Baptism of Fire 77 [rosters/RP/results]

by **Peko-land** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:59 am

End of Group Stage - Time for Statistics Again
Brought to you by: # - The Numbers Agency

The Group Leaders & Runner-Ups:

Nation                    Pl   W   D   L   F   A    D   Pt
The Cordian Isles          6   5   1   0  15   4  +11   16
Estorvipa & Estorpiva      6   5   1   0  12   2  +10   16
Guanacasteca               6   5   1   0   9   0   +9   16
Pekoland                   6   5   0   1  14   8   +6   15
Dispertag                  6   4   1   1  16   7   +9   13
Soldera                    6   4   1   1   9   4   +5   13
Metherwoll                 6   3   2   1   7   1   +6   11
United Adaikes             6   3   2   1   9   6   +3   11

Dispertag and Cordia had the deadliest attacks with 16 and 15 goals each, Pekoland lost the lead that they had at the halfway point, they took 3rd place with 14.

Guanacasteca's incredible defensive performance and the great form of their goalkeeper lead to them gathering 6 clean sheets. Metherwoll and Estorvipa & Estorpiva's defenses were also outstanding. Only Pekoland and Dispertag, The winner and runner-up of group C, conceded more than one goal per match.

The matchups in the Knockout round are:
Pekoland (4th) v Soldera (6th)
Cordia (1st) v Dispertag (5th)
Guanacasteca(3rd) v United Adaikes (8th)
Estorvipa & Estorpiva (2nd) v Metherwoll (7th)

Pekoland and Soldera seem to be the closest game in the quarter-finals.
Cordia and Dispertag are the 2 top scoring teams in the cup. We might be in for a goal-fest.
United Adaikes will need to produce something special to break through the Guanacastecan defense.
Metherwoll and Estorvipa & Estorpiva are both defensive teams, we're likely to see a chess match between the two sides.

Our pundits' predictions:
Pekoland 2-2 Soldera, decided with penalties
Cordia 3-4 Dispertag, AET
Guanacasteca 2-0 United Adaikes
Estorvipa & Estorpiva 1-0 Metherwoll

Top Scorers:
Note: Not every match has been recorded so this list is not complete. Please do notify us of discrepancies. Seriously, keeping track of the goalscorers is fucking with my head. Help.

Pekoland's Matches:

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE PEKO!!!!!!

by **Dispertag** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 4:35 pm

Official Statement from the Designadísima de Orden (President of the Government)

It is my utmost honor to congratulate the National Football Team of Dispertag, alias La Aguileña. Our nation and, especially, the dispertagueños have worked tirelessly, with passion and dedication for generations to obtain as a result and reward the advancement and social, economic and cultural progress that our country currently enjoys. It is not for less what has been achieved in football, the sport par excellence of the galaxy and whose practice, however, was conspicuous by its absence. It was not a sporting discipline at all extended in the range of popular dispertagués culture that until recently consisted only, primarily, of tennis. The progressive incorporation of football has contributed to increasing the diversity of the leisure activities of the locals both in their exercise and in their visual enjoyment. In addition, it has served as an instrument to unite social classes in harmony and to instruct men in the values of brotherhood, perseverance, discipline or effort, among others.

In view of the successes achieved by the amarizul Team so far in the BoF that is been developed in the nations of Tumbra and Graintfjall, highlighting the work carried out by our appreciated coach Martín Galán Exposito, I have decided, with the approval of the Board of the Federación Dispertaguesa de Fútbol (Dispertagués Football Federation), that a new sports complex be built exclusively dedicated to the training and development of football in our country, whose name will commemorate the host nations that allowed the triumphant arrival of Dispertag to this great sport on the international scene. For this reason, I can announce with pride and satisfaction the start of the construction with immediate effect tomorrow, December 21st 2021, of the Centro de Tecnificación de Fútbol Tumbra y Graentfjall (Tumbra y Graentfjall Football Technification Center), located in the city of Borriol.

Said CTF Tumbra y Graentfjall will have a main building from which the entire operation of the center will be directed and all the corresponding administration will be carried out; several more buildings that will be used to practice futsal, to house gyms, a swimming pool, a dining room and to store sports equipment; 7 natural grass pitches (two of which will have stands) and 4 artificial grass pitches. The aim, therefore, with this project is to put Dispertag at the forefront of international football through the technification of its young and not-so-young players. Once fully completed, it will involve an investment of more than 250 million óbolos (national currency, approximately € 200 million), which will serve to promote the practice of sport in general and football in particular, as well as the creation of a, in a long-term perspective, stable quarry and, consequently, we trust that it can become one of the ovens where the players of tomorrow are cooked.

Lastly, I would also like to congratulate and wish luck to all those other nations who have achieved to reach the quarterfinals of this great, disputed tournament. Peko-land, Soldera, Guanacasteca, United Adaikes, Estorvipa and Estorpiva, Metherwoll and The Cordian Isles, our rival.

Sandra Uriarte Figueras; Designadísima de Orden
on behalf of His Majesty the King; Augusto Santamaría Úzqueda

Top Scorers(Pichichi):
Monrós Saldaña ⁶
Solís Suárez ⁴
Heredia Prieto²
Guillén Bolaños²
Cruz Aranda¹
Maldonado Fernández¹
Zúñiga Echevarría¹

Top assist Providers:
Cortés Quintana⁴
Arias Infante²
Campos Zamora²
Zúñiga Echevarría¹
de Andrade Cisneros¹
Solís Suárez¹
Ayala Carrascosa¹
Guillén Bolaños¹
Mendoza Vivas¹

by **Soldera** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 1:30 pm

"Hey, we're going to have to move around better out there! Communicate! Communicate!"

Norm Carricker was barking out instructions to his defensive unit and defensive midfielders as the scout team were mimicking Pekoland's offensive exploits. He had Snakes forward Lisa Allyson mimicking Alternate Timeline Princess and she was having her way defensively with starting defender Dom Parrish, the unfortunate soul whom Carricker assigned to mark ATP, as Carricker had taken to calling Pekoland's top scorer.

"Dom!" Carricker yelled out at Parrish after he'd blown his whistle. He was ready to rip him a new asshole for being slow to pick up the tendencies Allyson was able to mimic. He glowered as he approached Parrish, but then he realized he was taking a far too aggressive approach with Parrish. He took in his breath quickly, then decided he was going to try to explain it with the patience that had come to mark his brief tenure as manager.

"Dom, we talked about ATP's movement without the ball and we talked about being able to read her runs," Carricker said. "I know she's an extraordinary talent and that team as a whole is challenging on offense, but that's why we're here. That's why you're in the starting 11. I picked you because you play well against the opposing team's top offensive threat. But if she beats you, I need you to talk to Alex and Chuck and let them know to pick you up."

"Got it, Coach," Parrish said. Carricker walked up and rested his right arm just beneath Parrish's shoulder blade and on his back.

"I have every confidence in you to do your job, but if we're going to keep that team off the scoresheet and give us a fighting chance in this one, we're going to need to communicate as a unit. He turned around to address the rest of the defense, the midfielders and goalkeeper George Rollings. "Talking to each other is going to be key," he said. "We've got to be able to talk to each other out there and we've got to be on the same page. All right. Let's start free kick drills. Everybody line up. Allyson, set the ball up outside the box. We're doing a direct free kick. Rollings, get ready."

After the training session, Carricker picked up a copy of The Branwen Bulletin and turned to the page that had projections for the Round of Sixteen. He was only interested in the prediction of the Soldera-Pekoland result, and he grimaced when he saw what every member of the sports section's staff predicted: Pekoland 3-0 Soldera.

Great. Just fucking great, Carricker thought as he slammed the newspaper on his desk.

by **United Adaikes** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:24 pm

The Adaikesians (3-2-0 before the last matchday) lost, 0-1. Magnecia (2-2-1) won, 1-0. But that did not mean that Magnecia qualified for the quarterfinals.

With both teams ending the group stage with the same record of 3-2-1 (and of course, in points), the tiebreaker was the differences in the goals scored compared to the ones they allowed. The Panthers' goal difference was three more goals scored than they have allowed, while Magnecia only had one goal more than they have allowed.

