Copa Rushmori 38 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

by **Mytanija** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 6:18 am

Sign-Up Thread - Host Bid - Copa Rushmori 37

Welcome to the 38th edition of the Copa Rushmori in Mytanija. The FSM is honoured to be bringing the region's most prestigious tournament to the country for the second time and is looking forward to showcasing the country to the rest of the region.

GROUP DRAW

GROUP A
East Neutralia (UR)
Mytanija (8)
Kalosia (38)
Tikariot (13)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Stadion Cassia, Cassia), 2 vs 3 (Radnika, Esca)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Stadion Cassia, Cassia), 1 vs 2 (Novi Atletskistadion, Thessia)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Stadion Prizren, Prizren), 3 vs 1 (Stadion Cassia, Cassia)

GROUP B
Cabo Azure (UR)
Oberour Ar Moro (21)
Cassadaigua (2)
Valladares (11)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Olujastadion, Ebor), 2 vs 3 (Arka Park, Snezhnaya)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Olujastadion, Ebor), 1 vs 2 (Arka Park, Snezhnaya)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Olujastadion, Ebor), 3 vs 1 (Arka Park, Snezhnaya)

GROUP C
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland (UR)
Astograth (15)
Nephara (1)
Gatchingerrak Union (UR)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Miagostadion, Miago), 2 vs 3 (Psenicova, Decraa)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Miagostadion, Miago), 1 vs 2 (Psenicova, Decraa)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Miagostadion, Miago), 3 vs 1 (Psenicova, Decraa)

GROUP D
The Askari Union (34)
Norrhem (UR)
Eura (4)
Southwest Eastnorth (19)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Novi Kaunostadion, Thessia), 2 vs 3 (Gradski Stadion, Ibon)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Novi Kaunostadion, Thessia), 1 vs 2 (Gradski Stadion, Ibon)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Novi Kaunostadion, Thessia), 3 vs 1 (Gradski Stadion, Ibon)

GROUP E
Savojarna (3)
Darmen (16)
Bollonich (UR)
San Ortelio (28)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Stadion Yolanda Savic, Thessia), 2 vs 3 (Novi Zavej Park, Arsika)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Radnika, Esca), 1 vs 2 (Novi Zavej Park, Arsika)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Radnika, Esca), 3 vs 1 (Novi Zavej Park, Arsika)

GROUP F
San Isidro Labrador (UR)
Yuezhou (9)
Eastfield Lodge (20)
Hispinas (7)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Kotrba, Esca), 2 vs 3 (Utcastadion, Stratenberg)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Kotrba, Esca), 1 vs 2 (Utcastadion, Stratenberg)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Kotrba, Esca), 3 vs 1 (Utcastadion, Stratenberg)

GROUP G
Pasarga (5)
Græntfjall (10)
Bollonischian Maribaya (UR)
Ancharmunn (33)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Novi Atletskistadion, Thessia), 2 vs 3 (Sokolovny, Esca)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Stadion Yolanda Savic, Thessia), 1 vs 2 (Sokolovny, Esca)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Novi Atletskistadion, Thessia), 3 vs 1 (Sokolovny, Esca)

GROUP H
Pridnestrovia (17) [Trans-Dniesters]
Sargossa (6)
Nyowani Kitara (25)
Txakhaxi (UR)

Venues:
MD1 - 1 vs 4 (Stadion Prizren, Prizren), 2 vs 3 (Ribar, Trunca)
MD2 - 4 vs 3 (Stadion Prizren, Prizren), 1 vs 2 (Ribar, Trunca)
MD3 - 2 vs 4 (Stadion Yolanda Savic, Thessia), 3 vs 1 (Ribar, Trunca)

SCHEDULE
7th July: Group draw
10th July: Group stage MD1 - 1 v 4; 2 v 3
12th July: Group stage MD2 - 4 v 3; 1 v 2
14th July: Group stage MD3 - 2 v 4; 3 v 1
16th July: Second Round - A1 v B2; C1 v D2; B1 v A2; D1 v C2; E1 v F2; G1 v H2; F1 v E2; H1 v G2
18th July: Quarter finals - SR1 v SR2; SR3 v SR4; SR5 v SR6; SR7 v SR8
20th July: Semi-finals - QF1 v QF2; QF3 v QF4
21st July: 3rd/4th place play-off - Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
22nd July: Copa Rushmori 38 final - Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Cut-offs will come between 21:00-22:00 BST.

This is the place to post all rosters and role-plays for this tournament. In your roster post please include the ever useful RP permissions box to let your opponents know what you're okay with them doing in their post-match RPs:

RP PERMISSIONS
If my opponent role-plays first they may:
Choose my goalscorers: Y/N
Godmod scoring events: Y/N
RP injuries to my players: Y/N
Godmod injuries to my players: Y/N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y/N
Hand out red cards to my players: Y/N
Godmod other events: Y/N

You may also include a style modifier between -5 (most defensive) and +5 (most attacking) which reflects your national team's style of football.

During the Copa Rushmori Gazeta Sporta will be collating nominees for a Team of the Tournament. The shortlist for this will be released following the semi-final stage of the tournament and there will be an interactive element where each user can select an eleven from the shortlisted players. The votes will then be tallied to create the Team of the Tournament, Gazeta Sporta (ie. me) will cast deciding votes in the event of any ties. Gazeta Sporta will also decide a Golden Ball winner for the tournament's best player from the final Team of the Tournament. Results for this will be released at the same time as the final scorination following the two day voting period after the semi-final stage of the competition. More information about the logistics of voting will be released with the scorination of the semi-final.

The two posts following this shall include a travel guide for supporters that wish to make the journey to Mytanija to support their team during the Copa Rushmori and a stadium/host city guide. The travel guide will cover a little bit of history as well as provide general information about Mytanija's geography and climate; transport links; and society and culture. The stadium/host city guide will provide more specific information about each host city and the stadiums the teams will be competing at.

Happy posting!

by **Mytanija** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 6:19 am

MYTANIJA TRAVEL GUIDE

Welcome to the 38th Copa Rushmori in Mytanija! The FSM and government are delighted to be able to bring the tournament back to the country for the second time and hope to showcase Mytanija's development in the best light as the country continues its recovery from the Mytanar Conflict. Ana Mecava-Catic's government have invested in large-scale infrastructure projects to improve Mytanija's stadiums, their surrounding areas and transport links countrywide in the build-up to the tournament. This has resulted in an atmosphere of general optimism about Mytanija's future, as well as the national team's chances of success whilst playing on home soil during this tournament. This travel guide will provide a general overview of Mytanija's history; geography and climate; transport; and society and culture.

The last 100 years of Mytanija's history have been pretty tumultuous, with war and revolution characterising the country's experience over that period. Mytanija has run the full gamut of political arrangements, moving from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy to totalitarian dictatorship and then back to democracy again. At the start of those 100 years Mytanija was ruled by the Kombarov family, absolute monarchs that had united all of Mytanija's regions under their rule through conquest and subjugation. The Mytanar people were poor and essentially lived under what was a feudal system if they didn't live in one of Mytanija's larger cities. Eventually people tired of this situation and political theorists sprung up in Mytanar cities and began to agitate and organise for greater land and employment rights. Their ideas, propagated by the likes of Juri Tolic and Alex Util, spread across the country and created a more politically aware populace which increasingly leaned towards socialist ideas. The House of Kombarov refused to listen to the people's demands (and even the advice of prominent members of the ruling class), resulting in civil disobedience and rioting. The army and police attempted to quell the unrest but this quickly failed and the country found itself in the midst of a revolution. Attempts at establishing a constitutional monarchy came a little too late as hardliners took control, resulting in retribution against the ruling classes and the execution of those Kombarovs which hadn't fled the country.

Tolic and Util really came to the forefront of the country's politics in the aftermath of the revolution. Tolic was a member of the more hard-line faction, promoting policies such as a rapid industrialisation, a totalitarian state, collectivisation of agriculture and class-based violence and purges of those members of the former ruling classes which hadn't left Mytanija. Tolic rose to the position of Premier and whilst some of his policies were popular due to the improved standard of living they helped to create, people eventually tired of the authoritarian side of his regime. Alex Util was part of the more liberal socialist wing of the revolution and his debates with Tolic became the stuff of legend. As Tolic lost support of the government and people, support for Util rose and when Tolic mimicked the Kombarovs in ordering the military to crush dissent in various cities around the government Util moved against him. Tolic was killed by an unknown assassin and Util swept into power. His regime was more pragmatic, promoting a more open and transparent government and restructuring both politics and the economy to allow greater participation of the Mytanar people. Private actors became involved in the Mytanar economy and democratic elections were held for the first time. Alex Util is widely regarded as a Mytanar political hero, although he is maligned by some for being involved in both the revolution overthrowing the Kombarovs and the deposal of Tolic by some dependent on their political views (particularly in Zentria due to Tolic being Zentrian; but also by royalists across Zentria, Magevskaya, Nasto and Avnalia, although these are few in number).

The first democratic elections in Mytanija were won by Radnika, the big-tent centre-left party which was created in the wake of Util's premiership. Predrag Pamic became the first democratic leader of the country and held power for 15 years or three whole terms, before retiring from the political scene. Pamic oversaw years of unprecedented economic growth and opened Mytanija up to investment from abroad for the first time. He was also active in foreign policy, defending the rights of ethnic Mytanars in Pobedyvika against Citiz oppression. Pamic is regarded as another political hero in Mytanija and is one of few that is held in high regard in almost every Mytanar region due to the success he had. Mytanija emerged from his premiership with a much stronger economy, but his departure from the political scene left a vacuum of power at the top of Mytanar politics. Politicians struggled to follow Pamic and increasingly this resulted in ethnically divisive rhetoric as politicians looked to appeal for support in their home regions. The sort of thing which had largely been unimportant under socialism and when times were good under Pamic. This created the environment for the ambitious Natella Kalinina to lead a military coup, with her rule likened to a cross between the Kombarov's absolute monarchy and aspects of Tolic's socialism (for those the regime deemed deserving). Kalinina - a Zentrian born Magev - played upon the fears of the Zentrian Orthodox population of Mytanija, particularly strong in Zentria, Magevskaya, parts of Vojovitica, Nasto and Avnalia. This allowed her to implement discriminatory policies against those she and her followers considered undesirable, resulting in forced labour camps and planned famines in the regions of Thessia, Visoravna and Rauchnya.

Kalinina's rule was soon met with violent resistance from the ethnic groups/regions which were hit hardest by her policies, heralding the start of the Mytanar Conflict. Thessia and Visoravna were targets of her regime because they are more religiously diverse than the rest of the country, with Catholic, Jewish and Islamic communities all living side-by-side; whilst the devoutly Catholic Rauchnya had been a traditional subject of persecution due to their fierce resistance to attempts to establish the Zentrian Orthodox Church in the region. Kalinina was a strong proponent of the Zentrian Orthodox religious tradition and responded to resistance by establishing concentration camps to intern those who regime identified as undesirable. This included Thessians, Visoravs and Rauchiks, but also extended to left-wing academics and activists, the LGBT+ community and gypsies and millions died at the hands of Kalinina's regime during the Mytanar Conflict because of both combat and ethnic/social cleansing. Events in Mytanija didn't go unnoticed across Rushmore and eventually Euran intervention - combined with the efforts of the Otpor (Mytanar resistance) on the ground - resulted in the overthrow of the Kalinina regime. Kalinina fled to Sargossa and was eventually caught by Otpor agents, notably Elita Ryzaev, and extradited to Eura to face a court due to crimes against humanity for the genocidal policies she had enacted during the Mytanar Conflict. Many in Zentria, Magevskaya, parts of Vojovitica and Nasto and Avnalia supported her rule which has made the reconciliation process so difficult.

Following the Mytanar Conflict a provisional government was established to try and get the country back on its feet following Kalinina's rule. This was a largely technocratic body led by Bruno Petric and their remit was to organise the rebuilding of the country following the Mytanar Conflict. Euran economic support helped in this and allowed the repair of old infrastructure as well as the construction of some new pieces too. The rule of the provisional government ended when Petric called democratic elections with the desire for a return to 'normal' politics growing across the country. This election resulted in an unexpected victory for left-wing populist party Jedinstvo and greens Ekologija. The pair went into coalition after performing extremely well in comparison to the old parties (both the conservative MNK and centre-left Radnika), with Jedinstvo leader Ana Mecava-Catic being made Premier. That brings us up to the present day, with Mecava-Catic's government continuing with the investment in infrastructure started by the provisional government as well as attempting to nationalise healthcare in the country. Hosting the Copa Rushmori is seen as an opportunity to demonstrate the country's recovery from the Mytanar Conflict and attempt to show the country in a better light to the region after issues with football violence in the past.

Given the proliferation of modern air travel, getting to Mytanija should be relatively easy for the Copa Rushmori. The vast majority of international flights will arrive in either Esca International Airport or Thessia Alex Util Airport, although it is likely that most major Rushmori cities will also have the odd flight to Prizren International each week also. Put simply, flying to Mytanija is straightforward and will be the main method for supporters to travel to the tournament.

Once landed, onward travel from the major airports may be necessary and this can be done by domestic air travel. Tickets for domestic air travel can be purchased online with a number of operators.

Tickets tend to be relatively expensive, particularly when compared to the price of rail fares for example. Planes used for domestic flights will tend to be quite old and cramped, but flight times will be quick (~0.5-2hrs) and domestic flights are the recommended method of travel for supporters trying to get from the major airports in Esca, Thessia and Prizren to games in Arsika given the favourable journey time compared to the identical route(s) on the rail network.

For most supporters the primary method of travel will be by train. Železnice Mytanija (Mytanar Rail, whose logo can be seen to the right, all stations will have a large sign outside featuring the logo and the station name), is the state-owned rail company that operates the rail network within the country. Tickets are generally cheap and quite flexible and the trains operate regularly, with major routes often running services every 30-45 minutes. The trains are modern and major routes are all high-speed, benefiting from the enormous investment in the country's transport infrastructure during the provisional government and under Ana Mecava-Catic. Rail stations in Mytanija tend to be quite ostentatious with grand entrances and works of art and murals lining the walls, a relic of the Tolic, Util and Kalinina regimes. The stations boast many amenities including bars and restaurants and are generally kept clean and in good working order. Here are some journey times as a guide:

Esca-Thessia: 2hr30min; Esca-Miago: 2hr; Esca-Decraa: 1hr45min; Esca-Prizren: 2hr30min; Esca-Trunca: 2hr; Esca-Arsika: 6hr

Thessia-Ibon: 45min; Thessia-Cassia: 1hr45min; Thessia-Ebor: 2hr30min; Thessia-Decraa: 1hr30min; Thessia-Miago: 1hr45min; Thessia-Prizren: 2hr45min

Ebor-Snezhnaya: 1hr45min

Prizren-Miago: 1hr; Prizren-Decraa: 1hr15min

Some fans might choose to take domestic flights to get to matches in Arsika and domestic flights or ferry travel are the only way to reach matches in Stratenberg. Some may choose to hire private vehicles (cars and coaches), in order to do this the driver must present their national driver's licence and a foreign driver permit to the rental company. This permit can be obtained online and simply confirms that the driver has been tested to the standard required by the Mytanar driving test. Mytanija has a reciprocal recognition arrangement with many Rushmori countries for this, so it is not particularly prohibitive. Private vehicles may be convenient supporters which plan to be in Mytanija for multiple matches or the entire tournament and will suit supporters' clubs/groups which plan to arrive to matches in a large group. Mytanar Autoput (ie. motorways/interstate highways) roads are not the best outside routes between major cities (eg. Esca-Thessia, Esca-Prizren, Thessia-Prizren). Driving is a good way to see the natural beauty of Mytanija, though, so for travellers for whom time is not prohibitive it could be a great way to travel around the country. It should be noted that traffic in Mytanija drives on the left and almost all vehicles in the country will possess manual transmission gearboxes, will run on petrol or diesel and tend to be older models than many travellers may be used to.

Historically Mytanars have felt a greater attachment to their local region than to Mytanija as a whole, although this is slowly changing with the nation's relatively young population beginning to demonstrate the opposite feeling according to polls conducted by Prizren's Kavka University. This regionalism is reflected in the proliferation of regional languages, with each having their own. These are largely mutually intelligible, with a rough translation in Zentrian, Thessian and Vojovitican giving you a similar result in any of the other two. Visoravs and Rauchiks speak their own languages but these are also mutually intelligible. In Nasto they speak Avnali, a language which spread across Mytanija's southern islands from the trio of islands known as Avnalia. In Magevskaya they speak Magev and this is probably the most unusual of the Mytanar languages, although may bear some resemblance to what some call Russian. Usually Mytanars in Visoravna and Rauchnya will understand Thessian due to their proximity to Thessia, with those in Nasto and Avnalia having a good understanding of Zentrian due to the cultural closeness between those regions. Mytanars are increasingly able to speak Azertienne and English too.

Despite being officially secular religion is important in Mytanija with many being proud of their beliefs and fiercely devout, particularly in rural areas. The Zentrian Orthodox branch of Christianity is most popular in Zentria, Magevskaya and Nasto and Avnalia; with some reach in certain parts of Vojovitica. Catholicism is more popular in Thessia, Vojovitica, Visoravna and Rauchnya. Thessia is the most religiously diverse region, with thriving Islamic and Jewish communities living alongside Catholics. The Great Mosque and Avdivedjic Synagogue in the city of Thessia are the biggest Islamic and Jewish places of worship in Mytanija. There is a large Jewish community in Prizren too. Mytanar Muslims tend to wear shaylas or hijabs if they wear any head coverings at all. Increasingly Mytanar young people describe themselves as irreligious or atheist.

Mytanija is currently a fairly liberal, economically centre-left nation. There is an ongoing peace and reconciliation process following the Mytanar Conflict and although regional tension is at a relatively low level it can spark up occasionally. It is legal to drink alcohol aged 16 and cannabis is legal and commonly seen. There is no smoking ban in public areas, which perhaps makes it no surprise that Mytanija's number one health issue is an extremely high incidence of respiratory disease. Purchasing firearms is theoretically difficult due to strict gun laws, but due to how recently the Mytanar Conflict was there is a thriving black market with all sorts of weaponry available depending on who you know. Discriminatory language based on ethnicity/regional identity/religion is dealt with harshly by law given how recently the Mytanar Conflict was, but it will still be common to hear certain slurs among older generations. There are some growing Black communities in Mytanija's large cities, generally made-up of Ketioulais, Djocorangan or Mwembamban migrants. Mytanar cities are accepting of these communities, although there is occasional colour-based racism in more rural locales and among those with right-wing beliefs (including some football teams' ultras groups).

Mytanija's music scene is dominated by Otskok, characterised by its repetitive electronic beats and occasional spoken word lyrics it is regarded as a mixture between old and new and can be heard thumping in many Mytanar inner-city neighbourhoods. There is also a thriving indie scene with guitar bands fronted by waifish singers extremely popular, the likes of The Aurora, Aquamarine and The Pink Skies have historically done well across Rushmore. In terms of the arts and literature there are many reputable Mytanars that have been enormously skilled in both areas: artists include Akavov, Etcepin, Jovac-Savic and Zlaticanin and their works can be seen at galleries all over the country. There have been many wondrous Mytanar wordsmiths down the years, the most well known is perhaps Dorde Arsic, the creator of the seminal Laertiades a story about the day-in-the-life of a number of protagonists who lived in Thessia, there is also Evgeny Pivec, the dystopian novelist, as well as modern writer Anastasija Darkovic, known for her feminist allegories. Mytanar cuisine is rich and varied given the quality of soil available in some parts of the country. There is reliance on sheep and goats in Thessia meaning lamb and mutton are popular; those in coastal areas of Visoravna, Rauchnya and Nasto enjoy excellent seafood; whilst in Avnalia there is a heavily vegetable-based diet. There is increasing choice in Mytanar cities with the proliferation of international restaurants and you would be as likely to find restaurants preparing pizzas, poutine or kraken as you would traditional Mytanar stews, baklava or burek.

by **Mytanija** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 6:20 am

HOST CITY GUIDE

This guide should provide more information about each host city and the stadiums the teams will be playing at. The stadium list provides a simple overview of what each stadium is called, the city it is based in and the larger region that this city is in. Teams and supporters are advised to consult this list first, before then looking under the appropriate region tab/s to find more specific detail about the host city/cities and stadium/s they will be attending.

Stadiums sorted by region

EBOR

Ebor is a city of around 2 million people located on the far north coast of Mytanija, in the region of Visoravna. Ebor experiences a warmer climate than most of the country, with hot, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. There are some outstanding beaches located nearby, Ebor has experienced something of a tourist boom in the years since the Mytanar Conflict, with holidaymakers from around Rushmore visiting to take advantage of the beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Perhaps the most iconic thing about the city is its white, terracotta-roofed buildings, built for the sunny conditions the city experiences during summer. Ebor has an important port, with many large ships docking to transport goods to and from the city. It was an important city in the resistance against Kalinina's forces during the Mytanar Conflict, too, with many considering it to be the first place that the Otpor were able to rally and begin to turn the tide of the Conflict against the dictator.

Notable attractions: Marjan Cathedral, Historic Old Town and Palace of Domnius, Mosor Street, Ebor Marina, Davecka Beach

OLUJASTADION

Location: Luka Ebora, Ebor, Visoravna
Capacity: 42,500
Tenants: 1896 Ebor
Hosting: MD 1 - Group B 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group B 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group B 2 v 4; Second Round - B1 v A2; Quarter Final - SR3 v SR4

The Olujastadion is based in the less beautiful port area of Ebor, not exactly like the picture postcard area around the Old Town which is where tourists generally visit, but it still makes for an interesting backdrop to the football. Games here will be played out in hot conditions and players may need to take water breaks in order to be fully comfortable and safe. The Olujastadion is a stadium that has been around basically as long as football has been played in Mytanija, it is the same ground that 1896 Ebor have always played in and as such the supporters here have a significant emotional attachment to the stadium. The people of Ebor tend to be reliant on tourism for jobs and are therefore extremely open to foreigners, although they will be all too ready to make a quick buck if they feel they can.

It should be noted that organised crime gangs are significantly active in Ebor and travellers should therefore be vigilant, it is unlikely that gangs will do anything to harm ordinary tourists and are more likely to be found fighting each other in turf wars over where they're allowed to sell drugs. The Policija have cracked down on gangs in Ebor during the run-up to the tournament, but it is almost certain dealers will find a way to sell their product during the tournament given the desire of football fans to celebrate positive results.

