looks from Græntfjall citizens.

[Bluecliff]

Mark Cota Ramire delivered the Bluecliff League its first goal of the Baptism of Fire at 9:21pm Græntfjall time, causing those bored employees of the Football Federation whose thankless job it was to watch the games and root for the team to leap to attention. Crisis mode was activated the moment Cota started running, and that strange feeling of panic and indifference coursed through the hallway, singular, of the Federation, coming to a horrifying head as he slotted it past Jules Binet. As his teammates alternately congratulated (why?) and glowered at him, it began.

The first call was from some low-level director of some subdepartment in the already irrelevant sports ministry in Nialabade, threatening grave retribution, perhaps even violence, because it hadn't been a Nialabadese who had delivered the point. Ratão Lachmi Tchôdri, the only Nialabadian on the team, is of course a midfielder, and was of course on the bench. Further air was taken out of the threat's credibility when the football federation's undersecretary's aide's brother remembered that nobody in Bluecliff was watching, or particularly interested in, the tournament. The junior parliamentary advisor's cousin's helpful addition that, in Nialabade, football as a whole was as widely regarded as the Baptism of Fire is in most of Bluecliff settled the matter, and the phone was duly hung up.

The second call was much more credible, and many in the room were chilled to the bone by its contents. An important-sounding low-ranking official from Alfoda Aljodillu was making the well-argued point that, since Vasit Acram Nur Addin Ajme's pass had started the leadup to the goal, and since the government of Alfoda Aljodillu was firmly and vehemently opposed to any and all involvement in the tournament, that said government of Alfoda Aljodillu would be perfectly within its rights to consider the creation of a commission to affirm a commitment to reduce intra-Bluecliffian shipments of low and medium-grade tin by up to 0.037 per cent over eleven years. The place was in an uproar. You can't say things like that over the phone, and to get so furious over a match of football outside of Bluecliff was completely unheard of. Sure, it might be expected from the Beryèzians in a really drastic circumstance, or maybe if it was just low-grade tin, but this was utterly ridiculous.
Privately, though, some of those in front of the television in the Football Federation were bursting. This was supposed to be a dead-end job, and now they were on the phone with a low-level Alfoda Aljodillan official, negotiating to the thousandsth of a percentage on contested medium-grade tin shipments! This WCC stuff might not be so bad after all, at least not if it keeps providing such veritable trade wars as what they were now engaged in.

The horror redoubled on itself eight minutes later, though as Zul Buru made his famous inside cut, to groans from all assembled.

---

Makara Keho has, somehow, less of a clue than before.

---

Sources have revealed that Ninyan Makkak has been telephoning some of the better-known managers in Bluecliff for advice on how to boot Tīnisivitolīno Vīlalatonosatānatino from the first team sheet. Nobody is returning his calls. Left to follow his own merely above-average instincts, he's making no changes for the all-important match with Stevidia, which is actually on the minds of a couple nursing home residents and Bluecliffians with broken remotes.

GK: Fridèk Hòjak

LCB: Fiak Bunir
CB: Tīnisivitolīno Vīlalatonosatānatino
RCB: Himeno Rosadyo Reyes

LCM: Olegärjo Damjôn Lukas Roča
DM: Mātusupa'ulīno Palamē'iloteletāto
RCM: Vasit Acram Nur Addin Ajme

LW: Sumāne Éloi Dubois
CF: Sua'ili Po'ipelo Salamono
ST: Mark Cota Ramire
RW: Zul Buru

[Sylestone]

Do you know what time it is? Do I even have to say the words? It's cutoff time!

