Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72 RP and Scores Thread

by **Savojarna** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:28 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Alvesen’s double secures points against Graentfjall

By Jaukka Halanen

Savojarna’s U-21 team appears to have a clear star, and it’s not surprising: Lars Alvesen, despite his young age, is already a SFS A regular; and at Partisan Sjoedrhavn no less. In Starblaydia, the young striker shows why he is a starter in the dominating team of the league, using his physicality and game sense to strike twice against Graintfjall in a difficult matchup that saw Savojarna pressured through offensive play… and through using their weirdly small size to throw off Savojarna’s defence. As much as it might have yielded an aerial advantage for Savojarna - which they couldn’t really use much thanks to the badger Duskborn being surprisingly adept at disturbing his opposition, and the slight confusion and frustration arising from the many times a ball went flat after contact with one of Graintfjall’s hedgehog players.

The latter also turned out to pose an issue for the Savojar players more directly, as Alvesen noted early on after contact with the centre-back Jed. Jumping aside somewhat startled as three bloody spots emerged under Alvesen’s socks, the interaction led to some heated debate between the two captains and the referees, before the refs decided that it was part of Jed’s natural movement when aiming to get the ball that he would come close to the opponent, and any prickling that didn’t arise from unfair contact or intentional charging at the legs of his opponent would be a natural consequence of Jed trying to play the game. Fair and inclusive as the ruling might have been (and it was accepted by the Savojar side, as well) it clearly harmed the capacities of our offence, as Vedmark and Alvesen struggled to put down the speed and strength respectively that makes them strong.

In defence, Savojarna struggles with the speed and agility of the small Graentfjaller side, and creativity of some of their players. The 1-0 stunned everyone as the winger Dimpy first dove between the legs of Alvin Strid to cross the ball to the middle, where the other winger Kit Churchmouse flung himself off the goal post to beat Vikarby to the ball and scored by a bicycle kick that a stunned Savojar keeper couldn’t do anything against, other than being surprised by it. Again, debate ensued out of confusion, and understandingly the goal was left standing as no rule was broken. While Alvesen could equalise after shouldering away Duskborn and scoring with a kick too high for Burgle to stop, the Graintfjallers took the lead again thanks to a new problem rising up for Savojarna: The challenge of not committing fouls when having your opposition between your legs and having unfamiliar body shapes. It was clearly an accident that Vikarby stepped on the tail of striker Lissa, but that would not change the fact that stepping on someone’s tail usually results in a yellow and a penalty. A penalty that was converted.

Now down 2-1 again, Savojarna resorted to high balls - high balls that somehow were defended. Kit Churchmouse, being reassigned to defence, was sweeping out all sorts of crosses swinging from goalposts and crossbars. Then, when the aerial defence appeared to crack and Alvesen and Orakhin both almost headed a ball into the goal, their coach pulled out yet another trick: the sparrow Tumbles, a winger by the match sheet, came out in defence as well. Flying above the battlefield it was no issue for her to match Alvesen’s human height, and any attempt at using his physicality tended to result in fouls. Aerial play was not going to be the winning move against a bird, and another change was required. Eventually, though, things worked. Tretjakov managed to chip a ball over Jed, who was now unable to stop Alvesen by pricking his legs once again; Duskborn had to notice that a prepared physical human striker would be able to withstand his tackles, and Burgle had to concede his second goal.

Nonetheless, Savojarna’s state is still dire, with only two points from the first three games, and the next matches against Pemecutan and Starblaydia are must-win games. With only the top two teams qualifying, Savojarna are on the brink of elimination, but striving to somehow, maybe, make miracles work.

by **Vilita and Turori** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:17 am

Vilita & Turori Maintain order in Battle of Eggs

Orange Gate Falls, Monaven, Valanora :: A pair of teams with a pair of Goose-eggs prominently in their stat line squared off at the Orange Gate Falls in Valanora for Matchday 3 of the 51st Di Bradini Cup. Vilita & Turori entered the match with a perfect 2-0 record having also conceded 0 goals in their first two matches of the tournament. Their opponent, the Island of the Lost, had failed to win a match at 0-2 and also failed to score a goal, with 0 Goals For and Four Against entering the game.

Of course, Vilita and Turori were hoping to keep up their Turorian brand of Karelan play, keep the sheet clean and keep marching on toward a potential knockout round appearance. For the Island of the Lost it was a potential must win game - yet of course in order to win you first must score a goal. Both teams had their targets for the match locked and loaded.

For the Little Eel-Kitties and head coach Purapal Eskiiy there wasn't much use in deviating from what already had been proven and it would be Derizi Amatopa in goal for the third straight match. There would be some changes in the lineup for tactical and experience purposes which would include a surprise start for the 16 year old Fyin Miateal on the right side of midfield as Eskiiy would employ a classic 3-5-2 formation for the start of the match.

Despite hold the possession advantage, it took a while for the Vilita and Turori Under-21 squad to get going. While there were a few early chances they were not too much trouble for the Lost goalkeeper Madisyn Good who easily dealt with the early chances that Vilita and Turori put together from some range. It wasn't until the 39th minute that the deadlock was finally broken when Tyoasi Klipark was fed through by Trezisi Rokopolis and had the opportunity to slot the ball past Madisyn Good and into the back of the net giving Vilita and Turori a 1-0 lead. The Little Eel Kitties would defend that lead to the break, entering the interval with a 1-0 lead.

Many expected the Little Eel Kitties to hunker down and protect the lead to extend their streak of 1-0 victories to a third straight match and in large part that is what they did, swapping out hte goalscorer Tyoasi Klipark at half time to be replaced by Loala Inkabu. However on the hour mark it seemed that Purapal Eskiiy had a change of heart and decided to see if the team were capable of scoring another goal. Eskiiy made the call to put in fresh attacking legs introducing Imauka Lkomorak and Lutara Makakaio in place of Clarana Refiami and Fyin Miateal.

The move would certainly give the team a spark as the younger Makakio would get on the scoresheet within ten minutes of coming onto the pitch, doubling Vilita and Turori's advantage. Having already used the primary compliment of substitutions, there wasn't any further change to be made and Eskiiy instructed the team to press cautiously but defend the ball. The would do just that for the remaining twenty minutes and hold on for a 2-0 victory.

The win was the third in as many games for Vilita & Turori at the 51st Di Bradini Cup but the first time they had scored multiple goals in a single match. The goose-eggs would continue on both sides of the pitch as Vilita and Turori remained perfect with 0 defeats and 0 goals conceded in three games while the Island of the Lost was still very much the opposite with 0 victories and 0 goals scored in the same stretch.

Vilita and Turori now looked ahead to playing Quebec and Shingoryeo - another team who, like Island of the Lost, has struggled in the opening matches of the competition. Vilita and Turori currently sit second in the Group B table behind Mertagne who have a superior Goal Differential. Victory on Matchday 4 could be critical for the Little Eel-Kitties chances of advancing to the Round of 16 with a matchup against leaders Mertagne still to come later in the competition.

 Vilita & Turori U21 [2] - [0] Island of the Lost
				
	GOALS:	Vilita & Turori U21 	:: 39' Tyoasi Klipark:: 68' Lutara Makakio             		
	STATS:	Vilita & Turori U21 	:: Possession: 58%:: Shots: 5:: Corners: 8	Island of the Lost 	:: Possession: 42%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 3
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Narri Sebapilo, [D.] Bvalis Amaanara, [D.] Karek Edgeli, [ML]  Kinabo Telioa, [MC]  Khrusan Mlianko, [MC] Trezisi Rokopolis, [MC]  Friika Diirotora, [MR]  Fyin Miateal, [FC] Tyoasi Klipark, [FC] Clarana Refiami			
	Bench:	[FC] Lutara Makakio, [FC] Loala Inkabu, [M] Naraiza Ruaplal, [M] Imauka Lkomorak, [U ] Kunaro Tlikara, [D] Kamarela Dzzara, [GK] Ukamai Talingri

by **Mertagne** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:19 am

Angelotic Temple, Longview, Valanora. Mertagne U21 vs Eura U21, 66th Minute

Kristie Ettrick was making incredibly exaggerated whirly arm movements as she tried to signal to the squad to move the ball up. After an incredibly hard fought match where both teams barely gave an inch, the score was tied at 2 goals a piece, with Eura beginning the trend with a solid counter-attack that took advantage of some messy Mertagnian defending. Ettrick's squad were able to equalise, however, with two goals from set-pieces, much to Ettrick's ire: the first from a close free kick that, if just a few metres further along the pitch, could have been a penalty, and the second from a corner that flew directly to the back of the net from Sulpizio Plumb's head.
A tie would be a very repspectable result from the young Mertagnian team, but Ettrick was energised. The roar of the crowd here at the Angelotic Temple was intense, comprised of Mertagnians, Eurans, Vanorians, and anyone else that fancied watching these nations clash on the football pitch. Ettrick could barely hear herself, let alone the collected tones of Ben Holl, who was attempting to talk to her from the bench.
"Squad's looking good out there. I agree with you that they could do with pressing a bit, though. Eura look like they're waning a bit."
"Absolutely. I'm worried we're waning too. Roles hasn't looked right since that last throw-in. Reckon we bring on Feu now or let him stew for a bit? Eura don't seem to be giving him a hard time at the moment, they're pushing the centre." Ettrick replied, a bit breathy from running the length of their designated area several times.
Kristie shot a glance over to the 'enemy camp', as she affectionately termed it. Bob Partridge was sat in a coat, chatting up a storm with close friend and colleague Reggie Wright. The substitutes looked like they were limbering up, and she span around and gestured for the coach to get Mertagne's people ready to go out in the next five minutes. Two quick substitutions were the order of the day to strengthen the right avenue of attack - Feu in for Roles, and Bruce in for Drest. The third sub would be tucked in the back pocket if, in about 10 minutes, the deadlock hadn't broken and the team needed someone fresh to break through.
The subs were subbed - one in-and-out for Eura, and both for Mertagne - and the game continued. This right wing was looking a bit more rejuvinated, and Ettrick was happy with their progress. Play continued to be focused around the centre third, with the team looking agile as they moved between the Euran defence.
Ettrick kept sneaking looks at the opposing team's bench. Partridge looked like he was trying to relay something to Ryman, down in defence. Possibly a switch up in tactics? Either way, this seemed like a good time to strike. The squad had practiced a few covert gestures, and so Kristie mimed digging a hole with a spade to encourage the squad to 'dig in' to the attack.
Progress was made. The rejuvinated right wing carried the ball up, and Feu split the defence by way of a fantastic cross that sailed right into the Euran box. Le Bihan was present to recieve it, and he expertly moved into position with a quick tap of the ball to stabilise it's trajectory. As he pulled his foot back, he was slid into at a bad angle by Sam Ryman, and came tumbling over in the box.
The whistle and flags went up just as quickly as Kristie Ettrick did. From her point of view on the sidelines, this was clearly a shoddy job of an attack, and Partridge's communication to Ryman just minutes before meant there was clearly a planned aspect to it. Seeing red, Ettrick stood up and marched across the line to the opposing bench.
Spectators and team players alike saw her give Reggie Wright an earful, as he stood in between Kristie and Partridge. The referee, who was busy checking the status of the downed Le Bihan and the clearly remorseful Ryman, avoided seeing the worst of it as they gave a fairy open-and-shut penalty to the Mertagne side. However, the linespeople did their job as the referee's eyes and ears, and the linesman on the side of the benches got a particular earful of some very blue comments between Ettrick and Wright, who seemed to cover for a dismissive Partridge.
The referee interrupted the penalty in progress and jogged over to Ettrick and Wright.
"What's happening here?" they said, collected in contrast to the two managers.
"It's a disgrace, ref. It was clearly planned, to injure Le Bihan. This should be more than a foul, I can't believe it. I-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't have you storming over to Eura's box to have it out with their staff. You're gone."
It felt like the air had escaped out of Kristie's lungs. Was she actually being sent off? For this? Sure, this'd be the case in some Sunday league, but it was bad enough that Partidge had to hide behind Wright, let alone the officials.
She looked around, and the players on both sides started to turn and face her. Like an unwanted guest at the banquet, she looked to Ben, who mouthed an apology and tilted his head to the stands.
Not wanting to endanger the team's chances, she said a quick "You'rerightI'msorryI'llgo" and walked off the pitch down the corridor of the Angelotic Temple. She snuck a look back out onto the pitch to see Bruce gearing up for a penalty. She'd probably have to find out the result of that one by ear, which she did as she walked down the corridor to the dressing room. The cheers that erupted suggested a goal for Mertagne, and she hoped that without her, the squad could hold on to the result and bring home another victory.

