The Eagle's Cup :: X :: Rosters, RP, Scores

by **Banija** » Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:49 pm

As our 15th World Cup cycle comes up, the question is- what is Banija's Dream Team?

DODOMA, BUNYORO REGION- The eyes of national team fans may be on Dodoma. The Eagle's Club, which is home to Bunyoro RSC, will host all of Banija's games in Eagle's Cup X. But with the Eagle's Cup around, we thought we'd dive into an interesting. What would be the all-time XI for the Kadongo Kamu? Surely none of our World Cup 73 team would make it, but it's not like we'd just grab the starting XI from the World Cup 86 Final either.

First, as we build this squad, the question - how would we line up? Let's line up with the formation we won a World Cup in. 4-3-3, with a holding midfielder included in that middle 3. That's just the shape of the all-time Banijan XI. Let's get the debate started!

Goalkeepers
It's tough. Banija has had some strong goalkeepers. Have we ever been truly elite at the position? Maybe, maybe not. Francois Tantoh is the current #1, Jumu Sanneh had some strong years, and so did Lemuel Bereket wearing the #1 jersey. However, we have to go with President Delbin Kasekende. President- of the Busoga Islands. And not President of the footballing association, but of the whole damn country. What a nation, putting a goalkeeper in the highest office in the land.

Anyways though, while the Islands were Banijan, he was in the backstop for us. And he was dominant. His club career in Herzegovina City was particularly dominant as well. The fact that he helped lead us to our first World Cup too, making a number of clutch saves in the always memorable World Cup 80 Qualification campaign. So what a start- a guy who definitely would not consider himself Banijan anymore is our greatest goalkeeper of all time. He was in between the sticks for the World Cups 79 & 80 Qualification campaigns, before he switched his allegiance to Busoga.

Defenders
Now, this is extremely tough. The center backs are tough, so we'll start at the wingback slots. This is a little bit easier. Banija has never really been known for cranking out elite wingbacks, although we've had our fair share of solid ones. Fekati Abdi was our starter in World Cup 86- and he, stunningly, had a screamer in the World Cup Final. But left back has to go to Ensa Camara. Starter for three World Cups(81-83), he could get up and down the field with pace and vision. On the right side, it has to be Uzoma Iruka, right? And not particularly close. She started World Cups 85-86. She's still on the senior NT now, but bumped off the starting XI since Waters switched from a back 4 to a back 3.

And now, for center back. The obvious choice- Kuma Bultum. Probably the most talented Banijan player ever. Certainly one of the most decorated. Spent the better part of a decade anchoring the back line for the biggest club in AO, Raynor City United of Valanora. Multiple league titles. First Banijan to ever win the Champions League(jointly with Madu Okparra). Like 5 appearances on the Galacticos long list? And twice on the Galacticos starting XI.

The question is, who would be his center back partner? Banija's produced a lot of elite level at the position. Demba Kinteh. Wasa Jawo. Kawsu Kaba. Samba Ogunsola. Alanso Tibamba. All these guys, playing at high levels at elite clubs around the multiverse. Hell, remember Jalang Ba? We almost went with him. It was borderline. But we'd have to go with George Wangolo. First Banijan to ever enter the Galacticos long list. He was a large, imposing figure in his day. Captained the squad in 77 and 79 Qualifying. And his brain was always next level. He's currently the Quebecois national team manager, and has been successful so far.

Midfielders
Three central midfielders. Since this isn't an actual team, we're not too worried about shape- but one leaning to be a holding midfielder, one who really roams, and another who leans towards attacking. The central one would have to be Mzukisi Nzo. The best true central midfielder we have ever had- although that kid in Kitara, Gereh Kama, is showing a ton of promise. But Nzo does it all. He starred in Taeshan for years, and now is an elite central midfielder in Nephara. How long has he been a fixture in ink on Waters starting XI?

But who surrounds him? Behind him, we'll have to go for Isaac Georgiadis. Banija's first ever player to play abroad, he was a trail blazer, but very strong. He got all his caps before World Cup 80, between 74 and 79. A different kind of game back then, but he could play with the best of them. And lastly, who will wear the #10? Kiggwe Mavuto is always in the World Cup Hall of Fame. Namakula Kawesa has to be next, right? Kawesa's numbers are through the roof, but she played with better talent than Mavuto.

Ultimately, Namakula Kawesa takes the nod. Remember, she combines the physical with the mental acumen. This is an Olympic silver medalist relay sprinter. Another reason that Banija's multi-headed attack was so deadly for a few cycles, especially 85-86.

Attackers
So we'll be simple here. Two wingers, and a #9. One winger is obvious- Gitonga Kahara. Our all-time leading goalscorer. Probably the most popular person in the country. Easily the most hyped up athlete in national history. He was called 'the Boy Wonder' at age 17, when he exploded onto the scene in Kita-Hinode's Youth league, winnign the Golden Boot in year 1. When he then turned around and led the national team, who at the time had never even been to the World Cup Finals, to a bronze medal at DBC 42, well, everybody knew him. We could gush about him forever. But he's obviously #1.

Who opposite him? Madu Okparra has merits- both a World Cup champion and a Champions League winner. An exclusive club. Some other guys were strong, like Nwabudike Ugonna. But Chibuzo Afolayan would be opposite Kahara. Captained the national team from World Cup 81-83. His valuation of $6 million NSDs from AFC Corvistone way back when was a record that stood for a number of years, before Bultum shattered it. Afolayan was the heartbeat of the team for a long time. And, of course, his longevity playing for AFC Corvistone in Nephara. He's a Hall of Famer himself.

And now the final question- who would wear the #9? Assefa Yitebarke is an intriguing option. One club man. Passionate. Consistent. But it has to go to Ilman Jawara. Jawara is also a former member of the Galacticos XI. #2 scoring all-time. World Cup champion. Elite in basically every way, all sorts of prolific. What a stud.

And there you have it. The Banijan dream team. Agree or disagree? Send us a letter on how you would change this list!

by **Omerica** » Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:55 pm

@ThomasDaviesSFRD Getting off the topic of the URSF’s pending defamation lawsuit against a Tequiloa football magazine, let’s build Omerica’s Oll-Time XI.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD No surprise: these players will be from WC74, IAC 7 and IAC 12 by simple virtue of being Omerica’s three most successful team line-ups.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD She had a rocky start, but Valentine Augustin is far and away Omerica’s best-ever goalkeeper. Frédérique Acardi gets an honourable mention.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD Charity Kayode makes an appearance at the back, joined by Michael Christophe, Jean-Marie Molineaux and Martin Pall from the WC74 qualifiers.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD Red Bolton is a definite in midfield. He was never the most gifted player, but was the natural leader for the Incorrigibles.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD As for the other midfielders, I’ll pull a couple old classics: William Parnell and His Excellency Casimir Paquet.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD And definitely Jessie Beckett, Alexis Chrysanthos and Maria Nelissen up front. Lucky Ashworth was great on her day, but too injury-prone.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD As for the manager, I don’t think it’s too controversial to pass up Pritchard or Groothuis for our current manager Alexis Stephanidis.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD Omerica’s WC74 was far and away the best defensive line the nation has ever had, while the current attacking Triad has been the most deadly.

@ThomasDaviesSFRD The defensive solidity of Pritchard’s Miracle Workers, combined with the attacking prowess of Stephanidis’s Manager Slayers/Karma Killers.

United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA
Krytenia v Omerica
Eagles Cup 10 group stage — Matchday One
Old Sample, Sampleville, Krytenia
— and —
Omerica v Ko-oren
Eagles Cup 10 group stage — Matchday Two
Stade Just-Cartier, Charlescourt, Charlescourt
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Magalie Jansen; Kara Félix, Sydney Collins, Noémi Belmonte, Zane Smith (captain); Máel Coluim Mac Ealair, Mathéo Assendorp, Ronan Neuville; Jean-Paul Campagne, Ollie Tate, Terrance Parker
Substitutes: José Calvo, Zavier Street; Sean van de Laar, Charlotte Léon, London Mac Gille Fhaolain, Frédéric Dufour; Erica Walsh, Alexandrine Bourreau, Lena Blair; Arielle Poirier, Jasime Fabien, Lionel Stavros

by **Eagles Club** » Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:12 pm

And now, cutoff! In line with the theme, treat you to a highlight video with the original Dream Team.. Albeit in another sport.

Now, to get ready for your next cutoff as I score....

MD3/4 RP Prompt: The beautiful game is always talked about as the ultimate global sport. Specifically- who are the most popular foreign players in your country? What are the most popular foreign teams, both national and club, in your country? Are any players or clubs from opposing squads in your group popular in your country? Graphic Bonus: Give us the logo of any domestic media companies that provide coverage to foreign clubs and national teams in your country. Alternatively, an image of any sort of item in your nation that fans would have a foreign athlete sign.

Eagle's Club Group

Matchday 1
Valanora 0–0 Græntfjall
Zwangzug 0–1 Turori

Matchday 2
Græntfjall 1–3 Turori
Valanora 2–0 Zwangzug

Eagle's Club Group        Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Turori                   2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Valanora                 2   1  1  0    2   0  +2    4
3 Græntfjall               2   0  1  1    1   3  −2    1
4 Zwangzug                 2   0  0  2    0   3  −3    0

Eagle's Select Group

Matchday 1
Krytenia 1–1 Ko-oren
Omerica 0–0 Chromatika

Matchday 2
Ko-oren 1–0 Chromatika
Krytenia 1–1 Omerica

Eagle's Select Group      Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
2 Krytenia                 2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
3 Omerica                  2   0  2  0    1   1   0    2
4 Chromatika               2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

Champions Group
Matchday 1
Nephara 3–0 Banija
Eura 0–3 Treekidistan

Matchday 2
Banija 1–4 Treekidistan
Nephara 3–0 Eura

Champions Group           Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Treekidistan             2   2  0  0    7   1  +6    6
2 Nephara                  2   2  0  0    6   0  +6    6
3 Banija                   2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0
4 Eura                     2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

Confederations Group
Matchday 1
Baker Park 0–5 Tequilo
Nova Anglicana AZoE 0–5 Cassadaigua

Matchday 2
Tequilo 3–1 Cassadaigua
Baker Park 0–6 Nova Anglicana AZoE

Confederations Group      Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Tequilo                  2   2  0  0    8   1  +7    6
2 Cassadaigua              2   1  0  1    6   3  +3    3
3 Nova Anglicana AZoE      2   1  0  1    6   5  +1    3
4 Baker Park               2   0  0  2    0  11 −11    0

World Cup 81/82/83/84

Baker Park National Team All-Star XI

This is an extremely difficult subject to broach as a historical retrospective; strictly by numbers and achievement, every position should be filled with names who have become well known to fans in BP and abroad, as the NS Era has changed the entire history of the National Team.

We'll highlight three players from the origins of the international play in the Commonwealth:

Toby Morris CF (Hillsborough FC 1940-41, 46-55) 22 Caps 1948-54, Captain 52-54
The phrase 'larger than life' would've had to be coined for Morris if it hadn't existed; some 40 years after his death at age 60 in 1982, he's still spoken of in reverent tones at Hillsborough and in the FAC Media Guide.
He played in every BPNT match from the very first in 1948 until he retired in 1954, and was the first official NT Captain between 1952-54. Among his contemporaries he was giant of a man--6'2", 195 lbs--and was the National League 1st Division Player of the Year 4 times in his career (49, 51, 53, 54).

Roger Carroll D (Ezriquay United FC 1939-41, 46-53) 11 Caps 1949-53, Captain 1949
Made his club debut at 17, a hard man from the very beginning. First player in League history to receive a straight red card twice in the same season (1950). Became the first former player to manage the NT between 1964-66.

Colin Riordan M (Shirley Metros FC 1948-1958) 19 Caps 1950-57, Captain 1955-57
Went on to become the longest serving NT manager between 1970-76, until George Charleston surpassed him; he was also the winningest manager when he stepped down (19 wins, 18 defeats, 7 draws), another honor he was relegated to second place by 'Mr Charlie'. A tough tackling central midfielder who was considered one of the best dribblers in the sport at the height of his career.

by **Tequilo** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:50 am

TRACE & TRACK SPECIAL
THE TEQUILO ALL-STARS XI

Part 8: MOSEY ACKANARD

If the office intern at the Daily, Juan-Line Juateguay, wants an easy afternoon on the Trace & Track desk, he could pick no better task than tracking down Mosey Ackanard, who, quite apart from being just down the road from the office these days managing at his old club Socrates, is the kind of fella who could never be lost for long on account of his innate ability to get noticed and hold the attention on himself. A rising media darling as well as a decent manager who likes to talk the talk and usually walks the walk too, it's hard to miss the Spittalninny wideboy these days (Spittalninny, we are told in Tequilo by Mosey and others, is a sort of subculture of the small city of Spittalsea, capital of Bonesea - it is a combination of a particular and somewhat exaggerated language, style and attitude unique to that place: Mosey is the very epitome of Spittalninny, apparently, although it is mostly lost on the average Tequiloan). He's the only man in recorded history who can speak Tequiloan with a Spittalninny accent - there have been many imitators, but no-one has quite got it right. Even much loved television entertainer and impressionist Paulo Casablanca says it's impossible - he regularly refuses requests to try because, as he points out, his professional reputation is at stake. There is only one Mosey Ackanard.

