World Cup 89 - Roleplay Thread

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

Dear Ailen Koirala of Scornshellan Rimnint Stayts,

Yog-Sothoth tells us you want a meeting with us! This is so exciting! And that you want to spell 'decolonisation' with an 's'! Which is even more exciting! We're so excited that we've decided to come up with a brand new way of spelling your nation's name, just for you! Do you like it? We hope you like it, because we certainly like it! Also, Tsathoggua is refusing to use the letter 'q' this week due to a misunderstanding involving a mad cultist. We're not quite sure on the details, but it does sound just a bit icky.

Which reminds us... we put extra ichor in our last letter to you as a special present, because you don't like cultists either! Anyone who dislikes mad cultists can be our buddy! Other things we dislike include Euclidean geometry and gibbous moons. We far prefer crescent moons. How do you feel about moons? Do you prefer gibbous moons or crescent moons? We think you probably prefer crescent moons too, because gibbous moons always bring out the mad cultists, what with their howling and screaming and unmentionable rites and blood sacrifices and hopeless devotion to unnameable ... things. Alright, some of those unnameable things are us - we concede the point - but we're actually super friendly and cuddly, and the only people we ever drive insane are the unwary; and we're doing our absolute bestest to make sure no one who meets us or plays against us falls into that category. Forewarned is forearmed, is what we say! Anyway, we do so hope you liked the ichor!

And we hope you're not unnerved by receiving this letter before you've actually tried to contact us. It's Yog-Sothoth, see; Yog-Sothoth knows the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present, future, all are one in Yog-Sothoth. Add in the non-linear time here in the Holy Empire, and well, what to you is the future is perceived as the present, future, and past. So we already know that you did will be have been contact[ing] us (this whole verb tense thing gets a bit tricky in these situations). So we look forward to receiving the letter that you haven't sent yet, but which we've already read. Wacky!

Your friends in GOOFI

PS: Just who are Graintfjall anyway, and why on earth are they beating us 2-0 at home. That's just rude.

Dear Moonbeam Infantino,

Hi there! Just thought we'd get in touch.

It's been a really long time since we heard from you, but you seemed super-interested in signing up Kelssek for membership in GOOFI. Are you still interested in GOOFI?

If not, is there someone else in Kelssek who might want to talk to us? Yog-Sothoth said something about 'Martin', but we weren't sure if this meant that a humanoid being called Martin was about to get in touch, or whether Kelssek had been taken over by a rampaging horde of sentient pine martens intent on bending your nation to their unyielding will.

We could just ask Yog-Sothoth, but they have decided to make themselves incorporeal until our next tea and crumpet session, which isn't just terribly inconvenient for a goalkeeper, but also means we temporarily lack of means of seeing through and across time as well as reality.

We do hope that you or the pine martens get in touch soon,

Your Friends in GOOFI

PS: I don't suppose you have any information about this Graintfjall lot? Just who do they think they are anyway?

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

Last RP as the Syndicate. You'll understand why once you've read it. Please give any and all RP bonus for this post to the nation of Mertagne, as both accounts are run by the same user.

Phil Gulliver dawdled down the green line that led to the Management area, which he learned was a small office suspended in the upper levels of the large warehouse that he’d plodded through. Knocking at the single green door, which had ‘Management’ embellished on the frosted glass window in block capitals, he was surprised to find that someone did in fact answer the door.

“Whaddya want?” asked the person who answered the door. They were dressed in a slightly tattered waistcoat, with an off-white shirt, a pair of rubbery black fishing trousers, and steel toe capped boots. The doo-rag that covered their dread-locked hair looked to be stolen from the flag of some long forgotten nation.

Gulliver straightened up a bit, and adjusted his goggles. “Sorry, ma’am. I’m here to perform a routine inspection of your… water pressure unit. Shouldn’t take too long, but it’s super dangerous, and I’ll need you and all of your other staff out of the room.”

“Not from around this bit o’ the boat, are ye? Bet Jenkins has sent you to wind us both up, ‘asnt he?” the manager clapped Gulliver on the hard hat. “Whatever, get in there then. Don’t be too long, and head on back to Jenkins when yer done for a laugh, I’m sure. I’ll step out for a ciggie.”

As the manager walked down the catwalk, her hands flailing calling for a distant cargo lift, Gulliver relaxed a little. He didn’t quite think it would be that easy to get in - what even is a water pressure unit, anyway?

Phil quickly got to work investigating the room. It looked like the office of a foreperson, with a few desks scattered about and several filing cabinets on a far wall. Diving deeper into the cabinet located under a wonderful cross-stitch that said “Boat Sweet Boat”, Gulliver rummaged around for anything of interest.

“Purchase orders… Inventory… Historical Navigation? That’s interesting - where has the boat gone while we’ve been under?”

Gulliver pulled out reams of navigational maps and charts and splayed them on a nearby desk. On the charts in excruciating detail were the previous voyages of the Aut-Ves-Nat, dated in a calendar system that seemed off-kilter even by Syndicatian standards.

“Strange, this map looks like Calania but also really isn’t. Legalese, Starblaydia and Krytenia seem in the right place. What’s a Euran Oceania Territories? And why doesn’t it appear on half of these maps?”

Gulliver pored over the charts, studying where the Aut-Ves-Nat had claimed to have been over the last few years. A stay near Legalese, pottering around many regions, something called an ‘Anaia’ - it all didn’t seem to add up. The boat hadn’t been as far south on the Calanian coast as the Syndicate in years, or possibly even ever depending on your interpretation of the map. Gulliver seized a relevant chart, sliding it into the chest of his boiler suit, and hurriedly replaced the documents in a rather haphazard yet contained manner.

---

Bradley Birch sauntered down the blue line that weaved around past a series of clear, rubbery plastic room dividers into a nearly blinding white room. The room was abuzz with activity. Tattooed people in white lab coats that looked an awful lot like the medics that tended to him were scurrying about, and the whirr of industry and engineering was tarnishing the clean glass atmosphere that appeared to have settled into this room. Long lab tables were topped with a black marble, and on them sat items from all areas of science, from preciously precarious chemistry equipment, through viciously vicarious virtual reality headsets, over to tantalisingly terse telescopes. Bradley tried to keep a low profile as he crept around the room, hoping that by acting like he belonged here, nobody would notice that he wasn’t wearing a lab coat. He placed the ear defenders that hung around his neck on his ears, and blocked out any possibility of conversation that would reveal his true identity. Brushing past the precarious chemistry equipment, he cursed as a test tube fell onto the ground with a clink. Kicking the majority of the glass under a desk, he picked up the largest shard and examined it in the light. Useful for later. He slipped it into his sleeve.

A long blackboard on the wall to Birch’s left detailed highly skilled technical drawings, that all had some innate sense of sway to them, possibly due to them all being on a ship. Birch studied them, but couldn’t make head or tail of anything. Especially as some of these drawings mixed the medical and the mechanical, and actually detailed heads, as well as tails. Bradley squinted as he looked around the room for something he could perhaps take, but recoiled in fear when he noticed that several techs were wheeling in a body on a trolley. The body, lifeless and still, was placed on a cold, black marble slab with a slight thud, its weight seemingly betraying its slight frame. Bradley looked on, his eyes focusing like never before, as the two techs pulled up their black gloves and began to take implements off of a trolley of medical tools that they had wheeled from the back of the room.

The blinding white strip-lights of the room cast a clinical aura on the operation, but where in most places ‘clinical’ is synonymous with ‘precise’, this was far from it. An initial incision was made to the lifeless body, whose eyes were seemingly glued open, staring blankly at the ceiling. Then, the butchery occurred, with a hatchet used to peel back the skin to reveal… metallic limbs?

Bradley gasped as this corpse was revealed to be robotic. It looked so lifelike before, almost glistening with sweat as it was pulled into the lab. He averted his eyes from the procedure as he scrambled around a nearby tabletop, looking for something to busy himself. A laptop computer was open, with some discreetly difficult technical wizardry displayed on it. Birch grabbed the laptop, closed it down, and briskly walked to the exit of the room before the lab technicians could stir from their barbaric ‘medical’ trance.

---

Jacob Pratt raced down the orange line that led to the ship’s communications room. It was up several flights of stairs, the painted line weaving up and up the corrugated metal stairs until the metal and wood of the walls and bracing gave way to plastic and glass. For the first time in what felt like forever, Pratt saw and felt the sun. It felt… homely. Warm. His eyes hummed as his pupils dilated. He of course had expected there to be some sort of guard, or some sort of warning sign, but at no point on his limited mental mapping of the ship had he seen even the slightest hint that radiation had been a problem. While he took some convincing that something was wrong, now that his teammates mentioned it, it did seem to make a bit more sense than the alternative. Especially as he was under the impression that this heist was occurring at night. After all, it was past curfew. Surely the Aut-Ves-Nat weren’t that out of touch with their circadian rhythms?

Sneaking across an enclosed area of deck without being seen, Jacob arrived at what he assumed was one of many communications rooms. This one looked like a radio shack, a literal shack for radio - its wood walls warped with age, and the structure jutting out from the side of a much more streamlined plastic and metal corridor. The sign on the glass door, hastily penned underneath “Radio and Physical Mail Rooms (Envelopes Only), read “Out to Lunch”, which further cemented the theory in his mind that something was amiss.

Diving through the unlocked door, this time only figuratively, he surveyed the landscape. True to its word, this seemed to be a shack for radio and physical mail, envelopes only. A large table to his right showed that someone had been starting some sort of arts and crafts project, putting together some wonderful silver envelopes. To the left, a mass of wires and switchboards showed that someone was doing a chaotic yet inventive job of running some form of pirate radio. Jacob grabbed two dirty cups of separate pairs of earphones and pressed them both to his ears. In one ear, strange numbers repeated themselves, as if read by a monotonous voice. In the other, the slight hum of the air and the odd crackle, but nothing concretely decipherable. Throwing the earphones down, he made his way over to the table with the arts and crafts on.

Several discrete silver envelopes were emblazoned with some kind of trophy as a watermark, and Jacob counted more than 10 of them as he read the names. Most of it didn’t make sense to him, but he certainly recognised places that he knew had existed - in his old life, anyway. Starblaydia. Krytenia. Osarius. Turori. Grabbing a name he vaguely recognised that he assumed nobody would miss, he opened the sealed envelope and read the small letter inside.

To the football representatives of Mertagne,

Congratulations on your recent performances in the world of soccer. However, you were unable to defeat the Aut-Ves-Nat in the game of soccer, either by losing against us when it mattered, or by failing to be drawn against us to show us how terrible your team is. However, we at the Aut-Ves-Nat are merciful and entrepreneurial types, therefore we’re willing to give you a second (or a first) chance.

Remember the illustrious CAFA 1 trophy that we so rightly won? Well, we’re offering you the shot to win it off of us. But not in the game of soccer, oh no - we play it differently down in the underbelly of the ship. If you want our booty and plunder, you’ll have to pry it off of us the old fashioned way, in a game of Foxsal. Send your best three players, no goalkeepers, to the Aut-Ves-Nat at the below time and place, and we’ll be waiting for you.

Good luck,
Grand High Admiral Juan James Marcozy
Aut-Ves-Nat

The name at the bottom was rubber-stamped similar to how you’d see the date you had to return a book by. Pratt was initially very confused, but pocketed the invitation to see if there was anything that could be done with it. Taking another quick check around, he scarpered out of the radio room and back down into the bowels of the ship, hoping that he wouldn’t get caught.

---

"… So, what does it all mean? We’ve found so much data, I don’t even know where to begin.” pondered Gulliver as the three sat cramped on the top bunk of their now frighteningly small cabin. The world around them had grown so much in a single ‘night’, that they now found the place choking.

Jacob Pratt cleared his throat. “Clearly, we’ve been fed some kind of lie. I don’t know why, but it seems to have something to do with this invitation. This is the clearest thing we’ve got so far. It’s inviting a Mertagne to play Foxsal.”

“Mertagne. That’s that rogue part of the Syndicate that was looking to secede. Reckon they won independence in the two years we’ve been under?” asked Birch.

“I think they did more than that. Look.” said Gulliver, bringing out a strange sea chart with the sort of navigational names that would get you lost in the ocean, such as ‘Nephara’ and ‘Kotzellach’. “Mertagne’s here. North of the Syndicate, across the Bekk. Just east of Starblaydia and North of Krytenia. Reckon that’s the Mertagne they mean in your envelope?”

“Probably. Well, we’ve got the envelope now, so this Mertagne will never get it. It’s too risky to put it back now.” said Birch.

Pratt chimed in. “It has given me an idea, though. We can learn more about this Foxsal tournament if we infiltrate it from the inside. What if we turn up as the delegation from Mertagne? If it’s truly that rogue province of the Syndicate, we can pass as Mertagne people - our accent won’t be too different. At least not enough to cause suspicion.”

“But don’t we need, you know… things? Clothes, a football?” asked Gulliver.

“We’ll blag it and say we lost it all on whatever transport we got over here. Helicopter? It flew away. Boat? It sank. We’ll make something up.” Jacob Pratt looked steely eyed at his teammates. “Either way, we have to do something to possibly get out of here. Have you considered that we might be prisoners?”

“Or worse.” said Bradley, as he fiddled with the left sleeve of his boiler suit. Underneath the fabric, he itched his arm as he moved the fingers of his left hand, the shard of glass embedded deeply into his arm, having peeled the skin on the underside of his wrist far back. The blood and oil formed a growing stain on his boiler suit, and he sweated precariously as he felt the mechanical joints of his hand move up and down in time with the pulsing of his robotic fingers.

[Squidroidia]

FOR OFFICIAL RELEASE

The Squidroidian Football Association, the United Republican Soccer Federation, the Squornshelan Confederate Football Association, the Federation of Footballing Independents, and all other parties involved are disgusted at the so-called ideas from a meddling blogger from Squidroidia of a so-called Super League featuring Independent clubs meant as a breakaway from the current IFCF structure.

Shotclocking Supersquid's idea, brought out into the wild after the Inklings managing a draw at home to Brenecia 1-1, has been nothing short of ridiculous and insane, with 32 clubs (Which would include Inkopolis FC, FC Squidroidia Squidbreak and Calamari Wanderers CFC) removing themselves from the tried and true IFCF model that, if including the UICA, has lasted for over 80 editions, and choosing only to playing against each other for the right to be called the so-called "FFI Super League" champions, an honor that is farcical to the ideals that built football in not only Squidroidia, but all over the multiverse, that have existed even before the UICA days.

With the Jecken Squidroidian Super League about to head into a major period of growth with a merger of Squidroidia's top 2 leagues as well as Squidroidia being allocated 2 IFCF Champions League spots, the idea of 3 out of the 4 biggest clubs in Squidroidia abandoning the structure that built them up to play against the likes of Sindvpore FC, Malavan Romanbourg, Langtree United and Pesub Ubung year in and year out with no chance to take on the titans of multiversal football is nothing short of treason to the supporters, the relevant football federations, and to any and all beings watching on from above.

The International Federation of Club Football will move swiftly to punish all the clubs, associations and owners involved in such a move, and associations like the SFA, the URSF, the SCFA and others would also move to punish the breakaway clubs and discourage all the others to follow their path to greed and stagnant competition. The IFCF has proven though generations of footballing tournaments, from the under 19s youth teams all the way to the titans of the game like 1830 Cathair, AFC Treason, Directus, Raynor City United and Northern Union, that the model currently offered is the ideal way for all associations and sides to challenge themselves and, in a way, turn lemons into sweet, sweet lemonade. It is entirely possible for lower-tier sides in Squidroidia right now to win the IFCF Champions League given they make the right moves. Snatching the chance away would be morally wrong.

A divided game, splintered between the Big 4 associations of Atlantian Oceania, Rushmore, Esportiva and Anaia and the Independents, led by untold wealth and so-called independence from a "tyrannical" system that "favors" teams from the bigger regions, would worsen the beautiful game and lead to the countries involved in the breakaway drifting away from everybody else, unable to compete against the bigger nations on a more competitive level. It is almost impossible for a so-called "FFI Super League" to stand on its own against the other leagues, who would never consider leaving rivalries behind for the blinding light of a healthy wallet.

The Federation of Footballing Independents has added the following:

"Under no circumstance, conditions or reasons will the member clubs and nations of the Federation of Footballing Independents commit to a closed-off, breakaway competition to compete with the powers that be. Doing so would not be the best move for football. Instead, it might lead to the clubs even attempting a move like this to be hated with a bated breath for their actions. Any attempt at these ideas by any FFI member clubs will be dealt with harshly, which may include banning teams from the FFI League of Victors and Confederations Trophy competitions indefinitely."