At the end of the match, the team crept back into the dressing room to find Kristie led on a bench, cycling her legs in the air while checking her emails. She got up with a start, before breathing in and setting a commanding presence across the room once again.
"I don't know what you heard, but I was acting on the best information I had at the time. I thought Bob Partridge was signalling to his team to play dirty to win, and I don't stand for that kind of play. I know it might seem like it, but a good, calculated bit of rough and tumble is nothing like a deliberate attack that might endanger players. Was I a bit rash to go over to him? Yes. But he wasn't responding to me and I had to get the message across somehow. I'm sure you did fine without me."
A pallid stare from the squad gave nothing away.
"... You did do fine without me, right? Ben?"
Ben Holl couldn't hold it in any more and broke into a smile. "Yes. We pulled ahead after that penalty and kept control of the ball on-and-off until the end of the match."
Cheers erputed from the rest of the squad, finally free to revel in front of Ettrick on their victory.
"Outstanding work. You all kept your cool out there today, even if I didn't. That's a good skill to have, and will certainly serve you well against Sarzonia. They'll rattle you, for sure. Hell, they might even rattle me. I've got it on good authority that next game will be a bit of a grudge match. But for now, you have my permission to relax a little. This is a big win."
Lord knows I need to calm down, too. Not before I have had a chat with the Eurans, however...

by **Adab** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:14 am

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

Tuesday, August 15, 2034 / 30 Jumada al-Awwal 1456
Adab 2-0 Usan
Akaptaha (73’), Anwar (90’)

NEWS | DI BRADINI CUP 51
By: Elymur Amwan

Adab win over Usan to top Group C

A 2-0 victory against Usan, the third in a row for Adab’s under-21 team, catapulted Adab to first place on Group C of the Di Bradini Cup with nine points and also served to further dispel doubts regarding Rashid Abbas’ managerial ability.

While so far they remain undefeated in the competition, the young Adabians’ performance have divided opinion, with many feeling that they looked far from impressive even in victory. Nevertheless, under-21 manager Rashid Abbas remains confident and optimistic in his outlook, telling reporters before the Usan match that his team “have shown great quality in their playing” and that “victory will no doubt come our way.”

Victory would indeed come Adab’s way, and though the goals would only come late in the match no one would dispute that they were deserving of the win.

Having adjusted to the pressure and climate of the competition, the Adabians were supremely confident from the beginning of the match and quickly took control. Emma Arthur and Alulim Sinmuballit’s senior team experience finally shone through, as the team dominated possession in midfield, denying Kim Ji Hoon and co the opportunity to unleash their potential and deliver pressure up front.

The only thing preventing Adab from scoring for so long was Usan’s ultra-defensive tactics, which saw the team regularly throw seven or even more outfield players all the way back to the penalty box at the slightest hint of a threat. Credit where credit is due; Usan’s defense is one of the best in this tournament, and that they held on for so long against massive Adabian pressure is a testament to their ingenuity and determination at the back. Kim Hoon Jae is a particular delight to watch, his skills in full display as he regularly went up against the likes of Farah Salem and Kastiliasu Akaptaha and took the ball from under their feet to give Usan a breather.

Adab’s best chance in the first half came in the 42nd minute, as Amara Emmita found her way past a gap between the aforementioned Kim and Jeong Tae Wook and carried the ball into the penalty box. Even as the Usan players rushed to surround her, she still managed to pass the ball forward to Akaptaha. The fast movements of his opponents appeared to disorient the Adab forward, however, and he ended up launching the ball at the crossbar and sending it bouncing back to the field.

Despite repeated waves of attack from Adab, Usan continued to hold on strongly, with another attempt at the goal by Said Anwar in the 64th minute deflected away by keeper Ha Seong Hun. It was only in the 73rd minute that Adab finally struck gold, with Akaptaha getting past the Usan defense to be greeted by Ha, who Akaptaha tricked into jumping the wrong way as he sent the ball into the exposed goal to put Adab in the lead.

The goal spurred the Usan players to go on the offensive and launch their most aggressive attacks so far in the match, but the Adabians retained their composure under pressure, with their continued dominance at midfield proving pivotal in preventing their opponents from making too many inroads into the Adabian defense. In the end it was the Adabians who had the final word, securing their lead – and the win – in the 90th minute with a Said Anwar header off an Emmita cross.

The win put Adab in first place on Group C with nine points out of three matches, the last remaining team with a perfect record in the group. Their next match will be against Mytanija, who beat Usan to second place on goal difference, with both teams having six points after two wins and one loss.

by **Sendhang** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:27 am

DAY 12 - MONTH 6 - YEAR 7

Rice = Potato

In any fistfight in Sendhang, you will surely hear one of the fighters says “I am not afraid of you. I eat rice. You eat rice,” to note that the opponent is not special because they both eat the same thing.

Sometimes the same thing can be heard in motivational talks. “If he can do it, you can do it. He eats rice. You eat rice too,” a common motivational phrase in Sendhang. This is because everyone here in Sendhang eats rice.

The same thing cannot be said to the Potato Farmers in Poafmersia as Sendhang faced off with the Young Panijas in the third group match of the Di Bradini Cup at the Turnmondale Grounds, Raynor City. They don’t eat rice. At least not how the Sendhangite eats rice.

So is Poafmersia more superior than Sendhang? Apparently not. It was an entertaining match with both sides looking to attack to get the win but the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Poafmersia was surprised first by a goal from Sendhang scored by the 20 years old striker, Guntur Yuwono, who is currently playing for KS Gunung Kayasu Under-21.

Guntur's goal came from his quick run that managed to beat two defenders before blasting right to put the Young Rice Farmers ahead as early as the 4th minute.

Poafmersia, coached by Nelson Sanchez, improved the action after the goal, and as a result, Suada Bogdanic came back to score an equalizer in the 21st minute and the score remained until the break.

Entering the second half, the Young Panijas made several changes in an effort to chase for the second goal but all efforts failed when Teuku Syarkawi's boys calmly held on until the final whistle.

1-1 between the Rice Farmers and the Potato Farmers in Valanora. Therefore, it can be concluded that rice is equal to potato, at least for the youngsters.

by **PotatoFarmers** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:02 am

Poafmersia 3-1 Eastfield Lodge
Poafmersia Goalscorers: Lindsay 14'; Tamura 58' (assist by Lindsay); Kravchenko 82' (assist by Lindsay)
Eastfield Lodge Goalscorers: Sky-Afzal 39'

Poafmersia Lineup: Juliska Janson; Kilikina Lee, Hildingr Duval, Rusiko Maestri, Dae-Jung Sokol; German Kato (DM); Padrig Dürr, Verbena Zoltánfi; Feidelm Lindsay (AM); Silvanus Kravchenko, Bolívar Tamura
Substitutes: Serghei Gábor (Dürr 60'); Euthymios Banister (Lee 75')

Poafmersia 1-1 Sendhang
Poafmersia Goalscorers: Bogdanić 21'
Sendhang Goalscorers: Guntur 4'

Poafmersia Lineup: Juliska Janson; Kilikina Lee, Hildingr Duval, Rusiko Maestri, Xenophon Robson; German Kato (DM); Padrig Dürr, Verbena Zoltánfi; Feidelm Lindsay (AM); Silvanus Kravchenko, Suada Bogdanić
Substitutes: Natalina Berntsen (Zoltánfi 70'); Anselm Paulis (Duval 82')

Chapter 1 Part 1

The Musical Bridge
Chapter 1: Twins
Part 2

Janie Lindsay's first solo single was an absolute disaster.

On OKStudio, Poafmersia's main online streaming platform, the song only garnered around a thousand plays in the first month. There was no demand whatsoever for a Music Video. And generally, for many music companies, they would not bother with a music video unless there is quite a lot of revenue earned from the song. And the monies earned from streaming was never going to be enough to fund the music video. But Janie realises that it doesn't make sense to release an audio-only single. Especially when the dance is a key part of the single. Without any funding whatsoever, she decided to record a version of herself dancing and singing with the song in the practice studio. Uploading it onto Poafmersia's main social media outlets, she shared the video with her followers. That isn't a huge number, but we all know social media is the place where things can go viral. She thought that would garner some interest, and while she got a few hundred followers over the next 2 months, it was too little to really make an impact.

Pioneers always face issues trying to showcase their innovations to the world. People are always trying to question your motivation. Questioning why you are good. People do not understand why the music is much faster as compared to before. They do not understand why there is a need to dance instead of just sing. They do not understand what this fusion is all about. The mix between different genres. A totally new music form. The song alone isn't as good as the so-called traditional music styles. The "standard Poafmersian music" seems to be better than this. So what is the point of such music?

To do anything, Janie needs to know that she should never give up. And she will not.

by **Starblaydia** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:05 am

Matchday Four, Vanorian half

Group A
Hispinas 0–2 Poafmersia
Valanora 2–1 Sendhang
Savigliane 3–4 Eastfield Lodge

  Group A                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora                       4   4  0  0   11   3  +8   12
2 Sendhang                       4   2  1  1    6   3  +3    7
3 Poafmersia                     4   2  1  1    7   6  +1    7
4 Savigliane                     4   1  1  2    9  10  −1    4
5 Eastfield Lodge                4   1  0  3    5  10  −5    3
6 Hispinas                       4   0  1  3    0   6  −6    1

Group B
Eura 1–0 Island of the Lost
Quebec and Shingoryeo 1–1 Vilita and Turori
Mertagne 1–0 Sarzonia

  Group B                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mertagne                       4   4  0  0    8   2  +6   12
2 Vilita and Turori              4   3  1  0    5   1  +4   10
3 Sarzonia                       4   2  0  2    5   2  +3    6
4 Eura                           4   1  1  2    4   5  −1    4
5 Quebec and Shingoryeo          4   0  2  2    2   7  −5    2
6 Island of the Lost             4   0  0  4    0   7  −7    0

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

  Group C                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Adab                           4   4  0  0    7   1  +6   12
2 Sylestone                      4   2  1  1    9   2  +7    7
3 Mytanija                       4   2  0  2   10   9  +1    6
4 Usan                           4   2  0  2    6   6   0    6
5 The Licentian Isles            4   1  1  2    3   6  −3    4
6 Maramaa                        4   0  0  4    4  15 −11    0

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

  Group D                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sharktail                      4   3  1  0   12   5  +7   10
2 Pasarga                        4   2  1  1    7   6  +1    7
3 Euran Oceania Territories      4   1  3  0    2   1  +1    6
4 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom      4   1  2  1    5   7  −2    5
5 Cassadaigua                    4   0  2  2    2   5  −3    2
6 The Kytler Penisulae           4   0  1  3    4   8  −4    1

by **Cabo Azure** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:17 am

No Confidence, pt 4

“Federico Bravo.”

The name was a question in itself. Bravo was the mayor of Sao Simone, Cabo Azure’s largest city, and Joaquin had just heard that he would be challenging for the job of prime minister in the upcoming vote. This news would have been disconcerting even if he hadn’t heard it from his daughter’s boyfriend before his own political staff. Joaquin loomed over his de facto campaign manager, the political science Ph.D. candidate Zora Petrola, where she sat on his couch.

“What about him?” Zora asked, stalling for time as she closed her laptop and stood to face him. Though she squared her shoulders and drew up her chin, there was no mistaking her hesitancy to meet his gaze or the soft, almost pleading expression in her bright blue eyes. She was right to be contrite; she and Victor, her advisor, had ruled Bravo out as a possible rival to Joaquin for PM, and now he was about to threaten their campaign. Joaquin kept a hard expression on his face, though inwardly he found that he wanted to comfort Zora, tell her it was alright, that they’d work through it.

“He’s running for PM?” Joaquin asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“It started small,” Zora stammered. “A couple social media posts a day and a half ago, but it’s blown up. He’s riding a wave.”

“I thought I was supposed to be riding the wave,” said Joaquin, disbelief creeping into his voice.

“You are,” Zora answered weakly. “They didn’t have social media the last time Cabo Azure had an election. It’s fickle, difficult to predict, and Bravo is using it to his advantage.”

Joaquin didn’t miss the irony in the situation, and he knew that she didn’t, either; Joaquin had been the one to bring social media to the islands. Without him the telecom industry would be either still in its infancy or beholden to foreign markets. Joaquin took a seat on the couch with Zora sat next to him, her studying his face while he stared at their reflection in the glass door. Over the past few weeks, she had become a fixture in his living room as they avoided tipping their hand by acquiring office space. His house had become a campaign headquarters, and Zora had become part of the household.

“What’s the damage?” he asked, grabbing a question out of the air. “Best case scenario, we keep doing what we’re doing, how many votes does Bravo take from me?”

“He’ll do well in Sao Simone,” Zora answered, slipping back into her academic persona. “Young, affluent voters; the population that elected him mayor, which is also the population we were hoping to win. But he’s unpopular with the elite in the city, and you’ve got those votes locked down.”

“Outside of Sao?” A faint note of hope colored Joaquin’s voice.

“Nobody who doesn’t live on Aho knows who he is, and the ones that do distrust him because he’s the mayor of Sao.” Aho was the largest island in Cabo Azure, where the capital. Despite Cabo Azure’s miniscule size, each of its islands tended to be a microcosm, and Joaquin was prepared to believe that the denizens of the other islands would be less than keen to accept a PM from Aho. His being from Dulce Muerte, the second-largest island, was to be a key point in his campaign.

“Have you run the numbers?”

Zora drew her lips in tight and avoided his gaze again. He knew instinctively that she had, and that they weren’t good. “They’re close,” she hedged. “I don’t think he’s a serious candidate to win, and most of the votes he’ll pull will be from Borges.” Mario Borges was the incumbent prime minister, a former football player and minister of culture.

“But?” Joaquin gave her an opportunity to expand.