United Adaikes has proven that they are one of the eight better teams in the new crop of football nations globally (or are they really?). Will they have what it takes to be one of the best? They will face Group B winner, República Guanacasteca, in the quarterfinals.

by **The Cordian Isles** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 3:21 am

Entering Nantwich Stadium felt a bit like a homecoming for the Cordians. They had won their biggest victories of the tournament here, the massive opener against StrayaRoos and the down-to-the-wire affair against Soldera. Here, they had a bit of a home advantage. The tall walls didn't faze them any longer; in fact, they seemed to welcome the North Stars. But there was no time to think about think or reflect on the friendliness of walls. Each player now faced the biggest match of their football career to that point.

As they passed through the arena doors, each player had something on their mind.

Sebastian Voll

I don't have to believe that we'll win. My job as captain is to make everyone else believe it, and then I will believe it myself.

Anton Osterholt

Iiiiiin. Ouuuuut. Iiiiiiin. Ouuuuuut. I am a team player. Everyone can score. The weight is not on my shoulders. When it's best to shoot, shoot. When it's best to pass, pass. Winning is the most important. Iiiiin. Ouuuut. Iiiiiin. Ouuuuut. I am a team player...

Nicholas Eriksen

I do like this arena. Emus game was fun. Hope I can produce at the same level today. These guys are good, that's what we went over the film for. We can take them, I think.

Hannah Andersen

No way do I score again today like I did against Soldera. I'll play conservative today, stick to what I'm best at, break up their plays and steal their passes. It's worked well the past few matches.

Bee Karjalainen

Bee Karjalainen is currently incapable of thought due to the music blasting into her ears at the moment. Her nearby teammates can hear the words:
IT'S ABOUT DRIVE
IT'S ABOUT POWER
WE STAY HUNGRY
WE DEVOUR

Rasmus Karlssen

What the fuck is Bee listening to and why would she subject my ears to this treatment. They're not even hers!

Eric Johnson

I'll have to let Nick know I won't be pushing up as much today. Can't be taking too many risks. It's too big a match for that.

Redvin Chase

no fouls no fouls no fouls no fouls no fouls no fouls NO FOULS NO FOULS NO FOULS

Frederick Johnson

I know we can pull this off. Our strikers are great, our midfielders are great, our back line is great... I haven't done much, though. I'll talk to Seb, he knows what to say. He's a great captain, coach made a good choice.

Vladimir Demov

Maybe I'll get a goal today. That'd be nice. Got to focus on marking my man, though. Kristin's good but we can't take risks. I can pass a lot from the back line, too. Strikers will definitely be a bit hungrier than usual, I'll try lofting some passes out to them.

Kristin Bergstrin

Whatever is linking your mind to those of the Cordian football players now breaks. This is to be expected. Keepers' minds are weird; these are people who put themselves in front of objects moving at high velocities for fun.

by **Estorvipa and Estorpiva** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:51 am

Major Trofim Alekseyevich Pavlov of the Military Intelligence Directorate of the Pridnestrovian Republic could only barely understand one-fourth of the rapid-fire Vipan language that was only somewhat related to Pridnestrovian Russian, and he couldn’t understand Pivan at all. But what he could understand was the fear and urgency in the voices of the leaders of the State of Estorpiva as they tried to convince Victor Traianescu and Kirill Fedorchuk to sign the treaty that would formalize the surrender of the State of Estorpiva to the Republic of Estorpiva and the Federation of Estorvipa. Pavlov had always felt that the three leaders of the State of Estorpiva (Denys Ihorovych, Sara Basescu, and General Luka Kovacs) seemed to be on edge as the day of their meeting with Traianescu and Fedorchuk drew closer, and now here they were looking scared as absolute hell. But he didn’t know what they were scared of because he couldn’t understand Pivan, so he turned to the man beside him and asked him, “What are they talking about now?”

“They’re scared, all of them,” replied Captain Gheorghe Ciprian of the True Pivan Protection Forces. The TPPF were a guerrilla organization formed by members of the Pivan Protection Forces who had changed their allegiance to the Republic of Estorpiva after the State switched sides to the Estorvipan Commune and the other Imperial puppet states in Estorian lands. It was Captain Ciprian’s men who had helped the Pridnestrovian GRU operators to secure Feuerstadt for the signing of the peace treaty between the State of Estorpiva and the Pridnestrovian-backed factions of the Estorian Civil War.

“Why would they be scared?” Pavlov asked.

“It’s the Blue Skulls, Major,” Ciprian replied. “They are afraid that the Blue Skulls know of this meeting and are going to try to stop it.”

“Der’mo,” Pavlov muttered. He, like many others who had taken part in the Pridnestrovian intervention in Estorvipa, had heard of the Blue Skulls and their reputation during the Estorian Civil War. Although they were officially known as the Union of Citizens Against Tyranny, the group had become known as the Blue Skulls because of the emblem that they used in their operations, a blue skull with a dagger stabbed through the top. And they had developed a reputation for being one of the most fervent supporters of anarcho-capitalism in Estorvipa, at least as how it was practiced by the Estorvipan Commune. The Blue Skulls were also responsible for a number of massacres in the immediate aftermath of the Pridnestrovian withdrawal from Estorvipa in which they rounded up people whom they suspected of having “pro-Pridnestrovian sympathies” and then executed them. One of the most egregious incidents involving the Blue Skulls had them setting fire to an entire apartment block in Krasevets that had been used as a refuge by left-leaning people during the Pridnestrovian intervention. If the Blue Skulls were capable of doing that to their own people, there was no telling what they would do to the likes of the Pridnestrovians or even the Pivans.

“Wait a minute,” Pavlov said to Ciprian. “I thought you told us that you had made sure that there was no Blue Skull activity in Feuerstadt for tonight!”

“We did!” Ciprian retorted. “We looked at the Blue Skulls’ usual haunts in the area, and we didn’t see neither hide nor hair of them for the whole week. We all thought that they had just simply given up on watching over Ihorovych and his cohorts and had gone back to the north. But now… Futu-i!” Ciprian suddenly exclaimed. “We need to get Ihorovych and Traianescu and everyone else out of here right now!”

Right at that moment, the radio on Ciprian’s shoulder crackled. “Sergeant Rogoveanu for Captain Ciprian. Come in, Captain,” the voice at the other end said in hushed Pivan.

“This is Captain Ciprian,” the TPPF commander in Feuerstadt replied. “Go ahead, Ioan.”

“Captain, we are looking at a large gathering of pro-northerners passing by the police station,” the sergeant reported. “My spotter sees a lot of gold flags and purple stars.out there. Wait… yes… That’s Djordjevic, all right. I confirm it, Captain. The Blue Skulls are here.”

“Futu-i,” Ciprian repeated.

“What is it? What’s going on? What did your man say?” Pavlov asked him.

“The Blue Skulls are here, Major,” Ciprian replied.

At that moment, Trofim Pavlov knew that the mission had just changed. It was no longer about securing the surrender of the State of Estorpiva anymore; it was about getting the five leaders out of Feuerstadt alive. Pavlov immediately rushed over to the table where the Estorian leaders were busy signing the peace treaty ending the state of war between the State of Estorpiva and the Republic of Estorpiva and their ally the Federation of Estorvipa. “What is the meaning of this?” Victor Traianescu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estorpiva, said when Pavlov suddenly appeared over his shoulder to look at the treaty documents. “Do you mind?” Traianescu asked with more than a hint of annoyance.

“Are you all finished already?” Pavlov asked as he examined the documents. All of them looked like they had the proper signatures on them already, but then again, he was more of a fighter than a diplomat so he couldn’t really tell if the treaty could stand up to international scrutiny or not. “That will have to do,” he announced curtly. “Now it’s time for all of you to get out of here before the Blue Skulls get here.”

“The Blue Skulls? They’re here already?” Denys Ihorovych, de facto leader of the State of Estorpiva, asked Pavlov in good if accented Russian.

“Yes, Mr. Ihorovych, they’re here,” Pavlov nodded. “And now that the peace treaty has been signed, my mission is now to see the safe departure of Prime Minister Traianescu and President Fedorchuk from Feuerstadt, as well as the safe extradition of Mr. Ihorovych, Miss Basescu, and General Kovacs from Feuerstadt to Tiraspol. We need you all to go to the basement of the city hall now and await further instructions.” Pavlov then took his radio and called out, “Major Umalin and Major Glaser to the grand hall, please.”

A few moments later, Major Grigoriy Dmitriyevich Umalin and Major Klaudia Fridrikhovna Glaser arrived at the hall where the peace treaty between the State of Estorpiva and the Republic of Estorpiva had just been signed. “What is it, Trofim Alekseyevich?” Umalin asked. “Why did you call us up here?”