---

Headlines

• Heatwave continues, 45C recorded in Halpenley, 43C in Betham and Avondale
• Wet season to begin just after Baptism of Fire finishes, players relieved.
• Anaconda discovered in Chamberley marsh, less than a kilometre away from the CIS (Chamberley Institute of Sport)

Group A
Hafamarimet 2–0 Regmotto
Mexi Catcha 0–3 Cascadia
Jabal Akhdar 3–1 Bonbokh u Piche

Group A              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Hafamarimet            2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
  Jabal Akhdar           2   1  1  0    4   2  +2    4
3 Cascadia               2   1  1  0    5   2  +3    4
4 Bonbokh u Piche        2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
5 Regmotto               2   0  1  1    2   4  −2    1
6 Mexi Catcha            2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

Group B
Arklanda 1–0 Mand Blustopia
U-Koro 0–0 Chartistan
Critical Operations 2–0 Red Kelp

Group B                Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Critical Operations      2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
2 Arklanda                 2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Chartistan               2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
4 Red Kelp                 2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
5 U-Koro                   2   0  1  1    1   3  −2    1
6 Mand Blustopia           2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group C
Belac 4–1 North Japan
Yerapia 3–0 ArmedKing
Cirrus Azale 0–0 Treekidistan

Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cirrus Azale           2   1  1  0    5   1  +4    4
2 Treekidistan           2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
3 Yerapia                2   1  0  1    3   1  +2    3
4 ArmedKing              2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
5 Belac                  2   1  0  1    5   6  −1    3
6 North Japan            2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0

Group D
Socialist New Britain 0–0 North Alezia
Hispinas 1–2 Sett Forest
Rwekazaland 0–2 T Republic

Group D                  Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 T Republic                 2   1  1  0    5   3  +2    4
2 Sett Forest                2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
3 Rwekazaland                2   1  0  1    1   2  −1    3
4 North Alezia               2   0  2  0    1   1   0    2
5 Hispinas                   2   0  1  1    4   5  −1    1
  Socialist New Britain      2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

[Graintfjall]

Græntfjall is hoping to attract foreign tourists to visit the tournament during the tournament, but a 90 minute football match still leaves a lot of other time to fill even on a weekend break. Here are some other things tourists might enjoy:

Freeze your eyeballs off. Græntfjall offer a wide variety of sights, from traditional watercolour scenes of krakens at the Royal Gallery, vibrant portraits of famous people eaten by krakens at the National Portrait Art Exhibition, and modernist interpretations of noteworthy kraken attacks at the 21st Century Palace of Art. Architecture reflects the country’s Catholic heritage, with even small towns boasting large churches, and huge basilicas dominating the skyline of every major city. Natural sights are, unfortunately, mostly buried under snow at this time of year.

Freeze your eyes off. The Royal National Græntfjaller Opera is currently performing a series of concerts from the Magic Ring Cycle, an admittedly somewhat repetitive operatic epic in which numerous characters from Græntfjaller mythology and protohistory live out vivid tales of heroism and daring, romance and tragedy, and then get eaten by krakens. More modern tastes are catered to by the country’s vibrant metal scene; the big festivals are reserved for the summer, but during the winter bands perform in the many concert venues in each major city. Háttmark also has a sizeable EDM community in the “Brass Monkey Beat” style.

Freeze your fingers off. Those looking to get in touch with their crafty side might enjoy a visit to Jókk Háttmark, a model historical village maintained in a traditional style. Historic reenactors teach classes on familiar pasttimes such as weaving, rope art, and wood turning. Those venturing up to the coastal city of Laafjörður will find the National Maritime Museum, which has hands-on lessons in spear-fishing and paddling the Græntfjaller Coracle, a traditional round fishing boat. Hands-on whaling lessons have, unfortunately, been discontinued owing to pervasive international outcry.

Freeze your feet off. The main reason for a visit during the Græntfjaller winter has to be a trip to the Alps, the large mountains that cover much of the southern half of the country. Wintersports are highly popular and despite the somewhat conservative attitudes prevailing in mountain communities, they have been quick to embrace new innovations such as snowboarding and freestyle. At the moment, competitors are vying for the last places in the Olympic delegation at the White Star Cup. But you don’t have to be an Olympic-level competitor to try out a taster session or sign up for a beginners’ course.

And once you’ve frozen any other remaining body parts off, there’s always time for more football. Speaking of, cut-off for MD2.