“But Aho is a wildcard, especially the suburbs of Sao. Those demographics largely didn’t exist in ‘78, and they’re hard to gauge now. If we lose them, we might lose enough votes to give Borges the election.”

“So what do we do?”

Joaquin had fixed her with that question numerous times over the previous weeks, and every single time it had been unfair, but he needed her to focus on solutions, not problems. Her political mind was brilliant, easily the best in the islands, but she had a habit of seeing things as fixed, immutable; days ago, it had been inevitable that Joaquin would win the election, just as it was now inevitable that he wouldn’t.

“Let me ask you this,” he tried, “What have other people done in this situation?”

“Sixty-four,” she recited, staring ahead as if reading from a textbook. “Ernesto Figueroa won by campaigning in Maninho. It was a narrow margin, but the votes from Maninho were enough to put him over the top.”

Maninho was one of the smallest of the inhabited islands of Cabo Azure, home to a fishing fleet, a cannery, and not much else. It was hard to imagine Maninho mattering in anything political, home as it was to only a few thousand people, but the islands were less populous back then and even fewer people voted. Maninho would vote reliably for Borges, so campaigning there was a nonstarter, but he saw her point.

“You’re saying we need to find somewhere no one else is looking,” said Joaquin, aware he was stating the obvious. “Some island, some town that can get us back the votes we might lose in the suburbs, in order to hedge.”

Zora nodded curtly. “The problem is,” she said, still not meeting his gaze, “We’re not Figueroa. We’ve left no stone, no census tract, unturned. I’ll give Victor a call-”

“-what about overseas?”

She looked surprised at his interruption, and then he saw her go to work behind those blue eyes. Talking to his daughter’s boyfriend, a football player based in Tikariot, had reminded Joaquin of all his overseas customers, paying subscription rates to call home to Cabo Azure. Surely some of them must vote in the old country?

“I think I know what to do.” Zora’s eyes were bright with inspiration, and he could tell she was thinking the same as he was. “Tell me, when was the last time you were in Tikariot?”

by **HUElavia** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:42 am

Snap Back to Reality.

HUElavia is humbled by Chromatika as the team faces must-win situations.

Chromatika 3-1 HUElavia
(Fillar 69', Oveni 75', Kreutzberg 83' | Yamane 52')
(Victory Park, Vecchio, Starblaydia)

Entering Matchday 3, HUElavia was looking to earn another victory in order to put themselves a step closer to a spot in the knockouts. The one team that was blocking them from that was powerhouses Chromatika, who was looking to win to put themselves in the Top 2. Both teams used their A-Team, with HUElavia having Huamani in goal and Yamane as Captain, with both teams wearing their Home Uniform for the match. The match was set to be played at Victory Park (48,000), in Vecchio with a very strong showing of HUElavians present in the stadium. The anthems were played with a great cheer of the crowd, the coin toss was done, and the ball rolled to kick off Matchday 3.

The first half was a pretty dull one, with both teams playing cautiously, wanting to unlock each other's defense. The half ended scoreless, but both teams seemed hungry for more. In the second half, the opening goal came in the 52nd minute, when Jaillita sent a long ball to Yamane, who was being covered by Bethea, chipping the ball up over Bethea and going one-on-one with Enax, before slotting it between the legs of the goalie into the goal, making it 0-1. The HUElavian crowd erupted and jumped with joy, applauding Yamane for the spectacular ball control and goal, while Yamane was mobbed by her teammates and was congratulated. Chromatika began to attack more and more, eventually getting their chance in the 69th minute, when B. Fillar took a shot outside the box that deflected off the heel of Soria and rolled past Huamani on the other side into the goal, making it 1-1. Fillar got the ball and ran back, where Chromatika continued to attack. In the 75th minute, Oveni was being covered by Otto and Font, before taking a blistering, curving shot that went past the reach of Huamani into the goal to make it 2-1. Oveni was mobbed by her teammates while the HUElavian players and supporters were stunned. In the 83rd minute, Kreutzberg was on the ball, being covered by Thi, desiding to shimmy to the left (right of Thi) and gave a curving shot that went past the fingertips of Huamani and hit the post into the goal, making it 3-1. Chromatika celebrated the comeback and their lifeline, while the HUElavians were stunned and humiliated. Despite some attacks, HUElavia looked lifeless, being unable to get something done and the match ended, with HUElavia's goal difference wiped out in a single loss.

HUElavia sit in 3rd Place with 6 Points (2-0-1), just behind Eraman and Chromatika, who both have 7 Points (2-1-0). Their next opponent will be Equestria, another powerhouse in the multiverse, who is coming off a 1-0 victory against Barhe. el-Shaams will start over Soria, and Colantoni over Notario as the notable starters for the match. The Home Special Uniform will be worn for the match. The match is set to be played at Bekkside Arena (33,000) in Tabek, with strong HUElavian presence in the stadium once again. Here's to hoping we can get a favorable result and inch closer to the Round-of-16.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:12 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

SO MUCH FOR THE CLEAN SHEET STREAK

Hello and welcome to The Football Fallacies. Right, well, I guess it was inevitable. We were never going to be able to keep three consecutive clean sheets. I mean, talk about an attempted self-destruction! If it weren't for our forwards then Lisander could have nicked one point or three from us! I mean, why does our team always think that letting the opponents come back from a massive deficit makes for a better game than controlling a blow-out affair? Both kinds of games have their individual merits, I'm sure, but when you're playing for a fanbase who's gotten sick and tired of watching their team slack off and then reap the quote-unquote "rewards", you would think they would steer clear of these close shaves just like my mother steers clear of me when I begin talking about the correlation between toe cheese and the utter inconsistency of PFC Ludogorets Markovsky. It's actually a very fascinating topic. Just don't listen to my mother or anyone else when they tell you to get away from me. Hey. where are you all going?!

All right, fine, I'll go back to the actual match recap. We've got seven goals to cover here so get ready to sit back and relax because it's gonna be neither quick nor easy. Both teams like a quick-passing offense to get through the opponents' defense, so this match was pretty much an exercise in who scores first, and who holds their nerve under the assault. And it didn't start off well for our lasses. Margo Kahn got a little too trigger-happy with using tackles to break up Lisander's passing play so she ended up conceding a fair few free kicks right at the start. Inocencia Pendergraft held her nerve at the start, holding off Lucas Laval's attempts on goal. Christ above, that kid has a left foot! Still not half as good as Addie Singh's, but with proper training and game time, the lad could give Adelaide a run for her money! But it wasn't Laval who would draw first blood for Lisander; no, that would be Marcelo Donati. It's not exactly tiki-taka football, but their passing certainly had just one objective, which was to move the ball forward. And move the ball forward they did, before it finally culminated in Donati sliding the ball underneath Pendergraft for the first goal of the game.

Now, usually in these instances you would expect Abanhfleft teams to immediately crumble under the pressure and just watch on meekly as the other team scored goal upon goal past them. Well, this Abanhfleft team isn't like other Abanhfleft teams. Commentators always ask whether this team has what it takes to turn things around, and this time they actually did. Here we see Josefine Vitagliano once again pulling the strings in midfield to get everyone else moving along, and unlike other times, her teammates actually responded in a positive manner. Which is why in the span of eight minutes, what was originally a 1-0 deficit for Abanhfleft had become a 2-1 lead for the Young Revolutionaries. Mae Wilbanks scored her first brace in the Di Bradini Cup with Vitagliano bagging both assists. First, Vitagliano pulled a few defenders out of shape in order to set up a tap-in for Wilbanks, and then the second goal happened by way of a rabona cross. Yes, that's right, our young lasses are now at the point where they're doing rabonas to cross the ball. Although I think this is more related to the fact that Vitagliano really prefers that right foot of hers that she would rather rabona a cross than trust her left foot. And then Whitney Zilahi was something of a free kick enthusiast herself by steering the ball into the near top corner after making it look like she was aiming for the far post.

And that's just the first half. We started off the second half with a bang... I mean a banger. Jordyn Bernardino isn't usually the kind of player to just take a shot at goal from outside the box, but for some reason she decided to try it out, and will you look at that? Fourth goal to Abanhfleft. Now at this point, you as a fan would probably be thinking, "This is good. Now time to hold on to the lead." Any other team would have carried out this plan to perfection. But we're not any other team. We are Abanhfleft. And we never make it easy on ourselves. Defending in this situation should have been an easy matter. There was no need to go for slide tackles anymore. But some people just can't help themselves. Skye Ereve just had to get a little too tackle-happy when there was no reason to, and Lucas Laval would get another chance to shine. This free kick looked set to fly right into the middle of the net, but Pendergraft looked like she had it covered. And then Leonardo Pessoa appeared out of nowhere to head the ball into the right corner and leave Pendergraft flatfooted.

Okay, so it's now 4-2 instead of 4-1. No big deal. It's still a manageable situation, all things considered. But nope. We are Abanhfleft, remember. We can't just leave it at something manageable. We had to leave our fans biting their nails in fear and anxiety, and that's exactly what Mavis McGlamery did when she was a little too enthusiastic in trying to get JP Martins off the ball. Once again it was Lucas Laval's free kick. And this time the goal would be credited to him and him alone. Lisander could have come back and nicked a point from us, but unfortunately for them time just wasn't on their side. Now that that's over, time to turn our attention over to Darmen, our next opponents. They've always been a decent footballing side, one that we ignore at our own risk, but this DBC, their biggest claim to fame so far is being on the other end of a 7-4 beating at the hands of Krytenia. But that's not their only result, and we have to take everything into account. And I do mean everything.

Anyway, that's all that there is for me now. If you've got comments or thoughts of your own about the game against Lisander or predictions against Darmen then feel free to leave them down below. Until then, I've been the Man from Markovsky, slightly cautiously optimistic that maybe this time, I won't be disappointed by my country.

         ABANHFLEFT 4 - 3 LISANDER
WILBANKS (18', 26')       DONATI (9')
       ZILAHI (38')       PESSOA (70')
   BERNARDINO (48')       LAVAL (81')

by **Sarzonia** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:12 am

Coming off the worst showing in Di Bradini Cup history with a last-second change in manager and system, the Sarzonian Under 21 national team knew qualifying for the knockout rounds would be a stretch.

They officially got that door slammed in their face with a 1-0 defeat to a Mertagne side that was level with defending champions Vilita and Turori for first place in the Group B table. Their victory, along with the latter's 1-1 draw with Quebec and Shingoryeo ensures that Sarzonia's best possible finish of nine points won't be enough to get the Junior Stars into the knockout rounds.

For manager Colton Longley, the questions about trying to implement a new system with a roster used to the system employed by previous manager Diego Cristobal after his sudden departure from the team to deal with mental health issues only days before the Under 21 World Cup began started immediately after he stepped to the lectern in the press room.

"I suppose we could have waited to implement a new system, and I'll acknowledge doing so was probably not the best idea at this late stage in the game," he said. "That said, it was either have me run a system I'm not comfortable with or have the players adjust to the system. I figured the players would be resilient enough to adapt."

He figured right because the Stars have thus far only lost matches to the two Group B sides going through to the Round of 16. However, Longley said if he had to do things over again, he'd have kept Cristobal's system for this Cup and wait until he had a full training camp with his choices of players from the player pool to implement the new system. He said, however, the Junior Stars already showed him much of what he wanted to see even though the results weren't exactly what the Incorporated Football Federation might have wished for.

"I wanted to see effort. I wanted to see pride," Longley said. "To me, those things are more important than who's in the starting 11, who subs on for whom, and how you line your players up in which formation."

The Junior Stars scored one goal and conceded 11 in three defeats from three matches in the previous Under 21 World Cup. This Stars team won consecutive matches for the first time since the 49th Di Bradini World Cup when the team won three straight matches to qualify for the quarterfinals. That team lost to Mapletish in the quarterfinals. Longley said the team would start some of their reserves against Eura in the group stage finale to give younger players a chance to earn spots for the 52nd Under 21 World Cup.

"We want to get an idea of what we already have and who we want to bring in for the future," he said. "We're going to play for pride and to try to end our participation on a good note."

by **Eraman** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:32 pm

Day 13 - Month 6 - Year 7

SPORTS

Scoreless draw with the Young Jags, important match against Chromatika next

Tabeck: The Eraman U-21 national football team drew 0-0 against TJUN-ia in the third match of Group F tonight at the Bekkside Arena.

Eraman squandered some golden opportunities to record a win. Buang Ranawaya's shot from just outside the box in the 8th minute opened the way in the first half and almost went into the TJUN-ia goal but the shot was deflected wide by the goalkeeper, Alex McVerner.

TJUN-ia also had some dangerous attack towards the Eramanian goal. Jackson Smith-Scott's free kick in the 51st minute was blocked by goalkeeper Merah Dewadarsa. Another chance five minutes later was wasted when Smith-Scott's shot went wide.

The 0-0 result remained until the final whistle.

With the result, Eraman who was top of Group F before the match dropped to second, leapfrogged by their next opponent, Chromatika who won 3-1 against HUElavia at Hallad City Stadium.

The next match against Chromatika is a big match for the Young Falcon as the winner of the match will potentially book a slot in the knockout stage depending on results from elsewhere.