In football terms, would we class Mosey as the most-admired foreigner of all time? Well no, that would almost certainly go to Farv Râmón Tüjânger; while the status of demi-god is awarded to Audioslav Ooóoos Skeuri, though until recently he was never a resident in the country, more a mythological figure. But is Mosey the most-loved? He is certainly heading that way, with his combination of astute football management, attractive tactical approach, and above all, his cheeky comic public persona. With all the attention and the caricature approach to his media punditry, it is quite easy to forget that this rising star of head coaches in Tequilo was in fact one of the finest footballers in the country's domestic history, though he won very little in his many loyal years with Socrates, a sometimes moderately good club but never a great one. With the cultured midfielder pulling the strings, their best period came in the sixties and seventies, and included their only state championship. Mosey earns his place both in the Tequilo All-Stars XI and as our most-loved foreigner at the same time by dint of his playing days at Socrates, even though he claims he ended up there by accident. He says that as a young teenage free agent with nothing to do after being released by his hometown team Florence Boldclub back in Bonesea, he wanted to go to Tamarindia to try his luck there - but got on the wrong plane and didn't realise he was in Tequilo until he'd signed for Socrates after a trial. He even claims he thought he was trying out for Atlético Misión in Tamarindia.

It's a cunning ploy by Mosey - maintaining his casual, haphazard public image whilst making comparisons between Tequilo and Tamarindia, claiming not to know the difference. To be mistaken for Tamarindia, a fine old country in the dreams of the average Tequiloan, is quite the compliment. No wonder Everyone Loves Mosey.

FIVE MAKES SEVEN IN SHOCKER
COMMONWEALTH OF BAKER PARK 0-5 TEQUILO HT: 0-3

Location: @ undisclosed location, somewhere in the Commonwealth
Attendance: A lot of Bakerites but no Ultra Mariachis because they couldn't find it
Scorers: Tlacolotl 11' 51' (pen) Ricardo Bailén 20' 71' Xaime Medal 27'
Assists: Alexandro Calvoecheaga 20' José Tavia 27' Tlacolotl 71'
Booked: Derion Hutchins | Tlacolotl, Tepin Mecartl-Rubió
Sent Off: -
Tequilo Line-Up: (4-1-3-2) Oscar Bienvenida (sub: Tepin Mecatl-Rubió 83') | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia (sub: Noxochinoch 73'), Tol Chicote, Huracan | Ixtub Tün | Jaime Medal, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Alexandro Calvoecheaga
Player of the Match: Tlacolotl (Tequilo)

NEW WINNING STREAK RECORD IN SPECTACULAR DRUBBING
Nobody expected much of a result in the Commonwealth against Baker Park, not least the Ultra-Mariachi supporters Band who were unable to travel to support Los Pitxileros on account of not knowing where the match was taking place. Opting not to split up and go to various locations on the off-chance, as they have been known to do in the past, they decided to stay home to watch the probably defeat on the tévé. How they must've wished they'd been more adventurous, like their pitxi-playing compatriots in the agave-blue shirts. Tequilo stunned the country with a magnificent five-star victory over the one-time World Cup finalists, and in the process set a national team record of seven straight victories carried over from their triumph in the Independent Associations Championship. Not featuring in that tournament and back to remind his new coach how important he is to the team, striker Tlacolotl scored twice and set up winger Ricardo Bailén for an assist in a fine player of the match performance. Missing the suspended captain Vilca Hualla (sent off in the round of 32 defeat to Eura in the Cup of Harmony and not in the IAC squad, so serving a two match ban at the start of the Eagle's Cup), another fine winger and natural leader Xaime Medal stepped in to deliver perhaps his best performance in his 20th appearance for the national team. Oscar Bienvenida dislocated a finger late in the game and was replaced between the sticks but would return for the next game - not so José Tavia, out for 3-6 games following his collision with Derion Hutchins in the late knockings of this fine victory. Next up? Only the inauguration of the new national stadium and a plum tie against our good friends the Cassadiaguans.

IT'S A FEISTY AFFAIR
TEQUILO 3-1 CASSADIAGUA HT: 1-1

Location: @ Estadio Nacional, Ciudad de Pitxi, Tapalupé, Tequilo
Attendance: A full house and home record 81,810
Scorers: Ricardo Bailén 27' Tlacolotl 54' Xaime Medal 66' | Rachel Schanke 34'
Assists: Xaime Medal 27' Ricardo Bailén 54' Niño Pinto 66' | Katie Standish 34'
Booked: Milan Lucio (2) | Morgan Rosenblatt, Meghan Wolcott
Sent Off: Alexandro Calvoecheaga 39' Milan Lucio 90'+4 | Michelle Graves 39'
Tequilo Line-Up: (4-1-3-2) Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia, Tol Chicote, Huracan (sub: Milan Lucio 45') | Ixtub Tün | Xaime Medal (sub Jaïr Iscla 87'), Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Alexandro Calvoecheaga
Player of the Match: Ixtub Tün (Tequilo)

MIGHTY CASS QUIETENED IN COMBATIVE CONTEST
Oof! The first tie at the brand new national stadium couldn't have been against a more interesting opponent in Cassadaigua, known for their admiration of our fine footballing technique and keen to make new acquaintance in the first tie between these national teams since the Under-18 World Cup in The Commonwealth of Baker Park some years ago. When all the great admiration of these two teams is set aside at the starting kick-off, what follows is typical blood and thunder and, not for the first time, red cards in a fixture between old friends.

I'm joking! Not old friends. Apparently, new enemies. They really don't like us in the pink corner of the multiverse, and we only gave them more reasons to be miffed with us when Los Pitxileros came out on top in the football aspect of the contest. They may have won the better behaviour award, just, finishing with ten players to Tequilo's nine after dismissals for fighting, swearing and pulling funny faces in a tempestuous bout that won't ease relations between the Agave-Blues and the next World Cup hosts.

Will it help that the Tequilo FA, El Unión, voted in favour of the Chrom-Cass event at the last summit of associations? Probably not - we'd better pack our bags for the Cup of Harmony. As long as it's not Omerica hosting, we should be amongst friends there.

TEQUILO STAT SUMMARY
Competition goals: Ricardo Bailén, Tlacolotl (3) Xaime Medal (2)
Competition assists: Alexandro Calvoecheaga, José Tavia, Tlacolotl, Xaime Medal, Ricardo Bailén, Niño Pinto (1)
Competition PoMs: Tlacolotl, Ixtub Tün (1)
Competition cards: Milan Lucio (2 yellows, 1 red) Alexandro Calvoecheaga (1 red) Tlacolotl, Tepin Mecatl-Rubió (1 yellow)

RECORDS WATCH
* With the opening of the new stadium and a full house, this represents a record crowd, home or away, for Tequilo at 81,810 (previously 81,800 at Palacios Cristal, Gardaresso, Tequilo).
* Eight consecutive victories from the IAC through the first two games of the Eagles Cup is a new NT record, surpassing a previous of six in a row.
* Avoid defeat at Nova Anglicana, and this team will set a new record streak for 12 games unbeaten.
* Noxochinoch needs three more caps to reach a half century, and would become the seventh player to do so for the Tequilo NT.
* Oscar Bienvenida (84) and Tlacolotl (82) continue to battle for the most caps - the next nearest is Ixtub Tün (69).
* Tlacolotl continues to add to his NT goalscoring record (55) - the next nearest is Mateo Tafalla (19), now retired from the national team. He also adds to his player of the match awards record (15), Niño Pinto being the nearest with 10.
* Niño Pinto (18) could surpass Mateo Tafalla to move to all-time second top scorer.
* Potential national team debut in this tournament - Sanço (21), the leftback from Benemérito.
* Alexandro Calvoecheaga's sending off means he could, if he gets another, become the first player to earn three red cards for the national team.

Confirmed Line-Up for TEQUILO @ Nova Anglicana (de Esportiva)
@ unidentified location, somewhere in Rutupiae city, one assumes
(4-1-3-2)
Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, Emmanuel París, Tol Chicote, Huracan | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Pedro Rôa

Unavailable: José Tavia (injured) Alexandro Calvoecheaga & Milan Lucio (suspended)

Probable Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Commonwealth of Baker Park
@ Estadio Nacional, Ciudad de Pitxi, Tapalupé, Tequilo
(4-1-3-2)
Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, Emmanuel París, Tol Chicote, Huracan | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Milan Lucio

Unavailable: José Tavia (injured) Alexandro Calvoecheaga (suspended)

Here at GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLa!!! we are always looking for the next angle, so when office intern Juan-Line Juateguay suggested he had a friend who could do panel comics for us, and was hawking his wares around town including his new idea for the story of an eccentric autograph hunter, we were keen to take a look. This is what Juan-Line's friend Davide 'Gúmmo' da Costa sent us - the editor said he'll call back later if he wants to commission any more from Gúmmo...

by **Treekidistan** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:57 am

TFF • OFFICIAL
The Journey to the All time Best XI

It's just been three competitions in which the Treekidistan Football Federation National Team has contested. The team won their debut event called The Baptism of Fire and never reached the group stage in the previous two events. The team has been playing the same eleven for all the matches and it is ought to be the all time best playing eleven of Treekidistan.

Goal Keepers (GK)

#1 Melix Henmann
Melix Henmann is the number 1 goal keeper in the whole Treekidistan. He got himself trained by Steve Longhorn, the chief goal keeper of the Indussean National Team. He has been going to Steve Longhorn Academy when he was 19 years old. Melix is currently 25 and is one of the youth political activists in the country. He is known as "Chairman Melix" for short.

Defenders (DF)

#4 Henry Stillstone
Henry Stillstone has been regarded as the lucky charm of the team, Eventhough he hasn't scored any goals or created a notable offensive gameplay, he has been in the squad from the start due to his experience in local tournaments. He's the oldest in the team, aged 37.

#19 Joseph Ali Ahmed
Ali Ahmed Bin Jawaruyah, also known as Joseph Ali Ahmed is a Christian converted Muslim who's been the key defender of Treekidistan. He plays for the best club in Treekidistan known as the Golden Roots United. The Golden Roots United is the champion club with twenty nine trophies till history.

#66 Benny Helmut
#88 Mathias Schneider
Benny Helmut and Mathias Schneider are two similar plays from the same place, same school, same street, same club and now same position. Both of them has been playing for the Gregarious College Academy for six years and is now playing in Golden Roots United FC.
Mid Fielders (MF)

#9 Shahid Nawaz
Shahid Nawaz is the youngest player in the team, aged 19. He's been a quick and cunning player creating ways to score the goals into the goal post. Shahid Nawaz started his career playing for the National Sports Academy Team and later got a straight ticket to the national camp.

#12 Benjamin Elvis
Benjamin Johnston Elvis, is a 22 year old Midfielder known for his bicycle kicks and long headers. He has been nicknamed as Bulb Man of Treekidistan. He has scored 11 international goals (friendly included) and 7 of them where headers and 3 were bicycle kicks.

#26 Ashok Pyarelal
The Only Village Boy in the team, he's been playing for his village and the province teams from an age of 13, he was born in a poor family and wasn't able to go for coaching into a well known academy. The National Sports Academy took him seeing his capability and the twenty year old plays in the national team now.

Strikers/Forward (FW)

#7 Kristy Johnson
The Third Gear of the team, he is the one who makes way for the rest two strikers and creates excellent crosses in the box. He's twenty four and has been the captain of Keylar FC, the first Football Club in Treekidistan. The club currently is playing for division two.

#24 Krishna das Patel
#10 David Henry Gonzales
The Heroes of Treekidistan, as they are known. Krishna Das and Gonzales has been the Captain and Vice Captain respectively. Both aged 25 played for Golden Roots United earlier and now plays for the Treekid Academy Team in the prime league. Gonzales is the all time champion scorer and the game maker of Treekidistan. He played a major role in letting Treekidistan win the Baptism of Fire tournament. Patel has been selected in to the best playing XI of Baptism of Fire due to his skills and support to Gonzales. He is best captain and the second best goalscorer of the team.

Scores and Matches:
Eura 0-3 Treekidistan
Goal Scorer: Gonzales 11', Patel 22' and Gonzales 77'

Banija 1-4 Treekidistan
Goal Scorer: Gonzales 4', Kristy 66', Gonzales 77' and Benjamin Elvis 88'.

by **Ko-oren** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:12 am

The all-time Dragonflies XI

The challenge that ultimately, every sports pundit and writer will eventually attempt. The all-time XI for your nation or club. As flawed as the premise is (how do you compare players that played half a century apart?), it'll always be a fun exercise and will surely get your failing blog the clicks it so desperately needs to maybe convince a community manager for a mediocre product to put ads on your digital impossible-to-read stream-of-conscience. Don't forget to disable comments so it won't get clogged up by readers who think you're clearly biased towards Maethoru because you have a Gehrennan name, and you're clearly biased against Aminey sports teams - even if Aminey sports teams have been underperforming for a solid decade now and you're definitely sure that city has never produced a football player worthy of the all-time XI.

Also, the KFA helpfully provides a list of its own Hall of Fame, which pretty easily supplies us with a list of 15 names (to date) of players that have helped push the Dragonflies' boundaries further. The players and coaches responsible for the first qualification attempt. The first Cup of Harmony appearance. The first World Cup qualification. The Cup of Harmony win. The AOCAF win. The first World Cup round of 16 loss. The second World Cup round of 16 loss. The third World Cup round of 16 loss. The fourth World Cup round of 16 loss. The fifth World Cup round of 16 loss. The sixth World Cup round of 16 loss. The seventh World Cup round of 16 loss. The eighth World Cup round of 16 loss. ~~The ninth World Cup round of 16 loss.~~ (wait, what) The first World Cup round of 16, quarterfinal, and semifinal win - which for some reason all happened in the same cycle. Given that that cycle was so recent, players involved with those results haven't been included in the Hall of Fame yet, so basically, to formulate the all-time XI, all we have to do is select Hall of Famers 50% and World Cup 87 players for the other 50%.