---

Group E
Aeprelh 0–2 Fjorsz
Hebitaka 2–0 Icecliff
Khytonya 3–2 State of Trinity

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hebitaka                2    2   0   0     6    1   +5     6
2 Fjorsz                  2    2   0   0     3    0   +3     6
3 Khytonya                2    2   0   0     5    3   +2     6
4 Aeprelh                 2    0   0   2     1    4   −3     0
  Icecliff                2    0   0   2     0    3   −3     0
6 State of Trinity        2    0   0   2     3    7   −4     0

Group F
Saint-Domingue 1–0 Logano Fraza
United Pink States 2–1 Hindu Ram Rajya
Bluecliff League 3–2 Stevidia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Bluecliff League        2    2   0   0     7    4   +3     6
2 United Pink States      2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
3 Saint-Domingue          2    1   0   1     3    4   −1     3
4 Logano Fraza            2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5 Stevidia                2    0   1   1     2    3   −1     1
6 Hindu Ram Rajya         2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0

Group G
Caryton 3–0 Acastanha
Freechi 1–0 Ranoria
Silvedania 1–0 Magnecia and Galmencia

                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Caryton                   2    2   0   0     4    0   +4     6
2 Freechi                   2    2   0   0     2    0   +2     6
3 Silvedania                2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
4 Ranoria                   2    0   1   1     1    2   −1     1
5 Acastanha                 2    0   1   1     1    4   −3     1
6 Magnecia and Galmencia    2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0

Group H
Gouvanarch 3–1 Quemorr Isles
The H Corporation 0–3 Muralos
Sannyamathland 2–1 PSTCT

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Muralos                 2    2   0   0     4    0   +4     6
2 Gouvanarch              2    2   0   0     6    3   +3     6
3 Sannyamathland          2    1   0   1     4    4    0     3
4 The H Corporation       2    1   0   1     1    3   −2     3
5 PSTCT                   2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0
6 Quemorr Isles           2    0   0   2     1    4   −3     0

[Somehow Related to Rarity]

After the Sannyamathland match
Daddy Rocky: They’ve injured Tracker!
Painbow: F
Tracker: Maricones son. ¡Maricones!
Twilight: Tracker chill it’s not like they did it on purpose.
Tracker: ¿Qué?
Twilight: rolls eyes never mind
Painbow: Oh god I do hope Ryder isn’t going to go on one of his miracle rants.
Zuma: Stawp jwinxing it
Painbow: Now that you’ve said that it IS jinxed now. Screw you!
Zuma: Oh you wannya scwew me? You awe so howny (・`ω´・)
Painbow: overflowing with pain N-no! I am GAY.
Zuma: smirking fow whooooo?
Alppe: Shaddap bumbo you annoying as fuck
Zuma: She said the bad wowd ;;w;;
Alppe: Bruh
Zuma: Anyway, can you expwain youw wesbian with who?
Painbow: Gay... for you!
Zuma: I’m mawe and stwongwy hetewo
Painbow: You don’t understand! You were female until 5 months and 6 days and then your parents changed your gender because they were sexist and said that females were damaging society’s reputation!
Zuma: But that means you’we nyot gay
Painbow: You are cute
Zuma: Oh? I am so fwattewed. Thank you.
Alppe: I thought you were gay for ME Painbow?
Painbow: You won’t understand honey. I can explain!
Alppe: But you were my all time cutie wootie-
Ryder: Fock’s goin on aye? I’m trying to sort some important issues.
Rubble: Nit a miracle?
Ryder: Yes but with Twi. Way gon figure out tactics for tomorrow.
Skye: Dam she lucky
Zuma: Nyo that’s gay
Skye: whatever

[Khytonya]

Just One Goal: When Khytonya Won Two Games by a Single Margin
By: Ronald McCarthy

It seems that Khytonya are doing so well at the moment. Seeing them winning the first two matchdays is lovely by its on right. Here at Knight Light Footy, it's no secret that Khytonya are an unstoppable machine steamrolling through the competition (with some defending mistakes, of course). In the last two matchdays, the Magical Bhoys triumphed over Aeprelh and State of Trinity by a single margin. Despite what you might think as an easy victory, the Khytonians are nearly endangering themselves by constantly attacking all the way for a goal while forgetting that the defense are getting overworked even with Jared O'Reilly's presence on the field. This results in supposedly 'easy' games ending in a win by a single difference.