The world of football has been moving at an increasing pace ever since the founding of the IFCF. Abandoning the fast moving vessel you are now on to man what is essentially a tugboat will lead to football club suicide for anyone scared enough to leave the current model. A Super League, whether regional or internationstatal, is the definition of a unneeded rebellion over a system that is rewarding to you. Football needs to be united under one ball, one game, and one set of rules, not divided by the so-called haves and the so-called have nots. Enough is enough. A Super League will not work, not now or ever.

---

A Well Needed Apology
As if my life couldn't get any more hectic...
By Shotclocking Supersquid

So that has been a eventful couple of days. To be honest, I didn't even think just an idea that I had in my own personal head would lead to panic from nations that aren't even Independent anymore. When I was writing up that blog, I didn't know the Squornshelan Remnant States have moved to AO, nor notice the typo on the official FFI entry rules. Now I have Yassaca fans breathing down my neck telling me how stupid I am for even thinking of this. In fact, I'm sure even the IFCF would want to hunt me down right about now.

Let me repeat this again - The "FFI Super League" idea I shared out into the world was only a hypothetical. In no way, shape or form would the powers that be even allow that idea to come into fruition. I read the SFA/URSA/SCFA/FFI/IHYMUTD joint statement myself before sitting down to write this and they're right - This is treason. Under no circumstances will the clubs be allowed to break off and defy the powers that be. In this case, it was my idea and I got all the negative press in the world.

To that, I say I'm sorry. I know most of you will still lampoon me after saying that, Malavan fans might still want to flip me 2 birds, but I really am sorry for making everyone nervous that football was going to take a bad turn because I was bored and hey, Brenecia drew with us. It's a decision that will always stay with me no matter what path I go on. I just hope that now, with everything that went on, we are a bit cautious and stop these money-hungry teams from abandoning ship.

And with Squidroidia top of the group as I write this... I don't really want to carry on much more, lest I suggest a way for Squidroidians to overthrow Leader Higa Takanori's government so I'll stay hush for a while. I don't really know when I'm coming back. Maybe this is the end, I don't know. But here's a lesson for you - Never suggest a Super League, even if it's hypothetical.

[Mytanija]

Jezdimir Ocokoljic strode towards the sideline, applauding the full to the brim Utcastadion and soaking in the standing ovation he was receiving from all corners of the stadium. This was one of those days where everybody with even a passing interest in Mytanar football would prefer that the FSM put the big matches at the largest stadiums, so that more may have seen the display of genius unfold before their eyes than the 26,000 who had packed into the ground in Stratenberg. They sent the big teams to those places to make life tough for them, but Ocokoljic’s performance deserved ten times more in attendance.

He had had a superlative World Cup qualifying campaign, with 8 goals in 10 matches prior to the qualifier against Siovanija and Teusland. He arguably should have had a ninth too, rattling the post with a rasping effort from outside the penalty area away to Poafmersia. Thankfully that close shave hadn’t decided the game, Jezdimir’s great friend Jasno Odonelec smashed home a volley from point-blank range to get the Hoops a vital away win. That victory had caused belief to course through the whole team. All of a sudden qualification felt very possible, Mytanija hadn’t dropped points since match day 8, six wins on the bounce and about to face the last team to have beaten them.

Siovanija and Teusland were as tough a test as you could ask for, too, Mytanija had played very well in the first encounter and still couldn’t come out of the match with anything to show for it. It was a shame, but Lev Repin had used it as evidence – if anybody in the national team required it – that this group of Mytanar players were more than capable of holding their own against anybody. The team had an exceptional amount of experience, but they were also blending in talented young players that could make a difference. Bigger Mbala-Ekakia and Mersudin Smajic had been sensational against Poafmersia; the likes of Damien Gannot, Omer Kuhar-Arh and Mijat Simic had all been big contributors to this push for qualification at different points too. It wasn’t the same old faces being relied upon. Something felt different.

With that feeling circulating around this Mytanar national team there was perhaps a sense of irony when it was Jezdimir Ocokoljic who put three goals past Siovanija and Teusland before the hour mark to give Mytanija their seventh win in a row. Ocokoljic made his own record for the campaign 11 in 11, a goal a game, only five goals off equalling the legendary Robin Hjik’s long-standing goal record of 73 for Mytanija. In this kind of form you wouldn’t bet against him doing it before the end of qualifying, either. Prior to the match it felt as if Repin had finally settled on his preferred team, selecting the same starting eleven as he had against Poafmersia.

Semir Besak has overtaken Pedja Kasun as starting goalkeeper; a central defensive trio of Grigorij Savicevic, Bigger Mbala-Ekakia and Dino Racic is equal parts physical and technically proficient; Damir Milcic and Patrik Odonelec have been the preferred wing-backs for a while. In between them Alen Hrdaljko took up his usual spot as a midfield dynamo, all energy and ferocious tackling, but alongside him Mersudin Smajic was preferred to Tahir Fejzuli. Smajic is taller and more physically imposing, but it was also an admission that Fejzuli’s legs can no longer be 100% relied upon at international level. The front three of Jasno Odonelec as number ten and Ocokoljic and Gannot as strikers picks itself. It’s a line-up that inspires a lot of confidence back home, with plenty of technical ability but also no fear of getting drawn into a fight with so many bruisers amongst the team.

Even with the new additions it was the ever reliable Ocokoljic that affected the game the most. He knew he had the beating of his club colleague Taras Maksimov before the game, but Ocokoljic also felt he had a point to prove against Frantisek Polak. The younger centre-half had had an excellent season for Metropola Borograd – the team that had taken Energija Chernovets’ title away from them – so there was a nagging feeling that Ocokoljic had to get one over him here, to show him that he hadn’t gone away. He started well, drawing Polak out of position one-on-one and leaving him for dead with a quick snap of the feet. The shot was saved well by Heuser, but it was an early warning for Siovanija and Teusland. Alarms should have been sounding.

It wasn’t long after that Ocokoljic had his goal. Jasno Odonelec brought the ball forward and knew exactly when to slow the play to allow Damir Milcic to join the attack. Milcic received the ball out on the flank but drove inside and then slipped a deft pass in between Vesele and Maksimov for Ocokoljic to sweep beyond Heuser with a swish of his left boot. The Utcastadion crowd erupted, save for the section of around 2,500 who had made the trip from Siovanija and Teusland, this hadn’t quite been in the script for them. Allowing Ocokoljic to build up a head of steam was always dangerous.

Mytanija rode their luck at times in the first-half, the veteran Thorsten Kramer forcing a fine save from Semir Besak before the woodwork denied Leopold Bliznakov, but the Hoops took those fine margins and built them into an even greater lead. This time it was the other wing-back causing problems as Patrik Odonelec played a brilliant one-two with Mersudin Smajic to get beyond Edgar Steimle. Patrik Odonelec showed the 32 year old a clean pair of heels to get away and then floated a cross across the penalty area, both Polak and Maksimov had gravitated towards Damien Gannot’s near post run and that left Jezdimir Ocokoljic with too much room inside the box. Never a good idea. The striker had the simplest of headers to make it 2-0 before half-time, the Hoops were flying.

After half-time this pattern resumed, Siovanija and Teusland never felt truly out of the game until Ocokoljic’s third goal, but they were not making their opportunities to score count in the same way that Mytanija – and specifically Jezdimir Ocokoljic – were at the opposite end. Hrdaljko and Smajic were also becoming increasingly dominant in the centre of the pitch, the little and large pairing both putting in strong tackles and generally asserting their physicality. One Smajic cruncher on Thorsten Kramer briefly threatened to cause a diplomatic incident out on the field of play, but Jasno Odonelec was soon over to cool things down. A yellow card for Smajic might not have gone down well in the opposing camp either.

And soon after Ocokoljic had his third, the completion of a perfect hat-trick. He’d scored with his left and his head already, so he added one with his right foot for good measure. Damien Gannot added to his unselfish performance with the assist, running towards the left of the penalty area before reversing the ball for Ocokoljic to run onto over on the right-hand side. It was a similar finish to Ocokoljic’s first, albeit a bit further out, meaning that the striker really had to rattle the ball across goal to get it past Heuser and into the bottom corner. Even at full stretch the Brinemouth goalkeeper couldn’t get to it, an exceptional finish by an exceptionally talented player, his 68th international goal. Perfect hat-tricks don’t come along too often, but Jezdimir Ocokoljic seems to make these unusual feats appear a little run-of-the-mill, his occasionally languid style of play almost nonchalant out on the pitch.

Lev Repin isn’t usually one to bow to sentiment, but he knows a perfect performance when he sees it and in the 61st minute – only a couple after Ocokoljic had scored the third – the fourth official’s board went up.

9 – 22

Ocokoljic off with Kemal Gajic coming on. The Utcastadion crowd – even the away support – rose to their feet as one, a rarity in football. Ocokoljic walked off, raising his hands to applaud the crowd, doing a little spin to show his appreciation to the whole stadium. They gave him a standing ovation in return; pure adoration from the Mytanars and begrudging respect from those travelling from Siovanija and Teusland. Not much happened for the remainder of the game, it’d almost have been a stain if it had because it had been Ocokoljic’s game – perhaps the most defining one of his international career so far.

When the full-time whistle arrived Mytanija sat top of Group 10, four points ahead of the defeated Siovanija and Teusland and six ahead of third place Poafmersia. The Poafmers’ defeat at the hands of Hebitaka left them even further adrift, Lev Repin’s team were in pole position with three matches to go, and perhaps that feeling that something was different this time wasn’t misplaced. Over twenty editions of the World Cup had passed since Mytanija had last qualified, maybe this was the time for the Hoops to return to the grandest stage in world football. Seven wins in a row felt like something was clicking into gear, but Mytanars always knew the dangers of expecting too much.

MYTANIJA SQUAD FOR MATCHES VERSUS THE SARIAN (A) & YASQUIA (H)
Goalkeepers: 12. Semir Besak (Mipojoseon [QUE]); 1. Pedja Kasun (Ararat Severyan); 24. Lazar Obradovic (Liria Prizren)
Defenders: 2. Damir Milcic (Anomalies [CMT]); 3. Grigorij Savicevic (AC Izotz Zubia [AUD]), 14. Bigger Mbala-Ekakia (Atletik Thessia), 5. Dino Racic (Libertas Bergheim [SVJ]); 6. Patrik Odonelec (CA Paulinthal [PAS]); 13. Srdan Vukovic (1896 Ebor); 15. Kamil Jernejec (Chromatik [CMT]), 4. Mojmir Anac (Olympic Thessia), 27. Usten Odonelec (FK Arsika); 28. Antun Spiridonovic (Litala ’93)
Midfielders: 7. Alen Hrdaljko (CA Paulinthal [PAS]), 19. Mersudin Smajic (Liria Prizren); 10. Jasno Odonelec (Atletik Thessia); 23. Zijad Kurtcehajic (Atletik Thessia); 8. Tahir Fejzuli (Mâ Âlâmëómë [FFD]), 18. Vilim Kupresak (Olympic Thessia); 20. Maks Shishkin (Maethoru SC [KOR])
Forwards: 9. Jezdimir Ocokoljic (Energija Chernovets [STL), 11. Damien Gannot (Sabrefell Athletic [NPH]); 21. Dejan Zgela (Damogran FC [SRS]), 22. Kemal Gajic (FK Arsika)

[Sargossa]

Football is a sport positively filled to the brim with clichés. Game of two halves. Good feet for a big man. Taking it one game at a time. Three points for Nephara. That kind of thing. Another well worn cliché is that of the qualification campaign being a rollercoaster. Sadly, once again, it is living up to that tired cliché. The Sargossan public would very much rather that wasn’t the case. A nice, simple, straightforward passage to the Finals would be utterly delightful. Sadly, it was not meant to be chérie.

How rosy the picture had been as a thrilling encounter against TJUN-ia in Goza came to an explosive conclusion. In front of the biggest crowd of the campaign the Corsairs and Jaguars played out a mind boggling eighty something minutes of football. The score was tied at three apiece but still, like two punch drunk heavyweights still swinging away into the final round, the sides poured forward in search of a winner. TJUN-ia were on the attack, lost possession in the middle and the changeover killed them. Enrique González slid a perfect ball through for the experienced Diego Alejandro Costa to run onto. And with visiting defenders trailing desperately in his wake the number ten was coolness personified as he put a little bit of curl on his right footed drive to beat Harold Gylfisson.

The goal caused what a television commentator desperately attempting to appeal to a younger audience described as ‘absolute scenes’. The Gozan crowd roared the goalscorer’s surname to the match day announcers’ cue, as is tradition in Sargossa, with an affection rarely offered to a player on the books of Ciudad Soluca. The enthusiasm stemmed from the fact that TJUN-ia were a genuine threat to one of the two qualification places on offer and had sat just two points behind Sargossa ahead of this fixture. That cushion was now five points. Added to that was the news from Atlantian Oceania. Where, in a fixture dripping with history, Milchama shocked group favourites Turori. Suddenly the Corsairs were top of Group 13.

Flash forward one matchday and the setting had become a rainy night in San Marquez. Where Milchama were at it again. The Warriors had taken the lead early in the second half and had grimly held on to it ever since. Ironically the final chance to take something from the fixture once again fell to Costa. But whereas he revelled in the limelight in Goza, in San Marquez he fluffed his lines. He fired straight at Miles Inthracam and the chance was gone. The final whistle went and Milchama had claimed the scalp of the group leader for the second successive match. Elsewhere Turori won, to reclaim their place at the top of the standings. TJUN-ia won too, clawing back the three points they’d surrendered in Goza. And quietly Ranoria were working their way up the standings, taking advantage of those around them dropping points to move into second place.

From riding high at the top of the group to dropping out of the qualification places entirely ninety minutes later is quite the gear shift. With three matches remaining, four nations remain in contention in Group 13 and just four points separate those nations. There is really no further room for slip-ups. So a fixture against Sevendia may be either the best or worst option. The new boys have struggled immensely, with no wins from their fifteen matches so far. But their, shall we say, unconventional style has already caused problems for Sargossa once. They managed to take a point off the Corsairs in Mercada, their first of the whole campaign. A repeat of that could be the death knell for Sargossa’s qualification chances.

[Garifunya]

Garifunya
Nova Anglicana
Geisenfried
Moliza
Nyowani Kitara
Brenecia
Le Choix

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

---

14.08 5:29
Nikola was unable to move, his brain was foggy, how did anything just happen? It’s simply not possible to move like that, was this even real? Nikola’s fingers gave a curious pinch, and the nerves replied. Whatever was happening, it was real. Nikola had training for a situation like this, and every officer, even one in a control van, had a semi-auto on hand. Nikola took out his gun, knowing full well what was on the other side of the broke glass door. Nikola’s pistol was out, and he clubbed that anonymous guard in the back of the head. The unsuspecting look slumped down.

Nikola looked around the room, it was dark, and seemingly abandoned. For a place with a wanted criminal, and hounds in the halls, one would have never guessed as much down here. To Nikola it was almost as if the building wasn’t even locked down. Nikola had been here before, and it had never felt this grim. The exchanging of good never happened in these halls, though there was usually activity in this wide musty hallway. The inspection of the room quickly turned to that guards gun. The gun was something military grade, well, some sort of military. It was light to hold, deceptively so. The ammo was metal rods not unlike the one currently inside of Nikola’s comrade. They gave off a subtle heat, and Nikola felt that stirring from the day again.

While Nikola was having an experience, Borka has administered CPR, and brought in a technician, still nothing was working on Nikola’s corpse. Borka was holding back a sob, a common characteristic for a hard ass in distress. The body was warm, and it wasn’t fading. “This is a coma, perhaps,” the EMT said, “We’ll need him transported to a facility, now.” Borked looked over at the monitor, and was dumbfounded, as was the man who’s body cam was displayed. “N-no need.” Borka said, “Look at this!” She said shocked. The EMT looked over, dropping his equipment, “What the fuck?”

There Nikola stood, on the elevator, in front of Markus, “Hey buddy…” Markus said with a pause, his voice was slow, a bit worried, “I almost blasted you when I felt the car shift behind me.” Markus put away his machine gun, brining out a fist that Nikola bumped. With that action Markus knew he wasn’t hallucinating. “I think I can help here,” Nikola spoke his words softly, still not able to keep this situation from fogging over judgement, “I saw what was down there, I don’t know how, I don’t know why, I hit a guard, nobody is in that hallway.” Markus looked up, “Hey!” he shouted, “Get me some armor!”

“Come in, Control, this is Red Team, I have someone who can help me with figuring out what down here.” Makus said over the headset, at this point Borka and seemingly everyone else in the truck were looking at the monitors. “Red team, red team…” Borka trailed off before clenching her fist, “Red Team, this is Control, proceed with caution.” Borka looked back, seeing the control van’s driver texting, “On your phone?” she asked, wondering how anyone could be doing something mundane. The old man said nothing. “Am I needed?” the emergency worker asked, there was no response for a second. “You should come with me for a moment,” the van driver said. Speaking was an occasion for him, Borka was confused, quite frankly, everything was at this point.