But then again, who are we kidding. Making the semifinal of a World Cup dwarfs the accomplishments of the previous teams. Not only does the current team eclipse anything that has been done before, football nowadays is a lot more competitive, building on top of all previous tactical and physical revolutions. The players from the late 50s and early 60s are never going to measure up well against the current crop. So, effectively, here's your all-time XI:

GK: Theshendan (WC87)

RB: Munarring (WC87)
CB: Breukelaar (WC87)
CB: Benjamin (WC87)
CB: Gicquel (WC87)
LB: Aiamara (WC87)

CM: Janoreirinthen (WC87)
CM: Longchambon (WC87)
AM: De Villepin (WC87)

ST: Vaugrenard (WC87)
ST: Erisia (WC87)

But wait, Erisia is a player on Aminey CS, and that city can't provide decent talent. And also to respect the players from before, a slightly less realistic, but more nostalgic all-time XI:

GK: Enshadilsa (60s/70s)

RB: Dalton (70s/80s)
CB: Juliasterinthen (70s)
CB: Davenport (70s)
CB: Dehenat (50s)
LB: Hellegeland (80s)

CM: Yokota (80s)
CM: Janoreirinthen (80s)
AM: Longchambon (80s)

ST: Shiribeshi (50s)
ST: Vaugrenard (80s)

Enshadilsa just comes out on top over Theshendan and Asgard. Dalton is the obvious choice, a member of the squads that brought Ko-oren to relevance. Juliasterinthen and Davenport were key defenders and captains in the same cycles, and were the last/only real 'characters' on the team*. Dehenat did too much to ignore, even if the team was pretty bad at the time. Hellegeland is a difficult choice: for this spot, we have a few possibilities that are all still quite young.

Yokota, Janoreirinthen, and Longchambon are basically the all-80s midfield, and while Yokota has since retired, this trio of players will be the midfield for many in their 20s and 30s. Shiribeshi, like Dehenat, might not have been a world-class player, but did so much to get us on the map in the early days. Vaugrenard is selected on a shortage of strikers - there's Tokachi (50s), and a few better-than-average players in the 70s and 80s, but stikers have extremely short shelf lives on our national team. It's hard to select a player that represents a generation as they usually last two World Cups or less.

*The Dragonflies are good at installing systems, with a lot of players that can execute these roles. Ko-oren is extremely light on larger-than-life characters that brought more to the table than footballing prowess and an understanding of the 5-3-2.

by **Nova Anglican Admin Zone of Esportiva** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:38 am

For all the talk of the beautiful game being a global sport that brings the world together, Nova Anglicana has never been fully integrated in the global football system. Sure, they've competed in more than a dozen World Cups, and played in the UICA and IFCF competitions, but the NAFA's commitment to enmeshing themselves in the footballing multiverse has never been more than sporadic. Nations like Nephara and Audioslavia have footballers playing all over the multiverse, and the top leagues in the UICA and IFCF competitions regularly bring in stars for millions of NS dollars, but Nova Anglicana doesn't really do that. There are, however, two distinct eras when Nova Anglicana both bought and sold players abroad and attention on foreign players and leagues were high.

Foreign Players in the NAFL: Part 1

When Nova Anglicana first began to participate in the UICA competition, they threw themselves headlong into finding foreign players. Although more than twenty players were eventually signed, two stood out, appropriately for the two best clubs in the NAFL: Axel Svenßon from Felix with Archbishop FC and Chris Soarison of Star United States for Newfield FC. Their hefty transfer fees commanded attention, but Svenßon quickly became Archbishop's best attacker, and Soarison, captain of his national team, became an outstanding field general for the Noviomagus club. The rivalry of Archbishop and Newfield soon became marketed as a clash of these two, the best players on their respective teams, and for a time, foreign players were hot commodities. But the NAFL, concerned about the quality of the league and the opportunities that domestic players were being afforded in their own league, began a process of winding down foreign involvement. Foreign players were sold or released, and the teams stopped participating in UICA competition. Felix and Star United States have mostly faded from the world stage, but those two players never will, even as generations have passed.

Foreign Players in the NAFL: Part 2

More recently, as the NAFA has expanded the remit of the country's football leagues, with youth and reserve teams, as well as the expansion of the Cup to the amateur and semiprofessional NANFC level, foreign players began to return to the league again. This coincided with the re-entry of Nova Anglican clubs into the new IFCF competition; with the additional games, reinforcements were needed. This time around, two players in particular captured the nation's attention: Yuezhou national and CAM Gu Zhalei joined Archbishop, while Chromatika's RW Drarinka Schlok came to Bridgewall. Zhalei immediately became a dynamic part of Archbishop's attack, always seeming to find himself in the middle of every play. Whether it was dancing around defenders, finding the open man with a pass, or blasting one into the net himself, Zhalei became an instantly recognisable face around Nova Anglicana. It didn't hurt that he played for one of the nation's top clubs, either. As for Schlok, she earned notoriety not only for her skillful play, but for two physical attributes: namely, her height and her gender. Standing at over 7 feet (~2.13m), she towered over teammates and opponents alike. She was also the first woman to play in the NAFL, making history. She was obviously noticeable on the streets of Pons Aelius, and men, women, and children alike asked for her autograph when they saw her at the market or sitting at a cafe. Unfortunately, the NAFA has begun to close down foreign involvement yet again, and this off-season saw Zhalei and Schlok depart from their respective clubs.

Foreign Leagues in Nova Anglicana

Specific foreign players are not popular in Nova Anglicana the way that foreign leagues are. And foreign leagues were either popular because they are the giants of the club world (everyone pays attention to the Nepharan league, for example) or because specific Nova Anglican players play or played there. In World Cup 73, for example, of the twenty-three players on the squad, nineteen, or 82.6%, played in foreign leagues. The Royal Kingdom of Quebec's Q-League, the Harlighet Ligan of Cosumar, the Liga Premier of San Jose Guayabal, the Taeshani Premier League, and the then-Nepharim Premiership, all had multiple Nova Anglican players, while Krytenia, which at that time played in LigAnaia, Super-Llamaland, Jeckland, Yttribia, Brenecia, and the Unified Sunrise Islands had individual players. It's perhaps not surprising that leagues like the Q-League maintain their popularity today, while the Harlighet Ligan and Liga Premier would be more followed if they were still relevant. Since then, Esportivan leagues like Damukuni, South Newlandia, Apox, Brenecia, and others are popular because many Nova Anglicans have gone to the NAAZE and met Esportivans or seen Esportivan league games on television there. The Tumbran, Grearish, and Licentian leagues are also gaining in popularity as they emerge onto the world scene and Nova Anglicans turn to Esportiva more often than they used to.

But foreign football is just not that televised in Nova Anglicana, except for IFCF and regional club competition late stages. Nova Anglicans love to watch the NAFL, the NAHL, the NABA, and NABL, in addition to the many international competitions Nova Anglicana competes in. Domestic sports programming can be most often found on NASN (Nova Anglicana Sports Network), while international team games such as the Eagles' Cup are mostly followed on the Nova Anglicana Public Broadcasting Corporation's (NAPBC) StateSports1. The other two big broadcasters, Atlantic Broadcasting Network (ABN) and National Television Network (NTN, NTV, NTVN), scrap with NASN and NAPBC for national team games, league playoffs and finals, and IFCF competitions. This competition between networks has led to an increase in television fees for the various leagues, which has enabled them to raise salaries or support lower levels of competition.

Nova Anglicana hasn't always been the most open to foreign footballers, or the most avid fans of foreign leagues, but there are some players and leagues that hold special places in the hearts of Nova Anglicans.

Baker Park 0-6 NAAZE

Goals: Williams 9’, Parker 26’, Thayer 41’, Beal 64’, Gagne 71’, Burke 88’

OOC: I don't have the time or skill to do broadcasting companies' logos, I'm sorry. But I figured I'd mention them.

by **Zwangzug** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 12:50 pm

The Arlington Moon-Tribune

Our hometown team being the champions for several seasons in a row, we figured Arlington would be as good a place as any to conduct an unscientific survey of fans' tastes. We planned to wander around town looking for fans wearing football kits/scarves/whatever from other countries' teams/players and that way, determine who are the most popular.

There are two big caveats to this approach. First of all, Arlington recently signed Meldi'ita Mungwaii, the prolific Turorian striker who not only won a Silicon Boot in World Cup 85, but was named to the Turorian "all-time" (but mostly contemporary) best XI. Mungwaii scored the only goal in the Eagles' Cup opener against Turori; fellow Silicon Boot awardee Lothas Ludwig would open the scoring for Valanora on Matchday Two, with Indra Söderström adding on in minute 55. So basically, we have a lot of Eels bandwagon-hoppers here; we didn't quote them because otherwise this list would be very repetitive.

The second issue is that Arlington fans skew a bit more towards the history-nerd side than the league average. So some of the vintage jerseys aren't those of athletes our fans watched play themselves, but have just read about in books and thought were cool. If you're not into this kind of thing, feel free to ignore us.

With that disclaimer, the totally unauthoritative kit survey of people not named Meldi'ita Mungwaii:

*All-Sports Club Arvika
Who they are: a Kelssek club not too far south of the northern polar circle.
Why you got the kit: "playing that far north sounds intense!"

*Kelli Alder
Who she is: Babbage Islands midfielder, part of the runner-up sides in World Cups 52 and 55
Why you got the kit: "she played bughouse and met her boyfriend that way I think? That's adorable even if they didn't date, I don't remember."

*TSV Marzig
Who they are: a Teus club, winners of the latest President's Cup final in a dramatic extra time clash.
Why you got the kit: "their rivalry with Pomorie is so intense! Like, two different nations and cultures battling for the heart of one city! It's even crazier than the FTC!"

*Tájö Çíânflöné
Who he is: Farfadillis player, two-time Galactico
Why you got the kit: "all that stuff that Ruland went through is so intense, dude. Plus I believe in Cabañas effect!"

*Ilsinha
Who she is: Yafor 2 midfielder, played domestically for CA Condadore in Aguazul
Why you got the kit: "she really fought hard for women's inclusion on the national team, and her murder was so sad even freakin' Aguazul put up a statue in her honor. I mean, you have to be a big deal to get a statue, right?"

*Stacey Keisler
Who she is: Newmanistan star, I think...wait, no, she's a baseball player, why is she here.
Why you got the kit: "please quote me in your article, it's not fair that you're only focusing on football guys." Okay, fine, now stop following me.

*Norbert Fiero
Who he is: Kura-Pelland wunderkind striker
Why you got the kit: "I have no idea who this guy or this country is, actually. I just thought the shirt was hot. Nothing matters, but knowing nothing matters!"

*East Railway
Who they are: Astograth side renowned for their unashamed efforts to sign immortal stars who have wildly better options available.
Why you got the kit: "I think trains are cool."

*Matteo Corradini
Who he is: Candelaria And Marquez midfielder, played domestically for Albrecht FC
Why you got the kit: "Masks are very fashionable, I think everyone will be wearing them in the future."

*Fušia Oujadda
Who she is: Kagdazka and Pazhujebu striker, originally from Juvapanam
Why you got the kit: "Juvapanam's struggles as a freedom-loving team during the dictatorship were legendary, and I heard Oujadda actually got to kill the evil dictator herself. Plus the hot lesbian kisses, just saying."

*Alexsandr van Sorensen
Who he is: Polar Islandstates midfielder, longtime captain, though he retired before the Terns won the title
Why you got the kit: "between the synaesthesia and his scientific background, he was phenomenally talented both on and off the field!"

*Hanifah Kyaw
Who she is: Ariddia midfielder and captain. Actually retired shortly before Zwangzug's debut, but was still well-known at the time.
Why you got the kit: "I guess I'm supposed to say something about how Ariddia were a pioneering socialist democracy and we tried to emulate them politically, maybe too much, but the truth is the Rouge-et-Noirs just played really skillfull attacking football, so. There it is!"

*Ha Sun-ji
Who she is: Yuba United goalkeeper (and Capitalizt SLANI "national team"-er); scored the winning penalty in the first Champions' Cup final
Why you got the kit: "#clubsnotcountries #shootoutsarefun #goaliesmattertoo!"
(Editor's note: we didn't hear the guy pronounce the hashtags, it just kind of sounded like that. Powerhouses like Yuba do not have many fans in Zwangzug, whose bandwagon-hoppers usually prefer an interesting Underdog Narrative; Valanora and their clubs are similarly victims of their own success, though we did meet a couple people who were like "if Raynor City were still the Rockers we'd go for them, any association can have a United." They may have been full of it, though.)

*Northern Bettia
Who they are: neighbors of the pleasant and warmhearted people of Bettia, and completely different in personality types. Known for being violent and shameless cheaters. Zwangzug's opponents in their first-ever game in the Baptism of Fire, then their first-ever World Cup qualifier. Later installments of the rivalry would see a "Fire Ants" player punch a Zwangzugian when he was down, then have their announcers complain that "he was just trying to help the guy up and instead he headbutted his fist."
Why you got the kit: "for the memes."

by **Banija** » Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:38 pm

The Business of Sports by Dr. Fekadu- How does Banija consume the foreign versions of the Beautiful Game?

"Rain. Pourin. All my cars is foreign. All my broads is foreign" - 2 Chainz.