SNEZHNAYA

Snezhnaya is a port town located on the northern coast of Visoravna and as such has a beautiful coastline and a warm climate in summer. In winter it is exposed to extremely windy conditions along with no small amount of rain. Snezhnaya is reliant on fishing for a lot of jobs, although the town is establishing itself as a centre for modern technology as well, with many companies wanting to be based there as the town is a fairly blank canvas ripe for development. Historically Snezhnaya has been known as the poorer sibling of Ebor to its west and not as strategically important as Gornaya-Mesnost to the south, but it is quickly becoming an attractive city for young people to live in as it receives investment. Near the port area of the town is still as charming as it ever was with the squat white-walled homes of residents remaining even if multi-storey glass and steel buildings are sprouting up further inland. It is the only city outside Mytanija's largest eleven which is hosting a match, with a population of 500,000 people Snezhnaya is down at 17th largest but the size of the stadium and its proximity to Ebor allowed it to be selected for this tournament.

Notable attractions: Fishermen's Square, Snezhnaya Maritime Museum

ARKA PARK

Location: Pristaniza, Snezhnaya, Visoravna
Capacity: 32,000
Tenants: Arka Snezhnaya
Hosting: MD 1 - Group B 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group B 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group B 3 v 1

Arka Park was once one of the most cutting-edge stadiums in Mytanija, it's still very serviceable but it has now been put into the shade by some of the newer constructions around the country. It is pictured with some very rare snow, something which is extremely unlikely to occur during the Copa Rushmori given that the tournament is being played in Mytanar summer. The shape and positioning of the stands can make for a very loud atmosphere as they are close to the pitch and quite steep which allows the noise of the crowd to echo around the stadium. Any nations with particularly loud support will relish competing at this stadium for that reason.

Snezhnaya is a city which is considered by locals to be a bit of a hidden secret. Whilst Ebor - under two hours away by train - is much more popular with foreign nationals, those Mytanars which can afford to holiday during summer tend to prefer Snezhnaya for its slower pace and quieter atmosphere. Locals are very happy to have tourists in the city, it provides them with additional forms of income and in recent years a greater number of hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants have sprung up. This is probably easier to do when you don't have the issues with organised crime that Ebor has, there's nobody asking for protection money when you just want to sell a few coffees or burgers in Snezhnaya. Petty crime will also be very low compared to other Mytanar cities.

CASSIA

Cassia is a city with a population of around 1 million and is the largest city in the region of Rauchnya. It has a reputation for being the slightly more serious older sibling to the city of Severyan just across the region, with Cassia being focused on the machinations of industry and acting as a hub of regional politics whereas Severyan prefers to focus its energies on huge festivals and carnivals. Cassia is characterised by its busy shipping port and heavy industry, with it being a centre for steel-making and locomotive building. Rauchik people can be quite cold to outsiders due to historic persecution within Mytanija (and indeed Cassia's big football team Lok. Cassia have a big Rauchik nationalist ultras group which are militantly opposed to those they consider foreign, something which is sometimes claimed to be a defence mechanism), but most are also warm to those who treat them well and tourists who come to Cassia and try to make an effort with locals will be greatly appreciated. Supporters may choose to visit Severyan during the tournament, it is only 45 minutes away from Cassia and will provide a different - and perhaps more lively - experience to that which they may have in Cassia itself.

Notable attractions: Church of Saint Hieronymus the Blind, Isonzo Park

STADION CASSIA

Location: Krajnc, Cassia, Rauchnya
Capacity: 22,000
Tenants: Lok. Cassia
Hosting: MD 1 - Group A 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group A 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group A 3 v 1

A stadium which has been newly built for the Copa Rushmori the Stadion Cassia occupies one of Cassia's more modern neighbourhoods, Krajnc. It replaces Lok. Cassia's decrepit Metrostad and the two grounds could not be more different. Where the Metrostad had rotting wood and crumbling concrete the Stadion Cassia is mostly brand new steel constructed nearby. Local government have long wanted to mitigate the city's heavy industry with newer neighbourhoods which offer plenty of green space for the city's youthful population to grow up in and the areas around the Stadion Cassia have been designed with this in mind. A number of new schools have also been built as pre-tournament regeneration has taken place and foreign supporters may see students playing a part in the pre-match events or availing of free tickets to see a game or two.

Petty crime can be an issue in Cassia, with Rauchnya being the poorest region of the country and people sometimes struggling to make ends meet. Travelling fans are advised to be careful with personal items in and around the stadium, although a large Policija presence should hopefully keep incidents to a minimum.

THESSIA

Thessia is Mytanija's most populous city, with around 5 million inhabitants and is considered by some (mostly Thessians!), to be the 'true capital' of the country. It is an extremely accepting place, with people of all religions calling the city home. It is a particularly important city with regards to culture, many of the most famous Mytanar writers, artists and particularly musicians were born in the city and it was in fact named the first ever Rushmori Capital of Culture. Thessians will welcome tourists with open arms and many will even be willing to put travellers up for free if they are stuck for accommodation. Thessia has a bit of an counter-culture spirit with the city being persecuted during the reign of Natella Kalinina and it was an Otpor stronghold during the Mytanar Conflict, with the resistance in the city being extremely fierce. It remains proud of the fact that Kalinina's forces could never take the city. This spirit continues today with the city being extremely united in the face of any forms of ethnic tension, racism or religious bigotry, as it has always been an example of how people of different ethnic groups and religions can get on alongside each other in Mytanija. The city is the birthplace of otskok, a style of music that is now ubiquitous across Mytanija, with repetitive beats similar to techno, spoken word artists often compose lyrics to speak over the top of the music and has been a national phenomenon for a while now.

Notable attractions: The Walls of Thessia, Husreva Market, The Great Mosque, Avdivedjic Synagogue, The Thessia Football Museum

NOVI ATLETSKISTADION

Location: Zenit Toranj, Thessia, Thessia
Capacity: 67,000
Tenants: Atletik Thessia
Hosting: MD 1 - Group G 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group A 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group G 2 v 4; Second Round - G1 v H2; Quarter Final - SR5 v SR6; Semi Final - QF1 v QF2

Atletik supporters were not best pleased when they left their spiritual home for the shiny Novi Atletskistadion across the neighbourhood, but the ground has fast become a favourite among supporters of other teams due to its improved amenities and Atletik fans are coming around to the idea now too. Located on an old industrial unit in Zenit Toranj, the stadium is close by the Avdivedjic Synagogue (which can be seen high on the hill in the background of the image to the left). The Zenit Toranj area the stadium is located in is a traditionally an extremely working class area, with the people here having a deep left-wing radical tradition, intertwined with libertarian thought when it comes to socio-cultural issues.

Zenit Toranj is increasingly being gentrified, with students and young professionals moving into the area given its reputation for being cool and hip, although locals are resisting fairly successfully against losing the heart and soul of the area. The neighbourhood's gay village is a great example of this, with companies attempting to set-up bars within the area and the local LGBT+ community and others coming together to resist any encroachment onto what they considered a highly independent space. Thessia is a city with many contrasting cultures living close to each other and generally getting on well with Catholics, Muslims and Jews all living side-by-side along with a growing amount of non-religious people.

NOVI KAUNOSTADION

Location: Zenit Toranj, Thessia, Thessia
Capacity: 50,000
Tenants: Olympic Thessia
Hosting: MD 1 - Group D 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group D 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group D 2 v 4; Second Round - D1 v C2

The Novi Kaunostadion is also located in the Zenit Toranj area of Thessia, at the other end from Atletik's stadium and catchment area. This part of Zenit Toranj is more industrialised than the 'Atletik end', but the people share the outlook of their neighbours from up the road, being fiercely left-wing and liberal. The only real divide between people in Thessia is which football team they support (and boy can it cause problems!). Tourists will note the almost identikit nature of the blocks around the Novi Kaunostadion, which was built on the site of Olympic's old ground the aptly named 'Kaunostadion'. This is due to the fact that this area was almost carpet bombed during the Siege of Thessia and there was a need to rebuild quickly following the Mytanar Conflict, this led to a fairly blanket approach being taken to get new homes erected as quick as possible.

The architecture may not be as appealing as other parts of Zenit Toranj and indeed Thessia more widely but the street layouts are quite interesting, with straight lines on major routes giving way to a rabbit warren of alleyways and paths once you pass into the courtyards and thoroughfares inside the housing blocks.

STADION YOLANDA SAVIC

Location: Caleta, Thessia, Thessia
Capacity: 25,000
Tenants: NK Thessia
Hosting: MD 1 - Group E 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group G 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group H 2 v 4

A stadium named after one of Mytanija's greatest Olympians. Pole vaulter Yolanda Savic won Olympic gold with an Olympic record of 5.05 metres in the event and the people back home in her native Thessia decided to name this stadium after her for her achievements. Various sections of the NK Thessia sports club compete at the stadium, including its football and athletics departments (Yolanda Savic at one time being a member of the latter) and other sporting venues occupy the areas around it including tennis courts and a velodrome. Stadion Yolanda Savic is located in the Caleta neighbourhood of the city, it has a real mixture of residential working and middle class areas and the stadium acts as a little bit of a focal point for them all. Thessia's Great Mosque is around ten minutes away.

As with many venues there is a risk of petty crime at the Stadion Yolanda Savic. Thessia is a city which attracts a large number of foreign tourists every year so whilst you're unlikely to hear insults about that there may be some unscrupulous individuals who try to take advantage of a tourist in an unfamiliar city. Pickpockets will take their chances and taxi drivers may attempt to over-charge those that aren't in the know, although the city's tram system is probably the best way to get around Thessia and helps you to avoid the second scenario.

IBON

Ibon is a Mytanija's tenth largest city with a population of around 1 million people. It is most famous for its textiles industry, cotton is transported en masse to the city and transformed into items that are sold all over Mytanija and Rushmore. It's an enormously industrial city, with not too much in the way of culture, but it is also located in a pretty scenic location. The area around the city is extremely hilly and whilst the city itself may be an industrialised smogfest, the surrounding areas allow nature to take back control. Many people from the city take weekend breaks in lodges in the hills to escape the polluted air. The city's population is a mixture of middle-class and working-class people. A lot of the natives of the city are middle-class business owners, with people who migrate to the city for work finding themselves on lower wages working in the city's factories, cotton mills or coal power plants. Ibon is known as 'the city of all industries', because it is such an important industrial centre. Textiles is the main one, but you name it and they do it in Ibon: automobiles and aerospace, pharmaceuticals, steel are big employers in the city just to name a few. People from Ibon have a huge rivalry with people from the city of Thessia with the two historically battling for dominance of the region, you can tell probably tell who won that argument by the region being called Thessia.

Notable attractions: Uvala Cotton Mills, Gerzovo National Park

GRADSKI STADION

Location: Mlin, Ibon, Thessia
Capacity: 25,000
Tenants: Tekstil Ibon
Hosting: MD 1 - Group D 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group D 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group D 3 v 1

Gradski Stadion is one of Mytanija's oldest grounds and is pretty much in the same state as when it was first built except for the addition of a roof over part of its main stand. It has undergone an expansion of 5,000 seats and been given a fresh lick of paint in the run-up to this tournament, but it hasn't received the same treatment as some of the other grounds (such as CDSA's Psenicova, or Lok. Cassia's brand new stadium). It is located in a residential area of the city, a little bit away from Ibon's industrial centre, but this should be advantageous to players as they won't have to deal with the more polluted area there. The stadium is open to the elements and this be risky in the region of Thessia because the mountains in the west of the region can cause a lot of orographic precipitation. The Copa Rushmori is being played in summer, so the worst of this should be avoided, but there's always the chance of changeable conditions.

The people of Ibon are quite friendly to foreigners, sharing a lot of the same beliefs as their neighbours from Thessia, just don't tell them that Thessia is the superior place and you'll get along with them fine. Issues with crime are generally lower in Ibon than in some of Mytanija's larger cities.

ESCA

Esca is the capital of Mytanija and is located in central Zentria, it has a population of roughly 3.5 million people. Esca is the seat of government of Mytanija and is where the House of Representatives and Premijerska Palata (the residence of the Premier) are located and as such is an important political centre for the country. It holds a similar position within the world of commerce, with major Rushmori banks having sub-regional headquarters and outposts in the city. As the nation's capital, Esca is generally exposed to a lot of foreign nationals and generally the attitude of locals towards foreign people will be one of openness. For the most part locals will be all too happy to help with directions or to advise on the best place to get a bite to eat, particularly in areas such as Centralni and Litala. Naturally there are some areas where this will not be the case, such as the working class Votavova area of the capital where people may be slightly more suspicious of tourists. The city has a big wealth-gap, with some areas being extremely rich and others being very poor, this contrast is noticeable because of just how far apart the areas are in terms of standard of living. Crime is a problem in the capital, with organised criminal gangs (i.e. different Mafiya groups), running certain entertainment venues such as bars and clubs. Petty criminals operate in tourist areas and travellers should be aware of this and should remain vigilant to guard against pickpockets and thieves who may steal phones, wallets, bags and purses.

Notable attractions: Premijerska Palata, House of Representatives, Liberation Square, Kalemova Park, Church of Saint Slava

RADNIKA

Location: Centralni, Esca, Zentria
Capacity: 60,000
Tenants: Mytanar national team and 1923 Esca
Hosting: MD 1 - Group A 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group E 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group E 2 v 4; Second Round - E1 v F2; Quarter Final - SR1 v SR 2; 3rd/4th place play-off; Copa Rushmori 38 Final

Located in the grounds of Kalemova Park in the Centralni area of the capital, Radnika is the nominal national stadium and is where the Mytanar national team play most of their games, even despite the FSM's recent tendency to move games around the country, ostensibly to gain an advantage by playing games in venues further from the capital where the atmosphere may be a little more hostile. Radnika is a modern arena built for the big occasion, though and will play an important part in this Copa Rushmori as it plays host to the opening ceremony, three group games and the Final of the tournament. It is considered by some to be the jewel in the crown of Mytanar football and those supporters visiting the stadium will be welcomed by guides, the Policija and even local fans who will all try their best to make their visitors trip as enjoyable as possible.

Supporters will be able to take in the fresh air in the largest inner-city park in Mytanija before and after games and could even have a picnic or a couple of beers in the sunshine, as locals often do. Kalemova Park is a small oasis in the middle of Esca and it is a nice place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. It can even be easy to forget that you are actually in one the nation's capital after a while!

KOTRBA

Location: Votavova, Esca, Zentria
Capacity: 55,000
Tenants: Dinamo Esca
Hosting: MD 1 - Group F 1 v 4; MD 2 - Group F 4 v 3; MD 3 - Group F 2 v 4; Second Round - F1 v E2

Those that want a real taste of Mytanija may choose to go to a game at Kotrba, a deeply historic venue in Mytanar football, located in the Votavova. The Votavova is one of the poorest areas of the capital and as such the population here has built up some deep left-wing traditions, with trade unionism being enormously important to the area. Some claim it was the birthplace of communism in Mytanija, too, although this is something that is certainly up for debate. The people in this area of the capital may tend to be a little more suspicious of foreigners than in Centralni or Litala. Crime can be an issue in the area, but the Policija have been advised to be especially vigilant, given the desire for the tournament to be a success and to give off a good impression of the country to the rest of Rushmore.

The stadium is a little older than most of the other stadiums that have been chosen to host games in the Copa Rushmori, but it has been given a fresh lick of paint for the tournament and a new pitch has been laid in the hope that the playing surface is up to the standards of the world class players that will compete upon it. FSM groundskeeping staff have worked around the clock in the run up to the tournament to ensure the turf is bedded in, in order to reduce the chances of it cutting up as soon as a ball is kicked.

SOKOLOVNY

Location: Litala, Esca, Zentria
Capacity: 30,000
Tenants: Litala ’93
Hosting: MD 1 - Group G 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group G 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group G 3 v 1

Sokolovny is best known for its lavender seats, a product of the main colour of the team which plays there Litala ’93. It is an old-fashioned square ground with stands close to the pitch and large standing areas behind each goal. This can make it quite an atmospheric stadium and many Mytanar supporters are very fond of it for this reason. Litala ’93 are a another club with contrarian political instincts and this can be seen in the numerous murals which are painted across the walls of buildings around the stadium. Many have political messages or depict famous heroes scoring key goals. Recently Yue political exile Wang Jiahui has called the place home and written himself into the club's folklore and that mixture of sport and politics is intertwined throughout the club's history.

Litala is a slightly better off area of the capital and locals will only be too happy to direct tourists the right way if they need assistance, if they aren't trying to convert you to their political view first. Crime will be a little lower here than in the Votavova neighbourhood of Esca, but there will always be those that try in the capital and given the price of everything in Esca compared to prices in other Mytanar cities you might feel like you're being robbed sometimes anyway.

TRUNCA

Trunca is Mytanija's eleventh largest city with a population of around 750,000 people. That number used to be a fair bit higher, but the city has suffered from a serious decline since the Mytanar Conflict. During that civil war Trunca was on the receiving end of a pretty serious carpet bombing by the Eurans and the city's famous bridge was destroyed. Bruno Petric's provisional government often wondered what to do with the city, there wasn't much to rebuild and many inhabitants had either died during the Conflict or had fled. Its population has recovered somewhat since and its bustling port is beginning to return to normal usage levels, with a new underwater train link to Istina on the island of Nasto being completed just in time for the Copa Rushmori. This connects Esca with Arsika with a six hour journey time and Ana Mecava-Catic's government hope that it will help to regenerate Trunca given that it is a crucial stop on the journey. The majority of Truncan people are adherents of the Zentrian Orthodox branch of Christianity and two of the city's main churches managed to withstand the bombing of Trunca during the Mytanar Conflict, leading to them becoming sites of genuine religious significance in Mytanija.

Notable attractions: Temple of Saint Jovan Kandulic, Church of Marija Tereza, the New Port

RIBAR

Location: Ribar, Trunca, Zentria
Capacity: 25,000
Tenants: Pamuk Trunca
Hosting: MD 1 - Group H 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group H 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group H 3 v 1

Ribar is named for the city's once thriving fishing industry, another thing which took an absolute beating when the Eurans bombed the city to bits. Pretty much all vessels in the city's port were scuttled to prevent their usage and it is something which has punitively affected the city ever since. The football team which call Ribar home are named for the city's cotton growers, leading to a sometimes confusing combination about who the club is meant to represent but Pamuk have become the team of the whole city over the years and that is reflected in how they try to appeal to everybody. This version of Ribar has been expanded and renovated extensively, although the stadium did have to undergo significant rebuilding following the Mytanar Conflict anyway. This does mean that the stadium is quite modern, with its new triple-tiered main stand being the most impressive part of the new stadium layout.

Ribar is located in a redeveloped area of the city, a little inland from Trunca's port area. The area around the stadium will be turned into a fan park for the duration of the tournament, playing host to fans who cannot get tickets to matches but also screening all other games from the tournament aside from the ones played at the stadium. Locals may be a little uncomfortable with foreigners and there could be some underlying xenophobic attitudes among some.

STRATENBERG

Stratenberg is a large city of 1.5 million people located on the island of Magevskaya to mainland Mytanija's north-east. Stratenberg is the capital of the region of Magevskaya and the vast majority of the region's population call the city home. Stratenberg is an important business and commercial hub for Mytanija, with a number of banks calling the city home or having large secondary bases in the city aside from the ones they might have in Esca. It is an affluent city and also plays home to the prestigious Rose League school Stratenberg University, one of the oldest education institutions in Mytanija. Stratenberg's wealth has allowed the city to undergo enormous modernisation, with lots of high-rise glass and steel buildings going up in recent years. Magevs are usually adherents to the Zentrian Orthodox branch of Christianity and largely sided with Kalinina's regime during the Mytanar Conflict, although younger generations are altering this as they move away from the political beliefs of their parents and grandparents, with a thriving left-wing political scene among the city's young people.

Notable attractions: Ushakov Castle, Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Brazhinsky Theatre

UTCASTADION

Location: Pushkin, Stratenberg, Magevskaya
Capacity: 26,000
Tenants: FK Magevskaya
Hosting: MD 1 - Group F 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group F 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group F 3 v 1

Located in the thriving inner-city Pushkin neighbourhood the Utcastadion is a real marvel and plays host to the FK Magevskaya football team, but also being the venue for the sports club's basketball, handball, ice hockey and volleyball departments due to the indoor arena which sits within the stadium. It is named after the football team's legend Nyar Utca. The stadium is extremely new, only being a few years old, with the government providing funds for a small expansion to cater for the extra demand for tickets likely to be seen at the Copa Rushmori. Foreign supporters will note how the stadium has been paired with Kotrba in Esca during the group stage to make it easier to travel between the two cities for games. Magevskaya being an island does mean it can be a little difficult to get to, but the pairing with an Esca stadium is deliberate as it should allow fans to fly from the the capital into Stratenberg for matches.

Locals may be a little indifferent towards travelling supporters, with many older people probably preferring if they weren't coming given their slightly xenophobic beliefs. Younger citizens of Stratenberg will be extremely helpful, trying to move away from what they see as the errors of the older generations. Crime rates are quite low in the city and there won't be as many issues with pickpockets and scammers as in other places.

ARSIKA

Arsika is the largest city on the island of Nasto, located off the southern coast of mainland Mytanija. Arsika has a population of around 1 million people and is an important commercial centre for Nasto and Avnalia. It has a large port and this is crucial in the transport of goods to and from Nasto, both in domestic and international freight. Arsika is a city that is modernising quickly, trying to build on its position as the biggest city in Nasto and Avnalia and it is a popular city with young people. Students have increasingly chosen to call Arsika home ahead of more traditional university cities like Prizren and Thessia. Its warmer weather, combined with the young population and reputation as a bit of a party city are believed to be behind this. Guinec, the most popular Mytanar beer, is brewed in the city and can be found in any bar or pub in Arsika. Otolek Gaol is a slightly haunting place, being the prison of would-be revolutionaries dating back to the Kombarov Monarchy and Natella Kalinina continued that by jailing a number of Otpor leaders in the Gaol during her time in power.

Notable attractions: Uta-Vaja Bridge, Otolek Gaol, Guinec Brewery, Saint Stevan's Cathedral, Museum of Modern Art

NOVI ZAVEJ PARK

Location: Beloma, Arsika, Nasto and Avnalia
Capacity: 30,000
Tenants: FK Arsika
Hosting: MD 1 - Group E 2 v 3; MD 2 - Group E 1 v 2; MD 3 - Group E 3 v 1

Novi Zavej Park was newly built for the last Copa Rushmori Mytanija hosted and the area around the stadium has benefited from that with an enormous regeneration and modernisation programme completely changing the face of the area. Novi Zavej Park is the only stadium hosting games in either of Mytanija's southern islands, with some in Avnalia being annoyed that their stadiums have been overlooked. This decision was largely arrived at because the organising committee did not believe any towns in Avnalia could cope with the large influx of tourists the Copa Rushmori would bring. Arsika has no such problem, with a forward-thinking outlook and attitude and a fast-growing population it regularly competes with Ebor one of the main coastal holiday destinations in Mytanija. Novi Zavej Park is another steel-and-glass stadium, with the Beloma area around the stadium playing host to lots of tech firms which have brought innovative technology to the stadium and made it the most high-tech in the country.

