The 83rd Cup of Harmony — Roster/RP/Scores Thread

[Savojarna]

Savojar Roster for the 83rd Cup of Harmony

RP PERMISSIONS

STYLE: +1.5

Choose Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Scoring: N
Injure Players: Y (no longer than the rest of the tournament)
Godmod Injuries: N
Yellow Cards: Y
Red Cards: Y - not more than one
Godmod other events: N

I am open to discussing all RP permissions via TG or Discord, if you have a specific plan.

TEAM

STAFF
Coach: Dmitri Lijushkin
Age: 50 // Coach since: WCQ 90 MD10
Lijushkin was something of a young hotshot at Torpedo and SVV before disappearing from the public eye as a season marred with injury, internal strife, and terrible luck at SVV resulted in Virkaja’s relegation as the league got reduced from 20 to 18 teams. Following this time, he has worked as an assistant in the team of Rjurik Smolderhove at Lok Jarnstad, where he won an SFS title, and as general manager at AFK Savojagrad. Now returning to active coaching following the terrible record of Gylfi Haukason, Lijushkin is bringing new offensive wind to the squad, as well as a larger team and what many consider to be more professional structures.

Coaching Team: Ljubov Misarin, Roman Antonov, Valtteri Andersson, Mikael Södergren, Lasse Tjoer
Ages: 47, 52, 59, 46, 49 // Special functions: Defence and mental coaching, scouting and preparation, goalkeeper coach, technical coach, physical trainer

Misarin is a sort of all-purpose assistant for Lijushkin, but most notably, she is a former defender to complement the former winger and offence specialist Lijushkin and will focus on giving some input to this team. As she has played before the professionalisation of women’s football, she has studied sports psychology alongside her career, and will also serve as an important element to ensure cohesion and morale within the team.
Roman Antonov was Lijushkin’s second in command and chief scout at AFK Savojagrad. While he will stay on at AFK as a consulting scout, his main role will be to assist Lijushkin in scouting and selection; during matches, he is expected to primarily work in the background and help preparing for opposition, as well as assist with video analysis (although this is already a strong area of Lijushkin himself).
Andersson was a long-term goalkeeper for Energie Thorsborg and got directly transferred into the club's youth department when he retired at age 33. Following some good work with the club's youth department, he got trained as a GK coach and worked with the first team and the U21 of Energie for a while before being brought onto the squad of the NT early on. He still works with Energie on the side and is reputed to be very good at developing a goalkeeper's weaknesses.
Mikael Södergren has a history of a technical assistant coach at various SFS A teams, including the surprising Rotor Värstjö side of SFS Season 8 and being on the staff of the double-winning Partisan side of SFS Season 10. His job is to run day to day practice and give technical advice to players; besides his work with the national team, he currently is a trainer at the National Football Academy at Högvald, where he coaches and develops Savojarna’s biggest youth talents.
Lasse Tjoer is the physical coach and condition trainer, and has previously worked for multiple SFS A teams. He places a lot of emphasis on discipline, but gives the players a large amount of freedom to tune their practice regime to their own tastes as long as they stick to the targets. He is quite popular in the team, and a good motivator.

Doctor: Dr. Christer Ljungberg
Age: 64
Christer is the head of the medical team of the Savojar NT and generally has a reputation of being the team’s good soul. Many players have come to him over the years to discuss their insecurities or physical problems, to the point that many consider Ljungberg to essentially be a second mental coach.

SQUAD

TEAM

Nr	Pos	Name			Club			Sex	Age
1	GK	Aleksandra Virulainen	Partisan Sjoedrhavn	F	31
2	LB	Ansgar Klaey		CASK Thorsborg		M	26
3	CB	Polina Zirkova		Ulsa (EUR)		F	32
4	CB	Vidkun Nymark		Dynamo Sjoedrhavn	M	28
5	LB/RB	Milla Viipuri		AFC Corvistone (NPH)	F	28
6	DM	Markko Niskanen		Newrook City (NPH)	M	28
7	RM	Mikhail Jashkin		Directus (EUR)		M	33
8	CM	Vladimir Orakhin	Goodfeather FC (NPH)	M	24
9	ST	Lars Alvesen		Partisan Sjoedrhavn	M	22
10	OM	Morten Poulsen		Partisan Sjoedrhavn	M	33
11	ST	Sven Ehlers		Falourr (EUR)		M	27
12	GK	Sergey Sharin		FK Torpedo Pawlograd	M	28
13	ST	Victor Hedenberg	Ibini FC (VAL)		M	26
14	OM	Rika Lundell		North Laithland (NPH)	F	31
15	RB	Alvin Strid		Libertas Bergheim	M	24
16	DM	Adrian Klaebo		Lokomotive Jarnstad	M	27
17	LM	Finn Östberg		Lokomotive Jarnstad	M	28
18	CM	Lovisa Tedenby		Galatica (PAS)		F	28
19	CB	Sven Vikarby		Partisan Sjoedrhavn	M	24
20	GK	Olga Valujev		CASK Thorsborg		F	23
21	RM	Kaisa Gyldenström	AFC Corvistone (NPH)	F	26
22	CB	Dmitri Dmitriev		Admiral Storevik	M	29
23	LF	Kimi Hartikainen	CASK Thorsborg		M	27

STARTING XI:

[img][img]https://i.imgur.com/vmUekGF.png[/img][/img]

TACTICS

ROLES
Captain: Jashkin - Poulsen - Zirkova - Lundell - Viipuri
Free Kicks (direct): Ehlers (left, centre), Jashkin (right)
Free Kicks (long): Klaebo, Lundell
Corners: Klaebo, Östberg (left), Jashkin (right)
Penalty Kick: Alvesen, Ehlers, Poulsen, Lundell, Hartikainen, Jashkin, Zirkova, Klaebo [also progression for shooutouts]

KITS

Designed and manufactured by NDCS

[Mertagne]

The Federation of Mertagnian Football Presents...

The Mertagnian National Football Team
for the Cup of Harmony 83

Our History:

The Cup of Harmony lands on Mertagnian shores, and rather surprisingly, it didn't do so by falling off of the back of the Aut-Ves-Nat. Seedy government bureaucrats in Tumbra and Mertagne have been performing some sordid diplomatic dance since the end of the last cycle, and the result of them falling into each other's arms (presumably while drawing lines on a map of the Tumbran Northlands) is that both nations will be hosting the 83rd Cup of Harmony. Tumbra differs from Mertagne in a litany of ways, but in the sporting world, the main difference is that Tumbra will not be competing in their own tournament, having secured passage to the World Cup proper. Mertagne, however, is more than happy to get into the thick of it, showing that we're certainly not above the top 32 teams this cycle. Historically, the team has done well at home, and it is the hope from many across the nation that a good result in this tournament can unite the nation, igniting some more national fervor and quelling the voice of an ever-growing regionalist identity that has formed in the wake of the adoption of a new Frame of Government.

Our Key Staff:

Manager: Ázëwyn Fëanáro, 4,092, Calming, Sensible, Lithe, Architect
Fëanáro has realigned the national spirit to see the Mertagnian Football team as a project - while the team won't be winning a World Cup overnight, it can be built into a much better, much leaner goal scoring machine, with the aim of success coming alongside that. World Cup 91 was a true test for the team, coming up against some tough opponents and proving to be a stumbling block for even the best teams, denying Eura 4 points in both legs of the qualifiers. Here on 'home' soil, Fëanáro is looking to show the opposition that the Mertagnian team is a force to be reckoned with, and will be looking to punch above their weight and put in a solid performance.

Assistant Manager: Kristie Ettrick, 43, Aggressive, Intense, Compact, Dissenter
Kristie Ettrick, fresh off of representing the nation at the Festival of Local Anaian Games and Sports, has realised that she's definitely not a jack of all trades. However, football is something she's mastered, and her role as the more animated member of the managerial duo when it comes to barking orders on the sidelines of the pitch is something that has suited her nicely.

The squad will be playing with a style modifier of +4, as Mertagne's style of play, ruthlessly branded as 'pre-football' in both Ko-orenite and Audioslavian press, focuses on what is still one of the best methods to win a football match - score more goals than your opponent.

Our Players:

Goalkeepers
No	Pos	Player			Sex	Age	Club				Traits
1	GK	Rhys le Besco		M	23	 Blades de Bretsaar		Upsetting, Dominant, Burly, Debater
12	GK	Aysha Genoa		F	25	 New Fligsive's Memory	Disciplined, Dignified, Bulky, Quick Passer
23	GK	Lliot Celarte		M	30	 Sporting Esper		Unlucky, Active, Nimble, Wall

Defenders
No	Pos	Player			Sex	Age	Club				Traits
2	LB	Simoslaw Bridges	M	27	 Olympique de Rimouski	Questioning, Loud, Fast, Architect
3	CB	Briac Lewis		M	24	 Expats Endeavour		Loyal, Nice, Beefy, Leader
4	RB	Margaret Harlow		F	24	 Ostosaide			Quirky, Capable, Hard-hitting, Daredevil
13	LB	Alips Maurauri		F	27	 Blades ex Magnaeus		Thrifty, Ethical, Short, Poacher
14	CB	Roxane Rossi		F	23	 FMFC Ninestar		Endearing, Bigoted, Stocky, Cheater
15	RB	Lorraine de Calmesnil	F	24	 Ostosaide			Brainy, Businesslike, Bony, Gladiator
24	LB	Euklides Hemingway	M	26	 Prostran I Forduza		Rebellious, Chatty, Short, Artist
25	CB	Kloro McManus		M	24	 Vixceinion			Catty, Hopeful, Burly, Interceptor
26	RB	Tyson Oughtio		M	27	 Signal Dannin		Friendly, Impressionable, Slender, Genius

Midfielders
No	Pos	Player			Sex	Age	Club				Traits
5	LM	Martine Aldergrass	F	27	 Ancarea FC			Inclusive, Solemn, Slender, Poacher
6	CM	Neron Everdell		M	27	 Tenth Star Hasiera		Cruel, Cerebral, Frail, Professional
7	CM	Pia Aziz		F	25	 Bakartirla Buccaneers	Frank, Cunning, Tiny, Dynamo
8	RM	Rowan Emberson		M	23	 Strillinger Valley		Gossipy, Grumpy, Skinny, Dissenter
16	LM	Erdotza de la Fontaine	F	26	 Avanaroch White Wings FC	Private, Clever, Bony, Leader
17	CM	Lee Margas		M	23	 Carsby			Inventive, Moralistic, Lithe, Clown
18	CM	Matthew Cookson		M	24	 Scharfwick Flames		Sensitive, Blunt, Lithe, Tactician
19	RM	Jake Inxaugarate	M	24	 Dudevani Electric Company	Cocky, Kind, Stocky, Glass Cannon
27	LM	Freya Perez		F	24	 FMFC Ninestar		Philosophical, Intuitive, Fast, Poacher
28	CM	Charlotte Masquelier	F	22	 Blackave University		Sarcastic, Selfish, Portly, Ditherer
29	CM	Genevive Yrundegui	F	27	 Eivora Athletic FC		Cultured, Hard-working, Pacy, Daredevil
30	RM	Fostin Feu		M	26	 Lehen Neorudo		Outspoken, Demanding, Bony, Dissenter

Attackers
No	Pos	Player			Sex	Age	Club				Traits
9	ST	Tara Number		F	27	 Lehen Neorudo		Helpful, Solemn, Towering, Technician
10	ST	Claudio Vantula		M	30	 KT Itzallovalle		Reliable, Willing, Muscular, Leader
11	ST	Heather Gell		F	26	 Signal Dannin		Judgemental, Empathetic, Athletic, Free Kick Specialist
20	ST	Sulpizo Plumb		M	25	 Ituraitz Victory		Perfectionist, Inspired, Muscular, Teammate
21	ST	Frederick Prost		M	27	 FMFC Ninestar		Effervescent, Witty, Towering, Maestro
22	ST	Benn Shakletinn		M	31	 Keers Kannoneers		Humorous, Fanatical, Tall, Daredevil
31	ST	Aetz Cerillo		F	24	 Blades de Bretsaar		Cynical, Martyr, Gigantic, Workhorse
32	ST	Silbane de Faumont	M	25	 Royal Ibarbe		Giddy, Finicky, Pacy, Tactician
33	ST	Dannon Larr		M	27	 Octosaide			Unmotivated, Bright, Bulky, Penalty Specialist

*Thanks to Ko-oren for the traits data and format. Mertagnian traits follow a [mental][mental][physical][style] format.

Typically, a player closer to the top of the chart within each position is more likely to be picked. This outfit of the Mertagnian National team will be playing in a 3-4-3 formation, which served the team well in the World Cup qualifiers. Spouting ∞% more attacking power than teams such as Audioslavia, the team is settling into the new formation, learning from the mistakes they faced in some of the later qualifying matches that saw them slip down the table towards the end.
If you RP first, you are encouraged to make a team selection that works for you.

A quick look at the management's notes shows...

Most likely to...
Score a goal: Claudio Vantula, Tara Number, Pia Aziz, Erdotza de la Fontaine
Kick off a set piece: Heather Gell, Neron Everdell, Lee Margas, Martine Aldergrass
Make a magnificent cross: Fostin Feu, Pia Aziz, Benn Shakletinn
Stop an opposing attack: Alips Maurauri, Euklides Hemingway, Lee Margas
Get too stuck in and get a card: Jake Inxaugarate, Matthew Cookson, Kloro McManus, Neron Everdell
Do something out of the ordinary: Jake Inxaugarate, Pia Aziz, Claudio Vantula, Erdotza de la Fontaine

Our Kits:

Kits lovingly provided by Kirola Sportswear of Audioslavia.

Our Stadia:

Our Permissions:

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes, but no outright killing.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: Sometimes. Send me a TG with what you're planning and I'll approve it if I like it.
Mertagnians wouldn't know the meaning of the word 'pandemic' if it sneezed in their face.

[Ochre Islands]

Initials, Name, Position, Age, Team, Place of Birth

Staff

JD – Richard VALENS - Manager –

Team

Playing in the following formation: GK | DL DC DC DR | MC MC MC | SC SC SC

The first player(s) named in each area of the team start the game. Our line-up will broadly be as follows (unless you RP one of our players has an injury or something):

GK: Wilson
DsL-R: Barrett, Willingham[/i], D'Entro[/i], Burke[/i]
DMC: Walker
MCs: Mikkels, Lewis[/i]
AMC: Clearedway
SCs: Builder, Gibson

Further information on the players is below if it is required and/or of interest.

Number, Name, Position, Age, Place of Birth, Club
All players male (He/Him) unless specified
Goalkeepers - 3

1 - Louis WILSON - GK – 26 – Fort Boston – Cottsworth City
13 – Leora SOFTSTEP - GK – 19 – Cerrston, Juniper Island – Juniper Mournhow F.C.
She/Her
Leora's place of birth is noted as Cerrston, when in fact she was born on one of the ships carrying Bostopians to their new home in the Ochres. That it happened to dock in Cerrston, where her family settled, was just luck. Her parents chose a new surname after watching their child take her first furtitive steps outside, wanting to ditch their old Bostopian name. While there is some doubts over her ability to play as an international goalkeeper, her ability to read the game makes up for a lack of height (comparative to other top-flight goalkeepers at least) and fans joke that it seems she knows where the ball will go before the striker does.
12 - Eric BIRDTENDER - GK – 18 – Nuntsby, Handsby Island – Bellflower A.U.
Birdtender is Bellflower A.U.'s current number two goalkeeper, but has impressed in cup games (which he regularly starts) enough to make the national side. His parents were fundamental in the study of native species in the Ochres, and his surname was later chosen to reflect this.
Defenders - 7
3 - Taylor BARRETT - DL – 28 – Norteaton – Lansdorn
4 – Jordan WILLINGHAM – DC – 26 – Bassingdale – Nuntsby City
2 - Louis D'ENTRO - DC – 19 – Bellflower, Mournhow Island – Cottsworth City
Louis was born in what was known then as 'New Ranton', which was the name of the capital of the Bostopian Ochre Islands prior to independence. He is one of the better players in Cottsworth's side, who are regular title contenders in the Ochre League Division One.
5 - Leonard BURKE – DR – 31 – Glenrock - – Juniper Monnstair
15 - Harry SANDMAN – DC-DL – 16 – Slipsway, Chaffinch Island – Slipsway Town F.C.
The youngest member of the squad, only just turning 16 in time for the first qualifying game, Harry Sandman is the first player in any Ochre national squad to be born on Chaffinch Island. Adopting his surname from his love of running on the beach, he tends to be more of a sweeper than a proper centre half, being able to quickly take care of opponents passes into the box before they cause too much harm. His pace and stamina also allows him to play as a makeshift right wing-back, but his crosses come across as clearances more often than not.
6 – Arto NEWCOMER - DC – 20 – Lander's Port, Mournhow Island – Nottshore Turquoise F.C.
Arto Newcomer was born mere days after the first ships began arriving in the Ochre Islands from Bostopia. His parents immediately changed their – and his – family name on arrival in the islands, so his heritage beyond that is unknown. Arto, whilst young, is a regular feature in the back line of Nottshore Turquoise and integral to keeping them in the top division of Ochre football.
16 - Lucy FEATHERBORN- DR – 17 – City of Louisa, Hope Island – Louisa Hope F.C.
She/Her

Featherborn currently plies her trade on the right-wing for Louisa Hope F.C., her hometown team. Pacy and versatile, she is more likely to try and beat her opponent with the ball at her feet rather than pass around them. She already displays a range of passing that could see her propelled into the midfield, whether on the wing or in the middle should her development continue at the pace it is.

