Cup of Harmony 82 [rosters/RPs/scores]

[Soldera]

Joey Westway sat on the bench in front of his locker in the Solderan national team dressing room on the last day of training in Branwen for quite a bit longer than he normally did.

Within 24 hours, he would be boarding the plane bound for the Cup of Harmony. He'd check into the team's hotel, get to the designated practice facility, eat meals at a local restaurant and do some sightseeing. Everything was the same except for one thing. He was pondering the fact that this would be the last time he would don a Soldera uniform, and it would mark his final matches as the Snakes captain.

Westway's impending retirement was weighing heavily on him now. He would soon no longer have the opportunity to represent his national team as a player. He'd been approached about possibly serving as a color commentator on television broadcasts for the new national sporting network. He was evaluating opportunities to serve as an assistant manager for one of the eventual third division teams as the United Kingdom was gradually looking to build up its football pyramid. The goal was to have the first division almost completely in place by the time World Cup 91 qualifying began.

Part of Westway's reverie was spent pondering whether he wanted to go into broadcasting or managing. He'd sent an audition video to the sports network. He thought he did terrible; he was anxious and he felt as though he wasn't able to play off his cousin who did the play by play for a random match. He knew that sometimes, human resources or managers could see something even in complete dreck that would be enough for them to want him around. However, he wasn't optimistic about it. He felt awkward trying to talk about a match he felt like he wanted to play in. He felt uncomfortable talking about tactics and trying to explain to an audience of football fans as opposed to his teammates.

There was also the thought about managing. He was a manager on the field, certainly. He had a strong rapport with manager Norm Carricker and they were often on the same page when it came to making adjustments. In fact, Carricker remarked on a few occasions that when he approached Westway about making an adjustment, Westway had already instructed the team to make said adjustment before it even occurred to Carricker. Managing from the sidelines was going to be a different animal, in particular, if he ended up managing a former teammate of his. The line between player and manager was one that had to be strict. On some level, managers had to keep the players under their watch at arm's length. Going from being a teammate, even as a team captain who was often a few years older than his teammates to being a manager was a difficult proposition. It sometimes led to difficulty if the manager treated the players as if he were one of them instead of approaching them as a manager. That was something Westway didn't want to have happen in his first year as a manager, be it as an assistant for a third division side or as the one calling the shots from the sidelines.

Another part of his thoughts as he stonily stared into his locker was realizing that his playing career was almost at an end. He'd had one cycle at the Copa Rushmori, one Baptism of Fire Cup, one World Cup qualifying campaign, and now the Cup of Harmony as a player to go along with his prior experience as a player at the domestic level internationally. He'd had a taste of success at the Baptism of Fire Cup in guiding the team to a 4-1-2 record including the heartbreaking 2-1 extra time defeat to Pekoland in the quarterfinals. He'd helped the Snakes to a record of 5-3-6 and a positive goal differential as the team served notice to its groupmates that the then-236th ranked side would not be an easy out. And now, the team had caught the attention of Cup of Harmony organizers and was getting an opportunity to improve its standing for the next World Cup qualifying campaign.

"Joey?" Carricker asked as he saw Westway still sitting in front of his locker after the rest of the team had showered, changed and departed the facility. Carricker's assistant managers and the other players were all on their way to the airport. Granted, it would be several hours before the flight took off, but Westway, who had showered and changed from his uniform into his civilian clothes, was still lost in thought. The question from Carricker snapped Westway back to reality.

"Yes, Coach?" Westway asked.

"Ready to go?" Westway looked into his locker. He'd packed up his things and the suitcase stared back at him, waiting patiently for him to pick it up and take it with him to his car for the drive to the airport. He grabbed it, then looked back at Carricker.

"Yeah," he said.

"Got a lot on your mind?"

"Yeah, you could say that," Westway said.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Westway looked to the side for a moment before returning Carricker's gaze.

"I've been thinking about whether I want to be a broadcaster or a manager," he said. "And I've been thinking about my career coming to an end."

"I get it," Carricker said. "That's a lot to think about. We can talk about your options when we get to the team hotel. I might have something for you to think about when we get there, but I want you to keep it under your hat."

Westway raised an eyebrow and looked at Carricker. Obviously, the manager knew something Westway didn't, but it wasn't something that Carricker wanted the world to know, at least not yet. All Westway could figure is it might shed some light on what his next move would be.

"Will do, Coach," he said.

[Trolleborg]

TROLLEBORG NATIONAL TEAM

Nickname: Trolls

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NATIONAL TEAM

Team right now going through a difficult process of generational change. New players prove themselves well in the tournaments like IAC and Melayu Cup, but have not yet been able to fully replace the veterans of the previous generation who have won three international trophies for the country.

Usually playing in green, much rarer in white, sometimes in red, especially recently, and only three time ever in blue.

COACH

57-year old Morten Troghil is a manager of the team since its creation, won all three trophies and made it to the two finals and right now make a new squad. Recently idea of temporary change of coach just to see, if a fresh manager, who spend time at the League and know emerging players better, will give something else to the team was discussed, but after much debates it was discarded.

PLAYERS

Looked like performance of new players, added to the lineup recently, was not too satisfactory, but altought in the World Cup he gave a spots in the lineup to some almost-retired veterans, this time Morten Troghil add some new faces from the League.

GOALKEEPERS

Jesper Krogh (25 years). Very fast player who already prove himself on both league and international level, who prove himself good at the second floor, without losing something in his first floor game skills. He spent much of the time in the national team behind Kot Kotsson, but right now this legendary goalkeeper moved aside, with Krogh suddenly becomes number 1 – and right now he is clearly underperforming.
Finnsnes Soderhelm (30). “Confidence come with experience”, – often said coaches, and it’s close to what happened to this goalkeeper. Having spent full first half of career mostly as backup in the first league teams, he move one floor down and soon return to the spotlight as a reliable and competent goalkeeper. With a lot of experience behing him, he is great in handling things in his domain, always cool-headed even in the most difficult situations, while giving sense of security to his teammates. He is now second choice keeper, much like Gould and Krogh was with Kotsson. There was voices that he is not good enough to make Krogh train harder and better, but nevertheless head coach decide to retain this pair as number one and number two
Tomas Kot Kotsson (34). Up to the recent times, it is almost impossible to imagine Trolleborg national team without this charismatic goalkeeper at the number one post. Every success of the team up to the recent time in not a small part depends on him. It was presumed that he is going to retire from international games, but recent bleak performance of other two keepers make coach take him back. He will not play in CoH, however, bar anything catastrophic happened

DEFENDERS

Kasper Wolters (30). He is right back by default, but he is very strong, very fast, have a very good shot and even better crossing skill, so it’s possible to use him as a right wing back or right midfielder. Having all this, he very often make a lighting runs to the opposition box and sometime substitute right midfielder. After he spend some time out of the team coach bring him back to the lineup and entrust important position on the flank. But his performance at this spell is substandard.
Karsten Lindeblad (24). Robust right defender, fast and strong, with good position sense, he prove himself in the Trolleborg league as worthy opponent even for the best forwards, fighting for every ball and never give up. His performance on the games where he have place at the lineup is not spectacular, though. But Troghil take him again.
Kasper Lejder (25). Sturdy build, he is faster than he look, capable to cope with even strongest and faster forwards defends with class and also participated in attacking play. One of his biggest assets is his self-confidence and calmness even under pressure. It was looked like if this is not enough to play properly at the international level.
William Schendel (25). Versatile fast moving defender known for his skillful positioning and man-marking, highly effective in breaking opposition attacks, great in the heading, with incredible high crosses-interception rate. At the IAC he make a more than good impression, but recenlty don’t put performances good enough to shield him from the criticisms.
Torgeir Dushegub (34). Known as a Column, this tall and strong player usually dominates a box both in the air and at the grass. Being always calm and confidence, he projected aura of them around. Age advanced on him, but he was trying to live up to the fan expectations. Veteran player, many years indispensable for a Trolleborg international team defence, he already announced retirement from international football, but coach nevertheless convinced him to continue.
Joran Du Riis (27). Cold-blooded fighter prove that he more than capable holding his own at the highest level. Agile and fast-moving, but solidly builded and used this for his advantage, he play with composure and responsibility. He have a captain’s band recently, that’s to give a glimpse of his role for a team.
Ruud Kolding (32). Left defender covering lot of ground (altough less and less with years, can press forwards or go back as team need. Albeit seen as a substitute, he won the hearts of fans and a strong place in the first team with his perfect game in the BoF matches, having retained it after WCQ84 and throught many calamities, he make clear his intention to retire, but Morten Troghil talked him back.
Rekdal Lundstram (27). Comfortably carries his defensive duties, tenacious fighter and excellent ball winner also good passer, which was allowed him joined attacks productively and adding depth on the left flank. It will be seen, if he is up to the task of fulfilling role of left defender in the international games.
Nikolaas Laste (33). He was reliable left back, concedes nothing to rivals and rarely makes a mistake and has a tendency going forward, but in the recent years prefer to concentrate on his defensive duties, which he does very successfully.

MIDFIELDERS

Kasper Windass (25). Broad and strong left midfielder, he looked a little bit sluggish when moving without ball, but everything changes when he have it. Then he moved extremely fast, sweeping away everything in its path due to his mighty build and usually ended move with a clever pass. He is recent addition to the team, but prove himself adapted in the international football well... up to date.
Hendrick Groningen (30). The defensive midfielder, probably the best in his generation, he was not selected to play in BoF and joined team by way, proved himself worthy of a place in the team, caused a lot of problems to the attacking players of the opposing teams. His talent of intercepting ball in the middle and using every possibility to begin attacks was fully appreciated by everyone – apart, probably, of his opponents.
Brutil Skrta (25). Very complete player, who posessed ability, stamina, flair, technique and resoluteness in just perfect mix. Shows tremendous accuracy when passing, fine distant shooting skills and ability to lost his markers. In addition to that his stamina allows him to help constantly at the back if need arises. He make a real good debute at the IAC, but right now things looked like if he is not a real substitute for Morten Troll when thing goes awry.
Finn Finnsnes (33). Playing usually attacking midfielder, free forward or link man between midfielders and attackers, he is swift, smart, good dribbler with a great sense of goal possibilities. Having all this, he didn’t make solo runs without need, and has a habit to review every option before doing something, so opponents never know beforehand what he did next second. He lost some of his flair due to the age, but remain a very dangerous man on the field.
Morten Troll (29). He is a brightest star amongst midfielders in the whole country. Genius of game, with a wonderful dribbling, beautiful technique, excellent pass and extremely good shot, he won many games for his local team single-handedly, but also a great team player with great repertoire of tricks. Highly probably, he will be a player of generation, and very probably, best player Trolleborg ever had. He brilliantly justified all the positive reviews even when team performance was rather uninspiring, sometimes won games single-handedly. But he was not up to the task in the two recent tournaments.
Rolf Valgren (33). Quick-thinking, with a perfect understanding of game, seeing everyone and everything in the field, and with brilliant passing skills, this man can bring ball everywhere he wants. He definitely add something from international experience, and his wealth of experience personified through by his calmness on the ball. He is one of the BoF veterans, who have been summoned to help team in the wake of WCQ’90.
Torstein Halst (24). Right winger\forward, with a good passing, master of highly accurate long crosses and very well making in curved shots from outside the box. Willingness to fight for every ball, spare no effort, and, most importantly, improve his skills is what give this very young player a chance to play for national team.
Kenneth Pathmoor (26). He can cover a lot of space and conjure goal opportunity for his forwards from nothing. With his pace, agility and an eye for goal everyone agrees he has a bright future. Kenneth is a regular addition to the squad, altought coach until recently don’t give him too much chance and what this clever and versatile midfielder did on the field looked not too good. But in the recent campaign he prove his right to be counted on.
Jesper Gronholm (27). This multi-faceted versatile midfielder was comfortable down the right flank as either defender or midfielder. Competenly hold his own while in defence, he was willingly join any move forward, where he pass ball quickly and thoughtfully.
Gronquist

Jasper Lucius (18). With a perfect sense of game, he is also can move ball to where it want with only one touch, and he is good with a set-pieces. Already established player in his hometown team.

FORWARDS

Kroonquist, Morten (26). Another addition to the team squad, this fast forward known for intensity of his game, and he is capable to maintain workrate in all 90 minutes. With enviable quickeness he moved very fast, turns very well, constantly pressurized rival defenders, with or without balls, and always trying winning back posession.
Torgeir Berglund (24). Effective center forward in front of goals, having something in common in both Kerr and Gulbranden despite their visible differences. He prove his goal-scoring talents in the national team, but not enough to earn his own spot at the lineup. If nothing changes, probably he will be swapped with someone of his cohort in the League soon.
Stuart Kerr (33). Almost legendary player, worshipped by fans, Stuart is the quick, brave and skillful, moved fast despite age, love to puzzle defenders and having ability shot from everywhere in the box right despite defenders best efforts. But at CoH he most probably will be sit at the bench if things will be better than umitigated disaster.
Torben Kranforde (25). Very fast forward, who have special ability to surprise rival defenders. He also posessed a great skill of positioning himself very well, and regularly sent many defenders and goalkeepers into despair with his precise and deadly shots from both feet. He prove himself prolific scorer at all recent tournaments team taking part of, altought don’t succeed to play the same role as Stuart Kerr until recently.
Mogren Langepaas (25). Recent addition to the team. His style of play does not look very spectacular, but he has a phenomenal scoring sense and constantly finds gaps in the defensive orders, and his ball-winning talents are remarkable.

TEAM TACTICS AND GAME STYLE

Team always practiced attractive attacking game on a fast pace, with a varied passing and good teamwork and already its style well-known and liked by public. Usually played 4-4-2 with defenders pressed forward whatever possible, or 3-5-2 with a midfielders move back and forth as things dictated. Integral and inalienable part of the team’s game will be mighty pressing, applied whatever on the field when ball is not on our side.

Unsportsmanlike behavior is highly discouraged even if in the interests of the cause, and national team players are required to meet the highest standards possible, so it is completely impossible to imagine a player of the Trolleborg national team faking injury or begging for a penalty. But players are not easily bullied, though, and more than able to stand up for themselves both as individuals and as a team, and have a strong inclination to go tit-for-tat in case of excessive brutality on the opponent’s part.

National psyche tell players to put everything even if odds are heavily against, so almost every match in the league played with high determination, and national team shirt oblige one who wore it for even more efforts – altought it was visible, that players often compeletely lose breath when unexpected setbacks occur, either due to the chance or some strange refereeing decisions. And this is precisely what happened regularly.

Style –5.

No, there was no confusion, team played attacking football on the field, while having negative style modifier for a scorinating purposes.

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but I reserve right to estimate injury severeness
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes only for a last ditch fouls or two yellows, any other variants must be discussed with me
Godmod other events: No, but if you have something interesting in mind, let me know and we try to find a middle ground.

OUR FANS

Fans is a pride of Trolleborg and almost part of the team, having already earning themselves a name and a good reputation at every place where national team playing.

Team was extremely popular, and Trolleborg Republic will organize trips for a fans, who will be at stands by thousands. We are welcome every possibility to RP on this theme.

[Omerica]

Style modifier: +π (or +3.14 if you can’t fit all the digits)
RP permissions: Your RP permissions are mine, short of death, disease or career-ending injuries. In case of reciprocal “no u” permissions, you may do anything short of death, disease or career-ending injuries.
Pandemic exception: I do not recognise the existence of any international pandemics, which will be construed as a series of unrelated outbreaks and will not under any circumstances extend to or from the United Republics of Omerica. Any attempt to introduce new disease outbreaks to Omerica will be immediately nullified by the Federal Secretariat for Defence’s “Instantaneous Godmode Neutralisation by Optimised Revision of Events” (I.G.N.O.R.E.) system.

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United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jean-Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA

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Disclaimer
The United Republican Soccer Federation explicitly rejects the notion that the World Cup qualification playoffs were legitimately contested and continues to reject the use of unequal time in home-and-away ties for any reason or purpose. The Federation regards Omerica as having been eliminated from World Cup qualification by virtue of failing to win qualifying Group 7 and the presence of Omerica at the Cup of Harmony is not to be construed as acceptance of the purported qualification playoff tie against Huayramarca as anything other than null and void.

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About Omerica
National anthem: “Hymn of the Avonian Martyrs” (Anglian version — Gallic version)
Association code: OME
KPB ranking: 33rd (22.34)
All-time record: 216–103–159 (45.2% win rate; 1.57 points per game)
Cup of Harmony record: 24–9–20 (45.3% win rate; 1.53 points per game)
Record under Alexis Stephanidis: 73–24–30 (57.5% win rate; 1.91 points per game)
[Results from amateur and youth selections are excluded.]

A heartbreaking 3–1 defeat to Astograth in Forestia marked the true end of Omerica’s World Cup qualification campaign, guaranteeing that the Incorrigibles could not win the group and—as the Federation had previously confirmed that it would not accept a qualifying berth awarded through an illegitimate playoff system—would be absent from the finals for the first time in six years. Unfortunately, Omerica narrowly finished as group runners-up and were presented with an ultimatum by the World Cup Committee: participate in the playoffs or be banned from World Cup play for at least the next cycle. Under sufferance, the Federation scheduled a game against Huayramarca at one of its private practice fields in Charlescourt and cobbled together twenty-three “sacrificial lambs” with the aim to make the tie as close to a walkover for Huayramarca as the Federation could get away with.

