Copa Rushmori 38 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

by **Gatchingerrak Union** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:39 am

Miago, Vojovitica

Lauri Harkimo

Lauri Harkimo quickly grabbed a seat at the front row and closed his eyes, as he quietly put to sleep the thoughts of his match at the Miagostadion. After not being able to start for today's match versus Schutzenphalia and West Rhunthunkuhnland, even as he was on the warmup track for a solid sixty minutes, Lauri was disappointed his condition hasn't really been great since the team's flight to Mytanija.

Originally he was intended to start Emilia Thyboe, a cousin of his from Nyhavn, and his energy level certainly was there when they were back in Gatchinovo, where the Union side held the training camp and a couple of exhibition matches versus the Quebecois. `We are happy to have him, and while Lauri's still going to take a while before he'll be on the senior level selection, we cannot wait to see how his performance turns out for the Seven Stars..' Angelo Gelinas, the Quebecois national team legend now coaching the Union side, was among the most enthusiastic supporters of the eighteen year on board, and even made a couple of remarks at that pre-tournament press conference that Lauri's going to be trialled as the starting centreback.

Bigger the anticipation, the harder the fall, Lauri thought to himself, as he watched the team bus leave the stadium. He knew the Copa Rushmori had meant a lot for his young career, especially as the FC Langeland was entertaining offers for the young centreback who was getting too expensive for them to keep without a display of 'unhappy child'. This was his first senior tournament, and everybody had expected a spectacular debut. Instead, feeling ill had only left the match, while a major win over the fellow unranked opponent, a slightly unhappy one for fans out in the Vatmark. And while the trajectory seemed to indicate that he should be able to start against the three-time defending champions in Nephara, Lauri's disappointments didn't really go away even with positive signs.

Lauri was back to keeping his eyes closed, even as the rest of the Union team were waving at him, them embracing the high octanes of decibel that's being pumped to them by the Mytanijan soil and the air. They were certainly delighted that they, on their first ever regional under an imperfect union side, were being celebrated under a singular but pluralistic blue flag with the seven-headed stars. A lot of the players, while still fairly slow in buying into the imperfect model in the form of this imperfect sporting and economic union, were glad to be playing against superior opponents and they liked being in Mytanija for that reason. They knew the Gatchingerrak Union was slowly opening up to the multiversal stage, whether it be domestic or international, and this was a good way to gauge how they, proud Rushmoris no matter how much the nations squabbled with each other, would fare on the Copa. This, all in all, made up for the heat and the humidity that's bogging down on them as whole.

by **Graintfjall** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:11 am

Græntfjall – 3 (3)
B. Ernestisson; Lúthersdóttir (83’ Matteosdóttir ), Bensson, Reynarsson (79’), Vilbertsdóttir; Álvgeirsdóttir, Ásvaldursson, Guttisdóttir, Kristoffersdóttir (61’ T. Ernestisson ); Jonathansdóttir (27’) (69’ Wolfgangsdóttir ), Dannysdóttir (18’, 37’) (38’)

Bollonischian Maribaya – 0 (0)

For all the pre-match nerves, the game was more or less decided in half an hour. The Snow Wolves will have tougher tests to come but getting three early points and a solid goal difference bump at least helped calm some of the jitters that have come to be associated with Græntfjaller CR campaigns. The tale of the tape was a possession advantage of 65%, and with 94% of passes completely successfully, the Maribayan defense could not hold out forever – or, indeed, for long. After a couple of early misses from Eiríka Jonathansdóttir, Justiina Dannysdóttir found the back of the net with an unglamorous but very welcome toe-poke. Eiríka’s shooting touch finally returned when she connected sweetly on a sharp volley to turn in a rebound as Maud Arrington parried clear Álfar Ásvaldursson’s crunching drive; then Justiina added a second with a flicked header at the back post. Her celebrations earned her a needless booking, but it was otherwise an assured game from her in Jason Þórhallursson’s absence.

Stat of the day: Justiina’s brace took her past Amanda Guttisdóttir to become Græntfjall’s all time leading goal scorer at Copas Rushmori.

The Snow Wolves now face the big test of the group, in the form of Pasarga. Surprisingly, the two teams have never met before in senior football; interestingly, one of the few connections they do share was unveiled this past week, with legendary former player Ingþór Auðbjörnsson announced as the new manager of GT Molding in the GPL, his first coaching role. Pasarga’s pedigree in regional and World Cup competition makes them the favorites, but the MD1 win does at least mean a loss is not a disaster for Græntfjall, who would still have a strong secondary route to qualification with a result against Ancharmunn. An unchanged team is expected, Elektra Lúthersdóttir having shaken off the niggle she picked up after Blake Styles clipped her ankle, the midfield quartet having looked sharp and assured.

Starting XI against Pasarga: B. Ernestisson; Lúthersdóttir, Bensson, Reynarsson (c), Vilbertsdóttir; Álvgeirsdóttir, Ásvaldursson, Guttisdóttir, Kristoffersdóttir; Jonathansdóttir, Dannysdóttir

Selection of articles from the Græntfjaller football transfer ‘news’ blog GræntGoss.

Jokulsson becomes most expensive Græntfjaller defense export since we sold all those weapons to Jabal Akhdar without asking too many questions

18

Small potatoes? Poafmersian signings fail to reel in the big one

GPH rating system proves a hit but needs tweaking

by **Southwest Eastnorth** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:19 am

Angry Pioneers take down the hapless Askari's 11
http://www.swensport.swe/national_football_team.html

MYTANIJA - Well it's time. Southwest Eastnorth and the Pioneers, the nations national football team are once again in the Copa Rushmori. Surprising really, as a suspicious 90th minute goal kept the surprising Southwest Eastnorth team out of the Ro16 and heads fuming as the last second goal is still seen as suspicious in the Pioneers sphere of sporting influence causing the team to withdraw from the qualifiers for World Cup 88. So the dream of playing a revenge game against Savojarnia has to wait for now as the Pioneers were put in a group with the previous hosts, Eura, a young upstart program from Norrhem, and the team in Rushmore that straight up does little more than exist, Askari Union. The Union is a familiar foe towards the players and people from Southwest Eastnorth as they were an opponent in the mythical run to 4th place for SWEN in the Copa Rushmori.

The Askari Union, like in the Copa Rushmori 35 game, looked over-matched, and with the SWEN Pioneers playing with blind rage and pure ambition to knock out the Savojars. There is a must win attitude in the camp, that Askari couldn't stop. The Union held on to the ball for the first four or five minutes, but a bad pass between Agostino Montargis and Iohana Mercado, lead to a score by Mercado sending the pass to Chris Houton, who in turned, got one by the lagging Askari Keeper Dorothea Soumare. It got worse for the Union as a nicely set up header got beyond the bar. A header set up by a snipe pass from Robbie Gear to Leigh Bourne who headed it into the top bar in a way it grazed downwards and ricocheted past the keeper. Not a single Galacticos keeper could have saved such a well placed or in more realistic terms, a completely random ricochet like that. This caused the Askari Union fans, all 500 of them to scream out in unison "Com-ber-ferre", requesting Espinoza to switch in a young 18 year old. This Keeper is one that many fans apparently think would be the solution to all their ailments. The problem is this is international football and you only get a handful of subs a game and Comberferre is a third string keeper! By half time it was a 5-1 Southwest Eastnorth lead, mind you as Askari did get a Penalty shot by the hands of steady keeper Mick Bolen. But the three goals, two more by Bourne and another by Gorman Thurman, saw the SWEN Pioneers able to take their foot off the gas and cruise to a 5-2 victory in Mytanija.

Southwest Eastnorth - 5

Houton - 6'
Bourne - 14' 22' 29
Thurman IV - 41'

Askari Union - 2

Valentina Cavicchi - 37' (PK)
Sylvain Croxier - 70'

by **Tikariot** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:13 am

Walking with Shadows
--- Chapter XVIII ---

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 – Chapter XVII

After thinking about what James said, Sophia shrugs. “Sure, we can try to push it. Do not pull, I repeat, do not pull, I do not feel like getting pancaked under a huge stone cross tonight.”

James laughs out. “Fair point. Let’s first try and see, if we can stand up.”

They try to turn to be able to get their feet underneath themselves, but given with how they are tied up, there is no way to get any kind of traction, so they decided to push against each other’s backs and upwards. The first small steps work out pretty good until suddenly Sophia’s foot slips in the humidity and they tumble back down, the backs of their heads hitting each other with a thud.

Sophia groans. “And you call me hard-headed…”

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, let’s just try not to do it again, ok?”

The second try goes a lot better and before too long they are standing up, obviously still back to back, tied together tightly by a nylon rope that has started to feel a lot tighter than before. They try to get a feel for the cross, hoping for it not just to be angled, but also unstable to a point. At first there is no give whatsoever.

“OK, let me try to push alone for a moment, maybe if I can get my full shoulder on it it’ll work.”

James gently pushes Sophia over a little and then counts down to when he will push. There is a very slight move, not much, but at least some encouragement. It takes them a bit to find the right positioning to get maximum force, finally agreeing that James facing the cross and having one shoulder against it and both pushing as hard as they can being the best solution. After a lot of back and forth the cross finally begins to lean more and more until it gives in and it topples over. The one detail they had not taken into consideration is, however, how short the rope tying them to the cross is as it yanks them forwards in the process, sending them flying. James lands ribs first on the cross’ stem, with Sophia on his back, knocking the wind out of him.

“Are you ok?”

For the moment James is incapable of breathing, let alone respond, which sends a jolt of panic through Sophia. “James? James!”

He groans and tries to turn himself off the cross, which in turn sends Sophia tumbling sideways to the ground with a yelp.

Struggling to take a painful breath he wheezes. “I’m—ok, I think.”

“Are you sure?”

He takes a few breaths before responding, trying to inhale deeper and allowing the spikes of pain to subside. “Yeah, the cross broke my fall, imagine I had fallen on the ground.”

Despite the situation Sophia can’t help but laugh out loud. “You are impossible! Can you get up?”

“Give me a bit, don’t think right now is a good idea.”

“Sure, it’s not like there’s anything I can do anyways.”

While he tries to allow his ribs to rest a bit, turns his head. “I’m sorry.”

“What did I tell—”

“No, please hear me out. If you want to still be mad at me after that, so be it, ok?”

She doesn’t reply, so he takes that as an ok to continue.

“We’ve known each other for what, 2, 3 days now?”

Still silence.

“You’ve saved my life at least twice, you’ve helped me decipher a code, break into (and out of) a museum and I had you get shot at, dumped in catacombs and tied to me. It feels like this is a little lopsided, no?”

Still silence.

“You’re still mad.”

Silence.

“OK, I get the point.”

“Good. I told you what I think about sorries.”

“Sorry about—”

Even in complete darkness and tied back to back he could feel the glare.

“Yes, I did kind of save your life and did all the other stuff and yes, we’re here, left to die, but do you really, honestly think that if I thought it was too lopsided or if I thought it was too much, I wouldn’t have just told you?”

“Well, you could—”

“Exactly. I did not, I am still here. Does it suck laying here in the dark, in the cold, roped up? Yes. Would I rather be laying here in the dark, in the cold, roped up with someone else? Nope.”

Now the silence is James’.

“You still there?”

“Yes, yes, just kind of—stunned for a moment.”

“By?”

“What you just said.”

“Mhm.”

Not knowing what else to say, he takes a deep breath to test out his ribs. They still hurt, but instead of awkwardly laying there he figures to try to get out of the catacombs.

“Are you ready to try to get up again?”

“Yep, it’s not exactly comfortable here.”

They struggle a bit to get into a sitting position and then to their feet, but eventually they manage.

“So, what now?”

James tries to figure out the direction of the tunnel, but not knowing which side of the cross they were on to begin with and then the tumble has disoriented them even more.

“Let’s try to go for a wall and then go around, that way we won’t just aimlessly wander around.”

“Okis, good plan.”

They move into the direction they think the closest wall is located at. Despite running into several crosses and gravestones on the way and once almost completely falling over, they finally reach one of the walls, with the very welcome side effect of moving pushing the cold away at least to some extent.

Suddenly Sophia stops. “The rumbling is less loud now.”

James focuses and the rumble of the waterfall seems more muted now. “So, we are moving away from the tunnel. Good catch, milady, let’s turn.”

It takes what feels like another eternity and several bumps and scrapes against headstones, but they eventually find the entrance to the tunnel and carefully walk into it sideways. As they turn a slight bend, they begin to see the pale light from the opening towards the waterfall and come to the point of not being able to do anything bound as they are and neither have any idea about for how long they’ve been down there either.

Sophia begins to shiver more, aided by the humidity of the waterfall wafting into the tunnel and the waning daylight does not bode well either. At first he thinks that his mind is playing tricks with his tired and cold mind, but then it definitely seems like he hears someone calling their names.

by **Bollonich** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:14 am

A shocking comeback as we pick up a point; Copa Rushmori 38 Matchday 1

The Bollonischian National Football team had an underwhelming Cup of Harmony despite defeating Baggieland as the expectations of the people were now much higher. These expectations despite not being justified seemed to remain the minds of the people which meant application of more pressure on the players. Coming into the Copa Rushmori, we weren’t on a stretch of bad form losing our last two games to Barunia and Græntfjall. A change in winds was something the side desperately needed and facing Darmen in the first Matchday presented us with the possibility of further heartbreak and the way the Darmeni players begun the match it seemed like this would be true. The deadlock was broken by Víedharr Svendsen, Darmeni midfielder who put them 1 nil forward with a curling free kick which went straight into the right hand corner. The Bollonischian defence which was surprised at this brilliant goal started struggling as the ball wasn’t being circulated to the forwards and Darmen kept the majority of the possession. And to the credit of the Darmeni side they successfully translated this possession into chances and those chances into goals. It was the 33rd when Darmen doubled their lead in a quick counterattack from a Bollonischian corner. Di Stefano having given away a cheap corner, Darmen now needed to defend this possible chance to get an equaliser and they did fabulously as the clearance by Joel Good fell kindly for Bill St. John. Bill having received the ball on the wing and with the Bollonischian defense heavily undermanned he bombed down the wing to potentially drift in and shoot or put a cross in. The Bollonischian defense failing to get back couldn’t stop Bill as he out a brilliant cross which was put in Darnelle Halle doubling their lead and putting them firmly ahead in the match. The Darmeni attack didn’t stop there as they continued to pressurise the Bollonischian defence and attacked them with all their might. The Bollonischian defence which was already failing to keep up concede another goal as Darnell got his brace. Even before the end of the first 45 minutes it seemed like we were already out of the game as Darmen were clearly dominating and coming out in the second half we would have to greatly change the way we played to have a chance. Gildiric recognised this problem and used the half time break to rearrange his side. Making changes like bringing off Swanson to put Douglas into the mix and also switch to a more dynamic and aggressive 4-2-4 style with throwing Hayes into the mix in place of Hum. Things didn’t look extremely bright for the Darmeni players as signs of overexertion could be seen in the players and one or two substitutions did nothing to change this. The new 4-2-4 set up worked for what it was worth as Bollonich’s first goal in a Copa Rushmori was scored by the young Hayes who put in a great pass by Marshall after a one two with Moreno. Bollonich were back in it even if it was for a moment. Darmen were not ones to give up so soon and a brilliant attack by them is what led to the 53rd minute penalty. Despite being a controversial call, Darmen were given a penalty and the golden chance to possibly put this game to bed. Halle stepped up to take the penalty and didn’t disappoint as he smashed the ball into the left hand corner. Things seemed to be done and dusted but we didn’t give up and kept on believing. And belief is what allowed us to get back into the game with a magnificent second half performance from Dennis Perry who once agains proved to us why he is such an integral part of the team. It was in the 78th minute when Perry scored his first goal off a header from a corner put in by Moreno. From this moment on he looked as deadly as the best player on the best team. Scoring two more teams in the remaining ten minutes he single handedly gave Bollonich a crucial point which allows us to compete for a spot in the knockouts.
We face San Ortelio our Pavolan neighbours next who despite being ranked only 28th are a team to look out for and as we face them next we’ll need to be careful. Gildiric having understood and identified certain faults in the system has made a few changes including the adoption of a 3-5-2 system with two Libero players. Critics of Likhijo have pointed to this votality in style to be something detrimental to the team as many players shall find themselves out of place.