Midfielders - 8

14 - Carl WALKER – Captain - DMC – 27 – Fort Boston – Lower Soffsley
11 - Joseph MIKKELS - MC – 22 – Hilltop – Lower Soffsley
8 - Harry LEWIS - MC – 21 – Port Flamerty – Nuntsby City
17 - Luke MATSON - MC – 26 – Jennaerton – Stangtons
7 - Copse CLEAREDWAY - AMC – 19 – Callais, Jensee Island – Slipsway Town
Copse Clearedway was born in Callais, which is on one of the smaller Ochre Islands of Jensee. He is first-choice striker for Slipsway Town, a mid-table side in the first division of domestic Ochre football. However for the Ochre national team, he is more likely to be played as an attacking midfielder to give us a significant threat just outside the area, as well as knowing where a striker would want a ball playing to them.
18 - Bradley WATKINS - AMC – 31 – Rivdale – West Bellflower
15 - Mick BASING - DMC – 21 – Sennaton – Bellflower A.U. XI
20 - Pete READ - D/AMC – 29 – Flamerty – Cottsworth City

Strikers - 5
9 - Rory BUILDER - SC – 19 – Kollingdon, Handsby Island – Valesthorpe
Rory is the youngest of the Ochre-born players, having been born a mere day or two after his parents reached Kollingdon following their migration to the Ochres from Fenton State. Whilst still largely bench-warming for Valesthorpe, the national team can see his promise and are taking him to CAFA3 in the hopes of giving him international experience in low-pressure situations.
22 - Blue GIBSON – Vice-Captain - SC – 26 – Acorn Wood – Juniper Monnstair
She/Her
Blue Gibson is the first Bostopian-born female player to ever represent her country in an international football tournament. Whilst there have been female managers of the Bostopian national team, Blue was seen as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' footballing talent that the OIFA could find no reason, legally or otherwise, to exclude her from the national team. It was her second goal of the CAFA final which had sealed the Ochres 3 – 1 win over Saltstead with 3 minutes remaining of the 90. Blue also scored the winning goal to send the Ochre Islands to the World Cup finals for the first time.
10 - George HOLLAND - SC – 30 – Rinstad – Flanminster Abbey
19 – Carl-James (C.J.) LUCKSMITH - SC – 17 – Hannston, Jensee Island – Lionsville Transport Sports Club
Despite playing for a smaller Ochre side, sitting in the 4th tier of the football league, C.J. has excelled and proven himself at a high level thanks to helpful cup draws against much better teams projecting his abilities on the national stage. While football at the lower levels is a bit more rough and ready than the higher divisions, he has always been able to hold his own against strong defenders despite his young age, and their willingness to let him know they're there.
21 - Joseph MORRIS - SC – 28 – Hilltop – Stangtons XI

Kits & Logo

Home, Away and Third



The Ochre Islands kits were designed and manufactured by OchreSport, with input from the Ochre Islands Football Association.
Following the abysmal CAFA3 campaign, the home kit removes all gold references and goes back to the traditional striped ochre and blue ochre scheme, with white trim.
The away kit is a contiuation of the popular 'Anaiaway' theme promoted by the OIFA, which they say 'promotes peace & harmony and reminds us that whilst we may be in an away kit, the Anaia region is still our home'.
The third kit is a colour combination of the two ochre colours, resulting in an earthy brown colour reminiscent of some of the home soil players and fans may tend to in their spare time.

Before CAFA 2, the Ochre Islands Football Association ran a competition to design the team's logo, which was won by a 34 year old man with neither design experience or taste. Fortunately, an update of the design to account for taste was commissioned and outsourced by the OIFA, which is as below. The badge prominently features a 'little mint green hat', which actually commerorates the Ochre Islands victory in the second CAFA tournament.



The Ochre Islands play a possession-based style of football which aims to prevent the opposition from scoring by simply not letting them have the ball. While we will prefer safer passes, the players generally have a good sense of when a chance is 'on' and will play balls with added risk involved where necessary.

Important Information for Hosts & RP'ers
In the event my opponent posts an RP first, they may:
Select my scorers — Yes
Give out yellow cards to my players — Yes
Give out red cards to my players — Yes
RP injuries to my players — Yes
Godmod injuries — No
Godmod scoring events — Yes
Godmod other events — Yes
Do whatever you want basically, just don't kill/maim/etc. An RP that makes me laugh would make me eternally grateful.
Style Modifier - +3

[Yue Zhou]

THE UNITED REPUBLICS OF YUEZHOU - NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
月州联合共和国 - 国际足球队

Badge and kits designed by Txakhaxi's Tahuatxi Storefront.

Stylistically, Ken Hayabusa, the first Kandorese manager of the Dragons, seriously disrupted Yue football with his high-flying possession play and media savvy, and many expected disaster or jubilation to follow. Instead, Hayabusa was around for four tournaments (two WCQs, a CoH, and a Copa Rushmori), either slightly underachieved or slightly overachieved at all four of them, and was let go after a disappointing playoff defeat to Squidroidia. In fairness, Hayabusa did well just to make those playoffs, and his tinkering yielded some highly impactful tactical shifts, such as the usage of Liu Huiying as a false-nine. But Yuezhou never seriously looked like World Cup Qualifiers during his three years with the club, and it's clear that the YFA wants to swing for the fences. Now, Chen Huikang, a former star Dragons striker and assistant manager, takes the reins at Yübao. Chen has a very strong resumé, with stints as assistant manager of Yuezhou, manager of CSKA Quebec, and the manager who turned Glenmount Town around and won the final season of the Licentian Premier League. But can he take his national team to the next level? The CoH, where Yuezhou has never advanced past the Ro16 of, would be a nice place to start.


Home, Away, and GK kits designed by Tahautxi. See the video reveal here.

Manager: Chen Huikang, 53

Chen Huikang is an excellent tactician with a propensity for fast-paced, attacking football. His attacking strengths were apparent in both seasons with CSKA Quebec, who come close to winning the Q-League and Coupe de la Reine his first season. However, still somewhat inexperienced at the time, he struggled to bring together a dressing room full of massive egos and character issues. After being let go, he seriously matured over a three-season stint at Glenmount Town, where he turned an underachieving team into Premier League champions. While the temptation to stay at a club that has almost unconditionally supported him from Day One was strong, the fiercely patriotic Nanhai native couldn't resist the temptation to manage the Dragons.

Assistant Manager: None [left vacant since the Alba and Cymru Incident]
Nickname: The Red Dragons
Formation: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: +1.5
RP Permissions:

Preferred Goalscorers: None preferred, feel free to consult the below guide for help
Godmod scoring events: TG/DM before doing so
RP injuries to my players: Yes (I determine severity)
Godmod injuries to my players: TG/DM before doing so
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, TG/DM if more than one
Godmod other events: TG/DM before doing so
Other: If you plan to RP the match extensively, please mention by players by name (as opposed to “the Yue striker…” or similar). Please consult me before using images meant to represent my players. All permissions are set to "N" if you explicitly send a sub-age team.

Tactics:

With the ball, the team will play quickly and creatively, focusing on controlling the ball and dynamically exploiting weaknesses in the opponent's defense. Jiawei maintains some defensive coverage on the left flank, but if the game is under control Reeve will float forwards to provide width in the attack, forming a sort of 3-2-5 (Wen will also join the attackers) shape. Liu Huiying plays as a creative false-nine type, who will serve as a sort of offensive hub while dropping into midfield. Huang Shedong, formerly a striker, will play as a right inside-forward, using his speed to make runs in behind the shoulder of the defense and his technique to create and convert chances once in the box, while Jiang provides width and support from the left-hand side. Wen Xiaohui and Li Jing, the two non-holding midfielders, will both be aggressively moving forward to join the attack and set up chances, with Wen often interchanging with Liu. Jiawei and Yuan are relatively uninvolved in the attack, although Li's ball-carrying and long-range passes often helps progress the ball in Yuezhou's third of the pitch, serving a key bridge between the defense and midfield.

Without the ball, the team defends from the front, relying on the pace and industry of the front three to harry opposing defenses and force mistakes. There sometimes is a sense of there being "attacking" and "defensive" blocks, the latter being comprised of the defense, Wan, and sometimes the versatile Li, and the former being everyone else. While this may feel somewhat disjointed in the early days, the idea is that successive lines can react quickly to the press being broken and move up to compensate and close off space. The fullbacks also tend to play very conservatively without the ball and in transitions, although Reeve will sometimes push up to counterattack, giving the team a solid defensive base without the ball to work from.

Score a Goal - Liu Huiying, Huang Shedong, Luo Dan
Score from Distance - Li Jing, Wan Sheping, Liu Huiying
Assist a Goal - Wen Xiaohui, Liu Huiying, Luo Dan
Score off a Header - Wan Sheping, Yuan Mingrong, Luo Dan
Win a Free Kick/Penalty - Liu Huiying, Luo Dan, Huang Shedong
Get Sent Off - Wan Sheping, Wen Xiaohui, Guo Xiawei
Get a Yellow Card - Wan Sheping, Zhu Aiguo, Guo Xiawei
Come Through in the Clutch - Li Jing, Liu Huiying, Yuan Mingrong

STARTERS

#01 - GK - ZHAO Deliang (赵德亮) - 23 - Atletik Thessia (MYT)
A goalkeeping phenom who won a historic Golden Ball (both in terms of position and age) en route to Jiangdong's first league title in years. A cool, confident, and physically imposing general on the pitch, albeit a bit traditionalist in playstyle.
#14 - LB - JIAWEI Chuan (f) (佳薇川) - 31 - Tihon (CMT)
A quick, crafty full-back (or wing-back, or even winger if Yuezhou is really parking the bus) whose biggest weakness is a propensity to get forced off the ball. Will likely play more defensively than Reeve on the right-hand side.
#27 - CB - LI Jianguo (李建国) - 26 - Tihon (CMT)
Despite his young age, Li is incredible on the ball, at his best in a three-man defense where he can make surging runs and spray accurate long-range passes with either foot. The physicality isn't quite there for a grueling qualifying campaign, although he’s working on it, but his vision and composure on the ball are just too good for Hayabusa to pass up in this system. Could this be his breakout?
#05 - CB - YUAN Mingrong (袁明荣) - 29 - Ararat (MYT)
An intelligent, cultured young center-back who's solid but still a bit raw with the ball. Showed enough promise in Mytanija as the best defender in an admittedly underwhelming Ararat defense to earn a shot, and has rapidly developed to a strong all-around center back who was the Top League's player of the season.
#13 - RB - Diadora REEVE (f) (利朵拉) - 31 - Coret Hawks (NPH)
Diadora Reeve is an athletic, relatively attack-minded fullback who provides an interesting tactical option for Yuezhou in place of Zhu Aiguo. We think she had a Yue grandfather or something, which is why she's turned up on the Yue national team despite everyone previously thinking she was Nepharim.
#08 (C) - CM/CAM - LI Jing (李精) - 34 - Steinaux (GRÆ)
Li Jing is very quick and excels on the counterattack as a creative or goalscoring threat. Has enjoyed increased praise lately for his exploits in Græntfjall due to the beginning of normalization in relations between the two countries.
#19 - CDM/CM - WAN Sheping (万射平) - 27 - Wirr Tsi (CMT)
An old-school, defensive-minded midfielder who's surprisingly good in the air despite being 5'8". Earned a move to countryman Zhaxi Nanlei’s Wirr Tsi squad a few seasons ago, and is rapidly becoming one of the best young players in Chromatika and a key figure in the newly-minted Red League juggernauts.
#18 - CAM - WEN Xiaohui (f) (文小辉) - 31 - Libertas Bergheim (SVJ)
Wen Xiaohui, the niece of controversial star midfielder Wen Xiaoli, has rapidly developed from Yuezhou’s next big thing to a star in her own right. She wasn't a great tactical fit for Yuan Zilai's or Lu Jialan’s style, but her pace and playmaking more than merit her inclusion in the first-choice starting eleven, and her breakout WCQ87 was a rare bright spot in an otherwise miserable qualifying campaign. Has stagnated a bit lately, even becoming a substitute under Kang Guilin, but has been rejuvenated creatively in Hayabusa's system.
#77 - LAM/RAM - JIANG Jieren (江杰任) - 27 - Osarese Marcadia (AUD)
An incredibly quick winger, albeit one slightly out of place on the left, Jiang’s ball-retention skills need to work and he tends to play with too much ambition. Still, he’s absolutely electric when on, with a combination of scoring and playmaking on the counterattack that could really make an impact.
#10 - AM/SS - LIU Huiying (f) (刘辉映) - 31 - Sabrefell Moths (NPH)
Liu’s speed and devastating passing ability make her one to watch with every counterattack. Her high workrate, even on the defensive end, should theoretically make her a good candidate to slot into a false nine-esque offensive hub position, as she's now an attacking midfielder at the club level as well in the Zenith.
#09 - RAM/ST - HUANG Shedong (黄舍东) - 34 - Coret Hawks (NPH)
While not particularly good at hold-up play or in the air, Huang's blazing speed and technique mean he excels at exploiting gaps in the opponents' defense with his dribbling and short passes. A strong finisher, but relatively unproven leading a line by himself - playing off of Liu's passing as an inside-forward has actually been a pretty good fit for him.

RESERVES
#12 - GK - ZHAO Yong - 34 - East Railway (ASG)
Not the most athletic of shot-stoppers, but a cool, commanding leader of defenses who can grab anything out of the air.
#23 - GK - GUO Yanhong - 32 - Dhun Lagarr FC (TKT)
A modern sweeper-keeper and competent shot-stopper who is aggressive to a fault, but who had a strong enough season in Tikariot to earn a call-up.
#24 - LB - LU Lanying (f) - 25 - Rutland Dockside (CDG)
A quick, athletic left-back, Lu is strong when driving forwards and tracking back but could work on her crossing.
#16 - CB - ZHU Mingxia - 29 - Parrhesia United (NPH)
A strong, aerially imposing center-back who generally struggles to get rid of the ball without hoofing it clear. However, some time in Tequilo has helped round his game out better, and he surprisingly held his own in the Zenith.
#06 - CB/CDM - GUO Xiawei - 33 - Urrheddiao (CMT)
Formerly a makeshift libero in a back three, Guo Xiawei has often been redeployed as a defensive midfielder. One of the first of his generation of Yue players to sign abroad, for since-relegated Tanques AOE of the Ko-orenite Top League, Guo has flashes of brilliance with the ball and is very good at reading and intercepting passes, but tends to make unforced errors on defense worryingly often. Thrown into the fire by Hayabusa, who hoped that his much-improved passing and dribbling touch will allow him to flourish in a back four, but is still a shade too error-prone compared to Yuan, Zhu, and Li.
#15 - CB/RB - ZHU Aiguo - 33 - Iturributa United (ASG)
An aggressive, versatile defender who likes to win balls and push forward with them. A center-back by trade, Zhu unexpectedly became Yuezhou's starting right-back under Lu Jialan - his emergence at the position earned him a transfer to Astograth as well as his starting spot, but he's now back to his natural position.
#25 - RB - DONG Xiaowang - 25 - Megabrantid (SRS)
A pacy, strong fullback well-suited to the modern game, although his rawness on the defensive end will make him more of a long-term project for new club Megabrantid. Could be creatively deployed as a winger in a pinch.
#07 - CDM - YANG Tao - 34 - Ephesian FC (ZWZ)
Energetic but not particularly skilled, Yang will be tasked with pressing aggressively, winning balls back before passing them to someone more creative, and kicking opponents to stop attacks.
#15 - CM - FANG Yuhui (f) - 27 - North Granby (CDG)
Not the most physically imposing, but seemingly endless stamina and excellent positioning mean she shows up almost everywhere on the pitch when needed to make a tackle. Not great offensively, but improving.
#11 - AM - TAO Beiliang - 32 - Korsbach (GRÆ)
A relentless source of energy, aggression, and creativity, Tao is still pretty inconsistent at times, but is a great student of the game. Originally outshone even Li Jing when the pair went abroad together, but his career has stalled a bit with Korsbach.
#33 - SS/CAM - LUO Chuan (f) - 26 - Spenson Suburbia (ZWZ)
An agile, technically adept attacking midfielder at her best when distributing to others. Tends to get bullied off the ball, though.
#22 - LW/RW - LUO Dan - 31 - Coquitlam United (KSK)
A more mobile forward who can deputize capably on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, Luo is a dangerous scorer known for his quick-burst runs behind the defense, although he can be a little selfish at times. Will be playing as more traditional winger for the national team, but is also capable of playing as an inside-forward on the right or dropping back into a wide midfield position.
#36 - AM/ST - ZHENG Yuanjun (f) - 27 - Fiskadaha (PFA)
An intelligent, versatile attacker, Zheng is much more skilled as a playmaker than as a scorer, although her ability to find space with her runs has still gotten her a decent scoring record. Has become one of the Apex's premier attackers, but has yet to surpass the generation before her.
#21 - ST - JI Weibo - 27 - Brantisvogan (SRS)
While selfish to a fault and not the easiest personality to work with, Ji Weibo has laid waste to South Newlandia to the tune of 17 goals in 22 matches. A pure poacher who’s posed an increased long-range threat as of lately, Ji isn’t much of a team player but can arguably lead a line by himself better than the less physical Huang can, and could be a real option off the bench.
#30 - RW - LUO Nanwei - 24 - Leichhardt (NPH)
An extraordinarily athletic player who worked his way onto Guodui's senior team as a teenager; despite some injuries during his youth career, his pace and dynamic creativity make him a terror with the ball, although he can be erratic and inconsistent. Has impressed in the Zenith despite suffering relegation with Gaelic Club.