However, in the clearest possible demonstration that the Federation had learned absolutely nothing from the infamous “Wet Bog Roll” game, the lack of any consequence, expectation or pressure brought out the Lambs’ best: narrowly winning the first leg, heroically keeping Huayramarca from scoring a second goal in the return leg, successfully making unequal time completely unwatchable and very nearly overcoming the Condors’ unfair advantage. In the light of the Lambs nearly making fools out of both sides, the Federation has opted to reward them with their first caps at the Cup of Harmony.

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Staff
Manager: Alexis Stephanidis (age 53; b. Brétolles-de-l’Ouest, Westavon)
A managerial idealist who believes in the time-honoured tradition of “the best defence is a good offence”, Alexis Stephanidis came to fame by rebuilding Malavan Romainbourg from their failed campaign to qualify for the OPSL Premier Division—winning an OPSL Second Division title, a Federation Cup and a League Cup in the process—and winning her hometown club Andreaskruis promotion in the Second Division playoffs. Originally met with skepticism when she replaced George Kostas after Omerica’s disastrous IAC X campaign, Stephanidis has quickly become the consensus pick for the Incorrigibles’ greatest ever manager after securing Omerica’s best IAC campaign since Anne-Sophie Groothuis’s departure and becoming only the second manager (after Ryan Pritchard) to lead Omerica to the World Cup finals. Steadfast in her belief that she has given all she can give to the national team, she will now be taking one last stab at the elusive quest for silverware and put her status as Omerica’s greatest manager to date beyond any doubt.

Assistant Manager: Christina Tedesco (age 47; b. Kingsmouth, Mespalia)
Omerica’s longest-serving assistant manager in history—serving under the reigns of George Kostas and Alexis Stephanidis—, Christina Tedesco has well and truly earned her redemption for Omerica’s disastrous World Cup 85 qualifying campaign and infamous collapse at IAC X. Tedesco has served as acting manager of Omerica on three occasions (taking charge for the second half of World Cup 85 qualification, all of Eagles Cup 10 and the first stage of Independent Associations Championship 13) and has endured as a key confidant and partner to Stephanidis. However, she has confirmed that she will not seek to take over as manager and will be leaving alongside her boss at the end of the Cup of Harmony.

Fitness coach: Jean-Pierre Marchetti
Goalkeeping coach: Stéphane Rousseau
Medical lead: Tahira Bousaid
Physical therapists: Alexandria Stavros and Christiane Michaud

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Players
Per Omerican custom, the number 12 is reserved to supporters and will be not worn by any player.
№12—Incorrigibles Supporters (X, age ∞; b. Everytown, Everyrepublic)

Goalkeepers
№1—GK Jessie Pearce (X, age 25; b. Solentine, Mespalia); Racing Rialto
№13—GK Matthias Guilloux (M, age 19; b. Montviolat, South Provence); Athlétique Trois-Fleuves
№24—GK Juliette Bennett (F, age 21; b. Avonmouth, Port-des-Saints); AS Saint-Christophe

Defenders
№2—RD Marc Battier (M, age 22; b. Port-Saint-Denis, Romainbourg); Williamsburg SC
№14—RD Rose Grant (F, age 20; b. Solentine, Mespalia); New Cardiff FC
№3—CD Arianna Scott (F, age 19; b. Alexanderstead, Great Arden); Cathair Dhoire
№15—CD Nicolas Jacquet (M, age 20; b. Rivaut, Altomare); Athéna Levanin
№4—CD Claire Loup (F, age 24; b. Villepierre, Altomare); Racing Rialto
№16—CD Robin Armstrong (X, age 20; b. Freetown, Heathmoor); Ever Grande
№5—LD Matthieu Brugière (M, age 21; b. Bourse Romaine, Romainbourg); Olympique Provençal
№17—LD Arthur Carr (M, age 18; b. Middleton, West Calaverde); Nassau FC

Midfielders
№6—RM Émilien Frère (M, age 21; b. Port-Saint-Denis, Romainbourg); Saint Anne Athletic
№18—RM Adélie Battier (F, age 19; b. Vieille-Cité, Charlescourt); Athéna Levanin
№7—DM/CM Robert Heuzé (M, age 25; b. Saint-Pierre-Baptiste, New Vaucluse); Andreaskruis
№19—DM/CM Abigail Houghton (F, age 22; b. Port Alexandre, Mespalia); Forestia Cricket
№8—LM Autumn Pearce (F, age 21; b. Avalon, Mespalia); Falcon United
№20—LM Harry Lawrence (M, age 19; b. Rockhampton, Northavon); Cathair Dhoire

Forwards
№9—RW Nathanaël Thomas (M, age 25; b. Guillaumesbourg, Bridgecastle); Inter Bayonnette
№21—RW Antonio Reid (M, age 20; b. Fairleigh, West Calaverde); Swordsmiths AFC
№10—ST Beatrice Carter (F, age 24; b. Pont-Croix, Westavon); Athlétique Trois-Fleuves
№22—ST Lucas Ryan (M, age 20; b. Newhaven, Great Arden); Inter Bayonnette
№11—LW Bélise Galopin (F, age 24; b. Unionpolis, Alleos); Kingsmouth FC
№23—LW Michèle Cousteau (F, age 21; b. Brétolles, Westavon); Andreaskruis
Notes: Labels reflect most likely position in the lineup.

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Formation

From striker to goalkeeper:
Galopin/Cousteau . Carter/Ryan . Thomas/Reid
A. Pearce/Lawrence . Heuzé/Houghton . Frère/A. Battier
Brugière/Carr . Loup/Armstrong . Scott/Jacquet . M. Battier/Grant
J. Pearce/Guilloux/Bennett

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Kits (expertly crafted by ediraf)

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Who we are
The United Republican Soccer Federation is the national football association of the United Republics of Omerica. The URSF is organised as a federation of twenty-six republican and seven regional football associations, with special membership status for the Omerican Professional Soccer League and Omerican University Sports Association. The URSF responsible for overseeing association football in Omerica, organising Omerican representative teams and—with the cooperation of the Federal Anti-Doping Authority and Omerican Council for Sporting Integrity—ensuring the integrity of Omerican football.

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Conformément au droit fédéral omericain, ce document est disponible en gaulois sur demande. — In accordance with Omerican federal law, this document is available in Gallic upon request.

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[Krytenia]

Please assume YES for all answers in the Permission Box – just TG me first if it's particularly insane and/or egregious. Also, anything COVID related can do one.

KRYTENIA 2294 CUP OF HARMONY SQUAD
Modifier: +2

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Manager – Richard VALENS, Age 52
Came to prominence as Stanton Town manager, leading the team to a well-deserved O-League title before international football management came calling in the form of Chromatika. Led the side to decent runs in the World Cup before a regression in World Cup 89 led to him being available to manage the Dragons, with Paul Davis curiously deciding to call it a day after leading the side to their first finals in half a century. Still, that's not Valens' problem. Failing to qualify for World Cup 90, on the other hand, is very much his problem, and Valens will be under the microscope at the tournament.

Assistant Manager – Cormac O'NEILL, Age 42
Valens has immediately stamped his authority on the backroom, built with pride at the Harbour Stadium. Former national team captain O'Neill steps up from coaching duties on the coast to his ex-boss's number two. Ex-teammates Jonathan Redmayne and Andrew Thornton have also made the jump, joining existing offensive coach Selly Kennedy in an all-Stanton coaching staff.

Goalkeeping Coach – Jonathan REDMAYNE, Age 43
Defensive Coach – Andrew THORNTON, Age 47
Offensive Coach – Selaphiel KENNEDY, Age 52
Physiotherapist – Stephen WILLIS, Age 53

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers

James ORWELL
Age: 24
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Ashton Olympic
More of a sweeper-keeper than Krytenians are used to, but given the traditionally leaky nature of the Dragons' defence, that might be more of a blessing than a curse.

Michael SVEYN
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Langlois Oceanic (KSK)
Having been relegated from the O-League Premier in successive seasons – with Penniton United and Secklow – Sveyn took the opportunity to leave the league altogether, becoming the first Krytenian to play in Kelssek. Ironically, this means he gets less practice playing for a team that actually has a defence for once.

Logan CAMPBELL
Age: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Caledon Simpson
Hair like a surfer, hands safe as houses. Campbell looks like a poster boy for a completely different sport, but he's no slouch between the sticks.

Defenders

Pablo RUIZ
Age: 28
Position: Right-back
Club: Avidia United
Forward-thinking right-back with a mean cross. Plays very much like a wing-back even in a back four.

Benjamin LISPALLE
Age: 29
Position: Left-back
Club: Beckton Supermarine
Speedy little firecracker, tends to get deployed as more of a wingback for the Mariners. Currently remembered for his woeful performance in the Cup of Harmony 80 final; will be looking to slay those particular demons.

Fergal FINNAN
Age: 27
Position: Centre-back
Club: Emberton Hibernians
His excellent reading of the game has seen him help break up the long-standing Okano-Sinton partnership at the back. Skilful with the ball at his feet and comfortable in the air, he'll be looking to build a rapport with Elias Molinari.

Elias MOLINARI
Age: 31
Position: Centre-back
Club: Emberton Reds
Mature and cool-headed; a rare trait amongst the choke-happy Reds team. Tends to back off rather than rush into the tackle. Captained the Under-21s, and now finds himself replacing the former senior team captain in the back four.

Rob ARMTHORPE
Age: 26
Position: Centre-back
Club: Ashton Olympic
Intelligent ball-playing central defender; not the quickest, mind, and has been known to get burned by small, speedy centre-forwards.

Paul VONN
Age: 22
Position: Right-back
Club: Sandwell Rangers
Hard-running energetic full-back who is not afraid to throw himself in front of a cross. Tends to struggle when opposition wingers pull inside him, though.

Adam CAMPBELL
Age: 26
Position: Left-back
Club: Dereapolis City
Excellent interceptor of the ball, his skills helped the Derries to promotion and a deep run in the Liga B Trophy.

Gavin HEALEY
Age: 20
Position: Centre back
Club: Mercia Bromham
Promising young talent with top-notch ball playing skills. Unlikely to get minutes this time around.

Midfielders

Robert REEDER
CAPTAIN
Age: 29
Position: Right/central midfield
Club: Yeaddin Owls (VIL)
Impressed with a stunning debut season in Casuals' title-winning campaign. Reeder plays the game almost on instinct, looking to find space and run at defenders at every opportunity. A real headache to play against. Was expected to be a fixture at Coalfields for years, but the Owls made Casuals an offer they couldn't refuse. Also, Krytenians do like a trip to Yeaddin...even if that's a bit of a longer trip nowadays.

Scott STRINGER
Age: 21
Position: Central midfield
Club: Ousevale Borough
The central midfield position is the centre of gravity around which the Krytenian attack orbits, and there are some who feel that young Stringer won't be up to the task. Ousevale fans, though, would disagree, with favourable comparisons to the great Ricky Sexton being bandied about amongst the Southern Arena faithful thanks to his sublime skills on the ball.

Carlos SENNA
Age: 24
Position: Left midfield
Club: Honeybadgers (EUR)
Diminutive but speedy, Senna is brimming with confidence. Set-piece specialist; there are few in the game better at taking corners. Vdarans don't rate him for some strange reason; Eurans, on the other hand...

David PEPPERS
Age: 27
Position: Left midfield
Club: Avidia United
Former U21 international with a cultured left foot. Likes to cut inside full-back or else go for the early cross.

Anthony TAYLOR
Age: 26
Position: Right midfield
Club: Mercia Bromham
Taylor loves to run at defenders and cause problems. Don't be surprised if he cuts inside to sniff out a chance.

Thomas KELLEHER
Age: 22
Position: Central midfield
Club: Stanton Town
Very much built in the mould of assistant manager Cormac O'Neill, Kelleher is a calming presence in the midfield, though perhaps a little more conservative than some would like.

Forwards

Alun BELMWR
VICE-CAPTAIN
Age: 34
Position: Forward
Club: Mercia Bromham
English may not be his first language - in fact, it's his third, behind Welsh and goals. Prodigious talent, oddly spelt but familiar name. Still spry despite his age – he's been around forever, it seems.

Cande MONTALBAN
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: Chromatik (CMT)
Used to playing on the left, Valens likes to use the Chromatik forward just behind the front two, looking for space and otherwise creating merry hell for defenders.

Ciaran RAFFERTY
Age: 29
Position: Forward
Club: Emberton Hibernians
One of the main reasons that Hibs made it to the top flight is this man's predatory instinct. A clinical finisher, give him a sight of goal and he'll more than likely score. Scored for fun alongside Montalban at the fiftieth Di Bradini Cup, and has carried this on at the senior level.

Fraser YOUNG
Age: 30
Position: Forward
Club: Mercia Bromham
If you're going to learn your trade, do it at the feet of the nation's best. Young plays off the shoulder of Alun Belmwr for his club, and loves lurking on the edge of the box for that second ball.

Mason CARTER
Age: 21
Position: Forward
Club: Ousevale Borough
Promising youngster banging them in for fun down south. Alun Belmwr needs to look over his shoulder.

Alexander DEVEREUX
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Club: Casuals Osteria
Sampson, Parsons, Vinelli, Meitner, and now Devereux; the position of “striker called Alex” is in safe hands. Playing along the experienced Alex Meitner at Casuals, Devereux now replaces him in the national team squad.

LIKELY STARTERS – Formation: 4-3-1-2 “System Munitis”

1. Orwell
2. Ruiz - 4. Finnan - 5. Molinari - 3. Lispalle
6. Reeder (c) - 7. Stringer - 8. Senna
10. Montalban
9. Belmwr - 11. Rafferty

THE KITS – courtesy of JMC

[Astograth]

The Astograthian National Football Team

All white away, all olive green home, all blue third

Style: 0
Formation: 4–3–3, see below for potential variations
Nickname: Olibondeka (The Olives)
Captain: Marko Martel
Vicecaptain: Domiku Bergara
Free Kick Taker: Tomofumi Ishimoda
Penalty Kick Taker: Aire Epherra

No - P. - A. - Name                  - Club

      M - 46 -  Piarres Erke
     AM - 37 -  Aberri Buruchaga

Starting XI
13 - GK - 27 - Echepare Rospide      -  KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
 5 - LB - 29 - Marko Martel (C)      -  Lajuno (EUR)
 6 - CB - 23 - Irakusne Hecharri     -  Sporting Iturributa
 3 - CB - 28 - Alarabi Labeaga       -  Mâ Âlâmëómë (FFD)
 2 - RB - 25 - Oxarra Peira          -  Lajuno (EUR)
15 - DM - 32 - Domiku Bergara (V)    -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
 8 - CM - 28 - Baraxil Muhaburu      -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)
17 - CM - 29 - Artizar Bailo         -  KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
 7 - LW - 29 - Olentzaro Karazatorre -  KT Moreazerua (AUD)
10 - RW - 28 - Tomofumi Ishimoda     -  Gortz United
 9 - CF - 36 - Aire Epherra          -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)

Substitutes
 1 - GK - 36 - Gentza Bedigax        -  FC Felsenkirchen 1879 (STL)
23 - GK - 22 - Unax Goyenola         -  Gortz United
12 - LB - 20 - Tipi Izotzubia        -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)
 4 - CB - 30 - Altzibar Sarrible     -  Northern Union (BRE)
19 - CB - 23 - Hurko Germain         -  Liria Prizren (MYT)
16 - RB - 26 - Ageio Osinde          -  Urbizania Wanderers
14 - DM - 28 - Potz Gambor           -  Canbix Muses (ZWZ)
21 - CM - 20 - Yaunzuria Urgoiti     -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)
11 - LM - 26 - Eskuin Nekol          -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
20 - RM - 28 - Zilar Galharretborde  -  Langlois Océanic (KSK)
22 - CF - 25 - Yokin Erdokiain       -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
18 - CF - 29 - Mogel Galdiano        -  Sporting Arkamo

Manager – Piarres Erke – Age 46

Piarres Erke. As a player, a virtual nobody: left-back who plied his trade in the dark years without a national league and then, in his 30s, served as a bench player for Gortz United in the relaunched First Division. As a manager, however, Erke came to be hailed as a young prodigy. Aged 38, he took charge of a Gortz United in crisis and guided them to one of the most impressive turnarounds yet seen in the Astograthian top flight, climbing from rock bottom to a comfortable finish in the mid-table. Next season he’d place them 8th, one of their better campaigns ever. The following year he was hired by Athletic Club Olarria and qualified them their first international competition in three decades. The next few seasons would prove less fruitful, as Olarria slipped down the table, and at 10th-place campaign drew the curtain on Erke’s tenure.