Inside the home, Nikola had on some gear, it wasn’t much, he wasn’t supposed to be here, and quite frankly nobody knew what was going to happen. The pair, Nikola and Markus, got down into the cabin, not their first adventure together. There was a loose end here however, that poor girl Mira was still skewered against the wall. She was slumped down, Markus looked her over, noticing breath. “God spare you, Mira,” he said, “are you there? It’s okay.” Mira’s body made a noise, she must have felt pain everywhere. “Cmon,” Markus said, looking away, “We clear this area, and then doctors can get here.” The two looked around the hallway, behind them was a locked door. “Normally you can get in through with the other doors, I’m unsure why this place is so quiet,” Nikola said.

The basement would not be quiet for long.

[Trolleborg]

Greetings, compatriots! t’s TTV with the most actual news about our national football team.

SOUTH COVELLO – TROLLEBORG 0-0

This WCQ is not the best for the former world champions from South Covello, team already have lost all chances for the playoff place, and, it seems, postponing the implementation of plans to revive their former glory for at least one season. Nevertheless, the hosts determined to give points easily to our players. The fight was fought all over the field, our players had some advantage, but they were not able to convert it into the so-much-needed-goals. They acted too straightforward, in a hurry and worry, and this was feel in the moments when it was necessary to keep a cool head.
As, for example, in this episode, when the ball, after being shot by Gulbranden, hit the post, and Halst, who finished it off, put the ball right into the goalkeeper who was already lying down.

or this moment, when Valgren struck a powerful shot from point just out of the box, and Berglund hurried to finish off, but somehow put the ball right into the goalkeeper

There were several more opportunities, but so far the second generation of Trollborg players in international football is not always able to provide results.
The final whistle of the match caught our team in the attack, but points are not added for unused goal-scoring possibilities.

TROLLEBORG – WEST ZIRCONIA 2-0

In the second game, we have as a rival another team that had no tournament motivation right now. This time Morten Troghil put forward only one forward, in the person of Gulbranden, but add three attacking midfielders, moving at speed along the entire front of attack and causing a lot of trouble for the guests. Halfway through the first half, Gronholm made a quick run down the wing, make a long cross and Gulbranden opened the scoring with a header in his usual style.

And in the second half, Morten Troghil tried Berglund in place of the advanced forward and he justified the hopes placed on him – after Groningen intercepted the ball in his half of the field, he move ball forward, and from there another pass followed, right on the way of Berlund. And he run to the box, scored the second goal

To the guests' credit, they did not fall after these goals, but also tried to recoup, but, fortunately, Krogh did not bring any serious trouble. So the game ended with a necessary and important victory with a score of 2:0.

At the same time as our guys were trying to snatch victory from South Covello, Savigliane and Ethane played each other, and latter won with a convincingly score 4-1. Savigliane at the next game make a revenge on Bahia Roja, with a score 9-2, and, undoubtedly, will try to do everything possible to push our team out of second place, which lost points so imprudently during the tournament. All in all, with only three games left, and two of them will be played against direct competitors, both of whom humiliate our lads at our own turf, prospects is not too bright.

[Zwangzug]

"Greetings from the Stadium of the Restoration! I'm Samantha Laurentz."

"And I'm Amalia Ross-Stapford. Zwangzug got a key draw during the home leg, but things have changed since then--Marcus Waters calling up players like Ebrahima Jallow, and moving Conateh and Kandeh to the starting eleven."

"One thing that hasn't changed is Waters' presence on the sidelines, but with Banija in third behind Zwangzug and a hot Pemecutan side, that could change any minute. Amalia, is he in hot waters, so to speak?"

"Never heard that one before, Samantha. Look, Zwangzug aren't a first seed, but we've held them close before, relatively speaking. I think the results against Venmere and Southwest Eastnorth are going to be more telling when it comes to Kadongo Kamu's future."

"Well, we'll see. The hosts have a lot of pressure on them, but they'll have a vocal crowd behind them here--almost ninety-two thousand fans can fit here, and they'll be bringing the drums, literal and metaphorical alike..."

"...Blum looking to get the visitors into things early, but he's offsides, and that'll be an indirect free kick for Banija."

"Ikpeazu to take the free kick, with the former captain Nzo on the bench. Zwangzug attempting to build their piecemeal wall...and Ikpeazu will give it a short tap to Uster! Crain and Sibal scrambling to contain her, I don't think they saw that, but Uster's clear...and she'll shoot from distance, that's a goal! Ikpeazu with the crafty assist, and Banija make Zwangzug pay early."

"It was a penalty kick late in the game that decided things in World Cup 84, and now only six minutes into the game, a free kick has put Banija ahead..."

"...scooped up harmlessly by Kouyaté, who hurls it back into play."

"Not so long ago, Kitara AA were on top of the multiverse with a Champions' Cup victory, but it looks like that dynasty is scattering. Vasiliy Kuznetsov--he's Chromatik, no relation to the Audioslavian brothers--is off to Herzegovina City, and Ralph Winter, the Vanorian defender, is highly sought-after by leagues around the world. Do you think any of the Blue and Whites could make their way to the 1./, Samantha?"

"Not a chance."

"And why's that?"

"Cause we don't have any money, Amalia."

"Right. Er, blunt assessment from Samantha Laurentz. there, as we approach the half-hour mark. Banija lead thanks to an early Idai Uster goal..."

"...and after the two added minutes, the referee will blow for halftime. Zwangzug perhaps lucky to be keeping it close, the home midfield was controlling possession for most of the half, but if Banija can come away from this with all three points they'll have to be satisfied. Amalia?"

"What?"

"Now you say something pity that summarizes your opinion of the first half."

"My opinion? It was entertaining to watch, Banija are a quality team and the fans gave it a good atmosphere, although I guess I'd like it more if Zwangzug were winning."

"You know what, let's send it to the studio to hear from our analysts, we'll be right back..."

"...after tying Ruan's total against Annyeong Oppa, Burkhart wasted no time in passing her during the high-scoring victory against Abanhfleft. And you know, it's always thorny trying to discuss sex-based positional stereotypes or whatever the cool kids are calling them now, but I can tell you one thing--Ephesian FC know how to attack, and Jaclyn's brought that energy to the national side for several cycles, so credit where credit is due. Plus, the long campaigns we play these days."

"I'm not really sure if that last thing is the case, groups with ten teams go back quite a ways. Since countries like, uh, Quakmybush were doing their thing. Maybe not the best example."

"Anyway, Burkhart trying to bring some of that dynamism today, but while Zwangzug have looked more defensively solid in the second half, there hasn't been much in the way of offense..."

"...Hey, Amalia?"

"Yeah?"

"You're the color commentator, do you want to give us some context on the Banijan diaspora in Nyowani Kitara and the ethnic tensions there?"

"Even if I wanted to do such a thing, Samantha, which I certainly do not, I haven't the slightest idea on the background. I wholeheartedly intend to stick to sports, not as a sociopolitical statement, but out of blithe ignorance. And if I may generalize, so does the rest of the country."

"Points for honesty there. Looks like Valerie Waugh will come on for McCue with DiMarini pushing for a late rally..."

"...and that'll do it, full time here in Busukama with Uster's only goal the difference-maker. A well-earned win for the hosts, which puts them back into second place, Marcus Waters' job safe for another fortnight, and their game against Pemecutan could decide the group title."

"Zwangzug get to head home for two games against Venmere and Quakmybush; let's hope the crowd support makes a difference. From Busukama, I've been Samantha Laurentz, this is Amalia Ross-Stapford, see you in Arlington."

(Blum 12 and 56, Suzuki 41, Burkhart 70, Miovuku 33; Wayne 45+2, Bensoussan 74)

[Hapilopper]

Bangalore, Democratic Kingdom of South India
After World Cup 89 Qualifying Match 15: South India 3-2 Hapilopper
Dom Probst didn’t know what to do. He sat there in his seat in an owner’s box, grumpily taking in what might have been the most frustrating loss of the entire campaign. The Haps had just lost 3-2 to something called a Democratic Kingdom of South India, and worse, the Haps had just been eliminated from the possibility of qualifying for World Cup 89. It was a longshot anyway, but still, the frustration was still there. As the final whistle blew, the fans in South India went wild with delight as the PA announcer made an announcement in their own language, and Dom got up and stormed out of the box.

He was headed towards the locker room as he thought about what exactly to say to the players, and it wasn’t exactly working. He couldn’t think of anything to say that would make sense in his mind or anything to say that would be productive. Certainly Nathan Ellis or Thom Perkins had better ideas, and maybe they’d come up with something.

But back in the locker room, both Ellis and Perkins were dead silent. Ellis sat at his locker, visibly pissed off, staring at each of his teammates. He was thinking of something to say, but nothing was coming up. Nothing, at least, that would be productive for his teammates. Nothing that he wanted to say. Nothing that anyone wanted to hear. He looked over at Thom, who looked back at him. Thom was having a hard time figuring out what to say too. Thom walked back to his office – or what you want to call it, and stewed in his own frustrations.

When Dom got there, it didn’t come as much of a surprise to him that the rest of the locker room was deathly silent. The entire team was disappointed in what had happened – downright pissed off might be a better way to put it. Dom sat down in a chair and just stared at the rest of the team. Much of the team, who still harbored ill will towards Dom for his past comments about the kids, either brushed him off or stared him down. To say it was a tense atmosphere was putting it mildly – certainly a far cry from the other locker room, where their opponents were probably jubilantly celebrating their first win of the qualifying campaign.

For quite a while – way too long, as a matter of fact – the room was deathly silent. The only noise anyone could hear was the humming of the lights on the ceiling, as well as a few flies buzzing around the room. Everyone was just staring at each other, daring the other to talk first and break the ice. Nobody had even changed out of their kits.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Jerold Dickman broke the ice.

“Well, Probst, guess you can go looking for your new players,” Jerold said, a slither of venom spitting out from his words. “Since that’s what you wanted.”

Dom looked over at Jerold and shook his head.

“No. No. Don’t fucking do this now, Dickman,” Dom snapped. “Now is not the time for us to be talking about new players. I get it, you’re pissed off. We’re all pissed off. Who the FUCK did we just lose to? What the FUCK is a South India?”

“Caught us with our pants down,” Nathan muttered.

“Yeah, I’d say they did,” Dom continued. “But what pisses me off more is that. That attitude. Oh, we lost, we’re out of qualifying, guess we’re fired. No, you’re not fired.”

Nathan looked over at Dom and raised his eyebrows. This was a welcome surprise.

“Listen, I’ve said a few things in the past that I’ve regretted,” Dom explained. “I think we all have. We’ve done things that we wish we could take back. I don’t need to remind you of the toothpaste analogy. But the fact is, this was going to happen one way or another. We’re out of the World Cup. There’s too many dominoes that needed to fall for us to pull off a miracle. So, for now, all we’ve got to do is hope the WCC sends us an invitation to the Cup of Harmony, and do the best we can there.”

The room went silent for a little bit. The words “Cup of Harmony” always cut deep for any Hapiloppian football fan, player, coach, executive, stakeholder, whatever. But it was the reality that Hapiloppians had to live with.

“And I think we can,” Dom started back up. “You know, I made some comments earlier when we weren’t doing too good. And I guess Nate Ellis over here relayed those comments. I don’t know what y’all did, if you made them bulletin board material or what, but you improved. You’ve gotten to a much higher level of football than you were playing to start this campaign.”

The players started looking up towards Dom, and not in a hostile manner.

“We could have remained in the cellar the whole time, but none of you wanted to. All of you wanted to go out there and play some smashmouth football, and you did,” Dom continued. “And since then, I’m not going to deny it, y’all’s form has improved so much since then. I feel like we’re going to go to this Cup of Harmony, kick some ass and we’re going to put ourselves in a great spot for next year.”

“Still some more matches to go though, Probst,” Nathan chimed in.

“Yeah, there are,” Dom said. “So what we’ve got to do now? Just go out there, kick ass, have fun, and show the world that we’re going to be here for a while. Kids, consider this your vote of confidence. All of you. The rest of the matches in this campaign, we can very easily win them. You go out there, kick ass, and we’ll be just fine. And, uh, I think that’s it.”

But the message had come across loud and clear. The team nodded their heads in approval. If anything, the pressure was now off. All they had to do was go out and kick ass for the rest of the qualifying campaign, try to win as many games as possible, and then go out and try to surprise everyone in the Cup of Harmony.

Dom, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief. Everything he said was off the cuff, things that just came to mind when he said them. But it had worked.

[Milchama]

"POUR THE CHAMPAGNE!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"VICTORY!"

"YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Wait what did we win again?

"The Unofficial World Championship!"

"And what's that?"

"It's that thing where the winner of the first game of international soccer is always defending their title, like in boxing, and then once they've defended their title it goes around and around again and again over and over"

"Ok that's nice"

"Yeah I learned about it in an Idiot Project video"

"That's good stuff"

"Agreed except that it keeps doing bad things to Milchama"

"Anywhoo, weren't we already the UWC?"

"In the 40s at some point, so a very long time ago"

"Wow we were still on the Jolt Forums"

"Yep a very long time ago"

"So wait, we got this by beating Turori?"

"Nope we got it by beating Sargossa"

"Huh?"

"Well Turori lost the belt by losing to TJUN-ia"

"And we lost to them?"

"Yep"

"And then Sargossa beat TJUN-ia and then we beat Sargossa"

"That's nice"

"It is! BECAUSE WE'RE NOW THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"AESH AESH!"

"MILCHAMA!"

"LOH TESACHECK HAGANAH!!!"

"Yeah!"

"Also we beat Turori"

"Yeah that's pretty cool to beat the defending world champs"

"So that's a pretty feather in the cap"

"Yep and also, historically, our first ever 6 point matchday cycle"

"Oh yeah good call"

"Yeah because we never did the 2/48 thing for scorination"

"Yep so it never happened or could have happened in any other World Cup we participated in"

"Nope"

"What do you think about the 2/48 thing?"

"I do think people are wrong about how much RPs there are. Like there are more nations now and each nation writes a lot but I don't think RP quality has really changed that much since the 60s in any meaningful sense"

"Though stuff like NYK has been pretty cool and that sort of story RP was a lot rarer"

"Definitely and bringing in all these other nations is really cool"

"Yeah it's really incredible some of the new things"

"So then 2/48 good?"

"I mean I like more time to RP but, in general, we're getting a RP in on the first day almost every time so that's not a big deal"

"Also, the next World Cup is going to be in like February and that's ridiculous"

"Yeah it really should start quicker"

"4 times a year!"

"Once a quarter!"

"Also, put in 48 teams!"

"Really though!"

"There are too many teams and the key to maintaining numbers is progress"

"It's not about results"

"Nah, nobody cares about results but what people do want to see is progress up the rankings"

"I mean people care about results, that's reductionist, but people care more about results in the context of improvement"

"Like next World Cup we should be in the Top 150 or so"

"And then the World Cup after that in Top 100 or so"

"Then, from there, we should be competitive in the CoH"

"Right and that leads us on a path to the World Cup itself"

"However, right now, I don't know if that's possible"

"And honestly that's frustrating"

"Super frustrating"

"So we should do something else"

"Basically"

"How about win the WBC?"

"I like the World Cup"

"Oh me too and I want to win the Cup of Harmony again"

"Yeah, we're the best CoH team of all time. Can't give up that record"

"Also, we're the unofficial World Champions!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"

"Defend the title!"

"Beat the infidels!"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Lathamford]

The Farmers:: part 9

The fifth game of the Lathamford Nationwide League finds Teaham FC with LNL first-season champions Hightrees FC at Throgmorton Memorial Stadium, Hightrees, a stadium that can hold 17,000 spectators. Head coach Josephus_Nicholas Batchelor placed players based on his usual 4-3-3 formation. The Highlanders put Landgrave Raimond as a goalkeeper, captain Calvon Shelton led the defensive position, Yazen Graves was in midfield with Javari Davenport and Zaniel Phillips, and venomous striker Styn Fyggs as their targetman. The Farmers as usual remained in a 3-4-3 formation, but this time head coach Nilson Morrow did not put defender Deiphobus Catling and striker as well as captain Antiochus Vernon due to injury. For the first time, young striker Octavius ​​Velutus was included in the starting line -up as was defender Angus Rebeck. In the 12th minute Hightrees FC took the lead with a beautiful one-two play between Styn Fyggs and Yazen Graves and caused the Teaham FC defense to get confused and easily Fyggs scored Hightress FC’s first goal. Shocked by the opponent's early goal, the Teaham FC player doubled the attack and almost equalized, when the ball bounced from the goalkeeper's arms right towards Lodovico Stafford but his shot bounced off the Highlanders goal. Teaham FC's attacks also became more frequent in the second half, but, a quick counter-attack by the opponent caused Teaham FC's defensive position to open wide and easily Fyggs scored the second goal in the 76th minute and remained until the end of the match. [Part 1 ׀ Part 2 ׀ Part 3 ׀ Part 4 ׀ Part 5 ׀ Part 6 ׀ Part 7 ׀ Part 8 ׀ Part 9 ׀ Part 10]

MD16: Lathamford vs. Agresos		
@Thousandforks National Arena (30,000)	׀ Sprowston Energy

Glowsnarl
Haymoore -Skelmersdale (C) - Decker
Wymondham - Wyvernchaser -Hargreave - Colfield
Clawbrand - Kingsley - Farrowsteam


MD17: Melbergia vs. Lathamford
@UNK	׀ NIL

Glowsnarl
Haymoore -Skelmersdale (C) - Decker
Wymondham - Wyvernchaser -Hargreave - Colfield
Clawbrand - Kingsley - Farrowsteam

[Valladares]

Rodham House, Metropolis
1:30 AM

"The results of the referendum on the Southeast Region of Darmen have been announced. With over one hundred fifty-one thousand ballots, Darmeni voters have chosen to go for the option of autonomy within Darmen, rejecting the options for independence and union with the United Kingdom of Valladares..."