Starting Lineup against San Ortelio :
Sirigu, Ingit, Ploy, Klingto, Moreno, Law, Marshall, Hum, Schmit, Hayes, Perry

by **Nyowani Kitara** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:20 am

Note: This government owned media source is one of the most biased media sources in the entire tournament, so read this media source, especially the other news section, with a critical eye. Obviously, everything is strictly IC

The Kitara People's Free Press
The voice for the working people of Nyowani Kitara

Nyowani Kitara avenges CR37 blowout defeat to Sargossa with comeback draw against same opponent to open the Copa Rushmori

RIBAR, TRUNCA, MYTANIJA- The opening match of the 37th Copa Rushmori was an absolute disaster, to say the least, for Nyowani Kitara. Sargossa were the Pot 1 team in our group, and low and behold, guess who we had to play on Matchday 1? While we took an early lead, our team was systematically torn apart. We look with bright smiles on Copa Rushmori 37, earning our first ever Rushmori victory and 4 points at the tournament. However, Matchday 1 was such a disaster that it kept us out of the knockout stages. It's hard to recover from an opening day loss by 5 goals, and we could not, although we tried our best.

And so when the draw for this tournament came out, a lot of nails were bitten across Nyowani Kitara. Our own fans were damn nervous. Isn't this the same Sargossa team that smoked us so badly at CR37? Wouldn't they do the same to us here in Mytanija? Tage Hermansson, the Player-Coach, said that it would be a great measurement stick for them. "We came out star struck at the last Copa Rushmori. Playing against a team of Sargossa's quality in our very first game? We were intimidated by the moment. Major tournament, big name opponent- and once we scored, we let the pressure get to us. We scored early against all odds, and we didn't know how to react. They came in hot and hard, and deserved that win. This game is a measuring stick- how far have we come, both mentally and as a team?"

To start the game, Nyowani Kitara, as they always do, was going to go get off on the front foot. We had the first opportunity of the game to score, when Vilgot Westermark cut inside in the sixth minute, from about 25 yards out, and launched one towards goal. A diving save by Sargossa #1 Alejandro Martínez, and the rebound was cleared out by the Sargossa defense. Still, the exchange showed this- our boys, despite the result against them last time we came out, were not scared of anything. We were still going to be aggressive, we were still going to get after them. And led by the Player-Coach, well- anything can happen.

Stunningly, in the 22nd minute, for the second straight major tournament, we scored the opening goal in a match against Sargossa! A cross on a corner kick from Westermark found the Player-Coach himself, Tage Hermansson, who buried the header into the corner. The goalkeeper did not stand a chance, and our fans started celebrating wildly. It was 1-0! Against a team that beat us 6-1 just a couple of years ago! But it was the next play that was probably the more shocking one. Just two minutes later, in the 24th minute, an errant pass from Édgar Elvira was intercepted by Ramah Abong'o, and our squad was blitzing down the field in the a counter-attack. A through ball to Odede Angonga led Angonga to cross the ball to Owino Odede, who headed home on the back post. 2-0.

A non-WCC nation leading 2-0, 25 minutes in, against Sargossa of all squads. The fans were going crazy. Beer was flying everywhere. Everybody in the stadium was stunned. Was this really happening? As Sargossa walked back to the center line, waiting for Nyowani Kitara's celebrations to die down, you saw the look on their face. Not scared, not shell shocked- just determined. What you'd expect from a team in Pot 1 who has visions of a trophy dancing in their eyes.

Sargossa really started to pile on the pressure, while we tried to figure out ways to break forward. But Sargossa is not Pot 1 for no reason- and they halved our lead in the 37th minute, when Mauricio Sainz headed home a cross from Esteban Pomar. And in the 44th minute, Mauricio Sainz would equalize for Sargossa when he deftly controlled a brilliant through ball, and was able to dribble past the goalkeeper and slot the ball into an empty net. Our 2-0 lead had disappeared- but at 2-2, it was anybody's game.

Same kind of thing as CR37, right? Shocking early lead. Which had now disappeared. How would we react? Shell shocked? Saddened? In the second half, unfortunately, Sargossa came out guns a blazing. They felt that this was another game where they should get three points, and their potent attack was not done putting goals past our team. A 52nd minute penalty was followed up by a 59th minute strike, to make the score 4-2, and more importantly, four unanswered goals for the opponents. CR37 vibes emanating from our own fans. We've seen this before. And we do not like it.

Hermansson made a pair of substitutions to try and stem the tide. Salem Lagum entered the game to take one of the central midfield spots, coming in for Amittai Owino. And Johannes von Weber came into the game to take the left wing spot from Leonard Lundquist, who hadn't done much. We were doing better after those substitutions. Creating some opportunities, but not enough opportunities to actually find the back of the net. But then, in the 77th minute, we really put the pressure on. von Weber was able to beat a defender on the dribble, and chip one over the Sargossa goalkeeper's head, directly into the back of the net.

4-3! And we were pushing. Already an improvement from last time around- but could we get that crucial point? In probably what will be a nomination for game of the tournament, we continued to push forward while Sargossa tried to break us on the counter. Oduor Bigombe, who plays his club football in Mytanija, made a few crucial saves when we did not have enough numbers back to keep us alive. And then, of course, the final play of the game. 6 minutes of stoppage time given, which seemed quite generous. In the final 30 seconds of given stoppage time, we earn a corner. Everybody forward, including Bigombe, The ball launched in from von Weber. Hermansson gets a head on it, but it hits the post and bounces forward. Mad scramble for the ball. But in comes a sliding Armoni Okombo, who is first to the ball and pokes it into the back of the net.

Pandemonium among our own fans. Armoni Okombo, who also plays club football in Mytanija for 1923 Esca, throws his shirt on the ground, earning himself a yellow card, and leaps into the stands. The whole bench clears. An epic equalizer against a team that had torn us apart before. As soon as they restarted the game, the referee blew his final whistle almost immediately. One tournament ago, the result of this game was 6-1. This year? It's 4-4.

Tage Hermansson, the Player-Coach, talked about the team's resiliency. "In preparing for this tournament, we talked a lot about the importance of this squad's resiliency. Our ability to deal with the ups and downs of tournament football. It's not the marathon of a club season, but it has all the emotional highs and lows of one. And we felt all the joys and pains of football in this 90 minutes. But hell- what a moment it is. This comeback point against Sargossa? What a freaking game. What a release. This is going to be a memory I'm going to carry with me for the rest of my days."

"But this isn't it. This is just Matchday 1 of a 3 day group stage. We celebrate tonight. But tomorrow? We get right back up, take our ice baths, fly to Prizren, and get ready for Txakhaxi. Another socialist country, which is a plus. They are going to be a strong team. We can't be thinking about this game when we play them, it'll be long over. It's all about getting three points on Matchday 2. We just need to take this one game at a time." Hermansson then paid his respects to Sargossa, saying that this was a fantastic game, and that a team of that skill level had provided fantastic motivation in the rare get togethers of national team players before the tournament.

by **Trans-Dniesters** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:33 am

(OOC: Here is the continuation of the story of the Pridnestrovian intervention in Ceroat, a story which began in NSSCRA but has now spilled over to the Copa Rushmori. Relevant parts can be found here (1) and here (2).)

"What a mess," Major General Yaroslav Mikhailovich Yevin of the 50th Motor Rifle Division of the Pridnestrovian Army muttered as he examined the aftermath of the carnage that was the attack on the field headquarters of the Movement for a United Ceroat in the town of Tertje Istrije. "What a fucking mess," he repeated to himself as he found himself stepping into a puddle of blood. "What the fuck happened here, Lvovich? Do we have any idea at all as to what happened here?"

"No sir, unfortunately not," Colonel Kirill Lvovich Yuganov shook his head. The two officers then stood aside as a pair of medics brought a wounded Ceroatian militiaman on a stretcher past them out of the city hall. "The MPs and the GRU have barely even started debriefing the survivors of the attack, but there are some things that appear to be consistent between most of the accounts though," Yuganov offered as he and Yevin walked deeper into the city hall.

"Well, go on, do tell," Yevin said.

"Apparently, a group of militiamen arrived at the city hall and just opened fire on the OMON guards before moving on to those inside," Yuganov began. "The attackers were able to cause substantial casualties on the ground and first floors before Ceroatian security and some of our own forces were able to stop them, and then once it became clear that they were about to be stopped, they all shot themselves."

The two men then stopped in front of a large puddle of sticky flesh-colored liquid which still produced the occasional white froth. There were a few discernable body parts in the puddle such as a hand, a finger, a cheekbone, and hair; but apart from that and a pile of wet clothes in the middle of the puddle, there was nothing to suggest that there had once been a human body laying there. Yevin squatted and leaned towards the puddle. He reached out a hand, intending to touch the liquid, and then he thought better of it and he withdrew his hand. "So this is what our alien enemies look like," Yevin muttered as he stared intently at the puddle. "What would you say out otherworldy enemies are, Kirill Lvovich? Shapeshifters?"

"See, sir, that's the thing," Yuganov said. "Initially, the shapeshifter theory was a popular one among both our troops and our scientists. It makes sense when you think about it, Comrade General. The aliens assume our own forms in the hopes of evoking sympathy among our own people. But our scientists have examined the biological material left behind by our alien foes upon their deaths, and they've discovered that there is both human and alien DNA in this... stuff," Yuganov finished, pointing at the flesh-colored puddle in front of them.

"Human and alien DNA?" Yevin asked. "Does that mean then that...?"

"Yes, sir," Yuganov nodded. "The new leading theory among our scientists is that our enemies, these aliens, they take over the bodies of humans, and then that is what they use to fight against us. That and their tripods, of course."

"Aliens taking over our bodies? Where have I heard that one before?" Yevin asked while looking at Yuganov.

"General, as far as I am aware, our alien friends from the Project do not turn their human hosts into this frothy goo when they die," Yuganov replied.

"I'm only stating something that others who are also aware of the Project might be thinking at this moment in time," Yevin said.

"We've asked our alien friends in the Project about our alien enemies," Yuganov said. "They have no record of this particular species, not even rumors that such a species could have existed. Yet here is the proof right in front of us."

"And now this leads me to my next question," Yevin said. "If our alien enemies can take over human bodies and use them to attack us, what's to stop them from committing more attacks such as these? What's stopping them from going out of their little corner of Ceroat and infiltrating the rest of the multiverse? In fact, how can I know that you're still, well, you know, you, Kirill Lvovich? How do I know that I am still me? What if I have been taken over by one of these aliens and I have no idea?"

"From our limited observations of our enemies, it appears that while they can mimic the human body very closely, they are completely incapable of imitating our emotions," Yuganov replied. "The mere fact that you're worried about having been taken over by an alien is all the proof you'll need that you're still you, sir," he added with a short chuckle. "In any case, we believe we've found a way to separate any more of these alien infiltrators should they attempt another attack like what they did here in Tertje Istrije. The process of the alien taking over the host body produces some sort of exothermic reaction in the body, a reaction which can be rendered visible by specialist equipment which happens to be readily available to our armed forces at the moment."

"Say that once more but in Ukrainian this time, Kirill Lvovich," Yevin said.

"We can detect these aliens in human bodies using infrared and thermal imaging because they show up as burning hot on those things," Yuganov repeated.

"Ah," Yevin nodded. "Now we're talking. But where are these aliens getting their, what was it that you said earlier? Hosts? How are they getting their hosts?"

"The aliens have been running rampant in southern Ceroat for seven months before we intervened against what we thought were just an infestation of local warlords," Yuganov replied. "The pre-crisis population in this area was around a million, with 600,000 of them being in the capital Ragusapolis. Depending on how many aliens there are, I would say that they have a more than ample supply of host bodies with which they can defend their occupied territories against us."

"But what are they doing here in the first place? Why Ceroat? Why our planet? Are they the vanguard to an even bigger force? Or are they just refugees trying to find safety away from whatever it is they're trying to get away from?" Yevin asked.

"Oh, I would love to ask one of these aliens those questions myself, General," Yuganov said. "Unfortunately, every time we have attempted to capture one of these aliens, they all commit suicide. They will not allow themselves to be captured for interrogation."

"Well then now," Yevin muttered. "That's something that we will have to rectify if we want to end this conflict as soon as possible."

PRIDNESTROVIA 1 - 1 TXAKHAXI
  BABIN (49')       SAKHAKHAI (68')

by **Valladares** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:41 am

Cabo Azure 2-3 Valladares
(Carriço 55', Montenegro 90'; Borja 8', Betancourt 50', Benítez 81')

Starting XI: Chamoun - Acosta, Arboleda, Fletcher - Pico, Martins - Betancourt, Durmisi - Benítez - Borja, Valenzuela
Yellow Cards: Pico 39', Arboleda 87'
Subbed Out: Valenzuela 55', Durmisi 71', Pico 87'
Subbed In: Lucchetti 55', Balboa 71', Abrigo 87'
Unused Subs: Sánchez, Brown, Barrichelli, Núñez, Alonso, Escobar, Zamudio, Petrasso, Araúz
Manager: Jessica Curran (CDG)

Stadium: Olujastadion, Ebor, Mytanija
Attendance: 39,700

OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM
THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF VALLADARES

City of Metropolis, July 12^nd, 2021

To The Honourable President of the Republic of Darmen, Joshua Rademacher

Esteemed Mr. Rademacher,

Receive a warm greeting from the authorities of the United Kingdom of Valladares. With regards to apparent attempts from Valladares to veto any future Darmeni membership of the Common Rushmori Community (henceforth CRC), I would like to clear up that it is not policy of this or previous or future Royal Governments of Valladares to block accession of nations towards the CRC, so long as they meet the basic criteria for entry in regards to democracy, human rights, and economic openness. It is also a goal of this administration to improve the relations between Valladares, its neighbours and the rest of nations in the multiverse as I promised during my inauguration speech as Prime Minister, following the straining of several key relationships due to unfortunate incidents involving the previous administration, and the general improvement of bilateral relations with your nation would be of great help to that purpose.

