Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72 RP and Scores Thread

by **Lathamford** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 11:22 pm

S p o r t L i n k

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72
Group G
Cabo Azure 4–2 Lathamford

Celso Campos '26, '43, 82; Vasco Cardoso '94    ׀  Styn Fyggs '13, Peter Ironstorm '80

@Iota "Big Eye" Arena, Silverlands, Stadii di Quercus

Game Report

1: Kick off
5: Styn Fyggs takes a shot. That's off target.
12: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. That's off target.
13: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Fyggs
14: Donato Brandão is shown a Yellow Card.
15: Freekick to Lathamford taken by Sebastian de Axehelm.
16: Raymond Chains is shown a Yellow Card.
17: Styn Fyggs takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
26: Cabo Azure scores! The scorer was Celso Campos
36: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. That's off target.
38: Styn Fyggs takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
43: Cabo Azure scores! The scorer was Celso Campos
46: Freekick to Lathamford taken by Sebastian de Axehelm.
47: Raymond Chains is shown a Red Card after getting second yellow.
56: Dado Branco takes a shot. That's off target.
61: Substitution by Lathamford player Alf Bryanson make way for Sam du Fugerholds.
66: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
79: Dado Branco takes a shot. That's off target.
80: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Peter Ironstorm
81: Substitution by Lathamford player Boris Trafford make way for Lee Wolfstein.
82: Cabo Azure scores! The scorer was Celso Campos
83: Celso Campos takes a shot. That's off target.
90: Substitution by Lathamford player Peter Ironstorm make way for Matt Strongwick.
94: Cabo Azure scores! The scorer was Vasco Cardoso
90+4: Final Whistle

Disaster !!! a red card received by defender Raymond Chains resulted in the Young Speedy Cat losing big to Cabo Azure U21 in the second match of Group G, Di Bradini Cup 51 at Iota “Big Eye” Arena, Silverlands, Stadii di Quercus.

Chains received his first yellow card as early as the 16th minute, and for a professional offense, he was awarded a second yellow card in the 47th minute and immediately sent off by the referee on duty. At that time Lathamford U21 were trailing 1-2 to the opponent. In the 80th minute Ironstrorm equalized, but against a 10-man team was an advantage over the opponents, and Cabo Azure U21 added to the grief, with two more goals in the 82nd minute, and 94. The final result we lost 2-4 with only being able to reach one point with one draw and one defeat.

The good news is, we can get revenge if the national team, the Speedy Cat can beat Cabo Azure in the semi -final match of Baptism of Fire 76 which is taking place in the Republic of Bollonich and the Kingdom of Banija. Lathamford U21’s third match is against Xanneria, hopefully we are able to achieve the first win.

MD3:
Lathamford v. Xanneria

by **Vilita and Turori** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:43 am

Amatopa backstops another Vilita & Turori Clean Sheet

Angelotic Temple, Longview, Valanora :: Eura Based Goalkeeper Derizi Amatopa pitched a shutout as the Vilita & Turori Under-21 Squad picked up a crucial three points over a difficult Eura Under-21 opposition at the Angelotic Temple in Valanora.

After a scoreless first half, Vilita and Turori made two changes with Kinabo Telioa coming in to replace Tresizi Rokopolis after the Jlinal Cove FC midfielder picked up a knock late in the first half and Imauka Lkomorak coming on as more of a playmaker to replace the more technically minded Bvalis Amaanara and provide an alternative to the playmaking impact lost with Rokopolis off the field.

Whether it was a result of the changes made or simply a factor combination of luck and skill on the field, the Vilitan Union was able take the lead in the 53rd minute when Tyoasi Klipark was fed through by Bastion midfielder Khrusan Mlianko. Klipark took a step with Quentin Phillips closing on on them then quickly released the shot out of reach of Tom Hammond to put Vilita and Turori on the scoreboard.

With the scoreline tight, Purapal Eskiiy wasn't taking any chances with changing the lineup late in the match and opted against making any substitutions despite still having Loala Inkabu and Lutara Makakio available on the bench.

The final challenge came in the 88th minute when Euran substitute Frank Buckley had a chance from just outside the area. The low shot appeared to have a chance at finding a home just inside the post but Buckley's Revolutionaries teammate Amatopa just got down fast enough to put a hand between ball and net with the shot being redirected just outside the post and away for a corner kick to Eura. Vilita and Turori would clear the danger on the corner and that would be the last quality scoring chance of the match as Vilita and Turori held on for the 1-0 victory.

With the win the Little Eels Kitties sit second in Group B and will need to retain that position for three more matches if they are going to advance to the knockout rounds. Vilita and Turori will return to the Turmondale Grounds on Matchday 3 where they will play the Island of the Lost from the Melayu Archipelagu. On paper, the debutant nation is not expected to be a threat to the defending Di Bradini Cup champions but Eskiiy knows well after a pair of tightly contested 1-0 results that no match can be taken for granted. The real conversation heading into Matchday 3 will be whether Eskiiy sticks with Derizi Amatopa after the Turorian Goalkeeper has started the Under-21 World Cup with back to back shutouts or whether Zelkki Milake Jr. who got the bulk of the starts during the 50th Di Bradini Cup will see action for the first time during this tournament when Vilita and Turori return to the Turmondale Grounds.

 Vilita & Turori U21 [1] - [0] Eura U21
				
	GOALS:	[color=teal.]Vilita & Turori U21 [/color]	:: 53' Tyoasi Klipark              		
	STATS:	Vilita & Turori U21 	:: Possession: 52%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 4	Eura U21	:: Possession: 48%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 7
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Narri Sebapilo, [D.] Kamarela Dzzara, [D.] Bvalis Amaanara, [ML]  Friika Diirotora, [MC]  Trezisi Rokopolis, [MC] Khrusan Mlianko, [MC]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR]  Fyin Miateal, [FC] Clarana Refiami, [FC] Tyoasi Klipark			
	Bench:	[FC] Loala Inkabu, [FC] Lutara Makakio, [M] Imauka Lkomorak, [M] Kinabo Telioa, [U ] Treasvo Tlikara, [D] Injyua Klizlo, [GK] Zelkki Milake Jr.

by **Mertagne** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:01 am

An oddly similar boardroom to the last one set the stage for the Mertagne U21 team's post-match briefing after their game against Quebec and Shingoryeo. There were three marked differences, however. The first was that the landscape out of the long window had changed to that of Monaven, Valanora - a short trek out from the fine metropolis that was Gladerial. The second was that more jovial tone had set in across the squad, elated from their 3-0 victory over Quebec and Shingoryeo. The third was that it was Ben Holl that had been told to lead the brief. Kristie Ettrick sat beside him, not at the head of the table, and she glowered as she stared intently into the laptop that sat in front of her, barely paying attention to the briefing.
Ben stood up and began to speak as the room fell quiet. "Great work out there today folks. You all did some amazing stuff. I'm proud of all of you. Ayesha, you were particularly good out there today, in my opinion. It's hard to keep a clean sheet against a squad like Quebec and Shingoryeo, but you did excellently. Helped of course yby your defenders! Roxane, some very clean tackles out there towards the end, that was exemplary play. Bitaño, solid work in the midfield, you and Pia really helped work the ball up there. Benedict, Koneg, and Branoc - amazing to see a goal from each of you. I could go on and praise everyone, I really could - if you haven't been mentioned, know you still did brilliantly. Even if you didn't start! The energy you brought to Orange Gate Falls is unforgettable. A round of applause for everyone."
An excited series of claps echoed around the room.
Collette Lockett spoke up. "What's next for us, then? We keep on diving into the tough matches, right?"
Ben nodded. "That's right - our next match will be tricky, but don't give up hope. Eura haven't quite got the momentum we have, and so they might struggle a bit more against us than they normally would. It's actually quite lucky we've got the running order we do - the threats scale up, mostly, so we've got time to put the work in and really focus on what we excel at."
"That, or Eura will be hungry for a win and will throw themselves at this game, knowing they've got some easier opponents down the road to cool off with." muttered Ettrick, unwavering from her laptop.
Ben tilted his head towards Ettrick, and shrugged his shoulders. "That's a good analysis, true, but I think in this case the momentum is more powerful."
As Ettrick was about to retort, her phone began to ring. It wasn't a number she had saved, but it was a Mertagnian one. She scanned the room and saw some expectant faces that clearly needed the win to mean something. "You know what, Ben - I think you're right. We've clearly shown we know how to do this by now. Excuse me." she held up the phone, wiggled it a bit, and stepped out of the room.
She stepped into a quiet part of the corridor and answered the call.
"Hi, is that Kristie Ettrick?" came the voice from the other end. It sounded... off, somehow. Not just because it sounded Krytenian - it sounded off even for them.
"Speaking." Kristie replied.
"Hi there. I'm wondering if I could possibly play some football for your team against Eura next matchday. I don't fit the criteria, because I'm a bit older, and-" here the faux-Krytenian accent dropped and Ettrick could hear the tones of Kylian Forsyth "-I've only played football for a grand total of 10 minutes, according to Mertagne's primary news source, Ekitaldia, and it's star reporter. What was her name again?"
Ettrick sighed. "They didn't publish what I'd said before that, Kylian. They asked me if I could 'go all the way' like your toddlers did. I said that I wasn't you-"
"... Because you'd actually played football professionally?"
"No, because I was capable of seeing the bigger picture. Your folk had an easier time, you know. Your group stage was less volatile once you'd gotten going. The knockouts were tough, I know you faced some big names!"
Kylian paused before responding. "It was still a shitty comment, you know. You know I would probably still be playing professionally if I was able to. We could have had a spat publiclly, then - if you were the senior manager, of course."
Ettrick sighed. "I'm sorry, Kylian. They got me really fired up and I was just so annoyed at their journalist. They called Holl my whipping boy!"
Forsyth laughed. "Did they now? It did read like a hatchet job. They barely focused on your team and just went right for you. Do you have any enemies at Ekitaldia? Someone that might have pushed for that particular angle?"
"You know me, Kylian. I have a habit of making enemies wherever I go."
"Yes. Like that time at the awards ceremony for the Touchpoint Regional League when you stepped on that board member's feet while trying to dance with him. I'm supposed to believe that wasn't on purpose? From Hattrick Ettrick?" Kylian laughed.
Kristie hadn't been called that in a while. It was hard to remember sometimes that while her professional relationship with U18 manager Kylian Forsyth began not long ago, her personal one stretched back a few more years than that, after they'd moved in similar circles in one of the many domestic pre-cursors to the MULTILeague. Forsyth had won 'Youth Manager of the Season' after bringing small-town Orreck Challengers a youth domestic cup trophy. That same year, she'd been given 'Goal of the Season' after a lightning fast shot in after receiving the ball from a corner that, if a player had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, would have probably killed them. She didn't think she deserved the award then. And a similar feeling was creeping in now about the U21 team.
"I'm not sure why Ekitaldia want me gone. But Kylian, what if they're right? I mean, I fly off the handle, I upset people I know, I feel like my realism is seen as negativity..."
Forsyth seemed to have an answer to this, much like he had an answer to everything. "All of these things are true. That doesn't mean they're bad. Yes. You can be scary. You were scary when I met you, but sometimes people at the top of their game don't have time for much else. I think you've been sleeping on some of the talent in your team, though."
"Like who?" Ettrick questioned. "Is it Issac? I've put her in as captain for the next game. She's got experience against Eura. Or Cerillo? I've not really utilised Lewis as much as I could have done..."
"It's none of the players." Forsyth replied. "It's your assistant manager. That man has clearly gone through a lot to get where he is today. Football was hard in Freskovia. Ist was a tough team to manage back in the day, from what I've read. You've got more in common than you think, except where you pile stuff down-" his voice changed to mimic some kind of gruff ogre, "-and smash it, never ever to be seen-" his voice returned, "-Ben instead chooses to embrace the positivity. Together, you actually balance each other out, and I think that's what the team is latching on to. They're getting the best bits of both of you."
"I get where you're coming from. I do try to embrace my role, you know." Ettrick stood, a bit less slouched than before, to nobody but herself.
"Of course, I'm not saying you don't. I'm here to remind you that you should keep doing it, regardless of what the media tell the world. Is it 'good cop, bad cop'? A little, but that doesn't mean it's not effective, and also it doesn't say anything about you as a person. It gets results and they'll really shut up if we get the youth double."
Ettrick let out a staunch "Hah!". "Easy for you to say, you've already done your part."
"Yeah, well... You wouldn't want to be shown up by a 27-year old that hasn't played 10 minutes of football in his life now, would you?" said Kylian, in a more relaxed tone.
"Thanks, Kylian. It's good to get a bit of a reminder sometimes."
"No problem. Just send me the next article that has me in before my Twii.tur followers, yeah?"
A click hung up the phone.
Ettrick, more composed than ever, walked back into the boardroom.
"... Excellent idea, Pia. If they do press for a counter attack on the wings, I want to see a shift in the team to focus on the centre line of the pitch to cut that avenue of play off for them." Holl had set up a virtual whiteboard on the large screen at the end of the room, and was doodling all over it with a variety of lines, crosses, and circles. Some of the key players of the squad were huddled around the laptop, making their own suggestions. He looked it a bit like a flustered parent as Kristie entered the room. She waved at him with the phone in her hand.
"All good news, Ms. Ettrick?" asked Lee Margas.
Kristie sharply inhaled. "Ooh, I don't now Lee. That was Bob Partridge on the phone. Eura manager. He offered me 20,000ȡ if I just made sure that you all just didn't turn up for the game next matchday. I told him to go and stuff himself, and he'll have to fight me in the dugout if he doesn't want a fair competition."
Laughs murmured across the room. "Wow, he's clearly desparate. Scared of our folks, then?" Ben gestured to the rest of the squad.
Ettrick smiled with a steely gaze. "I can't think why. I've seen your drills. You got lucky beating Quebec and Shingoryeo, that's what I heard!" she shot a wink at Ben. "It's double duty for all of you before we face Eura. And Issac - triple for you now you've been appointed captain."
"Oh, come on! That's hardly fair!" Meraude Issac crossed her arms and frowned.
"Your fault for playing for Sword. What sort of a team name is Sword anyway? That'd be stupid, like calling a team, I don't know... Cannon. Pike. Sabrefell?"
You don't have to take the alleyways out of the person. Not when the alleyways ensure you're folks are the last ones standing.

by **Cabo Azure** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:23 am

CONCACAF Regional Message Board

Older Messages

The Territorial Collectivity of
Martinique

 60 days ago
 Bonjour everyone! CONCACAF puppet of France, just checking in.