"Well...this is extremely disappointing, and rounds up a very bad day. First there was this draw between Valladares and Garbelia, which is just as good as losing, and now this. Gah."

The TV placed at the living room of the official residence of the Prime Minister of Valladares was turned off and the room was, for an instant, entirely covered by darkness. The lights soon turned on to show the figure of Prime Minister Florent Philippe, who wasn't really into the business of staying up late, but the current events in Darmen and Nyowani Kitara had forced him to stay awake for longer than usual in recent days. Precisely, the main matter that caught the attention of Valladar policymakers seemed to be finally settled with Darmeni voters preferring to go for autonomy in the southeast, an option which Valladars were not quite content with.

At least, not the Royal Government headed by Philippe. The Prime Minister left the room to go to bed, but before entering his chamber he took one last detour to his office and picked up the phone to call a mysterious interlocutor.

(yawning) "Hello?"

"Hello, it's me, Florent Philippe. I guess you have already found out about the outcome of the referendum, right?"

"Huh? Did we win?" - asked the misterious figure before yawning again.

"OF COURSE NOT! The little fuckers opted to go for autonomy, which is just the same as if nothing had happened, and also meaning that all our hard work in making them vote for union has gone down the drain and some heads will roll once His Highness knows about it. With his blessing we spent hundreds....not, millions of points in a campaign which ended up being futile and clearly some unfortunate ones will have to be held accountable for this setback. And you know what I mean better than anyone else..."

"Relax, mister. Right, we lost...but it's not really a big deal. Remember that the Darmenis agreed to hold this referendum basically because they've been craving for CRC membership for a long time, and they believe that the poor relationship with Valladares is a major hurdle towards that goal. That said, they still have more to lose than us, and we could still use those results to our advantage..."

Upon hearing that, the grim expression on Philippe's face changed radically and his eyes glowed in expectation.

"Hmm...now you tell me: how do you suggest we could do that?"

"Look, everyone here in Darmen believes that the Valladars were not fully supportive of the referendum pushed from Metropolis, and that they would rather live under the current conditions they have. What a silly fallacy. It's pretty clear that Valladars in Darmen are living a miserable life and it's no secret that a change to that status quo is not in the best interests of Rademacher and his gang. So considering this outcome, the path towards the change we wish for leads us towards...vote rigging!"

"Vote rigging?"

"Yeah, vote rigging. The Darmenis pride themselves in their democracy and such, right? Therefore, an accusation of vote rigging being directed against them would do immeasurable harm to their reputation, would also grant Valladares a far stronger position to negotiate terms, or even dictate them as you wish, and would even convince the CRC to shoot down their application as they will believe their democracy is not transparent enough. Possibilities with such a scenario are endless, sir!"

"Hmm...that could be the way. It seems the Darmenis have just shot themselves in the feet by thinking autonomy would be enough to keep Valladares satisfied...how naïve of them! And there's still no word on any renunciation of their silly claims to the Westlands."

"There you go. The Royal Government opens up the Pandora's Box, says that the Darmeni government rigged the vote to get their way and avoid losing territories...and boom! If you wish, I can get my units as well as other "friends" working on spreading this accusation among the general populace right away."

"Yes. That will do. As for our public stance, which I will announce at the Royal Parliament in the morning is: Valladares will not accept these results until there is a report from our group of election watchers, which will confirm the rigging. In the meantime, I will talk with some MPs during the session to inform them of this new course of action while also trying to get their support to issue a declaration on the matter, which shouldn't be too hard to do anyways. At this rate, both Astograth and Sargossa will end up joining the CRC way before Darmen does...even the Valladar national football team might qualify for the World Cup finals before that happens!"

"Please update me on something...are we doing anything with Nyowani Kitara in the end?"

"No. We at the Higher Royal Council decided that the conflict there was none of our business and that we should sit down and watch everyone else involved divide and conquer each other. Though we might revisit the issue and make other decisions if things there get more convoluted or if we somehow end up splashed by any spillover, but for the moment we'll let them and their tinpot pretenders rot in peace..."

[Turori]

Champions at Risk of Missing out with Loss to Warriors

Eels in Must-Win Scenario vs. Ranoria to preserve World Cup Title Defense hopes

Alexander the Pretty Good Stadium, Alexandria, Milchama :: When the Turori National Team packed their bags for the short trip south to Milchama it would be a trip that no one on the squad had ever made before - at least not with the National Team. The most recent meeting between Turori and Milchama - in Milchama - at the World Cup Qualifying level was during the Qualifiers for World Cup 60. Milchama and Turori were the main contenders in a group headlined by Bostopia with the group winner advancing to the World Cup Finals and runner up being eligible for a playoff and a chance to also advance to the Finals. As typical, Turori and Milchama would play home and away matches during World Cup 60 Qualifying though unlike World Cup 89 Qualifying, it would be the Milchama leg of the schedule up first. While it was just five matchdays into the fourteen matchday qualification schedule, the game between Turori and Milchama at the National Stadium in Alexandria would prove to be the single most important match of the Group 12 schedule.

Milchama would come away with a 3-1 victory in front of the home fans in Alexandria and it was those three points that would ultimately be the difference in the final Group 12 standings. Milchama Finished the Group with a 9-3-2 record for 30 points while Turori, 8-3-3, was three points back on 27. With that it was Milchama who would advance to the World Cup 60 Qualification Playoffs while Turori were sent packing and off to the Cup of Harmony instead. Milchama would survive the Playoff Pod format to advance to the World Cup 60 finals - with it all linking back to the Warriors home victory in Alexandria over Turori.

Now, fast forward nearly 30 cycles and history in a sense is coming back around as Turori square off with Milchama in World Cup 89 Qualifying. With the Alexandria-based leg being in the second half of the Qualifying campaign, there was far more fidelity in the group table when the two sides met then their had been during World Cup 60 Qualifying, and this time it was the Eels with the advantage as Milchama looked to hang on to their qualification hopes with victory over Turori. Sitting 12 points back with five games to play, Milchama had to win out the remainder of their schedule to stay in the Playoff hunt but even that would require help from other nations dropping points along the way. For Turori, they came into the match as defending World Cup Champions for the very first time in an away match on Atlantian Oceania soil.

Of course, when the Turori National Team first arrived in Milchama, the first thing they noticed was the temperature. A particularly abrupt cold spell had plunged the overnight temperatures just below the freezing point. When the Turori National Team arrived at the Alexander the Pretty Good Stadium and attempted to head out onto the pitch for warmups they were instead greeted with a slushy mix of grass and tundra - nothing any of them had particularly wanted to step foot on. While being interviewed prior to the match, Turorian defender Lulu Pumaziiri recalled the complaints that the Milchama curling team had about the Ice conditions in temperate Turori during the AOlympics and was quick to criticize the quality of the pitch on offer in Alexandria, dubbing the premises as the "Alexander the Pretty Bad Stadium" instead.

Ultimately, however, the conditions on the pitch would be the same for both sides and Turori would actually pull out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a goal coming in from the right hand side by Lati'ala Giaoka. Unfortunately for the Eels, their chances would be limited from that point on as they struggled to adapt to the poor field conditions as well as the confidence of the Warriors side looking to claim a major scalp in front of their home follows who have recently shown a massive increase in support to the National Team following their deep run in the Baptism of Fire Cup. Milchama would level the scores in the 36th minute through Marc K. Floren as their four-up-top tactic was found to be an effective counter to the System Turori tactics at play from Turorian head coach Tarek Edgeli.

The Eels would come out unchanged for the second half but would find themselves trailing for the first time in the match within ten minutes as the Warriors halftime substitute Dee Schneider gave Milchama the lead in the 56th minute. Edgeli would respond making one change to try to help Turori's possession numbers, introducing midfielder Lulu Pumaziri in place of young defender Planio'o Nrujsa who recently completed a transfer to Revolutionaires of the EuraLeague. The change would help Turori re-gain possession of the ball but in the conditions the Eels were not able to put the same level of control on the ball and weren't making the most of the possession and space they found. Edgeli decided it was time for a new attack coming in the form of more midfield possession and forward press. Daliora Toru'u replaced Biliki Rona'atu'i while Kiidallen Aeroluzzi came in as a straight swap for Cuoabaza Orani'aoa. With Milchama now reverting into a defensive posture Turori attempted to fill the space but could not break through and eventually the full time whistle sounded with Turori on the losing end once more. For the World Cup Champions it was a bitterly difficult pill to swallow as the defeat dropped Turori out of the lone Automatic Qualification Spot in Group 13 and back into the thick of a five nation battle for the Group 13 playoff spot.

Despite being heavily favored on paper - ranked over 200 places higher than their regional rivals in the latest World Cup Committee sanctioned National Rankings, the Turori National Team had lost in Milchama. Again. Just as they had 29 cups ago and extending a losing streak that dates all the way back to World Cup 24. It was on Matchday 8 of World Cup 24 qualifying - or Sixty Five cycles ago, that Turori last defeated Milchama in Milchama during a World Cup or World Cup Qualification match. While the odds of Milchama Qualifying for the World Cup remained incredibly slim, they had under poor conditions at the Alexander the Not-So-Good Stadium taken down Turori once again and provided a stadium packed with Warrior fans with a memorable day of defeating the World Cup Champions- highlighting the potential the team boasts for future campaigns.

 Turori [1] - [2] Milchama
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 12' Lati'ala Giaoka              		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 49%:: Shots: 2:: Corners: 5	Milchama 	:: Possession: 51%:: Shots: 5:: Corners: 9
	Lineup:	[GK]  Timaala Hualtia, [D.]  Amakli Inuro'o, [D.]  Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.]  Planio’o Nrujsa, [D.]  Karek Edgeli, [ML]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MC]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MC]  Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [MR]  Lati'ala Giaoka, [FC]  Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC]  Turakia Diijelhma			
	Bench:	[FC]  Loala Inkabu, [FC]  Wiztsana Iretziia, [M]  Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [M]  Daliora Toru'u, [U ]  Lulu Pumaziiri, [D]  Moumouni Verre'elali, [GK]  Wiyauw An'maude

While it was yet another defeat in Milchama for Turori, there was perhaps a more relevant stat working against the Eels in World Cup 89 Qualifying and that was their performance away from home. In fact, with the defeat to Milchama on Matchday 14 the Eels had now lost three of their last four matches on the road including key matchups against playoff contenders Milchama and TJUN-ia in addition to the absolutely stunning defeat to Raspotochje, the nation at the very bottom of the latest World Cup Committee Official Rankings that couldn't even provide press passes to the visiting media to cover their game with the World Champs.

As a result of the scheduling, Turori would have their more difficult run in in the second half of World Cup 89 Qualifying which wuold also mean back to back Away games for the second time. Following the defeat in Milchama, Turori - now having conceded at least one goal in a record seven consecutive games - would make the uncharted trip to face Pyazhnaya - the Baptism of Fire Champions. In an attempt to stop the bleeding on defense, Tarek Edgeli brought Derizi Amatopa back into the starting lineup to face Pyazhnaya as among the three Turorian goalkeepers to start for the Eels during World Cup 89 Qualifying it was Amatopa with the best stats having conceded just a single goal through four starts. While many were predicting Amatopa would take over as clear #1 for the Eels this cycle, the Eura-based youngster had a full schedule in the offseason winning in Olympic Gold medal with the Vilitan Union and following it up with an Eagle's Cup title for the Turori National Team resulting in the decision to maintain the standard rotation system for World Cup 89 Qualifying. Timaala Hualtia also had an impressive season in the Vilitan Declasse Division helping to lead Inland Peaks FC back to the Vilitan Stellar Division for Season 67 and in the process earning more starts for the National Team.

Edgeli's Eels were also looking to take the opportunity to claim victory over a team they knew tehy could beat - having defeated Pyazhnaya 5-1 at home earlier in the campaign, and end the slide they had been suffering on the road where they had dropped points in four of their last five road games. The Eels would get off to a dream start in the match with Lulu Pumaziiri opening the scoring with a 17th minute header off a Corner Kick delivered by Kentu Umaka'a. Less than ten mintues later the Eels had doubled their advantage through Yeaddin Owls AFC striker Turakia Diijelhma as Turori once again seemed to be in post-defeat rally mode in an attempt to shake off the bad mojo and get back into the thick of the battle to top Group 13.

There was a moment of uncertainty as it seemed that Pyazhnaya might be finding a way back in when they became just the second team to find a way to score on Derizi Amatopa thus far in qualifying, 21 year old Inna Parshikova playing a neat one-two with Timur Krasnopyorov while the Turorian defense focused on the Pyazhnaya, the winger was able to find just enough space to let off a shot that narrowly escape the outstretched arms of the Revolutionaries netminder. With the crowd back in the match and the atmosphere and momentum shifting away from the Eels, a moment of inexperience from Pyazhnaya gifted back to Turori control of the match when a foul just outside the area resulted in a Free Kick for one of Turori's specialists: Kentu Umaka'a. Umaka'a cleanly delivered the ball around the wall and just clipping the underside of the bar as it went into the net with nothing that Maksimilian Chupov could do to stop it. With the dying moments of the first half, the Umaka'a free kick had sucked the energy out of the stadium and given the Eels a 3-1 lead. After making just one change at the half, Umaka'a would add a second goal on the hour mark from the penalty spot to seal the deal as Turori would win 4-1 ending their string of poor results on the road.

Now, with just three matches left in Qualification, it will all be decided on the field back home in Turori as the Eels host Ranoria in a top-of-the-table clash at the Iobabao Legendary Park in Mliona, home of Mliona-Lpaka AFC. With rivals Sargossa and TJUN-ia facing off against Bottom sides Sevendia and Raspotochje respectively in back to back games, and unlikely to suffer the same fate as the Eels who dropped an absolutely stunning 0-1 game on the road to Raspotochje on Matchday 12, victory over Ranoria is absolutely critical for Turori to maintain any chance at defending their title at World Cup 89 in Tikariot and South Newlandia. Defeat to Ranoria would see Turori lose control of their own destiny and could see the Eels finish outside the Top 2 even if they should win their final two matches.

There is no doubt, the stadium will be packed when Turori square off with Ranoria on Matchday 16 of World Cup 89 Qualifying in the most significant match Turori have contested since the World Cup 88 Final itself.

 Turori [4] - [1] Pyazhnaya 
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 17' Lulu Pumaziiri:: 25' Turakia Diijelhma:: 44' Kentu Umaka'a:: 58' Kentu Umaka'a           		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 63%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 13	Pyazhnaya  	:: Possession: 37%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 3
	Lineup:	[GK]  Derizi Amatopa, [D.]  Moumouni Verre'elali, [D.]  Lulu Pumaziiri, [D.]  Planio’o Nrujsa, [D.]  Biliki Rona'atu'i, [ML]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MC]  Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC]  Daliora Toru'u, [MR]  Kentu Umaka'a, [FC]  Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC]  Turakia Diijelhma			
	Bench:	[FC]  Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC]  Loala Inkabu, [M]  Lati'ala Giaoka, [M]  Kinabo Telioa, [U ]  Cusaram Sakeri, [D]  Amakli Inuro'o, [GK]  Timaala Hualtia

[Chromatika]

Part 1: The Plan
Part 2: The Debrief
Part 3: The Shadow Hand
Part 4: The Explosion
Part 5: The Indictment
Here follows what can be considered Part 6

Opinion: Aart's Government is Complicit to the Current Predicament of Chromatika

By: Enigma Armageddon, Guest Columnist

”Watching this… debacle occur back home has been rather hard for me since the Declaration was made. It is a shame that this has happened. A bunch of powerful politicians claiming to do what is best for the nation have made a choice that will have far-reaching circumstances, and to what end? It’s all so that the powerful can stay powerful, the rich stay rich, and so the structures around us do not wear down and do not get replaced by change. What do I think of the geopolitical situation? I reserve the possibility that for other nations involved, it may have been the right decision. They are them, and I have no bearing on what is going on in an Audioslavia, a Starblaydia, a Krytenia, a Ko-oren, a Quebec, or any of the other signees. However, as a Chromatik, as someone who’s kept an eye on the pulse of the country as I have - this is a move reeking of cowardice, of brazen betrayal of trust between the government and the peoples that they have sworn to protect.