As manager of the Astograthian national team, Erke achieved an impressive 4th-place finish at Copa Rushmori 38, followed by a less-impressive 4th-place finish in Group 12 of qualifying for World Cup 89. Though the team was strong at home, poor away form – including a 5-1 thrashing at Twicetagria – doomed the campaign. Another strong showing at Copa Rushmori 39, again finishing in 4th place, reaffirmed the trust of the Futbol Astograthiko Federazioa.

Erke chose World Cup 90 qualifying to be a changing of the guard, with 6 out of 23 players being replaced between the Copa and the opening qualifier against Gyatso-kai – and there’s been a shakeup of those who remained. Notably, captain Mogel Doyenard, vice-captain Ihazintu Malkorra, and long-time right-back Ixaka Echeberz have all retired from the team; the three were Olibondeka stalwarts with over a hundred caps each. The captaincy has passed to the unruly Marko Martel, one of the team’s longest-tenured, though not without controversy. This squad selection, which has remained the same for Cup of Harmony 82, is also notable for being the most foreign-based in the history of the national team: a scant 5 players ply their trade in the Astograthian league, with reigning champions Iturributa United completely unrepresented.

Erke has swapped out his former 4-2-2-2 for a 4-3-3, in a bid to take advantage of Astograth’s wealth of centre midfielders. If necessary, Erke’s Olibondeka is also able to shift into their former 4-2-2-2, a 4-4-2 or a 4–2–3–1, but the manager maintains his priority is to play the possession game with 3 midfielders down the middle. Baraxil Muhaburu remains the team’s playmaking pivot, though pushed up from defensive into central midfield; his ball-winning partner Domiku Bergara remains at back, while Muhaburu is now partnered with Audioslavian champion Artizar Bailo in the middle. Olentzaro Karazatorre and Tomofumi Ishimoda will be deployed as inside forwards, while Aire Epherra remains the team’s battering ram despite his advanced age. In goal, former backup Echepare Rospide has firmly displaced the now-legendary Gentza Bedigax… but Bedigax remains on the team, convinced he should be the one starting and captaining the side. The dressing room atmosphere is dismal due to the ongoing conflict between cliques and the crushing failure to qualify for the World Cup; nevertheless, Erke has upheld his promise to carry into the Cup of Harmony with the same squad, fearing that to do otherwise would only make things worse.

Assistant Manager – Aberri Buruchaga – Age 37
Buruchaga was an old-school starting right-back for Astograth University and Iturributa United before wrapping up his career at Athletic Olarria and becoming Erke’s right-hand man. Not a tactician, but certainly a loud and vigorous motivator.

Starting XI:
#13 – GK – Echepare Rospide – Age 27 – KT Itzalovalle (Audioslavia) – 23 caps, 7 clean sheets
A low–profile product of Garitzeta Racing Club’s academy, Rospide was snapped up at 21 by the eagle–eyed scouts of Audioslavia’s KT Itzalovalle. They evidently saw something that local coaches did not, because Rospide, in a few short years, took over as the club’s starter. Having won the Audioslavian National League title this past season, Rospide is in a brilliant streak of form that has carried over to Olibondeka, seeing him promoted to the starting lineup. He’s faced stiff opposition from the displaced Gentza Bedigax, however, and any slip will be more fuel on the fire that is the Astograthian dressing room.

#5 – LB – Marko Martel (C) – Age 29 – Lajuno (Eura) – 120 caps, 6 goals
Martel is one of Astograth's most exciting players. Bursting onto the scene at just 18 years old, he was part of Sporting Ibarguren's Royal Cup–winning team, beating Urbizania Wanderers in the final despite being a second–tier side. Swiftly transferred to giants Sporting Iturributa, he was part of a league–winning squad but, frustrated at the lack of playing time, forced his move to Athletic Club Olarria, where more strong performances earned him a place on the national team and on the famous Galácticos longlist. Nothing if not ambitious, he further secured a move to the Euraleague and displaced Remondegi as starter for Olibondeka. As an established fixture of the national team, he has now inherited the captain’s armband in a move unpopular with a certain clique formed at Urbizania Wanderers and in Ruland – namely Bedigax, Epherra, Muhaburu, and Labeaga. Despite this, Martel is a popular choice with the public and most of the squad, who see him as a tireless, combative, unrelenting figure.

#6 – CB – Irakusne Hecharri – Age 23 – Sporting Iturributa – 28 caps
Not long ago, Hecharri was a complete unknown: a young centre-back signed from Sporting Iturributa’s women’s team to play for Royal Ibarbe in the First Division. Ibarbe manager Ilazki Altzibararechuluaga entrusted her with starting in one of the Astograthian league’s strongest defences and she responded immediately, becoming a reassuring and highly rated fan favourite. Quick, agile, and a very clean tackler, she likewise adapted admirably to the rigours of World Cup qualifying and began to start regularly at the Copa Rushmori. The controversy over selecting women to the national team has largely died down owing to her and Urtzumu Ganzarain earning the public’s admiration. After helping Royal Ibarbe to their first-ever Royal Cup, Hecharri has now returned to Sporting Iturributa – but the senior, mixed squad, and her ambition is one to keep an eye on.

#3 – CB – Alarabi Labeaga – Age 28 – Mâ Âlâmëómë (Farfadillis) – 80 caps, 3 goals
An impetuous talent, Labeaga came through the youth ranks of Urbizania Wanderers, rapidly making his way to the first team at age 18 and featuring in their title–winning run of 680. Louis Vaudrail, then manager of Royal Rumiatzi, arranged their purchase of Labeaga but was unable to control the centre–back's ego and demands for a starting spot. Forcing a move abroad, he was able to land at the renowned Mâ Âlâmëómë of Farfadillis and immediately won a league title. Labeaga considers himself a god of defending, which tends to rub staff and teammates the wrong way, and his raucous friendship with Muhaburu has led to some headline-catching outings and gossip. Can also act as defensive midfielder – emphasis on defensive – if necessary.

#2 – RB – Oxarra Peira – Age 25 – Lajuno (Eura) – 16 caps
Trained at the youth setup of Athletic Club Olarria, Peira was lured to Eura’s Lajuno at 19 years old. There he has matured into a capable right-back and regular starter in the Euraleague, which has not escaped Erke’s attention. A strong successor to the retired Ixaka Echeberz, Peira is well versed in high-pressure, physically strenuous tactics. His club partnership opposite Martel can lead to some interesting cross-wing play, which is set to be particularly vital in Erke’s demanding system.

#15 – DM – Domiku Bergara (VC) – Age 32 – AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 85 caps, 3 goals
Hardworking Bergara was spotted as a sharp talent at a young age, and Urbizania Wanderers shelled out a big wad of cash to sign him from Iturributa United at age 21. With Wanderers, Bergara got his hands on a league title and a Royal Cup before striking out to join Audioslavia's AC Izotz Zubia, where he has enjoyed great success and earned a place on the national team. An elegant, patient player skilled in both defence and with the ball, he’ll have the pressure of being the main ball–winner in a formation that tends to leave the midfield open. Bergara has been selected as the team’s vice-captain in a bid to placate the Wanderers-Ruland clique, as he is known for being an amiable bridge between them and the rest of the team, though the friction of World Cup qualifying has worn that link thin.

#8 – CM – Baraxil Muhaburu – Age 28 – Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 84 caps, 6 goals
A youth product of Garitzeta Racing Club, Muhaburu was set to break into the first team when Racing took a deep dive into the Second DIvision. Setting his sights elsewhere, Muhaburu landed in Farfadillis, signing for Rülândéá Kôstä and later marching to league glory. Despite his reputation for a poor attitude and off–pitch antics, including a fondness for drink, managers have been eager to take advantage of Muhaburu’s excellent vision, passing technique, and ability to threaten goal or take set pieces. From midfield, Muhaburu will be Olibondeka’s main creative outlet. Although capable at defending, it is far from his specialty – a weakness opponents may exploit.

#17 – CM – Artizar Bailo – Age 29 – KT Itzalovalle (AUD) – 29 caps, 3 goals
When Erke arrived at the national team, Bailo was his first big surprise. With so many central and defensive midfielders to choose from, Bailo was most people’s fourth or fifth or even sixth option – he did not have high-level international experience, had never played abroad, and was not particularly young. However, his dogged determination and Erke’s knowledge of how to get the most out of him – having worked together at AC Olarria – made him a standout performer at CR 38 and secured him a major transfer to KT Itzalovalle, who are now the reigning Audioslavian champions. Bailo is the first player from the tiny island region of Bakartirla to reach the national team, so there is also a great deal of regional pride involved.

#7 – LW – Olentzaro Karazatorre – Age 29 – KT Moreazerua (Audioslavia) – 102 caps, 37 goals
Karazatorre, one–time winner of the First Division's Young Player award, became known to the Astograthian public at age 20 with aplomb. He banged in 13 goals in a season for the modest Antiguoko FC as they finished in 10th place, then 15 as they climbed to 8th, then 19 goals, before signing with Ituraitz FC, Pyathora Mariners of Tikariot and finally Audioslavia’s Moreazerua. Karazatorre has finally found his stride with Mozi and the national team. His pace, height, and dribbling ability have led Erke to put him on the wing as a inside forward, a role he has never consistently performed with the national team – but, at least in theory, he has the skills to make it work. Has already climbed to being the national team’s 6th all-time top scorer.

#10 – RW – Tomofumi Ishimoda – Age 28 – Gortz United – 28 caps, 4 goals
A native of the Hinodejin Empire, Ishimoda was originally signed by Ituraitz FC after graduating from that country’s Asakawa College. Though touted as a highly versatile attacker who could be used as a centre-forward, a false 9, a playmaker, or a winger on either flank, Ishimoda’s first few seasons were troubled by injury, lacklustre performances as a substitute, and the coaching team scratching their heads wondering how he fit into their plans. A loan spell at Bakartirla Buccaneers finally allowed him the time and space to shine, and when transferred to Gortz he completed his revelation of himself as a virtuoso. Guiding Gortz to an incredible, unprecedented title challenge and eventual runner-up finish, Ishimoda combines speed, tremendous dribbling skill, precise passing, and an acute positional awareness, allowing him to drop deep into the midfield yet always be in the box when required. Always irreverent, Ishimoda’s antics have ruffled some feathers with the old guard of the squad.

#9 – CF – Aire Epherra – Age 36 – Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 115 caps, 61 goals
A regular in the Astograthian First Divisions' top scorer charts, Epherra is a tall, burly, clinical target man skilled at spearheading counter–attacks and holding up the ball to play in his teammate. Despite getting up there in years, he seems the person least concerned. With an impressive record of 61 goals in 115 caps (baby), Epherra is the nation’s 2nd all–time top scorer. Though fixated on breaking Soter Sarlange’s record of 89, the clock is ticking fast on how long he can keep his body going.

Substitutes:
#1 – GK – Gentza Bedigax – Age 36 – FC Felsenkirchen 1879 (Siovanija and Teusland) – 105 caps, 1 goal, 37 clean sheets
Once starter for Urbizania Wanderers, now playing for one of Siovanija and Teusland’s top teams, Bedigax has firmly established himself as one of Astograth’s best-ever goalkeepers. His games-per-goal-conceded ratio is the best among long-time Olibondeka keepers, for one. Bedigax was also the first goalie to score an international goal for Astograth (in a freak accident against Electrum), and with several club honours under his belt, ‘The Bear’ has played out a fulfilling career. Being 36 and having had an unspectacular season with Felsenkirchen, he has been benched in order to give in-form Echepare Rospide a shot at the starting spot; this has provoked a cascade of dissent within the squad, with Bedigax convinced that he should be starting and that, if he were starting, he would’ve been captain rather than Martel. Though he retains the #1, he’s no longer the #1 – an unacceptable contradiction.

#23 – GK – Unax Goyenola – Age 22 – Gortz United – 2 caps, 1 clean sheet
Unax Goyenola became the first player from minnow club Dockyard Oaks to be selected for the national team, off the back of some impressive individual performances which were not, unfortunately, enough to save his club from relegation. Former captain of the Astograthian U-20s, Goyenola is outspoken and confident beyond his years, a commandeering presence at the back. Erke hopes his presence on the national team will help him develop into an experienced goalkeeper who can take up the mantle when necessary.

#12 – LB – Tipi Izotzubia – Age 20 – Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 5 caps, 2 goals
Tipi Izotzubia appeared as if from nowhere to sign for top Farf team Rülândéá Kôstä, who are on a crusade to sign seemingly every Astograthian player in existence. Izotzubia quickly displaced the rest of the competition and has risen to become Kôstä’s starting left-back, making him a prime target for a national team call-up. Despite his sudden fame, his past remains mysterious and the defender himself rarely speaks, preferring to rely on his (Rulandese) agent. Given his apparent lack of a footballing past in Astograth – or any sort of past in the country – and his poor command of the Astograthian language, most people assume he is Farf-born of Astograthian descent. His papers, at least, all seem to be in order.

#4 – CB – Altzibar Sarrible – Age 30 – Northern Union (Brenecia) – 11 caps, 1 goal
Sarrible is a workhorse of a stopper, rushing forward to take attackers head-on before they reach the back-line. In this capacity he excelled for Erke’s Athletic Olarria before being signed by Iturributa United. Following spells at Royal Ibarbe and Ituraitz FC, he signed for Brenecia’s Northern Union and has been in excellent form for them, coming away with the A-League title in his first season. He previously featured for the national team at Copa Rushmori 38, and the only thing keeping him from starting in front of Irakusne Hecharri is the generational change Erke wants to encourage. A very strong rotation option as the qualifiers go on.

#19 – CB – Hurko Germain – Age 23 – Liria Prizren (MYT) – 3 caps
A bright product of East Railway’s academy, Germain was lured away to Ituraitz FC while still a teenager, made a good impression in the First Division and, following his agent’s advice, made a big-money transfer to Mytanija’s Liria Prizren. Now matured into one of Liria’s top players, Germain is strong and smart where he isn’t imposing, an expert in unsettling attackers and folding them into his back pocket.

#16 – RB – Ageio Osinde – Age 26 – Urbizania Wanderers – 5 caps
Erke is not exactly spoiled for choice when it comes to right-backs at the moment, so he has fallen back on a familiar face. Osinde was a reliable, unspectacular squad player for Ituraitz Victory and Royal Rumiatzi before finding his way to Piarres Erke’s Athletic Olarria. There, his potential finally bore fruit: a pacey wing-back who can deliver a mean cross is exactly the sort of service that Erke needed and which he has gone on to provide at top team Urbizania Wanderers. Now it is also what is required of him, if called upon: make himself an attacking threat. The right flank’s defence may suffer, but Erke hopes he can make up for it by shifting to a backline of 5 – or simply some additional grit from his centre-backs.

#14 – DM – Potz Gambor – Age 28 – Canbix Muses (Zwangzug) – 25 caps, 1 goal
Gambor was discarded by Ituraitz FC after outgrowing their U21 squad. Not one to lose hope, he took his talents abroad and found a home in Zwangzug’s Canbix Muses. There he has steadily earned a place and shone brightly enough to catch the national team’s attention. Can be deployed in defensive midfield or a bit further up as a box–to–box midfielder – whatever makes the most of his endurance, tackling ability, tight passing and knack for long shots.

#21 – CM – Yaunzuria Urgoiti – Age 20 – Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 5 caps
Hailing from Ituraitz province, Urgoiti’s career with her hometown club Nabarrieta FC in the Astograthian Second Division, before signing for Iturributa Racing Club of the same tier. At Racing, she immediately consolidated herself as the team’s key player, propelling them to the Second Division title and a long-awaited promotion to the top flight; once there, she was essential to avoiding what seemed like almost-certain relegation. Named the 3rd best Young Player of the Season, Iturributa Racing would have liked to keep Urgoiti, but when the powerful Rülândéá Kôstä came calling there was only one possible answer. She is a box-to-box powerhouse, a tireless engine skilled in defence and attack; last season, aged only 19, she had the most minutes played for Iturributa Racing, featuring in every single league match. Her nickname – Makinaxoa, ‘the Little Machine’ – is well earned.

#11 – LM – Eskuin Nekol – Age 26 – AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 58 caps, 7 goals
Nekol is perhaps one of the most shocking comeback stories in Astograthian football. A product of Royal Association’s academy, he transferred to Sporting Iturributa while still a teenager and quickly found himself in the first team of a club that was a on a roll, winning three league titles in a row. The following season was disastrous for Sporting, dropping down to 7th, but Nekol’s career was on the rise as a clever winger that could shoot from range, catching the eye of international scouts. Then, in the cup final that could save the season, Nekol was subbed on and stupidly punched the opposition captain in extra–time; Sporting would lose on penalties to the lowly Gesterlake. This effectively ended his career at Iturributa, allowing AC Izotz Zubia to swoop in for cheap. The rest is history – a National League title and an incredible, 45–yard goal to his name, in just his first season.