[Sendhang]

President Paulus Etamba was relieved after the result of the vote on the 3 proposals during the AMAN Leaders' Meeting was announced. It was exactly what the president wanted. He was a lot happier when he checked his mobile phone after the meeting as he received hundreds of congratulatory messages.

Back home in Sendhang where the proceeding of the AMAN Leaders' Meeting was aired live by several media outlets and followed by the people across the nation, the reaction was instant. Again, the reaction was mixed but it went exactly like how the president planned.

"We cannot agree to this," said the president during the meeting in a viral short video clip on social media.

The majority of Sendhangite were happy to see their president's firmness in rejecting the Bendahara of Eraman's proposal on an independence referendum for Putrasia during the meeting. The popularity of the president went up to the roof.

It was however a different story in Putrasia. A different clip was widely shared there, a clip of Tun Rendra Usin's speech during the meeting.

"The fate of the Putrasians shall be determined by the Putrasians," said the Bendahara of Eraman in the clip.

The Putrasians agreed with the Bendahara of Eraman. Suddenly, the guy that they hated so much not so long ago for proposing to change the name of the region became their hero in an instant. The call for a referendum in the poorest state in Sendhang grew stronger after that speech by Tun Rendra Usin.

[Baggieland]

SUPERIOR CULTURE AND COUTH CONTEST

Meeting of the Baggielandian Cabinet

Bread and Circuses Minister: "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have received a reply from the ambassador of Gnejs regarding our proposal for an annual sports-fight between our nations, that will determine which country can claim to have superior culture and couth. I have also invited Lei Siulung to this meeting, as it obviously concerns her."

Lei Siulung: "It's an honour to be here, and I feel privileged to be able to observe how my country's government functions efficiently and competently."

Bread and Circuses Minister: "First up, the Gnejsians have agreed to this proposal."

King Alswitch: "Great! The fight's on."

Bread and Circuses Minister: "However, the Gnejsians have insisted on a couple of conditions. The first one is that the contest must be held on neutral territory. They have suggested Electrum, who have offered the contest to be held at The Ice Palace in the city of Prescott."

Foreign Minister: "I don't see a problem with that. It gives us Baggies an excuse to get blind drunk in a foreign country!"

King Alswitch: "A pub crawl in Prescott after the contest – they better have some decent bars."

Bread and Circuses Minister: "Their second stipulation is that the sport should be judo, not kung fu."

Home Secretary: "So those Gnejsians heard that Lei Siulung has a black-belt in kung fu, then they go and change it to judo."

Defence Minister: "IT'S A TRAP!"

Home Secretary: "Lei Siulung, are you good at judo?"

Lei Siulung: "I only have a black-belt in kung fu, but I am familiar with all the drunken arts. Although judo is not one of these arts, I believe that my training, movement and skills can be adapted to judo."

King Alswitch: "Make sure that you beat that Gertrude Molineux woman, she's always causing trouble between Baggieland and Gnejs."

Foreign Minister: "Apparently Ms. Molineux is a farmer now. Be cautious Lei Siulung, those farmers are a tough bunch."

Home Secretary: "How is your training going Lei Siulung?"

Lei Siulung: "Well, I am eating nothing but powdered mica and I have vowed to remain a virgin."

Defence Minister: "By Jove… she's becoming immortal."

King Alswitch: "What does mica taste like?"

Home Secretary: "I don't know, just drown it in tomato sauce like you usually do."

Lei Siulung: "Actually, I have brought every one a dish of mica, it's my own recipe."

*CRUNCH* *CRUNCH* *CRUNCH*

Bread and Circuses Minister: "Uurgh, I don't think this will ever replace lasagna."

King Alswitch: "I quite like it. It has a pleasing tomato flavour to it."

[Astograth]

The Astograthian National Football Team

Wiki article

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

Style: 0
Formation: 4–2–2–2, see below for potential variations
Nickname: Olibondeka (The Olives)
Captain: Marko Martel
Vicecaptain: Domiku Bergara
Free Kick Taker: Baraxil Muhaburu
Penalty Kick Taker: Olentzaro Karazatorre

No - P. - A. - Name                  - Club

      M - 48 -  Piarres Erke
     AM - 39 -  Aberri Buruchaga

Starting XI
13 - GK - 24 - Unax Goyenola          -  1830 Cathair (AUD)
 5 - LB - 31 - Marko Martel (C)       -  Lajuno (EUR)
 6 - CB - 25 - Irakusne Hecharri      -  Sporting Iturributa
 3 - CB - 30 - Alarabi Labeaga        -  Mâ Âlâmëómë (FFD)
 2 - RB - 27 - Oxarra Peira           -  Lajuno (EUR)
22 - DM - 24 - Xuban Sarasketa        -  Kingsgrove (BRE)
17 - DM - 31 - Artizar Bailo          -  KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
 8 - AM - 30 - Baraxil Muhaburu       -  Rülândéá Kôstä (FFD)
18 - CF - 27 - Abarrotz Zumalakarregi -  Sporting Iturributa
 7 - CF - 31 - Olentzaro Karazatorre  -  KT Moreazerua (AUD)
 9 - CF - 27 - Yokin Erdokiain        -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)

Substitutes
 1 - GK - 29 - Echepare Rospide       -  KT Itzalovalle (AUD)
23 - GK - 26 - Olaiz Baskary          -  Athletic Club Olarria
12 - LB - 30 - Hurko Lapisonde        -  Damogran (SRS)
21 - CB - 29 - Teyo Echehun           -  Clayquot City (KSK)
19 - CB - 25 - Hurko Germain          -  Liria Prizren (MYT)
16 - RB - 28 - Ageio Osinde           -  Jaglan Royals (SRS)
15 - DM - 34 - Domiku Bergara (V)     -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
14 - DM - 30 - Potz Gambor            -  Canbix Muses (ZWZ)
11 - LM - 28 - Eskuin Nekol           -  AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
20 - RM - 30 - Zilar Galharretborde   -  Langlois Océanic (KSK)
19 - CF - 25 - Nahia Legarra          -  Atletik Thessia (MYT)
10 - CF - 30 - Tomofumi Ishimoda      -  Gortz United

Manager – Piarres Erke – Age 48

Piarres Erke. As a player, a virtual nobody: a 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, which would set them on a league-winning course in later years. Erke was then hired by Athletic Club Olarria and qualified them their first international competition in three decades. The following few seasons would prove less fruitful, as Olarria slipped down the table, and a 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. The team again placed 4th at Copa Rushmori 39 but failed to qualify for World Cup 90 following a dismal mid-qualifying run of form. Forgettable showings at the Cup of Harmony and Copa Rushmori followed. World Cup 91 was an improvement, dropping out in the qualifying playoffs to Hapilopper, but unless Erke can produce something extraordinary, Cup of Harmony 83 is likely to be his last tournament at the helm.

Erke has swapped out his experiment with 4–3–3 for a return to 4–2–2–2, taking advantage of Astograth’s strengths down the middle of the pitch. If necessary, Erke’s Olibondeka is able to shift back to 4–3–3, or form a 4–4–2 or a 4–2–3–1, but the manager maintains his priority is to make full use of the 4–2–2–2’s ‘magic rectangle’ . Baraxil Muhaburu, the team’s playmaking pivot, is to be played slightly out of position, pushed up and expected to occasionally threaten goal himself. Yokin Erdokiain and Olentzaro Karazatorre, the two strikers, are expected to drop back and help in building up play together with Muhaburu and Abarrotz Zumalakarregi. In defensive midfield, Artizar Bailo is expected to be the main link while Xuban Sarasketa focuses on winning the ball, though the two are expected to fulfil both functions as needed. The formation’s fragility is on the wings, relying on the full-backs on width – or on Muhaburu and Zumalakarregi moving wide, which does not suit them much at all.

Assistant Manager – Aberri Buruchaga – Age 39
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 – Unax Goyenola – Age 24 – 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia) – 7 caps, 3 clean sheets
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. A transfer to new top team Gortz United was quickly followed by an even bigger jump: 1830 Cathair of Audioslavia. Former captain of the Astograthian U-20s, Goyenola is outspoken and confident beyond his years, a commanding presence at the back. Erke viewed him as a solid backup option until his recent explosive growth at Cathair, and after some good showings during qualifying has given him the chance to start ahead of Rospide for the Cup of Harmony.

#5 – LB – Marko Martel (C) – Age 31 – Lajuno (Eura) – 150 caps, 8 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 Urre Remondegi as starter for Olibondeka. Martel as captain is popular with the public and most of the squad, who see him as a tireless, combative, unrelenting figure.

#6 – CB – Irakusne Hecharri – Age 25 – Sporting Iturributa – 57 caps, 1 goal
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 returned to Sporting Iturributa – but the senior, mixed squad, and her ambition is one to keep an eye on.

#3 – CB – Alarabi Labeaga – Age 30 – Mâ Âlâmëómë (Farfadillis) – 106 caps, 4 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 27 – Lajuno (Eura) – 45 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 particularly vital in Erke’s demanding system.

#22 – DM – Xuban Sarasketa – Age 24 – Kingsgrove (Brenecia) – 11 caps
Xuban Sarakseta has spent his career jumping off sinking ships – and seems to have finally landed on solid ground. From several minor teams he arrived at Echegoyan FC’s developmental setup while the senior team struggled to survive in the First Division. He moved to Basabe Old Boys to find playing time, only for Old Boys to be relegated; they gave Sarasketa the option to terminate his contract if he signed abroad, so he slipped away on a free transfer to Brenecian giants Kingsgrove – whose scouting setup deserves credit for spotting a gem. Restless on the pitch, Sarasketa hounds the opposition to the last while out of possession and, when in possession, is quick to spot and play the pass. No matter how young or new to the team he might be, Sarasketa does not shy away from assuming a leadership role on the pitch and driving forward. He favours a quick tempo, which is Erke’s current preference, and he has been promoted to first-choice for the Cup of Harmony, ahead of veteran Domiku Bergara, in order to see what he can do.

#17 – DM – Artizar Bailo – Age 31 – KT Itzalovalle (Audioslavia) – 58 caps, 5 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, with whom he won the Audioslavian National League. 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.

#8 – AM – Baraxil Muhaburu – Age 30 – Rülândéá Kôstä (Farfadillis) – 116 caps, 14 goals
One of the top players of the Shango-Fogoa Premier League, Muhaburu’s excellent vision, passing technique, set-piece specialty and ability to threaten goal make him a vital player for Astograth. His fondness for drink, poor attitude, and off-pitch antics often cause issues and perhaps damper his ability, but he remains incredibly talented. Muhaburu is expected to be Olibondeka’s main playmaker and to be an attacking threat himself, which he isn’t overly used to. Potentially being forced onto the left wing, significantly out of position, is something he dreads and could be the cause of a few tantrums.

#18 – AM – Abarrotz Zumalakarregi – Age 27 – Sporting Iturributa – Uncapped
A bright young talent for Sporting’s youth teams, Zumalakarregi was shipped off to Audioslavia’s KT Koroatuz at just 19 years old, and later found his way to Nephara’s Newrook City. Though his teams always struggled, the experience of playing in two of the world’s top leagues matured Zumalakarregi into a skilled, exciting playmaker. Now back at Sporting, he has rallied the team to an inspired league campaign, earning for himself not just his first call-up but an immediate starting spot, displacing Tomofumi Ishimoda. He may find it difficult to harmonise with Muhaburu, as both are used to having teams revolve around them, but what better competition for them to get to know each other than this.

#7 – CF – Olentzaro Karazatorre – Age 31 – KT Moreazerua (Audioslavia) – 132 caps, 52 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 led Erke to deploy him as an inside forward, a role in which he performed acceptably, but now returns to the centre-forward role to make full use of his goalscoring potential. Karazatorre has already the national team’s 5th all-time top scorer, and can yet climb higher.

#9 – CF – Yokin Erdokiain – Age 27 – AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 42 caps, 16 goals
Erdokiain became known to the Astograthian public as a timid youth product of minnows Urizaharra FC, scoring 21 goals across two First Division seasons – a major contribution to Urizaharra’s shocking two-time survival from relegation. 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. It took long hours on the training ground, loan spells, and finally a surprise transfer to Audioslavian giants AC Izotz Zubia for Erdokiain to regain his confidence and reach his potential. Now an Audioslavian National League champion, Erdokiain has inherited the national team’s mythical no. 9 shirt and all the expectations that come with it. So far he has been making up for lost time, tying Karazatorre for top scorer of the qualifiers with 12 goals each.

Substitutes:
#1 – GK – Echepare Rospide – Age 29 – KT Itzalovalle (Audioslavia) – 50 caps, 14 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. Promoted to the national team’s starting lineup after winning an Audioslavian National League title, Rospide has maintained a strong form with the Olives. He believed his greatest challenge to be over after overcoming former No. 1 Gentza Bedigax – but no one expected Unax Goyenola to himself blitz to the top of the National League. Barring a catastrophe for Goyenola, Rospide will sit on the bench this Cup of Harmony – and wonder if he might’ve just lost the starting spot for good.

#23 – GK – Olaiz Baskary – Age 26 – Athletic Club Olarria – Uncapped
Trained at the academies of Sporting Iturributa and Royal Rumiatzi, Baskary is a pedigreed goalkeeper who spent her early twenties on the bench for the latter club, biding her time in a cloud of frustration. A loan spell at Bakartirla Buccaneers allowed her to display her lightning reflexes and earn a permanent transfer to Athletic Club Olarria. There she has caught the eye of Erke, who has (at least temporarily) dispensed with Royal Ibarbe’s Altzibar Arana to give Baskary a chance of getting to know the national team.

#12 – LB – Hurko Lapisonde – Age 30 – Damogran (Squornshelan Remnant States) – 1 cap
A dutiful left-back, Lapisonde is particularly well-travelled: his entire senior career has taken place at the famous Jaglan Royals of the Squornshelan Remnant States, Capital FC of Sylestone – with whom he won the league – and Stonehouse Athletic of the Licentian Isles, before returning to the former Squornshelous to play for Damogran. The manner of his call-up was unusual but not unwelcome: extremely late in World Cup qualifying, Tipi Izotzubia was caught at the centre of a falsified citizenship scandal and ejected from the team. Lapisonde received an emergency call and was immediately thrust into action in the second leg of the qualifying playoff against Hapilopper. Some fans (and teammates) consider him at fault for the last two goals with which the Haps beat Astograth, but Erke has publicly voiced his support for the new left-back.

#21 – CB – Teyo Echehun – Age 29 – Clayquot City (Kelssek) – 10 caps
Echehun left Astograth an arrogant 20-year-old who thought he was too good to stick around on Echegoyan FC’s bench despite being a centre-back who struggled to clear a corner. Many seasons at Clayquot have imparted some discipline into his training and polished him into an imperfect but smooth player. Tidy in the tackle, Echehun specialises in picking off smartarse dribblers, and his remarkable stamina keeps him sharp late into the match. Decent in the air nowadays. His performances for Clayquot City have seen him named one of the best defenders in Kelssek and earned him his first few call-ups to the national team.

#19 – CB – Hurko Germain – Age 25 – Liria Prizren (Mytanija) – 17 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 28 – Jaglan Royals (Squornshelan Remnant States) – 19 caps, 1 goal
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.