 United States, Canada, Jamaica, and 2 others

The Dominion of
Canada

 53 days ago               &
 United Bid is up! USA, Mexico, and yours truly seeking to bring the first 48-team World Cup to CONCACAF. Feel free to show support or ask questions in the bid thread.


 Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and 3 others

The Republic of
Costa Rica

 49 days ago               &
Congratulations to USA/Mexico/Canada for their winning bid! It's been too long since the WC was hosted by a CONCACAF region.
Unrelated, but USA, how do you fail to qualify for the WC finals and then draw France in a friendly right before the WC? Margaret is a fickle mistress indeed.

 United States, Canada, Jamaica, and 2 others

The United States of
America

 49 days ago            &
 At least I'm guaranteed to make one of the next two WC finals


 Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, and 2 others

The Estados Unidos of
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 44 days ago               &
 *looks at WC draw* At least I'm guaranteed to make one of the next two WC finals after I crash out of the group stage. Germany and Sweden, are you kidding me?


 Costa Rica and Panama

The Estados Unidos of
Mexico

 37 days ago               &
 Well that was an interesting group stage. Shame my luck didn't hold out against Brazil. Alright, USA 2.0, we're ready for you. BRING ON THE GOLD CUP!!!


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 23 days ago               &
 Death, taxes, and USA-Mexico in the Gold Cup final. GG boys, we'll see you next time.


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 20 days ago               &
 Hey guys, Qatar reached out about participating in the next Gold Cup in order to get some more RP experience before his WC hosting. What do you think?


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 18 days ago               &
I don't see anything wrong with it. ICly, it'll be controversial, of course, but that just provides more fuel for people's RPs. Truly, I think there may be more storylines related
to the actual WC than we've seen in a long time. Qatar has done a good job setting his country up as a heel, and this will let us get started on those RP stories.

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by **Adab** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 12:28 pm

KickTheBall.com
Bringing you the latest news and rumors in football, in Adab and abroad

Sunday, August 13, 2034 / 28 Jumada al-Awwal 1456
Maramaa 1-2 Adab
Nihipali (84’) | Akaptaha (77’), Salem (89’)

NEWS | DI BRADINI CUP 51
By: Elymur Amwan

Adab escape Maramaa in late-match thriller

Rashid Abbas continued his winning run as under-21 manager with a 1-2 triumph over a valiant Maramaa side in the group stage of the Di Bradini Cup, with three goals after the 75th minute bringing much-needed excitement to an otherwise rather unremarkable match.

Coming into the match against Group C opponents Maramaa, Abbas and his team sought a second win to further solidify their hold on a ticket to the next round, as well as put their lackluster performance in the previous match against Sylestone behind – a match which many feel the Adabians were lucky to get out of with a one-goal victory despite otherwise being dominated by the other team.

Yet if they were truly eager for another win, then they barely showed it throughout the first half. Maramaa, while not exactly appearing eager to push for a win either at this early stage, nevertheless played a well-balanced 4-4-2 game, with Antto Hämälainen and Esbern Knudsen proving a potent presence on midfield, dominating battles for the ball and easily pushing aside the likes of Emma Arthur and Alulim Sinmuballit, whose performance during these two matches against Sylestone and Maramaa were unexpectedly lackluster and lacking in the excitement or authority that their senior team experience had been expected to bring.

What prevented Maramaa from regularly threatening the Adabian goal was the superb performance of the defense, which – like in the Sylestone match – was very much more disciplined and well-coordinated than the midfield. Most notably, Manishtushtu Sharkalisharri singlehandedly stopped a Elika Nihipali advance in the 39th minute. With Arthur and Sinmuballit isolated from each other and the Adabian midfield torn wide open, Nihipali blitzed past a stumbling Amara Emmita, Sally Thomas, and Sarrugi Akshak. It was at this point that Sharkalisharri made his mark, launching himself on Nihipali and pulling the ball away from under the latter’s feet and passing It back to Emmita, who by this time had recovered her composure.

The Adabians were finding little success when it came to attacking, with perhaps their greatest chance so far coming in the 52nd minute, as Emmita won the ball from Harvey Booth and marched through the left wing of the Maramaa defense. Her rather erratic path and blatant showing off of her dribbling skills attracted the attention of Ben Jones and Kullervo Pesonen – and drove them both too close to her and too far away from where they should be. Thus it was with ease that Emmita passed to Farah Salem, who then made for the penalty box – but not quick enough to escape Ivan Morais and Fraser Cunningham, who were fast converging on her. Salem passed to her right, perhaps hoping to find Emmita, but instead found Ben Jones, who drove the ball away from her, ending her challenge.

With both teams failing to produce a goal as the match progressed, the crowd began to grow restless – particularly the Adabian crowd, who was still unsatisfied by the under-21 team’s performance in the competition so far. Manager Rashid Abbas must have heard, from the side of the pitch, the boos and groans from among his own supporters, but did not let it affect him. He coolly directed his team from the dugout, his expression not betraying any sense of aggravation or disappointment at his lethargic team.

The excitement would only come in the 77th minute. The Adabians had apparently found their second wind, as Sinmuballit easily cut through and past Hämälainen and Knudsen at the head of a renewed Adabian assault. Approaching the penalty box, Sinmuballit found Akaptaha and passed to him. Akaptaha made a show of entering the box, then turned around and went out, then turned around again and fired the ball straight into the net, with keeper Patricio Pereira clearly not anticipating the shot and the nearest Maramaa defenders still adjusting to Akaptaha’s bizarre path.

Suddenly down 1-0 late into the match, the Maramaa players largely abandoned their defense and charged at the Adab players, who now scrambled to defense their net against wave after wave of Maramaa attacks as fans of both teams greeted the attacking play with cheers of approval. Nihipali finally managed to get a goal in for Maramaa in the 84th minute off of a powerful strike from Booth which sped past several Adab players and found Nihipali in the penalty box for the kill.

Not content to settle for a draw, Abbas urged his players to keep attacking in the remaining time. His tactic bore fruit just five minutes later, with Salem adding her name to the scoreboard. Having made her way through Maramaa’s left wing, she delivered the ball to Akaptaha, who – no doubt having seen some of the opposition players now going after him – almost immediately passed back to Salem, who chipped the ball in from just inside the penalty box and sealed the victory for Adab.

Adab’s second victory in two matches put them in second place in Group C with six points. Usan currently top the group on goal difference, fresh off a 3-1 win against favorites Mytanija. Adab’s next match in the group will be against Usan, a match which may very well cause a shakeup in the first place spot.

by **TJUN-ia** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 12:31 pm

By Peter Davis

After a tight defeat to HUElavia showed how much potential the new era could have, the Young Jags of TJUN-ia were certainly an interesting team - and that is all Philip van Oosterend could've asked for from this hard reset of his team. Many in the sport, including PvO, considered our first game at the Halland City Stadium to be a tune-up for the games to come and while that is good and all, the kids needed something to build on that wasn't just fan expectations and that would have to come at Victory Park in Vecchio tonight as we took on the Junior Anomalies of Chromatika and their "Team of 3s", which is what the TJUN-ian press is calling this team because of two sets of three we would have to face in this game: the "Front 3" of Emilie Kruetzberg, Karra Oveni and Edith Fillar and the "Three Fillars" of striker Edith, midfielder and captain Baillaire and bullish defender Grayson.

The main gameplan that PvO devised for this game was to try and limits the 3s as much as possible, but that was still a work in progress when Edith Fillar used a ball from sister Baillaire and turned it into a superb run past the defence and a brilliant strike past Alex McVerner to open up the scoring here. After that, PvO tried to wake his player up and that seemed to work, with the game certainly being a lot tighter than before and both teams duking it out for possession. Chromatika looked like they would take the lead into the halftime break but in injury time, Regina McDuff had other ideas and headed home a cross from Jose Lozano de la Cruz past Van Enax to level up the scores with her first-ever TJUN-ian goal and the first goal for this team at this tournament. That certainly made everyone in the camp happy and they hoped to continue that into the 2nd half, but the Junior Anomalies were having none of that and they took the lead back in the 61st through a nice and easy shot by Kruetzberg into the back of the net. But PvO wasn't going to let that go either and substitute Olena Zinchenko would have an instant impact off the bench, shooting the ball in the net from a Mohammad al-Balochi corner to not only equalise the game again, but also become the youngest player to ever score for TJUN-ia at just 14 years old (which is pretty young, even by U21 standards!). That was in the 76th and from then on, both sides pushed for a winner but to no avail. Our first point of the campaign was claimed by two women, both under the age of 18, and that has to say something about the pool of female talent we are finally putting to good use in this sport.

With the revolution bearing fruit in front of our very eyes, focus now turns to try to claim more than a single point in a Group that is starting to see the better teams pull away with only 3 games left to play. One of those teams is Eraman, one of two alongside HUElavia to start 2-0, and we will pay them next at Bekkside Arena in Tabeck. Timun Mahabuma's team has a similar playstyle to us and even a similar formation, so many expect the Young Jaguars to know who they will be facing before this game really gets going. Eraman is certainly good enough to be undefeated heading into this game, so PvO will hope to find a weakness as soon as possible before his playoff hopes are dashed before they could properly gain ground. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group F, All Games In Starblaydia
MD1: vs HUElavia - Hallad City Stadium, Hallad City L 0-1 (5th?)
MD2: vs Chromatika - Victory Park, Vecchio D 2-2 (4th)
MD3: vs Eraman - Bekkside Arena, Tabeck
MD4: vs Barhe (Empire of Joseon) - Bekkside Arena, Tabeck
MD5: vs Equestrian States (Equestria) - Victory Park, Vecchio

by **Sylestone** » Sat Aug 28, 2021 6:15 pm

The Sylestonean > Sport > Football > DBC 51

DISAPPOINTING DRAW RESULTS IN TOUGH UPHILL BATTLE TO COME

The Licentian Isles (4-1-4-1): MacGowan; Turnbull - Bijvank (van der Heijden 63’) - Hay - Jack; van den Heiligenberg (▮ 86’); Louws (▮ 29’) (Currie 71’) - Fraser - van Vliet (Mason 80’) - Morrison; Macleay (▮ 45+2’)

Sylestone (3-1-3-1-2): Fuller; Mornington (▮ 48’) (Cross 75’) - Holt - Zezoni; Rodway (▮ 66’); Stanton (c) - Love (Cunningham 75’) - Wells; R Strathfield; E Strathfield (Hughes 84’) - Kearnes

SABINAL, VALANORA - If anyone still thought that the Young Hawthorns just had a bad day against Adab and would come out against the Licentian Isles guns blazing, they were wrong. Horribly, ridiculously, stupendously wrong. Once again, Sylestone was the better side on the field, but through a series of mistakes from the forward line and some dogged defending from the Licentians, they could only get a single point out of the match with a goalless draw.

After a shambolic finishing performance against Adab, where the Young Hawthorns maintained possession for three quarters of the match despite coming up on the short side of a 1-0 result at full time. When the final whistle was blown, everyone in the stadium and even on the field of play itself knew that the Adabians didn’t necessarily deserve the victory, but they’d got the points and that was what mattered.