Let me be honest with you, the case with Darmen is a special one. Both of our nations have gone through several unfortunate incidents which have brought them even to the brink of war at some point, and up to this day relations are extremely strained. To put some examples: there are no direct flights between our nations, Valladar aircraft are prohibited to fly over Darmeni airspace and viceversa, and no transfers of any kind are made between our football clubs. I think we do agree on one thing, though: the current status of our bilateral relations is not sustainable in time, and changes need to be made at some point, which could be now if both of us will so. However, and even though we are not unaware of the recent steady improvements in the living conditions and rights of the Valladar community in Darmen, we are still concerned as to whether this attitude is only a temporary one that will change once the accession of your nation into the CRC is a fait accompli.

Considering this, the Royal Government of Valladares is willing to offer full diplomatic relations between Valladares and Darmen and, moreover, support for Darmeni accession to the CRC, so long as the following conditions are fully met:

1. Renunciation of all claims and title still held to the entirety of the territory of the Westlands state of Valladares for all perpetuity. The Government of Darmen will be required to publicly acknowledge Valladar sovereignty of this territory through a declaration or treaty which shall have to be approved by its Parliament and sanctioned by your country's Head of State/Government or whoever is filling up that position at the time.

2. The status quo of all territories in Darmen with proportions of Valladar populations over 60% is not to be kept. In that line, the Government of Darmen shall have to organize a referendum giving those territories and their inhabitants three choices: autonomy within Darmen, independence or union with the United Kingdom of Valladares. The Royal Government shall not pledge itself to avoid any attempts to pressure voters to take any option. Explicit rejection of this point will automatically end any attempts to work out a peaceful solution to this matter.

3. The Government of Darmen must refrain from performing any military actions that might be perceived as hostile or offensive to the Royal Government of Valladares in territories settled by Valladar populations. Furthermore, navigation of Darmeni military vessels within a radio of 12 nautical miles from the coastlines of the Westlands state and the Darmeni municipalities with Valladar populations as well as overflights of Darmeni military aircraft over the aforementioned territories are to be forbidden.

4. A five-kilometre Demilitarized Zone on both sides of the border, be it the current one or a new one according to the outcome of point 2, shall remain in place to ensure the safety of both countries. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that border control procedures on either side shall have to be adjusted once Darmen effectively accesses the CRC.

5. The Government of Darmen must also refrain from making any commentary regarding the nuclear status of the United Kingdom of Valladares or decisions regarding placement of nuclear weapons or deterrents anywhere within Valladar soil. Moreover, it shall also refrain from making any comments that could be regarded as intromission into Valladar internal affairs.

6. The Government of Darmen might be required to declare October 8th (Independence Day), April 19th (Royal Birthday), and April 4th (Victory in the Westlands Day) as civic holidays in Rogerton and other cities or towns of Southeastern Darmen with Valladar majorities.

These six conditions are paramount to start building the longed-for bridges of trust between our nations. I advise you not to miss this historic chance, as it might not be offered to your nation ever again. I will be looking forward to receive your answer and start working with you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Florent Phillippe
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Valladares

by **Norrhem** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:04 pm

--==Norrhems Dagliga Nyheter (Norrhem Daily News) ==--

BRATTSJÖ, NORRHEM Only days after the announcement of a Valladar/Norrish joint venture to build a canal at the Brattsjö Isthmus, Norrhems Dagliga Nyheter reported, the first protests at the intended site have begun. Immediately after the news had broken, several environmental groups had announced protests as well as some political parties and organizations voicing their intent to join. The first groups of protesters have arrived in Brattsjö, most of them unorganized individuals with signs against the planned project. When asked about their motivations behind the protests, their answers were as diverse as their appearances, ranging from "We have to protect nature" over "Capitalism is evil" to the more unusual "I don't know what is actually happening, but I'm against it."

The leader of the opposition in the Norrish parliament, Tilda Brannefalk from the NSP (Norrhems Socialdemokratiskt Parti), has made a statement that "foreign governments trying to take control over Norrish economy and politics is worrisome and something deeply troubling. Norrhem's sovereignty should not be sacrificed on the altar of the almighty Gullveig, if the price is too high."

Edvin Vennberg, leader of the right-wing Norrhem För Oss party, even sees it as a direct attempt to undermine Norrhem's integrity. "This is a blatant attempt to divide and conquer Norrhem. Valladares already has the Westlands, so what would be easier than to take control of Norrhem as well? At first build a canal and take control. Then expand the control and before you know it, Norrhem has lost its identity. We cannot allow this to happen!"

Norrhems Dagliga Nyheter has reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a response and Vice Minister Lisbeth Selander has made the following statement: "Nobody is sacrificing any part of Norrhem, its sovereignty, identity or economy to anybody or anything. The project is still in its infancy and many details still have to be properly discussed and decided on, including detailed ecological and economical studies, operational requirements and much more. The canal has the potential to be a huge boost to Norrish economy both domestically through the generation of jobs and internationally through increased trade options by channelling more goods and cargo to pass through the area as well as tourism. In conjunction with plans of the canal we will also study the feasibility of using as much already existing port infrastructure at Brattsjö Port to lessen cost and environmental impact and integrate it into an even more efficient operation that not only the region of Brattsjö, but Norrhem as a whole will be able to benefit from."

In the coming days authorities are expecting more protesters to move into the area and Norrish police forces have been mobilized to ensure that the protests remain peaceful.

Norrhems Dagliga Nyheter will continue coverage of the project as new details come to light.

by **Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:09 pm

Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland – 1 (0)
Wiedermann; Strassmann, Ringel (63’ o.g.), Kandel; Habeler (68’), Sklenár, Klor (58’), Furtwängler (86’ Reiter ); Schutz (64’ Bahr ), Wolf; Röthke (60’ Weichselbraun )

Gatchingerrak Union – 2 (1)
Svozil (16’)

Starting XI against Astograth: Wiedermann; Strassmann, Ringel (c), Kandel; Habeler, Sklenár, Klor, Furtwängler; Schutz, Wolf; Röthke

“Alright, let’s get started!” said Kai.

“I’m so nervous,” gulped Jonathan.

“M-m-me too,” stuttered Noah.

“Don’t give the ball away like that!” gurgled Klaus.

“Why do I even bother trying to get open when they can’t hit a barn door?” wondered Kai.

“That cross nearly took out a steward,” snickered Florian.

“Not even I could have reached that header,” moaned Nathanaël.

“Getting a bad feeling about this,” shuddered Lukas.

“Quick, we need to shut down this attack!” gasped Tom.

“Good interception there, they had a big advantage otherwise,” stated Kai.

“Pass the ball to me,” instructed Klaus.

“Hah, that was a pathetic dive!” snorted Stefan.

“He should be booked for diving over like that,” claimed Florian.

“Get back! They’re all on-side!” screamed Sebastian.

“That was never a corner,” complained Jakob.

“Awful defending, gifted them the goal,” grumbled Chizoba.

“I think that mistake was on me,” clarified Marcel.

“We know, you stupid sod!” cried Florian.

“Again, Tsisana is unmarked!” shrieked Nathanaël.

“That was a bit better,” uttered Marcel.

“Don’t just stand there admiring the clearance, get up and chase it,” barked Max.

“We are, but the rain is making the pitch greasy,” snapped Laurenz.

“I think we can exploit the space they’re giving us in the centre of the park,” whispered Jochen.

“Has that fool ever even played fußball?” mumbled Jakob.

“Maybe in a video game!” squeaked Florian.

“The two of you shut up and be more respectful,” muttered Hannes.

“Foul!” squealed Chizoba.

“Kai’s OK, just a bit of a dead leg from hitting the ground,” babbled the team doctor.

“I don’t care, just get him back on the park,” scolded Max.

“Hold on, this is a good chance…” exclaimed Peter.

“…oh, so close,” groaned Stefan.

“Yeah, close to reaching exit velocity,” simpered Jonáš.

“Get back and defend, guys,” demanded Laurenz.

“Daniel, get warm; if Kai doesn’t start moving at full pace we may have to bring you on early,” explained Max.

“I won’t let you down boss,” vowed Daniel.

“I’m fine, it’s just a bruise,” insisted Kai.

“They keep forcing our midfielders too deep,” ranted Chizoba.

“I’m just worried if we press higher they’ll hit us on the counter again,” quavered Jonathan.

“Don’t worry mate, we’ve got you covered,” boasted Philipp.

“Yeah, our system’s holding its shape well now, don’t fret,” advised Florian.

“Oh come on, that was clearly a foul,” hissed Noah.

“Finally a decision that went our way,” cheered Lukas.

“Never mind that, just try and get into space when I play it in,” replied Tom.

“There will be two minutes of added time,” revealed the fourth official.

“Is that all?” asked Hannes.

“Maybe they kept the clock running when Kai was off the field,” suggested Jonáš.

“Don’t blame me, you didn’t get the ball near me all half,” argued Kai.

“Well played boys,” lied Max.

“We have a better sense of their strategy now,” added Jochen.

“He must have seen their stats guy’s screen save,” sneered Noah.

“And we’re under way again,” reported the commentator.

“Keep your shape, Stefan,” growled Laurenz.

“Had my eye on the linesman the whole time,” avowed Stefan.

“Another dive!” jeered Peter.

“No, I actually took his leg that time,” confessed Klaus.

“Is it me or is the rain getting harder?” sniffled Jonathan.

“We’re never getting back into this, are we?” bawled Sebastian.

“Cross it, I’m in space!” pleaded Philipp.

“You’re also two yards off side,” objected Marcel.

“No, I had my eye on her back leg, I was on,” denied Philipp.

“Free kick! Foul!” shouted Peter.

“Argh my leg is broken oh we won the free kick? Up I get,” wept Noah.

“What a goal! Up-and-down over the wall and into the far corner!” bellowed Klaus.

“Game on!” roared Lukas.

“Alright lads, let’s not forget to get back and defend,” nagged Peter.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this cross covered all the way,” assured Laurenz.

“The fuck was that!?” sputtered Jonathan.

“Our goal’s at the other end, mate,” noted the cheeky opposition striker.

“Would have been a great header at the other end,” observed Maximilian.

“Just cut the chat and get on there, make something happen,” griped Max.

“Ha, knocked him off his feet,” crowed Stefan.

“What? That was never a yellow!” protested Florian.

“So much for Jochen’s plans! Speccy wanker, he’s such a…” chortled Noah.

“He’s done more this match than you, mate,” interrupted Hannes.

“Both of you shut up, I’m so sick of your arguing!” blurted Nathanaël.

“We’ll be good,” promised Hannes.

“P-p-p-please let go of me?” stammered Noah.

“Easy son, put him down,” convinced Klaus.

“Game’s gone a bit dead,” mused Benjamin.

“We’re not generated any good balls in the final third,” worried Kai.

“That free-kick wasn’t bad,” mentioned Florian.

“All he’s done all game,” grunted Chizoba.

“This is awful! We’re so bad!” raved Florian.

“It’s not been great,” admitted Tom.

“They’re so defensive, though, it’s hard to get anything going,” commented Jochen.

“I’m sure you’ll come up with a game plan for Astograth,” gushed’s Jochen’s intern, Igor.

“Get that fucking hunchback back into his cage!” yelled Max.

“Time’s running out on us,” fretted Philipp.

“I let you guys down,” croaked Laurenz.

“Not your fault at all, mate,” murmured Stefan.

“You played really well, just one bad mistake,” agreed Tom.

“It’s not coming home, is it?” sobbed Daniel.

“One last attack!” boomed Florian.

“Attacking what, the person thirty rows back? Terrible cross!” wailed Laurenz.

“I would have done better,” bragged Noah.

“Looks like there’s four minutes of added time,” coughed Nathanaël.

“Oh fuck that,” said Kai.

by **Hispinas** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:39 pm

San Isidro Labrador 3–4 Hispinas
Copa Rushmori 38 - Kotrba, Esca, Mytanija
HSP Scorers: Munio Sola (2'), Peppi Palmero (38'), Auza Vertiz (45 + 1'), Casimiro Coro (87')
HSP Lineup: Natalio Londono, Gurutze Aranaz, Casimiro Coro, Chequil Puma, Fermin Maquibar, Hibai Berriz, Auza Vertiz, Trinidad Quevedo, Munio Sola ▼ (▲ Mira Makarova 66'), Peppi Palmero ▼ (▲ Perlita Chapa 84'), Ozeano Amunategui ▼ (▲ Carmelita Grimaldo 68')

Coach's Notes: Despite winning their match against San Isidro Labrador through three first half goals, Coach Medrano and the team are not happy with the performance on the pitch, especially when their opponents made it a one-goal affair by the final whistle due to Carriere's late goal. Munio Sola, Hibai Berriz, and Mira Makarova made their international debuts, although the latter would have a day to forget as she made crucial mistakes in two of San Isidro Labrador's late goals. Expect another player to get her first cap as Laida Echevarrieta is expected to start over Natalio Londono who has been leaking goals in the past competitive matches, and a change to a 3-4-3 formation with Berriz most likely joining Coro and Puma at the back 3, or they will give another player his international debut, this time to Marcos Rolan. Expect Duran and Grullon to start as well.

Officials of the La Liga Hispinas are skeptical that they could sustain the growth of the football league in the coming seasons. They were targeting to have 16 clubs by the fifth season of the league, and would actually grow into a two-tier league by their first decade. A staggered plan was to expand the league with two new admitted clubs every season. However, after expanding the league with Malklan CF and Dinamo Mascardo, the league found themselves no suitable club to join the eight clubs for the upcoming season.

There are talks that for the 2206 season, instead of 2 clubs, 4 clubs will be admitted, which may include a club in Mandrid who will most likely create a local rivalry with Royal Mandrid, a club similarly established in Cebuenas, and a club from the Ekialdekobasko half of the Errege football club in Haranbehera. The only roadblock against the establishment of the Haranbehera club is Errege wanted to represent both provinces by a single, unified club, and the efforts from the provincial government, or lack thereof, have prevented any challenger clubs from being founded there. Errege owns Haranbehera's only stadium that is suitable to host LLH matches and it would take at least two seasons to create one football specific stadium from scratch.

