Copa Rushmori XXXVII / CR37 - Everything Thread

[Pasarga]

As the Wanderers arrive in Eura and prepare for the Copa Rushmori that will be taking place over the coming weeks in the nation, they have to believe that they are in a good position for a deep run into the tournament and perhaps put the ghosts of Eura and Nephara behind them and contend for the trophy once more. While Nephara and Savojarna have been battling away the last few editions, keeping the title game among themselves, the Wanderers have seen themselves go from a consistent title contender to being dumped out by the more prolific teams in the regional tournament. It is in stark contrast to the last Copa Rushmori that Pasarga did win, where they were in a bit of a rut in form having just missed out on the World Cup Finals and feeling a bit sorry for themselves, coming in as an underdog that was not expected to contend but pulled off multiple upsets to have retained that title that many people had believed was outside their grasp coming into that edition of the tournament.

The Wanderers have a group that has a lot of high potential nations in it, but none that one could say are currently close to that potential and being a real threat to win the tournament itself. Yuezhou, San Ortello, and Ancharmunn are all very capable nations and will provide quite stern tests for the Wanderers in each and every match, but we would be lying if we said that Pasarga would not be the favorites for each and every one of these matches. That is no disrespect meant to the rest of the group, however this is a Wanderers' side that just came out of making the knockouts of the World Cup Finals last month and have a team that is mostly playing in the prime of their careers. While Júlia Müller might be the only true superstar of the team, up and down the roster the squad is filled with quite talented and industrious players who play for the shirt rather than for the name on the back of it. Compared to the last generation that had a plethora of elite talent but talent that seemingly could not come together and get it done on the big stage, it is an interesting contrast and turnabout.

The knife's edge of these players being in the prime of their career means that for the many of these players, they are likely to be dropped to the bench or reserves for the upcoming qualifying cycle that begins in the fall or dropped from the qualifying pool completely in favor of younger players. This is especially true for the defense, where there was only a single player under the age of thirty at the start of this cycle. Come this fall, there will undoubtedly be a passing of the torch to the younger defenders that are coming up and a lot of the defense will see this tournament as a sending off point, one last opportunity to get something done for the shirt. A few of them were fringe players the last time the Wanderers were able to lift the Copa Rushmori and it would be only fitting for the likes of Asztrik Szalay and Lazar Meier to be able to likely bookend their international careers with the lifting of the regional trophy.

Griffiths will lead their team first against Ancharmunn, a team who have flirted in and out of the regional tournament for awhile now after once being a middling power in the region. There on again, off again nature never really lets the team start to develop the chemistry within their players nor develop the talent that they have at their disposal to get into the upper tiers of the regional powers. There is a depth of footballing potential to be tapped up there but they need more direction and consistency from the powers that be in their home country to really have that push to actually start developing and until such time, they are likely going to be merely also rans in the tournament who are more or less just looking to play the role of spoiler for a big side who might be overlooking them. With the trials and tribulations that this Wanderers side went through with qualifying, having that five game stretch at home of not winning and then having to qualify via the playoffs, you would have to believe that Griffiths will have the entire team ready to go. Advancing into the knockouts shows the promise of the team when they work as an unit, with all that is at stake for this team in particular, now is the time to deliver on that promise or always wonder what if.

[Valladares]

THE VALLADAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL ROSTER FOR THE 37^TH COPA RUSHMORI

Coaching Staff:

Head coach: Jessica Curran (Cassadaigua)
Assistant coach: Sergio Acevedo
Goalkeeping coach: Martin Légendre
Fitness coach: Ramón Estiaguirre
Team doctor: Jacques Pelletier
Physiotherapist: Dante Palazzi
Video analyst: Lorenzo Coombs

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS
1. Lucien Chamoun - GK - 26 - Crisisbless
12. Fernando Sánchez - GK - 31 - FC Capri
23. Danilo Araúz - GK - 28 - AD Cerro

DEFENDERS
2. Jonás Romero - RB - 32 - AS Bezieres
3. Thiago Matheus - CB - 32 - Metropolis Alligators (Captain)
4. Antoine Montes - LB - 33 - Nacional
13. Alejandro Acosta - RB - 27 - Aries Chariots
14. Mauricio Arboleda - CB - 22 - Blacklake Blues
15. Pablo Núñez - LB - 22 - Marinos Metropolis

MIDFIELDERS
5. Darwin Pico - DMR - 26 - Mar Sara FC
6. Kevin Martins - DML - 25 - Fontvielle Impact
7. Fabio Betancourt - AMR - 27 - Hondo FC
8. Alexis Durmisi - AML - 27 - Urbizania Wanderers
10. Marcelo Zamudio - AMC - 25 - Metropolis Alligators
16. William Alonso - DMR - 22 - Oakstone
17. Patrick Arnold - DML - 30 - Advance Alara
18. Daniel Lachlant - AMR - 26 - Club Stein-los
19. Ariel Balboa - AML - 28 - Istria City FC
21. Adrien Trolli - AMC - 22 - Tanrısal

FORWARDS
9. Brayan Borja - FW - 30 - Raynor City United (Vice-captain)
11. Pierre Vasseur - FW - 30 - Burnaby SC
20. Mateo Foschini - FW - 28 - Hondo FC
22. Fabio Coimbra - FW - 29 - Clayquot City

Starting Lineup, Formation, and Tactics:

The Valladar national football team is known for having its traditional 3-2-2-3 (or 3-4-3 for general reference) formation, although in recent times it has mutated into a 3-5-2 by pushing back one of the three forwards to act as a playmaker, and can turn into either a very aggressive yet non-conventional 3-2-5 for attacking or a 5-4-1 (a 3-6-1, even) when the team feel the need to enter into a defensive mode. La Nacional will always be looking to attack and retain ball possession for as long as possible, trying to score many goals in the shortest possible time and mounting an insurmountable lead for the second half of the match when players from both teams start showing signs of fatigue. This squad mostly relies on the speed of its wingers both in attack and in defense modes, with another couple of players (this time Darwin Pico and Kevin Martins) playing the role of defensive midfielders that was well covered by Jonathan Bosetti and Pedro Pedretti in the past: both should be able to retreat to the defensive line with ease whenever the team lose ball possession in order to form a line of 5 defenders, thus giving rival forwards a very hard time when trying to break through the Valladar defense. Regardless of who the trio (now duo) playing up front is made of, those strikers are well prepared under the premises of the typical Valladar forward: very speedy and talented, with the ability to seemingly harmless crosses into goals, create chances and score goals out of nothing, and kill defenses with speed and lethal counterattacks.

Style Modifier: +2.5

Kits (Brought to you by Meski Sports):

First
Alternate
GK/Third

RP Permissions:

In the event my opponent RPs first, they may...
Choose my goalscorers YES
Godmod scoring events YES
RP injuries to my players NO without permission. I'll determine the severity if granted permission.
Godmod injuries to my players NO without permission.
Hand out yellow cards to my players YES
Hand out red cards to my players NO - I'll determine whether my players are sent off or not.
Godmod other events YES only if they involve weather conditions.

Special requests:
1) Please no killings, and definitely no pandemic-related RPing.
2) Try to be as realistic as possible, and last but no least...
3) Have fun.

[Savojarna]

Savojar Roster for Copa Rushmori 37

TEAM

STAFF

Coach: Mikaela Rangren
Age: 52 // Coach since: Copa Rushmori 34
Mikaela Rangren has been working as an assistant coach to Lise Asbeck in the legendary World Cup 81 run, and has served two more national managers in the NT, and as head coach since the sacking of Rune Zackrisson. She plays with a direct approach to the game, relying on Savojarna’s physical culture and passionate, fighting spirit. Rangren has shown a particular strength in keeping the team together, and is considered a “people’s coach” rather than a tactical mastermind like some of her predecessors. While Rangren has not won any silverware, she is already the most successful coach of Savojar history, leading the Northlights to two consecutive World Cups and three consecutive Copa Rushmori finals.

Coaching Team: Johan Andreassen, Alexey Jotanov, Lasse Tjoer
Ages: 50, 52, 42 // Special functions: Main assistant, Video coach, Physical trainer
Andreassen is an old friend of Rangren who has gone through coaching education together with her. He now supports her as an all-round assistant, although he will probably focus more on leading the team on the pitch rather than supporting tactics and preparation.
Jotanov is a rather creative tactical mind and one half of the U-21 co-coaching team. He has been brought on board as part of the WC90 project to create a more unified approach across the three Savojar national teams (adult, U21, U18). He will be here mainly to support Rangren off the pitch with video trainings and tactics briefing.
Lasse Tjoer is the new physical coach after the retirement of the previous conditional trainer Asgeir Rundberg, and has previously worked for multiple SFS teams. He places a lot of emphasis on discipline, but gives the players a large amount of freedom to tune their practice regime to their own tastes as long as they stick to the targets. He is quite popular in the team, and a good motivator.

Goalkeeper Coach: Valtteri Andersson
Age: 51
Andersson was a long-term goalkeeper for Energie Thorsborg and got directly transferred into the club's youth department when he retired at age 33. Following some good work with the club's youth department, he got trained as a GK coach and worked with the first team and the U21 of Energie for a while before being brought onto the squad of the NT early on. He still works with Energie on the side and is reputed to be very good at developing a goalkeeper's weaknesses.

Doctor: Dr. Christer Ljungberg
Age: 57
Christer is the head of the medical team of the Savojar NT and generally has a reputation of being the team’s good soul. Many players have come to him over the years to discuss their insecurities or physical problems, to the point that many consider Ljungberg to essentially be a second mental coach.

SQUAD

#1 Iiro Pakanen
Position: GK // Age: 30 // Height: 194 cm // Club: Jinja City FC (BNJ)
Pakanen is a pretty strong goalkeeper with good reflexes on the line and a very calm behaviour, helped by his experience on the international stage with Jinja City. As the successor to the Savojar legend Viktorija Petrova, he has taken over the goal mouth with a less flashy, but very consistent and successful style that has carried Savojarna to record heights on the international stage.

#2 Flemming Skov
Position: RB // Age: 29 // Height: 185 cm // Club: Admiral Storevik
Part of the legendary DBC 45 squad, Skov’s career has stalled a little in his early twenties, but he has come back strong since his transfer to Admiral and assumed the position in the national team as Nurkanen started flagging. He is an aggressive fullback who will provide offensive pressure, and known for both speed and stamina.

#3 Milla Viipuri
Position: LB // Age: 23 // Height: 179 cm // Club: Swanguard Athletic (QUE)
Viipuri, who moved to Quebec early, can play on both sides and is defensively solid with very few sparkles, but a lot of solidarity and discipline. Received some attention for her precise tackles and good positional play. On the ball, she is likely to play a solid pass, but is very conservative. Very much a call-up of the “future promise” nature, but has shown domestically and in the WC campaign that she can hold her own.

#4 Polina Zirkova
Position: CB // Age: 27 // Height: 182 cm // Club: Ulsa (EUR)
Zirkova is a pretty exciting defensive player and considered one of the most exciting young players in Savojarna right now. She is defensively solid, although not impassable. Her excitement comes from the abilities in building up the game. Zirkova often moves up to assist the midfielders, or plays long balls from the back to one of the wingers hanging back or even all the way to the playmaker. She also is confident on the ball herself, occasionally dazzling the audience with a good dribble. However, sometimes her judgement is lacking and she commits mistakes unnecessarily.

#5 Matts Pedersen
Position: LB // Age: 28 // Height: 187 cm // Club: Tanrısal (PAS)
Pedersen is another fast, aggressive fullback who is extremely persistent, but joins the offence aggressively. This leads to him being vulnerable to counters over the left side, where he might not be able to react in time if he was too advanced before. He has excellent 1v1 skills on both sides of the ball, but is a bit lacking in passing accuracy. His past issues with decision-making are now considered largely overcome thanks to his high-level experience in Pasarga, and he is considered a mental leader in the team.

#6 Otso Ilkkanen
Position: DM // Age: 26 // Height: 183 cm // Club: FC Rotmunde 1932 (STL)
Ilkkanen is a physical, defensive player with little ball-handling skills. He has a very strong shot, making him a dangerous threat from the back line. Not incredibly aggressive despite his physical skills, and a bit weak in the air, but a strong anchor player. He has played significant minutes at the youth level, earning him a move to Siovanija & Teusland, and is now looking to take root in the adult team. Crown favourite to inherit Andersson’s role.

#7 Mikhail Jashkin
Position: RF // Age: 28 // Height: 176 cm // Club: Directus (EUR)
A fast and technically gifted hybrid winger who is known for a deadly eye and his laser-like passes. While he has decent crossing skills, he tends to opt for a flat pass into the box or a dribbling instead, acting almost as a false nine that plays wide on the right. He is one of the most observed players on the team, and his move to Eura has greatly helped him to develop further into the dominating forward he is today. Holds the title of “most expensive Savojar player in history” as he moved from Farrenton Athletic to Directus for 24 million NSD.

#8 Victoria Maersk [C]
Position: CM // Age: 33 // Height: 157 cm // Club: Vermillion Rage (NPH)
Maersk is a classical box-to-box allrounder who is strong in most tasks, besides her aerial inferiority due to height, and has a high stamina and speed. While not excelling at anything, she is considered a utility player that will probably see a lot of playtime in various positions and roles depending on the situation. Moved to North Sabrefell in a state of insecurity and established herself as a regular in the Premiership, now leading Vermillion Rage.

#9 Jekaterina Smolov
Position: ST // Age: 25 // Height: 176 cm // Club: CASK Thorsborg
Smolov has been Savojarna’s shooting star in the past years, going from playing as a joker at Traktor St. Andrei to a starting position at CASK, and it’s easy to see why. Smolov is fast and technical, brilliant at finding a gap in the defence and positioning herself to pounce on passes. She is also used to playing with dominant wingers, making her well-suited for the NT.

#10 Morten Poulsen
Position: OM // Age: 27 // Height: 180 cm // Club: Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Poulsen grew from shaky prospect to bona-fide playmaker at Parti, and has enjoyed the love of their fans for a while now despite being in a bit of a slump recently. A creative player that has a large stamina and a good shot, but defensively lacks caution sometimes. Plays in a very similar system at Partisan, although with more offensive freedom; the lack of defensive consciousness in his play made Lundell the first choice.

#11 Simon Jacobsen
Position: ST // Age: 27 // Height: 177 cm // Club: Alnio (CMT)
The (Savojarised) namesake of Starblaydi legend Simeone di Bradini has played in two DBCs, and has now rejoined the national team following some decent seasons in Chromatika. He is a fast striker using his positioning and speed as a key weapon, working best in conjunction with another, more physical striker who can open gaps for him. Profited from a more speed-based tactic of the national team, and moved into the starting position. Defensively, he runs a lot and has good pressing skills, but sometimes lacks in ball-winning ability.

#12 Thomas Larsen
Position: GK // Age: 34 // Height: 195 cm // Club: CASK Thorsborg
Larsen has been the number 2 of the national team for a while and brings routine into the team, as well as some leadership from being the defensive rock of CASK Thorsborg. On the pitch, he is quite athletic and assumes control of his box. Especially at standards and in crossing situations, he likes to use his height to pluck the ball out of the sky, but he is a bit slow on the line. Has a very good read of strikers, and is almost Pakanen’s equal.

#13 Eino Kiivälä
Position: LB // Age: 26 // Height: 173 cm // Club: FC Felsenkirchen 1892 (STL)
Kiivälä managed to jump out of the back rungs of the SFS to international glory with Felsenkirchen, where he grew into a starting fullback. Has a good defensive conscience who is very fast and keen to join the attack when the situation allows. However, when he attacks he is often among the first ones back, and hard to deal with on a counter due to his high speed and workrate. Can slot in at both sides, just like his counterpart Viipuri.

#14 Rika Lundell
Position: OM // Age: 26 // Height: 167 cm // Club: North Laithland (NPH)
Having emerged more or less out of nowhere, Rika Lundell has become one of the stars of the current SFS season and is considered part of the miraculous rise of Rotor Värstjö. Lundell is an extremely agile player with dazzling technique, and a good eye for openings and passing lanes. Her defensive capabilities, as well as her chance at withstanding physical opposition, are a bit lacklustre, but she often finds ways to compensate by thinking ahead and using her speed to her advantage.

#15 Juhamatti Rajala
Position: LF // Age: 26 // Height: 190 cm // Club: Brisara FC (CMT)
Rajala is extremely hard to contain because of his explosivity and the fact that despite his height and weight of 92 kg, he accelerates extremely fast. His top speed is actually not that great, and he is somewhat limited in dribbling, but he can be a good utility player to disrupt the opponents. Supposed to grow into a starting role at CASK, he was outplayed by Euran prodigy Wallace Pickton and moved to Chromatika, where he assumed a crucial role at Brisara that earned him an international callup.

#16 Vidkun Nymark
Position: CB // Age: 23 // Height: 193 cm // Club: Laketown Rangers (TAE)
Nymark is a Savojar centre-back straight from a picture book: Strong and tall, heading out every cross coming his way and making strikers intimidated by sheer presence. Some people feared he may struggle with speedier and cleverer international pro competition, but his stint at Laketown Rangers showed that this was completely unfounded - he has established himself in Taeshan as a defensive force.

#17 Dmitri Dmitriev
Position: CB // Age: 24 // Height: 204 cm // Club: Admiral Storevik
Dmitriev is extremely tall, and a towering presence in the box, and a strong header, which made him a threat on both sides in the past. When on the ball, he is limited, often relying on a quick pass to the side or a clearance; however, he has established himself to be defensively strong enough to make up for these limitations.

#18 Sergey Nweke
Position: ST // Age: 25 // Height: 184 cm // Club: Unioneers (EUR)
Half-Banijan striker Sergey Nweke has played his youth football in Savojarna, but was increasingly linked with Banija’s national team - until a sudden call-up to the Cup of Harmony. He is a solid, physically strong and quick player with good finishing capabilities and a nose for dangerous openings. While Nweke is rarely playing from the start, he fits a multitude of different situations and can expect regular play.