#20 – RM – Zilar Galharretborde – Age 28 – Langlois Océanic (Kelssek) – 48 caps, 2 goals
Galharretborde came through the youth ranks of Royal Arexa, and thanks to a wily agent and a leap of faith, he managed to land a move to Kelssek's Langlois Océanic. In his first season he impressed, earning the league's Young Player award and catching the eye of the national team in the process. He may not be the fastest or most technical player, but he is very good at stretching the field of play by building up moves from the wing, playing fluid football with his full–back and centre midfield. Galharretborde is the one least amused by Erke’s change to 4-3-3, since he was set to finally replace Ihazintu Malkorra in right midfield. He’ll be one to watch when given the chance to play, but his frustration is at boiling point.

#22 – CF – Yokin Erdokiain – Age 25 – AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) – 17 caps, 4 goals
Erdokiain became known to the Astograthian public as a timid youth product of minnows Urizaharra FC, contributing 21 goals across two First Division seasons – a major contribution to Urizaharra shockingly not being relegated, twice. Singled out as one of the top young players in the league, he was snapped up by Urbizania Wanderers, earned himself a call-up to the national team for World Cup 88 qualifying – and flopped. Massively. Though he performed correctly for Olibondeka and even scored a goal, he struggled to get minutes; at club level, he was blamed for Wanderers’ poor season and tossed aside, first to the bench and then on a loan spell to East Railway. There he steadily regained his form, won back his place on the national team, and has now earned a second loan spell – this time to Audioslavian powerhouses AC Izotz Zubia, with an option to buy. Not a particularly large player, but devilishly fast and a flashy dribbler, traits that Astograth is currently short on.

#18 – CF – Mogel Galdiano – Age 29 – Sporting Arkamo – 6 caps, 1 goal
An unassuming striker, Galdiano was publicly shocked by his call-up to the national team. The first half of his twenties were spent on the bench for Royal Rumiatzi, whiling away the seasons waiting for a chance that never came. It was manager Hanni Andikola of Sporting Arkamo who finally trusted Galdiano to start, and was rewarded with a reliable, technical centre-forward who learned from his mentors Martin Blessed and Yasone Urdanibia at Royal Rumiatzi. Physically unremarkable but with a keen eye for goal, Galdiano is known for trying to place his shots from outside the box. There is speculation that Rülândéá Kôstä mistakenly signed his brother, also-striker Tzeme Galdiano, when they meant to sign the in-form Mogel.

Team records
Year founded: 636 (pre–World Cup 55)
All–time record: 636 matches played: 300 wins, 150 draws, 186 losses
All–time goal difference: +246
Most caps: Soter Sarlange (200)
Most goals: Soter Sarlange (89)
Most clean sheets: Zernin Aira (39)
First international: Astograth 1–2 Eastfield Lodge (pre–World Cup 55)
Largest win: Astograth 10–1 Melbergia (World Cup 58 qualifying)
Worst loss: Eura 7–0 Astograth (pre–World Cup 85)
World Cup finals appearances: 7 (first at World Cup 57)
World Cup best result: 4th place, World Cup 61
Highest KPB ranking: 9th, post–World Cup 61
Tournaments won: Cup of Harmony 50, Copa Rushmori XII

RP Permissions are yes to everything that isn't career–ending. I encourage TGs for questions or collaborative RP.

[Saint Eleanor]

OOC: After an entertaining but just-about narrow loss against the Karodin Tetrarchy, Saint Eleanor has seven points from their first seven qualifiers in World Cup 90. Priscilla Evans, despite being well-regarded in Saint Eleanor as well as her home city of Tinhampton, has been told to make the White Stars improve in their next seven and beyond - or lose her job. Can the players deliver? And will they?

Think of this as Order into Chaos 1.5, but the players are too shell-shocked and "jet"-lagged to do much about it.

---

Though The Stars Fall
Episode IIb

2:46pm - Sunday 14th March 1998

Nobody, not even Evans herself, had much in the way of ideas, and no wonder. Saint Eleanor had 14 points from 13 with one last game left in Porzhbihan against the same Karodin Tetrarchy - that was the missing word - that had doomed them on home soil in the reverse leg. Although hardly a condition of her contract, victory on the road was very much expected by the supporters as some sort of morale booster and excuse to have a bit of fun in one.

What better could possibly reflect the prospective mood than something so spontaneously thrown together that it would actually be... riveting? So the manager thought, without much in the way of a piece of paper, in the dressing room. She grabbed a stray water bottle, drank from it, complained to herself that "I promised somebody I'd do this..." (SEFA President Donald Lucas, of course; the travel budget could only go up so much for the time being), and began in earnest - maybe for one of the last times, maybe for one of the first.

This is the end, but it isn't. When you thought you were facing a challenge this time last year - even I did - we got a bigger one than any of us thought. Forty percent of our matches were against teams vastly more professional than us and we lost all of them. We gave an unknown monarchy with no players of note their only points of the bloody tournament and sometimes pretended to cope against teams that could only just call themselves developing.

Everybody I know doesn't think this is good enough. I've missed out on the World Cup before - eight times before, actually - and I've never seen anything as atrocious as this from anybody I've surrounded myself with. Excusably atrocious, yes, but not so bad that it cannot be improved. Even though the stars fall, and I am paraphrasing from a famous person whose name I've forgotten here, we must do the right thing. And that thing, the turnaround begins today... or in about fifteen minutes, I think.

When you get on that pitch, I completely expect all of you to challenge your opponents for the ball at every safe opportunity. All of you should be doing something useful with the ball. If you have the ball and you're in clear sight of the goal, hit it as well as you possibly can. Treat this match like it decides whether Saint Eleanor gets to stay in the Cup of Harmony or not, and please make sure you win.

I'm told that we might be participating in that competition once the invites are confirmed a few days from now; I played in four editions in the old days. First two times, we played well but not well enough to leave the groups. Third time, of course, Tinhampton won. Fourth time, elimination in the round of sixteen - something I've gotten extremely used to for both club and country. For you lot, of course, that would be an achievement.

But enough about the future. This is the Eleanorian National Team, right now, in the final World Cup qualifier of the year. You are taking part in the most significant match that has never had an impact on anything you've cared about. Yet it is more than a glorified exhibition, as at least one well-known newspaper has been calling it. It is your chance to show the few thousand people that are going to be there, and maybe following it from elsewhere, and everybody in our home country, that Saint Eleanor can and will succeed.

Of course, we will have to succeed here, first. Anything else could lead to things far more dangerous than I am willing to contemplate. Don't think that you have nothing to gain; think that you have absolutely nothing to lose.

The aftermath was, to say the least, dour. Most people were just staring at Evans; Darren Batchelor, perennial substitute, clapped for about five or six seconds before giving up. A few minutes later and they were all just lined up in the tunnel as if nothing much had happened. Whatever she planned out for the afternoon seemed to work, anyway: they won 3-1 and that would be that for another four-and-a-bit months.

[HUElavia]

Entering with Hope

HUElavia enters the 82nd Cup of Harmony with optimism and momentum in what can be a promising tournament.

HUElavia has had a renaissance of sorts in the past two years since their surprise elimination to Eshialand in IAC 14. A few weeks after the elimination, HUElavia went around the Wonder Cup using a team of ragtag players looking to jumpstart their international careers once again. Boy, did the team jump. A dominating performance throughout the competition, being the highest scoring team, the lowest conceding team, and the best overall record in the tournament, culminating in a 1-0 victory over TJUN-ia in the Wonder Cup Final for HUElavia to claim their 1st ever International Title in Football.

A little over a year later, they would meet TJUN-ia in what felt like a Final, as Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos fell short to TJUN-ia in a heartbreaking last-minute loss at 3-2, which allowed the Jaguars to make their 1st ever World Cup at the expense of HUElavia missing out the World Cup for a 2nd straight tournament, falling short by 2 points for the playoff spot and 3 points for the direct qualification.

Despite this setback, much of that team from the Wonder Cup were called up through the qualifiers and performed as they were expected. They got favorable results and gave their best performances to catch the attention of head coach Leonardo Conavacio to pick them more often, ultimately resulting in quite a few of the players getting the call up to the Final Roster.

After years of goalkeeping woes, having some blowout concessions, HUElavia have found their No. 1 goalkeeper: Lucas Lettmann. A goalkeeper that was just playing away in FC Bish in the southeast city of Bish had become a superstar in the Wonder Cup and after goalkeeping woes from Casillas, Conavacio gave him the shot to start and results began to show: less goals being conceded, more saves, more composure in front of the goal. Benito Larrangoz and Claudia Regnard were surprise picks in the defense, but the past two years have shown that they have the skills to move down the wings and either defend or assist in attacks, becoming two likeable players on the roster. Napoleone Torrisi was a surprise omission for the final roster in IAC 14, but with his captaincy in the Wonder Cup, Conavacio has regret that decision and has made the effort to give the Tallian-HUElavian attacking midfielder the chance to create plays and attacks at his whim. Lorenzo Castilho Fagundes was another player just bidding his time in a lower team in SL Careital, but his performances in his picks for the National Team proved to be a necessary mix of veteran skills and goalscoring to be a relief for Yamane during matches.

Despite having to play another Cup of Harmony, HUElavia comes in motivated to make a name for themselves. They know this tournament can launch their rankings to a higher level, and while they are not the best team in the rankings at 38th overall, they are a team that has had the history of being a team that can give a bitter end to big teams and dispatch smaller teams. The question for this team becomes the following: Which HUElavia will show up? The team that can make a deep run and inspire millions for their style and play or the team that chokes at the worst possible moment in a blowout loss?

HUElavia (38) was drawn into Group H, with the likes of Nyowani Kitara (57), Brookstation (93) and Valentine Z (115). All of HUElavia's matches will be taking place at LTI Stadium (75,000), in Montfort, The Licentian Isles, which will be the venue for the 82nd Cup of Harmony Final. Of course, the goal for this team is to make such a deep run to play the Final in the same stadium they debut in. HUElavia is expecting to have a strong showing of HUElavians travelling across the Multiverse to support the team, where the fans will traditionally take up an entire endzone to cheer on the team.

Here's to what can be a promising and fun tournament.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

HUElavia XI vs Valentine Z
Casillas, Regnard, Pillpe, Lavezzi, Andrade, Noffke, Belluci, Castilho (C), Noffke, Rego, Lopes
Home Unform will be worn

[Chromatika]

I. Kateryna Zuniga: The snap

It's a blessing and a curse to be on the bench during matches. A blessing because I don't have to be out there to face the pressure, a curse because I do love the game - and at times, I'm not sure which half of me deserves more attention than the other, isn't that cute. The match was tense - everything on the line, one last chance to not go down as the second team since the Anomalies got good to miss out on the World Cup - and the additional pressure of Nyowani Kitara playing in Chromatika, in front of a crowd that knows what it's like to go through a Revolution, in front of the defectors, in front of the Banijan Ambassador, in front of the-

Subconsciously, my eyes seek out the familiar figure of the Captain and my good friend, Enigma Armageddon. Best defensive midfielder in the country, though I'd say I'm close. Not quite there yet, but my time will come. He's been working himself to a fever pitch the way he usually does during games - he loves being on that edge, playing with passion, though it comes off as just seething, just angry, just intense -

Wait, was that a kick to the head?

In one swift movement, Enigma has landed the Kitaran striker on the floor. The referee doesn't waste any time - for the first time in Chromatik history, an Anomalies player was shown a Red Card without any preceding Yellows. After that, the momentum shifted. Juxon tried his hardest, everyone really held on for that whistle that would give Chromatika the needed point to move on -

One well-hit ball later, one heartbreaking shot later, Nyowani Kitara were through.

After the match, in the midst of the silence, I found myself looking for him, trying to find an understanding, a possible explanation for what had just happened.

For someone that prided himself on being available to any and all teammates after every single match, the One-Eyed General was nowhere to be found.

Just like Chromatika's World Cup hopes.

II. Juxon Fillar: The unexpected armband

Like a stormy cloud that would never completely burst, talk around the team had been miserable for weeks. It had been a number of tournaments - four in fact - since the last time Chromatika had been in the "Other Tournament", as footballers colloquially called the Cup of Harmony. As one of the highest seeded teams to not make it, the Anomalies would likely be invited; the better question was, would we be able to turn it down?

Being a member of the biggest footballing family in Chromatika means that even if you want to be alone, you can't dodge your siblings. Sure, every other Anomalies player was taking some personal time to reflect, but with Grayson, Baillaire, and Edith around, we made use of our close proximity to watch film, to figure out what had gone wrong, to plan ahead at the matches to come.

The next day, I got an email from the Chromatik Football Federation to come to Headquarters.

It wasn't typical for Viktor Karras, Jr., to call individual players - this was big.

As I went stepped into the office, I was greeted by the Chairman of the Chromatik Football Federation, motioning to a seat.

"Welcome, Juxon," he said, "Sit."

I did, feeling like a schoolkid that had been called to the principal's office.

"We will be attending the Cup of Harmony," stated the Chairman about five minutes into the conversation, "And as we've suspended the previous Captain, we need a new one."

I looked at him, dumbfounded.

"I've already spoken to Vasiliy, and he's happy being the Vice-Captain. That means that the Captaincy is yours if you want it. I need an answer as soon as possible, though. Otherwise, we'll have to go to the third choice."

I looked at him dumbfounded, and then thought critically. Could I be the Captain of the Anomalies?

I had been a leader my whole life. To my siblings, to my teammates, to everyone around me.

It felt right. It felt like I should do this.

"Yes," I replied, "I will."

And that was how I ended up with the Captain's armband for the Cup of Harmony.

III. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov: A different kind of tournament

"We will be heading to the Cup of Harmony, and the goal will be to at least make the Quarterfinals. Anything other than that will be considered a colossal failure," came the clear voice of Haley Hauser, reading off of a piece of paper that had been posted on the locker room door.

"As if we need another reason to be a failure."

"It means more games, more chances to show we've more out there."

"Who's going to make the final twenty-three?"

"Will Enigma be back?"

Through all the murmur of conversation, Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov sat in silence.

Finally, all eyes turned toward the man who had been at the front of the charge.

"Time to get back to work," he said matter-of-factly, "Let's show that we have some more left in us."

Then, he turned and left the room, and eventually, everyone followed.

IV. Larriet-Cortes: The weight of current world events

Nyowani Kitara this, Nyowani Kitara that. Rebels this, government that. To the people on the airwaves, to the everyday Chromatik to whom the Revolution remains a distant memory, those who have moved on... It works. I'm happy for them. They deserve to have their moment of happiness, a moment of things being what they are supposed to be. But...

There are some, like me, it's a personal nightmare. Franscesca Larriet-Cortes was my aunt. She was my mom's best friend, and I was her favorite niece. We spent every offseason together when she wasn't involved in football. She came to almost every important event of my life - I was so happy that I was born during the footballing offseason.

To some, it's a political opportunity. To others, it's a thing to point at and be happy that we're not there anymore.

I just hope that they remember that to some, like me, it's a living reminder of what we lost and what we continue to overcome.

V. Baillaire Fillar & Haley Hauser: "If we suck, I don't want to play at all, so we better stop sucking"

"Bay?" came the voice of H. Hauser, one night after the announcement in the room that they shared.

Only two people in her life called her that nickname. The fact that Hauser was one of them?

Somehow, deliciously ironic.

"Yeah?" she answered.

"We have to win. If we suck, I don't want to play at all, so we better stop sucking," Haley managed out.

"We will," she answered softly back.

"We have to."

VI. Ha'nei Ighv: Any opportunity is a good one

Is it evil to be okay with opportunities, no matter what they cost? Is it bad to look at this and admit that although it sucked to be in this situation, it was probably the best for my career?

Many will say lots about what came of the Anomalies after this cycle.

I will remember it as the first cycle that Ipati Aimée and Ha'nei Ighv took over the Left Back spot of the Anomalies.

Would I have wished what it cost?

No.

But I won't apologize.

Winners never do.

VII. Edith Fillar: The b(l)e(a)st of four

Me, on the roster of the Final 23 for the Cup of Harmony?

If we had qualified, would I have been on there? Maybe. People likes the four Fillars on the roster - Juxon, Grayson, Baillaire, and Edith. I've done my part, but it's all surreal.

Edith Élène-Híldír Fillar, on the Final Twenty-Three.

The least of four? The best of four. We are four, and we are here to stay.

VIII. Grayson Fillar: We aren't done yet - it's simply a (massive) pivot

The rumors of our demise were mostly correct, but not completely.

Chromatika isn't fully gone. We've pivoted, we've licked our wounds, but we're still around.

If you ignore us...

You'll regret it.

This is not a threat...

It's a promise.

[Krytenia]

Hanging In The Balens
By Rami Niblick in Santa Margerita, Montaña Verde

THREE hundred years ago, Krytenia ended their first World Cup cycle on home soil in the seventh Cup of Harmony. Fast forward to the present day, and we're back again, looking to emulate the feats of the competition's seventy-eighth and eightieth editions. There is one thing that all three of those tournaments have in common, and it rings true again this time around: a manager with his job very much on the line. Richard Valens is staring the abyss in the face after an uninspiring CAFA Cup campaign and a lacklustre showing in World Cup qualifying, and though the knives aren't quite out for him at the moment, the whetstone is getting plenty of work.