“Captain Ciprian just got word from one of his men that the Blue Skulls are marching towards city hall,” Pavlov replied. “I was also told by President Fedorchuk that Mr. Ihorovych believes that the Blue Skulls have uncovered evidence of their plans to surrender to the Republic of Estorpiva, and thus the Skulls are planning to attack city hall and stop the attack and also probably capture and/or kill Fedorchuk, Traianescu, and the leaders of the State of Estorpiva.”

“How did the Blue Skulls get past the TPPF, Trofim?” Glaser asked him. “I thought you said Captain Ciprian had cleared this city of those bastards!”

“He did,” Pavlov nodded. “But it appears that the Blue Skulls had actually pulled back to somewhere else to lull us and the TPPF into a false sense of security.”

“You know what will happen to all of us if the Skulls get their hands on us, yes?” Umalin asked.

“No need to remind me, Grisha,” Pavlov muttered. “We all went through hell and back just to save our agents and assets in the north in the aftermath of the withdrawal. We’ve all seen firsthand what the Skulls are capable of. The sooner we kill them all, the better.”

“Good. Now here’s the plan," Umalin said. "We need to keep the VIPs in the basement while we clear a path from the city hall to the airport. The safety of our VIPs is of utmost importance to this whole mission. If even just one of them gets injured or killed by the damned Skulls, this whole mission will have been a disaster, and we may never get a chance to help the Estorians restore order in their chaotic land. Meanwhile, while we are preparing the vehicles and the way to the airport, we will help our friends from the TPPF hold off the Skulls while we evacuate the VIPs. Sounds like a good plan?” Umalin received nods from both Glaser and Pavlov. "Good. Now let's get everyone set up and in their proper places. This could be a very long night."

 UNITED ADAIKES 0 - 1 ESTORVIPA AND ESTORPIVA 
                      LEMISH (53')

STARTING ELEVEN VS. METHERWOLL
GK: Vidanova; DF: Kessler——Birkov——Krasnenko——Krastenkovic; MF: Vinogradov——Potritskij; Roberto——Davydov——Roberta; FW: Lemish

by **Guanacasteca** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:57 am

Servicio Guanacasteco de Noticias

The Guanacastecan Way? - Analysing BoF 77 GS and Some Lessons

José Murillo, at Græntfjall for the 77^th Baptism of Fire.

The ending of the Group Stage has left some incredible stats across the qualifiers for the next round of this crop for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, perhaps in terms of goal scoring, defensive reliability or dependency on some players in order to score. As a matter of interest for our readers, this analysis will focus itself on our Pigs and how they’ve done it during this Group Stage, maybe there could be some interesting conclusions or insights about the data posted in here, so let’s see what we should get from the information.

The best defence: A bit surprising if we consider the precedents of The Pigs at the Copa Rushmorí, where they got seven goals past them in three matches, not the best record out there but definitely a great teacher. Han Ruoyang and pupils have managed to memorise some lessons back in their camp in Huayramarca and also applied it successfully; six games and six clean sheets for Sergio González and defence team. This has made Guanacasteca the only team that hasn’t received a goal during the Baptism of Fire, part of this due to the “defensive solidarity” that Han promotes among the players, defending as a whole and attacking with caution and prudence.

A tactical approach to this might be that the line of five defenders could, easily, turn into a line of seven because on how close play defence and midfield from each other. This is a general attribute of Han’s scheme, be it while attacking or defending, but midfield and defence are a tightly-knit group that might force the rival to move back some metres because they aren’t being able to find a gap or, perhaps, because the group of seven players are pushing up front and forcing the rival to defend themselves.

Decent striking force: Let’s be honest, we were depending a lot on the job made by Sean Fuller up front, as he has managed to capitalise the most chances he has had in the area, even outside of it. Aside from that somewhat dependant relation of goals and Fuller, the job made by Ricardo Linton, Rodrigo Marín and Kenneth Ingram has been supportive as backbone of said situation, because most of the assists come from this trio of players, since Fuller isn’t as creative as Ingram is while attacking.

Speaking of creativity, David Monterroza and Ricardo Linton role on orchestrating offensive plays has been a key to manage temp in most of the matches, being able to switch from defence to offence in few seconds, also making sure that the team gets supportive while doing transitions. A quick switch as a “surprise factor” as Han loves to call it, is important to create chances, as the opposition might have some gaps that can be easily exploited in case of being found; Monterroza’s classy passing to the mid and conjoined with Linton’s precision makes this process as fluid as possible for The Pigs.

Managing Duties: The team has found in Han Ruoyang a reliable manager with straightforward ideas. Current managers love extremely elaborated tactics, but Han loves to make sure his players get his ideas as soon as possible in order to avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications among the players. His ideal of efficiency has moved him forward to develop a “solidarity” principle for the players, to help no matter what’s your role, just help to get the team go forward and achieve the goal of winning the games. Considering that need of defending well and also being precise while attacking, the República Guanacasteca might not have the best-looking game style in this tournament but, numbers prove, that it’s being the most effective one in the entire tournament.

“Keep it humble” says Han. He dislikes having a lot of attention behind him, je just likes to get the job done without noise, and you can see that when he said “we haven’t done anything. This is the right moment to demonstrate our capabilities and go step by step”. We shouldn’t press hard; we should let the team learn from their lessons and let them develop mental strength and tactical abilities that may come in handy for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. This tournament is their first real-world experience, that’s being a good one is a different topic, but the goal of learning doesn’t stop here. Go, Pigs, Go!

by **Metherwoll** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:01 am

They’d pulled it off. After winning zero matches in their first 3 games, Metherwoll had inexplicably managed to make it to the knockout stages of their first actual tournament, only conceding once in the process. The crowd went wild, all twenty of them that had bothered their arses to make a journey outwith Metherwoll. The only problem was that they’d have to face their toughest opponent yet: two countries at once.

Tam: ”Well, lads. See how we made it out of that mad group stage?”

Ness #1: ”Oh aye, some laugh that was. Mind when we put four past they jobbers?”

Ness #4: ”Haw haw, aye mate, aye! Absolute class on grass, that. Reckon we’ll do it again?”

Tam: ”Naw. We’re up against Estorvipa and Estorpiva, apparently.”

Ness #2: ”That cannae be right, Tam. Twa countries at once? That’s no even fair, mate! That’s no fair at aw!”

Ness #4: ”It’s aw a conspiracy against us, mate. They dinnae like us, that’s how we didnae win any of our first games of fitba.”

Tam: ”Naw, it’s because yous were shite.”

Ness #1: ”Fair dos. So, how do ye suggest we play against twa fitba teams at once?”

Seebs: ”NAPADAJ NA KAŽDÉHO, KÝM NEBUDEME VÍŤAZSTVO”

Ness #4: ”Whit, Seebs?”

Seebs: ”Ahem, me Seebs. Seebs kick. Seebs score goal.”

Ness #4: ”That’s mair like it. See, I ken whit yer saying noo!”

Seebs: ”Prestaň byť domýšľavý chrapúň.”

Tam: ”Too right, mate. Anyhow, I’ve come tae the conclusion that we’re no actually playing against twa teams, just that they’ve got twa bits in their name.”

Ness #4: ”Aw, is that it? Easy fuckin’ peasy.”

Ness #3: ”Ya fud, they finished first in their group.”

Ness #1: ”Both of them?”

Tam: ”Yer aw fuckin stupid. We’re playing fitba. Just think about the fitba, nothing else. Except you, Seebster. You think about booting fuck out of folk.”

Seebs: ”Me Seebs. Seebs kick.”

The upcoming match would see two very defensive teams playing against each other, with the main difference being that one team has a Seebster and the other doesn’t. Critical difference, if you ask me.

by **Graintfjall** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:04 am

Cutoff for QFs.

Estorvipa and Estorpiva 0–0 Metherwoll (0–0 AET) (4–3 pen.)
República Guanacasteca 0–0 United Adaikes (0–0 AET) (4–3 pen.)