#15 – DM – Domiku Bergara (VC) – Age 34 – AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 112 caps, 6 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 has performed as the team’s main ball–winner in recent years, and may be called again into that role if Xuban Sarasketa wavers. Bergara was 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 ongoing friction has worn that link thin.

#14 – DM – Potz Gambor – Age 30 – Canbix Muses (Zwangzug) – 38 caps, 2 goals
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 become one of the best players in the 1./, and is a versatile alternative who can readily start for Astograth. Erke can deploy him as a 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.

#11 – LM – Eskuin Nekol – Age 28 – AC Izotz Zubia (Audioslavia) – 69 caps, 8 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 30 – Langlois Océanic (Kelssek) – 63 caps, 3 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 shift to playing without wide players, since he has waited for years to take up the mantle of Ihazintu Malkorra down the right wing. He’ll be one to watch when given the chance to play, but his frustration with the national team is extreme.

#19 – CF – Nahia Legarra – Age 25 – Atletik Thessia (Mytanija) – 13 caps, 3 goals
Two-time top scorer of the Mytanar Top League, Legarra more than earned his first call-up to the national team for World Cup 91 qualifying. Having featured from the bench for a few small sides in the First Division, Legarra made a big jump signing for Atletik of Mytanija, reportedly on advice from fellow Astograthian striker and club legend Chiki Larrimbe. On top of being a clinical finisher, Legarra is a smart player with a sharp sense of positioning and understanding of the game. These attributes have led to some detractors labelling him a simple ‘tap-in merchant’ who merely profits off the hard work of his teammates at Atletik – an unfair criticism, though his goals for Olibondeka so far have been just that.

#10 – CF – Tomofumi Ishimoda – Age 30 – Gortz United – 58 caps, 11 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 disregard for authority ruffles some feathers with the old guard of the squad.

Team records
Year founded: 636 (pre–World Cup 55)
All–time record: 669 matches played: 316 wins, 156 draws, 197 losses
All–time goal difference: +261
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.

[Delte]

“He had already understood that he would never leave that room,” read Ena from her handwritten paper, “for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors would be wiped out by the wind and exiled from the memory of men, because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth.”

The dozen or so listeners around the table at the workshop applauded politely and nodded appreciatively. Ena folded her paper and slipped it between the pages of a notebook.

“Well,” said Donny, breaking a contemplative silence, “we liked that, didn’t we?”

“Oh yah,” agreed several members of the Shine Street writer’s workshop. “Real nice, Ena” said one.

“And look who’s back!” said Donny, turning to Morse. “It’s Morse! We haven’t seen you for a while, Morse.”

“Oh, you know,” said Morse, “I’ve been busy, is all.”

“Well, we’re all glad to have you back, fella!”

“Real nice,” said someone.

“Since you’ve been busy and all,” said Donny, “didya get time to write something down for us?”

“Well now,” said Morse, flicking through his notebook, “I’ve got this little thing here, it’s not much, about a case of mistaken identity”.

“Oh,” said Donny, with interest, “like that thing, y’know… that happened last year, up Ashmirren way was it?”

“I know what you mean,” said Morse, “yes I suppose maybe that inspired me, I guess.”

“Well then,” said Donny, “will you read it for us?”

“I suppose I will,” said Morse. “It’s not on Ena's level, you know, but if you’re sure?”

“Now then, come on now,” said Donny, “don’t be shy Morse, we don't judge here; we appreciate all-comers, don't we, writers?”

“Oh yah,” agreed several members of the Shine Street writer’s workshop. “Real nice,” said one.

“Okay then,” said Morse, “here it is, I suppose. It’s called:”

---

BOOM! KIM SAMRODD BLOWS UP THE INTERNET
1/5 Boom!'s Fröndt Mining Compound (Corporate Reception Hall)

---

This story was written prior to player-reporter Kim Samrodd being included halfway up a list of "the world's pre-eminent football journalists" in Electrum; consequently there has been absolutely no attempt to show-off or cash in or even one single mention whatsoever of the fact that Kim Samrodd is one of the most pre-eminent football journalists in the world.

Shamelessly disregarding an official communique that, due to the lateness of the decisions and various in-country political and logistical complications there would be no official ceremony for the Boom! Baptism of Fire Best XI Awards, this writer claims that for the sake of an alternative narrative there was indeed a ceremony, and Deltic player-reporter Kim Samrodd (recently voted one of the world’s pre-eminent football journalists) was at it:

No-one had much heard of Deltic women before the Baptism of Fire, so officials in the room at the Boom! compound in the Fröndt mountains raised an eyebrow or two at the striking Kim Samrodd who took her award for the best right back in the recently-concluded competition. No-one had much heard of the Serdtgy-women either, or the Stresians or Efnakis; everyone was by now aware of Kamisato Ayaka of course and the Fort McKinley girls definitely had a familiar look about them. But this amazonian warrior-woman from the valleys - wow! They must breed them strong and fierce down there, wherever down there is (most everywhere is down from Fröndt). As the local dignitaries announced the award for best right back, there was a rumble in the corporate reception hall followed by a tremor underfoot, and a few lines of dusty asbestos streamed down from the ceiling onto the expensive outfits of the guests in the hall; metaversal film star heart-throb Bart le By looked like he was sporting a fine film of dandruff on his ten-thousand NS dollar evening jacket: nothing to worry about, reassured the host, just another explosive charge in the mountain, all part of the daily operation of Bolognium extraction. Unfazed, a tall athletic Kim Samrodd, lithe arms covered in delicate whole-sleeve tattoos and a stunning visage all glittering smiles and dangerous-looking teeth, strode to the stage. Several men quaked in their boots, many more twitched in their underpants, and the few female guests who had agreed to come to this backwater hell-hole for a silly prize-giving shindig felt a heavy lust or a dangerous pang of jealousy, depending on their orientation. She was, for want of a better word, quite striking. So enchanted with her looks, few in the room noticed her strangely familiar accent as she thanked the judges: “Thànk yôù åll só vërý vërý múçh, thîs méàns ä grêåt dèäl tø më àftër åll thë wørk Î hàvé pût íntö thîs çømpétìtìön,” she said.

Of course, she wasn’t really from Delte. She wasn’t really Kim Samrodd*.

[*one of the world's pre-eminent football journalists.]

[Fort McKinley]

The couples were able to follow along with the group draw for the Cup of Harmony via the smartphone accessibility to the unfiltered internet and were generally happy with the outcome which saw Fort McKinley being returned to play in Mertagne, the nation where the side had played in the Baptism of Fire.

David had come to realize that as things were drawing to a conclusion of the plot that had been first discussed nearly 18 months prior, he needed to make Lee, Kate and Jason really confront the ultimate sacrifice each of them were going to make.

For the Guy Allen siblings, making an escape from the People's Republic would probably subject their entire family to increased scrutiny, loss of certain perks they enjoyed as part of Comrade Dr Allen's extended family and even ostracism from the Party and the 'high society' of Mackie life.

For Leslie Peter Gray and Jason John Davis there was far more at stake in terms of what could happen to each of their immediate family members--loss of jobs and livelihoods, eviction, or even imprisonment; even short of the most extreme measure, to be a 'non-person' in Fort McKinley was a virtual death sentence.

He took a serious tone when laying out this reality for them in the late night hours on the second night--they would never be able to return home for any reason unless there was a massive change in the way the nation was governed.

Lee was adamant in her decision that she was going to follow Dave whatever the risks; his sister had never been a believer in the 'Great Vision' of their great-grandfather's philosophy and although she loved her parents and the rest of her sisters & brothers, she was certain that any life led outside of Fort McKinley would be better than one lived in it.
She made an emotional vow of her undying love for Jason but telling him he was free to act on his own conscience if he had any doubts; his family was by far the least politically or socially prominent and the repercussions might be come down harder on them, but he did not waver in his commitment to the plan, and so the final stage was set.

The next hurdle was getting all four of them in Mertagne by at least the last couple of matches.

[Ochre Islands]

Page 64

VULTURES!
OIFA RUBBISHES SUGGESTION VALENS IS IN TROUBLE

In a shocking move, OIFA released a statement yesterday rubbishing any rumours that Richard Valens, manager of the Ochre Islands for only 12 games, is in trouble already. As there had really been no suggestion from anywhere except one or two very disgruntled fans on social media, for OIFA to release a statement does suggest that they are getting jittery at HQ. The main drivers seem to be statements around '4/12' and '8/12', referring to the number of games won by Valens and Dontell in their first twelve games respectively.

Whilst, yes, Dontell did win more games, these were largely against opponents more evenly matched with ourselves, the Anaian split seeming to knock the ability of more established teams down to our level in the first CAFA Cup (have we mentioned we won the second?) Then the Baptism of Fire for World Cup 89 was filled with new entrants to international football as well. Dontell did manage to get the Ochres out of this group, but lost 2 – 1 to Saint Eleanor, who have just qualified for World Cup 91, beating Juvencus 4 – 3 over two legs in the playoffs.

It should be pointed out that whilst, yes, Valens has lost half of all the games he's managed the Ochres in so far, the squad he had to chose from wasn't his own, playing in a new tactic that frankly doesn't fit a couple of the players styles at all. However, if footballers are good enough to be selected to play for the national team, they should be the ones seeking to fit the manager's style rather than the manager having to jumble together potentially 11 club squads different ways of playing into one coherent tactic.

Valens has though stuck with the squad selected by Dontell, a source telling us that he 'felt it had gelled at least'. Whilst they might be playing in an unfamiliar way, at least being around the same team-mates and hearing the same calls should help the players. Ochre football fans are willing enough to let the squad settle in and are excited to see what comes next in their footballing saga.

[TJUN-ia]

By Peter Davis

After Zwangzug did what they had to do and crushed our WC dreams, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia were forced to regroup once more and head to Tumbra for a date with our familiar haunt - the Cup of Harmony. Sure, many would prefer a 2nd World Cup appearance and many felt that returning to this level was not the right move for TJUN-ian football as a whole, but we are here all the same and many will be hoping that a good time here in Tumbra could make up for another missed opportunity at the big time. David Seems and Li Xiu Ying will be hoping for a good tournament as well, with a tough group of 7 where the Top 4 advance into a seeded 32-team knockout round and the pink armbands still in play...but who will we have to face on the road to the knockouts?

MD1
We start things off at Bencoolen City Stadium with the lowest-ranked team in this group - Eriks Liepinš's Kuraita, ranked 142nd. They ended up 7th in Group 8 with 25 points, which is certainly respectable for a team debuting from the Baptism of Fire. Similar to us in play style, but use the 3-4-1-2 formation.

MD2
This is our Bye, so nothing else much to say here. We're ranked 34th and a Pot 2 team, but this group is certainly tough...as you will soon see

MD3
Back to Bencoolen after the break for a match against one of our fellow Aussie Rules enjoyers - the Throstles of Baggieland. They ended up in 5th in Group 15 with 33 points, only 11 off the Top 3 - which isn't too bad for a team ranked 106th. Fred Buckingham runs a similar style to us as well, but in a 4-5-1 formation.

MD4
Ah HUElavia...we always seem to meet, don't we? HUElavia, ranked 48th, were in Group 11 with our friends in Kimi-Suomi - they ended up 4th on 36 points, 5 ahead of the Finns and 1 behind the Top 3. Cristiano Aveiro Lima is certainly one we are familiar with, playing a similar attacking style and playing in a 4-2-1-2-1 formation, and we will certainly be looking forward to this contest at Columbus Field in Columbia.

MD5
A double-header at Fletcher Park in Kingsbury will start against one of the rising stars of U3 sports at the moment - the #76 Snakes from Soldera. 5th in Group 7 on 34 points, Larry Carricker's Snakes play the exact same style but in our first-ever formation of a 4-2-2 - so maybe this will feel like a bit of nostalgia here near Charles Harrison Country, the media mogul with so many tentacles across Tumbran society. No, I will not change this if he gets mad...I'm TJUN-ian, and my government will defend my right to free speech.

MD6
The 2nd part of the double-header will be against another team we certainly have a little bit of history against - Olibondeka, 66th-ranked Astograth. The team in Olive Green actually did reach the Top 3 in Group 13 with 35 points, beating out Chartistan by a point after the musical side gave Unplesant their only point, but they would suffer heartbreak in the Playoffs after Hapilopper came back from 2-1 down to win 5-4 on aggregate. Piarres Erke will hope to rebound here, with a 4-3-3 formation and a neutral style.

MD7
Back to Columbus Field for the final game, and this one will be the toughest of them all up against the team who gave us our first playoff heartbreak - the #24 Anomalies of Chromatika. Another team from Kimi-Suomi's group, ended up 7 points off Pemecutan on 41 points but were eliminated in the most dramatic way possible - 3-3 AET against Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, who then won the road shootout 5-4. Now, Lisa Amos will hope to bounce back from that heartbreak in style by playing their way - 4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1 with a highly-attacking play style. Truly a tough test and a fitting way to end the group stage.

This group has been described by many as Hell...and they certainly have a point. This group won't be easy at all, but we know we have what it takes to try and do something here...all we need to do is show it to everyone else. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Group C, all games in Tumbra)
MD1: vs Kuraita (124) - Bencoolen City Stadium, Bencoolen, Bencoolen
MD2: BYE
MD3: vs Baggieland (106) - Bencoolen City Stadium, Bencoolen, Bencoolen
MD4: vs HUElavia (48) - Columbus Field, Columbia, Alexandria
MD5: vs Soldera (76) - Fletcher Park, Kingsbury, Georgia
MD6: vs Astograth (66) - Fletcher Park, Kingsbury, Georgia
MD7: vs Chromatika (24) - Columbus Field, Columbia, Alexandria

[Tikariot]

Having qualified for the past three World Cups, including one Ro16 appearance, Tikariot had established itself as one of the multiverse's top footballing nations, even though the latest edition of World Cup 89, hosted in Tikariot and South Newlandia to boot, had been a major disappointment with only one point and the Copa Rushmori was another desastrous performance. After a lot of discussions about the future direction of the team and with it the future of coach Stuart Ekstrom, the TFF had decided to put things behind them and look ahead instead with an unchanged management side of things moving into the qualifying campaign for WC90 and unfortunately Tikariot fell short by one point, missing out on the playoffs. Now, with former assistant coach Brian McAllister returning from a very successful tenure in Sargossa, where he won two Copa Rushmori, Tikariot's football faithful are looking towards a turnaround of their fortunes, which took a first step by surviving the group stages of the Cup of Harmony 82 and then carried them into the Round of 16 of the Copa Rushmori XL. After the qualifying campaign for World Cup 91 and its motto "Retribution's Dawn" ended prematurely in extra time of the playoff games against Savigliane (so almost at the last possible moment), the operation will carry over into the Cup of Harmony in the hopes to find a happy ending to the cycle.


The same the fans of the senior team, the fans of the Owlets also deserve particular mentioning. Not only are they renowned for their chants, but they are also bringing the Thunder Clap (Click here for example) to the stadium, something that the players join in as a pre-game ritual that has left an impression on the opponents and opposing fans more than once (OOC: similar to the Haka of the New Zealand All Blacks). The players will form a triangle near the kick off circle and lift their arms, which the fans do as well. Then a lone drum will start to signal the rhythm and both players and fans alike will move in unison, each clap accompanied with a loud cry, the claps (and cries) speeding up, creating an overwhelming sense of impending doom.


Brian McAllister - 48
After having been assistant to now former coach Stuart Ekstrom, Brian McAllister made the move to Sargossa and enjoyed a lot more success than his former mentor, having two Copa Rushmori victories under his belt, so with the expiration of his contract in Sargossa and Ekstrom's dismissal after the disappointing string of results aligning, the timing was perfect for McAllister to return to his native country in the driver's seat. He had been a proponent of the same flexible 4-3-3 setup that Ekstrom had almost perfected to a point and that has not changed during his Sargossan employment, which should make the transition for McAllister easier.The 4-3-3 is still the established system, but flexibility and fluidity play an important role, allowing for the full backs to push forward or the wingers to fall back to create a numeric advantage and either quell opponents' advances or overwhelm them in the play forward. Tactically well educated players are very important in his system as he allows his players a certain degree of freedom on the pitch as well, such as the wingers switching sides or the full backs overlapping the wingers in order to remain unpredictable for opponents and create holes other players can dive into and pull apart the opposing defense.

Home Jersey:


Away Jersey:

+4

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes-ish (TG me and I can give you the names for scorers, assists and more, but we'll figure this out one way or another)
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (just please be reasonable)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (again please be reasonable)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (same deal)
Godmod other events: Likely not? (Please TG in this case)

[Cassadaigua]

When Brittany Claussen joined the military out of high school, she never expected to be in the situation she was in right now. Cassadaigua had never been in any form of conflict for decades, and being a solider was pretty much just domestic peacekeeping missions. It was a great way to get money for college, or to put on one’s resume for a future job opportunity. She grew up on the east side of North Granby, and didn’t have that money for further education. A couple of years in the army, and she would be out, and able to get that money. It was an easy decision, she liked helping people and never expected to be in actual combat. She went through all the training and became a member of the 34th regiment based in North Granby, and all was going according to plan.