Sure, Khytonya are productive with their strikers and midfielders. We're thanking lads like Larsen Reinhardt, Nigel Neilson, Thomas Liaw, and (to some extent) Alice Matthews for creating opportunities of scoring. It always helps that Arthur Hartley loves offensively-minded tactics. This good combination is what propelled Khytonya to start their winning ways, especially during previous matches like a 5-1 thrashing over Banija's Womens Team. The forawrd trio are able to spot a mistake and take full advantage of it, which is what bags in goals. But that's where the praises end.

The main issue here is the defenders. While it's understandable that these players put their defensive abilities first before anything. After all, that's the point of the defense position, right? However, when it comes to pushing forward suddenly they've become too vurneble. We're seeing too many mistakes regarding the back four trying to move up the field to the point where all the opponent's strikers can do is to tap-in and score, and it's worse when they're up against a counterattack. When you play with an offensive-focused formation like the 4-3-3, it's hard to find a way to defend without watching where the opponents makes their next move. One way to remedy this is to train the defenders to move their line in unison so the stability of the shape can stop attacking chances in the marks.

Also, notice how each of the players aren't exactly ball-winning players. The closest we've seen so far is Jack Conacher. The one half of the famed Conacher Brothers managed to rob the opposing team's chances away turn it into a slow counter-attack. Otherwise, the back four are only capable of tackling and intercepting. Quite a shame considering some of the substitutes feature in Khytonya's main squad did better than those in the starting 11. Otherwise star keeper Yukiko Honma won't work herself to death. She may be a goddess between the pipes, but even gods have their limits. We can't get over one laughably sloppy mistake in Matchday 2 where she caught the ball from mid-air, only for the ball to slip away her big hands and cross the goal line instead.

Regardless of how you think Khytonya has performed, the Baptism of Fire is just getting started. They're one of the three teams who won the last two games alongside Hebitaka and Fjorsz. The former are so far improving in terms of their quality of play. Certainly much better than their journey in the Wonder Cup. On the other hand, Fjorsz might just be yet another exciting team despite playing against two of the weakest teams in Group E. Only three more to go, and Khytonya will need to strive for victory if they want the trophy so badly. And it starts with the third matchday against Icecliff. Let's go you Magical Bhoys!

[Treekidistan]

Treekidistan: The Green Universe
Not bad at all

Group C
Belac 4–1 North Japan
Yerapia 3–0 ArmedKing
Cirrus Azale 0–0 Treekidistan

Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cirrus Azale           2   1  1  0    5   1  +4    4
2 Treekidistan           2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
3 Yerapia                2   1  0  1    3   1  +2    3
4 ArmedKing              2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
5 Belac                  2   1  0  1    5   6  −1    3
6 North Japan            2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0

"Tie, nothing else." read Gonzales. He was waiting to get the Coach's diary in hand. He watches the coach all the time when he's in the bench. Keeps on chewing his pen and scribbles something on his diary. What would he be writing down. Gonzales had the curiousity everyone has. For a whole ninety minutes the coach was scribbling in his diary. It could be a Novella or maybe a poem which he wrote after seeing the match. Nah, nothing. It was just those three words "Tie,Nothing Else". "Whaaaat?" Gonzales shouted. "What was he doing with this pen then?" he takes up the pen in the diary and checks it. "Ah! I should have known this. This Pen doesn't have a refill. But, where did he get the pen to write those three words?." Just then, he noticed another pen with full ink in the desk. It had a partially chewed Top. Suddenly he heard a sound from behind, he kept the diary on the desk and moved away. It was the coach! He was running to the bathroom. "Coach! What happened?" he asked. The coach just smiled and he understood what happened. He just went to the place where the coach was sitting. There was a paper and a pen with a half chewed refill. The coach just broke the pen by chewing! His mouth was full of ink, with Blur teeth and tongue. "I have been saying to use the Wooden Pen, Don't you know that Plastic isn't good. Just because you're not in Treekidistan you can't break the rules." says Gonzales. Treekidistan has imposed a total ban in the use of plastics. They have introduced eco friendly products and alternatives for plastic. Plastic uses for emergency and need is allowed but with restrictions. Treekidistan has always been green and has been growing too. The land is full of gardens and parks. You can't find a house without a tree in it.