Semifinal

Estorvipa and Estorpiva v República Guanacasteca
@ Grander International Arena, Háttmark

by **Tumbra** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:05 am

Quarter-Final Cutoff - Tumbran Half

Pekoland 1–1 Soldera (2–1 AET)
The Cordian Isles 0–1 Dispertag

Semifinal - Tumbran Half

Pekoland vs Dispertag
@ Serrapince Park, Serrapince

by **Dispertag** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:00 pm

The Referee's Bulletin
Your source for dispertagués football latest news

A promising bump, once again, into Pekoland in semifinals 26th December 2021

A quarter-final that has shown the toughness and difficulty of such a competitive championship. All the results have been adjusted, also for the dispertagués players. To make matters worse, two games were decided on penalties with results 4-3 in favor of Estorvipa and Estorpiva and Republica Guanacasteca, who will face each other in the semifinals; Likewise, the match that decided our opponent for the next stage was in favor of Peko-land 2-1 against Soldera in extra time. The only match that was resolved without the need to resort to exceptional measures beyond the regulatory ninety minutes and injury time was ours, against The Cordian Isles, played at Nantwich Stadium in the city of Finnley, Tumbra.

We anticipate that the result was, like all those of the day, adjusted: 0-1 in favor of Dispertag. No doubt the nerves were on the surface during the entire time that it was playing. Guillén Bolaños' only goal in the 76th minute declined the result to the delight of Martín and the entire fans. The feeling for the first half was sour. There was not a beautiful game and many opportunities were not reached, except for two clear mistakes by Monrós Saldaña who did not have the best day of him. However, they did see, due to the expectation that the game produced and the danger posed by the approach of either team to the rival area, several yellow cards. Among those booked: Buenaventura Tomillo, Maldonado Fernández, Bravo Zavaleta and Martínez Castillo. This was anguish for Martín, who had to put his strategy on the defensive so as not to risk suffering a red card and play a pass to the semifinals of the tournament with 10 players showing the score an insufficient 0-0. At half-time he reconsidered the changes and put some of those booked on the bench, in addition to changing Monrós Saldaña for the hero Guillén Bolaños.

They occurred in '64. The waters were churning. Fans on both sides were chanting and shouting constantly at the intense dispute that was taking place and the probable imminence of the resolution of the match. After all, there were only twenty minutes left until the end of the game and the situation seemed not to move. Dispertag had gone on the offensive, but The Cordian Isles played with the advantage of being "at home" since in the group classification they had already contested important victories in the stadium. The opponent's strategy seemed the complete opposite of ours in the second half, it could be seen in the game of certain footballers such as Redvin Chase, Hannah Andersen or Eric Johnson. This served to boost the spirits of our team, which pushed forward with everything it had. The assistance of Solís Suárez, from the right edge of the area, as a mid-height center, allowed a magnificent volley shot by Guillén Bolaños who, after seeing the ball enter the goal, celebrated it as though there were no tomorrow. It could mean the most positive hypothetical among Dispertag's options, which was to qualify without having to go to extra time or penalties.

That was actually what happened. The final whistles of the game sounded and, euphoric, the amarizules greeted the players of The Cordian Isles. Martín Galán Expósito shook hands with the coach, Nepharan Diandra Ballard, and congratulated him on the great game shown. Everyone had risen to the occasion.

The next game, the BoF semi-finals, we would face Peko-land, an old acquaintance whom we had already managed to easily overcome once in the group classification. Could we have the same luck to enter the final? Who knew. Despite the difficulty involved, all are willing to fight it and will do their best to lead Dispertag to glory. The meeting will be held at Serrapince Park, in the city of Serrapince. This stadium is home to the local ultras, so the game promises to be heated, at least in the stands. Without a doubt, it will be an unbeatable opportunity to enjoy the best football between two great teams willing to fight for a place in the final.

by **Guanacasteca** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 9:59 pm

Servicio Guanacasteco de Noticias

Getting the Job Done, No Matter How

José Murillo, at Græntfjall for the 77^th Baptism of Fire.

Another somewhat cold night in Græntfjall awaited the República Guanacasteca, this time for the Quarterfinals against United Adaikes, one of the rivals with the best performance in the tournament and a situation that would test The Pigs nerves to levels that they haven’t seen. As pressure increases as they advanced from the Group Stage, the stage may turn somewhat uncomfortable for those competing sides in the tournament, as they are facing stages they haven’t played before. Nerves might treason some people but Han Ruoyang made sure to avoid falling on said trap, as he sent the players to take a free day of rest prior the match, then a massage session in order to relax the players for the great moment.

As they fielded, their faces looked somewhat nervous in some players, but there were also bold and confident faces such as David Monterroza and his companion at battles, Dylan Orellana. The defensive duo transmitted motivation and confidence to their teammates, some of those needed it the most, for example a notably nervous Ricardo Linton who bit his nails constantly during the National Anthem. Han called the players for a last conversation as they fielded in their classical 5-2-1-2, this time in a defensive setting in order to secure a zero in their goal.

The United Adaikes National Team, dressing white and green fielded a somewhat offensive 4-1-2-1-2 with Duncan, Jordan, Ross and Harrison forming up a rhombus in the midfield. In charge of nullifying their offensive attempts was David Monterroza, the defender was placed some meters away from his usual position in order to counteract Harrison’s pivoting in the midfield. During the first half of the match, Monterroza managed to work him well, so Harrison was basically ruled out of action during that time period, while Ricardo Linton enjoyed some freedom in the mid to feed Ingram and Fuller in the offensive sector.

At the 24th minute, Kenneth Ingram had a clear opportunity against Marsh, the striker tried to lob the ball over the United Adaikes goalkeeper, failing in the attempt as the ball smashed the crossbar; a rushing Fuller tried to nod the ball in but Knight arrived in time to send the ball to the right corner. Guanacasteca continued to press for the remaining minutes of the first half, as Rodrigo Marín had opportunities to move forward and then cross balls to Víctor Calderón. Calderón would prove to be useful during the entire match, as he faked attempts to go in the wings instead of Ingram and then went to the midfield and coupled with him in order to do a quick 1-2 pass succession. At the 42nd minute Calderón had a clear chance from a ball received by Ricardo Linton, Calderón received and tried to kick directly to goal, but the shot was deflected by Schroeder with his head; Calderón kicked the corner right to David Monterroza, the defender controlled and passed the ball to Ingram, who was caught offside.

Fans could sense that the match would be entertaining, but things were about to change as United Adaikes took control of the actions for the second half, as República Guanacasteca decided to be conservative. Jordan and Ross, the horizontal sides of the midfield rhombus were key in order to create dangerous occasions against the goal of Sergio González. Harrison received a ball at the 54th minute after a nice pass from A. Fisher, the offensive midfielder passed the ball conveniently to Dale who was in the area. The left striker controlled the ball and passed to Maddox, who was placing to finish the play, Sergio González was able to deflect the shot and sent the ball for a corner kick. Maddox kicked it and found Dale in the aerial play, they made contact against David Monterroza, marking a foul against Adaikes.

The match entered into a moment of boredome according to the fans into the stadium, the Græntfjallers booed some actions of the match as The Pigs were keeping control of defensive area with a line of seven defenders, since two midfielders joined to cover up the wings, since the rivals were exploiting those. Harrison and Ross, the spearheads of Adaikes weren’t having clear chances as the game went close to the end of the regulation time. Græntfjallers booed as the referee whistled for the end of the second half, the extra time would begin and the intentions of the teams would continue to be the same. República Guanacasteca had already made three substitutions before the extra time. Waston entered instead of Calderón, Campbell substituted Marín while Vargas did the same with Rosas.

For the first extra time, Han made three more substitutions (entitled to make five and an extra one for extra times). As Bonilla substituted Venegas, Tamacas did it with Orellana and Rodríguez the same with Góndola. Only David Monterroza stood as the starting defender, then, all were fresh legs that would help the team to remain cohesive and disciplined till the end. For the second extra time, The Pigs performed a last push in order to win the match, but at the 115th minute, Fuller shot with force against Marsh’s goal, the Adaikes keeper sent the ball to corner and frustrated the clearest chance of the República Guanacasteca in the extra time. Adaikes would have another chance but was blocked by Monterroza with a tackle at the 121st minute.

Penalties time came and Monterroza failed his PK, then Sergio González saved the PK against Maddox. The shooters of both teams nailed their shots until the last shooter came, Ross kicked a penalty aiming to the middle of the goal of González but he stood firmly and saved with ease. The Pigs ensured their progression to the Semifinals, where they will face Estorvipa and Estorpiva. Han Ruoyang said “Discipline will be needed if we want to keep progressing, this is the right path”

by **Estorvipa and Estorpiva** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:16 am

“Alfa-One to Hotel-One, report.”