Then came that day, when the 34th Regiment was announced by the Queen as being one of the ones to head north as Cassadaigua marched into relatively unknown territory. Claussen had made a lot of friends by this point, and mostly all of them had the same background. They never thought they were going to seriously be firing their guns, though they learned how to expertly fire a shot. She had no choice, she had to go. She understood it, and was not going to let her country down, but was scared of what she would face. Tearfully, she said goodbye to her parents, and her younger siblings. Her friends did the same before they were all passionately saluted as the brigade headed north of the border.

The mission did not seem complicated, and she knew there was strength in numbers. Fifty miles in, the first gunshots were fired by rebels at her armed vehicle, who now had word of what the Cassadagan army was doing. The shots didn’t cause much damage, and the vehicle carried on. There was no need to return fire at this point, the threat was not that great. Her commanding officer, Julianne Schmitt, had told her soldiers to only fire back when direct, and that the Queen was sincere in her directions that any casualties north of the border be limited. This was scary for Claussen, but her training prepared her for this. Her troop handled it well.

After a few days, her regiment split up into additional parts, each heading towards different villages to prepare locals to either become Cassadagan citizens, or to hop on one of the buses, whenever they got there, to be moved westward. Going to the first house, a home in poor condition, was not easy.

“Sir, I am with the Cassadagan army and we are now occupying this village, are you prepared to become a Cassadagan citizen?” Claussen asked the man who opened the door, not even knowing if he would understand English. There was no scripted statement that she had to follow, just to be firm in her direction. For her sake, she thought she delivered it well.

“Fuck you!” the man exclaimed, slamming the door in her face. Now, it was going to be difficult, as she pounded on the door again. The man did not answer. The door itself was cheaply made, and Claussen knew what she needed to do next. She hated doing it, but wasn’t going to let her country down, breaking down the door, and drawing her gun.

“Sir, you need to take this seriously. Either you commit to becoming a citizen, or it’s on the bus.”

His wife walked over, “Mam, we can’t just lose everything we have here. It might not seem like much to you, but to us, it is everything. We cannot just leave it all behind.”

“Then it’s easy, you become Cassadagan citizens. We’re not asking you to leave and in fact, things will be much better for you as a Cassadagan. Don’t be afraid of what it can become for you. We have a great economy, and we are going to make this land great. New roads, new everything. You can keep everything you have, under the law and order of the Queen, and you don’t have to worry about the complete anarchy that this land is right now. Once again, do not be afraid. We come in peace.” Emotionally, Claussen was torn, but she delivered that statement like a trained professional that has been doing it for years, and not a girl who recently graduated from high school.

“What do we have to do to be Cassadagans?” she asked.

“Honestly, nothing. All citizens who peacefully submit will automatically be granted citizenship. It’s easy.” Claussen replied.

“I think we will do that. I can’t leave everything behind.” the wife stated. The husband did not seem thrilled with the answer, but did not protest.

For Claussen, it seemed simple enough. Before realizing it was just one house down, and many more to go.


Cup of Harmony Drawn and other sports notes,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

Team Cassadaigua is heading to the 83rd Cup of Harmony instead of the World Cup, and with that brings a lot of disappointment. It is difficult to qualify for the World Cup now, and I touched on that a while ago when there World Cup Committee recently passed an amendment to allow more than 32 teams within a Cup. We don’t know if and when we’ll ever see that expansion, but the simple fact that the door is open now for the possibility (48 is a commonly talked about number) shows that people realize how competitive it is. This isn’t a soccer tournament in some other alternative universe where there are probably only 40 or so countries with worthwhile soccer programs, and we are seeing that now. That is not supposed to make you feel better that we are in the Cup of Harmony, but look at some of the other nations joining us: Audioslavia. Starblaydia. Eura. There are a lot of World Cups won between them, and with us. Chromatika is also in it, as well as other respected nations. The Cup of Harmony therefore will not be a cakewalk for us, or for any of them.

Brittany Byers has opted to bring back the entire team from qualifying, and we believe right now that many of the roles will be the same. Morgan Rosenblatt dubbed the tournament our “revenge tour”, and there seems to be no let downs amongst the team for not qualifying. Instead, they want redemption, and a successful Cup of Harmony can do that. They don’t have to win it, but they have to do well. If they fail to, I expect to see significant roster changes for the next qualifying session. Jenna Frontiera will be on the hot seat, as this was the second consecutive qualifying period where she underperformed. It didn’t matter in the end last time, but now the pressure will be. It’s not fair, at all, to blame it entirely on her, but when you are the one expected to be the go-to scorer on the team, if you are not doing that, it will be noticed. Personally, I feel the goalkeeping situation is the bigger issue. Cassadaigua simply has not had a solid #1 goalkeeper since Danielle Cotter. It was supposed to be Katie Schnapper, then Cynthia Kerr, then they were platooned. Then, it was waiting for Stacie Thornton to develop, and she doesn’t. The Fillies allowed too many goals during qualifying, and to teams that they should have solidly beaten. That was not Jenna Frontiera’s fault.

The structure of the Cup of Harmony is eight groups of seven, with a generous top four advancing per group. So, you would think that Cassadaigua can make it that far. Then, it will be all about the knockouts. Sarzonia will be seen again, as they failed in the playoff (as did Electrum), and we’ll see Valentine Z on the pitch for the first time. You’re used to see them on the race track. Sendhang, Brookstation, Saterun, and United Adaikes are the other opposition within the Group, which is Group B.

Fans of Cassadagan sports may have been watching the recent NSSCRA race from Abanhfleft, which was the cutoff for the Championship Four. While Cassadaigua no longer participates in that, there were two Cassadagans now with other teams that had a chance to make that Championship Four. One seemed probable, as Stacie Houston, driving for Saint Kanye, was in a great position in the points. The other, Jenna Logan, driving for Tropicorp was essentially eliminated before the race. The only way that Logan would be able to make the final four would be to win the race, and her form heading into Abanhfleft suggested that a victory was unlikely. Well, surprise, surprise, out of no where Logan came through with the victory and Houston did enough, meaning that even though Cassadaigua, as a nation, is no longer in NSSCRA, Cassadagans end up making up half of the Championship Four field. After the race, Logan told the Concord Heights Times, “I’m not here if not for Team Tropicorp but Team Cassadaigua gave me the chance to be noticed by them, and for that I am grateful. I am glad that people back home are still watching and it’s pretty cool and says a lot that both Stacie and I are going to the Championship Four. I wish this could be a sign for the Queen to allow more Cassadagans to play in international sports, but I know a lot is going on right now at home. Once again, though, I have to thank everyone with Team Tropicorp. They didn’t have to give me this chance.”

[Kimi-Suomi]

Harmony-kupin aika! After another WC Cycle filled with great moments and 31 points, Kimi-Suomi finds itself on route to Mertagne for our 2nd CoH in the trot and a tournament we expect to...at least be competitive in? Ranked #79 (seitsemänkymmentäyhdeksän) in the world after 6th in our group, Huuhkajat looks to try and prove that their status as a Top 100 team is certainly accurate and not a falsehood. Esko Laaksonen was certainly confident this team can do something this time around...but who will we face this time?

MD1/OP1
Il Tendone in Papillio, Hardcastle will host our first game, which will be against Poafmersinen [Poafmersia] - the #30 PerunanViljelijät [PotatoFarmers] themselves. The Red Panjias ended up 4th in Group 1, only behind Delaclava by a single point. Adnan Suliaha is in charge of a famous attacking 4-3-3.

MD2/OP2
This is our bye week. Nothing else to say.

MD3/OP3
Back to Il Tendone for a game against an established nation of the world, ranked at #63 - Gli Attaccanti, Juvencus. La Squadra did make it to the playoffs, beating Starblaydia on GD alone, only for Saint Eleanor to knock them out 4-3 on aggregate. Dudu Madeiros' 3-4-3 Ultra-Attacking Diamond is infamous and we have to try and repel the obvious attacks to come after the bye.

MD4/OP4
Oh no. It's them again. Sininen Rannikko, Cabo Azure, Las Maçaricas, Ranked 52nd. They were in our group and finished 6 points ahead in 3rd, but were beaten 5-2 on aggregate by Vilita. Paulinho, attacking, you get it...but can we actually beat them here at the Cop Limy Stadium in Neorudo, Dannmarsh?

MD5/OP5
Remember Starblaydinen [Starblaydia]? The team Juvencus beat to the Playoffs by GD? Well...they're here too and we will play them at Origas Arena in Kurtz, Touchpoint. Tlanx-Nulzk Hal commands a fallen giant, who employs a 4-3-3 and a more attacking play style. This team is dangerous, watch out.

MD6/OP6
We stay at Origas to take on Gnejs, the lowest-ranked team but a team with a plan. They finished down in 7th in Group 1, are known as The Dandelions, coached by Bjørnstjerne Eriksen, and play in a 5-4-1 which is ultra-defensive. They may be below us, but they have a plan and that can be dangerous.

MD7/OP7
Finally, we will end with McKinleyn Linnoitus - Fort McKinley, a debutant from the Baptism of Fire that ended up in a respectable 6th in Group 10. Chris Joseph Gray leads this team of comrades, a 4-3-3 side that is slightly defensive. A new team but also a team with potential.

These opponents are certainly very interesting, all with different styles and how they like to operate. Katsotaan mihin kohtalo meidät kaikki laittaa. NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

[Chartistan]

CHARTISTANI NATIONAL TEAM
Squad for the 83rd 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. After almost making the playoffs in World Cup 92 qualifying, he eyes up another magic run in the Cup of Harmony.

Hot 11

Formation - 4-3-3 Wingers + AM

#1 (Goalkeeper) - Saul Souza - Eh, he found the net.
#2 (Leftback) - Callie Deadbrush - Waiting all day for a Chartistan cap.
#3 (Centerback) - Cash Smith - Only on the team for a single saturday night.
#4 (Centerback) - Dollarsigns Ago - Air's clean between the pitch, I guess.
#5 (Rightback) - Thames Reland - Look what God made.
#6 (Center Midfielder) - Tatertot Crazy - Can't you see he broke her first!?
#7 (Center Midfielder) - Little Exnash - Chartistani legend, Billboard resident and that guy who came in calling your name.
#8 (Attacking Midfielder) - Elieen Beyblade - One hell of a bug that has to survive.
#9 (Left Winger) -  Plasticium Amphibia - That one guy who listened to psychedelic trap in high school.
#10 (Right Winger) - John Harry - What's poppin.
#11 (Main Striker and Captain) - Holly Smier - Not everything's the same for watermelon sugar.

Bubbling Under Hot 11

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

#12 (Goalkeeper) - Tofu Ball
#13 (Centerback) - Sean "Backroad" Holly
#14 (Centerback) - Mike Fourquarter
#15 (Center Midfielder) - Young Brandonson
#16 (Shadow Striker) - Lillian Kurate
#17 (Shadow Striker) - Apple Allison
#18 (Main Striker) - Perfute

Absolute Juveniles of Reserves

Let's go out with a bang...

#19 (Leftback) - Gabby "Alphafu" Yves
#20 (Centerback) - Olisa Rodgers
#21 (Center Midfielder) - Kimmi Yamjune
#22 (Main Striker) - Loreen Smith-Shuster
#23 (Goalkeeper) - Alice Wonderworld

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) - Wank Hesky
#25 (Defensive Midfielder) - Slimy Weebs Gone

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

[Milchama]

Alexandria Times-Tribune-Sun-Moon-Sky-Picayune-Courier-Post-Pre-Forward-Current-Reader

Sports Section

Group of Death (The 4th one)

After our terribad qualifying campaign where we were the only 1st, 2nd, or 3rd seed in the whole of qualifying to not be in contention for the playoffs on the last 2 matchdays we, of course, made the Cup of Harmony. Unfortunately, we made it into the Group of Death in the Cup of Harmony. Though many commentators have said that every group in the CoH is a Group of Death we're just going to call it now and say that our group is the worst. This of course means that Milchama will somehow finish in the group and not advance. Luckily, with the 48 team World Cup coming for World Cup 92, the Warriors will be able to agonizingly miss the tournament but have a better chance of advancing in the CoH. This is a lost cycle and we're excited for the next one.

Also we should probably tell you something about all the teams we're against so we're going to do that now:

Pluvia and the Saxean Isles (82)- Our AO rivals! I still think it's unfair that get both Pluvia AND the Saxean Isles. I think they should pick one. It's like Trinidad and Tobago, just unfair to have so many islands together. Regardless, we are better than them here even if they will beat us at AOCAF so expect 3 points.

Eura (21) - Our cricket rivals. At least I think we played in cricket or at least we talked about playing them in cricket. In any event we will play them in cricket. Maybe even at this tournament, let's see if we can organize a cricket match instead of the football because we might be able to beat in cricket we'll lose at the football.

Milchama (50) - That's us! We're the third seed this time. We won the Cup of Harmony of the 50th World Cup cycle does that count for something since we're ranked 50? No? Well then we're screwed.

Garifunya (93)- They did mediocre in qualifying. They are ranked lower than us. I can't find anything interesting to say about them in the 5 minutes I spent Googling. So let's say we get 3 points and move on.

Ranoria (71) - They usually play gridiron, I have no idea how they are in this football tournament but good for them I guess. They're also ranked 71 so they probably played in more tournaments. In any event, I do think we're better than a bunch of gridiron players. Remember you can't use your hands in this version of football, so like, don't do that. We should win.

Electrum (32) - The Turnip is one of the best papers in the world. It's unfortunate that it's saddled to a mediocre nation with a mediocre football team. In any event we should still lose to them because are more mediocre.

Tjorl (125) - Good vikings, hopefully we'll have a lot to talk about with all the fighting and stuff. I mean it's not like we're Non-violent Milchama, what a weird nation. Stupid Anian puppets. Either way Tjorl is probably not good enough for this group so another three points.

What does this all mean? Apparently, and this is something I learned midway through writing this preview post, 4 teams advance from this group so the Warriors should lose in Octos! Or maybe even Double octos! Progress! Woo!!!!! Either way we should advance which is what matters.

---------------------------------------
And now our league system:

At some point during the Isolation, Milchama's league got very screwy instead of being one united league there became, instead, many small regional leagues and the biggest team from each league sometimes forms a premier league but sometimes does not. It's also incredibly unclear what club Milchamian players play for as the regional structure of the league means that sometimes players will play for two or even three clubs if the timing works and the living is right. This, of course, creates a giant mess so we don't really cover much beyond the Ligat Rishon and only the true sickos know enough about all the clubs. Those sickos, of course, do not work for this paper but work for the Football Digest-Illustrated-Journal-Spin-Gyro-News-Report-L'Equipe-Sports-Programming-Newspaper.

So you can look there for all the Milchamian league coverage, get ready for that! I promise it'll be a doozy tomorrow! Woo!!!! Let's Go Milchama!

[Chartistan]

THE BILLBOARD GAZETTE

MAYBE SHE HAD A CHANCE

Alice Wonderworld called up for Chartistan squad as her Interdimensional Restraining Order expires

In what is perhaps the most shocking call up for any player on the Chartistan roster, unproven, untapped and haywire interdimensional tourist Alice Wonderworld has earned a call from Doctor Lucas Combbrush to represent the country in Cup of Harmony 83, with Chartistan's group games being held in Tumbra as they were placed in Group A with, among other teams, Audioslavia. This comes after her Interdimensional Restraining Order, issued by both The Holy Empire and Chartistan after her shenanigans led to temporary time warps for some citizens of the latter nation, has expired, allowing her to travel across dimensions again and fly over to Tumbra for the tournament, and after Tofu Ball, the usual #23, was announced as Chartistan's 2nd choice keeper, on the Bubbling Under Hot 11.

"I know this is going to be very controversial, but I think she deserves a second chance and actual time training with the national team before and during the tournament," said Doctor Lucas Combbrush, manager of Chartistan. "I'll make sure she doesn't go all happy go lucky on the dimension warps once we are actually in Tumbra for the Cup of Harmony, and even afterwards her travels will have to be limited. I don't want to risk any of those shenanigans again, I'll have you know." Upon being asked about her potential prospects of earning a cap for Chartistan, Doctor Lucas was naturally unoptimistic. "This is a 3rd choice goalkeeper, I've never had a 3rd choice get a cap since Cheesus during that Baptism of Fire we were in. Although this Cup of Harmony group stage is six games, I'm sure Tofu will get a cap before Alice ever will."