Valens' public image and tactical preferences haven't helped his case. His stoic nature may help to make calm and measured decisions, but Krytenian football is very much a game followed by those not afraid to show their emotions. The cool detachment doesn't endear him to fans in that regard. It might help if the Dragons were playing exciting and expansive football, but Valens' style isn't - and never has been - to do so. Instead, percentage, low-risk football is the order of the day, concentrating on playing simple ball well rather than take the risky option to unlock a defence that could backfire. Many of the players aren't used to this more restricted style, and it shows too often on the pitch.

Let's be fair to Valens, though; he's not completely risk-averse. Take a look at the squad selection for the tournament, for instance. Throughout his career, the former Stanton and Chromatika boss has been happy to give youth a chance. The Dockers have long been an assembly line of talent, and it was Valens who blooded the likes of Cormac O'Neill, Selly Kennedy, and "The Unit" himself, Neil Smith. The current Chromatik team, meanwhile, is built on the side's experimentations with Under-25 teams in the regional competitions, an experiment that Valens was only too happy to help with. It comes as no surprise, then, to see the manager once again turning to the less burdened generation to haul the team out of the doldrums.

Even here, though, Valens has courted controversy. Though most fans are appreciative of the injection of new blood, it's who's being left at home that's garnering supporters' ire. James Orwell, for instance, is a perfectly good goalkeeper, and his more advanced style of play is a positive move in that area of the pitch, but not taking Robert Wilson at all? From what I can see, Wilson's only crime is being in his mid-thirties, and that's not even that old for a goalkeeper. Fair enough if you want to go for the different energy at the back that Orwell provides, fair enough too if you want to pick the precocious talent of Logan Campbell. Honestly, though, we'd take Wilson over Michael Sveyn any day of the week.

Ross Okano's omission is perhaps a little understandable. This cycle has seen the sad deterioration of the Half Six man's powers, and the falling of the axe was inevitable sooner or later. Perhaps better now than before he make a fatal error in some group stage match and bowls us out of the competition and Valens out of a job. Eli Molinari feels like a bit of a sticking plaster in this situation; don't be surprised if Gavin Healey gets some minutes if Krytenia are particularly in control. Billy Price, meanwhile, has lost a little edge of speed, and that's led to a real competition at right-back. Both Pablo Ruiz and Paul Vonn are staking a claim, with Ruiz looking to have the edge in the short term at least.

The biggest risk, though, is in the centre of the park. Fans have debated for several years whether the precise but vanilla Max Snelders or the versatile but volatile Andrew Asprilla should be the midfield playmaker. Surprisingly, Valens' answer has been "none of the above". Neither man has made it into the final twenty-three; instead, the gaffer has gone for the raw energy of Ousevale's Scott Stringer and the measured precision of Stanton's Thomas Kelleher. It is, perhaps, Valens' biggest roll of the dice. If it pays off, he will be praised to the rafters; if he fails, the question almost certainly falls to whoever replace him for the third CAFA Cup.

The group stage will be an interesting acid test for new and old blood alike. Abanhfleft and Gyatso-kai are certainly no slouches; before that, though, there's the little matter of the Dragons' opening game against Estorvipa and Estorpiva. It's a match that, by all rights, Krytenia should win. There'll be no complacency in the Krytenian squad, however, with the horror show of their opening qualifier against Melbergia still fresh in the memory. If the Dragons are to win their second Cup of Harmony, this needs to be a statement of intent and nothing less. Onward!

[Alezian Union]

This has been a repeat broadcast from my comic thread!
Please visit my comic thread if you're interested in more!
Hope you enjoy it there, thanks!

[Oberour Ar Moro]

The Initial Eleven

Ethan Stevenson has made his team selection for Oberour Ar Moro's Cup of Harmony opener against Sendhang. Vainqueur breaks down the Dragoon's starting eleven, position by position.

It took Nycollas Mauranghas years, but he has finally become the key man for the Dragoons. And perhaps at his very last opportunity. At the beginning of his domestic career, Mauranghas was considered a fine talent, but one clearly feasting on inferior players. So he was past by for more brand name players like Kerrian Odierne and Taran Bele. Over time, his ability to score (while always apparent) became almost secondary to his rosary-like properties: Calming, contemplative, talismanic. Impassioned, certainly, but always keeping the game in perspective. For multiple cycles that made him a valuable second striker: Good to have around the locker room and on the bench, though not necessarily needed on the pitch. It has only been with his controversal transfer from Regium United to Carathyr Emeralds FC in Tikariot, where he emerged as a leading striker in a top-flight league has Mauranghas apparently put everything together for a continued run starting for the Dragoons. And as he enters his 30s, it may nearly be the last chance.

We have to consider the defense as one unit since their demands are so similar. Being a defensive player in Oberour Ar Moro can feel like a high-wire act at the circus. One false step and you're going to leave a lot of children crying.

The most important skill for an Oberour defender is decision making. When does a defender make his move? Stick in too early and an attacker is going to stroll for meters and meters to set up his attack on goal. Wait too long and the attacker is in the six-yard box and the best you can hope for is that the bodies between the player and the goal is enough to prevent the inevitable.

Ivone Bone-Vive plays in Chromatika, Ewen de Marle plays in Cup of Harmony co-host nation The Licentian Isles, and Christophe du Mesnil plays in Bollonich. Hibernus starter Claudes Filion played in Timuria before returning to the Dominion. It's not random chance that so many of the defenders play outside the Dominion, their experience against more disparate offensive schemes will be crucial.

Laurens Desainctvictori is no longer in goal for the Dragoons, now that he has retired from the sport. Stepping up to fill the number 1 shirt is Olliuier le Duc. le Duc served as Desainctvictori's backup with Myrrh-Streamer briefly and is the same kind of player: Stays close to goal, focuses on good placement, tries to be at least in a position to stop the ball. Will that be enough to stop, say, Sendhang's Teuku Salahuddin?

The most ambiguous position in Oberour Ar Moro football is the Center Midfielder. Is he on attack or defense? Seguinus Tesserant de Linge has been utilized as an attacker in Tikariot. During World Cup qualification, however, Tesserant de Linge was asked to serve as a ball-winner in midfield. For whatever reason it appeared to be an awkward fit, but his overall talent is too much to ignore. His intangibles, pace, and scoring ability when called upon will still serve him well.

Iudicael Breut and Ronan Vrely emerged in the 11th Under-18 World Championship where heir partnership helped lead those young Dragoons to the finals. They then were united in the Football System as young players on the Hibernus. With his reputation enhanced but a position on the Hibernus starting roster blocked, Vrely was sold on to Pescium. Now back together on the same roster, Iudicael and Ronan are as thick as a pair of thieves, with a matching ability to orchestrate daring heists.

The two make up a circuit on the left side of the pitch, and Breut to Vrely to Mauranghas was a regular one-two-three that led to multiple goals in the Dragoons strong second half of qualifying. Breut has a ability to make a pass that lands right where it needs to, with an equal ability to make an individual attack on goal. Vrely won't score many goals, but he has racked up assists everywhere he's gone, and with Bruet works as a fantastic magician's assistant to help the midfielder disappear and reappear with the ball in a good position.

A former Best Young Player winner in the Premier Division, Laou le Boutonnier is best known for his winding runs, weaving intricate lines through defenses, and a peripheral vision that's been compared to a radar. He is more than capable of scoring on his own. After all, it's easy to be selfish when you're successful at it. But he can put in a strong challenge on defense when need be, and can work well with Sweepers coming up field to move the ball forward.

Renald Gayrard came up through Cyrene Bay's celebrated youth set-up, though without the celebration of many of his teammates. This lack of distinction led to his purchase in 1759 by Hibernus, where he has flowered as an offensive force. Unlike Ronan Vrely on the left, Gayrard is much more of a free lancer. He loves to cut in and challenge the goalkeeper, but is still more than capable of a a cross into the box.

Sweepers are the key position for any Obeorur Ar Moro football team. They can define a team the way a Chancellor can define an era.

Sebastian Chapuisseur is a throw-back to the Maxentius Hersart de la Villemarqué style of Sweeper. He's an aggressive player who wants the ball and wants to take it down the field on his own and wants to score goals. He'll pass the ball, but it always seems like it causes him emotional damage to do so.

In contrast, Peire de Baingneus is a bold and audacious player. He's always ready to challenge a defender with the ball at his feet, daring them to make a move, which invariably for them is the wrong one. Further, he's a surprisingly good collaborator, he works well with his fellow Dragoons, always looking for the next move to advance the ball. Ultimately, the success of their two sweepers is equal to the success of the Dragoons as a whole.

[Mertagne]

"... And stay out!" called the voice from behind the revolving door of the Ekitaldia building in Dannin. Following it, a cardboard box of knick-knacks and office paraphernalia flew out the door, punted by a balding man in a grey suit and a lavish pink tie that followed his volley with a few choice fingers.

The shattered journalist on the steps bellow collated their belongings and placed them gently back in the box. The old clock that clicked heavily with every minute as the cards flipped into place, a bonsai tree, formidably standing against oppression with only a few bent twigs, and a thrououghly dog-eared copy of "The Visitor's Volume to Vilita", an out-of-date at the time of writing tourist guide compiled to sell the tropical dream to Mertagnians.

Picking themselves off the pavement and off the steps of the Ekitaldia building, they launched a quick torrent of swear words to the halls that prided themselves on "accurate, factual journalism", (the latest in a long series of lies), and scrabbled along down the back streets of Dannin and climbing the shoddy stairs up to their apartment.

As they placed the box down on the small, wooden kitchen table that was adorned with a pink gingham cloth, the tinny shrill of the door buzzer rang in their ears. Lifting the tawdry reciever off of its hook, and twirling the cable in their hands, the journalist waited patiently for someone to respond on the other side.

"Dad told me you got fired from Ekitaldia. Can I come in? I need to have a chat." said the voice from the other side.

"News travels fast. All the wrong news, it sounds like. Come in." the journalist said before slamming the button inside the receiver, and after a few seconds, slamming the receiver down itself.

A minute or so later, there was a knock at the journalist's door. Sliding back the crudely constructed eye slit in the door, two pairs of brown eyes met each other's gaze. One, backed by an olive corridor with apartment doors in the background. The other, backed by a hallway that contained a calendar that hadn't been flipped in two months, a cordless telephone that hadn't been sat back in its rocker correctly and thus was out of charge, and a few drab white-painted doors that led to other areas of the house.

"Graham, are you going to let me in or what? I don't exactly have all day here." the olive-hued voice in the corridor replied.

A click, a slide, and a fumble with the keys enabled the door to open, revealing to the journalist a woman that stood about as tall as he did, looked about as he did, and yet was dressed in a much finer suit than he was. Black, with a black tie, and a black pair of sunglasses peeking from the pocket, with the shiniest black pointed shoes that Graham, the now ex-journalist, had ever seen in his life. His brown, holey shoes and brown, holey suit, coupled with the finest Mertagnian Lime tie he could muster for five ducats down the market, looked dull in comparison. His glasses, not perched in a pocket but framed on his face,, were as thick in lens as with grime.

"I don't need you to come in and look after me, Hannah." Graham said, as he stepped aside to let her in. "Being born 19 minutes before me doesn't mean you're 19 steps ahead."

"If you must ask," replied Hannah, shutting the door behind her and dashing to the kitchen, "Dad told me to come over, as you know he doesn't come and visit you any more. You're lucky he got you that job as it is, and now you've been fired? What did you even do?" she asked, shaking a kettle violently before running the cold tap and filling it with water.

"Parrhesia, if you must ask. Speaking truth to power. I was on the verge of finishing a great piece, and they pulled the rug out from under me." said Graham, scratching his ear. "I was a stones throw away from getting it published on the Ekitaldia website. Now I'll just have to see if the papers will take it. No rule against that, I'm a free agent now!"

"You know nothing of what it's like to be an agent. That website of yours has already put me under scrutiny from the organisation.", Hannah muttered as she rifled through the cupboards for mugs.
Stopping just short of calling her brother one, she found one advertising an internet service provider and another that said 'I had a great time at the Dannin Transport and Innovation Expo and all I got was this stupid mug'. Flicking a tea bag into each, and deciding that she didn't want to chance whatever horrors were inevitably lurking in Graham's fridge, she grabbed a spoon and some honey and set it aside. "Luckily I managed to convince them you were harmless. And, well, you must have put on a convincing display when they looked you up."

"I knew they were coming. I was worried they'd bugged my house, but I know I could have sued them for that. I almost wanted them to get a good look in the living room - I think they would have been amazed at what I've discovered."

Finishing off the tea, Hannah handed a mug to Graham, and sighed. "And what have you discovered?"

Graham led her into the living room, where an entire wall had been laid bare and a maze of post-it notes, red string, and thumbtacks had been constructed in its place.

"It's simple, really." Graham pushed up his glasses and said triumphantly. "I've managed to categorically prove that Vilita doesn't exist."

[Pluvia and the Saxean Isles]

Magpies eye redemption in daunting Cup of Harmony Group M

Christopher Teschner, Marienburg Herald

Coming off a World Cup 90 qualification campaign that saw the Magpies virtually eliminated with five matches to go (8 points down and only 2-3-4), Saviglais manager Laurent Chambéry and his side were fortunate to receive an invitation to the 82nd Cup of Harmony, co-hosted by Montaña Verde and the Licentian Isles. Perhaps the selection committee were impressed with Chambéry's squad's late-qualification success, in which they defeated then-21st ranked Mercedini on the road, drew with an upstart Kyzhurkistan team, and defeated for the second time an Ochre Islands squad who went on to defeat Chambéry's former team, the Savigliane Swans, and make it into the World Cup proper. This was the Magpies' best run of form throughout the entire qualifying period, which began with a horrific 7-3 loss to the Soldera Snakes at home. They will now find themselves in St. Bart's Parish of the Licentian Isles, where they will take on Omerica, Valladares, and Wreckeria. Let's review the sides that the Magpies will be facing.

Pluvia and the Saxean Isles

Beginning with the Magpies themselves, one would say what stood out to most observers was a Pot 4 team finishing in second-to-last place. Therefore, the Cup of Harmony invite would seem to be a blessing to them. Whether it motivates them to take advantage of their second chance, or turns into a "just happy to be here" defeatist mentality remains to be seen. Major struggles for the Magpies include their only 25 goals scored in qualifying, just under 1.8 goals/game, a disappointing number considering that Chambéry had announced his plans to play three at the back in the hope of stimulating offense. Successes include the late run of form, perhaps inspired by the lineup changes made by Chambéry. In the second half of qualifying and then again in the last three games, Chambéry removed some veterans from the lineup to insert younger players. At the back, veterans Ashton Houghton and Axel Newman came out in favor of Joshua Weidenfeld of RSC Marienburg and Alistair Bradley of Racing Club Alenard. And in the midfield, Austin Davies replaced the aging Matthew Fletcher at left midfielder and Connor Robinson came on for Alfie Baker at central midfield.

Chambéry insists that the fact that three of the four newcomers come from traditional powerhouse RSC Marienburg had nothing to do with his decision. "These are good young players," he insisted. However, unconfirmed reports of phone calls between Chambéry and RSC chairman Alexander Duffel persist and fans of rival Marienburg City protested outside the PSIFA offices yesterday. The replaced Fletcher played for Marienburg City, and fans chanted the name of Manuel Schuettler, the promising young defender for the club who has seen limited action in the qualification campaign thus far. Avoiding these distractions will be paramount, as the other sides in the group are not messing around.

Omerica

Omerica is ranked 33rd in the world, 51 spots ahead of the Magpies, and are a somewhat surprising add to the Cup of Harmony. The Omerican FA protested against the World Cup Committee's decision to offer extra time only for the team to host second in the qualification playoffs. They could not benefit from the extra time rule, but they insisted that even had it played to their advantage, they would not have accepted a spot due to the unfairness of the decision. It was thought they might boycott the CoH in protest at what they perceived as their unfair elimination from the playoffs, but they accepted and will constitute the first seed in the group. They finished second in Group 7, leaping out of a scrum between Astograth, Gyatso-Kai, Wreckeria, and Kiltoch, by virtue of their 4-3 victory over Gyatso-Kai on the final matchday. The Incorrigibles are longtime successful participants in the Independent Associations Cup, and play an attacking 4-3-3. However, they managed only two more goals than the Magpies in qualifying and may be less of a danger than some other first-seeded teams. They are led up front by Bélise Galopin, Beatrice Carter, and Nathanaël Thomas, a trio of young attackers who will test the former reserves Weidenfeld and Bradley, meaning relative veteran Tristan Baumeister will need to be key. The true test for the Magpies here will be Omerica's motivation. Will they play their best to protest the unjust decision by the WCC or will they affect a laissez-faire attitude that may allow the Magpies to surprise them?