Hello! You may remember me as Dr. Sololeya Fekadu, the author of the Fekadu Financial Power Index, a Dean at Northern Moravica University, CFO of the Istria Olympic Host Committtee, etc... And now, I am back at you! While the Fekadu Financial Power Index remains retired(for now!), I am here to write about Banija's consumption of foreign sports leagues. In this globalized world, nothing happens on an island- and even though the S-FPL has asserted itself as an undisputed top 5 league in the multiverse, the demand for the sport in the country is insatiable. So while ratings are through the roof here for the S-FPL, there are still plenty of eyes around for some other leagues.

Biggest Foreign Leagues in Banija

For a long time, there have been four soccer leagues jockeying for position as the title of the second most popular sports league in Banija. Behind, of course, whatever the national league is at the time. They are, in no particular order- the Elven Premiership(Valanora), UHFA United League(Equestria & friends), the Q-League(Quebec & Shingoryeo), and the Republikaliga GmbH(Siovanija & Teusland). Some of you, especially those new to the country's business affairs, may ask yourself- why these 4?

It's a combination of league quality, history, cultural ties, and geography. We'll go through them one by one. Valanora has traditionally been the best league in the Glorious Southwest, and has held that position for a long time. That is reflected by Raynor City United traditionally establishing thier dominant selves. So, geography. Equestria is right next to them. Geography. Siovanija & Teusland has geography and history. We have a long history with S&T, so a natural target for the Republikaliga. And then, we have the Q-League. Not really geography, but the history. Former constitutional links between us and the Quebecois fostered cultural ties, and basically every Quebecois sports league is at least a little bit popular in this country.

Biggest Foreign Clubs in Banija

Now, of course, let's state the obvious- we aren't considering Farfadillis or Busogan clubs in this. We share a joint pyramid, so for these purposes they should pretty much be considered domestic. So what are the biggest foreign clubs in the country?

It's not an easy question to answer. But we'll give it a go. Raynor City United from Valanora is a good start. The biggest fish on this part of the map(the Glorious Southwest). It is natural soccer fans would have plenty of feelings about them, positive or negative, and so that is a good place to start. Them signing a pair of Banijan national teamers(Kuma Bultum & Madu Okparra) who would go on both to win the World Cup and win the Champions League with RCU, is mighty impressive.

We'll go onto the Nepharim Premiership. Who do we got from there? None other than AFC Corvistone, as well as AFC Treason and Brinemouth. Why those 3? Well, the last one can go without saying. By virtue of being probably the multiverse's biggest club, Brinemouth tends to have fans in almost every country. And Banija is no exception. Besides them, we have a pair of clubs whose Banijans helped launched them to success. AFC Treason are the home of Idai Uster, World Cup winning striker and a present starter for the Kadongo Kamu. AFC Corvistone as well, being the first Nephara team to sign a Banijan when they signed Chibuzo Afolayan.

St. John's Arsenal endures as the most popular Q-League club in Banija. Unfortunately for them, they just got relegated for the first time in over 12 decades- a stunning and sad turn of events. They will be a lot harder to find on TV post-relegation, so that may dent their popularity in country. But for now, St. John's Arsenal rule the roost. CSKA Quebec is a very large club, however, and they have plenty of fans in country.

Biggest Foreign Stars in Banija

There is a whole host of potential foreign stars. We're going to have to divide this into two lists- ones who have played in Banija and/or the S-FPL, and ones who have never plied their trade here. Here's a few, not in order, from the first category.

Most popular Foreign players who have played domestically in Banija
Aaron Aiza(EQS)- Herzegovina City FC
Kate Huitema-Omeasoo(QUE)- Istria City FC
Latona Basilisk(NPH)- Mâ Âlâmëómë
Xilit-Zaxac Yol(QUS)- Jinja City FC
Vatan Ercetin(TMR)- Jinja CIty FC
Meghan Walcott(CASS)- Herzegovina City FC
Ronald Mickel(VLD)- Kitara AA
Betanni Jetvanna(STB)- Kitara AA
Jason Þórhallursson (GRF) - Herzegovina City FC

It's not an exhaustive list. But a handful. You can extract what you want from this list. All of these players achieved big-time popularity within the country upon their moves here, and pretty much all have delivered on the hype. But nobody's really a surprise here. Aiza, many may not remember him now, but the Equestrian truly was the league's first ever foreign star.

Now, what about plays who have never played domestically in this country?

Most popular foreigners who never played domestically in the Shango-Fogoa Basin
Laborious Hawk(VAL)
Gentle Breeze(EQS)
Keira Andisori(CMT)
Thorsten Kramer(STL)
Emiliano Gallega(FFD)

And there you have it!

by **Nephara** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 1:52 am

Nephara wrote:
THE HERALD
CORMORANTS BEST XI: REVISITED
Geneva Schwarzer

It's been over a decade since the Herald's last attempt at an XI. It was, it seems in hindsight, somewhat premature. The national side was in something of a lull at the time, eager to cling onto past glories, and tehre was really one crowning glory above all to cling to; most of the players recognised were in the World Cup winning side of 74.

But now, we have the luxury of success, and more distinct eras of glory. We have more legitimate conflicts about to be sparked on Twii. Things are, in short, more interesting. Here, then, is Nephara's best-ever XI.

To be continued ...

HOLDING MIDFIELDER
Michael Brandon's career path says a lot about the parochial nature of Nepharan football as he emerged. There should probably have been a warning sign when he left Brinemouth at 20, not yet a senior squad player, for Directus, still a behemoth at the time. It took him a few years to unseat Lucia Oakwood, heroine of the Baptism of Fire... and he absolutely never looked back. Intelligent, cultured, but still with that familiar bite to every challenge, Brandon was never caught out at the back. Broadly considered to be a successful manager at the helm of the national team, too, though his tenure at Eura was more mixed... and his legacy in Nephara somewhat soured when he stole Monica Rowland away with him.
Honourable Mention Unlike Brandon, Tanith Rainsford played in an era where the Nepharan league was at (or at least among) the forefront of the international game. Never the fastest - like her most famous partner, Elaine Ashdown - Rainsford had the muscle to back herself up, but favoured instead the simple elegance of being in the right place at the right time, doing all the simple things, driving forward with unerring, decisive passes.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
Elaine Ashdown. Captain. Leader. Legend. All the cliches at once. Ashdown wasn't what anyone pictures in a Nepharan player; pace in particular was her only weak point. But she didn't, really, need it; instead, she relied on her uncanny game intelligence to always, always be in the right position at the right time. With the ball at her feet, she could dramatically raise the tempo of the game or kill it off entirely. A genuine artist, with a balletic poise on the move. The first midfielder to reach fifty goals for the national team, as well, but her best work was done around the centre of the pitch. While she started and, remarkably, finished out her career for her hometown Iron City, she played her best years in the LigAnaia's peak for Hastmead Diamante, and is one of the iconic players of that beautiful Roman candle of a league.
Honourable Mention Chimera Moxham will be absolutely filthy to miss out. After all, she might be the finest technical midfielder Nephara's ever had. She showed it early, too, taking a daring early career move to Schottia, then Cosumar. It paid off... for the most part, enjoying huge initial success in what turned out to be the dying days of the SPL, then the HaerlighetLigan. But she came back, clawing her way to Eura, a ship too big to fail, and found herself the X-Factor uniting the Cormorants. Her recall helped finally push the Cormorants across the line.

LEFT WINGER
It just has to be Rowena Strongbow. A breaker of glass ceilings, she was the first female player in Eura, and the first Nephar to be sent off in a World Cup final... and probably the first and only person from Cranequin most Nepharim can name. A player who matched elegance with force, had the capacity for an absolutely brutal strike with her left and a surprisingly deft right, and while she may never have been the most mercurial or unpredictable her game was all the better for it, as she'd always punch a way through... and track back on the other side. Has a shout at being the best winger of her generation; all she missed was the World Cup.
Honourable Mention Another LigAnaia player, Tanya Bottlegreen was incredibly fast and flexible, able to create danger from any area of the pitch, with either foot. An incisive, driving force, Bottlegreen is one of the few Nepharan wingers not to have been treated like a dirty towel-rag upon hitting 30, instead being entrusted as a key squad player and experienced head that survived Theresa Riether's clean-out and steadied the ship en route to the 74 win.

STRIKER
Kurtis Bastable was for years Nephara's absolute kingpin up front, a man who turned every chance to gold at his feet, with a relentless tournament mindset and nerves of steel under pressure. A curious figure, not tall but outrageously powerful with a low centre of gravity that could push players away, he helped the team with relentless hold-up play, and it was this we saw most of all in his last tournament, the last World Cup, in which he was trusted to break open the Ko-orenite bulwark. He might not have scored, but none of the bruised Dragonflies would say he didn't make an impact. His club form has been no less imperious; he's one of many to have found a natural home at the peak of the Goldleague, with Ulsa, including linking up with Gerhard Thunder.
Honourable Mention And many would put Thunder here, but we can't be bowed by sentimentality. Instead, Rook Cathar deserves recognition, sometimes a curiously underrated figure. Cathar played in the Polar Islandstates back when they were the peak of the world game, and while other contemporaries (such as Cheney Bittencourt) did not always smoothly hurdle the step up to the truly big leagues of the era, Cathar managed it. Cantankerous, mercurial, arrogant and brash, Cathar has mellowed-- well, settled-- perhaps, calcified into a more phlegmatic character with age, but the fury still lurks not far beneath the surface of the current Caza manager. Mostly, to look at him now, it's kind of difficult to remember how fast he was.

STRIKER
Curiously, Estrella Hawke probably was at no stage ever the best striker in the world... but for around a decade, she stayed doggedly in the conversation, all the while smashing in chance after chance in the green and black. Hawke was a player who relished international duty, though her excellence and consistency in Eura made her a hero there, too. Not the fastest or strongest, but athletic enough; had a famously heavy first touch, but an unerringly ruthless finish. She scored ninety-one goals for Nephara. You cannot leave her out.
Honourable Mention Another mercurial attacking player, and the first of such to be so associated with the number 21, Amokachi reached the top of Farfadilis with Ma Alameome - a club with a strong Nepharan connection through the years - and Cosumar with Eastweald, but arguably never quite hit the heights hoped of her. She'll have to be contented, then, with 'just' the 65 goals for Nephara, including the World Cup win where she rampaged up front for a freescoring side. A brilliant and unpredictable player, Amokachi saw herself as the 'philosopher-queen of Nephara', and has written seven books since retirement on a variety of subjects.

by **Turori** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:23 am

Most Popular Foreign Players in Turori

Capital Region: Eikr Lillehammer, Julius Miljeteig ::
The Legendary name of Eikr Lillehammer from the Polar Islandstates still commands respect throughout the Island Emirate. A Late bloomer within the Polarian system, Eikr Lillehammer was never even in contention for an u-21s berth in his youth, and had to back track as a trainee to find a first team role with the AFK Hans Island Pioneers. After impressing there, he moved to Aasiaat Harbour and quickly demonstrated their utility, becoming a first team regular not only there but with them but also on the Polar Islandstates National Team. Lillehammer attracted the attention of Turorian side Cednia Beach AFC and it would quickly become a perfect match. Lillehammer was named the Man of the Match in the World Cup 67 final where the Polar Islandstates defeated Audioslavia for their First World Cup title. Just like that, Cednia Beach AFC of Turori had a World Cup Winner in their starting lineup. Lillehammer would bring that success to the Beach as well leading the club to a Vilitan Cup title followed by the Season 51 Vilitan Stellar Division Championship as well as the UICA Globe Cup Title.

Lillehammer was the top goalscorer for Cednia Beach AFC for four seasons and holds club records for Most Assists in a Single Season, Most Star of the Match performances in a single season and the Highest Performance Rating by a single player over the course of a single season. With FC Almintora not typically in the mainstream discussion, Capital Region star athletes are typically dominated by players from the beach. One of the current stars of the era is Vanorian netminder Julius Miljeteig who has quickly gained the support of the locals since arriving in the Greater Turorian Capital Region and the #1 choice for kit purchases from Cednia Beach AFC for non Vilita & Turorian players. Turori fans will get to see Miljeteig playing against the Turori National Team at the Eagle's Club in Eelandii on Matchday 3 when Turori host the Marauders in the Eagle's Cup.

Mliona Region: Bonnie McGillivray, Ed Lorrey::

Over on Turori's offset Island, the majority of the sporting interests are driven by the Mliona-Lpaka AFC. While the club have never won the Vilitan League, they have multiple Vilitan Cup titles as well as the 67th UICA Champions Cup and 64th UICA Super Cup titles making them the first Turorian Club to win either competition. In recent years, however, there was an influx of Schottian influence within Mliona-Lpaka which included sponsorship and players from abroad moving in. The most famous was Ed Lorrey the superstar prospect goalkeeper who at just 19 years of age was a member of Schottia World Cup 79 Winning side. Lorrey came over to Mliona-Lpaka in a package deal with defender Bonnie McGillivray and the duo have played together for 8 seasons in Mliona. They helped the team back to the Vilitan Stellar Division by winning the Vilitan Declasse title in season 61 and while Mliona-Lpaka have struggled the duo remained committed to the club and fan favorites in the region.