Meanwhile, Alice herself was ecstatic to find out she was heading onto the plane with the rest of the 25 person team, the usual 23 plus 2 alternates. We tried to reach out to her, but it appears she's busy getting over the moon about the announcement and/or actually training as a goalkeeper for the tournament. Chartistan legend Little Exnash, however, chimed in on her behalf. "Alice absolutely DESERVES to be on that Chartistan squad because hey, we kiiinda need keepers in order to actually go to a tournament. Talk about the dimension stuff all you want but players need their time in the light in order to advance. Wonderworld on this national team will help her, and us, get going before the games begin."

Truth be told, Chartistan does have the first matchday off for the Cup of Harmony, but they'll start their campaign with an absolute cracker - Audioslavia, the best team not to qualify for the World Cup in Farfadillis and Græntfjall, will be the team's first opponents. Ranked 8th in the WCC rankings but disastrously finishing 4th in their group behind Drawkland, Squidroidia and Zeta Reka, the Anaian giants will have to hope to get something out of what quickly feels like nothing, and are expected to top their group. Chartistan's other opponents in the group are Yuezhou, Delte, Aleirave, the Cordian Isles and Indusse, all decently sized competition. The expectation for Chartistan: Make a run.

Cup of Harmony 82 was a tournament to forget for Chartistan. Fresh off the back of an incredible run to the Semi-Finals in 81, they proceeded to bomb out of their group with not even a point to their name, losing to Flavovespia, Soldera and in the rematch of the 81 Semi-Finals against Savojarna. The only way to go for Chartistan was, of course, up. But in a tournament like this, anything and everything can happen.

Whilst Chartistan will spend the first matchday warming up, the Billboard Gazette presents you with a Chartistan joke.

Exnash, Crazy and Latte walk into a bar in Marray. Exnash has 50 Tumbran Dollars to his name and decides to order a drink.
"Champagne and drinking with my friends, please," he calls out to the bartender.
The bartender gives out 3 glasses of champagne, 1 for each of the 3 players. The price? 51 Dollars.
"Aw shoot, I don't have enough!" Exnash cries out before Tatertot srunges out an extra 2 Dollars.
"What would you think would happen?" She says to Exnash. "You had one coming over and not one for right now."

[Eura]

The Euran Football Association presents

EURA
83rd Cup of Harmony Squad

STAFF

Manager: Skorji Oslograd (62, Eura)

As unlikely as it might have seemed not so long ago, Skorji Oslograd was appointed as the eighth permanent manager of the Euran national team in the modern era. The former Bastion, Hornchurch (season loan), FC Axel Heiburg and Revolutionaries centre forward is an icon of Euran football, starring in Eura’s World Cup 66 winning side at the height of an international career that saw him make 168 appearances for Eura, scoring 103 goals. Oslograd then went into coaching and management, where he had a low-key career until taking over as manager of The Askari Union. He improved them significantly and got them playing perhaps their best ever football at the Copa Rushmori, before moving to take over the national team job for the newly formed Euran Oceania Territories, who had only recently started competing in WCC competition.

Although Oslograd was unsuccessful in achieving the dream of getting the Expats into the World Cup, even with a surprisingly talented generation of players (but little squad depth), he can claim to have transformed the Euran dominion’s fortunes for the better and claimed some memorable shock victories with the side. It nearly all came apart during World Cup 85 qualifying when the Expats went on a horrific run of form and Oslograd, plagued also by off the pitch controversies, came close to getting the sack. He was saved by a remarkable return to form during World Cup 86 qualifying and recently has had the Expats securing the best results of their history, raising his profile on the international radar once more.

The blow dealt to Euran footballing pride by failing to qualify for World Cup 87 was severe and created something of an inquisition in the national game as to the causes. As part of this the EFA needed a replacement for Lee Sharp following his resignation. Although the FA approached several top tier candidates, it was felt that a truly radical departure from the normal practices of the EFA and its teams was required, leading to this shock wildcard appointment. Oslograd’s appointment proved hugely controversial, although his tenure has seen him usually behave better than in the past.

A decent start in some friendlies and at the Cup of Harmony was somewhat soured by defeat in the final to Mriin, a recurring nightmare of a defeat to Darmen long ago that followed Eura steamrolling all prior opposition in the tournament. Nevertheless, Eura's mostly faultless performance - and a tournament unusually free of antics for an initially sober minded Oslograd - relieved pressure on the new coach. Unfortunately, a promising start to a home Copa Rushmori that followed was brought to a saddening end by penalty heartbreak in the quarterfinal; Eura recovered to gain good form in World Cup 88 qualifying, but stuttered toward the end, then crashed out in the group stages (though at least this time they qualified) and flattered to deceive at the most recent Copa.

Oslograd continues to revamp the squad and attempt the much more difficult task of overcoming the hang ups of the past. In recent tournaments the team has adopted a combative, cynical and defensive (but with ruthless counterattacking) 5-3-2, sometimes switching to a more ambitious 3-5-2. But results have been mixed to say the least; Eura marginally improved at World Cup 89 but suffered another gloomy group stage exit, another dampener on the era of optimism Oslograd promises will eventually dawn, before a more spirited run in the Copa Rushmori ended in the semi-finals, followed by another group stage exit (albeit in a tough group) at World Cup 90 and a further Copa Rushmori semi-final run.

There is a consensus growing that Oslograd has arguably been working with the weakest Euran squad in a generation, making these results seem quite creditable. However, if he wants to build a successful legacy with the national team, he will need to build upon them rather than settling for mediocrity in years to come. From day one Oslograd has been under immense pressure to prove the doubters wrong, but then again, he’s done it in the past and his tenure has generally seen an improvement in results.

Assistant Manager: Rhea Fianchetto (47, The Askari Union)

Oslograd’s wife and long-term assistant manager from his days in charge of The Askari Union, Fianchetto is little known the public eye but has become a respected coach in her own right among those in the know. Many speculate that she may provide sense to the chaos of what has been dubbed “Skorjiball”; when Oslograd has been in a pit, Fianchetto has been there to bail him out, time and time again.

STYLE AND PERMISSIONS

Style Modifier: 0

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

Choose my goalscorers – YES
Godmod scoring events – YES
RP injuries to my players – YES
Godmod injuries to my players – YES (But only how the injury happens, not the extent of the injury)
Hand out yellow cards to my players – YES
Hand out red cards to my players – YES
Godmod other events – YES, provided you keep events within the realms of realism, so no deaths etc.

SUMMARY OF SQUAD CHANGES

Retired from international duty:
Tommy Sutton - ST - 31 - 50 caps - 18 goals - Hellinic Rouge (Pasarga)
Dropped:
Clarence Webb – GK – 28 – 6 caps – Energija Chernovets (Siovanija & Teusland)
Harry Wheeler – RB – 29 – 41 caps – 2 goals – Oakstone
Called up:
Mick Key – GK – 27 – 0 caps – Serrapince FC (Tumbra)
George Stewart – CM – 27 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Raynor City United (Valanora)
Travis Vivier – LW/ST – 24 – 1 cap – 0 goals – Holdenberg

After a relatively successful Copa Rushmori 40 campaign marred only by a typical Euran bottle job in the semi-finals against Pridnestrovia, Oslograd has made few changes to his squad for the quickly following-on World Cup qualifiers, among the fewest changes he has made between tournaments. This indicates he is more settled on his preferred team after earlier experimentation with masses of players and different tactics, having gained some improvements in performance with a historically mediocre squad by playing a more cynical, defensive game than his predecessors.

Tommy Sutton’s retirement from the international game after a brief renaissance creates space for Travis Vivier to join the squad, the 24-year-old having gained his first cap in a 2-3 friendly defeat to Graintfjall in the build-up to World Cup 90. Clarence Webb is dropped in favour of Mick Key, the first Tumbra-based player to receive a callup to the Euran national team, picked based on impressive club form as Eura continue to experiment with keepers who are not Kevin Belgrave. Harry Wheeler is dropped after becoming a marginal player in recent times and curiously replaced in his defensive slot by Travis Coffey, who will fill the backup role to Ana Mason as well as a spare midfield option.

This creates a gap in the midfield contingent for George Stewart, Raynor City United’s new signing who has been long overdue an opportunity in the squad. The current deficiencies in the Euran national team pool do not mean there is no-one waiting in the wings – in particular, experienced left backs Alex Ingram and Stanley Burns are knocking on the door behind Lucy Almwood and Eve Reeve, and Rita Brookfield is pushing for a return to the squad up front. There is also rich competition at centre back where even a quality player like Jamie Byrd was not spared demotion after poor club performances and intense competition from the likes of Alex Coles and Quentin Phillips.

SQUAD
Shirt number – name (F if female) – position – age – international caps – international goals – club

Goalkeepers

1 - Elliot Palmer – GK – 29 – 22 caps – Mountainside
A naturally talented shotstopper who has stuck with Mountainside in Gold League’s mid-table for four years now, despite being good enough to play at a bigger club. Initially struggled for consistency in the Euran set up and had some shock horror performances, but improved at the Copa Rushmori, and was not blamed for the defensive horror show of the Pridnestrovia semi-final. Currently first choice but under pressure from below.
13 – Tom Hammond - GK - 23 - 1 cap - Directus
The obvious challenger to Palmer is another in a long line of Directus goalkeepers. Hammond was Kevin Belgrave’s protégé and recently took up the number 1 for his club. Much like Belgrave, he is a physically imposing keeper at 6ft 6in, but by no means sluggish or reliant on height alone. A much more verbally assertive personality than the taciturn Belgrave, he will not hold back in ordering his defence around.
30 – Mick Key – GK – 27 – 0 caps – Serrapince FC (Tumbra)
Since moving to Taeshan early in his career Mick Key has flown under the radar on the international front. He only recently earned a real chance at contention through solid club form for Tumbran title contenders Serrapince FC and has successfully displaced Clarence Webb from the squad. Apart from Vance Simm at Lajuno there is little other obvious competition at the moment with Eura having its weakest set of goalkeepers in decades.

Defenders

2 – Ana Mason (F) - RWB - 24 - 14 caps - 0 goals - Spartangrad
Mason has proven to be a phenomenal signing for Spartangrad since arriving from Unioneers and she has impressed in her early appearances for Eura. In the mould of Spartans legend Weylon Churchilli, she is best described as a rapid attacking wingback, superb on the ball and possessing a deadly cross off the right foot. Sometimes, like Churchilli, her defensive frailities are exposed, and she hasn’t got his scoring boots yet – but there is a star in the making here.
3 – Lucy Almwood (F) - LB - 28 – 86 caps – 10 goals - Brinemouth (Nephara)
The best of Eura’s fullbacks for some time, Almwood will wonder how she has been so unlucky to be born into one of the least successful generations of Euran footballers. She would have walked into most Euran teams of the past. Defensively robust but also a threat going forward, two-footed, a formidable set piece taker, endless stamina; she has all the ingredients of a once-in-a-generation left back. At 28 she is now entering her peak and will be desperate to have an international legacy to show for her efforts in the next few years.
4 – Jack Menard (CAPTAIN) - CB – 26 – 114 caps – 7 goals - 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
When he broke through for Marketville as a teenager Menard was quickly recognised as the most gifted centre back Eura have produced in some years, even among a better crop than usual. He has 114 caps and 7 international goals at just 26, making it almost certain he will reach the 200 club, and was a natural choice for squad captain after Monica Rowland’s international retirement. He dominates in the air but is also excellent with his feet and a master of both standing and sliding tackles. It is hoped that in becoming captain, he can develop into the full spectrum leader Eura need at the back.
5 – Tanya Green (F) – CB – 29 – 61 caps – 0 goals – Revolutionaries
In the early years of her career Green was not expected to achieve her current level of success, at one point being added to a list of Revolutionaries players set for release into the bear pit of lower league football. She turned a corner at just the right time and slipped neatly into a Revolutionaries backline under transition and has remained there ever since. She has had the most staying power of the three centrebacks under Oslograd aside from the ever-present Menard, proving more consistent than Kevin Sherwood, Alex Coles and Jamie Byrd. She is the least physically imposing of Eura’s centrebacks but adds a calm, ball-playing presence at the back that is perfectly suited for getting Eura through long qualifying campaigns that frequently test concentration and fitness levels. She is now the oldest of Eura’s defenders and a senior member of the squad.
15 – Kevin Sherwood - CB - 24 - 48 caps - 0 goals – 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
Sherwood, like Menard, was destined for the national team from the start, and has fit seamlessly into the red and gold shirt. After some time in Siovanija & Teusland he has earned a big move to 1830 Cathair in Audioslavia and now partners Menard at club level, which has helped him regain his spot in the first team for Eura. He can suffer from inconsistency in a way that Menard and Green perhaps do not, but on his day is a fine player. Cutting out the mistakes will be vital to ensuring he cements the third centre-back spot permanently.
19 – Alex Coles - CB - 27 - 56 caps - 1 goal - Oakstone
Coles has been in and out of the first team – more the latter in recent years after a bright start to his international career. His fashionable passing style and athleticism is catnip to Euran eyes but with those positive Euran traits come the classic failings; he has a mistake in him, and sometimes comes apart in the big games, which is what has kept him out of the first team. The notoriously impatient Oslograd has been open about his efforts to make Coles more disciplined, and perhaps if he can get the Oakstone man more focused on his game than his haircut, there could be further room for improvement.
21 – Travis Coffey – RM/RWB - 26 - 18 caps - 4 goals - Ma Alameome (Farfadillis)
A curious development has taken place on Eura’s right flank. Travis Coffey is nominally a right midfielder and has played that way for Eura, and yet been unable to displace Bobby Malone, limiting his own appearances in a setup where Eura often play with wingbacks rather than wingers anyway. Coffey’s place in the side has been saved by his flexibility and ability to do a job at the back, which he has demonstrated regularly for Farfadillis giants Ma Alameome. With his club and its host country currently at a new peak of success in the domestic game, Coffey has expertly managed to retain his place in the side through club prestige and the whispers of their Euran manager John Spartan in Oslograd and the EFA’s ear.
23 – Eve Reeve (F) – LB – 28 – 14 caps – 0 goals – Ulsa
Unfortunate is the best word to describe Reeve, who is a solid left back in her own right and who has recently secured a deserved step up at Ulsa. She is unfortunate because of Almwood sitting in her way. This is a reality that will likely limit how far Reeve’s Eura career can go – that and the tactical setup of Oslograd’s side, which is unforgiving for a more orthodox left back like Reeve. Nevertheless, she has earned a place in the squad, and is clearly trusted by the manager enough to make frequent appearances.
25 – Quentin Phillips - CB - 23 - 5 caps - 0 goals - Holdenberg
Holdenberg’s new star defender is something of a surprise package, having shown little promise as a youngster at Whitepill before securing a move to Holdenberg at 19, supposedly as a backup option. He has stepped into the post-Henri de Aea void and proved to be one of the bargain buys of the last decade. Phillips combines many valued traits in a top centreback including peerless concentration levels and decision making, an imposing physique at 6ft 4in, and the acceleration to keep up with the best forwards. He has certainly thrown a spanner in the works for any certainties around the future of the Euran centreback positions and is a media favourite. If he can get a run of games there’s no reason to think he won’t stay in the side.
27 – Jamie Byrd - CB - 26 - 36 caps - 0 goals - Bastion
Until recently Byrd was one of the three first choice centrebacks but has suffered a decline in club and international form that has led to him being pushed back out of the side. Byrd is another unexpected talent for sure – however, playing at Bastion brings high expectations, so his underdog status has quickly been forgotten. There will be opportunities to get back in the side. For now though he will have to settle with being a squad player.