So for those who were at the River City Stadium in Bexar, Valanora, for the Young Hawthorns’ opening match, they must have sworn it was déjà vu all over again. Up against the Licentian Isles in Sabinal, Sylestone’s finishing issues were once again present with a very similar game to what was played out in Bexar, with the only differences being the eventual 0-0 scoreline and that the Licentians appeared just a tad more dangerous than their Adabian counterparts did, with the latter now top of the table after a solid 2-1 victory over Maramaa.

Before the Young Hawthorns were able to consolidate their defence and create that continuous buildup of pressure as they did against Adab, though, the Licentians came out of the blocks firing in an attempt to break through nice and early. However, Sylestone’s stout defence held strong throughout the first ten minutes, with Hugo Mornington, Eden Holt and Harriet Zezoni each holding their own, keeping lone forward Èibhlin MacLeay at bay, alongside wingers Mitch Louws and Amy Morrison. The Isles’ best chance came in the eighth minute of the match, Macleay finally breaking past Holt and Gemma Rodway and honing in on Georgina Fuller in goals. She came out to meet the Licentian and guessing the right way, deflected the shot away from the goalmouth to Amelia Stanton, who looked to press back on the offensive.

And she did, with the Young Hawthorns controlling traffic from that moment onwards. While the Isles occasionally appeared ominous, the five-strong Sylestonean midfield ensured that the western Esportivans would dominate possession for the remainder of the half. Abigail Jones, though, was sorely missed, having been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury against Adab, but should be fine for the match against Maramaa. Jamie Wells was certainly an acceptable reserve, though, creating many opportunities on the right wing to set up the Strathfield twins and Kim Kearnes.

So it was him, rather than Harry Love or Stanton, who set up the forwards with Sylestone’s best chance of the half.it occurred in the 19th minute, when Wells received a long pass from Zezoni, he completed a series of quick passes with Rodway and Love before crossing the ball into where Kearnes was lurking in the penalty area. Kearnes shot for goal, but central defender Oran Hay entered with a perfectly-timed tackle, deflecting the ball to attacking midfielder Riley Strathfield. Despite having four players guarding the ball’s path towards goalkeeper Aimil MacGowan, Strathfield dissected them to perfection, firing the ball towards the goalmouth. But MacGowan was prepared, and a strong dive ensured that she could clasp the ball between her hands and prepare for a counterattack of her own.

At half-time, with the score 0-0, Savigliani coach Augusto Rinaldi transferred his side to more of a 3-4-3 formation, with Love and Riley Strathfield pushing just a little deeper into the Licentian defence. But it came to no avail, as the four-strong back line of George Turnbull, Tim Bijvank (who would be replaced in the 63rd minute by Marly van der Heijden), Hay and Aidan Jack continued to hold the Sylestonean forward line outside of the box, frustrating them to no end. And when the Young Hawthorns’ forwards broke through, a rare occurrence, they could not finish the job as the game quickly derailed, heading headfirst into a 0-0 draw.

But with five minutes remaining in normal time, the Young Hawthorns finally seemed destined to break the shackles, with a steady buildup through the midfield and defence resulting in Jamie Hughes, only on the field due to Evan Strathfield’s substitution a couple of minutes earlier, finally making his way into the box with only Charlie van den Heiligenburg and Turnbull blocking his route to MacGowan and the goal. But just as his skills broke through the Licentian pair, van den Heiligenberg’s foot tripped Hughes up, earning himself a yellow card and Sylestone a penalty. This was their chance.

Riley Strathfield took the spot kick, after not missing any of his four kicks during the most previous season of the Poo League for AFC Droves as his club side finally succeeded in promotion to the Toilet League. Yet, this one was different, with the youngster slamming the ball towards goal, where the ball hit MacGowan’s diving shoulder, ricocheting up into the crossbar and down in front of the goal. Strathfield got to it first, but a brilliant diving header from Turnbull kept the ball in play right on the line before midfielder Oighrig Fraser cleared the ball. Sylestone had come so close, but could not finish the job.

It snuffed the wind out of their sails, too. For the rest of the game, neither side mounted much of an offensive, with supporters in the stadium breathing a sigh of relief when the final whistle was eventually blown. For it wasn’t actually that exciting of the game, while the entire nation of Sylestone will be sitting at home wondering what the fuck had just happened. But that’s sport for you; there’s high and there’s lows. And the Young Hawthorns were right at the bottom of one of those lows.

Can they redeem themselves and keep their top two hopes alive against Maramaa, or will they sink even further into the planet’s core? If that’s possible, of course. I think they’re right in the middle of that inner core, but you never know, I guess.

THE LICENTIAN ISLES - 0
-no scorers-

SYLESTONE - 0
-no scorers-

Lineup vs Maramaa

Fuller; Mornington - Lynn - McEwen; Seekamp; Stanton (c) - Love - Jones; Wheals; R Strathfield - Hughes

Schedule:

Matchday One: Adab 1-0 Sylestone @ River City Stadium, Bexar
Matchday Two: The Licentian Isles 0-0 Sylestone @ Sabinal Stadium, Sabinal
Matchday Three: Sylestone - Maramaa @ River City Stadium, Bexar
Matchday Four: Usan - Sylestone @ Caddo Park, Caddo
Matchday Five: Sylestone - Mytanjia @ Caddo Park, Caddo

World Cup 81/82/83/84

© Sporting Times Weekend 2021
Group lead on the line against upstarts
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Editor

After a comprehensive win in their second match at the DBC 50/72 over one of the pre-tourney favorites Kohnhead, a 4-2 result at the Stadii di Quercus in Farca--the first match a BP side have ever played off the Starblaydi mainland--that saw the U21 debut of eight newcomers, the Commonwealth Under 21's will only need a short coach ride for their third fixture against Group G leaders Cabo Azure.

The Iota Stadium, better known as the "Big Eye', is the home ground of the local side hosting the BP squad, Penningworth United FC and expected to be at near 100% of its reduced capacity for this tournament--53,000 tickets have been purchased according to the nice woman in United's Group Sales Office that I met at lunchtime two days ago--which will be close to the attendances for previous fixtures; BP will return to Farca to meet Tikariot on matchday 4 at the second largest stadium in country--only surpassed by the legendary Stadii di Bradini in Jhanna City--where around 61,000 witnessed the Junior Bees and Medium Brains.

Endborough College sophomore Erika Riley assisted on the first two goals, Fatima Khan firing home from 17 yards with 21 minutes played and Julie Morris getting her maiden U21 tally on 41 minutes to offset Ellie Barnard's 29th minute score. Riley clinched her Player of the Match award with a 76th minute goal of her own to restore the two goal advantage after Allison Ruterford had cut the margin to one with a header off a 57th minute corner, which itself was a response to Edward Ogwumike's 52nd minute strike from a free kick. Amanda Fraley stopped six other Kohnhead shots as the surprise starter ahead of Geoff Cotterill in goal and Stacy Milner was rock solid in defense as captain of the 21's for the first time.

Cabo Azure are largely unknown on the multiverse stage, but have a squad that includes 8 members currently playing outside of the country's domestic league; they have the experience of a run out in the Campionato Rushmori Juvenil U20's and a second place in the CRJ U17's, and their senior team are currently making loud noises in the Baptism of Fire hosted by Bollonich & Banija.

Manager Liam Sullivan will certainly return to most of the starting XI that defeated Xanneria with an eye on wrapping up advancement to the last 16 with a couple of games to spare; the final group match against another newcomer, Lathamford, back at Silverlands could provide a chance to rest the first team if BP can earn a minimum of four points from the next two outings.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 2:46 am

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independents sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Football Fallacies
with The Man from Markovsky

I GUESS THAT'S SOMETHING?

Hello and welcome to The Football Fallacies. Right, so this is another unexpected result. Somebody walk up to me and say that they weren't worried at all about playing Krytenia just after they spanked Darmen 7-4, and I'll show the world a liar. Nobody can't be scared after they displayed such great attacking prowess. Especially not when their next opponent is Abanhfleft, a side notorious for their inability to keep clean sheets (even if Inocencia Pendergraft did get one on the first match of the Young Revolutionaries against Juvencus. And yet here we are, staring at a result which a few days ago would have been both inconceivable and unacceptable, but in the current circumstances has become a result that Kate Bernanos and company will take gladly.

Needless to say, our side was absolutely cautious during the first fifteen minutes against Krytenia. But during those fifteen minutes, Krytenia didn't look half as threatening as they did up against Darmen. In the first fifteen minutes of the Darmen-Krytenia game, there was already a flurry of shots from the Cyans, some of which I think went in, but as I'm typing here the number of goals scored in the first fifteen minutes of their match escapes me at the moment. But what's not escaping me is the number of goals scored by either Krytenia or Abanhfleft in our game, and that number is zero. I don't know what came over the Krytenians but it's like they're not even bothering with us. Is there some sort of Darmeni-Krytenian rivalry going on that I haven't learned about? Anyway, the whole point of this paragraph is to say that the first fifteen minutes of Krytenia vs. Abanhfleft were absolutely testy, and for no apparent reason at all. No, like seriously. If Bernanos had only known that this wasn't going to be the same Krytenia side that absolutely shat on Darmen last time around, who knows just how exactly things would have turned out for all of us. We certainly probably wouldn't have been as defensive as we were this game, I'll tell you that much!

Not to say that this game was an utter snoozefest. Remember when there were times where while a score sheet would only show 0-0 but there were plenty of match highlights nevertheless? Well, Krytenia versus Abanhfleft falls kinda right in the middle of it. There was some action, yes, but there was also lulls in the game where both teams were more interested in keeping the ball rather than actually attacking the goal. Set pieces were more the name of the game than anything else, with the majority of the best chances coming from free kicks. There were some shouts for penalties, some more warranted than others, but ultimately no penalties were given at all. The closest the Krytenians came to scoring was when Travis Stewart overcooked a cross meant for Ian Osman, while Abanhfleft's best chance was Mae Wilbanks heading the ball into the near post following another Mavis McGlamery corner kick. But as for the most important part of playing football, which is putting the ball into the back of the net, well, nobody managed to do that. At least we kept a second consecutive clean sheet so that's something, I guess?

Next up for us is Lisander, a nation whom we've had a bit of history with, but that's usually in rugby. Don't know much for how they operate in football, although I do remember that one occasion where we played them in the Jenna Raven Cup and it was just a shitstorm as far as our own team were concerned. Here's to hoping a similar fate doesn't befall our young lasses this time around... oh, who am I kidding? It's gonna be yet another nil-nil draw, if both teams' most recent games are anything to go by. I have more chance of convincing a gourmet cook that dog food is a bastard five-star dish than Abanhfleft has of keeping three consecutive clean sheets! Our defense has been good, but they can't be that good! Not unless Lisander do a Krytenia and decide to just pass the ball around yet again.

Anyway, that's all that there is for me now. If you've got comments or thoughts of your own about the game against Krytenia, or predictions against Lisander then feel free to leave them down below. Until then, I've been the Man from Markovsky, hoping the day will come when I won't be disappointed by my country.

   KRYTENIA 0 - 0 ABANHFLEFT   
█

by **Sendhang** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 4:26 am

DAY 9 - MONTH 6 - YEAR 7

The future is bright in Sendhang?

The Sendhang Under-21 national team recorded a 2-0 victory over Hispinas in the Di Bradini Cup at The Battleground, Raynor City earlier today. The win was their second victory from the first two matches and put them on second in the group table, level on point with the group leader and host, Valanora.

In the match, the national team head coach, Teuku Syarkawi tried a new partnership in the team with 5 changes. The midfield trio of Raymond Kamelus, Akai Menai, and Fernandes Geong was replaced by Teuku Badli, Suryadi Kusuma, and Asep Surasep while the center back pairing of Dominggo Djobo and Semelai Jerai were replaced by Teuku Razali and Cahaya Sugiato.

However, it was the same goalscorer from the last match who scored again tonight, KS Larantuka striker Antonius Konai from the penalty kick in the 15th minute, and KS Tapaklaboh right-winger, Teuku Zikri who capitalized on confusion in the penalty box in the 42nd minute.

Teuku Syarkawi was happy with the progress of the young Rice Farmers but mentioned that there is still a lot to work on.

"We are growing from match to match. The players are now more comfortable with the tactic and the Sendhangite football DNA that we are trying to instill nationwide but the boys must be able to play for more than 70 minutes and keep their focus," said Teuku Syarkawi as reported from the Eraman Football Association's official website.

So, is the future bright in Sendhang? I am still not convinced about that. The real test will be in the next three matches. No disrespect towards Eastfield Lodge and Hispinas, they have a strong team. Eastfield Lodge even managed to qualify for a few World Cups. But they are nowhere near the level of the next three opponents for Sendhang.

The next three opponents for Sendhang are Poafmersia, Valanora, and Savigliane. These are some of the best footballing nations in the world right now. This is the real test for the young Rice Farmers starting with Poafmersia, the Potato Farmers. Poafmersia lost their opening match to Savigliane but bounced back today with a 3-1 victory over Eastfield Lodge. They will surely be eager to win the next match to ensure safe passage to the knockout stage.