There are aspects of the Chromatik government that I’ve grown to trust, to appreciate, to love. Then, there are decisions like this that make me deeply ashamed to be a Chromatik. So, on behalf of my government, I apologize to every person who’s been negatively impacted by this decision."

I said these words not quite a year ago as Energija Chernovets faced Raynor City at the Championship of the Atlantian Oceanian Champions' League. Now? I stand by them more than ever.

Foxchester has only ever been a reminder of the pitfalls of Chromatik society.

Can you believe that it's not been ten years since the Rainbow Revolution? We were supposed to have thrown off the yokes of the Chromatik Party. We had the hopes that Chromatika would endeavor to help those who had been suppressed for so long, to help raise voices of those who had been kept silent. Instead, the government has only made empty gestures, the bare minimum in order to quiet the voices of dissent.

Too many children are being abandoned because the generation that grew up in the ROYG era cannot afford to keep them. The unemployment rate of the ROYG population hasn't crested below 25%, and the percentage of previously ROYG Chromatiks that have broken the upper echelon of Chromatik society remain even lower than that. And what has the government done to help them?

Reincorporation and reeducation programs aren't working because they're being headed by the previously BIV population who have no idea what the ROYG population went through. The best efforts have come from nonprofit organizations and other citizens who wanted to make a difference.

Then, the attacks came. Four of our own were grievously injured. Eight others are still out of commission. All because there is now a terrorist group that is trying to call attention to something that we've been talking about for years. No, I don't condone their actions. However, I understand where they are coming from, and if violence is something that the government answers, then maybe change will come. Not that I want there to be violence, but progress must happen in order for our country to truly rebuild.

I call upon a new power in Chromatik politics, one that will actually listen to the demands and the cries of the people. One that isn't so caught up in regionalism and individual glory to ignore the pleas of a major percentage of the population. One that isn't so hell-bent on restoring tradition and the return to the norm. One that isn't so caught up in revenge to ignore the big picture. No, I call upon a power that will understand its role in Chromatik society and the role that government needs to play in restoring a level playing field and a unifying spirit.

Thankfully, for the first time in ages, I have good news.

It is time you all heard it, too.

---

Saebitdang Rising: Emergence of Third Major Party Undermines Premier Election
A New Light Dawns

By: Harold Springer, Special News Correspondent

CHROMIA, CAPITAL DISTRICT - In a move that blindsided the entire Chromatik political system, nineteen Representatives of the Rainbow Party and nine Representatives of the Traditionalist Party split off from their respective parties to form a third party, calling themselves the New Light Party (Saebitdang in Korean, Nouvelle Lumière in French, Atarashī Hikari in Japanese, Xīnguāng in Mandarin). New Light stands for light being brought to the dark places that Chromatik history has forgotten. Here are the twenty-eight, and what parties they used to belong to:

RD Chromia Hills: Carbin van Dolen (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Central #1: Esmeralda Flores (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Central #3: Patricia Meeks (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Central #4: Kang Sae-Deok (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Eastern #2: Justin Insallier (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Southern #2: Hera Ran (Rainbow Party)
RD Chromia Northern #1: Mileek Kiljoy (Rainbow Party)
RD Alnio #1: Geri von Marksten (Rainbow Party)
RD Alnio #3: Xavier Panchelo (Rainbow Party)
RD Capital East #1: Viktor Reenth (Traditionalist Party)
RD Lanar #2: Erewon Gilath (Rainbow Party)
RD Lanar #3: Carlislye Bea (Traditionalist Party)
RD Sanar #4: Ilyana Basketerina (Traditionalist Party)
RD Pelar #1: Yera Boroque (Rainbow Party)
RD Pùr: Caitlyn Nickerson (Rainbow Party)
RD Heartland: Liam Greer (Rainbow Party)
RD Z'ai'ai #2: Timothy Ans (Traditionalist Party)
RD Z'ai'ai #4: Li Xiyiang (Rainbow Party)
RD Mountain #1: Wario Epps (Traditionalist Party)
RD Coastal: Kim Soo-Bin (Rainbow Party)
RD Myana Western: Mati Ikara (Traditionalist Party)
RD Tihon #1: Kameron Lyle (Traditionalist Party)
RD Tihon #2: Ethan Anster (Traditionalist Party)
RD Tihon #4: Uriah Jon (Rainbow Party)
RD Tihon #5: John Mettre (Rainbow Party)
RD Urrheddiao #1: Hélène Embroise (Rainbow Party)
RD Urrheddiao #2: Wyre Ebon (Traditionalist Party)
RD Urrheddiao #4: Reed Gren (Rainbow Party)

The Head of the New Light Party is one Hélène Embroise, the Head of the Chambers of the Legislature, the woman who used to be at the right hand of Keri Wyse Aart. Now, the split is 29 Rainbow, 28 New Light, 14 Traditionalist, 7 Red, and 3 Independents.

The New Light Party is composed of those of the Rainbow Party who agree with one Enigma Armageddon about the state of affairs in ROYG society and the elements of the Traditionalist Party who think that some traditions need to be abolished forever. Now, there is actually a voice to those who believe that Chromatika should be nationalistic while not being xenophobic; those who think that the government should take care of their own while also keeping an eye on those around them in the region.

"We look to foster change that will actually leave an impact on Chromatik society," stated Embroise in a press conference, "We will hope to continue to work with the Premier and her government toward a better future."

The Chambers of the Legislature after the Split

Chromatik politics is forever changed. Gone are the days of the bipartisan system - now, Chromia must have two parties working with each other at least in order to get anything done. The future is uncertain; it is a time of change.

---

Sports: Anomalies Bounce Back, Capitalize on Off Days from Sylestone and Eura
Pivotal Three-Game Stretch Still Awaits

By: Jordan Lawless, Sports Correspondent

Matchday 14: Darmen 2–7 Chromatika
Goals: Kuznetsov '10, '33, '38, '85, Vidal '49, Mora '55, Humphreys '77
Player of the Match: LM/LW Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov (4 Goals, 1 Assist)
Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Fillar, J.; Xiao - de Aea - Ken - Ilya; Humphreys - Armageddon (C) - Zuniga - Kuznetsov; Mora; Vidal.
Substitutes: Winge-> Marc ('51), Apt-> Zuniga ('64), Pomeroy -> Ilya ('72)

Matchday 15: Chromatika 1-0 Schima Bas @ United Center, Urrheddiao, Urrhed Island
Goals: Mora '58
Player of the Match: AM Hermaeus Mora (1 Goal)
Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Fillar, J.; Xiao - de Aea - Ken - Ilya; Humphreys - Armageddon (C) - Zuniga - Kuznetsov; Mora; Vidal.
Substitutes: De Saint-Pierre -> Xiao ('61), Ingram -> Ken ('78), Thibodeaux -> Vidal ('82)

UNITED CENTER, URRHEDDIO, URRHED ISLAND - Revenge is a dish best served cold.

After defeating Schima Bas 1-0 at the United Center in Urrheddiao behind the lone goal from Hermaeus Mora, Chromatika now sits atop the group, one point ahead of Eura and three points ahead of Sylestone. After Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov's four-goal thriller against Darmen - in which he also added an assist - the Chromatiks won their fourth match in a row since the tragedy and are in fine position to qualify.

They'll still need to play against Sylestone and Eura. If they beat Eura at the Capitalizt Dome, things get much clearer; drop that match, and everything is still on the line.

They'll have a lot of those who were kept on leave back; Haley Hauser will start, as well Alissar Pheon as Baillaire Fillar is still out.

A chance awaits to clinch that ticket to Tikariot and South Newlandia.

Chromatik Roster for the Next Two Matches:
GK Juxon Fillar, GK Ferret Tioux, GK Jacob Descombes, RB Kai Xiao, RB Grayson Fillar, CB Henri de Aea, CB Giles Ken, CB Keira Anbient, CB Damon Ingram, LB Valence Ilya, LB Nina Pomeroy, RM/RW Augustus Humphreys, RM/RW Orianne Marc, LM/LW Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov, LM/LW Andréa Croix-Pierre, DM Enigma Armageddon, DM Kateryna Zuniga, AM Hermaeus Mora, AM Haley Hauser, DM Kaia Larriet-Cortes, DM Eli Apt, AM Tyoma Laurette, AM Alissar Phoen, ST Olimipa Vidal, ST Alicia Gainsbourg.

Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Fillar, J.; Xiao - de Aea - Ken - Ilya; Humphreys - Armageddon (C) - Kuznetsov; Phoen - Hauser; Vidal.

---

Premier Results: Keri Wyse Aart Wins Second Term
Unique Challenges Lie Ahead

By: Xinyi Leung, Politics Correspondent

On an almost lazy afterthought after the split of the Rainbow and Traditionalist Parties to the Rainbow, Traditionalist, and New Light Party, Keri Wyse Aart won the second term of her Premiership by a large margin over Theodore D'Arte of the Traditionalist Party and Teylor Gogh of the Red Party. Keri Wyse Aart obtained 61.3% of the vote, with D'Arte getting 35.4% and Gogh getting 3.3%.

KWA will have her hands full with having to deal with an entirely volatile Chambers of the Legislature. She didn't say much in her acceptance speech, but is expected to make some remarks in the State of Chromatika address in the next month.

Keri Wyse Aart becomes the first Premier to serve two terms for Chromatika. It'll be fascinating to see just how much things change in the years to come.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2021
Standing at the brink
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Editor

There are 10,000 stories in the current World Cup Qualifying tournament that could be told, but it's not true that 5,000 of them are about the campaign to date of the Baker Park National Team.

That doesn't mean that there aren't several different ways of looking at the circumstances as they stand with three matches remaining, but few of those angles involve outright total confidence that the side will sweep the trio of fixtures against Kiltoch, Aut-Ves-Nat and Jeruselem to guarantee one of the top two places at the top of the table.

There is an undercurrent of foreboding in the foreign media of the nations that make up Group 17 that BP will find the missing 'something', that their experience will be one of the keys to withstanding the pressure of coming through in the clutch, that the pendulum will swing back in the direction of restoring normal service much as it has in nearly every other group.

My colleague from The Daily Mail and I talked about this on the flight back from Peeto, especially in the context of the result there. Over the final 30 minutes, one could sense that the home side were holding on in hopes of getting a point, playing not to lose by being a touch too deliberate in decisions they were making. Junior Ngoba's go-ahead goal seemed to suck all of the energy out of the Marshupov Arena, and the body language of the Polkopians after the final whistle wasn't what would be expected of a group making plans for a trip to Tikariot or South Newlandia.

The Commonwealth will come up against the pair of sides that created a lot of the immediate consternation when Kiltoch arrive at Collins Park and Aut-Ves-Nat will host the Bees as the second of a home doubleheader match week which will see Polkopia also visit the CAFA champions.

More than just salvaging a chance to extend their qualification streak, BP will be desperate to finish on top if only to avoid a scenario where they would certainly go into a playoff and possibly one of the lowest ranked seeds in a draw. While they are not the only top seed in danger of this outcome, it would be preferable to not making the playoff at all.

In a much wider picture, these qualifications haven't seen nations running away from the opposition, with only one nation so far having clinched a top 2 berth--Graintfjall. Cassadaigua have yet to lose, and Audioslavia haven't been pushed hard in Group 6, but it is unusual that with just 3 matchdays remaining there are no fewer than 50 possible nations that could make the cut to 36.

[Sajnur]

Sajnuran parties stake out positions on the civil war in Nyowani Kitara

Molina

A long winded debate in the federal Assembly has seen Sajnur's main political parties crystallise their positions on the Nyowani Kitara conflict, and most of those crystals have sharpened against the Kitara Freedom Front (KFF). The rebel group, led by Malik Akongo, has formed in the south of the country, having sprouted from the city of Inhalo, and has gained territory in the surrounding agricultural areas, and also an elongated exclave on Nyowani Kitara's eastern border stretching north from the border with San Ortelio. His motivations are unclear, but he promises to bring freedom to the country currently ruled by his sister Nafuna as the head of the nominally communist Kitara People's Working Coalition (KPWC), who only recently took the reins after the death of their father Boaz Akongo. Boaz was himself the successor of his General Zelotes Akongo, who established the current military dictatorship after overthrowing President Tinaro Kutamba to prevent the establishment of democracy in the form of elections scheduled for just a week later. Whether freedom is really on the mind of Malik, or whether he simply wants his father's throne, is unclear, but Sajnur's political establishment seems to have established a near consensus that the latter is the case, the exception being the right wing Conservative Party, whose ideology has broad overlap with Malik's KFF.

Wasim Jolla's foreign ministry has released a statement condemning alleged war crimes by both the KFF and KPWC and imploring the latter to work toward peace between themselves and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Kitara (DFLK), based in the northern city of Port Viljan and holding the countries two northern peninsular exclaves. The statement further hits out at Juvencus and Banija for their support for the KFF. The Communist Party, part of the governing coalition but holding no cabinet posts of international importance, has openly thrown support to the KPWC to the surprise of no one, while the Socialist Party, of Prime Minister Emily Terjezi and President Oshla Toraq, and the Green Party, of Jolla and Deputy Prime Minister Jasmin Etien, have both refrained from choosing between the KPWC and the DFLK.

The KFF has proven widely unpopular in Sajnur even among otherwise conservative Christian communities in Laghia, many of which were held by the Conservative Party until their collapse in the 2023 elections following their attempt to introduce broad surveillance laws. According to University of Ciarkhan professor Timo Versaiov, the KFF simply reminds them too much of the old Laghian dictatorship, while others have pointed out parallels between the KFF and the Imperial Laghian Army. Conversely, the DFLK has significant support in Laghia, with a poll finding 41% support for the DFLK, compared to just 9% support for the KFF and 23% for the KPWC. The Liberal Party, the main beneficiary of former Conservative voters in Laghia, has themselves backed the DFLK, as has the small Libertarian Party. The Pirate Party has openly declared that "the Nyowani Kitara conflict is simply three bad actors hungry for power and riches", and the National Party has made no statements at all, with possible sympathies for the KFF's indigenist positions outweighed by their alleged support for establishing Mormonism as the state religion, in obvious opposition to the National Party's strong pagan position.

Further confounding the conflict is the potential for ethnic violence, with the KFF composed entirely of black Kitarans in the south of the country, and the DFLK primarily of white Osterlanders and Nordlanders in the country's north. While the latter has promised a multi ethnic nation under their control, the former has made no indication that the white northern population will be included in the political process.

The government has promised humanitarian aid to Nyowani Kitara, but there is disagreement about whether Sajnur should be involved further. Terjezi's Socialists have shown appetite for sending armed peacekeepers to the country or surrounding region, but Jolla's Greens are resistant about the idea of involvement, with Sajnur's great distance from the conflict, Tikariot's naval patrols around the war stricken country, and the ongoing violence in Laghia all being big points against sending personnel. Whether further action from the Sajnuran government is forthcoming is to be seen, but there is already great interest in Nyowani Kitara's deteriorating situation. As of now, the KPWC retain the capital Dewayo and the centre of the country, but the DFLK is swallowing up the north and the KFF managed to acquire a KPWC naval vessel and use it in a suicidal attack on Dewayo.

---

Statement of the Government of Sajnur on Nyowani Kitara

As is well known amongst almost everyone, Nyowani Kitara has fallen into a civil war, and the country's people have fallen into suffering amongst the bloodshed. We in Sajnur have also noticed this despair, and we feel for their citizens. As such, we wish it that peace comes quickly. We understand that the Kitaran People's Workers Coalition has over the last few decades been the perpetrator of countless violations of human rights, and that during this war they will commit countless more.

However, we believe the Kitaran Freedom Front is no better. They claim to be a voice for oppressed Kitarans, and that they will bring back Kitaran tribal customs from a moribund state imposed on them by the KPWC. However, they are led by Malik Akongo, the son of the recently deceased Boaz, the primary oppressor of the Kitarans for so long, and the sister of the KPWC's latest Akongo leader, Nafuna. We believe that Malik has no interest in the people of Nyowani Kitara. Before now, he had no interest in his country at all; he simply traveled on the KPWC account, to parties on boats and castles with moats. Yet the moment his sister ascends to power, he comes back to Nyowani Kitara to overthrow her? We believe this to mere jealousy and vindiction.