Foreign supporters may experience the raucousness of the Arsika student population, but this should create a party atmosphere throughout the tournament and is unlikely to cause too much harm to their experience of the tournament. Crime is at about the expected level for a city of Arsika's size and although their may be some backwards attitudes towards foreign people this will be the minority, the city's youthful population are generally quite accepting in outlook.

by **Savojarna** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:18 am

Savojar Roster for the Cycle 88 Cup of Harmony

TEAM

STAFF
Coach: Daniella Strauss (NPH)
Age: 56 // Coach since: WCQ 88 (MD 8)
After the Copa 37 had revealed stagnation on the regional level, and Rangren had been approached by her old friend and co-coach Lise Asbeck to take the helm at the Savojar top club Libertas Bergheim, she had resigned as Northlights head coach. Being left without a national coach, the SFFB has hired former Nephara manager Daniella Strauss in a competitive bidding process, making her the first foreign Savojarna manager in history. Strauss turned a terrible Corvette side into a credible Premiership outfit for a time, and started to revitalise Southfell United before the Cormorants came calling. Unusually for Nepharim, she likes to keep ahold of the ball, but likes to play quick, aggressive football, with a high line choking the opposition. Probably the most successful Nepharan manager, by most measures; hired to the Northlights until the end of World Cup cycle 89 as part of the “WC90” project, aiming to make the World Cup knockouts by cycle 90.

Coaching Team: Alexey Jotanov, Mikael Södergren, Lasse Tjoer
Ages: 53, 40, 43 // Special functions: Video coach, Technical coach, Physical trainer
Jotanov is a rather creative tactical mind and one half of the U-21 co-coaching team. He has been brought on board as part of the WC90 project to create a more unified approach across the three Savojar national teams (adult, U21, U18). He will be here mainly to support with video trainings and tactics briefings.
Mikael Södergren has a history of a technical assistant coach at various SFS A teams, including the surprising Rotor Värstjö side of SFS Season 8 and being on the staff of the double-winning Partisan side of SFS Season 10. His job is to run day to day practice and give technical advice to players; besides his work with the national team, he currently is a trainer at the National Football Academy at Högvald, where he coaches and develops Savojarna’s biggest youth talents.
Lasse Tjoer is the physical coach and condition trainer, and has previously worked for multiple SFS A teams. He places a lot of emphasis on discipline, but gives the players a large amount of freedom to tune their practice regime to their own tastes as long as they stick to the targets. He is quite popular in the team, and a good motivator.

Goalkeeper Coach: Valtteri Andersson
Age: 52
Andersson was a long-term goalkeeper for Energie Thorsborg and got directly transferred into the club's youth department when he retired at age 33. Following some good work with the club's youth department, he got trained as a GK coach and worked with the first team and the U21 of Energie for a while before being brought onto the squad of the NT early on. He still works with Energie on the side and is reputed to be very good at developing a goalkeeper's weaknesses.

Doctor: Dr. Christer Ljungberg
Age: 58
Christer is the head of the medical team of the Savojar NT and generally has a reputation of being the team’s good soul. Many players have come to him over the years to discuss their insecurities or physical problems, to the point that many consider Ljungberg to essentially be a second mental coach.

SQUAD

TEAM

Copa Rushmori 38 Squad
#	Pos.	Name			Club				Gender	Age
1	GK	Iiro Pakanen		Jinja City FC (BNJ)		M	31
2	LB	Matts Pedersen		Tanrısal (PAS)			M	29
3	CB	Polina Zirkova		Ulsa (EUR)			F	28
4	CB	Vidkun Nymark		Dynamo Sjoedrhavn		M	24
5	LB/RB	Milla Viipuri		Swanguard Athletic (QUE)	F	24
6	DM	Otso Ilkkanen		FC Rotmunde 1932 (STL)		M	27
7	RM	Mikhail Jashkin		Directus (EUR)			M	29
8	CM	Victoria Maersk		Vermillion Rage (NPH)		F	35
9	ST	Sergey Nweke		Unioneers (EUR)			M	26
10	OM	Morten Poulsen		Partisan Sjoedrhavn		M	29
11	ST	Sven Ehlers		unknown*			M	23
12	GK	Sergey Sharin		FK Torpedo Pawlograd		M	24
13	LB	Eino Kiivälä		FC Felsenkirchen 1892 (STL)	M	27
14	OM	Rika Lundell		North Laithland (NPH)		F	27
15	RB	Flemming Skov		Admiral Storevik		M	30
16	ST	Victor Hedenberg	FK Torpedo Pawlograd		M	22
17	RM	Kaisa Gyldenström	Corvistone (NPH)		F	22
18	CM	Lovisa Tedenby		Galatica (PAS)			F	24
19	LF	Krister Voynov		Raynor City United (VAL)	M	31
20	GK	Aleksandra Virulainen	Partisan Sjoedrhavn		F	27
21	LM	Steinar Aarsoy		Partisan Sjoedrhavn		M	30
22	CB	Dmitri Dmitriev		Admiral Storevik		M	25
23	CB	Roman Forsberg		Olympia Borograd (STL)		M	30

* Ehlers will be transferred in the upcoming window, which IC'ly happens before the CR 38. He previously played for Partisan Sjoedrhavn.

Key players:
In goal the big name remains Iiro Pakanen, a rock between the posts with a calm demeanor and a stable, consistent style, as well as quick reflexes. He is complimented by the shorter, yet more aware and controlling Aleksandra Virulainen, the SFS’s top goalkeeper; Sergey Sharin is a third keeper who will be unlikely to see play. In defence, Polina Zirkova is the undisputed organiser of the central backs, with good skills with the ball on her feet and good eyes to spot buildup opportunities. Next to her, either one of Forsberg or Dmitriev commonly plays the role of a more responsible defenceman; the latter is also a very competent header and the talleds player of the squad with 204 cm. On the sides, Pedersen and Skov form a quick and enduring duo that runs up and down the pitch relentlessly to support the offence as well as plug holes at the back. A notable substitute at the back is Milla Viipuri, whose ability to play a more conservative, solid role on either side might make her a powerful utility choice. She is particularly good at delivering spectacular tackles and positioning herself against the opponent.

Ahead of this line, another line of four forms Savojarna’s midfield. The wings are traditionally the crown jewel of a Savojar side with the returning Raynor City superstar Krister Voynov, and two-times Champions League winner with Directus and former member of the Galacticos 23 Mikhail Jashkin. The latter has been a rock for Savojarna with his combination of sly through balls from the side and quick runs towards the goal; Voynov on the left side is a more exciting and explosive player who excels in technique, exciting tricks, and direct runs at the goal to score himself. Both are complimented by a backup with a differing profile, the more responsible and more traditional wide midfielder Steinar Aarsoy - who took Voynov’s place in the Cup of Harmony - on the left side providing a more defensive option that is easier to incorporate into a system. On the other side, Kaisa Gyldenström goes to her first tournament at this level, a quick and technical player that is working hard in both directions, and has honed her physical condition in the gruelling second division of Nephara, and now reaps the fruits as one of three Zenith players in this side.

Between the two, captain Victoria Maersk continues to guide this side at the age of 35, pulling strings with her clever and calm passing and directing her allies around the pitch. Her role has grown more defensive with age, complimenting one of the duo of Poulsen and Lundell, two modern playmakers with capabilities to advance and score themselves (particularly in the case of Poulsen). In backup, there is versatility with the energetic Lovisa Tedenby, playing in Pasarga; the 24 year old is a calm shuttler that often gets overlooked but distributes balls calmly and slots into her roles without complaint. Otso Ilkkanen is a defensive option, having played in the Savojar double pivot under Rangren, and an established veteran in shoring up the lines that will likely see play when a lead needs to be defended.

Up front, Sven Ehlers has truly broken out with his team’s title and will try to create danger from between the lines as a hanging striker. Ehlers is rather short but quick, mobile, and a good linker as well as a good finisher. Next to him, Sergey Nweke will start as a focal striker with his physical presence and good finishing capacity, a versatile striker that can adapt to the game situation quickly and has an eye for openings. He is striving to find gaps between the opposing defence, and scoring from the box. The third option this time is Victor Hedenberg, a sly young stricter that will join Nweke as a focal point. He is tall but not as physically present as Nweke, less of a goal scorer and more of a player that tends to bring in his partner, winger, or offensive midfielder by playing balls backwards or sideways when there is an option. He also has a good sense of pressing and is likely to play defensive roles as well.

STARTING XI:

TACTICS

STYLE: +0.75

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

KITS

Designed and manufactured by NDCS[/align]

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

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

by **Cabo Azure** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:23 am

June 2013 Copa Rushmori CR38 Roster
No. Name                 Pos. Age    Club                  Caps   Goals
#1  Abílio Carreira      GK   34 y/o Cidadela              2      0
#2  Julio Fernandes      RB   29 y/o Sao Vicente           2      0
#3  Norberto Carneiro    LB   24 y/o Villa Silva           2      0
#4  Gabriel Mendes       CB   27 y/o Sao Vicente           2      0
#5  Quirino Alves        DM   30 y/o Villa Arboles         0      0
#6  Gustavo Macedo       CB   36 y/o Villa Silva           2      0
#7  Telmo Cardoso        RW   27 y/o Sao Cristobal         0      0
#8  Gláucio Santos       RM   31 y/o Villa del Sol         2      0
#9  Adalberto Montenegro CF   31 y/o Villa Silva           0      0
#10 Abílio Serra         ST   31 y/o Lagostim              0      0
#11 Fúlvio Dantas        LW   26 y/o Cidade de Prato       2      1
#12 Rufino Antunes       GK   27 y/o Lagostim              0      0
#13 Cleto Silveira       SS   22 y/o Sao Vicente           1      0
#14 Leonel Medeiros      CM   29 y/o Lagostim              0      0
#15 Ademar Carriço       CAM  32 y/o Villa Silva           0      0
#16 Matheus Ferreira     DM   32 y/o Pilotos               1      0
#17 Marciano Ferreira    CM   25 y/o Sao Cristobal         0      0
#18 Kevin Brandão        CB   22 y/o Villa Arboles         0      0
#19 Amílcar Branco       LB   20 y/o Dhun Lagarr FC (TKT)  2      1
#20 Ademar de Lima       FB   20 y/o Sao Vicente           1      0
#21 Ivan Fontes          CB   30 y/o Villa Arboles         0      0
#22 Nelson Botelho       CF   24 y/o Villa Arboles         1      0
#23 Manuel Amorim        GK   30 y/o Natal                 0      0

The Cabo Azure National Team prepares for its first-ever international competition, the Copa Rushmori 38! Though football has long been the national sport of Cabo Azure, the tentative state of the economy, as well as international political sanctions placed during O Interregno, have until recently kept national team aspirations to the realm of pipe dream. With the recent reinstatement of the constitutional monarchy and the subsequent opening of the economy, Cabo Azure is poised to take its place on the international stage.

The Goalkeepers
Abilio Carreira is a relic of the old days of Azurean football: a brute-force shot stopper with little patience for playing with the ball at his feet. Provided he is on his line, he can be counted on to stop most anything that comes his way, but he is vulnerable to quick shots and multiple runners in the box. Antunes is more spry and athletic, but makes too many mistakes to be a reliable starter.

The Defenders
Cabo Azure plays a traditional four at the back, anchored by Mendes and Macedo. Mendes is undersized, but fast, good at winning the ball in 1v1 situations, while Macedo is the physical threat of the two, best known for bodying offensive players off the ball and winning aerial duels. The depth at centerback is sorely lacking; Fontes is a journeyman who's never really made a name for himself, while Brandão is physically gifted but still presents as a raw, untested prospect at an age when most are settling into their roles.

The fullback situation is decidedly less grim; Julio Fernandes captains Sao Vicente, where he has built a career on strong overlapping runs and seeming to be in two places at once, while Carneiro is a product of the revamped academy system, a technically gifted defender with excellent distribution, though he leaves a lot to be desired going forward. Both de Lima and Branco are pacey, physical players without the refinement that comes from experience

The Midfielders
Alves is a slow, methodical passer who captains Villa Arboles because he rarely makes mistakes or misplaces the ball. He is not, however, a contributing factor on offense, and may even slot in as a third centerback in defensive formations. Dantas is a good all-round player with the endurance to go box-to-box, but without much to recommend him in any particular skillset. Santos has seen a slight decline since rounding thirty, but is still a pacey, athletic player and a strong dribbler.

The midfield depth is a mixed bag. Brothers Matheus and Marciano Ferreira, playing for the first time together, are strikingly alike despite the difference in age; both prefer to control the game from the back, though neither is as efficient at doing so as Alves. Neither is particularly mobile, either, making their utility limited. Silva captain Carriço is an elite competitor for his club team, but he has grown accustomed to playing in a system designed around his talents, leading many to believe he is a one-trick pony.

The Forwards
Serra is something of an enigma, a journeyman player who broke this year to lead Lagostim, a brand-new club expected to finish mid-table at best, to the first-ever Liga Hidalgo Primer championship. No one questions his inclusion in this team, but there is some speculation as to whether he might just be on an extended run of form. Cardoso, by contrast, is consistent to a fault, by far one of the least exciting but most productive players in Azurean football; he is also a free-kick taker of some renown, though how he will fair against international competition remains to be seen. Depth at forward is even more atrocious than at centerback; the tendency of clubs in Cabo Azure to hold onto strikers well past their prime and their universal failure to hold attacking players accountable for mistakes presents a challenge when it comes time to build a national team.

RP PERMISSIONS
If my opponent role-plays first they may:
Choose my goalscorers: Y/N
Godmod scoring events: Y/N
RP injuries to my players: Y/N
Godmod injuries to my players: Y/N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y/N
Hand out red cards to my players: Y/N
Godmod other events: Y/N

by **Pasarga** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:34 am

Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players Y
Godmod Other Events Y

Pasarga Roster
Nickname: Wanderers
Most Caps: Mór Császár (196)
Most Goals: Ingþór Auðbjörnsson (124)

Kits

Home Away Third
Modifier: +1

Manager: Kirk McDonagh

, age 56
Assistant: Timi'sala Koarena

, age 44

Goalkeepers
GK: Borka Szekeres, age 31, CA Paulinthal (F)
GK: Szescõ Mezei, age 28, Hellinic Rouge
GK: Hajna Pálffy, age 30, Rammsissil

(F)

Szekeres has played her way into contention after back to back seasons with CAP as an excellent shot stopper, however after having succeeded Galambos, it is still Mezei's position to lose. Having been consistently excellent for a half decade now, the Spartan keeper has really developed into an elite level talent that keeps the team in games, even if occasionally prone to a bad day at the office. It took her almost a decade but Hajna Pálffy finally came good in Vilita, helping lead Rammsissil to the IFCF, doing enough to beat out domestic competition for the third spot on the roster.

Defenders
LW/LB: Rudy Yáñez, age 23, CA Paulinthal
LB: Asztrik Puskás, age 27, Stein-los Turkish
CB: Fruzsina Budai, age 28, CA Paulinthal (F)
CB: Laborc Szöllössy, age 31, Spartangrad

CB: Darda Szalai, age 29, Duke of the North (F)
CB: Asztrik Szalay, age 31, Sabrefell Athletic

RB: Viktor Szôcs, age 22, Wirr Tsi

RB: Anita Szarka, age 28, Sardin United (F)

While there is a veteran presence in the unit, this is clearly an unit that is in transition and the next group of players coming through the line. This is evident especially at leftback, where Rudy Yáñez translated a memorizing season at CAP into not only being included in the team but also the starting, with his speed and attacking presence looking to be a key for the backline, with the far more defensively solid Puskás ready to replace him if the youth is not calm enough. In the middle the veterans of Szalay and Szöllössy look to be the towering defensive rocks that allow the rest of the team to perform the way they are supposed to, both remarkably solid defending options at the prime of their career. Viktor Szôcs pulled off some magic and won a domestic crown in both Chromatika and Pasarga, having spent the season on loan at CAP and turned out a sublime season that allows him to get the chance to win the starting spot for the qualifiers here in the Copa.

Midfielders
RW: Erik Földessy, age 31, CA Paulinthal
RW: Nándor Slots, age 27, FK Metropola Borograd

AMC: Mária Vöröss, age 31, Royal Canterlot HC

(F)
A/MC: Márió Szölösi, age 28, Ulsa

D/MC: Szalyk Földessy, age 31, Ibini FC

D/MC: Ubul Kuruc, age 26, FC Felsenkirchen 1879

LW: Vojmil Topić, age 24, CA Paulinthal
LW: Pellegrin Csapó, age 28, Marque

The Földessy clan has long served the Wanderers' well, the Paulinthal based family having produced many good players throughout the last few decades, but it looks like the sun is starting to go down on them even if both brothers have their star still shining brightly at their respective positions. This might be the last tournament where either are pencilled in starters and they will be looking to try and push for reestablishing the Wanderers as a regional powerhouse, after being the last Rushmori squad at the World Cup. Overall, there is not much change in the midfield and like many, Topić has taken several stellar seasons with CAP and turned it into a starting spot with the Wanderers and it is well deserved, with many describing Vojmil as a once in lifetime talent on the wing, with it having been shown week in and week out during the SuperLiga. If there is a weakness, it is the center of the park, as there is not much depth in the talent pool at the moment beyond the four who are already part of the team.

Forwards
LW/ST: Elek Salai, age 22, Ibini FC

AML/ST: Boriska Nagy, age 27, Spartangrad

(F)
ST: Najiyah Lubanah Mifsud, age 28, Stein-los Turkish (F)
ST: Éva Mezei, age 29, Club Stein-los (F)

It has been a few years coming but Elek Salai is now a starter with the Wanderers and he has some big shoes to fill, with Júlia Müller being given the tournament off. He will have to follow up a good domestic campaign with Capri where he looked like the promising attacker that everyone thought he was three or four years ago. He will be partnered by the even keeled Nagy who has done decently enough in Eura and with her time with the national team, famously scoring the goal that clinched qualification for the Wanderers into the World Cup just had. Former Under 21 national team striker Éva Mezei has earned her way to the senior team after being a bright spot in a mediocre season for the Old Club, while Mifsud continues to be around the team thanks to their calm presence in front of net and good goal output at Turkish.

Captain: Szalyk Földessy
Corner Taker: Vojmil Topić
Set Pieces: Márió Szölösi
Penalties: Boriska Nagy

Tactics

McDonagh does not look to upset the usual Pasargan outlook too often, although he will not be exclusively looking at very pacy players the way that Griffiths was known to do while in charge of the team. The Wanderers will look to build through the middle with a slightly possession based system that looks to get the most out of their midfielders and wingers who are the workhorses of the team. The team will open up against teams they look to be significantly better than on paper but will otherwise try to keep a more methodical approach, believing that their determination will eventually find the solution to getting past the opposition.

by **Bollonich** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 9:05 am

The Bollonischian National Football Team

The Bollonischian Football Federation

The Bollonischian National Football Team represents the nation of Bollonich at international footballing events such as the World Cup, Cup of Harmony and Copa Rushmori. The Bollonischian National Team made their official debut at World Cup Qualifying 88 against Al Qurija. The National Team had a very successful campaign in WCQ 88 finishing 5th in Group 6 ahead of teams like Sannyamathland, Rangers FC and North Japan. We also defeated the pot 1 seed in our group, Zwangzug 1-0 away and held them to a 0-0 draw at home. After a very successful World Cup Qualifying our side travelled to Græntfjall to participate in the Even Frostier Cup where we were paired into Group P with Baggieland, Barunia and hosts Græntfjall. In our first game we defeated Baggieland 2-1 however two consecutive defeats in the next matches sent us straight out of the Even Frostier Cup. Following a somewhat disappointing Cup of Harmony Bollonich's national football team returns to the international stage in the 38th Copa Rushmori being held in Mytanija with 2 debutants.

General Facts

Rank : 125
Highest Rank : 125
Current Unbeaten Streak : None
Longest Unbeaten Streak : 4 (4 wins)
Debut : vs Al Qurija @ Petro Mohammed Stadium, WCQ 88
Biggest win: 5 - 2 vs Montaña Verde; Friendly
Biggest Loss : 7 - 2 vs Vdara; Friendly
Highest Goalscorer : Dennis Perry - 19

Squad

Shirt No.   Name                  Pos.       Age       Pld.     Goals      Assists      CS       Clubs          
#1          Sirigu                GK         22        29         0           0         6        Vreton United    
#16         Frederico Valvi       GK         20        9          0           0         0        Vreton United
#99         Quenchu               GK         34        1          0           0         1        Vreton City FC

#2          Gerard Ingit          CB         32        32         1           0                  Vreton City FC
#3          Jeremy Ploy           CB         28        31         0           0                  Vreton United
#26         Klingto               CB         29        22         0           1                  SC Lagos
#19         Seeru Vishwa          CB         27        10         0           0                  Vreton City FC
#4          Sylvester Lindsey     RB         29        30         0           2                  Vreton United
#22         Wade Moreno           RB         31        10         0           0                  SC Lagos
#18         Bobby Burns           LB         24        28         0           2                  SC Lagos
#23         Hadden Goodman        LB         22        11         0           0                  Vreton United

#5          Gerald Swanson        CDM        31        27         0           0                  SC Lagos
#6          Miles Hum             CDM        22        30         1           5                  Vreton City FC
#15         William Clark         CDM        26        6          1           0                  Vreton United
#36         Domenic Law           CDM        21        0          0           0                  Inter Maoli
#8          Cliff Fennimore       CM         28        11         0           4                  SC Lagos
#12         Ed Douglas            CM         20        19         3           6                  SC Lagos
#20         Archer Wheelock       CM         18        0          0           0                  East Akusha CF
#10         Bryant Marshall       CAM        21        27         10          10                 Vreton United
#26         Tad Rios              CAM        28        24         6           2                  Vreton City FC

#14         Buck Moreno           RW         18        27         8           5                  Vreton City FC
#11         Ned Cummings          RW         31        18         4           2                  Vreton United
#7          Stuart Schmit         LW         22        33         5           13                 Vreton City FC
#21         Randolph Abbott       LW         29        14         2           0                  Vreton United
#9          Dennis Perry          CF         30        29         19          1                  Fermont United
#19         Linden Hayes          CF         20        10         1           1                  Vreton City FC
#25         Quinn Quinn           CF         28        4          0           0                  SC Lagos

The Starting 11 (4-2-3-1)

#1 Sirigu (GK) - Sirigu, Gildiric’s first choice keeper is a young and talented keeper who plays for Vreton United in the TPL. His performance is the WCQ was encouraging as he bagged 5 clean sheets. He will also star in Bollonich’s Copa Rushmori campaign as we attempt to reach the latter stages of the tournament in our first time.