 Turori [1] - [0] Zwangzug
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 11' Meldi'ita Mungwaii              		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 51%:: Shots: 7:: Corners: 9	Zwangzug 	:: Possession: 49%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 5
	Lineup:	[GK] Wiyauw An'maude, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Lulu Pumaziiri, [ML]  Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC]  Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [MC] Daliora Toru'u, [MR]  Kentu Umaka'a, [FC]  Lutara Makakio, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Kala'a Yuliizala			
	Bench:	[FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [M] Tulaki Rauogba, [U ] Wiztsana Iretziia, [D] Bvalis Amaanara, [GK] Timaala Hualtia

 Turori [3] - [1] Graintfjall
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 9' Nua'oma Aikiki:: 14' Turakia Diijelhma:: 64' Meldi'ita Mungwaii            		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 60%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 4	Graintfjall 	:: Possession: 40%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 4
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Moumouni Verre'elali, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [ML]  Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC]  Kinabo Telioa, [MC] Kentu Umaka'a, [MR]  Lati'ala Giaoka, [FC]  Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma			
	Bench:	[FC] Kala'a Yuliizala, [FC] Wiztsana Iretziia, [M] Friika Diirotora, [M] Naraiza Ruaplal, [U ] Lutara Makakio, [D] Lulu Pumaziiri, [GK] Timaala Hualtia

:: twii.tur ::

Of course, when discussing local Turorian companies involvement in international sport, no company even comes close to the level of engagement that twii.tur has. twii.tur's reach has spanned throughout nearly all nations and regions from Omerica to Baker Park, Banija to the Busoga Islands and all nations in between. twii.tur offers players, fans and media alike to interact, exchange information and share in the experience of sport together.

twii.tur is a short message communication service based in Turori allowing users to exchange content of 140 characters or less. The service originated as a way to allow officials to receive alerts and key information such as incoming weather notifications, major events and the ability to stay coordinated during a time of crisis but was under-utilized and doubts were raised as to whether the overhead of the infrastructure was worthwhile to maintain.

As capabilities of interconnected and handheld communication devices improved, the Turorian Weather & Information Interchange (Twii) was adapted into a public facing service where users could sign up to create their own twii nodes where users would sign up to a twii group to receive all the twii messages delivered by members of that group.

Ultimately, as demand grew, a fully public release of twii came at the connected location twii.tur where all users can participate in the public twii, selecting which messages to receive by adding individual users, groups or topics to their twii.tur feed.

In addition to their coverage of sport as a core business area, twii.tur often has a physical presence at sporting events with displays such as photo booths where fans can pretend to be a World Class Footsport player or strap in behind the wheel of a World Grand Prix racing machine and twii.tur representatives instantly post the image to the users twii.tur account. Guests often have the chance to spin a prize wheel to earn things such as Sunglasses, Socks, Pens and communication device grippers emblazoned with the Twii.tur Logo and lines to spin the prize wheels often out-size those for even the Cocoa-bo tents.

by **Krytenia** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:51 pm

QUIZ: Which O-League team should you support?

by **Graintfjall** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:55 pm

We've already taken a look at the most popular foreign players and clubs. There's been a bit of change - the "Timberlolves" sunk in popularity and Herzegovina City rose once Þórhallursson made his transfer; Holdenberg City's stock has risen with the acquisition of both Guttisdóttir and Heikkisdóttir; Pedro Roâ, Paan Kleveir, Nathaniel Auvergne and Çè Quîrîjá have all seen their shirt sales increase in the Queendom thanks to good GPL seasons. But not enough for a wholly new list, which would be mostly redundant.

Valanora – 0 (0)

Græntfjall – 0 (0)
Bergmundursdóttir; Vilbertsdóttir, Björnsdóttir, Vilmarsdóttir, Lúthersdóttir; Heikkisdóttir (71’), Guttisdóttir (60’ Hagalínsdóttir ), Miansdóttir (18’) (62’ Hólmarsdóttir (78’)), Mensdóttir; Dannysdóttir (80’ Álvgeirsdóttir ); Jonathansdóttir

Græntfjall – 1 (0)
Bergmundursdóttir; Vilbertsdóttir, Björnsdóttir, Audunsdóttir (88’), Lúthersdóttir; Kristoffersdóttir (53’), Guttisdóttir (90+2’ Heikkisdóttir ), Miansdóttir, Mensdóttir; Dannysdóttir (31’) (62’ Allansdóttir ); Jonathansdóttir (78’ Aðalsteinnsdóttir (84’))

Turori – 3 (2)

by **Chromatika** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:54 pm

A Look at Foreign Players/Clubs Chromatiks Favor
By: Jordan Lawless

Now that Chromatik Club Football is entering its sixteenth season, let us take a look at those clubs that Chromatiks root for in other leagues, and those foreign players that have gained a following in the nation.

The Zenith/Nepharim Premiership: Starling, Sabrefell Athletic, Sabrefell Moths, Brimemouth, Coret Hawks, Aries Chariots, Chatswood

Starling needs no introduction - the place where Keira Andisori and Lisa Amos plied their craft for years, it was the first big-name club that Chromatiks followed with the only reason being because a Chromatik played for them. There were many years that the club did well in the then-Nepharim Premiership as well as the UICA. Unfortunately, time is the master of all, and both Keira and Lisa are away from the team, now. There are no Chromatiks on the roster, but it's a name that some follow to this day, with some others having moved to AFC Corvistone already.

Sabrefell Athletic became the club that fans of Erika Morningstar flocked to, with the right back being there for most of the best years of her career. Sabrefell Moths have become more of note due to Kateryna Zuniga playing there - she is the heir-apparent to Enigma Armageddon. If you're being extremely nostalgic, you can look back at Coret Hawks as the place where Chromatik football made a huge step - Gabriella Antonio having played there with the keeper that ended up being her husband. Brinemouth once had both Alyss Montague and Jazmin Dragana on the squad at once, Aries Chariots has been the home of one Rowena Sierra for years - the Chromatik who should be a model has a lot of followers on social media, and finally, Nova Williams fans have stuck by Chatswood for ages while hoping that she would move elsewhere.

Many, many other Chromatiks have played for Zenith/Nepharim clubs, but here are some of the more notable ones.

Harlighet Ligen's Glory Days

Real Azuris had Sandra Sybill for years, helping her come into her own and almost giving her the Assistant Manager slot before the League went down. Eastweald was where Valence Ilya's career began. AC Holmenkollen was the place that Chromatik defenders went to cut their teeth. Our neighbors were a place that Chromatiks felt safe and seen at, and it's a shame that Cosumar is no longer a place to play football.

The Golden Standard - Eura

It took a while for Euran clubs to start getting interested in Chromatiks, which was reciprocated by Chromatiks not being interested in the EuraLeague for a long time. Now, though? Holdenberg will always hold a soft spot in Chromatik hearts for giving Henri de Aea a chance; Falourr still has a following with Chromatiks with Kaytlyn Victoriane, Keira Andisori, and Haley Hauser being there; Bastion is the home of Olimpia Vidal, the first Chromatik to break one of the Big Five. Oakstone is home to Ferret Tioux, the other keeper that could end up being the new Chromatik #1.

The Audioslavian Influence

The Audioslav National League has increasingly gained Chromatik fans through the years. Cazadores Cathair is the name to remember, with Olimpia Vidal starting his career there before the switch to Bastion; now, Caza is the home for Juxon Fillar, while 1860 Cathair - that 1860 Cathair - has both Baillaire Fillar and Grayson Fillar on their roster. The joke is that Edith will join them in Audioslavia before long.

Other Leagues

Energija Chernovets has a major following after their recent success, Chromatik captain Enigma Armageddon playing for the squad in the Republikliga; in the A-League, Northern Union is king due to Valence Ilya's presence with some fans still being drawn to Kingsgrove for Mia Ria or Rozelle for the Beaunia Andisori ties. In the S-FPL, Kitara AA has gained a huge boost due to Aleksandr Ivanovich's presence and their acquisition of one Vasiiy Marten Kuznetsov, though there are those who will have a round of drinks every season Mynda Electric does not get relegated, Daniel Lucas having spent a lot of time there. In the Vanorian Premiership, Raynor City United and Hondo FC reign supreme, while Galatica and Stein-los Turkish are followed in the SuperLiga of Pasarga.

FK Torpedo Pawlograd is the most-watched club in Savojarna, Bikarish in Poafmersia, Metropolis Alligators in Valladares, La Nueva Avenida in Farfadillis, Molding in Graintfjall, Montreal Koreana in Quebec, Walstreim Lions in South Newlandia, Avanaroch White Wings FC in Tikariot, and Jaglan Royals in the Squornshelan Remnant States. Also, may Lammerton and the Schottic League rest in peace.

Chromatiks as a whole are willing to check out leagues in other nations as long as a Chromatik is playing in a squad or used to be on the squad.

About Foreign Players

In order for a foreign player to be famous in Chromatika, they have to be either very good, or be very good in the Red League. Here are some of the most famous:

Laborious Hawk needs no introduction. The Vanorian legend continues to lead on by example and brilliance.

Other famous players that Chromatiks particularly enjoyed following were Rowena Strongbow and Elaine Ashdown of Nephara. All-in-all, Chromatiks tend to gravitate toward success.

In the Red League, the most famous players are Lainey Wadsworth of Baker Park, Mario Kogler of Siovanija and Teusland, Enrico Hanson-Conavacio of Quebec and Schottia, and
Chantel Kalevi of Nephara - though she's gone to the SuperLiga now. Others that have a surprising following are Cilistro Bugarin of Ko-oren that just left Felswyr, Catheline Anastiasaidis of Nephara, and Amalie Nergård of Valanora. Some of the young players that Chromatiks like in the Red League are Karoline Wellenbrink of Valanora, Marko Zup of Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, and Wan Sheping of Yuezhou.

The Red League has a lot of fun players from abroad to watch. Let us see what kind of drama they'll contribute to in the sixth season of the Rainbow League System.

World Cup 81/82/83/84

Broadcasting the Sport

Until recent times, the National League and the Commonwealth National Team appeared on television screens in this country via either of the two largest networks or on cable. The success of the NT and of players moving to foreign leagues has raised the number of hours of soccer shown each week dramatically.

Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has the longest history in the sport, having begun showing matches from 1963; they aired several live FAC Cup matches per season, including the Final in addition to a weekly league highlights program on Saturdays at 10pm called CBC Soccer Night. By 1970, they began a Match of the Week package, showing a live NL contest 12 times per season. National Team matches were shown in a next day, extended highlights form starting in 1966, with the first live broadcast of a home match coming in 1976, after which there were 2 home matches per year between 1977-1983, and all four home fixtures in 1984. In 1985, the first live telecast of an away match aired (from 1976, the extended highlights were replaced with tape delayed full coverage from foreign countries) and in 1986 the entire NT season was presented live, an exclusivity that CBC held until 2002.

On National Television Service, the country's second largest over the air network, the rights to the National League Cup was the start of NTS's coverage in 1974, which expanded 2 years later into package of live NL matches on Friday nights, and later Sunday afternoons. NTS also began showing the FAC Shield playoff semi-finals and final and in 1983, began televising the Women's FAC Cup from the quarterfinals through to the Final.

BPTV, the third largest network had a headstart on NTS, having been given its own package of FAC Cup fixtures in 1971, and the the rights to the FAC Trophy in 1972; over the years these opportunities have expanded, including the highlight/roundup show for both and between 1989-1999 an exclusive deal to show 30 matches per season from the Conference.

CommSport, a part of the Commnet Cable empire, got their foot into the soccer broadcasting door with the first national package for the Women's National League in 1996; they also televised the women's NT from 1999, first home matches only then finally all fixtures after 2007.
They have expanded into co-broadcaster with CBC for the NL Championship & 2nd Division, as well as the NT; with two platforms (CS1/CS2), they have more than enough airtime to show several matches per week. In addition, they have the rights to IFCF action and a 'Match of the Day' package from the Chromatik Red League.

The nation's much maligned fourth commercial broadcaster, Nationwide TV & Entertainment (TVE), has gotten an unexpected boost from finally wading into the televised sports pool; they have seen weekend viewing numbers triple since they began showing the Nepharim Premiership (now Zenith League) three seasons ago, and picked up an additional foreign rights deal to show the BSL, now Banija's second tier.

Other foreign leagues that have significant television audiences in the Commonwealth are Shango-Fogoa Premier League, the top flight combination of Banija & Farfadillis along with the Busoga Islands which BPTV airs, and Eura's First Division, despite the disadvantage of an unfavorable time difference, a staple of overnight programming on CBC's second channel.

Players rarely transcend the teams they play for in Baker Park, a truth across the entire spectrum of professional sport here; Jamari Bozeman, the recently retired, future NT legend who plays at Southend AC, would be a major celebrity superstar in nearly every other nation in the multiverse, covered by the media, a household face from advertising. In the Commonwealth he's hailed for his brilliance on the pitch and the part he plays for club & country, but he is also understood to be a person who has a life away from the sport, and is entitled to have privacy and consideration. Yes there are posters of famous players sold in club stores and elsewhere that youngsters hang on their bedroom walls, but the machinery of personality building is primitive by most standards in Baker Park.

People here know, admire and respect players from other nations, can tell you facts and numbers about those players. Since World Cup 84, there are more & more people who are seen wearing shirts of overseas clubs and other nations than previously; many are of the clubs where BPNT players currently are starring—Anomalies FC, MTK Kingsville, Jinja City, Aries Chariot, to name just a few—and still more are from some of the best known clubs in the sport right now—Directus, 1830 Cathair, Raynor City United, Brinemouth—who've become familiar through the previously mentioned TV coverage.

Surely at the very top of the list, if one were to take a survey of the best known and/or most popular overseas player in Baker Park today, is the Schottian Corrine Martel-Burns, who plays for the previously mentioned Directus. At the dawn of the NS Era in Baker Park, she was the best known player on the best national team in the world; it seems a bit of a inexplicable mentality that in a nation where celebrity athletes barely exist that people would be drawn to the textbook definition of an individual superstar with a celebrity (notorious?) public image.