Despite the challenges, the league is set to change landscapes, as clubs will be allowed to purchase foreign players after the 2205 season, and do player transactions as well locally, with Royal Mandrid and FC Cebuenas having deep pockets which can sign at least one or two foreigners. Atletikoa Haranurdina, who won the 2204 season given an all-Basko squad, would retain their Basko-only identity, and will look for foreign players with Basque heritage such as Astograth among others to keep up with the two big clubs. National team players will most likely be poached by clubs in the upper echelon of the IFCF rankings, similar to Eivora Athletic's acquisition of Casimiro Coro.

Hispinas football would most likely to take off once the restrictions are lifted and clubs will be given freedom to sign whoever they want for their teams.

by **Mytanija** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:11 pm

STRONG STARTS FUELS EXPECTATIONS IN ESCA
MYTANIJA’S FALSE NINES LOOK VERY REAL AT RADNIKA

by Nevenka Planinc

MYTANIJA 3-1 KALOSIA
MYT: Ocokoljic 11’, Gannot 37’, Zgela 74’
KLS: Kasanu 82’

MYT: 1. Kasun; 3. Savicevic, 4. Anac, 5. Racic; 2. Milcic, 7. Hrdaljko, 8. Fejzuli (sub. Smajic 72’), 6. P. Odonelec (sub. Vujovic 68’); 10. J. Odonelec (c); 9. Ocokoljic, 11. Gannot (sub. Zgela 64’)

KLS: 1. Maržini; 2. Kruž, 3. Biažu (c), 4. Altanu (sub. Tunisi 70’), 5. Kasini; 6. Mersié, 7. Baľarti (sub. Sardu 64’), 10. Kartas, 11. Grisini; 8. Martineli (sub. Bonifaťu 70’), 9. Kasanu

Lev Repin’s team got their tournament off to a flyer in the Mytanar capital against an outmatched Kalosia side. Jezdimir Ocokoljic, Damien Gannot and Dejan Zgela scored the goals as the Hoops’ constantly rotating attacking machine constantly moved the opposition out of position to create space for another Mytanar player. Wing-backs Damir Milcic and Patrik Odonelec (and later the hitherto uncapped Slobodan Vujovic) carried out regular raids down the flanks and sometimes formed a five-man Mytanar attack with the two strikers and Jasno Odonelec. The captain’s late runs into the penalty area and commitment to running beyond the strikers caused Kalosia issues which they never quite came to terms with.

Ocokoljic got Mytanija off to a good start 11 minutes into the game finishing clinically after finding space in the penalty area to receive a precise cut-back from Damir Milcic. Radnika was raucous in its celebration and the talk of home advantage potentially roaring the team onto a deep run in this tournament seemed very real all of a sudden. Ocokoljic received the adulation of his countrymen and women with a smile on his face. The players had regularly spoken about not feeling the pressure to perform on home soil and how they would try to use it to their advantage pre-tournament and the enjoyment they seemed to feel appeared to back that up. Journalists suddenly backtracked on branding it exactly the sort of soundbite you’d expect to hear from the host nation’s team.

Some in the Mytanar press had also criticised Damien Gannot’s inclusion despite his superlative domestic form for Top League champions Atletik Thessia and he provided the perfect riposte with a headed finish to put Mytanija 2-0 up. Patrik Odonelec was put in behind the Kalosian defence by Tahir Fejzuli after a defence splitting pass between full-back and centre-half. Odonelec didn’t need a second invitation to hit the cross in and despite it heading back away from goal Gannot managed to turn it back on target, contorting his body like an Olympic gymnast and generating enough power so that Maržini couldn’t reach it. Radnika was bouncing at this point and the atmosphere continued throughout half-time and into the second period. The supporters were determined to enjoy themselves and any questions regarding whether Mytanija was unified enough for this tournament seemed to be put to bed by the scenes inside the stadium.

Repin rang the changes through the second-half, introducing the aforementioned Slobodan Vujovic but also bringing Mersudin Smajic on for Fejzuli and Dejan Zgela for the goal scorer Gannot. He must have been happy to see all three involved in the third Mytanar goal as the Hoops seemed to get a lot of joy down their right no matter who the personnel involved were. Smajic and Zgela exchanged passes before the Liria Prizren midfielder sent the ball out to Slobodan Vujovic on the touchline. Vujovic may not have made too many appearances for Royal Rumiatzi in their title-winning season, but he’s highly rated by the club and by Lev Repin and his cross here demonstrated his ability. He found the gap between the Kalosia defenders, the exact space Dejan Zgela was spinning into after his one-two with Smajic and Zgela took one tough to get the ball out of his feet before smashing the ball low into the net for the third. Zgela’s had an excellent season for Damogran FC and his movement and finish here demonstrated exactly why that is.

The only gloss taken off an incredible opening evening was when Klaudiu Kasanu beat Dino Racic in the air eight minutes from time to grab Kalosia a consolation goal. It was a well-worked set-piece and a fine delivery from Paólu Kartas had the Mytanar defence scrambling back towards their own goal. Kasanu climbed higher than Racic and nodded back across goal, Pedja Kasun was completely wrong-footed by the intelligent header and Kalosia had their goal. Kasun was apoplectic at his defenders, giving Racic a bit of an ear-bashing, he had wanted the clean sheet but there was no harm done in terms of the end result. It might focus a few minds to have conceded a goal from a set-piece late in a game.

The result will raise expectations for Mytanija, particularly given the success of the rotation of players in attacking areas. Ocokoljic, Gannot/Zgela, Jasno Odonelec and wing-backs Milcic, Patrik Odonelec/Slobodan Vujovic all looked really comfortable in moving into the space the others created for them. Ocokoljic is an expert in dragging defenders away from where they are supposed to be and players like Jasno Odonelec are equally intelligent in recognising that space. It’s good that the likes of Gannot and Zgela can do the same. The Mytanar wing-backs look like they could become a focal point of Mytanija’s attacking play too, which could add another arrow to the quiver for Lev Repin in terms of tactical flexibility.

Home advantage could spur this team on to ever greater heights, this opening match at Radnika saw the team well-received by all that were there and you would imagine the response will be the same at the Novi Atletskistadion in Thessia for the next game against minnows East Neutralia. Mytanar unity is even more keenly supported in that region of the country than it is in the Mytanar capital and Zentria more widely. Ana Mecava-Catic’s government appear to be using sport to bring the country together in much the same way as politicians have throughout Mytanar history. Hopefully it can be a long-term force for good and any failures don’t see a return to the dark days of ethnic discrimination. At the moment it is working, but the real acid test could come when the team face some adversity.

by **Mytanija** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:22 pm

This is your cut-off for match day two of Copa Rushmori 38. I say a little prayer for you.

Group A
Tikariot 3–2 Kalosia
East Neutralia 0–1 Mytanija (Scorinated by The Licentian Isles)

  Group A                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Mytanija                                      2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Tikariot                                      2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
3 East Neutralia                                2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0
4 Kalosia                                       2   0  0  2    3   6  −3    0

Group B
Valladares 3–0 Cassadaigua
Cabo Azure 1–0 Oberour Ar Moro

  Group B                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Valladares                                    2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Cabo Azure                                    2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
3 Cassadaigua                                   2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Oberour Ar Moro                               2   0  0  2    0   3  −3    0

Group C
Gatchingerrak Union 0–1 Nephara
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland 0–3 Astograth

  Group C                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Astograth                                     2   1  1  0    5   2  +3    4
2 Nephara                                       2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
3 Gatchingerrak Union                           2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland      2   0  0  2    1   5  −4    0

Group D
Southwest Eastnorth 0–1 Eura
The Askari Union 2–4 Norrhem

  Group D                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Eura                                          2   2  0  0    5   2  +3    6
2 Southwest Eastnorth                           2   1  0  1    5   3  +2    3
3 Norrhem                                       2   1  0  1    6   6   0    3
4 The Askari Union                              2   0  0  2    4   9  −5    0

Group E
San Ortelio 1–0 Bollonich
Savojarna 1–0 Darmen

  Group E                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Savojarna                                     2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 San Ortelio                                   2   1  0  1    1   2  −1    3
3 Bollonich                                     2   0  1  1    4   5  −1    1
  Darmen                                        2   0  1  1    4   5  −1    1

Group F
Hispinas 3–1 Eastfield Lodge
San Isidro Labrador 3–3 Yuezhou

  Group F                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Hispinas                                      2   2  0  0    7   4  +3    6
2 Yuezhou                                       2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
3 San Isidro Labrador                           2   0  1  1    6   7  −1    1
4 Eastfield Lodge                               2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group G
Ancharmunn 2–1 Bollonischian Maribaya
Pasarga 2–3 Græntfjall

  Group G                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Græntfjall                                    2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Pasarga                                       2   1  0  1    6   3  +3    3
3 Ancharmunn                                    2   1  0  1    2   5  −3    3
4 Bollonischian Maribaya                        2   0  0  2    1   5  −4    0

Group H
Txakhaxi 3–3 Nyowani Kitara
Pridnestrovia 3–2 Sargossa

  Group H                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Pridnestrovia                                 2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
2 Txakhaxi                                      2   0  2  0    4   4   0    2
3 Nyowani Kitara                                2   0  2  0    7   7   0    2
4 Sargossa                                      2   0  1  1    6   7  −1    1

by **Sargossa** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:37 pm

The points may have been shared but the sense of satisfaction certainly wasn’t. On the touchline the usually calm and collected Brian McAllister stormed back to his seat in the dugout, his coaching staff electing to give him a wide berth. Out on the pitch Alejandro Martínez sat on his touchline, arms outstretched and looking aghast at his defenders. Defenders who were currently pointing accusing fingers at each other. Behind them Nyowani Kitara’s Armoni Okombo had thrown himself into the crowd, as he and his teammates celebrated their latest of late equalisers. Nyowani Kitara get a football runout every couple of years at the Copa and they’d just held the nine time Copa Rushmori finalists to a draw in the opening game of the thirty eighth edition of the tournament.

The two nations had met at the same stage two years ago in Eura, a match in which the Corsairs had dispatched their lower ranked opponents with almost dismissive ease. What a difference a tournament makes. Any expectations of a repeat performance in Trunca were swiftly dispelled in the space of three first half minutes. First player-coach, something of a novelty in international football, Tage Hermansson drifted in unmarked from a corner to head Nyowani Kitara in front. Not necessarily a disaster, Nyowani Kitara had scored first in Eura before conceding six in reply. But just two minutes later they were given an inch and took a full mile as a loose pass was punished to the extreme. It was Owino Odede who got his head on the end move of a beautifully flowing counter charge to double the lead.

A tight hamstring had deprived Sargossa coach McAllister of chief goal threat Mateo Manzanares for this encounter but in his stead Mauricio Sainz would eventually make an impact. In the form of a bullet header that halved the deficit, the third headed goal of the game. The big target man’s aerial prowess is no real secret but what is often overlooked is the big fella’s more than decent close control. He gave everyone a well timed reminder as he latched onto an incisive pass from Enrique González, danced beyond Oduor Bigombe and slotted the ball into the empty net. The Nyowani Kitara lead had evaporated and momentum had swung firmly towards Sargossa. Momentum that continued into the second half. A robust challenge from Ernst Grönberg on Diego Alejandro Costa earned the Corsairs a chance to go in front for the first time in this fixture. Enrique González placed the ball carefully on the spot, took a healthy run-up and then lashed the ball into the top left corner of the net. And when Tobías Figueroa’s cross found fellow wing back Alfonso Barrueco steaming into the box to give the side a two goal cushion the writing looked to be very much on the wall.

Then, in what was thus far a thrilling encounter, came a moment of pure magic. Johannes von Weber had been introduced to re-ignite some attacking impetus. And he did just that. The winger picked up on a forward pass, left Raúl Dengra in the dust and then executed a perfectly flighted chip over Alejandro Martínez. The Sargossan number one made no effort to stop it, knowing full well that he was well beaten. With thirteen minutes to go Nyowani Kitara were not as out of this match as they had looked. Punch was followed by counter punch, both Martínez and Bigombe were forced into sharp saves as chances came and went. The ninety minutes ticked over and we were into the interminable amount of stoppage time. There would be a last minute corner. There was always a last minute corner. And it went to Nyowani Kitara. Everyone, even Bigombe, piled into the Sargossan penalty area. Von Weber took it, Hermansson got his head to it. Chaos ensued until Armoni Okombo got the touch to seal the last second twist. It was only the opening encounter but it left Nyowani Kitara riding high and Sargossa as flat as the Euran airforce had left this host city.

by **Nyowani Kitara** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:20 pm

Tage Hermansson, the Player-Coach & Captain, at the end of the Nyowani Kitara v. Txakhaxi game

Tage Hermansson was jogging up the field as he saw a shot from Johannes von Weber get knocked over the crossbar by Txakhaxi goalkeeper and captain Fahia Kaopokatxai for a corner kick. It was the beginning of the fourth minute of stoppage time in a match that was only supposed to have 3- but the referee was clearly going to let the corner kick play out before he blew the final whistle.

A second straight game with such late drama for Nyowani Kitara? As Hermansson huried up the pitch to be in position to try and head the ball off of a corner kick, he thought about what an emotional roller coaster the last two games had been. You could say a lot about Nyowani Kitara, and one of those things you had to say was entertaining. The last game against Sargossa was a thriller, going up 2-0, before going down 4-2, and equalizing on the last kick of the match to draw a Sargossa side 4-4 that they had lost to by a score of 6-1 just two years earlier.

This game had its fair share of drama on its own, especially in the second half. The first half was fairly solid from an entertainment standpoint, although not so much from the viewpoint of the neutral. There was only one goal- and that was courtesy of Odede Angonga, who slotted home from about 10 yards out when he was able to break free from a defender in the 35th minute. That was a lead Hermansson's side had held onto for the remainder of the half.

Hermansson at halftime had told his team not to let up. "It's only 1-0- anything can happen. We know how these major tournament games can go, especially for small nations like ours." He said in his coach's speech at halftime. "We've got to continue getting forward and going after them, and if we can put another in the back of the net, that's a great chance of us to get to three points."

But the second half was an absolute fire cracker of a half. While the first half only had one goal, the second half saw absolutely sublime finishing from both sides. It did not take Txakhaxi long to equalize. In fact, it only took them the first 35 seconds of the second half. They played a nice long ball going forward to Imuameni. While the winger is not known for his speed, he did a great job controlling the ball, and as Hermansson saw his own goalkeeper go to the ball, Imuameni laid it off to Sakhakhai for an easy finish into an empty net. Just like that- 1-1.