Midfielders

6 – Sharon Erskine (F) – CDM – 29 – 48 caps – 1 goals – Northern Union (Brenecia)
Can Erskine hold on to her spot? The Northern Union stalwart is Eura’s most experienced defensive midfielder and the obvious successor to Monica Rowland. However, an otherwise spotless Copa Rushmori 40 record was tarnished by the semi-final hammering Eura’s goal took (she and Byrd largely took the blame for Eura’s 5 conceded goals). That has increased pressure on Oslograd to drop Erskine for the younger and supremely talented Jermaine Gates, while Oscar Vincent presents a threat as a more attacking option. She has much to prove.
7 – Moira Woakes (F, VICE-CAPTAIN) – AM – 33 – 203 caps – 75 goals – Crisisbless (Nephara)
The joint oldest member of Eura’s squad is also its most prolific. Woakes was a phenomenon at club level when she first emerged as the first Euran woman to be a success in the until-then men’s game. Despite some disappointments in her long club career at Crisisbless in terms of silverware, it is on the international front that she has unfinished business, like so many of Eura’s best players of the last 20 years or so. Few Euran midfielders have scored as many goals as her or at the same rate – had she been in a generation that had won the World Cup, she would doubtless be compared to Craig Sinclair. Instead, she only has a single Copa Rushmori to her name, alongside a lot of heartbreak. Woakes is running out of time to add another medal to her collection. She also happens to be Eura’s key to doing so, a world class technical midfielder whose mazy runs and sublime finishing can make the greatest of players blush.
8 – Vincent Robshaw - CM - 33 - 129 caps – 29 goals - AFC Treason (Nephara)
If Woakes is the heart of this midfield unit, Robshaw is undoubtedly the brain, immensely successful at club level in part due to his own decisive input as the master of the middle, and a big-game player like no other who famously scored a winner for Northern Union in the Champions League final. Despite his physicality and power his football is beautiful to watch rather than brutal, his movement often appearing to be an effortless glide across the pitch, occasionally interrupted by an unstoppable long range shot or an inch perfect long ball. Oslograd once described him as “Steve Thompson with a bald head” and he’s right – John Spartan and Liam Armstrong aside, no other Euran midfielder has quite encapsulated the spirit of Eura’s most capped player and legendary manager like Robshaw has.
11 – Bobby Malone – RW – 27 - 68 caps – 24 goals – AFC Treason (Nephara)
Eura’s chaos option is Malone, an explosive winger who tends to blow a game wide open by doing something mad and brilliant in equal measure. Perfectly suited to his adopted footballing home in Nephara, he can be a dirty bastard in his own half one minute and charge down the line to slash home a screaming winner the next. This unpredictability can be his downfall; Malone’s temperament is occasionally tested by his fiery nature, much like Brenecia’s Lauren Cheney, though he’s not yet seen red in a red shirt. Oslograd has surprisingly sought to tame that rather than exploit it most of the time but there is an option there for Eura when the football gets stale and the opposition try to frustrate his team.
12 - Adam Woodman – LW – 27 – 58 caps – 24 goals – Directus
The polar opposite of his right flank equivalent. Woodman is a golden boy, a Directus wonderkid who plays the right way – possession based, boundless energy, neat finishing and clean tackling. No tattoos and swearing here. He’s even teetotal, as if to push home the message that this is Eura’s poster boy. Yet Woodman’s international career has never felt like it reached a true lift-off; he was supposed to be Eura’s next wonderkid and is now 27 with only 58 caps to his name, albeit with a more than respectable 24 goals given how often he has played off the bench. This tournament will be a test of whether he can live up to the hype.
16 – Oscar Vincent - CM - 24 - 33 caps - 6 goals - Holdenberg
One of the “Two Vincents”, most likely the successor to his older namesake. A somewhat successful spell in Chromatika came to an end after Vincent decided Holdenberg offered him a better opportunity at playing the role he wanted to play for club and country, and it appears likely he will be a frequent feature in a Euran side that he has impressed for so far. A classic Euran central midfielder in many respects with excellent short passing abilities and high fitness levels, Vincent is one for the future and probably the present too.
18 – Damion Bowman – LW/CAM – 32 – 131 caps – 48 goals – Oakstone
The former club teammate of Moira Woakes has had a much more maligned international experience than her, despite returning a very credible 48 goals from 131 caps. His attitude has become a notorious point of contention with the EFA and led to him being marginalised from the squad at one point, and at 32 there is now no chance he will regain prominence over Woodman. Even so, the man made famous for his brief, blistering partnership with Kurtis Bastable at Hornchurch – the Nepharan striker who was less successful at club level but much more so internationally than Bowman – still has a ferocious burst of pace and fine shooting boots in his locker. He could be Eura’s key “super sub” option, and as he has aged has increasingly been used as a more central attacking option rather than just a wing player.
20 – Robert Marshall - AM - 24 - 4 caps - 1 goal – Oakstone
Having featured in multiple squads without breaking through, this bright attacking option got a welcome boost of confidence with a first international goal against Captina Island at Copa Rushmori 40. Marshall is similar in many respects to former regular Rhys Griffiths – a hard-working and flexible attacking midfielder who can play across the front and makes up for a lesser goal return than the more clinical finishers with an unmatched work rate and great vision for setting up others to score.
22 – Owen James - RW/LW - 22 - 3 caps - 0 goals - Chromatik (Chromatika)
James is a young spoiler to the four wingers who have featured in the squad in recent years. His comfort using both feet and approaching the attacking phase from either side of the pitch, though less so the middle, makes him a unique asset in Eura’s current arsenal. He possesses unbridled pace that has not been spoiled by age and injury like some of his older counterparts and displays a wonderfully innocent attitude on the pitch - uncommonly, he is a Euran international who always looks like he is enjoying himself.
24 - Jermaine Gates - CDM/CM - 23 - 9 caps - 0 goals – Directus
Another Directus youth product and the obvious future partner for Vincent. Gates may even secure a starting spot earlier if Erskine cannot address lingering doubts about her ability at this level. He is certainly a very promising player, perhaps in the class of Sterling Rose or Gareth Blackthorn, but time will tell if that is false hype or prophetic vision.
28 – George Stewart – CM – 27 – 0 caps – 0 goals – Raynor City United (Valanora)
Stewart has been overdue a callup and the sporting press has hailed his selection as a victory for common sense. But where does he fit into Skorjiball? Stewart is an orthodox Euran central midfielder who may end up proving pivotal for Dan Eastwood at Raynor City United, or just become a bit-part player, something of an unknown quality after establishing himself at a much smaller club, Blackfields. The same questions apply at the international level. There is clearly talent here and the ability to become a key part of the Euran set up even mid-way through his career – or it could turn out to be another failed experiment to forget quickly.
29 – Flora Brown (F) - CM - 24 - 1 cap - 0 goals - Goodfeather FC (Nephara)
The spare midfield option in Eura’s deck of players at the centre of the park. Brown made her debut in challenging circumstances, a key Copa Rushmori group stage tie against the old enemy Valladares, and was impressive in what proved to be a hard-earned 2-0 victory. She is reminiscent of a Glenn Anderson or Michael Brandon with an extensive passing range, measured demeanour and lanky posture. Opportunities for game time are likely to be limited but she will be around for the long haul.

Forwards

9 – Stewart Robson – ST – 28 – 56 caps – 28 goals – Directus
Since Brian Bond retired with his unparalleled goals-to-games ratio, Directus striker Robson has been Eura’s best goalscoring option up front, which is a compliment to this traditional pacey poacher but conversely a worrying indictment of Eura’s limited options up front. Tommy Sutton, Christine Atkinson and even Isaac Tomlinson are all good players, but it is Robson who has consistently found the back of the net for Eura at the rate that is expected to be minimum for Euran strikers – one goal every two games. In an era when Eura score less than they used to, Robson’s contribution will be vital.
10 – Christine Atkinson (F) - ST - 25 - 29 caps - 11 goals – Lajuno
Atkinson’s stats for Eura are misleading. Many of her 29 caps so far have been substitute appearances, meaning her 11 goal return is better than it looks, and Eura have never been this goal-shy (barring the outlier of an 8-0 mauling handed out to The Askari Union at the Copa, anyway). There’s clearly room for Atkinson to further improve and there’s no reason she can’t become a solid number 10 for Eura. However, she can’t be complacent; waiting in the wings are some very talented young options who will hope to end the dearth of Euran strikers.
14 – Sophie Singh (F) - AM/ST - 22 - 5 caps - 2 goals - Mountainside
Undoubtedly the most hyped of Eura’s young options is Sophie Singh, a thrilling prospect whose performances for Mountainside in Gold League excite their fans and neutrals in equal measure. She’s only 22 as well. Diminutive and fast, she is no target man (or woman). Instead Singh offers the dynamic ability of a Craig Sinclair or Moira Woakes – she can shoot from anywhere, has utter confidence in her own abilities, and could dribble round defenders all day.
17 – Alex Sharp - ST - 22 - 3 caps - 1 goal - 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
If it were not for Singh then Sharp would be the forward everyone is talking about. Sure, the clue is in the name. He is the latest of a dynasty. However, Alex Sharp is a fine player in his own right, and different in character to grandfather Lee and father Dean. Alex is tall and slim rather than compact and tough, and relies on a more consistent type of pace than raw bursts of acceleration. He is also a bit more cynical, no doubt influenced by his upbringing in Audioslavia, whom he watched shithouse his team out of the World Cup group stages at the last tournament. He is clearly highly rated by Oslograd and may end up in the first team sooner than expected.
26 – Travis Vivier – LW/ST – 24 – 1 cap – 0 goals – Holdenberg
Its never easy being Eura’s fifth striker. Vivier will have to succeed where those who came before him failed in establishing himself as a viable alternative, which strikers such as Darius Purcell often do in the short term, but fail to do so beyond a few token caps. One advantage he does have is that he can be reliably deployed on the left wing, where has usually played for Holdenberg, and his dominant stature is reminiscent of Brian Bond, which sets him apart from the more lightweight alternatives available.

Preferred starting lineup - Defensive
Note: this does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change.

GK - 1. E Palmer
RWB - 2. A Mason
RCB - 4. J Menard
CB – 15. K Sherwood
LCB - 5. T Green
LWB - 3. L Almwood
RCM - 6. S Erskine
LCM - 8. V Robshaw
CAM – 7. M Woakes
RS – 10. C Atkinson
LS – 9. S Robson

Preferred starting lineup - Offensive
Note: this does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change.

GK - 1. E Palmer
RCB - 4. J Menard
CB – 15. K Sherwood
LCB - 5. T Green
RCM - 6. S Erskine
LCM - 8. V Robshaw
RW - 11. B Malone
CAM – 7. M Woakes
LW - 12. A Woodman
RS – 10. C Atkinson
LS – 9. S Robson

Player Roles

Squad Captain: Jack Menard
Vice-Captain: Moira Woakes
Direct free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Moira Woakes (Right footed)
Indirect free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Moira Woakes (Right footed)
Right corner: Moira Woakes (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Left corner: Moira Woakes (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Penalties: 1. Moira Woakes 2. Stewart Robson 3. Lucy Almwood 4. Vincent Robshaw 5. Christine Atkinson

Stadium

Eura play their international home games at the Bastion Arena, the 110,000 capacity all-seater stadium at the heart of Eura's capital.

Kits

[Acastanha]

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CoH Here We Go

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After a rather good campaign at the World Cup qualifying round, Acastanha was still unable to clench qualifying spot. Placed at 4th in their respective group, the nation even failed to enter playoff cut off. But fortunately for them, Cup of Harmony have giving them the invitation and it is something not to be miss.

The 83rd Cup of Harmony which is held at Mertagne and Tumbra is Acastanha second chance in the competition. They get their first invitation last edition after also failing to qualified to World Cup. Acastanha scored a great deal and advancr to round 32 which is their best result. But how is their chance this edition?

There are 56 nations that compete in this edition of Cup of Harmony including the hosts. Acastanha is drawn to Group G together with the other 6 nations. And top 4 in each group at the end of the Group Stage will be advance to the knockout stage. Rank wise, Acastanha is at the 4th highest ranked team behind Mercedini, Tikariot and Oberour ar Moro. With this alone, Acastanha should've advance further, but is it possibly that easy?

Acastanhada first opponent is Oberour ar Moro. It will be their first test. Will they be able to get points from this. Oberour ar Moro is only 6 ranked higher than Acastanha. In the World Cup qualifying round, they had a mediocre campaign which makes them landed on 6th place in their group. A result that makes them fall on their KPB rank. This situation can be taken into consideration for Acastanha manager to clench their victory in the opening match. Although the team still have to be careful. Throughout the World Cup qualifying round, the team performance have been deemed unstable. They were even lost to far lower rank in their both meetings. This phenomenon that needs to be evaluate by the manager.

All in all, the match is something to be waited for by Acastanhada football fans. And the broadcaster will cover the match live from their ArraSpprt channel.

[Mertagne]

SPORTS MINISTER QUESTIONED OVER CUP OF HARMONY VENUE CHOICES
Response from central government claims they are listening to regional groups

A thorny question was raised to the Sports Minister, who was present at a photo opportunity of a recent stadium inspection at Dannin City Stadium, as the nation gears up to host the 83rd Cup of Harmony, in conjunction with the nation of Tumbra.

The minister, Morgan Allgood, was asked why the FMF, who is hosting the tournament, have made some questionable decisions in relation to the stadium selection for key group matches in groups E and H. Group E of the tournament, a particularly star-studded group of the tournament, will contain several Anaian mainstays, such as Krytenia and the Ochre Islands, and one stadium in particular has been highlighted to be a questionable one in the eyes of the general public - the use of Crater Field in Claviers. The 25,890 capacity stadium in Claviers, stands apart from the other, higher capacity stadiums that are to be used for the remainder of the matches within the group. Mertagne will kick off their Cup of Harmony campaign against arguably one of the best teams in the group, Krytenia, in a tournament that is very likely to see record numbers of Krytenian fans make the short journey north to Mertagne. The small capacity of the field has been deemed "unfit for purpose".

Allgood was present during a routine inspection of Dannin City Stadium, after unexpected subsidence caused chaos during the knockout stages of the 78th Baptism of Fire, hosted last year here in Mertagne.

When pressed for an answer, Allgood reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the inequalities present in the nation, and detailed that each group within the Cup of Harmony would play in a stadium that, in no small terms, "needed a bit of love". He also stated that "The FMF worked closely with the Ministry of Sport and considered the geography of the nation when determining the stadium allocation."

Claviers, a small city, has undergone recent regeneration projects from the regional government of Harridan, who are looking to entice citizens from other provinces such as Dannmarsh to invest and settle in the area. Mertagne's western provinces have historically been less inhabited than its eastern provinces, and while investment has been high from companies looking to extract their natural resources and in applications such as agriculture, little funding has been injected into cultural pursuits. Regional government members have called for funding that achieves more than economic growth, claiming that they are looking for a "cultural dividend".

Regional bodies in Mertagne's western provinces have expressed their disappointment with both the central government and the FMF, as none of the Cup of Harmony Groups will play in stadiums further west than Claviers. The FMF responded with a statement that claimed that the west of Mertagne "Lacked the concentrated infrastructure to support high-level international play", and that "following a concentrated development plan in provinces such as Freskovia and Brego, [the FMF] will look forward to co-operating with local stakeholders".

The Scabbard, in Bretsaar, and Eiger Park, in Basterra - both stadiums that made the shortlist for the Cup of Harmony Group Stage - will be used in the Round of 32.

[Audioslavia]

DNQ

(sung to the tune of American Pie, a song written by Madonna)

A long, long time ago, I can still remember
When football used to make me grin
And often when we didn’t suck
And somehow got a run of luck
We often ended match-days with a win

But then Group Seven made me shiver
With every match-day we’d deliver
A point or three to the opposition
Strayaroos, and Benidicion

I’m pretty sure I even laughed
When I saw our captain photographed
With a cabbage on his head
The day we DNQ.

So have fun, World Cup 91
The Bulls are flying home before it’s even begun
In future maybe let’s not drop points to Sarian
Singing ‘this is probably going to be fine?’
Drinking coffee while the room’s on fire

Did you reply to that TG?
An invite to the Harmony?
The one they didn’t send to Ko.
We’re in a group with Chartistan,
and the Isles of Cordian
And we can beat Indusse if we show
(more content)

Well I know you, Yuezhou, from Rushmore
And I’m sure I’ve seen that Delte before
We’re not locked in here with you
You’re all going to lose

You’re all lowly ranked and shit out of luck
‘Cos this time out we give a fuck
And you all look like sitting ducks
It’s time for a Grand Slam.

So let’s sing it: Hi guys in Cup of Harmony
We don’t care we didn’t make it to the WC
We’re here to spend the last of our KPBs
Singing ’This chorus won’t come back to haunt us next week no way lol’
’This chorus won’t come back to haunt us next week no way lol’

Now it turns out this tune’s really long
It’s wordy too, especially for a Madonna song
Jesus it’s barely begun
And this is no longer fun
So it turns out in our multiverse
The song stops early after the third verse
And the meter gets really weird
And the rhymes even stop working
Something something the day we didn’t qualify

We started singing: “Hi, y’all, reading this from the future”
“Audio’s linked some songs he used to post in RPs”
“And you’re reading this and thinking ‘yeah audio wasn’t joking when he said’”
“‘That they start okay but they gradually get lower in quality’”
“‘Also what’s with these nested inverted commas this is just confusing’”

[Krytenia]

CUP OF HARMONY GROUP E - A PINSTICKER'S GUIDE

MD1: MERTAGNE

Record: P3 W1 D0 L2 F9 A12
Last Meeting: Krytenia 2-4 Mertagne, CAFA 3 Group Phase

The Dragons start off against their northern neighbours and tournament co-hosts. Mertagne is a team still rebuilding their reputation in the game after a long time away, but as the team from two years ago will attest, that shouldn't be confused with a lack of ability. Ázëwyn Fëanáro will be wanting to grind the Krytenians into dust on general principle, as per usual.