A defeat will mean that Eraman have to wait until the final match of the group to know their fate which they will want to avoid as they face another tough opponent and knocout stage hopeful in the final group match, HUElavia.

by **Valanora** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:39 pm

Matchday 4

Group E
Bollonich 3–5 Græntfjall
Starblaydia 0–1 Savojarna
Pemecutan 1–0 Tumbra

P Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Bollonich              4   2  1  1    8   8   0    7
2 Starblaydia            4   2  0  2    6   3  +3    6
3 Tumbra                 4   2  0  2    3   4  −1    6
4 Græntfjall             4   1  2  1   10   9  +1    5
5 Savojarna              4   1  2  1    4   4   0    5
6 Pemecutan              4   1  1  2    6   9  −3    4

Group F
HUElavia 3–2 Equestria
TJUN-ia 4–0 Barhe
Chromatika 5–2 Eraman

P Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Chromatika             4   3  1  0   15   7  +8   10
2 HUElavia               4   3  0  1    6   5  +1    9
3 Eraman                 4   2  1  1    6   7  −1    7
4 TJUN-ia                4   1  2  1    6   3  +3    5
5 Equestria              4   1  0  3    6  10  −4    3
6 Barhe                  4   0  0  4    1   8  −7    0

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

P Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cabo Azure             4   4  0  0   13   5  +8   12
2 Baker Park             4   3  0  1   11   8  +3    9
3 Lathamford             4   2  1  1    9   7  +2    7
4 Tikariot               4   1  2  1    7   7   0    5
5 Xanneria               4   0  1  3    3   8  −5    1
6 Kohnhead               4   0  0  4    6  14  −8    0

Group H
Krytenia 0–1 Lisander
Darmen 0–3 Abanhfleft
Bahía Roja 0–2 Juvencus

P Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft             4   3  1  0    9   3  +6   10
2 Lisander               4   2  1  1    6   5  +1    7
3 Krytenia               4   1  2  1    8   6  +2    5
4 Juvencus               4   1  1  2    4   5  −1    4
5 Bahía Roja             4   1  1  2    6   8  −2    4
6 Darmen                 4   1  0  3   10  16  −6    3

by **Lathamford** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 11:49 pm

S p o r t L i n k

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72
Group G:: Matchday 4
Kohnhead 2–3 Lathamford

Jules Sandberg '83, '88    ׀  Orson Marfont '24; Peter Ironstorm '32; Owen Fike '39

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

Game Report

1: Kick off
3: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
8: Orson Marfont takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
9: Sophia Bertua is shown a Yellow Card.
20: Kohnhead awarding a cornerkick
24: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Orson Marfont
29: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
31: Freekick is taken by Ironstorm.
32: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Peter Ironstorm
34: Rafa Santos takes a shot. That's off-target.
36: Kohnhead give a free kick.
39: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Owen Fike
40: Jules Sandberg takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
42: Rafa Santos takes a shot. That's off-target.
47: Kohnhead was awarded a free kick.
55: Peter Ironstorm takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
56: John Paulus is shown a Yellow Card.
57: Sharon Bullock is shown a Yellow Card.
59: Orson Marfont is shown a Yellow Card.
62; Substitution by Lathamford player Coe Fallenbelly make way for Sturmond Strongpike
66: Jules Sandberg takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
73: Substitution by Lathamford player Orson Marfont make way for Styn Fyggs.
82: Jordan Korkson takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
83: Kohnhead scores! The scorer was Jules Sandberg
85: Substitution by Lathamford player Joe Dexs make way for Ander Sebastian-Claw
87: Corner kick to Kohnhead taken by Jordan Korkson
88: Kohnhead scores! The scorer was Jules Sandberg
95: Styn Fyggs takes a shot. That's off-target.
90+6: Final Whistle

Perhaps the keyword given by head coach Owen Blazesword was stuck fast, and strike early, so we were presented with Lathamford’s streamlined attack from the start of the 3rd minute again, an Ironstorm shot successfully caught by the Moderately Sized Brains goalkeeper, Damon Chadwick. In the eighth minute, Marfont almost had a chance to score, one by one situation, but once again Chadwick thwarted it. An interesting counter-attack after the opponent's corner kick was caught neatly by Lucius Harridan and without wasting time threw the ball to Sebastian de Axehelm who rushed to bring the ball towards the opponent's open goal, and his neat pass to Marfont and Marfont left no chance. , 1-0 for Lathamford.

In the 31st minute, the Young Speedy Cat was awarded a free-kick outside the penalty box, and Ironstorm managed to confuse Chadwick and give Lathamford a second goal. Despite leading 2-0, our players were not satisfied, attack after attack was launched, the result in the 39th minute, the result of a throw-in by Howard Colfield was successfully slammed by Owen Fike and managed to make a turning and was able to shoot hard to the opponent's goal, 3- 0.

After the match continued in the second half, fatigue was clearly visible on our players, this opportunity was taken immediately by Kohnhead's team, in the 82nd minute, a shot at Korkson almost gave the first goal, but it was successfully blocked by Harridan. But the ball was successfully won back by Sandberg to do a chip and subsequently beat Harridan for the Moderately Sized Brains ’first goal. Enthusiastic with the goal, Kohnhead again pushed the Lathamford defense, the result of which came from a corner kick by Korkson in the 87th minute which was headed in by Sandberg for his second goal and Kohnhead, the current 3-2 position lasted until the end of the match, which was definitely 3 points again was taken by our players

DBC51-4		Harridan, Paulus ▍, Chains, Dexs (Sebastian-Claw), Colfield, Fallenbelly (Strongpike), de Axehelm (C), Fike, Trafford, Marfont ▍ (Fyggs), Ironstorm	::3-2, Kohnhead

by **Tumbra** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:30 am

Pemecutan 1-0 Tumbra

TMB (4-3-3): 1 - Jones; 2 - Renton, 4 - Kerr, 20 - Hamilton, 3 - Mercurio; 6 - Harrison, 15 - Morris (16 - Robertson, 62'), 10 - Monaghan; 7 - Wells, 9 - Crossley (21 - Baker, 71'), 11 - Riordan (22 - Hardaker, 83')

TMB scorers: None

Player of the Match: Leo Olivando (PCU)

Link to arc home
defender meets midfielder: season 3, part 5
the legend

Straton

Ow. Fuck.

Stephen Kerr awoke, groggily, with the scent of wine still on his breath. He nearly retched upon getting the whiff of it; and immediately memories started flowing back. Hazy, painful to think of (in the more literal sense; he could feel the blood coursing through his brain). There was a napkin. Many football clubs. An excellent dish of spaghetti and pizza.

He took stock of his surroundings, making sure not to spin too much; after all, he was still quite disoriented. There was the napkin, with lots of blue ink on it; and when he patted himself down, there was a pink name card in there too. Francesco Raviolo. The man who’d brought Stephen out last night.

So the meal hadn’t been a bad dream, after all. Neither had the wine, evidently. As the sun rose, he began feeling more grimy.

Eugh. Time for a shower.

But when he got up, and swiped the dozens of notifications (as usual) on his phone away, there was one he simply couldn’t ignore.

Telegraph: 1 new message
Dan Galbraith
Heard about whatever’s going on. I’m in Tumbra for a few weeks. Message me when you’re free, and we’ll go out for dinner. Private; we can talk about whatever there. I’ve got the restaurant on speed-dial, they know me. They’ll clear a table for us, stat.

Plus it’d be nice to catch up.

Cheers.

Stephen smiled; after all, he hadn’t seen Dan for a long, long time. It’d be nice to catch up once more.

(Still) Straton
A Few Days Later

Another night, another restaurant, another meal; well, ignoring the fact that Stephen had spent the entirety of the day recovering from the massive hangover the wine from yesterday had given him. This time, he was appropriately dressed for the occasion; ignoring, of course, the hoodie and face-mask he was wearing to avoid attention.

The cover had worked; somehow Stephen hadn’t been harassed by anyone. He did, however, take great pains to cross the street and whenever he saw someone wearing a Straton FC jersey. He hated himself for thinking this way; after all, he still loved the club, and their supporters. To instinctively avoid them, now, hurt him; but he wanted to be safe.

But who knew if that person wearing the jersey turned out to be one of the yobbos outside the stadium who’d called Stephen a traitor? Who knew what he’d do to Stephen if he knew?

It wasn’t a chance he wanted to take. Best to avoid anyone who might’ve been a supporter of the Senators.

A few days had passed since Francesco’s meal/incident, and he hadn’t been in contact since; though there were rumours of a bid from a certain Chromatik club where his close friend, Trudy Harrison, was playing. Francesco hadn’t twiited anything about the matter, however; when he asked Trudy, she was reluctant to divulge anything; lest some nebulous news about insider trading happened. She seemed happy to hear of the rumour, however; so it at least looked like fresh news to her.

And now here he was, in the middle of the city. Straton was a beautiful city that often went unappreciated; the River Quernmore ebbing and flowing through the middle of the city, opening up into the sea near the Quernmore Barrage; the skyline of the city flashing various colours, the new, steel-and-glass behemoths rising above the old city with its Baroque architecture on the other bank. Here, new and old met; here coursed the beating heart of Tumbra.

This particular restaurant — Papa Wilson’s — was renowned for its exclusivity and its prices. Though in any case it might have been argued that the former had led to the latter. Regardless, they were a steakhouse; and were renowned for the best steaks in Tumbra. The original founder of the steakhouse had long since passed on, but his son had captured every bit of what made the steaks from Wilson’s so good; and it remained a meal of a lifetime for anyone.

He waited for about fifteen minutes in front of the steakhouse, before Daniel arrived; and immediately, when Dan smiled at him as he greeted Stephen, he smiled back, forgetting most of his worries that had plagued him up to that point. Dan had a certain charm, an effect on people around him; an easygoing, casual vibe that disarmed people almost immediately. Now entering middle-age, he’d packed on even more charm; growing out a beard after going nearly two decades of his life clean-shaven made him look even more mature. And, Stephen nearly hesitated to add, really good-looking.

So, then, here was Daniel Galbraith; legend of the Tumbran pitch; scorer of over three hundred goals in four hundred appearances for Straton; sixty-one goals in sixty-seven appearances for the national team (though, unfortunately, before the WCC era, which meant those caps counted for naught); leader, marshal of men, the list went on, and on, and on. A living legend of the game, who was now playing out the waning days of his career in Quebec.

It was a mystery why he’d moved; why he left the high life in Straton behind to go to Perce, and be content with the mid-table in Quebec & Shingoryeo. But anyone who’d looked, or even talked to Dan since the move a few years ago, would know almost immediately. Dan looked, felt almost younger; smiled much more often.

It was one of those smiles that greeted Stephen Kerr outside Papa Wilson’s Steakhouse. And immediately, they were ushered in.

“Take your time, Stephen. We’ve got the whole evening ahead of us. Now personally I recommend the ribeye; they’ve got this way of cooking it such that the fat drips out, making it a much better experience. Very juicy, very flavourful.”

“Mmm-hmm. Think I’ll go with that.”

“How would you like it cooked? And if you say anything over medium you might as well delete my contact from your phone.”

“Rare will do fine, I think. Always did enjoy it on the rawer side. I’ll have mash for my side.”

“Atta boy. Waiter,” Daniel hardly had to raise his voice before a cleanly-suited waiter appeared next to the table. “Two ribeye, one blue rare, one rare. Large, please. And I think we’ll have the, uh, mash on the side for both of us. That’ll be it for now, we’ll order again if we would like more.”

“Certainly.” The waiter scurried off.

Daniel turned to Stephen, and smiled gently. Not much had changed from the last time they’d had a meal like this; except the previous time they were sat at a street food store. Dan always had an appreciation for street food; he thought it was how life was meant to be lived, and how food should be eaten. The circumstances, of course, called for a different kind of place; and so Dan had chosen this. Privacy was guaranteed; the two were in a booth near a corner of the restaurant.

“Tell me everything, Stephen. I want to hear the full story from your point of view,” he said, kindly.

And the words began spilling out, starting from the very beginning; Stephen going to Chromatika, the negotiations failing, coming home, seeing his name being used as a swear word, Lakewood and Serrapince…

All of the events of the past week or so came pouring out. It was cathartic in a way, and he really just continued. Everything. Daniel’s expression changed throughout the story that Stephen weaved; it changed, from neutral, to a frown, an angry frown, confusion, mirth (especially the part about Francesco), and in the end settled on...concerned.

“I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through. You are a very strong person”

“You left Straton, too, Dan.”

“At least my departure was somewhat amicable. Even if my reasons for leaving weren’t. You remember what I told you? About why I left?”

“That you wanted to try somewhere new to play?”

“Well, I wasn’t lying. But, if I’m being perfectly honest, I didn’t really feel like carrying the team along for much longer. I felt it’d become the same thing every season. Bayh, Morrison, Whitlam, they all came in promising new additions to the squad, to finally get that title the club so desired. And after five minutes of seeing me play they decided that actually, the squad didn’t need new additions. I could do the job just fine.”

“Sounds...quite like Ted.”

“I got sick and tired of it, to be honest. Whomever we got in, typically didn’t do the job they needed to do. Sank onto the benches, then got flipped a few seasons later for a loss. And people ask me why the club is in a shit state right now. Simple. Because they didn’t know how to invest.”