#19 Krister Voynov
Position: LF // Age: 30 // Height: 177 cm // Club: Raynor City United (VAL)
Potentially the most exciting single player in the Savojar team, this fast and skilful winger is a constant threat. Voynov loves to swing inside to challenge an opposing defender directly and is extremely good in 1v1 situations. He also scores many goals with a strong and precise shot, and has accurate passing skills as well. His main weakness is a lack of defensive work, forcing the left side to cover for his roaming.

#20 Victor Loeseth
Position: CM // Age: 28 // Height: 180 cm // Club: Lokomotive Jarnstad
Victor Loeseth is a mainstay of the SFS A, having served as a rock in the central midfield for multiple top teams. He is a defensively oriented shuttler, alright at duelling and very good at calming down the match to find the right path forward with the ball on his foot, but rarely creates any flashy plays. His secret weapon is his heavy shot which can score from a long distance, and his extensive stamina allowing him to go box-to-box for a full game.

#21 Göran Jaerbyn
Position: RM // Age: 22 // Height: 174 cm // Club: Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Jaerbyn is a fast and spectacular player. His crosses are very accurate and well-played, but he doesn’t (yet) pull to the centre all that much, contrary to most other Savojar wingers. If he is in position, he is actually also quite good at defending, but he often overreaches a bit, leading to him having to scramble back. Definitely most useful when behind, or when paired with a defensively responsible player behind him.

#22 Aleksandra Virulainen
Position: GK // Age: 26 // Height: 181 cm // Club: Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Virulainen uses a great awareness and control of the box to counter-act her comparatively lower height and has shown brilliant oversight. She is among the best goalkeepers in Savojarna, and by far the best of her age when it comes to ball-on-foot skills. Both at Partisan and at the national team, she has quickly established herself and is now second in the chain behind Pakanen.

#23 Roman Forsberg
Position: CB // Age: 30 // Height: 188 cm // Club: Olympia Borograd (STL)
Forsberg is another one of the Savojar ball-secure, modern CB's, but shows some nerves at times. He has greatly profited from taking on a more important role in his club and has cut down on his mistakes, but is still prone to occasional over-aggressive positioning or similar faults. His best skill is his heading, as he is a very strong jumper and tall player. He will often join the attack on standards.

STARTING XI:



TACTICS

STYLE: -1

ROLES
Captain: Maersk - Voynov - Pedersen - Pakanen
Free Kicks (direct): Voynov (left, centre), Jashkin (right)
Free Kicks (long): Maersk
Corners: Pedersen (left), Jashkin (right)
Penalty Kick: Maersk, Poulsen, Jacobsen, Voynov, Lundell, Rajala, Jashkin [also progression for shooutouts]

KITS

Designed and manufactured by NDCS[/align]

RP PERMISSIONS
Choose Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Scoring: N
Injure Players: Y (no longer than the rest of the tournament)
Godmod Injuries: N
Yellow Cards: Y
Red Cards: Y - not more than one
Godmod other events: N

I am open to discussing all RP permissions via TG or Discord, if you have a specific plan.

[Darmen]

National Football Team of Darmen
presented by the
Darmeni Football Association

Coaching Staff

Position          Name              Age
Manager           Dean McTaggart    44
Assistant Manager Éimhín Forester   47
Offensive Coach   Brennan Flanagan  43
Defensive Coach   Pádraig Phelps    45
Goalkeeping Coach Arlo Amundsen     40
Psychologist      Desmond Ó Damháin 49

23 Player Roster

#  Pos Name               Age Club
 1 GK  Hyman Campo        29  Scott City FC
 2 LB  Philippus Deniaud  29  FC Capri (VAL)
 3 LCB Aurelio Di Stefano 28  Sterling City United
 4 RCB Silver Abbey       30  Tempala United Saints
 5 RB  Curtis Tremblay    26  Bayern Phoenix (TAE)
 6 LDM Kerr Ramírez       32  Pikemouth (BRE)
 7 RDM Avidan Tobias      29  Chippewa Valley United FC
 8 LM  Riley Mac Pharlain 30  Sterling City United
 9 CM  Víedharr Svendsen  26  Tempala United Saints
10 RM  Bill St. John      25  Bearden FC (XAN)
11 ST  Craig Blackwood    28  Sterling City United

12 GK  Myrddin Falkenrath 26  Lynx FC
13 LB  Feliciano Espinosa 27  Romanopolis United
14 LCB Manu Ó Baoghill    26  Olympique Chuckio
15 RCB Cormac Krämer      29  Atlético Augusta
16 RB  Cyrus Spalding     28  Scott City FC
17 LDM Joel Good          27  Atlético Augusta
18 RDM Alan Duncan        24  Rogerton Whitecaps
19 LM  Codie Armbruster   29  Scott City FC
20 CM  Abraham Cardoso    29  AFC Mayville (EUR)
21 RM  Aquila Freud       29  Sleepy Hollow (TAE)
22 ST  Ivan Borde         27  Darmen City United
23 GK  Sergio Salas       25  Workers Union (EUR)

Tactics
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Style Mod: +1
See: Brian Schmetzer and the Seattle Sounders.

Team Roles
Captain: Silver Abbey
Vice-Captain: Hyman Campo
Left Corner: Kerr Ramírez
Right Corner: Avidan Tobias
Penalties: Craig Blackwood
Free-kicks: Víedharr Svendsen

Team Personality
The Darmeni team will never argue with the referee. Indeed, if anything needs to be brought to the attention of the referee it will be done by either the Captain or Vice-Captain in a respectful manner (or to the fourth-official by the Manager). With regards to foul/dirty play, the Darmeni team will not provoke, or retaliate against any opposition player. Darmeni's expect each team to keep to itself and deal with its own trouble makers; any opposition player who attempts to prevent a conflict by pushing or pulling a Darmeni away from the scene will be promptly told off, as that is the duty of the Darmeni Captain.

Nonetheless, Darmen will play in a relatively aggressive manner. Tackles will be conducted in a way which ensures the opponent ends up on the ground, but causing injury will be avoided as much as possible. On set pieces, Darmenis will stand their ground and will not be easily pushed around, they will not however engage in hugging. In fact, if any opposing player tries to push past them, it is not uncommon for the Darmeni player to feign resistance before simply stepping aside and watching as the opposing player stumbles past on their way to ground. This occasionally backfires however, as the referee may mistake the incidence as having been a foul in the box.

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: YES PLEASE! If you name your goal scorers, please also name mine.
Choose my scoring events: YES
Godmod scoring events: YES. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
RP injuries to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod Injuries to my players: NO
Give Yellow Cards to my players: YES, no more than two per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Give Red Cards to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod other events: MAYBE. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Style Modifier: +1

If you need to contact me, TG's are preferred over Discord DM's.

[Astograth]

The Astograthian National Football Team

All white away, all olive green home, all blue third

Style: -1
Formation: 4-2-2-2, see below for potential variations
Nickname: Olibondeka (The Olives)
Captain: Mogel Doyenard
Vicecaptain: Azeari Duarte
Free Kick Taker: Azeari Duarte
Penalty Kick Taker: Aire Epherra

No. - Pos. - Age - Name - Club

      M - 69 -  Louis Vaudrail
     AM - 39 -  Carsten Thunder

Starting XI
 1 - GK - 33 - Gentza Bedigax        -  FC Felsenkirchen 1879 (STL)
 5 - LB - 26 - Marko Martel          -  Lajuno (EUR)
 2 - CB - 32 - Mogel Doyenard        -  Sporting Iturributa
 3 - CB - 25 - Alarabi Labeaga       -  Mâ Âlâmëómë (FFD)
16 - RB - 30 - Ixaka Echeberz        -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
14 - DM - 25 - Baraxil Muhaburu      -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)
15 - DM - 29 - Domiku Bergara        -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
 8 - LM - 34 - Azeari Duarte         -  Royal Rumiatzi
10 - RM - 31 - Ihazintu Malkorra     -  Aries Chariots (NPH)
 7 - CF - 26 - Olentzaro Karazatorre -  KT Moreazerua (AUD)
 9 - CF - 33 - Aire Epherra          -  Urbizania Wanderers

Substitutes
13 - GK - 24 - Echepare Rospide      -  KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
23 - GK - 30 - Bihar Raldua          -  Ituraitz FC
 4 - LB - 33 - Urre Remondegi        -  Urbizania Wanderers
18 - CB - 33 - Ugaitz Leskerre       -  Lajuno (EUR)
22 - CB - 26 - Aztore Andia          -  Royal Rumiatzi
12 - RB - 28 - Baiona Menduburu      -  Sporting Iturributa
 6 - DM - 29 - Gaitzka Gurina        -  Sporting Iturributa
21 - DM - 25 - Potz Gambor           -  Canbix Muses (ZWZ)
11 - LM - 23 - Eskuin Nekol          -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
19 - RM - 25 - Zilar Galharretborde  -  Langlois Océanic (KSK)
17 - CF - 30 - Yokin Arana           -  Bayern-Algaer (TAE)
20 - CF - 31 - Yuanchiki Larrimbe    -  Atletik Thessia (MYT)

Manager - Louis Vaudrail (Sicoutimont) - Age 69

Louis Vaudrail has had a storied managerial career, and in his last job before retirement has taken charge of the Astograthian national team since the start of World Cup 85. Once manager of Nordique Val-Maurice in his homeland of Sicoutimont, Vaudrail's first experience in Astograth was many years ago with Gesterlake FC, where a talented squad that included Sicoutian NT forward Georges Allonts took the club to heights never seen before or since, including qualification to the UICA Globe Cup. In the relaunched Astograthian First Division, his success at Athletic Club Olarria landed him the job at the powerful Royal Rumiatzi where, in 4 seasons at the club, he won a Royal Cup and a long-awaited league title.

Vaudrail is Astograth's third foreign manager history, after the successful tenure of World Cup Hall of Famer Powell Pieran, from Civil Citizenry, and the less successful spell of Sir James Handel, from Yesopalitha. The team's performance in World Cup 85 qualifying, coming out of Pot 11 to finish 4th and nearly qualified, followed by a semi-final run at Cup of Harmony 77, branded Vaudrail's tenure an early success, with pundits and players attributing their game to the manager's meticulous, months-in-advance preparation for fixtures. What followed was a poor showing at Copa Rushmori 35, held in Astograth itself, and a lacklustre WC86 qualifying campaign that saw the team finish fourth despite being the third seed. A run to the final of Cup of Harmony 78 rekindled hope in the national team, though Vaudrail’s relationship with assistant manager Ibai Kiriano fell apart in the strain and the team again dropped out of the Copa Rushmori in the group stage. In Vaudrail’s third cycle the team finally qualified for the World Cup finals, though narrowly failed to get out of the groups.

In terms of squad selection, about two-thirds of the squad is foreign-based, with 5 players from Audioslavia, 2 each from Farfadillis and Nephara, and one each from another 6 nations. The squad has been shaken up significantly since World Cup 87, with the international retirement of captain Indartsu Lekea, Vaudrail’s changes in formation, and his desire to see some new blood in the squad. Pundits have pointed out that the selection still trends old, with a median age of 29. The team’s core are seasoned veterans, but doubts remain that a smooth generational transition can keep Astograthian success going.

Vaudrail has changed from his trusty 4-2-3-1 to a 4-2-2-2 formation, with two defensive midfielders, two wingers and two strikers. This has been done partly to take advantage of Astograth’s abundance of forwards, and partly to remove the reliance on Azeari Duarte as central attacking midfielder, for whom Vaudrail has failed to find a younger replacement in that role. This formation will be slightly more vulnerable in defense due to the large gaps it leaves in the midfield and how much it demands from the full-backs, but it should also be a greater threat in attack as it quickly overloads the box. If necessary, Olibondeka could shift into their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1, or a conventional 4-4-2.

Assistant Manager - Carsten Thunder (Nephara) - Age 39
Long-time starting goalkeeper for Royal Rumiatzi, including the whole of Louis Vaudrail’s tenure at the club, Thunder is a second-generation veteran of the Astograthian game and well respected across the nation. Taking his first steps into management, he managed to land this assistant manager position just before the Copa Rushmori 36 and has entrenched himself as a reliable hand, well-liked by players and astute in his advice to Vaudrail.

Starting XI:

#1 - GK – Gentza Bedigax - Age 33 - FC Felsenkirchen 1879 (Siovanija and Teusland) - 57 caps, 1 goal, 28 clean sheets
Once starter for Urbizania Wanderers, now playing for one of Siovanija and Teusland’s top teams, Bedigax has steadily established himself as one of the best goalkeepers ever to play for the national team. His average of less than a goal conceded per match is only topped by Machin Logegaray, who only started for a single qualifying run. Bedigax is the first keeper to score an international goal for Astograth (in a freak accident against Electrum), and with several club honours under his belt is looking to add international glory to his career. Sports distinctive mutton chops, leading to his nickname Hartza, The Bear.

#5 - LB – Marko Martel - Age 26 – Lajuno (Eura) - 66 caps, 2 goals
Martel is one of Astograth's most exciting players. Bursting onto the scene at just 18 years old, he was part of Sporting Ibarguren's Royal Cup-winning team, beating Urbizania Wanderers in the final despite being a second-tier side. Swiftly transferred to giants Sporting Iturributa, he was part of a league-winning squad but, frustrated at the lack of playing time, forced his move to Athletic Club Olarria, where more strong performances earned him a place on the national team and on the famous Galácticos longlist. Nothing if not ambitious, he further secured a move to the Euraleague and displaced Remondegi as starter for Olibondeka - how much farther can he go?

#2 - CB - Mogel Doyenard (C) - Age 32 – Sporting Iturributa - 103 caps, 7 goals
Doyenard is, by conventional wisdom, the best Astograthian defender currently playing. The key to Sporting Iturributa’s unprecedented First Division threepeat was their impenetrable defense, from which they held an iron grip on Astograthian football. Doyenard has been the core of that defense for a decade, and commands respect throughout the league. Measuring 193 cm, he's also a valuable asset in attacking corners, especially when the opposition proves hard to beat in open play. As Olibondeka’s 19th ‘centurion’ and long-serving vice-captain, he was the obvious choice to succeed Lekea as team captain.

#3 - CB - Alarabi Labeaga - Age 25 - Mâ Âlâmëómë (Farfadillis) - 27 caps
An impetuous young talent, Labeaga came through the youth ranks of Urbizania Wanderers, rapidly making his way to the first team at age 18 and featuring in their title-winning run of 680. Vaudrail, then manager of Royal Rumiatzi, arranged their purchase of Labeaga but was unable to control the centre-back's ego and demands for a starting spot. Forcing a move abroad, he was able to land at the renowned Mâ Âlâmëómë of Farfadillis and immediately won a league title. Labeaga considers himself a god of defending and, despite his club’s recent struggles, remains a great talent that Vaudrail will risk starting ahead of the ageing Leskerre in this Copa Rushmori. His unruly friendship with Muhaburu is sure to cause trouble, though being mentored by Doyenard could hopefully polish Labeaga into a reliable centre-back. Can also act as defensive midfielder – emphasis on defensive – if necessary.

#16 - RB – Ixaka Echeberz - Age 30 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 61 caps, 1 goal
Echeberz is a solid, reliable player who can stay in defense or move forward into a more modern wing-back role. An important player for Urbizania Wanderers, his performances for the national team caught the eye of the powerful Izotz Zubia, securing him an unexpected transfer to the Audioslavian National League. Not the most exciting player, but he has heart, confidence and experience.

#14– DM - Baraxil Muhaburu - Age 25 - Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 24 caps, 1 goal
A youth product of Garitzeta Racing Club, Muhaburu was set to break into the first team when Racing took a deep dive into the Second DIvision. Setting his sights elsewhere, Muhaburu landed in Farfadillis, signing for Rülândéá Kôstä and later marching to league glory. Despite his reputation for a poor attitude and off-pitch antics, including a fondness for drink, Vaudrail has been eager to take advantage of Muhaburu’s excellent vision, passing technique, and ability to threaten goal or take set pieces. Paired with Bergara, Muhaburu will be the main creative outlet. Although capable at defending, it is far from his specialty – a weakness opponents may exploit.

#15 - DM – Domiku Bergara - Age 29 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) - 34 caps
Hardworking Bergara was spotted as a sharp talent at a young age, and Urbizania Wanderers shelled out a big wad of cash to sign him from Iturributa United at age 21. With Wanderers, Bergara got his hands on a league title and a Royal Cup before striking out to join Audioslavia's AC Izotz Zubia, where he has enjoyed great success and earned a place on the national team. An elegant, patient player skilled in both defense and with the ball, he’ll have the pressure of being the main ball-winner in a formation that tends to leave the midfield open.

#8 – LM/AM – Azeari Duarte (VC) - Age 34 - Royal Rumiatzi – 90 caps, 21 goals
Duarte is widely recognised as the best creative player in the Astograthian league and chief architect of Royal Rumiatzi's successes over the past decade plus. Over the years he has demonstrated immense vision in providing assists and a knack for also getting on the scoresheet. Duarte is one of the team's most media-present faces and carries enormous pressure on his back – moreso after announcing this Copa Rushmori will be his last outing. The dearth of potential replacements for Duarte has forced Vaudrail to transition to a different formation, shifting Duarte onto the left wing and relieving him of being the team’s main playmaker.

#10 - RM – Ihazintu Malkorra - Age 31 - Aries Chariots (Nephara) – 83 caps, 16 goals
Malkorra, voted three times best right winger in the First Division, was a youth product of Miners FC before signing with Royal Association and eventually cross-town rivals Sporting Iturributa, emerging as one of Astograth's best players - his dribbling is mesmerising, and can flow freely from center midfield to the back to up on attack as the situation requires. In Nephara he has shined for both Vermillion Wanderers and Aries Chariots, making the Galáctico longlist multiple times.

#7 - CF – Olentzaro Karazatorre - Age 26 - KT Moreazerua (Audioslavia) - 38 caps, 12 goals
Karazatorre, one-time winner of the First Division's Young Player award, became known to the Astograthian public at age 20 with aplomb. He banged in 13 goals in a season for the modest Antiguoko FC as they finished in 10th place, then 15 as they climbed to 8th, then 19 goals, before signing with Ituraitz FC, Pyathora Mariners of Tikariot and finally Audioslavia’s Moreazerua. It’s been said for quite a while now that Karazatorre has all the makings of the next great Astograthian forward, but the clock is ticking and everyone’s waiting. As regular starter it is, perhaps, finally time for him to shine.