Eyes will be on Antonius Konai and Teuku Zikri who scored a goal each in both of Sendhang's matches so far. Are they good enough? Let's see.

by **Lathamford** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:56 am

S p o r t L i n k

Eaglearm Youngblood Manager Mikel dos Hartos, who led the Youngblood LAL Season One Championship, is leaving the club after five years. An email was sent to staff informing them of the news at the end of last week, stating that Dos Hartos was leaving for a new challenge.

However, SportLink understands that the owners of Furness Group, which took over in November last year, were the instigators, as they want to take the academy in a new direction and install their own academy boss.

The club is yet to announce a replacement, but Nick Grayward will be a front-runner. The certified LFA coach, who played for Spartak Eaglearm for more than 9 years, has been advising Furness Group in recent months and is a regular visitor to the Spartak Training Centre.

Furness Group spokeswoman, Natalie Cox said: “It has been a privilege to work with Dos Hartos over the past years. He has been central to the work that has been done to strengthen the academy in recent seasons and his unique perspective as a former academy graduate has been a constant reminder to us all to remain committed to the club’s incredible history whilst constantly striving to innovate and improve.

DBC51-1		Harridan, Paulus, Chains, Dexs [Sebastian-Claw], Colfield, Fallenbelly, de Axehelm (C), Bryanson, Trafford [Fike], Marfont [Fyggs], Ironstorm	::1-1, Tikariot
DBC51-2		Harridan, Paulus, Chains, Dexs, Colfield, Fallenbelly, de Axehelm (C), Bryanson [du Fugerholds], Trafford [Wolfstein], Fyggs, Ironstorm [Strongwick]	::2-4, Cabo Azure

by **HUElavia** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:20 am

Blissful Victory!

A Late goal by Gutierrez gives HUElavia another victory at the DBC!

HUElavia 1-0 Barhe
(Gutierrez 87')
(Bekkside Arena, Tabeck, Starblaydia)

Entering Matchday 2, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos were coming in happy off their victory, feeling motivated to keep up a good result. Their next opponent was against Barhe, who was coming off a 2-1 loss to Darmen. The match was set to be played at Bekkside Arena (48,000), in Tabeck, with a strong showing of HUElavians in the crowd. The B-Team was being used for the match, with Sanhueza starting in goal and as the Captain, and the Home Uniform being worn. The anthems were played, the coin flip was done, and the ball was rolled for the second match.

The match was an otherwise very dull match, with Barhe playing very defensively throughout the match, wanting to get a point out of the HUElavians. Despite attacks from Castilho, Fidanza and Amaru Quihue, the defense clamped down on them and would not let any shots get to Seo. Time ticked away, and the crowd looked very bored from the match, seeing as if there would be no goal in sight. The lone goal of the match came in the 87th minute, when a corner was won by Amaru Quihue, after her shot took a deflection from Kim. Colantoni took the corner kick, which went over the box, but was chested down by Gutierrez, who took a low shot that went past the fingertips of Kim into the goal to make it 1-0. The HUElavian crowd erupted in joy, while Gutierrez was mobbed by her teammates and the bench for the late winner. Shortly after, HUElavia suffocated Barhe with their posession and ran out the clock, as for the first time, HUElavia took a 2nd straight win in the DBC.

HUElavia's next match will be against Chromatika, who is coming off a 2-2 draw with TJUN-ia. The match will be played at Victory Park (48,000) in Vecchio, where HUElavians will continue to flock to support the youngsters. The A-Team will play with Huamani starting in goal and Yamane as the Captain, with the Home Alternative Uniform being worn. Here's to hoping for another good result and HUElavia taking one step closer to a historic advance to the Knockouts.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Starblaydia** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:50 am

Matchday Three, Vanorian half

Group A
Savigliane 0–0 Hispinas
Eastfield Lodge 0–2 Valanora
Sendhang 1–1 Poafmersia

  Group A                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora                       3   3  0  0    9   2  +7    9
2 Sendhang                       3   2  1  0    5   1  +4    7
3 Savigliane                     3   1  1  1    6   6   0    4
4 Poafmersia                     3   1  1  1    5   6  −1    4
5 Hispinas                       3   0  1  2    0   4  −4    1
6 Eastfield Lodge                3   0  0  3    1   7  −6    0

Group B
Mertagne 3–2 Eura
Sarzonia 2–0 Quebec and Shingoryeo
Vilita and Turori 2–0 Island of the Lost

  Group B                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mertagne                       3   3  0  0    7   2  +5    9
2 Vilita and Turori              3   3  0  0    4   0  +4    9
3 Sarzonia                       3   2  0  1    5   1  +4    6
4 Eura                           3   0  1  2    3   5  −2    1
5 Quebec and Shingoryeo          3   0  1  2    1   6  −5    1
6 Island of the Lost             3   0  0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group C
Mytanija 4–1 The Licentian Isles
Adab 2–0 Usan
Sylestone 7–0 Maramaa

  Group C                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Adab                           3   3  0  0    5   1  +4    9
2 Mytanija                       3   2  0  1   10   7  +3    6
3 Usan                           3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6
4 Sylestone                      3   1  1  1    7   1  +6    4
5 The Licentian Isles            3   0  1  2    2   6  −4    1
6 Maramaa                        3   0  0  3    4  14 −10    0

Group D
Cassadaigua 0–1 Euran Oceania Territories
Sharktail 4–1 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
The Kytler Penisulae 2–3 Pasarga

  Group D                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sharktail                      3   3  0  0   10   3  +7    9
2 Pasarga                        3   2  0  1    7   6  +1    6
3 Euran Oceania Territories      3   1  2  0    2   1  +1    5
4 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom      3   0  2  1    2   5  −3    2
5 The Kytler Penisulae           3   0  1  2    2   5  −3    1
6 Cassadaigua                    3   0  1  2    0   3  −3    1

by **Chromatika** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:08 pm

TJUN-ia 2-2 Chromatika
Goals: Fillar, E. '27, Kruetzberg '61
Starting XI: Enax; Fillar, G. - Nodis - Bethea; Baum - Larriet-Cortes - Fillar, B. (C) - Andersen; Kruetzberg - Oveni - Fillar, E.
Substitutes: Aleksandrova -> Larriet-Cortes ('57), Everson -> Fillar, G. ('66), Killian -> Oveni ('74)
Summary: A hard-fought draw, in which the Junior Anomalies needed to earn every goal. There were some severe disconnects in the midfield that cost them a lot, but they did enough to get that single point, which is what ultimately matters. The defense has yielded two goals per match - that needs to be addressed ASAP.
Next Match: vs. HUElavia (2-0) - Eramen and HUElavia are the two undefeated teams in the group, and the Junior Anomalies will need to beat one or both of them to make it to the Round of Sixteen.

Part 1: (Un)welcome Surprises
Part 2: The Contest

the three.

In Chromatik football, they've shifted to having one or two AMs and side Wingers. However, in the U-21 ranks, they still use the 3-4-3, as the CCFA uses mostly traditional formations. This is a story about the three starting attackers on the squad.

Main Characters:
RW Emilie Kruetzberg, 20 - Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology (CMT)
Recognizable due to a magnificent mane of red hair, Emilie Kruetzberg is a dynamic playmaker who burst into the scene last season for the Hellcats. She is a swarmer, endlessly trying to be around the ball on the attacking end to tire out the defender and take the shot. She can be a tad overaggressive at times - she led the CCFA in offside calls last season - but she scores or contributes to scoring chances enough times to make up for it.

Amongst the three, she's the least experienced at the international level, and the shiest, preferring to let her actions on the field do most of the talking. She's learning lots from the other two in areas of confidence, patience, and knowing how to handle the spotlight.

ST Karra Oveni, 19 - Colonial Sile (VIL)
The model Chromatik striker of the new school, that is, the supportive striker, Oveni is someone who doesn't mind getting by on rebounds and letting other positions have a chance at goals. She can take over games by her persistent presence in front of the goal and her ability to work with other playmakers.

Amongst the three, she's the most easy-going, friendly, and good-natured. She's one of the only close friends that Edith Fillar has. She does have a surprising competitive streak in her, though.

LW/LM Edith Fillar, 16 - Shamrock Cathair (AUD)
The youngest of the Fillars, Edith is the next coming of Megan Kelly, or the Chromatik winger who's short but can run circles around would-be defenders and take over the game due to where she is on the pitch. She may not be the quickest off the ball, but she has the relentlessness that has been present on many great Chromatik wingers. With the mindset of a drill sergeant who is definitely the strictest on herself, Edith's career is just beginning.

Edith is the most competitive, hard working, driven player on the squad, and the most intense of the Fillars. She can be a bit stand-offish, but that's only because she's so hell-bent on succeeding.

Minor Characters
RB Grayson Fillar, 20 - Cazadores Cathair (AUD) Older brother of Edith
AM Baillaire Fillar, 19 - Cazadores Cathair (AUD) Older sister of Edith
GK Van Enax, 21, Workers Union (GK) Starting Goalkeeper for the U-21 Squad
Claude Pare-Achel, 59 (ZWZ), Chromia Central College University (CMT) Manager
Mikhail Dushov, 56), Chromia Central College University (CMT) Assistant Manager

Part 3: The Scarlet Blush

All events of The Three happened before the DBC, during Training Camp

One late night, past curfew, Forwards Dorm of The Three

"Edee, you awake?" came the voice of Emilie Kruetzberg from the top bunk. A quiet rustling below her let her know that Edith Fillar was indeed awake. Not the most surprising, as the youngest Fillar rarely went to bed before midnight despite their training regimen calling for a six o'clock wakeup call the following day. Thankfully, the eleven o'clock curfew was a soft one, asking everyone to be quiet but not necessarily go to sleep.

"Of course she's awake," responded Karra Oveni across the room, turning over her bed to face her two roommates, "Who goes to bed at eleven these days anyways?"

"Grayson does," remarked Edith, drawing groans from the other two. Grayson Fillar was known for his impeccable training regimen, something that he - and the training staff - liked to allude to way too often.

"I bet your brother doesn't even have a girlfriend," quipped Emilie, to some chuckles from Karra, "I bet he's too focused on his career to notice anyone on the squad. Am I right or wrong?"

"You'd have to ask him," retorted Edith. She was protective of her siblings. If anyone was going to even joke about them, it would be Edith herself - she preferred to not let things get too carried away.

"Not sure which is honestly worse," continued Karra from Emilie, "Your drill sergeant nature or Grayson's impeccable regimen. Have any of you Fillars ever been in any kind of a relationship?"

Edith pondered in silence for a moment before responding, "I think Juxon told me that he's seeing someone in Audioslavia while playing for Cazadores Cathair. I can't remember her name.. Starts with a J, I think? Another Chromatik who works abroad, which is interesting. Thought he'd find an Audioslavian since he's playing there."

"Imagine finding someone from your own country to fall for while living abroad," stated Karra, "I wouldn't know about that. Not many Chromatiks around my club in Vilita.'

"Ever seen any Vilitans or Turorians that you fancy?" asked Emilie, turning the questions on Karra.

The answer was immediate. Almost too immediate.

"'Course not. Too busy trying to make sure I get on the squad for the next World Cup. Romance can come later," answered Karra Oveni, but there was a catch in her voice that Emilie and Edith could definitely pick out.

"Sure," interjected Edith, conveying that she didn't believe Karra, "What aren't you telling us, Oveni? Spill!"

A few seconds of hesitation, then, "Oh, fine! Only if you two also tell if you're seeing anyone."

"Oh, that's easy," said Emilie, "I had a boyfriend in ZIoT my Freshman year, but we broke up when he graduated. I had the misfortune of dating a Senior, and he didn't want any baggage after college when he went to Rushmore to pursue his dreams, I guess."

"Rushmore?" inquired Edith, incredulous.

"Yeah. He's a sports journalist who now covers The Zenith for a number of Chromatik news agencies, and he broke up with me before he went to Nephara. Can't blame him, long distance relationships are hard, but still, it sucked. I'm doing all right, though, just haven't found the right one yet, I guess," Emilie responded.

"Yeah, it is difficult," agreed Karra Oveni, leading to her two roommates to look at her, "I guess I have what you'd call a high school sweetheart. His name is Jerome Myres, and he's back home in Myana. We met in Sophomore year, and he's supported me through my career on the Anchors U-18s squad, the U-18 team, and even here. He's now a Freshman at the University of Myana, and is majoring in sports medicine. He wants to do what Zoe Benne does and take care of athletes like us. We've managed to make the distance thing work, and he flies over to visit me whenever he can. It's a bit rough, but it's worthwhile."

"Wow," exclaimed Emilie, with an astonished tone, "You're stronger than Lee Dong-Seop, for sure, then. I couldn't even imagine."

"The moments together are worthwhile, an the time difference between Vilita and Chromatika isn't too bad," explained Emilie.

The two then turned toward Edith, barely sixteen.