Valladares

Valladares is ranked 66th in the world, 18 spots ahead of the Magpies, and are bitter participants in the Cup of Harmony, much like Omerica. Valladares finished 8-3-3, for 27 points, which would have earned them a tie with Jeruselem for first in the Magpies' group, but in their Group 14, was only good enough for third place. They lost a road tie with Savigliane on the final matchday, which saw them ticketed for the CoH and the Swans for the qualification playoffs. It was, no doubt, a bitter campaign made even more bitter by a draw to then-eliminated Atheara that dropped them behind the Swans late in the qualification group stage. La Nacional should come out hungry for success, and by some measures, be the favorite in the group. The Valladar team play a 3-2-2-3 that in some respects, can seem similar to the Magpies' 3-4-1-2, but makes use of two defensive midfielders and two attacking midfielders where the Magpies play four across the middle. On the attack, the Valladar team takes the shape of a 3-2-5, which will put pressure on central midfielders Connor Robinson and Brandon Turner to play more of a box-to-box role, helping out in both attack and defense. The true test, however, will be the intense quality that Valladares can bring to bear. The Valladar league is very well-regarded, but the team also features players who star for teams in Astograth, Quebec & Shingoryeo, Valanora, Nephara, Audioslavia, Pasarga, and Eura, a who's who of domestic football. Will the Magpies' players, tested regularly against lower-quality opponents, be able to withstand their onslaught?

Wreckeria

Finally, there's Wreckeria, ranked 125th, 41 spots behind the Magpies. On the surface, they may not seem like much of a threat, but there are good reasons to fear them. First of all, they were ranked 247th in the world and had missed the past two World Cup qualifications before unleashing a 6-4-4 campaign on an unsuspecting Group 7, claiming wins over Kelssek, Omerica, Gyatso-Kai, Astograth, and Damukuni along the way. Second, this may be the last tournament for Wreckeria as an independent nation and indeed the Wreckerian football team overall. Negotiations are currently underway to merge Wreckeria with their neighbors Hapilopper, though nothing is guaranteed. Should the merger succeed, Wreckeria could drop out of competition altogether. One imagines that the junkyard-dog mentality of the Bulldogs will drive them to either go out in a blaze of glory or prove that they should not be extinguished at all. One game to watch will be the Bulldogs against the Incorrigibles of Omerica. They were groupmates in Group 7 and Wreckeria took the first match, while Omerica took the second. The rubber match should be a game for the ages, assuming Omerica is up to playing. As for the Magpies, they will confront a Wreckeria 3-4-3 that really plays more like a 3-4-2-1, with striker Gord Sheppard likely to cause the most damage as the one up front. Sheppard has a monomaniacal focus on his craft, and he might be too much for even all three defenders to handle. Look for Tristan Baumeister to draw the tough assignment and try to shut him down. Meanwhile, on Wreckeria's left flank, faced up against Tristan Schuerer on the Magpies' right, is Darrell Stacey. Stacey is a destroyer, not just of attacks, but of men. His physicality is second only perhaps to the infamous Nate Ellis of Hapilopper and it serves him well. How the Magpies' captain, with his fluid style and elegant play, matches up against the brute force of Stacey may be a big clue as to how the match will go.

The Magpies open with Valladares at Abbey Road in St. Bart's. This will be a stiff test right off the bat for them, as they attempt to stem the tide of professional players from La Nacional. The strong sea winds that blow into the stadium won't make things any easier. A draw with the Rushmori side is likely the best outcome the Magpies can hope for, then hope to scrape a win against Wreckeria and surprise Omerica on the final matchday in the larger stadium, St Ninian’s Athletic Ground in Rafford. A successful advancement begins with holding Valladares at bay and making judicious counterattacks. Can Laurent Chambéry's side shake off their disappointing qualification or will the Saviglais manager's woes continue?

[Soldera]

Before the Solderan national football team got on the plane to fly over for the Cup of Harmony, it had a little more business to attend to prior to the flight taking off from Royal Airport in Branwen.

Soldera would play two additional friendlies, one at King Anthony Stadium against Muralos and one at The Castle in Cordia. The Snakes ended up being bit in both matches, losing 2-0 in front of a nice, but restless crowd of 69,699 in Branwen and by a 2-1 margin in The Castle in Cordia.

The results certainly weren't what manager Norm Carricker hoped for, even though he'd played a majority of the depth players in both matches, explaining that he'd stay with the starting 11 primarily during the Cup of Harmony.

"As long as we have any possibility of qualifying for the knockout rounds or we actually make it to the knockouts, we'll use our typical rotation of players," he said. "I hoped to see more of a spark from the players whom we sent out against Muralos and Cordia."

Even though the Snakes only managed a single Joey Westway tally in the final two matches before the team would play one that counted, the Solderan captain chose to take an optimistic view of the two friendlies.

"We played matches against competitors who are similar to us in multiversal rankings," he said. The two matches "were a great test of this team and what we can do and what we need to work on."

Carricker said the matches helped illustrate points he made in practice about communicating on the back line.

"Losing [defender] Eli [Bingham to a torn ACL] really hurt us," he said, "not just from the standpoint of losing an important starter, but from the perspective of having someone who communicates and helps our young guys, I mean our young players, get in position and know what tendencies to look for. You lose a lot more than merely a body when you lose a guy like that. You can replace a body but you can't replace match experience."

Even though Davis Perez technically played longer than Bingham did prior to the injury, he had only played sporadically internationally before being thrust into the starting 11 with Bingham's injury. Perez also announced he would retire after the Cup of Harmony, citing his age and the general wear and tear of football over a fairly lengthy career.

As for Carricker, he said much of his time during the day had been devoted to meetings and discussions with the Solderan Football Association and logistical matters, to the point where preparing for football was a relief.

"It feels nice to get back to game-planning for a change," Carricker said.

[Starblaydia]

(Almost) All About Group C
The full low-down on Starblaydia's CoH Group Stage Opponents

Delaclava - 106^th
Atlantian Oceania
Matchday 1

What happened in Qualifying?
Sixth in Group 4, the Delaclav side managed to finish above co-hosts Montaña Verde, but in truth were only completely eliminated from contention with a single game remaining, playing out a dead rubber of a 1-1 draw with Play-off bound Trolleborg on the final Matchday. Highlights, however, included winning a 9-goal thriller at home to Montaña Verde on Matchday five.

How do they play?
Tim Landers - interim coach picking up where Johannes Detmer left off - sets himself up with a familiar attacking 3-5-2 in order to take advantage of the team's better players. Early storms, however, often give way to conceding goals late in games - whether that's nerves, lack of sharpness or tactical naivety, however, remains to be seen.

Have we played them before?
The two teams last net in AOCAF Cup 60, some five cycles of international football ago, but the two teams first met in the OXEN Cup in Qazox, just before Starblaydia won their fifth World Championship in Valanora. They met each other most often in the Mike Sarzo Memorial Tournament of that era, too, and though Starblaydia have history on their side, it's so ancient at this point, can anything really be drawn from it?

Starblaydi record vs Delaclava: P13 W6 D6 L1 GF27 GA13

What else are they known for?
Founder nation of the World Team Tennis Championships, Delaclava in an active World Assembly nation with a host of championship success across both tennis and gridiron, with capable showings in basketball, lacrosse, baseball and hockey, too.

---

Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom - 61^st
Esportiva
Matchday 2

What happened in Qualifying?
Finish fifth in Group 19, in a group dominated by Audioslavia, where three teams were tussling on the final matchday to steal the Play-Off spot. Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom (henceforth known as 'ZRH' because we're not writing copy/pasting that every time) ended up best of the rest, above Kimi-Suomi, Dispertag and Rhubarbton with 17 points, and a massive eight of them gained through draws. I think we know something about massive draws with ZRH, right?

How do they play?
It's an odd 5-3-2 where almost every player has some sort of specialised role, Lu Jialan's side are all in-your-face go-go-go-go pressing, counter-pressing, counter-counter-pressing. They hold the central spine of the field and force everything wide with wing-backs and overlapping central defenders, making the ball do the hard yards for them.

Have we played them before?
First meeting in World Cup 85's Qualifiers, this will be the fifth time the teams have met at senior level, along with an Under-18 World Cup meeting. It's fair to say over recent years that these two teams have got to know each other reasonably well. The standout result, of course, is that incredible 6-6 draw from Matchday 2 of World Cup 86, which skews the record books somewhat and remains Starblaydia's highest-scoring match in history.

Starblaydi record vs Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom: P5 W2 D2 L1 GF15 GA12

What else are they known for?
Although they're active across a number of sports in the multiverse, ZRH's main passion is certainly football, having hosted the recent 13th Under-18 World Cup.

---

Saint Eleanor - 80^th
Anaia
Matchday 3

What happened in Qualifying?
Sixth in Group 3, they ultimately finished ten points away from the playoff spot as Turori and Drawkland dominated the group from the outset. Their highlight was probably a 4-2 win away in Qasden that put them in third spot in the group by Matchday three, but it was unfortunately all downhill from there.

How do they play?
Just like in the qualifiers, a relatively standard 4-4-2 setup from Priscilla Evans teeters excitingly on the edge of becoming a very familiar (at least from a Starblaydi perspective) 4-4-2 Diamond.

Have we played them before?
Starblaydia are yet to face the White Stars in any competition, as the team has only been on the World Stage for one previous edition of the World Cup.

What else are they known for?
Saint Eleanor is a tiny oil-rich nation under a military commander, as much a city of the same name as it is the nation itself.

[Kimi-Suomi]

Hei. Se olemme taas me. Ja olemme Harmony-Kupissa. WOOOOOOOO! 17 points in the bag, 6th place in the bag and some cracking performances - it certainly was a great WC for Kimi-Suomi. We actually feel like a sporting nation now and with Daniel Marx being with us for the final time before heading off to NSSCRA for our debut there, you can certainly feel that we are starting to get used to the whole nation thing - borders and all, apparently. Now, we head to the Cup of Harmony in the "Kolumbialainen" Moñtana Vihreä (Montana Verde) and the "Gaelilainen" Licenlainen Saaret (The Licentian Isles) to "just have fun and enjoy more football", in the words of Esko Laaksonen. But who will we face?

MD1: vs Etelä Uusimaainen (South Newlandia) - Barton Software Arena, Colesham
- Co-hosts of WC89, 2nd in Group to Zwangzug, fell to Hapilopper in playoffs, now ranked 17th.
- A nation ranked that high shouldn't be here, expect them to be hungry.
- Managed by Robert Wolverine, 4-4-2 diamond, +1 style.
- Named the Elephants, which are the cutest land animals in the kingdom.

MD2: vs Schima Bas - Farnworth Municipal Stadium, Farnworth
- 4th in Cassadaigua's group, ranked 86th.
- Big drop in rank from one opponent to the next, but that's the CoH for you.
- Managed by Gaio Grieco, 4-4-2, +2 style
- Named the Golden Cresent, will be an interesting team to play.

MD3: vs Baruninen (Barunia) - Farnworth Municipal Stadium, Farnworth
- 5th in Nephara's group, ranked 56th
- Certainly a team in limbo, like TJUN-ia (JYK-inen) before this cycle
- Managed by Liesel McLelland, 3-1-3-3 (???), +2.6 style
- Named the Suns, always a mystery as to whether they will shine or dimmer.

Certainly an interesting batch. We made the knockouts of the AOJ (AOCAF) last year, so maybe we can do something here? This tournament will surely be a game of "odota niin näet". NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

[Chartistan]

CHARTISTANI NATIONAL TEAM
Squad for the 82nd Cup of Harmony

About Chartistan

The Musicalistic Union of the Cities of Chartistan (Often just Chartistan) is a nation in the region of Sonnel. The capital city, Billboard, is where most of the residents live and work, and is also home to the main governing jurisdiction of the country. Other major cities include Official City, Gaon and Aria.

About the National Team

The Chartistani national team picture varies from week to week as do the Chartistani... Charts. The Chartistani NT was decided by this week's Chartistani Hot Chart, a 100 player index of the top players in Chartistan, the Bubbling Under Hot Chart, a 25 player index of up and comers, and whatever other chart we could find.

The main Chartistani home kit is purple with blue accents, while the away kit is mostly black.

Manager: Doctor Lucas Combbrush
A Musicville district citizen of Chartistan's largest city Billboard, Doctor Combbrush has been part of the Chartistani setup since day 1 as the manager of the national team, having the honor of being player-manager for the World Cup 89 qualifiers and Cup of Harmony 81. Despite not qualifying for the World Cup, the Cup of Harmony call is answered once more as Chartistan hopes to make a deep run once more.

Hot 11

Formation - 3-4-3 Wingers

#1 (Goalkeeper) - Charles Viviano - Very much loves Montana Verde.
#2 (Centerback) - John James Yewwy - This is why trendy music always gets you in the team.
#3 (Centerback) - Elieen Beyblade - Bugs me that she ends up in this little squad.
#4 (Centerback) - Walter Walter - Call him Walter. He'll love you so.
#5 (Left Midfielder) - Wank Hesky - Sipping an Oreo shake with 2 straws while doing an Alabama jamma.
#6 (Center Midfielder) - Olisa Rodgers - Once said forever and now is getting deja vu. Good for you, traitor.
#7 (Center Midfielder) - Air Latte - Always switching positions.
#8 (Right Midfielder) - Little Exnash - Chartistani legend, Billboard resident and that guy who came in calling your name.
#9 (Left Winger) -  Gabby "Alphafu" Yves - An obligatory ABCDEFU to your football team.
#10 (Right Winger) - Plasticium Amphibia - That one guy who listened to psychedelic trap in high school.
#11 (Main Striker and Captain) - Anna Delphine - Hello, she's here again.

Bubbling Under Hot 11

That one part of the team that once had a Minceraft streamer in its ranks.

#12 (Goalkeeper) - Wakeboard Vacation
#13 (Centerback) - Paul Warren
#14 (Centerback) - Yeet
#15 (Center Midfielder) - John Childs
#16 (Center Midfielder) - That Guy with the Hat
#17 (Shadow Striker) - Hardwall
#18 (Main Striker) - Alex Silo

Absolute Juveniles of Reserves

Let's go out with a bang...

#19 (Leftback) - Kyle LaMichael
#20 (Centerback) - Jhawn Corerra
#21 (Center Midfielder) - Kimmi Yamjune
#22 (Main Striker) - Young Brandonson
#23 (Goalkeeper) - Cheesus Cheesus

Optional Reserves

Just because we have so many players that could've been in the Hot 11 but just couldn't make it.

#24 (Center Midfielder) - Callie Deadbrush
#25 (Center Midfielder) - Paul McNard
#26 (Defensive Midfielder) - Cash Smith
#27 (Centerback) - He Still Freaking Exists

Style: +2
RP Permissions - I will allow the person to RP before me to:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes, but within reason
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but only for a couple games
Godmod injuries to my players: TG me first
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes, only a couple
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but only one, TG if interested
Godmod other events: Yes, but within reason and also no cases of the F2020, the 6 Feet Apart or the Stuck With U

[Chartistan]

The following is a transcript from a video from The Drawk Guy, a Drawkian who immigrated to Chartistan and now resides in Billboard. With Milchama getting the better of his Elite Eleven in the World Cup 90 playoffs, he has certainly been getting angry...

---

...Are you kidding me, Elite Eleven?

Just when I thought you wouldn't be able to screw it all up and finally, FINALLY get back to the World Cup... You lose to MILCHAMA.

Look, I get it, we had a fantastic, better than expected cycle from this team, and we were stuck in a group with Turori and Geektopia, 2 teams that you should've seen fighting tooth and nail for the top 2 spots... Okay, maybe I lied on that part, Turori were always going to get first place in their group just by EXISTING. You can throw in the scraps of the Tropicorp League together and they'd still get first in the group. But we finished... 2nd. In a group we shouldn't be 2nd in. That win against Turori away... It felt like we just won the World Cup!

But it all just had to crash down to the ground and we had to finish in 2nd. It's okay, at least we had... Milchama. Trying to get into the World Cup for the first time in who knows how long. To be fair to them, they were in a tough as nails and overall chaotic Group 9, a Group 9 that at multiple points had Pekoland in contention for qualification. Yes, PEKOLAND. If they had just a bit more luck in them, we would have seen the PekoCasino boss as a World Cup-level centerback. I applaud Milchama for getting out of this mess and making the playoffs.

Nevertheless, what the Elite Eleven did was absolutely SHAMBOLIC. A 5-3 loss away from home and a 4-3 win in Drawkland. 8-7 to Milchama on AGGREGATE. Both defenses being made out of blocks of Swiss cheese, surely! Only difference being... We had, uhm, more holes than them.

In what reasonable reality, other than your standard run-of-the-mill Farfadillis game, does that happen? This team should've been able to beat this weak, inefficient Milchama team and finally, FINALLY get back to the World Cup... And yet they LOSE. Once again putting the Elite Eleven's future in danger. If you have a supposed godly squad of 11 immortals, even if they have bigger egos than the average mad cultist from The Holy Empire, they should AT LEAST make the World Cup once in a 3 cycle span.

Instead, this is their 3rd straight miss. Once again, Drawkland aren't in the World Cup, and we have to settle on the Cup of Harmony in Montana Verde and the Licentian Isles.