In the other matches of the group, Belac defeated North Japan (4-1) and Yerapia defeated ArmedKing (3-0). In the third match, Treekidistan drew with Cirrus Azale for a score of nil nil. We could have easily won the game if we were allowed the offside goal. Luck, what else should we call it. Churches for Margaret is been set up in three large cities in the nation. Factories for rubber chicken can be found in the countryside. The Eco Nation is merging to be a Chicken Nation. We should win and we should do it. Hail Margaret, Hail Treekidistan.

[Stevid]

FINAL WHISTLE - BoF 74
Bluecliff League 3 – 2 Stevidia
Stevidia circling the drain with first defeat and no win in two

The Bluecliff League put a lacklustre Stevidia defence to the sword with a resounding 3-2 thumping. The score line belies what was a one-sided game where Bluecliff controlled for large periods with an efficient, if bureaucratic performance. A lot of emphasis was seemingly put on certain players from particular cities scoring goals, but also ensuring that the build-up play was conducted in such a format that other cities could claim a hand in the goal. At least this is how it appeared to Stevidian observers. But it meant there was no answer to the Bluecliff tactics as rhythm and structure gives way to politicking and a lack of managerial experience; although this latter point is dangerously close to being overturned as the wins keep coming in.

The first half began well for both sides, both scoring within twenty minutes, Stevidia taking first blood with a sliding effort from Lukas Cooper after a hurried cross. But Bluecliff hit back almost immediately, capitalising on Stevidia’s lack of numbers in the middle with some nice passing and finishing with a twelve-yard strike from in form striker Ramire.

Bluecliff asserted themselves after this, sticking to some form of game plan that was bewildering to the casual observer, and maybe even to their own side. Regardless, it worked. Centre-forward Salamono left the Stevidia back three for dead, threading his way through on goal and placed a shot underneath the flailing Lindsay.

The second half began with more impetus from Stevidia who were pushing for an early equalizer. But this pressing forward left gaps at the back and so Zul Buru found himself down the right and completely open as the Stevidia wingback was still up the other end of the park. Zul cut inside and fired home past a helpless Lindsay. Now at 3-1, things need to change. Stevidia moved into a narrower 4-3-3, with Jonny Watts reverting to a more traditional fullback and Andreas Bostock replaced by advanced midfield Shane Ryan. This made an immediate difference but Stevidia only managed to match Bluecliff and never really got back into the game. Stevidia’s second and final goal came from a lucky corner and centre back Jordan Smith towered above everyone and nodded home on the eighty-eighth minute – but it was merely a consolation goal as Bluecliff were happy to see the game out from there.

Manager Davidicus Asper will be feeling the pressure but can attribute blame to his players failing to convert chances as the build-up play is good, they’re just not scoring. With an important match against Saint-Domingue coming up later tonight, the manger may have to reassess his tactics and formation as clearly the current format isn’t working for this team.
But worse still is the lack of wins. With only one point from two games, Stevidia have to be looking to win their next three to guarantee progression. Any losses now would be unacceptable and all but consign this fledging side to their fate and any hope of building on much for the World Cup which is just around the corner. Even the dropping of points into draws puts Stevidia’s fate in the hands of others,; but for now, their fate is their own but they need something special to turn this around.

Here are the other results from the group:

Group F
Saint-Domingue 1–0 Logano Fraza
United Pink States 2–1 Hindu Ram Rajya
Bluecliff League 3–2 Stevidia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Bluecliff League        2    2   0   0     7    4   +3     6
2 United Pink States      2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
3 Saint-Domingue          2    1   0   1     3    4   −1     3
4 Logano Fraza            2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5 Stevidia                2    0   1   1     2    3   −1     1
6 Hindu Ram Rajya         2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0

Stay tuned for more reports later with the team list for tonight and another interview with Davidicus.