But Nyowani Kitara was not going to let that goal rattle them. They preached going into this tournament- mental toughness. They had a golden opportunity at the last tournament to advance, and did not. But they wanted to show that they were better than they were at 37. The team stayed focused, stayed motivated, allowed their opponents to celebrate, and then got to work. Consistently creating chances. Turning up the pace and intensity to 11 against a team that wanted to sit back. A team like Txakhaxi forces you to play to the outside, and then loop in unsuccessful crosses against their towering center backs.

What's the only way to beat that? Beat them on the dribble. Johannes von Weber's introduction in the 50th minute did just that. He was shifty, and his ability to take on defenders one on one and leave them in the dust exposed holes in Txakhaxi's operations. In the 55th minute, he beat a defender on the dribble, and as another defender came to close him down, he whipped in a gorgeous cross to Owino Odede to give Nyowani Kitara a 2-1 lead. In the 62nd minute, von Weber was out here creating again from the bench, as him beating another defender on the dribble caused Tosaihau to drag him down by the shirt collar to earn himself a yellow card. And, of course, a free kick in a dangerous place for Nyowani Kitara.

The 21 year old, Odede Angonga, stepped up to take the free kick. And it was an absolute beauty- a gorgeous, curling free kick that the Txakhaxi goalkeeper simply watched bend into the upper corner. The Nyowani Kitara half of the stadium rose up, roaring, thinking that the 3-1 lead with 30 minutes would be enough to put them over the top, get them three points, and put them atop Group H. Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.

Txakhaxi came back hot and hard. Hermansson knew that his defense was leaky- but even a team as defensive as Txakhaxi was capable of pulling off a comeback. Those burly defenders made set pieces tough to defend, and it would be the art of the set piece that would bring Txakhaxi back into the game. Sakhakhai slipped past Hermansson himself on a free kick in the 70th minute to head one home for his country and cut Nyowani Kitara's lead in half. And then, in the 79th minute, Nyowani Kitara's fans were in despair as they watched Txakhaxi equalize thanks to a volley from Imuameni at the edge of the box.

And just like that, a 3-1 lead had turned into a 3-3 fight. And both teams wanted to win this. Nyowani Kitara was coming down, trying to launch balsl into the box and break down their opponents, while Txakhaxi kept blitzing on the counter-attack. And that led Nyowani Kitara to where they were right now. A few minutes prior, Sigmund Mickelson had subbed into the game for Odede Angonga, who was clearly dealing with cramps.

When Westermark raised his hand to take the corner kick, Hermansson ran forward. The ball came in, and Hermansson was functionally tackled, gridiron style, by Kaoñahani. The referee had no choice. "PENALTY!" The referee yelled, pointing to the spot. The Nyowani Kitara fans right in front of the play started cheering, while Hermansson got up, pumping his fist. But then, his mind started to race. He was the coach, the designated penalty taker was out. Who was going to take the penalty?

He took a quick scan. And he thought- why not Angonga's replacement? "Sigmund!" Hermansson yelled. "Take the kick." The 36 year old veteran striker simply nodded his head. Hermansson jogged back to the halfway line. It would likely be the final kick of the match. Was Mickelson the right penalty taker in this situation? Did Hermansson make the right choice? The 36 year old had the weight of a major tournament win on his shoulders. Mickelson ran up, opened his body, and went to the keeper's right.

Fortunately, the keeper went the other way. But even at 36 years old, Mickelson felt the pressure. He hit the ball wide of the target, missing the post by about a foot. Hermansson immediately started squatting with his hands on his head. Mickelson buried his face in his hands. And the opposing goalkeeper, Fahia Kaopokatxai, leapt up in celebration.

After the final whistle blew, Hermansson got the question in his post game press conference that he knew was coming- why Mickelson, who was functionally cold off the bench, having only played a few minutes? "You know, he's a veteran striker, an elite level player, a national team player- he's got a talent to hit it. But sometimes, you miss. We don't blame him. OUr heart goes out to him. What matters is that we still control our own destiny on Matchday 3."

And that they do. Hermansson knew it'd be up to him to rally his team- spirits were down after coming that close to getting a win, and having it all go away from you. But the job was simple. If they lost or drew to Pridnestrovia, they were out. If they won? They would advance, and probably win the group to boot. Would the Player-Coach be able to rally the boys to get all three points against a fellow Rushmori socialist nation? Or would Nyowani Kitara continue to have to wait for knockout stage major tournament football?

by **Cabo Azure** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:39 pm

Cabo Azure 1-0 Oberour Ar Moro
No  Pos. Name 
#1  GK   Carreira
#2  RB   Fernandes
#3  LB   Carneiro
#4  CB   Mendes
#6  CB   Macedo (C)
#8  RM   Santos (off 37')
#11 LM   Dantas
#14 CM   Medeiros
#9  CF   Montenegro
#13 LW   Silveira
#15 RW   Carriço (goal 62')

#19 RM   Branco (on 37')
The Macaricas earn their first-ever international win and control their destiny going into matchday 3 against Cassadaigua. After an uneventful first half in which neither keeper was tested, Ademar Carriço of Villa Silva got on the end of a fantastic long ball from Medeiros to bury a tap-in. The Azurean team promptly shifted onto their heels and played the remainder of the game to preserve their lead. With Valladares soundly defeating Cassadaigua 3-0, Cabo Azure is ahead on goal differential and need only get a result in its third match in order to advance out of its group in only its first Copa Rushmori outing.

Cabo Azure: The Politics pt 2 “King Manuel”

Manuel Fonseca was born in Sao Simone in 1983, four years after the king of Cabo Azure was overthrown. His mother, Abigail, had been known as Princess Abigail, the much-younger sister of King Reinald II, but had been largely forgotten in the controversy surrounding her brother. A quiet, bookish girl in her youth, she matriculated to the Maritime University in the early seventies and set herself on an academic path, defending her dissertation in political science the year after her brother was dethroned. Manuel’s father, Dr. Carlos Fonseca, was her academic advisor throughout her undergraduate and graduate years.

Manuel enjoyed a normal middle-class Azurean upbringing, with his parents agreeing to keep his royal birth a secret both for his safety and to stymie any notions of power he may have had. After graduating secondary school in 2001, he made several attempts at attending university, none of which stuck; instead he tended bar and worked as a cab driver in Sao Simone. He nevertheless had an active social life and remained close with his mother, visiting her weekly. Notably his younger siblings fared much better in their academic pursuits, with his sister following her parents into academia and his brother becoming a police detective in Sao Simone.

In 2011 as the popular uprising gained strength, dissenters began calling for the monarchy to be reinstated. Reinaldo II had died in relative obscurity in 1999, but it was something of an open secret that Abigail was still living in Cabo Azure as the rightful heir to the throne. The revolutionary leadership reached out early, inviting her to take a seat at the Transition Council, the shadowy organization which oversaw the peaceful handover of power from the autocrats. Despite her misgivings, Abigail agreed to accept the throne and became an active participant in the Transition Council, eventually bringing Manuel into the fold.

On New Year’s Day 2012, Abigail was crowned Queen of Cabo Azure and immediately abdicated in favor of Manuel in a televised ceremony. King Manuel accepted the throne and promised to give the country his all in a candid, heartfelt speech that has become known as one of the high points of an otherwise tumultuous year in Cabo Azure. Later that year, voters would elect as prime minister one of Manuel’s childhood idols: Mario Borges, the former naval officer and star midfielder at Cidadela, who went on to become Minister of Culture under the dictatorship.

Since ascending the throne, Manuel has split his time between studying, frequent public appearances, and consulting with the elected government of Cabo Azure. He is a frequent fixture at sporting events, especially Cidadela football matches, and has supported the formation of the Liga Primeira, a national professional football league formed from the various island leagues. He and Prime Minister Borges are said to be especially close both personally and professionally.

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:21 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Second clean sheet in a row secures group victory

By Jaukka Halanen

Arsika, MYT - Savojarna have once more presented a calm, controlled performance in the 38th Copa Rushmori, beating second seed Darmen with 1-0. The result marks the second clean sheet for Iiro Pakanen in the tournament, leaving Savojarna as the last side to not yet concede a goal. Thanks to San Ortelio’s earlier 1-0 victory over Bollonich, the Northlights have also confirmed their group victory, as only San Ortelio could match them in points and Savojarna have the head-to-head tiebreaker over I Spada. With Group F being much tighter, the opponents for the next round are not yet known, although much points to either Yuezhou or Hispinas being the most likely second round opposition for Savojarna.

The team was unchanged from the 2-0 over San Ortelio, and particularly at the back it again showed considerable defensive stability. Víedharr Svendsen, Darmen’s attacking midfielder, proved to be a threat with his runs from range that often opened space for Halle in the centre, but it didn’t quite come together for Darmen in the first twenty minutes where Savojarna looked vulnerable. Halle had been denied by Pakanen once and missed a second header, and Svendsen grazed the post from nineteen metres with a free kick, but not more came out of it before Savojarna managed to get themselves together more and used the openings created by Darmen’s midfield pushing forward. The first goal was narrowly missed as Nweke was a tad too late with a sliding shot and only deflected the ball past the post; Hyman Campo also managed to save a brilliant attempt by Voynov. The game went into half time scoreless, with Savojarna dominating possession 59-41 but lacking a convincing advantage in chances.

Nonetheless, the Northligths continued to play focused and with the air of a team that knew it would eventually scored - and they were right. A bit over an hour into the game, Maersk took the ball off an advancing Avidan Tobias and immediately flipped the switch with a long pass to Ehlers, but the hanging striker did not look for Nweke as predicted by the Darmeni defenders, but played a beautiful no-look pass onto Poulsen. The Partisan captain swiftly cut past a scrambling Di Stefano and beat Campo with a shot to the bottom left from twelve metres, securing the Northlights a victory. Much like against San Ortelio, Strauss switched to a defensive stance soon after, replacing an isolated Voynov with Aarsoy and bringing on a second defensive midfielder for a striker. This move shut down the middle, which had been Darmen’s most dangerous area; the clock ticked down without many remarkable chances as Savojarna were taking a deserved victory home.

The Northlights are looking to meet Bollonich in the same stadium, and will likely rotate significantly. Strauss stated her pride with the team’s play in the post-match press conference, and emphasised the need to regenerate and look forward. “We didn’t come here to make it out of the group stage. This is a country with historic success in the Copa Rushmori, and the third seed of the tournament. We have a duty to look forward and play the long game”, the Northlights coach hinted at some rotations. Captain Victoria Maersk also pointed at similar needs, stating that the team had played well but also was trying to conserve energy in the second half after the goal, and would need to turn towards the next game as soon as possible. “We are earning ourselves an advantage with this early lock-in, and we are determined to make something out of it”, the central midfielder said in the press conference, “and to do so we will have to look forward to the knock-outs now”. The Northlights will stay in Arsika for their final group stage match, before turning their eyes to the Mytanar capital of Esca, where they will face their second round opponent at the Radnika stadium.

Savojarna 1-0 Darmen (0-0)
Novi Zavej Park, Arsika (MYT) - attendance: 30’000 (sold out)

Goal: 61’ Poulsen 1-0 (Ehlers).
Yellow cards: 17’ Zirkova, 42’ Spalding, 68’ Abbey, 83’ Ilkkanen (all foul).
Remarks: 18’ Svendsen hits post

Savojarna: Pakanen - Pedersen, Zirkova, Forsberg, Skov - Voynov (66’ Aarsoy, Maersk, Poulsen (86’ Tedenby), Jashkin - Nweke (73’ Ilkkanen), Ehlers.

Savojarna lineup vs Bollonich (4-4-2):
Pakanen - Pedersen, Nymark, Forsberg, Viipuri - Aarsoy, Tedenby, Lundell, Jashkin - Ehlers, Hedenberg

by **Graintfjall** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:10 am

Pasarga – 2 (1)
Szalay (9’ o.g.), Salai (39’), Topić (90’)

Græntfjall – 3 (2)
B. Ernestisson; Lúthersdóttir, Bensson (61’), Reynarsson, Vilbertsdóttir; Álvgeirsdóttir (24’), Ásvaldursson (77’ Miansdóttir ), Guttisdóttir (80’), Kristoffersdóttir (81’ Bjarnfinnursdóttir ); Jonathansdóttir (87’), Dannysdóttir (76’ Bergmundursson )

Group G for Græntfjall? That’s the hope after a big win in the Snow Wolves’ first meeting with the Wanderers. Ásvarður Bergmundursson had been on the pitch just four minutes when he showed his strength to fight off Laborc Szöllössy and thread an assist through for Amanda Guttisdóttir, who hit it sweetly first time for the third, and ultimately decisive goal. It rendered Vojmil Topić’s last minute strike a consolation effort rather than an equalizer and makes advancement to the playoffs a matter of not losing by 4 goals to Ancharmunn. A point would also guarantee first seeding out of the group, though a turbulent Group H makes it unclear which path would lead to a preferable Round of 16 match-up. Of course we’re getting away ahead of ourselves: for now, the Snow Wolves can simply reflect on a well-earned win, with excellent performances from Johanna Álvgeirsdóttir and Sara Kristoffersdóttir in particular.

Stat of the day: Sara Kristoffersdóttir claimed her first ever goal in the Copa Rushmori, six years after her brief, unsuccessful appearance at CR35, when she was called up aged just 16. Unfortunately for Sara, the goal was later reassigned as an Asztrik Szalay own goal. Let’s hope she doesn’t have to wait another 6 years!

Big changes are ringed for the Ancharmunn game, with all four players on a yellow card out of the starting XI, as well as Amanda. Johanna will be given a chance to lead the midfield from her preferred central role, and Jade Miansdóttir, who impressed in her brief minutes against Pasarga, called up. With Hjörleifur Reynarsson rested, it’s back to captaincy for Emeli Vilbertsdóttir. All rested players are expected to be part of the match day squad should the decision to use a less-than-full strength team backfire.

Starting XI against Ancharmunn: B. Ernestisson; Lúthersdóttir, T. Ernestisson, Jokulsson, Vilbertsdóttir (c); Miansdóttir, Ásvaldursson, Álvgeirsdóttir, Kristoffersdóttir; Wolfgangsdóttir, Bergmundursson

Knattspyrnusamband Græntfjalls criticized for missing “diversity aspirations”

Football’s governing body in Græntfjall has been sharply criticized by a report jointly prepared by the Culture Ministry, the Inclusion Commission, and the charity OpenSport, for failing to meet the “diversity aspirations” set out in the response to a similar inquiry four years ago. At the time, KG rejected the need for any participation quotas and refused to even use the language of “targets”, instead opting for “aspirations”; regardless, little progress has been made, according to the report, which suggests the issues of formal quotas be revisited. Lack of representation from and hostility towards players of ethnic minority background is highlighted as particularly concerning, as Græntfjaller football continues its difficult self-struggle with the complexities of a traditional game’s place within an increasingly diverse, multicultural society.