Furthermore, Malik bases his revolution on ethnic lines, and sends hastily trained goons on excursions of slaughter, some indiscriminate toward life, others apparently very much discriminate, but toward the Osterlander and Nordlander peoples, a minority in southern Kitara. We are yet further disturbed by Malik's alleged support for the establishment of Mormonism as a state religion. Such a position is hostile not only to the aforementioned groups, who it must be mentioned are a majority in the north of country he wishes to snatch for himself, but also to ethnic Kitarans who are not Mormon, and surely to his own predilection for partying. How can one possibly claim to be democratic when he commits violence against innocent villagers and minorities and wishes to impose state religion in a religiously plural country, especially by force? While we commend his support for the revival of ethnic Kitaran cultural traditions that have been suppressed by the KPWC, we do not believe that the everyday ethnic Kitaran will have their life improved by the KFF.

In short, the Government of Sajnur believe Malik Akongo, his ambitions, and his KFF to be entirely illegitimate, and we condemn them in their entirety. Thus we must also condemn the support they have received from the government of Banija and Emperor Nicola II of Juvencus. The former is of no surprise. As a semi democratic country with its own population of ethnic Kitarans and the principal state promoter of Mormonism worldwide, Banija will of course back a man who promises to turn Nyowani Kitara into a mini-Banija. But Juvencus? A distant empire in Sonnel? Promising not only economic aid, but military support? We call on Emperor Nicola to reconsider his actions, particularly in the face of his own parliament condemning him.

Finally, we call on the KPWC to enter into negotiations with the other player in this maelstrom, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Kitara. Unlike the KFF, they at least promise that all peoples will have a say in their idea of Nyowani Kitara, and they hopefully won't impose their particular superstitions on their citizens. We call on Nafuna Akongo and Max Ulf to come together and plot a course to democracy, where they can co-exist peacefully and where power is not a cow to be rustled, but an instrument to be played and shared among the freely chosen representatives of the people of Nyowani Kitara.

[Adab]

Saturday, February 17, 2035 / 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1456
Adab 1-0 Damukuni
Adab scorers: Yargab (59’)

---

Wednesday, February 28, 2035 / 20 Dhu al-Hijjah 1456
Adab 4-3 West Guam
Adab scorers: Al-Kufa (27’, 49’), Yargab (66’), Zambiya (87’)

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 38: Room, Part 3

November 22, 2034 / 11 Ramadan 1456
AFA Headquarters
Adab City

“Stair Day? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Saad Kaykali shook his head, pacing back and forth between the room as assistant managers Inimabakesh Thulus and Rashid Abbas leaned back against the wall. AFA President Naram-Sin Araqasdah made him comfortable on his seat, relaxedly tapping his fingers on the table as he watched Saad move back and forth.

“I mean it’s only between noon and sunset,” Naram-Sin shrugged, smiling. “It’s not like I’m implementing this all day long.”

“It’s still Ramadan,” Saad countered in a low, almost frustrated voice. “Most of these people are fasting and now you’re forcing them to climb up and down several floors’ worth of stairs.”

“They won’t be going up and down the stairs that much, Saad,” Naram-Sin said, leaning back on his seat. “I mean, they already took the elevator this morning, and they’ll probably be taking it again when they go home this evening. Just for now, though, they can just use the stairs. Helps with their cardiovascular health.”

“Look, if you really want to implement this, you better go all out or just don’t do anything at all,” Saad turned on his feet to face Naram-Sin, creeping closer to the table and laying his hands on it. “This is a symbolic, meaningless, half-hearted gesture. You want people to use stairs more often? Then just… I don’t know, distribute posters or something about the benefits of using the stairs.”

“I’m already telling everyone about the benefits,” said Naram-Sin, still smiling as if not caring about anything at all. “I mean, it’s obvious, you know. You’ve seen it on the TV, on the Internet, from all the doctors. People are becoming too sedentary nowadays. We need to encourage everyone to move more often.”

“Yes, I agree, but remember this is Ramadan and most of these people won’t be eating and drinking anything until sunset. We’re just adding to their burden by forcing them to do this,” said Saad, pulling his hands away from the table and putting them into his pockets, his eyes wandering away from Naram-Sin to the wall behind him. “Look, you literally just told us about this. Do Emma and Alulim know about this? Mohammed?”

Naram-Sin’s eyes went wide. He pulled his head back against his seat. “Wait, when did they come? When… when did they leave?”

“They came at, um, 11:30 something,” Rashid butted in. “They left, well, after noon.”

Saad could only shake his head again. “Well,” he continued, still looking past Naram-Sin’s head and towards the wall, “good luck preventing everyone from using the elevator. Once they see them coming out of the elevator door they’re all going to be like ‘one rule for us, another for them.’”

---

“What do you mean you slept with Aida Kaykali?” Even when it was low and faint, Emma Arthur’s voice still retained a hint of aggression, mixed with sheer disbelief. She launched her hands forward, almost grabbing him by the collar, but in the end only laying them on his shoulders.

“Yeah, it happened, but…” Alulim Sinmuballit trailed off, his eyes lowering to the soft, long hands suddenly covering his shoulders. He could not see those hands very clearly in the darkness of the elevator, but he could feel them. He shook his head somewhat. “…I don’t know if there’s really anything more to this. I mean I like her, she’s smart, intelligent, and all that-“

“You see yourself in her.”

“A kindred spirit, I guess, though I feel like it’s too strong a phrase. We have similarities, but… I don’t know if there’s really a spark between us.”

Emma’s voice grew even lower, now almost becoming a whisper. “Does the Boss know about this?”

Alu shook his head again. “No.”

She nodded and let out a small breath, her eyes slowly leaving Alu’s face – or at least the outline of his features that she could see – and traveling down to her hands on his shoulders. “You gotta come clean,” she said softly, “for your own sake, and for the Boss, and for Aida.” Alu did not immediately speak; she didn’t, either, only feeling the skin on his shoulders. “You know, why don’t you think there’s a spark between you?”

It would take another three seconds for him to answer. “I don’t know. I’m just not feeling it.” A moment of silence, then he continued, “You said there’s something you wanna tell me.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Emma replied. Her hands slowly slipped away from his shoulders, threatening to come down his arms, but then she gently pulled them back to her. “It’s nothing much, really. I, uh, I broke up with my boyfriend. You know, that art guy. I’m not sure I should even call her my boyfriend.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that.” Alu’s eyes darted between his left and right shoulders, where her hands were just moments ago. “You alright? Do you… want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” said Emma, clearing her throat. “Well, actually, there’s not much to talk about. We were on different paths, you know. We just… weren’t a good fit for each other. What he wanted and what I wanted were… different, and I guess I got myself into a relationship when I didn’t really want to, which I think I shouldn’t have done.”

Alu nodded, and that was the only thing he did. There was a silence that gradually descended on them at that moment, when it felt as if the whole world had stopped. She was slightly bowed, her eyes refusing to meet his. He looked at her, hands fumbling uneasily in his pockets, thinking of something to say. She did not say anything either.

“You know,” he finally began, slowly, with a noticeable distance between words that wasn’t there before, “why are we telling this to each other?”

Emma gulped, still not looking up at his face. She clenched her lips tighter, her breathing slower and heavier, but then she let her lips open, eyes wide open and dancing left and right as if confused and nervous. “I don’t know.”

“You’re the one who started it,” Alu said. “You were… you’ve been- we’ve been a bit distant and you’ve been a bit cold to me, and now you’re suddenly opening up to me, and I’m opening to you. I mean that’s fine, if you want to talk you can-“

“Talk to you, yeah I know,” Emma cut him off gently. “It’s, uh…” she finally raised her head to meet his face, but only for a moment before dropping down again. Then, suddenly, she turned around, turning her back on him, still bowed. “Alu,” she began rather haltingly, “you’re not… you’re not going, uh, you’re not gonna like what I have to say, I think, but… the truth is that I’m just confused, I guess. There’s someone else that I like and… I’m just, uh, what’s it called, processing my emotions? That’s what I’m doing, I guess.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that.” He walked forward, reaching out and putting a hand on her shoulder, payback for what she did to him earlier. They remained that way for a while, but then she did something which he did not expect; she reached over her shoulder and put her hand over his, keeping it in place. Her grip was soft and tight at the same time; she didn’t want to let go.

“Remember that night,” she continued, “when you came to my room and I returned your book to you?” Her voice began to rise, her breathing increasingly quick and uneven. “That night I realized that… I mean I guess I had had those feelings for a while, but… I realized… I think I’m into you.”

He remained silent; to her unseeing eyes, it must have seemed as if her announcement didn’t have any effect on him, but as much as the silence must have hurt her she did not push him to speak. But his own breathing became uneasy, and he turned his head from her to the direction of the elevator door, not because he was about to try to get out, but simply because he felt he had to. The words didn’t even make sense to him in the beginning; there was a power to it that immediately hit his mind, but it took several long seconds for the full realization to dawn on him.

He nodded rapidly, his eyes looking down on the floor before the door, gulping, clearing his throat, still not turning to her. “I’ve got to tell Aida sooner or later.”

Her reply came in a barely audible half-whisper. “What do you mean?”

“The reason I don’t think we have a spark…” he hesitated, as if carefully considering what he had to say next. “…is because I think I love you, and uh, I know ‘love’ is a big word, but-“

She did not turn around to him, her eyes glued to the floor and the wall in front of her. Her words came haltingly, interrupted in the middle by a cough and another clearing of the throat. “Do you mean it?”

“Yes,” he said, almost tonelessly. “It’s just that… I don’t know, Emms, but we’re just so far apart that I don’t think we can ever… be together, you know. I’m a Muslim, you’re an Anglican, our families will definitely hate us for this, you’re cool and stylish, I’m… not really that cool-“

“Shut up,” she said softly, faintly. “You’re cool to me.” She stopped for a while, taking in a deep breath, then continued. “You know, Alu, just fuck them all. We’re not like them. We’re one of a kind. Two of a kind, I guess, but you get my point. I mean do you even really care about what your family thinks? You don’t seem to be really close to them-“

“But I am close to them, and, well, I mean I know my faith has its ups and downs, but it’s just that our differences are so great that-“

“Shut up, just… shut up,” she cut him off, her voice almost begging, still looking at the floor. “Alu, I love you, and I know I’m a coward for not saying this earlier. Just… I don’t know, I love you, goddammit, and I think we’re good for each other and you know that. We don’t have to take this seriously if you don’t want to. We can just meet up in cafes and hotels and, you know, just have some fun. You’re the one who understands me the most, and I don’t want to lose you too. Just don’t leave me alone, please.”

---

“Oh come on, this is ridiculous,” Saad Kaykali muttered to himself as he emerged from the stairwell onto the second floor, still quite a long way to go to reach his car in the basement. He had come across several people going up and down the stairs, all greeting and saluting him and generally seeming awestruck at the sight of the national team manager. Closing the stairwell door behind him, he found himself standing next to the elevator door. He leaned to the hallway to his left, seeing that no one was passing by. Everyone is really obeying this stair rule, huh?

It’s not that Saad was tired; he simply wanted to get to his car as soon as possible. For a moment he considered taking the elevator anyway, then he mulled continuing his way down the stairwell, then he wondered if there was even any punishment at all for taking the elevator. I don’t even work in this place. Why am I even following this rule?

Having assumed the place to be empty, it thus came as a bit of a surprise to Saad when two security guards suddenly emerged from the hallway and placed themselves in front of the elevator, appearing to be in a hurry. They, too, were surprised to be suddenly in the presence of the national team manager. “Mr. Kaykali, sir,” one of them said, as the other nodded in acknowledgement of his presence.

“Good afternoon,” Saad greeted them. “I thought you aren’t supposed to be using the elevator? At least that’s what I’ve heard.”

“It’s a urgent matter, sir,” said one of the guards, pressing the “down” button next to the door. “We need to get these boxes to the ninth floor.”

“We can’t exactly carry those boxes on our shoulders up the stairs,” the other guard butted in.

“Yeah, true,” said Saad with a warm smile. “Anyway, uh, since I’m not actually working in this building, can I ride with you- wait, is everything alright?” The guard was pressing the button again and again, and it didn’t seem to be working. The number that was supposed to be in the glass box above the buttons, indicating which floor the elevator was now on, was gone.

“I think there’s something wrong with the elevator, sir,” the guard responded in visible confusion, putting his face close to and yet again pressing the button to no avail. “I think it’s… turned off?”

“Maybe this thing has finally decided to shuffle off the mortal coil,” commented the other guard. “It’s an old elevator, sir. There have been a few complaints about it over the last few months.”

Suddenly the guard who was pressing the button turned to his companion, his eyes growing wide. “Holy shit,” he muttered under his breath, “you may be right.” He reached for the walkie-talkie, quickly pulling it out of his pocket and to his mouth.

“Hello,” he bellowed onto the device, “we’re on the fourth floor now and I can’t get the elevator to come here. The buttons are off. The west elevator, the old one that no one’s bothered to repair in ages, the one down the hallway from the President’s office. Can you help me out and see where this thing is right now and if it’s actually in operation or if it’s finally died? Over.”

Adab lineup for MD16 and MD17

Starting lineup: Chandrasekar, Altun, Enmerkar, Issou, Frangieh, Arthur (VC), Sinmuballit, Orlev, Al-Kufa, Yissakar, Yargab (C)

Substitutes: Marramzi, Al-Tikriti, Sharkalisharri, Akshak, Thomas, al-Muntar, Samanu, Emmita, Uhwan, Zambiya, Akaptaha, Barzani

[Electrum]

The Turnip: Military-Industrial Complex presents an investment opportunity you simply cannot believe
by Billiam Maskey, chief-editor-in-chief

The Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) needs you and your cash monay today! For a limited time only, the MIC is presenting an investment opportunity of the lifetime with the potential for serious returns! The world is greedily licking its lips at the Nyowani Kitara conflict, eager to get in on the action with all the intrigue of a Euran espionage novel but with none of the risk.

Right now, the MIC is selling bonds which will be funding crucial nation-building projects in Nyowani Kitara like the Enhanced Interrogation Institute and the AK-47 Production Facility. We guarantee that a hundred percent of your money will be used to and to put boots on the ground as well as in the ground. With three alphabet soup factions and counting, you have your pick of the KPWC, KFF and the DFLK as investments. They will all be competing with each other to take over the country and gain the highest returns for you, dear investor. Or, if you're really keen, you could invest in all three to diversify your portfolio for guaranteed returns.

With more parties and nations joining the fray every day, there's even the opportunity for splintering -- being the crucial early investor for such groups will reap significant dividends if your chosen splinter group gets up.

However, should there be not enough investment to fund these conflicts, there is the very real risk that the parties involved will seek to negotiate peacefully an income instead of fighting it out. Peace is unprofitable. If you want to make money, it is your duty to encourage everyone else you know to participate in the MIC bond program. It is the only way to add coal to the fire that is economic growth and returns in Nyowani Kitara.

For those stay-at-home parents who cannot possibly afford bonds, the next best alternative is the 'Nyowani Kitara Triangular Prism Shaped Scheme'. Be your own boss and invite friends over to invest smaller sums of money like the 'Nyowani Kitara War Juice' and the 'Nyowani Kitara Moisturiser with a hint of Yue Zhou'. For example, 40 Synergies can buy your friend a tote bag made by children, slave labour people of unknown providence in Nyowani Kitara and will also fund 600 bullets for one soldier. For every sale you make, you will accumulate points which will be equal to the number of estimated deaths caused by your sales. The highest points earner will win a company car and a bottle of the finest Kitaran poppy. And, if you recruit your friends to become a MIC 'Nyowani Kitara Triangular Prism Shaped Scheme' member, you will receive twenty percent of points they earn as they will be downline from you. You will also continue to earn points based on the members your friends will recruit. It's a win-win-win!

So what are you waiting for? Join today! We'll even throw in a 30-day money-back guarantee on all bonds and triangular-prism shaped scheme that you buy from MIC today.

[Pluvia and the Saxean Isles]

28 Greatstreet, Marienburg, Pluvia and the Saxean Isles

Prof. Charles Cunningham of the history department at the Royal Marienburg University awoke, bleary-eyed, in his study. He'd fallen asleep reading the diary, or maybe he'd just fallen asleep. Either way, it was now after eight in the morning. He jolted himself upright. He had a full load today, and his first class was in just fifteen minutes. Then, good God, his class with the comely blonde graduate student was later today. Had she told anyone? Would she? How would he handle it? Maybe it was better just to call in "sick". After all, the university had a better leave policy than most workplaces. No, no, he was a professor, goddamn it. He was supposed to teach. No time for tea, no time for breakfast, no time for anything but to change into a clean shirt and hurry out the door.