“So I decided, before the start of my last season; fuck this. I’m out. I’m not going to show up and lug your asses through the mud every Friday or Saturday just to get you lot up to third. Or second. Or wherever it was that we finished. And so I decided to leave.”

“But the club…”

“The difference between the two of us is that I’d done everything with the club. And I think some people were glad to see the back of me. You, though…? Your story hadn’t been written yet. Yet they still expected the same amount of loyalty. And for what? Two thousand a week? Fucking hell.”

“And you’re enjoying life now, overseas?”

“Yes. I get that you have reservations; but trust me. It’ll do you a world of good. You know Julie? Julie Hardaker, yeah? She joined Perce a few weeks after me, a few weeks after you, well, you won the championship. I managed to convince her to come over here; and I’ve been guiding her since. It’s stuff like that that I’ve properly missed, you know? Helping someone get a leg up. Pity I won’t be doing it for much longer, though.”

“What did you get from — wait, what did you say?”

“Moving overseas? Well, for one thing, there’s the culture. If, as you said, there’s a boatload of clubs that are in for you, then you’ve certainly got your pick, yeah? Embrace it, Stephen. Sometimes a change of scenery would do you good. Plus, you’d get the press off your back.”

“No, no, about not doing it much longer.”

“Isn’t it simple, Stephen? I’m going to the Olympics. I’m going back to Perce, for one more season. Then I’m retiring.”

“R-r-retire?”

“Mm-hm.”

“That’s not —”

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, I never thought that — I always thought —”

“I’m thirty-six, Stephen. If I don't retire soon there’s a bit of a problem on our hands.”

“I —”

“Let’s not talk about that for now, though. Going back to moving overseas…”

“It’s a big decision, Dan. I’m not sure if I’m able to make it. There’s just so much to learn, so much to do...I need time.”

“Something you don’t have.”

“Yeah. I don’t feel safe here, Dan. I wish I did.”

“Do you trust me, Stephen?”

“Since the day we met. Well, the day since we properly got to know each other. Yeah. Why?”

“I think you’ll do brilliantly overseas. You’ve never been afraid to strike out on your own. Why stop now?”

“Well…”

“Remember when all of us were paired up, back in that summer camp when you were just sixteen, and well — you were tasked with stopping me while I was dribbling? Not many people would’ve gone in on me. Firstly, there was the chance I’d have made you look stupid. Then there was the chance you’d have injured me. And finally, well, you were up against...me. But you gave it all you got. And, well, you got me.”

“First try.”

“First try. And we both clattered into each other. And then we both laughed. That was the moment I noticed you, Stephen. At that moment? I knew you were something special. Brave, determined, always willing to give things a fair go — hell, your best go.”

“Yeah. But what does this have to do with, well, me?”

“I believe you’ll be able to tackle life abroad like how you tackled me that cloudy day in Xinhua. Well. Robustly. Chase your dreams, Stephen.”

“None...well, none of the clubs…”

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the food. Juicy, brown steaks arrived; the garnishing was only improved by the generous serving of mashed potatoes on the side for both of them. A dark brown sauce formed a pool in the middle of the potatoes; under the lights of the restaurant, it shimmered, making it even more inviting.

“We’ll eat first, then we’ll go over that. Some people eat to live; some people live to eat. I believe your friend from a few days ago was the latter. Well, I’m not afraid to say that I’m the same. Dig in.”

Somewhere else in Straton

“And you think you’ll really be able to get six million?”

“Well, one of the clubs we’re talking to has bid that much, Mr. Whiting. You can’t blame us for only accepting that bid. After all, he did match the club’s valuation.”

“My client will not talk to D. Tommy Sanford’s glory-hunting project.”

“Well, then we’re out of options, then, aren’t we?”

“Believe me when I say that you are possibly the most stubborn, obstinate, pigheaded person that I’ve ever negotiated with.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You do know the tide of public opinion is swaying against you, right? More and more people think Stephen should be let go.”

“The tide of public opinion doesn’t count for much, Mr. Whiting, surely you must know this by now. We don’t do business because someone thinks they want to move away from the club.”

“When your own players are twiiting about it, publicly?”

“What?”

“Leo Hooper, @therealleo, just a few minutes ago: I love my brother @stephenkerr, and think he should definitely be allowed to choose where he wants to play next if he doesn’t want to stay here anymore, muscle emoji, muscle emoji, grinning emoji. Leo’s not the only one, you know. Unless you’d rather I read out more twiits?”

“Listen, can we pick this discussion again later?” The man on the other side of the line sounded considerably more harried than before.

“Sure. Only if you’re calling to confirm that you’re allowing all the bids. And my sources have informed me that Chromatik has bid, too? I think my client will be considerably interested in that bid.”

The line went dead.

Papa Wilson’s Steakhouse

“Told you it’d be good.”

“Christ, this is fantastic.”

“Yes. But back to business.”

“Really?”

“Can’t run from life, Stephen.”

“Not even you?”

“I’m thirty-six. That’s life catching up with me.”

“Fine.”

“You managed to detail whatever Francesco wrote on the napkin? Like, on your phone? You’d look pretty weird lugging that around wherever you went.”

“Yeap. Here it is…” Stephen passed Daniel his phone; Daniel looked through the list of clubs, muttering as he went. “No, no, no, maybe, no, definitely a possibility…”

Stephen’s phone buzzed. “Hm. It’s your agent, Stephen. Says here that Chromatik have bid for you.”

His heart leaping, Stephen almost dove over the table to grab his phone; and it was true.

John Whiting

Chromatik’ve put in a bid. Respond ASAP. Your teammates are fighting for you to be able to go.

And his phone started buzzing. Trudy’s contact popped up on screen. Straton Players Group Chat. His phone started ringing. And his breathing started getting quicker and quicker, the world started spinning, Daniel seemed like he was going further and further away…

It was like that night in Z’ai’ai, all over again.

“Stephen? Stephen, are you okay? Stephen…”

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

by **Adab** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 11:41 am

Thursday, August 17, 2034 / 2 Jumada al-Thani 1456
Mytanija 0-2 Adab
Akaptaha (43’), Salem (78’)

A Dance with Football
Snapshots of the lives of the people involved in Adabian football and those associated with them
For a full list of chapters click here. To read all the chapters in one go click here
For an (incomplete) list of major/prominent characters in this story click here and scroll down to the ‘Football’ section

Chapter 27: The Rumor

August 17, 2034
Valanora
Di Bradini Cup 51
Following the Mytanija match

"You haven’t slept yet?” Alulim Sinmuballit asked into the phone, laying down on his hotel bed, arm under his head, his somewhat weak voice betraying his tiredness.

“Well, no, but soon.” Emma Arthur’s bright tenor shone through even in these late hours. She, too, was on the bed in his room, staring at the lights above. Though she herself was sleepy, her voice did not show it. “Why are you still awake? I thought you wanted to sleep more before the next match.”

“I tried.” He sighed, a slight hint of irritation breaking through. “I just can’t, you know. I just.. I’m trying to sleep but I’m just not in the mood for sleep, I guess, you know.”

“You tried to sleep but you can’t sleep,” Emma dryly concluded.

“Well, yes, thank you for re-stating what I’ve just said, Captain Obvious.”

“Jeez, what’s wrong with you? You sound kinda annoyed,” Emma said, emphasizing that last word, nearly breaking into a cackle as she continued. “At least that’s the vibe I’m getting from you. What? You’ve been reading all those media reports?”

“Well, a few of them, on twii.tur. There’s also this guy on MyTube-“

“Listen, Alu,” Emma cut in, her bright tenor growing firm. “Those guys that have been saying shit about us, they’ve never been on the field. They just… they just watch us from their seats, and that’s what they’ve been doing their entire lives. We’re not good captains? Well to hell with them! We’re trying our best. Let’s see how well they can do.”

A brief silence, then she added, seemingly for emphasis, “Oh, and we’ve won all our matches so far so take that.”

“Well, yeah, I know,” Alu replied, sighing, sounding barely less downcast. “It’s just that… I feel like I haven’t tried my best-“

“Shut up. You’ve done your best. I’m trying my best, but you’ve done your best and more. If the media is trying to isolate us, make us stand out from the rest because we have senior team experience, well I’d just say that’s exactly why we’re cut out for this job. We can lead this under-21 thing, mentor this team, help us with our… knowledge and all that. And we still blend in with them pretty well.”

“Well, you, yeah… you can. They all like you. I feel… I’m just not sure.”

Emma found it was her turn to sigh, rolling her eyes from her bed. “Look, Alu, I know you better than pretty much everyone else in football,” she began slowly but firmly. “This team, they all like you and respect you. You just… need to work on your delivery, you know. You just need to relax, chill out, you know, joke more. Be a little more outgoing I guess. That way you won’t feel so distant from them and they won’t feel so far away from you, if that’s what you’re scared of.”

“Well it comes naturally to you. To me, it’s…”

“You can do it if you work on it,” Emma cut off. “No, I mean, you don’t have to be like them. Be yourself, but, you know, just engage them more in conversation. And not just about football, I mean just… I don’t know, ask them about their day or something? They’re human beings too, you know. They like it when they’re given attention.”

“Yeah.”

“Look, when all this is over, I want the entire team, with Mr. Abbas, to, um, go on an excursion or have dinner or, you know, just relax and do things together. Have fun together. And you know what, you should be the one inviting them. That way you’ll seem more fun and outgoing. But especially fun. Because people like fun and fun people. And they’ll see you not just as a great football player, but also a fun guy. Because I know you can be fun.”

“Sure, sure, of course.”

“I’m serious, come on,” Emma finally broke into the laugh that she had been struggling to hold back. Her laugh only grew louder with every sentence. “Alu, come on… you need to lighten up. Not everything is about football and all those books you read. Good Lord, if you hadn’t been able to kick a ball, what would you have become by now? A librarian?”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with being a librarian. And I suppose I could be a history teacher.”

“Yeah, I know, come on it’s just a joke,” she giggled.

“Can’t we just talk about something else right now? Actually this is what I’ve been meaning to talk about you with.”

“Alright, alright. Your turn, mister. What do you want to talk about with me?”

“Do you think Mr. Abbas actually killed that guy?”

Emma’s laughter suddenly came to a halt, and she felt like she nearly choked on her own vomit. “Seriously? It’s like 11:55 p.m. now and you want to have a late-night deep talk about whether the assistant manager of the Adab national football team and manager of the under-21 team-“

“Was an assassin.”

Alu could hear the half-irritated, half-indulging sigh over the line. Emma, for her part, wondered why the two of them hadn’t ever talked about this before. “This is such an Alu subject to talk about,” Emma began. “Look, Alu, a young, glamorous football star just… suddenly disappeared for, like, what, ten years doing, what is it, humanitarian work? Don’t you think something was afoot?”

“Well maybe he just suddenly decided to do humanitarian work?” Alu offered.

“You seriously believe that a jet-set, glamorous, gambling football star suddenly decided he had a conscience and wanted to help poor people?”

“I mean the Buddha used to be a prince, then he saw poor people and decided that there was no worth in living a life pursuing material possessions-“

“It’s not about the Buddha, and unless there’s some incredible news that I haven’t heard about Rashid Abbas is not the Buddha!” Emma interrupted, sounding rather exasperated in the process. “Look, he himself said that he was under government protection. Doing humanitarian work. Under government protection! Who else does that?”

“Humanitarian work is often done in highly sensitive regions. For someone as famous as him, he probably really did need protection from, say, kidnapping.”

“For ten whole years?"

“You really believe he actually did it?”

“I have a hunch that he actually did it,” Emma confirmed. “Look, from what I’ve heard, Faraby was in some sort of, what do you call it, phony civil war, low-level war, détente whatever you call it? Like they just divided the island between the two guys claiming the throne and then they just sorta did nothing and continued to pretend that the island was one while their followers sometimes got into shootouts?”

“Ehmm.”

“Well everyone from both sides liked Rashid Abbas because he’s… he’s just a great football player and he’s a famous Farabian and he’s neutral. But his dad was a minister who served the previous prince, right, the old prince who was the grandfather or whatever it was of the two opposing princes?”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“I know you know that, smartass. But, from what I’ve heard, Mr. Abbas secretly supported the other prince, the prince who won, who is the prince now. Now-“

“He got into trouble with some government people, military people, his prince’s people,” Alu interrupted, obviously driven almost to boredom. “Gambling, some say, debt and all that.”

“Of course you know the whole story. Why am I even telling you this?”

“So to prove his loyalty,” Alu continued, as if not hearing Emma’s interjection, “he had to do… things. And he was willing to do anything, even kill an enemy of his prince.”

“The version I read on this website said that he did it because they threatened to kill his father.”

“When did you even start reading conspiracy theory websites?” Alu asked. Though his voice was calm, even flat, he was caught somewhat off-guard.

“I won’t call this one a conspiracy theory website. Well, I guess it is, but this one’s actually got a pretty detailed explanation. But look, the point is, Mehmed Erkin was suddenly killed, and within a week Rashid Abbas apparently had discovered some sort of moral conscience and decided to retire from football and then went off helping people around the globe. At least that’s what the government said. Don’t you think there’s something fishy in this?”