“I have eyes on Blue forces approaching the city hall,” Major Trofim Alekseyevich Pavlov said from the rooftop of the city hall of Feuerstadt, where he and a number of guerrillas from the True Pivan Protection Forces were observing the slow but steady march of the Blue Skulls militia towards the city hall. If Denys Ihorovych, leader of the rebel State of Estorpiva, was to be believed, the Blue Skulls had apparently discovered his plans to surrender to the Republic of Estorpiva and the Federation of Estorvipa in order to bring about an end to what he considered to be a stalemate in the Estorian Civil War. Officially, the Estorian Civil War had been ended by the Treaty of Tarkovska, signed by Pridnestrovia and the Inselberg Pact, led by the Imperium and composed of their puppet allies in Estorian lands. But the Pridnestrovian State Duma and the Congress of People’s Deputies overwhelmingly voted against ratifying the treaty, and thus in Pridnestrovia’s eyes, and the eyes of both the Federation and the Republic, the Estorian Civil War never ended. With the surrender of the State of Estorpiva to the Republic of Estorpiva and the Federation of Estorvipa, the Estorian Civil War was one step closer to coming to an end involving a united Estorian state, but if the Blue Skulls got their hands on the leaders of the State, the Republic, and the Federation, then peace for the Estorians could become an impossibility.

“Remember your orders. Hold fire until they have reached the roundabout in front of the city hall,” Major Grigoriy Dmitriyevich Umalin, Alfa-One, told Pavlov.

“Yes, sir,” Pavlov nodded even though he knew that Umalin couldn’t see him. He then turned to face Captain Gheorghe Ciprian of the TPPF and nodded again, and this time Ciprian nodded back.

“That’s the defense of the city hall settled then,” Umalin told Major Klaudia Fridrikhovna Glaser as the two of them accompanied Denys Ihorovych, Sara Basescu, Luka Kovacs, and the President of the Federation of Estorvipa Kirill Fedorchuk and Prime Minister Victor Traianescu of the Republic of Estorpiva, down to the basement parking lot of the city hall. “Now let’s see if the road to the airport is clear,” Umalin said as he switched frequencies on his radio. “Alfa-Three, this is Alfa-One. Come in.”

“This is Alfa-Three. Come in, Alfa-One.”

“The meeting was a bust,” Umalin said. “We got what we wanted but now we’ve got the Blues on our asses. We need to get our friends out of here before the Blues show them their patented northern hospitality. Can you confirm if the road is clear or not?”

“I’m afraid not, Alfa-One. Our local friends have just told me and Bravo-Three that they’re seeing increased vehicular activity in the roads around the airport. It might be nothing, or it might be something. Your call, Major.”

“Der’mo,” Umalin muttered. “That’s not good.” He then turned to Glaser and said, “Change of plans, Klaudia. Alfa-Three just reported increased vehicular activity around the airport. He’s not sure if they’re Blues or not but if so, it doesn’t look like we’re going to fly our friends out of here without a fight.”

“And just when I was thinking that this was an easy twenty-minute in-and-out adventure,” Glaser muttered.

Back at the roof of the city hall, Trofim Pavlov and Gheorghe Ciprian were observing the march of the Blue Skulls towards their location. Pavlov could feel the tension emanating from the Pivan guerrillas who had been posted on the roof with them to provide elevated fields of fire on the roundabout and courtyard in front of them. Pavlov had personally never fought against the Blue Skulls before, but he had seen the intelligence reports about them, about how they would put the rotting skulls of their enemies around their camps to scare their enemies and broadcast “personalized” calls against the enemy soldiers to scare them into deserting the old Estorvipan People’s Army. He had also seen the videos of their purges against those who had made the mistake of supporting the Pridnestrovian intervention, how homes and even entire buildings were set alight with the families of leftist-leaning people locked inside and those who tried to escape were shot to death, not to mention those who would rather jump off than be burned alive inside. At fifty years old, Trofim Pavlov thought that he had already seen everything in this world, but seeing the things that the Blue Skulls did to help and maintain the power of the Estorvipan Commune was still enough to make him sick. And even though he knew that eradicating the Skulls would not erase those memories, at least it would help to assuage his conscience.

Pavlov turned around when he heard footsteps on the roof, and he saw Sergeant Alyosha Damiric walking towards him. Damiric was carrying a Pecheneg machine gun. “Good evening, Comrade Major,” Damiric said.

“Damiric, how many times do I have to tell you, we don’t call each other ‘comrades’ anymore,” Pavlov said.

“Sorry, Major. Of course, Major,” Damiric nodded. “I brought the Pecheneg, like you asked.”

“Good, good,” Pavlov nodded. “Come over here and mount it right where I tell you.”

Damiric unfolded the bipod mount underneath the machine gun and then placed it on the edge of the city hall roof. He looked down the gun’s iron sights and saw that he had a good and almost unobstructed field of view on the courtyard and roundabout below. “Good man,” Pavlov said once Damiric had emplaced the Pecheneg. “Remember, when the first man steps on the pavement in front of the courtyard, that is your signal to open fire. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Damiric nodded.

"What's the situation on the VIPs?" Pavlov asked. "Have Umalin and Glaser got them out of here yet?"

"Not exactly, Major," Damiric shook his head. "They got a report from your operators at the airport. Something about more vehicles on the road. It may be nothing but an evening rush or it might be more Skulls."

"At this late hour, Alyosha? It's definitely not the evening rush hour, I'll tell you that much," Pavlov shook his head. "Goddamn it. The Skulls really have managed to trap us," he muttered to himself. "We need to spread out more, put men on all corners of the roof," he told Ciprian. "The Skulls will want to rush and overwhelm us in order to capture our VIPs, and we all know we can't let them do that—"

"Sergeant Rogoveanu for Captain Ciprian! Sergeant Rogoveanu for the Captain!" Ciprian's radio crackled.

"What is it now, Ioan?" Ciprian asked via the radio. "What's the rush?"

"The Skulls are passing us, Captain," the sergeant reported. "Looks like they're forming up for some sort of meeting."

"What's he saying?" Major Pavlov asked Ciprian.

"The Skulls are forming up," Ciprian said. "Over there, I think," he said as he pointed at somewhere in the distance. Pavlov took his binoculars and put them up to his eyes.

"Yes, looks like they're forming up," he said. "The Skulls always do this before their big operations, pump themselves up before going against their enemies."

"Yes, I see it too," Ciprian nodded as he looked at the scene through his own binoculars. "And is that—? Yes, I think it is! Tomislav Djordjevic is here!"

"Probably to personally oversee this operation," Pavlov muttered. He then put his radio to his lips and said, "This is Hotel-One calling to all members of Alfa, Bravo, and Hotel teams. I just had confirmation that Blue Number Two is here. I repeat, Blue Number Two is here." Blue Number Two was the Pridnestrovian code name for Tomislav Djordjevic, reportedly the second-in-command of the Blue Skulls. "This might be our chance to deal a critical blow to the Skulls if we can eliminate him now, but this could get absolutely complicated given the circumstances."

Pavlov and Ciprian watched as Djordjevic turned to his followers to address them, and then he put a megaphone to his lips and cried out, "Tonight, the enemy, the Pridnestrovians, the hated face of leftism in our beloved Estorian land, have snuck right back into our country, into the territory of our ally the State of Estorpiva. The leftists think that they can sneak back into our country without us noticing, but they are wrong, my friends! They are extremely wrong! We know all about our enemies' plans to restore their so-called order in our country once again, and this time, rather than staging an overt invasion of our ally's sovereign territory, they have decided to fly right into the heart of our ally's capital to attempt to force a peace between the State of Estorpiva and Pridnestrovia's puppets in the Federation of Estorvipa and the State of Estorpiva. But we will not let them do that! We cannot let them do that! Once the Pridnestrovians capture and occupy the entirety of the State of Estorpiva, it is only a matter of time before they pour their murderous troops into our country once again and recommence the pain and destruction that they have wrought upon us and our people during their first attempt at intervening in our national affairs! There is only one way to stop them, my friends, and that is to kill them! Kill them all! Kill the Pridnestrovians, kill the leftist guerrillas who continue to cling to a dead ideology, and kill the Pivan traitors who would rather negotiate with the leftist cowards than remain by the side of the Estorvipan Commune! Now, my friends, forwards! Forwards to the city hall! Death to communism! Death to socialism! Death to all forms of leftism! Death to the Pivan traitors! And most of all, death to Pridnestrovia!"

"Well, now we know why they are here," Captain Ciprian muttered.

"Indeed," Trofim Pavlov nodded. He went on his radio once and said, "Everyone get ready. Hostiles inbound."