"What about you, Edee? Have anyone?" asked Karra.

"That's none of your business," retorted Edith, withdrawing under her covers, "Whether I am seeing someone or not is my own business, and I'm not beholden to share that with you two just because you've gossiped."

"True," responded Emilie, "But we're not just gossiping. We're your friends, and if you want to talk about it, we're here for you."

She knew that they had the best in mind for her, but still, this was too much to share. The only person in the world who knew was her older sister and her mother, and she would prefer to keep it that way for now.

As the conversation died down and the three turned toward bed, Edith checked her phone to a new message.

You can do this! Just know I'm rooting for you no matter what happens, and that in my eyes, you're already a star. Love you!

The other two weren't aware as she was under her covers, but Edith Fillar blushed scarlet as she wrote back a hasty reply:

Thank you so much, I don't know what I'd do without your support. Good luck to you, too. Good night.

And then, after sending it, she realized she'd forgotten to respond to the last bit. Eh, it wouldn't be right to just send it as a form of acknowledgement, right?

Hoping that Taylor would understand, she turned her phone off and went to bed, her face still blushing scarlet.

by **Graintfjall** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:58 pm

After Jessi explained the clue (a few times, for the benefits of Tumbles, who got in quite a flap about not understanding it; wordplay in general wasn’t something the obsessively literal-minded sparrowfolk had much time for) and after Señor Chacuzca had paid off the irate groundskeepers (with actual money; the ‘precious stash of rare acorns’ Lissa had at great personal expense offered by way of recompense for digging up their pitch had been met with stony incomprehension) it was clear to Kit what they needed to do: head back to the harbor and start searching every anchor they could find.

It took a collective effort to talk the eager young mouse down. They all wanted to help in the quest, but they had gone on the voyage to Starblaydia to play in the tournament. Ms Michaelsdóttir had organized everything so kindly and generously, and it wouldn’t be fair on her to abandon their priorities now. Especially with the first game not having gone so well, they would need to practise hard for the coming games. They couldn’t spend every waking hour rooting around looking for an anchor. They needed to stay in Jhanna, a long way away from the port, and fulfil their schedule first.

Tired and disappointed, Kit cut a sullen figure as he trudged down to the changing room, but he found it hard not be cheered by his teammates. Bavan played flute as Krill twirled Lissa in a dance to celebrate her goal, while Larry was grudgingly goaded into sharing half (or “nearly half … three eighths”) of the blackberry tart she’d stowed in her boot-bag; eventually the sombre young mouse was reduced to giggles as an outraged Jed uncorked his flagon to find that the special cordial – really was wild cherry! A certain wily Badger Mother had managed to switch out the October Ale after all…

Over the next few days, Señor Chacuzca got them practising. While many of their practices descended into mayhem once Dimpy and Ginger began fighting, or if Tumbles took offense to a perceived slight and began laying about with beak and claw, others were more successful. They learned about corners being good for more than just burying cryptic clues, but also being a way of generating a scoring chance, especially if Lissa leapt onto Duskborn’s shoulders and went flying skywards as the cross came in. They learned some different formations – Señor Chacuzca reckoned a 3 – 5 – 2 offered just about a wide enough midfield that both Dimpy and Ginger could play together (on opposing flanks, of course) – and some new tactics, like the offside trap (which meant Burgle began walking everywhere very slowly, snout to the ground, worried he might get his paw stuck in the trap).

Sadly, all the practice didn’t prove to be much help against Tumbra, who came a clearly better prepared side. Duskborn lifted the spirits a little by scoring a late consolation goal – their practice move of flipping Lissa in the air off his shoulders worked a treat, and she unselfishly flicked the ball back to him to thump past the wrong-footed Jones while Wyatt could only gawk on at the squirrelprincess somersaulting over his head. But they lost all the same and cut somewhat dispirited figures on the bus ride home. Jessi had hurt her paw and wasn’t going to be able to play in the next game, against Savojarna.

That night, Kit tossed and turned in bed, strange dreams moving in his mind’s eye. A mouse, in green, then in gunmetal, then in green again, now in white. Savage beasts baring fangs. The clash of metal on metal, a church door slamming shut. Sinister pawsteps down an echoing aisle. A paw reaching out and closing around the handle of… a sword!

Kit sat up, drenched in cold sweat. The movement didn’t wake his roommates Kem and Bavan; Kem was going to play the next match in place of Jessi and was getting some much needed sleep, while Bavan’s whiskers were twitching as he nibbled on some dream-cheese. Kit’s face furrowed in concentration. He had to find that sword. He couldn’t wait around for some silly football tournament. Rising from his bunk, he threw his few personal possessions into a sack, all save for one: his blue-and-white shirt. That he left on the bed, alongside his boots, and a note to Señor Chacuzca apologizing.

Kit tiptoed down the corridor and slipped through the door out into the street. Under the watchful eye of the pale Anaian moon, a little mouse scurried on, in search of his quest…

by **Valanora** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:06 pm

Matchday 3

Group E
Pemecutan 2–3 Bollonich
Tumbra 0–2 Starblaydia
Savojarna 2–2 Græntfjall

P Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Bollonich              3   2  1  0    5   3  +2    7
2 Starblaydia            3   2  0  1    6   2  +4    6
3 Tumbra                 3   2  0  1    3   3   0    6
4 Græntfjall             3   0  2  1    5   6  −1    2
5 Savojarna              3   0  2  1    3   4  −1    2
6 Pemecutan              3   0  1  2    5   9  −4    1

Group F
Chromatika 3–1 HUElavia
Eraman 0–0 TJUN-ia
Barhe 0–1 Equestria

P Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Chromatika             3   2  1  0   10   5  +5    7
2 Eraman                 3   2  1  0    4   2  +2    7
3 HUElavia               3   2  0  1    3   3   0    6
4 Equestria              3   1  0  2    4   7  −3    3
5 TJUN-ia                3   0  2  1    2   3  −1    2
6 Barhe                  3   0  0  3    1   4  −3    0

Group G
Baker Park 2–4 Cabo Azure
Tikariot 3–1 Kohnhead
Lathamford 3–0 Xanneria

P Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cabo Azure             3   3  0  0   12   5  +7    9
2 Baker Park             3   2  0  1    8   7  +1    6
3 Tikariot               3   1  2  0    6   4  +2    5
4 Lathamford             3   1  1  1    6   5  +1    4
5 Xanneria               3   0  1  2    3   7  −4    1
6 Kohnhead               3   0  0  3    4  11  −7    0

Group H
Bahía Roja 1–1 Krytenia
Juvencus 2–3 Darmen
Abanhfleft 4–3 Lisander

P Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft             3   2  1  0    6   3  +3    7
2 Krytenia               3   1  2  0    8   5  +3    5
3 Bahía Roja             3   1  1  1    6   6   0    4
4 Lisander               3   1  1  1    5   5   0    4
5 Darmen                 3   1  0  2   10  13  −3    3
6 Juvencus               3   0  1  2    2   5  −3    1

by **Eraman** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:28 pm

Day 11 - Month 6 - Year 7

SPORTS

The Young Falcon 2-1 The Little Ponies

Tabeck: Royal Puncakpura's promising striker, Buang Ranawaya emerged as the hero when his two goals at the end of the action managed to beat Equestria 2-1 at the Bekkside Arena, here, last night.

Buang Ranawaya's two goals also put him as the Young Falcons top scorer in the tournament with 3 goals after the first two matches.

In fact, the goal certainly disappointed Equestria who almost grabbed three points after taking the lead from the start of the first half, before an incredible comeback displayed by the Young Falcons at the end of the game.

The Little Ponies, coached by a unicorn, Red Dwarf, managed to find the net through the only human in Equestria's starting eleven, Sara Valestein's goal in the 14th minute.

The goal really surprised the Eraman camp which then rose to improve the action by launching a series of attacks to The Little Ponies' goal, but all efforts failed.

Continuing the second half, Timun Mahabuma's side continued to dominate the action with Equestria seen starting to defend to maintain the one-goal advantage.

Angel Wings and Stardancer's attempts in the 54th and 71st minutes almost relieve the Little Ponies camp but both attempts were saved by Merah Dewadarsa.

The sought-after equalizer finally came in the 88th minute when Buang Ranawanya managed to head in to tie the score before he once again blasted home a second goal for the team.

The win put Eraman top of Group F with 6 points after 2 wins in 2 matches, only ahead of HUElavia on goal difference.

by **Lathamford** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:15 pm

S p o r t L i n k

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72
Group G
Lathamford 3–0 Xanneria

Peter Ironstorm '12, 91; Sebastian de Axehelm '79    ׀  NIL

@Iota "Big Eye" Arena, Silverlands, Stadii di Quercus

1: Kick off
2:Kyle Pitts takes a shot. That's off-target.
5: Orson Marfont takes a shot. That's off-target.
6: Boris Trafford took a free-kick.
9: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target, but saved
12: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Peter Ironstorm	
15: Sam du Fugerholds is shown a Yellow Card.
17: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. That's off-target.
22: Faustio Barbosa takes a shot. That's off-target.
26: Orson Marfont takes a shot. That's off-target.
29:Kyle Pitts takes a shot. That's off-target.
31: Boris Trafford takes a shot. That's off-target.
32: Sheldon Perkins down with injuries.
33: Freekick to Xanneria
35: Orson Marfont takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
38: Freekick was taken by Boris Trafford
40:Faustio Barbosa takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
45: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
46: Kyle Pitts caught offside.
50: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
51:Jeffrey Platte takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
52: Xanneria was awarded a freekick, taken by Jeffrey Platte.
58: Boris Trafford takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
61: Freekick is taken by Boris Trafford.
62: Faustio Barbosa takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
65: Cornerkick to  Xanneria.
67:  Substitution by Lathamford player Coe Fallenbelly make way for Sturmond Strongpike.
71: Corner kick to Xanneria.
76: Substitution by Lathamford player Sam du Fugerholds make way for Ander Sebastian-Claw.
78: Freekick to Lathamford taken by de Axehelm
79: Lathamford scores! The scorer was de Axehelm
81:Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. That's off-target.
85:Sturmond Strongpike takes a shot. That's off-target.
86: Steven Platte is shown a Yellow Card.
89: Sturmond Strongpike caught offside.
90: Cornerkick to Lathamford taken by Boris Trafford
91: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Peter Ironstorm	
93: Substitution by Lathamford player Orson Marfont make way for Styn Fyggs.
94: Julianne Robinson takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
90+4: Final Whistle

The prayers and hopes of national football fans were answered, the Young Speedy Cat’s first win came to fruition by beating Xanneria 3-0 last night at the Iota “Big Eye” Arena. The Young Maroons lined up of energetic young players didn’t wait long, their attack in the second minute by Jasperton Alliance FC striker Kyle Pitts almost found the result. Shocked by the initial attack, our players began to organize the move and a counter-attack was done, in the 12th minute, Peter Ironstorm who received a beautiful pass from Boris Trafford did not waste the opportunity and scored a goal for Lathamford U21 1, Xanneria U21 0.

In the 40th minute, Northshore Christian Academy striker Faustio Barbosa almost equalized, but his header was saved by Lathamford goalkeeper, before that, Orson Marfont almost added to Xanneria's misery, but his shot was saved by Piotr Yeravski in the 35th minute. Ironstorm returned became a threat to the opponent’s defense when he managed to beat the opponent’s offside trap in the 45th minute, but his weak shot was saved once again by Yeravski.

In the second half, Xanneria's quick attack almost paid off but the lineman managed to track Pitts offside and their goal was disallowed, the situation became chaotic for a while due to the protest of the Young Maroons players. In the 62nd minute, Barbosa managed 1v1 with goalkeeper Lathamford, but the agility of Lucius Harridan managed to steal the ball from Barbosa's control.

The Young Speedy Cat's second goal came when a free kick taken by de Axehelm in the 79th minute slammed into Xanneria's goal, the score changed to 2-0. At the end of the game, Lathamford was rewarded with a corner kick, and a shot taken by Boris Trafford was successfully headed home beautifully by Ironstorm for his second goal and the third for Lathamford. Final whistle, 3-0

MD4:
Lathamford v.Kohnhead

by **Sylestone** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:57 pm

The Sylestonean > Sport > Football > DBC 51

YOUNG HAWTHORNS LEARN HOW TO FINISH IN 7-0 THRASHING OF MARAMAA

Sylestone (3-1-3-1-2): Fuller; Mornington (Cross 85’) - Lynn - McEwen; Seekamp (Rodway 67’); Stanton (c) - Love (▮ 71’) - Jones; Wheals (E Strathfield 67’); R Strathfield - Hughes

Maramaa (4-4-2): Pereira; Jones - Vetere - Morais (Pesonen 45’) - Cunningham (▮ 38’) (Montelogo 66’); Booth (▮ 76’) - Andris (Hämälainen 73’) - Knudsen - McKenzie; Collins (▮ 89’) - Pipa

BEXAR, VALANORA - Two matches. Zero goals scored. One goal conceded. These statistics essentially rounded up the Young Hawthorns’ performance in the 51st Di Bradini Cup, where their finishing issues had directly faced them, dominating each of their opening games against Adab and the Licentian Isles, but still only being able to chalk up a single point with a draw against the latter. Now, Sylestone was back in Bexar, the scene of the opening 1-0 loss to Adab, and they were in dire need of a big victory over Maramaa.