“Well anyone could have done it,” said Alu, “and Mr. Abbas has always denied the rumors.”

“Everyone also denied killing Gerald Ford, or whoever that president from the Faraway Lands was that was shot from the library or something,” countered Emma. “Look, but this isn’t as nonsensical as it sounds. Mehmed Erkin sold guns and they say he also did money laundering and all that. And he was a friend of the other prince who got defeated. Then suddenly Rashid Abbas had to retire from football and leave the island and go on this humanitarian mission for ten whole years. And he himself said he was under government protection!”

“He could have been under government protection for any other reason. And there is no conclusive proof linking him to Erkin’s death.”

“There is no conclusive proof linking anyone to his death. That doesn’t mean some invisible ghost decided to shoot him from behind in a dark alley. And why would Mr. Abbas suddenly just give up his fame, his glamorous, comfortable life so soon after Erkin was killed?”

“Because maybe he wanted to do something else in life. Maybe the government sent him to do something abroad.”

“And why was he placed under government protection? Oh, and why did he use a fake identity?”

“Maybe because some people were hunting him, going after him-“

“Because he shot Erkin.”

“Not necessarily. I mean, what I've heard is this, and I think this one may actually be true. We all know he was the son of a minister who had served the previous prince and was very close to the old prince and maybe, maybe, was told some sensitive information or maybe was given some sensitive documents. But then his father began to suffer from dementia, so they ignored him. But the son was still there and not suffering from dementia, so they went after the son because he might actually have known about the sensitive information, and some of that information were not exactly flattering to the other prince, the one they were supporting, and so he had to be silenced. Note that Mr. Abbas only returned once his prince was the only one on the island and pretty much all his enemies had been defeated.”

“Well that does make sense, I guess,” Emma conceded. “But, look, even if Mr. Abbas did kill that guy, well, we won’t exactly be horrified. I mean I certainly won’t.”

“I know, I know, I’m just saying-“

“Yeah, but, I mean if he had killed a good guy or a civil rights hero or a celebrity or something, yeah, I’d be terrified. But Mehmed Erkin sold guns to kill people and was a money launderer and supported an evil prince and no one really thought of him as a good man. His death wasn’t exactly a loss to mankind.”

“I know.”

“In fact, if it’s true, and I think it may be true, that only adds to his… allure,” Emma added.

“Are you telling me,” Alu gulped, but not too audibly so as to be heard on the other end of the line, “that you found Mr. Abbas-“

“What? No,” Emma cut him off firmly. “I mean, no, of course I’m not personally… attracted to him, but from an objective point of view I mean he is kinda attractive. And there is this… aura of mystery around him. Mystery. Mystique. Like he came straight out of a movie or something.”

What kind of guy do you find attractive? Actually no, why I should even ask her that? “Well, I’ll give you that. Mr. Abbas does have that aura around him,” Alu said. “Good God, a footballer turned assassin, and you thought that Kerr guy had it hard.”

“Sounds like you’re coming around to that theory,” Emma snickered. “Wait, who is this Kerr guy?”

“That Tumbran player, Stephen Kerr. Haven’t you heard of him?”

“Oh yeah, him. Wait, what happened to him?”

“Oh, nothing. He just asked for a transfer and suddenly the whole city is calling him a traitor and demanding his head on a pike or something. He should thank his lucky stars he hasn’t been ordered to assassinate people.”

“Poor guy.”

“Yeah, poor guy.”

by **Sylestone** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:56 pm

The Sylestonean > Sport > Football > DBC 51

YOUNG HAWTHORNS CLIMB TO SECOND WITH USAN VICTORY

Usan (4-4-2): Seong Hoon; Tae Wook - Kang Eom (Hoon Jae 66’) - In Taek - Nam Kyeong; Kang Eun (▮ 84’) - Jae Yong - Ji Hoon (Dong Jae 80’) - Seong Hyeon; Jin Sun (Hyeong Jin 80’) - Hyung Seok

Sylestone (3-1-3-1-2): McKinnon; Cross (Mornington 88’) - Lynn - Zezoni; Rodway; Stanton (c) (Doyle 64’) - Cunningham - Jones; E Strathfield (Wheals 81’); Hughes (▮ 22’) - R Strathfield

CADDO, VALANORA - The Young Hawthorns may have not been as dominant as they were in their 7-0 thrashing of Maramaa in Bexar, but arriving in Caddo for the first time, they garnered the same result in what was really quite a thrilling game of football. Yet again, the Young Hawthorns were the better side on the pitch, but the players from Usan were able to match them time and again to ward off many of their threats. In the end, though, the Independents’ simply were not good enough for the western Esportivans as they took their second win on the trot and climbed to second place in Group C.

It could definitely be said, though, that the Young Hawthorns were successful in breaking their finishing curses from the first two games. The 7-0 over Maramaa certainly provided some respite, but during this game, the Sylestonean forwards always looked dangerous and appeared to challenge the goalkeeper himself rather than giving it away to the defensive line as they did against Adab, the Licentian Isles and in the first half hour against Maramaa. Yet, this did not stop Usan from continuously asking questions of Sylestone’s defence, of whom were being pushed for the first time in the tournament.

Yet, it was Sylestone who scored first, continuing their complete dominance in Bexar with an early goal to centre midfielder Bethany Cunningham, playing her first match as a starter during the tournament, with Harry Love being rested for the final group stage match against Mytanija. And Cunningham, knowing she would have to produce her best in order to keep herself in contention for games later on in the competition assuming Sylestone make that far, definitely fulfilled that within the first quarter hour of the game.

The goal itself was easily Sylestone’s best to date, and quite possible the best thus far in the tournament. Flanked by Jamie Hughes, the Strathfield brothers launched an attack on Usan’s defence, where Riley broke past Jin Kang Eom and Im In Taek before firing a shot at Ha Seong Hoon. The ball deflected off the Usanian’s glove and rebounded back out into the field of play, where left-back Jeong Tae Wook attempted a desperate clearance with Riley Strathfield bearing down on him. The ball curled up into the air and fell just outside the box, where Cunningham was able to run onto it, with opposing Kim Ji Hoon centre-midfielder blocking her shot at goal. With no one to pass to, her only choice was to shoot and hope for the best.

To make matters worse, the Sylestonean centre-midfielder had to shoot from her left foot, easily her least preferred foot. Yet, she still gave it a go, and fired the shot as best she could before losing her balance as she flicked the ball between Ji Hoon’s legs in the vague direction of the goal.

When Cunningham looked up again, she was surrounded by joyful teammates while the crowd sat stunned at the midfielder’s moment of brilliance. For the ball had curled off her non-dominant foot, over the stunned heads of Usan’s defence, scraped the underside of the crossbar and hit the top right corner of the net. You can’t get much better than that as Sylestone took a 1-0 lead just 13 minutes in.

But Usan refused to give up. The Young Hawthorns continued to press the advantage, but Usan’s forwards and midfielders got their fair share of opportunity, too. They came close to scoring in the 29th minute, with only a brilliant deflection from reserve goalkeeper Vera McKinnon able to stop the equaliser from netting. In the 38th minute, they also came close, but the shot from Baek Seong Hyeon missed the left post by mere inches while McKinnon and the defence line stood and watched it with their hearts in their mouths.

But in the 43rd minute, the Young Hawthorns weren’t so lucky. Lee Kang Eun took a corner and directed it right into the midst of players in the penalty box. Isabella Cross was marking Usanian forward Son Hyung Seok, standing a good half foot above her head. Yet she still got the to ball first, attempting to deflect it away out of danger for the time being. Alas, the ball ricocheted off her head before deflecting off Hyung Seok’s and bouncing into the corner of the net. Mitchell Lynn’s last-ditch lunge nearly got to the ball, but by that time it was already over the line and Usan had equalised.

It remained 1-1 for a significant length of time following that. After half-time, Sylestone continued to dominate with roughly 60% possession, but the Usanians were holding their own. The 70 minute mark passed with the score still poised at 1-1, as did the 75 and 80 minute marks. But just as the game seemed destined to go to a draw and putting the Young Hawthorns in a treacherous place heading into their final group stage matchup against Mytanija, where a win as well as other results going their way would be required in order to advance.

But no, they would not have to resort to that. In the 83rd minute, a mistake from Kim Hoon Jae gave Riley Strathfield an opening, and he did not hesitate to exploit it. Despite a despairing dive from Seong Hoon, Strathfield’s shot hit the back of the net and Sylestone took a lead.

They held onto it, too. Despite constant pressure from Usan throughout the remainder of play, the Young Hawthorns held tightly to that one goal, not allowing their opponents to score their second goal to equalise once again. They had their fair share of opportunities, but when a good tackle from Harriet Zezoni brought the full-time whistle, Sylestoneans had never felt more relieved. For their under-21 national side was in second place, and their fate was in their own hands. For now.

For the final round of the group stage, a victory over Mytanija will be sufficient for the Young Hawthorns to assure progression to the round of 16. A draw will leave them hoping Maramaa can take points off Usan, while a loss spells instant death. Adab are currently 4-0-0 and are well and truly ensured a knockout spot, while Maramaa and the Licentian Isles are out. It means that there will be a three-way battle for second between Sylestone, Mytanija and Usan, with the Young Hawthorns having a single point over their competitors. As a result, Sylestone will be sending a full-strength lineup to their final group stage match in hope of a positive result. Can they pull it off?

USAN - 1
Hyung Seok 43’

SYLESTONE - 2
Cunningham 11’
R Strathfield 83’

Lineup vs Mytanija @ Caddo Park, Caddo

Fuller; Mornington - Holt - Zezoni; Rodway; Stanton (c) - Love - Jones; E Strathfield; R Strathfield - Kearnes

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 1-2 Sylestone @ Caddo Park, Caddo
Matchday Five: Sylestone - Mytanjia @ Caddo Park, Caddo

by **Lathamford** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 7:18 pm

The mass media in Lathamford today was full of news of the national team that managed to finish third in the Baptism of Fire 76 championship held in Banija. The Acid test challenge to head coach Pedro Menendez has he passed with excellence, the target of only qualifying for the KO level of 16 teams has he succeeded, even more so by successfully finishing third overall. Otto Farrowsteam, on the other hand, managed to position himself as the country's leading striker with 9 goals. In the last match, they had defeated Torisakia at The Keystone Stadium, Banija. This success was a tonic for the national U21 team to continue to achieve victory in the Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72 tournament where the Young Speedy Cat is still fighting at the group stage. Being third in Group G with 2 wins, 1 draw, and one loss is head coach Owen Blazesword’s best record so far, perhaps the pressure for him is less as the FA has not set specific targets for him in the tournament. Dhun Lagarr FC striker Peter Ironstorm currently tops the Lathamford U21 team's list of goal scorers with 5 goals. In the 5th match, the Young Speedy Cat will be up against Baker Park, another great team, their main team being the 62nd AOCAF Cup champions, and once a BoF67 runner-up. May success always be with the national team. For that, we can discuss a little about their tactics.

In some of these games, Lathamford U21 is seen to be very disciplined when defending. Yet Lathamford U21’s main emphasis is more on stability in the middle. If you feel they’re too defensive, you might want to reconsider, as Owen Blazesword regularly raises his four-defensive line higher. This is because Blazesword cares about stability as well as the middle unit which always has a numerical advantage. This ‘depth’ support will enable them to survive in the middle better. Alf Bryanson is more of a typical no.4 player. Yet their strength other than Bryanson is the role Boris Trafford plays as a box-to-box. While defending Lathamford U21 will try to form a 4-5-1. One thing that is clear about the Blazesword system is that he instructs his men to hunt for the ball and try to win it right away. Meanwhile, Peter Ironstorm remained satisfied when he finally managed to score a personal goal with the team despite having to wait a long time to bounce back after a rather bland season

“When I decided to migrate to Dhun Lagarr, there was also a sense of pressure to give my best because it is normal when we change clubs, if possible I want to show that we can play well. “So, I don't deny there is a bit of pressure but the coaching staff and teammates are very helpful for me to adjust to this team. I'm just happy with the decision to be transferred here and at least I can prove what I have for them, and not just wait for next season."

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72
Group G:: MD1		Tikariot 1-1			Ironstorm
Group G:: MD2		Cabo Azure 2-4			Fyggs  ׀	 Ironstorm 			 ▍: Chains
Group G:: MD3		Xanneria 3-0			Ironstorm x2  ׀	de Axehelm			 ▍: du Fugerholds
Group G:: MD4		Kohnhead 3-2			Marfont ׀ Ironstorm ׀ Fike			 ▍: Paulus ׀  Marfont

Scorer: Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72
Ironstorm		5
Fyggs			1
de Axehelm		1
Marfont			1
Fike			1

by **Sendhang** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:32 pm

DAY 17 - MONTH 6 - YEAR 7

Teuku Syarkawi: Defeated but still proud

Raynor City: Despite losing 2-1 to the host, Valanora in the Di Bradini Cup match last night, Teuku Syarkawi, the head coach of the Sendhang Under-21 national team was satisfied with the performance of the player who lost with dignity after giving great resistance to the Vanorians in the Group A action of the Di Bradini Cup campaign at the Hellgate, Raynor City, Valanora.