[Sannyamathland]

Sannyamathland 2–1 PSTCT
PSTCT handed Sannyamathland a couple of early Christmas gifts, as Sandiev's header and VI Mount's penalty took the Red Lions to a 2-1 victory and the first ever victory of the United Soviet Republic's National Team in the BoF on Sunday.The coach made 3 changes to the squad that lost the match against Gouvarnarch but eve the changes were not enough to entirely change the dynamics,but the team atleast looked much more confident.Sandiev scored from a header in the 31st minute,before PSTCT's Marshall took advantage of a mixup in the Sannyamathlandian defence to level the scores.However all was over for PSTCT in the 85th minute,when Ansu Mbiki was brought down in the penalty area,and the referee used the VAR to give Sannyamathland a penalty,inspite of aggressive protests by the PSTCT players.V.I.Mount did no mistake to find the back of the net,which led the Red Lions to their first victory of this year's BoF.

[Fjorsz]

Wonderful Land - Fjords

Oh, the wonderful fjords that lie in Fjorsz. Fjorsz was named after the natural landscape that defines Fjorszian culture, it's a watermark that brings tourists from everywhere, there's a reason why Fjorsz is 'the father of fjords'. Fjords, for Fjorsz, are the artifact in the museum, the field in a stadium. Of course, there is different types of classifications for fjords, and ones that will attract and ones that will, well, not.

Strafjorsz

The Strafjorsz is the most common fjord in Fjorsz. Found in the colder and wetter climates, Strafjorszes are deep waterways that have textured sides that mostly slant at a 80 degree angle.

Famous Strafjorszes: Nongerjord, Ajord, Vitzjord

Clifjorsz

A Clifjorsz is a fjord that is bumpy, and not that great to go to if you want a swim. The surface under it goes up and down, and Clifjorszes are pretty shallow. However, they look pretty good from up.

Famous Clifjorszes Kohnjord, Fordejord

Taadfjorsz

Taadfjorszes are fjorszes that have snowy sides. They usually are from snowy climates. During the winter, the water turns into the ice, and even when it comes to spring and summer the snowy sides stay, as the usual climate around these fjords are cold.

Famous Taadfjorszes: Beltajord, Einstrajord, Koverjord

Of course, there is many more fjorszes, regular and extreme, but these three fjords are the most common fjords in Fjorsz. Have a great time travelling!

Icecliff 0-1 Fjorsz
26' Vaard Dribbled past 5 players easily, and then curves a shot down between the goalkeeper's legs and into the net

Aeprelh 0–2 Fjorsz
12' Vaard He flicked the ball over one player and volleys it home
57' Mandel Flicked the ball over someone's head and pounded the ball down into the net.

[United Pink States]

Maybe it is just because we have been in a completely inhospitable place like Laxenvöllur, but it is pretty clear that we need to provide an explanation about why we are called the United Pink States. We understand that the name of our nation invites people to make derogatory comments that would insult various segments of our population. We are not a nation full of women, or manly women. We are not Cassadaigua. Understandably, since our nation is not on the planet in which we are taking part in the Baptism of Fire, not many of the people in Græntfjall have been here. You could probably count on one hand the number of their citizens that have made the trip. Right now, they only think of Drawkland when they think of Sonnel, and if we are going to get out of their shadow and make our own identity we have to understand that we need to educate people about our country.

The United Pink States gets its name for two reasons: First, the great number of Eastern Redbud trees throughout the country. They are greatly prevalent within the Monroe and Warren mountain ranges. This vast population of Eastern Redbuds creates a highly visible pink landscape throughout our country. In areas where the Eastern Redbud is not common, such as along the southeastern portion of the country, shrub roses are equivalently prevalent. The Chinese Redbud is also very common throughout. Therefore, the nation has a unique pink landscape. Secondly, in the southeast, especially the states of Sheldon, Bolton, Plymouth, and Grafton, the pink sand beaches (OOC- think Harbour Island in the Bahamas, but much larger) further enhance our image of being a pink nation. Therefore, the nation was named United Pink States, and if you have never been here, then you might want to consider adding it to your travel bucket list. Portals to the planet where the regions of Rushmore and Atlantian Oceania, among many others, exist in the city of Jamestown, which is just north of the capital of Brookfield. You can also take the portal in Starksboro in the northeast. If you are in the western portion of the country, you probably just want to isolate yourself and don’t care about portals. Though if you do, you will need to go to either Jamestown or Starksboro.