#4 Sylvester Lindsey (RB) - Lindsey forms an integral part of Bollonich’s defence and performs a huge role of a full back in Gildiric’s tactical plan. His season with Vreton City has been more than successful. He has bagged 2 assists in his short national team career.

#2 Gerard Ingit (CB) © - Ingit forms the backbone of the defence and has served as immense role in his centerback partnership with Ploy. As Gerard enters the final years of his career he would like to compete at the highest level and give Bollonich all he has. He is also the captain and leader of the team who also inspires them.

#3 Jeremy Ploy (CB) - The 28 year old centreback who is entering the prime of his career is doing so in a time where Bollonich is at an all time high of it’s footballing prowess. He is as solid as a defender can get and will be one to watch out for.

#18 Bobby Burns (LB) - Bobby is a young and rising left back who’s skill in both attacking and defending greatly impresses Gildiric which has made him first choice. His exploits with SC Lagos were also highly commendable. He also nicked an assist in qualifying along with 5 clean sheets.

#5 Gerald Swanson (CDM) - Swanson, the 32 year old midfielder plays for SC Lagos, and his role in the tactical set up by Gildiric is immense and functions as a holding defender in what is a quite advanced midfield.

#6 Miles Hum (CDM) - Partnering Swanson in midfield is Miles Hum who is both energetic and skilled. His energetic nature is the reason he plays in an advanced position then Swanson linking the forwards to the defence and midfield.

#10 Bryant Marshall (CAM) - Marshall is the typical number 10, playing slightly behind Perry however in front of the midfield. He forms a crucial part of Gildiric’s 4-2-3-1 set up which wouldn’t function without him and he is also the player with the most goal involvements (20 - 10 goals and 10 assists).

#14 Buck Moreno (RW) - Buck Moreno is a relatively new player to the Bollonischian National Team, who became a starter during the course of the WCQ due to his tremendous performances. Moreno has scored 8 goals and bagged 5 assists in his exploits with the national team.

#7 Stuart Schmit (LW) - Schmit is a young and talented winger who forms a brilliant partnership with Buck Moreno his partner on the wings. Their exploits with Vreton City FC as well as his 5 gaols and 13 assists in his short career reflect his talents in not only scoring but also assisting.

#9 Dennis Perry (CF) - Perry is the 29 year old striker from Fermont United was the most important player in Bollonich’s WCQ campaign where we finished 5th. He is what we call a modern day poacher who racks up goals as he likes, this can be seen in the 19 goals he has scored with the national team.

Coaching Staff

Name                  Age      Position                Previous Club  
Gildiric Likhijo      60       Manager                 Fermont United
Helen Renlope         38       Head Coach              West Akusha CF
Hinou Nimko           48       Fitness Coach           Vreton United
Gretchen Herutapp     45       Attacking Coach         Blich
Blatini               47       Defensive Coach         Getro City
Evan Uhm              37       Goalkeeping Coach       Kingston FC

Medical Team

Name                     Age     Position             Speciality                                  
Dr. Rajob Falser         33      Head Physio          Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) Physician
Dr. Hijunp Jewnner       40      Physio               Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) Physician
Dr. Nikogohi Machuni     48      Team Surgeon         Orthopaedic Surgeon and Consultant
Timothy Risuro           37      Assistant Physio     Sports Medicine Nurse

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Run it by me
RP injuries to my players: Yes, nothing career ending
Godmod Injuries to my players: No, if interesting TG me
Godmod injuries to my players: No, but if interesting contact me
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Maximum 3
Hand out red cards to my players: No more than yours
Godmod other events: No, if interesting run it by me

Style Modifier - 1.5

by **Tikariot** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:25 am

Within three World Cup cycles Tikariot has managed to elevate itself into the upper echelons of football. After narrowly missing out for World Cup 86, having been in contention for a playoff spot until the very last day of qualification, where they went into what basically was a playoff in itself against TJUN-ia as a win would have meant Tikariot qualifying for the final playoffs, their World Cup 87 campaign seemed doomed from the beginning, having been drawn into one group with Vilita, Newmanistan, Tequilo and Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, but they qualified for the playoff stage, only one point behind favourites and group winners Vilita, where they beat Huayramarca to qualify for a World Cup for the first time in their history. Here they managed to remain unbeaten during the group stage, qualifying for the Round of 16 as group winners ahead of ultimate World Cup winners Nephara, where they ultimately lost against Farfadillis, but they definitely left a lasting impression during this run with their very offense minded football! For WCQ88 the pressure was even higher, with them having advanced into pot 2 and in a dramatic finish they managed to reach the playoffs once more, snatching the ticket away from Kohnhead on the last match day, sending them into a two-leg tie with Drawkland where they remained "victorious" with two draws, but the higher number of away goals. The group stage was slightly less glorious, seeing them lose the first two games, but a win in the last game secured them at least three points.

The fans of the Snowy Owls also deserve particular mentioning. Not only are they renowned for their chants, but they are also bringing the Thunder Clap (Click here for example) to the stadium, something that the players join in as a pre-game ritual that has left an impression on the opponents and opposing fans more than once (OOC: similar to the Haka of the New Zealand All Blacks). The players will form a triangle near the kick off circle and lift their arms, which the fans do as well. Then a long drum will start to signal the rhythm and both players and fans alike will move in unison, each clap accompanied with a loud cry, the claps (and cries) speeding up, creating an overwhelming sense of impending doom.

Stuart Ekstrom - 48

Running the traditional 4-3-3 setup, Ekstrom is continuing with the tradition of giving lesser capped (or completely uncapped) players an opportunity to show their talents in an international tournament and bring their names into contention for future national team endeavours.


Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat    Cap      G/A
GK	Gord Feron		22	Anhedron Wanderers 	TKT	 9 	0/0
LB 	Merrick Coker 		28	Hanai Breakers		CMT	 1	0/0
CB	Atamai Tameifuma	24	Kyethas Rivermen   	TKT	 3	0/1
CB	Robin Oakes		27	Admiral Storevik	SVJ	 0	0/0
RB	Duke Waltham		20	Oriannor Mountaineers 	TKT	 3	1/0
LM	Xebastian Lorenskog	25	Guillarim Blades	TKT	 4	0/1
CM	Chester Cartwright	22	Oriannor Mountaineers	TKT	 9	2/4
RM	Dairon Noles		20	Tikariot City FC	TKT	15	3/3
LW	Adam Dodd		27	Guillarim Blades	TKT	 2	2/0
CF	Gary Conway		21	Bul Khungur Miners 	TKT	 4	0/0
RW	Antti Perkkanen		22	Kingsbury United	TMB	 0	0/0

Feron is coming off an outstanding season with Anhedron, leading them into third position and the IFCF Challengers' Cup, hoping for his merry band of misfits in front of him that have never even remotely played together as is will be able to provide him with enough cover not to become target practice. In centre Atamai Tameifuma has finally overcome the injury issues that had riddled the early part of the season to emerge as a rock solid centre back, who is using his physique to send balls (and sometimes opponents) away from goal, complemented by brand new callup Robin Oakes, whose performances in Savojarna have not escaped Stuart Ekstrom's notebook. On the outsides Merrick Coker, who has enjoyed an excellent season for the Hanai Breakers, and Duke Waltham will provide the power from the sides that is such an important part of Tikariot's play.

The traditional 3-player midfield of Xebastian Lorenskog, Chester Cartwright and Dairon Noles promises to be in constant fluidity, drawing opposing players out of position before delivering the deadly pass to one of the three forwards, with Guillarim's Adam Dodd proving to be an absolute offensive revelation for the Blades after a mid-season move from GT Molding, Gary Conway likely the reason why Bul Khungur are actually still in the TPL and Antti Perkkanen also reviving his floundering career in Tumbra, forming a dynamic trio that definitely has the potential to pose problems for defending teams.


Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat    Cap      G/A
GK	Vincent Litman		22	Parakleion Firebirds	TKT	 5	0/0
GK	Stephen Heinrich	27	Meriador FC		TKT	 9	0/0
LB	Ximon Bergstrand	22	Port Rhovanyon AFC	TKT	14	0/2
CB	Isak Liverstam		18	Deprí Lanar		CMT	 0	0/0
CB	Randy Kovalchuk		25	Platinastigrade		ZRH	29	1/2
RB	Mathieu Lavoie-Sabourin	21	Xanark City		TKT	 0	0/0
LM	Yannis Kinsella		31	Fagli Cinquanta		SOR	 0	0/0
CM	Pierre Sukunda		19	Parakleion Firebirds	TKT	 1	0/1
RM	G-A Drouin-Lacroix	24	Morannon Athletic	TKT	 2	0/0
LW	Tobias Grandelius	19	Anhedron Wanderers	TKT	 2	0/0
CF	Parramore Haigh		20	Tikariot City FC	TKT	 4	0/0
RW	Atlas Baxter		26	FC Inter Nantwich	TKT	10	3/2

+4

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes-ish (TG me and I can give you the names, but we'll figure this out one way or another)
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (just please be reasonable)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (again please be reasonable)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (same deal)
Godmod other events: Maybe? (Please TG in this case)

by **Norrhem** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:56 pm

History
After having been excluded from Copa Rushmori 37 due to some documentary issues, the Copa Rushmori 38 is Norrhem's footballing on the international stage. Most of the players are playing in overseas leagues, ranging from Tikariot and Tequilo over Tumbra and Kelssek to Brenecia and Murphtannia as the domestic league is still in its infancy and is not seen as a great stepping stone into the national team for the foreseeable future.

The Coach
Simon Abrahamsson - 44
A brand-new appointment, Abrahamsson comes from the Skarrsholms IFK, doubling up as club and national coach. Like much of Norrhem his tactical approach is quite conservative and employs the classic 4-4-2 system. It remains to be seen, if he is able (or willing to begin with) to introduce any fluidity within the system or sticks to his guns, as this is terra incognita for many of the participants.

Starting Eleven


Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat
GK	Morgan Bergström	22	Morannon Athletic FC	TKT
LB	Peter Andreassen	23	Rozelle Alliance	BRE
CB	Ulf Hammarberg		20	Luton Town United	MUR
CB	Lukas Tegnér		27	Fort Viljan Northern FC	TKT
RB	Vidar Sköld		20	CF Frantxizko-A		TEQ
LM	Charlotta Andersson	21	Ridge Raiders Ladies FC	CBP
CM	Annika Haglund		29	Spearcove Mariners	BRE
CM	Jöns Arrheka		25	Fort Viljan Northern FC	TKT
RM	Thore Grönholm		22	Sturrey Athletic	TMB
FW	Patrick Edgren		24	Anhedron Wanderers FC	TKT
FW	Ann-Kristin von Yxkull	21	Bergvalls FK		NRH

The Reserves


Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat
GK	Gunnar Fagerudd		22	AFC Newcastle United	MUR
GK	Lars-Göran Hedlund	27	Baraldhur AFC		TKT
LB	Vivi Nordmark		20	Stefanbergs IK		NRH
CB	John Granath		18	Arlsfara IF		NRH
CB	Jan-Olov Malmqvist	21	Korfholms AIK 		NRH
RB	Jennifer Westermarck	27	Port Rhovanyon AFC	TKT
LM	Natanael Malmqvist	27	Proudcastle		BRE
CM	Joni Lindegaard		21	Saintsport Heath	KSK
CM	Rasmus Sparre		29	Fort Viljan Northern FC	TKT
RM	Inga-Lisa Jansson	19	Clayquot City		KSK
FW	Kajsa Trygg		21	Skalaholts IF 		NRH
FW	Gustaf Niklasson	21	Brattholts IF  		NRH

Kit

Style Modifier
+2

RP Permissions

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes-ish (TG me and I can give you the names, but we'll figure this out one way or another)
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (just please be reasonable)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (again please be reasonable)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (same deal)
Godmod other events: Maybe? (Please TG in this case)

by **Txakhaxi** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 1:48 pm

Txakhaxi Football Federation

National Football Team of Txakhaxi

Home and away kits of the national team

As in the WCQ88, due to the lack of proper organization, the Txakhaxi Football Federation (TFF) has been forced to turn to the football association of the state of Txa Xuemakhi to manage the team during this Copa Rushmori. For this reason, most of the country is not represented in the player pool. The TFF has asked fans to be understanding of the delicate situation, and has pledged to have all organizational issues resolved for WC89.

Expectations are not set high for this cup. Txakhaxi is a small country, with delicate political stability and serious infrastructure problems. However, the Txakhaxis look forward to seeing their compatriots carry the national flag around the region. Results are clearly not first in the order of priorities. The history of Txakhaxi in football begins here. Achieving the dream of a future of glory depends solely on them. The twilight of the war years begins to fade as a great red sun begins to emerge on the horizon. It's the dawn of Txakhaxi football.

Politics

The United Socialist States of Txakhaxi was established as such just a year ago. After years of war, the fifteen states managed to unify under a single flag that represents them. Each of the states is governed following the principles of democratic centralism. Small groups of people called cells elect a representative who will represent them at a higher regional level, where they will meet representatives from other cells. This regional council again elects one of its members to participate at a higher level, until reaching the national government.

Each Socialist State has a certain economic and political independence from the national government, so there are some regional differences within the Union. For example, while the Socialist State of Txa Xuemakhi is totally secular, the Socialist State of Adaxa Txakra is more permissive of religions.

The main ideology of the Union government is based on the fundamental right to personal property. This means that, although private property is allowed, the State works actively to develop the productive forces and achieve the complete appropriation of the means of production in the hands of those who work them, understanding the generation of surplus value as theft of the value of the labor of the employee. The construction of a future society guided by the principle of 'from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs' is the ulterior objective of the Txakhaxis.

Culture

The culture of the United Socialist States of Txakhaxi has a history of thousands of years. The three ethnic groups that inhabit its lands have coexisted here for centuries, constantly feeding each other, but also fighting countless times throughout history. The Txakha are a people originating in the northern mountains. They constitute the ethnic majority, and mainly populate the mainland. The Goakha have traditionally inhabited the larger islands. For their part, the Adaxakha come from the easternmost archipelago and have gradually spread towards the central area of the Txakhaxi Sea. Each of these peoples speaks their own language, although Txakhaxi is used as the main language throughout the country.

The vast majority of the population considers themselves atheist or non-religious, although there are a few religions, with a higher prevalence in certain areas.

Tactics

Formation: 5-4-1Style Mod: -4Coach: Gokhobe Magokhitxe

When selecting Gokhobe Magokhitxe as coach of the national team, the directors of the Txakha Huemaxi Football Association (THFA) were looking for someone with the level of discipline to take a squad of erratic and poorly prepared players, and turn them into a solid and difficult team to overcome.

Txakhaxi doesn't focus on playing better than their opponents to beat them (would that even make sense?). Instead, the eleven players play as defensive bulwarks, protecting the goal at all costs, at all times. The tall and strong center-backs, lighting-fast wingers, and strikers with a good presence in the box, make the Txakhaxi national team a counterattacking machine.

The general idea of the game that Magokhitxe seeks to provoke is to force the opposing team to move the ball on the wings. For this, the defenders seek to close tightly, blocking any space that the opponents could take advantage of. In addition, Txakhaxi's defensive line is usually located far back on the field, so they force their rivals to bring more players towards the box. By closing the gaps, opponents have no choice but to play the ball on the wings and throw cross passes into the box. This is where the strategy shines. The Txakhaxi may not be excellent players, but they usually have enviable physiques. It's not easy, even for high-level strikers, to out-balance a Txakhaxi defender. Turnovers can be hit by midfielders, who quickly rush to counter.

This strategy is certainly risky, but it takes advantage of the benefits while neutralizing as much as possible the disadvantages of a team that lacks technical quality. It is not a tactical approach that seeks to reach the top of the group, but rather one that tries to avoid last place at all costs.

Player pool

  POS   NAME                  AGE    TEAM
  GK    Maihe Kobotxau        30     No teams yet :c
  GK    Fahia Kaopokatxai     26     -
  GK    Toxihi Gubakhakhan    31     -
  GK    Xibauhai Xatxaihu     23     -
  CB    Huatxehai Exaimahe    24     -
  CB    Adaxa Kaoñahani       25     -
  CB    Hakhan Fubaxiki       25     -
  CB    Dahiu Adatxi          21     -
  CB    Nomau Goñuebao        23     -
  CB    Ñae Tosaihau          26     -
  LWB   Grakhe Baokubafa      26     -
  LWB   Dabao Muikhuedage     26     -
  LWB   Saifu Dubikhemi       24     -
  RWB   Huomi Muaniak         23     -
  RWB   Krabe Bibatxomu       33     -

  POS   NAME                  AGE    TEAM
  RWB   Soñue Emihebuaimei    29      Dhun Lagarr FC [TKT]
  CM    Khitxu Dautxaba       25     No teams yet :c
  CM    Raoxu Nosaemo         28     -
  CM    Mafugu Hubangu        26     -
  CM    Buikhuñi Daofahim     30     -
  CM    Haihai Maikhata       27     -
  LW    Ñabege Rahimo         23     -
  LW    Dakhae Imuameni       23     -
  RW    Kabai Ofakhatxa       27     -
  RW    Ñao Taikhaka          21     -
  RW    Txasiu Saifaugetxu    22      The Zhelmagor Society FC [TKT]
  CF    Katxe Sakhakhai       25     -
  CF    Arabe Uraikheta       33     -
  CF    Xabai Grakhaega       23     -
  CF    Huañehai Bautxietxe   31     -

OOC: I will create the teams eventually. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Most notable players

GOALKEEPERS: Kaopokatxai gets all the attention among the goalkeepers. For the overall low level of the team, Fahia Kaopokatxai is an interesting exception. Their sharp reflexes matched with their agility makes them an excellent choice for defending the Txakhaxi goal. Their disciplined attitude gives them an important plus in the eyes of the coach, who looks for a serious and orderly team, and picks them to don the captain's armband most of the time.

CENTER-BACKS: Fubaxiki and Adaxi are the most outstanding center-backs in the team. They both have a similar style. Lacking dexterity, they use their great size and physical power to destabilize opponents. Their ability to head and defend the from cross-balls makes them very important pieces of the Txakhaxi defense.

WING-BACKS: Emihebuaimei is one of the most experienced players on the team. He has a very well rounded style that combines defensive ability with offensive prowess. Along with Saifu Dubikhemi, they were especially chosen for their precision when making long passes. This characteristic makes them essential factors in the offensive transition of a team that bets on counterattacks as its main strategy.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS: For most matches, the coach chooses either Daofahim or Hubangu as their playmaker. Both players have good ball handling and are usually in charge of organizing the team when they play at ground level, however both have good ability to recover the ball in defense. They were given priority in the team over other more technically gifted Txakhaxis simply because of the team's prevailing need to defend.

The other midfielder position is usually filled by Raoxu Nosaemo. From their style of play, they appear to be a center-back standing in the middle of the field. Their only notable skill is tackling and intercepting passes, but admittedly, they really shine at it. Their temperament sometimes causes problems, but it is a price that the coach is willing to pay in order to have them.

WINGERS: Imuameni is perhaps the best player on the team. Unlike the other wingers, they are not that fast. Instead, they specialize in high passes and long shots. They are also very good at free kicks, and their dribbling skill is decent, unlike most of their teammates. On the other hand, Rahimo and Taikhaka are both incredibly fast. They are not gifted players, but their effectiveness in breaking through defensive lines makes them extremely destabilizing.

CENTRAL FORWARDS: The coach uses two types of central forwards depending on the game. On one hand, Sakhakhai and Bautxietxe are burly goal poachers. They seek to run to the box to receive a key pass from a teammate and get the ball into the goal. On the other hand, Uraikheta and Grakhaega seek to get in contact with the ball more often, participating in the attack plays and often withdrawing for wingers to surpass them.

Relevant things for RPs

Captain: 1. Kaopokatxai 2. Emihebuaimei 3. Imuameni 4. Uraikheta 5. Dubikhemi

Most likely to score: 1. Sakhakhai, Uraikheta, Grakhaega, Bautxietxe 2. Imuameni, Maikhata, Rahimo 3. Saifaugetxu, Hubangu, Dautxaba

Most likely to score a header: 1. Sakhakhai, Bautxietxe 2. Uraikheta 3. Grakhaega

Most likely to assist: 1. Imuameni 2. Emihebuaimei, Dubikhemi, Daofahim 3. Taikhaka, Hubangu, Grakhaega

Most likely to take a long shot: 1. Imuameni, Rahimo 2. Grakhaega 3. Sakhakhai

Most likely to be booked: 1. Kaoñahani, Tosaihau, Bibatxomu, Nosaemo 2. Exaimahe, Muaniak, Dautxaba 3. Daofahim, Dubikhemi, Maikhata

Most likely to be sent off: 1. Kaoñahani 2. Tosaihau, Bibatxomu 3. Nosaemo, Exaimahe, Muaniak

Most likely to take a free kick: 1. Imuameni 2. Rahimo, Emihebuaimei, Dubikhemi 3. Grakhaega, Uraikheta

Most likely to take a corner kick: 1. Imuameni 2. Emihebuaimei, Dubikhemi 3. Rahimo, Daofahim, Taikhaka

Most likely to take a penalty: 1. Sakhakhai, Uraikheta 2. Imuameni, Grakhaega, Bautxietxe 3. Maikhata, Saifaugetxu

If there's any info you'd like to know about the nation or the players feel free to ask me on Discord or send me a TG. Sadly, I haven't had the time to put together much of a background so there are still like a million things missing. Sorry about that, and thank you for understanding.

RP permissions

If my opponent RP first, they may do the following

Choose my scorer: Yes
Choose Scoring events: Yes
God-mod Scoring event: Yes
RP injuries to my Players: Yes
God-mod injuries to my Player: Yes
Yellow Card my Players: Yes 
Red Card my Player: Yes
God-mod Other Events: Yes

by **Nyowani Kitara** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:53 am

Nyowani Kitara National Team

Nyowani Kitara is a nation that is a multi-ethnic and largely bi-racial communist nation, ruled in a one party state. There are two major ethnic groups- the Kitara(approximately 57% of the population), who are black skinned people who originate as part of the Kitara tribe, in Banija, and mass migrated to Nyowani Kitara in the 1840s after they were largely exiled by Banijan authorities. Because of that, they have no diplomatic relations with Banija and are largely to be considered 'radically' anti-Banijan.

When they came to north Rushmore, They conquered the land that was dominated by a variety of white native tribes. Osterlanders(approximately 30% of the population) are the biggest native white ethnic group, with Nordlanders(6%) and Zealanders(1%) behind them. The remaining 6% are largely white immigrants and their descendants from neighboring countries (particularly Graentfjall, Tikariot, Yuezhou, and San Ortelio).

Nyowani Kitara is known for its short, yet harsh, winters. This is a small and poorer country, and therefore outdoor sports are rather popular in this corner of Rushmore. Ethnic group for each player is listed. While sports in Nyowani Kitara are integrated on gender, this team is all males.