#9 - CF - Aire Epherra - Age 33 - Urbizania Wanderers – 50 caps, 28 goals
A regular in the Astograthian First Divisions' top scorer charts, Epherra is a tall, burly, clinical target man skilled at spearheading counter-attacks and holding up the ball to play in his teammates, and will do all he can to solidify himself as the premier Astograthian forward. With an impressive record of 28 goals in 50 caps (baby), Epherra is already the nation’s 6th top all-time scorer. He doesn’t much like strike partnerships, but has built a begrudging respect for Karazatorre over the years.

Substitutes:

#13 - GK – Echepare Rospide - Age 24 - KT Itzalovalle (Audioslavia) – 3 caps, 1 clean sheet
A low-profile product of Garitzeta Racing Club’s academy, Rospide was snapped up at 21 by the eagle-eyed scouts of Audioslavia’s KT Itzalovalle. They evidently saw something that local coaches did not, because Rospide, in a few short years, has taken over as starter and performed admirably in the IFCF’s top-ranked league. Made his international début at the World Cup 87 finals against none other than Nephara, after Bedigax was forced off with an injury.

#23 - GK – Bihar Raldua - Age 30 - Ituraitz FC – 2 caps, 1 clean sheet
Raldua returns to the call-up sheet after a cycle out, partly because Stahlburg Rover’s Aurre Laurnagaray refused to be third goalkeeper, furious that he was leapfrogged by Rospide despite having seniority. Raldua is Ituraitz FC’s long-time starter, vastly experienced at club level and, although not expected to play, would certainly be a very capable substitute for Bedigax.

#4 - LB - Urre Remondegi - Age 33 - Urbizania Wanderers - 57 caps, 1 goal
Three-time best left-back of the First Division, Remondegi first caught the eye playing for Oyardo FC, later making his way to Ituraitz FC. Gorriaka went on to clinch the club's record-breaking ninth league title and the Royal Cup in their centenary year, prompting Wanderers to make a big-money bid for Remondegi, where he's continued to perform at a high level. Resilient and dynamic, Remondegi is a versatile player that can play from the back, further up the wing or even shifted to defensive midfield if required.

#18 - CB - Ugaitz Leskerre - Age 33 - Lajuno (Eura) - 82 caps
Despite a low public profile, Leskerre has established himself in one of the best leagues in the world at Eura's Lajuno, which has a proud tradition of sourcing Astograthian talent. Having also played for Pasarga's Paulinthal FC, Leskerre's talent and experience had him consistently start for the national team over the last three cycles. His partnership with Doyenard has been credited as the core component to Astograth’s defensive excellence in recent years, but Vaudrail thinks it’s time to more decisively cycle a younger option in Alarabi Labeaga.

#22 – CB – Aztore Andia - Age 26 - Royal Rumiatzi - Uncapped
Royal Rumiatzi values a very specific type of centre-back: big ones. Tall, wide, impassable and immovable objects, passing skills optional. Andia ticks all of those boxes, including the optional one. His job is to sit in the middle of a deep defense and be impassable, while laying out the ball to those who know how to move it around. If this is all he’s asked to do, he can do it extremely well. Excels at man-marking big centre-forwards, so may be brought on to specifically counter one of those.

#12 – RB – Baiona Menduburu - Age 28 - Sporting Iturributa - Uncapped
A product of Sporting Iturributa’s renowned academy, Menduburu spent his early years at the club as understudy to starter Cheru Lizarza, who at that time also started for the national team. Promoted a couple of seasons ago after Lizarza’s acrimonious departure to Ituraitz FC, Menduburu has proven himself a capable if unspectacular right-back. Determined and somewhat rough in the tackle, but effective.

#6 - DM - Gaitzka Gurina - Age 29 - Sporting Iturributa - 66 caps, 4 goals
Gurina, together with Servet Misidjan, is the ticking engine of Sporting Iturributa, and previously filled the same role for Astograth before the rise of Domiku Bergara. Coming out of the youth system of Ituraitz Victory, Gurina is dogged in defense and cerebral in attack, a one-time Galáctico longlist nominee, and an excellent replacement for either Bergara or Muhaburu.

#21 - DM – Potz Gambor - Age 25 - Canbix Muses (Zwangzug) – Uncapped
Gambor was discarded by Ituraitz FC after outgrowing their U21 squad. Not one to lose hope, he took his talents abroad and found a home in Zwangzug’s Canbix Muses, where he has steadily earned a place and started to shine brightly enough to catch Louis Vaudrail’s attention. Can be deployed in defensive midfield or a bit further up as a box-to-box midfielder - whatever makes the most of his endurance, tackling ability, tight passing and knack for long shots.

#11 - LM – Eskuin Nekol - Age 23 - AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 12 caps, 2 goals
Nekol is perhaps one of the most shocking comeback stories in Astograthian football. A product of Royal Association’s academy, he transferred to Sporting Iturributa while still a teenager and quickly found himself in the first team of a club that was a on a roll, winning three league titles in a row. The following season was disastrous for Sporting, dropping down to 7th, but Nekol’s career was on the rise as a clever winger that could shoot from range, catching the eye of international scouts. Then, in the cup final that could save the season, Nekol was subbed on and stupidly punched the opposition captain in extra-time; Sporting would lose on penalties to the lowly Gesterlake. This effectively ended his career at Iturributa, allowing AC Izotz Zubia to swoop in for cheap. The rest is history – a National League title and an incredible, 45-yard goal to his name, in just his first season.

#19 - RM – Zilar Galharretborde - Age 25 - Langlois Océanic (Kelssek) – 17 caps
Galharretborde came through the youth ranks of Royal Arexa, and thanks to a wily agent and a leap of faith, he managed to land a move to Kelssek's Langlois Océanic. In his first season he impressed, earning the league's Young Player award and catching the eye of the national team in the process. He may not be the fastest or most technical player, but he is very good at stretching the field of play by building up moves from the wing, playing fluid football with his full-back and centre midfield. A markedly different style to Malkorra, providing some tactical flexibility.

#17 – CF – Yokin Arana - Age 30 - Bayern-Algaer (Taeshan) – 34 caps, 4 goals
Formerly a key component for Iturributa United's lean goalscoring machine, Arana is now rated as one of the best forwards in the Taeshani league. Despite not being a physical player, he is quite capable of finding space in tight defenses, and is notable for seeing beyond his own boots and playing smart assists rather than going for goal himself. Left-footed, he can also be deployed as an inside forward on the right wing for Astograth. Arana is an interesting variant at Vaudrail's disposal, and returns to the squad after a cycle out, following some strong individual performances for Bayern-Algaer.

#20 – CF – Yuanchiki Larrimbe - Age 31 - Atletik Thessia (Mytanija) – Uncapped
Larrimbe left Astograth at a young age, signing for Cosumar’s Stoneshore United before landing at Mytanar giants Atletik Thessia. Though Mytanija’s irregular IFCF appearances have hurt their international standing, Larrimbe’s experience and title-winning season have weighed in his favour for what many are calling a long-deserved call-up. Whether it’ll be a one-time thing or a more permanent arrangement is yet to be seen, since Astograth’s striker contingent is shockingly old. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Chiki’ by the Atletik faithful, which Astograthians have also taken to.

Team records
Year founded: 636 (pre-World Cup 55)
All-time record: 567 matches played: 267 wins, 139 draws, 161 losses
All-time goal difference: +222
Most caps: Soter Sarlange (200)
Most goals: Soter Sarlange (89)
Most clean sheets: Zernin Aira (39)
First international: Astograth 1–2 Eastfield Lodge (pre-World Cup 55)
Largest win: Astograth 10–1 Melbergia (World Cup 58 qualifying)
Worst loss: Eura 7–0 Astograth (pre-World Cup 85)
World Cup finals appearances: 7 (first at World Cup 57)
World Cup best result: 4th place, World Cup 61
Highest KPB ranking: 9th, post-World Cup 61
Tournaments won: Cup of Harmony 50, Copa Rushmori XII

RP Permissions are yes to everything that isn't career-ending. I encourage TGs for questions or collaborative RP.

[Plane of Possibility]

In the realm between realms existed a plane that was occupied by the very concepts of gods. The god of light, the god of justice, the god of darkness, the god of order, the god of nature... These concepts existed in this plane, being manifested in the different worlds as the worlds needed them. Sometimes, the god of light was a good god and named Pelor; sometimes, the god of light was an evil god instead. Each plane, each world decided what concepts that they needed, and the plane of the concepts made sure that those gods would be availed in those worlds.

Then, there were the worlds where such gods weren't needed. In those worlds, the concept of gods was more fluid yet rigid. Christian, Buddhist, Islam, Jew, Shinto... The list also went on and on for those worlds, and in them, things were oh so different yet the same.

So it was that the plane of concepts learned of a pocket plane being controlled by a being called The Worldbuilder, and that The Worldbuilder was controlling beings to appear in their plane to participate unwillingly in an experiment involving a sport called football. This went against the very fabric of the plane of the concepts of gods, for the only rule in that plane was that no concept could be forced upon a plane.

How had The Worldbuilder gotten away with it? Well, it was impossible for the plane of the concepts of gods to keep tabs on every single pocket plane; most of them were harmless dreams or mere nuisances that didn't hurt anyone, but this one was a menace. To have a plane where some beings who actually worshipped some of the concepts being housed on the plane of concepts of gods were being forced to stay went against the very fiber of the plane's existence.

Something would have to be done to rectify this. But what could be done?

[South Jeolerina]

South Jeolerina's 23-player squad for CR XXXVII

Goalkeepers
#1 - Celsus Becket, 27 (M) - GK - Hangshire FC
#12 - Alèxia Mahoney, 36 (M) - GK - Manclester City
#23 - Peadar Reinders, 30 (M) - GK - Holy Kangarsta FF

Defenders
#3 - Ayokunle Christian, 35 (M) - LB - Holy Kangarsta FF
#4 - Den Benjaminson, 31 (M) - CB - Manclester United
#5 - Adolf Stenger, 33 (M) - CB - Manclester City
#2 - Lenz Kowalczyk, 30 (M) - RB - Hangshire FC
#14 - Ayokunle Christian, 35 (M) - LB - Holy Kangarsta FF
#15 - Campbell Belo, 27 (M) - CB - Manclester United
#16 - Hartmut Garnet, 34 (M) - CB - Hangshire FC
#13 - Jokovor Quick, 33 (M) - RB - Manclester City

Midfielders
#6 - Christianne Årud, 36 (F) - DCM/CB - Hangshire FC
#8 - Carley Van Bokhoven, 29 (F) - CM/DM - Manclester United
#17 - Leontiy Caulfield, 26 (M) - DCM/CM - Holy Kangarsta FF
#19 - Tarmo Hoefler, 30 (M) - DCM/CB - FC Tyrani
#11 - Marino Barros, 32 (M) - CF/LW - Holy Kangarsta FF
#10 - Tilisia MacLean, 32 (M) - ACM/CM - Manclester City
#7 - Cyneburga London, 36 (M) - RM/RW - Manclester City
#22 - Teodor Quick, 35 (M) - CF/LW - Manclester City
#21 - Love Vestri, 31 (F) - ACM/RM - Holy Kangarsta FF
#18 - Kazimierz Beckett, 31 (M) - CF/RW - Manclester City

Strikers
#9 - Györgyi Lomidze, 30 (M) - CF - Hangshire FC
#20 - Dragoș Lindsay, 30 (M) - CF - Daris Si Solam

(#1 - #11 are starters, remaining are substitutes)

Eetu Eichel, 56 would be taking the reins for this upcoming Copa Rushmori. The manager was appointed as manager following the formation of the South Jeolerina football team. Previously, he served as a co-manager of Manclester City alongside Tashir Haines, leading them to a strong performance over his 20-year tenure between Season 1 and Season 20. During his joint tenure, he won 2 GFL titles, 3 Liga Hallirina titles, as well as 3 Royal Gothanita Isles cup, which is a remarkable achievement in a system where talent is spread among many big clubs. He favours a very defensive strategy, supported by the fact that the team has produced multiple defenders which are regular players for the TGI national team, and the country likes a "safety-first" approach in football.

Demonym: Gothanitan (Referring to people of the Gothanita Isles in general); Jeoleri/Jeolerinas (Refering to people of South Jeolerina)
Style Mod: -1.753
Formations: 4-2-3-1 (Standard), 4-1-2-1-2 (Alternate)

I give permission for opponents to:
- Pick my players and substitutes, with preference to the starters in bold.
- Pick my goalscorers, RP and godmod my goals, subject to realism.
- Hand Yellow Cards to my players
- Hand Red Cards to my players, subjected to a maximum of (1 + how many red cards your players get) per game.
- RP/Godmod Injuries to my players, subject to realism. You describe the extent of injury, I determine the severity.
- RP/Godmod any other events, excluding any pandemic-related RPs.

[Mytanija]

RAISED EXPECTATIONS FOR COPA RUSHMORI 37
MYTANIJA’S EXPERIENCED SQUAD HOPES TO MAKE HISTORY TWENTY EDITIONS ON FROM COPA GLORY

by Nevenka Planinc

Mytanija were quite lucky heading into Copa Rushmori 36, jointly held in Tikariot and Graintfjall, the country’s absence from international competitions meant that they started the tournament with little to no expectations. The only weight on the players was that which they placed on themselves to follow in the footsteps of the greats who came before them. They were pulling on the famous hooped shirt and wanted to give a good account of themselves and they more than did that, marauding through the tournament and upsetting opponents which were much more highly regarded heading into the tournament. Finishing in 4th place doesn’t usually earn too many plaudits, but to do it from such a low level of expectation certainly raises eyebrows and Lev Repin’s innovative tactics earned respect if nothing else. There was a sense that Mytanija were back and had a sense of purpose which only the nation’s football team brings out.

Heading into Copa Rushmori 37 the level of expectation is a little different and whilst Mytanija aren’t among the favourites to win the tournament they are in that secondary category, one of a few countries with an outside shot at figuring in the latter stages of the tournament and potentially even glory if everything goes well. A strong performance like the Hoops’ 4th place showing last time out will do that, particularly when that is built upon with a 4th place finish in World Cup qualifying at the first time of asking, only three points away from a play-off spot. Mytanija has put itself back on the proverbial footballing map and Lev Repin will now want to demonstrate that those performances were not just fuelled by some sort of intangible phenomenon relating to them being Mytanija’s first attempts back on the international stage. He will want to show that the quality of player we have at our disposal and his tactical systems stand up to scrutiny at the highest level. Now there is also a raised expectation upon him to ensure that they do stand up to that scrutiny.

There are many experienced players in this squad too and that brings its own weight of expectation, viewers at home and abroad expect big things from the likes of Jezdimir Ocokoljic and Tahir Fejzuli. These players have been there and done it at the highest level, in Nephara and Farfadillis, as well as with the national team and it means that they will receive a raised level of respect and focus from opponents as a result. The opposition aren’t going to underestimate a player with 40 goals in 79 international appearances, nor would they underestimate a player who has scored the winner in a UICA Champions’ Cup final at club level. When you have tasted success your opponent will concentrate more, you have earned their respect but it leads to a lesser chance of sneaking up on them; a lower chance of getting a surprise result. The best professionals take every game seriously, of course, but it is only natural to take your foot off the gas ever so slightly when you think you’re in for an easier ride. There’s no chance of that being the case for this Mytanar team in Eura.

And what of Eura? A country we have such an intertwined history with but a relatively fractured relationship. Eura has always treated Mytanija rather paternalistically, from its intervention in the Mytanar Conflict to its attempted help in rebuilding the nation afterward, this treatment has often been perceived in a negative light in Mytanija. There’s a lot of good feeling towards the Eurans sure, they probably mean well, but there’s also a feeling that they’ll pat you on the head and tell you to run along instead of treating you as equals. It is that suspicion which has dogged the Mytanar-Euran relationship ever since the end of the Mytanar Conflict. It will be interesting to see how travelling Mytanar supporters are received in Eura, will they still be seen as troublesome hooligans or will there be a change in tone. For so long Mytanija was a thorn in Eura’s side geopolitically, Kalinina’s regime required humanitarian intervention but the reconstruction of the country after her cost the Eurans billions of their pounds and even more of their goodwill and patience. Accepting a travelling horde of rowdy Mytanars into the country may prove difficult for some with long memories in Eura.


Completion of the redemption arc for Anton Derajevic?

Anton Derajevic was long considered to be a problem within Mytanar football. Wherever he went trouble followed, he competed for 1923 Esca whilst being a vociferous supporter of their Esca rivals BVK Dinamo and he made sure that everybody knew about it. He agitated for a move to his boyhood team in public, angering the infamous (and violent) ultras Odeljak 1-11 as a result. They warmed to him when he popped up with important goals and for a while 1923 Esca had a quandary, could they afford to let such a talented goal scorer leave when they were struggling against relegation despite all the off-field issues he brought with him? They decided against and Zdeslav Nesic put his arm around the striker and got the best out of him. Derajevic still got into scrapes – fights in nightclubs, crashed vehicles, that sort of thing – but he performed on the pitch and it was never bad enough for him to end up in truly deep water.

Then Zdeslav Nesic left 1923 Esca for 1896 Ebor, the Visorav club had seen what Nesic had done with 1923 Esca’s ragtag bunch of players and believed he was the man to bring glory back to Mytanija’s northern coast. The two time UICA Champions’ Cup winners want to fight for titles and Nesic had demonstrated his tactical nous in the capital, but perhaps most importantly he had demonstrated his man-management skills in getting Derajevic on side and that was a good indicator he would be able to manage the big egos of a squad which is capable of fighting for titles. Exactly what 1896 Ebor were looking to put together. Nesic’s departure left Derajevic without the coach who had gotten the best out of him and 1923 Esca were wary of keeping the mercurial forward, afraid that he would meander back down the same path that he had taken early in his career. The board decided to sell him and Derajevic was sent on his way to Nyva Zvornik, down in Avnalia, a completely different type of place to the nation’s capital.