  ESTORVIPA AND ESTORPIVA 0 - 0 METHERWOLL                  
                          (aet)
              LEMISH [✔]        [✔] SEEEEEEEEEEEBOOOOOOOO
          ZALUZHENKO [✔]        [✔] JOULE
             DAVYDOV [✘]        [✘] SANTAROSSA
          POTRITSKIJ [✔]        [✔] BANK
         ATANACKOVIC [✔]        [✘] McDAID

STARTING ELEVEN VS. REPUBLICA GUANACASTECA
GK: Enin; DF: Kessler——Birkov——Krasnenko——Krastenkovic; MF: Rodin——Potritskij; Roberto——Davydov——Roberta; FW: Lemish

by **Graintfjall** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:04 am

Cutoff for semifinal.

Semifinal

Estorvipa and Estorpiva 1–0 República Guanacasteca

Congratulations to Estorvipa and Estorpiva, who will play the winner of the Tumbran semi-final in the final at the Grand National Arena, Háttmark, and even bigger congratulations to República Guanacasteca who win the much more lucrative prize of a ticket out of this frozen wasteland, as they get to travel to Tumbra for the 3PPO.

Both games will be held on 29 December (~48 hours).

by **Tumbra** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:05 am

Semi-Final Cutoff: Tumbran Half

Pekoland 2–2 Dispertag (2–3 AET)

Baptism of 77 Final

Estorvipa and Estorpiva vs Dispertag
@ Grand National Arena, Háttmark

Third-Place Play-off

Pekoland vs República Guanacasteca
@ Tumbran National Stadium, Straton

Congratulations and commiserations where appropriate.

by **Peko-land** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:01 am

(Ach, I forgot to post this)
Pekoland 1-1 Soldera (2-1 AET)
[PKO] 65' Flattening Crew 120+3' Vice-CEO Moona
[SOL] 12' Cayden Barkley
Other events: 71' Penalty committed by Chuck Ingram (Missed)

The Pekoland team arrived at the port of Couno earlier than scheduled. They had a couple of hours to observe the city's people rushing around to get to their ferries, fishermen preparing to hunt, large cargo ships taking off. The port was as busy as ever. Looking away from the sea they could see the skyscrapers in the distance, the building slowly scaling down as they get closer to them. The skyline could be followed all the way to the stadium's arches.

"Can we have some of that delicious-looking fish food, boss?" Moona asked the Princess.
"And fill ourselves up with grease before the big game? No way peko." The Princess Denied her.
The rest of the team overheard this conversation and immediately threw away their food and gulped down whatever was in their mouth.
They continued walking around the port until it was time to get in the stadium and start warming up.
"Wow, this place sure is intimidating-nye!" The Demon Lord said while admiring the architecture. "I should make my subjects build something like this in the Demon Town-nye!"
"You always say that but never follow up on it peko." The Princess said.
The team changed up and got on the pitch. Warmup felt like mere minutes. Before they knew it, it was time.
The snakes lost the coin toss, but they won the ball immediately after Pekoland kicked the game off.
Only a couple of minutes had passed when Pekoland saw a great danger to their goal, Barkley's header was millimeters away from going in.
The young and tall forward had also been blessed with great agility, which he made great use of, making the Pekoland defenders feel like there were two of him pressing in.
He got his goal in the twelfth minute, burying the goal into the top corner with a fantastic volley that made the crowd go wild.
The Princess was fuming at how ineffective her team was against the Snakes. She started shouting orders to everyone, which were just enough to go into the dressing room without conceding another goal, but not enough to take control of the game.

Pekoland had deservedly fallen behind in the first half after being dominated by the Snakes. The dressing room was filled with doom and gloom. Hard times like this called for a strong leader, and a strong leader Pekoland had.

"Listen up peko! We didn't come all the way here just to get humiliated like this peko! I've prepared a new plan, so listen up and make sure you do exactly as I say, alright peko?" The Princess then started explaining her new gameplan to the rest of the team. They were all motivated and the black clouds above them had vanished. It was time to turn things around.
Pekoland took the second half by storm, creating chance after chance until the sixty-fifth minute, Rollings was left flat-footed with a masterful shot from the Flattening Crew.
Things didn't go too well for Pekoland afterwards. The Princess sent the ball to orbit with her penalty kick and Bun Bun Cha missed an open goal.
The game went to extra time.
Both sides weren't willing to take many risks as they were getting very tired and a counter-attack could mean the end of them.
The first half flew by with nothing of note happening. The second half went in the same fashion until the last couple of minutes.
A corner had been given on a last-minute attack by Pekoland. Without being called, Moona took her spot in the penalty box. The Princess's cross came perfectly for her and she was able to tap the ball in with her head. The crowd went wild again as Pekoland scored what surely was the winner in the quarter-final.
The referee ended the game there, the devastated snakes collapsed onto the ground while the Pekoland players went over to congratulate them.

by **Estorvipa and Estorpiva** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:12 am

“Sergeant Rogoveanu should be firing the first shot… now,” Captain Gheorghe Ciprian of the True Pivan Protection Forces guerrillas said as the angry mob of Blue Skulls soldiers, having been properly agitated by their group’s second-in-command Tomislav Djordjevic, began crossing the street towards the Feuerstadt city hall. Ciprian thought that the entire city had been free of the Skulls when he made contact with the Pridnestrovian GRU operators in hopes of securing a peace treaty between the Imperium-supported State of Estorpiva and the Pridnestrovian-backed Republic of Estorpiva and Federation of Estorvipa. Now it would seem that the Blue Skulls had executed a tactical masterstroke, and they now had the leaders of the Federation and the Republic, Kirill Fedorchuk and Victor Traianescu, in their sights. “Right now,” Ciprian said when the Skulls stepped onto the street and no shots had yet rung out.

“Your man should be firing now, shouldn’t he?” Major Trofim Alekseyevich Pavlov of the Pridnestrovian GRU said when the night was still consumed by the angry shouts of the Skulls militiamen.

“I don’t know, Major,” Ciprian replied. He reached for his radio and called out to Rogoveanu. “Ioan, why are you still holding fire? Didn’t I order you to open fire on the Skulls as soon as they got to the pavement in front of the city hall?”

“Captain, I don’t know how to say this, but they don’t all look like Skulls to me,” Sergeant Rogoveanu replied.

“What do you mean by that, Ioan?” Ciprian asked.

“I mean there are some people among the Skulls who look like they’ve been conscripted to fight for them!” Rogoveanu replied.

“You have the sniper rifle, yes?” Ciprian said. “Then look through that scope and take out those whom you know to be Skulls!”

“What’s going on with your man, Captain?” Major Pavlov asked the Pivan guerrilla commander

“The sergeant says that there are some people in that mob who might not actually be Skulls,” Ciprian. “He thinks the Skulls may have conscripted some people before they rushed the city hall.”

“Major Pavlov!” Sergeant Alyosha Damiric called out. “They’re about to get into the courtyard!”

“Hold your fire, Alyosha!” Pavlov said. “Wait for the TPPF to open fire first!”

“Come on, Sergeant, take that shot!” Ciprian said on his radio.

“Major, they’re in the courtyard!” Damiric shouted.

“Fuck it! Fuck it all! Open fire!” Pavlov shouted. Damiric was more than happy to oblige as he immediately pulled the trigger on his Pecheneg machine gun and sent a wall of lead down on the Skulls rushing the courtyard. The other TPPF guerrillas also opened up on the Skulls with their rifles, and the first wave of Skulls immediately fell down dead on the city hall courtyard.

Below ground, in the parking lot underneath the city hall, the leaders of the State of Estorpiva (Denys Ihorovych, Sara Basescu, and General Luka Kovacs) looked up in concern when the gunfire erupted above ground. “They’re here,” Ihorovych muttered. “The Skulls are here. They’re going to kill us all!”

“Now you know who the real backstabbers are, Denys,” Victor Traianescu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estorpiva government-in-exile, said to Ihorovych. “Look at how the north and their Imperial masters are going to treat you. Just a single toe out of line and now you’ve all been marked for death. You should have stuck to the side of the foreign socialists while you had the chance.”

“Calm yourself down, Victor,” Kirill Fedorchuk, President of the Federation of Estorvipa, said to Traianescu. “We can gloat about the moral victory later. Right now, we have bigger things to worry about than celebrating getting one up over our enemies. We have to survive first if we are to actually get one up over the Imperium. You are working on it, yes, Major?” he asked his Pridnestrovian protection detail.