The report, Football For All?, asserts that while “players of color” have increased in overall number within the Græntfjaller leagues, this has been driven entirely by international imports, and that domestic footballers from ethnic minority backgrounds have actually decreased in number. The report stops short of using the word “racism”, instead opting for the term “xenophobia”, perhaps so as to include “Islamophobia”, a recurrent problem in Græntfjaller society according to the report’s co-author Góa Bergfinnsdóttir. Nonetheless, the report makes for uncomfortable reading, with numerous incidents of youth and amateur players, and even some at the professional level, being forced from the game on account of abuse from fans and fellow players. A shocking 90% of Græntfjaller youth players from ethnic minority backgrounds report having experienced at least one such negative experience; such players are 400% more likely than those of ethnic Græntfjaller background to seek counselling for depression or alienation.

Football For All? has a more mixed take on issues of LGBTQ+ representation. Much is made of the recent CR38 squad, which contains no openly gay players following the dropping of Mathias Kristersson, and also does not include Ari Hlynursbur, the first non-binary player to represent the Snow Wolves in international football. However, LGBTQ+ players are now far more common at every level from amateur and school football to the Premier League, including high-profile players like Kristersson and his GT Molding teammate Karoline Vernerisdóttir. A disturbing complication is that LGBTQ+ players reporting the most incidents of homophobic abuse play in the Community Leagues, which are elsewhere described in the report as the best integrated leagues in terms of inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities and immigrants.

The report’s conclusions are wide ranging. Social media companies such as Qardinal and twii.tur are excoriated for not doing more to prevent online abuse of players, but no positive action is actually recommended. Similarly, KG is praised for taking steps to punish clubs whose fans engage in racist or abusive chanting, but there is silence on the ongoing question of whether IFCF places should be withdrawn from clubs whose fans repeatedly engage in such behavior. One intriguing recommendation suggests a more diverse corps of referees – 73% of professional match officials in Græntfjall are men, and 98% are white – would help address the problems when they manifest on the pitch. However, it is sure to be the discussion of quotas that will be the most controversial aspect of the recommendations.

Football For All? suggests that the inclusion of at least one player of ethnic minority background in the forthcoming youth squads for the Under-18 and Under-21 World Cups should be “a priority, not an aspiration”. (Jasmijn Spiderlair became the first player of Kamdyr background to represent Græntfjall during the last such youth football cycle, but the report takes a curious silence on the issue of Kamdyr representation.) The report notes that no black or Muslim player has ever represented Græntfjall in football, with Nyagũthiĩ Wanjirsdóttir becoming the first black Græntfjaller to play for a national team in any sport during the recent World Volleyball Expo, and Marjaana Sulaimaansdóttir al-Farra expected to become Græntfjall’s first Muslim Olympian this summer in Electrum. “As Græntfjaller society grows more diverse and our common picture of what it means to be a Græntfjaller expands, the white Catholic identity of the football community appears increasingly retrograde,” concludes the report.

Reaction has varied from promises of support from various club executives, to outraged objection from many traditionalist voices. Former national team captain Vilbjörn Hjörleifursson called the report “muck-raking nonsense” that “runs totally contrary to the principle of sporting merit”. “When you play for your country, you want to know the person beside you in the line-up has earned their place on merit, and isn’t just a token pick to appeal to woke dinner party liberals,” fumed Hjörleifursson in remarks that were strongly endorsed by NDF leader Sigjón Þjóðbjörnsson, who called the report “a sick fantasy” and accused the Culture Ministry of wanting to “bully young white children out of the game”. Veteran football journalist Olle Tobiasson said the report would be embarrassing for KG, given their recurrent aspirations of hosting high-level football tournaments and attracting top foreign players to the GPL. When asked about the Culture Ministry’s report on newsroom diversity, the 57-year old white man spluttered: “I’m 1/64th Quebecois, I’ll have you know.”

Also in the paper:

NEWS: Immigration bill threatens flood of bogus asylum seekers
BUSINESS: Retreat on corporation tax the “only answer” to economic slump, warns person who totally coincidentally pays lots of corporation tax
ENERGY: Nuclear chief apologizes for joking about “mowing down” green protesters
CRUISES: Because this is the kind of newspaper that unironically has a section dedicated to cruises
SPORT: Korsbach victorious in first taste of international football

by **Southwest Eastnorth** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:23 am

A Fool in the Rain
http://www.swensport.swe/national_football_team.html

MYTANIJA - The national team of Eura is one of those teams you always have to fear. The prior hosts of the Copa Rushmori have always been a big support of the Rushmori game, and to face them should be a treat. The Southwest Eastnorth team played them in a game in the Novi Kaunostadion, in Thessia. A beautiful match of tactical football was played, but it was hampered by sporadic showers that came through the area, leading to excessive heat and in an unfortunate case for the Pioneers, a lack of grip. The Pioneers and Eura played a really smart tactical game for the most part and surprisingly the midfielders for both sides did well against each other with some amazingly accurate passes that would make a highlight real for a camp about football passes. First chance for the Pioneers came with Chris Houton. Houton found a gap near the left end of the pitch, it appeared he would send an arching pass to whoevers head was available at the time to knock it in. This was negated though by Harry Wheeler who came screaming in sliding and forced Houton to jump over him. While this did negate the advance Houton made it also knocked the ball out of bounds. That would be the best shot at a score the Pioneers had though as nothing came of the inbound and back and forth play resumed. Erua's big chance and what turned into the games only goal came from a beautiful goal from Bond at the 25 minute mark with a beautiful header on an even better pass from Moira Woakes

If you were a player and you looked at the skies (which most fans couldn't see due to the stands having a roof), you would notices an ominous group of clouds moving over the stadium. This lead to a sudden downpour around the 30 minute mark, and when we say downpour we meant deluge of biblical proportions. soon the pitch was waterlogged instantly with the rain and grip was at a premium. This didn't stop the refs from being staunch on their delivery of Yellow Cards.

Jack Menard tried a simple slide at the ball but the conditions made it so his slide took longer than expected and he almost would have gotten away with it had Trevor White not been there. A yellow card was given to Menard despite most fans of each team booing the ref. Event he most ultra of ultra SWEN fans knew that the rain and waterlogged pitch was to blaime not Jack. But this gave SWEN an opportunity right before half time to draw the game up. But Gorman Thurman IV went to make a penalty kick and because of the waterlogging of the pitch he slipped as he was to kick the ball and there was never a shot as the kick came up miles short of the goal.

With it being halftime the rains did subside but this lead to another issue. The bowl shape of the stadium turned the stadium into a humid mess of a game where it was obvious for the second 45 minutes of the game the teams clearly were just trying to control pace and not over work themselves in the severe humidity. there were a couple of shots from each team to get the ball in the goal but the slowed pace made it way easier for the keepers to do their job, though I assume they must have been miserable in the humidity with long sleeve shirts on.

In the end Eura came away with a beautiful 1-0 victory and despite some pratfalls, the Pioneers have nothing to be sad about or mad about, up next is Norrhem a newcomer tot he Rushmori scene the game will likely determine who gets in second to Eura as both SWEN and Norrhem have victories over Askari Union.

EURA - 1

B Bond 25'

Southwest Eastnorth - 0

none

by **Darmen** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:56 pm

From the Office of the President of the Republic

Scott City - Saturday, September 10th, 2050

The Honourable Florent Phillippe
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Valladares

Esteemed Mr. Philippe,

I was glad to receive your letter and see that you, like myself, are no longer satisfied with the status quo of the relationship between our two great nations. I look forward to working with you and your government to bring about a new and permanent relationship that will be positive and peaceful, benefiting our nations and our peoples.

As you yourself mentioned in your letter, one of the primary reasons we are seeking this new relationship is to better position ourselves for membership in the Common Rushmori Community. While I am glad to hear that it is not the policy of your government to oppose any potential ascension to the CRC on our part, I am sure you understand that attaining membership in the CRC is a complicated process. From our viewpoint, improving relations with your nation is of vital importance to make such a complicated process far smoother and more easily attainable.

My term as President of the Republic ends in thirty-two months and while I am confident that I will be reelected for a second term, I am not naïve enough to believe that this is a foregone conclusion, but rather that achieving CRC membership for Darmen or making substantial progress on the matter, as was my primary campaign promise when I was first elected, is necessary to ensure my reelection. It is therefore imperative that we work together towards our common goals with a high level of urgency, or we risk myself being voted out of office and replaced by someone who does not share our common goals, making all of our efforts be for naught if we fail to achieve all of our common goals before this date.

While I hope we can move forward with speed to achieve our common goals, I am certain that you can appreciate that I have a responsibility to my people to represent their best interests, just as you have the same responsibility to your people. It is therefore impossible for me to simply accept the conditions you set forth in your most recent letter without at least expressing whatever reservations I and my administration may have. It is my hope that you will be at least somewhat flexible in your response to these; it is not my intention to make these negotiations via correspondence difficult or drawn out, only to represent the best interests of my people and come to an understanding with yourself and your government of how best to achieve our common goals.

I and my administration therefore, respond to the conditions for an improvement in our relationship which you laid out in your most recent letter to me, in the following manner:

1) We will be most happy to once more renounce in perpetuity any claims to hold, or have the right to hold, sovereignty over the Westlands state. While we have done this before, multiple times in fact, we understand that it may be best for both of us to be involved jointly in this matter. I therefore leave it to you to decide whether this goal should be achieved by a unilateral declaration on our part, or rather if this renunciation should be included as part of a more comprehensive bilateral treaty which fully lays out the details of the relationship between our two great nations.

2) It is our intention to introduce legislation in the Parliament of Darmen amending the political status of the Southeast region and ask for said legislation to be submitted to the people of the Southeast region for their approval. The legislation will provide for three different possibilities of a change in the political status of the region:

• the establishment of an autonomous regional government for the Southeast region, which will have the power to legislate and set policy in certain devolved matters. While we are not prepared at this time to provide details as to which specific matters of administration will be devolved to the regional government, rest assured that such devolved matters will be fairly comprehensive and will not be merely superficial. We hope to be able to announce the potential devolved matters in due time, preferably within the next two months, ensuring that voters in the referendum will be well educated about the decision before them,

• the establishment of an independent nation,

• or union with the United Kingdom of Valladares.

Due to the nature of the referendum as having multiple options, we propose that the referendum be held in the following manner and with the following conditions:

• the referendum will be held in two rounds. Should any of the options receive a majority of votes in the first round, that option shall win and the second round shall not be held. The second round shall not include the least popular option from the first round.

• it should be noted that while 69.54% of the population in the Southeast region is of Valladar ethnicity, the 60.00% threshold you stated in your letter is not true in two of the region’s four municipalities (Kalenda - 55.91%; Bucuresti - 4.14%). Furthermore, the small island of Hanshedrik, while not yet a municipality (it is scheduled to receive this status in 2053) has a Valladar population amounting only to 20.00% of the island’s total population. Therefore, should independence or union with Valladares achieve a majority in either the first or second rounds, it will be granted only to those neighborhoods (non-administrative sub-units of municipalities) in Kalenda (of which there are five neighborhoods) where the same option also received a majority of votes and in the municipality of Bucuresti and on the island of Hanshedrik if their populations agreed with the remaining portions of the region’s voters. Due to the nature of the municipality of Bucuresti being an enclave within the municipality of Kalenda, should Bucuresti be cut-off from the rest of Darmen following independence or union with Valladares of the surrounding areas of the region, the Republic of Darmen will reserve the right to negotiate with either the new independent state or with the United Kingdom of Valladares to ensure that Bucuresti retains a land link suitable for the transportation of people and supplies with the rest of Darmen. The same applies to the right of maritime passage to the island of Hanshedrik for Darmeni vessels should Darmen lose access to its current territorial waters.

It is our intention to hold this referendum on Election Day in 2051 (Friday, April 28th), concurrently with the already scheduled municipal elections to be held throughout Darmen. Should a second round be necessary, it will be held two weeks later (Friday, May 12th).

I would like to invite you and your government to join us in negotiating a schedule of events to occur in the event that voters choose to establish an independent nation or union with Valladares. It is imperative that we ensure a smooth transition of power should voters choose either of these options and it would be prudent for us to have as many dates and details with regards to this transition public prior to the referendum being held so that voters can make informed decisions and be free from fear of an uncertain future, regardless of which option should win.

It is at this point however that I must strongly urge you to reconsider the following statement made in your letter, with the specific point of contention highlighted by myself:

“The Royal Government shall not pledge itself to avoid any attempts to pressure voters to take any option.”

I am hoping that this was simply a poor choice of words and does not accurately reflect the intentions of your government with regards to its conduct during the period leading up to the referendum. Surely you will agree with me that it is of the utmost importance that this referendum be conducted in a manner consistent with the universal expectation that elections and referendums be conducted in a free and fair manner. While I do not presume to have the ability to prevent your government from making public statements in support of your preferred result; any threats of military intervention, economic sanctions, or any other action by your nation which could cause fear and intimidate voters to choose your preferred option will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate cancelation of the referendum. Myself and my administration pledge ourselves to conduct this referendum in full compliance with extant Darmeni electoral law and our international obligations under World Assembly law and we ask that you join us in eschewing illegal and underhanded tactics in an attempt to gain a desired result.

To further our efforts to ensure that this referendum is conducted in a free and fair manner, the government of Darmen shall offer an open invitation to Valladar electoral monitors to observe the conduct of both the referendum and the municipal elections in the four municipalities of the Southeast region. This same invitation shall apply to any other international third-party observers which may be jointly approved by both Darmeni and Valladar authorities.

3) The Darmeni government, nor its National Defense Forces, have never been in the habit of engaging in offensive military actions, nor will we begin to do so now. Our military has been and will continue to be, defensive in its primary mission. However, as history has taught us, tensions between Darmenis and members of the Valladar community in the Southeast region can easily flare up to the point of armed confrontation and I am under no illusion that the referendum on the status of the region will take place without some members of both sides becoming angry and attempting to take matters into their own hands. Unfortunately this means that I am not able to fully comply with your request regarding the operations and stationing of Darmeni defense forces in the Southeast region, but we will take the following actions in an attempt to show good faith towards you and the Valladar community within Darmen as we move forwards.