Following a 0-0 draw with the Licentians, the Young Hawthorns made a series of changes to their starting lineup and formation for this do-or-die match. In the back line, Aliyah McEwen will be starting for her second cap after playing as a substitute in the Young Hawthorns’ opening match against Adab. Adam Seekamp will also be starting to give Gemma Rodway a rest, while Abigail Jones had successfully recovered from her hamstring injury sustained in the match against the Adabians. Riley Strathfield will be moving up into the forward line, while Zara Wheals will play her first minutes to replace Strathfield in an attempt to actually, you know, score a goal.

But ten minutes in, things were looking very familiar for Sylestonean supporters. After Maramaa kicked off, the Young Hawthorns took control of the run of play, building up pressure through their five-strong midfield line. However, in the eighth minute, Jamie Hughes missed a possible shot at goal, firing the opportunity on the corner of the box directly into the arms of Patricio Pereira at about half the power it should have been at.

This sort of thing continued for the next half hour leading into half time, with Sylestone thoroughly dominating play as they had in their previous games. However, Maramaa’s defence remained stout, as Adab’s and the Licentians’ did, stopping any offensive the Young Hawthorns attempted to mount. As the game was being filmed, multiple shots were taken of Augusto Rinaldi quite literally pulling his hair out, while 30 million Sylestoneans back home were undoubtedly doing the same. Would Sylestone ever score a goal?

It was 219 minutes in the making. 219 minutes of dogged, possession football, before the Young Hawthorns finally scored that goal. When Maramaa right-back Fraser Cunningham got himself booked following a poor tackle of Wheals in the box in the 38th minute, Hughes was elected to take the resulting spot kick, Sylestone’s second in the tournament. Could they score this one?

Yes, they could. Finally, Sylestone had a goal to their name. It may have come from a penalty kick, but it was a goal nonetheless. Could the Young Hawthorns finally break the shackles holding them back and come tearing forward?

Yes. In the first of two minutes of stoppage time, captain Amelia Stanton made it 2-0 after Jones took a penalty kick. The ball flew over defender Ivan Morais’s head and caught Stanton’s, deflecting the shot past Pereira to give her side a firm advantage. Finally, things were looking up for the Young Hawthorns on the verge of the break.

And after it, things could only get better. In the 55th minute of the match, a Maramaa offensive from forwards Ryan Collins and Sibal Pipa was cut down via a desperate interception from Mitchell Lynn, which star left-back Hugo Mornington was able to run onto. He pushed it up the line to Stanton, who switched it over Wheals and Harry Love to Abigail Jones on the right wing. She crossed it into the box, where Hughes was there, ready to volley the shot into the back of the net. His first attempt was deflected by Sergio Vetere to ensure Pereira would get his hands to it, but the Maramaa goalkeeper could do nothing to stop his second attempt from finding the back of the net, putting the Young Hawthorns 3-0 up with 35 minutes left on the clock.

Nine minutes later, a tiring Wheals made it 4-0 when Riley Strathfield made a run forward before passing back to the young attacking midfielder when he was confronted by Cunningham and Kullervo Pesonen, blocking any opportunity the 18-year-old had to go directly for goal. Instead, though, the Avondale City midfielder was in space just outside of the penalty box, where she gladly accepted the pass and quickly one-twoing Love, fired a shot at goal. She was still a fair way outside of the penalty box, but Pereira could not match the fiery nature of the shot as Sylestone took an effectively unassailable 4-0 lead.

But the Young Hawthorns refused to be merciful. After two games where the side was dominant, yet starved of goals, this was like a feast. Goal after goal they scored, and they kept coming back for more. Firsts, seconds, third, fourths and in the 73rd minute, fifths. Amelia Stanton took a direct free kick from roughly 15 metres outside of the penalty box, and curled it high, over the Maramaa defensive wall, to the chest of Riley Strathfield. He looked about and spotting Jones off to his right, slipped a pass between the legs of Esbern Knudsen as the Sylestonean national honed in on goal. She broke past challenger Antto Hämälainen, playing his first minute of the match when Daniel Andris was substituted, and made a run at goal. Pereira came out to meet her, but Jones was far too quick, clipping the ball past his left leg and into the back of the net to give her side their fifth goal.

Five minutes later, Riley Strathfield made it six after Ben Jones gave away the ball in the back line following a poor touch, allowing the Sylestonean forward to run headlong towards goal. Pereira had no chance, with Strathfield pushing the ball around his diving body and slotting the chance home with a tap of the foot, making it 6-0 with 12 minutes and stoppage time remaining. Who knew how big this lead could get?

The Young Hawthorns could only score one more, though. It came from the boot of Abigail Jones, and was arguably the best of the lot. Yet another free kick came, this time with Rodway being fouled right on the corner of the box. Instead of taking the set piece with her preferred right foot, though, she took it with her left, a dubious sign for many supporters. Yet, it did not matter, as she curled the kick over the wall and into the top left of the net, leaving Pereira stranded in the middle of the goal. Not one person there could have done anything about it as Sylestone took a whopping seven goal lead.

They’d really broken the shackles.

The scoreline remained 7-0 for the rest of the match, despite continuous pressure from the Young Hawthorns as they seeked to make it 8-0. But they culd not pull it off as they racked up their first win of the tournament, and moved back up into fourth place. Now, a win over second-placed Usan in Caddo would be ideal, as that would all but move Sylestone up into second place, depending on the result of the game between Adab and Mytanija. Can they carry their form across to Caddo for the final two group stage matches?

Probably not, but we can only hope.

SYLESTONE - 7
Hughes 39’ (p), 55’
Stanton 45+1’
Wheals 64’
Jones 73’, 86’
R Strathfield 78’

MARAMAA - 0
-no scorers-

Lineup vs Usan @ Caddo Park, Caddo

McKinnon; Cross - Lynn - Zezoni; Rodway; Stanton (c) - Cunningham - Jones; E Strathfield; Hughes - R Strathfield

Schedule:

Matchday One: Adab 1-0 Sylestone @ River City Stadium, Bexar
Matchday Two: The Licentian Isles 0-0 Sylestone @ Sabinal Stadium, Sabinal
Matchday Three: Sylestone 7-0 Maramaa @ River City Stadium, Bexar
Matchday Four: Usan - Sylestone @ Caddo Park, Caddo
Matchday Five: Sylestone - Mytanjia @ Caddo Park, Caddo

by **Tumbra** » Sun Aug 29, 2021 11:56 pm

Tumbra 0-2 Starblaydia
Starters: 1 - Jones; 2 - Renton, 4 - Kerr, 5 - Pritchett (14 - Wyatt, 45'), 19 - Green; 6 - Harrison, 15 - Morris (23 - Finnemore, 78'), 10 - Monaghan; 17 - McGarry, 9 - Crossley (21 - Baker, 82'); 11 - Riordan

TMB scorers: None

Player of the Match: Cristaldo Sarro (STB)

Link to arc home
defender meets midfielder: season 3, part 4
the meal

With thanks to Chromatika.

Straton

“So...the car. Is it yours?” Stephen questioned the moment he jumped in.

“No, no, is rental car. But it’s good enough for what I need-a to do.” Francesco shifted gears almost hungrily as the little Bassetti 500 purred onto the road. It was a small car, but one that had inevitably come to be associated with the picturesque nation of Grande Cucina. Considering that Grande Cucina was hardly an industrialised nation, this was quite a feat.

“Which is…?”

“Come and talk to you. You see, Stephen Kerr, it is so important that I speak to you that I come straight to Tumbra!”

“Why...why’s it so important to talk to me?”

“Because you do not have the whole story, Stephen, and it broke my heart to hear you say you wanted to stay within Tumbra. It is useless, Stephen, useless! If you leave, you become bigger, more famous!”

“I’m...I’m not in it for fame. Or money. I just want to play football somewhere I’m appreciated.”

“If you are not famous, you will never be appreciated.” It was at this point that another car decided to swerve into the lane the Bassetti was on, cueing an almost unpronounceable stream of expletives from Raviolo, multiple horn presses, ending with “Oy! I’m driving here!”

Almost immediately, however, he calmed down and pretended as if nothing happened. “Good thing this little Bassetti is nimble, eh? Strong, good Grande Cucinan export.”

To be fair to Stephen, he wasn’t sure if the whole world was driving like crazy people at this time of night, or whether it was just Francesco doing so. Every time he told Francesco to slow down he was met with “No, no, no, no…” as he kept winding in and out of multiple lanes.

Eventually, though, they arrived at the diner. Francesco pulled up to it aggressively; he didn’t even blink as he guided the car into the parking lot. The miracles a Bassetti 500 could achieve, apparently. Francesco beckoned Stephen into the diner; when he entered, a bald, moustachioed man was cleaning plates with a rag behind the counter.

The diner was, fittingly, deserted; and looked like something straight out of the 1950s. Soft yellow lights illuminated the diner; cars on the expressway out of Straton crossed by, being reduced to yellow and red dots at the speed they were going. It was off the beaten track; that much was obvious. The solitary yellow street light shined onto the bushes obscuring the diner from the slip road. It was nostalgic for some reason, even though Stephen had never stepped in here forever. But it worked like a charm. Francesco directed Stephen to take a seat at one of the tables; the red-and-white tablecloths stuck out as unmistakably Cucinan. For a moment Stephen thought he’d left Tumbra and stepped into Grande Cucina.

The man behind the counter grunted, as if to say “hello”; Francesco spoke in Cucinan (or Italian, as those Saviglianos called it) to the man with a tone of familiarity, and after a while, the bald man’s expression turned from one of annoyance to a neutral one. Then, slowly, but surely, a smile appeared on his face.

“And-and-and. The finest bottle of a vino. Vinny, you cannot tell me you do not have something from Napolina? They have the best vino, we both know this. I pay, I pay,” was all Stephen heard of the conversation, which switched rapidly back and forth from Cucinan to Tumbran. Francesco nodded gleefully at Vinny, who then shrugged and walked into the kitchen. Vinny grunted, muttered something in Cucinan, and walked back into the kitchen; Francesco sat down opposite Stephen.

Francesco beamed at Stephen as if he had just shown Stephen his favourite toy. Stephen, on his part, decided to bite the bait and begin talking.

“Why the Bassetti? It’s a shitbox. Surely you could have hired a better car,” Stephen began offhandedly.

Francesco looked pained. “Ah, questo ragazzo. Quando imparerà. You cannot call my national car a shitbox! It was my first car! Everybody in Grande Cucina drives a Bassetti. Is the best there is.”

“Also the worst there is.”

“Hey! That’s not-a very nice. I hire because I know how to drive it. Also because it is cheap.”

“Fair enough. So. Where are we?”

“I thought you’d never ask! Talk about cars and all that. We,” he said with almost a flourish. “We are at Vinny’s Ristorante. Best Grande Cucinan cuisine there is. Best Grande Cucinan restaurant in Straton and in whole of Bechor.”

“Mmm-hmm. Any reason why here specifically?"

“Because Grande Cucinan food is the best in the world.”

“Actually —”

“Ah-ah-ah-ah. No actually. No if, no but. Grande Cucinan food is the best. Il meglio! No more words.”

Stephen shrugged and decided to leave the conversation at that. His eyes wandered around the room; black-and-white pictures of vaguely Cucinan chefs posing smugly in little frames; what seemed to be a map of Grande Cucina and its neighbour Kotzellach, though without the red borders of what typically demarcated Savigliane. Evidently the map hadn’t been updated in a few years. All this added to the feeling of being thrown into a portal to the past that Stephen had been feeling the moment he’d stepped into the restaurant. It wasn’t a negative feeling, for what it was worth; but rather he felt particularly out of place.

The two sat in relative silence; Francesco had taken to scrolling through an app — Stephen posited it was probably twii.tur — while having a hand on his chin, slowly stroking an auburn beard. Immediately it was obvious that Francesco was a mix of old and young; his youthful demeanour and hairstyle contrasted with the crows’ eyes on the side of his eyes, his fingernails gnawed till there was merely pink left.

“You still haven’t really introduced yourself fully.”

“Right, ah, right. I am very, very sorry for not doing so earlier. My name is Francesco Raviolo. I am a reporter for La Gazzetta Della Calcio, specialising in football transfers. I am also known for my, ah, number of sources that help me break transfer news before most news outlets. In short, I am, ah, the source of the source.”

“Okay.”

“Today I, ah, come here because I want to speak to you.”

“Nearly bloody gave me a heart attack when you did.”

“I am so, so sorry for that. May this meal make up for it. I guarantee, you will love it.”