Zvornik – a town of around 200,000 people – is a mining and agricultural hub. Avnalia as a region is often referred to as the ‘breadbasket’ of Mytanija, with the island chain’s fertile plains the perfect environment to grow the crops which feed the rest of the country. The town’s football team Nyva was founded as a team for the town’s miners and is named for them too and the club’s workmanlike ethos is not exactly the first thing you would associate with Anton Derajevic. He was a footballer who was more regularly linked with flamboyant partying than getting his head down and working on his craft, whereas Zvornik is a place where effort and diligence is held in a higher regard than anything else. In the end the two made an unlikely partnership as Derajevic flourished under Vasil Janevski’s management, much in the same way he had under Zdeslav Nesic and put the off-field problems behind him as he grew into a real leader on the pitch for his new club.

It may have been a case of Derajevic naturally maturing, or perhaps it was the move away from Mytanija’s rambunctious, hedonistic capital to the sleepier environment of Zvornik that had the impact necessary but whichever it was Derajevic has truly never looked back. Since joining he has led them to a first ever National Cup win, scoring a hat-trick as his team beat Atletik 4-3 in the final. Last season he scored 20 goals in 28 games to fire the club to a 6th place finish and himself to the runners-up position in both the Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards. He has taken the responsibility of carrying Nyva on his shoulders seriously and it has led to great things for a club which isn’t overly used to the idea of success. When they topped the Top League for a period during last season the club’s owner expressed how he couldn’t thank Derajevic enough for joining the club, claiming he was right up there with club legend Sime Pandev in the team’s pantheon of greatness. Pandev had the club’s new stadium named after him, just to illustrate the level of praise Derajevic was having lavished upon him.

Lev Repin had long been wary of recalling Anton Derajevic to the national team, the striker had made six appearances and scored three goals when Lev Repin had managed the under-21s. Repin was familiar with him, but he was familiar with an Anton Derajevic who caused trouble despite his obvious ability. Then last season happened and Repin could no longer ignore Derajevic, the player had raised his game to a new level and at the age of 32 has seemingly become a completely different person to the one who came through the ranks at 1923 Esca and caused so many problems. Could this be the completion of a redemption arc we haven’t ever really seen in Mytanar football? Could Anton Derajevic bring his club form to the national team and help the Hoops on a deep run in the tournament to demonstrate that young players who do have off-field issues should be persevered with? It would be the end of an unbelievable story and few would bet against Derajevic from proving the doubters wrong once again because every time people have he has come back from it with an even stronger riposte.

[Eura]

The Euran Football Association’s Copa Rushmori XXXVII Squad

Manager: Skorji Oslograd (59, Eura)

As unlikely as it might have seemed not so long ago, Skorji Oslograd has been appointed the eighth permanent manager of the Euran national team in the modern era. The former Bastion, Hornchurch (season loan), FC Axel Heiburg and Revolutionaries centre forward is an icon of Euran football, starring in Eura’s World Cup 66 winning side at the height of an international career that saw him make 168 appearances for Eura, scoring 103 goals. Oslograd then went into coaching and management, where he had a low key career until taking over as manager of The Askari Union. He improved them significantly and got them playing perhaps their best ever football at the Copa Rushmori, before moving to take over the national team job for the newly formed Euran Oceania Territories, who had only recently started competing in WCC competition.

Although Oslograd was unsuccessful in achieving the dream of getting the Expats into the World Cup, even with a surprisingly talented generation of players (but little squad depth), he can claim to have transformed the Euran dominion’s fortunes for the better and claimed some memorable shock victories with the side. It nearly all came apart during World Cup 85 qualifying when the Expats went on a horrific run of form and Oslograd, plagued also by off the pitch controversies, came close to getting the sack. He was saved by a remarkable return to form during World Cup 86 qualifying and recently has had the Expats securing the best results of their history, raising his profile on the international radar once more.

The blow dealt to Euran footballing pride by failing to qualify for World Cup 87 has been severe, and has created something of an inquisition in the national game as to the causes. As part of this the EFA needed a replacement for Lee Sharp following his resignation. Although the FA approached several top tier candidates, it was felt that a truly radical departure from the normal practices of the EFA and its teams was required, leading to this shock wildcard appointment. Oslograd’s appointment has already proven hugely controversial and it is likely his tenure will be no different. Not much of that will matter if he gets the results the EFA desire, and although patience will be on offer for the overhaul that is required, failure to meet expectations could result in Oslograd’s other contradictions becoming his downfall. He is under immense pressure to prove the doubters wrong, but then again, he’s done it in the past and could do it again.

A decent start in some friendlies and at the Cup of Harmony was somewhat soured by defeat in the final to Mriin, a recurring nightmare of a defeat to Darmen long ago that followed Eura steamrolling all prior opposition in the tournament. Nevertheless, Eura's mostly faultless performance - and a tournament unusually free of antics for an initially sober minded Oslograd - served to relieve some of the initial pressure on Eura's new manager. The stakes have risen again now with Eura hosting the Copa Rushmori. Expectations will be high. He will be expected to deliver a competitive performance.

Assistant Manager: Rhea Fianchetto (44, The Askari Union)

Oslograd’s wife and long term assistant manager from his days in charge of The Askari Union, Fianchetto is little known the public eye but has become a respected coach in her own right among those in the know. Many speculate that she may provide sense to the chaos of what has been dubbed “Skorjiball”; when Oslograd has been in a pit, Fianchetto has been there to bail him out, time and time again.

Styles and Permission

Style Modifier: +3

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

Choose my goalscorers – YES
Godmod scoring events – YES
RP injuries to my players – YES
Godmod injuries to my players – YES (But only how the injury happens, not the extent of the injury)
Hand out yellow cards to my players – YES
Hand out red cards to my players – YES
Godmod other events – YES, provided you keep events within the realms of realism, so no deaths etc.

Please note that I am not participating in or recognising any kind of pandemic themed RP at this time. You are welcome to RP a pandemic impacting your own country or national team as you wish, but please do not extend this to my team or country.

Squad

Shirt number – name – position – age – international caps – international goals - club
Stats up to date to end of WC87 qualifying. Post-qualifying friendlies and CoH79 not included. Clubs are only up to date to S45, and so may have changed.

Goalkeepers

1 - Kevin Belgrave - GK - 35 – 113 caps – Directus
13 – Ethan Fleming – GK – 32 – 2 caps – Unioneers
30 – Elliot Palmer – GK – 26 – 0 caps – Usmer

Vance Simm was dropped at the Cup of Harmony after some questionable World Cup qualifying performances and replaced by the uncapped Elliot Palmer. Kevin Belgrave reigns supreme is still first choice but there are rumours that this may be his last international tournament.

Defenders

2 – Harry Wheeler – RB – 26 – 3 caps – 0 goals – Oakstone
3 – Lucy Almwood (F) - LB - 25 – 26 caps – 3 goals - Brinemouth (Nephara)
4 – Jack Menard - CB – 23 – 34 caps – 1 goal - 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
5 – Dean Steele – CB – 30 – 91 caps – 3 goals - Brinemouth (Nephara)
15 – Tom Wellington – CB – 26 – 2 caps – 0 goals – Hellinic Rouge (Pasarga)
19 – Alex Coles – CB – 25 – 6 caps – 0 goals – Oakstone
21 – Jayden Fox – LB – 32 – 21 caps – 0 goals – Hornchurch
23 – Alma Watts (F) – RB – 29 –22 caps – 1 goals - Soldarian FC (Valanora)
25 – Jamie Byrd – CB – 23 - 4 caps – 0 goals – Bastion
27 – Tanya Green (F) – CB – 26 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Revolutionaries

Eura’s failure to qualify for the World Cup has left Skorji Oslograd with an unprecedented excuse to completely change Eura’s tactical system – and for the first time since we can remember, Eura are playing three at the back as part of their default formation. This brought mixed results at the Cup of Harmony, though it didn't stop Eura reaching the final. The defensive options available are unchanged since the Cup of Harmony, with this tournament likely to be the last before a major shakeup for the next World Cup qualifying campaign, thanks to the rapid footballing calendar that has this CR occurring so soon after the Cup of Harmony.

Midfielders

6 – Monica Rowland (F) - CM - 33 - 117 caps – 10 goals – Bastion
7 – Moira Woakes (F) – AM – 30 – 120 caps – 46 goals – Crisisbless (Nephara)
8 – Vincent Robshaw - CM - 30 - 61 caps – 15 goals – AFC Treason (Nephara)
11 – Bobby Malone – RW – 24 – 13 caps – 3 goals – AFC Treason (Nephara)
12 - Damion Bowman – LW – 29 – 86 caps – 33 goals – Crisisbless (Nephara)
16 – Adam Woodman – LW – 23 – 20 caps – 7 goals – Directus
18 – Henry Patterson – CAM – 31 – 41 caps – 9 goals – Directus
20 – Wallace Pickton – LM – 27 – 0 caps – 0 goals – CASK Thorsborg (Savojarna)
22 – Clint Rogers – CAM – 29 – 8 caps – 2 goals – Spartangrad
24 - Sharon Erskine (F) – CDM – 26 – 3 caps – 0 goals – Northern Union (Brenecia)
28 – Bradley Howarth – CM – 30 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Unioneers
29 – Chris Ashton - CM - 33 – 15 caps – 2 goals – Marinos Metropolis (Valladares)

The midfield is where Oslograd has made his most high profile and savage demotion early on in his tenure, reducing Damion Bowman – that’s right, world class Crisisbless Galactico Damion Bowman – to a spot on the bench for now after scoring only twice in thirteen appearances in World Cup qualifying. Almwood takes the spot on the left. On the right Oslograd does keep a winger in play in the form of Bobby Malone, though Harry Wheeler is likely to start often, as demonstrated during the Cup of Harmony. Ronan Stenhouse was dropped after his dreadful three appearances in qualifying, opening up an opportunity for Sharon Erskine to cement herself as Monica Rowland’s successor. Rowland and Robshaw remains the midfield pairing, though rumour has it there is already tension between Robshaw and the new manager, demonstrated by his angry responses to being substituted on two different occasions at the Cup of Harmony. Lily Shephard was called up for the Cup of Harmony but has been dropped again, allowing Chris Ashton to return to the squad for one last roll of the dice.

Forwards

9 – Brian Bond - LW/ST – 33 – 127 caps – 103 goals – Oakstone
10 – Isaac Tomlinson – ST – 29 – 12 caps – 7 goals – Sabrefell Athletic (Nephara)
14 – Scott Walker – ST – 28 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Northern Union (Brenecia)
17 – Franklin Harris – ST – 28 – 3 caps – 1 goal – Rolalas FC (Valanora)
26 – Stewart Robson – ST – 25 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Directus

Considering the options available to them up front and their prolific scoring at the Cup of Harmony, Eura shouldn't be worried about their frontline in theory. Still, Brian Bond's fitness remains critical to the sides hopes of challenging for silverware, and though Isaac Tomlinson has matured into a fine striker, their other frontline options have minimal international experience given their age.

Preferred starting lineup
Note: this does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change.

GK - 1. K Belgrave
RCB - 4. J Menard
CB – 15. T Wellington
LCB - 5. D Steele
RCM - 6. M Rowland
LCM - 8. V Robshaw
RM – 11. B Malone
LM – 3. L Almwood
CAM – 7. M Woakes
RS – 10. I Tomlinson
LS - 9. B Bond

Player Roles

Squad Captain: Monica Rowland
Vice-Captain: Vincent Robshaw
Direct free kicks: Brian Bond, Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Indirect free kicks: Brian Bond, Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Right corner: Vincent Robshaw (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Left corner: Vincent Robshaw (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Penalties: 1. Brian Bond 2. Vincent Robshaw 3. Monica Rowland 4. Moira Woakes 5. Isaac Tomlinson

Kits

[Eura]

OOC: This is a continuation of a previous RP line, and is currently set during WC87/CoH79/Euraleague S46.

Life in the Seventh Star

Part Seventeen

Arabella opened her front door to be surprised by Mateo bouncing up and down on the porch. She had only just got home, having initially remained at his house while him and Medoro bolted off to find Natalie. Rossana had told her to go home for the time being, so she did not expect to see Mateo again so quickly. ‘Bella! Hey, I need your help.’
‘What’s up? I’ve only just got in. You look like you need to pee!’
‘I mean, I do, but that’s not the main thing. It’s my sister.’
‘Oh shit, you found her?’
‘No – I think she’s going to do something stupid. We need to find her.’ Arabella did not need any time to think before making her decision. ‘I’ll help. Come in and use the bathroom if you need it. Dad!’ She retreated back into the house, inviting Mateo and Medoro to follow her.

Mateo had been around her house a few times already, but it was new to Medoro. A small bit of resentment bubbled up in the back of his mind at the sight of its pristine condition and the nice neighbourhood it resided in. Having a Euran father had given Arabella opportunities that Medoro’s nephew might never have, and you could see it just from the difference in where they lived. Still, he was no nationalist, so he did not dwell on it for long; his internal conflicts were interrupted by Bella’s parents joining them in the living room as soon as they could. Her dad, Ryan, was all business. ‘Nice to meet you Medoro – has Natalie got a mobile phone by any chance?
‘Yes, but it’s turned off. We tried calling it. It must be deliberate.’
‘Yeah, shit. Have you got anything to go on?’
‘Well, we called back to the house to see if my sister-in-law had got anything out of the girl’s boyfriend, but he’s, well, useless to say the least. At his flat though we found his housemate and a bunch of petrol containers. I…’

As hard as he tried, Medoro couldn’t finish the sentence, so Mateo had to for him. ‘We think she has some kind of petrol bomb or something. There was some fuel cans and bottles littered around her flat. The dickhead living there said she had something planned at the stadium tonight.’ Mateo gave his uncle a brief hug to try and reassure him. He despaired; he had signed up to look after and protect his late brother’s daughter, not bury her. Ryan understood the seriousness of the situation without any further explanation. ‘Bella, get my keys would you? We’ll go down there now and make sure we find her before anything happens. Try not to worry Mr Piroz, I’m sure it will all be fine.’
‘Right.’ He did not sound convinced. ‘Let’s get a move on then.’
‘Ok, everyone in the car. Matty…’ Ryan unexpectedly grabbed the boy by the shoulder and looked him right in the eyes before they left the house. ‘Remember, when you were detained they probably took your photograph and details, so you might get picked up again. If you do, you say nothing, and ask them to see your lawyer – give my name. Understood?’
‘Got it.’
‘Great – let’s move.’

----------

‘Why are you doing this? I think that’s the central question a lot of our viewers will have tonight.’ The Prime Minister sat listening patiently to the television interviewer, her decades of experience in front of the camera serving her well. The announcement had been made. The Dellaro was coming down, for better or worse.
‘Prime Minister?’ She took the hint.
‘Look, its very simple. The Provisional Government and the National Reconciliation Commission have come to a pair of concurrent, independent decisions to help this country truly rid itself of the legacy of the fascist regime that used to grip Sameba. It wasn’t my call, as you imply, but I certainly support the decision taken, and that the work needs to be done urgently. That’s why I’ve asked the Minister of Defence and the Chiefs of Staff to ensure the military can protect this sensitive site as it is dismantled.’
‘The thing is Prime Minister, this has come out of the blue. Our sources tell us that the NRC have indeed met several times regarding the future of the Dellaro, however, there has been no finalised decision or recommendation on its future. And yet suddenly they announce, with no notice, that the stadium will be demolished, beginning tonight.’

‘Now we have reports coming in that thousands of people are marching in the site just as they did only days ago. Shouldn’t you just come clean and admit that this is a politicised move? Won’t it inflame an increasingly prevalent view among Sameban’s that the government in Bastion simply doesn’t care about their views, or their identity?’ Yarley twitched, ever so slightly, so much so that you could barely perceive it through a screen. The fucking nerve of this guy! ‘Of course, we’re hugely sensitive to the need to respect and protect Sameban cultural traditions and landmarks. Ever since we laid down our intentions for ending the war, which you lot in the media seem to forget this government achieved, we have repeatedly committed to ensuring Sameban identity is recognised as a valuable part of a truly Endemian, united, post-war Eura.’
‘You’re seeking to demolish a landmark of Sameban culture without any consultation, Prime Minister.’
‘We, or rather they, did consult, actually. There was a lengthy process, all of which is publicised.’
‘You didn’t get agreement for this policy decision though.’
‘As I said, it was an independent decision.’

Realising the interview was ticking over, she tried to move the subject on. ‘Really, this is just another point of departure from the past that-‘
‘I’m going to have to bring you back to my previous question, Prime Minister, or the implication rather that you said I’d made. Was this a truly independent decision, or a politicised move to humiliate the Sameban nationalist movement?’
She paused. A beat passed.
‘Like I said, it was a fully independent decision at the end of a transparent process. I appreciate the need to respect the wide range of cultural diversity in this country. But make no mistake, the Dellaro is not representative of any positive or fundamental aspects of Sameban or wider Euran culture. For years that stadium was not used for football or for innocent pastimes, it was a butchers shop.’ She would do what she often did under pressure – take refuge in audacity. ‘Have you ever seen the pictures, Paul?’
‘The pictures, Prime Minister?’
‘Of the hangings at the Dellaro. Do you think that’s a cultural legacy worth preserving?’

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the Prime Minister and shook his head. ‘I think we both know that’s not what I am talking about Prime Minister.’
‘Well, that is what the nationalists are talking about when they complain that Sameban heritage is being eradicated somehow. That is not what is happening. What is happening is justice.’
‘Justice, Prime Minister? Against concrete, bricks and mortar?’
‘Justice against what is left, Paul. Justice for those we lost at the hands of fascism. Justice for the history books. And justice for the Euran and Sameban peoples, my support for which is one of the many reasons my party keep winning elections.’
‘Right, well, I think that’s all we have time for, but we’ll be coming back to this subject tomorrow night and we’ll have to see how things have changed then. Thank you, Prime Minister.’
Twat. ‘Thank you Paul.’ She strode off set, earning a wink from her press officer from backstage.