“Yes, we are, Mr. President,” Major Grigoriy Dmitriyevich Umalin of the Pridnestrovian GRU said in reply. He then turned back to his radio and asked, “Any update on the road situation, Alfa-Three?”

“The vehicles look like they’ve moved on from the airport,” Alfa-Three replied. “They’re all headed for the city. They might be backup for the Skulls. In any case, if you want to exfil the VIPs to the airport then now’s your chance, sir.”

“Copy that,” Umalin nodded. Then he turned to Senior Lieutenant Anna Sergeyevna Perlemayer and asked her, “You’re from Hotel Team, da? You should know at least one way that will take us from here to the airport without running into any of these Skulls?”

"There's only one way in and out of the car park, Major," Perlemayer replied. "You've already been through the entrance. It comes out onto the main street, which is where the battle is happening right now, and I don't think you would want to be out there right now. That means you have to go out via the exit. It leads to a road in the back of the city hall, and you can take that road straight back to the airport. However, you have to remember this: you have to turn right if you want to get to the airport. If you turn left, the road will take you straight to the center of town, and you do not want to go there. Remember, turn right to get to the airport. If you forget that, it could cost us the last chance to get peace in the Estorian lands."

"Turn right for the airport, got that," Umalin nodded. He then turned to the other woman in their group, Major Klaudia Fridrikhovna Glaser, and told her, "This is how we're going to split up our VIPs, Klaudia. I'll take President Fedorchuk and Minister Ihorovych, while you take Prime Minister Traianescu with Minister Basescu and General Kovacs. I'll take Lieutenant Grisenko and you take Captain Andropov. Is that fine with you?"

"I would have preferred it if you asked me for any suggestions first before just laying out your plan to me and expecting me to agree," Glaser suddenly said.

"What? And you're only saying this to me now?" Umalin asked. "I hardly think that this is the right time for you to bring this up but very well then. Do you have any suggestions for our exfil plan to the airport?"

"No," Glaser said emphatically. "But I do like being asked first before you or anyone else pull the trigger on any plans involving me."

"Noted," Umalin nodded. "Shall we get going now?" After receiving nods from Glaser and Perlemayer, Umalin walked back to Kirill Fedorchuk and explained the plan. "I will be taking you and Minister Ihorovych in my car while Major Glaser will take Prime Minister Traianescu and the other Pivans. Oh, and while we don't expect heavy resistance or resistance of any sort, I would still like to ask you and Mr. Ihorovych to keep your heads down during our journey."

"Of course, Major Umalin, whatever you say," Fedorchuk nodded. Umalin took Ihorovych away from the other Pivan leaders and briefed him on the situation as well before Ihorovych was unceremoniously bundled into the back seat. Fedorchuk followed Ihorovych into the back seat while the Pridnestrovians got in front. "Must they treat me like a common criminal already?" Ihorovych asked Fedorchuk.

"The Pridnestrovians can be quite vindictive from personal experience," Fedorchuk replied. "You're lucky you only got shoved into the back. Sometimes they would throw a sack over your head and tie you up like a hog!"

"You're kidding me, right, Kirill?" Ihorovych asked, but the only response he got was an enigmatic smile from Fedorchuk.

Meanwhile, in the driver's seat of the car, Grigoriy Umalin put his radio to his lips and said, "Hotel-Four, this is Alfa-One. Open up the garage."

"Copy," Lieutenant Perlemayer said, and then she pressed a red button on the side of the car park exit. The steel shutters barring the exit slowly lifted up, revealing the dimly lit street ahead. Umalin could hear sporadic gunfire from outside, but could see nobody on the street. "Alfa-One to Alfa-Two, we're coming out first," he told Glaser. "Follow me and let's try to stick together as much as possible. The last thing we need to do is split up our VIPs."

"Copy that, Alfa-One," Glaser replied. "Ready when you are."

"Copy, Alfa-Two." Umalin then turned to Fedorchuk and Ihorovych and said, "I would keep your heads down if I were you." He then stepped on the accelerator and drove the car out of the parking lot… and then he turned left.

"Did he just turn left?" Major Glaser asked. "Tell me he did not just turn left."

 ESTORVIPA AND ESTORPIVA 1 - 0 REPUBLICA GUANACASTECA 
           ROBERTA (70')

STARTING ELEVEN VS. DISPERTAG
GK: Vidanova; DF: Kessler——Birkov——Krasnenko——Krastenkovic; MF: Rodin——Potritskij; Roberto——Davydov——Zaluzhenko; FW: Lemish

by **Dispertag** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:32 am

Commentators booth in Serrapince Park. End of regulation time. The famous dispertagués commentators Jesús Peña Collado and Beatriz Vargas Puig announce the start of the extra time in the semifinal between Peko-land and Dispertag for the large expectant audience of the TRB network. The whole country is waiting to know what happens.

JPC: Ladies and gentlemen, the game resumes with the start of the long-awaited overtime. We can already see the players of the two teams from Pekoland and Dispertag led by The Princess and Maldonado Fernández, respectively, go out onto the field. I do not know what they are thinking down there, especially the coaches, but here we are very nervous to know what can happen in these last 30 minutes of play before penalties.

BVP: Of course Jesús, after a very competitive match in the first two halves, which ended with a 2-2 draw with goals from Pekoland Nuclear Program Leader and Bun Con Cha in favor of Pekoland and goals from Monrós Saldaña and Zúñiga Echevarría assisted by Maldonado Fernández and Campos Zamora, we have seen an equally offensive game with a lot of participation from the midfield. De Andrade Cisneros is making great passes and Heredia Prieto's interceptions are being vital to our survival on the field. On the other hand, Vice-CEO Moona is doing an excellent job between posts for the rival team despite the agglutinated result.

JPC: Without a doubt Beatriz and the referee has just whistled and the fans roar so the ball is already in motion. The dispertagués team has started, from Andrade Cisneros, the captain, takes the ball out of the cookie behind for Maldonado Fernández who passes Cruz Aranda and this one to Cortés Quintana on the band with a longer ball pass. The pressure of the opponent comes from Don Chan who tries to take the ball from him but cannot because he returns back for Buenaventura Tomillo who facilitates the restart of the play in De la Puerta González.

BVP: Well, in case you didn't know yet, Jesus, today we are playing the semifinals against Pekoland in the 93rd minute of the game and I have an offer to make to you.

JPC: AH yes? Don't tell me, tell me!

BVP: Well yes, because if you take your payroll to the RBC (Real Banco de Cizúrquil) before the end of this match, they will offer you free tickets with all expenses included to the final of the tournament in case Dispertag wins and you are the lucky one among the people who take advantage of the offer. I don't know about you but I'm going to do it before I lose the opportunity.

JPC: You have already heard listeners, move with the RBC and maybe you can be the winners of this great draw to see the final of the BoF in the flesh!

JPC: Well, as I was saying, De la Puerta González has received the ball from the defense and has kicked off in the distance, played in the air after Zúñiga Echevarría's header, which has been invalidated by offside.

BVP: It seems that Martín Galán Exposito has come out on the pitch with everything and he wants to win because we don't stop seeing balls thrown into the air throughout the game to see if someone quickly reaches the rival area.

JPC: That's right, and here comes the Pekoland team after the offside, Head Missionary has made a pass to The Demon Lord who has returned under the pressure of Cruz Aranda. Head Missionary plays on the other side with Bun Bun Cha who stops the ball with a touch of his chest and passes The Princess back to the center of the field. Heredia Prieto goes a bit ahead to try to take it off but The Princess makes a bicycle and takes it out of the way with a lot of class. He looks for the gap in the band with Alternate Timeline Princess who puts the center to the area but is cleared by Romero Castillo at the corner.

BVP: Minute 98 and the bands get hot Jesús. In the managerial areas UsaKen Secretary asks the Pekoland team to push a little more and who knows if he will have a hidden ace up his sleeve for this corner kick and be able to surprise us. Meanwhile, on the other side, Martín Galán Expósito asks the team to come down and continue making the defensive effort necessary to be able to emerge unscathed from this occasion.

JPC: Let's see how Mrs. Kiryu centers the corner to the De la Puerta González area. It seems that there is a lot of movement in the area but it will be of little use because that center will not cause any danger after the clearance of fists by the dispertagués goalkeeper. Perhaps The Demon Lord will find the auction at the bottom of the line and that's right, the defense is not paying attention apparently but it has not served any purpose. Bad shot that has gone directly out.