“Hope so.”

“But back on topic. When you gave your press conference a few days ago, I was so impressed. So brave! You are nineteen, si? So brave to say what needs to be said about Straton. But, ah, you say you wish to remain in Tumbra. That is, uh, difficult. You know how much they ask for your services?”

“Six million.”

“Si, six million, correct. Il riscatto di un principe, I call it. The Prince’s Ransom. But I tell you, even if Lakewood United bid six million, they will not let you go. They are very miserly, you know? Not for six million even they will let you go to a domestic rival.”

“So…”

“So you must consider alternative options. Either you sign for Columbia and Kingsbury and below, or you…”

“Or I…”

“Or you go overseas.”

Stephen’s heart sank, again.

Chromia

Trudy Harrison had been so caught up in following Stephen Kerr’s transfer saga that she’d completely missed out on the transfer happenings within her own squad. But this was one that she couldn’t ignore. Her fellow defensive midfielder Leysa Burns had announced at the end of the day’s training session that she was leaving Chromatik — for league champions Wirr Tsi, no less.

Trudy’s heart had dropped when she heard the news. Leysa had always been a mentor, a guiding presence for Trudy; helping her to perfect the art of the defensive midfielder that she’d nearly perfected. She’d helped Trudy, too, become more confident in herself; and was a consummate professional throughout. She was one of the league’s best defensive midfielders; it was no surprise, then, that the Shock would be in for her. But somehow she’d missed the entire saga. Focused too much on Stephen, to the extent that she’d missed out on this.

What had surprised Trudy, however, was her saying yes. Or the club, for that matter, saying yes. Strengthening a direct rival? It couldn’t be possible. She entered the club’s dressing room, where Leysa was sitting on a bench, quietly contemplating...something.

“Leysa?”

“Hey, Trudy. It’s good to see you. How are you doing?”

“I’m...fine, thanks. But...I came here to talk. Y’know, about you. And...you leaving.”

“Ah, about my transfer. Have a seat, Trudy. And we’ll talk like we have over the past year.”

Trudy sat next to the stalwart, who smiled gently as she began talking.

“When you first came here, you were a nervous wreck. I mean, it’s only natural; this is your first professional contract, and, well, Chromatika and Tumbra are plenty different. But you’ve grown. And you’ve grown, oh, so much, Trudy. I’m so very, very proud of you.”

“But there’s more for me to learn. I’m nowhere near your level yet, Leysa.”

“Well. I wouldn’t have said yes to Wirr Tsi if I didn’t know that you were ready to step up.”

“You think…”

“Yes, Trudy. I think you are ready. No matter what you think. Jannick assured me that the position of defensive midfielder was in good hands. Shows how much confidence he has in you. And I couldn’t disagree, y’know. We’ve trained together for a year now. I’ve seen with my own two eyes how good you are. Furthermore, eight million? The club couldn’t turn it down. Particularly not since they’ve got big plans to replace Caszely. Something big’s on the horizon, Trudy, and you’re going to be part of that.”

“Do you really think…?”

Leysa placed both her hands on Trudy’s shoulders, and gripped her tightly. She looked straight into Trudy’s eyes; and with a quiet sense of confidence, began speaking again. “Yes, Trudy. You are going to be a world-beater. Maybe even better than me. Our stories diverge here, of course, but I will always hold the year we spent together in high regard, along with all the memories of Chromatik. But...my time’s over. It’s time for you to step up, step in, and write your story.”

“Leysa…”

“I'll see you at least twice a year, all right? And you better not take it easy on me - 'cause I sure won't take it easy on you. And if you ever need an ear, I’ll always have time for you.”

Leysa got up, patted Trudy on the shoulder, and left her sitting alone in the changing room. And slowly, a tear rolled down her face.

Straton

Vinny, stony-faced, walked out of the kitchen with several plates. One by one, he unloaded them onto the table where Francesco and Stephen were sitting. For eleven-thirty at night, the food was...fresh. Hot. First it was a small plate of cured meat; then two plates of spaghetti, with a generous serving of tomato sauce, finely cut pepperoni, and some garnish sprinkled on top. A plate of pizza, classically made — no meat, just tomato sauce and generous mozzarella cheese, was next; and finally, two wine glasses, then a beautifully engraved wine bottle.

“Enjoy,” the gruff voice came. Then Vinny marched back into the kitchen.

“Vinny...he is friendly. Just...we come in a little late, he would be closed now if not for us.”

“Figures, yeah.”

Francesco opened the wine bottle; and poured the deep purple liquid into a single glass. He poured a clear liquid into his; it seemed to be water. Passing the deep purple liquid to Stephen, he raised the glass for a toast.

“To your health, Stephen Kerr,” he said, considerably too loud for this time of night and considerably too loud for the number of patrons in the restaurant right now. “And your future.”

Stephen clinked the wine glass against Francesco’s; and began drinking.

“Good, eh? Is good. Napolina wine is the best in Grande Cucina, and therefore the world. Now, ah, we talk.”

Stephen, who had been holding a fork full of spaghetti halfway to his mouth, almost looked disappointed at the prospect of having to discuss his future when there was food right in front of him, but Francesco encouraged him to eat, regardless.

“You eat, I talk. Okay? No worries. I eat very little, you’re still growing, you need to eat more.”

“So, Stephen, the news of your situation spread very quickly after your announcement, but they haven’t put in any bids or offers or anything yet. All of this is just speculation, Stephen, you must know, because you said you wish to remain in Tumbra.”

“First, we stay a little closer to home. Esportiva. We start just a few hours from here. Walstreim Lions, South Newlandia. Good club, made a run to the quarter-finals of the Champions’ League. The rumours are that it was that run which spurred the Tumbran decision to enter teams into IFCF competitions.”

“Little close to home, don’t you think?”

“Si, si, but I am not here to provide opinions. Maybe we look at other clubs in Esportiva, yes? Licentian Isles; you know them, yes? Montfort Wanderers, good, strong club also. Only problem is that they might not be able, to, ah, match the asking price. Licentian clubs, sometimes very skint. Very difficult to get players from there out of the country, even worse to get foreigners in.”

“Still quite close to home. How about the last one?”

“Halfway across Esportiva. Sylestone, land of floating toilets. Or so I heard. Anyway, they have a club, too; Capital. Also very strong, Stephen, see what I mean when I say lots of clubs are interested? Big, famous clubs. Though unfortunately none from Brenecia, where the strongest ones are. If you go there, you will become the best defender in the world, I guarantee you.”

“Not somewhere like Audioslavia?”

“Brenecian pitches are renowned for their quality. Or not. If you can play on those pitches, you can play anywhere.”

“Ah.”

“But, whatever. If Sylestone is still too close, we have other places to go. Rushmore, for example. Did you know that in the middle of this continent there is a place of fields, more cows than humans, and home to a man with more money than sense? If you really wish to make money —”

“I’m not —”

“Shhh, Stephen, eat, eat the spaghetti before it gets cold. Sanford. They will offer you whatever you want. And they are very attractive terms, too. It’s just something to consider. I just give you the rundown, yes? And you make the decision yourself. Listen, I write down the options on a napkin, you take home —”

Francesco was stopped momentarily in his tracks by a strong, piercing stare by Vinny, who looked simultaneously outraged, incensed and incredulous at what Francesco was doing. He let out a small, apologetic laugh, before he put the pen to paper — or was it napkin? — scribbling down whatever he was talking about.

The food was getting heavier in Stephen’s stomach. The vino wasn’t helping either.

“Bollonich, up and coming nation in terms of the football, they might host a competition soon, too, they have one club in for you. Interesting prospect if you want to become the face of the league, Stephen, else you could go to Tikariot; very rich league, very rich history, very different from place to place. Carathyr…”

The list of clubs Francesco was rattling off was getting a bit too hard to bear. On and on he went, about how Montreal Koreana was better than St. John’s Arsenal, or how Mipsojeon was the best club in the whole of Quebec, or how those irritating Saviglianos from the east had eyes for Stephen, too — “if Grande Cucina was rich, Stephen, I’d tell you to go to Barilla, but I think it’s better for you to avoid these Saviglianos altogether” — or even far away in Poafmersia, where apparently Bikarish were going to groom him as a successor to legendary defender Danzig Hoboson…

It was all too much for him.

Chromia

“Two million, then, our opening bid shall be; though I think we’ll receive a rather quick reply. Well, then, Sang-wook, let’s get his show on the road,” Kontiola murmured.

Sang-wook, an intern at the club, hesitantly dialed the number on the fax machine; it contained Chromatik Football Club’s initial offer for the player. Two million dollars, up front; and nothing more. It was quite a bit for a nineteen year-old who had but half a season of senior experience, of course; and moves always came at a little bit of a risk. Not to mention the fact that Stephen hadn’t fully developed physically; though if, at the age of 19, he already showed this amount of prodigious talent, then there certainly would be a higher level for him to ascend to.

The piece of paper disappeared into the fax machine; halfway across the world, Straton would receive yet another offer for Stephen Kerr’s services. Every bit of information Stephen had been fed by Francesco was true, of course; the club had been inundated by a deluge of foreign transfer bids.

Not that Straton was expected to agree to any of these requests. Yet, anyway. Though Sanford’s offer of six million was particularly tempting, according to sources.

Thirty minutes later, as expected, a fax was received from Tumbra. It was, as expected, a curt “no”.

Jannick took one look at the paper, laughed, set it down, and walked out of the room.

Straton

Vinny’s diner had closed; but the food and wine had taken its toll. Stephen was barely able to walk straight; Francesco had to support the defender’s tall frame on him as they ambled towards the car. Thankfully Francesco hadn’t drank; but the side effect was that Stephen had drunk effectively a quarter a bottle of wine.

“I don’t knowww, Francesco, I don’t — hic — know where to move to…”

“Stephen, at least now you know who is in for you. Ah, Santa Maria, you are heavy. I guess Vinny’s food is good, or I haven’t eaten Grande Cucinan food in a long time. Cucinan food, they say, makes you strong. You bring napkin home, yes? Vinny is...ah...not happy I wrote on it, but at least you remember what and who is in for you.”

“Who — hic — who d’you think I should s-ssign for…”

“I think, Stephen, you should make your own mind up. You have any more questions, I gave name card; you text or call, we talk maybe in more pleasant circumstances. For now, I drive you home.”

The drive home was a blur; Stephen barely remembered half of it, except for Francesco once again weaving in and out of midnight Straton traffic. He vaguely remembered, too, Francesco supporting him out of the car as he staggered towards his house; Francesco unlocking the door, then just laying him down on the sofa.

And, somehow, Stephen Kerr managed to get the best night’s sleep since the start of the whole saga.

TUMBRA vs BOLLONICH - DI BRADINI CUP, MATCHDAY 4
Starters: 1 - Jones; 2 - Renton, 4 - Kerr, 14 - Wyatt, 3 - Mercurio; 6 - Harrison, 15 - Morris, 10 - Monaghan; 7 - Wells, 9 - Crossley, 11 - Riordan
Subs: 12 - Ager, 13 - Renton; 18 - Finney, 5 - Pritchett, 20 - Hamilton, 19 - Green; 8 - Lawrence, 16 - Robertson, 23 - Finnemore; 17 - McGarry, 21 - Baker; 22 - Hardaker

by **Sarzonia** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 10:59 am

Scene: At the press conference following Sarzonia's 2-0 victory over Quebec and Shingoryeo

Sarzonian under 21 national team manager Colton Longley walked up to the dais with a piece of paper in his hand. He'd written down some quick notes that were difficult to decipher in the chicken scratch he'd scribbled them in. He looked out at the assembled reporters, mostly being Sarzonian, but a few Quebecois, Mertagnian and other countries' reporters were also in attendance.

Longley looked out at the media, smiled slightly, then looked down at his notes. He stared at them for an extra beat or two.

Damn, I can't even read my own handwriting, he thought as he looked over a couple of the words. Then when he got his bearings, he remembered what he was thinking when he wrote in that awful handwriting.

"I think we played a strong all-around match tonight," he began. "I'm pleased with the way we've been playing defensively. It's not easy for a team to pick up a brand new defensive system so soon before a major footballing competition and the team have done a nice job of adapting to the new system. I'm pleased to see that.

"I thought our midfield play was arguably the best it's been so far in this competition. We had our best match transitioning from defence to offence and moving the ball into the kind of possession game I like to see us play. Is it perfect? No, but this level of football isn't about perfection. It's about learning the game, learning how to play as a team and learning from what we do on the pitch, both as teammates and as opponents. So far, I'm happy to see how we've progressed. I'll open it up to questions."

"Colton, you talked about the team's ability to transition from defence to offense and the play in the midfield. Does that task become more difficult in a 4-4-2 as opposed to a 3-5-2?"