‘Still got it ma’am.’
‘Indeed. Any report on the situation?’
‘The media can’t get close at the moment thank fuck, but apparently it is rather kicking off.’
‘That’s alright. What else are the Army there for? They’ll keep it under control.’
‘I’m sure, we should get back to Blackhall though, make sure we get some press management ready for the morning papers. I’ve called the Kings Road press office as you asked and-‘
‘Prime Minister, ma’am!’
‘Pearson?’ Her private secretary jogged over from a rear access door that he’d been discreetly popping in and out of to make phone calls. ‘What is it?’
‘We’ve got a problem in Aspel.’
‘I know, Stuart told me.’
‘No ma’am, this one is different. We need to get to the Ministry of Defence immediately.’

----------

Outside the Dellaro, tensions were running high. A General Police riot cordon had been established but was beginning to break, just as it had almost done a few days prior. The Army were positioned close behind, as the engineering corps began work in the stadium. This would be the first of a dozen nights of work before “demo day”. Inside the stadium, a Euran army officer had demanded to speak to someone higher up for clarification. He didn’t realise he was about to speak to the most powerful person in the country. ‘This is Colonel Forster, who is this?’
‘This is the Prime Minister. Forster, tell me what’s going on.’ He froze up and gulped ever so slightly – a man who had got through the entire war and too many battles, silenced by a politician. ‘I need an answer Forster…’
‘Yes! Sorry, ma’am. We’ve got a bit of a situation down here. The engineering guys are in and we are carrying out the work as instructed. Unfortunately, I’ve got a huge build up of civilian and potentially hostile elements around the stadium. Local police think it might be more than the other night even. Ma’am, I do not think it is safe to proceed with this initial work unless we can clear the streets. We’re not equipped to de-escalate if they try to push in.’

‘Ok then. Clear them.’
‘…well, it isn’t that simple ma’am, we need to-‘
‘No no no, none of this excuses bullshit. I discussed this at length with the chiefs of staff. Now, it is pretty rare for me to have to intervene in a military operation, but this is clearly a special case. Let me be absolutely clear – you have been given more than enough boots on the ground and materiel for the job. Are you seriously telling me that the Euran fucking Army can’t keep some football hooligans at arms distance while you survey an old stadium?’
‘No, I…its not that simple ma’am.’
‘It really is. Don’t make me get involved again. Get it done.’
‘Yes ma’am.’ The call ended abruptly, leaving Colonel Forster under pressure and feeling rattled. It was not a feeling he felt often. ‘Peters! Monroe!’
‘Sir.’
‘We need to get these streets clear in case we have any accidents. Get the police to push forward on Palla Avenue, back them up with our vehicles. As they advance, bring in our reserve elements and clear the side streets. Keep it steady and don’t take any risks, you hear me?’
‘Yes sir!’

[Eura]

Its a wicked game we play...

Cutoff for Group Stage MD1.

-----------

EURA37

Group Stage – Matchday One Results

Group A

Cassadaigua 7-0 Thibaea
Taeshan 1-0 Mapletish

Group A Standings

   Team            P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Cassadaigua     1 1 0 0  7  0  +7  3
 2 Taeshan         1 1 0 0  1  0  +1  3
 3 Mapletish       1 0 0 1  0  1  -1  0
 4 Thibaea         1 0 0 1  0  7  -7  0

Group B

Pasarga 1-0 Ancharmunn
Yuezhou 2-0 San Ortelio

Group B Standings

   Team            P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Yuezhou         1 1 0 0  2  0  +2  3
 2 Pasarga         1 1 0 0  1  0  +1  3
 3 Ancharmunn      1 0 0 1  0  1  -1  0
 4 San Ortelio     1 0 0 1  0  2  -2  0

Group C

Eura 3-1 Aut-Ves-Nat
Plane of Possibility 1-2 Pridnestrovia

Group C Standings

   Team                     P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Eura                     1 1 0 0  3  1  +2  3
 2 Pridnestrovia            1 1 0 0  2  1  +1  3
 3 Plane of Possibility     1 0 0 1  1  2  -1  0
 4 Aut-Ves-Nat              1 0 0 1  1  3  -2  0

Group D

Savojarna 3-0 South Jeolerina
Southwest Eastnorth 3-1 Tikariot

Group D Standings

   Team                    P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Savojarna               1 1 0 0  3  0  +3  3
 2 Southwest Eastnorth     1 1 0 0  3  1  +2  3
 3 Tikariot                1 0 0 1  1  3  -2  0
 4 South Jeolerina         1 0 0 1  0  3  -3  0

Group E

Sargossa 6-1 Nyowani Kitara
Mavinet 4-2 Eastfield Lodge

Group E Standings

   Team                P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Sargossa            1 1 0 0  6  1  +5  3
 2 Mavinet             1 1 0 0  4  2  +2  3
 3 Eastfield Lodge     1 0 0 1  2  4  -2  0
 4 Nyowani Kitara      1 0 0 1  1  6  -5  0

Group F

Valladares 1-0 Tveidalen
Mytanija 4-1 Crystalline Caverns

Group F Standings

   Team                    P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Mytanija                1 1 0 0  4  1  +3  3
 2 Valladares              1 1 0 0  1  0  +1  3
 3 Tveidalen               1 0 0 1  0  1  -1  0
 4 Crystalline Caverns     1 0 0 1  1  4  -3  0

Group G

Graintfjall 3-1 Astidt
Darmen 1-2 Hispinas

Group G Standings

   Team            P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Graintfjall     1 1 0 0  3  1  +2  3
 2 Hispinas        1 1 0 0  2  1  +1  3
 3 Darmen          1 0 0 1  1  2  -1  0
 4 Astidt          1 0 0 1  1  3  -2  0

Group H

Nephara 2-0 Soldera
Astograth 2-0 Oberour Ar Moro

Group H Standings

   Team                P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Nephara             1 1 0 0  2  0  +2  3
 2 Astograth           1 1 0 0  2  0  +2  3
 3 Oberour Ar Moro     1 0 0 1  0  2  -2  0
 4 Soldera             1 0 0 1  0  2  -2  0

[Southwest Eastnorth]

Frontiersmen/Pioneers pull another magic win out of the hat!
Article takes excerpts from - swensport.swe/national_football_team.html

EURA - It's Eura. A nation whose nation pride is intrinsically tied to the performances of their sporting heros. A style of hero worship that is all to common through out the multiverse. We see here that they love watching hero athletes of the other nations in the regions and even if the nations involved aren't their own, the natives love a spectacle of sport. With the match up between Southwest Eastnorth and Tikariot was sure to be popular with the crowds in Eura from a non-national fan stand point. Southwest Eastnorth is a proven commodity in the game, having finished fourth six year prior in the Copa Rushmori's 35th edition, before hitting a brick wall in edition 36 back in 2035 when they went 1-0-2. Tikariot went to their first of what many experts believe is a well deserved World Cup Qualifier in less than ten of the nation fielding a football team in competitive multiversal football.

So when Southwest Eastnorth won 3-1, the home fans and the non-biased Euran fans got their moneys worth. (We apologize for people who just read "Euran" out loud not realizing how it is pronounced.) The SOuthwest Eastnorth attack was sure plentiful as they knew they had to take advantage of Tikariot and their ego. Tikariot took out it's junior team and with three of the 11 starters aged over 24 years old and two of them being older than Southwest Eastnorth coach Jason Rox, and frankly looked a bit shook. Keeper Malachai Morgenstern looked iffy on international soil, but did have a nice streak later on in the game as he did defeat 4 shots in a row. Malachai did struggle early though as newly minted East End FC star, Gorman Thurman got behind the defense ans scored two goals, an easy goal 15 minutes in when the Owls defense got caught horrifyingly out of spot by GOrman and he took advantage with a stutter step that was forced at a high rate of speed into the top right corner of the net. This despite Morgenstern diving toward the lower left side of the net where there was no indication of an attempt by Thurman to attack that side of the goal. GOrman himself has signed recently to play for East End FC where last season he played what many called a glorified OM but is listed as a RW and lead the team in assits and himself got 11 goals last season while helping to feed the scary Jeckish player Cyril Stack.

Meanwhile another goal got in 12 minutes later again when Thomas pulled the same stunt where he confused the young Owl defense and got one to bounce of the lower right upright, just by the poor keeper Morgenstern. Malachi had guessed this one correct but didn't get his mits on it properly and let another one in. While the game did settle down over the next hour, the enxt 60 minutes did see a good game, just that the game was more adjusted to both teams. The Frontiersmen/Pioneers came out and crushed over the next hour but the defense for the Owls did get adjustments and the next 60 minutes saw the teams draw 1-1. Chris Houton the highly regarded 27 year old Forward whose part of a deadly rotation with Cody Denjaminic and Abdul Nazar in Xanneria's potent Capital FC all-star team, got his piece of the pie, so did Damian Weaver a young prospect playing in Savigliene who is seen as a leader for the young kids playing in Tikariot. Weaver got one passed Mick Bolen at the 68th minute mark.

While pundits say the win was mearly a product of the the Owls playing a Jr team, many pundits are arguing this is a bigger victory for the Frontiersmen/Pioneers dude to the Tikariot team having a much much more significant culture of the game and that the youthfulness of the nation of Southwest Eastnorth and the fact it a mere 68 years old as a nation have shown that in fact SWEN is over achieving on the pitch.

SOUTHWEST EASTNORTH - 3
G Thomas 15' 27'
C Houton 80'

TIKARIOT - 1
Weaver 68'

[Yue Zhou]

OOC: using San Ortelio's most recent roster (CoH79) as they haven't rostered here yet.

The problem with the Yuezhou national team, Lu Jialan reflected as his Dragons made their way up the pitch, wasn’t an objective lack of talent. From Yuezhou’s international debut in Cycle 78 all the way to the present day, the Rushmori islands had always harbored their fair share of stars. Whether it was Han Ruoyang, Fu Xi, and Wen Xiaoli back then, or Wen Xiaohui, Zhu Aiguo, and Huang Shedong today, every manager had found some focal points to build around.

No, the real issue, thought Lu Jialan as Kang Enlai’s overhit cross sailed harmlessly out of bounds for a goal kick, was that none of the talent Yuezhou had ever fit together. Take this current iteration of the Dragons, for instance. Their best attacking players were Huang Shedong (quick, skilled, poor at hold-up play, likes to play centrally), Liu Huiying (athletic, adept, lacks physicality, likes to drift inside), Li Jing (rapid, good on the ball, not much of an aerial threat, likes to stay in the middle of the pitch), and Wen Xiaohui (fast, great passing and dribbling, sometimes prone to being bullied off the ball, dislikes playing on the wings). Yuan Zilai had tried - and failed miserably - to get them all in the same starting eleven before falling on his sword. Now it was Lu Jialan’s turn to try to make sense of the Dragons.

Of course, it didn’t help that they’d just spent four years without a functional league system. While the Yue Super! League had promised great things, the first season had largely failed to deliver much of anything on the pitch. Lu Jialan had crossed the country dozens of times, doing his best to scout the fledgling league system for any hidden gems that had previously been passed over. All he’d found was a newfound appreciation for all the national teamers who had escaped the country to play abroad. If the likes of Wen Xiaohui or Zhu Aiguo, who had just intercepted a speculative long-ball before knocking it off Curiale for a throw-in, had stayed in Yuezhou, well, Lu Jialan would’ve had two gaping holes in the starting eleven to fill - they just wouldn’t have developed into the same caliber of player in such a low-quality league.

But having so many strong players go abroad was a double-edged sword. It meant that twenty-three strangers showed up to tournaments each year, given only the barest of training sessions together before being thrown into the fire. Having nine different leagues (ten, if you counted the first and second tiers of Nephara separately) represented in your starting eleven was a fantastic way to make sure your team barely knew how to play together - it was no surprise, then, that the Dragons at their worst were so...discombobulated. It was still showing up now, at Holdenberg's Benedict Lane, as Wen Xiaohui’s devastating through-ball was tracked by absolutely nobody before being calmly scooped up by the famous Enrico Lanzafame.

Yuan Zilai had started with a 5-3-2 before shifting to a 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Wen. Lu Jialan had kept the 4-2-3-1 for his first tournament in charge, but with more time to contemplate the array of talent he had at his disposal, had gone for a 3-4-3 instead at the Copa Rushmori, with the introduction of Diadora Reeve and the liberation of Kang Enlai providing valuable width and allowing for more central attacking play. But even though he believed in his formation, it had still been a big chance to thrust upon his players in the build-up to a regional tournament.

Still, Lu thought as Huang Shedong slipped in just the right way to trundle an overhit cross home for the first goal of the night, sometimes none of that mattered. Because although they had scattered to all corners of Rushmore, to teams with vastly different tactical setups to the Yue school of sitting back and bursting forwards on the counterattack, they were still all fundamentally Yue. Unfortunate as that was for their Copa Rushmori ambitions, at least it meant they were all in it together.

MD1: Yuezhou 2 - 0 San Ortelio
Starting Lineup: Guo; Ren, Han (C), Zhu; Kang, Yang, Li Jing, Reeve (Yuan 60'); Liu (Tao 75'), Wen (Li Keqiang 62'); Huang
Goals: Huang 51', Liu 64'

---

Neighboring San Ortelio's I Spada have recently been treated with great respect by Yue footballing circles, who watched in envy as the coastal microstate made a run to the World Cup Qualifying Playoffs before valiantly going down to Baker Park. As such, the Yue public, despite holding the higher regional rank, knew San Ortelio would be tough to break down, and most pundits came in expecting a 0-0 between the two defensive-minded teams. For the first half, they were largely proven correct, as Guo Yanhong and Enrico Lanzafame were rarely tested - Huang Shedong fluffing a one-on-one opportunity was the closest either side got to drawing first blood, but San Ortelio's 5-4-1 largely held firm.

The second half, with neither manager willing to leave themselves exposed at the back, initially promised more of the same. But Huang Shedong's ingenious cut straight into the path of Diadora Reeve's low cross, combined with a considerably less ingenious finish that consisted of the ball bouncing off his thigh and past Lanzafame (whose view had been blocked by the scrambling Moscati), gave the Dragons a lead early in the second half. Freed of the burden of having to show any initiative, Lu Jialan largely sat his team back for the rest of the match, substituting on Yuan Mingrong and Li Keqiang to slam the door shut. However, Liu Huiying still managed to double the team's advantage on a corner-kick, and Yuezhou held firm late (despite chances for Salvatori and Del Prete) to come away with an assured 2-0 victory. Next up, Pasarga proves a much tougher test - but Dragons fans can take solace in the fact that defeating Pot 4 Ancharmunn would all but ensure their progression to the next round.
Lineup to face Pasarga (MD2): Guo; Ren, Han (C), Zhu; Kang, Yang, Li Jing, Reeve; Liu, Wen; Huang

[Nephara]

Nephara 2 - 0 Soldera
(4-4-2) 1 - Provost; 18 - Soeringer, 5 - Clevinger, 6 - Brabanzon, 3 - Muscadin (22 - Lind 57'); 23 - Mrdja, 4 - Timekeeper, 14 - Fletcher, 11 - Considine (13 - Belgrade 65'); 9 - Gjasula, 21 - Basilisk (17 - North 72')
Goals: Mrdja 27', North 78'

For a week, they celebrated.
The streets of Nephara were cloaked in the green mists of flares, and the green shards of beer bottles as well. Strangers kissed strangers, often by the dozen. In nine months time, the birthrate would spike dramatically, and those children would be named Chimera and Rovena and, for some poor bastards, Traudl.
Even Ramsey allowed herself a little celebration. Loud and vibrant, at first, along with the crew as they ploughed a trail of devastation through nightclubs on the way home, before melting away into the shadows. She'd do enough to bask in the adulation back home, fulfil her responsibilities in front of the cameras... but she had a wife to return to. A wife whose daughter she'd just stolen from her home country. Oops.
One week to party. One month to convalesce. And from there, the party started.

The pressure was more relentless than ever. Different, without a doubt. Preferable. Wanting to avoid that stigma of being the first nation to lose three consecutive World Cup finals was suffocating. Now the only issue was that every Nephar believed the Cormorants to be fundamentally invulnerable, and that any defeat or minor setback would qualify as a crisis. The Copa Rushmori, for one, was meant to be a victory lap, but they'd been drawn with Astograth again, a side fresh off earning the mantle of being the only team to keep a clean sheet against the Cormorants. Valladares, Pasarga and Eura loomed - so too did perpetual bogey team Sargossa and newfound rivals Savojarna. At least they'd avoided the dreaded Tv---alen.
Soldera were little-known, but followed the S------a format of teams who had been a serious thorn in the Cormorants' side before. Ramsey came in with six changes from the World Cup final, including a fresh new strike partnership. Goals had not been easy to come by. Perhaps Gjasula, who had something of Chimera Moxham's self-belief to her, would have the X-Factor.
As it was, it was Bastet North who came on from the bench to add the decisive finishing blow, complementing the unsinkable Mrdja. A routine win, forgotten by most within hours, save for those in the ground who'd come in to watch a World Cup champion side and, well, sort of been granted that wish.
Three more points, and nobody had been murdered or kidnapped by Sameban insurgents. Never take that for granted.

[Mapletish]

Taeshan 1-0 Mapletish: Dragons edged out by reigonal veterans Taeshan

The Dragons played their first match of the CR37 at Eura at Ludvik Ring. The Fireykop was present as usual for the regional spectacle and the Dragons looked set to be on the receiving end of a footballing lesson with regional heavyweights Taeshan up and comfortable to give them a good teaching. Head coach Bernhard Floris was cool as nails and could be seen encouraging his players on. The team had been together for 3 competitions so far, stretching as far back as Di Bradini Cup 49. With match experience, the team was able to keep together well. The partnership of Fernando Gauvain and Leonde Patrick bore fruit with the hardworking midfield engine of skipper Job Bobbie and the technically competent Henry Tomomi.

The first half saw a host of offensive opportunities for the Dragons side. With the hardworking midfield engine to weave the attack together, the Dragons were able to break Taeshan's defences apart but were unable to convert their chances. Austin Sonnie was able to link well with Job Bobbie before leashing a quick pass to Gauvain who was unable to convert his chances in front of goal against Taeshan. Head coach Floris could be seen cheering the guys on. Despite the defeat, Floris was with all smiles as side, though unable to come off with any points from the match was encouraged with the efforts of the squad." I was glad, we were able to keep the match going and this is a positive start, despite being unlucky in front of goal, I hope we can maintain our good momentum and bring it forward to our next match. We have to be positive."