Information
Country code: NYK
Denonym: New Kitaran
Association: Kitara's Workers Footballing Association(KWFA)
Player-Manager: Tage Hermansson. 33 years old.
Senior Assistant Manager: Raira Ouma. 39 years old.
Captain: Tage Hermansson
Alternate Captain: Amittai Owino

RP Permissions
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Choose Scoring Events: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
RP Injuries to my players: Yes(please state what injury they have suffered and how many games they will miss).
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes(please state what injury they have suffered and how many games they will miss). You can kill unnamed characters(groups of fans, etc...) but cannot kill named characters(any named players/coaches, senior politicians, etc...)
Godmod other events: Yes(However, all of my nationals, players, fans, or whomever else you can think of, are banned from catching a pandemic).
Style modifier: +4

Roster for Copa Rushmori XXXVIII

Starters: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Oduor Bigombe. 24 years old. Kitara ethnic group. Plays for 1896 Ebor in Mytanija.
RB #16 Trophimus Agutu. 30 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
CB #5 Tage Hermansson. 33 years old. Osterland ethnic group. Captain, also Player-Manager. Plays for Nagoush FC in Tikariot.
CB #3 Ernst Grönberg. 31 years old. Osterland ethnic group.
LB #4 Armoni Okombo. 25 years old. Kitara ethnic group. Plays for 1923 Esca in Mytanija.
RM #17 Vilgot Westermark. 24 years old. Osterland ethnic group.
RCM #6 Ramah Abong'o. 24 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
LCM #8 Amittai Owino. 29 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
LM #20 Leonard Lundquist. 31 years old. Nordland ethnic group.
RS #12 Odede Angonga. 21 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
LS #11 Owino Odede. 21 years old. Kitara ethnic group.

Bench
GK #35 Parmenus Apondo. 25 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
GK #23 Fwaya Sialo. 23 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
RB #2 Shemaiah Adida. 32 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
CB #18 Casper Edström. 31 years old. Osterland ethnic group.
CB #19 Ouma Okeyo. 21 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
LB #14 Adriel Obonyo. 30 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
CM #6 Abraham Obong'o. 33 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
CM #10 Salem Lagum. 27 years old. Kitara ethnic group.
CM/CAM #23 Arendt Sundin. 26 years old. Osterland ethnic group.
RW #7 Nicholas Ekdahl. 23 years old. Osterland ethnic group.
LM #39 Johannes von Weber. 24 years old. Zealander ethnic group.
ST #9 Sigmund Mickelson. 36 years old. Osterland ethnic group.

Notes:
- Our free kicks are taken by Odede Angonga. Penalties are taken by Odede Angonga.
- In terms of substitutions, anybody is OK to substitute off the pitch besides the Player-Manager, Tage Hermansson.

Copa Rushmori XXXVIII Group Schedule -
Matchday 1: Sargossa(6) v. Nyowani Kitara(25)
Matchday 2: Txakhaxi(UR) v. Nyowani Kitara(25)
Matchday 3: Nyowani Kitara(25) v. Pridnestrovia(17)

by **Hispinas** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:56 am

Hispinas National Football Team
Equipo Nacional de Futbol de Hispinas
Pambansang Koponang Pamputbol ng Hispinas
Hispinako Futbol Talde Nazionala

TEAM INFORMATION / INFORMACION DEL EQUIPO
Team Record: GP 67, W 19, D 18, L 30, GF 89, GA 125, WP 28.36%, latest as of post-CoH80
Consultant: Iago Escobar Ferreiro, 54, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas
Head Coach: Alfonzo Medrano Rama, 53, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas
Assistant Coach: Gorane Iturraspe Zarauz, 44, Female, native of Haranbehera
Coaches:
Josepe Agerre Norzagarai, 39, Male, native of Vallezul
Maria Jesus Capote Andino, 55, Female, native of Lirio
Captain: Ozeano Amunategui Gonzalez De Artaza, 32, Male, native of Vallezul
Vice-Captain: Trinidad Quevedo Nepomuceno, 32, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas

TEAM ROSTER / LISTA DEL EQUIPO
Goalkeepers
1 - GK - Natalio Londono Cerna, 26, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.97 m, 85.1 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
13 - GK - Errasti Ochoa De Olza Ecala, 26, Female, native of Seviguio - 1.93 m, 82.2 kg - Plays for Errege Iparekialdeko
23 - GK - Laida Echevarrieta Oar, 26, Female, native of Vallezul - 1.91 m, 75.1 kg - Plays for Atletikoa Haranurdina

Centerbacks
5 - CB - Chequil Puma Bonito, 29, Male, native of Mandrid - 1.93 m, 83.2 kg - Plays for Royal Mandrid
6 - CB - Casimiro Coro Velasco, 27, Male, native of Felipamerigo - 1.87 m, 88.7 kg - Plays for Eivora Athletic (TKT)
16 - CB - Marcos Rolan Arguello, 25, Male, native of Lirio - 1.81 m, 80.5 kg - Plays for Azucena CF

Side/Wingbacks
3 - LB - Fermin Maquibar Artazcoz, 27, Male, native of Vallezul - 1.67 m, 74.2 kg - Plays for Atletikoa Haranurdina
17 - LB - Latisha Gurule Matute, 28, Female, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.6 m, 65.6 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
2 - RB/CB - Gurutze Aranaz Azcarate, 29, Female, native of Haranbehera - 1.75 m, 68.4 kg - Plays for Errege Iparekialdeko
19 - RB/CB - Chicho Mondragon De Dios, 30, Male, native of Mandrid - 1.71 m, 73.4 kg - Plays for Royal Mandrid

Central Midfielders
4 - CM - Auza Vertiz Goñi, 30, Female, native of Vallezul - 1.71 m, 64.3 kg - Plays for Atletikoa Haranurdina
8 - CM/AM - Trinidad Quevedo Nepomuceno, 32, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.53 m, 61.2 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
14 - DM/CB - Hibai Berriz Iniguez, 26, Male, native of Seviguio - 1.81 m, 73.8 kg - Plays for Errege Iparekialdeko
18 - CM - Tomasina Baltazar Leon, 22, Female, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.79 m, 81.6 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas

Side Midfielders
7 - LM/CM - Salomon Duran Acevedo, 28, Male, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.55 m, 60.2 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
11 - RM/LM - Chara Grullon Iñiguez, 28, Female, native of Mandrid - 1.62 m, 64.4 kg - Plays for Royal Mandrid
12 - LM/LW - Pancho Del Olmo Molina, 23, Male, native of Piedramarilla - 1.77 m, 73.9 kg - Plays for Royal Mandrid
21 - RM/RW - Mira Makarova Romanovna, 19, Female, native of Mascardo - 1.63 m, 62 kg - Plays for Dinamo Mascardo

Wingers/Forwards
9 - ST - Ozeano Amunategui Gonzalez De Artaza, 32, Male, native of Vallezul - 1.86 m, 85.2 kg - Plays for Atletikoa Haranurdina
10 - ST/LW - Peppi Palmero Campana, 29, Female, native of Piedramarilla - 1.7 m, 66.6 kg - Plays for Royal Mandrid
15 - LW/RW - Perlita Chapa Rivero, 27, Female, native of Felipamerigo - 1.57 m, 55.3 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
20 - ST/RW - Carmelita Grimaldo Lainez, 29, Female, native of Ciudad de Cebuenas - 1.64 m, 69.8 kg - Plays for FC Cebuenas
22 - RW/LW - Munio Sola Arroniz, 27, Male, native of Vallezul - 1.61 m, 60.3 kg - Plays for Atletikoa Haranurdina

FORMATION / FORMACION

STYLE OF PLAY / ESTILO DE JUEGO
Style Modifier: +2
Description: Alfonzo Medrano likes to play attacking football with three players up front, with tall striker Amunategui in the middle and abundance of wingers capable of playing multiple positions at their disposal. The three players upfront is mandatory in his lineups, and he prefers the 4-3-3 over the 3-4-3 formation due to lack of central defenders in his squad. He may also play 2-5-3 depending on the situation. They also employ a physical brand of football where players commit to tackles and prefer to roughen up the opposition.

The team prefer the usage of wingers to deliver the ball to the box via low to high crosses, and does not prefer to keep the ball at the middle of the park. Corners are usually delivered via crosses with the ball kicked from the corner spot.

Medrano is a calm man and is less likely to react violently to partial calls. His coaching staff however, have a quirk to start touchline brawls.

Most likely to:
Score penalties: Quevedo, Amunategui, Vertiz
Score a direct free kick: Quevedo, Berriz, Palmero
Concede a penalty: Puma, Aranaz, Coro
Booked for short temper: Puma, Duran, Maquibar

OFFICIAL KITS / EQUIPOS OFICIALES
Provided by Harrokeria from Vallezul. Bring on the swag.

ROLEPLAY PERMISSIONS / PERMISOS DE JUEGO DE ROLES

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: Yes

ADDITIONAL NOTES / NOTAS ADICIONALES

IC History with Hispania y Filipinas is expunged and not recognized by the Hispino Monarchy. Thus, any mention of the Hispania y Filipinas name or its stint in the past IBCs will be met with raised eyebrows by the government.
Spanish naming customs is followed, Given name, then paternal name, then maternal name. Jersey names will be the players' paternal names, in certain exceptions, the known nickname of the player, is used

by **Gatchingerrak Union** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 2:36 am

Football Federations of the Gatchingerrak Union of Nations (FFGUN)

Gatchingerrak Union Football Team
Trigramme: GGU
Denonym: Gatchin/Unionian
Nickname: Seven Stars

Gatchingerrak Union of Rushmori nations, shortened as the Gatchingerrak Union, is a cultural and political alliance of four countries of the Quebecois Commonwealth located in mid-southern Rushmore (Norrskie Zasousti, Norrehavn, Gatchinovo and Novopetrograd). The three kingdoms and the citystate, while independent nations of own, do have the Gatchingerrak Union as a way to establish their common zone, where their main goals are to advance co-operation in military, cultural, economic and energy matters. It shares land border with Vaugania and Norrhem to the west, while bits of the east touch Phoenigetzusta. Combined population of the union are estimated to be around 81 million.

While its trio of nations have always fought with one another for centuries, Gatchingerrak Union is a culturally diverse nation with growing importance outside to that of the Quebecois Commonwealth. Its population is ethnically diverse, with the eastern, Novopetrogradian half of the realms primarily Slavic, while the Western half is divided to primarily Nordic Norrehavn on north and slavic Norrskie Zasousti on the south. Somewhere in middle of the lake, which faces all of the three nations, stands the island that is nowadays known as the citystate of Gatchinovo, the ancient place known for its significance on trades and diplomacy among the Rushmori realms of the Quebecois Commonwealth. It is where the Accord between the 4 states were signed in year 2030 (around the time of WC78), to promise co-prosperity among the rivalling states whose cooperation is needed more than ever. Its economy is a mix of natural resources and heavy manufacturing for it.

A no stranger to international sport, Gatchingerrak Union does have a past history of international football and hockey, where its western realms were represented as Norrehavn. It has hosted a Copa Rushmori and a World Cup of Hockey, and both sports are extremely popular. Unfortunately, the long years of absence from the international sporting circuit does mean that it is expected to be a long way back to relevance for the seven-stars.

Formation: 4-4-2
Style Modifier: -5

Manager: Angelo Gelinas, 57, Quebec
Assistant Manager: Levi Gazdanov, 42, Novopetrograd

##    POS   Player                   Age Pays Club 
 1    GK    Marian Belohlavek         34  NZS Atalanta Lubossa (NZS)
 2    RB    Petri Siirilä             24  NHV Zenit Attawapiskat (QUE)
 3    LB    Jean-Benédict Bokassa     22  NHV Boldklubben 1947 (NHV)  
 4    CB    Emilia Thyboe             28  NHV FC Langeland (NHV)
 5    CB    Tsisana Shervashidze      34  NPG Armada Petrograd (NPG)
 6    CM    Nicolas Bjerre-Ovesen     30  NHV FC Langeland (NHV)
 7    RM    Svetlana Greenberg        27  NPG Belomorets Palmyra (NPG)
 8    CM    Patrick Larsen            29  NHV FC Kohnface City (KHD)
 9    CF    Lukas Svozil              23  NZS Koreana Palmyra (NPG)
10    CF    Harald Jespersen          26  NHV Swanguard Athletic (QUE)
12    CB    Lauri Harkimo             18  NHV Boldklubben 1947 (NHV) - Next Destination to be determined this TW
13    MF    Valeri Stepanov           31  NPG Boldklubben 1947 (NHV)
15    MF    Patrik Ssekendi           20  NZS 1857 Lubossa (NZS)
16    CF    Galina Becker             26  NZS Atalanta Lubossa (NZS)
17    CM    Gilles Peverley-Halm      26  GNV Gatchinovo IFK (GNV)    
18    RB    Anatole Voronkov-Galiev   30  NPG Avangard (NPG)
19    CB    Gavril Loseff             31  NHV Belomorets Palmyra (NPG)
20    GK    Anatoli Kovalenko         23  NPG CSKA Quebec (QUE)
21    CB    Endzela Khardziani        30  NPG Österby FF (NHV)
26    CF    Tatiana Barabanova        22  NPG Gatchinovo IFK (GNV)  
29    GK    Julien Furman             17  NPG Olympique de Rimouski (QUE)
33    CB    Marion Sjölund-Lebreton   19  NHV IF Bothnianorrland (NHV)
77    LM    Konstantin Loktionov      24  NPG Armada Petrograd (NPG)

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes/No
Godmod scoring events: Yes/No
RP injuries to my players: Yes/No
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes/No (If you wish to do so, at least ask. Otherwise, no)
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes/No
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes/No
Godmod other events: Yes/No (It's a complicated nation. Best to ask me via TG or PM)

by **Savojarna** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:33 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Revisiting History: Copa Rushmori 31 Finals

By Lars Bjergby

The upcoming 38th Copa Rushmori will be played in Mytanija - a site of memory and triumph for Savojars. Twelve years ago, coached by the legendary Lise Asbeck, a Savojar all-women’s team (yes, this was before the union of both teams) managed to take Rushmore by storm. After scraping through a difficult group with many draws, they beat Qusmo in penalties and Eura in a thriller in Thessia, before upsetting regional favourite Nephara in the final. Here, we are giving you a re-visit of the legendary game in Esca, Mytanija.

The teams
This legendary match was played a bit before the tenure of Olaf Jurtanen, meaning that back then, Savojarna did not yet have its mixed-gender national team. Instead, the Northlights alternated between playing a women’s team and a men’s team in each cycle. Lise Asbeck, partnered with her congenial assistant Mikaela Rangren, was in charge of this side, setting her side up in a balanced 4-3-3 with the towering Freya Sigurdsdottir in centre, as a constant threat in the middle. Viktorija Petrova stood in Savojarna’s goal, with other familiar names being a young Linne Kjaer in central defence and Victoria Maersk in central midfield, a breakout of this tournament that might very much have paved her way to Nephara’s Premiership. Stars of this team, however, were the technical and fast Irina Jarkasjärvi, and the restless rock of Kristina Midström - captain of the side - at left back.

Nephara had entered the tournament as the number one seed, with Aidan Brosque on the sideline and plenty of power on the pitch. A 4-3-3 resembling the Savojar lineup took the pitch for the Cormorants, anchored in the back by the veteran Dieter Konoval, playing his 134th international match for Nephara in the final, and a young Roxelana Thorn on the bench. In midfield, captain Monica Rowland and a younger Chimera Moxham were pulling the strings, with the ruthless and athletic Estrella Hawke and a Rowena Strongbow in her best years up front. It’s easy to see why Nephara would be the favourites in this match.

How they got there
Both Savojarna and Nephara were members of Group B, but had a very different tournament. With Nephara storming through the group stage with six points out of the first two games and securing group victory after two matchdays, Savojarna were struggling despite spirited performances. Conceding a late equaliser against Darmen in the first game, ending 2-2, and seeing bad luck against Oberour ar Moro as a controversial offside call that disallowed a late 2-1 for Savojarna. So, with two points from two games, they needed to beat Nephara in the last game to advance - and surprisingly, they did. Nephara rotated, playing Thorn and Aristide Metzger, then young up-and-comers instead of seasoned Cormorants, and seemed disjointed as a consequence.

In knockouts, Savojarna managed to see off a defensive and hard to break down Qusmo, with just a few chances on both sides but keeping themselves in the Copa with a late miracle save by Petrova. In the shootout, Petrova saved two, seeing Savojarna progress into a banger of a semifinal against Eura. It was a legendary game all on its own, with seven goals, both teams pulling ahead and losing their lead again, and eventually Savojarna made it as Otalainen launched off Haakonson on the left, the winger’s cross landed perfectly on Sigurdsdottir’s head, and the striker managed her second goal of the match to secure the 4-3 win for Savojarna. Nephara, on the other hand, got through their knockouts in commandeering fashion. 3-1 over hosts Mytanija in the quarterfinal, proving you still can’t out-scrap a Nephara side, and a 1-0 over Sargossa off a 56th minute goal by Estrella Hawke saw them through to the final.

5’ - First shot on target
It’s cold and lightly raining, an atmosphere that oddly fits two physical sides that are here to show some determination. Nephara succeed more at that, with Moxham intercepting a pass by Raukanen and making off with the ball, serving up Strongbow on the left. Reskilainen can’t decide between covering her and the fullback pushing forward, and Kjaer is a step too late, but Strongbow doesn’t hit it well and Petrova can catch the ball rather easily. A spirited start for Nephara nonetheless.

12’ - Savojarna are under fire
Back then Nephara were even bigger favourites against Savojarna then they would be now, and they started showing it after the first few minutes. An uncomplicated long ball gets swatted down by Hawke, Moxham picks it up and turns swiftly around the backtracking Victoria Maersk. Her shot, however, flies high over the bar, perhaps a bit lacking in patience.

16’ - Savojarna get a first chance
Nephara show they are not perfect, either. Fanaiyan underestimates a bit how fast a through ball can get on the wet pitch, and Midström intercepts it and finds Maersk in the centre. Today’s Savojarna captain shows her skill in ball-carrying in ways her age doesn’t quite permit her anymore these days, shrugs off Klein’s charge with ease and finds a long ball to Sigurdsdottir. But the tall striker gets over-eager and panics in the face of Konoval, sending the ball a good five metres wide.

27’ - Hawke sends her regards
The Cormorants can be oppressive but can be even more dangerous when they manage to pull out Savojarna. Having let the Northlights have the ball a little, but preventing any chance, Close throws out a long ball across the pitch diagonally to Klein, who beats the short Maersk in the air and knocks it on to Fanaiyan. The winger appears to go for a one-two with Hawke, but Nephara’s 9 isn’t having any of it and shoots from nineteen metres, a thundering shot that takes Petrova by surprise but bounces off the crossbar and over the goal.

32’ - Savojarna suddenly pull ahead!
Out of nowhere the Savojars pull a goal! Otalainen, who had been completely invisible faced with a biting, relentless Monica Rowland, gets a tiny bit of space to chip a ball over the defensive line, Malin Haakonson beats Leona Rafford to it, and her cross finds Sigurdsdottir. The latter’s header bounces off the thigh of Steelhenge, somehow back into the weak left foot of Sigurdsdottir, and she finds a way to force it across the line! She probably still doesn’t know herself how she had scored this goal, but it was probably the most important one of her career. Nephara, however, looked far from beaten, knowing they still have lots of time - and the course of the game on their side.

36’ - The almost-answer from Fanaiyan
Monica Rowland makes up for having let Otalainen through before the 1-0 with a clever pass to Moxham, who lets it pass as she blocks off Raukanen and plays it on to Rowena Strongbow. The superstar winger dances past Reskilainen and crosses in, Hawke pulling both centre-backs onto her, and on the second post Ishtar Fanaiyan has a free shot for goal - but misses it by a few centimetres.

44’ - One last scare
Savojarna appeared to get more confident by the end of the first half, but it might just have been a ruse again. Jarkasjärvi is separated from the ball by Marcin Close, and once more Rowland takes over distribution. A long ball, Hawke keeps it against Kjaer, and after a quick combination with Rusalka Klein she has a free path to the goal, about twenty-five metres out. Except that as she’s already readying herself to shoot, Petra Ernberg slides in from the side to deflect the shot out into the stands; the following corner is snatched out of the air by Petrova.

At half time there was hope for the Northlights, but it was about as feint as hope can be at a point where you’re ahead 1-0. With Savojarna down in all relevant stats other than goals scored, and the sheer weight of the reputation of Nephara, there must have been more than one fan that was certain we’d see a quick equaliser. And they were not entirely wrong - or so it seemed.

48’ - Savojarna are shocked from close range
An incredible chance for Nephara kicked off a tense and nerve-wrecking second half. Strongbow punched herself past Midström, and the ball bounced off Kjaer sort of uncontrollably to land in front of the feet of Estrella Hawke! Unfortunately for Nephara, she has clearly not quite expected to get the ball like that, and from seven metres, she sends it over the bar. In any situation with a little less pressure, she’d probably bury that in the net.

57’ - Nephara shake up the lull
Despite the stakes, the second half started a little bit lull as Nephara are not willing to take many risks, and Savojarna are trying to keep the ball among themselves as much as possible. But then, Close tears down Jarkasjärvi and sets up Rowland to kick off the counter, which she does with a beautiful through ball to Moxham. The midfielder tries her luck herself, and Petrova deflects it past the post for a corner.

59’ - Petrova under fire
Petrova had to intervene again on the first corner and deflected it high again, and the second attempt from Nephara is truly dangerous as Ernberg can head it away, but not far enough. Klein gets the ball at fifteen metres on the right side of the box and swings at it, forcing Petrova to concede a rebound; Midström sends it far out to a throw-in for Nephara in the midfield area.

65’ - Jarkasjärvi misses the second one!
Faced with Marcin Close, Jarkasjärvi had her trouble in this match being useful on the right flank so far, but now that all almost changed! After Sigurdsdottir managed to draw a foul from the veteran Konoval, the winger took her run at the free kick, and sends it beautifully around the wall. However, the ball comes down a bit too late and lands on top of the goal.

73’ - Heartbreak for the Northlights
Savojarna had been spending much of the second half of this final in defence, much to the dismay of many fans, but in the end it didn’t quite pay off as Moxham is a little too strong for Raukanen, Strongbow is a tad too quick for Reskilainen, and then cuts in past a slightly overworked Linne Kjaer. Petrova couldn’t quite commit to the angle as she needs to account for Hawke lurking in the middle, and gets beaten on the near post for the equaliser for Nephara. Back to 1-1 it was, and twelve years ago, many probably expected it to be 1-2 soon enough.

77’ - Rowland’s attempt from the edge
The optimists who didn’t see the 1-2 already coming probably do so now, as Fanaiyan passes back into open space where nobody saw or expected Monica Rowland. The Nephara captain is opening up the cannons from seventeen metres completely alone, and Petrova just about manages to get her fingertips onto it to turn that shot around the post.