Surely by now the Kick Corps would learn from their mistakes and finally pitch in themselves to finally be the Drawkian squad again. This sheer incompetence from the Elite Eleven surely would've led to SOME change around here and, in term, have a better squad that could ACTUALLY qualify for the World Cup. Instead, we're once again stuck with these lot because we just made the playoffs again. At the very least, we aren't going to be in a group with Chartistan, who, even though they finished 3rd in their qualification group, are still, in my opinion, the best team in all of Sonnel.

Speaking of Chartistan... Yeah. They're throwing TWENTY-SEVEN players on the plane to Montana Verde. 4 of which I assume will be just chilling out, lying in their beds eating bags of chips until someone gets hurt. I have never seen that kind of stuff pulled off in a World Cup Committee tournament, but after the Adult Royce fiasco, I'm very sure they're scared pantsless that one of those will happen again. At least with national pools, they were only really used for qualifiers. This...

I'm not sure what Doctor Lucas is thinking.

[Eshialand]

The Eshialand Soccer Federation
Roster for Cup of Harmony LXXXII

This year was not their year. Despite their high hopes and even higher commentators (for legal reasons that's a joke), the team fell down at the final hurdle, unable to change their fates. Now, they lay consigned to the Cup of Harmony yet again, hoping to take the cup home one last time before they make their journey to World Cup 91.

First international: Aut-Ves-Nat 1-3 Eshialand (BoF LXXV)
Best win: Eshialand 5-0 The Jovannic (WCQ LXXXIX), Annyeong Oppa 0-5 Eshialand (IAC XIV)
Worst loss: Eshialand 1-5 Sendhang (WCQ LXXXVIII), Abanhfleft 5-1 Eshialand (CoH LXXX), Eshialand 2-6 Zwangzug (WCQ XC)
Most goals for: Eshialand 5-1 Qzvarkian Qaz (pre-CoH LXXX), Eshialand 5-0 The Jovannic (WCQ LXXXIX), Eshialand 5-3 Kiltoch (WCQ LXXXIX), Juvencus 2-5 Eshialand (IAC XIV), Annyeong Oppa 0-5 Eshialand (IAC XIV), Eshialand 5-3 Lisander (WCQ XC)
Most goals against: Eshialand 2-6 Zwangzug (WCQ XC)
Highest-scoring match: Squornshelan Remnant States 4-4 Eshialand (WCQ LXXXVIII), Eshialand 4-4 Felinetopia (IAC XIII), Eshialand 5-3 Kiltoch (WCQ LXXXIX), Qasden 4-4 Eshialand (pre-IAC XIV), Eshialand 2-6 Zwangzug (WCQ XC), Eshialand 5-3 Lisander (WCQ XC)

Kits (thanks to Txakhaxi for the kits and the logo!):

Style modifier: +2.

Head Coach: Kenneth MORGAN (M, 45)
All-time NT Record: 40-19-41
Formation: 4-3-2-1

The Roster (starting XI as of the first match in bold):

Goalkeepers:
GK #1 Alexander KOLEK (M, 32) - Buffalo Niagara FC
84 caps, 14 clean sheets
GK #11 Christian MEERS (M, 28) - East Akusha CF
16 caps, 3 clean sheets
GK #13 Elizabeth MICHAELS (F, 23) - Pittsburgh Eagles
1 cap
Defense:
LB #7 David GORMAN (M, 29) - Eshialand City Tigers
93 caps
RB #8 Sarah SILVER (F, 31) - Cincinnati Siege
96 caps, 2 goals
CB #14 Carter LANGLEY (M, 26) - Cleveland FC
5 caps
LCB #20 Dominique LaPLANTE (F, 27) - Ottawa Geese
96 caps, 2 goals
RCB #22 George HABISBRAUER (M, 27) - Eshialand City Royals
89 caps, 7 goals
LCB #23 Andrew TRAVERS (M, 26)* - Detroit Wolves
3 caps
LB #36 Tommy HOPAL (M, 19)* - Eshialand City Royals
LB #39 Kyle RIKERS (M, 24) - Cleveland FC
2 caps
RCB #42 Evan STEVENS (M, 28) - Ottawa Geese
1 cap
LCB #88 Tefei'o TESUNA'E (M, 23) - unsigned
3 caps (for ALR)
Midfielders:
RM #5 Michael HORNER (M, 27) - Eshialand City Royals
2 caps
RM #12 Melissa CAREY (F, 29, CAPTAIN) - Detroit Wolves
100 caps, 25 goals
CM #15 James CALACE (M, 24)* - Buffalo Niagara FC
2 caps
CM #16 Lysander MOORE (M, 30) - Pittsburgh Eagles
28 caps, 3 goals
CM #19 Avery MacDOUGALL (F, 28) - Detroit Wolves
99 caps, 16 goals
LM #32 Lucas MEILLING (M, 20) - Cincinnati Siege
65 caps, 20 goals
LM #89 Efineha TESUNA'E (F, 23) - unsigned
3 caps, 1 goal (for ALR)

Forwards:
LW #9 Alyssa LONGFIELD (F, 28) - Pittsburgh Eagles
100 caps, 23 goals
RW/ST #10 Jacob HARRAN (M, 25) - Eshialand City Royals
86 caps, 44 goals
RW #77 Faith KRUPP (F, 24) - SSD Borgonovo
8 caps, 3 goals
RW #21 Jonathan HARPER (M, 29)* - Cincinnati Siege
2 caps
ST #24 Alice CARROLL (F, 24)- Cincinnati Siege
91 caps, 45 goals
LW #33 Cameron CROWLEY (M, 27)* - Ottawa Geese
2 caps
LW #53 Bradley DAVIS (M, 18)~ - Blich
RW #73 Fyodor VESHCHIK (M, 20) - unsigned
3 caps, 1 goal (for ALR)
LW #90 Neraveke HO'UMINALU (F, 21)~ - unsigned
3 caps, 1 goal (for ALR)
*Players marked with an asterisk are not likely picks for the 23-man squad, but feel free to include them for variety's sake if you so choose.
~The EFA found it too difficult to decide whether to include Davis or Ho'uminalu on the 23-man squad, so they'll take turns as backup LW; Davis for the first match, then Ho'uminalu, and so on.

RP Permissions
If my opponent roleplays first, they may:
Choose my starting lineup: Yes.
Choose my goalscorers: Yes.
Godmod scoring events: Yes.
RP injuries to my players: Please TG/DM me and I'll determine the severity.
Godmod injuries to my players: No.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes.
Hand out red cards to my players: No more than one per match without TGing/DMing me about it first.
Godmod other events: Please TG/DM me first, but most likely yes.

If you wanna collaborate on a match, just TG or DM me! I'm open to all collaboration!

Lastly, please don't use pictures in your RP and say they represent my players. Trust me, they probably don't.

STYLE MOD: +2.

[Flavovespia]

Flavovespia were drawn into Group B of the Cup of Harmony 82, at the recent draw, and will begin play in Montaña Verde. To progress to the Round of 32, Flavovespia know they’ll need a Top 2 finish, or a 4 best 3rd place finish. The job won’t be easy however, since Cup of Harmony 78, it has been 2 failures to get out of the group stage, and a Round of 32 loss in Cup of Harmony 80, to eventual champions and co-host Græntfjall. Even so, there’s a sense of pressure on Augusto Rinaldi and the players to end the slide the team have found themselves in. Here is the preview of the 3 opponents Flavovespia face, in order of games.

Chartistan

Chartistan come in this tournament a little ahead of Flavovespia in the ranks, but as the Pot 2 side of this group, this will be a key early test. Maybe not a “must win” game, but more of a “must not lose” game. Chartistan met the expectations of being Pot 3 in the Qualifiers with 3rd in Group 20, but were 9 points off of a playoff appearance. On the pitch, the team play an attacking 3-4-3 formation, so the opening game shouldn’t be a cagey affair. Anna Delphine leads the team as captain, and leads the attacking line as the main attacker, and will likely be the key goalscoring threat. The team go by the somewhat unusual name of the Hot 11, and are a fan of rotation, so it’s not easy to know who’ll be on the pitch and hopefully on the goalscoring charts for them. Their purple kits with blue trim on them are also particularly dashing.

Soldera

Pot 4 and the second game for Flavovespia is Soldera. Games at this level and tournament are never easy, despite the fact on paper Soldera come into this group as the outsiders. 6th in Group 10 of the qualifiers was a decent performance for the side from Pot 7, especially in a group containing the likes of CAFA2 Champions Ochre Islands, multiple sides who’ve made the Cup of Harmony or even the World Cup in recent cycles, and promising newcomers Kyzhurkistan. An attacking 4-4-2 looks to be the default for Soldera. Midfielder Joey Westway, at 35, looks to be the experienced captain for the side. Up front. Cayden Barkley and Matt Conley could be a bit of a “tall man, fast man” combination, providing a dual threat.

Savojarna

Last up for Flavovespia will be Savojarna, the Pot 1 side of this group. Whilst some would argue that getting the lowest of the Pot 1 sides is a lucky draw, nobody should discount Savojarna. If anyone thought Flavovespia had a miserable qualifying cycle, spare a thought for Savojana, who after an opening Matchday win, got just 1 point in the following 7 games. Dmitri Lijushkin brought back dignity to the side however, from 4 points in 8 games, they’d get a draw and then 5 wins to finish off the qualifiers, finishing 5th in the group. An attacking 4-3-3 is the tactics in theory for Savojarna, but Lijushkin is definitely not afraid of a quick change of tactics and an attempt to set up based on opposition. Mikhail Jashkin on the right wing will be a key figure in the attack of Savojarna, an al-around star. Markko Niskanen will be a familiar face to Tony Gardner, the pair are teammates at Newrook City. Flavovespia matchup against Savojarna, pitting two nations with a similar story in qualifying, similar tactics, and even both with a star right winger, could be a fascinating encounter.

[Eshialand]

BREAKING NEWS!!!

"Our hero, Jet Markins..."

click!

"Today's weather in Eshialand City is looking to be a chilly -3, so..."

click!

"And Carroll takes the ball..."

click!

"Is there anything on TV?" A young woman asks, as she keeps flipping through channels.

click!

"Go to McRonalds for the--"

click!

"BREAKING NATIONAL NEWS!"

click!

"We interrupt our usual programming for this special news bulletin."

click!

"And now for this special breaking news bulletin!"

"What the..." she wonders, as she keeps flipping through channels only to find the same news.

"Breaking news!"
"Breaking news!"
"Breaking news today..."
"Breaking news!"

"And now, we turn to our correspondent..."

"I brought a special bulletin from the King himself, here's what he has to say..."

"His words are..."

...

...

"Hello this is Papa Gino's! Your pizza's on the way."

"The king shut down every channel in the country to prank call us???" the woman asked. "Wh--- why???"

The kings voice cuts through the country's collective silence, on the airwaves of every TV and radio network. "Because I wanted to, of course!"

[Mercedini]

82nd Cup Of Harmony
The Mellow Before The Madness
@ Gardiner-Stewart Stadium - Abingdon Parish, The Licentian Isles

Good evening everybody and welcome to the sunny Licentian Isles for the 82nd Cup Of Harmony. Our lovely hosts have combined with Montana Verde to put together three weeks of football festivities for those who missed out on the big one, either through the groups or the playoffs. For Mercedini, they were part of that unfortunate group, as they finished 3rd in Group 10 to miss out entirely on the chance of World Cup football. Alas, the silver lining is that Mercedini have never missed a cycle of post-qualification football, and that will continue here with a berth at the 82nd Cup of Harmony. This tournament marks the tenth anniversary of their one and only previous triumph, where they beat Audioslavia in the final of the 72nd edition to claim a major victory for themselves and the independents. Before it all kicks off, we thought we would go through everything to expect at this tournament, as well as the potential prospects of our own representatives, the Golden Eagles. Fasten your seatbelts, it can get bumpy.

Cup Of Harmony: 56 Go In, 1 Will Remain

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In recent editions, the Cup Of Harmony has welcomed more and more nations into it's walls as the number of nations in qualification grows at an even faster rate. Long gone are the days of a simple 32-nation tournament, we are now in the realms of forty-eight and fifty-six team tournaments, where we lose teams quickly before we even approach the business end of the competition. We normally see some of the big names falter in qualification, only to take their game to another level in the Cup Of Harmony and win it all. Those names are back, and joining them will be a vast plethora of teams up and down the world rankings. Some will be looking for a deep run, while some are just happy to be here as they aim to take whatever they can from this tournament. For the Golden Eagles, they will be in the former category, and with the summit already reached at this tournament before, Billic is looking to match Lyndainium's feat by winning the Cup of Harmony as a manager, matching his achievement as a player. Surprisingly, Mercedini are only the 7th highest ranked side at this tournament, meaning they will have to beat teams ahead of them on paper if they are to reach the final four or final two. Who are the current favourites to win? Let's have a look.

Pot 1
Starblaydia
South Newlandia
Chromatika
Poafmersia
Tikariot
Savigliane
Mercedini
Omerica
Electrum
Trolleborg
Independent Athletes from Quebec
HUElavia
Krytenia
Savojarna

Pot 1 would not look out of place in any previous World Cup tournament, with so many past titans and rising stars littering the upper echelons of this tournaments. We are likely going to see many of these names towards the end of the tournament, but with so many potential winners, there is absolutely no way of telling who is going home early and who is making it to the end. On paper, the favourite to win it all is Starblaydia, which is not surprising considering the pedigree and the quality of the side in question. As they say, the cream always rises to the top, and the cream in this case is a big purple blob which always manages to differentiate itself no matter how hard you stir the cup. They will be one to watch, with everyone simultaneously wanting the chance to claim a big scalp, while also hoping to avoid them and get as far as they can in the tournament while staying clear of these juggernauts. For Mercedini, they are in the other half of the draw, so won't immediately face the #1 tournament seed unless there is a shake up before the knockout rounds.

Looking down the rest of Pot 1, there are nations and teams which may have risen to the top of the rankings, but Mercedini will be new to their world of football, which raises as many question marks as the teams at the bottom do. South Newlandia, Chromatika and Poafmersia are the next three highest ranking teams at this tournament, with all three previously expected to qualify for the World Cup, but fell short of the mark just as we did. The supposed top four will be a rather hard hitting affair in both matches, even if many of the names featured are from a more recent era of international football. Going deeper into the reaches of Pot 1 and you will finally get to some names which Dini will be familiar with, either via experience in competition or just from the familiarity of their name. All 14 teams from Pot 1 will be expected to romp home in their group, with any elimination at the early stage coming as a major shock to proceedings.

Skimming through the rest of the pots, let's have a look at some honourable mentions and some dark horses to watch. Group 10 will have a total of four representatives in the Cup Of Harmony, to go along with their two World Cup reps that qualified. In addition to ourselves; Kyzhukistan, Soldera and Pluvia will all be present at this tournament, with none of the four drawing each other in the group stage. Our long time frenemies in Drawkland and Qasden have arrived in Pots 2 and 3 respectively, with fans of Dini and Drawkland hoping for another chance to reignite their rivalry. Don't forget Dini have a 2-1-0 record against them.

Group J
Mercedini
New Lusitania
Acastanha
Alezian Union

Over to the official group which Mercedini have been drawn in, and in a fairly drab draw overall, one big name stood out to Mercedinian fans, and fans of the Independents Cup. New Lustania and Mercedini will face off for the first time since the former dumped the latter out of the IAC in the latter's own back yard. New Lusitania claimed a massive win in the Sports City Stadium in a run which took them to the semi-finals at the expense of the hosts, who had won the previous tournament and looked likely to go on another deep run. This would already be the match of the group (featuring the teams from Pot 1 and 2), but the brief history between these teams adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the whole fixture.

Rounding out the other teams in the group, and they will both be first-time opponents for Mercedini in any sporting competition. Acastanha will be the third and final fixture for the Golden Eagles in match which is hoped to be a dead rubber by that point in proceedings. Little is known about the 41st ranked team out of 56 in this tournament, with no previous experience and little knowledge of this nation who could act as banana peel if everything isn't wrapped up by that point. Before then, will be what could be described as a mismatch in the footballing world. Mercedini, ranked 7th at this tournament, will be playing Alezian Union, the lowest ranked team to qualify for the 82nd Cup Of Harmony. Despite this rather large disparity in ranking, Billic still needs to get the job done to open his account at this tournament. It would be a rather embarrassing turn of events if the Alezian Union were to get anything out of the match, but teams ranked lower than them have produced bigger upsets against Mercedini in the past, with a couple happening this cycle already.

It is a group draw which has been favourable to the Golden Eagles, but one that you certainly cannot take for granted, because that will be your undoing.

In a tournament like this, it is best to take one game at a time before you look ahead to the next opponent. Therefore, ourselves, Billic and his team will be looking ahead to facing fellow WorldVision competitors Alezian Union in the opening game of the tournament. It is always good to start your campaign of with a win, and that is what we will be hoping for in the first of three games at the Gardiner-Stewart Stadium in Abingdon Parish. It seems that the Gardiner-Stewart Stadium will become part owned by the Mercedinians fans by the time the group stage finishes, and it will be setting which will become familiar to the national team as the game time in this setting notches up. We will be giving you all of the coverage of this match, but the highlights of the Cup Of Harmony from across Montana Verde and The Licential Isles. So don't miss it. Goodnight!