Taeshan too was also able to control part of the match in the first half. Player #8 was able to stop the ball low from a high pass from Player #9 before unleashing a powerful shot towards the goal from 35 metres only to see Ivan Dwight in the way to clear the ball from danger as he veered a little closer to the left flank in anticipation for Player #8's shot. Player #10 who was seen running behind to catch the rebound was unable to convert his chances as keeper Malcolm Meade was firm on his feet to deny Player #10's chances.

The Dragons kept up their pressure on the game as they tried to gain a foothold in the possession battle, Player #1 was the man as he kept the Taeshan's goal clear from any goals. He reacted smartly to catch Patrick's glancing header from Tijs' accurate delivery from the right flank. He then placed a low shot wide of the post as Floris' men started to pile on their offensive prowess to keep their opponents on their toes with Quin blazing a shot from close range over the bar after being fed the ball by the energetic Job Bobbie.

Player #11 broke the deadlock for the Taeshan side as he turned home Player #8's well timed cross, getting ahead of Dwight and was unable to get his body in the way of Player #11's shot. The ball went pass Meade much to his dismay, but he was seen pushing his defensive line on, a sign of maturity from the keeper. With the team working on their defence together for the last few years together, the defence was able to form a stable partnership with one another. With that Taeshan was ahead by half time 1-0.

The second half was a chase for the Dragons as they ended up chasing for the goal to bring the game back to a tie. Tomomi was first to draw a strong save from Player #1 while the aggressive Tijs was able to challenge the opponent keeper following a header that went straight into the latter's arms as both of them collided into each other following a quick counter attacking move from Sonnie which ended up with a quick one two with Quin before releasing the ball to the on running Tijs. The Dragons started the second half decisively and quickly.

The Dragons almost equalised in the 76th minute as the Taeshan defence was slow to settle as the Dragons managed a quick and short corner kick which saw the quick combination of Henry Tomomi and Elton. Elton was able to make a quick cross over to Patrick who was able to sneak behind Player #3 before making a low shot to the bottom right corner. Player #2 was quick to react to clear the ball from danger.

Taeshan immediately sorted for a response to avenge for the short corner but Meade could not allow himself to be passed once again. He tipped Player #10's attempt on goal after a powerful cross from Player #8 cut into his lane. The powerful volley seemed to be going past Meade but Meade was agile enough to get to it quickly.

The Dragons, however were unable to bring up their game as they went back with a 1-0 loss. A slow start to the CR37 group stage.

[Mytanija]

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE SEES OFF FROSTAC WOLVES
INCISIVE ATTACKING PLAY SEES MYTANIJA SCORE FOUR; REPIN USES BENCH TO GIVE KEY PLAYERS TIME OFF

by Nevenka Planinc

MYTANIJA 4-1 CRYSTALLINE CAVERNS
MYT: Gavrilovic 4’, J. Odonelec 18’, Derajevic 52’, Ajanovic 80’
CCN: Jensson (pen) 86’

MYT: 1. Kasun; 2. Vukovic, 3. Savicevic, 4. Anac, 5. Isaev (c); 6. Hrdaljko, 10. J. Odonelec (sub. Ajanovic 61’), 7. Fejzuli (sub. Kupresak 70’); 8. Gavrilovic, 9. Ocokoljic (sub. Derajevic 50’), 11. Kalinic

CCN: 1. Gore; 2. Arik, 4. Rockwater, 5. Starkeysa, 3. Spokes (sub. Alsein 70’); 8. Kelsiheit, 6. Jensson (c), 7. Carmander (sub. Balansis 61’), 11. Zircon; 9. Nandris, 10. Coinicus (sub. Wang 61’)

Mytanija headed into their opening group game against Crystalline Caverns knowing that it is the sort of game they should be winning. The knowledge of that can sometimes weigh on players, leading to them not performing as well as they can, but there was no evidence of that at Old Ham Lane in Brigham, Eura. Despite the sunny weather the stadium’s dull, grey quality was only brightened by some of the excellent football the Mytanar team played and in the end Lev Repin’s team completed their task perfectly, coming away with a 4-1 win. The only blot on the copybook was the late penalty to dirty Pedja Kasun’s clean sheet, Crystalline Caverns skipper Alvar Jensson sticking that away by way of late consolation.

Many Mytanars and the FSM will have been disappointed to not open the country’s Copa Rushmori campaign at the home of Revolutionaries (or the Workers Athletic Achievement Stadium in Callodown, with the many Mytanar connections with Workers Union), with the Sasky being the second largest stadium in Eura and one which is located in an area of the city with a strong Mytanar immigrant community. Revolutionaries is the club which many of those immigrants get behind and Brigham – their local neighbours – are definitely second-best in that regard. This didn’t prevent Mytanar supporters turning out in force at Old Ham Lane to support the Hoops, with the usual atmosphere created in the ground by both the local Mytanar diaspora and those who had made the trip across Rushmore. They witnessed what was for the most part a clinic in Repin’s style of football, Mytanija boasting around 70% of possession and making over 750 completed passes as they circulated the ball deftly. Srdan Vukovic was constantly found moving into midfield to create overloads against Crystalline Caverns’ 4-4-2 formation.

A 4-4-2 is usually one of the strongest options in terms of defensive shape when you are up against a stronger team, the two banks of four players can create an impenetrable block if they maintain positional discipline. Repin’s approach soon caused issues though, with Vukovic adding that spare man in the centre of the pitch to create neat triangles which Mytanija used to pop the ball around the Crystalline Caverns midfield. The width which Brajko Gavrilovic and Boris Kalinic provided gave the opposition’s full-backs decisions to make. They could either go out to Gavrilovic and Kalinic – leaving highly exploitable space in between them and their centre-backs – to ensure they wouldn’t have time and space to receive the ball or they could maintain their narrow defensive line and allow the Mytanar wingers that time and space. It wasn’t an easy decision for them and often Arik and Spokes would be caught between two minds, unsure whether to go and press the wingers or to allow them a dangerous amount of time and space with the ball. During the first-half it was this indecision which Mytanija played upon as they created numerous chances from the space in between the Crystalline Caverns full-backs and centre-backs or from out wide with Gavrilovic and Kalinic having time to put in devilish crosses. Lev Repin may have even been a little disappointed to head in at the break only 2-0 up.

Mytanija’s opener came from one of the scenarios mentioned, Gavrilovic had possession wide out on the left and Lorian Spokes went out to press him. In the first minute Gavrilovic had whipped in a dangerous cross from the left when Spokes had given him the time, Etzel Zircon had been occupied trying to close down Mytanija’s midfield and couldn’t get back to help Spokes. This first warning shot perhaps caused Spokes to go and press Gavrilovic and this gave Jasno Odonelec a huge space to run into and Gavrilovic found him there. The 1896 Ebor winger continued his run and as Vanamo Starkeysa went to close Odonelec down he cutely played a pass for Gavrilovic to run onto and the winger hit the ball first time beyond Eivind Gore. A fine move and solid finish by Gavrilovic for his 9th international goal.

Jason Odonelec doubled Mytanija’s lead a little under quarter of an hour later, it was once again Gavrilovic who had possession out on the left but this time Jezdimir Ocokoljic made a run into the gap between Spokes and Starkeysa and Gavrilovic found him with a lovely pass with the outside of his right boot. Ocokoljic looked up as he ran onto it and saw Odonelec checking his run to create some space, Ocokoljic pulled it back first time, straight into Odonelec and he steered the ball home to make it 2-0. It was a great case study for movement and spacing during the first-half and Ocokoljic could have got himself on the scoresheet a couple of times as Repin’s men constantly stuck to their task and created more chances, only the woodwork and a fine save from Eivind Gore would prevent Mytanija from turning those chances into goals.

In the second-half Repin was mindful of the team’s key players potentially over-exerting themselves and he moved quickly to substitute Jezdimir Ocokoljic for Anton Derajevic, meaning a return to the national team for the latter for the first time in nearly ten years. Ocokoljic may not have scored against Crystalline Caverns but he was involved in a goal and Repin knows that keeping him wrapped in cotton wool will be important over the course of this tournament. He’s still Mytanija’s most clinical finisher and his strike rate of one goal in every two games for the national team makes him a significant weapon in our arsenal, particularly for if the Hoops reach the latter stages of the Copa Rushmori. Derajevic offers similar movement and his experience could prove to be useful too and he actually scored here with what was only his third touch a mere two minutes after entering the fray. Tahir Fejzuli slipped Boris Kalinic in behind the Crystalline Caverns left-back Josceline Arik and Kalinic pulled the ball back for Derajevic in a similar fashion to how Ocokoljic had for Odonelec’s goal and Derajevic finished with aplomb too.

After that Repin withdrew Jasno Odonelec and Tahir Fejzuli from the game, again all aimed at trying to keep key players fresh for the entirety of Mytanija’s tournament, Sefir Ajanovic and Vilim Kupresak entered the game and there wasn’t any real noticeable drop-off in quality. Mytanija still created chances and Sefir Ajanovic actually got himself on the scoresheet with ten minutes remaining, Kalinic playing Derajevic in behind and Derajevic drawing defenders to him before chipping a cross to the back post where Ajanovic stooped to head in Mytanija’s fourth goal. His aerial ability isn’t something we usually associate with Sefir Ajanovic but he didn’t need to jump especially high here and the header was only from a few metres out so it was an easy finish, but one which he did take well.

As mentioned, the only real disappointment for Mytanija was giving up their clean sheet late on and it was from a searching ball into the left-back area vacated by Srdan Vukovic which caused that to happen. Substitute Joel Wang ran onto the long pass from Umber Rockwater and Wang’s pace actually got him through on goal, with Mojmir Anac coming across to try and engage the striker and being caught out by Wang’s speed. Anac – a Galacticos long list candidate – uncharacteristically dangled out a leg and tripped Wang in the process. Post-game Lev Repin didn’t dwell on Anac’s foul too much but you can be sure he will have been frustrated with the experienced Olympic Thessia centre-back in private. Crystalline Caverns captain Alvar Jensson calmly tucked home the penalty, low to the goalkeeper’s left, adding a gleam of respectability to the score line but the game was long over and Mytanija ran out well deserved winners.

Mytanija face-off against Rushmori minnows Tveidalen in their next game and it will be a fixture which Lev Repin will expect to win relatively comfortably, but given that they nearly shocked Valladares in their opener (only losing out by a single goal) you can be sure that he won’t let his side rest on their laurels. He may rotate a few players to try and keep the squad fresh for what he will hope is a deep run in the tournament, but you can be sure that if players don’t seem to be pulling their weight that he will be quick to make changes.

Ajanovic will be a great addition to the Top League

Sefir Ajanovic demonstrated exactly why FK Arsika have spent MC 6 million/NSD 2 million to bring him to Novi Zavej Park from Prahecq. The Prahecq-born Mytanar midfielder has long been noted for his great potential, with Lev Repin moving early to ensure that he was capped for the Mytanar national team and locked-in to his national team selection. Ajanovic always wanted to play for Mytanija, the land of his parents, but Repin just wanted to be certain. Now Ajanovic is showing why Repin was so quick to try and secure Ajanovic for Mytanija. He’s scored 3 goals in 7 caps from his central midfield position and he’s replicating the form which made him such a star for Stade Yvelines in Prahecq at a much higher level with the national side.

He’s a creative midfielder mostly, the sort of player who will lay chances on a silver platter for his team mates, but he’s also very capable of popping up with goals too and it is this quality which Lev Repin seems most infatuated with. Repin has apparently called upon Jasno Odonelec – another Prahecq-born Mytanar – to teach Ajanovic the areas to get into as a midfielder who wants to score goals, the spaces which create the maximum opportunity to get on the end of chances. Odonelec is of course well-versed in that particular art, for a long time being a prototypical Mytanar number ten before being employed in a more withdrawn role for both club and country in the last couple of years. Ajanovic will do well to listen to Odonelec and on the basis of his performance (and goal) against Crystalline Caverns it would appear that he is doing so, he showed great desire to get into the box to get on the end of Derajevic’s chipped cross.

Ajanovic will be a fine addition to the Top League, the 23 year old still has a long career ahead of him and plenty of time to make an impact on the Mytanar game. He’ll be arriving from Stade Yvelines, a team who usually battle for a position on the cusp of the top four in the Prahecqois Championnat and his signing is a real statement of intent from FK Arsika as they look to compete at a similar sort of level in the Top League. The fact that Ajanovic decided against testing the water for a move elsewhere perhaps shows that the Top League is heading in the right direction too. There’s no doubt that Ajanovic would have had some foreign suitors had that been what he wanted to do, but the talented playmaker expressed a desire to compete in Mytanija, with his father’s stories of the domestic game ringing in his ears and the romanticism being a little too difficult for him to resist. Naturally it does help that the club who came in for him are able to pay him a wage which is on a par with that which he received at Stade Yvelines – with even bigger bonuses for achieving qualification for international competitions or winning trophies – something which is not normally possible for Mytanar clubs outside of the traditional big three of Atletik, Liria and 1896 Ebor. Prahecq is a richer country than Mytanija and the same applies for most of the football teams, but not Ajanovic’s new team FK Arsika.

FK Arsika have plenty of money to spend after being taken over a few years ago by concrete and chemicals magnate Sacha Dobruzhanski and he wants to see the Nasto club challenging for an international competitions spot as well as for trophies. His investment has gone hand-in-hand with government support in building a modern new stadium, with his personal wealth funding a new training complex and youth academy too. Now FK Arsika certainly have the facilities to compete at the level Dobruzhanski wants them to compete. It is his investment in the playing staff which will likely have the greatest effect though, with FK Arsika spending a total of MC 16.8 million/NSD 5.6 million to overhaul much of their squad this summer and it is rumoured that Dobruzhanski will make further funds available if manager Veton Rashaikov feels he needs to add more players. The likes of Ajanovc and Kemal Gajic have already been added (the latter unexpectedly from Arka Snezhnaya), both national team players and able to add an immediate improvement in quality to the FK Arsika starting line-up. Another Prahecq-born Mytanar has been added too in the form of Usten Odonelec – the brother of Jasno and cousin of Patrik, he’s the third member of the famous footballing clan – with the towering central defender looking to help shore up what was at times a leaky back-line for FK Arsika last season.

Some argue that Dobruzhanski’s investment amounts to little more than financial doping of a club which would not normally be able to enter the market for these types of players, but when challenged on that Dobruzhanski raises a good question. What other way is there for clubs like FK Arsika to be regularly competitive against those who benefit from their historic success by being able to buy up the best domestic talent and therefore consistently reproduce their previous success? They then sell those players on to foreign clubs at an enormous mark-up and their financial dominance is perpetuated. Atletik Thessia in particular have mastered this, with enormous sponsorship deals from Thessian industry working with their fantastic youth academy and the inevitable lure they have for players from elsewhere to ensure they always remain towards the top of the domestic game. Dobruzhanski claims his investment is an attempt to redress that balance, but the traditional big clubs see his investment as a threat whilst those who usually fight at FK Arsika’s ‘traditional level’ see it as him rigging the game in his favour.

It’s a complicated issue for Mytanar football to deal with, with competitive balance and club finances being problematic at differing levels in the past. Many worry what would happen if Dobruzhanski got bored, would FK Arsika be shafted and left to rot? The old ‘50+1’ rule was meant to guard against that, with supporters supposed to always hold a controlling stake in their clubs, but that rather dissipated in the wake of the Mytanar Conflict and only some clubs have maintained it. It also touches on the topic of youth development, something which Mytanar football is especially notable for and many see this as the ‘purest’ way to be successful. As Dobruzhanski points out it is almost impossible to be consistently successful entirely through your youth academy if you’re a mid-sized club these days, it simply cannot be a reality given the material advantage certain clubs have financially. Does this make the investment which Dobruzhanski has put into FK Arsika a necessary evil? It’s difficult to say because that could then lead to an ever accelerating financialisation of the domestic game, where money is the single most important factor in a team’s success, but those who side with Dobruzhanski will argue that that is the way it has always been.

It will be interesting to see how the FSM and Mytanar football more widely deal with these issues, but for now it will be good to see FK Arsika – a club from Mytanija’s 8th largest city – enjoying some bright moments if the addition of the likes of Ajanovic sees them shoot up the league table. Six of the seven cities larger than Arsika have had consistent Top League teams since the birth of professional football in Mytanija and there is an argument that Arsika has historically underachieved in that regard, so perhaps this is just them finally getting their chance to do what they already should have been doing. We will get to enjoy Ajanovic’s fine play in the Top League and whilst people settle their views on Dobruzhanski’s investment and what it means for Mytanar football that should be something that everybody can appreciate, no matter which camp they eventually fall into.

[Plane of Possibility]

Hope Lamont, Half-Elf Cleric of the Light Domain and the Starting Keeper for the Planar Squad, had almost forgotten how this had all began. One day, out of the blue, she had found herself in the plane of The Worldbuilder, stuck together with others from all across the different realms, and given a single command: to play a sport called football for their amusement so that they could understand what would result if peoples from diverse backgrounds from worlds that weren't even close to each other were forced to work toegether.

The Planers, as they'd come to calling themselves, found from the very beginning that they didn't have much skill in the sport. Sure, they gave it their all, and at times, had fun playing with each other, but they were hardly made for such a rudimentary yet complex endeavor as playing a sport together. The Fighters, Barbarians, Paladins, and the like - the more physical-oriented beings - did much better in the actual sport, while the Clerics, Sorcerers, Bards, and Wizards helped strategize and come up with ways that they could actually prevail so that they could go home. Initially, they had the hope that a strong showing would see The Worldbuilder allow them to leave; subsequent call-ups whenever tournaments were posted showed that this was not the case and that The Worldbuilder wasn't going to leave them alone anytime soon.

Against a being with such power, most of the squad had decided to just accept their fate. After The Worldbuilder allowed Tieflings from Mriin to bribe them, half the squad had been replaced with Tieflings; Hope had hoped that she would also have been replaced, but apparently too good at her job to be allowed to go back to her plane of existence. Countless times, she had prayed to the god of Light for guidance and assistance to no avail; all hope seemed lost and the eleven of them seemed destined to be the playthings of a demigod in charge of a pocket plane forever.