"Well, some of that depends on the players you have," Longley said. In a 3-5-2 the way we ran it under Diego [Cristobal, the former Stars manager], it really put a lot of emphasis on the sweeper's ability to get the ball to the defensive midfield for our counterattacking runs. In this system, we don't have a sweeper, so that makes it incumbent upon Glen [Baker, the starting goalkeeper] to communicate with his defence and with the midfield. So far, we've been getting progressively better as the World Cup has continued."

"Coach, did you talk to the players about the political ramifications of playing against Quebec?"

"No. The way I see it, we had enough on our plate trying to get the team to play a critical match with us being a full match behind both Mertagne and Vilita and Turori. Our purpose was to win a football match, not worry about winning a front in a war. We'll let the diplomats and External Affairs deal with that bullshit."

"Mr. Longley, sir, what do you make of the comments from Kristie Ettrick about making your team see stars after your match against them?"

"I didn't see the comments. When did she make them?"

"During pre-World Cup training."

"I think she was addressing her team, am I right about that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, there are a lot of things you tell your team as a manager that you may or may not necessarily mean in exactly the way you say it," he said. "I haven't really looked that closely into what Ettrick said to her team, but we're going to focus on getting our job done, and we're going to have enough of a task working to get a good result against that team.

"That's all I have time for. Thank you, everyone." Longley ignored the calls of "Coach!" and "Colton!" as he walked out of the media room and toward the team dressing room.

"Dressing rooms are available," the Vanorian press information officer said. Longley was in his office with his door closed until the last of the media departed the Junior Stars dressing room.

**********************************************************************************************

This scene occurs in the dressing room after the last reporters file out and the door closed.

Longley heard a knock on his door. It was the Sarzonian press information officer informing him that the last reporters left and the door to the dressing room closed.

"Thank you, Ken," he said. He walked back out to the centre of the dressing room.

"I'm sure you've seen the comments from the Mertagnian manager Kristie Ettrick," Longley said. "The one about us seeing stars after facing them." The Junior Stars players all nodded their assent.

"I don't have to tell you the stakes for this match are super-high," he said. "Besides the fact that a result will get us right into the race for a spot in the Round of 16, the Mertagnians are looking to intimidate us." Longley looked out and saw, much to his relief, the looks of determination and focus on his team and, he smiled slightly as he noticed more than a few angry looks of players champing at the bit to get after the Mertagnians.

"We're not going to let those entitled fucks intimidate us, are we?" Longley said. "No!" shouted the players in unison.

"We're going to beat them by executing our game plan, but make no mistake: We're not just going to take their shots and turn the other cheek. We're going to make them pay," he said. "If we lose to them, we're not going to go down without a fight. And if they want a fight, we're damn sure gonna give them one! Who's with me?"

The bloodcurling cheers in the Junior Stars dressing room startled Longley for a split second, but he quickly recovered. His team was ready. Hell, they probably were ready to play a full 90 minutes against Mertagne right now.

Longley had given some thought to making changes to the starting 11 to bring on more physical players, players more willing to scrap with their opponents than his standard 11, but he also realised he had three points to earn, and that was more important than beating up an opponent whose mouth wrote a cheque their body couldn't cash.

JUNIOR STARS SCHEDULE
MD 1 SARZONIA v. Vilita and Turori (L, 0-1)
MD 2 Island Of The Lost v. SARZONIA (W, 3-0)
MD 3 SARZONIA v. Quebec and Shingoryeo (W, 2-0)
MD 4 Mertagne v. SARZONIA
MD 5 SARZONIA v. Eura

by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:21 pm

By Peter Davis

After a tight 2-2 against Chromatika, thanks to the power of the Female Revolution, got us on the board with a point, the Young Jags were now looking to try and keep the momentum going and actually get their first win of the campaign on the board soon. Philip van Oosterend was certainly looking from that here at the Bekkside Arena in Tabeck as we took on Eraman, but Timun Mahabuma's side was undefeated entering the contest, so no one expected this one to be easy at all.

As things would turn out, the similar playstyles and formations PvO and Mahabuma operated would lead to a very tight game that was impossible to enjoy if you were a neutral. The defence of both teams was simply difficult to break and when opportunities were presented, Alex McVerner and Merah Dewadarsa would simply deal with it and move on. Don't get me wrong, there were chances for a goal in this game and both Jackson Smith-Scott and Buang Ranawanya would come the closest in this game, nothing was going to break the deadlock at all and in the end, this game ended scoreless - to the detriment of TJUN-ia's playoff hopes.

TJUN-ia only has 2 points with 2 games left to go and now, this team has to get some results of out the bag if they are to make the playoffs this time around. The do or die game may be back here in Tabeck against winless Barhe, or the Empire of Joeson if you prefer, because if we cannot beat them, then maybe we cannot beat anyone in this DBC. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group F, All Games In Starblaydia
MD1: vs HUElavia - Hallad City Stadium, Hallad City L 0-1 (5th?)
MD2: vs Chromatika - Victory Park, Vecchio D 2-2 (4th)
MD3: vs Eraman - Bekkside Arena, Tabeck D 0-0 (5th)
MD4: vs Barhe (Empire of Joseon) - Bekkside Arena, Tabeck
MD5: vs Equestrian States (Equestria) - Victory Park, Vecchio

by **Chromatika** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:03 pm

Chromatika 3-1 HUElavia
Goals: Fillar, B. '69, Oveni '75, Kruetzberg '83
Starting XI: Enax; Fillar, G. - Nodis - Bethea; Baum - Larriet-Cortes - Fillar, B. (C) - Andersen; Kruetzberg - Oveni - Fillar, E.
Substitutes: Keel -> Anderson ('62),
Summary: A game dominated by the Chromatiks after an early miscue. Great play from the midfield, and solid finishing in the last 21 minutes.
Next Match: vs. Eramen - A win will all but secure.

Part 1: (Un)welcome Surprises
Part 2: The Contest
Part 3: The Scarlet Blush

the three.

In Chromatik football, they've shifted to having one or two AMs and side Wingers. However, in the U-21 ranks, they still use the 3-4-3, as the CCFA uses mostly traditional formations. This is a story about the three starting attackers on the squad.

Main Characters:
RW Emilie Kruetzberg, 20 - Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology (CMT)
Recognizable due to a magnificent mane of red hair, Emilie Kruetzberg is a dynamic playmaker who burst into the scene last season for the Hellcats. She is a swarmer, endlessly trying to be around the ball on the attacking end to tire out the defender and take the shot. She can be a tad overaggressive at times - she led the CCFA in offside calls last season - but she scores or contributes to scoring chances enough times to make up for it.

Amongst the three, she's the least experienced at the international level, and the shiest, preferring to let her actions on the field do most of the talking. She's learning lots from the other two in areas of confidence, patience, and knowing how to handle the spotlight.

ST Karra Oveni, 19 - Colonial Sile (VIL)
The model Chromatik striker of the new school, that is, the supportive striker, Oveni is someone who doesn't mind getting by on rebounds and letting other positions have a chance at goals. She can take over games by her persistent presence in front of the goal and her ability to work with other playmakers.

Amongst the three, she's the most easy-going, friendly, and good-natured. She's one of the only close friends that Edith Fillar has. She does have a surprising competitive streak in her, though.

LW/LM Edith Fillar, 16 - Shamrock Cathair (AUD)
The youngest of the Fillars, Edith is the next coming of Megan Kelly, or the Chromatik winger who's short but can run circles around would-be defenders and take over the game due to where she is on the pitch. She may not be the quickest off the ball, but she has the relentlessness that has been present on many great Chromatik wingers. With the mindset of a drill sergeant who is definitely the strictest on herself, Edith's career is just beginning.

Edith is the most competitive, hard working, driven player on the squad, and the most intense of the Fillars. She can be a bit stand-offish, but that's only because she's so hell-bent on succeeding.

Minor Characters
RB Grayson Fillar, 20 - 1830 Cathair (AUD) Older brother of Edith
AM Baillaire Fillar, 19 - 1830 Cathair (AUD) Older sister of Edith
GK Van Enax, 21, Workers Union (GK) Starting Goalkeeper for the U-21 Squad
Claude Pare-Achel, 59 (ZWZ), Chromia Central College University (CMT) Manager
Mikhail Dushov, 56), Chromia Central College University (CMT) Assistant Manager

Part 4: The Planned Visit

All events of The Three happened before the DBC, during Training Camp

Three Days Before Flight to Starblaydia

"There will be one final scrimmage before we fly over to Starblaydia. It'll be played at Chromatik City Field, and the squad will face a team of the best of the CCFA that wasn't selected. It's a chance for those players to be recognized by the CCFA, so it'll be a fierce match," explained Claude Pare-Achel. There was a murmur through the team as they thought of the different players that will be facing them.

"Yes," continued Pare-Achel, "There will be some twenty-two year olds. You are the U-21 national team, though, so you can handle it, right?"

Before anyone could say anything, Claude said one more thing that put the entire team on alert:

"Oh, and we'll be allowing five people per player to come and watch. Choose well!"

That Evening

"Five people? You've got to be kidding me," said Karra Oveni, "That's so few! I have three siblings, who is not going to get to come? Coach is sometimes a bit too narrow-minded sometimes."

"You can have one of mine," said Emilie, "I doubt my folks will be able to come - Mom and Dad have strict shifts at their jobs, and brother's away in university."

"You'll have someone here for you though, right?" asked Edith, concerned.

"I'm sure I can get my Aunt and Uncle to show up," commented Emilie.

"And what about you, Edith?" countered Karra, "Got any plans?"

"It's kind of ridiculous to give five to each of us, you know?" stated Edith, "But Baillaire and Grayson have some ideas, and so do I."

"Any chance that we get to see your mysterious beau?" quipped Emilie.

Edith blushed scarlet, but did not answer.

That night, Edith, Baillaire, and Grayson all made their invitations. it would be a game to remember.

by **Lathamford** » Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:46 pm

S p o r t L i n k

Who is Samir Bogdani? The average homeland football follower wonders, who is the coach from Chromatika who took over the position of Head Coach of the Spartak Eaglearm team. No tangible record was recorded by Bogdani. In fact, he is an individual almost unknown to football fans here. We all know how serious the management of this football club is in choosing the right coach for their team. The first question that came to the writer's mind when the announcement was made by Spartak was: "Did Spartak really do 'homework' before appointing Bogdani as player/manager?"

Bogdani is a coach who loves to use 4-3-3 formations. In general, 4-3-3 formations are built to dominate the midfield and provide variation during attacks. Typically, one of those midfielders will play more defensively and take on the role of the No.6 player. This position is often filled by 27 -year -old Zimmerick Grayward. This role by Grayward is also better known as a single pivot. This system simultaneously eliminates the 2 pivots that were often used during the Owen Blazesword era (who is now the manager of the Lathamford U21 team).

Two midfielders made up of Conor Retford and Alf Covendream were the focal starting point of the attack for the Spartak team. More than that, Retford and Covendream also have great finishers, to help the team score goals and always give support to the striker if they lose the ball. Pressing done on the opponent's defensive area is to grab the ball back as quickly as possible. Other than making a quick counter-strike, it is the best method of defending.

Network of 5 players; Retford-Covendream in the middle and Frederick Grantham-Quentin de Pena-Dwen Regalski are players with high technical ability and skill. This makes it easier for Bogdani to apply his football philosophy which emphasizes possession, fluidity in attack, speed, and a sharp finish. Amos Woodenbone as well as Carl Rossendale who plays as right and left-wing defenders will also help the team attack with runs on each side.

Group G:: MD1		Tikariot 1-1			Ironstorm
Group G:: MD2		Cabo Azure 2-4			Fyggs  ׀	 Ironstorm
Group G:: MD3		Xanneria 3-0			Ironstorm x2  ׀	de Axehelm

Scorer
Ironstorm		4
Fyggs			1
de Axehelm		1

World Cup 81/82/83/84

BP Juniors on the brink
Stuart Rittenhouse, Sport Reporter
The Western Observer

Farca, Starblaydia--Ahead of the fourth match in Group G at the Di Bradini Cup 51/72nd Under 21 World Championship at the Stadii di Quercus against Tikariot, Liam Sullivan put his charges through a 90 minute workout less than 16 hours after final whistle in the 4-2 loss to Cabo Azure in Penningworth.

Xanneria will be the next side to face the tournament's highest scorers while BP and Tikariot battle for the second spot, although a Lathamford win over Kohnhead coupled with a draw in Farca could send the runner-up battle to the final day.

It was generally a rough day for the defense as breakdowns left Geoff Cotterill exposed to a shooting gallery from the Azureans as they pushed forward in attack consistently, the mix & match lineup for Baker Park looking a step slow and lacking organization.

Under the current circumstances, it is hard to see a way that this squad could equal the result of the Commonwealth's first DBC appearance--falling in the quarterfinal to Banija--in the tenth edition since that debut.

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72 RP and Scores Thread

DBC51 - MD2 v. Eura

Boot It!: Young Jags Sneak Draw Against Team of 3s

Boot It!: Nothing Happened, So It's Do Or Die!

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