84’ - Sigurdsdottir challenges Swoboda
After Savojarna have been mostly absent from a second half where they decided to weather the storm with a 1-0 lead, they took a while to react to Hawke’s 1-1. But the Northlights showed the hadn’t given up yet: Joker Kaisa Hytamäki, who came on for captain Midström after 76 minutes, overlaps and is being sent deep, crosses in, and Sigurdsdottir gets a free header from about ten metres out! But Swoboda catches the ball.

90’ - Viilanen has the Copa on her foot
Savojarna spent the last minutes of the game looking for crosses left and right, making the fans hope for the best, but it won’t quite work as the Nepharim defend tightly. A cross attempt is being deflected to a corner, and Jarkasjärvi turns it in to the first post - where Linne Kjaer prolongs to the far end, and Viilanen flies in, foot extended at hip level! But the joker can’t quite reach the ball properly, and sends it uncontrolledly into the outside of the net.

90’ +4 - Overtime
After a difficult second half, Savojarna are almost beaten on the finish line as Josie Webster, having come on for a Klein that was resolutely challenged and frustrated by Victoria Maersk to give more offence to Nephara, plays an incredible chip pass to Rowena Strongbow, who swings inside and launches - into the arms of Petrova. Had she taken any more time to aim, she might have scored the 2-1 here, but with Petrova’s save it was certain that Savojarna and Nephara would have to go to overtime.

93’ - A mark for overtime
Extra time was always going to be difficult for the Savojars, with Nephara having fresher legs and still making some changes. Strongbow, having made a splendid game, was replaced by Marisha Staunton, and the Crisisbless winger was simply too fast for Reskilainen from the beginning. Savojar fans held their breath as she breaks past the fullback for the first time, crossing in perfectly to Estrella Hawke, only to have Petrova fly out and punch away the ball before awkwardly stumbling over Kjaer, who thankfully escapes injury.

99’ - Maersk makes Savojarna groan
Victoria Maersk was one of the unsung heroes of this final, but then she did make sure fans would remember her performance as much as the analysts would: Wrestling the ball off Moxham, who seems a little awkward in her double playmaker position with Webster, she runs down the pitch herself and sidesteps Roxelana Thorn, who replaced Steelhenge in the second half - only to shoot the ball a good half metre over the bar.

104’ - Offside
There are few moments that make Savojar fans still so shook, twelve years later, than this one: Josie Webster makes a turn that lets Namenkova run into nothing, passes deep into the gap between Kjaer and Ernberg, and finds Hawke - but there’s a flag, and the threat of an Estrella Hawke alone in front of the goal is banned.

108’ - A free kick makes a stadium go silent
Webster has been great at exploiting the occasional mistakes by Namenkova and makes her substitution all the more valuable. This time, the Savojar defending midfielder has enough and lazily leaves out her leg, making Webster fall - resulting in a free kick from 23 metres. Strongbow is gone, but it is her replacement Staunton that sets the ball, takes aim, shoots - and grazes the post, on the wrong side for her, on the good side for Savojarna.

112’ - Fanaiyan!
Ishtar Fanaiyan has been quiet for much of the game after her early activity, but she’s still here - and now the beneficiary of a long pass by Rowland, prolonged by Moxham’s head, taken down by Fanaiyan, who is faster than Hytamäki and Ernberg together. But Petrova storms out of her goal, gets her shin at the ball, and sends it out of bounds.

117’ - Savojarna’s last dream in extra time
Lenka Otalainen, who had a rough time facing down Monica Rowland, finds a gap on the left for Haakonson, who lets it through and runs inside to receive a back pass from Hytamäki. She swings at it from fourteen metres on the left side, but Roxelana Thorn announces her arrival on the international stage with a decisive tackle, catching the ball under her thigh and shooting it far out of the Nepharan box.

Shootout
And so we ended up here - in the shootout. Savojarna were unbeaten in penalties thus far, but the opponents were different: Yuezhou in the last Copa, Qusmo in the quarterfinal. None of them were Nephara. The nation, at this time, was holding its breath despite it being late at night in Savojarna. The pitch by now was brown, wet, and not in its best state - but good enough for the final decision of this Copa. So far, we’ve curated a live summary of the game, but here, we just hand off to the man who brought you the live ticker for the match twelve years ago: Ladies and Gentlemen, SavojarSports.sj’s one and only Kristian Hovel!

Nephara are slated to begin
Rowland and Petrova are just done with the choices. It’s going to be the left side, from the TV cameras, with the Savojars behind it. But it’s the Nepharim who get to begin in return, as Rowland won the coin toss and opted for first shot. Petrova immediately chose the backing of her own supporters in return.

Chimera Moxham - MISSED! NPH 0-0 SVJ
Moxham, the midfielder that has been one of the dominant players of the game on Nephara’s side, takes aim high to the left side and sends it just about over the bar! This is the best possible start for Savojarna, but now they need to return with Irina Jarkasjärvi.

Irina Jarkasjärvi - SCORED! NPH 0-1 SVJ
YES! Jarkasjärvi takes no nonsense, sets it down coolly, takes four steps back, puts it to the bottom left side. Swoboda was going to the right corner but far away from getting to this shot.

Marisha Staunton - SAVED! NPH 0-1 SVJ
What a save! Staunton, using her thunderous left, goes for an attempt to the right side, but it’s not all that placed, on half height. Petrova punches it out into the sides, having guessed the strong attempt to her left.

Freya Sigurdsdottir - SAVED! NPH 0-1 SVJ
Four penalties and only one goal as Freya aims low to her left, takes a lot of run-up, and appears to slip a little on the wet pitch and lose speed. She still tries, but doesn’t hit the ball as intended and only shoves it towards the left side, where Swoboda can save it easily. Unlucky performance by a striker that has been crucial for Savojarna to get here.

Estrella Hawke - SCORED! NPH 1-1 SVJ
Finally there’s another goal in this game. Hawke is getting booed and whistled at loudly by the Savojar fans, and irritated with loud shouts during her setting the ball, but a world-class professional like her is not irritated by the crowd. Setting the ball, taking five measured steps back, running up and sending the ball high into the top left corner, the opposite of where Petrova went, as if there was nothing easier in the world.

Kaisa Hytamäki - SCORED! NPH 1-2 SVJ
Savojarna lead again! Hytamäki leaves no doubt in her penalty, shooting straight under the bar with a powerful shot that Swoboda cannot react to after choosing the left corner.

Monica Rowland - SAVED! NPH 1-2 SVJ
Can you believe it? Monica Rowland, the most secure player on the pitch, the one that seemed infallible all game, sets the ball, takes aim to the bottom left corner, bounces it off the ground once, but the ball lands in Petrova’s hands! The Savojar audience is barely held back. One more goal and it would be the decision for the Northlights.

Lenka Otalainen - SCORED! NPH 1-3 SVJ, Savojarna win 1-1 (1-3 pen.)
YES! YES! YES! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? SAVOJARNA HAVE WON THE COPA RUSHMORI! Otalainen leaves Swoboda no chance, shoots to the top right corner. GOAL SAVOJARNA, IT IS OVER! SAVOJARNA WIN THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TITLE!

by **San Isidro Labrador** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:11 am

San Isidro Labrador Copa Rushmori Roster

Nickname: Jornaleros
Formation: 3-5-2
Style: -2
Manager: Eliseo Alguacil

Goalkeepers
GK #1 Kalikrates Sorriqueta, 26
GK #12 Alonso Alarcón, 31
GK #23 Andrés Palacios, 21

Defenders
CB #2 Rutenio Castaño, 28
CB #3 Armando Sousa, 25
CB #4 Garapasio Albarracín, 30
FB/WB #13 Masimiliano Moret, 25
FB/WB #14 Romeu Núñez, 23
CB #15 Eleazar Feijóo, 26
CB #16 Luca Galán, 25

Midfielders
LWB #5 Segismundo Caldeira, 27
CM #6 Démosthène Carrière, 31
CM #8 Dámaso Lombardi, 26
CM #10 Plácido di Stefano, 29
RWB #7 Oriol Godoy, 22
WB #17 Diego Berrocal, 25
MF #18 Camilo Novoa, 23
MF #19 Mauricio Fonseca, 25

Forwards
ST #11 Juan Francisco Ferrero, 26
ST #9 Guillermo Villalobos, 32
FW #20 Gael Cicerón, 27
FW #21 Xavi Hidalgo, 24
FW #22 Nacho Ballester, 21

http://sharemytactics.com/166663/San-Isidro-Labrador-formation-tactics.png

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
    =================================
    Choose My Goalscorers: Yes
    Godmod Goalscoring Events: No
    Injure Players: Small things, every two of my players you injure, one of yours must be injured
    Godmod Injury Events: No
    Red Card Players: Yes, one for one on each team
    Yellow Card Players: Yes, two on my team for one on your team
    Godmod Other Events: No
    =================================

by **San Ortelio** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:12 pm

San Ortelio
"The Swordfishes / I Spada"

The Story

San Ortelio, your favorite minnow, stepped onto the international football scene a good three years ago as the San Ortelio Confederazione Calcio Extra-Regionale subscribed itself for the Di Bradini Cup 49. Against all expectations, the Young Swordfishes not only managed to stay afloat, but stunned all their opponents with a successful run. In the final, the formidable Graentfjall was beaten - a Cinderella story as there ever was one and this allowed the board to ignore that the manager they chose attempted to murder two players. Yeah, let’s forget about that part and focus on the silverware.

As such, it was with a bit more confidence that San Ortelio started their World Cup 87 qualifiers. Manager Renato Di Tane saw his selection stunt several times: Turori dominated the group by and far, but behind the mighty Eels, it were the Swordfishes that nicked the second spot. In the closing days of the qualifiers, opponents Juvencus, Qasden and Mercedini inched closer but with a one-point cushion, San Ortelio made it to the play-offs unranked. Baker Park, number nine in the world, easily disposed of I Spada but the first impression was made: San Ortelio was not here to be slaughtered.

It granted the Swordfishes a spot in the Cup of Harmony, where San Ortelio made it out of the group stage, but bowed their heads to a dominant Mriin on their goodbye tour. The Copa Rushmori, a few months later, is better forgotten: Pasarga and Yuezhou were just a class ab- oh, goddamned, now we’re thinking about it again. In the run-up to this World Cup, San Ortelio had their traditional friendlies: a (lost) duel against the regional rival Tikariot and a double-header vis-a-vis their favorite opponent Juvencus for the Coppa Odiol. The qualifiers themselves started off properly, vying for the second spot at the half-way point but a disappointing collapse saw the squad drop back to the fifth place. The hunger to redeem themselves in the Cup of Harmony was big and the performances strong, but despite appearing close to home in Graentfjall, Darmen proved too strong to advance to the second knock-out round.

Tournament                 Games    Win   Draw   Loss   GF   GA
Friendlies                     3      0      2      1    7    8
World Cup 87 Qualifiers       20     10      5      5   26   17
Cup of Harmony 79              4      1      1      2    8   11
Copa Rushmori 37               3      0      1      2    3    8
Friendlies                     3      1      0      2    1    4
World Cup 88 Qualifiers       18      8      4      6   20   20
Cup of Harmony 80              4      2      1      1    7    2

Total                         55     22     14     19   72   70

San Ortelio itself is a small, coastal country located in the heartland of Rushmore. Consisting of the land stretched around a bay, it is known for its fishermen, coastal tourism and tax evasion. The climate is mediterranean and the atmosphere is always on that intriguing balance between holiday-relaxed and ‘are they talking or fighting in the middle of the street’.

Football has been around for nearly half a century in San Ortelio, with each of the five constituting regions organising tournaments early on. For a decade and a half now, the best clubs are united in the Serie Nazionale, which sends its best clubs (usually the Big Three, Catrallo Calcio, FC Pesari and Virtus Redoccio) to the IFCF since a year or two.

The Selection

Manager Renato Di Tane, despite the frankly disappointing appearance in the Copa Rushmori, held on to his position and selected a pool of 34 players for the qualifying series. Di Tane opts for a fairly defensive 5-4-1 which usually sees the numbers 1 to 11 start.

Pos  Nr  Full Name              Club                           Age  Cap  G   A
GK   1   Enrico Lanzafame       Sherbrooke Noksaekjeonsa (QUE) 27   50   0   0
GK  12   Serafino Evacuo        Virtus Redoccio                31    5   0   0
GK  23   Walter Moro            FC Pesari                      23    -

No doubts about the starting goalkeeper, Enrico Lanzafame will be the man there. Despite a fairly uninspired nickname in the Wall, he is undoubtedly a key player in this selection and his performances in the WCQ and CoH stood out, even when the team was struggling. Lanzafame played for his second A-League squad but will relocate now Westpike dropped back to the second tier. If injury would strike - or we end up with a dead rubber - Serafino Evacuo will take his place. Whilst the Virtus goalie is a bit better vocally and in the box, he does not possess the catlike reflexes from Lanzafame. Behind this duo, youngster Moro may show himself on the training pitch and try to confirm his presence for the next campaign. A gentle giant, Moro showed promise in the DBC but lacks starting experience.

Pos  Nr  Full Name              Club                           Age  Cap  G   A
LD  21   Luca Curiale           Virtus Redoccio                26   33   2   0
LD   2   Daniele Gagliano       Soldarian FC (VAL)             22   31   0   0
CD   4   Pietro Mazziero        Fagli Cinquanta                30   49   1   0
CD   5   Salvatore Moscati      Esca Unione                    35   48   2   0
CD  17   Gaetano Lucarelli      Catrallo Calcio                33   26   0   0
CD   7   Orlando Castorani      Port Tacassam FC (TKT)         25   46   0   0
RD   3   Alessio Rota           FC Pesari                      29   51   2   1
RD  19   Lorenzo Moreschini     Catrallo Calcio                23   22   2   1

A back five is the usually employed tactic but still, Di Tane limits the depth in the selection - in part due to the lack of depth on these positions. On the left, 22-year old Gagliano developed into a starting position as part of the Blades. His speed also makes the line-up a bit less defensive than the numbers make you suspect, as Gagliano makes more infiltrations and crosses than his back-up Curiale. At the other wing, short and stocky Alessio Rota forms an enthused roadrunner who doesn’t ignore his defensive tasks. If the result requires, he can be replaced by the more attacking and very energetic Moreschini - more of a right-wing than a back after all.

The heart of the defense is formed by a rotating cast of four players, even if Lucarelli is used more sparingly lately. Veteran Salvatore Moscati slowed down a bit, but his tactical shrewdness puts him ahead of the very similar Lucarelli: physically strong, powerful header, no-nonsense attitude. Lucarelli has worse feet but a bit more speed but Orlando Castorani picks that up these days. The fresh, young Port Tacassam defender is a bit more modern in style and increasingly consistent. Third man Mazziero is easily overlooked but the most allround of the defenders and as such the one that can be juggled around positionally in this line-up. The average age of this portion of the pitch is a long-term worry.

Pos  Nr  Full Name              Club                           Age  Cap  G   A
DM   6   Fabrizio Confalonieri  Virtus Redoccio                32   48   0   0
DM   8   Alessio Di Masi        Vrnovo Mesto (STL)             26   39   2   2
DM  16   Attilio Quintarelli    FC Pesari                      22    8   1   0
DM  18   Domenico Cappa         Montfort Wanderers (TLI)       24   25   0   2
CM  13   Diego Buglia           Estdal (GRF)                   30   20   2   1
AM  10   Gianmarco Del Prete    Valnohar Rovers (TKT)          32   53   8  17
AM  11   Giacomo Favaro         Miruan City FC (TKT)           25   40   6  10
AM  14   Emilio Salvatori       Catrallo Calcio                30   32   3   4
AM  22   Lorenzo Tosi           FC Pesari                      25    1   0   0

The midfield block usually falls into two categories: two holding and two creative midfielders must ensure the balance from the system. So far, Fabrizio Confalonieri still is the face of that first group: he takes no prisoners and will do everything in his might to ~~break your legs~~ stop your progress. Counterpart Di Masi possesses a better infiltration and might pop up in front of goal at times. Still, they must fear the young generation, products of the successful DBC run: Quintarelli combines a sharp tackle with great vision, whilst Cappa can direct a team despite his young age, which has put him ahead of Confalonieri recently. If a goal is needed, Di Tane is inclined to add Buglia for one of the two starters. The Estdal box-to-box makes miles and war, offering an additional card in the deck.

Still, we believe he will hold on to a duo of attacking midfielders and there, the biggest question mark of Ortelian football takes place. In theory, there is no doubt about the starting position of Del Prete, a man who earned himself the nickname La Leggenda before joining the Rovers. Del Prete is the posterboy of the selection with his free kicks and exceptional vision guiding ditto passes. Additionally, he showed to rise to the occasion when needed. By his side, we will find either Favaro or Salvatori - with the former overtaking the latter lately. Giacomo Favaro is an industrious yet elegant player, whilst Emilio Salvatori is less flamboyant but makes sharp infiltrations. Being stuck behind this illustrious trio for a starting spot is a nearly impossible task and the presence of Tosi (who edged out the young Trillo and the capricious Sgarbi) is merely a reward for his excellent season with Fagli.

Pos  Nr  Full Name              Club                           Age  Cap  G   A
LW  15   Luca Cadili            Sportiva Montelcampo           21    2   0   0
ST  20   Orazio Canova          Rozelle United (BRE)           25   24   8   2
ST   9   Carmine Garofalo       Catrallo Calcio                32   51  29   7
ST  24   Romeo Gozzi           Þingsnitz (GRF)                 28   20   7   1

There is a lot that can be said and written about the starting striker - and trust us, Ortelian newspapers did their bit for that already - but as the statistics confirm, there is no getting around Carmine Garofalo. Il Buffalo does no mind being employed as a sole striker and makes the required space with his strength and speed. What he lacks in refinement, Garofalo easily makes up in power and the last few years, he approaches the ‘one goal per match’ statistic - in the Serie Nazionale, of course. The question remains who will be his back-up if things go awry. Orazio Canova has the advantage of age but his aspired breakthrough in Brenecia did not materialize - he’s acting in the B-League nowadays. On top of that, he’s a bit better in a system with two strikers whilst his adversary for the position, Romeo Gozzi, is more of a lonewolf. A peculiar character, known for escapades on and off the field, Gozzi is a real finisher and on his day, can take on the world. But he might also grab a red for insulting the referee, seduce a female fan or refuse to come off the bench cause he don’t want to. After all his stunts, Di Tane decided to leave him at home for the CoH – after which Gozzi vowed that he’ld never play for him again - but under popular pressure, the forward is back. Either way, this opened up an opportunity for Cadili, a nifty winger who offers a chance to play 3-4-3, with Moreschini on the right wing - a rarity, but who knows.

The Administration

Schedule

MD1 Savojarna vs San Ortelio @Stadion Yolanda Savic
MD2 San Ortelio vs Bollonich @Radnika
MD3 Darmen vs San Ortelio @Radnika

RP Permissions

Thou shall praise the organizing FA as if they were thee
Especially as they value our modifier as minus three
Thou shall choose our goalscorer as thou chooseth thine
And to godmod our scores will be considered fine
Thou can describe a players injury and hellish pain
But from ending their careers, I beg thou, refrain
Thou can allow the referee to show the yellow card
Accepting a red, up until two, I will not discard
Thou shall thank Tahuatxi for the shirts they provide
And for crying out loud, Spada, do not shoot wide
And if thou want to godmod, please be our guest
Don't hesitate to TG if we can assist thou quest

by **Yue Zhou** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:55 pm

THE UNITED REPUBLICS OF YUEZHOU - NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
月州联合共和国 - 国际足球队

Badge and kits designed by Txakhaxi's Tahuatxi Storefront.

Well, that wasn't supposed to happen. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the entire tournament, and being drawn into what would've been a group of death if they weren't there, the Dragons stole four points from Farfadillis and Turori and finished a credible third place in the group. Now, despite Lu Jialan reportedly wanting out, Copa Rushmori 38 has the long-suffering Yue fans starting to hope again for a deep run. In a show of regional unity (and perhaps out of desperation due to not being let into the CRC), the FA has opted to send an entirely Rushmore-based squad of players to Mytanija.

Home, Away, and GK kits designed by Tahautxi. See the video reveal here.

Manager: Lu Jialan
Assistant Manager: None [left vacant since the Alba and Cymru Incident]
Nickname: The ~~Red~~ Dragons
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Style Modifier: -2.75
First-Choice Lineup
RP Permissions: no killing/serious injuries, TG or DM before doing anything unrealistic, everything else is fine. If you're planning on RPing the match, I would prefer you reference my players by name in said RP.
Tactics:
Yuan Zilai, the previous coach of the national team (and newly minted coach of Tumbra), used an aggressive midfield press and a dynamic counterattack to stun much more talented opposition. However, it was clear by the end of the tenure that the wheels had come off a bit, especially with the press tending to lead to sloppy defending and tired legs late in matches. There were also some concerns with the attacking setup, with Liu Huiying and Gu Zhalei looking out of place on the wings, and Huang Shedong isolated upfront.

Former Dynamo Dalian and Beian City manager Lu Jialan’s tactics are largely responding to these weaknesses. On the attacking end of things, Liu Huiying has been moved centrally, and will frequently push up to form a strike partnership with Huang Shedong. Wen Xiaohui will also tuck in and spray passes from a more central position, although she’ll have a freer role that allows her to drift wide and find spaces between the lines. The focus in open play will be to play more centrally and dynamically, shifting play between the two sides of the pitch when needed. Lu relies on his fullbacks-turned-wingbacks for width, with Diadora Reeve and Kang Enlai being given more license to push up and provide a wide threat, although Yuezhou will never have the personnel to play many crosses in.

Without the ball, Lu Jialan sets his team up in a position to counterattack. Immediately after losing the ball, Yuezhou will attempt to defend from the front, trying to win it back. However, unlike Yuan Zilai’s setup, they will not press aggressively in midfield, instead dropping back into a 5-4-1 medium block. The center-backs will play very conservatively, although Zhu will have more license to bomb forwards on the counter, and the midfield pivot (especially Yang, who can make the defense a six-man back line at times) also frequently sits back. The aim will be to control the center of the pitch and force attacks into wide areas, while maintaining space up front to surge forward into a counterattack if need be.