Then, everything changed.

There was a thunderous sound followed by the sound of the very fabric of the pocket dimension containing the Plane of Possibility being torn asunder from top to bottom. Untold powerful magics streamed in, circling the very concept of The Worldbuilder and binding it to the plane so that it could not escape. The eleven prisoners of The Worldbuilder were then all asked individually if they wanted to continue in the competition that they were involved in as the concept of the gods reached across the realms to the players in Eura.

They were free to go. The pocket plane was gone. The Worldbuilder would face charges, and their days of wanton chaos and manipulation was over.

The eleven of them unanimously voted to finish out the tournament. Instead of it being a showmatch for the puppet master that was The Worldbuilder, it would instead be a testament to the ways that the eleven of them had gotten closer together throughout the hardship. Win or lose, they would finish it playing for one another.

Then, they would be allowed to go back to their lives, these tribulations all but a distant memory.

The Plane of Possibility was gone for good, and good riddance was that; Its players remained to finish one last tournament.

[Mavinet]

It’s the 76th minute of the opening match against Eastfield Lodge. It’s 4-0 for Mavinet, and Mai Trung Hai is one of the scorers on the list with a well-placed shot to the right corner of the goal just 3 minutes after he went in to replace Nguyen Hoang Bach at attacking midfield. He is quite happy with himself for that. Having an instant impact in the first competitive match of the new head coach is a good thing, even though being one of the few Mavineses who have moved abroad in recent years has already give him an advantage over other players. Still, he wants to have a good first match to further secure his place as the number 1 playmaker in the national team.

There is a chance. Trung Hai got the ball from Bui The Hien and decided to make a run for the goal. “Let’s spice this boring game up. This will surely put me ahead of Hoang Bach for the next match” Trung Hai thinks. He dashes forward with the ball, taking on the approaching Eastfield Lodge’s players. One, then two players passed. Trung Hai feels the adrenaline surging in his body as his feet continuously dribble the ball closer and closer to the goal. Only the opponent’s central defender and goalkeeper are between him and a glorious solo goal. Up front, Dang Duc Trong is carefully running up, while Ho Vu Thanh Hoang and Pham Hong Chuong are also calling for the ball on the flanks. “Sorry buddies. This one is all mine. Here comes the Eastfielder. Just a feign to the left and…”

Before Trung Hai can finish his thought, he realizes the defender is sliding in quicker than he anticipated. “Shit”, he thinks and reactively jumps up milliseconds before the boots make contact. Trung Hai rolls several rounds on the pitch. He puts his arms up as he sits there on the pitch, yelling “Oi! That’s dangerous. Where’s the foul?”

It doesn’t matter. The ball is now in the Eastfield Lodge’s possession, and they are pushing up with speed. “The defenders can deal with it”, Trung Hai thinks as he jogs back downfield. Then he sees the ball going left, right, left, right, getting to the Mavinese goal. The Mavinese defenders are chasing the ball in a desperate attempt to stop the attack, but to no avail. The ball rolls slowly in the net as the Eastfielders quickly come to pick it up. The score is 4-1 in the 78th minute.

Before the full time whistle sounds, Mavinet would see another goal conceded in the 87th minute. Another lackluster defending effort from the Mavinese players gives the Eastfield Lodge’s players the space they need to finish a good team play. 4-2 is the final score, and despite the late game’s scare, the Water Buffaloes got all their first 3 points in the Copa Rushmori 37.

Trung Hai annoyingly sits down on the bench in the dressing as he wipes the sweat off his face. He knows he messed up with that solo attempt. He should have passed the ball on to a teammate. He should have tracked back to press the Eastfield Lodge’s players to contribute to the defense, yada yada. But the defenders should have done a lot better with those situations. After all, that’s their job. That’s their only job… He frustratingly throws the towel down at his feet and lets out a audible grunt.

“What’s the problem, Hai? You sound like a constipated kid.” asks Bui The Hien.

“Yeah? Guess I am from watching those late game defending from you guys.” Trung Hai replies, not even looking at the defensive midfielder.

“Hey, watch it. We did our best, but everyone was tired. Besides, we won, didn’t we? That’s the most important thing.” The Hien takes off his shirt as he speaks.

“You had one job: To stop those attacks. And you guys couldn’t do it. If it wasn’t for us attackers, we wouldn’t have won. So don’t talk about winning like it is such an easy job.” Trung Hai looks up angrily.

“Alright, we didn’t do well there. But remember, the head coach wanted everyone to defend, not just us. So if we let in goals, then it is also your responsibility to take the blame for that. And especially you, Hai, with that selfish attempt that stupidly gave the ball to the opponent while everyone was trying to push up to help you. Was it our fault too that you decided to disregard everyone else around you?” The Hien raises his voice toward the end. The atmosphere suddenly becomes tense that everyone just stop and watch the argument.

“It was my ball. I decided what to do with it. Yeah I lost it, but it’s not like I kicked it into our own net. You guys, though, with your lazy defending, pretty much gave up our goal.” Trung Hai stands up and gets close to The Hien.

“You brat. Don’t think just because you get to play in some fancy league abroad that you can raise your voice and teach us defenders how to defend. I have played for this team longer than you, so shut it before I have to teach you how to do it.” The Hien pushes Trung Hai out. The players around them quickly jump in to separate the two. The pair continue to argue until…

“Stop it right now. Or do you not want to play for the national team again?”

Everyone looks back at the person at the door. No one knows when head coach Vu The Phong entered the dressing room, but he is standing there with a stern look on his face. The Hien and Trung Hai, although still looking angry, drop their body somewhat in the presence of the head coach.

“Can anyone tell me why we are having this scene after a win? I do have a few things to talk to you all, but I want an explanation for this first.” the head coach pulls a chair to the middle of the room and sits down.

“It’s nothing major, coach. Just a bit of a… disagreement between The Hien and Trung Hai. We were only talking about how we performed in the match.” says captain Ha Van Thao.

“Really? Then tell me, what do you think about the performance, Thao?” The Phong asks.

“I… I think we played well for the most part. We definitely let our guard down at the end, and it could have been worse if we weren’t leading by a large enough margin. As captain and a defender, I will take responsibility for that.” Ha Van Thao looks down as he speaks.

“We will talk about responsibility later. The Hien, Trung Hai, what were you arguing about? Speak your mind. I want to hear your honest thoughts.” The Phong turns his gaze toward the back of the room.

A moment of silence. It feels like everyone just freezes where they are, not looking at each other, not saying a single word. The only sound in the room is the blowing of the air conditioner.

“I think we didn’t do well enough defensively.” Trung Hai finally breaks the silence. “The defenders could have done a lot more to prevent those two late goals. Even before the goals, there were situations where we would have conceded if the opponents were better with their finishing. I just think we need better concentration and teamwork in the defense.”

“I disagree, coach. While it’s true that the defense made mistakes in the late game, for much of the game, we did concentrate and dealt with the attacks effectively. The problem for me is the midfield and forward not contributing enough to prevent attacks from developing. No matter how well we defend, if we keep having to work hard to plug every hole in the defense, eventually one of those attacks will turn into goal.” The Hien jumps in.

“Alright. Thank you all for being honest. These are also what I need to talk to everyone of you about today’s performance. Can someone tell me what I told you all about my style of playing football?” The Phong asks the room.

“All is one, one is none.” everyone answers in unison.

“Very good. And do you think we have done that today?”

This time, everyone is silent, but it is clear from body language that everyone knows the answer.

“Look, we all know today's performance, despite the win, was not 100% up to my expectation.The energy was there, yes, but the cohesion, the pressing intensity, the movement off the ball, these were nowhere near the level I know you are capable of as a team. I know you guys haven’t had much time to be familiar with each other, to understand each other’s style as much as you would with your teammates at the club level, but that’s not an excuse to not put in the effort to help your teammates in their tasks. Defenders, your job is to defend but you also need to be a solid foundation for attacks. Forwards, your job is to attack but you also need to be the first line of defense against the opponent’s attacks. We need to attack and defend as a unit, everyone. I will not say who is right and who is wrong here. Even if I tell you, you wouldn’t change your mind just because I say so. But what I want everyone to remember that in my team, there is no room for blind individualism. You can and must work as a team. It is the only way we can bring Mavinet to a higher level. It doesn’t matter how talented or successful you are; if you don’t fit in with the team and the system, I will not use you. Period. Am I clear?” The Phong ends with a firm tone.

“Yes, coach.” everyone answers.

The Phong looks to The Hien and Trung Hai. They no longer look angry, but their faces now show signs of deep thoughts. The Phong knows Trung Hai will be a challenge to manage with his reputation of being a rebellious individual, but the head coach hopes from what happened on the field today and through his message, he will be able to rein in the wildcard somewhat. It would be a pity if the young talent misses his chance to shine for the national team, but if The Phong is to achieve his goal of building a good system, he will do what he has to do.

For now, the first hurdle was passed. The next one will be much higher.

---

MAVINET - 4
16’ Dang Duc Trong
35’ Vu Tien Linh
51’ Dang Duc Trong
68’ Mai Trung Hai

EASTFIELD LODGE - 2
78’ ???
87’ ???

MD2’s lineup against Sargossa: 4-3-3
Manh Cuong (GK) / Thanh Binh (LB), Duc Dung (CB), Van Thao (CB), Nhat Quang (RB) / The Hien (DM), Trung Kien (CM), Trung Hai (CM)/ Hong Chuong (LF), Duc Trong (CF), Thanh Hoang (RF).

[Cassadaigua]

No trouble in Copa Rushmori opener,
By Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

The first game of the group stage for the Fillies in the Copa Rushmori figured to be the easiest as they took on Thibaea with games against Taeshan and Mapletish on the horizon. In a game like this it could be easy to let your guard down, but that was certainly not the case for the pink and black as they came out with something to prove. It is not the same team that lost in the round of sixteen against Kelssek in the last World Cup, but everyone knows that result, and how it was such a let down after finishing in third in World Cup 86.

It was a surprise that Rachel Schanke would opt out of the Copa Rushmori, and the forward expressed the reasoning for her decision on Spacebook prior to the game, “I know there will be a lot of fans watching the game against Thibaea tonight and wondering why I am not in Eura. This is a decision that I made for myself, as I wanted to have more time to rest following the season. I know that we have a great group of players out there in the Copa Rushmori and they will take care of business. I think it is also exciting to watch those who are getting more playing time in the absence of us regulars not there because they can do anything that we can do.” Schanke made an interesting post on Spacebook following the announcement of NSSCRA Superstar Stacie Houston’s pregnancy, “Congratulations, Stacie! So proud of you! Such a sacrifice that we need to make and I wish you the best.” Some feel that Schanke’s post was a bit cryptic, pointing out that star Cassadagan athletes need to put off raising a family until after they retire, often leading to earlier than expected retirement announcements. It’s either that, or miss valuable playing time along the way. Male athletes have to put off being there for their wives as they raise a family, but for female athletes the dilemma is much different, obviously. Rachel Schanke is 30 years of age now. Thirty and single. Did hitting the big three-oh, coupled with the announcement from the 32-year old Houston, make Rachel begin to think about her post playing career?

We might hear more about that in the future, or maybe we are just needlessly speculating. Maybe she did just want to rest, and all Cassadagan athletes have the right to opt out of the Copa Rushmori without it being held against them. The nation of Thibaea is probably wishing more of our team decided to opt out, as the Fillies cruised to a 7-0 win. Madison McClain is the go-to player up front right now, but Morgan Rosenblatt has become such a dominant winger at a young age, and the consistent play of Meghan Wolcott would mean that there would still be three very dangerous goal scorers still on the team. Playing up front with McClain in this game was Loreen Hazen, and this is simply an opportunity that she cannot let get away. Hazen has been a regular substitute during the last two World Cups, so she is no stranger to her teammates here.

More detailed and in depth coverage of the game can be found elsewhere on this website, but the goal scoring was actually quite well balanced. It was the Banijans hooking up for the first goal as Herzegovina FC’s Meghan Wolcott beautifully set up Jinja City’s Madison McClain for the opener in the 13th minute. Six minutes later, Morgan Rosenblatt, now playing for Nephara’s AFC Treason made a great run along the left wing, taking it herself before firing it to the left of the keeper, making it 2-0. It was in the Copa Rushmori last year that Rosenblatt made her big impression, getting her the World Cup starting spot and eventually the AFC Treason offer. We’ll talk more with Rosenblatt about that move in a future article. Goal three was scored by Loreen Hazen in the 39th minute, and a dagger was delivered in the second minute of injury time of the first half by McClain, her second, making it 4-0.

It was more of the same in the second half as Cassadaigua continued to completely dominate possession. Courtney Graham got her name on the scoresheet in the 55th minute, making it 5-0, and it stayed that way for a little while as the Fillies seemed to be backing off from the pursuit. They would enter Jenna Frontiera as one of their 70th minute substitutes, and Frontiera was not going to let this opportunity slip away. The 22 year old was making her debut on the senior team, and her lone international experience up to this point was as a sub in Di Bradini 49. She is formally listed as a reserve on the roster, but Brittany Byers named her a sub and Kelsey Whitman a reserve for the match. Frontiera was all over the field for the Fillies, and scored goals in the 78th and 84th minutes, capping the scoring at 7-0. Fellow 22-year old, Allison Rice, playing for Hannah in Taeshan, was another of those substitutes that entered and she earned assists on each of the Frontiera goals. They were tack on goals, sure, after the game was well decided, but it may lead to her getting more opportunities in the future. For now, it was simply a great job on her part to make the most of the playing time she was given.

Goals will be much, much harder to come by in the next game as the Fillies take on the highly defensive minded Taeshan. We didn’t talk about the defense much in this game, because they hardly had any work to do, but they will be more interesting to follow going forward. Taeshan defeated Mapletish, 1-0, in their opener, and based on that result, you have to feel that this game will be the biggest one in the group to determine who ends up winning it.

[Trans-Dniesters]

(OOC: This continues a little series I've been working on in NSSCRA, but since that's over I think it's time that I shifted it over to the appropriate nation.)

Colonel Kirill Lvovich Yuganov of the 50th Motor Rifle Division of the Pridnestrovian Army stood on the crest of a small hillock just a short distance away from the border between the Western and Southern Provinces of what used to be the State of Ceroat. The toll of the last few days were bearing down upon him, and the last thing that he really wanted to do was to cross that border and trigger those strange, alien tripods that they had encountered the first time that they had entered the Southern Province. Whatever these things were, it was slowly becoming obvious not only to the Pridnestrovians but also to their Ceroatian allies in the Movement for a United Ceroat that it was these machines which were responsible for annihilating the vast majority of the old Ceroatian Armed Forces and plunging the whole country into chaos. The Pridnestrovian Armed Forces, at least those who were actually on the ground in Ceroat assisting the Movement in retaking their homeland, were also plunged into chaos upon their first encounter with these alien war machines. They simply did not have the technology to go toe to toe against these things. At least, they didn't have the technology at the time.

But now, with the help of the secretive group inside Pridnestrovia known only as "The Project", there might be hope that the Pridnestrovians and Ceroatians could go toe to toe with the aliens. Getting the Project to release this technology for use by the Pridnestrovian Armed Forces had been tough, mostly because the Project were dedicated to pacifism and staying out of any conflict that developed on this planet, but eventually they relented. Installing them onto what equipment was available for deployment was actually easier than getting the technology in the first place, even though the installation process was itself a lengthy one.

"Do you feel it, Colonel?" asked Captain Lev Vladimirovich Arigov, also of the 50th Motor Rifles. He and his second-in-command Senior Lieutenant Maria Dmitriyevna Atolova were standing alongside Yuganov and a few other officers on the hill looking across the border.

"Has it always been like this?" Yuganov asked back. "The birds, the insects, the trees... there's just something that feels wrong about that place."

"I know, Colonel," Arigov nodded. "Senior Lieutenant Atolova and Lieutenant Colonel Pankavuranov can vouch for that as well."

"Well then," Yuganov said. "We're not going to be able to retake Ragusapolis just standing here. Someone's got to cross the border and set off those machines. No use delaying the inevitable. Let's get on with it."

A radioman standing on the hill with the officers relayed Yuganov's command to the troops waiting on the Western Province side of the border. Unlike the last time Pridnestrovia and Ceroat entered the Southern Province, the tanks had been held back in reserve, while armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles were at the vanguard of this second advance. At the head of this column were five GAZ Tigers, but instead of having machine guns mounted on the removable turrets on their roofs, these Tigers had some sort of metallic tubes with openings shaped like those of fire hoses on top. The iron sights on top of these tubes looked like they were hastily welded on. One such Tiger drove underneath the stone arch marking the border between Ceroat's Western and Southern Provinces, and the commander of the unit reported that they had entered the Southern Province.

"Tell them to stop just before the kilometer marker there," Yuganov ordered. The vehicles stopped just before the marker that the colonel had pointed out. "Now we wait," he muttered.

It took only two minutes before what sounded like a very big and loud foghorn blared through the forest. Everyone then got on edge as they had learned to be afraid of this sound. Once it blared in the sky, at least one tripod was sure to follow it.

"Everyone stay put!" Yuganov shouted. "Infantry, stay in your vehicles! Gunners, ready your lasers!"

"Enemy vehicles coming from the southeast, Comrade Colonel!" another officer shouted.

"Hold your fire!" Yuganov ordered. "Do not engage the enemy infantry! I repeat, do not engage the enemy infantry!"

The foghorn sounded once again, louder and longer this time. And then, out of the fog, it came into view: the alien tripod. Like the ones that had plagued the Pridnestrovian and Ceroatian forces, this tripod had a triangular body supported by three legs which were both metallic and rubbery at the same time. Two tentacles holding the tripod's main weaponry of "heat rays" hung in between the body and the legs. Both tentacles scanned the area independent of each other, and a slow building hum could be heard coming from the machine.

"Gunners, on my signal, aim for the tripod," Yuganov ordered. "Ignore everything else. Ignore the enemy vehicles, ignore the enemy infantry. Focus on the tripod and only the tripod. Ready... fire!"

TSEEEEWWW!