Being contradictory in our national character is kind of our brand.

by **Eagles Club** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:22 pm

And the cutoff for Matchdays 3/4 of Eagle's Cup X!

Considering today's events in RL in the sport, I am playing the only appropriate cutoff song for this day.

MD5/6 Prompt: Location, Location, Location. Some nations have certain parts of their country that are seen as hotbeds for developing top-tier young talent. What cities and regions produce the most top-tier football talent in your country, and/or a disporportionately high amount of professional football talent relative to the population? Does your nation supplement that homegrown via aggressive recruitment of dual-nationals? If so, where do those dual-nationals come from? Graphic Bonus: Imagery of cities/regions, or symbols of those cities/regions, such as flags or maps or whatever else.

Eagle's Club Group

Matchday 3
Zwangzug 0–2 Græntfjall
Turori 4–1 Valanora

Matchday 4
Græntfjall 0–0 Valanora
Turori 0–1 Zwangzug

Eagle's Club Group        Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Turori                   4   3  0  1    8   3  +5    9
2 Græntfjall               4   1  2  1    3   3   0    5
3 Valanora                 4   1  2  1    3   4  −1    5
4 Zwangzug                 4   1  0  3    1   5  −4    3

Eagle's Select Group

Matchday 3
Omerica 0–0 Ko-oren
Chromatika 1–0 Krytenia

Matchday 4
Ko-oren 1–3 Krytenia
Chromatika 0–1 Omerica

Eagle's Select Group      Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Omerica                  4   1  3  0    2   1  +1    6
2 Krytenia                 4   1  2  1    5   4  +1    5
3 Ko-oren                  4   1  2  1    3   4  −1    5
4 Chromatika               4   1  1  2    1   2  −1    4

Champions Group

Matchday 3
Eura 0–1 Banija
Treekidistan 0–5 Nephara

Matchday 4
Banija 1–1 Nephara
Treekidistan 6–1 Eura

Champions Group           Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nephara                  4   3  1  0   12   1 +11   10
2 Treekidistan             4   3  0  1   13   7  +6    9
3 Banija                   4   1  1  2    3   8  −5    4
4 Eura                     4   0  0  4    1  13 −12    0

Confederations Group

Matchday 3
Nova Anglicana AZoE 0–6 Tequilo
Cassadaigua 3–1 Baker Park

Matchday 4
Tequilo 4–2 Baker Park
Cassadaigua 5–1 Nova Anglicana AZoE

Confederations Group      Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tequilo                  4   4  0  0   18   3 +15   12
2 Cassadaigua              4   3  0  1   14   5  +9    9
3 Nova Anglicana AZoE      4   1  0  3    7  16  −9    3
4 Baker Park               4   0  0  4    3  18 −15    0

by **Krytenia** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:10 pm

The Hotbeds Of Krytenian Football

GREATER AVIDIA: Home of the Avides

Avidia, the oldest and second largest city in Krytenia, has always been football-mad. Over the last century or so, though, the sheer number of players coming through the professional ranks from the city has skyrocketed. Part of this has been through the influx of Hispanic workers, drawn to the city with the promise of jobs constructing and staffing the city's then-new metro system. The Hispanic community now makes up over 30% of the city's population, and Hispanic Krytenians now carry the soubriquet Avides with pride, no matter where in the country they were from. These workers and their families were football mad, and this meant more and more players looking to make it at the city's two big clubs. The increase was so drastic, that a third professional club, CF Avides, was founded. To this day, CFA has a policy of only signing Avides or ethnically Hispanic players to the first team squad.

NORTH BEKKSIDE: Of Stevedores and Smelters

Like Avidia, the North Bekkside region, which makes up the greater portion of the state of Beck, is staunchly working class. Osteria used to be the beating heart of the coal industry, but when the nation switched largely to nuclear power, the bottom fell out of the market. What could have ended up turning the city into a ghost town, however, ended up being a well-timed opportunity. The steel industry was burgeoning, mainly thanks to a trade deal that led to an influx of low-priced, good-quality Sarzonian iron into the country. Osteria rebuilt itself on the back of steel, and local club Casuals became almost overloaded with the sons of steelworkers with skills to burn.
Further north, the building of a second major port on the Beck (yes, Krytenians spell it with a -ck. Deal with it) in what had been the backwater town of Beckton led to the city becoming the beating heart of the northern freight supply chain almost overnight. This, of course, meant an influx of new families drawn to the city to gain employment in the docks, which meant a healthy pool of young talent for Beckton Supermarine, at the time a mediocre second tier club. Nowadays, both clubs are twoards the business end of the Prem, based largely on being able to nurture talent into their respective sides.

STANTON COASTAL: The Conveyor Belt

Stanton is a decently large city, it's true, but it's a slightly wider net that Stanton Town tends to cast. Past Mercers Bridge to the west, and southwards almost to the outer suburbs of Bradwell, north-east Abbia Mersa state is Dockers country. There's a good reason for this; Stanton have, since time immemorial, been a team that has invested heavily in their academy. This is the club, after all, that has produced a staggering amount of Krytenian internationals for its size and finances. That core belief, that it is the youngsters that are the foundation to build the team on, also serves to attract talented teenagers from further afield, learning from some of the beat youth coaches the nation has to offer. Just ask Emberton-born Cormac O'Neill, who has in recent years become the fulcrum of the national team, who honed his skill under the guidance of Stanton's coaching staff.

BUCHINIA: The Southern Star

The former province of Buchinia, now just a part of the state of Central Mercia, has long been a factory of footballers. It helps that the University of Ousevale, Krytenia's largest higher education facility, has a tradition of offering scholarships to prominent young sportspeople, allowing them to learn whilst providing the facilities and support to nurture their sporting talents. Indeed, it's surprising that Ousevale Borough are the only team in the region to regularly make their presence felt in the top flight. There again, UO-schooled players do have a tendency to show up at clubs across the three Mercian states, so Buchinia Academicals, Ousevale Juniors, Foxchester Rovers, Aylesford, and Wick may lose out, but it's to the benefit of more far-flung clubs like Leston Town, Dereapolis City, Bromham City and Ashton Olympic. Mercia Bromham tend to miss out on general principle, mind.

by **Graintfjall** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:36 pm

Græntfjall to head to the polls this summer as polls point to chaos

Queen Júlíana has dissolved the Thing for the fourth time in as many years, but this time no hasty coalition deal will be cobbled together to preserve the government: a general election has been called, with the political situation as uncertain as it has been at any time since independence. A snap poll conducted by polling firm QuantumWotsits shows the National Democratic Front with a shock, though narrow, lead over the Left-slate, and catastrophe for traditional powerbrokers the Liberal-Conservatives, who are at risk of falling under the Brot threshold for full representation in the Thing. Incumbent Prime Minister David Austmannsson’s Blue-Greens would fall to third place, their worst result in two decades, if the snap poll results held up.

“It’s far too early for such polls to be meaningful predictors,” cautions psephologist Óðný Sigfinnsdóttir of the University of Waltenberg. “Traditionally they overstate support for protest parties, and we see support narrow and build behind more well known entities as the campaign develops.” She acknowledged, however, that the rise of the NDF was ‘unprecedented’. Græntfjall is not an easy country to poll, she suggested, having had only about 30 years of free, open, multi-party elections from which to draw samples. “In truth, we don’t know quite what ‘normal conditions’ are for Græntfjaller democracy – though these certainly don’t seem like normal conditions.”

NDF leader Sigjón Þjóðbjörnsson said he looked forward to a “robust campaign concentrating on the issues that matter: crime, immigration, and the economy”. His decision to target the economy as a key messaging area is an interesting one, given the NDF have consistently polled far below the major parties on economic issues. “He has no choice,” suggests veteran political commentator Þjóðann Ástvinsson. “The economy is always the top issue at elections, and while the NDF are way ahead of the other parties on crime and immigration, he can’t just rely on those issues or when the economic questions crop up he will lose credibility.” Polling from last year suggest that the NDF’s tough approach to crime and staunch anti-immigration line are far more popular with the general public than the more moderate positions of other major parties, while Left-slate enjoy a lead on public services such as healthcare and education.

For the Left-slate, the elections offer distinct unknowns, with possibilities ranging from formation of a strong government while the right wing vote splinters, to electoral annihilation at the hands of a populist phalanx usurping their economic stances while outflanking them on social issues. It could also be the last election for Zóphonías Juliusson, the former prime minister and current Leader of the Opposition who has survived two leadership challenges but would be unable to retain confidence if he lost another election. The playwright and campaigner said only that the election was “long overdue”, but is expected to deliver a major campaign speech outlining the Left-slate’s priorities next week.

The Blue-Greens also face a desperately uncertain future. Ongoing corruption allegations have steadily drained support from Austmannsson, with thinning majorities causing ever tougher political calculations. He will point to major successes on tax reform, pension reform and welfare reform – the latter requiring a temporary political alliance with the NDF – and to the development of the GANAX Cosmodrome (a project begun under the previous Left-slate administration). He has however been unable to secure the large defense spending boost he has sought and been frustrated on industrial policy. Austmannsson, the ‘Snow Fox’ of Græntfjaller politics, has been seen as a reformer taking the party in a more centrist direction, but may now be forced to tack right to stave off the threat of losing votes to the NDF.

Among the smaller parties, Kaija Michaelsdóttir remains a confusing presence, polling consistently higher than any other party leader, but unable to bring her party with her. Since leaving government the Progressive Liberals have become an increasingly fringe presence on the political scene, dividing over minor culture wars issues while failing to restate a coherent identity. The Liberal-Conservatives, once the dominant party of the Thing, are a shell of themselves and suffered badly from their image as fiscal hawks during the current government. The Catholic Democrats, similarly falling in support, are likely to tumble to minor party status at this election, and there are suggestions the electoral reforms introduced during this parliament may mean the end to the election of the ‘Independents’ - former communists who evade the ban on the party by running as nominal independents.

Election 23 will shape the future of the country in a way no election has since independence. Whatever the outcome, the Thing will look very different once all votes are counted. The road to that day is lined with many traps and pitfalls. And for the victor, the ‘prize’ of what looks set to be an almost impossible coalition. This may be the first election in five years, but it is unlikely to be the last.

Also in the paper:

NEWS: Final government bill slashes agriculture subsidies
BUSINESS: KFC shares tumble as Verdean President pushes through reform bill
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Reports of police opening fire on protestors in Jabal Akhdar
ENVIRONMENT: Hottest summer on record predicted
SPORT: Snow She-Wolves hold on for lifeless draw against Marauders

Zwangzug – 0 (0)

Græntfjall – 2 (1)
Hárlaugsdóttir; Vilbertsdóttir, Björnsdóttir (24’), Audunsdóttir, Lúthersdóttir (44’ Philipsdóttir ); Kristoffersdóttir (54’), Guttisdóttir (90’ Vilmarsdóttir ), Álvgeirsdóttir, Miansdóttir, Hólmarsdóttir (10’); Dannysdóttir (75’ Jonathansdóttir )

Græntfjall – 0 (0)
Hárlaugsdóttir; Vilbertsdóttir, Björnsdóttir (83’ Hagalínsdóttir ), Audunsdóttir, Philipsdóttir (73’ Vilmarsdóttir ); Heikkisdóttir, Guttisdóttir (88’ Aðalsteinnsdóttir ), Kristoffersdóttir, Mensdóttir; Dannysdóttir; Jonathansdóttir

Valanora – 0 (0)

by **Tequilo** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 12:17 am

TRACE & TRACK SPECIAL
THE TEQUILO ALL-STARS XI

Parts 9 & 10: THE PUEZAN STATE ALL-STARS

Rumour has it, there is going to be trouble in Puezan state soon - the decline in the quality of football, and footballers, produced there in recent times is startling, and the feisty organisers of the State Championship are looking for someone to blame. Right now, Liga-TQ is a big fat well-appointed sitting duck. But what's this, a semi-political rant about all-conquering centralism, or a look back on some of the greatest players in Tequilo?

There was a time when it seemed like all of the greatest players in Tequilo were coming out of the south-west, from Puezan state and especially from the three great rival cities of Iragartze, Ibaeta and Iparra. You have Sporta and Urbo from Ibaeta; Nómada and Aliantza from Iparra; Unuiĝinta, Demokrito and of course the mighty CF Frantxizko-A from Iragartze. In several different eras through the history of Tequiloan football, these seven clubs could easily have fitted out a national team between them, had such a thing existed back in the old days. In Nómada Club, you had the biggest and most successful youth system anywhere in the Wide Enness Ocean, which still today has hundreds of young players on their books. Unuiĝinta: the oldest team in Puezan, founding father of the state championship system, second winner of the Copa Tequilo after another Puezano team, Polibio. And - until the recent renaissance of Pitxi-Pitxi 77 up north - CFFA, Los Oros, The Golds... who for much of history had been the most successful club in the country, and still have more Copa titles than any other team. I could go on. And on.

Sixty years ago, two players - one at CFFA and one at Unuiĝinta - spent a decade as the widely accepted competitors for the GOAT label (Greatest of All Tequilo); they were great rivals on the field, and best of friends off of it... eventually. Not without a few incidents along the way, mind. Bazkoare 'Bazûka' Bartuy, creative attacking midfielder for The Golds who regularly outscored the forwards ahead of him, against Bova Urruticoechea, the Unuiĝinta defensive midfielder who's job was to break up offensive play and win the turnovers, the lead role in one of the finest counter-attacking teams of that or any era. Bazûka versus Bova. It had a ring to it.