The last diary entry saw William II on his unprecedented campaign trip. He was bringing his message to the people of Pluvia directly. Although he would not endorse candidates or campaign for political parties, he was going to do his utmost to speak on the first steps of reform taken by the National Assembly and to press for more. After leaving Alenard, he was heading to the town of Oldenbach on the northwest coast. This would be accomplished by taking the Olden River down to the coast. On the way, they discovered a stowaway: an elderly Saxean, Rhys Baillie, who proved to be a notable raconteur and troubadour. Although his views differed from William II's in some notable ways (a more socialist economics and a skepticism of modernisation), his affable manner and deep historical knowledge impressed the young monarch. He resolved to continue traveling with him, even as some members of his party warned against it.

May 6, 1885

Today we embark for Albersend. We should be able to make good time and be there on the 8th, but then again, the last time I attempted to estimate the length of our journey, I subtracted a day from our trip to Oldenbach. We sailed on the Olden for a day and a half instead of just one, but it was pleasant nonetheless. Yesterday, we arrived in Oldenbach and took part in the usual festivities that they prepare for me. This time there were several varieties of fish and even crab, which is a welcome change from beef and mutton. Still, we were forced to listen to the same stultifying speeches that every local dignitary seems to consider it their duty to deliver on these occasions. Rhys, however, brought some levity to the occasion with grotesque faces and expressions which, as king, I was duty-bound to ignore, but as a young man, I could not help but chuckle at. Internally, of course. It was somewhat of a battle to even secure him a seat at the table, but I was insistent with the mayor and so he was accordingly seated. I even convinced Rhys to give a performance after the dinner, which resulted in a poor display from some of the assembled guests. When Rhys sang songs and lays of the Isles, their attendance waned, only to be restored at his recitation of Pluvian poetry or history. I refrained from berating them, but I very much wished to do so. We cannot be one united kingdom if there is a casual disregard or mutual enmity between different members of the realm.

Before departing in the evening, I am to meet with local merchants about expanding the harbor and increasing trade ties between our realm and others. It is my hope that a general policy of free trade, except in industry, may be beneficial. I merely hope they see it in the same manner as I. I also have a conference with peat producers; peat is a great source of heating in our realm, but it is not sufficient to our needs. We need coal for industry, and truth be told, for heating homes as well. I cannot promise them any governmental support for their product, as I am committed to modernisation. But I can listen to their concerns and hope to allay them. A successful program of modernisation, while it necessitates change and forward motion, cannot merely benefit some and leave many choking in the dust they have kicked up. We shall have to find a way to have better jobs for those for whom peat is their livelihood.

It might have been more prudent to depart Oldenbach the following morning, rather than this evening, but I feel myself most alive when in motion. Whether it is speaking to crowds, convincing local groups of the necessity of my program, or just traveling, this is when life is at its fullest. I cannot take another night of cards or speeches or pontificating, and so we must embark. I must leave now, as my first engagement beckons.

PSI Goalscorers

@ New Lusitania: Pearce 24', Black 80'

vs. Felinetopia: Schuerer 14'

[Banija]

Background Info on NYK
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17

The Kabaka, sitting in his office, at Mujaguzo Palace

... "No, the only place that the Introduction Ceremony can happen at is this very Palace- Mujaguzo. And somebody let my granddaughter know that I will not sign off on any marriage that does not include the Banijan traditions." The Kabaka was speaking on the phone to an aide who was responsible for the affairs of the Royal Family. Mutungi, of course, was in Quebec City directly, working with one of Banija's chief allies to try and clinch Quebec City's support for the Kitara Freedom Front.

But of course, when you were a head of state, you could never put your focus all on one issue- not unless war was literally at your doorstep. There was always a myriad of issues, even if certain ones took priority. Prince Philippe's and Omugaba Zandaba's engagement, for one, was a part of that. Not that there was any problem with the proposed wedding- he thought Prince Philippe would make a fine partner. But his granddaughter was proving instrangient. Omugaba Zandaba wanted to abandon all her country's heritage for a 'modern' wedding- have it on a beach.

"Kids." The Kabaka muttered to himself. Everybody knew that the proper place to have a wedding was with God as your witness, inside the sanctuary of your church. There were still so many details to iron out about this Royal Wedding, and how many traditional customs they would follow. The Kabaka, of course, had the power of approval over the wedding due to his position, and his granddaughter's position in the Royal Family. And he thanked his stars that he held this role. Imagine a wedding without traditional dancing. Without Banijan food. Without an introduction ceremony. Outside a church. What would be the point?

A different aide then knocked on his door. "Your Majesty." The aide called. "Nyowani Kitara meeting in 10 minutes."

"Thanks." The Kabaka said. The meeting, of course, was actually in 2 minutes. But the Kabaka always showed up late. It's how it worked in Banija. It was time to compartmentalize. He couldn't think about Zandaba at the moment. All his energy and focus had to be on the task ahead- the meeting on Nyowani Kitara. It was clear that Banija's preferred dog in this one, the Kitara Freedom Front, was suffering some setbacks. The DFLK- The DFLK! Of all parties, was starting to find some international support, as seen among the populace of Sajnur. The letters the Banijan Government had sent out had, largely, not worked- Eura had given him the runaround, while Græntfjall's Prime Minister refused to take any position at all.

As the Kabaka walked into the room where the meeting was taking place(8 minutes after the scheduled start), everybody stood as he walked in. He signaled for the doors to be shut, so he could start the meeting. "Let's get this thing started." The Kabaka said. "First, I'll give an update." It was unusual, of course, for the Kabaka to give the first update at his own meeting. But who was going to stop a Royal? "Well, I'm also giving my son's update, who is still in Quebec City. But we are having trouble garnering support for the KFF. Prime Minister Smith would not respond to me at all. Writing to him, direct head of state to head of government, and his foreign secretary wrote back- with a non-answer, at that. An outright slight." Kabaka Mwanga was a man not only of tradition, but of rigid protocol. He had a habit of taking things personally that he probably shouldn't.

"We didn't get anything back from Græntfjall either. Bollonich will support us.... But they are waiting for the Eurans. Everybody's waiting for the bloody Eurans." The Kabaka said. "I fear that we may have been waiting for too long. But now with the Nepharan Government out to bat for Nafuna Akongo, it causes a problem for us as we try to support the KFF. I have no idea why the Government is getting support from Rushmori nations, or frankly, why the DFLK is getting any support from anyone." The Kabaka was frustrated. "But what can we do. I want an update on the situation on the ground- our intelligence agents are fairly embedded on the ground. Lt. Gen?"

Lt. General Issa Shawel, the Director of SUB, the vernacular acronym for Banija's intelligence agency, started speaking. "Well, of course, with the continuation of war, fighters from across Rushmore, and beyond, are pouring into Nyowani Kitara. It's been confirmed that Sameban volunteers are pouring into the South of the country to volunteer for the Kitara Freedom Front. Euran Communist fighters are being seen in Dewayo and elsewhere, on the front lines. It also looks like Farf mercenaries have been seen in the country as well, some working for the KFF, while others working for the KPWC." As he paused before he would continue speaking, he was interrupted by the Minister of Defense.

"The Eurans don't want to stake out a position." The Minister of Defense said. "Why haven't they said anything? They've got to be the last nation in Rushmore to not stake out a position. It's always better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Here's where the Prime Minister stands- he doesn't want anything to spill over to Eura. We wrote him a letter. We asked directly. And yet- he stands there, indecisive. He's trying to see where the wind is going to blow, he's going to back whoever he sees will be the winning side. The Eurans respect strength. Let's make the KFF the winning side. Then, he'll come out in support for the KFF. Then, the surrounding neighbors will come. Then the KPWC will fall, the Government will be overthrown, and we can work to repair relations with Corvistone later."

"Sir, I think you'd like-" The Lt. General started to say, before he was interrupted by- was that the Minister of Education?

"Look, the key is to directly intervene before anybody else does." The Education Minister said. That minister didn't have much of a background in Education, and in fact, was a former Ambassador- it was an appointment that had been heavily criticized at the time. But both coalition parties were short on people with education experience, and somebody had to fill that role, right? "Nobody else has put boots on the ground yet. Of course, non state actors, mercs, volunteers, Græntfjall paramilitary groups, etc.. But no actual armies. The time is running out. What if the neighborhood decides to invade, and cuts Banija out of reaching the final solution for this country?"

And then, the cabinet descended into arguing, until the Lt. General made himself heard. "Guys." The Lt. General said. "My update was not finished." He looked around, waiting for silence, before he continued. "Our preliminary reports- not confirmed- are saying that Nephara troops are on the ground." The room simply sat there, in stunned silence. "Now, like I said- not confirmed. But we believe that Nephara troops have just started to enter Nyowani Kitara airspace, and are now on the grounds. There are reports from our intelligence agents embedded within Nyowani Kitara that those troops are there to help the Government. We do not know the size of the force- it can't be large enough obviously to win the war on its own, but they do have troops on the ground."

"Fucking hell." Kabaka Mwanga said. The Kabaka thought back to foreign policy Ls that he had taken throughout his time as Monarch. His mind, of course, wandered back to the nuclear crisis with Farfadillis. "This complicates everything. If we intervene directly... Then we're at war with Nephara. That's if Banijan troops are on the ground." He slammed his fist on the table.

"Will there be any reasoning with Nephara?" The Katikkiro said. "They cannot possibly think that Nafuna Akongo is the path to a democratic or free Nyowani Kitara. She's the chosen spawn of the favored heir of General Akongo. No way she stands for any values they stand for?"

"Well, you know how it is." The Kabaka said. "Mutual interests, in foreign policy, can sometimes stand stronger than mutual values. Although what those Nepharan interests could be, I cannot know." They all sat in silence, for about 30 seconds. "But look- unless Nephara mount a full-scale invasion, like six figures worth of troops, they cannot change the basic math- the KPWC is a failed government, the Kitara Revolutionary Forces are a failed military, and they are a government on the ropes that is led by a teenager, who did most of her schooling next door. It may be a setback- but that Government cannot last."

"So what shall we do, Your Majesty?" Asked the Education Minister. "What's the next course of action?"

"We're going to have to double down on our support for the Kitara Freedom Front." The Kabaka said. "We're already here, right? We do not want to lose. They're already developing Naval capabilities, although wasting a ship with a suicide attack isn't exactly what I'd call smart. Somebody tell Malik that we are going to work to back him. Tell him to keep up the fight. That we will double our efforts diplomatically, while he tries to win this war." Everybody nodded.

The Kabaka was considering something for the first time, however- that the KFF may not be able to sweep into Dewayo. The KPWC were falling like flies, and ultimately, unless they had gotten foreign help, then Nafuna Akongo's days as the head of state of NYK were numbered. If it were true that the Nepharan troops were there to give a backbone to the Kitara Progressive Worker's Coalition, especially in and around Dewayo... Then that job got that much more complicated. Hopefully, Eura would hurry the heck up and announce their support of the KFF, and fast.

The next topic that came up, was the refugee situation in the country. Of course, a brutal three way civil war in the country had meant that the refugee crisis for the country was dire. The Cabinet quickly agreed that Banija would do their part to help. Banija did not have a long history of helping out refugees, but the history was there- over half a million Farf refugees/their descendants currently lived in the country. They set a number at 100,000, and the Banijan Katikkiro wrote letters to neighboring countries, that if they needed help with refugee populations, some could be flown to the Kingdom.

And now, the meeting was over. The question remained hanging in the air- were Banija's goals in the country still achievable?

[Hispinas]

Hispinas 0–1 Ranoria
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo, Mandrid, Hispinas
HSP Scorers: none
HSP Lineup: Laida Echevarrieta, Chicho Mondragon, Casimiro Coro ▼ (▲ Gurutze Aranaz 65'), Chequil Puma, Chara Grullon, Auza Vertiz, Tomasina Baltazar ▼ (▲ Trinidad Quevedo 73'), Salomon Duran, Carmelita Grimaldo, Munio Sola, Ozeano Amunategui ▼ (▲ Peppi Palmero 78')

Hispinas 2–1 Milchama
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo, Mandrid, Hispinas
HSP Scorers: Auza Vertiz (19'), Carmelita Grimaldo (46')
HSP Lineup: Errasti Ochoa De Olza, Gurutze Aranaz, Marcos Rolan, Casimiro Coro, Fermin Maquibar ▼ (▲ Latisha Gurule 82'), Hibai Berriz, Auza Vertiz, Trinidad Quevedo, Perlita Chapa, Peppi Palmero ▼ (▲ Munio Sola 64'), Carmelita Grimaldo ▼ (▲ Ozeano Amunategui 76')

TJUN-ia 5–3 Hispinas
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong, TJUN-ia
HSP Scorers: Ozeano Amunategui (15'), Ozeano Amunategui (36'), Perlita Chapa (71')
HSP Lineup: Natalio Londono, Gurutze Aranaz ▼ (▲ Chicho Mondragon 62'), Casimiro Coro, Chequil Puma, Chara Grullon ▼ (▲ Fermin Maquibar 86'), Auza Vertiz, Trinidad Quevedo, Salomon Duran, Mira Makarova, Munio Sola ▼ (▲ Peppi Palmero 70'), Ozeano Amunategui

Hispinas 6–3 Sargossa
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo, Mandrid, Hispinas
HSP Scorers: Munio Sola (8'), Auza Vertiz (26'), Peppi Palmero (32'), Chara Grullon (49'), Munio Sola (65'), Trinidad Quevedo (69')
HSP Lineup: Laida Echevarrieta, Hibai Berriz, Chequil Puma, Casimiro Coro, Mira Makarova, Auza Vertiz ▼ (▲ Salomon Duran 90 + 1'), Tomasina Baltazar ▼ (▲ Trinidad Quevedo 62'), Chara Grullon ▼ (▲ Pancho Del Olmo 77'), Carmelita Grimaldo, Munio Sola, Peppi Palmero

Sevendia 3–3 Hispinas
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Seven Stadium, Seven, Sevendia
HSP Scorers: Mira Makarova (11'), Fermin Maquibar (26'), Peppi Palmero (81')
HSP Lineup: Errasti Ochoa De Olza, Gurutze Aranaz, Chicho Mondragon ▼ (▲ Casimiro Coro 76'), Chequil Puma ▼ (▲ Marcos Rolan 50'), Fermin Maquibar, Hibai Berriz, Auza Vertiz, Tomasina Baltazar ▼ (▲ Salomon Duran 77'), Mira Makarova, Peppi Palmero, Ozeano Amunategui

Hispinas 1–0 Raspotochje
World Cup 89 Qualifying - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo, Mandrid, Hispinas
HSP Scorers: Carmelita Grimaldo (51')
HSP Lineup: Laida Echevarrieta, Casimiro Coro, Chequil Puma, Hibai Berriz, Chara Grullon, Tomasina Baltazar, Trinidad Quevedo, Pancho Del Olmo ▼ (▲ Salomon Duran 45 + 1'), Mira Makarova ▼ (▲ Munio Sola 68'), Perlita Chapa, Carmelita Grimaldo ▼ (▲ Ozeano Amunategui 72')

Starting Lineups (MD16-17)
@ St Trinians (Searle - National Stadium) :: [4-1-4-1] :: L. Echevarrieta - C. Mondragon, C. Puma, M. Rolan, F. Maquibar - H. Berriz - M. Makarova, T. Quevedo, S. Duran, P. Del Olmo - C. Grimaldo
vs Turori (Mandrid - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo) :: [3-4-3] :: N. Londono - G. Aranaz, C. Puma, C. Coro - C. Grullon, A. Vertiz, T. Baltazar, S. Duran - M. Sola, P. Palmero, O. Amunategui

Estadio Nacional en el Castillo
Mandrid, Hispinas
After the full-time whistle against Sargossa

A jampacked national stadium enjoyed a scintillating performance by the national side after putting six goals beyond Sargossan keeper Alejandro Martinez, with the match ending in a 6-3 win for the hosts in what is going to be an indifferent campaign for the Golden Sealions. With a large amount of points to chase the front runners with, players and fans alike have resigned to the realization that they will have to wait another two years for the team to try to qualify to the finals. Of course this was the Terranean nation's third World Cup qualifying campaign and all of them seems to end on a disappointing note.

It was a day to forget all the struggles the team had in the campaign, celebrating with fans, whose raucous behavior has started riots all over the streets, despite the presence of the King himself in the stadium. He himself was seen jumping hysterically when Hispinas was at one point leading against their regional rivals, having eliminated each other at the previous two Copa Rushmori editions, and with the match against them in Soluca somewhat ending in a sour note for the players. It was the game where they scored the most goals for them in a match. Once the match was over, King Marco Juan XXII has returned to his usual self and along with the Guardias Real accompanying him, exited the arena trying to avoid the people who were rioting in the streets.