Our sports teams have not been successful thus far, but are looking to change that within Baptism of Fire 74. The only way you are going to get sports fans to look at your nation and appreciate it a little bit is if you are successful in the venue of choice. We have not seen that prior to the Baptism of Fire, but after two games, the team is now 1-1-0, following a victory over Hindu Ram Rajya by the score of 2-1. That opponent has still not provided a list of names to the public, and there were no last names on the back of their jerseys. I have to wonder why they choose to do this, as in, what is the point? Your nation has opted to participate in the Baptism of Fire, and it is the only time that you will ever be able to do so. It should be a special moment, but I could not even find any media members from Hindu Ram Rajya to ask them questions about the game. Maybe the attitudes of the people in Laxenvöllur scared them off. Maybe, their vehicle of choice could not start due to the cold temperatures and they just could not make it, but you had to be prepared for that going into this. We all know it was going to be cold in Græntfjall, or at least we should have known that. Our next opponent, Logano Fraza, also has not provided a roster, so I am going to call them all Joey unless otherwise provided actual names.

This blog is not the place to get detailed play by play game analysis, but the first intergalactic goal in national history went to midfielder Jason Kinzey in the 26th minute. His name will forever go down in the record books, so all of you trivia buffs better make note of that. It was scored from about 25 feet away, just inside the left post. Congratulations to Kinzey! In the second half, the lead was extended to 2-0 on a Byron Smith goal in the 53rd minute. However, in the 79th minute, the first goal that we conceded was also registered. Sadly, we will never, ever know the name of the person who scored this goal. Our record books will merely have to record them as “#17, who came in as a substitute in the 71st minute”. So be it. All in all, this was a great effort by the Couriers, and it should give us some hope that we can beat some teams and probably make the knockouts okay. They are generously allowing 32 nations to make them, after all.

Winning the Baptism of Fire would be great, but the best nations don’t always win. I flipped back the pages of my history book way back when, all the way back to Baptism of Fire 30. The nation that won? Myedvedeya. They were briefly good but never lasted. Second, was Secristan. That was a good nation for a while, but a little more known for other sports than soccer. Third, was Urna Electonica. Who?! Fourth was some nation called Cassadaigua, who are a lot more well known. There are many more examples of great nations not winning their Baptism of Fire, I just picked #30 at random. Really now, I did. I promise.

[Chartistan]

A Letter to the Billboard Gazette

Hello there, writing back from Official City after a long absence. When the clocks stopped for the end of the U-Koro match, it wasn't amazing at all in my opinion. The light dancing off of the football's head was bad. It was a boring match, I have to say - The fading morning here was only a sign for the zero goal slugfest we had on that day in Chamberley. The game today felt like both teams were blinded by the sun reflected from their coffee they had before preparing for the match... Everyone bumbled around that pitch, and I don't think Louis Christiansen would have done any better to stop this performance from getting as stale as bread.

I was drunk in my mansion, waiting for the team to pull a miracle out of their bums - Tatertot Crazy being subbed off was probably the worst decision Combbrush has done in his career so far. Only good spark on the team, only because the team were as stale as her? Throw in Plasticium Amphibia to ruin the chance. The team was silent after that. They let go of any chance, any afterglow they would have had, and it became more infuriating to watch than trying to drive in 6 feet of snow. Trust me, in Official City you have to deal with that sometimes.

A new dimension of play my, and I'm sorry to say this, arse. This team lost track of time so much that they barely did anything before the whistle even blew. They played down to their competition and I could probably do so much better. Heck, I only sat down and drank tea and didn't go outside to play the football at all for the past few months! Doctor Lucas must search harder for his World Cup roster... This team isn't burning so brightly. I hope that changes in the Critical Operations game otherwise we might not do well when times get tough.

With love,
Bread Serum