Both won three titles through a decade of rivalry. There were scraps on the field of play. Blood was drawn, red cards happened. Fighting in the stands was echoed on the pitch. Once, they were hauled before the Puezan FA to explain themselves, and were it not for their fabulous contributions to the match-play, they may have had more than just "a ticking off". What startled the board of blazers, who had laid out a room at the FA chambers with barriers and guards between, with truncheons and an angry-looking Tequiloan Bison-Terrier on hand, was how chummy the two footballing legends were. They were great mates, infact. Later, they would be godfathers to each other's kids (Bova's son Horazio had a modest football career and is now a decent manager, with his father's team Unuiĝinta), dual vacationeers, mutual business interests.

Speaking of which, their small chain of sports bars across the Three Cities continue to thrive: if you've ever been to Iragartze, Ibaeta or Iparra, no doubt you'll have been directed by your Lonely Multiverse travel guide to check out the local Cow & Cannon (local: Bova y Bazûka), always an attraction thanks to their interesting blend of stylish and modern LigaTQ-friendly screen technology and impressively comprehensive collections of sports memorabilia. It's enough to get the locals going on again about how, in the old days, only in Puezan state do they - did they - know how to make truly great footballers.

ANOTHER WHOPPER
NOVA ANGLICANA AZoE 0-6 TEQUILO HT: 0-3

Location: @ unidentified location, somewhere in Rutupiae city, one assumes
Attendance: Two passing buzzards, with melancholic cries on the thin air
Scorers: Pedro Rôa 18' 33' 52' Ricardo Bailén 43' Tlacolotl 46' Niño Pinto 73'
Assists: Ostando Bertendona 33' Pedro Rôa 43' 46' Niño Pinto 52' Ixtub Tün 73'
Booked: Emmanuel París
Sent Off: -
Tequilo Line-Up: (4-1-3-2) Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, Emmanuel París, Tol Chicote, Huracan (sub: Diogo Junco 80') | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto (sub: Çenturion 61'), Ricardo Bailén (sub: Tsttnauayui 81') | Tlacolotl, Pedro Rôa
Player of the Match: Pedro Rôa (Tequilo)

BAKER'S DOUBLE
TEQUILO 4-2 COMMOMWEALTH OF BAKER PARK HT: 2-1

Location: @ Estadio Nacional, Ciudad de Pitxi, Tapalupé, Tequilo
Attendance: 81,810
Scorers: Ricardo Bailén 2' 29' Niño Pinto 69' Tlacolotl 82'
Assists: Huracan 2' Pedro Rôa 29' Tlacolotl 69' Ixtub Tün 82'
Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Tequilo Line-Up: (4-1-3-2) Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, Emmanuel París, Tol Chicote, Huracan (sub: Diogo Junco 38') | Ixtub Tün (sub: Lorenzo Pero 88') | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Pedro Rôa (sub: Milan Lucio 65')
Player of the Match: Ixtub Tün (Tequilo)

TEQUILO STAT SUMMARY
Competition goals: Ricardo Bailén (6) Tlacolotl (5) Pedro Rôa (3) Xaime Medal, Niño Pinto (2)
Competition assists: Pedro Rôa (3) Niño Pinto, Ixtub Tün (2) Alexandro Calvoecheaga, José Tavia, Tlacolotl, Xaime Medal, Ricardo Bailén, Ostando Bertendona, Huracan (1)
Competition PoMs: Ixtub Tün (2) Tlacolotl, Pedro Rôa (1)
Competition cards: Milan Lucio (2 yellows, 1 red) Alexandro Calvoecheaga (1 red) Tlacolotl, Tepin Mecatl-Rubió, Emmanuel París (1 yellow)

RECORDS WATCH
* Ten consecutive victories from the IAC through the first four games of the Eagles Cup is a new NT record, surpassing a previous of six in a row.
* Thirteen consecutive games unbeaten is a new national team record.
* Noxochinoch needs three more caps to reach a half century, and would become the seventh player to do so for the Tequilo NT.
* Oscar Bienvenida (86) and Tlacolotl (84) continue to battle for the most caps - the next nearest is Ixtub Tün (71).
* Tlacolotl continues to add to his NT goalscoring record (57) - the next nearest is Niño Pinto (20). He has also added to his player of the match awards record (15), Niño Pinto being the nearest with 10.
* Niño Pinto (20) surpasses Mateo Tafalla to move to all-time second top scorer.
* Potential national team debut in this tournament - Sanço (21), the leftback from Benemérito.
* Alexandro Calvoecheaga's sending off means he could, if he gets another, become the first player to earn three red cards for the national team.
* Tlacolotl and Ricardo Bailén could both become first player to score in five consecutive internationals for Tequilo if they do so away to Cassadiagua.

Confirmed Line-Up for TEQUILO @ Cassadaigua
@ unidentified location, somewhere in Cassadaigua
(4-1-3-2)
Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia, Tol Chicote, Diogo Junco | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Alexandro Calvoecheaga

Unavailable: Huracan (injured)

Probable Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Nova Anglicana de Esportiva
@ Estadio Nacional, Ciudad de Pitxi, Tapalupé, Tequilo
(4-1-3-2)
Oscar Bienvenida | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia, Tol Chicote, Diogo Junco | Ixtub Tün | Jaïr Iscla, Çenturion, Tsttnauayui | Pedro rôa, Milan Lucio

Unavailable: Huracan (injured)

by **Turori** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 1:36 am

Where the Talent Comes From: A Look Around Turori

The Island Emirate of Turori has four main zones as part of is primary inhabited areas. The majority of Turori's Population resides on the south eastern portion of Turori's main Island. This includes the Capital City of Almintora, the surrounding capital region including Cednia and the purpose built sportropolis of Eelandii as well as on the Northern shore the city of Kionao. While Almintora is still the largest city in the Island Emirate, Cednia and its associate Beach life at the southern tip of Turori's main Island have become one of its most popular for entertainment as well as holiday style tourism. Outside of this, the large portion of Turori's remaining population are in the Mliona region of Turori's smaller Island, where folks who want to be detached from the hustle bustle of the Capital City life tend to reside.

Directly between Almintora and Cednia Beach sits Eelandii, a purpose built "Sportropolis" built midway between Turori's two largest cities, Almintora and Cednia. Eelandii itself is not a town or a city but a purpose-designated that initially consisting of just Eel's park - itself a state of the art sporting complex for football and athletics, the campus at Eelandii was quickly expanded to include the offices of the Football Association of Turori and a permanent training facility for the Turori National Team. 90% of Turori's Top Tier international talent spends time at the Eelandii Academy at some point in their development.

In the North Western portion of the Main Island, lies the Inura Forest and the lands of the ancient tribes of the Inurahtii as well as the outpost style city of Waridi. The majority of Turorian food cultivation and livestock also reside in the region though any industrial size farming has slowly been outsourced to select regions of the Cocoabo Forest Protective Zone.

The Cocoabo Forest is a Cocoabo Preserve built on Calanian lands formerly held in trust by the Atlantian Oceania Regional Defense Organization (AORDO). Cocoabo Park is the publicly accessible portion of the Cocoabo Forest, itself a joint venture between the Cocoabo Preservation Society, Tropicorp and the Island Emirate of Turori to Preserve, Study, Highlight and in some cases improve the existence and appreciation of Turori's Native Cocoabo.

While the Cocoabo Forest itself is a vast land where Cocoabo flocks are allowed to roam free, at Cocoabo Park visitors from around the multiverse are treated to intimate tours, close encounters and educational experiences all with the Cocoabo at the center. With limited on site lodging and a fully equipped village at the entrance area to the Park, visitors could spend days at Cocoabo Park without even venturing on one of the Park's tours into its different Cocoabo training enclosures or even further into the Cocoabo Forest.

In addition to the commercially driven aspect of the Park, and as a critical part of the relationship with the Cocoabo Preservation Society, the Park also serves as a hub for the team of Scientists and Researchers from both the Cocoabo Preservation Society and Tropicorp many of whom reside full time at the park. While the Cocoabo Preservation Society led efforts are more focused on passive studying and preservation, the Tropicorp team lead the CEEP - the Cocoabo Enrichment & Enhancement Project out of the Park. Beyond just researching and understanding the Cocoabo Genome, the CEEP team are tasked with focused training and enrichment activities to hyper-focus Cocoabo to hone their talents and skills and bring them to the forefront.

Turori's National Cocoabo Squad can trace its origins to the CEEP project at Cocoabo Park and are still based and trained out of Cocoabo Park when not on the road representing Turori in competition. While the Cocoabo Squad are currently mostly seen in action in competing in the Tropicorp Lower League and in Exhibition Matches at Cocoabo Park, they also compete for Team Tropicorp in the regional AOCAF Competition. Select Cocoabo still get called to the Turori National Team such as goalkeeper Cocoabo #86 in a reserve capacity. While the Cocoabo have won some entertaining matches, they came closest to success during the 69th Cup of Harmony where they seemed destined to increas Turori's all-time Cup of Harmony victory count to five. Instead, however, the Cocoabo were defeated on penalty kicks 3-2 in the Semi Finals by eventual champions Qasden and would go on instead to claim 3rd place in the tournament.

 Turori [4] - [1] Valanora
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 11' Meldi'ita Mungwaii:: 71' Cuoabaza Orani’aoa:: 88' Cuoabaza Orani’aoa:: 91' Lati'ala Giaoka           		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 53%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 4	Valanora 	:: Possession: 47%:: Shots: 2:: Corners: 5
	Lineup:	[GK] Timaala Hualtia, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.] Moumouni Verre'elali, [ML]  Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MC] Daliora Toru'u, [MR]  Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [FC]  Lutara Makakio, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii			
	Bench:	[FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [FC] Kala'a Yuliizala, [M] Naraiza Ruaplal, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [U ] Wiztsana Iretziia, [D] Lulu Pumaziiri, [GK] Wiyauw An'maude

 Turori [0] - [1] Zwangzug
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	               		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 48%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 0	Zwangzug 	:: Possession: 52%:: Shots: 5:: Corners: 12
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Lulu Pumaziiri, [ML]  Kinabo Telioa, [MC]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MC] Daliora Toru'u, [MC]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR]  Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Lutara Makakio			
	Bench:	[FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [M] Friika Diirotora, [U ] Wiztsana Iretziia, [D] Moumouni Verre'elali, [GK] Timaala Hualtia

by **Chromatika** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 10:39 am

Chromatik Talent: Where Does It Come From?

With sixteen years of a Domestic League having gone by and participation in World Cups 73 through 81 and 83 through 87, there has now been enough data accumulated through the years to notice some trends in Chromatik football. Where does the talent come from? What regions have better infrastructure?

Let us take a look, but before we do that, there is one thing we have to go over: Demographics.

The Demographic Factor

When Chromatika first came into being, the Chromatik Party liked to separate people into different groups of like people. This meant sticking all the ones that spoke one language to one city, another language to another, etc. Though efforts have been made to counteract that in the recent years, this act of forcing like people into communities has had a severe impact in Chromatik demographics.

Most Chromatiks who have a French or Italian last name hail from the Myana and Urrhed Islands, as well as other non-Eastern European, non-East Asian names. Eastern European sounding names hail from the Western half of the main Chromatik island, while the Eastern half has a lot of the East Asian named towns (the major exception is Cheonju in the Heartland District, which, despite being in the West, has a sizable Korean-speaking population).

The Capital District has become more and more of a melting pot over the years as people come to the center of the country to have better opportunities in life.

Myana - The Blue Island Academy (Red Island)

Myana has really taken football to heart. If you have an aspiring footballer under the age of fifteen, the Blue Island Academy located in Myana proper is the way to go. Funded by the Islanders, the Tide, and United (the three biggest clubs in the Islands), Blue Island Academy aspires to get players to a level where they can join the numerous U-18 clubs or a high school equivalent. Though there is also the Chromia School for Football Youngsters, The Blue Island Academy is truly the place to be.

Felswyr - The Place of Defenders (Purple){

The Mountain District, and Felswyr in particular, has been the place where defenders cut their teeth for a long time. Felswyr, Wirr Tsi, and Urrheddiao pride themselves in being the three clubs in the league that focus the most in the defensive side of the ball, and Felswyr has historically had the most success (though Wirr Tsi is waiting for their moment to shine). Players from the Mountain District look up to the Frost's way of doing things, especially for those who prefer to play to protect the goal.

Lhor - The Place of Flair (Green)

In the Coastal District, Lhor is the place to be for an aspiring footballer - especially those with a playmaking persuasion. Lhor has been the home of many a Chromatik playmaker's youth days, and deserves some recognition.

The Capital District Factory (Pink)

Truth be told, all roads lead to Chromia. It's where the best high schools are located, it's where the most prolific clubs are located, it's where the best universities are at. Though it isn't known whether the talent originates from Chromia (statistics show that a lot of Chromatik youth that play football hail from Deprí, Capital, and the Islands), it's where the talent gets inundated with instruction to become the next people that the CFF can rely on.

The CCFA

A lot of Chromatik players come through the CCFA - the Chromatik Collegiate Football Association. It is the place where 19 to 22 year old players get to distinguish themselves. The ones that prevail make it to the list to go abroad, while others get to be placed in the Red League.

Really, Chromatik talent is still developing. It'll be interesting to see how it changes as time goes on.

by **Nova Anglican Admin Zone of Esportiva** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 12:00 pm

Youth football in Nova Anglicana

In lieu of discussing regions of the country that are prolific with footballing talent (uhh, the major cities, I guess?), let's take a look at youth football in Nova Anglicana.