Factoid: The only previous meeting between the two sides on Mertagnian soil was a 7-3 tonking handed out to the Dragons.

MD2: ESHIALAND

Record: n/a
Last Meeting: n/a

Bursting onto the scene with their victory in Baptism of Fire 75, Eshialand have settled into a rhythm as a mid-ranking banana skin without being able to raise themselves to the elite level. Case in point; their World Cup 91 campaign saw them precisely mid-table in sixth, with an 8-4-8 record and a goal difference barely north of zero. The definition of "bang average".

Factoid: CAFA competitors Aleirave used to contribute their players to the Eshialand pool.

MD3: XANNERIA

Record: P1 W0 D0 L1 F2 A4
Last Meeting: Krytenia 2-4 Xanneria, Cup of Harmony 78 Group Phase

The old Starblaydi saying of "you beat us, we're still better" actually works in the Dragons' favour here. The only meeting between the two sides was at Cup of Harmony 78; Krytenia may have lost that match, but it mattered little as they went on to lift the trophy. Maybe this is a good omen?

Factoid: Xanneria and the Xannerian AO Territory are the only two nations faced by Krytenia that start with the letter X.

MD4: DARMEN

Record: P4 W3 D0 L1 F12 A9
Last Meeting: Krytenia 5-4 Darmen (aet), Cup of Harmony 80 Semi-Final

With the likes of Huayramarca, Sarzonia, Electrum, and Cassadaigua in their group, poor Darmen never stood a chance. Still, as they proved twelve years ago, the Cup of Harmony is a good shot at redemption. They might be wanting a modicum of revenge for their elimination from that competition at the hands of the Dragons, as well, so there's that.

Factoid: Krytenia have scored at least three goals past Darmen in three out of four games between the sides - the only time they didn't, they lost.

MD5: OCHRE ISLANDS

Record: P2 W1 D0 L1 F4 A4
Last Meeting: Krytenia 3-1 Ochre Islands, World Cup 91 Qualifying

After three-one home wins apiece, it seems only fair that the CAFA 1 runners-up and the CAFA 2 winners meet on neutral ground for what will be the rubber match of the cycle between the two. Richard Valens is reported to be under pressure already in the Ochre hotseat, which if nothing else suggests diminishing returns in his third international management job. The Krytenia match could lead to salvation or the axe falling on the former Stanton Town boss.

Factoid: The Ochre embassy to Krytenia is in a motorway service station west of Emberton - with the section of motorway around it technically Ochre Islands territory. The tl;dr reason as to why is "the late Emperor Boston was clinically insane".

MD6: CARDENAO

Record: n/a
Last Meeting: n/a

Fellow Anaians who we haven't had the pleasure of playing...yet. Dumped out of this cycle's Baptism of Fire thanks to a four-one drubbing at the hands of the Forbidden Territories, Cardenao acquitted themselves well in the qualifiers, finishing with a four-win run that included impressive victories over Bollonich and table-topping Pasarga. Could be in with a shout of the knockouts if they can keep their form going.

Factoid: The bridge between the two parts of Cardenao is believed to be the longest in Anaia, at an astonishing 666 miles. Let's hope they've built a couple of petrol stations on there.

[HUElavia]

Group of Desire

HUElavia is placed into Group C in a group that is filled with teams vying for the title.

After yet another disappointing finish in the World Cup Qualifiers that saw HUElavia finish 1 Point off the Playoff Spots after a 2-3 loss on the final Matchday, HUElavia returns to the Cup of Harmony for the 3rd straight time. Despite the heartbreaking finish, the HFA opted to continue with Cristiano Aveiro Lima, given that the team is young and was functioning well with the main team. Thus, his extension is at least for the next IAC tournament.

HUElavia enters the tournament where they are not main favorites, but are the top team for Pot 3. In the Group Stage Draw held in Tumbra, Aveiro was present for the draw, where HUElavia (48) was placed into Group C with the likes of Soldera (76), Astograth (66), Chromatika (24), Kuraita (142), TJUN-ia (34), and Baggieland (106). According to medias across the multiverse, Group C is referred to as the "Group of Death" of the Cup of Harmony, especially with the strength of Chromatika, TJUN-ia and HUElavia. The Chromatikans were dismayed at the rematch with HUElavia, especially after both games in the Qualifiers ended in draws (0-0 in HUElavia, 3-3 in Chromatika). As for TJUN-ia, one of the marquee rivalries of the IAC will finally meet in a WC-sanctioned tournament. HUElavia will also finally come to face off against Astograth, a nation that once was among the very best in the multiverse, but has been in a rebuild for many years now.

For the roster, two changes have been made, where Ainhoa Amorebieta and Tae-Hyun Yom are replaced by the likes of Gabriela Rosado and Cristiano Aveiro Junior. For Amorebieta, she is out of the tournament due to her announced pregnancy through social media, while for Yom, he is out with an ankle injury. Once again, another family pairing is made in the team, where Aveiro will be coaching his son in the tournament, with Junior being the main LW backup behind team captain Honda.

Fans have booked their tickets to Tumbra, where HUElavia will be playing the Group Stage in the cities of Columbia, Kingsbury, and Bencoolen. Matchday 1 will be vs Astograth, Matchday 2 vs Chromatika, Matchday 3 vs Kuraita, Matchday 4 vs TJUN-ia, Matchday 5 vs Baggieland, and Matchday 7 vs Soldera. The matches will be noticeably difficult for the team, but if one thing is known of Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos, they won't back down without a fight. And with the potential shown by the players throughout the Qualifiers, this team can be a Boom or Bust team.

Matchday 1 will be a big test that can set the tone for the tournament, and HUElavia will give it their all to attempt a deep run in this torunament.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

Starting XI vs Astograth:
1 Lettmann, 4 Vargas, 2 Lavezzi, 3 Higashi, 5 Mitarte, 6 Font, 8 Brousseau, 10 Navarro-Hamada, 11 Chanca, 7 Honda (C), 9 Nascimento
Away Uniform will be worn

[Xanneria]

About Xanneria: Air Travel

The aviation industry in Xanneria is robust and one of the most fascinating in Esportiva. Below is a list for any traveler in Xanneria to read over as it will give a bit of history and synopsis to this industry. From the "Big 2" who fly all over the multiverse, to the small "Essential Air Service" lines that are the bloodline of aviation to certain communities in the remoter parts of Xanneria. Here is a list of most of the important airlines in Xanneria.

The Big 2

XANAir

XANAir is widely regarded as the most popular and important airlines in the nation. XANAir is known for it's stunning use of colors, showing off a gorgeous a mix of bare metal and the national colors of Maroon and Gold. The airline itself was founded in the late 1930s as Xannerian Airlines. It was one of the first airlines in Esportiva to to be formed and was one of the first to travel internationally through a fleet of flying boats. Though the airline started to stagger through the jet-age, they started to stagnate. So in the late 1980s the airline decided to rebrand as XANAir. This rebrand proved successful thanks to an advertising campaign staring famous Xannerian actor Rod Stonebridge uttering the line "No you can explore the Skies with XANAir!"
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with XANAir: Mertange, Krytenia (2), Darmen (2), Eshialand

Trans-Xannerian Airways

The second major airline in Xanneria, is Trans-Xanneria. TXA as it is commonly known through Esportiva is essentially a legacy airline now-a-days as many in the industry believe it's running mostly off of brandname alone. Known as the king of the golden age of Xannerian airlines, TXA was owned by bombastic business man Hubert Perkins. Most know Perkins for his eccentric behavior and crazy flights, but he was also known as a super innovative business man, as it was him who brought the hub and spoke model of commercial flying to Xanneria. But since Perkins death in the mid 1980s the company has stagnated.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with Trans-Xannerian Airways: Krytenia (3) Darmen (4) Ochre Islands, Mertagne, Eshialand

Other Internationals

SquAIRe

Square Airways, now branded as "SquAIRe" was an airline formed in the late 1970s in Marietta,Galliburton. Like TXA it's most well known and current owner is the media mogul Henry Phelps. Phelps is a pioneer in TV and media with this Vision Media Broadcasting company both being a leader in mixed broadcasting and it's subsidiary the cable news TV network "Visionews". Many aviation business experts are saying that SquAIRe could surpass TXA and move into 2nd in terms of popularity and size, despite SquAIRe having a much much less significant international presence. This is in large part due to the extensive network of domestic flights that the company offers.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with SquAIRe: Krytenia, Darmen (2)

SAX Air

Born as a regional in the 1950s, SAX air has grown into a sleeping giant of sorts in the Xannerian aviation scene. SAX started off as Southern Airways then rebranded as Southern Airways of Xanneria. People started using the shortform of SAX, which eventually lead to the ariline rebranding as "SAX Air" in 2037.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with SquAIRe: Darmen

Regionals / EAS

York Airways

The Island of York is a major hub of avaition thanks to the rapidly growing city of Alexandria and the major industrial hub of Orchard Park. York Airways and their fleet of red and grey commuter jets have kept the island together though their many skyways (York airways brand jargon for flight paths) that connect the many towns on the island, York Airways also have regional connections to many major cities in Xanneria such as Dominica City, Hawthorne, Perlham, Austin, and Houston. They even have a handful of international flights to close by Esportivan nations such as Zeta Reka and Hugeltedom and Appalachian Nation.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with York Airways: NONE

Air Catalan

Flying in and out of the Catalan Islands for a vacation? Well hop on board Air Catalan! Many people in the multiverse have heard of Air Catalan as it was the sponsor of ISC Catalan, a local football team and the Dwight Stadium. This both helped and hurt as Dwight Stadium is a multisport stadium for both Football and baseball and thus during Baptism of Fire 76 match at the stadium they accidentally left the pitchers mound on the pitch during not one, but three games played in that day.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with Air Catalan: NONE

Dale Air

Finally we get to talk about the EAS lines. EAS stands for "Essential Air Services". These are airlines given flight contracts by the local governments of various provinces to fly connecting flights between smaller airports and hub cities in bigger areas, connecting the small communities to the outside world in that way. Dale Air is the most recognized one as it was founded in 1997 by a hotelier to serve the resort community of Dale Tacoma. This airline has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades as they not only a lifeline for people in the mountain communities in and around the province of Tacoma, they also have flights to and from Dale to major cities such as Austin and Delano City, flights that have become super popular with travelers and the outdoors crowd who come to Dale for many outdoor activities.
GROUP E Nations you can fly to with Dale Air: NONE

[Mercedini]

Manager: Sam Billic • Formation: 4-4-2

In what was thought to be the end of a streak spanning sixteen editions, in comes Tumbra and Mertagne to save the day and keep Mercedini's 100% record in post-quals tournaments alive. Their invite to the 83rd Cup of Harmony was not expected, but Dini are as ever present in the Cup of Harmony as some of the juggernauts of the sport are in the World Cup. Mercedini finished 2nd in the previous tournament, being denied of a second title by Chromatika in a return to form for the monochrome nation. After failing rather miserably in the World Cup, Billic is hoping to save his skin one more time at the Cup of Harmony, as the writing could be on the wall if the Golden Eagles go out early here again. They come into the tournament not expecting to win, given the sheer amount of shocks that happened in qualification, leading to some big names looking to pick up any silverware they can. Dini still managed to scrape into Pot 1 for this tournament, saving them a lot of early anguish on paper as they look to defend their top seeding in the group to make it comfortably into the knockout once again.

GOALKEEPERS   Name                    	   Age	          Club	
GK            Frederick Wandai             27           Blue Strike Zoloroni
GK            Anders Vorsini               26           Kiaono Locals
GK            Dmitrije Azar                27           Clayquot City

The goalkeeping team have the badge of honour of conceding zero goals at a World Cup on their chests, but it was scrappy goals and frustrating winners and equalisers which lead them down the path of missing qualification. They redeemed themselves in the Cup of Harmony last time round, so it's no surprise that Billic has stuck with what he knows with the three goalkeepers chosen for this tournament. With a new goalkeeping coach supporting these quartet of players, we will see whether that gamble has paid off enough to be the difference in this qualification cycle. Only Merlo misses out on a ticket to the Cup of Harmony, with the roster being thinned out to give Billic more clarity on the players at his disposal. Conceding zero goals is something that a team rarely does in the group stage, and is unlikely to happen here given the larger groups and more varied opposition. They are the last line of defence, so all eyes will be on the goalies in these crunch matches.

DEFENDERS	
LB            Joaquim Santorino            23           Blue Strike Zoloroni
LB            Armarzi George               27           AS Marcadia
CB            Jordan Brindliev             27           Jhanna City
CB            Lyon Dalamai                 25           Langtree United
CB            Thibaut Peñarito             26           Peynol-Lunas
CB            Kristian Trevasoni           29           Zoloroni Metropolitan
RB            Thomas Di Sansev             26           Zoloroni City
RB            Lucas Stretovsky             26           Blue Strike Zoloroni

No changes in the defensive roster for many of the same reasons as the goalkeeping roster, although three members lost their spots in the aforementioned thinning of the roster. Once again, their flawless record in the World Cup didn't shine through in qualification, as the defence struggled to find any sort of consistency to stop the best and worst of their group. The Cup of Harmony is always somewhere that the Golden Eagles shine in, and they were one step away from claiming their second NSWC trophy. the odds were against them then as they are now, so as the matches go on and the big names fall, the draw could open up for Mercedini, even if we are clutching at straws. Billic has once again gone with the players which has the international experience and pedigree. A runners-up medal at the Cup of Harmony is nothing to be sniffed at, and shows at how this team has gone from strength to strength under Billic after a lull in their fortunes before then. With international football getting tougher to predict, and qualification becoming more difficult to succeed in. A step up could be vital in taking the Golden Eagles to that next level.

MIDFIELDERS 
LM            Giorgio Gucci                31           Sportiva Montelcampo
LM            Lawrence Garzallo            27           Zoloroni Metropolitan
CM            Girolamo Alcides             26           Sitka Valley
CM            Johannes Nymark              30           Zoloroni City
CM            Johan Karlovic               26           Spartangrad
CM            Massimiliano Allegro         25           Ali Mercedes Carassai
RM            Christian Armani             30           Slateport Bulls
RM            Kian Berazzi                 26           Blue Strike Zoloroni

Over to the midfield roster now, and it's more of the same in the midfield despite their challenges in breaking down their opponents. Giorgio Gucci has settled in San Ortelio and is happily playing football in a limited capacity. Despite this, he keeps his first spot at left-mid after some great performances in this edition's qualifiers and the previous Cup of Harmony which kept him competitive with those around him in the same position. This group of players haven't seen Mercedinian sporting success in the same degree as those that came before him, so the fight and the tenacity to lift an international trophy is beginning to dwindle in the plays and the fans . This new generation of midfielders were defined by the success of the U18 World Cup, with those who won it now claiming spots formerly occupied by the legends to took the nation into it's first competitive endeavour. Armani is promoted to first choice right-mid ahead of Ross Presic, and this could be one of the final appearances for the midfielder. Kian Berazzi is also a returning performer to the roster, his heroics in many qualification matches proved to be the difference in saving his team from an early demise.

STRIKERS 
ST            Adrian Talisky               22           Blue Strike Zoloroni
ST            Ben Chillotov                30           Lajuno
ST            Daniel Dostalok              31           Starling
ST            Max Esthik                   29           Zoloroni Metropolitan
ST            Feliks Alva                  25           Elspachia

In a roster where there has been little to no change, the prolific group of strikers has only seen one change in the last four cycles from the group which got their call-ups to the senior team a couple of editions ago, with Adrian Talisky keeping his spot in the attacking roster due to his super-sub moments in qualification and the Cup of Harmony last edition. Talisky is certainly seen as the next generation of talismanic strikers, after Billic and Chillotov have done before them. After scoring more than twenty goals in the past two seasons for Blue Strike Zoloroni, the teenager has certainly earned his stripes, where he hopes to add another cutting edge to the quintet. There have been some serious questions asked about Mercedini's attacking prowess due their difficulties in qualficiation, but there is a chance for this roster can right those wrongs and pick up the final piece of silverware this cycle.

Due to the age of Dostalok, who is now 31 years of age, Talisky has moved ahead of him to take a spot in the starting eleven. This will be a massive test of Talisky in the starting eleven, as Dostalok and Chillotov have been the team to take Mercedini from fledgling footballing nation to near the top of the world rankings. If Talisky can prove himself and link with Chillotov and the team, we could be seeing the next generation of Mercedinian strikers to be greatly inflated on the transfer market. We aren't seeing the last of Dostalok just yet, he will be waiting in the wings for a substitute appearance to try and change the game later on. Minnows and Juggernauts will have to face off against these players, whoever comes out of the other end will likely decide the campaign for Mercedini, with so much tied on the performances of these strikers.

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
Injuries to my players: Yes*
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes*
Godmod other events: Yes
*just let me know what you've done so I can factor that into the qualification schedule

STYLE: -2