• The 7th Army Division will remain stationed at its base in Rogerton until such time as it is required to leave under the conditions still to be set with regards to the establishment of an independent state in the Southeast region or its union with Valladares. The Army shall not conduct any operations within the Southeast region in the immediate future, except in the following circumstance: in instances where either Darmeni nationalists or Valladar irredentists have decided to express their views with bullets rather than ballots and the local police, other law enforcement agencies and/or the National Gendarmerie, either alone or in cooperation with one another are unable to suppress the violent groups; the units of the 7th Army Division (and only the 7th Army Division) may intervene to put an end to any potential violence. While it is our primary goal to prevent any violence before it begins and our secondary goal to respond to any instances of violence without involving the Army, we shall retain the right to do so as a last resort. This is in the best interests of everyone involved; we can not allow violent parties, whether they be Darmeni or Valladar, to derail the referendum and its associated processes with violence.

• The Coast Guard shall continue to fulfill its duties in the territorial waters of Darmen. These duties include providing security to the nation’s offshore natural resources, preventing piracy, enforcing fisheries and environmental regulations and rendering aid to vessels in distress as well as search and rescue operations, by both sea and air. To suggest that Darmen cease these activities is frankly ridiculous: we will not put at risk the lives of sailors or fishermen, whether they be of Darmeni or Valladar ethnicity, or from overseas; nor will we jeopardize the status and safety of the marine environment and its resources. However, the lone Type 23-class frigate, DCGS Rogerton, currently stationed in Rogerton shall be reassigned to the Coast Guard Station in Cleveland for the foreseeable future and none of the Coast Guard’s frigates or its lone destroyer shall conduct operations in the waters off the shore of the Southeast region. This leaves only the six River-class offshore patrol vessels and three Legend-class security cutters stationed in Rogerton. We fail to see how these meager ships would be any cause for concern or intimidation to the people of the Southeast region (especially as these are the same forces that have been stationed there for over a decade - and many of the members of the Coast Guard are local residents), nor should they be a cause of concern for your government.

• The Air Force shall cease any operations in the airspace over the Southeast region immediately, while retaining the right, in the event of any potential natural disaster or civilian loss of life, to use unarmed logistical transport aircraft to deliver supplies to the region. Additionally, I personally shall retain the right to use the VIP transport aircraft provided to me by the Air Force in any event where I require air transport to visit the region.

• Valladares is invited to send a maximum of sixty unarmed military observers to the Southeast region beginning on October 1st to observe and monitor any actions which may be undertaken by either the 7th Army Division or the Coast Guard. Furthermore, the Department of Defense shall notify its Valladar counterpart immediately of any such actions to ensure proper communication and understanding of events.

4) Darmen shall continue to respect the demilitarized zone in place along the border and we look forward to the day when we join Valladares as a member of the Common Rushmori Community and can begin to eliminate the barriers between our two great nations.

5) I would not dare to make any public statements or demands towards Valladares with regards to your nuclear arsenal or other internal affairs in an official capacity as President of Darmen, but I am appealing to you personally, as one citizen of this world to another, to at least consider making some sort of conciliatory gesture towards the Darmeni people in the area of your nuclear policy. The Darmeni people are tired of having the threat of nuclear annihilation hovering in the back of their minds daily, as I think is also true of most peace loving peoples throughout the multiverse. Additionally, some form of conciliatory gesture towards the Darmeni people in the area of your nuclear policy would go a long way toward providing some form of immediate and tangible benefit to the nation, something which is vital if I am to build political support domestically for our actions moving forward. I am certain that my political opponents will respond fervently and negatively to any and all announcements we will make with regards to the referendum. Being able to respond with evidence of some form of conciliatory gesture on your part would be most beneficial in building and maintaining support for our actions as we move forward.

To reiterate, I am not demanding, nor even suggesting, that you completely disarm your nation of nuclear weapons, or remove them completely from the Westlands state. But I am asking you to consider, fellow man to fellow man, making some form of conciliatory gesture towards the Darmeni people in the area of nuclear policy. Precisely what form that conciliatory gesture takes, or even if one is to be made, is wholly your discretion, but would provide me with the political capital necessary to see our common goals achieved.

I shall not press the matter any further.

6) With regards to civic holidays: I do not think it appropriate that Darmen, as a republican nation, should make celebrating the birthday of a foreign royal(s) a public holiday, nor do I think it appropriate that we should celebrate the victory of a foreign army in a foreign territory in a war we did not fight in, even if such holidays are only to be held in a particular region of the nation. We will certainly not prohibit those who chose to celebrate such holidays from doing so privately, but to make them official public holidays is something which I am afraid goes too far and could potentially cause more conflict rather than bringing about healing.

I will however take immediate action to issue an executive order that this upcoming October 8th be celebrated as “Valladar Heritage Day” throughout Darmen. Interestingly, I am told that this is the scheduled date of the first leg of this year's Clásico de Rogerton between the Rogerton Whitecaps and Rogerton Valladar CF¹. And I can assure you that it will certainly be within the purview of any potential future autonomous regional government in the Southeast region to make such a holiday a permanent fixture on the calendar.

* * * * *

It is my continued hope that we can move forward together to achieve our common goals to realize a peaceful and prosperous relationship between our two great nations. I wish to thank you for beginning these negotiations and look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve a common vision of the path forward.

Sincerely,

The President of the Republic, Joshua Rademacher

¹ Through the power of fluid time, I can report that the Whitecaps won, 5-3. See Series A MD6
² The following documents may be helpful in accessing more details about the Darmeni military and the Southeast region (they should also be ignored for the purposes of RP bonus):
2054 National Defense Forces Organization
A WIP factbook providing some basic details regarding the Southeast region
2053 Darmeni Census

by **Oberour Ar Moro** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:19 pm

Two games into Copa Rushmori 38 and all the positive feelings from World Cup qualification and the Cup of Harmony had seemed to evaporate from the Oberour Ar Moro national team. The team that had won sevn of nine during the second half of qualification, and had ran so rampant in Græntfjall, now played like a lame dog with no teeth. Absolutely no run and no bite.

So when football isn't providing the entertainment you need as a player, you find new things to enjoy. And 24 of 25 Dragoons had found something that filled the gap.

Sulian de Beauvez had discovered it. He claimed it was while ego-searching, though there were doubts about this. But Sulian had found a particular piece of fanfiction based on the popular Geoffroy Kerleau series of pre-teen magical school adventures. And for whatever reason, this fanfiction starred national team back-up sweeper Mandes Marie-Benoit.

It would be bad enough for Mandes, getting shoehorned into a teen girl's romance fantasy for unknown reasons. (Did she like his play with Patrons? Couldn't she have just written a nice comment on one of his Bestmark posts?) But for better (the rest of team) or worse (for Mandes) it was the worst-written, most baffling story they had ever read.

Mandes had been trying to avoid it, but had already got many of the highlights read to him in the locker room, the training pitch, at the hotel, and he's pretty sure that Maudez d'Annet had quoted it to him during the Cabo Azure game (this after the Azureans took the lead, can't you focus? wondered Mandes). It was time to bite the bullet and read his starring role as a...teenager sorcerer? He found the fic on his phone and leaned back on the bed in his hotel room.

Tourniquet

by LILITH_CRUCIFIX

Chapter 1

AN: Special thanks to Tern, (UnknownPoem67) 4 help wit da speling.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi my name is Garnet Mid'Night Myiasis Carmen l’Imagaier and I have long blood red hair (that's where my name came from) with black streaks and purple tips and that goes down to my thighs and Vivid Gold pellucid eyes and so many people tell me I looke like Parisete de Baiumont (AN: if u dont know why they are go rite to hell!). I'm not related to Jean-Anthelme l’Imagaier but I wish I was because he's a major hottie. I have alabaster skin. I'm also a sorceress and I go to magic school at l'École du Dragon where I'm in the 5th year (I'm 16). I'm a baroque (in case you couldn't tell) and I wear mostly lace. I love Marteau et Clou and I buy all my clothes from there. For example today I was wearing a cream chiffon blouse and black tiered flounce skirt, red thigh high lace stockings on my right leg white thigh hi lace stoking on my left and round-toed shoes. I was wearing red lipstick. I was walking outside the courtyard by the fountain. It was raining so there was no sun, which I was super glad about. A lot of jocks stared at me. I put up my middle finger at them.
"Hey Garnet!" shouted a voice. I looked up.
It was..... Mandes Marie-Benoit!

“What’s up Mandes?” I asked.

“Nothing.” he said shyly.

But then, I heard my friends call me and I had to go away.

AN: HOW WAS IT? Fangz 4 reding!

Chapter 2

AN: Stop flaming mi fic jocks!

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The next day I wokeup in my bedroom.

When I got out of bed I put on a bluye jumper skirt dress with mechanical doll prints, a bow at the waist, laced up and shirring back, calf high black lolita stockings and bowknot bead pendant high heels.

My friend, Aurora (AN: THIS IS YOU TERN) woke up and grinneed at me. She flipped her long wild rose hair and opened her icy-blue eyes. We put on our makeup .

"I saw you speaking to Mandes Marie-Benoit yesterday!" she said excitedly.

:Yeah, so?" I said, blushing.

"Do you like Mandes?" she asked aws we went out of the common room.

"NO I DON"T" I shouted.

"Sure you dont" she said. Just then, Mandes walked up to me.

"Hi." he said.

"Hello." I replied flirtily.

:Guess what." he asked?

"What?": I said.

"Well, Corps Élancés are having a concert in Cirqgris." he told me.

"OH. MY. GOD!" I screamed. I love Corps Élancés, they are my second favoritbe band behind (band)

"Well..... do you want to go with me?" he asked.

I gasped.

Chapter 3.

AN: STOP FLAMING THE STORY JOCKS! Please lveave good reviews!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On the night of the concert I put on a red long sleeve ruffle dress, black lace bowknot nail bed kneehigh stockings, black middle heels, and black cat ear headband.

I went outside. Mandes was waiting ther by his flaying car. He was earing a black colonel jacket over a untucked celadon dress shrit and black tight fitting pants and black nail polich (AN: lotz of boiz wer nail polish!)

"Hi Mandes!" I said.

"Hi Garnet." he said back. We sat in his red flying red Celeritas and flew to the place with the concert. On the way we listedned to Ah Ma Fille and Corps Élancés. We smoked cigaretes and drugs. When we got there, we both hoped out of the car. We went to the fotrnt of the stage and jumped up and down as we listend to Corps Élancés.

"Tanet is so hot." I said to Mandes, pointing to him as he sung, filling the hall with his voice.

Suddenly Mandes looked sad.

"What's wrong?" I asked as we danced to the music. Then I figured it out.

"Hey, it's ok I don't like him better than YOU!" I said.

"Really?" asked Mandes sensitvely and he put his arm around so protective.

"Really." I said. "Besides I don't even know Tanet and he's going out with Emelnie le Deicier. I hate her so much." I said in disgust, thinking of her ugly blonde face.

The night went really well and I had the best time. Mandes has a good time too. After the concert, we drank some beer and asked Tanet and Likael for their autogrpahs and photos with them. We got CÉ concert shorts. Mandes and I brawled back into the Celertias, but Mandes didn't go bac to l'École du Dragon, instead he fraove flew the car into................... the Unknown Forest!

Chapter 4.

AN: I told you to stop flaming garnet's name is GARNET not mray sue GEEZ! Mandes is DOO IN LUV with Garnet thats why hes acting like that.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"MANDES!" I shouted. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Mandes didn't answer but he turned of the flying car and got out of it. I walked out too curiously.

"What are you ding?" I asked angrily.

"Garnet?" he asked.

"Yeah." I scramed.

Mandes leaned in super-close and I looked into his baroque green eyes (he was earing color contact) which releaveled so much sadness that suddenly I didn't feel made anymore.

And then.......................suddenly as I Mandes kissed me deeply. Mandes climbed on top of me and we started to make out sharply. He took of my top and I took of his clothes. I even took of my bra. Then he put his doodle into my lady v and we started to do it .

"Oh oh oh!" I yelled. I was beginnging to start ot orgasm. We were kissing everywhere and my pale body started to glow red and then....

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU!"

It was.................................................Proviseur la Parcheminière!

Mandes kept scrolling down. It just...kept going like that. Though the spelling got worse, which was impressive in its own right. Could he have this taken down or something? He'd have to ask. But at 10:30 at night...

He tossed the phone aside and prepared to go to bed. Tomorrow the Copa Rushmori would be over, and he could move on. That sounded nice.

by **Tikariot** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:25 pm

Walking with Shadows
--- Chapter XIX ---

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 – Chapter XVII – Chapter XVIII

“Did you hear that?”

Sophia shifts a little and then hears it, too. “Someone’s calling our names. Oh, someone’s calling our names!”

Immediately they begin to yell back, hoping that whoever is out there is able to actually hear them over the roar of the waterfall. Eventually it is Sanford’s bass voice that reaches them, but he has no idea where they are, so they shout out instructions how to get there. As it turns out, Horcomb and his goons had not even bothered taking off their hook and rope, making it a lot easier for the big man to come down. He unsheathes a knife from the side of his thigh and cuts through the rope, allowing them to freely move for the first time in hours. They groan as they move their stiff, painful muscles and joints after having been stuck for so long.

“Let’s get you up there, Crowe has some jackets for you, you look like you’re getting kinda purple, both of you.”

It takes them a while to climb up as their limbs and muscles are not quite cooperating the way they would want to and are immensely grateful to be able to put on jackets before having to pass by the waterfall, avoiding them from getting fully soaked as the rain is still coming down in sheets. Sophia’s first action is to run to her car to check on Nurisema and open the door.

“Oh Nurisema, I am so sor—” She breaks off as she looks into the car, where the large dog is laying on its side, snoring loudly, completely unaware of what is happening.

“Oh, I can really feel the love and worry. They could probably have carried him out of the car without him noticing…”

Sarcasm almost literally drips from her lips as she shakes her head at the big lump of fur not even reacting to her voice.

“So, what happened?”

James looks at Sanford, but the big man from the Emerald Coast shakes his finger. “Not now, we have to get you somewhere warm and something into you. Then we can play catch up, ok?”

Sophia nods. “He’s right, I am starving! We should go back to that pub, at least Nurisema can go in there, too.”

*****

The pub’s owner laughs as they walk in again. “You guys really seem to like it here! You’re lucky I like dogs, right, Nurisema?”

The big malamute that finally had ended up waking up as Sophia started the car, barks in agreement, while Sophia looks at the man with surprise that he remembered the dog’s name.

“Trust me, you don’t get a malamute often around here, he is pretty memorable. What can I get you all? You look cold. Coffee, hot chocolate, tea to start? I got a nice Xarkian stew, too, some fall-apart wild boar in a thick sauce with vegetables.”

“Oh, that sounds fantastic, we’ll take all of the above!” Sanford laughs as they push together two tables and settle down.