Age 3-5

This is where most young footballers get their start, at an age before the nuances of strategy like "spread out" and "don't all run towards the ball at once" or "seriously, kids, you can't all dribble the ball at the same time" set in. At this age, it's mostly about getting acclimated to being on a field with other children, running about, and developing an appreciation for orange slices. Most towns have recreational leagues, where the coaches are volunteers, the score doesn't matter, and the main goal is "please, just get my screaming child out of the house and make them someone else's problem twice a week".

Age 6-9

If your child has decided that, in fact, running about on a pitch is the sort of thing they're interested in, then they move on to slightly more interesting football. At this age, it remains not an eleven-a-side game, but more often ranges from six to eight, depending on age. Again, because of the number of children on the pitch to the number of children overall (a very large ratio, that), there need to be quite a lot of teams, so they are organised in local areas and volunteer coaches are required. At this age, children learn things like proper passing form, how to control the ball better on touches, the basics of playing in a formation, and that the score does matter to some people at this age, yes, it matters a lot, especially to Sarah's dad, who's working himself up into quite a lather over the score, he is.

If your child shows a natural aptitude for football (or you've hired your local semiprofessional NANFC player to coach your child to supplement his meager wages), then they might want to join the exciting world of club football, featuring such enticements as competition!, driving your child several towns over!, arguing with other parents about whose child deserves more playing time!, and arguing with your spouse over the exorbitant fees charged by the club!. Club football is the first step on a long road to (pick your destination): your child's career as a professional footballer, your child earning a scholarship to play at a prestigious university, your child building a well-rounded profile to gain entrance to said prestigious university as a not-footballer, or more likely than any one of these, burnout by yourself and a Sunday league kickabout career for your child.

Age 10-13

At this point, the wheat has been separated from the chaff, and the only children still playing football are the ones who like it, the ones who are good enough, the ones who are both, and the ones whose parents are aggressively railroading their life path. At around age 10, players graduate to full eleven-a-side football and training and games pick up from twice a week to three to five times a week. When players reach this age, recreational football largely stops becoming an option, and competitive football becomes all there is.

At this age, almost all players play for their local junior high team. Of course, there are varying ability levels, which means the children who have been playing club football or whose parents are wealthy enough for them to receive private coaching naturally earn the starting spots on the team. That is, until their club match or practice conflicts with their junior high game, which leaves the teacher-coach scrambling to put together a lineup from kids they'd previously ignored because they were dreaming about fielding a club football team in junior high.

Club football matches and tournaments become more and more of a commitment at this age. Practice is three times a week, and there's either a game on Saturday or a tournament to go to over the whole weekend and pretty soon the schedule begins to fill up. Jennifer's got football practice and Tommy's got a band recital and Suzie's got a playdate and before you know it, you're eating supper in shifts and you're lucky if you see your spouse at all before bed. You also get players that start to be dropped from club teams, because while they were good enough at age ten, by age twelve, they've simply fallen too far behind and we can't carry them anymore because, you see, someone else just moved to town and they're brilliant, and oh, do stop crying, they can always play for the other, less prestigious club team, or even *chokes back vomit*, the junior high team.

Professional clubs are forbidden from signing players to youth contracts before age fourteen, but that doesn't mean there won't be scouts hanging around club football competitions and parents aggressively hawking their children to scouts (or people that parents simply think are scouts) like they're whatever the newest multilevel marketing craze is.

Age 14-16

At ages fourteen through sixteen, children graduate junior high and move on to senior high. You might be thinking that senior high coaches have the toughest job in youth football, because all of the best players are going to sign with professional teams and play with their academy, and then the ones that haven't been signed yet will continue to play with the better club teams, and you're going to have to make do with the ones that played with the second-rate club teams or the ones who didn't play club football at all in junior high. Fear not, because for every player that signs with a professional team, two players are told they're not good enough to continue playing at the upper echelon of the club level. Those players know their way around a pitch, so you'll be all right. And then you do get the occasional sensible parent who won't let their talented teenage child sign away their lives to a football club who signs four or so players for every one that eventually makes it to at least one game on the U19 Academy Division side and believes in them having an education as well as playing football.

Club football at this point really is the second tier, after professional football, and there are plenty of solid players here. They're the ones hustling for a university scholarship, since they're likely to compete against players who have been dropped from the professional sides for those slots. There are a number of well-regarded clubs, such as Halifax Shamrocks, Pointe-Noire Stars, The Battery, Reversing Rapids FC, AFC West Royalty, Yarmouth Athletic Club, Sydney United, and Truro Border Reivers.

Professional teams can't actually pull you out of school and stick you in a football factory until you're older than sixteen, but the academy programs do offer nutritional assistance, private transport instead of parents driving, and some of the best coaching in Nova Anglicana. Typically, an academy program maintains three sides: U16, U18, and U19. U16 is for players still in senior high school at this point.

Age 17-19

At ages 17-19, reality sets in. Either you make it to the U19 team, which is the "official" youth team for the professional sides, earn a university scholarship, latch on with a Third Division or semi-professional NANFC team, or move on to adult Sunday leagues. At age 17, you're eligible to leave school and reside full-time at your academy program, which will ensure that you earn a facsimile of a senior high school degree. It's pretty much all football, all the time. Players who play for a professional team but choose not to reside at the academy are typically relegated to second-string. Most players at this age play for the U18 side, though some very talented players can join the official U19 side at age 17.

All club and professional teams are eligible for the Academy Cup, which is a feeder for the IFCF Rising Stars Cup and the premier youth football competition. The Sovereign and Yeoman Division academy sides qualify automatically, while six slots are given out to club teams through a nationwide competition. Third Division teams do not currently have academy programs. Winning the Academy Cup and having a chance to play in the Rising Stars Cup is considered a prime experience for young footballers. Players on the U19 side do earn a small stipend for playing, and they get free room and board at the academy, though quality of course varies.

Naturally, there are a lot of broken dreams here. But if it's any consolation, parents do tend to be the ones with shattered expectations; Nova Anglican youth footballers are pretty clear-eyed about their chances once they hit age 14. If not, the constant grind and attrition drives it home for them by 16 or so. But there's always hockey!

by **Ko-oren** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:38 pm

In today's edition of "hey, this map is just a population density map!" we'll look at some of the sporting hotbeds of Ko-oren. Different sports are played in different regions, but soccer is king - you can find clubs everywhere and talent is about equally likely to come from anywhere. That said, there are some areas where soccer is just a tad more 'present' than in others.

1) Santa Teresa
There are just 12 clubs in the Top League - and even in the years when there was no promotion to (or relegation from) the division - two of them were from Santa Teresa. The city tries to balance a healthy (or even dominant) position in rugby league and baseball as well, which does strain the city's resources, but the reason they've always kept this up is the harbour and naval bases in the area. Athletic youngsters keep being brought in, stay around for work, and occasionally try out for local sports clubs. Especially Miradela GD has thrived on this. Branvon CD, the other club in the city, derives its status from the lower class neighbourhoods that have always been there, but Miradela GD is more of an upper class club, not above bringing in strangers from everywhere around Ko-oren just to keep the club up. And it paid off: Miradela GD has won multiple championships in a row, while Branvon CD were at risk of being the first club to relegate once that was finally instated.

2) Leeshire
The second region that keeps the machine going by feeding it fresh blood is Leeshire, a region to Greencaster's west. They only had the Top League club of Maynard there, a club notorious for finishing 12th out of 12 in three consecutive seasons - and only when relegation became an option, they put it together, somewhat, and they have avoided going down ever since. They're a selling club, as they're in a very densely populated area with very little competition from other soccer clubs, and so they've monopolised the youth systems of all cities in the area, from Maynard, to Aubury, to Ansonville, and the low-lying areas in between. With the ascent of Strongfair to the second division and narrowly missing promotion to the Top League, and also seeing that Belmore FC, Brighthaven Town, and Grainshire United have moved up to the third division, is finally turning the region into a soccer powerhouse. It's a question of time before we'll see the second team from the region in the Top League, and we're lucky if they stop there. It's just interesting that a region so associated with sucking managed to turn it around so quickly.

3) Etena
Now here's a recent one. Etena, one of the eastern islands, always looked westward to the island of Alara to see a prime example of a well-ran club: a vision, a front office with enough know-how, and a stable factor in the Top League. Etena never had much of a sports scene - that said, there's a professional baseball and rugby league team there - and its best footballers just left for Alara as soon as they could, or to Katashi-Kanatsu down south to chase slightly more money. Without anyone really realising it, the island of Etena is about to eclipse its western neighbours by having two clubs in the second division: Fukushira Guerilla and Teragaseki. The latter have been a force at that level for a while, and have managed to keep talent on the island for its sake, but that Fukushira would ever play a meaningful role at all was something nobody dared to see coming. Let's hope for their sake that they can keep it going, but it's noticeable that the island of Etena has supplied a downright odd amount of players to other cities' teams.

Now, to be fair, every region has a claim to fame when it comes to football. Cote Austral has given us some brilliant midfielders, from our current creative mind behind the strikers Longchambon to Tanques AOÉ's title-winning five-man centre line, with three out of five born and raised not more than half an hour from the stadium. Alara (of 'stealing Etenan players fame') gave us some prolific attackers - Advance Alara being pretty much the only all-out attack team in the league. Defenders come from everywhere, but there's something in the water in Intermare and Sudaefjoll, for the clubs of Straudum and Schemerdrecht SVV have consistently developed unassailable back lines, sold the best individuals to clubs in Audioslavia, Darmen, and more, and then just replaced the hole with a new 18-year-old that isn't visibly worse than the previous guy. It's easier to say where you won't find decent players instead.

1) Mawryshire
They play cricket and rugby union, and want everyone to forget that Mawryshire exists. They just want to be left alone, unless one of their teams is really good, and then everybody will have to know all about it.

2) Greencaster
There was a population density joke earlier, but this is serious. The nation's largest city, housing nearly 8% of Ko-orenites, has no large club to speak of, in the first, second, or even third divisions. Among the top 48 clubs, none are from Greencaster... as in, Sydberg is in the second division, but they're only part of Greencaster in the political sense. The vast majority of Greencastrians enjoy the sport, but can't get sponsors and manpower ready to make it happen. Instead, they're enjoying their dominance in gridiron, cricket, and rugby union, as well as several individual sports that we'll hear about during the Olympics.

by **Zwangzug** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 5:35 pm

Dear Editor,

My name is Amitabh Mehta. I live in Guariday. My "local team" is Namiri Forest. [Editor's note: this is meaningful to Zwangzug fans; foreign readers might wish to see here for information about Namiri--though most of this is compiled from old sources rather than new material.] I wanted to write in response to your "kit survey" study. Because of where I live, you might guess that my favorite foreign teams are La Nueva Avenida because they have Paige Daunten and some crazy ecologists. Or maybe Blue Mountain Range, because they play defense. Or maybe Indusse, because we have a similar culture to the India region.

The truth is, it's none of them. But I actually do follow foreign players from the Nepharan Zenith and the Vanorian Premiership and the Audioslavian National League. I follow them on my computer, where my friends and I argue over who's the superior Galactico and which video games simulate them most accurately. I think Ball****ger 10000 is pretty amusing for how low-res it is, but I wouldn't trust it to have very accurate models of player skill. On the other hand, something like Spreadsheet Simulator Six has a lot of verisimilitude, but the controls are terrible and there aren't clear win conditions.

You may think we're nerdy, and we are, but that's just what I like to do for fun. The truth is, I don't have a "rooting interest" in Brinemouth vs. Starling or Pomorie vs. Marzig or Cathair vs. Otro Cathair, nor do I pretend to. I'm from Zwangzug, land of the 1./ franchise system. No matter how terrible Forest are, they'll stay in the major league, because it's the major one. The odds of me having disposable income, time, and carbon captures to travel to Atlantian Oceania to watch those clubs play in person any time soon is very small. The odds of me being able to watch on TV are higher, but considering our time zone and the lack of legitimate broadcasting rights here, not super high. (Obviously I am not advocating illegal activity or hacking, but I'm just saying, some of my fellow youth may be slightly opportunistic when it comes to football.)

Why am I telling you all this? Because sometimes, football fights become flashpoints for fights that are not about football--money, power, cohesion and diffusion. And/or the classic "who can out-cynic everybody else." Sometimes when changes come--the rebranding of the Zenith, the fusion of the Shango-Fogoa Premier League--there's dismissal of "oh this is just for the money/the foreign broadcast rights/not the true fans" and counter-dismissal of "and you think football's never been about money?" etc. The truth is, there are at least as many ways to be a true fan as there are nations in the world, and that's a number that fluctuates significantly. For every tinkering with top division size in a pyramid, there's another league that silently vanishes from the IFCF coëfficients. I'm not saying truth is in the eye of the beholder, but you can't expect everyone to have the same notion of a "local team" when their locality wasn't here last month and might not be here next month!

Anyway, this is all just to say that I don't have a voice in what other leagues do, nor should I. I'm not seeing the Real, Authentic, Grassroots stuff, just the pixels abstracted on a screen across the world. But for me, and for lots of people like me, that matters.

Best,
Amitabh

P.S. You probably wonder how I feel about the Eagles' Cup. The truth is, I do think there is some risk of burnout--not because of fixture congestion, but because of fixture repetition. There's only so many times we can lose to Valanora and Turori! Fortunately, I'm happy that this tournament is giving us the chance to do new and exciting things, like losing to Græntfjall!

(Blum 26)

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