BVP: The truth is that the game is very interesting, it is especially difficult to get through the midfield that Dispertag normally has with 5 players but we are seeing Pekoland achieve it and that does not bode well. But neither is the opponent's defense being the strongest and proof of this are the two goals they have already conceded. Perhaps a successful play can now be made.

JPC: It will probably be one of the last of the game Beatriz because we are already approaching the 103rd minute and the consequent irremediable break. De la Puerta González serves short for Heredia Prieto risking under the pressure of Flattening Crew. Heredia Prieto passes it to Cruz Aranda and this to Maldonado Fernández who sends it back to Heredia Prieto's feet. A center overhead to Campos Zamora serves to run down the band overtaking defender Don-chan who is left behind. He decides to continue and go to the center for Zúñiga Echevarría who makes a feint and changes it to the other band for Cortés Quintana. Cortés Quintana tries to dribble PekoCasino Boss who resists but finally manages to launch a cross, the center approaches Monrós Saldaña who is absolutely alone in the center of the area and ... GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOOOOOOOOOOL! That is a blessed goal! Monrós Saldaña who finished off with a scissor kick to put the 2-3 on the scoreboard to the disbelief of Vice-CEO Moona who cannot believe that he could have scored such a goal. Gooooooal ladies and gentlemen come by and see the impressive scissor kick, Monrós Saldaña who turns the tables and puts Dispertag ahead with 15 minutes remaining in the game.

BVP: A great goal of course, yes Jesús, it is a moment of celebration among the players of the amarizul team who approach the band to hug each other and shout before their fans. The Serrapince Park stadium is currently roaring with the excitement of the goal in the 105th minute of the game with everything almost sealed for the end of the game without penalty shoot-out and, however, this last minute change of course. Pekoland's team will have to put their batteries together if they want to continue in this great championship for which only one can remain. At the moment Dispertag qualifies for the final of the BoF.

JPC: We go into halftime in the first half of extra time with an exciting and unexpected 2-3 on the scoreboard that favors Dispertag. Do not leave your televisions or change the channel gentlemen. See you in just a few moments.

JPC: Welcome back viewers. The last 15 minutes will begin before Dispertag can be proclaimed champion of the match and thus certify the move to the grand final. This time Pekoland's team takes off center, specifically the captain The Princess who, with the whistle of the referee, starts the play already with P. Head Missionary who passes it forward to The Demon Lord. He plays towards the band for Mrs. Kiryu who tries to advance but is prevented by the defense of Cortés Quintana in an attempt to snatch the ball from her. He returns back to PekoCasino Boss and he in turn passes directly to P. Head Missionary who stands momentarily on the field contemplating his game options. He decides to go back, play safe, for Vice-CEO Moona who sends a center at mid-distance headed by Bun Bun Cha towards The Princesss, although the ball is intercepted by Maldonado Fernández who passes towards Arias Infante and he runs forward leaving The Demon Lord aside to pass it to Monrós Saldaña. He receives pressure from P. Head Missionary who causes the foul after a blow to the shin that is worth the yellow. Frank opportunity for Dispertag.

BVP: Who will take the foul in the yellowish team? I suppose Jesús that with the position on the left side at that distance from the goal it will be Zúñiga Echevarría who will take care of trying to score because I don't think they will bounce the ball into the area in search of the center. Pekoland's team has thrown the defensive line too far back to try the center I think.

JPC: As Beatriz has said, Zúñiga Echevarría seems to be throwing the center but look out because Zúñiga Echevarría has left the pass for De Andrade Cisneros who advances a little with the ball and has just hung a great cross that, however, the opposing defense has managed to clear outside. It does not seem that there will be an auctioneer. Heredia Prieto who comes from behind tries but to no avail, the ball hits the back of PekoCasino Boss and shoots out towards the throw-in. Cortés Quintana takes out for Monrós Saldaña and this again to Cortés Quintana who moves towards the center and passes into the gap for Maldonado Fernández whose shot ends up in the mittens of Vice-CEO Moona. No luck this time.

BVP: The excitement is felt everywhere Jesús. Even Dispertag's bench is on its feet because we reached the 111th minute and everything is looking ahead for the team to finally qualify for the last match of the championship. We will see if it is possible now I let you comment on Pekoland's play.

JPC: Yes Beatriz because nobody rests here, neither do we, and the ball is already in play again after the serve with the hand of Vice-CEO Moona to her defense Don-chan. Let's see what he invents to get out of the confinement of Campos Zamora and Zúñiga Echevarría. And he just surprised us all with a masterful hat (play the ball above the player's head), that's what I call knowing how to play, right Beatriz? A touch of class without a doubt that has now served him to be able to pass the ball forward towards The Demon Lord who advances through the center of the field without knowing very well whether to follow or pass it. For the moment he continues but Maldonado Fernández and Arias Infante come to block his way and save the gap that had been created. Go back to P. Head Missionary who improvises a center to the left wing where A. T. Princess masterfully receives the ball and tries to dribble Ayala Carrascosa ...

BVP: Ayala Carrascosa has been the last change of the Míster, the last one he had left and we assume that he wanted to find energy in defense to maintain the current result and not take risks. Ayala Carrascosa is a great choice because he is doing an admirable tournament.

JPC: While Beatriz gave us all the information about the change, the player in question has managed to repel the attack and send the ball to the throw-in. It seems that it is A. T. Princess herself who is in charge of drawing for Mrs. Kiryu. She is desperately throwing a cross into the area to see if someone takes the shot on goal but no one seemed to have understood her intentions so De la Puerta González receives the ball without major difficulties. He now plays wasting time with possession of the ball, without rushing to serve.

BVP: They have paid so much attention to your instructions Jesús that the referee seems to have got angry and De la Puerta González has won the yellow for wasting time and delaying the game. Hopefully it was worth it because now the booked cannot risk, although he plays with the advantage of his hands.

JPC: Of course, nothing can be objected to that card and the game continues because the ball is already in the air and there is a dispute of heads to see who finishes off, Monrós Saldaña or PekoCasino Boss. The dispertagueño wins the game but the ball goes towards the opposite field so it is a lost opportunity. We see some passing between defenders and the urgent need for Pekoland to score a goal. There are barely 2 minutes until the end of the game.

BVP: In fact, this possession will be the penultimate if not the last of the occasions for Pekoland if they want to tie the score, the only option for them, and go to the penalty shoot-out. Needless to say, they have it very difficult, if not almost impossible. But who knows if a last minute miracle can happen at the hands of God.

JPC: Well, I think that is not going to be the case Beatriz because right now Maldonado Fernández is passing the ball to Heredia Prieto and him to De Andrade Cisneros who returns passing it to Arias Infante who passes it to Ayala Carrascosa and he finally completes the cycle with Maldonado Fernandez again. The game is not moving from the center of the field and it does not seem that The Demon Lord, Bun Bun Cha, The Princess or Mrs. Kiryu can do anything to prevent it, they are already defeated by what it seems.

BVP: Indeed Jesús because the clock marks 120 minutes of play and the end of the gameeeeee! The final three whistles of the referee are heard to sentence the game in favor of Dispertag!

JPC: Final at Serrapince Park! Dispertag is qualified for the final of the championship! The stands are overflowing with joy and we are the first to rejoice! Congratulations to the entire team and to Martín Galán Expósito for such a hard and hard-won victory! End, end, end! See you in the final Beatriz!

BVP: See you then Jesús! And you all know, do not miss it, Dispertag is in the very final of the BoF and here we will continue, in TRB, to tell you about it. Until then and long live Dispertag!

Top Scorers(Pichichi):
Monrós Saldaña ⁸
Solís Suárez ⁴
Heredia Prieto²
Guillén Bolaños²
Zúñiga Echevarría²
Cruz Aranda¹
Maldonado Fernández¹

Top assist Providers:
Cortés Quintana⁵
Campos Zamora³
Arias Infante²
Zúñiga Echevarría¹
de Andrade Cisneros¹
Solís Suárez¹
Ayala Carrascosa¹
Guillén Bolaños¹
Mendoza Vivas¹
Maldonado Fernández¹

by **Tumbra** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:00 am

Cutoff for the Third-Placed Match, Baptism of Fire 77
@ Tumbran National Stadium, Straton

by **Graintfjall** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:00 am

Final cutoff.

Final

Estorvipa and Estorpiva 0–1 Dispertag

Many thanks to everyone for a well-RPed and mostly kraken-free tournament, and especially for participating despite coinciding with the holiday season. Thanks to Tumbra for being a highly efficient co-host.

Baptism of Fire 77 [rosters/RP/results]

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