The gunners on the GAZ Tigers fired their roof-mounted lasers on the tripod first, followed by the turret-mouted lasers from the BMD-3 troop carriers. The lasers struck the tripod's protective force field at different points, and for the first few seconds of the attack, the force field held itself together.

"Don't take your fingers off those triggers, comrades!" Yuganov shouted. "Just keep firing!"

It was easier said than done. Everyone could hear the hum from the tripod getting louder, and everyone knew that that sound meant that the thing was charging up its heat rays. Nevertheless, the gunners held firm, keeping their lasers pointed at the tripod. And then finally, one laser broke through the force field, and the beam tore through the body of the tripod like one of its own heat rays blasting a hole through a Pridnestrovian tank.

"Yes!" Yuganov shouted, as did the other officers watching the attack from their hill. "Yes! It worked!" he said. "Comrades, continue the attack! Let's show these damned aliens that Ceroat belongs to Ceroatians and not them! Ura!"

"URA!" cried the rest of the invasion force.

The fight to reclaim and reunite Ceroat was back in force.

[Pasarga]

In terms of lazy wins, a one to nil victory over a team that is long past its best by use date is up.their at the height of it. The victory is a trend that has mired Griffiths reign as the manager of The Wanderers since he has taken charge of the squad. Expected to bring in a free flowing game that relied on pace and technical acumen, what instead has happened is a slog of grinding out results and having to battle to even pick up what are expected victories for the side. It has been far from what was advertised with the manager but the results, back to back appearances in the World Cup knockouts, have been above expectation once the side gets to the Finals.

Perhaps it is the struggle and the so called lazy wins that keep the Wanderers moving forward, keeping them on their toes. The string of five straight matches where the Wanderers failed to win in the Stade de Torgos was a stretch that severely tested the resolve and willpower of the side. While they would eventually bounce back and go on to dominate their playoff tie, it had been a struggle and one that nearly cost Griffiths their job as the manager with fans and the PFA growing concerned about the state of the team. Both Griffiths and the Wanderers however seem to have gotten better because of that experience.

The question becomes can they replicate that same vein of form that they captured during the Finals and bring it to bear in the Copa. The side did struggle and looked lazy in their victory over Ancharmunn, a side who on paper should have been a game where the Wanderers scored three or four times. That sort of performance was not expected given what the side went through in the aforementioned qualifiers last year. Unlike then, there is no room for error or time for a bounce back. The side has to buckle down and work out their issues now or be swept away in an early exit.

The Wanderers take on the Dragons of Yuezhou next, a side that seems like it is on the edge of breaking out. They have a lot of high potential players but a domestic league that fails to adequately prepare them for the rigors of international football. Thus they fall into the trap of an overreliance of players getting developed overseas. While this has benefits it comes at the cost of players having little chemistry once matches do come, particularly if playing in different leagues and different clubs. Unlike with our own side, who has a mix of domestic and foreign based players, and even the foreign based usually play in Eura. That allows them to learn the game similarly and have cohesion come the internationals. A comfortable victory for them over San Ortello might just mean that they are finally delivering on that promise and will be quote the stern test that the Wanderers need pass.

[Tikariot]

The Tikariot City FC is a professional football club in Tikariot City, Dhaencunor, Tikariot, that competes in the Tikariot Premier League, the top tier of Tikariotian football. Domestically, the club has won one League title.

Founded in 1907, the club joined the Tikariotian Premier League upon its formation in 1920, currently playing at the Dhaencunor Arena.

One of the most widely supported teams in the Tikariot, Tikariot City has long-standing rivalries with Port Rhovanyon AFC, Dhun Lagarr FC and Port Tacassam FC.

History
The origins of Tikariot City FC date back to the Tikariotian independence as it was one of the hotbeds for the freedom fighters, who were able to meet under the pretense of playing football. Which they obviously did as well. Despite being one of the most popular teams of the country, they also are one of the most disliked, probably for that reason.

They were runners-up in the first ever TPL season behind Miruan City FC, but it would remain their best result for many decades with them only breaking the top 3 one more time before their relegation in season 59. Three promotions with immediate following relegation happened in the 34 years after that before they finally managed to avoid relegation in season 94. Until finally winning a Tikariot Premier League championship in season 101, they had been one of the longest standing TPL members without winning a title, together with the Guillarim Blades FC and Xanark City FC. They are currently 16th in the TPL's all-time table, behind Baraldhur AFC and in front of Xanark City FC.

Colours and badge
Burgundy and gold have been the colours of the Tikariot City FC since their foundation. Their badge shows the national animal of Tikariot, the snowy owl. Their current kits are predominantly burgundy with gold arms and accents and are the latest in their long-standing relation ship with Tikariotian sports apparel manufacturer Ferideia. For season 102 they also are presenting a new jersey sponsor with Viljan liquor brand Norrænn Dauði, ending their decade-long relationship with the Bank of Tikariot.

Stadium
The Dhaencunor Arena is a state of the art stadium on the east side of Tikariot City, not far from the airport. Together with Port Rhovanyon's Oceanview Stadium it is one of the main venues of the Tikariot national team. Tikariot City FC are the only tenant of the stadium at this time. Prior to the opening of the Arena six years ago, the club had been playing in its original, if renovated, stadium from the 1900s, Whitfield Park, which has since been torn down to make way for a new community sports park.

Support
Tikariot City is one of the best supported and also most hated clubs in Tikariot, even though last season they managed to garner national attention and support in their plight to finally win their first TPL championship, which also has led to more international fan clubs to spring up. The best known ultra group is called the Parliament, who bring an actual snowy owl to home games. Other fan groups of the club are Tik City Gold and Wings of Freedom.

Rivalries
Given its long history, Tikariot City FC has a number of long-standing rivalries, the most notable being with their provincial rival Dhun Lagarr FC, Port Rhovanyon AFC and Port Tacassam FC. Their oldest rivalry is with the second Tikariot City team Viathyn Park AFC, who are still one of the most decorated Tikariotian clubs with six championships, but they have not played in the top-flight since season 56 and have dropped all the way to the third division throughout the years.

Style of play
When Clayton Venantius took over the team two seasons ago, he switched up the system of the Snowy Owls, installing a 5-3-2 system with three central defenders and two wing backs that would enable them to switch to a 3-5-2 in a heartbeat. After a somewhat rocky first season, the team managed to fully realize the advantages of the system and overwhelm the opponents with the sudden number advantage.

Players Season 102

Starting Lineup:
Jess Oaktree
Jean-Aniel Sirois (new from Samreach Dragons FC )
Dalton Aldrige
Fernando Ferradura
Derion Hutchins
Enrico Scordo
Choam Osfomilúo
Preston Chapman
Dairon Noles (new from Vantanoch FC )
Masada Katano
Ellis Wagstaff

Bench:
Sebastian Garner
Mike Yamamoto
Darcy Watts
Nate Cowan
Jackson Burgess
Jordan Jillson
Parris Langley
Nardo delle Rovere (new from Esmora Cove Rangers FC )
Jameson Reader
Jacob Ganley
Parramore Haigh
Taio Devine (new from Ysgrann Bay Eagles FC )
Ken Banks
Craig McGrattan

Club officials
President: Jameson Carstairs
Ambassadors: Luke Holmgren, Sakari Varnfors, Peter McCraig
Directors: Jeremy St. Patrick, Gene Hornsby, Aldon Smith, Padraig O'Meara
Director of communications: Walt Green
Director of scouting: Anderson Coulthard
Chief scout: Virginia Rastart

Coaching and medical staff
Manager: Clayton Venantius
Assistant coach: Anton Lofgren
Assistant coach: Rod Davie
First-team goalkeeping coach: Michael Petrucci
Head of Fitness and Conditioning: Ramona Kurilenko
Head Physiotherapist: Warren Ingall
Academy Director: Vic Loonan

[Sargossa]

It was absolutely apparent that something would have to change in the Sargossan tactical structure. Forty goals conceded during the eighteen games of the previous World Cup qualification campaign was a fairly damning indictment. The changes made when coach Brian McAllister was brought in from Tikariot were much apparent in the attacking third, but in defence the side were leaking like a sieve. The coach himself had admitted during the Cup of Harmony that he was looking at making a change, now was the time to see it in action.

Prior to the team taking up residence in their Copa base in Spartangrad, McAllister and his coaching staff put the squad through their paces during a three week training camp in Continental Rushmore. It included unofficial friendlies against Lussolavizzovia, Lower Timonium and West Kovanel, as the new tactical system was put into effect. Three victories were a good sign but it remained to be seen whether it would hold up against the quality of opposition that would be seen in Eura.

So it was a kind draw that paired Sargossa with Nyowani Kitara in the opening round of group stage fixtures. The New Kitarans may share a heritage with the Banijans but they lack the sporting pedigree of the nation of their ancestors. Didn’t stop them taking the lead though. The Sargossan defence were caught out by a simple lofted ball over the top and Odede Angonga won the race with Víctor Miralles before coolly slotting past Alejandro Martínez. It was the only blemish on an otherwise highly impressive performance. Early blip aside the defence looked much more secure in the back three commonly used in domestic SuperLiga fixtures.

On the left Alfonso Barrueco enjoyed a debut to remember, crossing in for Mateo Manzanares to fire in an equaliser and then exchanging passes with Diego Alejandro Costa before drilling in the second. Oduor Bigombe was again beaten from the left, this time it was Costa who cut inside and hit a right footed curling effort into the far corner. And when Manzanares laid off for the onrushing Juan Sebastián Varela to sweep into the net the match was as good as over before halftime. A second for Manzanares and a towering header from substitute Mauricio Sainz ensured there would be no second half upset.

All in all it was an highly promising start for Brian McAllister’s blending of a Tikariotian 4-3-3 and a Sargossa 5-3-2. Both Costa and Diego Cazalla looked comfortable in Inside Forward roles, cutting in from their respective flanks to allow wingbacks Barrueco and Tobías Figueroa to provide an attacking thrust down the flanks. In the centre Varela looked to be striking up a good partnership with newcomer Enrique González. The coach will be hoping the solid start continues in a tougher test against Mavinet, who turned over perennial underachievers Eastfield Lodge.

[Savojarna]

On Enemy Ground

Hornchurch city centre, Eura

Rasmus Helder is many things. If you’d ask his boss, he would tell you that Rasmus is a hard-working, conscientious welder that delivers good work. If you’d ask his co-workers, they’d probably say that he is a dependent guy, someone that would put his own tools down to give you a hand if he could; and also someone that could make after-work drinks pretty entertaining. If you’d ask his family, they’d tell you a story of a man that is there for his family, a loving father and husband and a dutiful son that shows up to his parents’ birthday, calls them every other month or so, and spends some time with his brother every summer. But one thing they’d all tell you is that he is crazy about football, that he loves his country, and that he is craziest about the Savojar National Team.

Rasmus himself takes pride in that, in his devotion to the game. He attends Rotor Värstjö games a lot - when they were in the SFS A, he couldn’t always afford it and he’d save his attendance for the big games, but now that they’re back in the B Rasmus has a season ticket - and sometimes goes to work in his purple and gold jersey, but his true love is the Northlights. He’s been down to Sjoedrhavn a few times, and where his wife’s nightstand has an alarm clock and the newest book by Savojarna’s favourite political commentator and philosopher Malena Kirsberg, his side of the bed has a small picture frame with the ticket stub from the 35th Copa Rushmori semifinal. Underneath it, there is a cutout from next day’s Dagbladet, stating the result: Savojarna 6-3 Valladares.

It’s been eight years since his first Copa. Back then, he had travelled with three friends from work to Pasarga, attending two group stage games and returning home with a lot of memories. Two years later they went again, the same group, to Eastfield Lodge to watch Savojarna beat Sargossa in the quarterfinal, and four years ago there was the semifinal at home. Two years ago Rasmus went to Tikariot with his family, taking along his wife - who likes football, but doesn’t go along much - and his two sons, both of them taking after their father. 14 year old Kristian is a Rotor fan that has his own season ticket next to Rasmus’ seat; 12 year old Morten plays himself and has been scouted by the youth division of Rotor a year ago. Last year, they had wanted to go to the World Cup, but couldn’t find any tickets. But this Copa feels special - it’s in Eura. The home of the old enemy.

Rasmus and his friends are sitting in the centre of Hornchurch, in a little pub. Memories come back, memories of seeing the country over and over back when the Sameban conflict was a thing. He had never been that much into politics, and neither him nor his wife ever voted for the Leninists; they were very much of the opinion that the arrested students and old Savut people that have been travelling over there to fight should be punished. They also were rather shocked about the accusations of Eura supporting the Liberal Block, however; and what mattered even more to Rasmus was their sporting history. There may have been some wins back in the day, when their tensions were at their highest; recent memories, however, were bleak. 2-3 in the Copa quarterfinal, back in Qusmo ten years ago. Then, the loss in penalties in New Lodger City, seeing the Eurans lift the trophy in front of the assembled and beaten Northlights. Three years ago, two smattering defeats in the WCQ. Rasmus, like every Savojar fan, smells blood in the water when he hears the word Eura.

Now, however, sitting in Hornchurch, it was hard not to forget about all of that. The people were friendly, kind, even when they heard his accent or saw his fan clothes. There was banter, of course, that was happily returned by him and his group. The newspapers and TV shows spoke of the Northligths with respect, sometimes almost crossing into admiration when they speak of Michail Jashkin, winger for Directus. The people on the street appeared a bit more reserved towards them, although that might just be because they were yet another group of people added into this already very crowded country.

And now, it was time to check off yet another country, as the group of fans was about to set out onto the walk to the stadium, awaiting their first game in Eura. It would be the second game for Savojarna, taking on Southwest Eastnorth. It would be another first, just like the team of South Jeolerina they defeated the matchday before - and in their hopes, just as successful.

[Astograth]

Nephara, again Nephara.

To the newer members of Olibondeka, getting drawn with Nephara was a thrilling mix of uncertainty, dread, and excitement. At club level it was rare they got to face players of this quality. If they got the chance to play, it would be their golden opportunity to impress and earn themselves a more permanent place on the team. On the other hand, if they lost, and then couldn’t find their way around Soldera, they could well find themselves with another group stage exit. Three Copas without a Round of 16 appearance would be humiliating.

To the veterans, this was chapter three of a mounting rivalry, even if it was one-sided. Then again, that was the whole point – to Nephara, Astograth were a speed bump. The first time Vaudrail’s squad had met the Cormorants was at Copa Rushmori 36; the defending regional champions had brushed them aside 2-0, knocking them out of the competition. The real kick in the teeth there had been the 3-2 loss to Mavinet. They could hardly blame themselves for losing to a team that had just come off their second World Cup final in a row and would go on to win their second Copa in a row. They put it behind them.

They qualified for World Cup 87. Their prize was getting drawn with Nephara, the shockingly good Tikariot and the shockingly poor Drawkland.

This time in Ethane, they’d held Nephara to a scoreless draw, though not without controversy. Trying to knock the ball into goal, Nepharan striker Konrad Lovelace had taken out goalkeeper Gentza Bedigax with a boot to the face. He wasn’t sent off, to the absolute fury of Astograth. Though the draw was a good result, fans, the media and much of the squad were left convinced that they would’ve won playing against ten. Farf referee Mauricio Ruiz Báez became a household name and persona non grata overnight.

To make matters worse, Bedigax was not cleared to compete for the team’s next two matches, meaning it was backup keeper Echepare Rospide who stood in goal as Tikariot won a tight 3-2 match, which would ultimately eliminate Olibondeka. Rospide played a fine match by all accounts, but Bedigax was the better goalkeeper. He could maybe, just maybe, have made the difference. Konrad Lovelace, too, became the target of resentment and blame. In the Euralague, and much to his manager’s frustration, Marko Martel would make a point of landing a good hard tackle on Lovelace, even if it meant wandering out of position.

Nephara weren’t too bothered. They won the World Cup, their third final in a row.

Objectively, getting a draw out of them had been a brilliant result. Objectively, they were the only team to keep a clean sheet against them.

Objectively, they should’ve won, thought Gentza Bedigax. So this Nepharan squad were now two-time, back-to-back, defending Rushmori champions, two-time World Cup runners-up and reigning world champions. He was a kid from a village outside Erribe, the arse end of Astograth, who’d learned his football in the sport’s darkest days, on dirt pitches with coaches who’d never been professionals. At age 19 he’d guided Erribe United to the Mendebal League One South title. Aged 20 he’d almost single-handedly saved Erribe from relegation in their first-ever season in the relaunched First Division. The next 8 years he started almost 300 matches for Urbizania Wanderers, with two titles to show for it. Then he’d landed at Felsenkirchen, a top side at a league ranked miles above the First Division. They played regular Champions League football. Many of his teammates were Galáctico nominees. He toured the multiverse with them and the national team.

At every point along the way, as he climbed from the bottom to the top, Bedigax had been a serviceable goalkeeper who occasionally surprised everyone with a great performance. Until one day he suddenly found himself just being a great goalkeeper for his level, week in and week out. He could never tell when that changed. But it was who he was, a great goalkeeper. His claim to fame wasn’t being an Erribe hometown hero, not anymore, nor was it being Tzemeno Baxterrika’s rock upon which he built Urbizania Wanderers, nor was it being Aratz Anzizar’s understudy at the national team.

He’d barely noticed how it had happened but he was, in his own right, one of the finest goalkeepers in Astograthian history. Better than Anzizar? Perhaps. Better than Aira or Larretape? Not if he hadn’t played a World Cup.

And he hadn’t, not really, because of Nephara. More precisely, because of Konrad Lovelace. Of course the referee wasn’t going to send off a newly-minted Galáctico, one of the stars of the tournament, not in the first match. Not twenty minutes into the World Cup.

Bedigax would make his comeback at the World Cup, but first the grudge match with Nephara and Lovelace. If there was any time to beat them, this was it – hot off their crowning as world champions, and also apparently holding some Internet belt. To be drawn with them now, while that dramatic night in The Pit was not yet condemned to memory but a burning frustration for the Olives, was the best matchup Bedigax could’ve asked for,

If there was one thing that kick to the head had proven to him, it was that his teammates had his back, like he always did theirs. This time, they were winning.