According to Syarkawi, Sendhang was more enthusiastic and hungry to win the match but the result was not in favor of the Young Farmers. The match was really intense with both teams counter-attacking each other. Despite conceding two early goals from Hadi Lundström through a penalty kick in the 12th minute and Emilia Torgersen's beautiful free-kick in the 24th minute, Syarkawi said it did not kill the Young Farmers' spirit to show resurgence. The Sendhangite players showed determination and tried to get up to organize the attack until they got the opening goal as a result of Tatang Suratang's goal in the 42nd minute.

"I am very happy with the team's fighting spirit. We did not give up after conceding two goals. We realize that Valanora is a strong team, five-time World Cup champions. We knew it was going to be very difficult. We tried our best, we put pressure, keep the ball moving, and implemented our DNA," he said at a press conference after last night's match.

The first defeat from the four group matches so far left the Young Farmers' chance to qualify to the knockout stage in limbo. Valanora has confirmed their spot in the knockout stage after the win against Sendhang leaving a spot left for the others. Eastfield Lodge and Hispinas are mathematically out. So it's between Sendhang, third-place Poafmersia who is level on point with Sendhang, and fourth-place Savigliane who is 3 points behind. Sendhang will face Savigliane in the final group match while Poafmersia will play the group winner, Valanora.

by **Chromatika** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 11:29 pm

Chromatika 5-2 Eramen
Goals: Fillar, B. '3, Oveni '16, Fillar, E. '32, '51, '68
Starting XI: Enax; Fillar, G. - Nodis - Bethea; Baum - Larriet-Cortes - Fillar, B. (C) - Andersen; Kruetzberg - Oveni - Fillar, E.
Substitutes: Everson -> Fillar, G. ('56), Chung -> Larriet-Cortes ('67), Womack -> Fillar, E. ('82)
Summary: Edith Fillar owned the match as it was the second of the group stage with the Young Anomalies getting five goals.
Next Match: vs. Barhe - A win clinch first place.

Part 1: (Un)welcome Surprises
Part 2: The Contest
Part 3: The Scarlet Blush
Part 4: The Planned Visit

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 5: The Guest List

List of People Invited to the Final Warmup Game Before the Flight to Starblaydia:
GK Van Enax: 4
Arly Enax, Father of Van and Cecile Enax (Team Manager at Black Raven Technologies)
Karolina Enax, Mother of Van and Cecile Enax (Schoolteacher at Myana Central High School)
Cecile Enax, Younger Sister of Van Enax and thirteen year-old Goalkeeper
Jean Grey, Aunt of Van Enax and Karolina Enax's Sister (Cook for a Tumbran Cafe)
GK Loree Bautista: 3
Jericho Bautista, Father of Loree Bautista (Sergeant in the Chromatik Army)
Beatrice Bautista, Mother of Loree Bautista (Midshipmen in the Chromatik Navy)
Ling Xinyi, Childhood Friend of Loree Bautista (Student at Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology, Majoring in Chemistry)
GK Raoul Carpathia: 5
Kevin Carpathia, Father of Raoul Carpathia (Car Mechanic)
Noelle Carpathia, Mother of Raoul Carpathia (Nurse)
Melanie Carpathia, Older Sister of Raoul Carpathia (University Professor at University of Wirr Tsi, History)
Adam Carpathia, Younger Brother of Raoul Carpathia (Sophomore at Wirr Tsi Central High School)

RB Grayson Fillar: 5
Dr. Jarrod Fillar, M.D., Father of the four Fillars (Emergency Room Doctor)
Dr. Esmeralda Fillar, Ph. D., Mother of the four Fillars (Biochemist)
Waylei Singh, Childhood Friend (Basketball Player)
Candy Giles, Childhood Coach (Coach of the Chromia Central Youth Club)
Larry Montagne, Retired Chromatik Army Sergeant
RB Mickie Everson: 3
Samuel Everson, Father of Mickie Everson (Author of Books)
Lanee Everson, Mother of Mickie Everson (Esthetician)
Carson Everson, Grandfather of Mickie Everson (Retired Mailman)
CB Cylie Nodis: 5
Giles Nodis, Father of Cylie Nodis (Carpenter)
Kyra Nodis, Stepmother of Cylie Nodis (Hair Stylist)
Anderson Nodis, Younger Brother of Cylie Nodis (7th Grader at Knetyohai Middle School)
Hilary Nodis, Younger Sister of Cylie Nodis (4th Grader at Knetyohai Center Elementary School)
Rowena Nodis, Yougher Step-Sister of Cylie Nodis (1st Grader at Knetyohai Center Elementary School)
CB Jong Petit: 5
Carson Petit, Father of Jong Petit (Firefighter Chief)
Miriam Petit, Mother of Jong Petit (Baker)
Dawson Petit, Older Sister of Jong Petit (Golf Instructor)
America Petit, Younger Sister of Jong Petit (Bus Driver)
Hines Dwyer, Family Friend of Jong Petit (Bodyguard)
LB Mickey Bethea: 3
Wildred Bethea, Father of Mickey Bethea (Librarian)
Riley Bethea, Mother of Mickey Bethea (Videographer)
Olman Bethea, Younger Sister of Mickey Bethea (Freshman at Mt. Niar High School)
LB Twilight Mixon: 3
Edison Mixon, Father of Twilight Mixon (Physicist)
Sandra Mixon, Mother of Twilight Mixon (Nuclear Physicist)
Dwayne Mixon, Older Brother of Twilight Mixon (Cartographer)

RM Martha Baum: 5
Henry Baum, Father of Martha Baum (Electrical Engineer)
Sylvanas Baum, Mother of Martha Baum (Gardener)
Jordan Baum, Older Sister of Martha Baum (Basketball Player for the Eyrods Saints)
Timothy Baum, Grandfather of Martha Baum (Retired Mailman)
Georgina Baum, Grandmother of Martha Baum (Retired Cook)
RM Regina Stauffer: 3
Marcus Stauffer, Father of Regina Stauffer (Physical Therapist)
Jericho Stauffer, Grandfather of Regina Stauffer (Grocer)
Adam Stauffer, Uncle of Regina Stauffer (Traffic Controller)
CM Kaia Larriet-Cortes: 4
Miles Larriet-Cortes, Father of Kaia Larriet-Cortes (Middle School Teacher - Mathematics)
Larry Larriet-Cortes, Older Brother of Kaia Larriet-Cortes (Automobile Mechanic)
Gabriella Lethbridge-Antonio, Chromatik Legend
Cormak Lethbridge-Antonio, Husband of Gabriella
CM Baillaire Fillar: 5
Beatrice Lethbridge-Antonio, Daughter of Gabriella and Cormak
Jayla Lethbridge-Antonio, Daughter of Gabriella and Cormak
Meagan Kelly, Chromatik Legend
Molly Thorben, Retired Chromatik Player
Sandra Sybill, Chromatik Legend
CM Jacklyn Chung: 4
Lee Chung, Father of Jacklyn Chung (Family Medicine Doctor)
Marilyn Chung, Mother of Jacklyn Chung (Herbalist)
Dosun Chung, Younger Brother of Jacklyn Chung (1st Grader at Z'ai'ai Hills Elementary School)
Damsil Chung, Older Sister of Jacklyn Chung (Senior, Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology, Anthropology Major)
CM Boleslava Aleksandrova: 5
Vladislav Aleksandrova, Father of Boleslava Aleksandrova (Boxing Coach)
Anastasie Aleksandrova, Mother of Boleslava Aleksandrova (Tailor)
Aleksandr Aleksandrova, Younger Brother of Boleslava Aleksandrova (Freshman, Myana Northwestern High School)
Pietr Aleksandrova, Grandfather of Boleslava Aleksandrova (Retired Boxing Coach)
Elyona Aleksandrova, Grandmother of Boleslava Aleksandrova (Retired Opera Singer)
LM Miranda Anderson: 4
Han Song-Do, Friend of Miranda Anderson (Sophomore, Chromia Central College University, Economics Major)
Michelle Guillond, Friend of Miranda Anderson (Sophomore, Chromia Central College University, Communications Major)
Liam Gansant, Friend of Miranda Anderson (Sophomore, Chromia Central College University, Finance Major)
Jack Pond, Friend of Miranda Anderson (Sophomore, Chromia Central College University, Journalism Major)
LM Moreno Keel: 5
Lawson Keel, Father of Moreno Keel (Prosecuting Attorney)
Amanda Keel, Mother of Moreno Keel (Court Reporter)
Dorothy Anderson, Younger Cousin of Moreno Keel (Florist)
Hera Anderson, Younger Cousin of Moreno Keel (Jewelry)
Raia Anderson, Older Cousin of Moreno Keel (Mechanical Engineer)

RW Emilie Kruetzberg: 4
George Kruetzberg, Uncle of Emilie Kreutzberg (Pilot)
Naomi Kruetzberg, Aunt of Emilie Kreutzberg (Snowboarder)
Wiley Sloan, Friend of Emilie Kruetzberg (Junior, Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology, Mathematics Major)
Jill Oveni, Younger Sister of Karra Oveni (Freshman at Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School)
RW Gerry Hawthorne: 3
Harold Hawthorne, Father of Gerry Hawthorne (Owner of a Steel Fabrication Company)
Edwina Hawthorne, Mother of Gerry Hawthorne (Sports Analyst)
Georgina Hawthorne, Younger Sister of Gerry Hawthorne (Senior, Chromia Central High School)
ST Karra Oveni: 5
Jerome Myres, Significant Other of Karra Oveni (Sports Journalist)
Amy Oveni, Mother of Karra Oveni (Biochemist)
Timothy Oveni, Father of Karra Oveni (Biologist)
William Oveni, Older Brother of Karra Oveni (Senior, Chromatik State University, Art Major)
Liara Oveni, Older Sister of Karra Oveni (Classical Pianist)
ST Hank Killian: 3
Jerome Killian, Father of Hank Killian (Real Estate Agent)
Margaret Killian, Mother of Hank Killian (Sous Chef)
Samson Killian, Older Brother of Hank Killian (Barista)
LW Edith Fillar: 5
Taylor Qiang, Significant Other of Edith Fillar (Junior, Wide Receiver at Myana Northwestern High School)
Keira Andisori, Chromatik Legend
Mia Ria, Chromatik Legend
Luuk Aart, Chromatik Legend
Alyss Montague, Chromatik Legend
LW Ladonna Womack: 4
Stephen O'Dea, Fiancé of Ladonna Womack (Junior, Eyrods Tech, Sports Psychologist Major)
Emerson Womack, Father of Ladonna Womack (Handyman)
Riley Womack, Older Brother of Ladonna Womack (Taxi Driver)
Niles Womack, Older Cousin of Ladonna Womack (X-ray Technician)

by **Vilita and Turori** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 1:40 am

The White Fortress, Gladerial, Valanora :: The Vilita and Turori Under-21 Squad led by Purapal Eskiiy expected to need a victory over Quebec and Shingoryeo on Matchday 4 of the 51st Di Bradini Cup to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout round alive heading into the final matchday. Instead, Vilita and Turori only managed a draw yet are now assured a place in the Round of 16.

The only goal of the match came quickly for the Little Eel Kitties with Jlinal Cove FC midfielder Trezisi Rokopolis scoring within five minutes of the opening kick off. It seemed that it would set a tone for Vilita and Turori to march off to another clean sheet victory but ultimately Derizi Amatopa would finally get beat late in the first half to concede the first goal of the campaign thus far against Vilita and Turori.

It meant that in the ongoing staring contest between Vilita and Turori and the Island of the Lost, it would be the Little Eel Kitties who blinked first with their goose egg in the Goals Against column being replaced by a tally of 1 while the Island of the Lost were still sitting on 0 Goals Scored thus far in the competition after being shutout by Eura.

The critical match however took place between Mertagne and Sarzonia. It was going to be a good result for the Little Eel Kitties regardless of the final scoreline. A win by Mertagne would all but see Vilita and Turori through to the Knockout Round. A win by Sarzonia - whom Vilita and Turori held a tiebreaker over, would put the Little Eel Kitties in prime position to take the top spot in the group. A draw and everyone would be held with fewer points than they anticipated. In the end the magical run for Mertagne continued as they moved up to a perfect 4-0-0 record setting up the battle of the unbeatens on Matchday Five.

Like Vilita & Turori's Matchday 4 fixture, the next match would also be played at the White Fortress in Gladerial. There was not a whole lot on the line for either side in the Matchday 5 fixture though Vilita and Turori were well aware that there was a possibility still of overtaking Mertagne and finishing Group B in first place. A first place position in the Group could potentially see the little Eel Kitties drawn against another nation that might be less skilled than the opponent they would be otherwise forced to face in the Round of 16.