Suddenly, people from the local media approached the king's envoy, and tried to ambush them with several pressing questions about the world's events. "Your highness, Gabriol Santol from Mandrid Inquirer, what would be your stance in the escalating crisis in Nyowani Kitara? Is there anything you can announce at this time?" One of the royal guards tried to point his gun to the bold journalist, but the King stopped him from doing so. It seems he was in a good mood after the team's win, and has told him that he will discuss this with the advisory council tomorrow morning as one of the agendas of the meeting.

The next day, at the Palacio Real in Mandrid

The King assembled his advisory council, which was headed by the Prime Minister of the country, Maurizio Arce, and the representatives from the 12 Hispino autonomous provinces, plus two representatives from the minority Ruskos and Barangayans. He presided the meeting in which it might take some hours for them to completely discuss the matter. One of the representatives raised their hand, saying that Hispinas should make a stand in the ongoing crisis in western Pavola, and decide which side he would prefer to.

"It is not easy to choose a side, Alejandro." The prime minister told the Mesetasur representative, who was adamant that the monarchy should decide which of the three sides of the Kitaran front should they support with. "First of all, if we make a decision who to side with, we might start to annoy neighboring nations which might have a different stance on the issue. We have several neighboring nations as superpowers, and we're sure to get nuked in case we make a wrong move."

Arce continued after a brief pause, "Second, we know that each of the provinces would have different stances on the issue. We have the Baskos and the Catarungs who we know are power-hungry and want to side with the extremities, then we have the Ruskos who would probably side with the communists, and then we have several strayed provinces and minorities who just want to follow the powers' decisions like a puppet nodding to its' master."

"Watch your mouth, mister Minister." Praxiteles Isturits, representative of Iparbasko, interrupted the speech of the minister based from Mandrid. "We have the King here listening to all your rants, what he wants is a united Hispinas, and your sharp tongue seems you want to divide this nation further!"

"Says the one who actually wants an own separate republic from our nation!" Arce grabbed Isturits' collar and tried to throw a punch to the Iparbasko representative. It was starting to get chaotic in the room, when one of the Guardias Real fired a warning shot that penetrated into one of the large vases in the room, its breaking sound filled the room full of angst and frustrations from the representatives.

"Say another word and I'll have one of the guards break open your heads." The king lashed out at the council, seeming unable to come to an agreement to which side to take. "Let's have another meeting next week about this. For now, we will remain neutral in the stance in the Kitaran crisis. This meeting is adjourned. I want your faces out of my castle or else." The scared representatives hurriedly went out of the castle, avoiding the risk that the situation there could escalate at any moment. Arce remained in the room, along with four senior elite advisers which the representatives did not know are actually making the decisions for the king behind the scenes.

"Your highness, and the advisers. We have decided to end the meeting early for you to make a decision covertly." Arce was calmer and more composed than what he was doing in the meeting with the representatives. One of the advisers who are covered in black clothing to protect his identity, gave his opinions to the floor. "We will side with whoever the folks at Bastion side with. We do not want to strain any relationship we may have with the superpowers. We have the expeditionary military to provide support during the war. We have the minority Barangayans, which we were helped with with dispatching the Alitabans at northern Pavola."

"Would that thin our forces who are participating in the 'Oplan Agilang Dilaw'?" the prime minister wondered and uttered a secret operation, referring to a familiar symbol.

"I know what will happen there in Esportiva. We do not need much troops there. We will see a united 'Sangti and the Filindo Isles' in two weeks time there."

"I concur." The king convincingly agreed to his senior advisers. "Send a cryptic message to the KPWC forces that we are prepared to send reinforcements even if it takes time to send those. With regards to Filindosta... Filindo Isles, I have contact with Dutete. The sale will be happening soon enough."

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

Qualifying Update
Salwan Mynhier

With three matches remaining in the qualifying tournament for World Cup 89 in South Newlandia and Tikariot, our Black-and-Reds are in much better position than they were at the midway point, though still on the outside looking in. At 29 points, they have essentially no chance to qualify directly. That would necessitate not only catching Tumbra who currently sit second in Group 9 with 31 points, but also winning all three remaining matches while group leaders Nephara do no better than draws on matchdays 16 and 17.

Just catching Tumbra to make the playoffs will be difficult enough. The Black-and-Reds do have two matches coming up against opponents who are a bit easier on paper in Delaclava and Ochre Islands, while Tumbra must first travel to Eraman before facing Huayramarca at home, battling with two teams still hoping to seize second place for themselves. For the final matchday, however, Tumbra will travel to Ottoman Syldavia, while the Black-and-Reds must host Nephara, potentially with everything on the line. After a bad first half, predictions were made that the Confederacy would need seven, possibly even eight victories from the second half of qualifying to make the playoff, and that certainly seems to be holding true. The unfortunate part is that the one team they were unable to beat in this home stretch is the one standing between them and a chance at a second straight qualification.

Apart from that ugly clean sheet loss in Lakewood though, the team has been in excellent form, winning five out of six matches, and outscoring their opponents 23-10 during that span. They have equaled their total goals from the first half of qualifying already, and the latest outburst against Northwest Kalactin moves them into a three way tie for third in that statistic with Farfadillis and the Independent Athletes from Quebec with 46. Only Kandorith (47) and Starblaydia (56!) have been more prolific in front of goal.

This attacking resurgence can be attributed at least in part to some bold and controversial lineup decisions on the part of Anne-Sophie Groothuis, who elected to bench team captain Iuri Takala in favor of young phenom Damnagoras, and to insert Kaalia Gerstlauer into the first team at striker in place of an inconsistent Lyzolda Petrov. It was a decision that could easily have backfired, and likely would have cost the Omerican her job. Instead it has paid of resoundingly. 4-1 over Eraman. 7-3 over Huayramarca. 6-1 over Northwest Kalactin. The team has dominated possession in a majority of their recent matches and the goals have piled up as a result.

To get some inside perspective on the roster changes, the team’s resurgence, the road ahead, and a few other current events, I was able to sit down for a brief interview with striker Lyyti Vang:

Salwan Mynhier: Anne-Sophie Groothuis has made some fairly bold roster moves in recent weeks, what’s the team’s reaction to that been like?

Lyyti Vang: I think for the most part we understand that she’s going to always make whatever decision puts us in the best position to win. Lyz and Iuri are competitive players - so are all of us - and you always want to be on the field where you have a chance to make a difference, so there’s always some level of frustration here, but I don’t think anyone’s on this team for any purpose of ego.

SM: With Petrov coming out of the first team Groothuis might have opted to put you in. Are you feeling any of that frustration you mentioned?

LV: I mean obviously I’d love to be on the field. None of us got this far by riding the bench, but the way Kaalia’s been playing this month you’d be crazy to take her off the field. Striker’s a streakier position than most when it comes to form. Right now Kaalia can’t put a foot wrong at all, and however long she can ride this streak, we’ll ride along with her.

SM: So the rest of you are just waiting for her to slip up then?

LV: You make it sound like we’re hoping for her to fail.

SM: Are you not then?

LV: Don’t be ridiculous, Salwan. We all want to play, yeah, but more than that we want to win. I didn’t get a chance to go to the World Cup two cycles ago with the Imperial team, or last cycle with the Black-and-Reds, so I’m here to do whatever I can to help this team get there. If that means playing, great, I’m there. If that means waiting patiently until Anne-Sophie calls my name, that’s what I’ll do.

SM: A very selfless attitude.

LV: There a question in there?

SM: Sorry, let’s look at the coming matches. Most pundits have you beating Delaclava and the Ochre Islands pretty comfortably, setting up the big clash with Nephara to finish off the schedule.

LV: Talking like that around Anne-Sophie is probably the surest way to make sure you don’t play.

SM: Oh really?

LV: You can just look at our first half if you want to see where underestimating your opponents gets you. 0-2-3 away record, and all but one match against lower-ranked opposition.

SM: You’re saying the team should have done better?

LV: Absolutely I’m saying that. We’ve tightened things up over the past few matches for the most part, but you can never relax until the tournament is over.

SM: Fair enough, that’s certainly Groothuis’s reputation. I’d wager she’s probably refused to even say the name Nephara until after full time is blown on the Ochre Islands match.

LV: You’re probably right about that.

SM: I know I’m right. It’s extremely annoying as a journalist when someone won’t give you any usable quote at all.

LV: Anne-Sophie would probably say that it’s not her job to provide quotes, she’s here to win football matches.

SM: I think you’ve captured her essence exactly. Moving on to other topics though, your name has come up in rumors about a public relations meeting between SCFA representatives and the Holy Empire’s football team regarding possible Confederate GOOFI membership. Can you share any inside scoop about those plans?

LV: A goofy what now?

SM: Iä Iä, mglw'nafh Cthluhu ph’shugg fhtaghn!

Transcriber’s Note: Here the interview recording ends abruptly in a burst of static.

[img]Make%20Lineup[/img]

Home Schedule and Venues:

FRND: SRS 0-1 HUE @ Olympiastad (cap. 47,550), Arkintoofle, Megabrantis, SRS

MD01: ERM 2-1 SRS @ Daulapura Stadium (cap. 40,000), Daulapura, Daula, ERM
MD02: SRS 4-0 MTU @ Lugina Computing Field (cap. 20,450), Yassaca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD03: HUA 3-1 SRS @ Estadio Metropolitano del Guayas (cap. 62,000), Guayaquil, HUA
MD04: SRS 2-1 TMB @ Sunergy Field (cap 37,550), Hunian, Algolia, SRS
MD05: OSY 3-3 SRS @ Red Bull Stadium, OSY
MD06: SRS 4-1 NWK @ Malgacorp Arena (cap. 29,350), Hensha, Megabrantis, SRS
MD07: DEL 3-3 SRS @ Golden Phoenix Field (cap. 150,000), DNAC, Catherina, DEL
MD08: SRS 4-0 OCI @ Slavnarzeczpospolitastadion (cap. 61,230), Lublova, Molvania, SRS
MD09: NPH 3-1 SRS @ Farham Arena (cap. 88,046), Sabrefell, NPH
MD10: SRS 4-1 ERM @ Synesoft Arena (cap. 38,600), Syneca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD11: MTU 1-2 SRS @ TBA
MD12: SRS 7-3 HUA @ Raftel Park (cap. 59,870), Chalesm, Megabrantis, SRS
MD13: TMB 2-0 SRS @ Trenton Park, (cap. 74,500), Lakewood, Severn, TMB
MD14: SRS 4-2 OSY @ Eichlen Stadium (cap. 37,500), Rudlit, West Flania, SRS
MD15: NWK 1-6 SRS @ TBA
MD16: SRS  v  DEL @ Castle Street (cap. 57,300), Jaglan, Algolia, SRS
MD17: OCI  v  SRS @ Emperor Boston Stadium, (cap. 60,000), New Ranton, OCI
MD18: SRS  v  NPH @ Albrechtsson Park (cap. 65,400), Damogran, Algolia, SRS

[Kelssek]

● NEWSREEL UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Live updates on breaking and ongoing news stories

Aerospace industry (and no one else) salivating at rumours of football “super league”
Insiders at aircraft manufacturer Celestar and two Kelssek international airlines are among the few people pleased at the idea of an international super league that could involve football teams from Kelssek.

The extensive intercontinental travel that this would involve, with teams and fans crossing the oceans on a weekly basis, is seen as immensely profitable and could lead to more plane orders as demand increases. But there are two key reasons this is wildly unrealistic.

Remarkably, even the clubs themselves seem uninterested in the idea, largely because of the travel demands but also because members themselves are staunchly opposed and are unlikely to give the required approval. As all Kelssek professional sports clubs are non-profit membership societies, and those members are the fans, what they want is ultimately what the club does.

Burnaby vs. Coquitlam or Clayquot vs. Latrobe, regardless of where the respective teams are in calibre and form, is always going to have more meaning than a regular matchup against Yassaca or Squidroidia, two of the teams who have also been suggested as potential league participants.

The aviation industry’s optimism is also curious as it assumes regular people have bottomless resources for leisure travel, but as much as Kelsseks like a trip to Atlantian Oceania it’s not something you can afford to do every other weekend.

LATEST – NYOWANI KITARA CONFLICT
Kelssek gov’t accused of taking sides in crowdsourced funding takedown

Accusations of selective justice are flying in Kelssek after the shutdown of crowd-funding on behalf of the Kitara Freedom Front (KFF), one of the factions seeking to gain power in Nyowani Kitara following the disputed succession to the throne in that country.

In e-mails sent to users who used the site to send money to the Malik Akongo-led KFF, Kirkenes-based GoFundYerself cited “potential contraventions of Noua Cymru and Kelssek law” as the reason for the fundraisers being shut down. Users’ donations were returned to their accounts.

However, angry KFF sympathizers pointed out that similar fundraisers for the Kitara Progressive Workers Coalition (KPWC), a pro-government faction supporting the president Nafuna Akongo, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Kitara (DFLK), which splintered from the KPWC and is also angling to win power or rule breakaway regions of the country, have not been shut down and continue to operate.

Around τ385,000 (1 million Universal Standard Dollars) has been raised in openly KPWC-supporting fundrasiers on GoFundYerself. It is estimated that similar amounts were raised in those that were shut down. There is also approximately τ74,000 in one “Global Support for Liberty” which appears to be a DFLK-supporting account.

Contacted for comment, the company responded that “our message to our customers is a matter of public record. As it stated, we work to comply with applicable law in conducting our operations. There is nothing to elaborate on.”

A spokesperson for the Financial Transactions Authority, the Commonwealth government agency responsible for enforcing terrorism financing and money laundering laws, said that while the KFF has not been designated a terrorist organization by Kelssek, “knowingly facilitating or providing funds or services to violent insurgent groups can be grounds for criminal prosecution”.

The spokesperson did not address questions about the different treatment of the accounts, other that stating that donations to “legitimate government entities” are not illegal.

Speaking on background, sources in the national intelligence community said that in the political context, maintaining diplomatic recognition of Nafuna Akongo’s regime is the easiest non-action to take, and an armed overthrow by the KFF is considered to be a greater evil.

Fear of a proxy war with Eura and Nephara one side, and countries like Banija and Darmen on the other, is understood to be the key issue for a governing party in Neorvins that has its own splits between liberal and conservative voices and just wants to be internationally loved by all sides.

Cabinet minister denies saying weapons-smuggling is trade promotion opportunity
Minister for Transport Catherine Elm has denied the authenticity of an audio recording describing supplying weapons to the factions in the Kitara conflict as a good move to “open new export markets” for Kelssek.

“I categorically deny that I or any member of the government is covertly supplying weapons to Nyownai Kitara. The notion that we regard this conflict as an economic opportunity is reprehensible. Kelssek is united with the international community in urging a peaceful resolution that respects the sovereignty and meets the aspirations of the people of Nyowani Kitara,” read a statement from the minister’s office.

Shares in Mid-Pacific Guns, Kelssek’s largest manufacturer of hunting rifles, were up 0.04% at the close of business.

[Eraman]

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Day 8 - Month 11 - Year 7

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SPORTS

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Tight for second

Anara: While it is almost certain that the automatic qualification spot from Group 9 for the World Cup 89 qualifiers will go to Nephara who has a 6 point lead at the top, the playoff spot for the group is still a hot topic. Entering the final three matches, a four-cornered fight for the playoff spot broke out between Tumbra, Huayramarca, Eraman, and the Squornshelan Remnant States. Intense competition can clearly be seen between the four sides who are now only distinguished by three points.

A small advantage is currently held by Tumbra as they hold a 2 point lead over the Squornshelan Remnant States and a 3 point lead over both Huayramarca and Eraman. Tumbra is currently on a good form having won 7 of their last 8 matches including crucial victories over direct rivals, Huayramarca and Squornshelan Remnant States. They will have a tough visit to Eraman next before returning home for another tricky match against Huayramarca and end their campaign at Ottoman Syldavia.

Their main challenger, the 26th ranked Squornshelan Remnant States will have their next two matches easier as they face Delaclava and Ochre Islands before what could be a very important match at home against Nephara. Meanwhile, the playoff spot is still within the reach of Huayramarca and Eraman but more difficult as they have to rely on Tumbra and Squornshelan Remnant States to drop points. Luckily, both sides have the chance to steal some point from Tumbra as they face the least conceded side in the group in their last 3 matches.

Eraman head coach, Ross Hearkener, remains optimistic ahead of the match against Tumbra at the Arupura Stadium.

"Tumbra is a difficult opponent but my players have shown that they can beat them," he said referring to the Eraman slim 1-0 away victory over Tumbra in the first round.

However, he reminded the players to keep their focus and work hard for the next match.

“The players still have to give 100 percent for the match because our opponent comes here not just to avenge their defeat but also to qualify for the World Cup," he said.

Eraman is scheduled to play Northwest Kalactin and Ochre Islands after the match against Tumbra while Huayramarca's other 2 opponents in the last 3 matches are Martune and Northwest Kalactin.