[The Cordian Isles]

The Cordian All-Star

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Cup of Harmony Preview: Group I

The Cup of Harmony draw is over… and the Cordians have their work cut out for them. Of course, as a Pot 4 team, any group was going to be hard for the North Stars. The group is as follows:

Pot 1: Trolleborg (10 seed)
Pot 2: Eraman (26 seed)
Pot 3: Astograth (29 seed)
Pot 4: Cordia (47 seed)

Let’s take a look at the teams in more detail:

Trolleborg
CoH 81 Result: Champions
WCQ 90 Result: 2nd in Group, 7-3-4, Eliminated in Playoffs

Trolleborg was a surprise in the last Cup of Harmony, squeaking into the knockouts with a win and a Sarzonia draw. From there, they went on an impressive run, defeating Darmen, then ending the tournament for 1 seed Geektopia. They won the rest of their matches, and ended the tournament on top. They return to the Cup looking to repeat and strengthen their case to make the World Cup in the next cycle.

Trolleborg played nearly every match close in the first half of qualifying. Unfortunately for them, a 1-0 loss to Juvencus, a high-scoring 5-4 loss to Graintfjall, and a 1-1 draw with Cup of Harmony hosts Montaña Verde caused them to drop a lot of points, and they closed out the first half at 13, six points behind Juvencus and five behind Graintfjall, with second place needed if they were to still have a chance at the World Cup. The outcome was still very much in doubt for them late, as they got killed 3-1 by Montaña Verde, who seem to have been their proverbial kryptonite, and then 4-0 by Graintfjall. The only good news during this run was that Juvencus lost twice too, and on MD 11 Trolleborg was three points back of Juvencus. Trolleborg took wins over Nagore and Bollonich on MDs 12 and 13, taking a 3-point lead over Juvencus, who lost their matches in that stretch. A final draw with Delaclava sealed the deal, and Trolleborg went to the playoffs. There, a 3-1 loss to Mytanija in the first match made it hard for them, and a draw in the second sent them to the Cup of Harmony instead of the World Cup.

What to expect: An aggressive team, but one that doesn’t score a ton. Crisp and accurate passes and quick decisions will be critical when the Cordians play them. As for mentality… these guys have no quit in them. None. They got knocked down a lot in WCQs but always got back up, and eventually made it to the playoffs. An interesting thing to watch might be the bad karma that Montaña Verde seems to have brought Trolleborg. With the Verdeans hosting part of the Cup of Harmony (though Trolleborg’s matches will be in the Licentian Isles), that bad karma could hit Trolleborg again, and there might just be a chance for the rest of the group to squeak out a victory over the Pot 1 team.

Prediction: 1st

Eraman
CoH 81 Result: Quarterfinals
WCQ 90 Result: 6th in Group, 4-2-8, 14 points

Eraman has a very, very good football team. That much is obvious, with their run all the way to the Cup of Harmony Quarterfinals. This considers, especially, that they placed first in a group that included Banija, Saltstead, and Adab, winning three matches and drawing one.

Qualifiers hit them pretty hard, though. Early successes, including a 2-2 draw with the Holy Empire and a 1-0 victory over Sarzonia, were soon wiped out by bad losses to Mytanija and Dod Rava by a total of 7-2, leaving Eraman in fifth to end the first half of qualifiers with a 2-2-3 record. From there, Eraman proceeded to get murdered by almost everyone not named Pyazhnaya. A 2-1 loss to Mytanija was only the beginning, followed by a 3-5 loss to Eastfield Lodge and 1-4 to the Holy Empire. By this point, Eraman had been eliminated and they would finish qualifying in sixth, a far cry from their expected place as a Pot 3 nation.

What to expect: Eraman will be looking to redeem itself after a rough qualifying cycle, so expect a tough match when they play the North Stars. They play aggressive, high-scoring football, so the back line will have to be on point, and the Cordians will be looking for quick counterattacks to score.

Prediction: 3rd

Astograth
CoH 81 Result: Not Invited
WCQ 90 Result: 4th in Group, 6-3-5, 21 points

Astograth’s failure to make the World Cup was something of a tragedy. Starting off with a 4-1-0 record in their first five matches, it looked like they were a lock to qualify if they kept it up. They ended the first half of qualifying with two losses, but by a stroke of luck maintained first and a two-point lead over second. Astograth still looked good to qualify, but the two losses spiraled into a six-match winless streak, while playing against teams they had already beaten in their early rush to the top. By the time the streak ended, Astograth had dropped to fourth, three points out of second with two matches to play. A victory over Omerica in the next match sent them to second, and a further win over Pot 6 nation Kiltoch would likely have sent them to the playoffs pending tiebreakers. Instead, it was a draw, and an Omerica victory over Gyatso-Kai sent the very team Astograth had just defeated to give themselves a chance to the playoffs, instead of them. Ouch.

The loss just when things needed to go right is reminiscent of Astograth’s semifinal extra time loss to Pridenestrovia in the most recent Copa Rushmori, and… well… we can only hope this tendency to lose at the worst time becomes something of a theme for Astograth, because it’s the only way we can see the Cordians making it out of the group stage.

What to expect: Astograth barely missed out on the World Cup and now can pick one of two paths: mope about how they should have made the World Cup and get shit on, or take it out on everybody else and try to make up for the miss with a big run in the Cup of Harmony. What do we think? They’re experienced professional footballers. They can take the hits. Expect a tough match.

Prediction: 2nd

The Cordian Isles
WCQ 90 Result: 6th in group, 5-2-7, 17 points

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a football-obsessed Cordian. And football-obsessed Cordians should remember how qualifying went.

But hey, why not.

The first half of qualifying was pretty choppy but saw a 3-0 win over Equestria that was great to watch. The North Stars ended the first half with a 3-0-4 record, sitting in sixth and six points away from second. They opened the second half impressively, defeating Siovanija and Teusland and drawing with Le Choix to put themselves back into the conversation. A 3-0 loss to Muralos hurt, but it was balanced out by an upset win over Pemecutan that can only be described as massive. The Isles now sat four points behind second-placed Equestria with three matches to go, one of them against that very team. A 4-2 loss to them eliminated them, soon followed by that bizarre draw with Nimishzz and then a 4-1 loss to New Lusitania ended qualifying on a decidedly bad note for the North Stars.

What to expect: The Cordians will be hungry to get something done here, but they’ll falter in a tournament featuring teams that may not be the world’s best, but are certainly better than the North Stars at least. Getting a win here would be a major upset, but it’s possible and it’ll be worth watching to see if it happens. Making it to the knockouts, though, is highly improbable.

Prediction: 4th

[Trolleborg]

Greetings, compatriots!
It’s TTV from Licentian Isles, where our beloved football team prepare to play first game of Cup of Harmony. As our CEO tell in blitz-interview just before team boarded plane: It’s not a secret that after the last WCQ, there is a strong opinion that it would be much better to go to this tournament at all, but I still believe that the decision to participate is the right one. Yes, it will be very difficult for us, this is to be expected. While our lads won previous edition despite being heavy underdogs, long string of games with clearly substandard performances can’t make us all sure that something approaching last year success can be awaited. In addition, as defending champions we are clearly give opponents additional incentive to fight for victory. But we are now in the process of building new team, and must be content with performance we have. At last we have three international cups in our Sports Museum and in the last five WCQ we never fall below second spot in the group. It was a remarkable feat. But everyone must be patient.

But, I must say, the army of fans who arrived after the team stick to their own opinions. The failures of the last three tournaments, of course, discouraged many, but as the vast majority of fans argue, we have already seen strings of much worse failures. In addition they have found their own devices tosmooth out the impression of a performance our team in the last WCQ, widely considered as unsuccessful. As one guest of the Licentian Isles interviewed humorously summed up: no reasonable explanations exist to the fact that in recent tournaments the team regularly loses at home, and much more often than at away games, and in last three seasons having suffered almost two-thirds of all defeats at home. So in the WCQ the team lost five matches, and four of them at home. And since this time we are playing on a neutral field, we can expect something better than the crazy results of the last three qualifying tournaments. On my own behalf, however, as a journalist, I would like to suggest that, apparently, at the stadium on December 1, the team is crushed by the energetically expressed expectations of a huge crowd, and it does not perform as well as away due to that. However, this does not explain what is happening at other stadiums and fields around the world. It looks like the rule summed in the saying "at home even the walls help" has suddenly been canceled globally.

But let us to brief you about opponents. This time group stage will be very short, and there was no room for much procrastination and sitting on hands. It must be especially подчеркнуто: Many already forgot that team almost lost playoff ticket last CoH, and was saved by incredible result in the Sarzonia-Hapilopper game. There will be three opponents. Eraman is only one team we ever meet anywhere on the fields and arenas. Our football team play with this Melayu nation in the last MC, won the game and by this take a ticket to the playoffs. Trolleborg and Eraman also meet each other at field hockey championship last years, and also play water polo and ladies rugby-7 at Summer Olympics. Astograph and Cordian Isles was never play with us in any tournament, but altough maybe some fans see their lower positions in the world table of ranks as a sign of our team higher skills, it is serious error to count on this or legendary “rank coasting”. All three opponents are tough, hard and purposeful teams. In the last WCQ they finished not near two first places in their groups only due to the new strange phenomenon of annulled home turf advantage. And they – it must be noted – right now also will play not at home, like our team.

We at TTV invite all football fans to visit the Licentian Isles, discover new country by himself and support our team at a difficult time when players need it most.

[Independent Athletes from Quebec]

The Grim Reapers Crest, designed by Kirola of Audioslavia. It is used internationally by all Quebecois national teams with the nickname Grim Reapers.

Independent Athletes from Quebec National Football Team - Cup of Harmony 82

Basic Facts

Nation Name: Kingdom of Quebec and Shingoryeo
Short Names: Quebec, Q&S
Trigramme: QUE (Q&S will be fine, but please don't use RKQ. Thank you)
Demonyms: Quebecois (I'll be fine with use of Quebecers, but please don't use Quebecians. Thank you)
Colours: Red, Black and Blue
National Anthem: 'Ode to Thee, My Quebec'
Royal Anthem: 'Hymn to the Shingoryeo'

FA: Royal Quebecois Football Association (RQFA)
Highest Domestic League: Q-League
Nickname: The Grim Reapers
Ultras Group: The Bubonic Plague

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JERSEYS


Home and Away Kits, brought to you by Uni-Q of Qusmo

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NATIONAL TEAM STAFF

Senior Program Director: Vacant
Manager: 'Lükækš Væñøœrëñbérghüïś, Unknown age (Vdara)
Style Modifier: +5
Predicted First XI : 4-2-3-1

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TEAM

The I.A. Quebec traditionally sends a mix of national teams to competitions. The World Cup qualifying rounds and the tournament proper sees a full pool of national team players sent, though the player utilisation depending on opposition for former, while the Under-25 national team has been sent to CAFA and before that AOCAF for decades now (don't be fooled, most have played as senior NTers at various points, even if it may be without most stars).

Over the years, the Q-League have seen improved performance on the IFCF stage, as well as solid presence of import and domestic players making impact with their respective national teams. Still, while the league's financially strong, the past behaviour of major national team players going abroad to improve their career (and more importantly, stay in the national team conversation) has remained strong, so it's expected that a vast majority of any senior side (this includes EC and CAFA) to be consisted mostly of those who play abroad. Those who are staying home for now aren't necessarily pushovers, but they are just waiting for their time to head abroad and shine in a major club like their teammates, seniors or legends have done for ages.

Quebecois football is a weird breed of own, with emphasis on both the offensive hellfire (OOC: doesn't apply in this tournament, but generally they do), resilience and physical brutality. Sure, Quebecois players may come from all sorts of shapes, height and weight, but if there's one thing that they all have in common, is their love of staying violent. The footballing culture here has taught and still teaches that red cards are necessary for the good in the minds of both the players and the fans, and if a player cannot handle simple contact, then he's dead in the minds of most people, even their family members. Of course, whether they are skilled players of own or not are another story, and the legendary forward corps of the seventies of World Cup era had both skills and brawn, but it's a squad that loves to get fast, high and violent, and will not be afraid to demonstrate their flames.

Finally, there is one thing to consider when it comes to the I.A.Q, and is that the IAQ national team and the RQFA have always been a results-driven bunch. While that has never really gone away over the course of its history, it has become even more of a problem now, especially with the results from the heydays of the seventies, when they had qualified for 9 straight WCs, back to back quarterfinals in 73 and 74, and finished 4th at 77, looming into their mind.

The worst qualifying finish in 50 years (dating back to World Cup 65) certainly didn't translate well for the RQFA. Not only were the entire RQFA Board, Fabrizio Kaal and the entire coaching staff fired, this was immediately followed by the suicide of the RQFA President, Senior Program Director, and two coaches shortly after the catastrophe. This were also met with severe punishments on the 'Worst National Team in 50 Years', as ten players (8 forced retirements, 2 pre-planned retirements) retired from the national team, with six players also being given the chance to opt out of Cup of Harmony. The reduction of squad size brought the team down to a small, but perfectly manageable 23-player entry:

Players who opted out of CoH-82: CB An Seung-Mi, CB Hannah Kim, CM Arsene-Michael Litt, ST Enrico Hanson-Conavacio, RW Kate Huitema-Omeasoo, FW Ruby Vanderley

Players with pre-planned retirement from national team following WCQ-90: RB Donovan Kim-Lumanyika, DM Sinead MacDougall

Players given permanent retirement from the national team program: GK Seung-Myeon Kravitz-Hyeon, GK Padraig McGibbon, LB Brian Mantha, CM Frank Lundrigan, CM Seamus McKellar, CM Shim Dong-Woon, CM Anna Guweddeko, LW Pierre-Simon Duhamel

Please take note that, as a condition of of accepting the Cup of Harmony 82 invitation, the I.A.Q. national team will be adhered to following RQFA rules:

1. The CoH team will participate on the pre-tournament training camps held in 1) Szoirsian Desert, Farfadillis, and then 2) Metropolitan District, Huayramarca, to acclimate themselves to extreme conditions.

• 2. Members of the I.A.Q. team will not be provided any transportation arrangement to get to the hosting nations of CoH 82. They will be asked to book their tickets on their own time without RQFA's assistance.
• 3. The RQFA will graciously refuse all the generous accommodations normally provided to participating teams. The I.A.Q. team will be housed inside old RVs found in caravan parks. If there is no RV or caravan park available, they will be accommodated on tents.
• 4. There will be no financial support given to members of the I.A.Q. team over the course of this CoH.
• 5. There will be no transportation provided between their accommodation and the stadium. It is expected that the players hitchhike, walk or cycle their way from/to the stadium.
• 6. There will be no food provided to the I.A.Q. team members outside of tasteless gruel. They will asked to cook gruel on their own time.
• 7. The RQFA will not be selling Quebecois television rights to the CoH-82. There will be no official broadcasts of Cup of Harmony in Quebec & Shingoryeo.

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23-PERSON SQUAD

##    Player                      Sex Age  TRI Club
GK    SANDRA MIDDLETON          F  24  NPH Coret Hawks
GK    Leopold SHIM              M  21  SRS Megabrantid
LB    Benoit-Richard UKALEQ     M  25  STL Olympia Borograd
LB    Cedrick ROHRMAYER         M  22  QUE Sherbrooke Noksaekjeonsa
LI    Clement MATTERN-SOH       M  21  ZRH DD Porto Nowi
CB    Pierre-Karl CIZERON       M  20  MYT CDSA
CB    CHEWBACCA                 F  23  BNJ Hoima Warriors
CB    Bastien-Luc ST-ONGE       M  23  QUE Mipojoseon
RB    CORIOLAN                  M  24  BNJ Busukuma AC
RB    Pierre-Karl MILLER        M  19  QUE Olympique de Rimouski
DM    Medea MORIN-ANTONOFF      F  24  BRE Southern Star
CM    Samuel MCTAVISH           M  20  QUE St. John's Arsenal
CM    VEGETA                    M  20  AUD Cazadores Cathair 
CM    Rebecca-Anne WAWANOLETT   F  19  QUE Zenit Attawapiskat
AM    Jean-Christophe BABIN     M  21  NPH Sabrefell Moths
AM    Mathinna Bouck            F  21  QUE Montreal Koreana
LW    Eloise KWEON              F  23  NPH Sabrefell Moths
LW    Hannah GORMLEY-MCCOWAN    F  20  QUE Olympique de Rimouski
ST    Zinaida WOODCARVER        F  20  QUE Montreal Koreana
ST    Anna KORNILOFF-KOUYATE    F  20  TMB Lakewood United
RW    Alexei MOROZOV            M  21  ZRH Sanford Der Berg PREMIER FK
RW    HONG JOON-YEONG           M  23  QUE Olympique de Rimouski
FW/MF Joelinton DYXKESON        M  18  SRS Jaglan Royals

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes/No
Godmod scoring events: Yes/No
RP injuries to my players: Yes/No
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes/No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes/No
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes/No
Godmod other events: Yes (Please TG or contact me on Discord if you have questions)