 Vilita & Turori U21 [1] - [1] Independent Athletes from Quebec
				
	GOALS:	Vilita & Turori U21 	:: 4' Trezisi Rokopolis              		
	STATS:	Vilita & Turori U21 	:: Possession: 55%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 7	Independent Athletes from Quebec 	:: Possession: 45%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 3
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Bvalis Amaanara, [D.] Narri Sebapilo, [D.] Injyua Klizlo, [DM]  Karisto Monafog, [ML]  Khrusan Mlianko, [MC] Trezisi Rokopolis, [MC]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR]  Friika Diirotora, [FC] Clarana Refiami, [FC] Tyoasi Klipark			
	Bench:	[FC] Lutara Makakio, [FC] Loala Inkabu, [M] Fyin Miateal, [M] Imauka Lkomorak, [U ] Treasvo Tlikara, [D] Kamarela Dzzara, [GK] Zelkki Milake Jr.

by **Mertagne** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 2:54 am

"I'm in shock. I'm actually just completely in shock. You've all killed me."
"Is that why we had to meet you here in your hotel room?"
It was true - Kristie Ettrick had requested, in an incredibly grandiose way involving black card and that craft gold paper you can stick to things, that everyone visit her in her hotel suite in Monaven the night after the game. Ther found her, laid down in the hotel bed, surrounded by flowers - roses, marigolds, tulips, and a hastily prepared flower arrangement of her name, like you get at funerals. She was dressed in her best suit, a pair of sunglasses over her eyes, and had dimmed the lights.
Ettrick faked a decaying cough. "Yes, Pia, that's right. You've killed me by shock and now you have to attend the funeral. Ben, please make sure everyone says a nice thing about me. But first, I have some things to say."
She untucked the covers and sat cross-legged at the head of the bed.
"Come closer, my peons, and let me tell you a story... from a GHOST!"
She dimmed the lights and illuminated her face by the light of a finger torch.
The squad crept closer, surrounding the hotel bed. Some had to move bouquets of flowers out of the way, others had to sit on the smaller bed with the weird round pillow that you always get at these kinds of hotels, and others simply sat on the floor and drank in the atmosphere.
"Once upon a time, there was an incredibly lucky and successful Under 21 football team. They had formed under pressure to take part in the most unholy of tournaments, venerating the great vampire footballer, Spookyone Di Boodini!"
Ben Holl gasped. "Not Spookyone Di Boodini, evil count of Starblehdiargh!"
Kristie waved the torch around. "The very same! Immortal as he was, living in the Dreamed Realm, he enlisted the help of his most venerated fans in Starblehdiargh and Valarghnooooo!RAWR to aid him with his nefarious work. And so, the Di Boodini Cup was continued. A goblet by which to sample the freshest blood the multiverse's footballers have to offer."
Ettrick clicked on the air conditioner to crank the temperature down by just a few degrees.
"This team, which had formed to be a competent band of monster slayers, began their journey in the lands of Valarghnooooo!RAWR by emerging onto a mysterious Island of the Lost. There, they journeyed for several days and several nights, before locating their exit - a football goal - in the second half of their stay."
"Dripping with sweat and feeling on edge from their near miss from madness, they crept on, until they came across the Orange Gate. Here, they had a brush with Death itself... Who sought to beat them into submission. With the power of this squad's tenacity, they knocked on Death's door and barged through not once, not twice, but three times! Our heroes had slain two challengers now, and were showing no signs of stopping."
Another whirl of the torch around the dark hotel room, and the spooky noises to accompany it.
"Pressing on, they came across the steps to a temple, but found the temple invaded by horrible mindless Euran zombies. These zombies hit hard, infecting players and managers alike with a debilitating madness that caused them to see red, and do regretfully rash things, like storm on over to Bob Partridge, the evil necromancer, and nearly punch him in the face. However, the zombie plague had spread to the referees, too, and they covered the brave and triumphant manager of the team, causing her to nobly give herself up for the cause-"
A cough could be heard from somewhere deep inside the room.
"-which, letmegettoit, caused our brave heroes to smash through the goal in the temple and unbalance the unholy scales and bring themselves another win."
"However, our squad knew that they weren't out of the woods yet. Word was coming from Orange Gate that a new threat had moved in. Ninjas. Evil ninjas. Their throwing stars and quick actions threatened to unbalance the squad, but one simple, clean swipe was all it took to bring them down."
The squad was enthralled by the atmosphere and the story, anxious to see where it went next.
"Our brave squad, now so emboldened and strengthened by their united destruction of many foes, pressed on, into more unfamiliar territory. That White Fortress had once again been corrupted, this time by the most fearsome foe of them all..."
Kristie turned the torch off, and dropped down to just above a whisper.
"This foe is slippery. This foe is furry. This foe is deft. This foe is purry. The brave Mertagnian squad had no choice but to go up against..."
A loud crash was heard, and the lights flicked on.
In the doorway stood a mottled, blue, furry monster, holding a large water gun. It raised its hands and began to shout.
"THE LITTLE EEL KITTIES!" bellowing out a cackle, the mascot began to spray water over the Mertagnian squad as they screamed with a mix of fear and delight.
Kristie cackled before ripping back the covers, exposing a series of water pistols. "Douse it! It's the only way!"
The Eel-Cat thing mascot opened the hotel door and ran into the hall as a series of young adults with water pistols chased it down the corridor, before it gave up just shy of the elevator. A wealthy Vanorian businessperson opened the elevator, saw the scene that had erputed, and quickly hammered on the 'close door' button before selecting a different floor.
Ettrick emerged from the room in her suit, sunglasses, and clutching a water pistol in each hand. "Good job, everyone, If you can do just that on the pitch tomorrow, then we'll be alright, I reckon. not literally, of course, because you shouldn't bring a water pistol on the pitch. But, I've been quite heavy handed with my metaphors tonight, so I hope you can all let it slide. Thanks for indulging me in this bit of fun, but it's not over yet - we're going to dinner. Get changed, and I'll meet you all in the lobby."
The squad slowly dispersed, talking intensely with each other and laughing and bonding over the shared experience.
Ettrick stretched out a hand to pick up the now sodden Ben Holl, who was laid out on the floor as an Eel-Cat Thing.
"I think that was a good bit of fun! It seemed to go down well!" Ben said, taking off his costumed head and holding it beside him.
"Yeah? You don't think my idea was too childish?" Kristie asked, slowly walking back with Ben to her hotel room.
"Not at all. It's good to let off some steam once in a while, and I think the team has been firing on all cylinders for several matchdays now. Nice for them to relax a bit and settle into their element before what could well be their toughest match."
Kristie smiled, but her eyebrows narrowed. "There's no 'could well be' about it. This will be the hardest one. And then the next one after that will be harder. And so on, and so forth. I've got faith though, and the pressure is off a bit here, as we're likely going through regardless. Still, it'd be nice to have an unbeaten group stage. That's really something to write home about, isn't it?"
She sat down on the end of the bed and took off her shoes, switching them from trainers to some more formal ones.
"Right, that's me done for dinner. Are you just coming as you are, Ben? If so, give me a hand with these flowers - I was thinking of just giving them out to good-looking people on the street."
Ben resigned with a sigh and began picking up a flowery 'S' and a flowery 'E' in his bright blue paws.

by **Starblaydia** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 5:31 am

Matchday Five, Vanorian half

Group A
Eastfield Lodge 1–0 Hispinas
Sendhang 3–2 Savigliane
Poafmersia 1–1 Valanora

Group A                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora                       5   4  1  0   12   4  +8   13  Q
2 Sendhang                       5   3  1  1    9   5  +4   10  Q
3 Poafmersia                     5   2  2  1    8   7  +1    8
4 Eastfield Lodge                5   2  0  3    6  10  −4    6
5 Savigliane                     5   1  1  3   11  13  −2    4
6 Hispinas                       5   0  1  4    0   7  −7    1

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

Group B                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mertagne                       5   5  0  0   10   2  +8   15  Q
2 Vilita and Turori              5   3  1  1    5   3  +2   10  Q
3 Sarzonia                       5   3  0  2    8   4  +4    9
4 Quebec and Shingoryeo          5   1  2  2    4   7  −3    5
5 Eura                           5   1  1  3    6   8  −2    4
6 Island of the Lost             5   0  0  5    0   9  −9    0

Group C
Adab 3–0 The Licentian Isles
Sylestone 0–1 Mytanija
Maramaa 0–1 Usan

Group C                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Adab                           5   5  0  0   10   1  +9   15  Q
2 Mytanija                       5   3  0  2   11   9  +2    9  Q
3 Usan                           5   3  0  2    7   6  +1    9
4 Sylestone                      5   2  1  2    9   3  +6    7
5 The Licentian Isles            5   1  1  3    3   9  −6    4
6 Maramaa                        5   0  0  5    4  16 −12    0

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

Group D                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sharktail                      5   4  1  0   13   5  +8   13  Q
2 Pasarga                        5   3  1  1   11   6  +5   10  Q
3 Euran Oceania Territories      5   1  3  1    2   2   0    6
4 Cassadaigua                    5   1  2  2    4   5  −1    5
5 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom      5   1  2  2    5  11  −6    5
6 The Kytler Penisulae           5   0  1  4    4  10  −6    1

Round of 16 Fixtures

Valanora v Pasarga

Mertagne v Mytanija

Adab v Vilita and Turori

Sharktail v Sendhang

by **HUElavia** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 5:58 am

One More Time!

HUElavia outlasts Equestria to set up possible chance to the Knockouts!

HUElavia 3–2 Equestria
(Kedar 18, 50', Notario 83' | Valestein 31', Wire 63')
(Bekkside Arena, Tabek, Starblaydia)

HUElavia entered Matchday 4 coming off a bitter 3-1 loss to Chromatika that had the team drop to 3rd Place. They were now playing against Equestria, who had been struggling during the tournament with only a victory to their name. Both teams needed a win for two different reasons: HUElavia needed it to get closer to the knockouts, Equestria needed it to stay alive and avoid elimination. The A-Team played for both teams, with Yamane as the Captain and Huamani starting in goal. The Home Special was worn for HUElavia and the Home Uniform for Equestria. The match was set to be played at Bekkside Arena (33,000), in Tabek, with HUElavians coming out in a strong showing for the team. The teams came out, the anthems were played, the coin toss was done and the ball rolled to start Matchday 4.

The opening goal came in the 18th minute, when Thi sent a cross into the box, only for Kedar to tower over Blaze to head the ball over and past Blossom into the goal to make it 1-0, having the HUElavians jump in joy, while Kedar did a dance with his teammates to celebrate. In the 31st minute, Valestein was being covered by el-Shams when he took a low shot outside the box, which rolled past Huamani into the goal to make it 1-1, with the Equestrians celebrating with joy. At the half, the score was level at 1-1. In the 50th minute, Notario sent a cross into the box, where Kedar won the ball from Honeydew, chested the ball down and gave a low shot past the reach of Blossom into the goal, making it 2-1, and the crowd celebrated with joy once again. In the 63rd minute, Valestein had the ball and was covered by Otto, where she passed it to Wire on her right and Wire took a curving shot past the reach of Huamani into the top corner of the goal, making it 2-2, with the Equestrians grabbing the ball to run back to center circle, trying to go for the victory. But in the 83rd minute, Doisneau (in for Jaillita) had the ball and gave a low pass to Notario, who gave a curving shot past the reach of Blossom into the top corner of the goal, making it 3-2. The HUElavians erupted in joy while Notario was mobbed by her teammates as they were clinching the victory. HUElavia held out and ultimately got the much-needed victory, while eliminating Equestria in the process.

Now, HUElavia has one match left to decide whether they advance to the knockouts or not. Their opponents will be Eraman, who is coming off a difficult 5-2 loss to Chromatika, whom the latter secured their spot to the Round-of-16. The A-Team will play for both teams, with Yamane as the Captain and Huamani in goal, and both teams wearing their Home Uniforms. The match is set to be played at Hallad City Stadium (48,000), in Hallad, with a strong number of HUElavians flocking to support the team in what can be a historic advance to the Round-of-16. Eraman needs a victory to advance to the knockouts, while HUElavia needs a victory or draw to secure their place in the knockouts. One thing is for sure, this is one of the big matches of Matchday 5, with a win-and-in scenario for both teams. Fans on both sides are hoping this can be an entertaining and memorable match. Here's to hoping for an advance to the Round-of-16.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **PotatoFarmers** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:22 am

Poafmersia 2-0 Hispinas
Poafmersia Goalscorers: Lindsay 30' (assist by Gábor), 70'

Poafmersia Lineup: Juliska Janson; Kilikina Lee, Hildingr Duval, Rusiko Maestri, Dae-Jung Sokol; German Kato (DM); Serghei Gábor, Verbena Zoltánfi; Feidelm Lindsay (AM); Silvanus Kravchenko, Bolívar Tamura
Substitutes: Xenophon Robson (Sokol 62'); Suada Bogdanić (Tamura 88')

Poafmersia 1-1 Valanora
Poafmersia Goalscorers: Tamura 67'
Valanora Goalscorers: Lundström 42'

Poafmersia Lineup: Juliska Janson; Euthymios Banister, Hildingr Duval, Rusiko Maestri, Dae-Jung Sokol; German Kato (DM); Serghei Gábor, Verbena Zoltánfi; Feidelm Lindsay (AM); Silvanus Kravchenko, Bolívar Tamura
Substitutes: Ambrosios Catalano (Elzinga 58'); Padrig Dürr (Gábor 70'); Anselm Paulis (Maestri 83')

Just listing the goalscorers. The RP storyline will come later.

Di Bradini Cup 51/U21WC72 RP and Scores Thread

DBC51 - MD3 v. Island of the Lost

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