STARTERS

#01 - GK - ZHAO Yong (赵勇) - 29 - East Railway (ASG)
Not the most athletic of shot-stoppers, but a cool, commanding leader of defenses who can grab anything out of the air.
#25 - LCB - YAO Wenyan (姚文雁) - 27 - Olympic Nangang
A left-footed center-back who can play left-back in a pinch (for instance, if Lu Jialan really wants to park the bus), Yao is a quick, intelligent defender capable of making surging runs into midfield.
#05 - RCB - YUAN Mingrong (袁明荣) - 25 - Ararat (MYT)
An intelligent, cultured young center-back who's solid but still a bit raw with the ball. Showed enough promise in Mytanija as the best defender in an admittedly underwhelming Ararat defense to earn a shot, although that might say more about Yuezhou’s center-back depth than anything else.
#15 - RCB/RB - ZHU Aiguo (朱爱国) - 29 - Iturributa United (ASG)
An aggressive, versatile defender who likes to win balls and push forward with them. A center-back by trade, Zhu unexpectedly became Yuezhou's starting right-back under Yuan - his emergence at the position has earned him a transfer to Astograth as well as his starting spot.
#02 - LB - KANG Enlai (康恩来) - 30 - Corvette Maulers (NPH)
The most ambitious of the full-backs on the roster, Kang is the best source of width on the team (although that probably says more about the team than it does about Kang). Strong athleticism and crossing ability, although he is a bit one-dimensional on the attack.
#07 - CDM - YANG Tao (杨道) - 30 - Fagli Cinquanta (SOR)
Energetic but not particularly skilled, Yang will be tasked with pressing aggressively, winning balls back before passing them to someone more creative, and kicking opponents to stop attacks.
#08 - CM/AM - LI Jing (李精) - 29 - Steinaux (GRF)
Li Jing is very quick and excels on the counterattack as a creative or goalscoring threat. Has enjoyed increased praise lately for his exploits in Graintfjall, where he was named to the Team of the Season, due to the beginning of normalization in relations between the two countries.
#13 - RB - Diadora REEVE (f) (利朵拉) - 26 - North Sabrefell (NPH)
Diadora Reeve is an athletic, relatively attack-minded fullback who provides an interesting tactical option for Yuezhou in place of Zhu Aiguo. We think she had a Yue grandfather or something, which is why she's turned up on the Yue national team despite everyone previously thinking she was Nepharim.
#10 - CAM/SS - LIU Huiying (f) (刘辉映) - 25 - AFC Corvistone (NPH)
Liu’s speed and devastating passing ability make her one to watch with every counterattack. Her high workrate, even on the defensive end, should theoretically make her a good candidate to slot into attacking-midfield, where she now plays at the club level as well in the Zenith.
#18 - AM - WEN Xiaohui (f) (文小辉) - 26 - Libertas Bergheim (SVJ)
Wen Xiaohui, the niece of controversial star midfielder Wen Xiaoli, has rapidly developed from Yuezhou’s next big thing to a star in her own right. She’s not a great tactical fit for Lu Jialan’s style, but her pace and playmaking more than merit her inclusion in the first-choice starting eleven, and her breakout WCQ87 campaign was a rare bright spot in an otherwise miserable qualifiers.
#09 - ST - HUANG Shedong (黄舍东) - 29 - Stahlberg Rovers (NPH)
While not particularly good at hold-up play or in the air, Huang's blazing speed and technique mean he excels at exploiting gaps in the opponents' defense with his dribbling and short passes. A strong finisher, but relatively unproven leading a line by himself.

SUBSTITUTES

#12 - GK - LIANG Shen - 21 - SC Jiangdong
A talented young shot-stopper and a fierce leader on the pitch. Somewhat weak aerially, though, and with distribution that is solid but uninspiring.
#23 - GK - GUO Yanhong - 28 - Dhun Lagarr FC (TKT)
A modern sweeper-keeper and competent shot-stopper who is aggressive to a fault, but who had a strong enough season in Tikariot to earn a call-up.
#06 - LCB - SHI Meilin (f) - 25 - Rutland FC (CDG)
A physical center-back and excellent aerial presence, although she’s relatively raw for her age due to Yuezhou’s lack of a strong female footballing infrastructure.
#03 - CB - HU Jiewen - 21 - Nangang Royals
Already known for his composure, leadership, and surefootedness despite his young age, Hu is a strong, quick center-back with a high ceiling.
#14 - CB - CHEN Aihuang - 24 - Beiyun Stars
Over two meters but still moves like a dancer, Chen’s greatest asset is his incredible athleticism, but he also has a keen sense of positioning that belies his relatively young age. Needs to become better on the ball to take the next step.
#24 - LB - LU Lanying (f) - 22 - Rutland Dockside (CDG)
A quick, athletic left-back, Lu is strong when driving forwards and tracking back but could work on her crossing.
#17 - CM - LI Keqiang - 28 - Vantanoch FC (TKT)
An absolute wall of muscle, Li Keqiang's combination of pace and physicality make him a tough player to get past. Has proven surprisingly effective as a goal-scorer in Tikariot.
#16 - CDM/CM - FANG Yuhui (f) - 24 - North Granby (CDG)
Not the most physically imposing, but seemingly endless stamina and excellent positioning mean she shows up almost everywhere on the pitch when needed to make a tackle. Not great offensively.
#19 - RB - LAU Sifong - 27 - Altendalur (GRF)
After successfully getting as far away from his hometown as humanly possible during the Civil War, Lau has flourished with Altendalur, combining an excellent sense of positioning with a strong right boot.
#20 - AM - TAO Beiliang - 26 - Korsbach (GRF)
A relentless source of energy, aggression, and creativity, Tao is still pretty inconsistent, but is a great student of the game and could be starting for the Red Dragons in a few years.
#11 - RAM/ST - ZHENG Yuanjun (f) - 23 - SC Jiangdong
An intelligent, versatile attacker, Zheng is much more skilled as a playmaker than as a scorer, although her ability to find space with her runs has still gotten her a decent scoring record.
#21 - ST - WANG Ban - 29 - Nangang Royals
A powerful - if not as skilled as you might expect - poacher who scored a league-leading 23 goals in the Yue Super! League last season. Offers an interesting tactical contrast to Huang off the bench.

by **Tikariot** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:34 pm

Walking with Shadows
--- Chapter XVII ---

Chapter I - Chapter II - Chapter III - Chapter IV - Chapter V - Chapter VI - Chapter VII – Chapter VIII – Chapter IX – Chapter X – Chapter XI – Chapter XII – Chapter XIII – Chapter XIV – Chapter XV – Chapter XVI

They look at each other both relieved to see the leathery tube, but at the same time worried about further desecrating the tomb. Sophia nods towards the skeletal hands, the look on her face as unsure as James’. He takes a deep breath and gingerly reaches for the tube, gently tugging on it. Almost immediately some of the bones in the fingers give way, crumbling to dust, making him wince almost as if he felt the pain of the limbs disintegrating. Despite knowing that it is inevitable that the rest of the digits will fare the same fate, he tries to be as careful as he can be. Eventually he lifts the tube from the tomb and inspects it in the beam of the flashlight. It seems to be cut from one thick piece of leather, likely bovine in origin, the seam covered with the same crimson wax that covers both ends, rendering the tube effectively waterproof. On the top the wax bears the imprint of a seal, its features too indistinct to make out, however.

Sophia holds out her hand. “I know that it’s sealed, but can’t be too careful,” she says while opening the zipper to the oilskin bag. James carefully shakes the tube before handing it over, in the hope of discerning if there actually is anything in it. Part of him feels tempted to cut away the wax right then and there to see, if they found the right document this time, but at the same time it does not feel like the right place or time to do so. Sophia’s blue eyes stare into his.

“I know what you’re thinking. Did we get the right one this time?”

He nods, visibly struggling. “I just don’t want to go out, somewhere else, open it and just find that it’s another riddle sending us back here again. Getting kind of tired of this place.”

She suppresses a laugh. “Yeah, it’s not the most charming place to be.”

“Especially the way in and out leaves a lot to be desired. Clear F in customer service.”

This time she can’t hold back the laugh. For a moment the tension of the past few hours melts away and his mind tries to grasp what had happened in the last few hours that seem like days. A metallic click snaps him back when Sophia flicks open the blade of a pocket knife, slowly and carefully cutting the wax around the edge. She is surprised how pliable the wax still is after all this time after having expected it to break away and crumble. As she peels back the crimson substance, she sees that the leather is thicker than she thought. The flashlight shows the edges of a rolled up paper and she gingerly reaches inside to gently pull on it, hoping that its condition was as good as the one of the wax seal. Only when she exhales as it slides out without breaking does she realize she had held her breath in anticipation over what would happen.

Suddenly James raises his index finger for her to pause. He points to his ear and towards the tunnel they had used to come back into the catacombs. As quietly as he can he gets to his feet and sneaks towards the tunnel. As he closes in on the dark opening, he hears a ripping sound behind him, but does not pay much attention to it, instead focused on trying to approach from an angle without shining the beam of his flashlight into the tunnel to give away that he is moving towards it. Unfortunately, a click followed by the cold hard feeling of the muzzle of a gun on his forehead stops him dead in his tracks. He raises his hands immediately as a group of four men roughly pushes him backwards and towards Sophia.

A boot to his lower back sends him sprawling next to Sophia and as he turns around, he looks into the condescending sneer of Severinus Horcomb, his contempt openly showing on his face.

“Now, now, you two are really starting to turn into a royal thorn in my side. I would have never thought you would get this far, to be honest. And I grudgingly must compliment you on your quite remarkable stunt when you broke into my museum. It has definitely given me quite the insight into the failings of my security plan and a good reason to fire my head of security, incompetent fool. But he did do at least one thing right and that led me right here.”

Sophia and James share a confused look.

“Not all that clever, are we now? Did you really think that the security would stop there? The books you have here have chips in them, so it was easy to track them and lead us right to you. Now I believe that you have something that belongs to me?”

He holds out his hand, his eyes resting on the tube in Sophia’s hands. If looks could kill, Horcomb would have dropped dead right on the spot, but the tall man trained his pistol on Sophia while impatiently waving his hand for her to hand over the tube. At first she does not move, but after he moves the gun onto James, she slowly extends her arm. Horcomb grabs it and then motions for one of his lackeys to move forward.

“Take the bag with the books, they don’t need them anymore and they are mine anyways.”

He returns his attention to Sophia and James. “So, did you see what is inside the tube?”

James shakes his head. “No, we had just cut it open when I heard the noise from you and your men.

Horcomb laughs. “Now that’s what I call perfect timing.”

“What are you going to do now? Shoot us?”

Horcomb looks at him, shaking his head with a hurt look on his face. “It pains me to see you think of my so lowly. I am not a murderer, I am not a savage. There are other ways to, well, deal with you. Take their coats, cellphones, the bag.”

One of the men trains his gun at them while another takes the items. He pats down James and turns towards his boss. “No cellphone.”

“And you call yourself an investigator?” Horcomb begins to laugh. “She should get your job. Not that it matters anymore anyways. OK, tie them up right over there.”

He points at one of the large stone crosses jutting out from the ground. Two of the men roughly pull them there and tie them together back to back at first and then against the cross. Horcomb walks over and shines his flashlight into James’ eyes and says with a derisive sneer: “See, I don’t have to kill you. You will be able to witness a race between hypothermia and dehydration, who will take care of you first?”

He laughs and turns around, leaving them behind in total darkness. Slowly the flashlights fade away in the tunnel and then there is nothing but silence. Other than the distant rumble of the waterfall and the incessant rush of the rain, that is. James begins to tug on the ropes, but after just a few inches there is no yield anymore, as they are tightly wound around the big, heavy stone cross.

“I’m an idiot for not even checking the books for chips or whatever else! It’s my fault that we led them right here!”

“Hey, you couldn’t have known. I did not think about checking them either.”

She sighs. “OK, then you’re an idiot, too.”

Despite the seriousness of their situation, James can’t help but laugh. “We are co-idiots, ok?’

They fall silent again and it is James who breaks it this time. “I hope that Sanford and the others are still alive, otherwise we [i]will[/i} die down here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, last we heard from them they were being shot at and nothing since. I’m not sure what to make of it.”

“Yes, I get that, but how would they even find us?”

“They could track my cell.”

“What?”

“I left it in the car, just in case.”

“And what if they took the car, too?”

A pause. “Then we really are screwed down here.”

*****

James had no idea how much time had passed since Horcomb and his gang left them, but he can feel Sophia starting to shudder slightly from the cold that is seeping in more and more with the humidity.

“What were you thinking when your dog dragged a complete stranger into your cabin, soaked and bleeding, who then gave you a cockamamie story about being an investigator and trying to find an artefact and all that?”

He feels her shrug. “Nurisema trusted you, that was enough proof for me to believe you.”

James is flabbergasted. “Are you kidding me?”

“No, Nurisema’s instinct is way more reliable than mine or any human’s ever will be.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t believe that was enough for you to follow me here, shooting someone with your bow, getting shot at, being chased by car, breaking into a museum and now sitting here in total darkness, tied up and left to die.”

The following silence is deafening and the gravity of the situation he put her into begins to sink in more and more. “Sophia, I am so—”

“Don’t you even think about apologizing!”

“Sorry.”

“What did I literally just tell you?”

“Yes, you’re right, I’m—” He barely manages to catch himself before he apologizes for apologizing. Even without words he can sense Sophia’s grim nod.

After another indeterminate amount of time that could have been five minutes or two hours, Sophia takes a deep breath. “I’m really wondering about my car…”

“I don’t think they touched it. Even if whoever found it would only find Nurisema, who in their right mind would go looking for the entrance to a tunnel behind and under a stupidly raging waterfall? Even once it stops raining, that thing is still going to be huge for several days.”

He feels Sophia’s shivers becoming stronger and his mind races, trying to find a solution.

“Question. Is the cross they tied us to the same one we had seen first when we had come down here the first time?”

“I think so, why?”

“Because if it is the one, it was at an angle, not straight. So maybe there is a chance that we could push or pull it over somehow.”

by **The Askari Union** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:59 am

THE ASKARI UNION
Preferred Formation: 4-2-3-1
Style Modifier: 3
Playstyle: The long spectre of Skorjiball has left a mark in a nation now trying to play more aggressive, fast-paced, energetic style.
Kit Supplier: Cloaker
Captain: Lux Siravoi
Nickname: la Delfenoj

Having survived the whirlwind of S K O R J I B A L L, the financial implosion of their league (which limps on still, just, without room for foreign players) and three political coups in short succession, the Askari belatedly limp on to new pastures. Having achieved mediocre results in the past at the regional level, it's, well, unlikely that can maintain.

Without foreign players or investment, the Legaskari is a shadow of its former self, which was in its heyday... not very good. All the best Askari players are abroad, and those who aren't yet, aspire to. There have been extensive recent overhauls, however, as the prior 'golden' generation has simply aged out. This is the weakest side in recent memory, and they'll be lucky to pick up a point.

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

Tactics

First-choice lineup.
The Askari have gained in confidence now, and are now able to play to their strengths. The Askari themselves tend to be smallish and more technically gifted than athletic, but a newfound emphasis on 'getting it up there' has taken over, and big lads from Eura have stabilised the spine of the team. Prior Askari sides have been more defensively focused and with an emphasis on pace, but Oslograd had taken to repeatedly yelling "THE BALL IS ROUND" at athletically-oriented plays in training, and it stuck.

Staff
Manager: Pepin Espinosa - Age 53

Assistant for a while, Espinosa is here not for his ability, but for his low wage bill and loyalty to the dictator.

Goalkeepers
1 - GK - Dorothea Soumare - Age 27 - Branvon (KOR)
12 - GK - Michelle Gascon - Age 25 - Dinamo Sainati
18 - GK - Gianluca Combeferre - Age 18 - SSC Honneur

Soumare's the undoubted starter, distinctly overweight for a footballer but clever with her feet and great at distribution, as well as a good instinctive shot-stopper. Combeferre is the man of the future, Gascon the woman of the never.

Defenders
2 - RB - Marcelino Clement - Age 25 - Dinamo Sainati
3 - LB - Desdemone Facchin - Age 27 - AS Sainati
4 - CB - Corrado Gavroche - Age 23 - Grigio Calcio
5 - CB - Agostino Montargis - Age 27 - FC Portus (NOV)
13 - LB - Bella Vesper - Age 26 - Hussards
17 - RB - Iohana Mercado - Age 20 - Athletic Club Olarria (ASG)
19 - CB - Hortense Agustine - Age 21 - Bul Khungur Miners FC (TKT)

A rash of international retirements means that the old guard gives way to the new, at least in part; The bruiser Montargis and the vespine Facchin are rougher, more athletic talents. Agustine has potential if she can ever keep her weight down, and she missed her entire first season in Tikariot with injury; Mercado is a dangerous attacking wingback and genuine threat.

Midfielders
6 - HM - Luc Balard - Age 22 - Dinamo Sainati
8 - CAM - Jean-Gianni Monte - Age 22 - Hussards
10 - RAM - Alessander Digne - Age 21 - Aznavour OSC
11 - LAM - Delphi Clemaron - Age 25 - Vantanoch FC (TKT)
14 - CM - Valentina Cavicchi - Age 26 - Arrowsmith (EUR)
15 - CAM - Laguna Santutxu - Age 29 - Cartagena Desert Foxes (OSR)
16 - CM - Angela Volpe - Age 24 - SSC Honneur
20 - LAM - Donatella Fontaine - Age 20 - AS Sainati
22 - RAM - Leo Kamara - Age 26 - AS Sainati
23 - HM - Iago Croque - Age 22 - AS Sainati

Suffering for the retirement of Lux Siravoi, both holding midfielders are young Legaskari locals. Balard is smooth and Croque brutal, but neither is good. Flaky, talented Cavicchi could be a source of quality, while Delphi Clemaron's something of a talisman after the international retirement of Ballarin, with Santutxu the creative fulcrum. They'll most likely just ignore the right wing. Little can be expected from the substitutes, though there's some raw talent there.

Forwards
7 - ST - Sylvain Croxier - Age 27 - Alnio (CMT)
9 - ST - Renate Eskalza - Age 24 - Suttonville (EUR)
21 - ST - Olympe Riva - Age 19 - Hussards

Muscular brawler Croxier's become an unexpected star in Chromatika, and none too soon with the retirement of Askari legend Sierra Aurtenetxe. Eskalza isn't far behind, and will likely replace him towards the end of most matches. Easily the strongest part of the squad.

by **Trans-Dniesters** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:26 am

THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED SOCIALIST STATES OF PRIDNESTROVIA
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM

The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia is not overly familiar with humiliation. Failure yes, for there has been a lot of that since the entry of the Pridnestrovian Republic into the greater multiverse; but humiliation not so much. There are a lot of Copa Rushmoris that the Pridnestrovian Football Union would prefer to not speak about, but at least there was still some promise in this team of old men in CR 37 before they met Savojarna. Now it's time for yet another rebuild and restart, and once again fingers have been crossed that at the very least, Pridnestrovia will be able to make it out of the group stage of the Copa Rushmori on merit and not by the lucky happenstance of having some other teams in third place being worse than them.

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia
Demonym: Pridnestrovian
Team colors: Green and red
Style modifier: +3.00 (still focused on attacking football but hopefully not to the extent of sacrificing defensive solidity this time around)
Formation: 3-5-2
Head coach: Basil Santa Cruz (35 y/o, Abanhfleft)

STARTERS
GK: Fyodor Isaakovich EKSTATOV 39 y/o, Fortuna Novonikolaysk

Fyodor Ekstatov knows that he will never have a season quite like 2021-22. It's a cliche of course, maybe already an overused one, but in Ekstatov's case it certainly rings true. Clean sheets have been hard to come by in the Pridnestrovian Super League, leading to the stat becoming a little bit meaningless. Of course the ability is still quite highly prized, but more because of its rarity than the ability to get results out of it. Hence why Ekstatov is more than happy to warm the bench for the national team while collecting his wages from Fortuna.

RCB: Kazimir Ivanovich KOVALEVSKY 32 y/o, Botafogo de Maranao

(Sultanate of Oontaz)

CB: Jason Edgar REUSS 29 y/o, Paulsen FC

(Abanhfleft)

LCB: Timur Timurovich SHALYAPIN 35 y/o, Paulsen FC

(Abanhfleft)
Timur Shalyapin has now been involved in two great escapes with Paulsen FC. Whether it has anything at all to do with him or if Paulsen have really just gotten lucky both times is still up for debate. There's no denying that Shalyapin is a great defender; no one adds Sporting Ceneisis to their CV if they aren't good.

RWB: Venyamin Vasilyevich TUROV 28 y/o, Kesselburger Kickers

RCM: Yeremey Vasilyevich TSVETNOV 32 y/o, Shakhtar Rheinburg

CM: Bilal Azad KÜÇÜK 31 y/o, Rotor Dnistrosh

LCM: Miron Alekseyevich POLIVANOV 26 y/o, Admiral Novorossiysk

LWB: Mitrofan Maksimovich MATVEYEV 32 y/o, Ufa Verkhovyansk

CF: Anatoly Gerasimovich BABIN 33 y/o, South Ons Deg Rabbitohs

(Copper Cuprum)

CF: Osip Vsevolodovich ANGELOV 27 y/o, Atletico Bed Deg

(Copper Cuprum)

RESERVES
GK: Ivan Kazimirovich KOSTIN 31 y/o, Gryphons Nubalochi

(Sultanate of Oontaz)

GK: Karl Vitaliyevich FENENKO 30 y/o, Paulsen FC

(Abanhfleft)

DEF: Tikhon Vladimirovich KOZAKOV 22 y/o, Sheriff Tiraspol

DEF: Daniil Lvovich POLYAKOV 26 y/o, Lokomotiv Novosverdlovsk

DEF: Lucas Arnim SCHEFFEL 33 y/o, FC 23 August

DEF: Zakhar Grigoriyevich BELOMESTIN 25 y/o, CSKA Tiraspol

MID: Ivan Yakovlevich TERESHCHENKO 29 y/o, Etazig Petroleum SC

(Sultanate of Oontaz)

MID: Timofey Yanovich MARININ 27 y/o, Chernomorets Bratsk

MID: Dmitry Anatolyevich NOVIKOV 35 y/o, Pasargad Manitogoro

(Sultanate of Oontaz)

MID: Ruslan Aleksandrovich KAPRIYANOV 28 y/o, Pilken Kickers

(Abanhfleft)

FW: Adrian Gervas SALLER 34 y/o, Fortuna Novonikolaysk

FW: Vladislav Vladislavovich FOKIN 21 y/o, Masyafspor

STARTING LINEUP (Outdated)

KITS (by Adidulas)

IMPORTANT STATISTICS
Win-loss record: 57-20-57 (penalty shootouts are counted as draws regardless of final result)
First international match: VS Aynard (W 6-0)
First win: VS Aynard (6-0)
First loss: VS Fratton (0-1)
Biggest win: VS Nurkama (9-0)
Biggest loss: VS Pasarga (2-6)

SCHEDULE
WIP

HOME STADIUM (NEW ARMY STADIUM, TIRASPOL)

New Army Stadium in Tiraspol is the home stadium of CSKA Tiraspol and can comfortably seat over 80,000 spectators following a three-year capacity expansion project.