Sanford is the first to recount what had happened since they had last seen each other as the stew arrives, thick, hot and hearty. “I’m not sure why they went after us, not you, but they were catching up and started shooting at us. Thankfully they were absolutely lousy shots, so nothing got hit, but when we slowed down in front of a police station, they sped off. We stayed parked across from the station for a while to see, if they were going to come back and they drove by two or three times before they gave up.”

“Then what took you so long to find us?”

“Your signal! With all the rain the cell towers’ reception went off one by one and we had to drive around town to try to pick it back up, hoping you actually were still in town, otherwise we’d have been in big shit. Well, mostly you. And to be honest, I never would’ve thought you’d go back to those catacombs, otherwise we’d have tried way earlier.”

Then James gives a somewhat abridged version of their adventure of breaking into the museum and then coming back to the catacombs, the tube they found, getting surprised by Horcomb and bound and then finally Sanford and the others showing up to rescue them.

“We were this close to that paper. Sophia had just pulled it out when Horcomb showed up and took it all.”

At this moment Sophia chokes on a sip of coffee, barely able to put her mug down before almost coughing her lungs up. All heads swivel towards her and James gently rubs her back. “Are you ok?”

While trying to catch her breath she manages to nod, signalling to wait for a moment.

“Coffee went down the wrong hole?”

“Yes, but I almost forgot something with everything that happened! I have something, but, uh, to get it is a bit, hm, awkward. Ehm, could you?”

She takes the jacket and hands it over to James, holding it in front of her. He looks at her with a puzzled expression, but she motions for him to turn around. He hears rustling and almost turns his head again, but the look she had given him just before made it clear that he should not, if he valued his well-being. Moments later she gently pulls the jacket back out of his hand and holds up a folded piece of old paper. James’ jaw drops (either from what it is that she is holding or his suspicion of where it came from is not clear).

“What? How did you—?? Why didn’t—? Where was—?”

Sanford casts a worried glance at James. “Are you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

“Close! That’s the paper! How did they not realize the tube was empty?”

Sophia puts the sheet on the table in front of her. “That’s the thing, it wasn’t empty. When you left to check on the noise, I tore a page out of one of the books that looked like a map, rolled it up and put it into the tube.”

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t. Call it female intuition or something, I just felt something was off.”

“Wow, but how did they not see it?”

She blushes a little. “Because I put it into my shirt?”

Sanford laughs out loud. “Is that why you got all red there, James?”

“What?”

“When she told you to hold the jacket.”

“I didn’t— How could I—” Sanford amusement grows as James blushes more than Sophia, who comes to his rescue.

“They only checked in the tube, saw that something was in it and then were more intent on getting my bag and our stuff to look closer.”

“Oh shit!” James jumps to his feet, his chair toppling over. “What if they bugged the car and find us here?”

Sanford lifts his big hand. “Don’t worry, I swept it, it’s clean. After they had tracked us, I made sure.”

James takes a deep breath, picks up his chair and sits down, visibly relieved. “Thank you so much! And you—”

He looks over at Sophia. “—you are quite something, thinking of this!”

She looks at him, smiles a big sheepishly and shrugs. “What can I say?”

James takes the sheet and carefully unfolds it on the table. It indeed is a map of some sorts, but all the writing on it looks like gibberish with seemingly random letters strung together. The only legible words are “Ordo Draconi Dhaencunori”.

“We’re in trouble…”

by **Yue Zhou** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:20 am

Yincheng Evening News
ÜBEROLÍA IMPLICATED IN JIANGDONG CORRUPTION SCANDAL
An Zaoliang, POLITICS

JIANGDONG CITY -- Græntfjaller oil corporation Überolía has reportedly been implicated in a new government watchdog report into provincial government corruption within Jiangdong. The report, established by the independent Commission for a Fair Yuezhou, claims a link between Überolía payments to provincial ministers, most notably Deputy Secretary of Commerce Lin Lufei, and an ensuing favorable regulatory environment towards foreign oil and gas corporations. The new report lends some credence to the theory that foreign corporations are much closer to the Yue government than the National Union party claims, and could potentially implicate foreign corporations of financial involvement in the Yue Civil War. More relevantly to Yuezhou's present, though, it seriously weakens the ruling National Union Party and its Jiangdong hotbed, as Yueren have already had their patience worn thin by the severe economic stagnation that has defined the Wu administration.

The report, which was released this morning, contains detailed records of financial transactions between Deputy Secretary Lin, as well as a number of local legislators and government officials, and a series of shell companies that the Commission for a Fair Yuezhou claims can be traced back to Überolía. These transactions, alternatively marked as "solidarity payments" or "lobbying fees", often occurred shortly before major changes in Jiangdong provincial policy towards foreign investment. For instance, the report claims that a recent decision to reverse previous protections for local oil companies saw these payments spike by up to 260%, suggesting that Überolía may be purchasing a more favorable environment to operate in.

This report is part of a larger trend of foreign corporate influence over the nascent United Republics, especially in Jiangdong and Nanhai, both known for their rich offshore oil deposits. Local officials have already come under criticism for selling off significant portions of their oil rights to foreign corporations such as Überolía, especially at what independent bodies have suggested are cut-rate prices. While President Wu Zhongsheng's National Union Party swept Jiangdong in last year's elections by promising that encouraging foreign investment would lead to a large economic recovery, scandals such as this have slowly worn down their hopeful message. While National Union maintains a strong position nationwide, and especially in the south, these scandals could be the first cracks to form in a previously invincible ruling coalition...

CR38 MD1: Yuezhou 1 - 0 Eastfield Lodge
Starting Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zhao; Yao, Yuan, Zhu; Kang, Yang, Li Jing (Li Keqiang 67), Reeve (Hu 61); Liu (Tao 70), Wen; Huang
Goals: Huang 56
An assured win over a nation with a far longer history of Copa Rushmori participation was a good start to Yuezhou's Copa Rushmori. While the team seemed nervous and unsettled early, perhaps due to Lu Jialan's rumored departure after the conclusion of the cycle, they were able to shut Eastfield Lodge out without much trouble - even if they weren't able to convert on the other end. The second half saw the Dragons grow into the match, seriously threatening several times before Huang Shedong's opening goal off some beautiful interplay with Wen Xiaohui. Huang had a chance to make it a double after Tao Beiliang was brought down in the box late, but scuffed the penalty off the post. Fortunately for the striker, rumored to be heading to Coret Hawks in the window, Yuezhou was able to hold down the fort. After such a confident second half, another strong defensive performance seemed inevit-

CR38 MD2: Yuezhou 3 - 3 San Isidro Labrador
Starting Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zhao; Yao, Yuan, Zhu; Kang, Yang, Li Jing, Reeve (Hu 56); Liu, Wen (Fang 65); Huang (Zheng 71)
Goals: Wen 27, Yuan 45+2, Zheng 74
Uhh, alright. After a stable but somewhat timid opening day victory, Yue fans were hoping to preserve Lu Jialan's stability at the back - but with a more brave attack. They got...one of those two things. Instead, Yuezhou scored three times, tried to protect a one-goal lead three times, and...conceded an equalizer three times. While fans can celebrate Yuan Mingrong's headed goal, the first international goal for the Mytanija-based center-back, as well as one of young winger Zheng Yuanjun's first, the team's late capitulation to a surgical Villalobos strike will leave them sorely disappointed.

Lineup to play Hispinas (CR38 MD3): Zhao; Yao, Hu, Yuan; Kang, Yang, Li Jing, Zhu; Liu, Wen; Huang
Lu Jialan's Dragons have everything to play for in a MD3 tie with regional rising stars Hispinas. A win would guarantee them a group win, and allow them to avoid Savojarna in the Ro16. Græntfjall's surprise defeat of Pasarga, as well as the chaos unfolding in Group H, means that Yuezhou may not have the softest quarter of the bracket as they were initially hoping. However, a win will still be crucial before they can even think about brackets. A draw would be enough to secure progression, but would likely doom the Dragons to a fourth straight Copa Rushmori defeat against the Northlights. Meanwhile, a loss and a San Isidro Labrador win over the hapless Eastfield Lodge threatens to eliminate Yuezhou entirely - which would be the first time they fail to qualify for the Ro16 since their return. Lu, seemingly aware of this, has gone more defensive with his setup - but Yuezhou are never at their best when they play with fear.

by **Bollonich** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:43 am

A tough loss, The impossible needs to be done now; Copa Rushmori Matchday 2
Our brilliant and exciting draw against Darmen meant we still had a chance, a chance to make the Round of 16 of our first Copa Rushmore. But to keep this chance alive we needed a result against San Ortelio, a positive result. San Ortelio were coming off a loss to the third ranked Savojarna side. We knew that this game against San Ortelio would be a difficult one to win but surely not impossible, especially with both Domenico Cappa and Carmine Garofalo unavailable due to minor injuries. The only change the San Ortelioan side saw was the introduction of Romeo Gozzi due to Garofalo being unavailable. The Bollonischian side meanwhile saw a number of changes with Klingto, Domestic Law and Linden Hayes starting and Swanson, Lindsey and Burns going out. This was a hugely changed eleven from the one that took the field to face Darmen and concerns were being raised as to whether such a sporadic starting 11 could negatively influence the team.
The game started and the similarities between the set up of both teams were clearly visible as one team set up more defensively while another slightly more aggressively. The San Ortelio defence was very efficient at soaking up pressure and sitting back. They allowed the Bollonischian players to keep possession and attack. The gameplan was clear as San Ortelio wanted to play on the counter and Bollonich struggled to break down their tight. An interesting competition popped up between to future teammates as we could see the experienced Fabrizio Confalonieri of Virtus Redoccio man mark his future teaSan Ommate Bryant Marshall. The resulting contest was hugely interesting as Confalonieri was increasingly rough with Marshall and gave him no space at all to work his magic in probably as a proclamation that things won’t be that easy in San Ortelio. Bollonich were not conservative in their attacking play as we know a win here against San Ortelio would greatly improve our chances of qualification. In the 41st minute after a Bollonischian attack broke down with Hayes handing away possession Favaro emerged with the ball and a chance at a counterattack. The quick attacking midfielder made a run for it as only a backline of 3 defenders remained. After successfully dribbling past Klingto Favaro played the ball to the only San Otelioan forward ahead of him, Gozzi who took full advantage of the brilliant pass and put the ball behind the net. Having received the ball at the edge of the 6 yard box Gozzi had to only get a touch on the ball which was still very difficult considering how he was coming in but he made it look as easy as possible. The rest of the game we saw San Ortelio sit back and defend not allowing Bollonich to get any notable chances, comfortably securing the win and despite the margin of the win being only 1 goal to nil the game was a comfortable one for the San Ortelioans who had never lost control of the game. And three random substitutions by Gildiric did nothing to change the pace of the game and only served to further disrupt the Bollonischian performance. Going into the last and final group game with a win against Savojarna necessary to qualify and with qualification no longer remaining in our hands, Gildiric’s position as manager of the national team might be a subject of scrutiny.

Starting Lineup vs Savojarna (4-2-3-1) -
Sirigu, Ingit, Ploy, Lindsey, Burns, Law, Marshall, Hum, Schmit, Moreno, Perry

by **San Isidro Labrador** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 9:32 am

El golpe de martillo de los Borbones, aunque dado sin cuidado, hizo añicos la sociedad Labradorense. Es decir, temporalmente.

(The hammer blow of the Bourbons, although struck without care, smashed Labradorense society into pieces. That is, temporarily.)

Part 3: The Bourbons and the first taste of caudillismo

When the news of Philip of Anjou's accession to the Spanish throne as Felipe V was heard in San Isidro Labrador, most did not think much of it. After all, they'd been "ruled" in absentia by the ineffective Hapsburgs for more than a century; why should a new family change things? However, the viceroy of San Isidro Labrador (a despised position often reserved for nobles out of favor with the royal court), Carlos Miralles de Ávila, saw an opportunity. Being unaware as yet of the precarity faced by Felipe in the War of Spanish Succession, he saw the installation of a new family as a chance to restore the fortunes of his colonial administration on the island. His authority, influence, and revenues had dwindled, but with royal assistance, he might yet make something of this dismal, far-flung post. Miralles de Ávila personally led a delegation to the court at Madrid, bringing with him some of his own wealth in order to convince the Bourbon of the usefulness of San Isidro Labrador. He spun golden fables about the untapped wealth of the island and the possibilities for trade, wheedling, fibbing, exaggerating, and even dropping in a bit of the truth every now and then. It worked for him, sort of.

Felipe V, embroiled as he was in war, could not have reasonably spared much of a force, yet wanting to believe in the tales of Miralles de Ávila, acquiesced to his request for reinforcements. He dispatched a force of mixed arms, nearly 1,000 strong, and a handful of ships, with Sergio Roca y Velásquez as the chief military officer. Despite disagreements between Miralles de Ávila and Roca y Velásquez, the Spanish force, combined with what military strength already belonged to the government on the island, crushed armed resistance to Bourbon rule. The Battle of Llanura Blanca shattered the forces of the most prominent San Isidran cacique and the others quickly fell into line. Miralles de Ávila was initially overjoyed at the rapid success, but his outlook quickly soured when Roca y Velásquez sought to use his prominent role in the military victories to arrogate more and more of governmental power and decision making to himself. Roca y Velásquez set the pattern for generations of military influence in San Isidran politics.

The last straw came when Roca y Velásquez and Miralles de Ávila disagreed so strenuously over government policy that Roca y Velásquez produced a document known as the Decree of Concord (El Decreto de la Concordia). This decree, supposedly issued as part of the Nueva Planta Decrees that re-organised Spanish government, declared San Isidro Labrador to be a Captaincy-General with Roca y Velásquez at the head of a military administration. Supporters of Miralles de Ávila decried the document as "El Decreto de Falsedades" (The Decree of Falsehoods) and pledged resistance. The short war, known as the First San Isidran Civil War or sometimes as the War of the Peninsulares (Spain-born citizens who typically ruled in colonies), was quickly decided in Roca y Velásquez's favor. Miralles de Ávila was placed under perpetual house arrest and Roca y Velásquez took the reins of government as the first of San Isidro's many caudillos. Although the document was almost certainly false, the Spanish government gave little thought to their out of the way colony, especially since the ruthless rule of Roca y Velásquez produced increased tax revenues and saw the development of tobacco and sugar as cash crops on the island. Though his rule was not without discontent, he defeated all of his enemies in every engagement and even won a measure of popular support among the emerging merchant class for his support of cash crops and the lower classes for his restoration of order. Roca y Velásquez would not outlive Felipe V, however, and his death in 1741 after ruling for more than thirty years would set the stage for another swing of the pendulum.

Yuezhou 3-3 San Isidro Labrador

SIL Goalscorers: Ferrero 34', Caldeira 61', Villalobos 86'

Copa Rushmori 38 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

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