RP PERMISSIONS
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (but I decide the severity and length)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (maximum of 3 per game)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (only 1 per 2 games)
Godmod other events: Yes (TG me first before posting anything)

by **Cassadaigua** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:46 am

Team Cassadaigua- Copa Rushmori 38

Coach- Jessica Tolson (53) (Victoriaville South End) (1st International Team)
With Victoriaville South End having a surprising run to the league championship, and Tolson being named manager of the year, CASE has decided to give her a chance to manage at the international level. Don’t think that this means Brittany Byers isn’t around anymore, she will simply focus on the youth rosters and enjoy a little more time to rest. She’s been a very busy woman, after all.

Assistant- Matt Villareal (40)- Baker Park
Villareal was the captain of the Baker Park national team in World Cups 80 and 81, helping them qualify in their first ever attempt. The former midfielder has held various coaching jobs within Baker Park and is seen as an up and coming coaching prospect in that nation. He served as the assistant to Byers in the World Cup and will get a taste of Rushmori soccer for at least one tournament.

Assistant- Hannah Shanley (Starksville United) (40)
Starting defender from World Cups 80-83, and then served as a regular substitute in World Cup 84. Has served in this role since World Cup 85, and that includes while she was still active as a player for a little while.

Starters in Green
Subs in Blue
Reserves in Red

Goalkeepers:
#30- Katie Schnapper (27) (Concord Heights Suburban)- Sub WC 88, CR 36 & 37, Starter DBC 48
#31- Cynthia Kerr (24) (Victoriaville South End)- Reserve CR 37, Starter DBC 49
#20- Danielle Cotter (30) (Grande Mountain)- Starter WC 88, Sub WC 87, Reserve WC 85 & 86, Starter DBC 47, CR 34, 36 & 37.

Anticipated starter Danielle Cotter suffered an ankle sprain, and while she will get back to full form, it also provides a great chance to give Katie Schnapper an extended look as the starting keeper. Cynthia Kerr is not just here because she plays for Tolson with Victoriaville South End, she has always been seen as a potential starter at this level. Tiffany Nelson being off the roster is not a product of an opt out, and has got the local media questioning if she is in the decline of her career (she is).

Defenders:
#3- Brooke Sutter (34) (Brattleboro FC)- Starter & Captain DBC 44, Starter WC 84-88, SWC 6, DBC 43 & CR 34-36, Reserve CR 31, WC 82 & 83
#28- Summer Speers (27) (Felswyr, Chromatika)- Starter CR37, Reserve DBC 47, CR 35 & 36, WC 86 & 87, Sub WC 88
#24- Sarah Bayne (24) (Brattleboro Westside)- Starter DBC 49, CR 37; Reserve WC 88
#6- Caitlyn Kaleta (24) (Brattleboro FC)- Starter WC 88, DBC 49 & CR 37
#4- Katie Standish (30) (Concord Heights City)- Starter WC 85-88, Reserve DBC 44 & CR 34-36
#2- Michelle Graves (29) (Victoriaville City)- Starter WC 86-88, Sub WC 85, Starter CR 35 & 36, DBC 47 & Sub CR 34
#32- Tara Keane (25) (Victoriaville City)- Sub DBC 49, Reserve CR 37
#21- Shannon McCausland (24) (Winchester City)- International Debut

Brooke Sutter will be retiring from international play following the Copa Rushmori. The veteran has had an excellent career and probably could still play in the World Cup, but she desires to pass the torch. Interestingly, Summer Speers played for Tolson with Victoriaville South End before moving to Felswyt. Bayne and Kaleta are the future while a couple of steady veterans (Standish and Graves) will have less playing time this Copa.

Midfielders:
#9- Morgan Rosenblatt (25) (AFC Treson, Nephara)- Starter WC 87 & 88. DBC 48 & 49, CR 36 & 37
#16- Meghan Wolcott (32) (Herzegovina City FC, Banija)- Starter WC 84-88, CR 34-37, DBC 44 *** TEAM CAPTAIN ***
#19- Preston Newfeld (32) (New Lakeland Soccer Club)- Sub WC 84-88, Starter CR 34, 36 & 37, DBC 44
#8- Courtney Graham (30) (Brattleboro FC)- Starter WC 86-88, Reserve WC 84 & 85, Starter CR 34, 36 & 37
#34- Danielle Porter (29) (Concord Heights City)- Sub WC 86-88, Reserve WC 84 & 85, Sub CR 34-37
#25- Allison Rice (24) (Victoriaville South End)- Sub WC 87, 88 & CR 37, Starter DBC 49
#37- Sarah Giles (28) (Brattleboro Westside)- Reserve WC 86-88; Starter DBC 47, Sub CR 36, Reserve CR 35
#36- Tara Kriedel (25) (Shearwater, Kelssek)- Reserve WC 88, Starter DBC 49

So, you want to be on the national team but aren’t one of the above people? That is very unlikely to happen right now. The starting four have had a stranglehold on their positions, and they never decide to opt out of the Copa Rushmori. This is even true for the subs and now the reserves. Though, in a few years there may be a chance. We’ll get back to you then. In the meantime, enjoy watching Rosenblatt and Wolcott work their magic setting up the forwards.

Forwards:
#12- Jenna Frontiera (24) (Brattleboro FC)- Starter WC 88, Sub DBC 49, Reserve CR 37
#29- Loreen Hazen (27) (TBD- Currently in transfer window)- Sub WC 86-88, CR 37, Reserve WC 85; Sub DBC 47, CR 35BC 49, Reserve CR 37
#39- Bayley Stanton (24) (Concord Heights City)- Reserve WC 88, CR 36 & 37, Starter DBC 47
#27- Madison McClain (30) (Jinja City, Banija)- Starter WC 86 & 87, Sub WC 84, 85 & 88, Starter CR 34, 35 & 37
#23- Taylor Russo (28) (Starksville United)- Reserve WC 84, 86, & 88, Sub WC 87, CR 34, 35 & 37
#34- Jessi Stewart (23) (Starksville Coastal)- International Debut

Rachel Schanke has once again opted out of the Copa Rushmori, as has Heather McKinstry, a player who probably would have been in a substitute role. At 32, Schanke is still intending to play in World Cup 89. This will open the door for Jenna Frontiera to be the leader of the offense, alongside Loreen Hazen. It’s a great opportunity for Hazen, who is still on the transfer window at this time. At present, only one bid has been placed. Stanton and McClain will get their chances while Russo is used to the spot she is in.

Team Info:
Style Mod: +2.7
Formation: 4-4-2
People from Cassadaigua are referred to as Cassadagans.
Team nickname: Fillies. Also, we are commonly referred to as the Dagans

RP Permissions:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes but only say they hurt
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, no more then one more then you give yourself.
Godmod other events: TG idea first. If it fits the theme of my team, I probably will allow it.

Kits: (Pink= home, White= away, Black= keeper or third. Thanks Donnacona!)

If there is a conflict with the white kit, the team will wear pink.

Retired Kit Numbers:
#1 is retired in honor of Allison Salamida
#5 is retired in honor of Michelle Fuller
#7 is retired in honor of Shannon Myers
#10 is retired in honor of Brittany Lawton
#11 is retired in honor of Courtney Ferguson
#13 is retired in honor of Meaghan Bateman
#14 is retired in honor of Stacie Kerrigan-Fraser
#15 is retired in honor of Erica Lambert
#17 is retired in honor of Jessica Schanke
#18 is retired in honor of Taylor Connolly
#22 is retired in honor of Lupe Enriquez
#33 is retired in honor of Hannah Ranucci

by **San Isidro Labrador** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:49 pm

El cuento de la política en San Isidro Labrador es el cuento de un péndulo. A un lado, el caciquismo y al otro lado, el caudillismo. Así era, y tanto como podemos ver, así será.

(The tale of politics in San Isidro Labrador is the tale of a pendulum. On one side, bossism, and on the other side, strongmen. So it was, and as far as we can see, it will be.)

So begins Esteban Berganza's masterwork, La historia política de la isla de San Isidro Labrador (The political history of San Isidro Labrador), written in 1939, only a few years after the conclusion of the civil war. Although its publication date of more than eighty years ago precludes it from discussing the developments that have occurred in the political system since then, and its post-civil war date does give it an air of pessimism, it's regarded as one of the best historical works ever written in San Isidro Labrador. In this series, we will examine Berganza's weighty tome, the various eras of San Isidran political history, and the themes contained therein. First up, the author himself.

Part 1: Berganza

Esteban Berganza Morejón (referred to hereafter as Berganza) was born in 1884, in the municipio of La Cartaya, the comarca of Sacastro, and the provincia of Este. His parents were schoolteachers, with his father teaching mathematics at the local academia (private secondary school) and his mother teaching literacy at a primary school nearby. Berganza was actually something of an aristocrat, with his maternal grandfather owning large estates in the country outside of La Cartaya. His father and mother had eloped five years earlier, when Berganza's grandfather refused to give his daughter permission to marry the liberal commoner she had fallen in love with. Shortly after his birth, his grandfather reconciled with his parents and became an important figure in Berganza's life.

Berganza's family lived in a modest apartment in the heart of La Cartaya. His upbringing instilled in him an interest in politics from his early days. On one side, he experienced the sharp liberalism of his father, constantly in trouble with authorities because of his criticism of his established institutions and membership in reformist societies. On the other, his numerous vacations and stays with his grandfather on his large land holdings exposed him to the uncomplicated conservatism of landed elites, who believed things should stay as they are and as they almost always had been. In the middle, his mother's compassion for workers and the poor and her moralizing about the various ills that afflicted them, as well as the dull apathy of the many jornaleros (day laborers) who worked his grandfather's land.

Berganza was a dutiful student, eventually gaining admission to the prestigious Universidad Nacional in the capital, something which fewer than one percent of students ever did, and where places were often reserved for the descendants of aristocracy. Here he lived through the last transition from caciquismo to caudillismo, the so-called Era of Pronunciamientos, where government changed hands not through the expiration of parliamentary terms, but via the medium of military threats that forced resignations and new elections. While Berganza was at university, from 1902-1906, government changed hands each year, each time via pronunciamiento. This influenced his senior thesis, which looked at the role of the military and force in political affairs. He went on to study graduate-level work, again a height few reached, under the university's most respected professor, the then 82 year-old Miguel Sarmiento López, and his doctoral dissertation, published in 1911, was a comparative study of Rushmori political development. In it, Berganza had harsh words for San Isidro Labrador and criticized Spain, still its colonial master, for setting a bad example.

His university work marked him as a reformer, yet he did not follow into his father's footsteps, preferring instead to live in the world of the academy, where he had relatively more political and intellectual freedom than as an ordinary citizen. His students remembered him as a cautious supporter of independence in the 1920s, declaring that "Our nation has in its grasp a vital opportunity; pray that we do not squander it." During the civil war, his concern was with the masses, rather than the liberal or conservative sides that clashed in that conflict. That eventually brought him into the same orbit as other intellectuals who coalesced around the eventual victor, Emiliano Vargas Alvarado. Personal journals recovered after Berganza's death revealed that Berganza had high hopes for Vargas, viewing him an outsider who could potentially reform the political system for the better. However, he was deeply disappointed by most of Vargas' subsequent actions, and this disappointment colored his magisterial Historia, including the quotation that begins this piece.

Berganza held his chair at the university until his eighties, overseeing thousands of graduate students in his career. He died in 1975 at the age of ninety-one, the undisputed dean of political history in the country. He never became very involved in actual politics, despite students, professors, political parties, and even a president on one occasion making pilgrimage to see him and implore him to offer advice and/or support. Berganza preferred maintaining his independence, never joining a political party, though he was always spotted voting in elections. Although a new generation of historians have begun to criticize both his pessimism and lack of activism, his legacy remains great and is the principal reason we will examine San Isidran political history through the lens of his book.

by **Valladares** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:42 pm

THE VALLADAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL ROSTER FOR THE 38^TH COPA RUSHMORI

Coaching Staff:

Head coach: Jessica Curran (Cassadaigua)
Assistant coach: Sergio Acevedo
Goalkeeping coach: Martin Légendre
Fitness coach: Sergio Vélez
Team doctor: Jacques Pelletier
Physiotherapist: Dante Palazzi
Video analyst: Fernando Petro

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS
1. Lucien Chamoun - GK - 28 -

Crisisbless
12. Fernando Sánchez - GK - 33 -

FC Capri
23. Danilo Araúz - GK - 30 -

Stein-los Turkish

DEFENDERS
2. Alejandro Acosta - RB - 29 -

Aries Chariots
3. Mauricio Arboleda - CB - 24 -

Falourr
4. Jason Fletcher - LB - 33 -

AS Bezieres (Vice-captain)
13. Daniel Brown - RB - 32 -

Bohemians Metropolis
14. Danny Barrichelli - CB - 25 -

Canalave Dragons
15. Pablo Núñez - LB - 24 -

Marinos Metropolis

MIDFIELDERS
5. Darwin Pico - DMR - 29 -

Mar Sara FC
6. Kevin Martins - DML - 27 -

Fontvielle Impact
7. Fabio Betancourt - AMR - 29 -

Hondo FC
8. Alexis Durmisi - AML - 29 -

Urbizania Wanderers
10. Cristian Benítez - AMC - 23 -

Cazadores Cathair
16. Andrés Abrigo - DMR - 24 -

Nacional
17. William Alonso - DML - 24 -

Oakstone
18. Marcelo Escobar - AMR - 23 -

AC Tallin
19. Ariel Balboa - AML - 30 -

Istria City FC
21. Marcelo Zamudio - AMC - 27 -

Metropolis Alligators

FORWARDS
9. Brayan Borja - FW - 32 -

Raynor City United (Captain)
11. Iván Valenzuela - FW - 25 -

Holdenberg
20. Gabriel Petrasso - FW - 28 -

Tanrısal
22. Nicholas Lucchetti - FW - 29 -

Nacional

Starting Lineup, Formation, and Tactics:

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

Style Modifier: +2.5

Kits (Brought to you by Meski Sports):

First
Alternate
GK/Third

RP Permissions:

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

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

by **Sargossa** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:04 pm

Copa Rushmori 38

Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'

Head Coach

Brian McAllister (Tikariot)
It’s a little while now since Brian McAllister swapped the relative comfort of being a number two for the crucible of international head coachery. A key part of the backroom team that masterminded Tikariot’s highly impressive arrival onto the world stage, McAllister led Sargossa to fourth place at the Cup of Harmony 78 and a couple of quarter final places. The last World Cup was disappointing but it was a transitional side. This time around expectations will be higher.

Backroom Staff

Assistant Head Coach: Gregory Wallen (Tikariot)
Assistant Head Coach: Miguel Marí
Defensive Coach: Iker Conde
Attacking Coach: Jordi Suárez
Goalkeeping Coach: Dario Almirón
Fitness Coach: Luis Miguel Sacristán
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura

Talent

GK: 1. Alejandro Martínez (27) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 13. Sergio Arrabal (27) – Alianza Jucaro
GK: 25. Tomás Gaos (36) – Sportivo Cordova

As a teenager Martínez was touted as a future star by no less a luminary as former Corsairs’ keeper and coach Martín Tejera. He’s know showing exactly why he earned that praise. Sergio Arrabal spent his formative years as a hugely talented understudy at Ciudad Soulca. He had to move to Alianza to finally prove he had what it takes to be a number one. Gaos provides a very experienced back-up option.

DR: 2. Tobías Figueroa (22) – El Nacional
DC: 5. Juan Esnáider (32) – Oriannor Mountaineers (Tikariot)
DC: 6. Raúl Dengra (27) – Alianza Jucaro
DL: 3. Alfonso Barrueco (23) – Ciudad Soluca
DLC: 12. Víctor Miralles (29) – El Nacional
DRC: 14. Máximo Moya (25) – Sporting San Marquez
DL: 19. Juan Manuel Martí (28) – Sportivo Soluca
DC: 21: Sebastián Cáceres (18) – Sporting San Marquez

At times during the last World Cup campaign the Corsairs were woeful at the back, conceded forty times in eighteen fixtures. A reversion to a back three seems to have stemmed the tide and the side looked much harder to break down at the Copa Rushmori in Eura. The experienced Juan Esnáider remains the leader at the back but the coaching staff have been searching around for real quality at centreback. Miralles and Dengra have the nod for now but Máximo Moya is waiting to step in. The youngster Cáceres looks to be an absolute gem dug from the barrios of San Marquez and could get some international experience under his belt. Figueroa and Barrueco are both comfortable ranging forward, potentially at the expense of their defensive duties.

DMC: 4. Esteban Pomar (30) – El Nacional
AMR: 7. Édgar Elvira (25) – Dínamo Maturín
MC: 8. Enrique González (25) – Ciudad Soluca
AML: 11. Esteban Leguizamo (30) – Blacklake Blues (Taeshan)
AMRC: 15. Agustín Soria (23) – Sportivo Soluca
MC: 16. Adrián Fonseca (33) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 18. Marcos Águila (24) – El Nacional
MC: 22. Juan Sebastián Varela (25) – Alianza Jucaro
AMLC: 24. Mauro Pereira (31) – Sportivo Cordova

If the wingbacks don’t push forward in support, there’s a danger in the midfield duo becoming overwhelmed. So a pairing with plenty of lung capacity is a must. Enrique González proved a revelation at the Copa and is likely to continue partnering Juan Sebastián Varela, with Marcos Águila pushing both hard for a starting berth. Fonseca remains a class act but probably now lacks the legs to compete for a full ninety minutes. He and midfield destroyer Esteban Pomar will likely see plenty of action from the bench. The initial delight shown by the wingers at the appointment of a coach who might actually use them in the preferred roles has worn off since the recent tactical tweak, having found themselves as plan Bs once again.

FLC: 9. Mauricio Sainz (28) – Ciudad Soluca
FRLC: 10. Diego Alejandro Costa (30) – Ciudad Soluca
FC: 17. Mateo Manzanares (22) – Dínamo Maturín
FL: 23. Alonzo Bienvenida (30) – Sportivo Cordova
FC: 20. Tomas Murillo (33) – Sportivo Soluca

No team in the group scored more than Sargossa in the last World Cup campaign so personnel in the offensive third are likely to remain largely unchanged. Mateo Manzanares has made the central striking role his own but Diego Alejandro Costa’s dip in form in the second half of qualifiers may have counted against him. Although an impressive Copa Rushmori should see him in the starting eleven. Mauricio Sainz provides a more agricultural option through the middle if necessary. In the biggest change Alonzo Bienvenida is set to be employed as a left footed right winger. Esteban Leguizamo is a more conventional wide option and has impressed when coming on from the bench.

Style

Brian McAllister, alongside Stuart Ekstrom, implemented an attractive, fluid, attacking style on their Tikariot side. With a formation that was 4-3-3 in possession, 4-5-1 without it and plenty of movement, both on and off the ball. Swift, short passing and forwards switching positions to confuddle the opposition were also hallmarks of that Tikariot approach. The coach hasn’t quite been able to bring that tactical blueprint to bear in Sargossa. Unfortunately, while effective going forward, the Corsairs have been slightly woeful at the back. Which has led to something of a tactical rethink. In response McAllister has moved to meld a defensive form his charges are comfortable with, namely a back three, but still keeping the attacking flourish his own favoured system has displayed. Creating something akin to a hybrid 5-2-3.

The SuperLiga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while never encouraged, is also not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.

Style Modifier = (+2)

Kit
Courtesy of ediraf

Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes. Just no killing anyone.

by **Darmen** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:29 pm

National Football Team of Darmen
presented by the
Darmeni Football Association

Record (Modern-era only, since Copa Rushmori 24): 375 matches, 185 wins, 69 draws, 121 losses, 805 GF, 639 GA, .555 Win %

Caps
 1 Silver Abbey         232
 2 Hyman Campo          214
 3 Alberich Goldschmidt 204
 4 Craig Blackwood      202
 5 Riley Mac Pharlain   180
 6 Juanito Stafford     165
 7 Mordecai Ó Cuilinn   149
 8 Kerr Ramírez         147
 9 Felix Lucanus        139
10 Cyrus Spalding       136

Goals
 1 Craig Blackwood      149
 2 Felix Lucanus         80
 3 Skylar Hurst          49
 4 Daniel Norton         38
 5 Víedharr Svendsen     36
 6 Riley Mac Pharlain    31
 7 Brian Firmin          30
 8 Juanito Stafford      27
 9 Abraham Cardoso       23
10 Ivan Borde            21

Coaching Staff

Position          Name              Age
Manager           Dean McTaggart    45
Assistant Manager Éimhín Forester   48
Offensive Coach   Brennan Flanagan  44
Defensive Coach   Pádraig Phelps    46
Goalkeeping Coach Arlo Amundsen     41
Psychologist      Desmond Ó Damháin 50

23 Player Roster

#  Pos Name               Age Club                      Caps Goals
 1 GK  Hyman Campo        30  Scott City FC             214   0
 2 LB  Philippus Deniaud  30  FC Capri (VAL)             76   3
 3 LCB Aurelio Di Stefano 29  Sterling City United      113   7
 4 RCB Silver Abbey       31  Tempala United Saints     232   5
 5 RB  Cyrus Spalding     29  Scott City FC             136   7
 6 LDM Joel Good          28  Atlético Augusta           75   3
 7 RDM Avidan Tobias      30  Chippewa Valley United FC 119   6
 8 LM  Codie Armbruster   30  Scott City FC              72   9
 9 CM  Víedharr Svendsen  27  Tempala United Saints     131  36
10 RM  Bill St. John      26  Bearden FC (XAN)           73  13
11 ST  Darnell Halle      26  Atlético Augusta           21  13

12 GK  Simon Toro         24  MTK Kingsville              4   0
13 LB  Feliciano Espinosa 28  Romanopolis United        112   3
14 LCB Manu Ó Baoghill    27  Olympique Chuckio          54   1
15 RCB Cormac Krämer      30  Atlético Augusta           71   1
16 RB  Curtis Tremblay    27  Bayern Phoenix (TAE)       67   5
17 LDM Odoacer Lehrer     27  Menomonie United           25   2
18 RDM Alan Duncan        25  Rogerton Whitecaps         31   1
19 LM  Bernhard Amador    27  Romanopolis United          4   1
20 CM  Abraham Cardoso    30  AFC Mayville (EUR)        119  23
21 RM  Aquila Freud       30  Sleepy Hollow (TAE)       127  17
22 ST  Ivan Borde         28  Darmen City United         42  21
23 GK  Sergio Salas       26  Workers Union (EUR)         1   0

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

Team Roles
Captain: Silver Abbey
Vice-Captain: Hyman Campo
Left Corner: Aurelio Di Stefano
Right Corner: Avidan Tobias
Penalties: Darnell Halle
Free-kicks: Víedharr Svendsen

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

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

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

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

Copa Rushmori 38 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

Copa Rushmori 38 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

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